Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Iran, U.S. signal openness to diplomacy as nuclear talks approach Xinhua) 09:24, February 26, 2026 Police officers are seen outside the site for the second round of indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Shi Song) CAIRO, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Iran expressed optimism on Wednesday over the upcoming nuclear talks with the United States, as both sides signaled a willingness to pursue diplomacy amid heightened regional tensions. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi headed to Geneva on the same day to lead his country's delegation in the third round of indirect nuclear talks with the United States, scheduled for Thursday. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said Wednesday that his administration sees "good prospects" for the diplomatic effort and expressed hope that the process would be managed in a way to move the country beyond a "neither war nor peace" situation. Pezeshkian added that his administration has made efforts to that end under the guidance of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In a post on social media platform X on Tuesday, Araghchi said Iran is approaching the talks with a determination to achieve a "fair and equitable" deal in the shortest possible time. He described the talks as a "historic opportunity" to strike an unprecedented agreement capable of addressing mutual concerns and safeguarding common interests, adding that a deal is within reach only if diplomacy is given priority. However, domestic political figures struck a more cautious tone. Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Wednesday that Iran reserves all options in dealing with the United States, both "dignity-based diplomacy and regret-inducing defense," according to official news agency IRNA. This file photo taken on June 20, 2025 shows U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong) In Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the issue on Tuesday during his first State of the Union address of his second term to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol, stating a preference for a diplomatic resolution but reiterating a firm red line. "My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy," he said. "But one thing is certain -- I will never allow ... Iran to have a nuclear weapon." The president also accused Iran of advancing its missile program in ways that could eventually threaten the United States and its allies. "They've already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and they're working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America," Trump said. Iran has reaffirmed its missile program as a nonnegotiable "red line," ruled out any halt to uranium enrichment on its soil, citing domestic needs for energy and pharmaceuticals, and dismissed the possibility of negotiations on its missile capabilities. Also on Wednesday, the Australian government announced that it had ordered the departure of all family members of its officials stationed in Israel, citing a deteriorating security situation in the Middle East. The recent developments follow two rounds of indirect nuclear talks earlier this month, with the first in Muscat on Feb. 6 and the second in Geneva on Feb. 17, both yielding little visible progress. Analysts suggest the upcoming one may represent a critical juncture, with some warning of potential military escalation should diplomacy fail. Trump warned on Monday that while he prefers a deal with Iran, its absence could lead to "a very bad day" for Iran, referring to a potential U.S. strike. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) ChristianaCare and St. Mary's Healthcare to highlight practical strategies using FDB's Meducation Solution and FDB AlertSpace to improve patient medication understanding & safe medication ordering SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- FDB (First Databank, Inc.), the leading provider of drug knowledge that helps healthcare professionals make precise medication decisions, today announced that two health systems leveraging FDB solutions will present real-world case studies at the 2026 HIMSS Global Conference & Exhibition. This will showcase how trusted, patient-specific medication intelligence embedded in the workflow can strengthen patient understanding of their treatments and support safer medication ordering across diverse healthcare settings. Through two featured education sessions, leaders from ChristianaCare, Delaware's largest health system, and St. Mary's Healthcare, an independent rural, safety-net health system in Amsterdam, New York, will share practical strategies for advancing health literacy through medication education, and for optimizing clinical decision support to improve Leapfrog safe medication ordering performance and clinician experience. In HIMSS26 Education Session #17 Smart Medication Management: Bridging Technology with Patient Understanding, Greg O'Neill, director of patient and family health education at ChristianaCare, will discuss how health literacy emerged as a critical patient safety priority at discharge, where medication confusion can undermine adherence and outcomes. Joined by Kristen Callaghan, nursing professional development specialist, patient and family health education at ChristianaCare, O'Neill will describe how the health system reimagined medication education through a patient-centered, EHR-integrated approach facilitated by FDB's Meducation solution. The session will explore how personalized, multilingual medication calendarsusing plain language, pictograms, and clear clinical indicationsimproved patient comprehension, discharge readiness, and equity. Speakers will also share implementation lessons, clinician training strategies, and design considerations that other health systems can adapt to strengthen medication reconciliation and transitions of care. Attendees can join the ChristianaCare session on Tuesday, March 10, from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. PDT, at the Venetian, Level 5, Palazzo M. In HIMSS26 Education Session #218 A Rural Health System's Leapfrog Improvement Using Smarter Medication Guidance, Julie Demaree, vice president, chief technology and digital innovation officer at St. Mary's Healthcare, will share how the independent rural health system worked to maintain community trust in care quality and safety without the infrastructure of a large health system. Demaree will be joined by Josh Baker, director of pharmacy, and Michael LeBlanc, clinical pharmacy manager, who will describe how the organization used analytics and clinical decision support optimization facilitated by FDB AlertSpace to improve computerized physician order entry (CPOE) performance and streamline medication alerts. The session traces St. Mary's journey to surpassing the average Leapfrog test score for safe medication ordering, achieving a CPOE rate of more than 95%, and significantly reducing alert overrides while preserving clinician confidence and satisfaction. Attendees will gain insight into governance models and replicable strategies for improving medication safety and workflow efficiency in resource-constrained environments. The St. Mary's Healthcare session will take place on Thursday, March 12, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. PDT, at the Venetian, Level 3, San Polo 3404. FDB is leading discussions with healthcare organizations at HIMSS26 about how advanced medication intelligence, built on decades of trusted drug knowledge and delivered in patient-specific clinical context, can reduce unnecessary complexity, freeing clinicians to focus fully on patient care. "When health systems share how they're applying trusted medication intelligence to improve understanding, streamline workflows, and strengthen decision-making, they demonstrate what's possible when the right knowledge is embedded thoughtfully into care," said Virginia Halsey, senior vice president of strategy and product management at FDB. "We're honored to spotlight their leadership and real-world impact at HIMSS26." Visit FDB at HIMSS26 Booth #3235 to learn more about "Intelligence to Free Your Mind." Schedule a meeting with FDB at HIMSS26 here. About FDB FDB (First Databank) delivers clinically robust, workflow-integrated drug knowledge that is intuitive, patient-specific, and actionable, enabling more precise medication decisions at the point of care. Trusted for our rigorous quality control, deep clinical expertise, and collaborative approach, we help improve patient safety, streamline operations, and enhance health outcomes. Our comprehensive drug databases and next-generation medication decision support solutions power healthcare information systems used by the majority of hospitals, physician practices, pharmacies, payers, and beyond, impacting millions of clinicians, business associates, and patients every day. For a complete look at FDB's solutions and services, please visit https://www.fdbhealth.com, or follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube. About Hearst Health The mission of Hearst Health is to guide healthcare organizations by delivering essential intelligence and software that improve the quality, safety and efficiency of care. Hearst Health has been innovating with care for more than 40 years, with a commitment to making a lasting positive impact on health. The Hearst Health companies, FDB, Homecare Homebase, MCG, MHK, QGenda and Zynx Health, elevate care by informing and empowering participants across the health journey. To learn more, visit https://www.hearst.com/hearst-health and follow @Hearst Health on LinkedIn. Media Contact Supreme Communications for FDB [email protected] SOURCE FDB (First Databank) Greyhound Bus Station The Brief WisDOT and five private bus partners have updated intercity routes to better connect rural areas with hubs like Milwaukee and Chicago. A new route has been launched to provide direct bus service between La Crosse and Green Bay. The announcement includes a shuffle of service providers across multiple state-supported routes to ensure continued regional connectivity. MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) announced on Wednesday, Feb. 25, updated services to state-supported bus routes that connect residents and visitors to rural and mid-sized communities as well as big cities in the region. This is being done in partnership with Greyhound, Indian Trails, Jefferson Lines, Lamers Bus and Wisconsin Transit Lines. Transportation options What we know A news release says WisDOT supports multiple intercity bus routes that provide service to and from smaller communities and link travelers to regional hubs including Milwaukee, Chicago and Minneapolis. Wednesday's announcement updates the service providers on many of these routes and includes the launch of a new bus route, Route 11, that travels from La Crosse to Green Bay. Advertisement FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android Routes supported by WisDOT are listed below, including the new route: *New service provider on the route. Find more information and WisDOT supported intercity bus routes, schedules and ticketing information. The Source Information in this post was provided by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Monarch Brings Specialized Capabilities, Gains Higginbotham Resources for Clients and Team FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Higginbotham, a broad-based, employee-owned insurance and financial services firm headquartered in Texas, announced it has teamed up with Monarch Solutions Inc., a firm that supports high-net-worth individuals with insurance related strategies that are intended to provide tax savings and estate liquidity. Monarch founder and now Higginbotham Managing Director Kevin Klaas will be based at Higginbotham's Fort Worth headquarters, with Operations Manager Ann Marie Coyle continuing to lead the team at Monarch's field office. Higginbotham Chairman and CEO Rusty Reid described the relationship through the lens of the firm's dual-growth strategy. Higginbotham aligns with teams that share the firm's people-first culture and commitment to clients, employees and communities, then supports those teams as they keep building organically. Higginbotham and Monarch Solutions join forces on insurance related tax and estate strategies for high-net-worth clients Post this "Monarch is the kind of firm you can't create overnight," Reid said. "When a team earns a book like that, it tells you they do the work the right way they listen, they plan carefully and they work seamlessly with the other advisors around the table. That approach is exactly what drives organic growth over time, and it's why we're proud to join forces with Monarch." Klaas noted that Monarch was built specifically to complement clients' existing financial teams, focusing on insurance related strategies to promote estate liquidity and facilitate wealth transfer that are distinct from investment management and retirement planning. "Our lane is advanced, insurance related estate and tax planning, often using life insurance structures to help families address tax liabilities and plan for long-term outcomes," Klaas said. "We are not there to manage assets or replace anyone on the client's team. We're there to bring solutions and help the whole team move forward together." Klaas said the decision to join forces with Higginbotham was shaped by long-standing relationships and confidence in how Higginbotham supports partners after a transaction closes. "When we began looking for a firm to join, I wanted to know we were stepping into a place that would protect our people and preserve what we built," Klaas said. "I've known leaders at Higginbotham for more than a decade, and I trusted that we would not be folded into a bureaucracy or lose our identity in the process. We are staying in place, serving clients the way we always have, with a much deeper bench behind us." Coyle said the combined efforts will add operational horsepower while creating new opportunities for Monarch's team. "Efficiency is going to be huge for us," Coyle said. "We're a small team, so administrative tasks and technology decisions take time we'd rather spend serving our clients. Higginbotham already has proven processes, vetted tools and shared support that we can plug into. Our team is also gaining access to the benefits and broader opportunities that come with being part of a larger, employee-owned firm." Reid concluded by pointing out that Monarch's work in specialized areas will also support Higginbotham's long-term organic growth by making additional planning tools available across the firm's life insurance and financial services capabilities. ABOUT MONARCH SOLUTIONS INC. Monarch Solutions helps high-net-worth individuals with insurance related strategies that are intended to provide tax savings and estate liquidity. Monarch works alongside clients' financial teams, including family offices, CPAs and estate planning attorneys, to develop strategies that support long-term planning goals, bringing clarity and alignment to complex planning decisions. Learn more at monarchsolutionsinc.com . ABOUT HIGGINBOTHAM Higginbotham is an employee-owned leader in insurance, financial services and employee benefits. Since 1948, the firm has combined national reach with local expertise, ranking as the 18th largest independent insurance brokerage in the U.S. in 2025 according to The Hales Report. Higginbotham delivers customized programs supported by its Day Two Services, ensuring clients receive proactive guidance and support throughout the life of every policy. Guided by a values-driven culture, the firm is committed to its employees, clients, carrier partners and the communities it serves. Learn more at higginbotham.com . SOURCE Higginbotham by Shafique Khokhar An NGO denounced the false accusation against Sarwar Masih, meant to illegally seize his property, which his family has occupied for over 70 years. Islamic banners have been displayed to prevent any reconciliation. For Naveed Walter, president of Human Rights Focus Pakistan, this reflects a disturbing pattern. Impartial investigation and reforms against the abuse of blasphemy laws are called for. Gujranwala (AsiaNews) Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) has expressed grave concern over what it calls a false blasphemy accusation against Sarwar Masih, a Christian resident in Gujranwala, allegedly to illegally take his home. HRFP has urgently called on the authorities to ensure the protection of Sarwar Masih and his family, and to conduct an impartial investigation into the matter, bringing the perpetrators to justice. An HRFP fact-finding team visited the scene of the incident on Tuesday and met with Sarwar Masih and his family, ensuring they received every possible assistance. The team also met with neighbours, police officials, and other stakeholders, gathering evidence indicating that blasphemy threats are being used to illegally seize the Christian-owned property. Following the allegedly unlawful occupation, perpetrators displayed religious banners, Quranic verses, and images of Madinah (a city in Saudi Arabia, Islam's second holiest site after Makkah) on the property, apparently to portray the dispute as a religious matter. Sarwar Masih, his wife, and his brother told the HRFP team that they were directly threatened with blasphemy charges if they attempted to reclaim their property. They also expressed fear that any attempt to remove the religious banners could escalate tensions and endanger not only their family, but also the broader Christian community in the area. Witnesses, including Muhammad Shahid, 50, a neighbour, told the team they had known the Christian family since childhood and confirmed that the property belongs to them. However, the occupants threatened that anyone attempting to remove the religious banners would be charged with blasphemy and that all homes in the area would be set on fire. In addition, on Monday, they posted a warning stating that anyone attempting to open the property's door would be accused of desecrating Islam. HRFPs investigation revealed that Sarwar Masih's family had lived at the same property for over 70 years, with no legal disputes or court cases related to the ownership. The family described the blasphemy accusation as a major obstacle to seeking justice, citing previous incidents in which Christian homes were attacked and torched following similar charges. Naveed Walter, president of Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP), said that this case reflects a disturbing pattern. This is not the first time land grabbers have reportedly used threats of blasphemy charges to silence Christian families and force them to abandon their homes. In many cases, victims are attacked or left isolated, frightened, and forced to relocate, rather than seeking justice. Naveed Walter cited similar cases in which threats of blasphemy have escalated into false accusations and attacks stemming from personal disputes, ownership conflicts, and workplace tensions. He noted that during the illegal occupation of Sarwar Masih's property, law enforcement failed to intervene and did not even register a preliminary complaint. The fear surrounding blasphemy charges often discourages timely intervention by the authorities and community members. HRFP emphasised that human rights advocates have criticised Pakistan's blasphemy laws i.e. Sections 295-A, 295-B, and 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code for their misuse and disproportionate impact on religious minorities. The NGO has called for legal reforms, including safeguards against false accusations, protection for vulnerable communities, and procedural changes to prevent abuse. HRFP also reiterated its commitment to defending the rights of marginalised communities and called on civil society groups, the media, and government authorities to ensure justice and protection for all citizens, regardless of creed or religion, in line with the vision of Pakistan's founder, Ali Jinnah. The latest official demographic data show opposite trends in the two East Asian countries. Despite government measures and some tentative signs regarding fertility rates, Japan is failing to reverse the trend. South Korea is experiencing a rise in births among women over 30, but the country is still the most affected by the demographic winter. Milan (AsiaNews/Agencies) In 2025, Japan recorded a tenth consecutive year of decline in births; by contrast, South Korea recorded an increase for the second year in a row. The two Far East Asian countries, who have long been firmly at the bottom of the global demographic winter rankings, are now diverging if the latest figures are to be believed. The data released today in Tokyo are particularly striking, not only because they confirm the existing trend but also because of the magnitude. Preliminary data show that 705,809 children were born in the country in 2025, down 15,179 (-2.1 per cent) over the previous year. It should be noted that this figure includes children born in Japan to foreign nationals, numbering 22,878 in 2024. The data released today in a country where migration is a controversial political issue did not specify how many foreign couples contributed to births in Japan, but the trend in this segment of the population has been consistently rising in recent years. Overall, the data confirm that the various measures announced in recent years by successive Japanese governments to support the birthrate have only slowed the decline, which in the past few years has consistently hovered around 5 per cent. It should be noted that reversing a demographic trend is a complex operation, but a certain shift is nonetheless visible in Japan. In fact, for two years, the fertility rate which is calculated by dividing the number of newborns by the number of women aged between 15 and 49 in Japan has recorded a slight increase, from 1.2 to 1.38, still well below the two children per woman deemed the "replacement threshold" necessary to maintain a stable population. So, Japanese women of childbearing age are having a few more children at present, but fewer than in previous years, and so the overall birthrate is still falling. Births decreased in 45 of Japan's 47 prefectures. Tokyo bucked the trend, recording its first increase in nine years at 88,518. The other increase concerns Ishikawa Prefecture, where experts believe the recovery is merely a rebound from the previous year's sharp decline, linked to the impact of the Noto Peninsula earthquake. Regarding Japan's general demographic profile, although deaths are expected to decrease by 0.8 per cent in 2025 over the previous year, the natural population decline (the difference between births and deaths) is still widening to 899,845 (out of a population of approximately 122 million). The situation is different in South Korea, where the 254,500 births recorded in 2025 are 16,100 more than in 2024. This 6.4 per cent increase is the largest since 2010, and the fourth-highest increase since annual statistics began to be collected in 1970. The growth parallels the fertility rate, which has returned to 0.8 children per woman after hitting a record low of 0.72 in 2023. South Korea, however, remains last in terms of the birthrate among the 38-member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The main drivers of the rise in the total fertility rate are the increase in marriages after COVID-19, the growth of the population in the early 30s the prime childbearing age and positive changes in perceptions of having children, said Park Hyeon-jeong, head of the vital statistics division at the Statistics Ministry. This may be the result of government policies aimed at easing penalties for getting married and starting a family, she explained. The average age of mothers at childbirth last year was 33.8 years, up 0.2 years from the previous year. Four out of ten children (37.3 per cent) were born to women over 35. These two figures will need to be monitored to see whether the rebound in South Korea's birthrate is lasting or just a blip in a otherwise long-erm trend. by Maria Casadei Two days in Israel to strengthen cooperation between New Delhi and Tel Aviv. Meetings with migrants and Indian businesses, trade, and strategic agreements consolidate an increasingly close alliance between the two countries, voluntarily keeping the Palestinian question in the background. There are also ideological affinities between the BJP and the Israeli right. According to SIPRI data, India already accounts for 34% of Israeli arms exports. Milan (AsiaNews/Agencies) - More than a friend, a brother: with these words Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Narendra Modi's two day to Israel with the aim of strengthening relations and cooperation between the two countries. After arriving in Tel Aviv February 25, the two leaders traveled to Jerusalem, where they visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust museum and memorial. Modi then met with the Indian diaspora in Israel and the Indo-Israeli community residing in the country. During the talks, the two leaders discussed expanding cooperation in various sectors, including technology, innovation, defense, and security. Attention also focused on the mobility of Indian professionals, Indian corporate investment in Israel, and the India Middle East Economic Corridor, announced during the G20 in 2023. The two countries also expressed their intention to finalize a free trade agreement (FTA), which has been stalled for years, to facilitate investment, simplify customs procedures, and strengthen technological cooperation. The bond between Israel and India is a powerful alliance between two global leaders, Modi wrote on social media. India is Israel's second-largest Asian trading partner, mainly for diamonds, petroleum products, and chemicals, but in recent years, cooperation in the electronics, telecommunications, and medical equipment sectors has also grown. However, defense remains at the top of the list. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India has been Israel's main military customer for years, accounting for 34% of exports between 2020 and 2024. In 2025, Israel concluded arms sales agreements with India (including bombs and ballistic missiles) worth .6 billion. Modi was already the first Indian leader to make a state visit to Israel in 2017. Although India has historically opposed Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories, today it is one of the Netanyahu government's most valuable allies. This relationship is set to strengthen, especially on the military and strategic fronts, supported by political and ideological affinities. The Indian opposition party, the Indian National Congress, has strongly criticized the visit, especially in light of the tensions in Gaza and the West Bank. The expropriation and displacement of thousands of Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank has intensified and drawn condemnation from around the world, Congress Secretary General Jairam Ramesh wrote in X, accusing the government of inconsistency in its foreign policy. The Modi government issues cynical and hypocritical statements about its commitment to the Palestinian cause. The reality is that the Modi government has abandoned them. In his speech to the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, Modi declared that he stood with the Netanyahu government today and in the future, condemning the October 7, 2023, attack as barbaric. According to several analysts, the visit puts a strain on Modi's relations with other Middle Eastern countries. Modi is seeking to strengthen the partnership with Israel without compromising ties with Middle Eastern powers. Against a backdrop of regional tensions with Pakistan and China, India wants to secure the best equipment and the most advanced technology for the defense of its territory, an area in which Israel excels. Although India was among the first countries to recognize the State of Palestine on November 18, 1988, its current position, confirmed by this brief visit, marks a gradual departure from the historic diplomatic line it has maintained for decades. However, as Kabir Taneja of the Observer Research Foundation has stated, India believes that regional conflicts should be resolved by the region itself, without external interference. While maintaining this line of non-interference, New Delhi has supported diplomatic initiatives for a truce in Gaza, including the one approved by the UN Security Council in November, which is seen as a possible starting point towards a just and lasting peace for all the peoples of the region. Today's headlines: Jimmy Lai wins appeal against 2022 fraud conviction, but remains in prison for national security law conviction. Burmese rebels of the Arakan Army (AA): 17 civilians killed by army air strike in Rakhine. International Committee for the Protection of Journalists: Israeli army killed 84 journalists in 2025. OpenAI bans China-linked account for operations against Sanae Takaichi. PAKISTAN Pakistan has stated that 34 people were killed this week during counter-terrorism operations near the border with Afghanistan. Pakistani security forces killed 34 militants in the southwestern province of Balochistan and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), amid a resurgence of militant attacks in the country. Twenty-six militants belonged to the Pakistani Taliban or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) group. HONG KONG Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong's pro-democracy tycoon, has won an appeal against a fraud conviction in 2022, which saw him sentenced to nearly six years in prison. The Hong Kong Court of Appeal overturned the convictions of Lai and another defendant. But the 78-year-old, who has been in detention since 2020, will remain in prison. Earlier this month, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison for colluding with foreign forces under the city's national security law. MYANMAR Burma's Arakan Army (AA) rebels have accused the army of killing 17 people, including women and children, in an air strike. Another 14 people were injured when a Burmese military jet struck a market in the village of Yoe Ngu, Ponnagyun Township, Rakhine, at approximately 2:07 p.m. on 24 February. Local volunteers said the attack hit the busiest area of the market, where many internally displaced people had taken refuge. ISRAEL In the context of the war in Gaza, Israel killed more journalists than any other nation in 2025. According to data from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which conducts annual international monitoring, Tel Aviv is responsible for 84 of the 129 murders of journalists recorded in 2025, the deadliest year on record for the media since records began in 1992. In its annual report, the CPJ highlights a persistent culture of impunity for attacks on the press by the Israeli army, almost all of which were directed at Palestinian media workers. CHINA - JAPAN - USA OpenAI said it had banned the ChatGPT account of an individual linked to Chinese law enforcement who had attempted to use the chatbot to plan an influence operation against Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The US company said that a covert influence operation against domestic and foreign adversaries was at stake. The official's activity on the chatbot also indicated broader special cyber operations. ARMENIA - IRAN Armenian Defence Minister Suren Pakinyan visited Tehran, where he met with his Iranian counterpart, General Aziz Nasirzade, to confirm the cooperation between the two countries on defence issues, continuing joint work considered high level and discussing various regional and international security issues, declaring themselves ready to develop new bilateral relations projects. RUSSIA - UKRAINE Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a further sign of the continuation of the war in Ukraine, speaking of a possible new mobilisation during the celebrations on 23 February, Defenders of the Fatherland Day, stating that we bear an enormous responsibility for the defence of the Russian people and the future of Russia, repeatedly emphasising the term responsibility not only for soldiers, but for the sacrifice of all Russians. by Vladimir Rozanskij A new bill under consideration by the Duma seeks to limit the right to hold religious services in private buildings in order to prevent the spread of hostile radical ideas. All religious denominations, including the Russian Orthodox Church, are opposed to the bill. Protestant communities would be the most affected, as they have been unable to obtain land to build their own churches since Soviet times. Moscow (AsiaNews) - Deputies from the New People party have presented a bill to the Moscow Duma to restrict the organisation of prayer rooms in residential and non-residential buildings and to ban liturgical celebrations in private homes, except in cases of satisfying the individual religious needs of people living in such private spaces on legitimate grounds. Believers and ministers of all religious denominations, starting with the Russian Orthodox Church itself, have declared their opposition to these measures. An explicit statement of protest was published in the authoritative newspaper Kommersant by the vice-president of the Euro-Asian division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church - a very active community in Russia - Pastor Oleg Goncharov (pictured). He recalled that in Soviet times, Protestant communities did not have the right to own property, which is why they celebrated their liturgies in private homes and apartments, and this tradition has largely remained current in our time. There are numerous Protestant chapels in large apartment buildings throughout Russia, given that in large cities, even if these Christians are duly registered according to the strict procedures of the law on religious denominations, there is no possibility of obtaining land to build their own church, whereas this is often possible in small towns. The pastor therefore asks legislators how to resolve this problem without breaking any rules, given that the ban on praying in homes without possible alternatives creates the conditions for the violation of citizens' fundamental rights to freedom of religious profession. Goncharov warns that these conditions open the door to arbitrary interpretations of the law, expressing the hope that President Vladimir Putin, as guarantor of the Constitution, will not approve the new legislative bill. In fact, the wording proposed in parliament is very broad, not limited to chapels in apartment buildings, but would effectively prevent any prayer meetings in private homes. The pastor hopes that the needs of believers in Russia, a country considered by their co-religionists around the world to be the bastion of traditional religious values, will truly be taken into account. Muslims, too, have called on the authorities to avoid any ambiguity on the issue of prayer spaces in homes, according to a statement by the Religious Assembly of Muslims of Russia (DSMR), which says that a balance must be ensured between respect for religious traditions and the application of Russian law. In Islamic traditions, for example, the ritual of bidding farewell to the deceased is very important. The deceased are wrapped in a shroud in the homes where they lived, with a communal prayer recited by relatives before taking them to the mosque and the cemetery. One wonders how this practice would be interpreted under the new law. Muslims in Russia are convinced that the criteria for the use of private spaces for ritual purposes should be precisely defined in order to avoid possible unjust and unmotivated persecution by the civil authorities. In response to these statements, the vice-chairman of the Duma committee for the development of civil society, Oleg Leonov of New Men, noted that the new document represents a defence of rights in three different dimensions, first and foremost guaranteeing the peace and security of all residents in their apartment buildings and courtyards, ensuring control over potentially dangerous associations and strengthening the role of legitimate religious centres, which are responsible for the order and integration of believers into Russian society. The deputy speaker of the Duma, Vladislav Davankov, who is from the same party, insists on the need to defend citizens from the misuse of prayer meetings, which could be used to spread radical ideas hostile to Russia or even organise criminal projects. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilb Group announced today that it has acquired a Georgia-based surety bond agency. The acquisition took effect on February 1, 2026, expanding the company's bonding offerings and continuing to grow its presence in the Southeast region. About Hilb Group: The Hilb Group is a leading property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and advisory firm headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Hilb Group is a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm. Hilb Group seeks to grow through strategic acquisitions and by leveraging its resources and expertise to drive organic growth in its acquired agencies. The company has completed more than 200 acquisitions with over 125 offices in 32 states. Hilb Group is rated as one of the Fastest Growing Brokers by Business Insurance, a Top P/C Agency by Insurance Journal, and one of America's Fastest Growing Private Companies in the Inc. 5000. For more information on Hilb Group's growth as well as career opportunities, please visit our website at http://hilbgroup.com. Media Contact: Peter Lobred 804.548.4629 [email protected] M&A Contact: Ryan Havermann 804.414.6508 [email protected] SOURCE The Hilb Group, LLC 26 February 2026 12:21 (UTC+04:00) By AzerNEWS Staff In recent days, the British government moved decisively against Georgian broadcasters IMEDI and POSTV, imposing sanctions on the grounds that they were involved in spreading Russian disinformation. The decision was presented as part of a broader effort to shield democratic societies from Kremlin influence and to defend the integrity of public debate in Europe. Londons message was clear: Russian narratives designed to destabilise states and manipulate public opinion would not be tolerated. Yet that principled stance begins to look selective when viewed from Baku. At the very moment Britain penalises media outlets in Georgia for amplifying Moscows line, questions are being quietly ignored about the role of BBC World Service and BBC Azerbaijan in circulating narratives that mirror Russian talking points against Azerbaijan. The contradiction is striking. If Russian disinformation is so corrosive that it warrants sanctions in Tbilisi, why is there silence when similar themes surface under the banner of Britains own publicly funded broadcaster? During the COP period hosted by Azerbaijan, BBC Azerbaijan adopted a confrontational editorial tone that many in Baku regarded as openly provocative. Instead of balanced scrutiny, there was a steady stream of content that appeared designed to cast doubt on Azerbaijans credibility and intentions. Now, as geopolitical tensions sharpen across the region, familiar Russian propaganda theses are resurfacing in coverage relating to Azerbaijans internal and foreign policy matters. The pattern is too consistent to dismiss as a coincidence. The issue is not criticism. Democratic states must accept scrutiny. The concern is narrative alignment. When editorial lines echo arguments that have long circulated in Russian information campaigns against Azerbaijan, and when those lines are repeated without rigorous contextualisation, it inevitably raises suspicions about whose interests are being served. If the British government believes that Georgian channels can be sanctioned for disseminating Russian disinformation, then consistency demands a similar level of accountability at home. Azerbaijan, for its part, would be justified in considering legal avenues against BBC Azerbaijan if it concludes that the broadcaster is spreading disinformation and promoting provocative themes about the country. Sovereign states have the right to defend their reputations against coordinated campaigns that distort reality. The situation becomes even more troubling when one examines the network of public relations actors surrounding Ruben Vardanyan. Companies involved in managing Vardanyans international image have reportedly secured access to influential Western platforms, including BBC World Service. There are credible claims that financial resources are being directed towards shaping coverage and sustaining a negative campaign against Azerbaijan. In this context, particular attention has been drawn to the Paris-based communications firm Havas and the activities of Stefan Fuks. The role of such companies in facilitating media access and narrative framing cannot be ignored. When strategic communications firms with strong political connections operate behind the scenes, the boundary between journalism and advocacy risks becoming blurred. Vardanyans own connections to elite circles, including reported links to members of the British royal family, add another layer of complexity. Even if these relationships are informal or symbolic, their existence feeds a perception that influence networks in London are not entirely neutral in matters concerning the South Caucasus. Perception, in geopolitics, often carries as much weight as fact. Britain positions itself as a defender of rules-based order and media integrity. It has every right to challenge Russian disinformation wherever it appears. But credibility in that mission depends on coherence. When sanctions are imposed on Georgian broadcasters for promoting Kremlin narratives, while similar accusations directed at parts of the BBC ecosystem are dismissed or overlooked, the moral authority of that policy weakens. The fight against disinformation cannot be selective. If London genuinely seeks to confront Russian influence, it must be prepared to scrutinise its own institutions with the same rigour it applies to others. Otherwise, what is presented as a defence of democratic values risks being interpreted in Baku and beyond as political expediency dressed in principled language. 26 February 2026 22:12 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Faith in the future was the only force strong enough to sustain the Azerbaijani people through decades of displacement and suffering. That faith carried the conviction that the painful days would eventually end, and justice would be restored. Thirty-four years after the Khojaly massacre, remembrance is marked by both grief and the joy of return. The Azerbaijani people have reclaimed their homeland, transforming sorrow into resilience and victory. In the lands liberated at great cost, life is being reborn. Today, the leadership of Azerbaijan meets with residents who have returned to their homes. As President Ilham Aliyev emphasized, the hardships of displacement were endured with dignity, and the unwavering belief in liberation has finally been fulfilled. Remembrance is accompanied by sorrow and grief, as well as a sense of justice restored. Experiencing these two emotions simultaneously is not easy, yet the day has finally arrived when the Azerbaijani people have returned to the lands from which they were displaced. Looking back on those tragic days, it becomes evident that the Azerbaijani people were profoundly defenseless that night. The horrific events began on February 26, 1992, when Armenian armed forces, supported by the 366th Motor Rifle Regiment, carried out a genocide against the civilian population of Khojaly. The massacre claimed the lives of 613 people in a single night, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly individuals. Another 487 were seriously injured, 1,275 were taken prisoner and tortured, and the fate of 150 remains unknown to this day. Eight families were completely annihilated, and 56 individuals were killed under special torture. These figures reveal the sheer scale of the atrocity and underscore its violation of international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions. Justice, however, was eventually reclaimed. On September 1920, 2023, Azerbaijani forces conducted anti-terrorist measures that cleared Khojaly of Armenian armed formations and illegal separatist groups. On October 15, 2023, President Ilham Aliyev raised the National Flag of Azerbaijan in Khojaly, a symbolic act marking the restoration of sovereignty and dignity. After decades of displacement, families are returning to their ancestral homeland. Modern housing has been provided, and reconstruction is underway. What was once a land soaked in blood is now being revived step by step with state support. By January 19, 2026, a total of 881 families, 3,602 people had resettled in Khojaly and its surrounding villages, including Ballca, Khanyurdu, Tazabina, Shusakend, Badara, Seyidbeyli, and Dashbulag. The state policy, designed to make these lands even more beautiful than before, is now bearing fruit. The revival of Khojaly is part of a broader strategy of investment in the Karabakh and East Zangazur economic regions. In January alone, 2.27 billion manats were invested in fixed capital in the Karabakh economic region, with 2.2 billion manats allocated to construction and installation works. Of this, 183 million manats were directed specifically to the Khojaly region. This economic commitment demonstrates that the liberation of Khojaly is not only a matter of historical justice but also a cornerstone of Azerbaijans future development. The reconstruction of infrastructure, housing, and cultural heritage sites reflects a vision of sustainable peace and prosperity. The Khojaly genocide remains one of the most tragic chapters in Azerbaijans history, symbolizing the vulnerability of civilians in armed conflict and the devastating consequences of ethnic hatred. Yet, the return of displaced families and the reconstruction of Khojaly highlight a powerful narrative: resilience, justice, and renewal. This duality, tragedy and triumph, positions Khojaly as both a site of mourning and a beacon of national revival. The liberation and resettlement of Khojaly serve as a moral victory that transcends military achievement, reaffirming the principle that justice, though delayed, can ultimately prevail. Moreover, Azerbaijans investments in Karabakh and East Zangazur illustrate how post-conflict reconstruction can transform regions of suffering into engines of growth. The revival of Khojaly is about restoring homes, as well as rebuilding identity, dignity, and collective memory. 26 February 2026 15:23 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more The Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan has announced the list of systemically important banks for 2026, AzerNEWS reports. The following banks have been designated as systemically important: International Bank of Azerbaijan OJSC Kapital Bank OJSC PASHA Bank OJSC Bank Respublika OJSC Unibank KB OJSC What makes a bank systemically important? Systemically important banks are institutions whose stability is considered critical to the countrys financial system. Any potential difficulties faced by these banks could have a broad impact on the entire banking sector and overall financial stability. The Central Bank assesses banks using a special methodology based on four key criteria: Size - measured by total assets and the volume of the deposit portfolio. Interconnectedness - evaluated through obligations and claims with other financial institutions. Irreplaceability - assessed by payment transactions (including operations via the Azerbaijan Interbank Payment System - AZIPS), the number of depositors and clients, and the scale of branch and POS networks. Complexity measured by the volume of derivatives and trading securities in the banks portfolio. A bank is classified as systemically important if its calculated index reaches 420 basis points or higher. The list of systemically important banks is approved and officially announced by the Central Bank no later than March 1 each year. 26 February 2026 17:18 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more A century ago, the First Turkological Congress laid the foundation for modern studies of Turkic languages, culture, and heritage. The Congress focused on standardizing languages, reforming the alphabet, and encouraging cultural exchange, guiding the study of Turkic peoples for years to come. To mark this important centenary, Azerbaijan has undertaken a series of initiatives highlighting the Congress's enduring influence on culture, education, and international collaboration among Turkic states, AzerNEWS reports. Azerbaijan National Library has hosted a scientific conference dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress. The event titled "The First Turkological Congress: A Historic Milestone in the Cultural, Scientific and Spiritual Integration of Turkic Peoples", brought together prominent scholars, officials and public figures. The conference was held in accordance with the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry's Action Plan, following the decree of the President of Azerbaijan on celebrating the centennial of the First Turkological Congress. Opening the event, Director of the National Library, Professor Karim Tahirov, noted that the anniversary program includes the publication of the Congress proceedings (stenographic records) as well as a fundamental bibliography dedicated to the landmark gathering. Deputy Culture Minister Farid Jafarov stressed that the Ministry has approved a comprehensive action plan to implement the presidential decree. Throughout the year, a series of initiatives will be carried out, including the preparation of publications marking the 100th anniversary, the production of documentary and feature films, and the organization of events both in Azerbaijan and abroad, particularly at the country's cultural centers overseas, with the participation of leading scholars and intellectuals. Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament and Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Culture, Gunay Afandiyeva described the First Turkological Congress as a pivotal moment in the history of Turkic peoples, a beginning, an effort and a leap forward for Turkism and the Turkic spirit. She underlined that the establishment of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) at the initiative of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, as well as the creation of the Organization of Turkic States and TURKPA at the initiative of the President of Azerbaijan, alongside the founding of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, stand as vivid examples of the realization of ideas first voiced by intellectuals in Baku a century ago. She also highlighted ongoing efforts toward the formation of a common Turkic alphabet and the strengthening of cultural and literary unity among Turkic-speaking nations. Addressing the conference via video link, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Professor Vilayat Guliyev, noted that the principal outcomes of the First Turkological Congress included the expansion of the transition to the Latin alphabet, the unification of terminology and orthography of Turkic languages, the strengthening of scientific cooperation, and the systematic study of Turkic cultures. The event also featured the presentation of an electronic database titled "First Turkological Congress 100" and a virtual exhibition prepared by the National Library's staff. Among the speakers were Director of the Ataturk Center in Azerbaijan, Academician Nizami Jafarov; Member of Parliament, Professor Jala Aliyeva; Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies, Academician Govhar Bakhshaliyeva; Director of the Institute of Manuscripts, Academician Teymur Karimov; Director of the Institute of Linguistics, Professor Nadir Mammadli; and Editor-in-Chief of "dbiyyat qzeti", Azer Turan. They spoke about the historical and scientific significance of the First Turkological Congress. The conference concluded with a visit to a traditional book exhibition dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress. Note that the First Turkological Congress, convened in Baku between February 26 and March 6, 1926, brought together 131 delegates representing the Turkic-speaking Soviet republics, Russia, and Turkiye. The primary aim of the congress was to promote the systematic study of Turkic languages, history, and culture, placing special focus on the adoption of a common Latin-based alphabet. Addressing the linguistic, cultural, and educational issues confronting Turkic communities, the gathering is regarded as a landmark event in the cultural history of the Turkic world, laying the foundations for modern Turkological scholarship. 26 February 2026 14:48 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more An academic session titled "Khojaly's Unceasing Cry" has taken place at National Museum of Azerbaijani Literature, AzerNEWS reports. The event was timed to the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy. The event began with a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the Khojaly massacre. The session was opened by the museums director, Academician Rafael Huseynov, who spoke about the scale, devastating consequences, and the political and legal dimensions of the Khojaly tragedy committed in February 1992. He described the Khojaly genocide as one of the bloodiest chapters in the more than 200-year campaign of ethnic cleansing and genocide carried out by Armenian nationalists against the Azerbaijani people, emphasizing that it was a grave crime against humanity. Academician Huseynov noted that the Khojaly genocide claimed the lives of 613 people, including 106 women, 63 children, and 70 elderly individuals. The particular brutality with which civilians were killed, he stressed, proves the calculated cruelty of the act. They were targeted and murdered simply because they were Azerbaijanis living in Khojaly, in Karabakh. The museum director underlined that the tragedy received its first political and legal assessment at the initiative of National Leader Heydar Aliyev. On February 24, 1994, the Azerbaijani Parliament adopted the resolution "On the Day of the Khojaly Genocide." In his remarks, the academician also emphasized that raising international awareness of the Khojaly genocide has consistently held an important place in the foreign policy pursued by President Ilham Aliyev. He further highlighted the significance of the international campaign Justice for Khojaly!, launched at the initiative of Leyla Aliyeva. Academician Huseynov stressed that, under the leadership of the victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief , President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan restored its territorial integrity and full sovereignty as a result of the historic Victory, and that Khojaly, like other regions of Karabakh, has been liberated from occupation. The blood of the nation's martyrs, he noted, has not gone unavenged. During the academic session, presentations were delivered on the topics "The Reflection of Khojaly's Reality in Poetry" and "The Realities of the Karabakh War in the Prose of Alisafa Azayev." 26 February 2026 10:22 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has reaffirmed that life is returning to Karabakh, as the country marked the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide. AzerNEWS reports that speaking to journalists during a visit to the Mothers Cry Monument in Baku, Bayramov said that the reality today is fundamentally different from previous years, as Azerbaijan has restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty. Over the past five years, while commemorating the victims of the Khojaly genocide, the Azerbaijani people have also remembered the liberation of their ancestral lands from occupation, he said. Through large-scale reconstruction and restoration efforts, life is returning to Karabakh. Bayramov noted that massacres similar to Khojaly had taken place in other Azerbaijani settlements before 1992, describing them as part of a deliberate policy rooted in ethnic hatred. However, he emphasized that the Khojaly genocide remains the largest tragedy in Azerbaijans modern history in terms of scale. The victims were entirely innocent civilians women, children and the elderly, he stressed. The foreign minister also underlined that Azerbaijan continues to pursue a peace agenda while advancing reconstruction in the formerly occupied territories. Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, he said, Azerbaijan demonstrated determination both during the war and in the post-conflict period. The whole world witnessed that Azerbaijan took full leadership in the peace process as well, with initiatives coming from our side, Bayramov stated. Serious steps are being taken, and tangible results are visible. At the same time, we cannot forget our history. That is why todays anniversary remains deeply significant. Responding to questions about the downing of an aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, Bayramov reiterated that Bakus position is firm and unequivocal. On December 25, an Embraer 190 aircraft operating flight J2-8243 from Baku to Grozny crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau. Of the 67 people on board, 38 were killed and 29 survived. According to preliminary information, the crash occurred following physical and technical external interference in Russian airspace over Grozny. Bayramov stated that during an October 2025 meeting between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia, the issue was discussed and the Russian side pledged to take appropriate measures. The downing of the aircraft occurred due to an error by the Russian Ministry of Defense, he said. Our expectation is that all necessary steps will be taken, a proper legal assessment will be made, and compensation will be paid. The minister also addressed questions regarding the upcoming World Urban Forum 13, which will be jointly organized by Azerbaijans relevant institutions and UN-Habitat. The forum is scheduled to take place in Baku from May 17 to 22 and will include, for the first time, a leaders summit. Bayramov said he had no information regarding an invitation to Armenia, noting that participation would follow the events established format and procedures. Not all world leaders will take part. Invitations have been extended to countries where support is needed within the framework of the forum, he explained. Commenting on the upcoming European Political Community Summit, to be held in Armenia in May, Bayramov said that representation in that format is limited strictly to heads of state and government. According to the information available to him, President Ilham Aliyevs participation in the summit is not planned. 26 February 2026 10:39 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more The Embassy of the United States in Azerbaijan has issued a statement marking the anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy. AzerNEWS presents the full text of the statement: Today, we join the people of Azerbaijan in honoring with deep respect the memory of those who lost their lives in Khojaly in 1992. On behalf of the U.S. Embassy, we extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. As we commemorate their memory, we are reminded of the importance of protecting human dignity, showing compassion, and building lasting peace for future generations. Today marks 34 years since the massacre in Khojaly was committed by Armenian armed forces. The Khojaly genocide is regarded as one of the bloodiest tragedies in Armenias occupation policy and campaign of violence against Azerbaijan. On the night of February 25-26, 1992, Armenian armed forces launched an assault on Khojaly, which had been under blockade since October 1991, with its road and energy connections cut off. During the attack, mass atrocities were committed against Azerbaijani civilians. The massacre was carried out with the assistance of the 366th Motor Rifle Regiment of the former USSR. As a result, 613 residents of Khojaly were killed, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly people. A total of 487 people were seriously injured, 1,275 civilians were taken hostage and subjected to torture, and the fate of many remains unknown. Eight families were completely wiped out, 130 children lost one parent, and 25 children lost both parents. These acts were not merely military operations but part of a broader policy driven by ethnic hatred and discrimination. The targeted killings of Azerbaijanis in other settlements, including Baghanis Ayrim, Jamilli, Karkijahan, Meshali, Malibeyli, Garadaghli, Tugh, and Salakatin further demonstrate the systematic and premeditated nature of the Khojaly genocide. 26 February 2026 10:51 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye has shared a statement commemorating the victims of the Khojaly tragedy. As reported by AzerNEWS, the statement was published on the ministrys official X account. We commemorate with respect and mercy the cherished memory of our Azerbaijani brothers who were killed in Khojaly on February 26, 1992. We always feel the pain of dear Azerbaijan in our hearts, the statement said. Today marks the 34th anniversary of the events in Khojaly, which Azerbaijan describes as genocide committed by Armenian armed forces. The Khojaly tragedy is considered one of the bloodiest episodes of Armenias occupation policy and campaign of violence against Azerbaijan. On the night of February 25-26, 1992, Armenian armed forces launched an assault on Khojaly, which had been under blockade since October 1991, with its road and energy connections cut off. During the attack, mass atrocities were committed against Azerbaijani civilians. The massacre was carried out with the assistance of the 366th Motor Rifle Regiment of the former USSR. As a result, 613 residents were killed, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly people. Another 487 people were injured, 1,275 were taken hostage and reportedly subjected to torture, and the fate of many remains unknown. Eight families were completely wiped out, 130 children lost one parent, and 25 children lost both parents. 26 February 2026 11:24 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their family members participated in the opening ceremony of the Khojaly Genocide Memorial in Khojaly town on February 26. According to AzerNEWS, President Ilham Aliyev laid a wreath at the Memorial. The head of state, the First Lady, and their family members toured the Memorial and met with members of the general public of Khojaly district. The Khojaly Genocide Memorial was established pursuant to the Order signed by President Ilham Aliyev in February 2025, with the aim of eternally commemorating the memory of the victims of the Khojaly tragedy, conveying historical truths to future generations, and preserving national memory. The project was implemented based on the concept prepared by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The monolithic structure surrounding the Memorial on four sides is designed in the form of symbolic hands protecting Khojaly residents from genocide. As a sign of respect for the memory of the victims of the Khojaly genocide, almond trees, which bloom at the end of winter and herald spring, have been planted in the courtyard of the Memorial. Over the years, the almond blossom has been chosen as the symbol of the Justice for Khojaly! campaign, and this is no coincidence. The almond blossom reflects the demand for justice regarding the genocide committed in Khojaly in February 1992. The Memorial consists of four sections. The first two sections feature an exhibition hall preserving the memory of the victims of the Khojaly genocide. The exhibition greets visitors with the Face of the Tragedy installation. Authored by Rashad Alakbarov and Azer Rustamov, the installation depicts the victims of the genocide that occurred on the night of February 25-26, 1992 innocent civilians killed and families destroyed. Models of doves flying along the ceiling of the Memorial are a tribute to the memory of the innocent residents of Khojaly who were killed during the tragedy while wishing peace to the whole world. The exhibition dedicated to the Khojaly genocide one of the most horrific crimes against humanity in the 20th century presents the historical roots of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, the policy of occupation, and the consequences of Armenian terrorism on Azerbaijani lands based on documents, maps, and facts. Exhibitions titled Khojaly Traces of Ancient Civilization, Khojaly Genocide is a Crime Against Humanity, and Do Not Forget Khojaly! provide information about Khojaly's history, the geography of the occupation, the chronology of the conflict, violations of international law norms, the Khojaly genocide as one of the bloodiest crimes against humanity, and the political-legal assessment given by National Leader Heydar Aliyev. In the exhibition hall, information about the horrors experienced on the day of the tragedy is presented interactively via a Khojaly model. In the second exhibition hall, Sarkhan Hajiyev's installation Houses Silenced in One Night and the fates of 8 families completely destroyed during the tragedy lives interrupted in one night, unfulfilled dreams, silenced children's laughter as a result of the crime against humanity are presented through an AI-generated video. The exhibition hall reflects President Ilham Aliyev's consistent policy to promote Khojaly truths at the international level, the activities of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation under the initiative and leadership of its President Mehriban Aliyeva to preserve the memory of Khojaly genocide victims and establish justice, publications and informational materials in various languages, as well as the work carried out within the framework of the international Justice for Khojaly! campaign initiated by Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva and her active participation in related events. Models of monuments erected in several countries in memory of the genocide victims within the Justice for Khojaly! international campaign are also displayed here. The exhibition concludes with information on the 44-day Patriotic War and the restoration of state sovereignty, embodying the ideas of the Great Return and Devastated Khojaly will revive again. Another section of the Memorial features an assembly hall intended for official events and commemoration ceremonies. The Khojaly Genocide Memorial serves as a space dedicated to preserving national memory in architectural and conceptual terms. On the night of February 25-26, 1992, Armenian military units, with the participation of the 366th motorized rifle regiment of the former Soviet army stationed in Khankendi, committed a horrific genocide in Khojaly. During the tragedy, 613 people were killed. Among them were 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly people. As a result of the military aggression, 8 families were completely wiped out, 25 children lost both parents, and 132 children lost one parent. The Memorial erected in liberated Khojaly will eternally preserve the memory of the genocide victims and convey historical truths to every visitor. Today, the Azerbaijani people commemorate the memory of the victims of the Khojaly genocide, one of the most horrific massacres of the 20th century, as a victorious country and victorious people. The souls of the Khojaly victims are at peace today. As the Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief said, their blood was not shed in vain; their revenge was taken on the battlefield during the Patriotic War. Then, President Ilham Aliyev wrote heartfelt words in the Memorial's guest book. Afterward, the head of state, the First Lady, and family members toured the Memorial and met with representatives of the Khojaly district community. FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- What should someone expect when facing a first time DUI in Montgomery County and feeling unsure about what happens next? According to a HelloNation article featuring Criminal Defense Attorney Finn Skovdal of Skovdal Law, the process can feel stressful, but understanding each stage brings clarity. Pennsylvania uses a tiered structure for DUI cases, which means that outcomes depend on factors like blood alcohol content, whether any accident occurred, and the person's prior record. While a first time DUI is always serious, many first time offenders discover that the system offers programs designed to support safer outcomes and long term stability. Finn Skovdal - Criminal Defense Attorney & Owner, Skovdal Law Speed Speed Skovdal explains that one of the first concerns people have is whether they will face a license suspension. Pennsylvania's DUI law links penalties to the level of impairment. For a first time DUI, some individuals avoid license suspension completely, while others may face one if their blood alcohol content falls into a higher tier. Even when a suspension applies, Pennsylvania sometimes allows restricted driving privileges for work or medical needs. Skovdal emphasizes that first time offenders benefit from learning which tier applies to them as early as possible so they can prepare for the next steps. Another major worry involves the possibility of jail time. While Pennsylvania law allows for jail in first time DUI cases, Skovdal notes that Montgomery County offers structured alternatives. One of the most important alternatives is ARD, which stands for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition. ARD is designed for individuals with clean criminal histories and focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment. Although not automatic, it provides a clear path toward reduced penalties. For many first time offenders who qualify, ARD eliminates the risk of jail time and creates a smoother resolution. ARD also offers a benefit that many first time DUI defendants value greatly: the chance for expungement. After completing all program requirements, individuals may request that the DUI be cleared from their record in many situations. Skovdal explains that expungement is not immediate and requires full compliance, which might include classes, evaluations, community service, or safe driving programs. Because each county handles ARD admissions differently, early action becomes important. The sooner a person applies and provides documentation, the better the chances of achieving a result that protects the person's future and keeps opportunities open. Timing plays a major role throughout the entire first time DUI process. Once a charge is filed, deadlines begin immediately. Notices are mailed, hearings are scheduled, and choices must be made about whether to pursue ARD or follow another legal strategy. Skovdal explains that early review of evidence, the officer's report, and the testing procedures used under Pennsylvania law helps shape the direction of the case. Understanding these details early prevents missed opportunities and keeps the case on track. The first major event for most first time DUI cases is the preliminary hearing. This hearing offers the court an initial review of the case and decides whether it moves forward. While most cases continue, this stage also serves as the starting point for defense strategy. Many first time offenders use the time before the preliminary hearing to complete background checks, evaluations, or other steps needed for ARD consideration. In Montgomery County, defendants often must waive their preliminary hearing to be considered for ARD. Skovdal explains that being prepared for this expectation prevents delays and keeps the case aligned with the county's established process. As the case proceeds, first time offenders may attend additional hearings related to ARD eligibility or case management. Montgomery County has an organized administrative system for handling DUI cases, and learning how it operates helps individuals remain calm. Staying organized, appearing for all scheduled hearings, and submitting documents on time reduces complications. Skovdal notes that these steps also help people understand the timeline and what responsibilities they must meet at each stage of the process. The overall experience of navigating a first time DUI in Montgomery County depends greatly on early preparation and informed decision making. Skovdal emphasizes that people who act quickly often reduce penalties, protect their driving privileges, and remain eligible for expungement later. While a first time DUI is serious, it does not have to define the person's future. Programs like ARD, along with careful attention to deadlines and guidance from legal counsel, help individuals move through the process with greater confidence. Understanding the system, responding promptly, and preparing for key moments such as the preliminary hearing help create a more manageable experience with stronger long term results. The article, What to Expect for a First-Time DUI in Montgomery County , features insights from Criminal Defense Attorney Finn Skovdal 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 26 February 2026 17:00 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more An agreement has been reached to expand the scope of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) signed between Azerbaijan and Turkiye. As reported by AzerNEWS, Azerbaijans Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, shared the update on his official X account following a meeting with Turkiyes Minister of Trade, Omer Bolat, held within the framework of the Georgia-Azerbaijan-Turkiye Business Forum. Jabbarov noted that discussions focused on deepening economic partnership between the two friendly nations, ensuring sustainable growth in trade turnover and investments, improving the legal framework for business cooperation, and strengthening collaboration in energy, industrial production, transport, logistics, tourism, and other sectors. Within the discussions, we reached an agreement on expanding the scope of the Preferential Trade Agreement signed between Azerbaijan and Turkiye, he stated. The Preferential Trade Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Turkiye was signed on February 25, 2020, to promote preferential trade between the two countries. The agreement entered into force on March 1, 2021, allowing a number of products to be exported to Turkiye under preferential terms without the payment of import duties. On March 1, 2024, a protocol introducing amendments to the agreement came into force in Turkey. Speaking to local media during the 2nd Azerbaijan-Turkiye Investment Forum in Baku, Bolat said that technical teams from both countries are currently conducting impact analyses and assessments regarding a potential Free Trade Agreement. Our official position is that, when the time is right, it will also be possible to sign a Free Trade Agreement between Turkiye and Azerbaijan, he emphasized. According to Azerbaijans State Customs Committee, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Turkiye amounted to $431.7 million in January this year. This represents a decrease of $51.6 million, or 10.7%, compared to the same period in 2025. Exports from Azerbaijan to Turkiye totaled $268.2 million in January, down $39.9 million, or 13%, year-on-year. Of this amount, $19.5 million consisted of crude oil and crude petroleum products obtained from bituminous minerals, with export volumes reaching 41,800 tons. Compared to January last year, exports of these products to Turkiye increased 4.6 times in value terms (up $15.3 million) and 4.8 times in volume (up 33,100 tons). Non-oil exports to Turkiye amounted to $31.4 million during the reporting month, marking a decline of $5.7 million, or 15.3%, compared to January 2025. Non-oil exports to Turkiye accounted for 11.72% of Azerbaijans total non-oil exports, ranking Turkiye fourth among Azerbaijans top destinations for non-oil exports during the period. Imports from Turkiye to Azerbaijan reached $163.6 million in January, down $11.6 million, or 6.6%, year-on-year. Overall, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Turkiye approached $6 billion last year, underscoring the strategic economic partnership between the two countries. 26 February 2026 16:56 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made a phone call to President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan on February 26, AzerNEWS reports. The head of state congratulated Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his birthday, wishing him long life, good health, and success in his future activities. The President of Turkiye expressed his gratitude for the attention and congratulations shown. During the telephone conversation, the heads of state exchanged views on future contacts. 26 February 2026 08:00 (UTC+04:00) The Valley of Data Centers project is being implemented in Kazakhstan with the goal of creating the largest data center campus in Central Asia, featuring an energy capacity of up to 1 GW, AzerNEWS reports. The project was officially launched in January 2026 in the city of Ekibastuz, located in the Pavlodar Region, and is currently in the active implementation phase. The launch of the Valley of Data Centers is expected to establish a major regional hub for digital infrastructure and high-performance computing in Kazakhstan. The project aims to attract up to $30 billion in investments and create more than 500 highly qualified jobs in engineering, IT, and energy management. The Government of Kazakhstan is providing comprehensive infrastructural and legal support for the initiative. Land plots with a total area of 1,400 hectares have already been allocated. A key component of the project is the development of a dedicated Greenfield zone designed to attract international technology partners. The initial capacity of this zone will reach up to 100 MW, with significant potential for further expansion. In addition, the project benefits from Ekibastuzs strong energy base and proximity to major power plants, which ensures stable electricity supply and competitive energy costs. The campus is also expected to integrate advanced energy-efficient technologies and explore the use of renewable energy sources to enhance sustainability and reduce its carbon footprint. The progress of the project was reviewed at a government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, where key milestones and further development plans were discussed. 26 February 2026 11:48 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has rejected claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that Tehran is developing missiles capable of reaching the United States mainland, insisting that Irans missile program is purely defensive. As reported by AzerNEWS, speaking in response to remarks made during Trumps State of the Union address, Araghchi said the U.S. president had become a victim of fake news. He stressed that Iran is not developing intercontinental-range missiles and that the country has deliberately limited the range of its domestically produced missile systems to 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles). Our missiles are defensive in nature, Araghchi said. They are built purely for deterrence and to help us defend ourselves. The foreign minister also referenced last Junes confrontation involving what he described as a U.S.-backed Israeli attack on Iran, saying Tehrans actions at the time were carried out in self-defense. We only defended ourselves, he said. From their perspective, it may be considered an illegal act, but from our point of view, it was a legitimate act within the framework of self-defense. Tensions between Washington and Tehran have remained high amid ongoing disputes over Irans missile capabilities and regional security issues. 26 February 2026 16:24 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Russia is sending migrants through underground tunnels from Belarus into Europe as part of its hybrid war on the West, AzerNEWS reports via The Telegraph. Belarus, a Russian puppet state led by dictator Alexander Lukashenko, has used specialists from the Middle East with a high level of expertise to design the tunnels, Polish officials have told The Telegraph. The Great Escape-style tactic marks a new escalation in the Kremlins hybrid war on Europe, in which Minsk has tried to send tens of thousands of migrants across Polands eastern frontier. Polish officials said the specialists who designed and dug the tunnels had a high level of expertise. And while experts say it is hard to be sure which groups were involved, they have suggested Kurdish fighters, Islamic State and Iranian-backed proxies as potential culprits. Poland has also suggested that Belarus resorted to hiring the mysterious Middle Eastern specialists because it was seeking new and more inventive methods of sneaking migrants across the border. Officers of the Podlaskie Border Guard Unit have uncovered a total of four tunnels under the border with Belarus, all in 2025, Lt Col Katarzyna Zdanowicz, from the Polish border force, told The Telegraph. Physical and electronic security measures at the border, such as thermal imaging cameras and detection systems, allow us to immediately respond to any attempted violations of the state border, even underground ones, he added. Polish authorities discovered one of the largest tunnels, near the village of Narewka in eastern Poland, in mid-December. It was used by a total of 180 migrants, mainly from Afghanistan and Pakistan, with the majority of them arrested after they emerged on the other side. According to Poland, the tunnel was 1.5m high with the entrance on the Belarusian side hidden in a forest. The tunnel ran for around 50 metres on the Belarusian side of the border and for 10 metres on the Polish side. 26 February 2026 19:50 (UTC+04:00) By News Centre Turkiyes Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, has unveiled details of an ambitious high-speed rail project that will connect six provinces from Samsun to Artvin, fundamentally reshaping travel patterns across the Black Sea region. Under the project, travel time between Samsun and Trabzon will be reduced to just two hours. Uraloglu stated that construction has already begun on the KrkkaleCorum section of the line, while tenders for the Black Sea stages of the railway will be launched later this year. In addition, he emphasized that a new sea airport to be built north of Trabzon, with an annual capacity of 10 million passengers, will elevate the citys global profile. The minister made the remarks at the Trabzon Politicians, Bureaucrats and Businesspeople Iftar Meeting held at the Iller Bank Social Facilities in Ankara, where numerous senior officials and members of the business community were in attendance. In his speech following the iftar, Uraloglu said more than 260 billion Turkish lira has been invested in Trabzons transportation and communications infrastructure since 2002. We increased the length of divided highways from 56 kilometers in 2002 to 266 kilometers, and expanded the bituminous hot mix asphalt road network from 89 kilometers to 559 kilometers, he said. He noted that the Black Sea Coastal Road has been completed, alongside key projects such as the Uzungol Tourism Center Road and the Tangent Road. We constructed the Zigana Tunnel, the longest twin-tube highway tunnel in Europe. Most recently, with the participation of our President, we opened the Boztepe Tunnels, he added. Uraloglu said that as of today, 23 highway projects are ongoing, including Kanuni Boulevard, the TrabzonMacka Road, and the Trabzon Southern Ring Road. We are nearing completion on Kanuni Boulevard, which will significantly ease urban traffic. The Trabzon Southern Ring Road is being implemented in two phases, with work on the first stage continuing at full speed, he explained. He stressed that the Southern Ring Road project will separate urban traffic from heavy transit trafficparticularly freight vehicles heading toward the Sarp Border Gatealong the busy AkcaabatArsin stretch of the Black Sea Coastal Road. Turning to rail infrastructure, Uraloglu said the SamsunTrabzonSarp high-speed railway will connect Samsun with Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, Rize and Artvin, integrating the entire eastern Black Sea coastline. We have begun construction between Krkkale and Corum, and this year we will tender the remaining sections, he said. The minister also underlined that Trabzon Airport is no longer sufficient for a city that continues to grow rapidly. Our President recognized this reality and, during his most recent visit, shared the good news of a new airport with the people of Trabzon, Uraloglu stated. The new airport project envisions a 10-million-passenger-capacity terminal and a 3,000-meter runway capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft. Unlike the existing facility, the new airport will be constructed on a 3 million square meter reclaimed area in the sea, slightly north of the current runway. We have included it in the investment program, completed the tender process, and finalized the site handover. We will soon lay the foundation and begin construction, he said. According to Uraloglu, the new airport will not only boost the local economy but also position Trabzon as an aviation hub with global reach. It will strengthen the citys role in international connectivity and economic development. I wish it to be beneficial and auspicious for our country and our city, he concluded. 26 February 2026 21:22 (UTC+04:00) By News Centre Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended an iftar dinner at the Bestepe Millet Exhibition Hall honoring members of the police, gendarmerie, coast guard and security guards, delivering a wide-ranging speech focused on national unity, counterterrorism efforts and Turkiyes evolving global role. Opening his remarks by greeting participants, Erdogan said he was pleased to host Suheyl Mahmud, Secretary-General of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, at the Ramadan table. He also thanked the Interior Ministry, the General Directorate of Security, the Gendarmerie General Command and the Coast Guard Command for bringing security personnel together for the gathering. Congratulating attendees on the holy month of Ramadan which he described as a month whose beginning is mercy, whose middle is forgiveness and whose end is salvation from hellfire Erdogan commemorated fallen heroes from Malazgirt to the War of Independence, from the Cyprus Peace Operation to the fight against terrorism and the resistance of July 15. I pray that the souls of our martyrs rest in peace and that their place be in paradise, he said, also wishing long lives to veterans and expressing gratitude to parents who send their children off to duty with the prayer, May you become either a martyr or a veteran. Addressing security personnel serving across the country from border regions and mountainous terrain to the seas and overseas missions Erdogan thanked them on behalf of the nation. May God be your helper. I pray that He protects you from every threat and every attack, he said. Quoting the proverb Without unity there can be no solidarity, Erdogan stressed that Turkiyes peace and stability rest on the sacrifices of its security forces. If Turkiye has become an island of peace, security and stability admired in its region and beyond, the lions share of this success belongs to you, he stated. He said Turkiyes law enforcement agencies had endured extraordinarily difficult struggles in recent history, thwarting attacks on the state and safeguarding national independence despite what he described as repeated attempts to damage their reputation. You are the ones who wrote epics in the fight against terrorist organizations without discrimination, Erdogan said. You are the ones who give no breathing space to organized crime groups, drug traffickers and those who see themselves above the law. He credited security forces with preventing unrest during the 2013 Gezi protests and blocking the July 15, 2016 coup attempt, as well as combating human trafficking networks and rescuing thousands of lives in maritime emergencies. He also praised them for protecting Turkiyes cultural heritage and aiding victims regardless of identity, belief or nationality. As President of the Republic of Turkiye, I am proud of each and every one of you, Erdogan said. Whoever seeks to disturb our nations peace, undermine our states security or attack our freedoms and democracy will continue to face the full force of the law. The president pledged that, as over the past 23 years, his government would continue to provide full support to security units so they can carry out their duties effectively. Erdogan emphasized that Turkiye has historically refused to live under anyone elses shadow. The only shadow we recognize is that of our red flag with the crescent and star, he said, quoting poet Arif Nihat Asya to underline the emotional and symbolic importance of the national flag. He said Turkiye carefully calculates every move in a region where new crises and tensions emerge almost daily. Against every calculation, we have our own calculation. We are prepared to break every trap and thwart every conspiracy, Erdogan declared, adding that policies are implemented with the experience of 23 years and carefully crafted strategies. Turkiye today is stronger, more vigilant, more capable and more determined than at any point in its recent history, he said. Erdogan noted that Turkiye is consolidating its position as a regional pole in a reshaping global system. He expressed satisfaction that peace and security now prevail across the country. Western Turkiye is as secure as the east; the north is as safe as the south, he said. Areas once inaccessible due to terrorism are now open to shepherds and tourists alike, he added, arguing that improved security has fueled investment, employment and economic growth. Referring to energy exploration in Gabar, Erdogan said that oil and natural gas resources long left untapped are now contributing to national prosperity. As the terrorism threat which he said cost Turkiye more than $2 trillion over nearly half a century recedes, all citizens benefit regardless of ethnic or sectarian identity. With Gods blessing, Turkiye is now playing in a different league, he said. Erdogan stressed that the Terror-Free Turkiye process is being advanced step by step through coordination between security forces, parliament and the ruling alliance. He expressed confidence that the country would achieve a future in which mothers do not weep and young lives are not cut short. The current stage of progress, he said, is the product of the heroism of security forces, the courage of veterans and the sacrifices of martyrs. Heroes exist to keep the homeland alive, Erdogan said, adding that the state will continue to stand strong through the strength of its heroes. Concluding his remarks, Erdogan said Turkiye will reach its goal of a strong and great Turkiye envisioned under the Century of Turkiye vision. He thanked security personnel for their service and asked attendees to convey his greetings to colleagues on duty. May God be your helper, he said. 26 February 2026 14:32 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Armenia has formally requested assistance from the European Union to counter potential Russian interference ahead of its parliamentary elections scheduled for June, AzerNEWS reports via Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). In Wider Europe, RFE/RLs newsletter covering the EU, NATO, and Eastern Europe, Europe editor Rikard Jozwiak wrote that Brussels is preparing to deploy a hybrid rapid response team to help identify and counter Russian disinformation efforts during the election period. Jozwiak cited a letter seen by RFE/RL in which Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan requested on February 13 that the EU dispatch such a team. According to the report, the EU is considering not only a temporary deployment but also potentially establishing a more permanent civilian mission with a similar mandate in the future. Modelled on the Moldova mission RFE/RL noted that the EU previously sent a 20-person team to Moldova during its parliamentary elections last year. 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, Jozwiak wrote. Ahead of Moldovas September 2025 elections, the EU said it had provided Chisinau with targeted support to enhance cybersecurity and combat illegal financial flows, as well as foreign information manipulation and interference. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas confirmed in December 2025 that Armenia had requested similar help to fight the malign influence, like [the EU] granted to Moldova. Earlier in December 2025, Armenia and the EU signed a new strategic agenda prioritising cooperation against hybrid threats. Over the past year, Armenian officials have repeatedly accused Russia of waging a hybrid campaign against the country, an allegation Moscow has denied, describing it as another round of aggressive language that causes bewilderment. 26 February 2026 22:50 (UTC+04:00) By News Centre Following the release of the National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission report, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye (TBMM) Numan Kurtulmus has taken steps to move the so-called process laws forward. Emphasizing that these legislative measures should come to the parliamentary agenda after Ramadan, Kurtulmus began a series of visits to political parties over the next two days. Today, Kurtulmus first met with Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahceli, followed by Republican Peoples Party (CHP) Chairman Ozgur Ozel. He concluded his visits by meeting with the co-chairs of the Democracy and Equality Party (DEM Party), Tulay Hatimogullar and Tuncer Bakrhan. The closed-door meetings lasted approximately 35 minutes. After meeting Hatimogullar and Bakrhan at their offices in the Parliament, Kurtulmus and Bakrhan spoke to the press. Kurtulmus expressed his gratitude to the DEM Party for its support during the commission process, noting that the party contributed to the orderly and effective progression of the work. The commission has reached a historic milestone in addressing the most pressing challenge in the history of our Republicthe resolution of issues related to violence, weapons, and terrorism, Kurtulmus said. Kurtulmus elaborated: At every stage of the process, the party has openly shared its opinions and contributed to ensuring that the process runs smoothly. Let me emphasize this clearly: the resolution of the most severe issue in our Republics historynamely the matter of weapons, terror, and violencemarks a historic threshold. The parliamentary commission, with near-unanimous consensus, has produced a report, and the TBMM General Assembly will assume responsibility for its implementation. The resolution of this matter requires mutual goodwill, sincerity, and openness. Every stepfrom disarmament to the dissolution of the organization, and the reintegration of former members into societymust be carried out with meticulous care. Turkiye will leave this issue behind. There is no turning back. At this crucial moment, as we approach a solution, we as politicians will fulfill our duties. More valuable than each voice in its echo chamber is the collective voice speaking for the nation as a whole, which I believe this report achieves. Following Kurtulmus, DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakrhan addressed the media, stating: There were points of consensus in the report as well as points of disagreement. As the Speaker mentioned, we openly shared these with the public and added them to the report. This does not mean the report is insignificant; on the contrary, for the first time in Parliament, five parties with group representation have reached agreement on various issues. We value this. Now is not the time to focus on disagreements in the report but rather to expand the common ground and, through it, open the path for Turkiyes democracy while addressing a historic challenge that could define the next 100 years of our nation. Resolving the Kurdish issue is not just about todayit has the potential to shape Turkiyes next century. 26 February 2026 13:37 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Speaking before diplomats and analysts at the Polish Institute of International Affairs, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan clarified that his administration is not seeking the withdrawal of the Russian military base in Gyumri, even as the bilateral relationship undergoes a fundamental "transformation", AzerNEWS reports. The Prime Ministers remarks come during an official visit to Poland, where he addressed the complexities of Armenias shifting security architecture and its cooling ties with the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). As for the Russian military presence in our country, you know that some changes have taken place in recent years. Until 2024, most of Armenias border checkpoints were under Russian control, or there was a presence of Russian border guards, for example, at our international airport. However, currently, all of our border checkpoints are controlled by Armenian border guards. Naturally, we are grateful to Russia. As a newly independent state in the early 1990s, we did not have the capacity to provide such services, but now we do, and we are developing our capabilities. We have no plans or concerns regarding the presence of the Russian military base. We are close partners with Russia and maintain strong economic and political ties, the Prime Minister of Armenia elaborated. He highlighted that Armenia has frozen its membership in the CSTO. This is related to certain events that took place in 2022. Armenia was disappointed with the CSTO because, despite its legal obligations, it did not adequately respond to Armenias security challenges. On the other hand, we say that Armenias relations with Russia are transforming. We are currently shaping a new relationship with Russia. Of course, we are determined and would like to develop our relations with Russia, but it is clear that these relations are changing due to multiple factors. It is also very important to emphasize that in November 2020, Russia and the role of the Russian President were decisive in establishing a ceasefire with Azerbaijan, Pashinyan said. ORO VALLEY, Ariz., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- When the weather feels mild in southern Arizona, is it safe to delay HVAC service? A HelloNation article explains why regular HVAC maintenance in Tucson, AZ, remains important year-round, even when systems seem to be working fine. Daniel Barrios, President Speed Speed The article outlines how calm temperatures can hide serious HVAC issues. Dust, wear, and debris continue to build inside air conditioning and heating systems, even when they are not running at full capacity. According to the article, skipping seasonal maintenance increases the risk of breakdowns once temperatures spike. HVAC Expert Dan Barrios explains that maintaining a consistent HVAC maintenance schedule in Tucson, AZ, helps prevent emergency repairs and keeps equipment ready. Local conditions in Oro Valley make this preventive care even more valuable. The article points out that dry air and desert dust often clog filters and coat system components, reducing airflow and increasing energy use. When systems work harder than they should, performance drops, energy bills rise, and the HVAC unit's lifespan shortens. Regular air conditioning maintenance keeps equipment clean and running efficiently. The HelloNation article also highlights how a seasonal tune-up improves more than cooling performance. Certified technicians inspect electrical parts, refrigerant levels, and fan operation during each service visit. These checks help spot issues early, giving homeowners peace of mind and avoiding larger, more expensive problems down the line. This type of seasonal HVAC care supports both comfort and safety. Arizona's desert climate brings additional concerns. During milder months, unused HVAC units can attract pests. The article explains how rodents and insects may enter outdoor equipment or ductwork, causing damage by chewing wires or blocking airflow. Barrios notes that maintenance services also include visual inspections for these issues, helping homeowners avoid costly surprise repairs. Efficiency is another key focus of the article. A well-maintained system with clean filters, lubricated parts, and balanced airflow uses less energy and performs more consistently. HVAC maintenance in Tucson, AZ, supports energy-saving goals and protects system warranties. Even short service visits can lower strain on components and improve day-to-day performance. The article emphasizes that both heating and cooling systems rely on shared components. A failure in one part can lead to problems in the other. A proper maintenance plan covers the entire system, not just the air conditioner or heater. Barrios adds that this balanced approach helps ensure even indoor temperatures and reduces overall wear. Improved indoor air quality is another benefit. Dirty ducts and unclean filters can allow dust and allergens to circulate through the home. The HelloNation article explains that air conditioning maintenance improves air quality by removing buildup and replacing old filters. Families benefit from cleaner air, especially during allergy seasons. The cost of neglect can be high. The article warns that clogged filters, worn belts, or damaged wires can cause complete system failure. Regular maintenance helps avoid these risks. Barrios points out that the cost of a routine tune-up is much lower than the price of major repairs. Scheduling HVAC maintenance in Tucson, AZ, is a smart investment that supports long-term performance. The HelloNation piece concludes by urging homeowners not to let "nice" weather delay needed care. Oro Valley residents are encouraged to use milder months to prepare their systems for peak heat. Whether it is a quick AC maintenance check or full seasonal HVAC care, these services help prevent system stress and ensure comfort when it matters most. "Why HVAC Maintenance Still Matters in 'Nice' Weather" features insights from Dan Barrios, HVAC Expert of Oro Valley, AZ, 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 26 February 2026 15:42 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told lawmakers in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, on Wednesday that India stands with Israel "firmly with full conviction", AzerNEWS reports. Modi to Israel: 'We feel your pain, we share your grief' Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Israel, said he carries "the deepest condolences of the people of India for every life lost and for every family whose world was shattered in the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7." The October 7 terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian groups on Israel killed some 1,200 people, with 251 people taken hostage. In response, Israel launched a military operation that has lasted over two years in Gaza, with Israeli media reporting that Israel accepted the estimate from the Gaza Health Ministry that over 70,000 Palestinians were killed in the war. "We feel your pain, we share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly with full conviction in this moment and beyond," Modi said. The Indian leader did not mention the loss of Palestinian life in the war during his Knesset address. A UN special committee and a commission of inquiry as well as outside academic experts have labeled Israel's actions in Gaza a "genocide." Israel denies this characterization. At the Knesset, Modi said "countering terrorism requires sustained and coordinated global action," and added that India "supports all efforts that contribute to durable peace and regional stability." "Israel is our fatherland and India their motherland" In discussing migration between India and Israel, the Indian Prime Minister mentioned that, historically, there was migration from India to Israel. This was particularly evident in the mid-twentieth century when many Indian Jews relocated to Israel. Today, there is a vibrant community of Indian-origin Jews living in Israel.They have contributed to the building of modern Israel, in laboratories and hospitals, in classrooms, and also on the battlefield. They hold firmly that Israel is their fatherland and India their motherland. We are proud of them. Modi expressed support for the Israel's normalization of relations with other Arab countries in the region, known as the Abraham Accords. He also affirmed his backing of US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan. In addition to security, Modi's speech also touched on the close economic relationship between India and Israel. "For the last few years, India has been the fastest growing major economy in the world," Modi said. "At the same time, Israel is a powerhouse of innovation and technological leadership. This creates a natural foundation for our forward-looking partnership." A report from the State Bank of India released Tuesday said India's gross domestic product will likely grow at a rate of 8.1% during the October to December 2025 fiscal quarter. India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Israel, meanwhile, is a hub for tech startups, with a high rate of unicorn companies per capita. A unicorn is a privately held company valued at more than $1 billion (about 850 million). "We are committed to expanding trade, strengthening investment flows and promoting joint infrastructure development," Modi said. "I see a lot of synergies in areas such as quantum technologies, semiconductors and artificial intelligence. We are also working with Israel on creating cross-border financial linkages using our digital public infrastructure." 26 February 2026 18:42 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Building on its 2021 milestone as the first nation to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, El Salvador is doubling down on its digital asset strategy. President Nayib Bukeles administration has officially launched a dual-tier residency and citizenship initiative: the Freedom Visa and the Bitcoin Country programs, AzerNEWS reports. These programs are designed to cement the nations status as a global "crypto-hub" by attracting both high-net-worth investors and everyday digital nomads. The Freedom Visa is a premium citizenship-by-investment program targeted at the global tech elite. By making a significant contribution to the Salvadoran economy, wealthy investors can bypass traditional immigration hurdles. The program requires a donation of $1 million USD, which can be made in either USDT (Tether) or Bitcoin. In return, participants will receive full residency and a Salvadoran passport, typically issued within 4 to 6 weeks. To ensure exclusivity, the government has capped the program at just 1,000 applicants per year. For the broader community of crypto enthusiasts, the Bitcoin Country program acts as a digital membership certificate. This initiative aims to stimulate "crypto-tourism" by making the digital currency a seamless part of the travel experience. Tourists holding this status enjoy a 10% discount when paying with Bitcoin at participating hotels, cafes, and restaurants across the country. To ensure these transactions are practical for daily use, El Salvador utilizes the Lightning Network (LN). This "Layer 2" technology sits on top of the Bitcoin blockchain to solve the problem of high fees and slow speeds. By using LN, transfer costs are reduced to a microscopic, almost imperceptible level, allowing a tourist to pay for a cup of coffee or a hotel stay without the burden of traditional network congestion. This technical infrastructure is the backbone of the governments goal to integrate BTC into the very fabric of Salvadoran life. 26 February 2026 23:50 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. The United States Army has reportedly ordered Switchblade attack drones from AeroVironment, Inc. in a deal valued at $185 million, AzerNEWS reports, citing foreign media. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 26 February 2026 22:23 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Ukraines Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov, announced on Thursday that a bilateral meeting between Ukrainian and United States delegations has officially begun in Geneva, AzerNEWS reports, citing foreign media. The US delegation is led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump. Together with the Governments economic team, we will thoroughly work through the prosperity package: mechanisms for economic support and recovery of Ukraine, instruments for attracting investment, and frameworks for long-term cooperation, Umerov said in a post on X. He added that the delegations will also discuss preparations for the next round of trilateral talks, which are expected to include representatives from Russia. According to Umerov, humanitarian issues will also be on the agenda, including potential prisoner exchanges, as diplomatic efforts continue alongside ongoing security challenges. 26 February 2026 20:19 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more On the eve of critical trilateral discussions in Switzerland, Russian forces unleashed a sprawling aerial assault across Ukraine, utilizing 420 drones and 39 missiles. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the barrage targeted essential gas infrastructure and electrical substations, leaving dozens of civilians, including children, injured while emergency teams battled blazes in residential neighborhoods, AzerNEWS reports via AFP. Against this backdrop of escalation, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that Washington remains the only power capable of brokering a definitive end to the conflict. Speaking from the sidelines, Rubio asserted that organizations like the United Nations or the European Union lack the necessary standing with Moscow to facilitate a breakthrough. He maintained that while the U.S. recognizes there is no purely military solution to the war, its active presence in the peace process is the only factor preventing a total diplomatic collapse. In a parallel development, the two warring nations successfully completed a major exchange of fallen soldiers. Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, announced that the remains of 1,000 Ukrainian service members were returned to Kyiv. In exchange, the bodies of 35 Russian soldiers were handed back to Moscow. While the Ukrainian government has not yet issued a formal confirmation of these specific numbers, the exchange represents one of the few functioning humanitarian channels between the two capitals as they prepare for the Geneva talks. The diplomatic momentum reached a peak on February 25 during a crucial phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and President Zelensky. The conversation, which included key American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, focused on establishing a clear sequence for peace. Zelensky later noted that the U.S. President supports a step-by-step approach aimed at elevating the current discussions to a direct leaders' summit as early as March. As of February 26, the focus in Geneva shifts to a specialized "welfare package" designed to spark Ukraines economic recovery. Ukrainian National Security Secretary Rustem Umerov is scheduled to meet with Witkoff and Kushner to finalize the details of this "prosperity package," which officials hope will serve as the economic foundation for a lasting ceasefire. Zelensky remains optimistic that this bilateral preparation will finally allow sensitive territorial and security issues to be resolved at the highest level of government. 26 February 2026 21:40 (UTC+04:00) Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that "no one invited" Ukraine's European allies to peace negotiations, which include Ukraine, Russia and the United States, AzerNEWS reports. She claimed European states "cheated and deceived" and repeated the claim that the United Kingdom and France intend to supply Ukraine with nuclear weapons. "So sit there under the table and keep your mouth shut," she said at a press briefing. Zakharova also alleged that Ukraine is blocking the supply of oil from Russia via the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary, Slovakia and other central European states. She added that the European Union "does not care about the problems of its member countries," claiming that it failed to address the issue. UPDATE: It has been confirmed that the gambling special interest PACs are dumping big money into the 79th district to try to replace Kidwell with their choice Armstrong.. Their last minute spending spree is wideranging. It includes attacking key conservative leaders like Kidwell, propping up establishment hacks who are in trouble like Berger, and trying to win open seats for establishment candidates over conservatives like theLee-Moore House district. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ORIGINAL POST: One special interest that showered lots of money on establishment Republicans, aka RINOs, when corrupt Senate boss Phil Berger was pushing a bill to spread casinos across our state a few years ago, was the gambling industry. Now, it looks like they are back to play another hand in the 2026 Republican primaries and our 79th district looks like a target. One of the key leaders in the House who blocked Berger's previous attempt to plant casinos around North Carolina was Keith Kidwell and the House Freedom Caucus. That makes him a major target for this special interest. the gambling industry has set up two PACs to target conservatives, one named Win for America and the other the deceptively named American Conservative Fund. These groups started with a barrage of ads to try to prop up Berger himself,. Polls show Berger losing to Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page in the primary. Last time, the gambling special interests just wrote big checks to politicians. This time they are running their own ads supporting their friends and attacking their enemies. Meanwhile ads from this group, which are mostly TV ads have appeared in other legislative districts. There is apparently one out targeting Kidwell. https://dailyhaymaker.com/gambling-industry-meddling-in-nc-primaries/ https://dailyhaymaker.com/dark-covert-gambling-money-in-johnston-county-too/ NEVIS, St. Kitts & Nevis & LONDON, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- International Merchant Bank Limited ("IMBL") today announced the completion of its fifth year of continuous operations, marking an important milestone in the Bank's evolution as a relationship-focused institution serving internationally active clients. Established in 2021, IMBL was founded with a clear objective: to provide disciplined, compliance-driven banking solutions supporting cross-border commerce and global financial activity. Over the past five years, the Bank has focused on building a stable operational foundation grounded in prudent governance, risk management, and long-term partnership development. Throughout this period, IMBL has maintained an emphasis on transparency and institutional rigor, including independent audits conducted by Grant Thornton, while developing and maintaining correspondent banking relationships that support international payment capabilities and global client needs. As part of its continued international development strategy, IMBL has established a representative office in London, reinforcing the Bank's commitment to maintaining a presence in one of the world's leading financial centers. The London office serves as a strategic platform for relationship management, client engagement, and collaboration with global counterparties. "Reaching our five-year milestone reflects a deliberate approach to building a sustainable institution one grounded in sound banking principles, strong partnerships, and long-term vision," said Dhwani Srivastava, CEO at IMBL. "Our focus has always been on responsible growth and delivering dependable solutions to clients operating across borders." Looking ahead, IMBL remains focused on strengthening its international banking capabilities through: Expansion of correspondent banking relationships and strategic partnerships Continued enhancement of trade finance and structured transaction services Investment in operational infrastructure and governance frameworks Supporting globally active clients through tailored, relationship-driven banking solutions As the Bank enters its next phase, IMBL remains committed to disciplined growth while maintaining the high standards expected of an internationally oriented financial institution. About International Merchant Bank Limited International Merchant Bank Limited is a licensed bank headquartered in St. Kitts & Nevis, providing international banking solutions designed to support cross-border commercial activity and global clients. The Bank is audited by Grant Thornton and maintains a strong focus on governance, compliance, and long-term institutional partnerships. Head Office Address: JHT Executive Suites, Suite 3, Stoney Grove Commercial Development, St. John's Parish, Nevis, St. Kitts and Nevis +1 869 469 4626 www.IMBLTD.com SOURCE International Merchant Bank Limited If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. The Mill River Folk School will kick off its second season of workshops Feb. 28 at the New Marlborough United Church Hall. The folk school will also offer blacksmithing, wood carving and basket-weaving classes, among others. Last week, I wrote about the red-winged blackbird, one of the first migratory species to arrive in our area in the spring, characterizing their great flocks as the vanguard of an approaching army, spreading out across the landscape and claiming it for themselves. Ownership of land and territories can be a curious thing. I feel like I own my property (at least for a little while), but the birds clearly see the same patch of land as their own. Apparently, multiple species simultaneously can own the same patch of earth as long as the species are not in direct conflict with one another, the sky is the limit. The second most likely species to arrive in our area in the springtime is the common grackle (Quiscalus quiscula). This particular bird is often lumped in with blackbirds, but even the most casual glance at todays photograph will reveal the error in this notion. Adult males are actually ensconced in a plumage that literally contains a rainbow of colors. However, the tricky thing about this is the fact that their feathers really are black. They just happen to contain tiny microscopic structures that are capable of refracting light. On a bright, sunny day with a blue sky, an adult male common grackle would absolutely look black. But if the sun is at the correct angle, these black feathers will glow with iridescent colors. The head is generally blue, the wings are purple, and the feathers of the back and belly can be a coppery yellow. Think of the astounding glowing green of a male mallards head, and youll have the picture. The feathers can appear to be glowing with an inner light. On a cloudy day with just the right conditions, the birds can take on an entirely different look. A bright day with high clouds just thick enough to prevent any shadows from being cast will provide enough light for the male grackles feathers to show color all at the same time. The colors are a bit duller and more in the realm of pastels, but the effect may actually be more impressive than the stunning appearance of iridescence on a sunny day. The adult male in todays photo shows just this sort of effect. Blues, violets, greens, yellows and copper-brown feathers are all visible. The only colors missing are reds and oranges, which are colors that are generally produced by pigments, rather than by refraction. Adult female grackles are quite different in appearance. Their feathers are much less colorful and their bodies are much smaller. This is sexual dimorphism at its highest, but now that Ive said that, I can see that some of you might be thinking, sexual what? Well, the concept is simple enough once you learn the vocabulary, so here goes. The bodys shape is often referred to as morphology, the branch of biology that deals with the form of living organisms, and with relationships between their structures. Simply put, your morphology is your shape and appearance. We all have a fairly good grasp of the term sexual, which basically refers to the difference between male and female organisms. The prefix "di-" in the word dimorphism primarily derives from the Greek dis, which means "two." Taken as a whole, the term sexual dimorphism means that the two sexes have two forms. We are all exquisitely familiar with this concept because humans also exhibit strong sexual dimorphism. Males tend to be larger than females and their body shapes are noticeably different. The same is true with grackles. Males are larger and much more colorful than the females, which is a bit different from most other species. In most cases, the males are more colorful but are not larger. Canada geese show a larger size in males, but their coloration is no different from that of the females. Then, in the hawks and owls, the females tend to be larger than the males, but again have the same coloration. This puts common grackles in a league of their own, at least on a local scale. Once spring really arrives, the initial flocks of common grackles, known as plagues, can be very impressive in size. Hundreds, and even thousands of birds will fly together in huge flocks as they move north, and catching sight of such an assemblage can be quite a thrill. As with the red-winged blackbirds, there is a huge advantage to showing up early to claim the best territories, but this often comes with the risk of showing up just a tad too early. When this happens, backyard feeding stations can become overwhelmed with hungry grackles. Before too long, however, the flocks will break up as the individual males start to claim this patch of land or that. They generally prefer to be near water, but they also need a territory that contains some rather large conifers, where the females will build their nests and generally fend for themselves once mating has occurred. The proximity to water is more important than the availability of conifers, and after about two weeks of incubation, the four to five eggs will hatch. After another two weeks, the baby grackles will finally fledge, and they will follow their mothers, harassing them for food. These fledglings have gray feathers and dark eyes, unlike the eyes of adults, which are pale yellow. With a winter like the one weve had this year, red-winged blackbirds and common grackles may arrive at the same time. One can imagine a host of birds stuck in the south, impatiently waiting for the weather to clear so that they can surge northward. Common grackles will happily travel in large mixed flocks with red-winged blackbirds, brown-headed cowbirds, and even European starlings, so such flocks can be quite noisy and obvious when they first appear. All you have to do is turn off the TV, abandon your phone and go outside with your eyes open. If they are around, youll know it. Quality local journalism needs your support Access this story and all of our stories with 24/7 unlimited access. Subscribe today. Cancel anytime. Subscribe now for 99 Subscriber Sign In | Return Home NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Jefferies Financial Group Inc. ("Jefferies" or the "Company") (NYSE: JEF). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Jefferies and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On September 29, 2025, The Wall Street Journal published an article entitled "Auto Supplier First Brands Files for Bankruptcy Amid Accounting Questions," reporting that "[t]he closely held company's lenders and independent board directors are now probing whether First Brands made misrepresentations in its financial reporting" and that "First Brands relied heavily on accounts-receivable-backed financing, supplying automotive products to customers on delayed payment terms and borrowing from outside investors against the billed receivables." Then, on October 8, 2025, The Wall Street Journal further reported, in an article entitled "First Brands Bankruptcy Damage Spreads to Jefferies UBS," that Jefferies "said funds run by an asset-management unit, Point Bonita Capital, are owed around $715 million from companies that bought First Brands' parts." On this news, Jefferies' stock price fell $4.66 per share, or 7.88%, to close at $54.44 per share on October 8, 2025. The following day, Reuters disclosed that "The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an inquiry into the collapse of bankrupt auto parts maker First Brands Group" and that "[t]he Justice Department is probing the company and its dealings with creditors." On this news, Jefferies' stock price fell another $1.43 per share, or 2.63%, to close at $53.01 per share on October 9, 2025. On November 27, 2025, The Financial Times reported that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating Jefferies in connection with its relationship with First Brands, including whether Jefferies gave investors in its Point Bonita fund enough information about their exposure to First Brands. Later, on January 7, 2026, The Financial Times reported that Jefferies took a $30 million loss tied to the collapse of First Brands. On this news, Jefferies' stock price fell $3.62 per share, or 5.6%, to close at $61.05 per share on January 8, 2026. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. Almost everyone has heard the statement, God wont give me anything I cant handle. That reasoning puts human understanding in the way of how God operates in His economy. Lets unpack this meaningful verse. 1 and 2 Corinthians were written by the Apostle Paul to the church in the Roman province which included Corinth in probably A.D. 55. Corinth was so wicked that when someone called a people Corinthianized, they meant debauched and corrupt. The church was unable to fully break from the encroaching culture and Paul addressed their failings with admonitions, commands, and encouragement. Chapter ten begins with Paul reminding the Israelites about their contentious forty years in the desert while they journeyed between Egypt and Canaan. John MacArthur states, They greatly abused their freedom and lapsed into idolatry, immorality, and rebelliousness, disqualifying themselves from receiving the Lords blessing. God guided them through the wilderness, and, because of their relentless disobedience, He allowed only two men over the age of nineteen to enter the Promised land. Thus, Paul continued to remind them from where they had come by the grace of God. They had previously fallen to their own sinful temptations, and many had fallen into the same sort of depravity in Corinth. Paul strikes the heart of the matter when he reaches verse 13. We are all sinful men, and our temptations are common to us. Temptation as it is used here, can also mean trials. God does not bring sinful temptations, but He does allow them to test our faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). He allowed the Corinthian church to be tested, to be tried by the pervasive wickedness of its surrounding culture. But look at the remainder of the verse, God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. The key and this is important is that God provides the escape from temptations. It is not a blanket promise to remove temptations, and nowhere does it say we will not endure pain or loss (including death). Widows and widowers or parents who lose their children will tell you that every day the loss is beyond what they can handle. No way could anyone get through those losses with peace unless he or she knows Jesus, and our focus should always remain on Jesus and His work in and through us. As David said, The Lord is my strength (Psalm 28:7). Related: Why God Will Give You More Than You Can Handle Photo credit: SWN/Crosscards.com NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Novo Nordisk A/S ("Novo Nordisk" or the "Company") (NYSE: NVO). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Novo Nordisk and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On February 23, 2026, Novo Nordisk issued a press release "announc[ing] headline results from REDEFINE 4, an open-label phase 3 trial from the global REDEFINE clinical trial programme." The press release reported that Novo Nordisk's experimental drug CagriSema failed to achieve its primary endpoint of demonstrating non-inferiority on weight loss when compared to Eli Lilly's rival drug tirzepatide after 84 weeks. On this news, Novo Nordisk's American Depositary Receipt ("ADR") price fell $7.79 per ADR, or 16.43%, to close at $39.63 per ADR on February 23, 2026. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP BOCA RATON, Fla., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- IPIC Theaters, LLC ("IPIC" or "Company"), America's premier luxury dine-in theater and restaurant brand, announced plans to pursue a sale of assets through voluntary Chapter 11 reorganization under the US Bankruptcy Code in the Southern District of Florida ("Court") where it will seek approval of said sale. The Company announced that it will continue to operate and conduct business pending a process to maximize value to all creditors. In connection with the filing, the Company issued WARN notices to all employees. As part of this process, IPIC cannot guarantee employment beyond the notice period. "After exploring a range of possible alternatives, the Company concluded that a court-supervised sale of assets is in the best interest of the Company and its stakeholders," said Patrick Quinn, Chief Executive Officer. "We are committed to continuing our business operations with minimal impact throughout the process and will endeavor to serve our customers with the high standard of care they have come to expect from us." The Company anticipates sufficient liquidity to operate the business during an expedited sale process and the formulation of its plan of reorganization. "We believe this process is the best path forward for the Company to continue to be an industry leader in the luxury dine-in theater and restaurant business. We are committed to making this a seamless process for all of our stakeholders," said Quinn. To ensure that day-to-day operations continue uninterrupted, current management will remain in place to work alongside the Company's restructuring advisors. The Company has filed "first day" motions seeking approval from the Court that the Company can honor its commitment to employees, guests, and partners. Court filings and other information related to the reorganization are available at, https://cases.stretto.com/IPICTheaters/, or by calling 562-684-1704 (toll free in North America). About IPIC The IPIC Theaters' portfolio is comprised of four dine-in theater and restaurant brands, including IPIC, City Perch, The Tuck Room and Serena Pastificio. Founded in 2010, IPIC is a pioneer of the premium dine-in theater and restaurant concepts, offering guests high-quality, chef-driven culinary and mixology offerings in architecturally unique destinations. IPIC Theaters currently operates 8 restaurant locations and 13 dine-in theater locations with 100 screens in California, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Washington. For more information, visit IPIC.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, including the statements that the Company will continue to operate and conduct business as usual pending a process to sell all or parts of the Company via a court supervised sale process. These statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statement(s), including but not limited to such factors as the company's ability to control costs; the Company's ability to generate the expected cash flows from operations; and the timing and other issues relating to the court processes and required court approvals. Media Contact Public Relations [email protected] SOURCE IPIC Theaters Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon has asked the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) to encourage protesters in an office to leave while engagements to resolve a dispute take place. The IFA said it has been protesting at Bord Bias offices since January 26th, with five people occupying the lobby of the building since February 3rd. The IFA is also planning a protest outside Heydons constituency office in Newbridge on Saturday afternoon. They are part of several demonstrations organised by the farming organisation in the dispute with Bord Bia, the state agency charged with promoting and enforcing standards in Irish food. Today marks four weeks since we began our protest outside @Bordbia. Five farmers have been in the building since Feb 3rd. Our thanks to @UPMC for dropping in to give each of them a check up. The are fit and raring to go for week five. #DoubleStandards #RestoreConfidence pic.twitter.com/sKDg2QEWuM Irish Farmers' Association (@IFAmedia) February 22, 2026 Bord Bia chairman Larry Murrin has faced calls to step down after revelations that his company Dawn Farm Foods sourced less than 1% of its beef from Brazil last year for contingency planning in a contract. He appeared before a committee earlier this month and said security of supply agreements with major international customers require provisions for food crises, disease outbreaks and supply issues. Advertisement He said that while his company mostly buys from Irish farmers, he needed to demonstrate that Ireland can import beef from somewhere else as part of contingency planning. He said allegations of a conflict of interest are false and driven by social media. On Thursday, Heydon said Murrin gave a robust and in-depth explanation at committee and had his full confidence. There has been extensive engagement and dialogue in relation to this issue since it was first raised, he said. He listed a meeting with farming groups including the IFA last Friday, and commitments by Bord Bia as a result, including establishing a farmers forum to improve engagement. Furthermore, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will undertake an initiative to enhance understanding of global supply chains for Irish food and drink and an understanding of labelling and food information for the consumer requirement, he said. Following this meeting, feedback has been received from six farming organisations the Irish Farmers Association, Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), Irish Grain Growers Group (IGGG), The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA), Macra na Feirme (MACRA) and Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) in relation to these proposals and work is now under way to advance them. The board of Bord Bia met for a scheduled meeting on Wednesday 18 February. Following the meeting, the IFA submitted a document, consisting of seven strands, requesting that the board of Bord Bia commit to initiate a review process into the various issues that have arisen in recent weeks. Advertisement Of the seven strands, many relating to the QAS schemes, a significant number can be dealt with by the farmers forum which Bord Bia is establishing on foot of the February 13 meeting commitments. In addition, I am examining the option to commission an expert-led governance review which would cover the other strands of the IFA proposal. I believe an external, independent and expert-led review will be crucial in resolving issues credibly and objectively. There has been detailed direct engagement by my department with the IFA at senior official level to discuss a potential compromise. Martin Heydon (Brian Lawless/PA) He said he had spoken to IFA president Francie Gorman in recent days and believes there is a chance for a resolution. This protracted dispute is not in the best interest of the agri-food sector, he said. Last week a written request to cease the protest was sent to the IFA from the board of Bord Bia, the IFA have not stood down the protest. Rather they submitted a document requesting a review process into the various issues that have arisen in recent weeks. Again, many of the points raised by the IFA in that request will be dealt with by the farmers forum which Bord Bia is establishing on foot of the February 13 meeting commitments. The board of Bord Bia will meet again next Monday, 2 March, and they will be consulted on my proposal to establish an independently run governance review to try to move this situation forward. The independent expert-led governance review will objectively assess the matters raised and provide me with recommendations. I propose that after Mondays meeting, the board would not meet again until the review is complete. I ask the IFA to engage with these proposals in good faith, and to encourage the protesters still in the Bord Bia building to leave. In the meantime, 140 staff in Bord Bia remain unable to access their office for their normal work, as a result of the continued occupation of the buildings lobby by IFA protesters. Students at university during the coronavirus pandemic should receive compensation for loss of educational experience, a Belfast legal firm has argued. Phoenix Law has launched a group action against Northern Ireland universities on behalf of students whose experiences were significantly disrupted during the pandemic. The firm has contended that students paid full tuition fees with the expectation of receiving the complete university experience, including in-person teaching, access to campus facilities, and a robust educational environment as promised at enrolment. But they said following the pandemic lockdown in March 2020, universities in the region suspended all in-person classes and moved to remote learning for the remainder of the semester. It was not just disappointing - it was a breach of trust and contract Megan Burns, of Phoenix Law While a brief hybrid approach was attempted in autumn 2020, there was a return to online teaching by winter of that year, and in-person teaching did not resume until January 2022. Compensation is being sought for breach of contract, consumer rights violations and damages for loss of educational experience. Advertisement The firm is arguing that the universities failed to provide an equivalent level of educational value, practical learning opportunities, or access to critical facilities and support services. Megan Burns, of Phoenix Law, said the pandemic experience at universities was not just disappointing but a breach of trust and contract. Students paid for a full university experience, she said. Ireland Second arrest in a day by police investigating disappearance of Lisa Dorrian Read more When these promises were not kept, it was not just disappointing it was a breach of trust and contract. We would like to see students properly compensated for what they lost and Phoenix Law is committed to helping them achieve that outcome. We encourage anyone affected to come forward and join this group action. The Garda Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) recouped over 1million for the exchequer, over the past 48 hours, from the sale of properties linked to criminals in Limerick, Dublin and Waterford. Head of CAB, Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Gubbins said it showed that if individuals splash their ill-gotten cash, their assets will be seized by CAB and sold back to the exchequer. The taking of these properties sends a very visible message to the communities in which these people reside and who have been benefitting from the proceeds of crime, said Det Chief Supt Gubbins. On Thursday, CAB sold two properties in Limerick, for a combined 341,000, linked to Limerick gangster, Kieran Keane Jr, which were deemed were the proceeds of crime by the High Court. Keane is a son of murdered organised crime group boss, Kieran Keane Sr, who was tortured and shot dead in a gangland hit in Limerick, in 2003. Advertisement On Thursday, CAB sold two properties in Limerick, for a combined 341,000. Keane Jr is understood to be living between Spain and Limerick, and has been a driving force in organised crime, gardai told the High Court. Keanes late father, Kieran Keane Sr was kidnapped, tortured, shot in the head and his body dumped on a country lane at Drombana, Co Limerick. Five members of the McCarthy Dundon crime gang, fierce rivals of the Keane gang, were each jailed for life for the murder. Keane Srs nephew, Owen Treacy, was also kidnapped and stabbed 17 times in the same attack, however he survived and his sworn testimony in court against the five killers was key in their convictions and sentences for life for murder. One of the five, David Frog Eyes Stanners, (51), Delmege Park, Moyross, Limerick, who had serious heart disease, died while serving his life sentence after he ingested cocaine in his cell, at Mountjoy Prison, on October 25, 2023. Gardai told the High Court that Kieran Keane Jr is involved in organised crime and has invested large sums of cash in luxury goods, cars and property. Despite Keane Jr having little or no recognisable source of legitimate income, he had ties to at least three homes, and cars and he had also travelled to Spain, Dubai, UK, and Lapland, gardai told the High Court. The court also found that Keane Jr could not explain the source of 101,000 in an AIB bank account held in his name. The two properties linked to Keane Jr were sold in an online auction held by BRG Gibson Auctions, Thursday. Advertisement 7 Sarsfield Court, Garryowen, a mid-terrace three-bedroom house, was sold for 173,000, seventy-three thousand euro over the appraised market value, after six bidders vied for the house. 12 The Path, Garryowen, and end-of-terrace, three-bedroom house, sold for 168,000, forty-eight thousand euro above the appraised market value, with two bidders involved. The two properties linked to Keane Jr were sold in an online auction held by BRG Gibson Auctions, Thursday. On Wednesday, CAB sold a four-bedroom, three-bathroom house at Ratoath Road, Dublin 7, from Cabra-based drug dealer David Waldron, for 490,000, one hundred and forty-five thousand euro above its advised minimum value. Waldron, (49), who also had a 1.6m mansion seized by CAB, could not explain where he had got the money to buy his properties. High Court Judge, Alexander Owens, found Waldrons property was the proceeds of crime, who he also found was a major player in the illegal distribution and sale of drugs. CAB also sold a crime proceeds property on Wednesday from Tipperary man, John OConnor Jr, (44), of Carrick-on-Suir, who was convicted of involvement in a 4.7m tax fraud and money laundering in Stockholm, Sweden. The four-storey, end of terrace building at OConnell Street, Waterford, was sold at auction for 255,000. Speaking following the sale of Keane Jrs properties Thursday, CAB boss, Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Gubbins said: In the last two days the Criminal Assets Bureau sold four properties which were deemed to be the proceeds of crime, realising in excess of a million euro. It also reflects the cooperation between the Criminal Assets Bureau and the local gardai on the ground in these communities and it obviously sends a message to the wider public that CAB is targeting individuals in their communities who are benefitting from the proceeds of crime, added Gubbins. A three-times married 76-year-old man paid 6,000 for a fake French ID card to secure the unlawful entry into the State of a then 20-year-old African woman he met on dating website lovehabibi.com, a court has heard. At Ennis Circuit Court on Thursday, Roger Bishop escaped jail after Judge Francis Comerford imposed a suspended 20-month prison term on him for assisting in the unlawful entry into the State of the Moroccan woman at T1, Dublin airport on March 1st, 2024. Judge Comerford said that Bishop "had engaged in serious offending". Counsel for Bishop of Little Thatch, Crown, Lissycasey, Co Clare, Kenneth Kerins said that Bishops unlawful actions in bringing the Moroccan woman into Ireland through a false French ID were borne out of desperation and loneliness. Kerins said that Bishop - due to turn 77 in May - was looking for a relationship and someone to take care of him. Advertisement The age gap between the couple in March 2024 was 54 years. Kerins said that Bishop, a UK national who has lived in Ireland for the past 20-plus years, has already been married three times and was going through a divorce with a Tunisian woman around the time of committing the offence before the courts. Kerins told the court that Bishop seems to be unlucky in relationships. He said that his client went through a particularly contentious martial breakdown after arriving into Ireland in 2002 with his then wife and two daughters now both aged in their 20s and living abroad. Investigating Garda in the case, Det Garda Karen Barker from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) agreed with State Counsel, Sarah Jane Comerford that the tenor of the WhatsApp messages was that there was a romantic relationship between Bishop and the woman. Det Garda Barker also agreed with Kerins that there was a level of intimacy between the two in the messages. Det Garda Barker said that the woman - now 22 - declined the option of providing a victim impact statement to the court. Kerins (instructed by solicitor Colum Doherty) said that lovehabibi.com is a legitimate international dating website and that is where the couple met. He said that the two decided to meet and Bishop - 74 at the time - travelled out to Morocco and they spent some time there and she agreed to travel to Ireland through the sourcing of the false French ID card. Kerins said that the messages show that it was hopeful at the beginning and they seemed to be getting on and both parties were excited about her arrival. Advertisement Det Garda Barker said that the two came to Ireland on March 1st in a flight originating from Istanbul, Turkey. Bishop purchased tickets and a French ID card and assisted the woman in travelling to Dublin airport where he presented his passport and the French ID card with her details on it and gained entry. On arriving back in Clare, Bishop assisted the woman with securing a PPSN number and a 20 hour per week restaurant job. However, Comerford (instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey) said that after successfully returning from a trip to Frankfurt on May 29th, 2024, on the fake French ID to meet friends, the woman realised then that she didnt want to remain in the company of Bishop any longer. The woman subsequently travelled to Luxembourg in June 2024 where authorities determined that the French ID was fake and the woman was sent back to Dublin. Det Barker said that the woman then applied for asylum here, has been refused and continues to reside here. The woman returned to Ireland sparked a Garda investigation around the fake French ID and Bishop was arrested by appointment and interviewed at Ennis Garda Station in October 2024. Det Garda Barker said that at interview Bishop believed that he didnt do anything wrong. Comerford said that Bishop entered an early guilt plea and has no previous convictions. Kerins said that Bishops only income is the Old Aged Pension (OAP) and he had a successful career working as an engineer. Advertisement He said that Bishop has complex medical needs and is due to undergo a procedure shortly that will result in him convalescing for a number of months. Kerins said that it is a serious offence and "the sinister element" is the procurement of the false ID card for 6,000. Kerins said that it is very unlikely that Bishop will re-offend stating that he has led a blameless life before now. Asked by Judge Comerford did the woman feel exploited, Det Garda Barker said that at the start she was a little bit culpable and she wanted to come to Ireland but she said she couldnt answer about the womans feelings about the relationship. Ireland I cant, my head is spinning: Murder accuseds 999 call played to jury Read more In sentencing Bishop, Judge Comerford said that there was no evidence of direct exploitation or coercion but said that there was inherent exploitation as there was an inherent imbalance of the economic circumstances between Bishop and the woman. Judge Comerford said that the woman agreed to come to Ireland with the false ID on the basis of a romantic relationship. In sentencing Judge Comerford imposed a headline prison term of 36 months in prison on Bishop and reduced to a suspended 20 month prison term due to the significant mitigation in the case. As part of a pilot project BreakingNews.ie has used AI to suggest headline options for this article. The final headline was chosen and edited by BreakingNews.ie journalists. Find out more A jury has listened to a 999 recording of a murder accused requesting an ambulance for his friend, who he said he had a fight with two days beforehand, but was no longer breathing and was cold to the touch. Tomas Cypas (35), with an address at Foxborough Road, Lucan, Co Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Juris Kokenbergs (49) at Old Bridge Park, Lucan, Co Dublin, on October 28th, 2024. The prosecution played the 999 call to the jury, which was made by Cypas to the Dublin Fire Brigade at 8:02am on the morning of October 28th, 2024. The call lasted eight minutes. In the audio recording, the jury heard Cypas tell the dispatcher that he needed an ambulance and gardai to come to Old Bridge Park in Lucan. When the dispatcher asked what had happened, Cypas said he was in his mother's house and that he [the accused] and his friend had a fight. Advertisement "An argument and eh I woke up now to check on him and he's not breathing, he's cold, you know?" said the accused. Cypas said his friend was "not awake, his body is cold". The accused went on to say that his friend "was sleeping downstairs, he was okay, he was okay like all night because...". Asked whether there was a defibrillator available, the accused said he did not understand. Cypas said the man was 52 years old, a Latvian national and that he was his friend. The dispatcher asked Cypas how long ago the fight had been to which the accused replied: "That was from Saturday night but he was okay yesterday". The dispatcher told the accused he needed him to get right beside his friend and check if he was breathing. Cypas said his friend was on the ground, was not breathing and was "out cold". When asked to turn his friend on his back, Cypas said: "Sorry I can't do this. Sorry I can't". "Are you refusing to do CPR on him?" asked the dispatcher. The accused replied: "No, I'm not refusing, he's just I know he is not breathing.... I'm only in shock". The dispatcher told Cypas if he wanted to try to help his friend he was going to have to turn him on his back. Cypas said "I just, I can't. I can't even look at him". "I need you to pump the chest fast and hard at least twice per second and two inches deep," instructed the dispatcher. Advertisement "It's not going to help, it's not helping no," replied the accused. The dispatcher said the ambulance crew would not be able to help his friend if the accused man did not do this. "He's even the smell off him you know," said Cypas. Cypas said: "I just can't, I'm sorry I can't, my head is spinning.....I can't he's just lying there". The accused repeated his head was spinning and that he was going to get sick. When asked if there was anyone else there who would try to perform CPR on the victim, Cypas said he was in the house with his mother, who was upstairs. "So there is no way that you're going to try to do CPR with him?" asked the dispatcher. "No, he's just, he's just so cold, just so cold," said Cypas. The dispatcher told the accused that an ambulance would be there as soon as possible and to unlock the front door. Ireland US man who killed father at Laois hotel to stay in Central Mental Hospital after insanity verdict Read more At the outset of the murder trial, the jurors were told they would hear evidence that Kokenbergs died after his head was stomped on and the panel will have to consider the accused's intent at the time. The 12 jurors were told by defence counsel Brendan Grehan that the accused Cypas admits hitting the deceased. The trial continues on Friday before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of eight men and four women. As part of a pilot project BreakingNews.ie has used AI to suggest headline options for this article. The final headline was chosen and edited by BreakingNews.ie journalists. Find out more A 95-year old man in a wheelchair has appeared in court in connection with alleged indecent assaults over a two year period on a child almost half a century ago. At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, the man appeared in connection with seven counts of indecently assaulting a female, then aged under the age of 18, at an Ennis address over a two-year period from August 1st 1978 to August 31st 1980. At the time of the alleged offences, the man was aged 48 to 50. The charges are contrary to Common Law and Section 6 of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 1935. The man - with a Co Clare address - was born in 1930 and is due to turn 96 later this year. In court, Detective Garda Nadine Keane of Henry Street Garda Station, Limerick, gave evidence on serving the Book of Evidence in the case for the case to go forward to Ennis Circuit Court. Advertisement Det Garda Keane - formerly of the Clare Protective Services Bureau- said that she arrested the accused in the car park of Ennis Garda Station after midday on February 5th for the purpose of charge. Det Garda Keane said that the accused replied no comment after caution to each of the eight charges. Sgt John Burke of Ennis Garda Station told the court that the complainant in the case was a child at the time of the alleged offences. Sgt Burke said that the case can go forward to the current sittings of Ennis Circuit Court, stating that it has been agreed that the accused is excused from attending the call over of cases on March 5th because of his age. Judge Gabbett said that access to the circuit courtroom upstairs will be an issue because this man is in a wheelchair. Judge Gabbett asked the solicitor for the accused, Donough Molloy, if he was applying for legal aid because of his clients age and Molloy of Sheehan Partners LLP, Francis Street, Dublin 8, replied not today. Before giving the accused the alibi warning, Judge Gabbett said: You are 96 later this year, so I am conscious of your age. How is your hearing? Molloy replied reasonable on behalf of his client, and Judge Gabbett asked Molloy if his client had the capacity for a trial of the matter. In response, Molloy said: There are a couple of matters that we are in the process of exploring, so I am reserving my position on that. Advertisement Judge Gabbett said that there will have to be accommodations made for the accused throughout the court process. Judge Gabbett asked Molloy if he was confident that his client would be able to understand the alibi warning, and Molloy said that he had explained that to his client before court. Ireland 'Proportionate response' needed to target individuals responsible for LOI match violence - Minister Read more Judge Gabbett told the accused that he has an alibi in the case; his solicitor must inform the State within 14 days. Judge Gabbett said that the accused could be remanded on bail on his own bond of 200. Judge Gabbett sent the accused forward for trial to the current sittings of Ennis Circuit Court. Molloy said that he wished the court to note for the moment that we are reserving our position generally. 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. The last known location of Noah Donohoes phone was relayed to search-and-rescue personnel seven hours after it was first received by police, an inquest has heard. Sean McCarry, the Community Rescue Service (CRS) regional commander, told the inquest into the death of the schoolboy that time equals survivability in searches and that he would expect police to pass on all relevant information as soon as possible. Noah was aged 14 when his naked body was found in a storm drain tunnel in north Belfast, six days after he left home on his bike to meet two friends in the Cavehill area in June 2020. Community Rescue Service regional commander Sean McCarry was giving evidence to the inquest (Liam McBurney/PA) The inquest at Belfast Coroners Court, which is being heard with a jury, is in its fifth week. McCarry told the inquest he felt massive responsibility as search manager because a decision or lack of decision, piece of information or lack of information is a difference of life and death. Advertisement He reaffirmed the importance of his organisation getting information as soon as possible from the police and said this would have been standard practice. During questioning by counsel for Noahs mother Fiona Donohoe, Brenda Campbell, McCarry did stress that if he felt there was a piece of information he needed he probably would have become quite a pain until I got it. He was first called out by police at approximately 3.40am on June 22nd, Noah having been reported missing by his mother on the evening of June 21st. On this initial call, he said he was given nothing else from police to suggest they should search anywhere but Cavehill, but that this was not out of the ordinary as it would be difficult enough at 3am in the morning to have immediate CCTV. It was established, during questioning, that when the CRS received information from police around 11am on June 22 from the TLU (Telecoms Liaison Unit) giving an updated location as to where Noahs phone was last located, search teams were deployed to that area but that searching also continued around Cavehill. McCarry said it was quite uplifting and quite reassuring to get some more information and that when CCTV emerged later, North Queen Street became Noahs official place last seen. He added that at this stage, search operations would still have been heavily reliant on information from police. Campbell said that police failed to spot Noah on the CCTV procured at Grove Leisure Centre and showed jurors a map that would have been produced if that location had become Noahs place last seen, that would have taken in Northwood Road where his body was eventually found, as well as where his bike and helmet were located. Advertisement McCarry said if that information was available, they would have deployed another team into that area and certainly would have found those items, they were in sight of everyone, adding that it may well have led searchers to Northwood Road sooner. Campbell presented a hypothetical to Mr McCarry, asking if they might have been down culvert at 9am on June 22nd, had they been given the TLU information and corresponding CCTV when he was first called. McCarry was questioned by counsel for Noah Donohoes mother Fiona Donohoe, pictured (Liam McBurney/PA) McCarry replied: Hypothetically, yes, but there has to be a balance. Campbell said if things are missed, they need to be exposed to public scrutiny, and McCarry responded yes and fixed, adding: I fully support that if anything can be changed, I want to understand what that is so it never happens again. The inquest was then shown an email from a TLU officer to PSNI officers working on Noahs case on June 22nd at 3:18am, attaching a location found from his mobile at 7:41pm on June 21st. The corresponding log from the TLU showed that the police were also called to ensure receipt and understanding of this email. McCarry said he was seeing this for the first time and that he was under the impression that when it was presented to him at 11am on June 22nd, it was a new development. He said he would expect that it would have been sent when received by police. Brenda Campbell was representing Noah Donohoes mother at the inquest (Liam McBurney/PA) Campbell suggested that if he had that location at 4am, he wouldnt necessarily have been putting boots in Cavehill in the same numbers. McCarry said he cant disagree with that, adding it may not have made a difference, but we dont know that. Advertisement Campbell said: Noahs mum doesnt know why at four oclock in the morning, you werent told about that TLU map and neither do you. McCarry said that was correct. Campbell added that Donohoe and McCarry were both unaware as to why the TLU map wasnt urgently married up with CCTV in those early-morning hours. McCarry agreed with Campbells restatement of his earlier testimony that delay can be the difference between time and death in missing person searches. The inquest into the death of schoolboy Noah Donohoe has been told the culvert in the area where he disappeared was easy to get into and every effort was made to find him alive. The 14-year-olds naked body 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. A post-mortem examination found the cause of death was drowning. Fiona Donohoe (right) is the mother of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe (Liam McBurney/PA) A team of Community Rescue Service (CRS) volunteers was deployed to the Northwood Road area after being alerted that Noahs bicycle had been discovered, Belfast Coroners Court heard. Sean McCarry, the CRS regional commander, described the 1,000m distance where Noah was eventually found as a long way down the drain but the searchers had hoped the schoolboy would be found alive. Advertisement When asked at the inquest, which is in its fifth week, if he thought Noahs body would have been found so far down the tunnel, he replied definitely not and it was far beyond what he would have expected. McCarry said he was extremely grateful that Noahs body was brought back to his family who are looking for an explanation of the circumstances of his death. Fiona Donohoe and her son Noah Donohoe (Handout/PA) He said: I would not have been surprised if police had stopped the search at 200m, at 300m, at 400m and we could be sitting today not knowing where Noah was. His team alerted the police to the culvert on waste ground behind some local houses as it was easy to get into, as the searchers spotted the grille on top was unlocked and could be easily opened. The volunteers suggested the culvert should be searched as they felt that a slim adult could pass through it. He said it needed to be searched by a confined space-trained and equipped team. A trained CRS volunteer, who was fitted with a harness and attached to a line, went into the culvert as far as they could. The inquest is being heard at Laganside Courthouse in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) They went a short distance before having to withdraw for safety reasons. The CRS team also carried out a call and wait process, in which they shouted down the tunnel and then paused to see if there was a response. McCarry said a massive effort was made to find Noah, adding: If I make a single mistake here that could be the difference between life and death that is on the forefront of my mind, and the people and the police I work with (and) it is in the forefront of their mind. Advertisement He described finding Noah as the priority, adding: If I felt there was anything else that should have been done I would have been raising that. At least 100 CRS volunteers were called out to the Cavehill area, which was the initial focus of the search for Noah. Updated information made the search for the missing youngster fluid, the court heard. It included a call to deploy searchers in the North Queen Street area where a phone was found. Police then contacted McCarry in the early evening to say Noahs bicycle was found in Northwood Road. McCarry said the search team of volunteers are often called out to Cavehill and are familiar with its dense terrain, which he said includes passable areas but the rest is sometimes like the jungle. People join in the search for Noah Donohoe (Niall Carson/PA) Noahs disappearance, which happened against the backdrop of the Covid lockdown, triggered a large response from the North Belfast community who came out of their homes in large numbers to try to find him. McCarry said the CRS had full support from the community. Earlier, jurors watched a BBC documentary about the CRS, whose volunteers described the search for Noah as relentless. Noahs mother Fiona Donohoe recalled it as a horrible period, saying: He got on his bike and I was able to hug him and tell him I loved him. I phoned and I knew if he wasnt answering his phone something wasnt right. Luas operator Transdev has lost out on the 1.75 billion Luas contract after 22 years running the service, it has been reported. The group branded it very disappointing news to staff, according to The Irish Times. Sources told the paper that a British and French joint venture between Amey and Keolis has been selected as the preferred bidder and is set to take over the operation of the contract later this year. The pair have run the Docklands Light Railway in London since 2014 as part of a separate joint venture led by the French company. State agency Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) began to seek a new operator for the contract in 2023 to operate and maintain the Luas service. The deal will run from mid 2026 for an initial seven years with an option to renew for five to seven more years, according to the reports. Advertisement Transdev declined to comment when contacted by The Irish Times. The paper said the French company notified staff that it had not been selected as the preferred bidder for the contract in an email on Thursday morning. This is clearly very disappointing news for our company, Transdev told staff, according to the paper. We are proud of the service we provide every day and of the role our teams have played in operating and developing Luas over more than two decades, maintaining a strong safety record and supporting the growth of the Luas light rail network across Dublin. Staff were told that the process now enters a 14-day mandatory standstill period in line with public procurement rules, during which bidders can review the decision. We will carefully consider the outcome and assess our position over the coming days, Transdev said. The operator also said nothing will change for staff in their day-to-day operations for now. "Our priority remains delivering a safe, reliable and high-quality service for passengers and communities across Dublin." We will communicate again once the standstill period has concluded and we are in a position to outline next steps and what this means for the company and for employees, staff were told. The Irish Times understands that staff at the company will transfer to the new operator. TII declined to comment to the paper, and the NTA, Amey and Keolis were also contacted for comment. An American man being charged with the murder of Kerry farmer Michael Gaine features heavily on Irish front pages on Thursday. The Irish Times lead with those who were abused in industrial and reformatory schools receiving an apology from the Taoiseach, a journalist being unlawfully targeted by the PSNI, gardai accepting gifts despite anti-corruption rules, and a man being charged with the murder of Michael Gaine. The Irish Examiner lead with the country's largest landlord saying its income could rise by 25 per cent, a US national being charged with the murder of Michael Gaine, and the foreign affairs minister saying there is no risk to Ukrainian president Zelenskyy when he attends the Irish EU summit. The Echo lead with the decision to grant planning for apartments on the site of the former Bessborough mother and baby home being slammed by survivors, and HIQA expressing fire concerns at Blair's Hill nursing home. Advertisement The Irish Independent lead with hundreds of children being at risk of missing out on a place at special schools due to unprecedented demand. The Irish Daily Mirror and Irish Daily Star lead with an ex-US soldier being charged with the murder of Kerry farmer Michael Gaine. The Belfast Telegraph lead with a YouTube recording of Stephen McCullagh playing a video game he claimed was broadcast live on the night of Natalie McNally's murder being shown in court. The Herald lead with Ireland's largest landlord saying that rents could increase by 25 per cent. The Irish Daily Mail lead with women going through menopause facing a 225 barrier to 'free' hormone replacement therapy. At iQuanti, continuous improvement isn't just encouraged, employees are given the tools, freedom, and opportunity to grow, driving better outcomes for clients. JERSEY CITY, N.J., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- iQuanti is proud to be Certified by Great Place To Work for the second time. The prestigious award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at iQuanti, highlighting a workplace culture built on mutual respect, trust, and genuine care for one another. According to the certification survey, 82% of iQuanti US employees said management trusts people to do a good job without watching over their shoulders, while 81% said they are made to feel welcome when joining the company. The results paint a picture of an organization where collaboration thrives, there is psychological safety, and individuals feel valued from the start, making them willing to give extra to get the job done and creating pride in what we accomplish together. "Our success has always been rooted in the strength of our people and the culture they've built," said Arnab Sen, CEO of iQuanti. "We believe in thriving together we grow when we empower each other to lead and succeed. This recognition validates that our employees experience what we strive to create: a workplace built on respect, collaboration, and trust, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive both professionally and personally." What sets iQuanti apart is a culture where respect and care for each other aren't just corporate ideals, they're daily realities. Employees consistently report that their colleagues are approachable, supportive, and genuinely invested in each other's success. This environment of mutual respect and psychological safety creates a workplace where people feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work, leading to stronger collaboration and more innovative solutions for clients. "The survey results speak volumes about the trust and camaraderie that define iQuanti," said Ashish Goyal, VP of Human Resources at iQuanti. "When our employees can count on people to cooperate and feel a sense of pride in what they accomplish, it tells us we've created an environment where people don't just work together but they genuinely support and elevate one another." About iQuanti iQuanti is a digital marketing and analytics firm that partners with leading global brands to drive customer acquisition and sustainable growth through AI-powered strategies, advanced data science, and deep industry expertise. The company delivers comprehensive solutions across four key areas: Performance Marketing, Creative Design & Experience Optimization, Marketing Analytics, and Marketing Technology Optimization and operates globally across North America, EMEA, and LATAM markets. iQuanti has earned a place in the Inc. 5000 list ten times, was recognized in the inaugural AdWeek 100: Fastest Growing Agencies and the Fast 50 Asian American Businesses lists, and is named in The Search Engine Optimization Solutions Landscape, Q1 2025 Report, an overview of notable vendors in the SEO space published by Forrester. About Great Place to Work Certification About Great Place to Work Certification Great Place To Work Certification is the most definitive "employer-of-choice" recognition that companies aspire to achieve. It is the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experience specifically, how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace. Great Place to Work Certification is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experience. Every year, more than 10,000 companies across 60 countries apply to get Great Place To Work-Certified. Media Contact: Kaushal Bhatt [email protected] +1 (201) 633-2125 SOURCE iQuanti French feminist icon Gisele Pelicot has released her highly anticipated memoir Fiction 1. Nonesuch by Francis Spufford is published in hardback by Faber & Faber. Available now (Faber & Faber/PA) Set in London amid the devastation of the Blitz, Nonesuch follows the lively and ambitious Iris Hawkins, a young City worker who finds herself responsible for stopping a glamorous, fascist socialite from using magic to change history. When the strikingly beautiful Lady Lalage Cunningham attempts to weaponise time travel to hand Britain to the Nazis, Iris must thwart her efforts while contending with air raids, archangels, and a blossoming romance. Francis Spuffords blisteringly witty and astute heroine is flanked by carefully considered fictional characters who feel just as real as those he borrows from history. Although meticulous scene-setting results in a somewhat slow-start, Nonesuch gives way to an exciting, action-packed blend of history and fantasy, and a poignant portrayal of the very real impact of the Blitz. Gripping and wonderfully layered, Nonesuch culminates in a twist that could change everything for Iris, and leave readers anxiously awaiting its second instalment. 8/10 (Review by Izzie Addison) 2. Our Numbered Bones by Katya Balen is published in hardback by Canongate Books. Available now (Canongate Books/PA) Our Numbered Bones is a bold debut adult novel from established YA author Katya Balen, written from the perspective of a woman who has suffered a devastating loss. Anna is struggling under the pressures of writing a new novel and moving on from the tragedy with her partner. Its full of prose thats both lyrical and simple, which effortlessly immerses the reader and draws them into the narrators head. As her past is revealed slowly throughout the narrative, we journey with her through her grief as she takes herself away from London to a remote cottage near some wetlands. Her chance discovery of an ancient burial and a womans body in the marshes turns into an obsession, which ultimately helps her confront her own story. The novels introspection is intense, and the shifts in writing style between chapters may be jarring for some, but ultimately it is a beautiful and accomplished portrayal of a womans loss, the madness it causes and the path she weaves towards healing. 8/10 (Review by Dorothy Smith) 3. The Last Of Earth by Deepa Anappara is published in hardback by Oneworld. Available now Deepa Anapparas second novel follows two outsiders undertaking the arduous journey through Tibet during the mid-19th century a time when foreigners are forbidden from the country. Katherine, a British explorer who struggles with her mixed-race heritage, wishes to be the first Western woman to see Lhasa, the Tibetan capital. While Balram, an Indian school teacher employed by a British captain to map the country, secretly wants to free his lost friend from captivity. The plot, which unfortunately takes far too long to get interesting, alternates between each character, whose narratives dont so much converge as touch occasionally. The excessive level of description in the book gives the feeling of someone desperate to pad out the word length, while the ending clearly wants to be profound, yet feels a bit flat. At least 50 pages could have been cut and what would have been left would be a much tighter read. 6/10 (Review by George Thompson) Non-fiction 4. A Hymn To Life by Gisele Pelicot is published in hardback by Bodley Head. Available now (Bodley Head/PA) The world already knows the tragedy of Gisele Pelicots story. Married for more than 40 years, she is called into a police station in 2020 with her then-husband Dominique where she discovers he has been drugging and raping her, along with others, for most of the previous decade. She became a feminist cause celebre after she waived anonymity, opened up the court case and its barbaric details to the public eye. Her book details the discovery, but also their background; her and Dominiques family life, the hardships they both experienced financially, with their own parents, and with each other. It is clear she is bewildered and seething under the surface as it unfolds, but the anger does not burn through the chapters. Instead, you get a sense of the pity and borderline sympathy she has for Dominique. Her concern means she takes clothes to the prison for him before the trial. The account of the aftermath of the discovery of Dominiques crimes is raw as Gisele, and her children grapple with the horrors. The book is typically French. The death of her mother, and Giseles health concerns stemming from the drugs, unbeknownst to her, means mortality and existentialism is a background drumbeat. One of her lawyers is even named Camus. The most remarkable thing is how Gisele has managed to put herself back together and, delightfully, find love. She describes it as a hymn to life, but it is a testimony to resilience, both of her and the human spirit. 8/10 (Review by Harry Taylor) Childrens book of the week 5. The Big Journey by Michael Rosen and Daniel Egneus is published in hardback by Bloomsbury Childrens Books. Available now (Bloomsbury Childrens Books/PA) Michael Rosens sequel to The Big Dreaming, The Big Journey tells the story of Baby Bear moving away from the only place he knows to travel through mountains, forests and snow to a new home, with Big Bear. My five-year-old enjoyed the easy-to-follow story, and its sweet, heartwarming message about being brave, asking for advice and embracing change even if you dont know what the future holds. The story is suitable enough to read to younger children too. As an added bonus, its pretty to look at, with beautiful illustrations by award-winning illustrator Daniel Egneus of animals in the natural world. 7/10 (Review by Lauren Taylor) BOOK CHARTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 21st Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HARDBACK (FICTION) 1. Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros 2. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros 3. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros 4. Of Blood & Fire by Ryan Cahill 5. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte 6. Departure(s) by Julian Barnes 7. Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy 8. The Barbecue at No.9 by Jennie Godfrey 9. Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman 10. A Dark Forgetting by Kristen Ciccarelli (Compiled by Waterstones) HARDBACK (NON-FICTION) 1. Clean Magic by Nancy Birtwhistle 2. A Hymn To Life by Gisele Pelicot 3. Dear England by Gareth Southgate 4. The Food For Life Cookbook by Tim Spector 5. Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins & Sawyer Robbins 6. Always Remember by Charlie Mackesy 7. The Wisdom Of Ancient Japan by Saori Okada 8. Nobodys Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre 9. Everybody Loves Our Dollars How Money Laundering Won by Oliver Bullough 10. Ikigai by Hector Garcia & Francesc Miralles (Compiled by Waterstones) Advertisement AUDIOBOOKS (FICTION AND NONFICTION) 1. Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire by J.K. Rowling 2. Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling 3. Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone by J.K. Rowling 4. Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets by J.K. Rowling 5. My Husbands Wife by Alice Feeney 6. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins 7. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden 8. Hamnet by Maggie OFarrell 9. Nobodys Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre 10. A Hymn To Life by Gisele Pelicot, Natasha Lehrer (Compiled by Audible) Cubas government said late on Wednesday that the 10 passengers on a boat that opened fire on its soldiers were armed Cubans living in the US who were trying to infiltrate the island and unleash terrorism. The announcement came hours after Cuba said its soldiers killed four people and wounded six others aboard a Florida-registered speed boat that had entered Cuban waters and opened fire on the soldiers first. Cubas government said the majority of the 10 people on the boat have a known history of criminal and violent activity. US secretary of state Marco Rubio had told reporters earlier that he was made aware of the incident and that the US is now gathering its own information to determine if the victims were American citizens or permanent residents. US secretary of state Marco Rubio said he had been made aware of the incident (Jonathan Ernst/Pool photo via AP) We have various different elements of the US government that are trying to identify elements of the story that may not be provided to us now, Mr Rubio said while at the airport in Basseterre, St Kitts, where he was attending a regional summit with Caribbean leaders. The Cuban government identified two of the boat passengers as Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez, who are wanted by Cuban authorities based on their involvement in the promotion, planning, organisation, financing, support or commission of actions carried out in the national territory or in other countries, in connection with acts of terrorism. Advertisement The government said it had also arrested Duniel Hernandez Santos, adding that he was sent from the United States to guarantee the reception of the armed infiltration, who at this time has confessed to his actions. The Associated Press was not immediately able to independently verify that information. Cubas government said it obtained the details about the passengers aboard the boat from the suspects detained following the shootout. The investigation process continues until the facts are fully clarified Cuban government It identified seven of the 10 passengers, including Conrado Galindo Sariol, Jose Manuel Rodriguez Castello, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra. Cubas government said that one of the four killed was Michel Ortega Casanova. Three others have not yet been identified. The investigation process continues until the facts are fully clarified, the ministry said in a statement. Misael Ortega Casanova, brother of Michel Ortega Casanova, told The Associated Press late on Wednesday that he was mourning his brothers death but lamented that he fell into what he called an obsessive and diabolical quest for Cubas freedom. Advertisement Only us Cubans who have lived over there understand, Misael Ortega Casanova said, referring to the great suffering that he and other Cubans on the island have faced. Cubas government said it obtained the details about the passengers aboard the boat from the suspects detained following the shootout (Beverley Reed/AP) He noted that his brother, who was a truck driver and an American citizen who lived for more than 20 years in the US, leaves behind his wife, his mother, two sisters one of whom lives in Cuba and a daughter who is pregnant. No one knew, Misael said of his brothers plans. My mother is devastated. He added: They became so obsessed that they didnt think about the consequences nor their own lives. Misael said that he did not recognise any of the names that the Cuban government released. He said that while he does not believe in heroes because that is ignorance he hopes that his brothers death might be a worthwhile sacrifice: maybe it will justify that some day Cuba will be free. US President Donald Trumps top diplomat refused to speculate on what happened, saying that it could be a wide range of things, and that the US would not solely rely on what the Cuban authorities had provided thus far. The majority of the facts being publicly reported are those by the information provided by the Cubans. We will verify that independently as we gather more information, and well be prepared to respond accordingly US secretary of state Marco Rubio Suffice it to say, it is highly unusual to see shootouts in open sea like that. Its not something that happens every day. Its something, frankly, that hasnt happened with Cuba in a very long time, Mr Rubio said. He said both the US department of homeland security and the US coast guard were investigating the incident and stressed that he wanted to verify the facts. Advertisement The majority of the facts being publicly reported are those by the information provided by the Cubans. We will verify that independently as we gather more information, and well be prepared to respond accordingly, Mr Rubio said. Were going to have our own information on this. Were going to figure out exactly what happened. He said it was not a US government operation and that he was not going to speculate about whose boat it was, what they were doing, why they were there, what actually happened. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has called an early general election for March 24. The announcement comes as the country digests a standoff with US President Donald Trump who has designs on Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of Denmark. Voters in the Scandinavian country, a Nato and European Union member, will determine who sits in the Folketing, or parliament. It is now up to you, the voters, to decide what direction Denmark will take over the next four years... I am looking forward to it Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen It has 179 seats 175 of which go to legislators representing Denmark and two apiece to legislators from Greenland and the kingdoms other semiautonomous territory, the Faroe Islands. It is now up to you, the voters, to decide what direction Denmark will take over the next four years, Ms Frederiksen, 48, said as she made her announcement in parliament. And I am looking forward to it. Mr Trumps push for US control of Greenland, which culminated in his short-lived threat last month to impose new tariffs on Denmark and several other European countries, was a major challenge for the Danish government over the past year. Advertisement Ms Frederiksen likely hopes that her handling of the Greenland crisis, in which she appeared straight-talking and tough, will give her a boost with Danish voters. Last month, she warned that an American takeover of Greenland would amount to the end of the Nato military alliance. The announcement comes as the country digests a standoff with US President Donald Trump who has designs on Greenland (The New York Times via AP) Polls also show a bump in the popularity of the prime ministers Social Democrats during recent weeks which were dominated by the looming Greenland crisis. Some Danish citizens have been so upset with the US presidents frequent talks about seizing Greenland that they participated in protests and even boycotted American goods in supermarkets. After Mr Trump backed down on his Greenland threats last month, the US, Denmark and Greenland started technical talks on an Arctic security deal. Still, the prime minister made clear earlier this month that she remains wary about the Greenland issue. Asked at the Munich Security Conference whether the crisis had passed, she replied: No, unfortunately not. I think the desire from the US president is exactly the same. Houses covered in snow are seen on the coast of a sea inlet of Nuuk, Greenland (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP) He is very serious about this theme. Ms Frederiksen, a centre-left Social Democrat, has become known for her strict immigration policies, which are among the toughest in Europe. Last month, her government unveiled a legal reform allowing the deportation of foreigners who have been sentenced to at least one year of unconditional imprisonment for serious crimes. Advertisement Years before other countries on the continent tried to outsource asylum request procedures to third countries or set up so-called return hubs for rejected asylum seekers outside the European Union, Ms Fredriksen pitched such ideas. A general election must be held at least every four years but the prime minister can call one at any time. The last election was held on November 1 2022, and resulted in a three-party coalition that crosses the left-right divide. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announces an upcoming parliamentary election, in the Parliament Hall in Copenhagen (Ritzau Scanpix via AP) Ms Frederiksen has led Denmark since mid-2019. She currently heads a government with the Liberal Party of defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen and the centrist Moderate party of foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, a former prime minister. If she gets re-elected, it would be her third term. As she announced the election on Thursday, Ms Frederiksen said in parliament: This will be a crucial election for us, because in the next four years, we as Danes and as Europeans will really have to stand on our own two feet. We must define our relationship with the US. We must arm ourselves to ensure peace on our continent. We must keep Europe together, she added referring to Russias ongoing war on Ukraine, which is now in its fifth year. Hillary Clinton has told US legislators she had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epsteins or Ghislaine Maxwells crimes, at the start of two days of depositions that will also include former president Bill Clinton. I had no idea about their criminal activities. I do not recall ever encountering Mr Epstein, the former US secretary of state and ex-first lady said in an opening statement she shared on social media. The closed-door depositions to legislators from the House of Representatives, being held in the Clintons home town of Chappaqua in upstate New York, come after months of tense back-and-forth between the former high-powered Democratic couple and the Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee. Here is my opening statement to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee today. pic.twitter.com/NZSF2epcI5 Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 26, 2026 It will be the first time that a former president has been forced to give evidence before Congress. The closed-door questioning concluded after over six hours of questioning on Thursday. Advertisement Ms Clintons deposition was paused after Republican representative Lauren Boebert sent a photo of her in the room to a conservative influencer who posted it on social media, violating the committees rules. The incident prompted the former secretary of state to repeat her longstanding demand that the deposition be made open to reporters. The demand for a reckoning over Epsteins abuse of under-age girls has become a near-unstoppable force on Capitol Hill and beyond. President Donald Trump, a Republican who has expressed regret that the Clintons are being forced to give evidence, bowed last year to pressure to release case files on Epstein, who killed himself in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial. The Clintons agreed to give evidence after their offers of sworn statements were rebuffed by the Oversight panel and its chairman James Comer threatened criminal contempt of Congress charges against them. We have a very clear record that weve been willing to talk about, Hillary Clinton said in an interview with the BBC earlier this month. She added that her husband had flown with Epstein for charitable trips and that she did not recall meeting Epstein but had interacted with Maxwell, Epsteins former girlfriend and confidant, at conferences hosted by the Clinton Foundation. We are more than happy to say what we know, which is very limited and totally unrelated to their behaviour or their crimes, and we want to do it in public Hillary Clinton Maxwell, a British socialite, also attended the 2010 wedding of their daughter, Chelsea Clinton. We are more than happy to say what we know, which is very limited and totally unrelated to their behaviour or their crimes, and we want to do it in public, Ms Clinton said. Advertisement Bill Clinton, however, has emerged as a top target for Republicans amid the political struggle over who receives the most scrutiny for their ties to Epstein. Several photos of the former president were included in the first tranche of Epstein files released by the Department of Justice in January, including a number of him with women whose faces were redacted. Mr Clinton has not been accused of wrongdoing in his relationship with Epstein. Mr Comer has also pointed to Hillary Clintons work as secretary of state to address sex trafficking as another reason to insist on her deposition. A motorcade carrying former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton arrives at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Centre (Yuki Iwamura/AP) The committees investigation has sought to understand why the Department of Justice under previous presidential administrations did not seek further charges against Epstein following a 2008 arrangement in which he pleaded guilty to state charges in Florida for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl but avoided federal charges. Yet conspiracy theories, especially on the right, have swirled for years around the Clintons and their connections to Epstein and Maxwell, who argues she was wrongfully convicted. Republicans have long wanted to press the Clintons for answers. Mr Comer pledged lengthy days of questioning for both Clintons. We have a lot of questions, and the purpose of the whole investigation is to try to understand many things about Epstein, he told reporters outside the convention centre where the depositions were being held. How did he accumulate so much wealth? How was he able to surround himself with some of the most powerful men in the world? Representative Robert Garcia speaks outside the Chappaqua Performing Arts Centre before the arrival of former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton (Yuki Iwamura/AP) Mr Comer described the deposition as a bipartisan effort and said on Thursday that it was very possible the committee would question Trumps Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who was Epsteins neighbour and had several interactions with him. Under questioning from Democrats earlier this month, Mr Lutnick acknowledged that he had met with Epstein twice after the late financiers 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a child, reversing his previous claim that he had cut ties with him after 2005. Advertisement Democrats, now being led by a new generation of politicians, have prioritised transparency around Epstein over defending the former leaders of their party. Several Democratic legislators joined with Republicans on the Oversight panel to advance the contempt of Congress charges against the Clintons last month. Several said they had no relationship with the Clintons and owed no loyalty to them. Representative Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the Oversight panel, also called on Mr Trump to give evidence in the investigation. A police officer sets up barricades outside the Chappaqua Performing Arts Centre (Yuki Iwamura/AP) He argued that Bill Clintons appearance sets a precedent that should apply to Mr Trump as well. Lets get President Trump in front of our committee to answer the questions that are being asked across this country from survivors, Mr Garcia said. Mr Comer previously said that the committee cannot depose Mr Trump because he is a sitting president. Advertisement Still, Democrats are also coming off an effort this week to confront Mr Trump about his administrations handling of the Epstein files by taking women who survived Epsteins abuse as their guests to Mr Trumps State of the Union address. Even senior Democrats, such as former speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, said it was appropriate for the committee to interview anyone, including the former president, who was connected to Epstein. We want to hear from everyone, Ms Pelosi said, adding that she did not see why Hillary Clinton was being interviewed and that it was important to believe survivors. Iran and the US held another round of indirect talks in Geneva to try to reach a deal on Tehrans nuclear programme and potentially avert another war as the US gathers a massive fleet of aircraft and warships in the Middle East. US President Donald Trump wants a deal to constrain Irans nuclear programme, and he sees an opportunity while the country is struggling at home with growing dissent following nationwide protests. Iran also hopes to avert war, but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues, like its long-range missile programme or support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Omans minister of foreign affairs Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, right, holds a meeting with White House special envoy Steve Witkoff, centre, and Jared Kushner (Foreign Ministry of Oman via AP) Omans foreign minister, who is mediating the talks, said on Thursday that they had ended but will resume soon. Badr al-Busaidi wrote on X that there had been significant progress in the negotiation without elaborating. Advertisement He said technical-level talks would take place next week in Vienna, home to the International Atomic Energy Agency. There was no immediate comment from US or Iranian officials. If America attacks, Iran has said US military bases in the region would be considered legitimate targets, putting at risk tens of thousands of American service members. Iran has also threatened to attack Israel, meaning a regional war again could erupt across the Middle East. Weve been exchanging creative and positive ideas in Geneva today. We hope to make more progress Oman foreign minister Badr al-Busaidi There would be no victory for anybody it would be a devastating war, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told India Today in an interview filmed on Wednesday just before he flew to Geneva. Since the Americans bases are scattered through different places in the region, then unfortunately perhaps the whole region would be engaged and be involved, so it is a very terrible scenario. Ali Vaez, an Iran expert with the International Crisis Group, said it was a good sign that the Americans did not walk away immediately when Iran presented its latest proposal on Thursday. There might still not be a breakthrough at the end of this day, but the very fact that the US team is returning shows that there is enough common ground between the two sides, he said. The two sides held multiple rounds of talks last year that collapsed when Israel launched a 12-day war against Iran in June and the US carried out heavy strikes on its nuclear sites, leaving much of Irans nuclear programme in ruins even as the full extent of the damage remains unclear. Advertisement Mr Araghchi is representing Iran at the talks. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP) Steve Witkoff, a billionaire real estate developer and friend of Mr Trump who serves as a special Mideast envoy, is heading up the US delegation with Mr Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner. The talks are again being mediated by Oman, an Arab Gulf country that has long served as an interlocutor between Iran and the West. The two sides adjourned after around three hours of talks and planned to resume the discussions later on Thursday. A convoy believed to be carrying Iranian diplomats could be seen returning to the compound hours later. Weve been exchanging creative and positive ideas in Geneva today, said Omans foreign minister Badr al-Busaidi, who mediated. We hope to make more progress. The headquarters of the US navys 5th Fleet in Manama, Bahrain (Planet Labs PBC via AP) Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said diplomats held very intensive negotiations, meeting with the Omani envoy and the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations nuclear watchdog. The talks will reconvene later on Thursday, after the sides consult their governments, Mr Baghaei said. He said the Iranians felt there were constructive proposals offered on both nuclear issues and sanctions relief. Mr Trump wants Iran to completely halt its enrichment of uranium and roll back both its long-range missile programme and its support for regional armed groups. Iran says it will only discuss nuclear issues, and maintains its atomic programme is for entirely peaceful purposes. Advertisement US secretary of state Marco Rubio told reporters on Wednesday that Iran is always trying to rebuild elements of its nuclear programme. He said that Tehran is not enriching uranium right now, but theyre trying to get to the point where they ultimately can. US secretary of state Marco Rubio (Jonathan Ernst/Pool photo via AP) Iran has said it has not enriched since June, but it has blocked IAEA inspectors from visiting the sites America bombed. Satellite photos analysed by The Associated Press have shown activity at two of those sites, suggesting Iran is trying to assess and potentially recover material there. The West and the IAEA say Iran had a nuclear weapons programme until 2003. After Mr Trump scrapped the 2015 nuclear agreement, Iran ramped up its enrichment of uranium to 60% purity a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. US intelligence agencies assess that Iran has yet to restart a weapons programme, but has undertaken activities that better position it to produce a nuclear device, if it chooses to do so. Some Iranian officials have spoken openly about the countrys readiness to produce a bomb if that decision is taken. Omans minister of foreign affairs Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, right, holds a meeting with White House special envoy Steve Witkoff, centre, and Jared Kushner (Foreign Ministry of Oman via AP) If the talks fail, uncertainty hangs over the timing of any possible US attack. If the aim of potential military action is to pressure Iran to make concessions in nuclear negotiations, its not clear whether limited strikes would work. Advertisement If the goal is to remove Irans leaders, that will likely commit the US to a larger, longer military campaign. There has been no public sign of planning for what would come next, including the potential for chaos in Iran. There is also uncertainty about what any military action could mean for the wider region. Tehran could retaliate against the American-allied nations of the Persian Gulf or Israel. Vehicles drive past the Saint Sarkis church and a painting of the late Iranian revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini in downtown Tehran, Iran (Vahid Salemi/AP) Oil prices have risen in recent days in part because of those concerns, with benchmark Brent crude now around 70 dollars a barrel. Iran in the last round of talks said it briefly halted traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all traded oil passes. Satellite photos shot on Tuesday and Wednesday by Planet Labs PBC and analysed by the AP appeared to show that American vessels typically docked in Bahrain, the home of the US Navys 5th Fleet, were all out at sea. The 5th Fleet referred questions to the US militarys Central Command, which declined to comment. Before Irans attack on a US base in Qatar during the closing days of the war last June, the 5th Fleet similarly scattered its ships at sea to protect against a potential attack. The US justice department said it was looking into whether it had improperly withheld documents from the Jeffrey Epstein files. The news came after several news organisations reported that some records involving uncorroborated accusations made by a woman against President Donald Trump were not among those released to the public. The announcement followed news reports saying that the tranche of records released by the department did not include several summaries of interviews the FBI had conducted with an unidentified woman who came forward after Epsteins 2019 arrest and alleged to have been sexually assaulted by both Mr Trump and Epstein when she was a minor in the 1980s. As the Department of Justice has consistently said and has done since the January 30, 2026 publication of the Epstein files, if any member of the public, including victims, reported concerns with information in the pages, the Department would review, make any corrections, and DOJ Rapid Response (@DOJRR47) February 25, 2026 Several individuals and news outlets have recently flagged files related to documents produced to Ghislaine Maxwell in discovery of her criminal case that they claim appear to be missing, the justice department said in a post on X. As with all documents that have been flagged by the public, the department is currently reviewing files within that category of the production. Advertisement Maxwell, Epsteins longtime confidant, is serving a 20-year prison sentence on a sex trafficking conviction. It said that if any document is found to have been improperly withheld and is responsive to the federally enacted law mandating the files release, the Department will of course publish it, consistent with the law. US President Donald Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein (Matt Rourke/AP) At issue is a series of interviews said to have been conducted in 2019 with a woman who made an allegation against Mr Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. News reports from recent days say the accuser was interviewed by the FBI four times as it sought to assess her account but a summary of only one of those interviews was included in the publicly released files. The missing records were earlier reported by the journalist Roger Sollenberger on Substack and NPR, and have since been documented by other news organisations, including The New York Times, MS Now and CNN. Representative Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said in a statement that Democrats on the panel would investigate the withheld records. Some of the documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election. To be clear, the claims are unfounded and false... US department of justice He said he had reviewed unredacted evidence logs and can confirm that the DOJ (department of justice) appears to have illegally withheld FBI interviews with the accuser. The justice department said last month that it was releasing more than three million pages of records related to Epstein, who took his own life in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Advertisement The department said at the time that, although it was attempting to be transparent, it was also entitled to withhold records that exposed potential abuse victims, were duplicates or protected by legal privileges, or related to an ongoing criminal investigation. Some of the documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election. To be clear, the claims are unfounded and false, and if they have a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponised against President Trump already, the department said in a statement last month as it released the records. Ghislaine Maxwell appeared remotely before the US House Oversight Committee earlier this month (GOP Oversight/PA) The redaction process was quickly revealed to have been flawed, with the department withdrawing some materials identified by victims or their lawyers, along with a substantial number of documents identified independently by the government. Lawyers for Epstein accusers told a New York judge this month that the lives of nearly 100 victims had been turned upside down by sloppy redactions in the governments latest release of records. The exposed materials include nude photos showing the faces of potential victims as well as names, email addresses and other identifying information that was either unredacted or not fully obscured. Other uncorroborated claims against Mr Trump and other public figures were included in the publicly available files. The department did not say in its social media post on Wednesday why records related to this specific accusation might have been withheld. Advertisement Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears TMK coal seam gas rates surge to new record in Mongolia Brought to you by BULLS N BEARS James Pearson February 26, 2026 1:55pm 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 TMK Energy has ticked off a key milestone in Mongolia, setting a new daily gas production record at its Gurvantes XXXV project and delivering its clearest sign yet that the pilot is edging into commercial gas territory. The company revealed gas rates climbed to more than 25,000 standard cubic feet per day (scfd), or 720 cubic metres at the project. Gas flows appear to be accelerating, too, up almost 7 per cent on the previous all-time high of 674 cubic metres recorded at the start of the month and 21 per cent higher than the January average. TMK Energys Lucky Fox-07 well flares during tests at the companys Gurvantes XXXV coal seam gas project in Mongolia. The result follows a brief dip earlier this month when TMK temporarily shut in two wells to conduct pressure build-up testing, a routine and critical step in coal seam gas development. TMK says pressure data from wells LF-01 and LF-04 confirmed reservoir pressure is declining broadly in line with expectations, a key precondition for gas to begin desorbing from coal seams and flowing more freely. Advertisement We are excited to see the recent trend that is developing at the LF-07 well. TMK Energy chief executive officer Dougal Ferguson TMK says it believes a small area of the project has now started releasing gas naturally, hinting at a shift towards sustained production. As water continues to be removed and pressures fall, the company expects the gas flow to extend across a larger area of the structure. The star of the show, however, is LF-07, now clearly emerging as the pace-setter. Gas production from the well has surged past 13,000scfd in recent days and is still trending upward, marking it as the strongest performer in the field to date. Notably, LF-07 sits high in the geological structure, positioning it favourably as pressure drawdown continues across the pilot area. While LF-07 has stolen the limelight, the company says gas and water production from the remaining pilot wells continue to track in line with its understanding of the coal and reservoir properties, suggesting the overall system remains stable and predictable as operations ramp up. Advertisement TMK Energy chief executive officer Dougal Ferguson said: LF-07 is the most recent well drilled and the only well in the field where the fluid level in the well was left above the top of the coal seam, meaning the coals have never been exposed to atmospheric pressure, thereby potentially limiting reservoir damage. Seeing gas flow rates rising rapidly has given the company confidence that it may yet resurrect a binding memorandum of understanding it signed with German power plant manufacturer Jens Energie 12 months ago. Under that deal, TMK agreed to supply gas from its Gurvantes XXXV project, initially at a rate of 5000 cubic metres, with Jens set to convert that gas into electricity for the local market using a German-imported gas-fired power plant to be installed under the arrangement. With the odds of a successful deal shortening by the month, TMK says it is now looking beyond simply proving the wells can produce gas. The company is already planning to link the pilot wells so the gas can be used to generate on-site power, with any surplus electricity potentially sold into the local grid as an early revenue stream. Saleable gas would also be a big win for Mongolia, which is keen to boost its domestic energy security. A locally supplied, scalable gas project fits neatly with that goal. At the same time, for TMK, the rising production opens up new options as it moves into the next stage of development and discussions with regulators and potential buyers. Advertisement With the companys share price up as much as 29 per cent on the latest news to 12.5 cents, the market is clearly starting to sit up and take notice now. If the LF-07 wells performance can be sustained and replicated across additional wells, the Gurvantes XXXV pilot could soon shift from technical proof-of-concept to a more compelling commercial gas story in the heart of Mongolia. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Bulls N' Bears Shares Sharemarket Free trains and buses carry migrants back to work China Daily) 09:37, February 26, 2026 Free trains and dedicated buses are helping a large number of migrant workers return to jobs after the Spring Festival holiday, especially those traveling from China's central and western regions to the eastern seaboard. On Tuesday, a traveler surnamed Yang boarded a special train free of charge at Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture in Guizhou province and arrived in Foshan, Guangdong province, in South China. The prefecture's human resources department provided about 500 seats for migrant workers such as her. More free trains will depart from the prefecture through Feb 28 to destinations including cities such as Hangzhou in Zhejiang province and Guangzhou in Guangdong province. Roughly 500 free seats per service are reserved exclusively for locals who work outside their hometown. Each year after the Chinese New Year holiday, firms resume operations and many workers who spent the break at home must return to their posts. That produces a short surge in travel and makes securing tickets the top priority for many. Yang told China Daily that she scanned a QR code to register after her village issued the notice, and she received a confirmation message the next day. She posted about securing the free ride online and replied to fellow villagers' queries about how to apply. Another beneficiary, Yang Ying from Huangping county in Qiandongnan, said past returns required multiple transfers and a day or more of exhausting travel while carrying heavy luggage. "I have worked in Hangzhou for more than three years. Every year, the hardest task after the holiday is getting tickets. When I saw the free train notice, I scanned, applied and received confirmation within a few days. I felt relieved," she said. Wang Wanmin, director of the prefecture's human resources and social security bureau, said they will continue to operate special trains and buses to transport 20,000 fellow townspeople to jobs, further stabilizing employment and boosting incomes. Railway authorities said the China Railway Chengdu Group plans to run 32 post-festival special trains for workers, which are expected to carry about 18,000 passengers through March 6. The group manages lines serving provinces such as Sichuan and Guizhou, regions that are major sources of migrant labor. Similar targeted services operate nationwide. Also on Tuesday, a special train for workers from Xi'an in Shaanxi province departed for Suzhou, Jiangsu province, delivering employees directly to contracted employers in Suzhou and nearby Taicang city. Officials said the transported workers had been prematched with positions in high-end intelligent manufacturing, electronic information, auto parts and precision machinery industries. Roles include technical operators, quality control staff, warehousing personnel and support service staff. After the workers arrived at Suzhou North Railway Station, local human resources departments provided dedicated shuttle vehicles to take them directly to factory dormitories. More flexible, targeted transport has also been added. Guangdong province has introduced bus routes from labor-exporting areas to provide point-to-point service. Between Feb 19 and Feb 25, passengers could scan a code to find buses from provinces including Hunan, Jiangxi and Hubei bound for Guangzhou city, and register their return-to-work transport needs online, local media reported. Huizhou city in Guangdong province will also set up return-to-work shuttle services at major transport hubs to provide last-mile connections for arriving migrant workers. The program is expected to serve more than 3,000 returning workers. (Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun) In the news release, Ithina forms a global AI operating platform for physical commerce and industrial operations through strategic acquisitions, surpassing 50 million connected endpoints, issued 26-Feb-2026 by Ithina Holdings, Inc. over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that changes have been made. The complete, corrected release follows, with additional details at the end: Ithina forms a global AI operating platform for physical commerce and industrial operations through strategic acquisitions, surpassing 50 million connected endpoints Backed by Kline Hill Partners, Probot Ventures, and Zebra Technologies Corporation, Ithina launches one of the world's largest AI-enabled execution networks for the physical economy DALLAS, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ithina Holdings Inc., creator of Ithina, an AI-driven intelligence and execution platform for physical operations, completed the acquisitions of Displaydata (UK), Agile Displays (U.S.), and Altierre (Europe). Ithina has launched as a global AI operating platform for real-time physical commerce and industrial operations, with more than 50 million connected endpoints already deployed across retail, manufacturing, and warehouse environments worldwide. With the acquisition, Ithina becomes one of the largest digitally addressable execution networks at the intersection of AI, edge connectivity, and IoT infrastructurea foundation designed to move enterprises from insight to action inside the physical world. Ithina forms a global AI operating platform for physical commerce and industrial operations with strategic acquisitions. Post this From infrastructure to intelligence The combination unifies decades of leadership in electronic shelf labels (ESL), wireless edge infrastructure, and large-scale deployment operations with a purpose-built AI operating layer designed for continuous sensing, decision-making, and execution. Ithina begins with global scaletransforming an established infrastructure footprint into an intelligent, closed-loop system capable of coordinating actions in real time across millions of endpoints. A closed-loop AI operating system for the physical world The Ithina platform is designed as a closed loop across four integrated layers: Sense capturing live operational signals from connected edge devices Decide applying contextual AI models to optimize outcomes in real time Execute activating actions through digital shelf labels, displays, and workflow systems Learn improving continuously through outcome-based feedback loops At the center of the system is Ithina Command, a human-in-the-loop control layer that supports transparency, governance, and enterprise oversight as AI-driven actions are deployed at scale. Leadership perspective "These acquisitions consolidate decades of infrastructure leadership into a single global AI operating platform," said Sanjay Purohit, CEO of Ithina Holdings Inc. "We're turning physical infrastructure into an intelligent network that can sense, decide, and act at enterprise scalewhile maintaining the control and governance enterprises require." "We believe Ithina represents a rare opportunity to build a category-defining operating layer for the physical economy," said James Bradshaw, Managing Director at Kline Hill Partners and board member of Displaydata. "Our decision to combine these businesses under Ithina and continuing support reflects conviction in the platform vision and the leadership team's ability to scale it globally." "Ithina is embedding enterprise-grade AI capabilities directly into everyday operations," said Anukriti Shukla, Chairperson of Probot Ventures. "That unlocks real-time optimization not only for large organizations, but also for smaller operators who historically have not had access to this level of intelligence." What this unlocks for enterprises For large enterprises, Ithina provides a unified operating layer capable of coordinating real-time decisions and execution across millions of endpoints, geographies, and workflows. That same capabilitypreviously achievable only through complex, custom-built systemsis now also accessible to smaller operators such as convenience stores, regional grocers, and franchise-based warehouses by embedding AI directly into the infrastructure they already use. Across retail environments, Ithina can help reduce perishable waste, improve planogram compliance, optimize promotions, and support more dynamic pricing and execution workflows. Across manufacturing and warehouse environments, Ithina can help improve throughput, accuracy, and workforce productivity through intelligent task orchestration powered by Ithina-enabled tags, displays, and connected workflows. Ithina Holdings Inc. completed the acquisitions of Displaydata, Agile Displays, and Altierre, forming a global AI operating platform for physical commerce and industrial operations. The Dallas-based company said the combined business now supports more than 50 million connected endpoints across retail, manufacturing, and warehouse environments worldwide. About Ithina Holdings Inc. Ithina Holdings Inc. is the creator of Ithina, an AI-driven intelligence and execution platform for physical commerce and industrial operations, including retail, manufacturing, and warehouse environments. Ithina connects millions of edge endpoints with real-time AI decision-making to enable continuous optimization, transparency, and enterprise control across physical operations worldwide. To learn more, visit ithina.com. About Kline Hill Partners Founded in 2015, Kline Hill Partners is an investment firm focused on the private equity secondary market, with industry-leading capabilities in the small-deal space. With $6.1 billion in assets under management, Kline Hill's funds are backed by a blue-chip investor base that includes endowments, foundations, family offices, and other institutional investors. Together, Kline Hill's Core and Solutions strategies make up a platform designed to serve the entirety of the small-deal secondary market, with capabilities spanning LP fund transfers, GP-led transactions, and secondary direct transactions. For more information, please visit www.klinehill.com Correction: An earlier version of this release required an update to a company's name. SOURCE Ithina Holdings, Inc. Advertisement Exclusive BusinessCompaniesSupermarkets Woolworths forced to rein in chatbot that claimed to have angry mother Jessica Yun February 26, 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 Woolworths has been forced to tweak its AI-powered virtual assistant after customers reported odd attempts at banter from the chatbot, including references to its mother who spoke in an angry voice. Woolworths this week told investors that it planned to use AI and a partnership with Google to turn Olive, the virtual assistant, into a market-leading conversational shopping companion, saying it aimed to launch the upgraded chatbot in the second half of this financial year. Woolworths has tweaked its chatbot after users reported bizarre interactions about its mother. Matthew Absalom-Wong However, testing by this masthead found the current version of Olive gave answers about common products such as tinned tomatoes at odds with the website, while some users have reported unusual comments from the tool designed to provide answers to basic shopping queries. In brief testing by this masthead, Olive told a user that a 400-gram can of La Gina peeled tomatoes cost $1.40 and an 800-gram can of Annalisa diced tomatoes was $2.20. In fact, Woolworths website advertises La Ginas product for $1.70 and Annalisas for $2.70. Olive got the price of Woolworths own home brand 400-gram cans of diced tomatoes correct at $1.30. Advertisement Woolworths confirmed it was looking into the issue, which comes amid a major debate in financial markets about the role that AI will play in the future of work and jobs. The Olive page states that Olive is powered by AI and may make mistakes. Always check the product label. Meanwhile, social media users have described their at-times bizarre experiences of interacting with Olive. It asked me for my date of birth, and when I gave it, it started rambling about how its [sic] mother was born in the same year, one Reddit user posted this month. Im already pissed that I have to call and now Ive got some robot babbling to me on the phone? Wtf Woolies? In a second conversation, the user said Olive had referred to having an uncle. Huh. My uncle was born that year. He was one of the 1st ever fuel cells. I think thats where I get my energy from. Anyway, the last thing I need to get is your postcode. What is it? Olive said, according to the user. Advertisement A user on X, @verynormalman, said their mother had had a similar experience. My mum said she called woolworths and the woolworths AI Olive answered and kept claiming to be a real person and started talking about its memories of its mother and her angry voice, they wrote. View post on X Another Reddit user, LyndonM, bemoaned Olives fake banter in a post about a problem with their grocery order. Even when connecting me to a human it made fake typing sounds when looking something up, asks for my birthdate and bonds by saying her relative was born in the same year, they wrote. A Woolworths spokesperson confirmed that an employee many years ago had prompted Olive to chat about its family to give the bot a quirky personality. The responses about Olives mother appear programmed as a response to the customer providing their birthdate. Advertisement Our digital assistant Olive has been around since 2018. Over this time, customer feedback for Olive has been very positive, with many noting its personality, the spokesperson said. Related Article AI Who approved this!? Twice-collapsed Jeanswest jeered on Instagram and Reddit over AI slop A number of responses about birthdays were written for Olive by a team member several years ago as a more personal way for Olive to connect with customers. As a result of customer feedback, we recently removed this particular scripting. We are always evolving Olive and we welcome our customers feedback to help us provide the best possible customer experience. The changes to Woolworths chatbot comes after financial markets were spooked this week by growing fears about the potential for AI to disrupt a wide range of industries and cause mass job losses, as more companies embrace the technology as a way of cutting their costs. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning. Advertisement BusinessConsumer affairsAviation How to make the most of Qantas new loyalty rules Chris Zappone February 27, 2026 4:00am 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 Qantas Frequent Flyer members looking to take advantage of the revamp of its status credit scheme can now roll over some of their excess credits from one year to the next, accelerating the pace at which they can move up status tiers and access more perks. Qantas on Thursday unveiled a major change to its loyalty program, allowing members to earn status credits by spending on things such as food and petrol. Unlike regular Qantas Frequent Flyer points, which have long been available from the airlines branded credit cards through on-the-ground spending, status credits have come largely from flying and brought perks such as more generous baggage allowance and lounge access. Qantas loyalty boss Andrew Glance, chief executive Vanessa Hudson and chief financial officer Rob Marcolina on Thursday. Renee Nowytarger Steve Hui of IFlyFlat said the announcement is Qantas acknowledging what is already true in its customers behaviour: Loyalty isnt about flying any more: its about financial behaviour. Advertisement For people flying or buying their way to a higher tier of status credit, Hui said they will be able to roll over up to 50 per cent of unused status credits into the next year. Hui gives the example of a member who can fly enough each year to accrue around 600 to 650 status credits but cannot get to gold status, at 700 credits. If you can generate even 80-140 status credits through normal business behaviour not extra flights that gap can disappear, he said. But there are caps on the amount that can be rolled over from one year to the next, too. Silver tier holders can only roll over 100 credits, for gold 350 credits, and platinum holders 500. Under the changes, Qantas Frequent Flyer members can earn up to 140 status credits per year from their spending on the ground, while a customer needs 300 status credits to earn silver, 700 to earn gold, for example. Adele Eliseo of The Champagne Mile said the new 140 status credits available on the ground can help, but they wont move you into a meaningful tier on their own. Advertisement If youre new to status and weighing up a push, gold remains the level where lounge access and priority benefits materially change the travel experience, she said, noting that 140 status credits represent only one-fifth of gold, and an even smaller proportion of platinum. Qantas typically runs only one or two double status-credit promotions which allow people to earn more status credits each year, she said. One of those promotions, Points Club, is ceasing with these changes. Qantas Frequent Flyers members who hold Points Club status are likely to have a final opportunity to earn double status credits on reward-seat bookings under the current promotion, she said. If you already have Points Club, this could be your last chance to maximise that combination before it disappears, she said. At the top end, its possible to receive up to 126 status credits, or 252 during a double status-credit promotion, on a single sector. Thats more than a third of the way to gold tier in just one flight. Advertisement The changes were announced in tandem with Qantas half-year results. The airline posted a $1.46 billion pre-tax half-year profit, helped by strong demand, including from its loyalty division which posted pre-tax earnings of $286 million, a rise of 12 per cent. Qantas loyalty division chief Andrew Glance said of the changes: Ultimately its a fantastic way to be recognised for everyday behaviour, be it shopping at Woolworths, filling up your car at BP, or taking out a credit card. Its nice to know that through that journey youre being recognised and importantly rewarded for it. It is very much part of the DNA within the Australian culture, and its something that we [at Qantas] certainly dont take for granted, Glance said. Thats why we invest a lot of time in understanding what our members want from us. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Every restaurant featured in the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2026 in the Central Coast, NSW. See all stories . Co-founded by Pocket Group CEO Karl Schlothauer, Pocket Bar Terrigal was the groups first foray into the Central Coast following the launch of three cocktail bars Stitch Bar, Button Bar and the original Pocket Bar in Sydney. Thirteen years on, its become one of the Coasts premier destinations for all things mixed and shaken. Try your luck with The Gambler, where bourbon, Cointreau, vermouth and absinthe combine, or stay fresh with a Chain Reaction, where Poor Toms Amaro Imbroglio and bergamot liqueur are topped up with hibiscus and grapefruit soda. Craft beers keep it local, and the birria tacos, live music, DJs and karaoke nights mean theres something for everyone, right through to the small hours. Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant cant pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide. Advertisement LifestyleLife & relationshipsBody image Stacey spent eight hours a day looking in the mirror. Now her condition is trending on TikTok Courtney Thompson February 27, 2026 4:00am 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 It was a friend who first mentioned the disorder to Stacey Anderson. We worked together, and she noticed I went to the bathroom a lot, Anderson, now 41, says. Shed noticed that I talked about my appearance quite often, but in a way that sought constant reassurance. And that I also spent a lot of money on skincare. In isolation, none of these things would seem particularly weird. But when Anderson was going to the bathroom, it was to look at herself in the mirror, which would continue almost constantly throughout the day. Stacey Anderson was diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder when she was 28. Simon Schluter It wouldnt just have to be the toilet: it could be the mirror in my car, or the camera on my phone, says Anderson, who admits its difficult to put an exact number on how many times a day she was checking her own reflection, or picking at her skin or looking at skincare products online that might help what she saw in the mirror. Advertisement But I think it was eight hours a day, she says. Andersons friend told her she might have body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and a few months later, at age 28, she was officially diagnosed. What is facial dysmorphia? Distinct from eating disorders or body image concerns, under the DSM-5 (the standard tool used by clinicians and researchers to classify and diagnose mental disorders), BDD is a mental health condition that sits in the class of obsessive compulsive disorder, describing a preoccupation or obsession with a perceived defect or flaw in physical appearance that may be only slight to others, or may not even be observable. Facial dysmorphia is an unofficial offshoot of BDD. Advertisement Facial concerns are often the focus of the concern in BDD, says Professor Gemma Sharp from the School of Psychology at Adelaide University. Because thats our window to the soul, isnt it? Related Article Exclusive Body image It took a toll: Body dysmorphia hurts more than self-esteem Sharp says the key distinction between those who have standard body image issues and people with BDD is that for the latter, their condition makes participating in everyday life almost impossible. One of Sharps patients refused to leave their bedroom or be seen by their family. From looking at them, it would be impossible to determine if someone has BDD, but thats what makes this a mental disorder its really not about what they actually look like at all. They will become obsessed with a particular element of their appearance and be able to think of little else; it could be the back of their knees, or the asymmetry of their face. Says 33-year-old model and creative consultant Mahalia Handley, who was diagnosed with BDD four years ago: Its like having a record on in the back of your head constantly thats telling you to focus on one thing, and its never really the things that people think youre going to focus on. Advertisement For Anderson, BDD manifested as a fixation on looking in the mirror. I would just be in a trance-like state, and I could be there, it would feel like minutes, but it would be much, much longer, she says. Things reached breaking point when the fixation compromised her relationship at the time. Facial dysmorphia describes the unsettling feeling that what you see in photos doesnt match the image you have of yourself in your head. Tom Compagnoni The influence of social media We encounter opportunities to look at ourselves many times a day, whether its at the gym or during a video call while working from home. And social media has compounded this obsession with ourselves by encouraging self-documentation. On TikTok, there are now thousands of videos with the hashtags #facedysmorphia and #facialdysmorphia showing people lament the disconnect between what they think they look like, and what they see in photos or their reflection. This isnt shocking considering 40 per cent of Australians report being dissatisfied with their appearance. But its important to make the distinction between not liking what you see in photos which is a common body image concern and having diagnosed BDD. Advertisement Its hard to say how many people making social media videos about their so-called facial dysmorphia actually have the condition, but for Handley, its an inevitable consequence of our image-based culture. When theres so much saturation of who we are and what were supposed to look like online, and thats constantly changing due to trends, I think its natural wed start to lose our understanding of self, she says. Its a problem probably exacerbated by filters such as the inverted face, which are allegedly designed to show you what you really look like. A few years ago, a similar phenomenon was given the name Snapchat dysmorphia to describe the effect beauty filters were having on our distorted sense of self, and in 2021 a study into the Zoom Effect, published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, found more than a third of the 335 participants identified new image concerns while on video calls. Advertisement AI isnt helping, either. Dr Toni Pikoos, a co-author of the Zoom Effect study and a psychologist who has been researching BDD for more than a decade, says its become a big problem for her clients. Theyll upload pictures of themselves to AI and ask it, Rate my appearance. What do I need to fix about myself? Show me how I could change if I get this surgery, Pikoos says. Cosmetic surgery as a solution The tricky thing about a condition like BDD is that people confuse it with being an issue of vanity. Particularly because treatment is often sought at the cosmetic clinic, Sharp, of Adelaide University, says. In a 2023 review into the prevalence of BDD in different settings, researchers found that in cosmetic or dermatology settings, 20 per cent of people had the condition. Thats an increase on an oft-cited 1998 study that estimated 7 per cent to 15 per cent of aesthetic patients displayed BDD symptoms. Mahalia Handley says that at one point her BDD led her to consider getting surgery that would elongate her legs. They smash the bones of your legs perfectly and then they elongate it by inserting metal. I was that fixated on my knees and my legs that I was close to going in and doing it, she says. Advertisement Model Mahalia Handley believes the obsession online with self-documentation is exacerbating the problem. Mahalia Handley In July 2023, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and the Medical Board of Australia made it a requirement for cosmetic surgeons to use a validated psychological screening tool to assess patients for BDD and suitability for treatment. But many doctors, including cosmetic and vascular physician Dr Keturah Hoffman, believe its ineffectual. Its not going to help anybody know anything, says Hoffman. The first question is, Are you unhappy with your appearance? If you answer no to that, what are you doing in my office? She believes BDD patients who are determined to get work done will find a way to go undetected by the screening questions. Clever people with BDD can get around them, she points out, saying that in order for cosmetic practitioners to be able to properly identify someone with BDD, the most important thing is that they have a relationship with them that can assist in reaching a proper diagnosis. The current law has started down the right path, but it needs to be further developed, Hoffman says. Even if they are successful in getting work they want done, its common for BDD patients to be dissatisfied with the outcome, or theyll find another part of themselves to fixate on. Advertisement That focus of the appearance flaw can move around the body and sometimes [getting work done] makes people feel worse rather than better, Sharp says. Related Article Pregnancy Tidal wave of pressure: Has the Ozempic boom made it harder for new mums? Handley says her own obsessions have never stayed static. There were points when my face was just ripped up from picking at it so badly, I felt like I couldnt go outside. And other times, all I could concentrate on was fixing my neck, which, Im like, theres literally nothing wrong with my neck, she says. Pikoos notes that in treating her BDD clients, she finds it useful to frame the condition as a disorder of attention. The more attention we pay to the way that we look, the more we look at ourselves in the mirror, the more time we spend trying to fix or perfect ourselves, the more worried we become, she says. So a lot of the time with treatment, the goal is to reduce the amount of time you spend taking photos, reduce the amount of time you spend looking in the mirror. Exposure therapy is a big part of it as well. Advertisement Stacey Anderson thinks more awareness is needed around the disorder and that the effect of diagnosis and therapy is immense. I really wish I could have done something like this many, many years ago because my life could have been a lot different. Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday. Advertisement Updated NationalNSWCourts Minns government took sledgehammer to protests after Bondi, court told Michaela Whitbourn Updated February 26, 2026 3:12pm ,first published 11:01am 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 Minns government took a sledgehammer to protests after the Bondi terror attack and laws rushed through parliament to bolster police powers should be declared invalid, the states top court has heard. A trio of activist organisations, including the Palestine Action Group, asked the NSW Court of Appeal on Thursday to strike down laws giving the police commissioner the power to make a declaration restricting all protests in a geographical area for a specific time after a suspected terrorist act. Palestine Action Groups Josh Lees outside the NSW Court of Appeal before the groups constitutional challenge to protest laws. Sitthixay Ditthavong The restrictions covering the Sydney CBD and eastern suburbs were in place during Israeli President Isaac Herzogs visit to Australia. David Hume, SC, acting for the protest groups, told the court the laws were fundamentally over-broad and they use a sledgehammer to seek to crack a nut. Advertisement He argued the laws fell foul of the implied freedom of political communication in the Commonwealth Constitution, and all protests were restricted irrespective of the risk they posed. Under the new laws, passed 10 days after the Bondi massacre on December 24, a public assembly restriction declaration (PARD) may be made by the police commissioner for up to 14 days, and may be extended for up to 90 days. The concurrence of the police minister is required. The power to declare restrictions on protests may only be made in a terrorism-related context, but protests unrelated to the alleged terrorist act are captured. Chief Justice Andrew Bell, Court of Appeal President Julie Ward and Justice Stephen Free presided over the hearing. Free said it appeared the legislation did not give the police commissioner the capacity to differentiate between types of assembly. Advertisement The commissioner has no way of saying, as I read it, protests against planning laws in this part of Sydney can continue [and] protests against deaths in custody can continue but protests relating to terrorist acts [cannot], Free said. A protest against the visit of Israeli president Isaac Herzog turned violent. Riley Walter Hume agreed: The commissioner may be worried about protests in relation to the terrorist incident but protests in relation to entirely unrelated topics that generate no risk are caught. Before making a declaration, the police commissioner must be satisfied the holding of protests in the area would be likely to cause a reasonable person to fear ... harassment, intimidation or violence or for their safety, or to cause a risk to community safety. Free suggested the risk to community safety might be read as embracing the concept of social cohesion, and the commissioner might form the view that all assemblies should stop for a period of time because they are apt to cause disharmony. Advertisement Related Article Updated Israeli-Palestinian conflict Police defend actions after violent clashes with Herzog protesters in Sydney The new laws operate to displace an existing legal mechanism for authorising or prohibiting protests on a case-by-case basis. Under the existing laws, a protest is considered an authorised public assembly if organisers serve a notice on NSW Police at least seven days before the protest and it is not prohibited by a court. When a protest is authorised, participants have a relatively narrow immunity from criminal liability for certain acts related to the protest, such as blocking traffic. This is not a licence to engage in criminal activity. The commissioners declaration meant the protesters did not have this immunity. Advertisement Hume said the new laws cut the independent judiciary out of the process when the existing laws worked. Public speech had an added significance in a world where most speech occurred online, and a convenient protest out of sight is an ineffective protest, Hume said. Loading A trio of barristers acting for the state of NSW, headed by Brendan Lim, SC, said in written submissions that the laws were a modest extension of police powers. That modest extension is amply justified by the apprehended effects of mass public assemblies on community safety and social cohesion in the aftermath of the Bondi Beach antisemitic terrorist act, the submissions said. Advertisement Ward put to Lim that it appeared a declaration had the result of precluding ... a vigil or memorial function, for example because it did not specify the kind of public assemblies being restricted. Lim said they would be restricted in the sense of being exposed to the exercise of police powers to prevent obstruction and that would apply equally to vigils as it would to protests. I suppose a very large vigil might obstruct traffic, but vigils are not generally setting out to obstruct persons or engage in harassment, Lim said. The most recent PARD lapsed on February 17, after Herzogs visit. The state of NSW has argued the protest groups lost their legal ability to bring the challenge at that time. The court will deliver its decision at a later date. Advertisement Earlier this month, the NSW Supreme Court rejected an eleventh-hour legal challenge by protesters to separate powers granted to police for the Herzog visit. The NSW government declared the visit a major event under laws typically used to manage crowds at large sporting events, triggering wide-ranging police powers. This included the ability to shut down parts of a major events area in the Sydney CBD and eastern suburbs. Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app. Advertisement NationalQueenslandQueensland councils Council-linked developer puts shops on market months after contentious decision Julius Dennis and Matt Dennien February 27, 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 owners of a Brisbane bayside shopping centre who benefited from a council decision to cancel a rival project are now selling the blue chip site. Billed in sale material as the only full-line supermarket in the area, Redland Bay Village is part-owned by local developers Fox and Bell. Redland City Council, whose chief executive has family ties to the firm, late last year ditched plans for a $250 million development, anchored by a Coles store, about a kilometre away. The Redland Bay Shopping Village has been put on the market. JLL Questions raised about the decision by the sidelined developer, Consolidated Properties Group (CPG) chief executive Don ORorke, were first reported by this masthead earlier this month, and came after deputy premier Jarrod Bleijie criticised the change in a letter to the Redland mayor. Advertisement After Bleijies intervention, ORorke said CPG had won the work in an open 2023 council tender and was on time and budget. Related Article Exclusive Queensland councils A council dumped plans for a new supermarket. Its developer questions why In a statement to this masthead, ORorke said the decision left no competition for the Fox and Bell linked Woolworths, which he said was on the market. At the time, Fox and Bell principal Garry Hargrave would not publicly confirm the sale, but described the question as not relevant to the councils decision. Hargrave initially declined to disclose Fox and Bell figures interest in the centre as part-owners, but later said in an email the majority of the centre was not on its land. Advertisement The firm was not concerned about the impact of a shopping centre at Weinam Creek, but Hargrave said he had raised issues with the council over the development. This week, the Redland Bay Village was formally listed by commercial real estate company JLL, touting the centres full-line Woolworths anchor tenant as the only supermarket servicing the immediate trade area. Woolworths is said to be secured with a $1.78 million gross annual rent with built-in rental growth via turnover-linked review mechanisms. In 2013, the council was told Weinam Creek needed a larger shop as did one of the islands, and the plans for the Coles came eight years after the area was confirmed as a priority development area by the state in 2014. Advertisement Weinam Creek is the only docking point for ferries from the rapidly growing Southern Moreton Bay Islands population. Plans for that supermarket were put in place in 2022, with CPG picked to deliver the Weinam Creek project as well as a much needed multi-level car park for islanders who own vehicles on the mainland. Work had been due to begin later this year for completion in 2028, but the council and councillor who initiated the vote, Shane Rendalls, has maintained nixing the CPG project was about fast-tracking the car park, which will now be built by the state without the adjoining shops. The councils chief executive Louise Rusan has a family link to Fox and Bell managing director, Greg Bell a conflict of interest registered with the council. Following this mastheads reporting, Bell told local media outlet The Redland Bayside News he and Rusan never discussed council matters and only saw each other at family events. Advertisement He disputed the chief executive had any decision-making power, nullifying the conflict of interest. Councillors make development decisions thats not the CEOs role, he told the paper. In response to a question from this masthead, Hargrave said nobody from Fox and Bell had sought to influence councillors or Rusan over the decision. A Redland City Council spokesperson has repeatedly said Rusans conflict of interest was managed under the appropriate governance processes. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalQueenslandTragedy Wieambilla shooting home up for sale Dominique Tassell February 26, 2026 3:42pm 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 rural Queensland home where two police officers and a civilian were killed by religious fanatics and conspiracy theorists has been listed for sale after negotiations stalled between the Train family estate and the Queensland Police Union. The home is in a dilapidated condition, with photos of the 43-hectare home on Wains Road showing rubbish strewn through the home. One photo features a gun safe, while another seems to show a trap door. Another photo shows a shooters magazine lying on the floor. The Wieambilla property where two police officers and a civilian were killed has been listed for sale. Offers for the home from $190,000 are being heard. Advertisement Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold, along with neighbour Alan Dare, were killed by Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train on December 12 in 2022 at a property in Wieambilla, about four hours west of Brisbane. Constables Randall Kirk and Keely Brough survived the ambush. The home is being sold by Aidan Train, Nathaniel and Stacey Trains son. He is doing so as part of his executor responsibilities, according to the listing. Hoping for a quick sale to someone who will be respectful of the property, considering its history, the listing reads. Photos taken inside the dilapidated home show a trapdoor and shooters magazine on the floor. The listing of the property follows an earnest attempt to sell it off-market with the Queensland Police Union, Aidan Train said. Advertisement It reached a point where a conveyancing contract was drawn up, price agreed, comments went back and forth and amendments were made, however it was never signed and things have sat dormant, with no update from them since October 2025. Related Article Crime US man jailed over links to police shooting deaths I still remain open to selling it to the [union] but it has reached a point where I need to keep my options open to ensure the sale of the property progresses at a reasonable pace. Train said it was his understanding that he should distribute the estate within a year of being appointed executor, and was concerned the sale of the house was taking too long. He will continue to negotiate with the union if they are still interested in purchasing the property, he said. Advertisement Ultimately it was their idea [under late former president Ian Leavers] to begin with. Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior expressed surprise at the listing of the home, and said negotiations between the union and estate were still under way. The QPU has been negotiating in good faith, he said. The QPU is currently undertaking appropriate due diligence in considering the option to purchase the Wains Road property. This includes fiduciary considerations relating to expenditure of member funds for both the purchase and the ongoing property maintenance. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Remove items from your saved list to add more. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Save this video for later Add videos to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. A 51-year-old man has been charged with assault and aggravated assault after allegations made by a woman who was trekking solo near Daylesford in January. The woman, Sarah Gibbs, reported her alleged assault in bushland near the popular spa town to local police after an incident on January 27 but said she was told little could be done. Sarah Gibbs was walking alone on a long trek when she alleges she was assaulted. Luis Enrique Ascui She said she told a uniformed police officer that a man had followed, grabbed and menaced her on a narrow track, asking Do you want to f--- a prince? before she got away from him. Although she had told the man her route on the 210-kilometre Goldfields Track while attempting to cajole him, she said, the police officer had simply advised her to take care when she returned to her hike. SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Display, the world's leading innovator of display technologies, today announced that all of its large-sized OLED panels, including those for TVs and monitors, have been recognized for their "perfect dimming technology" earning the industry's first "100% dimming consistency" verification from UL Solutions, a global leader in applied safety science. This performance, as validated by UL Solutions, objectively demonstrates the superiority of OLED's pixel-level dimming. LG Display earns industrys first 100% dimming consistency verification Dimming consistency refers to a measurement method that evaluates, in percentage terms, how effectively a display reproduces content based on its brightness performance. A reference area is set in the center of the screen and is gradually reduced from 1/10 of the panel to 11/1000, 5/1000, and finally 2/1000. The results are expressed as a percentage: if the maximum and minimum brightness values remain the same throughout the process, dimming consistency is 100%. Conversely, as the value decreases, it means that there is light intensity variation within the same screen. In such cases, brightness differs depending on the position of the light source, even for the same color. LG Display's OLED maintained the same brightness performance even as the test reference area decreased, achieving a dimming consistency rate of 100%. In contrast, LCD-based panels became dimmer as the test reference area shrank, with dimming consistency dropping from a maximum of 83% to as low as 43%. This is due to differences in emission methods. Because OLED panels emit light at the pixel level, with pixels measuring only about 0.1 mm, they can maintain brightness even when the test reference area is reduced, reproducing natural colors and clearly distinguishing color boundaries. This means they can faithfully express the content creator's original intent. By comparison, RGB Mini LED, the latest LCD TV technology, relies on backlight blocks that are 160,000 to 830,000 times larger than the pixels of an OLED panel, revealing limitations in reproducing natural colors. As brightness diminishes toward the edges of the backlight blocks, it becomes difficult to clearly distinguish color boundaries, resulting in reduced color accuracy. Light bleeding, known as the halo effect, may also occur. With the halo effect, light leaks from the boundaries of the backlight blocks of an LCD panel, causing the image to appear hazy. For example, when a bright star in a dark sky is smaller than the area of a backlight block, the boundary between the starlight and the dark sky may not be rendered clearly, making the image appear blurred. This further highlights OLED as the optimal display for connecting humans and AI. In the AI era, high luminance, high resolution, and high color gamut performance are essential enabling brighter, sharper, and more accurate color reproduction. Having achieved 100% dimming consistency, OLED can deliver the rich visual information generated by AI in a natural and precise manner. LG Display plans to further strengthen its large-sized OLED leadership based on this world-leading OLED technology. The company's new OLED TV panel applies its proprietary "Primary RGB Tandem 2.0" technology, which emits light by stacking the three primary colors of light red, green, and blue in independent layers. It delivers a peak luminance of up to 4,500 nits (one nit equals the brightness of a single candle) and incorporates technology that absorbs and disperses light rather than reflecting it, achieving the lowest reflectance level (0.3%) among existing displays. Hyeon-woo Lee, Head of LG Display's Large Display Business Unit, said, "We have objectively identified why OLED appears brighter and clearer. Through this verification, we can more clearly explain to customers that OLED's pixel dimming technology, which maintains 100% dimming consistency, is the optimal choice in the AI era." About LG Display LG Display Co., Ltd. [NYSE: LPL, KRX: 034220] is the world's leading innovator of display technologies, including thin-film transistor liquid crystal and OLED displays. The company manufactures display panels in a broad range of sizes and specifications primarily for use in TVs, notebook computers, desktop monitors, automobiles, and various other applications, including tablets and mobile devices. LG Display currently operates manufacturing facilities in Korea and China, and back-end assembly facilities in Korea, China, and Vietnam. The company has approximately 70,707 employees operating worldwide. For more news and information about LG Display, please visit www.lgdisplay.com . Media Contact: Joo Yeon Jennifer Ha, Team Leader, Communication Team Email: [email protected] SOURCE LG Display Western Force flyer Dylan Pietsch will be sidelined for at least three more weeks as he continues his recovery from a foot injury. Pietsch is yet to play this Super Rugby Pacific season and the 27-year-old has already been ruled out of the upcoming three-game road trip against Moana Pasifika, Highlanders and Hurricanes. If all goes well, Pietsch will return following the Forces bye in the March 28 home clash with the Chiefs. Hes aggravated the plantar fascia tendon in his foot, Force coach Simon Cron said ahead of Fridays clash with Moana in Pukekohe, NZ. Dylan Pietsch will be sidelined for the Western Force for at least three more weeks. Getty Images And hes a power athlete. Were kind of waiting, get him to the bye, and see how he goes through that bye week with his prep. Ideally hes back by that stage, but its a case by case basis. Its been a frustrating period for Pietsch, who broke his jaw during the Wallabies win over South Africa last August. The Force are winless and bottom of the table after following up their 56-24 loss to the Brumbies with a 42-32 defeat to the Blues. In better news, Wallabies enforcer Nick Champion de Crespigny (knee) could return either next week or the week after, while one-capped Wallabies winger Darby Lancaster will make his Force debut on Friday after recovering from a thigh injury. Lancaster scored five tries from seven appearances with the Waratahs last season and Cron feels like the best is yet to come for the 22-year-old former Sevens star. From the moment he came over to us and started training and working with the team, hes been so exciting, Cron said. Im ecstatic to get him back. Hes got X-factor, hes got speed. Hes a student of the game. We havent seen the best of him yet. Were hoping we can be a part of his pathway back into the Wallabies. Hes got all the talent and skill and drive to go a very long way, for a long period of time. Hooker Nic Dolly returns to the Force starting side, having recovered from the knee injury he suffered on the morning of the clubs tour game against the British and Irish Lions last June. Moana started their season with a 40-26 win over Fijian Drua before being brought back to earth last week in a 52-10 loss to the Hurricanes. AAP Advertisement PoliticsVictoriaAntisemitism Burgertory founders anti-Zionist protest chant incited hatred against Jews Chip Le Grand February 26, 2026 5:45pm 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 Palestinian activist Hash Tayeh incited hatred against Jews when he led a chant of All Zionists are terrorists at a Melbourne protest in March last year, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has found. Hash Tayeh has been found to have incited hatred against Jews at an anti-Israel protest. AAP The ruling, which coincides with this weeks formal opening of the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion prompted by the Bondi massacre, is the first in Australia which establishes a clear link between anti-Zionist rhetoric and hatred of Jews. Jewish Centre for Law and Justice chief executive Alessandra Steele welcomed the judgment as an important line in the sand. Anti-Zionist rhetoric can be racial vilification, she said. For most Jewish Australians, Zionism is a core component of Jewish identity, grounded in strong cultural, religious and familiar connections to Israel. Advertisement The ruling by tribunal member Judge My Anh Tran means Tayeh, a prominent protest leader and founder of burger chain Burgertory, unlawfully breached the states Racial and Religious Tolerance Act. Related Article Updated Antisemitism royal commission Royal commission rules out eyewitness accounts of Bondi attack The tribunal member also found that Nasser Mashni, the president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network and a nationally recognised figure within the pro-Palestine protest movement, used dehumanising language and evoked antisemitic tropes in his opening speech at the same rally. There was an observable, antisemitic and pro-violent presence at the rally, the tribunal member noted. Tran is considering what orders, if any, to impose against Tayeh. Advertisement The case returns for a further hearing on March 25. Tayeh said he would lodge an appeal. The VCAT action against Tayeh was brought by Jewish lawyer and self-styled anti-racism campaigner Menachem Vorchheimer, who has become a prolific litigant in antisemitism cases. Vorchheimer was not at the CBD rally on March 23 where Tayeh led the chant but said he took him to VCAT on principle to call out the use of hateful speech under the guise of political expression at pro-Palestine protests. I commenced various legal proceedings in 2024 because I was afraid that words left unchecked would lead to violence, he said. That fear was tragically realised at Bondi. Advertisement This case underscores the fragile environment in which Australian Jews live why armed guards stand at our schools, childcare centres, synagogues and community institutions. Vorchheimers case against Tayeh was supported by the Jewish Centre for Law and Justice, which is also preparing a class action by Bondi survivors against NSW Police and federal security agencies. In her reasoning, Tran rejected Tayehs argument that his chant was not directed at Jewish people and would have been understood by his fellow protesters as criticism of the Israeli governments war in Gaza. She also dismissed his public interest defence. She said while Zionist was not a precise term, it referred to anyone who supported Israels existence as a Jewish state. She accepted evidence that in Australia this meant most Jews. Tran also noted that at the rally, other protesters brandished placards with an inverted red triangle a Hamas targeting symbol and the slogan Death to the Zionist Regime and chanted Zionists rape children. A photograph of a protester wearing a Bash Zionists T-shirt was tendered as evidence. Advertisement The tribunal member accepted evidence provided by three pro-Israel counter-protesters who attended the rally and were subjected to antisemitic invective by unidentified protesters including taunts of Dirty Jew and F--- you Jew. Related Article Antisemitism Jewish teenager allegedly assaulted in antisemitic attack at scout camp She found that Mashni, in his opening speech to the rally, referred to the counterprotesters as Zionist scumbags. A persistent theme of Mr Mashni, Mr Tayeh and other speakers is that Zionists are responsible for secretly manipulating governments, police or media, the judge found. This evokes the antisemitic trope that Jews are a world-dominating cabal in control of the global financial system, global media, politics. Mashni, who was not a respondent in Vorchheimers case, was approached for comment. Advertisement Hash Tayeh, in a post to his followers on Instagram, said he respectfully disagreed with the tribunals finding. My advocacy has always been directed at political ideology and state conduct, not at any race or religion, he said. In my view, the decision blurs an important distinction between Judaism as a religion and Zionism as a political ideology. This distinction was raised by Tayeh at the hearing but did not convince the tribunal member. Daniel Aghion, KC, the president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said the judgment was deeply critical of not only rally speakers but people who attended the rally peacefully and did not speak out against antisemitism they encountered. It is long past time for these vitriolic and hateful rallies to be shut down, he said. They have no place in the streets of Melbourne or any city in Australia. Advertisement Steele, of the Jewish Centre for Law and Justice, said the pro-Palestinian protests had contributed to an environment of hostility and division affecting the Jewish community. In recent months we have seen an escalation in harassment, intimidation and violence directed at Jewish Australians, culminating in horrific incidents such as the Bondi terror attack last year. Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said the case against Tayeh was significant and carefully considered. This judgment reinforces an important principle in Australian law, he said. You are free to criticise governments. You are free to argue about borders, security, settlements, or foreign policy. But you are not free to incite hatred against a racial or religious group. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Marco Rubio addresses Cuba boat shooting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has spoken after Cuba confirmed its forces had killed four people on a boat with Florida licence plates in Cuban waters. Advertisement Updated WorldMiddle EastIran Iran accuses Trump of big lies as US warns of ballistic missile threat Jon Gambrell and Simon Lewis February 26, 2026 11:03am 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 Dubai/Saint Kitts and Nevis: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has accused Iran of attempting to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles as the Trump administration ramps up pressure on the regime over its nuclear program ahead of critical talks in Geneva. Rubio, who is in Saint Kitts and Nevis attending a regional summit with Caribbean leaders, told media the talks would largely focus on Tehrans nuclear program and said its insistence on not discussing the future of its ballistic missiles program remained a big, big problem. US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran is working on technology to directly threaten the US. AP His comments follow on from US Vice President JD Vance warning on Wednesday (Washington time) that Iran would not be allowed to build a nuclear weapon, and as US President Donald Trump used his State of the Union speech to lay out his justification for military strikes against Iran. Iran and the US are to meet on Thursday (Geneva time) for their third round of talks under the mediation of Oman, long an interlocutor between Tehran and the West. A flight carrying Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his team arrived late on Wednesday in Geneva, where they will meet American officials led by special US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff. Advertisement Ahead of that meeting, Vance told Fox News that while Trump preferred a diplomatic solution, he was ready to unleash the military against Iran if necessary. Most Americans understand that you cant let the craziest and the worst regime in the world have nuclear weapons, Vance said. Riot police stand in front of a giant anti-US billboard depicting the destruction of a US aircraft carrier in downtown Tehran. Getty Asked whether removing Irans supreme leader was also an aim for the Trump administration, Vance said Trump would make the decision about how to ensure Iran does not have a nuclear weapon. In his State of the Union speech on Tuesday (Washington time), Trump warned that Iran was working on technology to directly threaten the United States. Advertisement Theyve already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and theyre working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America, Trump said. They were warned to make no future attempts to rebuild their weapons program, and in particular nuclear weapons, yet they continue. Theyre starting it all over. Satellite images showed apparent work to reinforce the entrances of Irans uranium enrichment site at Natanz. Iranian officials labelled his remarks big lies. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei sought to compare Trump to Joseph Goebbels, Adolf Hitlers propaganda minister, accusing the US president and his administration of conducting a disinformation and misinformation campaign against Iran. Advertisement Whatever theyre alleging in regards to Irans nuclear program, Irans ballistic missiles, and the number of casualties during Januarys unrest is simply the repetition of big lies, Baghaei wrote on X. Related Article Trump's White House Five key takeaways from Trumps promise to do better and better and better Meanwhile, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Irans parliament speaker, said the US could either try diplomacy or face Irans wrath. If you choose the table of diplomacy a diplomacy in which the dignity of the Iranian nation and mutual interests are respected we will also be at that table, Qalibaf said, according to the semi-official Student News Network, a media outlet believed to be close to the all-volunteer Basij force of Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. But if you decide to repeat past experiences through deception, lies, flawed analysis and false information, and launch an attack in the midst of negotiations, you will undoubtedly taste the firm blow of the Iranian nation and the countrys defensive forces. Advertisement Meanwhile, the Trump administration continues to tighten the noose on Irans economy, with the US Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposing sanctions on more than 30 individuals, entities and vessels enabling illicit Iranian petroleum sales and Irans ballistic missile and advanced conventional weapons (ACW) production. The department said it had targeted additional vessels operating as part of Irans shadow fleet and multiple networks that were helping the Iranian military secure materials and machinery that could be used to improve its ballistic missile and ACW capabilities. Iran relies on the shadow fleet to counter the existing sanctions imposed on the country. The vessels transport Iranian petroleum and petroleum products, the primary source of revenue for the regime, to foreign markets. Iran exploits financial systems to sell illicit oil, launder the proceeds, procure components for its nuclear and conventional weapons programs, and support its terrorist proxies, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said in a statement. The sabre-rattling from both sides ahead of the talks in Geneva has raised the prospect of US military strikes against Iran. While uncertainty hangs over the timing of any possible attack, there are growing concerns that any military action could plunge the wider region into chaos. Advertisement Dependants of Australian officials posted in Israel and Lebanon have been directed by the federal government to leave the region. The updated advice for both countries on Smartraveller notes the direction has been made in response to the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East. Loading The Australian government has also extended voluntary departures to the dependants of Australian officials posted in three other Middle East locations: Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Australias embassies in Amman, Doha and Abu Dhabi, and the Dubai consulate, remain open. The US has assembled the largest force of American warships and aircraft in the Middle East in decades, including two aircraft carrier strike groups. The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and three guided-missile destroyers have been in the Arabian Sea since the end of January after being redirected from the South China Sea. The strike group, which brought roughly 5700 additional service members to the region, bolstered the smaller force of a few destroyers and three littoral combat ships that were already in the region. Advertisement The worlds largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, along with three destroyers and more than 5000 additional service members have also been deployed in the region, bringing the US Navys presence in the region to at least 16 ships. More than 100 fighter jets, including F-35s, F-22s, F-15s and F-16s, have left bases in the US and Europe and were spotted heading towards the Middle East by the Military Air Tracking Alliance, a team of about 30 open-source analysts that routinely analyses military and government flight activity. The team says its also tracked more than 100 fuel tankers and over 200 cargo planes heading into the region and bases in Europe in mid-February. Satellite photos shot on Tuesday by Planet Labs PBC and analysed by The Associated Press appeared to show the American vessels that typically are docked in Bahrain, the home of the US Navys 5th Fleet, all out at sea. The 5th Fleet referred questions to the US militarys Central Command, which declined to comment. Before Irans attack on Qatar in June, the 5th Fleet similarly scattered its ships at sea to protect against a potential attack. Advertisement Related Article Trump's White House Trump could kill ayatollahs son and senior mullahs to topple Iranian regime Trump will probably have a host of military options, which could include surgical attacks on Irans air defences or strikes focused on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, experts say. But they warn that Iran could retaliate in ways it hadnt following attacks last year by the US or Israel, potentially risking American lives and sparking a regional war. It will be very hard for the Trump administration to do a one-and-done kind of attack in Iran this time around, said Ali Vaez, an Iran expert at the International Crisis Group. Because the Iranians would respond in a way that would make all-out conflict inevitable. AP, Reuters 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. Study shows that the chin is an evolutionary accident Dashiell Hammett mentioned Sam Spades jutting chin in the opening sentence of his novel The Maltese Falcon. Spades chin was among the facial features Hammett used to describe his fictional detectives appearance, but starting with that distinctive chin was at least from an evolutionary perspective an unintentional redundancy, since every chin is distinctive in the sense that humans are the only primates to possess that physical characteristic. Chimpanzees, humans closest living relatives, do not have a chin. Neither did Neanderthals, Denisovans or any other extinct human species. Humans, it turns out, have a unique capacity to take it on the chin because were uniquely in possession of that physical feature. That exclusive nature makes the chin well suited for identifying Homo sapiens in the fossil record. In simplest terms, a chin is a bony projection of the lower jaw. So why is it there? How and why did it evolve? The answer, part of a study published in the journal PLOS One by a team led by a UB biological anthropologist, broadens the holistic understanding of the human body as an amalgamation of adaptations and random byproducts of evolution. The chin evolved largely by accident and not through direct selection, but as an evolutionary byproduct resulting from direct selection on other parts of the skull, says Noreen von Cramon-Taubadel, professor and chair of the Department of Anthropology, College of Arts and Sciences. The chin is a spandrel, a feature that arises as an unintended byproduct of evolution, just as the space under a staircase exists not for any architectural purpose, but as a byproduct of building a convenient way to get from one level to the next. In fact, the term spandrel, introduced by Stephen Jay Gould, was inspired by the triangular spaces created by building the arches supporting the dome of the San Marco Cathedral. The spaces have no architectural purpose; they are a byproduct of the arches. The same is true of the chin. Just because we have a unique feature, like the chin, does not mean that it was shaped by natural selection to enhance an animals survivability; for example, a buttress for the lower jaw to help dissipate the forces of chewing, says von Cramon-Taubadel. The chin is likely a byproduct, not an adaptation. Its only by studying the whole that we can better understand what aspects of an animal have a functional purpose and what are the side products of that purpose. Von Cramon-Taubadel and her research team are not the first to suggest the chin is a spandrel, but their study differs from previous research that largely assumes that natural selection is the evolutionary driver of changes to the lower jaw. They instead tested the null hypothesis of neutrality by comparing cranial traits of apes and humans to determine if evolution was random where the chin is concerned. While we do find some evidence of direct selection on parts of the human skull, we find that traits specific to the chin region better fit the spandrel model, she says. The changes since our last common ancestor with chimpanzee are not because of natural selection on the chin itself but on selection of other parts of the jaw and skull. Within anthropology, there is an adaptationist bent in how people view physical characteristics. Observed differences between species can contribute to the assumption that all characteristics have been deliberately shaped over time, which suggests purpose or function, according to von Cramon-Taubadel. Generating empirical evidence against that line of reasoning is an important goal of this study and biological anthropology in general, she says. The findings underscore the importance of assessing the evolution of physical characteristics with trait integration in mind. New carrier-grade solution delivers zero-trust prevention of bad voice and messaging traffic FRANKFURT, Germany, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Oculeus, a leading provider of innovative software solutions for telecommunications service providers, today announced that the company has launched its new Two Factor Network (2FN) solution. The Oculeus 2FN solution provides a framework for telcos to trace the origin of traffic, verify caller identity, determine the roaming status of inbound calls and preventing Caller Line Identification (CLI) spoofing. The landscape of fraud has been changed by cybercrime-as-a-service with the evolution of specialized criminal gangs that subvert communications networks at scale, then sell their services to less technically skilled scammers worldwide. The services these fraudsters offer include: CLI spoofing, the manipulation of the information transmitted to a recipient's caller ID display in order to make fraudulent calls appear as if they are originating from a trusted source; SIM banks, where large numbers of SIM cards are amassed and used to create thousands of accounts for scammers so they can interact with potential victims through social media platforms, messaging platforms and online marketplaces; and Prepackaged kits to impersonate banks, retailers, telcos and government departments. Oculeus 2FN is a carrier-grade security framework that authenticates traffic, preventing the flow of bad calls and messages, while tracing where they came from. Oculeus 2FN functions by creating a secure, parallel verification path that allows originating and terminating service providers to communicate directly and cross-verify the authenticity of calls and messages using a secure digital signature transmitted outside the main voice signaling path. This peer-to-peer check occurs during the setup of a call or in parallel to a message, allowing the terminating network to instantly confirm that the identity presented to the recipient is trustworthy. When a bad actor sends traffic to a network that impersonates one of the telcos in its peer network, such as when an inbound international call appears to come from an outbound mobile roamer belonging to another operator, the peer-to-peer roaming status check will identify that the roaming mobile number has been spoofed. According to the 2025 Global Leaders' Forum (GLF) Fraud Report, protecting against CLI spoofing has become a top security priority for 59% of global carriers, while the 2025 Europol Position Paper on Caller ID Spoofing indicates that in unprotected network segments, up to 90% of incoming international traffic is now comprised of spoofed calls and other fraudulent traffic. Oculeus 2FN protects retail and wholesale telco revenues by restoring trust in caller IDs and facilitating an increase in call completion rates. This ensures that legitimate, revenue-generating traffic continues to flow across networks, while reducing the costly support overhead associated with CLI spoofing attacks. Oculeus 2FN can also carry branded calling data, such as Rich Call Data, to enhance the user experience and further improve completion rates. "The launch of Oculeus 2FN marks a fundamental shift from reactive filtering to proactive, real-time telecoms fraud prevention," said Arnd Baranowski, CEO of Oculeus. "By introducing a dedicated second factor for caller identity, we are equipping both retail service providers and wholesale carriers with the ability to reclaim the integrity of their services, protect their subscribers from increasingly sophisticated fraud and ensure the long-term viability of the global communications ecosystem." About Oculeus Oculeus is a leading provider of innovative software solutions for telecommunications service providers, network operators and other providers of voice and messaging services. The company's product portfolio includes solutions for interconnect wholesale management, retail voice management and telecommunications fraud protection. Oculeus' AI-driven solutions utilize state-of-the-art technologies for service providers to build and maintain efficient and highly automated network and business operations. Oculeus has been serving customers worldwide since 2004 as a technology partner and strategic vendor. For more information, please visit www.oculeus.com. Press Contact [email protected] SOURCE Oculeus State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code CARLOW Libraries have joined libraries across Ireland in celebrating Ireland Reads, a national reading campaign during February, culminating in Ireland Reads Day on Saturday 28 February. The campaign, part of the governments Healthy Ireland programme, celebrates and promotes the many benefits of reading for wellbeing and enjoyment. The theme for 2026 is Get lost in a good book. Exciting events are planned for all ages to celebrate reading, books and literature across Co Carlow. On Saturday 28 February at 11am, Wibbly Wobbly Wendy will entertain children aged two to 12 years in Carlow Central Library. At noon, there will be a special Lunchtime in the library talk with crime author Patricia Gibney in Carlow Central Librarys historic Shaw Room. Patricia is the multi-million copy bestselling author of the detective Lottie Parker series. Elsewhere in the county, there will be a special Fairyland stories and rhymes session in Bagenalstown library at 11am and Songs and stories with Ali in Borris library, also at 11am. Booking is only required for the Patricia Gibney talk, so email library@carlowcoco.ie to reserve a free seat. Fiona OToole, Healthy Ireland co-ordinator for Carlow Co Council Library Service, said: We are delighted to bring the national campaign to celebrate reading to our community. We have an excellent array of activities and events lined up on Saturday 28 February to celebrate Ireland Reads and the very important role this positive activity fulfils in peoples lives. Reading enriches our minds, reduces stress and connects us to ideas and stories that shape who we are. It opens doors to knowledge, imagination and supports wellbeing in todays busy world. Visit Carlow County Library on Facebook for information about activities and events lined up for Ireland Reads 2026 and visit www.irelandreads.ie for more information about the campaign. Total passenger volume up nearly 70% since return of airport to local control in 2016 ONTARIO, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ontario International Airport (ONT) officials reported a 3.7% increase in passenger volume in January fueled by a record number of international travelers and expressed optimism for the year ahead given the airport's continued strong growth since its return to local control in 2016. Air travelers who chose the Southern California gateway totaled almost 493,000 in January, a month which included the launch of new daily nonstop service between ONT and Boise, Idaho, on Alaska Airlines. Southern California's Ontario International Airport reported a 3.7% increase in passenger volumes in January versus prior year. Ontario's international volume soared by 64% to more than 66,000, the highest in the history of the airport. The previous single-month record of 63,009 was set in December 2025. Domestic passenger count was more than 426,000, a slight decrease of 1.9%. "We closed out 2025 on a high note with more than 7.1 million passengers for the year and we are encouraged by our start in 2026," said Atif Elkadi, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA). "Our passenger level last month was the highest for any January since the airport's return to local ownership in 2016. Over those 10 years, passenger volume has grown almost 70%, which shows that Ontario has become a premier gateway for air travel in Southern California, delivering a first-rate customer experience with services and facilities to match." Passenger Totals Jan 2026 Jan 2025 Change Domestic 426,614 434,919 -1.9 % International 66,281 40,320 64.4 % Total 492,895 475,239 3.7 % The air carriers with the greatest passenger shares in January were: Southwest Airlines (34.6%) American Airlines (15.6%) Alaska Airlines (10.9%) Delta Air Lines (9.1%) United Airlines (8.7%) Air cargo grew overall by 5.5% in January with commercial freight up by 9.3%. Mail volume declined by 12.6%. Air cargo (tonnage) Jan 2026 Jan 2025 Change Freight 57,315 52,423 9.3 % Mail 9,525 10,903 -12.6 % Total 66,840 63,326 5.5 % "The significant increase in commercial freight tonnage was certainly another bright spot for January," Elkadi said, likely a reflection of increased air cargo shipments nationally which may be temporary. "Ontario is a top 10 hub for air cargo with ample capacity to handle more freight at a moment's notice, and our shipping partners understand that they will receive outstanding customer service and benefit greatly from our world class facilities." About Ontario International Airport Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the second most popular mid-sized airport in the United States, according to J.D. Power's most recent North America Airport Satisfaction Study. Located in the Inland Empire, ONT is approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the center of Southern California. It is a full-service airport which offers nonstop commercial jet service to two dozen major airports in the U.S., Mexico, Central America and Taiwan. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com. Follow @flyONT on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram About the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) The OIAA was formed in August 2012 by a Joint Powers Agreement between the City of Ontario and the County of San Bernardino to provide overall direction for the management, operations, development and marketing of ONT for the benefit of the Southern California economy and the residents of the airport's four-county catchment area. OIAA leaders include Ontario Mayor pro Tem Alan D. Wapner (President), San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman (Vice President), Ontario City Council Member Jim W. Bowman (Secretary), Retired Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge (Treasurer) and retired business executive Julia Gouw (Commissioner). OIAA Media Contact: Steve Lambert (909) 841-7527 [email protected] SOURCE Ontario International Airport Olivia Kelleher A woman whose infant brother died in the Bessborough mother and baby home in Cork has expressed shock at a decision by the city council to grant planning permission for apartments on the site. Developer Estuary View Enterprises has been granted permission for the large-scale residential development at Bessborough in Ballinure, Blackrock in Cork. The development will involve the demolition of ten existing agricultural buildings and log cabin structures and the construction of 140 residential apartments across three blocks. Two existing farmyard buildings are set to be redeveloped as amenities for residents. This will include a library, a lounge, a workspace and a function space. The proposal also involves a new pedestrian and cycle bridge, upgrades to an existing pedestrian crossing, and the creation of outdoor amenity areas. The planning has been granted by Cork City Council, subject to 70 conditions. The developer has to retain the services of a suitably qualified archaeologist to monitor all of the site works prior to development. The excavation has to be monitored by a forensic archaeologist and an osteoarchaeologist/forensic anthropologist with expertise in skeletal juvenile remains. The location of items of evidential value indicative of potential burials, such as coffin timber and nails, has to be noted and a record completed in compliance with forensic archaeological standards. In the event of human remains being located during the course of this excavation, all work shall cease at all parts of the proposed development site and all relevant authorities, including the City Coroner and An Garda Siochana, will be informed of the location of unidentified and previously unrecorded modern human remains. Meanwhile, Carmel Cantwell, whose mother Bridget gave birth to a son, William at Bessbourgh in December 1960, is among those who are opposed to any development at the site. Her mother was told by nuns over two decades ago that William was buried on the grounds of the home. She subsequently found out that he was buried in a paupers grave in Carrs Hill cemetery in the city. Cantwell says that Bessborough is a place that holds so much trauma. The original site (of Bessborough) was 210 acres, 150 has already been built on providing housing, a hospital, offices and a retail park. "Was it too much to ask that the last 60 acres surrounding the buildings be preserved as a park of remembrance for the 923 babies that died, the 31 women and the nearly 19,000 women & children that went through Bessborough, the majority separated through forced adoption? "The grounds have never been fully examined. There are witnesses to say they saw burials in the area just outside the farmyard and against the farmyard wall. Cork Labour councillor Peter Horgan also described as devastating the granting of permission for the project by Cork City Council. "I firmly remain of the belief that building on this site is wrong. I will take time to read over each condition, which numbers to 70 such conditions ranging from archaeological to ecological to public health. "At least five sections of the 70 conditions refer to discovery of human remains potential in the construction of this site and the need for expertise in juvenile skeletal remains," Horgan said. "This in itself outlines that this is not an ordinary site. No state agency apart from Uisce Eireann and Inland Fisheries gave a viewpoint which is deeply troubling." Bessborough became notorious for the cruelty and neglect of mothers and babies. Of the more than 900 babies who died at Bessborough or in Cork hospitals, having been transferred from the mother and baby home over the course of seven decades, less than 70 have known burial sites. The newly approved plans follow a failed bid by Estuary View Enterprises in July 2025 when An Coimisiun Pleanala ruled that the proposal didnt meet the planning requirements in terms of unit mix. In its new application, the developer said that restrictions in statutory plans within apartment developments are not warranted other than in specific circumstances. AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PerfectQuote, Inc., the leading group health digital quoting and distribution platform, has announced its partnership with United Vision Plans ("UVP") from Optimax Eyewear to provide PerfectQuote customers access to UVP's group vision products and services through PerfectQuote's Request-for-Proposal ("RFP") toolset. The partnership with PerfectQuote allows UVP to engage with insurance firms, general agencies and professional employer organizations and the 125,000 employers that are serviced through the platform. As a digital first, member-centric vision benefits provider, UVP is able to take advantage of PerfectQuote's frictionless digital distribution experience to seamlessly deliver quotes to the marketplace. "Terry Ward, Senior Vice President of Sales at UVP," said "Our online vision platform is built to make eye care more affordable and straightforward. Members get consistently low prices on glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses, with access to thousands of styles. From simple everyday frames to well-known designer brands. We also include helpful benefits and extras at no added cost, so people can get what they need without the added costs." Since the 2018 launch of the PerfectQuote platform, the company has continued to expand its RFP toolset to drive digital distribution, market exposure and revenues for its carrier partners, like UVP, by allowing carriers to seamlessly receive, deliver review and negotiate quotes through a frictionless digital distribution experience. Carrier representatives receive clean standardized case information and can simply respond with quotes via email, eliminating the need for manual data entry or usage of additional systems. Carriers are also provided with daily lead generation insights to increase sales efficiency and accelerate case turnaround times. In addition, carriers benefit from enhanced analytics on quote volumes, close ratios and regional trends, empowering sales and underwriting teams to prioritize opportunities, refine pricing and strengthen broker relationships at scale. In parallel, brokers using PerfectQuote's take advantage of streamlined quoting and proposal workflows to request additional lines of coverage and bring more groups to market, while eliminating manual, error-prone tasks and reducing turnaround times by up to 95%. With PerfectQuote facilitating quote intake, comparison, and presentation tasks, brokers gain more time to focus on strategy, client relationships and expanding their books of business rather than administrative work, becoming more competitive and value accretive in the process. "The relationship with United Vision Plan is a natural fit for what PerfectQuote is doing for the seamless digital distribution of medical and ancillary plans. UVP is the type of carrier that PerfectQuote enjoys working with given its aggressive leveraging of digital marketing and distribution channels," said Chaz Ripoll, Vice President of Client and Carrier Services. "We look forward to hearing from our customer base regarding their experiences with UVP," continued Ripoll. About United Vision Plans (UVP) Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, United Vision Plans (UVP) is an innovative online vision benefits company providing some of the lowest rates and member out-of-pocket costs in the industry. Our nationwide plans for employer groups are accessible 24/7 through our innovative digital platform, UVP empowers members to compare eyewear options, use our virtual try-on feature, and manage their benefits seamlessly without hidden fees or unexpected costs. UVP is proudly owned by Optimax Eyewear , a vertically integrated consumer tech company that builds and scales digital-first brands, disrupting the traditional eyewear industry with smarter, more efficient solutions. About PerfectQuote PerfectQuote is an Austin, Texas-based company founded in 2017 by brokers, focusing on delivering operational excellence and client satisfaction through technology in the commercial group health insurance industry for brokers and general agencies as well as medical and ancillary insurance carriers. The company delivers a de facto marketplace to brokers and insurance carriers through a category-leading cloud-based group benefits quoting software platform (PerfectQuote) that streamlines commercial health insurance selling to large, medium, and small group employers and carriers. The application is used by several of the top 10, 100 and 500 largest US-based agencies that service over 125,000 employer groups through the platform while partnering with the best in class insurance carriers. Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE PerfectQuote, Inc. Presented in Partnership with Jody Klotz Fine Art On view at Phillips New York from 6-26 March NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PhillipsX is proud to announce Alice Baber: Sacred Spaces, a major selling exhibition dedicated to the pioneering American Abstract Expressionist and Color Field painter. Presented in partnership with Jody Klotz Fine Art, the exhibition will be on view at Phillips New York from 6-26 March, with a highlights preview open from 20-28 February. Featuring nearly 30 works spanning 1959 to 1981, the exhibition offers the most comprehensive market-facing presentation of Baber's artistic evolution to date, coinciding with the publication of Gail Levin's groundbreaking new biography, Alice Baber: An Artist's Triumph Over Tragedy. Alice Baber, The Day the Jaguar Called the Wind (from Sacred Space Series), 1981 28 x 40 inches Covering more than two decades of Baber's career, Alice Baber: Sacred Spaces presents exceptional examples of the artist's early and mature styles, underscoring the full arc of her development before her life was tragically cut short at age 54 in 1982. The show includes rare early watercolors and oils from the early 1960s, seldom seen in the market and crucial to understanding Baber's stylistic transformation. Collectors will also have the opportunity to see works such as the 1965 oil painting Bright Safe and the 1965 watercolor Yellow and Red Support, which closely relate to her major painting Noble Numbers (196465) in the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Important early highlights from her career can also be seen, including Piper's Message and Where They Meet, rarely exhibited and newly contextualized within Baber's broader practice. This rich survey allows audiences to experience Baber's evolution with unprecedented clarity, revealing the breadth of her experimentation with color, movement, light, and the "sacred space" of the canvas. This timely selling exhibition coincides with the publication of Gail Levin's authoritative new biography, Alice Baber: An Artist's Triumph Over Tragedya major scholarly reassessment that traces Baber's journey from the 1950s New York art scene and the transatlantic Paris milieu to her role in key feminist exhibitions of the 1970s and her global travels as a U.S. State Department cultural emissary. Simultaneously, the show aligns with the museum exhibition Exploring the Collection: Alice Baber at the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette in Indiana, where Baber studied and where a significant trove of her work is held, underscoring a broader institutional and scholarly momentum restoring her place within the postwar American canon. Jody Klotz, Art Dealer, Owner of Jody Klotz Fine Art, Texas, said, "Partnering with PhillipsX in presenting this exhibition on Alice Baber is a dream come true. A heartfelt mission to elevate Baber from obscurity started with the first painting I purchased by the artist several years ago. It was a "coup de foudre" love at first sight! Personally acquiring enough work to put on a first major exhibition, in my gallery in Texas, and then in New York, of this historically important and forgotten artist, accompanied by serious scholarship by Gail Levin, was the next step in 2024. Hard-fought further acquisitions with the plan of a second expansive exhibition on a global stage to celebrate the publication of the forthcoming biography on the artist by Levin, was my dream, here realized in partnership with Phillips. As an art dealer of 45 years, discoveries of great paintings, and great artists, has been a lifelong quest. I hope this exhibition will allow people to fall in love with this extraordinary artist's work, as I have. Somewhere, Alice is smiling." Robert Manley, Phillips' Chairman, Modern & Contemporary Art, said, "Phillips is honored to host this important exhibition. Alice Baber's work is represented in nearly 50 museums worldwide, yet her contributions were long overshadowed until recent scholarship and collector rediscovery began restoring her rightful place in the Post-War art historical narrative. This moment of renewed visibilityacross scholarship, museums, and the marketunderscores why Alice Baber: Sacred Spaces is both overdue and essential. We look forward to welcoming collectors through our doors this Spring, so they can experience Alice Baber's work anew." A symposium featuring Gail Levin, Jody Klotz, and Danielle Johnson, Curator of the Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University, will take place on 17 February at the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette as part of the institution's programming to support their own Alice Baber exhibition. A panel discussion featuring Jody Klotz, Gail Levin, and Jessica Case of Pegasus Publishing, publisher of Levin's highly anticipated biography of Alice Baber, will take place at Phillips on 16 March. These events will offer further insight into Baber's life, work, and renewed cultural relevance. SOURCE PHILLIPS Middle Valley Church of God, located at 1703 Thrasher Pike in Hixson, announces that Pastor Mitch McClure will be preaching on Sunday, March 1, in the 10:30 a.m. service. His topic will be 'Who Do You See In The Mirror?' The purpose of the sermon series is to help all Believers understand their relationship with God and how He helps them be the person He wants them to be in life and eternity.It includes a call for self-examination. This will be the third part of the sermon series to encourage Believers to realize their need to know their relationship with God and to be determined to draw closer to God. All are welcome to participate. Each Sunday at 5:30 p.m. , the church conducts a Prayer Meeting. The Prayer Meeting is open to all who wish to participate and is designed to encourage prayer. Information on various methods of prayer will be shared with participants. The goal of this prayer meeting is to encourage Believers to seek God through prayer. All are welcome to participate. Each Wednesday at 7 p.m., an Interactive, Interesting, and Informative Bible Study will be held in the church auditorium. Kelley Selby is currently leading this Bible study. All are welcome to participate. The goal of this Bible study is to encourage Believers to study the Bible and discuss with others, making the Scripture their guide. Middle Valley Church of God is a community focused church with various ministries in the Middle Valley area and in Cusuna, Honduras. The community is welcome to join in times of worship and community service. MVCOG has been ministering in the Middle Valley Community since 1946 from the same location. If you have questions, please contact the church office at 423.843.1539. Volunteers in Medicine Chattanooga invites the community to gather April 29 for the third annual "For the Good" luncheon.For many of our patients, walking through our doors is the first time theyve received consistent medical care in years, said Joel Henderson, CEO of Volunteers in Medicine Chattanooga. This event ensures that no uninsured neighbor has to choose between their health and their livelihood.Since opening in 2005, VIM Chattanooga officials said they have provided: over 84,000 patient visits; care valued at more than $30 million in clinic services; more than $115 million in avoided emergency room costs; $20.5 million in prescription assistance; $6.5 million in donated laboratory services; and 174,000 volunteer hours from over 100 dedicated volunteers."At the very heart of this service is the extraordinary gift of volunteer leadership.This year, we are especially honored to recognize Dr. Holly Gadd, NP, recipient of the Robert E. Bowers, MD Volunteer Leadership Service Legacy Award," officials said. "While she serves professionally as dean of Nursing at Southern Adventist University, Dr. Gadd has generously given her time and expertise to the clinic as its first nurse practitioner. From the very beginning, she has been a steady, compassionate presence offering not only clinical excellence, but heartfelt advocacy for every patient who walks through our doors."The luncheon will also celebrate the inspiring journey of a past patient, whose story is a testament to hope renewed and health restored through compassionate care."In addition, we will honor the George R. Johnson Family Foundation, a faithful partner of more than 20 years. Their enduring generosity has helped sustain access to free, high-quality healthcare for those in need, standing shoulder to shoulder with the devoted volunteers who make that care possible each and every day."Thanks to underwriting sponsors, including First Horizon Foundation, Christ United Methodist Church and CHI Memorial/Common Spirit and Erlanger Hospitals, every dollar raised will go directly toward providing free primary and preventative care to uninsured adults across Hamilton County and surrounding Tennessee and North Georgia communities."The VIM free care clinic, located at 5705 Marlin Road, Suite 1400, Chattanooga, is currently accepting new patients.To learn more or reserve a seat for "For the Good," visit www.vim-chatt.org or call 423-855-8220. Juanita Crutcher told a Criminal Court jury on Wednesday that late on Aug. 29, 2023, bullets began whizzing by her bed, then she found her brother, 48-year-old Warren "Kojack" Crutcher, dead on the front porch. Prosecutors say Samuel Askins outfitted three juveniles with guns and went out shooting up homes connected to a rival gang member. He and his brother, Caleb Askins, are standing trial in the courtroom of Judge Boyd Patterson for first-degree murder. Ms. Crutcher said the frame house at 31 Maryland St. was occupied that night by her, her mother, her brother, and two grandchildren, ages 16 and 12. She said her daughter was away at work and she was asleep in a front bedroom with the grandchildren when they were awakened by gunshots shortly before midnight. She told the jury, "There were so many. When they hit the wall the plaster went into my mouth." Ms. Crutcher said, "I told my granddaughters to get down. After that, we crawled out to check on my mother. I found her on the floor. At first I thought she had been hit." She then went to see about her brother, who had been on the front porch checking his phone when the retaliation gang arrived after earlier shooting up two other houses. The witness said, "He was lying on the front porch face down. I knew he was gone. I called his name and there was no response." She said she told her granddaughter to stop her mother from coming out. "I didn't want her to see it." Ms. Crutcher said it was the closest of calls for her and her grandchildren with one bullet winding up in her bed. "The bullets should have hit us. I can't explain it. Only God knows." Asked if she is related to "Little Chris" Woods, Ms. Crutcher said, "My dad and his grandmother are siblings." Prosecutors said Samuel Askins was in a feud with Woods, identified as a Gangster Disciples member, after Askins had dated a girl, then she broke it off. Woods and the girl are related. Ms. Crutcher said the girl is "another cousin" to her. Crime scene veteran Tracy McGhee said eight 9mm shell casings and two 45-caliber shell casings were found outside the Crutcher home at the corner of Spears Avenue. The 45s were to the north of the cluster of 9mms - on Spears Avenue. He told of finding bullet holes in the front bedroom. One bullet was in the bed and another under the bed. Crime Scene specialist McGhee also told of inspecting the Nissan Audi used by the Askins group that night, saying it still had a number of shell casings inside. At the Askins home, he collected the box of the iPhone used by Samuel Askins with the serial numbers on it. Residents of homes that were also shot up that night - all of whom said they were related to "Little Chris" in one way or another - described hearing bullets begin to fly through their homes. One man said he and his wife left the home that night and never returned. A witness said, "I was in the downstairs kitchen heating something up, and all of a sudden I heard a bunch of noise. I could see debris falling off the walls. I knew it was gunfire. I started yelling my wife's name." Another said she was asleep in an upstairs bedroom when bullets whizzed through the front door and a window above the door. The woman, whose family included a two-month-old child, said she got down on the floor and began to crawl. Dr. James Metcalf, the retired county medical examiner, said Warren Crutcher was hit by a bullet in the upper left chest. He said the bullet traveled an unusual downward path through to the intestines. He said there were also two shallow gunshot wounds to the right arm, but those could have been caused by the same bullet if the victim had his arm up toward his chest in a defensive posture. There had been a prior shooting in which the mother of the Askins was hit by a shot in the leg. The Bessie Smith Cultural Center, in partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative and the Unity Group of Chattanooga, will host the unveiling of an Equal Justice Initiative Community Remembrance Marker honoring Ed Johnson on Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Chattanooga.Officials said, "The marker commemorates the life of Ed Johnson and acknowledges the tragic lynching that occurred in Chattanooga in 1906. The installation is part of the Equal Justice Initiatives national Community Remembrance Project, which seeks to confront the history of racial terror lynchings and promote truth, justice and reconciliation."Following the outdoor unveiling ceremony, guests will gather inside the Bessie Smith Cultural Center for a reception and a reflective fireside conversation featuring Judge Curtis Collier and Attorney Ardena Garth Hicks."The discussion will offer historical context and thoughtful reflection on the lasting impact of racial injustice and the importance of remembrance in shaping a more just future," officials said. There are 11 bills scheduled for a Senate vote today. Highlights below. For the Senate Dems, Brandon Puttbrese (615) 613-2598 Top Senate Stories Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026 Sen. Kyle bill eliminates paperwork for some seniors getting state property tax relief 8:30 a.m. - Senate Regular Calendar - Watch & Agenda - *SB1326 by Kyle Senate Bill 1326 would make it easier for some low-income seniors to reapply for the states property tax relief program. This legislation waives the verifying documentation requirement for a taxpayer who is 80 years of age or older and has received property tax relief for the preceding five consecutive years. The legislation requires state officials to develop a simplified reapplication process for qualifying taxpayers who would have to establish that their income does not exceed the limit for participation. Sen. Lamar bill would protect pregnant women after viral videos showed women in active labor turned away from hospitals 8:30 a.m. - Senate Regular Calendar - Watch & Agenda - SB 1681 *Lamar The Senate will vote today on Sen. London Lamars legislation requiring hospitals to appropriately care for pregnant women experiencing emergency medical conditions or active labor. Sen. Lamar filed Senate Bill 1681 after viral videos showed mothers in Texas and Indiana being denied immediate care while in active laborwith one woman forced to give birth on the side of the road after being sent home. This is another plank from Sen. Lamars maternal health agenda seeking to correct Tennessees worst-in-the-nation maternal mortality rate. Gov. Lee's disaster response proposal attempts to fill FEMAs void 8:30 a.m. - Senate Regular Calendar - Watch & Agenda - SB 2232 *Johnson As President Donald Trump moves to dismantle FEMA and push disaster response costs onto states, Gov. Bill Lee is proposing Senate Bill 2232 to expand Tennessee's disaster relief fund. But the lame duck governors proposal falls short given the scale and frequency of recent disasters hitting the Volunteer State. Lee's proposal seeds the Governor's Response and Recovery Fund with a one-time $100 million appropriation and four new staff positions. Under Trump's vision, that fund would increasingly substitute for federal FEMA assistance. Will it be enough? Tennessee has received ten major federal disaster declarations since 2023 alone. Hurricane Helene's damage to state roads alone required $510 million in federal reimbursement to TDOT. Last month, Winter Storm Fern caused more than $110 million in damage to Nashville Electric Service's system a single utility, in a single city. Tennessee has received ten major federal disaster declarations since 2023 alone. Hurricane Helene's damage to state roads alone required $510 million in federal reimbursement to TDOT. Last month, Winter Storm Fern caused more than $110 million in damage to Nashville Electric Service's system a single utility, in a single city. Bottom line: Trump is handing Tennessee taxpayers a huge bill for disaster recovery. Gov. Lee's proposal is a start, but $100 million doesn't come close to covering what one bad storm season costs this state. Senate Regular Calendar: 1. SB0178 by Lowe. (*HB0022 by Davis.) Open Meetings - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 44. As introduced, requires a governing body subject to the open meetings laws to reserve a period of public comment to provide the public with the opportunity to comment on any matter germane to the jurisdiction of the governing body, regardless of whether the matter is listed on the agenda for the meeting. 2. *SB0192 by Walley. (HB0200 by Hicks G.) Alcoholic Beverages - With amendment, permits a licensed manufacturer of alcoholic beverages to share samples and sell bottles of tequila (per the federal definition of the product) if the manufacturer owns the intellectual property rights to the product. 3. *SB1326 by Kyle. (HB1380 by Harris.) Taxes, Real Property - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 5, Part 7. As introduced, exempts taxpayers who are 85 or older and who have received property tax relief for at least five consecutive years from annual income reporting requirements for continued participation. 4. *SB1490 by Haile. (HB1493 by Slater.) Historical Sites and Preservation - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 11; Title 12; Title 29 and Title 43. As introduced, authorizes local historical boards to lease land owned or managed by such boards for agricultural purposes, with all proceeds received by the boards to be used for the preservation of historic sites and structures. 5. SB1624 by Massey. (*HB1513 by Zachary.) Election Laws - Amends TCA Title 2, Chapter 19. As introduced, requires political advertisements to include a disclaimer if the advertisements include deepfake elements impersonating or depicting a candidate engaging in activity or speech in which the impersonated or depicted candidate did not in fact engage; makes a violation of such disclaimer requirement a Class C misdemeanor; entitles candidate to damages and equitable relief for violations. 6. *SB1681 by Lamar. (HB1943 by Love.) Hospitals and Health Care Facilities - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68. As introduced, prohibits hospital emergency departments from denying an appropriate medical screening examination to a pregnant woman who presents at the emergency department reporting to be in active labor or experiencing an emergency medical condition; prohibits transferring the pregnant woman unless her condition has been stabilized; requires that a transfer be under certain conditions and only upon the recommendation of an examining physician or qualified medical professional; imposes penalties and licensing sanctions for violations. 7. *SB1947 by Bowling. (HB2166 by Barrett.) Hospitals and Health Care Facilities - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 32. As introduced, requires a blood bank to comply with a physician's order for an autologous blood donation or directed blood donation for a specific patient; requires a hospital to allow a patient who is scheduled for a medical procedure to provide an autologous blood donation or directed blood donation upon order of a physician. 8. *SB2232 by Johnson. (HB2543 by Lamberth.) Public Funds and Financing - Amends TCA Section 9-4-216. As introduced, specifies the conditions that must be satisfied for monies from the governor's response and recovery fund to be provided to eligible local governmental entities and to eligible individuals in qualifying counties following an emergency or disaster. 9. SB0624 by Briggs. (*HB0618 by Wright.) Public Officials - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 8. As introduced, prohibits an individual holding an elected office of a local government from holding another elected office in this state at the same time; grandfathers individuals holding more than one office presently until the terms expire; clarifies that such prohibition does not apply to an office in a political party's state executive committee. 10. SB1401 by Roberts. (*HB1245 by Reedy.) Juvenile Offenders - With amendment, directs the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) with conducting a comprehensive study of the licensing and oversight of residential facilities for juvenile offenders, comparing Tennessee's current system with models from other states and agencies. The study aims to identify improvements in safety and compliance across various facilities, ranging from detention centers to transitional placements. 11. SB1632 by Hatcher. (*HB1526 by Stinnett.) Naming and Designating - Amends TCA Title 58, Chapter 1. As introduced, renames the Army National Guard Armory, located on U.S. Highway 321 in Maryville, the "William O. Gregory Army National Guard Armory." The City of Chattanooga announces Elsy Interiano as the new director of design & connectivity."An experienced design and planning professional, Ms. Interiano transitions into this leadership role with a deep commitment to community growth and the enhancement of the citys multi-modal infrastructure. Her appointment marks a significant step forward in the citys mission to improve quality of life through thoughtful land stewardship and environmental design through the Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors Plan."Ms.Interiano brings an academic and technical background to the position, holding a bachelors degree in landscape architecture from Louisiana State University and a masters in geographic information systems (GIS) from the University of Denver. Her expertise spans master planning, urban design and environmental research."My time in Chattanooga has only strengthened my passion to work toward our communitys growth and the environmental projects that define our city," said Ms. Interiano. I believe in designing with a deep sensibility for both our natural systems and the people who use them, acting as a dedicated steward of the land to improve the quality of life for every resident. I am eager to collaborate with the team to advance our multi-modal objectives and create moreconnected, accessible green spaces that reflect our shared design principles and community values."Ms. Interiano served as a transportation review specialist for the city and as the project manager for the 14th St. Neighborhood Bikeway Project. Her professional history is distinguished by management roles in high-end residential and commercial housing developments across Colorado and Louisiana, where she oversaw budgets ranging up to $650,000."She has also demonstrated a consistent commitment to civic engagement through her work with the Multimodal Advisory Committee and her advocacy for the city's multi-modal objectives," officials said. "In her new capacity, she will leverage her extensive experience in project management and design principles to achieve the citys professional potential."Having already established deep roots in the area, Ms. Interiano says she looks forward to being more proactive in community and environmental projects as she helps shape the future of Chattanooga's connectivity. SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP is investigating a data breach impacting the sensitive personal information of patients of QualDerm Partners, LLC ("QualDerm"), a Tennessee-based dermatology and skin care network that operates in 17 states. Between December 23, 2025, and December 24, 2025, an unauthorized actor gained access to QualDerm's network systems and exfiltrated patient data. QualDerm reported to the Texas Office of the Attorney General that 174,837 Texas residents were impacted. DATA BREACH: QualDerm Partners, LLC. If your data was impacted by this incident, you may be entitled to money damages. Post this Although the breach began in December 2025, QualDerm did not begin notifying impacted individuals until around February 2026, which may have violated state and federal laws. The following data may have been compromised in the breach: patient names, dates of birth, doctor names, medical record numbers, dates of death, email addresses, treatment information, diagnosis information, health insurance information, and government-issued identification information. If your personal information was impacted by this incident, you may be at risk of identity theft and other serious violations of your privacy. As a result, you may be entitled to money damages and an injunction requiring changes to QualDerm's cybersecurity practices. If you received notification of this data breach or are a patient of QualDerm and wish to obtain additional information about your legal rights, please contact us today or visit our website at https://www.classactionlawyers.com/qualderm. About Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe represents shareholders, employees, and consumers in class actions against corporate defendants, as well as shareholders in derivative actions against their officers and directors. The firm is based in San Francisco, and with the help of co-counsel, litigates cases nationwide. Contact Sonum Dixit Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP [email protected] Tel: 415-299-8207 SOURCE Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP In-Town Gallery announces Jennie Kirkpatricks new show, "Dont Forget Dessert," will be on display through March 31. A coffee and dessert reception will be held on Friday, March 6 from 5-8 p.m."Jennie Kirkpatrick captures this joy in a playful series of paintings sure to satisfy both your eye and sweet tooth," officials said.An important goal of my art is for the viewer to feel a kinship with the subjects I choose," said Ms. Kirkpatrick. "I love painting people in everyday settings, and the joy that commonplace things can bring.My decision to do a series on desserts was both personal (I enjoy a good slice of cake or pie), and also artistic. I love the shapes and colors that desserts come in - no boring lumps of green spinach in this show.Ms. Kirkpatrick graduated from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga with a BA in painting. She earned an MFA in printmaking from The George Washington University and an AA in illustration/graphics from Northern Virginia Community College. She and her husband have traveled extensively, and have lived in Tunisia and Japan. She has taught as an adjunct professor at UTC, Cleveland State and Tennessee Wesleyan.Showcasing the work of local artists, In-Town Gallery is located Between the Bridges on Chattanoogas North Shore at 26A Frazier Ave. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and from noon-5 p.m. on Sundays. Erlanger Health celebrates Lynn DeJaco as she announces her retirement from her role as executive vice President and chief financial officer for Erlanger. Erlangers leadership, physicians, and staff thank her for her service and leadership. Ms. DeJaco has 35 years of experience as a healthcare leader, and Erlanger has benefited from that experience during the nearly 5 years she has served as CFO. She provided exceptional expertise, credibility, and vision for Erlanger. During her tenure, she has been a generous mentor, a collaborative partner, and a champion for Erlanger and its mission as well as a strong advocate for the health care industry in Tennessee and nationally. It has been a privilege to serve Erlanger Health and the Chattanooga community. The many accomplishments during my tenure helped solidify Erlangers position as the leading provider in the region, said Ms. DeJaco. Erlanger has been the capstone of my career. I look forward to retirement to enjoy more time with my husband and family knowing Erlanger will be in great hands. As part of Ms. DeJaco's retirement, Erlanger announced that Stephanie Gary has been appointed as the next chief financial officer of Erlanger Health. Ms. Gary has been serving as Erlangers senior vice president of Operational Finance and Resource Effectiveness. She has worked closely as a mentor and prepared her for this role. She joined in August of 2025, after serving as the CFO of a not-for-profit health system on the East Coast. Serving Erlanger under Lynns leadership has given me a unique opportunity to connect with passionate and talented leaders while learning more about Erlangers deep roots in a close-knit community, said Ms. Gary. I am truly grateful to Lynn for the time we have had in transition and honored to succeed Lynn, who has been a mentor to me and has been incredibly supportive along the way. I am excited to support Erlangers strategic market growth and profitability. Ms. DeJaco will officially retire on Saturday, and Ms. Gary will assume her role as CFO effective on Sunday. ETH Zurich registered the foundation of more new companies than ever before in 2025. For the first time, founders could choose between setting up a spin-off or a start-up, the latter of which could benefit from a new business accelerator. In 2025 ETH Zurich recognised the foundation of a total of 46 new ETH Ventures, compared to 37 ETH Spin-offs the previous year. The year also saw the entry into effect of the new Business Creation Regulations. New for 2025 is the ETH Start-up label, which complements the well-established ETH Spin-off label for companies whose business is based on research findings from ETH Zurich. The new ETH Start-up label is intended for ventures founded by ETH members with the aid of knowledge gained during studying or employment at ETH Zurich, but not reliant on ETH research findings. ETH Start-ups are particularly often founded by students and graduates. ETH Zurich provides them with support through a wide range of funding programmes, explains Effy Vayena, the Vice President for Knowledge Transfer and Corporate Relations at ETH Zurich since the beginning of 2026. In fact, 9 of the 46 new ETH Ventures emerged from projects that originated at the ETH Student Project House. New funding programme for ETH Start-ups UPortunity is a business accelerator designed specifically for ETH Start-ups enabled by UBS. UPortunity Fellows receive a monthly salary, project budget, office and laboratory space, in addition to mentoring from experienced company founders and experts. One of the first start-ups to benefit from this programme has been Kalligo Medical AG (Softletics), the brainchild of an ETH graduate. Softletics is developing a prosthetic socket that automatically adjusts to changes in the users limb volume throughout the day, thereby preventing pain and instability. Last year 24 new ETH Spin-offs and 22 ETH Start-ups were recognised. These figures cannot be directly compared to those from previous years because the new regulations for creating ETH Ventures have resulted in some companies that would have previously been recognised as ETH Spin-offs falling into the category of ETH Start-up. Mynerva AG is one of the new ETH Spin-offs. The company has developed an AI-powered sock for people with diabetic neuropathy. Not only does it give wearers more confidence when walking, but it also reduces pain and, in some cases, reduces the need for medication, thanks to electrical nerve stimulation. The ETH Spin-off Soverli AG, meanwhile, is bringing a new smartphone architecture to market that will allow users to set up isolated partitions on their devices for secure chats, crisis communication or sensitive data belonging to companies and public authorities, for example. Growth in investments continues Technology & Software, including in particular Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI & ML), continues to be the dominant industry sector, accounting for 26 percent of new ETH ventures, followed by Biotech & Pharmaceuticals, which makes up 15 percent. This surge in AI companies is also evident in the risk capital investment in ventures created at ETH Zurich. Across 41 financing rounds reported in 2025, companies created at ETH Zurich secured 540 million Swiss francs up 27 percent from the previous year. The capital raised by ETH ventures in 12 of those 41 financing rounds exceeded 10 million Swiss francs, with AI and robotics companies doing particularly well. Auterion AG, which develops software for drones, had the biggest success, raising 103 million Swiss francs, followed by Beekeeper AG and DeepJudge AG, which secured around 34 million and 33 million Swiss francs, respectively. Beekeeper AG later merged with LumApps SAS in July 2025, bringing the total value of the company to 860 million Swiss francs. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close California State Capitol. | Photo credit: California State Assembly website California legislators are considering new measures aimed at strengthening legal protections for churches and other houses of worship in response to a series of disruptions reported both within the state and across the country. Senate Bill 1070, authored by state Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, in partnership with The American Council, seeks to amend Californias penal code provisions dealing with interference in religious gatherings. Current law treats the intentional disturbance of a worship service as a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in county jail and/or a $1,000 fine. If enacted, the bill would reclassify certain violations as a wobbler, allowing prosecutors to determine whether to pursue misdemeanor or felony charges depending on the seriousness, coordination or repeated nature of the conduct. The proposed changes to Penal Code Section 302 would authorize felony-level penalties, including fines of up to $5,000 and potential jail time of 16 months. Existing statutes make it a misdemeanor to disturb a religious meeting through profanity, disruptive conduct or unreasonable noise, carrying a maximum sentence of one year in county jail and/or a $1,000 fine. In addition to enhanced penalties, SB 1070 includes provisions for mandatory community service. Offenders could be required to complete between 50 and 80 hours of service, with repeat violators facing 120 to 160 hours. Advocates for the measure, including the California Family Council, contend that a tiered penalty system is necessary to deter deliberate disruptions while safeguarding free speech rights outside places of worship. 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 legislation remains in the early stages of the legislative process. It follows several widely publicized incidents since January, including a disruption at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, where demonstrators entered a Southern Baptist congregations worship service to protest a pastor who also serves as a local ICE official. Former CNN anchor Don Lemon and eight others were subsequently 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. California has also experienced similar events. At The Mission Church in Carlsbad, video footage reportedly captured protesters blocking entrances, activating loud sirens, chanting slogans and confronting attendees as they arrived for services. Supporters of SB 1070 argue that clearer and stronger penalties are needed to prevent such incidents and ensure that religious gatherings can proceed without intimidation or obstruction. Demonstrators hold signs during a public rally advocating for Iranian womens rights. | Photo credit: Unsplash/ Craig Melville A newly released human rights assessment says Christians in Iran are increasingly being targeted amid mounting political instability, with 254 Christians arrested last year because of their religious beliefs. The joint report, issued Thursday under the title Scapegoats: Rights Violations Against Christians in Iran, was prepared by the advocacy groups Article 18, Open Doors, CSW and Middle East Concern. Summarizing the broader climate of unrest, the executive summary states: The response to those protests has been horrifying, with reports of many thousands killed, including several Christians, and every Iranian regardless of their religious background affected. Researchers documented a significant spike in detentions following Irans 12-day conflict with Israel last June. In its aftermath, five Christians were accused of espionage and collectively sentenced to 40 years behind bars. Iranian state media also aired footage displaying confiscated New Testaments belonging to believers who had gathered in Turkey for religious training prior to their arrests. Although the study centers on the experiences of Christians, it stresses that repression extends across Iranian society. For nearly five decades, the government has ruled in a manner that not only consistently fails to uphold human rights for its citizens, but brutally quashes dissenting voices, opinions or beliefs. According to the findings, 254 Christians were arrested in 2025 on faith-related grounds, most under statutes criminalizing "propaganda contrary to the holy religion of Islam." By the close of the year, 43 remained imprisoned and 16 were being held in pre-trial detention. The number of Christians receiving sentences involving prison, exile or forced labor climbed sharply, rising from 25 in 2024 to 57 in 2025. While the overall number of Christians sentenced declined year over year, penalties grew more severe. And although fewer Christians were sentenced in 2025 than the previous year 96 compared to 73 the combined total of their sentences (280 years) was higher than in 2024 (263 years), conveying a trend towards harsher sentences, the report said. The authors further described harsh prison conditions, highlighting what they called a "shocking moment" when a pregnant Christian woman received a 16-year prison sentence on International Womens Day. Expressing support for Iranians calling for accountable governance, the organizations noted that systemic human rights abuses have persisted since the 1979 Iranian Revolution and continue to silence dissenting voices. Open Doors 2026 World Watch List, released last month, ranks Iran as the 10th most dangerous country for Christians, assigning it a persecution score of 87 out of 100. Despite Irans population of more than 92 million people, the Christian community numbers roughly 800,000, according to Open Doors. The group reports that believers are "heavily and systemically repressed, as the authorities seek to root out what they see as a threat from the West to undermine their Islamic rule." Signatories appear in a video featured on A Call to Christians in a Crisis of Faith and Democracy. | Screenshot: ACallToChristians website A coalition of hundreds of Christians including a number of progressive Evangelical pastors, academics and denominational figures has released a public letter urging fellow believers to raise their voices against what they characterize as authoritarian governance under President Donald Trump. The statement, titled A Call to Christians in a Crisis of Faith and Democracy, debuted on Ash Wednesday and opens with a stark declaration: We are facing a cruel and oppressive government, began the letter, which is titled A Call to Christians in a Crisis of Faith and Democracy and was first published on Ash Wednesday. In outlining their concerns, the signatories asserted that citizens and immigrants being demonized, disappeared, and even killed as hard-won rights and freedoms are eroding amid a calculated effort to reverse America's growing racial and ethnic diversity, the letter warned the U.S. is being pushed toward authoritarian and imperial rule. The document further criticizes what it calls white Christian nationalism, describing it as a theological distortion that harms both the church and public life. What confronts us is not only an endangered democracy and the rise of tyranny, it read. It is also a Christian faith corrupted by the heretical ideology of white Christian nationalism, and a church that has often failed to equip its members to model Jesus's [sic] teachings and fulfill its prophetic calling as a humanitarian, compassionate, and moral compass for society. Therefore, as Christians in the United States, representing the breadth of Christian traditions and one part of our nation's religiously plural society, we are compelled to speak out more boldly at this time. The letter grounds its arguments in theological themes, affirming Gods authority over nations and rulers, pointing to Jesus Christ as the ultimate revelation of God, emphasizing the Holy Spirits call to justice and truth, and citing biblical passages such as Micah 6:8 and Joshua 24:15. Referring to Matthew 25:31-46, the statement describes the passage as Jesus' final test of discipleship, and argues that it teaches that the measure of our faith is revealed in how we treat those who are hungry, thirsty, sick, strangers, or imprisoned. Support for the letter spans multiple denominations, including leaders and members from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Moravians, Mennonite Church USA and the United Church of Christ (UCC), among others. One of the prominent signatories is progressive Evangelical activist and author Shane Claiborne, who appeared in a promotional video for the statement. Claiborne also commented publicly on a recent anti-ICE demonstration at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, drawing a parallel to the New Testament account of Jesus driving merchants from the temple. In a Jan. 21 post on X one day before federal authorities arrested three individuals connected to that protest Claiborne wrote: Jesus literally staged a protest IN THE TEMPLE. Flipped some tables and drove out the folks pretending to be holy, Claiborne wrote in an X post on Jan. 21, a day before federal agents arrested three of the activists involved with the protest. It seems pretty clear that one of the most offensive things to God is when people use religion to cover up their greed and bigotry. Rebuke it. In the name of Jesus. Pastor Brian Wuoti and his wife Katy. | Photo credit: Alliance Defending Freedom Vermont officials have updated foster care guidelines to remove a previous requirement that prospective parents affirm LGBT ideology. The state has also reinstated the licenses of families whose certifications were revoked due to religious objections, resolving several legal disputes. The conservative legal advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom announced Monday that the state agreed to a settlement in a case challenging rules that required foster parent applicants to articulate views on gender and sexuality that conflicted with their faith in order to qualify for licensure. According to the revised policy, foster parents who indicate boundaries regarding caring for children and youth with diverse identities, including those who identify as LGBT, will not be considered inherently discriminatory. These are normal considerations that belong in matching, not licensing, the updated guidance states. The Vermont Department of Children and Families has clarified that it will no longer require foster parents to provide an endorsement or affirmation of specific identities, adopt the use of particular vocabulary, prescribed language, or preferred pronouns related to gender identity, sexual orientation, or gender expression or commit to facilitate medical appointments or procedures related to gender-affirming care as a prerequisite for obtaining a foster care license. ADF represented two Christian couples in the litigation: Brian and Kaity Wuoti, along with Michael and Rebecca Gantt. Both families had previously lost their foster care licenses under earlier standards that mandated applicants be holistically affirming and supporting of a childs sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. The Wuotis and the Gantts adhere to traditional Christian teachings regarding marriage and human sexuality. In response to the settlement, the Wuotis stated: Were thankful that common sense won out and that Vermont has changed its policy to put childrens interests above divisive ideologies. Were grateful for one more opportunity to help give children a safe and loving home. Johannes Widmalm-Delphonse, senior counsel with ADF, described the outcome as an incredible victory for children in Vermonts foster-care system. No parent should be forced to lie to a vulnerable child about who they are, much less promote irreversible and life-altering procedures that dont have any proven health benefits, Widmalm-Delphonse said. And, unfortunately, other loving families have been unable to open their homes to children in need just because of their Christian worldview. Another Christian couple, Melinda Antonucci and Casey Mathieu, also saw their foster care license reinstated under the new framework. The Center for American Liberty confirmed Monday that the couples certification had previously been revoked due to their beliefs about sexuality but has now been restored under the updated state policy. Home News A third of Christians trust spiritual advice from AI as much as pastor: study About a third of practicing American Christians say the spiritual advice they get from artificial intelligence is just as good as that from a pastor, with practicing Christians more likely to agree with this notion than non-practicing Christians and non-Christians, according to new research from the Barna Group. The data was collected as part of Barnas "State of the Church" initiative in partnership with Gloo, a leading technology platform connecting the faith ecosystem to advance human flourishing. The latest findings were released at the National Religious Broadcasters International Christian Media Convention in Tennessee last week. In a survey of over 1,514 U.S. adults conducted in November 2025, researchers found nearly a third of U.S. adults (30%) now "somewhat" or "strongly" agree that spiritual advice from AI "is as trustworthy as advice from a pastor," the data shows. And among Generation Z and millennials, that share jumps to 39% and 40%, respectively. About a third (34%) of practicing Christians somewhat or strongly agreed that AI advice is just as trustworthy as advice from a pastor, while 29% of non-practicing Christians and 27% of non-Christians agreed with this sentiment. The findings show that AI is "influencing everyday spiritual habits," researchers note in a report. Four in 10 Christians say AI has helped them with prayer, Bible study and spiritual growth. Data from a December survey of over 442 Protestant pastors in the U.S. shows that more than 41% of pastors report using AI for Bible study preparation. "At the same time, many church leaders acknowledge uncertainty," Barna researchers wrote. The Barna study found that while about a third of practicing Christians expressed a desire for guidance from their pastors on navigating technology, only 12% of pastors say they are comfortable teaching on the matter. Though the majority of practicing Christians remain the most cautious about embracing AI as a spiritual tool, their views are shifting and remain largely uninformed by their pastor, Daniel Copeland, Barnas vice president of research, said in a statement on the research. Theres a real opportunity here for pastors to disciple their congregants on how to use this technology in a beneficial way. The Barna data comes as the December 2025 "State of AI in the Church Survey Report," prepared by AiForChurchLeaders.com and Exponential AI NEXT, reports that nearly two-thirds of church leaders surveyed who prepare sermons said they use AI tools in their sermon writing process. The data from that report is based on responses from 594 pastors and church staff members. ChatGPT and Grammarly were reported as the top two AI tools used. The latest findings from Barna research also highlight the influence of Christian media. Based on a February 2025 survey of 2,025 U.S. adults, Barna found that nearly two-thirds (61%) engaged with Christian media in some form, while half (51%) said they engaged weekly. Two in three U.S. adults also see Christian media as "valuable" and "trustworthy." Some 45% of those who consume Christian media frequently, however, judged the content as "divisive," while another 40% said it makes Christians look bad. As trust in mainstream media has declined in recent years, its encouraging to see that confidence in Christian media remains relatively high, Scott Beck, Gloo co-founder and CEO said in a statement. What a privilege to release these findings at an event full of Christian broadcasters and leaders who can return to their respective cities inspired to continue to do the important work they are doing to help people flourish and communities thrive. Compared to just over two years ago, the use of AI has increased by 80% across all ministries in churches, and a growing share of people have been turning to apps like Text With Jesus for spiritual guidance, The Christian Post recently reported. As the rapid adoption of AI in church life continues, Pastor Ray Miller of First Baptist Church in Abilene, Texas, has warned against the technology becoming "another type of idol pulling at our attention." Often, people turn to AI because they do not have another human being or pastor or priest to turn to, and it becomes convenient. With discernment and care, I believe we can develop some best practices when it comes to AI usage for churches and use for faith in general," he told CP. "We are living in the midst of a technological revolution unseen in human history since the advent of the printing press. That technological shift had profound implications for faith, as the Bible was finally placed in the hands of the people, he explained. "As we begin to sift through what AI will do to us as humans, the Church will have to help answer the question: what does it mean to be human, to be made in God's image in an age of digital AI? he added. "We will have to double down on discipling people to develop their own slow interactive relationship with God. DELMAR, Md., Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Rescuers are working to save over 100 cats from an alleged cruelty case in Delmar, MD. Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States, is assisting the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office with expert animal handling, much-needed veterinary care for the cats and scene documentation. The Humane Society of Wicomico County, Wicomico County Animal Control, and an animal control officer with the Salisbury Police Department also assisted at the location. Humane World for Animals is assisting the Wicomico County Sheriffs Office with the rescue of over 100 cats from an alleged cruelty case in Delmar, MD on Feb. 25, 2026. Photo credit: Meredith Lee/Humane World for Animals Humane World for Animals is assisting the Wicomico County Sheriffs Office with the rescue of over 100 cats from an alleged cruelty case in Delmar, MD on Feb. 25, 2026. Photo credit: Meredith Lee/Humane World for Animals Law enforcement officials served a search and seizure warrant on a residential property at approximately 7 a.m. Trudging through inches of snow to reach the site, Humane World for Animals responders found cats huddled together outdoors in frigid conditions, while others were found in hazardous, unsanitary sheds and outbuildings. In addition, they found several deceased cats and skeletal remains on the property. A very thin grey cat limped terribly through the ice, apparently in too much pain to put any weight on their hind leg. Many of the cats were noticeably underweight with protruding vertebrae. Cats suffering from apparent upper respiratory infections were wheezing and had crusty discharge around their eyes and noses. "It's sad beyond words to see so many sick, desperate cats in the cold, especially knowing they just endured a snowstorm in such poor health. Their survival is testament to their resilience, which gives me hope as we help them begin a long road to recovery," said Shalimar Oliver, animal crimes case manager, Humane World for Animals. "We are deeply grateful to the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office for inviting us to work alongside them in getting these cats the care and treatment they deserve." "The Wicomico County Sheriff's Office remains committed to thoroughly investigating allegations of animal cruelty and ensuring the safety and well-being of animals in our community. This was a complex and large-scale operation conducted under challenging weather conditions, and we are grateful for the expertise and resources provided by Humane World for Animals and the Wicomico County Humane Society, as well as the assistance of Wicomico County Animal Control and Salisbury Animal Control," said Lieutenant Burley Williams of the Sheriff's Office. "Their support with scene documentation, specialized animal handling, and immediate veterinary care has been critical to ensuring these cats receive the treatment they urgently need. We also recognize the importance of Maryland's cost-of-care law, which helps alleviate the financial burden associated with long-term animal seizures and allows for more timely placement when appropriate. This remains an active investigation, and our office will continue working collaboratively with our partners to pursue accountability and safeguard the welfare of animals in Wicomico County." "Today's rescue of over 100 cats in Maryland is what's possible when partners across agencies work swiftly and in unison," said Stacey Volodin, Maryland state director, Humane World for Animals. "I'd like to thank the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office, the Maryland Department of Agriculture and all the agencies involved in ensuring this seizure could move forward safely, effectively and with the animals' well-being at the center of every decision." Humane World for Animals is transporting the cats to a safe, undisclosed location where responders and volunteers will provide much-needed care and treatment. RedRover Responders volunteers are also assisting with daily care. Large-scale rescue operations such as this are made possible thanks to Maryland's cost-of-care law, which we helped to pass in 2022 with the leadership of Del. David Moon and Senator Jeff Waldstreicher. The law requires the owner of animals seized by law enforcement agencies to either contribute to animal care expenses or forfeit custody of the animals. Without such measures, seized animals are often held for months or years while criminal cases are prosecuted, which imposes a prohibitive cost on law enforcement agencies and taxpayers. Humane World for Animals works to advance cost-of-care legislation in states throughout the U.S. to remove that significant obstacle in the enforcement of animal protection laws. Download Photos/Video About Humane World for Animals Together, we tackle the root causes of animal cruelty and suffering to create permanent change. With millions of supporters and work happening in over 50 countries, Humane World for Animalsformerly called the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Internationaladdresses the most deeply entrenched forms of animal cruelty and suffering. As the leading voice in the animal protection space, we work to end the cruelest practices, care for animals in crisis and build a stronger animal protection movement. Driving toward the greatest global impact, we aim to achieve the vision behind our name: a more humane world. humaneworld.org SOURCE Humane World for Animals. Home News Angel families ask God to bless Trump as he signs proclamation honoring them Multiple family members of victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants prayed for President Donald Trump during Monday's White House ceremony for a presidential proclamation recognizing Feb. 22 as National Angel Family Day. The term angel family refers to families who lost loved ones as a result of crimes committed by immigrants present in the United States unlawfully. Trump highlighted how the day coincides with the second anniversary of the murder of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley on a Georgia university campus by Venezuelan national Jose Antonio Ibarra in February 2024. Laken was viciously attacked, brutally beaten and murdered by an illegal alien gang member who the last administration heartlessly released into our country," Trump said. Shortly after taking office last January, Trump signed the Laken Riley Act, which requires the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to detain illegal migrants charged with theft-related crimes or those who have been charged with assaulting a police officer. Officials are also required to detain illegal aliens who have committed offenses that injure or kill someone. During Monday's ceremony, Trump said the bill seeks to ensure illegal alien criminals are rapidly removed from the United States of America. He noted that the measure has enabled the arrest of over 21,000 illegal aliens. The event featured remarks from multiple angel families, including Laken Rileys mother Allyson Phillips. Phillips remembered her daughter as the most responsible, hard-working, kind, selfless, beautiful Christian. Laura Wilkerson, another angel mom, recalled a meeting she had with Trump a decade ago to share her story. I met a man about 11 years ago who was running for office, and he sat with us a couple of days," she said. "And he watched as the tears rolled down my face as I told him the story of how our youngest son Joshua was brutally beaten, tortured, strangled to death, and his body set on fire. The man next to me was President Trump." "He never ever looked away from my pain. He looked me straight in the eye, and he said, I will never forget the story of your sweet son, and I will never give up fighting for the American family,'" she added. "I looked at him, and I believed him. And here we are, these years later, and you can tell all of the work hes done. Hes never missed a day of fighting for the American family. I dont know if Ive ever met a man who is more interested in this country and running his country and getting it back in shape. Wilkerson said she can't begin to "understand the spiritual battles that swirl around the office of the presidency and the man who owns that office. She asked God to breathe a fresh breath of air through this administration. Jesus works on my family every day, still healing us today, she insisted. I am just so incredibly grateful for the man whos in office, who never quits. He is sidelined so many times, but we know the man, Jesus, who can take care of that, and we pray today, in His name, that He will sweep through this country and make it right again. Trump then introduced Jody Jones, whose brother Rocky was killed by an illegal immigrant who went on a deranged crime spree after being released from prison as part of a California sanctuary city policy. Jones thanked Jesus Christ first and concluded with God bless you, God bless Donald Trump and God bless America. As he introduced two mothers who lost their daughters as a result of crimes committed by illegal immigrants, Patty Morin and Tammy Nobles, Trump said, Your daughters would be unbelievably proud, and they are as they look down. Im sure theyre looking down, Trump said, reiterating his belief that theyd be very proud of you and theyre thanking you right now for your courage. After Trump signed the proclamation, the names of more than five dozen people who lost their lives to crime committed by immigrants were read aloud as pictures of the victims appeared on a screen. The ceremony concluded with members of the U.S. military giving a rendition of Amazing Grace. Home News John Piper prompts pushback from Jack Hibbs, others over Leviticus tweet: 'Irresponsible theology' 'This folly must stop' Reformed Baptist theologian and retired pastor John Piper faced overwhelmingly negative responses to a Wednesday X post that quoted an Old Testament verse about welcoming the stranger, which many took as a veiled take on U.S. immigration policy. "You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God," Piper tweeted, quoting Leviticus 19:34. "Christians know the miserable bondage we were all in." Piper's post, which has drawn more than 1 million views as of Thursday, raised eyebrows even among some X users who said they have benefited from his decades of ministry, but were either confused by his point or disagreed with his tacit implication. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:34 Christians know the miserable bondage we were all in. John Piper (@JohnPiper) February 25, 2026 Pastor Jack Hibbs, who serves as senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills in Chino, California, clarified in a response to Piper's post that foreigners expecting to join ancient Israel were expected to assimilate to their religion and laws. "The foreigner who came among the children of Israel, were to be accepted in as converts, and not to be mistreated, but to be treated as brothers, even though they were immigrant foreigners. It was their faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that was the criteria," Hibbs wrote. Author Katy Faust, founder and president of the children's rights nonprofit Them Before Us, echoed Hibbs by listing multiple references from the Torah that explain the foreigner and sojourner were "expected to respect and abide by the laws of Israel." Podcaster Allie Beth Stuckey also noted that the expectations of immigrants to Israel in the Old Testament were "far stricter regulations than what we have currently." "The tolerance for illegal migration in ancient Israel was zero. A sojourner had to follow laws about circumcision, food, marriage all of them," she said. William Wolfe, executive director at the Center for Baptist Leadership, said Piper "quoted a very specific verse that is the favorite of the 'Woke Immigration Theonomists' at a moment when debate about immigration enforcement in America is at an all-time high. Even if he hadn't added commentary, we all know what he is doing." I'm sorry, anyone out there stating "John Piper just quoted a Bible verse" is a propagandist at best and an intentional liar at worst. First, he didn't just quote a verse. He added commentary. I noticed that's been intentionally overlooked by Dan Darling here. Even worse, he pic.twitter.com/ULtIX6OUz5 William Wolfe ???????? (@WilliamWolfe) February 26, 2026 "Good grief," said evangelist Justin Peters, who cited Numbers 15 to note that sojourners in Israel were expected to adhere to their laws something he observed every illegal immigrant has failed to do. "If a foreigner comes into another country illegally, he has, by definition, broken established laws. And what this has to do with spiritual bondage pre-regeneration, I am not sure," Peters said. "I love Dr. Piper, but this folly must stop," said Dale Partridge, who is the lead teaching pastor at King's Way Church in Prescott, Arizona. "To correlate these instructions to Israel with the circumstances facing America is simply irresponsible theology." Partridge noted that God was not commanding the ancient Israelites to allow their people to be overrun or their religion replaced; he suggested that the immigration issues the U.S. is facing are existential, posed by illegal immigrants who are violating the Ten Commandments with their presence. "Israel was never expected to allow such a number of foreigners that it would overtake the existing population, replace the Jewish people, their culture, or import paganism," he said. "America is facing national theft through demographic replacement. Foreigners are violating the Eighth and Tenth Commandments by coveting our land and envying our children's inheritance." "They are stealing from us and exterminating us through systematic assault. Immigration without biblical assimilation is a form of invasion. To apply the Scriptures of orderly and just immigration to the chaotic and evil immigration of our day is not befitting of a man of Piper's theological prowess," he added. Evangelist Sean Feucht, who has been an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump, said he "never imagined a theologian I once looked up to would became [sic] so unbelievably WOKE while weaponizing scripture to justify the illegal invasion of a sovereign nation." Jamie Bambrick, who serves as associate pastor of Hope Church Craigavon in Craigavon, Northern Ireland, posted that he was unaware of any Bible verse that "says we need to lose billions in welfare fraud and let [rape] gangs assault little girls." Bambrick, whose country is a part of the United Kingdom, was apparently referencing the largely Pakistani rape and grooming gangs that have afflicted underage girls in the U.K. in recent years, which conservative political commentator Mark Steyn has described as "industrial-scale assault and torture." Other users veered into anger with their responses to Piper, with some noting that despite Piper's 33-year ministry there as pastor for preaching and vision at Bethlehem Baptist Church (Converge), Minneapolis has descended into lawlessness and become the epicenter of the violent political tensions over federal immigration enforcement. Eric Conn, executive pastor of Refuge Church in Ogden, Utah, expressed skepticism regarding the value of Piper's political insights, given a 2015 Desiring God article in which he offered "a seven-fold" theological analysis of whether it would be permissible for a Christian man to shoot someone who was assaulting his wife. Piper concluded the New Testament "does not satisfy our demand for a yes or no" on the topic. Written in response to Liberty University allowing its students to arm themselves amid terrorist threats, Piper even claimed in the 2015 article that a man calling the police on his wife's assailant "may come from a heart that is out of step with the mind of Christ." The Christian Post has reached out for comment to Piper's ministry, Desiring God, and will update this story if a response is received. The viral response to Piper's tweet comes as Christians across the political spectrum increasingly debate the proper application of biblical commands regarding personal hospitality to immigration policy. Political commentator and author Ann Coulter recently dismissed Christian leaders who attempt to apply such passages to U.S. immigration as "fake, phony frauds" who crave the approval of the liberal cultural elite. "They want to be praised in The New York Times," Coulter said of such figures. "This has nothing to do with Christianity." She also warned that faulty theology applied to immigration policy threatens the existence of the U.S., which in turn threatens the world. "They ought to consider that this is the last Christian country on Earth. And once we're gone, it's over. It's lights out for the globe," she said. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., also weighed in on the theological debate earlier this month, affirming that "border and walls are biblical" and that the civil magistrate is not bound by the same biblical hospitality demands placed on the individual. Home News Liberal Christian leaders condemn 'cruel and oppressive' US gov't; warn of 'white Christian nationalism' Hundreds of Christians, including some left-leaning Evangelical leaders and scholars, have signed their names to an open letter calling on American Christians to "speak out" against what they described as an increasingly tyrannical government under President Donald Trump. "We are facing a cruel and oppressive government," began the letter, which is titled "A Call to Christians in a Crisis of Faith and Democracy" and was first published on Ash Wednesday. Alleging that "citizens and immigrants being demonized, disappeared, and even killed" as "hard-won rights and freedoms" are eroding amid "a calculated effort to reverse America's growing racial and ethnic diversity," the letter warned the U.S. is being pushed "toward authoritarian and imperial rule." The letter also condemned "white Christian nationalism" as a heresy that is corrupting the church. "What confronts us is not only an endangered democracy and the rise of tyranny," it read. "It is also a Christian faith corrupted by the heretical ideology of white Christian nationalism, and a church that has often failed to equip its members to model Jesus's [sic] teachings and fulfill its prophetic calling as a humanitarian, compassionate, and moral compass for society." "Therefore, as Christians in the United States, representing the breadth of Christian traditions and one part of our nation's religiously plural society, we are compelled to speak out more boldly at this time." The letter's main theological appeals included noting God's sovereignty over all nations and rulers; highlighting Jesus Christ as the definitive Word of God, whose teachings emphasized caring for the poor and oppressed; the Holy Spirit calling for justice and truth; and mandates such as Micah 6:8 and Joshua 24:15. Describing Matthew 25:31-46 as Jesus' "final test of discipleship," the letter claimed the passage makes clear "that the measure of our faith is revealed in how we treat those who are hungry, thirsty, sick, strangers, or imprisoned." Matthew 25 has repeatedly emerged as a point of debate among Christians regarding the role of the civil authorities, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., recently dismissed the claim that the chapter applies to federal law enforcement as they attempt to enforce immigration law. "You're supposed to take care of the sojourner and the neighbor, treat them as yourself, welcome them in, yes," Johnson told a reporter on Feb. 3. "But that is an admonition to individuals, not to the civil authorities." 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 The letter drew signatures from representatives of Christian denominations, including the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Moravians, the Mennonite Church USA, the United Church of Christ (UCC) and others. The Rev. Jim Wallis, whose Georgetown Center for Faith and Justice in Washington, D.C., played a key role in organizing the effort, told USA Today that Christians face a moment that is "a defining test of Christian discipleship and civic responsibility." "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," he said. Matthew Taylor, visiting scholar at the Georgetown University Center of Faith and Justice, founded by Wallis, recently featured in a promotional for CNN's upcoming documentary "The Rise of Christian Nationalism," during which he claimed the memorial for the late Charlie Kirk last fall "radicalized" many American Christians into believing they increasingly face hostility in their own country. Kristin Kobes Du Mez, a professor of history and gender studies at Calvin University who featured in the late Rob Reiner's 2024 documentary about Christian nationalism, told USA Today that she found the statement was "a way for ordinary Christians to step up. During her appearance in Reiner's film, "God & Country," Du Mez lamented that a "more muscular Jesus" and "warrior Christ" has emerged among Evangelicals in recent years, which she claimed has laid the groundwork for Christian nationalists to believe political violence is acceptable. "I think it's important to offer a statement that clarifies the political and theological stakes and that people can put their name behind," she told the outlet. Among the signatories was left-leaning Evangelical author and activist Shane Claiborne, who appeared in a video promoting the letter and recently appeared to defend the anti-ICE protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, last month, while likening it to Jesus Christ cleansing the temple. "Jesus literally staged a protest IN THE TEMPLE. Flipped some tables and drove out the folks pretending to be holy," Claiborne wrote in an X post on Jan. 21, a day before federal agents arrested three of the activists involved with the protest. "It seems pretty clear that one of the most offensive things to God is when people use religion to cover up their greed and bigotry. Rebuke it. In the name of Jesus." Home News 'Squatty Potty' creator's past reexamined after child sex abuse material charges Children's rights advocates and social media influencers are shedding light on the alleged background of the Squatty Potty toilet stool creator after he was charged with allegedly obtaining child sex abuse images. Some are accusing the inventor of having sexualized children long before these charges came to light. Robert "Bobby" Edwards, 50, allegedly bought and knowingly received sexually explicit images and videos of children between March 2021 and November 2025, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Utah announced on Monday. The entrepreneur was indicted by a federal grand jury on Feb. 10 and arrested on Feb. 12 in Washington County, Utah. Edwards pleaded not guilty during his initial court appearance, and a federal judge in St. George remanded Edwards to the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service. The Squatty Potty creator is being held without bail and has a hearing scheduled for March 2 at a courthouse in St. George, according to the attorneys office. In light of the charges against Edwards, Collin Rugg, co-owner of Trending Politics, highlighted a Squatty Potty commercial in a Wednesday X post. The commercial shows children eating rainbow-colored ice cream (meant to symbolize feces) that came from a unicorn using the toilet stool. The co-creator of Squatty Potty was just indicted on child pornography charges. This is the same man who made a viral ad where children eat ???? feces-shaped ice cream from a unicorn while a man wipes it off their faces. He has 4 kids in his home. ???????????? pic.twitter.com/b2nIXz6NcS Josh Wood (@J_K_Wood) February 25, 2026 Edwards is partnered to a man and is a co-parent to four children, according to his profile on Southern Utah Cares, Rugg shared in a separate post on X Wednesday. During his appearance on Shark Tank, Barbara Corcoran said there was something about Edwards that felt off to her. Them Before Us Executive Director Josh Wood also addressed the Squatty Potty commercial in a Wednesday X post, saying that Edwards sexualized children in plain sight. Watch the ad. A man serves children feces-shaped rainbow soft-serve, they eat it gleefully, and he wipes it off their faces with toilet paper, Wood stated. 42 million views. Nobody blinked. Wood also expressed concern in a follow-up X post about Edwards four children, questioning how they came to be in his care, suggesting the possibility of surrogacy, adoption or some other arrangement. Data is clear: children are safest with their biological mother/father, Wood asserted. That is why, in adoption, we screen adults BEFORE placing the child. We do follow-up visits. We require accountability, he continued. Why don't we require the same for children obtained through surrogacy or other means? According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Edwards was later identified as a participant in a group chat used to trade child sex abuse material after an undercover FBI agent joined the online meeting room in March 2021. The participants in the meeting were visible, according to the report. In May 2025, the FBI reportedly learned that Edwards purchased additional child sex abuse material via his PayPal account. When law enforcement executed a search warrant at Edwards home on Nov. 4, 2025, authorities said they found a cell phone in his vehicle that contained multiple videos and images of child sexual abuse material, some of which [were] downloaded onto the cell phone just two weeks before the search warrant was executed. Investigators said that they also seized devices in Edwards home and discovered additional child sex abuse material files. The company Aterian, which acquired the Squatty Potty brand in 2021, told The Christian Post that it has no affiliation, partnership, or ongoing relationship with Mr. Robert Edwards. Following the completion of that acquisition, all associations with Edwards and his family ceased, Aterian stated. He is not an employee, a partner, or a stakeholder in our company. Any claims to the contrary are categorically false. We are deeply disturbed by the indictment against Edwards. The nature of these allegations is abhorrent and wholly inconsistent with our companys values, the company continued. While the family was previously referenced on our website in a historical context, we have removed those references. They have no role in our brands present or future. Aterian remains committed to the mission of Squatty Potty: improving digestive health for our consumers, the statement concluded. Home News Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick urges state to hold off on renewing Camp Mystic license Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has called on state officials to withhold renewing Camp Mystic's youth camp license for the 2026 summer season until ongoing legislative investigations into last year's deadly flooding tragedy are complete and any required safety improvements are made. The July 4, 2025, flooding, which swept through the all-girls private Christian camp in Hunt, located about 85 miles northwest of San Antonio along the Guadalupe River, claimed the lives of 28 victims, including 25 young campers aged 8 to 10, two teenage counselors, and camp director Dick Eastland. The Camp Mystic flooding was part of a broader disaster that claimed over 130 lives across central Texas, including at least 100 in Kerr County. In a letter dated Feb. 23 addressed to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Commissioner Dr. Jennifer Shuford, Patrick expressed deep concern over reports that Camp Mystic is already soliciting and accepting applications for the upcoming camp season. "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," Patrick wrote. The Republican lieutenant governor highlighted that the Texas Senate has formed a General Investigating Committee on the July 2025 Flooding Events, set to convene jointly with a House committee this spring to examine the facts. "I expect, after those facts are determined, there may be necessary corrective actions for Camp Mystic to take to make sure future campers and counselors are safe and do not lose their lives," he stated. Patrick also sharply criticized the camp's website for seemingly failing to acknowledge the disaster. "Camp Mystic's public-facing website does not acknowledge the 28 deaths that occurred at their camp, nor does it acknowledge that the search for one little camper who lost her life is still ongoing," he wrote, adding, "May God rest their souls." He also noted that "surprisingly," Eastland, who was one of the victims, is still named on their website as still being in charge, all as if 2025 never happened." A CP review found that Eastland was still listed under directors and staff on the Camp Mystic website as of Thursday. In a personal note, Patrick added he "would not feel comfortable sending my grandchildren to a camp where 27 young girls lost their lives less than a year ago, particularly while key questions remain unanswered. He concluded the letter by asking DSHS please do not renew a 2026 license for Camp Mystic until all legislative investigations are complete, and any necessary corrective actions are taken." Camp Mystic responded to Patricks request with the following statement Wednesday to The Christian Post: "Camp Mystic Cypress Lake is in compliance with all aspects of the states new camp safety laws. There is, consequently, no regulatory basis to deny Camp Mystic Cypress Lake its license" Clarifying that Cypress Lake is a separate property not adjacent to the Guadalupe River and sustained no significant flood damage, the camp reiterated an earlier invitation from October 22, 2025, to Patrick and committee members to tour the site, noting: We would like to invite you and the members of the Committees to visit Camp Mystic at your convenience. Our family will always be available as a resource for the Committee as we believe having each member of the Committee physically tour the Camp location is the best and only way to learn exactly what happened. Patrick has not responded to this invitation, according to Camp Mystic. The camp's current license expires in early March. Home News Abortion drug network sued for shipping illegal pills to Texans Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit accusing abortion drug provider Aid Access of illegally shipping abortion drugs into the Lone Star State, which bans the use of abortion drugs to terminate pregnancy. A complaint filed Tuesday in the District Court of Galveston County, Texas, alleged that Aid Access and its associates are overseeing an international abortion-by-mail enterprise that illegally ships abortion-inducing drugs into Texas in open defiance of Texas law. Aid Access was founded by Dutch physician Dr. Rebecca Gompers in 2018 and has provided abortion drugs online for women in the United States, especially those living in states with abortion bans in place. Aid Accesss illegal acts in Texas are not theoretical they have already caused the deaths of unborn children across the state, reads the complaint. Aid Access is a notorious part of a growing network of out-of-state abortion traffickers that deliberately target Texas residents and defy this States duly enacted protections for unborn children and their mothers. The suit alleges that Aid Access violates the Human Life Protection Act, Texas prohibitions on mailing abortion-inducing drugs, and state prohibitions on the unlicensed practice of medicine found in the Texas Occupations Code and the Texas Health and Safety Code. This illegal operation endangers the lives of unborn children and their mothers and must be stopped, the complaint continues. This Court should act swiftly to enjoin Defendants from continuing to operate their illegal scheme and impose civil penalties required by law for each violation of the Human Life Protection Act and related statutes. Defendants named in the lawsuit include California resident Dr. Remy Coeytaux, Netherlands citizen Dr. Rebecca Gomperts, the Austria-based Aid Access GmbH and the Netherlands-based Aid Access B.V. In a statement released Tuesday, Paxton said that he and his office will defend the lives of the unborn and relentlessly enforce our states pro-life laws against Aid Access and other radicals like it. Last year, Texas passed a law allowing individuals to sue anyone who manufactures, distributes, mails or provides abortion drugs to people in Texas. Every unborn child is a life worth protecting, and Texas law reflects that fundamental truth. Radicals sending abortion-inducing drugs into our state will be held accountable for ending innocent life, he added. Aid Access has facilitated over 200,000 online abortions to women in the U.S. since its launch, claiming that "service is in line with the most recent research and guidelines." The purpose of the Aid Access website and service is to create social justice and improve the health status and human rights of women who do not have the possibility of accessing local abortion services," the website reads. Last year, Aid Access was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by a woman who was forced to miscarry her unborn child when the father of her child spiked her drink with abortion drugs that he acquired through the abortion provider. Because Aid Access operates outside of the U.S., it makes it difficult for authorities to crack down on the company when it sends shipments into states with strict abortion laws. "This tragic story presents a devastating rebuke of the false notion that deregulating the abortion drug mifepristone is safe for women," Dr. Christina Francis, board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and CEO of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said in a statement provided to The Christian Post. For years, pro-life advocates and lawmakers have spoken out against the Food and Drug Administration's 2021 decision during the Biden administration to ease abortion pill regulations so they can be legally shipped in the mail. Critics claim that the policy change was "designed to give abortion activists license to mail drugs everywhere." Before amending its regulations, the FDA during the first Trump administration sent Aid Access a warning letter in 2019 calling on it to "immediately cease causing the introduction of these violative drugs into U.S. commerce." "By facilitating the sale of unapproved mifepristone and misoprostol to consumers in the U.S., Aidaccess.org causes the introduction of unapproved new drugs into U.S. commerce in violation of the FD&C Act," the letter stated. Home Opinion 5 warning signs in the American church that leaders must address now In a nation where Christian heritage runs deep, the inaugural 2025 SALT Index from Back to the Bible offers a sobering yet hopeful snapshot of spiritual formation among U.S. adults. Drawing from a nationally representative survey, this benchmark study shifts the focus from "vanity metrics" like church attendance or activity participation to deeper outcomes such as how faith is believed, practiced and lived out. The results reveal a landscape of widespread doctrinal familiarity but significant gaps in personal transformation and action. For church leaders, pastors and believers, these findings challenge complacency and point to opportunities for growth. Here are five key revelations that highlight the results of the State of Christianity in America report: 1. Core beliefs are widely held, but salvation assurance is alarmingly low One of the most striking findings is the persistence of basic Christian doctrines in American culture, even amid secular trends. Roughly two-thirds of U.S. adults affirm foundational tenets like Jesus' resurrection (64%) and His death for sins (70%). Even more notably, 61% self-identify as "followers of Jesus Christ," suggesting that Christian identity remains a cultural touchstone for a majority. However, this surface-level agreement masks a profound disconnect when it comes to personal application. While most respondents agree in principle that salvation is a gift of God's grace not earned by good works only 33% say they personally expect to go to Heaven because they are saved by grace through faith in Jesus. This means that two-thirds of Americans, including many who profess Christian beliefs, do not anchor their eternal hope in Christ's work alone. Instead, uncertainty or alternative views prevail, with some relying on good deeds or other factors. This gap underscores a critical challenge for evangelism and discipleship. As the report notes, doctrinal acceptance is common, but genuine trust in the Gospel as a personal reality is rare. For Christian ministries, this revelation calls for renewed emphasis on preaching the assurance of salvation, helping believers move from intellectual knowledge to heart-level confidence. It's a reminder that cultural Christianity may affirm truths without embracing them, leaving millions spiritually adrift despite familiarity with the faith. 2. Prayer thrives, but Bible engagement and community lag far behind The survey highlights a sharp divide between private devotion and consistent spiritual habits, painting a picture of isolated faith rather than vibrant practice. Personal prayer emerges as the most common discipline, with about 60% of adults reporting regular prayer or worship even among non-Christians. This suggests that seeking God in solitude remains accessible and appealing in a fast-paced world. In contrast, engagement drops precipitously for other practices. Only 35% read the Bible regularly (at least weekly), while 45% to 50% admit to no Scripture reading in a typical week. Communal involvement fares similarly: just 38% participate in a church-based small group or Bible study, meaning only two in five Americans have relational faith connections. Outreach and discipleship are even rarer, with 36% actively sharing their faith and a mere 31% having ever mentored someone one-on-one in spiritual growth. This "belief-practice gap" reveals that while many claim to have faith, few integrate it into daily rhythms or community. There seems to be a shallow understanding of Christian principles, where Christian language is familiar but not formative. For church leaders, it's an urgent call to create or implement programs that boost Scripture absorption and foster accountability. Encouragingly, the data shows an overall openness as many Christians recognize their shortcomings, indicating fertile ground for initiatives that make Bible engagement practical and communal. 3. Discipleship is stagnant, even among self-identified Christians A particularly jarring insight is the near absence of generative discipleship across the board. Only 31% of adults have personally discipled or mentored someone in their faith journey, and just 36% seek opportunities to share the Gospel. More startlingly, those who don't identify as Christ-followers engage in "discipling" activities at virtually the same rate as those who doaround 13-14% report aligning behavior with mentoring others to their spiritual worldview. This finding exposes a failure in multiplication: Christian identity isn't translating into higher rates of discipleship. A harvest is present, but its not yielding fruit. Believers consume faith without passing it on. Nearly 70% of Americans have never taken an intentional role in helping another grow, highlighting a bottleneck in the Great Commission. For Christian pastors, leaders, and churches, this is both a wake-up call and an opportunity. The data suggests that without intentional shifts, the church risks becoming a consumer-driven entity rather than a movement of disciple-makers. Yet the humility in self-assessments as many Christians admit room for growth offers hope that targeted efforts could encourage more Christians to pass their faith along to others. 4. Internal transformation outpaces external change, revealing a 'private' faith The SALT Index delves into life change, asking if faith produces tangible fruit. Just over half (54%) agree that following Jesus has noticeably transformed their attitudes or behaviors. Internal shifts are more common: 61% report forgiving someone difficult due to Jesus' teachings, 57% cite greater inner peace or joy, and 46% to 49% note new priorities or service to others. However, outward expressions lag. Only 40% say friends or family have noticed changes since becoming a Christian, and fewer than half report active service or lifestyle sacrifices tied to faith. Evangelistic boldness is limited to one-third, reinforcing that transformation often becomes a private renewal without public impact. This imbalance may stem from various factors, like modest self-reporting or lives not requiring drastic external shifts. But it signals a faith that's introspective rather than missional. For churches and ministries, this finding should encourage a holistic approach to discipleship that encourages outward witness, perhaps through community service or testimony-sharing. It's encouraging that millions attribute positive changes to Christ, but the data urge believers to let their light shine visibly, aligning with Jesus' call in Matthew 5. 5. For now, Americans are rejecting AI spirituality, but signs of problems are looming In a digital age, the survey's exploration of AI-driven faith content is timely and reassuring. Only 11% have tried an "AI Jesus" chatbot, and 74% strongly disagree with accepting AI advice that conflicts with the Bible. Two-thirds dismiss the idea that AI could reveal truths beyond Scripture, with 62% saying they'd warn friends to verify AI content against the Bible. But with AI Jesus chatbots only available since 2023, there are signs that AI may be influencing more people than anticipated. If this trend keeps the current trajectory and AI gets even more mainstream in churches, it could impact millions of people in the next few years. Right now, Christian AI is rolling with training wheels and some side-eye glances, but the potential is there for it to be more influential, especially among younger users and in places like Latin America, where it's popular. Faith communities may want to educate the small segment of seekers who are intrigued by AI-based spiritual content, helping them learn to critically compare any such material against Scripture before accepting it. As technology evolves, the Churchs role in fostering discernment will remain vital so that convenience or curiosity never displaces the truth of Scripture. Overall, the "State of Christianity in America" report isn't all doom-and-gloom, but a diagnostic tool for growth. It reveals a Christianity that's culturally embedded yet often shallow, with gaps in practice, discipleship, and outward signs of fruitfulness. However, the expressed humility and doctrinal adherence of most Christians signal an openness to grow. If churches and ministries shift from activity metrics to transformation outcomes, that alone could reshape the American church. With intentional focus, the harvest can deepen its roots, yielding enduring fruit for generations to come. Home Opinion Where is Big Tech as 764 network grooms your kids? (part 2) Last week, my middle school daughter tried to reassure me: Mom, its just other kids playing. I asked her how she knew. They told me theyre 12, she said. I asked how she knew that was true. Because they said so. We went back and forth. Could she see them? No. Did she know their last names? No. Did she know where they lived? No. Yet the possibility that the person on the other end might not be a child genuinely confused her. I was trying gently to guide her through the logic. Mom, why would anyone do that? That question is the vulnerability. Children assume authenticity because that is how they operate in their own friendships. When someone says, Im 12, they hear a peer. Their guard is down before the conversation even begins. I recently wrote about the 764 network, an organized online grooming enterprise now facing federal prosecution. Some members have already been charged. According to publicly reported federal statements and congressional correspondence, the FBI has more than 250 active investigations across multiple states tied to 764 and related online exploitation networks. This is coordinated criminal activity operating inside mainstream digital platforms. And it is not theoretical. In early February, Florida authorities arrested a 19-year-old man accused of abducting two sisters, ages 12 and 14, after communicating with them through the online game Roblox and later Snapchat. The interaction began inside a gaming environment and escalated into an in-person meeting. The girls were located safely after a multi-state search. It began the same way my daughter described her conversations. With someone who said they were a kid. Opportunity becomes reality when identity is unverifiable. Child safety online is not ignored. Federal law regulates data collection from minors. Platforms maintain reporting tools, moderation teams, parental dashboards, and age requirements. Lawmakers debate additional safeguards. But modern platform architecture prioritizes frictionless connection. Rapid account creation. Instant messaging. Private servers. Minimal identity verification. Scale is the engine. When investigations exceed 250 active cases nationwide and organized grooming enterprises operate across multiple states, incremental safeguards are not proportionate. Systems designed for speed and growth must treat identity verification and coordinated enforcement as core infrastructure. Most safety mechanisms rely on users recognizing harm and reporting it. Grooming rarely begins with explicit content. It begins with familiarity. With a child believing she is speaking to someone her own age. Parents are told to monitor devices and limit apps. We should. But parental vigilance cannot offset structural design that lowers friction while increasing exposure. The threat is documented. The investigations are active. The cases are real. When anonymity operates at scale inside systems accessible to minors, harm is not incidental. It is foreseeable. Foreseeable harm imposes a duty to act. That duty requires structural change and accountability. SGS experts say "critical minerals and rare earths are Canada's 21st century gold rush." TORONTO, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - SGS, the world's leading testing, inspection, and certification company is celebrating the 85th anniversary of its Canadian Metallurgical Centre of Excellence in 2026, coinciding with a critical turning point in Canada's mining industry. With the world's largest mining conference - Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) - kicking off in Toronto next week, experts from SGS say that "critical minerals and rare earths are Canada's 21st century gold rush." With the Canadian government and industry looking to team up to mine critical minerals and build downstream processing over the next decade, SGS is playing a key advisory role as it continues to stay at the forefront of mining industry trends while offering metallurgical consulting, innovation and expertise. Aerial view of SGS' Metallurgical Centre of Excellence (Lakefield, Canada). (CNW Group/SGS) SGS's Metallurgical Centre of Excellence is located in Lakefield, near Peterborough (Ontario). It has played an important role not only in the Canadian mining, but the global mining sector, since 1941. Niels Verbaan, Senior Technical Director at SGS in Lakefield, is one of the leading global experts when it comes to processing of critical minerals including rare earths. In June 2024, Verbaan was invited to the White House to help advise on strategies for how best to develop the US battery supply chain industry. "You turn on the news like CNN and there's talk about a rare earth deal in Ukraine or here or there. There's not a day goes by that people aren't speaking about critical minerals and this will have huge benefits for Canada over the next decade," says Verbaan. The lab has a long history helping mining companies unlock the value in their precious and base metal ores along with critical minerals projects worldwide, punching well above its weight in Canada and beyond. This was highlighted in 1997 when its testing was instrumental in helping uncover the Bre-X scandal, which led to important changes in the mining world. Other notable technologies and process approaches that SGS in Lakefield is known for developing or advancing for the mining industrymostly through flowsheet invention, pilot-plant proof, and "bankable" scale-up work, include: SART process for cyanide recovery and to recycle it back into the leaching process Hybrid BIOX + POX flowsheet development and piloting for refractory gold "Gold leaching" process development including several new gold leaching processes REE processing pilot plant operations including unit operations such as flotation, acid baking, caustic cracking, rare earth separation and rare earth oxide production Development and piloting demonstrating the reduction of high purity scandium oxide from low grade feed sources Pilot-scale HPAL capability for nickel laterites (scale-up and de-risking) Process mineralogy workflow to diagnose gold recoveries and design circuits Comminution/crushing/grinding characterization for enhanced understanding of grinding and crushing properties and processes Modern "risk reduction" and geometallurgy to fundamentally de-risk projects Deep-sea (polymetallic) nodule testing focused on de-risking and optimizing onshore processing flowsheets that can convert nodule-derived intermediate products into battery-grade chemicals The SGS team in Lakefield has completed more than 22,000 projects for the global mining industry. Many of the mining industry's leading experts have either built their careers at SGS or have trusted SGS as a technical partner and engaged the team in Lakefield from early-stage metallurgical testing through flowsheet development, scale-up, and into production. Stephen Mackie, Senior Director, Metallurgy and Consulting at SGS in Lakefield says "SGS is recognized as a cornerstone of the global mining industry, because it uniquely combines deep metallurgical expertise, large-scale piloting capability, and independent consulting under one roof. For decades, our Lakefield team has supported projects every step along the way and has helped transform complex ores into viable, profitable and sustainable operations." He adds, "SGS's Metallurgical Centre of Excellence is more than a laboratory, it's a world-leading trusted technical partner, translating data into defensible, decision-ready insights that underpin feasibility studies, financing, and long-term performance." "Having a globally recognized facility, located within the beauty of Canadian cottage country - that many people are now getting to know because of everything that is currently happening with critical minerals it's truly exciting. We look forward to what we can continue to offer as the needs of mining organizations and government continue to advance and expand," says Mackie. Advancing services for the global mining industry also aligns with SGS's Strategy 27 "Accelerating Growth, Building Trust". Strategy 27 is rooted in responding to megatrends driving growth in the TIC industry, including innovation, new technologies and the near-shoring of supply chains. Critical minerals and rare earth mining is also tied to the renewable energy transition, which aligns with SGS's IMPACT NOW for Sustainability, by supporting the mining industry with delivering on ESG regulation. ABOUT SGS SGS is the world's leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of over 100,000 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability. Our brand promise when you need to be sure underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Applied Technical Services, Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource. SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW). SOURCE SGS chrisdorney, Adobe Stock A former Leonard Cheshire worker who embezzled nearly 30,000 from beneficiaries of the disability charity has been struck off the Scottish social care register. Last year, Burnett was convicted of stealing 29,900 from five residents at a Leonard Cheshire home in Edinburgh, where she worked as a team leader. Following a prosecution by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Burnett was placed on a 12-month supervision order and subjected to a restriction of liberty order. She was also ordered to pay 3,000 in compensation to the four residents one who had since died within 28 days. Now, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) has imposed a removal order removing her from its register for social care workers. In its notice of decision , published this month, the SSSC said that given the seriousness of Burnetts conviction, if similar behaviour were to be repeated it would place vulnerable people at a serious risk of harm. The behaviour leading to your conviction is indicative of an underlying values or attitudinal issue, it said. Your conviction and the behaviour leading to your conviction is incompatible with continued registration in a trusted and caring profession. Removal order is most appropriate sanction The SSSC said giving Burnett a warning wouldnt be appropriate as her conviction is extremely serious and would give no protection to people who use services or the public. Likewise, a condition wouldnt be appropriate because there are no conditions which could be placed on you which would address why your fitness to practise is impaired, it said. Your conviction gives rise to concerns about your values, and this cannot be managed by way of a condition given the abuse of trust. The regulator added that a suspension order would also not be appropriate as Burnetts conviction is fundamentally incompatible with continuing registration, and that there is no evidence that it would allow her to remedy the cause of the impairment of her fitness to practise. The SSSC considers a removal order is the most appropriate sanction as its both necessary and justified in the public interest and to maintain the continuing trust and confidence in the social service profession and the SSSC as the regulator of the profession, it said. The SSSC said Burnetts behaviour amounted to financial abuse of vulnerable people and a breach of the trust placed in the five victims, her employer and the public. It added that Burnett, who had been registered with it since May 2013, had provided no insight, regret or remorse about her behaviour. Charity supports decision A spokesperson for Leonard Cheshire said: We note and support the decision of the SSSC. As weve stated previously, this was a despicable abuse of trust by Burnett, who was suspended and subsequently dismissed by the charity as soon as concerns were raised. We expect the highest standards from anyone working for us. All relevant authorities and regulators were informed immediately, including the police who began investigating. Scotland management at the time took steps to strengthen financial controls at individual services, with support from an external auditor. All service users who lost money have had this reimbursed by the charity. Processes and procedures are in place at all Leonard Cheshire services to minimise the risk of any staff member, however senior, committing this type of crime. The systems we have now are designed to identify suspicious activity far sooner. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, By sebra, Adobe The founder of a grantmaking charity who was removed for ties to the Russian government has had his appeal rejected. Vladimir Potanin, who founded the Potanin Foundation, was sanctioned by the UK government in 2022 following Russias invasion of Ukraine. As part of an investigation into the foundation, the Charity Commission removed Potanin from his position as an officer, with the power to appoint trustees and alter the charitys objects, in June 2023 and terminated his membership. Potanin appealed the decision the following month but the first-tier tribunal has now upheld the commissions ruling. The tribunal panel, which heard the case in London in February and March last year, reached a unanimous decision on all the relevant issues this month. It found that Potanins removal was necessary to protect the charitys property and its proper application. Alternatives such as indefinite interim management or inaction pending a review of designation were either unviable or not in the charitys best interests. After sweeping government sanctions on Russian-affiliated financiers, including Potanin, his dealings with the charitys assets were banned. [This rendered] the charity unable to function unless protective measures were imposed, the judgment reads. It says Potanins failure to resign before being removed amounted to misconduct or mismanagement and that his inaction facilitated the situation that jeopardised the charitys ability to operate. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office previously described Potanin as Russias second richest man and key supporter of the Kremlin. Ongoing investigation The Potanin Foundation was registered in 2006 with objects to develop education and culture in Russia by supporting talent, initiative and innovation among students and arts professionals. It has a sister charity in Russia, the Vladimir Potanin Foundation, to which it awards grants. The commission opened a statutory inquiry into the Potanin Foundation in June 2022 due to its position that individuals subject to UK financial sanctions cannot control a charity. On 12 July 2022, it appointed Guy Hollander of Mazars as interim manager of the charity, to the exclusion of the trustees. The charitys Companies House listing shows that Potanin ceased to be a person with significant control on the day Hollander was appointed. According to the commissions website, the interim manager is still in place at the charity and the inquiry is ongoing. The judgment states that Hollander has recommended that the charity should wind down, given its connections to Potanin. In 2024, the charity reported an income of 2.5m, generated through returns on its more than 60m of investment assets, and expenditure of 441,000. Civil Society has approached the commission for comment. Charity Commission praises ruling A Charity Commission spokesperson said: We welcome the tribunals decision in this matter which has upheld our decision to remove Vladimir Potanin from being an officer and member of The Potanin Foundation. This permanently prevents him from being a trustee or senior manager of any charity. The need for such regulatory intervention arose as a consequence of Mr Potanin being sanctioned in several jurisdictions including the UK following Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Removing someone from holding office in a charity is never taken lightly by the Commission. In this case it was a proportionate and a necessary regulatory intervention in order to deal with identified misconduct and or mismanagement and to protect substantial charitable funds as the tribunal confirmed. Our inquiry into the charity, which includes considering the viability of the charity and how to safeguard its assets, is ongoing. As this is a live investigation, we cannot comment further. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, Sign up for the daily CJR newsletter. Researchers who study AI and journalism are identifying a striking tension: people who use AI chatbots such as ChatGPT and summarization features such as Googles AI Overview to find news seem to prefer them over clicking on individual stories, despite being conscious that chatbots have limits when it comes to accuracy. They know the answers they are getting are not perfect, said Nick Hagar, a postdoctoral researcher at Northwestern Universitys Generative AI in the Newsroom (GAIN) initiative, as they previewed new research during a recent Tow Center panel on AI search and news. But its just so convenient for them to be able to ask a quick query, have the AI search, and get a nice, condensed response, that the trade-off is worth it for a lot of these folks, for most of what theyre doing. Hagar said, of twenty participants interviewed, all said that they preferred using AI over going directly to a news publisher to find information. Participants described AI platforms as more convenient, less biased, and better at delivering comprehensive information efficiently. These findings align with a recent interview study of fifty-three people from the Center for News, Technology, and Innovation (CNTI), in which participants said they preferred how chatbots let them tailor information to match their focus. Because both GAINs and CNTIs studies interviewed only small samples, their findings cannot be generalized to all news consumers. Still, it is notable these independently conducted studies had such similar findings. Both studies showed, too, that people prefer AI tools for news because they deliver a streamlined experience over publisher websites filled with ads, paywalls, or noise. People also like to feel in control of how they receive information: they can ask follow-up questions, challenge ideas, and request context that news articles may not always provide. Yet this sense of ease and agency can be misleading. Last year, the European Broadcasting Union published a tool kit outlining common ways AI outputs can misrepresent news reporting, including by mixing up or inventing details, omitting important context, conflating opinion with fact, and relying on incomplete or inappropriate sources. AI systems also struggle to distinguish between source types. In past research, Hagar found that models misinterpreted information in ways that journalists would not. Unlike a trained journalist, an AI model is not able to really differentiate between the level of expertise, trustworthiness, credibility in those sources, they said. It flattens everything into just one equal plane of source material. Even when people are cautious about chatbots accuracy, they may be swayed by signs that the bots should be trusted, such as confident-sounding language. Research from the Tow Center, for example, has found that AI systems often fail to appropriately hedge or qualify the answer to a question: responses may sound certain when incorrect or tentative when accurate. Hagar and colleagues observed much the same. Users trust in AI outputs may also be influenced by the presence of citations of news organizations that audiences trust. Participants in the GAIN study reported scanning citations for outlets such as the New York Times or CNN as shortcuts for credibilityoften without clicking on the links. We had participants explicitly say, Its a transitive property. I can trust CNN, so therefore I can trust what this AI is telling me, Hagar said. But citations arent always markers of trustworthy content. In the experiment that the Tow Center ran, we observed that chatbots misattributed quotes, fabricated links, and sometimes pointed to syndicated or copied versions of articles rather than originals. More broadly, the usefulness of AI outputs depends on the underlying information environment. Research previewed during the panel by Marianne Aubin Le Quere, a postdoctoral researcher at Princeton Universitys Center for Information Technology Policy, found that queries about news desertsfor example, asking about crime statistics in a given countyreturned shorter, less specific Google AI Overview summaries that leaned heavily on large databases and aggregators. The data might not necessarily be inaccurate, but it reflected gaps in local reporting. At the same time, the pool of accessible articles is shrinking, as many publishers have tried to block AI crawlers because of concerns about unauthorized use or misrepresentation. Readers may not realize the information they are receiving is incomplete. The good news is, people are not relying on AI indiscriminately. Hagar pointed out that the participants in their study described using chatbots to get quickly oriented on a topic, even as they continue to rely on authoritative outlets for deeper research or high-stakes stories. Research further suggests convenience has not replaced the need for journalism produced by humans: according to the CNTI study, interviewees view AI chatbots as information supplements, rather than as substitutes for reporting. Last fall, a report from the Reuters Institute also identified a comfort gap between AI- and human-produced news: on average, only 12 percent of respondents felt comfortable with fully AI-generated journalism. At our event, Aubin Le Quere said that chatbot-mediated news consumption could ultimately benefit audiencesparticularly younger people who report feeling overwhelmed by the volume and negativity of the newsif designed responsibly. For now, the technology is far from ready to serve as a primary gateway for news discovery. But theres a lesson in all of this for news publishersif people can access news in a simple, easy-to-understand way, theyll do it. 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 Mokena, Illinois February 26, 2026 As claims handling grows more complex and cost pressures continue to rise, insurers, MGAs, and risk managers are taking a closer look at how Third-Party Administrators (TPAs) influence outcomes across the entire claim lifecycle. Selecting the right TPA is no longer a back-office decisionit is a strategic choice that directly affects cycle time, indemnity leakage, documentation quality, and policyholder experience. In heavy equipment and commercial trucking claims, the stakes are particularly high. These losses involve specialized assets, customized machinery, evolving technology, and multi-vendor coordination. When valuation or investigation is treated as a routine administrative step, inaccuracies can lead to supplements, rework, delays, and disputes. Industry data shows that supplements in commercial trucking claims routinely range from 20% to 25%, contributing to extended cycle times and increased claim severity. Veritas Claims has built its Third-Party Claims Administrator model around one clear insight: specialization in the right places unlocks better results. Rather than applying a generalized approach, Veritas focuses exclusively on heavy equipment, commercial trucking, and specialized assets. Its integrated service model brings appraisal, investigation, towing and storage, subrogation, and resolution together under a single operational framework, ensuring consistency and accountability from intake through closure. At Veritas, weve built a Third Party Administrator model that thrives where others struggle, within the complex world of heavy equipment and commercial trucking claims, said Mike Bruno, CEO and Founder of Veritas Claims. As the industry loses technical expertise, weve doubled down on specialization, data, and people who truly understand this work from the ground up. Thats what keeps Veritas ahead of the curve, turning every claim into an opportunity for clarity, savings, and trust. This approach delivers practical value. Accurate, defensible appraisals reduce unnecessary supplements. Integrated coordination minimizes touchpoints. Clear documentation supports confident settlement decisions. In many cases, the efficiencies gained through reduced leakage and faster resolution outweigh the cost of services themselves, transforming claims handling from a cost center into a value contributor. To further support industry education and transparency, Veritas is working alongside Crowdcreate, an insurance marketing agency, to expand its thought leadership and digital presence. The collaboration focuses on sharing operational insights, data-backed analysis, and practical guidance to help insurers better understand how specialized TPAs drive measurable results. For organizations evaluating their claims partners, the conclusion is straightforward: the most effective TPAs are those built for the work they handle. In specialized claims environments, expertise, integration, and precision remain the defining factors of long-term performance. Contact: GV Drilon, hello@crowdcreate.us, (424) 432-0801 InnoVitale Spa's Meno "Pause" Facial addresses a crisis hiding in plain sight: nearly half of women don't know menopause is destroying their skin and most doctors aren't telling them. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Approximately 6,000 American women enter menopause every single day. Most have no idea what it's about to do to their skin. A new treatment from InnoVitale Spa is here to change that. InnoVitale Spa, a luxury day spa in St. Petersburg, Florida, has launched the Meno "Pause" Facial - a proprietary, ten-step treatment developed specifically to address the dramatic skin changes caused by perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopausal. The facial is now available by appointment, and has already generated a growing waitlist. Meno "Pause" Facial at InnoVitale Spa St. St Petersburg, FL 33705 A Widespread Problem the Beauty Industry Has Largely Ignored Declining estrogen doesn't just bring hot flashes and night sweats. It quietly dismantles the skin. Research shows that women lose nearly a third of their dermal collagen in the first five years after menopause, with collagen continuing to decline at roughly 2% per year for the following decade. The skin thins. Moisture vanishes. Elasticity disappears. Facial hair increases. Inflammation spikes. And yet, despite affecting every woman who lives past midlife, the issue gets almost no attention. A large-scale global survey of more than 4,300 peri- and post-menopausal women, presented at the International Master Course on Aging Science World Congress in 2026, found that over 50% of women learned about menopause's impact on their skin only after experiencing it themselves. The three most commonly reported skin changes were lines and wrinkles (59%), loss of firmness and elasticity (58%), and increased dryness (56%). Beyond the physical toll, the survey found that 60% of women said these skin changes made them feel less attractive, 57% reported increased anxiety, and 55% felt less confident. (Read more about the Galderma Survey HERE ) Perhaps most damning: a separate study found that almost one in two women was not aware that menopause affects the skin at all - and 61% said they felt insufficiently informed about menopause overall. Even among women who had discussed menopause with a doctor, more than a third still didn't know. A Ten-Step Treatment Built on Personal Experience and Clinical Research The Meno "Pause" Facial was created by Sinead Norenius, founder and owner of InnoVitale Spa . Norenius began her career as a paramedical esthetician for a plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Southern California before going on to work with global brands including Yon-Ka Parisand St. Tropez Tan. In 2008, she founded Beautisol, a skincare company distributed on HSN and in spas and salons nationwide, and later launched iFabbo, an influencer marketing and technology platform. Both companies were subsequently acquired, and Norenius transitioned to the technology sector, where she served as a product management executive leading global development teams at billion-dollar SaaS companies. Then menopause hit - early, and without warning. When Norenius entered perimenopause, she experienced the same confusion and isolation that millions of women describe: unexplained skin changes, a lack of useful clinical guidance, and the distinct sense that she was navigating something significant completely on her own. A subsequent Stage 2 malignant melanoma diagnosis deepened her commitment to developing solutions that genuinely serve women at this stage of life. "The lack of public education and awareness around menopause is well-documented," said Norenius. "For me, the experience was isolating. I didn't want other women to feel that way. I wanted to create something that actually worked and that treated women with the respect this transition deserves." The result is a comprehensive ten-step facial that targets the most common and disruptive menopausal skin concerns: severe dehydration, dryness, increased facial hair, loss of elasticity, dullness, and inflammation. The treatment addresses the specific questions women ask most: Why is my skin suddenly so dry? Why am I breaking out again in my 40s and 50s? Why does my skin look dull and lifeless? What can I actually do about the new facial hair? Where Traditional Technique s Meets FDA-Cleared Technology What sets the Meno "Pause" Facial apart from standard anti-aging treatments is its integration of Celluma light therapy, an FDA-cleared red light therapy device. Celluma's technology delivers cellular repair, enhanced circulation, acne treatment, and reduced inflammation, addressing four of the most persistent and under-treated challenges of menopausal skin. Red light therapy at this frequency targets the mitochondria in skin cells, stimulating ATP production and accelerating the repair processes that declining estrogen disrupts. For menopausal skin - which is simultaneously dealing with collagen loss, barrier dysfunction, increased sensitivity, and hormonal acne, this combination of hands-on expertise and science-backed technology represents a meaningful advance over single-approach treatments. Early Response: Five Stars and a Waitlist Since its introduction, the Meno "Pause" Facial has generated five-star reviews and consistent demand that has already produced a waitlist. InnoVitale Spa has more than 250 five-star Google reviews overall, and the facial has become one of its most talked-about treatments. The response reflects a broader market reality. A 2024 Bonafide survey of more than 2,000 women found that 94% of US women reported receiving no education about menopause in school, and nearly half said they did not feel informed about it at all. More than 3 in 5 women said they are more likely to purchase from a brand that invests in menopause-related solutions. The Meno "Pause" Facial is positioned squarely at the intersection of that unmet need and a growing willingness to seek out specialized care. St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay area women navigating perimenopause or menopause can now book the Meno "Pause" Facial directly at InnoVitale Spa . Or call 727-346-6740 to reserve your appointment or secure your spot on the waitlist. InnoVitale Spa is located at 1032 Dr. MLK Jr. St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705. About InnoVitale Spa InnoVitale Spa takes its name from the Italian words for innovation and vitality: innovazione and vitale. Its mission is to provide a tranquil escape where guests can renew and revitalize themselves, celebrating their unique beauty at every stage of life. The spa offers a comprehensive range of personalized treatments including facials, clinical peels, massage, waxing, nails, and eyebrow and lash services. InnoVitale Spa is more than a spa - it's a community built for women navigating midlife with confidence and intention. 1032 Dr. MLK Jr. St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705 T: (727) 346-6740 www.innovitalespa.com https://www.instagram.com/innovitalespa https://www.tiktok.com/@innovitalespa https://www.youtube.com/@InnoVitaleSpa https://share.google/Kod8oBnSB8N6wglQu SOURCE InnoVitale Spa Chinese tourists shift to Southeast Asia, ROK for Spring Festival, sidelining Japan: travel agencies Global Times) 09:53, February 26, 2026 Southeast Asia emerged as a favored destination for Chinese tourists during this year's Spring Festival holiday, drawing substantial visitor flows diverted from Japan, several travel agencies told the Global Times on Wednesday, after reports said that Japan had lost about 50 percent of its Chinese arrivals. Chinese outbound travel to Thailand during this year's Spring Festival holiday posted robust growth, with visitor numbers rising by at least 20 percent from a year earlier, according to Wang He, CEO of Fly Elephant, an overseas travel agency based in Singapore that focuses on outbound tours to Thailand, Singapore and other regional destinations. Wang said that the rebound was evident both in the company's tour groups and at major tourist attractions. "From the size of our groups to the actual footfall at scenic spots, the increase is very clear," he noted. He attributed the surge primarily to the continued recovery of the Chinese outbound tourism market, coupled with relatively affordable airfares. Shifting preferences among Chinese tourists also played a role. Based on their clients' feedback, some travelers who previously favored Japan opted for alternative destinations this year, driving up bookings to Southeast Asia and South Korea. "We've seen a noticeable rise in Chinese visitors not only to Thailand, but also to Singapore and Malaysia." Chinese tourism to Japan plunges 50 percent over this year's Spring Festival holiday, the South China Morning Post reported on Tuesday. While the Southeast Asian nation saw roughly 250,000 arrivals from China during the holiday, which ran from February 15 to 23, according to the travel marketing and technology firm China Trading Desk, the report said. "Concerns over potential political gatherings were one of the factors I considered. I would rather spend my holiday in destinations where policies are stable and the overall climate is more welcoming," Zhang Jianrong, 25, who traveled to Busan, South Korea, during the 2026 Spring Festival holiday, told the Global Times on Wednesday. Another international travel agency also reported declining bookings to Japan, while Southeast Asian destinations emerged as clear Spring Festival winners. "Departures to other Southeast Asian destinations all recorded growth during the holiday," Guan Jian, spokesperson of GZL International Travel Service, told the Global Times. Vietnam, Indonesia, and our Singapore-Malaysia combined routes saw pronounced increases, with growth rates exceeding 100 percent, Guan said. By contrast, travel to Japan continued to decline, according to data compiled by the agency, with group tours in particular having almost entirely ceased, Guan said. Industry observers interviewed by the Global Times attributed the shift largely to a more stable and welcoming tourism environment, describing it as a "two-way embrace" between destinations and travelers. Proximity has also played a role. Southeast Asian countries, often categorized within a "four-hour flight circle," have benefited from the convenience of short-haul travel, according to a statement from the travel platform Fliggy sent to the Global Times. Several mid- to long-haul destinations including Oman, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Qatar and Argentina maintained rapid growth during the Spring Festival holiday, with outbound orders to these markets more than doubling year-on-year, Fliggy said. Meanwhile, another travel platform Qunar said that Chinese tourists flew to nearly 1,000 cities worldwide through the platform from February 15 to 23. The most popular outbound destination cities were mostly in Asia, favored for their short distances, visa-friendly policies, and pleasant temperatures, making them ideal for family trips. The Global Times reported earlier that during the first week of the 2026 Spring Festival travel rush from February 2 to 8, the number of flights on China-Japan routes dropped by 1,292 compared with the same period last year, a year-on-year decrease of 49.2 percent, per Flight Master. The number of foreign visitors to Japan in January was down 4.9 percent from a year earlier, marking the first year-on-year decline for the month in four years as Chinese tourists stayed away, the Xinhua News Agency reported on February 18. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, the latest figure marked the first time since January 2022 that the monthly total dropped below the level of the same month in the previous year. (Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun) 225 Drivers and Warehouse Workers Secure 33% Wage Increase, Improved Benefits BILLINGS, Mont., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 225 Sysco drivers and warehouse workers in Montana, jointly represented by Teamsters Local 2, 120, and 190, have ratified a new five-year collective bargaining agreement. The contract delivers major wage gains, significantly higher pension contributions, and Teamsters health care. "The strength of our membership made this agreement possible," said Jim Sousmas, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 190. "This is the strongest agreement we have ever negotiated at Sysco, and it will greatly benefit our members and their families over the next five years." The Teamsters represent more than 13,000 workers at Sysco and its subsidiaries nationwide. The Montana agreement follows a credible strike threat, and a unanimous strike authorization vote that forced Sysco management to take workers' demands seriously. Under the new contract, workers secured a 33 percent wage increase, a 40 percent increase in pension contributions, and Teamsters health care. The agreement at Sysco Montana continues a wave of strong Teamsters contracts won across the company over the past year, including the first-ever regional agreement ratified in December. Earlier this month, Sysco Teamsters in Spokane, Wash., also ratified a new contract delivering a 34 percent wage increase, reduced health care costs, and higher pension contributions. "Across the country, Teamsters at Sysco are securing contracts that set the standard in the food distribution industry," said Tom Erickson, President of Local 120 and Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division. "These agreements send a clear message to corporate America and they're improving the lives of thousands of hardworking Teamsters at Sysco." Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters. Contact: Lena Melentijevic, (347) 208-2279 [email protected] SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters More than 1,000 cocktail lovers will gather in Brooklyn for a tasting event spotlighting NYC's most inventive Bloody Marys NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Often called the cocktail that eats like a meal, the Bloody Mary takes center stage at an event where spice levels rise, creativity pours freely and brunch culture is taken seriously. From celery-forward classics to over-the-top garnishes stacked high enough to double as lunch, The Bloody Mary Festival proves that this iconic drink is never just one recipe. It's the canvas. The iconic event returns to Brooklyn for its 8th year on Saturday, March 21, 2026, transforming BKLoft26 into the epicenter of NYC's cocktail and brunch culture. This year marks a highly anticipated return to New York City. The Bloody Mary Festival was last held in NYC in 2023, following a celebrated multi-year run from 2014 through 2019, making the 2026 edition a must-attend event for longtime fans and first-time guests alike. Drinks at the Bloody Mary Festival More than 1,000 Bloody Mary and cocktail lovers, foodies, hospitality insiders, and influencers from around the region will gather for this one-day event, showcasing 15 of NYC's best Bloody Marys crafted by local bars, restaurants, and artisanal bottled mix companies. Attendees are encouraged to sip, savor, and stir up debate as they decide which cocktail truly raises the bar. "It's a chance to explore how inventive and diverse this iconic cocktail can be. It's part tasting event, part discovery; The event gives you the rare opportunity to experience the endless possibilities of a Bloody Mary, all in one place," says Founder, Evan Weiss. With its signature blend of competition and community, The Bloody Mary Festival has earned a reputation for being equal parts spirited showdown and love letter to local hospitality. Competition is at the heart of the event, where attendees have the opportunity to taste every Bloody Mary on offer before voting for their favorite and helping crown the "People's Choice Award" for the Best Bloody Mary in New York City. A panel of expert judges will also weigh in, selecting "The Best Bloody Mary in NYC" along with the coveted "Best Garnish" award, proving that in this arena, both flavor and flair matter. Bars and restaurants arrive with their stand-out blends, bottlers bring their best pours, and guests come ready to savor the latest Bloody Mary trends: whether house-infused vodkas, using innovative spices, or garnishes tasty enough to steal the spotlight. It's brunch culture with a bite, where creativity pours freely and the only thing taken seriously is flavor. For many Fest participants, this event is where their unique recipes turn first-time tasters into lifelong fans. Weiss says, "The Bloody Mary is the quintessential NYC drink because it mirrors life in the city. No two recipes are the same, and when you order one, you never really know what you're going to get. That unpredictability is what makes it special, just like New York. Step outside your apartment, and anything can happen." Beyond the glass, The Bloody Mary Festival has become much more than a cocktail competition. It's a celebration of small local businesses and an important launching pad for emerging food and beverage brands. Alongside Bloody Mary tastings, attendees will sample products from: Fort Hamilton Distillery, Bronx Bull Bourbon, Reif Rum, SWRL, Swoon, Pretzel Jerky, Tipsy Scoop, Montaukila Tequila, Achilles Heat, Pierre's Spicy Peanut Butter, Pastazerts, Kimchee Harvest Farmstead, Pinaq Liquor, and more. The Bloody Mary Festival returns to New York City on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for VIP (or 11:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for general admission), taking over BkLoft26 in Brooklyn. Tickets start at $59.74 and are available for purchase now at www.thebloodymaryfest.com/new-york-city-3-21-26. For festival inquiries, including sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities, please contact Laura Garcia at [email protected] or call 210.569.9764. For press and media inquiries, contact Pietra Communications at [email protected] or 212.913.9761. About The Bloody Mary Festival Now in its 13th year, The Bloody Mary Festival is the world's largest celebration of the iconic brunch cocktail. Each event brings together the most innovative and creative Bloody Marys from local bars, restaurants, and artisan bottled mixes, all under one roof, for one unforgettable day of tasting, discovery, and competition. Since its launch, The Bloody Mary Festival has grown into a nationally recognized platform, drawing thousands of attendees annually across multiple cities while remaining rooted in local hospitality scenes. In 2026, the festival will visit five cities across the United States: New York City, Austin, Portland, the Twin Cities, and Denver, continuing its tradition of elevating brunch culture one city, and one spicy sip, at a time. SOURCE The Bloody Mary Festival Salesforce on Wednesday evening delivered better-than-expected 2026 fourth-quarter results as its Agentforce artificial intelligence platform became increasingly embedded across the business. However, the stock dropped in after-hours trading as investors remained anxious about the potential of AI disrupting traditional enterprise software companies. Revenue in the quarter ended Jan. 31 rose 12% year over year to $11.2 billion, topping expectations of $11.18 billion, according to LSEG. Adjusted earnings per shar e totaled $3.81, beating the consensus estimate by 77 cents, LSEG data showed. On a year-over-year basis, adjusted EPS increased 37%. CRM YTD mountain Salesforce YTD Shares of Salesforce fell roughly 4.5% in the after-hours session to about $183 and not far from their 52-week closing low of $178.16. Bottom line Salesforce delivered a better than expected quarter, with revenue growth to double-digit territory, driven by strong Agentforce Sales and Agentforce 360 Platform, Slack, and Other sales. Meanwhile, the other three subscription and support revenue line items missed analyst forecasts. As for its important new product Agentforce, the AI-powered platform has closed more than 29,000 deals since its launch and is now an $800 million annual recurring revenue business. On the call, CEO Marc Benioff listed Amazon, Ford, AT & T, Moderna, General Motors, and Pfizer as global brands that have chosen Salesforce to lead their agentic transformation. We also appreciated commentary from the CEOs of SharkNinja and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts on the earnings call about how Agentforce is enhancing their operations. One of management's gripes is that the market doesn't understand and fully appreciate Agentforce, so it was refreshing to hear from real CEOs about the positive impact the product has had on their business. SharkNinja spoke about how Agentforce improved its customer service experience, while Wyndham said Agentforce is reducing labor costs and driving millions of dollars of increased revenue. Investing Club reporter Natasha Abellard spoke with SharkNinja's chief information officer about Agentforce in September 2025 and heard a similar story. The remaining performance obligation (RPO) and current remaining performance obligation (cRPO) were better than expected, but there's some nuance. The cRPO, which measures contracted revenue expected to be realized in the next 12 months, increased 13% year over year in constant currency, including 4 percentage points from the recently closed Informatica acquistion. That means the organic Salesforce growth was only 9%, which was disappointing to investors who wanted to see double digits. A bigger number would have quieted the bear case that Salesforce can't grow Agentforce and its core legacy business at the same time. The margin performance was mixed, with GAAP results compressing year over year and missing the Street, while non-GAAP expanded more than anticipated, leading to that healthy adjusted earnings per share beat. Non-GAAP, or adjusted figures, allow companies to exclude certain items deemed as non-recurring. While some may be quick to celebrate the non-GAAP results, heightened scrutiny across the software group could push investors to focus more closely on GAAP, which stands of generally accepted accounting principles. Clearly, the company is sick and tired of seeing its share price fall. It's one of the worst performers in the S & P 500 down 27% year to date, not including any after-hours move. The drop comes after an awful 2025, too. It's turned into a nightmare position. We should have moved on from this tiny position long ago, but all we can do now is look forward and monitor for signals that show the business will continue to grow and the stock has gotten too cheap. To that end, we liked how Salesforce repurchased $4 billion of stock in its Q4 and announced Wednesday evening a new program worth up to $50 billion. With a market cap of $180 billion, this figure represents about 27% of the company. Still, the company needed to beat expectations on every single line to push back against the "AI eating software" narrative, and the warts around GAAP margins and organic cRPO growth are not helping the case. Also, revenue and GAAP operating margin guidance for the new fiscal year were a little light. One would think that with the stock down this much from its highs and trading at about 14.5 times the midpoint of its fiscal year 2027 non-GAAP earnings guide would leave some wiggle room. But as we explained earlier Wednesday, the challenge for software companies isn't so much near-term performance, but rather how investors are willing to value their long-term terminal value. Club analyst Zev Fima and Club report Paulina Likos did a video explaining that dynamic. That's why we aren't seeing a "not as bad as feared" reaction. Workday, which is in the enterprise software peer group, managed to reverse Tuesday's post-earnings, after-hours selloff and finish the regular session on Wall Street higher on Wednesday. However, we're not ready to call this a new pattern for software just yet and buy this decline in Salesforce. We are maintaining our 2 rating on Salesforce, but lowering our price target to $250 per share from $300 to reflect the price-to-earnings multiple compression happening throughout software. Guidance In Salesforce's fiscal 2027 first quarter, management expects the following: Revenue in the range of $11.03 billion to $11.08 billion. This midpoint of $11.06 billion was a beat versus the consensus estimate of $11.01 billion. Adjusted EPS in the range of $3.11 to $3.13 a share, which is ahead of the Street's $3.01 estimate. cRPO growth of 13% in constant currency with Informative contributing 4 percentage points of growth. The FactSet consensus called for about 12.8% cRPO growth. For the full year fiscal 2027, Salesforce expects: Revenue of $45.8 billion to $46.2 billion, which brackets the consensus estimate of $46.1 billion. The revenue guide represents year over year growth of 10% to 11% in constant currency. GAAP and non-GAAP margins are expected to be 20.9% and 34.3%, respectively. Both were below the consensus estimate of 22.0% and 34.9%, respectively. Adjusted EPS is expected to be in the range of $13.11 to $13.19, which brackets the Street's $13.15 estimate. GAAP EPS was guided $7.85 to $7.93. That's well below the FactSet consensus estimate of $8.24 Free cash flow is expected to increase 9% to 10% year over year, with capital expenditures representing 1.5% of revenue. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long CRM. 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. UMSOM to recruit new professor to drive development and commercialization of next-generation bioengineering technologies BALTIMORE, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) has been awarded $1 million in matching funds from the Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative Fund (MEIF), administered by the Maryland Department of Commerce. The funds--totaling $3 million when combined with matching qualified funding from UMB--will enable the establishment of the Edward and Jennifer St. John Endowed Professorship in Translational Biomedical Engineering and Innovation at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, UMSOM Dean Mark T. Gladwin, MD, announced today. Last year, the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) and the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) launched CTEM, which was funded by a $10 million joint gift from the St. Johns and the Edward St. John Foundation and with an additional $12.75 million grant from the University of Maryland Strategic Partnership: MPowering the State (MPower). The center brings together clinicians from UMSOM and engineers from the A. James Clark School of Engineering at UMCP to tackle health challenges and drive medical innovations, improving treatments for patients and empowering them to live healthier lives. "As Maryland continues to emerge as a national leader in biomedical technology, this matching grant will help us recruit a new scientific leader who can bring together teams of clinicians and engineers to accelerate the development of innovative medical technologies--from bench to bedside," said Dean Gladwin, who also serves as Vice President for Medical Affairs at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), and is the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and Dean. "At the Edward & Jennifer St. John Center, our teams of 'physicianeers' will have the opportunity to further advance new imaging tools, biomaterials, AIdriven diagnostics, and medical devices, all aimed at developing better treatments and therapies for our patients." UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS added: "This endowed professorship represents a crucial next step toward realizing the full promise of CTEM. The complex health challenges we face today cannot be solved by any one discipline of science, engineering, or medicine. Through CTEM, we are building a powerful, truly collaborative environment where biomedical and engineering researchers come together to translate discoveries into meaningful advances for patients." The grant will support a nationally recognized leader whose work bridges bioengineering and medicine, with a strong track record in translational research and innovation. The position is designed to catalyze cross-campus collaboration, elevate the University of Maryland as a leader in translational biomedical engineering, and serve as a shared resource for investigators seeking to integrate engineering approaches into biomedical and clinical research. Osamah Saeedi, MD, Co-Director of CTEM and Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at UMSOM added: "We are excited to recruit a new faculty leader that can expand our impact in biomedical innovation and mentor the next generation engineers, clinicians, and physician-scientists dedicated to improving human health. This endowment furthers our commitment to building sustainable programs that benefit patients and investigators." Two other local colleges and universities in the state joined the Maryland Department of Commerce in endowing a total of $5.8 million to fund new research professorships. The schools receiving matching funds are Bowie State University and Morgan State University. The endowments were made through the Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative (MEI), a state program created to spur basic and applied research in scientific and technical fields at the colleges and universities. All three schools including UMB raised a total of more than $3.5 million in private funding for the positions and Maryland Commerce approved matching grants of $2.3 million to support the endowments. The Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative Fund was created by the General Assembly during the 2014 legislative session and has provided more than $100.3 million in funding to leverage more than $111.5 million in private donations. The funding can be used to pay salaries of newly endowed department chairs, staff, and support personnel in designated scientific and technical fields of study; fund related research fellowships for graduate and undergraduate students; and purchase lab equipment and other basic infrastructure and equipment. This news release was issued on behalf of Newswise(TM). For more information, visit http://www.newswise.com. SOURCE University of Maryland School of Medicine CNBC's Jim Cramer said Wednesday that he believes plenty of software companies will survive the threat of AI disruption, rejecting the most doomsday predictions. Still, he cautioned that investors also shouldn't hold their breathes for a return to the glory days when investors paid major premiums for their stocks. "The software companies are survivors. They can merge. They can adapt. They can do whatever is really necessary to get it so they stay in business," Cramer said Wednesday on "Mad Money," but he added, "they're priced for perfection though and they do seem to have, let's say, kind of a rugby-scrum feel about them and we don't pay up for scrum." He referenced a blog post published earlier this week by Citrini Research that became the latest catalyst for an AI-related sell-off in software and, to a lesser degree, other sectors. The post examined what the U.S. could look like in 2028 if AI hollowed out white-collar jobs, crushed per-seat software models and triggered a domino effect across private equity and the broader economy. While explicitly called a hypothetical and not a prediction, the Citrini post nevertheless sent shockwaves across Wall Street. Cramer said the market response was overblown. "Yes, Wall Street can overreact better than anyone," he said, arguing the stock market took a legitimate concern (that AI could pressure margins and slow growth at enterprise software firms) and turned it into an extinction event. He does expect real consequences, though, and investors cannot brush them off entirely. Software companies that were once "priced to perfection" will likely trade at lower price-to-earnings multiples as AI compresses pricing power and revenue growth, he said. But lower multiples don't mean collapse. Cramer believes they can deploy AI themselves and cut costs and adapt to the competitive landscape. Meanwhile, he said the sell-off unfairly punished parts of the market that stand the benefit from AI-driven productivity including banks, travel companies and select retailers. At the center of that productivity is Nvidia, whose chips are enabling faster, cheaper compute a dynamic that Cramer said points to a reshaping of the economy, not the destruction of it. Nvidia's fourth-quarter earnings on Wednesday night topped expectations, as did its guidance for its ongoing fiscal first quarter. That strong performance demonstrates how AI "demand is off the charts," Cramer said, suggesting it's a a major win for the economy. He concluded, "for all the handwringing about how AI will be an engine of wealth destruction, it's hard to deny that it's also an incredible vehicle of wealth creation." This is CNBC's Morning Squawk newsletter. Subscribe here to receive future editions in your inbox. Happy Thursday. With focus remaining on artificial intelligence's potential to shake up various industries, I've decided to start a mental count of how many times I say or write variations of the term "AI disruption." S&P 500 futures are little changed this morning. The three major indexes are coming off another winning day. Here are five key things investors need to know to start the trading day: 1. Chips served hot Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang speaks during Nvidia Live at CES 2026 ahead of the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 5, 2026. Patrick T. Fallon | Afp | Getty Images 2. The White House's social calendar Ted Sarandos, co-chief executive officer of Netflix , attends the annual Allen & Co. Media and Technology Conference in Sun Valley, Idaho on July 11th, 2025. David A. Grogan | CNBC Executives from major technology firms will meet with President Donald Trump next week at the White House, where they are set to sign a pledge to provide their own power for their AI data centers. As CNBC's Spencer Kimball reports, Amazon , Meta , and OpenAI are among the companies planning to sign the agreement. Meanwhile, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos will reportedly be at the White House today for meetings on the streaming giant's deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery . Sarandos' reported trip comes days after Trump demanded Netflix fire board member Susan Rice, a former Obama administration official. 3. Epstein fallout Larry Summers, president emeritus and professor at Harvard University, during an interview in New York, US, on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. Victor J. Blue | Bloomberg | Getty Images Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers said yesterday that he would resign from teaching at Harvard University by the end of the current school year. The resignation comes as Harvard conducts a review of emails and documents showing Summers' connection to Jeffrey Epstein. His wasn't the only resignation recently announced in connection with the late sex offender. Dr. Richard Axel, a Nobel Prize winner, said in a statement that he was leaving his role as co-director of a Columbia University institute. "My past association with Jeffrey Epstein was a serious error in judgment, which I deeply regret," Axel said. Bill Gates also spoke about his relationship with Epstein during a Gates Foundation town hall this week, according to a spokesperson for the nonprofit. The Microsoft co-founder reportedly told staff that he "did nothing illicit" during his interactions with Epstein and admitted to having affairs with two Russian women. None of the three men have been accused of wrongdoing in connection to Epstein. 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. New stars in the galaxy? The Samsung Galaxy 26S Ultra smartphone during the Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco, California, US, on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images Samsung unveiled a new set of its flagship smartphones yesterday, and some are notably pricier than before. While the highest-end model's price was unchanged, Samsung's S26 and S26+ models cost $100 more than their predecessors. As CNBC's Kai Nicol-Schwarz reports, the increases come as the industry contends with a global memory chip shortage. The S26 is the first phone where Google's Gemini can autonomously operate third-party apps such as ordering you a ride on Uber offering a glimpse into what could lie ahead for Apple following its partnership with Alphabet on Siri. 5. If the price is right A carton of eggs sit in a fridge in the ghost kitchen of Annie Clemmons, where she operates online bakery Chapman's DC, in Silver Spring, Maryland, on March 17, 2025. Since avian flu turned eggs into a luxury item, pastry chef Annie Clemmons has spent countless hours in her Maryland workshop, racking her brains about how to replace them in her recipes. The increasing number of outbreaks of avian flu on US farms has made eggs an expensive - and rare - commodity. (Photo by Agnes BUN / AFP) (Photo by AGNES BUN/AFP via Getty Images) Agnes Bun | Afp | Getty Images In his State of the Union address, Trump said prices for several proteins are declining. But as CNBC's Greg Iacurci reports, the data tells a more complex story. Prices for boneless chicken breast and ground beef have risen since Trump's return to office in January of last year, government data shows. Egg prices, on the other hand, have declined sharply from early 2025. Economists say that price moves are more about industry dynamics than federal policy. For example, the slide in egg prices is largely a result of easing impacts from a bird flu outbreak. The Daily Dividend CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin reported yesterday Appaloosa Management founder David Tepper sent a harsh letter to Whirlpool in which he argued that the appliance maker's management has "destroyed" shareholder value. watch now In this article INFY-IN WIPRO-IN CSA-FF Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Ai trading concepts. 3D render Blackjack3d | E+ | Getty Images This report is from this week's CNBC's "Inside India" newsletter which brings you timely, insightful news and market commentary on the emerging powerhouse. Subscribe here. The big story Indian IT stocks are facing their steepest monthly declines since the 2008 global financial crisis, with the Nifty IT Index on track to drop 20% this month, as concerns over AI-led disruption pressure software stocks globally. At the mega India AI summit last week, major tech companies announced tie-ups with leading Indian IT services firms to drive AI adoption across enterprises. India's largest and the world's second largest IT services company, Tata Consultancy Services, tied up with OpenAI, while Infosys partnered with the ChatGPT maker's rival Anthropic. These tie-ups did little to cheer the markets with the Nifty IT index down 19.6% so far this month as investor concerns over the impact of rapid artificial intelligence advancements on the sector has dampened sentiment. Indian IT industry leaders, however, have called AI implementation a "big opportunity." "We are confident AI will strengthen growth across our business and unlock the next phase of opportunity for the broader IT ecosystem," Sham Arora, chief technology officer at Tech Mahindra told CNBC. But unlike the U.S., where the debate is still on between AI fears being "illogical" and a possible collapse of companies offering software as a service, or SaaS, experts told me that AI won't make Indian firms offering IT services irrelevant. It will, however, shrink their margins. Biswajit Maity, senior principal analyst at Gartner, told me that traditional IT services companies such as TCS, Infosys, Wipro and Accenture will play a "pivotal role in enterprise AI adoption" by leveraging their client relationships and domain expertise in integrating AI solutions. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on Thursday also attempted to play down AI concerns, suggesting that markets have miscalculated the threat to software companies. But to remain relevant, Indian IT services companies need to invest in talent and proprietary platforms, develop industry-specific AI solutions and co-innovate with clients, among other things, Maity said. And while some of that work is underway, the efforts are unlikely to protect margins of Indian IT companies, Maity and other experts forecast. The pricing pressure Indian IT companies collectively control over onethird of global IT services brand value, export technology services estimated at more than $220 billion annually, and dominate the global outsourcing landscape, making them critical for the world's digital infrastructure. But the business models of Indian IT companies are dependent on labor arbitrage, and with the advancement of AI this will soon be replaced by technology arbitrage, said Maity. Indian IT companies get a majority of their revenue from helping enterprises with integration of IT services and digital transformation, and not SaaS. This makes AI an immediate business opportunity, but a long-term challenge. Enterprises cannot "suddenly move away" from the services that are being provided by Infosys or TCS and "move into Anthropic" straightaway, Manishi Raychaudhuri, CEO of Asia-Pacific focused financial advisory firm Emmer Capital Partners, told CNBC's "Inside India" on Monday. But he added that clients are asking IT companies to incorporate AI agents in their services, which means that pricing would take a hit and so would the valuations of these companies. AI will also transform the business mix of IT service companies. A report by global brokerage firm Jefferies on Sunday said that AI could shrink the managed services business, which accounts for 22%-45% of revenues of leading Indian IT companies. This will increase cyclicality and require a change in talent and operating model adding more risks, it said. Managed IT services refers to IT companies handling the day-to-day management of IT needs of enterprises to provide support services, while consulting is a more cyclical business. Jefferies said that stock performance of IT companies will "more likely" be tied to the longer-term business outlook rather than earnings delivery in the near term. Indian IT firms play a pivotal role in enabling AI adoption by enterprises, an area where spending is projected to rise sharply, according to Gartner. It has estimated agentic AI software spending will reach $985 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 62.7% from 2025 to 2030 as enterprises scale adoption. Jefferies, however, has cut price targets on Indian IT companies by up to 33% and downgraded most large firms to either hold or underperform. Investors seem to side with Jefferies' assessment and appear unconvinced that AI will benefit IT services companies. With two more trading sessions to go, this month could go down as the worst for Indian IT stocks nearly two decades. Top TV picks on CNBC watch now Jayant Dasgupta, former Indian ambassador to the World Trade Organization, said India would be within its rights to withdraw the tariff concessions it had extended to the U.S., as one side has altered tariff rates, effectively reopening the agreement for negotiation. watch now Santhosh Viswanathan, managing director of Intel India, said in the company was in the country for the "long haul," and was supporting New Delhi's semiconductor manufacturing and AI ambitions. watch now Payal Kanwar, director general of the Indo French Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that India's deepening ties with France will help improve its defense ecosystem. Need to know India likely to continue buying Russian oil. India will likely continue buying Russian oil as the U.S. Supreme Court's verdict outlawing President Donald Trump's import tariffs has constrained his trade policy options, analysts said. Indian trade negotiators delay U.S. visit. India's trade negotiators will reschedule their planned visit to Washington, D.C., aimed at firming up an interim trade deal with the U.S., a person familiar with the development told CNBC. India launches federal government-backed taxi service: Challenging the dominance of American giant Uber, the Indian government has launched taxi-hailing service, Bharat Taxi, which will give drivers a share of profits from the business and charge no commissions. Quote of the week In many ways, India's relationship with Russia is beyond just oil. It is a strategic partnership, and India would not like to pull back on it beyond a point. Sarang Shidore, director of Global South Program at Quincy Institute In the markets Indian stocks were flat amid regional gains, buoyed by a tech stock rally after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said that markets had miscalculated the AI threat to software companies. In what he described as "counterintuitive," Huang said that AI agents won't replace these software tools, but will use them instead. The Nifty 50 is down nearly 3% so far this year. Yield on 10-year Indian government bonds was up 1 basis point to 6.685%, while the rupee was trading flat at 90.87 against the U.S. dollar. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Students are seen on the campus of Columbia University in New York City on April 14, 2025. Federal authorities released Columbia University student Elmina Aghayeva on Thursday afternoon, hours after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents entered a university residential hall in New York City and took the native of Azerbaijan into custody, the school said. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani earlier said President Donald Trump had called to tell him that Aghayeva would be released following a meeting at the White House, where the mayor had urged the president to set her free. Aghayeva was arrested by ICE agents at around 6:30 a.m. in Manhattan. Columbia University's acting president, Claire Shipman, accused ICE of entering university property under false pretenses. "Our understanding at this time is that the federal agents made misrepresentations to gain entry to the building to search for a 'missing person,' " and then detained Aghayeva, Shipman said in an email obtained by CNBC. All law enforcement agents require a judicial warrant or subpoena to enter housing and other non-public campus areas, Shipman said in the email. Agents looking to enter private campus spaces should wait until the school's public safety team has been contacted, she added. Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, in an X post, said that ICE "used a phony missing persons bulletin" about a 5-year-old girl. "They purposefully deceived campus housing/security to gain entry to the student's apartment," Hoylman-Sigal wrote. "The level of civil rights violations that took place is staggering." The federal agents identified themselves as police looking for a missing child when entering the building, Shipman alleged in a separate email to the campus community Thursday night. Camera footage showed agents in the hallway sharing pictures of the purported child, she added. Shipman added that federal agents did not produce a warrant despite repeated requests from a Columbia University public safety officer. They also refused to allow the officer to call his boss, Shipman added. "This was a frightening and fast-moving situation and utterly unacceptable for our students and staff," Shipman said in the email. A Department of Homeland Security official told CNBC that ICE agents arrested Aghayeva, whose student visa was terminated by the Obama administration in 2016, after "the building manager and her roommate let officers into the apartment." "She has no pending appeals or applications with DHS," said the official, whose agency oversees ICE. The incident comes as Trump's focus on immigration has become a national flashpoint. Border czar Tom Homan earlier this month said the administration would wind down its immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota, an operation that sent thousands of agents to the Minneapolis area. Two U.S. citizens were killed by immigration officials this year in Minnesota, sparking backlash against the White House's efforts. Columbia has been in the Trump administration's crosshairs since the president returned to office last year. The Education Department in June said the Ivy League school did not meet its accreditation standards because it was "in violation of federal antidiscrimination laws." A month later, Columbia said it would pay $200 million to the federal government to restore its funding that the Trump administration cut. Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil was released in June after three months in ICE detention. Cuban coast guard ships docked at the port of Havana on February 25, 2026. Cuba's coast guard said on February 25, 2026, it shot dead four people and wounded six others traveling in a US-registered speedboat during an exchange of fire near Cuba's shores that came amid heightened tensions with Washington. The Kremlin on Thursday said that the situation in fuel-starved Cuba is intensifying after a deadly incident with a U.S.-registered speedboat off the coast of the Caribbean island. "We see that the situation around Cuba is escalating," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to Russian state news outlet RIA Novosti. "The most important thing is the humanitarian component. Of course, the humanitarian issues of Cuban citizens must be resolved, and no one should create obstacles," Peskov said. The comments come shortly after Cuba's Interior Ministry said border guards killed four exiles and wounded six others onboard a Florida-tagged speedboat that entered its territorial waters. The 10 passengers of the vessel were said to have opened fire on a Cuban patrol off the northern coast of the island. The individuals, all of whom were Cuban nationals residing in the U.S., were armed and some had previous criminal records, Cuba's Interior Ministry said. It added that assault rifles, handguns, improvised explosive devices and camouflage uniforms were among the items seized from the boat. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the incident as "highly unusual" and said the White House would "respond appropriately" once it had conducted an independent investigation. Cuban forces killed four exiles and wounded six others who sailed into Cuban waters aboard a Florida-registered speedboat on Wednesday and opened fire on a Cuban patrol, the Cuban government said at a time of heightened tensions with the United States. Cuba's Interior Ministry said the group was comprised of anti-government Cubans, some of whom were previously wanted for plotting attacks. They came from the United States dressed in camouflage and armed with assault rifles, handguns, homemade explosives, ballistic vests and telescopic sights, Cuba said. An additional Cuban suspect was detained inside Cuban territory in connection with the plot, the statement said. "According to preliminary statements from the detainees, they intended to carry out an infiltration for terrorist purposes," the Interior Ministry said in an official statement. The wounded were evacuated and receiving medical attention, while the Cuban patrol commander was also wounded, the ministry said. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters it was not a U.S. operation and that no U.S. government personnel were involved. Cuban authorities made the U.S. aware of the incident, but the U.S. embassy in Havana would attempt to independently verify what happened, Rubio said. "We are going to have our own information on this, we are going to figure out exactly what happened, and there are a number of things that could have happened here," Rubio said. "Suffice to say it is highly unusual to see shootouts in open sea like that," he said. The incident took place as the United States has blocked virtually all oil shipments to the island, increasing pressure on the Communist-run government. American forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on January 3, removing a key Cuban ally from power, and Rubio reiterated his rhetoric against the Cuban government on Wednesday, calling the status quo unsustainable and saying Cuba needed to change "dramatically." Bay of Pigs Cuban exiles who are largely concentrated in Miami have long dreamed of overthrowing the Cuban government or seeing it fall and have in the past plotted against the government that was established by the late revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, who died in 2016 at age 90. Cuban exiles with support and financing from the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency carried out the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, an event that strengthened Castro while pushing him closer to his backers in the Soviet Union. Other Cuban paramilitaries have attempted or carried out acts of sabotage in decades past. Such plots have become far less common in recent years, but opponents of Cuba's Communist government may have been emboldened by recent events that have promoted an image of weakness for the country's rulers. The U.S. oil blockade has exacerbated severe energy shortages. Cuba said it identified the six detainees from the boat, two of whom were previously wanted in Cuba on suspicion of planning terrorist acts against Cuba: Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez. The other four were identified as Conrado Galindo Sariol, Jose Manuel Rodriguez Castello, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra. In addition, Cuba said it detained another Cuban man in Cuban territory, Duniel Hernandez Santos, who had come from the United States to the island in order to receive the infiltrators. One of the dead was identified as Michel Ortega Casanova, while the other three dead had yet to be identified, Cuba said. The speedboat came within one nautical mile of a channel on Falcones Cay, on the north coast of Cuba about 200 km (120 miles) east of Havana, when it was approached by five members of a Cuban border patrol unit, Cuba said. The speedboat then opened fire, wounding the commander of the Cuban vessel, the statement said. Florida politicians called for separate investigations, saying they did not trust the Cuban account. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said he was ordering prosecutors to open an investigation in conjunction with other state and federal law enforcement partners. U.S. Representative Carlos Gimenez, a Republican whose district includes the southern tip of Florida, called for a federal investigation, saying he had asked the U.S. State Department and military to look into the matter. "United States authorities must determine whether any of the victims were U.S. citizens or legal residents and establish exactly what occurred," Gimenez said. DoorDash shares have been volatile of late, but it hasn't shaken Wall Street's conviction in growth opportunities for the stock. Shares of the food delivery platform initially tumbled as much as 12% in extended trading on Feb. 18, after DoorDash's fourth-quarter earnings missed expectations. Its forecast also disappointed as the company warned investments in Deliveroo and its international business would cut into future profits. It seemed like a huge setback for the stock, which had already fallen 20% since the start of 2026. But the losses reversed as CEO Tony Xu spoke to analysts on the company's conference call. The executive painted a picture of momentum and durability as he reassured investors that the investments would pay off in the long run. Analysts appear to agree with Xu's vision. They expect opportunities in grocery and international to help support demand and drive sustained revenue growth. In the next trading session, shares ended 2% higher. But the volatility wasn't over. A paper published Sunday by Citrini Research called out DoorDash as the poster child for the threats posed by agentic artificial intelligence in destroying habitual app loyalty, jolting the stock again. On Thursday, shares were recovering, rising more than 4%, and putting the one-week gain at less than 3%. DASH YTD mountain DASH YTD chart Analysts anticipate much more upside ahead, with the average price target predicting shares could rise about 45%, according to LSEG. Thirty-six analysts rate the stock as either a strong buy or buy, while 11 view it as a hold. Xu's comments during the earnings call were prescient, seemingly addressing some of the points Citrini's paper would raise days later. Rather than existential threats, the executive views AI assistants as channel partners. "And we'll see how much traffic they can drive in a very similar way to how companies like Facebook and Google did the same for DoorDash in the past," Xu said. Analysts noted that even if AI agents take on the role of discovery, food and grocery orders will still need to be delivered, which is an opportunity for DoorDash. "I fundamentally think DoorDash is a 'core holding' for internet investors," Citizens analyst Andrew Boone said in an interview. He rates the stock market outperform, with a $250 price, or 52% upside to DoorDash's Tuesday close. Boone attributed his opinion to the runway ahead for Deliveroo and other avenues the company has for revenue growth such as advertising. "Deliveroo is still really early. It looks like there's a lot of opportunity to improve the product," Boone said. Mark Mahaney, an analyst at Evercore, noted that DoorDash grew orders by 20% in the latest period, and its growth is "extraordinarily" consistent. Gross order value, a key metric watched by analysts, is also very bullish, according to Jason Helfstein, an analyst at Oppenheimer. "They expected the strong GOV that they saw in the first quarter to continue through the year, and then they talked about second half margins as being stronger than the first half," he told CNBC. "This is probably a company that can grow revenues 20% for the foreseeable future and in this market at that size, that's pretty rare, and I think that's why investors are pretty interested." Both Helfstein and Mahaney rate DoorDash outperform. Helfstein's $235 price target implies an upwards move of 43%. Mahaney's $300 price target corresponds to an 82% rally. Although some investors last week clearly saw the investment in Deliveroo, a British food delivery company DoorDash acquired in 2025, as a "big negative," it is opening up a significant opportunity for international growth, particularly in Europe, according to Mahaney. As part of the acquisition process, the company is also working on creating a cohesive technology platform, he said. Mahaney also sees long-term opportunities from Deliveroo's investments in new products such as autonomous delivery vehicles. "Those are the areas they're investing in, and I think the market is generally okay with those investments because they're viewed as coming from a position of strength," he added. "So that's why I stay constructive on this." Helfstein also sees an additional opportunity to bring in new customers in the U.S., with about 70% of American consumers not ordering food outside of restaurants. He also expects DoorDash could expand beyond delivering items from convenience and grocery stores to other types of retailers. He noted that he once ordered a space heater off of the platform. Boone said the grocery business is a trillion dollar market opportunity. While DoorDash isn't the only one in this space notable rivals include Amazon and Walmart there is room for multiple companies to succeed, the analysts said. During DoorDash's earnings call, Xu pushed back on rising fears tied to Amazon's grocery delivery business, arguing that this will not impact the company's growth and that the choices DoorDash provides consumers to select between multiple independent grocers and retailers is what gives it its edge. Helfstein also applauded DoorDash's $1.2 billion acquisition last June of reservation platform SevenRooms. This entry into restaurant reservations, he said, could enable the platform to better understand what their customers are eating and ultimately provide more personalized recommendations. "They now offer an almost complete front-of-house platform for restaurants, and so how big can that business be? There should be a lot of cross-selling and synergy in terms of getting somebody to adopt a DoorDash marketing suite in addition to the core marketplace," the analyst said. CNBC's MacKenzie Sigalos contributed to this report. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said Wednesday that the dispute between the U.S. Defense Department and Anthropic is "not the end of the world." His comments come after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave Anthropic until Friday to loosen its rules on how the Pentagon can use its AI tools, or risk losing its government contract. If Anthropic fails to comply, Hegseth threatened to label the company a "supply chain risk" or invoke the Defense Production Act, sources told CNBC's Ashley Capoot and Kate Rooney earlier this week. Speaking to CNBC's Becky Quick on Wednesday, Huang said that the Defense Department has the right to use the technology and use the products that they procure in a way that serves their interests. Likewise, Anthropic has the right to decide how they would like to market their products and what kind of use cases they could be used for. "So I think they both have their reasonable perspective," he said. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives to attend a European Council summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels on March 21, 2024. Hungary has accused Ukraine of disrupting oil supplies it gets from Russia and has stationed troops at critical energy facilities across the country as Prime Minister Viktor Orban ramps up the rhetoric around energy and national security ahead of parliamentary elections in April. Orban on Wednesday accused Kyiv of imposing an "oil blockade" on Hungary by delaying the reopening of the Druzhba pipeline which supplies it, and neighboring Slovakia, with Russian oil. Ukraine shut the pipeline a month ago, saying a Russian strike had damaged it, but Hungary's leader accused Kyiv of deliberately keeping the pipeline closed for "political" rather than "technical" reasons. "The Ukrainian government is exerting pressure on the Hungarian and Slovak governments through an oil blockade," Orban said in a video on X following a meeting of the Hungarian Defence Council on Wednesday. "They will not stop there," he claimed, adding: "They are preparing further actions to disrupt Hungary's energy system," without further details or evidence. Orban said he had "ordered the strengthening of the protection for critical energy infrastructure. That means that soldiers and the necessary equipment to repel potential attacks will be deployed near key energy facilities." "The police will also patrol with increased forces around designated power plants, distribution stations and control centers," he said. Drones were also banned in the north-east border region with Ukraine. Ukraine has not publicly responded to the accusations and CNBC has contacted the country's foreign ministry for a response. The ramping up of rhetoric around energy and national security, and an increase in anti-Ukraine sentiment, comes as Hungary's leadership fights to stay in power ahead of a parliamentary election in April. Orban's right-wing Fidesz party is trailing in most independent polls while former party insider and center-right challenger, Peter Magyar, is leading voter surveys ahead of the April 12 vote. Ridvan_celik | Istock | Getty Images A version of this article first appeared in CNBC's Inside Wealth newsletter with Robert Frank, a weekly guide to the high-net-worth investor and consumer. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox. With donor-advised funds gaining popularity as a vehicle for the wealthy to give back, risks and potential conflicts of interests are emerging and being put on display in a lawsuit over a family's $21 million charitable fund. Philip Peterson, a 63-year-old Kansas resident, filed suit in January alleging that the nonprofit that administers his family's donor-advised fund has refused to communicate with him and has failed to make charitable grants that he has recommended since early 2024. The suit, filed in Colorado federal court, alleges the Christian nonprofit, called WaterStone, cut off his access to information about the account and that he doesn't know how the fund has fared since the end of 2023, when it had $21 million in assets. Counsel for WaterStone, founded as the Christian Community Foundation, said in a statement that the Colorado Springs nonprofit has respected the wishes of Peterson's late father, who originally created the fund in 2005 and died in 2019. The case sheds light on the growing uptake, and dangers, of donor-advised funds, or DAFs, which have quickly become one of the most dominant forces in philanthropy. Americans donated nearly $90 billion to DAFs in 2024, per the most recent annual report from the DAF Research Collaborative. According to the most recent data available, DAFs held $326 billion combined in assets in 2024. For Americans looking to give back and save on taxes, DAFs are marketed as a flexible and simple way to do so, often described as charitable saving accounts or credit cards. Instead of writing a check to a nonprofit, donors contribute cash and other assets to a DAF. While the tax deduction is immediate, the funds can be allocated to charities later. DAFs, unlike private foundations, are not required to distribute assets within a given timeframe, a common criticism among opponents who say DAFs are wealth hoarding vehicles. The Peterson case offers a cautionary tale on the tradeoffs especially when it comes to control. While donors are able to recommend how the funds are distributed to charity, the assets are legally controlled by the organizations that administer the DAF on their behalf. Though these organizations, also known as sponsors, typically respect their donors' wishes, donors have little recourse if they do not. "It's sold to the public as, 'This is your account, and you can decide where it goes, and you can move it, and you maintain full control.' But if you don't give up dominion and control, you don't get the tax benefits," said Ray Madoff, tax scholar and professor at Boston College Law School. "There's a disconnect between the legal rules that govern it and the understanding of the parties. And this case is a perfect example of it." How much to give Peterson told Inside Wealth that the rift with WaterStone started with a disagreement over how much to distribute. In early 2024, Peterson alleges, WaterStone CEO Ken Harrison told him that the organization was going to keep the fund's principal in perpetuity and only make grants from investment income. Peterson said he did not agree to the proposal as this would not allow the fund to make its customary annual grants of between $2.3 million and $2.5 million. He further alleges that in March 2024, after he told Harrison over Zoom that he wanted to move the DAF to another sponsor, Harrison told him never to contact WaterStone again and abruptly ended the call. Now Peterson is suing to assert his advisory privileges and regain access to the DAF, which was started by his late father, Gordon Peterson, a real estate investor and devout Christian, to support evangelical Christian causes. Peterson ultimately seeks the court to compel WaterStone to transfer the DAF to another organization so he can bring the fund's giving back up to speed. He said he requested WaterStone make a $1 million grant in 2024 but does not know if that grant or if any grants were issued that year. In 2025, WaterStone notified Peterson it would permit a $400,000 distribution from the fund, he said. "I made a promise to my father. I promised him that if I was the remaining person on the account that I would direct the funds as I knew that he would 100% approve," he said. "I want to be a man of my word." Philip Peterson, left, pictured with his father Gordon in 2015. Gordon Peterson passed away in 2019. Courtesy of Philip Peterson WaterStone declined to comment on specifics of Peterson's allegations. The deadline for WaterStone to answer the complaint in court or move to dismiss it is mid-March. "WaterStone has consistently carried out the articulated wishes of the donor since the donor advised fund in question was established," WaterStone's legal counsel said in a written statement, referring to Peterson's father. "The plaintiff in this case is not the donor." Andrew Nussbaum, Peterson's lawyer, said that WaterStone helped Gordon Peterson appoint his wife, Ruth, and son Philip as co-advisors to the DAF before he died. Ruth Peterson died in 2021, leaving Philip Peterson as the sole successor-advisor. Prior to 2024, WaterStone granted Philip Peterson's grant requests, Nussbaum said. Nussbaum said the lawsuit could set a chilling precedent if the court upholds WaterStone's argument that designated successors do not have advisory privileges. "If WaterStone is right, you're talking about billions of dollars being beyond any kind of legal reach of the original donor-advisors or their successors to have any oversight related to the funds," Nussbaum said. Moreover, Peterson said he believes WaterStone has not honored his father's wishes. He alleges that WaterStone has delayed or denied his grant recommendations even though they met the mission statement written by his father, which included a list of approved charities. "I can tell you this: My dad would never have created a donor-advised fund if he knew that this was going to be the outcome. He felt very passionately about this," he said. DAF trade-offs Law professor and DAF critic Roger Colinvaux said in his view, donors who want control of DAF assets are trying to have their cake and eat it too. "Whether you like DAFs or not, the DAF sponsor is an independent charity. It's an independent entity, and its duties are not to the donor," said Colinvaux, professor at the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America. "If the plaintiff wanted the sort of control that the plaintiff seems to want, as evidenced in the complaint, there's a structure for that, and that's a private foundation." Dana Brakman Reiser, professor at Brooklyn Law School, cautioned that Peterson's story is a rare scenario. She said the biggest DAF sponsors like Fidelity Charitable and Schwab Charitable (now DAFgiving360) are affiliated with financial institutions and generally inclined to keep donors happy. "It's in their interest as long as honoring the donor's request is not going to get the sponsor in trouble," she said. Brakman Reiser added that the IRS prohibits using DAF assets to buy gala tickets or pay college tuition. Get Inside Wealth directly to your inbox The Inside Wealth newsletter by Robert Frank is your weekly guide to high-net-worth investors and the industries that serve them. Subscribe here to get access today. Unisound Unveils U1-OCR: The First Industrial-Grade Document Intelligence Model, Ushering in OCR 3.0 Era BEIJING, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Unisound has officially launched its Unisound U1-OCR, the world's first industrial-grade foundation model for document intelligence, a groundbreaking release that ushers in the OCR 3.0 era and sets a new industry standard with five core strengths: SOTA performance, verifiable results, out-of-the-box functionality, efficient deployment, and robust adaptability. FigureComparison of Unisound U1-OCR Evaluation Scores on OmniDocBench V1.5 Document intelligence leverages AI to automatically read, understand, classify digitized documents and extract key information. OCR 1.0 only enabled basic text recognition, while OCR 2.0 added preliminary layout understanding capabilities. U1-OCR takes a quantum leap to OCR 3.0, moving far beyond layout recognition to deliver deep semantic insight, automatic document classification and business-level information extractionmarking a transformative shift from "character perception" to "document cognition". As a SOTA-level document intelligence model, U1-OCR resolves the longstanding bottleneck of traditional models that "recognize text but fail to grasp layout", enabling it to interpret complex documents like human experts. It pioneers a "semantic-driven + dynamic focus" strategy, first mapping a document's hierarchical structure of headings and structural metadata before extracting content on demand, and builds a semantic map to identify the relationship between titles, charts and texteven in disorganized layouts. Its enhanced spatial alignment module leverages positional data to accurately restore document structure for dense tables and mixed text-image content, effectively mitigating spatial recognition errors. Equipped with Multi-Token Prediction technology and full-task reinforcement learning, it boosts reasoning efficiency by over 80%, ensuring logical coherence for long documents. Trained with multi-task collaborative reinforcement learning and optimized for both semantics and coordinates, U1-OCR suppresses spatial hallucinations for reliable outputs, and achieves SOTA results across major authoritative benchmarks: scoring 95.1 in OmniDocBench V1.5, outperforming leading models like GLM-OCR and Gemini-3-Pro; hitting an F1 score of 90.8 in D4LA and 95.9 in DocLayNet, excelling in table recognition and cross-page association; and outperforming models such as Gemini-2.5-Flash and Qwen-2.5-VL in internal business tests, with standout performance in medical document processing such as admission and discharge records. Built for real-world industrial applications, U1-OCR features four key capabilities that bridge the gap between document understanding and business action. Its proprietary "coordinate-text-semantics" architecture enables pixel-level positioning and full evidence traceability, making audit processes transparent and efficient. Integrated with Unisound's industry expertise in healthcare and finance, it achieves over 99% classification accuracy for more than 50 common business documents, supporting cross-field logical verification with zero-shot capabilities. It supports private on-premise and offline deployment while delivering highly efficient document processing, meeting strict data privacy requirements for government, healthcare, and finance sectors while lowering hardware costs. Most notably, it delivers stable, high-precision performance in extreme scenariosincluding non-standard photos, blurred documents, complex formatting and multilingual textfreeing businesses from reliance on standardized document formats. Validated in real-world use cases, U1-OCR enables visual traceability of extracted information, automatic classification of mixed documents, performing intelligent image purification for cluttered layouts, and accurate recognition of complex nested tables with full structural retention. The launch of U1-OCR marks AI's evolution from simple text recognition to business logic comprehension, a key step for Unisound toward AGI. By taking multimodal documents as a knowledge entry point, Unisound is empowering machines with autonomous reasoning and evidence traceability capabilities, driving AI from perceptual intelligence to cognitive intelligencewith the vision to build a general intelligent agent that reads, thinks and solves complex problems like humans, turning every document into a stepping stone to AGI. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2921216/image_5024578_41778974.jpg In this article NAVI Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Source: Navient Some student loan borrowers can soon expect a check in the mail, more than a year after the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reached a $120 million settlement with former federal servicer Navient . The CFPB said Navient steered student loan borrowers away from affordable repayment plans and into expensive forbearances, causing many to pay steep interest charges. "People suffered real consequences delaying children, not buying homes or returning to school when they wanted to, and more," said consumer advocate Julia Barnard, who was the top student loan official at the CFPB when the settlement was announced. "These checks are necessary and will help make debtors whole after the harm they faced due to Navient's misconduct." A Navient spokesperson, at the time of the settlement, said it disagreed with the CFPB's allegations. At one point, Navient was the largest student loan servicer in the U.S., managing the accounts of more than 12 million people. As part of the settlement, the CFPB banned the company from handling federal education loans, although it continues to play a role in the private student loan market. More than 42 million Americans hold student loans, and the outstanding debt exceeds $1.6 trillion, according to the Congressional Research Service. Here's what borrowers should know about the settlement compensation. Qualifying borrowers are those put in forbearance If you had federal student loans with Navient and your account was placed in a forbearance in 2017 or earlier, you may qualify to receive a check, said higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. Over the years, the U.S. Department of Education has transferred many borrowers between student loan servicers, once or even multiple times. You should be able to pull up a record of the companies that have managed your debt at Studentaid.gov. Navient's federal student loan accounts were originally transferred to Mohela, and may have subsequently been switched to Aidvantage, Nelnet or EdFinancial. Asked this week about the settlement payments, Cate Fitzgerald, a spokesperson for Navient, said, "the CFPB is responsible for administering the funds and, under our agreement, identifying the borrowers who will receive them." The CFPB did not respond to a request for comment. On its website, the bureau directs consumers with questions about settlement compensation to call the third-party payments administrator, Rust Consulting, at 1-800-711-8418 or email navient_info@rustcfpbconsumerprotection.org. At least 100,000 borrowers may get a check The CFPB has not shared the number of borrowers who will be compensated under the settlement. However, Kantrowitz estimates that at least 100,000 people could get a check, based on his analysis of historical data of Navient borrowers in forbearance. The typical payment will likely be several hundred dollars, Kantrowitz said. Borrowers on Reddit have so far reported settlement payments of up to $2,000. "I'm happy to see that debtors are already receiving these checks that they're entitled to," Barnard said. Financial consequences of forbearances Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos arrives for meetings at the White House in Washington, Feb. 26, 2026. Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos visited the White House Thursday afternoon for a meeting on his company's effort to buy part of Warner Bros. Discovery shortly before Netflix announced it would terminate the deal. Sarandos had not been expected to meet with President Donald Trump, who days ago demanded that Netflix boot former Obama administration official Susan Rice from its board of directors "or pay the consequences." Trump's threat had cited a call by right-wing influencer Laura Loomer to "kill the Netflix-Warner Bros. merger now." Loomer had pointed to Rice's comments predicting that institutions that appease Trump will be held "accountable" when Democrats regain power. "This meeting is not with POTUS," a White House official told CNBC. "Netflix is meeting with staff members at the White House," the official said. After Sarandos arrived at the White House, WBD issued a statement saying that Paramount Skydance 's new bid to buy all of the company appeared to be a "superior proposal," to that of Netflix's offer. Under the terms of an agreement with WBD, Netflix had four business days to improve its bid. But after Sarandos left the White House, Netflix issued a statement pulling the cord on the deal altogether. "The transaction we negotiated would have created shareholder value with a clear path to regulatory approval," Netflix said. "However, we've always been disciplined, and at the price required to match Paramount Skydance's latest offer, the deal is no longer financially attractive, so we are declining to match the Paramount Skydance bid." Nicolai Tangen, CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management, addresses a press conference on his company's annual results for 2024 at Norges Bank in Oslo, Norway, on January 29, 2025. Norway's $2 trillion oil fund, one of the world's biggest investors, said Thursday that it is now using AI to screen investments for potential reputational and ethical risks. Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) manages the fund, which was set up in the 1990s to invest revenues from Norway's oil and gas industry. It's an investor in more than 7,200 companies across 60 countries and has stakes in around 1.5% of the world's publicly listed stocks. It's long been influential on the global market and ESG Environmental, Social, and Governance investing. It uses its influence and voting rights to set expectations for the companies and markets it invests in, including impact on people, the environment and society. In its annual responsible investment report, the fund's management team said it was now using AI to provide governance and sustainability insights to portfolio managers. The technology means it can expand the scope and scale of the information it analyzes, leading to "faster identification of material risks," NBIM said. A spokesperson for NBIM told CNBC that the organization's ESG risk monitoring team first began using Anthropic's Claude AI model in day-to-day work in Nov. 2024. Since then, they said, it has become "an important tool in our monitoring of ESG risk across the portfolio." In Thursday's report, NBIM said 2025 saw the deployment of large-language AI models to screen all companies on their first day of entering its equity portfolio. "These tools help us rapidly scan a wide range of public information that goes beyond what data vendors typically cover," the report said. "Where risks emerge around key themes, the LLM conducts deeper searches, providing contextual summaries." A sign of Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis is seen on the top of a building in Basel, Switzerland, Sept. 9, 2025. Novartis, one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, and Genentech, a major biotech firm, say they've uncovered a "dangerous scheme" to import their allergy medication from Canada into the U.S. in violation of U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations. Both are suing SHARx a so-called alternative funding program and a Canadian pharmacy over the importation of Xolair, an injectable prescription medication for patients with severe asthma, food allergies and respiratory conditions, to an allergy and asthma center in Michigan. "Biological medicines, like the U.S. Xolair medicine, require particular care because their complex composition and sensitivity to variation in storage and handling conditions are susceptible to contamination and degradation that could undermine their safety and efficacy," according to the lawsuit, filed on Feb. 2 in U.S. District Court in Michigan. The suit said the scheme circumvents FDA regulations that generally prohibit importation of unapproved medications from overseas. The plaintiffs are asking the court to stop the importation of the drug. The lawsuit comes on the heels of a CNBC investigation that revealed a growing class of businesses called alternative funding programs, or AFPs, which promise to connect patients with more affordable options for accessing medications that often come at very high costs. The AFPs are able to obtain the overseas drugs at a substantially reduced price. Federal authorities told CNBC last year that importing medications from foreign markets is illegal and could pose risks to patients' health. Nvidia 's Jensen Huang was right when he told CNBC investors "got it wrong" over AI fears that drove them to sell off software stocks, market watchers have said. Software stocks have been caught up in a sell-off that dragged the sector into bear market territory, amid fears AI could make software as a service or SaaS obsolete. It has been dubbed the "Saaspocalypse." Speaking to CNBC's Becky Quick after the bell on Wednesday as the chip maker reported earnings, the Nvidia CEO said investors had overestimated the impact AI would have industry. "I think the markets got it wrong," Huang told Quick, calling the sell-off "counterintuitive." He added that AI agents would not displace traditional software tools like internet browsers and Microsoft Excel, but will "use these tools on our behalf and help us be more productive." "I think he's right," Siddy Jobe, senior portfolio manager at Econopolis Wealth Management, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" on Thursday. "The tools are there and will be amplified by AI and as such will be used more. It will be more evident for the companies like Salesforce and ServiceNow, where previously people wouldn't pay, now they will because they will become more efficient." Salesforce 's stock moved lower after its fourth-quarter earnings on Wednesday, and was down 4% ahead of Thursday's opening bell. ServiceNow , which Huang called a leader in service software during his CNBC interview, was last seen trading around 0.9% higher. However, Jobe cautioned that "not all companies are equal." "I would buy names in what I call AI infrastructure software," he said, describing these as software vendors that help AI developers train and improve their models. Jobe cited U.S. firms Snowflake and Datadog as examples he said were "right to be picked up at this moment in time." Neil Shah, VP of research and cofounder of Counterpoint Research, told CNBC on Thursday that "the market got it partly wrong" in rotating out of software en masse. "There is cannibalization happening, but this is a pivotal moment for SaaS companies to pivot their business model right now it has been more of a service-based model," he said, adding that SaaS firms would move from service-based models to outcome-based models as they started deploying AI agents. "That transition has to happen fast for many of these SaaS companies, [and] whoever does that first will capture most of the market in this particular era especially in the next two years," he said. Mitchell Green, founder and managing partner of Lead Edge Capital, agreed with Huang. "The legacy software companies are going to work with new software anytime there's periods of disruption," he told CNBC's "Europe Early Edition." "You have legacy software companies, compete with new types of incumbents some incumbent, some new companies, will win. Sometimes the legacy companies take it away. But let's not forget, IBM [is] still selling mainframes that it started [in the] 1950s." Earlier this week, analysts at HSBC said in a note that software will majorly benefit from AI becoming mainstream. "Software is already eating AI," they said. "As profitable as AI has been for the hardware/semiconductor sectors, we see the lion's share of value being generated within the software sector a sector that has been planning and building agentic AI for the past two years, with a kick-off in 2026." In pre-market trading on Thursday, many big software names were mixed. Intuit was marginally higher, while Microsoft was down 0.3%. Cisco and CrowdStrike shares were around 0.5% lower. HP added 0.7%, CoreWeave was up 0.3%, and IBM shares jumped 0.7%. Nvidia added almost 1% after it posted stronger-than-expected earnings on Wednesday, while German software giant SAP was 0.9% higher in the European trading session. Dado Ruvic | Reuters BEIJING U.S. chip giant Nvidia has yet to recoup its lost sales in China, despite Washington easing some restrictions, and the company is sounding the alarm about rising competition from Chinese rivals. "While small amounts of H200 [semiconductor] products for China-based customers were approved by the US government, we have yet to generate any revenue," Nvidia's CFO Colette M. Kress said on an earnings call Wednesday local time, according to a FactSet transcript. "We do not know whether any imports will be allowed into China," she said. China once accounted for at least one-fifth of Nvidia's data center revenue. watch now U.S. export controls previously forced Nvidia to develop a lower-capability chip for the Chinese markets called the H20. New rules last April required Nvidia to halt those sales, before U.S. President Donald Trump in December allowed the U.S. company to ship the more advanced H200 chip to China, provided the U.S. got a 25% cut of sales. But sales have stalled amid reports of security scrutiny in both countries, despite Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's lobbying in Washington, D.C. and a trip to China earlier this year. Global AI disruption The semiconductor giant also warned investors about rising competition from the world's second-largest economy. "Our competitors in China, bolstered by recent IPOs, are making progress and have the potential to disrupt the structure of the global AI industry over the long-term," Kress said. She urged the U.S. to encourage every developer and business, including those in China, to use American technology. Subscribe now Weekly analysis and insights from Asia's largest economy in your inbox A flurry of Chinese AI chipmakers and large language model developers have gone public in Hong Kong and mainland China in the last few months. Expectations that the companies could be alternatives to U.S.-developed AI technology have helped the stocks such as MiniMax and Moore Threads surge soon after their IPOs, though not all names have seen sustained gains. OpenAI's Sam Altman also described the progress of Chinese tech companies across the entire stack as "remarkable" in an interview with CNBC on Feb. 19. He also noted that Chinese tech companies are near the frontier in some areas. While Chinese AI companies lag the U.S. slightly in capabilities, their products are typically far cheaper than their American rivals. "You could see easily a world where maybe most of the world's population is running on a Chinese tech stack in five to 10 years' time," Rory Green, TS Lombard's chief China economist and head of Asia research, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" earlier this month. Rolls-Royce said Thursday it expects profits of over 4 billion ($5.42 billion) this year as the aero engine and power systems maker promised another year of robust growth. The aerospace giant is targeting underlying operating profit of between 4 billion and 4.2 billion in 2026, above the midpoint of 3.65 billion as expected by analysts polled by FactSet. It expects free cash flow of between 3.6 billion and 3.8 billion this year, also above expectations. It also announced that 2.5 billion of share buybacks would be completed this year as part of a multi-year buyback program of between 7 billion and 9 billion ($12 billion) for 2026 to 2028, above what earlier media reports had suggested. Shares rose as much as 7% in early trading on Thursday. The stock last traded up 4.5% and was on track for a record high after already reaching new highs multiple times this year. Based on the bullish outlook, the company now expects to deliver profits within the prior mid-term guidance range two years earlier than planned, CEO Tufan Erginbilgic said. "Our transformation continues with pace and intensity," he said in a statement. The British company upgraded its 2028 targets to 4.9 billion to 5.2 billion in underlying operating profit, an operating margin in the range of 18% to 20%, and free cash flow of 5 billion to 5.3 billion. Beyond the mid-term, Erginbilgic said he expected his company to benefit from AI, the energy transition, and increased defense spending. Rolls-Royce shares have been on a tear over the past few years amid growth in all three of its businesses: civil aerospace, defense, and power systems. Over the past 12 months, the stock has more than doubled as the company has thrived amid a transformation plan launched by Erginbilgic, which has boosted investor confidence. The plan includes cutting costs and prioritizing its core businesses. Check out the companies making the biggest moves in the premarket: J.M. Smucker The food stock popped 7% on better-than-expected fiscal third-quarter results. Smucker earned $2.38 per share, excluding certain items, on revenue of $2.34 billion. Analysts polled by FactSet expected a profit of $2.27 per share on revenue of $2.32 billion. Qnity Shares of the solutions and materials provider for semiconductors jumped more than 3.5% after an earnings and revenue beat. Qnity also issued better-than-expected earnings guidance for full-year 2026 and in-line revenue projections. The company on Thursday also announced a multiyear plan, which includes goals to boost productivity through automation and artificial intelligence tools. Nvidia Nvidia reported strong earnings and revenue for the fiscal fourth-quarter , leading shares to add more than 1%. Nvidia reported adjusted earnings of $1.62 per share, while analysts expected $1.53 per share, according to LSEG. The chipmaker's revenue of $68.13 billion for the period also exceeded the $66.21 billion estimated, driven by significant growth in its core data center business. Snowflake Shares of the software company slipped 0.4%. Snowflake said that its first-quarter product revenue would range between $1.262 billion and $1.267 billion, just slightly higher than the FactSet consensus call for $1.26 billion. Trade Desk Shares of the advertising tech company plunged 16% after Trade Desk called for first-quarter adjusted EBITDA of roughly $195 million, falling significantly short of the $223 million expected from analysts polled by FactSet. Trade Desk also missed on first-quarter revenue projections, but its fourth-quarter results beat the Street's estimates. Synopsys The electronic design automation company fell 3.6% after full-year revenue guidance failed to impress Wall Street. Synopsys sees revenue ranging between $9.56 billion and $9.66 billion, while the LSEG consensus estimates called for $9.63 billion. Salesforce Shares of the customer service software maker fell 3.8%. Salesforce provided fiscal 2027 revenue guidance ranging from $45.8 billion to $46.2 billion, while the FactSet consensus called for $46.11 billion. Fourth-quarter results surpassed expectations on the top and bottom lines , however. Nutanix The cloud software company saw its shares pop 19%. Nutanix and AMD announced a multiyear partnership to jointly develop an artificial intelligence infrastructure platform. As part of this agreement, AMD will make a strategic investment of $150 million in Nutanix common stock. Separately, Nutanix reported fiscal second-quarter results that beat on the top and bottom lines, per LSEG. IonQ Shares of the quantum computing company jumped 12% after IonQ gave rosy sales projections. The company sees revenue ranging from $48 million to $51 million in the first quarter, topping analysts' call for $36 million, per FactSet. Full-year revenue guidance is expected to range between $225 million and $245 million, besting the consensus forecast of $191 million. C3.ai C3.ai stock fell 24% after investors came away disappointed by the company's fiscal third-quarter results. C3.ai posted a loss of 40 cents per share, greater than the 29 cents per share loss analysts were expecting, per LSEG. The company's revenue of $53.3 million for the period also came out significantly below the $76 million analysts were expecting. Lantheus Holdings Shares declined nearly 5% after the company issued lower-than-expected forward guidance for this year, seeing earnings in a range of $5-$5.25 per share. Analysts polled by FactSet expected an outlook of $5.51 in earnings per share. However, the radiopharmaceutical firm exceeded expectations for its fourth-quarter financial results. Warner Bros Discovery Shares of the media giant traded flat in premarket after the firm reported a 6% decline in quarterly revenue amid a slowdown in its TV and film business. The company didn't address the head-turning bidding war it's in the middle of as Paramount Skydance had raised its takeover offer to $31 per share. Shake Shack The burger chain rallied nearly 6% following its fourth-quarter results. Shake Shack reported adjusted earnings of 37 cents per share, 1 cent above the consensus estimate, per FactSet. Its revenue came in at $400.5 million, topping the $367.2 million expected from analysts. Baidu U.S.-listed shares of the Chinese tech company slipped 3% after Baidu's fourth-quarter revenue fell short of analysts' expectations. Papa John's International The pizza chain tumbled nearly 5% after its fourth-quarter revenue disappointed investors. Papa John's posted revenue of $498.2 million, versus the FactSet consensus estimate of $517.3 million. Warby Parker The stock sank 8% after the eyeglass company's quarterly results and full-year guidance came in below expectations. Its fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA was $15.2 million, versus the $19.9 million anticipated from analysts polled by FactSet. Revenue was $212 million, compared to the $213 million consensus estimate. CNBC's Pia Singh, Darla Mercado, Yun Li, Liz Napolitano, Michelle Fox and Davis Giangiulio contributed reporting. The artificial intelligence industry's data centers have stirred up enough political controversy to warrant a mention in the President's State of the Union address. President Trump said in his speech Tuesday that he has secured a pledge from the big technology companies to supply their own power for energy hungry data centers. Managers from Amazon.com , Google , Meta Platforms , Microsoft , xAI, Oracle and OpenAI will meet Trump at the White House on March 4 to sign the pledge, a White House official told CNBC on Wednesday. Details of the agreement are scarce. It is unclear if the tech companies have agreed to any binding commitments that will change the status quo. Data center developers are already investing in new power capacity, but new supply is not keeping up with growing demand. "The states have already taken that initiative to say, if data centers come on, they're going to pay their fair share, and they have to bring some generation," Shar Pourreza, head of North American power at Wells Fargo, told CNBC. Trump "is only echoing what the states are already doing." Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy , for example, is planning to build 15 gigawatts of new power for what CEO John Ketchum has described as data center hubs. NextEra is the largest developer of renewable energy in the U.S., but the power company is planning to pivot more toward gas generation, one of the Trump administration's preferred energy sources. It plans to build four to eight gigawatts of gas generation by 2032. Data center politics Trump's data center pledge may have more to do with the politics of the looming mid-term elections, and an effort to convince voters that the administration is taking action to address rising electricity prices. Data centers are facing political blowback across the U.S. as people blame them for high utility bills. "He's trying to bridge his views and his policies around AI with affordability, because clearly affordability is a big part of the campaigning for Democrats," Pourreza said. Still, Trump has unique political influence and leverage that could move the tech and utility industries to do more. The president has closely embraced AI as an engine of economic growth, a pillar of national security in the contest with China and has tried to prevent states from regulating it. With AI as in other businesses, Trump frequently uses the White House bully pulpit to compel companies to do what he wants. "We've clearly seen this is a maximalist policy administration," said Abe Silverman, who served as general counsel for New Jersey's public utility board from 2019 until 2023. "There are reasons to think that this administration will be able to assert its will more directly than past administrations." While details are still pending, Trump's announcement Tuesday reflects an emerging consensus across the country that data centers have to pay their portion of added infrastructure costs. Politics are unlikely to slow down the data center buildout, Pourreza said. Wells Fargo sees the U.S. facing a net negative power supply as early as 2029 as demand rises and some older power plants are retired, he said. Already, electricity "is a hyper tight market," the analyst said. The lack of any surplus power will benefit both regulated utilities and unregulated independent power producers as hyperscalers giant cloud service providers operating massive, globally-distributed data centers contract for new generation, Pourreza said. Stock picks Wells Fargo named Baltimore-based Constellation Energy as its top pick among independent power producers. Constellation operates the largest nuclear power fleet in the U.S., which is especially attractive to tech companies seeking reliable, clean power for their data centers. Constellation completed its acquisition of Calpine in January, adding a large natural gas fleet to its portfolio. Gas and nuclear are both Trump administration priorities. Wells has a 12-month price target of $460 per share on Constellation, suggesting about 40% upside from Wednesday's close. Wells also has the equivalent of buy ratings on independent producers NRG Energy , Talen Energy and Vistra . The Wall Street bank sees 12% upside for NRG (price target $206), nearly 30% upside for Talen ( $506) and 34% for Vistra ($236). Wells expects Constellation to announce another agreement with a data center in the coming weeks. Vistra is also having discussions with potential customers. "Everyone's raising their earnings growth rates, everyone, and that's because of the [number] of data centers that are coming," Pourreza said. "I don't see any slowdown." "I think a lot of this is rhetoric," he said of growing political controversy around data centers. President Donald Trump walks past Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, Associate Justice Elena Kagan, Associate Justice Brent Kavanaugh and Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett as he arrives for the State of the Union address during a Joint Session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 24, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Win Mcnamee | Getty Images News | Getty Images President Donald Trump defended his tariff agenda during his State of the Union address Tuesday, even as a Supreme Court ruling striking down his emergency tariffs cast fresh confusion over the raft of trade deals negotiated with global partners. The court ruled last Friday that the president had exceeded his authority by imposing tariffs on goods from nearly every country in the world under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Trump has said he planned to do so again within the bounds of the law. Almost immediately after, Trump replaced it with a 10% tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 that took effect on Tuesday. He had also threatened to increase it to 15% tariffs under Section 122, but it is unclear when they would take effect. The ruling has raised questions about bilateral trade agreements structured around IEEPA tariff rates, prompting foreign governments to reassess their positions. [Trading partners] made concessions in exchange for specific tariff treatment that was grounded in IEEPA. That legal basis no longer exists," said Johannes Fritz, CEO of the St.Gallen Endowment for Prosperity through Trade. "Whether the administration can reconstruct those deals under Section 301 or other authorities, remains to be seen, but that will take time and new legal processes," Fritz added. Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 requires the U.S. Trade Representative to conduct a formal trade investigation into unfair trade practices before imposing tariffs. watch now "Those countries that were early in striking deals with the United States after the Liberation Day tariffs of last year have been sort of left holding the bag," Sarang Shidore, director of the Global South Program at the Quincy Institute, told CNBC "Inside India" on Monday. "Whereas those other countries that resisted, like Brazil and others, in agreeing to any demands from the United States may be feeling a little more vindicated," he added. Alicia Garcia Herrero, chief economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis, said countries that did not negotiate tariff reductions may now benefit more. She cited Japan, which last year secured a deal lowering reciprocal tariffs to 15% in exchange for a $550 billion investment pledge. After the court ruling upended Trump's tariff agenda, "they (Japan) are now paying to receive the same treatment as others," Herrero said. Japan's trade minister Ryosei Akazawa said Tuesday that the 10% universal tariffs could impose "additional tariff burdens on some goods," urging Washington not to treat Japan less favorably than under last year's trade deal. Trade deals in limbo During his State of the Union address, Trump claimed that "almost all countries and corporations want to keep the deal that they already made ... before the Supreme Court's unfortunate involvement." However, the reality is looking a little different. India paused plans to finalize an interim trade deal just days before a trip to Washington, D.C. As recently as Tuesday, Indian minister Piyush Goyal said his country would resume talks when there is more clarity. On Monday, the European Parliament postponed a vote for a second time on the trade deal that would set a 15% U.S. tariff rate on most EU goods while eliminating European tariffs on many American imports, including industrial goods. watch now Bernd Lange, who chairs the European Parliament's international trade committee, told CNBC on Tuesday that the U.S. had breached the terms of its deal and the bloc was prepared to retaliate if necessary. European officials have expressed concern about the latest levy, suggesting it could threaten the trade deal signed last summer. EU lawmakers are expected to reconvene on March 4 to assess if Washington has clarified its position and commitment to last year's deal. Canada also welcomed the ruling, with regional leaders in British Columbia and Ontario calling it a positive step. The Premier of Ontario, Canada's most populous province, Doug Ford, said on Monday that "the walls are closing in" on Trump and that no deal is better than a bad deal. Trump has warned countries against backing away from previously agreements, saying any country that wants to "play games" would face much higher duties under different trade laws. In a Truth Social post Monday, Trump said he may also impose license fees on trading partners. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer also said the Trump administration expects to open new Section 301 investigations into several countries, a legal step that could pave the way for new tariffs. Most foreign leaders appeared to be in a cautious wait-and-see mode, reassessing their positions and timing for renegotiating some of the terms of their agreements, given the more limited tariff threats Trump can credibly make now. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her government would carefully review the court's decision to assess its scope and impact. A Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson said Tuesday it will engage in an "honest negotiation" in the next round of bilateral talks during Trump's planned visit at the end of next month. Beijing said it would "comprehensively assess" any development from Washington and decide whether to adjust its countermeasures against the reciprocal and fentanyl-related tariffs imposed by the U.S. Potential 'Plan B' NURNBERG (NUREMBERG), Germany, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Forum on Shooting Activities (WFSA) has named brothers Franco Gussalli Beretta and Pietro Gussalli Beretta as recipients of its highest honor, the Dr. Vito Genco Shooting Ambassador Award. Franco Gussalli Beretta accepted the award on behalf of both brothers during the WFSA plenary session at the IWA OutdoorClassics trade fair. "It is an immense honour to present our top award to leaders who embody the very essence of what our organisation promotesexcellence in hunting, sport shooting, and responsible civilian firearms ownership," said Tony Bernardo, president of WFSA. "To bestow this honour during the 500th anniversary of the Beretta company makes the recognition especially meaningful." The Dr. Vito Genco Shooting Ambassador Award recognizes individuals worldwide for extraordinary contributions to hunting and sport shooting. Past recipients include Olympic athletes, authors, and public figures, among them the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. In his statement, Franco Gussalli Beretta said, "We are deeply grateful to receive this award from WFSA, an organisation that champions scientific research, tradition, values, and innovation within the global shooting community." Among multiple positions they each hold within the group, Franco Gussalli Beretta is president and CEO of Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta, while Pietro Gussalli Beretta serves as president and CEO of Beretta Holding. Founded in 1526, Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta is marking its 500th anniversary this year. The plenary session also marked WFSA's 30th anniversary, highlighted in a presentation by past president Graham Downing, and included an honorary award to Juergen Kohlheim for his long-standing service on the Executive Committee. Additional topics and panel discussions included shooting disciplines at the LA2028 Olympics, presented by ISSF Secretary-General Alessandro Nicotra di San Giacomo; proposed EU lead ammunition restrictions, presented by Squire Patton Boggs attorney and AFEMS consultant Peter Sellar; and a new WFSA international policy database tool presented by Charles Fowler, Chair of the WFSA Image Committee. About WFSA The World Forum on Shooting Activities (WFSA) is an international non-governmental organization in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Founded in 1996, it includes more than 50 national, regional, and international organizations and works to preserve hunting and sport shooting traditions through cooperation with governments and international institutions. More information: www.wfsa.net Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2921368/WFSA__The_World_Forum_on_Shooting_Activities__logo.jpg In this article USB UAMY Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT This combination of pictures created on April 09, 2025 shows US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff after a meeting with Russian officials at Diriyah Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 18, 2025 (L); and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaking to AFP during an interview at the Iranian consulate in Jeddah on March 7, 2025. Evelyn Hockstein | Amer Hilabi | AFP | Getty Images A third round of talks between the U.S. and Iran kicked off in Geneva on Thursday, with Iran under immense pressure to agree a nuclear deal with the States and to curb its nuclear and ballistic missile development programs. The U.S. has amassed a large military force in the Middle East ahead of the discussions and President Donald Trump warned last week that "bad things" would happen if Iran does not agree to a new nuclear deal. On the eve of the latest talks in Switzerland, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Iran's reluctance to discuss its development of intercontinental ballistic missiles was also a significant stumbling block. "The negotiations [on Thursday] will be largely focused on the nuclear program, and we hope progress can be made ... But it's also important to remember that Iran refuses refuses to talk about ballistic missiles to us or to anyone, and that's a big problem," he told reporters Wednesday. Rubio said that beyond the nuclear program, Iran's conventional weapons were "solely designed to attack America and attack Americans, if they so choose to do so. These things have to be addressed." watch now Trump alleged in his State of the Union address on Tuesday that Tehran was working on rockets that could "soon" reach the U.S. but did not present evidence for his assertion. When asked how close Iran was to achieving such weaponry that posed a direct threat to U.S. territory, Rubio said, "clearly they are headed in the pathway to one day being able to develop weapons that could reach the continental U.S. ... And the ranges continue to grow every single year exponentially," he said, calling it an "unsustainable threat." The latest round of talks on Thursday is being led by U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi heads up Tehran's delegation. Oman is mediating the discussions and the residence of the Omani ambassador to the United Nations is reportedly the venue for the talks. Pressure is certainly mounting on Iran to agree to a deal in which it bows to the U.S.' demand that it stops efforts to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons. But Iran has previously insisted its missile program was never been part of the agenda of talks with the U.S., and that this was "non-negotiable." Big breakthrough? Iran has previously rejected the U.S.' demand that it halt the enrichment of uranium inside its territory, and says it's needed for energy production. Araghchi has insisted that Iran would "under no circumstances ever develop a nuclear weapon." Tehran has signaled instead that it's prepared to make compromises to appease the U.S., however. Araghchi said Wednesday that a "fair, balanced and equitable deal" was within reach while Esmail Baghaei, spokesman for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Iranian state TV that "Iran has come here with a very reasonable amount of flexibility." He added that Iran was "entitled to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, that's a right that is recognized." Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, speaks during a press conference at the Lutfi Krdar Congress Center on the sideline of the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in Istanbul on June 22, 2025. Ozan Kose | Afp | Getty Images Araghchi had told CBS' "Face the Nation" last Sunday that he was still working on a proposal that would consist of elements that accommodate both sides' "concerns and interests." He said the proposal would be discussed in Geneva and both sides will work on a text to try and reach "a fast deal." Tehran is desperate for sanctions relief as anti-government protests over the country's economy and authoritarian leadership continue to rattle the regime. Those protests continued on Thursday with students leading the latest demonstrations across Iranian universities. Analysts are skeptical that the next 24 hours will lead to a big breakthrough in the impasse between the two sides but said imminent U.S. military action which could unleash turmoil in the wider Middle East and for oil markets was not an immediate threat, for now. Paul Musgrave, associate professor of government at Georgetown University in Qatar, told CNBC that both sides would "reaffirm their core interests" over the next 24 hours. "On the Iranian side, I have to say that is really straightforward, making sure that the regime is secure, making sure that they have the option legally of pursuing a nuclear weapon, and ensuring that their conventional ballistic missile programme remains intact," he told CNBC's Dan Murphy on Thursday. watch now At least two Wall Street firms see good times ahead for TJX Cos. shares, despite a choppy stock market reaction to the Marshalls and T.J. Maxx parent's latest earnings Wednesday. Both Bernstein and Bank of America reiterated overweight and buy ratings, respectively, on TJX in reports out Thursday. The two also raised their 12-month price targets to $175, implying the retailer's shares can climb about another 12% from Thursday's close. TJX in its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report delivered an earnings and revenue beat, but gave weaker-than-expected current quarter and full-year guidance, sending shares lower for a third straight day. Bernstein analyst Aneesha Sherman said management remarks TJX's quarter-to-date performance was solid even as formal numbers fell short. CEO Ernie Herman said the company's off to a strong start. Sherman, though, believes TJX's valuation a forward multiple of 30 has room to move higher, especially compared to competitors such as Ross Stores and Burlington Stores . At a time when fears that artificial intelligence will disrupt business is roiling investor calculations, the analyst sees TJX as an "AI-proof retail compounder" "It is also one of the new relatively 'AI-proof' names, with an offline, highly experiential shopping model that lures people in for a 'treasure hunt' that is hard to disintermediate online," Sherman wrote. While Bank of America lowered full-year 2026 and 2027 earnings per share estimates due to higher non-production operating costs, analyst Lorraine Hutchinson said her numbers are conservative and she expects improvement through the year. With tariff uncertainty continuing in the wake of the Supreme Court decision last week to overturn President Trump's levies under 1977 legislation, Bank of America sees TJX continuing to outperform regardless of the trade environment. "By allowing TJX to take price, tariffs have benefited margins as selling fewer units for every dollar of sales growth allows for increased leverage due to the lower costs to ship, distribute, house and sell these items," Hutchinson wrote. TJX shares outperformed a down market Tuesday, rising as much as 2.2%. TJX 1Y mountain TJX 1-year chart. Netflix is walking away from a deal to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's studio and streaming assets after the WBD board on Thursday deemed a revised bid by Paramount Skydance to be a superior offer. Earlier this week, Paramount raised its bid to buy the entirety of WBD to $31 per share, up from $30 per share, all cash. It was the latest amendment to Paramount's multiple offers in recent months and since moving forward with a hostile bid to buy the company and it's now unseated a deal between WBD and Netflix to sell the legacy media company's studio and streaming businesses for $27.75 per share. Last week, Netflix granted WBD a seven-day waiver to reengage with Paramount, resulting in the higher bid. Paramount's offer is for the entirety of WBD, including its pay-TV networks, such as CNN, TBS and TNT. Netflix had four business days to make changes to its own proposal in light of Paramount's superior bid, the WBD board said in a statement Thursday. Instead, the decision by the streaming giant to walk away puts a pin in a drawn-out saga that saw amended offers from both bidders. "Netflix is a great company and throughout this process Ted, Greg, Spence and everyone there have been extraordinary partners to us. We wish them well in the future," WBD CEO David Zaslav said in a statement, referring to Netflix co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters and CFO Spencer Neumann. "Once our Board votes to adopt the Paramount merger agreement, it will create tremendous value for our shareholders. We are excited about the potential of a combined Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery and can't wait to get started working together telling the stories that move the world." Diversified engineering company Greaves Cotton Ltd on Thursday (February 26) said the company's electric mobility business, Greaves Electric Mobility (GEM), has announced its international expansion into Nepal as part of its strategic growth journey. The company is entering the market in partnership with STC Auto Solution Private Ltd.As part of this expansion, Greaves Electric Mobility is launching its flagship electric two-wheeler, Ampere Nexus, in Nepal. Ampere Nexus is Indias first electric two-wheeler recognised by the Asia Book of Records for conquering 70 hairpin bends of Kolli Hills, considered one of South Indias challenging routes.The company said the product is suited to meet the evolving two-wheeler demand of customers in Nepal, addressing the countrys dynamic terrain, climatic and driving conditions.Engineered for performance, durability, reliability and comfort, the Ampere Nexus offers a practical mobility solution for Nepal to handle steep gradients and inclines, uneven roads, high-altitude temperature variations, and urban traffic.The scooter combines torque delivery with a stable ride setup and LFP battery, enabling confident uphill climbs, smooth acceleration in stop-start traffic, and improved control across varied terrains.The Ampere Nexus had succeeded in conquering Shipki La Pass in Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of 13,200 feet besides climbing Kolli Hills at 3,900 feet with 70 hairpin bends.Vikas Singh, MD and Chief Financial Officer, Greaves Electric Mobility, said, "Nepal presents a unique mobility landscape with steep, rugged terrains, and intensive daily usage. Higher altitudes and a growing EV infrastructure in the country naturally draw demand for safer BMS, stronger built quality, and products that outlast."The Ampere Nexus comes equipped with multiple features, such as a large 7-inch TFT touchscreen with Nex.io, which makes full-screen map mirroring possible for seamless riding connectivity and navigation. This also ensures riders get real-time assistance for turn-by-turn directions, distance to the next turn, and ETA.The Nexus electric scooter also supports call connectivity, real-time vehicle monitoring, and music control keeping riders connected throughout the ride without any distraction/down time. Further, the Ampere Connect Companion app enables smart pairing, tracking, saving, battery health and more delivering a confident EV riding experience.Shares of Greaves Cotton Ltd ended at 157.45, up by 5, or 3.28%, on the BSE today, February 26. Bangladesh polices northwestern Rajshahi range chief has ordered that leaders and activists of the banned Awami League who were released on bail after court orders be arrested again by "implicating them in other cases, according to newspaper reports on Wednesday (February 25)."Leaders and activists of banned or suspended fascist organisations who are being released on bail and capable of strengthening, reorganising the party and demonstrating activities at the field level, must be shown arrested in other cases after their bail, Deputy Inspector General of Polices Rajshahi range Mohammad Shahjahan said.The mass circulation Ittefaq and several other newspapers obtained the copy of the order which, however, said those who do not possess such characteristics do not need to be shown arrested for now".Shahjahan signed the order two days ago asking police units covering eight northwestern districts under his purview to follow the order calling the matter important.The interim government of Muhammad Yunus disbanded the activities of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League last year under an executive order while a violent student-led street protest called July Uprising toppled her government on August 5, 2024.Since then, Hasina has been living in India while the interim regime sent several thousands of her party leaders and workers to jail prompting many others to be on the run at home and abroad.The courts across the country in the past several days ordered the release of some of them on bail after Prime Minister Tarique Rahmans Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) assumed power following this months election.Approached by reporters, Shahjahan said the order did not mention any specific political party or organisation by name."We didn't mention any specific political parties or organisations. As they're already banned, we instructed our officials to nab or show them arrested in other cases if they try to destabilise the country again after getting bail," he said. Pakistans security forces responded to unprovoked fire by Afghan Taliban forces at multiple points along the PakistanAfghanistan border on Thursday, Pakistans information ministry said.The ministry wrote on X that Taliban forces opened fire across several sectors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and that Pakistani troops delivered an immediate and effective response, inflicting heavy casualties and destroying multiple posts and equipment.Afghanistan attacked Pakistani military positions along the border late on Thursday in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes, the Taliban said, adding to fears of a renewed escalation of violence between the neighbours.Videos shared by Afghan security forces showed Humvees driving through dark, mountainous terrain at night, lit by flashes of gunfire. Sustained bursts of automatic fire could be heard in the background.Reuters could not independently verify the location, timing or authenticity of the images.Pakistan was responding to "unprovoked fire" by Afghan forces along the border, the Information Ministry in Islamabad said.Afghan forces opened fire on posts in Pakistan's mountainous northwest, sparking more than two hours of fighting before Pakistani troops retaliated, Pakistani officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media.The clashes along the 2,600-km (1,615-mile) are the latest flare-up to threaten a fragile ceasefire following deadly clashes in October. 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West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code Eight big cats whose long-term needs could no longer be met in Honduras have safely arrived at accredited U.S. sanctuaries DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Express led Honduras' first international big cat rescue with round-the-clock veterinary support The mission continues DHL's long-standing effort to help wildlife organizations give abused animals a second chance BONN, Germany, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Eight big cats rescued from years of unsafe, nonspecies appropriate captivity in Honduras are beginning new lives in the United States after a complex international rescue coordinated by DHL Global Forwarding and supported by DHL Express. The animals five tigers and three lions had been living in conditions that, despite the care provided, could not meet their long-term species-specific needs. Now, following months of recovery and preparation, they have been transported from San Pedro Sula to accredited sanctuaries where they will receive lifelong, specialized care. "Helping these animals reach safe, species-appropriate homes shows how logistics can do far more than move goods it can help improve lives," said Celia Chinchilla, Country Operations Manager, DHL Global Forwarding Honduras. Around the world, wildlife experts continue to encounter big cats kept in conditions that fall painfully short of their needs confined in makeshift zoos, private backyards, or improvised attractions with no room to roam or express natural behaviors. When these animals are rescued, they cannot simply be returned to the wild. They need places where they can heal. For Guru, Sultan, Amir, Deborah, Aira, Cyrus, Zephora and Juancito, this mission represents a new beginning one shaped by months of medical treatment, gentle rehabilitation, and patient behavioral care. Veterinarians watched over every detail of their preparation. Each animal received medical evaluations, tailored sedation plans, and stress-reduction care. As the journey began, the vets stayed beside them, monitoring their breathing, temperature, and comfort from the moment their crates closed until they reached sanctuary grounds. Expertise in wildlife transport DHL's teams are no strangers to rescue missions like this. Over the years, the company has supported wildlife organizations in transporting lions, tigers, and other vulnerable species away from neglect or conflict zones, helping them reach sanctuaries that can offer them a dignified future. That experience proved vital in Honduras, where this operation required an unusually high level of coordination and care. Together with Little French Key, the Institute for Forest Conservation, Protected Areas and Wildlife (ICF), the Regional International Organization for Agricultural Health (OIRSA), Honduras Customs, and the airport authorities in San Pedro Sula, DHL created a transport plan designed entirely around the animals' well-being. An isolated section of the airport was secured to give the big cats a quiet, calm environment during loading. Specially certified crates were prepared to reduce noise and stimuli. DHL Express provided a dedicated freighter aircraft for a direct flight to Miami, chosen specifically to reduce stress and shorten travel time. On board, four veterinarians never left the animals' side. Every choice in the operation reflected a single priority: making the journey as peaceful and safe as possible for eight animals that had already endured enough discomfort in their lives. A new beginning at accredited sanctuaries When the aircraft touched down in Miami, a new chapter began. The big cats were transferred to two Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS)-accredited facilities: Carolina Tiger Rescue and Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. Both sanctuaries are known for offering expansive natural habitats, thoughtful enrichment programs, and lifelong, attentive veterinary care. There, the animals will finally have the chance to stretch, explore, rest in shaded quiet, feel grass beneath their paws, and rediscover behaviors that captivity had denied them. For the first time in years, they can build lives shaped not by survival but by comfort, curiosity, and care. "These big cats now have what they always deserved safety, space, and dignity," Chinchilla said. "We're honored to play a part in that." Pictures of the rescued big cats can be viewed here. You can find the press release for download as well as further information on group.dhl.com/pressreleases Media Relations Constanza Gantes Phone: +49 228 182-9944 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE DHL The US government has ordered its diplomats to actively oppose other countries attempts to introduce so-called data sovereignty laws that restrict how and where foreign technology companies can store and handle citizens data, according to Reuters. In an internal memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the US describes such rules as a threat to free data flows, AI development, and cloud services. The Trump Administration believes that data localization could increase costs, create cybersecurity risks, and give governments greater control over information. At the same time, support for data sovereignty is growing, especially in Europe, where there are concerns about privacy, surveillance, and US dominance in AI and tech. The EUs GDPR is mentioned in the document as an example of rules that the US considers unnecessarily restrictive. XUZHOU, China, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The State Administration for Market Regulation and the National Standardization Administration of China have officially released the national standard GB/T 25195.2-2025, Cranes Graphical Symbols Part 2: Mobile Cranes. Developed with substantial contributions from XCMG, the new standard unifies and regulates the graphical symbols used in mobile crane control systems, enhancing operational safety and supporting the international development of the industry. Graphical symbols serve as a "universal language" between equipment and operators. By converting complex operational commands into intuitive visual cues, GB/T 25195.2-2025 helps minimize the risk of operational errors from the outset, improving on-site efficiency and safety oversight while providing frontline operators with an invisible safeguard. The newly released standard not only strengthens China's crane standardization system but also aligns technically with the international standard ISO 7296-2, laying a solid foundation for the global expansion of Chinese mobile cranes. As a benchmark enterprise in the industry, XCMG continues to lead innovation in technical standards. In 2025 alone, XCMG has led or participated in the development and revision of eight national and industry standards covering both wheeled and crawler cranes. To date, the company has contributed to 64 standards, including three international standards. Transitioning from product export to standard export, XCMG is accelerating the transformation of its technological advantages into regulatory influence, further solidifying its role as an industry leader and standard-setter. The company stated that it will continue to drive industry development through standardization, promoting a more regulated, safer, more efficient, and globally integrated crane industry. SOURCE XCMG Crane Its bad enough that threat actors are leveraging AI for their attacks, but now they can also access a new remote access trojan (RAT) that makes it easy to launch data theft and ransomware attacks on Windows computers from a single management pane. The tool is called Steaelite, and according to researchers at BlackFog, its been advertised and available to customers on underground cybercrime sites since last November. In addition, theres a promotional video on YouTube showing off its capabilities. The tool could lower the barrier to the execution of sophisticated, end-to-end ransomware campaigns. Blog Archive: Mar 2026 (45) Feb 2026 (140) Jan 2026 (155) Dec 2025 (126) Nov 2025 (141) Oct 2025 (153) Sep 2025 (149) Aug 2025 (154) Jul 2025 (155) Jun 2025 (150) May 2025 (155) Apr 2025 (9) Mar 2025 (149) Feb 2025 (139) Jan 2025 (155) Dec 2024 (144) Nov 2024 (143) Oct 2024 (155) Sep 2024 (149) Aug 2024 (155) Jul 2024 (155) Jun 2024 (150) May 2024 (153) Apr 2024 (149) Mar 2024 (155) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (155) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55) A quarter of a century has passed since the death of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie and the shocking realisation that voodoo-style murder and abuse were taking hold in the capital of a modern, affluent democracy. Victoria met a horrific end. Tortured, beaten with implements including coat hangers and a bike chain, deliberately scalded and forced to sleep in a bin liner in a freezing bathroom, she finally died of multiple organ failure at the age of eight. Her tiny body, weighing just 3st 10lb, was marked by 128 separate injuries. Her 'crime'? The girl was said by relatives to have been possessed by 'kindoki', or evil spirits, requiring exorcism by a pastor and justifying a campaign of sadistic violence. The killing in 2000 and the public enquiry that followed should have been seismic: a warning to the public and politicians that, however improbable, belief in witchcraft was emerging as a fact of life in Britain. Yet today, despite the horror of Victoria's death and subsequent cases, there is disturbing evidence that ritual violence - involving beliefs and practices overwhelmingly imported from abroad - is continuing to spread unchecked. The latest official figures show a huge increase in the number of children identified as potential victims of abuse 'linked to faith or belief', a category including claims of witchcraft and spirit possession. Analysis released late last year by the Local Government Association, representing councils and their social services departments in England, found there had been 2,180 cases of possible faith-linked abuse in 2024, a disturbing 49 per cent increase in the seven years since 2017. Moreover, the true scale of the problem could be significantly worse amid fears that ritual abuse is routinely under-reported because social workers and others wish to avoid being labelled racist. Among the most notorious cases was eight-year-old Victoria Climbie, tortured to death in 2000 by relatives who believed she was possessed With motives ranging from ignorance and fear to the demented belief that human sacrifice confers supernatural protection, and even wealth, the cases that do reach the public eye are harrowing, the majority with links to sub-Saharan Africa. A recent documentary film, Kindoki Witch Boy, tells the story of Mardoche Yembi, who had been sent from the Democratic Republic of Congo to live with his aunt and uncle in North London. At the age of 12, Mardoche was branded a witch by relatives, accused of bringing bad luck and subjected to two months of traumatic exorcisms. The film is now available on YouTube. 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 An even more disturbing case took place on Christmas Day in 2010, when 15-year-old Kristy Bamu was beaten and drowned by his sister and her boyfriend in the London borough of Newham after being accused of 'kindoki', like Victoria Climbie. Kristy endured four days of torture with knives, sticks, metal bars, a hammer and pliers. He drowned after being forced into a bath for ritual cleansing. Kristy's siblings were also beaten but survived because they 'confessed' to being witches. Magalie Bamu, then 29, and her partner Eric Bikubi, 28 - both Congolese - were jailed for life in 2012. In sentencing them, the judge said: 'The belief in witchcraft, however genuine, cannot excuse an assault to another person, let alone the killing of another human being.' There are accusations of 'possession' in other cultures, too, with cases of abuse reported in Christian, Hindu and Muslim families, where some still believe in the idea of evil spirits known as 'djinns'. Just days before Kristy's Bamu's murder, Shayma Ali strangled then disembowelled her four-year-old daughter with a kitchen knife during a frenzied attempt to exorcise the girl. Ali, who had gouged out the eyes of her daughter's dolls to prevent them 'seeing evil', was sent to a mental hospital. In 2005, two women were jailed at the Old Bailey after being convicted of child cruelty for torturing and threatening to kill an orphaned child refugee from Angola whom they claimed was a witch. The Old Bailey was told that the girl, known only as Child B, was starved, cut with a knife, beaten with a belt and a shoe and had chilli peppers rubbed in her eyes to drive 'the devil out of her'. At one point, the eight-year-old was bundled into a zip-up laundry bag and told she would be 'thrown away' into a river. She was rescued after being found in her bare feet, shivering, outside a council house in Hackney. The cleansing power of water, whether in a bathtub or a river, is a common element in African witchcraft rituals. In 2001, a young boy - later given the name Adam by the police - was pulled from the Thames after a passer-by spotted his mutilated torso floating near Tower Bridge. His head, arms and legs had been removed in what detectives believe was a ritual killing, potentially as a sacrifice or in a 'muti' ceremony, in which body parts are taken in the belief they produce potent magical remedies. The boy, aged between four and seven and found wearing only a pair of orange shorts, had recently arrived from Nigeria. Britain's leading rituals expert, Dr Richard Hoskins, brought into advise on the case, concluded that Adam was a victim of human sacrifice. Victoria Climbie had been sent to England by her parents who hoped she would gain a better education than in her native Ivory Coast Victoria's parents set up the Victoria Climbie Foundation following her death, campaigning for improvements to child protection in the UK His 2012 book on the subject, The Boy in the River was serialised in The Mail on Sunday and is now scheduled to be dramatised as a feature film. Dr Hoskins concluded that the boy had been trafficked to London, speculating that he was butchered while drugged but conscious by a 'babalawo' witchdoctor using rituals from the Yoruba people Osagiede of south-west Nigeria. In Yoruban religion, wrote Dr Hoskins, 'deities forming a bridge between this world and higher realms require sacrifice. What kind of cases do you want to read more about? Let us know at: crimedesk@dailymail.co.uk Advertisement 'Not necessarily human sacrifice, of course, and especially not nowadays, but the practice persists in some deviant offshoots.' In 2002, a Nigerian woman called Joyce Osagiede told Glasgow social workers that she had married a member of a cult called The Black Coat Eyes Of The Devil Guru Maharaj. When later interviewed by British police in Lagos, she said she had been a cult organiser and had bought a pair of orange-red shorts similar to those found on Adam. She added: 'I know he was killed in Lewisham.' Osagiede later claimed to an ITV journalist that she had brought Adam to London and that his real name was Ikpomwosa. No one has ever been charged with his murder. Yet it is the fate of Victoria Climbie that today remains the most notorious case of witchcraft abuse and killing in this country. Victoria had been sent to England by her parents to gain a better education than in her native Ivory Coast but found only misery and death. Victoria Climbie was starved, tortured, beaten with bike chains and kept prisoner in a freezing bathroom by her great-aunt Marie Therese Kouao and her partner Carl Manning (pictured) Marie-Therese Kouao (left), Victoria Climbie's great-aunt, was complicit in her murder Her great-aunt Marie Therese Kouao and her partner Carl Manning were jailed for life in 2001, convicted of murder and child cruelty. The case was followed by a major public enquiry under Lord Laming which, in turn led to an overhaul of child protection measures in the UK, including the landmark 2004 Children Act. Even now, ritual violence receives all-too-little attention, says Lancaster University's Professor Charlotte Baker, who is co-director of the International Network Against Accusations of Witchcraft and Ritual Attacks. 'If you spoke to many people about this issue, they'd think it was something from about 1,400 years ago,' she told The Daily Mail last week. 'Many schoolteachers might feel they shouldn't 'go there', if they suspect something is taking place because they're not comfortable handling such issues. 'This needs to be treated seriously, disclosures need to be treated seriously and the right questions need to be asked. 'The UK must improve and make sure that anyone who does speak up to make disclosures about this abuse being carried out are taken seriously and responded to professionally.' Former Conservative MP Tim Loughton, children's minister in David Cameron's coalition government and later chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, had his own experience of trying to combat ritual abuse. Victoria's parents Berthe and Francis are pictured at her grave in Kensal Rise Crematorium in London, along with daughter Joelle, in 2003 on the third anniversary of Victoria's death A boy named Adam's head, arms and legs were removed in what detectives believe was a ritual 'muti' killing - his torso was discovered in the River Thames near Tower Bridge in 2001 'The particular problem [at the time] was among communities of migrants from places such as the Congo, which were very closed communities, mostly but not exclusively in London, with very evangelical Christian church settings,' he recalls. 'There were very strange practices, all connected with voodoo abusing children in attempts to drive the devil out of them and all this sort of nonsense.' During his time in office, he launched a task force on faith-based child abuse, but he fears that official attention has now slipped. Rohma Ullah, director of the National FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) Centre - which also tackles what it refers to as witchcraft and spirit possession abuse - is among those who believe frontline staff are wary of raising the alarm. 'Witchcraft and spirit possession are among the most poorly understood areas in child protection,' she says. 'That's really concerning and alarming. We know the data is not good enough and that professionals don't know how to act. They don't know what to do. 'Professionals are anxious about discussing someone's faith or beliefs because it's very personal. 'They fear being accused of being racist, for example and so questions don't get asked and opportunities get missed.' She says that teachers as well as social workers should be alert to signs of abuse such as, for example, a child appearing tired through having to pray all night to be rid of a devil inside them, or losing weight because food is being withheld at home. 15-year-old Kristy Bamu was beaten and drowned on Christmas Day 2010 by his sister and her boyfriend in east London after being accused of being a witch Following the murder, Magalie Bamu (left) and Eric Bikubi (right) were jailed for life 'I would say the situation is fragmented,' she continues. 'Social workers are skilled in safeguarding, teachers are skilled in educating, police officers are skilling in preventing and addressing crime but they also need to be equipped with specialist knowledge on this particular issue.' Ms Ullah suggests the current figures, disturbing as they are, 'probably don't reflect the true prevalence of something that's very hidden.' She believes allegations of witchcraft and spirit possession receive too little attention when abusers to court and suggests they should be flagged as aggravating features when the perpetrators are sentenced. And witchcraft has now been included for the first time in new toughened-up Crown Prosecution Guidance, published today in a bid to tackle 'honour'-based abuse, forced marriage and other abuses. Newly included in guidance for prosecutors are practices such as dowry abuse, immigration-related exploitation, transnational marriage abandonment and spiritual or ritualistic abuse linked to beliefs in witchcraft, spirit possession or demonic influence. While there is no standalone withcraft-related offence, the Home Office said: 'Prosecutors must treat these cases as serious criminality within the wider context of harmful practices and "honour"-based abuse, assessing which offences may apply on a case-by-case basis.' Baljit Ubhey, CPS director of policy, said: 'Our updated guidance equips prosecutors to identify emerging patterns of abuse, understand the wider context in which it occurs, and take swift, effective action to safeguard victims and bring perpetrators to justice.' It is not as if we haven't been warned. It is more than a decade since the United Nations reported: 'Hundreds of children have been abducted from their families in Africa and trafficked to the UK, especially London. Many are raped and sexually abused.' Commenting in The Mail on Sunday at the time, Dr Hoskins went further, arguing that 'London has become the hub, the epicentre for a global trafficking enterprise involving thousands of children for exploitation, sexual abuse and even, in some unspeakable cases, ritual voodoo killing...' 'There is a vast reservoir of lost children gathering in our own capital anonymously shuffled from flat to shabby flat - a dark pool feeding child exploitation and misery across the planet.' Today's evidence suggests that, chillingly, this terrible picture might now be darker still. 'I think my daughter is going to kill me.' Sheila von Wiese-Mack broke down in tears as she choked out those unspeakable words. Nineteen months later, her gut-wrenching prediction came true. On August 12, 2014, her pregnant 18-year-old daughter Heather Mack and Mack's 21-year-old boyfriend, Tommy Schaefer, beat the 62-year-old to death with a metal fruit bowl and stuffed her body inside a suitcase while on a luxury vacation at the five-star St Regis resort in Bali. It was a plot the young couple had schemed for months in disturbing messages where they referred to themselves as Bonnie and Clyde and boasted of their future life together enjoying a $1.6million inheritance from the slain socialite. Von Wiese-Mack was married to renowned jazz artist James Mack until he died in 2006 at 76 years old. The couple shared one child, who went on to kill the trio's matriarch. Dubbed the Suitcase Killer case, the murder shocked everyone - except for Oak Park Police Sgt Rasul Freelain. Dating back to when Mack was 13, Freelain and his fellow officers had responded to von Wiese-Mack's $1.5million mansion in the Chicago suburbs at least 35 times because of the teen's relentless abuse of her mother. Police reports document the teen biting, punching, shoving and stealing from her mom, as well as one incident where she broke her arm. It was Freelain who von Wiese-Mack confided in about her fears her life was in danger - but she had stopped cooperating when it came to pursuing charges against her daughter. On August 12, 2014, 18-year-old Heather Mack and her 21-year-old boyfriend, Tommy Schaefer, beat Mack's mom to death with a metal fruit bowl Tommy Schaefer leaves an immigration detention center in Bali on Tuesday as he is deported to the US So when news of her murder came over the local radio station while he was driving, the now-retired detective was devastated but not surprised. 'I knew it was going to happen - and she knew it was going to happen too,' Freelain told the Daily Mail. 'When I heard Heather was arrested, it was confirmation of everything we were afraid of.' He remembered pulling over by the side of the road and pounding on the steering wheel of his car. But when he then heard the name of Mack's accomplice, Freelain gasped. He told the Daily Mail he 'could not believe Tommy was involved.' On Tuesday, Schaefer was deported from Indonesia and was detained as soon as he touched down on American soil. He is expected to appear in court in Cook County, Illinois, on Thursday. The 32-year-old had walked free from Kerobokan Prison in Bali last week, telling reporters he was 'happy' and planned to 'enjoy life,' after serving 11 years of an 18-year sentence for von Wiese-Mack's murder. But, his freedom was short-lived. He was immediately handed over to immigration authorities for deportation to the US and further criminal charges. Schaefer can expect a similar fate to Mack, who was arrested on the jet bridge at Chicago O'Hare Airport in 2021 after serving seven years in Bali. In 2023, she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder a US national in a foreign country and was sentenced to 26 years in federal prison. Sheila von Wiese-Mack was killed and her body stuffed inside a suitcase while on a luxury vacation at the five-star St Regis resort in Bali with her daughter The small, bloody suitcase containing Sheila von Wiese-Mack's body after her daughter and her boyfriend murdered her 'Tommy's release is the closing of one chapter in Sheila's murder so that is welcomed. But the story is not done,' Freelain, who remains close to von Wiese-Mack's family, said. 'Justice still needs to be served.' Though he said Schaefer deserves US prison time, to Freelain, Mack shoulders greater responsibility for her mom's murder. 'Tommy is fully responsible for what happened, but I don't think he should serve even one day longer than Heather,' he said. 'If it were up to me, Heather would spend the rest of her life in prison. Sheila was her mom. 'I think Tommy has the right to be free one day. He has to own his role in it, but I also think he was manipulated by Heather. I think of him as almost the second victim in the murder. Heather had a long track record of abusing her mom and of interventions. Tommy had nothing like that.' Freelain told the Daily Mail he has 'mixed feelings' when it comes to Schaefer. As a detective specializing in youth and family issues, Freelain knew a lot of kids in the Oak Park community. He had known Schaefer since eighth grade and - unlike Mack - believed he had a good future ahead of him. 'I would see him out and about and would check in with him,' he said. 'I always thought he had something going for him. I really wanted him to do well.' Tommy Schaefer was released from Kerobokan Prison last week after serving 11 years of an 18-year sentence It was January 2013 - a year before the murder - when they last bumped into each other. At the time, Schaefer was attending music college in Chicago after graduating high school. He and Mack were not yet dating. Schaefer greeted the detective with a big hug. 'He had such genuine enthusiasm about his life. He wanted to tell me how he was growing up,' Freelain recalled. 'I said, "I'm proud of you. Keep up the good work." 'My mind always goes back to that moment. I don't know what point he crossed the line and morphed into someone willingly prepared to act out such an unthinkable act.' That last meeting with Schaeffer came at a time when the detective was dealing with a parallel situation with Mack. While Schaefer was moving forward in life, things had reached breaking point in the Mack household. That same month, von Wiese-Mack told Freelain she feared her daughter was going to kill her. But leading up to that moment, Oak Park Police records show officers first responded to von Wiese-Mack's home in 2008 when Mack, then 13, threatened her mom and locked her in a room. Heather Mack with her parents, renowned jazz artist James Mack and Sheila von Wiese-Mack Since Mack was 13, police had responded to the family's $1.5million mansion at least 35 times, because of the teen's relentless abuse of her mother Two years later, in January 2010, police were called when Mack punched her mom's broken ankle. That November, Mack stole von Wiese-Mack's credit card and $1,060 in cash. That was the first time that Freelain met the mother and daughter. While von Wiese-Mack declined to press charges, the incident 'planted the seed' in Freelain's mind that there was more going on inside the home. 'Sheila was torn about what to do about Heather. This was a woman who knew her child was mistreating her but also wanted to protect her child at all costs,' he told the Daily Mail. Three months later, his concerns proved correct when von Wiese-Mack turned up at the police precinct with a broken arm. Freelain said von Wiese-Mack spoke about Mack being a 'defiant child,' but refused to say what had happened to her arm. When he broached the abuse, she ran out of the station. But the next day, von Wiese-Mack returned and asked to speak to Freelain again. Mack had attacked her that night almost as soon as she left the police station. 'That was the first time she opened up and admitted she needed help to keep herself safe,' he said. The mother admitted that Mack, her only child, had broken her arm. Freelain arrested the teen for domestic battery for the first time. Heather Mack and Tommy Schaefer with their baby inside a prison truck on their way to court in Bali in April 2015 Mack was pregnant at the time of the murder and gave birth to the couple's daughter, Stella, behind bars She was convicted in juvenile court, sent to juvenile offender facilities and given court-ordered mental health support. But the violence continued to escalate. One night in January 2013, von Wiese-Mack requested Freelain be dispatched to her home. 'She didn't look ok. Her face broke. I asked her what had happened and she started crying,' he told the Daily Mail. What she said next gave him chills: 'Heather will not stop hurting me. She won't stop. I'm afraid she is going to kill me.' 'When someone says that, I believe them,' Freelain said. 'It solidified the fears already in the back of my mind - fears I didn't want to give words to but that I had been afraid of for some time.' Freelain immediately contacted Mack's probation officer, whose response added to the gravity. 'I agree. I'm afraid she's going to kill her too,' Freelain recalled the officer saying. When he interviewed Mack that night, she was 'remorseless, callous and cruel.' 'It was the coldest and cruelest I have ever heard someone talk,' he said. Heather Mack and Tommy Schaefer plotted the murder for months and referred to themselves as Bonnie and Clyde in disturbing messages to each other 'She admitted she was harming her mother and justified it by how much she hated her. I investigated a lot of domestic violence cases including young people abusing their parents, but Heather was so cold, smart and manipulative - a terrifying combination of intelligence and venom toward her mom.' Freelain arrested Mack that night and tried to present a case that she be jailed for violating her court supervision order to stop harming her mother. But the case fell apart when von Wiese-Mack stopped cooperating again. Soon after, she moved with Mack to Chicago - out of Oak Park's jurisdiction. It wasn't long before Mack and Schaefer began planning her murder. For months before the doomed Bali trip, the couple mulled various methods with their co-conspirator, Schaefer's cousin Ryan Bibbs, including drowning or suffocation, and boasted about how 'rich' they would become when their plot came to fruition. In early August 2014, Mack and her mom jetted off to Bali for a vacation that von Wiese-Mack hoped might repair their troubled relationship. Court documents show Schaefer texted Mack that day: 'I can't wait to be rich Its crazy af Like Money Nothing rules the world.' 'Keep your head up trips going as planned baby faith,' Mack replied. In other messages, Mack described herself as 'Bonnie' of Bonnie and Clyde and said she had been 'watching' her 'witch' mother for years. Mack is escorted by immigration officers after being released from Kerobokan Prison in Bali in October 2021 Mack was arrested as soon as she landed at Chicago O'Hare Airport in November 2021 with her daughter 'I also know what is in my control I know what makes people tick the witch I know what make [sic] her tick I'm with her so much I know her habbit [sic] how she acts what she does at certain times its like breaking out of jail It takes several years of watching I have been watching her routine and I know what I do control Im sneaky Im smart and I watch trust bonnie Dn't [sic] make everyone else mistake and under estimate me,' she wrote, per court documents. On August 12, Mack bought a $12,000 business-class ticket with her mom's credit card, and Schaefer flew out to Bali. It was time for their plot to unfold. Inside the luxury hotel suite, Mack held her hand over her mother's mouth while Schaefer bludgeoned her to death with the metal handle of a fruit bowl. They then stuffed her body inside a small, gray suitcase. When the couple tried to check out of the hotel and load the bloody suitcase into a taxi, they were stopped. They fled, leaving the suitcase - and von Wiese-Mack's body - behind. Their arrests prompted an international spectacle where they were both facing the possibility of death by firing squad in Indonesia - prosecutors eventually took the maximum penalty off the table. Ultimately, Schaefer and Mack were both convicted of murder. Schaefer was sentenced to 18 years, Mack to 10 years. Heather Mack and Tommy Schaefer pictured in court in Bali in 2015. They discussed various methods of murder in advance Bibbs pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit the foreign murder of a US national in 2016 and was sentenced to nine years in US federal prison. Mack gave birth to her daughter, Stella, behind bars in Bali and raised her for the first two years of her life in prison. She was then placed in the care of a woman Mack befriended in prison, before they were briefly reunited upon her release. Following a custody battle, the little girl is now being raised by von Wiese-Mack's relatives. After returning to the US, Mack was allegedly sexually abused by a female prison guard inside Chicago's Metropolitan Correctional Center. She is now serving her sentence at Hazelton women's facility in West Virginia. Heather has claimed that the violence in her childhood home went both ways. Freelain struggles with the thought that von Wiese-Mack's murder could have been prevented. 'I can't say with certainty it could have been. But I believe not enough was done by the entire justice system to try to prevent it,' he told the Daily Mail. He believes he did everything within his power to protect von Wiese-Mack and get help for Mack. Oak Park Police Sgt Rasul Freelain struggles with the thought that von Wiese-Mack's murder could have been prevented But, like many domestic abuse cases, it was a cycle where von Wiese-Mack withdrew her cooperation and refused to press charges. Mack being a juvenile at the time of the arrests, and the lack of laws around child to parent abuse (CPA), also restricted what action police could take, Freelain suspected. He now spends his retirement training law enforcement about CPA and is calling to get a CPA law passed in Illinois. 'The hard thing about her murder was that me and other officers were afraid something was going to happen but weren't able to prevent it,' he said. 'Sheila wasn't ok and she knew she wasn't ok. It was an environment where she knew she was trapped in a burning building with Heather and wanted to get out, but she knew that leaving the burning building meant leaving her child behind. 'But she also couldn't accept that her child was the one who kept pouring gasoline on the fire.' A police officer revealed the moment Soham killer Huntley gave himself away as he tried to hide in plain sight. The double child killer is today fighting for his life in hospital after being attacked by a fellow inmate with an iron bar in a prison workshop. Huntley, 52, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 40 years for the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, both 10, in Soham in August 2002. The local school caretaker had lured the two youngsters into his home before killing them and dumping their bodies in a ditch some 12 miles away. Their disappearance from a family barbeque after they had left to buy sweets shook the nation and made Huntley one of the most prolific child killers in British history. But as hundreds of people joined the search for Holly and Jessica, Huntley's sinister behaviour only raised more red flags as he nonchalantly gave a series of interviews and made cryptic comments in the wake of their disappearance. The girls were not found for almost two weeks after they vanished, during which time Huntley made a series of suspicious admissions which alerted police. Speaking in a documentary, Sharon Gilbert, a former Special Constable with Cambridgeshire Police, explained she was in her patrol car when she was approached by a 'very relaxed' Huntley. Huntley, 52, is serving life for murdering 10-year-olds Holly and Jessica in his home in Soham, a Cambridgeshire market town made infamous by his vile crimes in 2002 Holly Wells (left) and Jessica Chapman (right) were both murdered by Huntley in Soham, Cambridgeshire in 2002 He nonchalantly leant on the side of her vehicle and asked her: 'How long does DNA evidence last?' Gilbert was one of the 400 police officers who swarmed the small Cambridgeshire town in the days following the disappearance of the schoolgirls. Speaking in Channel 5's Soham: The Murder of Holly & Jessica, She told how the atmosphere was 'very solemn', adding: 'Every window in town had a picture of the girls in the Manchester United tops - with the press rewards. 'On Wednesday afternoon we were tasked to go to Soham College, and Ian Huntley approached the vehicle and lounged over the hinge section of the door. 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 Britain's 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 'He was very relaxed in his talking, he wasn't nervous in any way, shape or form.' Describing his demeanour as he asked about DNA retention, she said: 'Everything about him made me feel uneasy.' Huntley and his then-bride-to-be Maxine Carr - who worked at the girls' school - gave multiple interviews to journalists, who descended on the small town as the days with no sign of the best friends drew on. Chillingly, he told Press Association reporter Brian Farmer that Holly would likely go quietly but Jessica would 'put up a real fight and a real struggle'. Farmer raised his concerns to the police after feeling something was off with Huntley's responses. 'The police issued a timeline of sightings, and they said Ian Huntley had seen the girls - although they didn't say he was the last person to see the girls,' he explained. 'I went to the house and I explained I just wanted to chat and get a few details, and they were quite reluctant. 'I remember asking Maxine whether at school they'd done stranger danger and if they'd be told to not get into car and she said they had. 'I asked her from your knowledge of Holly and Jessica how would they react if someone said "get in the car". 'Before she had the chance to answer, Ian answered and said "Holly would probably get in and be quiet but Jessica would fight and be mad".' 'That's when I thought something wasn't right, so I started to ask him more about the girls.' As one reporter said later: 'He [Huntley] knew how they'd react because that's how they reacted when he killed them.' Holly Wells (right) and Jessica Chapman (left), both 10, were killed by Huntley in 2002 in a double murder which horrified the nation Huntley (left) was convicted of the murders after pleading not guilty. His girlfriend at the time Maxine Carr (right) gave him a false alibi but turned on him in the witness box The Daily Mail's own reporter Sam Greenhill was also struck by the couple's strange behaviour. Now Chief Reporter, he described asking Huntley and Carr if he and a fellow journalist could borrow their TV in order to watch a video appeal that had just been put out by police. 'I had no idea I was about to enter the crime scene of one of the most sickening child murders this century,' Greenhill wrote this week. He described how investigating officer Detective Superintendent David Becks plan relied on Jessicas missing blue Nokia 5110 mobile phone. He hoped that, if he could trick the kidnapper into switching on the phone, police would be able to use its signal to locate the girls. The officer recorded a direct appeal to the abductor, and wanted journalists to watch the tape in advance of the six o'clock news. Greenhill and a second journalist named Harriet were able to persuade Huntley to allow them to watch the appeal on his video player. Greenhill said: 'Huntley paused, looking unsure. Obviously, with hindsight, we were asking the 10-year-old girls killer himself if he wanted to watch a police appeal to the abductor. 'Still shamefully plotting to somehow get away with his evil, Huntley must have been desperately scheming about what to say to us, as we hovered on his doorstep.' He added: 'Huntleys face was barely more than two feet away from the detectives on the screen. But if his plea meant anything to Huntley, he did not show it. 'The paedophile caretaker already knew what poor Holly and Jessicas parents did not their children were lying in a shallow grave and what pitiful hopes they still clung to would soon be extinguished.' Greenhill told how the caretaker, through some morbid sense of satisfaction perhaps, insisted they watch the tape three times through - despite the journalists preparing to leave after the second rendition. 'Huntley rewound the videotape to the start. We all sat watching it again, silent apart from when Huntley shook his head and murmured: "It beggars belief." 'This audacious pair were the very people Mr Becks appeal was directed at, but you would never have guessed. Not a flicker of emotion passed across either of their faces. They just looked, like most people in Soham, exhausted and concerned. 'At the end, we thanked the couple, took the video and apologised for bothering them as we raced out of the door. '"Its no trouble," trilled Huntley. "Anything to help get those two little girls back".' Both journalists and locals raised concerns about Huntley's behaviour, and he was ultimately arrested and charged with both murders. His partner, who had given him a false alibi, turned on him in court. She was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison and was released in 2004 with a new identity. Huntley, who lied in court and claimed both girls died by accident, was sentenced to live in prison with a minimum term of 40 years. The double killer was transported to hospital after being targeted in a behind-bars ambush on his prison wing this morning which saw him hit with the metal weapon. Huntley was found in a pool of blood after the incident at HMP Frankland, County Durham at around 9am. A source said the double killer's condition was 'touch and go' and described the scene on the wing as 'absolute chaos'. The attacker is thought to have gained access to Huntley in a prison workshop. The killer is usually under close guard at all times. A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said: 'Police were alerted to an assault which had taken place within HMP Frankland in Durham this morning. 'A male prisoner suffered serious injuries during the incident and was transported to hospital. 'A police investigation is now underway into the circumstances of the incident and detectives are liaising with staff at the prison'. A Prison Service spokesperson said: 'A prisoner is receiving treatment after an incident at HMP Frankland on Thursday morning. 'It would be inappropriate to comment further while police investigate.' Beware Bridget Phillipson, the steel-hard Education Secretary. Unlike the incoherent shambles that is the rest of the Starmer Cabinet, she knows what she is doing and how to do it. She is impressively self-disciplined. On the one occasion I met her, as a fellow panellist on BBC Radio 4's Any Questions, I could barely get a word out of her as we waited to go on air. I rather admired her reserve. I was not her friend and she knew it. What if she accidentally committed some news? Well, she is committing it now, but she is not embarrassed by it, as it will almost certainly help her with Labour Party members of several sorts. On Tuesday she struck twice. First, she seemed to say she was fine with boys wearing dresses in primary schools, so endearing herself to North London Leftists. Next, she announced plans to force state schools in well-off areas to take more poor pupils, bringing joy to clenched-fist class warriors all over the country. Even if these actions do not help her become party leader or Labour's first woman Prime Minister which I think is entirely possible this is hard grown-up politics, and the schools move will change the country. Ms Phillipson is no fool. She got into Oxford University from a troubled council estate in Washington, County Durham. And she is very tough, in a way Labour politicians used to have to be, but mostly are not nowadays. Her background is as bleak as the 1930s. Her teacher father walked out of the family home before she was born. Even though he continued to live close by, he left Ms Phillipson's mother later a highly respected and effective campaigner against domestic abuse alone and broke. Ms Phillipson's maternal grandparents helped out, but money was so short that a worried neighbour actually posted cash through the letterbox so her mother could buy young Bridget a coat. And do not ever think that the schools brief, which she now holds, is soft or marginal. It has been the spearhead of Leftist revolution in this country for many years now. She is also Minister for Equalities, deeply engaged on other vital fronts of radical social change. As a recent deep-dive profile in the New Statesman magazine noted, 'she is more Left-wing than she lets on'. Bridget Phillipson's plans to force state schools in well-off areas to take more poor pupils brought joy to clenched-fist class warriors all over the country, writes Peter Hitchens On the one occasion I met her, as a fellow panellist on BBC Radio 4's Any Questions, I could barely get a word out of her as we waited to go on air, Peter Hitchens writes I treasure a picture of her on election night 2024, surrounded by Labour Party workers, many of them giving that clenched fist salute which, to put it mildly, is not a Right-wing greeting. She also showed her Leftist teeth when she came into office. First, she delayed and diluted laws designed to protect free speech on university campuses. Then she launched the most damaging offensive against private education ever attempted by a Labour government, by slamming VAT on fees. This action was not aimed at hurting the rich, or even at raising money, and it did neither. The wealthy can always pay, and the Treasury will have swallowed up the money raised and spent it in a few seconds, probably on debt interest. Its aim was to cut the number of people who could even dream of affording independent education. She also knew it would impoverish and, in the end, close many small and far-from-grand private schools, which live from hand to mouth. Ms Phillipson once sneered on Twitter: 'Our state schools need teachers more than private schools need embossed stationery. Our children need mental health support more than private schools need new pools. Our students need careers advice more than private schools need Astro Turf pitches.' But she must know that many independent schools do not have embossed stationery, swimming pools or Astro Turf pitches. Those that do will probably be the ones that survive her VAT raid. Ultimately, Labour knows that only a lawless dictatorship could actually ban private schools altogether. It would breach the Human Rights they claim to worship. But the party's Left has always resented the way that parents have been able to escape its comprehensive schools revolution by paying fees. Comprehensives were never about education. They were about imposed equality and classroom propaganda. There was never any evidence that they improved standards, and the man who invented the term 'comprehensive school', Sir Graham Savage, always admitted that the policy would lower standards. British Communist ideologues, such as the aristocrat Brian Simon and the teachers' union leader Max Morris, were prominent leaders of the campaign for comprehensive education, because they knew it would favour their cause. Schools are a far bigger and more important weapon in the arsenal of socialism than nationalisation ever was. Ms Phillipson and Sir Keir Starmer visiting a primary school together Anthony Crosland, as Education Minister 60 years ago, forced the mass destruction of grammar schools. Some wondered why the highly educated Crosland was so hostile to high-quality schools. He explained it in his 1962 book The Conservative Enemy, saying that Labour should regard education 'as of far greater significance to socialism than the nationalisation of meat-procuring or even chemicals'. But when he introduced the policy, he quickly found out that the middle class fled from it where they could. The abolition of state grammar schools gave a great boost to private education all over the country. But there was another escape route. The document urging local authorities to get rid of grammars and create comprehensives was called Circular 10/65 in England. It admitted 'particular comprehensive schools will reflect the characteristics of the neighbourhood in which they are situated; if their community is less varied, and fewer of the pupils come from homes which encourage educational interests, schools may lack the stimulus and vitality which schools in other areas enjoy'. Which is putting it mildly. The circular contained a feeble and empty call for councils to do what they could to make all schools 'as socially and intellectually comprehensive as is practicable'. But they created the 'Game of Homes', which has been used since then by parents unwilling to pay actual fees, and by rich Left-wingers trying to get their children into Oxbridge without going private. By 2017, the authoritative Sutton Trust was reporting that more than 85 per cent of the highest performing state comprehensives took in fewer disadvantaged pupils than they should, given the population in their catchment areas. It calculated that houses in the best catchment areas were around 70 per cent more expensive than those within reach of less-favoured schools. The organisation Teach First reported in the same year that 43 per cent of pupils at England's most outstanding state secondary schools were from the wealthiest 20 per cent of families. Poorer pupils are half as likely as the children of the well-off to be heading for an outstanding secondary school. This is obviously wrong. The best way to solve it would be by going back to selecting pupils on merit, an idea I am sure Bridget Phillipson hates. The worst way to solve it is the one she has chosen to make all the schools equally bad. The Green Party has put out a video aimed at voters in Denton and Gorton, who go to the polls today in a by-election. Nothing unusual there. Except that this video is wholly in Urdu, the language spoken by most local Pakistanis. Its contents neatly demonstrate how identity politics can pull a democracy apart. Its images flashed from Reform politicians to Trump and his ICE deportations. It accused opponents of racism and xenophobia. It showed footage from Gaza. It flashed up a picture of Keir Starmer shaking hands with his Indian counterpart, the Hindu Narendra Modi a blatantly sectarian pitch. For 20 years, it has been taboo to talk about the growth of parallel cultures in our northern towns. Any Right-winger who complained about segregated societies was pilloried as a racist and lucky not to be hounded out of public life. Yet the people who did the hounding are now happy to encourage such segregation for partisan gain. The Greens are not the first. Five years ago, at the Batley and Spen by-election, Labour circulated images of Boris Johnson with Modi. Voters of Pakistani heritage including many who are Pakistani nationals, and who vote as Commonwealth citizens make up between a fifth and a quarter of the electorate in Denton and Gorton. Zack Polanski has an odd, shuffling gait and a smile like an archaeological dig, writes Daniel Hannan It is depressing, but not surprising, to see the parties appealing to them not as Britons, but as the nationals of other countries. Perhaps the most telling aspect of the episode was the way the Greens responded to their critics. On Tuesday night, Zack Polanski, the 43-year-old who was elected their leader last summer, took to X with a new version of the clip. 'The right wing trolls hated seeing our campaign video in Urdu. So here it is in Bangla [spoken in and around Bangladesh] instead. I love our party!' In that glib, babyish post, we glimpse the appeal of the Green leader to young voters. Polanski is happy to increase racial tensions and encourage ethnic voting for the sake of online trolling. Never mind the impact on the social fabric of Manchester: what counts is the likes and the lolz. This, indeed, is the best way to understand Polanski: as an online phenomenon, perfectly adapted to our screen-addled age. On the surface, he is an unlikely leader. He has an odd, shuffling gait and a smile like an archaeological dig. The only time he crossed anyone's radar before becoming leader was when he tried to enlarge a woman's breasts through hypnosis. That was about as realistic as any other Green policy. The party airily promises to give money to everyone, quite literally in the sense that it wants a universal basic income. It also wants hikes in benefits spending, rises in the minimum wage, free houses and healthcare for illegal immigrants, slavery reparations, the works. A Green Party campaign video shows candidate Hannah Spencer with Urdu subtitles Zack Polanski tweets another video, this time using subtitles written in Bangla The Greens campaign on Gaza, presenting themselves as a party for Muslims who reject British identity, argues our writer How is it planning to pay for any of these things? Meh. The party has a few proposals to tax rich people, businesses and so on. But there is nowhere near enough to fund all the things it wants to do. Then again, neither Polanski nor his voters are much interested. Appearing on the Left-wing Rest Is Politics podcast a couple of months ago, Polanski was unable to answer the most basic questions about the British economy. How much does the state spend? How much does it borrow? What is its tax take? Instead, he fell back, as he always does, on slogans. Capitalism has failed, we need a new paradigm, time for a wealth tax, blah blah fishcakes. The horrifying thing is that it works. For a chunk of younger voters, his slogans are enough. Polanski talks like posts on X, delivering one soundbite after another. Incredibly, that approach has allowed his party to rise to second place in at least one poll by Find Out Now, while building an immense lead among young people, rising to 44 per cent support among women under 24. Why? Is it simply Leftist disillusion after the sky-high expectations raised by Labour in Opposition? Does it have to do with bloated house prices, which make it hard for young people to leave home and grow up? Are the kids still stuck in the demented BLM summer of 2020, convinced that the nation-state itself is an evil thing and white people must be punished for some imagined ancestral wrong? Maybe. But the neatest explanation was offered by writer James Marriott in a post last year called 'The dawn of the post-literate society'. Mr Polanski, 43, who is a member of the London Assembly, become Green leader last year Marriott noted that the rise of smartphones from 2012 had led to a crash in literacy levels across the developed world. As people's concentration-spans shrank, even English Literature students could no longer understand the first paragraph of Charles Dickens's Bleak House, let alone finish the novel. Unable to read other than in short and simplified spurts, younger voters are not equipped to recognise that politics is about trade-offs. The idea that, say, giving everyone a pay rise might damage growth and thus make people worse off is beyond them. The only reason they can see not to give everyone a pay-rise is greed and neoliberalism and mimblewimble. Polanski is the politician most adapted to the post-literate age. He speaks in soundbites because he thinks in soundbites. When he is confronted by some obvious contradiction in his statements, he falls back on: 'I've got the billionaires rattled!' And, tragically, for a growing chunk of the electorate, that seems to be enough. Think, though, of what price we are paying. Most immediately, we risk a descent into sectarianism that will make 1970s Ulster look mild. Most Brits of South Asian origin came from the provinces most affected by the violence that accompanied the partition of India in 1947: Bengal, Kashmir, Gujarat and Punjab. They settled in the same towns, Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus, mostly leaving their grievances at the door. The children of the perpetrators and the children of the victims largely set past atrocities aside. This is unlike what happened on the subcontinent, where India and Pakistan struggled to overcome the trauma, fought four further wars against each other and, to this day, maintain the most militarised frontier in the world. Now, for electoral advantage, the Greens are stirring the grievances up again. Their very name is a misnomer: they barely mention the environment these days. Instead, they campaign (alongside trans rights and more or less Marxist economics) on Gaza and 'anti-racism', presenting themselves as a party for Muslims who reject British identity. They are a party that, in a healthy country, would be laughed out of contention. The idea that what Britain needs, when its taxes are higher than they have been since the 1940s, and when it is borrowing 150 billion a year and spending two-thirds of that on servicing older debts, is a yet more interventionist state and a more Left-wing government is, objectively, nuts. Then again, the fact that you have been able to read this article puts you in the declining portion of the country capable of thinking through cause and effect. We are the minority now. Lord Hannan of Kingsclere is President of the Institute for Free Trade While some children had posters of pop stars pinned to their bedroom walls, I had photographs of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer cut from magazines on mine in the build-up to their wedding. I was seven years old and imagine my shock when a dour Yorkshireman told me he wasn't interested in watching their wedding on television while I was on holiday at my grandmother's home in Wakefield in 1981. It was scarcely believable to me that not everyone shared my excitement about the royal event at St Paul's Cathedral. When it came to Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's wedding at Westminster Abbey five years later, I was among the crowds in The Mall, armed with a periscope that my parents had given me to help catch a glimpse of the newlyweds above the shoulders of the adults in front. So, as a lifelong monarchist, I couldn't have been more disappointed and appalled to discover the extent of the friendship between the Duke and Duchess of York as they still are, legally and the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. There is no need for me to repeat here the endless stream of tawdry, revolting disclosures over the past couple of weeks from the Epstein Files released by the US authorities. Like me, you have probably become weary of reading any more about how Andrew and Fergie sucked up to the American financier even after he had been jailed for procuring a 14-year-old girl for prostitution. Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing, but the pair's greed and lies disgust me. As a lifelong monarchist, writes Richard Eden, I couldn't have been more appalled to discover the extent of the friendship between Andrew, Sarah Ferguson and the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein King Charles is deeply reluctant to 'meddle' with the line of succession, one royal source tells me What I now find worrying are the rumours that reach me from Buckingham Palace about King Charles's response to the crisis. After his brother's arrest last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the King issued a statement expressing his 'deepest concern' about the news and making clear that the 'appropriate authorities' had his 'full and wholehearted support and co-operation'. However, Andrew remains eighth in line to the throne and, unbelievably, is still a Counsellor of State. This means he is, in theory at least, one of seven members of the Royal Family legally entitled to deputise for the Monarch if he is unwell or indisposed. When I ask royal sources why this has not been addressed, the answers I receive are disturbing. One tells me that it is because the King is deeply reluctant to 'meddle' with the line of succession. 'He thinks it would be opening up a can of worms,' a friend says. 'For example, if Andrew is removed, would his daughters have to be, too? He thinks they are blameless and do not deserve to be punished.' Another source tells me the King does not want to do anything which could be seen as prejudicial to his brother. 'If he strips him of his place in the line of succession, this could be interpreted as a sign that he thinks Andrew is guilty,' the source claims. Both of these excuses are concerning. The King needs to take control of the crisis surrounding his brother. He could do this by stripping him of his role as a Counsellor of State and of his place in the line of succession. It would require an Act of Parliament of course, but I find it shocking that the King has not already started the process. He demonstrated how simple it is to make changes to the list of Counsellors of State back in 2022 when he asked Parliament to add his sister, Princess Anne, and youngest brother, Prince Edward. This was done immediately with a minimum of fuss. It was reported at the time that he decided not to remove Andrew or Prince Harry because he didn't want to escalate family tensions. Although removing Andrew from the line of succession would take more effort, it could also be done easily with, I suspect, no objections from any of the King's other realms, which would also have to give their approval. Indeed, the prime ministers of Australia and New Zealand already eagerly expressed their enthusiasm for such a move this week. Doing so would not 'open a can of worms', it would indicate that the King appreciates how serious the situation is for the future of the monarchy. When Andrew is removed from the line of succession, his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, should be removed, also. They are only included in it because of their father, and it would be absurd for them to remain. None of this would give the impression that the King considers his brother to be guilty of a crime. But it would make clear that Andrew's behaviour, in consorting with a convicted sex offender and lying about it to the nation, is morally repugnant. The King needs to remember that he is Supreme Governor of the Church of England and it's his duty to provide moral leadership. When Dr Philip Deibel's family health insurance plan rose by yet another $2,400 last month, something inside him snapped. The self-employed obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) was already paying $21,000 annually to cover his young and healthy family of five with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Even then, that mammoth sum was just for 'catastrophic' coverage - it had a $4,000 individual deductible and an $8,000 family deductible. In other words, before the insurer paid a single cent, the 43-year-old was on the hook for thousands. By the time he had covered routine pediatric visits for his three children, aged 12, 10 and eight, plus dental cleanings and out-of-network wellness appointments for himself and his wife, the total annual cost ballooned to more than $27,000 - or more than $2,000 a month overall. 'Last year was frustrating enough,' he told the Daily Mail. 'I was on the cheapest plan available on the exchange. 'When I saw the cheapest option now was more than $23,400 for the year, that was the breaking point for me. I just couldn't stomach it.' Based in North Carolina and in the midst of setting up a new clinic, Deibel briefly considered going entirely uninsured, instead saving $1,000 to $2,000 a month in an account to cover emergencies. He backed out of that, concerned over unexpected medical bills, but then came up with a controversial workaround. The workaround, he said, covered his family's healthcare for about $13,000 for the year - or roughly $16,000 less than the $29,000 he had expected to pay overall, a saving of about 55 percent. Dr Philip Deibel, pictured, says he has saved his family $13,000 a year by switching to a controversial health insurance workaround His move comes as millions of Americans struggle to cope with soaring premiums, which jumped 20 percent this year on average - a surge insurance companies have blamed on expiring pandemic-era fee subsidies. The US has no universal public healthcare system, meaning most people must secure insurance through an employer or buy it themselves, often at steeper prices. From 1999 to 2024, worker contributions toward family premiums surged 308 percent, while the cost of total premiums spiraled 342 percent (roughly three times faster than wages) according to researchers at Rice University, Texas. At the same time, independent analysis shows health insurance companies are now reporting record-breaking profits. America's seven biggest health insurers, including UnitedHealth and Centene, had profits of $71.3billion in 2024, the latest year available - it was the highest ever and half a billion dollars more than the year before, according to Wendell Potter, a former Cigna executive turned whistleblower. Meanwhile, an estimated 26 million Americans (eight percent of the population) do not have health insurance. To beat the system, Deibel split his family's coverage across two plans. For four months of the year, he enrolled them in a 'three-plus-one' short-term policy with UnitedHealthcare. The plan covers catastrophic events only, such as unexpected hospitalizations, and carries a $5,000 deductible, meaning he must pay 100 percent of the costs up to that amount. He also has telemedicine coverage and can get an appointment online for a $20 co-pay. Overall, it costs him $500 a month, or about $2,000 for the total duration of the plan. For the remaining eight months, he signed up for a cost-sharing program run by Sedera. Deibel is pictured above with his wife Ashleigh, 42, and three children Keating, 12, Briggs, 10 and Kennedy, eight Unlike traditional health insurance, cost-sharing plans pool monthly member payments and reimburse participants once they exceed a set 'unshareable amount' - which is basically a deductible. Members are told to request the 'cash price' from hospitals - often cheaper than that charged to insurance because hospitals do not need to negotiate with an insurance provider - then submit the bills for reimbursement. These arrangements, sometimes faith-based and often referred to as health care sharing ministries, have surged in popularity, with about 1.7 million Americans using them today, according to a report from the Colorado Division of Insurance. But experts warn that they carry risks. Dr Michael Botta, a Harvard-educated healthcare economist, warned that cost shares are not regulated like traditional health insurance and have no legal obligation to pay claims. He also said that they may run out of money, rendering them unable to pay members' medical bills. 'Saving $13,000 is great, but he's saving money because he has stripped away the guarantees and consumer protections that are the reason healthcare plans are so expensive,' Botta told the Daily Mail. There may also be unforeseen catches in the plans. With childbirth, for example, Sedera does not cover the cost of a childbirth that takes place within the first year of membership. For health insurance, however, childbirth is legally required to be covered. Deibel chose a Sedera plan with a $5,000 initial unshareable amount. That means for every medical expense Deibel must pay the first $5,000, after which the plan is expected to cover the remainder. He pays $600 per month for Sedera ($4,800 total by the end of his commitment). Altogether, he estimates he will spend $6,800 on coverage this year, plus another $6,000 on pediatric, dental and wellness visits for his family and himself - at which he said he would ask for the cash price. Dr Deibel said he had decided to search for new options after seeing his family's healthcare premiums surge once again 'I am ok with paying a bit more per month to subsidize those who can't pay a higher premium, but to pay that much and not get any value in the care was ridiculous,' Deibel said, adding that he wasn't getting a lot of benefits from the traditional plan he used to have. Botta, himself a father-of-three who reviewed Deigel's plan for the Daily Mail, agreed that patients should always ask for the cash price because it is often cheaper. He said he preferred to consider health insurance as a financial backstop for worst-case scenarios - much like home or car insurance - to only be used in the cases of unexpected hospitalizations, accidents or critical diagnoses. Botta said people should consider their individual circumstances when choosing their health insurance plan. For his own family of five, Botta said he uses a high deductible healthcare plan with Aetna for medical emergencies. For pediatric visits and other care, he always seeks to pay the cash price rather than bill his insurance. In most cases with high deductible plans, there is no copay, according to healthinsurance.org, an independent website that offers a guide to health insurance. Deibel was initially on a high deductible healthcare plan. Botta did not reveal the deductible or price of his plan to the Daily Mail. For his cash-pay care, Botta uses Sesame, a platform that gives patients direct access to clinicians at affordable, upfront prices. (Botta is the president and co-founder of Sesame.) He warned people against repeatedly signing up for short-term policies, saying these often exclude pre-existing conditions when coverage begins. For now, Deibel said his strategy is working, and the savings are going straight back to his new clinic, called D5 Health. 'People seem very interested in my approach,' he said. 'No one has told me they made the switch, but a lot are asking me for information on what I did to see whether it could benefit them too.' Millions of Americans have knowingly had sex while infected with a sexually transmitted disease, according to a survey. A poll of US adults found 45 percent of Americans diagnosed with an STD have had sex without disclosing their status. Of those who did not disclose their status, nearly six in ten said the encounter was unprotected, significantly increasing the risk of transmitting the infection. A further 17 percent said they were aware they passed the STD to their partner, while overall, out of the nearly 8,000 people surveyed, one in ten admitted they knowingly gave their partner a disease, according to sexual health swabbing service Testing.com. The report comes as more than 2.2 million people are diagnosed with new STDs including chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis in the US every year. This is 13 percent higher than it was a decade ago. Louisiana and Alaska are both in the top three states in the nation for the highest rates of gonorrhea and chlamydia, the two most common STDs. Mississippi had the nation's second-highest rate of chlamydia, while Georgia had the third-highest rate of gonorrhea. For syphilis, which can cause permanent nerve damage and miscarriages in pregnant women, South Dakota had the highest rates in the US, followed by New Mexico and Mississippi. In the poll by Washington state-based Testing.com, one in ten adults admitted to having sex with another individual while being infected with an STD (stock image) Your browser does not support iframes. The climb in STD rates correlates to a decline in condom use particularly among younger generations. About 52 percent of sexually active high schoolers said they used a condom at their last sexual encounter, according to the data, down 7 percent from a decade earlier. In the survey, Testing.com polled 7,895 US residents ages 18 to 65 who had been infected with an STD at least once. Out of 700 individuals who knowingly gave their partner an STD, nearly a third of these individuals said they did not disclose the infection before having sex with a casual partner, while almost a quarter kept it secret during a first-time encounter. Alarmingly, 13 percent said they did not reveal their STD status to a partner with whom they were in a monogamous, exclusive relationship, while nine percent said they had not revealed their STD status to a spouse. Twenty-three percent said they had kept it secret from someone they were dating, but were not exclusive with. Young men were the group that was most likely to hide their STD-positive status, the survey said. Dr Toni Brayer, an internal medicine doctor at the Washington state-based company, said: 'Hiding an STD from a partner can seriously harm their health. 'Chlamydia, syphilis, HPV warts and HIV can cause problems such as infertility, chronic pain or even death.' She added: 'Not disclosing can put the partner at risk and is a breach of trust that can permanently damage the relationship. Disclosure is important so both partners can decide about testing, treatment and protection.' Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Additionally, of those who said they knowingly passed on an STD, 40 percent said they had admitted their status to a partner after that individual had tested positive. Thirty-two percent said they did not reveal their status because of shame or embarrassment, while 18 percent said they did not disclose it because of 'alcohol or being in the heat of the moment' or as they believed the risk of transmission was low. Fifteen percent said they did not mention it to avoid 'jeopardizing the relationship', while 13 percent said they did not want to 'ruin the moment'. Another nine percent said they did not think it was necessary to reveal their STD status. It was not clear which STDs the participants were infected with, but the most common in the US are chlamydia and gonorrhea. It was also not clear what was defined as sexual contact. STDs can be transmitted through close sexual contact, such as oral sex, vaginal intercourse and anal intercourse. Doctors and officials urge patients to reveal their STD status before having sexual intercourse with someone. In parts of the US, failing to disclose an HIV status to someone before sexual contact can lead to up to 30 years in prison. Failing to reveal a herpes status can lead to jail time for 12 months and significant fines. STD rates exploded in the US in the wake of the COVID pandemic, surging to 2.5 million infections in a year in 2021, as eased restrictions led to a rebound in dating apps and socializing. Infections are now declining again and, in the latest data from 2024, dropped 9 percent compared to the year beforehand. Officials are particularly concerned about syphilis, a highly infectious bacterial STD that causes rashes around the genital area as well as fever and swollen lymph nodes. They warn that if this infection is left untreated, it can lead to irreversible damage to the brain, eyes or spinal cord. It is also possible for it to be passed to a developing fetus in a pregnant woman, raising the risk of a miscarriage or stillbirth. At-home gut health tests can give inaccurate and misleading results and require greater regulation to ensure they are safe and effective, leading experts have warned. From inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and even colorectal cancer, gut microbiome kits claim to test for a wide range of conditions. Over the last decade, scientists have linked activity in the gut microbiome to obesity, diabetes, mental illness, cancer and other medical conditions. But a new study, published in the journal Communications Biology, found that the results from these kits, which range from 100 to 400, vary enormously, whether they are produced by the same or different producers. In response, the authors - led by Dr Scott Jackson, a molecular geneticist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the US - said consumers and healthcare professionals alike should be 'very cautious' when interpreting or acting on test results. Professor Jacques Ravel, an expert in microbiology and study co-author, added: 'I think it's almost impossible for any of these at home tests to have clinical usefulness, which is a position a lot of scientists are sitting on. 'Our rigorous assessment has spotlighted the systemic issue of poor comparability that plagues the industry.' The study compared the results obtained from 21 direct-to-consumer gut microbiome testing kits from seven different companies. Many scientists are skeptical about how useful at-home gut microbiome kits really are, warning that they can do more harm than good The same combined fecal sample collected from one individual served as the test sample material for each test. Collection procedures were followed according to instructions provided by each company - whether that was whole bowel movement or used toilet paper - and samples were sent back for analysis. As the team noted, there are currently no universally accepted best practices for translating stool samples into a microbiome report - and results can be influenced by sample collection and shipping methods, sequencing technology and analyses. 'This means bias can be introduced at each step, and even minor changes in methodology can lead to significant differences in results,' Dr Jackson said. The researchers compared the reports generated by each company and found the quantity of specific gut bacterial species varied across test results. The American Gut Project, a large well-established data set, reports the average person will return a clostridium reading of just over 2.5 per cent. One company involved in the study reported five times this abundance whilst three others failed to detect it in one or more samples. Clostridium includes several human pathogens including C. diff - a type of bacteria that can cause diarrhoea - but it usually lives harmlessly in the bowel. One of three identical samples analysed by kits from the same company was also categorised as 'unhealthy', while the other two were classed as healthy. Dr Jackson concluded current regulations do not go far enough to protect consumers. He said: 'These questions are significant as the test results may lead consumers to make potentially unwarranted or unsafe lifestyle changes. 'Many of the results are reported with respect to an average of 'healthy' microbiome; however, defining a healthy microbiome remains a challenge due to the heterogeneity of the human population, confounders and the possibility of multiple healthy microbiome definitions.' Whilst the researchers acknowledged that some of these companies share their workflow online, meaning that consumers can see exactly how their sample is processed, this doesn't ensure validity. He added that whist the majority of gut microbiome testing companies recommended healthier eating habits to restore balance, which is unlikely to cause direct harm, a lot of consumers who buy these tests suffer from chronic gut conditions. 'For these individuals, the variability in test results of the lack of outcomes from the recommendations provided, could not only lead to a loss of consumer fait in the science but also result in the delay of appropriate medical care.' Some companies also recommend that customers take expensive supplements, like probiotics, sold by the company for which there is 'very little clinical evidence for efficacy,' according to the researchers. New research has found that aspirin does not provide a quick or guaranteed way to prevent bowel cancer and carries immediate risks of serious bleeding linked to a rare type of stroke. The findings, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, are based on the evidence of 10 randomised clinical trials. Researchers from West China Hospital of Sichuan University analysed data from 124,837 participants, assessing whether aspirin could prevent bowel cancer or precancerous polyps in people at average risk. Their review found that aspirin is unlikely to reduce the risk of bowel cancer in the first five to 15 years of use, but possible protective effects after more than 10 to 15 years of follow-up were observed in some studies. These potential long-term benefits come from observational follow-up phases of trials, in which participants may have stopped aspirin, started it independently, or begun other treatments, making the findings vulnerable to bias. Lead author Dr Zhaolun Cai said: 'While the idea of aspirin preventing bowel cancer in the long run is intriguing, our analysis shows that this benefit is not guaranteed and comes with immediate risks.' The findings also show clear evidence that daily use of aspirin increases the risk of serious extracranial haemorrhage - when a bleed occurs between the skull and the scalp - and can be said to increase the risk of haemorrhagic stroke, which occur when a blood vessel bursts in the brain and starts to leak its contents into the organ. Although higher doses carry the greatest risk, low-dose ('baby') aspirin also raises bleeding risk, and older adults and those with a history of ulcers or bleeding disorders may be particularly vulnerable. New research has found that aspirin does not provide a quick or guaranteed way to prevent bowel cancer and carries immediate risks of serious bleeding The authors warn that any potential long-term benefit of aspirin must be weighed against the immediate and well-established risk of bleeding. 'My biggest worry is that people might assume that taking an aspirin today will protect them from cancer tomorrow,' said Dr Bo Zhang, senior author. 'In reality, any potential preventive effect takes over a decade to appear, if it appears at all, while the bleeding risk begins immediately.' Previous evidence has shown potential benefits for people at high genetic risk of colorectal cancer, such as those with Lynch syndrome. However, this review focuses strictly on people at average risk, and the long-term evidence for them proved highly uncertain. In recent years, researchers have explored the role of off-the-shelf medications, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, in reducing bowel cancer. Aspirin works by stopping the body from making a type of hormone called prostaglandins, which send pain signals to the brain. Therefore, taking aspirin lowers the pain and reduces swelling and high temperature. In a 2025 trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Swedish researchers found that people who took a low daily dose of aspirin after having their tumour removed were half as likely to have their cancer return over the next three years. Your browser does not support iframes. However, their role in the primary prevention of bowel cancer remains uncertain and controversial. The authors urge that patients should not start taking aspirin for cancer prevention without a careful conversation with their healthcare professional about their personal risk of bleeding. 'This review reinforces that we must move away from a one-size-fits-all approach,' said Dr Dan Cao, senior author. 'Widespread aspirin use in the general population simply isn't supported by the evidence. The future lies in precision prevention using molecular markers and individual risk profiles to identify who might benefit most and who is most at risk.' The research team concludes that the story of aspirin for cancer prevention is far more complex than previously believed and that the balance of benefits and harms changes over time. 'As scientists, we must follow the evidence where it leads,' Dr Zhang said. 'Our rigorous analysis of the highest-quality trials reveals that the 'aspirin for cancer prevention' story is more complex than a simple "yes or no." 'The current evidence does not support a blanket recommendation for aspirin use purely to prevent bowel cancer.' Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK. Rates of bowel cancer are rising worldwide in people under 50, and while the reasons are unclear, scientists suspect junk food, obesity, a lack of physical activity and toxins produced by gut bacteria are involved. Prevention typically involves following a healthy lifestyle and undergoing routine screening tests. For many, skincare routines are a non-negotiable ritual - but according to one doctor, they should never be complicated. Dr Joseph Hkeik, a renowned aesthetic physician whose famous clients include Elle McPherson, Rita Ora, Eva Mendes and Mel B, said you only need three products in your beauty cabinet: cleanser, serum and moisturiser. 'For most people, it's all you need to maintain healthy, balanced skin,' the Sydney celebrity doctor told Daily Mail. 'The key is using the right products consistently, rather than adding more - healthy skin comes from supporting the barrier, not overwhelming it.' His 'less-is-more' philosophy led to the founding of a skincare brand, aptly named Lana Banana, after his niece Lana Sayah approached him with a business idea. 'We don't believe people need shelves of 20 products or to constantly rotate through the latest trends which often leads to wasted money and compromised skin. Instead, we encourage investing in a small number of well-formulated products that are used consistently. A little truly goes a long way,' Dr Hkeik said. Just one year after launch, the Aussie brand won Prevention's 2025 Best in Beauty Award for Cleanser, earning the number one spot for its exfoliating cleanser. 'It honestly meant so much,' Lana told Daily Mail, explaining that the team had quietly nominated the cleanser for the award without telling her. Renowned aesthetic Dr Joseph Hkeik and his niece Lana Sayah founded Lana Banana The renowned aesthetic physician has a lengthy list of famous clients include Mel B 'I'd always known deep down that the formula was something unique, but having it recognised by industry professionals was incredibly validating. It felt like a real milestone for the brand and a reminder that our approach truly resonates. 'Our Exfoliating Cleanser is award-winning for a reason. It provides gentle exfoliation while keeping the skin barrier intact, leaving the skin smooth, fresh, and balanced rather than tight or compromised. The scent is also divine.' The $35 cleanser is one of the brand's best-sellers, with fans giving it five-star reviews and some even saying they are 'honestly obsessed'. 'Hands down the best cleanser I've used - feels fresh after a long day at work,' one shopper raved. Just one year after launch, the Aussie brand won Prevention's 2025 Best in Beauty Award for Cleanser, earning the number one spot for its exfoliating cleanser 'The Exfoliating Cleanser I now reach for above all else. My favourite step of my skincare routine, leaves my skin smooth without irritation. The scent is also so luxurious reflecting its worth. My new go to skincare brand,' another shared. 'I love this cleanser, definitely a high-end product but it's obviously worth it. Leaves me feeling cleansed especially because I wear SPF and love to remove that before bed. The scent is 10/10, makes me feel like I'm at a spa,' one added. 'I have been nervous to try exfoliators for the first time, but the Lana Banana one has been so wonderful. It smells luxurious and feels even nice. My skin glows the day after using this,' another revealed. Having worked with her uncle at his All Saint Clinic for over a decade, Lana was inspired to launch the brand after observing younger skin growing increasingly 'reactive and damaged' due to overuse, conflicting advice, and trend-driven routines that weaken the skin barrier. 'I came to my uncle with the idea of creating skincare that cut through that noise,' she said. Dr Hkeik's 'less-is-more' philosophy led to the founding of a skincare brand, aptly named Lana Banana, after his niece Lana Sayah approached him with a business idea On a mission to demystify skincare, Lana Banana streamlines the process with a three-step routine for morning and night - everything you need to support skin health and strengthen the barrier Lana Banana's top three best sellers 1. The Day and Night sets 2. Exfoliating Cleanser 2. Night Serum Advertisement On a mission to demystify skincare, Lana Banana streamlines the process with a three-step routine for morning and night - everything you need to support skin health and strengthen the barrier. 'The sets are so popular because they remove all guesswork,' Lana said. 'They're designed to be simple and intuitive, with a quick three-step routine that's clearly numbered, so you never have to worry about using products in the wrong order or overcomplicating your skincare routine.' their products are ideal for anyone who feels 'overwhelmed' by skincare and wants simplicity in their routine. 'The range is doctor-backed, barrier-focused, and built around supporting long-term skin health rather than quick fixes,' he explained. 'It's designed to simplify routines without compromising on quality, using well-formulated, effective products that work with the skin, not against it. 'Whether you're new to skincare or looking to reset your routine, Lana Banana offers a trusted, uncomplicated approach that delivers results.' Dr Hkeik said some of the biggest mistakes he sees people make include using too many skincare products, choosing the wrong ingredients for their skin types or constantly switching between brands (pictured with Miranda Kerr) Lana and her uncle Dr Hkeik are hoping to expand their range, particularly in the space where 'skincare meets makeup' Before creating the range, Dr Hkeik said some of the biggest mistakes he sees people make include using too many skincare products, choosing the wrong ingredients for their skin types or constantly switching between brands. 'Using too many actives at once, or the wrong actives often creates more problems than it solves, such as irritation, sensitivity, breakouts, and a compromised skin barrier,' he said. 'A lot of this comes from trend-led skincare and conflicting advice online. People are constantly switching products, layering strong ingredients, and chasing quick fixes rather than supporting long-term skin health. 'In clinic, we see far better results when routines are simplified and consistent.' He said Lana Banana's range has been 'intentionally edited' so people 'know exactly what to use, when, and why'. 'It's especially important for maintaining healthy, resilient skin long-term,' he said. The brand's Day and Night Sets start at $200, with each pack containing just three products: a cleanser, a serum, and a moisturiser. The brand's best seller is the night and morning sets (left). Lana Banana's newest addition is the Liquid Filter (right), a three-in-one foundation, makeup base and primer, created to be your 'everyday, real-life filter' From a consumer perspective, Lana Banana's price point may seem premium - but Dr Hkeik noted that it reflects the care, quality, and intention behind each product. 'Lana Banana is formulated using high-quality ingredients, manufactured in Australia to very high standards, and designed to deliver results without unnecessary complexity,' he said. Lana Banana special Contains affiliated content. Products featured in this article are selected by our writers. Click here for more information. Daily Mail readers get an exclusive 20 per cent off sitewide when using discount code LB20 at checkout Advertisement 'When you look at cost per use, longevity, and the fact that the range replaces multiple products, the value becomes very clear. You're paying for formulas that are effective, considered, and designed to support skin health long term.' Lana Banana's newest addition is the Liquid Filter, a three-in-one foundation, makeup base and primer, created to be your 'everyday, real-life filter'. 'I wear it every day on its own, and I'm constantly getting asked what I'm using because my skin looks so healthy and glowy,' Lana said. 'I'm not a fan of foundation for everyday so this is the perfect alternative - it enhances my skin without covering it. 'I stopped wearing foundation completely while testing it, and I was constantly being complimented on how good my skin looked. That's what makes Liquid Filter different - it refines, protects, and enhances skin so it still looks like skin.' Lana and her uncle Dr Hkeik are hoping to expand their range, particularly in the space where 'skincare meets makeup' (Dr Hkeik pictured with Elle Macpherson) Among the range, Dr Hkeik said his all-time favourite product is the Night Serum. 'I love how it gently refines the skin through controlled exfoliation while still supporting hydration and the skin barrier,' he explained. Lana and her uncle Dr Hkeik are hoping to expand their range, particularly in the space where 'skincare meets makeup'. 'The Liquid Filter was the beginning of that conversation, and it's opened the door for us to develop products that enhance skin while still supporting skin health,' she said. 'We'll always stay true to our less-is-more philosophy, meaning every new product has to earn its place. 'The focus is on formulas that refine, protect, and simplify, so skincare feels intuitive and part of everyday life.' Dr Hkeik, the founder of All Saint Clinic in Sydney and Le Petit Saint in London, said China emerges as global healthcare destination 10:04, February 26, 2026 By Bai Jianfeng ( People's Daily Doctors attend to an international patient during their rounds at the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. (Photo from Qianjiang Evening News) China's expanding visa-free policies, including a 240-hour transit visa exemption, are attracting more international visitors. Among them, a growing number are travelling specifically for medical treatment, sharing their positive experiences globally on social media. This marks a significant shift. Years ago, Chinese patients often sought advanced care in Europe and North America. Today, a "reverse medical tourism" trend is bringing international patients to China, driven primarily by the exceptional value proposition: high-quality healthcare at accessible prices. This trend reflects the growing strength of China's medical system. International patients consistently report that obtaining care in China is "neither difficult nor expensive," highlighting efficiency, affordability, and quality as key advantages. Photo shows videos tagged "China health care" on Tiktok. (Web photo) Efficiency: Many foreign patients express astonishment at the speed of care. Where wait times for specialists, diagnostics, or surgery can stretch to months in their home countries, China's system often enables registration, testing, and even surgery within days. This efficiency is born from serving a vast population. Doctors in major hospitals routinely see high volumes of patients -- sometimes 60-70 daily -- often sacrificing personal breaks to minimize delays. In 2024 alone, Chinese healthcare institutions managed 10.15 billion patient visits, with an average hospital stay of 8.6 days, underscoring the system's capacity and the dedication of its medical professionals. Affordability: International patients consistently find that costs in Chinese public hospitals, even when paid entirely out-of-pocket, are significantly lower than comparable care abroad. This affordability stems from government-regulated pricing for many services and substantial public investment in medical equipment, often resulting in fees below operational cost. Health authorities also strictly control per-visit expenses to prevent overtreatment; in 2024, the average hospital stay cost was 9,870 yuan ($1,428), while an average outpatient visit was 361 yuan. Furthermore, national bulk-buying programs for pharmaceuticals and medical devices, alongside negotiations for drug inclusion in insurance schemes, have dramatically reduced prices, maximizing patient savings. Quality: China's overall medical technology and care standards are now comparable to those in developed Western nations. The integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with Western medicine provides unique strengths, particularly in managing chronic conditions. Chinese physicians are globally recognized leaders in treating complex and critical illnesses, achieving world-leading results in certain fields. International assessments, such as The Lancet's rankings on healthcare quality and access, consistently place China highly. The rapid advancement of "AI + healthcare" applications is further elevating the standard of care nationwide. Healthcare is a key indicator of a country's overall strength. Over the years, China has steadily increased its investment in the sector. In 2024, total health expenditure accounted for 6.7 percent of China's GDP, with government and social spending making up 72.5 percent and out-of-pocket spending accounting for 27.5 percent. This commitment underpins the system's growing appeal to international patients seeking effective, efficient, and affordable care. China has pursued a health-first development strategy, upheld the public welfare nature of basic healthcare services, and built the world's largest systems for medical services, traditional medicine, disease prevention and control, and medical insurance. A medical worker of Shunyi Women's and Children's Hospital of Beijing Children's Hospital in Beijing gives directions to a foreigner seeking medical treatment. (Photo from the official account of the media center of Shunyi district, Beijing on WeChat) In 2024, life expectancy in China reached 79 years, with major health indicators ranking among the leading levels for middle- and high-income countries. With its strong reputation and growing credibility, China's healthcare system is becoming a trusted and increasingly sought-after choice for patients around the world. Looking ahead, experts suggest that China should further enhance its international medical service system -- centered on the international departments of public hospitals and high-quality private health care providers while promoting globally aligned hospital accreditation standards with Chinese characteristics. Efforts should also include establishing a more rational and competitive pricing framework for international patients and accelerating integration with global commercial health insurance systems. These steps would help make China a more accessible and attractive destination for medical travelers worldwide. China is well positioned to become a global destination for health care, enabling people around the world to experience not only the efficiency but also the human warmth of its medical services. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) An Aussie commuter recently made an unexpected tech discovery while travelling on her local bus route. 'I was today years old when I finally noticed our buses have charging stations onboard!' a Brisbane accountant excitedly shared to an online discussion forum. She posted this caption beside a photo she'd snapped of the onboard device charger, showing two USB outlets located near a window inside the bus. The USB ports were accompanied by a small sign displaying the Brisbane City Council logo and the words 'Free Charging Station'. The sign also confirmed its suitability for 5V 2.5 amp use. Other Queensland locals quickly chimed in, saying they'd spotted the charging stations on newer buses too. 'I've noticed them only in a few buses,' one said. 'Not all of them! A few select routes, mostly city and inner suburbs,' added another. But some replies observed that the type of charger and its output level were hardly worth celebrating. A Brisbane commuter spotted a little-known feature on her local bus route The accountant spotted a 'Free Charging Station' comprising two USB ports alongside a window inside the bus One person declared that the charging speed was 'absurdly slow' and that hardly anyone carried a USB-A charging cable these days. 'I've used them once only because my battery was down to 15 per cent... by the end of my journey my battery was only up to 17 per cent,' one recalled. 'Stupidly slow charging.' '5V 2.5A couldn't charge a modern rechargeable torch, let alone a laptop,' one observed. 'Not even USB-C?' read another eye-rolling comment. Some sarcastically noted they were simply 'surprised it hasn't had gum jammed into it'. Many responses, however, admitted to feeling uneasy about using publicly available USB ports, worrying their devices might be exposed to things like viruses, malware, or scammers. 'Maybe I'm paranoid but not keen to plug my phone into a public USB. Might use it to charge my extra battery though,' one replied. 'Never plug your devices into ports you do not own and cannot trust,' advised one vigilant individual. 'Zero trust is the way to go these days.' The slick new Mariyung Fleet of trains has quietly rolled out on several of Sydney's busiest train lines A commuter from Penrith provided a photo of the USB and power charging ports onboard the Mariyung Fleet, describing the tech feature as a 'game changer' 'I would not plug into a random USB port in any public location, especially if you use a cheap USB cable. You can get a voltage spike upon connection which can short devices,' agreed another. They continued: 'Amateur hackers who also have physical access to these things could do something nefarious (Juice Jacking) that could impact some unsuspecting low battery victim looking to top up.' Despite these concerns, it seems a number of newer public transport modes in Australia are eagerly adopting onboard charging ports. Brisbane City Council's information page confirms that their new Brisbane Metro fleet includes 'in-built USB A and C charging points' and 'onboard Wi-Fi'. Meanwhile in Sydney, the state-of-the-art Mariyung Fleet of trains has also levelled up with a recharge station feature. The new trains, which currently operate on every service between Sydney and the Central Coast/Newcastle line and select services on the Blue Mountains line, are installed with USB charging ports and regular power outlets. A commuter from Penrith, who shared a photo of the charging ports onboard the Mariyung Fleet, told Daily Mail: 'The improved toilets, seat trays and USB power are a game changer. It's such a nice trip with the new trains.' The regular rider also had a hot tip for those who wanted to ensure they always get to travel on the newer trains. 'In the TripView app, if you tap onto one of the individual services, it shows you exactly which train it's going to be. So I aim for the Mariyungs, always.' Wellbeing influencer Gabriela Martins Santos de Moura has died following a botched fertility surgery after struggling to get pregnant. The 31-year-old, from Brazil, underwent an assisted reproduction treatment at a human reproduction clinic on February 17. It is unclear whether she was undergoing IVF or an egg retrieval. During the procedure, Santos de Moura suffered complications and went into cardiorespiratory arrest, according to local reports. She was rushed to hospital and placed in intensive care but was confirmed brain dead eight days later. In a heartbreaking statement posted on social media, her family shared: 'It is with immense sadness that we communicate the passing of our Gabriela, whose brain death was confirmed today by the medical team. 'At this moment of pain, we are comforted to know that her love and generosity will remain alive through the decision to proceed with organ donation, a gesture of immense greatness that will bring hope and life to other people, just as she was.' Wellbeing influencer Gabriela Martins Santos de Moura has died following a botched fertility surgery after struggling to get pregnant Santos de Moura was originally from Teresina in the state of Piaui and lived with her husband, orthopedic doctor Samuel Moura (pictured) A memorial for the wellness influencer was held on Wednesday at the Santa Rita de Cassia Church. Santos de Moura was originally from Teresina in the state of Piaui and lived with her husband, orthopedic doctor Samuel Moura. Her death reportedly came just one day after the couples eighth wedding anniversary. Shocked fans took to social media to mourn the influencer. 'So sad. So young and beautiful... May God have him in his glory... Rest in peace,' one person wrote. Another said: 'What a tragic and tragic event, so new and beautiful. May God comfort the family and friends.' 'God of comfort, I will never forget you, your sweet and sincere advice, that gives strength to Samuel and his eternal family,' said someone else. 'May God comfort the hearts of the family,' penned another. The 31-year-old, from Brazil , underwent an assisted reproduction treatment at a human reproduction clinic on February 17 She was rushed to hospital and placed in intensive care but was confirmed brain dead eight days later Her death reportedly came just one day after the couples eighth wedding anniversary Over the weekend, beauty and fashion influencer Maria Rita Rodrigues da Silva died aged 25 after suffering a sudden medical emergency. The heartbreaking news was shared by her parents, who wrote: 'It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved daughter Maria Rita.' In a separate post, they added: 'Unfortunately, Maria suffered a sudden illness and left us.' Her exact cause of death has not been disclosed. Maria, from Sao Bernardo do Campo in Brazil, had amassed more than 65,000 followers on TikTok and over 11,000 on Instagram. She regularly posted beauty and fashion content, alongside selfies, updates on her weight-loss journey and snapshots from her travels, including trips to Peru and Uruguay. Melania Trump seems to march to the beat of her own drum as First Lady - and it is something that appears to apply to her wardrobe too. Since husband President Donald Trump took office for the second time, Melania has gone bigger and bolder with her fashion choices, which have frequently grabbed the attention of the public in a major way. She made headlines for wearing bold silver trousers to the black-tie Governors Dinner earlier this month, with some fashion critics branding the look 'disgraceful.' But the mom, 55, has been undeterred from sticking to her penchant for pants. On Tuesday evening, she stepped out hand-in-hand with Trump for the State of the Union address in Washington, D.C. Melania emulated business chic in a dark gray Dolce & Gabbana pantsuit with flared trousers, an ensemble that she paired with a white button-down shirt and black Manolo Blahnik heels. And according to San Diego-based personal stylist and image consultant Cynthia Kennedy, the pantsuits and loud pants that Melania has been sporting lately are to send a clear message that the First Lady is 'independent' and 'rebellious.' 'She's not doing what people expect. She's not wearing safe, dull, traditional First Lady fashion,' Kennedy explained to the Daily Mail. Melania Trump seems to march to the beat of her own drum as First Lady - and it is something that appears to apply to her wardrobe too On Tuesday evening, she stepped out hand-in-hand with Trump for the State of the Union address in Washington, D.C. 'She's wearing what SHE wants, from her favorite designers mostly European luxury brands like Dolce & Gabbana and she's making it clear that this job is something she's doing on her own terms,' Kennedy continued. 'What she's doing may not necessarily be modern, but it is strategic.' The personal stylist shared that Melania is definitely not trying to be relatable, either, as she dons expensive pants to various public events. 'She's not trying to be relatable at all with pants that cost over $2,000,' Kennedy said. 'She's showing that she's on a completely different playing field and follows her own rules. She's not interested in dressing for any role,' she said. And that definitely seems to be the case. Melania recently made headlines for her choice of trousers at the Governor's Dinner on February 21, a black-tie event that was held at The White House. The First Lady wore $2,395 metallic silver trousers by Dolce & Gabbana, one of her favorite designers, for the occasion, pairing the cigarette-style brocade pants with a long-sleeve, black tie-neck blouse from the same brand. She made headlines for wearing bold silver trousers to the black-tie Governors Dinner earlier this month, with some fashion critics branding the look 'disgraceful' The First Lady wore $2,395 metallic silver trousers by Dolce & Gabbana, one of her favorite designers, for the occasion, pairing the cigarette-style brocade pants with a long-sleeve, black tie-neck blouse from the same brand An event with a black-tie dress code usually constitutes a floor-length gown for women, according to Vogue. Some fans criticized her choice of ensemble, with some calling the move 'inappropriate' and 'disgraceful.' But according to Kennedy, this is nothing new for Melania. Her style has always been something that the First Lady has seemed to care about, as she even took viewers behind-the-scenes of the fitting for her various inauguration outfits in her recent documentary filmed, titled Melania. 'She wore pants to the same dinner in 2025 a D&G tuxedo suit so this is becoming a pattern, it's not accidental,' the personal stylist told the Daily Mail. 'She KNOWS pants at a black-tie dinner are not the usual thing. She KNOWS people will talk about it. And she does it anyway,' she shared. 'Some people loved it and said it was "modern" and "classy." Others thought it was completely wrong for the occasion,' she said. And this chatter is exactly what the First Lady wants, Kennedy said. She created a similar buzz when she rocked a pair of brown leather pants in November, while visiting service members at Camp Lejune in North Carolina The First Lady also sported a black pair of pants in mid-February as she celebrated the installation of her second inauguration gown's exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History She created a similar buzz when she rocked a pair of brown leather pants in November, while visiting service members at Camp Lejune in North Carolina. Melania paired the look with a safari-style jacket from Blaze Milano, featuring various pockets of different sizes and tortoise-shell button detailing. The First Lady also sported a black pair of pants in mid-February as she celebrated the installation of her second inauguration gown's exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. 'Melania has always loved leather, and that isn't anything new,' Kennedy told the Daily Mail. It's true - she caused quite a stir in 2018, during Trump's first term, when she sported a pair of skin-colored leather leggings from Ralph Lauren when she and her husband returned from a visit to troops in Iraq. 'She pretty much lived in leather pants, leather skirts, and leather coats during her husband's first term,' Kennedy said. 'Now, she's bringing it back for her second round as First Lady, and this time it feels really deliberate.' The image consultant called the First Lady's outfit at the Smithsonian 'chic,' as she said it had a 'European feel' to it. She caused quite a stir in 2018, during Trump's first term, when she sported a pair of skin-colored leather leggings from Ralph Lauren and she and her husband returned from a visit to troops in Iraq Besides the leather and shiny brocade, Melania has also sported bold floral-pattern trousers, like the peony-print Dolce & Gabbana pair she wore in June to the Congressional Picnic Kennedy said it sends a message that she's not trying to fit the typical mold. 'I don't think Melania has ever really conformed to what First Ladies are "supposed" to wear, and leather is her way of saying that loud and clear,' Kennedy shared. 'It's daring, it's all about fashion, it's a little bit rock and roll, and it certainly separates her from the pearls-and-pastels women who usually hold this role,' she said. Besides the leather and shiny brocade, Melania has also sported bold floral-pattern trousers, like the peony-print Dolce & Gabbana pair she wore in June to the Congressional Picnic, or the multi-colored slacks from Erdem she sported in 2018. 'It's a power move,' Kennedy said of her bold pant choices. 'She's showing people that she can ignore normal dress codes, wear untraditional outfits to these formal events, and still have half the people in the room think she looks elegant and classy.' 'There's also a feeling underneath it all that she doesn't need anyone's approval,' she continued. 'Melania has never really tried to be loved by everyone as First Lady. She's creating an image of being above it all, untouchable, doing her own thing,' Kennedy added. 'The bold pants choices are part of that story.' Gum disease is a serious risk factor for Australian adults If you thought brushing and flossing were the only things standing between you and gum disease, think again. A US-based dentist with more than two decades of experience has revealed the one drink many people in Japan have after meals - and says it could be quietly transforming your oral health. Dr Mark Burhenne, known online as 'The Sleep Dentist', told his followers that research shows green tea could be the answer to better teeth. 'Green tea's catechins directly suppress the bacteria destroying your gums,' he said on Instagram. A 2021 meta-analysis of 18 randomised clinical trials found green tea produced significant improvements in the exact measurements periodontists use to diagnose gum disease - including pocket depth and clinical attachment loss. In simple terms: the inflammation goes down, the gums tighten up, and the tissue that anchors your teeth becomes healthier. In Japan, green tea after meals is a ritual, served at both restaurants and at home. And according to Dr Burhenne, it may also function as a natural antibacterial rinse. Dr Mark Burhenne, known online as 'The Sleep Dentist', told his followers that research shows green tea could be the answer to better teeth Unlike sugary drinks, juices or even some sparkling waters that bathe teeth in acid, green tea contains polyphenols that inhibit the growth of harmful oral bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, a major culprit in gum disease. There's also evidence it can help reduce bad breath by neutralising sulphur compounds produced by bacteria on the tongue. In a culture where preventative health is embedded in daily habits, the humble cup of tea may be doing more heavy lifting than we realise. Before you start downing supermarket teabags, Dr Burhenne has a warning. 'I wouldn't drink just any green tea,' he said. Dr Burhenne claimed tea was one of the most pesticide-laden crops in the world, and because the leaves are directly steeped in hot water, any residues can become concentrated in your cup. 'The majority of green tea on store shelves is heavily sprayed,' he explained. For those keen to adopt the habit, experts recommend choosing high-quality, organic loose-leaf varieties where possible - particularly if you're drinking it daily. Unlike sugary drinks, juices or even some sparkling waters that bathe teeth in acid, green tea contains polyphenols that inhibit the growth of harmful oral bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, a major culprit in gum disease Timing is also important. Dentists advise waiting at least 30 minutes after meals before brushing, but sipping unsweetened green tea immediately after eating can help gently reduce bacterial load without damaging enamel. Dr Burhenne's advice comes just weeks after he sent the internet into a frenzy over another unexpected dental red flag: your bedtime routine. The California-based dentist, who has amassed more than 760,000 views on a recent video, warned that seemingly harmless night-time habits such as mouth breathing and snoring could be silently destroying your oral and overall health. 'If you wake up with a dry mouth, you're not just thirsty - you're mouth breathing all night,' he said. 'That means more cavities, bad breath, and way less oxygen to your brain. Tape your mouth. Train your nose. It will change your life.' According to experts, mouth breathing during sleep doesn't just make you wake up groggy, it dries out saliva, which plays a crucial role in protecting against tooth decay and gum disease. He also revealed that teeth grinding - or bruxism - isn't always caused by stress. According to experts, mouth breathing during sleep doesn't just make you wake up groggy, it dries out saliva, which plays a crucial role in protecting against tooth decay and gum disease, as well as heart disease, high blood pressure and brain fog 'Grinding your teeth at night isn't just stress, it's your airway trying to stay open.' Restricted airflow can force the jaw forward during sleep in an unconscious attempt to keep the airway clear, gradually wearing down enamel and contributing to jaw pain and disrupted sleep. Snoring, he added, is often ignored but can signal something more serious, including sleep apnoea - a condition linked to high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline if left untreated. 'Stop ignoring your snoring,' he urged. Taken together, his message is clear: oral health isn't isolated from the rest of the body. The bacteria that inflame your gums does not stay in your mouth - chronic gum disease has been linked in multiple studies to heart disease, diabetes, and systemic inflammation. A daily cup of quality green tea won't replace brushing, flossing, or professional dental care - but it may act as a simple, centuries-old adjunct to modern hygiene. And in a world obsessed with supplements, powders and biohacks, it's a refreshingly low-tech solution. Like every mother of a teenage girl, Sara Trunchion worried about the amount of time her 15-year-old daughter Eloise spent online. Lockdown hadnt helped; suddenly, a nation of happy, healthy children including Eloise a girl whose life revolved around dancing, swimming and hanging out with her friends retreated indoors, their only interaction with the outside world through her phone. But Sara reassured herself that at least Eloises online influences seemed to be positive. Sitting beside her on the sofa in their home in West Sussex, Sara could see Eloise flicking through TikTok and Instagram, pouring over images of beautiful, toned women and studying their recipes and tips for their happy, healthy lives. What harm could there be in that? Quite a lot, it turned out. Within months, Eloises desire to be fit and healthy spiralled into a dangerous obsession, one that would leave her hair falling out, her periods stopping and her body so weak with anorexia she could barely walk. Eloise had become hooked on so-called Skinnytok and Fitspo social media posts and vlogs. Such content comprises workout routines, what I eat in a day clips, and weight-loss transformation videos. While it may as Sara initially believed appear harmless, in fact they push the message that your worth depends entirely on how thin you are. And the message was clear: extreme thinness was best. As a parent, you tend to worry about strangers on the internet talking to your children, or them being groomed, but only now I realise what other dangers lurk on there, says Sara, now 57. At just 15, Eloise Trunchion became hooked on so-called Skinnytok and Fitspo social media posts and vlogs over lockdown The content Eloise was consuming pushed the message that self-worth depends entirely on how thin you are I hate to think how much of that content Eloise watched during her darkest time. That constant comparison is dangerous, especially when people with eating disorders will never feel validated, no matter what. Sadly, Eloises experiences are not unique. Ofcom figures released last year showed that over a four-week survey period, 16 per cent of teenagers had seen material that stigmatises body types or promotes disordered eating. Campaigners warn that, as with violent or explicit videos, such content can cause serious harm. The rise of such issues is why the Government is carrying out a consultation into childrens relationships with social media. One of the proposals being considered is a ban on social media for under-16s, a move that has already been backed by the House of Lords last month, following the introduction of an under-16s ban in Australia last year. I would definitely be in support of such a ban, Eloise says. I could have done without social media in my life when I was 16. Perhaps then my eating disorder wouldnt have unravelled as badly as it did. Eloise, now 19, remembers how gradually these videos took over her life, and completely changed the way she saw food. The girls I saw online were tiny and theyd proudly show meals that looked more like snacks, all accompanied by captions or voiceovers like so full after this or staying on track today, she recalls. I became terrified of eating the wrong thing. If I cooked with Mum, Id stand over her shoulder, demanding to know every ingredient being used. If she added oil or cheese, Id panic. When I was really bad, Id throw plates of food on the floor, and I remember once walking into the kitchen and seeing Mum cooking pasta and running out the door. She literally had to chase me down the street and persuade me to come home. I thought I was being disciplined but really, I was ill. Since the age of six, Eloise had suffered from emetophobia a fear of vomiting after being hospitalised with a particularly nasty norovirus. Her anxiety levels had ebbed and flowed over the years, as she worried about foods that might make her ill. But it was in 2021, compounded by the stress of lockdown and more and more time spent online, that her eating problems really began. Yet at first, when she stumbled upon posts of beautiful, slim young women sharing exercise and healthy eating tips, Eloise felt like shed been allowed access into a perfect world. These women looked so happy. So in control. Everything Eloise felt she wasnt. And so, she tried to emulate them. I started cutting certain foods out and started to lose weight. Not that I needed to, I was just a normal, healthy teenager, but I couldnt see myself that way. All I saw was the perfection online. Such is the pernicious way internet searches work, that as soon as Eloise watched one video about detoxing, suddenly the algorithm was feeding her dozens of variations, nudging her into extreme content. Every time I opened TikTok or Instagram, Id be bombarded with girls showing off their toned stomachs and the tiny meals they were apparently getting by on, she says. Even if I unfollowed accounts, new ones came up on my feed with endless posts about low-calorie hacks or how to eat under 1,200 calories a day. 'I was just a normal, healthy teenager,' says Eloise. 'But I couldnt see myself that way. All I saw was the perfection online' 'It was so hard,' remembers her mum Sara, left. 'I was desperate for her to eat but I couldnt force her. We would sit at the table together for hours and there was both anger and tears' 'I hate to think how much of that content Eloise watched during her darkest time,' says Sara, pictured with her daughter. 'That constant comparison is dangerous' It made Eloise feel like eating anything normal was greedy. I started to see food as numbers, not nourishment, she explains. I would be deliberating over which contained fewer calories, a small banana or an apple, and Id count down to the single blueberry. I became obsessed with the calorie-counting app, logging every bite, terrified of going over my calorie deficit. One day, pro-ana accounts started popping up on my feed people actually promoting anorexia and giving tips on how to lose weight unhealthily. As a teenager, youre vulnerable anyway. You want to fit in, look good and feel in control. Those videos made me feel anything but. They made me hate my body. I would tell myself Id feel better when I lost a bit more weight. It was a constant battle between having those dark thoughts and trying to ignore them. Sara did her best to be patient in the face of Eloises increasingly unpredictable behaviour, assuming her daughter was going through a bad patch with her anxiety. But by January 2022, aged 16, Eloise knew this was something far worse. I really wasnt well. I was falling apart. While all my friends were meeting up, having fun and having a great social life post lockdown, I was confined to the sofa watching TV because I was freezing cold and drained of energy. Saras terrifying wake-up call as to how ill her daughter came one day that summer when they went to the beach. I saw her in a bikini, and I was shocked. I had no idea she was that underweight, so I took her to the doctors, where they weighed her and explained she was way down on the BMI percentile. When they said the word anorexia, I was stunned. I knew she was getting thinner, but Id just thought it was a child being difficult about what they ate. I never thought she had an eating disorder. For Eloise, however, the diagnosis brought mixed feelings; fear that she might die, but also validation she was actually ill. But getting help wasnt easy; the administrative wheels ground painfully slowly. It was so hard, remembers Sara. I was desperate for her to eat but I couldnt force her. We would sit at the table together for hours and there was both anger and tears. What helped me in the end was separating the eating disorder from Eloise, seeing them as two separate things. We called the anorexia Ed and honestly, it was like she was possessed by it. In October 2022, Eloise was admitted to an eating disorder day unit five days a week for three months. She admits this chapter in her life was mostly a blur, with her mum taking the lead in organising her recovery, but she remembers the process being quite daunting. I had to eat meals in front of other people and every instinct in my body screamed not to, she remembers. But slowly, with support from the doctors, therapists and other patients, Eloise began to rebuild her relationship with food. We didnt just talk about calories or weight, we talked about feelings, fears and control, she explains. I realised that anorexia wasnt really about wanting to be thin. It was about wanting to feel safe, and to have something I could manage when everything else felt overwhelming. Leaving the unit after 13 weeks, her battle to change her relationship with food continued. Its taken another two years of hard work, therapy, support from my family and re-learning what healthy actually means, she says. But Ive come so far. The best advice I ever received was that recovery isnt about gaining weight; its about gaining life. And thats exactly what Ive done. At her thinnest, all Eloise could do was sit on the sofa, too tired to move. Now I travel, go out with friends, and live a full, busy life, she says. Ive even gone back to the day unit, this time to work there, helping other young people in recovery. It feels surreal to be on the other side, but I love knowing that my story can give others hope. One of the biggest steps Eloise took in recovery was deleting the calorie-counting app that had ruled her life. I cant stand them now, she says. I would never recommend them to anyone, especially teenagers. They can be so dangerous because they turn food, something thats supposed to nourish us, into something to fear. I still have the odd down day, when old thoughts creep back in. But I recognise them for what they are lies my illness told me. Ive learned to listen to my body instead of an app. Eloise stresses that its important for parents to understand what their children might be seeing online. Its not always easy to tell whats dangerous some are disguised as health advice. But they can be incredibly triggering, she warns. Now in her own social media content, Eloise focuses on how much better life is now and the joy and connection food can bring us. I show what a healthy body looks like and how freeing it feels to go out for dinner, to travel and to laugh again, she says. I get messages [from other girls] saying things like, Youre the reason I started recovery, and I showed your videos to my mum and now Im getting support. Those words mean the world to me. Yet while shes proud to help others with her content, Eloise still limits her own time online. While social media companies promise that more protections are coming into place to protect vulnerable users, the reality is that progress is slow and tech-savvy teens are finding it easy to work around stricter community guidelines. Eloises message to teens still transfixed by social media content is: You dont have to earn your worth through numbers on a screen. Youre enough exactly as you are. And her message to parents? If youve noticed your child becoming anxious around food or constantly comparing themselves to people online, open up a conversation with them. Dont dismiss it as a phase. Im so grateful Mum fought for me when she realised how bad it was.' Follow Eloise at @eloises.diary and tiktok.com/@eloises_.diary A hatted Sydney restaurant in a prime beachside location is the latest to shut its doors. The Corner Palm Beach only opened five months ago on Sydney's picturesque northern beaches. But this week, it was confirmed via a social media notice that their final day of service will be Sunday, March 1. In a possible positive sign, however, the owners insist the venue's closure is simply a 'pause'. 'As our first summer at The Corner draws to a close, we're so grateful for the incredible season we've shared with you,' began a statement on the restaurant's Instagram account. 'From long lunches to late dinners, it's been a joy to see the space come to life, and we're thrilled to have been recognised with our first Good Food hat,' it continued - acknowledging the prestigious accolade it achieved in just the first few months of operation. 'We will be taking a pause, with our final summer service planned for Sunday, March 1,' the statement added, confirming the impending shutdown of the venue, which is a hybrid dining room, wine bar, delicatessen and providore. 'Bookings are now open for these last few weeks, and we'd love to welcome you in before we turn the next page'. The message concluded with a note of thanks to chef Sam Kane for 'shaping the opening chapter' of the venue, and hinted that they were 'looking forward to what's next'. The Corner Palm Beach announced via a social media notice that their final day of service will be Sunday, March 1. The venue only opened five months ago on Sydney's picturesque northern beaches According to Broadsheet, The Corner Palm Beach was not intended to be a pop-up or summer residency, but the owners changed tack after bookings proved 'not strong enough to sustain the venue outside of peak summer trade'. The closure of The Corner Palm Beach, which is part of Sydney's The Boathouse Group restaurant empire, has left locals devastated. 'This elegant space and exceptional produce has been a real pleasure to find - rare at Palmy. Sorry to see the doors close,' one diner replied to the announcement. Another commented that it was 'a real shame for all of us here in Palmy'. 'We love it and visit often - please stay open, it's the best,' they pleaded. Aussie influencer Indy Clinton even weighed in on the post, saying she was 'so sad' about the news. Others felt the venue was only just hitting its stride, and that the news of the sudden closure was 'devastating'. 'The Corner has been so wonderful - can't believe that it's taking off and now it's closing!' one diner said. The Corner Palm Beach was a hybrid dining room, wine bar, delicatessen and providore The Corner Palm Beach was under the helm of executive chef Sam Kane. The recent closure announcement suggested he would be moving on and thanked him for 'shaping the opening chapter' of the venue 'So sad and a majorly premature closing,' added another comment, which tagged The Boathouse Group. The Corner Palm Beach now joins another of the group's venues to have recently shut its doors: The Boathouse at Rose Bay. Located in the eastern suburbs, the venue's closure came as a surprise to its well-heeled local patrons. The institution quietly closed on January 11, with the news shared via a notice taped to the front door. 'After five wonderful years, Sunday 14th of January was our final restaurant and cafe service at The Boathouse Rose Bay,' the note began. The sign went on to explain that the decision to close was due to the lease agreement ending. A spokesperson for The Boathouse Group confirmed the contents of the note to Daily Mail, while also championing the next chapter of the hospitality business, which includes the recent opening of Las Palmas in Manly and a project in development for Terrey Hills. 'We can't wait to welcome guests to these new experiences and share what's next,' said Ben Collis, Head of Commercial and Marketing at The Boathouse Group. The Boathouse Group operates several iconic waterside hospitality venues across Sydney and regional NSW. Popular Sydney restaurant The Boathouse Rose Bay closed its doors permanently on January 11. Like The Corner Palm Beach, this venue was part of The Boathouse Group restaurant empire The Boathouse Rose Bay, located on Rose Bay Marina, opened in 2021 and was once a hotspot for the elite inner Sydney crowd and local celebrities Their flagship, The Boathouse, now has four outposts: Shelly Beach, Balmoral, and regional locations in Patonga and North Wollongong. Other venues within the group's current stable include Barrenjoey House in Palm Beach, Manly Pavilion, The Espy Manly, and The Mona Social. The Boathouse Group's story began in 2008 with the launch of their Palm Beach waterside cafe - which became an instantly popular, sought-after venue for Sydney's who's who. But in 2019, the group famously landed in financial hot water, as reports emerged that the hospitality business was struggling with mounting debts, unpaid suppliers, and threats of wind-up action. New investors were brought in, with property developers and brothers Ben and Jono Isaac stepping in to keep the group afloat. The original owners, the Goldsmith family, later exited the business in 2021. The Boathouse Group is now owned by the Isaac family, along with chief executive officer Antony Jones. A glamorous Los Angeles television reporter has said she was left 'blindsided' when she was laid off on her 40th birthday. KTLA's Ellina Abovian was among multiple staffers let go this week as the station's parent company, Nexstar, prepares to take over rival Tegna, the California Post reported Wednesday. She then confirmed the news in a teary-eyed video posted to Instagram on Thursday afternoon that she 'will not be returning to the job I held every day for 11 years.' 'Earlier this week, I, along with several of my KTLA dear friends and colleagues, were laid off as part of corporate restructuring,' Abovian explained, before describing the shock she felt when she heard the news. 'I was not expecting this. I was blindsided, and it hurts. It cuts deep because I cared about what I did,' she said. Abovian then went on to say she understands that 'corporate layoffs are part of life and this is just the game of life and they're impacting a lot off people across multiple industries right now. 'I'm not the only one and my situation certainly isn't unique, but it's hard to process considering how it happened,' she said, noting that it came as she was getting ready to celebrate a milestone birthday. 'Instead, I'm now processing what I'm going to do as a single mom to two kids,' the longtime reporter lamented. 'You know, life gets real when it gets real.' KTLA's Ellina Abovian was among several staff let go by the outlet this week - as she celebrated her 40th birthday. Abovian is seen here Wednesday with one of her two sons Abovian - one of KTLA's most recognizable morning reporters - had been with the network for more than 10 years The reporter also told her more than 50,000 Instagram followers how she is going to miss being a part of the news station. 'It's been 11 years of being in your living room every day. It's been 11 years of telling your stories and I'm going to miss it,' she said, adding that she will also miss her 'KTLA family.' 'And I'm especially going to miss our viewers because meeting all of you in the field or at the grocery store or just anywhere was just part of my life and something I held close to my heart because I knew the impact,' Abovian said as she started to get choked up. But, she noted, 'KTLA is not the only mountain I'm ever going to climb. In fact, this is just the beginning.' 'I'm going to be OK,' she promised. Many of Abovian's colleagues shared their support for her in the comments to the video, with fellow KTLA reporter Kacey Montoya expressing her love for Abovian and Fox 11's Good Day LA anchor Araksya Karapetyan saying the news is 'disappointing and I am so sorry. 'But I know you'll excel at whatever you decide to pursue,' Karapetyan commented. 'The right people and opportunities will naturally be drawn to you... and they'll be fortunate when they are. Keep shining.' Fox News' Bill Melugin also said the layoff was KTLA's 'loss,' arguing it 'just means there's another door you are meant to walk through, and this will free you up for that.' Film producer and screenwriter Sev Ohanian, meanwhile, said the news of Abovian's departure 'ruined my week.' 'You're the absolute best. [You're] INCREDIBLE at your job. Can't wait to see the next mountain you climb,' he wrote. Abovian shared the news that she was laid off in a video posted to Instagram on Thursday Prior to Thursday's Instagram video, Abovian released an episode of her podcast acknowledging it was her birthday and offering a somewhat cryptic missive when she was asked what advice she would give her 20-year-old self. 'Stop hiding. Stop shrinking. Theres a big world out there and you can be a part of it,' she said, after more than 10 years at the network. 'Stop hiding your body, stop thinking youre not good enough. You are so perfect in all your imperfections. If I could say that to my 21-year-old self and just say go for it. What are you waiting for? 'I wish my 21-year-old self could have followed all her dreams. I wish she could have gone out there into the world,' she added. The journalist said she wished she 'experienced more things instead of looking for safety.' She added in a post to Instagram: 'I guess this is 40. Feeling lighter, loved and looking forward'. A photo of her and her older son enjoying some birthday cake was captioned the 'Best part of the day.' The move makes way for the mountain of debt KTLA's parent company, Nexstar, will assume after an anticipated multibillion-dollar merger with rival local news broadcaster Tegna News of the layoffs began to spread on Wednesday. Network fixtures such as weatherman Mark Kriski, weathercaster Kacey Montoya, midday anchors Lu Parker and Glen Walker were also let go. Emmy Award-winning ex-anchor Walker told the Post that he learned of the layoffs on Monday. 'Did I see it coming? I would say no,' the anchor said, citing the network's relatively high ratings. 'Itll be interesting to see what happens moving forward.' The move makes way for the mountain of debt Nexstar will assume from Tegna if and when the companies do merge. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) boss Brendan Carr indicated he was ready to move forward with the $6.8billion merger last week. Nexstar already paid $4.1billion for the Chicago-based Tribune Media - a move that made it the biggest local news broadcaster in the country. It also made WGN, a popular Chicago news station, part of Nexstar. The affiliate laid off nine high profile on-air personalities on Monday. Its largest affiliate, WPIX-New York, laid off staff as well. A spokesman said: 'Nexstar does not comment on personnel issues, but the company is taking steps necessary to compete effectively in this period of unprecedented change.' The company made headlines late last year for its decision to pull 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' from ABC affiliates for roughly a week after facing pushback against jokes its host made after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Nexstar has 201 stations in 116 local markets across the country. It reaches 70 percent of US households. The FBI has scaled back its now nearly month-long search for Nancy Guthrie in Tucson, Arizona, it has been revealed. Agents will move to a new command post more than 100 miles away in Phoenix, sources with knowledge of the investigation told ABC News. The move does not indicate investigators are giving up in the search, the sources disclaimed. Some agents will stay behind in Tucson, they said. Nancy, 84, was abducted from her Tucson home by an unknown suspect in the early hours of February 1. No suspects have been named. There have been no arrests. The senior is the 84-year-old mother of Today show star Savannah Guthrie. The unsolved case has shocked and disturbed much of the country. Agents were seen outside the residence Wednesday, combing through portions of the home and lawn that had already been searched. The FBI has scaled back its search for Today star Savannah Guthrie's elderly mother, Nancy, in Tucson, Arizona Law enforcement officials were seen returning to Nancy's $1 million home in the Catalina Foothills on Wednesday but are now set to pull out and recenter in Phoenix, roughly 110 miles away The flurry of activity was related to an FBI effort to turn the home back over to the Guthrie family, officials told NBC News. Drops of blood were already found on the front porch. Investigators are under the impression Nancy was taken against her will. Footage recovered from the elderly woman's Nest doorbell camera showed an unidentified suspect in a ski mask in front of her door early February 1, before Nancy's pacemaker suddenly stopped transmitting data to her iPhone. Sources told ABC News Thursday there was no more work to be done at the home, hence the relocation. Phoenix has the largest FBI headquarters in the state. Pima County Sheriff's Department deputies are still searching Tucson, though, with help from an unspecified number of feds. Agents in Phoenix, meanwhile, will work the case from there, sources said. At this stage, investigators are scrutinizing things such as security footage, DNA samples, and Walmart sales receipts - as well as more than 1,500 tips that have flooded in since Savannah said the family was now offering a $1 million reward on Tuesday. Following a quick surge Tuesday, the number of calls to the sheriff's department has since dissipated, sources told ABC News. Pima County Sheriff's Department deputies are still searching Tuscon, though, with help from an unspecified number of federal agents In an Instagram video that contained the announcement, Savannah publicly acknowledged that her mother may be dead for the first time. She said: '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. '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. Somebody knows and we are begging you to please come forward now.' The search for Nancy entered its 26th day on Thursday. Drivers need to be vigilant when driving down these 10 'Fine Streets' which have generated the most penalty charge notices (PCNs) in the past year and combined they've seen motorists incur more than 42million in fines. A Freedom of Information request to councils revealed some single streets are responsible for more than 50 per cent of all charges issued by local authorities over the 12-month period. Corporation Street in the heart of Birmingham's city centre, has been named the worst of all with 62,725 PCNs dished out to motorists during the last reporting financial year. The majority of PCNs were for breaches of the city's Clean Air Zone, Birmingham City Council said. These would have been issued to drivers of non-compliant vehicles exited the A38 Aston Expressway onto Corporation Street on the zone's outer limit. Drivers are being warned to be extremely vigilant when driving down these 10 streets across the country which have generated the most PCNs last year Of the 10 streets where the most PCNs were distributed, six cashed in more than 1million in fines, the investigation revealed. The results will undoubtedly trigger serious questions from motorists about the fairness of charges. The comparison site asked every UK council which single street in their authority area had seen the most PCNs issued in 2024/25. Of all 383 UK authorities contacted, 359 responded with data. PCNs are issued for a multitude of infringements. This includes parking offences, straying into bus lanes, stopping in yellow box junctions and entering low emission zones in non-compliant vehicles without paying. The most charges were issued to drivers in Birmingham entering Corporation Street, with 62,725 PCNs dished out STREETS WHERE THE MOST PCNS WERE ISSUED TO DRIVERS IN 2024/25 Street Council Number of tickets % of all PCNs issued by the council PCN total value Avg ticket cost Corporation Street at Aston Road (inbound) Birmingham City Council 62,725 N/A N/A N/A Oxford St (Whitworth St to Chepstow St) Manchester City Council 39,521 7% 1,297,692 33 Cumberland Road Bristol City Council 37,862 7% 1,434,912 38 Heaton Lane, Central Stockport Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council 34,284 57% 1,213,604 35 Station Parade (Barking) London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council 33,419 14% 2,030,242 61 George Street, Corby North Northamptonshire Council 32,100 40% 789,931 25 Bull Lane N18 Enfield London Borough Council 30,276 15% 1,313,410 43 Mount Pleasant Tunbridge Wells Borough Council 28,930 42% 991,815 34 Arundel Gate (N/E bound) nr St Paul's Place Service Road Sheffield City Council 27,963 14% 941,353 34 Albert Bridge (North Side) Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea 27,821 10% 1,971,714 71 Source: Confused.com Freedom of Information request to all UK councils. Of the 383 councils, 359 replied The data revealed that 42,194,821 was collected by councils for offences committed on the 10 streets where the most PCNs were dished out over the 12-month period. Figures shared by local authorities showed that over half a billion pounds (530m) was collected by councils in motoring PCNs in total in the last fiscal year, Confused said. While Corporation Street in Birmingham at Aston Road (inbound) saw the most PCNs issued, Station Parade in Barking accrued the highest income from charges, raking in 2,030,242. Barking & Dagenham Borough Council issued 33,419 tickets for offences on this street in 2024/25, largely due to drivers entering a pedestrianised zone. These fines made up one in seven (14 per cent) PCNs distributed by the council that year. Meanwhile Heaton Lane in Stockport generated 57 per cent of all PCNs distributed by the Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. The council in 2022 introduced a 'bus gate' - a short section of road that only allows buses and other specific authorised vehicles (such as taxis, cycles, and emergency vehicles) to pass through - which triggered a surge in PCN volumes. A similar bus gate on Cumberland Road in Bristol - third overall for the most PCNs issued - is likely also responsible for almost all charges issued on the street, with enforcement of the bus gate starting in January 2024. Second in the list of streets where most PCNs were issued was bustling Oxford Street in the heart of Manchester, specifically the stretch between Whitworth Street to Chepstow Street, which has a bus lane and pay and display parking bays. Manchester City Council said the majority of PCNs were related to enforcement of the bus lane. Heaton Lane in Stockport - fourth in the list - generated 57% of all PCNs distributed by the Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council A bus gate on Cumberland Road in Bristol - third overall for the most PCNs issued - is likely also responsible for almost all charges issued on the street With councils collecting significant sums from parking and traffic fines, it's no surprise that many drivers are questioning how fairly these penalties are being issued and reasons for this. According to a survey of 2,000 UK drivers, 57 per cent have received a PCN and 12 per cent have received a PCN on the same street more than once. Nearly half were penalised for parking offences, including parking on a yellow line, not paying for parking, or parking in a restricted area. These fines are most often picked up in busy areas, with 47 per cent of drivers receiving their PCN in a city centre, and another two in five fined on a residential street. And the cost of parking penalties can quickly add up. A third of drivers said they paid between 50 and 100 in parking-related PCNs. Two in five drivers believe the current cost of parking fines is too expensive. Yet, one Dorset Council threatens to send charges skyrocketing after making a request to hike PCNs in its area. Last week, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council appealed to the DfT to allow it to permanently issue fines of up to 160 on par with London to tackle illegal parking on its coastline hotspots after the highest charges were successfully trialled in August. The AA has warned that if granted permission it could 'burst the dam on the value of charges' issued nationwide and risks councils treating motorists like a cash cow to bolster depleted local authority coffers. Station Parade in Barking (pictured) accrued the highest income from charges, raking in 2,030,242 The poll of drivers found that just over two in five (42 per cent) motorists who said they had received penalty charges appealed to have them overturned. A quarter of these said the appeal process provided by the distributing council was 'difficult'. Of those who did appeal, a fifth said it was because the PCN had been issued 'unfairly'. Another 15 per cent said their offence was accidental due to unclear or confusing signage or road markings. A fifth of drivers said the enforcement of low emission zones in major cities and the introduction of contentious Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) had also increased the likelihood of receiving PCNs on certain streets. Matt Crole-Rees, a spokesman for Confused, said: 'While fines are meant to keep roads safe, our research shows a growing number of motorists feel the system isn't always clear or fair. 'Confusing signage, changing road rules and limited parking all increase the chances of drivers being fined, particularly in busy areas. 'When restrictions aren't easy to understand, it becomes harder for drivers to make confident decisions and avoid costly mistakes. 'If you receive a PCN, it's worth taking the time to check whether it's been issued correctly, as some fines can be challenged, particularly where signage or road markings are unclear.' The arrival of several new Chinese brands has opened the door to cheaper new cars for UK drivers in the last 18 months. But there is a hidden cost that's making them far less affordable than motorists first realise. This is because some motor insurance providers won't cover them. And those that will are quoting hundreds of pounds more than they would for a similar model produced by an established mainstream manufacturer from Europe, Japan, Korea and the US. This means the low sticker price of several new Chinese cars is quickly wiped out by the fact they cost more than 2,000 to insure, according to comparison site Carwow. The issue is that despite almost 200,000 Chinese cars being registered in Britain last year, insurers remain incredibly cautious. Carwows analysis shows that a lack of familiarity with brands and somewhat limited parts availability is making them difficult to repair - and this means insurers are not currently in the position to underwrite them. As a result, motorists tempted by the lower price of Chinese cars are faced with less choice when buying insurance - and when they do, the premiums can be sky high. There is a hidden cost of owning a Chinese EV, an investigation has found. Pictured: Chinese BYDs coming off the production line in Thailand Analysis by Daily Mail and This is Money in January revealed that more than 196,000 Chinese cars were sold in the UK in 2025. Based on industry figures provided by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, this is more than double the 96,000 sold in 2024. Auto Trader says that two in five models being looked at on its website are Chinese, while industry analysts forecast that Chinese brands will represent a fifth of new cars sold in Britain by 2030. This rapid rise in popularity has been driven primarily by attractive pricing. Financial support from Beijing means Chinese brands are able to undercut models from legacy European brands by thousands of pounds, making them more appealing to both private buyers and fleet operators. An appearance of solid build quality, impressive range performance from electric and plug-in hybrid models, and an abundance of technology and gadgets in their cabins has also seen them shoot up the sales charts in the last year and a half. As such, MG - which has been on the market under Chinese stewardship for over a decade and is by far the most established of the East Asian marques - is now among the 10 best-selling car brands in the UK. Jaecoo, which is owned by Chinese automotive giant Chery, hit headlines earlier this month when its 7 SUV - dubbed the 'Temu Range Rover' - topped the sales rankings in January. Starting from 30,115, it is around a third of the price of one of the luxury British 4x4s. The BYD Seal U, also an electrified SUV, was sixth on the UK best sellers list last month, while the MG HS was tenth. Jaecoo also revealed that the 7, despite only launching in January 2025, had accrued more orders from private buyers in the last 12 months than any other motor in dealers. Nothing to smile about: Carwow found that 9 of the 10 biggest insurers in Britain wouldn't cover a Chinese Skywell BE11 SUV Some providers won't insure Chinese cars at all Carwow's investigation reveals that owners of these affordable Chinese models will have a challenge trying to find an insurance provider who will cover their cars. It obtained quotes from ten of the UKs biggest insurers for four Chinese cars and four of their mainstream equivalents. In the Chinese corner is the volume-selling Jaecoo 7, Xpeng G6, BYD Seal U and Skywell BE11. Representing legacy brands was the Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia EV3, Peugeot e-3008 and Toyota RAV4. When searching for policies online, just one of the ten major providers would cover the 31,990 Skywell BE11. And the provider than did - Esure - quoted 2,203.38. That was more than double the cheapest quote for the mainstream equivalent - the Japanese Toyota RAV4, which costs from just over 40,000. THE COST TO INSURE FOUR POPULAR CHINESE CARS Insurer Jaecoo 7 Xpeng G6 BYD Seal U Skywell BE11 Admiral 773.43 944.24 639.21 Skywell not listed Aviva Can't cover 815 1,017 Skywell not listed Direct Line Quote declined Quote declined 1,310.96 Quote declined Hastings 747.19 760.59 489.88 Skywell not listed LV 1,042.70 Can't cover Can't cover Can't cover AXA Quote declined Quote declined Quote declined Quote declined Ageas Jaecoo not listed Xpeng not listed BYD not listed Skywell not listed AA Quote declined 1,569.39 1,433 Skywell not listed Esure 837.49 1,421.52 836.89 2,203.38 Allianz 889.82 Can't cover 802.59 Can't cover Average 858.12 1,102.15 644.55 2,203.38 Source: Carwow. Insurance costs included are based on quotations available at the time of research and are provided for illustrative purposes only. Insurance premiums vary and change over time. This is intended for general information only and should not be relied upon as financial or insurance advice. Quotes listed are based on full-comprehensive cover for a 27-year-old journalist living in Hampshire with no claims or convictions, and no points on their licence THE COST TO INSURE FOUR MAINSTREAM EQUIVALENTS TO CHINESE CARS Insurer VW Tiguan Kia EV3 Peugeot E-3008 Toyota RAV4 Admiral 471.87 498.80 539.15 953.48 Aviva 753 755 764 1,216 Direct Line 969.74 1,033.93 1,078.63 1,540.79 Hastings 489.88 489.88 447.44 753.96 LV 607.02 879.66 930.54 Unable to quote AXA 704.79 728.07 996.91 1,051.80 Ageas Unable to quote Unable to quote Unable to quote Unable to quote AA 1,078.43 1,171.04 1,367 1,563.29 Esure 561.93 1,062.58 655.74 1,239.37 Allianz 594.18 Can't cover 765.52 Can't cover Average 692.71 827.37 838.30 1,188.38 Source: Carwow. Insurance costs included are based on quotations available at the time of research and are provided for illustrative purposes only. Insurance premiums vary and change over time. This is intended for general information only and should not be relied upon as financial or insurance advice. Quotes listed are based on full-comprehensive cover for a 27-year-old journalist living in Hampshire with no claims or convictions, and no points on their licence The investigation found that all but one provider would cover the 38,900 VW Tiguan with an average policy ringing in at 700. In contrast, five insurers refused to quote for the Jaecoo 7 - the nearest Chinese equivalent that's almost 9,000 cheaper in dealerships - resulting in an average premium of 865. For the Chinese Xpeng G6 and Korean Kia EV3, the results were similar: just five insurers were able to provide quotes for the G6 - an electric SUV launched in the UK just over a year ago. And the quotes that were provided were much higher than those for the EV3; 1,102 on average versus 827. Even owners of BYDs - the world's biggest electric car seller having recently overtaken Tesla - could find it difficult generating insurance competition to lower their premiums. When running quotes on the Seal U, Carwow found that three of the ten insurers wouldn't touch it. That said, the average policy price for those that did offer cover was nearly 200 cheaper than the European equivalent - the Peugeot e-3008. Incredibly, two of the insurers - Ageas and Axa - refused to provide quotes for any of the four Chinese cars. The reason insurers remain hesitant to underwrite Chinese models is mainly due to concerns about repairability. Ageas said most of its customers drive models that are over eight years old. Therefore, due to the infancy of Chinese brands, these cars are yet to fall into their typical cover bracket. Tom Quirke, chief underwriting officer at Ageas, said: 'Many of these brands are new to the market and therefore are not yet in Ageass target market. However, we do have a process to add new models to our list of acceptable vehicles when appropriate.' Meanwhile, LV= General Insurance, owned by Allianz, said it doesnt provide cover for the Xpeng G6, BYD Seal U, and Skywell BE11 because theyre still evaluating the insurance risks associated with these vehicles. 'An issue with the UK insurance industry and not Chinese cars' Iain Reid from Carwow, who undertook the investigation, said the problem therefore does not lie with Chinese cars but the UK insurance industry 'struggling to keep pace with a rapidly changing market'. This is because insurers heavily draw on something called a 'Vehicle Risk Rating'. This is created by Thatcham Research, an independent safety and security body that's funded by the motor insurance industry. The rating is based on a variety of factors, including repair costs, parts prices, vehicle security and overall safety performance. But because newer market entrants - namely the Chinese brands featured in the investigation - may have limited historical claims data or lessestablished repair networks, this can influence how individual insurers evaluate risk. 'New brands, models and technologies are arriving at speed, particularly with the rise of electric and hybrid vehicles, and insurers need to adapt far faster than they are. Its simply not fair for drivers to be penalised because insurance pricing and data cant keep up,' Reid said. 'Delays in getting parts to garages to fix cars can take longer than normal, and the longer it takes to repair a car the more it costs the insurer, which increases the risk. 'When setting insurance costs, companies rely on historical data about a vehicles reliability, repair costs and the likelihood of it being damaged or stolen. This is hard to do with many of the Chinese models that have been in the UK for only a few years.' Buyers of Datsuns and other Japanese cars in the 1960s faced similar issues when trying to insure them, with providers tentative to underwrite until their parts supply chains had become more established and dependable. 'While costs may fall as these models become more established, that offers little comfort to drivers trying to insure them today,' Reid said. We took the investigation results to the Association of British Insurers. An ABI spokesperson told us: 'Insurers have a strong track record of supporting and responding to new technologies and vehicle developments. 'Decisions on whether to offer cover for specific vehicles are commercial matters for individual insurers based on their risk appetite. 'Newer models may have limited historical claims data, which is essential for insurers to evaluate risk. Insurers need to understand how safely a vehicle performs in realworld conditions and consider how delays in repair costs and part shortages could impact overall claims costs. 'The motor market remains highly competitive, so wed always encourage customers to shop around for the policy that best meets their needs.' Carwow's report comes two years after it was revealed that BYD's Seal saloon and the Ora Funky Cat supermini (which then received a welcome name change to '03') had become uninsurable. This was because a number had been written off after sustaining minor damage because garages were unable to access spare parts or repair instructions for the cars. February 24, 2026: The US Navy lost a record number of sailors to off-duty accidents and other misadventures in 2025. There were 53 off-duty deaths and 8 on duty. Only two of those were due to aircraft-related accidents. Meanwhile 11 marines were lost in off-duty accidents. There were about 100 suicide deaths in 2025 for the navy and marines. Official numbers on this have not been released yet. The navy lost eight aircraft in 2025. This was due to crashes or accidents which either left the aircraft beyond repair or required $2.5 million or more to repair. There were five warship mishaps, all of them resulting in repairable damage to a ship. All these losses are part of the ongoing navy problem with too few sailors to operate and maintain ships. The American navy, like most other navies, is suffering from a shortage of new personnel, causing a problem with providing ships with enough sailors. It is increasingly common for warships to be stuck in port because there is no crew available. This is an international problem; more navies are finding that without conscription its difficult to obtain enough men willing to spend weeks or months at sea. After the Cold War ended in 1991, a growing number of nations dropped conscription. Serving on warships became a less acceptable activity for young men. Even fewer women were willing to serve on a ship. By 2024 the American navy was unable to supply personnel for 22,000 entry level jobs, known as billets in the navy, on sea going ships. Currently the navy has 145,000 billets in sea going ships, which means a 16 percent shortage navy wide. The navy is also under political pressure to keep as many ships at sea as possible, which requires that ships with crew shortages go out, and that means necessary maintenance is not carried out on those vessels. The situation did not improve during 2025. The U.S. Navy has had problems with growing personnel shortages since the 1990s. The end of the Cold War and a booming economy made it harder to recruit. Moreover, an increasing percentage of sailors were married, and frequent 3-6 month tours at sea have induced many married sailors to leave the navy in order to spend more time with their families. During the last decade, several ships have been fitted with more automated gear, and many remote sensors, so that one sailor can check the performance of multiple items of equipment without moving around a lot. A closer look at what a lot of sailors did resulted in a reorganization that eliminated a lot of chores and reorganized others to take less time. Improved communications, particularly shipboard access to the internet, made it possible for a lot of administrative jobs to be done ashore. As a result of this, several destroyers and cruisers had their crews cut by about twenty percent. These experimental crews were at sea for several months before it was clear that the plan was working. This is important, as the proposed designs for new classes of warships call for even smaller crews. Many ship designers are urging crew sizes of a hundred or so sailors for destroyers and cruisers. Even carriers are looking to shed about a quarter of their 5,000 sailors and aviators. Crew size has been falling since the late 1940s even without any special attention being paid to the problem. New maritime and electronics equipment has become more automated, and the navy tends to have the most modern equipment. During World War II, destroyers tended to have over a hundred crew per thousand tons of displacement. Even without the current reforms, crew size is now half what it was during World War II. In addition, the navy was forced to pay close attention to smaller crew sizes in one class of ships: submarines. While modern subs are four times the size of their World War II counterparts, and full of much more equipment, crew size has only doubled. Surveys of sailors and a close look at the way things were always done revealed that there were many useless chores being performed just because it was always done that way. Eliminating these improved morale and reduced crew size. While the smaller crews mean more work and responsibility for sailors, there's also more living space. In new ships, there will be even better accommodations, as well as more space for weapons and supplies. One thing that still bothers sailors is whether the smaller crews will be able to handle the heavy workloads encountered in combat, especially damage control. As crews have shrunk since World War II, this has not proved to be a problem. Damage control gear has also gotten more effective. But shrinking crews from nearly 400 to less than a hundred won't be a proven move until one of these lesser manned ships survives a severe damage control incident in combat. These crew shortages began with submarines, which required crews to live and work in a confined space for weeks or months at a time. The crew shortage led to more navies with submarines that could not go to sea because no crews were available. Most of the navies suffering from this problem belonged to nations with smaller populations or a large number of illiterate citizens. Rolls-Royce shares have rocketed 1,178 per cent in five years and the British engineering powerhouses bumper results this morning sent them up again. So, is it too late to join the party? Can the shares continue their incredible run? Or, if youre lucky enough already to own them, is now the time to your take profits and where else should you invest? Our City expert Patrick Tooher looks at whats next for Rolls-Royce and its investors. Imagine investing 1,000 five years ago with the wonderful benefit of hindsight. Where would you have put your money? The obvious answer is Nvidia, the US microchip designer whose fortunes have been transformed by the rise of artificial intelligence. It has come from nowhere to become the worlds largest company with a 3.5trillion stock market valuation. Last night it posted another set of knock-out results. That 1,000 would be worth more than 14,000 today as Nvidias early bet on AI pays off big time. Matching such a spectacular return would take some doing. But one company has pretty much done that. Even more remarkably, its not another shiny new tech titan riding the AI wave but Rolls-Royce, a 120-year-old engineer synonymous with British manufacturing prowess and heritage. (The famous car-making unit was separated out in 1973 and is now owned by Germanys BMW.) Having lost 4billion in a year during the pandemic, Rolls-Royce revealed in results today it had made operating profits of 3.5billion last year, its highest ever Over the past five years, Rolls-Royce shares have rocketed 1,178 per cent. But back in 2021, Rolls-Royce was rapidly running out of runway. It had dropped out of the FTSE 100 index of leading companies as losses and debts piled up, and problems with its flagship Trent engines persisted. The pandemic had grounded the planes powered by its engines airlines pay Rolls-Royce based on how many hours flying time they clock up. There was even talk of another taxpayer-funded bail-out or even re-nationalisation. Fast forward five years and Rolls-Royce is the best-performing blue chip. Its 116billion valuation makes it the fifth biggest company on the London stock market, just behind Dove soap maker Unilever. That 1,000, most likely invested more in hope than expectation in the dark days of 2021, would have swelled to almost 13,000. Not quite on a par with Nvidias stellar returns but not far off either. Is it too late for investors to join the Rolls-Royce party? Having lost 4billion in a year during the pandemic, Rolls-Royce revealed in results today it had made operating profits of 3.5billion last year, its highest ever. The rise of Rolls-Royce is largely attributed to its Turkish-born boss, Tufan Erginbilgic who took over what he described as a burning platform in 2023 This figure could rise to 4.2billion in 2026 and reach 5.2billion by 2028, based on the companys upgraded guidance. It also said it would buy back up to 9billion of its own shares between now and 2028 and pay out almost a third of its net profits in dividends to shareholders. The news, which was even better than expected, propelled the shares to a new high of 13.81 in early trading, up another 6 per cent. So, is it too late to join the party? Can the shares continue their incredible run? Or, if youre lucky enough already to own them, is now the time to take your profits? The Phoenix-like rise of Rolls-Royce is largely attributed to its Turkish-born boss, Tufan Erginbilgic who took over what he described as a burning platform in 2023. Nicknamed Turbo for his ferocious work ethic, Erginbilgic steered the aero-engine maker back from near-bankruptcy by cutting costs, slashing 2,500 jobs and re-negotiating loss-making turbine contracts with airline customers. The turnaround is all the more impressive because it was done amid a post-pandemic shortage of spare parts and components. Posting todays bumper results, Erginbilgic said: We are consistently achieving outcomes that were not possible before our transformation. With our new capabilities and mindset, we have navigated challenges from supply chain to tariffs, and delivered a strong performance in 2025, all while we built the foundations for significant growth for years to come. We continue to see significant growth from existing businesses as well as from new business opportunities. Yet some naysayers suggest Erginbilgic who has pocketed 18million in the last two years, including 7.5million to persuade him to leave his former employer, BP is a lucky general. His arrival at Rolls-Royce coincided with a rebound in flying among business passengers and holidaymakers as Covid travel restrictions were dropped. He also took the helm just a year after Russias invasion of Ukraine prompted a major rethink of Britains military capabilities. Investors are pinning their hopes on the company winning even more defence contracts as Nato countries rearm aside from turbines for aeroplanes, Rolls-Royce makes engines for combat vehicles, fighter jets, submarines, ships and helicopters. It describes demand for its kit as robust. Given the current elevated-threat environment, defence budgets across many countries are on the rise, says Aarin Chiekrie, equity analyst at investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown. With positions in combat aircraft and nuclear submarines, Rolls-Royce looks well-placed to capture some of the increased spending, he adds. The bold vision for Rolls-Royces future Defence accounts for less than a quarter of Rolls-Royces 20billion of annual sales. What really excites share owners is the prospect of jam tomorrow in the shape of two as yet unproven technologies that may come to define Erginbilgics legacy. One is the next generation of small modular nuclear reactors. Rolls-Royce recently won a competition to build the first of these in the UK, on the island of Anglesey in north Wales. SMRs are a new and untested technology aimed at producing nuclear power stations in factories at lower cost and higher installation speeds. The Government is pumping 2.5billion into the project, reducing the risk to Rolls-Royce shareholders. Erginbilgic is also seeking state support to build a new engine for short-haul, narrow-bodied planes a growing market that Rolls-Royce has so far missed out on. Hes looking for an upfront subsidy of up to 200million a year from the taxpayer in return for creating jobs and boosting growth but theres a snag. Rolls-Royce is making so much money that it is buying back up to 2.5billion of its own shares this year and it said today that it will buy back up to 9billion by 2028. Buybacks are loved by corporate executives because by reducing the number of shares in the market, they should boost share prices. Critics argue the company should use this spare cash to invest in its core civil aerospace activities, rather than push for more state handouts. Rolls-Royce recently won a competition to build the first small modular nuclear reactor in the UK, on the island of Anglesey in north Wales Should you buy, hold or cash in Rolls-Royce shares? Rolls-Royce has a loyal army of around 150,000 small shareholders who have stuck with the company through thick and thin since it was privatised under the Thatcher government in 1987. Younger investors are also enjoying the ride. Rolls-Royce is one of the most popular shares on investment platforms such as Trading 212 which are used by the next generations of share owners. Many buy Rolls-Royce shares for the simple reason that they keep going up. This so-called momentum investing strategy has proved incredibly profitable so far, but can it continue to deliver? One way of judging if the shares remain good value is to look at what is known as the price-to-earnings (PE) ratio. This investing industry standard divides a share price by earnings per share and basically measures how much investors are prepared to pay for each pound of profit earned. The higher the PE ratio, the more expensive the shares. Rolls-Royce has a PE of more than 47 times current earnings, which is more than double the FTSE 100 indexs average rating. Fans say thats because Rolls-Royces growth prospects are far better than most of its blue-chip peers and todays upgraded forecasts would appear to back that up. Experts reckon the shares can go even higher, though the going is likely to get tougher. Of course, with punchier valuations come higher expectations and more pressure to keep growing earnings to stay in line, said Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor. However, there is nothing in this sparkling set of results which casts any immediate doubt either on the groups current ability to deliver, nor indeed its outlook over the coming years, he added. But Rolls-Royces lofty valuation is now even higher than Nvidias, which trades on multiple of 40 times earnings after its results yesterday. That suggests investors think Rolls-Royces future is even brighter than Nvidias, which requires quite a leap of faith. Calling the top of a vertiginous share price run like the one Rolls-Royce is on is a mugs game. It is clear Rolls-Royce is going great guns, but better value may be found elsewhere. Your browser does not support iframes. What shares could you buy to re-invest Rolls-Royce profits? As an investor putting all your eggs in one basket is to be avoided at all costs. A nice problem that investors can have when they hold stocks which have risen by a huge amount is they then become an oversized holding in your portfolio. For example, a company that started as one twentieth of your overall holdings, could climb to a fifth leaving your wealth over-exposed to its fortunes. So, selling some Rolls-Royce shares and re-investing the profits elsewhere to spread risk is definitely worth considering. The safest approach is to buy a low-cost tracker fund that mirrors the performance of the wider stock market. This can diversify your investments in shares around the world, or at least around all the companies in a national stock market index. Among the most popular global trackers last month were Invesco MSCI World and Vanguard FTSE All-World funds, while the Vanguard S&P 500 covering the US and the iShares Core FTSE 100 exchange traded fund (ETF) in the UK were prominent national stock market picks, according to fund manager Fidelity. If you want more spice in your portfolio and prefer buying individual company shares then shares in companies hammered recently on fears AI would wreck their business models may be worth a look. These include data provider RELX, software firm Sage, credit reference agency Experian and online car platform Autotrader. They have seen their shares rebound in recent days, but they are still down between 30 per cent and 40 per cent over the year, presenting a possible buying opportunities for the braver investor. Investors initially panicked but might now be taking the view that too much bad news is now in the price and these names could have what it takes to fight off AI disruption, says Russ Mould, investment director at broker AJ Bell. As for a purer-play defence business than Rolls Royce, consider Chemring. Its Roke unit, which designed the ball tracking Hawk-eye system used at Wimbledon, recently won a 22.5milion missile defence contract from the Ministry of Defence. Deutsche Bank analyst Richard Paige rates the share a buy with a 650p price target, compared to 515p today. If you want to back British high-fliers, another option would be to look at some of the other UK stocks coming up hard on Rolls-Royces heels but that havent made the same stratospheric gains. As the FTSE 100 hit another record high yesterday, the Daily Mail and This is Money identified the Tasty 20 the companies whose shares have all risen by more than 50 per cent over the past year. Despite Rolls-Royces astonishing share price gains, its 116 per cent return over the past year doesnt put it at the top of this pile. The biggest risers have been miners Fresnillo, up 448 per cent, Endeavour Mining, up 191 per cent, Airtel Africa, up 149 per cent and Antofagasta, up 138 per cent. Fellow defence stock Babcock is also up 118 per cent in the past year, while BAE systems is up 64 per cent. These companies may not keep rising, but the UK stock market looks like fertile territory for investors turning their attention away from US tech giants. Mould says the Footsie is changing its reputation from unloved to admired. The London stock market is enjoying its best start to the year for nearly three decades as the FTSE 100 closes in on the 11,000 mark. On another bumper day for investors, the blue-chip index rose above 10,800 for the first time, closing up 125.82 points or 1.18 per cent at a record high of 10,806.41. The latest rally took gains for the year so far 8.8 per cent, putting it on course for its best opening two months since 1998. And analysis of Refinitiv data by the Daily Mail and This is Money shows 20 blue-chip stocks we have dubbed the Tasty 20 have gained at least 50 per cent in the past 12 months. The list is let by gold and silver miner Fresnillo, up 448 per cent, defence stocks including Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems and Footsie stalwarts including Barclays, Lloyds, GSK and British American Tobacco. The FTSE 100 has gained 8.8% so far this year and 43% since April 2025 when Donald Trump announced his 'Liberation Day' tariff blitz Your browser does not support iframes. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said the Footsie is 'changing its reputation from unloved to admired' as it leaves Wall Street in its wake amid concerns over an AI-driven tech bubble. The index is also benefiting from the weakness of sterling as 80 per cent of blue-chip revenues come from overseas boosting profits when they are converted back into pounds. Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, said: There seems no stopping the FTSE 100. Another week like this and the index will top 11,000, just weeks after it first crossed the magic 10,000 level. It has the winning combination for investors right now a lower valuation than pricey US markets, and key sectors driving that are much less vulnerable to AI-driven panic selloffs. Mining, defence and banking have all yet to be touched by an AI competitor, while its pharma stocks provide further heft and dividend payments too. It might be smaller than Nvidia, but it continues to charm global investors. The FTSE 100 has now gained 43 per cent since in a remarkable turnaround since sinking as low as 7544 in April last year when Donald Trump unleashed his 'Liberation Day' tariff blitz on trading partners around the world. Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor, said: 'The next psychological milestone for the FTSE 100 would be a level of 11,000 which is just 2 per cent away. 'At the current run rate this is a distinct possibility, with the primary index having become the star of the show on the international stage as the investment stars have aligned.' The boss of Heathrow Airport has warned that it is set to be usurped as Europes busiest hub by Istanbul. I would definitely expect maybe that to happen this year, maybe next year, said chief executive Thomas Woldbye. With Heathrow operating two runways to Istanbuls five, he called for the development of a third runway to go faster. He added: We are reaching the top of our capacity, which is unsatisfactory, and I think is a threat to the country in terms of economic growth and servicing our passengers. Heathrow said annual profits fell more than a third to 575million but, for the first time in five years, handed out a dividend of 550million. Passengers increased to a record 84.5m last year and revenue by 1.8 per cent to 3.6billion. Handouts: Heathrow said annual profits fell more than a third to 575m but, for the first time in five years, handed out a dividend of 550m The airports owners largely consist of overseas investors, led by private equity giant Ardian and Qatar and Saudi Arabias sovereign wealth funds. Woldbye said: I think shareholders have been quite patient not having any dividends or any returns for five years. 'With a solid cash flow for two years in a row, we decided that this year was a prudent time to do it. Rolls-Royce will return up to 9billion to investors by 2028 after it reported soaring annual profits. The engineering giant reported a 3.46billion underlying operating profit on sales of just over 20billion, following a strong performance by its aero engines unit and increased power demand for data centres. Rolls-Royce, whose engines power Airbus A350 jets and Boeing 787s, has cashed in on demand for its commercial aircraft engines and been boosted by a restructuring under chief executive Tufan Erginbilgic, nicknamed Turbo Tufan. It has also been buoyed by higher defence spending, a renewed focus on energy generation and expectations for its planned small modular nuclear reactors. Rolls-Royce told investors this mornin that it was delivering a big upgrade to mid-term profit targets to 4.9billion-5.2billion, from 3.6billion-3.9billion previously. The FTSE 100 giant also announced the plan to hand cash back to investors with a 7 to 9billion share buyback between 2026 and 2028, with 2.5billion to be completed this year. It will pay a final dividend of 5p per share, taking the total dividend to 9.5p. The good results led shares in Rolls-Royce to open 5.5 per cent higher this morning. Rolls Royce makes more than half of its revenue from its aero engine business After being battered in the pandemic, this has led to repated profit upgrades and Rolls-Royce shares have more than doubled over the last 12 months and rocketed 1,185 per cent over five years. We are consistently achieving outcomes that were not possible before our transformation, Erginbilgic said. With our new capabilities and mindset, we have navigated challenges from supply chain to tariffs, and delivered a strong performance in 2025, all while we built the foundations for significant growth for years to come. Expectations have been running high for Rolls-Royce's results, with rival British engineer and defence giant BAE reporting record profits last week. While Rolls-Royce's military capabilities have come into sharp focus, its civil aerospace division, which accounts for over half of revenue, reported higher profits as sales rose 15 per cent to 10.4billion Underlying operating profits at the business rose to 2.1billion, from 1.5billion a year earlier. Rolls-Royce is also cashing in on the increased need for power generation across data centres and government, as revenue at its power systems business jumped 19 per cent to 4.9billion. Meanwhile, revenue at its defence division grew 8 per cent to 4.8billion, following strong performance across transport and combat, and 11 per cent growth in naval. Rolls-Royce reported 2025 results, beating expectations and more importantly releasing very strong 2026 and 2028 targets, which should trigger significant earnings upgrades,' Bernstein analysts said in a note. Its 600million cash savings exceeded the previous 500million. Net cash, which stood at 475million last year, now stands at 1.9billion. Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor said: 'Of course, with punchier valuations come higher expectations and more pressure to keep growing earnings to stay in line. 'However, there is nothing in this sparkling set of results which casts any immediate doubt either on the groups current ability to deliver, nor indeed its outlook over the coming years.' Ocado shares plummeted as the group confirmed plans to axe 1,000 jobs as part of a 150million cost-cutting drive. Around 5 per cent of its global workforce is being cut, with two-thirds of redundancies to take place in the UK - mostly at its headquarters in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. It comes after Ocado unveiled plans last year to scale back its research and development workforce, and investors are losing patience with the group as new openings with existing partners and further technology deals have failed to materialise. Shares were down more than 10 per cent on Thursday morning in response to the news, having fallen around 90 per cent over the past five years. The UK-listed retailer sells technology to retailers to pick and dispatch online food orders from robotic warehouses. Ocado Group owns robotics warehouses used by other retailers as well as its own online grocery business It also runs its own grocery firm in partnership with Marks & Spencer, which has turned a corner after online grocery was hit by shoppers returning to physical shops after lockdown. Chief executive Tim Steiner hailed 'tangible progress' for the whole business, as it set out its annual results for the year ended 30 November 2025. Even though sales across the group jumped 12.1 per cent to 1.4billion, investors have been left frustrated by disappointing updates about its partnerships with major retailers across the world. In January, Ocado Canadian supermarket Sobeys would close its fulfilment centre in Calgary after expansion was slower than originally anticipated' while US retail giant Kroger is also closing three of its robotic warehouses. Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, said: Ocado continues to be one of the most impressive vehicles for shareholder value destruction we have seen. He said it has been overtaken by its more pedestrian, but larger, rivals, utilising their size and reach and building on their existing business to tell a much more compelling story for investors. 'Rather than use Ocado's technology, they have instead built their own and simply bypassed the newcomer, leaving Ocado as the great white elephant that failed to deliver,' Beauchamp added. Its technology arm, which powers its robotic warehouses, saw sales grow 13 per cent while its logistics division, which operates fulfilment centres in the UK for Ocado Retail and Morrisons, saw sales rise 11.5 per cent. On the topic of warehouse closures, Steiner said: You can build the most amazing infrastructure in the world, but if nobody uses it, there's not much point in continuing to pay and operate it and keep it open. The business has also been impacted by different online grocery shopping habits. In the US, consumers tend to make more immediate grocery orders through delivery apps and are more likely to collect an order from a shop, Steiner said. But he said: It doesn't mean that there isn't growing demand in the five warehouses that Kroger are operating from, they are all growing. This means that overall, the market is more diverse. Ocado Retail has been a bright spot for the company, with sales rising 15.4 per cent last year. Steiner said that across the UK, people are feeling some of the economic pressures, but suggested his supermarket business could benefit from people dining out at restaurants less frequently. French utility giant Engie has agreed to acquire the owner of Britain's biggest electricity distribution network in a deal worth 10.5billion. Engie, based in Paris, said it would buy UK Power Networks, which operates electricity cables and power lines across London and the South East, from Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Infrastructure Holdings. The group, owned by billionaire businessman Li Ka-shing, has owned UKPN for the last 15 years, after buying the network from EDF. The deal has emerged nearly a year after Britain's Competition and Markets Authority gave Spains Iberdrola the green light to snap up an 88 per cent stake in Britain's Electricity North West, via its subsidiary, Scottish Power. Deal: Engie, based in Paris, said it would buy UK Power Networks in a 10.5bn deal UKPN operates around 192,000km of power lines serving 8.5million customers, and will make Britain Engie's second largest market globally. Basil Scarsella, chief executive of UKPN, said it would continue to be a 'global energy leader'. He added that the deal would reinforce UK Power Network's ability to serve customers 'with the highest standards of safety, customer service and reliability' as investment ramps up to support growth and electrification. The transaction will be structured around a mix of debt, disposals and new equity. Subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, the deal is expected to be completed by the middle of this year. Speaking to This is Money, Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor, said: 'At first glance, and given the scale of the borrowing and investment required to finance the deal, it is difficult to see that consumers will benefit from lower prices in the short-term. 'The change of ownership to French utility Engie seems to chime with their primary objective towards a decarbonisation strategy'. The government is aiming to decarbonise Britain's electricity system by 2030, a target brought forward to 2030 from 2035. Ed Miliband said in April 2025: 'We will usher in a new era of clean electricity for our country, with our plan to deliver the most ambitious reforms to our energy system in generations'. Flatshare tenants priced out of rental hotspots in cities are increasingly turning to suburban commuter towns further away, research suggests. Esher, a Surrey commuter town approximately 30 minutes away by train from London Waterloo station, saw one of the steepest rises in demand from flatshare tenants in the past year, SpareRoom said. Annually, there has been a 32 per cent increase in demand for flatshare rental properties in Esher. Amid high demand, there are 11.2 people searching per room available to rent in Esher, according to the research. Esher is an expensive location to live in. At the top end of the market, Rightmove is showing houses to rent for 6,000 per month, or 1,385 a week. At the more affordable end of the market, there are currently smaller properties in Esher to rent from around 1,278 per month, current Rightmove listings show. In demand: The surrey town of Esher is seeing a surge in demand from flatshare tenants The Scottish town of Kilmarnock, around 40 minutes away from Glasgow, saw the biggest yearly spike in flatshare rental demand. During the period, Kilmarnock saw a 100 per cent rise in demand from flatshare tenants, SpareRoom said. Current listings on Rightmove show one-bedroom flats available to rent from around 500 per week, rising to at least 550 per week for two-bedroom flats. Seven people are now searching for every room available to rent in Kilmarnock, SpareRoom said. Flatshare locations where demand is highest Country Town/City Average monthly room rent Jan-Dec 2025 Demand Q4 2025 (no. of people searching per room available) England Esher 767 11.2 England West Bromwich 544 10.5 England Widnes 537 10.2 England Halesowen 558 9.8 England Rochdale 568 9.5 England Bootle 461 8.3 England Sale 643 8.2 England Cheadle 672 8.1 England Runcorn 536 7.9 England Twickenham 899 7.6 England Waltham Cross 777 7.5 England Birkenhead 511 7.5 England Smethwick 569 7.4 Scotland Motherwell 509 7.4 England Bury 594 7.3 Scotland Paisley 526 7.2 Scotland Livingston 580 7.1 Northern Ireland Bangor 512 7.1 England Wallasey 554 7.1 England Aldershot 659 7.1 England Kidderminster 552 7 England South Shields 522 7 England Dunstable 641 7 Scotland Kilmarnock 588 6.9 England Barnet 859 6.9 England St Helens 569 6.8 England Sutton Coldfield 634 6.7 England Dewsbury 520 6.6 England Epsom 821 6.5 England Reigate 789 6.5 England Salford 716 6.3 England Horsham 744 6.2 England Fareham 637 6.2 England Kingston-upon-Thames 910 6.1 According to its analysis, the average room rent in Kilmarnock in 2025 was 588 per month, saving the average flatsharer around 1,000 a year compared to renting in Glasgow. Last year, the average rent for a room in Glasgow was 683 per month, according to the analysis. Motherwell and Paisley, where many people who commute to Glasgow live, also featured. Demand in Motherwell, to the south east of Glasgow, has risen by a third and in Paisley, to the west of the city, by 16 per cent. According to SpareRoom, rising and high demand in Greater London, including in Kingston-upon-Thames, Twickenham and Barnet, as well as parts of the south east within commuting distance of the capital like Horsham, are a knock-on effect of average rents in London having risen 37 per cent in five years. Tenants in Liverpool have seen rents rise by 40 per cent in the last five years to hit a record high of 555 per month in the last quarter of 2025, SpareRoom said. Now, two towns on its edges, Birkenhead and Widnes, have seen sharp rises in demand among flatshare tenants year-on-year. Widnes now has the third highest demand in Britain, with 10.2 people searching per room available to rent. In the Midlands, West Bromwich, where 10.5 people are searching per room, Halesowen, Smethwick, Kidderminster and Sutton Coldfield have seen some of the highest demand for rooms to rent in Britain. Conversely, flatshare tenant demand in Birmingham dropped 22 per cent in the past year, with 2.8 people searching per room available, SpareRoom said. Flatshare 'sprawl' on the increase Flatsharing is still largely concentrated in urban areas. In a March 2025 survey of 6,524 flatsharers by SpareRoom, 58 per cent of tenants described the area they lived in as urban. But 30 per cent said they were flatsharing in suburbia, with the remaining 12 per cent living in a semi-rural or rural location. Matt Hutchinson, director of flatshare site SpareRoom, said: 'City living was once to flatsharers what suburban living was to families with 2.4 children. 'But the tides are turning. Given how high rents are now compared to where they were five years ago, people are faced with no choice but to chase affordability. Its not an urban exodus, but its certainly flatshare sprawl. 'When even flatsharers are turning away from major cities, you know theres a huge problem with affordability. 'More renters migrating to cheaper towns puts upward pressure on rents. 'These towns wont be affordable much longer and then where do people go? Quite soon renters will simply be out of options. Its bad for the economy too which relies on a flexible workforce. If people cant take advantage of new job opportunities, everyone loses.' Flatshare locations seeing highest year-on-year increases in demand Country Town/City Average monthly room rent Jan-Dec 2025 Demand Q4 2025 (no. of people searching per room available) Year-on-year demand change Scotland Kilmarnock 588 6.9 100.40% England Hull 498 3.9 70.40% England Washington 482 6 36.40% Northern Ireland Lisburn 541 5.1 35.00% England Birkenhead 511 7.5 33.10% Scotland Motherwell 509 7.4 32.70% England Esher 767 11.2 32.00% Scotland Dundee 571 4 31.20% England Carlisle 568 4.1 30.50% England Rochdale 568 9.5 28.90% England Durham 622 2.8 26.50% England Torquay 591 3.9 23.00% England Widnes 537 10.2 22.00% Scotland Kirkcaldy 541 5 21.80% England Burnley 469 3.8 21.50% Scotland Paisley 526 7.2 16.40% England Cannock 637 4.7 14.30% England Sheffield 527 2.4 13.50% England Walsall 534 4.5 13.20% England Salford 716 6.3 12.40% England Fareham 637 6.2 11.70% England Horsham 744 6.2 11.60% Scotland Inverness 623 3.6 11.40% England Stockton-on-Tees 497 3.2 10.60% England Middlesbrough 468 3.6 10.20% Behind the brutalist facade of FBI headquarters at 935 Pennsylvania Avenue agents are no doubt watching the scandal engulfing Britain's royal family with more than a passing interest. Whether there is any current FBI investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor remains a closely guarded secret. The agency typically works in silence and refuses to confirm or deny if active investigations exist. But in the wake of the former prince's arrest in the UK calls for action by America's G-Men are growing. 'If there is an active US investigation touching on conduct connected to American victims, or US soil, then the Federal Bureau of Investigation absolutely should seek to interview him through proper legal channels,' Spencer Kuvin, a lawyer representing victims of Jeffrey Epstein, told the Daily Mail. 'The United States and the United Kingdom have well-established mutual legal assistance mechanisms. Cooperation between governments is critical in transnational abuse cases. Survivors deserve a full accounting of the facts - wherever those facts lead.' Andrew is pictured being driven away from a police station after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on February 19, 2026 Andrew, 66, was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was held in custody for 11 hours before being released under investigation. He is accused of sharing sensitive information with Epstein, the late pedophile financier, during his time as a UK trade envoy. Andrew has previously vehemently denied any wrongdoing over his links to Epstein. If any of the information involved in the misconduct in public office case was found to relate to US companies then Andrew could also be investigated in America, according to the Epstein victims' lawyer. 'Given the historical association between Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein, any credible evidence of financial misconduct tied to US jurisdiction warrants thorough scrutiny,' Kuvin said. He added: 'If no US information was traded, then it is likely that only the UK would assert jurisdiction over crimes like this.' A spokesman for the FBI said: 'The FBI declines to comment.' Federal Bureau of Investigation Headquarters in Washington DC Last July, Andrew was given a boost when an internal FBI memo revealed the agency did not at that time anticipate further charges against anyone in relation to Epstein. Investigators said they had discovered no 'evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties'. Videos and photos seized from Epsteins homes in New York, Florida and the Virgin Islands did not implicate anyone else in his crimes, according to the memo. However, since Andrew's arrest in the UK, there has been renewed pressure from members of Congress for investigations in the US to be renewed or intensified. Republican congressman Thomas Massie, who was behind the law that led to the release of the Epstein files, wrote on X: 'Prince Andrew was just arrested. This was the metric I established for success of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. 'Now we need JUSTICE in the United States. Its time for Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to act!' Disturbing images released as part of the Epstein files appeared to show Andrew crouching on all fours over a female lying on the floor FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi are facing calls from members of Congress to take more action in the wake of the release of the Epstein files Member of Congress Thomas Massie pressed for release of the Epstein files Pressure for Andrew to testify to Congress is also reaching a crescendo. The House Oversight Committee, which is investigating the Epstein scandal, wrote to Andrew in November asking him to submit to questioning as part of its inquiry. In the wake of his arrest Suhas Subramanyam, a Democratic congressman on the committee, said: 'He has continued to ignore our calls to cooperate with the Oversight Committees investigation. We hope the arrest will lead to answers and show that there will be accountability even if you hide, regardless of how rich and powerful you are.' At FBI headquarters, the file of information about Andrew has been slowly growing for 15 years. The Epstein files show that he was first mentioned in an FBI inquiry into Epstein in 2011 when agents went to Australia to interview a victim of the financier. The name of the woman was redacted but she appeared to be Virginia Giuffre. In the interview she claimed that Epstein abused her and that she was trafficked by Ghislaine Maxwell to other men, including Andrew. Virginia Giuffre took her own life in April 2025 aged 41 Amanda Roberts, sister-in-law of Virginia Giuffre, at the US Capitol in Washington DC on February 10, 2026 She claimed that, when she was 17, Andrew engaged in sexual activity with her at Maxwell's home in London, and that she gave him an 'erotic massage' at Epstein's home in New York. Andrew has always vehemently denied Giuffre's claims, including during a Newsnight interview in 2019. Giuffre took her own life last year. In 2019, an internal Department of Justice memo showed that prosecutors wanted to speak to Andrew as part of their Epstein investigation. The memo said: 'We are in the process of obtaining the name of a lawyer who represents Prince Andrew. Once we have this contact information, we plan to request an interview.' The following year, Geoffrey Berman, the Manhattan US attorney, publicly accused Andrew of giving 'zero' assistance. Berman said: 'Prince Andrew has now completely shut the door on voluntary cooperation and our office is considering its options.' The Epstein files reveal that Andrew's attorney subsequently privately asked officials at the Department of Justice to stop making such statements. The attorney said he would 'need to gather information from the Royal Household and others' before Andrew could cooperate. A picture of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor lying across a row of women in a photo during a black-tie event with Ghislaine Maxwell was released as part of the Epstein files Epstein had offered to set up a dinner for Andrew with a 'clever, beautiful and trustworthy' 26-year-old Russian woman, saying: 'She has your email.' The former prince, who would have been 50 at the time, replied that he would be 'delighted to see her'. And he cheerfully asked the convicted child sex predator, whose house arrest had finished just days earlier: 'Good to be free?' Andrew has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office Department of Justice officials went on to make a formal request for British authorities to interview Andrew as a witness in connection with the Epstein investigation. It was a request made under the Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) treaty between the two countries. Later, dealings between the two countries over whether Andrew would cooperate became even more delicate. In an email exchange on August 24, 2021, a British government official wrote to the US Embassy in London: 'We are aware that a civil case has been filed (by Virginia Giuffre) in New York concerning the Epstein investigation with the material witness (Andrew) as the defendant. 'Please can you let us know what impact this has on the material witness's current status, as a witness, in the criminal investigation and in relation to the MLA request.' A US Embassy official passed that on to the Department of Justice in Washington, writing: 'I think they (the British) are asking whether, in light of the recent allegations, that Andrew is now a suspect instead of a witness (in British parlance)".' 'I was going to respond with one word "none" but thought I should check first The earlier the better because the Amb is keen to sort this out.' The 'Amb' appeared to be a reference to the US ambassador in London. Epstein took his own life in a prison cell in New York in 2019 Unmarked police vehicles exit the gates of Royal Lodge after carrying out searches at two properties linked to Andrew The Epstein files also show the British complained about leaks in the US that Andrew's 'refusal to talk' to Epstein investigators was 'straining relations' between the UK and US. Andrew's last known visit to the US was in 2010 when he visited Epstein in New York. There have been reports, citing friends, that he is 'terrified' to go back in case he is arrested. 'It is not known whether there is a criminal investigation ongoing in the US, but fear of that could keep Andrew from traveling to the United States for holidays or to visit friends,' immigration lawyer Melissa Chavin said. She said if Andrew did agree to give evidence to Congress then he could be given a guarantee that he would not be arrested. That could be done under a program run by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for expert witnesses. Some of the email correspondence between Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein Congress has asked to hear from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as part of its Epstein investigation 'ICE facilitates parole requests from government agencies like the FBI and the Department of Justice,' she said. 'ICE coordinates with the consulate local to the witness, like the London US Embassy, to authorize the parole. The witness would be watched carefully while in the US, and leave the country immediately following their testimony.' Andrew has probably already lost his special royal visa to enter the US, she told the Daily Mail. The A-1 'Head of State' visa allows holders to come and go as they please from the US with minimal security checks and they receive special treatment at airports. Names for those visas are put forward by foreign governments and approved by the US Secretary of State. She said it was likely that the UK had Andrew 'taken off the visa request rolls' some time ago. The Reiner family has been publicly united in grief since the brutal killings of legendary director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele. The couple's son Nick, 32, has been charged with their murders, and the Daily Mail revealed last month that his siblings had made the difficult decision to cut off his legal fund. Jake and Romy Reiner also decided not to attend Nick's plea hearing this week, at which a public defender entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. But, surprisingly, one family member did attend - and it's a move that has appeared to signal the first crack in that united front. Annie Reiner - Rob's younger sister - was spotted at her nephew's arraignment in downtown Los Angeles on Monday. Before members of the press and the public were permitted inside, Annie was allowed into the courtroom and took a seat in the front rows. The 75-year-old was seen smiling and waving at Nick as he was led in wearing brown jail garb and mouthed 'hi' back. He remained largely silent for the rest of the three-minute hearing. Rob Reiner with his sister Annie and brother Lucas during a 2022 CBS Sunday Morning interview While Reiner's siblings appear to have turned their backs on their brother, Annie is clearly standing by her nephew. A source close to the family claimed: 'You could say it's a feud and it's really the three other kids deciding that they aren't going to be supporting the person who [allegedly] killed their parents. 'They have made it black and white - you're either on that side or you're on Nick's side. If you're on Nick's side, they don't want anything to do with you. 'Annie has been clear that she's supporting Nick and that's offensive to the others.' Other sources told the Daily Mail that any suggestions of a family feud are false. The Daily Mail understands that Annie had grown somewhat distant from Rob's family in the years before his death. And yet, in the aftermath of the December 14 killings - when Rob and Michele were found stabbed to death in their Brentwood home - relatives gathered at Annie's LA property, as the family reeled from the shock. One source said Annie's work as a psychoanalyst - a type of therapist - may have compelled her to have sympathy for Nick. Rob and Michele with children Jake Reiner, Romy Reiner and Nick Reiner This week, Annie and a male companion left the courthouse just minutes before LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman confirmed that prosecutors are still weighing whether to seek the death penalty. Monday's hearing marked the first time a judge allowed Nick to be photographed in custody. His uneven buzz cut and receding hairline accentuated his resemblance to his famous father - a chilling visual reminder of what prosecutors allege is a case of patricide. Nick - who had been battling mental health problems and drug addiction - was arrested within hours of the killings in the Downtown LA area near USC and formally charged with his parents' murders. At Monday's hearing, he conferred with his attorney, public defender Kimberly Green, who entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. He remains in LA County jail on a no-bail hold. His siblings have maintained they will not provide any financial assistance to their brother. High-powered defense attorney Alan Jackson withdrew from the case in January, paving the way for the Public Defender's Office to take over. TMZ executive producer Harvey Levin told Fox & Friends last week that Reiner is 'almost childlike in jail.' Nick in court on Monday where he entered a not guilty plea 'He can't process the consequences of what he's done. He knows what he did. 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. A close family friend said Annie's decision to show up in court could deepen already simmering tensions. 'The shock [among the children] has worn off, the grief is still there, and now it's been replaced with rage. They are beyond angry, and that will extend to any extended relatives who decide to support Nick,' the friend said. Nick is due back in court on April 29, when the case will move into its next procedural phase. At that appearance, the court is expected to address scheduling for the preliminary hearing - where prosecutors will lay out the evidence they believe is sufficient to send the case to trial. It is also possible that discussions surrounding capital charges will begin to crystallize. The Daily Mail has contacted the Reiner family for comment. Vicious attacks on gay and bisexual men in Sydney by teenagers with alleged links to an Islamic State network have raised alarm in the LGBTQ+ community. Footage has emerged of a horrific bashing from April last year when a 20-year-old man was lured to the Casula Community Centre for a Grindr date. The young man, who was called 'Nathan' while speaking to ABC Investigations this week, said he was led to an underground causeway, beaten and left for dead. The 40-second video by the 17-year-old attacker shows him, stamping on Nathan's face with his heavy work boots, yelling: 'You wanna be gay, you little f***ing dog?' Nathan fell unconscious during the attack and, when he woke up, he had no phone and had suffered a broken eye socket and nose, cuts to the face, and a permanently deviated septum. Court documents, seen by the ABC, revealed the teenage attacker had no conviction reported after he pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery. He received only nine months' probation. 'It's unbelievable that he gets to walk free,' Nathan told the ABC's 7.30 program. 'How does that make other gay men feel safe, knowing that he is allowed to freely roam the streets?' Footage has been shared of a horrific attack on a young Sydney man in April last year, which is one in a growing trend of bashings on gay and bisexual teenagers and men in the city Attackers allegedly lure victims using the gay hook-up app Grindr (stock image) Nathan is not alone, with the program sharing footage of other bashings filmed by the attackers. In one incident, a gang forced a 16-year-old into a toilet block and punched him while calling him the slur 'f*****' and a 'kafir', which is an Arabic word meaning 'nonbeliever', derived from a term signifying 'disbelief' in Islam. Another video showed a boy being stamped on while several attackers called him a 'gay dog', with one yelling 'Dawlatul Islam', which is Arabic for Islamic State (IS). The news of the attacks, which took place in the last two years, has rattled the LGBTQIA+ community in Sydney. A spokesperson for NSW's leading HIV and LGBTQ+ charity ACON confirmed to Daily Mail that they were working with authorities to protect the community. 'ACON is extremely concerned about the recent reports of violent attacks targeting gay and bisexual men in Sydney,' they said. 'We are urging anyone affected to come forward and seek support. 'These incidents are not widespread, but they are serious. ACON will continue working with authorities and community partners to promote safety, address hate and ensure LGBTQ+ people can live their lives free from violence and discrimination.' A 17-year-old who attacked a young man last year is believed to have been connected to Sydney pro-IS preacher Wisam Haddad (pictured) The charity said it encourages people to take practical steps to prioritise personal safety when using dating or social apps. Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is well underway, with the annual parade on Saturday. The festival's chief executive, Jesse Matheson told the Daily Mail the safety of participants and spectators is the organisers' 'absolute priority'. 'Mardi Gras works year-round with NSW Police, security professionals and government agencies to plan and deliver a safe Parade and Festival,' he said. A NSW Government spokesperson said they are looking into ways to strengthen laws to protect the LGBTQ+ community from hate crimes. 'These attacks are appalling and have no place in NSW. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected for who they are,' they said. 'We are determined to give police and the courts every tool available to target this abhorrent behaviour.' The ABC reported that the attack on Nathan was part of a trend of youth extremism targeting gay and bisexual men and teenagers. Counter-terrorism expert Dr John Coyne said police need to learn from the past when there was a series of inner city bashings of gay and lesbian Sydneysiders in the 1980s and 1990s According to the court documents in Nathan's case, his attacker was suspected of multiple similar gay bashings. A police source also told the broadcaster the attacker had relatives who fought for IS in Syria and were connected to Sydney pro-IS preacher Wisam Haddad. Haddad has spewed antisemitic sermons to his flock and one of his followers is believed to have been alleged Bondi Beach terror attack shooter Naveed Akram. The preacher has previously said there is no personal, organisational or instructional link between him and Akram, who has been charged with 15 counts of murder. Haddad, who is known as Abu Ousayd, has also claimed his lectures were 'provocative' and amounted to 'subjective opinion'. Police figures obtained by the ABC revealed that at least 64 people have been charged in NSW and Victoria since 2023 over similar attacks. Victoria Police said no such link has been established in Victoria with terrorist organisations or neo-Nazi groups. NSW Police said the ABC report relates to an investigation in which matters are still before the court, which means the force can not provide comment. Counter-terrorism expert Dr John Coyne said the cases are worrying, but law enforcement should learn lessons from the past. 'Do three cases represent a pattern? It is concerning enough that right now, those three incidents [should prompt] an investigation],' he told the Daily Mail. 'There is a need now for law enforcement agencies in Australia to do two things. '[They need] to call out for other victims, if they exist, to come forward and speak with police to get a better understanding of how widespread this is. 'The second one is that we need to make sure that we understand whether or not this is a systemic ideological activity or if this is a crime activity. 'And if you start to have groupings like this, then you start to consider that it is ideologically driven.' Dr Coyne, who is director of the national security program at the Australian Strategic Policy, said there had been inner city bashings of gay and lesbian Sydneysiders during the 1980s and 1990s. 'If indeed people have been attacked [now], we want them to feel safe to come forward because that wasn't the case in the '80s and '90s,' he said. 'They were genuinely afraid - both of the attacks and the stigma associated with them - and I know we have moved on in terms of that stigma, but we haven't moved that far.' February 25, 2026: The American Commander in Chief recently called for the construction of new Defiant class BBGs, or battleships armed with missiles. These would be 35,000-ton, 260 meter long vessels with a top speed of 55 kilometers, crew of 700 and armed with 12 cells containing Conventional Prompt Strike Ballistic missiles that can hit a target anywhere in the word within an hour. Another 128 VLS cells would carry anti-ship, land attack and other missiles similar to what current Burke Class destroyers carry. For air and close in defense there would be two Rolling Airframe launchers. There will be two 127mm guns and four 30mm autocannon. There will be a flight deck aft with a hangar capable of holding two helicopters plus some drones. The first Defiant would cost nearly $20 billion while subsequent ones would cost $13 billion. The last American conventional battleships armed with 406mm guns were the four 60,000 Iowa class. Four of these ships were built between 1940 and 1944. Each cost $1.5 billion in 2025 dollars. These vessels were 270 meters long, with a top speed of 61 kilometers an hour and a range of 27,000 kilometers at 28 kilometers an hour cruising speed. The ship carried a crew of 2,700 and was armed with nine 406mm cannon, twenty 127mm guns, 80 40mm and 49 20mm anti-aircraft guns. The large guns had a range of 43 kilometers. Electronics include air and surface search radars as well as a fire control radar. Belt armor for the four Iowas were 307mm to 368mm depending on the ship. Turrets, conning tower and decks were also armored. Aircraft consisted of three float planes. The four Iowas were decommissioned after World War II and then brought back several times. USS Iowa was decommissioned in 1949, brought back 1951-88 and finally in 1984-90. For New Jersey it was 1948, 1950-57, 1968-69 and 1982-91. For Missouri it was 1955, and 1986-92. For Wisconsin it was 1948, 1951-58, and 1988-91. When returned to service after World War II, the Iowas received upgrades consisting of missile launchers, improved electronics and helicopters/drones instead of floatplanes. Another aspect of all this is how, since World War II, the descriptions given to warships have evolved. Warships called destroyers appeared a century ago and by the end of World War I they were ships of about 1,000 tons armed with a few guns and some torpedoes and depth charges. By World War II, destroyers had grown to about 3,000 tons. There were also cruisers, weighing in at between 6,000 and 12,000 tons, and battleships, which were 30-60,000 tons. Half a century later, all that's left for surface warfare are destroyers and frigates. For whatever reason, the modern frigates perform the same mission and are about the same size as the World War II destroyers. Meanwhile, the modern destroyers have grown to the size of World War II cruisers. Actually, some of the larger destroyers are called cruisers, even though they are only 10-20 percent heavier than the largest destroyers. The latest ships in the U.S. Navy's Burke class destroyers weigh 9,200 tons, cost $1.5 billion to build, have a crew of about 330 sailors, and carry 96 anti aircraft and cruise missiles. There's only one 5 inch gun, but two helicopters. These modern destroyers could take on any World War II cruiser and win, mainly because the cruise missiles have a range of 1,500 kilometers. A Burke class ship could probably defeat a World War II battleship, although we'll never know for sure since one of those heavily armored ships never got hit by a modern cruise missile. In effect, the U.S. Navy has settled on just four major combat ship types; aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates and nuclear submarines. What began with another child drawing a swastika before shoving it into the Jewish boy's face and laughing at him, soon became a daily barrage of antisemitic abuse inflicted on the youngster by his classmates. Over two years, the vulnerable 14-year-old was incessantly called a 'Yid' and 'Jewish scum'. Josh was derided in science lessons by his peers, who would turn on their Bunsen burners, make hissing noises like the gas chambers of the Holocaust and shout, 'be careful, there's a Jew over there'. Sometimes they would also make Nazi salutes and shout 'Heil Hitler'. On one occasion a younger pupil shouted 'f*** the Jews, kill the Jews' at the terrified teenager and followed him all the way home. But despite multiple complaints made by his parents to the school in east London, the boy was advised by his headmaster to 'be more resilient'. The one time he did just that, telling one of his racist bullies to 'f** off', it was Josh who was disciplined and given a detention. At various points between retelling of the 'hell' her son went through at school, Kelly Kaye becomes understandably emotional. 'As a parent, you feel that you've done everything right, but yet in situations like these you feel you can't protect your child. It's really frightening.' Kelly's story is one of several emerging as campaigners say Britain is now in the grip of an 'antisemitism crisis', with anti-Jewish sentiment now 'rife' across the country. She and other victims shared their experiences at an 'emergency summit' held on Wednesday at the House of Commons, which was attended by MPs and peers, alongside antisemitism advocates, presenter Rachel Riley and journalist Lord Daniel Finkelstein. Victims retold their experiences at a summit on Wednesday at the House of Commons and urged lawmakers to stop the 'antisemitism crisis' in Britain Kelly Kaye told the packed meeting: 'As a parent, you feel that you've done everything right, but yet in situations like these you feel you can't protect your child. It's really frightening' Advocates say lawmakers need to take 'urgent action' that will finally address the root causes of such hatred, which they say was growing in the UK well before the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel of October 7, 2023, and the subsequent war in Gaza. Their concern is backed by the latest figures from Community Security Trust (CST), released just weeks ago, which make for the grimmest of readings. Jews are now eight times more likely to be victims of religious hate crime than any other group, the findings revealed. The report also found there were 3,700 anti-Jewish hate incidents recorded in 2025 - amounting to a staggering 280 per cent rise since 2015. Perhaps most sobering of all, 2025 saw the first antisemitic terror attack on British soil. Jewish worshippers Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby were killed when an Islamist terrorist, wearing a fake suicide belt, drove through the gates of Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester on October 2, before slashing at innocent civilians with a knife. Jeremy Wootliff, from Victims of Antisemitism and Grassroot Peoples' Support (GPS) Network, which alongside Christians United For Israel is behind today's launch of the Stop The Antisemitism Crisis campaign, said: 'These figures are exceptional, and antisemitism is increasing. 'Over the last five to 10 years, it has more than doubled. It is causing discomfort and violence, it has led to terrorism - and it has led to deaths. 'This is not the Britain that we know and love. Antisemitism is a crisis in this country - and no-one seems to realise it. 'What needs to be made clear is this is happening across the United Kingdom. It's in the educational system, the health system, and in workplaces up and down the country. 'Jews are being ostracised and it's happening every single day. We're only 270,000 people in Britain and many are leaving the country.' Referring to what he claims is a 'pervasive and dangerous movement to demonise Jews' that has been driven by extremists 'from all sides', Wootliff spoke of the dozens of victims who have come forward to report hate incidents. One woman, Victoria, from Ilford, Essex, recalled how she has been abused online and received direct threats to her family. Among the slights directed at her, Victoria has been called a 'genocidal, baby killing paedophile, ethnic cleansing Zionist pig.' On the day of her son's bar mitzvah, he was subjected to people 'hurling racial abuse' as they turned up to synagogue. At school he further faced antisemitic abuse, with one child telling him: 'You should have been put in the ovens like the rest of your family in Auschwitz'. Victoria believes the government needs to take more direct action. 'The only solution offered so far by Labour and the Tories is to give more money to CST and for security in our schools and synagogues. But that doesn't do anything about the root causes - it's like putting a plaster on an amputated limb. We need to be doing something else.' In another instance, Zoe, a waitress from Hastings, said she had death threats made to her face and was called a 'baby killer' and 'terrorist'. She has requested her religion be removed from her medical records because she does not feel 'safe'. Ryan, a social media manager from Manchester, recalled how a female Muslim colleague made death threats and told him she was a Hamas supporter. She told him that she was 'going to gut [him] like a fish'. In Glasgow, Edward was suspended from the school where he taught and arrested after two pupils, in collusion with a pro-Palestinian group, made false allegations of sexual assault. Despite since proving his innocence, 'I have been repeatedly called a "paedophile" in the street.' Asher, a student from Bangor, said that he and other Jewish people in his community have been 'physically assaulted multiple times'. He also claimed the only Jewish-owned business where he attends university has been 'vandalised repeatedly', but no charges have ever been brought by the CPS. Asher said: 'Antisemitism has now become normalised institutionally'. Helen, an NHS worker, told how she had been verbally abused by her colleagues, with one insisting that 'all Jews were racist'. She was also told by her superiors that she was being 'investigated' for her 'Zionist beliefs'. When she then said that she felt she was being racially targeted 'they completed ignored me'. She subsequently went to the police because she did not feel safe. In fact there are so many instances that Wootliff has become aware of that he has now sickeningly concluded: 'Jewish people going around their daily lives in Britain can no longer operate normally'. He added: 'It is moving to a scary situation where shops are closing, where people are being thrown out of their jobs, where false accusations are being made, where mothers are frightened for their children going to school. 'This would not be acceptable for any other people, and it's not acceptable for Jews.' For Kelly, the abuse her son - who is autistic - endured throughout his GCSE years led her to believe that not only was it unrelenting, but it was also 'pervasive'. 'This wasn't just a handful of children doing this. When we looked at his prom pictures, he pointed out all the kids that had been antisemitic to him at any point, and we actually counted 40 individual children. 'When he finally left after his GCSEs, I sent a complaint to the governors and collated all the emails of concern I had sent over those two years. It came to around 80 pages, which is just horrific. 'We ended up taking our daughter out as well, because someone etched a swastika into the table, but it took three complaints before the desk was removed. 'Moving her before the 7 October attacks was the absolutely best thing that could have happened, because I just cannot imagine the sort of abuse she would have got if she had stayed there.' Her son, now 19, is studying at college and 'flourishing' in his studies. Campaigner Jeremy Wootliff (standing fifth from right), pictured with Rachel RIley and victims of antisemitism, said 'Jewish people going around their daily lives in Britain can no longer operate normally' Kelly added: 'What I find really concerning is that young people should be like this. Something has gone wrong in the education system if we can't seem to teach our children that we shouldn't abuse others like this.' Some advocates have gone as far as to compare the antisemitic abuse experienced in Britain in 2026 as akin to the treatment of Jews living in Nazi Germany in the 1930s - but surely the UK has not become that bad? 'I think what we're trying to say is we're going there. It's going in that direction,' warns Wootliff. 'It's really important that regular British people wake up to this threat, because we are the canaries in the coal mine. 'This is not just about Jews, its about everybody. This is a crisis for the country.' A fare dodger who went viral after bragging about refusing to pay for a train ticket has been unmasked as a well-heeled West Londoner with dreams of rap stardom and who openly admits being a 'privileged white boy'. Archie Jack Columbus Pin-Cardella, 26, filmed himself aboard a Great Western Railway service revealing how he brazenly defied a conductor's order to leave the carriage. In clips originally posted on TikTok, he launched into a bizarre monologue about being 'born free' - while appearing to sport a 695 Burberry scarf. He said in the widely-condemned footage: 'I didn't pay for a train fare, and the guy was like, "You gotta get off the train", and I said, "No". And now we're moving again. You are free. 'I said, "Where was my agreement that I had to pay to live, that I had to pay to travel?" Because we are born free, right? 'Human beings are born free, look at every animal. They don't have to pay to live, so why do I have to pay?' The Daily Mail can reveal that Pin-Cardella, 26, is a wannabe musician who was born in affluent south London and raised in the south of France by his 'well-off' parents. His father is Jean-Francois Cardella, a middle class producer, art-director and film-maker. Archie Jack Columbus Pin-Cardella (pictured), 26, filmed himself aboard a Great Western Railway service revealing how he brazenly defied a conductor's order to leave the carriage In clips (pictured) originally posted on TikTok , he launched into a bizarre monologue about being 'born free' - while appearing to sport a 695 Burberry scarf And far from being a penniless rebel, Pin-Cardella lives in a 600,000 apartment in affluent Fulham, located just a stone's throw from Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium. When we approached him at his gated community, the fare dodger admitted being a 'privileged white boy still living at home' and from a 'well-off family' that is 'not strapped for cash'. He insisted: 'It's not about dodging the fares, it's about what is true and I have nothing to hide. 'For me the whole train thing is not about being a t**t and being anti "the world". I believe we are born free, all humans and all animals are born free. 'There is a way of powering cities with the atmosphere, so no human being has to pay to live. 'My point is not to say f*** the system, f*** the trains, everyone should do nothing. My point is that we can create a world where everyone has what they need where no one is homeless, no one goes hungry, no single mum has to slave three jobs to live.' Asked whether it was fair that he avoids paying when less well-off commuters buy tickets, he replied: 'No because I believe no one should have to. They don't have to - they have made a choice. 'You only have to pay tax because you agree to it.' In the viral videos - filmed on a commuter service heading towards Swindon, Wiltshire - Pin-Cardella rants: 'No-one should have to pay taxes. They're siphoning your energy. 'Realise that all animals live for free so why do human beings have to pay? Why do we have to be enslaved. We don't. We chose. So we can choose differently. F*** the rules.' In another clip, he signs off: 'I love you. Be free. You are free. You are not a slave. You are a divine soul. You can't stop the truth.' The videos prompted a furious online backlash and have drawn the attention of British Transport Police. One X user branded Pin-Cardella 'another middle class twerp who'll never contribute anything positive to society,' while another questioned: 'Did he agree to pay for the Burberry scarf?' A third added: 'Let's hope the transport police were waiting at the next station to explain to Tarquin Cashmere-Scarf that mummy and daddy have been informed there's no such thing as a ticket free ride for their little wastrel.' Pin-Cardella, who believes in several conspiracy theories, performs under the moniker AC Flow and has previously promoted himself online as an artist and entrepreneur. In a YouTube documentary-style feature, he recounts being born in the leafy south London enclave of Herne Hill before spending much of his youth in the south of France. The Daily Mail can reveal that Pin-Cardella (pictured), 26, is a wannabe musician who was born in affluent south London and raised in the south of France by his 'well-off' parents And far from being a penniless rebel, Pin-Cardella (pictured) lives in a 600,000 apartment in affluent Fulham, located just a stone's throw from Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium He said: 'I did my teens all the way up to 16. You know, Cannes is your hometown...running around just doing what you do. 'We lived in lots of different areas. We lived in a nice area called Pegomas, which is just flat in the valley and it's just nice. 'There's a nice river. I loved living there, man.' The film also shows him eating croissants at a Gail's Bakery, which he describes as a 'bougie Starbucks'. Speaking to the Daily Mail, he claimed he does not pay for his own clothes and that they are 'handed' to him 'by God's grace'. In the instance of his Burberry scarf, he said his mother's friend needed clothes to be sold. 'My mother likes to take on these jobs even though we are a pretty well-off family. 'We are not strapped for cash or anything like that. But she chose to take all those clothes in and one of those scarfs were there so she gave them to me,' he said. Pin-Cardella added: 'In the eyes of society I am a privileged white boy because I still live at home where I make my music and social media. 'I make around 300 a month from music. It's obviously a lot and it's not enough to live in the West but I could just book a flight to South-East Asia and live on the cheap and live in the jungle. 'I am happy to do that if the world is saying 'screw you' to me. I am free and I believe we are all free but human beings have been programmed to accept this slavery, this way of life that does not value the human soul. 'The train fares represent this system as a whole. Humanity is making a collective choice. If humanity said tomorrow, 'F*** this, I am not doing this any more', what are they going to do? Take us all to prison? 'I am not worried about anything. You can arrest me, you can do whatever. I know the Lord will always uphold me. I have no fear.' Public records link Pin-Cardella, who also spent time living in Bath, Somerset, to a succession of short-lived ventures that appear to have fizzled out. His company AC Flow Ltd, listed as being involved in sound recording and performing arts, was struck off in 2025 having failed to file accounts. Another venture, Cartela Records Ltd, was also wound-up in the same year. Accounts filed with Companies House in 2024 reveal the company had a balance sheet of zero. The business failings have not stopped Pin-Cardella from travelling. His Facebook account is littered with photos from jaunts to south-east Asia. His latest stunt may prove costly with British Transport Police investigating the video. Fare evasion is a criminal offence and can result in prosecution and fines. Pin-Cardella was, however, unfazed at that prospect, saying he would ask officers: 'Where did I agree to this? Where is my agreement that I have to pay taxes. 'They can fine me as much as they want - show me the agreement I made to pay it.' British Transport Police confirmed it is investigating. A spokesman said: 'We're aware of this video. Any witnesses to the incident of the person refusing to pay should contact us via text referencing log number 98-2502226.' Bill and Hillary Clinton will be deposed this week over their ties to Jeffrey Epstein, as Republicans prepare to grill the pair on the pedophile's explosive new files. Clinton's historic deposition on Friday will be the first time a former president has been compelled to testify in a congressional investigation against his will. Hillary will testify on Thursday. The couple finally agreed to do so after threats of contempt charges. Clinton will be questioned over his relationship with the financier after files released by the Justice Department last month revealed new depths of their friendship, which spanned the early 1990s and into the early 2000s. The most damning evidence centers around the flights he took on Epstein's private jet, which the ex-president claims were only ever related to his charitable work. Republicans will also zero in on new photos in the files, which show Clinton swimming with Epstein's girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, and lounging in a hot tub with another unidentified woman. Representative Byron Donalds, of Florida, told the Daily Mail: 'Bill in a pool, Bill on the plane, I think there needs to be a comprehensive review.' 'I think what the American people are looking for right now is true accountability from people in power who were a part of sexualizing and abusing young women,' he added. Clinton denies all wrongdoing, as does Hillary, who claims that she never met Epstein but acknowledges meeting Maxwell on several occasions. Bill Clinton swims in a pool with Ghislaine Maxwell and another woman in an undated photo The ex-president eats cake on a plane in another image released by the Justice Department Clinton and an unidentified woman on a private jet in a picture from the Epstein Files. The former president said he only ever traveled with Jeffrey Epstein for charity work Hillary said in a BBC interview last week that she and Clinton are 'more than happy to say what we know, which is very limited and totally unrelated to their behavior or their crimes' Republicans anticipate the veteran politicians, no strangers to allegations of impropriety, to be combative witnesses. Representative John McGuire, of Virginia, said: 'No matter what we do, I think they are going to plead the fifth or play games, but we are going to give them the facts and expose them to the American people.' Representative Glenn Grothman, of Wisconsin, said he hopes the depositions will expose others in Epstein's orbit. 'I'd like to know more about the people around Epstein, because maybe they will shed a light on what Bill was doing when he had contact with Epstein, and maybe give us the names of some more of the little people who know what's going on,' Grothman told the Daily Mail. 'We know that there are people out there who have said that they saw Bill on Epstein Island ... we would like to track that down. Shouldn't we, for history's purposes?' Dani Bensky, an Epstein survivor who attended Tuesday's State of the Union as a guest of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, said lawmakers should cast a wide net when questioning the Clintons. She told the Daily Mail that 'it's really broad strokes' that lawmakers should use when questioning the Clintons. 'I think anything that they know about, anything that they were even around for, I think they really just need to talk about every event they ever attended,' Bensky noted, before adding that the more information the Clintons give, 'the better.' Dani Bensky, an Epstein survivor, and guest of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, attended the State of the Union address on Tuesday Clinton relaxes in a hot tub with a woman whose face has been redacted in another image from the files tied to Epstein Representative Byron Donalds, of Florida, told the Daily Mail: 'Bill in a pool, Bill on the plane, I think there needs to be a comprehensive review' Epstein and Maxwell also appear to have played a key role in setting up the Clinton Foundation and Clinton Global Initiative, according to the recent files. Maxwell herself was deposed as part of the bipartisan congressional investigation into the Justice Department's prosecution and handling of the Epstein case, during which she pleaded the Fifth Amendment to prevent self-incrimination. Hillary said in a BBC interview last week that she and Clinton are 'more than happy to say what we know, which is very limited and totally unrelated to their behavior or their crimes.' House Oversight Chairman James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, noted earlier this week that 'the Clintons' testimony is critical to understanding Epstein and Maxwell's sex trafficking network and the ways they sought to curry favor and influence to shield themselves from scrutiny.' 'Their testimony may also inform how Congress can strengthen laws to better combat human trafficking. Our goal for this investigation is straightforward: we seek to deliver transparency and accountability for the American people and for survivors,' Comer added. The Daily Mail has contacted the Clintons for comment. Fewer criminals would see the inside of a jail cell under the Green Party's plans for power which instead encourage crooks to 'make amends' to their victims. In an internal policy document seen by the Daily Mail, the Greens would grant the fraction of violent felons who are sent to jail the right to vote, put them up in their own rooms and let them pursue artistic and creative hobbies whilst behind bars. The Green drive to keep criminals on the streets comes on the day of the Gorton and Denton by-election where the party hopes to return a fifth MP to Parliament. In the latest reveal of the Greens' policy plans, Zack Polanski's party is pushing for 'restorative justice': encouraging offenders to 'make amends' to their victims to prevent 'further harm' to the offender. The Daily Mail has this week unearthed Green plans to legalise prostitution and hand illegal migrants a free house, a wage and NHS care. Their 'Crime and Justice' policy explains: 'We support the principle of 'restorative justice', which deals constructively with both the victim and the offender'. Restorative justice could include 'service or payment to the community' or taking part in 'vocational training, counselling, therapy, problem solving and other ways of overcoming disadvantage' to 'encourage the offender to avoid offending again'. The Greens would also give offenders the chance to hash things out with their victims in special 'Mediation Centres'. Zack Polanski's party would drive for greater diversity among police ranks including those from 'black and ethnic minorities, different sexual orientations, various faiths, trans people, and other social and cultural backgrounds' Fewer criminals would see the inside of a jail cell under the Green Party 's plans for power which instead encourage crooks to 'make amends' to their victims And where an offender of property-related crimes doesn't have the means to pay victims back victims who cannot afford insurance and are on benefits the Greens are considering having UK taxpayers foot the bill. In this scenario, taxpayers would pay if no offender has been convicted. The Green Party calls for lists of defined crimes to be kept 'as short as possible', with criminals only sent to jail if there is 'a substantial risk of a further grave crime' or if offences have caused such public alarm that the offenders' presence in the community would 'constitute a threat to his/her own safety'. If locked up, however, criminals will have access to 'meaningful activities', such as education and arts facilities. Where possible offenders would be detained near their family and friends. While Magistrates' courts and the Crown Court both currently have the power to sentence criminals to a jail term, under the Greens' plans to drive down prison populations, the Crown Court alone would have the power to lock up criminals. The Greens also call for existing women's prisons to be replaced with 'small, multi-functional custodial centres', and for under 18s to no longer be kept in custody. Zack Polanski's party would drive for greater diversity among police ranks including people from 'black and ethnic minorities, different sexual orientations, various faiths, trans people, and other social and cultural backgrounds'. The Greens are also pledging to 'ultimately end hate crime' and to end stop and search. Nick Timothy, Shadow Justice Secretary, said the Green Party 'wants Britain to become a lawless and dangerous place'. 'The justice system must protect the innocent, punish the guilty, and uphold the rule of law. That means locking up more criminals for longer. But the Greens want to do the exact opposite.' The Green Party pointed to its 2024 manifesto in response to a request for comment. Britain's armed forces would see drastic cuts and the nuclear deterrent would be scrapped under the Green Party's official 'non-offensive defence strategy'. Zack Polanski would 'progressively reapportion' the defence budget and respond to any attack on Britain with a 'proportional and legal response', newly unearthed proposals show. The policies seen by the Daily Mail add that the Greens believe it 'should not be a crime' to 'have sympathy with' the aims of terrorist groups such as Hamas and Al-Qaeda. Reform UK, the Conservatives and Labour all attacked the Greens 'fantasy' defence policies, branding them 'reckless and dangerously naive'. Meanwhile Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also took aim at the Greens over their stance on defence in the Commons, branding Mr Polanski's party 'weak on NATO and soft on Putin'. Titled 'Peace, Security and Defence', the policy states: 'Green Party will develop a non-offensive defence strategy that will harmonise with our strategy to promote greater global peace and common security through dialogue, diplomacy and the building of trust. 'The defence budget will be progressively reapportioned to peace promotion and security priorities, to better combat the real and present threats we face as a result of the Climate and Ecological emergency.' Under the heading 'terrorism', it adds: 'It should not be a crime simply to have sympathy with the aims of an organisation, though it should be a crime to aid and abet criminal acts or to deliberately fund such acts.' Zack Polanski would drastically cut Britain's armed forces and scrap the nuclear deterrent under the Green Party 's official 'non-offensive defence strategy' Zack Polanski and Gorton and Denton Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer pose for a picture on January 30 Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said the Greens have written a defence policy for 'a fantasy world' that would 'leave us vulnerable to our adversaries'. 'Polanski needs to realise that deterrence keeps the peace and strength prevents conflict,' he told the Mail. 'And saying it shouldn't be a crime to sympathise with terrorist aims is dangerously naive. 'That blurs moral lines and undermines the social cohesion we depend on. We need strong Armed Forces, a credible nuclear deterrent and zero tolerance for extremism.' Meanwhile Reform MP Danny Kruger said the Green plans would 'leave the United Kingdom weaker and more exposed' at a time of international instability. He added: 'As for the Greens' concerning attitude towards Hamas and Al-Qaeda, these organisations are responsible for appalling acts of violence and any ambiguity toward them risks undermining public safety and national security.' The internal documents state that, among a programme of reforms, the Greens would raise the minimum age of recruitment to the armed forces from 16 to '18 years or older'. On Britain's nuclear deterrent, the policy states that the Greens 'reject a deterrence strategy' and suggests that under Mr Polanski the government would pursue policies that could damage the special relationship with the United States. The policy adds that the Greens will: 'Immediately begin the process of dismantling our nuclear weapons, cancel the Trident programme and remove any foreign nuclear weapons from the UK, ban the export of nuclear weapons related material, [and] ban nuclear armed ships from UK territorial waters.' The Green's official 'non-offensive defence strategy' says the party would 'progressively reapportion' the defence budget and respond to any attack on Britain with a 'proportional and legal response' The policies seen by the Daily Mail add that the Greens believe it 'should not be a crime' to 'have sympathy with' the aims of terrorist groups such as Hamas and Al-Qaeda A Labour source said: 'The Green Party's approach to national security is reckless and dangerously naive, especially as Ukraine enters its fourth year under Russia's illegal invasion.' It comes after the Mail revealed that illegal migrants would be given a free house and paid a wage with no requirement to work under the Greens plans for 'a world without borders'. Mr Polanski's party also plans to legalise all drugs including heroin and crack cocaine because they 'enhance human relationships and human creativity'. And the Greens official policy also states that sex work 'should be decriminalised' and restrictions placed on sexually explicit material 'ended', except for those aimed at protecting children. A Green source said the policy proposals are different from the party's manifesto, which is costed, but admitted that they are a 'long-standing policy and aim' of the party. The Green Party declined to comment but pointed to its 2024 manifesto. A Harvard mathematics professor was placed on administrative leave after his Epstein ties were exposed just hours after former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers resigned from teaching at the college due to his own links. Martin Nowak, 60, was suspended following an investigation into his relationship with Epstein, according to a letter to the professor obtained by the Harvard Crimson. The decision comes after prominent economist Summers stepped away from the Ivy university amid reports about his honeymoon trip to Epstein's island, commonly known as Pedo Island. Harvard Magazine obtained a letter to students and faculty noting that Nowak will have reduced access to undergraduate and postdoctoral students for at least two years and will be banned from beginning research projects. Additionally, the university is shutting down the professor's Program for Evolutionary Dynamics, which Epstein once donated $6.5million in cash, according to the outlet. The enormous donation was the largest of the $9.1million in total gifts Epstein donated to the University during that period, according to the magazine. Nowak's relationship with Epstein was uncovered in a 2020 report which detailed alleged ties with the sex offender for over a decade, beginning in 1998. Martin Nowak, 60, was suspended following an investigation into his relationship with Epstein. He is barrred from beginning new research, had his Program for Evolutionary Dynamics shutdown, and will have reduced access to the university Nowak allegedly kept ties with Epstein for over a decade beginning in 1998. Epstein was convicted in 2008 procuring a child for prostitution and later died in 2019 Epstein once donated $6.5million in cash to Nowaks' Program for Evolutionary Dynamics. The enormous donation was the largest of the $9.1million in total gifts Epstein donated to the University during that period, according to the Harvard Magazine The report also discovered that Epstein had a key card with unlimited access to Harvard's Program for Evolutionary Dynamics even after his 2008 conviction for procuring a child for prostitution. In 2021, the university deemed that Nowak violated the school's code of conduct and closed his program until those sanctions were lifted in 2023, according to The Crimson. The Daily Mail has reached out to Nowak for comment. The fallout comes as scrutiny has grown around former Harvard president Summers and his relationship with Epstein. Summers, who maintained a personal friendship with the disgraced financier, will give up his title of University Professor, the highest academic title at Harvard. The university stated that he will resign from his teaching roles at the end of this academic year. Economist Larry Summers stepped away from the Ivy League university amid reports about his honeymoon trip to Epstein's island Summers spent part of his honeymoon in December 2005 visiting Epstein's Little Saint James island Summers and Epstein were pictured with former Barclays chief executive Jes Staley and Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates Summers has been on leave since November 2025 and will step away as Harvard investigates the documents related to Epstein which were released by the Department of Justice in January. Summers and his wife, Lisa New, visited Epsteins island in December 2005, ten days after their wedding. According to flight logs, the honeymoon occurred while Summers was still serving as Harvard's president. A spokesperson for Summers previously said: 'Mr. Summers and Ms. New spent their honeymoon in St. John and Jamaica in December 2005, which was long before Mr. Epstein was arrested for the first time.' Epstein died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. The Daily Mail has reached out to Harvard for comment. A neighbor who tried to stop a deranged son from stabbing his mother to death was chased to his door where the manic tried to break it down. Aleksandr Aleksand Shablykin, 32, killed his mother Zoya, 52, then went on a rampage down her quiet street, where he murdered three of her neighbors. The psycho killer was gunned down a few doors down the cul-de-sac in Gig Harbor, Washington, at 9.33am on Tuesday by police who arrived seconds too late. A man working from home in the street, just a few miles from the Puget Sound, gave a gripping account of Shablykin's rampage to the Daily Mail. He heard a bloodcurdling scream and saw Zoya being attacked out his window on the back porch of the $800,000 family home. The shocking scene was partially obscured by hedges and he initially thought Zoya was being mauled by the German Shepherd he knew lived in the street. But when he ran into the unfenced backyard of Zoya's home, he realized she was being stabbed a dozen times by her schizophrenic son. 'I saw him stab her two more times in the chest and I yelled out like "hey what's going on?"' the neighbor, who asked not to be named, said. Zoya Shablykin, 52, (right) was stabbed to death by her son Aleksandr Aleksand Shablykin, 32, outside her home on Tuesday morning. Her daughter Anastasia, 30, (left) survived Zoya with her 11-year-old granddaughter, who was not present during the stabbing spree 'To which he stood up in a very composed fashion and confidently walked towards me. He said, "I don't know, does someone need help?"' Shablykin was brandishing a large kitchen knife, dripping with blood from his murdered mother, and menacingly approached him. 'He had this distant look on his face, he was very calm, composed, very serious, even his gait... he didn't seem full of unbridled rage,' he said. The neighbor retreated back to his house and retrieved two of his pistols, handing one to his wife who had just got out of the bath and was calling 911. Seconds later, he heard a pounding on his door as Shablykin tried to break it down and murder everyone inside. The neighbor, who is former military, told the Daily Mail he warned Shablykin 'if he came through the door I would kill him', but that didn't deter the crazed knifeman. He grabbed his M4-carbine assault rifle, positioned himself atop the stairs overlooking the door, and again warned he would start shooting. This time the banging stopped, but the neighbor knew he had to go after him. Your browser does not support iframes. 'I told my wife I needed to go outside and deal with him because he's gonna start murdering everybody. I just kind of had that feeling,' he said. 'I was thinking, because of his behavior, his callousness, his methodical nature, he was just gonna go door to door and kill everyone. 'Because he was trying to kick down my door and I had nothing to do with it, and he was gonna try to murder me and my wife. 'So I'm just like if he's gonna try to murder most of the neighborhood, which is mostly old people who are gonna have zero way to defend themselves. 'And I'm like holy s**t, I cannot let that happen.' The neighbor raced up the street to engage but heard several gunshots as a Pierce County Sheriff's deputy shot Shablykin dead. In the about 45 seconds between leaving the neighbor's door and being gunned down, Shablykin killed two other women outside their homes. One of them was still being stabbed - like Zoya more than a dozen times - when police rolled up, and the deputy opened fire when Shablykin charged at him. The neighbor saw all three lying dead in the street, one in the middle of a road and one elderly woman at the bottom of her driveway. Anastasia had the awful task of telling her grandmother - Zoya's mother - that her daughter was dead A fourth victim's body was later found between Zoya's home and the building next door, but it was unclear when they were killed. The neighbor told police about Zoya and was told to go and give her first aid if she was still alive. 'I got within two feet of the body and there was no question she was deceased, she'd been stabbed in the chest about 12 to 15 times,' he said. The neighbor is haunted by the seconds between when Shablykin left his door, and when he was ready to pursue with his rifle. 'It's just unfortunate that I couldn't get out there about 30 seconds earlier because I could have put a gun in his forehead, probably stopped the other two from getting murdered,' he said. 'But my wife was right there, literally in a bath towel just out of the bath, and there's no way I'm gonna leave her a side if I'm not absolutely confident that she can handle an issue. 'Should you know he come back by circling around the house or whatever.' He said that his pistol is with him almost all the time, but he forgot to grab it from the safe in his office - right next to the window. 'It was the mistake on my part of thinking it was the dog attacking her,' he said. Zoya took out the protection order against her son last April, claiming he 'believed he was an Egyptian god' and performed 'occult rituals' as he threatened his family for years and injured her cat Zoya was granted a protective order after he pushed her and told her, 'Your grave has been dug up,' according to court documents Police were already on their way to Zoya's home after a 911 call about 8.45am reporting that Shablykin was violating a restraining order. Zoya took out the protection order against her son last April, claiming he 'believed he was an Egyptian god' and performed 'occult rituals' as he threatened his family for years and injured her cat. A family friend told the Daily Mail that Shablykin's sister Anastasia, 30, and her 11-year-old daughter were safe at her partner's home when Zoya was killed. The identities of the three deceased neighbors are not yet known. A different man, living on the same street, told the Daily Mail the family were having problems since he moved in about seven years ago and he heard them arguing. He said it appeared Shablykin stopped living there full time about two years ago and was only there sporadically since then. Dispatchers said they first received a 911 call about 8.45am claiming that the suspect was violating a no contact order. Zoya was granted a protective order after he pushed her and told her, 'Your grave has been dug up,' according to court documents obtained by the Daily Mail. She wrote in her petition for the protective order on April 4 that she had a legitimate reason to fear for her safety as her son 'has been threatening me, abusing me both mentally and emotionally'. Deputies found Zoya Shablykin, 52, and three others outside, one lying in the middle of the quiet cul-de-sac a few miles from the Puget Sound Shablykin was shot by one of the deputies and died at the scene along with three of the victims, the sheriff said Shablykin was 'doing witchcraft/occult behavior and doing rituals in my home, damaging personal belongings', she wrote. He even 'thinks [he is] an Egyptian god!' the terrified mother wrote, noting that she was an 'elderly disabled woman and he is taking advantage of me and my health, recording me at my home'. Zoya wrote that on April 2, Anastasia showed up at the house and brought her daughter. 'After arrival to my home, I noticed my house smelled very strange, my rugs from the home have been moved to the garage, the cat was missing,' she wrote in the petition, adding that picture frames and photographs were destroyed. 'The smoke detector was going off and my son was acting delusional. Evidence of occult rituals were present.' At an ensuing hearing on whether to grant the temporary restraining order, authorities noted that Shablykin 'has been having escalating mental health issues, which include grandiosity, auditory hallucinations and command hallucinations'. Shablykin previously had a mental break about five years earlier, and his mental health improved for a while after, 'but is worse now than it was five years ago', the order explained. 'His current command hallucinations tell him he is a god and that Petitioner must obey him,' it added. 'Several days ago, he told her that "Your grave has been dug up."' Records also showed Zoya previously sought a restraining order from her son when he was first having mental health issues in 2020. Three adults were killed at the scene. Paramedics took a fourth victim to a nearby hospital in critical condition, where they later died from their injuries She wrote at the time that Shablykin did not like when his sister had her boyfriend over, so he went into her room with a knife and started threatening her. 'He is threatening everyone in my family,' Zoya claimed at the time, noting that she did not 'feel safe in my house'. 'He doesn't want to work or learn, think she has a freedom to do what he wants and have everything in my house because he thinks it belongs to him,' she wrote in the petition. 'He is abusing me emotionally, which is affecting my health condition,' she added without specifying what health conditions she had. Shablykin was arrested numerous times since 2020, mostly for driving without a valid license and refusing to identify himself to officers when he was pulled over in his vehicle, according to court records that included 14 separate cases. He was also charged with trespassing in January 2023, but the charge was dismissed with prejudice. READ MORE: ISIS bride Kirsty dripped with entitlement as she demanded rescue Two women who reportedly married Australian ISIS fighters have been declared 'extremists' by the head of a Syrian camp. Al Roj camp director Hakamia Ibrahim said the two women are being held separately to the group of 11 women and 23 children, who are pleading with the government to help them return to Australia. 'In the camp, they (Australians) did not cause problems except for two people, of course,' Ms Ibrahim told The Australian. 'They are still among the extremists, from the extremist women.' The women may not be Australian citizens, but instead have married Australian ISIS fighters. It comes as one of the Australian women in the group seeking to return home was slapped with a temporary ban following advice from security agencies. It's understood the 'temporary exclusion order' is active for two years. It is unclear whether the woman, who has not been identified, has any children she would be separated from as a result of the order. Last week, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed none of the other women or children have met the required legal thresholds for temporary exclusion orders Children play in a section of the Al Roj camp housing Australian wives and children of Islamic-State linked fighters Last week, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed none of the other women or children have met the required legal thresholds for temporary exclusion orders. However, the Daily Mail revealed on Wednesday the Australian Federal Police have launched a probe into one of the brides of the original cohort, after she once told her ex-housemate, 'I want to go and make bombs.' Kirsty Rosse-Emile, 31, previously claimed she was tricked 12 years ago into entering the warzone with her Islamic State fighter husband Nabil Kadmiry, who she married when she was just 14. When speaking with the ABC last year, she refused to explain how she ended up in Syria because it 'could create problems for me'. However, her former housemate Sara* told the Daily Mail on Monday that Rosse-Emile, who was known by her Islamic name Asma, knew exactly what she was doing when she flew to Syria to pledge allegiance to IS. Rosse-Emile was about 17 and staying in a self-contained unit attached to Sara's place on the outskirts of Melbourne in 2010 when a mutual friend asked whether she wanted to go back to school. 'Asma turned around and said "I don't want to go to school, I want to go and make bombs",' Sara recalled. She said she was willing to stand up in court and testify against Rosse-Emile if that's what it took to keep her out of Australia. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke issued one bride a two-year ban on returning home While appearing on ABC's Insiders program on Sunday, Burke refused to rule out banning some of the other ISIS brides from returning home. 'We never stop collecting information on people,' he said. 'If the agencies decide it's in the interest of public safety for additional orders to be issued, they'd be issued straight away,' he said. 'Unlike my opponents, I take the advice of these agencies really seriously... their advice matters. 'The moment their advice came to me on this one person, I worked through it and the temporary exclusion order was issued.' The Germans seemed to delight in their own brutality, that summer morning in Athens. As the men were hustled down from the trucks and herded to the place of execution, a photographer was on hand to record each step of the path to death. Over the next four hours, in a valley on the edge of the city, firing squads despatched the victims in batches of 20. By the end, blood lay in pools on the sunbaked earth and 200 resistance members were dead in one of the worst atrocities of the German Occupation of Greece. The memory of that morning May 1, 1944 has been dramatically rekindled with the appearance of a series of 12 photographs controversially put up for sale on eBay by a collector specialising in Third Reich memorabilia. The images are a reminder, if any was needed, of the appalling savagery of German military methods. But they also carry a more uplifting message. Anyone looking at the pictures of the column of the doomed marching to their rendezvous with death at a firing range at Kaisariani in the eastern suburbs of Athens will surely be struck by their pride and defiance. Their shoulders are straight and their demeanour calm and dignified. As they wait for the bullets to strike, one stands with arms held stiffly by his side as if on the parade ground. Another raises his clenched fist in a salute to his comrades and the cause. For most of these men were communists, imprisoned by their own government before the Germans invaded. The story of the Kaisariani Massacre is as much about the courage and defiance of the anti-Nazi resistance as it is about the crimes of Hitlerdom. The atrocity is seared into the nation's memory but, though it is well-documented by eyewitness accounts, until now there has been no visual evidence to illustrate its horrors. The victims were prisoners in the SS-run Haidari concentration camp in north-west Athens. It served as a transit facility for Jews, most of whom would end up in Auschwitz. But it also held about 600 political prisoners, nearly half of them communists who had been imprisoned by the authoritarian regime of General Ioannis Metaxas. Victims of the Kaisariani Massacre shortly before being executed by the Nazis One haunting image that's been put up for sale shows the Greek men being lined up at a firing range When the Germans invaded Greece in the spring of 1941 the prisoners were handed over to the occupiers to serve as ready-made hostages along with lists of other political undesirables. By 1944 the Germans were battling a highly effective nationwide guerrilla campaign fought by the communist-led Greek People's Liberation Army (ELAS), sometimes in partnership with British teams from the Special Operations Executive. They controlled large swathes of the countryside, attacking troops and sabotaging installations. German countermeasures targeted the civilians who sustained the partisans. By the end of the war, about 90,000 Greeks had been murdered and 1,600 villages and towns destroyed. In addition, all but 10,000 of the more than 70,000 pre-war Jewish population had been deported to death camps. On April 27, 1944, an ELAS platoon ambushed Major General Franz Krech, commander of the Wehrmacht's 41st Fortress Division, in the mountainous southern Peloponnese peninsula, killing him and three other officers. The response was predictable and in keeping with the Germans' long-established practice in all the countries they occupied of mass killings of captives, especially communists, in reprisal for the assassination of any of their own. A list was drawn up by Gestapo headquarters in Athens of 200 prisoners marked for death. Most of them had been imprisoned on the peninsula of Akronafplia before being moved to Haidari after the occupation. Among them were teachers, engineers, bakers, agronomists and trade union leaders who had spent years behind bars for their political beliefs. When news of the assassination reached the camp the inmates had little doubt of what was coming next. On the evening of April 30, the SS commandant Captain Karl Fischer informed the prisoners' representatives that a large group of them were to be moved to a different camp the following day. The site has been turned into a memorial to honour the 200 men who were executed Among the men were teachers, engineers, bakers, agronomists and trade union leaders who had spent years behind bars for their political beliefs Nobody was fooled. But instead of despair, the news was met with unwavering courage. In Cell Block 3, to the astonishment of their captors, those who were about to die danced to the music of two guitars and a violin and sang folk songs and revolutionary anthems. Early the following morning came another remarkable display of fortitude and defiance. Among those selected for execution was Napoleon Soukatzidis, a 35-year-old accountant and trade unionist who had been arrested in 1936 and never saw freedom again. He was a phenomenal polyglot, speaking six languages including German, which made him invaluable to his captors as a translator. It fell to him to deliver the roll call of the condemned. When he came to his own name the camp commandant Captain Karl Fischer was reluctant to lose such a valuable human resource and intervened to spare him. Soukatzidis asked him: 'If I am saved, will one fewer be executed, or will someone else take my place?' Fischer confirmed that the quota would still have to be filled. Soukatzidis then stepped forward and took his place in the line of the condemned. In a hasty farewell note left for his father, he wrote: 'Dad, I'm going to the firing squad. Be proud of your only son.' Another prisoner, Antonis Vartholomaios, was also told he could be allowed to live on account of his status as the camp elder. He, too, refused the offer. As they waited for the lorries that would take them to the killing zone, witnesses reported that the men sang the national anthem and the Dance Of Zalongo, a traditional song commemorating the 1803 mass suicide of Greek women and children who jumped off Mount Zalongo to avoid capture by the Ottomans. The prisoners were driven in ten trucks across Athens to a rifle range at Kaisariani on the eastern edge of the city. Along the way the doomed men threw out messages scrawled on scraps of paper to their families, which were collected by locals and passed on. As they waited for the lorries that would take them to the killing zone, witnesses reported that the men sang the national anthem Flowers laid at a memorial to the resistance fighters, along with photographs and a drawing of the men A lawyer called Mitsos Remboutsikas wrote: 'My death should not sadden you but steel you even more for the struggle you are waging.' The firing range was in a wooded valley overlooked by Mount Hymettus. The victims were lined up in their groups of 20 then gunned down. Each succeeding batch was forced to load the dead onto the lorries that had brought them, before taking their place in front of the firing squad. The massacre was witnessed by local people watching horrified from the surrounding slopes. In their last moments, the victims gave clenched fist salutes, shouted 'Long live Greece' and 'Long live freedom!' and sang the communist Internationale anthem. A well-known poet Rita Boumi-Pappa who lived close by recorded that the slaughter, which lasted four hours, was too much even for some of the executioners. 'The Austrians of the first firing squad could not stand it any more and sometimes fainted,' she wrote. 'This enraged the head German officer who twice replaced them with more composed soldiers.' The dead were carted off in lorries dripping with blood to a cemetery in Athens. Gravediggers later reported that some of the bodies showed signs of life but that the Germans forced them to bury them anyway in pits they had prepared the night before. The Nazis refused to release the names of their victims and families had to identify their loved ones by looking through piles of bullet-torn clothing dumped at the offices of the Greek Orthodox archdiocese in Athens. The appearance of the photos has led to the tentative identification of more victims. A tall man in a white shirt seen walking into the shooting range has been named as Vasilis N. Papadimas, an engineer arrested in August 1941. Today, the atrocity is etched in the Greek national consciousness. Memories of the war are sensitive still, given the vicious civil war that erupted in 1946 between royalist Greek government forces and the communists and ended three years later with victory for the monarchists. Although communists had made up by far the largest and most effective anti-Nazi force, they were categorised as traitors rather than patriots. Up to 5,000 Leftists were tried in military courts and executed while only a handful of Nazi collaborators faced justice. It was only in 1982 that the government officially recognised the crucial role played by ELAS and granted its survivors full veterans' rights. Since then the debt has been increasingly acknowledged. The shooting range is now the site of the Altar of Freedom, set in leafy parkland, dedicated to the heroes who fought for the nation's independence, where services of remembrance are held each year. The appearance of the photographs for sale last week will further advance the rehabilitation process. The Greek Ministry of Culture declared the archive a protected national monument of exceptional historical value. It is now negotiating to acquire it for the state. The seller, Crain's Militaria, is owned by Belgian collector and historian Tim de Craene and specialises in Third Reich memorabilia and Second World War artefacts. The episode has also shone a light on the disturbing trade in violent imagery. Along with documents and coins, the website offers photographs taken by German military personnel for their own pleasure. Germany was a world leader in high-quality compact cameras and most soldiers carried one. The regime encouraged it and saw it as a means of connecting the troops with the folk at home. The memories they wanted to preserve of their service reveal much about the nature of Hitler's Germany. Many of the photographs featured on the website are gruesome, showing burned and mangled enemy soldiers and murdered Russian and Polish male and female civilians strung up on makeshift scaffolds and the branches of trees. All have been stamped 'sold'. The Kaisariani images are said to have come from the album of Sergeant Hermann Heuer, or Hoyer, who served in one of the Fortress Division's battalions, which records show was in the area at the time. However, they are professionally shot, almost certainly taken by Gunther Heysing, a journalist attached to a unit working for Nazi propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels. After the war he published a newsletter called Die Wildente (The Wild Duck) which served as a network for those who served in 'propagandakompanies' and reproduced their work. This was most likely the provenance of the Kaisariani series. Heysing's purpose was no doubt to proclaim the deadly revenge the Germans would wreak on anyone who dared to stand up to them. Instead his pictures show something very different. The images capture the duality of human nature, its darkness and its light. Yes, they are a testimony to the black bestiality of the regime that Heysing glorified. But more importantly they serve as a memorial to courage and a shining nobility that Nazi evil could never extinguish. Nigel Farage has accused Keir Starmer of 'panicking' about the result of a crunch by-election in Manchester which could determine his survival in Downing Street. Voters in Gorton and Denton go to the polls on Thursday in what was once a safe Labour seat, but which has turned into a bitter three-way battle. Labour's Andrew Gwynne held the south Manchester constituency with a majority of more than 13,000 at the last election in 2024. But polls suggest Labour's support has collapsed leaving it in a three-way fight with Reform and the Greens. Labour's chances have been dented further by Sir Keir's panicked decision to block Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham from standing. One source on the ground told the Mail: 'Anyone who tells you they know which way it's going to go is lying.' Mr Farage, who arrived in the constituency on Wednesday evening ahead of a day of rallying supporters to get out and vote, urged people to back Reform to give the government a bloody nose. 'Our message on election day is clear,' he said. 'The Prime Minister is panicking and knows he has broken his promises to the British people. Panic: Sir Keir has made just one fleeting visit to the must-win contest since controversially blocking Andy Burnham from standing Nigel Farage campaigning in Gorton and Denton with Reform's candidate Matt Goodwin 'Vote Reform to ditch Starmer.' The contest in Manchester has been beset by allegations of dirty tricks, with parties repeatedly referring each other's candidates to the police. In the latest twist, the Greens accused Labour of handing out leaflets from an 'entirely fictitious' tactical voting organisation urging voters to back Sir Keir's party. The leaflets from 'Tactical Choice' carry a supposed poll that put Labour and Reform neck and neck when 'not including polling funded by Green Party donors'. They add: 'Based on a new prediction published in the last 24 hours we are recommending voting Labour.' A Green Party spokesman said: 'In a final throw of desperation, Labour have made up an entirely fictitious organisation called 'Tactical Choice' referencing them on their final leaflet. They've had to make this up because every actual tactical voting organisation has endorsed the Green Party as the best hope to keep Reform out in this election.' For its part, Labour has accused the Greens of 'whipping up hatred' over Gaza in parts of the constituency with a large Muslim population. The party even put out a campaign video in Urdu which featured images of David Lammy shaking hands with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell said the Green campaign had been 'characterised by misinformation, with dodgy bar charts'. However, Labour put out a leaflet of its own with a bar chart showing it neck and neck with Reform but omitting the Greens in the lead. Mr Gwynne, a former health minister, was sacked last year over offensive WhatsApp messages, including one in which he said he hoped for the death of an elderly constituent who complained about local bin collections. He quit parliament last month on health grounds, opening up a potential route for Mr Burnham to return to parliament where he would be able to challenge Sir Keir for the Labour leadership. But Sir Keir vetoed his candidacy, plunging the result of the by-election into doubt. Labour MPs believe that he could face a challenge to his leadership if the by-election is lost. But supporters believe that victory would vindicate his decision to block Mr Burnham and give the PM vital momentum as he heads towards difficult local elections in May. A spokesman for Sir Keir acknowledged that the result could come down to a handful of votes and urged disaffected supporters not to risk letting Reform win. The PM, who made only one lighting campaign visit to the seat, claimed that the contest is a straight fight between Labour and Reform, despite polls suggesting a narrow lead for the Greens. On Wednesday night, he characterised the contest as a 'stark' choice between 'unity and division', claiming that Reform would 'drive a wedge between communities. However, the Greens were buoyed by a poll this week suggesting that local plumber Hannah Spencer could score an unlikely victory. The Opinium poll put the Greens on 30 per cent, Labour on 28 and Reform on 27, leaving all three parties within the margin of error. February 26, 2026: South Korea has developed the 35-ton Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile carrying a 7.8 ton warhead at ranges of 600 kilometers or more. Lighter warheads allow the missile to travel up to 5,000 kilometers. The 600 kilometers missile is sufficient for North Korean targets. At 5,000 kilometers the targets would be in China or Russia. The 7.8 ton warhead is 80 percent metal to enable deep penetration through earth or concrete. South Korea was able to develop the Hyunmoo-5 despite an agreement with the United States to not develop missiles with ranges of more than 180 kilometers and warheads of more than half a ton. By mutual agreement, these restrictions were abolished in 2021. Such agreements are imposed by the United States as a condition of continued American support for the defense of South Korea from North Korean attack. Since South Korea is now an economic powerhouse and a major manufacturer and exporter of military equipment, such restrictions are superfluous. South Korea has been in the top ten of nations in terms of productivity and is headed for the top five. South Korean military forces are better armed and equipped than the northerners. The economies of the two countries are very different, with South Korea having a per-capita GDP more than fifty times that of the north. South Korea is also considering developing nuclear weapons to match those already held by North Korea, The Americans have long pledged to supply nuclear weapons support to deter the north. American politics, or simply changes in American attitudes towards defending South Korea, prompted South Korea to consider developing their own nuclear weapons, which could certainly do within a few years. The US understands that South Korea is now a major military and economic power. This means the two nations are now allies with each possessing the same military capabilities in East Asia. The would allow the Americans to withdraw their troops from South Korea, where they have been stationed since the end of the Korean War 71 years ago. The U.S. will probably keep a token number of troops in South Korea until the two Koreas are reunited as a democratic nation with a market economy. Russia and China oppose this, but are not willing to start a war over such a unification. South Korea is a major trading partner with China and had similar relationships with Russia until the Ukraine War sanctions were imposed in 2022. It wasnt too long ago that South Korea depended on the United States for all sorts of modern weapons. For example, seventeen years ago the U.S. agreed to sell South Korea GBU-28 bunker buster bombs. This 5.8 meter long, 2.2 ton weapon was designed and built in 17 days during the 1991 Gulf War. It can penetrate more than six meters of reinforced concrete or 45 meters of earth, before detonating 306 kg of Tritonal explosive inside a bunker. The bomb is actually a BLU-113 fitted with a laser guidance kit, turning it into the GBU-28. Saddam Hussein was known to have built two heavily protected underground shelters in 1982 and 1983. The German firms that designed and constructed these 9,000 square meter shelters described them as having 3.2 meters of reinforced concrete for a ceiling and walls with 2.2 meters of reinforced concrete. The main entrances were through three-ton steel doors. Each had two escape tunnels, one going 200 meters to the Tigris River. One bunker was under a Presidential Palace, which would have to be leveled before the GBU-28 could get a shot at the bunker several dozen feet underneath. North Korea has long been installing military installations in large underground bunkers, often dug into the sides of mountains. North Korea has lots of mountains for this. North Korea has become so good at it that they sell their expertise to other countries. Iran is a current client. A Labour councillor who was pictured dining with convicted crack cocaine and heroin dealers has been suspended after his conviction for a 'brutal' pickaxe attack emerged. Mohsin Hussain, a district councillor for Keighley Central in Bradford, was handed a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years, for his involvement in an armed street attack in 2014 which left a man with bruising to his head, upper body and legs. Cllr Hussain, then 19, used a pickaxe handle during the attack, which he has 'taken full responsibility for'. In 2023, he was pictured dining at a restaurant alongside three convicted crack-cocaine, heroin and cannabis dealers. He was suspended from the party on Wednesday when his criminal past was pointed out to Sir Keir Starmer during Prime Minister's Questions. Tory MP Robbie Moore asked whether Cllr Hussain should be allowed to stand in May's council elections. The Keighley and Ilkley MP said: 'In 2014, a man in my constituency was ambushed, violently beaten with a pickaxe handle and left lying in the street with serious injuries. At the time of the conviction, the judge called it a brutal attack. 'Mr Speaker, many constituents have contacted me to express their concern that the perpetrator of this attack is still a sitting a Labour councillor in Keighley, and was recently pictured celebrating an election alongside individuals convicted of dealing crack cocaine and heroin. Mohsin Hussain, a district councillor for Keighley Central in Bradford, has been suspended after his criminal past emerged In 2023, Cllr Hussain (first on right) was pictured dining at a restaurant alongside three convicted crack-cocaine, heroin and cannabis dealers 'Prime Minister, on behalf of all victims of serious crime, will you, as Leader of the Labour Party, ensure that Councillor Mohsin Hussain is not permitted to stand in the local elections this May?' In response, Sir Keir said: 'I thank him for raising this. I will look into it straight away and give him a full answer.' He has now been suspended pending an investigation. A Labour spokesperson said: 'These are serious allegations. The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously and they are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures.' Cllr Hussain told the Daily Mail his suspension was 'very disappointing'. He said: 'I've always been open and transparent since I became a councillor in 2021. I made a mistake which I deeply regret and it is something which Labour has been aware of. 'I've worked very hard to reform and turn my life around.' He also said he was 'disappointed' with Mr Moore for raising his past in Parliament, accusing him of 'focusing on this now because we have elections coming up'. He added: 'The local MP has repeatedly mentioned it and he does this at every election. On Wednesday, Tory MP Robbie Moore asked whether Hussain should be allowed to stand in May's council elections 'It is a vile and disgusting attack. He isnt bringing anything new. He needs to focus on the real issues an MP should be addressing.' The Telegraph and Argus reported the photo of Cllr Hussain with the drug dealers was snapped in 2023. Asked about being pictured with drug dealers, he claimed he has 'no association' with the criminals and he is not able to 'control who attends' dinners. He said: 'I was invited to the restaurant. They were on the other side of the table. I can't vet every single attendee. I've always condemned drugs and worked hard within the community.' A sound system blasts out a hideous recording of howling wolves as a terrified lamb tries to jump a steel barrier to escape a slaughterman who is about to slit its throat in an English abattoir. Bleating frantically, the animal slips repeatedly on the blood-covered floor before being hauled back for the deed to be done with a large, sharp knife. Two minutes later, even though the creature is still showing signs of life, the man begins to cut off its legs. A secret video camera planted by an animal rights' activist reveals the true horrors of what happened inside that abattoir in a Warwickshire village. A report by university academics who viewed the film last year said 'intense pain and distress' was inflicted on hundreds of lambs as they were hurled into doors, walls, and floors, before being killed in a terrible way. The footage also captured a smart limousine owned by one of the workers parked outside the abattoir with the word 'halal' incorporated into its personalised number plate. The shocking cruelty to animals at the slaughterhouse producing halal meat for Muslims provoked a police investigation, the sacking of three rogue staff and the closure of the premises. Activist Joey Carbstrong, who made the undercover film, has insisted it was made to highlight animal cruelty, rather than stigmatise Islam. He acted after complaints from villagers about the smell coming from the abattoir, and the distressing cries made by the 1,000 animals arriving by lorry at the premises every week. This month the terrible abattoir footage re-emerged on social media as the rights and wrongs of religious slaughter have once again become a political issue. A fledgling Right-wing party, Restore Britain, announced its demand for an outright ban on the practice, as celebrity voices questioned this method of killing in a country famed for its love of animals. John Cleese, the actor most famous for the 1970s sitcom Fawlty Towers, also entered the fray by calling for footage of halal slaughter to be sent to him. This followed his views posted on X last month: 'Halal slaughter runs contrary to old established British principles about not torturing animals.' He added: 'This sadistic way of killing animals runs completely counter to our most decent instincts. It should not be legal in the UK.' This week, social media users, including myself, responded by sending John Cleese a copy of Joey's film, which is now trending on X. It is stoking an ongoing debate on how meat arrives on our table, amid the growing realisation that much of it is slaughtered in a manner dictated by Islamic religious tradition. Undercover footage from a halal abattoir shows terrified sheep being thrown around and abused The footage shows a sheep being thrown against a wall by the staff at the abattoir Of the one billion farm animals killed in England and Wales during 2024, approximately one in five or just over 200million were killed by halal methods. This represents 20 per cent of the total, even though the Muslim population in England and Wales is nearer 7 per cent. Crucially, while it is a legal requirement to electronically stun all animals and render them unconscious before slaughter, there is an exemption for Muslim as well as Jewish communities, in recognition of their religious demands that the animal should be alive when its throat is cut, so that it dies as the blood drains from its body (the consumption of blood is forbidden in Islam). The majority of halal slaughterhouses do stun the animals although critics claim the slaughtermen use a lower voltage than that employed in regular stunning, to ensure the animal is not dead before its throat is cut. The critics maintain that this means the animals can regain full consciousness after 20 seconds, then struggle and feel pain while they are slaughtered. Meanwhile, the Food Standards Agency says the demand for non-stunned halal meat is rising, and accounts for almost one in three halal sheep the most popular meat among the Muslim population dying while conscious and aware of what is going on. In all, an estimated 30 million animals, including chickens, goats and cattle, were slaughtered without being stunned in 2024, a total that is rising to match demand from an increasingly devout young Islamic population in this country. The halal food industry controls 15 per cent of the total UK meat market, turning over two billion pounds a year at wholesale prices. This has raised concerns that meat from Muslim slaughterhouses is slipping into the general food chain without people knowing. There are also claims that halal meat is being sold in supermarkets without adequate labelling as to the method of slaughter. One social media commentator complained about his experience when he went to his local High Street supermarket this week to buy some chicken: 'It had a red Union Jack on it (meaning it was reared in Britain) and had a Red Tractor (animal welfare) certification on the package. But when I checked the code it turned out to be halal.' The majority of halal slaughterhouses do stun the animals although critics claim the slaughtermen use a lower voltage than that employed in regular stunning, to ensure the animal is not dead before its throat is cut There are claims that halal meat is being sold in supermarkets without adequate labelling as to the method of slaughter The way halal meat gets to our supermarket shelves and into many state school meals, NHS hospitals and public-sector workers' menus has long been a bugbear of Rupert Lowe, MP for Great Yarmouth. He launched his Restore Britain party earlier this month after sitting as an independent in Parliament following an unedifying departure from Nigel Farage's Reform UK, and announced that one of its key demands along with the automatic deportation of illegal immigrants and foreign criminals is a total ban on all religious slaughter in Britain. Lowe succeeded last year in successfully asking for halal meat to be taken off the staff menu at his local hospital. He said at the time: 'All across the country in abattoirs, we're allowing vile practices that would turn the stomach of any decent person. Millions of Brits are eating halal meat against their will, and without their knowledge, due to our deceitful labelling system. Halal meat is seeping into the food chain.' His demands prompted the Muslim Council of Britain to warn that the end of halal killings would prompt an exodus of its many religious followers from the UK. Conservative MP Esther McVey explained in House of Commons on Tuesday why the meat was so prevalent: 'non-stunned' meat is cheaper and therefore, 'supermarkets and food outlets can purchase that cheaper meat without ever declaring it to the customer... Non-stunned produce is being used by 17 local councils in schools, the majority of which are not Islamic faith schools, without parents or children having the first idea about it.' She has called for a law to label halal and kosher meat so people can decide not to eat it, adding: 'Individuals concerned about animal welfare would want to know if an animal had been stunned prior to slaughter.' Whether a dying animal is stunned or not, an Islamic prayer is said over the dying creature by the slaughterman in line with the strictures of the Koran. Meanwhile, another three million animals are killed annually for the Jewish meat market. The religion insists no animal is stunned and uses a slaughter process known as 'shechita'. Similar to halal killings, it involves a rapid cut with a razor-sharp blade across the neck of a live animal. John Cleese posted on X last month: 'Halal slaughter runs contrary to old established British principles about not torturing animals.' Activist Joey Carbstrong has insisted the footage was obtained to highlight animal cruelty, rather than stigmatise Islam It has to be said, halal slaughter or shechita is far from the only animal welfare issue plaguing the British meat industry. Over the first six months of 2025, more than 356,000 chickens, cattle, pigs, and sheep suffered on farms, on the way to slaughter, and in the abattoirs themselves, according to veterinary inspection logs recently released by the Food Standards Agency. These involved chickens freezing to death during the journey to the abattoir, animals arriving with broken legs, open wounds, blinded in both eyes and so weak they are unable to stand. In one incident, cows in the late stage of pregnancy arrived at slaughterhouses where they gave birth. One vet's report obtained by investigative journalists at Wicked Leeks explained: 'The newborn was stunned with a captive bolt gun, then disposed of (in an incinerator or sent for pet food). The mother, searching for her newborn, was put in the slaughter line.' When it comes to halal food, much slaughter of animals for the Islamic community is overseen by a charity called the Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC), which decries stunning. It includes a sharia board of Muslim clerics to give guidance on what is deemed halal or not. The charity said last year that independent research showed a majority of British Muslims seven in ten prefer to eat non-stunned animals. An HMC spokesman explained: 'We have one main aim. We want all Muslims to be confident and be assured that the meat they are eating is genuinely halal. It is one of the most important tenets of our faith, without which our prayers are at risk and said to remain unanswered.' To add to the bitter debate, a halal-certified abattoir in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, hit the headlines recently when it refused to allow FSA officials on to the premises to make hygiene inspections twice in one year. At a later court case, the firm was fined 62,800, although it is believed to be still operating. This punishment was condemned by commentators who alleged 'soft touch' inspectors are giving halal abattoirs an easy ride for fear of being accused of Islamophobia. Whatever the truth of this, Britain is an outlier on halal slaughter compared with the rest of Europe. Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Slovenia, Iceland, Sweden, Luxembourg, Greece, Finland and Switzerland have banned outright all killings without stunning on grounds of animal welfare. A parliamentary petition calling for a ban on 'barbaric' non-stun slaughter collected 109,000 signatures last year. It led to a House of Commons debate after which the Labour Government issued a statement saying: 'We would prefer all animals to be stunned before slaughter. However, we respect the rights of Jews and Muslims to eat meat prepared in accordance with their religious beliefs.' Britain's most famous animal welfare charity, the RSPCA, added its voice to the debate, demanding UK law is amended to end all non-stun slaughter whatever the preferences of religious groups, so animals 'don't feel pain, suffering, or distress' when they are killed. After animal activist Joey Carbstrong made his undercover abattoir film, he showed it to a group of Muslims. They reacted with disgust at the sight of lambs being dismembered while alive. The young people, some of them female and wearing hijabs, were aghast by what they were shown. 'Oh my God', says one girl in her 20s putting her hands to her face in shock. 'That's disgusting', added another. 'It is impossible, a bloodbath. That isn't halal, it is disgusting, it is haram [forbidden],' shouted a third. One woman viewer says, as she begins to weep: 'The animal is running for its life. This idiot [slaughterman] is making fun of the lambs when they are screaming. It is suffering, it is murder.' As Carbstrong says about the same undercover footage: 'Whether you are a Muslim or not, it is time to agree this is wrong. They think eating halal means everything is fine, that the animals have a happy time, that you say a prayer, and the animal says go ahead and take my life. It's not true'. There is no doubt, whatever their religious belief, many in modern Britain would agree with him. A pensioner due to appear in a highly-promoted Australian Story episode has spoken out after ABC spiked the feature at the eleventh hour after discovering he had been convicted of 'serious historic offences'. Ian Williams, 73, attempted to sue National Australia Bank subsidiary UBank in October 2025 for an extraordinary $379million. His case, which related to claims of poor handling of two unauthorised transactions from his account totalling $1,338.55, was dismissed. But his story still pulled wide interest among Australians, prompting the ABC to speak to him on the Background Briefing podcast in July and publish several news stories. An Australian Story episode, with an estimated production cost of $250,000, was due to air on Monday about his 'David and Goliath' case - but ABC pulled it on the day. The broadcaster published a brief statement admitting 'new information' from that afternoon, unrelated to his case against NAB, revealed Williams was 'convicted of serious historical offences, which he failed to disclose to the ABC'. Two days later, Williams spoke about the 'gut-wrenching' U-turn and admitted to not revealing his past, although he stopped short of discussing his crimes. 'I did the wrong thing a very long time ago and I paid for it and I've worked as hard as I can since that time to sort my life out,' he told The Australian on Wednesday. Pensioner Ian Williams (pictured) unsuccessfully tried to sue UBank for almost $400million over its handling of two unauthorised transactions from his account totalling $1,338.55 An Australian Story episode about his battle was due to air on Monday but was spiked after producers were told Williams had been 'convicted of serious historical offences' 'It was gut-wrenching to get that call. It was really disappointing because I knew it was a good show but I was mainly disappointed in myself. 'I should have told them (about it) and let them make an editorial judgment about my past but I didn't. 'The judgment call I made in not saying anything and not telling them about it was wrong. 'I should've done that and made the ABC aware and that's on me. It caught them completely unaware.' As reported in Daily Mail's Inside Mail, fingers were pointed towards producer Amos Roberts, whose credentials include being a former producer on Four Corners. 'I feel really bad for Amos, he's a lovely bloke, and all of the ABC have been fantastic, just good people. I feel really bad that I've let them all down,' Williams said. 'I just wish I had done things differently and I'm sorry.' Williams refused to provide details about the criminal convictions from four decades ago, but confirmed they were not in relation to fraud or financial crimes. While he apologised for not telling the ABC, Williams refused to discuss the detail of his convictions which were brought to light by an ABC statement and were shared by host Leigh Sales on social media All Williams confirmed was that the convictions, which are unrelated to the case against NAB, were from 40 years ago and were unrelated to financial crimes or fraud 'I can't go into details on it. I just can't do it. There are reasons for it. I'd love to be able to speak freely, but I can't,' Williams said. 'It had nothing to do with finances, though (and) it happened 40 years ago. 'All I just wanted to do [during media interviews] was get legislative change to protect scammed victims. That was my only motive. I wasn't out there looking for bloody fame and glory, I've got to tell you. I was certainly not looking for notoriety. 'All I wanted to do was try and do some good because I've spent the last 40 years trying to be a positive influence in the world and make amends for past wrongs but it hasn't worked out that way.' Williams added that, before both the podcast and Australian Story, he had thought that 'if the s*** hits the fan [about his convictions], Ill deal with it then'. Just hours before the program would be broadcast, Roberts reportedly received a call from a viewer regarding the offences. The episode, its synopsis and promotional material were scrubbed and, after a spokesperson initially said 'there was an editorial issue', a statement was published. '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,' it read. ABC stories, promotional material for the Australian Story episode and the Background Briefing podcast segment on Williams have been scrubbed 'We have since confirmed Mr Williams was convicted of serious historical offences, which he failed to disclose to the ABC.' The statement, shared by host Leigh Sales on social media, confirmed the episode had been spiked. In the now-deleted promotional video from the ABC for his Australian Story episode, Williams is shown speeding along Melbourne roads on a motorbike. Clad in a black leather jacket, he tells the camera: 'I'm just a stubborn bugger.' The Background Briefing story and multiple ABC News stories have also been removed. During his case, Williams alleged he was blamed by UBank and NAB for authorising two Google Pay transactions on October 29, 2022. He then allegedly found CCTV footage showing two individuals using his account at Coles Bundoora, while he was in Bendigo, 180km away. 'I didn't do it. I wasn't there... But the bank said, "No". They still come back, "Nup, you're guilty",' he told the program, according to promotional material. The promotion depicted Williams as a hero, with one interviewee saying: 'To go in and bat against a big corporation is incredible.' The bank, which denied any liability, offered to refund the two transactions: once in December 2022 and once in May 2023. But Williams refused and pursued the matter in court, where Associate Justice Goulden summarily dismissed the case, stating it had 'no real prospect of success'. Ahead of the now-binned Australian Story episode, NAB apologised for Williams' distress during the process. 'What happened to Mr Williams was really upsetting scams can happen to anyone and have a serious financial and emotional impact,' NAB executive Craig Swinburne said in a statement to the Daily Mail. 'We know we could have done better in how we communicated and supported Mr Williams. 'We're continuing to strengthen education, protections and support across UBank and NAB.' A homebuyer has lost his entire house deposit and new home because he was two days late with a payment due to his bank's transfer limits. Stephen Gary Evans' hopes of buying a new property turned into a nightmare when the Supreme Court of Queensland ruled that his entire $98,500 deposit would be forfeited. The situation began when Mr Evans agreed to buy a five-bedroom Shailer Park home near Logan, south of Brisbane, from vendor Yea Lan Jan for $985,000. Both parties signed the property sale contract on January 22, 2024 and the sale was confirmed by the real estate agent the next day. The contract stipulated that the 10 per cent deposit be paid the same day. However, Mr Evans was unaware of Queensland's strict property purchase laws and banking transfer limits. He was advised by the bank that he would need to visit a branch if he wanted to increase his transfer limit from the $50,000 threshold. Mr Evans transferred $45,000 into the real estate agent's trust account the next day. Stephen Evans' hopes of buying this five-bedroom Shailor Park home turned into a nightmare when the Supreme Court of Queensland ruled that his $98,500 deposit would be forfeited due to a breach of contract The court outcome has prompted buyer's agent Jordan Veleski (left) to warn homebuyers about the expensive consequences of breaching a contract and the importance of engaging professional experts 'Do apologise, deposit today and balance tomorrow. Very sorry, bank is very painful to deal with,' he texted the agent. The agent replied: 'OK. As long as I let seller know. Two deposits today and tmr'. Mr Evans did not hear anything further from the agent and transferred the remaining $53,500 in three instalments the next day. Three days later, the agent advised Mr Evans that the vendor had since terminated the sale due to the deposit not being paid by the due date. He tried to force the sale to proceed by taking the matter to the Supreme Court of Queensland. Ms Jan told the court that she never authorised an extension period for the deposit and that she was not advised by the agent that there would be delays. The court dismissed Mr Evans' claim and ruled that Ms Jan could keep the $98,500 deposit plus interest. The March 2025 court ruling has prompted experts to warn homebuyers about the expensive consequences of breaching a contract and the importance of engaging professionals such as a conveyancer and lawyer when buying a property. Join the debate Should sellers be allowed to keep a buyers deposit over a small delay? The vendor terminated the property sale due to the 10 per cent deposit not being paid by the due date Buyer's agent Jordan Veleski hopes the court ruling does not set a dangerous precedent Sydney property owner turned buyers agent Jordan Veleski has built a portfolio worth close to $5million, which includes five investments across Australia, as well as his own family home, which is nearly paid off. He detailed how he structures deals and offers when dealing with real estate agents and vendors by allowing time in the contract for pest control, building inspections and finance approval. Mr Veleski also ensures the contract allows the deposit balance to be paid within 24 hours of the contract becoming unconditional, to cover all bases. 'The first thing to do when looking to buy a home is to engage a conveyancer and solicitor - you shouldn't be doing it alone,' he told Daily Mail. 'You need to understand what you're getting into before you sign the contract.' He described what happened to Mr Evans as devastating and hopes that the terminated contract does not set a dangerous precedent. 'What happened was morally wrong but legally correct,' Mr Veleski said. 'It could have easily been avoided. It's not a good look if we want people to get into the property market. Homebuyers are urged to seek advice from a conveyancer and solicitor before signing the contract 'Why would someone do this to someone else, knowing full well how hard it is to get into the property market and how much these people would have saved to even buy this property.' Other Aussies were just as shocked. 'That's straight up evil,' one commented on Mr Veleski's video. Another added: 'Thats unacceptable. Give the man his money back. Others were less than sympathetic. 'Rules are rules....it's clear when buying property. It's also stated in the contract. Can't pay, don't sign,' one wrote. Another added: 'Breach of contract is breach of contract. Expensive lesson unfortunately.' Homebuyers need also be aware that the laws regarding property transfers and contracts vary in each state and territory. A high-flying real estate agent has claimed he's being discriminated against because he's a migrant after NSW Fair Trading suspended his licence. Deepak Bangarh, owner of DKB Real Estate in Bella Vista, north-west Sydney, has been suspended for 60 days while his sale price estimates are investigated. NSW Fair Trading investigators claimed Mr Bangarh misrepresented selling prices, did not substantiate estimated selling prices, and was not passing on all offers of purchase to vendors, as required by law. Mr Bangarh is ranked third nationwide in the Real Estate Business dealmakers award. He told the Sydney Morning Herald he was being racially discriminated against, as jealous rivals try to take him down. 'I know I didn't do anything wrong,' Mr Bangarh said. 'I feel like I'm a victim of jealousy and discrimination as a migrant from other agents locally working against me.' On the DKB website, Mr Bangarh is described as a people person and a 'great negotiator who provides dependable insights and knowledge'. Deepak Bangarh has claimed he's being discriminated against because he's a migrant after NSW Fair Trading suspended his real estate licence Deepak Bangarh is the owner of DKB Real Estate in Bella Vista, in north-west Sydney The news comes after Quakers Hill agent Josh Tesolin had his real estate licence suspended six months ago by the Office of Fair Trading. NSW Fair Trading claimed Mr Tesolin engaged in a laundry list of offences, including underquoting the selling price of more than 100 residential properties, dummy bidding at auctions, producing false documents for regulators, and using high-pressure sales tactics in breach of industry rules. Underquoting is an illegal practice where agents intentionally advertise or quote property prices lower than their estimated selling price to attract buyers and generate higher interest. Authorities allege the misconduct was not a one-off, but part of a pattern of repeated breaches of the Property and Stock Agents Act 2002. When he was suspended, Mr Tesolin was Australia's top-ranked real estate agent, earning more than $9million in commissions in the previous financial year. Mr Tesolin has previously rejected allegations he breached property laws. He addressed the investigation publicly for the first time in a podcast interview with fellow agent Adrian Bo, released on May 28 last year. He said the investigation had been 'going on for three years now'. Josh Tesolin had his real estate licence suspended six months ago 'What are we being investigated for? Fair Trading came in, asked for files, we complied with the regulator,' Mr Tesolin said. 'Anything the regulator has asked, whether it be 500 files... three files... we have completely complied with the regulator at every single stage.' Mr Tesolin has since left Ray White and relaunched his own real estate business. In a separate matter, NSW Fair Trading also cancelled the real estate licence of Epping agent John Kim and disqualified him for five years for misappropriating around $300,000 of trust monies. Investigators found that deposits of $86,000 from a Castle Hill property and $218,000 from a North Curl Curl property had been fraudulently removed from company accounts. 'The manipulation of estimated selling prices and the advertising of a property for less or more than its estimated selling price misleads consumers and vendors, and causes costs, delay and time wasted,' NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said in a statement obtained by Daily Mail. 'NSW Fair Trading has taken disciplinary action against more than 50 real estate agents in the last 12 months, suspending and disqualifying licences to protect consumers. This has included for misappropriation of trust accounts, price misrepresentations including underquoting, and failure to submit trust accounts.' Daily Mail contacted Mr Bangarh for comment. Two British tourists have been arrested over a fake Benidorm kidnapping plot where they demanded a ransom of 725. The pair sent a relative a bogus video purportedly showing one of the suspects threatening to kill his 'blood-covered' friend with a knife. Police in Costa Blanca suspended all their other investigations and called in back-up from a specialist anti-hostage unit based in Madrid after a tip-off from Interpol via UK police. They were preparing for a raid on the hotel where they narrowed down the alleged victim to. But they called off the operation when they saw the alleged victim strolling out of the establishment in a 'relaxed and amicable way' with his supposed captor. The Brits, aged 51 and 37, demanded a ransom of just 725 before they were arrested for simulating a crime and fraud. They could face prison time and a large fine for paralysing police activity in the region. A spokesman for Spain's National Police in Alicante said: 'Officers in Benidorm have arrested two British men aged 37 and 51 for simulating a kidnap with the aim of making some quick cash. Two British tourists have been arrested over a fake kidnapping plot where they demanded a ransom of 725 to use for holiday cash 'Our investigation began after a tip-off from Interpol about the possible abduction of a British national in the resort. 'A relative of the man who had apparently been kidnapped, who initially alerted authorities in the UK, said he had received videos in which the supposed victim was covered in blood and the alleged kidnapper was threatening him with a knife. 'Officers contacted British consular officials so they could provide the images they'd received from the tipster. 'The British authorities also provided recordings of conversations in which the "kidnapper" made ransom demands saying the man he had hostage would be killed if the money wasn't paid. 'All police resources available in Benidorm were mobilised to prevent the victim suffering any harm given the apparent severity of the situation. 'A police unit with officers based in Madrid who specialised in dealing with kidnaps and extortion were also mobilised. 'They managed to establish direct phone contact with the relative of the man supposedly being held hostage who supplied a photo of the alleged kidnapper and information suggesting that if 725 wasn't paid into the abductor's bank account the other person would be killed. 'This happened as a large number of officers from Benidorm Police Station were called on to try to locate the "kidnap location". 'All the police investigations that were taking place in the resort were suspended while this happened, and the focus placed on making sure as many officers as possible were mobilised with the aim of resolving the situation as soon as possible so the threat made wasn't carried out and no-one was killed. Police in Costa Blanca suspended all their other investigations and called in back-up from a specialist anti-hostage unit based in Madrid after a tip off from Interpol 'The place where the alleged abductor and his victim could be was finally identified as a hotel in Benidorm, where the man believed to be the kidnapper had checked in days earlier with another British man. 'A discreet watch was placed on the hotel and preparations were being made for a possible rescue when officers spotted two men coming out of the establishment whose descriptions matched those of the alleged kidnapper and his victim who were chatting in a relaxed and amicable way. 'Both men were intercepted and identified. 'It soon became apparent the kidnap had been staged with the aim of earning quick cash and both were arrested on suspicion of simulating a crime and for fraud. 'When they were being fingerprinted at a nearby police station, officers also discovered the supposed kidnapper had given a false name both when he checked into the hotel and when he identified himself to the police who arrested him. 'He was subsequently read his rights for another suspected crime of identity fraud.' It was not immediately clear this evening if the two men have already appeared in court and told whether they were being remanded in prison pending an ongoing criminal investigation or released on bail. They face having to pay the cost of the police operation to resolve the staged kidnap if they are found guilty. Last April police arrested a British woman accused of masterminding a bungled robbery and kidnap near Benidorm of a wealthy former partner with the help of her ex-husband. The trio, all from the UK, were placed at the centre of a criminal investigation which began with the detentions of two men following an armed break-in and took an unexpected twist days later with the imprisonment of the female suspect. Police sources said at the time they had evidence pointing to the unnamed woman instigating the crime after becoming saddled with debts and seeing her wealthy ex-lover as the solution to her financial problems. An Australian man has been sentenced to more than seven years behind bars in the United States for selling secrets to a Russian-linked broker. Peter Williams was sentenced in a District of Columbia court to 87 months imprisonment for selling his employer's trade secrets, which included sensitive cyber material, to a Russian cyber-tools broker. District Attorney-General Jeanine Pirro said the powerful cyber tools would have given Russia the power to access millions of digital devices. 'By betraying a position of trust and selling sensitive American technology, Williams' crime is not only one of theft, it is a crime of national security,' he said. 'Our nation's defence capabilities are not commodities to be auctioned off.' Williams will also be supervised for three years with special conditions after his release and will forfeit $US1.3 million ($A1.8million) worth of assets, including cryptocurrency, a house and luxury items like watches and jewellery. The highly sensitive cyber capabilities were sold to a broker who deals with the Russian government, the FBI said. It was alleged he sold the secrets for millions of dollars' worth of cryptocurrency. An Australian man has been sentenced to more than seven years behind bars in the United States for selling secrets to a Russian-linked broker (picturedm the US Department of Justice building) Peter Williams was sentenced in a District of Columbia court to 87 months imprisonment for selling his employer's trade secrets, which included sensitive cyber material (stock image) The financial loss to his employer was valued at $US35 million ($A49million). Williams pleaded guilty to theft of trade secrets on October 29, 2025. The US State Department confirmed the Russian broker accused of selling US government cyber secrets was Matrix LLC, also known as 'Operation Zero', when it announced sanctions on the entity on Wednesday (Australian time). 'From 2022 to 2025, Peter Williams, an Australian national, stole eight trade secret 'zero-day exploits,' techniques that leverage software vulnerabilities for which there are no patches, from his employer, a US defence contractor,' the State Department said. 'Those components were meant to be sold exclusively to the US government and select allies.' The US also sanctioned the Russian director and sole owner of Operation Zero, Sergey Sergeyevich Zelenyuk. Scotland Yard made an extraordinary apology to the Commons Speaker on Wednesday as a row broke out over Peter Mandelson's arrest. Detectives told lawyers for Mandelson that Sir Lindsay Hoyle had tipped them off about claims the peer was planning to flee the country. Officers from the Met swooped on Monday evening, hours after Sir Lindsay passed on, in 'good faith', a suggestion the former Labour spin doctor could flee to the British Virgin Islands following an offer of refuge by a mystery wealthy backer. Mandelson's lawyers hit back with an extraordinary public statement demanding 'evidence' of the 'baseless suggestion' that led to his arrest, after the furious peer told friends he had been the victim of a 'complete fiction'. In remarkable scenes on Wednesday, Sir Lindsay confirmed he was the source of the information after the name of Lord Speaker Michael Forsyth was wrongly bandied about. The Speaker told MPs at the start of the Commons day: 'Members will be aware of comments in the media regarding the arrest of Lord Mandelson. 'To prevent any inaccurate speculation, I would like to confirm that upon receipt of information that I felt was relevant, I passed this on to the Met Police in good faith as is my duty and responsibility.' He added: 'It is regrettable that this rapidly ended up in the media.' He went on to caution MPs against making any further comments about 'a live investigation'. In farcical scenes, officers then had to apologise on Wednesday for spilling his name to Mandelson, who was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office after being accused, while business secretary, of leaking Government secrets to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. The Met Police made an unprecedented apology to Speaker of the Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, after the told Peter Mandelson's lawyers it was him who tipped them off over claims he was planning to flee the country Peter Mandelson (pictured) was arrested on Monday evening following Sir Hoyle's tip off, which his lawyers branded as a 'baseless suggestion'. Mandelson was later released On Wednesday night, legal experts warned the ongoing furore being played out in public could cast a shadow over any prosecution of the former Cabinet minister. The public comment on police tactics in a live case has concerned some experts who believe Mandelson's lawyers may be considering an argument that he cannot receive a fair trial. The disgraced former Labour grandee, who has denied any wrongdoing, is understood to have surrendered his passport and has been released on bail. Sir Lindsay was said to be fuming on Wednesday about the disclosure of his involvement, which officers later acknowledged was a serious breach of protocol. In a meeting with officials from the Cabinet Office on Monday, he warned police that he had been told Mandelson had been offered a permanent residence in the British overseas territory by a wealthy sympathiser. The information was allegedly passed on from an individual in a position of authority in the overseas territory. The Commons Speaker visited the territory in the Caribbean last week after being invited to mark the 75th anniversary of its assembly. He met the governor and premier before addressing its parliament. Sources said he had put the information 'on the radar' of officers, but claimed no knowledge of the veracity of the tip. Believing he may have been an imminent flight risk, police rushed to arrest Mandelson at his Regent's Park home at 4.15pm that afternoon. But Mandelson's lawyers, Mishcon de Reya, issued a statement denouncing police for being fooled by a 'baseless suggestion'. A spokesman for the law firm said on Tuesday: '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 co-operate with the police investigation, as he has done throughout this process, and to clear his name.' Mandelson is said to have told friends: '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 [his husband] Reinaldo, my family, home and [his dog] Jock behind me. I need hardly say this is complete fiction.' On Wednesday, Marcus Johnstone, managing director of PCD Solicitors, suggested the comments were part of a wider legal strategy. 'Going public with that statement yesterday in some respects makes a mockery of the rules [about prejudice],' he said. 'His lawyers could have made that comment privately, but what has in effect happened is feeding information into the public domain about unfairness. 'His lawyers will be looking at pre-charge arguments, possibly considering an argument that he should not be charged because he has been treated unfairly. 'Certainly if I was his lawyer, I would be looking to trying to stop any prosecution. His lawyers will be looking at every single aspect as to whether he can get a fair trial. 'I think they have made a conscious decision to say we think that there is unfairness going on, why not release that to the Press? Try to get the public on his side that he is a scapegoat.' The Government has committed to releasing documents relating to Mandelson's controversial appointment as US ambassador in late 2024. He was sacked in September last year after details emerged about the extent and duration of his links to Epstein. Mandelson was business secretary under Gordon Brown from 2008 to 2011. On Wednesday night, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'The Met has apologised to the Speaker of the House of Commons this afternoon for inadvertently revealing information during an investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office.' Labour came under fire on Thursday over its 'Net Zero dogma' after energy bills failed to fall by as much as Rachel Reeves had promised. Ofgem announced the typical annual household bill will drop by 117 from April, less than the 150 reduction pledged by the Chancellor in her Budget. It means that the cost will still be 73 higher than when Labour came to power, a far cry from Energy Secretary Ed Miliband's pledge to lower them by 300. They could have been cut further but for an increase in so called 'network costs' that are added to bills. These include the price of upgrading the grid as part of the switch to renewable energy sources, such as wind power. The overall bill reduction comes after Ms Reeves announced in November that she would cut the level of so-called green levies that are currently added to them. But critics pointed out that households would still be out of pocket as costs will instead be dumped onto taxpayers. Tory business spokesman Andrew Griffith accused Labour of 'gaslighting' the public, adding: 'Bills aren't down by the 300 promised and taxes are rising. Their Net Zero dogma is hurting homes and businesses.' Mr Miliband claimed the bill reduction would 'provide much-needed cost-of-living support for families'. Energy bills under Labour will fail to fall by as much as promised - a far cry from Energy Secretary Ed Miliband's pledge to lower them by 300 But Tory energy spokeswoman Claire Coutinho said: 'Don't let him fool you, this '150 off' is a sleight of hand.' Even the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) the think-tank set up by the former Labour PM was unconvinced, arguing that energy price caps 'aren't going to end a cost-of-living crisis' and wholesale reform of the system was instead needed to tackle 'sky-high' bills. Andy Mayer, energy analyst at the Institute of Economic Affairs, a free market think-tank, said the transfer of costs from bills to taxes was 'hiding the problem, not solving it'. Regulator Ofgem sets a price cap on standard variable energy tariffs every three months for 33million domestic customer accounts that pay for gas and electricity. It allows suppliers to charge more when their costs rise but forces them to charge less when costs fall. The cap takes into account the upkeep of the grid and government levies. In July 2024, when Labour came to power, typical annual energy bills regulated by the cap were 1,568. They have since risen to the current level of 1,758. Thursday's announcement means they will fall to 1,641 from April 1. Ofgem has calculated the Budget changes will shave 134 from the cap. Other costs are also falling, including wholesale gas and electricity, which is down by 38. But 'network costs' paying for the upkeep of the grid, as well as its green energy overhaul, add 66 leaving the overall reduction at 117. Citizens Advice chief executive Dame Clare Moriarty said: 'For millions of households, this has stopped being a temporary hardship and become an ongoing threat to their financial stability.' Former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn is seeking to be released back into the community as he prepares for a retrial over the alleged murder of Carol Clay. Lynn, 59, sat staring forward as he made the application for bail in the Victorian Supreme Court on Thursday morning. He is charged with the murder of Carol Clay, 73, who went missing with Russell Hill, 74, from a remote campsite in Victoria's northeast in March 2020. It is alleged Ms Clay was shot in the head by a projectile from Lynn's gun, senior crown prosecutor Mark Gibson told the court on Thursday. Those accused of murder can only be granted bail if exceptional circumstances are proven, which Lynn's lawyer argued applied in his case on Thursday. Mr Gibson argued the prosecution case against Lynn was quite strong as he opposed the application for bail. He argued the 'high bar of exceptional circumstances' had not been met and that the 'bare bones facts' of the allegation were serious enough to deny bail. That included Ms Clay being shot in the head with a projectile from Lynn's gun while the elderly woman was near the rear wheel of a vehicle. Former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn has made an application for bail after he was charged with murdering a retiree in Victoria's High Country Lynn was supported by his wife Melanie and son Geordie in court Lynn is accused of murdering Carol Clay (above) 'It was his shotgun, he was present, and there was post-offence conduct which we submit was extreme,' Prosecutor Mark Gibson KC said. 'When you look at all those matters, open to conclude that this is a case which is quite strong. 'A finding of guilt is well open [to a jury]. Bail should be refused.' Lynn claims Ms Clay was shot accidentally at the campsite after a firearm discharged and hit her in the head. Criminal barrister Dermot Dann represented Lynn, who was also supported at court by his son Geordie and wife Melanie, who were waving and smiling at Lynn before taking seats in the back row. Mr Dann submitted Lynn had been assaulted while spending an extended period in custody awaiting trial and argued Lynn should be granted bail due to 'exceptional' circumstances. The court heard Lynn has spent two years and three months on remand, which Mr Dann said 'has to be factored into delay'. 'He is presumed innocent and has the right to liberty,' Mr Dann said. The court heard Lynn would live in 'stable accommodation' with his son Geordie if released. Dann said Lynn's son was willing to use the equity in his $475,000 property, along with his 'life savings' of between $30,000 and $70,000, to fund the bail Criminal barrister Dermot Dann KC (above) represented Lynn 'He's got a tight family unit he's got a role to play in that family unit,' Mr Dann said. Mr Dann said Lynn's son was willing to use the equity in his $475,000 property, along with his 'life savings' of between $30,000 and $70,000, to fund the bail. 'We say it's significant that he's [Geordie] prepared to put up his life savings,' Dann said. The court heard Lynn and his wife would be celebrating 22 years of marriage on Saturday. He also said his client was vulnerable in custody and was placed in an isolation unit for a period while in jail. Mr Dann labelled the case against his client as weak and said Lynn would not be an unacceptable risk to the community if released on bail. 'A curfew, not to attend international points of departure whatever it takes,' Mr Dann said. Supreme Court judge David Beach indicated he would not be making a decision on the bail application on Thursday, instead taking a week to consider the matter, with Lynn to remain in custody during that time. He said the Supreme Court could accommodate his trial as early as July this year. 'The court contemplates the trial will occur this year, not next year,' he said, adding that a judge, not him, is ready to hear it from July 13. February 26, 2026: Last year the Israeli military ordered the withdrawal of 700 Chinese-made automobiles from use by military officers and their families. The IDF/Israeli Defense Forces augments the pay of senior officers by supplying vehicles they can use to carry out their official duties as well as at home with their families. The cars were withdrawn from use because Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service, believed that because the cars were equipped with cameras, microphones, sensors, and GPS operating within closed Chinese operating systems, they were a security risk. The information was transmitted, via the internet, to China where the automobile manufacturer used the data for quality control. It was believed that this information, along with the identities of the users, was shared with Chinese intelligence agencies. Israel has had problems with Chinese espionage within its borders before. The current situation is more high-tech than previous ones and the Chinese are not expected to halt their efforts to spy on Israel. Its not just Israel. Chinese espionage efforts are underway worldwide. A, if not the main target is the United States. China has been spying or collecting information about the United States since the early 1800s, when the first Chinese diplomatic mission was established. Since then, despite revolutions, civil war, and the establishment of two Chinas in 1949, there has been some Chinese espionage activity in America. Since World War II, the FBI, CIA, and State Department have been involved in monitoring and seeking to thwart Chinese espionage activities. These involve a long list of activities. For example, in 2019, the FBI arrested Zhongsan Liu, an employee of the Chinese government. His job was management at the New Jersey branch of the China Association for International Exchange of Personnel, or CAIEP. Since 2017, Liu was observed arranging illegal visas for Chinese recruiters who used CAIEP and Confucius Institutes at six American universities, where these recruiters sought suitable students or faculty for espionage operations. Liu had spent the last 26 years working for CAIEP and was believed to have been active in the Thousand Talents Plan since its inception in 2008. That was about the same time the Confucius Institute program began in 2004 as a means of cultural exchange and, it was later discovered, a means of observing and controlling Chinese students attending foreign universities. As time went by, it was discovered that the Confucius Institutes were more about intelligence work than cultural education. Many of the staff at the Confucius Institutes are Chinese with PhDs and J-1 research visas. As successful as this espionage effort was, most Chinese Americans approached by recruiters were not interested and politely declined. A growing number quietly reported their encounters to the FBI or to friends who could do it for them. The Chinese knew this was a risk and felt it was acceptable, given the amount of intellectual property that was being stolen and put to work back in China. Another calculated risk was the Confucius Institutes being exposed as extensions of Chinese espionage efforts and organizing Chinese students to protest against whatever the Chinese government wanted to protest. Many of the students agreed with their government and were not just following orders when they protested some American affront. But these Chinese students, usually in America for the first time, began to doubt some of the issues they were sent out to protest about. This was especially true with the Hong Kong protests, which had been massive. The Hong Kong Chinese want democracy, and the official Chinese Communist Party (CCP) line is that democracy is inefficient and not suitable for China or the Chinese. Many overseas Chinese, as in Taiwan, Singapore, and other Western countries, would disagree. The CCP considers these Chinese misled and in need of reeducation or perhaps the benefits of CCP rule. Over the last decade, the United States has been prosecuting and convicting a growing number of Chinese-born men, and a few women, for conspiring to commit or actually carrying out economic and other espionage in the United States. Some of these suspects were naturalized American citizens, but a growing number were Chinese citizens here on legitimate visas. As more suspects were identified, patterns began to appear, and these revealed the inner workings of known Chinese intellectual property espionage efforts. It was known that China had a state-sponsored program to make it easy for foreign-educated Chinese to return home and apply what they had learned in the West to start their own companies. China has made available over $20 billion in venture capital for this program. State-controlled media reported that the government had established nearly a hundred equity investment management operations to run 152 funds and seven debt financing service organizations. All this was to help the nearly 50,000 returning Chinese from the West establish their own companies using what they learned in the West. This program helped create thousands of new firms. Many of these companies were using stolen trade secrets and patents that were being laundered, that is, changed sufficiently to make it difficult for the owners of the stolen intellectual property to easily prove theft. The FBI and CIA again noted patterns. While many of the returning Chinese students were operating legally, a large number of those new Chinese firms were operating illegally with stolen intellectual property. There were other patterns as well. A lot of the stolen tech seemed to involve those associated with CAIEP, the Thousand Talents Plan, and the Thousand Talents Venture Capital Center. That eventually led to the hundreds of Confucius Institutes associated with Western universities, including a hundred in the United States. This, in turn, led to the arrest of Zhongsan Liu and his prosecution for massive visa fraud via Confucius Institute exchange programs. Many of the convictions are for conspiring to steal or actually stealing trade secrets. Many of the technologies involved are dual-use for commercial and military applications. Many of these investigations begin when American companies provide the FBI with documentation showing how the Chinese obtained and applied the trade secrets. What the American firms usually lacked was information about who was getting the information, often including detailed manufacturing techniques, to the Chinese. The U.S. is not the only victim here. Many other Western nations are experiencing the same losses. Even Chinese neighbor and ally Russia has suffered heavy losses due to this Chinese economic espionage. There have been many more court cases about this because Chinese firms have become bolder in how they exploit stolen software, trade secrets, and other technology. In the past, the Chinese were careful in their use of stolen tech when exporting their own military equipment copied from Russian designs. The Chinese had started doing this during the Cold War, which sometimes caused tense relations with the Russians. There were some deadly border skirmishes in the 1970s. This came about because China and Russia developed some territorial and ideological disputes that did not settle down until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. The Russians are still angry about continued Chinese theft of their tech, and growing Russian threats over this caused the Chinese to eventually sign agreements declaring that Chinese firms would stop stealing and reselling Russian tech. In practice, this only slowed the Chinese down, but it placated the Russians for a while. Currently, the Americans are starting to sound like the Russians in the 1990s, but the Americans have more legal and economic clout to deploy. By 2012, most American officials had come to openly admit that a great deal of American military and commercial technical data had been stolen via Chinese internet-based and conventional espionage efforts. Details of exactly all the evidence of this are unclear, but apparently, it was pretty convincing for many American politicians and senior officials who had previously been skeptical. These Chinese efforts have resulted in most major American weapons systems having tech details obtained by the Chinese, in addition to a lot of non-defense or dual-use technology. Its not just the United States that is being hit but most nations with anything worth stealing. Many of these nations are noticing that China is the source of most of this espionage, and few are content to remain silent any longer. Its no secret that Chinese intelligence collection efforts since the late 1990s have been spectacularly successful. As the rest of the world comes to realize the extent of this success, there is a building desire for retaliation. What form that payback will take remains to be seen. Collecting information, both military and commercial, often means breaking laws, and striking or hacking back at the suspected attackers will involve even more felonies. China has broken many laws. Technically, China has committed acts of war because of the degree to which it penetrated military networks and carried away copies of highly secret material. The U.S. and many other victims have been warning China there will be consequences. As the extent of Chinese espionage becomes known and understood, the call for consequences becomes louder. China has tried hard to conceal its espionage efforts, not just denying anything and everything connected to its hacking and conventional spying, but also taking precautions. But as their success continued year after year, some of the Chinese hackers became cocky and sloppy. At the same time, the victims became more adept at detecting Chinese efforts and tracing them back to specific Chinese government organizations or non-government hackers inside China. Undeterred, China has sought to keep its espionage effort going and has even expanded operations. For example, starting in 2008, China opened National Intelligence Colleges in many major universities. In effect, each of these is an Espionage Department where, each year, several hundred carefully selected applicants are accepted in each school to be trained as spies and intelligence operatives. China has found that espionage is an enormously profitable way to obtain military and commercial secrets, so now China trains and rewards those who have a talent for such things and make a career of it. The internet-based operations, however, are only one part of Chinas espionage efforts. While Chinese cyberwar operations in this area get a lot of publicity, the more conventional spying brings in a lot of material that is not reachable on the internet. One indicator of this effort is the fact that American counterintelligence efforts are snagging more Chinese spies. This is partly due to increased spying efforts by China, which puts more of their people out there to get caught, as well as more success by the FBI and CIA. All this espionage, in all its forms, has played a large part in turning China into one of the mightiest industrial and military powers on the planet. China is having a hard time hiding the source of the new technologies they are incorporating into their weapons and commercial products. Many of the victims initially had a hard time accepting the fact that the oh-so-eager-to-export Chinese were robbing their best customers of intellectual property on a grand scale. Now, Western firms are much more wary about dealing with the Chinese. China has been getting away with something the Soviet Union never accomplished: stealing Western technology and then using it to move ahead of the West. The Soviets lacked the many essential supporting industries found in the West. These firms were usually founded and run by entrepreneurs. This sort of thing was illegal in the Soviet Union. Because of that, the Russians were never able to acquire all the many pieces needed to match Western technical accomplishments. Soviet copies of American computers, for example, were crude, less reliable, and less powerful. It was the same situation with their jet fighters, tanks, and warships. China gets around this by making it seemingly profitable for Western firms to set up factories in China, where Chinese managers and workers can be taught how to make things correctly. At the same time, China allows thousands of its best students to go to the United States to study. While many of these students will stay in America, where there are better jobs and more opportunities, a growing number are coming back to China and bringing American business and technical skills with them. Finally, China energetically uses the Thousand Grains of Sand approach to espionage. This involves China trying to get all Chinese going overseas, and those of Chinese ancestry living outside the motherland, to spy for China, if only a tiny bit. This approach to espionage is nothing new. Other nations have used similar systems for centuries. What is unusual is the scale of the Chinese effort, and that makes a difference. Supporting it all is a Chinese intelligence bureaucracy back home that is huge, with nearly 100,000 people working just to keep track of the many Chinese overseas and what they could, or should, be trying to grab for the motherland. This is where many of the graduates of the National Intelligence College program will work. It begins when Chinese intelligence officials examine who is going overseas and for what purpose. Chinese citizens cannot legally leave the country without the state security organizations being notified. The intel people are not being asked to give permission. They are alerted in case they want to have a talk with students, tourists, or businesspeople before leaving the country. Interviews are often held when these people come back as well. Those who might come in contact with useful information are asked to remember what they saw or bring back souvenirs. Over 100,000 Chinese students go off to foreign universities each year. Even more go abroad as tourists or on business. Most of these people are not asked to actually act as spies but simply to share, with Chinese government officials, who are not always identified as intelligence personnel, whatever information they obtained. The more ambitious of these people are getting caught and prosecuted. But the majority are quite casual, individually bringing back relatively little and are almost impossible to catch, much less prosecute. Like the Russians, the Chinese are also employing traditional methods, using people with diplomatic immunity to recruit spies and offering cash, or whatever, to get people to sell them information. This is still effective, and when combined with the Thousand Grains of Sand methods, brings in a lot of secrets. The final ingredient is a shadowy venture capital operation, sometimes called Project 863, that offers money for Chinese entrepreneurs who will turn the stolen technology into something real. No questions asked. If you can get back to China with the secrets, you are home free and potentially very rich. This is the approach Chinese firms are often set up to do, and little else. While these firms are technically supposed to develop new technologies in China, the unofficial mandate is to steal as much as possible from other nations and not get caught. Not getting caught is becoming more important because that can lead to increasingly dangerous diplomatic and legal problems. When the Chinese steal some technology and produce something that the Western victims can prove was stolen, via patents and prior use of the technology, legal action can make it impossible, or very difficult, to sell anything using the stolen tech outside of China. For that reason, the Chinese long preferred stealing military technology and tried to avoid using stolen commercial tech in a way that made it easy to determine the source of stolen data. This meant keeping stolen commercial technology inside China. And in some cases, like manufacturing technology, theres an advantage to not selling it outside of China. Because China is still a communist dictatorship, the courts do as they are told, and they are rarely told to honor foreign patent claims when stolen tech is discovered in China by its foreign owners. But increasingly, Chinese firms are boldly using their stolen technology, daring foreign firms to try to use Chinese courts to get justice. Instead, the foreign firms are trying to muster support from their governments for lawsuits outside China. Naturally, the Chinese government will howl and insist that its all a plot to oppress China. This has worked for a long time, but many of the victims are now telling China that this conflict is being taken to a new and more dangerous level. Lindsay Hoyle was on a jaunt to the British Virgin Islands when he picked up the suggestion that Peter Mandelson might be about to flee Britain. The Commons Speaker jetted off to the paradise archipelago last week for meetings with officials, adding to his reputation as 'long-haul Hoyle'. His stay was heralded by local news outlets the BVI Beacon and BVI News as they reported on Sir Lindsay's 'historic' address to the islands' House of Assembly to mark 'last year's 75th anniversary of the restoration of the Virgin Islands legislature'. The Speaker, plus two members of staff, headed for the Caribbean sunshine as parliament was in recess during the half-term break. Sources in Tortola, where he met BVI premier Dr Natalio Wheatley and UK governor Daniel Pruce, said he stayed at the luxury four-star Wyndham Tortola BVI Lambert Beach Resort. Its website boasts of being 'a beachside oasis' within a 'secluded resort with a spa, pool, restaurants'. It adds: 'Situated on one of the Caribbean's most beautiful beaches, our contemporary 14.4-acre property features one of the biggest freshwater pools in the British Virgin Islands with a convenient swim-up bar and cabanas.' Rooms start from around 300 a night, according to its website. It is understood Sir Lindsay was originally booked into the nearby four-star Sugar Mill Hotel, but that this was changed at the eleventh-hour. As well as meeting Dr Wheatley and Mr Pruce, who hosted a special reception in his honour, Sir Lindsay toured the local Road Town Police Station and Royal Virgin Islands Police Marine Base. Sir Lindsay Hoyle in the Virgin Islands last week for the first address to the House of Assembly by a speaker of the British House of Commons Wyndham Tortola on Lambert Beach, British Virgin Islands, where Sir Lindsay Hoyle stayed In his business-like suit, despite the 27C heat, he cut the red ribbon to open the second floor of the Old Government House Museum. The cost of last week's trip, which lasted at least four days, is unknown, and on Wednesday night, his office refused to give details as to who was picking up the bill. UK taxpayers have covered most of the cost for the majority of his numerous previous trips abroad. A spokesman for the Government of the British Virgin Islands said: 'Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, made an official visit to the Virgin Islands last week at the invitation of the Government of the Virgin Islands that highlighted the Territory's 75 years of advances in democratic governance and parliamentary democracy. 'We have noted Sir Lindsay's statement in the House of Commons on 25 February and we have no further comment to make.' Sir Lindsay's office declined to comment. But the trip sparked renewed questions about the Speaker's travel. He was branded 'long-haul Hoyle' following a string of revelations by this newspaper, including the splurging of more than 320,000 of taxpayers' cash on foreign jaunts up until last summer since becoming Speaker in 2019. The vast bulk of this was spent over the last three years, because travel was largely grounded during the Covid-19 pandemic. He racked up a bill of more than 200,000 on first and business class plane tickets over three years alone, with tens of thousands more spent on chauffeur-driven cars, stays at luxury five-star resorts and swanky restaurants. Several of the taxpayer-funded trips appear to have little to do with his Parliamentary role, including giving speeches at the University of Gibraltar - where he is Chancellor - and the University of California. During a previous Caribbean tour in March 2023, Sir Lindsay splurged nearly 5,500 chartering private planes to hop between the islands of St Maarten, Montserrat, Anguilla and Antigua, which are British Overseas Territories. In 2024, he spent 22,000 for a five-day trip to meet his counterpart in the Cayman Islands, staying at the Westin Grand, where his room was billed at 679 per night. Critics have said that the extent of his globe-trotting and the bills racked up have been 'excessive' and that several appeared to be 'jollies' at taxpayers' expense. As revealed by the Mail last week, Sir Lindsay has failed to publish details of such travel since August last year after quietly changing the rules to publishing them every quarter rather than monthly. John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'It is absolutely unacceptable that taxpayers are being kept in the dark on the issue of the Speaker's expenses. Sir Lindsay Hoyle rightly holds governments to account on transparency and accountability, yet refuses to practice what he preaches.' At 2 o'clock on Tuesday morning, Peter Mandelson was photographed returning to his London home after nine hours in police custody. Just two hours later, a punchy statement was released on his behalf by his blue-chip firm of lawyers Mishcon de Reya: 'Peter Mandelson was arrested on Monday 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.' The statement concluded: 'Peter Mandelson's overriding priority is to cooperate with the police investigation... and to clear his name.' Mishcon de Reya is just one of three firms of lawyers now involved in helping him try to do so. And none of them will come cheap. The disgraced former Washington ambassador has also hired the London lawyer Ian Burton whose company BCL Solicitors has represented a number of controversial celebrity clients, not least retail tycoon Sir Philip Green and the late Mohamed Fayed. Green was infamously dubbed the 'unacceptable face of capitalism' by MPs investigating the collapse in 2015 of his former company, the retailer BHS, from which he had taken hundreds of millions of pounds in dividends, while allowing a vast pension deficit to build up before he sold the firm for 1. Burton represented him in 2019 after a pilates instructor alleged the businessman touched her inappropriately. Peter Mandelson was led away from his house in London by police officers on Monday He would stay in police custody for nine hours before returning home at around 2 o'clock on Tuesday morning. Just two hours later, a punchy statement was released on his behalf by blue-chip firm of lawyers, Mishcon de Reya Fayed was, of course, the predatory owner of Harrods who sexually abused countless female members of his staff, although Burton represented him over the car crash that killed his son Dodi and Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997. Mr Burton, a lawyer for more than 50 years, is regarded as one of the leading white-collar crime specialists in the country. Earlier this month he visited Mandelson at his London home for more than three hours. He says that much of his work goes unseen by the public: 'A lot of it is very much below the surface. 'The trick in our game is not to win the fight, but to avoid there being a fight.' Lawyer number three is Adrian Darbishire KC, the Joint Head of Chambers at QEB Hollis Whiteman. He, too, specialises in high-stakes white-collar crime as well as professional discipline, and has been pictured at Mandelson's 7.5 million Regent's Park home in recent days. In 2019 Darbishire successfully represented Boris Johnson when the High Court rejected an attempt to prosecute him over claims he lied during the 2016 referendum campaign by saying the UK gave the EU 350million a week. The then Tory leadership hopeful challenged a summons to attend court on three claims of misconduct in public office. A Brentwood heiress and her producer husband are suing Los Angeles and its mayor after the city repeatedly blocked them from demolishing their mansion, which used to belong to Marilyn Monroe. Real estate heiress Brinah Milstein and her producer husband Roy Bank filed an updated complaint last month alleging that the city violated their constitutional rights by stopping them tearing down the $8.35 million property. Monroe owned the couple's Los Angeles home for just six months, before she died there aged just 36 from a drug overdose in 1962. They said in their filing that the city stopped them 'without any public purpose or just compensation paid', and alleged they had the right to demolish the former home of the Hollywood icon. The Los Angeles Times reported that Milstein and Bank are seeking a court order that allows them to level the home and receive compensation from the city for its decline in property value. The filing claimed that the city deprived them of the 'use and enjoyment' of their massive property, 'without any actual benefit to the public.' They alleged that the landmark designation of the home, which isn't viewable from the street, 'turned the property into a tourist attraction,' per the filing. Milstein and Bank bought the Spanish-style home in 2023 for $8.35 million, hoping to tear it down and expand their property next door. Milstein is the heiress of a wealthy real estate family, while Bank's producer credits include the 2022 martial arts documentary The Cave of Adullam, and reality shopping show Flea Market Flip. Brinah Milstein and Roy Bank purchased the home last summer, hoping to destroy it and expand their current Brentwood property next door The couple have now filed a new suit against Los Angeles, claiming their constitutional rights were violated Marilyn Monroe own the home for just six months before she died in 1962 To demolish Monroe's old home, the couple even obtained permits from the LA Department of Building and Safety to begin the process. But public outrage prompted the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission to declare the site a landmark beginning in January 2024. The couple filed their first lawsuit in May 2024, hoping to stop the city from imposing landmark status on the single-family home. In their most recent suit, the couple claimed 'they were regularly not given the legally required notice and an opportunity to be heard.' Despite the filing, Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to preserve the property in June 2024. While Monroe owned the home, the filing claimed, she spent most of her time at her New York City residence. Because of this, among other reasons, the suit alleged the city 'lacked valid public purpose' to take the property. The Brentwood home is part of a small, private enclave of houses, which became a stunning and sophisticated area in part because of Monroe's decision to move there Monroe poses outside her home in 1962, it was the only property she ever purchased and owned by herself The hope has reportedly changed drastically since it was purchased by Monroe, changing hands between 14 owners Monroe's final home has been altered many times since it was built in the 1920s. It is believed to have first been erected in 1929, but was already a very different property by the time Monroe purchased it for $75,000 in the early sixties. At least 14 owners have taken over the property since the actress died of an overdose in 1962. 'Not a trace of Ms. Monroes short tenure at the house remains at the Property or in the house,' read the suit. As a compromise, the couple attempted to work with the city to have the mansion moved to a more accessible location, the suit said. But the city declined, and a judge threw out the couple's initial suit case in September 2025, calling it 'an ill-disguised motion to win so they can demolish the home.' The house cannot be seen from the street, which does not stop curious visitors from attempting to peer over the fence or gain access to other nearby properties in order to get a peak The bed in which Monroe overdosed on August 4, 1962 Despite the couple's efforts, an onslaught of the iconic star's fans have reportedly visited the home since it was designated as a cultural monument. The filing claimed the tourists caused traffic congestion, 'numerous trespassers,' and even a burglary last November. 'As recently as November 7, 2025, burglars scaled the wall on the Property and broke into the designated house, apparently searching for memorabilia or other items,' it read. In the filing, Milstein and Bank accused the city of failing to 'compensate Plaintiffs for their lost use and enjoyment of their Property' since it became a historical cultural site. The complaint also criticized the city for failing to preserve the home at any point in the 60 years before plans of demolition came to light. The Los Angeles Planning Commission, which manages historical landmarks, declined to comment on pending litigation. The Daily Mail contacted legal representation for Milstein and Bank and the city of Los Angeles for comment. A California serial child molester sentenced to three life terms is set to be controversially released under a Democratsupported parole program. David Allen Funston, 64, was convicted of 16 counts of kidnapping and child molestation in 1999, as his crime spree involving multiple children as young as five sparked outrage. The judge who sentenced Funston described him as 'the monster parents fear the most.' Despite Funston being slapped with three consecutive terms of 25 years to life, he is now set to be freed after serving less than 30 years. The predator was granted parole under California's 'Elderly Parole Program' - which allows sex offenders as young as 50 to walk free after spending at least 20 years behind bars. The decision to grant Funston parole was condemned by California Republicans, who urged Gov. Gavin Newsom to fight the pedophile's release. 'If the governor can sign laws with loopholes and appoint the people who make parole decisions, then it's his responsibility to step in and right this egregious wrong,' California State Sen. Suzette Martinez Valladares said. 'It made me sick thinking about the pain and suffering he inflicted on his victims, who were very young children, and sick thinking about how a monster like this could be granted parole,' she added. David Allen Funston, 64, was granted parole after being convicted of 16 counts of kidnapping and child molestation in 1999. The parole was reaffirmed last Wednesday Gov. Gavin Newsom was slammed by California Republicans for not doing more to prevent Funston's release Funston is currently behind bars at the California Institution for Men in Chino about 35 miles west of Los Angeles. The convicted pedophile was initially denied parole in May 2022. He waived hearings for the subsequent two years and was granted suitability in 2025. That decision was sent to the Board of Parole Hearings for review on January 12 by Newsom, according to the CDCR. The full board reaffirmed Funston's parole grant last Wednesday. Newsom said he did not agree with Funston's release but 'has no power to overturn this case, per state law,' his spokesperson Diana CroftsPelayo told the Sacramento Bee. Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones said the governor was attempting to not take responsibility. 'He signed the bill that gave a board stacked with his appointees the ability to set free a violent, serial child rapist into the community,' Jones said. He added: 'Spare us the fake outrage, governor. You created this whole system.' California State Sen. Suzette Martinez Valladares, a Republican, said it was Newsom's 'responsibility' to address Funston's release Brian Jones, also a Republican, accused Newsom of creating 'this whole system' that resulted in Funston's parole being granted California's elderly parole program makes inmates eligible for a parole suitability hearing once they are at least 50 years old and have served 20 consecutive years in prison. They may be released if the parole board determines they no longer pose an unreasonable risk to public safety. The program does not exclude murderers or sex offenders, though it does not apply to those sentenced to death or life without the possibility of parole. Funston was deemed to be no longer dangerous because he had undergone selfhelp, therapy and sex offender treatment classes, according to board commissioners. Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper called the decision to release Funston 'dead wrong' and asked 'what the hell is happening' in California. 'You've seen some of the things he did,' Cooper said. 'There's no explanation.' He added: 'Someone that does these type of things, they don't deserve a second chance in life.' Funston was found to have targeted kids playing outside their homes near Sacramento and attracted them to his car using candy or toys. In one instance in 1995, he used a Barbie doll to entice a young girl before taking her to a residence and penetrating her with his fingers. Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper said that Funston being granted parole was 'dead wrong' But during his September 24 parole hearing, board commissioners said the 64-year-old was determined to no longer be a threat to the community. One commissioner told him he had 'gained sufficient coping skills and tools to address defects in order to avoid repeating past mistakes.' Funston was sexually abused by his halfsister when he was young, and he was also physically and verbally abused at home. He described himself as a 'selfish coward' and apologized for his heinous actions. 'I am disgusted and ashamed of my behavior and have great remorse for the harm I caused my victims, their families in the community of Sacramento,' he said. 'I'm truly sorry.' He admitted that pedophilia was a lifelong condition, as he made his remarks. 'I am aware of that and that's why I work so hard to managing my behavior and on practicing my urge control plan,' Funston said. It is still not known on what date Funston will be released, as the parole grant does not mean an immediate release. The Daily Mail has reached out to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's Board of Parole Hearings for comment. The Department of Justice has announced it is reviewing whether it wrongfully withheld documents in the Epstein files containing allegations against President Donald Trump. The DOJ released millions of documents related to the late pedophile last month in order to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. However FBI notes from 2019 interviews with a woman who made allegations against both Epstein and Trump were omitted. The files were also missing from the unredacted collection available for members of Congress to review at the Department of Justice, Democratic Representative Robert Garcia, of California, told NBC News. Under the Act, passed by Congress in November, the DOJ is required to publicize most documents related to the cases against Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The department is only permitted to withhold files under the act if they are duplicates, fall under attorney-client privilege, could hurt an ongoing investigation or are completely unrelated to the Epstein and Maxwell cases. The law specifically prohibits the department from withholding or redacting files because they could be embarrassing to public officials. Before releasing the files, the Department of Justice deployed hundreds of attorneys to review the files, giving them instructions on how to redact and determine whether the files needed to be released under the law, according to the Wall Street Journal. The Department of Justice announced it is investigating whether it wrongfully withheld documents mentioning President Donald Trump from the Epstein files The president was apparently mentioned in an interview an Epstein survivor gave the FBI in 2019. Trump is pictured with Epstein in 1992 The reviewers, many of whom had little familiarity with the Epstein case, were then expected to flag any 'government officials and politically exposed persons named or referenced in the released materials'. 'Should any document be found to have been improperly tagged in the review process and is responsive to the Act, the department will of course publish it, consistent with the law,' a spokeswoman for the department said in a statement. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who has overseen the release of the files, has previously insisted that the department complied with the law and has not withheld documents or redacted information because it could prove embarrassing for Trump or other public figures. 'I can assure that we complied with the statute, that we did not protect President Trump,' he said at a news conference on January 30. 'We didn't protect or not protect anybody.' A review of the documents shows the Department of Justice released an FBI summary of the woman's first FBI interview on July 24, 2019 in which she detailed the assault she faced from the financier on Hilton Head Island beginning when she was around 13 in the 1980s. The summary of the interview - which came shortly after Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges - does not mention allegations against Trump. But the FBI apparently determined the woman's initial allegations against Epstein were significant enough that agents followed up with her for three more interviews on August 7, 2019, August 20, 2019 and October 16, 2019. Notes from all four FBI interviews with the woman were included on a list of materials provided to Maxwell's defense attorneys in 2021 and were described as non-testifying witness material, according to another file in the release. The woman claimed she was forced into a sex act with Trump when she was about 13 or 14 years old in New Jersey. Trump is pictured here with an unidentified woman in a photo released by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has said his friendship with Epstein ended before he pleaded guilty to procuring a minor for prostitution in 2008. Trump, Melania, Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell are pictured together in 2000 A source familiar with the investigation also told NBC News that the survivor is the same person who made an additional allegation that she was forced into a sex act with Trump when she was about 13 or 14 years old in New Jersey. This accusation was summarized in a document prepared by the FBI last summer in a presentation on the prominent names mentioned in the Epstein and Maxwell cases. The FBI, though, has said that most of the claims were either deemed not credible or made by people who provided no contact information. At around the same time that she came forward with these allegations, the woman joined a civil lawsuit against the Epstein estate, claiming he sexually abused her around 1984. The suit claimed Epstein flew her to New York and trafficked her to 'prominent wealthy men'. However she was deemed ineligible for the Epstein Victim's Compensation Program and her suit was voluntarily dismissed in 2021, the Journal reports. President Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has said his friendship with Epstein ended before he pleaded guilty to procuring a minor for prostitution in 2008. By the time Epstein was arrested again in 2019, Trump said he hadn't talked to him in about 15 years. Democratic Representative Robert Garcia, of California, claimed the documents pertaining to President Trump were also omitted from the unredacted collection available for members of Congress to review at the Department of Justice The Department of Justice had also cautioned ahead of the files' release that they may include fake or false materials sent to the FBI from the public. 'Some of the documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims about President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election,' officials said at the time. 'To be clear, the claims are unfounded and false, and if they have a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already. When asked about the missing files, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson also told NPR: 'Just as President Trump has said, he's been totally exonerated on anything related to Epstein.' 'By releasing thousands of pages of documents, cooperating with the House Oversight Committee's subpoena request, signing the Epstein Files Transparency Act and calling for more investigations into Epstein's Democrat friends, President Trump has done more for Epstein's victims than anyone before him,' she said. Still, Representative Garcia, the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, issued a statement Tuesday saying he planned to open an investigation into the missing files, claiming the DOJ 'appears to have illegally withheld FBI interviews with this survivor who accused President Trump of heinous crimes'. 'This is definitely, in my opinion, evidence of a cover-up happening,' he told NBC News. 'Why are these documents missing?' 'These documents I personally saw, I know who the survivor is, the name is redacted in the doc - in the manifest document - and there are documents missing from the same survivor that appeared to be interviews or conversations, again, appear to be with the FBI. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has insisted that the DOJ has complied with the law and has not withheld documents or redacted information because it could prove embarrassing for Trump or other public figures 'The FBI has clearly investigated and now those documents are gone,' Garcia alleged. Separately, two House Democrats are asking Blanche to appoint a special counsel to investigate whether Attorney General Pam Bondi lied to Congress during her testimony before the House Judiciary Committee earlier this month, Politico reports. At the hearing, Bondi insisted there is 'no evidence' in the Epstein documents that shows Trump committed a crime. But in a letter to Blanche, Representatives Dan Goldman, of New York, and Ted Lieu, of California, pointed to the unsubstantiated claim in the Epstein documents that Trump allegedly forced himself on the young girl. Lieu had previously accused Bondi of lying to Congress during her testimony, to which Bondi retorted: 'Don't you ever accuse me of a crime.' The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment. FBI agents have swarmed properties owned by the superintendent of the country's second-largest school district. A $1.4 million San Pedro home belonging to Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) boss Alberto Carvalho was raided along with a residence in Miami, Florida, federal officials told Fox News Digital. Staff at the school district's downtown headquarters were also evacuated so agents could conduct a search of Carvalho's office on Wednesday, per Fox 11. Officials did not disclose the specific reason behind the raid, however, there is speculation that it could be linked to the school district's ties to a failed AI company. An additional search warrant was executed at a property in Southwest Ranches, Florida, associated with the now-defunct AllHere. The start-up was involved in a $6 million deal with the school system, according to the New York Times. Its founder was arrested for fraud in 2024, the same year it filed for bankruptcy. Debra Kerr, a salesperson who formerly worked with AllHere, is listed as the owner of the Southwest Ranches home, according to public records cited by the Los Angeles Times. Kerr was not identified as a target of the investigation by federal officials or confidential sources, according to the outlet. Alberto Carvalho, the superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), was allegedly the focus of a raid by FBI agents and officials from the Department of Justice Officials executed search warrants at the home of Alberto Carvalho in San Pedro but did not specifically disclose the reason behind the sweep Officials entered the $1.4 million home on Wednesday as part of a series of raids Sources told the LA Times the raid focused on Carvalho, not the LAUSD. They also said it fell under 'the broad category of financial issues'. However, the FBI has not released any information, noting that the court has sealed the affidavits. LAUSD said in a statement that it is cooperating with federal authorities and is aware of the situation involving Carvalho, but did not provide additional details. The superintendent, who makes $440,000 annually, has been at the helm of the nation's second-largest school district since 2022, overseeing the education of nearly 400,000 students. The crackdown on Wednesday is just the latest controversy to surround Carvalho. In 2008, while an official of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Carvalho was involved in a series of suggestive emails with Miami Herald reporter Tania deLuzuriaga while he was married. The flirtatious message read as, 'Will you be completely offended if I jump into your arms the next time I see you? Love, love, love you,' the New York Post reported. Carvalho denied having an affair after the suggestive exchanges emerged after he was named superintendent. The crackdown on Wednesday is just the latest chapter in Carvalho's history with federal agents. The superintendent condemned Homeland Security Investigations agents in 2025 which were allegedly checking on the welfare of undocumented students The LAUSD said it is co-operating with the authorities amid the searches Carvalho's office on the 24th floor at LAUSD headquarters in downtown Los Angeles was also raided In 2020, amid his 14-year tenure as superintendent at the same district, the Office of the Inspector General uncovered a $1.57 million donation to a nonprofit he chaired, according to the Post. The Inspector's office questioned the timing of the contribution and asked that the donation be returned. Last week, his school district was targeted by the Justice Department with a federal lawsuit claiming white students were being discriminated against by a desegregation program at LAUSD. A spokesman for the school district told the New York Times it was unable to comment on pending litigation. 'Los Angeles Unified remains firmly committed to ensuring all students have meaningful access to services and enriching educational opportunities,' he added. Carvalho also made an enemy of Homeland Security Investigations after turning away agents from two Los Angeles elementary schools last year, according to the New York Times. Additionally, he went on the record in July 2025 to criticize Immigration, Customs and Enforcement (ICE) agents for allegedly urinating on the grounds of a Pico Rivera school. The superintendent described the alleged incident as a 'new level of despicable insult'. The Daily Mail has reached out to the FBI, LAUSD, Alberto Carvalho and Debra Kerr for comment. Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar claimed her guest at the State of the Union address was 'forcibly removed' and arrested for a silent protest as the woke lawmaker defended her own vocal heckling of President Donald Trump. Omar, a representative from Minnesota, invited Aliya Rahman, 43, to join her for the president's annual speech following her shocking arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents last month. Rahman, a US citizen, was dragged from her car and accused of assaulting an Immigration Customs and Border Enforcement agent during a raid in Minneapolis on January 12. On Tuesday, she stood up in silent protest as Trump was speaking about the immigration raids in Minnesota during his address. 'For that, she was forcibly removed, despite warning officers about her injured shoulders and ultimately charged with "Unlawful Conduct",' Omar shared on social media Wednesday. 'Reports indicate she was aggressively handled until someone intervened to secure medical attention,' she continued. 'She was taken to George Washington University Hospital for treatment and later booked at the United States Capitol Police headquarters.' The lawmaker also defended her own conduct during the speech, which included yelling at the president along with Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. Tlaib's racially charged outburst drew strong condemnation from fellow Democrat John Fetterman who blasted the duo for 'screaming and yelling' during the speech. Representative Ilhan Omar has said her guest to the State of the Union was 'forcibly removed' from the House on Tuesday night Aliya Rahman, 43, is seen being taken into custody by Capitol Police Omar called for an investigation into her constituent's arrest on X Rahman later claimed she spent several hours in jail and said that during her arrest on Tuesday night officers aggravated injuries she sustained when ICE officers apprehended her last month. She told Democracy Now that she had decided to stand 'the moment I heard this man say some of the most racist things I have heard come out of any leaders' mouth about the people of my city'. She claimed the president continued to 'trash-talk my state of Minnesota and glorify DHS, the people who did this to me and who are being allowed to roam free on the streets'. 'The reason I stood up at that moment was not to disrupt anything,' Rahman continued. 'I was silent, arms by my side. 'I stood up because hearing this level of racism, I wanted to see with my own eyes, unmediated by anyone's lens, who had still come to this building to govern, if there were any grownups down there. Who really believes this lie that was used to brutalize our city, my body?' Rahman, who is disabled and has autism, said she has a torn rotator cuff tendon and multiple cartilage tears in both of my shoulders. 'Only when their own sergeant intervened in a back stairwell of that building to say "Stop! We need to get her medical care and a wheelchair" did they stop tugging on me while again I was saying, "disabled,"' she claimed. An unsigned statement from Capitol Police has since noted that 'all State of the Union tickets clearly explain that demonstrating is prohibited' and 'the guest was told to sit down, but refused to obey our lawful orders,' according to The New York Times. Rahman was pulled from her vehicle by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents last month in Minneapolis She was accused of the assaulting an ICE officer and was arrested for obstruction of law enforcement efforts Rahman is now facing a misdemeanor charge, punishable with a fine of up to $500 and up to six months in prison. She has previously pleaded guilty to criminal trespassing charges in Ohio and was hit with multiple traffic violations, according to records obtained by the Daily Mail. But Rahman is not the only one facing backlash for their actions at the State of the Union, with Omar also under fire for shouting at the president during his speech. Omar was seen yelling, 'You've killed Americans' at Trump, while her colleague, Rashida Tlaib chanted 'KKK' at Republican lawmakers. Trump has since hit back, suggesting on his Truth Social page that he would like to see Omar and Tlaib leave the US. 'When you watch Low IQ Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, as they screamed uncontrollably last night at the very elegant State of the Union, such an important and beautiful event, they had the bulging, bloodshot eyes of crazy people, LUNATICS, mentally deranged and sick who, frankly, look like they should be institutionalized,' the president wrote. 'When people can behave like that, and knowing that they are Crooked and Corrupt Politicians, so bad for our Country, we should send them back from where they came - as fast as possible,' he then said. Senator John Fetterman, of Pennsylvania, also hit out at his Democratic colleagues for their outbursts. Join the debate Was it right to remove Omar's guest from the House floor? Omar was seen yelling, 'You've killed Americans' at Trump during the State of the Union 'The constant kinds of yelling and screaming and you know, holding up signs and doing all of these things - I don't care it's a Republican or Democrat as the president, just don't do that,' he told Bill Hemmer on Fox News Wednesday, referencing Omar and Tlaib's outbursts as well as Representative Al Green who was escorted out of the House chamber for holding a sign in protest. 'Respect the office,' Fetterman urged. But despite the backlash, Omar has stood by her actions when she was asked by CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Wednesday whether she would have been better off joining other Democrats in boycotting the State of the Union. 'No, I think it was really unavoidable,' she responded. 'The president talked about protecting Americans, and I just had to remind him that his administration was responsible for killing two of my constituents.' Renee Niccole Good and Alex Pretti were both killed at the hands of federal agents in Minnesota earlier this year. When she was then asked whether she had any regrets, Omar said defiantly: 'I do not. Democrat John Fetterman, a Senator from Pennsylvania, called Omar out for 'yelling and screaming' at the State of the Union 'And I think many people look at that moment when the president says it is our responsibility to protect Americans, and he does not acknowledge the fact that two Americans, two of my constituents, two of our neighbors were killed. 'And it was important for me to just remind the American people that the president and his administration was responsible for killing two American citizens.' She later added that she thought 'it was really important for my constituents to see me there, it was really important for my constituents to hear I was reminding the president that Renee Good and Alex Pretti were killed under this administration.' A councillor has called for a urgent review into a council-operated 'fine machine' after it banked more than $4million in revenue in a single year. The City of Adelaide's Park Safe vehicle is fitted with mounted cameras that scan streets for potential parking breaches. The vehicle captures footage of suspected parking offences, which are then reviewed by trained officers who decide if fines should be issued. It generated an eye-watering $4.25million from fines in the last financial year. Critics have highlighted hundreds of examples where locals were fined for getting out of their vehicle to quickly close a garage door, only to later receive a fine. Some drivers were away from their car for just a few seconds when they were captured by the camera system and handed a fine. Had a parking ranger been there, many of the fines would not have been issued. Councillor Keiran Snape, who is running as an Independent for the seat of Adelaide at the upcoming state election, told Daily Mail the council has agreed to review the Park Safe system during an urgent meeting next Tuesday. Councillor Keiran Snape called for a review into the cameras, claiming they lacked a human element and ensured many drivers were incorrectly fined The cameras on top of council cars are catching out plenty of drivers but many claim they did not deserve their traffic fines 'I am concerned. I think we're missing the human element in regards to the vehicle,' Cr Snape said. 'I'm not necessarily against the use of the vehicle, but it can be improved. 'We need to bring fairness back and right now that doesn't exist, and people don't trust the system, that it's making the right calls and that's a worry for me.' The deadline to complete the review is April 28, with Cr Snape unable to convince his colleagues to suspend the fining system during the review period. The councillor said that while it's estimated that just two per cent of fines are incorrect, it still affects plenty of residents. 'That's still far too many given that we are dishing out thousands of fines. That's a lot of people being caught up in this for doing the right thing, in fact,' he said. 'When there's a human parking inspector, they can see the situation, it's not just a snap. People are getting pinged despite not illegally parking.' Snape said he would call for the Park Safe vehicle to be banned if the review wasn't satisfactory. The mounted cameras have increased council revenue since being implemented The council stands to lose up to $1.6million in its 2025/26 budget, highlighting how financially important the automated vehicle has become. 'There is a perception that this is about revenue raising and it is a perception because 98 per cent of these fines are legitimate,' Snape said. In NSW, ticketless parking fines became so controversial that Premier Chris Minns moved to ban them. NSW Finance Minister Courtney Houssos said community feedback strongly supported the system being scrapped. She called for a return to a fairer and more transparent approach. 'No one likes getting a parking fine. Finding out about it two weeks later stings even more,' Minister Houssos said. In Brisbane, however, the ticketless technology has been expanded and the practice has created huge revenue for councils across the state. A 24-year veteran in the United States Air Force who once commanded airborne units with nuclear weapons delivery systems has been charged with conspiring to train Chinese troops. Gerald Eddie Brown, Jr, 65, was arrested Wednesday in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and charged with violating the Arms Export Control Act by training pilots in the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), the US Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia said. The Arms Export Control Act prohibits Americans from providing training or assistance to foreign militaries without a license from the State Department. Prosecutors said Brown moved to China about two years ago to allegedly take a job as an 'instructor fighter pilot'. His arrest marked the first time he had stepped foot in the US since he went abroad, they said. 'The Chinese government continues to exploit the expertise of current and former members of the US armed forces to modernize Chinas military capabilities,' said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBIs Counterintelligence and Espionage Division. 'This arrest serves as a warning that the FBI and our partners will stop at nothing to hold accountable anyone who collaborates with our adversaries to harm our service members and jeopardize our national security,' Rozhavsky added. Brown retired from the Air Force in 1996 and attained the rank of major. He then held a series of jobs, including serving as an instructor to US troops and working as a commercial aircraft pilot. 'During his lengthy military career, Brown commanded sensitive units with responsibility for nuclear weapons delivery systems, led combat missions, and served as a fighter pilot instructor and simulator instructor on a variety of fighter and attack aircraft,' the Department of Justice said in a statement. Gerald Eddie Brown, Jr., a 65-year-old former US Air Force pilot, has been accused of training Chinese pilots since December 2023 Pictured: A Chinese J-20 fighter jet performs flight maneuvers during performance on September 19, 2025, in the Jilin Province of China Brown began arranging his employment contract to train Chinese troops in August 2023, according to the DOJ. In Brown's alleged conversations with Chinese national Stephen Su Bin, convicted in 2016 for stealing sensitive US military secrets and selling them to China, he repeatedly stated his intent to train Chinese pilots, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors also said that Brown was eager, allegedly telling an unnamed co-conspirator upon his arrival in China: 'Now. I have the chance to fly and instruct fighter pilots again!' Brown traveled to China in December 2023, and on his first day at work, he answered questions for three hours about the US Air Force, prosecutors said. On his second day, he prepared a presentation about himself and his experience, before spending the next two years training PLAAF pilots, according to investigators. 'Browns alleged betrayal exposed sensitive military tactics, threatening the security of our nation, our armed forces, and our allies,' said FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle. Law enforcement officials described Brown as an 'elite fighter pilot' who once trained US troops on the F-35 Lightning II, one of the most advanced stealth aircraft in the world. As of early this year, there are nearly 1,300 of these planes in active service in nations allied with the US. About 600 of the fifth-generation jets are being used across the US Air Force, the Navy and the Marine Corps. Brown also served as an instructor to US pilots on at least four other fighter aircraft. Pictured: A US Air Force F-35 Lightning II, one of the most advanced stealth aircrafts in the world If convicted, Brown could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million per violation of the Arms Export Control Act. The case against Brown is not the first of its kind. Former US Marine Corps pilot Daniel Edmund Duggan was charged in 2017 for training Chinese pilots and familiarizing them with aircraft carrier operations. Duggan, a naturalized Australian citizen, was arrested in New South Wales in 2022 and has not yet been extradited to the US to face trial. Duggan has denied the charges and has claimed the US was aware of what he was doing. He also claimed he was only training civilian pilots. Like Brown, Duggan had communications with Stephen Su Bin, who paid for his travel from Australia to Beijing in 2012. Duggan's lawyer, Bernard Collaery, has said Duggan was unaware of Bin's criminal activity at that time. An almost blind refugee who disappeared after being dropped off at a coffee shop by Border Patrol has been found dead in a New York street. The body of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, 56, was discovered four miles from the Tim Hortons in Buffalo where agents abandoned him. Shah Alam, from Myanmar, was unable to speak English or use a phone and his death was ruled as health-related, according to Buffalo News. He was found dead on Tuesday evening five days after he was left at the restaurant after being released into CBP custody following a stint in jail. Shah Alam spent close to a year in the Erie County Holding Center for an incident that left two police officers injured before being handed over to Border Patrol. Federal agents are now accused of giving Shah Alam a 'courtesy ride' before abandoning him. News of his death has since triggered intense community concern and demands for accountability. 'The preventable death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam is deeply disturbing and a dereliction of duty by the US Customs and Border Protection,' Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan said in a statement Wednesday. Nurul Amin Shah Alam (pictured), 56, a mostly blind refugee from Myanmar who disappeared in the custody of US Border Patrol after being freed from jail, was found dead in Buffalo, New York, on Tuesday Shah Alam spent close to a year in the Erie County Holding Center (pictured) for an incident that left two police officers injured before being handed over to Border Patrol last week 'A vulnerable man - nearly blind and unable to speak English - was left alone on a cold winter night with no known attempt to leave him in a safe, secure location,' he added. 'That decision from US Customs and Border Protection was unprofessional and inhumane.' Common Councilmember David A. Rivera also weighed in, calling the early information surrounding Shah Alam's death both 'concerning and alarming'. 'Tensions were already up with what's happening nationally and even locally,' he said. 'People are suspicious. They are fearful of ICE.' Meanwhile, the office of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said it was informed last Thursday about a non-citizen in the sheriff's custody, a spokesperson told Buffalo News. Federal officials said Shah Alam came to the country as a refugee on Christmas Eve 2024 and 'was not amenable for removal'. 'Border Patrol agents offered him a courtesy ride, which he chose to accept to a coffee shop, determined to be a warm, safe location near his last known address, rather than be released directly from the Border Patrol station,' the agency said. 'He showed no signs of distress, mobility issues or disabilities requiring special assistance,' they added. Shah Alam's first brush with the law came in February 2025, after a resident on Tonawanda Street reported someone in her fenced-in yard damaging her shed. Join the debate What should be done when authorities fail to protect vulnerable people in their care? Federal agents are now accused of giving Shah Alam a 'courtesy ride' before dropping him off at a Tim Hortons on Niagara Street, where he was last seen Thursday of last week In a Wednesday statement, Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan (pictured) said: 'A vulnerable man - nearly blind and unable to speak English - was left alone on a cold winter night with no known attempt to leave him in a safe, secure location' Authorities found him and tased him after he allegedly refused to drop two long black poles he was holding, according to the outlet. The report, however, revealed that the tasers had virtually no effect on Shah Alam, who continued advancing on officers as they struggled to restrain him. Police said that during the attempted arrest, Shah Alam, reportedly smelling of alcohol, bit and scratched the officers. In a statement detailing Shah Alam's case, the district attorney said he was booked into the Holding Center the day after his arrest and faced charges of assault, menacing, trespassing, criminal mischief and additional counts. Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane also said an immigration detainer was filed, allowing a person in custody to be held up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release for handover to immigration authorities. The DA's office said a grand jury indicted Shah Alam on felony assault, burglary and criminal mischief, but Keane chose to offer a reduced plea, noting that felony convictions would have required deportation. On February 9, after nearly a year in jail, he pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors and was granted $5,000 bail, with the understanding that he would remain in custody until his sentencing next month. The sheriff's office, which operates the Erie County Holding Center, said Wednesday that his bond was posted on February 19 and that his release followed proper procedures - a step the district attorney said he was not aware of. Common Councilmember David A. Rivera (pictured) weighed in, calling the early information surrounding Shah Alam's death both 'concerning and alarming' Meanwhile, CBP said that Shah Alam 'showed no signs of distress, mobility issues or disabilities requiring special assistance' 'US Border Patrol arrived at the Holding Center prior to the finalization of Mr. Shah Alam's release from Erie County Sheriff's Office custody,' the office said in a statement. 'We did not delay - nor do we ever delay - the release process based on a detainer,' they added. Keane, however, revealed that his office had only just learned of Shah Alam's release on Tuesday, according to Buffalo News. 'We have been informed that the federal immigration detainer remained in place at the time his bond was posted on Thursday, February 19, 2026,' he said. 'My office will move to dismiss the charges upon receipt of his death certificate.' Following his release into federal custody last week, Shah Alam was reported missing by his family who expressed concern over his mobility and health. His attorneys claimed that the detective who initially handled the missing-person case had closed it for several hours, even though he had not yet been found, according to the Investigative Post. Police Commissioner Craig Macy confirmed to the outlet that the case was eventually reopened Monday afternoon. But Shah Alam was found dead just after 8:30pm near KeyBank Center just days later, with the medical examiner ruling out both exposure and homicide as causes of death. In February, Shah Alam pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors and was granted $5,000 bail, with the understanding that he would remain in custody until his sentencing next month Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane (pictured), revealed that his office had only just learned of Shah Alam's release on Tuesday Federal authorities are now being accused of abandoning him at Tim Hortons without notifying anyone. Representative Tim Kennedy, D-Buffalo, issued a statement Wednesday afternoon calling the refugee's death a 'horrific and heartbreaking tragedy.' 'Mr. Alam should be alive and with his loved ones today. Instead, after days of fear and uncertainty, his family is now grieving an unimaginable loss,' Kennedy said. 'There must be a full and transparent investigation at the local, state and federal levels,' he added. 'The public and Mr. Alams family deserve answers immediately.' Mohammed Osman Shimul, an active member of Buffalo's Bengali community, told Buffalo News that Shah Alam's death is simply 'alarming.' 'The circumstances surrounding his death are alarming and raise questions about the level of humanity exhibited by those involved,' he said. 'His absence will be deeply felt by all who knew him, as well as the entire Buffalo community.' The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, which represents Shah Alam, also published a statement to social media expressing their sadness. Representative Tim Kennedy (pictured), D-Buffalo, issued a statement Wednesday afternoon calling the refugee's death a 'horrific and heartbreaking tragedy' The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo (pictured), which represents Shah Alam, published a statement to social media expressing their sadness over their client's death 'We have received several inquiries regarding more information on Mr. Alam. Due to our ethical obligations, we are unable to offer any comment at this time,' the firm wrote. Councilmember Rivera said he is waiting for further details on the events leading up to Shah Alams death and emphasized that the citys response will be critical, according to Buffalo News. 'We have to be extra careful,' he told the outlet. 'We need a thorough investigation and to follow leads wherever they go.' The Daily Mail has approached CBP for comment. by Akim Reinhardt A thought has been nagging at me lately. Are most shitty people not very bright? Some shitty people are very smart, of course, and those are the ones you really have to worry about: the pied pipers enchanting others to dance to their shitty tunes. But is it possible that most shitty people are not Darth Vader types, brilliant but troubled and drawn to the Dark Sides Machiavellian potential? Could it be that most of them instead discover their shittiness through ignorance and low emotional intelligence, and are not seduced into it despite their brilliance? Theres a lot to untangle. First and foremost, I am not contending that most not very bright people are shitty. Far from it. Beyond that, however, we must ask ourselves both: What makes a person shitty, and, What makes a person smart? Shittiness is the easier category to tackle, but by no means simple. Indeed, everyone is a shitty person sometimes. Everybody starts out as a baby, a toddler, a little kid, and every single one of them is a shitty little brat from time to time. Me! Me! Me! No one else matters! That selfishness is at the core of both, general human shittiness, and much of childhood up to a certain point. But in most cases, families, teachers, and many others train children to leave a lot of that shittiness behind most of the time, and to become a functional member of various social groups: families, schools, houses of worship, friend groups, workplaces, and so forth. How much of that Me! Me! Me! are people trained to leave behind? Aside from personal proclivities and experiences, it varies significantly across human cultures. For example, in many Indigenous American cultures, or in Japanese culture, historically there has been a strong emphasis on sublimating individual selfishness in favor of group function and cohesion. In U.S. culture? Yeah, not so much. But does that mean American society has a higher rate of shitty people than other countries? Whos to say? Well, this Brit for starters. But what even is shittiness? Whether it comes from bad parenting, bad peer influences, the vagaries of various cultural and social influences, reactions to past trauma, genetic brain anomalies such as sociopathy or psychopathy, or any number of other factors, we might think of shittiness as actions (verbal, physical, emotional, manipulative, etc.) that favor the actor at the expense of others, and do so in a way that a reasonable and impartial observer would see as unjustified and possibly harmful or damaging. Someone can be shitty rarely, occasionally, or frequently. And shittiness itself can be displayed with varying degrees of impact and directness. Someone can be very shitty or just sorta shitty. They can be directly shitty to you, or they can passively support the shittiness of others. They can be shitty once in a rare while, or way too often. But regardless of frequency and depth, how much of that shittiness, in all its varied forms, might stem from low intelligence of some sort? I realize this sounds like the kind of question, albeit in modern vernacular, that mightve been posed by a Victorian Era eugenicist advocating for the forced sterilization of criminals. Thats absolutely not where Im coming from. However, it would make sense that shittiness is born of a certain kind of moronicism. Not some genetic curse, but something about the universal nature within human beings. After all, were all morons sometimes. Most of us are shitty to some degree at least once in a while; there arent many saints or bodhisattvas among us. Again, to be clear, Im not talking about baseline intelligence. A mentally impaired person can be a very nice person; they can also be a pretty shitty person. Theyre just like you and me in this respect. No rank of brainiacs has a monopoly on sadism or kindness. Im not talking about brain computing power, but rather a kind of emotional intelligence that allows for empathy, and the self-awareness and courage to act compassionately. Its almost definitional that people who consistently engage in direct shitty behavior, such as various forms of verbal, mental, emotional, psychological, and/or physical abus, are lacking in empathy. And a paucity of empathy is, in many cases, symptomatic of a lack of emotional intelligence. But what about the people who, at first glance, dont seem to lack empathy People who seem like regular people but, it turns out, are susceptible to supporting and even championing the shittiness of others, to the point that it renders them rather shitty themselves? Could you be a strident Nazi supporter in 1930s40s Germany or Austria and not be a shitty person? Even if you were never directly involved in any Nazi actions? Even if you were the proverbial good person who loved their family and was a good neighbor and friend? I argue No. Being an ardent supporter of Nazism is so shitty as to make you a shitty person, no matter how much you love your family, how good a friend you are, or how polite you are to cashiers. If you disagree with me, and are not yourself that kind of shitty person, then you have a disturbingly high tolerance for shitty people; but thats a different problem for a different essay. When considering an otherwise good person who is shitty by virtue of their open and vocal support for truly shitty things and other shitty people, I think we should consider another kind of stupidty. Such a person might have great emotional intelligence in interpersonal situations. However, they might lack a certain kind of savviness that allows one to avoid being, for lack of a better word, a chump? Could being the proverbial otherwise-good-Nazi result, in part, from a lack of savviness? A type of stupidity that allows for, or even leads to, naivete? That can render someone a chump who gets conned or seduced by other shit heads and brought over to The Bad? Not that such stupidity would mandate jumping on the shitty bandwagon, but could it facilitate such a move? These are the kinds of questions that have been nagging me of late. How to explain otherwise smart, loving people who rabidly support Trumpism? Whether it was in the early Grab em by the pussy! days from nearly a decade ago, or the more recent descent into masked government thugs murdering people in the streets. What to make of someone who not only defends such things, but feels righteous indignation and even anger in doing so? Something in them must be off, right? It could be a roiling anger, a deep sadness, or some other psychological or emotional trauma that diminishes their ability to empathize (thereby making them less emotionally intelligent), and in a bid to cope, amid their desperation, makes them more naive, more gullible, more susceptible to bullshit, luring them into a quest for easy answers to complex problems. Ive long joked that were all full of shit; but an asshole is someone who dumps their shit on other people. Could it be that some shitty people are shitty because they dont have good bullshit detectors, so they swallow lotsa bullshit and end up chock full of shit, needing to vomit it forth at some point, onto some undeserving target? Im not trying to paint all Trumpers as stupid. Far too many of them are clearly smart and shitty. But can you be a Trumper at this point and not be damaged? Yes, were all damaged to some degree, but can you be an avid Trumper and not be damaged in ways that mitigate your ability to empathize and/or understand that youre being taken for a ride? Im no genius. Ive made and continue to make my fair share of mistakes, misreads, and bad decisions that lead myself and others to suffer. I can be shitty, and I am in fact shitty sometimes. Everyone can and is. No one is perfect, no matter how hard we might try. But were supposed to try, and were supposed to get smarter as we go. Its a real opportunity for us as humans, even if it never gets better than two steps forward and one step back. We can gain emotional intelligence, increase our capacity for empathy, and learn a thing or two from having been around the block, which allows us to see through the bullshit and to recognize shitty people for who they really are. Perhaps the smartest thing we can do is be honest with ourselves about ourselves. If we can do that, and if we can see through our own bullshit, then maybe we can actually be nice to other people. Maybe. Akim Reinhardts website is ThePublicProfessor.com Dominic Cummings has been blasted for saying he can 'enthusiastically' get behind a former Tory MP joining the Ukrainian Army because he is 'being hunted by drones'. Jack Lopresti, MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke from 2010 to 2024, joined the Ukrainian military after losing his seat in the last election. The former Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party, who served in Afghanistan for the British Army, initially volunteered with the International Legion of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. He has witnessed frontline action in the Donbas and argued 'Europe collectively really does need to step up. Increasing defence spending in three years time, thatll be too late.' Last week he revealed he was 'honoured' to join the Azov battalion. He wrote: 'I am honoured to begin my service with the 12th Special Forces Brigade "Azov" of the National Guard of Ukraine, a unit that has become a symbol of resilience and uncompromising principle.' He was congratulated on his efforts by Alistair Campbell, who wrote: 'Fair play Jack Lopresti. Former Tory MP, lost his seat at last election, has since joined Ukrainian Army.' But Cummings, who served as Boris Johnson's Chief Advisor from 2019 to 2020, was less complimentary. Jack Lopresti, MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke from 2010 to 2024, pictured with Alistair Campbell Dominic Cummings has been blasted for joking about a former Tory MP being hunted by drones' Resharing a picture of Mr Campbell alongside Mr Lopresti in full military gear, he wrote: 'FINALLY a development on Ukraine I can really get enthusiastic about' Resharing a picture of Mr Campbell alongside Mr Lopresti in full military gear, he wrote: 'Tory MPs joining the neo-Nazi Azov to be hunted by drones - FINALLY a development on Ukraine I can really get enthusiastic about.' Cummings quickly faced condemnation for his 'disgusting' views on Ukraine. One person wrote: 'Youre right about a lot of things Dom but dead wrong on Ukraine and China.' Another added: 'You're really off the deep end on this topic. I don't get it.' A third said: 'Not your best tweet to say the least.' While others praised Mr Lopresti's 'bravery' for serving during the war. Mr Lopresti was a Conservative MP for 14 years, serving under five Prime Ministers. He was heavily defeated by Labour's Clare Hazelgrove in 2024. Speaking about his service, Mr Lopresti said: 'It's a huge honour and an immense privilege for me to serve in the Ukrainian military and be able to help the gallant and amazing Ukrainian people in any way I can.' He previously told the Kyiv Post he first visited Ukraine as part of a government delegation on the first anniversary of Russia's invasion in 2023. Announcing he was joining the Azov unit, he added: 'Over the past year, I served with the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. 'To have served in what I consider two of Ukraines finest military formations is one of the greatest honours of my life. 'Azov was formed in 2014 in response to Russias aggression. It began with volunteers, many without prior military experience, driven by conviction rather than obligation. Cummings has faced condemnation for his 'disgusting' views on Ukraine, with others praising Mr Lopresti for his 'brave' service 'Over time, it evolved into a benchmark for modern warfare, defined by innovation, frontline medical care, relentless training and a clear focus on the motivated, well-prepared soldier as the decisive factor. 'In 2022, the defence of Mariupol showed the world exactly what Azov stands for: resistance under impossible conditions. 'Azov is built on principle, discipline and brotherhood. To be an Azov fighter is to hold yourself to the highest standard, to put the mission above self. 'At its core lies a simple truth: no glory without a fight. 'Today, the Ukrainian military is not only defending its own sovereignty, it is also the frontline guarantee of Europes security. 'What happens here will shape the future of the free world. 'Ukraine continues to resist. Ukraine stands firm. Together, we will prevail. SLAVA UKRAINI!' Azov was formed in 2014 to fight Russian-backed forces in the Donbas War and has been heavily involved in Ukraine's war effort since Putin's invasion four years ago. But it has faced criticism for its links to far-right extremist groups. She relocated to the US in 2023 Jacinda Ardern is house hunting in Australia with her husband as the former New Zealand Prime Minister joins a growing number of Kiwis moving overseas. The couple has been on the move since Ardern resigned from office in 2023, and relocated to the United States the same year. The ex-politician, who was prime minister for six years, was also a distinguished fellow at Oxford University in the United Kingdom. 'The family has been travelling for a few years now,' a spokesperson for Ardern told 1News. 'For the moment they are basing themselves out of Australia they have work there, and it brings the added bonus of more time back home in New Zealand.' More than 92,000 New Zealanders applied for Australian citizenship between July 2023 and June 2025, according to data from the Department of Home Affairs. In 2024 alone, 30,000 New Zealanders moved to Australia the highest number in more than a decade. Confirmation of Ardern's move came after realestate.com.au reported she was spotted viewing homes on Sydney's Northern Beaches with her husband Clarke Gayford and seven-year-old daughter Neve. Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured) and her family have been spotted house hunting in Sydney's northern beaches The Northern Beaches is a well-to-do area, where the typical house price is more than $2.8million. Palm Beach, a suburb in the area, is where popular TV series Home and Away is filmed. She was seen at properties for sale in the beachside suburbs Curl Curl and Freshwater, as well as eating at a Mexican restaurant in Dee Why. Sydney is not the only area of NSW where the former prime minister has been spotted. She also made a surprise appearance in the state's south over the weekend. Ardern visited a community expo in Gerringong, which has a population of about 4,165 and is located about 10 minutes south of Kiama in the Illawarra region. Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald, who was attending the event, shared the surprise appearance on LinkedIn. 'Like many people, Ive long admired Jacindas leadership style particularly her clarity, composure and ability to communicate in difficult moments,' he wrote. 'It was a pleasure, along with Deputy Mayor Mel Matters, to exchange a few words and welcome both her and Dame Annette to our region.' Join the debate What does Jacinda Arderns move to Australia say about the state of leadership and opportunity in NZ? Ardern, her husband Clarke Gayford (both pictured) and their seven-year-old daughter Neve were also seen at a Mexican restaurant in Dee Why Ardern was joined by Dame Annette King, who has been a mentor to the former prime minister and retired from her role as New Zealand High Commissioner in 2023. At the age of 37, Ardern became the world's youngest-serving female leader in 2017 and was the second woman to give birth while in office. Since stepping down from the role, she has been a dual fellow at Harvard University. She and Gayford, who is a New Zealand TV and radio broadcaster, tied the knot in 2023 in a lavish wedding surrounded by friends, family and politicians. The nuptials were held at Craggy Range vineyard in Havelock North in the heart of New Zealand's Hawke's Bay. Ardern joined Oxford University's Blavatnik School of Government as a distinguished fellow in 2025, and has continued working on the Christchurch Call a project she founded to combat online extremism after the Christchurch mosque shootings. Her memoir, A Different Kind of Power, was released in 2025. Four people killed aboard a Florida-registered speed boat following an alleged shootout with the Cuban coast guard were US residents, local officials said. The deceased were among a group of ten 'armed' individuals who had entered the country's waters to carry out a terror attack, Cuba's government claimed in a statement issued Wednesday night. Six others aboard the vessel were left injured after they exchanged gunfire with the coast guard, per the Ministry of the Interior of Cuba. The New York Times reported that all those on board the boat were Cuban citizens living in the US. Michel Ortega Casanova was identified as one of the fatalities, with local authorities reportedly working to identify the three others. The injured were detained and named by the Cuban government as Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez, Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez, Conrado Galindo Sariol, Jose Manuel Rodriguez Castello, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra. The group planned to carry out an 'armed infiltration' and swooped in bearing guns, explosives and tactical gear, according to the statement. Local officials also claimed the majority of those on the boat have 'a known history of criminal and violent activity'. The ministry specifically said Gonzalez and Gomez are wanted by Cuban authorities 'based on their involvement in the promotion, planning, organization, financing, support or commission of actions carried out in the national territory or in other countries, in connection with acts of terrorism'. The Cuban Coast Guard killed four people in a Florida-registered speedboat after the vessel crossed into the nation's waters and opened fire, Cuban officials said. A stock image of a Cuban Coast Guard vessel is pictured, not the vessel in Wednesday's incident Your browser does not support iframes. The Cuban government further claimed Duniel Hernandez Santos was detained within the national territory and 'confessed' to being sent by the US 'to facilitate the reception of the armed infiltration'. The incident unfolded Wednesday morning, when the speedboat approached one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino channel in the Villa Clara province, according to the Cuban Embassy. It added that Border Guard Troops confronted the speedboat, leading the crew of the Florida-registered boat to open fire on the Cuban personnel. Authorities said they later seized assault rifles, handguns, Molotov cocktails, bulletproof vests, telescopic sights, and camouflage uniforms from the boat. But speaking ahead of the update from Cuban officials, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio downplayed Cuba's version of events, vowing that the United States Department of Homeland Security and the US Coast Guard will conduct their own investigations. 'Were not gonna base our conclusions on what they told us,' he said, insisting that the boat was not in international waters as part of a US government operation. Rubio then said he was not 'going to speculate about whose boat it was, what they were doing, why they were there, what actually happened.' Still, he vowed that the US will 'respond appropriately based on what our information tells us.' Secretary of State Marco Rubio has downplayed Cuba's version of events Vice President JD Vance also said late Wednesday afternoon that Rubio had briefed him on the incident. He added that the White House was monitoring the situation. 'Hopefully its not as bad as we fear it could be,' Vance said. The shootout now threatens to increase tensions between the US and Cuba, following President Trump's authorization of a mission last month to capture Nicolas Maduro, the former leader of Venezuela. Venezuela and Cuba have been close allies for decades, with Venezuela being the main exporter of crude oil and fuel to the island. For weeks, the US has been intercepting and seizing oil tankers headed for Cuba, though the Trump administration has not acknowledged it is instituting a blockade. Last week, the US Coast Guard seized a tanker 70 miles away from the island that was full of Colombian oil, The New York Times reported. There are indications that the Trump administration wants to go further and pursue regime change. Trump himself has made numerous statements hinting that he wants the Cuba's Communist leadership gone. The Cuban government claimed that those aboard the vessel were intent on traveling to the country to enact terrorism. Pictured: Cuba's President and First Secretary Miguel Diaz-Canel In late January, The Wall Street Journal reported that officials close to the administration have been discussing ousting Miguel Diaz-Canel, 65, who has led the country since 94-year-old Raul Castro retired as president in 2021. Officials familiar with the plans were focused on waiting for Cuba's economy to collapse, making a possible operation easier to accomplish. However, it broke on Wednesday that the Trump administration is now allowing American companies to resell Venezuelan oil to private companies in Cuba. The new guidance came from the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control. 'This favorable licensing policy is directed towards transactions that support the Cuban people, including the Cuban private sector (e.g., exports for commercial and humanitarian use in Cuba),' the office said. The Daily Mail has reached out to the State Department and the White House for comment on Cuba's claims. At least ten FBI agents tied to the investigation of President Donald Trump's handling of classified files have been fired, sources revealed. The personnel were reportedly all involved in former Special Counsel Jack Smith's probe into whether the president hid classified documents in Mar-a-Lago upon leaving the White House in 2021. The documents case against Trump was dismissed by a federal judge in 2024. But on Wednesday almost a dozen agents who worked with Smith on the investigation were axed, according to CBS News. The FBI Agents Association, representing current and former agents, slammed the firings as a violation of due process and warned that the mass dismissals put the nation at greater risk. 'These actions weaken the Bureau by stripping away critical expertise and destabilizing the workforce, undermining trust in leadership and jeopardizing the Bureau's ability to meet its recruitment goals,' a statement read. Smith is responsible for launching dual investigations into Trump, leading to the first federal criminal indictments of a former president in US history. The classified documents case against the president alleged that he transported confidential materials to his Mar-a-Lago club after leaving office at the end of his first term and attempted to obstruct the Justice Department's efforts to retrieve them. At least ten FBI agents tied to the investigation of President Donald Trump's handling of classified files at Mar-a-Lago were fired on Wednesday, sources told CNN A case launched by Former Special Counsel Jack Smith alleged that Trump hid confidential files in his Mar-a-Lago club (pictured) after leaving office at the end of his first term and attempted to obstruct the Justice Department's efforts to retrieve them The case against Trump was ultimately dismissed by a federal judge in 2024. Pictured: A collection of documents seized by the FBI during execution of a search warrant on Mar-a-Lago The charges were dismissed by a Florida federal judge in mid-2024, who said Smith was appointed unlawfully. A second case against Trump - known as Arctic Frost - alleged that he unlawfully sought to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Smith later dropped the charges following Trump's victory over Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race. The president and his administration have since targeted federal employees who worked on the two cases, with the Justice Department firing a group of prosecutors who worked on Smith's team in January of last year. An official previously told CBS that the acting attorney general made the decision because 'he did not believe these officials could be trusted to faithfully implement the president's agenda because of their significant role in prosecuting the president.'. But Wednesday's firings come after a new report revealed that the FBI subpoenaed phone records of conversations between FBI Director Kash Patel and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, according to Reuters. Patel told the outlet that the calls took place in 2022 and 2023, while both he and Wiles were private citizens during the Biden administration, as the federal probe into Trump was unfolding. The probe into the phone records was placed under Smiths direction in November 2022. Smith (pictured) also launched a second case against Trump known as Arctic Frost, which alleged that he unlawfully sought to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election Wednesday's firings come after a new report revealed that the FBI subpoenaed phone records of conversations between FBI Director Kash Patel and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles Patel claimed that the FBI's secret subpoena of his records was a prime example of overreach by unelected government officials under Biden - a theme frequently repeated by Trump himself. He called the previous leadership 'outrageous and deeply alarming', accusing them of 'using flimsy pretexts and burying the entire process in prohibited case files designed to evade all oversight'. Although Reuters could not verify many of Patel's claims, he said the records were buried in a way that made them difficult for him and other FBI leaders to find after he took over the bureau last year. A source told CBS News that Wiles' records were reviewed during the documents investigation, though it could not be confirmed whether Patels records were reviewed. His records were not subpoenaed in the 2020 election case. However, both Wiles and Patel were known to have been questioned by investigators in the Mar-a-Lago documents probe, according to Reuters. Controversy deepened late last year when the GOP-led Senate Judiciary Committee disclosed that the FBI had seized phone records from multiple Republican lawmakers during the Arctic Frost investigation. The records contained only call metadata - showing who the lawmakers contacted around the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot - but not the call contents. Last year, Smith testified that the call records of lawmakers helped investigators verify the timeline of events surrounding the insurrection, adding that prosecutors 'followed all legal requirements in obtaining those records'. GOP leaders - including Trump - criticized his investigative methods, demanding that Smith, former Attorney General Merrick Garland, former FBI Director Christopher Wray and others be 'prosecuted for their illegal and highly unethical behavior'. Patel said the calls took place in 2022 and 2023, while both he and Wiles were private citizens during the Biden administration, as the federal probe into Trump was unfolding (pictured: Mar-a-Lago) GOP leaders - including Trump - have demanded that Smith, former Attorney General Merrick Garland, former FBI Director Christopher Wray and others be 'prosecuted for their illegal and highly unethical behavior' On Monday, a federal judge permanently blocked the Justice Department from releasing Smiths (pictured) report on the documents investigation Congressional Democrats have repeatedly defended Smith, saying he acted properly in pursuing evidence to fully investigate allegations against Trump and his circle. On Monday, a federal judge permanently blocked the Justice Department from releasing Smiths report on the documents investigation. Smith informed Congress that court orders prohibit him from discussing any details not already made public in filings. The Daily Mail has contacted the White House and the FBI for comment. A series of prominent left-leaning politicians and influencers have turned on Anthony Albanese after he described Grace Tame as 'difficult'. The Prime Minister was asked to answer a series of questions with a single word during a forum held by a Victorian newspaper on Wednesday. The Labor leader's answer for the 2021 Australian of the Year was 'difficult' - something that Ms Tame herself took exception to on Thursday, resharing a post that branded Albanese a 'misogynist'. 'Difficult is the misogynist's code for a woman who won't comply. History tends to call her "courageous",' survivor and advocate Harrison James captioned a photo with Ms Tame. Albanese quickly back-pedalled, reframing his 'difficult' description. 'She's had a difficult life, that's what I was referring to,' he said. Progressive influencer Hannah Ferguson - using an expletive - described Albanese as a 'user', and noted that he closely associated himself with Ms Tame before his 2022 election win. 'Anthony Albanese has departed from any principles he once claimed to have as he follows Pauline down the road to the right,' she said. 'That's all that's happening right now... as he sees her numbers surge, he's following her relevance. Left-leaning politicians and influencers have turned on Anthony Albanese after he described Grace Tame (pictured Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni) as 'difficult' Hannah Ferguson (pictured) claimed that Anthony Albanese had departed from any principles he once claimed 'Australians... can smell a disingenuous person a mile away... He's bootlicking.' Crikey politics editor Bernard Keane said: 'Albanese was happy to co-opt Tame for political purposes when he was opposition leader and the Morrison government was mired in accusations of misogyny. 'Now, he's using the 'difficult woman' stereotype about her (why not 'hysterical', or 'shrill', PM?).' Satire group The Chaser described Albanese as 'spineless' in a parody news headline that stated: 'Spineless man frustrated that woman dares to have one.' Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni said: 'You have been given an extraordinary mandate to be great, we're all over mediocre Albo, stop pretending and lean into the (Palestinian headscarf) keffiyeh Albo of old, I know he's in there somewhere!' Channel Ten newsreader Narelda Jacobs also weighed in by sharing a group photo with Tame alongside fellow presenters Benjamin Law, Antoinette Lattouf, Yumi Stynes and Kirli Saunders. 'Difficult not to love,' Jacobs wrote in reference to Tame. Stynes added: 'Leave Grace Tame the f**k alone!' Presenters Narelda Jacobs (third left) and Yumi Stynes (third right) have leapt to the defence of Grace Tame (second right) When asked to provide a description of Ms Tame, the 2021 Australian of the Year, Anthony Albanese replied: 'difficult' Aussie musician and former manager of The Wiggles, Paul Field, says that Australia needs more 'difficult' women like Grace Tame (pictured together) Aussie musician and former manager of The Wiggles, Paul Field, also pledged his support for Ms Tame. 'We need more and more 'difficult' women, like Grace Tame,' he captioned a photo of the pair. 'Always speaking truth to power. Continued love and strength to her. Field added a quote from late primatologist Jane Goodall: 'It actually doesnt take much to be considered a difficult woman. Thats why theres so many of us.' Greens leader Larissa Waters said: 'Labelling women as difficult won't silence us. It won't stop us speaking truth to power.' Her colleague, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, said: 'Some of my best friends are 'difficult' women.' Ms Tame compared Albanese with his predecessor Scott Morrison, who she famously threw a shady side-eye glare at during a frosty exchange at an Australian of the Year function in 2022. 'Both men, when called out for their behaviour towards me, have used 'she's had a difficult life' as a condescending justification. Get some new material boys!' She also slammed him as an 'old man'. Ms Tame sparked controversy earlier this month when she chanted 'Globalise the Intifada' during a speech at a Sydney rally, protesting the visit by Israeli president Isaac Herzog. Ms Tame took exception to the PM's comment on Thursday by resharing a post that branded Albanese a 'misogynist'. The protest turned violent when activists defied a court order banning their march, risking arrest under special police powers introduced by the NSW Government for Herzog's visit. Ms Tame led a chant from a microphone on the steps of Sydney Town Hall of 'From Gadigal to Gaza, globalise the Intifada', which was echoed by thousands below, waving Palestinian flags. Gadigal is the Aboriginal name for Sydney and the word 'intifada' refers to armed uprisings by Palestinians against Israel. The stunt sparked widespread calls for the former Australian of the Year winner to be stripped of the honour. Two schoolgirls and an elderly dog walker have been rushed to hospital after being struck by lightning during wild thunderstorms. The teenage girls were at a high school in Mount Helena, 35km east of Perth, when they were struck about 10.10am on Thursday. Both were treated by St John WA paramedics before being taken to nearby hospitals. Meanwhile, a man in his 70s was walking his dog in Karrinyup when he was struck by lightning about 9.30am and suffered serious injuries. He was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital. The condition of the dog is unknown. The wild weather has left thousands without power on Thursday morning, as Perth received its first major deluge of the year. Almost 3,000 people temporarily lost power in Balga and Hamersley, with Hamilton Hill, Innaloo, Parmelia and Palmyra also experiencing outages. Two schoolgirls and a man walking his dog have been rushed to hospital after being struck by lightning during wild thunderstorms (stock) Train lines were also impacted across the city, with dozens of services cancelled. A Bureau of Meteorology spokesperson said isolated thunderstorms had formed early on Thursday, driven by a deepening west coast trough. '(The thunderstorms have been) moving across land and the Perth Metro area around 6am,' they told PerthNow. Temperatures were forecast for a low of 21C and a high of 30C on Thursday. The Bureau is expecting winds to shift to the south-west of the state in the afternoon. Republican Markwayne Mullin told Bernie Sanders he was 'part of the problem' in the nation's 'broken' healthcare system during a fiery Senate floor confrontation. The feud between the two senators flared again Wednesday during discussions surrounding the nomination of Casey Means as US Surgeon General. During the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing, Mullin blasted the panel for 'chastising' anyone brought before them for trying to reform healthcare. 'God forbid we change and try to fix our broken system,' he said. 'Anyway, I ranted too long.' Just as he tried to refocus, Democrat Sanders interrupted with a pointed, 'Yes, you did.' Mullin then launched a pointed rant, at one point seemingly mocking Sanders' age to question why he hadn't done more to tackle these issues over the years. 'I'm sorry, I didn't ask for your opinion on that, and if I cared about your opinion I would ask you. But I don't care about your opinion,' the senator said. 'You're part of the system. You're part of the problem,' he continued. 'You've been sitting here longer than I've been alive. This is your problem.' Republican Markwayne Mullin told Bernie Sanders he was 'part of the problem' in the nation's 'broken' healthcare system during a fiery Senate floor confrontation During the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing, Mullin (pictured) blasted the panel for 'chastising' anyone brought before them for trying to reform healthcare The feud between the two senators flared again Wednesday during discussions surrounding the nomination of Casey Means (pictured) as US Surgeon General and issues with Obamacare 'You should have fixed this a long time ago. You've been railing on it for so long. What have you been doing?' Sanders sarcastically replied that he had decided against running for Surgeon General, adding, 'You're the nominee I've decided.' 'That is definitely something we would never accept,' Mullin said before moving on from the conversation. Social media quickly picked up on the interaction prompting Andrew Kolvet, executive producer of The Charlie Kirk Show, to respond. 'Senator Mullin FIRED BACK after Bernie Sanders took a cheap shot, and it did NOT end well for the octogenarian socialist,' Kolvet wrote on X with the clip attached. Comedian Tim Young also shared his reaction on X, writing, 'That's what his commie supporters can't figure out. 'Bernie has been in office so long that he should have solved their problems by now.' Journalist Anna Matson wrote: 'Finally. Someone put Bernie Sanders in his place. He's all talk and no action.' Mullin launched a pointed rant at Sanders and seemingly mocked his age as he questioned why he hadn't done more to tackle healthcare issues over the years Mullin told Sanders: 'You're part of the system. You're part of the problem. You've been sitting here longer than I've been alive. This is your problem' Andrew Kolvet (pictured), executive producer of The Charlie Kirk Show, responded to the clip on X: 'Senator Mullins FIRED BACK after Bernie Sanders took a cheap shot, and it did NOT end well for the octogenarian socialist' 'He's been in office longer than I've been alive and he has nothing to show for it,' she added. The pair have been involved in multiple scuffles, particularly in recent years, such as in 2023 when Sanders tried to play peacemaker between Mullin and Teamsters President Sean O'Brien. In November 2023, Mullin, a former MMA fighter, told O'Brien to stand up as he seemed ready to lunge during a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing. Sanders interrupted, banging the gavel and ordering the Oklahoma senator to stop: 'You're a United States senator, sit down,' he said. 'This is a hearing, and God knows the American people have enough contempt for Congress let's not,' he added, before the pair cut him off and resumed their shouting match. In December, Mullin and Sanders fought on the Senate floor over Obamacare, an exchange Mullin shared on X in which he called Sanders 'The Grinch'. He accused the Vermont senator of blocking the bipartisan Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act, a bill designed to expand treatment options for children with cancer. The Daily Mail has reached out to Sanders and Mullin's representatives for comment. A man set to be King Charles' representative has been told of the 'restraint required' in his role amid a backlash over questionable online posts. Governor-General Sam Mostyn reached out as incoming Northern Territory administrator David Connolly copped more flak over his appointment, prompting an apology ahead of Friday's swearing-in ceremony. The prime minister had been asked to intervene in a last-minute attempt to stop Mr Connolly taking on the administrator role, the equivalent of a state governor. Dozens of politicians, advocates and community groups have signed a letter requesting Anthony Albanese 'urgently rescind' the vice-regal appointment to restore public confidence. There have been calls for Mr Connolly's late 2025 nomination by NT's Country Liberal Party government to be quashed, put on hold or reviewed due to his questionable X posts, which have since been deleted. They included attacks on what the cattleman called Indigenous privilege, an apparent mocking of Welcome to Country ceremonies and a re-post describing Mr Albanese as an 'arsehole'. Mr Connolly issued an apology late on Wednesday, saying he deeply regretted his posts, which were deleted but recently re-emerged in the media. 'I never intended to cause offence. I am genuinely sorry for the hurt they may have caused members of the community,' he said in a statement. A man set to be King Charles' representative has been told of the 'restraint required' in his role amid a backlash over questionable online posts (pictured, David Connolly) Incoming Northern Territory administrator David Connolly has copped flak over his appointment, prompting an apology ahead of Friday's swearing-in ceremony The now-deleted posts on X included an apparent mocking of Welcome to Country ceremonies and a re-post describing Anthony Albanese (pictured) as an 'arsehole' 'These posts are no reflection of my personal core values.' Mr Connolly said he understood the responsibilities that came with his new role, describing it as the 'greatest honour of my life'. 'My actions moving forward will demonstrate genuine care and commitment to serving all Territorians,' he said. 'I am turning my energy now towards fulfilling my commission and the duties of the office.' Governor-General Ms Mostyn welcomed the 'full apology' after arriving in Darwin ahead of the swearing-in ceremony at Government House on Friday morning. Ms Mostyn said she had spoken to Mr Connolly this week, reminding him of the 'restraint required' in his upcoming $377,000 per-year gig. 'I think he understands, going into this role, that he has to be a very different person in the role than he might have been before, and anyone stepping into vice regal roles actually learns that,' she told ABC Radio Darwin on Thursday. Mr Connolly was under pressure ahead of the ceremony, with the letter sent to Mr Albanese and a protest planned during his swearing-in. Governor-General Ms Mostyn welcomed the 'full apology' after arriving in Darwin ahead of the swearing-in ceremony at Government House on Friday morning However, Speaker Robyn Lambley denied permission for protesters to hold the planned rally outside parliament, saying there was "insufficient capacity to accommodate a demonstration" at the same time as the ceremony. Aboriginal elder and Territory MP Yingiya Guyula co-signed the letter sent to the prime minister and issued a personal plea to Mr Albanese to withdraw his support for Mr Connolly. AAP has contacted Mr Guyula for comment on Mr Connolly's apology. A bakery worker has been sacked after he was caught brazenly pouring cooking oil down a stormwater drain in Sydney's trendy eastern suburbs. A passerby filmed the worker outside The Grumpy Baker in Coogee on Sunday as he dumped the used oil into the waterways, and then shared the clip online. The short two-second video quickly went viral, with viewers calling for the worker to be fired and investigated by police for polluting. Owner of The Grumpy Baker, Michael Cthurmer, later confirmed to Nine News on Thursday that the man was indeed a staff member, but he had been dismissed. 'We were devastated to see this and have never encountered something like this before in our 24 years of running The Grumpy Baker,' Cthurmer said. 'We have been in constant contact with all of our stores and staff since the weekend, to reiterate and retrain on our standards and procedures.' It is illegal to dispose of chemicals, oils, paints and litter down stormwater drains in Australia as they connect to local waterways. Dumping oil into the drains could result in serious damage to the local environment, infrastructure and wildlife. A worker from The Grumpy Baker (above) was filmed pouring cooking oil down a storm drain The worker (above) was fired and the incident is under investigation Randwick City Council is investigating the matter and claimed those convicted of offences connected to stormwater drains could face fines up to $30,000. The worker has not been charged. 'This is a serious water pollution incident, and our Senior Environmental Officers are currently investigating the matter,' a council spokesperson said. The council thanked those who reported the incident. The Grumpy Baker is assisting in Randwick City Council investigation. As part of the ongoing effort to keep its waterways clear, Sydney Water urged cafes, restaurants and other hospitality businesses to properly train their staff on safe oil disposal. Those businesses can opt to have their used oil collected for free. 'The drain is just for water - chemicals, oils, paints and litter don't belong there,' NSW EPA states on its website. 'Do not allow anything other than clean rainwater to enter the stormwater drain on or near your premises.' There has been a deadly fungal infection outbreak at a Sydney public hospital, with warnings that other hospitals could be affected. Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital confirmed six patients in its transplant unit were caught up in the cluster in late 2025. It said two cases were fatal and another four became ill, however, it has since been reported a third patient had died. The cause of the infection was Aspergillus, a common mould found in things like soil, dust and damp environments. People are unlikely to become unwell from Aspergillus, but it can be particularly damaging for certain individuals with weakened immune systems, a Sydney Local Health District spokesman said. 'Fungal infections are a known risk for patients who are significantly immunocompromised, including patients undergoing organ transplant procedures,' the spokesman said. '(The district) extends its deepest condolences to the families of the patients who died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and acknowledges the impact on all patients and families.' The outbreak occurred between October and December 2025. The hospital is undergoing a $940million redevelopment and the spores are believed to have been released during construction works. Two patients died as a result of the outbreak at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Examples of the mould found at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Safety measures were ramped up, including a deep clean of the ward, upgrades to air-filtration systems and comprehensive air testing after infectious disease clinicians investigated the outbreak. Patients were moved out of the transplant ward while the remedial efforts were performed. At-risk patients were given antifungal medication after consultation with clinicians. The outbreak has been contained, but health authorities are aware similar mould has been found at other hospitals in NSW, requiring further measures, 7News reported. NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant convened an expert panel to advise on risk mitigation and it declared the ward safe to reopen on February 9. 'RPA is a leader in transplant surgery, with nearly 60 years of experience performing kidney transplants and 40 years in liver transplants,' the district spokesman said. 'We reassure patients and the community that RPA Hospital continues to be a safe place for care and we have put in place robust policies and procedures to help prevent any further fungal infections.' Deep Yellow Limited (ASX:DYL) (OTCMKTS:DYLLF) is successfully progressing a dual-pillar growth strategy to establish a globally diversified, leading uranium company producing 10+ Mlb pa. The Company's portfolio consists of two advanced projects in Tier-1 uranium mining jurisdictions - flagship Tumas in Namibia and Mulga Rock, Western Australia. Deep Yellow's future growth is underpinned by its highly prospective exploration portfolio - Alligator River, Northern Territory and Omahola, Namibia with ongoing M&A focused on high quality assets should opportunities arise that best fit the Company's strategy. Led by a best-in-class team, who are proven uranium mine builders and operators, the Company is advancing its growth strategy at a time when the need for nuclear energy is becoming the only viable option in the mid-to-long-term to provide baseload power supply and achieve zero emission targets. Importantly, Deep Yellow is on track to becoming a reliable and long-term uranium producer, able to provide production optionality, security of supply and geographic diversity. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wrote messages of support to recovering addicts at a rehabilitation centre today during the second day of their quasi-royal tour of Jordan. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined a World Health Organisation (WHO) team as they spoke to patients at Amman's National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts. Promoting mental health support is one of the themes of their visit, and the couple both wrote notes on a wall in an attempt to encourage those receiving treatment. Meghan's note written in italic script on orange paper said: 'Congratulations on your dedication to your care. Wishing you continued healing and happiness.' And Harry wrote on a separate yellow note: 'It's OK to not be OK. Trust each other. Congratulations on your recovery. Now share your courage and experience.' Harry and Meghan also listened intently as a group of men described the emotional toll of substance abuse and the support they have received from the centre. The couple described the facility as 'incredible' after hearing about its holistic approach to dealing with patients, providing activities like a gym and yoga classes. After chatting to one man who was addicted to drugs but is now a mentor at the centre, Harry said: 'I want you guys to know there's no shame in having an addiction. Meghan writes a message at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today Prince Harry and Meghan at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today Harry's message of support at Amman's National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts today The Duchess of Sussex visits the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today Meghan's message of support at Amman's National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts today Harry writes a message of support at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts today Prince Harry meets a man at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today 'It stems from something else which is an emotional pain - you're very, very brave to come here into hospital. Now what you need to do is use this experience and go back into your communities and help other people who are in a similar situation.' The couple visited the centre's gym and chatted to recovering addicts using rowing machines, and Harry asked one man: 'When you leave, will you continue exercising?' When he replied 'Yes', Harry told him: 'New habits, good habits rather than bad habit - we all have bad habits.' Meghan stood in the doorway of a yoga class and watched the men holding poses on the floor and introduced herself. The centre, operating under Jordan's ministry of health's national centre for mental health, has a 40-bed capacity and was inaugurated in 2001. It has served as a short-term residential and outpatient treatment centre, offering medical withdrawal services, psychological support and social counselling. Earlier today, the couple visited a worldwide organisation feeding people in moments of crisis. The Sussexes travelled to the World Central Kitchen's regional headquarters where it coordinates and deploys a million hot meals across Gaza daily. The organisation was founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres, a staunch supporter of the couple who appeared on the second season of Meghan's Netflix cookery show. Established in 2010, World Central Kitchen uses a network of field and community kitchens, bakeries and partners to enable almost half of Gaza's population to be fed. Meghan writes a message of support at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts today Prince Harry and Meghan at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today The Duchess of Sussex visits the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts today Harry writes a message at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today The Duchess of Sussex visits the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today Prince Harry meets a man at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today Meghan writes a message at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today The Duchess of Sussex visits the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today Prince Harry visits the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today Prince Harry and Meghan at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today Prince Harry and Meghan at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today The Duchess of Sussex visits the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today Prince Harry and Meghan at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today The Duchess of Sussex visits the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today Meghan writes a message at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today A ring worn by the Duchess during a visit to the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts Prince Harry and Meghan at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today The Duchess of Sussex visits the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today Messages of support at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today The Duchess of Sussex visits the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts today The Duchess of Sussex visits the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today Prince Harry and Meghan at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today The Duchess of Sussex visits the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today Prince Harry and Meghan at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today The Duchess of Sussex visits the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today Prince Harry and Meghan at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today Prince Harry and Meghan at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today The Duchess of Sussex visits the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today Prince Harry and Meghan at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today The Duchess of Sussex visits the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today Prince Harry meets a man at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today The Duchess of Sussex visits the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts today The Duchess of Sussex visits the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today Prince Harry meets a man at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today The Duchess of Sussex visits the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today The Duke of Sussex visits the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today The Duchess of Sussex visits the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts in Amman today Harry and Meghan chatted via video call with a distribution leader at one of the organisation's six field kitchens in Gaza. Wadhah Hubaishi, the organisation's response director for the Middle East and North Africa, told the couple that ochre and rice was the meal for today. He said: 'This is one of our most delicious meals for the Gaza people. Within two hours, we will start distributing the food.' 'We need 20 trucks (of supplies) every day from Egypt, not enough trucks are coming in, that really affects us more than any other actor.' Mr Hubaishi said their mantra was 'food with smiles' provided by Gazans for Gazans and highlighted the need for food by telling the couple the touching story of a boy who had never seen a banana. 'A three-year-old ate a banana and asked his father 'can I eat the peel',' he said. The Sussexes got more of an insight when distribution manager Shadi Raed made a video call to the couple and held up his phone to show them huge pots cooking the day's meal and a neighbouring warehouse. The Sussexes have travelled to Jordan this week at the invitation of the WHO's director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. They are learning more about humanitarian work to support health and wellbeing of Syrians and Palestinians who have sought sanctuary in Jordan over many decades. During their final day in Jordan, the Sussexes will also visit female leaders at the Jordanian Hashemite fund for human development, an organisation known as a pioneer in sustainable human development, and tour the King Hussein cancer centre. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the World Central Kitchen Food in Amman, Jordan, today Harry and Meghan at the World Central Kitchen today which feeds people in moments of crisis Meghan Markle at the World Central Kitchen's regional headquarters in Jordan today Prince Harry and Meghan visit the World Central Kitchen at its Jordan country office today Prince Harry at the World Central Kitchen's regional headquarters in Jordan today Meghan Markle at the World Central Kitchen's regional headquarters in Jordan today Prince Harry at the World Central Kitchen's regional headquarters in Jordan today Harry and Meghan at the World Central Kitchen today which feeds people in moments of crisis Meghan Markle at the World Central Kitchen's regional headquarters in Jordan today Harry and Meghan at the World Central Kitchen today which feeds people in moments of crisis The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the World Central Kitchen Food in Amman, Jordan, today Prince Harry at the World Central Kitchen's regional headquarters in Jordan today Meghan Markle at the World Central Kitchen's regional headquarters in Jordan today Prince Harry at the World Central Kitchen's regional headquarters in Jordan today The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the World Central Kitchen Food in Amman, Jordan, today Meghan Markle at the World Central Kitchen's regional headquarters in Jordan today Prince Harry and Meghan visit the World Central Kitchen at its Jordan country office today Meghan Markle at the World Central Kitchen's regional headquarters in Jordan today Prince Harry at the World Central Kitchen's regional headquarters in Jordan today Prince Harry and Meghan visit the World Central Kitchen at its Jordan country office today Prince Harry at the World Central Kitchen's regional headquarters in Jordan today Harry and Meghan at the World Central Kitchen today which feeds people in moments of crisis Meghan Markle at the World Central Kitchen's regional headquarters in Jordan today Harry and Meghan at the World Central Kitchen today which feeds people in moments of crisis Meghan Markle at the World Central Kitchen's regional headquarters in Jordan today Harry and Meghan at the World Central Kitchen today which feeds people in moments of crisis Prince Harry at the World Central Kitchen's regional headquarters in Jordan today The Duchess of Sussex and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus from the WHO in Amman today The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the World Central Kitchen Food in Amman, Jordan, today Harry and Meghan at the World Central Kitchen today which feeds people in moments of crisis Dr Reinhilde Van de Weerdt, WHO Representative, at World Central Kitchen in Amman today Harry and Meghan at the World Central Kitchen today which feeds people in moments of crisis Buckingham Palace officials are understood to have been informed in advance of the couple's visit to Jordan - one of Prince William and Kate's favourite countries. Yesterday, Harry and Meghan joined girls for a football session at the Za'atari refugee camp where thousands of Syrians have sought sanctuary. Meghan was left with bragging rights after she scored a penalty, while her husband's shot was saved. Later the couple visited the Specialty Hospital in Amman. Children injured in Gaza have been treated there, and Meghan appeared emotional as she met Jaber, 17, who was shot in the legs, saying: 'I'm so glad you're getting the treatment that you need.' Philip Hall, British Ambassador to Jordan, thanked the Sussexes for travelling to the Middle East, saying: 'I would simply say thank you very much indeed for coming. 'Your visit, your support, your appreciation of the efforts that the United Nations, including of course, the World Health Organisation, the government of Jordan and others, are making here is enormously appreciated. So thank you for coming.' Jordan has received wave after wave of refugees beginning with Palestinians more than 80 years ago - who now number around 2.5 million people - and Syrians who fled conflict in their country until recently ruled by president Bashar al-Assad. The latest wave of displaced people has flowed from the Israeli government's Gaza war against Hamas, launched after Hamas's atrocities during the October 7 attacks. The trip comes just a week after Harry's uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested in Norfolk last Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. This followed claims Andrew shared sensitive information with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein during his time as the UK's trade envoy. He has always denied wrongdoing. Jeffrey Epstein trafficked women through British airports until a month before his arrest in 2019, the Epstein files suggest. Booking records, flight logs, as well as fuel receipts - a part of the trove of documents released by the Department of Justice - show the paedophile financier flew to and from Britain over 60 times. And the disgraced financier, 66, booked commercial flights for women in and out of the UK just a month before his arrest in 2019. It is understood that six police forces are probing whether victims were trafficked on the financier's private plane in and out of UK airports as well as RAF bases. Among RAF bases included in the investigation is Northolt, a station in Ruislip, west London, which was instrumental in the country's defence during the Battle of Britain in World War II. Gordon Brown has requested that six police forces assess whether Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor utilised the air force for trips linked to Epstein. The former Labour Prime Minister has handed a file of evidence regarding flights to the forces whose policing authority boundaries cover relevant airports where the sex offender's jet may have landed. Police forces included are the Metropolitan Police, Surrey, Sussex, Thames Valley, Norfolk and Bedfordshire constabularies, which cover Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton, RAF Horsham and RAF Marsham between them. Booking records, flight logs, as well as fuel receipts - a part of the trove of documents released by the Department of Justice - show Jeffrey Epstein (pictured with Ghislaine Maxwell) flew to and from Britain over 60 times Documents indicate the paedophile's plane landed at RAF Northolt in 2015. Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing. Epstein's associates organised journeys from Heathrow to New York and back for a Russian woman, whose name has been removed from records, on June 1 and June 9. The paedophile's assistant, Lesley Groff, also asked an Amex concierge and account manager to add an unreserved hotel record to an itinerary. And when she replied, it could be too late to make the booking as well as cancel it, Groff responded: 'Can you just type up a hotel in an itinerary?' The account manager later discovered a hotel which could do same-day cancellations, which Epstein's assistant answered: 'Just add it to itinerary. I will cancel tomorrow morning.' Groff also requested the same concierge arrange a 'decoy flight' for a woman journeying to Miami in 2016. The e-mail read: 'No return for this flight This is a decoy flight she will not really take it but she needs to show an itinerary for this flight can you put something together for me.' A journey departing from Rome and landing in London City airport was suggested, to which she answered: 'Let me find out if the fake ticket can show London City.' Lawyers representing Groff have previously stated Epstein's former assistant had 'never witnessed anything improper or illegal'. The recent findings were lambasted as 'scandalous' by Nazir Afzal, former chief crown prosecutor. 'Time and time again when the police have been asked to investigate Epstein in respect of sexual abuse and trafficking, we've been told that a review found no need,' he told The Times. 'How then is it possible for The Times and others to uncover vital incriminating evidence when a police review found no need to find it?' The 64-year-old, behind the prosecution of grooming gangs in northern England, said in the last week we have seen that when the state is the alleged victim, it can 'move at pace', but when the alleged victim is a woman, it 'finds an excuse not to move at all'. It comes as new documents indicate Epstein's private plane had arrived at RAF Northolt in 2015 - two years later than was known. It is understood that six police forces are probing whether victims were trafficked on the financier's private plane in and out of UK airports as well as RAF bases (Pictued: Photographs of Epstein's fleet of 60million jets) Records in the Epstein files show a receipt for a Gulfstream jet fuelling at an RAF base on May 8, 2015, with journeys to Northolt having previously been noted in 2013. Before he was jailed in 2008 after being found guilty of sex offences, Epstein made several journeys to and from UK airports on his Boeing 727. Most of his journeys were back and forth from Luton, and continued following his release in 2009, but at a lower rate. The financier and Ghislaine Maxwell, his assistant and a woman, travelled from Luton to Paris in December 2000. Tom Pritzker, an American businessman, was picked up by Epstein the following day, as well as an individual referenced as 'one female' in flight logs. The plane flew to RAF Marham, after which they are said to have visited Sandringham estate in Norfolk. Pritzker has not been accused of wrongdoing and previously said last month that he regretted his links with Epstein. In 2011, The Telegraph asked Epstein's representatives about the likelihood that Andrew aided in organising the landing. The financier queried his pilot, Larry Visoski and went on to email Maxwell saying 'spoke to larry, it's true'. After Sandringham, the aircraft was moved to Norwich before it flew back to the US with a pitstop in Gander, Canada, two days later. In December 2012, the financier's plane received extensive repairs at Stanstead. Once fixed, Epstein flew a young Russian woman, whose name was removed from the files, to the US. In his correspondence with aviation experts, Epstein asked for guidance on whether the woman could come into the UK before heading to the US using a Russian passport. Other documents show the financer chartered a Cessna Citation jet to take him and the woman from Paris to Stansted, before they embarked on his plane to head to the US. Ten police forces are examining allegations in relation to Epstein, as well as claims he trafficked girls to and from the UK. It comes after Epstein blamed 'Charles' on the very day Andrew was forced to step down as Britain's trade envoy, emails revealed. On 21 July, 2011 the day it was publicly announced that the then-Prince would quit his role as the UK's special representative for international trade and investment the convicted sex offender wrote: 'I assume he knows that this is Charles doing.' The message was sent in response to an associate who had told him: 'Lots of TV coverage on PA and always big feature on you. Insane.' It is understood that 'PA' refers to Prince Andrew. At the time, Andrew had served as the UK's special representative for international trade and investment for a decade, from 2001 to 2011. The high-profile role gave him access to senior government figures and powerful business leaders around the world. He stepped back from the post amid growing scrutiny and criticism over his continued relationship with Epstein, the US financier and convicted sex offender. A photograph of the pair walking together in New York had already made headlines in the months leading up to his departure, intensifying public pressure. The emails offer fragments of private conversations from the period when Andrew and Epstein's association was attracting global attention, some 15 years ago. Epstein spent much of the day emailing contacts about the news that Andrew had lost his official trade role. In another message, Epstein wrote: 'I'm sure this is good for him, he will now be free.' He also forwarded a news article about Andrew stepping down to Ghislaine Maxwell, who replied simply: 'why?' Epstein responded: 'I think he wants to make money.' Andrew, now 66, was arrested last Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office after being accused of leaking secrets to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein while serving as the UK's trade envoy. He was released under investigation after spending 11 hours in custody, and police last night confirmed they had concluded searches of his former Windsor mansion, Royal Lodge. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, the FBI has noted a series of omitted interviews include an unsubstantiated allegation that Donald Trump forced a victim of Epstein's towards his 'exposed penis, which she subsequently bit'. The bureau had conversations with the woman on four occasions, which began in 2019, however, she 'refused to co-operate' with a possible probe into the US President, according to an email between FBI agents in July 2025. Trump has always denied any involvement or knowledge of the financier's crimes. The Department of Justice has also not answered queries from the NPR, as well as a number of Democrat senators who said the account is evidence that the trove of documents has been interfered with to protect the US President. An Afghan allegedly in prison for migrant smuggling has been boasting about his life behind bars in brazen posts on TikTok. Samiullah Ahmadzai, 26, has racked up thousands of views on his page, where he shows off his cell at Wormwood Scrubs in Hammersmith, west London. Videos show Ahmadzai perched on the top bunk of his bed filming Afghan flags he has drawn on the wall before panning to his well-stocked selection of snacks - including chocolate bars, fruit, fizzy drinks and sausages. The prisoner poses alongside his cellmate in other posts, which are often captioned with 'winking' and 'laughing' emojis. Ahmadzai also has the privilege of a television in his cell. In one clip, he is seen watching Stephen Mulhern's afternoon television show Deal or No Deal. The Afghan is being held at the jail for his alleged role in a 'dangerous' trafficking gang, and is currently undergoing extradition proceedings over a return to Belgium at Westminster Magistrates' Court. A source told The Sun of his TikTok page: 'This is so brazen it's unbelievable and it's highly embarrassing for the Prison Service. 'But they will now take action against him, disable his accounts and his life will become a lot tougher in jail.' Samiullah Ahmadzai, 26, an alleged migrant trafficker, has racked up thousands of views on his TikTok, where he posts videos about his cushy life inside Wormwood Scrubs The prisoner appears upbeat and in good spirits in his videos, many of which have been viewed more than 100,000 times One shows Ahmadzai filming his well stocked selection of snacks - including chocolate bars, fruit, fizzy drinks and sausages Figures shared by the Home Office earlier this month revealed that a total of 65,922 immigrants have crossed the channel on a small boat under Sir Keir Starmer. That total overtook the tally under Boris Johnson, a feat the Labour leader has managed in just over 19 months. One of Sir Keir's first acts in office after the 2024 general election was scrapping the previous governments Rwanda asylum deal. The programme had been designed to deter crossings by sending migrants to the east African country to claim asylum there rather than here. Labours flagship policy is a one in, one out deal with France which allows a small number of migrants to be sent back across the Channel. However, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood admitted to MPs earlier this month that the deal has obviously not dented the numbers yet. She also revealed that, at that point, 367 migrants had been brought into the UK under the reciprocal terms of the treaty and only 305 have been removed. The scheme has probably not affected migrants decisions to cross the Channel, she said, and they may well be banking on it not working or not being able to be scaled up. Ahmadzai also has the privilege of a television in his cell. In one clip, he is seen watching Stephen Mulhern's afternoon television show Deal or No Deal While in another an Afghan flag which the alleged criminal has drawn on the wall of his cell can be seen The Afghan is being held at the jail for his alleged role in a 'dangerous' trafficking gang She also declined to give a commitment that Labours asylum reforms will start to see a fall in the number of small boat arrivals by next year. There were 41,472 small boat crossings last year compared with 36,816 in 2024. Asked whether she could confidently say numbers would go down by this time next year, Ms Mahmood said Labours reforms would take some time to come into effect, adding: 'I can't guarantee I'm going to be in that position. When PM Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Macron announced their one in, one out deal last summer it was suggested it would see 50 migrants a week sent back to France. It is being operated as a pilot scheme and the agreement is due to expire at the end of June. The treaty which has allowed the 'one in, one out' scheme is unlikely to be renegotiated at that stage, experts suggest, because France will be looking ahead to its presidential election next spring. Iran and the United States prepared to meet Thursday in Geneva for nuclear negotiations, talks viewed as a last chance for diplomacy as America has gathered a fleet of aircraft and warships to the Middle East to pressure Tehran into a deal. US President Donald Trump wants a deal to constrain Iran's nuclear programme, and he sees an opportunity while the country is struggling at home with growing dissent following nationwide protests last month. Iran meanwhile has maintained it wants to continue to enrich uranium even as its programme sits in ruins following Trump ordering an attack in June on three of the Islamic Republic's nuclear sites. If an American attack happens, Iran has said all US military bases in the Mideast would be considered legitimate targets, putting at risk tens of thousands of American service members. Iran has also threatened to attack Israel following a bruising 12-day war last year, meaning a regional war again could erupt across the Middle East. 'There would be no victory for anybody - it would be a devastating war,' Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told India Today in an interview filmed Wednesday just before he flew to Geneva. 'Since the Americans' bases are scattered through different places in the region, then unfortunately perhaps the whole region would be engaged and be involved, so it is a very terrible scenario.' Araghchi again will sit across from Steve Witkoff, a billionaire real estate developer and friend of Trump who serves as a special Mideast envoy for the president. US special envoy Steve Witkoff (C) and Jared Kushner hold a meeting with Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi (R) in Geneva, February 26 USS Abraham Lincoln sails alongside USS Frank E Petersen Jr and USNS Carl Brashear in the Arabian Sea on February 6 US President Donald Trump wants a deal to constrain Iran's nuclear programme, and he sees an opportunity while the country is struggling at home The two men held multiple rounds of talks last year that collapsed after Israel launched its war against Iran in June. These latest talks are again being mediated by Oman, a sultanate on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula that's long served as an interlocutor between Iran and the West. Araghchi met Oman's Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi after arriving in Geneva on Wednesday night. The men 'reviewed the views and proposals that the Iranian side will present to reach an agreement on the Iranian nuclear programme, based on the guiding principles agreed upon in the previous round of negotiations,' a report from the state-run Oman News Agency said. Al-Busaidi will pass on Iran's offer to American officials on Thursday, it added. In this round of negotiations after the June war, Trump has pushed to halt Iran's enrichment of uranium entirely, as well as address Tehran's ballistic missile programme and its support of regional militant forces. Iran has maintained the talks must remain focused only on nuclear issues. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters Wednesday that Iran is 'always trying to rebuild elements' of its nuclear programme. US aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford is pictured docked at Souda Bay in the Greek Mediterranean island of Crete, on February 24 He said that Tehran is not enriching uranium right now, 'but they're trying to get to the point where they ultimately can'. Iran has said it hasn't enriched since June, but it has blocked inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency from visiting the sites America bombed. Satellite photos have shown activity at two of those sites, suggesting Iran is trying to assess and potentially recover material there. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated on Thursday that Tehran was not seeking nuclear weapons in line with the policy set by the country's supreme leader. 'Our Supreme Leader has already stated that we will not have nuclear weapons at all,' Pezeshkian said in a speech. 'Even if I wanted to move in that direction, I could not - from a doctrinal standpoint, I would not be permitted.' The West and the IAEA say Iran had a nuclear weapons programme until 2003. Before the June attack, it had been enriching uranium up to 60 per cent purity - a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent. US intelligence agencies assess that Iran has yet to restart a weapons programme, but has 'undertaken activities that better position it to produce a nuclear device, if it chooses to do so'. While insisting its programme is peaceful, Iranian officials have threatened to pursue the bomb in recent years. 'The principle's very simple: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,' US Vice President JD Vance told reporters at the White House on Wednesday. Vance said Trump is 'sending those negotiators to try to address that problem' and 'wants to address that problem diplomatically'. 'But, of course, the president has other options as well,' Vance added. If the talks fail, uncertainty hangs over the timing of any possible attack. If the aim of potential military action is to pressure Iran to make concessions in nuclear negotiations, it's not clear whether limited strikes would work. If the goal is to remove Iran's leaders, that will likely commit the US to a larger, longer military campaign. There has been no public sign of planning for what would come next, including the potential for chaos in Iran. There is also uncertainty about what any military action could mean for the wider region. Tehran could retaliate against the American-allied nations of the Persian Gulf or Israel. Oil prices have risen in recent days in part due to those concerns, with benchmark Brent crude now about $70 a barrel. Iran in the last round of talks said it briefly halted traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil traded passes. Satellite photos shot Tuesday and Wednesday by Planet Labs PBC appeared to show that American vessels typically docked in Bahrain, the home of the US Navy's 5th Fleet, were all out at sea. The 5th Fleet referred questions to the US military's Central Command, which declined to comment. Before Iran's attack on Qatar in June, the 5th Fleet similarly scattered its ships at sea to protect against a potential attack. Britain's Trident nuclear missiles might soon be unable to flatten Moscow as Vladimir Putin ramps up Russia's hightech air defences, a chilling new report warns. Russia's new 'missile shields' around Moscow have become so advanced that British and French nuclear warheads might no longer be able to get through, according to a report released on Thursday by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) military think tank in London. The report said Europe would have to acquire or build hypersonic missiles to ensure Moscow's air defences can be defeated. These missiles travel at five times the speed of sound and zigzag through the air, making them almost impossible to stop. Russia's new S500 and Nudol systems act like a highspeed 'catcher's mitt' in the sky, designed to shoot down the type of missiles carried by British submarines. Sidharth Kaushal, a research fellow for missile defence at Rusi, said enhancing Europe's longrange precisionstrike capabilities was becoming critical to safeguarding the credibility of Britain and France's nuclear deterrents. He said: 'It is not certain that they [Russia] will intercept every submarinelaunched ballistic missile, but potentially it is also not a certainty that the required number will get through.' The report warns that as Russia's defences around Moscow get better, we can no longer simply assume that Britain's or France's submarinefired missiles will actually reach their targets. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Defence Secretary John Healey visits a Vanguard class submarine off the coast of Scotland as it returns home from a period of duty at sea Russia's 'A235' system is specifically designed to bat away a nuclear attack on Moscow, while its advanced 'S500' shield acts like a highaltitude safety net, built to catch and destroy incoming longrange missiles. In the report, Dr. Sidharth Kaushal warns that Russia is building a hightech 'layered defence' around Moscow. By combining the A235 and S500 systems, Putin could create a nearly impenetrable bubble that stops Western missiles before they ever hit the ground. Britain's entire nuclear strike capability currently relies on just four Vanguard-class submarines. Each sub carries up to 16 Trident missiles, with each missile capable of splitting into 12 separate warheads to hit different targets. New Russian technology, like the S500 may be able to shoot down a Trident missile early in its flight. If the missile is destroyed before it releases its 12 warheads, Russia only has to hit one target instead of 12, making our deterrent much easier to stop. Launch vehicle of the S-500 air defence system The S-500 Prometheus. Russia claims that the S-500 is capable of intercepting all types of modern hypersonic weapons And unlike the United States, which has a massive arsenal, Britain and France do not have enough missiles to 'flood' or overwhelm Russia's hightech air shields. Analysts point to 2024, when the US and Israel successfully blocked 90 per cent of a 200-missile barrage from Iran. If Russia achieves that same success rate, Britain's relatively small nuclear fleet may no longer be enough to act as a credible deterrent. The report also finds that as missile production becomes cheaper, the UK could build them in much larger numbers, allowing the military to overwhelm enemy defences by striking more targets at once. In a major shift toward European cooperation, the UK is now working with Germany to develop a 'Deep Precision Strike' missile capable of hitting targets over 2,000km away, triple the range of our current frontline weapons. In a sobering address at Chatham House on Wednesday, the UK Minister for the Armed Forces, Al Carns, warned that Britain and its European allies must prepare for the very real threat of a major conflict by 202930. Carns noted that for 60 years, Europe has 'outsourced' much of its security and highend military capability to the United States. He warned that with the U.S. facing a 'multipolar' threat environment (referring to China and the Indo-Pacific), Europe can no longer assume the US will always be the primary guarantor of its safety. British firms have been locked out of a 150 billion European defence fund after the UK's bid to join the 'Safe' security program collapsed last year. While Germany reportedly backed UK involvement, France was accused of blocking the move to keep the funding within the EU. Carns hit back at the decision, calling it 'self-defeating' and insisting that the UK remains the 'cornerstone of European security.' This month, the UK announced a 400 million investment in long-range precision weapons to bypass the EU funding gap. A major portion of this funding is dedicated to developing hypersonic missiles, designed to outrun the Russian air defences currently threatening Britain's nuclear deterrent. A Ministry of Defence spokesman stated the UK is 'constantly reviewing' its nuclear posture to ensure our missiles can always adapt to and defeat the defensive measures used by adversaries. The shadow minister for education has called for Australian universities to phase out group assignments for good. Julian Leeser told the Universities Australia Solutions Summit on Thursday it should consider scrapping assignments that require multiple students to work on a single project. He highlighted data indicating millions of Australian university students would love to see the common assignment style banned. 'Unless there are compelling reasons or exceptional circumstances, I am calling on you to get rid of group assignments,' Leeser said in his address to the summit. While Leeser admitted a 2023 study from the Australian Catholic University found 'students perceive collaborative group work as beneficial in many ways', he believed group work overall 'cheapened' Australian degrees. 'There is always that student who does the work, and that student who reaps the benefit. It diminishes the role of the individual,' he said. Leeser added racial issues could also disadvantage international students during group projects, pointing to data that three in four international students in Australia experienced racism. 'In most cases, there is no compelling justification. I am calling on you to rethink assessments by focusing on whether we are truly and fairly assessing individuals on the basis of their individual performance,' he said. Shadow minister for education Julian Leeser (above) called for Australian universities to scrap group projects Two British men were given lengthy jail terms by an Indonesian court after being found guilty of smuggling cocaine into the popular holiday island of Bali. Kial Garth Robinson was sentenced to 11 years, while Piran Ezra Wilkinson landed a term of nine years. Both were also ordered to pay a fine of around $60,000 (47,000) or serve an additional 190 days. Robinson, 29, was arrested in September last year at Ngurah Rai International Airport after an officer found two packages containing 1.3 kilograms of cocaine in his backpack. He told the police that he was ordered by a man named Santos to transport the drugs from Barcelona to Bali and deliver them to Wilkinson, who had arrived a few days earlier. Wilkinson, 48, was arrested in Canggu the next day. Prosecutors said Robinson and Wilkinson were friends who lived in Thailand and had met in Barcelona a week before their arrests. Indonesia has some of the world's toughest anti-drug laws, including the death penalty for traffickers, but has maintained a moratorium on executions for several years. Two British men were given lengthy jail terms Thursday by an Indonesian court after being found guilty of smuggling cocaine into the popular holiday island of Bali. Pictured: Kial Garth Robinson (L) and Piran Ezra Wilkinson (R) walk to a court room during their trial on February 26 British national Kial Garth Robinson walks to a court room during his trial in Denpasar on the Indonesian resort island of Bali on February 26, 2026 There are dozens of traffickers on death row in the country. Indonesia last carried out executions in 2016, killing one Indonesian and three Nigerian drug convicts by firing squad. It was previously thought Robinson and Wilkinson would face execution by firing squad. Prosecutors had levelled three serious narcotics charges against Wilkinson, two of which carry the death penalty under Indonesias notoriously tough Article 113 drug laws. During earlier hearings at Denpasar District Court, he was accused of playing a key role in a trafficking operation that brought the cocaine onto the island. Robinson also faced capital charges after allegedly being caught with the drugs in his backpack at Balis international airport. Both men were initially warned they could face the ultimate punishment if convicted. Prosecutor Made Dipa Umbara told the court in December that Wilkinson was arrested in the early hours of September 4 after officers swooped on a luxury villa in Canggu - Bali's trendy nightlife hotspot. Police claim he had just accepted two plastic packages containing cocaine, weighing a combined 1.3kg. The dramatic sting unfolded after officers detained Robinson the night before at the airport. Officers said the drugs were found hidden in his black Samsonite backpack after he arrived on a flight from Barcelona via Istanbul. Robinson is said to have told investigators that the smuggling plan was arranged during a meeting in Barcelona with Wilkinson and a third man named Santos. He allegedly said Santos funded the trip with cryptocurrency, handing over around 2,280 for travel costs and promising a further 3,600 once the drugs were delivered. Earlier that month, Robinson appeared to smirk as he arrived in court wearing the distinctive orange Indonesian prison uniform. He was appearing for the first time at Denpasar District Court on December 2 following his arrest. In footage of Robinson being guided into the courthouse, he can be seen casually throwing up hand gestures, including a peace sign, while saying: 'Give them a smile. Give them a thumbs up'. Professional fly-tippers have dumped an 100ft-long river of rubbish in a woodland which will cost 20,000 to clear. The 40-tonne heap of waste, on Tinker Lane near Barnby Moor in Nottinghamshire, includes household and building materials, enough to fill 10 lorry loads. The Environment Agency has launched an investigation to find those responsible, but say judging from its scale is likely to be a criminal organisation behind the fly-tip. Tinker Lane sits just yards away from the busy A1 and close to the National Trust site Clumber Park, which sits in 3,800 acres of parkland. The huge mountain of rubbish was first noticed in January and is just one of a growing number of illegal fly-tips across Britain. The Government is facing demands for a clampdown on fly-tipping gangs after the number of recorded incidents rose 10 per cent in a year. Bassetlaw District Councillor Darrell Pulk said: 'We don't know who it is but with that scale of waste, we think it's probably a criminal organsiation who has set themselves up. 'It's not someone in a transit van who has dumped some items randomly, this is a planned group. 'It's an organised business to take people's waste and illegally dump it. 'They'll have false plates and people hide their identity and things. This particular venue is off the A1, they would've reversed up the drive in the dark and you wouldn't see it. A 40-tonne mountain of rubbish fly tipped on Tinker Lane off the A1 is being investigated by authorities The long line of rubbish, which is roughly 20m (65ft) long, has been left in Tinker Lane, just off the A1 near Barnby Moor in Nottinghamshire 'It started on the 19th of January. We went out to have a look, but the scale of the waste meant it was beyond our capacity. 'There wasn't any evidence for who dumped it. The Environmental Agency hasn't found any toxin materials so far, so it's going to be cleared up.' Nottinghamshire County Council has estimated the clean-up of the waste will cost at least 20,000. The Environment Agency said it is in the process of being cleared by private firm Veoila, with it expected to take several days. Cllr Pulk added: 'It's a proper professional job to remove it. It's not just a mattress on the side of the road.' 'It's going to cost in excess of 20,000 to move it because it's 5ft deep, 10ft wide and over 100ft long. 'The issue is if you get multiple waste deposited in an area at 20,000 a shot, it gets up to big money.' The 40-ton heap includes household and building materials, which could fill 10 lorry loads A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: 'We are investigating the illegal deposits of waste on Tinker Lane near Blythe, and we share the community's disgust at these cases of environmental vandalism. 'An estimated 40 tonnes of mixed building and general waste has been dumped on an adopted bridleway between the A1 and A634.' Nottinghamshire County Council has been approached for comment. The number of cases councils had to deal with last year jumped to 1.26 million in 2024/25, official figures show, up from the 1.15 million they had to deal with the previous year. Britain's biggest ever fly tip was discovered last year in a field next to the A34 in Oxfordshire. The massive 500ft-long mountain of abandoned rubbish, prompted activists to condemn the 'environmental catastrophe'. In Newport in Gwent, a dual carriageway has become a fly-tipping hotspot and the town has been dubbed the 'fly tipping capital of Britain.' Residents said they are 'at war' and are constantly working to clean countryside areas around their homes which have become blighted by the filth. Meanwhile, in Hertfordshire, a farmer was told he would have to foot a 40,000 bill after fly-tippers dumped 200 tons of rubbish on his land. He was only saved when a fundraiser was set up to help him pay for the cleanup. Life in one of the UK's biggest villages has been pretty idyllic up until now. Considered the gateway to the Cotswolds, Kidlington has both the quaint English village feel but with plenty of modern amenities on its doorstep. Just a short drive from Oxford, it strikes the perfect balance between rural charm and the hustle and bustle of city life. But peace in this charming, tight-knit community threatens to be shattered after the local parish council voted for it to become a town. The move has divided its 14,000 residents, with some concerned their picturesque village will become 'just another little town' and living costs will be pushed up. But others say its popularity has led to an influx of people moving there - and it is in need of better infrastructure to support the larger community. Parish councillors voted unanimously in favour of becoming a town earlier this month - and say it will give Kidlington better protection. However, many residents remain unconvinced by the move including Tony Lewis, 81, who said: 'It's a bad step because we had the distinction of being the biggest village in England. Kidlington, on the outskirts of the Cotswolds in Oxfordshire, is set to become a town following a Parish Council vote but the 13,000 residents have been left divided by the move Gloria Mundy (pictured), 72, said: 'I have been here since 1975 and it's always been a village and it's got that village feel. Calling it a town, I can't see any advantages at the moment' 'Now we are just another little town. The other thing is that once you become a town people want a mayor and a town council, loads more councillors and the rates will go up like mad. The retiree, who has lived in Kidlington for 38 years, claimed that becoming a town would lead to a 'lot more money' being spent for the 'privilege of being something which is totally unnecessary'. 'I believe money should have been allocated to other things like potholes for instance. The roads are in the most disgraceful state I have ever seen,' he added. Kidlington's population stood at 13,600 in 2021 but this is set to increase dramatically due to the number of developments planned there. Disagreeing with the move, Gloria Mundy, 72, retired said: 'I have been here since 1975 and it's always been a village and it's got that village feel. Calling it a town, I can't see any advantages at the moment.' Ms Munday added that it would be her preference to remain a village because it has 'more of a community feel'. She said: 'A town to me seems something that it's not. I don't know what it represents being a town. 'My experience, when things like that are said I have very little faith because it never comes to fruition. 'I can't see by being a town it's going to improve.' Tony Lewis (pictured), 81, called he idea a 'bad step because we had the distinction of being the biggest village in England An aerial view of Kidlington. Residents opposed to the plan are concerned the changes will lead to a rise in council tax. But there remains supporters of the plan who point out green belt land around towns now get greater protection Peter Talboys, 86, retired said: 'My concern is why spending a lot of money on this town thing when they should be fixing potholes and all the fly-tipping?' 'We assume there isn't going to be any differences. 'The trouble with Kidlington is that is just charity shops, barbers and nail bars - there's no real shops that are of any use. 'Whether the town status will bring nice shops back it's unlikely but we will never know.' Janet O'Brien said: 'I really think it should stay as a village - we've got enough big busy towns around here without having any more.' Resident Jacquie Hobbs said: 'It's always been a village and it's our village - all the people that have grown up here and know it as it is.' However, the move has been welcomed by many residents. Alex Babic, 54, said: 'People who are born and bread here might not like the idea of it changing because nobody really likes anything to change but things move on. Peter Talboys (pictured), 86, retired said:'Whether the town status will bring nice shops back it's unlikely but we will never know' 'The population is much more larger now than it was 20 years ago for instance and the infrastructure needs to be able to support that and as a result it can't stay as a village forever. 'I think it would have been useful to have allowed the residents of Kidlington to have their own say on it. and I don't think that was ever done. Lifelong resident Robert Allen, 49, said he had no 'sentimental attachment' to Kidlington waving its village status. He continued: 'We were the biggest village in Europe, what did that actually lead to? It's not like it became a tourist destination as a result of it. 'If Kidlington becomes a suburb of Oxford and if that improves the actual overall standard in Kidlington if there's more money for policing, for improving the roads and some of the parks then great I am happy for it. 'You wake up and you still live in Kidlington. It was always a large village and now it might be a small town, you know? I don't think it's going to affect anyone's day to day lives.' Kidlington first attempted to change into a town in 1988 - but this was voted against at the time. Changes to the Governments planning rules last year mean that green belt land around towns now get greater protection. Green belt land around villages has been downgraded to grey belt. Government policy also means that the former village will get greater police cover as a town. Lifelong resident Robert Allen (pictured), 49, said he had no 'sentimental attach' to Kidlington waving its village status. We were the biggest village in Europe, what did that actually lead to? It's not like it became a tourist destination as a result of it' Councillors said that if Kidlington becomes a town it would more defensible from 'land grabs' and prevent it from being absorbed into Oxford. Leader of Oxford City Council Susan Brown welcomed the decision for Kidlington to become a town. She said: 'As the parish council says, this will help unlock important new funding streams to support Kidlington residents and businesses.' She added that under the city council's plans for a Greater Oxford council with expanded boundaries, Kidlington Town Council would have a 'louder voice' and play an important role in neighbourhood level governance. Councillor Melanie Moorhouse said the move would give the Oxfordshire community important extra protections in planning and policing decisions. She told the BBC: 'By making a change of our status, we can give Kidlington those protection. I do want to stress, this doesn't mean that anyone has to start calling it a town - people can still say they're going to the village,' she said. 'Our hope is very much that it will not change our community - it will in fact secure our very much community identity.' She added: 'The reason the conversation came about was to protect our green belt and to allow the town to have more policing. 'What residents have told us is that they don't want Kidlington to be a suburb of Oxford. This is us as a council trying to take care of Kidlington' interests.' Liberal Democrat MP Calum Miller, who represents Bicester and Woodstock, said he respected the outcome and supported the decision for Kidlington to become a town. He added: 'We are in a period of rapid change, with major growth pressures across Oxfordshire and local government reorganisation on the horizon. 'In that context, it is entirely reasonable for communities to want a stronger voice and clearer representation. 'Kidlington Parish Council has run a thorough and transparent consultation, with extensive resident engagement and a clear recognition of Kidlington's history and identity. 'Town status will help Kidlington speak for itself, protect its distinct place in Oxfordshire and make sure decisions about its future are shaped with local people, not done to them.' Green councillor Ian Middleton, who represents Kidlington on the parish, district and county council, said: 'I think one of the reasons why Kidlington is making that step now is because it makes the town more defensible by any land grabs by Greater Oxford. 'We are a town in our own right now, and it gives us a stronger position rather than being absorbable by this single monolithic city.' A Chinese company has piled up $26million in cash for its end-of-year party, allowing employees to go home with as much as they can carry. The firm, Henan Kuangshan Crane, held its annual party on February 13 and placed the vast sum of cash on 800 banquet tables. Under bright, coloured lights, suited employees were seen gleefully eyeing the piles of notes on the tables. An estimated 7,000 people attended the company's celebration. One employee managed to carry home $13,000 worth of cash, according to the Korean newspaper Chosun Daily. During the company's gala, the firm's boss, Cui Peijun, reportedly said: 'Why are we giving out washing machines? Do you think gold prices have gone up? 'In previous years, we gave necklaces and rings, bring up the cash and give everyone another 20,000 yuan ($2,800).' He said of the unusual method of handing out bonuses: 'Some people ask why we dont just transfer the money to their accounts, but that way, its just cold numbers.' A Chinese company has piled up $26million in cash for its end-of-year party, allowing employees to go home with as much as they can carry An estimated 7,000 people attended the company's lavish celebration The firm's boss, Cui Peijun, said: 'Some people ask why we dont just transfer the money to their accounts, but that way, its just cold numbers' Cui holds 98.88 percent of the companys shares, effectively returning a major portion of his dividends to employees. The company, which makes and hires out cranes, was set up in 2002 and has business operations in over 130 countries. It has a history of generosity towards its employees. In 2024, the company recorded a net profit of $38million, of which around $24million was given to employees. In 2023, the firm gave $8.5million to its 40 highest-performing workers, with the three best salespeople each earning $730,000. To celebrate International Women's Day last March, it awarded bonuses totaling nearly $230,000 to nearly 2,000 female employees. Peijun has previously spoken out about his motivation for giving out so much money to his staff: 'It is not that I love giving out money, it is that young people are burdened with car loans and mortgages and any relief we can offer helps.' In 2022, he gave away $4.7million to over 4,000 university students from low-income backgrounds. Workers were seen counting out huge sums of money given to them by the crane company Your browser does not support iframes. According to the South China Morning Post, Peijun himself was forced to cut his own education short as his family could not afford the fees. He said of his act of charity: 'Poverty should not be passed down to the next generation. They shouldnt be stopped from attending school because of poor living conditions.' According to data from the World Bank, China has consistently outperformed both the UK and US in terms of GDP growth every year since 1977. In 2024, China achieved a 5 percent annual growth. The US saw a 2.8 percent growth, while the UK saw a paltry 1.1 percent increase in GDP. The IMF said in its World Economic Outlook in January that while the UK is expected to grow just 1.3 percent in 2026, China is set to grow by 4.5 percent. Despite this, China's GDP per capita is still significantly lower than both the UK and US. The metric is often used as a measure of the standard of living in a nation. While the US currently has a GDP per capita of $84,534 and the UK has one of $53,246, China is far behind at just $13,303. But while China and the US have consistently seen their quality of life rise since at least 1968, the UK has been in a nearly two-decade stint of stagnation. Britain's last peak was in 2007, just before the global financial crisis, when its GDP per capita was $50,629. It wasn't until 2024 that this was surpassed. Locksley Resources Limited (ASX:LKY) (FRA:X5L) (OTCMKTS:LKYRF) is an ASX listed explorer focused on critical minerals in the United States of America. The Company is actively advancing exploration across two key assets: the Mojave Project in California, targeting rare earth elements (REEs) and antimony. Locksley Resources aims to generate shareholder value through strategic exploration, discovery and development in this highly prospective mineral region. Mojave Project Located in the Mojave Desert, California, the Mojave Project comprises over 250 claims across two contiguous prospect areas, namely, the North Block/Northeast Block and the El Campo Prospect. The North Block directly abuts claims held by MP Materials, while El Campo lies along strike of the Mountain Pass Mine and is enveloped by MP Materials' claims, highlighting the strong geological continuity and exploration potential of the project area. In addition to rare earths, the Mojave Project hosts the historic "Desert Antimony Mine", which last operated in 1937. Despite the United States currently having no domestic antimony production, demand for the metal remains high due to its essential role in defense systems, semiconductors, and metal alloys. With significant surface sample results, the Desert Mine prospect represents one of the highest-grade known antimony occurrences in the U.S. Locksley's North American position is further strengthened by rising geopolitical urgency to diversify supply chains away from China, the global leader in both REE & antimony production. With its maiden drilling program planned, the Mojave Project is uniquely positioned to align with U.S. strategic objectives around critical mineral independence and economic security. Tottenham Project Locksley's Australian portfolio comprises the advanced Tottenham Copper-Gold Project in New South Wales, focused on VMS-style mineralisation in a well established mining region. Locksley is committed to delivering value through discovery, development, and strategic partnerships, with a focus on securing access to U.S. aligned funding and downstream collaborations. This is the terrifying moment a hippopotamus flipped a boat, throwing a ranger into the water as his father helplessly looked on from a nearby raft. The incident occurred in a dam in Lowveld, South Africa, at Kruger National Park. Members of Parawild Edu-Capture, a conservationist group, were attempting to catch the hippo and its calf which had escaped from a farm due to recent flooding. They were going to shoot the animals with dart guns to they could safely transport them back to their home. However, chaos ensued when Zander, a conservationist on a boat, was suddenly launched into the water after the enormous hippo flipped the vessel from underneath. Footage shows the man scrambling to safety on top of the upturned boat as other members of the group look on in horror, before the man's father instinctively draws his pistol. Speaking to Swiss newspaper 20 minuten, Zander's father Andre Pienarar said: 'More to make myself feel better this weapon can't do much against such a dangerous animal.' The hippo retreated after the incident, and Pienaar said he heard it snorting 40 metres away. Chaos ensued when Zander, a conservationist on a boat, was suddenly launched into the water after the enormous hippo flipped the vessel from underneath Footage shows the man scrambling to safety on top of the upturned boat as other members of the group look on in horror He added: 'The hippopotamus didn't like the idea, so we withdrew. We have time. We'll try again another day.' The viral video has now served as a warning, with Pienaar writing on Facebook: 'Hippos are responsible for more human fatalities in Africa than almost any other large animal and today were reminded why. 'During this darting operation, the hippo charged and flipped our boat, throwing a team member into the water and capsizing the vessel completely. 'This is not staged. This is real wildlife work.' Hippos are Africa's deadliest large mammal, and they cause a shocking 500-3,000 deaths annually. They are very territorial animals, especially in water, and a direct encounter with one has a fatality rate of 86%. In March 2024, a large hippo in the Chobe River in Namibia attacked a large tour group on a boat. Witnesses claim the skipper had approached a few bathing hippos from a 'safe distance' when suddenly a large, male hippo charged at the boat. The skipper jumped into action and tried to facilitate an escape, but the boat was on the ground under shallow water, leaving it at the mercy of the huge marine mammal. The hippo opened its huge mouth and began to chomp down on the boat's outboard motor, leaving the plastic surroundings cracked. Footage taken moments before the incident show the conservationist sitting on a boat One tourist, Jackie Boshoff, who was on the river tour at the time of the incident, said she 'actually couldn't believe what was happening in front of me'. 'We were quiet on the boat, not making a lot of noise, and the engine was off as we approached them from a safe distance,' Boshoff said. 'Then suddenly one particular male hippo begun chasing the boat out of nowhere. 'When our skipper realised there was a potential problem of him hitting the boat, he turned the boat and headed away. And later that year in May, a 70-year-old tourist was tragically killed by a hippo in Zambia while on a dream holiday with her husband. Lisa Manders was on an African safari when she was attacked by the beast, suffering 'catastrophic injuries' which she then died from. Last year, a holidaymaker in St Lucia was knocked down by a hippo after she ignored a warning not to approach it. In video footage, a person behind the camera can be heard shouting, 'he's going to charge' and telling a child 'this is what you call an idiot' as the woman moves closer to the animal. The video then shows the enraged beast charging at the woman before using its head to ram her face-first to the ground as bystanders watch on in horror. The cameraman shouts, 'you're stupid' as the stunned woman gets to her feet and staggers away, leaning on a man for support. According to local media, the tourists involved were ordered out of St Lucia, and accommodation establishments advised them not to take future bookings from them. A reality TV contestant is locked in a 500,000 court fight with his racing-falcon breeding neighbours over a ruling that noisy construction work at his property 'killed' off several birds. Barnes Thomas, a former art dealer who appeared on Bear Grylls' survival skills show 'The Island' in 2018, is accused of having caused so much stress to the animals that three died, seven pairs failed to breed and seven eggs were lost. Last year, a judge ruled he should have been more careful not to upset the gyr falcons belonging to brothers Martin and Scott Nicholas. After losing his court fight, Mr Thomas, 30, who lives in Cornwall, was handed a compensation and costs bill totalling about 500,000, on top of his own substantial legal bills. But he is fighting the ruling in the Court of Appeal and now claims it was 'unfair' he was blamed for the stress death of his neighbours' 'incredibly sensitive' birds of prey. The birds are highly susceptible to disturbances including noise and visual threats, meaning even flying a kite within eyesight of the falcons can seriously harm their emotional state. The court was told Martin, 43, and Scott, 44, who run business Raptors of Penwith (ROP), have effectively limited Mr Thomas' rights to use his land for common purposes, instead requiring he tip-toe around throughout the breeding season. His lawyers say the judge's ruling means Mr Thomas is unreasonably restricted at his home, after the court heard the falcons are 'stress monsters' who can be terrified even by the sight of a 'kite on a string.' Mr Thomas appeared on Bear Grylls' survival show 'The Island' in 2018, later describing it as the 'worst experience of my entire life' after packing a velvet coat, sleeping in an ants' nest and accidentally burning his socks over a fire. Barnes Thomas, a former art dealer who appeared on Bear Grylls' survival skills show 'The Island' in 2018, is accused of having caused so much stress to the animals that several died, seven pairs failed to breed and seven eggs were lost (Pictured at the Court of Appeal this week) Land owned by Mr Thomas (left) sits close to the brothers' aviary, where three birds died Having grown up on a cattle farm and worked as an art dealer, he later set himself up as a farmer in his own right on the edge of the idyllic Cornish village of St Just, close to Land's End. But he soon found himself at war with his neighbours, falcon-breeding brothers Martin and Scott Nicholas, over claims his noisy building work caused the death of three valuable birds. The Nicholas brothers run their raptor business on adjoining land, breeding gyr and peregrine falcons, which they sell to be used in falcon races in Dubai. Last April a judge ruled that work on Mr Thomas' land had caused three gyr falcons to die, and ordered him to pay Raptors of Penwith Ltd 300,000 in compensation and interest, and more than 180,000 towards the breeders' lawyers' bills. The brothers sued for nuisance and negligence, arguing that noisy work on Mr Thomas' land during their birds' breeding seasons had caused the death of the birds, reduced overall breeding and also resulted in egg loss, with some birds damaging them. For three days, a JCB bucket had been raised in the birds' line of sight, which Scott Nicholas said had caused them to 'go mental at the sight of this alien object.' Through their company, they claimed the acts breached a duty of care 'not to cause or permit the falcons to suffer excessive noise or visual threats, in particular during the breeding season.' Giving judgment on the nuisance and negligence claims, Judge Russen said he was convinced that the actions of Mr Thomas and his company, Upper Cot Estate Ltd (UCE), had caused the three birds' deaths. He said Mr Thomas had been told that March to June was the time to avoid excessive noise and visual disturbances, but that videos taken in the incubation room while building work was done on his barn showed the 'noise upsetting the birds.' 'These activities, related to the building of the barn, cannot be said to be outside the ordinary and common use of agricultural land - but they were carried out without proper consideration of Raptors of Penwith's breeding season,' he said. In relation to the raising of the digger bucket, he added: 'For the purpose of on-site inspection by an engineer, the bucket was raised. 'With the bucket raised next to the aviary for those three days, the machine broke the line of sight of at least some birds in the western pens. Mr Thomas appeared on reality show The Island in 2018, describing it as one of the worst experiences of his life The brothers became angry over construction to the barn (back right) close to their aviary (left) 'Placing the digger on the birds' line of sight on 7 April, 2022, was entirely at odds with ensuring that no undue inconvenience was caused to Raptors of Penwith.' The judge found that three gyr falcons died as a result of 'stress created by the acts of nuisance' and awarded compensation in relation to them. Giving judgment following the nine-day High Court trial last year, Judge Russen KC said the 'bitter' row which erupted between the three had 'acquired real momentum... over a relatively short space of time.' Mr Thomas had 'proved to be a controversial neighbour,' creating an illegal lake on his land and temporarily removing a stile on a public footpath, causing 'opposition within the wider neighbourhood.' He had earlier described himself as 'the most hated man' in his former home village of Mousehole, having pre-empted the switching on of community Christmas lights by illuminating his own decorations first, the court heard. But appealing to three senior judges at the Court of Appeal, Mr Thomas' barrister Tom Weekes KC this week argued that Judge Russen had got his judgment completely wrong. Arguing before Lord Justice Moylan, Lord Justice Nugee and Lady Justice Whipple, he said Mr Thomas' use of the land to erect a barn and store materials for his scaffolding business were all 'common and ordinary use of land.' He said the law states that an activity on land cannot be deemed a legal 'nuisance' if it only interferes with a 'particularly sensitive occupier or a particularly sensitive trade.' And it would be 'unfair' if the brothers' bird-breeding next door would be allowed to limit his use of his own property - 'so as to effectively appropriate the neighbour's land as a buffer for the protection of the sensitive trade.' He likened it to London Zoo moving its giraffes to residential Kilburn, in north London, and then suing locals if they weren't quiet during breeding times, or an observatory moving to a village and telling residents to turn their lights off at night. Martin Nicholas (pictured), 43, had sued Mr Thomas with his brother after the deaths of three of his prized falcons Brothers Scott (pictured) and Martin accused Mr Thomas of deliberately upsetting their birds by making too much noise with heavy machinery at anti-social hours 'The learned judge should have dismissed ROP's nuisance claim on a straightforward application of the common law principle that 'a man cannot increase the liabilities of his neighbour by applying his own property to special uses, whether for business or pleasure',' he said. 'Absent a finding that the erection of the barn/the scaffolding business substantially interfered with the ordinary use and enjoyment of Martin and Scott Nicholas' land, rather than ROP's sensitive business, those activities did not cross the threshold of creating an interference that was sufficiently serious to be capable of being a nuisance.' Although the brothers' aviary is in a rural area, if they required a 'buffer' to protect it then they should either site it on a larger piece of land, erect their own audio or visual barriers or make an agreement with neighbours in relation to their activities, the court was told. 'Leaving aside the intricacies of the legal analysis, the outcome at the trial tells us that something has gone badly wrong with the judgment,' the barrister continued. 'To an extent that would be uncertain even to someone who is an expert in the breeding of falcons, the judgment implies that, for much of the year, the appellants must keep quiet and refrain from positioning things in the air. 'A wide range of perfectly normal uses of the land would be unlawful - or, at least, risk litigation. The utility of the land, and therefore its value, would have been greatly reduced. 'Raptors of Penwith would have succeeded in "appropriating" Upper Cot Estate's land as a buffer to protect its sensitive business.' But for the brothers and their business, Jonathan Seitler KC said operation of the scaffolding business, including the operation of a 10m truck-mounted crane which posed a 'visual threat' to the birds, was not 'a common or ordinary use' of the land. HE said there had also been 'excessive noise' created by the operation of diggers and JCB excavators and by the unloading and loading of granite from a steel trailer. He added just because the falcons were 'sensitive to excessive noise and visual disturbances,' it did not mean bird-keeping there amounted to a 'special use' of the land. Assessment of the noise and visual disturbances also had to be done in the context of the rural area, in which the judge found as a fact that the siting of an aviary was an 'ordinary' use of land. 'The learned judge's findings of fact regarding the character of the locality informed his assessment of whether the appellants' activities constituted a nuisance,' he said. He said there could not be any 'sensible dispute' that the nuisances amounted to 'substantial interference' with the aviary, including scaffolding poles being dropped onto each other from 10m and by granite being worked on, causing 'the entire aviary to vibrate.' 'These activities would have amounted to a substantial interference in the case of general livestock - for example, cows during calving - had ROP put its land to these more 'ordinary' or 'usual' purposes. 'Simply complaining that ROP's use of its land is for a 'sensitive' purpose does not grant the appellants immunity from liability in private nuisance so that they are free to generate excessive noise and vibrations adversely affecting the use of the land without any regard for the harm caused. 'Fundamentally, the appellants' case is contrary to the balance between neighbours' opposing interests in the use of their respective land which the law aspires to strike.' Following a two-day hearing in London, the appeal judges reserved their decision on the appeal until a later date. A group of young women who suddenly appeared at a science symposium funded by Jeffrey Epstein and attended by Stephen Hawking were probably victims of the disgraced financier, a Nobel prize-winning physicist has claimed. Phillip Peebles, who won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2019, said he had no knowledge of Epstein's crimes when he attended the 2006 gathering on the Caribbean island of St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. But he now believes there may have been a darker reason for the presence of several young women during a break in proceedings. The event, held five months before Epstein was charged with soliciting prostitution from a minor, brought together 24 eminent scientists to discuss one of the deepest unresolved problems in modern physics, how to reconcile Einstein's theory of general relativity with quantum mechanics. Hawking was photographed at the symposium with two women in an image later released by the US Department of Justice as part of the Epstein files. His family have said the women were his carers, who travelled everywhere with him. The British scientist died in 2018 aged 76, having lived with motor neurone disease for more than 50 years. Peebles said the meeting was presented as a serious academic conference backed by a wealthy benefactor interested in establishing an 'institute for advanced study' in the Virgin Islands. He described the discussions as intense and serious. But one memory from the trip has stayed with him. Hawking was photographed at the symposium on the Caribbean island of St Thomas with two women in an image later released by the US Department of Justice as part of the Epstein files. His family have said the women were his carers, who travelled everywhere with him Pictures that emerged in 2015 showed Hawking in his wheelchair attending a barbecue on the island during the trip 'Between talks, discussions, we would gather for coffee and mill about, very standard,' he told The Times. 'At one time there appeared comely young women who stood about, not saying anything. I couldn't imagine what they were doing.' At the time, he said, their presence seemed odd but not alarming and he largely forgot about it. Only after Epstein's arrest and the subsequent revelations about his abuse of underage girls and young women did he revisit the memory. 'I take it for granted that these young women were part of his collection of people who suffered,' he said. Peebles estimated there were six to ten of them and said they appeared younger than any of the female scientists present, though he could not judge their ages. As far as he was aware, Epstein himself was not at the event. However, Peebles and other scientists took a boat trip to picnic on the financier's nearby private island, Little St James. He said Epstein sought to cultivate links with leading figures in physics and other fields. Privately funded conferences were not unusual in his experience and he said he did not question the identity of the benefactor at the time. What distinguished this meeting, he said, was its small size and the silent presence of the young women who 'just stood there'. The theoretical physicist was seen grinning from ear-to-ear alongside two women clutching what appear to be fruity cocktails in a photograph uncovered by the Daily Mail on Tuesday. The Hawking family said that the photo was taken at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on the Caribbean island of St Thomas in 2006. Hawking is referenced numerous times in the trove of Epstein documents released by the US Department of Justice. There is no suggestion that his appearance in the files implies wrongdoing. Hawking posed for the image after having delivered a speech on Quantum Cosmology at a science symposium, his family said. The Hawking estate declined to say who took the photo or offer an explanation as to how it ended up in the Epstein files. A spokesperson for the Hawking Family told the Daily Mail: 'Professor Hawking made some of the greatest contributions to physics in the 20th century while at the same time being the longest-known survivor of motor neurone disease, a debilitating condition which left him reliant on a ventilator, voice synthesiser, wheelchair and round-the-clock medical care. 'Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct on his part is wrong and far-fetched in the extreme.' The conference was hosted at the five-star Ritz Carlton hotel on St Thomas, where rooms can cost more than $1,600 (1,190) per night. A post on the blog of the Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation described the event, titled The Energy of Empty Space That Isn't Zero, and said 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'. Attendees appeared to split their time between St Thomas and Little St James, Epstein's private island, where he personally hosted guests. Photographs that later emerged showed Hawking attending a barbecue on the island during the trip. He was also given a submarine tour of the seabed, with the vessel reportedly modified so he could take part. The scientist, who had lived with motor neurone disease for decades, had never previously been underwater. Hawking was later mentioned in court documents after Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre alleged he had 'participated in an underage orgy' on the island. The allegation was strongly denied at the time and there is no evidence to support it. Court filings showed Epstein instructed associates to challenge the claim and seek statements to rebut it. 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. Hawking is referenced numerous times in the trove of Epstein documents released by the US Department of Justice. There is no suggestion that his appearance in the files implies wrongdoing. Have YOU been falsely matched by facial recognition? An innocent man is suing the police after facial recognition software confused him for a suspected burglar in a town 100 miles away. Alvi Choudhury, 26, was working from home in Southampton at the house he shares with his parents when officers arrested him and held him in custody for 10 hours before he was finally freed with no further action at 2am. Automated facial recognition software, used by Thames Valley Police, had matched him to a 3,000 burglary suspect in Milton Keynes. But Mr Choudhury claims CCTV footage of the alleged crime featured a younger man who looked different to him in every way except for their curly hair. He is now seeking damages from Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Constabulary, which took him into custody, claiming his neighbours witnessed his arrest in January which left his father very anxious and left him unable to work the following day. Mr Choudhury was eventually freed with no further action at 2am. Matches made using facial recognition technology require the suspect's mugshot to be stored on the police system. Mr Choudhury's face was on the database after he was wrongly arrested in 2021 having been attacked during a night out in Portsmouth. UK police forces use a German algorithm procured by the Home Office to trawl through around 19million mugshots on the national database. Innocent man Alvi Choudhury is suing the police after facial recognition software confused him for a suspected burglar in a town 100 miles away They run around 25,000 searches a month and, according to the National Police Chiefs' Council, the matches should be treated as intelligence and not fact. Mr Choudhury said the suspect his face was matched with looked around 10 years younger than him, with lighter skin, a larger nose, smaller lips and no facial hair. Thames Valley Police insisted the decision to arrest Mr Choudhury was made following a human visual assessment as well as the technology match. But the force admitted the mistake 'may have been the result of bias within facial recognition technology'. The facial recognition software is far from fool-proof and Home Office research revealed in December that matches for black faces are false positives 5.5 per cent of the time, while Asian face matches end up being false positives in 4 per cent of cases. Both figures are far higher than the 0.04 per cent of white face matches which result in false positives. An officer told Mr Choudhury: 'As the use of facial recognition is already subject to review at a strategic level, I do not feel the need to raise this issue as part of wider organisational learning.' The innocent man said he was taken into custody despite the differences between his face and the one in the clip. He added that he also presented evidence of work meetings in Southampton on the day of the alleged crime 115 miles away. When he quizzed officers at Hampshire police station about whether he looked at all like the man in the video, they erupted into laughter, he claimed. Mr Choudhury added that once Thames Valley cops turned up to interview him they realised that the suspect in the clip was not him. Ian Clayton said he was told to leave a Home Bargains shop in Chester after facial recognition technology claimed he had stolen items He is now concerned that having a second mugshot on the system following the incident could lead to more wrongful arrests. Mr Choudhury added that the saga makes him look 'dodgier' which could affect him negatively given he sometimes needs security clearance to work for government clients in his work as a software engineer. Police and crime commissioners have previously warned of 'concerning in-built bias' and insisted that while 'there is no evidence of adverse impact in any individual case, that is more by luck than design'. A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: 'While we apologise for the distress caused to the complainant in this case, their arrest was based on the investigating officers' own visual assessment that the individual matched the suspect in CCTV footage following a retrospective facial recognition match, and was not influenced by racial profiling. 'To confirm, retrospective facial recognition technology did initially provide intelligence, but did not determine the arrest. 'Although later enquiries eliminated the individual from the investigation, this does not make the arrest unlawful. 'We continue to use policing tools responsibly while striving to improve and build trust in our communities.' Mr Choudhury's lawyer, Iain Gould of DPP Law said: 'This isnt Policing by consent, and nor is it policing by common sense. 'In this case, the police have been playing AI lottery with peoples lives, and Alvi has been wrongly arrested; now the police must pay the price for that.' In response to Mr Choudhury's ordeal, Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: 'When used in a way which respects and protects peoples rights, facial recognition and similar technologies may help to combat serious crime and keep people safe. 'However, as we have seen, there is a danger that these technologies can be inaccurate and falsely identify people. 'The data shows that there are racial disparities for false positive identification, causing human rights infringements and distress to those affected. 'That means we need clear rules, to guarantee that facial recognition technology is used only where necessary, proportionate and constrained by appropriate safeguards. 'To ensure the new framework is being followed correctly, a new independent body should be established with appropriate enforcement and oversight powers to ensure compliance.' Last month South Wales Police paid damages to a black man who was identified as a possible match to a stalking suspect despite being 32nd on the list of suggested matches on the facial recognition technology. It came after an innocent grandfather was wrongly accused of being a thief after facial recognition technology suggested he had stolen items. Ian Clayton, 67, said he was told to leave a Chester Home Bargains shop after the technology claimed he was involved in a theft he said had nothing to do with him. After being asked to leave, Mr Clayton contacted security company Facewatch, which sent him his photo with words saying he had put items into a bag and stolen them. The facial recognition technology flags suspicious movements such as goods being stuffed into bags and sends a message to workers with footage and where the behaviour is happening. It also sends an alert to staff if a so-called subject of interest on a watchlist enters a shop. But Facewatch admitted Mr Clayton should not have appeared on its system, saying it had permanently removed his image and 'the associated record'. Hampshire Constabulary declined to comment. A fish and chip shop run by two brothers in York has been crowned as Britain's best after the pair wowed judges with their 'sensational' dishes. Aman and Gavin Dhesi, who run The Scrap Box in Dunnington, scooped Takeaway of the Year at the The National Fish & Chip Awards, considered the 'Oscars' of the industry. They said the honour was 'one every chippy dreams of'. Aman, 36, and Gavin, 33, who followed in their father's footsteps in running a chippy, are believed to be the first ever non-white winner of this category. 'I think that matters in today's world,' Aman said. 'I wish it didnt matter, but theres lots of ideas of what fish and chips is and who it represents.' He said that Asian-run shops and takeaways had received hateful comments on social media. 'So being proven the best in the country is something we are really proud of. It just shows that fish and chips primarily is a working-class dish.' 'It doesnt matter about race or anything. It is us as working-class people alongside other working-class Brits.' Two brothers, Aman and Gavin Dhesi, who run The Scrap Box in York, scooped The National Fish & Chip Awards 2026 Takeaway of the Year last night at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London Aman, 36, and Gavin, 33, won the 38th iteration of the UK's official fish and chip competition The Scrap Box in York, was one of four chippies nominated that were based in Yorkshire He continued: 'There are so many outstanding fish and chip shops across the UK, and countless awards, but this is the one every chippy dreams of the Oscars of our industry. 'With the most rigorous judging and the highest calibre of past winners, its a true honour to be recognised at this level. 'To represent the very best of fish and chips for the year ahead is both humbling and hugely meaningful to our team and a testament to the craft, care, and consistency we put into every portion of fish and chips.' A haddock and chips at the Scrap Box costs 10.95 while a cod and chips costs 11.95. They also serve chippy classics such as mushy peas, curry sauce and a homemade tartare sauce. The takeaway opened nearly a decade ago and now do seasonal specials with different fish varieties. In January, they served a hake lunch time special which cost just 7.95. They use traditional beef dripping to fry their fish and chips, compared to the modern, and cheaper, vegetable oil used in other chippies. The chippy can be found in a layby on the outskirts of York, in a building which used to be a public toilet block. It said on their website: 'The two brothers Amam and Gavin came across the site which in its former life certainly has a few stories, as we're sure many laybys do! 'It primarily served as a toilet block which you wouldn't think acts as the greatest inspiration. 'But the vision was there to create a chippy...In time, we've become everyone's local.' The Scrap Box wrote that they 'try to give back where we can' by sponsoring a local cricket club in Dunnington and by buying footballs for an under-15s football team. The menu at best takeaway winner The Scrap Box: a haddock and chips costs 10.95 while a cod and chips costs 11.95 The Fish Works, in Largs, Scotland nabbed second place in the prestigious competition Mike Shaw (pictured) owns of Shaws Fish & Chips of Dodsworth that came 3rd in this year's competition The awards, which started in 1988, was held on Wednesday night at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London. In second place was The Fish Works, in Largs, Scotland and in third was Shaws Fish & Chips of Dodworth in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. In the competition, Yorkshire boasted the most nominations for the best takeaway award with four, followed by Scotland with two. The National Fish & Chip Takeaway of the Year winners and nominees Winners 1. The Scrap Box, York 2. The Fish Works, Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland 3. Shaws Fish and Chips, Barnsley, South Yorkshire Nominees Bells Fish and Chips (Framwellgate), Durham The Fish Inn, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex Brockley's Rock, Brockley, south-east London Harrison's Fish & Chip C., Oxford Mister C's, Selby, North Yorkshire The Fish Bank, Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire Garioch Fish Bar, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland Advertisement Chippies in London, Essex, Oxford and Durham each had one nomination. There are 13 categories, including the coveted Takeaway of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, Drywite Young Fish Frier of the Year and the all-new Menu Innovation award. According to the organisers, the awards are created 'by the industry for the industry' and are widely regarded as the cornerstone event for the fish and chip sector. They are intended to acknowledge and honour the outstanding businesses and individuals serving up the much-loved British dish. Every year, hundreds of entries are submitted by hopeful chip shop owners and a panel of fish-frying experts are tasked with selecting an initial top 40. The panel is said to devise the industry's most rigorous judging process to ensure the sector is consistently achieving the highest standards. Entries ticked a number of boxes including skill, taste, operational and environmental sustainability, product quality, training and development, as well as customer service. The judges then perform interviews and assessments to whittle the longlist down to the top 10. Then 'mystery visits' take place to decide the overall winner. Andrew Cook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers, said this year's competition had been one of the most complex for the judges to separate the winners. He said: 'We have so much admiration and respect for all our finalists and winners and especially our new Takeaway of the Year titleholder, The Scrap Box. 'Congratulations to Aman, Gavin and the team, and thank you for your service, passion and love for the greatest dish in the world. 'Fish-and-chip businesses are the backbone of the takeaway space. The heritage is like no other and our winners represent tradition and the future to the highest degree.' He said before the event: 'Our judging process is robust and comprehensive covering operational and environmental sustainability, product quality, training and development, customer service and more. 'Finalists are assessed through interviews, skills tasks and anonymous taste tests to ensure gold standards are being upheld. 'We ask everyone to please continue supporting their local chippy and help keep the legacy of the iconic dish thriving for generations to come.' Last year, Darlington-based Yarm Road Fish and Chips scooped top spot at the awards. Having finished in second place the previous year, it was a particularly sweet victory for owner Will Burrell. He said at the time: 'We're a cut above because we use the best products, packaging and have great customer service. 'It all comes together to provide a really great service.' A minister insisted the Chagos handover will '100 per cent' go ahead today despite deepening government chaos. Alison McGovern said the controversial deal with Mauritius 'will make progress' as she was grilled on US concerns about a crucial military base. The agreement would see the UK hand over sovereignty of the Indian Ocean islands, and pay tens of billions of pounds to lease back the critical Diego Garcia site. Keir Starmer has argued it is the only way to give the military base a secure status under international law. Keir Starmer argued the Chagos deal is the only way to give the Diego Garcia military base a secure status under international law The package has been thrown into turmoil by Donald Trump's dizzying changes in position Under the terms of Labour's Chagos Islands deal, Britain is paying Mauritius to lease back the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia (pictured) But the package has been thrown into turmoil by Donald Trump 's dizzying changes in position. Most recently, he last week urged Sir Keir to scrap the proposal. Confusion was sparked yesterday when Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer told MPs that legislation to implement the package had been 'paused'. He said the process was being suspended while further talks are held with America. But Mr Falconer was contradicted by Government officials who insisted there is no pause on the deal. They stressed the Government had never set a deadline for completing the parliamentary process for approving the handover. A senior Government source said that Mr Falconer 'misspoke'. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has repeated her demand for Labour to 'chuck the Chagos surrender' in the wake of Mr Falconer's comments. Local government minister Ms McGovern was asked on Times Radio this morning if the deal was going ahead '100 per cent'. She told the broadcaster: 'Yes. My colleague the Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has been talking to Marco Rubio, her opposite number in the US, about it. Foreign policy is never easy. We will make progress on the Chagos deal.' The minister was not able to say when the Bill to ratify the deal will return to Parliament for further scrutiny. Pressed whether she could say it was 'categorically definitely going to happen', Ms McGovern replied: 'Yes.' The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a dangerous weather warning for parts of Sydney amid an intense downpour of rain. The Bureau warned about 8pm on Thursday that 'life-threatening' flash flooding could hit Parramatta, Olympic Park, Fairfield and the CBD following hours of heavy rain due to a slow-moving storm. Some parts of the city have been hit with nearly 100mm of rain, leading to road closures along Parramatta Rd and the City West Link. Cars have been backed up along the Anzac Bridge for more than two hours, while trains have been cancelled between Lidcombe and Bankstown. 'A slow moving trough about the southern Sydney Metro area is bringing heavy showers,' a warning read. 'This trough is expected to slowly move north and may stall around Sydney this evening. 'Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is occurring in southern parts of the Sydney Metropolitan area and is expected to move towards central and western parts through the evening. 'Three to six-hourly rainfall totals between 60 and 90 mm are possible.' Flooding is pictured on Thursday evening in Sackville in Sydney's north-west A dangerous weather warning was issued across the city (above) with the SES warning people to stay indoors Commuters have been stuck in gridlock on the Anzac Bridge for hours Parts of Fairfield were also flooding on Thursday night The rain is expected to reach the Northern Beaches shortly before 9pm. The Bureau warned parts of the Illawarra and Blue Mountains could also be affected by the system. NSW SES urged people in Greater Sydney area to stay inside until the storm passes. The worst of the weather is expected to be over by 11pm on Thursday but rain is forecast to continue through the night. Lighter showers are set to fall over the city through to Monday. The number of so-called 'NEETs' has risen amid mounting alarm at a generational benefits timebomb. A staggering 957,000 young people aged 16 to 24 were not in employment, education or training in the final three months of last year. That was up from 946,000 in the previous quarter and equivalent to around one in eight from the age group, according to official figures - with unemployment blamed for the uptick. Some 510,000 were young men and 448,000 were women. The numbers classed as unemployment rose by 45,000 to 411,000, while the rest were 'inactive'. David Freeman, joint head of the labour market division at the Office for National Statistics, said: 'The final quarter of 2025 saw a slight increase in the number of young people not in employment, education and training compared to the previous quarter. 'This was driven by higher unemployment, with more young people actively looking for work.' The number of NEETs stood at 957,000 in the last three months of 2025, equivalent to around one in eight from the age group Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have been accused of creating a 'jobless generation' Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith said the government was creating a 'jobless generation'. 'Labour's Jobs Tax, economic uncertainty and their red tape Employment Rights Bill are holding back hiring and creating a jobless generation. 'Starmer would rather duck the fight with their own backbenchers than fix a worklessness crisis that is bleeding the economy dry,' he said. 'Labour will not take the tough decisions needed to reward work and back business, forcing more people into unemployment, scuppering the wider economy.' One of Labour's own advisers warned earlier this week that huge numbers of young people are getting 'trapped in a world of benefits' Alan Milburn, who is leading a government review into surging NEET numbers said the problem now went beyond temporary unemployment, as the younger generation was 'detached' from the jobs market. The dilemma could deepen as the effects of AI are felt. The intervention comes after Keir Starmer backed off efforts to curb welfare spending in the face of a revolt from Labour MPs. The rising cost of handouts have been putting pressure on the public finances, while working-age inactivity remains a significant problem after Covid. A single stray police bullet struck two worshippers as marksmen fired at a ranting Islamic State supporter during a deadly terror attack on a packed synagogue, a court was told today. Adrian Daulby, 53, who was bravely helping to barricade the doors of Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester on October 2, 2025, died from a single gunshot wound. Fellow worshipper, Melvin Cravitz, 66, suffered fatal knife wounds inflicted by terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie outside the building on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. The 35-year-old extremist - who was wearing a fake suicide belt - rang 999 during his atrocity and said: 'I have killed two Jews in the name of Islamic State.' Armed police 'discharged several rounds' at the attacker, who died at the scene, but tragically a 'stray bullet' struck Mr Daulby in the chest, a coroner was told last year. Along with hero Rabbi David Walker and other members of the congregation, he was courageously barricading the synagogue doors from inside as Al-Shamie tried to force entry. Today a further hearing ahead of inquests into the deaths of the two worshippers was told that the same bullet also hit 39-year-old Yoni Finlay, who survived. The father-of-four - who was standing in front of Mr Daulby - later described feeling a very hard punch to his chest and realising 'straight away' that he had been shot. Melvin Cravitz, 66, from Crumpsall, died in the deadly attack Adrian Daulby, 53, also died after being accidentally shot by police Yoni Finlay, 39, was struck in the chest by the same 'stray' police bullet which went on to hit Adrian Daulby as they desperately tried to barricade the synagogue, but he survived Today Anthony Metzer KC, representing Mr Finlay, told Manchester Coroners Court that his client was hit by the same bullet which resulted in Mr Daulbys demise. The pre-inquest review heard calls from lawyers representing survivors for a full and fearless investigation into last Octobers atrocity. It should examine information-sharing between the security services and police, Judge Alexia Durran, the Chief Coroner of England and Wales, was told. In addition it should look at the climate of anti-Semitic propaganda and radicalisation and what measures were in place to protect synagogues over Yom Kippur, they argued. Islamic State supporter Al-Shamie deliberately crashed his car outside the synagogue on October 2, 2025 and began knifing worshippers. Police immediately declared the attack a suspected terrorist incident and armed police were scrambled to the scene. Still armed with a knife, Al-Shamie - a Syrian-born UK citizen - charged at the officers who unleashed a series of rounds, killing the terrorist. Today's preliminary hearing was packed with lawyers representing families of the victims, as well as the police, ambulance service and Home Office. Your browser does not support iframes. Also attending Manchester Coroner's Court were survivors Andrew Franks - who was on security duty and survived stab wounds - and Mr Finlay. Chris Daw KC, representing Mr Franks, called for a full and fearless investigation into the atrocity. This incident was an attack on the entire Jewish community, he said. It was not merely an attack on the two individuals who most tragically died. Mr Daw argued that Mr Franks had played a central role and should therefore be granted interested person status alongside the families of the worshippers who died, allowing him to fully participate in the inquest process. Doing so enables them to examine witnesses and receive disclosure of relevant statements and documents. Mr Daw who also represents Mr Franks father Ellis, who came to his sons aid said they were not just witnesses. They want a full and fearless investigation of everything that happened in this case, he said. Issues which should be examined include information-sharing between the security services, counter-terror policing, local officers and Jewish community security organisations, he argued. Rabbi Daniel Walker (pictured right) leapt into action after the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue came under attack Al-Shamie (pictured outside the synagogue) travelled to Britain with his family as a young child and was granted UK citizenship in 2006, when he would have been around 16 It should also look at the risk management relating to security at synagogues on Yom Kippur, the climate of anti-Semitic propaganda and radicalisation, and what police resources were available to protect the congregation. Mr Franks was at the heart of the events and sustained the most extraordinary injuries, the barrister said, and therefore he and his father should not be excluded and treated as mere witnesses. Mr Metzer, on behalf of Mr Finlay, said the inquest should examine how it was that Mr Al-Shamie was able to perpetrate this atrocity but also understand and comprehend the police role in his client being shot. His client is not simply a survivor but also in a very special category given the extraordinary circumstances which resulted in his injuries, he submitted. Speaking after his discharge from hospital, Mr Finlay told the Guardian how he was standing in front of Mr Daulby as they tried to keep the synagogue doors closed when he felt a very hard punch to his chest and fell to the ground. I knew straight away Id been shot, he said. Mr Finlay said he believed the police bullet which struck him in the chest exited through his back and hit Mr Daulby. Anna Morris KC, representing the family of Mr Daulby, read a tribute from them to today's two-hour hearing. Adrian was a loving, gentle man, loving to everyone and everything, people, animals and plants, she said. He was a quiet, private man, mild-mannered and reserved, but loyal to his congregation and those he was close to. The profile picture which synagogue attacker Jihad Al-Shamie used as his profile on dating app Muzmatch Ed Pleeth, counsel to the inquests, said the scope of the hearings - likely to take place in 2027 - would include addressing Al-Shamie's criminal record and history of radicalisation. Al-Shamie was on bail for rape when he launched his atrocity. The allegations against the university drop-out were made by two different women, one in December 2024 and the second just a month before the attack. But Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has told MPs that Al-Shamie was never referred to the Prevent counter-extremism programme, and was not known to counter-terrorism policing or the security services. The inquest will also examine whether the atrocity could have been prevented, including what was known and knowable by police and other agencies, as well as security at the synagogue, Mr Pleeth said. Additionally it will examine the response to the attack by the police and other emergency services and care provided to victims. Inquests into the worshippers' deaths will be held together, with a separate hearing examining Al-Shamie's killing. Decisions on whether to grant interested person status to the survivors will be made at a later date. A third survivor of the attack, security guard Bernard Agyemang, who was driven into by Al-Shamie, was not represented at today's hearing. When inquests into Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz were opened last year, Detective Chief Superintendent Lewis Hughes of Greater Manchester Police said the first shot was fired at Al-Shamie at 9.38am. Fitness fanatic synagogue attacker Jihad Al-Shamie was obsessed with clean living and watching foreign news bulletins, one of his secret wives said 'On arrival, the officers discharged several rounds at the suspected terrorist, Jihad Al-Shamie, as he ran towards them,' Det Chf Supt Hughes said. However he was not pronounced dead until 4.38pm due to concerns over his suspect explosive belt - which turned out to be fake. A post mortem gave his cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds. The inquest opening heard how Al-Shamie got out of his Kia hatchback at about 9.30am and 'immediately made stabbing motions' toward Mr Cravitz to his 'upper torso, neck and head area'. He was later transferred to hospital by ambulance but pronounced dead at Manchester Royal Infirmary at 10.45am. A post-mortem showed that Mr Cravitz died of multiple stab wounds. Det Chf Supt Hughes told last year's inquest opening that Mr Daulby had helped to hold the main door of the synagogue shut 'for approximately two minutes' as Al-Shamie attempted to gain entry. Armed officers scrambled to the scene 'fired several rounds' after Al-Shamie had come 'running towards them while carrying a knife' and wearing an apparent suicide vest, Det Chf Supt Hughes said. A single bullet penetrated the synagogue door and hit Mr Daulby in the chest and he was pronounced dead at the scene at 10.15am. A post-mortem showed he had died of a single gunshot wound and the coroner recorded this as the provisional cause of death. A review ahead of Al-Shamie's inquest is due to be held on Friday. Following the attack, the family of Mr Cravitz described him as a 'kind, caring' person, who 'would do anything to help anyone'. He 'always wanted to chat and get to know people', they said. Rabbi Daniel Walker at a vigil outside his synagogue following the attack Rabbi Walker has said the empty seats where Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz used to sit were one of the 'first things I see' whenever he walks into his synagogue. 'They were both very, very special men,' he told the BBC. 'Adrian was a very quiet man - a man of great dignity, always with a smile, always kind, very much loved by his family and his neighbours. 'Melvin was also a wonderful man - a family man.' After the attack, Mr Daulby's family paid tribute to a 'down to earth man whose final act was to save others'. Their statement read: 'Adrian Daulby was a hero and tragically lost his life in the act of courage to save others, he will forever be remembered for his heroic act on Thursday 2 October 2025. 'The family is shocked by the tragic, sudden death of such a lovely down to earth man.' Al-Shamie - a married father-of-three who had at least two secret wives and bombarded other women via a Muslims-only dating app - had a conviction for possession of Class B drugs in 2012, when he was about 22, plus a 'street warning' for cannabis when he was a teenager and a penalty notice for shoplifting. A one-time RAC call handler and keen gym-goer who lived with his mother in Prestwich, Al-Shamie was a prolific user of the Muzmatch dating app where he referred to himself as 'J' and says he is a data analyst of 'Syrian mixed heritage'. One of his secret wives later told the Daily Mail that Al-Shamie was 'intimidating' and 'aggressive', and was obsessed with watching foreign TV news channels. But despite branding him a 'controlling' liar, she said there was nothing in his behaviour when they were together that suggested he was becoming radicalised. 'One minute he can talk nice, then its like flipping a switch,' she said. Counter-terror police believe Al-Shamie was influenced by extremist Islamist ideology. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) later said it had found no misconduct by the three armed officers who opened fire during the attack. Instead it is treating the officers as witnesses in its ongoing investigation into the events of October 2, 2025. A separate IOPC probe is examining prior contact between Greater Manchester Police and Al-Shamie, with both expected to conclude this year. Today a spokesman for the watchdog said: 'Our thoughts remain with the victims and all those affected by these tragic events. 'We continue to work hard to conclude our inquiries as soon as we can.' Bungling police made another grovelling apology today after revealing the source of a tip-off that Lord Mandelson might be a flight risk. In extraordinary developments yesterday, Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle was forced to make a statement confirming he had passed the information to Scotland Yard. The intelligence sparked the dramatic arrest of the peer - who is under investigation over handing sensitive documents to Jeffrey Epstein - on Monday afternoon. Lord Mandelson has furiously denied the claim he could flee as 'fiction'. But Sir Lindsay publicly outed himself as the source after detectives seemingly told Lord Mandelson's lawyers that his counterpart in the Upper House, Lord Forsyth, was behind the tip. The Met apologised to Sir Lindsay last night for 'inadvertently revealing information during an investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office'. And in a statement today it said: 'The Met has also apologised to the Speaker of the House of Lords, following the inadvertent revealing of information into allegations of misconduct in public office.' Speaker Lindsay Hoyle told the House yesterday that he was clarifying the situation to avoid 'inaccurate speculation' - after the Lord Speaker was accused of passing on the tip The Lord Speaker, Lord Forsyth, fiercely denied he was the one who tipped off the police A House of Lords source said last night that the Lord Speaker would be having an urgent meeting with the Met today. The source said Lord Forsyth wanted to know why, amid media reports attributing the information to him, he was not contacted about the issue. The Lord Speaker was also demanding answers over why the false information was not followed by a correction and an apology from those responsible, the source said. Lord Mandelson's lawyers hit back at claims he could flee to the British Virgin Islands by demanding 'evidence' of the 'baseless suggestion'. The furious former Cabinet minister - who had already agreed to a voluntary interview under caution next month - told friends he had been the victim of a 'complete fiction'. He denies criminal wrongdoing in his relations with Epstein, or acting for personal profit. In remarkable scenes yesterday, Sir Lindsay confirmed he was the source of the information in a statement to MPs. 'Members will be aware of comments in the media regarding the arrest of Lord Mandelson,' he said. 'To prevent any inaccurate speculation, I would like to confirm that upon receipt of information that I felt was relevant, I passed this on to the Met Police in good faith as is my duty and responsibility.' He added: 'It is regrettable that this rapidly ended up in the media.' He went on to caution MPs against making any further comments about 'a live investigation' Legal experts warned the ongoing furore being played out in public could cast a shadow over any prosecution of the ex-Cabinet minister. The public comment on police tactics in a live case has concerned some experts who believe Mandelson's lawyers may be considering an argument that he cannot receive a fair trial. The disgraced former Labour grandee, who has denied any wrongdoing, is understood to have surrendered his passport and has been released on bail. In a meeting with officials from the Cabinet Office on Monday, Sir Lindsay warned police that he had been told Mandelson had been offered a permanent residence in the British overseas territory by a wealthy sympathiser. The information was allegedly passed on from an individual in a position of authority in the overseas territory. The Commons Speaker visited the territory in the Caribbean last week after being invited to mark the 75th anniversary of its assembly. He met the governor and premier before addressing its parliament. Peter Mandelson launched a furious attack on Scotland Yard for swooping on his home to detain him on Monday afternoon (pictured being taken home in the early hours of Tuesday) Sources said he had put the information 'on the radar' of officers, but claimed no knowledge of the veracity of the tip. Believing he may have been an imminent flight risk, police rushed to arrest Mandelson at his Regent's Park home at 4.15pm that afternoon. But Mandelson's lawyers, Mishcon de Reya, issued a statement denouncing police for being fooled by a 'baseless suggestion'. A spokesman for the law firm said on Tuesday: '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 co-operate with the police investigation, as he has done throughout this process, and to clear his name.' Mandelson is said to have told friends: '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 [his husband] Reinaldo, my family, home and [his dog] Jock behind me. I need hardly say this is complete fiction.' The number of people granted asylum by the Home Office jumped by more than a third last year. Official figures showed nearly 55,000 migrants were handed refugee status or another type of permission to stay in Britain in the year to December. It was up 35 per cent on the previous 12 months but 14 per cent below the peak seen in 2023. Eritreans made up the largest group with just under 8,700 successful asylum claims, followed by Sudanese with 7,000 and Iranians with 6,900. The figures only cover those granted asylum by the Home Office at the initial decision stage, and do not include those who successfully appeal against a refusal in the immigration courts which had a backlog of 70,000 cases at the last count. There were 46,497 illegal arrivals into the country in 2025, up seven per cent on the previous year. It included 41,472 by small boat across the Channel - a figure which was already known from daily updates published by the Home Office - with the rest coming by 'clandestine' routes such as stowing away in the backs of lorries. Small boat arrivals were up 13 per cent on 2024 but lower than the peak of 45,772 seen in 2022. Statistics also showed the total number of asylum claims lodged in the year was 101,000, a four per cent fall on the previous year but still at a near-record level. The total number of claims to receive an initial decision from the Home Office hit an all-time high of more than 135,000, meaning the proportion of those granted was 42 per cent, down from 47 per cent the previous year. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. A migrant 'mega-dinghy' with about 120 people aboard crosses the Channel to Britain in September last year A record number of asylum claims - just over 80,000 - were rejected by the Home Office, a significant 75 per cent jump on the previous year. The rise indicates a large number of unfounded claims are being lodged by migrants, although after initial rejection many go on to bring lengthy appeals. The number of migrants receiving taxpayer-funded support dipped at the end of last year, including those given full-board accommodation in hotels. Data showed there were 107,003 people receiving State support, a five per cent fall year-on-year and 14 per cent below the peak of almost 124,000 in September 2023. Of those 31,000 were in hotels, 19 per cent lower than a year previously. Just under 73,000 were in other types of accommodation such as self-catering properties, up two per cent. There was a 15 per cent rise in those receiving subsistence-only hand-outs and no accommodation to 3,577. Your browser does not support iframes. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'Labour are moving illegal immigrants from asylum hotels to residential housing. 'There are far fewer checks and safeguards in dispersal accommodation which allows illegal immigrants to work illegally, commit more crime, and disappear into your community. 'Keir Starmer has presided over the highest number of Channel crossings of any Prime Minister on record. 'Labour only have removed six per cent of small boat arrivals.' He added: 'Labour do not have the backbone to tackle the illegal immigration crisis. 'Shabana Mahmood has no control of our border, and things are getting worse.' Dr Peter Walsh from Oxford University's Migration Observatory said: 'Refused applications will inevitably lead to tens of thousands more appeals, adding significant pressure to the already very stretched tribunals system. 'Hotel accommodation is unpopular all round: it is expensive for the UK taxpayer and not suitable for long-term living. 'However, the government has struggled to expand capacity in other types of accommodations, such as disused military sites or dispersed houses of multiple occupancy. 'It is also struggling to reduce the number of people in the asylum system, because asylum applications remain unusually high and because of the appeals backlog.' The new data showed the number of enforced deportations from Britain was up 21 per cent year-on-year to 9,914, while voluntary removals were up five per cent to just over 28,000. It included 2,550 small boat migrants who were removed during the year, the highest number on record since the start of the Channel crisis in 2018. Six out of 10 were Albanian. The total number of asylum-related returns was 11,631, up 23 per cent year-on-year. In addition, 5,634 foreign national criminals were removed from Britain, an increase of 11 per cent on 2024. Home Office minister Alex Norris said: Todays figures show the impact of our action to end the costly use of taxpayer-funded hotels, with overall asylum costs dropping by 12 per cent as a result. The population in asylum hotels has fallen by nearly 20 per cent in the last year and by 45 per cent since the peak under the previous government. But we wont stop until every asylum hotel is closed. We are already moving out of hotels and into alternative accommodation, including ex-military sites. And we are making major reforms to reduce the pull factors that draw people to this country, and increasing removals and deportations of those with no right to be here. Rival factions in Jeremy Corbyn's new hard Left party managed to keep a lid on bitter infighting for less than two hours today after members voted to hand control to the former Labour leader and his allies. Mr Corbyn's faction won 14 of 24 seats on Your Party's controlling committee after a bitter internal election campaign which pitted them against a group led by Zarah Sultana. Party rules prevent Mr Corbyn being officially named overall leader, but he is set to become its 'Parliamentary leader', a job that will make him its most visible and recognised face. In the wake of this morning's announcement, Mr Corbyn pledged to work with all wings of the party to implement a 'bold vision' for the UK and create a party 'that takes the fight to Starmer and Farage'. However, around 90 minutes after the result was announced online, Ms Sultana issued a tacit warning to him not to start acting like he officially led the party. 'In November, Your Party conference voted for a collective leadership,' she said on X. 'From today, that work begins ... members have sent a clear message and it must be heard.' And in a statement, her Grassroots Left slate warned: Your Party must now work together to become a party of and for the whole Left with no more witch-hunts or stitch-ups.' Eyebrows might also be raised at Mr Corbyn's victory and pledge to battle Labour and Reform. If the current parliamentary term runs to its fullest extent the next election would be in June 2029, by which time he will be 80. The party unveiled the results of elections to its 24-strong central executive committee (CEC) amid a fight between rival factions led by Mr Corbyn and rival Zarah Sultana Mr Corbyn's The Many group secured 14 seats against the seven won by Ms Sultana's Grassroots Left slate, giving his supporters overall control Mr Corbyn and Ms Sultana were both elected to seats on the on the Central Executive Committee (CEC) reserved for elected politicians. But Mr Corbyn's The Many group secured 14 seats against the seven won by Ms Sultana's Grassroots Left slate, with three independents, giving his supporters overall control. The results of the month-long election campaign were broadcast live on YouTube and are set to extend the months of factional infighting that has dogged the party since its launch last summer. And in a bizarre twist the online results announcement featured Steph Pike, a member of the committee which oversaw the vote, explaining their work while sat at home in front of an airer covered in drying clothes. Mr Corbyn pledged to work with all members of Your Party to implement a 'bold vision' for the UK and create a party 'that takes the fight to Starmer and Farage'. 'Now, the real work begins. We have a precious opportunity to unite our movement around a bold vision for this country one that creates a more caring, equal and peaceful world for all. I look forward to working with all members to make this vision a reality,' he said. Some 25,347 people voted in the election out of 40,985 verified Your Party members, a turnout of 61.8 per cent. Last December Ms Sultana claimed the membership was more than 55,000. In a bizarre twist the online results announcement featured Steph Pike, a member of the committee which oversaw the vote, explaining their work while sat in front of an airer covered in drying clothes While most of those elected are ordinary members, the contest was seen as a battle between the two former Labour MPs for control of its ideological direction. Ms Sultana quit Labour last summer and announced she would co-lead the new party. But that never materialised and instead a major row developed between the two camps. At one point Ms Sultana labelled Mr Corbyn and his allies a 'sexist boys club'. She retaliated by helping force through rule changes late last year that blocked Mr Corbyn from becoming the sole leader. The choice of collective leadership has avoided a direct contest between Mr Corbyn and Ms Sultana but both MPs have put forward rival slates of candidates and have themselves stood for election to the CEC's 'public office holders' section. It makes Mr Corbyn the public face of the party. Mr Corbyn's slate, called 'The Many', includes the former Labour leader and MPs Shockat Adam and Ayoub Khan, who were both elected to Parliament in 2024 as so-called 'Gaza Independents'. Ms Sultana's slate 'Grassroots Left' does not include any other MPs but has also endorsed Mr Corbyn. The foundation of Your Party has been marked by conflict between the pair, including over the announcement of the new party's creation and the 'unauthorised' launch of a membership portal. Ms Sultana boycotted the first day of Your Party's founding conference in Liverpool over the exclusion of some of her supporters and the expulsion of members of the Socialist Workers Party. But the conference's backing of a collective membership model was widely seen as a victory for Ms Sultana while Mr Corbyn had preferred having a single leader. Eight prisoners at a maximum security prison have had their sentences extended after staging a 10-hour long violent mutiny armed with makeshift weapons. The inmates, all serving life sentences at HMP Whitemoor near March in Cambridgeshire, refused to return to their cells after lunch on October 7, 2022, resulting in prison staff calling a national response team to the jail. Cambridgeshire Police said the men took control of a spur area of the wing - a self-contained landing or corridor. Prison staff initially tried to reason with the group, and carried on locking up other prisoners around them. However, they retreated after being threatened by the men. The prisoners sprayed shampoo, oil and shower gel on the floor, making the area too slippery to enter. They then barricaded the area by overturning various pieces of furniture. A national response team wearing riot gear attempted to enter at 8pm, however, the prisoners had made makeshift weapons from kettles and broken table legs by the time they arrived. The inmates then retreated to cell of Korie Hassan, who was a member of the group, where they built another barricade. At 10pm, the national response team regained control and the prisoners were restrained by staff. Prisoners (pictured) serving life sentences at HMP Whitemoor staged a violent mutiny that lasted 10 hours on 7 October 2022 Cambridgeshire Police said the men (pictured) took control of a spur area of the wing, which is a self-contained landing or corridor At Cambridge Crown Court all eight men were handed extra prison time at a series of sentencing hearings, the last of which took place on February 20. Rick-Champion Musaba, 30, Nicholas Bridge, 26, and Irwin Constable, 25, were found guilty of participating in a prison mutiny. Musaba was given four years on top of his existing 26-year sentence and Bridge was handed one year and six months on top of his 24-year term. Constable, who is serving 24 years, was sentenced to three years and six months extra time. Korie Hassan, 33, and Jahliel Rose, 29, were found guilty of violent disorder. Hassan, who is serving a 29-year sentence, was handed an extra three years and four months on top of his existing time. Rose, who is serving 25-years, was sentenced to one year and four months. Troy Muschett-Thomas, 25, and Dior Diego Jackson, 27, also pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Muschett-Thomas was handed one year and six months on top of his existing sentence and Jackson, who is serving 29-years, was sentenced to one year and nine months extra prison time. Dior Jackson (pictured) was among the eight inmates who staged the mutiny. He was handed one year and nine months extra prison time on top of his 29-year prison sentence Nicholas Bridge (pictured) was found guilty of participating in a prison mutiny following the incident. He was handed one year and six months on top of his 24-year term Bradley Blundell (pictured) will serve a further year and six months for his part in the unrest at HMP Whitemoor. He is already serving a 22-year prison sentence for murder Bradley Blundell will serve a further year and six months on top of his 22-year prison sentence after admitting violent disorder. Detective Constable Emma Purser, who investigated the incident, said: 'The eight prisoners involved in this case offered extreme violence towards staff and took control of the prison's spur area for about 10 hours. 'When sentencing, the judge noted that it was only because of the professionalism of the officers who went on to the wing and faced the violence that no-one was seriously hurt. 'All of the prisoners involved are already serving life sentences for murder or conspiracy to murder, but have now received prison terms of at least 16 months on top of the time they are already serving.' Norway's former prime minister has been hospitalised due to 'strain' amid a corruption probe looking into his close links with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. Thorbjrn Jagland, who led the country from 1996 to 1997 and served as the secretary general of the Council of Europe from 2009 to 2019, was admitted to hospital 'as a result of the strain in the wake of this case', his lawyer Anders Brosveet said. Brosveet said in a statement that the former Norwegian leader 'will receive long-term follow-up in the healthcare system.' Norway's economic crimes unit is investigating whether Jagland misused his positions to receive gifts, travel and loans from Epstein. Files released by the US government appeared to show Jagland planning solo and family visits to Epstein's properties in Paris, New York and Palm Beach even after the paedophile was convicted of a child sex offence. On top of this, he is also alleged to have accepted an offer to have travel and hotel costs for six adults going to the Caribbean, though this trip is understood to have not materialised. He is also alleged to have solicited Epstein's help in trying to get a bank loan, though it is not currently clear if this ever came about, according to Norwegian broadcaster NRK. Police have not confirmed whether this allegation is being investigated as part of their probe. Norway's former prime minister Thorbjrn Jagland (pictured, left) has been hospitalised due to 'strain' amid a corruption probe looking into his close links with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein Norway is investigating the former PM's alleged links to dead paedophile Jeffrey Epstein (pictured) Jagland held diplomatic immunity as a result of his role on the Council of Europe. But on February 11, the organisation waived this protection, paving the way for charges to be brought. On February 12, the day the former PM was charged, investigators raided his properties, including flats in Oslo and Risr. Through his lawyer, Jagland previously denied any criminality. His alleged involvement with Epstein has resulted in the first instance of a former leader of Norway facing criminal charges since the end of WW2. He is one of several prominent Norwegians named in the Epstein files, including Brge Brende, the now-former head of the World Economic Forum who resigned from his lofty position today. In a statement today, the forum's presidents Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink said: 'We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Brge Brende for his significant contributions to the World Economic Forum. 'His commitment and leadership have been of great importance and have led to a successful annual meeting in Davos. We respect his decision to step down.' Brende, who served as Norway's foreign minister from 2013 to 2017, himself said in a separate statement: 'My eight years in this role have been an extremely enriching experience. Brge Brende (pictured), the now-former head of the World Economic Forum, resigned from his lofty position today after his links to Epstein were revealed 'I am grateful for the incredible collaboration with my colleagues, partners, and members, and I believe that now is the right time for the Forum to continue its important work without distractions.' Brende, who became president of the WEF in 2017, previously said he regretted not looking into Epstein's past properly after it was revealed he had taken part in several business dinners with him and had continued email and text correspondence with him. In November 2025, he denied he ever met Epstein. But documents released by the US Department of Justice showed they spoke throughout 2018 and 2019. According to the files, Brende appeared to have had dinner with Epstein just a few weeks before his arrest and subsequent death in 2019. According to Norwegian newspaper E24, the pair for dinner on June 13 that year. Three days later, Epstein appeared to send Brende a picture of a woman. Brende said: 'I was right, wasn't I? Hilarious.' Epstein said in response: 'Bad new, every time I see Ms. Piggy, I'll think of you.' Brende replied: 'I can live with that. Better to be remembered than forgotten.' Just four weeks later, Epstein was arrested after landing at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey on his way home from Paris. Others from Norway's upper echelons who were caught up in the Epstein files include the country's future queen, Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Mette-Marit apologised for 'poor judgement' in choosing to maintain a relationship with Epstein, according to a statement issued by Norway's royal family. According to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, the princess spoke to Epstein about 'wife hunting.' In a 2012 exchange, Epstein wrote to her: 'I am looking for a wife. Paris is proving interesting, but I prefer Scandinavians.' She said in response: 'Paris is good for adultery. Scandi better wife material. But then again, who am I to talk?' The exchange came a year after Epstein had been convicted of exploiting underage girls for sexual services. In October that year, Mette-Marit said: 'Googled u after last email. Agree didn't look too good :)' Soham child murderer Ian Huntley was bludgeoned in the head with a 'spiked metal pole' by an inmate today before being left in a pool of blood. The 52-year-old is serving life behind bars for killing ten-year-old girls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman at his home in Soham, Cambridgeshire, in August 2002. The former school caretaker was rushed to hospital where he is now fighting for his life. The suspect, a fellow prisoner in his mid-40s, has not been arrested but placed in segregation following the assault at HMP Frankland in County Durham at about 9.30am. The attacker is thought to have gained access to Huntley in a prison workshop, despite the killer usually being under close guard. A source said Huntley's condition was 'touch and go' and described the scene on the wing as 'absolute chaos'. This is the third time Huntley has been attacked in jail. In 2010, his throat was slashed with a homemade weapon and, in 2005, another inmate threw boiling water over him. Last year, Huntley was said to have been strutting around the jail wearing a No 10 Manchester United-style shirt in an apparent vile taunt about his victims. A photo of the schoolgirls wearing matching football shirts - tragically taken on the day Huntley lured them into his house - became synonymous with the desperate search which gripped the country. Frankland, dubbed 'Monster Mansion', holds some of Britain's worst criminals including murderers, rapists and terrorists who are known for turning on each other. The Category A prison is home to the likes of Wayne Couzens, Levi Bellfield and Michael Adebolajo, one of two terrorists who killed British Army soldier Lee Rigby. Manchester Arena bomb plotter Hashem Abedi allegedly attacked several Frankland prison officers with hot cooking oil and makeshift weapons on April 12 last year. Abedi pleaded not guilty at the Old Bailey last October to the attempted murders of three prison officers and assaulting of a fourth. He is set to go on trial next January. And this week, ex-cage fighter Damien Bendall already serving a whole-life tariff for killing his pregnant partner and three children - was handed a further life sentence for a hammer attack on a fellow inmate at Frankland with a claw hammer in May 2024. Ian Huntley is serving life for murdering two ten-year-old girls in his home in Soham, a Cambridgeshire market town made infamous by his vile crimes in 2002 Best friends Holly Wells (left) and Jessica Chapman (right) were murdered by Huntley in 2002 HMP Frankland today after Ian Huntley was attacked inside by another inmate A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: 'The 52-year-old prisoner who was injured during this morning's assault in the workshop at HMP Frankland remains in a serious condition in hospital following treatment for head injuries. 'Police forensic teams have examined the scene of the attack throughout the day to gather evidence. 'A suspect, a male prisoner in his mid-40s, has been identified by officers investigating the incident. He has not been arrested at this stage but remains in detention within the prison.' An air ambulance was seen landing near to HMP Frankland as the incident unfolded, but was not used to transport Huntley. 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 Britain's 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 School caretaker Huntley lured both schoolgirls into his home and murdered them, before dumping their bodies in a ditch some 12 miles away. He would later return and attempt to set fire to them. They were not discovered until more than a week after they went missing, by which time around 400 police officers had joined with local residents to search for the missing youngsters. Holly and Jessica, who were best friends, had gone out to buy sweets on the afternoon of August 4, 2002, when he lured them into his three-bedroom cottage. Their disappearance after a family barbecue sent shockwaves through the close-knit community and became one of the most sickening child murders the country has ever seen. Suspicions about Huntley were raised after he appeared to tell one journalist in morbid detail how the girls might react to being taken by a stranger. He was convicted in 2003 of both murders, having pleaded not guilty. Huntley was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 40 years. His then-fiancee Maxine Carr, who was a teaching assistant at the girls' school, would also be jailed for three-and-a-half years after giving her partner a false alibi in a bid to help him evade justice. She famously turned on her partner in court and Huntley was convicted, having tried to claim he killed both girls accidentally. He lied that Holly drowned in his bath and that he had accidentally suffocated Jessica while attempting to stop her from screaming. The case prompted an inquiry into how Huntley slipped through police vetting procedures despite a string of sex allegations made against him in his hometown, Grimsby, in the late 1990s. The report from the inquiry revealed a 'deeply shocking' catalogue of errors across all organisations that had contact with Huntley before he murdered Holly and Jessica. It made 31 recommendations to improve intelligence sharing, police information systems and employment vetting nationwide. Huntley has previously been attacked in prison, most notably by armed robber Damien Fowkes in 2010, who slashed his throat. Using a homemade weapon, Fowkes slashed him causing a 'severe gaping cut to the left side of his neck'. The wound was 7in (18cm) long and required 21 stitches. At the time Fowkes asked a prison officer: 'Is he dead? I hope so.' Suspicions about Huntley were raised after he appeared to tell one journalist in morbid detail how Jessica and Holly might react to being taken by a stranger Huntley was convicted of the murders after pleading not guilty. His girlfriend at the time Maxine Carr gave him a false alibi but turned on him in the witness box Another prisoner also attempted to shank Huntley in an ambush in 2018. And in 2005, fellow murderer Mark Hobson threw boiling water over him in Wakefield Prison. His crimes continue to cause outrage behind bars, as has Huntley's brazen behaviour while on remand. Last year prison guards stormed Huntley's cell after he was spotted wearing a red Manchester United-style shirt with the number ten on the back. He was accused of taunting the families of his victims, as the girls themselves had been wearing Manchester United tops at the time of their disappearance, aged ten. The top was later confiscated. In 2018 Huntley appeared to confess to deliberately killing Jessica to stop her from raising the alarm. He continued to insist that Holly's death was an accident. After Carr had served her prison sentence, she was released in 2004 under a new identity. Responding to Thursday's incident, a North East Ambulance Service spokesman said: 'We received a call at 9.23am to reports of an incident at HMP Frankland in County Durham. 'We dispatched two ambulance crews to the scene and requested support from the Great North Air Ambulance Service. 'One patient was transported to hospital by road.' A Prison Service spokesman said: 'A prisoner is receiving treatment after an incident at HMP Frankland on Thursday morning. 'It would be inappropriate to comment further while police investigate.' The President and the CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF), which organises the annual Davos summit, has quit following speculation over his links to Jeffrey Epstein Borge Brende said on Thursday he was stepping down, a few weeks after the forum launched an independent investigation into his relationship with the late sex offender. Brende, who became president of the WEF in 2017, announced his decision in a statement following disclosures from the US Justice Department that showed the Norwegian had three business dinners with Epstein and had also communicated with the disgraced financier via email and text message. 'After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum. My time here, spanning 8-1/2 years, has been profoundly rewarding,' he said. 'I am grateful for the incredible collaboration with my colleagues, partners, and constituents, and I believe now is the right moment for the Forum to continue its important work without distractions,' added Brende, a former Norwegian foreign minister. Brende made no mention of Epstein. In a separate statement, Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink, co-chairs of the Geneva-based forum that organises the annual Davos summit, said the independent review conducted by outside counsel into Brende's ties with Epstein had concluded. The findings stated there were no additional concerns beyond what has been previously disclosed, it added. Borge Brende said on Thursday he was stepping down, a few weeks after the forum launched an independent investigation into his relationship with the late sex offender The President and the CEO of the forum quit following speculation over his links to the late Jeffrey Epstein The co-chairs said the WEF's Alois Zwinggi will serve as interim president and CEO, and that the forum's Board of Trustees will oversee the leadership transition, including a plan to drive a process to identify a permanent successor. On January 30, the DoJ released a tranche of over three million files - including 180,000 images and 2,000 videos - related to the late paedophile. Among the files were several emails that suggested Epstein and Brende held multiple meetings during 2018 and 2019. In April 2018, a few weeks after a dinner that appeared to involve Brende, Epstein and US political strategist Steve Bannon the previous month, the late financier sent the former WEF CEO a photograph. In the picture, Brende, Bannon, Norwegian diplomat Terje Rd-Larsen are standing together in a grand hallway. Epstein and Brende held another dinner together in September, and proceeded to send each other Christmas and birthday greetings in the following months. 'Happy birthday, by the way, Woody Allen is coming to dinner tomorrow, you're welcome to join, come by for dinner or dessert,' Epstein wrote in an email to Brende, the day after the dinner in September 2018. 'Thank you, my friend. I really appreciated the dinner,' Brende replied. He said in a statement earlier this month that during a visit to New York in 2018, he received an invitation for former Norwegian deputy prime minister Rd-Larsen to join him for dinner with several other leaders, plus 'someone who was presented to me as an American investor, Jeffrey Epstein'. 'The following year, I attended two similar dinners with Epstein, alongside other diplomats and business leaders. These dinners, and a few emails and SMS messages, were the extent of my interactions with him,' he said. 'I was completely unaware of Epstein's past and criminal activities.' He said that had he known about Epstein's background, he would have declined the initial invitation for dinner and any other subsequent invitations or communications. Brende said he recognised that he could have conducted a more thorough investigation into Epstein's history, and regretted not doing so. In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting and procuring a person under age 18 for prostitution, causing him to spend 13 months in jail and register as a sex offender. He was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City on August 10, 2019, while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Jeffery Epstein sends this photo to Brge Brende in April 2018, featuring Brende himself, Steve Bannon and Norwegian diplomat Terje Rd-Larsen Outlining its initial decision to put Brende under investigation, the WEF said the move 'underscores the Forums commitment to transparency and maintaining its integrity'. 'Our aim is to handle this matter thoughtfully and efficiently,' the Geneva-based nongovernmental organisation added in a statement. A member of the Conservative Party, Brende was minister of foreign affairs from 2013 to 2017, minster of the environment from 2001 to 2004, and minister of trade and industry from 2004 to 2005. His resignation comes as Norwegian police continue to investigate Thorbjrn Jagland, the former prime minister of Norway, for corruption over revelations in the Epstein files. Jagland, 75, was admitted to hospital 'due to the strain arising in the wake of this case,' according to a statement relayed by his attorney, Anders Brosveet at Elden Law Firm, on Monday. A special police unit which is analysing newly released documents said the politician was suspected of 'aggravated corruption'. Officers said they had asked the country's foreign ministry to lift his immunity, which he enjoys because of his past position as a senior foreign diplomat. Jagland was Norway's prime minister in 1996-97, and the secretary general of the Council of Europe in 2009-19. He also chaired the Norwegian Nobel Committee in 2009-15. Pal K. Lnseth, chief of kokrim, the economic crime unit investigating the 75-year-old, said: 'We consider there are reasonable grounds for investigation, given that he held the positions of chair of the Nobel Committee and Secretary General of the Council of Europe during the period covered by the released documents. 'Among other things, kokrim will investigate whether gifts, travel and loans were received in connection with his position.' This is a breaking news story. More to follow The mother of an adorable toddler claimed her daughter died after Los Angeles' child welfare agency placed her in the custody of her father who had prior child abuse conviction. Tilly Servin was 14 months old when she died on November 10, 2025 from blunt head trauma and a severe spinal cord injury, per an autopsy by the LA County Medical Examiner. She was in the care of her father, Alfredo Munoz Jr., 41. He initially claimed he had tripped over a baby gate while holding Tilly, but was later charged with murder after police say evidence suggested he beat the child to death. Munoz had an extensive criminal record before Tilly was returned to his custody, raising questions over why the child welfare agency allowed him to care for the infant. In 2021, he was sentenced to four years in state prison after being found guilty of child abuse. Tilly's mother, Alexis Servin, sued Los Angeles County and its child services agency last Thursday, alleging that returning her daughter to Munoz presented an 'extreme and foreseeable danger.' 'The father should have been disqualified from taking in Tilly Servin because he has a rap sheet longer than a novel,' Brian Claypool, an attorney for the mother, told the LA Times. Munoz and his wife Kelly Munoz, 34, face charges of murder, torture and assault on a child causing death. If convicted, they face up to life in prison. 14-month-old Tilly Servin died November 10 from blunt head trauma and a severe spinal cord injury. Her father Alfredo Munoz Jr. was charged with murder about two weeks after her death Tilly's mother, Alexis Servin, filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles Countys child welfare agency last Thursday Tilly was found unresponsive and had signs of head trauma when she was rushed to Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach on November 7, according to the Long Beach Police Department. The toddler died three days later. Her father and stepmother were arrested on November 24 following a homicide investigation. Authorities determined there had been 'ongoing abuse' to Tilly and alleged that her death was caused by abuse inflicted by her father and stepmother. Tilly's mother, Alexis, said she began having a 'weird feeling' that her daughter could be in danger after seeing a photo of her shortly before her death. 'We got one picture of her on her birthday, August 29,' Alexis said. 'She looked very sucked up and skinny and just small, and she had a bruise on her forehead.' Despite her father's explanation that he tripped over a baby gate, the autopsy found Tilly suffered a 'constellation of injuries that cannot be explained by a single lowlevel or shortdistance accidental fall.' The medical examiner added that, despite being just one year old, she had already endured 'repeated inflicted trauma.' The suit alleged that returning Tilly to Munoz presented an 'extreme and foreseeable danger' that later led to her death Tilly was 'abused, tortured, and murdered,' per the complaint, which claimed that the 'tragedy could have been averted' by the LA agency Alexis' attorney said that the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services's actions were 'as bad as it gets.' 'They catastrophically failed in this case, and they're going to pay the price,' Claypool said. Claypool has represented other families whose children died while under agency supervision. The lawsuit related to Tilly alleged the child services agency was aware of Munoz's 'violent history' and had opened a case related to earlier charges against him. Munoz had been convicted of child cruelty in 2021 and sentenced to four years in state prison, KTLA reported. He was last released in 2023, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Tilly was placed with him shortly after his prison release, per the lawsuit. The father's full criminal record ranged back to 1999 and included convictions for assault with a deadly weapon, felony drug possession and possessing a firearm while being a felon. His wife Kelly was also convicted in 2021 of willful cruelty to a child, like her husband. She also had prior convictions for methamphetamine possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. Horrific court documents allege that Tilly was subjected to a campaign of 'torture, abuse and murder' after her father gained custody of her Brian Claypool, an attorney for Alexis, said the father should have never been allowed to take care of Tilly The lawsuit claimed that the agency 'knew or should have known' about the couple's convictions and 'additional violent, weaponsrelated and drugrelated criminal history.' 'If DCFS had discharged its mandatory duties, this tragedy could have been averted,' the suit said. Instead, it alleged that 'Tilly was abused, tortured, and murdered.' An email from last March to Alexis by an agency investigator discussing the 'extreme dangers the Munoz household posed to Tilly' was also included in the complaint. Munoz allegedly had a 'history of substance abuse, including methamphetamine, marijuana, and alcohol which renders the father incapable of providing regular care of the child.' The investigator added that Tilly needed constant care because of how young she was, but that 'the father's substance abuse interferes with providing regular care and supervision of the child.' The email finished with a warning that Munoz 'endangers the child's physical health and safety and place[s] the child at risk of serious physical harm, damage and failure to protect.' The Daily Mail has reached out to the LA County Department of Children and Family Services and Brian Claypool, the attorney representing Alexis Servin, for comment. A nursing student who leapt from a window to flee the Nottingham triple killer years before he struck was told he could not be jailed because he was schizophrenic, an inquiry heard. The young woman, an Italian national who can only be identified as Feven, said she was informed by police she 'could have been killed' had she not jumped down 12ft to escape mentally ill Valdo Calocane as he broke down her flat door. Police also failed to link a similar incident less than 24 hours earlier at the same block of flats, partly because an officer investigating the case did not want to go through the log due to 'data protection' concerns, an inquiry heard. Feven was left with a fractured back as a result of the fall and remains in constant pain, nearly six years on. But she was 'angry' Calocane was never charged over the incident, despite officers recording he was 'seeing demons and devils'. It happened an hour after he was released by police for trying to break into another student's flat under the delusion his mother was inside being raped. Indeed, Nottinghamshire police investigating the second incident had no idea Calocane had been arrested earlier that day, while bodyworn footage was also lost, it has emerged. The inquiry is examining how mentally ill Calocane was free to kill students Barney Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, both 19, and 65-year-old caretaker Ian Coates in June 2023, despite being sectioned multiple times for a series of violent incidents. 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 Giving evidence through an interpreter, Feven described how she was 'very scared' when she heard what she thought was 'a group of thieves or someone wanting to hurt me' banging on her front door on May 24 2020. 'I couldn't think that it could be one person being so aggressive,' she said, telling the inquiry she leapt out of the window in just her night clothes. She spent a week in hospital before being discharged to a friend's house to continue her recovery, and was visited by police officer Richard Marsden who said Calocane would not be charged. 'They said they tried doing anything they could, but because of his mental health problems, they mentioned (he was) schizophrenic, this person could not be jailed and he was therefore taken to a mental health institution, a psychiatric hospital,' Feven told the inquiry. A psychiatrist later decided Calocane did not have the mental 'capacity' to be responsible for his actions at the time. 'I was very angry, I was very upset because the damage he had caused is going to be forever and I was so young,' said Feven, who was 22 at the time. 'I thought this was not enough, the psychiatric hospital was not enough. But because there were no other possibilities, I accepted it.' The same officer described her as 'brave', she said. Valdo Calocane, now 34, is serving an indefinite hospital order for manslaughter on the grounds of diminished reponsibility 'If I had not jumped out of the window many things could have happened to me, they said he could have killed me or he could have been violent.' Mr Marsden denied making this comment. But he admitted he did not inform the victim she could challenge the decision not to progress the investigation. And Mr Marsden, who initially described the victim's injuries as 'back pain', agreed under questioning from inquiry chairman Deborah Taylor the incidents 'could' and 'should' have been linked. His colleague Pc Gail Collins, who interviewed Calocane for the first incident, said she did not look into the police log about the suspect because of data protection reasons. Inspector Katie Eustace, who was called to the first break-in, said she was 'concerned' by the police log which gave the impression there was a 'slight reluctance' by officers to pursue the original incident very thoroughly. She also said there was nothing confirming Calocane had already been arrested. She apologised that her bodyworn footage appeared to have been lost, and said she had not been given an explanation of its whereabouts by bosses. Asked by lawyer Sophie Cartwright KC if she felt the case 'was given the attention it deserved', she replied: 'No, I don't think it was.' The inquiry is looking into how failings allowed Calocane to go on his bloody rampage, which also left three members of the public with serious injuries after he mowed them down in Mr Coates' van He is serving an indefinite hospital order after admitting manslaughter with diminished responsibility. The inquiry continues. Britain's elite universities now have more Chinese than British students enrolled on advanced engineering and technology courses, new data shows. The UK's top five research centres also have almost as many Chinese students as British doing post-graduate science and maths. On Thursday night, campaigners and politicians said talented students must be encouraged to remain in Britain after their studies - to prevent their skills falling into the hands of the Chinese regime. Sam Dunning, of the UK-China Transparency think-tank, said Britain's long-winded planning processes, expensive utilities and high taxes mean graduate researchers can set up labs or businesses in China quicker and at a fraction of the cost. 'The risks are high,' he said. 'Technology is the defining force of the modern era and we are training the next generation of highend engineers. 'Our universities and government are not doing nearly enough to prevent sensitive research and knowhow from being fed back to the Chinese military or spun out into companies in China rather than here. 'These are extremely talented people who could be founding Britain's next great AI or biotech firm, if only we offered a more competitive environment. 'It is not in the public interest for any of them to go and work for the Chinese military, potentially enabling Russian aggression or some other threat to us or our allies.' Chinese students now outnumber Britons on advanced technology courses at top UK universities, and almost as many are studying science and biotechnology Oxford is one of the UK's top learning centres for science, technology, engineering and maths The data, compiled by the Higher Education Statistics Agency, showed the breakdown of students studying post-graduate engineering and technology at Britain's top-five universities for those subjects - Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, Manchester and University College London (UCL). In total, 3,160 Chinese students were enrolled compared to just 2,260 Britons. Meanwhile, 6,295 Chinese students, not far from the 8,155 British, were studying science, maths and biotechnology at the top-five centres for those subjects - Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial, UCL and Edinburgh. Shadow national security and safeguarding minister Alicia Kearns said: 'British universities are addicted to Chinese finance and are blindly oblivious to the risks. 'That dependence has undermined academic freedom on campus and exposes cutting-edge research to state-directed technology and intellectual property theft. 'The fact there are now more Chinese students studying engineering in our great universities rather than British students should be a wake-up call. 'We need a renewed drive to get our own young people into STEM so Britain can develop the technological advantage needed to protect our national security.' Luke de Pulford, executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, said a science student at Edinburgh was recently lured to work at a state-run genomics programme in Bejing after being groomed by a Chinese United Front organisation masquerading as a 'talent programme'. 'The UK has been wilfully naive about the intention of some Chinese students and the talent acquisition centres which are United Front projects,' he said. 'They want to get students of Chinese descent who are doing sensitive research projects back into China to work for state owned enterprises. 'Not having China in the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme means that the police and the intelligence security services have no tools whatsoever to address it, so they're just free to roam and do whatever they want.' Last year, Royal Society president Sir Paul Nurse warned that China was investing vast sums in science and technology, while Britain researchers face tight budgets. 'If you go now to try and visit the growing science cities [in China], they are incredibly impressive,' he said. 'When I go and visit our universities and look at the infrastructure that we've got, it is looking increasingly third-worldish to me in comparison.' A former NASA engineer filed a lawsuit against four women who accused him of sexual assault after those charges were dropped, claiming they coordinated a 'smear campaign' to destroy his reputation. Eric Sim, 39, said he was 'forced to resign' from his job at NASA in 2024 after he was charged with seven counts of sexual assault, according to a copy of his federal lawsuit obtained by Daily Mail. The charges were dropped on February 25, 2025, after Texas prosecutors said they 'cannot prove [the case] beyond a reasonable doubt at this time,' Fox 26 Houston reported. A year later, Sim has filed a lawsuit against the City of Houston, two police officers and four women who accused him of assault, claiming he was subjected to 'abuse of the criminal justice system.' The lawsuit alleges that women 'engaged in a conspiracy to subject Sim to a malicious prosecution' because they were 'embarrassed' when 'then they found out that Sim was uninterested in having a monogamous relationship with them.' 'All of these women were looking for a serious relationship, but Sim was not interested in pursuing such a relationship with them,' the court document stated. Sim claims the smear campaign began in May 2022 when one of the women, whom he called the 'ring leader' of the group, found out he was dating other people. He accused her of organizing a group chat with the others to 'secure false criminal charges' against him. Eric Sim (pictured), 39, said he was 'forced to resign' from his job at NASA in 2024 after he was charged with seven counts of sexual assault Sim filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Houston, two police officers and four women who accused him of assault, claiming they coordinated a 'smear campaign' against him Once the women went to the police with their claims, Sim's lawsuit alleges two officers prepared 'false probable cause affidavits' to secure his arrest. At the time of his arrest, investigators said they found video of sexual encounters on Sim's electronic devices and a spreadsheet with the names of 437 women Sim allegedly had sex with, KTKR reported. However, Sim insisted the electronic evidence proved the sexual encounters were consensual. '[Police] had full access to Sim's electronic devices and the exonerating evidence contained on them when Sim was charged,' his lawsuit stated. '[The officers] failed to inform the Harris County District Attorney's office about the existence of the exonerating evidence contained on Sim's electronic devices.' Sim was arrested in February 2024 and held on a $1 million bond. Eventually, his bond was reduced, and he was placed on house arrest with GPS monitoring. According to the lawsuit, 'NASA contacted Sim to inform him that he was being suspended without pay as a result of the criminal charges pending against him.' 'Sim was forced to resign from his job at NASA and suffered severe reputational harm and emotional distress as a result of the commencement and continuation of the criminal prosecution,' the document stated. The charges against Sim were dropped in February 2025 after Texas prosecutors said they 'cannot prove [the case] beyond a reasonable doubt at this time' Sim said he was forced to resign from his job at NASA and suffered severe reputational harm and emotional distress as a result of the charges While the charges were dismissed, the lawsuit claims Sim's 'constitutional rights have been violated, his reputation has been tarnished, and future career prospects have been severely compromised, if not completely extinguished.' His lawsuit is seeking an unspecified amount of monetary damages to be determined at trial. Sim released a statement to local media on Wednesday saying, 'The last few years of my life have been scarred by a justice department that was meant to protect me being turned against me. I look forward to justice being served for all.' The Daily Mail contacted the City of Houston, the Houston Police Department and NASA for comment. A disgraced former cop has died by suicide after he was charged with child sex abuse against his own niece, as his brave alleged victim has broken her silence on the shocking case. Francis Collier, 38, a former member of the Morton Police Department in Pennsylvania, was charged with rape of a child and incest of a minor on Tuesday, according to court records and local authorities. The Delaware County District Attorney's Office announced on Thursday that the case against Collier has closed after his violent death, describing the incident as 'suicide by cop.' Collier's alleged victims reported the crimes in December. Police said the alleged assaults occurred years ago when he was a teenager. He was placed on unpaid administrative leave and then resigned from the force. Collier was then charged by the Pennsylvania State Attorney's office earlier this week. Officers obtained an arrest warrant for Collier on Wednesday and spotted him in his vehicle. Investigators said the ex-cop opened fire, and officers fatally shot back. His niece and alleged victim, Victoria Collier Payne, told local news that she decided to finally report the abuse after seeing a social media post that the then-officer was serving on the Delaware County Child Abuse and Exploitation Task Force. Payne was horrified to see a picture of her uncle posing with children, telling local ABC affiliate WPVI, 'Once I saw him with children, it lit a fire in me that just told me that it was my due diligence to protect any future children.' Francis Collier, pictured above in uniform, was the subject of a 'suicide by cop' death after he was charged with child sex abuse His niece and alleged victim, Victoria Collier Payne, pictured above in an interview with WPVI, said she felt compelled to report it when she learned Collier was working with children A police involved shoot out occurred when officers attempted to arrest Collier, pictured above She said the abuse started in 2004 when she was only six years old, and Collier was living in her family's home. 'I would've been about six years old and about to finish kindergarten. I was a vibrant and outgoing student, and then all of a sudden, I shifted,' Payne told CBS News. She told her mother what was happening and said Collier underwent a mandated psychosexual evaluation. Payne described the experience as a 'challenging time' for the family. Collier was her father's younger brother. She said she kept her abuse private for years, but felt compelled to speak out when she realized Collier was working with children. After she reported the abuse, a second accuser came out and was interviewed separately. Payne noted that their experiences with Collier were 'similar.' As Payne started to mentally prepare for the grueling legal process, she was then faced with the shocking news that Collier was dead. 'My initial emotion was shock, just because something I had been dealing with for so long was finally coming to an end. And then sadness more for the child within me,' she told CBS. Payne added that she was grateful that she would not be forced to relive her trauma in court. She said that her uncle's gruesome death 'proves the truth.' 'If you're truly innocent on this many charges, then why did you take a very guilty way out,' Payne said. 'I think that it proves the truth, and because of that, I am at peace, in a sense.' She is now building her own family with her husband and wants other victims to know not to blame themselves. The county district attorney's office acknowledged in a statement that the news of Collier's death 'may bring a range of complex emotions including anger, grief, frustration, and confusion.' 'Although the defendants death brings the criminal case to an end, it does not erase the seriousness of the allegations or the harm that he caused,' District Attorney Tanner Rouse said. 'We recognize the immense courage it takes to speak out, and we remain committed to supporting survivors.' Authorities said Collier opened fire when officers attempted to arrest him on Wednesday. He was in his vehicle during the incident, pictured above Collier, pictured above, was charged with rape of a child, aggravated assault of a child, and incest with a minor. His case has been dismissed due to his death The Morton Police Department said there were no allegations of criminal conduct during Collier's tenure with the force. The department added in a statement that they were 'deeply troubled by the serious allegations' against him. 'The conduct described in the charges is profoundly disturbing and wholly inconsistent with the standards and values expected of those who serve our community,' Morton Police added in a statement. Collier was hit with a range of charges, including rape of a child, aggravated assault of a child, sexual intercourse with a child, endangering the welfare of a child, and incest with a minor, according to court records. His case was dismissed due to his death. A Washington caller said she was stunned after pressing 'two' to speak to a Spanish representative, only to be answered by an automated English voice speaking in a Spanish accent. Maya Edwards went viral this week after she shared her experience to social media, saying she and her husband phoned the Washington Department of Licensing and ended up with a Hilaria Baldwin sound-alike. 'I press two for Spanish because I would like to speak to them in Spanish,' she said. 'Tell me why it switches to a Hispanic accent except for numbers, the numbers are in Spanish.' The voice was all too reminiscent of reality star Hilaria Baldwin, who has been accused of faking a Spanish accent and Spanish heritage despite being born in Boston. Baldwin has been repeatedly called out for putting a Spanish flair on English words. She recently blamed her ever-fluctuating accent on ADHD and Dyslexia. Edwards originally posted the video when she called the DOL last summer. After calling again this month and realizing the problem had not been solved, she reposted it. Washington caller Maya Edwards said she was stunned after pressing 'two' to speak to a Spanish representative at the Washington Department of Licensing, only to be answered by an automated English voice speaking in a Spanish accent The accent blunder reminded commenters of celebrity yoga guru Hilaria Baldwin The video garnered more than a million views and thousands of comments, many of whom caught on to the Hilaria-esque predicament. 'Press two to speak to Hilaria Baldwin...,' one commenter said. 'That's rude, disrespectful and hilarious,' another added. A third joked: 'My Spanish must be improving because I understood every word.' Edwards posted a follow-up on Sunday, noting that she called again months after the initial viral phone call and the result was 'even funnier.' Other languages seemed to be incorrect, entirely in English or a combination of accents. 'It was totally unexpected, but not totally surprising, given the rise of the use of AI and automated systems,' Edwards told the Spokesman-Review. 'But it is more surprising to me that nobody checked it.' Edwards explained that she called the agency because her husband was getting his green card and needed a Washington State license. 'Luckily, he is fully bilingual, so it didn't impact our accessibility, but I can only imagine how many people it has impacted who don't speak English,' she said. Commenters noticed the Hilaria Baldwin comparisons. 'Press two to speak to Hilaria Baldwin...,' one commenter said Representatives for the DOL told the Spokesman-Review that the phone-tree system was running on new technology and blamed the problem on 'technical issues.' 'We are still examining how this happened and how it can be fixed. Once those are complete, we will then figure out how responses were given in English with a Spanish accent,' they said. 'When the self-service option is running smoothly, it will be restarted.' Callers have since reported an automated message that acknowledged the agency's ongoing issues with their multi-language self-service menu. The Daily Mail contacted the Washington Department of Licensing, Edwards and representatives for Baldwin for comment. A West Virginia mother has been jailed for 15 years to life for the horrific starvation death of her 14-year-old daughter. Julie Miller sobbed in court as she was sentenced on Wednesday for the April 2024 death of Kyneddi Miller, who investigators said they found 'emaciated to a skeletal state' lying on the bathroom floor in the family's Boone County home. Miller, who pleaded guilty in November to death of a child by a parent by child abuse, will be eligible for parole after 15 years but will face 50 years of supervised release if she is freed. Despite letting her daughter starve, she appeared of a very healthy weight in court and had clearly not deprived herself of food. Boone County Circuit Judge Stacy NowickiEldridge delivered a blistering rebuke during sentencing. 'This child literally starved to death,' she said. 'No child should ever have to go through that.' During an August 2024 court hearing, Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Holstein revealed that Kyneddi had been lying in the same spot for between four and five days before she was found dead. Holstein said the teen stood 5ft 3in and weighed just 58 pounds when she died. Her BMI was 7.1, far below the healthy range of between 18.5 and 24.9. Kyneddi was so malnourished that she could no longer move on her own, authorities said, and she had been deteriorating for months before collapsing. Julie Miller (pictured) has been sentenced to up to life in prison for the horrific starvation death of her 14-year-old daughter, Kyneddi Miller, who was found emaciated at their home Miller sobbed in court as she was sentenced on Wednesday for the April 2024 death Kyneddi Miller, 14, was found 'emaciated' to the point of being 'skeletal' and lying on the bathroom floor of the family's Boone County home, investigators said Her grandmother called 911 on April 17, 2024, reporting the teen was in cardiac arrest. First responders found her dead on the bathroom floor. Holstein said the girl had an undiagnosed eating disorder and had made comments in the final 48 hours of her life that she wanted to die, but emphasized that the fatal neglect was ongoing and preventable. 'Her life was taken just from sheer - I don't know if it was selfishness or where it comes from,' he said. 'For someone to kill their own daughter by means of not just a single act but a daily letting them waste away into nothing.' Speaking tearfully before her sentencing, Miller insisted she loved her daughter. 'I miss her every second of every day,' she said. 'She was my world and was the best little girl since day one.' Kyneddi's older sister also addressed the court. 'There are no words that can properly convey to you that a piece of sunlight was ripped out of the Earth the day that she died,' she said. 'It'll never come back.' Court documents allege Miller and her parents, Jerry and Donna Stone, who lived in the home, failed to provide Kyneddi with food or medical care for months. The child's grandfather Jerry Stone (pictured) was deemed unfit to stand trial The teen's grandmother Donna Stone is scheduled to appear in court next month Jerry Stone was deemed unfit to stand trial due to his declining cognitive state. Donna Stone is scheduled to go on trial next month on one count of child neglect. The teenagers death served as a turning point in West Virginia, triggering renewed scrutiny of the states troubled child welfare system. Documents obtained by Eyewitness News prompted a state investigation into whether law enforcement and child protective services could have intervened. In June 2024, Brian Abraham, then chief of staff to Republican Governor Jim Justice, said state police conducted a welfare check on Kyneddi in March 2023 but found no immediate signs of abuse. A trooper informally suggested to a local human services office that the girl might benefit from mental health services. According to Abraham, no follow-up visits were ever carried out. The trooper reported that Kyneddi appeared healthy, but she struggled with social anxiety after the coronavirus pandemic and did not want to leave home. Kyneddi last attended public school in 2021 and was being homeschooled when she died. Kyneddi had an undiagnosed eating disorder and had made comments in the final 48 hours of her life that she wanted to die, according to prosecuters Miller pleaded guilty in November to death of a child by a parent by child abuse State law has required parents of homeschooled children to conduct yearly academic assessments, but they only have to submit them after the third, fifth, eighth and 11th grades. Local media reported that Miller failed to submit the required assessments, which could have triggered a truancy review or removal from the homeschool program. A federal audit, which was launched following Kyneddi's death and released in November, found that the state failed to complete 91 percent of required investigative steps in child abuse and neglect cases over a one-year period. The death also triggered a state review into missed opportunities by police and child protective services. Officials have since required all potential abuse or neglect reports to be routed through a centralized intake phone line so they are formally documented. West Virginias Department of Human Services, now led by Secretary Alex Mayer under Governor Patrick Morriseys administration, has pledged to overhaul the system and address the failures exposed by the case. A female Chicago serial criminal goaded a dead Uber Eats driver with a post to her Facebook hours after she allegedly murdered him during a carjacking. Montoya Perry, 33, took to her social media in the early hours of Monday morning after allegedly killing Daniel Figueroa, 28, outside of Loretto Hospital in the city. In a deleted post first shared by CWB, she said: 'The s*** we had to do to get home is crazy, but we made it. & if u missing a car, u can come get it!!. We don't want it!!' Local station WGNTV also flagged the post in their report about the horrific killing. Officials in the city say that prior to mowing Figueroa down she had stolen his vehicle that he left running idle outside the hospital as he delivered food inside. Perry, who has an extensive criminal history, smiled wickedly in a police mugshot after she was charged with murder and vehicular hijacking. At the time of Monday's incident she was out on pre-trial release, ABC7 reported, after another incident that happened only two weeks ago. She has eight prior felony convictions dating back to 2010, with a history of aggravated robberies, carjackings, fleeing from police and lying to officers. According to a police report seen by the Chicago Sun Times, officers found footage showing three people, including Perry, jacking Figueroa's Dodge Caravan. Perry, seen here, is accused of stealing Figueroa's vehicle as he delivered food inside a hospital Daniel Figueroa, seen here with his girlfriend, was violently killed in the early hours on Monday morning Prosecutors said that after Perry hit the accelerator she dragged Figueroa with her, he was later rushed to hospital after being found on the street Figueroa, officials said, had left the engine running as he went into Loretto Hospital in the early hours of Monday morning to deliver food. Perry clambered into the driver's seat and her two accomplices sat in the vehicle with her, prosecutors said. As Figueroa saw the three he attempted to take his vehicle back, grabbing the front passenger door handle and held on as Perry hit the gas. Prosecutors said as Perry floored it she dragged Figueroa along the ground and ran him over with the rear tires of the vehicle. Figueroa was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital where he was pronounced dead, the medical examiner's office said. A cause of death has not yet been made public, with an autopsy carried out on Tuesday being inconclusive. Later that same morning Perry was tracked down using license plate cameras which spotted Figueroa's van in the Maywood area of the city. Police later saw her exit a different vehicle and enter Figueroa's car, she was wearing the same clothes as what she was seen wearing outside the hospital. The 33-year-old posted on her Facebook saying her and the group she was with no longer needed the stolen vehicle Perry smiled in her police mugshot after she was arrested on Monday for killing Figueroa Figueroa, seen here, was on his last delivery of the night when he was killed Officers moved in which prompted Perry to flee on foot before she was taken into custody. Police said she then admitted to taking Figueroa's van. On Wednesday a judge ordered that she remain behind bars while pending a trial on the murder and vehicular hijacking charges. Court records seen by WGNTV say that in 2023 Perry was convicted of forgery and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. She was sentenced to three years in prison with credit for 530 days served. She was hit with a seven year prison term for aggravated robbery in 2014. She was found guilty of robbing and beating a victim who was walking down a street. In connection with that same incident she was convicted of possession of a stolen motor vehicle. At the same time she was also convicted of burglary. Then in 2011 she faced another conviction for evading police at speeds of 90 miles per hour. Perry is seen here in a previous mugshot that she shared to her own Facebook In 2018 she faced two felony retail theft cases and a misdemeanor theft for which she received 30 days behind bars. She posted bond after an arrest for obstructing identification and failed to appear for a hearing in 2019, she was arrested on a warrant, posted bond again, then failed to reappear again. After being arrested for a second time a judge dismissed the case, court records seen by the outlet said. Nine other cases have been dropped, including five for obstructing identification, fleeing and eluding, and theft. Last May she shared a previous jailhouse mugshot of herself to her own social media comparing being in and out of jail to feeling 'like a trampoline'. In an emotional interview with ABC, Sandra Guerrero, Figueroa's girlfriend revealed her partner was on his last delivery before returning home to her son's birthday. She told the outlet: 'I'm confused. I'm lost. I'm sad. I don't know what to do.' 'I shouldn't have to picture my boyfriend like that,' she added. 'Somebody who I wanted to marry.' 'Today, it's my son's birthday. We had the whole day planned out for him to spend it with him. And it, just, I can't believe it right now.' No other arrests have been made in connection with his death at this time. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was clearly caught off guard when a reporter asked whether his recent trip to Washington DC was funded by taxpayers. Johnson was one of the final speakers at the State of the Swamp: A Night of Defiance event at the nation's capital on Tuesday night. The evening was organized by Defiance, a members-only organization that financially supports opposition groups to the Trump administration. Defiance invited prominent members of the left for a counter-event to Donald Trump's State of the Union speech. Johnson was asked at a press conference on Wednesday if taxpayers funded his trip to DC, and why he could not stream his rebuttal on social media from Chicago. The mayor seemed taken aback by the question and gestured to his team while the reporter spoke. 'I'm the mayor of the city of Chicago. I represent Chicago and that is well within the parameters of my job. I don't stop being mayor because the president of the United States of America can't figure out which direction that the country needs to go into,' he began. Johnson said he believes that, as a mayor, he has a duty to protect the people of Chicago, whether in the city or in DC. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was one of the many speakers at a counter-event to President Donald Trump's State of the Union address. He's pictured above on Tuesday night giving his speech Johnson was one of many leaders on the left to speak at the State of the Swamp event in Washington DC on Tuesday, pictured above Johnson was asked at a press conference on Wednesday, pictured above, if the trip was funded using taxpayer dollars. He did not give a clear response to the question 'I don't take that hat off simply because I'm out of the city of Chicago, in fact, what was actually on display last night - you saw people from around the country organizing around a collective vision to ensure that working people are prioritized,' he continued. Johnson then slammed the Trump administration for neglecting the working class and focusing efforts on the 'ultra-rich.' He praised the State of the Swamp event and said he was honored to join leaders like Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and actor Robert de Niro on stage. 'In order for America to fully fulfill these promises for every single person, we have to prioritize everyday working people and I'm proud to stand in solidarity with people across this country,' he said. Johnson then thanked those in attendance and concluded the press conference. The mayor's travel logs have not been made public, and it's unclear how his trip to DC was paid for. The Daily Mail has reached out to the mayor's office for comment. In 2024, NBC Chicago published records they obtained detailing Johnson's trip to Los Angeles that year. The mayor attended a conference for the African American Mayors Association on February 2 and the Grammy Awards two days later, according to his travel schedule obtained by the outlet. Johnson defended his trip to DC as an opportunity to serve Chicago residents alongside other leaders unified in a vision to help working class Americans Records revealed that the trip cost almost $8,000, excluding redacted transactions that the city said were concealed for privacy reasons. Johnson reportedly traveled with his executive assistant, senior advisor, senior project manager, and four other redacted individuals who NBC said appeared to be members of his security team. David Greising, a member of the Better Government Association, told the outlet at the time that the office's decision to redact parts of Johnson's travel logs showed a lack of transparency with his constituents. 'When youre the mayor of a city like Chicago, the public has a right to know what you are doing on their behalf and is owed explanation of why thats a valuable investment on our part as taxpayers,' he said. However, it is not uncommon for members of public office to travel on the taxpayers' dime. Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker are frequent critics of the Trump administration. The two are pictured above during a press conference in September President Donald Trump gave a lengthy speech to Congress in support of his administraton's policies on Tuesda. He's pictured above greeting representatives in the House Chamber Johnson has frequently been seen at protests against the Trump administration. He's pictured above on January 25 at a protest against ICE enforcement A 2024 investigation by the watchdog organization OpenSecrets revealed that members of Congress spent millions on travel expenses in 2023. Republicans outspent their Democratic counterparts by nearly $8 million, with eight out of the top 10 biggest spenders being Republican. The Boston Herald revealed last September that elected officials across Massachusetts spent thousands of dollars on travel over the summer. The president is also reported to be a big spender of government dollars, with a Government Accountability Office report estimating that four trips to his residence at Mar-a-Lago in Florida cost taxpayers $13.6 million. Susie Wiles' own attorney gave Joe Biden's administration permission to spy on her during a 2023 phone call without her knowledge, FBI officials allege. FBI Director Kash Patel told Reuters that Biden's FBI subpoenaed records of phone calls made by both himself and Wiles during Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigations into 2020 election interference and whether then-former President Donald Trump took classified documents to Mar-a-Lago. At the time, they were both private citizens working on Trump's reelection campaign, and Patel claims that investigators used 'flimsy pretexts' to get their hands on their call records. One specific action officials detail is how the Bureau recorded a phone call between now-White House Chief of Staff Wiles and her attorney. The lawyer consented to the FBI monitoring and recording the call, the officials allege, but says that Wiles was not aware of the silent listener. The White House did not respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment on whether such a recording took place and if Wiles was aware of the FBI monitoring the call. It's unclear what was discussed on that call and the White House would not confirm the name of the attorney. The newly unveiled actions related to Smith's case resulted in the previously reported firing of at least 10 FBI employees this week who worked on the classified documents case. FBI officials reveal that Susie Wiles' lawyer gave permission for Joe Biden's FBI to monitor and record their phone call with her and without her knowledge FBI Director Kash Patel told Reuters that Biden's FBI subpoenaed phone records for himself and Wiles as they were private citizens working on Donald Trump's 2024 campaign Wiles was Trump's 2024 co-campaign manager and now is the White House Chief of Staff The subpoenas and call record collection were conducted under Special Counsel Jack Smith (pictured) as he investigated Trump for 2020 election interference and whether he took classified documents to Mar-a-Lago Patel said that the FBI seizing of his phone records and efforts to conceal those actions is just the latest example of government overreach under Biden's presidency. He claims it took a year for the subpoenas to be uncovered because the way the records were filed made it difficult for the new FBI leadership to find them after taking control of the Bureau last year. 'It is outrageous and deeply alarming that the previous FBI leadership secretly subpoenaed my own phone records along with those of now White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles using flimsy pretexts and burying the entire process in prohibited case files designed to evade all oversight,' Patel told Reuters. Patel said the records collection included time periods when Wiles was Trump's co-campaign manager alongside Chris LaCivita. He did not give Reuters an exact time period of when the phone record collection started and ended. The files were discovered by the FBI with 'Prohibited' categorizations, making them much more difficult to discover on the agency's computer systems. Smith in 2023 charged Trump with felonies related to his investigation into retaining and moving classified documents from the White House to his Mar-a-Lago residence The case was dismissed by a federal judge and Smith dropped an appeal when Trump won reelection for a second term in 2024. A police call reporting a 'psychopath' handyman for murdering his girlfriend while he was on bail for killing another partner was marked as a hoax, a probe has found. Carl Cooper, 66, was jailed for 35 years in 2024 for violently stabbing Naomi Hunte, 41, and murdering Fiona Holm, 48, whose body has never been found. Cooper, from Jamaica, was in a relationship with both women around one year apart - with each woman separately complaining about his violent and controlling behaviour. Cooper knifed Ms Hunte to death at her home in south East London on Valentine's Day 2022. Despite being arrested as the 'obvious suspect,' he denied murdering Ms Hunte and was released on bail. In June 2023, Ms Holm went missing and was never seen again. On June 25 police received a phone call from an anonymous tipster claiming Cooper had murdered someone that week, but this was marked down as a hoax by the call handler. Cooper, who denied both murders, was convicted in June 2024 of both women's murders and ordered to serve a minimum of 35 years in prison before being eligible to be released on parole. Now, a spokesperson for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed ten Met Police officers have been issued disciplinary notices as part of a continuing investigation into contact the force had with both women before their deaths. Carl Cooper (pictured) was handed two life sentences and ordered to serve at least 35 years for the murders of Naomi Hunt and Fiona Holm They include a police constable working in the control centre, who last month was served with a misconduct notice relating to a call which Cooper was mentioned but was marked as a hoax. The spokesperson said that on 25 June, 2023, an anonymous caller stated Cooper had murdered someone that week. This was only days before Ms Holm was reported missing. Ms Holm, of south-east London, is believed to have died on June 20, 2023. Her blood was found on the clothing at Cooper's address, even though he had thrown furniture away and refurbished his flat. IOPC director Amanda Rowe said an investigation into police actions following Ms Holm's report of an assault by Cooper only two months earlier led to a detective sergeant and a detective constable being told they were being investigated for potential gross misconduct. She also confirmed two police constables and a detective inspector were being investigated for potential misconduct relating to those actions. Despite being arrested, the Met has previously said Cooper was not charged following the attack. Ms Rowe said: 'Our investigation subsequently widened and, since September, we have served gross misconduct notices on three police constables and a police sergeant in relation to reports Ms Hunte had made to the Met about Cooper in April and October 2021.' During Cooper's trial at Woolwich Crown Court, it was heard that Ms Hunte also made a series of domestic callouts to police across 2020 and 2021 and told them he was 'obsessed' with her. On June 29, 2021 during a police call-out to her home, he told officers Cooper 'stalks me and I'm really scared now.' Fiona Holm (pictured) was never found following her murder. She had complained to the police about Cooper's violent behaviour Cooper knifed Naomi Hunte (pictured) to death at her home in south East London on Valentine's Day 2022. Ms Hunte made a series of domestic callouts to police across 2020 and 2021 about Cooper Following Cooper's murder conviction, an investigation was launched after the families of the victims made complaints alleging 'serious shortcomings' in police investigations before their deaths. Ms Rowe said: 'The serving of conduct notices does not necessarily mean disciplinary proceedings will follow. At the end of our investigation, we will decide whether any officers should face misconduct proceedings. 'All parties have been kept informed of developments in the investigation.' The Met has previously apologised for 'mistakes' made when dealing with allegations against Cooper. NATO forces were forced to intercept a Russian drone heading for France's 800ft-long aircraft carrier in a 'serious security' incident in Malmo, Sweden today. It comes just a few days after Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a chilling World War Three threat to the West, warning that his 'adversaries know how things could end' if they resort to using a 'nuclear element' in any attack against Moscow. A Russian drone was spied approaching the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, the only nuclear-powered carrier completed outside of the United States Navy. It was docked at the port of Malmo for a strategic exercise when the Swedish Armed Forces witnessed a drone take off from a nearby Russian ship and head towards the carrier. Swedish operatives subsequently launched a jamming operation against the drone, causing it to disappear from the scene. It is unclear whether it returned to the Russian vessel or crashed into the sea. Meanwhile, an oil leak of unknown origin was detected near the aircraft carrier in Malmo, the coastguard said on Thursday. The coastguard said it had opened an investigation into a potential environmental offence. French Rafale Marine fighter jets are seen on the flight deck of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, March 4, 2025 Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a chilling World War Three threat to the West this week 'We can confirm that an oil spill has occurred in the port of Malmo, where the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is moored. Two tankers are also in the same port,' the coastguard said in a statement. 'We are investigating from which of the vessels the spill originated and are taking oil samples on site,' it added. Named after French president and general Charles de Gaulle, the carrier ship normally carries around two thousand sailors and military personnel as well as around 30 fighter jets. Earlier this week, Russia's spy agency accused Britain and France of secretly plotting to give Ukraine nuclear weapons. Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) alleged the countries 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 Tuesday 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. Since Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022, over 50,000 of Putin's soldiers have deserted, representing nearly 10 per cent of all Russian troops in Ukraine, according to a UN report from September 2025. More than 16,000 military personnel have been prosecuted for desertion-related offences, with over 13,500 conscripts and contract soldiers convicted in 2024. Over the last four years, Putin's forces have seen 1.25 million soldiers killed or injured on the front lines - more than the total sustained by the US during the whole of World War Two. 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. Moscow said on Thursday it would retaliate against a European Union decision to cut its diplomatic representation in Brussels, and that the move showed that the EU did not deserve to take part in negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the EU decision to limit the size of the Russian mission to 40 people was 'discriminatory' and would not go unanswered. It comes as Russia launched a barrage of 420 drones and 39 missiles at Ukraine overnight, as US and Ukrainian envoys prepared to hold more talks in Geneva on ending the war that is now in its fifth year. The night-time bombardment, which included 11 ballistic missiles, targeted critical infrastructure and residential areas across eight regions of Ukraine. Dozens of people, including children, were injured, although authorities did not immediately publish a confirmed total. Zelensky said late on Wednesday that he had spoken by phone with US President Donald Trump and thanked him for his 'efforts and engagement' in pursuing peace negotiations. The US-brokered talks between Moscow and Kyiv are continuing but are deadlocked on the issue of the future of Ukrainian territory that Russia claims as its own. Trump representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who were also discussing nuclear negotiations with Iran in Geneva before turning to the war in Europe, were due to meet with Rustem Umerov, the head of Ukraine's national security and defence council. They also joined Trump's call with Zelensky. The envoys were to discuss economic support and the recovery of Ukraine, ways of attracting investment to the country, and frameworks for long-term cooperation. Washington is looking to keep momentum in its yearlong push to stop the fighting and overcome deep enmity between the warring countries. Ukrainian and European officials have accused the Russian president of feigning interest in peace negotiations, hoping to avoid punitive US measures such as additional sanctions while pressing forward with the invasion. Thursday's talks between the American and Ukrainian envoys could also address preparations for an upcoming trilateral meeting with Moscow officials, perhaps next week, Zelesnky said. The Ukrainian leader claimed he had also tasked Umerov with discussing a possible prisoner exchange. Russia returned 1,000 bodies of fallen soldiers to Ukraine on January 29 and received 35 bodies of its fallen troops in return. Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha urged allied countries to provide more military aid. 'When the whole world demands Moscow to finally stop this senseless war, Putin bets on more terror, attacks and aggression,' Sybiha said in a post on the ministry of foreign affairs website. The Russian Defence Ministry said its air defences shot down 17 Ukrainian drones overnight over a number of Russian regions, as well as the Black and Azov Seas. Ukraine's domestically developed long-range drones have struck oil refineries, fuel depots and military logistics hubs deep inside Russia. Meanwhile, Russia continued to push allegations of a purported plot by European nations to provide Kyiv with a nuclear bomb, without providing any evidence. The Kremlin-controlled lower house of the Russian parliament on Thursday unanimously approved an address urging the United Nations and European legislators to prevent the alleged plan. British and French officials said the claim was a lie. Donald Trumps peace envoys are locked in high-stakes nuclear talks in Geneva on Thursday with the Iranians as the president makes a final push for diplomacy while one of Americas largest warships steams toward the Middle East. The USS General Ford will arrive to the region on Friday equipped with 5,000 US servicemembers, as well as an array of advanced aerial and navy firepower. The talks are seen as the administrations last-ditch effort to peacefully defuse military tensions with Iran, according to Axios. Trump said in his State of the Union address that he wants to strike a deal with the Ayatollah guaranteeing Tehran will never develop a nuclear bomb, but warned he is prepared for war if diplomacy fails. The US has also sent advanced F-22 Raptor fighter jets to Israel on standby for deployment, according to the Wall Street Journal. The latest round of negotiations are currently paused but will resume later today as an adviser to Irans supreme leader said an 'immediate agreement' could potentially be reached. Trump's peace envoy, led by Ambassador Steve Witkoff and the President's son-in-law Jared Kushner, are demanding Tehran abandon their enriched uranium stockpile and agree any future nuclear deal will remain in effect indefinitely. The President, meanwhile, has assembled the largest military build-up in the Middle East not seen since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The military surge is widely viewed as an effort to pressure Iran into quickly agreeing to a long-term nuclear deal. The talks are seen as the administrations last-ditch effort to peacefully defuse military tensions with Iran The President, meanwhile, has assembled the largest military build-up in the Middle East not seen since the 2003 invasion of Iraq Trump has sent Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to lead talks with Iranian diplomats Your browser does not support iframes. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi is helping facilitate talks between the US and Iran by relaying messages between both sides. Moreover, US and Iranian negotiators are also engaging each other directly, Axios reports. Iranian diplomats reportedly opened the negotiations by presenting their draft proposal for a nuclear deal. It is unclear if that proposal addresses the key concerns of the US delegation. During the break, the Omani foreign minister told reporters that 'we've been exchanging creative and positive ideas' and 'hope to make more progress.' As Trump gives diplomacy one last chance with Iran, reports have emerged that the President's closest advisers are split on whether to strike Iran. Vice President JD Vance and DNI Director Tulsi Gabbard have reportedly urged Trump to pursue diplomacy rather than launch a strike against Iran. Others in Trump's orbit, including Senator Lindsey Graham, are advising him to launch a joint military operation with Israel aimed at overthrowing the Ayatollah's regime. Gulf nation allies, such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have lobbied the White House to focus on negotiations over fears an Iranian streak could lead to a wider regional war. Reports have also emerged suggesting Trumps top military advisers have yet to provide firm assurances that a strike on Iran could be carried out without risking American casualties. Your browser does not support iframes. The Joint Chiefs of Staff and Pentagon officials have warned Trump that a military strike could be risky, resulting in a prolonged conflicts and a shortage of crucial munitions. Military advisers have also noted that Iran could strike back with attacks from proxy militia forces in the region. If an American attack happens, Iran has said all US military bases in the Mideast would be considered legitimate targets, putting at risk tens of thousands of American service members. Iran has also threatened to attack Israel following a bruising 12-day war last year, meaning a regional war again could erupt across the Middle East. 'There would be no victory for anybody - it would be a devastating war,' Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told India Today in an interview filmed Wednesday just before he flew to Geneva. 'Since the Americans' bases are scattered through different places in the region, then unfortunately perhaps the whole region would be engaged and be involved, so it is a very terrible scenario.' Araghchi again will sit across from Witkoff, a billionaire real estate developer and friend of Trump who serves as a special Mideast envoy for the president. A Colorado CEO who violently slammed a teenager for flicking water toward his wife at In-N-Out Burger avoided jail time despite the ordeal. Lucas Kalisher, 57, received a lenient sentence on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted assault by strangulation in the August 2024 attack in the Denver suburb of Loveland. The Larimer County District Attorney's Office ordered Kalisher to 30 months of probation, 120 hours of community service and a $200 restitution to his victim, reported Law & Crime. Kalisher also must complete an anger management evaluation and recommended treatment as well as write a letter of apology to his victim, but avoided spending any time behind bars for the assault. The private equity CEO was seen in footage exclusively revealed by the Daily Mail two years ago slamming the boy to the ground and grappling with him, which he said came after the teen flicked water at his wife. The incident unfolded at 1am on August 4, 2024, when Kalisher and his wife demanded that the 15-year-old boy apologize for splashing water at them. At the time, Kalisher's since-removed LinkedIn page listed him as the CEO of Summit Source Funding, an oil and gas company. Kalisher was seen in the footage towering over the teenager, squaring up to him and ordering him to 'Say sorry.' Colorado private equity CEO Lucas Kalisher avoided jail time as he was sentenced on Tuesday following a 2024 incident at an In-N-Out In the footage, Kalisher demanded that the teen apologize to his wife after the child accidentally splashed her with water He then forcefully grabbed the boy by the neck and slammed him to the ground In the Daily Mail's exclusive video from the incident, Kalisher grabbed the teen by the neck and flung him to the ground as his friends looked on, shouting 'Jerome, Bro.' 'You don't treat a lady that way,' Kalisher yelled back, defending his wife. The alarming video was shared online and widely circulated on social media, sparking fury among those who watched it. According to a report from the Loveland Police Department, the victim and his friends were inside the restaurant engaging in horseplay by splashing water on one another.' Water accidentally hit Kalisher's wife, and the teen approached the couple's table to apologize, police said. After the violent confrontation, Kalisher and the woman left the restaurant before the police could arrive. The viral footage of the incident prompted a week-long investigation. Multiple witnesses were interviewed and police reviewed 'different views of the incident.' Officers confirmed Kalisher's identity and the man turned himself in nine days later. Kalisher flew into a frenzy because the teen splashed water on his wife The In-N-Out Burger in Loveland, Colorado where the August 4th assault took place Kalisher was originally charged with second-degree assault by strangulation and child abuse. But he struck a plea deal with the District Attorney's Office and the major charges were dropped to attempted assault. If the former-CEO fails to follow the terms of the bargain, he could be sentenced for a class five felony and serve up to three years in prison, reported KDVR. Since the horrifying encounter, Kalisher seemed to remove all of his social media profiles. Even the website for Summit Source Funding is no longer accessible. The Daily Mail contacted Kalisher, the District Attorney's Office, Summit Source Funding and Loveland Police Department for comment. Int'l community should firmly reject reckless moves of Japanese neo-militarism: Chinese FM spokesperson Xinhua) 10:21, February 26, 2026 BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The international community should firmly reject reckless moves of Japanese neo-militarism, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday. Mao made the remarks at a regular press briefing when responding to questions regarding the latest developments within Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party concerning the loosening of weapons export controls. "We noted the report and have serious concern over the move. Due to Japan's history of aggression, its moves in military and security areas have been closely watched by its Asian neighbors and the international community," she said. Mao noted that in recent years, Japan has been revamping its security and defense policies, its officials have clamored for the possession of nuclear weapons, and the country has sought to revise the Three Non-Nuclear Principles and lift restrictions on the export of weapons. The latest move has once again laid bare the Japanese right-wing forces' ambitions to breach the postwar international order, break free from domestic laws and remilitarize Japan, Mao said. "The international community needs to stay on high alert and jointly safeguard the outcomes of the victory in WWII and the postwar international order," the spokesperson said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) A new proposal to build a huge AI data center near a 100 million year old dinosaur park in Texas has sparked outrage over claims it could destroy the historic site. The proposal by NRG Energy, headquartered in Houston, outlines a development plan for a 2,600 acre AI-generated natural gas power plant next to the Paluxy River, which also feeds the Dinosaur Valley State Park. The plan would see dozens of massive server buildings and plants erected on land where dinosaurs roamed millions of years ago, and left footprints that have been preserved for millennia. The plant itself feeds into the Paluxy River, the same body of water where dinosaur footprints remain to this day. Fury has since erupted across the community, with protesters rushing to send letters to the state to urge them not to welcome the data center. Similarly, the Fort Worth Group of the Sierra Club has been calling on residents to oppose a trio of air quality permits linked to the project, submit comments to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and request a public meeting or case hearing. Opponents have taken to social media to share their frustrations, as one wrote on X: 'Nah man this is beyond f***ed, protect Dinosaur Valley State Park.' 'If they replace Dinosaur Valley State Park with a data center, I might actually become an ecoterrorist,' another posted. A new proposal to build a huge AI data center near the 100 million year old Dinosaur Valley State Park in Texas has sparked outrage over claims it could destroy the historic site NRG Energy, headquartered in Houston, pitched a development plan for a 2,600 acre AI generated natural gas power plant near the historic site Brian Crawford, a local, said if the plan were to be approved, it would be a 'huge loss to the world, really,' he told CHRON. Many have gone on to share steps on how to contact the state about their concern for the park. The Fort Worth Group of the Sierra Club has also shared information about the proposal on their channels, stating that destroying the park would not only be horrible because of the history it holds, but also because of the wildlife that still call it home. 'These proposed routes would clear critical habitat and disrupt migratory paths for protected species, including the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler,' the group wrote. Crawford, who lives near the park, said that Sailfish Investors, partners with NRG Energy, have contingent contract with on about 2,100 acres of property in the area. He told the outlet that the proposed project was initially supposed to be a five-gigawatt data center, but it now looks like it will be three. According to Crawford, that would likely need to be supplemented by three 'massive' natural gas power plants. Plans presented to Hood County commissioners revealed 45 buildings that are about 45,000 square-feet each, something Crawford compared to roughly 112 Walmart Supercenters. Join the debate Should historic natural sites be sacrificed for AI development, or are some places too precious to risk? Many have shared their frustrations with the plans online and have also written letters to the state to turn the idea down He presumed that the data center would also need approximately 2,000 diesel backup generators. The Lone Star state has been experiencing severe water shortages, and according to Crawford, the center would take most of the little water the community has to operate. 'The primary consumer of water are the power plants, not the data center,' he said, predicting that the plant could possibly use 16.5 million gallons of water per day. Following an outcry from the public, the Somervell County Water Conservation District declined a water supply for the project. But that might not stop the energy company because it could seek approval to drill wells through the Upper Trinity Water Conservation District instead. 'We don't believe that there's any way that he's going to be able to, one, get that much water, and two, get approval to get that much water,' Crawford said, referring to the developer. He also noted that runoff water is a concern if the project is built at the dinosaur park because the plans include three discharge points that would flow into creeks that lead to the Paluxy River - where the land-dwelling reptiles' footprints are located. Destroying the park would not only be horrible because of the history it holds, but the wildlife that still call it home 'The famous Glen Rose dinosaur tracks are in the Paluxy river bed in Dinosaur Valley State Park,' Crawford said, adding that it would be a 'huge loss to the world' if they were obstructed. Hood County commissioners recently voted 3-2 against a proposed six month moratorium, or temporary prohibition, of new industrial projects following a warning letter from Senator Paul Bettancourt, who said counties don't have the power to impose developmental pauses. He also urged Attorney General Ken Paxton to get involved if it is set in place. Crawford said he is not against AI, he just doesn't see it benefiting his hometown. 'We're asking the governor to take a hard look, tap the brake a little bit, and say, 'Wait a minute,' Crawford said. 'Data centers are fine and good, but maybe there needs to be guardrails. We can't put up guardrails until we take some time. Allow counties to issue a moratorium. Let the local people say if they're interested in a data center or not.' Spain will be able to veto the entry of British travellers to Gibraltar and refuse residency permits on security grounds under a post-Brexit treaty governing the territory's future relationship with the EU. Under the draft agreement, Spanish authorities will have the power to deny entry of travellers from outside the EU - including Britons - if they are deemed to pose a risk to security, public health or international relations. The 336-article treaty, published in draft form on Thursday, sets out plans for Spanish and British officials to carry out checks at Gibraltar's airport and port, effectively removing the need for a hard land border with Spain. The move is likely to spark concern among some conservatives, who argue it represents an erosion of sovereignty. Gibraltar will remain British, but people will be able to travel freely across the land border with Spain, according to the post-Brexit agreement. The deal will mean no routine passport checks at the Spain-Gibraltar border for the 15,000 people who cross it every day, around half of Gibraltar's workforce. However, checks will apply to those arriving by air, so those flying into Gibraltar from the UK will face dual border controls: one check from Gibraltarian officials and another by the Spanish on behalf of the EU, similar to French police operating at St Pancras Station. Spain will be able to veto the entry of British travellers to Gibraltar and refuse residency permits on security grounds under a post-Brexit treaty governing the territory's future relationship with the EU (stock image) There will also be a bespoke customs model to 'eliminate burdensome goods checks' at the land border, the UK Government said. Gibraltar will align its import duty rates on goods with EU rates to allow people to cross the border with everyday goods, such as shopping, without declarations or additional charges. However, the Rock will continue to have no VAT or any other sales tax. The draft agreement does not affect sovereignty, stating that nothing signed 'shall constitute the basis for any assertion or denial of sovereignty' over the Rock, and protects UK autonomy of key military facilities. Gibraltar's airport is run by the Ministry of Defence and hosts an RAF base. The overseas territory also has an important naval facility. The treaty, published in draft form on Thursday, still needs to be signed, ratified an implemented. It is set to be signed in March. Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty said: 'This treaty ensures that Gibraltar's economy, people, and future are protected as an integral part of the British family. 'Working closely with the Government of Gibraltar - and agreeing nothing without their consent - we have a treaty that preserves sovereignty and delivers certainty when Gibraltar's way of life was threatened. 'The UK's commitment to Gibraltar will never falter.' Speaking in the Commons on Thursday, Mr Doughty emphasised that Gibraltar is 'not joining Schengen' and that 'immigration, policing and justice remain the responsibility of its own authorities'. He said the deal will 'bring an end to the long queues that we have seen for workers, businesses and visitors' at the Gibraltar-Spain border and will give businesses 'the certainty they have sought for many years, allowing them to plan and invest with confidence'. The Governor of Gibraltar Sir Ben Bathurst watched from the gallery as Mr Doughty told MPs that that the UK-EU treaty has the 'full support' of the Government of Gibraltar. Meanwhile, chief minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo said: 'This is a safe and secure agreement we have negotiated alongside the UK and that unequivocally protects our position on sovereignty, safeguards our economy and delivers the certainty our people and businesses need. 'It allows Gibraltar to look to the future with confidence, protecting our British way of life while unlocking new opportunities for growth and prosperity. 'It is an agreement that is very good for Gibraltar-based individuals and businesses that will deliver great growth for our economy.' However, shadow Foreign Office minister Wendy Morton argued that sovereignty is 'not simply about words, it is about how arrangements operate in practice'. The Conservative frontbencher raised concerns about Gibraltar adopting dynamic alignment, which is when a non-EU country or territory agrees to automatically update its domestic laws and standards to match EU regulations in certain areas. She said: 'This treaty does not merely apply a fixed list of EU law. It provides for future EU acts listed in the annexes to be adopted and implemented with serious consequences if they are not.' She questioned how Gibraltar and the UK will avoid 'becoming subject to ongoing EU rule-taking without meaningful political control'. Ms Morton concluded: 'There are serious questions about the operation of the border and dual checks, the role of Spanish authorities at the airport, customs and taxation arrangements, business impacts, the adoption of future EU acts listed in the annexes, ECJ (European Court of Justice) interpretation and the domestic legislation required to implement the treaty.' Mr Doughty said the Government welcomes the scrutiny that the treaty will receive in Parliament, saying: 'There is nothing to hide here.' In relation to Ms Morton's concerns about dynamic alignment, he said it is for Gibraltar to decide what kind of alignment they want to have and claimed that the Tories want to 'stick in the ideology of the Brexit years, rather than pragmatic arrangements that deliver for the people of Gibraltar, or indeed the people of this country'. Later, Mr Doughty said it was 'completely erroneous' to draw a comparison between the Chagos deal and the treaty on Gibraltar. Responding to a question from Lincoln Jopp, Conservative MP for Spelthorne, he said it was 'hugely unhelpful to draw false comparisons between Chagos and indeed other overseas territories', highlighting that the chief minister of Gibraltar 'specifically cautioned against doing so'. Gibraltar was ceded to the UK by Spain under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 and the population is heavily in favour of remaining a British overseas territory. The last time it voted on a proposal to share sovereignty with Spain, in 2002, almost 99 per cent of Gibraltarians rejected the move. Talks on rules governing the border have been ongoing since Britain left the European Union in 2020. Convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell almost never showers behind bars and reeks of body odor, a former cellmate said. Maxwell, 64, allegedly stinks of 'armpits' and had 'horrible personal hygiene,' the unnamed exinmate told TMZ. The woman was incarcerated with Maxwell from 2023 to 2025 at the allfemale FCI Tallahassee in Florida and had regular contact with her, according to the outlet. Maxwell is currently serving a 20year federal prison sentence after being convicted of child sex trafficking, as well as related charges for conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse minors. Her former cellmate claimed Maxwell 'would shower once or twice a week,' even though inmates had easy access to the showers. Maxwell 'always had BO' since she would work out constantly and almost never wash herself after, she added. The inmate said Epstein's longtime girlfriend would always jog around to get to where she was going. Other prisoners shunned Maxwell and labeled her as a 'chomo' a slang term for child molester. A woman incarcerated with Ghislaine Maxwell, 64, in Florida claimed that the convicted sex offender smelled like 'armpits' Jeffrey Epstein's longtime girlfriend allegedly only showered 'once or twice a week,' according to Maxwell's former cellmate However, no one ever laid their hands on Maxwell at the lowsecurity facility despite her reputation. Her former inmate explained that no one wanted to get sent to the special housing unit known as 'the hole.' Those in the hole could be confined for months and locked in 24 hours a day while only being served cold meals. 'It's just not worth it,' she said, calling it 'very hard living.' Maxwell was transferred out of the Florida prison in August and moved to Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas, a more relaxed facility typically used for nonviolent, whitecollar criminals. The transfer came shortly after she met twice with US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to discuss her crimes and relationship with Epstein. A whistleblower from FPC Bryan, later identified as nurse Noella Turnage, told the House Judiciary Committee that Maxwell was enjoying a much cushier life after being moved to the lower-security prison. Prison staff were allegedly waiting 'hand and foot' for the disgraced socialite and lavishing her with special treatment. Maxwell is serving a 20year federal prison sentence after being convicted of child sex trafficking and charges related to conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse minors Among the perks that Maxwell has been receiving since her move include 'customized' meals that were then 'personally delivered to her in her cell by longtime federal employees,' according to the whistleblower. She was allegedly allowed to use recreation areas after hours, and her visitors were provided with a 'special cordoned off area' and 'snacks and refreshments.' Her visitors were allowed to bring in computers, which created the risk of her carrying out 'unmonitored communications with the outside world', the whistleblower said. On occasion, Maxwell was even allowed access to a puppy in her cell, 'even though neither inmates nor staff are ordinarily allowed to pet the service dogs in training.' Democrat Jamie Raskin said the whistleblower also provided Maxwell's email correspondence, which showed she told friends she was far more comfortable in her new facility. 'Bryan is a different beast in every possible respect to Tal,' Maxwell wrote. 'It is a well managed well run institution with an execellent [sic] Warden who leads from the top.' Maxwell said the prison was 'run in an orderly fashion which makes for a safer more comfortable environment for all people.' 'In other words I feel like I have dropped through Alice in Wonderlands looking glass,' she added. 'I am much much happier here and more importantly safe.' Maxwell's excellmate in Florida claimed shower access was easy for the disgraced British socialite, but that she 'always had BO' due to her incessant exercise In August, Epstein's associate was moved to the more lax Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas. Maxwell wrote that she felt 'much much happier' at the new facility Maxwell's workout habits have apparently continued at her new facility in Texas. The whistleblower claimed that Maxwell was 'personally escorted' after hours by prison guards so that she could work out by herself. Maxwell was also allegedly allowed to shower late at night when other inmates were already in bed, the Judiciary Committee said. Inmates were allegedly threatened with retaliation if they spoke to the media about the convicted sex offender. In September, Maxwell was photographed going to a yoga class at the prison in a gray jogger set and black Nike trainers. Her attorney, David Oscar Markus, has said that the prison transfer was made for Maxwell's safety. 'I'm surprised to hear my progressive friends criticizing more humane prisons and Ghislaine's transfer to a safer facility, especially after she faced serious danger in Tallahassee,' Markus said on X. He added: 'The outrage machine wants to turn a safer placement into a scandal. But it's still prison. And despite the soundbites, prison is a truly awful place.' The Daily Mail has reached out to Maxwell's attorneys Markus, Leah Saffian and Melissa Madrigal for comment. Donald Trump is already facing fallout as his Republican allies drag the Clintons to testify over their relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Hillary Clinton arrived for a closed-door deposition on Thursday at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, near the Clintons' home in Westchester County, New York. The former Secretary of State is being deposed today, while her husband Bill's testimony will follow on Friday. Hillary claims she never met Epstein and only met his co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell, on a few occasions. Lawmakers speaking ahead of the hearing were asked whether they planned to ask Hillary about an email in the Epstein files, which shows Trump's Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emailed the pedophile about Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. 'It will be on my list,' Republican Representative Nancy Mace told reporters. In November 2015, Epstein's assistant forwarded him an invitation from Lutnick to a 'very intimate fundraising event' at his financial firm for then-presidential candidate Hillary. It is unclear whether Epstein attended the event. He made no donations to her campaign, according to filings from the Federal Elections Commission. Lutnick donated $2,700 to her campaign, the maximum allowed by law at that time. Clinton's historic deposition tomorrow will be the first time a former president has been compelled to testify in a congressional investigation against his will. He and Hillary finally agreed to the deposition after being threatened with contempt charges. A motorcade arrives ahead of Hillary Clinton's deposition in Chappaqua, New York, as part of the House Oversight Committee investigation into Jeffrey Epstein Bill Clinton and an unidentified woman on a private jet in the latest release of the Epstein files. The former president said he only ever traveled with the pedophile for charity work The former president relaxing in a hot tub with a woman whose face has been redacted Ahead of the hearing on Thursday, James Comer, the Republican chairman of the Oversight Committee, told reporters: 'Today is going to be a long day' Republicans, who hold the majority on the House Oversight Committee, drove the effort to bring the Clintons to testify as Donald Trump faced pressure to release the Epstein files. Democrat lawmakers are also attending the deposition, which forms part of a broader congressional effort to investigate the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein case. Ahead of the hearing, James Comer, the Republican chairman of the Oversight Committee, told reporters: 'Today is going to be a long day, and tomorrow is going to be even longer.' Republicans told the Daily Mail that they expected the Clintons to prove worthy adversaries under questioning, but claimed that new evidence against the former president - including photos of him swimming with Maxwell - provided ample ammunition. Representative Byron Donalds of Florida told the Daily Mail: 'Bill in a pool, Bill on the plane, I think there needs to be a comprehensive review.' 'I think what the American people are looking for right now is true accountability from people in power who were a part of sexualizing and abusing young women,' he added. Clinton denies all wrongdoing, as does Hillary, who claims that she never met Epstein but acknowledges meeting Maxwell on several occasions. Republicans anticipate the veteran politicians, no strangers to allegations of impropriety, to be combative witnesses. Epstein, Clinton and an unidentified man in a photograph from the Epstein files The Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, ahead of a deposition with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as part of the House Oversight Committee's investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in Chappaqua, New York, on Thursday Hillary said in a BBC interview last week that she and Clinton are 'more than happy to say what we know, which is very limited and totally unrelated to their behavior or their crimes' President Clinton and wife Hillary share a tender moment during an East Room ceremony at the White House in Washington, July 17, 1996 Representative John McGuire of Virginia said: 'No matter what we do, I think they are going to plead the fifth or play games, but we are going to give them the facts and expose them to the American people.' Representative Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin said he hopes the depositions will expose others in Epstein's orbit. 'I'd like to know more about the people around Epstein, because maybe they will shed a light on what Bill was doing when he had contact with Epstein, and maybe give us the names of some more of the little people who know what's going on,' Grothman told the Daily Mail. 'We know that there are people out there who have said that they saw Bill on Epstein Island ... we would like to track that down. Shouldn't we, for history's purposes?' Dani Bensky, an Epstein survivor who attended Tuesday's State of the Union as a guest of Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer, said lawmakers should cast a wide net when questioning the Clintons. She told the Daily Mail that 'it's really broad strokes' that should be used. 'I think anything that they know about, anything that they were even around for, I think they really just need to talk about every event they ever attended,' Bensky noted, before adding that the more information the Clintons give, 'the better.' Epstein and Maxwell also appear to have played a key role in setting up the Clinton Foundation and Clinton Global Initiative, according to the Epstein files. Maxwell herself was deposed as part of the bipartisan congressional investigation into the Justice Department's prosecution and handling of the Epstein case, during which she pleaded the Fifth Amendment to prevent self-incrimination. Hillary said in a BBC interview last week that she and Clinton are 'more than happy to say what we know, which is very limited and totally unrelated to their behavior or their crimes.' Comer noted earlier this week that 'the Clintons' testimony is critical to understanding Epstein and Maxwell's sex trafficking network and the ways they sought to curry favor and influence to shield themselves from scrutiny.' 'Their testimony may also inform how Congress can strengthen laws to better combat human trafficking. Our goal for this investigation is straightforward: we seek to deliver transparency and accountability for the American people and for survivors,' the committee chairman added. The Daily Mail has contacted the Clintons for comment. A Virginia man brutally killed his wife and daughter with a curved dagger and was in the middle of stabbing his son-in-law when he was shot to death by police, investigators have said. Chhatra Thapa, 54, attacked his family on Monday morning inside his daughter's apartment in Mantua, a suburban community about 16 miles west of Washington, D.C., according to the Fairfax County Police Department. His wife and daughter, Binda Thapa, 52, and Mamta Thapa, 33, were found by police in different parts of the home, each of them with multiple stab wounds. Upon their arrival, police also encountered Chhatra kneeling over Mamta's husband, Subash Basnet, repeatedly stabbing him. When Chhatra refused to obey commands to drop the knife, an officer shot him dead, authorities said. Mamta and Basnet's one-year-old son was also in the apartment but was unharmed. Davis described the knife used by the suspect as a 10-inch blade that resembled a meat cleaver. 'To describe this scene as bloody would be an understatement,' said Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis in a press conference. 'The damage and the chaos and the carnage that was perpetrated by this man in his fifties on his own family is unimaginable.' Davis explained that Basnet was out cleaning snow off his car when he heard commotion inside the apartment. He and someone else inside the residence called 911. Chhatra Thapa, 54, went on a violent rampage on Monday and attempted to kill his entire family at his daughter and son-in-law's apartment in Mantua, Virginia, police said Mamta Thapa (right), 33, was the first to be stabbed to death by her father. Thapa shared a one-year-old son with husband Subash Basnet, who was also stabbed repeatedly by Chhatra. Basnet is in critical condition and his son was physically unharmed Binda Thapa, Chhatras wife, was his second victim, according to police. She did not survive Basnet went inside the apartment and found his wife, who was already dead. He then saw Binda being stabbed, which was when Chhatra got up and began attacking him, Davis said. 'Our police officer was on the scene and...tried to save the life of a man who was being stabbed to death by his own father-in-law,' Davis said. 'So that young police officer who discharged his firearm, and I saw the body-worn camera...did exactly what we expect him to do and quite frankly, exactly what our community expects him to do.' Basnet is still in the hospital in life-threatening condition, according to police. His one-year-old son is in protective custody and for now, has been placed with a family in coordination with Child Protective Services. Mamta, who had been married to Basnet since March 2017, was a nurse and posted numerous photos of her husband and child to her social media. In September 2025, the couple celebrated their baby's first birthday, posting a video of their family gathering for a party. Several more videos on Mamta's page show the couple interacting with their son as he crawled around their apartment or played with toys. Mamta, who had been married to Basnet since March 2017, was a nurse and posted numerous photos of her husband and child to her social media Pictured: The bloody, 10-inch blade found police inside the apartment. Police said Chhatra used this during the killings Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis praised the young police officer who fatally shot Chhatra while he allegedly stabbing Basnet Police have not revealed a possible motive for the attack beyond saying it was a 'domestic-related' incident. The officer who shot Chhatra has been with the force for two-and-a-half years and per department policy, will be placed on 'a restricted duty status' until an investigation into the shooting is completed. His name will be released in 10 days. 'The Major Crimes Bureau is conducting a criminal investigation into the use of force, and the Internal Affairs Bureau is conducting a separate administrative investigation which will be subject to an independent review by the Independent Police Auditor,' police said in a statement. The body camera footage will be released to the public within a month, also in accordance with department policy. President Donald Trump's longtime friend and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is under fire after a scathing report detailing his bellicose and at at times insular approach with his colleagues. Lutnick, 64, the former CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald and Hillary Clinton fundraiser, was torched by curious lawmakers on Capitol Hill about why he visited late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's island in 2012 with his wife and kids. The trip only came to light after one of the Department of Justice's latest Epstein document dumps - and it directly contradicted Lutnick's past comments about cutting off his ties with the financier years before. Lutnick's Epstein story has prompted calls for his resignation from both sides of the aisle, though his behavior within the West Wing is also roiling his reputation. 'When youre in a meeting with him, if he disagrees with what youre saying, or if you are trying to offer, even diplomatically, an alternative view, he just completely shouts over you,' one Trump administration official told POLITICO. Another official commented on Lutnick's proclivity to keep information tightly guarded and centralized, keeping top aides under 'gag orders.' 'No ones allowed to talk to the interagency without Howard giving explicit approval,' the admin official told the outlet. 'Even when his staff show up to meetings at the White House, theyre under a gag order, and they literally just say, "Hi, I dont have a position from the Secretary on this, so Commerce has no position at this time."' Some who have worked with the Commerce secretary shared that he does not leave room for dissenting views, and several sources noted the department's higher-than-usual turnover, with some staff hinting at issues with the work culture. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is known to raise his voice at meetings and silence dissent, Trump administration officials told POLITICO Lutnick has been one of the president's closest allies among his Cabinet members. He is often seen by Trump's side at various events, and the two have maintained a decades-long relationship 'Lutnick is sometimes very helpful and sometimes an annoyance,' another source shared. 'In terms of the general workings, theres a ton of frustration with how things are running at Commerce across not just the White House, but the broader interagency.' Though some have been supportive of Lutnick, including Trump's first-term Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. 'I think he continues to be very close to the President, and undoubtedly speaks with him an awful lot, and is listened to a lot,' Ross told the Daily Mail in an interview. 'You notice he's at Trump's side at all of these events,' he added. Lutnick was last by Trump's side - directly over his shoulder - last Friday, when the president held a last-minute press conference at the White House to address the Supreme Court's ruling on his tariff plans. But while he's become a cog in the president's tariff machine, he's also been used by the administration to tout the program's benefits. Lutnick has used the hammer that is Trump's tariffs to negotiate trade deals with the European Union, Japan and Taiwan. He has also been tasked by Trump to lock down trade deals central to the plan, providing the president political ammo to brag about bringing in trillions in new investments. Some are doubtful about the amount of money Lutnick and Trump have claimed to raise in new investments Though some warn the nearly $20 trillion in new investments celebrated by Trump should be questioned. 'The reality is that only a small fraction of that [promised sum] has any specifics behind it and can really be considered new investment,' Scott Lincicome of the Cato Institute told POLITICO. 'So the rest of it is just repackaged stuff that they were already going to do, or stuff thats related to the AI boom and has almost nothing to do with tariffs.' Still, the White House says Lutnick has the president's full support. Lutnick 'has been the most transformative Commerce Secretary in modern history and is a champion of the Presidents America First trade and tariffs policies,' White House spokesman Kush Desai said. Two British cousins accused of knifing a man in the throat after allegedly trying to chat up his female friend were just millimetres away from killing him, Italian police have revealed. Axyl Izouaouen, 19, and Adam Izouaouen, 21, both from London, are in custody on suspicion of attempted murder following the St Valentines Day attack in Venice. The 22-year-old victim, who has not been named, was stabbed during an argument that broke out inside the popular La Bussola cocktail bar earlier this month. Witnesses said an argument developed after the two British men, who are from London, tried to chat up a woman who was with the victim. Eugenio Masino, head of the Venice Flying squad, told the Daily Mail: 'The victim was lucky to escape with his life, his wound was very serious, and he will be in hospital at least a month. 'He has dozens of stitches to his throat and if it had been a few millimetres to one side it would have sliced through his jugular vein and he would be dead.' Mr Masino added: 'We haven't had a chance to interview the victim properly because of his injury as doctors have told him not to try and speak.' The victim pulled the knife from his throat and threw it on the ground where it was picked up by one of the men with witnesses saying they threw it into the nearby Canale Grande. Axyl Izouaouen, 19, and Adam Izouaouen (pictured), 21, both from London, are in custody on suspicion of attempted murder following the St Valentines Day attack in Venice The victim pulled the knife from his throat and threw it on the ground where it was picked up by one of the men with witnesses saying they threw it into the nearby Canale Grande. Pictured: Police searching the canal Paramedics raced to the scene as bar goers tried to stem the flow of blood from the man's throat and he was taken to hospital for life saving surgery. Mr Masino said the men were identified after CCTV from the bar was examined as well as till receipts and they were able to trace them through their social media accounts. Details were then exchanged with Interpol and police in London who confirmed the identities and the men were traced to a flat the grandmother of one of the men owned. Mr Masino added:' CCTV footage from the bar shows one of the men Adam, handing the knife to the other, and the victim is then stabbed in the neck. 'With the help of information received we were able to establish that Adam's grandmother had a flat in Venice, and a surveillance operation was mounted. 'We saw the lights going on and off and then officers raided the apartment where the two men were and were the second husband of the grandmother was staying.' Social media accounts for the men reveal both are from London and Adam is said to be a law student while his cousin is unemployed. Both men are currently being held in a jail near Venice and are expected to appear in court again next month. Israeli soldiers have been accused of shooting a Palestinian boy before attempting to 'frame him' as he lay bleeding to death. Jad Jallah was shot by IDF soldiers at the al-Far'a refugee camp in the West Bank. CCTV footage of the incident shows Jad and two friends standing in an alley, before peeking to their right and running away. Several Israeli soldiers suddenly emerge and one appears to raise a weapon and open fire, before 14-year-old Jad falls to the ground and disappears outside the frame. Witnesses said that 14 soldiers then stood around the wounded boy for at least 45 minutes while he bled out. Video footage filmed by a resident of the camp appears to show the teen waving his arms and throwing his hat towards the soldiers in an attempt to ask for help. However, the soldiers appear to ignore him, and one is seen dropping an object next to the boy before taking a photo. The IDF has claimed that the teenager threw a rock, calling him a 'terrorist' who 'attempted to attack the force.' One soldier is seen dropping an object next to the boy before taking a photo Witnesses said that 14 soldiers stood around the wounded boy for at least 45 minutes while he bled out Under their rules of engagement, rock throwing allows soldiers to use lethal force. However, Jad's family has accused the soldiers of attempting to frame him, with his mother Safa telling the BBC: 'They dropped a stone next to him so they could frame him, and make it look like he threw stones at them.' She added: 'You can see it in the video. Anyone who watches the video will see.' The IDF has also been accused of blocking paramedics from reaching the boy, which they deny. According to call logs, an ambulance was dispatched immediately, arriving at the scene in eight minutes . However, the emergency team was allegedly stopped at gunpoint and prevented from reaching the wounded boy. Hassan Fouqha, the lead paramedic, said: 'We tried to advance several times, tried signalling to them to let us reach the child, but we were completely blocked.' 'We could have reached him and provided medical aid but we were prevented. The purpose of this, we do not know, but this is what happened.' The paramedic said they helplessly watched for over half an hour. The IDF told the BBC that soldiers provided 'initial medical treatment' to Jad after verifying that he was not wearing a hidden explosive device. The soldiers placed the teenager into the back of a military vehicle but it is unclear if this was before or after his death. Human rights organisations have criticised methods in which IDF soldiers operate in the West Bank, including a permissive 'open fire' policy. The groups say that soldiers frequently shoot people including children who throw stones, even if they do not pose an immediate risk to their lives. The Israeli army pictured carrying out a large-scale military operation in the Al-Far'a Palestinian refugee camp Speaking to the BBC, Shai Parnes from Israeli human rights group B'Tselem said of the footage: 'It is hard to determine for certain what we're seeing whether it's a rock and whether they are trying to frame him with it.' 'But I think anyone who watches it with an open mind will probably come to that conclusion.' The Israeli military has not yet returned Jad's body after the incident in November of last year, so the exact circumstances of his death remain unclear. His mother Safa claimed the IDF was either being deliberately cruel, or attempting to hide something. 'Maybe it is only to provoke our nerves, to exhaust us, to kill our patience,' she said. 'But we are patient, and we have hope, and we will keep waiting. Today, tomorrow, or after a hundred years, we will get him back. God willing, we will get him back.' An IDF spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'During an offensive operation by IDF forces in the Faraa camp in the Menashe Brigade area, on November 16, 2025, a terrorist was identified who attempted to attack the force during the operation in the area. 'The force fired at the terrorist and wounded him. After the terrorist was injured, the force provided him with initial medical treatment, following verification that the terrorist was not carrying an explosive device on his body. 'The claim that the force did not provide medical treatment to the wounded terrorist is false.' The IDF also provided the Daily Mail with footage that they say shows a soldier providing the boy with medical treatment. This comes amid escalating violence in the West Bank, with constant clashes between settlers and Palestinians. Last week, a Palestinian-American man was killed by settlers during an attack on the village of Mukhmas. 19-year-old Nasrallah Abu Siyam was killed after a group of settlers reportedly attacked a farmer, prompting fights with residents. The Palestinian health ministry confirmed the man's death from critical wounds. Five immigration officers have been accused of stealing 'hundreds of thousands' pounds worth of cash and property from small boats migrants as they were being processed on arrival in the UK, a court has heard. One of the officers, Albanian national Besmir Matera, has also been charged with entering the UK illegally between July 2003 and March 2004 by giving a false name, date of birth, and nationality in an asylum application. Southwark Crown Court heard that the 36-year-old entered the UK on a school trip but told authorities he is from Kosovo. The groups actions were uncovered after Matera's was arrested 'in relation to immigration matters, his mobile phone seized and examined and a large number of WhatsApp messages found.' In the messages the defendants were 'discussing and agreeing to steal from migrants,' the court heard. Matera alongside Jack Mitchell, 33, Lee-Ann Evanson, 42, John Bernthal, 53, and Ben Edwardes, 45, were charged with conspiracy to steal after a probe was launched by Home Office anti-corruption investigators. A sixth officer, David Grundy, 43, is charged alongside them with money laundering offences between August 2021 and November 2022. And Matera has also been charged with possessing false passports between 2011 and 2022 and a false driving license between 2018 and 2022. Besmir Matera (L) was charged for forging an asylum application and David Grundy (R) was charged with money laundering offences Jack Mitchell (L) and Lee-Ann Evanson (R) are accused of stealing cash from small boat migrants who arrived at Dover Prosecutor Lyndon Harris told the court the defendants were tasked with 'managing the arrival of migrants on small boats, the initial processing of those individuals, searching, and placing property into bags'. The total amount stolen is estimated to be 'in the hundreds of thousands', the prosecutor added. Matera, Mitchell, Evanson, Bernthal, and Edwardes all denied conspiring to steal, misconduct in public office and money laundering. Metera alone denied entering the UK illegally, possessing false passports and a false driving licence. Grundy denied money laundering charges. Judge Nicholas Rimmer told the defendants their provisional trial date is scheduled for January 17 2028, with a time estimate of six to eight weeks. 'I'm sorry it's so long away - it's the earliest date that the court can accommodate,' he said. The six were bailed ahead of their trial on January 17, 2028. According to the prosecution the defendants were all working in an 'immigration enforcement clandestine operation response team, dealing with migrants arriving on small boats across the channel.' They all remain on bail on condition they do not contact prosecution witnesses ahead of their trial. Waitrose has made the decision to stop selling mackerel amid overfishing fears which could have left the species in danger long-term. The luxury supermarket says sourcing of fresh, chilled and frozen mackerel will be suspended by April 29 with tinned mackerel following suit when the current stock is sold. Waitrose claims it is the first British supermarket to suspend its sourcing of the species which is commonly found off the coast of Scotland. The move comes in the wake of failures by various governments to cut catches to levels recommended by scientists in a bid ensure sustainable fishing. Conservationists welcomed Waitrose's call to take mackerel off its shelves, and urged other supermarkets to follow suit. Jake Pickering, head of agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries at Waitrose, said: 'By suspending sourcing of mackerel at Waitrose we are reinforcing our ethical and sustainable business commitments, acting to tackle overfishing and protect the long-term health of our oceans and this crucial fish. 'Our customers trust us to source responsibly, and we are closely monitoring the fishery. 'We look forward to bringing mackerel back to our shelves once it meets our high sourcing standards.' Waitrose has made the decision to stop selling mackerel amid overfishing fears which could leave the species in danger Advice from the International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES) recommended a 70 per cent reduction in catches this year for all mackerel stocks in the north-east Atlantic. But with the stock repeatedly fished above sustainable levels, the recommendation for 2026 was equivalent to a 77 per cent reduction on the 755,143 tonnes the scientists estimated would be caught in 2025. Overfishing has resulted in depleted mackerel stocks in the region, with ICES saying the species, and the wider fishing industry, could face long-term risks unless countries stick to recommended catch limits. Waitrose said that the decision in December by four of the coastal states which fish mackerel to cut catches by 48 per cent was a step forward, but did not meet ICES advice. The supermarket is launching a new range of fish products as an alternative, including hot smoked herring, hot smoked peppered herring and hot smoked sweetcure seabass, all of which are Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified. The retailer said it would also introduce MSC-certified frozen sardines from May as a sustainable replacement for frozen mackerel, and plans to become the first retailer to sell 100 per cent MSC tinned sardines. Waitrose added that it will maintain its relationship with its mackerel suppliers and the new supply of herring, seabass, sardines and trout will be sourced through current supplier partnerships. However, there is currently no predetermined time-frame as to when Waitrose will start sourcing mackerel again. The move comes in the wake of failures by various governments to cut catches to levels recommended by scientists in a bid ensure sustainable fishing. Pictured: mackerels Marija Rompani, director of ethics and sustainability at the John Lewis Partnership, said: 'We believe sustainable food production must balance climate action, nature protection and responsible fish sourcing is fundamental to protecting our oceans. 'We will continue to work closely with suppliers and industry partners to support the recovery and responsible management of fish stocks.' Charles Clover, co-founder of conservation charity Blue Marine Foundation, said mackerel - one of the largest remaining commercial fish stocks in the north-east Atlantic - had declined 75 per cent in the last 10 years because fishing nations including the UK had overfished it. 'They have put too little effort into the task of reaching agreement on a sharing arrangement - and some countries have been awarding themselves more quota than is justified by science,' he said. 'This crisis has been ignored for too long. 'We hope that this action by Waitrose sends it to the top of the political agenda. We call on other retailers to follow Waitrose's example.' He warned: 'The plight of the mackerel is part of a wider failure to take scientific advice intended to keep stocks healthy and able to recover from fishing pressure. 'Last year more than half of UK catch limits were set above sustainable levels. 'It's why cod, whiting, herring, pollock and haddock have all collapsed in recent years in the Celtic Sea.' Pope Leo has banned priests from using AI to write sermons - and warned that smartphones are making young people lonely. After delivering his address to the clergy of the Diocese of Rome on Thursday, Pope Leo XIV took part in a question-and-answer session with four priests from different age groups chosen to ask questions. In response to one parish priest's question about how to be effective in this postmodern culture while avoiding returning to 'anachronistic' approaches, the pope laid out his beliefs on AI. The 70-year-old Pope said the first step is 'truly knowing the community where I am called to serve'. Recalling a recent visit to the southern neighbourhood of Ostia in Rome, he explained how 'to speak with these people, we must begin by knowing their reality as deeply as possible'. Calling upon the priests to continue to experience real life, he ordered them to stay vigilant over artificial intelligence and the internet, issuing a warning against 'the temptation to prepare homilies with artificial intelligence'. He added: 'Like all the muscles in the body, if we do not use them, if we do not move them, they die. 'The brain needs to be used, so our intelligence must also be exercised a little so as not to lose this capacity.' He explained that 'to give a true homily is to share faith,' and insisted AI 'will never be able to share faith'. Pope Leo has banned priests from using AI to write sermons - and warned that smartphones are making young people lonely 'If we can offer a service that is inculturated in the place, in the parish where we are working, people want to see your faith, your experience of having known and loved Jesus Christ,' he added. An earlier question from a young priest the Pope ordained last May asked how young priests can support their peers in the modern world. The Pope also asked priests not to be satisfied with just the young people who already come to the church and urged them to seek out others. He said: 'We must organize, think, seek initiatives that can be a form of outreach. 'We must go ourselves, we must invite other young people, go out into the streets with them; perhaps offer different ways', he said, suggesting sports, art and culture. The Pope said getting to know others on a personal level is the key element, adding that knowledge comes through 'a human experience of friendship' with young people who 'live in isolation, in incredible loneliness.' He highlighted how this loneliness has increased after the pandemic especially, but also because of the use of smartphones. 'They live a kind of distance from others, a coldness, without knowing the richness, the value of truly human relationships,' the Pope explained. He said they must understand how to offer young people 'another type of experience of friendship, of sharing, and gradually of communion,' and from that experience 'invite them also to know Jesus.' Pope Leo XIV emphasized this requires 'time' and 'sacrifice,' considering also that many of these young people are today trapped in 'a terrible life' of drugs, crime, and violence. A true crime TikToker who used her self-professed 'psychic abilities' to falsely claim a University of Idaho professor orchestrated the murders of four students in November 2022 is set to fork over a hefty sum after being found guilty of defamation. Ashley Guillard, 41, of Houston, published more than 100 videos making such claims directly after the murders, which were actually committed by Bryan Kohberger. They all framed University of Idaho history department head Rebecca Scofield, 40, as the culprit. Guillard claimed Scofield ordered the killings to prevent an affair she had with one of the victims, 21-year-old Kaylee Goncalves, from going public. Two of the TikToks directly stated Scofield ordered Goncalves's execution, even though the academic was completely innocent of any wrongdoing. Goncalves' two roommates, Madison Mogen and Xana Kernodle, and Kernodle's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, were ordered to be hit as well, Guillard maintained. As Kohberger initially evaded police, the content continued. A series of cease-and-desist letters and the December 2022 defamation suit followed. Kohberger, 31, was cuffed by cops after traveling to Pennsylvania, days later. He has since confessed. He was sentenced to life in prison last year. A month before, in June, a judge found Guillard liable for defamation. A trial meant to determine the punitive damages to be paid is now underway. Scofield wants more than $1.8million. Ashley Guillard, 41, of Houston, published more than 100 defanatory videos in December 2022 falsely claiming a University of Idaho professor orchestrated the infamous murders actually committed by Bryan Kohberger Each post erroneously framed the school's history department head, 40-year-old Rebecca Scofield, as the true mastermind Guillard represented herself during proceedings. Earlier attempts to get the lawsuit tossed were unsuccessful. In a video posted in December 2022, days after being served with the suit, Guillard said that Scofield would 'regret' it. Scofield offered tearful testimony to federal judge Raymond E. Patricco on Tuesday, for the first time in person. 'It was like a stone on my chest that was not crushing me, it was dissolving me, the professor told the court, visibly choked up. 'I was unraveling underneath the weight of it.' 'We felt personally targeted,' Scofield added of herself and her family, raising her voice at Guillard as she spoke. 'It felt like our childrens lives were directly threatened - that my name was being thrown around by you saying horrific accusations that were fully baseless and not even from the community we were settled in. It felt like an attack from the outside.' The trial resumed on Wednesday morning at 10:30am ET before a 7-person jury. Guillard took the stand during those proceedings. The tarot-reading TikToker maintained: 'Claircognizance - we work with intuition, not fact. The facts are the job of law enforcement, not a psychic.' Guillard claimed the history department chair ordered the killings to prevent an affair she had with one of the victims, 21-year-old Kaylee Goncalves, from going public. Also part of the hit were roommates Madison Mogen and Xana Kernodle and Kernodle's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin Kohberger pleaded guilty to the killings in an Ada County courthouse in July of last year. He is currently serving four consecutive life sentences A video posted by Guillard to her TikTok on Sunday appeared to show her boarding a plane to travel to the proceedings. '3 days,' the post was captioned. As of Wednesday afternoon, damages have yet to be determined. Attorneys for Scofield wrote in the original filing: 'Guillards false TikToks have damaged Professor Scofields reputation. They have caused her significant emotional distress. She fears for her life and for the lives of her family members.' The filing added that the history professor incurred costs from Guillards false claims, such as having to install a security system and security cameras at her residence in Moscow, near where the students were killed. She is also asking to be reimbursed for all 'reasonable' attorneys fees and costs as permitted under federal and state law. Kohberger has already pleaded guilty to the killings. He is currently serving four consecutive life sentences. A suspect has been arrested for allegedly hurling icy snowballs at New York City police officers, after Mayor Zohran Mamdani tried to downplay the severity of the incident that left two cops in the hospital. Gusmane Coulibaly, 27, was taken into custody on Thursday morning for allegedly assaulting NYPD officers on Monday afternoon in Manhattan's Washington Square Park. This is not Coulibaly's first run-in with the law, as he was 'previously arrested less than three weeks ago for an attempted robbery in the transit system,' the NYPD said. His arrest comes after Mamdani took to social media earlier this week, calling the agitators 'kids' while appearing to shrug off the incident altogether. When contacted by the Daily Mail about the arrest on Thursday, Mamdani doubled down and disagreed with the department charging Coulibaly. 'As the mayor has said, police officers deserve to be treated with respect. The videos he saw showed a snowball fight that got out of hand,' the mayor's spokesperson, Dora Pekec, said. 'He does not believe this situation rises to the level of criminal charges.' Footage of the snowball fight quickly spread online, showing a crowd pounding freezing snow and ice at officers following the historic blizzard that rocked the East Coast. Gusmane Coulibaly, 27, was arrested on Thursday morning for allegedly hurling snow and ice at NYPD officers on Monday afternoon NYPD cops were thrashed with freezing snow and ice at Washington Square Park. Two of them were left in the hospital with injuries Coulibaly seen being perp-walked following his arrest on Thursday The clip showed a group shouting and pelting cops with snowballs as they made their way down snow and ice-covered walkways. Some of the agitators hurled profanities, shouting expletives like 'f*** you, b***h' as police tried to push through the crowd. Two officers had to be taken to an emergency room after being struck in the face, head and neck, the department said. They are in stable condition, the NYPD told the Daily Mail. It is unclear if they are still in the hospital. After hearing about the incident, Mamdani shared a brief statement that left many outraged over his apparent disregard for the safety of officers in his city. I've seen the videos of kids throwing snowballs at NYPD officers in Washington Square Park,' the mayor said. '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.' On Tuesday, Mamdani held a press conference with the Office of Emergency Management to discuss Manhattan's historic blizzard and defend his response to the snowball clash that sparked mounting criticism. When contacted by the Daily Mail about the recent arrest, Mamdani (pictured Wednesday) doubled down and disagreed with officer's charging Coulibaly After hearing about the incident, Mamdani shared a brief statement that left many outraged over his apparent disregard for the safety of officers in his city 'I can just tell you from the video I saw, it looked like kids at a snowball fight,' Mamdani said, doubling down again. However, he emphasized that city workers have been essential in keeping New Yorkers safe during this record-breaking winter and deserve respect for their efforts. '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,' the mayor said. While Mamdani appeared easygoing about the ordeal, others were fed up and have since demanded a criminal investigation. PBA President Patrick Hendry told Fox 5 News that Mamdani's response was '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,' he added. Hendry also warned that the mayors reaction could send a dangerous message to anyone thinking about targeting a police officer in the future. A group of people are seen pelting snow at an NYPD cruiser on Monday More people are seen appearing to hide behind a makeshift shield while others throw snow 'Unacceptable and outrageous - this is the environment that NYC police officers are up against. Our police officers are being treated for their injuries, but the case CANNOT end there,' the union, NYC Police Benevolent Association (PBA) wrote. 'All of our city leaders must speak up to condemn this despicable attack,' they added. Jessica Tisch, the NYPD Police Commissioner, called the agitators' behavior 'disgraceful' and 'criminal.' 'The NYPD is aware of certain videos taken earlier today in Washington Square Park showing individuals attacking cops,' Tisch said right after. 'I want to be very clear: The behavior depicted is disgraceful, and it is criminal. Our detectives are investigating this matter.' The NYPD initially released two images of potential suspects. The department has not announced any further arrests. Voters in today's crunch by-election say the result is too 'close to call' due to a three-way battle. The Gorton and Denton vote could cost Sir Keir Starmer his job if Labour lose in their once safe seat. Despite ministers, MPs and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham flooding the Labour stronghold, many voters today admitted they were switching to Reform. Some also out at the 'bonkers' Greens over their plans to legalise drugs. Shopper Kirsty Jones, 33, who had just come out of the large Tesco supermarket in Gorton, said: 'I voted Labour last time but I'm off to vote Reform now. 'They are the ones who are going to turn this country around. 'I definitely don't want the Greens to get in after reading what they are all about. 'They have just come across as bonkers with their idea to legalise drugs like crack cocaine. Kirsty Jones, 33, voted Labour last time but is switching to Reform as she is put off by the Greens' 'bonkers' plans to legalise drugs Retired lorry driver Peter Myers, 75, pictured with his dog Benji, believes Reform are 'the only ones who are going to sort out the country' Supermarket worker Lynn Leahy, 57, still wasn't sure who she is going to vote for as she's 'sick of Labour's lies' while the Greens are 'a bit too out there with their plans to legalise drugs' 'It's crazy. But they might get a lot of support with the Muslim vote. 'But I think Labour are just about going to win. 'This is a Labour area after all.' Retired hospital worker Ellen Scanlon, 68, said: 'I have voted Labour all my life but I'm going to vote Reform now. 'Labour isn't the party of the working class any more. 'Reform are the ones who stand up for people now. 'We have too many people come here on boats now and we have open borders.' Retired council worker Eric Knight, 72, said: 'I really don't know who is going to win. 'I hope it is Labour. I have voted for them all my life and I'm not going to stop now despite Starmer. 'But it's going to be very close.' Chef Jeremy Wells, 63, said he had voted Labour in the past 'but I'm not too keen on Starmer' Labour won Gorton and Denton in 2024 with more than half the vote, but polling suggests a tight three-way contest this time The closely-fought contest in Greater Manchester has been beset by allegations of dirty tricks Supermarket worker Lynn Leahy, 57, said: 'I'm not sure who I'm going to vote for. 'I'm not convinced by any of them and I'm sick of Labour's lies. 'They promise things then don't deliver. 'I don't know whose going to win. The Greens seem a bit too out there with their plans to legalise drugs. 'I mean we have enough drugs around here. 'A lot of people seem to be going to vote for Reform.' Retired lorry driver Peter Myers, 75, said: 'I'm going to vote Reform. 'They are the only ones who are going to sort out the country. 'They are just too many migrants here and it has got worse under Starmer.' Chef Jeremy Wells, 63, said: 'I hope Reform don't get in but they might as Labour seem to be in a bit of a mess. 'I have voted Labour in the past but I'm not too keen on Starmer. 'He has put a lot of people off.' Bookmakers have made the Greens the favourites to win the seat, saying Labour's chances of clinging on had 'evaporated'. Manchester mayor Andy Burnham - who was blocked from standing in the contest by Sir Keir - out canvassing with candidate Angeliki Stogia today Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer is hoping to pull off a shock win today, despite alarm at her party's hard-Left policies Reform is also well in contention, with Nigel Farage on the streets urging people to help him 'stop the boats' New supporters include mother-of-two Emma Hill, 32, who said: 'I would have voted Labour if they had allowed Andy Burnham to stand. 'Labour would have won with him. 'But I'm going to vote Greens now as I think they can stop Reform.' Unemployed Claudie Miskovicova, 31, who is originally from the Czech Republic, revealed she had been bombarded by political canvassers at her home. She said: 'I have had 15 come to my house asking for my vote. 'It's crazy but it just shows how close it is. 'But none really convinced me. I'm not sure who I'm going to vote for but certainly not Labour. 'I voted Conservative last time but they have become a shambles like Labour.' Bookmakers William Hill said Green candidate Hannah Spencer remained the favourite, with the odds shortening today. 'The Green Party account for almost half of all bets we have taken on the market, which includes a four-figure bet at 4/6 last night,' spokesman Lee Phelps said. He said bets on Reform had been 'on the drift since polling opened', while confidence in Labour had 'evaporated', with the party's candidate Angeliki Stogia at 5/1 to win most votes. A drugged-up British man who slammed his car into the front of a four-star hotel in Poland before driving off has been fined over 10,000 and banned from driving. Video footage shows the 36-year-old reversing his Mazda into the front lobby of the Goebiewski Hotel in the popular ski resort of Karpacz. After destroying the hotel's front door he then continues to reverse into the lobby before casually driving off. Police called to the scene later found the man in a nearby carpark where he attempted to flee after spotting the officers. Police spokeswoman Edyta Bagrowska said: 'Officers spotted a black Mazda with bodywork damage in a parking lot. A man was inside. 'Upon seeing the officers, the driver became nervous, then sped off, hit a marked police car, and attempted to flee. 'After approximately 1.5 kilometers, the perpetrator was apprehended. 'The driver turned out to be a 36-year-old Englishman. The man was visibly agitated. A drugged-up British man who slammed his car into the front of a four-star hotel in Poland before driving off has been fined over 10,000 and banned from driving Video footage shows the 36-year-old reversing his Mazda into the front lobby of the Goebiewski Hotel in the popular ski resort of Karpacz After destroying the hotel's front door he then continues to reverse into the lobby before casually driving off Police called to the scene later found the man in a nearby carpark where he attempted to flee after spotting the officers. Pictured: The man being arrested 'A preliminary drug test indicated he may have been under the influence of intoxicants. 'During a search of the vehicle, officers also discovered psychoactive substances.' She added: 'The 36-year-old has been placed in police custody pending further investigation. 'He was charged with failing to stop for a traffic stop, damaging property, possessing psychoactive substances, and driving under the influence.' In addition to being fined 10,500 to cover the cost of the damage, the man has also banned from driving in Poland for four years. A thief brazenly stole a laptop in seconds while distracting staff by pretending to sell his old one to them. The man, whose face was covered by a hat, is caught on CCTV grabbing a laptop worth 400 from the shelf and tucking it inside his black gym bag while getting his old laptop out to show to shop workers. The theft occurred in the space of a few seconds. The shocking incident was captured at Holiday Money Exchange in Westgate Arcade, Peterborough, last Friday at around 10.40am. Having nabbed the new electronics, the man then attempts to flog his used laptop to shop staff, who are heard quoting 600 for the item. The thief refuses the price before asking where else he could sell the laptop, casually leaving the store and even thanking the staff 'for their help'. Manager Sam Sooroya, 40, told the Daily Mail that this is the second theft they'd had in the space of a month, and criminals continue to steal despite the clear CCTV cameras around the shop because they think the police will do nothing about it. The business shares its store with Superig Computers, which sells and offers repairs on electronics. Mr Sooraya said: 'We think it's gang-related, and we shared the footage to social media in the hope of raising awareness and preventing it from happening again by showing them we have CCTV. The man, his face covered by a cap, was caught on CCTV snatching the laptop from a display shelf He attempted to distract members of staff by getting out his old laptop and pretending to sell it He then declined a quoted offer for 600, instead walking casually out of the shop and thanking the staff 'for their help' 'Shoplifting is on the rise, and for small businesses like ours, it's a huge problem. Although for the police it might seem on a small scale, a 400 loss for us is massive. 'This particular man came in holding his bag which is suspicious, and was trying to show us his old laptop. 'They're so brazen because they know we have the cameras there but they don't care. They think the police will do nothing about it. It's a huge problem in this area.' 'We've reported it to the police but we haven't had an update,' he added. A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: 'We are working with partners and the business community to target shoplifting suspects and provide reassurance. 'For repeat offenders we are applying for criminal behaviour orders, preventing them from entering areas where they have previously committed crime. 'The formation of the spree offender team has increased the number of positive outcomes for retail crime and is testament to this ongoing good work.' A crumbling 'James Bond-style' World War Two power station hidden deep in woodland for 80 years has hit the market for 2million. What may appear a dull shell surrounded by ivy and nettles is crying out for an imaginative transformation into an exclusive countryside retreat - and the door is open. Built to power RAF Honiley in Warwickshire, the now-derelict brick structure was built with 13-inch-thick walls capable of withstanding Nazi bombs. Despite being left to rot for eight decades since the RAF moved out, it's still standing proud, buried away in 55 acres of Frogmore Woods near Kenilworth. Now, the atmospheric relic is being touted as the ultimate real-life Bond villain lair - after planning permission has been obtained for a sleek, luxury mansion straight out of Skyfall. Its redevelopment potential is exceptional, given it is a brownfield site inside a protected green belt - an opportunity that rarely comes up. Estate agents Moveli said the sale represents a 'once-in-a-lifetime Grand Designs opportunity'. Estate agent Edd Holt said: 'It's total seclusion with serious connectivity. An abandoned WW2 power station has gone up for sale for a hefty 2million price tag Eight decades after being abandoned by the RAF, the structure is still standing proud The old power station is buried within 55 acres of private woodland, part of Frogmore Woods 'You could live almost off grid, surrounded by 55 acres of private woodland, yet still be within easy reach of Birmingham and London. 'That kind of balance is incredibly rare, and that's what makes this such a special opportunity. 'In 14 years of estate agency, this is one of the most unique opportunities I've had the privilege of selling. 'Planning consent for a contemporary home in 55 acres of private Green Belt woodland is exceptionally rare. 'It's rare to see a former RAF support building from the 1940s still standing, let alone with the opportunity to give it a new purpose. 'Sites like this connect directly back to the generation that flew from RAF Honiley, and that history deserves recognition. 'The property is owned by a private local family who originally intended to develop it themselves. 'Having secured planning and completed the necessary surveys, they have decided not to proceed.' The walls were built 13-inch-thick in order to withstand Nazi bombs An estate agent said: ''In 14 years of estate agency, this is one of the most unique opportunities I've had the privilege of selling' The site presents a rare development opportunity, because it is a brown-field site within a protected green belt area For military buffs, the historic power station offers a fascinating insight into Britain's war machine. Mr Holt added: 'The building dates back to the early 1940s and formed part of the wider RAF Honiley complex during the Second World War. 'RAF Honiley operated as a fighter and training station, with aircraft such as Spitfires, Hurricanes and later Mosquitos flying from the base. 'The structure on site functioned as auxiliary infrastructure and was built to be blast-resistant, which explains the unusually substantial brickwork. 'The James Bond-style hideaway description simply reflects the feel of the opportunity. 'A former wartime structure set within 55 acres of private woodland, offering complete seclusion yet strong transport links nearby, has a certain cinematic quality. 'It feels more like a hidden retreat than a conventional building plot.' An asylum seeker who sexually assaulted two women at their homes while delivering their takeaways has been jailed. Shafiullah Rasooli, an Afghan national, was charged with three counts of sexual assault and was convicted following a trial at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court. The 29-year-old, who is based in Maidstone, Kent, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years imprisonment for 'wickedly and unfathomably' molesting his victims while reportedly illegally working for Deliveroo. The court heard how Rasooli delivered food to a woman who had ordered it online in June last year. As the woman opened the door to collect her order, Rasooli made inappropriate remarks before stepping into the property and sexually assaulting her. He then left the premises but returned later to commit a further sexual offence before taking the woman's phone to input his contact information. Over the following days, police said Rasooli made a series of phone calls to the victim, which caused her significant distress. On July 3, one week following the first offence, Rasooli made a delivery to a second woman. Afghan asylum seeker Shafiullah Rasooli (pictured) was sentenced to two-and-a-half years imprisonment for 'wickedly and unfathomably' molesting his victims while delivering their takeaways Rasooli charged with three counts of sexual assault and was convicted following a trial at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court (pictured) He made indecent comments to her and asked about her relationship status before sexually assaulting her. The women reported the incidents to police who launched an investigation. Detectives identified Rasooli's vehicle after reviewing CCTV in the area. This, alongside screenshots of the victims' orders and the contact details he provided assisted officers in tracking him down. On Wednesday, he was handed the two-and-a-half-year prison sentence as well as a a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Detective Constable Matthew Kerr of Kent Police said: 'Rasooli took advantage of his job to prey on the two vulnerable victims who had simply ordered food. 'His actions made them feel unsafe and violated in their own homes and he arrogantly thought he could get away with it. 'However, a prompt investigation led to his arrest, and he is now serving a prison sentence. 'I would like to commend both victims for courageously reporting these crimes and then assisting us throughout the subsequent trial. I hope they can find some closure knowing their actions have protected other potential victims from harm.' A Deliveroo spokesperson said: 'We are horrified by the actions of this individual and take a zero-tolerance approach to harassment and assault of any kind. We fully supported Kent Police with its investigation at the time and terminated the rider account that was being used.' A Somali truck driver with a Minnesota license who drove the wrong way down a highway could not read the road signs, authorities say. Terrifying footage shared on social media showed the truck driving against traffic on US 61 near Troy, Missouri around 8am on Wednesday, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The truck nearly collided with several other cars before finally crossing the median on to the correct side of the road, when it was stopped by police. The driver, whose name has not been released, had obtained a commercial driver's license from Minnesota, NewsNation reported. Police said the driver showed no signs of impairment or medical issues and determined the trucker was going the wrong way because they could not read the road signs. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy addressed the 'disturbing' incident in a post on X. 'We have learned that a truck driver with a Minnesota CDL who couldn't read basic road signs spent MILES driving the wrong way in an 80 TON truck,' Duffy wrote. 'Thanks to Missouri law enforcement, this dangerous trucker is now out of service.' A truck driver with a Minnesota license was recording driving the wrong way down a highway Wednesday morning The truck nearly collided with several other cars before finally crossing the median on to the correct side of the road, when it was stopped by police Duffy noted the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is investigating the truck carrier, Cargo Transportation LLC. 'We will not stop until Americas roads are safe again for families,' he added. The driver was reportedly issued a citation for driving the wrong way, was placed out of service and not allowed to continue driving, but was not arrested. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety told the Daily Mail they are waiting for the results of the FMCSA investigation. 'We don't yet know the facts of this situation, so we will wait to learn more from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association's (FMCSA) investigation,' the department said. 'However we can confirm that all CDL applicants in Minnesota must take their knowledge and behind-the-wheel testing in English to demonstrate the ability to safely operate a commercial vehicle.' The Daily Mail has contacted Missouri State Highway Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement for more information. In April last year, Trump signed an executive order requiring truck drivers to speak English and pass literacy tests amid his immigration crackdown. Rules requiring English proficiency to drive a big rig have been on the books since 1937. Before Trump's order, truckers had been getting citations rather than being taken off the road. The assessments focus on practical communication - a driver's ability to follow instructions, understand warnings, and interact with law enforcement - and administration officials have cast them as a long-overdue safety upgrade. By December, thousands of truckers had their licenses revoked for failing English-language proficiency tests. DISTURBING: We have learned that a truck driver with a Minnesota CDL who couldn't read basic road signs spent MILES driving the wrong way in an 80 TON truck! Thanks to Missouri law enforcement, this dangerous trucker is now out of service. @FMCSA is also investigating the https://t.co/uaghZPwnUS Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) February 26, 2026 In August, an immigrant truck driver from India, identified as Harjinder Singh, killed three people while attempting a U-turn 'We've now knocked 9,500 truck drivers out of service for failing to speak our national language ENGLISH!' Duffy wrote on X in December. 'This administration will always put you and your family's safety first.' In August, a deadly crash on a Florida turnpike became a flashpoint after an immigrant truck driver from India attempted a U-turn. The move sent his trailer across lanes and into the path of an oncoming minivan. Three people were killed. The driver, identified as asylum seeker Harjinder Singh, pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter and vehicular homicide. The administration quickly seized on the case, with federal officials saying the driver had entered the country illegally before later obtaining a California-issued commercial driver's license. Secretary of State Marco Rubio framed the crash as evidence of broader failures in oversight and enforcement. The Gorton & Denton constituency at the heart of the by-election battle encapsulates many concerns about the wider divides in Britain. Social and demographic data lay bare how the seat is sharply split on ethnicity, religion and deprivation lines. It was comfortably secured by Labour in 2024, as Keir Starmer enjoyed his huge landslide nationally. But the government's plunging popularity has left the dynamics of the local area very much under the microscope. The stunning victory for the Greens - overturning a 13,000 majority to win by 4,400 votes - demonstrates the problems for Labour as they try to maintain an electoral coalition amid increasing polarisation. Your browser does not support iframes. The Gorton & Denton constituency at the heart of the by-election battle encapsulates many concerns about the wider divides in Britain The constituency, south east of the city centre, has lagged significantly behind the rest of Manchester in terms of improvements in wealth The constituency, south east of the city centre, has lagged significantly behind the rest of Manchester in terms of improvements in wealth. A recent profile by political scientist Professor Rob Ford pointed to the stark differences between the west and east sides. In the west, the four wards closest to the centre of Manchester have significant Muslim populations, at 40 per cent. Some 42 per cent are either a university graduate or a current university student. Even though the Greens have not historically performed well in the seat, these are some of the kinds of voters being most intensively targeted by Zack Polanski's party. The Greens openly played on the strength of feeling about the Gaza war, accusing Labour of betraying Palestinians. The apparent effectiveness of that tactic will particularly alarm Labour MPs, as many of their urban seats have significant Muslim populations. Nigel Farage has complained about 'sectarian' voting patterns in the by-election, suggesting they amounted to 'cheating'. Independent observers flagged concerns about so-called 'family voting', where people are escorted to polling booths in a sign of inappropriate influence. That practice is illegal. Meanwhile, deeper into the suburbs to the east the picture is dramatically different. The three wards in that area are on average 83 per cent white, 86 per cent UK born, and 30 per cent in routine or semi-routine jobs, according to Prof Ford. Those are the sorts of areas that would appear fertile ground for Reform, which has campaigned hard on immigration and identity issues. Social and demographic data lays bare how the seat is sharply split on ethnicity, religion and deprivation lines However, the two 'wings' of the constituency are not evenly matched. At council elections in 2024 the four wards closest to Manchester had 55,000 registered electors in them. By contrast there were only 26,000 in the three Eastern wards - leaving Reform needing a perfect split of the vote between Labour and the Greens to emerge victorious. In the event, Reform's Matt Goodwin was able to push Labour down into third place - but was still well behind the Greens. The party's strategists will now have to consider how to counter tactical voting in such seats, with growing evidence that left-wingers are willing to support whoever can block Reform. Rapper Cardi B is putting her weight behind Representative Jasmine Crockett in the highly watched Texas Democratic Senate primary. Crockett, a US House member who President Donald Trump often uses as a foil, is competing against state Representative James Talarico in the Senate primary race. Early voting has already kicked off ahead of Election Day on Tuesday. Democrats are hoping that this is the year they can finally flip a Senate seat in what has traditionally been Republican red Texas - and it helps that the Republicans are in a rabid battle amongst themselves. The seat is currently held by Republican Senator John Cornyn, who is seeking another term but is endangered in his own primary. Despite having the baggage of a high-profile affair, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is a MAGA favorite and is ahead in the polls, with Representative Wesley Hunt also challenging Cornyn. Cardi B, who's vocal about supporting Democratic causes and campaigned for Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, characterized Crockett as a fighter. 'So listen up, ya'll. Early primary voting is happening right now in Texas and we need Jasmine Crockett to win,' the rapper posted to her Instagram story Thursday, explaining that Crockett was running for Senate. Rapper Cardi B on Thursday endorsed Representative Jasmine Crockett's Texas Senate campaign, characterizing her as a fighter Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett is three points ahead of rival, state Representative James Talarico, in the Texas Democratic Senate primary polling shows. She got a boost Thursday from Rapper Cardi B 'And if you want somebody who is going to fight for your right, if you want somebody that's gonna go up there and represent you and represent your issues, please vote for my sister Jasmine Crockett,' she continued. Cardi B pitched that Crockett would 'fight her best' to ensure her constituents voices get heard. 'Vote right now. This counts so much. Vote right now,' she encouraged her audience. The Real Clear Politics polling average currently shows Crockett with a three point advantage in the race over Talarico. Crockett is more well known nationally than Talarico in part thanks to her highly publicized tiffs with prominent Republicans. She famously referred to then Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene as a 'bleach blonde, bad built, butch body' during a Congressional hearing. Talarico got more attention recently when CBS blocked his interview on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, over Colbert's objections. Polling has shown that while Crockett is ahead of Talarico in the Democratic primary, Talarico - a white man - performs better against the Republicans in the general election. State Representative James Talarico (left) and Representative Jasmine Crockett (right) are the Democratic candidates in Texas' Senate race as the party hopes to finally flip a seat in deep red Texas A similar trend is visible on the Republican side, with the more moderate incumbent polling better than the MAGA firebrand. President Donald Trump has also not endorsed in the race. National Republican Senatorial Committee polling, obtained by the Daily Mail, shows that the incumbent Cornyn, their preferred candidate, does better than Paxton in a general election match-up. Cornyn beats Talarico by 3 points and Crockett by 7 points. Talarico actually wins against Paxton by 3 points, while Crockett is only 1 point down when matched up against the Texas AG. A Canadian man detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement despite being a green card holder said he is being treated worse than imprisoned murderers. Curtis Wright, 39, who lives in Houston, Texas, was grabbed by ICE agents and thrown into the South Texas Processing Center last November. The oil and gas worker, originally from Edmonton in Alberta, was flagged by authorities after touching down at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston after a business trip in Mexico. His father Jim Wright spoke with CTV News and said the reason his son is being held all stemmed from a minor drug possession conviction dating back two decades. According to the elder Wright, who also lives in Texas, his son was found to have a lone Xanax pill in the backseat of his truck 22 years ago when he was in high school. He also said that he was hit with a misdemeanor charge involving a handgun being found in a car he was driving, and driving impaired eight years ago. Speaking from the facility, Wright told the outlet: 'None of it has been enjoyable. The separation from family has been miserable.' The father-of-three added that the conditions inside are 'pretty awful', describing it as 'run down' and filled with 'mold, dirt and grime'. Wright is pictured here alongside his two sons, fiance Kayla and their daughter The father-of-three has been kept inside the facility, seen here, since he was first detained in November of last year According to Wright when he was first detained he was given a single bottle of water and a frozen waffle over a two-day period. He added: 'The food is horrendous. Its something I dont think my dog would take a second sniff at. 'I dont drink water here without boiling it first. Its finding ways to not stay sick.' His father said: 'If you were in jail for life, for murder, youd be treated better. You get three good meals a day and you have a yard to go out.' Wright's family told the outlet that they believe the conditions are deliberately designed to wear individuals down so they leave the US voluntarily. According to his family since the driving impairment conviction Wright has cut alcohol from his life and has traveled freely for years and renewed his green card. His fiance Kayla Thomsen, with whom he shares an 18-month-old daughter, added: 'Our whole world has been flipped upside down. 'I had this perfect life with this amazing man, and then all of a sudden, hes just gone. Missing him so much has been hard. He's the provider for this family.' Join the debate Should longtime green card holders with old convictions face harsh detention and possible deportation? His family have filed ahabeas corpus challenge in federal court alleging that he is being unlawfully detained and violating his constitutional rights Prior to being detained Wright supported ICE agents, but his views have shifted after he was taken in Thomsen added that the most difficult part is how much their daughter and his two sons from a previous marriage miss their father. His mother Bonnie added: 'I really do have a hard time sleeping. It just keeps going over in my mind, over and over again.' Prior to being detained, Wright was of the view that ICE agents were doing what was necessary, ridding America of what he described as 'the worst of the worst'. 'What I've come to understand since I've been in here is that's the exact opposite of the people that I've met and seen', he said. According to Wright most of the individuals he has met inside are 'like him', adding: 'Just people working to provide a life for their family. Trying to be part of society in a productive manner.' His family have filed a habeas corpus challenge in federal court alleging that he is being unlawfully detained and violating his constitutional rights. As they continue to hope for his release, they have also launched a GoFundMe page to help him and those he is detained with. It can be found here. The Daily Mail contacted ICE for comment. EU fraud investigators have been asked to investigate Peter Mandelson's friendship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, it was revealed today. The European Commission has asked them to look into claims that Lord Mandelson passed the late child sex abuser information about a 500 billion bailout of the euro in 2010, when he was the UK's commissioner in Brussels. A commission spokesman told Politico: 'Given the circumstances, and the significant amount of documents made available publicly, the European Commission also asked OLAF (European anti-fraud office) on 18 February to look into the matter.' Emails released earlier this month appeared to indicate that in 2010 Mandelson gave Epstein advance notice of the bailout. Among the files released by the US Department of Justice is a message sent by Mandelson to Epstein in the early hours of May 9, 2010, in which he said: 'Sources tell me 500 b euro bailout almost complete.' Later that day a bailout was confirmed by the European Commission. Lord Mandelson's team has been approached for comment. It came as MPs overseeing the release of documents relating to Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the UK won a battle with the government. The European Commission has asked fraud investigators to look into claims that Lord Mandelson passed the late child sex abuser information about a 500 billion bailout of the euro in 2010 Jeffrey Epstein died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking underage girls Among the files released by the US Department of Justice is a message sent by Mandelson to Epstein in the early hours of May 9, 2010, in which he said: 'Sources tell me 500 b euro bailout almost complete' The Intelligence and Security Committee said ministers had agreed that it would have the final say over what material could be published with no veto for the Prime Minister or anyone else. It came as bungling police made another grovelling apology today after revealing the source of a tip-off that the peer might be a flight risk. In extraordinary developments yesterday, Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle was forced to make a statement confirming he had passed the information to Scotland Yard. The intelligence sparked the dramatic arrest of the peer - who is under investigation in the UK over handing sensitive documents to Jeffrey Epstein - on Monday afternoon. Lord Mandelson has furiously denied the claim he could flee as 'fiction'. But Sir Lindsay publicly outed himself as the source after detectives seemingly told Lord Mandelson's lawyers that his counterpart in the Upper House, Lord Forsyth, was behind the tip. The Met apologised to Sir Lindsay last night for 'inadvertently revealing information during an investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office'. And in a statement today it said: 'The Met has also apologised to the Speaker of the House of Lords, following the inadvertent revealing of information into allegations of misconduct in public office.' A new branch of a Gail's bakery has been targeted for a second time by pro-Palestine vandals who smashed windows and painted anti-Zionist graffiti. The shop in Archway, north London, only on opened last week but has been repeatedly attacked as part of an 'intimidation' campaign. The coffee shop's windows were smashed and anti-Zionist messages were sprayed onto the front early on Wednesday morning. 'Reject corporate Zionism' and 'support local business' were daubed in red paint, while 'boycott' was painted above the bakery's logo and an anarchist symbol was drawn near to the door. Gail's has been consistently targeted by anti-Israel activists who claim it has close connections to the Middle Eastern nation. The chain was founded by Israeli baker Gail Mejia in the 1990s and rapidly expanded by Israeli entrepreneur Ran Avidan from 2005 - but both are no longer linked to the company. The business says it has 'no links with any country or government outside the UK' and its chief executive has branded the campaign against it 'completely unacceptable'. The latest assault took place shortly after 1am on Wednesday. The coffee shop's windows were smashed and anti-Zionist messages including 'reject corporate Zionism' were sprayed on the front The coffee shop's windows were smashed in what was the second attack in less than a week In a statement, the Met Police said: 'It is believed the offences were committed at around 1.12, when several windows were smashed and paint sprayed at the business. 'Officers have attended the cafe and spoken to staff. Enquiries are ongoing to establish whether the latest incident is linked to a similar incident of criminal damage on Wednesday, 18 February, when officers attended the business within minutes of it being reported to the police.' The previous attack on the Archway branch took place just hours before it opened to the public. A small crowd of protesters arrived as the shop doors opened. Some held signs calling for people to support local businesses rather than the bakery retailer, which now operates in more than 170 locations across the UK. But others held up signs suggesting Gail's was 'funded by investors in apartheid'. One held a sign saying: 'Boycott Israel for genocide and war crimes in Gaza.' Tom Molnar, the co-founder and chief executive of Gails, said the 'repeated attempts' to 'intimidate and endanger' were 'completely unacceptable'. He said: 'We remain focused on playing a positive and meaningful role in feeding people better and attempts to disrupt our commitments to the communities we serve are primarily unkind and ill-informed. 'Our immediate priority is to work closely with the relevant authorities to help ensure this does not happen again and provide reassurance to our bakery teams. Pro-Palestine protesters arrived at the newest branch of Gail's which opened in Junction Road, close to Archway Tube station, on Thursday Pro-Palestine vandals daubed the words 'Free Gaza' and threw red paint over a newly opened branch of Gail's, as activists accused the bakery chain of 'funding Israel' Gail's has previously faced accusations of being Israel-owned or backing Israel's 'war machine' - claims that the company owners have disputed 'As we have previously made clear, we are a British business with no links to any country or government outside the UK.' Gail's is currently owned by Pizza Express entrepreneur Luke Johnson and American investment firm Bain Capital. Bain was among 500 other venture capital firms that signed a letter in support of Israel following the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023, and it has investments in Israel, including in AI, cybersecurity and software companies. The owners have previously hit back at claims that the company 'funds Israel' and says calls to boycott the chain are derived from misinformation. A spokesperson told The Guardian in 2024: 'Gail's is a UK-based business with no specific connections to any country or government outside of the UK and does not fund Israel.' Meanwhile, co-founder and chief executive Tom Molnar told The Times previously: 'Gail's proudly has Jewish roots and there's plenty of stuff out there celebrating our heritage and history, but it's not true it's Israel-owned.' 'There's some just crazy stuff on the web thinking we are funding Israel, which is just completely ridiculous. 'We're a wholly UK-based business, paying UK taxes, it's just ludicrous and I think it needs to be called out.' Nevertheless, a small crowd of demonstrators turned up outside the chain's newest branch to protest against 'gentrification', the company's 'dodgy record on workers' rights' and false claims of its funding of 'Israeli war tech'. A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism told Daily Mail: 'In case anyone required further proof that this is not a peaceful movement, here it is. 'This is yet more blatant thuggery from pro-Palestine extremists trying to pass off intimidation and vandalism, driven by a blind hatred for the world's only Jewish state, as progressive activism. 'Smashing up a branch of Gail's does nothing to advance peace in the Middle East; it simply spreads hate on British streets. 'The Metropolitan Police must ensure that those responsible face the full consequences of their actions.' A California man was accused of poisoning his roommates after they caught him on camera spraying their food with a mysterious substance. Shocking footage captured by a camera in the kitchen of the shared home in Santa Clarita showed the suspect, who has not been identified, wearing a gas mask as he sprayed his roommate's groceries. Santa Clarita police engaged in an hours long stand off on Tuesday after the man's roommates, Billy and Davidson Hopper, alerted them to the brazen on-camera act. Davidson told Fox LA that the couple's suspicions were raised when they were 'feeling funny', which led them to review hours of footage from the kitchen camera to find the source. 'We've caught it on video twice,' Billy said. 'He was spraying stuff all over our groceries, like our fruit, our vegetables, our coffee pot that we use every morning and our whole pantry full of all of our chips and our cereal, all of our canned goods or spices everything.' 'He sprayed it all over everything,' she added. The couple said they've experienced repeat health issues in recent months, including being hospitalized by mysterious illnesses. 'I have liver damage and [Billy] had health issues on top of the ones that she already has,' Davidson said. A California man was accused of poisoning his roommates after they caught him on camera spraying their food with a mysterious substance The suspect, who has not been named, was seen spraying his roommate's groceries in shocking footage caught by a camera in the shared home in Santa Clarita, California The suspect then appeared to try and conceal the 'poison' container from his roommates After reviewing the footage, the couple said they believed their roommate concealed the container from view to hide it from them. Police have previously responded to two separate calls at the residence for food poisoning in the last six months. The couple had been to the hospital and even the emergency room on multiple occasions with inexplicable symptoms, which they said even left doctors confused. 'Back in October, my wife had to go to the E.R.,' Davidson said. 'They ran all kinds of tests there's definitely something wrong with your liver, and based on the blood work, it seems like poisoning.' After alerting police to the latest footage, cops got into an hours-long standoff with the suspect at the home, believing them to be experiencing a mental health crisis, reported Fox LA. The suspect eventually exited the home and was taken into custody. The suspect's roommate Billy Hopper (pictured) said she and her partner were left 'fearing for our lives' following the horror episode Roommate Davidson Hopper said he and his partner had been suffering mysterious illnesses for months before catching their roommate in the brazen act Following the arrest, Bobby and Davidson also accused their roommate of theft and damaging their property. 'We've been in fear for our lives,' Billy said. 'We don't want to be in fear anymore we're tired of it, we just want to be safe.' Police sought a search warrant for the home and the suspect was released on a notice to appear in court. The Daily Mail contacted Los Angeles County Police and the Santa Clarita District Attorney for comment. Hillary Clinton accused Republicans of running cover for Donald Trump during her Jeffrey Epstein deposition Thursday, dragging Elon Musk into the fray in a fiery opening statement. The closed-door session got underway at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, near the Clintons' home in Westchester County, New York. The former secretary of state zeroed in on a 2012 email in which Trump super-donor Musk asked Epstein about the 'wildest party' on his now-infamous private island, Little St James. 'A committee run by elected officials with a commitment to transparency would ensure the full release of all the files,' Hillary wrote in her statement to the Oversight Committee. 'It would subpoena anyone who asked on which night there would be the "wildest party" on Epstein's island.' Epstein sent Musk an email in November, 2012, asking: 'How many people will you be for the heli to island.' 'Probably just Talulah and me. What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?' Musk replied, referring to his then-wife, English actress Talulah Riley. At 6am on December 25, 2012, Musk sent an email to Epstein, telling him he had been 'working to the edge of sanity this year and so, once my kids head home after Christmas, I really want to hit the party scene in St Barts or elsewhere and let loose.' Elon Musk and his English actress then-wife Talulah Riley at the 2012 Environmental Media Awards in Los Angeles Elon Musk and Talulah Riley arrive at a state dinner hosted by Barack Obama in honor of French President Francois Hollande at the White House on February 11, 2014, in Washington Hillary Clinton's Epstein testimony was halted after a photo was leaked to a MAGA influencer Epstein sent a suggestive reply about the guest list, writing: 'The ratio on my island might make Talilah [sic] uncomfortable.' Musk wrote back: 'Ratio is not a problem for Talulah.' The Tesla boss told Vanity Fair in 2019 that Epstein was 'obviously a creep' who 'tried repeatedly to get me to visit his island. I declined.' But the January release of three million Epstein files by the Justice Department revealed a series of cordial exchanges between the two men, including references to a tour Musk reportedly planned to give Epstein of SpaceX in 2013. Epstein was disgraced by this stage, having been convicted of soliciting a minor for prostitution in Florida in 2008. Clinton's statement torching Trump and Musk was still echoing when the session was thrown into chaos. Republican Representative Lauren Boebert had taken a photograph of Clinton during the private session, and when it began circulating on social media, lawyers demanded that the proceedings be halted. The closed-door session is being filmed, though any footage will be reviewed by Hillary Clinton's lawyers before release. The deposition resumed within an hour. Prior to the turmoil, Clinton blasted Republicans for targeting her while failing to investigate Donald Trump in a fiery opening statement where she provided no defense for her husband. The former secretary of state said she has 'no information on Epstein's criminal activities and never recalls meetings,' then accused lawmakers of covering up for Trump's relationship with Epstein, where he faces 'heinous' accusations from survivors. Hillary is testifying in front of House lawmakers on the Oversight Committee about her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein Epstein, Bill Clinton and an unidentified man in a photo from the Epstein files President Clinton and wife Hillary share a tender moment during an East Room ceremony at the White House in Washington, July 17, 1996 Clinton relaxes in a hot tub with a woman whose face has been redacted in an image from the Epstein files 'You have compelled me to testify, fully aware that I have no knowledge that would assist your investigation, in order to distract attention from President Trump's actions and to cover them up despite legitimate calls for answers,' she said. 'If this committee is serious about learning the truth about Epstein's trafficking crimes, it would not rely on press gaggles to get answers from our current president on his involvement; it would ask him directly under oath about the tens of thousands of times he shows up in the Epstein files,' she added today. Trump's name appears more than 38,000 times in the millions of Epstein documents released by the Department of Justice in January. 'If the majority were serious, it would not waste time on fishing expeditions. There is too much that needs to be done. What is being held back? Who is being protected? And why the cover-up?' Despite her denials of any Epstein relationship, Clinton received a $20,000 donation from the disgraced pedophile in 1999 when she was fundraising for the DNC. Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's infamous madam, attended Chelsea Clinton's wedding in 2010, years after Epstein had been convicted of sexual abuse. Hillary previously admitted to meeting Maxwell on several occasions. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking - the only Epstein co-conspirator who has been jailed. Clinton and an unidentified woman on a private jet in the latest release of the Epstein files. The former president said he only ever traveled with the pedophile for charity work A motorcade arrives ahead of Hillary's deposition in Chappaqua, New York, today, as part of the House Oversight Committee investigation into Jeffrey Epstein Bill Clinton is expected to face a grilling on Friday as the first former president compelled to testify in a congressional investigation. His relationship with Epstein was extensive following the end of his presidency. Flight logs for Epstein's private jet indicate that the former president traveled on it for trips to the Virgin Islands, Portugal, Siberia, Japan, and China. The ex-president claims these trips were only ever related to his charitable work. Photographs have also emerged from the Epstein files showing Clinton in a hot tub with a woman whose face was redacted. Another photo shows him swimming with Maxwell and an unidentified woman. Epstein famously kept an oil painting of Clinton in a blue dress and red heels at his Manhattan mansion. The Clintons initially resisted House Republicans' subpoena to testify about Epstein but agreed to the deposition after being threatened with contempt charges. The Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, where Hillary's deposition is taking place today The committee said it will release the deposition videos and transcripts after the lawyers for the Clintons have reviewed the content. Lawmakers speaking ahead of the hearing were asked whether they planned to ask Hillary about an email in the Epstein files, which shows Trump's Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emailed the pedophile about Hillary's 2016 presidential campaign. 'It will be on my list,' Republican Representative Nancy Mace told reporters. In November 2015, Epstein's assistant forwarded him an invitation from Lutnick to a 'very intimate fundraising event' at his financial firm for then-presidential candidate Hillary. It is unclear whether Epstein attended the event. He made no donations to her campaign, according to filings from the Federal Elections Commission. Lutnick donated $2,700 to her campaign, the maximum allowed by law at that time. Republicans, who hold the majority on the House Oversight Committee, drove the effort to bring the Clintons to testify as Donald Trump faced pressure to release the Epstein files. Democrat lawmakers are also attending the deposition which forms part of a broader congressional effort to investigate the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein case. Epstein and Maxwell also appear to have played a key role in setting up the Clinton Foundation and Clinton Global Initiative, according to the Epstein files. President Clinton and wife Hillary share a tender moment during an East Room ceremony at the White House in Washington, July 17, 1996 Maxwell herself was deposed as part of the bipartisan congressional investigation into the Justice Department's prosecution and handling of the Epstein case, during which she pleaded the Fifth Amendment to prevent self-incrimination. Hillary said in a BBC interview last week that she and Clinton are 'more than happy to say what we know, which is very limited and totally unrelated to their behavior or their crimes.' House Oversight Chairman James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, noted earlier this week that 'the Clintons' testimony is critical to understanding Epstein and Maxwell's sex trafficking network and the ways they sought to curry favor and influence to shield themselves from scrutiny.' 'Their testimony may also inform how Congress can strengthen laws to better combat human trafficking. Our goal for this investigation is straightforward: we seek to deliver transparency and accountability for the American people and for survivors,' Comer added. The Daily Mail has contacted the Clintons for comment. The King learned how to shoot down a drone on a visit to an army base on Thorney Island on Thursday. Charles looked through the sight unit of an air defence missile launcher, as if to acquire an enemy drone, but did not fire the equipment. He was visiting Bakers Barracks on the peninsula in Chichester Harbour, on the border of Hampshire and West Sussex. The island is the headquarters of the 7th Air Defence Group which provides all of the UK's ground based air defence assets. As well as the equipment demonstration, he spoke to deployed personnel via a live link, thanking them for their efforts, before meeting their families, who he described as 'amazing'. The King, who arrived by helicopter wearing a suit and regimental tie, was greeted by a 21 gun salute and hundreds of personnel and their families. He then witnessed an immersive air defence demonstration, showcasing the unit's short-range and medium-range capabilities. The demonstration lasted eight minutes and saw three separate waves of drones and two armoured vehicles. The King was shown a lightweight multiple launcher (pictured) Charles was pictured laughing as he met with families of personnel serving abroad during the visit The King even sliced a cake with a blue and yellow centaur design, the insignia of the 7th Air Defence He asked Lieutenant Colonel Maarten Magee several questions during the demonstration and pointed up at some of the drones, around 30 feet above. He then entered a camouflage net where he was shown a lightweight multiple launcher (LML), which if fired could have eliminated the target within approximately four seconds. Charles looked through the sight unit, turning it left and right, before asking questions about its operation. Magee said afterwards: 'What an absolute pleasure. We spend our lives working in the institution of which he's the head. 'So what an absolute privilege to have him to speak to our soldiers, see our equipment, and get hands-on the kit that we use every day. 'I think as an aviator himself, air defence has always been something he's been interested in, but he was more interested in how we're dealing with modern threats, so the drone technology. 'We are trying to keep up with the speed of progress of the modern war that we may end up being part of. He's fascinated because he will come and see military units all doing innovation, all trying to stay ahead of the curve so we can be as competitive and effective as we can be.' Asked about the King's operation of the LML, another soldier who had been showing him how to use it said the King would have passed if it had been training. King Charles visited the Royal Regiment of Artillery at Baker Barracks in West Sussex on Thursday The King also met with members of the Force Atlantic rowing team during the visit Magee added that the King was surprised by how difficult it was to operate. 'I think the lesson he probably took from that was how hard it is to acquire a target,' he said. 'What I said to him is, this is about the easiest circumstances within which he could try and acquire something with our weapon systems. 'The reality is the soldiers will be cold and wet and under threat and it will probably be at nighttime, it will be a real challenge.' Following the demonstration, the King then officially opened the new Junior Ranks' Restaurant. He unveiled a plaque draped with a Union flag, to cheers from school children and locals from the island. Inside the restaurant, Charles spoke to deployed personnel in the Falklands, Saudi Arabia, Estonia and Cyprus, via a live link. He told them, 'Thank you all very much, it's a great pleasure to see you. 'Is it the middle of your lunch?,' he added to laughter, then said, 'Thank you all very much for all your efforts, they're much appreciated they really are.' A gun salute was given for the arrival of the King at the barracks on Thorney Island The King meeting the crowds. The island is the headquarters of the 7th Air Defence Group which provides all of the UK's ground based air defence assets Hundreds of personnel and their families greeted the King, who arrived wearing a suit and regimental tie One of the personnel he spoke to directly was Sgt Jack Harding who has been in the Falklands since October. 'It won't be long hopefully until you're back, only another month or two,' he said, adding, 'Well done.' He later spoke to Harding's family and his daughter Poppy, 5, handed the King a letter. His wife, Charley, said afterwards they had written the letter together. She said it contained, 'How it was an amazing opportunity, it's not something you get every day, and just how much support the royal family are for the military. 'She's hoping for a reply, so fingers crossed. She has really struggled [when her dad goes away].' She said the children had been excited to meet Charles, 'It's all they've been going on about for the last few days.' Charles also met Jade McGowan, 36, and asked about her seven-month-old twins Hamish and Brodie. In response to her saying there was no return date for her husband, he said, 'Poor old long-suffering other halves. I don't know how you do it, you're amazing.' The King was visiting Bakers Barracks on the peninsula in Chichester Harbour, on the border of Hampshire and West Sussex The King also met Force Atlantic, a team of four soldiers from the base who finished rowing the Atlantic ocean in January, taking 45 days 11 hours 48 mins. 'Not too many blisters, I hope,' he said. Charles also met serving personnel from the Commonwealth, as well as local faith leaders. He then cut a cake with a blue and yellow centaur design, the insignia of the 7th Air Defence. 'I'll need an enormous sword,' he said on seeing the size of the cake, then lifted out a piece, 'I must examine the Victoria sponge.' Thorney Island was first used as a Royal Air Force base during the Second World War, before Baker Barracks were built in the 80s. The base has its own sandy beach and is home to the army's inshore sailing training centre. The King holds the title of Captain General of the Royal Artillery, first assumed by King George VI in 1947 and subsequently by Queen Elizabeth II from 1952. The Royal Artillery, also known as the Gunners, describe themselves as the British Army's 'eyes, ears and firepower'. Founded in 1716, they are made up of 14 regular regiments and seven reserve regiments. Three of its regiments form the units of the 7th Air Defence, the focus of Charles' visit today. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex hugged and comforted young cancer patients and their families during an emotional visit to Jordan's leading cancer hospital, where they listened to harrowing accounts of childhood illness and resilience. During the visit to the King Hussein Cancer Centre, Meghan rushed to the side of a distressed mother from Gaza, holding her hands and rubbing her arm as the woman broke down in tears while describing her son's fight with leukaemia. Meghan showed empathy with Huda Ramadan Alrhawjara, hugging the mother after she explained how her schoolboy son Mohammad suffered a recurrence of leukaemia during the recent Israeli conflict against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Through tears, Mrs Alrhawjara, who has spent 18 months in Jordan with her son for his treatment, said in Arabic: 'It doesn't matter if it takes four years, what matters is to have him healthy.' The mother and son were among a group of young Palestinians from Gaza being treated at the centre and invited to meet the duke and duchess. Mrs Alrhawjara was hugged again by Meghan before she left and also Harry. She later said: 'I'm really happy that the prince and his wife are really on the side of the families, and that they came to hear our stories, it shows their humanity.' The Sussexes began their tour by meeting young patients in a play area designed to put children at ease before treatment, allowing them a moment of normality away from the wards. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex hugged and comforted young cancer patients and their families during an emotional visit to Jordan's leading cancer hospital Meghan showed empathy with Huda Ramadan Alrhawjara (middle), hugging the mother after she explained how her schoolboy son Mohammad suffered a recurrence of leukaemia The Duke and Duchess of Sussex speaking to young cancer patients as they accompany a World Health Organisation delegation to visit the King Hussein Cancer Centre Many of the people they visited were young Palestinians from Gaza being treated at the centre and were invited to meet the duke and duchess Prince Harry quickly struck up a friendship with Sham - a 13-year-old-girl from Syria who waiting for a chemotherapy session for leukaemia later that day. The pair bonded over her English, which she learned through a relative, watching films and Peppa Pig cartoons. Later, the teenager performed a short piano piece for the Sussexes and was applauded warmly by the couple, who hugged the girl before they moved on. She said of the encounter: 'He's really nice, I've heard about him, but I never thought I would meet him.' Meghan Markle was also seen chatting to a little boy busily colouring in pictures, while speaking with staff about their patients, as everyone sat together on tiny chairs. The hospital visit marked the final engagement in a packed two-day trip to Jordan, during which the Sussexes learned more about humanitarian efforts supporting the health and wellbeing of Syrians and Palestinians who have sought sanctuary in the country. Earlier, Harry urged a group of recovered addicts to return to their communities and support others during a visit to Jordan's National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts, telling them: 'There's no shame in having an addiction'. The hospital visit marked the final engagement in a packed two-day trip to Jordan, during which the Sussexes learned more about humanitarian efforts supporting the health and wellbeing of Syrians and Palestinians The Sussexes began their tour by meeting young patients in a play area designed to put children at ease before treatment Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex on a tour of the King Hussein cancer centre Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit the National centre for rehabilitation of addicts Harry and Meghan landed in the capital, Amman, late on Tuesday night and swiftly embarked on what critics have described as a royal-style tour, packed with charity visits and photo opportunities. This included an event at the British Ambassador's residence with World Health Organisation officials and embassy staff yesterday, which some critics branded 'entirely inappropriate'. Former Labour minister Tulip Siddiq faces the prospect of becoming the first British MP to be served with an Interpol 'red notice' seeking her arrest. A court in Bangladesh has requested Interpol's help in detaining Ms Siddiq on corruption charges. On Thursday, a senior judge issued a formal red notice request to Interpol after the MP for Hampstead and Highgate failed to respond to a domestic arrest warrant issued in Bangladesh. The development raises the possibility that the MP, who previously served as an anti-corruption minister, could join Interpol's most wanted list alongside British terrorists, killers and paedophiles. A red notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person for extradition to another country for an alleged crime or pending legal action. In this case, Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) alleges that the Labour MP was 'illegally rewarded' with a flat in Dhaka's upmarket Gulshan district in exchange for her work with the property company that owned the building. Last year Ms Siddiq was convicted in absentia and sentenced to two years in jail for allegedly working with Sheikh Hasina - her aunt and Bangladesh's ousted dictator - to secure lucrative plots of land for her family in Dhaka. In February, she was sentenced to four further years in jail after being found guilty in two other corruption cases. A senior judge has issued a formal red notice request to Interpol after MP Tulip Siddiq failed to respond to a domestic arrest warrant issued in Bangladesh Ms Siddiq was convicted in absentia and sentenced to two years in jail for allegedly working with Sheikh Hasina her aunt and Bangladesh's ousted dictator But the 43-year-old has strongly denied the allegations and has described the prosecution as 'flawed and farcical from beginning to end'. Interpol currently has 13 Britons on its red notice list who are wanted for appalling crimes, including the notorious White Widow Samantha Lewthwaite who has been accused of involvement in more than 240 murders in multiple terrorist attacks in Africa. The international police organisation currently has more than 6,400 red notices, which can be circulated internationally within a few hours in urgent cases. But the organisation, based in France, also rejects around five per cent of requests every year on the grounds that the alleged offence is considered politically motivated, violates human rights laws or does not meet its strict criteria of a serious crime. Under Interpol's constitution it is 'strictly forbidden for the organisation to undertake any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character'. Interpol is likely to spend some time assessing whether the clause applies in Ms Siddiq's case. Even if Interpol agrees to circulate the order, the National Crime Agency in Britain does not necessarily have to comply and would have to make its own assessment as to whether the alleged charges fall foul of its own guidelines regarding politically motivated offences. Experts believe that it is unlikely that Ms Siddiq would face an arrest and extradition in the circumstances as the request would likely be declined on the basis that it is politically motivated. British terrorist Samantha Lewthwaite, aka the White Widow, is subject of an Interpol red notice like the one requested for Ms Siddiq But it could be months before Ms Siddiq learns her fate, the Mail understands. Individuals are also able to challenge red notices through Article 2 of Interpol's constitution if it is arguable that they would not receive a fair trial. Last year, Ms Siddiq was forced to resign as anti-corruption minister after the Prime Minister's standards adviser ruled that she had 'inadvertently misled' the public about how she came to acquire a London flat from an ally of her aunt. Although she did not breach the ministerial code, she stepped down believing that continuing in her role as economic secretary to the Treasury was 'likely to be a distraction from the work of the Government'. Mir Ahmad Ali Salam, Bangladesh's chief prosecution officer confirmed yesterday that the court had made a request to the government for Interpol to issue a red notice. The notification will then be signed off by local police, but the Mail understands that Interpol has not yet received the request. The charge sheet against Ms Siddiq and others includes criminal conspiracy, abuse of power and breach of trust. If convicted, she could face a prison sentence of between three and seven years under Bangladesh's penal code and Prevention of Corruption Act. She has not responded to the latest developments. But in a statement after her sentencing in December, she said: 'This whole process has been flawed and farcical from the beginning to the end. 'The outcome of this kangaroo court is as predictable as it is unjustified. 'I hope this so-called 'verdict' will be treated with the contempt it deserves. 'My focus has always been my constituents in Hampstead and Highgate and I refuse to be distracted by the dirty politics of Bangladesh.' More than a dozen ministers were drafted in to join the final hours of Labour's by-election campaign as it fought to cling on to a formerly safe seat. Senior members of the Cabinet including Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson all braved pouring rain in the North West to knock on doors and hand out leaflets with the result on a knife edge. Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones and Chief Whip Jonathan Reynolds also took to the streets of Gorton and Denton, in a sign of how seriously the party was taking the fight to stop its former voters deserting to the Greens on the left and Reform on the right. The seat had long been a Labour stronghold and former MP Andrew Gwynne held it with a 13,413 majority at the general election. But he stood down after the Mail on Sunday revealed he had made offensive comments on WhatsApp about locals while nationally the party is losing support both to Reform and the Greens, forcing it to throw everything at the by-election campaign. In total more than 1,000 Labour activists travelled to the constituency on Thursday in a desperate effort to avert a defeat that would spark a fresh crisis for Sir Keir Starmer - who unexpectedly visited the campaign on Monday - after polls found that the three-way contest was too close to call. Among them was Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, whom the PM controversially blocked from standing over fears he would use his return to Parliament to challenge him for the leadership. He insisted he was not sorry he was on the ballot paper, however, at a final photocall for Labour's hopeful Angeliki Stogia. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who was blocked from standing in today's Gorton and Denton by-election, with Labour candidate Angeliki Stogia Health Secretary Wes Streeting was among more than a dozen ministers who were drafted in for Labour's final day of door-knocking 'No, we've got a brilliant candidate, and she hasn't put a foot wrong,' Mr Burnham said. 'She's been out every day. She's done us proud.' She said: 'We've got more than 1,000 volunteers out as we speak. We're expecting more people to join us later on, people are enthused with the campaign and we are going to carry on knocking, and, you know, we've got the blessings of the Manchester rain.' Deputy Leader Lucy Powell insisted before polls opened: 'We are positive, we are feeling confident.' However the campaign has been marred by allegations of dirty tricks with Labour accused of putting misleading bar charts on its leaflets that omitted the Greens, as well as faking a tactical voting organisation. As polling opened, the Greens also tried to portray themselves as the only way to stop Reform winning. Their candidate Hannah Spencer said in a final video: 'Right now Labour are out of the race.' Nigel Farage joined in the efforts to get out the vote too, saying the contest was between his candidate Matt Goodwin and the Greens. He said Reform UK was becoming a 'proper, professional' political party but admitted: 'Who's going to win? I couldn't tell you.' The result is expected in the early hours of Friday morning. More than 100,000 UK patients must have their pacemaker replaced or its software updated after some of the devices were found to run out of battery years early. Manufacturer Boston Scientific has issued a safety notice to NHS trusts warning around 13 per cent of its Accolade pacemakers made before September 2018 have a battery flaw. It means they are more likely to switch suddenly into a limited safety mode, which can be fatal for some people who are fully reliant on the gadget to regulate their heart rhythm. Two patients have died and over 800 injuries have been linked to the faulty devices in the United States. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency told the Health Service Journal that 13,969 devices impacted by the flaw were sold to 153 hospitals in the UK. Boston Scientific issued a software update for the problem last autumn and said it should be installed to all Accolade pacemakers via in-person appointments. The MHRA said this means a further 97,557 devices across 308 UK hospitals, in addition to the initial 13,969, should be updated. The recall affects people who had one of the faulty devices fitted between 2015 and 2018, mainly for slow or irregular heart rhythms. Manufacturer Boston Scientific issued a safety notice to NHS trusts warning around 13 per cent of its Accolade pacemakers made before September 2018 have a battery flaw They were meant to have a 10-year battery life but instead sometimes switch to safety mode after six years. Hospitals are now in the process of contacting affected patients. Professor Simon Ray, clinical director for heart disease at NHS England, told HSJ: While all pacemakers will need their battery replaced eventually, a small proportion of patients affected by this will need to have them replaced early. Patients affected will be contacted by their local hospital and reviewed by an expert clinical team, who will decide if they require an early replacement. People should continue to attend their usual pacemaker follow-up appointments. The software update means that patients will typically not require an operation to replace the faulty device. Instead, the software should be updated and patients monitored. However, the MHRA said it is aware that 89 early device replacement surgeries had been carried out, and 51 normal device replacement surgeries performed due to the pacemakers entering safety mode. Despite the release of the software upgrade last September, a further 88 early device replacement surgeries and 23 normal device replacement surgeries have been carried out since then. Royal Wolverhampton Trust has identified 912 impacted patients and has replaced 53 pacemakers to date. Its January board papers say: This is deemed to be a national concern and has been escalated accordingly. Papers seen by the HSJ also indicated RWT was considering whether it would be compensated by Boston Scientific to cover the additional costs. The trust said the firm had approached it about compensation for the procedures but it was unclear if it would be enough to cover the costs. In other cases, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals said a year ago it had identified 580 patients with faulty pacemakers, with 72 patients at high risk. And a woman from Southport is suing Boston Scientific after she had two pacemakers fail. A brave security guard was viciously attacked by a thug who attempted to steal from a Greggs store in London. The thief repeatedly kicked and punched the security guard while one of his friends brazenly dashed off with a food item from the Croydon shop. Footage shows the man kicking the guard and pushing him against the wall in front of shocked shoppers including a young family. The security guard tries to push the attacker out of the shop before he is targeted by a round of punches and kicks. A Greggs worker hurls a wet floor sign at the thief, shouting 'how dare you!' before the group of boys stride away. The Met Police have been contacted for comment. Britain's most popular bakery is frequently targeted by shoplifters. It has become such an epidemic for the chain that its flagship Leicester Square store was forced to hire a former serviceman as a bouncer to protect their precious pastries. A brave security guard was viciously attacked by a shoplifter who attempted to steal from a Greggs store in London The thief repeatedly kicked and punched the security guard while attempting to grab some baked goods One of the attacker's friends brazenly dashed off with a food item from the Croydon shop Greggs staff have even started to wear body cameras, which can record for up to 90 minutes, in some of their busiest stores in the hopes it would deter thieves following a concerning rise in thefts and attacks on staff. Guards from the popular pastry store in Croydon previously revealed desperate shoplifters had set up a 'black market' for sausage rolls and doughnuts, selling them on the crime-ridden streets for 50p a pop. Just last week, a prolific thief nicknamed the 'Hamster' by staff was spared jail after stealing close to 2,000 worth of items from the bakery. Adam Gosling, 39, targeted a store in Greenford, west London, 38 times over a six-week period between December 30, 2025, and February 10. The value of the thefts ranged from 12.30 to 100 per visit and, on some days, the homeless man would target the Greggs multiple times. Prosecutors told Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Tuesday that Gosling's theft spree amounted to 1,817.50. Footage released by the store shows the hooded man ransacking Lucozades from their fridge into a bag. In another clip, he returns with a mask on and proceeds to shamelessly stash multiple orange juice bottles into a Co-op bag in front of onlooking employees. In July, a shoplifter was physically restrained by two security guards in Hammersmith, west London as he attempted to smuggle out bottles of fizzy drink. Horrified onlookers watched on while the suspect - dressed in a white T-shirt and jeans - grappled with store staff at Hammersmith Station. Footage showed a young man attempt to steal food and drink items before he is forced to drop the items on the floor. The thief then unleashes a swearing tirade at the two guards and leaves in a strop as they push him firmly away from the premises. Passersby at the busy London station can be seen pausing to watch the spectacle which took place just after 1pm - while one even intervenes as the thief brawls with the store guards out in the open. In June, Greggs ditched its self-service fridges and switched to putting sandwiches and bottled drinks behind counters in five branches. Other stores installed bank-style screens on the counter and brought in security guards. A Russian toddler survived a 10ft fall from a high rise tower block window after two quick-thinking nurses used a coat to catch him mid-air. Shocking footage shows the 18-month-old teetering on a windowsill of a residential block in St Petersburg, before losing his grip and plunging towards the ground. But nurses Anna Kabashova and Olga Artemyeva were quick to act, and used a woman's coat as a makeshift safety net, video shows. A heavy thud could be heard in the footage as the child plummeted and slammed into the outstretched coat. The child was then wrapped in the remnants of the coat and rushed to the nearest clinic before being transferred to hospital, but was not seriously injured. 'We were acting on instinct. We didn't know how to behave in such a situation,' nurse Kabashova said in an interview following the terrifying ordeal. Witnesses said the toddler had been trying to open the top floor window for up to 20 minutes, with no adult supervising him. At one point he was seen standing on the sill, opening and closing the window, before climbing out. A Russian toddler survived a 110ft fall from a tower block window after two women used a coat to catch him mid-air Footage shows the 18-month-old teetering on a windowsill of a residential block in St Petersburg, before losing his grip and plunging towards the ground The child's parents were reportedly visiting neighbours at the time. His 18-year-old brother was at home playing a video game in another room and only realised what was happening after hearing screams from the street, according to local media. Safety locks were fitted to two side windows in the flat, but not the central one the toddler managed to open. An eyewitness said: 'The child had been trying to open the window for about 20 minutes. 'When he managed to climb out, he first ate some snow and looked outside. 'Then he put one leg out, grabbed the ledge with his hands, lost his grip and fell' Nurse Kabashova said: 'He was standing there, opening and closing the window again and again. 'I stood directly beneath the window. 'Another woman came up to me and said, 'Shall we catch him?' I replied, 'Let's do it.' 'We saw the little child beginning to climb over the windowsill as if he were getting off a sofa, one leg, then the other and we realised it was about to happen,' she said. 'Then it was a matter of seconds. Someone shouted, 'He's falling, he's falling!' and he was already in our coat.' The Primorsky District Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into the fall and will examine the parents' supervision of the child. The dramatic rescue comes just days after another boy was caught by a yard cleaner after falling from a seventh-floor window elsewhere in the city. In Russia, social media users have hailed the rescuers as heroes. Pro-Kremlin media figure Margarita Simonyan has reportedly called for the nurses to be identified for an award after previously giving a one-million-rouble [9,600] prize to another rescuer this week. Sergey told reporters: 'I'm not a hero. You just have to find a way out of the situation. The alleged Bondi Beach shooters, Naveed and Sajid Akram, tried to travel to terrorist hotspot Afghanistan in the years leading up to the December 14 atrocity. The pair, however, were turned away in Kyrgyzstan, which is separated from Afghanistan by Tajikistan, according to the Daily Telegraph. It has been known for some time that Naveed, 24, and Sajid, 50, took a month-long trip to the Philippines weeks before they allegedly opened fire at a Hanukkah by the Sea event at Bondi Beach, killing 15 and injuring dozens more. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said in December that the Philippines National Police found that the Akrams barely left their hotel room on that trip. That information was refuted by NSW Police detectives who travelled to Asia to conduct their own investigations. 'They certainly did not spend one month sitting in a hotel room in the Philippines,' a police source said. Police investigating the terrorist attack have now revealed the pair also tried to get into Afghanistan. 'Their travel movements, particularly in that part of central Asia, are pretty interesting,' a police source told News. Naveed and Sajid Akram tried to travel to terrorist hotspot Afghanistan in the years leading up to the Bondi attacks Naveed Akram is yet to enter a plea to 59 charges including 15 counts of murder The pair travelled to the Philipphines in the lead-up to the attack but also tried to get to Afghanistan earlier 'It's going to come under close examination in all the investigations.' It is not known why the pair were trying to get to Afghanistan or why they were not allowed in. Afghanistan is ranked in the top 10 on the Global Terrorism Index's list of most dangerous countries, as the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISK) has grown into Asia. 'Since its formation in 2015, ISK has steadily extended its reach beyond Afghanistan into Pakistan, Iran, Russia and Central Asia,' the Global Terrorism Index's 2025 report said. 'In Central Asia, there has been an increase in ISK-related arrests and incidents, reflecting both the group's focus on the region and heightened counter-terrorism efforts by governments. 'The affiliates of IS in Central Asia were divided between those linked directly to IS leadership in Iraq and Syria and Tajikistan, and those aligned with ISK in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.' The December 14 attack is being investigated by a NSW Joint Counter Terror Team. Sajid Akram was shot dead by NSW Police officers at the scene on December 14, while his son Naveed is on remand in Goulburn Supermax and is yet to enter a plea to 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder. Sajid Akram conducting firearms training in the lead-up to the attack The pair only got as far as Kyrgyzstan 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 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. It was revealed this week that a family visit to alleged gunman Naveed in prison was called off at the last minute after officers allegedly found a knife and handwritten notes during a security check of a car. The Daily Mail revealed the cancelled jail visit was the first Akram's family had attempted since he was arrested after the Bondi massacre more than two months ago. His mother, grandmother and siblings all had to undergo extreme security vetting before they were approved by the Corrective Services Commissioner Gary McCahon. 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. A confident Green Party are predicting a 'seismic' moment in British politics as votes are counted in the Gorton and Denton by-election. Zack Polanski's party said they were 'very confident' of victory in the Greater Manchester seat, while a deflated Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell appeared to concede defeat. A devastating Labour loss in the Greater Manchester constituency will spark fresh speculation about Sir Keir Starmer's future as Prime Minister. His premiership has been hugely shaken by the Peter Mandelson scandal, while Labour MPs are increasingly mutinous over their party's dire poll ratings. As well as Labour and the Greens, Reform UK had also held high hopes of winning in Gorton and Denton to add to their growing tally of MPs in the House of Commons. But, speaking to Sky News, Ms Powell said there was a 'big majority in this constituency that hasn't voted for Reform'. In an apparent admission of defeat for Labour, she added the Greens had 'managed to win the argument that they were best placed' to beat Nigel Farage's party. A Green source said: 'We are now very confident of a win.' Earlier, as polls closed at 10pm on Thursday, Green leader Mr Polanski offered an upbeat assessment about his party's chances, telling Sky News: 'I'm pretty sure we're in first or second place and I think that is pretty incredible. 'If the weather has been right then I think we could take this, I'm feeling confident but not complacent.' A dejected Ms Powell said of Labour's performance: 'We've got to, of course, take stock, as we always do, and show humility and that we are hearing what people are saying.' The turnout in the Gorton and Denton was announced as 47.62 per cent, with 36,903 verified votes cast. In the general election in 2024 the turnout was 47.8 per cent. Meanwhile, a furious row broke out over claims of high levels of illegal 'family voting' in the by-election. A glum-looking Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell watches on as votes are counted in the Gorton and Denton by-election Officials are pictured sorting ballot papers at Manchester Central Convention Complex after polls closed at 10pm on Thursday Sir Keir Starmer, pictured speaking to students in Newcastle earlier on Thursday, is facing an anxious wait for the result Green leader Zack Polanski was upbeat about his party's chances, saying: 'I'm pretty sure we're in first or second place and I think that is pretty incredible' Democracy Volunteers, who sent accredited observers across Gorton and Denton on Thursday, expressed fears about major breaches of electoral law. Family voting is where a voter is accompanied by another person into or near polling booths with the intention of influencing their vote. Tougher legislation, known as the Ballot Secrecy Act, was introduced in 2023 in a bid to clamp down on the practice. It made it more clearly an offence for someone to accompany a voter to a polling booth or position themselves nearby with the intention of influencing a voter. In a statement issued as polls closed on Thursday night, Democracy Volunteers said they had seen 'the highest levels of family voting at any election in our 10-year history of observing elections in the UK'. But Manchester City Council insisted 'no such issues have been reported'. Mr Farage said the report of high levels of family voting 'raises serious questions about the integrity of the democratic process in predominantly Muslim areas'. Polling stations closed in Gorton and Denton at 10pm on Thursday with a result expected around 4am on Friday morning. Throughout the vote count, Greens became increasingly confident they would win their first ever parliamentary by-election and their candidate Hannah Spencer would become their fifth MP in the House of Commons. It came after Labour mounted a fierce campaign to maintain its grip on the constituency, a traditional stronghold, with more than 1,000 activists said to have visited. Party sources said Labour had 'a very impressive polling day', adding: 'We've spoken to more voters today than we have done any previous by-election polling day. 'But it's fair to say that we do think it's going to be very close.' A series of senior Labour figures - including Sir Keir himself, top Cabinet ministers, and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham - flooded the seat in recent days. A final photocall for Labour's candidate Angeliki Stogia, a local councillor, on Thursday saw her join Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell and Mr Burnham. In pouring rain in Gorton as the campaign counted down to its final hours, the three stepped onto a campaign bus along with activists for a final round of door-knocking. Mr Burnham said he was not 'sorry' he was not the by-election candidate himself, with his bid to contest the seat for Labour dramatically blocked by Sir Keir last month. 'No, we've got a brilliant candidate, and she hasn't put a foot wrong,' he said. 'She's been out every day. She's done us proud.' The Greater Manchester mayor is widely seen as a potential leadership challenger to Sir Keir should he return to Westminster as an MP. Join the debate Has Labour lost touch with voters in traditional strongholds like Gorton and Denton? Your browser does not support iframes. Voting in the Greater Manchester seat took place between 7am and 10pm on Thursday, with a result expected in the early hours of Friday morning A final photocall for Labour's candidate Angeliki Stogia, a local councillor, on Thursday saw her join Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham Mr Farage visited Gorton and Denton on Wednesday night, speaking to voters alongside Reform's candidate Matthew Goodwin. Ahead of polls opening at 7am on Thursday, Mr Farage said: 'Our message on election day is clear. 'The Prime Minister is panicking and knows he has broken his promises to the British people. Vote Reform to ditch Starmer.' The Greens have sought to pitch themselves as the only option for anti-Reform voters. Their candidate Hannah Spencer pledged to 'run the far-Right out of Manchester, not to come back'. She said: 'The polls and independent tactical voting organisation are clear that voting Green is the only way to ensure Reform don't win.' The Greens have also attempted to appeal to the significant Muslim vote in Gorton and Denton by hammering Sir Keir and Labour over Gaza. The seat is sharply divided in ethnicity, religion and deprivation - making the outcome incredibly difficult to predict. Join the debate Do YOU believe Reform can turn by-election momentum into national success? Nigel Farage visited Gorton and Denton on Wednesday night, speaking to voters alongside Reform UK's candidate Matthew Goodwin The Greens are hoping to show they can mount a serious Left-wing challenge to Labour under new leader Zack Polanski, pictured with by-election candidate Hannah Spencer How Labour performs could be make-or-break for Sir Keir, as he struggles to contain the Mandelson scandal and dire national polls. The PM made a token visit to the constituency on Monday but was humiliatingly kept away from ordinary voters amid dire poll ratings. The premier barely survived a leadership coup a fortnight ago, with the Cabinet only rallying round at the last moment. Even supporters of Sir Keir believe a third-placed finish in Gorton and Denton could be terminal. In his final message to voters, Sir Keir sought to woo wavering Labour voters by painting the contest as a straight fight between his party and Reform. He said: 'The choice at today's by-election could not be more stark. Unity or division. 'Driving down the cost of living with Labour or driving a wedge between communities under Reform. 'Moving forwards together, or opening up anger and division that holds our country back. 'Reform's Matthew Goodwin thinks people who aren't white can't be English and wants women who choose not to have children to pay more tax. 'Vote Labour in Gorton and Denton today to send him and his toxic politics packing.' Your browser does not support iframes. Labour big beasts, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting, have been flocking to the constituency in a bid to mobilise the party's vote The contest in Manchester has been beset by allegations of dirty tricks, with parties repeatedly referring each other's candidates to the police. In the latest twist, the Greens accused Labour of handing out leaflets from an 'entirely fictitious' tactical voting organisation urging voters to back Sir Keir's party. The leaflets from 'Tactical Choice' carried a supposed poll that put Labour and Reform neck-and-neck when 'not including polling funded by Green Party donors'. They added: 'Based on a new prediction published in the last 24 hours we are recommending voting Labour.' A Green Party spokesman said: 'In a final throw of desperation, Labour have made up an entirely fictitious organisation called 'Tactical Choice' referencing them on their final leaflet. 'They've had to make this up because every actual tactical voting organisation has endorsed the Green Party as the best hope to keep Reform out in this election.' For its part, Labour has accused the Greens of 'whipping up hatred' over Gaza in parts of the constituency with a large Muslim population. The party even put out a campaign video in Urdu which featured images of David Lammy shaking hands with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Ms Powell said the Green campaign had been 'characterised by misinformation, with dodgy bar charts'. However, Labour put out a leaflet of its own with a bar chart showing it neck-and-neck with Reform but omitting the Greens in the lead. A crumbling section of Scotlands busiest motorway could be demolished in a hammer-blow for motorists. Commuters have already faced five years of travel misery after work to strengthen the ageing Woodside viaducts on the M8 north of Glasgow city centre began in 2021. The temporary repairs were expected to be completed more than two years ago but significant challenges and delays have pushed the date back to next year, with lane restrictions remaining in place. Transport Scotland is now considering three proposals to permanently fix the motorway section, including repairing, replacing and removing it completely, with the options varying in cost from around 125million to 500million. The estimated timescale also varies from one to four years, meaning motorists could face at least another five years of disruption on a section of road that carries around 150,000 vehicles a day. Glasgow Tory MSP Annie Wells said commuters were sick of hellish traffic jams and delays and called on SNP ministers to get their act together and ensure that motorists have a road they can actually use. She said: Closure of the M8 would be a hammer blow to Glaswegians and yet another example of a disastrous SNP transport project. Road works on the M8 Motorway to repair Woodside Viaduct The repairs could result in traffic being sent on a lengthy diversion Anyone who uses this part of the motorway knows what a nightmare it is and not just at rush hour. The SNP pledged to complete this upgrade by 2023, but in true Nationalist fashion costs have spiralled and now this ageing stretch of road may be permanently closed. The removal of the bridges, which were originally completed in 1971, would be the cheapest option with an estimated cost of less than 125million and take the least amount of time, with M8 traffic rerouted onto the M74 and Glasgows local road network. The option to repair, at an estimated cost of between 125million and 200million would take one to three years. The most expensive proposal would be to replace the viaducts at a cost of between 200million and 500million, with the project likely to take four to five years to complete. Transport Scotland said this would involve constructing new structures to modern design standards, improving road layouts, durability, and increasing safety for road users. It added: Where possible, existing elements such as foundations and columns would be reused to reduce costs and improve sustainability. But bosses stressed this plan would have a high carbon footprint and there would be significant traffic disruption to all road users expected during demolition and construction work. Transport Scotland said it was now assessing options that would ensure the long-term future for this vital stretch of Scotlands Trunk Road Network and described it as a priority project. Public feedback should be submitted by no later than March 25. A former Georgia high school teacher has been arrested and charged with child molestation, less than a year after she posted a video on social media complaining about how men are 'creepy'. Danielle Weaver, a 29-year-old married mother-of-two, was taken into custody by the Leesburg Police Department on February 18, according to a press release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). Weaver worked at Lee County High School, which received allegations on February 3 that a female teacher had inappropriate contact with a minor student, per the release. Police said they identified Weaver as the teacher and by February 17, authorities had obtained an arrest warrant. Weaver turned herself in the next day and was later released on bond. Weaver's TikTok page has been flooded with people leaving comments referencing her legal troubles. In one video posted last June, Weaver complained about a 'creepy' interaction she had with a man she didn't know who asked her for a vape when she did not have one. 'Okay, I just need to know something for a minute. Why do men have to be so creepy sometimes?' she said. The irony, given she now faces a child molestation charge, was not lost on commenters, one of whom wrote: 'Why do teachers gotta be so creepy?' Danielle Weaver, a 29-year-old teacher Lee County High School in Georgia, was arrested last week and charged with molesting a child An investigation by Leesburg Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation found that Weaver, who has two young daughters, had inappropriate contact with a minor student Authorities have not released much information so far, but the Lee County School System shed light on the possible age of the victim in their statement from several weeks ago when the investigation first began. 'We, at the 9th grade campus, can confirm that there is an ongoing legal investigation involving law enforcement concerning the alleged conduct of a former staff member who is no longer working for the district,' the school district said on February 5. 'Upon discovering the allegations, school and district leadership acted immediately to ensure the safety and well-being of students, as well as to conduct a thorough investigation,' the statement concluded. Weaver was officially charged with Child Molestation and Improper Sexual Contact by Employee, Agent, or Foster Parent. Penalties for this offense vary widely based on the types of sexual acts committed and the age of the victim. The investigation into Weaver is active and ongoing, according to the GBI. Once the case is complete, the matter will be referred to Southwestern Judicial Circuit District Attorneys Office for prosecution. Court documents obtained by the Daily Mail show that Weaver's husband, Caleb, filed for divorce on February 19, the day after she was arrested. They share two young daughters, both of whom Weaver prominently featured in videos on her TikTok account. Her social media page chronicles many of her life's milestones, including the day she got married to Caleb in January 2022 and the birth of her two children. Weaver is pictured with her husband, Caleb, who filed for divorce on February 19, the day after she was arrested Weaver is pictured with one of her daughters. Caleb has been granted temporary custody of both children by a judge Her last TikTok video was posted on February 1, days before Caleb would break up with her and weeks before she'd be arrested. Caleb said in his divorce petition that his relationship with Weaver ended on February 5 and that their union is now 'irretrievably broken'. Records show that a judge granted him temporary custody over his daughters on Monday. In that same order, the judge also gave Caleb possession over their marital home, which Weaver is not allowed to enter for any reason other than if she is visiting the children. Caleb is seeking permanent custody, as well as child support, per court records. A former gamekeeper jailed for shooting a man dead is in exactly the right place, a retired police officer has said. Alan Stewart, 78, said as soon as he found out Brian Low had been shot dead just yards from his home in Aberfeldy, Perthshire, he knew former gamekeeper David Campbell was the man behind the killing. Campbell, 77, was this week handed a life sentence for the brazen and brutal execution of the man he worked with at the Edradynate Estate for years. Mr Stewart, who as a wildlife crime investigator had run-ins with Campbell while probing alleged wildlife crimes on the 4,000-acre estate, had not been able to secure a conviction. But the retired police inspector, who gave evidence during the more than two-week murder trial at the High Court in Glasgow, last night said: Hes been sailing very close to the wind for a long time and hes in exactly the right place now. Hes a vindictive character who always seemed to get off with anything that hes charged with. At least this once for the most serious offence has ended in a conviction and a good sentence. When I heard it was a murder, when I heard it was a shooting, immediately with the link with Edradynate and the fact it was a gun I thought: Campbells got to be the guy here. Brian Low, who was shot dead while walking his dog near Aberfeldy, Perthshire, in 2024 He first had involvement with Campbell in 1995 as a police inspector, and then again in the 2000s as civilian wildlife crime officer, as he investigated suspected bird poisonings on the estate. Mr Stewart, who told the case at the High Court in Glasgow that in 1995 Campbell approached him at a game fair and told him Its great what vermin you see when you have not got a gun, said it was not a great surprise to see the former head gamekeeper on trial. He said: It was a shock to find it was a murder, but I was quite sure he would be involved in different crimes that finish up in court, or that dont finish up in court because theres insufficient evidence, because he just thought he could get away with anything. He was a chap who held grudges, and he thought he was pretty much untouchable. Campbell had appeared at Perth Sheriff Court in 2018 accused of deliberately sabotaging game crops by poisoning them to get back at estate owner Michael Campbell after losing his job. However, he was acquitted of all charges, with a sheriff ruling the case against him had not been proved beyond reasonable doubt. His home on Edradynate had been raided by police in connection to suspected bird poisonings before 2010, it was also revealed. The charges were later dropped, but Campbell was convinced that he had been set up and that groundskeeper Mr Low had somehow entered his home and planted incriminating evidence. David Campbell, a former gamekeeper, was jailed for at least 19 years for the murder of Mr Low at the High Court in Glasgow Mr Low, 65, was murdered on February 16, 2024, and his body found the next day. But an extraordinary blunder saw his death marked as non-suspicious. It took ten days for police to launch a murder investigation and it was only on May 24, some 18 weeks later, that Campbell was finally arrested. Prosecutor Greg Farrell dubbed it a brazen and brutal execution which was a cowardly ambush motivated by nothing more than sheer malice. Lord Scott, sentencing Campbell, gave the former head gamekeeper a life sentence with a minimum term of 19 years. It means that given his advanced age the murderer is likely to die behind bars. Jailing Campbell, Lord Scott said: The bitterness and grudge you bore Brian Low, reflected in some of the things said to others, did not diminish. In fact, it seemed to have become more intense. This led you to carrying out the sort of killing referred to as a targeted assassination or pre-planned execution on a victim who was unaware of the fate to befall him. Campbell denied the charges but the jury saw through his special defence of alibi. Parents who fear their children have been permanently disabled in the NHS infections scandal have accused John Swinney of turning his back on them. The families said the First Minister did not even look at them yesterday as they stood in the Holyrood gallery while their heartbreaking stories were read out by Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. The parents want in-depth case reviews to expose cover-ups at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. They say their children were given powerful antibiotics which caused life-changing complications. Karen Stirrat, whose ten-year-old son Caleb struggles to walk and suffers chronic pain and incontinence after being treated for a brain tumour, said: For John Swinney to turn his back on us today is appalling. Another parent, Mark Bisset, whose daughter Charly, 14, has started the menopause after suffering hormone problems following leukaemia treatment, said he wanted to ask Mr Swinney: How do you sleep at night? All the parents said they would avoid the QEUH if they could, and warned other families were going through the same experience there at the moment. The First Minister refused to grant their request, saying he had to wait for the outcome of Lord Brodies public inquiry into the QEUH scandal before taking any action. Families affected by issues at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital attended First Minister's questions at Scottish Parliament Building The parents were told the anti-fungal and anti-bacterial drugs, usually given for short periods, were part of a standard treatment regime for their childrens cancer. They now believe medics prescribed them for months because the environment at the 1billion super-hospital was unsafe - but failed to tell them the truth. Lord Brodies inquiry is looking at how rushed and flawed work at the QEUH and Royal Hospital for Children led to a wave of infections soon after the opening in 2015. Two children died and at least 84 fell ill from infections contracted on site. NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde denied for years the building was to blame, but last month conceded a probable link to a contaminated water system. At First Ministers Questions, Mr Sarwar said there had been an understandable focus on the lives lost at the QEUH, but there were many others harmed. He said: Prophylaxis - powerful anti-infection drugs -are typically used short term, but for many children at the hospital, they were prescribed for prolonged periods, as long as nine months, with side effects. Patients were told this was standard treatment, not connected to the hospital environment. These families believe their children have been left with life-long debilitating conditions as a result. Aneekas daughter Eshaal, nine, who wakes up most mornings screaming, clutching her stomach in pain. Leanns son William, 13, who was so sick on the drugs he burned all the enamel off his teeth. Charmaines daughter Paige, 9, who has pain in her limbs and severe stomach issues so cant go to school. Her parents told me there is a culture of cover-ups and that people were playing God with childrens lives. Mr Swinney said: I cant give an opinion about the clinical decisions that are offered in individual cases, what I can do is express my sympathy to the families that are involved, recognise their suffering and provide them with the reassurance that the Inquiry under the leadership of Lord Brodie is designed to capture the evidence and provide answers. Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow has been engulfed in scandal The Labour leader then drew Mr Swinneys attention to the parents in the gallery. All the families whose tragic stories I have shared are here today in the Parliament, and each and every single one of them - who are standing right now - have spent years having to stand up for themselves against a system that has misled them and treated them appallingly. Cover ups, secrecy, misdirection and downright deception - with tragic consequences. John Swinney knows that the public inquiry is not looking at individual cases, and therefore cannot give those families the answers that they deserve or that they are looking for. Will he commit to setting up a genuinely independent expert panel to look at each of these cases on an individual basis? Mr Swinney said he would consider his request but added: I have to reserve my position until we get the report from Lord Brodie. Parliament has asked for a public inquiry to be undertaken, and I cannot, as First Minister, pre-judge the outcome. However there is a precedent for a twin-track approach. The judge-led Eljamel Inquiry into a rogue NHS Tayside surgeon, which began last year, is running alongside a Clinical Review letting patients and families discuss their cases. Afterwards, the families spoke to the media about Mr Swinneys response. Alfred Rawson, who daughter Paige, suffered hearing, eye and gut problems after eight months of prophylaxis for leukaemia, said: I think hes hiding behind the public inquiry. The inquiry was set up to look at construction, build, the water and ventilation. This is totally different. Were calling for a person-by-person review on the long-term effects of medication on our children. Charmaine Lacock, Paiges mother, added: We have disabled children for life because of choices the Scottish Government made. We need someone to look at the long-term side effects of these drugs, which our children were given again and again. When we speak to other hospitals, their children dont have the same side effects. Ms Stirrat, whose son stills goes to the QEUH, said: That hospital is not a safe place to eat regardless of what is said. Thats why were calling for this help from the government, because we want other families not to go through what we went though. Seven years Ive waited for answers. For me, theres been a cover-up from day one. To this day, no one from NHSGCC or the Scottish Government have told me why my son was on that medication. For John Swinney to turn his back on us today is appalling. Aneeka Sohrab, whose daughter Eshaal has severe stomach pain, stunted growth and poor hearing after taking the drugs, said families need reassurance the QEUH is safe. It looked like John Swinney was quite afraid to open up what he thought was another can of worms. My daughter is living with the side-effects of prophylaxis medication on a daily basis. She wakes up crying, clutching her stomach. Shes noticeably shorter than her peers. She shouldnt be having these issues at this point. Leann Young, mother of 13-year-old William, who suffers extreme sickness every day, said she felt helpless knowing this will affect him for the rest of his life. In a message to Mr Swinney, she said: Why have you allowed a hospital that isnt safe, why have you put all these people at risk? I dont want to go in there with the added stress of him picking up an infection. You dont take your child into hospital to get worse, you take them in to get better. It in closing written statement to the Inquiry, the NHSGCC suggested it had come under political pressure to start admitting patients before the QEUH was ready. Mr Swinney vehemently denied SNP politicians were the source. But just a month before it admitted patients, Mr Swinney told the SNP conference the QEUH would open on time and on budget as with the SNP Government, on time and on budget is the rule, not the exception. The FMs spokesman said he would be very happy to meet with those families, once he has had a chance to consider the issues that were put to him. NHSGCC said: While we cannot comment on individual patient cases, consultants are always transparent with families about medication provided. Cancer treatments can significantly weaken the immune system. Prophylactic drugs can be an established part of care in these circumstances, as they help prevent infections. The environment at the Royal Hospital for Children is safe and this medication continues to be prescribed to some patients receiving treatment as part of patient medical protocol. A Florida man has been the first person identified as one of four people shot dead by Cuba's coast guard on Wednesday after a speedboat allegedly entered the country's waters and opened fire. Michel Ortega Casanova was named by the Cuban government as one of the deceased, with the three other victims' identities yet to be named. Six others on the speedboat were also injured, Cuban officials said. Little is known of the cause of the shootout, but Michel's brother, Misael Ortega Casanova, said he had fallen into an 'obsessive and diabolical' quest for Cuba's freedom. 'Only us Cubans who have lived over there understand,' Misael Ortega Casanova told the Associated Press. He said that 'no one knew' of his brother's activities that eventually led to his death and described their mother as 'devastated.' 'They became so obsessed that they didn't think about the consequences nor their own lives,' Misael said. Misael also reflected that believing in heroes can be 'ignorance,' but appeared to hope that his brother's actions could eventually be meaningful. 'Maybe it will justify that some day Cuba will be free,' Misael said. Michel Ortega Casanova was identified as one of the four people killed by the Cuban coast guard after a Florida-registered speedboat allegedly crossed into the country's waters On Wednesday, Cuba claimed that the men on the boat planned a 'terrorist infiltration' and were heavily armed. A Cuban Coast Guard vessel is pictured in 2022 Misael claimed to not recognize any of other names released by the Cuban government of those involved in the incident. In total, four people were killed by Cuba's coast guard when a Florida-registered speed boat allegedly crossed into the Caribbean nation's waters on Wednesday. Six others were injured after exchanging gunfire with Cuban troops, according to the Ministry of the Interior of Cuba. Those injured were detained and named by the Cuban government as Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez, Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez, Conrado Galindo Sariol, Jose Manuel Rodriguez Castello, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra. Their identities have yet to be confirmed by the US government. 'This fight needs to end,' Misael told Telemundo51. 'Today it was my brother's turn, and those who fell with him.' He added: 'I'm not justifying their methods or their actions, but in one way or another, they have had to give their lives - both inside and outside [Cuba] - for this freedom that has made us lose family or be separated.' Join the debate Should people risking their lives for Cuba's freedom be seen as heroes or reckless criminals? Ortega Casanova's brother claimed that he had become consumed by an 'obsessive and diabolical quest' to free Cuba Ortega Casanova's wife, who was not named, declined to comment but confirmed her husband's death. Her late husband was born in Cuba but migrated to the United States in the 1980s. Ortega Casanova lived in Lakeland, Florida - about 35 miles east of Tampa, officials said. He later became a US citizen and worked as a truck driver, according to his brother. Ortega Casanova survived by his wife, his mother, two sisters and a pregnant daughter. The Tampa-based organization Casa Cuba called him a patriot and said he was a member of the Cuban Republican Party. The Cuban Interior Ministry said on Wednesday that the men involved, all Cubans living in the US, were planning a 'terrorist infiltration' of the island. Authorities claimed to have found assault rifles, handguns, Molotov cocktails, bulletproof vests, telescopic sights and camouflage uniforms. Local officials also claimed the majority of those on the boat have 'a known history of criminal and violent activity'. The ministry specifically said Gonzalez and Gomez are wanted by Cuban authorities 'based on their involvement in the promotion, planning, organization, financing, support or commission of actions carried out in the national territory or in other countries, in connection with acts of terrorism.' Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US would be carrying out its own investigation into the incident. 'We're not gonna base our conclusions on what they told us,' Rubio said. He added that he would not comment 'about the specific boat until we have all the information.' 'I'm not going to speculate about whose boat it was, what they were doing, why they were there, what actually happened,' Rubio said. Rubio also said that it was 'highly unusual to see shootouts on open sea like that. Vice President JD Vance said Rubio had briefed him on the situation in Cuba. 'Hopefully it's not as bad as we fear it could be, but I can't say more because I just don't know more,' Vance said. To the House of Lords to hear the old stiffs debate the Starmerite re-set with the European Union. Crowbar-under-tombstone time. A dank, dusty miasma seeped forth. Tortoise-necked ancients creaked to their legs. A thicket of grey, bushy eyebrow here, a tremulous claw there. And barely a mention of democracy. It was as if the Brexit referendum of 2016 yes, for ten years these miserable bastards have been frustrating that great vote for liberty should never have been held. The Duke of Wellington, keener on Continentals than his great forebear, drawled through a Europhile speech. Could have been dispensing orders to a footman. Snooty ex-diplomat Lord Hannay, parading a winter suntan, huskily pooh-poohed facile notions about national sovereignty and said it was the height of absurd to talk about betraying Brexit. Lib Dem frontbencher Lady Ludford warbled that she intended to stay alive, if necessary until she was 100, to see us rejoin the EU. Shes only 74 as things stand and is already starting to look a little Sellotaped-together. If she has to keep going another 26 years she may resemble something dug up by Howard Carter. The House also heard a spluttering speech from Lord Liddle (Lab) who, in addition to being married to one of the BBCs grandest fromages, is also Peter Mandelsons dearest lackey in politics. As Roger Liddle he was trade commissioner Mandelsons bag-carrier in Brussels. Now he nurtures New Labours guttering flame on Westminsters red benches. It was at soirees chez Liddle that Peters friendship with Morgan McSweeney (former chief poisoner to Sir Keir) was cemented. It was at the Liddles Kennington gaffe, quite possibly over goblets of Chianti and mounds of ortolan, saddles of swan and squirts of foamed sea-urchin, that Peters ambassadorship in Washington DC was plotted. Dear, roly-poly Roger. Last of the true believers. His call to arms yesterday was an anguished, saliva-flecked demand not only that Britain rejoin the EU but also that we start paying EU membership fees, even before we apply to rejoin. Lord Liddle worked with Peter Mandelson when the former British Ambassador to the US served as EU trade commissioner Lord Lilley denounced Trade Secretary Peter Kyles comment that EU alignment is where the magic happens We NEED to be part of the EU! We have to get much closer to our European allies! he cried, mopping his leaky chops with a sleeve, clenching a chubby fist to convey his fervour. He noted that the likes of France, Germany, Holland and Sweden already paid massive membership fees to prop up the weaker members of the union. We, too, should cough up inflated subscription fees as a sign of our decency and community-mindedness, to convince EU partners of our seriousness. There was a temptation, watching this blubbery fool, to laugh. But he was talking about the wilful disposal of billions of pounds of public money, at a time when our taxes are already fiendish, at a time when defence budgets need so much more, when businesses are going bust owing to employment costs, when the British people feel ground down by the state and its leeching suction. And he wanted to hose billions more into the European Commissions bank accounts as some sort of diplomatic gambit. This from a man whose wife is senior independent director at the BBC and whose political patron is helping police with their enquiries. The public believe overwhelmingly that Bwexit was a mishtake! bellowed his buttery lordship in a sub-Roy Jenkins fashion. Stick him on breakfast telly and public opinion might turn faster than a shoal of herring. More level former envoys such as Lord Kerr and Lord Ricketts sounded unease about the EUs intransigent, rapacious attitude, particularly to our defence exports. There was a tacit sense that the Starmerites have been a push-over. Brexiteer Lord Frost suspected that Sir Keir & Co simply didnt mind how much they gave away they were just interested in gradual drift back to Brussels. And Lord Lilley (Con) denounced Trade Secretary Peter Kyles comment that EU alignment is where the magic happens. Lord Lilley: Im afraid hes off with the fairies. I wouldnt have been bold enough to put it like that. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani - after meeting with Donald Trump in the Oval Office - claims the president will release a woman after immigration agents arrested her. Mamdani made a last-minute, unannounced visit to Washington to meet with the president on Thursday. The session was not on the president's public schedule. Following the meeting, the president and the mayor had a follow-up phone call, according to Mamdani. 'Just got off the phone with President Trump. In our meeting earlier, I shared my concerns about Columbia student Elaina Aghayeva, who was detained by ICE this morning,' Mamdani posted on X Thursday afternoon. 'He has just informed me that she will be released imminently,' the mayor added. School officials have said that Aghayeva was detained around 6:30 am inside a residential building. 'DHS illegally arrested me,' she wrote to her over 100,000 followers on Instagram Thursday alongside a picture of her in the back of a vehicle. 'Please help.' Neither Trump nor any White House officials have commented on the meeting with Mamdani or if the president ordered the woman's release. Mayor Zohran Mamdani went on a surprise trip to visit President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, on Thursday. Mamdani posted this picture of himself with Trump following their meeting in the Oval Office Elmina Aghayeva's student visa was terminated in 2016 under the Obama administration for failing to attend classes, according to DHS After the meeting, Mamdani posted on X that he called Trump and that the president will order the release of Elmina Aghayeva, an Azerbaijani student at Columbia University that was detained on Thursday morning Elmina Aghayeva, pictured above, is a Columbia Student from Azerbaijan who was arrested on Thursday morning Join the debate Do YOU think Trump made the right call in ordering her release? 'ICE arrested Elmina Aghayeva, an illegal alien from Azerbaijan, whose student visa was terminated in 2016 under the Obama administration for failing to attend classes. The building manager and her roommate let officers into the apartment,' a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson said. 'She has no pending appeals or applications with DHS,' they added. Earlier in the day, the New York City mayor posted a picture of himself and Trump in the Oval Office holding up newspapers. The image showed Trump and Mamdani holding up newspapers. One showed Trump's face with the headline 'TRUMP TO CITY: LET'S BUILD' while the other paper, presumably a real one, showed a headline with ex-President Gerald Ford, with the headline 'FORD TO CITY: DROP DEAD.' 'I had a productive meeting with President Trump this afternoon,' Mamdani wrote in the post. 'Im looking forward to building more housing in New York City.' The friendly photoshoot comes after a previous Mamdani White House visit where the two leaders praised each other and toutted their strong working relationship. It also follows Trump's glowing State of the Union remarks about Mamdani. 'The new communist mayor of New York City, I think he's a nice guy, actually,' Trump said in his speech. 'I speak to him a lot. Bad policy, but nice guy.' A Melbourne teenager has been winched to safety after climbing a 30-metre crane to take photos for social media. The 17-year-old became stranded on the crane at an Ivanhoe construction site on Thursday night after his phone battery died and his shoes became wet. Passers-by spotted the boy in trouble and contacted emergency services. Unable to face the climb down, the teen scribbled a note and tossed it to emergency crews below, explaining he was too scared to descend due to a fear of slipping down the ladder. The note also included his father's contact details. A high-scale rescue was launched involving firefighters. Rescuers brought him back to the ground two hours later, where paramedics and his relieved father were waiting. It's understood that no charges will be laid. It is unknown whether the teen got the photos that he climbed up the crane for. The teen was taking photos for social media when he became stuck on the crane Donald Trump has armed a squadron of kamikaze drones as nuclear negotiations with Iran have collapsed and the prospect of war with Tehran looms. The Pentagon has approved the deployment of an experimental U.S. military drone unit capable of self-detonation, known as Task Force Scorpion, according to Bloomberg. The deadly drone unit is a part of Trump's massive military build-up in the Middle East - the largest since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. It comes after diplomatic negotiations between American and Iranian officials collapsed on Thursday in Geneva amid disputes over the Islamic regime's nuclear program. The latest round of talks ended without a deal as both sides remained divided over key issues, including ending uranium enrichment, and dismantling Iran's nuclear facilities, according to The Wall Street Journal. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner are leading the American delegation as the President makes one last push for a diplomatic solution to avoid military conflict with Iran. The Kamikaze drone unit was successful tested in the Arabian Gulf in December and reportedly cost approximately $35,000 per drone. The drones would likely be used to target Iranian nuclear facilities, road networks, and missile launch sites. 'We established the squadron last year to rapidly equip our warfighters with new combat drone capabilities that continue to evolve,' said US Central Command spokesman Tim Hawkins. Diplomatic negotiations between American and Iranian officials collapsed on Thursday in Geneva amid disputes over the Islamic regime's nuclear program Trump's new aerial weapons have 'an extensive range and are designed to operate autonomously' The Kamikaze drone unit was successful tested in the Arabian Gulf in December and reportedly cost approximately $35,000 per drone The drones, which are produced in Arizona, are designed for one-way attacks, reconnaissance operations and maritime strikes. Trump's new aerial weapons have 'an extensive range and are designed to operate autonomously.' The new advanced drones stand ready as Trump promises to strike Iran if diplomatic talks fail. Trump said in his State of the Union address that he wants to strike a deal with the Ayatollah guaranteeing Tehran will never develop a nuclear bomb, but warned he is prepared for war if diplomacy fails. The US has also sent advanced F-22 Raptor fighter jets to Israel on standby for deployment. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi is helping facilitate talks between the US and Iran by relaying messages between both sides. Moreover, US and Iranian negotiators are also engaging each other directly, Axios reports. Iranian diplomats reportedly opened the negotiations by presenting their draft proposal for a nuclear deal. It is unclear if that proposal addresses the key concerns of the US delegation. During the break, the Omani foreign minister told reporters that 'we've been exchanging creative and positive ideas' and 'hope to make more progress.' Trump has sent Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to lead talks with Iranian diplomats Your browser does not support iframes. As Trump gives diplomacy one last chance with Iran, reports have emerged that the President's closest advisers are split on whether to strike Iran. Vice President JD Vance and DNI Director Tulsi Gabbard have reportedly urged Trump to pursue diplomacy rather than launch a strike against Iran. Others in Trump's orbit, including Senator Lindsey Graham, are advising him to launch a joint military operation with Israel aimed at overthrowing the Ayatollah's regime. Gulf nation allies, such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have lobbied the White House to focus on negotiations over fears an Iranian streak could lead to a wider regional war. Reports have also emerged suggesting Trumps top military advisers have yet to provide firm assurances that a strike on Iran could be carried out without risking American casualties. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert has spoken out about sharing a picture of Hillary Clinton during a closed-door congressional deposition on Thursday after her photo sparked controversy. The former first lady sat with congressional investigators on the House Oversight Committee on Thursday to testify behind-closed doors about her connections to the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Clintons wrangled with the committee over when, where and how the deposition would take place - and part of the conditions settled on with the lawmakers was that the session would take place away from the public eye. However, Boebert, 39, a Republican representative from Colorado, snapped a picture from inside the former first lady's deposition, an apparent violation of the agreement and of House rules. Boebert's picture of Clinton was then shared with conservative commentator Benny Johnson, who published the picture all over his social media profiles. The breach caused the deposition to be halted as Clinton's team expressed dismay at the link. It was quickly determined that Boebert had sent Johnson the picture. When pressed by the the Daily Mail about whether she had comment about the leaked photo, Boebert texted back a dubious response. 'I don't recall,' she responded without sending further context. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert stirred controversy by posting a picture of Hillary Clinton's private congressional deposition on Thursday The picture Boebert took of Hillary Clinton from within the deposition that was later published by conservative pundit Benny Johnson The answer seems curious given the controversy the picture stirred, though it may be a tongue-in-cheek reference to the Clintons. The response is an obvious echo of a classic phrase used by witnesses under congressional scrutiny most famously by Clinton herself during previous Benghazi and email server hearings. Clinton repeatedly answered investigators questions during her 2015 testimony on Benghazi with 'I don't recall.' When Daily Mail pressed her for additional details, the Colorado lawmaker sent on a statement she had posted on X. 'Benny did nothing wrong,' the post said. 'Proceeding with deposition.' 'No U.S. Ambassadors were harmed in the taking of todays photo,' she said in another post, referencing at the Benghazi attack, in which an US Ambassador and two CIA operatives were killed. Clinton's lawyers asked that the proceedings be halted after the photograph began circulating on social media. It is strictly prohibited for lawmakers or witnesses to take pictures inside a closed-door congressional testimony. A Clinton spokesman told the Daily Mail: 'It's against chamber rules that were read at the top of the meeting. So the hearing has been paused briefly while they figure out where the photo came from and why, possibly, members of Congress are violating House rules.' The former secretary of state repeatedly used the phrase 'I don't recall' when asked by congressional investigators about the 2012 attack on Americans in Benghazi, Libya Boebert at President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday The former secretary of state is being deposed at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center near the Clintons' home in Westchester County, New York, while Bill Clinton will testify on Friday. The closed-door session is being filmed, though any footage will be reviewed by Hillary's lawyers before release. The deposition resumed within an hour. Hillary later asked James Comer, the top Republican overseeing the deposition, if the press could be allowed in the hearing after Boeberts shocking leak. Comer reportedly replied, 'No.' Clinton has said that she has 'no information on Epstein's criminal activities and never recalls meetings.' Boebert was pictured outside the deposition with what appears to be her grandson. She is a mother of four and has one grandson. Human remains found in a remote wilderness area have been 'provisionally identified' as those of a Belgian backpacker who disappeared without a trace almost three years ago. Tasmania Police Commander Nathan Johnston revealed that expert reports have provided compelling evidence that the remains likely belong to Celine Cremer, who was last seen near Cradle Mountain in June 2023. Her heartbroken family have since confirmed that they finally have some closure. 'After almost three years of endless waiting, we finally have answers,' her sister Amelie posted on Facebook on Friday morning. 'DNA tests and dental expertise confirmed that everything matched Celine. These words are hard to write... but they also bring us immense relief. 'Today, our hearts are upset, but at the same time, Celine can finally go home. She will be able to rest in peace, surrounded by love that never left her side. 'Celine, we never forgot you. Not one day, not one second. Your absence has left a huge void, but your smile, your energy and all the love you gave us live on within us. Today we bring you near us.' Another family member added: 'We know now that you are no longer where you were but you will always be in our hearts. Belgian backpacker Celine Cremer was last seen near Cradle Mountain in Tasmania's northwest on June 17, 2023 Human remains found in remote wilderness are believed to be of the Belgian backpacker 'I will never forget the joy of life you communicated, your beautiful smile... and that laugh that still echoes in my ears. 'You were an amazing little woman and despite your faults, you managed to move forward to live life to the fullest. For now, rest in peace, beautiful.' Ms Cremer was last seen in the Philosopher Falls area near Cradle Mountain in Tasmania's northwest on June 17, 2023. The 31-year-old was reported missing by her family eight days later, sparking a major search involving police and SES ground crews, specialist swift water rescue personnel, drones and a helicopter. Police believed the Belgian backpacker had set off on a walk and her Honda CRV was found in the Philosopher Falls car park a day after the missing person's report was filed. No further trace of Ms Cremer was found until a privately funded search resumed in December 2025, when members of the group located her mobile phone near Philosopher Falls, where she was last seen. Search teams made another breakthrough in January after a bushwalker discovered bones on a stretch of the Arthur River, about 2km from the tourist's last known location. Five bones, teeth, a Honda car key, and items of clothing were found during subsequent searches near the location after police resumed the search. The breakthrough comes two months after a privately funded search for Celine resumed Ms Cremer's family shared a heartbreaking tribute on Friday following the police update Police believed the items were linked to Ms Cremer's disappearance, but stressed that further forensic investigation was required. The recent breakthroughs were made in an area of dense bushland that police only surveyed by helicopter in earlier searches. 'Tasmania Police extends its sincere condolences to Ms Cremer's family and loved ones,' Commander Johnston said 'While this provisional confirmation will not ease their loss, we hope the outcome will provide them with some measure of clarity and closure.' Police will prepare a report for the coroner, who will officially determine the identity of the remains as part of their findings. 'We want to thank community members for their ongoing support and interest in Celine's case,' Commander Johnston added. 'I want to acknowledge the extensive efforts of search and rescue personnel, partner agencies and volunteers who dedicated significant time and resources during the many search phases.' No further searches are planned. Search teams made a breakthrough in January after a bushwalker discovered bones on a stretch of Arthur River No further searches of the Arthur River are planned Ms Cremer's family also thanked everyone involved in the search. 'Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who participated in the search and helped find her,' her sister Amelie wrote. 'Thanks also to our relatives for their support, respect and presence throughout these years. You have been essential. 'We will update you as soon as we have more information regarding the funeral.' Democratic and Republican lawmakers are calling on Donald Trump's top economic adviser to testify over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein after a new photo from the Department of Justice files emerged. The photo purports to show Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick alongside Epstein and three other unidentified individuals on a tropical island. Republican Representative Thomas Massie, who has spearheaded the release of the Epstein files, called on the DOJ to explain why the photo had reportedly been deleted from the department's website. 'I'm sure there's a good reason for this. DOJ needs to tell Congress who pulled this file down so we can ask them,' Massie wrote on X in response to the image. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Lutnick has not been accused of any wrongdoing. The pressure on Lutnick comes after he previously claimed in an October interview with the New York Post that he only interacted with Epstein on a single occasion because the financier 'grossed' him out. 'I was never in the room with him socially, for business, or even philanthropy,' he added. 'If that guy was there, I wasn't going 'cause he's gross. So I look back at it as a gift. He gave me a gift.' But in January, the release of new Epstein files showed Lutnick visited Epstein's Little St James island for lunch years after he claimed to have cut off ties. He admitted earlier this month to visiting the island with his family in congressional testimony. A photo shows an individual resembling Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick alongside Epstein on a tropical island The pressure on Lutnick comes after he previously claimed in an October interview with the New York Post that he only interacted with Epstein on a single occasion Republicans and Democrats are calling on Donald Trump's top economic adviser to testify before the House Oversight Committee over his relationship with the deceased pedophile 'I did not have any relationship with him. I barely had anything to do with that person, OK?' Lutnick told a Senate appropriations subcommittee on February 10. After former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified in front of the House Oversight Committee on Friday, lawmakers from both parties are demanding Lutnick face new questioning on his relationship with the pedophile. Chairman James Comer told reporters in New York on Thursday that the Oversight Committee is not ruling out sending a subpoena to Lutnick for his deposition. 'That's very possible,' said the Kentucky Republican lawmaker. 'I think it's a good possibility that his name will arise in some questioning today.' Meanwhile, Representative Nancy Mace, a vocal Trump congressional ally, said she would ask Clinton about Lutnick. Comer has claimed the Oversight investigation is a bipartisan effort that will question Republicans and Democrats over their relations with Epstein. Lutnick's contradictory retelling of his relationship with Epstein has prompted calls for his resignation from both sides of the aisle. He is considered an influential figure in Trump's inner circle and one of the President's closest advisers. Commitee chairman James Comer has claimed the Oversight investigation is a bipartisan effort that will question Republicans and Democrats over their relations with Epstein Lutnick's contradictory retelling of his relationship with Epstein has prompted calls for his resignation from both sides of the aisle Lutnick was Epstein's neighbor in Manhattan for years but has claimed he severed all ties with the disgraced financier in 2005. The Justice Department's latest release of files appears to show that Lutnick maintained contact with him years after Epstein's conviction for sexual abuse. Emails show that Epstein and Lutnick planned to meet for lunch on December 23, 2012, on Little Saint James. That morning, Lutnick's wife wrote to Epstein's secretary, 'We are heading towards you from St Thomas' and asked where to anchor. A day later, Epstein's assistant sent Lutnick a follow-up note from Epstein that read in part, 'Nice seeing you.' In November 2015, Epstein's assistant forwarded him an invitation from Lutnick to a fundraiser at his financial firm for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary. She would go on to lose to Trump in the 2016 election. Campaign finance records showed Lutnick donated $2,700 to Hillary's campaign, the maximum allowed by law at that time. A Commerce Department spokesman previously stated that Lutnick had 'limited interactions with Mr Epstein in the presence of his wife and has never been accused of wrongdoing.' Labour was bitten by its own 'monster of harvesting Muslim community bloc votes' in last night's by-election, Kemi Badenoch said today as police were urged to investigate allegations of illegal activity at polling stations. The Tory leader lashed out at beleaguered Keir Starmer amid a growing row over claims of coercive 'family voting' in Gorton and Denton raised by independent observers of the shock Green victory. Nigel Farage lashed out at 'cheating' and wrote to Greater Manchester Police about a warning from observer group Democracy Volunteers that it witnessed 'concerningly high levels' of the practice - where two voters use one polling booth and potentially direct each other on voting. Tougher legislation, known as the Ballot Secrecy Act, was introduced in 2023 in a bid to clamp down on the practice. That made clear it was an offence. There were growing calls today for the Electoral Commission and the police to get involved in examining the claims, with Tory James Cleverly also writing to the Commission asking for it to launch a probe. In a lengthy statement issued this morning, Mrs Badenoch lashed out at all three parties who led the voting in Gorton, where the Tories came a distant fourth. Addressing Sir Keir's splintering party she said: 'Labour created the monster of harvesting Muslim community bloc votes and yesterday that monster came back to bite them. 'As I have said many times before we are a multi-racial country, not a multicultural country.' After a campaign in which Labour, Reform and the Greens were accused of fighting dirty she added: 'If you stir up grievance politics between groups based on religion or race ... you start to unravel the culture of tolerance that makes Britain great.' But Sir Keir later fired his own blast at the Greens, accusing them of adopting George Galloway's 'divisive, sectarian politics' tactics in areas with large Muslim communities, saying it was a sign '(they) are not the harmless environmentalists they pretend to be' in a letter to his MPs. The Tory leader lashed out amid a growing row over claims of 'family voting' in Gorton and Denton raised by independent observers of the shock Green victory Nigel Farage lashed out at 'cheating' and Reform's candidate Matt Goodwin blasted 'dangerous Muslim sectarianism' in the wake of his crushing defeat Addressing Sir Keir Starmer's beleaguered party she said: 'Labour created the monster of harvesting Muslim community bloc votes and yesterday that monster came back to bite them' Tory peer Lord Hayward, who authored the legislation that outlawed family voting, said the issue was 'most striking' in areas with large Muslim populations. 'I didn't specifically witness this family voting, but clearly some elements of the community regard it as normal that they stand over daughters, wives, sons, uncles et cetera,' he told the Daily Mail. 'It's most striking in Muslim communities, but it isn't solely them. There's an attitude among some people that men should tell women, or men should tell youngster men, how they should behave. 'I'm very disappointed that having changed the law and gone through a general election with the law in force we have Democracy Volunteers saying they have experienced the worst family voting they've seen.' Mr Farage said the Democracy Volunteers' report 'raises serious questions about the integrity of the democratic process in predominantly Muslim areas'. 'If this is what was happening at polling stations just imagine the potential for coercion with postal votes,' he said, adding that Reform would 'take action' if it won the next election. Labour minister Heidi Alexander also backed calls for a probe after her party came a distant third in a former safe seat. Green candidate Hannah Spencer won the previously safe Labour seat by more than 4,400 votes Nigel Farage reported cases to the police and Electoral Commission after election observer group Democracy Volunteers warned it had witnessed 'concerningly high levels' of family voting Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Allies insisted Keir Starmer (pictured in London today) will survive at least until local elections in May, because rebels 'don't have anyone' in a position to challenge The Transport Secretary told Sky News: 'People should be able to vote in a free way and not subject to any coercion, and so it would be right that the appropriate authorities, including potentially the Electoral Commission, look into those reports.' The Electoral Commission urged anyone who suspected an offence had taken place to go to the police. It came as Sir Keir insisted he will 'fight on' today despite the humiliating result. Angela Rayner is among those demanding 'change' as critics insisted Sir Keir is personally culpable for the 'worst possible' result in Gorton & Denton. But the PM tried to front up the anger this morning, playing down the meltdown as a 'disappointing' setback for a government in 'mid-term'. He also shrugged off condemnation for blocking Andy Burnham from being the Labour candidate, and dodged on whether he will have to quit. The Greens had never won a Parliamentary by-election - or a seat in the North - but Hannah Spencer romped home with a 4,400 majority. In a statement issued as polls closed in Gorton and Denton at 10pm on Thursday night, Democracy Volunteers said they had seen 'the highest levels of family voting at any election in our 10-year history of observing elections in the UK'. Manchester City Council insisted 'no such issues have been reported' and said it was 'extremely disappointing' that the group waited until after the close of polls to make the claims. But the group's director John Ault told the Press Association that it 'is a normal international standard not to issue a comment until after a voting has finished' and that 'we posed questions about family voting in several polling stations'. Labour won Gorton and Denton at the 2024 general election with more than half the vote, but Thursday's by-election became a three-way contest with Reform UK and the Greens finishing ahead of them. The seat is sharply divided in ethnicity, religion and deprivation, with wards to the West having significant Muslim populations. Mr Goodwin, the Reform candidate in the by-election, said: 'Given the reports we are reading in UK media about family voting and sectarianism, I am deeply concerned about the extent to which the Gorton and Denton parliamentary by-election is a free, fair, and democratic election.' Reform chairman David Bull insisted the party was not challenging the result, and admitted the problems did not seem big enough to have swung the outcome. But he said it was critical to 'stamp out' such abuses. 'There are reported attempts many attempts, some 12 per cent we believe from this independent organisation where you saw family voting,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 'That is where a husband and wife for example go into the polling booth together, and they cast their vote together. 'That is illegal. It needs to be stamped out. 'Now what I don't understand is how did that happen in these polling stations.' Dr Bull added: 'Clearly there must be a huge problem here. I want to understand what is going on in those polling stations.' Pressed on whether the issues might have affected the result, Dr Bull said: 'If I am being candid probably not that would seem to be sour grapes from us if I said it did.' Asked again if he was challenging the result, Dr Bull said: 'No, and I think it's really important that we stand back and look at this with cool, clear heads. We've all been up all night.' Green Party leader Zack Polanski said: 'I think it's important that there's full transparency about the democratic process. 'And if the recommendation is that there should be an inquiry or further steps then yes I'd support that.' The four accredited election observers from Democracy Volunteers saw family voting in 15 of the 22 polling stations they attended, the organisation said. This was 32 cases in total, with nine cases observed in one polling station alone. It meant that 12 per cent of the voters observed either caused or were affected by family voting. Your browser does not support iframes. Mr Ault said: 'Today we have seen concerningly high levels of family voting in Gorton and Denton. 'Based on our assessment of today's observations, we have seen the highest levels of family voting at any election in our 10-year history of observing elections in the UK.' 'We rarely issue a report on the night of an election, but the data we have collected today on family voting, when compared to other recent by-elections, is extremely high. 'In the other recent Westminster parliamentary by-election in Runcorn and Helsby we saw family voting in 12 per cent of polling stations, affecting 1 per cent of voters. 'In Gorton and Denton, we observed family voting in 68 per cent of polling stations, affecting 12 per cent of those voters observed.' The organisation said their team attended 22 of the 45 polling stations in the constituency, spending between 30 and 45 minutes in each, and observed a sample of 545 voters casting their vote. The team also observed cases of voters being turned away, however, in each case this was due to them not being a registered voter for Westminster elections, such as having EU citizenship, and only being allowed to vote in local elections. Democracy Volunteers also saw a number of voters taking photographs of their ballot papers and one voter being authorised to vote despite them already having been marked as voted earlier in the day. They informed elections staff at Manchester City Council about their findings, but the local authority said 'no such issues' had been reported. A spokesperson for the acting returning officer said: 'Polling station staff are trained to look out for any evidence of undue influence on voters. No such issues have been reported today. 'If Democracy Volunteers were so concerned about alleged issues, they could and should have raised them with us during polling hours so that immediate action could be taken. 'We have operated a central by-election hub which has been rapidly responding to reported issues during the day, in liaison with the police - who had a presence at every polling station - where necessary. 'It is extremely disappointing that Democracy Volunteers have waited until after polls have closed to make such claims.' Hillary Clinton has issued a blistering attack on Republican lawmakers after she was grilled about Pizza-gate and UFOs during her Jeffrey Epstein deposition. 'I don't know how many times I had to say I did not know Jeffrey Epstein. I never went to his island. I never went to his homes,' Hillary said after her testimony on Thursday. 'It then got, at the end, quite unusual because I started being asked about UFOs and a series of questions about Pizza-gate, one of the most vile bogus conspiracy theories that was propagated on the internet.' Pizza-gate is a debunked conspiracy theory that claimed a pedophilia ring involving high-ranking Democratic Party officials was operating out of the basement of a Washington, DC pizza parlor. Hillary spoke to reporters after a closed-door congressional session held at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center near the Clintons' home in Westchester County, New York. Bill Clinton will appear before lawmakers at the same venue on Friday - becoming the first former president compelled to testify in a congressional investigation. The Clintons had initially resisted Republican-led efforts to force them to testify before agreeing under the threat of being held in contempt of Congress. The hearing was thrown into chaos just moments after it began when Republican lawmaker Lauren Boebert, a 39-year-old grandmother, snapped a picture of the former secretary of state, in breach of confidentiality rules for the private session. Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks to the press after her a deposition with the House Oversight Committee as they investigate links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in Chappaqua, New York, Thursday Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo. arrives back at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center with her grandson, Josiah Boebert, during a deposition by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who was testifying before U.S. House lawmakers as part of a congressional investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Thursday Rep. James Comer, R-KY, speaks outside the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center after a deposition by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who was testifying before U.S. House lawmakers as part of a congressional investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Thursday Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton walks outside the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, after testifying before U.S. House lawmakers as part of a congressional investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Thursday Hillary Clinton's Epstein testimony was halted after a photo was leaked to a MAGA influencer Representative Lauren Bobert leaked a picture of Hillary during the testimony to MAGA conservative influencer Benny Johnson Clinton relaxes in a hot tub with a woman whose face has been redacted in an image from the Epstein files Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's infamous madam, attended Chelsea Clinton's wedding in 2010, years after Epstein had been convicted of sexual abuse Hillary's lawyers asked that the proceedings be halted after the photograph began circulating on social media. The closed-door hearing was being filmed, but any footage must be reviewed by Clinton's lawyers before release. The deposition resumed within an hour. Hillary later asked James Comer, the top Republican overseeing the deposition, if the press could be allowed in the hearing after Boeberts leak. Comer denied the request. A Clinton spokesman told the Daily Mail: 'It's against chamber rules that were read at the top of the meeting. So the hearing has been paused briefly while they figure out where the photo came from and why, possibly, members of Congress are violating House rules .' Prior to the chaos, Hillary blasted Republicans for targeting her while failing to investigate Donald Trump in a fiery opening statement where she provided no defense for her husband. The former secretary of state said she has 'no information on Epstein's criminal activities and never recalls meetings', then accused lawmakers of covering up for Trump's relationship with Epstein, where he faces 'heinous' accusations from survivors. 'You have compelled me to testify, fully aware that I have no knowledge that would assist your investigation, in order to distract attention from President Trumps actions and to cover them up despite legitimate calls for answers,' Hillary said. 'If this committee is serious about learning the truth about Epsteins trafficking crimes, it would not rely on press gaggles to get answers from our current president on his involvement; it would ask him directly under oath about the tens of thousands of times he shows up in the Epstein files,' she added. Trump's name appears more than 38,000 times in the millions of Epstein documents released by the Department of Justice in January. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo. waves as she departs the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center during a deposition by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) with her grandson Josiah Boebert returns for the continuation of testimony of former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) with her grandson Josiah Boebert returns for the continuation of testimony of former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a closed-door deposition with the House Oversight Committee at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center Epstein, Bill Clinton and an unidentified man in a photo from the Epstein files President Clinton and wife Hillary share a tender moment during an East Room ceremony at the White House in Washington, July 17, 1996 Hillary said: 'If the majority were serious, it would not waste time on fishing expeditions. There is too much that needs to be done. What is being held back? Who is being protected? And why the cover-up?' Despite her denials of any Epstein relationship, Hillary received a $20,000 donation from the disgraced pedophile in 1999 when she was fundraising for the DNC. Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's infamous madam, attended Chelsea Clinton's wedding in 2010, years after Epstein had been convicted of sexual abuse. Hillary previously admitted to meeting Maxwell on several occasions. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking - the only Epstein co-conspirator who has been jailed. Meanwhile, Bill Clinton is expected to face a grilling on Friday as the first former president compelled to testify in a congressional investigation. His relationship with Epstein was extensive following the end of his presidency. Flight logs for Epstein's private jet indicate that the former president traveled on it for trips to the Virgin Islands, Portugal, Siberia, Japan, and China. Clinton claims these trips were only ever related to his charitable work. Photographs have also emerged from the Epstein files showing Clinton in a hot tub with a woman whose face was redacted. Another photo shows him swimming with Maxwell and an unidentified woman. Epstein famously kept an oil painting of Clinton in a blue dress and red heels at his Manhattan mansion. Chairman James Comer would not allow the press to enter the Clinton deposition The Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, where Hillary's deposition is taking place today Lawmakers speaking ahead of the hearing were asked whether they planned to ask Hillary about an email in the Epstein files, which shows Trump's Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emailed the pedophile about Hillary's 2016 presidential campaign. 'It will be on my list,' Republican Representative Nancy Mace told reporters. In November 2015, Epstein's assistant forwarded him an invitation from Lutnick to a 'very intimate fundraising event' at his financial firm for then-presidential candidate Hillary. It is unclear whether Epstein attended the event. He made no donations to her campaign, according to filings from the Federal Elections Commission. Lutnick donated $2,700 to her campaign, the maximum allowed by law at that time. Republicans, who hold the majority on the House Oversight Committee, drove the effort to bring the Clintons to testify as Trump faced pressure to release the Epstein files. Democrat lawmakers are also attending the deposition, which forms part of a broader congressional effort to investigate the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein case. Epstein and Maxwell also appear to have played a key role in setting up the Clinton Foundation and Clinton Global Initiative, according to the Epstein files. Maxwell herself was deposed as part of the bipartisan congressional investigation into the Justice Department's prosecution and handling of the Epstein case, during which she pleaded the Fifth Amendment to prevent self-incrimination. Hillary said in a BBC interview last week that she and her husband are 'more than happy to say what we know, which is very limited and totally unrelated to their behavior or their crimes'. House Oversight Chairman James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, noted earlier this week that 'the Clintons' testimony is critical to understanding Epstein and Maxwell's sex trafficking network and the ways they sought to curry favor and influence to shield themselves from scrutiny.' 'Their testimony may also inform how Congress can strengthen laws to better combat human trafficking. Our goal for this investigation is straightforward: we seek to deliver transparency and accountability for the American people and for survivors,' Comer added. The Daily Mail has contacted the Clintons for comment. Federal law enforcement officials are preparing to hand Nancy Guthrie's home back to her family after nearly a month of probing her disappearance without any answers. Authorities were seen returning to the 84-year-old's $1 million home just outside Tucson, Arizona, on Wednesday, once again combing through areas of the home they had already searched. That flurry of activity was related to the FBI's efforts to turn the home back over to the Guthrie family, two federal law enforcement officials told NBC News. They acknowledged that investigators no longer see the need to seal the home as a crime scene or restrict the family from entering as the investigation into Nancy's abduction continues. Nancy, the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, was last seen at the house in Catalina Foothills on January 31, after attending dinner with her eldest daughter, Annie, and son-in-law Tommaso Cioni. Authorities believe she was kidnapped or otherwise taken against her will. Drops of her blood were found on the front porch, and eerie footage recovered from Nancy's Nest doorbell camera showed an unidentified masked suspect standing at her front door in the early hours of February 1. It is now believed that the suspect visited the house prior to the abduction, as one image showed the individual at her door without the backpack and gun holster he was seen carrying in the other footage. Law enforcement officials were seen returning to Nancy's $1 million home in the Catalina Foothills on Wednesday Crews were seen once again combing through areas of the home they had already searched The images are not timestamped though, and authorities said 'any suggestion that the photographs were taken on different days is purely speculative'. But law enforcement sources have told ABC News they believe the suspect may have approached the door the first time, noticed the camera and been 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 the outlet. '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. Yet the sheriff's department also said on Friday they are 'not ruling out the possibility that more than one person may be involved'. In the meantime, Savannah Guthrie has raised the reward for any information leading to her kidnapped mother to $1 million. 'We need to know where she is, we need her to come home,' the Today host said in a teary-eyed video posted to her Instagram account Tuesday. The flurry of activity at Nancy's house was related to authorities' efforts to return it to the family, sources familiar with the investigation have said Nancy was last seen at the house on January 31, after returning home from a dinner with her daughter and son-in-law. Law enforcement officials are pictured in the backyard on Wednesday Nancy is pictured with Savannah in a birthday tribute posted in 2020 She said the family still believes that Nancy could come home, as her sister Annie described 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 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,' Savannah said. She then 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.' The FBI received 750 calls within just 12 hours of Savannah posting the video, according to NBC News. A masked suspect spotted outside Nancy's home on the night of her disappearance had apparently visited the house before The unidentified suspect was later seen trying to obscure the Nest doorbell camera Savannah is pictured with her sister Annie (top left), brother Camron (bottom left) and Nancy (bottom right) Several hundred people are now working on the investigation, and more than 23,000 tips have been received. At the same time, some local residents have taken it upon themselves to launch their own searches in the dense desert near Nancy's home in hopes of cracking the case. The Pima County Sheriff's Department said it appreciates the concern for Nancy but asked people inquiring about volunteering to give investigators space to do their jobs. 'We all want to find Nancy, but this work is best left to professionals,' the agency said over the weekend. As the investigation drags on, Sheriff Chris Nanos has been accused of 'locking down' the investigation from federal authorities. Several sources also told the Daily Mail that the sheriff is 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. Meanwhile, the tribute to Nancy outside her home keeps growing, with flowers, yellow ribbons, crosses, prayers and patron saints for older adults and in desperate situations. Twenty-two years ago Maxine Carr walked free from prison - her lies making her the most hated woman in Britain. The ex-teaching assistant was given a new identity, a judge granting her a rare lifelong anonymity order for her own safety. Serving just half of a three-and-a-half year sentence for perverting the course of justice, she had given a false alibi for lover Ian Huntley on the night he murdered 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. Since she was freed rumours of her whereabouts have repeatedly circulated, with claims she has been moved to at least 10 different safehouses. A dozen women are feared to have been abused or attacked after being mistaken for her. And the bill to protect her is said to have risen above 2million, with taxpayers also covering the cost for her to change her appearance with cosmetic surgery and 8,000 of dental work. It has been suggested she was living in freedom in the countryside and seaside town - even getting married in 2008 and having a child. The mystery husband is said to be 'besotted' with Carr, despite the notoriety following her arrest and trial - as well as Huntley's convictions for murdering the two schoolgirls. Huntley, now dead after being attacked in prison, was jailed for life in December 2003 after killing Holly and Jessica in his home in Cambridgeshire, before dumping their bodies in a ditch near RAF Lakenheath. The disappearance of the childhood friends in August 2002 saw more than 400 police officers descend on Soham, with Huntley attempting to evade capture by getting his then-fiance Carr to provide him with an alibi. Maxine Carr (pictured) was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for conspiring to pervert the course of justice, having given her killer boyfriend Ian Huntley a false alibi School caretaker Ian Huntley was jailed for life in December 2003 after murdering ten-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, Cambridgeshire Holly Wells (left) and Jessica Chapman (right) were murdered by Huntley in Soham, Cambridgeshire in August 2002 after he lured them to his home Carr, a teaching assistant at the girls' school, was ultimately given three and a half years behind bars after being found guilty of conspiring with Huntley to pervert the course of justice. She was released from Foston Hall jail in Derbyshire in May 2004 after serving 21 months - and has since enjoyed a new life believed to cost the taxpayer up to 500,000 a year. With the state protecting her identity and guarding her around the clock, she is reported to have been moved to at least 10 different safe houses since her release 22 years ago. Carr is believed to have got married and had at least one child, having reportedly got engaged in 2008. Claims about where she might be living, and even the name she is using, have regularly surfaced on social media over the years, although many of the reports have been proved to be unfounded and based on fake rumours. 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 Britain's 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 More than a dozen innocent women are said to have been driven from their homes across Britain after being wrongly accused by vengeful mobs of being Carr since she was released from prison. The Daily Mail previously quoted friends describing Carr's fiance as 'a nice man from a decent family' who 'accepted her past' and was 'besotted' with her. The source added: They just like doing normal things together like going for walks in the countryside. At the time of their engagement, the lovers reportedly lived more than 60 miles apart. According to the Daily Mail, Carr and her partner then enjoyed a three-course wedding breakfast and several bottles of sparkling wine when marrying in 2014. The bride wore a 2,000 ivory dress and walked down the aisle by her 71-year-old mother. A later source said: 'Too much time and public money has been spent on her secret identity. They won't hesitate to move her again if her cover is blown'. Carr admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice, but was cleared of assisting an offender after insisting that she did not know Huntley had murdered the girls. She claimed she had only lied to stop him being unfairly accused as she believed he was innocent at the time, despite him being earlier accused of rape and underage sex offences. Carr was jailed for 42 months and was released with her new identity after serving half her sentence. High Court judge Mr Justice Eady granted a temporary anonymity order on her release, ruling that Carr's identity should be kept secret to protect her safety. The order was given an indefinite extension and made permanent nine months later after the judge ruled it was 'necessary to protect life and limb and psychological health'. Huntley (left) was convicted of the murders after pleading not guilty. His girlfriend at the time Maxine Carr (right) gave him a false alibi but turned on him in the witness box Carr's QC Edward Fitzgerald argued that there was an 'overwhelming case' for making the injunction 'against the world at large', saying: 'There is a real and significant risk of injury or of worse - killing - if the injunction is not granted.' It was reported in November 2004 that Carr had been forced to move from her Midlands safe house she was staying in after it was discovered by a baying mob. Following her release from prison, taxpayers have picked up her 8,000 bill for dental work and cosmetic surgery to change her appearance as well as costs to change her hair colour and style. It was also claimed Carr asked to have her breasts enlarged on the NHS for mental health reasons, claiming to be depressed because they were too small. The Daily Mail revealed in January 2008 that Carr had 'blossomed' after regaining her health from an eating disorder and had got engaged to a new boyfriend from a respected farming family. A source said at the time that the pair had met each other's families and that her boyfriend had accepted her past. The source added: 'Maxine is engaged and has the ring to show for it. Her fiance is a nice man from a decent family. 'It is a big step for both of them. For the last couple of years they have just been trying to get on with what they feel is right and live out of the media spotlight. 'They just like doing normal things together like going for walks in the countryside. It has grown stronger despite the fact that they live apart and have to make long journeys to see each other. They both have full-time jobs but manage to make the relationship work.' The Sun reported in May 2014 that Carr had married her fiance at a luxury hotel venue which could not be identified due to her anonymity order. It is not known if her new husband was the same man identified as her fiancee six years later. Carr was said to have spent the morning of her wedding having her hair and make-up done before being given away by her mother who was jailed herself for six months in 2004 after intimidating a witness who gave evidence against her daughter. The couple exchanged vows in front of a registrar before signing a marriage certificate, and joining family and friends on a patio where they drank 10 bottles of sparkling wine. They later had a three-course wedding breakfast. A source stated at the time that her husband was 'absolutely besotted' with her. Meanwhile, at least a dozen innocent victims have been forced to flee from their neighbourhoods despite many having no resemblance to the ex-teaching assistant and being able to prove who they were. The ordeal of some of those being wrongly accused was revealed in 2007 in the Channel 4 documentary called First Cut: Being Maxine Carr. One woman told how vandals repeatedly threw bricks and rocks through the windows of her home in York, leaving her terrified. The woman said she moved to York but gossip soon spread that she was actually Carr because of her southern accent. She told the documentary makers: 'My immediate reaction when one of the neighbours told me there was a rumour I was Maxine Carr was one of total disbelief. 'It just felt like molten lead had been poured into my stomach. It felt awful. When a rock was thrown through our window, I was in complete shock. 'I spent every night watching out of the bedroom window, trying to see if there were gangs approaching the house. 'I tried staring back but that made them stare even more. I tried ignoring them but still they stared. You should not have to justify your existence in your own home.' Carr, now 49, was born in February 1977 in Grimsby, the town where she would later meet Huntley for the first time in 1999 when she was 22 and he was 25. Huntley was reported to have been emotionally abusive during their relationship, which saw the pair later get engaged. Carr and Huntley moved in together just four weeks after meeting and relocated from Grimsby to Soham when Huntley got a job at a local college. Meanwhile, Carr became a teaching assistant at St Andrews Primary School - where she met Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. On the day of the murders, Huntley lured the two schoolgirls into his house, saying his girlfriend Carr was home. But this was a lie, as she had been visiting her mother 100 miles away in Grimsby. Huntley involved himself in prominent media appeals for their safe return, telling police that he had spoken briefly with the girls on his doorstep immediately before their disappearance, stating that they were both 'happy as Larry.' Meanwhile, Carr gave him a false alibi by lying about her whereabouts on the weekend when the two 10-year-olds were killed. Yet in reality, she had been in Grimsby at a nightclub with another man. She also told journalists that she had been in the bath when he had spoken briefly to the girls and that she had also burned the roast potatoes while cooking Sunday lunch. Carr said at trial she did not know Huntley had murdered the girls, but was found to have cleaned their house of evidence, with the home noted by police as having been 'meticulously cleaned' following an initial visit. Holly and Jessica, who were best friends, had gone out to buy sweets on the afternoon of August 4, 2002, when he lured them into his three-bedroom cottage. Their disappearance after a family barbecue sent shockwaves through the close-knit community and became one of the most sickening child murders the country has ever seen. Suspicions about Huntley were raised after he appeared to tell one journalist in morbid detail how the girls might react to being taken by a stranger. School caretaker Huntley had lured both schoolgirls into his home and murdered them, before dumping their bodies in a ditch some 12 miles away. He would later return and attempt to set fire to them. He later lied in court that Holly had drowned in his bath and that he had accidentally suffocated Jessica while attempting to stop her from screaming. The girls were not discovered until more than a week after they went missing, by which time some 400 police officers had joined with local residents to search for the missing youngsters. Huntley was convicted in 2003 of both murders, having pleaded not guilty. He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 40 years. To the outside world, she looked like the perfect mom and wife a successful professional specializing in flipping luxury homes. But mother-of-three Kouri Richins also had a secret lover with whom she exchanged racy texts and fantasized about starting a new life together before allegedly killing her husband Eric with a poisoned cocktail in 2022. Richins's murder trial kicked off this week in Park City, Utah, where prosecutors shared damning messages of the 35-year-old discussing a planned trip to a swank Caribbean resort with paramour Josh Grossmann and telling him she missed him 'physically'. But the Daily Mail can reveal the handyman is unlikely to make an appearance at Richins's high-profile trial because he has gone to ground and has spent the past three years living out of a truck, making it difficult for investigators to find him. Instead, the case will hinge on testimony from other witnesses: among them the housekeeper Carmen Lauber who allegedly sold Richins the fentanyl pills prosecutors say she secretly spiked into husband Eric Richins's Moscow mule - killing the 39-year-old. The murder trial at the Summit County Courthouse is expected to last for five weeks. The Daily Mail has learned that Grossmann, 43, has never cooperated with prosecutors, despite the Iraq war veteran's forbidden fling with Richins hitting the skids just months after Eric Richins's death. The texts between the erstwhile lovers came under scrutiny after Richins's trial began with prosecutors highlighting one message she sent on the night of Eric's alleged murder that included a photo of two people kissing and read, 'I love you'. Mom-of-three Kouri Richins is on trial for allegedly murdering her husband with a lethal dose of fentanyl slipped into a Moscow mule cocktail. Prosecutors have been unable to track down her lover Josh Grossmann (pictured right in a 2024 mugshot) Prosecutors allege Richins killed her husband Eric Richins, 39, with fentanyl-laced pills dissolved in a cocktail in 2022 The lovers were once so close, they discussed marriage, according to papers filed by the prosecution. Although Richins consulted a divorce lawyer in January 2022, she ultimately decided not to proceed. That, however, wasn't enough to stop her from making plans to go on a luxury trip to the Secrets Resort on the Caribbean island of St. Martin with Grossmann which she had booked for April 20 six weeks after her husband died. In the end, the pair didn't go thanks to the fallout from Eric's death. 'If I was divorced right now and ask you to marry me tomorrow, you would?' Richins texted her lover in February 2022, just weeks before she allegedly poisoned her husband Eric. She added: 'I just want to lay on the couch and cuddle you. Watch a murder documentary and snuggle!' Two weeks later, she texted Grossmann: 'Life is going to be different I promise', adding: 'I hate your hard days. I wish I could be there to turn them around for you. 'Can I try Friday? Give me a few days? Hang in there until then please?' Text messages displayed in court show Richins exchanging flirty texts with her lover Josh Grossman before her husband Eric's death Richins had fantasized about getting divorced and having a future with her secret boyfriend Grossmann, an Iraq war veteran, has been down on his luck and has had multiple run-ins with the cops in the intervening years since his affair with Richins ended In December 2022, the pair exchanged messages discussing divorce with Richins writing: 'I'm in love with a man that's not my husband' and 'I want to but I can't break up my family. 'It's having your cake and eating it too. I do just want to love you. I do love you.' 'I thought you were getting a divorce,' he allegedly replied. In the end, Grossmann only hung on for another eight months before being kicked to the curb by his former lover, booting him out of a condo she had an interest in in Sarasota Springs, Utah. Iraq war veteran Grossmann has been down on his luck and has had multiple run-ins with the cops since their split. In police reports he was listed as 'transient' while others note that addresses and phone numbers that had once worked are now invalid. The most serious incident that took place on October 21, 2022 when Grossmann rented a 19ft scissor lift and flatbed trailer from a branch of Home Depot in Salt Lake City and failed to return them. After ignoring demand letters for eight months, cops got in touch in June 2023 only to be told by Grossmann that he thought Home Depot had their property back and the would be in touch to tell them how to get it. He never did, according to police. After Eric's March 4 death, Richins and Grossmann discussed plans to go on a luxury trip to the Secrets Resort on the Caribbean island of St.Martin Richins, 35, is currently being held at the Summit County Jail as her high-profile murder trial in Park City, Utah unfolds Richins is seen wearing a pair of checked pajamas and telling cops that her husband was cold and heavy and lying on his back after, she said, she discovered him dead Subsequent calls to his phone found it was disconnected, while the address he provided on the rental paperwork turned out to be 'not valid'. Grossmann subsequently pleaded guilty to one count of theft a class A misdemeanor in Utah and was handed a probation term. But despite his legal woes, Grossmann continued to defy the law and was busted in February 2023 for having expired tags. Court papers seen by the Daily Mail show Grossmann still has a warrant out for his arrest in that case and has never made an appearance or paid a fine. Despite that, in April the same year, he was collared for driving without a license and again for having expired tags this time in Saratoga Springs, Utah. After failing to show up at court, a warrant was issued for his arrest and he was eventually grabbed by cops in January 2024 and booked into the Utah County Jail where he spent one night. Since then, Grossmann has gone to ground while his former lover cools her heels at the Summit County Jail where Richens occupies cell four in the lock-up's Behavioral Health Unit. Richins's trial has so far heard opening statements and from Eric's father, sister Katie and brother-in-law Clint Benson. During trial proceedings this week, the 911 call Richins placed was aired in court as was harrowing bodycam footage showing her hysterical on being told her husband had died. The prosecution is arguing that Richins murdered husband Eric to be with Grossmann but also due to the millions of dollars of debt she was in. Richins's counsel says there is no proof she poisoned her husband's Moscow mule a cocktail of vodka, ginger beer and lime juice and claim she is the victim of a vendetta by his family. Prince Harry and Meghan have been meeting hundreds of people during a quasi-royal of Jordan over two days after being invited by the World Health Organisation. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex travelled to the World Central Kitchen's regional headquarters and met patients at the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts. During the visit - which Buckingham Palace was made aware of in advance - the couple also met children evacuated from Gaza to receive urgent care in Amman. They are said to be aiming to learn more about humanitarian efforts to support health and wellbeing of Syrians and Palestinians who have sought sanctuary in Jordan. But do you think their trip has been a success? Vote in the Daily Mail's latest poll. The last time Paddington travelled to Windsor, he met the late Queen Nearly four years after his first visit, Paddington Bear returned to Windsor Castle for an appointment with Queen Camilla during a star-studded reception for young writers. It was a glorious return to form for the beloved bear, who promised to hand out all his marmalade sandwiches to the finalists of the BBC 500 Words competition gathered in the Grand Reception Room. After he was introduced to the Queen by broadcaster Alex Jones, Paddington curtsied before Camilla, 78, as she thanked him for travelling 'all the way'. 'And youre going to give all your marmalade sandwiches to all these children, and perhaps I can have one too, thank you very much,' Her Majesty said. On an especially warm February day, Camilla told the jacket-clad bear: 'You must be a little hot.' In addition to his favourite marmalade sandwiches, Paddington also treated guests to a special performance of The Explorer and The Bear from Paddington The Musical. It's not every day that Paddington comes to the castle; the last time the Peruvian bear travelled to Windsor, he took tea with the late Queen during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Paddington and the late Queen bonded over their shared love of marmalade sandwiches in a heartwarming skit that opened her star-studded Platinum Jubilee concert to mark 70 years of Elizabeth's reign. Nearly four years after his first visit, Paddington Bear returned to Windsor Castle for an appointment with Queen Camilla during a star-studded reception for young writers They are seen with West End actress Marisha Wallace When she died just three months later, the beloved bear joined heartbroken Britons in paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth as Paddington thanked her 'for everything'. Paddington Bear wasn't the only celebrity at yesterday's reception in the room at Windsor Castle that is traditionally reserved for investitures. He joined Sir Lenny Henry, Malorie Blackman and Rose Ayling-Ellis, the judges of the prestigious children's writing competition that Camilla has supported for over a decade. The reception was hosted by the presenters of BBC's The One Show, Alex and Roman Kemp, while Jodie Whittaker, Joanna Page, Bradley and Barney Walsh, Sara Cox, rapper Big Zuu, and author Paterson Joseph were enlisted to read out the top six entries. The VIPs, however, were the 50 finalists who were chosen after the competition received over 45,000 submissions from writers across the UK. During the reception, Camilla put aside the crisis unfolding at the heart of the Royal Family as she was photographed chatting with her guests - including stars of the BBC's Gladiators. Livi Sheldon and Zack George, who are better known as Diamond and Steel, were joined by Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (Nitro) and Montell Douglas (Fire) to represent the show at yesterday's event. Camilla, like other senior royals, is continuing her public duties after the unprecedented arrest of disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor last week. After he was introduced to the Queen by broadcaster Alex Jones, Paddington curtsied before Camilla, 78, as she thanked him for travelling 'all the way' The last time the Peruvian bear travelled to Windsor, he took tea with the late Queen during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Paddington and the late Queen bonded over their shared love of marmalade sandwiches in a heartwarming skit that opened her star-studded Platinum Jubilee concert to mark 70 years of Elizabeth's reign Yesterday, she joined King Charles, Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester in the largest gathering of royals since Andrew's arrest. His Majesty handed out The Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Higher and Further Education St James's Palace on Tuesday, February 24, after he pledged 'my family and I will continue in our duty and service' in a statement following his younger brother's arrest. BBC 500 Words is the UKs most prestigious writing competition and has been supported by Queen Camilla for more than a decade. It encourages youngsters aged between five and 11 to write a short story from their own imagination. Last month, Camilla joined the panel of judges - chaired by Alex and Rose - to select 50 of the best entries out of 46,500 submissions from writers across the UK. BBC 500 Words judge Frank Cottrell-Boyce previously said the competition is 'a highlight of my calendar' in a statement. 'Every year I'm amazed at how funny, wise, ambitious and bonkers our children's stories can be. And every year we judges have a massive fight about which story is the funniest, wisest, most ambitious and most bonkers,' the acclaimed author said. The final will be televised on The One Show on March 6, World Book Day. Sophie, 61, has undertaken a two-day trip to promote the role of Kenyan women The Duchess of Edinburgh's Kenyan tour has officially gotten underway, with a joyful Sophie captured dancing with women at beads workshop in Nairobi. Sophie, 61, has embarked on a two-day trip across the East African country to highlight the vital role of women in both peacebuilding and conflict resolution. On the first day of her visit the Duchess met with Kenya's President, William Ruto, at the State House in Nairobi to discuss the UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership. Sophie attended a lunch with leading businesswomen from the British Chamber of Commerce Kenya (BCCK) and also a Women In Leadership reception, hosted by Acting British High Commissioner to Kenya, Dr Ed Barnett. Earlier that day, the passionate Duchess showcased her dance abilities during a trip to the Kazuri Beads workshop - as she enjoyed traditional music with the talented women who run the thriving local business. The joyful moment delighted many royal fans who took to Instagram to praise 'lovely' Sophie for 'making royalty look easy'. 'Wonderful Duchess,' commented one user, before adding: 'Others should take note, that's a real Duchess'. Meanwhile, another added: 'I love how she gives everything a go'. It comes as Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry embarked on their two-day quasi-royal tour of Jordan at the invitation of the World Health Organisation (WHO). As part of their Middle East trip, the pair have visited Za'atari Refugee Camp and the Specialty Hospital in Amman, alongside a rehabilitation centre for recovering addicts. According to a royal expert, Sophie's 'remarkable' advocacy work could have been replicated by Meghan, a passionate feminist, had she remained a senior working member of the Royal Family. Sophie, 61, has embarked on a two-day trip across the East African country to highlight the vital role of women in both peacebuilding and conflict resolution across the nation On the first day of her visit the Duchess met with Kenya's President, William Ruto (pictured right), at the State House in Nairobi to discuss the UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership Richard Fitzwilliams previously told The Daily Mail: 'Sophie has influence in ways that really matter, which Meghan could have been. 'It does involve compromise, but think what could have been achieved for an important cause she claims is so dear to her heart.' Mr Fitzwilliams added that Sophie has 'proved she's the Royal Family's champion of women rights' through her continued commitment to advocating for women's issues and conflict-related sexual violence, amongst other causes. Since the onset of her royal career, the Duchess of Edinburgh has deliberately focused her charity work around the importance of raising awareness of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and has championed the UN's Women, Peace and Security Agenda. Meghan, meanwhile, has also been unafraid to speak on important public matters and was insistent that when she joined the Royal Family she would be continuing her advocacy work in her new role. In 2015, before she began dating Prince Harry, Meghan gave a keynote address on gender equality for UN Women in New York. She received a standing ovation from guests including Ban Ki-moon, then UN secretary-general. Then in 2018, Meghan went off-script at the Royal Foundation Forum and spoke about womens empowerment. She said: 'Women dont need to find a voice because they have a voice, they need to be empowered to use it and people need to be encouraged to listen.' Mr Fitzwilliams explained: 'In her visits to Rwanda in 2016 and India in 2017 and in a memorable speech to the United Nations International Women's Day Conference in 2015, she campaigned for equal opportunities. 'She stressed this in her visits to the Antipodes and South Africa when she and Harry were still senior working members of the royal family.' Sophie delighted royal fans when she was captured dancing with women at the Kazuri Beads workshop in Nairobi. 'Wonderful Duchess,' commented one Instagram user, before adding: 'Others should take note, that's a real Duchess' According to royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams, Sophie's 'remarkable' advocacy work could have been replicated by Meghan (pictured with Prince Harry during a quasi-royal tour in Jordan) had she remained a senior working member of the Royal Family Meghan herself declared at the time: 'With fame comes opportunity, but it also includes responsibility to advocate and share, to focus less on glass slippers and more on pushing through glass ceilings.' She previously insisted that it is essential to use one's voice to advocate for change and that 'hashtags are not enough'. Sophie's trip to Kenya came after a rare two-day visit to Somalia at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to draw attention to violence against women and how women can help to enhance peace and resillience. As part of her visit to the war-torn nation, Sophie met with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at Villa Somalia to discuss how women can help to enhance peace and resilience across communities. She was later joined by first daughter Jihan Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to meet survivors of gender and sexual-based violence perpetuated by al-Shabaab militants, and received briefings from key local partners about the prevalence of SGBV. During a visit to a Somali village in Lower Shabelle, the empathetic duchess spoke with the wives of Somali soldiers about the risk of violence and the array of personal challenges they face. The following day, Sophie held a meeting at the British Embassy with Somali organisations and partners to discuss the array of gender-based challenges exacerbated by conflict, drought and a lack of resources. She later visited a hospital in central Mogadishu to learn about the devastating impact of female genital mutilation, rape and sexual assault on Somali women and the role a UK-funded service programme has played in strengthening service delivery. Sophie's east-Africa regional tour is seen as an ongoing commitment to her pledge to raise awareness of the issue of sexual violence. Sophie attended a lunch with leading businesswomen from the British Chamber of Commerce Kenya (BCCK) and also a Women In Leadership reception, hosted by Acting British High Commissioner to Kenya, Dr Ed Barnett In recent years the King's sister-in-law, who is married to his brother, Prince Edward, has travelled to current and former war zones including Chad, the Congo, Kosovo, South Chad, Lebanon and Sierra Leone. She has devoted much of her latter working life as a royal to supporting the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and is passionate about championing gender equality. In April 2024, Sophie bravely denounced Putin's forces for using rape as weapon of war as she became the first British royal to visit Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February 2022. In October, the royal visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to 'shine a light' on the 'weaponisation of rape'. During her three-day visit, she met female peacebuilders working at the grassroots level to highlight their efforts supporting local peace initiatives and witnessed the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict, particularly on women and girls. In June, the duchess spoke passionately about her campaign to highlight the plight of victims of sexual violence and insisted that the country 'must do better'. At the UK's first exhibition dedicated to the subject, Sophie, who made the visit ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, declared that the topic was woefully 'under-discussed'. The duchess spoke movingly about a visit she had made to Kosovo in 2019 and how deeply moved she had been when speaking to women about the 'shame and stigma' they experienced as a result of being brutalised. Sarah Ferguson's childhood school report has been revealed - with the disgraced ex-Duchess described by her teachers as 'erratic' at the age of 12. As a youngster, the former Duchess of York, who was a weekly boarder in the 1970s at the prestigious Hurst Lodge School in Ascot, was said to have developed a reputation as an outgoing child who immersed herself in sport. However, a rare school report from 1972 has revealed that there were also rather striking aspects to young Fergie's personality, according to The Times. 'Although enthusiastic and anxious to please... Sarah has not yet learned to channel her energies in the right direction. Both work and behaviour are erratic and she needs to exercise greater control over both,' the school report read. It comes as Fergie is said to have fled the UK as she and her ex-husband, former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, became embroiled in the growing Epstein scandal which culminated in his arrest on February 19. In 2024, a leaked document revealed that Fergie left the exclusive Hurst Lodge School, where fees were around 3,000 per year, with just two O-Level qualifications, despite previous reports suggesting she had gained six. While the former Duchess, now 66, obtained an A in spoken English and a C in art, she received Ds in English language, English literature and biology and failed French and geography. At the time, a source close to the then-Duchess told The Mail on Sunday: 'Academic qualifications are not the be-all and end-all and the Duchess is a firm believer in the importance of emotional intelligence and kindness. 'The Duchess has always been very open about her lack of a formal education and never made any claims to the contrary. Indeed, she is proud of the fact she started out scrubbing toilets for a living and has ended up as a Sunday Times bestselling author in her 60s.' Sarah Ferguson (pictured right in 1976) childhood school report has been revealed - with the disgraced ex-Duchess described by her teachers as 'erratic' at the age of 12 As a youngster, the former Duchess of York , who was a weekly boarder in the 1970s at the prestigious Hurst Lodge School in Ascot , was said to have developed a reputation as an outgoing child who immersed herself in sport Likewise, the former Duchess has also spoken candidly about how she experienced profound personal struggles during her school days. In her 1996 book My Story, Fergie confessed: 'My mind was anywhere but on studies in the summer of 1974. Mathematics eluded me, and I laboured on my English but couldn't concentrate.' Indeed, behind the scenes, then 13-year-old Sarah's personal life was slowly unravelling. Her late mother Susan had walked out on her husband, Major Ronald Ferguson, in 1972 when she 'fell in love' with Argentine polo player Hector Barrantes. In his book Entitled, Andrew Lownie revealed that the separation had a 'profound effect on Sarah, who blamed herself for the divorce, took to comfort eating and put on weight'. He added: 'She would later claim, she suffered from insecurity, a feeling of worthlessness, a need to please others, and found it hard to establish stable relationships. 'She also had mixed feelings about her mother abandoning the family to move to London and then Argentina ostensibly because she did not want to disrupt the childrens education.' In September 1998, Susan died in horrific circumstances when she was killed by a truck. The Daily Mail reported at the time that the tragedy was the 'Darkest day for Fergie'. Meanwhile, in a further insight into Fergie's school days, the former Duchess has also previously revealed that she suffered from learning difficulties. 'I had myself evaluated by experts who confirmed I am ADHD and moderately impaired by dyscalculia [difficulty in understanding numbers],' she wrote in her book Finding Sarah: A Duchess's Journey to Find Herself. Yet despite facing academic obstacles, Fergie has self-confessed to being 'very successful' at school, and even served as the school's head girl in 1976, which she herself equated as synonymous with the role of 'class president'. She added: 'I was winning netball captain. I was our class ringleader too, gregarious and dramatic with a flair for stirring up mischief.' In 2024, a leaked document revealed that Fergie left the exclusive Hurst Lodge School, where fees were around 3,000 per year, with just two O-Level qualifications, despite previous reports suggesting she had gained six Despite facing academic obstacles, Fergie has self-confessed to being 'very successful' at school, and even served as head girl in 1976, which she equated to being synonymous with the role of 'class president' At the age of 16, Fergie left her life at Hurst Lodge behind and began a course in shorthand, typing and bookkeeping at Queen's Secretarial College in London. Classmate Charlotte Eden, the daughter of former Conservative MP Lord Eden of Winton, previously recalled: 'We were both dunces at shorthand and typing. We used to sit at the back of the class and giggle.' She later went on to gain temp jobs and later a position at a PR firm. Meanwhile, her ex-husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was sent to Heatherdown Preparatory School in Ascot at the age of eight and gained a reputation as a bit of a bully - or 'a natural boss', according to his father, Prince Philip. It was during this period that the Royal Family's 1969 documentary aired on British television, showcasing that while Andrew was a 'lively, cheerful boy', he possessed a 'touch of the daredevil' and was already beginning to 'display the contrary behaviour that would bedevil his life', according to Mr Lownie. During his time at Heatherdown, one of his contemporaries, Frank Egerton, recalled how fellow pupils were 'always aware he was a member of the Royal Family'. He was said to be insistent that his peers call him 'Prince', with Mr Jackson, who would frequently play alongside Andrew, then aged six, recalling to Lownie how Andrew 'once informed me when playing that he was a "Prince".' Yet Mr Jackson refused to back down to the young royal, recalling: 'I immediately informed him that I was actually a "King", which seemed to shut him up.' In her 1996 book My Story, Fergie confessed: 'My mind was anywhere but on studies in the summer of 1974'. Indeed, behind the scenes, then 13-year-old Sarah's mother Susan (pictured right) had walked out on her husband, Major Ronald Ferguson, in 1972 Aged eight, Andrew was sent to Heatherdown Preparatory School in Ascot, Berkshire, where he gained a reputation as a bit of a bully - or 'a natural boss', according to his father, Prince Philip. A fellow pupil remembered him as a 'cocky' child who 'had a high opinion of himself' Meanwhile, another fellow pupil remembered Andrew as being 'someone who threw his weight around', describing him as a 'cocky' child who 'had a high opinion of himself'. It comes as friends of Fergie have revealed the former Duchess is in a bad way' and feels that 'everyone is out to get her', her friends have admitted following ex-husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest at Sandringham. The former Duchess of York, 66, who has not been seen in public for five months, may now look to the UAE for cash and abandon her dream of a new home in Windsor to be near Beatrice and Eugenie. But she is said to have told friends that there will be no tell-all book detailing the family's ties to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, though she 'might end up having to tell that story to the police'. The Daily Mail has also revealed that Fergie checked herself into the most expensive wellness clinic in the world as details about her close friendship with the convicted paedophile unravelled. Fergie secretly took refuge in the world-renowned 13,000-a-day Paracelsus Recovery Clinic in Zurich, Switzerland, over a month ago. A Swiss source told the Daily Mail: Sarah left for Zurich just after Christmas, and stayed until the end of January. She always feels at home at Paracelsus, and knows shell get love and attention there, as well as expert health treatment when shes feeling at her most vulnerable. The threat of screensnoopers reading over your shoulder may finally a thing of the past, as Samsung unveils a new phone with a builtin 'Privacy Display'. The newly released Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra blurs your screen when seen from the side, while keeping the display crystal clear for you. Users can block out their entire screen from prying eyes or choose to hide only select information and apps. For example, the Privacy Display can kick in when you are entering your PIN, password, or to hide key information like popup notifications. The display works by incorporating a special type of pixel that only sends light straight outwards towards the user, blocking anyone peeping in from the side. Unlike commonly available stickon privacy filters, Samsung's integrated solution obscures the screen from all angles rather than just from the sides. This means your private information can remain hidden, even when you are switching from portrait to landscape mode. And according to the company, the inbuilt privacy display doesn't result in any further reductions in brightness, resolution, or battery life. Samsung's new Galaxy S26 Ultra features a builtin privacy display that hides your screen when viewed from the side Once activated, anyone looking in from the side will not be able to see anything happening on your screen Samsung says that this is the first display of its kind to help fight against the rise of 'shoulder surfing' criminals. Thwarted by phones' increasing security systems, phone thieves have taken to watching their victims in advance to record passwords and banking PINS. This is either done using a camera with a long zoom lens or by simply following someone in public and peering over their shoulder. The criminals then steal the phone and use the victim's information to log into banking services and bypass twofactor authentication services that send a text to the phone for confirmation. Samsung claims this feature, which it says has been five years in development, should prevent anyone from snooping on your personal details. Annika Bizon, VP of Product & Marketing, Mobile Experience, Samsung UK & Ireland, told the Daily Mail: 'The S26 Ultra has the world's first Privacy Display on mobile which delivers protection at a pixel level, limiting what others can see from side angles while keeping your screen clear and usable. 'It means the next time you need to urgently view a sensitive work email or send someone some money you don't have to check who's watching.' Through the phone's settings, users can choose 'Partial Screen Privacy', which automatically limits visibility for popup notifications or select apps. Users have the option to obscure their entire screen or just reduce the visibility of selected apps or popup notifications (pictured) On social media, tech enthusiasts have praised the innovative feature, with one calling it 'straightup spy movie level tech' Or, for even more security, users can activate 'Maximum Privacy Protection' to completely obscure their screen. On social media, tech fans have celebrated the arrival of this feature, praising Samsung for its commitment to privacy. One enthusiastic commenter wrote on X: 'This is straightup spy movie level tech.' 'Finally, no more strangers reading my PIN on the train,' shared another. While one tech enthusiast added: 'Finally, a new Samsung feature that isn't a gimmick. This should be on every phone.' The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra was released yesterday as part of the new flagship S26 lineup, which also includes the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+. The Galaxy S26 Ultra starts from 1,279, the S26+ from 1,099, and the standard S26 from 879. All of the new S26 lineup will be available for preorder from February 25 and will go on sale from March 11. A Wyoming man who tortured and killed a wolf is set to dodge prison under a plea agreement. Cody Roberts, 44, allegedly ran over a young wolf named Theia with a snowmobile, taped its mouth shut, and brought it to the Green River Bar in Daniel, Wyoming, before killing it in February 2024. Shortly after the incident, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department determined Roberts' actions did not violate state animal cruelty laws. He was instead cited for illegally possessing wildlife and fined $250. In August 2025, Sublette County Attorney Clayton Melinkovich convened a grand jury, which indicted Roberts on felony animal cruelty charges. If convicted, he could have faced up to two years in prison. Roberts was scheduled to face those charges in Sublette County District Court on March 9, but he has now agreed to a plea deal. Under the agreement reached Wednesday, he is expected to serve 18 months of probation and pay a $1,000 fine. He will also be prohibited from hunting, fishing, drinking alcohol, or entering bars during that time. The case has drawn national outrage, with many calling for Roberts to serve jail time. 'One of the saddest stories ever of animal torture. This should have been a federal felony charge,' wrote an animal activist on X. Cody Roberts, 44, allegedly plowed a young wolf named Theia down with a snowmobile, taped its mouth shut and brought it to the Green River Bar in Daniel, Wyoming, before killing it in February 2024 Witnesses said Roberts dragged or carried the animal through the Green River Bar as patrons looked on. He was hit with a $250 fine on February 29 for his actions Before agreeing to the plea deal, Roberts attempted to have the case dismissed, arguing that Wyoming's animal cruelty laws exempted predators like wolves. A judge rejected that claim earlier this month. Roberts' next step is a change-of-plea hearing, expected as soon as next week. At that hearing, Sublette County Attorney Melinkovich will lay out the factual basis for Roberts' guilty plea in accordance with the agreement. While the evidence presented to the grand jury that indicted Roberts in August will remain sealed, Melinkovich has already previewed his arguments during earlier court proceedings. According to court filings in Sublette County District Court, Roberts is expected to withdraw his earlier not guilty plea and enter a plea of guilty or no contest to a felony animal cruelty charge. The agreement must still be approved by a judge. If Roberts violates his probation, the suspended prison sentence could be enforced, meaning he could serve up to two years behind bars and face additional fines of up to $4,000. The plea agreement also gives the judge a choice: if the judge rejects it, Roberts could withdraw his plea and either go to trial or negotiate a different deal. Roberts also posed for a photo with the animal, and a video filmed by witnesses showed him kissing the barely conscious wolf and laughing at its distress The case sparked international outrage after video footage emerged showing Roberts torturing a female wolf, which he then took to the back of a bar and shot dead. Wildlife advocates and animal welfare groups condemned the brutal act, calling for Roberts to face the full force of the law. Governor Mark Gordon and the agency's Director Brian Nesvik had publicly condemned the torture of the animal. 'Cruelty to any wildlife is absolutely unacceptable. This is not the way anyone should treat any animal,' Gordon said, while Nesvik called the capture and torture of the wild animal 'disgusting.' After a traumatizing video of the wild animal inside the bar went viral, locals expressed frustration with Roberts, who was fined $250 on February 29. The wolf was later killed, but Roberts plans to take a plea deal that will give him probation and fines Roberts' aunt, Jeanne Ivie-Roberts, is seen posing with a a wolf's hide with duct tape over her own mouth. She said she knew the picture would cause a sh** storm' Roberts also posed for a photo with the animal, and a video filmed by witnesses showed him kissing the barely conscious wolf and laughing at its distress. The wolf bared its teeth as Roberts pulled its head off the floor and turned it towards him, but it was too weak to do anything more to resist. 'It absolutely sickens me... But evil must be exposed. That's the only reason to show it to the public,' a bar patron who acquired the video said. The Pentagon's UFO office former chief has revealed unexplained objects were detected in space and that some performed maneuvers defying anything in America's known aerospace arsenal. Lieutenant Colonel Tim Phillips, who was acting director of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) until last April, told the Daily Mail that while most cases involved objects in the air, some detections extended beyond the atmosphere. 'I would say probably 90 percent of our cases, if not higher, were always in the air domain,' Phillips said. 'Most of these were in the atmosphere, but there were things in space.' AARO, a team within the Department of War, is tasked with collecting and investigating UFO cases, with a focus on data-backed reports from skilled military members like fighter pilots or radar operators. Phillips described reports from 'highly qualified observers' who witnessed these objects displaying capabilities beyond anything the US government is known to have. He said the object had the 'ability to stop very, very quickly, accelerate quickly, right angle turns the things that aircraft and spacecraft we know don't behave that way.' Out of thousands of reports reviewed by AARO, fewer than 50 remained completely unresolved, even after examination by some of the world's leading experts, he said. Lieutenant Colonel Tim Phillips, former acting director of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) until last April, said that 'highly qualified observers' reported unexplained objects in space performing maneuvers beyond the capabilities of known US aircraft or spacecraft Of thousands of reports reviewed by AARO, fewer than 50 remain completely unresolved, even after scrutiny by some of the worlds leading experts The lieutenant colonel also told the Daily Mail that while most cases involved objects in the air, some sightings extended beyond the atmosphere But those few dozen reports kept the experts scratching their heads. 'We're talking some of the best and brightest in the world couldn't explain what it is,' Phillips said. His office was also able to rule out the possibility that the objects belonged to any known US or foreign program. 'We were able to conclusively prove it wasn't a known system, either adversary or friendly,' he said. Despite the extraordinary nature of some sightings, Phillips told the Daily Mail that the objects never appeared to pose a direct threat. 'We never saw any hostile behavior,' he said. 'I couldn't speak to the intent, but we saw them in sensitive locations sometimes.' He also noted that some objects appeared to actively avoid detection. 'We saw their attempt not to be surveyed, and in other cases they didn't seem to care,' Phillips said. Join the debate Do YOU think well get definitive answers about UFOs in your lifetime? In 2021, US military drone footage appeared to capture a UFO moments before it escaped at incredible speed over Syria The drone managed to record the moment when the object suddenly disappears, appearing as a faint white streak as it moved to the right Between May 1, 2023, and June 1, 2024, UAPs where reported frequently in US airspace Phillips was quick to stress that many dramatic sightings turn out to be misidentified classified US programs or objects mistaken for balloons, satellites, aircraft and birds That language echoes the Office of the Director of National Intelligence's landmark 2021 UFO assessment, which noted data appearing to show objects demonstrating 'acceleration or a degree of signature management', a term used to describe active attempts to avoid detection. Phillips was also quick to stress that many dramatic sightings turn out to be misidentified classified US programs. In one striking case, he described a witness who accurately reported what they saw but drew the wrong conclusion entirely. 'We looked into it and there was a spaceship being tested, but it wasn't an alien spaceship. It's one of ours,' he said. Phillips has publicly thrown cold water on expectations of any dramatic revelations. In a LinkedIn post, he wrote: 'UFO believers will be disappointed by what is disclosed; there is no US Government evidence for beings or their craft visiting earth.' But his statements on space detections, extraordinary flight performance, and dozens of unexplained cases despite analysis by top experts, are sure to stoke the debate. He spoke to the Daily Mail in the wake of a shock announcement by President Donald Trump that he had directed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to release any government UFO files still kept secret. President Donald Trump shockingly announced on Truth Social that he had directed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to release any remaining government UFO files 'I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant departments and agencies, 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), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters,' Trump posted on Truth Social on February 19. 'We've got our people working on it right now,' Hegseth told reporters Monday. 'I don't want to oversell how much time it will take, but we're digging in.' Former President Barack Obama also weighed in on the topic this month, telling podcast host Brian Tyler Cohen that he believes aliens are real. 'They're real, but I haven't seen them, and they're not being kept in Area 51,' Obama said. President Trump, asked about Obama's remarks aboard Air Force One on February 19, said his predecessor had made 'a big mistake'. 'He took it out of classified information... He's not supposed to be doing that,' Trump said. Gmail users are being targeted by a new scam that exploits their own phone numbers. The scheme, first reported on Reddit, involves a text message that appears to come from 'Gmail from Google,' warning recipients that their account has been compromised. The message includes a link labeled 'Recover Account.' When users click it, they are prompted to enter their Gmail password, which is then captured by scammers. In some cases, attackers can combine stolen information with personal details, like your phone number. They may then use social engineering to convince mobile carriers to transfer the number to a SIM card under their control, potentially giving them access to SMS-based two-factor authentication codes. Victims reported that these texts can look very official, often referencing prior 'sign-on attempts' from foreign IP addresses, such as those in Venezuela or Bangladesh. While this can heighten alarm, it is usually part of the phishing tactic. Once a user enters their credentials, scammers can access Gmail accounts, and if the same password has been reused elsewhere, other accounts are at risk as well. Cybercriminals are now sending fraudulent text messages to Gmail users, warning their account has been compromised and prompting them to hand over passwords Cybersecurity experts stress that users need to take several steps immediately if they believe they have been targeted, including changing their Google password and enabling two-factor authentication (2FA). This is the first line of defense, because using a strong, unique password, and, where possible, replacing SMS-based 2FA with an authenticator app or hardware security key. The next step is to update all other accounts that shared the same password. Reusing passwords across sites increases the risk of account takeover. Using a password manager can help generate and store unique, strong passwords for each account. Experts warned of the importance of adding protections with your mobile carrier. Ask your provider about options such as SIM PINs, account passcodes, port freezes, or number locks. These measures prevent attackers from transferring your number to another SIM card. Monitoring account activity and enabling login alerts are also crucial. Many services allow you to receive notifications when unusual logins occur. Early alerts can help prevent unauthorized access. Once a user enters their credentials, scammers can access Gmail accounts, and if the same password has been reused elsewhere, other accounts are at risk as well Victims should also report phishing attempts to both Google and the Federal Trade Commission. Creating an official record helps authorities track these scams and warn other users. Experts said changing your phone number is usually unnecessary if your carrier account is properly secured. Simply knowing your number does not allow a scammer to bypass strong authentication. However, if your number is compromised or you notice service interruptions that could indicate a SIM swap, changing your number may become necessary. Cybersecurity experts issued another warning to Gmail users in January about scams exploiting a new Google feature that lets users create a new address while keeping their old one as an alias. The update, rolled out earlier this month, is meant to help users replace old email addresses. But scammers are sending fraudulent emails about the change, attempting account takeovers and phishing attacks. The messages often claim a 'Gmail address change' or request security confirmation, appearing convincing because they come from real Google addresses like no-reply@accounts.google.com . Victims are instructed to confirm a new address or verify their account, with links that appear like official Google support pages. In reality, the links lead to fake websites hosted on sites.google.com, designed to mimic Google's login and security screens. If attackers succeed, they can access Gmail and all connected Google services, including Drive, Photos, Calendar, and third-party accounts linked to Google logins. Users are advised to delete any suspicious emails and avoid clicking on links or sharing personal information. An actor died after he was restrained and suffocated during an 'extreme' sex session with his Grindr date. Michael Barron, 38, who was a star of British soap opera Hollyoaks, went to Josh Baxter's home in north Manchester, England, in January 2025 after the pair exchanged explicit messages online. During the encounter, Baxter strangled Michael with such force that he fractured a bone and cartilage in his neck. Grindr death: Michael Barron was repeatedly choked during an 'extreme' sex session Baxter also restrained Michael face-down on his bed with a rope and lay on top of him for a 'prolonged period', causing him to suffocate. A lack of oxygen to Michael's brain caused him to suffer a cardiac arrest and he sadly died. Instead of immediately calling for an ambulance, Baxter started searching online about his chances of going to jail and left his apartment to collect a takeout. He was convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm and intentional suffocation and jailed for four years. He was acquitted of manslaughter. Baxter had previously denied all charges against him. Jailed: Josh Baxter, 28, was convicted of grievous bodily harm and intentional suffocation When Barron arrived at Baxter's home at 4.27pm on January 26 last year, they chatted about 'general things' including their favorite films. The conversation soon turned to sex and what their 'limits' were. Baxter claimed Barron said he did not want a 'safe word'. During the evening, both men tried to source some ketamine, then later went to a shop to buy more alcohol. The last use of Barron's phone was at 5.45pm when there was a short call to a drug dealer, it was heard. Between 7-7.56pm, Baxter also stopped using his phone. Prosecutors said it can be reasonably inferred' that during that time they had sex. Anne Whyte KC, prosecuting, said: 'He was choked at some stage, it would appear as though he was restrained by his wrists and ankles, face down throughout the sexual activity. 'We know from the police search at the scene that the sex involved the use of a makeshift mask on Barron.' At 7.56pm, Baxter messaged other Grindr users as Barron remained restrained, lying on the bed. Baxter said he noticed Barron's face was purple, but that he could hear snoring, so he believed that Barron was not 'in trouble medically'. At around 9pm, Baxter ordered two chicken burgers, fries and onion rings. After he collected the food from downstairs, Baxter said Barron's face had turned 'deep purple' and that he could no longer hear any snoring. In the early hours of January 27, he Googled 'is it illegal to f*** someone in their sleep even in you have their concent [sic]'; and 'if you accidentally kill someone by strangling them during sex do you go to prison'. He also carried out online searches, including 'purple face while sleeping', 'how to tell if someone is alive' and 'how to tell if someone is breathing'. He called emergency services and was instructed to perform CPR on Barron. Whyte KC told the trial Baxter had 'quite specific sexual interests', which he told Barron about in a message on Grindr after they connected. Baxter said he liked it 'rough' and asked if Barron would let him 'choke him, tie him up, pull his hair, spit on him, call him names, get him so drunk he was weak and defenseless and punch him'. He also asked if Barron would 'do rape role play.' Whyte said: 'In other words, Josh Baxter was sexually motivated by high-risk sexual activity.' In the messages, Baxter and Barron discussed what they liked and disliked sexually, with Barron stating that he liked to be 'tied, gagged, hooded, totally helpless' and that he liked 'pain and torture'. Whyte said: 'We can see Mr Baxter telling Mr Barron that when he got to Mr Baxter's flat, Mr Barron would start drinking vodka until he was so drunk he could barely walk. 'Mr Baxter said he would then strip him and start raping and abusing him. Mr Barron consented to that and said Mr Baxter could force feed him vodka as well.' Prosecutors said while Barron was consenting to certain acts, it was 'no defense' if Baxter foresaw the risk that what he was going to do would affect Barron's breathing and that he might suffer serious harm as a result. 'We suggest he foresaw the risk, and unreasonably took it precisely because the risks and control involved were part of the very specific sexual activity that he wanted to engage in,' Whyte KC said. In her closing speech, Louise Sweet KC, Baxter's barrister, said: 'He [Mr Baxter] says if there is any possibility that he contributed to Mr Barron's death, it was not intended by him, and never did he imagine in a million years that he would come to harm, and therefore it was not reckless.' Baxter claimed the chats were 'fantasy' and that he never intended to hurt Barron. Asked about choking, he added: 'I never saw it as a dangerous activity.' He maintained the injury had been inflicted accidentally. Speaking of the online searches carried out by Baxter, Sweet said he was in a situation of 'real trauma'. 'There is no normal reaction, only shock, disbelief, anxiety, numbness, fear,' she added. 'He was scared about what people would think of what he and Mr Barron had been doing.' During sentencing at Minshull Crown Court, Judge Tina Landale said Baxter had arranged to meet Baxter 'in order to have an extreme sexual encounter'. The judge said she believed the defendant was 'well aware of the dangers of choking' and 'decided to ignore' warnings he had received about the practice. Baxter had 'encouraged' his victim to become 'extremely drunk'. She also noted Baxter had admitted to a probation officer he had 'repeatedly' choked Barron while he was tied face down with rope. Judge Landale added that even though the encounter had been consensual, the government had ruled such activity was 'inherently dangerous' and that the 'public must be protected from serious injury or unreasonable risk'. She 'rejected' the defendant's claim that he was remorseful. Judge Landale said: 'During your evidence, you demonstrated no insight into your behavior or accepted responsibility whatsoever.' She added that the defendant had shown a 'poor understanding of consent and a limited insight into the risk of harm'. Barron's family said in a statement: The tragic loss of Michael has devastated our family and left behind a space that can never be filled. 'Michael had such a big personality and an infectious energy. He was kind, genuine, unique, charismatic and utterly full of life, love and ambition. He was a natural born storyteller and could captivate the attention of everyone in a room within minutes using his wit and humour alone. 'Michael was deeply important to so many people, he was a wonderful son, brother and uncle. Above all, he was a great friend with a unique ability to make people feel seen and special and would gladly go out of his way to lift someones spirits if they were feeling down. 'Since Michael's death we have had countless messages from friends he made throughout his life, all echoing the same sentiment. He gave people confidence, strength and pride in who they were. He taught others to stand tall, embrace life fully and live with joy and openness. 'As Michael's family, we could not be prouder of the man he was. We are so grateful for the years we shared with him and the many happy memories we will carry with us and cherish for the rest of our lives. 'Now that the trial has concluded, we can finally begin to try and move forward and start to process our grief, we are deeply touched and grateful for the love, support and kindness that we have received.' Keira Knightley looked stunning as she attended a dinner in London to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the luxury fashion brand Erdem. The actress, 40, looked phenomenal in a nude floral-embroidered gown, posing up a storm for cameras at the event hosted by founder Erdem Moralioglu and Ruth Rogers. The chic gown featured a high frilly lace neckline, a sleeveless design, a fitted bodice, and intricate green floral embroidery. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Nude delight: Keira Knightley wore a gorgeous nude floral-embroidered gown as she attended a dinner in London to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the luxury fashion brand Erdem Keira completed the look with shiny gold shoes and a mini white purse with a gold-toned handle. She appeared in great spirits as she was joined by Erdem Moralioglu, Rashida Jones, and Ruth Rogers for a sweet snap during the dinner. The actress's appearance at the event comes after she and her co-star Ben Whishaw, 45, appeared emotional in a first look at what's to come in the highly-anticipated second series of Netflix spy thriller Black Doves. The cast were seen on set in London's Trafalgar Square earlier this month as they shot a scene that saw them both in a heartfelt embrace. Keira and Ben were seen looking tense during the scenes, which saw them standing beside the iconic landmark. They were out filming in the rainy capital, with Keira wrapping up in a long trench coat for the scene. Simple touches: The actress added gold shoes and a white purse to her look The first season of Black Doves became one of Netflixs most talked-about UK shows - praised for its sleek visuals, twisty espionage plot, and stand-out performances from its leading stars. Keira is set to reprise her role as Helen Webb, a Conservative politicians wife who leads a double life as a secret agent, in the second series. Ben will be back as Sam Young, a skilled assassin, friend and former trainee of Webb, who returned to London to help investigate the murder of her lover Jason Davies. Following the murder, the duo battles to protect Helen after she learns her identity as a 'Black Dove' in danger after Jason is mysteriously killed. Party leader: Keira posed with founder the founder of the brand, Erdem Moralioglu A second series was confirmed to be in the works in December 2024 when a clip of Keira and Ben celebrating the release of its successful first season was released. The official X account for Netflix posted a 30-second clip of Keira as her character Helen and Ben's Sam Young together at a bar. In the clip, Keira approached Ben and whispered 'Merry Christmas' in his ear, to which he replied 'Hello darling' as the two shared a hug. Fun times: She appeared in great spirits as she joined Erdem, Rashida Jones and Ruth Rogers for a sweet snap during the dinner Breaking the fourth wall, Keira raised her champagne glass and said towards the camera: 'Here's to Black Doves season one,' to which Ben replied: 'Don't forget season two, darling.' The pair then retrieved two golden bullets from little red envelopes and simultaneously dropped them in their champagne glasses before the title screen appeared, and the clip ended. Its debut series, which first hit screens in 2024, was given a perfect 100 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes from fans just one day after its launch. On screen: Keira is set to reprise her role as Helen Webb, a Conservative politicians wife who leads a double-life as a secret agent, in the second season of Black Doves Set in London in December, the thriller follows Keira's character Helen as an agent passing on secrets she's managed to uncover from her politician husband (Andrew Buchan) to the Black Doves organisation. The series was so popular that it even made it to Kensington Palace. Whilst handing out Christmas presents to children and families at a party for 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment in Wiltshire, Prince William revealed he and Princess Catherine have been sitting down to watch Black Doves. There is no release date for Black Doves season two just yet, with filming still taking place across London. A Chinese company has piled up $26million in cash for its end-of-year party, allowing employees to go home with as much as they can carry. The firm, Henan Kuangshan Crane, held its annual party on February 13 and placed the vast sum of cash on 800 banquet tables. Under bright, colored lights, suited employees were seen gleefully eyeing the piles of notes on the tables. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Generous: A Chinese company piled up $26million in cash for its end-of-year party, allowing employees to go home with as much as they can carry An estimated 7,000 people attended the company's celebration, and one managed to carry home $13,000, according to the Korean newspaper Chosun Daily. During the company's gala, the firm's boss, Cui Peijun, reportedly said: 'Why are we giving out washing machines? Do you think gold prices have gone up? 'In previous years, we gave necklaces and rings, bring up the cash and give everyone another $2,800.' He said of the unusual method of handing out bonuses: 'Some people ask why we dont just transfer the money to their accounts, but that way, its just cold numbers.' Popular: An estimated 7,000 people attended the company's lavish celebration Boss: Cui Peijun, said: 'Some people ask why we dont just transfer the money to their accounts, but that way, its just cold numbers' Cui holds 98.88 per cent of the companys shares, effectively returning a major portion of his dividends to employees. The company, which makes and hires out cranes, was set up in 2002 and has business operations in over 130 countries. It has a history of generosity towards its employees. In 2024, the company recorded a net profit of $38million, of which around $24million was given to staff. In 2023, it gave $8.5million to its 40 highest-performing workers, with the three best salespeople each earning $730,000. To celebrate International Women's Day last March, it awarded bonuses totaling nearly $230,000 to nearly 2,000 female employees. Peijun has previously spoken out about his motivation for giving out so much money to his staff: 'It is not that I love giving out money, it is that young people are burdened with car loans and mortgages and any relief we can offer helps.' In 2022, he gave away $4.7million to over 4,000 university students from low-income backgrounds. Piles: Workers were seen counting out huge sums of money given to them by the crane company According to the South China Morning Post, Peijun himself was forced to cut his own education short as his family could not afford the fees. He said of his act of charity: 'Poverty should not be passed down to the next generation. They shouldnt be stopped from attending school because of poor living conditions.' The blueprints for a strange invention that allegedly uses TVs and computers to control the human mind have been discovered. The U.S. patent, entitled Nervous System Manipulation by Electromagnetic Fields from Monitors, described a technique for influencing a person's body and mind using invisible electromagnetic (EM) fields from screens like computer monitors or old-style TV tubes called CRT monitors, which were common in the early 2000s. The document details how very weak electromagnetic fields pulsing at certain slow frequencies can produce measurable physiological effects in humans. These pulses can stimulate the skin in a way that interacts with the bodys sensory systems. Ominous blueprints: The patent could be tuned to affect viewers only a few feet away Some computer monitors and older TV tubes naturally emit pulsed electromagnetic fields when displaying flickering or pulsing images. In theory, this means it might be possible to influence a persons nervous system by controlling the pulses coming from a nearby screen. The patent described embedding the pulsing in the video content itself or adding it to the signal, either as a subtle overlay or through a simple computer program. In certain conditions, even pulses too faint for the human eye to notice, known as subliminal pulses, could generate these effects. Originally filed in 2001, the patent has resurfaced on social media and has been viewed over 200,000 times since Monday. Terrifying: The patent describes how old-style TVs could be used to manipulate the human brain However, that patent expired in 2021, meaning it is now in the public domain. Anyone can freely use, copy, build, or improve on the technology without infringing the patent or paying royalties. Its discovery online has already caused many conspiracy theorists to claim that unknown parties have been using screens to monitor and manipulate viewers since the television was originally invented. 'It's no longer a conspiracy theory... Your television is a brainwashing tool used to manipulate you,' one person who discovered the patent claimed on Instagram. The patent's creator, Hendricus G Loos, a physicist based in California who also worked for NASA in the 1970s and 80s, even claimed that the signals could control human autonomic functions, such as heart rate or digestion. The invention officially received a patent number from the U.S. Patent And Trademark Office (USPTO) in 2003, being classified under 'magnetotherapy,' which includes devices using magnetic fields for health or physiological effects. Eerie: These invisible signals could be carrying in broadcasts on televisions, computer screens, and other portable digital devices Researchers for PQAI, a nonprofit that builds AI tools to help the public search and understand patents, recently reviewed Loos's invention and noted that modern LED screens emit much weaker fields, so it might not work as well today without modifications, which anyone is now free to make. Originally, the manipulation focused on old-style monitors that naturally give off EM fields when they display images. These fields were created by the way the screen refreshes or changes brightness. Loos found that the key was to make the image on the screen pulse or flicker very slightly at low frequencies between 0.1 and 15 Hertz (Hz) - an internationally used measurement of frequency. This could have been done with simple software on a computer using programs that adjust brightness rhythmically. Loos noted that you could also modify TV signals directly by embedding pulses in video streams or radio broadcasts. The patent described how this process would immediately impact the skin of anyone within a few feet of the screens and the pulsating EM fields. Dubious: Patent researchers have claimed that this type of signal would be less effective on newer LED screens, as they generate a weaker electromagnetic field These manipulating signals could induce tiny electric currents that tweak how human nerves fire signals. When more of the viewer's skin is exposed to the field, it builds up to excite those sensory vibrations, influencing the brain and nervous system without the target even knowing what is going on. The pulses can be so faint that they can be considered invisible, with Loos thinking the method would work through hidden changes in videos or programs. Diagrams filed along with the blueprints revealed how these hidden signals could be transmitted into the brains of people through TVs, portable digital devices, and even through the internet. 'You cannot flood a developing nervous system with artificial frequencies and expect zero biological effect. This isnt about fear. Its about physics,' another person claimed. Loos, who died in 2017, according to the Orange County Register, filed several similar patents related to EM fields and nervous system effects starting in the 1990s. Meanwhile, his work for NASA decades earlier focused heavily on cloud physics. Loos was named in multiple reports in NASA's planning for the Atmospheric Cloud Physics Laboratory (ACPL), an experimental facility created for low-gravity cloud studies, likely for space shuttle and microgravity research. Declassified CIA documents have previously revealed the government's attempts at perfecting mind control, often through the use of brain-altering drugs in the 1970s. However, Congressman Tim Burchett of Tennessee recently claimed that mind control programs were still in use today. In November, he claimed, without evidence, that failed presidential assassin Thomas Crooks was psychologically manipulated online using techniques reminiscent of MKUltra, the notorious Cold War-era CIA mind control program. Solo travellers have been praised for sharing 'quality' advice after revealing why they opt for double occupancy bookings even when staying in hotels alone. One avid traveller has encouraged lone guests to select the 'two-person' option mainly for one very lucrative reason - to unlock a range of perks. According to the traveller, who shared her insight on a Reddit thread, booking rooms this way means single guests can enjoy twice as many benefits, such as double the amount of welcome drink vouchers and extra breakfast options. In their post, the solitary adventurer said: 'I book hotel rooms for 2 people, even when I'm alone. In a lot of Accor properties this gives a bit more flexibility.' Beyond scoring extra refreshments and other perks, the savvy traveller noted that booking for two simplifies hosting non-guests in areas typically restricted to paying customers. It removed the 'awkwardness', they say, of inviting someone from outside the hotel to join you in the lounge or your room, effectively bypassing strict 'single occupant' visitor policies that are often enforced at major hotel chains. However, they warned: 'Doesn't work everywhere, but I've found it useful. Just double check the rate first: some hotels price differently for 2 guests.' The traveller's tip was hailed as 'quality' by one Redditor, while another wrote: 'Interesting. Good reminder to always check the fine print.' Solo travellers have shared their top tip for securing extra welcome drinks and added breakfast options when staying in hotels as a single guest - booking a room for two Many solo travellers chimed in with their own experiences, highlighting various benefits they have enjoyed as a single guest. One person, who had previously booked a hotel room for two in Tulum, Mexico, shared: 'It was just me. At breakfast I said to the waiter I wish I could choose two items because everything looked so good and he asked me which room I was in. 'I told him and he said: "That's a 2 person room so you're paying for two breakfasts so order two items." I did that every day I was there and gave him a big tip when I left!!' A parent added: 'I also upgrade my kid to an adult when we travel alone for the same reason.' One former student, who had paid $130 (96) per night for a single occupancy queen room in the US, explained how they managed to upgrade the room to double occupancy at an extra cost of just $5 (3.70) per night - and enjoyed a range of extra perks in return. The savvy university student invited a friend from around town to accompany them for dinner and breakfast at the hotel buffet, which they said charged $18 (13.30) for outside diners. They added: 'Learned the 2 person lesson and never forgot it. The hotel buffet was a really sumptuous one too, with an egg station... Every kid from my town who I knew got a breakfast date or evening canapes and drinks.' However, other people questioned the so-called hack, as one wrote: 'Make sure you check that there isn't a price difference between booking for 1 or 2 people. In some countries it's pretty common to be charged less for the same room if you're solo.' Agreeing, a traveller said: 'I always book for 2 when I travel solo. I usually have more space for myself. But in Japan, the room is charged by person - not per room (in most of places).' Nonetheless, the advice appears to have been well-received by Redditors in the thread, as one wrote: 'This is good advice. 'I could have taken my friend to the lounge for free when I visited if I had set my room for double occupancy, but I didn't.' A woman from South Wales discovered a clever tactic to avoid an airport baggage fee - and it cost her just 2.29. Sick of extortionate costs for taking luggage on board, Laura Poole decided to take alternative measures. She wrote on Facebook: 'Im flying Bristol to Glasgow on Sunday. My flight cost 25 cabin baggage fees 30. Thats more than my flight!!! 'Can I afford baggage fees? Absolutely. Will I pay them? No! (On principle). 'Packed up my gym bag with 60 per cent of the clothes Im taking, shoved it in a Lidl bag then dropped it off at an Inpost locker to be posted up to Dundee and will arrive at the Tesco Express near my hotel the day I arrive - 2.29! 'And I have one less bag to carry. I did this the end of last year too. Its so good! 'Im quietly protesting baggage fees.' Pesky baggage fees are a massive bugbear among travellers in the UK Her parcel reportedly arrived safely and on time, according to Wales Online. Viewers were impressed by Laura's tactic, and took to the comments section to share their thoughts. One wrote: 'My daughter is at Glasgow University, we live in Croydon. She flies or if she sees a cheap train ticket goes by train to use the time to study. She posts what she is bringing down, and posts it back. 'She's been doing this for two years. Nothing has gone missing and it has saved a fortune. It is usually the equivalent of two suitcases! Costs less than 30.' Another added: 'I love this - I have packing down to a fine art (stuffed pockets, stuffed neck cushion, a really nifty under seat bag and a duty free bag). But I'll certainly remember this.' A third chimed in: 'Brilliant, the additional charges they apply for taking a bag on is ridiculous.' A fourth commented: 'This is genius! Im flying to Edinburgh and I hate sleeping without my own pillow. Ill be posting myself some clothes that I can miss for a few days!' There are plenty of other ways to save costs on baggage fees. One sneaky traveller managed to successfully avoid paying Ryanair's baggage fees by creating a fake pregnancy bump. Grace Hale shoved two jackets and a bag full of makeup inside her top after realising they wouldn't fit in her carry-on baggage. Another traveller shared an ingenious trick to save costs - by stuffing an empty neck pillow with items that would otherwise force her to pay for additional baggage. Japan greets hordes of tourists each year, with hordes heading to major attractions and landmarks across the country. A whopping 41million holidaymakers are expected to flock to the country this year alone. From impressive cities to ancient temples, the popular Asian destination has plenty to offer - but what is worth visiting and seeing for yourself? The top tourist attractions in Japan have been revealed by travel experts at Iglu Cruise, who analysed data from TripAdvisor on 60 of the most popular spots. Located in Kyoto, the Samurai Ninja Museum could be worth adding to your Japan itinerary, as it came out as the highest-rated overall. An impressive 81 per cent of its 1,898 reviews on the site were five-star and the museum delves into Japan's rich history, with a particular focus on samurai culture. Artefacts on display in the Samurai Ninja Museum in Kyoto, which ranked as the top attraction overall Visitors can gaze at samurai armour on display, including authentic Edo-period Katana and Wakizashi swords. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum followed in second place, with 71 per cent of its reviews being five-star. The site educates visitors about the atomic bomb in Hiroshima that occurred back in 1945 and features personal artefacts as well as survivor testimonies. Aside from museums, Japan has plenty of other cultural and historic places to check out, including the Eikando Zenrinji Temple. Ranking third, the site is a 1,200-year-old Buddhist temple that was originally founded back in 853AD. The Todai-ji was named as one of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara by UNESCO. Meanwhile, Mount Fuji - Japan's highest peak at 3,776 metres tall - placed fifth and is a popular place for hikers to explore. Some 200,000 climb the peak every year and it was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. TeamLab Planets TOKYO, a museum in the capital, followed and Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine ranked seventh. Aside from museums, Japan has plenty of other cultural and historic places to check out, including the Eikando Zenrinji Temple (pictured) The Hakone Open-Air Museum placed eighth, and the Sanjusangendo Temple and Himeji Castle rounded off the top 10. Dave Mills, chief commercial officer from Iglu Cruise, said: 'Demand for Japan is growing, with tourists looking to visit this beautiful country that has plenty to offer. 'A country known for its warm hospitality, delicious food, efficient transport, incredible landscapes and rich history, it's no wonder so many people from all over the world are visiting Japan. 'Social media has also played a part, with Gen Z and younger audiences seeking safe, aesthetic, and unique travel experiences.' An abandoned theme park in the US is said to be one of the world's 'most haunted places', with a violent history and reports of paranormal activity on site. Lake Shawnee Amusement Park in West Virginia was originally home to a farm - until some of the farmer's children were mysteriously killed, leading to a bloody feud between the family and the tribe held responsible for their deaths. The eerie site was purchased in 1926 and converted into a theme park with rides, swings, a water slide, dance hall and swimming hole put in place. It operated for two decades - until the spooky history continued with a further string of children's deaths, including a boy who allegedly drowned in the pond and a three-year-old girl who lost her life on the swings. After closing in 1966, the park was abandoned for 20 more years until developers thought it would make a great residential neighbourhood. That is, until they discovered the site was built on top of an ancient burial ground - and most of the skeletons were of children. Since then, the park has drawn in ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts from the US and around the world. The entrance to Lake Shawnee, the abandoned amusement park in West Virginia that has a macabre history Creepy, ancient swings - that reportedly move on their own - can be found in the park The list of strange and unsettling observations at the theme park is terrifying - from voices to footsteps and even swings moving of their own accord, WTRF reports. Visit Mercer County says: 'Known as one of the worlds most haunted places, Lake Shawnee Abandoned Amusement Park is a place where mystery hangs in the air. 'Stories passed down by word of mouth recall a frontier-era tragedy, an ancient burial ground and an eerie amusement park left behind. The site draws historians and curious minds alike, all wondering what truths lie within the folklore.' YouTube channel Abandoned World Explorer shared a video of visitors exploring the park, kitted out with paranormal detection gear to see what they could observe. Initially, with blue skies and sun shining, the site looks pretty - until old dolls, abandoned teddy bears and chain swings indicate that nothing here is as meets the eye. Things get truly freaky, though, when the sun sets. The first hurdle? Gaining entry. In order to get in, the visitors ask: 'Are we welcome here? Can we stay the night?' A flashing light and a beep indicate in the affirmative, and the team are permitted entry. Cynics might surmise there is someone operating the gates but others say they open without human intervention. The caption explains the visit: 'Lake Shawnee isnt just an abandoned theme park its a graveyard of tragedies long before the rides even rusted. 'Long before the swings creaked in the wind, this land was home to violent conflict between early settlers and Indigenous tribes. 'In the 1700s, a bloody clash unfolded right here - several children were killed, and one boy was kidnapped and never seen again. Locals say the ground never healed from that day. Lake Nightmare is a horror attraction at Lake Shawnee, which attracts ghoul seekers from far and wide 'Fast-forward to the 1920s: a small amusement park was built on this very soil. Instead of bringing joy, it brought more death. 'A little girl died on the swings a young boy drowned in the lake and accidents kept happening until the park finally shut its gates in the 1960s. 'Since then, Lake Shawnee has become one of Americas most haunted abandoned places. People report shadows walking between the trees, swings that move on their own, and whispers across the water long after midnight. Some say the land never wanted to be touched again - and it shows.' The ghost hunters take a walk through the park. They hear voices and the music of ice cream vans, and see gravestones, abandoned buildings and dolls strewn around the site. Other visitors have reported similar experiences at the site, dubbed one of America's 'eeriest'. Reviews highlight the fascinating history of the ancient burial grounds, as well as the remnants of the park - a slide, swings, Ferris wheel. One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: 'Definite creepy aura especially near the swings, Ferris wheel and inside the bus. The dogs got very cautious with their fur up going inside the bus.' Another said: 'We've had some unbelievable experiences, to include catching a full body apparition on camera, who we believe is the young boy who was scalped. 'It seemed to follow us around, even touching the shoulder of my stepson. In fact, his phone captured, on its own mind you, an orb that was flying and some really weird growls to go along with it. 'You may not have anything happen to you, but we've found that it usually happens when you're not expecting it, and mostly late at night.' Tourists visiting Barcelona could face nightly fees of up to 15 (13) following a significant increase in the local tourist tax, making it one of the highest in Europe. The Catalan city, ranked Spain's top tourist destination in 2025, has doubled its tourism tax as part of its efforts to curb overtourism and finance affordable housing for locals. Despite increasingly vocal protests from residents regarding overcrowding, the city drew roughly 16 million tourists last year, contributing to a record-setting year for Spain, which welcomed a total of 96.8 million foreign visitors. Barcelona residents say they're being priced out of their own communities due to the increase in short-term holiday lets for tourists. However, under new regulations, set to come into force in April, the regional parliament of Catalonia has doubled the tax for holiday rental guests to a maximum of 12.5 (10.91) per night, up from 6.25 (5.45). The rise comes ahead of a previously announced plan to ban all shortterm rental accommodation by 2028. In an effort to curb overtourism, Barcelona has doubled its tourist tax from between 5 (4.36) and 7.50 (6.54) per night to as much as 15 (13) Hotel guests will soon be required to pay between 10 (8.73) and 15 (13) per night, up from 5 (4.36) and 7.50 (6.54), depending on the category, with the likelihood that guests will pay more at four and five-star hotels. The new fees mean a two-night stay for a couple booked into a four-star hotel - which make up nearly half of all hotels in the city - could cost an extra 46.60 (40), as solo guests can be charged up to 11.40 (9.95) per night. Meanwhile, guests staying at five-star hotels could face fees of up to 15 (13), while cruise passengers will continue to pay approximately 6 (5.23). A quarter of the funds raised through increased tourist tax will be used to deal with Barcelona's housing crisis, as reported by Reuters. A two-night stay at a four-star hotel in Barcelona could cost couples an extra 46.60 (40) when the rise comes in Irene Verrazzo, a 33yearold nurse from Italy, told the publication that she would most likely not return to the city following the latest hike to nightly fees. She said: 'I dont think this added expense is fair. They already make money from tourists spending in shops, visiting their monuments, etc.' However, 21yearold student and local resident Ivan Liu believes the hike seems plausible, but added it's unlikely to solve the housing crisis. Hotel owners have also expressed concern over the tax raise, which some say could drive away a significant number of tourists in the future. Before the hike, Amsterdam held the highest daily rate for tourists in Europe, who are charged an average nightly cost of approximately 18.45. Manel Casals, general director of Barcelona's hoteliers' group, further warned: 'One day they will kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.' A Mediterranean coastline popular with UK package holiday tourists is increasingly blighted by plastic waste - with visitors forced to side-step bottles and carrier bags if they want to enjoy the sands. A British holidaymaker staying close to the North Tunisian coastal resort of Hammamet, which sits on the southern edge of the country's Cap Bon peninsula, shared the shocking photos with the Daily Mail after visiting last week. The images, taken at Yasmine Hammamet beach, show hundreds of pieces of plastic waste on the golden sands that woo thousands of tourists to them every year - and look spotless in promotional photos. Thanks to its short flight time, year-round warm weather and low prices - an all-inclusive five-star hotel can cost from around 50 per person per night in low season, the North African country is an increasingly popular winter sun getaway for Brits. However, many tourists with breaks planned to Tunisia's Mediterranean coast in the coming weeks are likely to be horrified at the sight of the litter-laden beaches that are likely to greet them. Plastic bottles strewn across Yasmine Hammamet beach in northern Tunisia; the images were taken by a British tourist visiting the North African country last week 'Embedded': The holidaymaker said it was sad to see so much plastic waste on the beaches One image shows a wide expanse of fine sand with empty large plastic drinks bottles at half-metre intervals, while other photos depict seaweed washed up to shore latticed with single-use plastic - including discarded carrier bags. The tourist who took the images, who doesn't wish to be named, said he was disheartened to see the spectacular natural coastline tarnished by piles of litter, adding that while much of the plastic was washed up, there was plenty that also appeared to have simply been dropped on the beach. The beach is semi-private, he explained, and shared between several hotels in the Yasmine Hammamet area. He told the Daily Mail: 'The rubbish was there all the time, embedded into the sand, even when the tide was out. 'As it was off season, the beach was quiet... but it wouldn't be pleasant to sit amongst that much litter.' Brought in with the tide - but some also discarded by beachgoers, images of the plastic waste at Yasmine Hammamet beach How the coast looks in the brochures...but the reality meant it was difficult to walk on the sand without side-stepping litter The tourist said the beaches closer to the historic fort town of Hammamet were significantly cleaner. The town is one of Tunisia's key sunshine destinations, thanks to its 15th century medina and thermal springs. He said: 'There were other beaches nearby that were lovely, especially up the coast at Hammamet itself.' The north African country has seen tourism from the UK rise significantly in recent years, with visitor numbers up 37 per cent last year on 2024 figures. The Tunisian National Tourist Office in the UK said earlier this month that the destination had reached a 'historic milestone' after breaking the previous 2014 record for the highest number of UK visitors in a year. Last year, 450,000 UK tourists flew in, up 25,000 on the previous highest figure in 2014 of 425,000. While such coastal litter levels might not be quite so visible on UK beaches, plastic waste is still a significant problem. This week it was revealed that more than 40 marine animals had to be rescued in 2025 from the waters along the Yorkshire coastline after becoming entangled in plastic objects in the sea or on the shoreline. Speaking to the BBC this week, Chris Cook, of British Divers Marine Life Rescue, urged visitors to leave nothing but footsteps on the nation's beaches. He said: 'Unfortunately, if they are entangled, there's a very high risk the animal will not survive. 'There's everything from plastic, to rope, to flying rings, that holidaymakers bring to the coast. For our marine life they're an absolute nightmare. 'If you take it to the beach, make sure it goes home with you. If you see something on the beach, pick it up and put it in the bin. It's just taking that bit of responsibility.' A tour guide has been arrested after being caught on camera defacing a 4,000-year-old pyramid with chalk, causing outrage. The Egyptian guide had made a series of drawings on a block on pyramids at the ancient site of Saqqara, near Cairo. Footage shows the guide being confronted moments after scribbling on the monument. The video was shared online on February 22nd, gaining a whopping 492,000 views and 2,700 likes. The video caption reads: 'Today at Saqqara, near the Pyramid of Unas, I came across a man a tour guide for Russian tourists drawing on the pyramid with chalk. 'When I politely told him that what he was doing was wrong, he asked me, "Are you serious?" Honestly, I didn't know how to respond.' The Egyptian Ministry of Interior launched an investigation after the chalk-wielding guide was referred to authorities. A tour guide has fallen foul of strict Egyptian heritage laws after drawing on a pyramid with chalk while taking tourists around the pyramids at Saqqara, close to Cairo He was promptly arrested and confessed during questioning to making the marks - and has since been temporarily suspended from work. His chalk illustrations were removed by the Saqqara Antiquities Department, as reported by NeedToKnow. The guide apologised, saying it was his first day back at work in four years and that overexcitement led him to make an 'unforgivable mistake'. He lives in the Boulaq Al Dakrour area and is now facing legal proceedings. Local media report he could face a year or more in prison, plus a fine of up to 500,000 EGP (7,698), if convicted of damaging an antiquity. The unnamed guide (pictured left) has since apologised for the chalk illustrations that caused the ensuing outrage (pictured right) Archaeology experts warned that chemicals in chalk can react with limestone and granite, potentially causing surface erosion. The Tour Guides' Syndicate stressed that its members take great care in preserving monuments and described the incident as an isolated mistake. One viewer, Ismail, said: 'What he's doing is 100 per cent wrong, but for clarification, that rock is not ancient 'I've been many times. It's cement/plaster. Most ancient Egyptian monuments have renovated bases to preserve the structure.' Others were far more shocked at his behaviour. One commented on the post: 'Thankfully he stopped because of you. God knows what trouble he caused before.' An avid Canadian traveller who has visited nearly 100 countries has declared a European city as the world's best, highlighting its rich history, bustling markets and cheap flights from the UK. Gabriel Morris, a content creator and author with more than 600K followers on his YouTube channel, @GabrielTravelerVideos, has been exploring the world for over three decades, and has set foot in 98 countries across six continents. However, the globetrotter insists that one overlooked city in Poland will always be his favourite. Despite Krakow and Warsaw have long held the spotlight but Gdansk is rapidly increasing in popularity, drawing 4.5 million visitors in 2024. The northern port city is the country's sixth largest, boasting a population of nearly 500,000 people, and is famed for being the site where the first shots of World War II were fired in 1939. However, beyond its deep-rooted history and maritime heritage, Gdansk is home to colourful architecture, vibrant markets, a picturesque waterfront and one of the largest brick churches in the world: St. Mary's Basilica. Canadian YouTuber and author Gabriel Morris has named the northern Polish city of Gdansk as the world's best, praising its 'pretty' architecture and bustling markets Pictured: The Town Hall and St. Mary's Basilica in the historical old city of Gdansk in Poland, Europe In a recent YouTube video, Gabriel shared his reaction to visiting the Polish city for the first time - and he was thoroughly impressed. He said: 'I'm really glad I decided to make the trip up to Gdansk. Gdansk is mind-blowing. This is one of the most amazing cities I've been to, absolutely. 'Hopefully you're getting the idea that this is a truly remarkable city with so much history. There is so much of the city to see. I had no idea Gdansk was going to be this phenomenal.' The globetrotter added that the coastal city is 'one of the most incredible' in Europe thanks to its architecture and unique qualities, and gushed over various areas that he 'barely dipped a toe into'. Having previously named Greece as his favourite overall destination, Gabriel said he believes the city would be even more impressive in warmer weather. During his winter visit, temperatures in the Baltic coastal city dropped to -1C, whereas summer temperatures typically reach a balmy 25C. Gdansk also hosts Europe's biggest Christmas market, The Craiova Christmas Market, every year He said: 'This grey overcast definitely doesn't result in the best conditions for filming and exploring. [But] this is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe without a doubt. Really nice scene here. There's a market that's really pretty.' Flights to Gdansk are surprisingly cheap, with fares from several UK airports costing less than 30 for one-way journeys that take about two hours from select hubs. Direct flights operate from UK airports including London Stansted, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds Bradford and Edinburgh. In March, the cheapest fares are 26 from Aberdeen Airport with budget airline Wizz Air. If you're willing to take on its freezing temperatures in winter, Gdansk happens to be the perfect place to visit during the festive season as it's home to Europe's biggest Christmas market. The Craiova Christmas Market is billed as the largest Christmas event in the continent by area, spanning over 280,000 square metres. Each year, the market - which runs from mid-November through to early January - transforms the city into a glowing winter wonderland, with millions of twinkling lights, dozens of rides and an endless variety of food stalls. A popular airport has sparked fierce backlash online after shaming tourists for their travel outfits. In November, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy ignited a debate after he urged passengers to stop wearing 'slippers and pajamas' on planes, claiming that if people start dressing 'with some respect' it could bring a 'return to civility.' Now, a major US travel hub has appeared to back his claims by posting a lengthy note on X on Thursday, saying it was time to 'ban' sleepwear from its terminals. Tampa international airport boldly wrote: 'It's time to ban pajamas at Tampa International Airport.' It said it was 'time to take on an even larger crisis' after 'successfully banning' the footwear Crocs and 'giving everyone the amazing opportunity to experience the world's first Crocs-free airport.' While no real ban seems to be in place on the popular shoes, the Florida-based airport jokingly posted back in September that after a 'unanimous' vote, Crocs had been barred from the property for ten years. 'Pajamas. At. The. Airport. In the middle of the day,' the post continued. 'We know this decision could be disruptive to someone in your life. 'It's time to have a difficult conversation with them. You can do this. We believe in you. The madness stops today. The movement starts now. Tampa international airport posted a lengthy note on X on Thursday, saying it was time to 'ban' pajamas and Crocs from its terminals It described people wearing pajamas 'in the middle of the day' as 'madness.' A traveler at a different airport in November 'Help Tampa International Airport become the world's first Crocs-free AND pajama-free airport. Do your part. Say no to pajamas at TPA.' While the airport's latest post seemed to be a joke, many people were unamused that it appeared to be judging people for wanting to dress comfortably when they travel. 'Wait, so I'm being told now how to dress at an airport? What are we talking about here folks?' wrote one outraged user. 'What is wrong with Crocs and pjs?' wondered another. 'Makes it much easier and quicker to move through the TSA.' 'I mean as a joke, this is kinda funny. But if it's real the government telling people what they can and can't wear while traveling can you say "overreach" anyone?' someone else penned. 'Right so what's next? Leggings? Crew necks and T-shirts? I'm sorry but if I'm gonna be 30,000 feet in the air for six to eight hours, I'm going to be comfortable not wearing business casual or business professional,' read a fourth post. A fifth said: 'Maybe people should worry about their own body/clothing/business etc. Jesus, just worry about your own self and maybe the world would run smoothly.' 'Genuinely what is the problem with people wanting to be comfortable in the airport? Y'all act like an airport is a business meeting,' scathed a different user. While the airport's latest post seemed to be a joke, many people were unamused that it appeared to be judging people for wanting to dress comfortably when they travel In November, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that if travelers start dressing 'with some respect,' it could bring a 'return to civility' 'People wear what's comfortable because they have to sit for over an hour and want to feel relaxed,' explained someone else. Others, however, agreed with the airline. 'YES! About time someone said it. It had to be said,' wrote one supporter. 'This is one of my pet peeves wearing pajamas in public,' announced another, while a third said: 'I applaud this movement! It's time to get back to having some self-respect and dignity.' 'No one over the age of five should be wearing pajamas in public. And don't get me started on Crocs,' read a different post. At a press conference in November, Duffy said that Americans can make air travel better by dressing up. 'I call this maybe "dressing with some respect." Whether it's a pair of jeans and a decent shirt, I would encourage people to maybe dress a little better, which encourages us to maybe behave a little better,' he said. 'Let's try not to wear slippers and pajamas as we come to the airport. I think that's positive.' In demand Claudia Winkleman has rearranged the filming for her new chat show as she juggles another major presenting job. The Strictly Come Dancing host has enjoyed a buzz around her in recent years, especially since The Traitors debut in 2022. Despite leaving fans shocked last year by announcing her departure from Strictly Come Dancing, she has since landed her very own celebrity chat show. However, it doesn't end there, with Claudia also signing up for this year's presenting team for Crufts with Channel 4. A TV insider said: 'Theres huge anticipation for The Claudia Winkleman Show, though the BBC are keeping all the details under wraps until the last moment. 'Theyve pulled out all the stops, including ensuring Claudia was able to juggle two huge roles in the same month.' Claudia Winkleman has rearranged the filming for her new chat show as she juggles another major presenting job They added to The Sun: 'Then, when she wraps on Crufts and her show, The Traitors team move to Scotland at the end of April to start preparations for the new series.' Daily Mail has contacted the BBC for comment. Set to air on BBC One on Friday nights, The Claudia Winkleman Show will launch in Spring 2026 and will see The Traitors legend interview some of 'the biggest names from the worlds of film, television, music and beyond' with a live audience. The set for the show will reportedly be modelled on the aesthetic of The Traitors castle in a bid to recreate a look which 'is now synonymous with Claudia'. Speaking about her new gig, Claudia said: 'I can't quite believe it and Im incredibly grateful to the BBC for this amazing opportunity. 'I'm obviously going to be awful, that goes without saying, but I'm over the moon theyre letting me try.' Earlier this month, it was revealed that Claudia is joining the Channel 4 presenting team for Crufts just months after giving up her glittering Strictly mic. The TV host - who, with Tess Daly, 56, quit co-hosting BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in December 2025 - is thrilled to bring the four days of action from the world's most famous dog show at Birmingham's NEC, to viewers. However, it doesn't end there, with the TV personality also signing up for this year's presenting team for Crufts with Channel 4 before heading back to Scotland for The Traitors Claudia - who will work alongside broadcaster Clare Balding, Paralympic champion swimmer Ellie Simmonds and TV presenter Radzi Chinyanganya - said: 'I absolutely love dogs and there is literally nowhere else on earth I'd rather be. 'I can't wait to join this incredible team, and I'm so grateful to Channel 4 for allowing me to be part of it. I have a pocket rammed with treats.' Clare - who has led Channel 4's coverage of Crufts since 2010 - took part in the first series of the BBC's The Celebrity Traitors in 2025. She said he cannot wait to be reunited with the star-studded game show's host, Claudia, from Thursday, March 5. Clare, 55, said: 'I'm really looking forward to working with Claudia, who is a fantastic addition to the team. 'She really loves dogs and will bring an additional element of fun, as well as an intelligent curiosity and, of course, style.' Channel 4 is delighted that Claudia has signed up to join the Crufts presenting team. Pete Andrews, Head of Sport at the broadcaster, said: 'Crufts holds a special place in the hearts of Channel 4 viewers. 'There is no other event like it, and it is such a thrill to be welcoming Claudia to our brilliant gang of presenters and adding to our celebration of all things dog.' Crufts - which sees pooches take part in breed judging, agility, flyball and Heelwork to Music action, as well as compete for the prestigious Best in Show title - will broadcast over 20 hours of live TV across Channel 4 and More4. Watch Crufts on Channel 4 and More4 from Thursday, March 5 to Sunday, March 8. A legendary Western film will be re-imagined SIX decades after it first hit screens in a new drama series, with Hollywood actor Matt Dillon leading the cast. Streaming service MGM+ confirmed that the There's Something About Mary star will step into the leading role of Chris Adams in the re-make of The Magnificent Seven. The cult movie, which was first released in October 1960, follows seven skilled fighters hired by desperate villagers to protect them from a local bandit gang. It was re-imagined for the first time by American network CBS in 1998 starring Ron Perlman, and again in a 2016 film starring Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt. Now Matt, 62, will take on the role of the leader of the gunfighters battling against a land baron who wants to seize the area for himself. Written and produced by Hereos creator Tim Kring, filming for the new series is set to take place in Calgary, Canada, during the summer. A legendary Western film will be re-imagined SIX decades after it first hit screens in a new drama series, with Hollywood actor Matt Dillon leading the cast Matt, 62, will take on the role of the leader of the gunfighters battling against a land baron who wants to seize the area for himself MGM+ teased of Matt's character: 'Stoic, steady under pressure, and with an unflinching gaze that does most of the talking for him, Chris has no patience for hypocrisy or cruelty and holds fast to a quiet moral code.' The streamer added: 'Set in the tumultuous 1880s American frontier, The Magnificent Seven follows seven gifted but flawed mercenaries hired to protect a peaceful Quaker village after it is massacred by mercenaries working for a ruthless land baron trying to seize their land. 'As the team embeds itself and prepares to defend against overwhelming odds, they grapple with a central question: is violence acceptable to defend people whose faith is based on non-violence? 'The series explores the backstories of each of the Seven, what's at stake for them, and why they choose this mission - delving into themes of honuor, sacrifice, redemption, morality, and faith.' MGM+'s global head, Michael Wright, added of the actor, who has been on screen for more than three decades: 'Matt Dillon brings extraordinary depth and gravitas to this iconic role. 'His ability to portray complex, morally conflicted characters makes him the perfect choice to lead our reimagining of The Magnificent Seven. 'This series honours the legacy of the original film while exploring timeless themes about courage, redemption, and standing up against oppression - and Matt's performance will be at the heart of that story.' The Magnificent Seven will be made available around the world, including the UK, United States, Spain, Germany and Italy. Streaming service MGM+ confirmed that the There's Something About Mary star will step into the leading role of Chris Adams in the re-make of The Magnificent Seven It comes after fans were left raving about an 'absolutely spectacular' Western show hailed as 'some of Steven Spielberg's best work'. Among the iconic director's, 79, notable films are Schnidler's List, Jaws, E.T. The Extra Terrestrial and The Color Purple. However, one of his television projects has proved to be a perfect weekend binge watch as viewers showered it with praise. Six-part series Into the West debuted on TNT in 2005 and premiered on BBC Two in the UK more than a year later. The premise followed the lives of a White family and a Native American family during the American expansion, while Spielberg produced the show. Cast members included Josh Brolin, Gary Busey, Glen Powell, Keri Russell, Rachael Leigh Cook and Sean Astin, to name a few. Writing on IMDB, one reviewer shared: '"Into The West" is, in my opinion, some of Steven Spielberg's finest work. Fans have been loving binge-worthy series Into The West - which was produced by Steven Spielberg 'Watching the series itself stirred up inside of me mixed emotions-- joy, sadness, anger, and so forth. 'Spielberg did a pretty darn good job in capturing how the West was shaped and more specifically the people who risked their lives in shaping it.' Another commented: '"Into the West" is an amazing story, that anyone who calls themselves an American should see. 'This mini-series shows a heart-felt perspective of American History that no high school text book could possibly explain. 'The way they tell these unprecedented events through generations of two families, and the joys and tragedies that they endure keeps you glued to the screen every second.' A third remarked: 'I have diligently watched this series since the beginning. I have re-watched all the episodes at least twice. 'Having some knowledge of Native American history, I have found that again Spielberg has done his homework on both sides of the journey west. 'I feel that he has portrayed both sides more than fair and hope that this movie will open the eyes of those who still believe in the stereo typed "Indian, Pioneer, and Mountain Man. Love Island: All Stars fans are convinced that one of the couples have already 'soft launched' their break up just days after leaving the ITV villa. The third series of the spin-off show wrapped up on Monday night and saw host Maya Jama announce Samie Elishi and Ciaran Davies are the winners. Love birds Millie Court and Zac Woodworth, Scott van-der-Sluis and Leanne Amaning, Lucinda Strafford and Sean Stone, and Whitney Adebayo and Yamen Sanders also made it to the final. Just days after the final, some viewers think that one couple who were together in the South African villa have gone their separate ways. Ronan Keating's son Jack and American bombshell Sher Suarez got together during their stint on the show. But a Snapchat post shared by Jack has got people wondering if they are still an item. Love Island: All Stars fans are convinced that one of the couples have already 'soft launched' their break up just days after leaving the ITV villa Ronan Keating's son Jack and American bombshell Sher Suarez got together during their stint on the show - and some are worried they aren't together anymore A fan asked Jack in a recent Q&A: 'Would you ever go to the villa again?' Jack appeared to throw shade at his relationship that grew in the villa as he replied: 'Done with dating shows, that ain't real.' This led fans to discuss what was going on between the pair on Reddit. One said: 'So I guess that he and Sher might have called it quits.' 'Oh Sher and him are not together looks like.' '"That ain't real" lol ok so u and Sher aren't together.' 'Them soft launching their breakup after the finale, of course.' Daily Mail have contacted Jack's rep for comment. Jack appeared to throw shade at his relationship that grew in the villa as he replied: 'Done with dating shows, that ain't real' Jack, who originally took part in the eighth series of Love Island back in 2022, coupled up with a number of girls this year. He was with Whitney at the start of the series, but also paired up with Belle Hassan and Jess Harding. The dad-of-one finally found love with US star Sher, who took part in Love Island USA series two, but they were soon dumped from the villa. Jack's comments come shortly after the pair appeared on the official Love Island podcast - appearing very loved-up. Talking about their new found love with Indiyah Polack and Georgia Harrison, Sher said: 'I think [we're] honestly, very, very similar and I know it might not come across that way but that's why we connected initially and I think especially being outside of the villa we've noticed that more. 'We have this, like, comfort and trust in each other. 'We just love to talk about the same things. It's just more comfortable outside [the villa]. I don't know, I just feel like it's different now.' Sher lives in Miami, while Jack is based in the UK, so some may have thought that it wouldn't work. Many took to Reddit to share how they think that Jack and Sher aren't together anymore However they had previously spoken about how they wanted to make sure that they could keep their romance alive. Talking about their future together, Sher said on the podcast: 'I think part of the reason when we were getting to know each other that it just made so much sense to us is that he visits the US so often, New York specifically, and it's only two hours away from me in Miami, so I can travel up to New York no issue. 'And then I also go to Europe every summer, so it feels like it makes sense. 'It doesn't feel like we're going to be apart too long. 'We definitely hope to make it work.' True crime fans have been left captivated by a twisting new documentary series on Netflix that left them 'hooked'. As suggested by its title, Accused: Did I Do It? follows the stories of people accused of serious crimes in the US across a 10-part series that first aired on A+E in 2025. Featuring first-person testimony from the alleged perpetrators, it takes audiences into the heart of the US justice system with further testimony from law enforcement officers and witnesses. The show's synopsis reads: 'Did they do it? This is the question we all want answered when it comes to a criminal accusation. Can we trust someone when they claim they are innocent? 'How do we tell a truth from a lie? This new format places this crucial and captivating question front and centre - as individuals who have been accused of serious crimes recount their experiences of the crime.' However, as viewer reviews have revealed, the real-life outcomes of the cases can sometimes come as a major shock. True crime fans have been left captivated by a twisting new documentary series on Netflix that left them 'hooked' - Accused: Did I Do It? As suggested by its title, Accused: Did I Do It? follows the stories of people accused of serious crimes in the US across a 10-part series Taking to social media to recommend the series, a viewer admitted: 'I was absolutely fuming watching the first episode. It got me boiling.' Another said that the show is inherently full of 'twists', with others admitting that its shocking nature ultimately had them 'hooked'. The show has had similar praise on IMDb, where it has been rated an impressive 7.5 out of 10. One IMDb viewer who said that they were 'hooked' after just three episodes praised: 'You meet the accused first as they are interviewed for the show. Then you hear the crime. 'The accused attorneys tell us their view of the evidence, showing photos and videos, and sometimes revisiting the scene. The episode ends with whether they are found guilty or innocent ' Another viewer, who said that they hope the show is renewed for a second season, added on IMDb: 'I have begun watching this more recently on the "Crime and Investigation" channel (I'm in the UK) and I have been hooked! 'I love how we meet the accused. We see the defence team and see why they went the route they went with their defence.' A third viewer said that while the show is gripping, it is heavily biased and this is something that viewers should keep in mind. The show has had similar praise on IMDb, where it has been rated an impressive 7.5 out of 10 Explaining why they believe the show is propaganda, the IMDb viewer explained: 'I binged seven episodes and was hooked. However, I was also somewhat aware I was being subjected to straight-up propaganda. 'The show is told 100% from the defensive position. And in most episodes you get manipulated and misleading information from the accused and their attorney. 'It's only when you see the prosecution evidence that the defence is dealing with that you realize you are quite often being spun and the "angel" on trial is anything but.' The show has also become a talking point on Reddit, where one user admitted that they were left frustrated by 'how borderline these cases are'. Another viewer added: 'This new show "Did I do it?" has shown me how flawed the justice system is.' Accused: Did I Do It? is available to stream on Netflix now. Channel 5 have confirmed that they have commissioned a Madeleine McCann drama series that will focus on her mother Kate. Actress Laura Bayston, who played Babs in season two of BBC's Killing Eve, has taken on the role of Madeline's mum for the new 90-minute film called Suspect: Kate McCann. This is the first time that the missing case of Madeline has been made into a drama as over the years there have been plenty of documentaries made for various channels and streaming services. Madeline was just three-years-old when she went missing on 3 May 2007, while staying in a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal. The channel have commissioned Orchard Studios to create the drama focused on the well known missing person case. The new episode, directed by Paula Wittig and written by Philip Ralph, is the first of the channel's new limited-run series Suspect. Channel 5 have confirmed that they are creating a Madeline McCann drama series that will focus on her mother Kate Actress Laura Bayston, who played Babs in season two of BBC's Killing Eve, has taken on the role of Madeline's mum for the new 90-minute film called Suspect: Kate McCann Parents of Madeline Kate and Gerry McCann pictured back in 2011 The second instalment is called Suspect: The Road Rage Killer - and that focuses on the case of Tracie Andrews. 'The series begins with the little-known story of the controversial interrogation of Kate McCann as the prime suspect in her daughter's disappearance,' the official press release states. It adds: 'Suspect: Kate McCann focuses on an extraordinary and tense 48-hour period that threatened to halt the search for Madeleine, and which left the McCanns fighting for their freedom. 'It's the story of every parent's nightmare, somehow getting worse.' 5 commissioning editor Dan Louw said of the upcoming episode: 'This fantastic film goes where the cameras couldn't behind the closed doors of the interview room to create a deeply moving drama from documentary evidence. 'Suspect: Kate McCann is one of the most tense, moving and shocking films you will see this year. 'I cannot praise the writing, directing and acting enough especially a star-making turn from Laura Bayston as Kate McCann.' Head of programmes and executive producer at Orchard Studios, Nat Lippiett, added: 'You might think you know these stories, but these powerful, meticulously researched dramas will surprise viewers by shedding light on the lesser-known moments in these iconic crime cases.' Madeline was just three-years-old when she went missing on 3 May 2007, while staying in a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal Actress Laura has also appeared in the likes of Slow Horses and Doctors. She's also starred in Old Windows, When She Sings and Casualty. Laura has produced Safe and Old Windows. According to The Sun James Robinson will play Madeline's dad Gerry. A release date has not been confirmed yet, but it will be on our screens later this year. And according to The Independent, the McCanns are 'not involved editorially.' But they were told that they are 'aware of the film'. A former BBC presenter has admitted that she is 'feeling unsteady' about returning to TV screens for the first time in five years. Amanda Byram, 52, who is arguably best known for co-hosting Total Wipeout with Richard Hammond, took a step back from her career in 2021 to welcome her first child. The familiar face wrote on Instagram: 'Morning all! So I'm feeling a bit unsteady today, heading to London on a train for a filming day my first shoot in almost 5 years! 'The last time I was in front of a camera, I was seven months pregnant with Phoenix, during a #FoodUnwrapped filming day, and, honestly, I never dreamed of stepping back from being on screen.' The star has openly discussed her struggles to fall pregnant with IVF, but she was lucky enough to welcome a second 'miracle child', also a boy, in February of last year at the age of 51. She wrote on Instagram at the time: 'It was long, exhausting, and utterly devastating at times, but I wouldn't change a single thing given that it all led me here to my two incredible boys one my heart and the other my soul.' Former BBC presenter Amanda Bryam, 52, has admitted that she is 'feeling unsteady' about returning to TV screens for the first time in five years As well as presenting Total Wipeout, Amanda is known for her work on Sunday Brunch and the Irish edition of Dancing With The Stars - she is pictured her with Tim Lovejoy The mum explained that after a difficult journey to parenthood, it didn't 'feel right' to be apart from her children - even when it meant giving up the career she loved. She explained: 'After my [first] baby boy arrived, it just didn't feel right to me to be away from him for a single second, even if it meant not doing the thing I loved, something that was sewn into my sense of identity for most of my adult life! 'I never missed a nap, a feed, or a wake-up, and when my second boy, Jett, arrived, I thought it would be a similar story.' However, when she was recently approached by 'an amazing cause', she decided that the time had finally come to return to the TV studio. She wrote: 'A few weeks ago Comic Relief reached out, and supporting such an amazing cause was impossible to say no to.... So here I am, feeling all the mum guilt, but also super excited to be part of something so wonderful. 'Jett's still nursing, so I've pumped for him (first time ever! ), and his daddy is the best, so he's gonna be fine! 'I'm ready to take on this day and am so excited to just be 'Amanda' for an afternoon. Wish me luck! ! ! Major props to all you mums, the ones at home and the ones in the office. You lot are all my heroes!' Needless to say, the post was flooded with supportive comments and these included messages from Amanda's celebrity friends. The mum explained that after a difficult journey to parenthood, it didn't 'feel right' to be apart from her children - even when it meant giving up the career she loved Amanda's post was flooded with supportive comments and these included messages from Amanda's celebrity friends Presenter Fearne Cotton assured: 'You've got this.' Radio star Gaby Roslin added: 'You have got this you gorgeous soul. So blooming delighted you're back on TV. Youre a wonderful mummy but also a wonderful tv person too and youve been missed.' Outlander's Caitriona Balfe wrote: 'Good luck, enjoy every minute and know youll be getting major hugs as soon as you get home.' Opening up further about her IVF journey on social media, Amanda, who has been married to her husband, Julian Okines, since 2016, said she had to put her desire to be a parent above everything in her life in order to make it a reality. She wrote: 'Our fertility journey has been long and we know only too well the heartbreak of the hope that turned to hopelessness, the elation that turned to devastation and the strain putting this often-secretive journey before your job, your friends, and your life. Amanda previously shared in 2015 that she feared that she had left it too late to be a mum because she wanted to wait until she had met the right person. She said: 'I think there are choices you make as a woman, you can choose to do it by yourself, to do it with somebody even if you are not convinced they are the right person. Or you can wait for the right person and then maybe find it is too late... 'We have been together a year-and-a-half. I'm fit, I'm healthy, there are no problems in that sense. So who knows? It's in the hands of the gods.' Olivia Attwood appears to have hinted that her marriage to Bradley Dack was 'unhealthy' after revealing what she was looking for in a new man following their split. The pair revealed that they had gone their separate ways after two years of marriage last month, following a 'breach of trust' in their relationship. During the most recent episode of her podcast Olivia's House, the presenter, 34, caught up with TikToker Tinx, who confessed that although she is happy by herself, she would also like to fall in love again. In her reply, Loose Women star Olivia appeared to talk about her own experience and said: 'That's the best place you could be in to meeting the right person. 'Like you say, because there is not a void to fill, like you say, if you are going into relationships and there is motivations of a gap in your life, you need saving. 'It doesn't start on a healthy trajectory.' Olivia Attwood appears to have hinted that her marriage to Bradley Dack was 'unhealthy' after revealing what she was looking for in a new man following their split Olivia and Bradley started dating before her stint on Love Island back in 2017. After returning to the UK and splitting from ex Chris Hughes, 33, the two got back together. The pair got engaged in Dubai back in 2019 and then tied the knot in London in 2023. In January fans were shocked to find out that they were no longer an item, and since then Olivia has revealed what she wants in a man. Talking with Attitude, Olivia revealed: 'I want obsession. I dont want someone who feels indifferent about me. 'Like, love bomb me up. I want the face tattoo on the second date. I want to feel all the feels.' She also told the publication that she doesn't regret any of her previous relationships. 'Do you know what? I love love and I actually, despite any of my relationships in the past, I've never regretted falling in love,' Olivia said. 'I think that that is one of the most unique and pure human experiences. And even if it's with a complete and utter trash bag in that moment you felt something.' The pair, who started dating before Olivia's stint on Love Island in 2017, revealed that they had gone their separate ways after two years of marriage last month, following a 'breach of trust' in their relationship Since their split, Olivia has hinted that she could QUIT the UK and has also moved into a new flat. Earlier this week she claimed that her new London flat is 'cursed' and said that she needed help from a 'higher power'. Taking to Instagram, she wrote: 'Can someone who is contacted by a higher power talk to the universe and tell me if I need to move out of this apartment pls lol. Since I moved in something breaks EVERY single day, I actually feel like its cursed.' After sharing the initial message on Sunday, she then posted a screenshot of her purchase of sage on Amazon. Burning sage is an ancient Indigenous practice used to cleanse negative energy from people, objects, or spaces. As well as pleading for help, Olivia, who holds a German passport, shared a video of her boozy family holiday in January to celebrate her father Kai's birthday in Hamburg, with the trip falling around the time her marital split came to be. Olivia and Bradley previously lived together in a 1 million mansion in Cheshire. But Olivia has been able to keep busy since their split with all her TV presenting roles. Over the years she's starred in the likes of Olivia Attwood vs The Trolls, Olivia Attwood: The Price of Perfection, Olivia Attwood's Bad Boyfriends, This Morning, and The Heat. Last week she revealed she's had to 'slap herself in the face and grit her teeth' to get through her busy schedule. She flew to Turkey to film new episodes of her ITV2 series The Price Of Perfection, and during a break on set, she answered some questions from her followers in a Q&A. Asked how she was doing in the wake of the split, Olivia said: 'I'm OK.' Olivia then replied to one fans' comment praising her for 'working with everything that's been going on.' She wrote: 'I have worked too hard for too long to let my professional life suffer. Been a lot of slapping myself round the face and gritting my teeth lol.' A former Coronation Street star is set to reprise his role on the ITV soap, two years after his character was last seen on screen. Actor Jamie Cho, who appeared on the cobbles as Rich Pemberton, a solicitor with Fabian Croft, filmed his last scenes in May 2024 as part of an exit storyline for Sair Khan's Alya Nazir. Jamie's character Rich had employed Alya as an apprentice at the solicitors firm, with the character then leaving for a job in Ireland while actress Sair was off the ITV soap on maternity leave. Alya later returned to the cobbles in November 2024, and while Jamie was last seen on screen in 2024, he is now set to re-appear as the smooth-talking lawyer. An insider told The Sun of his planned 'short stint' return to the series: 'Rich is back on the cobbles and wants something from Alya. 'The last time he was here it led to her leaving her life behind and moving abroad for work so whatever hes got planned might not be good news for Alya and boyfriend Adam.' Former Coronation Street star Jamie Cho is set to reprise his role on the ITV soap, two years after his character was last seen on screen Jamie's character Rich had employed character Alya as an apprentice at the solicitors firm (pictured: Jamie Cho as Richard) It comes as Jamie made his debut in Netflix hit Bridgerton, which returned for the second half of its hotly anticipated fourth season today (February 26). He joined the cast as character Lord Stotter in the period drama, who is seen cosying up to Yerin Ha's Sophie Baek's step-sister Rosamund Li, played by Michelle Mao. It comes after it was revealed another Corrie star is set to return in a thrilling whodunnit storyline - after three years away from Weatherfield. Having last appeared on the ITV soap in 2023, the actor will reportedly be back on the cobbles in the very near future. DC Wiley - played by actor Ashley Campbell - debuted in 2021 and investigated Seb Franklin's (Harry Visnoni) fatal attack. In his most recent appearance, DS Wiley interrogated Max Turner (Paddy Bever) over potential involvement in far right extremism. According to The Sun, Ashley will be back on screens next week as nail-biting storyline launches. A source told the publication: 'Ashley is a great actor and Coronation Street is glad to have him back. Jamie made his debut in Netflix hit Bridgerton as he romanced with Rosamund Li (left: played by Michelle Mao) 'Hell be returning to the soap next week after a mystery Weatherfield resident is found dead. 'He will only be back for a few episodes and fans will have to tune into see how the storyline will play out.' It is currently unknown whether Ashley will return for a longer stint. The actor is no stranger to starring in soaps, having made appearances in Emmerdale and Hollyoaks. Viewers may also have seen Ashley pop up in Call The Midwife, Doctor Who, Father Brown and Doctors to name a few. Elsewhere, one of the soap's favourite stars is taking a break from the ITV soap - to film exit scenes for a rival programme. Catherine Tyldesley returned to the cobbles in October 2025, reprising her role as Eva Price. Upon her comeback, Eva became the new landlady of The Rovers Return, running the pub along with new partner Ben Driscoll (Aaron McCusker) and their blended family. The 42-year-old actress also portrays main character Kate Woods in Channel 5 drama The Good Ship Murder. She is now reportedly due to fly to Malta this spring to shoot her departure from the latter show. A source told The Sun newspaper's TV Biz column: 'Cath spoke to her bosses at Corrie about taking some time off to film her Good Ship exit and they agreed. 'When she agreed to return to the soap there was a lot of uncertainty about whether or not she would be able to go back, but fortunately it's all working out.' The Good Ship Murder series three comes to an end this month, ahead of the start of filming on series four later this year. Catherine appears alongside her former Corrie co-star Shayne Ward (Jack Grayling) in the crime drama, and her character Kate is expected to bow out of series four with a 'happy ending'. Nat Thaipun has dished up her vision of opening her dream restaurant. The celebrated chef, who was crowned the winner of MasterChef Australia in 2024, plans to set up her own establishment focusing on Thai flavours and a vibrant atmosphere. Speaking with the Daily Mail at the launch of her partnership with Acapulco El Vista in Sydney, Nat revealed her dream and said that everything is already in motion. 'I'm low-key planning to open the restaurant,' she said, admitting she hadn't decided on a location just yet. 'I would love to open in Sydney, but I also love Melbourne as well, because it's my hometown, so I'm trying to work out where. 'I'm just brainstorming at the moment. I've got the pitch, I've got the planning ... Even the menu! I know what to do based on season. MasterChef winner Nat Thaipun (pictured) plans to set up her own establishment focusing on Thai flavours and a vibrant atmosphere 'I've planned everything. I'm just waiting for the perfect moment,' she continued. While much of the groundwork has already been set, Nat said she is seeking a backer to help fund the restaurant. 'I was looking for someone who would be willing to back it. That's it. That's literally it. I've got everything ready,' she added. 'And myself, I reckon I need another year to go, because I'm gonna go to London. I'm gonna go work at a few more restaurants, really amp up my experience. 'Then in hopefully 15 to 18 months, open a restaurant... I'm waiting for a tooth fairy to come along. It's gonna be so amazing.' Elsewhere, Nat teased a return to the Channel 10 cooking competition that kicked off her career, hinting that she could become the next Andy Allen. 'I think I'd do really well being a judge on MasterChef,' she said. 'I think I'd be good at it. I think it'd be hard to be in front of the camera all the time, though. They do long hours, like, really, really long hours. That's something that people don't realise.' Speaking with the Daily Mail at the launch of her partnership with Acapulco El Vista in Sydney, Nat revealed her dream and said that everything is already in motion But Nat said she hasn't ruled out the possibility of fronting her own show, too. 'I honestly would love my own travel show. I would love for someone to go and document all these different pop-ups and events I'm doing, just to follow me around and go through the chaos,' she continued. 'It'll be like The Bear, but that little bit nicer, you know? Like the chaos that you go through when you go through these pop-ups is crazy, that I think it could be entertaining, especially because I start talking to myself a lot.' Nat won MasterChef Australia in a gripping finale back in 2024, after completing chef Clare Smyth's 'Core-teaser' dessert with 113 steps. Nat needed 33 points to beat runner-up Josh 'Pezza' Perry and she scraped in by a whisker. She managed to get a 7 out of 10 from all five judges, including guest judge Clare, which led her to victory by two points. The winner walked away with training from leading professional chefs, the chance to have their own cookbook published, and $250,000 cash. She has since published THAI: Anywhere and Everywhere, and has teamed up with Pullman Hotels, introducing a new menu takeover. Nat teased a return to the Channel 10 cooking competition that kicked off her career, hinting that she could become the next Andy Allen Nat won MasterChef Australia in a gripping finale in 2024, walking away with training from leading professional chefs, her own published cookbook and $250,000 cash The partnership officially launched in Sydney at Acapulco El Vista, Pullman Circular Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, where Nat collaborated with hospitality group Maybe Sammy on a limited-time cocktail pairing. The menu is a bold snapshot of Nat's belief in food as a cultural connector, blending Thai flavours with native Australian produce. Following its Sydney debut, the exclusive menu is extending to participating Pullman hotels around Australia, New Zealand and Asia, with dishes adapted to suit each venue and its local produce. 'For me, this menu is about sharing stories as much as sharing food,' Nat said. 'Hotel bars are social spaces, and I wanted the dishes to reflect that food that's rooted in my Thai heritage but feels relaxed, generous and easy to enjoy in the moment.' They were the intruder pairing that sent Married At First Sight fans wild with hopes of a happy ending. But new photos have emerged to indicate that the relationship of same-sex couple Sam Stanton and Chris Robinson did not survive the experiment. Daily Mail has obtained photos of Adelaide fitness model Sam, 34, at a MAFS viewing party minus his Sydney-based groom. In one image, the hunky reality star can be seen watching his MAFS debut on a big TV alongside a large group of pals at a crowded outdoor venue. Another photo shows Sam holding a sign 'Just Married' and posing topless in a pair of candy-striped shorts, wearing a wedding veil. But in an intriguing twist, another snap might give fans hope that his relationship survived the explosive atmosphere of MAFS 2026. They were the intruder pairing that sent Married At First Sight fans wild with hopes of a happy ending. Pictured: New photos have emerged to indicate that the relationship of same-sex couple Sam Stanton (left) and Chris Robinson (right) did not survive the experiment Daily Mail has obtained photos of Adelaide fitness model Sam, 34, MAFS viewing party minus his Sydney-based groom A smiling Sam can be seen holding a large 'wedding' present with a card addressed to both himself and his MAFS partner, Chris. If Sam and Chris managed to keep their TV romance together, it would be a major turning point in MAFS history, since same-sex couples have rarely survived the experiment. It comes after the pair made their debut on Tuesday night, in which Sam tied the knot with 38-year-old personal trainer Chris. 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 their vows 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 the duo were 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. '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.' Another photo shows Sam holding a sign 'Just Married' and posing topless in a pair of candy-striped shorts and wearing a wedding veil A smiling Sam can be seen holding a large 'wedding' present with a card addressed to both himself and his MAFS partner 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. 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. Nadiya Hussain was axed by the BBC because her star had 'waned', her recipes became 'tired' and she became 'increasingly hard to work with', insiders have told the Daily Mail. The former Great British Bake Off star claimed this week her religion as a Muslim was a factor in the Beeb's decision not to renew any of her shows after over a decade. Nadiya previously told a podcast she still has 'no idea' why she was quietly dropped by the BBC in June after ten years on our screens - after failing to receive a 'definitive reason' by bosses. But in a new interview, Nadiya is now adamant her Muslim heritage was to blame, claiming that she is a victim of racism in the 'broken' TV industry and that her faith has 'made people uncomfortable'. She said: 'Suddenly I wasn't the same Nadiya that I was before, because before I was writing cookbooks that were for everybody, and now I wrote this book that didn't feel inclusive.' But BBC sources insist Nadiya's claim her religion was a major factor in her being dropped 'couldn't be more wide of the mark', insisting the 41-year-old enjoyed a 'long and fruitful' stint with the broadcaster which came to a 'natural end'. The insider said: 'Nadiya had a decent spell with the Beeb, not many chefs can say they've had a decade's worth of shows on various BBC channels. 'But the BBC is constantly trying to evolve and bring in new talent regarding their food programming, so it's simply the right time to focus on new personalities.' Nadiya Hussain was axed by the BBC because her star had 'waned', her recipes became 'tired' and she became 'increasingly hard to work with', insiders have told the Daily Mail The former Great British Bake Off star claimed this week her religion as a Muslim was a factor in the Beeb's decision not to renew any of her shows after over a decade (pictured on GBBO in 2015) On Nadiya's claims her Muslim heritage was a factor behind her axing, the insider added: 'That couldn't be more wide of the mark. 'Look at all the series she's made previously with the Beeb: The Chronicles Of Nadiya? Nadiya's Asian Odyssey? She can't say they haven't embraced her roots.' Meanwhile, a separate showbiz source told the Daily Mail there's a belief Nadiya's star has waned in recent years and she's not 'really kicked on' since winning Bake Off in 2015. They also claim her recipes didn't excite viewers, amid rumours she became harder to work with. The source said: 'Nadiya was a major star when she won Bake Off and big things were predicted. 'She landed shows on BBC, book deals and other endorsements, so she did well. 'But she's not really kicked onto the next level and it's been over ten years since she won Bake Off, there's new faces on the scene and she's in a battle with them now. 'Their recipes will naturally seem more exciting than Nadiya's, which feel tired in comparison. 'And given she's become increasingly harder to work with since her early days, now she become more famous, you can see why the BBC pulled the plug.' The source added: 'It sounds all rather bitter linking her BBC axing to her religion.' Scottish chef Lorna McNee, a former Great British Menu winner turned judge, and Ulsterman Alex Greene, another Great British Menu star who has gone into presenting shows for the BBC, are two emerging chefs the broadcaster is currently endorsing. Nadiya earned similar backing from the Beeb following her Bake Off victory. But following her axing and outspoken comments regarding 'whiteness' on TV, it appears Nadiya's ties with the broadcaster may have been cut for good, despite the BBC's claim the Milton Keynes-based chef 'remains a much-valued part of the BBC family' in the statement confirming no more shows are being planned with her. After being dropped by the Beeb, Nadiya took on a job in a local primary school in a shock career switch. But just weeks after starting the position she had to quit and made the heartbreaking revelation on her Instagram in an emotional post. Wiping away tears, she said: 'Hi guys, giving you a life update that you didn't ask for but you are going to get anyway. 'So, as you guys know when the BBC cancelled my show, I was kind of at a crossroads, I wasn't sure where I was going, what I wanted to do. 'I had loads of options, I toyed with lots of options, open a business I could do a pop-up restaurant or kitchen, none of which appealed to me at the time. 'I'm still obviously publishing books, cookbooks which I will always love but I kind of reluctantly, you know I was scared, really scared to apply for jobs.' Latest company accounts for her business reveal she's worth almost 2million thanks to sales of her books Join the debate Is it fair for TV networks to drop stars when their popularity fades, or should loyalty matter more? Revealing how she was drawn to working in a school she continued: 'I've always wanted to work with children in younger years as a teaching assistant and I applied for a few jobs, which in itself was difficult for lots or reasons. 'I applied and got a job as a TA [teaching assistant] at a primary school and I've got to say, apart from raising my own children, it was one of the best jobs I've ever done. 'I loved every second of waking up in the morning with a spring in my step for these beautiful children. I just loved every second of doing that job. 'But unfortunately doing a job like that as somebody with a weakened immune system it just played havoc with my health.' It is not known if Nadiya was paid for her TA post but an advert for her position in the January addition of the school newsletter revealed pay for the job was 20,000. Latest company accounts for her business reveal she's worth almost 2million thanks to sales of her books. It's likely they'll continue to be her biggest earner for the foreseeable future. Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson were both absent from their popular Sydney radio show on Thursday, following their on-air bust-up last week. The shock jock, 54, slammed his co-star, 51, on Friday, accusing her of letting a 'fixation' with astrology distract her from work. Jackie has since taken a leave of absence from their KIIS FM studio, and this morning Kyle was also absent, with producers airing re-runs of the show. Daily Mail has reached out to Kyle and KIIS FM for comment. It comes after Kyle expressed his 'regret' over the fiery on-air clash that left co-host Jackie in tears last week. An emotional Jackie said she was deeply 'offended' by his brutal comments during the clash. Kyle Sandilands, 54, and Jackie 'O' Henderson, 51, were both absent from their popular Sydney radio show on Thursday, following their on-air bust-up last week On Wednesday, Kyle admitted he wished he had handled things differently on The Kyle & Jackie O Show. 'I obviously upset her. Maybe, in hindsight, I shouldn't have said it on the air. But we say a lot of things on the air here,' said Kyle. 'It was never meant to hurt her feelings and obviously it did. I regret hurting her feelings. No one wants to hurt someone. Especially someone you care for. 'I don't really know. The show is just ploughing ahead anyway. I'm just leaving this up to management.' Kyle went on to say he just wanted to be back on the air with everyone happy, adding: 'I want her to be happy and enjoy it. I also want the same thing.' He then joked he didn't care if any of the other producers or staff members were happy because he would 'swap them all out in a heartbeat' for Jackie. Tegan Kynaston, Kyle's wife of almost three years, also shared her concerns with the radio host, seemingly taking Jackie's side in the fight. 'I got a bit of a blasting from my wife... She's being supportive but she's also very honest with me,' Kyle explained. Join the debate Do YOU think their chemistry can recover after this bust-up? The shock jock slammed his co-star on Friday, accusing her of letting a 'fixation' with astrology distract her from work 'She goes, "Well, from time to time, you do say things at home that don't land well either." As we all do... She's right,' he added. Jackie was moved to tears on Friday after Kyle slammed her over an apparent 'fixation' with astrology. The pair were discussing the latest developments regarding Prince Andrew when Jackie proceeded to read out the disgraced royal's birth chart. Kyle then proceeded to lambast his co-star, claiming that her love for astrology was affecting her work. When Jackie attempted to defend herself and accused him of launching an attack on her, he stated he was only expressing the 'facts'. Engulfed by unprecedented crisis, the monarchy is fast discovering how its devotees divide into two camps: fair weather friends... and foul weather friends. And no one better embodies the steadfastness of the second camp than the self- effacing figure who represented Princess Anne at Tuesday's memorial service for Field Marshal Lord Guthrie at the Guards' Chapel in London. While some focused on the likes of Lords Heseltine, Palumbo, Soames and Spencer, others remarked on the presence of the ever unassuming Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles, first husband of Queen Camilla but also one of the first intense loves of the Princess Royal. APB, as he's invariably known in Household Cavalry circles, has occasionally represented Anne before. But it's a role from which he could reasonably now be asked to be excused, given that he's 86. Princess Anne and Andrew Parker Bowles at the Cheltenham races together Yet the bond between them means, I'm told, that he'll soldier on for as long as he's able. The couple's romance is generally thought to have begun in Ascot week in June 1970 as might have been scripted, given that the Parker Bowleses were as ardent about horse flesh as the Windsors, to whom they were linked by the friendship between APB's father, Derek, and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. There was no prospect, though, that romance would ever lead to marriage. Parker Bowles was a Catholic, meaning that Anne, then fourth in line to the throne and thereby bound to the Church of England, of which she would become titular head if ever crowned could not even consider marrying him. As it was, within three years, Andrew was married to Camilla and Anne to her first husband, Mark Phillips. When, in 1981, Anne gave birth to her second child, Zara, she made APB her daughter's godfather a very public declaration of a friendship which endures to this day. Spoiled for choice: Skyla raids her mum's wardrobe treasures As the daughter of society model Liberty Ross, Skyla Sanders was never going to be short of style inspiration. Now, the 21-year-old has revealed just how spoiled she is. Skyla, whose father, the film director Rupert Sanders, 54, separated from aristocratic Liberty, 47, in 2014 after he was spotted canoodling with Kristen Stewart, 35, has shared a peep into her mum's walk-in wardrobe in Los Angeles that she regularly swipes from. Skyla enjoying the vast array of shoes in her mum's walk-in wardrobe in Los Angeles Liberty Ross with her ex-husband Rupert Sanders. The pair were married from 2002-2014 'I go to school in New York, so I steal all of this, and I bring it back with me,' admits Skyla in a video online. 'I'm a chronic over-dresser. I love to be the most 'extra' person wherever I go.' The model showed off a glut of shoes, bags and clothes from Agent Provocateur, Dolce & Gabbana, Jimmy Choo and Prada. 'I thank God we're the same shoe size and dress size,' she adds. 'A make-up product I can't live without is lip liner. I lose them every time I leave the house. I've probably spent, like, $2,000 on Charlotte Tilbury lip liners.' Tory turncoat Nadhim Zahawi will come to regret his decision to defect to Nigel Farage's Reform UK, predicts his close friend Ibrahim Dogus. The entrepreneur, who founded the annual British Kebab Awards with Zahawi's help in 2013, tells me: 'I think these Tories defecting made a mistake, the [Conservative] Party will start getting better, and they will regret leaving it for Reform.' Speaking at the awards ceremony at London's Park Plaza Westminster Hotel, which was attended by Labour Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, Ibrahim refers to today's by-election in Gorton and Denton: 'If Reform doesn't win... people will lose their hope for Reform.' Heston's 1.7m tax 'oversight' His meals may set diners back as much as 350 each, but Heston Blumenthal's restaurant group appears to be having trouble settling its tax bills. I can disclose that HMRC filed a winding-up petition at the High Court this week for monies it believes are owed by SL6 Ltd, the parent company behind restaurants The Fat Duck, The Hinds Head, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, as well as media company Snail Porridge and small kitchen appliance maker SL6 Appliances, among others. No hearing date has been set yet, but latest available accounts disclose 1.67million owed in 'other taxation and social security'. A spokesman tells me: 'This was an administrative oversight during our transition to a new accounting system.' Queen of Jeans' tribute to fan Kate Donna Ida is grateful that her most prominent customer, the Princess of Wales, insists on paying for her jeans. 'It's more beneficial for designers when the royals buy clothes and not receive freebies,' the Australian-born 'Queen of Jeans' tells me at her pop-up shop at Chandos House in London, in collaboration with Dr Sebagh. 'It shows that they want it and support your brand and it's not just product being chucked around.' Donna adds: 'The royals are very conscious like that, and they would always want to pay for things and support brands. The royals are great.' This year's Sony Brit after party will be taking place at Soho House Manchester and will be sprawled across the venue's three floors VIPs will receive an exclusive goody bag worth almost 2,000, including Harry Styles's Pleasing Eau de Parfum Due to play at the Brits on Saturday, Harry Styles hopes to leave a sweet smell of success. I hear a bottle of his 135 Pleasing eau de parfum will be in goody bags at the Sony Music after-party at Soho House Manchester. Other treats in the bag, worth a total of 2,000, are Sony wireless headphones and skincare from 111Skin. Hollywood is reeling from yet another high-profile death after Martin Short's daughter, Katherine, took her own life on Monday. But as details emerge of the depression and mental health struggles the 42-year-old battled over the years, a heartbreaking link has emerged to another recent Tinseltown tragedy - namely, the December murders of Rob and Michele Reiner. The Daily Mail can exclusively reveal that Katherine Short was childhood friends with Nick Reiner, the troubled son of the famed When Harry Met Sally director who is now charged with killing both his parents. He has pleaded not guilty. The Reiner and Short families have been close for decades, with Rob and actor Martin, 75, enjoying a particularly close friendship within a tight-knit Hollywood circle that also includes the likes of Billy Crystal, Steven Spielberg, Larry David, Eugene Levy and Conan O'Brien. Martin and his late wife, actress Nancy Dolman, bought a mansion in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles in 1984 and chose it as their base to raise their three adopted children: Katherine; Oliver, now 39; and Henry, 36. That home is less than 15 minutes from Brentwood, where the Reiners lived and raised their brood: Jake, 34; Nick, 32; and Romy, 28. It is understood that the children all often played together on weekends. Martin Short and daughter Katherine short pictured in 2008 Longtime friends Martin Short and Rob Reiner are pictured together, center Nick Reiner appeared in court this week and pleaded not guilty to the double murder of his parents 'Martin and Rob were very close. They were in each other's inner circle, and they lived not far from each other,' a source told the Daily Mail. 'There were holidays together, birthday parties, dinner parties and the kids were always around, always in each other's company, they pretty much grew up together.' The Daily Mail has contacted Short's representative for comment. Though Nick and Katherine had a 10-year age difference and went to different local high schools - Nick attended Wildwood while Katherine was at Marymount - they, out of all the children, formed a particularly close bond. 'Katherine and Nick bonded over being the children of famous people, it was a connection they had because they both tried to overcome it, they both tried to find their own way in life and it was very challenging. Hollywood kids are often miserable, it's common,' our source said. 'They wanted their own identity, they didn't want to be called so-and-so's kid.' Indeed, that may be why, in 2012, Katherine filed court documents to have her name changed to Katherine Hartley. When asked what her reasoning for the change was, she wrote: 'My father is a public figure. I am a psychiatric social worker. I am concerned about potential harassment from future patients resulting from my association with my father.' And it may also be why Katherine chose to leave her native Los Angeles and attend college on the East Coast at New York University, before later returning to settle in the Hollywood Hills, a 30 minute drive from the family home. By contrast, her two brothers chose to remain in the Pacific Palisades as adults. Martin is pictured top, left, while Rob and wife Michele Reiner are seen top, right Friends Rob and Martin embrace in 2004 Both Katherine and Nick spent time in institutions over the years to deal with mental health struggles. Katherine took time off of work - as a licensed clinical social worker, therapist and charity volunteer - and checked into mental health facilities more than once. Nick, meanwhile, suffered from severe drug addiction and went to rehab at least 18 times. On Tuesday, Rande Levine - founder of Karma Rescue, a dog charity on whose board Katherine served - told the Daily Mail that there were several times during the 2010s when Katherine took time off her charity work to check into an inpatient mental health facility when she was at a severe low point. 'She'd say, "I won't be around, I'm going away." She'd go check into some place to boost her up again,' Levine said. Now our source adds: 'Martin and Rob really looked out for their kids, they were great parents, so the kids could never say they were screwed up because of their parents. That is not easy. There is no one to blame if you are broken. And Katherine and Nick were broken in their own ways.' When Katherine returned to LA after graduating from NYU, her move to the Hollywood Hills put some distance in her friendship with Nick, who in recent years had been living in the guest house on his parent's Brentwood property. 'Katherine and Nick were not as close in recent years,' our source said. Then came news last December that Nick was the prime suspect in the double murder of his parents, who were found stabbed to death in bed. Hollywood icon Catherine O'Hara attended Katherine's 40th birthday in 2023 Nick was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He has pleaded not guilty. 'Katherine was very upset when Rob and his wife died. It was depressing, it really got to the whole [friend] group, so dark, so evil and twisted,' said our source. 'She felt repulsed by Nick over the murders. I am sure it weighed on her mental health, it was tough.' It will no doubt have also been heartbreaking to learn that another close family friend, in the form of Catherine O'Hara, had died on January 30 at age 71. O'Hara was, of course, co-stars with Short and Reiner's close friend Eugene Levy, who's son Dan was the same age as Katherine. The late actress was also among several A-list guests who attended Katherine's 40th birthday party in 2023. Levy, along with Spielberg and actor Kurt Russell, were all pictured at Martin's side on Tuesday evening, supporting their friend in the wake of this unimaginable tragedy. The release of the 911 dispatch call made prior to the death of Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City star Mary Cosby's son is bringing his death into sharper focus. Robert Cosby Jr. died at the age of 23 on Monday. While an official cause of death has not been released, police initially responded to what was described as a possible overdose before the case was later classified as a death investigation. And in the 911 audio, obtained by the Daily Mail, his dire state becomes apparent. In the audio, a dispatcher can be heard saying that 'a 23-year-old male' was 'not conscious' and 'not breathing.' They added that 'one dose of Narcan' the brand name of naloxone, a drug that reverses the effects of opiates had already been administered, apparently without any effect. Notably, naloxone can restore breathing in a person suffering an opioid overdose, but only if it is administered quickly enough. The death of Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City star Mary Cosby's son Robert Jr. is coming into sharper focus with the release of a 911 dispatch call; he's seen in his mugshot from November 9, 2025 In the audio, a dispatcher can be heard saying that 'a 23-year-old male' was 'not conscious' and 'not breathing.' Just months before her family tragedy, Cosby revealed her fears that her son would die; Cosby is pictured on Watch What Happens Live The dispatcher went on to note that three police units had been dispatched to his location. Salt Lake City police told TMZ that officers responded Monday night to a call for a 'full arrest/medical emergency' involving a 23-year-old male. While police said they had responded to a 'possible overdose,' authorities have not released further details and haven't shared a final cause of death. Just months before her family tragedy, Cosby revealed her fears that her son would die. Amid turmoil in Robert's life including a jail stint and alleged struggles with substance abuse Cosby broke down as she discussed her only child during part two of the RHOSLC Season 6 reunion, which aired January 20. At the time the episode was filmed, Robert was being held at Salt Lake County Metro Jail following a November arrest for allegedly violating a pretrial protective order against his now ex-wife, Alexiana Smokoff. Im not worried about him, Mary explained to the cast, admitting it gave her comfort knowing he was somewhere he wasnt using drugs. And Id rather him be there than dead, you know? She went on to say she felt she had no choice but to let him face the consequences of his actions. The dispatcher said one dose of Narcan which reverses opioid overdoses had been administered. They added that three police units were on the way; Robert Jr. is pictured with his mother Mary Cosby Just months before her son's death, Cosby tearfully voiced fears he would die; (Meredith Marks left, Mary Cosby right on RHOSLC Season 6 reunion in January) Robert Jr. died at 23 on Monday, and while an official cause of death has not been released, police initially responded to what was described as a possible overdose before the case was later classified as a death investigation At some point, I have to step back so that he can learn and he can make his own decisions, and unfortunately, hes learning the hard way. But Im OK with it, she said. Its just, you dont want to see your kid suffer, but I know its good, Mary explained. Robert Jr. was released from jail earlier this month after serving two months behind bars. He had been ordered to serve 99 days but received credit for time served. Bravo confirmed the tragic news in a statement provided to the Daily Mail. We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Marys beloved son, Robert Jr. Mary is a cherished member of our family, and our thoughts, love, and deepest condolences are with her and her loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. A separate statement was also shared on behalf of Mary Cosby and her husband, Robert Cosby Sr. 'Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord. Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God's promise and in knowing he is finally at peace. We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow.' Cosby broke down as she discussed her only child during part two of the RHOSLC Season 6 reunion. Im not worried about him, she said, admitting it gave her comfort knowing he was somewhere he wasnt using drugsId rather him be there than dead, you know?' Mary Cosby has appeared on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City since its debut, with her family life occasionally featured on the show. Following the news, Andy Cohen took to Threads to react to the heartbreaking news. 'Devastatingly sad news out of SLC,' Cohen wrote. 'This is every parent's worst nightmare. My heart is broken for Mary, and I am sending all my love to her and Robert Sr.' Robert's death comes just weeks after he was released from Salt Lake County Metro Jail after serving two months behind bars. At this time, his attorney Clayton Simms told People that Robert 'expresses deep regret regarding his prior actions and acknowledges that his past behavior demonstrates poor judgment.' Three days after his release, Robert's mom shared a photo of him, alongside the cryptic message, 'Thank you all for your prayers. Love you.' At the time, members of the Real Housewives franchise expressed their support in the comments section. 'Lots of prayers for you and Robert, Mary,' The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Sutton Stracke wrote. At the time the episode was filmed, Robert was being held at Salt Lake County Metro Jail following a November arrest for allegedly violating a pretrial protective order against his now ex-wife, Alexiana Smokoff (pictured on the right) Dolores Catania, from The Real Housewives of New Jersey, commented: 'God bless Robert.' Her Real Housewives of Salt Lake City costar Heather Gay simply sent her 'love.' In November, his wife, Alexiana Smokoff, filed for divorce. Viewers of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City saw Robert appear on the Bravo series several times over the years. During season four, Mary Cosby addressed learning that her son had secretly married Alexiana without her knowledge. The wedding reportedly took place in August 2022 at a Utah courthouse. Robert and Alexiana's alleged struggles with substance use were also featured as part of Mary's storyline on the show. Robert had a history of legal issues. Three days after his release, Robert's mom shared a photo of him, alongside the cryptic message, 'Thank you all for your prayers. Love you' (seen in 2024) He was arrested in Utah in September on multiple alleged charges, including trespassing and assault. He was previously arrested in 2022 for driving under the influence, at which time police said he did not have a valid license and failed to follow traffic laws. He later pleaded guilty to the DUI charge. During part 2 of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City season 6 reunion, which aired in January, Mary spoke about her son's arrest and time in jail. 'I know he's somewhere where he's not using,' she said. 'Unfortunately he's learning the hard way, but I'm okay with it.' Still, she said, as a mother, 'you don't wanna see your kid suffer, but I know it's good, and I'd rather him be there than dead.' Back to the Future star Crispin Glover is being sued by a British model who has accused him of battery, as he firmly denies all allegations against him. In court documents viewed by the Daily Mail, the Jane Doe plaintiff claimed Glover 'lured' her with the promise of 'a home and a job' to leave her home in the UK and live in his Los Angeles house, only for her to discover after she did so that he wanted her to 'basically serve him as a live in girlfriend/sex slave.' Doe, 30, asserted that Glover, 61, tried to 'track' her and 'control' her movements, and that when she left the house against his wishes one day to attend services at a mosque, he locked her out and left her 'homeless.' In her suit, the plaintiff claimed she tried to get her cats out of the property, whereupon Glover allegedly seized her by the neck and put her in a headlock - then called the police on her and sought a 'fraudulent' restraining order against her. Insisting that his restraining order petition was 'swiftly dismissed for failure to prosecute,' she alleged that he afterwards continued to 'harass' her and try to 'manipulate her into a sexual relationship with him.' His lawyer shot back to the Daily Mail: 'Mr. Glover denies these baseless allegations in the strongest possible terms. The reality is that on March 2, 2024, Mr. Glover was the victim of an unprovoked felony assault by Jane Doe at his Los Angeles residence. Mr. Glover called LAPD, which came to the scene, investigated, and arrested Jane Doe.' Back to the Future star Crispin Glover is being sued by a British model who has accused him of battery, as he firmly denies all allegations against him; pictured September 2024 The statement continued: 'These facts are documented by law enforcement records and by the restraining order filed by Mr. Glover against Jane Doe at that time. Mr. Glover intends to vigorously defend himself and pursue all available relief. He is confident the judicial process will expose this lawsuit as a meritless fabrication.' Doe, whose suit made note of her having 'autism spectrum disorder,' said Glover first contacted her on social media in 2015 and started trying to cajole her to move to LA. She claimed that she regarded him 'as a friend' at the time but that he made 'strange advances' towards her during their correspondence. When they met in Dresden in 2023, he supposedly showed her Nazi memorabilia he had collected, but she was undeterred from retaining contact with him because he was dangling the prospect of a showbiz job in front of her, per her lawsuit. Alleging she was 'groomed' with 'promises of a new life,' she said she decamped to Los Angeles in 'early 2024' and became Glover's tenant at his 'sizable' residence in Silverlake, having given up her Europe apartment and sold many of her belongings purportedly at his urging. Doe claimed Glover 'expected her to be his live in girlfriend and work for him for free,' would 'track her whereabouts and attempt to control where she went and who she interacted with' and would 'discourage her from leaving the house.' Describing herself as a 'practicing Muslim,' she said in her complaint that she tried to go to the mosque one day and he warned her he would lock her out if she did so. Thinking his threat was an empty one, she went anyway, then returned and found he had indeed allegedly locked up the house with her cats and belongings inside, according to her lawsuit. The lawsuit includes this picture of the mark that she alleged was caused by Glover Glover is pictured in the first Back to the Future, which shot him to stardom along with leading man Michael J. Fox upon its release in 1985 Glover, she said, was 'angry and agitated,' and when she tried to 'retrieve her beloved cats,' he 'attacked her, grabbing and choking her in a headlock, leaving a visible wound and scar on her neck,' according to her lawsuit, which includes a picture of the mark that she alleged was caused by Glover. Glover then rang the police, 'falsely casting her as an unlawful intruder when she was in fact a tenant who was at all points invited and lawfully residing in her home,' per the version of events in the plaintiff's court documents. She described his subsequent restraining order petition as 'malicious and fraudulent,' adding that it 'went viral' to the 'permanent' detriment of her 'career and reputation.' Doe has filed suit against Glover for battery, fraud, malicious prosecution, intentional infliction of emotional distress and wrongful eviction. She is also suing him for allegedly violating the Tom Bane Civil Rights Act by using 'threats' of 'violence' to prevent her exercising her right to come and go as she pleased, and by trying to 'coerce' her into a 'captive, sexual relationship.' Doe wants general and special damages to be determined at trial, as well as punitive and exemplary damages, lawsuit costs, attorney's fees and further relief to be decided by the court. She has also demanded a jury trial. Law enforcement sources alleged that Glover called the police to his Silverlake home on March 2, 2024, claiming a man and a woman had assaulted him. The insiders said the authorities responded to the report but did not arrest anyone, via TMZ. Kanye West's wife Bianca Censori showed off a major hair transformation while stepping out in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The Australian architect, 31, was spotted walking down the street in a skimpy outfit, but it was her bright pink hair that stole the spotlight. Ditching her raven tresses, Censori debuted a bright and bold pixie cut while making her way to an art exhibit at the Roosevelt Hotel. The hair change was a significant shift from her appearance earlier this month on Valentine's Day, when she was seen with much longer, darker locks. Aside from her bold new hair color, Censori, who reportedly 'issued a marriage ultimatum' to West in order to salvage their union, also turned heads with her revealing outfit. She wore a white bra that highlighted her cleavage and toned abs, and paired the look with a silver mini skirt. Kanye West's wife Bianca Censori, 31, showed off a major hair transformation while stepping out in Los Angeles on Wednesday The Australian architect was spotted walking down the street in a skimpy outfit, but it was her bright pink hair that stole the spotlight Censori's eye-catching look was completed with white stockings and heels. She also shared a snap of her sizzling outfit to her Instagram Stories. The outing came following news that Censori has given West 'one more chance', after the rapper sought help for his increasingly erratic behavior at a Spanish treatment center. West has been attempting to salvage his tattered reputation following a string of unsavory public outbursts, notably a declaration of love for Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, a purported hatred for the Jewish community and claims that he controls his architect wife's notoriously provocative wardrobe. Sources said an 'extreme act of bravery' from Censori has kept the beleaguered couple together after his controversial outbursts prompted her to consider divorcing West, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2016. 'This time last year they were headed for divorce,' an insider told The Sun. 'In an act of extreme bravery, Bianca agreed to give her husband one more chance.' 'His self-destructive behavior, his manic mind packed with creative ideas, complicated thoughts and a unique outlook on the world have made it near impossible.' 'But she has been the driving force for Kanye to seek help after meltdowns, and she wants to stick by him despite all the moments of stress, upset and near splits.' It's understood that West subsequently joined his wife at the Balance Rehab Clinic in Majorca, an exclusive wellness retreat offering 'medically led mental health and addiction care for high-performing individuals.' Join the debate Do YOU like Bianca's shock hair transformation? The look was a stark departure from her usually dark tresses; (L) She is seen in 2024 Aside from her bold new hair color, Censori also turned heads with her revealing outfit Ditching her raven hair, she debuted a bright and bold pixie cut while making her way to an art exhibit at the Roosevelt Hotel She wore a white bra that highlighted her cleavage and toned abs, and paired the look with a silver mini skirt The star navigated the pavement in her heels She also shared a snap of her outfit to her Instagram Stories 'The fact that Kanye joined her in Majorca was a huge deal for Bianca. It gave her confidence in him standing by her needs, and gave them a chance to relax too while they were there.' 'He enjoyed himself at first and then they both found time to talk over their issues wants, needs, vulnerabilities and hopes for moving forward. From that they took part in joint counseling sessions.' West has since received treatment at a separate clinic in Switzerland, and friends say the difference in his physical appearance, as well as his behavior, is instantly noticeable. Music mogul George Daniels said: 'His new wife was ready to get the hell away from him, really far, I heard. You can see it in his face, hes cleaned up.' 'But its been tough, it sucked for him. And hes not as young as he was. Whether its his personality or mental illness, his actions and behavior often drive those closest to him to despair and ultimately departure.' 'Bianca is addicted to him, they push each others emotional buttons yet are consumed by a desire to be together. Kanye could be in serious trouble without her love and care.' 'It may seem unconventional to many, but it is what both need to thrive.' In January, West - who also goes by Ye - offered an apology for his past antisemitic rants on social media. In a paid advertisement titled 'To Those I Hurt' and published in the WSJ, West expressed his remorse for his actions and claimed they stemmed from his bipolar type-1 diagnosis. Censori has reportedly given West 'one more chance', after the rapper sought help for his increasingly erratic behavior at a Spanish treatment center; The pair seen in 2025 'Bipolar disorder comes with its own defense system. Denial. When you're manic, you don't think you're sick,' he wrote. 'You think everyone else is overreacting. You feel like you're seeing the world more clearly than ever, when in reality you're losing your grip entirely.' West later admitted that he had 'lost touch with reality' and 'said and did things I deeply regret.' The music artist also added that he is 'not a Nazi or antisemite' while sharing that he loves the 'Jewish people.' He then offered an additional apology to 'the black community' for letting them down. After 'hitting rock bottom,' he admitted that Censori encouraged him 'to finally get help.' In conclusion, West also wrote that he is 'not asking for sympathy, or a free pass, though I aspire to earn your forgiveness. I write today simply to ask for your patience and understanding as I find my way home.' West was previously married to Kim Kardashian from 2014 until their divorce in 2021. Their divorce was finalized in 2022. The exes have four children together. Karl Stefanovic's ex Cassandra Thorburn has been seen for the first time since confirming she is battling a rare form of breast cancer. The 54-year-old ex-journalist was spotted in Sydney's Mosman on Thursday doing a spot of shopping. Wearing a singlet top, black skirt, and sandals, Cassandra appeared in good spirits as she carried a plastic bag branded with the Chemist Warehouse logo. The former Dancing With The Stars contestant, sporting a tightly cropped haircut, carried a woven leather cross bag over one shoulder for her outing. She accessorised with tinted glasses, delicate drop earrings and a multi-layer bracelet. Cassandra shared her devastating health news in a video posted to Instagram on Wednesday. Karl Stefanovic's ex Cassandra Thorburn (pictured) has been seen for the first time since confirming she is battling a rare form of breast cancer The 54-year-old ex-journalist was spotted in Sydney's Mosman on Thursday doing a spot of shopping Wearing a singlet top, black skirt, and sandals, Cassandra appeared in good spirits She began the clip by referring to a post she had uploaded a day prior, in which she showed her recently shaved head. 'I'm going to have to read this because on my walk this morning, I thought about all the reasons why I made that post yesterday,' said Cassandra. 'Most of it is controlling the only part of my treatment and diagnosis that I can. That's the part about when the hair comes off and when you tell people. 'For my adult children and for myself, I'm not interested in hiding, and that's because I'm not alone. 'I'm not walking a path that is not well travelled by many women before me, and I will not be the last. 'Breast cancer affects one in seven women in New South Wales, which is where I live. I read that sitting for my mammogram not long ago, and I was the one in seven that day.' The mother-of-three then praised the Australian health system for all the care she has received so far. 'My shout-out today is for BreastScreen NSW, who picked up my triple-negative occult breast cancer, which is no small feat if you know what occult breast cancer is. I didn't until now. Cassandra shared her devastating health news in a video posted to Instagram on Wednesday 'For my adult children and for myself, I'm not interested in hiding, and that's because I'm not alone,' the courageous ex-journo said in her message on Wednesday 'I thank them from the bottom of my heart. And when your mammogram reminder arrives in the mail, don't dilly dally. Do as I did, book it straight away.' She ended her video with optimism, saying: 'It may have flipped my world in days, but there's no "why me?" There's no "poor me" here. Just a desire to stop this in its tracks.' In the caption, Cassandra simply wrote: 'Shout out to BreastScreen NSW. #tnbc.' Triple-negative occult breast cancer is a rare form of breast cancer where no tumour can be found in the breast, but cancer cells - usually discovered in the lymph nodes - are identified as originating from the breast. The cancer is 'triple-negative,' meaning it lacks estrogen, progesterone and HER2 receptors, so it cannot be treated with hormone or HER2-targeted therapies and is typically managed with chemotherapy and other systemic treatments. 'Life really is like a box of chocolates, and this chapter is giving me praline or truffle vibes,' Cassandra wrote in her post on Tuesday. She went on to thank her hairdressers at Mosman's Toni&Guy for their clipper treatment, adding: 'It will grow back. Super grateful. #pinkscissors #toniandguyau.' Toni&Guy's Pink Scissor Program is a complimentary hair-cutting service offered to cancer patients. She told followers that NSW Breast Screen discovered she had triple-negative occult breast cancer - a rare form of breast cancer where no tumour can be found in the breast Cassandra was married to Today host Karl for 21 years before their acrimonious split in 2016 Cassandra was married to Today host Karl for 21 years before their acrimonious split in 2016. The couple share three children: Jackson, 25, Ava, 19, and River, 18. Karl has since moved on with former model Jasmine Yarbrough, who he married in 2018 and with whom he shares daughter Harper. Cassandra began her career as a media personality and television journalist, before putting her professional aspirations on hold to raise her three children. Karl thanked her in his 2011 Logies-winning speech for 'giving up' her budding career as a journalist to focus on her family. In recent years, Cassandra has focused on her own projects, including publishing a children's book (Leo Lions Big Bed!) in 2018 and appearing on Dancing With the Stars in 2019. She has also spent almost a decade working in the not-for-profit sector to support the local community, including a role helping homeless youth. In 2024, Cassandra revealed she was working in sales and support for the aged care sector in Sydney. 'During Covid I became a carer for the elderly and this aligned with wanting to work in the aged care sector,' she told The Daily Telegraph at the time. 'The aged care sector is one that has a lot of good people working in it but there is a lot of work that needs to be done to allow aged people to live their best lives.' Ava Phillippe looked the spitting image of her famous mother, Reese Witherspoon, as she arrived at the Scream 7 global premiere in Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday. The daughter of Reese and her ex-husband Ryan Phillippe, 26, looked incredible in a black snakeskin gown as she posed up a storm on the red carpet ahead of the event, held at Paramount Theatre. The stylish number featured spaghetti-strap shoulders, a scoop neckline, and a fit-and-flare silhouette. Letting the dress take centre stage, the actress kept accessories minimal, wearing gold statement earrings, and added inches to her frame with red pointed heels. The beauty beamed as she put on a cosy display with her boyfriend, Dakota Brubaker, on the red carpet ahead of the premiere. The budding star - who has been a fixture on the Hollywood red carpet in recent months - had a cameo in the Netflix series Ransom Canyon, playing Amalah in a flashback 90s prom scene, where she remarkably resembled her A-lister mom with her perfect updo and purple dress. Ava Phillippe looked the spitting image of her famous mother, Reese Witherspoon, as she arrived at the Scream 7 global premiere in Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday The actress, 26, looked incredible in a black snakeskin gown as she posed up a storm on the red carpet ahead of the event, held at Paramount Theatre 'Had a little moment on Ransom Canyon, out now on Netflix,' the young actress shared last April on her Instagram Stories across stills from her appearance. 'Best. Prom. Ever,' she announced in another post, while a third image showed her with a typical 90s-style updo.' She wrote: 'Gotta love a butterfly clip updo,' adding some purple butterfly stickers. Ava's career has gotten off to a great start, and next she will be seen in the starring role in Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me, based on the young adult graphic novel by Mariko Tamaki and illustrator Rosemary Valero-OConnell. Shes been following her mother's footsteps into show business since last year, when she made her acting debut on the show Doctor Odyssey. Ava has also modelled for brands like Beyonces Ivy Park, Pat McGrath Labs and her mother's own Draper James, and she serves as global ambassador for Vince Camuto. Meanwhile, her mother, Reese, recently credited her illustrious career to 'anxiety.' 'I was probably successful because I had so much anxiety,' the star, who turns 50 on March 22, told Harpers Bazaar in the December/January issue. 'They go hand in hand. The stylish number featured spaghetti-strap shoulders, a scoop neckline, and a fit-and-flare silhouette Letting the dress take centre stage, the actress kept accessories minimal, wearing gold statement earrings, and added inches to her frame with red pointed heels The beauty beamed as she put on a cosy display with her boyfriend, Dakota Brubaker, on the red carpet ahead of the premiere 'I had pressured myself to extreme levels to show up at work in a perfect way. We all now know - perfect is not attainable. 'Its not sustainable. I stressed myself out in service of my job, and it got me really, really far. Im rewarded for my anxiety and perfectionism. 'But Im getting older, and am starting to relax into the idea that Im enough. I mean, Ive had an abundance of good fortune, great work opportunities and worked with some of the greatest people on Earth' Besides Ava, The Morning Show star also shares son Deacon, 21, with her 51-year-old ex-husband, actor Ryan, and has a 12-year-old son called Tennessee, 12, with her 55-year-old former spouse Jim Toth. Twiggy has revealed her exercise regimen and what she eats in a day in order to keep herself in shape after 60 years in the spotlight. The 76-year-old, whose real name is Lesley Lawson, became a British cultural icon in the 'swinging sixties' when she found fame as a teen model. She was dubbed 'The Face of '66' and 'The Cockney Kid with a face to launch a thousand ships'. Twiggy has graced the cover of the latest issue of Defined magazine and discussed how she approaches beauty and ageing these days. 'I'm not fanatical, but I've always done some form of exercise. For the last 20 years it's been Pilates I swear by it. I eat well. I believe you are what you eat,' she said. 'Lots of greens, salmon, organic when I can. And dark chocolate I was very happy to read that it's good for you!' Twiggy has revealed her exercise regimen and what she eats in a day in order to keep herself in shape after 60 years in the spotlight Twiggy has graced the cover of the latest issue of Defined magazine and discussed how she approaches beauty and ageing these days The 76-year-old, whose real name is Lesley Lawson, became a British cultural icon in the 'swinging sixties' when she found fame as a teen model Asked if she has ever considered retiring, Twiggy said: 'No. I don't think completely retiring is a good idea. If you stop one job, take up another interest. 'I'm lucky because I love what I do modelling, designing, acting, singing. I'm working with Amy Wadge on some music. We've done about four tracks. 'Singing is good for everybody it's good for your soul. And over the last year I've been travelling around Britain and Europe promoting the Twiggy documentary that was directed by Sadie Frost; it's been a wonderful experience because I've had such wonderful feedback. 'This year it's opening in Japan, Australia and America. But there's nothing I haven't done that I'd like to I'm not going to jump out of an airplane or anything!' Twiggy, who was known for her androgynous look when she began modelling, admitted she never felt comfortable in 'frilly dresses'. 'I've always worn trousers. If you look at pictures from 1966, '67, '68 apart from what I wore as a model for magazines my own clothes were trousers. I used to go to Tommy Nutter and have boys' suits made. I look better in trousers,' she said. 'When I was very young, I didn't have a girly figure. I felt uncomfortable in frilly dresses. They just weren't my thing. I liked mini skirts with boots more funky. 'I wouldn't wear mini skirts now at my age, but trouser suits are fabulous, worn with a great top, or a leather jacket. I feel more comfortable that way than donning a dress.' 'I'm not fanatical, but I've always done some form of exercise. For the last 20 years it's been Pilates I swear by it. I eat well. I believe you are what you eat,' she said 'Lots of greens, salmon, organic when I can. And dark chocolate I was very happy to read that it's good for you!' Asked if she has ever considered retiring, Twiggy said: 'No. I don't think completely retiring is a good idea. If you stop one job, take up another interest' Twiggy, who was known for her androgynous look when she began modelling, admitted she never felt comfortable in 'frilly dresses' 'When I was very young, I didn't have a girly figure. I felt uncomfortable in frilly dresses. They just weren't my thing. I liked mini skirts with boots more funky' Asked how she dealt with becoming famous at such a young age, Twiggy admitted it was 'amazing'. 'Up until that day in February 1966 when [fashion journalist] Deirdre McSherry called me "The Face of '66", I'd been to school, lived in Neasden, had a lovely mum and dad and two lovely elder sisters. A really lovely childhood. I was as shocked as anyone. 'From day one, I was working for Vogue and Elle in Paris. Then Diana Vreeland took me to America and turned me global. In those days, if Diana said, "This is the girl", the world turned to see. I loved it. 'I'd only ever gone to school, and suddenly I was travelling to Paris and New York, wearing amazing clothes and earning money. I was a schoolgirl.' Despite all her success, Twiggy has never spent much time thinking about why she became such a notable fashion icon. 'You know, Ive never tried to analyse what happened to me. If you start analysing yourself, youre in terrible trouble. 'Its much nicer to be friendly to people because theyre friendly back. I can be strong and tough if I need to be, of course, but I dont want to live life being angry and moaning. Lifes too short,' she said. Kendall Jenner posed braless and in sultry red lingerie as she sizzled in a striking new cover shoot for Vogue France. The 30-year-old model, who has been keeping busy during Milan Fashion Week, put on a daring display as she graced the cover of the March issue. In a racy snap Kendall posed in a white leather slouch jacket under, which she was braless and topless displaying her chiselled abs, and a pair of tiny denim hotpants. For the cover meanwhile, Kendall wore a plunging bright red lingerie bodysuit and a pair of sheer red tights as she was sprawled on the floor. Elsewhere Kendall again went braless as she wore an oversized black coat with strappy heels as she crouched down for the snap. In another look, the model continued to show off her bleached eyebrows and wore a sheer white ribbed vest. Kendall Jenner posed braless and in red lingerie as she sizzled in a striking new cover shoot for Vogue France For the cover meanwhile, Kendall wore a plunging bright red lingerie bodysuit and a pair of sheer red tights as she was sprawled on the floor Kendall's final look showed her in a black and white picture as she glanced at the camera. Kendall has continued to embrace her bleached eyebrows as she posed up a storm for Khaite in its new spring/summer 2026 campaign. She showed off the edgy look in a series of photos uploaded to her main Instagram page on Wednesday. The TV personality seemingly went topless as she held a Large Joan Hobo purse over her chest and additionally donned leather bottoms. Her dark locks were parted in the middle and pulled back into a sleek, low up do as she stood in front of a red background. Red light also shone down on Jenner as she gazed towards the camera and her outfit was completed with extra long nails. A second, close-up image captured the reality star looking away from the camera as she wore a $4,900 Siel dress from the luxury brand. The photos for the latest Khaite campaign were taken by Drew Vickers - who has worked for other companies such as Burberry and Vogue. The new collection is described as 'a cross-country road trip - restless, cinematic, and charged with tension of the open road,' per the brand's official website. Elsewhere Kendall again went braless as she wore an oversized black suitcoat with strappy heels as she crouched down for the snap In another look, the model continued to show off her bleached eyebrows and wore a sheer white ribbed vest Kendall's final look showed her in a black and white picture as she glanced at the camera 'It begins with the familiar language of American sportswear, then twists in the way a long journey can bend one's perspective: proportions stretched and slouched, silhouettes sharpened then unraveled, shapes defined through volume.' Jenner is no stranger when it comes to bleaching her eyebrows to add a stylish flare to a look. Back in 2022, the reality star turned heads while attending the Met Gala in New York City and opted for bleached brows. Last week, the model appeared in other campaign pictures for Khaite which showed her still rocking the dramatic eyebrow look as well as a glossy black lipstick. One image captured The Kardashians star donning a black leather ensemble as she sat on a long booth. Jenner recently whisked herself away to Italy for Milan Fashion Week which officially kicked off on Tuesday. She flaunted her chic sense of style during an excursion in the Italian city while donning a tan trench coat that was buttoned at the front. The star also slipped into a pair of white trousers and comfy black shoes as she greeted fans nearby. Her brunette locks were parted in the middle and effortlessly cascaded down past her shoulders in light waves. For a finishing touch, Jenner draped a blue sweater over her shoulders and also opted for a pair of black shades. She was later seen removing the coat and simply wearing the sweater to keep herself warm in the chilly weather. Other celebrities that have been spotted on the streets of Milan amid the festivities included Dakota Fanning and Monica Bellucci. Katie Price finally returned to the UK to face her family on Thursday, who are said to be worried about her new marriage to businessman Lee Andrews. Dressed in a grey crop top and tracksuit bottoms, Katie, 47, was flanked by two members of staff who helped her with her luggage before she got into a 300,000 chauffeur driven Rolls-Royce Cullinan, with a personalised HR 7 number plate. Katie and fourth husband Lee got engaged last month and married days later. They then formally registered the marriage on February 17. Despite him insisting that he would be returning to the UK with Katie this week, he was nowhere to be seen but he did take to social media to talk about their baby plans once again. He shared an image of a baby's bottle alongside the words: 'What are your plans for next year?' Katie Price finally returned to the UK to face her family on Thursday - but her husband Lee Andrews remained in Dubai following his travel ban despite insisting he would be joining her Dressed in a grey crop top and tracksuit bottoms, Katie, 47, looked deep in thought as she touched back down on British soil Katie and fourth husband Lee got engaged last month and married days later. They then officially signed on the dotted line to formally register the marriage on February 17 Lee has also said on social media that he and Katie would both be attending Love Island star Lucinda Strafford's party on Friday together, where Katie will be singing. He had said he couldn't wait to watch her perform and that she should 'get an Oscar' for her singing skills. The couple have been enjoying their time in Dubai, where the latter lives, but Lee has been slapped with claims that he is on a flight ban and not allowed to leave. In recent days he has continued to state that he will join Katie in the UK, despite frequent claims from his ex, Alana Percival that he is legally bound to the UAE. Since they wed, Katie has returned home alone twice - despite Lee insisting he would join her both times. There were also assertions that they would be going somewhere on honeymoon together, but they remained in Dubai. Lee previously claimed he returned to his Lincolnshire hometown for Christmas. But Alana mocked his recent social media posts, among them footage of the businessman racing horses along what he claims to be the Skegness coastline. Remarkably, the sun is high and the sky is clear despite much of England being battered by torrential rain and fierce wind since the turn of the year. Katie, 47, was flanked by two members of staff who helped her with her luggage She was ushered through the terminal for her solo arrival back into the country She carried a shopping bag and small handbag in hand as she prepared to reunite with her five children, who are yet to meet Katie's new husband Lee and Katie maintain that they are very much in love and that he will be coming to the UK soon to have a bigger wedding with family and friends While Lee has presented himself as a high-flying business mogul, the Daily Mail shattered the illusion by revealing that he has been banned from leaving Dubai He previously spent three weeks locked up in a UAE jail for allegedly forging his ex-girlfriend's signature to secure a 200,000 loan Lee has told the Daily Mail it was complete b******s that he couldnt leave' but is yet to leave the country since they married Katie was treated to a 300,000 chauffeur driven Rolls-Royce Cullinan, an ultra-luxury SUV, complete with a personalised HR 7 number plate Lee had posted this image hinting about baby plans with Katie once again Reposting the clip, she said: 'People of Skegness watching this asking where exactly is this tropical upgrade?' A second video, in which Andrews claims to be freezing while driving in 'his mum's car' is also savaged by Percival, who previously accused him of being 'physically and mentally abusive' during their relationship. Commenting on the clip, she writes: 'When you put on a woolly hat in an underground car park in Dubai to pretend you're in the UK.' While Andrews has presented himself as a high-flying business mogul, the Daily Mail shattered the illusion by revealing that he has been banned from leaving Dubai after spending three weeks locked up in a UAE jail for allegedly forging his ex-girlfriend's signature to secure a 200,000 loan. He allegedly applied for a mortgage in personal trainer Dina Tajis name last year without her consent. Lee told the Daily Mail it was complete b******s that he couldnt leave. Lee and Katie maintain that they are very much in love and that he will be coming to the UK soon to have a bigger wedding with family and friends. Her five children are yet to meet the businessman but Princess, 18, and Junior, 20, said on This Morning this week that the family are 'happy as long as she's happy'. Asked if they had met their mum's new husband yet, Princess said: 'I've not met him.' Junior quickly chimed in, as Princess nodded along: 'Our mum is her own person, she's her own woman, she's going to do what she's going to do and at the end of the day, we're supportive of her as long as she's happy.' 'As long as she's happy that's all I care about,' Junior added, as Princess chimed in: 'If she's happy, we're happy.' Lucy Fallon has revealed she had to rush her baby daughter to hospital with a 'dramatic illness'. The former Coronation Street actress, 30, is mother to Sonny, three, and 13-month-old Nancy with her fiance Ryan Ledson. Taking to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday evening, Lucy told her followers she would be quiet on social media in the coming days. Sharing a photo of Nancy, she wrote: 'Radio silence this week from me as Nancy was admitted to hospital on Monday. She loves a dramatic illness this chick!' Lucy, who played Sarah Platt's daughter Bethany in the ITV soap, did not give any furhter details of her daughter's illness. The actress recently revealed she spent five weeks as an inpatient in a psychiatric hospital after suffering a catastrophic mental health crisis that left her feeling she had hit 'absolute rock bottom'. Lucy Fallon has revealed she had to rush her baby daughter to hospital with a 'dramatic illness' Taking to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday evening, Lucy told her followers she would be quiet on social media in the coming days Lucy opened up for the first time about the harrowing ordeal, admitting she was in such a desperate state that she could not even imagine a future for herself. 'From quite young, I've always struggled. I've always been quite insecure. That got worse when we went through lockdown because I left Corrie and I wasn't really getting any work,' she said on the Secure the Insecure podcast. Lucy left the soap in March 2020 after five years, just as the country was plunged into the first Covid lockdown and work opportunities dried up. She reprised her role in 2023. She added: 'I was just at the absolute rock bottom that I've ever, ever felt. And I really, really, really struggled. 'I had a really bad batch of mental health towards the end of 2020 and I ended up being in The Priory for about five weeks because my mental health was so bad. I couldn't see a way out of feeling how I was feeling.' The Priory is a private psychiatric hospital in south-west London where inpatient treatment costs upwards of 7,000 a week. Former patients include Robbie Williams, Amy Winehouse, Kate Moss and Paul Gascoigne. Lucy admitted it was not her decision to check into the facility. She explained: 'I ended up having to go to hospital, and it was from that point that other people were involved - my mum and my sisters and people that I'd worked with before. 'It almost felt like other people, other factors, were telling me, 'Right, you need some serious help now. It's gone a bit too far.' I really didn't want to do it. I didn't want to go and I even remember getting there. I really, really did not want to go in.' The Blackpool-born actress continued: 'At first, I didn't feel like I was bad enough to be there. It almost felt like this just feels a bit alien and a bit strange, like, I don't know why I'm here. 'After a few weeks of being there, I was like, okay. I got to grips with it. And actually after a week of being there, I liked it. I felt quite safe. I met quite a lot of people there who I sometimes still keep in contact with now.' The former Coronation Street actress, 30, is mother to Sonny, three, and 13-month-old Nancy with her fiance Ryan Ledson (pictured) Lucy admitted that leaving the facility was not easy. She was placed on medication - which she has since come off - and moved back in with her parents while she found her feet again. 'It took me a while to adjust,' she reflected. 'Coming out and being in the real world and just having to carry on felt strange. But I also had a really good support system around me. 'Going and being with my mum and dad for a few weeks after, rather than just going back to my house, was a really nice thing - especially to have your tea cooked for you every night. And all my washing done as well.' Reflecting on how unrecognisable that version of herself now feels, she said: 'It seems like a completely different life. 'I feel like that was a totally different version of me. And I've been lucky enough to say that I did manage to get myself out of it, because I know for so many people that's not the reality and you can stay on that level and it's really hard to get out of feeling like that.' She added that meeting her now-fiance Ryan, a Preston North End midfielder - on the celebrity dating app Raya - helped her begin her new chapter. 'I would say I still, for a while, felt insecure,' she admitted. 'I felt like I had so much baggage with everything that had happened. It was a conversation I had with him almost straight away. 'I just accepted that, that was a blip in my mental health and in my own journey. I do deserve to be happy and to be in the relationship that I'm in, and I deserve the job that I've had. I've worked really hard. ' I don't know if it was to do with being at The Priory for five weeks. I don't know if it was that. But things just kind of stayed at a good level for me.' However, tragedy hit in early 2022 when she fell pregnant and suffered a miscarriage. 'I felt devastated,' she said. 'I felt like: how can this thing that I thought was going to be this amazing chapter just be taken away? I also felt like everybody else could just carry on with what they were doing, and I felt stuck. I can't lie, that lasted a while. I felt like I really struggled to shake it.' The only thing that helped pull her through, she said, was falling pregnant again relatively quickly. Their son Sonny Jude arrived the following year, which has helped Lucy reframe the experience of loss. 'If that hadn't happened, we wouldn't have Sonny,' she said. 'Even though it was horrendous, it almost showed me how much I wanted that to be the next chapter in my life.' The couple's daughter Nancy was born in January 2025 and Ryan proposed to Lucy on her 30th birthday in November last year. Lucy returned to Coronation Street on New Year's Eve 2023, reprising her role as Bethany. She added that she is now in a better place than she has ever been, even if she has some down days. 'I wouldn't say that I wake up every morning with a spring in my step,' she said. 'I wake up sometimes and I'm like, I can't be a**ed with this day. 'But then other days I wake up and I'm like, come on, let's seize the day. Let's go. 'Even though I'm so appreciative, I get overwhelmed. Sometimes I'll wake up and I'll think, oh my god, how am I supposed to look after two children all day? I'm scared, even though they're my children.' She continued: 'But I'd say mentally, I feel very content, even though there's days where I feel a bit s***. Generally, I feel like I've got myself together.' Coleen Rooney enjoyed an afternoon of pilates with some of her fellow WAGS at the launch of her Debloat Capsules with Applied Nutrition. The mother-of-four, 39, was joined by thirty guests including the likes of Georgina Cleverley, Annie Kilner, Tanya Bardsley, and Lisa Carrick. Coleen sported a pair of burgundy leggings with a matching top for the workout along with a pair of grey trainers. Georgina, who is the wife of former midfielder Tom Cleverley, looked incredible in a yellow crop top with black leggings. Annie, who is married to right-back Kyle Walker, shared a snap of her menu at the event which featured options including chia and coconut pudding, almond croissants, seasonal fruit platter and avocado on toast. The mother-of-four is currently pregnant with her fifth child, a girl, to add to their brood of four boys. Coleen Rooney enjoyed an afternoon of pilates with some of her fellow WAGS at the launch of her Debloat Capsules with Applied Nutrition (pictured with Georgina Cleverley) Annie Kilner, who is expecting her fifth child with Kyle Walker, was among those in attendance Tanya wore a black jacket with a matching coat and dark brown leggings and styled her locks into an updo. Darren Fletcher's wife Hayley opted for an all black look and styled her brunette locks into loose waves. Speaking about the product, Coleen said: 'Launching my new Debloat Capsules with Applied Nutrition has been really exciting because it's built around the simple, realistic wellness habits I try to stick to every day. 'We all have days where we want to feel lighter, more comfortable and more like ourselves, and for me gut health is a key part of that. 'I wanted a product that's easy to take, made with quality ingredients, and fits into busy routines. 'Today was about sharing that feel-good approach with the people closest to me, including exercise, good food, expert advice and products I genuinely believe in.' Coleen has reportedly signed a multi-million-pound deal with international high-street retailer Primark following her jungle success on I'm A Celebrity. The TV personality finished as runner-up to McFly star Danny Jones on the 2024 series and is said to have been inundated with lucrative offers from fashion brands eager to cash in on her popularity. However, she has chosen to stay true to her roots by teaming up with affordable fashion giant Primark in a deal signed last year. She has reportedly created a stylish capsule collection with the retailer, which is set to launch in March. Tanya Bardsley wore a black jacket with a matching coat and dark brown leggings and styled her locks into an updo Darren Fletcher's wife Hayley, Darren Gibson's wife Danielle and Michael Carrick's wife Lisa Georgina, who is the wife of former midfielder Tom Cleverley, looked incredible in a yellow crop top with black leggings (L-R Hayley, Georgina, Coleen and Jonny Evan's wife Helen) Coleen sported a pair of burgundy leggings with a matching top for the workout along with a pair of grey trainers The star looked in good spirits as she sat down to have lunch with her guests Coleen said: 'I wanted a product that's easy to take, made with quality ingredients, and fits into busy routines. Today was about sharing that feel-good approach with the people closest to me' Annie, who is married to right-back Kyle Walker , shared a snap of her menu Coleen has reportedly signed a multi-million-pound deal with international high-street retailer Primark following her jungle success on I'm A Celebrity A source told The Sun: 'Coleen is so proud to be a working mum and she wanted to keep things affordable for her fans. 'She didn't just sign for the cash, it was because she felt aligned with Primark's values. 'Coleen is super proud with the clothes she's worked on with Primark. It's got a real athleisure feel. Primark thinks it will fly off the shelves.' Another insider added that Coleen worked closely on the entire collection, which has been designed for 'working mums just like her' and blends style with practicality. Daily Mail has contacted Coleen's representative for comment. As one of the UK's most recognisable WAGs, it's no surprise that Coleen was one of the richest names in I'm A Celeb's 2024 lineup. Married to former England star Wayne, the mother-of-four was reportedly paid an eye-watering 1.5 million salary, the most ever given to a star in the show's history. Coleen and Wayne boast an enormous 200 million fortune between them, with the former contributing 19 million to their wealth. The Liverpool-born WAG has also had an extensive TV career that dates back to 2006, and in 2008, she starred in her own series, Coleen's Real Women. Coleen has also produced a bestselling exercise video, and was previously paid 3million to front a fashion campaign by George at Asda. Meanwhile, she has also published several books, including her autobiography Welcome to My World in 2007. Following her Wagatha Christie libel trial in 2022, it was also revealed that Rebekah Vardy would have to pay 90 per cent of Coleen's legal costs, said to be up to 1.5million. In 2019, Coleen publicly accused Rebekah of leaking information from her private Instagram account to the media, which she denied, before suing for defamation. After a well-publicised legal battle, the judge sided with Coleen and ordered Rebekah to pay a large part of her legal bills. The WAG, 42, agreed to pay 1,190,000 of Coleen's legal bill, plus was ordered to pay a further 212,266 in assessment costs, after sensationally losing their high-profile libel case. This took the total Rebekah must pay to at least 1,402,266.20. Daily Mail understands she has already paid some of the bill, including 800,000 four years ago and 100,000 last year. Chris Hemsworth has divided his Australian fans after sharing what he views as a common Aussie slang expression. The Marvel actor, 42, made the comment when chatting with British comedian Munya Chawawa in a new TikTok video this week. When Chawawa asked Hemsworth how he would say that he's 'not here to waste time' in Aussie slang, Chris quipped, 'I'm not here to f**k spiders.' The saying, which can be traced back to the 1970s and is used by Australian celebrities like Margot Robbie, turned out to be controversial with locals. It means a person does not want to mess about or waste time with trivial tasks, and is another way to say, 'Not here to f***k around.' Many Aussie fans commenting under Chawawa's TikTok video claimed they had never heard it before. Chris Hemsworth (pictured) has divided his Australian fans after sharing what he views as a common Aussie slang expression 'Where in Australia has this ever been said? NEVER,' wrote one person, while another agreed, 'Who says that even??? I'm an Aussie and I don't say that.' 'No one in Australia says this. I'm convinced Margot Robbie made it up as a joke,' someone else wrote. 'Aussie here and never ever heard this,' another commented, while one more said, 'I've never heard that saying before.' Others were familiar with the saying, and some wondered if it might be regional. 'If you haven't heard this saying, you can't convince me you're actually Australian,' said one fan. Another wrote: 'As a West Australian, I have heard this saying plenty. Chris is not alone.' 'This is so real whoever is Aussie and hasn't said this, you're not Aussie lad,' someone else commented. It comes after Chris described ditching Hollywood for Australia as the 'greatest decision' while shedding light on why he made the move in the first place. When Chawawa asked Hemsworth how he would say that he's 'not here to waste time' in Aussie slang, Chris quipped, 'I'm not here to f**k spiders' - but many fans had never heard it Hemsworth and 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. 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. Hemsworth and his wife bought their Byron Bay family home for $7 million in 2014. Jasmine Stefanovic has weighed in on a hot-button topic. The shoe designer wife of Today show host Karl Stefanovic shared her thoughts on the controversy surrounding activist Grace Tame on Thursday. Tame has made headlines this week after Anthony Albanese called the child sexual abuse survivor 'difficult' - sparking widespread backlash against the Prime Minister. Jasmine commented on a post made by Marie Claire Australia magazine, which detailed the recent controversy. 'When the Prime Minister described Grace Tame as "difficult," it echoed a label that outspoken, confident women have been handed for generations,' the caption alongside the magazine's post read. It continued: 'For women, "difficult" is rarely a neutral descriptor. It is shorthand. It is the word used when a woman is direct instead of diplomatic, firm instead of accommodating, unwilling to smooth over discomfort for the sake of social ease.' Jasmine Stefanovic (right) has weighed in on a hot-button topic. The shoe designer wife of Today show host Karl Stefanovic (left) shared her thoughts on the controversy surrounding activist Grace Tame on Thursday Tame (pictured) has made headlines this week after Anthony Albanese called the child sexual abuse survivor 'difficult' - sparking widespread backlash against the Prime Minister Tame was among the social media users who liked the post. Jasmine appeared unimpressed by the publication's commentary, however, and offered her own, brutal takedown. 'Wow is that a joke? She got off lightly!!' Jasmine wrote in reply, with the comment attracting 22 likes as of Thursday evening. Earlier on Thursday, Albanese dramatically backtracked to put a new spin on his comment that Tame is 'difficult'. The Prime Minister took part in a rapid-fire Q and A at the Future Victoria summit on Wednesday when he was asked to reply with one-word answers. Asked to provide a description of Tame, the 2021 Australian of the Year, Albanese replied: 'Difficult.' When confronted, the PM tried to justify it as a comment on Tame's 'difficult life' - and immediately apologised if that had been misinterpreted. The admission came after he was asked by an ABC reporter if 'all women are difficult, or just Ms Tame?' 'I was asked to describe people in one word, and Grace Tame, you certainly can't describe in one word,' Albanese explained. Jasmine commented on a post made by Marie Claire Australia magazine, which detailed the recent controversy Jasmine appeared unimpressed by the publication's commentary, and offered her own, brutal takedown. 'Wow is that a joke? She got off lightly!!' Jasmine wrote 'She has had a difficult life, and that was what I was referring to. 'What Grace Tame has done is to turn that difficult experience that she had into being a strong advocate for others, which is why she received, quite rightly, the Australian of the Year Award. 'If there was any misinterpretation, then I certainly apologise. 'I think that Grace Tame has taken what is personal trauma and that awful experience that she had and channelled that into helping, in particular, other young women being a strong and powerful advocate, being quite courageous in the way that she has gone out. 'Now there are other issues, such as the language that Grace Tame used that I disagree with at the demonstration that was held in Sydney. 'So that's why it's impossible to describe people in one word, and that wasn't meant to be taken that way. 'It was certainly just a word that comes to mind when different people are mentioned.' Tame hit back on Thursday when she reposted a message from sex abuse survivor and advocate Harrison James taking a brutal swipe at Albanese. Tame hit back on Thursday when she reposted a message from sex abuse survivor and advocate Harrison James taking a brutal swipe at Albanese 'Difficult is the misogynist's code for a woman who won't comply. History tends to call her 'courageous,' Mr James captioned a photo with Ms Tame. He added: 'Love you, Grace Tame. Thank you for refusing to be anything but brave.' Everyday Aussies were just as outraged and branded the comment as a 'betrayal' and called for Albanese to 'do better'. Tame also sparked controversy earlier this month when she chanted 'Globalise the Intifada' during a speech at a Sydney rally, protesting the visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog. The stunt sparked widespread calls for the former Australian of the Year winner to be stripped of the honour. Shia LaBeouf narrowly avoided going to jail after he appeared in the New Orleans Criminal District Court on Thursday - days after his explosive Mardi Gras fight. The 39-year-old Fury actor will be required to attend rehab following his arrest on battery charges related to the fight at a bar on Fat Tuesday, per Nola.com. New Orleans Criminal District Court Judge Simone Levine ordered a bond of $100,000, with LaBeouf later seen exiting the court house after posting bail. Paying the bond means that he is required to check into rehab and undergo regular drug and alcohol testing. The star looked downcast as he wore a beige pullover, blue jeans and cowboy boots for his day in court. At one point, LaBeouf was seen checking his watch and pacing nearby before crossing the street, keeping his head down as he moved through the area. Shia LaBeouf was seen at the New Orleans Criminal District Court on Thursday morning The 39-year-old Fury actor was told he would have to head back to jail and would be required to attend rehab following his arrest on battery charges related to a Mardi Gras fight at a bar on Fat Tuesday, a judge ruled, according to Nola.com An eyewitness told the Daily Mail that LaBeouf 'got there too early and left as it was closed.' Before the hearing, Levine required LaBeouf to take a drug and alcohol test, which Levin said found 'evidence of past substance use in the actors system.' Per Nola.com, Levine said 'LaBeouf is taking a prescription that could be responsible for one of the substance found in his system' and that her biggest concern is his alcohol use. His attorney Sarah Chervinsky denied there were any illegal drugs in his system, saying the test showed up evidence of past alcohol use. She added that it is 'not illegal to get drunk on Mardi Gras'. Court records show LaBeouf was arrested and booked on February 17 on two counts of simple battery and bailed himself out of jail the same day he was arrested. LaBeouf allegedly used a homophobic slur repeatedly during the violent Mardi Gras altercation, according to a police report obtained by The Daily Mail. According to the New Orleans Police Department incident report, officers were dispatched to R Bar on Royal Street at approximately 12:45 a.m. on February 17 in response to a reported simple battery involving a man who was allegedly 'causing a disturbance and becoming increasingly aggressive.' In the narrative section of the report, officers wrote that they were informed 'a white male subject was aggressive and struck multiple people' inside the bar. It was claimed the actor yelled: 'These f****ts put me in jail. Im a Catholic.' Judge Levine slammed LaBeouf for his alleged use of the slur against a 'marginalized community' that has faced so much 'terror' already. Jeffrey Damnit, who was involved in the altercation, has called LaBeouf's release 'ridiculous' and called for him to be charged with a hate crime. The Daily Mail has reached out to LaBeouf's representatives for comment and has yet to hear back. Eyewitnesses alleged LaBeouf became increasingly aggressive at a business and was escorted out by staff, at which point he allegedly struck one man multiple times with closed fists. Authorities say the situation escalated when LaBeouf returned to the scene and allegedly assaulted the same victim again before punching a second man in the nose. The judge revoked the star's jail release then ordered a bond of $100,000, the site reported Daily Mail soon after saw LaBeouf exiting the court house, suggesting he did indeed pay the hefty bond Paying the bond means that he is required to check into rehab and undergo regular drug and alcohol testing, the site claimed Witnesses reportedly attempted to restrain him until police arrived. LaBeouf was taken to a hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries before being booked into Orleans Parish Prison. He was charged with two counts of simple battery. In a statement provided to Daily Mail, police said: 'At approximately 12:45am on February 17, 2026, NOPD officers were called to the 1400 block of Royal Street in response to a simple battery where two victims (two adult males), reported being assaulted. Investigators say a man identified as LaBeouf was reportedly causing a disturbance and becoming increasingly aggressive at a Royal Street business. A staff member attempted to eject Mr. LaBeouf from the establishment. Once removed from the building, the victim reported being struck by LaBeouf who used his closed fists on the victim several times. The victims reported that LaBeouf left, but then came back, acting even more aggressive.' The star wore a beige pullover, blue jeans and cowboy boots for his day in court An eyewitness told the Daily Mail that LaBeouf 'got there too early and left as it was closed' Court records show LaBeouf was arrested and booked on two counts of simple battery and bailed himself out of jail the same day he was arrested Police added: 'Multiple people attempted to hold him down he was eventually let up in hopes that he would leave but he reportedly again struck the same victim with closed fists to the victim's upper body. LaBeouf then reportedly assaulted another person punching him in the nose. LaBeouf was again held down until police arrived. He was taken to a hospital for treatment of unknown injuries. Upon release, he was arrested and charged with two counts of simple battery.' LaBeouf was involved in a confrontation outside a bar in the city's French Quarter. His recent outings follow a chaotic stretch that culminated in LaBeouf's arrest in the early morning hours of Tuesday, February 17, after a physical altercation in the city's French Quarter His booking photo from New Orleans seen above In video obtained by TMZ, the actor can be seen receiving medical treatment from paramedics following the alleged clash, though it remains unclear what led to the confrontation. The Transformers star, who has a history of legal troubles and struggles with addiction, arrived in New Orleans earlier this month for the city's Mardi Gras festivities. Over the weekend, he put his legal woes aside to get cozy with a mystery woman at a New Orleans bar near Bourbon Street on Saturday. In video obtained by TMZ, the star could be seen kissing and holding hands with a petite brunette beauty, who warmly embraced him as they spoke back and forth in the nightclub. The pair reportedly spent at least 45 minutes together and, at one point, danced to The Black Eyed Peas' 2009 hit I Gotta Feeling while on a balcony. At this time, her identity remains unknown. It was recently revealed that LaBeouf's rollercoaster relationship with Mia Goth ended last year after nine years of marriage. It was recently revealed that LaBeouf's rollercoaster relationship with Mia Goth ended last year after nine years of marriage; seen in 2014 LaBeouf has previously credited Mia as having 'saved [his] f*****g life,' once revealing on an episode of the REAL ONES podcast that 'she gave me hope when I was really running on fumes.' The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Shia LaBeouf and Mia Goth for comment. The pair started dating in December 2012 after meeting on the set of Nymphomaniac: Vol II, and they tied the knot in Las Vegas in 2016. The couple's relationship was tumultuous, with the pair filmed in the midst of an explosive argument in 2015, and they went on to split up in 2018. At the time a source told Page Six: 'Shia and Mia have filed for divorce. The separation is amicable, and all details pertaining to the divorce proceedings will remain private.' Shia and Mia reconciled in 2020, and it was revealed that the latter was pregnant with the couple's child in 2022. LaBeouf has previously credited Mia as having 'saved [his] f*****g life,' once revealing on an episode of the REAL ONES podcast (pictured in 2018) The X star gave birth to Isabel in March of that year. While Shia and Mia were separated, he began dating singer FKA Twigs in 2019. In December 2020, Twigs filed a high-profile action accusing the actor of sexual, physical and emotional abuse, along with knowingly giving her a sexually transmitted disease. He denied all allegations against him. The lawsuit sought $10million in damages for alleged sexual battery, assault, and emotional distress during the couple's relationship. In July it was revealed that the pair had settled their lawsuit, with the British hitmaker requesting to dismiss all claims against LaBeouf, 39, with prejudice, meaning she cannot bring the case back to court in the future. At the time of Twigs and LaBeouf's settlement, attorneys for both parties confirmed the matter had been resolved privately. Japanese PM under fire over gifts to ruling LDP lawmakers Xinhua) 10:23, February 26, 2026 TOKYO, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi drew criticism from opposition parties on Wednesday after admitting to distributing congratulatory gifts worth tens of thousands of yen to ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmakers who won seats in the recent House of Representatives election. In a parliamentary session, Takaichi said her local chapter of the LDP used its political funds to send to each of her party's 315 lawmakers catalogs listing gifts that they could order, with a budget of around 30,000 yen (192 U.S. dollars) per person. Takaichi made the admission while responding to a question from an opposition lawmaker after media reports had revealed the matter on Tuesday. Opposition parties criticized Takaichi over the issue. "The mindset of handing out gifts and the sense for how to use money reflect the old culture of the LDP, which we cannot overlook," Kyodo News reported, citing Junya Ogawa, leader of the Centrist Reform Alliance. Japan's Political Funds Control Law imposes strict regulations on donations related to the political activities of public office candidates. Whether Takaichi's actions may constitute a violation of the law has become a focal point of debate. The latest revelation surfaced amid lingering public distrust over money and politics, particularly toward the LDP, after many of its lawmakers were implicated in a slush fund scandal that came to light in late 2023. After taking office in October 2025, Takaichi appointed several scandal-tainted figures to key government posts. Takaichi herself was also accused in December last year of accepting a political donation that exceeded the legal maximum, fueling public anger. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) She is one of the most recognisable faces on British TV, having delivered the nation's biggest stories from Hillsborough to the Padding train crash. But behind the cameras, life for newsreader Sian Williams was far more turbulent than viewers ever realised. As extreme anxiety and self doubt began to take hold, the pressure of the spotlight became increasingly difficult to bear. In 2021, she made a life-changing decision to walk away from the successful on-screen career she had built over 30 years. In a remarkable reinvention, she retrained as a charted counselling psychologist, determined to understand the very issues that had upended her own life. Having swapped the bright lights of the studio for relaxing country walks and training to help others, Sian, 61, has found contentment. Inside Sian Williams life as a psychologist after she stepped back from the spotlight while struggling with extreme anxiety This week, Sian, 61, revealed severe anxiety was one of the reasons why she went on to change professions (pictured on BBC Breakfast with Dermot Murnaghan in 2005) Having swapped the bright lights of the news studio for relaxing country walks and training to help others, Sian has found contentment Sian now has a thriving private practice, where she offers consultancy, workshops, group and individual therapy. She is a senior specialist psychological therapist at the Centre for Anxiety, Stress and Trauma at the NHS, where she helps emergency service staff recover from work-related traumatic events. The former anchor has a doctorate in counselling psychology award by City university of London and a MSc in psychology from Westminster university. In 2023, Prince William attended her event for first responders to listen to their mental health concerns. She is a regular host of the annual Emergency Services Mental Health Symposium, which is supported by the Royal Foundation. Sian has become a keynote speaker and has hosted major events for Google, the British Psychological Society, the BBC, ITV, ITN, King's College London, and more. Her first book Rise: Surviving and Thriving after Trauma was published in June 2016. Her next book The Power of Anxiety: How to Ride the Worry Wave is set to be released next month. It will focus on how people can turn towards anxiety, accept it, and work with it. She still continues to work as a broadcaster, albeit in a much more low-key setting, hosting Life Changing on BBC Radio 4 and Radio 3 Unwind on BBC Sounds. This week, Sian revealed how the experience of her severe anxiety getting out of control was one of the reasons why she went on to change professions. She told The Times: 'I also thought, I hope nobody ever, ever finds out about this - I mustn't tell anyone.' The mother-of-four, who's now a 'Dr', added: 'It can be hard to reveal yourself to other people when you think you've failed in case that's the end for you. 'I think I would absolutely be much kinder to myself now.' She has a doctorate in counselling psychology award by City university of London and a MSc in psychology from Westminster university (Sian pictured with her new book) In 2023, Prince William attended her event for first responders to listen to their mental health concerns Sian detailed how she once fainted while presenting live at an important royal occasion attended by a then- Prince Charles and his two sons Prince William and Prince Harry. The journalist was leading the coverage of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain in London's Hyde Park in 2004. Sian explained how she had been forced to fill time while waiting for the royal family, including Queen Elizabeth II, to arrive. But after running out of things to say on camera, her stress levels spiked, causing her vision to become blurred. She then collapsed to the ground before coming round after a few minutes. She recalled: 'I thought, get off the floor, get back on the stool. Do the job that you're here to do, Sian, because there are millions of people watching.' After working at the BBC for 11 years she left for a role at ITN and Channel 5 as the main News at 5 anchor, which she departed in 2022. Sian was also forced to think about how she wanted her life to look in 2014, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a double mastectomy and when she woke up from reconstructive surgery was told that her heart had stopped on the operating table. In an interview with Woman & Home at the time, Sian said her 'biggest fear' of her illness 'was not being there as a mum'. The mother-of-four, has a 19-year-old son and 17-year-old daughter with husband Paul Woolwich, as well as two older sons, 32 and 27, from a previous marriage 'For some unfathomable reason I couldn't stop thinking that I want to be here for my daughter Evie to watch her get married,' she said in the interview. She added: 'My aunt died of breast cancer, and I'd lost my mum to liver and bowel cancer and I gradually began to realise how bewildered and scared I was.' Sian was also forced to think about how she wanted her life to look in 2014, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is now in remission after a double mastectomy The former anchor said she went to great lengths to keep her cancer secret, adding: 'Nobody knew I'd had the operation apart from the children's teacher.' She is now in remission. In 2024, Sian celebrated her 60th birthday with a gushing post about her profound sense of gratitude as she reflected on her cancer journey. She said: 'I'm 60 today. And, honestly, the best gift is a profound sense of gratitude - acknowledging that - but for the care and expertise of the NHS cancer team - I wouldn't have made it. 'This time a decade ago I was preparing for a double mastectomy and fearful for the future. Bl***y hell - I'm lucky. Love to everyone xx.' Maya Jama danced around in a towel as she sang in the bathroom after returning to the UK following her time in South Africa presenting Love Island. The host of the ITV2 reality show, 31, was make-up free in the candid sleep as she larked about for the camera listening to Jah Cure's Love Is. Maya waved her arm in the air and sang along to the track, as she celebrated being home again after spending the beginning of the year in Cape Town. The TV presenter grabbed her towel as it slipped down while she was busy getting her groove on around the room, before jumping in the shower. As she lifted her arm, Maya showed off tattoo which is in the shape of three countries where she derives her heritage. The star is of Scottish and Swedish ancestry on her mother's side and Somalian descent on her father's side, with all three countries drawn side-by-side. Maya hosted the Love Island: All Stars final on Monday night, where Samie Elishi and Ciaran Davies finished in first place. Maya Jama danced around in a towel as she sang in the bathroom after returning to the UK following her time in South Africa presenting Love Island The host of the ITV2 reality show, 31, was make-up free in the candid sleep as she larked about for the camera listening to Jah Cure's Love Is Following the finale, the stars of the show were spotted boarding flights home to the UK, but endured a five-hour delay before take off. It was reported that the Cape Town airport experienced a power cut after a fire, causing passengers to wait hours to take off. On the same flight, Maya was joined by the Love Island All Stars contestants after the voting results were revealed after the epic final. 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 since shared by 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 9.27 per cent. And while many were over the moon with the results, it left some sharing a theory that it was down to the producers. One said in the comments section: 'Thats not our votes, thats the producers votes; I dont believe it, whos fiddling the votes; 'who believes this? Its not adding up to anything'. Others rushed to support the new couple, 'Why everyone so bitter about Samie and Cieran winning?; My winners; 'Sammie and Ciaran the most genuine humble couple ever.' The star is of Scottish and Swedish ancestry on her mother's side and Somalian descent on her father's side, with all three countries drawn side-by-side Maya hosted the Love Island: All Stars final on Monday night, where Samie Elishi and Ciaran Davies finished in first place Love Island: All Stars returned to our screens this year on January 15. The show follows previous stars who head 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. 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. 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.' Kerry Katona has reportedly unfollowed Katie Price's new husband Lee Andrews after claims he 'punched her boyfriend Paolo Margaglione during a furious row in Dubai'. The Atomic Kitten star, 45, and her toyboy beau, 33, were holidaying in Dubai when they met up with Katie and her new so-called businessman husband Lee. But Kerry and Paolo's holiday came to abrupt end, with claims circulating that he was 'punched' by Lee during an altercation when the two couples met up. Katie has denied this. Now Kerry has reportedly decided she will not have anything to do with Lee and has unfollowed him on Instagram to mark the decision. 'Kerry quietly unfollowed Lee a few days ago,' a source claimed to The Sun. 'She is still upset about what happened when they were all in Dubai together, and at the end of the day, her loyalties are with Paolo, not Katie and her new man.' Kerry Katona has unfollowed Katie Price's new husband Lee Andrews after claims he 'punched her boyfriend Paolo Margaglione during a furious row in Dubai' The source said Kerry is speaking again to Katie but does not want anymore contact with Lee. 'Publicly she won't badmouth him but her unfollowing him speaks a thousand words,' they added. Kerry's representatives refused to comment when contacted by the Daily Mail. The insider said Paolo was 'shocked', while Katie was also said to be reeling from the unexpected fallout. Ex glamour model Katie, 47, who shocked fans after tying the knot with the business man, 43, following a 'week long romance', took to Instagram following the claims. Kerry and Paolo jetted off to the UAE for a sun-kissed Valentine's Day trip, where they joined Katie and her new husband. But Paolo flew home after just 14 hours following the alleged punch-up. The alteration was said to have happened when Paolo deemed Lee to be talking to Katie in an 'aggressive manner'. Kerry wasn't said to be present when the alleged row took place but heard about it from Paolo. The Atomic Kitten star, 45, and her toyboy beau, 33, were holidaying in Dubai when they met up with Katie and her new so-called businessman husband Lee Now Kerry has reportedly decided she will not have anything to do with Lee and has unfollowed him on Instagram to mark the decision 'Lee was having some cross words with Katie. Paolo then appeared and stepped in. Lee seemed to be very angry and was shouting at him,' a source told The Sun. 'It all got very heated and Lee threw some punches and one of them landed Paolo square on the head. It was crazy to see this play out. The situation seemed to be pretty heated but then it erupted very quickly. It all happened so fast.' The Daily Mail has contacted Kerry's representatives for comment. Katie and Lee denied the altercation. In her new! magazine column, Kerry didn't mention the fall out but did say it was an abrupt end to the holiday. She wrote: 'Unfortunately during the trip, Paolo had to go back to the UK for a work emergency. 'I got to spend literally 14 hours with him before he had to leave, which meant I was left alone in Dubai, which we were both gutted about.' Kerry and Katie's 22-year friendship is said to have become strained by the bust-up between their partners, after being close since their 2004 I'm A Celeb appearance and last year went on tour together. Speaking on her Instagram Stories, Katie not only denied the reports but also said Kerry and Paolo would be 'special guests' at her second wedding back in the UK - despite claims Lee is banned from leaving the UAE. It was claimed the British born Lee spent three weeks locked up in a Dubai jail for allegedly forging his ex-girlfriend's signature to take out a 200,000 loan in her name and has been banned from leaving the United Arab Emirates. He denies this, but as yet, does not appear to have left the country. 'Oh my god you guys, there is so much speculation going around at the moment about me and Lee, I don't know what the fascination is,' she said. 'But one thing I will clear up, there has not been any punch up, punches thrown, between Lee and Paolo, if anything we had a good day and celebrated with them.' She continued: 'And that was it, we had a great day, I don't know where these stories have come from, Lee has never ever been aggressive, angry, or spoken to me in any sort of way, we are so in love and he is my absolute teddy bear.' 'We can't can't wait to get back to the UK to have a big wedding with all our family, friends and obviously Kerry and Paolo will be our special guests.' Plans for a UK wedding come despite reports businessman Lee is banned from leaving the UAE. It was claimed the British born Lee spent three weeks locked up in a Dubai jail for allegedly forging his ex-girlfriend's signature to take out a 200,000 loan in her name and has been banned from leaving the United Arab Emirates. He denies this, but as yet, does not appear to have left the country. Insiders told the Daily Mail that he allegedly applied for a 200,000 mortgage on behalf of personal trainer partner Dina Taji without her knowledge last year. On Wednesday Lee referred to Katie as his 'sweet little wife' while she called him her 'husband' before telling followers: 'So we are still in Dubai and we will be coming to England every soon' 'Within a day right?' he asked, to which she replied: 'Watch out England we're coming'. Charli D'Amelio stepped out in a pair of floral hotpants and a Prada jacket during Milan Fashion Week after it was revealed she has cut her parents and sister out of her life. The TikToker, 21, rose to fame at just 15 years old as one of the social media platform's first mega stars after filming. But the trained dancer has moved away from TikTok videos and turned her attention to the world of showbiz, appearing in Dancing With The Stars and performing on Broadway. Now in a new venture, Charli jetted off to Milan in Italy on Thursday as she made an appearance at the Prada Womenswear Fall/Winter 2026/2027 show during fashion week. She looked incredible as she arrived for the show wearing a skimpy pair of pale yellow and pink floral hotpants. Charli paired the hotpants with an oversized grey-blue collared bomber jacket and a black ribbed t-shirt, as well as cream bow heels. Charli D'Amelio stepped out in a pair of floral hotpants and a Prada jacket during Milan Fashion Week on Thursday after it was revealed she has cut her parents and sister out of her life The TikToker, 21, rose to fame at just 15 years old as one of the social media platform's first mega stars after filming It comes after sources told the Daily Mail's Molly Clayton that Charli has now cut off her family and blocked them on social media, claiming they became 'fame hungry' and used her as a 'cash cow'. 'This is a teenager who was taken advantage of, for money, by her already rich parents, leaving her aggressively sexualised and massively hated online for having the maturity of a teenager,' the source said. Another insider added: 'They were constantly trying to force Charli to do things she didn't want to simply because it would bring in more money and fame.' Read the Mail+ full report here. It was announced back in September 2024 that Charli would be making her Broadway debut in the revisionist take on Shakespeare's classic tale of star-crossed lovers. Charli grew up dancing competitively before joining TikTok and becoming one of the most-followed people on the social media platform. In 2022, she competed on Dancing With the Stars and won the coveted Mirror Ball trophy during the 31st season. She then landed her own Hulu reality TV series alongside her family called The D'Amelio Show. However, in June 2024 it was revealed that the show had been axed after three seasons. Now in a new venture, Charli jetted off to Milan in Italy on Thursday as she made an appearance at the Prada Womenswear Fall/Winter 2026/2027 show during fashion week She looked incredible as she arrived for the show wearing a skimpy pair of pale yellow and pink floral hotpants Charli paired the hotpants with an oversized grey-blue collared bomber jacket and a black ribbed t-shirt, as well as cream bow heels Last year Charli gave fans a glimpse into her rather bizarre pre-show ritual and it involves a 'scalp shrine.' In a new tongue-in-cheek video shared on TikTok, the 20-year-old influencer is dressed in a long-sleeved white top and baggy gray sweatpants as she films herself doing various activities inside her New York City apartment. It begins with Charli walking over to a large speaker as she reveals the first step of her ritual is to 'listen to music on even number volume OR ELSE,' and she also has to tap the speaker three times 'for good luck.' The brunette star, who plays the role of the role of Charmian in & Juliet, then heads to the kitchen where she makes herself a cold brew. As she retires to a large gray sofa in the living room, Charli admits that she gives her beverage 'three stirs clockwise for good luck.' The light-hearted footage then takes an unusual turn as Charli is seen entering her 'scalp shrine,' which appears to be located in her walk-in closet. With the lights switched off, Charli has a few candles lit and is wearing a long bathrobe as she is seen removing the lid from a container of CeraVe moisturizing cream. She proceeds to scoop some of the product out and using her fingers she dots the cream along her scalp for luck and captioned this part of the video: 'Itch free = lucky.' The original cast from the 1996 movie Scream posed for a group photo on Wednesday evening in Los Angeles. The Hollywood movie actors were at the premiere of Scream 7, which they all appear in to help celebrate 30 years of the blockbuster franchise. Courteney Cox made the rare move of being seen near her ex-husband David Arquette, with whom she has daughter Coco. Also in the group image were several other original cast members. They were Neve Campbell, Matthew Lillard and Skeet Ulrich. Scream 7 is scheduled to be released in theaters in the United States on February 27, 2026. Distributed by Paramount, the film will be available in premium large formats like IMAX. The original cast from the 1996 movie Scream posed for a group photo on Wednesday evening in Los Angeles. Seen here are Skeet Ulrich, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Drew Barrymore Scream Cox, Jamie Kennedy and Campbell in Wes Craven's Scream Cox and Arquette - who did not pose side by side but rather with two co-stars between them - were wed from 1999 until 2013. She now dates Snow Patrol rocker Johnny McDaid. The 1996 movie Scream was directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson. It also starred Rose McGowan and Drew Barrymore. Set in the fictional town of Woodsboro, California, the plot followed high school student Sidney Prescott (Campbell) and her friends, who, on the anniversary of her mother's murder, become the targets of a costumed serial killer. Scream 7 is directed by Williamson and stars several of the original cast members as well as Isabel May from the Yellowstone prequel 1883 and Mckenna Grace from the film Regretting You. The horror film is about a new Ghostface killer who emerges in the quiet town where Sidney has built a new life. The Hollywood movie actors were at the premiere of Scream 7, which they all appear in to help celebrate 30 years of the blockbuster franchise Cox made the rare move of being seen near her ex-husband David Arquette, with whom she has daughter Coco. Also in the group image were several other original cast members. They were Neve Campbell, Matthew Lillard and Skeet Ulrich Cox, left, in a black suit, and right in 1996's Scream Her darkest fears are realized as her daughter Tatum (played by May) becomes the next target. 'Determined to protect her family, she must face the horrors of her past to put an end to the bloodshed once and for all,' the synopsis reads. Campbell is reprising her role as Sidney Prescott in Scream 7, the latest movie in the slasher series, but insists that she has no regrets about not featuring in the 2023 Scream flick as she felt 'undervalued' by the salary offered by movie bosses. Neve told CBS Mornings: 'When I made that decision, I just didn't think I could live with myself walking on set. I just didn't feel right. I just knew that my value to this franchise was bigger than what had been offered. For me, I needed to make that choice.' The Lincoln Lawyer star admits that she feared the pay dispute would spell the end of her time in the Scream franchise having first portrayed Sidney Prescott in the original 1996 film. Ulrich, Campbell, Lillard, Rose McGowan, Jamie Kennedy in Scream Campbell said: 'When I said goodbye to it, I thought that was it. I knew that there was a good chance that would be it.' Asked if she was OK with the decision, Neve added: 'Well, I had to be. I mean, I was sad. When I knew they were having their first day of shooting and I wasn't there, I was like, 'That sucks'. But at the same time, I knew that my decision was right. 'And when I spoke out about it, it wasn't really to sort of rally everybody. It was really just my truth at the time, and the fact the people got behind me, I got lovely support, and that was nice. And I do feel that other people need to make those choices.' Lillard found his return as Stu Macher in Scream 7 to be 'a risk [he] was excited to take'. Campbell seen with McGowan in Scream The 55-year-old actor is reprising his role as one of the Ghostface killers in the upcoming slasher, and with Stu having met his bloody end in the original Scream, Lillard is 'nervous' for audiences to see how the dead character returns. Speaking with People, he said: 'I'm nervous, because at this point in my life, the only thing I can do is sort of ruin how people consider Stu. [Especially] if I come back and I suck or I was lame. 'I haven't seen the movie yet. I don't know if it works, but it's a risk. And it's a risk that I was excited to take. At the same time, I'm nervous to see the outcome. I hope people like it.' Even so, the Five Nights At Freddy's star is confident Scream 7 will be 'fantastic'. He added: 'I'm really excited for people to see it. It's not gonna ruin the franchise, that's the good news.' Alessandra Ambrosio pulled at the straps of her white bikini set while modeling for the 'Oceanborn' spring collection for Russian swim-and-lingerie company, Lavarice. The 44-year-old Lions Model showcased substantial cleavage in the brand's $55.41 'Top Yasmin' bikini in snaps she posted Wednesday. Ambrosio completed her soft swimwear with the matching $54.23 'Bottoms MOA' boyshort. The Brazilian bombshell - who boasts 20.9 million social media followers - captioned her Instagram slideshow with a quote from the Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho: 'It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.' Ambrosio previously shared snaps of herself modeling the brand's $53.07 green 'FREYA Forest' string bikini and matching $45.99 bottoms. On Valentine's Day, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show stunner's boyfriend Buck Palmer publicly declared: 'Nothing [is] better than our love and traveling this world with you.' Alessandra Ambrosio pulled at the straps of her white bikini set while modeling for the 'Oceanborn' spring collection for Russian swim-and-lingerie company, Lavarice 'Thank you [my love] for being the most amazing partner in this dream!' the Australian 44-year-old gushed on Instagram. 'Through the roller coaster of life and all the ups and downs there is no one I would rather go through all of it with and, yes, you are the chess champion.' Ambrosio replied in the comments: 'Love sharing life with [you my love]!' It's been nearly a year since the inseparable pair got matching heart tattoos inked on their wrists by LA artist Winterstone, further solidifying their commitment. Ambrosio and Palmer originally began dating in October 2024. The Experience Abu Dhabi promoter previously romanced Wilhelmina Model Richard Lee from 2021 to 2023 and dated Alanui co-designer Nicolo Oddi from 2018 to 2020. Ambrosio is mother to two teenagers - daughter Anja, 17; son Noah, 13 - whom she welcomed during her decade-long relationship with ex-fiance Jamie Mazur, which ended in 2018. The 5ft10in catwalker and the hat designer even modeled in a steamy shoot for Mazur's denim brand, Re/Done. The 44-year-old Lions Model showcased substantial cleavage in the brand's $55.41 'Top Yasmin' bikini in snaps she posted Wednesday Ambrosio completed her soft swimwear with the matching $54.23 'Bottoms MOA' boyshort The Brazilian bombshell captioned her Instagram slideshow with a quote from the Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho: 'It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting' Ambrosio previously shared snaps of herself modeling the brand's $53.07 green 'FREYA Forest' string bikini and matching $45.99 bottoms On Valentine's Day, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show stunner's boyfriend Buck Palmer publicly declared: 'Nothing [is] better than our love and traveling this world with you. Thank you [my love] for being the most amazing partner in this dream!' Ambrosio replied in the comments: 'Love sharing life with [you my love]!' It's been nearly a year since the inseparable pair got matching heart tattoos inked on their wrists by LA artist Winterstone, further solidifying their commitment Ambrosio and Palmer - who's a hat designer - originally began dating in October 2024 (pictured January 31) The Experience Abu Dhabi promoter is mother to two teenagers - daughter Anja, 17; son Noah, 13 - whom she welcomed during her decade-long relationship with ex-fiance Jamie Mazur, which ended in 2018 (pictured in 2024) Ambrosio is every bit the influencer with paid partnerships for brands and resorts like Alo, Trip Drinks, Omega Watches, Vizzano, Montage Los Cabos and Pomellato. The brunette beauty co-founded swimwear brand GAL Floripa with her younger sister Aline and best friend Gisele Coria in 2019, and practically every item is currently 70 percent off. Ambrosio previously ran her eponymous swimwear line ale by Alessandra from 2014-2018. the glamorous globetrotter - who's 'forever on vacation' - became a US citizen in 2020 after 24 years of living in the States. Sarah Michelle Gellar paid a heartfelt tribute to Michelle Trachtenberg on the first anniversary of her former co-star's tragic death, at age 39, with a touching message. The Buffy the Vampire Slayer star, 48, took to Instagram to reflect on her decades-long bond with Trachtenberg, who died on February 26, 2025. 'I'm not sure how it's been a year,' Gellar began. 'I'm one of the lucky ones who has over 30 years of memories with you. From our first day on set together, to less than a year later, when you were already taller than me.' 'But most of all, when I think of you, that smile that took up your entire face and brought so much joy to others is what comes to mind,' Gellar continued. 'You may not have been with us long enough, but we will make sure everyone remembers.' The actress also shared a series of emotional and nostalgic throwback photos, including smiling snapshots of the pair at events and on red carpets over the years. In one photo, the two beamed side-by-side as young stars; in another, they posed against a pink backdrop, arms wrapped around each other. Sarah Michelle Gellar paid a heartfelt tribute to Michelle Trachtenberg on the first anniversary of her former co-star's death with a touching message; seen in 2003 Gellar and Trachtenberg famously portrayed sisters Buffy Summers and Dawn Summers on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which aired from 1997 to 2003. Following Trachtenberg's death last year, Gellar paid tribute by quoting a poignant line from the series. 'Michelle, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you. The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live for you,' she wrote, at the time. Fans and fellow actors flooded the comments of her latest post with messages of support. 'Forever our Dawnie,' one wrote while others described the tribute as 'beautiful' and said Trachtenberg was 'gone way too soon.' Trachtenberg's cause of death was revealed in April 2025. According to a statement from the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, she died due to complications from diabetes mellitus. Officials cited lab results in declaring their findings to the Daily Mail and classified the death as natural. It was not immediately clear whether she had type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The Buffy the Vampire Slayer star, 48, took to Instagram to reflect on her decades-long bond with Trachtenberg, who died on February 26, 2025 'I'm not sure how it's been a year,' Gellar began. 'I'm one of the lucky ones who has over 30 years of memories with you. From our first day on set together, to less than a year later, when you were already taller than me' (seen in 2021) Gellar and Trachtenberg famously portrayed sisters Buffy Summers and Dawn Summers on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which aired from 1997 to 2003; seen in 2008 In the months prior to her passing, Trachtenberg had undergone a liver transplant. Authorities with the New York Police Department previously told the Daily Mail that officers responded to a 911 call at approximately 8:01 a.m. on February 26, 2025, to 1 Columbus Place in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood. 'Upon arrival, officers observed a 39-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive. EMS responded to the location and pronounced the victim deceased,' police said in a statement at the time. 'Criminality is not suspected. The Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.' Her relatives had cited religious reasons for not wanting the results of her autopsy made public. Trachtenberg began her career as a child performer and went on to become a household name thanks to roles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl At age 10, she starred in Harriet the Spy (seen above) At the time of her death, Trachtenberg had been in a relationship with Jay Cohen, a partner at The Gersh Agency focused on film and distribution. The couple had been dating since 2020 and frequently shared affectionate messages on social media. Following her passing, Cohen told the Daily Mail that 'the family will not be commenting on the tragedy.' Trachtenberg began her career as a child performer and went on to become a household name thanks to roles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl. On the latter, she portrayed scheming socialite Georgina Sparks opposite Blake Lively's Serena van der Woodsen from 2007 to 2012. Food Network star Anne Burrell was not given the overdosereversing drug Narcan when first responders found her lifeless in the shower of her Brooklyn home, police have revealed. Burrells husband Stuart Claxton made the grim discovery at around 7.40am on June 17, 2025, and paramedics pronounced her dead at approximately 8am, according to a police report obtained by TMZ on Thursday. Officers at the scene reportedly found a bowl containing a mix of overthecounter medications near her body, per the report. In July, the New York City medical examiner ruled her death a suicide, citing acute intoxication from a combination of amphetamine and ethanol, as well as the antihistamines diphenhydramine and cetirizine. While naloxone - commonly sold under the brand name Narcan - is widely used to rapidly reverse opioid overdoses and can also blunt some effects of amphetamines, the report states that paramedics determined Burrell was beyond help and did not administer the drug. The revelation comes after investigators said they found what appeared to be a suicidal note and troubling journal entries in the late chefs bedroom in the aftermath of her shock death at 55. Food Network star Anne Burrell was not given the overdosereversing drug Narcan when first responders found her lifeless in the shower of her Brooklyn home, police have revealed While naloxone - commonly sold under the brand name Narcan - is widely used to rapidly reverse opioid overdoses and can also blunt some effects of amphetamines, the report states that paramedics determined Burrell was beyond help and did not administer the drug A new report from the New York City Police Department revealed that a letter indicating suicidal intent was recovered from Burrells bedroom, alongside a journal containing entries described as suicidal, according to People. The report also noted that a person identified as her spouse told police Burrell had never attempted suicide in the past and never talked about it, adding that she had shown no warning signs or behavior suggesting she would take such action. Early in the morning when Burrell was found dead, her husband had 'noticed that the bed was made in their room which is not normal,' per the new police report. Claxton then discovered her on the bathroom floor 'with a bunch of over the counter pills on the floor,' whereupon he began 'shaking her and slapping her face' in a bid to wake her up and then dialed 911 when his efforts failed. NYPD documents indicated that there were 'approximately (100) assorted pills' around her body when she was found, according to the New York Times. She was reportedly pronounced dead on the scene after an EMS crew tried to perform CPR on her but was unsuccessful in the attempt to revive her. Claxton - who married Burrell in October 2021 in her hometown in upstate New York - is said to have last seen her alive at around 1:00am on June 17 last year, six to seven hours before he came upon her unresponsive in the bathroom. The evening before she died she had performed in an improv show at a Brooklyn comedy club, having taken classes at its training center. Her body was discovered on her bathroom floor by her husband Stuart Claxton (right), whom she married in October 2021 in her hometown in upstate New York Worst Cooks in the World returned to the Food Network last month for its first episodes since Burrell died, leaving fans bereft; she is pictured on the series in 2021 'I just started taking acting classes,' she remarked that March on Tori Spelling's podcast. 'I started yesterday, actually... It's like an improv for actors' class.' She shared that there were 'like eight people in the class. I'm the oldest one. Every other person has like: "Oh, I have a master's in fine arts in theater."' Burrell joked: 'I wonder if these delightful and super talented kids look at me and they're like: "What's this old lady doing here?"' At that point she had recently shocked fans by announcing a hiatus from Worst Cooks in America after season 28, which aired from January to February last year. 'I can cook, yes, I can do TV, but also, what else? I've got more to do in my life, I feel like,' she told Spelling, clarifying she was only 'dipping her toe' into acting. 'I feel very excited about it. I've got a few other things that I'm working on as well, which I'm not quite ready to share yet. Hopefully, exciting things [are] coming.' Her shattered family reacted to the news of her death with a statement saying that 'her smile lit up every room she entered' and that her 'light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world.' Worst Cooks in America returned to the Food Network last month for its first episodes since Burrell died, leaving fans feeling bereft. Burrell had won the loyalty of audiences with her long run on the show, after developing her expertise in Mediterranean cuisine by working as a chef at a string of New York hot spots including Felidia and Savoy. Her interest in cooking was born when she was a little girl, thanks in part to the influence of another popular TV chef, Julia Child. If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741-741. Mary Cosby's son Robert Cosby Jr. was embroiled in more legal troubles at the time of his death at age 23. The Daily Mail can confirm that Robert had been charged with two domestic violence charges earlier this month - felony aggravated assault and felony assault. An arrest warrant was also issued for him. The charges stem from an alleged fight Robert got into with an unnamed individual in May 2024, a person who was only identified by her initials (A.S.) and who also referred to Robert as her 'husband,' according to TMZ. A.S. told officers on November 23, 2025 that Robert - who was married to Alexiana Smokoff however she filed for divorce in November - allegedly beat her up after she flushed his drugs down the toilet in May 2024. She claimed Robert 'beat her about the face and head, and kicked her in the stomach'. Robert then allegedly choked her for 10 seconds, leaving her unable to breathe. A.S. provided officers with photos of her alleged injury which were taken the day of the incident. The photos captured her eyes looking 'red and swollen, her left eye has a lump below the eyebrow, and there is a red mark visible on A.S.'s neck.' Mary Cosby's son, Robert Cosby Jr., had been charged with two counts of domestic violence two weeks before his passing - felony aggravated assault and felony assault earlier this month Cosby Jr. is the son of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Mary Cosby As a result of his past domestic violence convictions, prosecutors said Robert was eligible for an enhanced sentence. The charging document lists Mary as a witness who officers received evidence from. The Daily Mail has contacted representatives at NBCUniversal, which airs Cosby's show, and Robert's attorney Clayton Simms for comment. Robert died on Monday at age 23. While an official cause of death has not been released, police initially responded to what was described as a 'possible overdose,' which later became a death investigation. Salt Lake City police told TMZ that officers responded Monday night to a call for a 'full arrest/medical emergency' involving a 23-year-old male. Firefighters and paramedics were also dispatched to the scene. Authorities have not released further details. Additional details surrounding the incident have since emerged through 911 dispatch audio, obtained by the Daily Mail. According to the audio, first responders were alerted to an unresponsive 23-year-old man who was not breathing. Dispatchers stated that Narcan had been administered, and that multiple police units were already en route to the scene. Robert, pictured R, died at age 23 on Monday Authorities confirmed they responded to the emergency call at approximately 6:14 p.m. Firefighters and paramedics were also dispatched. No further details have been released by officials. Robert's death comes just weeks after he was released from Salt Lake County Metro Jail after serving two months behind bars. He was arrested after he went to the home belonging to his ex-wife Smokoff's family - a violation of a pretrial protective order, according to People. In November, Robert pleaded guilty to eight charges which consisted of assault, violation of a protective order, criminal trespass, violation of a jail release court order, and others, according to People. At the time of his release, his attorney Clayton Simms told People that Robert Jr. 'expresses deep regret regarding his prior actions and acknowledges that his past behavior demonstrates poor judgment.' Viewers of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City saw Robert appear on the Bravo series several times over the years. Salt Lake City police told TMZ that officers responded Monday night to a call for a 'full arrest/medical emergency' involving a 23-year-old male Robert's wife Alexiana Smokoff filed for divorce from him in November 2025 and last week was granted a temporary restraining order against him, according to TMZ. During season four, Mary addressed learning that her son had secretly married Alexiana without her knowledge. The wedding reportedly took place in August 2022 at a Utah courthouse. Robert and Alexiana's alleged struggles with substance use were also featured as part of Mary's storyline on the show. Robert also had a history of legal issues. He was arrested in Utah in September on multiple alleged charges, including trespassing and assault. He was previously arrested in 2022 for driving under the influence, at which time police said he did not have a valid license and failed to follow traffic laws. Mary has appeared on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City since its debut, with her family life occasionally featured on the show (Mary seen in 2024) He later pleaded guilty to the DUI charge. During part 2 of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City season 6 reunion, which aired in January, Mary spoke about her son's arrest and time in jail. 'I know he's somewhere where he's not using,' she said. 'Unfortunately he's learning the hard way, but I'm okay with it.' Still, she said, as a mother, 'you don't wanna see your kid suffer, but I know it's good, and I'd rather him be there than dead.' Jim Carrey made a rare return to the spotlight following a string of scandals as he was honoured at the 51st Cesar Film Awards on Wednesday. Unsavoury allegations surrounding the tragic suicide of his on-and-off girlfriend and his multiple eyebrow-raising actions and comments ultimately cast a dark shadow over the actor's once booming career. Despite his break, Jim, 64, returned to his role as Dr Robotnik for Sonic The Hedgehog 3 last year, admitting at the time he came back to the film series as he 'needed the money.' And during the glitzy ceremony at L'Olympia in Paris, Jim was given an Honorary Cesar Award for his work. Before he took to the stage to accept the award, Jim appeared visibly touched as director Michel Gondry recalled their work together on Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, while actor Emmanuel Curtil, who is Jim's official French voice in films, begged him not to leave the profession. In his speech, The Mask star said: 'About three hundred years ago, my great-great-great-great-grandfather, Marc Francois Carrey, left Saint-Malo in France for Canada. Tonight, with this magnificent honour, this 'square' has come full circle. 'Perhaps this is what my family was looking for. Jim Carrey made a rare return to the spotlight following a string of scandals as he was honoured at the 51st Cesar Film Awards on Wednesday Allegations surrounding the tragic suicide of his on-and-off girlfriend and his multiple eyebrow-raising actions and comments ultimately cast a dark shadow over the actor's career 'Thank you to the funniest man I have ever known: my father, Percy Joseph Carrey, who taught me the value of love, generosity, and laughter. If you want fortune to smile upon you, smile upon it first. It is very difficult, but we must try. 'I will always cherish this memory. I will always smile at this memory. My life is paradise... so, how was my French? Mediocre, right?' The French Academy described the king of slapstick comedies as 'one of the most original voices in modern cinema', gushing: 'His work, on and off screen, reminds audiences that cinema can do more than entertain 'His journey embodies an unrelenting boldness, constantly pushing the boundaries of performance and art.' Jim began to face a slew of controversies throughout the 2010s, which eventually caused him to largely retreat from the spotlight. He faced severe backlash online over some of his actions and comments - most notable was his controversial stance on vaccines. Back in 2015, he went on a fierce tirade against immunisations online. He said he believed that the chemicals in the shots were causing a host of problems in children, and pointed to the growing number of autism cases in the country. But his views were widely slammed due to the lack of medical proof. In 2022, he came under fire again after he condemned Will Smith over his infamous Oscars slap. Will stormed on stage and hit host Chris Rock in the face after he made a joke about the actor's then-wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. 'I was sickened by the standing ovation,' Jim said of the moment afterwards on Gayle King. 'I felt like Hollywood is just spineless en masse. 'You do not have the right to walk up on stage and smack somebody in the face because they said words.' Throughout the 2010s, Jim still acted - his credits during those year include Mr. Popper's Penguins, Kick-A** 2, the sequel to Dumb and Dumber, entitled Dumb and Dumber To, Dark Crimes, and the Sonic the Hedgehog films - but his career significantly slowed down. He tried to pursue other endeavors - he released a children's book, called How Roland Rolls, he dabbled in producing, and wrote a memoir, entitled Memoirs and Misinformation - but it seemed like he couldn't shake his growing list of scandals. Then, in April 2022, Jim revealed that he was thinking of quitting acting for good, while promoting Sonic the Hedgehog 2. He told reporters that he was 'probably' retiring after the film, stating, 'Well, I'm retiring. Yeah, probably. I'm being fairly serious. 'It depends, if the angels bring some sort of script that's written in gold ink that says to me that it's gonna be really important for people to see, I might continue down the road, but I'm taking a break. 'I really like my quiet life and I really love putting paint on canvas and I really love my spiritual life. During the glitzy ceremony at L'Olympia in Paris, Jim was given an Honorary Cesar Award for his work The Bruce Almighty star was in high spirits as he took to the stage to accept the honour The French Academy described the king of slapstick comedies as 'one of the most original voices in modern cinema' Before he took to the stage to accept the award, Jim appeared visibly touched as director Michel Gondry recalled their work together on Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind With an exaggerated French accent, the star recalled his own roots in the country, noting that winning the award was a 'square' moment 'I will always cherish this memory. I will always smile at this memory. My life is paradise... so, how was my French? Mediocre, right?' he said 'I feel like - and I feel like this is something you might never hear another celebrity say as long as time exists - I have enough. I've done enough. I am enough.' In 2012, Jim also started dating a makeup artist named Cathriona White, but she passed away from a prescription drug overdose in 2015. Her death was ruled as a suicide, but her estranged husband Mark Burton later sued the actor, claiming he'd caused her mental distress that contributed to her suicide. Mark also alleged that Jim 'improperly obtained prescriptions for Ambien and the powerful opioid oxycodone under the alias Arthur King,' and gave them to Cathriona, according to the The Oxford Eagle. 'What a terrible shame,' Jim responded in a statement afterwards. 'It would be easy for me to get in a back room with this man's lawyer and make this go away, but there are some moments in life when you have to stand up and defend your honor against the evil in this world. 'I will not tolerate this heartless attempt to exploit me or the woman I loved. I really hope that some day soon people will stop trying to profit from this and let her rest in peace.' Cathriona's mother also filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Jim, but both cases were ultimately dismissed in January 2018. He has also been open about how during the height of his fame, he quietly battled depression. Back in 2017, he told i-Magazine, 'At this point, I don't have depression... [but] I had that for years. 'Now, when the rain comes, it rains, but it doesn't stay. It doesn't stay long enough to immerse me and drown me anymore.' He added, 'I'm perfectly fine with everything that has happened, even the horrible sh*t you know, in life and in art. There is a lot of satisfaction about looking back at those things.' Following his return to the Sonic film series last year, Jim is set to appear in a fourth instalment, which will be released in 2027. Paris Brosnan had family support for his exhibition opening in Mayfair London on Thursday night. The artist, 24, was joined by his proud dad Pierce Brosnan, model brother Dylan, 29, and Pierce's granddaughter Isabella Smith, 27, to debut a new collection titled Collective Energy at Clarendon Fine Art in Mayfair. Pierce, 72, looked delighted to be supporting his youngest, who has previously exhibited in the US, posing with his family outside the gallery. Pierce and his family, including Paris' girlfriend Alex Lee-Aillon, joined fellow guests for an immersive preview of the collection, before stepping outside to witness Paris create a striking live painting on a vintage BMW 7 Series, drawing attention from onlookers. Earlier in the day the Bond star took to Instagram to promote the exhibition, writing: 'So proud of you @paris.brosnan 'COLLECTIVE ENERGY' Thursday, 26th February Clarendon Fine Art Mayfair, UK. Join LA-based artist Paris Brosnan at the launch of his UK debut to experience his vibrant Art which 'explores human connection, energy & the rhythm of shared experience.'' Pierce has five children in total, sharing his two youngest Dylan and Paris with his wife Keely Shaye Smith, 61. Pierce has kept a strong family bond with Isabella after her mother, Charlotte - who is his adopted daughter - died from cancer in 2013. Pierce Brosnan, his son Dylan, 29, and granddaughter Isabella, 27, arrived to support Paris Brosnan's art exhibition at Clarendon Fine Art in Mayfair on Thursday Pierce, 72, looked delighted to be supporting his youngest, who has previously exhibited in the US where he is based Charlotte and her younger brother Christopher, 52, are the children of Pierce's late first wife, Cassandra Harris. Pierce adopted Cassandra's two children after their father, Dermot Harris died in 1986. Cassandra later died of ovarian cancer in 1991, which left the siblings without their biological parents. Before Cassandra's death, she and Pierce welcomed their biological son, Sean, 41, in 1983. Charlotte welcomed two children of her own, Isabella and Lucas, with her partner Alex Smith. But Charlotte died just weeks after marrying Alex in 2013 from the same cancer her mother had. Isabella has remained largely out of the public eye over the years and has appeared to have kept a strong bond with her father, Alex. Pierce has rarely spoken about Cassandra and Charlotte since their tragic passing, but he did at the Stand Up To Cancer telethon in 2014. There wasn't a dry eye in the house when Pierce described himself 'as a man who has watched the women he loved so much struggle with great pain'. He began by saying: 'To watch someone you love have his or her life eaten away bit by bit by this insidious disease, that kind of sorrow becomes an indelible part of your psyche. 'I held the generous, strong, beautiful hand of my first wife Cassie as ovarian cancer took her life much too soon. Isabella, who is the daughter of Pierce's late daughter Charlotte who died from cancer in 2013, joined Dylan for the family night out Earlier in the day the Bond star took t o Instagram to promote the exhibition, writing: 'So proud of you @paris.brosnan 'COLLECTIVE ENERGY' Thursday, 26th February Pierce has kept a strong family bond with Isabella after her mother, Charlotte - who is his adopted daughter - died from cancer in 2013 Paris was also joined by his stunning model girlfriend Alex Lee-Aillon for his big night 'And just last year, I held the hand of my funny, wonderful daughter Charlotte before she too died from this wretched, inherited disease.' Pierce previously spoke about his and his son Paris' shared passion for art. He revealed that his wife, Keely had a documentary aired at the Cannes Film Festival, and when organisers discovered Pierce was a painter, they asked him to auction an artwork for amFAR - a charity supporting AIDS research. In an interview with Parade magazine, Pierce said: 'I'd done a painting of Bob Dylan, who is a great hero of mine. 'It sold for $1.4million (1.1million) and Keely and I just danced into the night. If it could be like that all the time, I definitely would give up the acting game.' Pierce and his family joined fellow guests for an immersive preview of the collection, before stepping outside to witness Paris create a striking live painting on a vintage BMW 7 Series Pierce took up painting in 1987 when his late wife, Cassandra, was diagnosed with ovarian cancerm and has admitted he encouraged his children to pursue any of their passions except his own: acting. 'Just because it is f***ing hard work,' he told GQ in 2022. 'It's a cross to bear. You're constructing and destroying yourself.' Taking his dad's advice, Paris, now 24, is channeling his talent into art and music whilst Dylan is a successful model. Alice Evans wept in court Thursday as she told how she learned from a lawyer that her husband, Fantastic Four star Ioan Gruffudd, was divorcing her. 'I was terrified I was alone in Los Angeles. I was utterly shocked... devastated,' sobbed the 57-year-old actress who said that Gruffudd 'never' told her himself that he wanted a divorce. Several months later came a second crushing blow, she told the LA Superior Court, when she discovered on Instagram that the man she'd spent more than 20 years of her life with was romantically involved with a much-younger woman, Australian actress, Bianca Wallace. 'It was the biggest shock I have ever had in my life,' added Evans, using tissues to wipe away tears as she testified on the fourth day of the trial in which Gruffudd, 52, is seeking to renew a domestic violence restraining order against her. Gruffudd and Evans split in early 2021 and went through a messy divorce that was finalized in 2023. Since then, they've been locked in a bitter feud over money and custody of their daughters, Ella, 16, and Elsie, 12. Alice Evans wept in court Thursday as she recounted learning from a lawyer that her husband, Fantastic Four star Ioan Gruffudd, was divorcing her, saying the emotional turmoil drove her to send harassing messages to him and his now-wife online Gruffudd and Evans split in early 2021, finalizing a messy divorce in 2023. Since then, they've been embroiled in a bitter feud over money and custody of their daughters Welsh actor Gruffudd accuses his ex of a 'relentless five-year campaign of harassment and abuse' against him and Wallace, 33, whom he married in April last year and who bore him his third daughter Mila in November. Gruffudd has accused Evans of violating the stay away provision of the three-year restraining order that was in place from August 2022 by following him to a parent teacher meeting at the school of one their daughters. Evans denies any ongoing harassment and is asking Judge Michael Convey to throw out Gruffudd's request for a new restraining order against her. Evans told the court that after the restraining order was imposed, her daughters were terrified that I was going to end up in jail because of violations of the order. 'Im the only person theyve got - they dont have any other family. Im all they have, said the actress who cited a phone conversation one of her daughters had with her father in which, she claimed, He said, your mothers going to be in jail. She also claimed she did not realize Gruffudd would be at the school when she went there. She denied Gruffudds claims that in July 2020 - six months before he broke up with Evans - he witnessed her trying to give their daughters cocaine, she physically assaulted him, and she passed out drunk on the floor. Evans had hoped to reconcile with her estranged husband, until her hopes were dashed when Gruffudd let her follow him on Instagram, and she saw that he had begun a relationship with young Australian actress Bianca Wallace Evans told the court she had clung to hopes of reconciliation, not wanting her daughters, Ella, 16, and Elsie, 12, to grow up in a broken family Evans claims she's broke and wants the court to order Gruffudd to increase the $1,500 a month he pays her in spousal support and the $3,000 a month he pays in child support for their two girls, who, he says, have been 'poisoned and alienated' against him by their mother. Gruffudd wants to stop paying spousal support altogether, based upon Evans's 'persistent domestic abuse of him and her many violations of the (previous) restraining order' and maintains that he has already 'overpaid' Evans to the tune of more than $300,000. Evans dressed Thursday in a plaid jacket over a black blouse and long orange skirt told the court that when Gruffudd, whom she'd been with since 2000, left their LA home in January 2021, 'I thought he just needed some spaceto get his head straight. 'I thought we were just taking a break. I just wanted to keep the family together for the sake of the children.' But a month later, a lawyer called her and said that Gruffudd had filed for divorce, she told the court. 'I didn't want a divorce,' declared Evans, who said she tried to contact Gruffudd by phone and email, but he didn't respond. It was then, she admitted, that she started sending angry and frustrated internet posts and emails to Gruffudd. 'Too often,' she replied tearfully when asked how often she was emailing him. Hurt by news of Gruffudd's new relationship, Evans began posting derogatory messages about him and Wallace on social media posts she now says she 'very much regrets' 'It was a sense of panic. My world was being overturned because I couldn't communicate with him. I felt in limbo because in the 20 years together, we had spoken every single day. 'I was desperate for us to work things out by talking to each other. I just wanted to talk to my husband I stupidly thought we could get back together. Any hopes she had of reconciling with Gruffudd were dashed when, in October of 2021, while Gruffudd was in the south of France filming a movie, she asked if she could follow him on Instagram, and, she said, he replied that 'he accepted me as a friend.' When she went on Instagram, the first thing she saw was an announcement that Ioan and Bianca Wallace were in a romantic relationship. With her feelings hurt by news of Gruffudd's new love, Evans started posting derogatory social media messages about him and Wallace posts she now 'very much regrets'. Looking at Gruffudd, who sat in court in front of her, less than 20 feet away, Evans said: I now can say I'm sorry... I was posting way too much. Now I feel ashamed and humiliated. 'I'm mortified and hugely regretful and apologetic to Bianca too.' Responding to Wallace's accusation that a November 2021 post 'outed' Bianca's multiple sclerosis diagnosis, Evans told the court that she thought it was public knowledge but that she was now 'deeply apologetic' Evans didn't show up at the court hearing in August 2022 when Gruffudd and Wallace were granted a three-year restraining order as a result of her online trash-talking. 'I was terrified of seeing them together,' she told the court Thursday. 'I could not go. I stayed home. It was stupid.' Of Wallace's accusation that in a November 2021 online post, Evans had 'outed' Bianca's multiple sclerosis diagnosis, Alice told the court that when she made the post: 'I honestly thought it was public knowledge. I feel terrible about it I am deeply apologetic.' And when asked about Gruffudd's complaint in court earlier in the week that she sent disturbing emails to his mother, she said: 'I was just a desperate person because my family was falling apart, and I didn't know what to do. 'I thought she (Gruffudd's mother) could help us somehow keep our family together. It was terribly stupid. 'I feel a huge sense of shame and embarrassment. I don't recognize that person she lost her mind.' John Stamos enjoyed a mini-Full House reunion with his onscreen niece Jodie Sweetin to make a funny dance video imagining what Uncle Jesse and Stephanie Tanner would post on social media today. The 62-year-old eighties heartthrob and the 44-year-old former child star would frequently perform routines in the ABC sitcom from 1987-1995 and its Netflix reboot Fuller House from 2016-2020. In the cute clip, Stamos and Sweetin perform a choreographed dance to Taylor Swift's 2025 hit Opalite while coordinating in fuzzy baby-blue track suits. The Dateless to Dangerous actress previously came in sixth place on season 22 of ABC's Dancing with the Stars in 2016 while Stamos has repeatedly turned the reality TV competition down due to his so-called lack of ability. Stamos - who boasts 10.7 million social media followers - captioned his Instagram post: 'I'd follow them.' The talented twosome ended their dance with the two-time Emmy-nominated producer lifting Sweetin in the air and striking a dramatic end pose. John Stamos enjoyed a mini-Full House reunion with his onscreen niece Jodie Sweetin to make a funny dance video imagining what Uncle Jesse and Stephanie Tanner would post on social media today The 62-year-old eighties heartthrob (R) and the 44-year-old former child star (L) would frequently perform routines in the ABC sitcom from 1987-1995 '@johnstamos love you Uncle J and I hope you never take that sweatsuit off,' the LA-born comedian wrote in the comments section. 'I'm sure @caitlinskybound agrees.' Stamos's second wife Caitlin McHugh did agree, replying: 'Cuties!' The Palm Royale guest star - who got sober in 2015 - is 23 years older than the half-Filipino beauty, and they welcomed seven-year-old son Billy during their eight-year marriage. Meanwhile, Sweetin welcomed two daughters - Zoie, 17, and Beatrix, 15 - during her brief marriages to second ex-husband Cody Herpin and third ex-husband, DJ Morty Coyle. The licensed drug and alcohol counselor - who got sober in 2013 - wed her fourth husband, drug and alcohol therapist Mescal Wasilewski, in 2022. The post also received happy comments from their former castmates Scott Weinger, Marla Sokoloff, Adam Hagenbuch as well as Wicked: For Good director Jon M. Chu, Saturday Night Live alum Bobby Moynihan and Clueless alum Elisa Donovan. Sweetin is next scheduled to perform at The Ultimate Improv Show this Friday at Dynasty Typewriter in LA alongside comedians Dan Black and Nicole Byer. In the cute clip, Stamos and Sweetin perform a choreographed dance to Taylor Swift's 2025 hit Opalite while coordinating in fuzzy baby-blue track suits The Dateless to Dangerous actress previously came in sixth place on season 22 of ABC's Dancing with the Stars in 2016 while Stamos has repeatedly turned the reality TV competition down due to his so-called lack of ability Stamos - who boasts 10.7 million social media followers - captioned his Instagram post: 'I'd follow them.' The talented twosome ended their dance with the two-time Emmy-nominated producer lifting Sweetin in the air and striking a dramatic end pose '@johnstamos love you Uncle J and I hope you never take that sweatsuit off,' the LA-born comedian wrote in the comments section. 'I'm sure @caitlinskybound agrees' Stamos's second wife Caitlin McHugh did agree, replying: 'Cuties!' The Palm Royale guest star - who got sober in 2015 - is 23 years older than the half-Filipino beauty, and they welcomed seven-year-old son Billy during their eight-year marriage (pictured November 14) Meanwhile, Sweetin welcomed two daughters - Zoie, 17, and Beatrix, 15 - during her brief marriages to second ex-husband Cody Herpin and third ex-husband, DJ Morty Coyle (pictured August 14) The licensed drug and alcohol counselor - who got sober in 2013 - is next scheduled to perform at The Ultimate Improv Show this Friday at Dynasty Typewriter in LA Stamos executive produced and stars in Raviv Ullman and Greg Yagolnitzer's comedy horror-thriller Drag, which premieres March 13 at the State Theatre in Austin, TX during the SXSW Festival Stamos executive produced and stars in Raviv Ullman and Greg Yagolnitzer's comedy horror-thriller Drag, which premieres March 13 at the State Theatre in Austin, TX during the SXSW Festival. The Danny DeVito-produced flick about robber sisters also stars his nepo baby Lucy DeVito, Lizzy Caplan and Christine Ko. The honorary Beach Boy will also portray Chase Brylan in the second season of Netflix drama The Hunting Wives streaming later this year. Larry Summers will resign from his teaching roles at Harvard University at the end of this academic year, it was announced on Wednesday. Summers, who had a personal friendship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, will give up his University Professorship title, which is the highest distinction an academic can receive at the Ivy League college. The economist said the decision to leave the institution was 'difficult,' according to the Harvard Crimson. He did not give a reason for his departure, but he has been under intense scrutiny after a litany of documents concerning him and Epstein were released in the DOJ files. They spoke about politics and women in the cache of emails - and Summers corresponded with Epstein up until his final arrest in 2019, years after his conviction for soliciting minors. The 2005 flight vlogs Summers and his wife Lisa New visited Epstein's Little Saint James island in December 2005 - just ten days after their wedding. The honeymoon trip happened while Summers was still Harvard president, according to publicly available flight logs. Summers' visit was six months after Palm Beach police began investigating Epstein over the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl. A spokesperson for Summers previously said: 'Mr. Summers and Ms. New spent their honeymoon in St. John and Jamaica in December 2005, which was long before Mr. Epstein was arrested for the first time.' 'As part of that trip, they made a brief visit of less than a day to Mr. Epstein's island.' Resignation accepted Summers will remain on leave, as he has been since November, until his resignation takes effect at the end of the academic year. In the meantime, the former Treasury Secretary will not teach any classes or take on new advisees at the university. Harvard spokesman Jason Newton told the Daily Mail that Summers' decision to step down was 'in connection with the ongoing review by the University of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein that were recently released by the government.' Harvard Kennedy School Dean Jeremy Weinstein accepted Summers' resignation. Emails released by House lawmakers showed that Summers maintained a cozy relationship with Epstein even after he became a convicted offender. Pretty good wingman In one exchange, Summers asked Epstein for advice on 'getting horizontal' with a woman whom the Harvard figure once described as a mentee. 'I dint [sic] want to be in a gift giving competition while being the friend without benefits,' he wrote. At one point, Epstein cracked that he was a 'pretty good wing man.' Epstein pleaded guilty to procuring a child for [adult work] in 2008, but the emails showed that Summers remained in touch with the convicted offender up until his July 2019 arrest. One day before Epstein was taken into custody by federal authorities at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, Summers shared with him that he was in Cape Cod with family. 'Bit of an Ibsen play,' Summers messaged Epstein. In response to the emails, Summers said in November that he was 'deeply ashamed of my actions and recognize the pain they have caused.' 'I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein,' he said. Beyond the honeymoon Summers' wife New also emailed back and forth with Epstein, according to the files released by the House Oversight Committee. In one correspondence, New recommended him a book 'about a man whose whole life is stamped forever by his impression of a young girl.' Summers was president of Harvard from 2001 until 2006 after working for Bill Clinton's administration as the Treasury Secretary. Summers called his decision to step down from Ivy League university 'difficult, according to The Harvard Crimson. Banned for life The veteran economist said he remained 'grateful to the thousands of students and colleagues I have been privileged to teach and work with since coming to Harvard as a graduate student 50 years ago.' Summers previously announced in November that he was also resigning from the OpenAI board in wake of his ties to Epstein. In December, the American Economic Association banned him for life due to his relationship with the dead financier. The Daily Mail has reached out to Summers for further comment. Share your thoughts with us in the comments Melania Trump seems to march to the beat of her own drum as First Lady - and it is something that appears to apply to her wardrobe too. Since husband President Donald Trump took office for the second time, Melania has gone bigger and bolder with her fashion choices, which have frequently grabbed the attention of the public in a major way. She made headlines for wearing bold silver trousers to the black-tie Governors Dinner earlier this month, with some fashion critics branding the look 'disgraceful.' But the mom, 55, has been undeterred from sticking to her penchant for pants. On Tuesday evening, she stepped out hand-in-hand with Trump for the State of the Union address in Washington, D.C. Melania emulated business chic in a dark gray Dolce & Gabbana pantsuit with flared trousers, an ensemble that she paired with a white button-down shirt and black Manolo Blahnik heels. Personal Stylist Weighs In And according to San Diego-based personal stylist and image consultant Cynthia Kennedy, the pantsuits and loud pants that Melania has been sporting lately are to send a clear message that the First Lady is 'independent' and 'rebellious.' 'She's not doing what people expect. She's not wearing safe, dull, traditional First Lady fashion,' Kennedy explained to the Daily Mail. 'She's wearing what SHE wants, from her favorite designers mostly European luxury brands like Dolce & Gabbana and she's making it clear that this job is something she's doing on her own terms,' Kennedy continued. 'What she's doing may not necessarily be modern, but it is strategic.' The personal stylist shared that Melania is definitely not trying to be relatable, either, as she dons expensive pants to various public events. 'She's not trying to be relatable at all with pants that cost over $2,000,' Kennedy said. Fashion Choice at Governors Dinner Divides Opinion 'She's showing that she's on a completely different playing field and follows her own rules. She's not interested in dressing for any role,' she said. And that definitely seems to be the case. Melania recently made headlines for her choice of trousers at the Governor's Dinner on February 21, a black-tie event that was held at The White House. The First Lady wore $2,395 metallic silver trousers by Dolce & Gabbana, one of her favorite designers, for the occasion, pairing the cigarette-style brocade pants with a long-sleeve, black tie-neck blouse from the same brand. An event with a black-tie dress code usually constitutes a floor-length gown for women, according to Vogue. Some fans criticized her choice of ensemble, with some calling the move 'inappropriate' and 'disgraceful.' But according to Kennedy, this is nothing new for Melania. Stylist Points to Pattern Her style has always been something that the First Lady has seemed to care about, as she even took viewers behind-the-scenes of the fitting for her various inauguration outfits in her recent documentary filmed, titled Melania. 'She wore pants to the same dinner in 2025 a D&G tuxedo suit so this is becoming a pattern, it's not accidental,' the personal stylist told the Daily Mail. 'She KNOWS pants at a black-tie dinner are not the usual thing. She KNOWS people will talk about it. And she does it anyway,' she shared. 'Some people loved it and said it was "modern" and "classy." Others thought it was completely wrong for the occasion,' she said. And this chatter is exactly what the First Lady wants, Kennedy said. She created a similar buzz when she rocked a pair of brown leather pants in November, while visiting service members at Camp Lejune in North Carolina. Expert Says Leather Look Echoes First Term Style Melania paired the look with a safari-style jacket from Blaze Milano, featuring various pockets of different sizes and tortoise-shell button detailing. The First Lady also sported a black pair of pants in mid-February as she celebrated the installation of her second inauguration gown's exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. 'Melania has always loved leather, and that isn't anything new,' Kennedy told the Daily Mail. It's true - she caused quite a stir in 2018, during Trump's first term, when she sported a pair of skin-colored leather leggings from Ralph Lauren when she and her husband returned from a visit to troops in Iraq. 'She pretty much lived in leather pants, leather skirts, and leather coats during her husband's first term,' Kennedy said. 'Now, she's bringing it back for her second round as First Lady, and this time it feels really deliberate.' The image consultant called the First Lady's outfit at the Smithsonian 'chic,' as she said it had a 'European feel' to it. Kennedy said it sends a message that she's not trying to fit the typical mold. Stylist Says Melania Has Never Conformed to First Lady Norms 'I don't think Melania has ever really conformed to what First Ladies are "supposed" to wear, and leather is her way of saying that loud and clear,' Kennedy shared. 'It's daring, it's all about fashion, it's a little bit rock and roll, and it certainly separates her from the pearls-and-pastels women who usually hold this role,' she said. Besides the leather and shiny brocade, Melania has also sported bold floral-pattern trousers, like the peony-print Dolce & Gabbana pair she wore in June to the Congressional Picnic, or the multi-colored slacks from Erdem she sported in 2018. 'It's a power move,' Kennedy said of her bold pant choices. 'She's showing people that she can ignore normal dress codes, wear untraditional outfits to these formal events, and still have half the people in the room think she looks elegant and classy.' 'There's also a feeling underneath it all that she doesn't need anyone's approval,' she continued. 'Melania has never really tried to be loved by everyone as First Lady. She's creating an image of being above it all, untouchable, doing her own thing,' Kennedy added. 'The bold pants choices are part of that story.' Melania Trump slammed over Governors Dinner look This weekend, Melania Trump and husband President Donald Trump stepped out for the Governors Dinner in Washington, D.C. - but it was the First Lady's choice of pants that had everyone talking. Melania, 55, made a splash at the black-tie gala, sporting a pair of $2,395 cigarette-style, metallic silver brocade pants by Dolce & Gabbana - one of her favorite designers. The First Lady paired the bold bottoms with a long-sleeve, black tie-neck blouse also by the designer, which retails for $2,245. On her feet, she wore a pair of sky-high, metallic silver Christian Louboutin heels and large diamond earrings to bring together the daring ensemble. Meanwhile, President Trump, 79, was dressed up in a traditional black tuxedo and black bowtie, as he told the Governors that they had done 'really good work.' However, despite the important night, it was Melania's 'inappropriate' silver pants that left fans bitterly divided. According to Vogue, an event with a black-tie dress code usually constitutes a floor-length gown for women. And many people seemed to agree that the pants were not appropriate for the black-tie occasion, as they took to social media to air out their opinions. 'I've said it before, I'll say it again, someone needs to replace her stylist. Black tie doesn't mean disco ready,' one person wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Another agreed, 'Inappropriate for black tie.' Read the full story here Starbucks is promising more meaningful value for its 35 million US rewards members. But some loyal customers say the new system is little more than a clever way to get them to spend more. The coffee giant just unveiled a revamped Starbucks Rewards program that launches March 10, introducing three tiers: green, gold and reserve. The higher your tier, the faster you earn stars - and the more perks you unlock. But on Reddit, some customers are already doing the math and calling foul. Everything sounds like a good deal for people that cant do math, a Reddit user wrote, accusing the chain of dressing up modest rewards in flashy marketing language. Under the new structure, members earn one star per dollar at the green level, 1.2 stars at gold and 1.7 stars at reserve. Under the current system, members earn two stars per dollar preloaded to their account or one star per dollar if they pay as they go. The overhaul also introduces a new 60-star redemption option that lets customers take $2 off any purchase. That is alongside existing rewards like customizing a drink for 25 stars, a croissant for 100, a latte for 200 or a sandwich for 300. On paper, it sounds like a quick win. But at the base green earning rate of one star per dollar, it requires spending $60 to unlock that $2 discount - before you spend again to redeem it. The whole 60 stars for $2 off is just a more appealing way of saying spend $60 and then spend more money to get $2 off, one user wrote. It isnt a good deal. Starbucks employees serve customers pastries The new 60 stars for $2 off is on top of the existing redemption rates like a drink customization for 25 stars, a brewed coffee or croissant for 100, a latte for 200 or a sandwich for 300. These all remain. To reach gold status, members must earn 500 stars in a 12-month period - the equivalent of roughly $500 in spending at the base earning rate. Reserve status, which has extra perks like double star days, requires 2,500 stars in a year. At the standard earning pace, that means about $2,500 in annual spending to qualify - or nearly $50 a week. Skeptics question how realistic that climb is. Youd have to spend nearly $50 a week for a year to even see that extra 0.7 stars, one critic wrote. The stuff you get is essentially cheap prizes from the arcade. Starbucks says the overhaul is part of its Back to Starbucks strategy, aimed at deepening customer connection and increasing frequency. The company first introduced a version of the 'Starbucks Card' reward program in 2008, which became My Starbucks Rewards the following year. The spending-based system best-known by customers today became standard in 2016. Starbucks customer drinks a coffee in Miami, Florida Recent changes, including removing the fan-favorite perk of earning 25 stars for using personal cups in the US left some feeling frustrated by the coffee giant. 'Everyone wants the old Starbucks, but old Starbucks didn't do any rewards programs,' one Reddit user argued. 'The thought was that if our quality and service was good, we didn't need to bribe customers to keep coming back.' Changes to Starbucks Rewards are expected and even encouraged by consumers, according to industry experts. Industrial designer Ravi Sawhney told Daily Mail that tiered loyalty programs work because they 'tap into something deeply human.' 'We want recognition, progress, and belonging,' he said. 'When you introduce levels, customers shift from passive buyers to active participants chasing identity. It stops being about a free drink and starts being about advancement.' App users will find out which level they belong to on March 10, when the reimagined loyalty program takes effect. It's bigger than a Big Mac and it's cheesier than a Quarter Pounder with cheese. Starting March 3, Americans can finally try McDonald's newest menu item - the Big Arch - but bosses say, for now, it is not a permanent addition in the US as it is some countries. The Big Arch is a new, supersized burger featuring two beef patties, three slices of white processed cheese, crispy and fresh onions, pickles, lettuce and a brand-new tangy Big Arch sauce. It all comes in a sesame and poppy seed bun - a nod to the iconic Big Mac, which uses a sesame seed bun. 'It's like all your favorite McD burgers in one burger,' McDonald's said. Burger fans who tried the Big Arch abroad described it as massive, with one saying it felt like two Big Macs in one. The Big Arch, thought to cost around $6 to $10 depending on location, is the chains biggest burger ever, clocking in at 1020 calories and 53g of protein in the US. A Big Arch Meal, with a medium coke and medium fries, is 1610 calories. The burger was tested in Canada, the UK, Portugal, Germany and France - where bosses say it proved a hit - before finally launching in the US more than two years after it was first mooted. It is likely that if the Big Arch sells well in the US - and is profitable - then it will become a permanent addition as it has in the UK. McDonald's Big Arch burger has three pieces of cheese and a sesame seed bun McDonald's has not yet said how much the Big Arch burger will cost in the US. Prices typically vary based on franchise location In Canada, a Big Arch meal with fries and a drink was priced at about $12.59 - roughly $9 in US dollars - positioning it as a step up from existing burgers but still cheaper than many rivals. 'Customers are responding to this more satisfying burger that meets demand for something heartier while still feeling distinctly McDonalds,' global chief restaurant experience officer Jill McDonald said. Fans in the US are already itching to try this new burger. 'Had this when it was in Canada,' one Reddit user said. 'In my opinion, I prefer the Big Arch over the Big Mac and the Quarter Pounder. I find the ratio of everything quite pleasing and tasty.' McDonald's describes the new Big Arch sauce as 'tangy and creamy,' with a mix of mustard, pickle, and sweet tomato flavors. 'Would love to have that white cheddar cheese and crispy onions on a normal quarter pounder,' another Reddit user wrote. The plan for the bigger burger came after McDonalds fought to win customers back after 2024 saw the company report its first sales decline since Covid lockdowns shut restaurants. A slew of offers, including a four-item meal deal for $5, in the second half of 2024 and into 2025 helped boost sales. A look at the Big Arch burger, already available at restaurants in Canada Customer eats McDonald's fries and a burger McDonalds has tested bigger options before. In January 2023, the Double Big Mac with four patties instead of two and extra sauce returned for a limited time for $7, and was a hit while on sale for a month. McDonald's remains one of the world's largest franchises, but it is now longer the biggest after being dethroned by Chinese cafe chain Mixue Ice Cream & Tea. The Big Arch push also comes as McDonald's faces fresh scrutiny over other parts of its menu. The company was recently hit with a proposed class action lawsuit over the McRib, with four plaintiffs accusing the fast-food giant of misleading customers about what the sandwich actually contains. Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The medical research company reported $1.36 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.37 by ($0.01), FiscalAI reports. The company had revenue of $1.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.81 billion. Agilent Technologies had a net margin of 18.75% and a return on equity of 25.20%. Agilent Technologies updated its FY 2026 guidance to 5.900-6.040 EPS and its Q2 2026 guidance to 1.390-1.420 EPS. Here are the key takeaways from Agilent Technologies conference call: Get Agilent Technologies alerts: Agilent reported $1.8B in Q1 revenue with 4.4% core growth , a 24.6% operating margin and EPS of $1.36 ; management says results (and guidance) would have been above midpoint absent a ~$10M weather disruption. Agilent reported in Q1 revenue with , a operating margin and EPS of ; management says results (and guidance) would have been above midpoint absent a ~$10M weather disruption. The companys Ignite operating system is a key margin lever management says it has doubled pricing realization, generated procurement savings, reduced tariff impact and will drive sequential margin improvement and ~75 bps of fullyear expansion at the midpoint. The companys Ignite operating system is a key margin lever management says it has doubled pricing realization, generated procurement savings, reduced tariff impact and will drive sequential margin improvement and ~75 bps of fullyear expansion at the midpoint. Product and services momentum is strong: Altura columns have doubled bio column growth (>30%), Pro iQ singlequad LCMS grew >40%, new diagnostics/security product wins (including a $9M TSA contract) and enterprise services are driving customer wins and recurring wallet share. Product and services momentum is strong: Altura columns have doubled bio column growth (>30%), Pro iQ singlequad LCMS grew >40%, new diagnostics/security product wins (including a $9M TSA contract) and enterprise services are driving customer wins and recurring wallet share. Risks remain: tariffs and tariff timing are an ongoing headwind, the quarter saw softness in academia & government (8%) and food (4%), and regional/transient purchasing disruptions (weather, Europe tariff concerns) could pressure nearterm results. Agilent Technologies Stock Performance A traded up $0.45 on Wednesday, hitting $124.85. 2,465,548 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,096,943. The company has a quick ratio of 1.52, a current ratio of 1.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. The stock has a market capitalization of $35.31 billion, a PE ratio of 27.32, a PEG ratio of 3.61 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a 50 day moving average of $135.55 and a 200-day moving average of $136.05. Agilent Technologies has a 12-month low of $96.43 and a 12-month high of $160.27. Agilent Technologies Dividend Announcement Institutional Inflows and Outflows The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 22nd. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 31st will be issued a dividend of $0.255 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 31st. This represents a $1.02 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Agilent Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 22.32%. A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in A. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Agilent Technologies by 424.1% during the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,041,826 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $240,956,000 after purchasing an additional 1,652,244 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its position in Agilent Technologies by 132.2% during the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 2,354,111 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $277,807,000 after acquiring an additional 1,340,161 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley increased its position in Agilent Technologies by 15.9% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 5,041,881 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $686,049,000 after purchasing an additional 692,202 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Agilent Technologies by 32.0% in the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,590,715 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $352,519,000 after acquiring an additional 627,804 shares during the period. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Agilent Technologies by 639.4% during the second quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 678,718 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $80,093,000 after purchasing an additional 586,931 shares in the last quarter. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. HSBC began coverage on shares of Agilent Technologies in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. They issued a buy rating and a $180.00 target price for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Agilent Technologies from $165.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Bank of America lifted their price target on Agilent Technologies from $150.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Barclays upgraded shares of Agilent Technologies from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $165.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Agilent Technologies in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. They issued an overweight rating on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Agilent Technologies currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $164.50. Read Our Latest Research Report on Agilent Technologies Key Agilent Technologies News Here are the key news stories impacting Agilent Technologies this week: About Agilent Technologies (Get Free Report) Agilent Technologies is a global provider of scientific instrumentation, consumables, software and services for laboratories across the life sciences, diagnostics and applied chemical markets. The companys product portfolio includes analytical instruments such as liquid and gas chromatographs, mass spectrometers, spectroscopy systems, and laboratory automation solutions, together with reagents, supplies and informatics tools that support measurement, testing and data analysis workflows. Agilent also offers instrument maintenance, qualification and laboratory services designed to help customers improve productivity and comply with regulatory requirements. Founded as a corporate spin-off from HewlettPackard in 1999, Agilent has evolved through a combination of strategic restructuring and acquisitions to concentrate on life sciences, diagnostics and applied laboratories. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Agilent Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agilent Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Agilon Health (NYSE:AGL Get Free Report) posted its earnings results on Wednesday. The company reported ($0.46) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.27) by ($0.19), Zacks reports. Agilon Health had a negative net margin of 5.24% and a negative return on equity of 75.92%. Here are the key takeaways from Agilon Healths conference call: Get Agilon Health alerts: 2026 guidance: Management expects revenue around $5.5B (midpoint), medical margin ~$325M and adjusted EBITDA roughly breakeven at the midpoint, with platform membership targeted at 525k540k (MA ~430k, ACO ~103k) and a net cost-trend assumption near 7%. Management expects revenue around $5.5B (midpoint), medical margin ~$325M and adjusted EBITDA roughly breakeven at the midpoint, with platform membership targeted at 525k540k (MA ~430k, ACO ~103k) and a net cost-trend assumption near 7%. Operational progress includes an enhanced data pipeline (member-level risk scoring covering >85% of members), AI-assisted Burden of Illness identification, and clinical pathways (CHF active in >90% of the network) that management says will improve risk capture, utilization and quality. Operational progress includes an enhanced data pipeline (member-level risk scoring covering >85% of members), AI-assisted Burden of Illness identification, and clinical pathways (CHF active in >90% of the network) that management says will improve risk capture, utilization and quality. 2025 financials were weakfull-year adjusted EBITDA of -$296M and medical margin of -$57Mdriven by elevated cost trends (~6.5%) and several large inpatient claims, leading the company to exit unprofitable payer contracts and reduce MA membership (to ~430k, including ~25k on care-coordination fee arrangements). 2025 financials were weakfull-year adjusted EBITDA of -$296M and medical margin of -$57Mdriven by elevated cost trends (~6.5%) and several large inpatient claims, leading the company to exit unprofitable payer contracts and reduce MA membership (to ~430k, including ~25k on care-coordination fee arrangements). Liquidity and policy outlook: year-end cash of $285M (plus $91M ACO-held cash) with an extended credit facility and a plan to finish 2026 with at least $125M, while management warns the CMS Advance Notice may understate cost trends but believes its BOI/clinical initiatives can mitigate much of the risk-model impact. Agilon Health Trading Up 31.0% AGL stock traded up $0.12 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $0.52. 11,649,776 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,832,561. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $0.72 and a 200 day simple moving average of $0.86. The company has a market cap of $214.07 million, a P/E ratio of -0.69 and a beta of 0.06. Agilon Health has a one year low of $0.34 and a one year high of $6.08. Key Stories Impacting Agilon Health Neutral Sentiment: Company released quarterly results and published its press release and slide deck (Feb. 25). Investors can review the filings and presentation for management commentary and any updated guidance. View Press Release Company released quarterly results and published its press release and slide deck (Feb. 25). Investors can review the filings and presentation for management commentary and any updated guidance. Negative Sentiment: Earnings missed analyst expectations: Agilon reported EPS of ($0.46) vs. consensus ($0.27), missing by $0.19. The release showed a negative net margin (~5.24%) and a deeply negative ROE (~-75.9%), underscoring continued profitability and execution challenges. These results explain investor concern and help justify increased trading volume. Earnings Press Release & Slides Earnings missed analyst expectations: Agilon reported EPS of ($0.46) vs. consensus ($0.27), missing by $0.19. The release showed a negative net margin (~5.24%) and a deeply negative ROE (~-75.9%), underscoring continued profitability and execution challenges. These results explain investor concern and help justify increased trading volume. Negative Sentiment: Numerous law firms have filed investor alerts and classaction notices alleging securities fraud tied to Agilon and are soliciting leadplaintiff candidates; the common class period cited is Feb. 26, 2025Aug. 4, 2025 and the leadplaintiff deadline is March 2, 2026. The volume of notices (Rosen, Glancy, Levi & Korsinsky, Faruqi, Pomerantz, Bragar, and others) increases legal risk and creates a persistent overhang that can suppress the stock until resolution or clearer disclosure. Rosen Law Firm Notice Hedge Funds Weigh In On Agilon Health Here are the key news stories impacting Agilon Health this week: Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Agilon Health by 243.3% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 501,440 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,171,000 after purchasing an additional 355,365 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Agilon Health by 3.5% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 214,200 shares of the companys stock valued at $927,000 after buying an additional 7,209 shares in the last quarter. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd lifted its position in shares of Agilon Health by 28.4% during the 1st quarter. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd now owns 47,111 shares of the companys stock valued at $204,000 after acquiring an additional 10,424 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Agilon Health by 6.6% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 5,060,333 shares of the companys stock valued at $21,911,000 after acquiring an additional 311,158 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Creative Planning boosted its stake in shares of Agilon Health by 17.6% during the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 170,969 shares of the companys stock worth $393,000 after acquiring an additional 25,548 shares in the last quarter. Analysts Set New Price Targets AGL has been the topic of several analyst reports. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded Agilon Health from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Barclays lowered their price target on Agilon Health from $1.50 to $1.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 6th. BTIG Research reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Agilon Health in a report on Friday, December 12th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Agilon Health from $1.50 to $1.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a sell (e+) rating on shares of Agilon Health in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $2.71. Read Our Latest Stock Report on AGL About Agilon Health (Get Free Report) Agilon Health (NYSE: AGL) is a healthcare company that partners with independent primary care physicians to deliver value-based care for Medicare beneficiaries. Through risk-sharing arrangements, Agilon assumes financial responsibility for patient populations, enabling physicians to focus on preventive and proactive health management. The company provides the administrative, clinical and operational infrastructure needed to support comprehensive care delivery. Agilons platform encompasses data analytics, care management, patient engagement tools and population health programs. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Agilon Health Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agilon Health and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Amplify BlueStar Israel Technology ETF (NYSEARCA:ITEQ Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 20,330 shares, an increase of 3,381.2% from the January 29th total of 584 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 7,381 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.8 days. Approximately 1.2% of the companys stock are sold short. Approximately 1.2% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 7,381 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.8 days. Amplify BlueStar Israel Technology ETF Stock Performance Shares of Amplify BlueStar Israel Technology ETF stock traded up $0.34 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $56.83. 8,356 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 9,596. Amplify BlueStar Israel Technology ETF has a 52 week low of $42.92 and a 52 week high of $64.05. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $59.60 and its 200 day simple moving average is $57.79. The company has a market cap of $96.61 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.66 and a beta of 1.00. Get Amplify BlueStar Israel Technology ETF alerts: Amplify BlueStar Israel Technology ETF Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 30th were given a $0.4918 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 30th. This represents a $1.97 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.5%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows About Amplify BlueStar Israel Technology ETF A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in ITEQ. Legacy Wealth Managment LLC ID bought a new position in shares of Amplify BlueStar Israel Technology ETF in the second quarter worth about $54,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in Amplify BlueStar Israel Technology ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $133,000. Family Management Corp bought a new position in Amplify BlueStar Israel Technology ETF in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $205,000. Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. bought a new position in Amplify BlueStar Israel Technology ETF in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $332,000. Finally, Flow Traders U.S. LLC acquired a new position in shares of Amplify BlueStar Israel Technology ETF during the third quarter worth approximately $1,385,000. (Get Free Report) The BlueStar Israel Technology ETF (ITEQ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the BlueStar Israel Global Technology index. The fund tracks an index composed of Israeli technology companies listed globally. ITEQ was launched on Nov 2, 2015 and is managed by BlueStar. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Amplify BlueStar Israel Technology ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Amplify BlueStar Israel Technology ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ampliphi Biosciences Corp (NYSEAMERICAN:APHB Get Free Report) rose 9.3% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $9.59 and last traded at $9.54. Approximately 133,273 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 84% from the average daily volume of 842,200 shares. The stock had previously closed at $8.73. Ampliphi Biosciences Stock Performance The firms 50-day simple moving average is $6.96 and its 200-day simple moving average is $5.17. Get Ampliphi Biosciences alerts: Ampliphi Biosciences Company Profile (Get Free Report) Ampliphi Biosciences, Inc is a clinicalstage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on the discovery and development of novel therapies to prevent and treat lifethreatening drugresistant infections. The companys core mission is to address the growing global threat of antibiotic resistance by advancing firstinclass and bestinclass antibacterial agents through latestage clinical trials. The companys lead product candidate, exeporfinium chloride (XF-73), is a pioneering topical antibacterial designed for preoperative nasal decolonization of Staphylococcus aureus in patients undergoing highrisk surgical procedures. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Ampliphi Biosciences Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ampliphi Biosciences and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CaixaBank, S.A. Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:CAIXY Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $4.15, but opened at $4.32. CaixaBank shares last traded at $4.31, with a volume of 113,011 shares. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a sector perform rating on shares of CaixaBank in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of CaixaBank in a research report on Wednesday, February 18th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of CaixaBank from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold. Get CaixaBank alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on CaixaBank CaixaBank Price Performance About CaixaBank The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $4.13 and a 200-day simple moving average of $3.71. (Get Free Report) CaixaBank (OTCMKTS: CAIXY) is a major Spanish banking group that provides a broad range of financial products and services to retail, corporate and institutional clients. The companys operations encompass traditional banking activities such as deposit-taking, consumer and mortgage lending, payment and card services, and corporate banking, alongside wealth management, private banking, insurance and asset-management businesses. CaixaBank also offers investment-banking-related services and specialized financing solutions including leasing, factoring and trade finance through its group structure and subsidiaries. The bank traces its origins to the Catalan savings bank la Caixa and has evolved into a commercial banking group through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for CaixaBank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CaixaBank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Porsche Automobil (OTCMKTS:POAHY Get Free Report) and Stellantis (NYSE:STLA Get Free Report) are both auto/tires/trucks companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, risk, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and dividends. Profitability This table compares Porsche Automobil and Stellantis net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Porsche Automobil alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Porsche Automobil N/A N/A N/A Stellantis N/A N/A N/A Institutional and Insider Ownership 59.5% of Stellantis shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.0% of Stellantis 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. Earnings and Valuation Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Porsche Automobil N/A N/A -$21.66 billion N/A N/A Stellantis $169.78 billion N/A $5.92 billion N/A N/A This table compares Porsche Automobil and Stellantiss gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Stellantis has higher revenue and earnings than Porsche Automobil. Risk and Volatility Porsche Automobil has a beta of 1.11, meaning that its stock price is 11% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Stellantis has a beta of 1.41, meaning that its stock price is 41% more volatile than the S&P 500. Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Porsche Automobil and Stellantis, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Porsche Automobil 0 5 0 0 2.00 Stellantis 2 11 4 2 2.32 Stellantis has a consensus price target of $11.67, suggesting a potential upside of 51.29%. Given Stellantis stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Stellantis is more favorable than Porsche Automobil. Summary Stellantis beats Porsche Automobil on 9 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About Porsche Automobil (Get Free Report) Porsche Automobil Holding SE, through its subsidiaries, operates as an automobile manufacturer worldwide. It operates in two segments, Core Investments and Portfolio Investments. The company is involved in investments in the areas of mobility and industrial technology. It offers its products under the Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, KODA, Bentley, Lamborghini, and Porsche brand names. The company was formerly known as Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft and changed its name to Porsche Automobil Holding SE in November 2007. Porsche Automobil Holding SE was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. About Stellantis (Get Free Report) Stellantis N.V. engages in the design, engineering, manufacturing, distribution, and sale of automobiles and light commercial vehicles, engines, transmission systems, metallurgical products, mobility services, and production systems worldwide. It provides luxury and premium vehicles; sport utility vehicles; American and European brand vehicles; and parts and services, as well as retail and dealer financing, leasing, and rental services. The company offers its products under the Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, DS, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati, Ram, Opel, Lancia, Vauxhall, Peugeot, and Comau brand names through distributors and dealers. Stellantis N.V. was founded in 1899 and is based in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands. Receive News & Ratings for Porsche Automobil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Porsche Automobil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dicker Data (ASX:DDR) executives said the company delivered a very strong FY25 result, exceeding guidance on both gross revenue and operating profit, while pointing to accelerating opportunities in software subscriptions, AI infrastructure projects, and an expected lift in New Zealand growth. Get alerts: FY25 results exceeded guidance Chief Financial Officer Mary Stojcevski said the group finished FY25 with total gross revenue of AUD 3.9 billion, up 14.9% year over year and just short of the companys AUD 4 billion target. Stojcevski said the business would be definitely aspiring to exceed that threshold in FY26. Software was highlighted as a key contributor. Stojcevski said software sales were, includingof recurring revenue software, with software described as very strong quality revenue and growing On profitability, Stojcevski said EBITDA rose at a lower rate than revenue due to slightly lower margins, but net operating profit before tax increased 10.1%, supported by cost management, lower interest costs, and higher gross profit dollars. Earnings per share were AUD 0.474, up 8.6%. Gross profit dollars increased to AUD 347 million at a 9% margin, which management said was in line with expectations. Stojcevski attributed margin compression to a shift in customer mix, with a larger contribution from enterprise customers while the SMB market remained slightly subdued. Australia and New Zealand performance Stojcevski said the Australian business delivered gross revenue growth of 17.2%. She also highlighted over AUD 45 million of incremental new revenue in Australia tied to AI-specific deals, clarifying these were project-based AI deals and did not include categories such as AI PCs. Australian operating profit before tax rose 8.2%, which management linked to reduced interest costs and stable debt balances. Australian profit margins were described as in line with expectations at roughly 3.5%, while gross margin compression was attributed to customer mix rather than a broader margin issue. In New Zealand, Stojcevski said revenue growth was weaker due to rebalancing the consumer business while growing commercial, but profitability improved sharply. Profit before tax in New Zealand increased 37.2% after cost reductions across categories including headcount and interest. Gross margin in New Zealand held at 8.5%, with management noting the larger consumer exposure makes it harder to achieve Australian-style margins. Management said it is working to lift New Zealand profit-before-tax margins above 2% over time. Balance sheet and dividends Stojcevski said the company reduced its investment in working capital by AUD 12.2 million over the year. While total debt increased slightly, net debt decreased by AUD 12.8 million. She added the company ended the year with strong cash and said existing facilities provide funding capacity to support growth. On capital returns, Dicker Data declared a final dividend of AUD 0.115 for FY25. Management said this represented a shift from its previous practice of paying out 100% of profits, with a revised payout framework of 80% to 100%, depending on cash and capital needs. The company will keep its quarterly dividend structure, and introduced a discount under its dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) for participating shareholders. Segment drivers: software strength, AI, and PC refresh dynamics Chief Operating Officer Vladimir Mitnovetski said FY25 growth was broad-based, led by software subscriptions, with every single software vendor showing growth. He pointed to momentum across major vendors and categories including Microsoft, Adobe, VMware, Citrix, data management, and cybersecurity. Mitnovetski said endpoint solutions outperformed expectations, but growth leaned more toward enterprise and mid-market customers than the companys traditional SMB base. He cited a PC refresh cycle that he said has reached roughly 60% to 70% completion depending on vendor reporting, with at least another 30% still expected, a lot of that refresh to come from the small business. He also emphasized advanced solutions and AI infrastructure as major growth opportunities. Mitnovetski said Dicker Data deployed its first sovereign AI factory in partnership with Dell Technologies and is building proof-of-concept stacks with other vendors including Cisco and HPE. He also said the company signed an exclusive contract for VAST Data, which he described as an enterprise storage platform supporting AI deployments. FY26 outlook: AI deals, data center modernization, and pricing uncertainty Looking ahead, Mitnovetski said he expects data center infrastructure (advanced solutions) to grow somewhere around 20%+, driven by AI and a broader data center modernization cycle. He said the company is seeing increased activity from government and other sectors investing in infrastructure upgrades. Mitnovetski also said Dicker Data expects continued double-digit growth in software, and he flagged potential upside in New Zealand. However, he spent significant time addressing uncertainty around device pricing and component availability, particularly RAM. He said the company is seeing device price increases of roughly 30% to 35% so far, with a potential move to 40% to 45%, while volumes have not dropped materially based on January and February trends discussed on the call. Mitnovetski described the environment as favorable for distributors with strong balance sheets and warehousing capacity, stating the company could benefit from holding inventory purchased at lower prices as price lists rise. During Q&A, he said SMB growth was 8% in Q4 FY25 versus the prior year period, and he expects unit volumes in SMB could be flat to slightly down in FY26, but revenue should be very, very solid due to higher prices. On AI, Mitnovetski said the company invoiced around AUD 45 million of AI deals in FY25 and has secured additional deals to be invoiced in FY26. He said he is very confident the company will beat the FY25 AI figure, adding he believes it can double it in FY26. Management also discussed longer-term expansion possibilities outside Australia and New Zealand, noting two established entities in the Philippines and Singapore currently support back-end operations. Mitnovetski said the company is taking a measured approach to potential APAC expansion, including testing options such as high-margin, lower-investment models like digital distribution. The company also plans to hold its TechX industry event in FY26 across Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, and Auckland. About Dicker Data (ASX:DDR) Dicker Data Limited engages in the wholesale distribution of computer hardware, software, cloud, access control, surveillance, and technologies in Australia and New Zealand. It sells its products to resellers partners. Dicker Data Limited was incorporated in 1972 and is headquartered in Kurnell, Australia. Further Reading Finning International Inc. (OTCMKTS:FINGF Get Free Report) gapped down before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $66.69, but opened at $64.15. Finning International shares last traded at $64.15, with a volume of 624 shares. Analysts Set New Price Targets FINGF has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Scotiabank restated an outperform rating on shares of Finning International in a report on Thursday, January 29th. TD Securities reissued a buy rating on shares of Finning International in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating on shares of Finning International in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy. Get Finning International alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on FINGF Finning International Trading Up 5.1% The company has a fifty day moving average price of $60.32 and a 200 day moving average price of $52.34. Finning International (OTCMKTS:FINGF Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 10th. The company reported $0.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.77 by ($0.05). The company had revenue of $1.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.85 billion. Finning International Company Profile (Get Free Report) Finning International Inc operates as the worlds largest dealer of Caterpillar machinery, engines and power systems, providing a comprehensive range of sales, rental, parts and service solutions. The companys core offerings encompass medium- and heavy-duty equipment for industries such as mining, construction, energy, forestry and transportation, along with bespoke power generation packages and digital monitoring tools. Through maintenance contracts and cost-per-hour service agreements, Finning helps customers optimize equipment uptime and total lifecycle costs. Founded in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1933, Finning has grown from a single dealership to a global enterprise headquartered in Vancouvers downtown business district. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Finning International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Finning International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE:AIT Get Free Report) and Flowserve (NYSE:FLS Get Free Report) are both large-cap industrials companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, profitability, valuation, analyst recommendations, dividends, earnings and institutional ownership. Profitability This table compares Applied Industrial Technologies and Flowserves net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Applied Industrial Technologies alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Applied Industrial Technologies 8.49% 21.74% 12.78% Flowserve 7.32% 21.19% 8.39% Dividends Applied Industrial Technologies pays an annual dividend of $2.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.7%. Flowserve pays an annual dividend of $0.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. Applied Industrial Technologies pays out 19.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Flowserve pays out 32.1% 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. Applied Industrial Technologies has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years and Flowserve has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Earnings and Valuation Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Applied Industrial Technologies $4.56 billion 2.30 $392.99 million $10.51 26.75 Flowserve $4.73 billion 2.48 $346.25 million $2.62 35.17 This table compares Applied Industrial Technologies and Flowserves gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Applied Industrial Technologies has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Flowserve. Applied Industrial Technologies is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Flowserve, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Risk and Volatility Applied Industrial Technologies has a beta of 0.84, indicating that its share price is 16% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Flowserve has a beta of 1.29, indicating that its share price is 29% more volatile than the S&P 500. Institutional and Insider Ownership 93.5% of Applied Industrial Technologies shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 93.9% of Flowserve shares are held by institutional investors. 1.6% of Applied Industrial Technologies shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.8% of Flowserve shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Applied Industrial Technologies and Flowserve, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Applied Industrial Technologies 0 1 6 0 2.86 Flowserve 0 4 8 0 2.67 Applied Industrial Technologies presently has a consensus target price of $290.63, suggesting a potential upside of 3.36%. Flowserve has a consensus target price of $88.80, suggesting a potential downside of 3.62%. Given Applied Industrial Technologies stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Applied Industrial Technologies is more favorable than Flowserve. Summary Applied Industrial Technologies beats Flowserve on 10 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks. About Applied Industrial Technologies (Get Free Report) Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. distributes industrial motion, power, control, and automation technology solutions in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. It operates in two segments, Service Center Based Distribution, and Engineered Solutions. The company distributes bearings, power transmission products, engineered fluid power components and systems, specialty flow control solutions, advanced automation products, industrial rubber products, linear motion components, automation solutions, tools, safety products, oilfield supplies, and other industrial and maintenance supplies; and motors, belting, drives, couplings, pumps, hydraulic and pneumatic components, filtration supplies, valves, fittings, process instrumentation, actuators, and hoses, filtration supplies, as well as other related supplies for general operational needs of customers' machinery and equipment. It also operates fabricated rubber shops and service field crews that install, modify, and repair conveyor belts and rubber linings, as well as offer hose assemblies. In addition, the company provides technical support services; engages in the distribution of fluid power and industrial flow control products; advanced automation solutions, including machine vision, robotics, motion control, and smart technologies. It distributes industrial products through a network of service centers. The company serves various industries, including agriculture and food processing, cement, chemicals and petrochemicals, fabricated metals, forest products, industrial machinery and equipment, life sciences, mining, oil and gas, primary metals, technology, transportation, and utilities, as well as government entities. The company was formerly known as Bearings, Inc. and changed its to name to Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. in 1997. The company was founded in 1923 and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. About Flowserve (Get Free Report) Flowserve Corporation designs, manufactures, distributes, and services industrial flow management equipment in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through Flowserve Pump Division (FPD) and Flow Control Division (FCD) segments. The FPD segment offers custom and pre-configured pumps and pump systems, mechanical seals, auxiliary systems, replacement parts, upgrades, and related aftermarket services; and equipment services, including installation and commissioning services, seal systems spare parts, repairs, advanced diagnostics, re-rate and upgrade solutions, retrofit programs, and machining and asset management solutions, as well as manufactures a gas-lubricated mechanical seal for use in high-speed compressors for gas pipelines and in the oil and gas production and process markets. The FCD segment provides engineered and industrial valve and automation systems, including isolation and control valves, actuation, controls, and related equipment; and equipment maintenance services for flow control systems, including advanced diagnostics, repair, installation, commissioning, retrofit programs, and field machining capabilities. This segment's products are used to control, direct, and manage the flow of liquids, gases, and multi-phase fluids. It primarily serves oil and gas, chemical and pharmaceuticals, power generation, and water management markets, as well as general industries, including mining and ore processing, pulp and paper, food and beverage, and other smaller applications. The company distributes its products through direct sales, distributors, and sales representatives. Flowserve Corporation was founded in 1790 and is headquartered in Irving, Texas. Receive News & Ratings for Applied Industrial Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Applied Industrial Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Artivion, Inc. (NYSE:AORT Get Free Report) CEO James Mackin sold 13,936 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.69, for a total transaction of $497,375.84. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 766,095 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $27,341,930.55. This trade represents a 1.79% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Artivion Price Performance Shares of Artivion stock traded up $0.31 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $35.66. 300,261 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 399,410. The company has a quick ratio of 2.62, a current ratio of 3.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49. Artivion, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $21.97 and a fifty-two week high of $48.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.71 billion, a PE ratio of 178.32 and a beta of 1.59. The business has a 50-day moving average of $42.51 and a 200 day moving average of $43.14. Get Artivion alerts: Artivion (NYSE:AORT Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results 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. The company had revenue of $118.30 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $116.42 million. Artivion had a net margin of 2.21% and a return on equity of 7.43%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 19.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Artivion, Inc. will post 0.37 EPS for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of AORT. Verition Fund Management LLC boosted its stake in Artivion by 1.6% during the third quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC now owns 16,912 shares of the companys stock worth $716,000 after buying an additional 274 shares during the period. Entropy Technologies LP boosted its position in shares of Artivion by 6.0% during the 4th quarter. Entropy Technologies LP now owns 5,504 shares of the companys stock worth $251,000 after purchasing an additional 310 shares during the period. State of Alaska Department of Revenue raised its position in Artivion by 1.8% in the third quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 23,294 shares of the companys stock valued at $985,000 after purchasing an additional 414 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Artivion by 6.2% during the third quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 8,232 shares of the companys stock worth $349,000 after buying an additional 477 shares during the period. Finally, Arizona State Retirement System raised its holdings in shares of Artivion by 4.6% in the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 11,235 shares of the companys stock valued at $512,000 after buying an additional 494 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.37% of the companys stock. A number of research firms have recently issued reports on AORT. Oppenheimer restated an outperform rating and issued a $50.00 price target on shares of Artivion in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Needham & Company LLC reissued a buy rating and set a $58.00 price objective on shares of Artivion in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Canaccord Genuity Group cut their target price on Artivion from $51.00 to $48.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Wall Street Zen lowered Artivion from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, February 14th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of Artivion from a sell (d) rating to a hold (c-) rating in a report on Friday, February 20th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $48.97. Read Our Latest Report on Artivion About Artivion (Get Free Report) Artivion, Inc (NYSE: AORT) is a global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and markets implantable tissue products and surgical devices for cardiac and vascular surgery. The companys portfolio includes biologic implants derived from human and animal tissue, such as allografts and xenografts, as well as synthetic scaffolds and surgical adhesives. These products are designed to repair, reinforce or replace damaged cardiovascular and thoracic tissues during procedures such as aortic repair, heart valve surgery and vascular reconstruction. Originally founded in 1984 under the name CryoLife, the company rebranded as Artivion in early 2022 to reflect its broader mission in cardiovascular innovation. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Artivion Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Artivion and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kasikornbank Public Company Limited (OTCMKTS:KPCPY Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest during the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 2,650 shares, a decline of 81.1% from the January 29th total of 14,032 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 22,985 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days. Based on an average trading volume of 22,985 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days. Kasikornbank Public Stock Down 3.0% OTCMKTS KPCPY traded down $0.79 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $25.25. The stock had a trading volume of 44,237 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,171. The firms 50 day moving average is $24.97 and its 200 day moving average is $22.92. Kasikornbank Public has a twelve month low of $16.33 and a twelve month high of $27.42. Get Kasikornbank Public alerts: Kasikornbank Public (OTCMKTS:KPCPY Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 21st. The company reported $0.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $1.32 billion for the quarter. About Kasikornbank Public Kasikornbank Public Company Limited, trading on the OTC market under the symbol KPCPY, is one of Thailands largest banking institutions. Established in 1945 as Thai Farmers Bank by Choti Lamsam to serve the agricultural sector, it was rebranded as Kasikornbank in 2003 to reflect its broader range of financial activities. Headquartered in Bangkok, the bank has evolved into a universal bank offering a comprehensive suite of banking and financial solutions. The banks core services include retail and corporate banking products such as deposit accounts, personal and business loans, trade finance, and cash management. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Kasikornbank Public Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kasikornbank Public and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Klaviyo, Inc. (NYSE:KVYO Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week low during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $15.70 and last traded at $15.9160, with a volume of 337304 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $17.32. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth KVYO has been the subject of a number of research reports. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and set a $38.00 target price on shares of Klaviyo in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Canaccord Genuity Group set a $32.00 price objective on shares of Klaviyo in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Macquarie Infrastructure cut their target price on shares of Klaviyo from $37.00 to $30.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Klaviyo from $40.00 to $30.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Finally, Stephens decreased their price target on shares of Klaviyo from $43.00 to $31.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 11th. Nineteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three 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 Moderate Buy and an average target price of $34.24. Get Klaviyo alerts: Get Our Latest Report on KVYO Klaviyo Stock Up 3.4% The firm has a market capitalization of $5.27 billion, a PE ratio of -144.01 and a beta of 1.14. The firms 50 day moving average price is $25.21 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $27.80. Klaviyo (NYSE:KVYO Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 10th. The company reported $0.19 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.17 by $0.02. Klaviyo had a positive return on equity of 2.03% and a negative net margin of 2.57%.The firm had revenue of $350.20 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $333.99 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.07 earnings per share. Klaviyos revenue for the quarter was up 29.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Klaviyo, Inc. will post 0.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Transactions at Klaviyo In other Klaviyo news, CEO Andrew Bialecki sold 155,219 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.33, for a total value of $3,931,697.27. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Amanda Whalen sold 14,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.83, for a total value of $361,620.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 442,219 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,422,516.77. This represents a 3.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 1,508,552 shares of company stock valued at $42,955,913. Corporate insiders own 53.24% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Klaviyo A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in KVYO. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. acquired a new stake in Klaviyo in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd boosted its position in shares of Klaviyo by 1,650.9% in the third quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 963 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 908 shares during the period. First Horizon Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Klaviyo in the second quarter worth $37,000. FNY Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Klaviyo in the third quarter worth $34,000. Finally, Quarry LP bought a new position in Klaviyo during the third quarter worth $44,000. 45.43% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Klaviyo (Get Free Report) Klaviyo, Inc is a cloud-based marketing automation platform that enables businesses to leverage customer data for targeted email and SMS campaigns. The companys platform centralizes first-party data from various sourcesincluding e-commerce storefronts, websites, and CRM systemsto help organizations deliver personalized marketing across the customer lifecycle. Klaviyos core offerings include segmented email marketing, automated messaging workflows, and performance analytics designed to drive customer engagement and revenue growth. The platform provides a suite of tools for campaign creation and management, including drag-and-drop email and SMS builders, dynamic content rendering, and A/B testing capabilities. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Klaviyo Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Klaviyo and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. London Security plc (LON:LSC Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week low on Monday . The stock traded as low as GBX 2,200 and last traded at GBX 2,600, with a volume of 0 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 2,550. London Security Stock Up 2.3% The stocks fifty day simple moving average is GBX 2,810.10 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 3,161.92. The stock has a market cap of 299.76 million, a P/E ratio of 14.46 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.75, a quick ratio of 2.08 and a current ratio of 2.55. About London Security (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. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for London Security Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for London Security and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Los Andes Copper Ltd. (CVE:LA Get Free Report) traded up 6% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as C$14.15 and last traded at C$14.15. 14,460 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 46% from the average session volume of 26,968 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$13.35. Los Andes Copper Stock Up 6.0% The firm has a market capitalization of C$418.33 million, a P/E ratio of -101.07 and a beta of 0.92. The firms 50-day moving average is C$13.54 and its 200 day moving average is C$10.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 16.87, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a current ratio of 34.50. About Los Andes Copper (Get Free Report) Los Andes Copper Ltd. acquires, explores, and develops copper deposits in Latin America. It operates through Mineral Exploration and Hydroelectric Project segments. The company holds a 100% interest in the Vizcachitas copper, molybdenum, and silver porphyry project located north of Santiago, Region V, Chile. It is also involved in the development of a hydroelectric project. The company was incorporated in 1983 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Los Andes Copper Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Los Andes Copper and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mayr-Melnhof Karton AG (OTCMKTS:MNHFF Get Free Report) was the target of a large drop in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 1 shares, a drop of 99.6% from the January 29th total of 244 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently days. Mayr-Melnhof Karton Stock Performance MNHFF stock remained flat at $95.00 during mid-day trading on Wednesday. Mayr-Melnhof Karton has a twelve month low of $72.00 and a twelve month high of $111.28. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $95.00 and its 200 day moving average price is $85.93. Get Mayr-Melnhof Karton alerts: Mayr-Melnhof Karton Company Profile (Get Free Report) Mayr-Melnhof Karton AG is an Austria-based producer of cartonboard and folding carton solutions. As part of the Mayr-Melnhof Group, the company focuses on manufacturing high-quality, coated recycled cartonboard for packaging applications. Its offerings include a wide range of white-lined recycled board grades, coated kraft board, and specialized barrier boards, serving customers across the food, beverage, consumer goods and industrial markets. Founded in 1930 and headquartered in Vienna, Mayr-Melnhof Karton operates several production facilities throughout Europe, with additional sales and distribution offices in key markets. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Mayr-Melnhof Karton Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mayr-Melnhof Karton and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pacific North West Capital Corp. (OTCMKTS:NMTLF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 7,777 shares, a decrease of 86.0% from the January 29th total of 55,469 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 165,469 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days. Currently, 0.0% of the companys stock are short sold. Currently, 0.0% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 165,469 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days. Pacific North West Capital Stock Performance NMTLF stock traded up $0.00 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $0.31. The companys stock had a trading volume of 113,542 shares, compared to its average volume of 120,025. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $0.34 and a 200-day simple moving average of $0.26. Pacific North West Capital has a 52-week low of $0.04 and a 52-week high of $0.45. Get Pacific North West Capital alerts: About Pacific North West Capital (Get Free Report) See Also New Age Metals Inc, a mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of platinum group metals (PGMs), and precious and base metal properties in Canada. The company explores for rhodium, palladium, platinum, gold, nickel, copper, and lithium deposits. It holds interests in the River Valley PGE project located in the Dana and Pardo townships of Northern Ontario; the Genesis PGE project located in south central Alaska; and lithium projects situated to the northeast of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Receive News & Ratings for Pacific North West Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pacific North West Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Service Stream (ASX:SSM) management said the company delivered a strong first-half performance for FY 2026, highlighting margin expansion, robust cash conversion, and record contract wins as it continues to execute its strategy focused on growth, diversification, and improving the quality of earnings. Get alerts: First-half highlights: margin lift, strong cash flow, higher dividend Managing Director Leigh Mackender said the group achieved a significant step change in profitability, pointing to improved performance across utilities and transport operations and a lift in group margins. Group revenue for the half was AUD 1.194 billion, which the company said was slightly higher than the immediately prior period but lower than the prior corresponding period (PCP) due to the completion of a major telco upgrade and a one-off mobile program in the prior year. Despite lower revenue versus PCP,. The company reported, equating to a. Service Stream ended the half with, which management said increased by AUD 14 million since June 2025. On capital returns, the board declared a fully franked interim dividend of AUD 0.03 per share, a 20% increase on PCP, citing the groups balance sheet strength and outlook. Segment performance: utilities margin step-up, telco transition, transport improvement Chief Financial Officer Linda Kow said the first-half result showed positive momentum with improved earnings quality while continuing to reinvest in the business. Total revenue decreased 5.8% year over year to about AUD 1.2 billion, which she attributed to an abnormal first-half skew last year. The company expects FY 2026 to revert to a more traditional second-half skew. On profitability, the groups EBITDA margin improved 50 basis points to 6.3%, with management citing operating leverage and productivity initiatives. Adjusted NPAT was AUD 36.6 million, which Kow said represented 4.6% underlying growth when excluding a one-off legacy tax refund benefit in the prior year. Statutory NPAT was AUD 26.8 million, with the company noting that SaaS cloud-based system transformation costs were written off as operating expense under accounting guidelines. Utilities: Revenue was AUD 531 million , and EBITDA increased 31% (AUD 6.9 million) to AUD 29.3 million . EBITDA margin improved 130 basis points to 5.5% , which management said was ahead of targets and marked the seventh consecutive half-year of margin improvement. Kow said further improvements are targeted but are expected to be more gradual. Mackender emphasized the divisions ongoing efforts to renegotiate or exit lower-margin contracts, optimize operations, and secure more profitable long-term maintenance work. The company also highlighted the mobilization of a 10-year electrical and mechanical maintenance contract with Urban Utilities (field operations commencing in July). Revenue was , and EBITDA increased to . EBITDA margin improved to , which management said was ahead of targets and marked the seventh consecutive half-year of margin improvement. Kow said further improvements are targeted but are expected to be more gradual. Mackender emphasized the divisions ongoing efforts to renegotiate or exit lower-margin contracts, optimize operations, and secure more profitable long-term maintenance work. The company also highlighted the mobilization of a (field operations commencing in July). Telecommunications: Revenue was AUD 538 million , down AUD 88 million from PCP, reflecting the completion of prior-year programs and a slower ramp-up of the next tranche of an NBN fiber upgrade program. EBITDA was AUD 45.6 million , with an 8.5% margin, which management said was in line with expectations as it transitions to a new long-term NBN field services agreement from July. During Q&A, Mackender said the softness was primarily volume-driven rather than pricing, and that the Optus HFC decommissioning agreement had not contributed in the first half and was being mobilized for delivery in the second half. Revenue was , down from PCP, reflecting the completion of prior-year programs and a slower ramp-up of the next tranche of an NBN fiber upgrade program. EBITDA was , with an margin, which management said was in line with expectations as it transitions to a new long-term NBN field services agreement from July. During Q&A, Mackender said the softness was primarily volume-driven rather than pricing, and that the Optus HFC decommissioning agreement had not contributed in the first half and was being mobilized for delivery in the second half. Transport: Revenue rose 12.4% to AUD 124 million, driven by additional funding for pavement repairs in the ConnectSydney JV and benefits from the VicRoads maintenance contract mobilized last July. EBITDA increased 53% to AUD 9.2 million, with a 7.4% margin (up 190 basis points), which management attributed to improved VicRoads performance and phasing of ITS program work. Record work wins and growing work-in-hand Mackender said the first half was among the most successful in the companys history for contract awards, with a record AUD 2.2 billion of contracted works secured. He cited a 93% retention rate on agreements reaching renewal milestones, while stressing the companys increasing selectivity on renewals to avoid diluting margins. Service Streams work in hand increased 55% to AUD 9.2 billion, which management said reflected initial contract terms only. The company also disclosed AUD 6.2 billion of extension options, taking total work in hand potential to AUD 15.5 billion. Mackender said the order book is higher quality than its ever been before, noting that 80% of work in hand is annuity-style operations and maintenance activity. Defence contract mobilization and outlook for FY 2026 A key strategic development discussed on the call was the companys expansion into defence. Management referenced a multi-year contract awarded by the Department of Defence in September 2025 supporting base infrastructure across the Northern Territory and South Australia. Mackender said the contract went live on 1 February following mobilization activities that began in September, including the deployment of more than 600 resources and about AUD 25 million in plant and equipment. The company said mobilization costs have been deferred to the second half and are largely recoverable, with any residual impact not expected to be material. Service Stream expects defence operations to ramp between February and July, reaching a steady run rate that management said should support approximately AUD 240 million of revenue in FY 2027. For FY 2026, management reiterated that it expects some revenue contribution but no earnings contribution due to ramp-up and mobilization. Looking ahead, management reiterated confidence in earnings growth in FY 2026, supported by first-half performance, sustained utility margin improvements, and larger contributions from recently mobilized contracts across telecommunications and utilities, alongside continued operational optimization. Kow added that strong cash conversion in the first half included typical December timing benefits expected to unwind in the second half, while the company continues investing in fleet, equipment, and systems to support new contracts and transformation programs. About Service Stream (ASX:SSM) Service Stream Limited designs, constructs, operates and maintains infrastructure networks in Australia. It operates through Telecommunications, Utilities, and Transport segments. The Telecommunications segment provides various operations, maintenance, installation, design, and construction services to owners of fixed-line and wireless telecommunication networks, including customer connections; service and network assurance; site acquisition; and design, construction, engineering, and installation of broadband, wireless, and fixed-line project services, as well as projects for asset remediation, augmentation, and relocation. Featured Articles Strike Energy (ASX:STX) executives used the companys first-half FY2026 webinar to outline lower period gas production at Walyering, an update on construction progress at the South Erregulla Peaking Power Plant, and ongoing commercial and pre-final investment decision (pre-FID) work across the West Erregulla development. Get alerts: Managing Director and CEO Peter Stokes told investors the companys communications in recent months have been largely limited to regulatory updates because some ongoing project discussions are commercially sensitive. He said Strike expects to provide more frequent updates as the Walyering West drilling program begins and as the South Erregulla power project moves into commissioning. Financial and production snapshot Chief Financial Officer Tim Cooper said Walyering producedduring the half, which was down on the prior comparable period. Cooper said production was managed alongside the purchase of third-party gas, which he described as the best way to meet commitments before returning to the client in March. Cooper said Strike achieved an average realized price of AUD 7.37 per gigajoule, generating revenue of AUD 36 million and operating cash flow of AUD 3 million for the half. At December end, Cooper reported a cash balance of AUD 69.5 million and debt drawn of AUD 108.8 million on the Macquarie facility, implying net debt of AUD 39 million. He said the debt has been used primarily to execute the South Erregulla Peaking Power Plant project, which he described as 77% complete at the time of his remarks, with AUD 87 million of capital expenditure in the half tied to that development. Total capital expenditure for the period was AUD 99.5 million, which Cooper said also included spending on Walyering compression, West Erregulla, and the Walyering West-1 program. Audit note and Macquarie facility tranche Cooper also addressed a material uncertainty noted in the half-year audit report. He said it refers primarily to an uncommitted AUD 15 million tranche within the Macquarie financing facility and forecast completion of the South Erregulla Peaking Power Plant. The CFO said the tranche remains uncommitted as previously reported and is subject to Macquarie credit committee approval at the time Strike seeks to draw it. He added Strike engages with Macquarie regularly and does not foresee concerns in obtaining approvals in due course. Cooper emphasized that delivering the South Erregulla project on schedule and on budget is an important outcome for the business, as it is envisaged to generate significant cash flows. He added that management is seeking to manage capital expenditure prudently. South Erregulla power plant: commissioning path and October target Stokes said construction at the South Erregulla Peaking Power Plant is nearing 80% complete overall, adding that key components such as the engine shed and facilities within it are nearly finished. Later in the presentation, he described the power station as 99% complete, noting the shed is sealed, engines are installed, and filtration systems are in place. Stokes said commissioning activity is beginning with the provider of the Jenbacher units (Clark), with full commissioning expected to get underway from next month. He said Strike expects first gas to run through the plant towards the end of April, allowing load bank commissioning. Stokes also said the company is working with Western Power on commissioning steps and continues to engage actively with the utility. Strike reiterated it remains on target for 1 October operations, with Stokes noting processes still ahead including Western Power commissioning and an AEMO credit application/accreditation process. He added that as commissioning progresses, any power exported to the grid could generate revenue ahead of Reserve Capacity Credits commencing on 1 October. Stokes also discussed Reserve Capacity Credit pricing trends, saying benchmark prices have increased and provide a growing underpin for the facility. He said draft numbers suggest benchmark Reserve Capacity Credits for the 2028/2029 year could rise to nearly AUD 492,000 per megawatt, up from AUD 360,000 the prior year and AUD 220,000 used in Strikes FID analysis. Walyering and Walyering West drilling plans On Walyering, Stokes said the company continued to produce successfully through the period and completed a planned maintenance shutdown before Christmas to install a heat exchanger. He said Strike is now evaluating how much to ramp up the facility ahead of drilling at Walyering West. Strike confirmed the Walyering West well is locked in to spud in early April, with Stokes citing a target date of around April 9. He said earthworks are underway, the pad is being developed, and the rig will mobilize in the next couple of weeks. Stokes said materials were ordered last year and the expected drilling timeframe is about six weeks including testing, with the company expecting the Walyering West test to be completed by the end of the quarter. Stokes said Strike has completed early work for a potential tie-in pipeline and is targeting an early 2027 connection if the well is successful. He stressed that Strikes financials are not dependent on Walyering West success, describing the companys planning as prudent, while also saying the team is working to be ready to connect gas if results support development. Stokes also said compression units are installed at Walyering and are expected to be commissioned over the coming months, coming online toward the back end of Q2 as required for production. He said the company is still assessing ramp-up timing as it runs the heat exchanger longer. West Erregulla and basin infrastructure options Stokes said Strike is progressing West Erregulla while assessing a number of commercial opportunities across upstream and midstream options, including processing alternatives. He said the company is finalizing pre-FID activities with its joint venture partner, with groundwork such as drill availability, long lead items, and approvals already advancing to enable work to commence once pre-FID plans are agreed. He also said West Erregulla has been included in AEMOs Gas Statement of Opportunities (GSOO)/planning context as part of required future supply for Western Australias domestic gas market, calling it a key focus for the state government to see the asset developed. Strike is working toward an independent reserve and resource estimate for West Erregulla and Erregulla Deep, with Stokes still targeting completion before the end of the quarter. He said the estimate is expected to reinforce the scale of the broader assets across the West Erregulla area (L25) and Erregulla Deep (L26). Asked about Hancocks proposed Beleleema gas plant, Stokes said additional infrastructure is really exciting for the basin and could provide an option for downstream processing of West Erregulla gas. He said the proposed plant is about 45 kilometers north of West Erregulla and that Strike continues to talk with Hancock about options involving the facility. Stokes added there is no current discussion about selling West Erregulla to Hancock. In Q&A, Stokes said Strike has no asset sales planned in the near term, though he noted farm-ins and similar arrangements are always on the cards. The company also addressed shareholder questions on Carnarvon-related shares coming out of escrow in July, with Stokes saying the priority is delivering key projectsincluding South Erregulla, establishing a path forward on West Erregulla, ongoing Walyering performance, and maintaining a clear exploration plan. Separately, Stokes said Strike purchased pilot land immediately north of South Erregulla because the power line route to Western Power runs through the property, and the acquisition provides certainty around easements and offers strategic flexibility between assets. About Strike Energy (ASX:STX) Strike Energy Limited explores for and develops oil and gas resources in Australia. It primarily focuses on the Project Haber, Ocean Hill, Perth Basin Geothermal, Walyering, West, and South Erregulla projects located in the Perth Basin. The company was incorporated in 1997 and is based in West Perth, Australia. Read More Tenaga Nasional Berhad (OTCMKTS:TNABY Get Free Report)s share price was up 0.3% on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $14.65 and last traded at $14.65. Approximately 1,092 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 659% from the average daily volume of 144 shares. The stock had previously closed at $14.6020. Tenaga Nasional Berhad Price Performance The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $14.13 and a 200-day moving average price of $13.26. Get Tenaga Nasional Berhad alerts: About Tenaga Nasional Berhad (Get Free Report) Tenaga Nasional Berhad (OTCMKTS: TNABY) is Malaysias largest integrated electricity utility, principally engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution and retail of electricity. The company operates a broad portfolio of power plants and manages the national grid infrastructure that delivers electricity to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Its operations encompass system planning, network operation and maintenance, meter services and customer supply functions typical of a vertically integrated utility. TNBs generation assets include thermal and hydroelectric facilities and the company has been expanding its participation in renewable energy and grid modernization initiatives. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Tenaga Nasional Berhad Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tenaga Nasional Berhad and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Booking, Expedia Group, Travelers Companies, Trip.com Group, TripAdvisor, Allegiant Travel, and MakeMyTrip are the seven Travel stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Travel stocks are shares of publicly traded companies whose primary business is facilitating or serving leisure and business travelexamples include airlines, hotel and resort chains, cruise lines, online travel agencies, car rental firms, and airport or tour operators. Investors view them as cyclical, demand-sensitive holdings that are strongly affected by economic conditions, consumer confidence, seasonality, fuel and currency costs, and risks like geopolitical events or travel restrictions. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Travel stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: Booking (BKNG) Booking Holdings Inc, formerly The Priceline Group Inc., is a provider of travel and restaurant online reservation and related services. The Company, through its online travel companies (OTCs), connects consumers wishing to make travel reservations with providers of travel services across the world. It offers consumers an array of accommodation reservations (including hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, apartments, vacation rentals and other properties) through its Booking.com, priceline.com and agoda.com brands. Expedia Group (EXPE) Expedia Group, Inc. operates as an online travel company in the United States and internationally. The company operates through B2C, B2B, and trivago segments. Its B2C segment includes Brand Expedia, a full-service online travel brand offers various travel products and services; Hotels.com for lodging accommodations; Vrbo, an online marketplace for the alternative accommodations; Orbitz, Travelocity, Wotif Group, ebookers, CheapTickets, Hotwire.com and CarRentals.com. Read Our Latest Research Report on EXPE Travelers Companies (TRV) The Travelers Companies, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance. Read Our Latest Research Report on TRV Trip.com Group (TCOM) Trip.com Group Limited, through its subsidiaries, operates as a travel service provider for accommodation reservation, transportation ticketing, packaged tours and in-destination, corporate travel management, and other travel-related services in China and internationally. The company acts as an agent for hotel-related transactions and selling air tickets, as well as provides train, long-distance bus, and ferry tickets; travel insurance products, such as flight delay, air accident, and baggage loss coverage; and air-ticket delivery, online check-in and seat selection, express security screening, real-time flight status tracker, and airport VIP lounge services. Read Our Latest Research Report on TCOM TripAdvisor (TRIP) TripAdvisor, Inc. operates as an online travel company, primarily engages in the provision of travel guidance products and services worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Brand Tripadvisor, Viator, and TheFork. The Brand Tripadvisor segment offers travel guidance platforms for travelers to discover, generate, and share authentic user-generated content in the form of ratings and reviews for destinations, points-of-interest, experiences, accommodations, restaurants, and cruises. Read Our Latest Research Report on TRIP Allegiant Travel (ALGT) Allegiant Travel Company, a leisure travel company, provides travel services and products to residents of under-served cities in the United States. The company offers scheduled air transportation on limited-frequency, nonstop flights between under-served cities and leisure destinations. As of February 1, 2024, it operated a fleet of 126 Airbus A320 series aircraft. Read Our Latest Research Report on ALGT MakeMyTrip (MMYT) MakeMyTrip Limited, an online travel company, sells travel products and solutions in India, the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Peru, Colombia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The company operates through three segments: Air Ticketing, Hotels and Packages, and Bus Ticketing. Read Our Latest Research Report on MMYT Featured Stories Victorias Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO Get Free Report) fell 8.7% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $58.76 and last traded at $58.7870. 867,394 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 52% from the average session volume of 1,801,136 shares. The stock had previously closed at $64.37. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages recently commented on VSCO. TD Cowen restated a hold rating on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Victorias Secret & Co. from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $60.00 target price on the stock in a report on Friday, December 5th. Weiss Ratings raised Victorias Secret & Co. from a sell (d+) rating to a hold (c-) rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Zacks Research cut Victorias Secret & Co. from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on Victorias Secret & Co. from $57.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $55.20. Get Victoria's Secret & Co. alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Victorias Secret & Co. Victorias Secret & Co. Trading Down 0.5% The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.96, a quick ratio of 0.38 and a current ratio of 1.30. The firm has a market cap of $4.98 billion, a PE ratio of 30.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.35 and a beta of 2.21. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $58.83 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $41.48. Victorias Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, December 5th. The company reported ($0.27) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.60) by $0.33. The business had revenue of $1.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.41 billion. Victorias Secret & Co. had a return on equity of 33.47% and a net margin of 2.67%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 9.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted ($0.50) earnings per share. Victorias Secret & Co. has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.400-2.650 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 2.200-2.45 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Victorias Secret & Co. will post 2.37 EPS for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Victorias Secret & Co. Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Optimize Financial Inc acquired a new stake in Victorias Secret & Co. during the third quarter valued at $617,000. Public Sector Pension Investment Board increased its holdings in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. by 14.5% during the 3rd quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 311,502 shares of the companys stock worth $8,454,000 after buying an additional 39,356 shares during the last quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH acquired a new position in Victorias Secret & Co. in the second quarter valued at about $200,000. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd boosted its position in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. by 362.1% during the third quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 84,410 shares of the companys stock worth $2,291,000 after buying an additional 66,144 shares during the period. Finally, Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. increased its stake in Victorias Secret & Co. by 219.3% during the 2nd quarter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. now owns 55,542 shares of the companys stock worth $1,029,000 after buying an additional 38,149 shares during the period. 90.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Victorias Secret & Co. (Get Free Report) Victorias Secret & Co is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of intimate apparel, beauty products and accessories for women. The company operates a portfolio of brands that includes Victorias Secret, renowned for its lingerie, bras and sleepwear; PINK, a line targeting younger consumers with activewear and lifestyle products; and Victorias Secret Beauty, offering fragrances, cosmetics and personal care items. Products are sold through retail stores as well as direct-to-consumer channels, including e-commerce platforms and mobile applications. The origins of Victorias Secret date back to 1977, when founders Roy and Gaye Raymond opened the first store in San Francisco. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Victoria's Secret & Co. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Victoria's Secret & Co. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC) reported first-half FY26 results that management said were in line with internal expectations, alongside a significant expansion of its AI-led operating model, continued rollout of its transaction-based commercial model, and further progress integrating E2open. Get alerts: First-half results and dividend CEO Zubin Appoo said reported revenue grew 76% year over year, with reported EBITDA margin of 38%. He emphasized four priorities for the half: disciplined execution, accelerating the companys AI transformation, implementing its new commercial model, and advancing the E2open integration. Total revenue: AUD 672 million, up 76% reported; 7% organic growth AUD 672 million, up 76% reported; 7% organic growth CargoWise revenue: AUD 372.4 million, up 12% reported; 9% organic, with recurring revenue at 99% AUD 372.4 million, up 12% reported; 9% organic, with recurring revenue at 99% EBITDA: AUD 252.1 million, up 31%, with reported EBITDA margin of 38% AUD 252.1 million, up 31%, with reported EBITDA margin of 38% Organic EBITDA margin: 51%, consistent with the prior period (as described) 51%, consistent with the prior period (as described) Underlying NPAT: AUD 114.5 million, up 2% AUD 114.5 million, up 2% Free cash flow: AUD 153.6 million, up 24% AUD 153.6 million, up 24% Interim dividend: AUD 0.068 per share, up 1%, with a 20% payout ratio of underlying NPAT E2open contribution and integration updates For 1H FY26, WiseTech reported: CFO Caroline (last name not provided in the transcript) said the group now reports two operating segments following the August 4, 2025 completion of the E2open acquisition. She said E2open contributed AUD 249.4 million to revenue in the half. Management said integration work is well progressed, including alignment of product teams and an integrated sales and marketing organization. The company also said it achieved its Horizon 1 FY27 cost synergy target of AUD 50 million in annualized run-rate savings in January, nearly a year and a half earlier than planned. Caroline said group gross profit margin was 79% (down seven percentage points), which she attributed largely to E2opens higher mix of professional services revenue and related cost of revenues. Excluding E2open, gross profit margin was described as consistent with the prior period at 87%. She added that E2open delivered EBITDA margins of 22% in the half, including AUD 30.6 million of restructuring and break costs. Excluding those items, she said E2opens EBITDA margin would be 34%, a 6 percentage point expansion versus FY25 pro forma figures previously provided. CargoWise Value Packs and commercial model shift A central theme of the call was WiseTechs transition away from seat-based pricing to a transaction-based model. Appoo said CargoWise Value Packs are now rolled out to approximately 95% of CargoWise customers. Under this model, the company removes seat/user fees and charges based on transactions, which management argued better aligns revenue to value delivered as AI improves customer productivity and reduces labor needs. Appoo said the remaining customers not yet on Value Packs are primarily large customers on long-term commitment agreements, representing about 30% of CargoWise revenue. Management said expanded functionalityparticularly embedded AIcreates an incentive for these customers to transition before contract expiry. In Q&A, management said it is proactively approaching customers even if expiries are many years into the future. Appoo also said some customers are using time-limited Trial Access Agreements (previously Early Access Agreements) for specific features, including AI functionality, as a carrot to drive earlier migration to Value Packs. Management noted two large global freight forwarder rolloutsBlue Water Shipping and XPD Globalhave signed up on the Value Packs since the start of calendar 2026. Appoo also said CargoWise signed four new large global freight forwarder rollouts in FY26 to date, naming Sincham, CJ Logistics, Blue Water Shipping, and XPD Global, and added an additional organic global rollout of Neptune Pacific. He said WiseTech now has 59 large global freight forwarders, with 46 in production and 13 in contracted rollouts, including 11 in the top 25. Executives also addressed transition pricing protection (TPP), describing it as a customer commitment to support the changeover. In response to questions, Appoo said TPP can either reduce or increase what a customer pays under Value Packs to match what they paid under prior agreements for a period of time, depending on the customer, and said the company would not comment on individual accounts. AI transformation and planned headcount reductions Appoo described AI as reshaping software development and said WiseTech has been embedding AI into workflows across design, build, testing, and deployment. He said AI is being used for code reviews, automated test generation, identifying edge cases, resolving defects via agentic workflows, and accelerating product delivery. He said WiseTech has already made more than 500 role reductions during FY26 as part of an efficiency program. Looking ahead, he said that starting in 2H FY26 and continuing into FY27, the company expects to reduce headcount in product and development and customer service across the company, including E2open, by up to 50%. Appoo said the phased program will likely result in a reduction of approximately 2,000 roles in FY26 and into FY27. Management said the impact is not expected to be material to FY26 outcomes, with execution costs likely offsetting any savings. Caroline said the financial effects will reflect cost savings, restructuring costs, and capitalized development, but the company did not quantify execution costs in the call. Executives also argued that AI increases the value of trusted, deeply embedded systems of record in regulated workflows. Appoo described WiseTechs moat as extending beyond source code to its network, permissioned data, and embedded regulatory and compliance capabilities. He cited the companys scale metrics discussed on the call, including software supporting approximately 80% of manufactured trade flows, operations across 193 countries, connectivity with airlines and ocean carriers, and a global base of CargoWise certified professionals. Container Transport Optimization and outlook On product initiatives beyond Value Packs, Appoo said Container Transport Optimization (CTO) is in implementation with launch partner ACFS Port Logistics. In Q&A, management reiterated that CTO was expected to be a smaller contributor to FY26 growth and characterized the rollout as requiring significant change management in an industry with entrenched processes. Appoo said the company would look at other customers in Australia and the U.S. after implementation progress with ACFS. On guidance, management said it is reaffirming FY26 guidance excluding the impacts of the restructuring plans announced on the call. Executives said second-half performance is expected to accelerate, subject to the timing and take-up of revenue initiatives, particularly Value Packs adoption and ongoing execution of strategic programs. Caroline also said the company continues to plan to return to EBITDA margins above 50% over time, noting WiseTechs history of margin recovery after acquisitions. About WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC) WiseTech Global Limited engages in the development and provision of software solutions to the logistics execution industry in the Americas, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It develops, sells, and implements software solutions that enable and empower logistics service providers to facilitate the movement and storage of goods and information. The company offers CargoWise, a software platform for logistics service providers that enables execution of complex logistics transactions and manage operations on one global database across multiple users, functions, offices, corporations, currencies, countries, and languages. Featured Articles Shares of YSS (NYSE:YSS Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $25.91, but opened at $26.78. YSS shares last traded at $26.36, with a volume of 139,551 shares traded. YSS News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting YSS this week: Get YSS alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages recently weighed in on YSS. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of YSS in a research note on Monday. They issued a buy rating and a $37.00 target price for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on YSS in a research report on Monday. They set an overweight rating and a $49.00 price objective for the company. Wall Street Zen upgraded YSS to a hold rating in a report on Monday, February 9th. Truist Financial assumed coverage on YSS in a research note on Monday. They issued a hold rating and a $30.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of YSS in a research note on Monday. They set a buy rating and a $37.00 price target for the company. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $39.00. YSS Price Performance YSS Company Profile (Get Free Report) York Space Systems is a leading, U.S.-based, space and defense prime(1) providing a comprehensive suite of mission-critical solutions for national security, government and commercial customers. York is one of the only space and defense primes with proprietary hardware and software capabilities designed to address customers complex mission requirements across the critical elements of the entire space ecosystem throughout the mission lifecycle. York is the number one provider to the U.S. Department of Defenses (DoD) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) by number of spacecraft operating in-orbit, by number of contracts, and by variety of contract types as of September 2025. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for YSS Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for YSS and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. North Star Asset Management Inc. increased its position in Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF (NYSEARCA:AVUV Free Report) by 350.7% 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 10,047 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 7,818 shares during the period. North Star Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF were worth $1,000,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Bank of New Hampshire purchased a new stake in Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Hollencrest Capital Management purchased a new position in shares of Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF during the 3rd quarter worth $34,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF during the third quarter worth $47,000. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF in the second quarter valued at $205,000. Finally, Hurlow Wealth Management Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF by 9.4% in the third quarter. Hurlow Wealth Management Group Inc. now owns 2,446 shares of the companys stock valued at $243,000 after purchasing an additional 211 shares during the period. Get Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF alerts: Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF Trading Up 0.3% NYSEARCA AVUV opened at $114.21 on Thursday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $109.01 and its 200 day moving average price is $102.69. Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF has a twelve month low of $74.00 and a twelve month high of $116.56. The company has a market capitalization of $23.13 billion, a PE ratio of 11.26 and a beta of 1.09. Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF Company Profile The Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF (AVUV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Russell 2000 Value index. The fund is an actively-managed portfolio of US small-cap value companies selected based on fundamental criteria. AVUV was launched on Sep 24, 2019 and is managed by American Century Investments. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AVUV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF (NYSEARCA:AVUV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. (NYSE:HYT Get Free Report) saw a significant decline in short interest during the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 366,676 shares, a decline of 94.5% from the January 29th total of 6,725,166 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,320,063 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.3 days. Based on an average daily volume of 1,320,063 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.3 days. BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund Stock Down 0.2% Shares of NYSE HYT traded down $0.02 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $8.88. 466,164 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,287,776. BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund has a 1 year low of $7.84 and a 1 year high of $9.90. The companys 50-day moving average is $8.89 and its two-hundred day moving average is $9.26. Get BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund alerts: BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be issued a $0.0779 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 13th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 10.5%. Insider Transactions at BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund Institutional Trading of BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund In other BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund news, Portfolio Manager David Delbos acquired 100,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 3rd. The stock was acquired at an average price of $8.68 per share, for a total transaction of $868,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the portfolio manager directly owned 205,511 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,783,835.48. This trade represents a 94.78% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of HYT. Granite Investment Partners LLC boosted its stake in BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund by 2.0% during the second quarter. Granite Investment Partners LLC now owns 53,839 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $525,000 after buying an additional 1,076 shares during the period. Creative Planning lifted its holdings in shares of BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund by 6.8% in the 3rd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 17,109 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $163,000 after acquiring an additional 1,086 shares during the last quarter. Presper Financial Architects LLC boosted its stake in shares of BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Presper Financial Architects LLC now owns 83,187 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $790,000 after purchasing an additional 1,108 shares during the period. Investmark Advisory Group LLC grew its holdings in BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund by 2.9% during the 3rd quarter. Investmark Advisory Group LLC now owns 40,525 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $385,000 after purchasing an additional 1,125 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. grew its holdings in BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund by 5.0% during the 3rd quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. now owns 24,415 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $232,000 after purchasing an additional 1,168 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund Company Profile (Get Free Report) BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund (NYSE: HYT) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company designed to offer investors exposure to the credit markets higher-yielding segment. The fund primarily seeks to generate high current income by investing in below-investment-grade corporate debt securities across a broad range of industries. It may also allocate a portion of its assets to investment-grade bonds and cash equivalents, allowing for flexible portfolio positioning in response to market conditions. HYTs investment strategy emphasizes bottom-up credit research, focusing on issuers with strong cash flow potential and sound balance sheets relative to their high-yield peers. See Also Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Blackrock Silver Corp. (CVE:BRC Get Free Report) shares rose 16.4% on Tuesday . The company traded as high as C$1.85 and last traded at C$1.85. Approximately 1,712,087 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 6% from the average daily volume of 1,819,717 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$1.59. Blackrock Silver Stock Performance The stocks 50 day simple moving average is C$1.48 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$1.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a quick ratio of 3.14 and a current ratio of 8.57. The firm has a market cap of C$653.09 million, a PE ratio of -23.63 and a beta of 2.75. About Blackrock Silver (Get Free Report) Blackrock Silver Corp. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Canada and the United States. It primarily explores for gold and silver deposits. The company's flagship property is the Tonopah West silver-gold project comprising 100 patented and 83 unpatented lode mining claims covering an area of 10.3 square kilometers located in the Walker Lane trend of western Nevada. It also holds 100% interest in the Silver Cloud project comprising 572 unpatented lode mining claims covering an area of 46.9 square kilometers located in Northern Nevada Rift, Nevada. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Blackrock Silver Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Blackrock Silver and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Primecap Management Co. CA lifted its position in shares of Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (NYSE:BAH Free Report) by 56.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,983,838 shares of the business services providers stock after buying an additional 716,780 shares during the quarter. Primecap Management Co. CAs holdings in Booz Allen Hamilton were worth $198,285,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in Booz Allen Hamilton by 4.4% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 13,719,306 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,371,245,000 after acquiring an additional 582,069 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Booz Allen Hamilton by 58.2% during the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,565,792 shares of the business services providers stock worth $264,251,000 after purchasing an additional 943,660 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Booz Allen Hamilton by 1.6% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,417,306 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $251,000,000 after purchasing an additional 37,519 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its position in shares of Booz Allen Hamilton by 49.7% in the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 2,345,982 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $240,698,000 after purchasing an additional 779,156 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in Booz Allen Hamilton by 14.7% in the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 2,297,416 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $239,230,000 after purchasing an additional 293,603 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.82% of the companys stock. Get Booz Allen Hamilton alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms have commented on BAH. Citigroup lifted their price target on Booz Allen Hamilton from $93.00 to $109.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Truist Financial set a $98.00 price objective on Booz Allen Hamilton in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Zacks Research raised shares of Booz Allen Hamilton from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price objective on Booz Allen Hamilton from $100.00 to $95.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Finally, UBS Group reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $97.00 target price on shares of Booz Allen Hamilton in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Booz Allen Hamilton presently has an average rating of Reduce and an average target price of $101.25. Booz Allen Hamilton Stock Down 0.6% Shares of Booz Allen Hamilton stock opened at $75.21 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.76, a current ratio of 1.81 and a quick ratio of 1.81. Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation has a 1-year low of $73.93 and a 1-year high of $130.91. The business has a 50-day moving average of $87.26 and a 200-day moving average of $92.98. The company has a market capitalization of $9.07 billion, a PE ratio of 11.18, a P/E/G ratio of 4.44 and a beta of 0.33. Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE:BAH Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 23rd. The business services provider reported $1.77 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.26 by $0.51. Booz Allen Hamilton had a return on equity of 76.79% and a net margin of 7.35%.The firm had revenue of $2.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.74 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.55 EPS. Booz Allen Hamiltons quarterly revenue was down 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. Booz Allen Hamilton has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.950-6.150 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation will post 6.44 EPS for the current fiscal year. Booz Allen Hamilton Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, February 13th will be issued a $0.59 dividend. This is a boost from Booz Allen Hamiltons previous quarterly dividend of $0.55. This represents a $2.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. Booz Allen Hamiltons dividend payout ratio is currently 35.07%. About Booz Allen Hamilton (Free Report) Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation is a publicly traded management and technology consulting firm headquartered in McLean, Virginia. The company provides a wide range of professional services and solutions in strategy, analytics, digital transformation, engineering and cyber security. Its expertise spans from supporting federal civilian agencies to defense, intelligence and homeland security organizations, as well as select commercial industries. Key offerings include data analytics and artificial intelligence applications, software development and modernization, systems integration, and cyber risk management. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (NYSE:BAH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Booz Allen Hamilton Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Booz Allen Hamilton and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Clifford Swan Investment Counsel LLC trimmed its holdings in Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Free Report) by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 218,043 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,817 shares during the quarter. Johnson & Johnson makes up approximately 1.3% of Clifford Swan Investment Counsel LLCs holdings, making the stock its 16th biggest position. Clifford Swan Investment Counsel LLCs holdings in Johnson & Johnson were worth $40,430,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. grew its stake in Johnson & Johnson by 0.7% during the third quarter. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. now owns 7,392 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,371,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares in the last quarter. Ethos Financial Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Ethos Financial Group LLC now owns 9,110 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,689,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Heritage Oak Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 3.5% during the third quarter. Heritage Oak Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,639 shares of the companys stock valued at $304,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Investor s Fiduciary Advisor Network LLC increased its holdings in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 0.8% in the third quarter. Investor s Fiduciary Advisor Network LLC now owns 6,905 shares of the companys stock worth $1,280,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Finally, TPG Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 3.5% in the third quarter. TPG Advisors LLC now owns 1,628 shares of the companys stock worth $302,000 after buying an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 69.55% of the companys stock. Get Johnson & Johnson alerts: Insider Activity at Johnson & Johnson In other Johnson & Johnson news, EVP Timothy Schmid sold 1,322 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $245.66, for a total value of $324,762.52. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 25,447 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,251,310.02. This represents a 4.94% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Vanessa Broadhurst sold 6,197 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $243.39, for a total value of $1,508,287.83. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 23,003 shares in the company, valued at $5,598,700.17. The trade was a 21.22% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 30,142 shares of company stock valued at $7,360,528 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.16% of the companys stock. Johnson & Johnson Stock Performance Shares of Johnson & Johnson stock opened at $245.32 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The stocks fifty day moving average is $223.12 and its two-hundred day moving average is $200.79. Johnson & Johnson has a 52 week low of $141.50 and a 52 week high of $247.25. The company has a market capitalization of $591.19 billion, a PE ratio of 22.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.35. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Saturday, January 31st. The company reported $2.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $24.28 billion during the quarter. Johnson & Johnson had a net margin of 28.46% and a return on equity of 33.04%. As a group, analysts expect that Johnson & Johnson will post 10.58 earnings per share for the current year. Johnson & Johnson Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 24th will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 24th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. Johnson & Johnsons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 47.06%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have issued reports on JNJ. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Johnson & Johnson from $232.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Leerink Partners raised their target price on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $201.00 to $232.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $250.00 price objective on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Johnson & Johnson from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, February 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Johnson & Johnson currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $232.70. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Johnson & Johnson Key Johnson & Johnson News Here are the key news stories impacting Johnson & Johnson this week: About Johnson & Johnson (Free Report) Johnson & Johnson is a multinational healthcare company headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of products across pharmaceuticals, medical devices and previously consumer health. Founded in 1886 by the Johnson family, the company has grown into a global healthcare organization with operations and sales in many countries around the world. The companys pharmaceuticals business, organized largely under its Janssen research and development organization, focuses on prescription medicines across therapeutic areas such as immunology, infectious disease, oncology and neuroscience. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JNJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Johnson & Johnson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Johnson & Johnson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Deutsche Telekom (OTCMKTS:DTEGY Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The utilities provider reported $0.51 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by $0.02, Zacks reports. Deutsche Telekom had a net margin of 10.15% and a return on equity of 10.54%. Deutsche Telekom Stock Performance DTEGY stock traded down $0.75 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $38.82. 351,443 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 422,721. Deutsche Telekom has a twelve month low of $30.31 and a twelve month high of $39.81. The stock has a market capitalization of $190.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a quick ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $34.17 and a 200-day simple moving average of $33.87. Get Deutsche Telekom alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, Erste Group Bank raised shares of Deutsche Telekom from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note 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. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy. Deutsche Telekom Company Profile (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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Deutsche Telekom Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Deutsche Telekom and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. DigitalOcean (NYSE:DOCN Free Report) had its target price raised by The Goldman Sachs Group from $50.00 to $78.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The Goldman Sachs Group currently has a buy rating on the stock. Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Canaccord Genuity Group raised their target price on shares of DigitalOcean from $65.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 20th. Piper Sandler reiterated a neutral rating and set a $67.00 target price on shares of DigitalOcean in a report on Tuesday. Barclays upped their price target on DigitalOcean from $63.00 to $69.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday. Oppenheimer began coverage on shares of DigitalOcean in a research note on Monday, November 10th. They set an outperform rating and a $60.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus set a $57.00 target price on shares of DigitalOcean in a research report on Tuesday. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $69.23. Get DigitalOcean alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on DOCN DigitalOcean Price Performance Institutional Inflows and Outflows Shares of NYSE:DOCN opened at $59.32 on Wednesday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $56.09 and a two-hundred day moving average of $45.23. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.43 billion, a PE ratio of 23.45, a P/E/G ratio of 8.81 and a beta of 1.77. DigitalOcean has a 12 month low of $25.45 and a 12 month high of $70.43. A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of DOCN. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its position in shares of DigitalOcean by 5.0% in the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 339,670 shares of the companys stock worth $11,342,000 after acquiring an additional 16,162 shares in the last quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of DigitalOcean by 59.2% in the 1st quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 39,429 shares of the companys stock worth $1,317,000 after buying an additional 14,655 shares during the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of DigitalOcean by 12.9% in the 2nd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 18,884 shares of the companys stock valued at $539,000 after buying an additional 2,155 shares during the period. AlphaQuest LLC raised its stake in DigitalOcean by 66.5% during the second quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 15,386 shares of the companys stock worth $439,000 after acquiring an additional 6,145 shares during the period. Finally, Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd bought a new position in DigitalOcean in the second quarter worth about $478,000. Institutional investors own 49.77% of the companys stock. Key DigitalOcean News Here are the key news stories impacting DigitalOcean this week: Positive Sentiment: Q4 beat and AI traction DOCN topped revenue and EPS estimates; management reported AI-specific ARR of ~$120M (150% YoY) and signs of upmarket customer expansion and low churn, which supports a re-rating for the business model. DigitalOceans AI Surge: The Cloud Underdog Swims Upstream Q4 beat and AI traction DOCN topped revenue and EPS estimates; management reported AI-specific ARR of ~$120M (150% YoY) and signs of upmarket customer expansion and low churn, which supports a re-rating for the business model. Positive Sentiment: Broad analyst optimism Multiple firms raised price targets (examples: BofA to $86, Oppenheimer to $85, Goldman to $78, Cantor Fitzgerald/Citizens/JMP/Citizens lifts), signaling buy-side conviction that DOCNs AI/inference positioning supports materially higher valuation. Analyst Price Target Coverage Broad analyst optimism Multiple firms raised price targets (examples: BofA to $86, Oppenheimer to $85, Goldman to $78, Cantor Fitzgerald/Citizens/JMP/Citizens lifts), signaling buy-side conviction that DOCNs AI/inference positioning supports materially higher valuation. Neutral Sentiment: Strategic moves to secure capacity DigitalOcean expanded its AMD Instinct GPU footprint to improve priceperformance and supply resilience vs. NVIDIA dependency; this supports longerterm inference capacity but requires capital deployment. DigitalOcean Expands AMD AI Cloud Strategic moves to secure capacity DigitalOcean expanded its AMD Instinct GPU footprint to improve priceperformance and supply resilience vs. NVIDIA dependency; this supports longerterm inference capacity but requires capital deployment. Neutral Sentiment: High-margin profile but increased investment The company reported strong adjusted EBITDA margins (~42% in 2025) and positive GAAP net income, yet plans to intentionally lower free-cash-flow margins (guidance ~1517% in 2026) as it invests in capacity. DOCN Company Coverage High-margin profile but increased investment The company reported strong adjusted EBITDA margins (~42% in 2025) and positive GAAP net income, yet plans to intentionally lower free-cash-flow margins (guidance ~1517% in 2026) as it invests in capacity. Negative Sentiment: Guidance disappointed on EPS Q1 and FY2026 EPS guidance was well below Street consensus (Q1 EPS guide ~0.220.27 vs. ~0.39 consensus; FY26 guide 0.751.00 vs. ~1.68 consensus), creating near-term uncertainty around profitability per share and contributing to profittaking. DigitalOcean Q4 2025 Financial Results (Press Release / Slides) DigitalOcean Company Profile (Get Free Report) DigitalOcean Holdings, Inc is a cloud infrastructure provider that focuses on simplicity, performance and developer experience. The company offers a range of cloud services designed to help software developers, startups and small- to medium-sized businesses deploy, manage and scale applications. Its flagship offering, Droplets, provides virtual private servers that can be configured with various CPU, memory and storage options. In addition to compute instances, DigitalOceans platform includes managed Kubernetes, scalable object and block storage, managed databases, load balancers and networking capabilities such as Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) and Floating IPs. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in New York City, DigitalOcean was created with the goal of making cloud computing more accessible to individual developers and smaller teams. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for DigitalOcean Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for DigitalOcean and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR Free Report) by 6,791.9% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 2,550 shares of the insurance providers stock after purchasing an additional 2,513 shares during the quarter. Dogwood Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Progressive were worth $630,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund lifted its stake in shares of Progressive by 30.2% in the third quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 102,778 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $25,381,000 after acquiring an additional 23,833 shares during the period. Allstate Corp lifted its position in shares of Progressive by 1,614.1% in the 3rd quarter. Allstate Corp now owns 21,598 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $5,334,000 after purchasing an additional 20,338 shares during the period. Gateway Investment Advisers LLC lifted its position in shares of Progressive by 91.7% in the 3rd quarter. Gateway Investment Advisers LLC now owns 11,710 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $2,892,000 after purchasing an additional 5,600 shares during the period. Mather Group LLC. boosted its stake in shares of Progressive by 40.6% in the 3rd quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 16,840 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $4,159,000 after purchasing an additional 4,865 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arkadios Wealth Advisors increased its position in shares of Progressive by 471.3% during the third quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 22,496 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $5,556,000 after buying an additional 18,558 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.34% of the companys stock. Get Progressive alerts: Insider Activity at Progressive In other Progressive news, CIO Jonathan S. Bauer sold 3,105 shares of Progressive stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $204.35, for a total transaction of $634,506.75. Following the transaction, the executive directly owned 26,249 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,363,983.15. The trade was a 10.58% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Steven Broz sold 1,344 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $224.80, for a total transaction of $302,131.20. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 26,354 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,924,379.20. This represents a 4.85% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 14,103 shares of company stock valued at $3,026,324 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock. Key Stories Impacting Progressive Progressive Trading Down 0.8% Here are the key news stories impacting Progressive this week: PGR opened at $204.35 on Thursday. The Progressive Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $197.92 and a fifty-two week high of $292.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $119.83 billion, a PE ratio of 10.62, a P/E/G ratio of 8.99 and a beta of 0.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.38 and a quick ratio of 0.29. The companys 50-day moving average is $211.04 and its 200 day moving average is $225.72. Progressive Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 2nd 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 was Friday, January 2nd. Progressives dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 2.08%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have commented on PGR shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of Progressive from $303.00 to $275.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating and set a $225.00 target price on shares of Progressive in a research report on Monday. Mizuho set a $240.00 target price on Progressive in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Progressive from $214.00 to $205.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, UBS Group cut their price target on Progressive from $226.00 to $218.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Progressive currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $244.71. View Our Latest Report on PGR About Progressive (Free Report) Progressive Corporation is a large U.S.-based property and casualty insurer that primarily underwrites personal auto insurance along with a broad suite of related products. Its offerings include coverage for private passenger automobiles, commercial auto fleets, motorcycles, boats and recreational vehicles, as well as homeowners, renters, umbrella and other specialty P&C products. Progressive also provides claims handling, risk management and related services to individual and commercial policyholders. The company distributes its products through a mix of direct channelsonline and by phoneand an extensive independent agent network. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PGR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Progressive Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Progressive and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. 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. Get alerts: 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. Recommended Stories Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP Free Report) by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 21,053,743 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 152,742 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. owned approximately 0.13% of First BanCorp. worth $464,235,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of FBP. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of First BanCorp. during the second quarter valued at approximately $41,404,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of First BanCorp. by 82.9% in the 2nd quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 1,434,382 shares of the banks stock worth $29,878,000 after purchasing an additional 649,987 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in First BanCorp. by 8.9% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 7,541,918 shares of the banks stock valued at $157,098,000 after purchasing an additional 616,170 shares during the period. Allianz Asset Management GmbH grew its stake in First BanCorp. by 176.1% during the 3rd quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 821,918 shares of the banks stock worth $18,123,000 after buying an additional 524,256 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC grew its stake in First BanCorp. by 1,445.7% during the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 430,329 shares of the banks stock worth $8,249,000 after buying an additional 402,488 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.91% of the companys stock. Get First BanCorp. alerts: First BanCorp. Trading Up 1.9% Shares of NYSE FBP opened at $22.32 on Thursday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $21.77 and a 200-day simple moving average of $21.30. The company has a market cap of $3.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.38, a P/E/G ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 0.88. First BanCorp. has a 12 month low of $16.40 and a 12 month high of $23.43. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. First BanCorp. Increases Dividend First BanCorp. ( NYSE:FBP Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The bank reported $0.55 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.52 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $257.17 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $256.18 million. First BanCorp. had a net margin of 27.48% and a return on equity of 17.33%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.46 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that First BanCorp. will post 1.85 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 13th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 26th will be paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 26th. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.6%. This is an increase from First BanCorp.s previous quarterly dividend of $0.18. First BanCorp.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 33.49%. Insider Activity In related news, EVP Michael Mcdonald sold 34,122 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.11, for a total transaction of $754,437.42. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 62,937 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,391,537.07. The trade was a 35.16% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Roberto R. Herencia sold 4,723 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.63, for a total transaction of $106,881.49. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 637,019 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,415,739.97. The trade was a 0.74% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 2.30% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Truist Financial raised their target price on First BanCorp. from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of First BanCorp. in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Piper Sandler restated a neutral rating and issued a $24.00 price target (up from $23.00) on shares of First BanCorp. in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Hovde Group boosted their price objective on First BanCorp. from $25.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on First BanCorp. from $24.00 to $24.50 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, First BanCorp. presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $24.58. View Our Latest Report on FBP First BanCorp. Profile (Free Report) First BanCorp (NYSE: FBP) is a financial holding company headquartered in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Through its principal banking subsidiary, FirstBank Puerto Rico, the company offers a comprehensive range of banking services including commercial and consumer lending, deposit products, cash management solutions and treasury services. It also provides mortgage origination and servicing, equipment leasing, investment management, and insurance agency services. In its commercial banking segment, First BanCorp serves small and midsize enterprises as well as large corporate clients, delivering tailored credit facilities, letters of credit, and foreign trade financing. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FBP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for First BanCorp. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First BanCorp. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. increased its stake in The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA Free Report) by 161.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 5,328 shares of the aircraft producers stock after acquiring an additional 3,293 shares during the quarter. Fox Run Management L.L.C.s holdings in Boeing were worth $1,150,000 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. Blue Barn Wealth LLC grew its position in shares of Boeing by 1.8% in the second quarter. Blue Barn Wealth LLC now owns 2,594 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $544,000 after purchasing an additional 46 shares during the period. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC raised its position in shares of Boeing by 3.1% during the 3rd quarter. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,540 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $332,000 after purchasing an additional 46 shares during the last quarter. Motco lifted its stake in Boeing by 5.4% in the 3rd quarter. Motco now owns 921 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $199,000 after buying an additional 47 shares in the last quarter. Encompass Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Boeing by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. Encompass Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,045 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $1,089,000 after buying an additional 47 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jacobsen Capital Management boosted its holdings in Boeing by 4.6% in the 3rd quarter. Jacobsen Capital Management now owns 1,070 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $231,000 after buying an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. 64.82% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Boeing alerts: Key Headlines Impacting Boeing Here are the key news stories impacting Boeing this week: Boeing Trading Down 1.3% Shares of BA stock opened at $230.29 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 0.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.37. The Boeing Company has a twelve month low of $128.88 and a twelve month high of $254.35. The companys 50-day moving average price is $234.05 and its 200-day moving average price is $219.96. The stock has a market cap of $180.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 114.57 and a beta of 1.15. Boeing (NYSE:BA Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The aircraft producer reported $9.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.40) by $10.32. The firm had revenue of $23.95 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.41 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted ($5.90) earnings per share. Boeings revenue for the quarter was up 57.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that The Boeing Company will post -2.58 earnings per share for the current year. Analyst Ratings Changes BA has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Tigress Financial reissued a buy rating and set a $275.00 target price on shares of Boeing in a report on Monday, December 29th. Weiss Ratings raised Boeing from a sell (d-) rating to a hold (c-) rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Morgan Stanley set a $245.00 price objective on Boeing in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Susquehanna restated a positive rating and issued a $280.00 price objective on shares of Boeing in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Finally, Argus raised shares of Boeing to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Boeing presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $246.14. Get Our Latest Report on BA Insider Transactions at Boeing In related news, EVP Howard E. Mckenzie sold 10,497 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $233.99, for a total value of $2,456,193.03. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 14,692 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,437,781.08. This represents a 41.67% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Uma M. Amuluru sold 2,731 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $236.00, for a total value of $644,516.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 11,925 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,814,300. This trade represents a 18.63% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 19,509 shares of company stock worth $4,629,316 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock. 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. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Boeing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boeing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Genter Capital Taxable Quality Intermediate ETF (NYSEARCA:GENT Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Wednesday, February 25th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 26th will be paid a dividend of 0.0327 per share on Friday, February 27th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 26th. Genter Capital Taxable Quality Intermediate ETF Price Performance Shares of Genter Capital Taxable Quality Intermediate ETF stock traded down $0.02 during trading on Thursday, reaching $10.42. 735 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 37,366. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $10.40 and a 200-day moving average price of $10.40. Genter Capital Taxable Quality Intermediate ETF has a 1-year low of $10.13 and a 1-year high of $10.56. The firm has a market capitalization of $81.47 million, a PE ratio of 21.26 and a beta of 0.04. Get Genter Capital Taxable Quality Intermediate ETF alerts: Genter Capital Taxable Quality Intermediate ETF Company Profile (Get Free Report) Featured Articles The Genter Capital Taxable Quality Intermediate ETF (GENT) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund is an actively managed basket of taxable, intermediate-term fixed income instruments with investment grade rating. It seeks total return and current income from both US and foreign securities. GENT was launched on May 10, 2024 and is issued by Genter Capital. Receive News & Ratings for Genter Capital Taxable Quality Intermediate ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Genter Capital Taxable Quality Intermediate ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Great Hill Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund purchased 12,350 shares of the specialty retailers stock, valued at approximately $2,207,000. Alibaba Group comprises about 0.3% of Great Hill Capital LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest holding. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Brighton Jones LLC grew its holdings in Alibaba Group by 40.4% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 3,411 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $289,000 after buying an additional 981 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Alibaba Group in the first quarter worth approximately $254,000. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in Alibaba Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $5,983,000. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC grew its holdings in Alibaba Group by 26.7% in the second quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC now owns 17,473 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $2,017,000 after purchasing an additional 3,684 shares during the period. Finally, Bessemer Group Inc. increased its position in Alibaba Group by 220.3% during the second quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 23,358 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $2,649,000 after purchasing an additional 16,065 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 13.47% of the companys stock. Get Alibaba Group alerts: Alibaba Group Trading Down 0.5% Alibaba Group stock opened at $152.31 on Thursday. Alibaba Group Holding Limited has a one year low of $95.73 and a one year high of $192.67. The companys fifty day moving average price is $159.22 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $157.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 1.46 and a quick ratio of 1.46. The company has a market capitalization of $363.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.04, a PEG ratio of 3.35 and a beta of 0.39. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Alibaba Group ( NYSE:BABA Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 25th. The specialty retailer reported $0.61 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.66 by ($0.05). The company had revenue of $34.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $41.80 billion. Alibaba Group had a net margin of 12.38% and a return on equity of 10.51%. The businesss revenue was up 9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.15 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Alibaba Group Holding Limited will post 7.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. BABA has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Alibaba Group from $200.00 to $180.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Nomura boosted their price target on Alibaba Group from $193.00 to $237.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, January 26th. Citigroup raised their price objective on Alibaba Group from $218.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on shares of Alibaba Group from $231.00 to $225.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Finally, Erste Group Bank cut shares of Alibaba Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 18th. Seventeen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Alibaba Group presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $195.17. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Alibaba Group Alibaba Group Profile (Free Report) Alibaba Group Holding Limited is a Chinese multinational conglomerate founded in 1999 in Hangzhou, China, by Jack Ma and a group of cofounders. The company built its business around internet-based commerce and related services and has grown into one of the largest e-commerce and technology companies in the world. Alibaba completed a highprofile initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in 2014. The company operates a portfolio of online marketplaces and platforms serving different customer segments: Alibaba.com for global and domestic B2B trade, Taobao for consumer-to-consumer shopping, and Tmall for brand and retailer storefronts targeted at Chinese consumers. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BABA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Alibaba Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alibaba Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hargreaves Services Plc (LON:HSP Get Free Report)s stock price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 698.90 and traded as high as GBX 820. Hargreaves Services shares last traded at GBX 794, with a volume of 28,419 shares trading hands. Hargreaves Services Stock Performance The business has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 706.91 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 698.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 17.75, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 2.06. The company has a market cap of 262.47 million, a P/E ratio of 12.21 and a beta of 0.85. Get Hargreaves Services alerts: Hargreaves Services (LON:HSP Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 28th. The company reported GBX 33.38 earnings per share for the quarter. Hargreaves Services had a return on equity of 6.30% and a net margin of 5.81%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Hargreaves Services Plc will post 42.9487179 earnings per share for the current year. About Hargreaves Services Hargreaves Services plc is a diversified group delivering services to the industrial and property sectors, supporting key industries within the UK and South East Asia. The Companys three business segments are Services, Hargreaves Land and an investment in a German joint venture, Hargreaves Raw Materials Services GmbH (HRMS). Services provides critical support to many core industries including Energy, Environmental, UK Infrastructure and certain manufacturing industries through the provision of materials handling, mechanical and electrical contracting services, logistics and major earthworks. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Hargreaves Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hargreaves Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hellenic Telecom Organization SA (OTCMKTS:HLTOY Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $10.27 and last traded at $10.27, with a volume of 36057 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $9.8948. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Hellenic Telecom Organization in a research note on Friday, January 16th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy. Get Hellenic Telecom Organization alerts: Get Our Latest Report on Hellenic Telecom Organization Hellenic Telecom Organization Stock Performance Hellenic Telecom Organization Company Profile The company has a market capitalization of $8.62 billion, a PE ratio of 16.67 and a beta of 0.12. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $9.87 and its 200-day simple moving average is $9.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a current ratio of 0.59. (Get Free Report) Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA (OTCMKTS: HLTOY), also known as OTE Group, is the primary provider of telecommunications and digital services in Greece. The company offers a comprehensive suite of solutions that includes fixed-line telephony, mobile communications under the COSMOTE brand, broadband internet access via fiber and ADSL networks, and pay-TV services through its COSMOTE TV platform. In addition, OTE Group delivers enterprise-focused ICT offerings such as cloud computing, data center operations, cybersecurity, managed network services and system integration. Established in 1949 as Greeces state telecommunications monopoly, OTE Group began a gradual privatization process in the late 1990s, which culminated in a majority stake acquisition by Deutsche Telekom. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Hellenic Telecom Organization Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hellenic Telecom Organization and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM Get Free Report) insider Sanjay Shetty bought 810 shares of Humana stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 23rd. The stock was bought at an average cost of $185.21 per share, for a total transaction of $150,020.10. Following the purchase, the insider owned 11,657 shares in the company, valued at $2,158,992.97. This represents a 7.47% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Humana Price Performance Humana stock traded up $5.44 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $181.50. 556,783 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,239,369. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 2.00 and a quick ratio of 2.00. Humana Inc. has a 12-month low of $169.61 and a 12-month high of $315.35. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $232.20 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $257.02. The company has a market capitalization of $21.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.46, a PEG ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 0.44. Get Humana alerts: Humana (NYSE:HUM Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 11th. The insurance provider reported ($3.96) EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($4.01) by $0.05. Humana had a return on equity of 11.43% and a net margin of 0.92%.The business had revenue of $32.64 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $32.08 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned ($2.16) earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Humana has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.000-9.000 EPS. Analysts forecast that Humana Inc. will post 16.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Humana Announces Dividend Institutional Inflows and Outflows The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 27th will be given a $0.885 dividend. This represents a $3.54 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 27th. Humanas payout ratio is currently 36.05%. A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of HUM. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in Humana during the 4th quarter worth approximately $202,000. Woodline Partners LP raised its stake in shares of Humana by 460.0% during the first quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 10,192 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $2,697,000 after purchasing an additional 8,372 shares during the period. Sivia Capital Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Humana by 53.7% during the second quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,293 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $316,000 after purchasing an additional 452 shares in the last quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. boosted its stake in shares of Humana by 37.6% in the second quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 2,658 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $650,000 after purchasing an additional 726 shares during the period. Finally, AlphaQuest LLC grew its holdings in Humana by 35.4% during the 2nd quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 1,925 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $471,000 after purchasing an additional 503 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.38% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades HUM has been the subject of several analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d+) rating on shares of Humana in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. UBS Group reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Humana in a research note on Wednesday. Raymond James Financial decreased their price target on Humana from $340.00 to $230.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Cantor Fitzgerald dropped their price objective on shares of Humana from $290.00 to $201.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Leerink Partners cut their price objective on shares of Humana from $267.00 to $185.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $225.48. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Humana Humana Company Profile (Get Free Report) Humana Inc (NYSE: HUM) is a health insurance company headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, that primarily serves individuals and groups across the United States. The company is best known for its Medicare business, offering Medicare Advantage plans and prescription drug (Part D) coverage, alongside a range of commercial and employer-sponsored group health plans. Humanas products are designed to cover medical, behavioral health and pharmacy needs for members, with particular emphasis on seniors and Medicare-eligible populations. In addition to traditional insurance products, Humana provides care-management and wellness services intended to support chronic-condition management, preventive care and care coordination. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Humana Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Humana and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. IAMGOLD (TSE:IMG Get Free Report) (NYSE:IAG) had its price target hoisted by equities researchers at Bank of America from C$32.50 to C$38.00 in a note issued to investors on Thursday,BayStreet.CA reports. Bank of Americas price objective suggests a potential upside of 16.92% from the stocks current price. A number of other brokerages have also recently commented on IMG. TD Securities upped their price target on IAMGOLD from C$34.00 to C$36.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 19th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on shares of IAMGOLD from C$28.00 to C$40.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, National Bank Financial upped their target price on shares of IAMGOLD from C$28.00 to C$34.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, IAMGOLD presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of C$31.25. Get IAMGOLD alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on IAMGOLD IAMGOLD Price Performance IMG stock traded up C$1.07 during trading on Thursday, hitting C$32.50. 1,348,062 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,504,961. The stock has a market cap of C$19.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 57.02, a P/E/G ratio of -0.28 and a beta of 1.60. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of C$26.20 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$20.20. The company has a current ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 28.93. IAMGOLD has a one year low of C$7.27 and a one year high of C$32.82. IAMGOLD (TSE:IMG Get Free Report) (NYSE:IAG) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 17th. The mining company reported C$0.96 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$1.46 billion for the quarter. IAMGOLD had a net margin of 49.57% and a return on equity of 27.91%. Equities analysts expect that IAMGOLD will post 1.1121076 EPS for the current fiscal year. IAMGOLD Company Profile (Get Free Report) Iamgold Corp is a mid-tier gold mining company operating in three regions globally North America, South America and West Africa. Within these regions, the company is developing potential mining districts that encompass operating mines and construction, development and exploration projects. The companys operating mines include Essakane in Burkina Faso, Rosebel in Suriname and Westwood in Canada. A solid base of strategic assets is complemented by the Cote Gold construction project in Canada, the Boto Gold development project in Senegal, as well as greenfield and brownfield exploration projects in various countries located in the Americas and West Africa. See Also Receive News & Ratings for IAMGOLD Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for IAMGOLD and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (OTCMKTS:ICAGY Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $12.36 and last traded at $12.36, with a volume of 9563 shares. The stock had previously closed at $12.10. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, Zacks Research raised International Consolidated Airlines Group from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy. Get International Consolidated Airlines Group alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on International Consolidated Airlines Group International Consolidated Airlines Group Stock Up 1.5% International Consolidated Airlines Group Company Profile The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $11.45 and its 200 day simple moving average is $10.80. The company has a market capitalization of $28.03 billion, a PE ratio of 3.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 1.63. The company has a quick ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.99. (Get Free Report) International Consolidated Airlines Group (OTCMKTS:ICAGY) is a Europe-focused airline holding company formed in 2011 through the combination of British Airways and Iberia. The group owns and operates a portfolio of passenger carriers that provide short-haul, long-haul and low-cost services, together with associated aviation businesses. Its operations span international and domestic markets, with extensive networks across Europe, transatlantic routes and links to Latin America and other global destinations. IAGs principal airline brands include British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling and LEVEL. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for International Consolidated Airlines Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Consolidated Airlines Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ITM Power Plc (LON:ITM Get Free Report) passed below its two hundred day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 69.79 and traded as low as GBX 60.30. ITM Power shares last traded at GBX 63.90, with a volume of 1,446,401 shares trading hands. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. Berenberg Bank restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 100 price objective on shares of ITM Power in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. UBS Group reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a GBX 60 price target on shares of ITM Power in a report on Friday, January 16th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 91.67. Get ITM Power alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on ITM Power ITM Power Price Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.73, a current ratio of 4.17 and a quick ratio of 7.56. The firm has a market cap of 400.61 million, a P/E ratio of -13.00 and a beta of 2.03. The firms 50 day moving average is GBX 64.05 and its 200 day moving average is GBX 69.79. ITM Power (LON:ITM Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported GBX (2.30) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. ITM Power had a negative net margin of 164.90% and a negative return on equity of 9.97%. As a group, analysts anticipate that ITM Power Plc will post -8.9214682 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling at ITM Power In related news, insider Dennis Schulz acquired 466 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 16th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 64 per share, for a total transaction of 298.24. Also, insider Simon Bourne acquired 466 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 16th. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 64 per share, with a total value of 298.24. Insiders bought 1,868 shares of company stock worth $119,496 in the last three months. Insiders own 8.73% of the companys stock. About ITM Power (Get Free Report) ITM Power was founded in 2000, and ITM Power PLC was admitted to the London Stock Exchanges AIM market in 2004. Headquartered in Sheffield, England, ITM Power designs and manufactures electrolysers based on proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology to produce green hydrogen, the only net zero energy gas, using renewable electricity and water. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for ITM Power Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ITM Power and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kensington Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of John Hancock High Yield ETF (NYSEARCA:JHHY Free Report) by 1,300.6% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 350,152 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 325,152 shares during the period. John Hancock High Yield ETF comprises 0.5% of Kensington Asset Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest holding. Kensington Asset Management LLC owned about 0.15% of John Hancock High Yield ETF worth $9,146,000 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. Jane Street Group LLC boosted its stake in John Hancock High Yield ETF by 490.1% during the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 53,826 shares of the companys stock worth $1,366,000 after buying an additional 44,704 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its position in John Hancock High Yield ETF by 10.1% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 171,989 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,437,000 after purchasing an additional 15,745 shares during the period. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in John Hancock High Yield ETF during the second quarter worth $5,886,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position in shares of John Hancock High Yield ETF by 397.5% during the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 212,620 shares of the companys stock worth $5,486,000 after buying an additional 169,883 shares during the period. Finally, Osaic Holdings Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of John Hancock High Yield ETF in the second quarter valued at $88,000. Get John Hancock High Yield ETF alerts: John Hancock High Yield ETF Price Performance JHHY opened at $25.83 on Thursday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $25.94 and its 200 day moving average price is $26.00. John Hancock High Yield ETF has a 12-month low of $24.36 and a 12-month high of $26.33. John Hancock High Yield ETF Cuts Dividend About John Hancock High Yield ETF The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 25th will be issued a $0.0944 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 25th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.4%. (Free Report) The John Hancock High Yield ETF (JHHY) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in high yield fixed income. The fund is actively managed, investing in a diversified portfolio of US dollar-denominated high-yield corporate bonds. The fund aims to maximize income with capital growth as a secondary objective JHHY was launched on May 1, 2024 and is issued by John Hancock. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JHHY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for John Hancock High Yield ETF (NYSEARCA:JHHY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for John Hancock High Yield ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for John Hancock High Yield ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Free Report) by 4.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 5,030,835 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 208,765 shares during the period. Johnson & Johnson accounts for 0.7% of Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest position. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. owned 0.21% of Johnson & Johnson worth $932,835,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in Johnson & Johnson by 1.3% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 237,047,859 shares of the companys stock worth $36,209,060,000 after purchasing an additional 3,085,180 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 2.1% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 60,609,476 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,227,988,000 after buying an additional 1,225,676 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $4,877,174,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its holdings in Johnson & Johnson by 3.5% in the third quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 24,637,649 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,568,313,000 after acquiring an additional 835,146 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in Johnson & Johnson by 0.3% in the second quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 18,951,337 shares of the companys stock worth $2,894,979,000 after acquiring an additional 52,074 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.55% of the companys stock. Get Johnson & Johnson alerts: Key Stories Impacting Johnson & Johnson Here are the key news stories impacting Johnson & Johnson this week: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have recently commented on JNJ shares. Wall Street Zen lowered Johnson & Johnson from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, February 14th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $205.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Guggenheim lifted their price target on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $227.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. UBS Group restated a buy rating on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reissued an outperform rating on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $232.70. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Johnson & Johnson Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, EVP Vanessa Broadhurst sold 6,197 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $243.39, for a total transaction of $1,508,287.83. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 23,003 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,598,700.17. The trade was a 21.22% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Timothy Schmid sold 22,623 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $244.33, for a total value of $5,527,477.59. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 26,769 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,540,469.77. This represents a 45.80% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 30,142 shares of company stock valued at $7,360,528. Insiders own 0.16% of the companys stock. Johnson & Johnson Price Performance Johnson & Johnson stock opened at $245.32 on Thursday. The companys 50 day moving average is $223.12 and its two-hundred day moving average is $200.79. The firm has a market cap of $591.19 billion, a PE ratio of 22.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.35. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. Johnson & Johnson has a 52-week low of $141.50 and a 52-week high of $247.25. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Saturday, January 31st. The company reported $2.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $24.28 billion for the quarter. Johnson & Johnson had a return on equity of 33.04% and a net margin of 28.46%. On average, research analysts expect that Johnson & Johnson will post 10.58 EPS for the current fiscal year. Johnson & Johnson Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 24th will be issued a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 24th. Johnson & Johnsons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 47.06%. Johnson & Johnson Company Profile (Free Report) Johnson & Johnson is a multinational healthcare company headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of products across pharmaceuticals, medical devices and previously consumer health. Founded in 1886 by the Johnson family, the company has grown into a global healthcare organization with operations and sales in many countries around the world. The companys pharmaceuticals business, organized largely under its Janssen research and development organization, focuses on prescription medicines across therapeutic areas such as immunology, infectious disease, oncology and neuroscience. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JNJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Johnson & Johnson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Johnson & Johnson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. London Stock Exchange Group (LON:LSEG) reported what it described as another year of strong financial execution in 2025, alongside continued progress on its strategy across data, analytics, markets, and post-trade. On the companys full-year results call, CEO David Schwimmer and CFO Matt (identified on the call as Map) highlighted broad-based revenue growth, margin expansion, higher earnings, and increased shareholder returns, while also addressing investor questions about how artificial intelligence is affecting demand for the groups data and products. Get alerts: 2025 results: revenue growth, margin expansion, and higher EPS Schwimmer said group revenues rose 7.6% in 2025, with all businesses contributing and Data & Analytics (DNA) accelerating. He also pointed to 210 basis points of margin expansion, taking full-year EBITDA margin above 50% for the first time, and said adjusted EPS increased 16%. The CFO reported organic growth of 7.1%, slightly above the midpoint of guidance, and said adjusted EBITDA grew 11.8%, adjusted operating profit (AOP) increased 14.3%, and earnings per share rose 15.7%. He attributed the operating leverage to revenue growth and cost control, noting total operating expenses rose 3.5% year over year. Within OpEx, third-party services were down 11.6%, and total headcount was roughly stable, with a small decrease of 700 and a higher ratio of internal employees (75%), driven mostly by engineering. On EBITDA margin, management said the year-over-year improvement was 210 basis points once adjusted for specific items. The CFO also discussed the impact of the SwapClear revenue surplus agreement and noted the disposal of LSEGs Euroclear stake reduced margin by about 30 basis points due to the loss of dividend income. Cash generation and capital allocation: record free cash flow and larger buybacks LSEG posted record free cash flow of GBP 2.45 billion, beating its guidance of at least GBP 2.4 billion (at constant rates), according to the CFO. He said free cash flow performance included a GBP 400 million working capital outflow, driven by several factors including a lower pay accrual for SwapClear partners, reduced creditors tied to net treasury income, and earlier supplier payments aimed at securing procurement terms. The CFO said LSEG deployed GBP 3.5 billion in 2025 across shareholder returns and M&A. Dividends totaled just over GBP 700 million, and the company proposed a final dividend of GBP 1.03, up 15.7% in line with EPS growth. LSEG also completed GBP 2.1 billion of share buybacks during the year. Management announced a further GBP 3 billion share buyback to be executed over the next 12 months, with Schwimmer calling it an opportunity to invest in the companys own shares amid market dislocation. The CFO said the buyback plan, along with dividends and the Post Trade Solutions transaction, is expected to bring leverage to about 2.0x net debt to EBITDA by the end of 2026, while keep[ing] firepower for M&A where opportunities fit strategically and financially. Business performance: DNA acceleration, strong subscription KPIs, and markets momentum Management described growth as broad-based. Risk Intelligence continued double-digit momentum, Markets grew at high single digits against what the CFO called a huge year in 2024, FTSE Russell remained on its revenue trajectory, and DNA accelerated versus 2024. Across the groups subscription businesses (DNA, FTSE Russell, and Risk Intelligence), the CFO said revenue grew 6% for the year, in line with guidance. Within DNA, management said Workflows benefited from completion of the Eikon-to-Workspace migration, which the CFO characterized as the largest ever of its kind in financial markets. Data & Feeds maintained momentum, supported by new datasets (including private markets) and the rollout of LSEG Everywhere for AI-ready data. Analytics was described as being on an acceleration journey, aided by the Microsoft partnership and the launch of an analytics API. The company also announced a Model-as-a-Service platform, with Societe Generale as the first partner bank to onboard its own models. Risk Intelligence performance was led by World-Check, where management said the product continues to innovate, including the launch of World-Check On Demand for real-time updates. The CFO also said the digital identity and fraud business accelerated in 2025, with transaction volumes up 16% and a global account verification platform launch. LSEG introduced new KPIs for its subscription businesses, with the CFO saying the company will provide both the new measures and ASV in 2026 (reported twice per year), and will retire ASV beginning in 2027. The new disclosures included: Gross sales: annualized total amount of new business over the last 12 months; the rolling figure increased about 11% in the second half versus the first half. annualized total amount of new business over the last 12 months; the rolling figure increased about 11% in the second half versus the first half. Revenue retention: 92.4% on a consolidated basis, described as stable versus the first half. 92.4% on a consolidated basis, described as stable versus the first half. New Product Vitality Index (NPVI): 24% across the subscription businesses, measuring revenue from products new or enhanced in the last five years. In Markets, the CFO said Tradeweb delivered a strong year in fixed income, foreign exchange revenue grew 7.5% (the best performance in recent years, according to management), and equities revenue rose 5.1%. LSEG also said it launched a Private Securities Market, with the first transaction taking place right now, and went live with digital market infrastructure built with Microsoft. AI strategy and demand signals: trusted data and new distribution channels Schwimmer devoted a significant portion of the call to AI, arguing that the company disagrees with a negative market narrative about AIs impact on the business. He emphasized that most of LSEGs revenues come from proprietary, regulated, and workflow-embedded data rather than public data, and said customers require accurate and auditable content, including historical records. He cited Q4 activity as evidence of demand, saying global investment banks and asset managers signed GBP 1.9 billion of long-term data agreements, with contract terms up to 7 years and values that often step up over time. He also highlighted growth in the companys real-time data feed, which exceeded 15 million new data points per second in December, and said customers make more than 5 million Tick History requests per month. On LSEG Everywhere, Schwimmer said LSEG added a partnership with OpenAI, describing it as the first financial data provider enabling customers to access their data through ChatGPT. He said more than 60 financial institutions have connected to LSEGs MCP servers directly or via AI partners, and that hundreds of prospective customers have attempted to access LSEG data through AI partnersrequests that create sales leads because the data requires an LSEG license. In Q&A, management said it is currently focused on adoption and usage growth, but expects a longer-term opportunity to incorporate consumption-based pricing into a hybrid model alongside subscriptions. Schwimmer also described MCP distribution as a potential cross-selling machine, because AI tools can draw on multiple datasets to answer customer questions. 2026 outlook and updated medium-term guidance For 2026, the CFO guided to organic revenue growth of 6.5% to 7.5%, with steady acceleration in subscription businesses and further acceleration in DNA. The company expects 80 to 100 basis points of EBITDA margin improvement (constant currency), CapEx intensity of about 9.5%, and at least GBP 2.7 billion of free cash flow. Net financial expense is expected to be GBP 260 million to GBP 270 million, reflecting refinancing and the impact of buybacks, and the tax guidance remains 24% to 25%. Looking further out, management updated medium-term guidance for 2027 to 2029, citing confidence in mid- to high-single-digit revenue growth and an acceleration in subscription businesses. The CFO also guided to cumulative EBITDA margin improvement of about 150 basis points over the period, with CapEx intensity trending to around 8% by 2029, and said the company is moving to a free cash flow per share metric with double-digit compound annual growth. About London Stock Exchange Group (LON:LSEG) LSEG is a leading global financial markets infrastructure and data provider that operates connected businesses to serve customers across the entire financial markets value chain. With capabilities in data, indices and analytics, capital formation, trade execution, clearing and risk management, we operate at the heart of the worlds financial ecosystem and enable the sustainable growth and stability of our customers and their communities. Together, our five business divisions Data and Analytics, FTSE Russell, Risk Intelligence, Capital Markets and Post Trade offer customers seamless access to global financial markets, across the trading lifecycle. LSEG is headquartered in London and has a major presence throughout Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific and emerging markets. Recommended Stories Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD Free Report) by 4.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,568,779 shares of the fast-food giants stock after purchasing an additional 65,447 shares during the quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. owned about 0.22% of McDonalds worth $476,736,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in McDonalds by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 71,647,669 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $21,773,010,000 after buying an additional 316,638 shares during the period. State Street Corp boosted its position in shares of McDonalds by 0.8% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 34,828,352 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $10,175,800,000 after acquiring an additional 272,139 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in McDonalds by 1.7% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 16,828,420 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $4,901,595,000 after purchasing an additional 276,065 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new position in McDonalds during the second quarter worth approximately $2,780,712,000. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in McDonalds by 29,382.3% during the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,737,548 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $1,676,339,000 after purchasing an additional 5,718,087 shares during the period. 70.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get McDonald's alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. TD Cowen reissued a hold rating and set a $320.00 price objective on shares of McDonalds in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on McDonalds from $305.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday. BMO Capital Markets restated an outperform rating on shares of McDonalds in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on McDonalds from $323.00 to $325.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated a market perform rating and set a $340.00 target price on shares of McDonalds in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Sixteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $337.57. Insider Buying and Selling at McDonalds In other McDonalds news, EVP Manuel Jm Steijaert sold 6,567 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $305.50, for a total transaction of $2,006,218.50. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 4,606 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,407,133. This trade represents a 58.78% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 2,626 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $325.25, for a total value of $854,106.50. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 5,398 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,755,699.50. This trade represents a 32.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 78,084 shares of company stock valued at $25,661,722. Corporate insiders own 0.25% of the companys stock. Trending Headlines about McDonalds Here are the key news stories impacting McDonalds this week: McDonalds Price Performance Shares of McDonalds stock opened at $333.09 on Thursday. McDonalds Corporation has a 1-year low of $283.47 and a 1-year high of $336.00. The company has a market capitalization of $237.21 billion, a PE ratio of 27.87, a P/E/G ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 0.52. The business has a 50-day moving average of $315.63 and a 200-day moving average of $309.77. McDonalds (NYSE:MCD Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The fast-food giant reported $3.12 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.05 by $0.07. McDonalds had a negative return on equity of 343.90% and a net margin of 31.85%.The firm had revenue of $7.01 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.81 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.83 earnings per share. McDonaldss revenue for the quarter was up 9.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that McDonalds Corporation will post 12.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. McDonalds Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 3rd will be paid a dividend of $1.86 per share. This represents a $7.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 3rd. McDonaldss dividend payout ratio is 62.26%. About McDonalds (Free Report) McDonalds Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is a global quick-service restaurant company best known for its hamburgers, French fries and breakfast offerings. The company develops, operates and franchises a system of restaurants that sell a range of food and beverage items, including signature products such as the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Chicken McNuggets, McCafe coffee beverages and a variety of salads, desserts and seasonal menu items. McDonalds serves customers through company-operated restaurants and franchised locations, and it supports sales via dine-in, drive-thru, digital ordering platforms and third-party delivery partnerships. Founded in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald as a single San Bernardino, California restaurant, the business was transformed into a franchising model after Ray Kroc joined in the mid-1950s and led the brands national and international expansion. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for McDonald's Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for McDonald's and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday after JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on the stock from $305.00 to $325.00. JPMorgan Chase & Co. currently has an overweight rating on the stock. McDonalds traded as high as $336.00 and last traded at $334.7740, with a volume of 278811 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $334.56. A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on MCD. KeyCorp raised their price target on McDonalds from $335.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of McDonalds in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Argus upgraded shares of McDonalds from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $380.00 price target on the stock in a report on Friday, February 13th. Piper Sandler increased their target price on shares of McDonalds from $323.00 to $325.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their target price on McDonalds from $371.00 to $375.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Sixteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $337.57. Get McDonald's alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on McDonalds Insider Transactions at McDonalds More McDonalds News In related news, CMO Edith Morgan Flatley sold 4,692 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $331.00, for a total value of $1,553,052.00. Following the sale, the chief marketing officer directly owned 6,200 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,052,200. This represents a 43.08% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink . Also, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 333 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $330.43, for a total transaction of $110,033.19. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 8,733 shares in the company, valued at $2,885,645.19. This trade represents a 3.67% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 78,084 shares of company stock valued at $25,661,722. 0.25% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Here are the key news stories impacting McDonalds this week: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of McDonalds in the second quarter valued at $2,780,712,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in McDonalds by 29,382.3% during the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,737,548 shares of the fast-food giants stock valued at $1,676,339,000 after buying an additional 5,718,087 shares in the last quarter. Soundwatch Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of McDonalds in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,412,069,000. J. Stern & Co. LLP boosted its stake in shares of McDonalds by 9,867.5% during the 4th quarter. J. Stern & Co. LLP now owns 2,541,008 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $776,608,000 after acquiring an additional 2,515,515 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Viking Global Investors LP increased its position in shares of McDonalds by 171.7% in the second quarter. Viking Global Investors LP now owns 3,125,432 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $913,157,000 after acquiring an additional 1,974,998 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.29% of the companys stock. McDonalds Stock Performance The firm has a 50 day moving average of $315.63 and a 200-day moving average of $309.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $239.31 billion, a PE ratio of 28.14, a P/E/G ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 0.52. McDonalds (NYSE:MCD Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The fast-food giant reported $3.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.05 by $0.07. McDonalds had a net margin of 31.85% and a negative return on equity of 343.90%. The company had revenue of $7.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.81 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.83 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 9.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that McDonalds Corporation will post 12.25 earnings per share for the current year. McDonalds Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 3rd will be paid a $1.86 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 3rd. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.2%. McDonaldss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 62.26%. McDonalds Company Profile (Get Free Report) McDonalds Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is a global quick-service restaurant company best known for its hamburgers, French fries and breakfast offerings. The company develops, operates and franchises a system of restaurants that sell a range of food and beverage items, including signature products such as the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Chicken McNuggets, McCafe coffee beverages and a variety of salads, desserts and seasonal menu items. McDonalds serves customers through company-operated restaurants and franchised locations, and it supports sales via dine-in, drive-thru, digital ordering platforms and third-party delivery partnerships. Founded in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald as a single San Bernardino, California restaurant, the business was transformed into a franchising model after Ray Kroc joined in the mid-1950s and led the brands national and international expansion. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for McDonald's Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for McDonald's and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Meritage Homes Corporation (NYSE:MTH Get Free Report) CAO Alison Sasser sold 151 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.80, for a total transaction of $11,596.80. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 8,907 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $684,057.60. The trade was a 1.67% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Meritage Homes Stock Performance NYSE MTH traded up $0.28 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $74.86. The company had a trading volume of 195,655 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,029,603. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $72.66 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $72.56. Meritage Homes Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $59.27 and a fifty-two week high of $84.74. The company has a quick ratio of 2.10, a current ratio of 2.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stock has a market cap of $5.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.83, a P/E/G ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 1.48. Get Meritage Homes alerts: Meritage Homes (NYSE:MTH Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The construction company reported $1.67 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.12. Meritage Homes had a net margin of 7.73% and a return on equity of 9.28%. The business had revenue of $1.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.51 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $4.72 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 11.9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Meritage Homes Corporation will post 9.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Meritage Homes Increases Dividend Institutional Inflows and Outflows The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be paid a $0.48 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 17th. This is a positive change from Meritage Homess previous quarterly dividend of $0.43. This represents a $1.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.6%. Meritage Homess dividend payout ratio is currently 27.22%. Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Royal Bank of Canada increased its position in Meritage Homes by 134.3% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 38,658 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $2,740,000 after acquiring an additional 22,162 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Meritage Homes by 51.7% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 12,937 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $917,000 after purchasing an additional 4,407 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Meritage Homes by 58.6% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 1,058,850 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $75,051,000 after purchasing an additional 391,297 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC raised its position in Meritage Homes by 111.0% in the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 32,971 shares of the construction companys stock worth $2,337,000 after purchasing an additional 17,343 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its holdings in Meritage Homes by 102.8% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 319,150 shares of the construction companys stock worth $22,621,000 after buying an additional 161,806 shares in the last quarter. 98.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Meritage Homes News Roundup Here are the key news stories impacting Meritage Homes this week: Positive Sentiment: Company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.48 (from $0.43), a $1.92 annualized payout (~2.6% yield) with an ex-dividend date of March 17 and pay date March 31 adds income appeal and signals capital-return confidence. Read More. Company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.48 (from $0.43), a $1.92 annualized payout (~2.6% yield) with an ex-dividend date of March 17 and pay date March 31 adds income appeal and signals capital-return confidence. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Quarterly results: MTH reported $1.67 EPS vs. $1.55 consensus (an EPS beat), which supports valuation; note revenue fell ~11.9% YoY to $1.44B (a weakness investors should watch). Read More. Quarterly results: MTH reported $1.67 EPS vs. $1.55 consensus (an EPS beat), which supports valuation; note revenue fell ~11.9% YoY to $1.44B (a weakness investors should watch). Read More. Positive Sentiment: Analyst coverage remains constructive in places (e.g., Citi/UBS coverage and some buy/outperform ratings), keeping upside expectations above current trading levels. Read More. Analyst coverage remains constructive in places (e.g., Citi/UBS coverage and some buy/outperform ratings), keeping upside expectations above current trading levels. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Unrelated press release: a miner (Mithril) uses ticker MTH on ASX/TSXV potential ticker-confusion in headlines but no business impact to Meritage. Read More. Unrelated press release: a miner (Mithril) uses ticker MTH on ASX/TSXV potential ticker-confusion in headlines but no business impact to Meritage. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Minor shifts reported in institutional holdings (small fund purchases and stake changes) not material to ownership concentration (institutional ownership remains very high). Read More. Minor shifts reported in institutional holdings (small fund purchases and stake changes) not material to ownership concentration (institutional ownership remains very high). Read More. Negative Sentiment: CEO Phillippe Lord sold 32,820 shares at ~$76.49 (~$2.51M), reducing his stake by ~11.2%; sizable insider sale that may create short-term selling pressure or investor caution. Read More. CEO Phillippe Lord sold 32,820 shares at ~$76.49 (~$2.51M), reducing his stake by ~11.2%; sizable insider sale that may create short-term selling pressure or investor caution. Read More. Negative Sentiment: CFO Hilla Sferruzza sold 10,928 shares at ~$76.35 (~$834k), an ~8.0% reduction of her holdings another senior-level sale. Read More. CFO Hilla Sferruzza sold 10,928 shares at ~$76.35 (~$834k), an ~8.0% reduction of her holdings another senior-level sale. Read More. Negative Sentiment: EVP Javier Feliciano sold 3,580 shares at ~$76.24 (~$273k), reducing his position by ~7.4%. Read More. EVP Javier Feliciano sold 3,580 shares at ~$76.24 (~$273k), reducing his position by ~7.4%. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Other insiders (EVP Austin Woffinden and CAO Alison Sasser) executed small sales (~143 and 151 shares) at ~\$76.80 minor but part of the cluster of insider selling. Read More. Read More. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth MTH has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Evercore set a $77.00 price objective on shares of Meritage Homes and gave the stock an in-line rating in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Bank of America restated a neutral rating and set a $82.00 price target (up from $75.00) on shares of Meritage Homes in a research note on Friday, January 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $90.00 target price on shares of Meritage Homes in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Meritage Homes from $60.00 to $69.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered Meritage Homes from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Sunday, January 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell 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 $83.63. Read Our Latest Research Report on MTH Meritage Homes Company Profile (Get Free Report) Meritage Homes Corporation is a national homebuilder and residential developer headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. Founded in 1985 as Winchester Homes and later rebranded to Meritage Homes, the company specializes in designing, constructing and selling singlefamily detached and attached homes. With a focus on energy efficiency and sustainable building practices, Meritage Homes markets its properties under the GreenSmart program, which integrates highperformance features aimed at reducing longterm energy and water consumption for homebuyers. The companys core activities encompass land acquisition, residential community planning, home design, construction management and real estate sales. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Meritage Homes Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Meritage Homes and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MTU Aero Engines (OTCMKTS:MTUAY Get Free Report) posted its earnings results on Tuesday. The company reported $2.67 earnings per share for the quarter, Zacks reports. The business had revenue of $2.83 billion during the quarter. MTU Aero Engines had a return on equity of 24.66% and a net margin of 11.74%. MTU Aero Engines Price Performance Shares of MTU Aero Engines stock traded down $5.74 during trading on Thursday, reaching $219.72. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,470 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,725. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $222.20 and a 200-day moving average price of $217.94. MTU Aero Engines has a 12-month low of $145.02 and a 12-month high of $238.57. The company has a market capitalization of $23.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.52 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. Get MTU Aero Engines alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on MTUAY shares. Citigroup restated a sell rating on shares of MTU Aero Engines in a research report on Wednesday. Royal Bank Of Canada raised shares of MTU Aero Engines to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. Finally, Zacks Research raised MTU Aero Engines from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, February 13th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, MTU Aero Engines has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. MTU Aero Engines Company Profile (Get Free Report) MTU Aero Engines AG is a German aircraft engine manufacturer headquartered in Munich that develops, manufactures and services commercial and military aero engines as well as industrial gas turbines. The companys activities span the entire engine lifecycle, from conceptual design and development through production of modules and components to aftermarket maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO). MTU supplies parts and technical solutions for a broad range of jet engines and turbomachinery used by airlines, MRO providers and defense customers. In addition to core engine development and manufacturing, MTU offers comprehensive aftermarket services including scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, spare parts distribution, repair technologies and fleet support programs. Read More Receive News & Ratings for MTU Aero Engines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MTU Aero Engines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Murata Manufacturing Inc. (OTCMKTS:MRAAY Get Free Report)s share price gapped up before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $11.8350, but opened at $12.81. Murata Manufacturing shares last traded at $13.15, with a volume of 77,773 shares. Murata Manufacturing Stock Performance The stock has a market cap of $47.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.34 and a beta of 0.94. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $10.68 and a 200-day moving average price of $9.88. Get Murata Manufacturing alerts: Murata Manufacturing (OTCMKTS:MRAAY Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, February 2nd. The company reported $0.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Murata Manufacturing had a net margin of 10.74% and a return on equity of 7.38%. The business had revenue of $3.03 billion during the quarter. Murata Manufacturing has set its FY 2025 guidance at 0.392-0.392 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Murata Manufacturing Inc. will post 0.41 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About Murata Manufacturing Murata Manufacturing Co, Ltd. is a Japan-based manufacturer of electronic components and modules, best known for its development and production of ceramic components. Founded in 1944 by Akira Murata and headquartered in Nagaokakyo, Kyoto Prefecture, the company has grown into a leading global supplier of multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs), ceramic resonators, and a broad range of passive and active electronic parts used across consumer, industrial and automotive electronics. The companys product portfolio encompasses passive components (such as capacitors, inductors and filters), sensors and sensing modules, power modules, and RF/wireless communication modules. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Murata Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Murata Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. National Grid Transco, PLC (NYSE:NGG Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $93.22 and last traded at $92.8240, with a volume of 332375 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $91.44. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages recently issued reports on NGG. Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating on shares of National Grid Transco in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating on shares of National Grid Transco in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Zacks Research upgraded National Grid Transco from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, February 9th. National Bank Financial set a $85.50 price objective on National Grid Transco in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of National Grid Transco in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $83.80. Get National Grid Transco alerts: View Our Latest Report on NGG National Grid Transco Trading Down 0.2% Institutional Inflows and Outflows The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a current ratio of 0.97. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $83.30 and a 200-day moving average price of $77.06. Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in NGG. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of National Grid Transco in the second quarter worth $487,000. Creative Planning lifted its stake in shares of National Grid Transco by 23.3% in the second quarter. Creative Planning now owns 89,239 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $6,640,000 after acquiring an additional 16,857 shares during the period. Summit Global Investments boosted its holdings in National Grid Transco by 19.1% in the second quarter. Summit Global Investments now owns 53,559 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,985,000 after acquiring an additional 8,603 shares during the last quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. increased its position in National Grid Transco by 189.2% during the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 111,083 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $7,604,000 after purchasing an additional 72,673 shares during the period. Finally, BKM Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in National Grid Transco during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $586,000. 4.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About National Grid Transco (Get Free Report) National Grid Transco (NYSE: NGG) is a utility company focused on the transmission and distribution of electricity and natural gas. The company builds, owns, operates and maintains large-scale energy infrastructure, including high-voltage electricity transmission lines, electricity distribution networks and high-pressure gas pipelines. Its core activities center on providing safe, reliable delivery of energy to residential, commercial and industrial customers while meeting regulatory requirements across its service territories. Services provided by National Grid Transco encompass network operation and maintenance, system balancing and control, metering and connections, and capital investment in grid modernization and reliability projects. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for National Grid Transco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for National Grid Transco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK Get Free Report) have earned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the thirteen analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $7.0140. A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Nokia from $7.10 to $8.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, December 1st. Citigroup reiterated a sell rating on shares of Nokia in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Nokia in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Nokia from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, November 30th. Finally, Danske downgraded shares of Nokia from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday. Get Nokia alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on NOK Trending Headlines about Nokia Positive Sentiment: Nokia announced an agentic AIpowered 5GAdvanced networkslicing solution with AWS (trialled with Orange and du). The capabilityintentbased, using open internet and operator data to autonomously adapt slicescould accelerate operator spending on premium, AIdriven network services and strengthen Nokias differentiation in 5GAdvanced. Nokia and AWS showcase industry-first agentic AI-powered network slicing with du and Orange Nokia announced an agentic AIpowered 5GAdvanced networkslicing solution with AWS (trialled with Orange and du). The capabilityintentbased, using open internet and operator data to autonomously adapt slicescould accelerate operator spending on premium, AIdriven network services and strengthen Nokias differentiation in 5GAdvanced. Positive Sentiment: Short interest fell ~14.5% from Jan 29 to Feb 13 (down to ~33.2M shares), leaving only ~0.6% of shares sold short and a daystocover of ~1.1. Lower short interest reduces nearterm downside pressure and the likelihood of aggressive shortcovering volatility. Short interest fell ~14.5% from Jan 29 to Feb 13 (down to ~33.2M shares), leaving only ~0.6% of shares sold short and a daystocover of ~1.1. Lower short interest reduces nearterm downside pressure and the likelihood of aggressive shortcovering volatility. Positive Sentiment: Retail and growth outlets are highlighting Nokias AI pivotone consumer investor piece named Nokia among breakout growth nameshelping sentiment and discovery among growth investors. 3 Breakout Growth Stocks You Can Buy and Hold for the Next Decade Retail and growth outlets are highlighting Nokias AI pivotone consumer investor piece named Nokia among breakout growth nameshelping sentiment and discovery among growth investors. Neutral Sentiment: Technical/volume context: the stock is trading above its 50 and 200day moving averages, but intraday volume is below the companys 50day averagemixed confirmation of the move. Technical/volume context: the stock is trading above its 50 and 200day moving averages, but intraday volume is below the companys 50day averagemixed confirmation of the move. Negative Sentiment: Valuation and execution risk: Nokias trailing P/E is elevated (~58x), so the share price is sensitive to execution and adoption; failure to commercialize AI network features quickly could disappoint expectations. Nokia Trading Up 1.1% Here are the key news stories impacting Nokia this week: Shares of NYSE:NOK opened at $7.58 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 1.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11. The stock has a market capitalization of $43.50 billion, a PE ratio of 58.27, a P/E/G ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 0.81. Nokia has a 1 year low of $4.00 and a 1 year high of $8.19. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $6.78 and a 200 day moving average price of $5.93. Institutional Trading of Nokia Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Penserra Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Nokia by 38.0% in the 3rd quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 7,760,500 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $37,328,000 after purchasing an additional 2,136,545 shares during the period. Atria Investments Inc increased its holdings in shares of Nokia by 214.7% during the 2nd quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 84,067 shares of the technology companys stock worth $435,000 after purchasing an additional 57,350 shares during the period. AdvisorShares Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Nokia during the second quarter valued at about $1,059,000. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans lifted its stake in shares of Nokia by 35,010.3% in the third quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 12,655,143 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $60,871,000 after buying an additional 12,619,099 shares during the period. Finally, TSP Capital Management Group LLC grew its position in Nokia by 8.8% during the third quarter. TSP Capital Management Group LLC now owns 2,473,592 shares of the technology companys stock worth $11,898,000 after buying an additional 200,400 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 5.28% of the companys stock. About Nokia (Get Free Report) Nokia Corporation, headquartered in Espoo, Finland, is a global telecommunications and technology company with roots dating back to 1865. Over its long history the company moved from forestry and cable operations into electronics and telecommunications, becoming widely known in the 1990s and 2000s for its mobile phones. In recent years Nokia refocused its business toward network infrastructure, software and technology licensing, and research and development, following the divestiture of its handset manufacturing business and the acquisition of AlcatelLucent in 2016, which brought Bell Labs into its portfolio. Today Nokias core activities center on designing, building and supporting communications networks and related software. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Nokia Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nokia and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Okeanis Eco Tankers Corp. (NYSE:ECO Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $50.25 and last traded at $49.9670, with a volume of 561888 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $49.20. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Okeanis Eco Tankers from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 20th. Wall Street Zen raised Okeanis Eco Tankers from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 15th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Okeanis Eco Tankers in a report on Monday, December 29th. Clarkson Capital upgraded shares of Okeanis Eco Tankers from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $46.05 price target for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. Finally, B. Riley Financial lifted their target price on Okeanis Eco Tankers from $45.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $43.35. Get Okeanis Eco Tankers alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on Okeanis Eco Tankers Okeanis Eco Tankers Trading Down 0.4% The businesss 50-day moving average is $39.17 and its two-hundred day moving average is $34.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 3.16 and a current ratio of 3.41. Okeanis Eco Tankers (NYSE:ECO Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 18th. The company reported $1.78 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.30 by $0.48. Okeanis Eco Tankers had a return on equity of 26.63% and a net margin of 31.40%.The business had revenue of $91.33 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $98.45 million. Equities analysts predict that Okeanis Eco Tankers Corp. will post 1.34 EPS for the current year. Okeanis Eco Tankers Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 3rd will be issued a $1.55 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 3rd. This is a positive change from Okeanis Eco Tankerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.75. This represents a $6.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 11.8%. Okeanis Eco Tankerss dividend payout ratio is currently 80.21%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Okeanis Eco Tankers by 56.8% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 150,568 shares of the companys stock worth $3,328,000 after purchasing an additional 54,528 shares during the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC increased its holdings in shares of Okeanis Eco Tankers by 108.2% in the 2nd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 420,789 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,144,000 after acquiring an additional 218,717 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. acquired a new stake in Okeanis Eco Tankers during the second quarter worth about $613,000. Lighthouse Investment Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Okeanis Eco Tankers by 13.5% in the 2nd quarter. Lighthouse Investment Partners LLC now owns 46,816 shares of the companys stock worth $1,017,000 after purchasing an additional 5,558 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets acquired a new position in shares of Okeanis Eco Tankers during the second quarter valued at $25,000. About Okeanis Eco Tankers (Get Free Report) Okeanis Eco Tankers Corp. is a Marshall Islandsincorporated, publicly traded shipping company specializing in the ownership and operation of eco-design product tankers. The company made its debut on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker ECO in May 2019 following an initial public offering. It focuses on the acquisition of newbuilding medium-range (MR) and long-range (LR) product tankers designed to deliver enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. As of its public listing, Okeanis Eco Tankers fleet comprises twelve eco-efficient vessels built by Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries in South Korea. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Okeanis Eco Tankers Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Okeanis Eco Tankers and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. OV Management LLC bought a new stake in Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG Free Report) during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund bought 6,540 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,005,000. A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PG. Interchange Capital Partners LLC increased its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 52.4% in the 3rd quarter. Interchange Capital Partners LLC now owns 5,090 shares of the companys stock valued at $782,000 after purchasing an additional 1,750 shares in the last quarter. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Procter & Gamble by 7.3% in the third quarter. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,703 shares of the companys stock worth $723,000 after buying an additional 319 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 9.8% in the third quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 10,301,944 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,582,894,000 after buying an additional 923,223 shares in the last quarter. Clarion Wealth Managment Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 10.3% during the 3rd quarter. Clarion Wealth Managment Partners LLC now owns 7,517 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,155,000 after buying an additional 700 shares during the period. Finally, Brucke Financial Inc. lifted its position in Procter & Gamble by 6.0% during the 3rd quarter. Brucke Financial Inc. now owns 2,448 shares of the companys stock worth $368,000 after acquiring an additional 138 shares in the last quarter. 65.77% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Procter & Gamble alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an overweight rating and set a $177.00 price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Rothschild & Co Redburn lifted their price target on shares of Procter & Gamble from $155.00 to $157.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Procter & Gamble from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and upped their price objective for the company from $157.00 to $165.00 in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. TD Cowen lowered Procter & Gamble from a buy rating to a hold rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $150.00 to $156.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised Procter & Gamble from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the company from $156.00 to $179.00 in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $168.33. Insider Transactions at Procter & Gamble In related news, Chairman Jon R. Moeller sold 162,232 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $162.45, for a total value of $26,354,588.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman directly owned 319,385 shares of the companys stock, valued at $51,884,093.25. This represents a 33.68% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Marc S. Pritchard sold 95,903 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.15, for a total transaction of $14,495,738.45. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 182,607 shares of the companys stock, valued at $27,601,048.05. This represents a 34.43% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 343,069 shares of company stock worth $54,545,448 in the last quarter. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Procter & Gamble Trading Down 1.1% Shares of NYSE PG opened at $163.45 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $379.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.21, a PEG ratio of 5.52 and a beta of 0.38. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $150.14 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $150.94. The company has a quick ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49. Procter & Gamble Company has a 52-week low of $137.62 and a 52-week high of $179.99. Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 22nd. The company reported $1.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.86 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $22.21 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.36 billion. Procter & Gamble had a return on equity of 32.21% and a net margin of 19.30%.During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.88 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 1.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Procter & Gamble has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.830-7.090 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 23rd were given a dividend of $1.0568 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 23rd. This represents a $4.23 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.6%. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio is currently 62.67%. Procter & Gamble News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting Procter & Gamble this week: Procter & Gamble Company Profile (Free Report) Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) is a multinational consumer goods company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble, P&G has grown into one of the worlds largest producers of branded consumer packaged goods. The company focuses on developing, manufacturing and marketing a broad portfolio of household and personal care products sold to consumers and retailers worldwide. P&Gs product offering spans several core business categories, including Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric & Home Care, and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Procter & Gamble Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Procter & Gamble and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc. lowered its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG Free Report) by 5.5% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 61,763 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,581 shares during the period. Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $9,490,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of PG. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Procter & Gamble in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Corundum Trust Company INC acquired a new position in shares of Procter & Gamble during the 3rd quarter valued at $32,000. Marquette Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Procter & Gamble in the third quarter valued at $37,000. Redmont Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Procter & Gamble in the third quarter valued at $40,000. Finally, Manning & Napier Advisors LLC bought a new position in Procter & Gamble during the third quarter valued at about $44,000. Institutional investors own 65.77% of the companys stock. Get Procter & Gamble alerts: Procter & Gamble Trading Down 1.1% Procter & Gamble stock opened at $163.45 on Thursday. Procter & Gamble Company has a 12 month low of $137.62 and a 12 month high of $179.99. The company has a quick ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $150.14 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $150.94. The stock has a market cap of $379.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.52 and a beta of 0.38. Procter & Gamble Dividend Announcement Procter & Gamble ( NYSE:PG Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 22nd. The company reported $1.88 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.86 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $22.21 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.36 billion. Procter & Gamble had a net margin of 19.30% and a return on equity of 32.21%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 1.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.88 EPS. Procter & Gamble has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.830-7.090 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.91 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 23rd were given a dividend of $1.0568 per share. This represents a $4.23 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 23rd. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 62.67%. Key Procter & Gamble News Here are the key news stories impacting Procter & Gamble this week: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company restated an overweight rating and issued a $177.00 price target on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. TD Cowen lowered Procter & Gamble from a buy rating to a hold rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $150.00 to $156.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. Barclays set a $155.00 price target on Procter & Gamble in a research report on Friday, January 16th. Dbs Bank raised shares of Procter & Gamble from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on shares of Procter & Gamble from $176.00 to $171.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, December 8th. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Procter & Gamble has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $168.33. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Procter & Gamble Insider Buying and Selling at Procter & Gamble In related news, insider Susan Street Whaley sold 1,809 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $159.46, for a total transaction of $288,463.14. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 30,215 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,818,083.90. This represents a 5.65% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Chairman Jon R. Moeller sold 162,232 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $162.45, for a total transaction of $26,354,588.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman owned 319,385 shares of the companys stock, valued at $51,884,093.25. This trade represents a 33.68% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 343,069 shares of company stock worth $54,545,448 in the last three months. 0.20% of the stock is owned by insiders. Procter & Gamble Company Profile (Free Report) Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) is a multinational consumer goods company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble, P&G has grown into one of the worlds largest producers of branded consumer packaged goods. The company focuses on developing, manufacturing and marketing a broad portfolio of household and personal care products sold to consumers and retailers worldwide. P&Gs product offering spans several core business categories, including Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric & Home Care, and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Procter & Gamble Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Procter & Gamble and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. RKL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEARCA:GLD Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 3,412 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $1,213,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Mccarter Private Wealth Services LLC boosted its position in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 3.2% during the third quarter. Mccarter Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 870 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $309,000 after buying an additional 27 shares during the last quarter. Norris Perne & French LLP MI boosted its holdings in SPDR Gold Shares by 3.3% during the 3rd quarter. Norris Perne & French LLP MI now owns 873 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $310,000 after acquiring an additional 28 shares during the last quarter. Revisor Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in SPDR Gold Shares by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Revisor Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,237 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $452,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 12.0% in the 3rd quarter. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC now owns 271 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $96,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Patten Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 0.5% in the third quarter. Patten Group Inc. now owns 5,592 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,988,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. 42.19% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get SPDR Gold Shares alerts: SPDR Gold Shares Price Performance GLD opened at $473.42 on Thursday. SPDR Gold Shares has a fifty-two week low of $261.25 and a fifty-two week high of $509.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $179.95 billion, a P/E ratio of -32.43 and a beta of 0.09. The companys 50-day moving average is $437.57 and its 200 day moving average is $385.57. More SPDR Gold Shares News About SPDR Gold Shares Here are the key news stories impacting SPDR Gold Shares this week: (Free Report) SPDR Gold Trust (the Trust) is an investment trust. The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion, less the Trusts expenses. The Trusts business activity is the investment of gold. The Trust creates and redeems Shares from time to time, but in one or more Baskets (a Basket equals a block of 100,000 Shares). The Trust issues Shares in Baskets to certain authorized participants (Authorized Participants) on an ongoing basis. The creation and redemption of Baskets is only made in exchange for the delivery to the Trust or the distribution by the Trust of the amount of gold and any cash represented by the Baskets being created or redeemed, the amount of which will be based on the combined net asset value of various Shares included in the Baskets being created or redeemed determined on the day the order to create or redeem Baskets is properly received. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GLD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEARCA:GLD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for SPDR Gold Shares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SPDR Gold Shares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Partners Group Holding AG trimmed its holdings in shares of Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE Free Report) by 19.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 376,042 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 88,664 shares during the period. Sempra Energy comprises 1.9% of Partners Group Holding AGs investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th biggest holding. Partners Group Holding AGs holdings in Sempra Energy were worth $33,836,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Meeder Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Sempra Energy in the third quarter valued at $25,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Sempra Energy by 51.2% in the 2nd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 375 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares in the last quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Sempra Energy by 245.1% in the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 421 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 299 shares during the period. Hartford Funds Management Co LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Sempra Energy in the second quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Activest Wealth Management boosted its holdings in Sempra Energy by 74.6% during the third quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 391 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.65% of the companys stock. Get Sempra Energy alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have issued reports on SRE. Citigroup reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $99.00 target price (up from $80.00) on shares of Sempra Energy in a report on Monday, November 24th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Sempra Energy in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. UBS Group reiterated an outperform rating and set a $100.00 target price on shares of Sempra Energy in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $112.00 price objective (down from $115.00) on shares of Sempra Energy in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, Barclays set a $95.00 target price on shares of Sempra Energy and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $99.10. Sempra Energy Price Performance NYSE:SRE opened at $94.43 on Thursday. Sempra Energy has a 12-month low of $61.90 and a 12-month high of $95.74. The firm has a market cap of $61.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.55 and a beta of 0.74. The companys 50-day moving average is $89.33 and its two-hundred day moving average is $88.58. The company has a current ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. 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 nonregulated 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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SRE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Sempra Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sempra Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Societe Generale Group (OTCMKTS:SCGLY Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 206,718 shares, a drop of 80.4% from the January 29th total of 1,054,011 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,386,505 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Approximately 0.0% of the companys shares are sold short. Approximately 0.0% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 1,386,505 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Zacks Research raised Societe Generale Group from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating on shares of Societe Generale Group in a report on Monday, February 16th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating on shares of Societe Generale Group in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered shares of Societe Generale Group from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Kepler Capital Markets downgraded shares of Societe Generale Group from a buy rating to a reduce rating in a research note on Friday, January 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Societe Generale Group presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy. Get Societe Generale Group alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on SCGLY Societe Generale Group Price Performance Shares of OTCMKTS:SCGLY opened at $18.10 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $69.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.61 and a beta of 0.78. The companys 50-day moving average is $16.77 and its 200 day moving average is $14.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06, a quick ratio of 1.27 and a current ratio of 1.21. Societe Generale Group has a fifty-two week low of $7.29 and a fifty-two week high of $18.30. Societe Generale Group (OTCMKTS:SCGLY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 6th. The financial services provider reported $0.37 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.32 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $7.83 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.77 billion. Societe Generale Group had a return on equity of 6.71% and a net margin of 22.01%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Societe Generale Group will post 1.14 earnings per share for the current year. About Societe Generale Group (Get Free Report) Societe Generale Group, founded in 1864 and headquartered in Paris, is one of Frances largest banking groups. It offers a broad range of financial services to individuals, businesses, institutions and governments. The firm operates through multiple businesses that collectively provide banking, financing, investment and advisory solutions across retail, corporate and institutional client segments. The groups core activities encompass retail banking services such as deposit accounts, consumer and mortgage lending, payment services and wealth management. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Societe Generale Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Societe Generale Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc. decreased its position in Sysco Corporation (NYSE:SYY Free Report) by 41.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 489,982 shares of the companys stock after selling 342,893 shares during the period. Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc. owned approximately 0.10% of Sysco worth $40,345,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Sysco during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $493,686,000. Mondrian Investment Partners LTD acquired a new stake in Sysco during the 3rd quarter worth about $142,237,000. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Sysco by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 62,691,177 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,748,230,000 after buying an additional 1,226,381 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Sysco by 207.6% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 1,164,656 shares of the companys stock valued at $88,211,000 after buying an additional 785,995 shares during the period. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its stake in shares of Sysco by 143.2% in the second quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,215,260 shares of the companys stock worth $92,044,000 after buying an additional 715,663 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.41% of the companys stock. Get Sysco alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. BMO Capital Markets reissued an outperform rating on shares of Sysco in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Sysco from $90.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Sysco from $88.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on shares of Sysco from $88.00 to $85.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on shares of Sysco from $90.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Sysco presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $90.31. Sysco Stock Down 0.8% SYY opened at $89.16 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $42.70 billion, a PE ratio of 23.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.61. Sysco Corporation has a twelve month low of $67.12 and a twelve month high of $91.85. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $80.42 and a 200 day moving average price of $78.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.45. Sysco (NYSE:SYY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The company reported $0.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.01. Sysco had a return on equity of 109.21% and a net margin of 2.17%.The company had revenue of $20.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.80 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.93 EPS. Syscos revenue was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Sysco has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.600-4.600 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Sysco Corporation will post 4.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity at Sysco In related news, EVP Ronald L. Phillips sold 5,601 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $81.00, for a total value of $453,681.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 35,965 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,913,165. This represents a 13.47% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Sheila Talton sold 2,801 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.99, for a total value of $232,454.99. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 12,868 shares in the company, valued at $1,067,915.32. The trade was a 17.88% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.56% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. About Sysco (Free Report) Sysco Corporation (NYSE: SYY) is a global foodservice distribution company that supplies a broad range of food and related products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments, and other foodservice customers. Its core business is the procurement, warehousing and delivery of fresh, frozen and dry food products, complemented by non-food items such as paper goods, kitchen equipment, cleaning supplies and tabletop products. Sysco serves customers through an extensive network of distribution centers and dedicated delivery fleets, positioning itself as a one-stop supplier for operators of all sizes. Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, Sysco has grown through both organic expansion and acquisitions. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SYY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Sysco Corporation (NYSE:SYY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Sysco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sysco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TD Asset Management Inc raised its stake in shares of Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) by 1.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,855,244 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 36,881 shares during the quarter. TD Asset Management Incs holdings in Bank of America were worth $147,302,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Bank of America by 0.3% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 148,176,755 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $6,982,863,000 after acquiring an additional 403,652 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Bank of America in the 2nd quarter worth $5,091,641,000. Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 5.2% during the 2nd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 51,405,673 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,432,516,000 after purchasing an additional 2,557,943 shares during the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its position in shares of Bank of America by 124.8% during the second quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 17,619,837 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $833,771,000 after purchasing an additional 9,782,208 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Bank of America by 5.3% during the third quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 17,438,466 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $899,650,000 after purchasing an additional 875,514 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.71% of the companys stock. Get Bank of America alerts: Bank of America Stock Performance Shares of Bank of America stock opened at $51.71 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. The stocks fifty day moving average is $54.06 and its two-hundred day moving average is $52.38. Bank of America Corporation has a 52 week low of $33.06 and a 52 week high of $57.55. The company has a market capitalization of $377.63 billion, a PE ratio of 13.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 1.29. Bank of America Announces Dividend Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 14th. The financial services provider reported $0.98 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.96 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $4.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $27.73 billion. Bank of America had a net margin of 16.23% and a return on equity of 11.07%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 12.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.82 earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that Bank of America Corporation will post 3.7 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 6th will be issued a $0.28 dividend. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 6th. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio is currently 29.24%. Key Bank of America News Here are the key news stories impacting Bank of America this week: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Bank of America from $62.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Daiwa Securities Group reduced their price objective on Bank of America from $66.00 to $62.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Bank of America from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, February 14th. Oppenheimer raised their target price on shares of Bank of America from $55.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, December 18th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price target on shares of Bank of America from $64.00 to $63.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Twenty-two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Bank of America presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $60.30. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Bank of America Bank of America Profile (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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bank of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TD Asset Management Inc decreased its position in Spotify Technology (NYSE:SPOT Free Report) by 6.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 245,460 shares of the companys stock after selling 17,753 shares during the period. TD Asset Management Inc owned about 0.12% of Spotify Technology worth $171,331,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Spotify Technology in the 2nd quarter valued at about $768,915,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Spotify Technology by 3,534.9% in the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 571,474 shares of the companys stock valued at $398,889,000 after purchasing an additional 555,752 shares in the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Spotify Technology by 22.7% in the second quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 2,489,013 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,909,920,000 after purchasing an additional 460,115 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its position in shares of Spotify Technology by 41.8% in the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 1,131,099 shares of the companys stock valued at $867,937,000 after purchasing an additional 333,537 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Brown Advisory Inc. increased its stake in shares of Spotify Technology by 931.2% during the 2nd quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 362,853 shares of the companys stock worth $278,456,000 after purchasing an additional 327,667 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.09% of the companys stock. Get Spotify Technology alerts: Spotify Technology Price Performance SPOT opened at $463.41 on Thursday. Spotify Technology has a 12 month low of $405.00 and a 12 month high of $785.00. The business has a 50-day moving average of $515.33 and a two-hundred day moving average of $610.21. The stock has a market capitalization of $95.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 48.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.66. Analysts Set New Price Targets Spotify Technology ( NYSE:SPOT Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 10th. The company reported $5.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.16 by $2.00. Spotify Technology had a net margin of 13.16% and a return on equity of 31.35%. The business had revenue of $5.32 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.14 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.88 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Spotify Technology will post 10.3 earnings per share for the current year. SPOT has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Wall Street Zen raised Spotify Technology from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th. KeyCorp reduced their price objective on Spotify Technology from $830.00 to $720.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Sanford C. Bernstein decreased their price objective on Spotify Technology from $830.00 to $650.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th. Cantor Fitzgerald cut their target price on shares of Spotify Technology from $615.00 to $525.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Finally, Erste Group Bank cut shares of Spotify Technology from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-four have assigned a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $702.55. Read Our Latest Research Report on Spotify Technology Spotify Technology Company Profile (Free Report) Spotify Technology is a digital audio streaming company best known for its on-demand music service and a growing portfolio of spoken-word content. Founded in Sweden in 2006 by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon and launched commercially in 2008, the company offers a cross-platform app that enables users to discover, stream and organize music, podcasts and other audio. Its primary consumer products include a free, ad-supported tier and a paid Spotify Premium subscription that provides ad-free listening, offline playback and higher-quality audio streams. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Spotify Technology Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Spotify Technology and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TD Asset Management Inc cut its holdings in shares of Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT Free Report) by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 231,376 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 4,643 shares during the quarter. TD Asset Management Incs holdings in Caterpillar were worth $110,401,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Marquette Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Caterpillar by 1,060.0% during the third quarter. Marquette Asset Management LLC now owns 58 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Joseph Group Capital Management bought a new stake in shares of Caterpillar during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Kilter Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Caterpillar in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Sellwood Investment Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Caterpillar in the third quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, RiverPark Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Caterpillar during the second quarter worth $32,000. Institutional investors own 70.98% of the companys stock. Get Caterpillar alerts: Caterpillar Stock Performance NYSE:CAT opened at $766.15 on Thursday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $660.74 and a 200 day simple moving average of $559.89. The stock has a market cap of $356.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.71, a PEG ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 1.58. Caterpillar Inc. has a 1-year low of $267.30 and a 1-year high of $789.81. The company has a current ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44. Caterpillar Announces Dividend Caterpillar ( NYSE:CAT Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The industrial products company reported $5.16 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.67 by $0.49. Caterpillar had a return on equity of 45.76% and a net margin of 13.14%.The firm had revenue of $19.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.81 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $5.14 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 17.9% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that Caterpillar Inc. will post 19.86 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 19th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 20th were paid a $1.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, January 20th. This represents a $6.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.8%. Caterpillars payout ratio is 32.09%. Insider Activity In related news, insider Rodney Michael Shurman sold 2,278 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $759.61, for a total value of $1,730,391.58. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 1,443 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,096,117.23. The trade was a 61.22% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Anthony D. Fassino sold 10,671 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $680.45, for a total value of $7,261,081.95. Following the transaction, the insider owned 41,151 shares in the company, valued at approximately $28,001,197.95. This trade represents a 20.59% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 143,450 shares of company stock worth $98,245,065. Insiders own 0.33% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have recently commented on CAT. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Caterpillar from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, February 21st. Robert W. Baird set a $805.00 price target on Caterpillar in a report on Friday, January 30th. CICC Research began coverage on Caterpillar in a research note on Friday, February 6th. They issued an outperform rating on the stock. Argus lifted their target price on Caterpillar from $625.00 to $820.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Finally, Raymond James Financial restated a market perform rating on shares of Caterpillar in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Sixteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $712.52. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Caterpillar Caterpillar News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting Caterpillar this week: Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo raised its price target on CAT to $870 and kept an overweight rating a sizable upward revision that supports further upside expectations. Wells Fargo price target raise Wells Fargo raised its price target on CAT to $870 and kept an overweight rating a sizable upward revision that supports further upside expectations. Positive Sentiment: Daiwa Securities raised its target to $790, another analyst upgrade adding to bullish analyst momentum. Daiwa price target raise Daiwa Securities raised its target to $790, another analyst upgrade adding to bullish analyst momentum. Positive Sentiment: Large institutional flows and analyst upgrades remain supportive recent filings show major fund increases (Norges Bank, Wellington, Capital International, MFS) and some analysts have lifted FY26 estimates. MarketBeat CAT research Large institutional flows and analyst upgrades remain supportive recent filings show major fund increases (Norges Bank, Wellington, Capital International, MFS) and some analysts have lifted FY26 estimates. Positive Sentiment: Caterpillar expanded its software and services footprint by acquiring Australian miningsoftware firm RPMGlobal strategic for aftermarket/service revenue and digital offerings. RPMGlobal acquisition Caterpillar expanded its software and services footprint by acquiring Australian miningsoftware firm RPMGlobal strategic for aftermarket/service revenue and digital offerings. Positive Sentiment: Caterpillar Venture Capital backed ElevenEs Series B a small strategic investment signaling tilt toward tech/commoditytrading adjacencies. ElevenEs Series B Caterpillar Venture Capital backed ElevenEs Series B a small strategic investment signaling tilt toward tech/commoditytrading adjacencies. Neutral Sentiment: Coverage comparing Caterpillar and Deere highlights divergent recent results; useful competitive context but not an immediate catalyst by itself. CAT vs Deere analysis Coverage comparing Caterpillar and Deere highlights divergent recent results; useful competitive context but not an immediate catalyst by itself. Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary notes a larger diesel genset market and that CAT now trades at a premium valuation (high P/E), increasing sensitivity to any slowdown contextual, not instantly catalytic. Diesel gensets / valuation Market commentary notes a larger diesel genset market and that CAT now trades at a premium valuation (high P/E), increasing sensitivity to any slowdown contextual, not instantly catalytic. Negative Sentiment: Short interest jumped ~61% in February to ~10.0M shares (2.2% of shares), raising nearterm bearish pressure and potential volatility if shorts cover or add. (Daystocover 2.5.) Short interest jumped ~61% in February to ~10.0M shares (2.2% of shares), raising nearterm bearish pressure and potential volatility if shorts cover or add. (Daystocover 2.5.) Negative Sentiment: Insider selling: director Rodney Michael Shurman sold 2,278 shares (and had earlier sales), which can be interpreted negatively by some investors even if economically modest. Insider sale filing About Caterpillar (Free Report) Caterpillar Inc is a global manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and locomotives. The companys product portfolio includes earthmoving machines such as excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders and offhighway trucks, as well as a range of power generation products including generator sets and power systems for industrial and commercial use. Caterpillar serves customers across heavy construction, mining, energy, transportation and related industries with both equipment and integrated technology solutions. In addition to manufacturing, Caterpillar provides a broad range of aftermarket parts and support services, including maintenance, repair, remanufacturing and fleet management tools. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Caterpillar Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Caterpillar and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TD Asset Management Inc decreased its holdings in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 3,649,637 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 28,692 shares during the period. TD Asset Management Inc owned approximately 0.06% of Pfizer worth $92,993,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PFE. Fiduciary Alliance LLC lifted its position in shares of Pfizer by 46.4% in the third quarter. Fiduciary Alliance LLC now owns 145,263 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $3,701,000 after acquiring an additional 46,043 shares in the last quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new position in Pfizer in the 3rd quarter valued at about $3,019,000. Money Concepts Capital Corp raised its stake in Pfizer by 29.9% in the 3rd quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp now owns 248,251 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $6,325,000 after purchasing an additional 57,188 shares during the last quarter. Vista Investment Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Pfizer by 236.1% in the 3rd quarter. Vista Investment Partners LLC now owns 69,613 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,774,000 after purchasing an additional 48,900 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Generali Investments CEE investicni spolecnost a.s. boosted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 76.4% during the 3rd quarter. Generali Investments CEE investicni spolecnost a.s. now owns 109,269 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $2,784,000 after purchasing an additional 47,319 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.36% of the companys stock. Get Pfizer alerts: Key Headlines Impacting Pfizer Here are the key news stories impacting Pfizer this week: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have recently weighed in on PFE. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a neutral rating and set a $26.00 price objective on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Pfizer from $32.00 to $28.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 12th. UBS Group initiated coverage on Pfizer in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. They set a neutral rating and a $25.00 price objective on the stock. Bank of America dropped their target price on Pfizer from $29.00 to $28.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Guggenheim reissued a buy rating on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $27.70. Read Our Latest Report on PFE Pfizer Trading Down 0.1% PFE stock opened at $27.11 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The company has a market cap of $154.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.93 and a beta of 0.47. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $26.04 and a 200-day simple moving average of $25.37. Pfizer Inc. has a 52 week low of $20.92 and a 52 week high of $27.94. Pfizer (NYSE:PFE Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $17.56 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.93 billion. Pfizer had a return on equity of 20.25% and a net margin of 12.42%.The firms quarterly revenue was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.63 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 EPS for the current year. Pfizer Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 6th. Investors of record on Friday, January 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.43 per share. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 23rd. Pfizers dividend payout ratio is 126.47%. About Pfizer (Free Report) Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) is a multinational biopharmaceutical company headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1849 by Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart, the company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes a broad range of medicines and vaccines for human health. Its activities span discovery research, clinical development, regulatory affairs, manufacturing and global commercial distribution across multiple therapeutic areas. Pfizers portfolio and pipeline cover oncology, immunology, cardiology, endocrinology, rare diseases, hospital acute care and anti-infectives, along with a substantial vaccine business. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Primecap Management Co. CA reduced its stake in shares of Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT Free Report) by 23.7% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 3,043,220 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 945,120 shares during the quarter. Primecap Management Co. CAs holdings in Textron were worth $257,122,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. True Wealth Design LLC grew its stake in Textron by 388.5% in the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 298 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 237 shares in the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. lifted its holdings in Textron by 191.9% during the 2nd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 324 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 213 shares during the last quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp acquired a new position in shares of Textron in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Quent Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Textron in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Private Trust Co. NA increased its holdings in shares of Textron by 155.6% in the 3rd quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 460 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 280 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.03% of the companys stock. Get Textron alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other news, CEO Lisa M. Atherton sold 7,600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.68, for a total value of $749,968.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 29,473 shares in the company, valued at $2,908,395.64. This represents a 20.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Chairman Scott C. Donnelly sold 219,619 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.41, for a total value of $21,612,705.79. Following the transaction, the chairman directly owned 742,418 shares of the companys stock, valued at $73,061,355.38. This represents a 22.83% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 304,473 shares of company stock worth $29,976,723. 1.70% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on TXT shares. Freedom Capital upgraded shares of Textron to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Textron from $88.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, January 29th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Textron from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price objective on Textron from $94.00 to $108.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 19th. Finally, Susquehanna restated a positive rating and set a $110.00 price objective on shares of Textron in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $98.60. View Our Latest Stock Report on Textron Textron Stock Performance TXT stock opened at $96.70 on Thursday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $92.97 and a 200 day simple moving average of $85.98. The company has a market capitalization of $16.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.92, a PEG ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a quick ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 1.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49. Textron Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $57.70 and a fifty-two week high of $101.57. Textron (NYSE:TXT Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The aerospace company reported $1.73 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.74 by ($0.01). Textron had a return on equity of 14.63% and a net margin of 6.22%.The company had revenue of $4.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.11 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.34 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 15.6% on a year-over-year basis. Textron has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.400-6.600 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Textron Inc. will post 6.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Textron Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be given a dividend of $0.02 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 13th. This represents a $0.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.1%. Textrons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 1.57%. About Textron (Free Report) Textron Inc is a global, multi-industry manufacturing company headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. The company designs, manufactures and services a diverse range of products for the aerospace, defense and industrial markets. Textron operates through four primary business segmentsTextron Aviation, Bell, Textron Systems and Industrialeach of which serves customers around the world. Textron Aviation is known for its Cessna and Beechcraft branded business jets and turboprop aircraft, offering models that range from light jets and turboprops to larger cabin aircraft designed for corporate and charter use. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TXT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Textron Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Textron and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its position in shares of The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW Free Report) by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 782,093 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after buying an additional 13,831 shares during the quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. owned about 0.32% of Sherwin-Williams worth $270,808,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. MTM Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Sherwin-Williams in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC raised its position in Sherwin-Williams by 104.8% in the 2nd quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 86 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Rossby Financial LCC grew its holdings in Sherwin-Williams by 96.0% during the 3rd quarter. Rossby Financial LCC now owns 98 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares in the last quarter. Delos Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Sherwin-Williams during the second quarter worth $36,000. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC boosted its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 129.8% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 108 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. 77.67% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Sherwin-Williams alerts: Sherwin-Williams Trading Down 2.1% Shares of SHW stock opened at $356.98 on Thursday. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $348.77 and its 200-day simple moving average is $346.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.03, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.53. The Sherwin-Williams Company has a 1-year low of $308.84 and a 1-year high of $379.65. The firm has a market cap of $88.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.76, a PEG ratio of 3.15 and a beta of 1.25. Sherwin-Williams Increases Dividend Sherwin-Williams ( NYSE:SHW Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The specialty chemicals company reported $2.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.16 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $5.60 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.57 billion. Sherwin-Williams had a net margin of 10.90% and a return on equity of 65.26%. Sherwin-Williamss revenue was up 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.09 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that The Sherwin-Williams Company will post 12 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 13th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.80 per share. This is a boost from Sherwin-Williamss previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 2nd. Sherwin-Williamss payout ratio is currently 30.77%. Insider Transactions at Sherwin-Williams In other news, SVP Bryan J. Young sold 2,513 shares of Sherwin-Williams stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $364.47, for a total value of $915,913.11. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 10,045 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,661,101.15. The trade was a 20.01% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, insider Colin M. Davie sold 2,976 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $359.50, for a total value of $1,069,872.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 5,365 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,928,717.50. The trade was a 35.68% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 0.60% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages recently commented on SHW. Wells Fargo & Company set a $410.00 price target on shares of Sherwin-Williams and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a research report on Monday, January 19th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $390.00 target price on Sherwin-Williams and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Mizuho increased their price target on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $400.00 to $410.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Finally, Zacks Research cut Sherwin-Williams from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Friday, January 30th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $387.67. Get Our Latest Report on SHW About Sherwin-Williams (Free Report) Sherwin-Williams (NYSE: SHW) is a global manufacturer and distributor of paints, coatings and related products. Founded in 1866 and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, the company supplies a broad range of coatings for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Its product offering includes architectural paints and stains, industrial and protective coatings, automotive finishes, and a variety of sundry products such as primers, sealants and specialty treatments used by professionals and consumers. The company sells through multiple channels, including a large network of company-operated retail paint stores that serve professional contractors and do-it-yourself consumers, as well as through distributors and mass retailers. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Sherwin-Williams Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sherwin-Williams and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Timbercreek Financial (TSE:TF Get Free Report) had its price target decreased by analysts at National Bank Financial from C$8.25 to C$8.00 in a report issued on Thursday,BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage presently has a sector perform rating on the stock. National Bank Financials target price suggests a potential upside of 19.58% from the stocks previous close. Separately, Canaccord Genuity Group dropped their target price on shares of Timbercreek Financial from C$8.50 to C$7.75 in a research report on Friday, October 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$7.92. Get Timbercreek Financial alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on Timbercreek Financial Timbercreek Financial Stock Performance About Timbercreek Financial Timbercreek Financial stock traded down C$0.57 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching C$6.69. The stock had a trading volume of 1,479,281 shares, compared to its average volume of 222,103. The firm has a market capitalization of C$553.62 million, a PE ratio of 14.54 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a quick ratio of 145.00, a current ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 122.88. The firms 50-day moving average price is C$7.08 and its 200 day moving average price is C$7.16. Timbercreek Financial has a 12 month low of C$5.91 and a 12 month high of C$7.98. (Get Free Report) Timbercreek Financial Corp is a Canada-based non-banking commercial real estate lender. The company provides shorter-duration, customized financing solutions to professional real estate investors. It invests directly in a diversified portfolio of structured mortgage loans primarily secured by stabilized, income-producing commercial real estates, such as multi-residential, office and retail buildings located in urban markets across Canada. The companys strategy is to preserve investor capital by lending mainly against income producing real estate, mitigate concentration risk by diversifying geographically by asset type and borrower and ensure loan to value ratios. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Timbercreek Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Timbercreek Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Applied Materials, Fabrinet, Thomson Reuters, Johnson Controls International, MKS, and Modine Manufacturing are the seven Manufacturing stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Manufacturing stocks are shares of companies whose primary business is producing physical goodssuch as automakers, machinery and equipment makers, electronics and semiconductor manufacturers, and other industrial producers. For investors, these stocks typically provide exposure to the industrial cycle and can be more sensitive to changes in demand, commodity and labor costs, capital spending, and supply-chain disruptions than non-manufacturing sectors. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Manufacturing stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others. Applied Materials (AMAT) Applied Materials, Inc. engages in the provision of manufacturing equipment, services, and software to the semiconductor, display, and related industries. The company operates through three segments: Semiconductor Systems, Applied Global Services, and Display and Adjacent Markets. The Semiconductor Systems segment develops, manufactures, and sells various manufacturing equipment that is used to fabricate semiconductor chips or integrated circuits. Read Our Latest Research Report on AMAT Fabrinet (FN) Fabrinet provides optical packaging and precision optical, electro-mechanical, and electronic manufacturing services in North America, the Asia-Pacific, and Europe. The company offers a range of advanced optical and electro-mechanical capabilities in the manufacturing process, including process design and engineering, supply chain management, manufacturing, printed circuit board assembly, advanced packaging, integration, final assembly, and testing. Read Our Latest Research Report on FN Thomson Reuters (TRI) Thomson Reuters Corporation provides business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments. Read Our Latest Research Report on TRI Johnson Controls International (JCI) Johnson Controls International plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in engineering, manufacturing, commissioning, and retrofitting building products and systems in the United States, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. It operates in four segments: Building Solutions North America, Building Solutions EMEA/LA, Building Solutions Asia Pacific, and Global Products. Read Our Latest Research Report on JCI MKS (MKSI) MKS Instruments, Inc. provides foundational technology solutions to semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial applications in the United States, Germany, China, South Korea, and internationally. It operates through Vacuum Solutions Division (VSD), Photonics Solutions Division (PSD), and Material Solutions Division (MSD) segments. Read Our Latest Research Report on MKSI Modine Manufacturing (MOD) Modine Manufacturing Company provides thermal management products and solutions in the United States, Italy, Hungary, China, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through Climate Solutions and Performance Technologies segments. The company offers heat transfer coils, including heat recovery and round tube plate fin coils; gas-fired, hydronic, electric and oilfired unit heaters; roof-mounted direct- and indirect-fired makeup air units; duct furnaces; infrared units; perimeter heating products; single packaged unit ventilators; modular chillers; air handler and condensing units; ceiling cassettes; evaporator unit coolers, remote condensers, fluid coolers, gas coolers, and dry and brine coolers; and motor and generator cooling coils, transformer oil coolers, radiators, dryers, and industrial heat exchangers. Read Our Latest Research Report on MOD Read More Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Transdigm Group Incorporated (NYSE:TDG Free Report) by 149.8% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 1,109 shares of the aerospace companys stock after acquiring an additional 665 shares during the quarter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc.s holdings in Transdigm Group were worth $1,462,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of TDG. Salomon & Ludwin LLC purchased a new position in Transdigm Group in the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust boosted its holdings in shares of Transdigm Group by 84.6% in the second quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust now owns 24 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 11 shares during the period. Hantz Financial Services Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Transdigm Group by 1,250.0% in the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 27 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 25 shares during the period. Security National Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Transdigm Group during the third quarter valued at approximately $53,000. Finally, Ameritas Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in shares of Transdigm Group by 38.7% during the third quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC now owns 43 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $56,000 after acquiring an additional 12 shares during the period. 95.78% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Transdigm Group alerts: Insider Transactions at Transdigm Group In other Transdigm Group news, Director Kevin M. Stein sold 36,925 shares of Transdigm Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,425.79, for a total value of $52,647,295.75. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 19,233 shares of the companys stock, valued at $27,422,219.07. The trade was a 65.75% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, COO Joel Reiss sold 3,900 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,429.92, for a total transaction of $5,576,688.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer owned 3,600 shares in the company, valued at $5,147,712. This represents a 52.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 224,441 shares of company stock worth $307,525,909. Company insiders own 3.20% of the companys stock. Transdigm Group Stock Up 0.0% NYSE TDG opened at $1,294.49 on Thursday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $1,351.20 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $1,332.91. Transdigm Group Incorporated has a 12-month low of $1,183.60 and a 12-month high of $1,623.82. The stock has a market capitalization of $73.10 billion, a PE ratio of 41.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.92. Transdigm Group (NYSE:TDG Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 3rd. The aerospace company reported $8.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $7.99 by $0.24. Transdigm Group had a net margin of 20.50% and a negative return on equity of 29.07%. The firm had revenue of $2.29 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.26 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $7.83 earnings per share. Transdigm Groups revenue for the quarter was up 13.9% on a year-over-year basis. Transdigm Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 37.420-39.340 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Transdigm Group Incorporated will post 35.13 EPS for the current year. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Transdigm Group from $1,405.00 to $1,435.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, November 14th. Robert W. Baird reiterated a neutral rating and set a $1,400.00 price target on shares of Transdigm Group in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. UBS Group reduced their price objective on Transdigm Group from $1,804.00 to $1,800.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Zacks Research raised Transdigm Group from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on Transdigm Group from $1,385.00 to $1,400.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, November 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $1,584.44. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Transdigm Group Transdigm Group Profile (Free Report) TransDigm Group Incorporated is a designer, producer and supplier of engineered aircraft components and systems for commercial and military aerospace applications. The companys product portfolio covers a broad range of mission-critical parts and subsystems, including mechanical and electromechanical components, ignition and fuel system parts, sensors and actuators, cockpit and cabin systems, and other safety-critical hardware. TransDigm supplies original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) as well as the aftermarket, providing spare parts, repair and overhaul services and component support throughout an assets life cycle. TransDigms operating model places emphasis on proprietary, niche components that are difficult to replace, and the company operates through a collection of independently run subsidiaries and brands that sell specialized products. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TDG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Transdigm Group Incorporated (NYSE:TDG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Transdigm Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Transdigm Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vanguard Group Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of Signet Jewelers Limited (NYSE:SIG Free Report) by 1.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 5,016,030 shares of the companys stock after selling 48,155 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. owned approximately 0.12% of Signet Jewelers worth $481,138,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its stake in shares of Signet Jewelers by 87.2% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 17,564 shares of the companys stock worth $1,020,000 after buying an additional 8,183 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its holdings in Signet Jewelers by 33.5% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 849,692 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,333,000 after acquiring an additional 213,365 shares during the period. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC raised its holdings in Signet Jewelers by 9.8% in the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 122,573 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,117,000 after acquiring an additional 10,964 shares during the period. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in Signet Jewelers by 2.1% during the second quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 11,008 shares of the companys stock worth $876,000 after acquiring an additional 224 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Signet Jewelers during the second quarter worth approximately $599,000. Get Signet Jewelers alerts: Signet Jewelers Trading Up 1.2% Shares of NYSE:SIG opened at $98.16 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $90.62 and a 200-day moving average of $92.80. Signet Jewelers Limited has a 12 month low of $45.55 and a 12 month high of $110.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.99 billion, a PE ratio of 29.30, a PEG ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 1.28. Signet Jewelers Announces Dividend Signet Jewelers ( NYSE:SIG Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 2nd. The company reported $0.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.16 by $0.47. Signet Jewelers had a net margin of 2.13% and a return on equity of 24.44%. The business had revenue of $1.39 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.36 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.25 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 3.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Signet Jewelers has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.430-9.59 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Signet Jewelers Limited will post 8.73 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 20th. Investors of record on Friday, January 23rd were given a dividend of $0.32 per share. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 23rd. Signet Jewelerss dividend payout ratio is currently 38.21%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades SIG has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Signet Jewelers from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Signet Jewelers from $130.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Signet Jewelers in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. UBS Group reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Signet Jewelers in a research report on Wednesday, December 31st. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group reiterated a market perform rating and issued a $96.00 price objective (up from $92.00) on shares of Signet Jewelers in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $109.67. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on SIG About Signet Jewelers (Free Report) Signet Jewelers Ltd is the worlds largest retailer of diamond jewelry, operating a diversified network of retail stores across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland. Its portfolio includes well-established banners such as Kay Jewelers, Zales, Jared The Galleria of Jewelry, H.Samuel, Ernest Jones, Peoples and Piercing Pagoda, offering customers a range of shopping environments from suburban malls to high-street locations. The companys product assortment encompasses engagement rings, wedding bands, fine fashion jewelry and timepieces, complemented by services including jewelry cleaning, repairs, appraisals and extended care plans. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SIG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Signet Jewelers Limited (NYSE:SIG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Signet Jewelers Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Signet Jewelers and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Exchange Income (TSE:EIF Get Free Report) had its target price upped by analysts at Ventum Financial from C$110.00 to C$135.00 in a research report issued on Thursday,BayStreet.CA reports. The firm presently has a buy rating on the stock. Ventum Financials target price indicates a potential upside of 23.68% from the stocks current price. Several other research firms have also commented on EIF. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on shares of Exchange Income from C$94.00 to C$103.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Canaccord Genuity Group increased their target price on shares of Exchange Income from C$107.00 to C$109.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 3rd. TD Securities raised their target price on shares of Exchange Income from C$102.00 to C$125.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce upped their price target on Exchange Income from C$93.00 to C$106.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Desjardins increased their price objective on Exchange Income from C$87.00 to C$102.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of C$114.42. Get Exchange Income alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Exchange Income Exchange Income Stock Up 0.9% Exchange Income stock traded up C$1.02 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting C$109.15. 149,482 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 186,521. Exchange Income has a 12 month low of C$45.00 and a 12 month high of C$111.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 173.72, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a current ratio of 1.76. The company has a market cap of C$6.12 billion, a PE ratio of 39.55, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 1.01. The firm has a 50-day moving average of C$92.71 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$81.55. Exchange Income (TSE:EIF Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 24th. The company reported C$1.06 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of C$929.55 million during the quarter. Exchange Income had a net margin of 4.64% and a return on equity of 9.73%. As a group, analysts expect that Exchange Income will post 3.9962963 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About Exchange Income (Get Free Report) Exchange Income Corp is a diversified acquisition-oriented corporation focused on opportunities in two sectors, aerospace, aviation services and equipment, and manufacturing. The business plan of the corporation is to invest in profitable, well-established companies with strong cash flows operating in niche markets. Its Aerospace and Aviation segment is a key revenue driver, recognizes revenue from the provision of flight, flight ancillary services, and the sale or lease of aircraft and aftermarket parts. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Exchange Income Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Exchange Income and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Voestalpine AG (OTCMKTS:VLPNY Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $11.6740 and last traded at $11.3150, with a volume of 24113 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $11.58. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have recently commented on VLPNY shares. UBS Group upgraded Voestalpine from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, November 17th. Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Voestalpine in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Barclays reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Voestalpine in a research note on Monday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating on shares of Voestalpine in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Voestalpine in a research report on Tuesday. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy. Get Voestalpine alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Voestalpine Voestalpine Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 1.32 and a quick ratio of 0.49. The stock has a market cap of $9.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.82 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a fifty day moving average of $9.60 and a 200 day moving average of $8.05. Voestalpine (OTCMKTS:VLPNY Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The company reported $0.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.09 by ($0.01). Voestalpine had a return on equity of 3.59% and a net margin of 1.75%.The firm had revenue of $4.13 billion for the quarter. On average, equities analysts predict that Voestalpine AG will post 0.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Voestalpine Company Profile (Get Free Report) Voestalpine AG is a leading steel-based technology and capital goods group headquartered in Linz, Austria. The company specializes in the production of high-quality steel and sophisticated components for a range of industries, including automotive, railway systems, aerospace, energy, and construction. It operates across all major processing steps in steel production, from rawmaterial processing and steelmaking to downstream activities such as coating, processing, and assembly. Voestalpines portfolio is organized into several business divisions. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Voestalpine Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Voestalpine and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP lessened its stake in Blue Owl Capital Inc. (NYSE:OWL Free Report) by 17.9% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,228,444 shares of the companys stock after selling 924,016 shares during the quarter. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP owned approximately 0.27% of Blue Owl Capital worth $71,588,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. US Bancorp DE increased its position in Blue Owl Capital by 38.7% in the third quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 14,071 shares of the companys stock worth $238,000 after buying an additional 3,928 shares during the last quarter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. bought a new position in shares of Blue Owl Capital during the 3rd quarter worth $420,000. TD Asset Management Inc increased its holdings in Blue Owl Capital by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 52,020 shares of the companys stock worth $881,000 after acquiring an additional 1,220 shares during the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC raised its stake in Blue Owl Capital by 33.7% in the 3rd quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 25,086 shares of the companys stock valued at $425,000 after acquiring an additional 6,323 shares during the period. Finally, Explore Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Blue Owl Capital by 39.5% in the 3rd quarter. Explore Capital Management LLC now owns 878,988 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,881,000 after acquiring an additional 249,000 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 35.85% of the companys stock. Get Blue Owl Capital alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, CEO Douglas I. Ostrover acquired 139,327 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 2nd. The shares were bought at an average cost of $15.06 per share, for a total transaction of $2,098,264.62. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 158,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,379,480. This trade represents a 746.14% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Craig Packer bought 110,227 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 2nd. The stock was bought at an average cost of $15.06 per share, for a total transaction of $1,660,018.62. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider directly owned 94,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,415,640. This represents a -679.28% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Insiders purchased a total of 395,670 shares of company stock worth $5,952,393 over the last three months. Company insiders own 27.20% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms have recently weighed in on OWL. Citigroup reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Blue Owl Capital in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Evercore set a $14.00 price objective on shares of Blue Owl Capital in a report on Friday, February 6th. Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on shares of Blue Owl Capital from $21.00 to $15.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 6th. Zacks Research downgraded Blue Owl Capital from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Blue Owl Capital from $21.50 to $22.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Blue Owl Capital has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $18.69. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on OWL Blue Owl Capital Price Performance OWL opened at $11.34 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $17.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 113.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.11. Blue Owl Capital Inc. has a one year low of $10.08 and a one year high of $22.25. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $14.13 and a 200-day moving average price of $15.88. Blue Owl Capital (NYSE:OWL Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 5th. The company reported $0.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.22 by $0.05. Blue Owl Capital had a return on equity of 20.93% and a net margin of 2.75%.The company had revenue of $701.47 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $712.75 million. On average, analysts expect that Blue Owl Capital Inc. will post 0.92 earnings per share for the current year. Blue Owl Capital Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 20th will be given a dividend of $0.225 per share. This represents a $0.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.9%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 20th. Blue Owl Capitals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 900.00%. Blue Owl Capital Profile (Free Report) Blue Owl Capital is a global alternative asset manager that focuses on private credit, direct lending and equity-related strategies for institutional investors. Headquartered in New York, the firm develops and manages a range of private markets products designed to provide capital solutions to middle-market and larger corporate borrowers, as well as liquidity and partnership arrangements with private equity firms and other alternative managers. Its core activities include direct lending and credit strategies that provide senior, unitranche and other structured loan products to companies across industries. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Blue Owl Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Blue Owl Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of WEX Inc. (NYSE:WEX Free Report) by 0.4% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 3,262,255 shares of the business services providers stock after purchasing an additional 12,099 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. owned about 0.10% of WEX worth $513,903,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WEX. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of WEX by 158.3% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 350,892 shares of the business services providers stock worth $55,097,000 after purchasing an additional 215,036 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC purchased a new position in shares of WEX during the 1st quarter worth $394,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of WEX by 16.4% during the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 68,716 shares of the business services providers stock worth $10,094,000 after purchasing an additional 9,663 shares during the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its position in shares of WEX by 44.9% in the second quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 4,248 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $624,000 after purchasing an additional 1,316 shares during the period. Finally, Lightrock Netherlands B.V. increased its stake in WEX by 205.0% in the second quarter. Lightrock Netherlands B.V. now owns 36,600 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $5,376,000 after purchasing an additional 24,600 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.47% of the companys stock. Get WEX alerts: WEX Stock Performance Shares of WEX stock opened at $150.10 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.86. The company has a market cap of $5.15 billion, a PE ratio of 17.66, a P/E/G ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 0.98. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $155.13 and its 200-day simple moving average is $156.90. WEX Inc. has a 52 week low of $110.45 and a 52 week high of $180.71. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In WEX ( NYSE:WEX Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The business services provider reported $4.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.90 by $0.21. WEX had a return on equity of 48.01% and a net margin of 11.43%.The firm had revenue of $672.90 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $660.89 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.57 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 5.7% compared to the same quarter last year. WEX has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.250-17.850 EPS and its Q1 2026 guidance at 3.80-4.000 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that WEX Inc. will post 14.09 EPS for the current year. Several analysts have commented on WEX shares. Mizuho lowered their price target on WEX from $180.00 to $170.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 6th. Morgan Stanley set a $146.00 target price on shares of WEX in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of WEX in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of WEX from $175.00 to $155.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 6th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald upped their price objective on WEX from $158.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, February 9th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $162.27. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on WEX Insider Buying and Selling In other WEX news, COO Carlos Carriedo sold 1,575 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $159.90, for a total value of $251,842.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 3,695 shares in the company, valued at $590,830.50. This represents a 29.89% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CAO Jennifer Kimball sold 494 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.40, for a total transaction of $74,791.60. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 3,671 shares of the companys stock, valued at $555,789.40. This trade represents a 11.86% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 8,154 shares of company stock valued at $1,256,518. Insiders own 1.40% of the companys stock. About WEX (Free Report) WEX Inc is a global financial technology company specializing in business payment solutions for fleet, travel, and corporate payments. The company delivers software-driven platforms and card-based services that help businesses automate payment processes, manage expenses and improve operational efficiency across a range of industries, including transportation, healthcare and government. Founded in 1983 as Wright Express in Portland, Maine, the company began by offering fuel card services to trucking fleets. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WEX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for WEX Inc. (NYSE:WEX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for WEX Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WEX and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A confession of Japan's 'value-oriented diplomacy' 10:26, February 26, 2026 By Liu Hua and Ma Caoran ( People's Daily Online Recently, the Seiron, a Japanese right-wing publication, released an extensive dialogue between former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and former Deputy Secretary General of Japan's National Security Secretariat Nobukatsu Kanehara. On the surface, they discussed the future of Japanese diplomacy, but in reality, the dialogue revealed the Japanese right-wing forces' dangerous tendency to shake off Japan's "defeated nation" status and revive militarism. Notably, in their self-congratulatory exchanges, Aso and Kanehara laid bare the real motives behind Japan's advocacy of seemingly innocuous slogans such as "value-oriented diplomacy," the "Arc of Freedom and Prosperity," and the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific." Seen in this light, the dialogue reads like an inadvertent confessiona rare, candid glimpse into what Japan's "value-oriented diplomacy" is truly about. Japan's right-wing mindset dressed up as "value-oriented diplomacy" First and foremost, Japan's "value-oriented diplomacy" is meant to shed the label of a "defeated nation" and secure "normal country" status. In the dialogue, the two reviewed the background of Aso's proposal of "value-oriented diplomacy" during his time as Foreign Minister (2005-2007) and linked it to the 2013 National Security Strategy of the Shinzo Abe administration. Kanehara noted that Japan's post-war diplomacy had long been a "continuation of defeat management," and that Aso's "Arc of Freedom and Prosperity" concept allowed him to feel that the diplomacy of a defeated nation had finally come to an end, and the era of Japan's diplomacy as a major power had come. This statement lays bare the resentment of Japanese right-wing forces toward the post-war order. The duo labelled Japan's post-war diplomacy as "passive" and "cleaning up the mess," and regarded "value-oriented diplomacy" as a turning point to "Japan [as] a member of the West and a leader of freedom and democracy." What emerges is clear: "Value-oriented diplomacy" has never been a neutral concept, but aims to overturn Japan's post-war commitment to peaceful development. Japanese forces committed heinous crimes during World War II. After the war, Japan "forever renounce[d] war" as its sovereign right, as stipulated in Article 9 of its Constitution. This was meant to beand should have beenthe lesson it took home, yet it has been regarded as a "shackle" by right-wing elements. Aso emphasized that Japan needs to reshape its "identity" through "value-oriented diplomacy." Cloaked in this positive language, Japan has lifted the ban on the right of collective self-defense, relaxed its arms export policies, sharply increased defense spending, interfered in the South China Sea, stirred up trouble in the Indo-Pacific, and openly floated the idea of military intervention in China's internal affairs. These actions have nothing to do with "values." They merely pave the way for Japan to expand its diplomatic clout and military reach. As it turns out, Japan's "normal country" status is just a cover for the resurgence of militarism. Secondly, the ideological core of "value-oriented diplomacy" is a blend of Japanese supremacism and Emperor-centric ideology. In the dialogue, Aso claimed that more and more countries want to become like Japan and that all Asian countries "are expecting Japan to stand out." Kanehara declared that despite Japan's economic decline, its "political power is now the strongest ever"that Japan is a model for other countries. Kanehara argued that "it is extremely important to express our values in Japanese," claiming that people in Asia "do not actually understand the freedom and democracy promoted by Westerners in a condescending manner," and that Japan must interpret its "democratic history since the Meiji Restoration" in its own language, stressing that "we cannot only use Western terms such as freedom and democracy, but must explain their importance in Japanese." One is left to wonder: what exactly is the difference between this Japanwhich now lectures Asia on "Meiji democracy" and seeks to redefine "freedom and democracy" in its own languageand the Japan that once peddled "Asian liberation" and the "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere?" Anyone with a passing knowledge of history knows that the Meiji order, built on State Shinto, was never within hailing distance of "democracy." And as for what post-Meiji Japan actually did to Asiapeople have not forgotten. Kanehara's arrogant remarks represent a carefully packaged strategy. After the Meiji Restoration, Japan set "leaving Asia and joining Europe" as its goal, styled itself Asia's "spokesperson" for modernization, and treated its Asian neighbors as backward countries in urgent need of civilization. This doctrine of Japanese supremacy served as an ideological foundation for its domestic indoctrination and colonial expansion abroad. Today, Japanese right-wing forces no longer simply claim to speak for "democracy and freedom," but also seek to redefine these concepts, behind which lies a strong dose of cultural and racial supremacythe same chauvinism that regarded all Asian countries as backward vassals, not as equals. Finally, the pursuit of "value-oriented diplomacy" essentially amounts to military confrontationa fact that Aso and Kanehara have admitted. In the dialogue, Aso blatantly claimed that if Japan cannot defend straits such as the Bashi Channel between the Philippines and China's Taiwan region, its trade will be unsustainable and the country's survival will be at stake. Therefore, it is imperative to greatly enhance the capabilities of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Kanehara, meanwhile, argued that blue-water navies are needed to both safeguard maritime trade and, in the event of a contingency, blockade and deny passage to enemy naval vessels and merchant ships, a capability once possessed by the Combined Fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy. "Japan today must return to its original naval doctrine, and consider how to jointly control the entire Western Pacific and international straits with the United States Navy." It's worth noting that in their discussion of controlling "international straits" and the "entire Western Pacific," and in their talk of strengthening "deterrence" and "independent defense capabilities," neither Aso nor Kanehara made any mention of Japan's "exclusive defense" policy, let alone Article 9 of its Constitution, which stipulates that Japan "forever renounces war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes" and "does not recognize the right of belligerency of the state." It is clear that to their mind, these constitutional constraints are nothing more than empty words. These candid remarks lay bare the true intent behind the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" strategy. Its architects are not concerned with fostering "freedom and openness" in the region; rather, they are bent on turning it into an arena for stirring up disputes and containing rivals. Behind the slogans of "democracy," "freedom," and "openness" lies the reality of containment, competition and confrontation. Driven by this mindset, Japan provides military equipment to the Philippines, under the guise of foreign aid, and encourages it to make provocations against China. Recent developments further underscore this trajectory. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hinted at revising Japan's "Three Non-Nuclear Principles," her close aide advocated for Japan to acquire nuclear weapons, senior Japanese officials floated the idea of developing nuclear submarines, and the Japan Self-Defense Forces are deploying more offensive weapons in forward positions. These moves, far from promoting freedom and openness, will only undermine regional strategic stability. The right-wing path will hurt Japan itself A former Prime Minister of Japan, Taro Aso wielded great influence in political circles, and favored Sanae Takaichi's rise to premiership. Nobukatsu Kanehara has held key positions, and played a key role in shaping Japan's foreign and security policy. Their dialogue reveals not only the extent of the influence of the right-wing mindset but also the gravity of its danger. It also compels one to ask: Where is this right-wing path taking Japan? Japan's promotion of "value-oriented diplomacy" and the country's shift to the right provide an answer to this question. In recent years, Japan has increasingly found itself in a predicament: The national debt is soaring, industries are hollowing out, and economic growth is sluggish. Japan's per capita GDP has plummeted from the top of the G7. The Japanese people are hurting, and public discontent is rising. If Japanese right-wing forces are genuinely concerned about Japan's future, they should ask why Japan achieved rapid growth on its post-war path of peace, and rethink Japan's recent rightward shift. Why does Japan channel up to 2 percent of its GDP into military buildup, filling the coffers of the U.S.-Japan military-industrial complex, yet remains unable to tame the rising food prices? Can a country that diverts its people's hard-earned money to military expansion in order to enrich vested interests really be the "country that many countries want to become," as Aso claimed? Why did Japan turn its back on regional cooperation for mutual benefit and common prosperity, and plunge headlong into the dead end of geopolitical confrontation and beggar-thy-neighbor policies? How could a country that truly pursues peace, freedom and prosperity have its Prime Minister make military threats to its biggest neighbor? Many Japanese right-wing figures talk of "anxieties for the nation" and constantly mention "crises." Yet the right-wing path, which ignores the lessons of history and disregards the fundamental interests of the Japanese people, will lead to the greatest crisis for Japan. The post-war international order with the United Nations at its core was won with the blood and treasure of the people of Asia and the world. The international community, including China, will resolutely safeguard the post-war international order with concrete actions, will never allow the revival of militarism. If Japanese right-wing forces remain unrepentant, they will drag Japan into a new disaster and make the Japanese people victims of yet another militarist tragedy. The lessons of history are clear and not far away. (Author: Liu Hua, senior editor at Xinhua Institute; Ma Caoran, editor at Xinhua Institute) (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) Centersquare Investment Management LLC trimmed its holdings in Realty Income Corporation (NYSE:O Free Report) by 11.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,081,551 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 524,411 shares during the period. Realty Income makes up 2.5% of Centersquare Investment Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 15th biggest holding. Centersquare Investment Management LLC owned approximately 0.44% of Realty Income worth $248,117,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Get Realty Income alerts: A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in O. Heartwood Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Realty Income during the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC grew its holdings in Realty Income by 586.1% during the 3rd quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC now owns 494 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 422 shares in the last quarter. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Realty Income during the second quarter valued at about $31,000. Country Trust Bank lifted its holdings in shares of Realty Income by 806.5% in the second quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 562 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rossby Financial LCC bought a new position in shares of Realty Income in the second quarter valued at approximately $43,000. 70.81% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Realty Income Stock Down 0.9% Shares of NYSE O opened at $65.95 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $60.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 56.37, a PEG ratio of 3.93 and a beta of 0.79. Realty Income Corporation has a one year low of $50.71 and a one year high of $67.15. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $60.80 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $59.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 1.53 and a quick ratio of 1.53. Realty Income Announces Dividend Realty Income ( NYSE:O Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 24th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.08 by ($0.76). The business had revenue of $1.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.39 billion. Realty Income had a net margin of 18.41% and a return on equity of 2.69%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.05 earnings per share. Realty Income has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.380-4.420 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Realty Income Corporation will post 4.19 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be given a $0.27 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 4.9%. Realty Incomes payout ratio is presently 300.00%. Key Stories Impacting Realty Income Here are the key news stories impacting Realty Income this week: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth O has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Realty Income from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $69.00 target price on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Mizuho decreased their price target on shares of Realty Income from $63.00 to $60.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on Realty Income from $61.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday. Scotiabank upgraded Realty Income from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $60.00 to $67.00 in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on Realty Income from $67.75 to $70.50 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $64.27. Get Our Latest Report on Realty Income Realty Income Profile (Free Report) Realty Income Corporation (NYSE: O) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, owns and manages commercial properties subject primarily to long-term net lease agreements. The companys business model focuses on generating predictable, contractual rental income by leasing properties to tenants under agreements that typically place responsibility for taxes, insurance and maintenance on the tenant. Realty Income is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and markets itself as a reliable income-oriented REIT. Realty Incomes portfolio is concentrated in single-tenant, retail and service-oriented properties such as drugstores, convenience stores, dollar and discount retailers, restaurants, and other essential-service businesses. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Realty Income Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Realty Income and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Centersquare Investment Management LLC lessened its position in Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD Free Report) by 3.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 6,525,094 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 267,116 shares during the period. Prologis makes up about 7.5% of Centersquare Investment Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 2nd biggest holding. Centersquare Investment Management LLC owned about 0.70% of Prologis worth $747,254,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Get Prologis alerts: Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of PLD. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. increased its position in shares of Prologis by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 16,583 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,941,000 after buying an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Cornerstone Advisory LLC grew its stake in Prologis by 2.4% in the third quarter. Cornerstone Advisory LLC now owns 3,535 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $405,000 after acquiring an additional 84 shares during the period. Clear Investment Research LLC grew its stake 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 acquiring an additional 88 shares during the period. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Prologis by 1.0% in the third quarter. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC now owns 9,069 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,039,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ignite Planners LLC raised its position in shares of Prologis by 3.2% during the third quarter. Ignite Planners LLC now owns 2,937 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $336,000 after purchasing an additional 92 shares during the period. 93.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Prologis Stock Performance Shares of PLD stock opened at $140.13 on Thursday. Prologis, Inc. has a 12 month low of $85.35 and a 12 month high of $142.40. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $132.29 and its 200-day simple moving average is $123.80. The firm has a market cap of $130.26 billion, a PE ratio of 39.47, a P/E/G ratio of 3.47 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. Prologis Increases Dividend Prologis ( NYSE:PLD Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 21st. The real estate investment trust reported $1.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.44. Prologis had a net margin of 37.86% and a return on equity of 5.79%. The firm had revenue of $2.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.09 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.42 EPS. The companys revenue was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Prologis has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.000-6.200 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Prologis, Inc. will post 5.73 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be paid a $1.07 dividend. This is a positive change from Prologiss previous quarterly dividend of $1.01. This represents a $4.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 17th. Prologiss dividend payout ratio is 113.80%. Insider Buying and Selling at Prologis In other news, Director Cristina Gabriela Bita sold 621 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.60, for a total transaction of $79,239.60. Following the sale, the director owned 8,208 shares in the company, valued at $1,047,340.80. This represents a 7.03% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.57% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on PLD shares. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Prologis in a report on Monday, January 26th. Argus lifted their price target on shares of Prologis from $128.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Robert W. Baird reissued a neutral rating and set a $130.00 price objective (up from $128.00) on shares of Prologis in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. BTIG Research raised their price objective on shares of Prologis from $134.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, December 31st. Finally, Mizuho boosted their price objective on shares of Prologis from $138.00 to $143.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, January 26th. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Prologis currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $136.95. Read Our Latest Stock Report on PLD 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Prologis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prologis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Empirical Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX Free Report) by 191.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,944 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,250 shares during the period. Empirical Asset Management LLCs holdings in RTX were worth $827,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Get RTX alerts: Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA purchased a new position in shares of RTX in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. purchased a new stake in RTX during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Access Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in RTX during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. raised its holdings in shares of RTX by 57.4% in the third quarter. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. now owns 192 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 70 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Clayton Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of RTX during the third quarter worth $36,000. 86.50% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms recently issued reports on RTX. TD Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of RTX in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. Vertical Research reissued a buy rating and issued a $227.00 price objective on shares of RTX in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and issued a $235.00 price objective on shares of RTX in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on RTX from $220.00 to $230.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of RTX from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday, December 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $199.50. RTX News Roundup Here are the key news stories impacting RTX this week: RTX Stock Down 1.2% Shares of RTX stock opened at $196.13 on Thursday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $194.48 and a 200 day moving average of $176.24. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The stock has a market cap of $263.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.54, a P/E/G ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 0.43. RTX Corporation has a twelve month low of $112.27 and a twelve month high of $206.73. RTX (NYSE:RTX Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The company reported $1.55 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.47 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $24.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.65 billion. RTX had a return on equity of 13.08% and a net margin of 7.60%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.54 EPS. RTX has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.600-6.800 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that RTX Corporation will post 6.11 EPS for the current year. RTX Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 19th. Investors of record on Friday, February 20th will be given a dividend of $0.68 per share. This represents a $2.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 20th. RTXs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 54.84%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other RTX news, EVP Ramsaran Maharajh sold 15,124 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $204.65, for a total value of $3,095,126.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 13,184 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,698,105.60. This represents a 53.43% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP Kevin G. Dasilva sold 8,136 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $201.30, for a total value of $1,637,776.80. Following the sale, the vice president owned 27,102 shares in the company, valued at $5,455,632.60. This trade represents a 23.09% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 89,255 shares of company stock valued at $18,151,956. Insiders own 0.15% of the companys stock. About RTX (Free Report) RTX (NYSE: RTX) is a U.S.-based aerospace and defense company that designs, manufactures and services advanced systems for commercial, military and governmental customers worldwide. The company was created through the 2020 combination of Raytheon Company and United Technologies Corporation and later adopted the RTX name, positioning itself as a diversified provider across the aerospace and defense value chain. RTXs operations span a broad set of capabilities. Its commercial aerospace businesses include Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines and Collins Aerospace systems, which supply propulsion, avionics, aerostructures, interiors and integrated aircraft systems. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for RTX Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for RTX and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Killing of the Reavey Brothers: British Murder and Cover-Up in Northern Ireland by Eugene Reavey is an excellent and well written publication which sheds a clear light upon certain shocking and controversial events which took place during the conflict in the north of Ireland fifty years ago, and which still resonate today. It tells how the authors three young brothers were massacred in January 1976 by the UVF in their home in Whitecross, South Armagh. In doing so the book uncovers a culture of silence and lies, duplicity, collusion and murder which characterised the British governments role in what is euphemistically referred to as The Troubles. This diligently researched work is based on meticulous evidence-gathering, and its careful recounting of cruelty and terror committed against innocent civilians will surprise and shock even those people who would consider themselves well informed about troubles-related events in the north. What the book describes in accurate detail are actions which we now describe as war crimes, with the British security forces and government complicit in perpetrating, colluding in, denying and finally covering up systematic murders. The devastating consequences of these crimes on ordinary, decent people are compellingly portrayed, as are the courage and dignity of the Reavey family in confronting injustice and lies. Anyone who is familiar with and appalled by the genocide in Palestine and the role of the British government in complicity, dishonesty and cover- up will recognise and will not be surprised by this pattern. To quote W B Yeats: They are at their old tricks yet. Before presenting the life-changing and life-consuming events and their consequences which form the focus of the book, the book sets the context with reminiscences of childhood in a small rural community as part of a large, loving and hard-working family. Participation in the GAA and in striving for a better life through education were very important to this community, and there was not a great deal of familiarity with the violence which was starting to escalate in Derry and Belfast, despite a growing awareness of discrimination and injustice. Neighbourliness and rural decency are convincingly conveyed before everyday tranquillity is replaced by fear caused by a sustained murder campaign carried out by what Reavey describes as the loyalist killing machine. Such unaccustomed violence makes the actions of paramilitary assassins and collaborators in the security forces even more repugnant and reprehensible. This situation, and acts of retaliation by republicans against the security forces, go a long way to explaining the reality beneath the common perception of South Armagh as bandit country. The book gives equal and sympathetic coverage, and condemnation, of the deaths of Protestant members of the community whether they were members of the security forces or civilians. The shocking murders of the Reavey brothers, and of three members of the ODowd family almost simultaneously on 4 January 1976, were claimed by the UVF as part of a co-ordinated campaign of terrorist attacks, and were followed the next day by the horrific slaughter of ten Protestant men returning from work in Kingsmills, Co. Armagh, an atrocity attributed to, although never claimed by, the IRA. These events brought the north to the brink of civil war as the prospect of bloody retaliation terrified the whole community. Within a few months the Dublin/Monaghan bombings claimed the lives of thirty-three civilians in the most horrific crime of the conflict in terms of lives lost. Reavey not only gives a vivid account of the atmosphere of terror and suspicion in the South Armagh community but he also presents compelling evidence that the perpetrators of the Reavey and ODowd killings, and the bombings in the Irish Republic, consisted of local UVF members, aided and protected by named members of the UDR and RUC, and with the complicity of British army personnel. The involvement of Captain Robert Nairac in these acts of terror is persuasively asserted with strong documentary evidence. The role of the Glenanne gang in these sectarian outrages, and their involvement in the Miami Showband massacre, with Nairacs participation again, is explored, and, controversially, evidence is presented to link Nairac to the Kingsmills slaughter as well. The concluding chapters demonstrate how negligent and inadequate the police investigation into the murder of his brothers was, with evidence going missing, witnesses not being interviewed and suspects not being investigated. Thanks to the determination and persistence of Eugene Reavey, a Historical Enquiries Team (HET) exonerated him after Ian Paisley made irresponsible and untruthful allegations in Parliament about his (Reaveys) being involved in the Kingsmills killings. The British government disbanded the HET before its final report could be published. The book illustrates how every initiative promised by successive British governments to deliver justice to the families in the north of Ireland who suffered loss in controversial killings raised hopes which were cynically dashed at the last minute. One of the most astonishing, and significant, discoveries made during Reaveys investigations is that the British government has put an eighty-four-year embargo on the release of files relating to the Reavey murders. Clearly, there is something very discreditable to be suppressed. Eugene Reavey displays the same determination as the Bloody Sunday families to resist the cynical long game played by British governments to suppress the truth about their crimes. The most significant conclusion presented by the book is to be found in Eugene Reaveys statement: Although the Troubles in Northern Ireland are over, the battle for truth and justice, for so many families, goes on. This book is an essential addition to the growing list of titles which add to our knowledge of the past and indeed the present state of affairs in this part of Ireland. The last known location of Noah Donohoes phone was relayed to search-and-rescue personnel seven hours after it was first received by police, an inquest has heard. Sean McCarry, the Community Rescue Service (CRS) regional commander, told the inquest into the death of the schoolboy that time equals survivability in searches and that he would expect police to pass on all relevant information as soon as possible. Noah was aged 14 when his naked body was found in a storm drain tunnel in north Belfast, six days after he left home on his bike to meet two friends in the Cavehill area in June 2020. The inquest at Belfast Coroners Court, which is being heard with a jury, is in its fifth week. Mr McCarry told the inquest he felt massive responsibility as search manager because a decision or lack of decision, piece of information or lack of information is a difference of life and death. He reaffirmed the importance of his organisation getting information as soon as possible from the police and said this would have been standard practice. During questioning by counsel for Noahs mother Fiona Donohoe, Brenda Campbell KC, Mr McCarry did stress that if he felt there was a piece of information he needed he probably would have become quite a pain until I got it. He was first called out by police at approximately 3.40am on June 22, Noah having been reported missing by his mother on the evening of June 21. On this initial call, he said he was given nothing else from police to suggest they should search anywhere but Cavehill, but that this was not out of the ordinary as it would be difficult enough at 3am in the morning to have immediate CCTV. It was established, during questioning, that when the CRS received information from police around 11am on June 22 from the TLU (Telecoms Liaison Unit) giving an updated location as to where Noahs phone was last located, search teams were deployed to that area but that searching also continued around Cavehill. Mr McCarry said it was quite uplifting and quite reassuring to get some more information and that when CCTV emerged later, North Queen Street became Noahs official place last seen. He added that at this stage, search operations would still have been heavily reliant on information from police. Ms Campbell said that police failed to spot Noah on the CCTV procured at Grove Leisure Centre and showed jurors a map that would have been produced if that location had become Noahs place last seen, that would have taken in Northwood Road where his body was eventually found, as well as where his bike and helmet were located. Mr McCarry said if that information was available, they would have deployed another team into that area and certainly would have found those items, they were in sight of everyone, adding that it may well have led searchers to Northwood Road sooner. Ms Campbell presented a hypothetical to Mr McCarry, asking if they might have been down culvert at 9am on June 22, had they been given the TLU information and corresponding CCTV when he was first called. Mr McCarry replied: Hypothetically, yes, but there has to be a balance. Ms Campbell said if things are missed, they need to be exposed to public scrutiny, and Mr McCarry responded yes and fixed, adding: I fully support that if anything can be changed, I want to understand what that is so it never happens again. The inquest was then shown an email from a TLU officer to PSNI officers working on Noahs case on June 22 at 3.18am, attaching a location found from his mobile at 7.41pm on June 21. The corresponding log from the TLU showed that the police were also called to ensure receipt and understanding of this email. Mr McCarry said he was seeing this for the first time and that he was under the impression that when it was presented to him at 11am on June 22, it was a new development. He said he would expect that it would have been sent when received by police. Ms Campbell suggested that if he had that location at 4am, he wouldnt necessarily have been putting boots in Cavehill in the same numbers. Mr McCarry said he cant disagree with that, adding it may not have made a difference, but we dont know that. Ms Campbell said: Noahs mum doesnt know why at four oclock in the morning, you werent told about that TLU map and neither do you. Mr McCarry said that was correct. Ms Campbell added that Ms Donohoe and Mr McCarry were both unaware as to why the TLU map wasnt urgently married up with CCTV in those early-morning hours. Mr McCarry agreed with Ms Campbells restatement of his earlier testimony that delay can be the difference between time and death in missing person searches. Presenter Eve Blair will take listeners into the heart of rural life as she meets farmers and families from across Northern Ireland in the new farming podcast Your Farm And Mine. The podcast, from the team behind Your Place And Mine on BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle, will also feature some well-known voices in the farming community, including Lorraine Killen and Farm Theory's Andrew Wright. Eve says: I grew up on a family farm in County Tyrone and my brother and dad still work on it. I know how many hands - and how many hearts - it takes. So I want to bring all the fun and all the graft of farm life to our listeners. In the series, audiences will hear a diverse range of stories from farms and farmers from across Northern Ireland. At the Moore farm just outside Castlederg, Eve hears how one of their cows birthed five calves, with the odds of this happening several million to one. At the Kelly family farm at Ballyalton, County Down, Eve learns how an owl colony is thriving. They are one of Northern Ireland's rarest birds, with fewer than 30 breeding pairs in the country. In Benbradagh, County Derry, sheep farmer Alwyn McFarlane shares how vital his sheepdog Moss is to the farm, doing the job of several men all on his own. County Tyrone farmer Joel Kerr, known as the Curious Farmer on social media, chats with Eve about how he juggles his work looking after shorthorn cattle, caring for chickens, and working on his pie business. READ NEXT: Derry and Strabane PCSP honoured at national Problem Solving Awards And at Millbank Farm in County Down, Eve meets sixth generation farmer Emily McGowan. They have farmed the same land in Killinchy since 1889, rearing sheep, broiler chickens and Highland cows, as well growing seasonal flowers for summer events and running a popular farm shop. Eve also visits Grove Dairy in Castlederg, County Tyone, where John Mitchell milks over 700 cows with the help of robotic milking machines, and knows every cow by name. Your Farm And Mine is available on BBC Sounds from Friday 27 February 2026. Experience the timeless hits of Joni Mitchell in the heart of Derry this March as This Flight Tonight arrives at St Augustines Church on on Saturday, 21 March for a special acoustic celebration of the folk icons legendary songbook. Presented by acclaimed Welsh songwriters Zervas & Pepper (Paul Zervas and Kathryn Pepper) and their five-piece band, this exquisite live production recreates the intimacy, poetry and innovation of Mitchells golden era - her celebrated Reprise/Asylum years (19681976). Formed in early 2023, This Flight Tonight is a heartfelt tribute toone of the most influential artists of the modern age. The show features beautifully crafted performances of classic songs including California, Blue, Woodstock, Both Sides Now, Carey, Coyote, A Case of You and many more. With open-tuned acoustic and electric guitars, piano, dulcimer, conga, bass and sublime vocal harmonies, the production evokes the warmth and spirit of Mitchells early performances and the creative energy of Laurel Canyon in the late 1960s and 70s. Kathryn Peppers stunning vocal interpretations have drawn high praise: Kathryn Pepper matches Mitchells voice perfectly her range, clarity, intonation, and distinctive vibrato all come across beautifully. UK Jazz News beautifully. UK Jazz News Fine singing. David Crosby Beautiful. Bob Harris Sublime. Mark Radcliffe Joni Mitchells music remains a cornerstone of the Woodstock generation a body of work revered for its emotional honesty, poetic depth and harmonic daring. From Clouds to Court and Spark, her songs continue to resonate across generations, inspiring artists and audiences worldwide. Were musical purists, says Kathryn Pepper. Every note, inflection and pause in Jonis work is intentional. We hold her music in the highest regard and aim to capture its inner spirit and channel its majesty into every performance. As a guitarist, adds Paul Zervas, I learned to play by studying Jonis incredible catalogue the alternate tunings, the voicings, the harmonic nuance. Her songs are as intricate as they are emotional, and we strive to honour that balance every night. READ NEXT: The Henry Girls and TRAMP lead all-star line-up for Derry's Femme Sesh With five critically acclaimed albums and extensive touring across the UK and Europe, Zervas & Pepper have enjoyed playlist rotation across the RTE network, supporting their albums Lifebringer and Abstract Heart. In 2026, they return to Ireland with what promises to be a deeply moving live experience. Mitchell herself performed in Ireland during her 1983 Wild Things tour and now, This Flight Tonight follows in her footsteps, inviting audiences to step inside Jonis world and rediscover the magic of her music in an intimate concert setting. TICKETS on sale now for This Flight Tonight: The Songs Of Joni Mitchell at St Augustines Church on on Saturday, 21 March (show starts 7.30pm). Satellite operator SES and network builder Africa Mobile Networks (AMN) have announced a milestone in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, expanding mobile connectivity to 27% of the countrys population and bringing coverage to an additional 1.3 million people. The partners said they have now deployed 1,100 base stations nationwide. In one recent push, 292 new mobile base stations were rolled out in just three days using satellite capacity provided by SES, extending connectivity to more than 5.8 million people. AMN CEO Michael Darcy said many of the sites were built in challenging and remote terrain, reflecting the companys focus on connecting underserved communities across the DRC. The base stations are fully solar powered and rely on Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) technology to transmit voice and data traffic via satellite before linking into the core network. This architecture allows connectivity in areas lacking reliable power grids, fibre infrastructure or road access. AMNs proprietary Radio Node technology is installed at each site, enabling multiple operators to share the same infrastructure. The units support 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G connectivity, providing a future-proof platform for rural expansion. Jean-Philippe Gillet, President of Fixed Data at SES, said connecting to the companys multi-orbit satellite network - spanning GEO, MEO and LEO constellations - enables data services to reach even the most isolated communities. It is encouraging and inspiring to see how digital transformation has reshaped daily life across the DRC, he said. The impact on local communities has been tangible. A resident of Bompensole, a village connected in November 2025, described how residents previously had to travel 30 kilometres across difficult terrain to access medical help, make phone calls or complete basic banking transactions. Today, thanks to AMN, this has been replaced with a clear connection, giving our community reliable connectivity and the ability to manage our finances from the palm of our hand, the resident said. The rollout underscores the growing role of satellite-backed infrastructure in extending mobile coverage to hard-to-reach regions across Africa. According to the GSMA, around 3 billion people are still unconnected to the internet. Nvidia is no longer thinking only about GPUs. The company that powers some of the most powerful gaming PCs in the world is now reportedly preparing to take on the laptop processor market in a much bigger way. According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, Nvidia is working on a new system on chip that combines a CPU, GPU and NPU into a single package for consumer laptops. If everything goes as planned, we could see machines from brands like Dell and Lenovo running on this new silicon within months. That could shake up a Windows laptop market long dominated by Intel, AMD and more recently, Qualcomm. Survey Thank you for completing the survey! Also read: Apple stores are running out of M4 MacBooks: Report Nvidia to partner with MediaTek? Nvidia is reportedly building this new chip in partnership with MediaTek. The processor could be based on Arm architecture, similar to what we see in Apple Silicon Macs and Qualcomm Snapdragon X laptops. This is a shift from the traditional x86 architecture used by Intel and AMD in most Windows machines today. The upcoming chips are expected to be branded N1 and N1X. Unlike gaming laptops that rely on dedicated GeForce RTX graphics, these new systems are said to target thin and light designs. The focus will likely be long battery life with capable integrated graphics. Arm powered laptops from Qualcomm and Apple have already shown that all day battery life is possible without sacrificing everyday performance. The big question is graphics power. Nvidia has deep experience with GPUs, so expectations will be high. If the integrated GPU inside this Arm chip can handle modern AAA games at decent settings, it could solve one of the biggest weaknesses of current Arm based Windows laptops, which often struggle with gaming performance and compatibility. Intel and Nvidia explore x86 future Interestingly, Nvidia is not limiting itself to Arm. Another Wall Street Journal report suggests that the company is also working with Intel on a separate x86 chip. In this design, Intel would provide the CPU cores while Nvidia integrates its own GPU and NPU technology. The goal appears to be to deliver strong graphics and AI performance without the need for a separate dedicated GPU. Now for years, Windows laptop buyers mainly chose between Intel and AMD. Qualcomm added a third path with Snapdragon X on Arm. Now Nvidia is preparing to enter with both Arm and x86 solutions. If Dell and Lenovo do adopt these chips soon, the Windows laptop space could look very different by the end of the year. Also read: GTA 6 price in India: All the leaks and rumours so far Motorola is getting ready to become stronger in Indias mid-range smartphone market. The company is preparing to launch the new Motorola Edge 70 Fusion soon. The upcoming device will succeed the Motorola Edge 60 Fusion and is expected to feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor under the hood. Although the company has not officially revealed the full specifications, recent leaks and rumours have offered a fairly clear idea of what to expect in terms of design and hardware. Motorola has also recently teased the handsets launch timeline. Heres a complete look at the launch date, expected specifications, design details, pricing, and everything else we know so far about the Motorola Edge 70 Fusion. Survey Thank you for completing the survey! Motorola recently shared a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) account saying that the new phone will launch in India on March 6, 2026. The post also said that people can buy the phone online from Motorolas official website and Flipkart. However, the post was deleted shortly after it was published. This quickly created excitement and speculation among fans. Also read: Samsung Galaxy S25 receives Rs 13,599 price cut after Galaxy S26 launch on Amazon Motorola Edge 70 Fusion specs (Expected) The Motorola Edge 70 is said to launch with a 6.78-inch quad-curved OLED display that will support 1.5K resolution and up to a 144Hz refresh rate. Furthermore, it could provide 5,200 nits of peak brightness when used under bright sunlight. The display is also said to be protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7. Furthermore, the smartphone is rumoured to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor and may come with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. Its also rumoured to ship with a 7,000mAh silicon-carbon battery which will support 68W of fast charging. Leaks point out that the handset may sport a 50MP Sony LYT-IA primary sensor with OIS and a 13MP ultra-wide camera with macro capabilities. Furthermore, its also expected to feature a 32MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls. Also read: Asus launches new gaming and creator laptops in India, price starts from Rs 1,79,990 Motorola Edge 70 Fusion design (Expected) The Motorola Edge 70 Fusion is rumoured to feature a textured back panel with a leather-style finish and could be introduced in Pantone-approved colours like blue surf, country air, and silhouette. In addition, it is expected to offer IP68 and IP69 protection against water and dust, along with MIL-STD-810H military-standard durability. Also read: Apple Borivali, second store in Mumbai, now open: Location, rent and other details Motorola Edge 70 Fusion price in India (Expected) While the company has been tight-lipped about the pricing leaks, early reports point out that the Motorola Edge 70 Fusion could debut at an expected price of around Rs 29,999. However, the final cost may vary depending on the launch offers. Nothing is all set to launch its Phone 4a series in India next week. Interestingly, the Nothing event is scheduled for a day after Apple hosts its upcoming launch, setting up an exciting week for smartphone enthusiasts. Nothings upcoming range is said to feature two handsets, notably the Nothing Phone 4a and the Phone 4a Pro. Although the brand has not yet confirmed the details, there have been a few leaks and reports about what could be the features, design, and prices of the Phone 4a series. This gives a fair idea to the buyers about what they could expect from the Phone 4a series before its launch in India. Survey Thank you for completing the survey! The London-based tech company has officially announced that the Nothing Phone 4a will be launched in India on March 5, 2026. The launch will take place at 4:00 PM IST, and it will be live-streamed on the official website of Nothing India. Although the Nothing Phone 4a will be available in the market from March 12, there are reports that the Pro variant may arrive in the market on March 26. Also read: Google redesigns Flow, combines image and video creation in one unified workspace Nothing Phone 4a and Nothing Phone 4a Pro: Colours According to industry reports, the Nothing Phone 4a and 4a Pro are expected to debut in five distinct colour options, which may include black, blue, white, pink, and yellow. While the company has not officially confirmed all the colours yet, it has recently teased the white and pink versions of the Nothing Phone 4a. Also read: Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Apple iPhone 17 vs Vivo X300: Price, camera, display and performance compared Nothing Phone 4a Pro specifications (Expected) The Nothing Phone 4a Pro is expected to come with Qualcomms Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. Along with that, rumours also suggest that the smartphone may come with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. Additionally, it is also expected to come with a 5,080mAh battery and 50W fast charging support. Coming to the display section, the smartphone is expected to come with a 6.82-inch AMOLED display that may support a 144Hz refresh rate. Moving to the camera section, rumours suggest that the smartphone may come with a triple camera setup that may include three 50MP cameras. Additionally, it may also come with a 50MP front camera. Also read: Spotify rolls out Smart Reorder for seamless DJ-style playlist transitions: How it works Nothing Phone 4a specifications (Expected) The Nothing Phone 4a is expected to launch with a 6.7-inch display and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. The device is expected to be powered by Qualcomms Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset and come with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. There are also reports that the device may come with a 5,400mAh battery and 50W fast charging support. The camera department of the device is expected to include a 50MP primary camera, a 50MP telephoto lens, and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera. The device is also expected to come with a 32MP front camera. Nothing Phone 4a and Nothing Phone 4a Pro: Price in India (Expected) Leaks and early reports suggest that the Nothing Phone 4a may be launched in the Indian market at a starting price of around Rs 31,999, while the Nothing Phone 4a Pro may be priced at around Rs 41,999. Samsung hosted its Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event last night, where it unveiled its latest flagship smartphone lineup- the Galaxy S26 series. The lineup includes three models: Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26 Ultra. The new models offer faster performance, new AI-powered features, and a refined design. The company also claims that the Galaxy S26 lineup is built on the most powerful hardware ever on a Galaxy S series. If you are planning to upgrade, you may be wondering whether buying the phone from another country could save you money. Heres a simple comparison of starting prices across major markets. Survey Thank you for completing the survey! Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, S26 Plus, S26 price in India, Dubai, USA and more Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra price comparison The Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at Rs 1,39,999 in India. In Dubai, it is priced at 5,099 AED (approximately Rs 1,27,000). In the United States, the phone costs $1,299 (around Rs 1,19,000). In the United Kingdom, it is priced at 1,279 (roughly Rs 1,58,000), while in Thailand it starts at 46,900 (about Rs 1,37,100). Based on current currency conversion, the United States currently offers the lowest starting price for the Ultra variant. Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus price comparison The Galaxy S26 Plus is priced at Rs 1,19,999 in India. In Dubai, the starting price is 4,299 AED (around Rs 1,07,000). In the US, it costs $1,099 (approximately Rs 99,900). The UK price is 1,099 (about Rs 1,35,500), and in Thailand it is 40,900 (roughly Rs 1,19,500). Here again, the US appears to offer the most affordable starting price. Samsung Galaxy S26 price comparison The standard Galaxy S26 starts at Rs 87,999 in India. In Dubai, it is priced at 3,599 AED (around Rs 89,000). The US price is $899 (approximately Rs 81,700). In the UK, it costs 879 (around Rs 1,08,400), and in Thailand it is priced at 33,900 (about Rs 99,100). The US once again offers the lowest starting price. So, the US currently offers the lowest starting prices for all three Samsung Galaxy S26 models. However, buyers should also consider taxes, warranty and other factors before purchasing from another country. Also read: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, S26 Plus, S26 price in India, offers, availability and other details you need to know Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, S26 Plus, S26 offers, availability and more Pre-orders for the Galaxy S26 series in India began on February 25. Customers can book the devices through Samsungs official channels and partner retailers including Vijay Sales, Amazon, Flipkart and more. Those who pre-order can receive benefits worth Rs 2,699, along with storage upgrade options and more. The Galaxy S26 series is available in Cobalt Violet, White, Black, and Sky Blue colour options. Online-exclusive shades include Pink Gold and Silver Shadow. Also read: Best Phones Under 30000 Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Instagram has announced a new safety feature designed to help parents become aware if their children are repeatedly searching for content related to suicide or self-harm while on the platform. The move comes as part of a broader effort by the company to address growing concerns over the impact of social media on young peoples health. It will start rolling out in the US, UK, Australia and Canada from next week and Ireland later this year. READ NEXT: RTE releases statement regarding broadcast of upcoming Ireland v Israel UEFA match Under the new system, parents or guardians who have turned on Instagram's supervision tools will receive a notification if their child's account shows multiple searches for terms associated with suicide or self-harm within a short period of time. Instagram already blocks suicide and self-harm related terms from appearing in search results for teenagers accounts and redirects users to support resources and helplines. The alert feature will build on the already existing measures by notifying parents or guardians and letting them know their child may be struggling and in need of help. READ NEXT: 'Our beautiful Effie is already fighting a battle no child should ever have to face' Parents will then receive notifications through a range of channels including WhatsApp or email to alert them and it will also include links to resources designed to help guide sensitive conversations about mental health and wellbeing. This comes amid mounting scrutiny of social media companies responsibilities toward younger users as countries like Australia, China, France and even Ireland have taken measures to ban social media for under 16s. There was no meaningful engagement on the Governments bill containing a swathe of immigration changes, Irelands equality body has said. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission said the draft laws were guillotined in the Dail Parliament, with no line-by-line scrutiny of the bill and just 14 of around 300 amendments discussed. The International Protection Bill 2025 is now to go before the Seanad and needs to be signed by the Irish President before it becomes law. Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan brought the bill, which seeks to introduce immigration reforms as part of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum coming into effect from June this year, to Cabinet in January. The bill requires a decision on asylum forms within three months and any appeals must be concluded in a further three months. The changes also include a three-year wait time for people granted asylum in Ireland before they can apply for family reunification, and they must also prove they are self-sufficient. Last night, after just over four hours of discussion, the bill was guillotined after reaching amendment 22, the Commission said. As a result, there was no meaningful engagement with the amendments, and the vast majority were not debated at all. It said among the proposed amendments were the prevention of the unlawful detention of children; to ensure that invasive medical examinations to determine a childs age are conducted by appropriately qualified medical professionals; and strengthened protections for victims of trafficking. Changes to family reunification provisions were also not debated, it said. Liam Herrick, chief commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission said it was a significant missed opportunity. The guillotining of this bill without proper scrutiny of approximately 300 amendments represents a significant missed opportunity to ensure that Irelands international protection system fully respects fundamental rights. The amendments that have not been debated include core safeguards for children, for victims of trafficking, and for other vulnerable groups seeking international protection. The Commission reiterates that robust parliamentary scrutiny is essential where legislation affects people in situations of acute vulnerability and where fundamental rights are engaged. Calls have been made for Louth County Council to engage with Irish Rail on the proposed works to Hill Street Bridge in Dundalk. Independent councillor for Dundalk South Maeve Yore told the February meeting of Louth County Council that the planned works present "ample opportunity to engage with Irish Rail". The bridge, which is owned by Irish Rail is set for 450,000 resurfacing works under the local authority's 2026 roadworks programme. Cllr Yore had previously said the onus was on Irish Rail to provide some of the funding for any works done to the bridge. However, David Jones, Director of Services with Louth County Council said although the bridge itself is owned by Irish Rail, the road is owned and therefore has to be maintained by the local authority. Read Next: Omeath to Carlingford Greenway to temporarily close ahead arrival of Narrow Water Bridge Cllr Yore questioned if there were plans to remove the bridge. "Can we as the local authority contact Irish Rail in relation to the upgrade or the removal of Hill St bridge, because it's in a state and were spending 450,000 to resurface the bridge," she said. Mr Jones confirmed there are no "imminent plans" to remove the bridge. He acknowledged that in 2007, Dundalk Town Council voted to remove bridge, but said it hadn't happened likely due to funding constraints. He said although there are no active proposals to remove the bridge, it is included in the Dundalk Local Transport Plan. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. 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. Read Next: Dundalk wedding planner wins Wedding Planner of the Year 2026 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. Gerry The Monk Hutch is encouraging the public to register to vote, saying those who fail to do so dont have a voice. Following on from the launch of his byelection campaign for Dublin Central, the convicted criminal released a video on social media claiming the current government hope people do not register. He said this is because they want to keep you ignorant. Mr Hutch said the word register/registered 17 times throughout the course of the 1-minute and 49-second clip. The 62-year-old, who is currently on bail for alleged money laundering offences in Spain, contested the 2024 General Election where he secured over 3,000 votes. He was close to winning a seat but was eventually beaten by Labour candidate Marie Sherlock. In the video, Hutch shared a snippet of a conversation he had with an unnamed politician. The Dublin man told this person that he was relying on people in the community to vote for him, with the reply being, They dont vote. The Monk then declared, Weve plenty of time to register now. READ MORE: Aer Lingus introduces major rule change for UK travel as Irish passengers issued warning The byelection is set to take place this coming May to fill the empty seat left by Paschal Donohoe who resigned in November. He left to take up a new post at World Bank in the US. In the short video posted on Tuesday night, Mr Hutch stated: Hello folks. The election is coming up soon. You matter. Make sure you register to vote. I've been through an election already and a lot of people weren't registered to vote. I was talking to other politicians in the area when I was running and they said, What vote are you expecting to get? and I said, The people in the community. He said, They don't vote. I said, They probably don't vote because there's no one to vote for. I said, Let's see what happens. So I did, I got over 3000 votes but it was a bit late for some people to register. Weve plenty of time to register now. So, youse all matter. If you want change in your area, register. That's number one. Help your grandmother, help your mother, help your auntie, your uncle if they are not able to use computers. The kids today can do it on the phone. Just register. You don't have to vote for me but register and that's part one. When the election comes up, then it's your choice. You can vote for any TD, up and coming, in the constituency, it's your choice but please register and make sure you're registered. If you don't register, you don't have a voice and obviously remember, the present government don't want you to register. You know you don't have to register to pay VAT. You know you don't have to register if you get called on a jury service but they want you to register because they hope you don't register. They want to keep you ignorant. Register and do it now. It'll be for your best and itll be for your children and your grandchildren. Get the habit of registering. Go on. I look forward to you, he concluded. Louth homeowners are being encouraged to take advantage of enhanced, recently improved home energy upgrade grants, following strong local participation in Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) schemes throughout 2025. According to SEAI data, 1,272 Louth homes benefited from SEAI grants in 2025 to make their homes warmer and more energy efficient. These energy upgrades included: 884 homes installed solar panels, and 51 homes made the switch to a heat pump using SEAI grants. As a result of home energy upgrades, 2,308 County Louth homes are rated B2 or above on the Building Energy Rating (BER) scale. Louth homeowners can now avail of new grants for windows and doors, as well as higher grants for attic and wall insulation. CEO of SEAI, William Walsh said: There's never been a better time to retrofit your home. These new and enhanced grants will make a massive difference to homes across Louth, making them warmer, more comfortable and cheaper to heat. Last year 1,272 homes benefited from SEAI grants in Louth and this year we expect that demand to be even higher. "I really encourage anyone thinking of upgrading their home to visit our website and talk to your neighbours and friends who have already got some work done - there is something for you no matter what your starting point or budget." These enhanced grants make home energy upgrades more affordable and accessible with increased grants of up to 12,500 for heat pump systems, up to 2,000 for attic insulation, and up to 8,000 for wall insulation. The new grants offer up to 4,000 for windows and 800 per door, for a maximum of two external doors. For first time buyers of older homes, they can avail of a higher grant of up to 2,500 for attic insulation. Read Next: Registrations open for Dundalks 2026 St Patricks Day Parade SEAI said: "Now is the perfect time for Louth homeowners to plan for home energy upgrades with Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh OBrien, announcing a major suite of new and enhanced SEAI grant supports. "With bigger and better grants, Louth homeowners can choose an energy upgrade to suit their needs. Whether its individual step-by-step upgrades, or a complete one stop shop home upgrade in one go, SEAI grant options give homeowners the support and flexibility to make home energy efficiency more accessible." Inspectors from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) expressed concern about fire safety in a Sundays Well nursing home and the ability of staff to safely evacuate residents, months before the homes closure was announced. Last month The Echo revealed that the 37-bed Blairs Hill private nursing home in Sundays Well will close on March 31, with management saying the decision had been made with bitter disappointment. A report by HIQA last October noted that evacuation aids on site were to be fitted beneath mattresses so that residents could be evacuated on their mattresses. However, the HIQA inspector was told by staff and management that the mattresses would not fit through bedroom doors, as they were too narrow. As a result, the evacuation aid would be used without the mattresses which, Hiqa said, posed a risk of injury to residents. Staff and management confirmed that their fire safety training was to horizontally evacuate residents to an adjoining compartment, ideally to the centres large staircase, and await assistance from the fire service. This meant that residents may be subjected to the effects of fire and smoke for an extended period, HIQA said. The inspectors report also stated that an alternative external escape route from the rear exits was across a large area of gravel, which would not be suitable for residents who may use mobility equipment, such as a wheelchair. Additionally, the ground floor had bedrooms where residents with limited mobility were living, and each exit had one or more steps. The external buildings on site, some of which were used for storage, did not have fire detection, meaning a fire may go unnoticed allowing it to grow and spread to the main building. SEALS MISSING Furthermore, the wall between the laundry and dining room appeared to not provide adequate fire containment, and inspectors observed fire doors where seals were missing, automatic closers not fitted, or there were large gaps around the door. There were also concerns raised about the ventilation system in the smoking room, stairs with a handrail on one side only, a non-functional call bell in the smoking room and a lack of bells in the activities room. There was also inadequate information in both fire safety service and drill records. A food lift in the basement kitchen was not fire-rated, neither was an electrical panel on a staircase, where there was no fire detector. The provider said after the inspection that it had undertaken more training sessions and drill records had been reviewed, with call bells and a fire detector near the kitchen added. However, HIQA said in response: The compliance plan response from the registered provider does not adequately assure the chief inspector that the action will result in compliance with the regulations. Dunnes Stores is seeking permission to expand its restaurant on the third floor of its Patrick Street store. Better Value Unlimited Company has lodged plans with Cork City Council for a change of use of its external terrace on the third floor of its building on 105-107 Saint Patricks Street from general amenity space to ancillary seating associated with its existing restaurant. The plans also include an overhead, an extendable canopy and timber screening, along with associated site development works. Cork City Council is due to decide on the plans by April 16, 2026. Meanwhile, a popular service station in Cork City could see its premises upgraded under new plans lodged with the local council. Drustan Ltd has sought planning permission to upgrade the South Link Service Station located on the South City Link Road. The proposed development would see the removal of an existing car wash at the site, which would be replaced with a new, larger unit scheduled to operate on a 24-hour basis. It would also see a broader reconfiguration of the forecourts and the relocation of the existing service area, bollards, and two car parking spaces. The service station is also seeking to install a new drive-thru coffee dock kiosk next to the shop within the existing outdoor seating area. The new units floor area will measure just under 150 sq m, with the plans also including associated road markings to facilitate the drive-through coffee kiosk, together with all ancillary and site development works. Cork City Council is due to decide on the plans by April 20, 2026. Cork city centre is set for another new hotel after planners cleared the Starstone Property Group to build a 50m, 180-bedroom premises at the junction of Lower Oliver Plunkett St and Connell St, opposite the site once earmarked for the now-shelved Prism office block. Construction work is due to begin in the third quarter of the year on the site to the rear of the former Eircom building, No 5 Lapps Quay. The five- to 10-storey hotel will be run by the Ruby Hotel Group, a Munich-based hospitality company and hotel brand, acquired last year by the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). Known for a modern, design-led approach to urban hotels, the brands philosophy is lean luxury, which Starstone said equates to stylish, high-quality city centre hotels at affordable rates. Starstone group director Patrick McDermott, an accountant by profession, said the new hotel which will include a fully equipped gym and contemporary dining space marks a significant investment in Corks hospitality sector. Were thrilled to bring this project to life and play a role in enhancing Corks vibrant tourism and business scene. Weve agreed heads of terms with Ruby Hotel Group, who will lease the building upon completion. Mr McDermott described Ruby Hotels as a leading European brand known for its lean luxury concept, and added that construction is scheduled to begin this summer. The groups Cork project will involve the demolition of a vacant, two-storey commercial building, in an area described by planners as underutilised. The site adjoins seven-storey No 5 Lapps Quay, which is directly across the river from City Hall. The proposed Starstone development comes on the back of significant momentum across the hotel sector in Cork City following a period of limited growth up to 2018. Since then, the provision of new visitor bed spaces has increased significantly, with the opening of the citys first Premier Inn, a 30m development at Morrisons Quay in January 2024, followed by another first for the city, a Marriott-brand hotel, the 148-bed Moxy Hotel and Residence Inn on Camden Quay. Four people accused of being members of a Lithuanian organised crime group operating in Ireland have been remanded in custody, after they lost an appeal against a High Court ruling that refused them bail. Jonas Pavillions, aged 47, with an address at Rochestown Road, Cork; Alexandres Kuznecovas, aged 39, with an address at Andersons Quay, Cork; and Stacey Walsh, aged 33, Andersons Quay, Cork, are all charged under section 73 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006, that they did commit a serious offence for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal organisation. Ausra Motriuk, aged 43, of Rochestown, Cork, is charged with money laundering contrary to section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act, 2010, and also of participating in, or facilitating an organised crime group contrary to section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006. In addition, Mr Pavillions is charged with drug possession and having drugs for sale or supply, as well as two counts contrary to section 9(1) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, relating to two billhooks and a machete. Mr Kuznecovas is also charged with drug possession and having drugs for sale or supply. Their arrests arise out of a Garda investigation into an alleged Lithuanian crime group. All four accused were refused bail by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon in the High Court last October. Appealing this bail refusal before the three-judge Court of Appeal on Thursday, Mark Lynam, for Stacey Walsh, said bail had been refused as the High Court ruled that the appellant may be a flight risk. He said that one co-accused was allegedly found with false documents, so the High Court felt that, as this is allegedly a criminal group, Ms Walsh may have access to the documents. Mr Lynam said there was no suggestion that his client had ties outside Ireland and she had gone voluntarily to the Garda station, where she made admissions. Kevin White, for Ausra Motriuk, said she was the wife of a man believed to be the director of the organised criminal gang. He said it was alleged that 40,000 had passed through her accounts one year and 49,000 the following year, to which she allegedly made admissions to the gardai that her husband would lodge the money, while she did not know where it came from. He said the appellants passport was now with the gardai. Mr White said she had been refused bail because of her ties abroad, but counsel submitted that there must be evidence of her being a flight risk for bail to be refused. Mr Justice John Edwards asked, as the appellants husband was alleged to be the leader of the criminal gang, was there not a basis for the High Court to be concerned, especially as her husband had access to false documentation. Mr White replied that there was no evidence that Ms Motriuk had access to this documentation. Mr White was also counsel for Jonas Pavillions, who the court heard was allegedly providing protection for street dealers. Mr White said that two billhooks were allegedly found in a bag hidden by the appellant, while heroin worth 4,000 and a machete were allegedly found in his vehicle. Counsel said his bail had been refused by the High Court as the appellant had no ties to the jurisdiction and had booked a return flight to Lithuania. It looks pretty bleak from his point of view, remarked Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy. Mr White replied that Mr Pavillions had offered to stay outside of Cork and had offered an address in Carlow where he would reside. Seamus Clarke, for Alexandres Kuznecovas, said that the appellant was accused of being a street dealer, which counsel described as being very much at the lower rung. John Berry, for the State, said that what ran through all four cases was the alleged commission of a criminal act on behalf of an organised criminal gang, which carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison. He said that Mr Pavillions was allegedly brought to Ireland to provide protection, and he has no ties to the jurisdiction. Concerning Ms Motriuk, Mr Berry said that, sometimes in money-laundering cases, a suggestion is made of someone being a gangsters moll, who is unaware of the criminal activity. Counsel said that there were alleged voicenotes between the appellant and her husband about accommodation for a person brought into the jurisdiction for the commission of an offence. Mr Berry said Ms Walsh was different, as there was just a single charge against her, but she may be facing further serious charges. In delivering the courts judgment, Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy said that the arrest of the four appellants arose from an investigation started in November 2023 into an organised criminal gang with its roots in Lithuanian. She said that the Court of Appeal had found no error with the High Court's decision to refuse to grant them bail. Accordingly, the court rejected the appeal. A student who allowed scammers to use his account and shift more than 9,000 belonging to a Cork woman who fell victim to an "E-flow text scam", has avoided jail and a recorded conviction. "Typical money mule", Darragh Sutcliffe, aged 21, pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court in September to money laundering connected to an E-flow text message scam. Sutcliffe, who was about to sit the Leaving Certificate at the time, had his sentencing adjourned until Wednesday after he pledged to speak at local schools about the dangers of online fraud, repay some of the money that had not been recovered, and donate 5,000 to charity. Sutcliffe, of Wainsfort Park, Terenure, Dublin, was planning to sit accountancy exams and was promised 400 in a message from a third party on Snapchat, but never received payment and was prosecuted for possessing crime proceeds and giving a false statement to gardai. Judge Gerard Jones heard that 16,350, proceeds of a smishing or phishing scam, was lodged into his account in four fraudulent transactions between May 23 and May 25, 2023. The court heard the funds came from three people's accounts. Some 3,500 was withdrawn from various ATMs in the Lucan area in Dublin until Sutcliffe's account was frozen. It came to light when a transfer was made from a Cork woman who inadvertently responded to a scam text message. She later discovered that 9,350 was moved from her account without her permission. Another transfer of 2,000 came from a Killarney resident's account. After Sutcliffe's account was identified, he went to Terenure garda station on June 29, 2023. Garda Gavin Kelly believed Sutcliffe was a typical "non-complicit money mule" and not involved in the smishing aspect of the scam. FINANCIAL GAIN He allowed his account to be used on the promise of a financial gain, which he never received. The court noted that students often do not receive the promised reward. After his bank contacted him, he went to the gardai to make a false report to distance himself from the money laundering. The banks reimbursed the three people, but AIB had not recouped the amount withdrawn. Defence solicitor, Damien Coffey, furnished a letter from him showing his contrition. Pleading for leniency, Mr Coffey emphasised that his client's family had endured embarrassment and disgust over the past two years due to his actions, yet they still stood by him and were undertaking to pay for it. Mr Coffey submitted that there was less knowledge about these scams two years ago. The college student planned to write to every local school in his vicinity, offering to speak to pupils about the dangers of these scams. He had no prior convictions. Judge Jones remarked that Sutcliffe was lucky that the investigating garda had been very fair to him. "Only for that, and the fact he was approached by these strangers and fell into this trap, he would have been heading to Mountjoy," Judge Jones had warned the accused. The outstanding cash was brought to court for the September hearing, and the judge ordered him to donate 5,000 to a cancer charity as he adjourned the case. He commended the student's parents and ordered the accused to repay them for the support they had given him. Finalising the case on Wednesday, he noted the defendant had fully complied and struck out the proceedings. A barrister representing the family of Cork girl Ava Barry has called for a timeline for the introduction of a protocol around the administration of medicinal cannabis which had been recommended at her inquest. The 13-year-old from Aghabullogue was provided with access to medicinal cannabis for treatment for seizures arising from a form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome, after a campaign by her mother Vera Twomey. An inquest into her death, held in December 2024 at Cork City Coroners Court, heard Ava had died of bronchopneumonia in Cork University Hospital, in the early hours of May 27, 2023. A ministerial licence was granted in 2017 by then health minister Simon Harris, allowing Ava to receive medicinal cannabis. The coroner's court was told the treatment had resulted in a 50%-70% reduction in Avas seizures. It also heard there was no local or national policy on how medicines like cannabis, granted under a special licence, were administered in hospitals. Avas mother, Vera, had to remain in the Puffin Ward at CUH for several weeks during her daughters time there, as she was the only person who was licensed to give Ava her medicinal cannabis. The coroner, Philip Comyn, noted there appeared to be a gap in national policy regarding the administration of medical cannabis in hospital settings. After returning a verdict of natural causes in her death, the jury recommended a national policy be developed to provide for greater supervision in the administration of medicines which are subject to a special licence. However, there is no date for the introduction of what has now become known as Avas Protocol. In recent days, in reply to a parliamentary question by Social Democrats TD Padraig Rice, minister for health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said a suitably qualified person was to be appointed to chair an expert review of the Medical Cannabis Access Programme. Administration of schedule 1 cannabis-based products for medical use is one of the key consideration of this review. I anticipate that work will commence on this Review in Q2 of 2026, with recommendations being submitted to me for consideration within a year from commencement date of the review. Barrister Doireann OMahony said Avas family had been led to believe that Avas Protocol would be implemented, yet we are now being told there will be another review process. What is needed is a clear commitment, a defined timeline and certainty around the legislative pathway. This family has already endured so much. They should be not be left waiting again. Opening tonight at the Everyman, Aidan Dooley in his striking one-man performance: Tom Crean: Antarctic Explorer. Nobody conveys the sense of adventure, challenge, and above all the character of this great explorer who somehow gets left out of the story in discussions about the men who led these expeditions. Until Saturday at 8pm, with an additional matinee on Sunday at 1pm. Aidan Dooley in Tom Crean: Antarctic Explorer, which opens tonight at the Everyman. On Sunday night, the hilarious Irish comedian Mike Rice makes his Everyman debut in Cruel Little Man, and the following Thursday, March 5, Gerry McAvoy returns to Cork with his Band of Friends, celebrating what would have been Rory Gallaghers 78th birthday. Call 021 450 1673 or see www.everymancork.com. At the Opera House, there were still a few tickets left for One Night Of Adele at time of going to press, but dont delay in checking. The following three shows are all sold out: Jarlath Regan, Gas Man, on Friday and Saturday, The Dire Straits Experience on March 4, and Ye Vagabonds on March 5. Still some left for Pat and Faye Shortt on Friday, and for the Kilfenora Ceili Band on the Saturday, though. Call 021 427 0022 or see www.corkoperahouse.ie. At City Limits - Cork Comedy Club this Saturday, February 28, Brian Gallagher is on stage with friends. One of the rising stars of Irish comedy, witty and irreverent, he has been a sell-out at the Edinburgh Fringe. Doors 8pm, show 8.45pm. See www.tickets.ie, call 085 257 3480 or on the door. CADAs lively show, Music Madness, is keeping the Cork Arts Theatre hopping at the moment, with performances right through until Saturday at 7pm. Soloists, harmonies, colourful costumes, and dazzling performances from these so-talented young artists. From Tuesday to Saturday next week, Ger Fitzgibbons The Four Faced Liar encapsulates the lives of Corkonians past and present as perceived by Shandon itself, which reigns over all and sees all. Think Under Milkwood transported to Leeside! An 8pm start nightly. Two good shows coming up at the Briery Gap in Macroom next weekend. On Friday, March 6, Gerry Tully with the Christy Moore Songbook, interpreting some of the best-loved classics from that great artist. And on Saturday, March 7, The Flowers Of May, a play about raising neurodivergent kids. Both humorous and heartfelt, it explores the triumphs, challenges, and quiet beauty of raising a child with autism, and offers a thought-provoking and emotionally enriching experience, while reflecting the hilarious side of parenting and marriage. 8pm start for both those. call 083 143 6884 or see www.brierygap.ie. The 17th First Cut Youth Film Festival takes place in Youghal from March 2-7. With over 200 short films across six days, it offers young filmmakers a platform to showcase their work, participate in workshops, and engage with industry professionals. As part of the festivals Schools Open Call Programme, over a dozen schools from Ireland will screen short films of all genres. In addition, 50 Cork-based primary and secondary schools will screen films during the festival as part of the Cork Young Filmmakers Programme and special First Cut animation and Irish language filmmaking initiatives. Check out all the details on www.firstcutfilmfestival.com. At the Glen Theatre in Banteer this Saturday and Sunday, Key For Two, written by John Chapman and Dave Freeman, and directed by Tadhg OKeeffe. Harriet, a canny divorcee, solves her financial problems by dating two married gentlemen on different days of the week. Now what could possibly go wrong? Tickets on 029 56239, Ext I, or email theglentheatrebanteer@gmail.com. Finally, last chances to see Enda Walshs Ballyturk at the Rossmore Theatre this Friday and Sunday, by Kilmeen Drama Group. 086 448 1086 or info@rossmoretheatre.com. Sonya McLean A man who played an active and important role in laundering the proceeds of crime has been jailed for two and a half years. Robert Gaffeny (27) of Pinewood Green Road, Balbriggan, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two charges of money laundering, committed between July and September 2023, in relation to a bank account and a Revolut account. Miranda Egan-Langley BL, prosecuting, told the court that confidential information led gardai to apply for an order to obtain information in relation to both accounts in April and May 2024. It was discovered that 31,384 passed through his bank account between March and September 2023, with money being deposited and numerous withdrawals being made from various ATMs around Dublin city. A further 12,618 was moved through Gaffneys Revolut account, and again money was deposited and then transferred via electronic fund transfers to various individuals. Further investigation confirmed that Gaffney was in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance at the time and had no legitimate source of income. He was arrested and interviewed in July 2024. He took responsibility for both accounts and said he had provided his account details to another individual in order to pay off a drug debt. Gaffney has 45 previous convictions for offences including drug dealing, stealing cars, theft and criminal damage. Aisling Ginger-Quinn BL defending said her client had a tough childhood and became addicted to drugs at a very young age. She said he has learning difficulties and left school at 15 years old. He has an eight-year-old child. Judge Orla Crowe said that drugs seemed to be underpinning Gaffneys involvement in this offence, but she said he played an active role and an important role in terms of laundering the proceeds of crime He took that risk because he had amassed a drug debt, Judge Crowe said. She said a headline sentence of four years was warranted before she imposed a term of three years with the final six months suspended on strict conditions. Eimear Dodd A man found with what was described in court as a cornucopia of drugs has been jailed for three and a half years for possession of almost 400,000 worth of cocaine, heroin, cannabis, and tablets. Shane Flynn (46) pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply on September 18th, 2024. An overall total of 396,441 of various drugs was found in two separate searches on September 18th, 2024, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard. Flynn of Markievicz House, Dublin 2, is currently serving a four-year sentence imposed last November for possession of over 169,000 in drugs for sale or supply. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a sentence of three and a half years, which she said must be consecutive to the term Flynn is currently serving, having noted that he was on bail for that offence when he committed this one. She acknowledged that Flynn was endeavouring to pay off a debt when he was caught with a cornucopia of drugs which she said was aggravated by the fact that he had just been released on bail for the same offence. She said because of the horror Flynn experienced in his own life due to his drug addiction, he was aware of the chaos that drug trafficking has on society. Garda Sean Blanchfield told Kieran Kelly BL, prosecuting, that members of the Dublin Crime Response Team stopped a van which Flynn was driving on the Tolka Valley Road, Dublin 11. The court heard 10,850 of diamorphine, also known as heroin, and 2,400 of cannabis were found following a search of Flynn and the van. Later that same date, gardai searched a house on the Botanic Road in Glasnevin that Flynn had access to. The drugs found during this search included 779g of cocaine, 1.92kg of heroin, 2.96kg of cannabis, 33g of MDMA, and over 7,000 alprazolam tablets. Evidence was heard that some of the drugs were found in a locked safe. The total value of the drugs found in the Botanic Road property was 383,176. Flynn accepted responsibility for the drugs seized and made admissions. He told gardai that his son had a drug debt that he was working to pay off, and he was in fear for his life. He admitted getting regular deliveries of drugs, which he was also involved in packing. Flynn said he was not being paid, and instead, his son's debt was reduced. Flynn's 42 previous convictions also include road traffic, public order, and drugs offences, which occurred before 2009. His earliest release date from the four-year sentence is in March 2028. Gda Blanchfield agreed with Mark Lynam SC, defending, that there was a long period during which his client did not offend. It was further accepted that Flynn's earlier convictions fit the profile of someone with a heroin addiction. The garda also agreed that Flynn told them he stepped in after his son was sentenced in relation to possession of over 100,000 of cannabis, leaving him with a debt of 80,000, which he was unable to pay. Mr Lynam told the court his client attended residential treatment in 2009 and stayed out of trouble for a long period of time after this. Letters from his mother, an addiction treatment service, and former employers were handed to the court. Mr Lynam submitted that his client's actions were done out of love for his son. He said Flynn became unable to work due to the pressure he was under and has an offer of work upon his release. Counsel said Flynn used his savings to pay his son's debts, but this was not enough. He noted that when Flynn was caught, he double downed and made matters worse. He submitted that Flynn's situation spiralled and was not of his own making. He said his client would be seen by drug gangs as an easy target and someone they could rely on due to his own addiction in the past, as he would have known his way around drugs. Ray Managh Luxury cars parked in a Dublin couples driveway did not suggest they were in financial difficulties, despite the husband, plumber and taxi driver Frank Gaynor, telling a judge he was broke. Gaynor and his wife, Sylvia, currently attending a funeral in the UK, were facing being jailed by Judge John OConnor in the Circuit Civil Court today, but only Frank Gaynor turned up. Having failed to remove a number of residential cabins and other illegal developments on their gated property at Drishoge Manor, Oldtown, north Co Dublin, the couple face imprisonment for contempt of court orders. Judge OConnor, who told Frank Gaynor on Thursday that he had not come across in his court as credible, directed that he and his wife attend on March 6th next to allow them attempt to dissuade the court from sending them to jail. The couple, whose family were linked to more than 30 personal injury claims that had been thrown out by another court, have already been ordered by Judge OConnor to remove unlawful developments at their upmarket home but have not made any attempt to take them down. Frank Gaynor, in his 60s, who attended court on Thursday, told Judge OConnor he was broke and did not have the money to pay someone to remove them. He said he was in serious financial trouble and a bank was currently in the process of attempting to re-possess his home. He was fighting it in the courts with the help of MABS and needed legal aid. Barrister Tim OSullivan, counsel for Fingal County Council which obtained orders for the demolition and removal of the unlawful developments and reinstatement of the site, said that since the 2023 court order the local authority had never been permitted access beyond the locked gates of the Gaynors home to inspect what needed to be removed or what other developments may have been carried out without planning permission. OSullivan, who appeared with solicitor Karl Gormley for the local authority, added that Gaynors home was a well maintained property which did not look like one in which the occupants would have financial difficulties. From the luxury cars parked in the drive way it does not seem the occupants are in financial hardship, Sullivan said. Judge OConnor said he did not want to send anyone to prison but Mr Gaynor, despite having plenty of time to abide by the court order had done nothing about it and had given the court no help in avoiding committing them. When asked about previous court appearances on other matters Gaynor denied any involvement in a large number of court cases. That is a fabrication. I deny it. I have been involved in about four or five road traffic cases. Somebody has misinformed you on my credibility, Gaynor said. He said he believed the development case was still ongoing before the court and he thought his solicitor was appealing everything. When Judge OConnor said he had two solicitors previously who came off record in the case Gaynor said he had not given his solicitor permission to come off record. He told the court he had family and financial problems. He and his wife lived in their home with two disabled daughters and another two daughters and three sons. When questioned as to why he had not allowed council inspectors access to his property he said he was not aware of their visits. He said they had never contacted him. At this stage he wrote down his telephone number on a piece of paper and handed it to OSullivan and agreed to allow inspectors access at an arranged time and date If they give me a call I will be there for them, he told Judge OConnor. An appointment was agreed for 11am on March 4th, and he agreed that he and his wife would attend court again on March 6th. OSullivan told the court the local authority would require two hours to carry out its inspections. At an earlier court hearing, Judge Christopher Callan was told the family had been linked to 26 previous personal injury claims and had brought a further six for damages totalling 360,000 against a car owner they claimed had rear ended them. They had not turned up to promote their claims and Judge Callan struck out all of them. Gordon Deegan A three-times married 76-year-old man paid 6,000 for a fake French ID card to secure the unlawful entry into the State of a then 20-year-old African woman he met on dating website lovehabibi.com, a court has heard. At Ennis Circuit Court on Thursday, Roger Bishop escaped jail after Judge Francis Comerford imposed a suspended 20-month prison term on him for assisting in the unlawful entry into the State of the Moroccan woman at T1, Dublin airport on March 1st, 2024. Judge Comerford said that Bishop "had engaged in serious offending". Counsel for Bishop of Little Thatch, Crown, Lissycasey, Co Clare, Kenneth Kerins said that Bishops unlawful actions in bringing the Moroccan woman into Ireland through a false French ID were borne out of desperation and loneliness. Kerins said that Bishop - due to turn 77 in May - was looking for a relationship and someone to take care of him. The age gap between the couple in March 2024 was 54 years. Kerins said that Bishop, a UK national who has lived in Ireland for the past 20-plus years, has already been married three times and was going through a divorce with a Tunisian woman around the time of committing the offence before the courts. Kerins told the court that Bishop seems to be unlucky in relationships. He said that his client went through a particularly contentious martial breakdown after arriving into Ireland in 2002 with his then wife and two daughters now both aged in their 20s and living abroad. Investigating Garda in the case, Det Garda Karen Barker from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) agreed with State Counsel, Sarah Jane Comerford that the tenor of the WhatsApp messages was that there was a romantic relationship between Bishop and the woman. Det Garda Barker also agreed with Kerins that there was a level of intimacy between the two in the messages. Det Garda Barker said that the woman - now 22 - declined the option of providing a victim impact statement to the court. Kerins (instructed by solicitor Colum Doherty) said that lovehabibi.com is a legitimate international dating website and that is where the couple met. He said that the two decided to meet and Bishop - 74 at the time - travelled out to Morocco and they spent some time there and she agreed to travel to Ireland through the sourcing of the false French ID card. Kerins said that the messages show that it was hopeful at the beginning and they seemed to be getting on and both parties were excited about her arrival. Det Garda Barker said that the two came to Ireland on March 1st in a flight originating from Istanbul, Turkey. Bishop purchased tickets and a French ID card and assisted the woman in travelling to Dublin airport where he presented his passport and the French ID card with her details on it and gained entry. On arriving back in Clare, Bishop assisted the woman with securing a PPSN number and a 20 hour per week restaurant job. However, Comerford (instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey) said that after successfully returning from a trip to Frankfurt on May 29th, 2024, on the fake French ID to meet friends, the woman realised then that she didnt want to remain in the company of Bishop any longer. The woman subsequently travelled to Luxembourg in June 2024 where authorities determined that the French ID was fake and the woman was sent back to Dublin. Det Barker said that the woman then applied for asylum here, has been refused and continues to reside here. The woman returned to Ireland sparked a Garda investigation around the fake French ID and Bishop was arrested by appointment and interviewed at Ennis Garda Station in October 2024. Det Garda Barker said that at interview Bishop believed that he didnt do anything wrong. Comerford said that Bishop entered an early guilt plea and has no previous convictions. Kerins said that Bishops only income is the Old Aged Pension (OAP) and he had a successful career working as an engineer. He said that Bishop has complex medical needs and is due to undergo a procedure shortly that will result in him convalescing for a number of months. Kerins said that it is a serious offence and "the sinister element" is the procurement of the false ID card for 6,000. Kerins said that it is very unlikely that Bishop will re-offend stating that he has led a blameless life before now. Asked by Judge Comerford did the woman feel exploited, Det Garda Barker said that at the start she was a little bit culpable and she wanted to come to Ireland but she said she couldnt answer about the womans feelings about the relationship. In sentencing Bishop, Judge Comerford said that there was no evidence of direct exploitation or coercion but said that there was inherent exploitation as there was an inherent imbalance of the economic circumstances between Bishop and the woman. Judge Comerford said that the woman agreed to come to Ireland with the false ID on the basis of a romantic relationship. In sentencing Judge Comerford imposed a headline prison term of 36 months in prison on Bishop and reduced to a suspended 20 month prison term due to the significant mitigation in the case. As part of a pilot project BreakingNews.ie has used AI to suggest headline options for this article. The final headline was chosen and edited by BreakingNews.ie journalists. Find out more (Photo: @VATICAN MEDIA)Pope Leo at the beginning of his first Apostolic Journey outside of Italy, which took him to Turkiye and Lebanon at the end of 2025. Pope Leo XIV will make a ten-day Apostolic Journey to Africa and to two other countries in Europe in the first half of 2026 and will visit a famous cahtedral immortalised by the Spanish artist Gaudi. The first visit will be a day trip at the end of March to Monaco, followed by the Africa Journey in April, and finally a six-day Journey to Spain and in the Spanish archipelago of the Canary Islands in June, the Holy See Press office announced on Feb. 25. In Monaco, Catholicism is the State religion. At the end of 2025, Pope Leo made his first significant journey to Turkiye and Lebanon, after the announcement of the upcoming pastoral visits in Italy that will take him as far as Lampedusa, Pope Leo is resuming his worldwide pilgrimages. His longest trip, from April 13 to 23, will see him following in the footsteps of Saint Augustine in Algeria, visiting Algiers and Annaba. Then he will visit Cameroon in Central Africa, with stops in Yaounde, Bamenda and Douala. Anglophone region in the north of Cameroon, where for ten years a civil war has been underway involving the regular armed forces and the separatists. The Pope will visit the Anglophone region in the north of Cameroon, where for 10 years a civil war has been underway involving the regular armed forces and separatists. That will be followed by a visit to Luanda, the capital of Angola, and to Muxima and Saurimo in the former Portuguese territory. On the final leg of his Africa tour, the pontiff will head to Equatorial Guinea, where he will visit Malabo, Mongomo and Bata. "This will be a complex trip, which is at the same time a journey in memory of the saint of Hippo, to whose figure the Successor of Peter is linked; and then touching two developing countries, with particular attention to the least, the poor and those who care for them," Vatican News commented. The journey will focus on peace. - EQUATORIAL GUINEA The final stage of this African Journey to Equatorial Guinea, will be inn the only Spanish-speaking African country. Vatican News compared the length of the African papal visit to that of Pope Saint John Paul II in 1985, when he visited seven countries in 11 days. His first trip of the year is a European day trip to the Principality of Monaco, scheduled for March 28, on the eve of Holy Week. Finally, the Pope's June 6 to 12 visit to Spain, will take him first to the capital Madrid and then Barcelona, where he will inaugurate the newest and tallest tower of the Sagrada Familia. The church is a monumental basilica that has reshaped the skyline of the Catalan city and has taken more than 100 years to complete. The visit falls on the 100th anniversary of the death of Antoni Gaudi, the world-famous architect who "dreamed" the Basilica by beginning to build it. Continuing his Journey to Spain, Pope Leo will travel from Barcelona to the Canary Islands archipelago, to carry out a journey that was already in the heart of the late Pope Francis, as the Archbishop of Madrid. Robotics company Intrinsic has announced it will be folding into Google as the company bets on the future of physical AI in manufacturing. The company focuses on software tools to make robots more affordable and easier to use, as well as using adaptive intelligence to help the robots perform real-world tasks. Intrinsic was started in 2021 as an Alphabet " Other Bets " project, part of a portfolio of high-risk and potentially high-payoff startups, Waymo among them. The project will now run as a "distinct group" within Google where it will leverage Gemini and Google Cloud while working closely with the Google DeepMind team. The company describes its platform as "the Android of robotics," offering a universal canvas where developers can build apps for different robots, cameras, sensors and more. Meta has expressed interest in pursuing a similar business model. Advertisement Advertisement Also at the intersection of software and physical AI, the company aims to integrate adaptive intelligence into robots, helping them to perform real-world tasks. The goal is robots that can "perceive, reason and react to changes in processes and their environment." NVIDIA is a very busy company, and between all the graphics cards and AI-chasing , it wouldnt be wholly surprising to see the company forget about its more niche offerings, such as the Android-powered NVIDIA Shield TV . Happily for all those who own one of these powerful set-top boxes, that doesnt appear to be the case. Not only is NVIDIA continuing to support its Shield devices, but its just rolled out its first proper update in nearly a year. The Shield Experience Upgrade 9.2.4, to give it its proper name, applies to both the Shield and Shield Pro boxes. Its admittedly light on new features, instead being focused on updating security and fixing various issues, but is nice to see all the same. Heres the full list of changes. Enhancements: Security patches are updated to Jan 2026. Resolved Bugs: Resolved Disney+ playback issue. Resolved 3rd party remote connection issue with Xbox after sleep mode. Resolved a crash issue which turns on SHIELD and CEC devices during sleep mode. Resolved 3rd party Bluetooth remote frequent disconnect issue. Resolved Settings page closes when triggering NVIDIA share on top of settings page. Advertisement Advertisement NVIDIA hasnt given any strong indication that its preparing to launch a new Shield TV, but in a a recent interview with ArsTechnica, Andrew Bell, the companys senior VP of hardware engineering, said it has no plans to end support any time soon, teasing that it had "played with new concepts." Bell also said that a first Shield refresh since 2019 would likely support codecs like AV1 and HDR10+, as well as the latest Dolby Vision profiles. NASA recently ended a manned mission to the International Space Station (ISS) a month early, citing a medical issue with one of the astronauts. The space agency just revealed that the impacted astronaut was Mike Fincke . This was the first medical evacuation in the history of the ISS. NASA wrote a statement saying that the astronaut experienced an unknown medical event on January 7 "that required immediate attention" from his fellow crew members. Fincke added that his "status quickly stabilized" thanks to the "quick response and the guidance" of the flight surgeons. However, the incident did force NASA to cancel a spacewalk planned for January 8. Soon after that, the agency announced it would be ending the Crew-11 mission a month early. The four-person crew included Fincke, NASA astronaut Zena Cardman, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. They had been living and working aboard the ISS since August and were expected to stay until February. The crew returned on January 15, which was a decision made by NASA's chief health and medical officer. Once the crew had landed, administrator Jared Isaacman said it was a "serious situation" but didn't go into any detail. Advertisement Advertisement Fincke has said he is currently "doing very well" and still participating in standard post-flight reconditioning at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. "Spaceflight is an incredible privilege, and sometimes it reminds us just how human we are," he said. "Thank you for all your support." We don't know what medical issue Fincke is going through, and it's certainly his business and not ours. In any event, we wish for a speedy recovery. Meta has sued the people and groups behind three scam operations that used images and deepfakes of celebrities to lure users to scam websites. According to the company, the three entities were based in China and Brazil and targeted people in the US, Japan and other countries. The ads promoted fraudulent investment schemes and fake health products. Meta said that it had filed lawsuits against several people in Brazil who promoted fake or unapproved healthcare products and online courses promoting them. The company also sued a China-based entity it says used ads featuring celebrities "as part of a larger fraud scheme that lured people into joining so-called investment groups." The company didn't provide details on how many ads these groups had run on Facebook, how many social media users had seen or interacted with the ads or how long the scammers had been operating on the platform. So-called "celeb bait" ads have been a long-running issue for the company. Engadget has previously documented celeb bait scams on Facebook, including ones that frequently use Elon Musk and Fox News personalities to hawk fake cures for diabetes. The Oversight Board has also criticized the company for not doing enough to combat such scams. In its update, Meta says that "because scam ads are designed to look real, theyre not always easy to detect." The company also noted that it has now enrolled "more than 500,000" celebrities and public figures into its facial recognition system that's meant to automatically detect scam ads using the faces of famous people. Advertisement Advertisement Meta's handling of scammy advertisers has come under increased scrutiny in recent months after Reuters reported that researchers at the company at one point estimated that as much as 10 percent of its ad revenue could be coming from scams and banned products. The fact that Meta has made billions of dollars from problematic advertisers has also caused the company to be slow to take action against repeat offenders. In addition to the groups behind the celeb bait ads, Meta says that it's upgraded its ability to detect scam ads that use cloaking, which has at times hindered its internal review systems. The company also sued a Vietnam-based advertiser it says used scam ads to hawk "deeply discounted items from well-known brands," including Longchamp. Meta also took legal action against eight former "Meta Business Partners," who promoted services that would "un-ban" or other "account restoration services." The company says it will "consider taking additional legal action, including litigation, if they dont comply" with cease and desist orders. Update, February 26, 2026, 1:16PM PT: This story was updated to specify that Metas internal estimates around ad revenue included scams and banned products. Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, reportedly sought refuge at a luxury Swiss rehab clinic following renewed scrutiny over her connections to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. According to Radar Online, insiders now say that details of her stay may have been deliberately leaked by her confidantes to soften public perception amid mounting controversy. Ferguson, 66, is said to have left the United Kingdom quietly shortly after Christmas and spent several weeks at the Paracelsus Recovery Clinic in Zurich, Switzerland, a wellness center known for its exclusive, bespoke treatment programs costing up to $18,000 per day. The clinic specializes in addressing addiction, trauma, burnout and depression, providing clients with a multidisciplinary team and luxury amenities including private chefs and penthouse accommodations. As per the news outlet, sources close to Ferguson describe her as "totally broken" by the fallout from the public release of emails exchanged with Epstein after his conviction for procuring a minor for prostitution. These emails revealed that Ferguson maintained contact with Epstein after his release from prison and even took her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, to lunch with him. A Swiss insider said Ferguson "always feels at home" at Paracelsus due to the care and attention she receives there. However, another source suggested the leak of Ferguson's rehab details was strategic. "There is a growing belief that details of the clinic were allowed to surface to soften her image," the source said. "By framing it as a mental health retreat, the hope is that the narrative shifts from scandal to vulnerability." The former duchess herself has publicly acknowledged her time at Paracelsus. In a June Facebook post, she praised the clinic's "clinical excellence" and described it as a place of "deep humanity." Her supporters say she is trying to reposition herself by openly confronting past trauma and seeking help. Ferguson's ex-husband, Prince Andrew, 66, also remains under intense scrutiny related to Epstein. Although he denies wrongdoing, he was stripped of royal titles and military roles by King Charles and is currently under investigation for alleged misconduct linked to his association with Epstein. Insiders say Ferguson understands the damage to her public image and believes she must draw a line under the controversy. "By speaking openly about seeking treatment and confronting past trauma, she is trying to change the conversation," one source said. "The emphasis on mental health and recovery is intended to show reflection and accountability." The ongoing fallout continues to impact the House of York as investigators probe all connections tied to Epstein's network. Sarah Ferguson Faces Backlash Amid Prince Andrew's Arrest, Accused of 'Delusional' Behavior In separate news by She Finds, Ferguson is facing intense public criticism following the recent arrest of the former royal. Reports reveal that Ferguson believes "everyone is out to get her," a sentiment that has sparked widespread backlash on social media. Prince Andrew, 66, was taken into custody on the morning of his birthday last week, questioned for 11 hours on suspicion of misconduct in public office before being released. The arrest has intensified scrutiny on those close to him, including Ferguson, who had a known association with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. According to sources close to Ferguson, she has been struggling with her mental health and is anxious about her own potential legal troubles. "She sounds in a bad way," a source told Daily Mail. "She's been telling people she is really suffering with her mental health and thinks everyone is out to get her." The public response has been largely unsympathetic. On Instagram and other platforms, users expressed skepticism and condemnation. Comments ranged from "She got herselfthe emails say it all" to "That feeling is called guilt." Many pointed to Ferguson's past connections with Epstein as grounds for accountability, with some warning that she could be next to face investigation. Kanye West sought couples counseling with his wife, Bianca Censori, at a Spanish rehabilitation clinic after Censori reportedly gave him an ultimatum following a series of public outbursts, people familiar with the matter said Tuesday. The couple, as per Daily Mail, flew to the Balance Rehab Clinic in Majorca, an exclusive wellness and mental health retreat, where they participated in joint counseling sessions, according to a person who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private medical treatment. The source said Censori, 31, urged West who legally changed his name to Ye and is 48 to get help after what friends described as a series of "meltdowns" that placed strain on their marriage. "Bianca agreed to give her husband one more chance," the person said. "She has been the driving force for Kanye to seek help after meltdowns, and she wants to stick by him despite all the moments of stress, upset and near splits." West later received further treatment at a clinic in Switzerland, friends said, and those close to him noted a change in his appearance and behavior following his stays overseas. A representative for West did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. A representative for Censori also did not return requests for comment. West's recent controversies include public posts and statements beginning in 2022 that were widely condemned as antisemitic and supportive of Nazi imagery. The remarks led to the end of several business relationships, including deals with Adidas and his talent agency, Creative Artists Agency. In a paid Wall Street Journal advertisement published in January titled "To Those I Hurt," West apologized for those comments and said they were linked to his bipolar I disorder diagnosis. "Bipolar disorder comes with its own defense system. Denial. When you're manic, you don't think you're sick," he wrote. He added that he had "lost touch with reality" and expressed regret for his actions. Censori spoke about West's struggles in a recent interview with Vanity Fair, saying she had tried to support him through his episodes. "All I can do is always just be there and help," she said. "This year was a lot like doing CPR for months." Friends quoted by British tabloids said the couple's visits to Majorca helped them talk through their difficulties, including needs, vulnerabilities and hopes for the future. One music industry associate, George Daniels, told reporters that Censori had been ready to leave but stayed to support West and that the pair push each other's "emotional buttons." Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by marked shifts in mood, energy and activity levels, ranging from manic episodes of high energy and impulsivity to depressive episodes of low mood and lethargy. Experts say the condition is often managed with medication and therapy, though public discussions linking behavior solely to mental illness can be controversial and stigmatizing. Daily Mail and other outlets first reported the couple's stay in Majorca. The Balance Rehab Clinic's website describes itself as offering "medically led mental health and addiction care for high-performing individuals." The clinic did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Fairfield, MT (59436) Today Windy. Snow this morning will give way to partly cloudy conditions this afternoon. High 37F. Winds WSW at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of snow 100%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 17F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. ROSS TOWNSHIP, Pa. Growing vegetables in western Pennsylvania is a tough business. Its been made even more challenging by extreme weather events, like a soggy planting season followed by intense summer heat. Jason Oddo, co-owner of COLDCO Farm in Penn Hills, said he lost nearly his entire crop of specialty peppers last year after those exact conditions caused bad bacteria to flourish among his plants. It meant losing several thousand dollars in peppers that wouldve been sold to area restaurants. We had to shift our whole business plan for the year, Oddo said at a roundtable hosted Feb. 19 by the James Beard Foundation at Chengdu Gourmet restaurant in Ross Township, just north of Pittsburgh. The roundtable was set up with U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio to hear how climate change is impacting chefs and the small businesses and farmers who supply them, but it ended up being a broad discussion that also touched on the impacts of immigration enforcement, consolidation, and federal farm policy. Russell Thorsen, associate director for Urban Agriculture & Farmer Outreach for Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, said the lack of a new Farm Bill is making it harder for farmers to participate in U.S. Department of Agriculture programs, like the Natural Resources Conservation Services flagship Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Payment rates for EQIP projects have remained at levels that were passed in the last Farm Bill in 2018, Thorsen said. This means farmers who are participating in cost-sharing programs are footing more of the bill to implement conservation projects on their farms. The current Farm Bill expired in 2023 and has been extended several times, this time through September of this year, but an updated version has yet to be passed. The U.S. House introduced yet another draft of the bill earlier this month. Restaurant workers said Immigration and Customs Enforcement crackdowns are taking a toll on their immigrant coworkers. They shared stories about legal asylum-seekers who have been detained at court appointments or made to wear ankle monitors. Its had a chilling effect on the communities in which they live, with some restaurant workers not wanting to go out to get groceries or attend church. While the name James Beard may be associated with fine dining, Anne McBride, vice president of impact at the James Beard Foundation, said they have chefs at every level who work with local farms and producers. The challenges farmers are facing impact everyone up the food chain. Without a vibrant ecosystem of local farms that supply them, chefs canot having anything to cook, she said. They care about their community, the ecosystem in which they function, where their kids go to school, where their staff live and work. Tom Bradshaw will lead the NFU for another two years after being re-elected president at a time of intense political and economic pressure on British farming. The Essex arable farmer, who has served on the NFU officeholder team for six years, remains in post following two years as president. His re-election signals continuity as the sector grapples with policy uncertainty, volatile markets and ongoing debate over future support schemes. He is joined by Paul Tompkins as deputy president and Robyn Munt as vice-president, forming the unions officeholder team for the next term. Mr Bradshaw said he was deeply honoured and extremely proud to have been re-elected President of this superb organisation. Reflecting on the backdrop to his re-election, he said: The past 18 months have been among the most challenging in recent memory for British farming. During that period, farmers have faced rising input costs, extreme weather, disease pressures and significant change to support payments as England transitions away from the Basic Payment Scheme towards environmental land management schemes. Mr Bradshaw said the NFU had been at the forefront of fighting for our industry, adding that progress had only been possible because members had worked collectively. Together we have been stronger. Looking ahead, he said the union would continue to campaign to ensure the right policies are in place to deliver a more resilient, thriving and profitable British farming industry and safeguard long-term UK food security. New deputy president Paul Tompkins described his election as an incredible privilege at a time when agriculture faces real pressures but holds even greater potential. Every farmer and grower, whatever their sector, scale or system, wants the same essentials; fairness, stability and the chance to build a future, he said. Setting out his priorities, Mr Tompkins said his focus would be to deliver practical results for farmers, maintain a strong commercial outlook and build confidence across the industry issues that resonate across both livestock and arable sectors. Robyn Munt, elected vice-president, said she was incredibly proud and honoured to represent Britains farmers as part of the officeholder team. A fifth-generation beef, sheep and arable farmer, she pointed to fragile sentiment within the industry, saying confidence was at an all-time low due to volatile costs, disease threats and extreme weather. She said the next two years must centre on creating the conditions for resilient, productive and profitable farming businesses to thrive, while ensuring sustainable food production and protection of the countryside. The NFU, which represents tens of thousands of farmers and growers across England and Wales, plays a central role in lobbying government on agricultural policy, trade, environmental regulation and food standards. The election took place following the AGM of the NFU Council, the unions representative body, after its annual conference at the ICC in Birmingham on 24 and 25 February. With farm profitability under strain and future policy direction still evolving, the new leadership team faces immediate pressure to rebuild confidence and secure greater certainty for members across the sector. The governments reshaped Sustainable Farming Incentive will operate on a first-come, first-served basis from 2026, raising concerns that some eligible farmers may be locked out once the budget is spent. Defra Secretary Emma Reynolds confirmed at the NFU Conference on 23 February that SFI, which replaced EU-era subsidies, would relaunch after being closed with little warning in 2025. The revised scheme will be smaller, with paid actions reduced from 102 to 71. A 100,000 annual payment cap will apply, several rates have been cut, and the 20/ha management payment scrapped. All agreements will now run for three years. Each business will be limited to one application, and rotational actions will not be allowed to increase beyond their first-year area. Two application windows are planned. The June round will be restricted to farms under 50ha and those not already in other government-funded schemes, excluding Landscape Recovery. A second window in September will open to all applicants but will close once the allocated budget is exhausted. With funding effectively capped and time-limited, advisers warn demand could outstrip supply within weeks. David Morley, environment and conservation manager at H&H Land & Estates, said repeated revisions had already dented confidence. There have been too many changes to this scheme, he said. Farmers need stability and clarity to plan effectively. Continual revisions undermine confidence, particularly when agreements run for multiple years. He warned that timing could leave some businesses excluded. This means that farmers currently in Mid-Tier agreements finishing at the end of this year, including those extended by 12 months, may well miss out, he said. The same applies to those with SFI agreements ending later in 2026 or early 2027. To enable farmers to plan, it is really important that the scheme is open for more than a few weeks each year. While some upland moorland options will see payment increases from 2026 with higher rates applied retrospectively other actions have been removed altogether. UPL7, covering shepherding without livestock removal, has been dropped. UPL4 has also been removed, meaning grazing payments for cattle and ponies on moorland will only apply where at least 70% of livestock units are cattle or ponies. This seems a shame, Mr Morley said. It is rarely practical to graze unenclosed moorland with such a high proportion of cattle or ponies, so the change will disincentivise their introduction. The CMOR1 moorland surveying option has also been scrapped. This action has been invaluable in helping farmers understand and enhance the public goods they deliver biodiversity, water quality, carbon storage, flood mitigation and historic features, he said. Defra says it delivered poor value for money, but the benefits cannot be judged in purely monetary terms. Its removal is a missed opportunity to improve engagement between farmers and Natural England. Payment reductions to widely used options including herbal leys, winter bird food and legume fallow have also raised concern. Defra maintains earlier rates were overly generous and risked taking land out of production. Mr Morley believes better targeting would have achieved more. Area limits or block size restrictions, particularly for winter bird food, would have targeted environmental delivery more effectively without undermining uptake, he said. The reduced payments now fail to reflect the genuine environmental value of these options. Several planning-related actions, including soil testing, nutrient management and integrated pest management plans, have also been removed. The only endorsed SFI option requiring Natural England approval management of species-rich grassland has been withdrawn, meaning farmers must now apply through Higher Tier Countryside Stewardship if they wish to pursue it. Given the well-documented challenges in accessing Higher Tier, there is now a real risk that priority grasslands will instead be entered into other SFI actions that are not appropriate, he warned. Mr Morley concluded that the reforms fall short of meaningful simplification. Overall, the changes to the scheme do not represent meaningful simplification, he said. While this may allow the governments budget to stretch a little further, it is unlikely to help farmers deliver the significant environmental gains that are needed across the country. If government is serious about environmental delivery, schemes must be practical, properly funded and above all, stable. Farmers need confidence to commit for the long term. With applications set to close once funding runs dry, the success of SFI 2026 may hinge less on design and more on whether farmers believe it will still be there next year. Breeding-age females in Northern Ireland herds with a BVD-positive animal will be barred from sale or transfer for up to 41 weeks under tough new rules coming into force on 1 March 2026. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) said the restrictions will apply to all females aged 12 months and over in affected herds. The move directly targets the risk posed by so-called trojan animals pregnant cattle exposed to Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) during gestation whose calves may be born persistently infected. In practice, that means a spring-calving heifer in a restricted herd could be unable to move off-farm until she has calved and her calf has tested negative. The controls form part of the phased implementation of the BVD Control Order (NI) 2024 and mark the next stage in the eradication drive. Northern Ireland has been working towards eliminating BVD for more than a decade, with disease levels significantly reduced in recent years. DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said: The introduction of trojan restrictions marks another essential step towards eliminating BVD from Northern Ireland. He described the movement of pregnant females carrying infected calves as a hidden source of disease spread and one of the most difficult to control, adding: These new rules directly target that risk. Mr Muir said farmers had already made major progress. Farmers across Northern Ireland have worked hard to reduce disease levels, and these additional controls will help protect that progress, he said. He urged herd keepers to work closely with their vets, maintain timely testing and understand their responsibilities. Through these new requirements, herd keepers can safeguard their own herd, support their neighbours and help drive this disease out of our cattle population once and for all. Under the measures, breeding-age females in herds where a BVD-positive animal is identified will be restricted from moving off-farm for up to 41 weeks after the last infected animal has been removed. Restrictions will remain until the female has calved and the calf has returned a negative BVD test. They may be lifted sooner if certain blood-testing conditions are met, including evidence of prior immunity or a clear antibody result taken at least 21 days after the removal of the last positive animal. Movements will still be permitted direct to slaughter for BVD-tested animals, for disposal as an animal by-product, or exceptionally under licence from the Department. The trojan restrictions follow tighter herd-level measures introduced on 1 February 2026, under which herds are immediately restricted after any positive or inconclusive BVD result. The individual female controls had originally been due to begin on the same date but were deferred to allow updates to the NIFAIS database. BVD is primarily spread by persistently infected (PI) cattle, which contract the virus in the womb and shed it throughout their lives. Transiently infected animals can also spread infection for a short period before recovering. For producers trading breeding stock, particularly in-calf heifers and cows, the new rules could have significant marketing and cashflow implications where infection is detected. However, with eradication now firmly within reach, the Department maintains that tighter controls on high-risk animals are essential to finishing the job. Further guidance on how the measures will operate is available on the DAERA website. Tescos UK chief executive faced sustained pressure at NFU Conference as farmers warned domestic food production is on a knife edge and questioned whether retail pricing models are fit for purpose. With more than one in three farm businesses losing money last year and average returns on capital negative over the past decade, delegates pressed Ashwin Prasad on long-term contracts, cheap imports and whether supermarkets are shouldering enough risk in the supply chain. Chaired by NFU president Tom Bradshaw, the session followed Mr Prasads address on grocery supply chain resilience. But it was questions from the floor that exposed the underlying tension between supermarket margins and farm-level profitability. Joe Stanley, Leicestershire farmer and outgoing chair of the NFUs combinable crops board, delivered one of the bluntest interventions. Farmers receive less than 10% of the value of the food chain, he said, asking whether the retail sectors race to the bottom on price was fundamentally broken. Mr Prasad rejected that description. He described retail as a low margin, high volume business operating under intense cost-of-living pressure, and argued that Tescos open-book pricing frameworks are designed to reflect real input costs. All of our fresh models are open book, clear and transparent, that recognise what the input costs are, and theyre responsive to those things, he said, citing feed, fuel and fertiliser volatility. He maintained that suppliers must be profitable for the system to remain resilient. However, he stopped short of outlining structural changes to how risk is shared across the chain. Ali Capper, chair of British Apples and Pears, asked whether Tesco would offer 20-year written contracts to give growers confidence to invest in orchards and infrastructure. Mr Prasad said Tesco supports long-term relationships but does not typically issue 20-year contracts. He pointed to partnerships lasting decades, including a 20-year relationship with Anglia Free Range and others spanning 20 to 50 years. While reiterating support for longer-term certainty in principle, he did not commit to formal multi-decade agreements. Imports and production standards proved another flashpoint. Farmers questioned why food produced to lower standards abroad can enter processed products while British producers face tighter regulation. Asked whether Tesco would back core production standards to ensure imports meet equivalent requirements, Mr Prasad said the retailer supports a level playing field and consistent benchmarks. He did not commit to legislative change but referenced certification schemes and calls for more standardised environmental baselining. Martin Brown, NFU Staffordshire county chair and a Tesco supplier, warned that domestic output in cereals, red meat, poultry and vegetables is declining. He asked whether retailers are concerned about the long-term erosion of home production. Mr Prasad said Tesco sources British first and only looks overseas when domestic supply is exhausted. He acknowledged frustration over planning delays affecting poultry expansion, noting that commitments to higher welfare are being undermined by slow approvals for new sheds. The discussion also covered regulation, including Fair Dealing Obligations in dairy and the role of the Groceries Code Adjudicator. Mr Prasad expressed strong support for the existing code, crediting it with improving retailer-supplier relationships over the past decade. Environmental transition was another key theme. Farmers stressed that emissions reductions cannot come at the expense of output and that significant investment will be required. Mr Prasad highlighted LEAF certification, now adopted by more than 400 growers supplying Tesco, and pointed to the retailers low-carbon concept farm in Lincolnshire. The project aims to test how close field-scale production can move towards net zero while remaining commercially viable. Fifty tonnes of low-carbon broccoli were sold last year, alongside 500 tonnes of potatoes grown using reduced-emission techniques. He said the objective is to de-risk innovation before wider rollout. He also called for a national framework to standardise environmental data on soil health, biodiversity and carbon metrics, acknowledging frustration at the current patchwork of reporting requirements. Alongside the scrutiny, Mr Prasad emphasised market opportunity. Tesco reported fresh food sales up 6.6% year-on-year in January, while products such as kefir, skyr and cottage cheese have seen more than 200% growth over two years. The retailer sold 34,000 tonnes of British apples in the past year. Throughout the session, Mr Prasad returned to the language of partnership and collaboration. But the exchange laid bare a deeper structural question: how a sector delivering negative average returns can continue to absorb volatility while retail competition remains intense. For many in the hall, the test will not be the tone of conference debates, but whether pricing, contracts and standards shift in a way that measurably improves farm returns and restores long-term confidence in British food production. 4. From Coastlines to the Wild: A Self-Drive Safari in Kruger Why This Journey Works So Well for Indian Travellers ? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Q. Is South Africa safe for a self-drive road trip? Q. Do Indian travellers need an International Driving Permit? Q. What is the best time for a South Africa road trip? Q. Can you do a self-drive safari in Kruger National Park? Q. How many days are ideal for this road trip? After the coast, many travellers head inland for a different adventure, and balance the coastal calm with wildlife safari. Kruger National Park, established in 1898 is one of the most iconic wildlife destinations in South Africa that also provides a self-drive safari. In a region spanning nearly 20000 km, you can experience the thrill of spotting wildlife at your own pace. Unlike traditional guided safaris. You can spot the Big 5 (lion, rhino, buffalo, leopard and elephant) while driving through vast plains, winding bush roads with rivers flowing down along the way.The park also provides accommodation with well-maintained public rest camps and private lodges, allowing travellers to choose their comfort level. A full day safari and stay at the Kruger National Park will offer you a personal connection with nature where you can end your day by resting under the stars.For Indian travellers seeking an experience like this, turning this idea into reality is simpler than expected. All you have to do is to hold a valid Indian driving licence and an International Driving Permit (IDP), no additional tests or paperwork needed. Adding to the comfort, South Africa follows left hand driving which instantly makes the experience more comfortable and familiar.With clear English road signages and reliable navigation systems makes this long distance driving manageable, even if you are a first-time visitor. Beyond convenience, the real advantage is flexibility, the freedom to stop whenever something catches your eye, change plans on impulse and truly experience the destination rather than rush through it.Whether its you cruising the coast with the ocean by your side or waking up to spot wildlife at Kruger National Park, South Africa surely gives you a road trip experience that feels free, raw and rare, maintaining a perfect balance between ease and adventure. The real advantage is flexibility, the freedom to stop anywhere, change plans on impulse and a unique journey to your destination.Yes, most major routes are well-maintained. Follow local safety advice and avoid driving late at night in unfamiliar areas.Yes, you must carry a valid Indian licence along with an IDP to self-drive.September to April offers pleasant weather for coastal drives and wildlife viewing.Yes, self-drive safaris are popular and the park has clearly marked routes.A relaxed itinerary usually takes 1014 days to fully enjoy the journey Das Borsenjahr 2026 ist fur viele Anleger ernuchternd gestartet. Tech-Werte straucheln, der Nasdaq 100 tritt auf der Stelle und ausgerechnet alte Favoriten wie Microsoft und SAP rutschen zweistellig ab. KI ist plotzlich kein Ruckenwind mehr, sondern ein Belastungsfaktor, weil Investoren beginnen, die finanzielle Nachhaltigkeit zu hinterfragen. Gleichzeitig vollzieht sich an der Wall Street ein lautloser Favoritenwechsel. Wahrend viele auf Wachstum setzen, feiern Value-Titel mit verlasslichen Cashflows ihr Comeback: Telekommunikation, Industrie, Energie, Pharma die Cashmaschinen der Realwirtschaft verdrangen hoch bewertete Hoffnungstrager. In unserem aktuellen Spezialreport stellen wir funf Aktien vor, die genau in dieses neue Marktbild passen: solide, gunstig bewertet und mit attraktiver Dividende. Werte, die nicht nur laufende Ertrage liefern, sondern auch bei Marktkorrekturen Sicherheit bieten. Jetzt den kostenlosen Report sichern bevor der Value-Zug 2026 endgultig abfahrt! Dieses exklusive PDF ist nur fur kurze Zeit gratis verfugbar. Ronkonkoma, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - February 25, 2026) - Sigma Corporation of America, the US subsidiary of Sigma Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki. Headquarters: Asao-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan), is pleased to announce the development of the Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG | Art, a large-aperture medium-telephoto lens designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras. Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG | Art lens To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9491/284898_7ef20a8f347d49f5_001full.jpg The lens will be exhibited at the Sigma booth during CP+ 2026, which will be held from February 26 to March 1, 2026 in Yokohama, Japan. The Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG | Art is a large-aperture medium-telephoto lens designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras. With the latest optical design, the lens delivers exceptional resolution even at maximum aperture, enabling striking portrait photography with the distinctive depth of field unique to F1.2. Featuring a compact, lightweight design and fast, precise autofocus driven by dual HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) system, the lens offers reliable performance for professional applications. With the addition of this lens, Sigma's lineup of F1.2 prime lenses is now complete, joining the Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG II | Art and Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN | Art. Available mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount Launch: September 2026 * The appearance and specifications of the product are subject to change. * This product is developed, manufactured and sold based on the specifications of E-mount which was disclosed by Sony Corporation under the license agreement with Sony Corporation. * L-Mount is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG ### About Sigma Corporation Craftsmanship. Precision. Dedication. Since 1961, Sigma has been devoted to the pursuit of advancing photographic technology. Unique to the industry, the family-owned business produces its high-quality, award-winning still photo and cinema camera lenses, DSLR and mirrorless cameras, flashes, filters and accessories from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Aizu, Japan. In 2012, the company introduced Sigma Global Vision with three distinct lens lines: Art, Contemporary and Sports. Designed for industry camera mount systems including Canon, Fujifilm, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony and Sigma, each lens is handcrafted and tested in Japan to ensure a high-performance, premium product that is purpose-built to last. In 2016, the Sigma Cine Lens lineup was launched, further cementing Sigma as an innovator in imaging engineering. Forming the landmark L-Mount alliance alongside Leica and Panasonic in 2018, Sigma continues its storied tradition of imaging excellence through groundbreaking innovations such as the native L-mount Sigma fp and fp L full-frame mirrorless digital cameras, announced in July 2019 and March 2021 respectively, and the Sigma BF camera announced in 2025. These products, along with dozens of award-winning Sigma Global Vision lenses available in native L-Mount format, demonstrate Sigma's continued commitment to the creative community through expanded product offerings. For information about Sigma America, please visit sigmaphoto.com and the Sigma America Blog for helpful information about our products, or follow us on social media. Follow Sigma America on social media: https://bit.ly/m/sigmaphoto To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/284898 Source: Sigma Corporation of America Thunes joins a select group of global payments companies in pursuit of ESG excellence under the EcoVadis standards. SINGAPORE, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Thunes, the Smart Superhighway to move money around the world, today announces it has been awarded a Bronze Medal from EcoVadis, a global leader in business sustainability assessments. This recognition places Thunes in the top 35% of all companies evaluated by EcoVadis globally over the past 12 months. EcoVadis assesses more than 130,000 companies across 180 countries, using a rigorous framework of 21 sustainability criteria grouped into four core themes: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. The methodology is aligned with leading international standards, including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the United Nations Global Compact, and ISO 26000. Thunes is an early adopter of these rigorous global benchmarks. By securing this rating, it joins a select group of global payments leaders proactively validating their operational integrity through EcoVadis' third-party certification. Since first reporting to EcoVadis in 2022, Thunes has demonstrated a continued commitment to transparency, accountability, and improvement in its ESG practices. The Bronze Medal reflects the company's commitment to embedding responsible business practices across its global operations while advancing its mission of enabling greater financial inclusion worldwide. Chloe Mayenobe , Deputy CEO of Thunes, said: "As the Smart Superhighway to move money around the world, Thunes is dedicated to driving financial inclusion and operating with the highest levels of integrity. Securing this EcoVadis Bronze Medal is a clear validation of our team's dedication to building a more sustainable and equitable global economy. For us, ESG is an ongoing journey, and we will continue to refine our strategy to ensure our growth creates a positive, lasting impact for our partners, people, and the planet." In addition to the EcoVadis rating, Thunes is a participant of the United Nations Global Compact and is committed to advancing its sustainability performance through evidence-based roadmaps and responsible governance practices. Thunes remains focused on enabling the next billion end users to participate in the global economy while upholding rigorous international sustainability standards. About Thunes: Thunes is the Smart Superhighway to move money around the world. Thunes' proprietary Direct Global Network allows Members to make payments in real-time in over 130 countries and more than 80 currencies. Thunes' Network connects directly to over 7 billion mobile wallets, stablecoin wallets and bank accounts worldwide, as well as 15 billion cards via more than 320 different payment methods, such as GCash, M-Pesa, Airtel, MTN, Orange, JazzCash, Easypaisa, AliPay, WeChat Pay and many more. Thunes' Direct Global Network differentiates itself through its worldwide reach, in-house SmartX Treasury System and Fortress Compliance Platform, ensuring Members of the Network receive unrivaled speed, control, visibility, protection, and cost efficiencies when making real-time payments, globally. Members of Thunes' Direct Global Network include gig economy giants like Uber and Deliveroo, super-apps like Grab and WeChat, MTOs, fintechs, PSPs and banks. Headquartered in Singapore, Thunes has offices in 14 locations, including Atlanta, Barcelona, Beijing, Dubai, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, London, Manila, Nairobi, Paris, Riyadh, San Francisco and Shanghai. For more information, visit: https://www.thunes.com/ :Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2831061/5823288/Thunes_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/thunes-awarded-bronze-medal-by-ecovadis-for-commitment-to-global-sustainability-standards-302697438.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 25, 2026) - Castlebar Capital Corp. (TSXV: CBAR.P) (the "Company" or "Castlebar"), a capital pool company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"), is pleased to announce that it has closed its non-brokered private placement of 1,500,000 common shares (the "Shares") at a price of $0.10 per Common Share for gross proceeds of $150,000 (the "Offering"). Upon close of the Offering, the Company has 5,349,908 Shares issued and outstanding. The net proceeds from the Offering will be used for general working capital purposes. None of the proceeds from the Offering will be used for payments to Non-Arm's Length Parties (as such term is defined by the TSXV under Policy 1.1 - Interpretation). All Shares issued under the Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period under applicable Canadian securities legislation and TSXV policies. No commission or finder's fees were paid in connection with the Offering, and the Offering has not resulted in the creation of a control person. This news release does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to a U.S. Person unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Investors are cautioned that trading in the securities of a CPC should be considered highly speculative. About Castlebar Castlebar is a capital pool company in accordance with Exchange Policy 2.4 and its principal business is the identification and evaluation of assets or businesses with a view to completing a Qualifying Transaction. 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. Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. 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. Castlebar cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Castlebar's control. Such factors include, among other things: the closing of the Offering, the ability to obtain all requisite regulatory approvals including TSXV approval, the use of the proceeds from the Offering, its ability to identify, evaluate and complete a Qualifying Transaction and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's public filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available under its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285405 Source: Castlebar Capital Corp. Summary: Rebecca Haddock's newly released book, "Stick with Success: Equine Functional Taping Made Simple," has achieved #1 rankings on Amazon across multiple equine health and medicine categories, expanding Haddock's leadership in the equine functional taping field. DeFuniak Springs, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - February 25, 2026) - Rebecca Haddock, founder of EquiTecs and the original developer of Equine Functional Taping (EFT), has achieved remarkable success with her book, Stick with Success: Equine Functional Taping Made Simple, which secured the #1 spot on Amazon shortly after its release. The book ranked #1 in Equine Health in the Kindle Store and Books, #1 Best Seller in Equine Medicine, and #1 New Release in Equine Medicine, indicating a strong debut. Released on January 9, 2026, Stick with Success is a practical guide for horse owners, trainers, caretakers, and equine health professionals who want effective ways to support equine comfort and recovery. The book introduces readers to equine functional taping, a method developed by Haddock herself. This unique method addresses dysfunctions, injuries, and performance challenges while aligning with the horse's natural biomechanics. Stick with Success is written as a hands-on resource. Unlike traditional theory-based manuals, it offers step-by-step taping instructions that are easy to follow, even for beginners. Haddock provides clear diagrams and illustrations to guide readers through applications for prevention, rehabilitation, and performance support. The book also includes real-life case stories based on the author's years of experience in barns, laboratories, and clinical environments. The book also presents a holistic philosophy of equine care. Haddock emphasizes understanding how horses move, compensate, and communicate discomfort, encouraging readers to develop a more intuitive connection with their horses while using taping as a supportive tool. Equine functional taping is becoming popular worldwide. EFT is now used by horse owners and professionals in more than 26 countries and is one of the fastest-growing modalities in modern horse care. Through EquiTecs, the Equine Technologies Institute she founded, Haddock has expanded access to education, certification programs, taping tools, and advanced learning systems. These include her proprietary OIO (Observe Interpret Optimize) biomechanics taping modality, which focuses on identifying and addressing movement dysfunction at its source. EquiTecs also offers textbooks, application libraries, starter kits, and signature taping bundles that support both professionals and horse owners. Stick with Success is a single, accessible resource from this rich pool of knowledge. It is ideal for readers who want practical guidance, and for professionals who want a better understanding of equine movement and care. With its growing readership, Stick with Success has become a significant reference for modern equine health. The book is available in Kindle Edition and Print Replica format on Amazon. About the Author Rebecca Haddock has devoted her life to horses and to improving how they are cared for. After identifying gaps in traditional equine care, she developed the original Equine Functional Taping method and built globally recognized education and certification programs. As the founder of EquiTecs, she leads research-driven initiatives that support horse owners, veterinarians, and practitioners across disciplines. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/283314 Source: Avazona Ltd. Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 25, 2026) - Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Inc. (TSXV: DWS) ("Diamond Estates" or the "Company") today announced its financial results and position for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2025 ("Q3 2026"). Q3 2026 Summary Revenue for Q3 2026 was $8.2 million, an increase of $1.8 million from $6.4 million in Q3 2025. The Winery division experienced an increase in sales of $1.9 million driven by continued growth in grocery, convenience and big-box channels, as well as enhancements to the VQA Support Program. The Agency division experienced a decrease of $0.1 million, primarily driven by consignment sales. Gross margin for Q3 2026 was $4.9 million, an increase of $1.2 million, from $3.7 million in Q3 2025. Gross margin as a percentage of revenue grew to 59.8% compared to 57.5% in the prior year, driven primarily by improved Winery division performance and government support programs. Q3 2026 did not include any Wine Sector Support Program rebates. Q3 2025 included $0.6 million of rebates received in that year, affecting the comparability of gross margins in Q3 2026 on a year-over-year basis due to timing. SG&A expenses increased by $1.2 million to $4.3 million in Q3 2026 from $3.1 million in Q3 2025, primarily due to VQA support payments to Generations related to the D'Ont Poke the Bear licensing agreement (50% of VQA rebates payable through May 2029; recorded as commission expense), in addition to higher advertising, promotional, and compliance costs. Adjusted EBITDA increased by $0.1 million to $0.7 million in Q3 2026 from $0.6 million in Q3 2025, reflecting improved Winery margins partially offset by higher SG&A. This improvement was achieved despite the prior year Wine Sector Support Program payment recognized in Q3 2025. EBITDA decreased by $0.7 million to $0.7 million in Q3 2026 from $1.4 million in Q3 2025, driven by Perigon contingent consideration, share-based compensation, compliance-related expenditures, as well as the timing of Wine Sector Support Program payments of $0.6 million as noted in Adjusted EBITDA above. Net income decreased from $0.5 million in Q3 2025 to a net loss of $0.1 million in Q3 2026, primarily due to the same non-operational and one-time items impacting EBITDA. On a year-to-date basis, the Company generated $2.3 million of cash from operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital in 2025, compared to an outflow of $0.1 million in the prior year period. After incorporating changes in working capital, cash generated from operating activities was $3.9 million in 2025, versus an outflow of $0.1 million in the prior year period. Closure of Regulatory Compliance Review In Q1 2026, the Company identified an internal practice involving the submission of purchase orders and corresponding invoices to its provincial wholesaler of record under customer names that had not initiated the orders. The matter was voluntarily disclosed, and a Compliance Committee was formed to oversee a comprehensive internal review. Following this process, in December 2025, the matter was resolved to the satisfaction of the provincial wholesaler of record at nominal financial cost to the Company. While the resolution cost was nominal, the Company incurred approximately $0.1 million in legal and audit-related professional fees in Q3 2026 and $0.4 million year-to-date through Q3 2026 in connection with the review process. Management has implemented enhanced internal controls, governance processes, and compliance oversight measures to further strengthen its regulatory framework going forward. President's Message "I am very pleased with the continued improvement in our business, highlighted by strong revenue growth, industry-leading gross margins, increasing share at Ontario retail stores, and innovative marketing initiatives. Additionally, strengthened cash generation has continued to allow us to right size our balance sheet and positions us well for future investment opportunities. The recently completed 2025 harvest was one of the largest in our history. In partnership with our grower community, we took in more than twice the volume of grapes compared to 2024. We also brought in our largest ice-wine harvest in recent years, creating exciting opportunities to further expand our profitable ice-wine sales. Our leadership team is in the final stages of developing our next three-year strategic plan. I am confident in both the choices we are making today and the strong foundation we have built for continued growth and strengthening of our business. The Ontario VQA wine industry is one of the most vibrant wine businesses in the world right now. While some of the recent momentum reflects the impact of trade tensions, our company is significantly outperforming the Ontario retail channel that has grown more than 50% over the past twelve months. It is also clear that consumers are increasingly choosing to support Canadian-made products during this period of global change. In doing so, many are discovering that there is no compromise in taste or value when choosing a Canadian VQA wine-while the added benefit of supporting our domestic economy is truly the 'cherry on top.'" About Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Inc. Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Inc. is a producer of high-quality wines and ciders as well as a sales agent for over 120 beverage alcohol brands across Canada. The Company operates four facilities, three in Ontario and one in British Columbia, that produce predominantly VQA wines under such well-known brand names as 20 Bees, Creekside, D'Ont Poke the Bear, EastDell, Lakeview Cellars, Mindful, Shiny Apple Cider, Fresh Wines, Red Tractor, Seasons, Serenity and Backyard Vineyards. Through its commercial division, Trajectory Beverage Partners, the Company serves as the sales agent for a wide range of leading international beverage brands. Wine Portfolio: Trajectory represents renowned wine brands, including Fat Bastard and Gabriel Meffre from France; Kaiken from Argentina; Kings of Prohibition from Australia; Yealands, Kono, Tohu, and Joiy Sparkling Wine from New Zealand; Talamonti and Cielo from Italy; Porta 6, Julia Florista, Boas Quintas, Catedral, and Cabeca de Toiro from Portugal; as well as C.K Mondavi & Family, Charles Krug, Line 39, Harken, FitVine, and Rabble from California. Trajectory also represents a broad portfolio of wines sold exclusively to restaurants, bars and private consumers. Spirits Portfolio: The Company also represents distinguished spirit brands such as Cofradia Tequila and Hussong's Tequila from Mexico; Islay Mist and Waterproof blended Scotch whiskies from Scotland; Glen Breton Canadian whiskies from Nova Scotia; Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur and Broker's Gin from the UK; Tequila Rose Strawberry Cream, 360 Vodka, and Holladay Bourbon from the USA; Giffard Liqueurs from France; and Becherovka from the Czech Republic. Beer, Cider, and RTD Portfolio: In the beer, cider, and ready-to-drink (RTD) categories, Trajectory represents Darling Mimosas from Ontario; Warsteiner and Konig Ludwig from Germany. The Company's mission is to build lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with channel partners, growers, suppliers and employees. To meet this goal, the Company is undertaking significant investments in winemaking, brand marketing, sales programming, performance management and back-office infrastructure, including information systems which will support growth in an efficient, profitable manner. Based on its analysis of the market, the Company believes that the growth prospects for the domestic and import beverage alcohol markets in Canada are positive. The Company continues to be a participant in the export market and has expanded its focus beyond China in the effort to be less reliant on that one marketplace. Canadian wines and particularly Icewine enjoy a premium product positioning with international consumers. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "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 involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Inc. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to: the economy generally; consumer interest in the services and products of the Company; financing; competition; and anticipated and unanticipated costs. While the Company acknowledges that subsequent events and developments may cause its views to change, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the views of the Company as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Non IFRS Financial Measure - Note Management uses net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) as presented in the unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) as well as "gross margin", "EBITDA" and "Adjusted EBITDA" as a measure to assess performance of the Company. The Company defines "gross margin" as gross profit excluding depreciation. EBITDA and "Adjusted EBITDA" are other financial measures and are reconciled to net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) below under "Results of Operations". EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are supplemental financial measures to further assist readers in assessing the Company's ability to generate income from operations before considering the Company's financing decisions, depreciation of property, plant and equipment and amortization of intangible assets. EBITDA comprises gross margin less operating costs before financial expenses, depreciation and amortization, non-cash expenses such as share-based compensation, one-time and other unusual items, and income tax. Adjusted EBITDA comprises EBITDA before non- recurring expenses including cost of sales adjustments related to inventory acquired in business combinations, EWG transaction costs expensed, cost of sales adjustment to fixed production overheads, and other non-recurring adjustments included in the calculation of EBITDA. Gross margin is defined as gross profit excluding depreciation on property, plant and equipment used in production. Operating expenses exclude interest, depreciation on property, plant and equipment used in selling and administration, and amortization of intangible assets. EBITDA does not represent the actual cash provided by the operating activities nor is it a recognized measure of financial performance under IFRS. Readers are cautioned that this measure should not be considered as a replacement for those as per the consolidated financial statements prepared under IFRS. The Company's definitions of this non- IFRS financial measure may differ from those used by other companies. For more information, please contact: 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/285422 Source: Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Inc. CGTN published an article on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's official visit to China from February 25 to 26. The article highlights the significance of the visit and analyzes - from economic and political perspectives - how China and Germany have written a successful story of win-win cooperation, and how their partnership injects stability into China-Europe relations and global governance. BEIJING, Feb. 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- German automaker BMW announced plans in April 2025 to start integrating artificial intelligence (AI) technology from Chinese tech startup DeepSeek into its newest cars in China later in the year. Prior to that, BMW had signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Alibaba on AI large language models. BMW is among the delegation of about 30 senior executives from companies that form Germany's industrial backbone accompanying German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is paying an official visit to China from February 25 to 26. Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Merz in Beijing on Wednesday, with both leaders vowing to strengthen coordination and cooperation. 'A success story of mutual benefit' The greater changes and turbulence the world faces, the more important it is for the two countries to enhance strategic communication, strengthen strategic mutual trust and work for new progress in China-Germany all-around strategic partnership, Xi said during the meeting. China and Germany have pursued self-reliance and realized rapid development. Both have upheld mutual respect, mutual trust and open cooperation, and together written a success story of mutual benefit, Xi noted. In recent years, annual trade between China and Germany has remained above $200 billion, with bilateral investment stocks exceeding $65 billion, each accounting for nearly a quarter of China's overall engagement with the European Union. Last year, bilateral trade between China and Germany reached $292?billion, up 2.1 percent year on year. China became Germany's largest trading partner. The German business community attaches great importance to the Chinese market and hopes to further deepen cooperation with China to achieve mutual benefit and common development, said Merz. Injecting stability into China-EU ties, global governance Amid intertwined global risks and challenges, the stable development of China-Germany relations not only serves the bilateral interests of the two countries, but also carries broader regional and global significance. As the world's second- and third-largest economies, Xi called on the two countries to uphold the central role of the United Nations, reaffirm its leading role, and take the lead in safeguarding multilateralism, practicing international rule of law, defending free trade, and advocating for solidarity and coordination. Calling for strengthened coordination and continued free trade with China, Merz said developing a reliable and lasting economic and trade cooperation relationship between the EU and China is in the interests of both sides and is also conducive to global stability and prosperity. The shared interests between China and Germany far outweigh their differences, and the scope for cooperation far exceeds competitive tensions, said Jiang Feng, a research professor at Shanghai Academy of Global Government and Area Studies. "This visit by Chancellor Merz to China could bring much-needed predictability and stability to a fragmented world and enable both countries to play their strategic roles in global governance," Jiang said. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-02-25/Merz-s-China-visit-boosts-China-Germany-China-Europe-ties-1L3Bn4LgC0U/p.html Contact: Jiang Simin jiang.simin@cgtn.com Baar, Switzerland--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR MEDIA RELEASE Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR Full-Year 2025 Results Download Press Release Download Photo Sven Luginbuehl Resilient Performance with Strong Profit Gains in Challenging Markets FULL-YEAR 2025 HIGHLIGHTS Revenue at CHF 448m, -4.8% FX org. adj. (-7.4% nominal); growth in Dental, Surgery and Industry offset by softer demand in Beauty and impact of customer dual sourcing in Drug Delivery Adj. EBITDA margin at 20.0% (+90bps YoY), on higher Dental volume, significantly higher gross margin and lower OPEX Net income at CHF 7.0m from CHF -6.4m in 2024 Lower Operating Net Cash Flow (ONCF) at CHF 40.3m after elevated 2024 On track with Growth and Efficiency program: 2024/2025 CHF 22.6m savings impact and already CHF 4.3m secured for 2026 Sven Luginbuhl appointed as new CFO; Jennifer Dean to lead Beauty business unit Dividend of CHF 0.10 per share proposed 2026 guidance: flat to low single digit organic revenue growth, adjusted EBITDA margin of around 20% Confirmed mid-term revenue CAGR of above 4%, increased adj. EBITDA margin of above 21% CEO Rene Willi said: "In 2025, medmix demonstrated resilience, discipline, and focused execution amid global uncertainty. We have significantly improved our margin and profitability despite lower revenues. We are on track with our strategy to pivot to healthcare with strong progress in developing our capabilities in Atlanta for Surgery as well as Drug Delivery and further strengthening our leading position in Dental. Our Growth and Efficiency program is delivering results faster than expected, with material margin accretion in C&I. The Board will propose a dividend of CHF 0.10 at the AGM. This capital allocation approach best serves shareholders at this stage of the company's development." Key figures millions of CHF 2025 +/-% change +/- organic2) 2024 Dental 120.1 3.9% +5.9% 115.6 Drug Delivery 34.2 -21.2% -19.6% 43.4 Surgery 17.3 -2.5% +0.4% 17.7 Total revenue Healthcare (HC) 1) 171.6 -2.9% -1.0% 176.7 Industry 124.3 -1.8% +1.4% 126.6 Beauty 152.1 -15.8% -12.9% 180.6 Total revenue Consumer & Industrial (C&I) 1) 276.5 -10.0% -7.0% 307.2 Total Revenue 448.0 -7.4% -4.8% 483.9 1) Revenue from external customers. 2) Adjusted for acquisition and currency effects. millions of CHF 2025 % of revenue +/-% change 2024 % of revenue Adjusted EBITDA 89.7 20.0% -3.1% 92.5 19.1% Net income 7.0 1.6% n/a -6.4 -1.3% Operating net cash flow (ONCF) 40.3 -33.9% 61.0 GROUP REVIEW In 2025 medmix generated revenues of CHF 448.0 million, down 4.8% year-on-year, in line with our revised guidance. Negative foreign exchange rate effects of 2.6% resulted in a nominal growth of -7.4%. Sequentially (second half of 2025 versus first half of 2025), revenues increased by 0.1%. Healthcare segment revenue of CHF 171.6 million declined 1.0%. Foreign exchange effects of -1.9% resulted in a nominal growth of -2.9%. The Dental business unit delivered revenue of CHF 120.1 million, with above-market revenue growth of 5.9% year-on-year. It grew 2.3% sequentially. Drug Delivery business unit revenue of CHF 34.2 million declined 19.6% year-on-year mainly due to the previously communicated dual sourcing of one customer. In addition, 2024 included non-repeat project milestones due to close-out of a customer project. Surgery business unit revenue of CHF 17.3 million represented an increase of 0.4% year-on-year. Sequentially, the business unit grew 11.9% in the second half of 2025. Consumer & Industrial segment generated revenues of CHF 276.5 million, declining 7.0% year-on-year. Foreign exchange effects of -3.0% resulted in a nominal growth of -10.0%. Industry business unit revenue of CHF 124.3 million grew 1.4% despite softness in end markets. Second half year-on-year revenue grew 4.2% despite tariff uncertainty. Beauty business unit delivered revenues of CHF 152.1 million, down 12.9% year-on-year, reflecting weakness in end markets for our business, leading to project delays and lower commercial activity. Gross profit, gross profit margin Gross profit grew by 310 basis points to CHF 161.9 million, delivering a strong gross profit margin of 36.1% despite a decline in group revenues. This increase was driven by an improved product mix due to a higher share of Dental revenue at higher than group average margins as well as efficiency improvements and cost-out achievements through our Growth & Efficiency program. Healthcare generated a gross profit of CHF 88.9 million, delivering a gross profit margin of 51.8% representing an increase of 100bps year-on-year. This positive impact was driven by an improved mix thanks to a higher share of Dental revenues. This growth was partly offset by the Drug Delivery business unit as it remains in ramp-up mode. Gross profit margins in the Surgery business unit remained stable. Consumer & Industrial delivered a gross profit of CHF 74.2 million and gross profit margin of 26.9%, representing an increase of 360bps year-on-year, driven by operational efficiencies and cost out achievements from our Growth & Efficiency program, driving margin expansion across both Industry and Beauty business units. Adjusted EBITDA Group adjusted EBITDA was CHF 89.7 million, resulting in an adjusted EBITDA margin of 20.0%, an increase of 90bps year-on-year and exceeding our guidance of 18% - 19%. Upsides in margin and OPEX from our Growth & Efficiency program, improved mix and the positive one-off impact of the end of GEKA intangibles amortization more than compensated for the impact of lower revenues. Net income Net income increased to CHF 7.0 million from CHF -6.4 million in the prior period, primarily driven by higher gross profit and reductions in selling and administrative expenses, lower amortization in research and development, lower other operating expenses, and an impairment of associates in 2024. Operating Net Cash Flow (ONCF) Operating net cash flow (ONCF) decreased to CHF 40.3 million in 2025 (2024: CHF 61.0 million), mainly reflecting the lower operating cash flow, and the high comparable as the prior year benefited from early customer payments. SVEN LUGINGBUHL APPOINTED AS NEW CFO The Board of Directors unanimously elected Sven Luginbuhl as the new Chief Financial Officer of medmix and member of the Executive Committee. Since 2022, Sven has served as Deputy Group CFO at medmix, bringing extensive business expertise and deep financial knowledge to his new role. He played a central role in establishing and leading the company's core finance functions. He also served as Secretary to the Board's Audit Committee. Jennifer Dean, who has served as medmix' CFO since the IPO in 2021, will take over leadership of our Beauty business unit focusing on profitable growth. Drawing on her many successful years as medmix CFO, Jennifer brings deep insight into the beauty business and has played a key role in maintaining and enhancing profitability in the last years. GROWTH & EFFICIENCY PROGRAM Our Growth and Efficiency program, which we launched in 2024, aims at enhancing growth by re-allocating resources to our strategic priorities and improving our performance through targeted cost reductions. We increased our initial cost saving target of CHF 30m by CHF 3m to mitigate the Beauty revenue decline and are on track to deliver. In 2024 and 2025, we have taken out a total of CHF 22.6m in costs. We are continuing to invest in our sales organization and in R&D, which will ensure we accelerate growth in both our segments. DIVIDEND The Board of Directors proposes to adjust the dividend to CHF 0.10 per share for 2025 at the Annual General Meeting on April 16, 2026. This reflects our capital allocation principles, which prioritize a strengthening of the balance sheet and investing in medmix' strategic initiatives. Going forward, medmix will adopt a performance-driven dividend policy, based on consolidated net income attributable to shareholders. A minimum of 40% of earnings per share will be distributed, with a higher payout ratio when performance and liquidity permit. We are convinced that this approach, at this stage of the company's development, will generate superior and more sustainable value for our shareholders. OUTLOOK Looking ahead, the economic landscape remains challenging, with continued geopolitical uncertainty and structural shifts in global trade. For 2026 we expect flat to low single digit organic revenue growth and an adjusted EBITDA margin of around 20%. Our midterm revenue CAGR remains unchanged at above 4%, and we are increasing our adj. EBITDA margin guidance to above 21% (previously above 20%). Key Figures millions of CHF 2025 % of revenue +/-% change 2024 % of revenue Revenue 448.0 100.0% -7.4% 483.9 100.0% Organic revenue growth 1) -4.8% Gross profit 161.9 36.1% +1.4% 159.7 33.0% Operating income (EBIT) 22.8 5.1% 76.7% 12.9 2.7% EBITDA 78.3 17.5% +5.1% 74.5 15.4% Adjusted EBITDA 89.7 20.0% -3.1% 92.5 19.1% Net income 7.0 1.6% n/a -6.4 -1.3% Free cash flow (FCF) 27.1 -31.7% 39.6 Operating net cash flow (ONCF) 40.3 -33.9% 61.0 Capital expenditure, net (capex, net) 41.7 -5.9% 44.3 Net debt as of December 31 216.5 +5.4% 205.3 Net debt adjusted EBITDA ratio as of December 31 2.41 +8.7% 2.22 Employees (number of full-time equivalent) as of December 31 2'574 -4.1% 2'684 1) Unless otherwise indicated, changes from the previous year are based on nominal figures and revenue changes are based on FX-adjusted figures. The medmix full-year report is available to download here: https://report.medmix.swiss/ar25/. Full-year 2025 results presentation Webcast participation medmix management will present the full-year results 2025 as a webcast on February 26, 2026, at 08:30 CET . A webcast invitation was sent to medmix news subscribers in early February. If you have not received it and wish to participate, please click here to pre-register by 07:30 CET latest to receive the link to the webcast and dedicated dial-in details. Webcast playback The playback of the webcast will be available shortly after the event under the same link. Key dates in 2026 April 16, 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) July 23, 2026 Half-year results 2026 About medmix medmix is a global leader in high-precision delivery devices, with leading positions in healthcare, consumer and industrial end-markets. Our customers benefit from our dedication to innovation and technological advancement that has resulted in over 900 active patents. Our 14 production sites worldwide together with our highly motivated and experienced team of nearly 2'700 employees are at service of our customers with uncompromising quality, proximity and agility. medmix is headquartered in Baar, Switzerland. Our shares are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: MEDX). www.medmix.swiss Disclaimer This document may contain forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, projections of financial developments, market activity, or future performance of products and solutions containing risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to change based on known or unknown risks and various other factors that could cause actual results or performance to differ materially from the statements made herein. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285435 Source: medmix AG INNIO Group, a leading energy solution and service provider, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement with Enerflex Ltd. (TSX: EFX) (NYSE: EFXT) to acquire their aftermarket business operations in Australia, Thailand and Indonesia. The transaction advances INNIO's strategy to strengthen its presence in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region and enhance customer proximity. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Closing is expected during the second half of 2026. The Enerflex APAC aftermarket business operates principally in three countries and eight locations. The company offers extensive workshop and office space, as well as a strong installed base. This base is supported by long-term service agreements with major oil and gas companies. Dr. Dennis Schulze, CFO of INNIO Group, commented: "By integrating Enerflex's expertise in the APAC region, we strengthen our service portfolio, deliver greater customer value, and accelerate growth in APAC. Enerflex has been a valued and long-standing partner of INNIO, and we look forward to building on this partnership in the future." This acquisition will allow INNIO to complement its portfolio in APAC and reinforce its commitment to customer-centric solutions. It also provides a solid platform for future growth in the region, building on INNIO's acquisition of Souer in Thailand in 2024. INNIO Group's Waukesha engines provide reliable and compliant energy solutions for distributed gas compression and power generation applications. The brand's rich and lean-burn engines, ranging from 200 kW 3.7 MW, set an industry standard for low emissions, high reliability, and fuel flexibility. About INNIO Group INNIO Group is a leading energy solution and service provider that empowers industries and communities to make sustainable energy work today. With its Jenbacher and Waukesha product brands and its AI-powered myplant digital platform, INNIO Group offers innovative solutions for data center power infrastructure, distributed power generation, and compression applications. With its flexible, scalable, and resilient energy solutions and services, INNIO Group enables its customers to drive the energy transition across the energy value chain and ensures reliable energy supply even where the grid is not available. For more information, visit INNIO Group's website at innio.com. Follow INNIO Group on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260225464035/en/ Contacts: For further information please contact: Alexander Becker INNIO Group +43 664 80833 1998 alexander.becker@innio.com KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- To improve access to Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) services in Malaysia and emerging markets in the broader ASEAN region and beyond, the World Bank Group, through its private sector arm the International Finance Corporation ("IFC"), has announced an equity investment in Zetrix AI Berhad ("Zetrix AI"). IFC's RM155.6 million (or USD40 million) investment will support the development and rollout of new, blockchain-based DPI applications and artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled products that aim to improve digital inclusion, access to services, and economic efficiency in Malaysia and the broader ASEAN region. In Malaysia, these new services would integrate with the country's digital ecosystem through MyDigital ID, the country's digital identity system, and the Malaysia Blockchain Infrastructure (MBI), the country's national blockchain service network. Zetrix AI's DPI applications and products aim to make a range of services more efficient, secure, and cost-effective, including the verification of digital IDs through to the digitalization of international trade and the tokenization of real-world assets, among others. The investment will also support Zetrix AI's expansion of its DPI services into emerging markets in ASEAN and the rest of the world. "This investment reflects IFC's commitment to advancing Malaysia's digital transformation agenda, in line with the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan, 2026-2030," said Judith Green, World Bank Group Country Manager for Malaysia. "The development of Digital Public Infrastructure services is essential to improving public service delivery, strengthening economic competitiveness, and ensuring that growth is inclusive and sustainable. "Investments like this allow us to scale innovative digital solutions and support the creation of resilient, secure and interoperable systems that expand access to services and opportunities for both people and businesses in Malaysia and emerging markets in the broader ASEAN region and beyond." "From digital IDs to digitised customs clearance processing to large language models and stablecoins, the real-world cross-border use cases in blockchain and AI that we are deploying are aimed at catalysing disruptive transformation across ASEAN and enabling deeper socio-economic integration in the region," said TS Wong, Group Managing Director of Zetrix AI. "With the participation and market access from IFC, we will accelerate our global expansion plans." About IFC IFC - a member of the World Bank Group - is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org. About Zetrix AI Berhad Zetrix AI Berhad ("Zetrix AI"), formerly known as MY E.G. Services Berhad, is leading the way in the deployment of blockchain technology and artificial intelligence in powering the public and private sectors across ASEAN. Headquartered in Malaysia, Zetrix AI started operations in 2000 as a pioneer in the provision of electronic government services and complementary commercial offerings in its home country. Today, it has advanced to the forefront of technology transformation in the broader region, leveraging its Layer-1 blockchain platform Zetrix and embracing the convergence of Web3, AI and robotics to enable optimally-efficient, intelligent and secure cross-border transactions, digital identity interoperability and automation solutions that seamlessly connect people, businesses and governments. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2920086/Press_Release_Intl___World_Bank_Group_IFC_and_Zetrix_AI.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2163610/ZETRIX_Hires_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/world-bank-groups-ifc-invests-in-malaysias-zetrix-ai-to-improve-access-to-digital-public-infrastructure-services-302697939.html New joiners bring decades of experience from Reuters, Bloomberg, CoinDesk, Cointelegraph and Forbes to elevate crypto news standards GENEVA, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sandmark, the new media outlet intent on setting a new standard in covering digital assets, today announced the addition of three accomplished journalists to its rapidly growing ranks. Stuart Clelland, Ana Paula Pereira and Parikshit Mishra join the team headed by Editor-in-Chief Giles Broom who is building one of the industry's most experienced and credentialed newsrooms. "We are actively recruiting talent to support Sandmark's mission to deliver serious, credible market journalism and analysis as an independent media platform," said Broom. "We deliver financial information to investors and aspire to set a new standard for journalistic excellence in digital asset coverage." Elite Credentials and Deep Expertise Stuart Clelland joins as Senior Editor, bringing more than 15 years of experience in major news outlets, such as Cointelegraph and Bloomberg, and leading high-impact editorial teams. He specializes in deconstructing complex market narratives and identifying the signal amidst the noise of the digital asset industry. Ana Paula Pereira starts as Americas News Editor, following her tenure at Cointelegraph, as the US Editor, and as an editor at Forbes Brazil covering financial markets. Ana has considerable experience covering the intersection of finance, markets and digital assets. Parikshit Mishra joins Sandmark as South Asia Editor. He recently held the role of Head of Asia at CoinDesk, where he managed the outlet's regional editorial operations and with Reuters as an editor and correspondent. A seasoned financial editor and journalist, he specializes in crypto policy, company news and tech. Addressing a Critical Gap in Crypto Coverage Broom, a former Bloomberg journalist who has more than 20 years of experience in financial media and corporate communications, is actively recruiting for reporters to break news about crypto markets. At a recent industry event in London, Broom highlighted the gap in mainstream crypto coverage: "We might wait light years for the mainstream media to focus in an open-minded way on understanding crypto's utility and the investment case, even for the major coins," Broom said. " We have an opportunity to improve the quality of information in circulation on this topic." The appointments of Clelland, Pereira and Mishra demonstrate Sandmark's commitment to addressing the gaps in crypto coverage and position the platform to deliver comprehensive, multi-continental coverage at a time when interest in cryptocurrency markets continues to grow. Vacant positions are detailed on the careers section of the website. About Sandmark Sandmark is an independent media platform providing serious, credible crypto market news and analysis. The Sandmark Team is comprised of 15+ global employees, including journalists, researchers, and data analysts that are united in the mission to deliver clear, credible, and context-rich reporting. For more information, visit www.sandmark.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2920288/Sandmark_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/three-elite-crypto-journalists-strengthen-sandmark-global-editorial-team-302697467.html Bracco to unveil its integrated MRI portfolio at the booth, alongside immersive experiences, scientific symposiums, and advances across MRI, CEUS, and AI in collaboration with the European Society of Radiology MILAN, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bracco Imaging S.p.A., a global leader in diagnostic imaging, today announced its participation at the 2026 European Congress of Radiology (ECR), taking place in Vienna from March 4-8, 2026. At ECR 2026, Bracco will highlight its role as a trusted partner for radiologists by showcasing an integrated approach across Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS), Computed Tomography (CT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI), spanning contrast media, injectors, medical devices, and software solutions designed to support evolving clinical needs and advance the future of diagnostic imaging. Bracco's activities build on "Rays of Knowledge," the theme launched by the European Society of Radiology (ESR), reinforcing a shared commitment to advancing radiology through scientific exchange, collaboration, and responsible innovation. In response to the campaign, Bracco curated an immersive booth experience that brings learning, dialogue, and technological progress together, inviting the global radiology community to engage across dedicated spaces designed to foster knowledge exchange and illuminate new possibilities for medical imaging. "At ECR 2026, Bracco is proud to bring our vision of shaping the future of diagnostic imaging to life through continuous innovation," said Fulvio Renoldi Bracco, CEO of Bracco Imaging. "By working closely with the radiology community and investing in advanced technologies, education, and sustainable solutions, we are committed to supporting radiologists in delivering high-quality patient care today, while helping build a more responsible and resilient healthcare system for the future." "Under its theme 'Rays of Knowledge,' ECR 2026 highlights the power of education, scientific exchange and responsible innovation in shaping the future of radiology," said Minerva Becker, ECR 2026 Congress President. "Bracco's integrated approach across imaging modalities, combined with its strong commitment to mentorship and young radiologists, reflects the kind of partnership that strengthens our specialty. Collaborations such as this help ensure that innovation remains closely aligned with patient care and the evolving needs of our community." MRI Unveiling at the Bracco Booth A central highlight of Bracco's participation will be the MRI unveiling on March 5, 2026, hosted at the Bracco booth. The 30-minute activation will showcase how Bracco delivers an integrated MRI portfolio that brings together contrast agents, injectors, and AI technologies, while offering attendees direct insight into real-world clinical applications. The unveiling will feature presentations from three internationally recognized experts. Prof. Daniela Bernardi, Chief of the Clinical and Screening Breast Imaging Unit at IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital in Milan, will address advances in breast imaging. Prof. Andrea Rossi, President of the European Society of Neuroradiology and Director of the Neuroradiology Unit at the Giannina Gaslini Institute in Genoa, will share perspectives on the use of gadopiclenol in pediatric neuroradiology. Bronwyn E. Hamilton, MD, Professor of Radiology at Oregon Health & Science University, will present real-world experience with AiMIFY in brain MRI. Together, the session will set the stage for a closer look at the solutions featured in the booth. Advancing Education and Supporting the Next Generation In collaboration with the ESR, Bracco will host a comprehensive educational program at ECR 2026, including three expert-led scientific symposiums and a dedicated educational event for young radiologists developed with the ESR Young Club. This initiative reflects Bracco's long-standing commitment to education and mentorship, with an emphasis on supporting the next generation of radiologists as they shape the future of the profession. Highlights at ECR 2026 include: AI Advances Across Contrast-enhanced MR & CT Imaging - March 5, 10:00 - 11:00 CET (Room E2, Level 0) - March 5, 10:00 - 11:00 CET (Room E2, Level 0) Advancing Diagnostic MRI: high relaxivity gadopiclenol and the potential of artificial intelligence (AiMIFY ) in routine practice - March 5, 13:00 - 14:00 CET (Room E2, Level 0) - March 5, 13:00 - 14:00 CET (Room E2, Level 0) Advancing CEUS in Radiology: Clinical Innovations, Faster Pathways, Higher Efficiency - March 5, 14:30 - 15:30 CET (Room G2, Level -2) - March 5, 14:30 - 15:30 CET (Room G2, Level -2) Contrast Management Without Fear: Myth vs Reality - March 6, 10:00 - 11:00 CET (Room E2, Level 0) - March 6, 10:00 - 11:00 CET (Room E2, Level 0) Seeing the Whole Picture: Multimodal Imaging of Incidental Liver Lesions - March 6, 12:30 - 13:30 CET (Room N, Level 1) - March 6, 12:30 - 13:30 CET (Room N, Level 1) ESOR AIM China - Advanced Imaging Mentorship Programme - March 4, 11:30 - 12:30 CET (Room E2, Level 0) - March 4, 11:30 - 12:30 CET (Room E2, Level 0) Bracco and EuSoMII Together at ECR - Hands on Challenge on Agentic AI - March 4, 13:40 - 16:00 CET (Room 3, ACV Level -2) - March 4, 13:40 - 16:00 CET (Room 3, ACV Level -2) Bracco and ESR: Young Clubs Shining in the Rays of Knowledge - March 6, 16:00 - 18:00 CET (Room E2, Foyer, Level 0) Click here for additional information on the Bracco program at ECR 2026. Visit Bracco booth: Level 0 - Foyer E - Room E1 About Bracco Imaging Bracco Imaging is a global leader in diagnostic imaging, dedicated to improving people's lives by shaping the future of prevention and precision medicine. With a strong passion for innovation, the company develops and provides a broad portfolio of pharmaceutical products for diagnostic imaging: contrast agents for X-ray, Computed Tomography (CT), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), as well microbubbles for Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS), and Molecular Imaging through radioactive tracers and novel PET imaging agents, alongside specialized medical devices and related services. The company is committed to advancing radiology by sharing knowledge to cultivate future thought leaders, linking today's practice with tomorrow's progress. Since 1927, Bracco Imaging has grown to more than 3,800 employees and now supports patients and radiology professionals in over 100 countries. Discover Bracco Imaging at www.bracco.com. About the European Congress of Radiology The ECR is the annual meeting of the European Society of Radiology (ESR), which represents more than 149,000 members from 188 countries worldwide. The ECR is one of the largest medical congresses in the world, attracting thousands of congress participants each year. With hundreds of companies showcasing their products at its technical exhibition, it is also one of the largest medical exhibitions in Europe. Media Contact: Bracco Press Contact: Carolina Bargoni Bracco Imaging, Communications Director Carolina.bargoni@bracco.com European Society of Radiology Contact: David Zizka ESR Director of Communications David.Zizka@myesr.org Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2712101/Bracco_Logo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2623483/ESR_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bracco-and-the-european-society-of-radiology-empower-the-future-of-radiology-at-ecr-2026-302697797.html Conroy Gold & Natural Resources Plc - Company Update PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, February 26 26 February 2026 Conroy Gold and Natural Resources plc ("Conroy Gold" or "the Company") Company Update Drilling programme continuing at Clontibret with three rigs on site Company at exploratory stage of considering a dual listing on the TSX-Venture Exchange Ahead of the PDAC annual meeting in Toronto (March 1-4) where the Company expects to meet with prospective partners (both strategic & financial), industry stakeholders, and individual shareholders, the Company provides the following operational and corporate updates: Operational Update In respect to the work programme outlined in the announcement of 15 December 2025, the drilling of the first two holes (CGC-25-001 & CGC-25-003) has been carried out, and the drill core is in the process of being logged, cut, and sampled. The first samples have been dispatched to the ALS laboratory in Loughrea for assay and the results are awaited. Drill hole CGC-25-001 was stopped due to technical difficulties encountered during a re-entry at a depth of approximately 150m following a change of drill bit. The hole had already reached ca. 415m but had not yet reached its target depth in the stockwork zone. Zones of sulphide mineralization were encountered including at ca. 410m, representing the deepest zones of sulphide mineralisation intersected at Clontibret to date. The intersections confirmed continuity of the model both along strike and at depth: we await the assay results from ALS to confirm gold mineralization within these zones. A new deep hole, CGC25-007, has been permissioned and is being drilled to directly target the stockwork zone informed by the observations in CGC-25-001. The Company secured a third rig earlier this month, so the following three holes are currently underway at Clontibret: 1) CG 2025-007 (500 metres), as described above; 2) CGC-25-002 (340 metres) which targets the antimony zone as outlined in the announcement released on 15 December 2026; and 3) CGC-25-005 (420 metres), which aims to confirm gold mineralization in the northwest corner of the deposit, an area where there has been limited drill activity to date. We expect to complete this round of drilling in Q2 2026, with the analytical and assay results to follow. Corporate Update The Company remains in ongoing discussions with prospective strategic and financial investors on sourcing funding for future rounds of investment in the "Discs of Gold" project. The Board's overriding priority is to protect and enhance value for the Company's current shareholders as it works to advance the "Discs" project towards mine development. The Company completed a non-brokered private placement of c.1.73 million in October 2025 which, as previously announced, had support from long-term value investors in North America. As such, the Board is considering, and has taken initial exploratory steps, to dual list its shares on the TSX-Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") in Canada. A TSX-V listing would offer North American investors a path on the Company's share register and an ability to transact more easily and would enable the Company to potentially access a wider range of investors and different pools of capital outside of the UK. A potential dual listing of the Company's shares on the TSX-V remains at an early, exploratory stage and there can be no guarantee that a dual listing on the TSX-V would proceed nor the timing thereof. The Company will update shareholders once a decision on a dual listing is finalised. About the "Discs of Gold" Project Conroy Gold's "Discs of Gold" project in Ireland is defined by two parallel district scale gold trends, extending over c.95km, which are 100 per cent. held under license by the Company and anchored by the Clontibret gold deposit. The Clontibret target area contains a currently defined JORC (2012) 517Koz gold resource @ 2.0 g/t Au (320Koz Au Indicated and 197Koz Au Inferred (2017)) which remains open in multiple directions. The Company has identified a further seven gold targets in its license area with the Clay Lake and Creenkill gold targets being of particular interest. Gold occurs in multiple styles in the Company's license area, including free gold, refractory gold in arsenopyrite and gold associated with pyrite and antimony (stibnite), suggesting multiple hydrothermal events occurred within the licence area. There are clear geological analogies between the "Discs of Gold" targets and large gold deposits in Southeastern Australia and Atlantic Canada. For further information please contact : Conroy Gold and Natural Resources plc Tel: +353-1-479-6180 John Sherman, Chairman Maureen Jones, Managing Director Allenby Capital Limited (Nomad) Tel: +44-20-3328-5656 Nick Athanas / Nick Harriss Hybridan LLP (Broker) Claire Louise Noyce Lothbury Financial Services Tel: +44-203-764 2341 Tel: +44-20-3290-0707 Michael Padley Hall Communications Tel: +353-1-660-9377 Don Hall Visit the website at: www.conroygold.com Former UK Health Minister Lord Bethell and former Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam, join Pulselight for panel on unlocking NHS efficiency LONDON, Feb. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pulselight, a leading healthcare data analytics provider, will host a senior panel at the Counter Fraud Conference today in the QEII Centre, London. During the live session, Lord James Bethell and Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam* will examine how advanced analytics can reduce NHS waste, inefficiency and duplication, releasing resources back to frontline care. Titled "The Efficiency Drive: How Technology Can Detect and Prevent Systemic Waste in the NHS," the session will explore how waste, duplication, and inefficiency across NHS systems create avoidable costs and operational drag on day-to-day services. Panellists will discuss how AI-powered analytics can surface waste patterns in seconds rather than weeks, enabling teams to shift from retrospective manual review to real-time detection and prevention that directs resources where they matter most. Chaired by Irene Manautou, Founder and CEO of Pulselight, the discussion will draw on the speakers' experience of large-scale public health delivery and national health system leadership. It will focus on what can be done now, using the data the NHS already holds, to improve oversight, improve patient experience and care, and protect public value. Irene Manautou, Founder and CEO at Pulselight, said: "The NHS loses 20 billion annually to waste, duplication, and inefficiency. Recovering even a fraction would make a meaningful difference to the 7.29 million patients on waiting lists and frontline capacity under pressure. "This panel is about practical solutions. The NHS already holds vast amounts of data. Our technology can turn that data into real-time actionable insight that strengthens patient care and protects every pound spent." Lord James Bethell, former Health Minister, said: "The NHS has grown more complex over time, and complexity creates duplication even when everyone is acting in good faith. Technology now gives us the opportunity to improve oversight, reduce unnecessary process and ensure that taxpayer funding delivers measurable value for patients." Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam, former Deputy Chief Medical Officer said: "Digitising records has been only the beginning. The real challenge today is joining data across organisations and turning it into insight that teams can act on quickly. If we can identify patterns of waste, duplication and irregularity earlier, we can strengthen workflows and release resources back into patient care." If you would like to attend the panel, "The Efficiency Drive: How Technology Can Detect and Prevent Systemic Waste in the NHS," at the Counter Fraud Conference, it will be in Wesley, Level 4, from 11:55 AM to 12:40 PM. Full details can be found here. Alternatively, please come and find us at Stand 29 if you would like to hear more about us. *Sir Jonathan Van-Tam is a Board Adviser to Pulselight For further information, please contact: Pulselight (Team@Pulselight.com) Irene Manautou, CEO For Media Enquiries: 5654 & Company (Pulselight@5654.co.uk) Matthew Neal (07917 800 011) Charlotte Dawson (07810 406 284) Notes to editors About Pulselight Pulselight is a data analytics company that detects waste, duplication, and inefficiency across healthcare systems. Already delivering results in the US, clients have identified over 210 million in waste and recovered 130 million. Pulselight's AI-powered platform is able to equip NHS leaders with real-time insights to tackle the 20 billion lost annually, strengthen prevention programmes, address health inequalities, and support the safe shift to community-based care. For more information, please visit: https://www.pulselight.com/ Steyr Motors has announced the acquisition of BUKH, a Denmark-based marine engine specialist, in a strategically clean bolt-on that broadens the offering without diluting Steyr's core identity as a mission-critical propulsion specialist. The transaction is selectively expanding the addressable envelope in the same high reliability, regulated and defence adjacent niches where Steyr's competitive quality is already strongest. In 2025 BUKH is expected to have achieved 10m in sales at a 10% EBIT margin (eNuW), which should improve going forward thanks to cross-selling potential, operating leverage and cost synergies (e.g. in purchasing). The purchase price is said to be in the mid-seven figure range (eNuW: roughly 4-7m), implying an EV/EBITDA of c.5-8x (eNuW), which is partly to be paid in shares (worth slightly more than 2m, c. 1% of shares outstanding), cash consideration and an earn-out component. At this valuation, it would be accretive (eNuW). The transaction should improve Steyr Motors' participation rates in tenders, where customers require a wider power spectrum across vessel classes and mission profiles. Thanks to BUKH, Steyr Motors is seen to expand its marine power range to 24-700hp (previously: 120-300hp). Unmanned surface vessels (USVs), in particular, seem to present direct opportunities. Ongoing sales to US-based USV producers are expected in H1 26e. Also within Europe, especially Denmark, there are some USV opportunities, according to our understanding, supported by BUKH's defence activities (eNuW, incl. coast guards c. 50% of sales). Moreover, BUKH adds scale to Steyr's SOLAS activities. SOLAS sets "must start, must run" requirements for lifeboat engines (e.g. cold-start down to -15C and operability under flooded conditions), a prerequisite for this niche with only a narrow supplier set (eNuW: single digit number of suppliers in Europe). The resulting installed base is certified and typically serviced with OEM spare parts and configurations, supporting recurring aftermarket revenues. Next to a high installed base and >100 years of experience, BUKH also brings established distribution and service reach, increasing customer access to lifecycle support and improving Steyr Motors' market access, particularly in Asia and South America. In sum, the acquisition represents a high quality, strategically consistent extension of Steyr Motors' specialist positioning in mission-critical marine and defence propulsion. While the transaction is not yet reflected in estimates, pending further details (e.g. purchase price and closing date), it should materially support Steyr Motors' FY growth ambitions. BUY, unchanged PT of 59, based on DCF. ISIN: AT0000A3FW25 LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / ACCESS Newswire / February 26, 2026 / Connecting Excellence Group Plc (AQSE:XCE)(OTCQB:XCELF), the international executive recruitment group with a long term, ambitious and disciplined Bitcoin (BTC) treasury strategy, announces a trading update for the six-month period ended 31 December 2025 ("H1 2026" or the "Period"). During the Period, Spencer Riley, the Group's operational business, generated net fee income of 0.89m, up 20.3% on the comparable period (H1 2025: 0.74m), reflecting a 12.7% increase in the average fee per placement. Since the Period end, executive recruitment activity has been strong, with the Group achieving its best January performance to date with 0.25m of net fee income. In December 2025, XCE successfully completed its IPO and joined the Access segment of the Aquis Stock Exchange Growth Market, raising gross proceeds of 3.3m. In February 2026, XCE's shares also commenced trading on the OTCQB market as part of the Group's strategy to broaden its shareholder base and enhance stock liquidity. Since its IPO, and as part of the Group's wider BTC treasury strategy, XCE has purchased 33.15 BTC for a total consideration of 2.2m, utilising the IPO funds as well as an additional 64,000 from free cash flow. In January, the Group launched its XCE BTC Bond, with the first tranche issued for 10 BTC. Adding to the 9.27 BTC the Group held prior to its IPO, XCE currently holds 52.42 BTC in its BTC treasury. The Group looks forward to publishing its interim accounts in the latter half of March 2026. Scott Ellam, Chief Executive Officer of Connecting Excellence Group, commented: "We are pleased to report a strong first half, with net fee income increasing by 20.3% year-on-year, supported by a 12.7% rise in average fee per placement and our strategic focus on higher-value mandates. The record January performance since the Period end provides encouraging momentum entering the second half. "Our successful IPO and admission to the Aquis Exchange marked an important milestone, strengthening our balance sheet and enabling further progress in our long-term Bitcoin treasury strategy. We remain firmly focused on delivering cashflow growth in our international executive recruitment business and enhancing our Bitcoin treasury strategy. We look forward to updating shareholders with our interim results next month." About Connecting Excellence Group Plc ("XCE"): XCE is an international executive recruitment group with a long term, ambitious and disciplined Bitcoin treasury strategy. The flagship recruitment company, Spencer Riley, places senior executives with clients globally across a number of high growth markets including engineering, logistics, life sciences, automation, tech, professional services and B2B services. The Bitcoin treasury strategy sets the foundation for the Company's scalable recruitment business to attract and retain high performing talent with individual performance linked share option incentives to increase revenue, profit and cashflows. In the future, XCE can also expand market share through strategic acquisitions, at very little cash cost, using performance-based equity incentives to provide immediate and ongoing shareholder value. XCE is also building a dedicated Bitcoin executive recruitment division, enabling executives to find their role within either Bitcoin businesses or traditional businesses looking for Bitcoin talent worldwide and accelerating corporate education, integration and adoption of Bitcoin. Website: xce.io Follow on X: XCE - Connecting Excellence Group Follow on Linkedin: XCE - Connecting Excellence Group Connecting Excellence Group ("XCE") Scott Ellam, Chief Executive Officer Angus Gladish, Chief Financial Officer contact@xce.io Tel: +44(0) 113 390 8623 AlbR Capital Limited (Aquis Corporate Adviser and Joint Broker) Tel: +44(0) 20 7469 0930 Allenby Capital (Joint Broker) Matt Butlin (Head of Equities) Nick Harriss Tel: +44(0) 20 3328 5656 Yellow Jersey PR (Financial PR) Charles Goodwin, Annabelle Wills xce@yellowjerseypr.com Tel: +44(0) 20 3004 9512 The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement. Important Notice: Connecting Excellence Group PLC holds treasury reserves and surplus cash in Bitcoin. Bitcoin is a type of digital asset. Whilst the Board of Directors of the Company considers holding Bitcoin to be in the best interests of the Company, the Board remains aware that the financial regulator in the UK (the Financial Conduct Authority or FCA) considers investment in Bitcoin to be high risk. At the outset, it is important to note that an investment in the Company is not an investment in Bitcoin, either directly or by proxy. However, the Board of Directors of the Company consider Bitcoin to be an appropriate store of value and growth for the Company's reserves and, accordingly, the Company is materially exposed to Bitcoin. Such an approach is innovative, and the Board of Directors of the Company wish to be clear and transparent with prospective and actual investors in the Company on the Company's position in this regard. The Company is neither authorised nor regulated by the FCA. And Bitcoin is unregulated in the UK. As with most other investments, the value of Bitcoin can go down as well as up, and therefore the value of the Company's Bitcoin holdings can fluctuate. The Company may not be able to realise its Bitcoin exposure for the same value as it paid in the first place or even for the value the Company ascribes to its Bitcoin positions due to these market movements. And because Bitcoin is unregulated, the Company is not protected by the UK's Financial Ombudsman Service or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. However, Bitcoin is formally recognised as personal property in the UK under the new Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025, which received Royal Assent on December 2, 2025. This legislation has removed previous legal uncertainty by establishing a new, third category of personal property to accommodate digital assets that do not fit traditional definitions. The Board of Directors of the Company with a history of a Bitcoin treasury prior to becoming a public company, has taken the decision to invest in Bitcoin, and in doing so is mindful of the special risks Bitcoin presents to the Company's financial position. These risks include (but are not limited to): (i) the value of Bitcoin can be highly volatile, with value dropping as quickly as it can rise; (ii) the Bitcoin market is largely unregulated - there is a risk of losing money due to risks such as cyber-attacks, financial crime and counterparty failure; (iii) the Company may not be able to sell its Bitcoin at will - the ability to sell Bitcoin depends on various factors, including the supply and demand in the market at the relevant time, with operational failings such as technology outages, cyber-attacks and comingling of funds potentially causing unwanted delay. The Board of Directors of the Company does not subscribe to such a negative view, and therefore ascribes to the 'Bitcoin, not crypto' mantra and has a 'Bitcoin only ethos'. However, prospective investors in the Company are encouraged to do their own research and verify before investing. This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com. SOURCE: Connecting Excellence Group PLC View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/connecting-excellence-group-plc-announces-h1-2026-trading-update-1141834 Seeking solutions through dialogue, negotiation is key to Ukraine crisis: Xi Xinhua) 11:13, February 26, 2026 BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday outlined China's principled position on the Ukraine crisis, saying that seeking solutions through dialogue and negotiation is key to the issue. Xi made the remarks when meeting with visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Beijing. Xi noted the necessity of ensuring the equal participation of all parties to lay a solid foundation for peace, addressing the legitimate concerns of all sides to strengthen the will for peace, and achieving common security to build a lasting framework for peace. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) From Europe's first electric vacuum to AI-driven robotic cleaners, Nilfisk has continuously developed cleaning solutions that create healthier, safer, and more productive environments. Copenhagen, Denmark - February 26, 2026 - Nilfisk, a global leader in consumer and professional cleaning solutions, today marks 120 years of continuous development of cleaning equipment and services. Founded in Denmark in 1906 by engineer P.A. Fisker, the company has grown from a small workshop into a global organization serving customers in more than 100 countries. Throughout its history, Nilfisk has been guided by a clear purpose: improving quality of life through cleaner, healthier, and safer environments. From households and workplaces to hospitals, factories, and public spaces, effective cleaning plays a critical role in air quality, hygiene, safety, and productivity. "Nilfisk's history is built on understanding real cleaning challenges and finding efficient ways to solve them," said Jon Sintorn, CEO of Nilfisk. "As we mark 120 years, we remain focused on delivering solutions that protect people, improve health and safety, and raise standards across the cleaning industry. That is how we started it is how we will continue." Innovation grounded in real-world needs Innovation has been a driver of Nilfisk's development since its earliest days. In 1910, the company introduced Europe's first electric vacuum cleaner, significantly reducing the physical effort required for household cleaning. In 1932, The Silent Dane demonstrated that performance was not only about power, but also about comfort and usability, delivering strong results with minimal noise disruption. That same innovation mindset continues today. Nilfisk has remained true to its roots in consumer cleaning equipment while expanding into professional solutions across a wide spectrum of industries and applications. Its portfolio ranges from stick vacuums designed to reduce dust and allergens in homes to industrial cleaning systems that meet stringent requirements in highly regulated industries. The company has also developed a range of robotic cleaning solutions, which help businesses improve cleaning consistency, address labor constraints, and free up staff for higher-value tasks. From mechanical engineering to intelligent automation, Nilfisk has been driven to make cleaning more effective while reducing unnecessary effort and resource use. A long-standing commitment to operating responsibly Long before sustainability became a global focus, Nilfisk prioritized business practices that optimized resources and made life easier for its customers, business partners, and the environment. Its early machines reduced physical strain and were made accessible through practical payment models. In the 1930s, the company introduced a refurbishment program to extend product life and reduce material waste, an approach that anticipated many of today's circular economy principles. Today, Nilfisk solutions are engineered to reduce energy, water, and chemical use without compromising performance. These principles are embedded across the organization, from product design to production and delivery. The company has earned the EcoVadis Gold rating for environmental and social responsibility for four consecutive years and has committed to Science-Based Targets and a Net Zero ambition by 2040. Looking ahead As Nilfisk marks its 120th anniversary, the company remains focused on addressing the evolving cleaning challenges in consumer and professional markets. Continued investment in robotics, digital integration, and resource-efficient design will support higher standards of hygiene, safety, and operational efficiency. After more than a century, Nilfisk remains committed to helping create a cleaner future for generations to come. Read more about Nilfisk's history. Press contact Nynne Jespersen Lee Head of Investor Relations & Group Communications T: +45 42310007 M: njespersen@nilfisk.com About Nilfisk Nilfisk was founded in 1906 by the Danish engineer P.A. Fisker. Today the company is a world-leading global provider of professional cleaning equipment and services. More than 90% of sales are to professionals while the remaining part of the business aimed at consumers covers floorcare equipment, vacuum cleaners, and high-pressure washers. Nilfisk's products and services are sold in more than 100 countries and produced at 5 manufacturing sites across the globe. The main production facilities are in the US, Mexico, Hungary, Italy, and China. A total of approximately 4,500 employees secured revenue of 996.3 mEUR in 2025. The largest single market is the US covering 24% of revenue in 2025, followed by Germany (15%), France (11%), Denmark (7%), and the UK (5%). Attachment 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. Gleichzeitig rucken in unsicheren Marktphasen stabile Cashflows, solide Bilanzen und regulierte Renditen wieder starker in den Fokus. Genau hier spielen Versorger ihre Starken aus: berechenbare Ertrage, robuste Nachfrage und hohe Dividenden Qualitaten, die vielen Wachstumswerten aktuell fehlen. 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. Jetzt den kostenlosen Report sichern bevor die nachste Versorgerwelle Fahrt aufnimmt! BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As MWC Barcelona 2026 prepares to host the vanguard of the digital economy, the central challenge for the enterprise sector has shifted from AI adoption to AI accountability. Dyna.Ai (Booth CS91) showcases the strategic expansion of its Result-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, a strategic framework designed to move artificial intelligence beyond experimental pilots into a regime of measurable business outcomes. The initiative comes at a time of "pilot fatigue" within European telecom and financial institutions. While investment in Large Language Models has surged, Dyna.Ai's latest research indicates that only a fraction of organizations has successfully converted AI trials into top-line revenue. Dyna.Ai's RaaS model directly addresses this execution gap by deploying Agentic Applications-autonomous systems capable of orchestrating complex workflows across Customer Experience (CX) and Employee Experience (EX). "The global C-suite is tired of paying for tokens; they want to pay for results," said Tomas Skoumal, Chairman and Co-Founder of Dyna.Ai. "At MWC Barcelona, we are proving that the future of enterprise AI lies in Agentic AI. Whether it is a Multilingual Voice Agent resolving a Spanish customer's billing inquiry or an internal application automating back-office HR tasks, the focus must shift from what AI can say to what AI can do. Our RaaS model ensures that Dyna.Ai's success is inextricably linked to our clients' actual business performance." Key Solution Highlights at Dyna.Ai Booth CS91: Agentic CX and AICC Innovation: Demonstrating high-fidelity voice and AI agents with native-level fluency in over 50 languages, including Spanish, English, Portuguese, Arabic, designed to resolve complex customer journeys without human intervention. Demonstrating high-fidelity voice and AI agents with native-level fluency in over 50 languages, including Spanish, English, Portuguese, Arabic, designed to resolve complex customer journeys without human intervention. Internal Operational Agents: Showcasing how Agentic Applications automate routine internal operations, from FinDoc AI that extracts, validates, and processes financial and operational documents at scale to AI Recruiter that streamlines hiring pipelines, allowing human talent to focus on strategic initiatives while ensuring data sovereignty. Showcasing how Agentic Applications automate routine internal operations, from FinDoc AI that extracts, validates, and processes financial and operational documents at scale to AI Recruiter that streamlines hiring pipelines, allowing human talent to focus on strategic initiatives while ensuring data sovereignty. The RaaS Performance Framework: A transparent look at how Dyna.Ai's outcome-based commercial model is being utilized by Tier-1 organizations to secure a guaranteed return on their AI investments. Dyna.Ai's participation underscores a strategic industry shift: global enterprises are demanding AI that delivers outcomes, not just insights. Leveraging a strong foundation in Asia, Americas, and the Middle East, the company is now building stronger ties across Europe, establishing its AI Workforce as a scalable, measurable solution for regulated industries and large-scale service providers. About Dyna.Ai Dyna.Ai is a leading AI-as-a-Service company headquartered in Singapore, delivering enterprise-grade AI solutions that turn advanced AI into measurable business results. The company provides AI-powered products and services that enhance customer experience (CX), improve employee experience (EX), and optimize core business operations, with solutions designed for practical enterprise deployment. With a global presence across Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas, Dyna.Ai powers financial institutions, contact centers, and more enterprises worldwide. For more information, visit www.dyna.ai . View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/dynaai-introduces-result-as-a-service-at-mwc-barcelona-2026-to-bridge-the-enterprise-ai-roi-gap-302697888.html Europe's cross-industry open source event expands with five high-impact collocated communities across AI, automotive, compliance, research, and tooling BRUSSELS, Feb. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Eclipse Foundation, one of the world's largest open source software organisations, has announced the full agenda for Open Community Experience (OCX 2026), taking place 21-23 April 2026 at The EGG conference centre in Brussels, Belgium. OCX is the Foundation's flagship conference and one of Europe's leading gatherings for open source professionals, featuring nearly 150 sessions across six thematic tracks and five collocated communities. Over three dynamic days, developers, architects, researchers, and industry leaders will dive into the technologies, standards, and collaboration models shaping the next era of open innovation. Following a successful debut in 2024, OCX 2026 returns with a significantly expanded technical program, growing from three to five collocated communities and increasing session volume by more than 35 percent. Each community offers deep domain expertise while connecting attendees to the broader open source ecosystem. "Like the Eclipse Foundation itself, OCX 2026 continues to grow in scope, diversity, and depth," said Mike Milinkovich, executive director of the Eclipse Foundation. "As AI reshapes software development, software-defined vehicles transform mobility, and new regulations redefine accountability, open collaboration has never been more essential. This year's agenda reflects the real challenges and real opportunities facing our community." What developers will find at OCX 2026 OCX 2026 delivers three days of practical engineering insight, strategic perspective, and meaningful community-driven collaboration. Main OCX program: Cross-domain innovation in action The core program brings together leading practitioners to address software security, enterprise Java evolution, embedded and edge computing, cloud-native architectures, governance, and cross-industry innovation. Sessions are grounded in real-world implementation and built for professionals shipping and scaling software. Attendees leave with actionable techniques, architectural insight, and proven approaches they can apply immediately. Five collocated events within a single conference experience OCX 2026 features five collocated events within the conference, each offering a concentrated experience for specific technical communities while remaining fully accessible with a single pass. Open Community for Tooling Formerly EclipseCon, this event continues the legacy of one of the industry's most respected developer tooling communities. Topics include AI-assisted IDEs, modeling frameworks, language servers, next-generation workflows, and productivity engineering. If you build tools or depend on them to deliver high-performance software, this community is essential. Speaker Highlights: Programming in Every Language: Building Cultural Tools with Langium - Malik Lanlokun AI in Action: The Ultimate Live Demo with Theia AI - Jonas Helming Open Community for Automotive Open collaboration is accelerating the shift to software-defined vehicles. This event explores open standards, safety-conscious architectures, and real-world implementations. Engineers and platform architects will gain practical insight into the software foundations powering connected mobility. Speaker Highlights: Diagnostics Reimagined: How Eclipse OpenSOVD Powers Open Collaboration and Standard Evolution - Thilo Schmitt & Alexander Mohr Fifty Shades of SDV: A Blueprint-Driven Roadmap for Orchestration Adoption - Naci Dai & Oliver Kral Open Community for AI Open source is redefining how AI systems are built, validated, and governed. This event examines trustworthy AI frameworks, open model ecosystems, responsible governance strategies, data sharing and dataspaces, and production deployment lessons. Developers building production-grade AI systems will find both technical depth and forward-looking guidance. Speaker Highlights: Commit to Quality: AI-Enhanced Testing in Open Source - Shelley Lambert & Longyu Zhang Understanding Machine Decisions - Haishi Bai Open Community for Compliance With regulations such as the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) raising expectations for secure software, compliance is now a core engineering concern. This event equips teams with practical strategies for security, licensing, and regulatory alignment without slowing innovation. If you deliver software into the European market, this content is critical. Speaker Highlights: Taming the SBOM Chaos - A Legal Compass for the CRA and Open Source Compliance - Hendrik Schottle Layered Compliance: Using the Swiss Cheese Model to Prevent Catastrophic Failure - Georg Link Open Community for Research Presented in collaboration with the Apereo Foundation and academic partners, this event demonstrates how open source accelerates the path from research to scalable, real-world systems. Topics include reproducibility, open science practices, and production-ready implementations bridging academia and industry. Speaker Highlights: VOStack open-source Software Stack for the virtualization of IoT devices - Anastasios Zafeiropoulos UniTime Overview: From Research to Practice - Tomas Muller Featured keynote speakers OCX 2026 brings together perspectives from high-performance sport, European digital policy, and global open source leadership. Ruth Buscombe - Formula 1 race strategist and F1TV analyst, Buscombe opens the conference with " The Winning Formula: What F1 Teaches Us About Marginal Gains, Teamwork, and Data-Driven Decision Making ." Her keynote connects the precision of elite motorsport with the collaborative performance culture of open source communities. - Formula 1 race strategist and F1TV analyst, Buscombe opens the conference with " ." Her keynote connects the precision of elite motorsport with the collaborative performance culture of open source communities. Rolf Riemenschneider - Head of Sector IoT at the European Commission, Riemenschneider leads research and innovation under Horizon Europe, coordinating strategy for Cloud-Edge Computing and the Internet of Things. His keynote will explore Europe's digital trajectory and the role of open technologies in strategic data spaces. - Head of Sector IoT at the European Commission, Riemenschneider leads research and innovation under Horizon Europe, coordinating strategy for Cloud-Edge Computing and the Internet of Things. His keynote will explore Europe's digital trajectory and the role of open technologies in strategic data spaces. Mike Milinkovich - Executive Director of the Eclipse Foundation since 2004, Milinkovich is a long-standing open source leader who has served on the boards of the Open Source Initiative, the OpenJDK community, and the Executive Committee of the Java Community Process. He will share insight on the evolving role of open collaboration in a rapidly shifting technology landscape. Register now and be part of what's next OCX 2026 is built for developers, architects, researchers, and decision-makers driving modern software forward. One registration unlocks the entire experience, including the main program and all five co-located events. Review the agenda Plan your sessions Secure your place at OCX 2026 and register now. Discounted registration rates are available until March 16. Capacity at The EGG conference centre is limited, and early registration is recommended. Thanks to our sponsors OCX 2026 is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors, including,SAP, TypeFox,EclipseSource,Obeo, and Equo Tech, Inc, AzAzulETAS, Eurotech, and Mercedes-Benz Tech Innovation GmbH. Their leadership and commitment to open source innovation help drive collaboration across industries and strengthen the global open source ecosystem. We sincerely thank all of our sponsors for their partnership and commitment. Organisations interested in supporting OCX 2026 and engaging with the global open source ecosystem are invited to contact sponsors@OCXconf.org to request sponsorship information and review thesponsorship prospectus. About the Eclipse Foundation The Eclipse Foundation provides a global community of individuals and organisations with a vendor-neutral, business-friendly environment for open source collaboration and innovation. We host Adoptium, the Eclipse IDE, Jakarta EE, Open VSX, Software Defined Vehicle, and more than 400 high-impact open source projects. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, we are an international non-profit association supported by over 300 members. Our events, including Open Community Experience (OCX) , bring together developers, industry leaders, and researchers from around the world. To learn more, follow us on X and LinkedIn , or visit eclipse.org . Media contacts: Schwartz Public Relations (Germany) Julia Rauch/Marita Baumer Sendlinger Strae 42A 80331 Munich EclipseFoundation@schwartzpr.de +49 (89) 211 871 -70/ -62 514 Media Ltd (France, Italy, Spain) Benoit Simoneau benoit@514-media.com M: +44 (0) 7891 920 370 HEALWELL has signed its first contract to deliver AI solutions in the Middle East to a major governmental health system, marking a key step in its global expansion. This new deployment to an existing Orion Health customer demonstrates the scalability of the DARWEN platform and reinforces the Company's commitment to improving patient care worldwide. HEALWELL is deploying SMART Identify, SMART Search, and SMART Summary across healthcare systems in Canada and the U.S., improving patient identification, accelerating access to clinical information, and automating structured patient summaries. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - HEALWELL AI Inc. (TSX: AIDX) (OTCQX: HWAIF) ("HEALWELL" or the "Company"), a healthcare artificial intelligence company focused on preventative care, today announced its first contract to deliver AI solutions in the Middle East to a major governmental health system that is already part of the Orion Health network, and continued commercial momentum and adoption of its AI solutions across healthcare systems in North America. This milestone represents a significant step in HEALWELL's global expansion strategy. With active deployments now spanning Canada, the United States, and the Middle East, HEALWELL has established contracted revenue across multiple healthcare systems and continues to scale adoption of its AI-driven solutions beyond life sciences and directly into frontline care delivery environments. Active Deployments Across Core AI Solutions HEALWELL is currently deploying its core AI solutions across the following healthcare systems: SMART Search (Middle East) - HEALWELL has signed its first contract to deliver AI solutions in the Middle East, marking entry into a new geographic market and reinforcing the global applicability of its clinically validated AI platform. SMART Identify (United States) - HEALWELL is actively delivering a Patient ID solution within a U.S. healthcare environment, supporting improved patient matching, data integrity, and continuity of care. SMART Search (Canada) - The Company has signed a contract to deploy its Smart Search solution within a provincial healthcare system in Canada, enhancing clinical information retrieval and workflow efficiency. SMART Summary (Canada) - HEALWELL has successfully delivered Smart Summary into a Canadian clinical environment, enabling automated generation of structured, AI-powered summaries designed to reduce clinician burden and improve data usability. With these deployments, HEALWELL's AI solutions have now been used in a number of healthcare systems outside of life sciences. The Company is actively deploying at least one instance of each of its core AI solutions across its customer base, demonstrating both platform maturity and real-world scalability. Dr. Alexander Dobranowski, President of HEALWELL AI, commented, "The recent success outside of North America is strong validation that our strategy of integrating our clinically validated AI technology across our software healthcare relationships is working in practice, not just in theory. Our AI suite of products is now actively employed or contracted in multiple healthcare environments across Canada, North America, and now the Middle East. We see a growing pipeline of opportunities to add value to our existing customers, and the success of our initial pilots gives us confidence in the value we are creating to the healthcare system." Building Enterprise AI Infrastructure for Healthcare HEALWELL continues to expand its AI-as-a-Service model, embedding clinically validated artificial intelligence directly into existing healthcare software relationships and operational workflows. Current engagements include initiatives supporting patient identity management, automated clinical documentation, intelligent information retrieval, and population health analytics. The Company reports a growing pipeline of opportunities to expand within existing customers and healthcare systems across Canada, the United States, Australian, NZ, UK and the Middle East, as initial pilot deployments transition into broader enterprise conversations. James Lee, Chief Executive Officer of HEALWELL AI, commented "The last three months have been transformational for HEALWELL AI and you can see our strategy succeeding in real time. Through simplifying our product offering, integrating our platforms and focusing on clinical validation and trust, we are building strong momentum for 2026 and beyond. We can provide genuine population intelligence to all stakeholders within a healthcare system; and while the adoption cycle is still in its infancy the future is clear and we are increasingly excited about the opportunities ahead of us." James Lee Chief Executive Officer HEALWELL AI Inc. About HEALWELL AI HEALWELL is a healthcare artificial intelligence company focused on preventative care. Its mission is to improve healthcare and save lives through early identification and detection of disease. Using its own proprietary technology, the Company is developing and commercializing advanced clinical decision support systems that can help healthcare providers detect rare and chronic diseases, improve efficiency of their practice and ultimately help improve patient health outcomes. HEALWELL is executing a strategy centered around developing and acquiring technology and clinical sciences capabilities that complement the Company's road map. HEALWELL is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "AIDX" and on the OTC Exchange under the symbol "HWAIF". To learn more about HEALWELL, please visit https://healwell.ai/. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release, constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements about the expansion of the Company's product and service offerings into new markets and industry sectors; and opportunities to expand the Company's products and service offerings to existing customers; and are based on assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "growing", "continuing", "expanding", "pipeline", "opportunities", "transitioning", "building", "future", "strategy", "enable", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain future conditions, actions, events or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "can" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon management's perceptions of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as a number of specific factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by HEALWELL as of the date of such statements, are outside of HEALWELL's control and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies which could result in the forward-looking statements ultimately being entirely or partially incorrect or untrue. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on various assumptions, including, but not limited to, the following: HEALWELL's ability to maintain and leverage its relationships with its commercial partners; the continued adoption of the software, tools and solutions created by HEALWELL and its subsidiaries; the stability of general economic and market conditions; sufficiency of working capital and access to financing; HEALWELL's ability to comply with applicable laws and regulations; HEALWELL's continued compliance with third party intellectual property rights; the effects of competition in the industry; the requirement for increasingly innovative product solutions and service offerings; technologies working as intended or at all; trends in customer growth and the adoption of new technologies in the industry; and that the risk factors noted below, collectively, do not have a material impact on HEALWELL's business, operations, revenues and/or results. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections, or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct, and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. Known and unknown risk factors, many of which are beyond the control of HEALWELL, could cause the actual results of HEALWELL to differ materially from the results, performance, achievements, or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include but are not limited to those factors which are discussed under the section entitled "Risk Factors" in HEALWELL's most recent annual information form dated March 31, 2025, which is available under HEALWELL's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The risk factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect HEALWELL and the reader is cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's expectations and plans relating to the future. HEALWELL disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements 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 statements, except to the extent required by applicable law. All of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. For more information: To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285390 Source: HEALWELL AI LONDON, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobi Strategies (Jacobi), a global leader in investment technology, today announced the launch of its AI-Assisted Coding Resources, a powerful new suite of tools designed to help investment teams rapidly build, standardise, and scale bespoke analytics and applications within their secure, private Jacobi environment. Jacobi's new AI resources enable investment firms to standardise the development process, enabling complex, production-grade solutions to be built with unprecedented speed and consistency. Developers can now leverage modern AI assistants like GitHub Copilot, Cursor, and Claude Code within their secure Jacobi instance. Key features include: Jacobi Rules: Provides essential global context, ensuring AI-generated code adheres to Jacobi's recommended architecture, development patterns, and language-specific coding standards. Provides essential global context, ensuring AI-generated code adheres to Jacobi's recommended architecture, development patterns, and language-specific coding standards. Jacobi Skills: Offers procedural, multi-step instructions for common tasks, such as creating new plugins, querying internal data, and implementing complex modelling. Offers procedural, multi-step instructions for common tasks, such as creating new plugins, querying internal data, and implementing complex modelling. Jacobi Model Context Protocol Server: Acts as a secure, open-standard bridge that allows AI tools to safely interact with Jacobi APIs, explore data schemas, retrieve system objects and control platform actions through natural-language prompts. Building on a Foundation of Security and Governance These AI capabilities are delivered via Jacobi's Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS). Each client receives a private instance - including cloud infrastructure, horizontal scaling, and dedicated containerisation - ensuring proprietary models and data remain within a secure, governed perimeter. Unlocking Next-Generation AI Agents for Investment Teams The release coincides with the launch of new Jacobi AI agents integrated directly into the platform. Built for the rigorous demands of institutional managers, these "next generation" agents execute complex, multi-step workflows where precision is mandatory. By combining Jacobi's AI-assisted coding resources with its IaaS, firms can rapidly build, scale, and govern custom tools. These tools - which include Jacobi Graph Scripts for modular analytics and visualisations, alongside full end-to-end applications - can then be seamlessly deployed across connected workflows using agents internal or external to the Jacobi ecosystem. This launch reinforces Jacobi's commitment to open-architecture, API-first design, allowing clients to seamlessly integrate Jacobi-driven tools into their broader enterprise systems while maintaining total control over their IP. Tony Mackenzie, Co-Founder and CEO of Jacobi, commented: "Our AI-assisted coding resources are not designed to replace investment expertise, but to empower it. By providing a secure environment for custom analytics and applications, we remove the trade-off between in-house flexibility and enterprise-grade security. A significant gap remains between individual AI adoption and enterprise-level use, which requires heightened control over standards and security. Jacobi's scalable infrastructure and experience with top-tier asset managers makes our technology uniquely suited to firms moving beyond prototyping towards delivery of robust AI solutions." About Jacobi Jacobi provides a secure, private investment technology allowing firms to harness modern AI to scale portfolio construction, analytics and investment workflows. Its open architecture technology empowers several of the world's leading investment managers to build differentiated tools and models on top of a robust, investment-specific data foundation. To learn more about Jacobi's AI-Assisted Coding, please visit https://lp.jacobistrategies.com/jacobi-ai-assisted-coding-resource-enquiry Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1899562/Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/jacobi-launches-suite-of-ai-assisted-coding-resources-to-accelerate-custom-investment-technology-development-302696602.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Homeland Uranium Corp. (TSXV: HLU) (OTCQB: HLUCF) (FSE: D3U) ("Homeland" or the "Company") is pleased to update shareholders regarding recent and upcoming corporate activities. Homeland Acquires Cross Bones Database The Company has acquired an additional historical exploration dataset for the Cross Bones Property from private vendors at a cost of US$13,000. This historical exploration dataset includes 16 drill logs, drill core assays, surface sampling and radiometric surveys that were completed by BlueRock Resources Inc. ("Bluerock") during its 2006-2007 exploration program at what is now the Cross Bones Project. During that time, Bluerock held an option to acquire an interest in the project from Energy Metals Corporation in what was then known as the Skull Creek Project. Included in the data package is the location of dozens of historical drill holes completed on the Cross Bones Property in 1978 by Ashland Minerals. Homeland had already acquired the geological and wireline logs for many of these holes during a previous data purchase (see the Company's news release dated December 10, 2024). Roger Lemaitre, President and Chief Executive Officer of Homeland Uranium, stated, "This data acquisition is a key step in our process of evaluating and developing the Cross Bones Property and will help us move this project forward on a much quicker timeframe than we previously anticipated. Once consolidated with our existing data and the entire package re-interpreted, this data will likely save the Company considerable future exploration costs, as we anticipate much of the historical drilling will not have to be redone." The Company will be reviewing this new data, compiling it with the previously acquired data and will be undertaking a new interpretation of the Cross Bones Property over the next few months, with the objective of permitting, planning and executing a mapping, sampling and initial drilling program at the Cross Bones Property prior to the end of 2026. The Cross Bones Property is located in northwestern Colorado, near the communities of Rangely and Dinosaur, within the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau. The Colorado Plateau is a regionally significant uranium province that spans Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico and hosts numerous sandstone-hosted uranium deposits. Homeland at the PDAC The Company is pleased to announce that it will be attending the 2026 Prospectors and Developers of Canada Convention from March 1st through March 4th in Toronto, Ontario. Homeland is excited for the opportunity to meet shareholders and investors at our booth (#2623) on the Investors Exchange during all four days of the Convention. Company Announces Milestone Payment The Company announces the issuance of 4,500,000 common shares (the "Milestone Payment Shares") of the Company and the cash payment of US$500,000 to former shareholders of Shift Rare Metals Inc. ("Shift") pursuant to the terms of the Amalgamation Agreement dated August 16, 2024, as amended, among the Company, Shift and 1496946 B.C. Ltd. (the "Amalgamation Agreement") entered into in connection with the Company's reverse-takeover transaction as previously announced February 25, 2025 and March 10, 2025. About Homeland Uranium Corp. Homeland Uranium Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on becoming a premier US-focused and resource-bearing uranium explorer and developer. The Company is 100% owner of the Coyote Basin and Cross Bones uranium projects in northwestern Colorado. Qualified Person Roger Lemaitre, P.Eng., P.Geo., the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, is a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things: the anticipated benefits from the Cross Bones Property historical dataset, including the expectation that the dataset will assist the Company in moving the Cross Bones Property forward on a quicker timeframe and the belief that the dataset will save the Company on future exploration costs; the undertaking by the Company of a new interpretation of the Cross Bones Property; the Company's objective of permitting, planning and executing a mapping, sampling and initial drilling program at the Cross Bones Property prior to the end of 2026; and the Company's expectations and strategic plans in relation to the exploration of the Company's uranium mineral properties. 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: 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" and "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's disclosure materials 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 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/285426 Source: Homeland Uranium Corp. 30 of the world's largest companies must find 22 million barrels a day by 2040 LONDON/HOUSTON/SINGAPORE, Feb. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- INSIGHT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wood Mackenzie | www.woodmac.com Wood Mackenzie analysis reveals 30 of the world's largest oil and gas companies face a combined 22 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (mmboe/d) production shortfall by 2040 to maintain their market share of oil and gas demand. The group collectively produces around 50 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, meeting close to 30% of global demand. But the latest report from Wood Mackenzie expects production from current commercial projects for these 30 companies to fall nearly 40% between 2025 and 2040. Filling the 22 mmboe/d gap is the equivalent to adding nearly two Permian basins or 14 Guyana-scale plays. The main industry players can't spend their way out of the problem. With capital discipline and shareholder distributions now a defining feature of how companies are valued, in what is fundamentally a maturing sector, companies are under pressure to return between 30% to 50% of operating cash flow to shareholders through dividends and buybacks. "Big Oil is recalibrating back to upstream, but years of reduced activity has left many oil and gas companies with production profiles more aligned with net zero pathways than the higher-for-longer scenario that is playing out. The core strategic challenge is how to sustain output and cash flow when reinvestment rates are roughly half of mid-2010s levels," said Neivan Boroujerdi, Director, Corporate Research at Wood Mackenzie. "Not every company will succeed, making further industry consolidation inevitable. Fundamentally, companies will need to deploy every tool in the playbook to square the circle." The production gap has doubled over the last decade In 2015, the same cohort faced a production gap of 11 mmboe/d to grow production in line with demand to 2030. They closed it, delivering an additional 19 mmboe/d through exploration, M&A, new projects and increased recovery. US tight oil expansion and Chinese NOC upgrades to their domestic outlooks dominated. But barring the emergence of a new Permian-scale play, this is unlikely to be repeated. Even if companies replicated that performance out to 2040, they would still fall 3 mmboe/d short of what's needed to maintain their market share of oil and gas demand, according to Wood Mackenzie. And there are now fewer options to fill the gap. US tight oil production is plateauing. Many of the most attractive corporate M&A targets have been snapped up and big resources holders such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Iran remain closed to foreign investment. Winners and losers will emerge The industry can deliver the supply needed to meet peak demand and beyond, according to the analysis. Less certain is which companies are best placed to deliver it and how they maintain their share of global supply. Wood Mackenzie states that companies lacking portfolio depth, quality, and financial capacity will either be acquired or shrink. The share of global production will continue shifting from international oil companies to resource holding national oil companies. Technology and creative capital structures offer paths forward Companies will need to deploy every tool in the playbook to align the needs of investors while addressing the longevity challenge in oil and gas. Enhanced recovery from existing fields could unlock 470 billion barrels globally. Companies that invested in data infrastructure during the late 2010s digitalization phase will lead in deploying large language models to deliver operational efficiencies. ExxonMobil's Permian strategy demonstrates how proprietary technology can boost recovery factors and reduce unproductive capital to drive breakevens down. Business development will continue to prop up portfolios, but companies will need more creative strategies to access capital and deliver attractive returns from M&A and exploration-led resource renewal. Strategic ventures also offer an alternative business model. These have unleased new growth in the mature North Sea, Africa, and Southeast Asia. BP and Eni's Norway and Angola operations have thrived under strategic venture structures. While Eni's Kutei Basin partnership with Petronas uses cash-generative legacy assets to fund development of multi-tcf gas discoveries. New financial structures including sale-leaseback arrangements and contingent payment mechanisms provide additional options. Key Findings: 30 major E&P companies face a combined 22 mmboe/d shortfall to sustain their share of oil and gas demand by 2040 Production from current commercial projects set to decline nearly 40% between 2025 and 2040 Only three companies are positioned to produce more in 2040 than today European majors and NOCs require more than 1 mmboe/d on average to close the gap (50% of current base) The gap to maintain production over the next fifteen years is nearly twice what it was in 2015 Even replicating 2015 performance of adding 19 mmboe/d of new volumes would leave a 3 mmboe/d gap to sustaining market share over next decade with global demand forecast to grow 6% to 2040 Companies are now returning between 30-50% of cash flow to shareholders, cutting reinvestment rates to half of mid-2010s levels Enhanced recovery could unlock 470 billion barrels globally - IOCs typically outperform NOCs when it comes to recovery factors, offering greater opportunities for technology transfer and 'win-win' collaboration Oil and gas companies will need to be more creative in their next phase of M&A-led growth including the deployment of strategic ventures and new financial structures ENDS Background The analysis is based on Wood Mackenzie's Corporate Strategy and Analytics Service. The peer group of 30 companies spans major integrated oil companies, national oil companies from importing countries (excluding Middle Eastern resource holders), international oil companies, and North American E&P firms. The research examines how a slowing energy transition and challenges building low-carbon businesses have prompted a recalibration back towards oil and gas. But years of reduced activity have left many companies with production outlooks more aligned with net-zero pathways than the higher-for-longer demand scenario now playing out. Mark Thomton Wood Mackenzie 6308816885 mark.thomton@woodmac.com Chris Boba Wood Mackenzie +44 (0) 7408 841129 chris.boba@woodmac.com Hla Myat Mon Wood Mackenzie +65 (0)8533 8860 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Provenance Gold Corp. (CSE: PAU) (OTCQB: PVGDF) ("Provenance" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that a multi-phase metallurgical testing program has been initiated for its Eldorado Gold project in eastern Oregon (the "Project"), which will include both bottle roll and column tests. The objective of the first phase of the program is to evaluate the Project's amenability to heap leach extraction, including potential metal recoveries, leach kinetics, and reagent consumption across the property. The second phase of testwork will focus on assessing conventional extraction methods, including carbon-in-leach (CIL) and gravity-flotation processes. Phase 1 Metallurgical Testwork 5 column tests covering composite, representative samples from the Tyee and the Herman Areas including the newly discovered mineralization between zones 1 to 4 in the Tyee Area as well as the mineralization extension in the Herman Area. 20 simple bottle roll tests on the composites assembled from RC drilling to determine cyanide solubility of gold mineralization from a variety of geologic domains throughout the Project area. This metallurgical testwork will be used to verify results from historical bottle roll tests and Provenance's previous 2024 gravity and flotation tests completed by Dawson Metallurgical Testing Laboratories (see press release dated 7 February 2024). Previous results returned an overall average of 88.1% (77.9-97.1%) gold recovery of unoxidized sulfide samples, recovered by gravity concentration followed by bulk sulfide flotation of the gravity tailings, indicating that a high proportion of gold is liberated using standard methods. Kappes, Cassiday & Associates (KCA) out of Reno, Nevada will be performing the 2026 testwork. KCA specializes in all aspects of heap leaching, cyanide processing, laboratory testing, project feasibility studies, engineering design, construction, and operations management. Results from the initial bottle roll tests are expected by May 2026. KCA is independent of the Company. Leadership Transition As part of the Company's leadership succession planning, Rauno Perttu is retiring from his role as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Rob Clark will assume the role as Chief Executive Officer and President, while Mr. Perttu will remain as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Perttu will remain active in assisting the Company moving forward. The Company also welcomes Etienne Gouin-Proulx as Director of the Company effective immediately. Mr. Gouin-Proulx is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with experience in project evaluation, mergers and acquisitions, and public markets. Mr. Gouin-Proulx holds a Bachelor of Engineering from McGill University, specializing in Mining and Mineral Engineering. Qualified Person The technical content disclosed in this press release was independently reviewed and approved by Jo Price, P.Geo., M.Sc., a technical advisor to the Company and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. About Provenance Gold Provenance Gold Corp. is a precious metals exploration company focused on its flagship Eldorado Gold Project in eastern Oregon. The Company is actively advancing the Project through systematic drilling, geological modeling, and expansion of its mineralized zones. Provenance's portfolio also includes additional exploration-stage assets in Nevada, USA. For further information, please visit the Company's website at https://provenancegold.com or contact Rob Clark at rclark@provenancegold.com. Safe Harbor Statement: Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange, nor its regulation services provider, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements regarding advancing the discovery at the Project; timing and results of future testwork; the exploration program planned for 2026; the release of the results from the core drilling program; and the Company's future plans and intentions. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among other things: risks related to uncertainties inherent in drill results; and risks associated with executing the Company's plans and intentions. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285421 Source: Provenance Gold Corp. Helsinki, Finland, Feb. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the geopolitical landscape shifts and software becomes the definitive frontline of modern defence, Reaktor is significantly accelerating its investment in the Defence & Security (DefSec) sector. With Finland's NATO membership opening doors to international collaboration, Reaktor has evolved its offering beyond premium digital consulting. We're proud to announce Reaktor's Intelligence Software Suite, which combines data-driven support for decision-making and controlled information sharing across security domains with a secure AI platform, fully compliant with NATO standards and addressing the challenges of international interoperability. "With over 10 years of experience working with defence clients, Reaktor's Software Suite is shaped by real operational needs and tested in close collaboration with the end-users", shares Reaktor CEO Pekka Horo. To support this new direction, we're growing our core DefSec team with two heavyweight appointments: Simo Makipaja as the Chief Sales and Marketing Officer and Tor Gullan as Chief Growth Officer for Reaktor DefSec. Going forward, Gullan will lead the Solutions business of Reaktor DefSec and Makipaja will act as the deputy lead. The mission: Software as a force multiplier In an era of information overload, the winner isn't the one with the most data, it's who makes sense of it fastest. Reaktor's offering focuses on turning "information advantage" from a buzzword into an operational reality. Simo Makipaja joins Reaktor with over 25 years of experience in defence systems, C4ISR, and cybersecurity. A Master of Science from Tampere University of Technology and with a tenure of working for both large enterprises and scaleups operating in the international defence and security space, he brings the industry DNA to navigate the complexities of intelligence and command systems. "For 25 years, I've watched software go from a 'nice-to-have' to the central nervous system of defence", says Makipaja. "Finland's expertise in situational awareness is world-class, but as a young NATO member, we've been quite modest. It's time to take that Finnish engineering to the global stage." Tor Gullan joins Reaktor as a seasoned defence technology leader with a background spanning enterprise-level defence hardware, software, and systems integration. A former British Army officer, he brings experience from both client and supply sides. "In defence, technology must make us faster, not slower", says Gullan. "Reaktor combines deep engineering credibility with a mission-centric focus. From Finland, our secure, EU-sovereign capabilities enable commanders on all levels to make faster, better-informed decisions alongside their allies." A three-pronged arsenal with non-negotiable reliability, trust, and compliance Finland's unique position - sharing Europe's longest border with Russia while having a high national preparedness and comprehensive security mindset - makes it a natural hub for defence innovation. "Reaktor is now positioned to scale solutions that meet this 'Finnish standard' of security to NATO and EU partners, ensuring that the technology protecting our borders is as agile and interoperable as the people behind it", says Horo. Reaktor's Intelligence Software Suite combines three modular products, each solving a key challenge in modern defence: Nebula Intelligence Management System enables a step-change in real-time, collaborative situational awareness. It connects to data from any source, manages data collection, and visualizes information through an intuitive interface. Auriga AI Platform is an on-premise platform for running AI payloads on classified data. It is purpose-built to provide processing solutions for any kind of data. The solution also contains a large-scale storage solution for critical security needs, ensuring strong separation between different data pools. Monocera Cross-domain solution replaces ageing, low-tech data diodes and gateways with a modern API-centric gateway to guard sensitive data while sharing key information. It uses cell-level filtering and data diode technology to safely transfer data between networks, between classification levels, and across networks for full interoperability. Built for security and interoperability, these products bring decision advantage to users across the NATO and Allied domain, in any operational or strategic environment where reliability, trust, and compliance are non-negotiables. About Reaktor Reaktor is a global technology company specialized in projects that cannot afford to fail. We combine strategy, design, and technology to help ambitious companies gain a competitive edge and become industry leaders. Our expertise spans the full lifecycle of problem-solving - from pioneering data and AI to strategy, design, development, change management and continuous services - anchored in deep industry know-how and high-performing, multidisciplinary teams. And we don't do it alone. Through the Reaktor Ecosystem, our clients gain access to over 1,100 specialized experts across 40+ trusted partner firms - amplifying capability, speed, and scale. Founded in 2000, Reaktor has offices in Helsinki, Amsterdam, Lisbon, New York, and Tokyo, with over 700 employees. Reaktor's customers include Adidas, HBO, Supercell, Cathay Pacific and KONE. www.reaktor.com Attachment Reaktor Defence & Security Jenna Karas Reaktor +358401395142 jenna.karas@reaktor.com SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI / ACCESS Newswire / February 26, 2026 / Dr. Angela Zeng, scientist, entrepreneur, and founder of Karviva Wellness Beverages, has released her TEDx talk titled How to Support Your Child's Mental Health Without Medication, now officially live on YouTube. The talk, delivered at TEDxForbesParkSalon, has already surpassed 200,000 views since its publication on January 20, 2026. In the talk, Dr. Zeng shares a deeply personal and powerful story that begins with a moment no parent expects to face. She recounts the day her young son told her he wanted to die and the difficult path that followed. Drawing from her background in biomedical research, her family roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and her lived experience as a mother, Dr. Zeng explores how her family found a way forward without immediately relying on medication. The talk focuses on practical, science-informed shifts that supported her son's mental well-being, including the role of food, time in nature, and intentional reflection. Dr. Zeng presents these approaches as complementary tools that can support children experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression, while emphasizing the importance of understanding root causes rather than only symptoms. Her message offers guidance not just for parents, but also for educators and caregivers seeking compassionate, grounded ways to support emotional health. Dr. Zeng's work consistently connects personal experience with professional expertise. Born into generations of herbalists and trained as a medical researcher, she has dedicated her career to exploring how ancient healing traditions and modern science can work together to support both physical and mental health. Through her TEDx talk, she brings that philosophy into a broader conversation around parenting, resilience, and emotional care. The talk has resonated strongly with viewers seeking alternatives and additional perspectives in conversations around children's mental health. By sharing her family's journey with honesty and clarity, Dr. Zeng aims to offer hope and practical insight to those navigating similar challenges. The TEDx talk How to Support Your Child's Mental Health Without Medication is now available on YouTube. About Dr. Angela Zeng Dr. Angela Zeng, PhD, MBA, is a scientist, entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of Karviva Wellness Beverages. Her work blends biomedical research, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and lived experience to promote holistic approaches to nourishment, mental well-being, and sustainable living. In addition to building a nationally recognized wellness brand, Dr. Zeng is an advocate for conscious entrepreneurship and emotional health, sharing her perspective as both a scientist and a mother. Media Contact Organization: Karviva Contact Person Name: Dr. Angela Zeng Website: https://karviva.com/ Email: angela@karviva.com City: Saint Louis State: Missouri Country: United States SOURCE: Karviva View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/food-and-beverage-products/dr.-angela-zengs-tedx-talk-on-supporting-childrens-mental-health-without-1141857 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Capitan Silver Corp. (TSXV: CAPT) ("Capitan" or "the Company") is pleased to report assay results from its 2025 reverse circulation ("RC") drill program at its Cruz de Plata silver-gold project, located in Durango, Mexico. The Company is reporting assay results from nine (9) drill holes. Highlights: Drilling at Cruz de Plata returned one of Capitan's best intercepts to date; the new high-grade zone that is developing along the Jesus Maria Silver Trend proximal to the Penoles Fault continues to grow both down-dip and along section, delivering multiple high-grade hits Drill hole 25-ERRC-38 intersected four (4) separate high-grade structures, including 2,451.1 g/t AgEq over 1.5m , within a wider interval of 1,283.4 g/t AgEq over 4.6m, occurring within a broader zone of 683.6 g/t AgEq over 9.1m Drill hole 25-ERRC-38 also intersected 1,187 g/t AgEq over 1.5m , within a wider zone of 194.3 g/t AgEq over 16.8m Drill hole 25-ERRC-38 provides increased confidence in continuity of mineralization, extending mineralization down-dip along section between 35m to 80m from previously announced drill hole 25-ERRC-34 Previously announced drill hole 25-ERRC-34 intersected 1,130.1 g/t AgEq over 1.5m, within a broader zone of 240.5 g/t AgEq over 25.9m (see Capitan news release dated February 2, 2026) Drill hole 25-ERRC-42 extends the new high-grade silver mineralized zone approximately 10m to 20m to the east of previously announced drill hole 25-ERRC-26 Drill hole 25-ERRC-42 returned multiple high-grade intervals >200 g/t AgEq, including 476.4 g/t AgEq over 1.5m and 419.8 g/t AgEq over 1.5m, within a wider zone of 152 g/t AgEq over 12.2m Previously announced drill hole 25-ERRC-26 intersected two sizeable zones (see Capitan news release dated November 11, 2025): The Upper Zone returned 612.9 g/t AgEq over 1.5m, within a broader zone of 155.9 g/t AgEq over 6.1m The Lower Zone intersected 1,767.4 g/t AgEq over 1.5m , within a broader zone of 1,222.1 g/t AgEq over 3m, which is part of a wider interval of 234.2 g/t AgEq over 25.9m Silver mineralization extended along the eastern end of the Jesus Maria Silver Trend both at depth and along strike Drill hole 25-ERRC-43 intersected multiple broad intervals of silver equivalent mineralization, including 225.3 g/t AgEq over 1.5m, within 12.2m of 59.3 g/t AgEq Drill hole 25-ERRC-43 was collared 50m to the southeast of previously announced high-grade hits from drill holes 25-ERRC-20 and 25-ERRC-32 Previously announced drill hole 25-ERRC-20 intersected 1,541 g/t AgEq over 1.5m , within a broader interval of 201.65 g/t AgEq over 18.3m, while drill hole 25-ERRC-32 (down-dip from 25-ERRC-20) intersected 1,254.8 g/t AgEq over 1.5m, within a wider interval of 157.3 g/t AgEq over 16.8m (see Capitan news releases dated October 14, 2025 and February 10, 2026, respectively) Diamond drilling continues to ramp-up on the property The first diamond drill rig has arrived on site and is currently focused on extending the new high-grade silver zone which is developing at the Jesus Maria Trend proximal to the Penoles Fault An additional two (2) diamond drill rigs are expected to arrive at Cruz de Plata in the coming weeks and will target several priority drill targets in addition to testing deeper mineralization along the Jesus Maria Silver Trend Catalysts: Final assays pending for 24 drill holes Alberto Orozco, CEO of Capitan Silver, commented: "The drill results from Cruz de Plata continue to impress me. With a modest amount of drilling from the 2025 program, we have identified two additional high-grade silver zones that are developing along the Jesus Maria Silver Trend proximal to the Penoles Fault (on either side of the Fault), which continue to highlight the richness of the robust silver system at Cruz de Plata. Today's announcement not only delivered one of the highest-grade drill results on the property, but it also highlights the continuity of these new high-grade zones, particularly the one that is developing on the western side of the Penoles Fault. We have commenced our diamond drill program, with the first holes targeting this new high-grade zone. I'm excited to see core from this target and the results as we start to test at depth." Figure 1: Drill Plan Map To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7373/285439_805fcd6fa43e3be0_002full.jpg Discussion of Drill Results Towards the end of 2025, drilling continued to focus on expanding the new high-grade silver mineralized zone that is developing on the western side of the Penoles Fault along the Jesus Maria Silver Trend (see 'A' on Figure 1). Early stage drilling focused on evaluating the distribution and continuity of a second new high-grade silver mineralized zone that is developing on the eastern side of the Penoles Fault as it expands eastward towards the San Rafael area (see 'B' on Figure 1). Drill hole 25-ERRC-38 returned high-grade silver mineralization at depth, expanding the zone between 35 metres to 80 metres along section, where it was targeting the high-grade zone proximal to the Penoles Fault (see Figure 2). The hole returned multiple high-grade intervals, including a: Lower zone: consisting of three separate high-grade intercepts: 2,451.1 g/t AgEq over 1.5m , within a wider zone of 683.6 g/t AgEq over 9.1m; 1,187 g/t AgEq over 1.5m , within a wider zone of 194.3 g/t AgEq over 16.8m ; and 347.6 g/t AgEq over 1.5m , within a wider zone of 107 g/t AgEq over 6.1m ; and an Upper zone: intersecting 449.3 g/t AgEq over 1.5m, within a wider zone of 251.7 g/t AgEq over 6.1m Figure 2: Cross-Section, Drill hole 25-ERRC-38 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7373/285439_805fcd6fa43e3be0_003full.jpg Additional drilling along the new high-grade zone on the western side of the Penoles Fault returned significant grades. Drill hole 25-ERRC-47 returned 469.9 g/t AgEq over 1.5m and extended mineralization at depth, along section between 30m to 40m. Drill hole 25-ERRC-42 also returned multiple high-grade hits, including: 168 g/t AgEq over 1.5m, as well as 476.4 g/t AgEq over 1.5m, and 419.8 g/t AgEq over 1.5m, both of which were within a wider interval of 152.0 g/t AgEq over 12.2m. This hole expanded the high-grade zone towards the east between 10m to 20m. Drilling in this area is continuing in 2026, with the first diamond core rig targeting the expansion of this new high-grade silver zone at depth. Figure 3: Cross-Section, Drill hole 25-ERRC-42 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7373/285439_805fcd6fa43e3be0_004full.jpg At the second new developing high-grade zone on the eastern side of the Penoles Fault (see 'B' on Figure 1), drill hole 25-ERRC-43 was designed to target the high-grade results returned in previously announced drill holes 25-ERRC-20 and 25-ERRC-32. Drill hole 25-ERRC-20 intersected 1,541 g/t AgEq over 1.5m, within a broader interval of 201.65 g/t AgEq over 18.3m, while drill hole 25-ERRC-32 (down-dip from 25-ERRC-20) intersected 1,254.8 g/t AgEq over 1.5m, within a wider interval of 157.3 g/t AgEq over 16.8m (see Capitan news releases dated October 14, 2025 and February 10, 2026, respectively). Drill hole 25-ERRC-43 was collared approximately 50m to the southeast of the projected on-strike and down-dip extension of the high-grade intervals returned in these holes. Drill hole 25-ERRC-43 was successful in expanding mineralization down-dip and on-strike to the east, returning multiple, broad silver zones, including 225.3 AgEq over 1.5m, within a wider zone of 59.3 g/t AgEq over 12.2m. This new high-grade zone that is developing on the eastern side of the Penoles Fault area has been interpreted to contain multiple subparallel zones of silver mineralization that remain at an early stage of exploration, with only widely spaced, shallow drilling having taken place. All zones remain open down-dip and along strike to the east, with 2026 RC drilling targeting areas identified thus far, as well as untested areas of historical workings to the north. Drilling in 2025 along the western defined limits of the Jesus Maria Silver Trend (west of the Gully Fault, see 'C' on Figure 1), targeted the down-dip expansion of historic, shallow core drilling that returned silver polymetallic mineralization. Three drill holes targeted the expansion of mineralization at depth, along section, with all three returning silver mineralization and expanding the zone to depth. The best results include drill hole 25-JMRC-31 , which returned 384.9 g/t AgEq over 1.5m, within a wider interval of 150 g/t AgEq over 4.6m, and drill hole 25-JMRC-32 , which intersected 128.4 g/t AgEq over 3m, within a wider interval of 71.1 g/t AgEq over 13.7m. This zone remains open to expansion to the west, towards the Jesus Maria northwest prospect as well as down-dip. Table 1: Drill Results Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Ag Eq Rec (g/t) Ag (ppm) Au (ppm) Pb (%) Zn (%) 25-ERRC-28 Interval 16.8 27.4 10.7 49.5 41.8 0.121 0.007 0.050 including 22.9 24.4 1.5 103.6 99.3 0.125 0.011 0.040 Interval 33.5 35.1 1.5 64.8 63.5 0.064 0.005 0.018 Interval 39.6 41.1 1.5 44.1 43.7 0.037 0.005 0.010 Interval 47.2 51.8 4.6 31.0 29.1 0.043 0.005 0.017 Interval 61.0 62.5 1.5 38.1 27.9 0.162 0.003 0.018 Interval 77.7 79.2 1.5 56.9 51.3 0.116 0.009 0.012 25-ERRC-38 Interval 32.0 33.5 1.5 36.9 28.8 0.135 0.002 0.015 Interval 41.1 51.8 10.7 57.9 48.7 0.170 0.002 0.012 Interval 56.4 57.9 1.5 33.6 27.8 0.099 0.001 0.018 Interval 62.5 65.5 3.0 61.8 55.8 0.125 0.002 0.021 Interval 83.8 89.9 6.1 251.7 257.4 0.089 0.037 0.076 including 83.8 85.3 1.5 449.3 468.0 0.084 0.044 0.070 Interval 94.5 96.0 1.5 83.9 78.4 0.125 0.009 0.041 Interval 141.7 147.8 6.1 107.0 99.0 0.156 0.050 0.055 including 143.3 144.8 1.5 347.6 339.0 0.271 0.161 0.169 Interval 157.0 173.7 16.8 194.3 200.6 0.034 0.051 0.058 including 161.5 163.1 1.5 1,187.0 1,239.0 0.120 0.233 0.222 including 169.2 172.2 3.0 243.3 254 0.012 0.073 0.05 Interval 187.5 196.6 9.1 683.6 694.8 0.053 0.280 0.557 including 187.5 192.0 4.6 1,283.4 1,332.0 0.086 0.307 0.494 and including 189.0 190.5 1.5 1,093.4 1,141.0 0.033 0.223 0.362 and including 190.5 192.0 1.5 2,451.1 2,549.0 0.210 0.492 0.787 25-ERRC-42 Interval 1.5 3.0 1.5 28.2 9.6 0.267 0.003 0.021 Interval 7.6 9.1 1.5 58.3 54.8 0.088 0.004 0.019 Interval 82.3 83.8 1.5 53.4 53.9 0.035 0.002 0.008 Interval 108.2 109.7 1.5 168.0 158.5 0.266 0.006 0.017 Interval 135.6 138.7 3.0 78.8 65.7 0.177 0.019 0.129 including 135.6 137.2 1.5 129.9 119.9 0.133 0.034 0.21 Interval 163.1 175.3 12.2 152.0 147.4 0.162 0.025 0.048 including 164.6 166.1 1.5 476.4 493.0 0.121 0.093 0.060 including 169.2 170.7 1.5 419.8 415.0 0.365 0.041 0.101 Interval 199.6 213.4 13.7 107.9 106.8 0.067 0.037 0.055 including 202.7 205.7 3.0 198.6 193.0 0.19 0.056 0.074 25-ERRC-43 Interval 16.8 29.0 12.2 59.3 60.3 0.022 0.007 0.027 including 18.3 19.8 1.5 225.3 237 0.022 0.023 0.001 Interval 48.8 76.2 27.4 46.5 35.6 0.175 0.007 0.024 25-ERRC-47 Interval 140.2 141.7 1.5 70.6 61.0 0.169 0.006 0.045 Interval 184.4 185.9 1.5 469.9 477.0 0.251 0.044 0.090 Interval 243.8 254.5 10.7 47.9 44.3 0.022 0.060 0.088 Interval 259.1 260.6 1.5 64.6 67.0 0.005 0.015 0.027 Interval 269.7 271.3 1.5 61.8 38.0 0.018 0.068 0.675 25-JMRC-29 Interval 3.0 6.1 3.0 28.8 1.5 0.349 0.047 0.062 Interval 47.2 48.8 1.5 91.1 33.8 0.247 0.581 0.763 25-JMRC-30 Interval 97.5 99.1 1.5 99.3 89.0 0.105 0.099 0.165 25-JMRC-31 Interval 47.2 51.8 4.6 150.0 140.1 0.056 0.222 0.243 including 47.2 48.8 1.5 384.9 365.0 0.095 0.595 0.547 25-JMRC-32 Interval 16.8 18.3 1.5 25.7 4.9 0.299 0.001 0.015 Interval 47.2 61.0 13.7 71.1 35.6 0.189 0.311 0.466 including 48.8 51.8 3.0 128.4 75.6 0.439 0.38 0.48 including 59.4 61 1.5 121.1 26.7 0.288 0.846 1.54 Metal Recovery: Ag 94%, Au 86%, Pb 93.5%, Zn 92% AgEq considers Ag, Au, Pb and Zn and calculated as follows: AgEq = Ag g/t + (80x Au g/t) + (0.003 x Pb g/t) + (0.0037 x Zn g/t). High grades have not been capped. RC Drill samples have been analysed by Bureau Veritas using the following codes: MA300, 4-acid digestion, multi-element analysis (Vancouver Lab). Au is analyzed using Fire Assay (FA430, Durango Lab). Overlimit (>200 ppm Ag) assays utilize method MA370, with gravimetric utilized for any overlimit thereafter. RC Drill samples have also been sent to SGS labs in Durango for Fire assay and Four-acid Multi-element analysis using the following codes: GE-FAA30V6 and GEICP40Q12, with over assays using the following codes: GO_FAG37V for Au and Ag. QAQC: Capitan Silver maintains a rigorous QAQC program and inserts multiple standards, blanks and duplicates into the sample stream at regular intervals. Check Assays are performed at SGS laboratories in Durango, Mexico. True widths along the Jesus Maria Trend are estimated to be 70-90% of the drilled width. At new drill targets/discoveries, true widths are unknown. Intervals are calculated at a 25 g/t AgEq cut-off and are cut at a maximum of 3 metres of internal dilution. Some numbers may not sum correctly due to rounding. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Marc Idziszek, P.Geo, Vice President Exploration of Capitan, and a "qualified person" (with the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects). About Capitan Silver Corp. Capitan Silver is defining a new high-grade silver system at its Cruz de Plata project, located in the heart of Mexico's primary silver belt. The Company is led by a proven and accomplished management team that has previously advanced three projects into production, on time and on budget. The Company has been diligent in maintaining a tight share structure and has one of the tightest share structures among its peer group, with the top three shareholders owning approximately 37% of the Company's share capital. Capitan Silver is fully funded and actively drilling at its Cruz de Plata silver project. ON BEHALF OF CAPITAN SILVER CORP. "Alberto Orozco" Alberto Orozco, CEO For Additional Information Contact: CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this news release are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, by their nature, require Capitan to make certain assumptions and necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words or phrases such as "may", "will", "would", "could", "should", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "continue", "objective", "potential", "target", "strategy", "project", "forecast", "outlook", "scheduled", "seek", "explore" and other similar terminology, as well as terms usually used in the future and the conditional, and the negatives thereof, or comparable terminology, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, this news release contains forward-looking statements with respect to: expectations regarding the Company's 2026 drilling program at the Cruz de Plata project, including the planned 60,000-metre multi-rig program; anticipated timing and results of future assay results; the potential scale, continuity, and grade of mineralization at the Cruz de Plata project; the potential to expand known zones of mineralization; the prospectivity of the Cruz de Plata project and its exploration potential; management's beliefs regarding the mineralized system at Cruz de Plata; and the Company's strategy and exploration objectives. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon certain material assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection, including assumptions and expectations regarding: the continued validity of exploration results and geological interpretations; the ability to complete planned exploration programs on time and within budget; the availability of financing for future exploration and development activities; commodity prices remaining at levels that support continued exploration; the ability to obtain and maintain all necessary permits and approvals; the accuracy of current mineral resource estimates; the continuity of mineralization between drill holes; and general economic and business conditions. Although the Company believes that the assumptions underlying these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect, and the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: exploration and development risks, including risks related to the interpretation of geological data and exploration results; the uncertainty of mineral resource estimates; risks inherent in the mining industry including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected geological formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding, and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance; fluctuations in commodity prices; currency exchange rate fluctuations; risks related to obtaining and maintaining necessary permits and licenses; risks related to the Company's title to its mineral properties; risks related to the political and economic climate in Mexico; regulatory changes; reliance on key personnel; competition in the mining industry; risks related to the Company's ability to raise additional capital; dilution to existing shareholders; risks related to global economic conditions and market volatility; environmental risks and hazards; and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company's public filings. The foregoing list of risks and uncertainties is not exhaustive. For a more complete discussion of the risk factors affecting the Company, readers are encouraged to review the Company's filings available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under the Capitan's issuer profile. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285439 Source: Capitan Silver Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - EagleOne Metals Corporation (CSE: EAGL) (FSE: IJ2) ("EagleOne" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding Letter of Intent (the "LOI") whereby it will acquire a 100% interest 10 mineral claims comprising 206.6 acres known as the Poison Springs Uranium/Rare Earths Project (the "Property" or the "Project") located 35 miles south of Hanksville, Utah. Pursuant to the letter of intent, EagleOne will pay the vendors US$50,000 to acquire a 100% interest in the Project upon the execution of a definitive mineral property purchase agreement. The Letter of Intent in subject to a number of conditions, including the entry of a formal agreement with standard representations and warranties, as well as Canadian Securities Exchange acceptance for filing. A limited drill program was conducted on the Property in early 2008 and resulted in several mineralized intercepts. The ore zones identified to date also host copper, silver, cobalt, nickel, neodymium, prasneodymium, and europium. The area contains a number of historic artisan mine workings along outcrops. The area is fairly remote and rugged and would be considered one of the last frontiers for the region. Hatch Canyon is located 10 miles to the east of the Project where Cotter Corporation drilled a large number of holes and intersected widespread mineralization in the area in 1978 and 1979. Drilling also occur in nearby Happy Canyon, Sams Box Canyon, and Twin Corral canyon. Additionally, drilling conducted in 2008 found numerous mineralized intercepts in the area and proposed additional drill targets are located at less than 100 metre depths. These include a Triassic Chinle target with potential copper, vanadium, zinc, nickel, cobalt and REE. Chinle deposits in the southeastern Utah region are responsible for the largest production and grade on a mine versus mine basis when compared to salt wash deposits with the largest Chinle mine producing over 68 million pounds of uranium alone. Disclaimer Readers are cautioned that the discussion about adjacent or similar properties is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization or potential of the Poison Springs Uranium/Rare Earths Project. The Company has no interest in or right to acquire any interest in any such adjacent properties. About EagleOne Metals Corp. EagleOne is a Canadian-based precious and base metal explorer that holds the option to acquire a 100% interest, subject to a 2% net smelter returns royalty, in 11 claims comprising the Magusi West Gold Project, which is located in Abitibi greenstone belt of Quebec - one of the world's most productive and highest ranked gold mining jurisdictions. The Company seeks to unlock shareholder value through the diligent exploration of carefully selected exploration projects in some of Canada's most prolific exploration and mining areas. EagleOne is committed to all stakeholders including shareholders, all its partners and the environment in which it operates. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Matthew Markin President & CEO Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in CSE policies) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking information"), including statements regarding: the results of future exploration on the Project, the timing of any future Project exploration, and the Company's financing and completion of additional exploration on the Project. Forward-looking information is based on assumptions that management believes are reasonable as of the date of this news release, including assumptions regarding commodity prices, exploration budgets, availability of financing, the timely receipt of required approvals and permits, and the performance of contractors and counterparties. Forward-looking information is inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including risks related to exploration, geological uncertainty; regulatory approvals (including CSE acceptance); commodity price volatility; capital markets conditions and access to financing; reliance on third parties; execution and closing of a formal mineral property purchase agreement; and the other risk factors described in the Company's public filings. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking information except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285434 Source: EagleOne Metals Corporation Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Canamera Energy Metals Corp. (CSE: EMET) (OTCQB: EMETF) (FSE: 4LF0) ("Canamera" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed a non-binding letter of intent ("LOI") with an arm's length Brazilian mineral permits-holder (the "Offeror"), under which it may acquire an option ("Option") to earn a 100% interest (subject to a NSR and obligation to make Milestone Payments, as described below) in eight (8) exploration permits comprising the Patos ionic clay rare earth element ("REE") project (the "Patos Project" or the "Property") located in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The Patos Project covers approximately 15,979 hectares in Presidente Olegario, Minas Gerais. The LOI is structured in two stages: first, the Company will fund a low-cost auger drill program of up to C$20,000 ("Due Diligence Payment") in order to conduct diligence ("Initial Due Diligence") on the Property; if the Company wishes to then proceed, it will, in consideration for the Due Diligence Payment, acquire the Option. The Initial Due Diligence program will consist of up to 10 auger drill holes designed to verify the presence of ionic clay REE mineralization and assess the character and distribution of the rare earth-bearing horizon. "This Patos acquisition expands our exposure to another potential ionic clay rare earth system in Brazil, a country that has seen several recent rare earth discoveries within favourable geological settings," commented Canamera CEO Brad Brodeur. "We will apply a systematic exploration program to determine whether similar mineralization may be present on the Patos property in a mining friendly, relatively low cost jurisdiction." Option Exercise - Cash and Share Consideration Should Canamera acquire the Option following the completion of the Initial Due Diligence program, then such Option may be exercised by the Company making the following cash and Company share payments ("Option Payments") immediately following completion of the Initial Due Diligence program: Cash Consideration: C$228,000 in aggregate, comprising the C$20,000 Due Diligence Payment and a remaining cash payment of C$208,000; and Share Consideration: Common shares of Canamera having an aggregate deemed value of C$307,800, issued at a price equal to the 10-day volume-weighted average price ("VWAP") of the Company's shares over the 10 trading days immediately prior to closing, subject to applicable Canadian securities laws and CSE approval. Fifty percent (50%) of the shares will be held in escrow for four (4) months and the remaining fifty percent (50%) for six (6) months from the date of issuance. Upon making the Option Payments, Canamera will acquire a 100% interest in the Property, subject to a 2% net smelter return royalty ("NSR") in favor of the Offeror (and the obligation to make the Milestone Payments described below). Canamera will have the right to buy back 50% of the NSR (reducing it to a 1% NSR) for C$228,000 upon certain terms and conditions. Milestone Payments Subject to acquiring and exercising the Option, Canamera has also agreed to pay the following milestone payment amounts ("Milestone Payments") to the Offeror: Milestone Payment 1: C$342,000 (comprised of 50% cash / 50% Company shares at 20-day VWAP) payable if Canamera reports, in respect of the Property, a 43-101-compliant Inferred Resource of 250 million tonnes or more, grading at least 2,000 ppm Total Rare Earth Oxides ("TREO") within five (5) years from the date of acquisition. Milestone Payment 2: C$228,000 (comprised of 50% cash / 50% Company shares at 20-day VWAP) payable if Canamera reports, in respect of the Property, drill intercepts of 25 metres grading at least 2,500 ppm TREO within three (3) years from the date of acquisition. Patos Project Overview The Patos Project consists of eight (8) prospecting licences (ANM Licence IDs: 830763/2024 through 830771/2024) totalling approximately 15,979 hectares, located in the municipality of Presidente Olegario in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The Property is road accessible and situated approximately 330 kilometres from Belo Horizonte. The Property is underlain by the Patos Formation, a member of the Mata da Corda Group - the same stratigraphic package currently being explored for ionic clay REE mineralization by other companies active in the region. Ionic clay REE deposits are of particular interest given their amenability to low-cost, low-impact extraction methods relative to hard-rock REE deposits. Figure 1: Patos Property Location Map To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11828/285428_66887350c49ce911_001full.jpg The transactions contemplated by the LOI are subject to the satisfaction of applicable Canadian securities laws and any required CSE approvals. The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Warren Robb, P.Geo. (British Columbia), VP Exploration of Canamera Energy Metals Corp. and a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"). Mr. Robb is not independent of the Company within the meaning of NI 43-101. About Canamera Energy Metals Corp. Canamera Energy Metals Corp. is a critical and rare earth metals exploration company focused on building a diversified portfolio of district-scale projects across the Americas. In North America, the Company's portfolio includes the Schryburt Lake rare earth and niobium project in Ontario; the Iron Hills critical and rare earth project in Colorado; the Garrow rare earth elements project in Northern Ontario; the Waterslide rare earth and uranium project in Northern Ontario; the Great Divide Basin uranium project in Wyoming; and the Mantle project in British Columbia. In Brazil, Canamera is advancing the Turvolandia and Sao Sepe rare earth element projects. For more information, visit www.canamerametals.com. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding: the completion and outcome of the Auger Program; Canamera's election to acquire and then exercise the Option and complete the acquisition of the Patos Project; the anticipated timing and satisfaction of conditions to closing, including CSE approval; the potential of the Patos Project to host ionic clay REE mineralization; the planned exploration programs and anticipated results therefrom; the Company's ability to achieve the milestone thresholds set out in the LOI; and the strategic benefits of the transaction to Canamera's project portfolio and diversification strategy. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company at the date of this news release, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Such assumptions include, without limitation: the satisfactory completion of the Auger Program within the Initial Due Diligence period; the receipt of all required regulatory and exchange approvals; the continued availability of the Offeror to complete the transaction on the terms set out in the LOI; the absence of material adverse changes to commodity markets for rare earth elements; and the availability of financing to fund exploration and acquisition payments. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied, including: the risk that Canamera does not to pursue or exercise the Option or is unable to satisfy the conditions to exercise; uncertainties relating to the geological and mineralization characteristics of the Patos Project; changes in commodity prices for rare earth elements; the inability to obtain required CSE or securities regulatory approvals; general risks associated with mineral exploration in Brazil, including permitting, environmental, and legal risks; and foreign exchange fluctuations affecting CAD-denominated payments. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285428 Source: Canamera Energy Metals Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Eureka Lithium Corp. (CSE: ERKA) (OTCQB: UREKF) (FSE: S58) ("Eureka Lithium" or "Eureka" or the "Company") is pleased to announce, further to its news release dated January 28, 2026, that it has completed the acquisition ("Acquisition") of a 100% interest in the Cabin Lake Polymetallic Project, located in the Omineca Mining District of British Columbia, and of a 100% interest in the Tyee Titanium-Vanadium Project, located within the Havre-St-Pierre region of Quebec (together, the "Properties"), through its acquisition of all the issued and outstanding shares ("Stairway Shares") of Stairway Mining Inc. ("Stairway"). The Acquisition was made pursuant to the terms of an amended and restated share purchase agreement ("Share Purchase Agreement") dated February 20, 2026, under which Eureka acquired the Stairway Shares in exchange for an aggregate of 9,100,000 common shares of Eureka, issued to Stairway Shareholders on a pro rata basis ("Consideration Shares"). In addition, Eureka has agreed to make a milestone cash payment of, in aggregate, CAD $1,000,000 (the "Milestone Payment", and together with the Consideration Shares, the "Consideration") to former Stairway Shareholders, on a pro rata basis, in the event that all of the following milestones are achieved: (i) Eureka files a technical report for each of the Properties on SEDAR+ within six months of the date of the Share Purchase Agreement; (ii) Eureka delineates and publicly discloses a mineral resource estimate in respect of at least one the Properties within nine months of the date of the Share Purchase Agreement; and (iii) Eureka publicly discloses a preliminary economic assessment in respect of at least one of the Properties within 15 months of the date of the Share Purchase Agreement. The Consideration Shares are subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. The Company notes that, as disclosed in its January 28, 2026 news release, the original consideration contemplated to be paid for the Acquisition was 12,000,000 common shares of Eureka, with no Milestone Payment. These terms were amended as a result of the Company's inability to vary the four month and one day hold applicable to the Consideration Shares pursuant to Canadian Securities Exchange policies. The Company notes that the Consideration for the Acquisition was determined through arm's length negotiations between the Company and Stairway. During such negotiations, the Company's management and board applied its business judgment, having regard to comparable transactions in the junior mining industry. Stairway originally staked or acquired the Tyee Project claims in December 2025. The Company's Consideration was not based on the historical staking or acquisition cost of the claims, but rather on its independent assessment of the exploration potential, geological merit, strategic value and market comparables for similar stage critical mineral assets. Management does not consider the difference between Stairway's original acquisition cost and the Consideration to be indicative of the fair value of the Properties. The former Stairway Shareholders are arm's length to the Company and to its directors, officers, and, to its knowledge, insiders. The Cabin Lake Project is comprised of six contiguous mineral claims totaling approximately 2,363 hectares in central British Columbia's Omineca Mining District. Cabin Lake is a polymetallic system prospective for zinc, lead, copper, molybdenum and silver, with multiple historical showings and a 600 metre by 1,000 metre target footprint identified through prior exploration work. The Cabin Lake Project is strategically located near established infrastructure and producing and past-producing mines, including the Endako Mine1 and the Blackwater Mine2, underscoring the district-scale fertility of the region.* Figure 1: Cabin Lake Adjacent Properties Map To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9639/285386_569dd43d44164ad0_002full.jpg The Tyee Project consists of 189 contiguous mineral claims covering approximately 10,136 hectares within the Havre-St-Pierre Anorthosite Complex of Quebec, a globally significant titanium-bearing district. The region hosts the world-class Lac Tio Mine deposit, one of the highest-grade hard rock titanium operations globally3. Tyee includes the Big TiO, NS Trend and East Nugget targets, which have been the subject of historical geophysical surveys and surface sampling and are prospective for titanium and vanadium mineralization associated with layered anorthosite-hosted systems. Mineralization on adjacent or nearby properties referenced in this news release are not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Company's Properties. Figure 2: Tyee Property Location Map To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9639/285386_569dd43d44164ad0_003full.jpg "The acquisition of the Cabin Lake and Tyee Projects represents a strategic expansion of Eureka's asset base beyond lithium and into high-conviction polymetallic and titanium-vanadium prospective projects," stated Mr. Dave Bowen, CEO of Eureka Lithium Corp. "Both projects are located in mining-friendly jurisdictions with strong infrastructure and district-scale geological potential. These projects give Eureka exposure to mineral projects targeting exploration for important materials necessary for defence, electrification and advanced manufacturing." Qualified Person Afzaal Pirzada M.Sc., P.GEO., a consultant to the Company, and a "Qualified Person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release. About Eureka Lithium Corp. Eureka Lithium is the largest lithium-focused landholder in the northern third of Quebec, known as the Nunavik region, with 100% ownership of three projects comprising 2,108 sq. km in the emerging Raglan West, Raglan South and New Leaf Lithium Camps. These claims were acquired from famed prospector Shawn Ryan and are located in a region that hosts two operating nickel mines with deep- sea port access. For more information please contact: Cautionary Statement Certain statements contained in this news release, including statements which may contain words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions, and statements related to matters which are not historical facts, such as statements regarding the Company's ability to pursue exploration of the Tyee and Cabin Lake Projects, are forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's expectations and are based on certain factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any future revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as expressly required by law. 1 https://www.centerragold.com/operations/molybdenum-business-unit/endako-mine 2 https://www.artemisgoldinc.com/blackwater-project/blackwater-gold-project/overview/ 3 https://www.riotinto.com/en/can/canada-operations/rio-tinto-fer-et-titane To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285386 Source: Eureka Lithium Corp. LONDON, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- H.I.G. WhiteHorse, the credit affiliate of H.I.G. Capital ("H.I.G."), a leading global alternative investment firm with $74 billion of capital under management, is pleased to announce that it has arranged a 120m financing package for Nasta Petfood ("Nasta", or the "Group"). Nasta is a French-based, family-owned international group specializing in ultra-premium pet nutrition, with a portfolio of established brands and integrated production facilities in France and Italy. The financing supports the acquisition of FirstMate Pet Foods, a premium pet food manufacturer based in British Columbia, Canada, and the continued execution of the Group's development strategy in North America. Following this transaction, the combined group will operate an integrated industrial platform across Europe and North America, with consolidated annual production capacity of approximately 45,000 tons of dry pet food and 4,000 tons of wet pet food, serving more than 400,000 pet-owning households globally. The Group targets approximately 200 million in consolidated revenues in 2026. Geoffroy Lefebvre, CEO of Nasta, said: "Our partnership with H.I.G. WhiteHorse marks the beginning of a new chapter of growth and maturity for Nasta. The support and trust of this world-class institution highlight the credibility of our project, of our teams, and of our brands' heritage. As we are engaging in this growth path, we are very pleased with the opportunity to partner with the H.I.G. teams to shape the future of our Group." Pascal Meysson, Head of H.I.G. WhiteHorse Europe, said: "We are delighted to support Nasta with a financing solution tailored to its strategic ambitions. This transaction highlights H.I.G. WhiteHorse Europe's ability to deliver flexible, scalable capital to help sponsor-less businesses execute transformative cross-border acquisitions." Charles Bourgeois, Managing Director at H.I.G. WhiteHorse Europe, said: "We are pleased to support Nasta in this important new phase of its development. Nasta is an amazing business: it has a strong positioning in the attractive and resilient ultra-premium pet nutrition segment, integrated industrial capabilities, a compelling international growth strategy, a high-caliber management team, and highly experienced shareholders. The acquisition of FirstMate Pet Foods marks a key milestone in the Group's expansion and significantly strengthens its footprint in the strategic North American market." About Nasta Pet Food Founded in 2016 in France, Nasta is an international family-owned group specializing in ultra-premium pet nutrition, combining the benefits of Nature, Science, and Taste. The Group develops a complementary portfolio of high-value brands, driven by entrepreneurial teams, integrated industrial expertise, and high standards of quality, transparency, and nutritional performance. Its portfolio includes Bab'in, Forza10, Natural Code, and FirstMate Pet Foods, representing more than 150 years of combined expertise in animal nutrition. Present in France, Italy, North America, and China, Nasta distributes its products in over 30 markets worldwide and pursues a sustainable growth strategy combining organic development and targeted acquisitions. For more information, visit nasta.com. About H.I.G. Capital H.I.G. is a leading global alternative investment firm with $74 billion of capital under management.* Based in Miami, and with offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Stamford in the United States, as well as international affiliate offices in Hamburg, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Bogota, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Dubai, and Hong Kong, H.I.G. specializes in providing both debt and equity capital to middle market companies, utilizing a flexible and operationally focused/value-added approach: H.I.G.'s equity funds invest in management buyouts, recapitalizations, and corporate carve-outs of both profitable as well as underperforming manufacturing and service businesses. H.I.G.'s debt funds invest in senior, unitranche, and junior debt financing to companies across the size spectrum, both on a primary (direct origination) basis, as well as in the secondary markets. H.I.G. also manages a publicly traded BDC, WhiteHorse Finance. H.I.G.'s real estate funds invest in value-added properties, which can benefit from improved asset management practices. H.I.G. Infrastructure focuses on making value-add and core plus investments in the infrastructure sector. Since its founding in 1993, H.I.G. has invested in and managed more than 400 companies worldwide. The Firm's current portfolio includes more than 100 companies with combined sales in excess of $53 billion. For more information, please refer to the H.I.G. website at hig.com. *Based on total capital raised by H.I.G. Capital and its affiliates. Contact: Pascal Meysson Head of H.I.G. WhiteHorse Europe pmeysson@hig.com Charles Bourgeois Managing Director cbourgeois@hig.com H.I.G. WhiteHorse Europe 10 Grosvenor Street 2nd Floor London W1K 4QB P: +44 (0) 207 318 5700 hig.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2538962/HIG_WhiteHorse_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hig-whitehorse-provides-financing-to-nasta-pet-food-302697697.html TOKYO, Japan, Feb 26, 2026 - (JCN Newswire) - The Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo (Tokyo; Dean of the Graduate School of Engineering: Professor Yasuhiro Kato; Head of the Nakao Research Laboratory: Professor Akihiro Nakao; hereinafter "The University of Tokyo"), NTT, Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo; President and CEO: Akira Shimada; hereinafter "NTT"), and NEC Corporation (Headquarters: Tokyo; President and CEO Takayuki Morita; hereinafter "NEC") have integrated three newly proposed technologies on a 6G(*1)/IOWN(*2) platform to realize the widespread use of AI agents(*3) supporting a safer and more secure society. Through this initiative, the three parties have combined streaming semantic communication technology(*4), AI-oriented media control technology(*5), and In-Network Computing (INC) architecture technology(*6) to optimize the high-volume data transmission and computational processing required for AI agents. The effectiveness of these technologies has been quantitatively verified through a trial, and plans are slated for this initiative to be showcased at the Mobile World Congress 2026 (MWC 2026) Japan Pavilion, where the research findings and underlying concept will be presented to an international audience.1. Background and significance of this three-party collaborationInternational collaboration and global standardization are vital to the advancement of telecommunications, which serves as a universal platform accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world, and should therefore be considered from a global value perspective. In recent years, the importance of safety and security has grown, as both offer global value.To realize a safer and more secure society, the ability to quickly perceive and take appropriate action in response to disasters, accidents, cyberattacks, and other rapidly evolving situations is imperative. However, relying solely on personnel and predefined rules to respond to such situations has its limitations, making the use of AI essential. Utilizing AI agents enables autonomous, real-time perception of the situation at hand, helping to prevent potential damage and minimize the impact of any damage that does occur.Meanwhile, next-generation ICT infrastructure capable of processing and transmitting massive amounts of data with low latency and high reliability is vital to enhancing the functionality of AI agents.Against this backdrop, The University of Tokyo, NTT, and NEC-all three of which possess strengths in 6G and IOWN-have united under The University of Tokyo's Social Cooperation Program to conduct research and development on 6G and IOWN platform technologies to realize AI agents supporting safety and security.2. Research backgroundWhile the use of AI in recent years has primarily centered on models that act based on human prompts, the utilization of AI agents capable of acting autonomously based on sensor data and other non-human-originated inputs without relying on specific instructions from human operators is expected to become increasingly common in the society of the future. In turn, these advancements will enable the realization of AI agents that support safety and security by continuously collecting and monitoring data from the surrounding environment and responding in real time when signs of abnormalities are detected.However, the expanded use of continuously operating AI agents will cause the amount of multimodal data(*7) to skyrocket, and existing ICT infrastructure is not equipped to support such a drastic increase in data due to the technological challenges listed below.(1) Insufficient wireless bandwidthContinuous transmission of vast amounts of data from countless sensors and devices makes it difficult to secure sufficient wireless bandwidth.(2) Increasing computational load due to round-the-clock AI processing of sensor dataIf all sensor data is continuously processed using computationally intensive AI, it will cause an excessive computational load, making it difficult to respond in real time.(3) Increasing computational load and power consumption with large-scale AILarge-scale AI is required to analyze a wide range of sensor data, thereby increasing the need for computational capabilities and electrical power.3. Technology highlightsIn this research, the three parties proposed the following technological approaches to resolve the aforementioned challenges.(1) Streaming semantic communication technology (The University of Tokyo)This applied form of semantic communication detects contextual changes and transmits only semantic differences, thereby reducing wireless communication resources dramatically.(2) AI-oriented media control technology (NEC)Assigning a data identifier to an AI agent and then selectively feeding only key sensor data to the AI agent reduces the computational resources required for inference. Learning inference results from the AI agent, the data identifier is able to identify critical sensor data.(3) In-Network Computing (INC) architecture technology (NTT)Rather than relying on a single massive AI model, highly efficient and reliable AI processing is made possible by combining small, specialized AI distributed across the network with external information sources.4. Trial OverviewThis trial was conducted to verify the impact of the proposed technologies in terms of reducing latency through the improvement of transmission and computational processing efficiency, taking into account the characteristics of end-to-end latency(*8) (E2E latency) when using AI agents. In this trial, a video dataset including critical situations (60 seconds; 1,800 frames) was used to conduct a phase-by-phase evaluation of the configuration with which an AI agent processes video input from sensors. The intended use cases are scenarios requiring real-time performance where an AI agent continuously monitors the surroundings of a user wearing augmented reality (AR) glasses to identify environmental and contextual changes that can be used to predict and assess risk indicators.First, the latency characteristics in a configuration where all frames fed from a sensor were sequentially processed using AI were assessed as a preliminary evaluation. The results confirmed that processing wait time increases cumulatively with each frame, resulting in a tendency for E2E latency to build over time. This implies an increase in the amount of time it takes from the occurrence of a critical situation in front of the user until assessment results and guidance are provided, thus revealing that this could pose an issue in use cases involving real-time AR assistance.Next, on the basis of the results of the preliminary evaluation, a system configuration was assessed in which the proposed technology was applied in this trial. The evaluation confirmed that both communication traffic and computational load were reduced, and that E2E latency could be maintained at an almost constant level throughout the entire video stream. In addition, no tendency was observed for processing wait times to increase cumulatively. Furthermore, no degradation in AI inference accuracy was detected as a result of applying the proposed technology. These results demonstrate that, for this use case, which requires real-time performance, the proposed technology can stably reduce E2E latency while maintaining AI inference accuracy.5. Roles and Responsibilities(1) The University of Tokyo:Responsible for research and development of streaming semantic communication technology, primarily contributing to addressing technical challenges related to bandwidth constraints in wireless network segments.(2) NEC:Responsible for research and development of AI-oriented media control technology primarily contributing to addressing the technical challenge of increased computational load resulting from continuous AI processing of sensor data.(3) NTT:Responsible for research and development of In-Network Computing (INC) technology, primarily contributing to addressing technical challenges related to increased computational load and power consumption associated with the scaling of AI models.Through the interaction and integration of each party's technologies, the collaboration has also enabled contributions to addressing additional technical challenges beyond their primary areas of responsibility.6. Future outlookThis initiative has been selected for exhibition at the Japan Pavilion at MWC 2026, where the research findings and underlying concept will be presented to an international audience.Going forward, with a view toward the social implementation of the research findings, the three parties will accelerate research and development aimed at realizing AI agents and next-generation ICT infrastructure that support safety and security.Notes:*1.6G6G (sixth-generation mobile communication systems) refers to next-generation mobile communication technologies currently under research as the successor to 5G. In addition to ultra-high speed, ultra-low latency, and high reliability, 6G is expected to provide a communications infrastructure designed to support massive device connectivity and AI-native applications.*2.IOWN (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network)The IOWN concept envisions a network and information processing infrastructure, including end devices, that optimizes both individuals and systems as a whole based on diverse information. By leveraging innovative technologies centered on optical communications, IOWN aims to provide ultra-high-speed, large-capacity communications and vast computational resources.*3.AI AgentAn AI agent is an AI technology that understands objectives based on surrounding conditions and input data, and autonomously makes decisions and takes actions to execute tasks. In addition to conventional AI systems that operate based on human-issued instructions (prompts), growing attention is being given to AI agents that continuously perceive and assess their environment using non-human-originated inputs, such as sensor data.*4 Streaming semantic communication technologySemantic communication is a communication method that focuses on the meaning and importance of data, extracting and compressing only the necessary information for transmission. Compared with conventional bit-level communication, it significantly reduces communication volume while efficiently transmitting information required for AI processing. Streaming semantic communication technology is an applied form of semantic communication that detects changes in surrounding context and transmits only semantic differences, thereby dramatically reducing communication resource usage in wireless segments.Related publication:Shota Ono, Akihiro Nakao, "Semantic Communication Scheme for Real-Time Video Streaming Considering Temporal Semantic Continuity," IEICE Technical Report, March 2026 (in Japanese).*5.AI-oriented media control technologyAI-oriented media control technology analyzes input data, such as sensor data and video, prior to AI processing and selectively filters it based on importance and necessity. This reduces the computational load required for AI inference, enabling improved real-time performance and more efficient use of computing resources.Related publication:K. Azuma, H. Itsumi and K. Nihei, "Similarity-based Frame Screening for Edge-Cloud In-Cabin Monitoring," In Proc. of 2026 IEEE 23rd Consumer Communications & Networking Conference (CCNC), Las Vegas, NV, USA, 2026.*6.In-Network Computing (INC) architecture technologyIn-Network Computing (INC) is an architecture that integrates computational functions, such as AI processing, within the core of mobile networks, allowing critical processing to be completed inside the network. By effectively utilizing distributed computing resources across devices, networks, and cloud systems, INC enables low-latency and highly reliable service delivery.Related publications:Kentaro Hayashi, Shiku Hirai, Tatsuya Matsukawa, and Hiroki Baba, "High-Speed End-to-End Information Synchronization and Collaboration Technology 'In-Network Service Acceleration Platform' for the 6G/IOWN Era," NTT Technical Journal, October 2024 (in Japanese).Kentaro Hayashi, Shota Ono, Tomonori Takeda, Akihiro Nakao, "Network and Cost-Aware Tool Selection System for MCP-Integrated LLM," IEICE Technical Report, December 2025. (in Japanese).Hiroki Baba, Kentaro Hayashi, Shiku Hirai and Tomonori Takeda, "Unified Control of Network and Compute Toward 6G In-Network Computing Service," In Proc. of 2026 IEEE 23rd Consumer Communications & Networking Conference (CCNC), Las Vegas, NV, USA, 2026.*7.Multimodal dataMultimodal data refers to data that combines multiple types (modalities) of information, such as video, audio, sensor data, and location information.*8.End-to-end latencyEnd-to-end latency refers to the total time required for data to be transmitted from the source, processed at the destination, and returned as a response. It includes both communication latency and computational processing latency, and is a critical metric for AI services that require real-time performance.About The University of TokyoThe University of Tokyo is Japan's leading university and one of the world's top research universities. The vast research output of some 6,000 researchers is published in the world's top journals across the arts and sciences. Our vibrant student body of around 15,000 undergraduate and 15,000 graduate students includes over 5,000 international students.About NTTNTT contributes to a sustainable society through the power of innovation. We are a leading global technology company providing services to consumers and businesses as a mobile operator, infrastructure, networks, applications, and consulting provider. Our offerings include business consulting, agentic AI solutions, managed application services, cloud, data center and edge computing, all supported by our deep global industry expertise. We are over $90 billion in revenue and 340,000 people, investing 30% of our profits into fundamental research and development each year. Our operations span across 70+ countries and regions, allowing us to serve clients in over 190 of them. We serve 75% of Fortune Global 100 companies, thousands of enterprises, government clients and millions of consumers.About NEC CorporationThe NEC Group leverages technology to create social value and promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. NEC Corporation was established in 1899. Today, the NEC Group's approximately 110,000 employees utilize world-leading AI, security, and communications technologies to solve the most pressing needs of customers and society. For more information, please visit https://www.nec.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.Source: NEC CorporationCopyright 2026 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. The Wyss Center for Bio and Neuroengineering Geneva announced today the successful closing of the Seed financing round of Clee Medical SA, a Swiss neurotechnology spin-off developing ultra-high-resolution real-time intraoperative imaging for brain surgery. The round was led by High-Tech Grunderfonds (HTGF), with participation from Zurcher Kantonalbank (ZKB), Kickfund, FONGIT, and Venture Kick joining existing investors Wyss Center Geneva. Clee Medical spun-out from Wyss Geneva's Minimally Invasive Intracranial Access (MICA) research project in December 2024. Its flagship platform, Neuro Access, combines OCT imaging with advanced navigation to help neurosurgeons visualize brain anatomy and critical structures in real time during stereotactic procedures. "Clee Medical not only holds the promise of improving patient outcomes but also highlights Wyss Geneva's dedication to bridging the gap between scientific discovery and real-world impact." Dr. Erwin Bottinger, CEO, Wyss Geneva "Neurosurgery still relies heavily on pre-operative imaging, while the reality in the operating room is dynamic and uncertain. This Seed round allows us to bring a new level of real-time visibility into the brain, supporting safer procedures and expanding what minimally invasive neurosurgery can achieve." Matthew Lapinski, Co-Founder and CEO, Clee Medical SA What makes Neuro Access different Today, surgeons performing brain procedures largely rely on scans taken before the operation. But once surgery begins, the brain can shift, and those pre-operative images no longer tell the full story. Neuro Access changes this by giving surgeons a live, detailed view of exactly what they are navigating in real time, as they operate. The device is a slender probe, no wider than instruments already used in common brain procedures, so it fits naturally into existing surgical practice without requiring new techniques or equipment. Critically, it can spot important structures, including blood vessels, before the surgeon reaches them, significantly reducing the risk of accidental damage. The result is a smarter, safer way to perform brain surgery, with real potential to improve outcomes for the millions of patients who undergo these procedures each year. Funding to bring real-time brain imaging into the operating room This round will allow Clee Medical to move from the research phase into real clinical testing. The funds will be used to further develop the Neuro Access platform, run an initial study with human patients, and complete the regulatory steps needed to bring the product to market. Each of these milestones brings the technology closer to the operating room, and closer to becoming a standard tool that surgeons can rely on to make brain procedures safer for their patients. About Clee Medical SA Clee Medical SA is a Geneva-based medical technology company developing the Neuro Access platform a minimally invasive neurotechnology solution combining ultra-high-resolution real-time OCT imaging with surgical navigation for precision brain surgery. Clee Medical emerged from cutting-edge neuroscience research at the Wyss Center Geneva in 2024, backed by the continued support of the Wyss venture ecosystem. Founded in 2024, Clee Medical was named one of the Top 100 Swiss Startups in 2025. For more information, visit cleemedical.com About Wyss Center Geneva Wyss Geneva is an independent, not-for-profit neuro venture builder with strong translational R&D roots, committed to transforming the treatment of neurological and mental health disorders. Based at Campus Biotech in Geneva, the Center drives innovation at the intersection of artificial intelligence, bioengineering, and neuroengineering to restore neural functions and deliver precision therapies. Established in 2014 with the support of Swiss entrepreneur and philanthropist Hansjorg Wyss, the Center collaborates with ventures, clinical and academic institutions, industry partners and investors to push the boundaries of neurotechnology. To learn more, visit wysscenter.ch View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260226937451/en/ Contacts: Media Wyss Geneva Geneva, Switzerland Aldonza Gubeli aldonza.gubeli@wysscenter.ch Clee Medical SA Matt Lapinski matt.lapinski@cleemedical.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Optimi Health Corp. (CSE: OPTI) (OTCQX: OPTHF) (FSE: 8BN) ("Optimi" or the "Company"), a Health Canada-licensed manufacturer of pharmaceutical-grade psychedelic drug products, today reported that patients diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) have now been treated in Australia using the Company's naturally derived 5 mg psilocybin capsules under the Authorised Prescriber Scheme. The clinical administration follows the Company's first psilocybin shipment of 2026 and represents the early rollout of Optimi's finished drug product across authorised clinics operating within Australia's nationally regulated access framework. Product was dispensed through Optimi's licensed Australian pharmacy partner pursuant to approved import permits prior to clinical administration. Treatments were administered by Authorised Prescribers in accordance with Australian regulatory requirements. This milestone occurs approximately six months following Optimi's initial commercial launch of psilocybin supply into Australia and reflects early-stage clinical adoption within the regulated access pathway. Prior to this, the Company completed multiple MDMA shipments for supply under Australia's Authorised Prescriber Scheme. Optimi is now supplying both psilocybin for TRD and MDMA for PTSD into Australia's nationally regulated medical framework. Both products are produced at Optimi's accredited facility in Canada and comply with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Quality Guidelines, including TGO 112 and TGO 113, where applicable. "We are seeing the Authorised Prescriber pathway function as intended - enabling regulated access for eligible patients under appropriate clinical oversight," said Ilan Hayman of Mind Medicine Australia. "The early administration of psilocybin-assisted therapy under this framework reflects careful implementation by clinicians and the continued maturation of Australia's regulated access model." Treatment data and patient-reported outcomes are being captured through Australia's national registry in partnership with Australian National University. Psilocybin-assisted therapy in Australia is prescribed through authorised programs supported by Mind Medicine Australia. Clinicians, hospital networks, and authorised programs operating under the Authorised Prescriber Scheme may seek information regarding access through Mind Medicine Australia at info@mindmedicineaustralia.org. For global enquiries outside of Australia, please contact sales@optimihealth.ca. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10615/285394_d2e65b24d461ba28_001full.jpg About Optimi Health Corp. Optimi Health Corp. (CSE: OPTI) (OTCQX: OPTHF) (FSE: 8BN) is a leading producer of prescribed psychedelic treatments for mental health therapies. As a Health Canada-licensed, GMP compliant pharmaceutical manufacturer producing validated MDMA and botanical psilocybin products from two 10,000-square-foot facilities in British Columbia, Optimi supplies active pharmaceutical ingredients and finished dosage forms to regulated channels, with products currently in market for prescription use in Australia via the Authorized Prescriber Scheme and accessible in Canada through the Special Access Program. For more information, please visit www.optimihealth.ca. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including with respect to the role of psychedelic medicines in insured mental health care. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, and contingencies, certain of which are unknown. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result," "are expected to," "expects," "will continue," "is anticipated," "anticipates," "believes," "estimated," "intends," "plans," "forecast," "projection," "strategy," "objective," and "outlook") are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements. These statements may involve estimates, assumptions, and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct, and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include but are not limited to those factors which are discussed in the Company's continuous disclosure filings available under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Except as expressly required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them or assess the impact of each factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization 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/285394 Source: Optimi Health Corp. Romania's national infrastructure becomes one of the most extensive terrestrial quantum key distribution deployments in Europe, powered by IonQ IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), the leading quantum platform company, today announced that it has successfully deployed the technology powering the Romanian National Quantum Communication Infrastructure (RoNaQCI). This initiative represents one of the largest and most complex operational quantum key distribution (QKD) networks in Europe and one of the largest of its kind outside of China. Delivered in partnership with the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest and RoEduNet, Romania's national research and education network, the project marks a major milestone in Europe's efforts to protect critical communications against current and future cyber threats. The nationwide network is built exclusively using IonQ's commercially available QKD technology, demonstrating that quantum-secure communications are scalable and operational for national infrastructure today. "IonQ is proud to support this large operational quantum-secure communications network deployed in Europe, and to directly contribute to the realization of EuroQCI, which is building Europe's flagship quantum communication infrastructure," said Niccolo de Masi, Chairman and CEO of IonQ. "This deployment of QKD at national scale supports critical security initiatives and protects sensitive communications across government, healthcare, research, education, and data center environments." Romania's quantum infrastructure now includes 36 quantum-secured links spanning more than 1,500 kilometers, accounting for more than 20 percent of Europe's terrestrial quantum communications infrastructure to date. This network connects six major metropolitan areas including Bucharest, Ia?i, Timi?oara, Craiova, Cluj-Napoca, and Constan?a, to ensure secure data movement through end-to-end distribution of encryption keys transported in a Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) network combined with data traffic in C-band across the metropolitan part of the network. "Our newly deployed national QKD infrastructure is an important milestone both for Romania and for the EuroQCI effort," said Prof. Pantelimon George Popescu, Head of the Quantum Computing Laboratory at POLITEHNICA Bucharest. "This network establishes a practical foundation for secure data exchange across Romania and contributes to the broader European effort to build interoperable quantum communications networks." All QKD systems deployed across the network were supplied by IonQ's subsidiary, ID Quantique, ensuring consistent performance, interoperability, and security at a national scale. The project brought together a broad consortium of 12 Romanian universities, seven research institutes, three national agencies, and additional public and private stakeholders. This news follows IonQ's continued work to accelerate quantum-secure communications across Europe as part of the European quantum communications infrastructure. Most recently, IonQ announced a partnership with the Slovak Academy of Sciences to deploy Slovakia's first national quantum communication network and has launched the Geneva Quantum Network in Switzerland. IonQ also joined Q-Alliance with the government of Italy, and designated Oxford, UK as its EMEA headquarters, reinforcing the company's commitment to supporting Europe's quantum initiatives. About IonQ IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world's leading quantum platform and merchant supplier delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. IonQ's newest generation of quantum computers, the forthcoming IonQ Tempo, will be the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners including Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA achieve 20x performance results and accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. In 2025, the company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance. Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ has operations in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Toronto, and the United Kingdom. Our quantum computing services are available through all major cloud providers, while we also meet the needs of networking and sensing customers across land, sea, air, and space. IonQ is making quantum platforms more accessible and impactful than ever before. Learn more at IonQ.com. IonQ Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words. Statements that are not historical in nature, including the words "build," "accelerate," "will" and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include those related to the IonQ's quantum computing capabilities and plans; IonQ's technology driving commercial quantum advantage or delivering scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computing and networking in the future; the necessity, effectiveness, and future impacts of IonQ's offerings available today; and the scalability, fidelity, efficiency, viability, accessibility, effectiveness, importance, reliability, performance, speed, impact, practicality, feasibility, and commercial-readiness of IonQ's offerings. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections, and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: IonQ's ability to implement its technical roadmap; changes in the competitive industries in which IonQ operates, including development of competing technologies; IonQ's ability to deliver, and customers' ability to generate, value from IonQ's offerings; IonQ's ability to deliver higher speed and fidelity gates with fewer errors, enhance information transfer and network accuracy, or reduce noise and errors, and scale networks and communications; changes in laws and regulations affecting IonQ's and its suppliers' businesses; IonQ's ability to implement its business plans, forecasts, roadmaps and other expectations, to identify and realize partnerships and opportunities, and to engage new and existing customers; IonQ's ability to effectively enter new markets; IonQ's ability to deliver services and products within currently anticipated timelines; IonQ's inability to attract and retain key personnel; IonQ's customers deciding or declining to extend contracts into new phases; the inability of IonQ's suppliers to deliver components that meet expectations timely; changes in government spending or policy that may affect IonQ's customers; and risks associated with government sales, including availability of funding and provisions that allow the government to unilaterally terminate or modify contracts for convenience; changes in laws and regulations affecting IonQ's patents; and IonQ's ability to maintain or obtain patent protection for its products and technology, including with sufficient breadth to provide a competitive advantage. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's filings, including but not limited to those described in the "Risk Factors" section of IonQ's most recent periodic financial report (10-Q or 10-K) filed by IonQ with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and IonQ assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. IonQ does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations. IonQ may or may not choose to practice or otherwise use the inventions described in the issued patents in the future. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260225786051/en/ Contacts: IonQ Media contacts: Cheryl Krauss cheryl.krauss@ionq.co Tor Constantino tor.constantino@ionq.co IonQ Investor Contact: investors@ionq.co LotusFlare, a provider of a cloud-native, AI-driven digital commerce and monetization platform for communications service providers (CSPs), today announced that Palau National Communications Corporation (PNCC) has selected it to provide a comprehensive commerce and monetization platform, including a full-stack digital business support system (dBSS) as part of PNCC's broader 4G/5G Standalone (SA) network modernization programme. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260226869218/en/ Palau National Communications Corporation (PNCC) The LotusFlare solution will support PNCC subscribers across mobile, fixed broadband, and digital TV services, while enabling unique multi-tenant capabilities aligned with PNCC's long-term digital and regional strategy. PNCC has embarked on a comprehensive technology modernization program focused on increasing speed-to-market, enhancing customer experience, and long-term operational efficiency. After a competitive tender process, PNCC selected LotusFlare for its highly skilled team, cloud-native technology, Internet DNA, and proven experience supporting leading communications service providers globally. As the national telecommunications operator of the Republic of Palau, PNCC is undertaking a full network transformation to deploy a 4G/5G SA mobile network based on open architecture principles, alongside cloud-native core, OSS, BSS, and digital platforms. The program is designed to improve service agility, enhance network resilience, and support the long-term digital development of Palau. "PNCC is proving that geographic isolation is no longer a barrier to world-class digital experiences. By utilizing LotusFlare DNO Cloud, PNCC is moving beyond legacy limitations to a modern, multi-tenant platform that can serve as a digital blueprint for the entire Pacific region," said Sam Gadodia, CEO of LotusFlare. "LotusFlare's expertise and innovative approach will help PNCC deliver valuable business outcomes and enhance the customer experience for the people of Palau." Simon Fraser, CEO of PNCC, commented: "Partnering with LotusFlare enables PNCC to deploy a cloud-native digital platform at the core of our new 4G/5G SA network. A modern, API-driven dBSS is fundamental to ensuring agility and enabling the rapid introduction of new digital services for our customers. Geographic isolation or scale should never define digital ambition the people of Palau deserve world-class connectivity, and this transformation ensures they receive it." About PNCC Palau National Communications Corporation (PNCC) is the national telecommunications provider of the Republic of Palau, delivering mobile, fixed, broadband, and international connectivity services nationwide. About LotusFlare Based in Silicon Valley, LotusFlare simplifies technology and customer experience to deliver valuable outcomes for enterprises. The company's flagship product, DNO Cloud, is an AI-driven, cloud-native commerce and monetization platform that serves as a digital Business Support System (BSS) for communications service providers. LotusFlare also owns and operates Nomad eSIM, a global connectivity service providing travelers with convenient, reliable, and affordable data plans in over 200 destinations. LotusFlare is a trusted partner to leading global enterprises, including Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile US, A1, Globe Telecom, Liberty Latin America, Singtel, MTN, and TELUS. Learn more at lotusflare.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260226869218/en/ Contacts: LotusFlare Contact Magdalena Arnautovic Senior Marketing Manager Email Address: magdalena.marjanovic@lotusflare.com LotusFlare News: https://lotusflare.com/news/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lotusflare Key Takeaways: poppi officially launches in the UK, marking the brand's first international expansion following its success in the U.S. The viral soda brand brings bold fruity flavours, vibrant design and a strong pop-culture identity to shake up the UK soft drinks aisle. poppi delivers full-flavour fizz with a better-for-you profile - low in sugar and calories, high in fibre, and made with ingredients consumers can feel good about. LONDON, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PepsiCo - The wait is over! poppi, the US soda brand that's been living rent-free in your feed, has officially landed in the UK. Born online and backed by pop culture, poppi is shaking up the soft drinks aisle with bold fruity flavours, vibrant design and main character energy in every sip. poppi delivers full flavour fizz that's made with ingredients you can love; low in sugar, low in calories and high in fibre - it's pure feel good-fizz that tastes as good as it looks. poppi is launching with five delicious flavours including Strawberry Lemon, Raspberry Rose, Lemon Lime, Wild Berry and Orange. Founded in 2016 by husband-and-wife duo Allison and Stephen Ellsworth, Allison wanted to ditch soda, but not the taste, so she started mixing fruit juice, apple cider vinegar, and sparkling water in her Texas kitchen to create a better kind of soda. Fast-forward to 2026, and poppi is here to shake up the UK and revolutionise soda for the next generation. We're rewriting the rules, giving you everything you love about a great-tasting soda, big flavour, bold bubbles and total refreshment. "Launching poppi in the U.K. is incredibly meaningful to me," said Allison Ellsworth, Co-Founder of poppi. "When we started poppi, the goal was simple: create a soda people could feel good about drinking. Seeing poppi find a new home in the U.K. is a proud moment for our entire team. We're excited about this next chapter and can't wait to be a part of a new community." Natalia Fillipociants, General Manager Europe International Beverages, PepsiCo added: 'We're proud to bring poppi's vibrant, feel-good approach to the UK. British consumers are increasingly looking for drinks that are balanced, modern and genuinely enjoyable every day. With bold fruity flavours, eye-catching design, poppi delivers full-flavour fizz made with ingredients that the consumer will absolutely love!' poppi is launching in the UK on 5 March. Available in Tesco & Pret A Manger nationwide, before rolling out more widely later in the year. About poppi: poppi is a modern soda brand revolutionising soda for the next generation. Founded by Texas based husband-and-wife duo Stephen and Allison Ellsworth, poppi combines real fruit juice to create a deliciously refreshing, mouthwatering low-calorie soda with no more than 5 grams of sugar per can. What originally started as a home-brewed concoction quickly became a farmers' market favorite turned Shark Tank investment has now defined a new category of modern soda. poppi's brand-first approach, cultural cache, and rapid growth have nurtured an incredibly loyal community, including celebrity fans. poppi is now available in the UK in five core flavours: Strawberry Lemon, Orange, Raspberry Rose, Lemon Lime and Wild Berry. For more information, visit drinkpoppi.co.uk, or follow @drinkpoppi on Instagram and TikTok. About PepsiCo PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated nearly $92 billion in net revenue in 2024, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales. Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2921218/PepsiCo_poppi_full_range.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2921219/PepsiCo_poppi_UK.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2921174/poppi_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/poppi-lands-in-the-uk-marking-its-first-launch-outside-the-us-302698305.html Hong Kong, SAR--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Fast-tracking innovation and technology (I&T) development is a core feature of the 2026-27 Budget, unveiled yesterday (February 25) by Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Mr Chan said Hong Kong would be stepping up support measures such as computing power, land and capital, to enhance the city's influence as a global source of original innovation."Hong Kong's strengths in innovative scientific research and commercialisation of research outcomes lie in our internationalised qualities, strong research capabilities, support of financial sector and a rich pool of high-calibre talents," Mr Chan said. He added that the Government is pressing ahead with the industrialisation of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepening its integration across various industries, while encouraging wider AI application, referred to as AI+, with an initial focus on life and health technology and embodied AI. HKSAR's Financial Secretary, Paul Chan, sets out strategies to propel Hong Kong's innovation and technology development To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7958/285456_figure1.jpg "I will establish and chair the Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy to formulate strategies and create favourable conditions for AI to empower the transformation and development of industries," Mr Chan said. "We are making proactive efforts to align with the National AI+ Initiative by promoting 'industries for AI' and 'AI for industries' through application." The Financial Secretary highlighted that the Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute Company Limited will come into operation in the second half of this year, to promote AI+ development and transformation of R&D outcomes and advise the Government on relevant matters. Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, echoed the need for holistic development of AI+ development. "When you talk about AI, you cannot just talk about AI research, or just talk about the infrastructure, we have to do it together. Actually, that is what we have been doing in the past three years. Everything is very important." Central to the Government's efforts in promoting I&T is the San Tin Technopole area in the Northern Metropolis development. "The San Tin Technopole will provide a large piece of land which can help accelerate the commercialisation of R&D results and provide industrial space for prototyping, pilot and mass production," Mr Chan said. He proposed injecting $10 billion (US$1.28 billion) as initial capital to take forward the development, while leveraging market resources to accelerate the progress. Mr Chan also earmarked $10 billion (US$1.28 billion) to accelerate the development of the Hetao Hong Kong Park by engaging the market to speed up the disposal of the remaining land parcels under Phase 1 development, providing key infrastructure, further strengthening support to start-ups and establishing a venture fund. Mr Chan set aside about $220 million (US$28 million) to establish in Hong Kong the first national manufacturing innovation centre outside the Chinese Mainland. This, he said, reflects the Government's commitment to implementing the Co-operation Agreement on the Development of New Quality Productive Forces and the Promotion of New Industrialisation signed with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to promote industrial collaboration. Cannot view this video? Visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApfKaVoqtHQ The Budget also sets out support measures for various technology-related emerging industries. Among them is the aerospace industry. The Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises will take the lead to identify aerospace enterprises to develop in Hong Kong. Also, the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited would review the relevant listing requirements to facilitate and attract the listing of aerospace enterprises in Hong Kong. Noting that low earth orbit satellites can support the development of high-end industries, Mr Chan said the Government would proactively expand telecommunications infrastructure, streamline the relevant licensing regime and promote future 6G applications. Meanwhile, the $10 billion (US$1.28 billion) Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund, introduced by the Government to channel market capital to invest in emerging fields of strategic importance, such as life and health technology, AI and robotics, as well as future industries, is expected to commence operation within this year. "The key is to popularise the understanding and use of AI by all levels of society," Mr Chan said. Hashtag: HongKong BrandHongKong Budget Innovation Technology AI https://www.brandhk.gov.hk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-hong-kong/ https://x.com/Brand_HK/ https://www.facebook.com/brandhk.isd https://www.instagram.com/brandhongkong The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285456 Source: Media OutReach Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - AuMEGA Metals Ltd (ASX: AAM) (TSXV: AUM) (OTCQB: AUMMF) ("AuMEGA" or "the Company") announces an update to the previously announced, oversubscribed financing to raise aggregate gross proceeds of approximately C$30.1 million (the "Offering") led by anchor investor Condire Investors, LLC. Despite continued demand and inbound interest to participate in this Offering, the Company appreciates the support and confidence in the business however, it will not be accepting any additional commitments. The Company is moving forward with the financing as initially outlined in the 18 February 2026 announcement with slight adjustments to the two-tranche structure as outlined in this update. Updated Offering The update Offering consists of the following securities (with the terms of the securities described below): Hard Dollar Units ("HD Units") Up to 408,973,412 HD Units at C$0.04 per HD Unit Gross proceeds: Up to C$16,358,936 Premium Flow-Through Units ("PFT Units") Up to 233,376,589 PFT Units at C$0.0544 per PFT Unit Gross proceeds: Up to C$12,695,686 Flow-Through Shares ("FT Shares") Up to 22,127,660 FT Shares at C$0.047 per FT Share Gross proceeds: Up to C$1,040,000 Each HD Unit and PFT Unit consists of one common share and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one common share at a price of C$0.055 for a period of 30 months from the closing date of Tranche One (as defined below). Use of Proceeds Net proceeds of the Offering are expected to be used primarily for: The advancement of the Company's exploration programs in Newfoundland, Canada; To fund expanded drill programs across Cape Ray, Cape Ray West (including Isle aux Morts Granite), and Bunker Hill; To support ongoing target generation and early-stage exploration; and To provide working capital and general corporate purposes. The Company notes that exploration programs are subject to final budgeting, permitting, weather conditions and operational planning. Two tranche Placement Structure The Offering has been structured in two tranches as follows: Tranche One The first tranche will be comprised of shares and Warrants totalling 98,376,589 PFT Units within the Company's available placement capacity. Tranche One Placement: Representing 98,376,589 shares and 98,376,589 Warrants. This comprises 19,675,318 shares and 98,376,589 Warrants to be issued under the Company's available placement capacity under ASX listing rule 7.1 and 78,701,271 shares to be issued under the Company's available placement capacity under ASX listing rule 7.1A ("Tranche One"). Closing of Tranche One is expected on or about 5 March 2026 (Canada time), subject to receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). Tranche Two The second tranche will be comprised of shares and Warrants issued in excess of the Company's available placement capacity and will therefore be subject to shareholder approval at a Special Shareholder Meeting ("EGM") expected to be held during the first week of April 2026. Tranche Two Placement: Representing 566,101,071 shares (including 22,127,660 FT Shares) and 543,973,411 Warrants that have been subscribed above the placement capacity and requiring shareholder approval under ASX Listing Rule 7.1 (or ASX Listing Rule 10.11 in the case of director participation), which will be sought at a Special Shareholder Meeting expected to be held during the first week of April 2026 ("Tranche Two"). The Company expects to dispatch the EGM Notice of Meeting to shareholders in the near term. The expected closing date of Tranche Two is expected within five days of receipt of shareholder approval. Financing Details Premium Flow Through (or Charity Flow Through) : Up to approximately C$12.7 million of PFT Units priced at C$0.0544 (which is equivalent to approximately A$0.0562 based on the exchange rate for converting Canadian dollars into Australian dollars of C$1=A$1.0330549 as posted by xe.com on 12 February 2026 (the " Exchange Rate ")) per PFT Unit, representing a 36% premium to the HD Unit price of C$0.04. A total of approximately 233.4 million shares and 233.4 million Warrants comprising the Premium FT Units fall into this category. Of this amount, the issue of approximately 135 million shares and 135 million Warrants comprising PFT Units are subject to shareholder approval. : Up to approximately C$12.7 million of PFT Units priced at C$0.0544 (which is equivalent to approximately A$0.0562 based on the exchange rate for converting Canadian dollars into Australian dollars of C$1=A$1.0330549 as posted by xe.com on 12 February 2026 (the " ")) per PFT Unit, representing a 36% premium to the HD Unit price of C$0.04. A total of approximately 233.4 million shares and 233.4 million Warrants comprising the Premium FT Units fall into this category. Of this amount, the issue of approximately 135 million shares and 135 million Warrants comprising PFT Units are subject to shareholder approval. Traditional Flow Through : Up to approximately C$1 million of FT Shares priced at C$0.047 (which is equivalent to approximately A$0.049 based on the Exchange Rate) per FT Share representing a premium of 17.5% of the HD Unit price. The issue of all of the FT Shares (approximately 21.3 million shares) will be subject to shareholder approval. : Up to approximately C$1 million of FT Shares priced at C$0.047 (which is equivalent to approximately A$0.049 based on the Exchange Rate) per FT Share representing a premium of 17.5% of the HD Unit price. The issue of all of the FT Shares (approximately 21.3 million shares) will be subject to shareholder approval. Hard Dollars : Up to approximately C$16.4 million priced at C$0.04 (which is equivalent to approximately A$0.0413 based on the Exchange Rate) per HD Unit, priced at market to the TSXV close price on 11 February 2026 and an 8.7% premium to the ASX close price for a total of approximately 409.0 million HD Units issued. The issue of all HD Units (comprising approximately 409.0 million shares and approximately 409.0 million Warrants) will be subject to shareholder approval. : Up to approximately C$16.4 million priced at C$0.04 (which is equivalent to approximately A$0.0413 based on the Exchange Rate) per HD Unit, priced at market to the TSXV close price on 11 February 2026 and an 8.7% premium to the ASX close price for a total of approximately 409.0 million HD Units issued. The issue of all HD Units (comprising approximately 409.0 million shares and approximately 409.0 million Warrants) will be subject to shareholder approval. Insiders: Company insiders have subscribed for 1,350,000 HD Units and 851,064 FT Shares. Director participation is subject to shareholder approval under ASX Listing Rule 10.11. Flow-Through Shares The common shares comprising the PFT Units and the FT Shares will be issued as "flow-through shares" within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act"). The Warrants comprising the PFT Units will not be flow-through warrants for the purposes of the Tax Act. The tax benefits associated with such shares are available only to the initial Canadian subscribers. The Company is expected to use an amount equal to the gross proceeds from the sale of the FT Shares and the gross proceeds from the sale of the shares underlying the PFT Units to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" (as defined in the Tax Act): (i) that will qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" (as defined in the Tax Act) (the "Qualifying Expenditures") related to the Company's exploration activities in Canada on or before 31 December 2027. All Qualifying Expenditures will be renounced in favour of the Canadian applicable subscribers effective 31 December 2026. The term "flow-through share" is defined under Canadian tax legislation and does not represent a special class of shares under corporate law. Shares issued under the Offering will rank pari passu with existing common shares. All securities issued will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. All shares and Warrants issued will be subject to a hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance and resale rules will apply in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. All securities will be issued on a private placement basis to institutional, professional and accredited investors. The Company will not issue any securities using section 5A.2 of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions and Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions From Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (collectively, the "LIFE Exemption") and, accordingly, the offering document dated 12 February 2026 (the "LIFE Document") of the Company prepared in respect of the LIFE Exemption will not be used for any part of the Offering and the Company will not issue any shares or Warrants under the LIFE Document. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Additional Information In connection with the Offering, the Agents will be paid a cash commission equal to 6% on the gross proceeds of the Offering, excluding funds raised from Company insiders, B2Gold, and others in the President's List. There is no fee to be paid by the Company in connection with B2Gold's subscription. The cash commission of the agents will be reduced to 3% or less of the gross proceeds received from subscribers on the President's List. The Company will pay a finder's fee to a third-party equivalent to 6% of Condire's subscription amount. Indicative Timelines An indicative timetable for the financing is set out below. The timetable remains subject to change at the Company's discretion, subject to compliance with applicable laws and both the TSXV and ASX listing rules. Key Events Date Canada Australia Trading halt lifted / ASX trading resumes Tuesday 17 February Wednesday 18 February Trading halt lifted / TSXV trading resumes Wednesday 18 February Thursday 19 February Closure of Tranche One Thursday 5 March 2026 Friday 6 March 2026 Notice of Meeting (Tranche Two) Regulatory Approval Dispatch Notice of Meeting Late February 2026 Late February 2026 Shareholder Meeting to Approve Tranche Two First week of April 2026 First week of April 2026 Closure of Tranche Two Early April 2026 Early April 2026 - ENDS - This announcement has been authorised for release by the Company's Managing Director. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. About the Company AuMEGA Metals Ltd (ASX: AAM) (TSXV: AUM) (OTCQB: AUMMF) is utilising best-in-class exploration to explore on its district scale land package that spans 110 kilometers along the Cape Ray-Valentine Shear Zone, a significant under-explored geological structure in Newfoundland, Canada. This zone currently hosts Equinox Gold's Valentine Gold Project, a multi-million-ounce deposit which is the region's largest gold project, along with AuMEGA's expanding Mineral Resource. The Company is supported by a diverse shareholder registry of prominent global institutional investors, and strategic investment from B2Gold Corp, a significant, intermediate gold producer. Additionally, AuMEGA holds a 27-kilometre stretch of the highly prospective Hermitage Flexure and has also secured an Option Agreement for the Blue Cove Copper Project in southeastern Newfoundland, which exhibits strong potential for copper and other base metals. AuMEGA's Cape Ray Shear Zone hosts several dozen high potential targets along with its existing defined gold Mineral Resource of 6.2 million tonnes grading an average of 2.25 g/t gold, totaling 450,000 ounces of Indicated Resources, and 3.4 million tonnes grading an average of 1.44 g/t gold, totaling 160,000 ounces in Inferred Resources[1]. AuMEGA acknowledges the financial support of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program, Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, Provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Reference to Previous Announcements In relation to this news release, all data used to assess targets have been previously disclosed by the Company and referenced in previous JORC Table 1 releases. Please see announcements dated: 15 January 2026, 16 October 2025, 30 May 2023 ,6 May 2020 and 4 February 2020. In relation to the Mineral Resource estimate announced on 30 May 2023, the Company confirms that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in that announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Person's findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcement. Qualified Person (NI 43-101) The scientific and technical information in this press release was reviewed and approved by Shamus Duff, P. Geo., Project Geologist. Mr. Duff is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and a Professional Geologist registered with Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador (PEGNL). Mr. Duff consents to the publication of this press release and certifies that the information provided fairly and accurately represents the scientific and technical information disclosed in it. Technical Report Additional scientific and technical information regarding the Company's mineral project is contained in the technical report titled "Technical Report on the Cape Ray Gold Project, Newfoundland, Canada" dated May 28, 2024 (with an effective date of May 26, 2024), prepared by Trevor Rabb (P. Geo.) and Ronald Voordouw, (P. Geo) of Equity Exploration Consultants Ltd., and Andrew Kelly (P. Eng.) of Blue Coast Research. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking information is not representative of historical facts or information or current condition but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements 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 may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might" or "will be taken," "will continue," "will occur" or "will be achieved". Forward-looking information may relate to anticipated events or results including, but not limited to: the expected closing of Tranche One and Tranche Two of the Offering and the timing thereof; the expected terms of the Offering and of the securities to be issued under the Offering; the timing of the shareholder meeting to approve Tranche 2 and whether shareholder approval will be obtained; the timetable for completing the financing; the receipt of regulatory approvals; the intended use of proceeds from the Offering; and the Company's planned drilling program. By identifying such information in this manner, AuMEGA is alerting the reader that such information and statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such information and statements. In addition, in connection with the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release, the Company has made certain assumptions. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information Among others, the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information and statements are the following: delays in obtaining required approvals from regulators, changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; delays in obtaining required licenses or approvals; and delays or unforeseen costs incurred in connection with drilling. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. [1] News release dated 30 May 2023 NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285457 Source: AuMEGA Metals Ltd. Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Legacy Gold Mines Ltd. (TSXV: LEGY) (the "Company" or "Legacy Gold") has laid out its 2026 surface exploration drill program of roughly 20,000 feet on the Baner Gold Mine Property (the "Baner" or "Property"), in Idaho County, Idaho, USA, which is optioned by the Company. The drilling in 2026 will follow up on the successful 2025 results that were returned from targeting the previously drilled Main Zone on the Property and will include new targets indicated by large gold in soil anomalies co-incident with geophysical conductors and similar magnetic highs as the Main Zone. Drilling will also be undertaken in the NE Zone, and in the Baner Zone that runs east-west. Three of the four main drilled areas have intersected very wide lower-grade intersections such as 0.59 g/t Au over 71.6m (235ft) in hole LG25-004; 0.50 g/t Au over 108.2m (355ft) in hole LG25-002; and 0.32 g/t Au over 88.4m (290ft) in hole LG25-005 (see the Company's Oct. 10, 2025, Nov. 17, 2025, Feb. 10, 2026 and Feb. 16, 2026 press releases). The total width of mineralization in holes to date include 71.6m (235ft) in hole LG25-001, plus 123m (405ft) in hole LG25-002, plus 75m (245ft) in hole LG25-003, plus 145m (475ft) in hole LG25-004 and 117m (385ft) in hole LG25-005. Importantly, the waste to mineralization appears to be far less than 1:1 (e.g. 0.26:1 in hole LG25-005). "Amongst other program goals, drilling up-dip (up-hill) this year from previous drilling will allow for a better understanding of Baner's potential scale of gold mineralization and we look forward to sharing this with shareholders at next week's PDAC," said Brian Hinchcliffe, Legacy Gold's Chairman and CEO. "Drilling contractors are being lined up for both the RC and core drilling, with commencement targeted for Q2 2026, subject to receipt of required permits." Results from the recent 2025 drilling and previous drilling and exploration have supported an initial exploration target at Baner of approximately 50.3 million to 55.3 million tonnes, at average grades ranging from approximately 0.72 g/t Au to 0.91 g/t Au (the "Exploration Target"). The potential quantity and grades of the Exploration Target is conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource and it is uncertain whether further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource. The Exploration Target does not represent a mineral resource estimate and has not been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 mineral resource categories. See "Basis for Exploration Target" below for additional information. Drilling Targets for 2026 Up-dip (up-hill) from previous drilling to find out the width of the system that to date has intersections covering 290m (951.4ft) down dip. One drill set-up from 2025 was located up-hill and intersected 5.26 g/t Au over 3.0m (10ft) starting at 7.6m (25ft). Baner East-West Zone which has numerous historical adits and shafts covering 1,000m; hole LG25-002 intersected 0.50 g/t Au over 108.2m (355ft ). NE Zone where previous drilling intersected 1.6 g/t Au over 16.6m (54.5ft), and 0.7 g/t Au over 35.2m (115.5ft). NW Zone , characterized by anomalous large gold in soil anomalies co-incident with geophysical conductors and similar magnetic highs as the Main Zone. A hole will also target soil anomalies approximately 230m NW of hole LG25-006 which intersected 0.66 g/t Au over 12.2m (40ft) plus 0.25 g/t Au over 15.2m (50ft). Angel Zone, a linear 555m gold in soil anomaly. Permitting Update The Company has now received written confirmation from the United States Forest Service ("USFS") that its Plan of Operations application for its 2026 Drill Program at the Property has been reviewed and deemed complete. The USFS has advised that it will now begin its analysis of the application required under the National Environmental Policy. PDAC 2026 Legacy Gold will be attending the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention in Toronto from March 1, 2026. The Company invites shareholders and interested investors to visit the Company at Booth #2815 to discuss the Property and the Company's 2026 exploration plans. Basis for Initial Exploration Target This initial Exploration Target is limited to 1,000m for the Main Zone (plus 500m at Baner Mine trend), and 370m for the NW Zone 1,370m of the Orogrande structure. The initial Exploration Target excludes the adjacent soil anomalies along strike which indicate lots more room to grow. This preliminary target also excludes other targets on the property that have overlapping geophysical magnetic and conductor/soil/structural anomalies similar to where the drilling has taken place to date. The anomalous soils extend another 600m in the immediate area, while other soil anomalies suggest a further 2200m - if drilling in those areas intersect similar criteria, the target increases. The conceptual volumetric calculations are derived from sectional interpretation and geological modelling. The geological information was collected from a total of 46 drill holes for 10,459m drilled over 2.3 kilometres of strike by Legacy Gold in 2025 (RC) and Idaho Champion (core) in 2018 and 2020. The gold grade range of the Exploration Target has been calculated from the significant number of drill intercepts returned from the 46 holes completed to date. There are 114 intersections which are above 0.2 g/t cut-off. A minimum width of 5m was used (5m benches). The volume range (tonnages) of the Exploration Target is defined by the drilling completed combined with the evidence up-dip given by similar grade soils to where drilling has taken place. Intersections were weighted averaged for each of 10 sections, with strike lengths calculated from mid-point to midpoint between sections. There is an average of 3.8 zones per section. The dip lengths were measured up the hill where gold in soils suggest gold in the underlying rock. This evidence was proven in 2025 at the only set-up drilled up-hill (with gold intersections at surface and all the way down dip for at least 290m). Several smaller sections were created where RC returned significantly wider intersections but at lower grade to core drilling. The average dip length for the 10 sections is 230 metres. True widths were used where the interpretation suggested an obvious change was required- most drilling is thought to be close to true width otherwise. The weighted average sectional grade gives 0.72, with the two highest being 1.51 g/t and 1.07 g/t. Using a simple weighted average of all 114 intersections gives 0.91 g/t over 12.8m. An assumed bulk density was used of 2.73 t/m3- consistent with quartzite-hosted gold systems. Initial metallurgical cyanide leach testing gave 87.1%-93.2%; at 4km north, Bema undertook open pit mining and heap leaching (fully permitted) at Buffalo Gulch in the early 1990's which was 95% permitted again in 2023 by Endomines. The Company intends to conduct additional drilling and technical studies to evaluate whether sufficient data may be obtained to support a future mineral resource estimate. Geology and Mineralization The belt of mineralization that traces through the Elk City and Orogrande mining districts is known as the Orogrande Shear Zone, and is estimated to be between 100-200m wide, with a general NNE trend. Gold mineralization occurs along this zone in numerous prospects and small historic mines. Most of the mineralization appears to be along Riedel shear structures that cross over between two bounding major north-south structures along the Orogrande Shear Zone. In general, higher grade historical mining was undertaken on narrow zones of strong sericite-silica-carbonate alteration and quartz veins. Intrusion-related structurally controlled mineralization has been suggested previously. At the Property, the predominant host rock is quartzite, with some biotite gneiss also present. Review by Qualified Person Mr. Mike Sutton, P.Geo., Director and VP of Exploration of the Company, is the Qualified Person, as defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, who reviewed and approved scientific and technical disclosure in this press release. The Qualified Person has not reviewed the mineral tenure, nor independently verified the legal status and ownership of the Property or any underlying property agreements. 2025 Drilling and Sampling: Drilling in 2025 was carried out using a Foremost-built tracked MPD1500 RC drilling unit, the rig has jacks and a blade and is capable of working on small pads on steep ground to minimize ground prep. Drilling to final hole depth was completed using 4-inch pipe and a 5 1/4 inch bit. Holes were cased down to approximately 7.6m (25ft) with 8-inch steel casing drifted-in using a tricone bit. RC drilling uses a hammer and at depth below groundwater level a tricone bit was sometimes used. RC drilling was done wet, with water actively pumped down the hole, mixing with pulverised sample, and coming through the cyclone to an 8-compartment rotary fan wet splitter. Each compartment can be shut off giving control of the amount of split material. Rotary splitter was set up with 1:2 split, with the half split going into a calico bag housed in a bucket for an assay sample. The remainder of the sample falls to the ground and runs into the sump. Each assay sample is for a 1.52m (5ft) interval. The splitter and cyclone are flushed every 4 samples or upon noticing a change in color. Chips were collected from the splitter reject and put into chip trays for reference. Bar-coded Calico bags are pre-labelled, and a corresponding sequential from-to depth is pre-recorded in a spreadsheet. Quality control samples are included in the numerical sequence with B, S, or D designations for blanks, standards, and duplicates. The drilling team is responsible for changing the bags and regular company supervision and cross-checks on sample numbers and intervals avoids sample mix-ups. Filled sample bags are laid on the ground in order so a visual check can be easily performed when collecting samples. Samples are dispatched to the ALS Global prep-lab in Twin Falls, Idaho, USA with final gold assays completed in Reno, Nevada. The lab has ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. All samples are assayed for gold by Fire Assay, with gravimetric finish. The Company's QA/QC program includes the regular insertion of blanks and standards into the sample shipments. Duplicates were prepared on-site with a riffle splitter. Standards, blanks and duplicates are inserted at approximately one per 15 samples. About Legacy Gold Mines Ltd. The Company is a Canadian-based gold exploration and development company that is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "LEGY". The Company holds an option to acquire a 100% undivided interest in and to the mineral claims comprising the Property located in Idaho County, Idaho, USA. Additional information about the Company and the Property is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under the Company's profile, including a technical report titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Baner Project, Idaho County, Idaho, USA", dated effective August 1, 2024, prepared by Steven A. Osterberg, Ph.D., P.G. (the "Technical Report"). CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This press release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, timing and completion of any exploration, drilling and work programs on the Property, estimates of mineralization from drilling, sampling and geophysical surveys, geological information projected from drilling and sampling results and the potential quantities and grades of the target zones, the potential for minerals and/or mineral resources and reserves, and statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Property and the Company that may be described herein. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the state of the economy in general and capital markets in particular, as well as those risk factors discussed in the Filing Statement of the Company dated effective September 19, 2024 or referred to in the Company's annual Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024 and the period ended September 30, 2025 available at www.sedarplus.ca, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made by, third parties in respect of the matters discussed above. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service 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/285451 Source: Legacy Gold Mines Ltd. Advancing Expansion in Severe Infectious Disease and Leveraging Existing Global Infrastructure to Drive Long-Term Growth Asahi Kasei announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all issued shares of Aicuris Anti-infective Cures AG, a German-based biopharmaceutical company, for approximately 780 million*. This transaction expands Asahi Kasei's specialty pharmaceutical platform further into severe infectious diseases and is expected to close in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, subject to customary conditions. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260226813309/en/ Progress of Asahi Kasei business portfolio transformation. Asahi Kasei expects the acquisition to contribute positively to operating income after amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets from fiscal 2028 onward. The acquisition advances Asahi Kasei's strategy to build a focused, sustainable specialty pharmaceutical platform serving immunocompromised and medically complex patient populations. Severe infectious diseases represent an area where Asahi Kasei already maintains a presence and is strategically adjacent to its established core transplant (Veloxis) and nephrology (Calliditas) subsidiaries, where infection-related complications remain a significant clinical concern. By leveraging its established commercial infrastructure across transplant centers and nephrology providers, together with its advanced R&D capabilities, Asahi Kasei expects to accelerate the development and commercialization of Aicuris's pipeline while enhancing operating efficiency and long-term earnings. "This acquisition strengthens our position across interconnected therapeutic areas, including autoimmune diseases, transplantation, kidney disease, and severe infectious diseases. It enhances our pipeline and reinforces our strategy to build a leading global specialty pharmaceutical company," stated Ken Shinomiya, Head of Asahi Kasei's Healthcare Sector. "Given the strategic alignment of this asset and the opportunity to expand within an area where we already have an established presence, we acted in a nimble and disciplined manner to advance our long-term growth objectives. This transaction accords with our capital allocation framework and supports our objective of achieving net sales of 300 billion in Pharmaceuticals with an operating margin of 15% or higher by fiscal 2030." Consistent with this strategic focus, Aicuris adds three compounds that complement Asahi Kasei's existing treatment portfolio and expand its presence in infectious diseases: Product Mechanism Target Indication Key Characteristics Stage (1) Prevymis (letermovir) Cytomegalovirus (CMV) terminase inhibitor Prevention of CMV infection in transplant recipients Royalty income as the originator of the drug Marketed (licensed to Merck Co., Inc. [known as MSD outside the US and Canada]) (2) Pritelivir Herpes simplex virus (HSV) helicase-primase inhibitor Treatment of HSV infection in immunocompromised patients Oral drug with a new mechanism of action specifically for HSV Phase III completed (FDA approval targeted for 2026) (3) AIC468 mRNA splicing inhibitor Treatment of BK Virus (BKV) infection in kidney transplant patients Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) targeting BKV following kidney transplantation Phase I completed (commercialization targeted for 2030 Pritelivir represents a significant near-term value driver and is being evaluated for the treatment of HSV infection in immunocompromised patients. These patients are commonly seen in transplant centers and specialized hospital settings where Asahi Kasei maintains established commercial relationships and infrastructure. This alignment enables efficient market access and targeted uptake within a defined patient population. AIC468 is in development for the treatment of BK virus (BKV) infection in kidney transplant recipients. This directly intersects with both Asahi Kasei's transplant franchise and renal-disease network. BKV remains a significant post-transplant complication with limited approved treatment options. By leveraging its established clinical, regulatory, and commercial capabilities, Asahi Kasei is positioned to efficiently advance development and commercialization. The portfolio also enhances Asahi Kasei's financial profile, combining immediate royalty income from Prevymis with near-term commercial upside from pritelivir, for which approval is targeted in fiscal 2026. Together with the longer-term potential of AIC468, the acquisition delivers a layered growth profile that supports revenue durability and margin expansion over time. This acquisition represents one of a series of strategic investments and portfolio transformations that are reshaping Asahi Kasei into a more focused enterprise. Asahi Kasei has positioned Pharmaceuticals as a First Priority business under its current medium-term management plan "Trailblaze Together," and is actively capitalizing on high-growth areas. Through structural transformation and disciplined investment, the company is optimizing its portfolio and accelerating its transition toward a more capital-efficient structure. Approximately $919 million at exchange rate of $1.178/ as of February 25, 2026 About Asahi Kasei Asahi Kasei is a diversified global company that contributes to life and living for people around the world. Since its foundation in 1922, with businesses in ammonia and cellulose fiber, Asahi Kasei has consistently grown through proactive portfolio transformation to meet the evolving needs of every age. With 50,000 employees worldwide, the company contributes to sustainability by providing solutions to the world's challenges across its three business sectors: Healthcare, Homes, and Material. For more information, visit https://www.asahi-kasei.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260226813309/en/ Contacts: North America Contact: Asahi Kasei America Inc. Christian OKeefe christian.okeefe@ak-america.com Europe Contact: Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH Sebastian Schmidt sebastian.schmidt@asahi-kasei.eu Morristown, New Jersey--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Award-winning digital agency eDesign Interactive has just debuted a bold new website for Bon Appetit Management Company, reflecting the on-site restaurant company's industry leadership and food philosophy. The redesign repositions the website as a modern, authoritative platform that reflects the company's role as an industry pioneer with a strong point of view and a national footprint. New Bon Appetit Management Company Website To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10587/285448_31cc125924b1b8e3_001full.jpg eDesign Interactive worked to bring greater clarity and warmth to the experience, creating a platform that strengthens credibility and clearly communicates Bon Appetit's philosophy on sustainability, transparency, and food at scale. "This project was about translating a deeply held food philosophy and a national operation into a digital experience that feels clear, human, and authoritative, while giving the organization a platform that can grow with them over time," said Vincent Mazza, Managing Partner at eDesign Interactive. From a structural standpoint, the new site emphasizes intuitive navigation, flexible content architecture, and purposeful storytelling. These changes were designed to support diverse audiences, including clients, partners, and prospective employees. Bon Appetit Management Company's Food Philosophy To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10587/285448_31cc125924b1b8e3_002full.jpg The newly designed website has already begun to deliver a meaningful impact for the company. Internally, the new site has already improved content clarity, stakeholder alignment, and confidence in the brand's digital presence. Meanwhile, the redesigned digital experience has delivered clearer storytelling, stronger value differentiation, and a more engaging user journey for external audiences. This has laid the foundation for future gains in user engagement, recruitment, and lead-generation metrics. "We thought long and hard about how to distinguish ourselves in a noisy internet ecosystem, and eDesign was the right partner to help us stay authentic but differentiated in this space," said Jenny Slafkosky, Vice President of Communications at Bon Appetit. "eDesign created something for us that's bold and singular, and that we never could have imagined on our own." Overall, the new website follows eDesign Interactive's new design and strategic philosophy of building brand experiences that are unified, data-driven, and human. eDesign Interactive is a full-service digital agency specializing in web design, branding, video production, and high-impact digital experience development. The agency partners with brands across industries to build platforms and campaigns that combine strategy, creativity, and technology. To learn more about their full list of services, please visit https://edesigninteractive.com. About eDesign Interactive eDesign Interactive is an award-winning digital experience agency headquartered in Morristown, NJ. Founded in 2004 with a team of 50+ talented individuals fueled by passion, artistic flair, and unconventional ideas, eDesign combines creativity with strategic insight to help brands connect meaningfully with their audiences. About Bon Appetit Management Company Bon Appetit Management Company is an on-site restaurant company based in Redwood City, CA, that operates cafes in 33 states for corporations, universities, and cultural institutions. Bon Appetit chefs create unique menus and cook from scratch, including sauces, stocks, and soups at every location. "Food service for a sustainable future" is the heart of Bon Appetit's business philosophy, and the company is a recognized industry leader in environmentally and socially responsible practices, with awards from organizations including the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council, Acterra, James Beard Foundation, and many others. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285448 Source: DesignRush Highlights: Turnium is awaiting final TSX Venture approval to close the Insentra asset acquisition - expected by the end of February 2026 TTGI continues to be optimistic about its financial outlook and provides new guidance For Q2 FY2026, ending March 31, 2026, the Company expects Revenue of $3.8M to $4.1M, and Gross Margin of $1.2M to $1.6M (including only 1 month of Insentra results) For the next 12 months, from March 1, 2026, the Company expects Revenue of $28M to $32M, and Gross Margin of $12.1M to $14.7M (including 12 months of Insentra results) Vancouver, Canada--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Turnium Technology Group Inc. (TSXV: TTGI) (FSE: E48) ("Turnium" or "the Company"), a global leader in Technology-as-a-Service (TaaS) and partner enablement services, announces its financial results for Fiscal Q1 2026. All financial information is provided in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. Doug Childress, CEO of Turnium, stated, "In Q1 2026 we announced major initiatives to accelerate Turnium's transformation from a product-based business to a solutions-driven company. Most impactful was the acquisition of assets from Sydney-based Insentra and its US and UK affiliates, a leading specialist in advisory, professional, artificial intelligence and managed IT services delivered exclusively through IT service provider partners. Insentra's 'Partner Obsessed' strategy aligns with Turnium's focus on empowering global channel partners and is expected to increase Turnium's revenue profile from approximately $9 million to a projected $28 to $32 million in revenue (3.2 times increase) and an estimated EBITDA of $2.1-$4.2 million based on our March 2026 run-rate. This acquisition adds significant revenue, margin and skilled technology resources to the TTGI family, and marks a major step toward our goal of achieving $100 million in revenue and $20 million in EBITDA by 2027." Update on the Proposed Insentra Acquisition On February 3, 2026, the Company completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Insentra Holdings Pty Ltd. and certain affiliated entities in the United States and the United Kingdom, pursuant to a definitive agreement. The total consideration for the transaction was approximately $5.73 million, comprising $2.14 million in common shares of the Company, $1.0 million in cash paid at closing, and $2.58 million through a vendor take-back loan bearing interest at 2% above the Royal Bank of Canada prime rate, together with the issuance of 1,188,000 warrants and additional contingent earn-out and bonus payments of up to $9.25 million, subject to future revenue and EBITDA performance. The transaction was completed following the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval. Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations The Company has announced an active plan to divest its Tenacious Networks (TNET) assets. We expect this transaction to be completed by early March 2026. Positive Outlook for Q2 FY2026 and the Next 12 Months . Fiscal Q2 2026 Guidance - for Q2 FY2026, ending March 31, 2026, the Company expects Revenue of $3.8M to $4.1M, and Gross Margin of $1.2M to $1.6M (including only 1 month of Insentra results). For the next 12 months, from March 1, 2026, the Company expects Revenue of $28M to $32M, and Gross Margin of $12.1M to $14.7M (including 12 months of Insentra results). Fiscal First Quarter 2026 Highlights: Revenue decreased to $2.0M (due to seasonality), compared to $2.3M QoQ and increased from $1.97M YoY; Gross Margin increased to $1.18M (based on product mix), compared to $0.69M QoQ and $1.34M YoY; Total Operating Expenses increased to $2.58M, compared to $1.68M QoQ and $2.82M YoY; Net Comprehensive Loss decreased to ($2.97M), compared to ($7.51M) QoQ and ($1.71M) YoY; Adjusted EBITDA (1) improved to ($0.95M), compared to ($1.26M) YoY; Number of Common Shares Outstanding (basic) at the end of the first quarter 2026 were 184,757,145, as compared to 189,704,645 currently. Quarterly Financial Highlights The Consolidated Financial Statements and Management Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the three months ended December 31, 2025, are available on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedarplus.ca. All financial information is presented in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. The Company's key financial results for the three months ended December 31, 2025, are as follows: Canadian Dollars For the three months ended December 31, 2025 For the three months ended September 30, 2025 For the three months ended June 30, 2025 For the three months ended March 31, 2025 Revenue 2,032,597 2,286,459 2,337,977 2,189,664 Gross margin 1,183,482 686,818 1,577,142 1,279,799 Total expenses 2,575,582 1,683,418 2,749,493 1,365,536 Other gain (loss) *(1,572,476) (6,466,979) (297,692) - Income tax expense - - - - Deferred income tax recovery - - - - Other income/loss (13,059) (47,065) (8,245) (49,342) Net comprehensive income (loss) (2,967,451) (7,510,644) (1,478,288) (493,884) Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 184,757,145 170,187,417 165,122,873 164,962,446 Basic and diluted loss per common share (0.02) (0.04) (0.01) (0.00) Notes: It is anticipated that revenues and expenses may vary, perhaps materially, from quarter to quarter due to several factors, including changes in product mix, costs related to planned increase in market share, global expansion costs and ongoing corporate development initiatives. Although revenues may fluctuate from quarter to quarter, and such fluctuations may be material, management expects that revenues will increase year over year. (*) The operating results of TNET are included in the data for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and for the prior periods. In the consolidated financial statements, TNET is classified as a disposal group, and the results of its operations for the year are reported as a net loss from discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of loss and comprehensive loss, with separate disclosure of its revenue, direct costs, and other gains or losses in the notes to the financial statements. The operating results of TNET for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and September 30, 2025, were as follows: Canadian Dollars December 31, 2025 September 30, 2025 Revenue 524,210 530,556 Gross margin 135,680 116,889 Total Expenses 101,805 97,928 Net Income (loss) 33,875 18,961 Non-IFRS Financial Measures - Adjusted EBITDA The following table shows a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) before tax, the most comparable IFRS financial measure, for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. 3 Months Ended December 31, 2025 3 Months Ended December 31, 2024 Loss before tax (2,964,577) (1,869,842) Amortization 132,551 135,195 Amortization of right-of-use assets 36,434 38,358 Share-based compensation 63,021 23,664 Loss on change in fair value of the conversion option liabilities 1,105,627 - Gain on change in FV of derivative - 11,509 Gain on lease surrender (32,552) - Foreign exchange gain 5,904 - (1,402) Interest and accretion expense 493,497 388,439 M&A and financing related one-time transaction costs 206,584 11,751 (953,511) (1,262,328) (1) Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized measure under IFRS, has no standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to adjusted EBITDA presented by other companies. Rather, it is provided as additional information to complement IFRS measures by providing further understanding of the Company's results of operations from management's perspective. Accordingly, adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of our financial information reported under IFRS. We use non-IFRS financial measures to provide investors with supplemental measures of our operating performance and thus highlight trends in our core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS financial measures. We believe that securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties frequently use non-IFRS financial measures in the evaluation of issuers. There are certain limitations related to the use of non-IFRS financial measures versus their nearest IFRS equivalents. Investors are encouraged to review our financial statements and disclosures in their entirety and are cautioned not to put undue reliance on any non-IFRS financial measure and view it in conjunction with the most comparable IFRS financial measures. In evaluating non-IFRS financial measures, you should be aware that in the future we will continue to incur expenses similar to those adjusted in non-IFRS financial measures. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure that we calculate as net income (loss) before tax excluding depreciation and amortization expense, share based expense, gain/loss on change on fair value of derivatives, loss on debt settlement, government grants, foreign exchange gain/loss, interest and accretion and SRED refund. Adjusted EBITDA is used by management to understand and evaluate the performance and trends of the Company's operations. Subsequent Events and Other Q1 Highlights: February 10, 2026 - Turnium Announces Appointment of Software Industry Veteran Paul Pagliaro to the Board of Directors. (LINK) February 9, 2026 - TTGI Announces Upcoming Annual General and Special Meeting, Debt Settlement Agreement and RSU Grant. (LINK) February 3, 2026 - Turnium Announces Execution of Asset Purchase Agreement for the Acquisition of Assets of Insentra Management Services and Closing of Offering of Secured Debentures and Warrants. (LINK) January 27, 2026 - TTGI Reports Fiscal 2025 Audited Financial Results. (LINK) January 23, 2026 - TTGI Provides Annual General Meeting Update. (LINK) January 22, 2026 - TTGI Provides Update on its Previously Announced Offering of Secured Debentures and Warrants. (LINK) January 5, 2026 - TTGI announce the appointment of Aldo G. Gallone as Vice President of Global Strategy and Partnerships. (LINK) December 29, 2025 - TTGI extends exclusivity period of non-binding Letter of Intent with Insentra. The parties sign an amendment to the LOI (the " Amendment ") to extend the term period for entering into the definitive asset purchase agreement through to January 31, 2026. (LINK) December 22, 2025 - TTGI announces offering of secured debentures and warrants and provides an update on the proposed Insentra acquisition. (LINK) December 18, 2025 - TTGI announces a global commercialization partnership with Syntheia Corp. ("Syntheia") (CSE: SYAI), a leading provider of conversational AI solutions for inbound and outbound telephone call management. (LINK) December 9, 2025 - TTGI announces extending of promissory notes totaling $1,073,000 through the issuance of new unsecured Loan Agreements (the "Loans"), and receives conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). (LINK) November 17, 2025 - TTGI announces the successful deployment of its revolutionary Version 7.x RAC1 platform to 46 OEM partner environments, representing 75% of its partner ecosystem. (LINK) November 11, 2025 - TTGI announces it has entered into a marketing agreement (the "Agreement") with Winning Media LLC. (" Winning Media "). (LINK) November 10, 2025 - TTGI announces it has entered into a non-binding Letter of Intent ("LOI") with Insentra Management Services Pty Ltd on behalf of Insentra Holdings Pty Ltd. to acquire substantially all the assets of Insentra Holdings Pty Ltd. and certain affiliated entities in the United States and the United Kingdom (collectively, "Insentra"). (LINK) About Turnium Technology Group Inc. Turnium acquires companies that complement its Technology-as-a-Service (TaaS) strategy, integrates them to generate efficiencies, and delivers their solutions through a global channel partner program to customers worldwide. Turnium's mission is to provide IT providers with a complete, white-labelled portfolio of business technology solutions, enabling them to quickly add new services in response to customer demand. In essence, Turnium is building a TaaS platform that incorporates all the services, platforms, and capabilities that ISPs, MSPs, IT Providers, VoIP/UCaaS, CCaaS, or Cloud Providers might need. Additionally, Turnium provides deployment resources, hardware, delivery, support, and marketing and sales enablement to help channel partners go to market quickly and deliver exceptional quality. Turnium delivers secure, cost-effective, uninterrupted, and scalable global IT solutions to its channel partners and their end-customers-because "Connectivity Matters". For more information, contact sales@ttgi.io, visit www.ttgi.io or follow us on X @turnium. # # # CAUTIONARY NOTES Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. 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 acts, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Such statements include, among others, statements regarding the Transaction and the terms and consideration payable thereunder, the issuance of securities based compensation and the amounts and terms thereof, the receipt of TSXV approvals, whether Turnium or its business will derive any benefit from the Transaction, Turnium's business and technology, Insentra's business and technology, Insentra's financial data and revenue, and Turnium's expectations, business, projections, operations and growth in connection with the Transaction. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in 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 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. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements depending on, among other things, the risks that the Company and Insentra will not reach a definitive agreement with respect to the transaction, or that the transaction will not be successfully completed for any reason (including failure to obtain the required acceptance from the TSXV). 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/285446 Source: Turnium Technology Group Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Cambria Gold Mines Inc. (TSXV: CAMB) (OTC Pink: AOTVF) ("Cambria" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of infill drilling at the Company's Premier Gold Project ("PGP") in northwestern British Columbia. Cambria has planned 27,000 meters of underground and surface diamond drilling to upgrade resource confidence and to inform development planning as the Company works toward its plan to restart mining operations. The Company is of the opinion that inadequate drill spacing density was a major factor in the difficulties encountered at Premier prior to the site entering care and maintenance. Drilling has commenced at the Premier-Northern Lights ("PNL") deposit, proximal to the 2,500 tonne per day mill facility. Drilling has commenced from surface and will be closely followed by underground drilling of the Prew Zone on 12.5 meter centers, targeting high-grade ore shoots that are well-documented by historic mining operations at the Premier Mine. The drill results will be used to develop detailed internal mine plans and future Mineral Resource updates (see Figures 1 and 2). "We are excited to commence this infill drilling program at the Premier Gold Project. The primary objective of this drilling is to provide the necessary sample spacing and geological confidence to upgrade Mineral Resources and Reserves, as well as accurately define future mining zones proximal to the recently commissioned mill facilities," said Robert McLeod, President and CEO of Cambria. "Once delineated, our plan is to blend or batch process ore from these deposits with high-grade ore trucked from the nearby Red Mountain Deposit." Drilling is expected to commence at the Big Missouri deposit in the spring. This work may include infill drilling of near-surface zones potentially amenable to open pit mining as well as areas with potential for larger scale open stoping in areas proximal to existing underground workings developed in 2023 and 2024. Cambria is currently reviewing newly received drill assay results from 2024 and 2025 programs at the Premier Gold Project; assays were held due to the Company's inability to pay invoices in 2025 prior to the recent recapitalization. These results are expected to be released shortly and are to be included in an updated Feasibility Study planned for H2 2026. Quality Assurance and Quality Control The Company adheres to CIM Mineral Exploration Best Practices Guidelines for exploration related activities conducted on its property. Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) procedures are overseen by the Qualified Person. Analytical testing for core samples from the 2026 drill program will be performed by ALS Canada Ltd. in North Vancouver, British Columbia and sample preparation will occur at dedicated preparation facilities operated by ALS Canada Ltd. The entire sample will be crushed to 70% passing 2mm (10 mesh), of which a 1000 gram split will be pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns (200 mesh). Gold testing will be determined by conventional fire assay with a 50g charge weight and an atomic absorption finish up to 100ppm (Au-AA26). A 50 gram fire assay with gravimetric finish will also be completed above 100ppm (Au-GRA22). Metallic screen analysis may be considered for high-grade gold samples. Silver and multi-element analyses will be determined by four-acid digest with an inductively Coupled Plasma OES or AES finish (ME-ICP61), with ore grade silver being completed by the overlimit four acid digest method with conventional ICP-AES finish up to 1500 ppm (Ag-OG62) and by 30g fire assay with gravimetric finish above 1500 ppm (Ag-Gra21). Cambria will be implementing several changes to the sample preparation and analytical protocols previously used by Ascot. For the 2026 field season, the crush split size will be increased from the 250g split used by Ascot to a 1000g split. This change will provide a significantly larger and more representative subsample for pulverization and analysis. In addition, Cambria will request crush duplicates and pulp duplicates at a rate of 1 in 20 samples to enable monitoring of subsampling precision and nugget effect. Implementation of half core duplicates by Cambria will replace the former practice of quarter-core duplicates implemented by Ascot. Changes to the fire assay method will also be implemented; the fire assay charge weight will be increased from 30g (Au-AA23) to 50g (Au-AA26) for the 2026 season to improve variance. Overlimit fire assays will also be increased to 50g, from Au-GRA21 to Au-GRA22. The analytical methods for silver and multielement data will remain as established by Ascot. A new source of coarse blank material has been identified for the 2026 program, to replace the carbonate-rich blank material used by Ascot in prior years. Cambria Gold Mine's QA/QC protocols for the 2026 drill program will continue to include the insertion of certified reference material (standards), coarse blanks and field duplicates within the sample stream. A program of secondary lab checks will be implemented with an accredited laboratory to confirm initial results. Cambria's drill core will be cut in-half with a diamond saw, with one-half placed in sealed bags and shipped to the laboratory and the other half retained on site. Chain of custody is maintained from the drill to the submittal into the laboratory preparation facility. Figure 1: Plan map showing 2026 primary infill drilling target areas at the Premier-Northern Lights deposit To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4267/285410_225cabf064e39b28_001full.jpg Figure 2: Example of planned underground infill drilling at Prew Zone at Premier-Norther Lights To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4267/285410_225cabf064e39b28_002full.jpg Qualified Person and Technical Information: The scientific and technical information within this news release has been reviewed and approved by Blaine Smit, P.Geo. VP Exploration for Cambria Gold Mines Inc. Mr. Smit is a non-independent "Qualified Person" as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Marketing Services Cambria announces that it has entered into a six-month social media consulting services agreement with Triomphe Holdings Ltd., doing business as Capital Analytica ("Capital Analytica"), an arm's-length service provider, in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable securities laws. Under the agreement, Capital Analytica will provide social media consulting and related investor awareness services for a total fee of $150,000 payable in two equal installments over the six-month term. The agreement includes an option to renew for an additional six-month term at a rate of $75,000, unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms. Capital Analytica has no direct or indirect interest in the Company or its securities and has no current intention or right to acquire any such interest during the engagement, other than the potential grant of stock options in the future. In addition, the Company has engaged the services of ICP Securities Inc. ("ICP") to provide automated market making services, including use of its proprietary algorithm, ICP Premium, in compliance with the policies and guidelines of the TSX Venture Exchange and other applicable legislation. ICP will be paid a monthly fee of C$7,500, plus applicable taxes. The agreement between the Company and ICP was signed with a start date of February 26, 2026, and is for four (4) months (the "Initial Term") and shall be automatically renewed for subsequent one (1) month terms (each month called an "Additional Term") unless either party provides at least thirty (30) days written notice prior to the end of the Initial Term or an Additional Term, as applicable. There are no performance factors contained in the agreement and no stock options or other compensation in connection with the engagement. ICP and its clients may acquire an interest in the securities of the Company in the future. ICP has no direct or indirect interest in the Company or its securities and has no current intention or right to acquire any such interest during the engagement, other than the potential grant of stock options in the future ICP is an arm's length party to the Company. ICP's market making activity will be primarily to correct temporary imbalances in the supply and demand of the Company's shares. ICP will be responsible for the costs it incurs in buying and selling the Company's shares, and no third party will be providing funds or securities for the market making activities. Both the engagement of Capital Analytica and ICP remain subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Cambria Gold Mines Cambria Gold Mines is a Canadian mining company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, and its shares trade on the TSX-V under the ticker CAMB and on the OTCID under the ticker AOTVF. Cambria is the 100% owner of the Premier Gold mine and Red Mountain Gold Project which are located on Nisga'a Nation Treaty Lands, in the prolific Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia. For more information about the Company, please refer to the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or visit the Company's web site at www.cambriagold.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Cambria Gold Mines Inc. Robert McLeod President, CEO and Director Cautionary Statements : 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. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information All statements and other information contained in this press release about anticipated future events may constitute forward-looking information under Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward- looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "targeted", "outlook", "on track" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could", "would" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements in respect of the ability of the Company to accomplish its business objectives and the intentions described herein; and future plans, development and operations of the Company. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the previous factors that resulted in difficulties encountered at Premier; anticipation and timing and release of the proposed updated Feasibility Study; commencement and timing of drilling at the Big Missouri deposit; anticipated timing of release of previous drill assay results; implementation of changes to sample preparation and analytical protocols and the subsequent results; receipt of the TSX Venture Exchange approval of the Capital Analytica and ICP agreements; the anticipated benefit of the services of Capital Analytica and ICP, risks relating to negative operating cash flows of the Company; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; environmental compliance; risks related to outstanding debt; uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to development, production, costs and expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need to obtain additional financing to finance operations and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; social media and reputation; negative publicity; human rights; business objectives; shortage of personnel; health and safety; the possibility of delay in future plans and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; claims and legal proceedings; information systems and cyber security; internal controls; violation of anti-bribery or corruption laws; competition; tax considerations; compliance with listing standards; enforcement of civil liabilities; financing requirement risks; market price volatility of the common shares; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; the need for exchange approval, and other regulatory approvals and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in Cambria's filings with Canadian securities regulators, available on Cambria's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca including the Annual Information Form of the Company dated March 24, 2025 in the section entitled "Risk Factors". Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made with regard to: the estimated costs associated with the care and maintenance plans; the tax rate applicable to the Company; future commodity prices; the grade of mineral resources and mineral reserves; labor and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with the Company's current expectations, the ability of the Company to convert inferred mineral resources to other categories; the ability of the Company to reduce mining dilution; the ability to reduce capital costs; the ability of the Company to raise additional financing; currency exchange rates being approximately consistent with current levels, compliance with the covenants in Cambria's credit agreements; exploration plans; and general marketing, political, business and economic conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. Although Cambria believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since Cambria can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Cambria does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable laws. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285410 Source: Cambria Gold Mines Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Japan Gold Corp. (TSXV: JG) (OTCQB: JGLDF) ("Japan Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has commenced a 3D Induced Polarization ("3D IP") and resistivity geophysical survey at its Bajo Project on the southern island of Kyushu, Japan. The 3D IP survey is designed to identify and refine drill targeting for future drill programs. The 3D IP survey is being conducted by Zonge Engineering and Research Organization (Aust) Pty Ltd., following the recent completion of a CSAMT/AMT survey at the Company's Hakuryu Project in Hokkaido. The 3D IP survey covers a targeted area measuring approximately 8 km by 5 km and comprises roughly 24 line-kilometres. It will utilize GDD receivers and a transmitter to support multi-channel data acquisition and high-quality signal recording. The survey grid has been designed to support full 3D inversion modeling of the subsurface while also allowing individual 2D line sections to be evaluated. This detailed 3D dataset is expected to enhance interpretation of the subsurface and guide the Company in refining exploration targets and prioritizing follow-up work. The Bajo Project contains the historic Bajo Mine, which historically produced approximately 421,000 ounces of gold. The majority of production came from the Sakuru-Hi vein, which reportedly yielded grades of 125.9 g/t Au and 557 g/t Ag1. Qualified Person The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Japan Gold's Vice President of Exploration, Jason Letto, B.Sc., P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Marketing and Advertising Services The Company also announces that it has terminated a Services Agreement (the "CanaCom Agreement") with 2686362 Ontario Corporation dba CanaCom Group ("CanaCom Group") as previously announced in its news release of September 9, 2025. The Company engaged CanaCom Group to provide marketing services, including digital content creation and media distribution to the Company over a 12-month period. In connection with the engagement, CanaCom Group subscribed for $110,000 in common shares of the Company's private placement which closed on August 25, 2025. The CanaCom Agreement was not accepted by the TSX Venture Exchange, as per Policy 3.4 - Investor Relations, Promotional and Market-Making Activities. Termination of the CanaCom Agreement is effective as of February 25, 2026. CanaCom Group has agreed to provide a refund for services not yet provided. About Japan Gold Corp. Japan Gold Corp. is a Canadian mineral company focused on the exploration and discovery of high-grade epithermal gold deposits across the main islands of Japan. The Company holds a significant portfolio of tenements covering areas with known gold occurrences, history of mining and prospective for high-grade epithermal gold mineralization in one of the most stable and under explored countries in the world. The Japan Gold leadership and operational team of geologists, drillers and technical advisors have extensive experience exploring and operating in Japan and have a track record of discoveries world-wide. Cautionary Note Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to expected or anticipated future events, including the results of the geophysical survey. These statements are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that include, but are not limited to, general economic, market and business conditions, the stability of the financial and capital markets; the timing and granting of prospecting rights; the Company's ability to convert prospecting rights into digging rights within the timeframe prescribed by the Mining Act; competition for qualified staff; the regulatory process and actions; technical issues; new legislation; potential delays or changes in plans; working in a new political jurisdiction; results of exploration; and the occurrence of unexpected events. Actual results achieved may differ from the information provided herein and, consequently, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein speaks only as of the date of this News Release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward-looking information or to explain any material difference between such and subsequent actual events, except as required by applicable laws. 1 Mining and Materials Processing Institute of Japan (1989), Gold Mines in Japan, Vol. 1: Kyushu, pp. 34-37. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285404 Source: Japan Gold Corp. MARION, NC / ACCESS Newswire / February 26, 2026 / Greene Concepts Inc. (OTCID:INKW), owner and operator of a 60,000-square-foot bottling facility in Marion, North Carolina, and producer of the premium artesian spring water brand Be Water, announced it has received federal trademark registration from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Registered under U.S. Registration No. 8145597, the trademark completes a USPTO review process that began in April 2021 and establishes federal protection for the Be Water brand. Federal trademark registration provides important advantages for consumer brands, including a legal presumption of ownership, nationwide notice of rights, and stronger enforcement options in federal court. For Greene Concepts, the registration strengthens brand protection as the Company continues expanding retail and e-commerce distribution and evaluating additional partnership channels. "This is a meaningful achievement for Greene Concepts and for the Be Water brand," said Lenny Greene, President and CEO of Greene Concepts, Inc. "Securing federal trademark registration reinforces the identity we have worked hard to build and supports our long-term vision for national expansion and brand recognition." "This registration reflects the years of work invested in developing Be Water as a premium American artesian spring water brand," Greene added. "As we continue expanding distribution and building awareness, having our trademark fully registered adds clarity, credibility, and long-term protection to everything we are building." Follow Greene Concepts, Inc. on Social Media at: X - @GreeneConcepts , Facebook - @inkw2025, Instagram - Greene Concepts, Inc. and Be Water About Greene Concepts, Inc. Greene Concepts, Inc. (https://www.greeneconcepts.com) is a publicly traded company whose purpose is to provide the world with high-quality, healthy and enhanced beverage choices that meet the nutritional needs of its consumers while refreshing their mind, body and spirit. The Company's flagship product, Be Water, is a premium artesian bottled water that supports total body health and wellness. Greene Concepts' beverage and bottling plant is located in Marion,North Carolina, and their water is ethically sourced from spring and artesian wells that are fed from a natural aquifer located deep beneath the Blue Ridge Mountains. Greene Concepts continues to develop and market premium beverage brands designed to enhance the daily lives of consumers. Safe Harbor: 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. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a few uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. A more extensive listing of risks and factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the reports and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and OTC Markets, Inc. OTC Disclosure and News Service. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, because of new information, future events or otherwise. CONTACT: Greene Concepts, Inc. Investor Relations IR@greeneconcepts.com SOURCE: Greene Concepts Inc. Be Water Trademark USPTO Certificate Be Water Trademark Logo BeWater View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/greene-concepts-announces-federal-registration-of-be-watertm-tra-1140377 TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / February 26, 2026 / Mongolia Growth Group Ltd. (NEX:YAK.H, "MGG" or the "Company") today announced that its Board of Directors (the "Board") has determined to proceed with a transaction to be completed as a plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") under the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) pursuant to which shareholders of the Company will be entitled to receive (among other things) cash in the amount of $1.28 per common share (a "Common Share"). Under the terms of the Arrangement, each issued and outstanding Common Share as at the close of business on the effective date of the Arrangement will be exchanged for: (i) one (1) new common share in the capital of the Company (a "New Common Share"); and (ii) one (1) redeemable preferred share in the capital of the Company (a "Redeemable Preferred Share"), which Redeemable Preferred Shares will be immediately redeemed by the Company for cash, in accordance with their terms, for $1.28 per Redeemable Preferred Share (the "Redemption Amount"). As a result of the completion of the Arrangement (including the payment of the Redemption Amount), shareholders will receive, for each Common Share held, one New Common Share and $1.28 in cash. The New Common Shares issued pursuant to the Arrangement are expected to be substantially similar to the currently outstanding Common Shares, provided that each New Common Share will entitle the holder thereof to two (2) votes per New Common Share. The Company believes that the Arrangement represents an opportunity to return capital to shareholders in an effective and efficient manner and represents the best course of action in order to complete the same, consistent with the Company's previously stated intentions to return a substantial portion of the Company's cash assets to shareholders. The Arrangement is subject to the approval by two-thirds of the votes cast by holders of Common Shares present or represented by proxy at a special meeting of holders of Common Shares (the "Meeting") to be held in May 2026. In addition to the required approvals of shareholders, closing of the Arrangement is also subject to obtaining the approval of the Court of King's Bench of Alberta, the NEX Board of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "NEX"), as well as other customary closing conditions. Further details regarding the Arrangement will be contained in a management information circular (the "Circular") for the Meeting to be sent to holders of Common Shares in connection with the Meeting. If all approvals are received and other closing conditions are satisfied in a timely manner, the Arrangement is expected to be completed shortly after the Meeting. The Arrangement is the result of a review process by the Board in connection with the Company's previously stated return of capital strategy. The Board, having undertaken a thorough review of, and having carefully considered, among other things, the terms of the Arrangement and its impact on the Company and all relevant stakeholders, other available courses of action and information concerning the Company and other relevant matters, has unanimously: (i) determined that the Arrangement is in the best interests of the Company and fair to shareholders; (ii) approved the Arrangement; and (iii) recommended that shareholders vote FOR the Arrangement. Subsequent to the completion of the Arrangement, including the payment of the aggregate Redemption Amount, the Company will retain cash assets of approximately $1 million to fund ongoing costs and expenses, and expects to continue to be listed on the NEX and may consider and pursue new business opportunities which may be of a benefit to shareholders. The Circular will be available for viewing under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. All shareholders are urged to read the Circular once available, as it will contain additional important information concerning the Arrangement and how to vote their Common Shares. For further information please contact: Genevieve Walkden Corporate Secretary & Chief Financial Officer Email: gwalkden@mongoliagrowthgroup.com Phone: (877) 644-1186 Forward-Looking Information Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the timing of the Arrangement, the effective date, the date of the Meeting, the Company after the completion of the Arrangement, business intentions after the completion of the Arrangement, and the anticipated closing of the Arrangement. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including regulatory approvals and shareholder approvals. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include general economic, market and business conditions, the regulatory process and actions, regulator and corporate approvals, technical issues, new legislation, competitive and general economic factors and conditions, the uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, the occurrence of unexpected events, and the Company's capability to execute and implement its future plans. Actual results may differ materially from those projected by management. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. 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. SOURCE: Mongolia Growth Group Ltd. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/real-estate/mongolia-growth-group-announces-return-of-capital-1141870 Salt Lake City, Utah--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Rock Salt Marketing Cooperative has been named one of the Best SEO Agencies in the USA by DesignRush, following the platform's latest review of search engine optimization firms across the country. Rock Salt Marketing Recognized As One Of The Best SEO Agencies In The USA To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/12005/285443_ba54af4fd498fbb7_001full.jpg DesignRush ranks agencies based on agency expertise, industry reputation, and verified client feedback. Agencies that make the list have demonstrated a track record of SEO expertise, project delivery, and consistent results. "Recognition from a trusted platform like DesignRush is a welcome representation of the high standards that guide everything we do at Rock Salt. Our focus remains on delivering websites and search strategies that yield real, sustainable growth and long-term client partnerships," said Ridge Anderson, Co-Founder of Rock Salt Marketing. Founded in Salt Lake City in 2023, Rock Salt Marketing Cooperative provides SEO, web design, and paid media services to businesses seeking structured, performance-focused digital growth. The agency was established by seasoned digital marketing professionals who aim to address common industry concerns around marketing effectiveness, reporting transparency, and delivery standards. Rock Salt's award-winning SEO services are structured to support both local and national growth initiatives. Core capabilities include: Technical site audits to identify crawl errors, indexing issues, and structural inefficiencies On-page optimization across metadata, internal linking, and content architecture Strategic keyword research aligned with search intent and competitive positioning Content strategy development designed to support long-term organic authority Link acquisition campaigns focused on domain strength and referral visibility Local and multi-location SEO campaigns to increase geographic search presence National SEO strategies built for scalable traffic growth In 2025, Rock Salt expanded operations to Nashville, Tennessee, extending its services to clients in the Southeastern United States and strengthening its national footprint. About Rock Salt Marketing Rock Salt Marketing Cooperative is a top-tier digital marketing agency that offers high-quality web design, SEO, and paid media services. Rock Salt was founded in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2023 by seasoned digital marketing experts who wanted to break the cycle of marketing agencies overcharging and underdelivering. With everything the Rock Salt Marketing team does, quality, results, and client satisfaction are the highest priority. In 2025, Rock Salt Marketing opened operations in Nashville, TN, to extend its award-winning services and values to a greater number of businesses. About DesignRush DesignRush.com is a B2B marketplace and media platform connecting businesses with agencies through expert reviews and agency ranking lists, awards, knowledge resources, and personalized agency recommendations for vetted projects. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285443 Source: Rock Salt Marketing Cooperative Company announcement No. 01/2026 COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- H+H International A/S (H+H) hereby present preliminary, unaudited financial results for the full year 2025 and financial outlook for 2026. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jorg Brinkmann quote: "Market conditions for residential new build remained challenging in 2025, yet we were able to improve our EBIT bsi to 112m DKK against 63m DKK in 2024. The contribution from our markets varied considerably. Poland, the UK and Switzerland showed very strong performance, while the German market continued to be loss making, despite further realised cost savings from our restructuring and impairments last summer. Excluding Germany, our group EBIT bsi margin would have reached 12%, underlining the strong performance outside of Germany. For 2026 we expect broadly unchanged market conditions. However, the extreme winter weather will negatively impact our Q1 earnings and thus the outlook for the year. We continue building our businesses in Poland, the UK and Switzerland through operational discipline, margin protection, and the continued rollout of our HOME programme, ensuring we stay ready to capture higher demand when the markets improve. In Germany, we will continue to strengthen our regional market positions and have a clear focus on cash generation." Preliminary and unaudited Q4 and 2025 numbers DKK million Q4 2025 Q4 2024 2025 2024 Sales volume (thousand cubic metres) 673 694 2,929 2,967 Revenue 611 649 2,743 2,747 Organic growth (5 %) 6 % 0 % 0 % Gross margin before special items 22 % 25 % 22 % 21 % EBITDA margin before special items 10 % 13 % 11 % 9 % EBIT before special items 19 36 112 63 EBIT margin before special items 3 % 6 % 4 % 2 % EBIT 5 165 (557) 41 Proft after tax (28) 90 (665) (50) NIBD/EBITDA before special items ratio 2.8x 2.7x 2.8x 2.7x Free cash flow (15) 166 (61) 219 Financial outlook for full year 2026 (inside information) Revenue growth measured in local currencies is expected to be in the range of -5% to 0%. EBIT before special items is expected to be in the range of DKK million 50 to 100. Key assumptions for the financial outlook: The year began with unusually severe winter weather, which significantly reduced sales across all markets and is expected to negatively impact EBIT before special items around DKK 70 million compared to last year. We only expect a limited recovery of the lost volumes during the remainder of the year. In the remainder of the year the markets in the UK and Poland continue to perform at the same level as in 2025. Expected benefits of DKK 40 million from German restructuring initiated in 2025. CAPEX for 2026 is expected to be DKK 100 - 120 million. Free cash flow expected to be positive including cash flow from asset sales. The outlook assumes no major changes to macroeconomic or geopolitical conditions, and FX assumptions are based on February 2026 actuals combined with forward rates for the next ten months. The forward-looking statements on page 2 in the interim financial report for the first nine months of 2025 (Company Announcement No. 588/2025) also apply to this company announcement. 2025 Annual Report and Conference Call The full 2025 report will be available on 3 March 2026 and in connection with the release, a conference call for investors and analysts is scheduled for Wednesday 4 March 2026, at 10:00 a.m. CET. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. Participants can follow the conference call via live webcast here. CONTACT: For further information please contact: Niclas Bo Kristensen Head of Investor Relations & Treasury +45 24 48 03 67 niclas.kristensen@hplush.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/21438/4313399/3954542.pdf H+H International _2025 Preliminary results and full year financial outlook for 2026 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hh-international-as-preliminary-and-unaudited-results-for-2025-and-full-year-financial-outlook-for-2026-302698374.html Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Hispania Resources Inc. (TSXV: ESPN) ("Hispania" or "the company"), a mineral exploration company focused on Spain, is pleased to announce that members of the Hispania team recently completed a site visit at Lumbrales and met with members of the city's political community, including May Carlos Pedraz. As the recently elected Mayor, Mayor Pedraz was brought up to date on Hispania's work and its plans for the past producing Mari Tere mine at Lumbrales. The two groups also reviewed for the project's next phases. During that meeting, the project team discussed with the Mayor the intended programme under the current permit, the proposed drill locations and all relevant documents. Mayor Pedraz was pleased with the developments and stated that he supports the project "one hundred per cent". Additionally, he was pleased to note that the project would bring both direct, and indirect jobs to the area and town and that the company was supportive of all environmental, societal and governmental practices. Mayor Pedraz informed the Hispania team that the municipality was in the process of planning work (described as "concentration planning"), which would make it an appropriate moment to pursue any needed relevant reclassifications. He further stated that the area of the former mine (the "Mari Tere" mine) is already classified as "strategic mining" land, and that reclassification to industrial would be straightforward. The Mayor stated that the municipality would present no difficulty in implementing that reclassification, and also noted that there would be no issue in obtaining water for the drilling works if the team wished to take it from the deposit, by running a hose from the pump to the drill locations. Norman Brewster, CEO of Hispania stated, "Our team is very pleased with our meetings in Lumbrales and particularly with Mayor Pedraz and his team. We believe having a supportive government and community is as key to a mines success as is the commodities present, and this is a great time for tin and Lumbrales. Mayor Pedraz has been exceptionally helpful and we appreciate the work of his team and of Lumbrales. We are excited to see the works to come at site and take the Mari Tere past producing mine forward." Hispania Resources Inc is a mineral exploration company focused on mining opportunities in Spain. Hispania is currently focused on developing 3 core assets across Spain, including the copper, zinc project Otero; the formerly producing tin project Lumbrales; and the copper, zinc Puebla de la Reina project. The management of Hispania contains industry veterans who have more than 120 years of mineral exploration and production experience in multiple jurisdictions and have successfully managed multiple international mining companies. This includes in Spain, where some of the team was responsible for the founding and building of Iberian Minerals with the continued support of the local and regional governments, including the well-developed and sophisticated transportation and mining infrastructure. For more information on Hispania Resources Inc., visit: http://HispaniaResources.com/. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information can be identified by words such as: "intend", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will" and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking information include, among others, the expected commencement of work on the PBR project, the expected meetings with local drilling firms, as well as information relating to Hispania. Although Hispania believes that, in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because Hispania can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements depending on, among other things, the risk that the future plans of Hispania may differ from those that currently are contemplated Additional risks include those disclosed in the Filing Statement, which are incorporate herein by reference and are available through SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, except as required by law. This news release is not an offer of the securities for sale in the United States. The securities described in this news release have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended) absent registration or an exemption from registration. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which where such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. 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. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY, OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285459 Source: Hispania Resources Inc. Rimouski, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Puma Exploration Inc. (TSXV: PUMA) (OTCQB: PUMXF) ("Puma" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an overview of its planned, fully-funded, 2026 Exploration Program at its McKenzie Gold Project in Northern New Brunswick and outline its corporate objectives for the year. The primary objective of the 2026 Exploration Program at McKenzie is designed to expand the RIM and Grog Gold Zones, better define the structural controls on gold mineralization, and generate drill-ready targets for the fall. The initial $1.2 M 2026 exploration program at McKenzie Gold is scheduled as follows: January to April: Logging and splitting core from the 2025 drilling program Assessment reporting for claims renewal Data compiling and geological modelling with 3D Leap Frog Identifying priority areas for summer exploration activities May to August: Mechanical trenching on priority targets Expanded prospecting program Advanced structural modelling with an external expert Phase 1 of drilling at RIM, Grog, Dome and Bonanza Sept. to Dec: Additional drilling activities on the best summer discoveries Note that the Company may increase its initial 2026 exploration budget, pending successful results. The McKenzie Gold Project Puma's 33,800 ha McKenzie Gold Project is easily accessible by paved highway and gravel roads and is located only 7 km west of the Company's Williams Brook Project (optioned to Kinross). It straddles the McKenzie Fault, a prominent structural feature associated with numerous occurrences of high-grade gold quartz veins, stockworks and breccias (Figure 1). Puma has confirmed 2 significant gold systems at McKenzie, the RIM Gold Vein and the Grog Area, located 30 km apart, that demonstrate the district-scale potential of the project. Figure 1. Main gold zones at the McKenzie Gold Project To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3398/285392_82601aa914bc6911_001full.jpg RIM Gold Vein 2025 surface sampling at the RIM Gold Vein (Figure 2) returned impressive gold grades, including 126.96 g/t Au, 125.66 g/t Au, 84.41 g/t Au, 79.69 g/t Au* to add to the high-grade results of the 2024 sampling (see November 11, 2025 and January 16, 2025 News Releases) and more than doubled the extent of the RIM Gold Vein to the northeast. *The reader is cautioned that grab samples are selective by nature and may not represent the true metal content of the mineralized zone. Figure 2. Surface stripping and grab sampling results at the Rim Gold Vein To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3398/285392_82601aa914bc6911_002full.jpg Following the success of this sampling program, Puma launched an inaugural drilling program at RIM in late November, targeting the shear-hosted vein system. 43 holes were drilled for a total of 2,721 metres. Early observations confirm that quartz veining and stockwork are present at depth along the interpreted strike length of the shear veins (see Image 1). Assays are pending and will be released when available. Image 1. Core from hole MK25-24 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3398/285392_82601aa914bc6911_003full.jpg Grog Area - A second significant gold zone The 2025 stripping at Grog returned grab samples grading up to 9.21 g/t Au*, with 40% of the samples collected grading above 0.10 g/t Au*. The presence of strong alteration and stockwork mineralization supports an orogenic gold system linked to deformation and intrusive activity. *The reader is cautioned that grab samples are selective by nature and may not represent the true metal content of the mineralized zone. Table 1. Assay highlights of 2025 sampling at the Grog area (NEW RESULTS!!!) AREA SAMPLE SAMPLE TYPE X_UTM Y_UTM AU G/T GROG 2 L459207 outcrop - grab 653281 5293135 9.21 GROG 2 L459411 outcrop - grab 653279 5293138 4.35 GROG 2 L459236 outcrop - grab 653270 5293159 3.53 GROG 1 L459662 outcrop - grab 653421 5293271 3.03 GROG 2 L459448 outcrop - grab 653285 5293128 2.97 GROG 2 L459230 outcrop - grab 653267 5293157 2.28 GROG 2 L459218 outcrop - grab 653284 5293138 2.20 GROG 3 L459239 outcrop - grab 652690 5292003 2.19 GROG 2 L459692 outcrop - grab 653251 5293223 2.13 GROG 3 L459247 outcrop - grab 652699 5292000 1.74 GROG 2 L459210 outcrop - grab 653276 5293141 1.70 GROG 2 L459421 outcrop - grab 653262 5293160 1.66 GROG 1 M185067 outcrop - grab 653418 5293342 1.62 GROG 1 M185064 outcrop - grab 653410 5293348 1.60 GROG 2 L459418 outcrop - grab 653263 5293155 1.60 GROG 2 L459440 outcrop - grab 653261 5293165 1.55 GROG 2 L459209 outcrop - grab 653272 5293144 1.38 GROG 2 L459203 outcrop - grab 653283 5293137 1.37 GROG 2 L459232 outcrop - grab 653277 5293149 1.32 GROG 2 L459718 outcrop - grab 653286 5296137 1.27 GROG 1 L459733 outcrop - grab 653411 5293356 1.23 GROG 2 L459721 outcrop - grab 653286 5296133 1.21 GROG 2 L459422 outcrop - grab 653261 5293157 1.11 GROG 2 L459202 outcrop - grab 653280 5293142 1.06 GROG 2 L459423 outcrop - grab 653261 5293163 1.00 Figure 3. Grog Gold Zones (Grog 1, Grog 2, Grog 3) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3398/285392_82601aa914bc6911_004full.jpg Puma's 2026 Corporate Objectives Under its proven DEAR corporate strategy-Discovery, Exploration, Acquisition, and Royalties, Puma is actively structuring the public listing of a new exploration company derived from its 84%-owned subsidiary, Murray Brook Minerals Inc. ("MBM") This new entity will focus on critical minerals, namely copper, silver, cobalt, bismuth and indium, supporting Puma's ongoing efforts to innovate and diversify within the resource sector. At present, the proposed transaction is conceptual, and there is no guarantee it will proceed or be completed. More updates will be provided as the project moves from concept to reality. Acquisition of Regional Office and Coreshack In line with its DEAR strategy, enhanced by New Brunswick's Comprehensive Minerals Strategy, Puma agreed to acquire on February 18, 2026, exploration facilities and infrastructure located in St-Quentin, New Brunswick (the "Property"). The Property includes a turnkey residential building for up to eight employees, a sophisticated core storage facility, warehouse infrastructure, and related land. The facilities will serve as the Company's regional exploration office and operational base in New Brunswick, thereby avoiding future rental and accommodation costs. The purchase price for the Property is $460,000. This price is supported by an independent real estate valuation dated October 22, 2025, which determined a market value of $461,000. The vendor of the Property is Gestion Fasa Inc., a corporation controlled by Dominique Gagne, Vice-President, Exploration of the Company, and a "Non-Arm's Length Party" under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The transaction was approved by the Company's Board of Directors, and an independent director oversaw the negotiation process. No finder's fees were paid in connection with the transaction. Completion of the transaction is subject to final acceptance by the TSXV. No funds have been released to the Vendor pending the TSXV review. The Company is relying on the exemptions from formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements under Regulation 61-101, as neither the fair market value of the subject matter of the transaction nor the fair market value of the consideration exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization, calculated in accordance with Regulation 61-101. The transaction is part of Puma's objective to secure its leadership position in the area and to become a fully active corporate citizen of New Brunswick. DEAR Strategy Success Since 2019, Puma has pursued its DEAR corporate strategy-Discovery, Exploration, Acquisition, and Royalties-to innovate in capital raising and limit share dilution. As a result, Puma currently holds (share prices at market close on Feb. 24, 2026): 11,181,058 shares of Canadian Copper (CSE: CCI), trading at $0.74 CAD ($8.27M) 23,951,040 shares of Raptor Metals Ltd (AUX: RAP), trading at $0.056 AUD ($1.34M AUD) 2,700,000 shares of BWR Exploration Inc. (TSXV: BWR), trading at $0.02 CAD ($54K) 23,644,165 shares of Murray Brook Minerals (not publicly listed) Puma also maintains the following net smelter return (NSR) royalties: 2% NSR on Murray Brook West 2% NSR on Chester West 1% NSR on Nicholas-Denys 1% NSR on Beresford Copper 2% NSR on Little Stull Lake Investment by Kinross Gold Corp. In December 2025, Kinross increased its stake in Puma to 14.8% (undiluted) from 9.8%. The continued participation of a major producer underscores the strategic importance of Puma's regional position. Kinross has committed $3M in the second year of its Option Agreement for the Williams Brook Gold Project. Kinross' Winter 2026 drilling at Williams Brook, targeting the Jaguar and Lion Gold Zones, is ongoing. Upcoming Gold Investors Events Puma invites shareholders and interested parties to stop by the booth, attend a presentation, or schedule a meeting at the upcoming conferences to discuss the Company's recent news and proposed developments: Prospector and Developers Association Conference (PDAC), Toronto, ON Booth IE2152 March 1-4, 2026 https://pdac.ca/convention-2026 Precious Metals Summit Conferences, PDAC One-on-One, Toronto, ON March 2-3, 2026 https://www.precioussummit.com/events/pdac-2026-one-on-one-meeting-program/ On-site Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) Measures All rock samples were collected by Puma's field team, placed in individual bags, and securely sealed before being shipped to MSALABS (Val d'Or, Quebec) for analysis. Samples were processed using the PhotonAssay technology, an industry-leading method that provides accurate and rapid gold determinations on unpulverized samples. Puma follows a rigorous QA/QC protocol that includes the systematic insertion of certified reference materials and blanks in every batch of samples submitted for analysis. The results from these control samples are routinely reviewed to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the analytical data. Qualified Person The scientific and technical content of this press release has been prepared, reviewed, and approved by Mr. Dominique Gagne, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration, who is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). About the Williams Brook Project The Williams Brook Project (40,225 ha) was optioned to Kinross Gold Corp. in October 2024. It comprises the Williams Brook, Jonpol and the Portage properties. To earn a 65% interest in the project, Kinross will finance a minimum of $16.75 million in exploration expenditures over the next five years (2025-2030). About Puma's Assets in New Brunswick Puma has an impressive portfolio of prospective gold landholdings strategically located near roads and infrastructure in Northern New Brunswick, including the Williams Brook Project and the McKenzie Gold Project. Both are located near the Rocky Brook Millstream Fault ("RBMF"), a major regional structure formed during the Appalachian Orogeny and a significant control for gold deposition in the region. Puma's work to date has focused on the Williams Brook property, but prospecting and surface exploration work on its other properties have confirmed their potential for significant gold mineralization. About Puma Exploration Puma Exploration is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on identifying and developing a pipeline of precious metals projects in New Brunswick, near Canada's Renowned Bathurst Mining Camp. Puma has a long history in Northern New Brunswick, having worked on regional projects for over 15 years. Puma's successful exploration methodology, which combines traditional prospecting methods with detailed trenching and cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, has been instrumental in understanding the region's geology and associated mineralized systems. Armed with geophysical surveys, geochemical data, and consultants' expertise, Puma has developed a cost-effective exploration tool to discover gold at shallow depths and maximize drilling results. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve several known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Puma to be materially different from actual future results and achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made, except as required by law. Puma undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. The quarterly and annual reports and the documents submitted to the securities administration describe these risks and uncertainties. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285392 Source: Puma Exploration Inc. Memorandum of Understanding aligns on a concrete path to building the first stellarator fusion power plant, Stellaris, in Europe. Proxima's Alpha demonstration stellarator will first be built in Garching, while power plant Stellaris is subsequently planned for Gundremmingen. The two projects are expected to create thousands of jobs and strengthen European competitiveness and energy security. Proxima plans to finance approximately 20 percent of project costs through private investment, while Bavaria has indicated a potential state contribution of 20 percent. Proxima Fusion, Europe's fastest-growing fusion energy company, has signed an agreement with the Free State of Bavaria, RWE, and Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) to put the world's first commercial stellarator fusion power plant on the grid in Europe. Roadmap to a commercial fusion power plant begins with Alpha The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlines a roadmap to commercial fusion in Europe that begins with building demonstration stellarator Alpha near the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) in Garching. When operational in the 2030s, Alpha will become the first stellarator to demonstrate net energy gain, meaning its plasma will generate more energy than it consumes. The demonstration stellarator will additionally allow Proxima and its partners to test and validate key fusion technologies under real-world conditions and in shorter development cycles, accelerating the path to building the first stellarator fusion power plant, Stellaris. Site secured for Stellaris power plant The Stellaris commercial power plant is planned for the site of a former nuclear fission power plant in Gundremmingen, currently being decommissioned by RWE. This agreement marks Europe's first major step toward commercial fusion power, as the continent's leadership in fusion research moves into industrial deployment. Alpha and Stellaris will together create thousands of jobs and supplier contracts for European manufacturers and engineers, from construction and manufacturing to advanced electrical, magnet systems, and more. The long-term aim is to make fusion an integral part of Europe's energy system, reduce dependence on imported energy, and, for the first time, apply Europe's fusion expertise to a grid-connected commercial project. Accelerating fusion industrial scale-up in Europe Under the MoU, the Free State of Bavaria, Proxima Fusion, RWE and IPP will work together on site selection, permitting and regulatory processes, project structure, and financing. IPP will lead on plasma physics and the scientific leadership of demonstration stellarator Alpha. Proxima Fusion will lead on engineering, public procurement processes, and construction. RWE will contribute its extensive experience in the construction and operation of complex power plant facilities, as well as its strong global industrial network. Proxima intends to finance approximately 20 percent of the project's total costs through private international investors. Subject to federal funding, the Free State of Bavaria has indicated a potential state co-financing contribution of 20 percent. RWE has also signaled its willingness to participate financially within the framework of the MoU. All four partners are pooling their efforts to maximize chances of success in securing federal funding under the High-Tech Agenda Germany. Francesco Sciortino, Co-Founder and CEO, Proxima Fusion said: "This MoU is a milestone that visibly positions the European fusion industry on the global stage. It marks the starting point of an industrial ecosystem that consolidates existing and new know-how in Europe and anchors value creation here. This marks the beginning of a long-term industrial growth trajectory over the coming decades, creating new export opportunities for Germany and Europe. "With Alpha in Garching and Stellaris in Gundremmingen, we are, for the first time in Europe, connecting world-class research, privately financed and publicly supported high-tech innovation, and its industrial implementation at a single location. Bavaria is therefore evolving from a research hub into a foundational location for the fusion industry. "Together with the Free State of Bavaria, RWE and the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, we are working to put the first commercial fusion power plant in Germany on the grid. This is a strong and internationally visible signal that Europe is actively shaping its own energy future." Dr. Markus Krebber, CEO of RWE AG, said: "The potential of fusion technology for the energy supply of the future is enormous. Thanks to an excellent research landscape and the start-ups that have emerged from it, such as Proxima Fusion, Germany can take on a key role. That is why it is good that the federal and state governments are jointly pushing this topic forward in order to build the world's first commercial fusion power plant in Germany. We at RWE are happy to support this. Our decommissioning site, with its existing infrastructure combined with our operational expertise, offer ideal conditions to give Germany time and cost advantages in international competition." Sibylle Gunter, Scientific Director of the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, said: "The scientific achievements of recent years have paved the way for this unique public-private partnership that represents tangible progress along the roadmap to a fusion power plant. In the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP), Germany is a world leader in the field of stellarator research and with this MoU we have the opportunity to further expand our world leadership." Dr. Markus Soder, Minister-President of Bavaria, said: "Another milestone in Bavaria's high-tech success story: nuclear fusion represents an entirely new technology capable of delivering baseload, CO2-free, clean electricity in virtually unlimited quantities. It has the potential to meet the exponential growth in power demand driven by electric mobility, AI and data centres. Bavaria is fully committed in the global race for this energy source of the future. Today marks the launch of a partnership between the energy company RWE, the Munich-based physics start-up Proxima Fusion, and the world-leading Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Garching. Bavaria is executing a 'fusion one-two': we are planning the 'Alpha' demonstration reactor in Garching near Munich and the 'Stellaris' fusion demonstration power plant in Gundremmingen. This will enable both further research into the technology and the testing of its real-world feasibility. Proxima Fusion intends to establish a magnet factory with private investors and plans to create up to 1,000 jobs. One of the world's largest investor conferences is currently taking place in Munich. The Free State is supporting magnetic fusion research through the Bavarian High-Tech Agenda with up to 400 million, and the federal government also plans to contribute through the German High-Tech Agenda. All of this is a major undertaking 'Alpha' alone requires 2 billion. But boldness and momentum are essential when developing future technologies and transferring them from science into commercial application. Only by investing decisively in technology can we secure our future prosperity." Hubert Aiwanger, Bavarian State Minister for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy said: "Bavaria is in an excellent position to host the first magnetic fusion demonstrator in the state. We are combining the world-leading research expertise of the IPP with the engineering capabilities of the founders of Proxima Fusion. In doing so, we are transforming our strengths into industrial and strategic competitive advantages." Markus Blume, State Minister of Bavaria, said: "Alpha is a milestone on the path to the first commercial fusion power plant on German, and Bavarian, soil. Seventy years ago, with the Garching research reactor, we were the pioneering site of Germany's first nuclear facility. Now, we aim to be the pioneering location for the national demonstration reactor for nuclear fusion. The MoU is another result of Bavarian leadership. We were the first federal state to define nuclear fusion as a key strategic mission. With our Fusion Masterplan, we gave the starting signal as early as 2023 to move fusion from research into real-world application. What was once dismissed is now becoming reality. We have invested, and will continue to invest, because we believe in this technology and in the strength of our unique ecosystem. Together, we can turn a decades-long dream into reality." View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260226876017/en/ Contacts: Antonella Scimemi Email: antonella@burlington.cc Day One (3 March) is the flagship sale with the most important highlights and a dedicated printed catalogue; 4-7 March sessions are online-only and more accessible; Coins, Weights, Tokens & Medals follow on 10-11 March HARWICH, United Kingdom, Feb. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TimeLine Auctions, the British saleroom renowned for expertise in museum-level antiquities, will present a major Antiquities & Ancient Art Auction on 3 March 2026 (Day One). Day One is accompanied by a printed catalogue, featuring a tightly curated selection of Roman Marble Sculpture, Greek Pottery, Fine Ancient Bronzes, Ancient Jewellery and Roman Gemstones. Among the leading highlights are Roman Marbles, including a Life-Size Roman Marble Head of Hermes 1st-2nd century A.D.) and a Roman Helmeted, Cuirassed Bust of Mars, carved in the late Roman period with martial authority and classical refinement. Monumental Roman taste is further reflected in a Life-Size Marble Torso of a Ram, possibly for display in a grand villa or bath complex, its naturalistic modelling capturing strength and movement. Greek artistry is represented by a rare Attic Black-Figure Alabastron (circa 500-480 B.C.), decorated with a vivid battle scene between a Greek warrior and a Scythian archer - a narrative associated with the age of the Persian Wars. Day One also features exceptional bronzes. A substantial Roman Bronze Robed Torso displays elegant drapery and rich ancient patination, and an Egyptian Bronze of Horus Standing upon an Antelope embodies divine symbolism and sacred animal iconography from the Late Period-Ptolemaic era (664-30 B.C.). A focal point in the gem section is a finely carved Roman Agate Cameo Portrait of the Emperor Augustus, underscoring the miniature arts and imperial imagery prized by the ancient elite. Following the Day One sale, the auction continues online-only from 4-7 March, presenting a wide-ranging selection of affordable ancient art and antiquities across multiple collecting categories. The March programme concludes with a dedicated Ancient Coins sale on 10-11 March, alongside weights, tokens, medals and books. Auction start time: 8:00am US Eastern / 1:00pm GMT. Bidding: Absentee, by telephone (book 48 hours in advance), or live online via TimeLine's bidding platform or LiveAuctioneers (https://www.liveauctioneers.com/en-gb/auctioneer/1191/timeline-auctions-ltd/?srsltid=AfmBOopZQ5Tl1ApJ6byF7kAx5wVo0Cv7QtXiEHaPkz1RsakvysIgeYRK), Invaluable (https://www.invaluable.com/auction-house/timeline-auctions-9mq71klbbn?srsltid=AfmBOopDgX2EPIInKWVdn-dlfQkRdeL_58E_xxXqx32vb0_7w8cXY4oV), The Saleroom (https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/timeline-auctions-limited) Payments: GBP accepted. Worldwide shipping available. Questions: +44 (0) 1277 815121 or ah@timelineauctions.com (Aaron Hammond). Online: https://timelineauctions.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a2d17652-2ac4-41eb-aa39-662ed7c5f0e0 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b39fe7fd-a69d-40b8-9f3f-0ee229d6152d France country extract from the 2026 Black Book of Global Digital Healthcare IT highlights procurement "proof points" shaping hospital DPI/EHR modernization through 2030: interoperability execution, Segur-linked timing, GHT governance, regulated hosting (HDS), and cyber-resilience contracting SEYSSINET-PARISET, FR / ACCESS Newswire / February 26, 2026 / Black Book Market Research today announced the publication of France: State of Acute Care EHR and Digital Health 2026 a qualitative market report intended to support hospital executives, CIO/DSI leadership, clinical informatics teams, and procurement stakeholders evaluating acute-care DPI/EHR modernization and replacement programs for the 2026-2030 planning horizon. The France edition reviews doctrine-aligned interoperability requirements, Segur-linked modernization cycles, GHT consolidation dynamics, regulated hosting expectations (including HDS posture), and cyber-resilience procurement priorities influencing acute-care DPI/EHR decisions in France. The state of digital health in France, 2026 France's market momentum is defined less by first-time EHR adoption and more by modernization depth: replacements, platform consolidation, and integration maturity. In 2026, interoperability is increasingly treated as a condition of selection rather than a post-award integration workstream. Acute-care buyers are placing greater emphasis on whether solutions support doctrine-aligned exchange and identity practices in day-to-day operations, particularly: INS (national health identity) qualification embedded into admissions and identity workflows Professional authentication patterns aligned with Pro Sante Connect (including CPS/e-CPS operational use) Secure clinical exchange via MSSante as a routine workflow capability Structured document production and routing into Mon espace sante (DMP) with monitoring, traceability, and measurable delivery outcomes Modernization and replacement timelines are also being shaped by Segur du numerique en sante and related maturity requirements that compress upgrade windows and elevate expectations around conformance evidence, operational monitoring, and sustainment through upgrades. Cyber resilience is increasingly integrated into procurement and contracting requirements. Buyers are more frequently requiring clear accountability for recoverability, access governance, and auditability-alongside verified regulated hosting posture where applicable. Black Book Survey-based procurement expectations and milestones (Q1 2026) In the 2026 survey of 267 French hospital CIOs, IT leaders, and clinician managers, respondents described interoperability execution and recoverability as becoming measurable operating obligations in procurement, not abstract feature claims. Doctrine-aligned document exchange required in procurement:79% Buyer consequence: interoperability increasingly validated via workflow demonstrations, traceability, and operational dashboards. Cyber-resilience requirements formalized in EHR contracts:95% Buyer consequence: recovery objectives, downtime procedures, privileged access governance, and auditability are moving into contract terms and scoring. GHT-led platform consolidation or major harmonization underway:60% Buyer consequence: repeatable deployment, shared content governance, and upgrade sustainability rise in priority; customization debt becomes measurable risk. Clinical documentation automation adopted beyond pilots:29% Buyer consequence: automation enters procurement with governance expectations-audit trails, human validation, and medico-legal accountability. Cloud/hosted deployments expected for new projects under regulated hosting expectations:80% Buyer consequence: vendors are evaluated on regulated operations, subcontractor governance, support-access models, and portability/exit provisions. Vendor landscape and platform patterns covered The report's view of the French healthcare IT ecosystem spans core acute-care DPI/EHR and hospital-suite platforms, adjacent enterprise and interoperability infrastructure, and the patient-access "front door." Vendor deep-dive profiles cover Dedalus France (DxCare/ORBIS) Maincare, SIB (Sillage) Softway Medical, and Cegedim Sante . The landscape discussion includes additional suppliers referenced through France-fit evaluation points, including InterSystems, Epic, Oracle Health, Altera Digital Health, Philips, MEDITECH, and CSC/CompuGroup Medical in ambulatory contender context-alongside Doctolib as a notable platform example in access, scheduling, and patient communications. "In France, interoperability and resilience are increasingly evaluated as operating capabilities rather than abstract features," said Douglas Brown, President of Black Book Research. "This report is intended to describe what acute-care buyers are being asked to prove in workflows, monitoring, and contracts and how those obligations are shaping modernization sequencing and vendor evaluation." France: State of Acute Care EHR and Digital Health 2026 is available in PDF as a digital market report. For access and licensing inquiries: contact us at research@blackbookmarketresearch.com. Industry stakeholders can download the full report at no charge with simple registration at https://blackbookmarketresearch.com/france-state-of-acute-care-ehr-and-digital-health-2026 About Black Book Black Book Market Research, LLC produces independent qualitative and quantitative research on healthcare technology, digital health, and healthcare services markets, with a focus on practical procurement implications and modernization outlooks. Black Book has surveyed France's healthcare IT software and services providers continuously since 2003, maintaining a consistent methodology designed to support transparent market reporting. Black Book's vendor-agnostic research is published with an emphasis on disclosed methods, traceable findings, and objective interpretation for healthcare decision-makers. The organization's mission is to ultimately improve healthcare IT usability and buyer satisfaction for providers, while supporting measurable outcome improvements for patients through better-aligned technology selection and adoption. SOURCE: Black Book Research View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/black-book-research-releases-%22france-state-of-acute-care-ehr-and-digi-1139772 DENVER, CO / ACCESS Newswire / February 26, 2026 / Solitario Resources Corp. ("Solitario") (NYSE American:XPL)(TSX:SLR) is pleased to announce that the U.S Forest Service - Northern Hills District, has issued its Decision Memo for Solitario's Ponderosa drilling program in South Dakota. The Decision Memo documents the completion of the NEPA process for the project. Subject to Solitario incorporating several additional design features into the Plan and submitting these modifications to the US Forest Service, Solitario can proceed with its drilling program in mid-May. The Ponderosa prospect displays the largest high-grade gold area discovered to date on the Golden Crest property position. Surface rock grab samples containing multi-gram gold are scattered over an area nearly 2.0 x 1.5 kilometers in size. Forty-nine drill platforms were approved in the Ponderosa permit. Chris Herald, President and CEO of Solitario, stated: "We are excited to initiate drilling on the Ponderosa area of the Golden Crest project where we have defined multiple outstanding drill targets during the past couple of years. Phase-One of the 2026 drilling program consists of 5,000 meters of drilling, and we are prepared to quickly expand the scope of Phase-One drilling should early results warrant. We now look forward to reporting our progress and results. Our exploration team designed a comprehensive program that protects the environment, including water and surface resources, and the safety and health of our employees and other parties using the forest. The U.S. Forest Service has thoroughly vetted our proposed surface activities and impacts, solicited stakeholder input and incorporated modifications to the original plan as required under US Forest Service regulations. In addition, the South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources has also provided input and guidance to our proposed drilling activities to ensure compliance with all state regulations, especially as it pertains to ensuring ground water quality. We are confident that we will be able to execute our program in a safe and responsible manner." About Solitario Solitario is a natural resource exploration company focused on high-quality Tier-1 gold, copper, zinc, silver and critical metals (molybdenum and rhenium) projects. Solitario's 100%-owned Golden Crest properties in South Dakota constitute strategic land holdings (31,500 acres) along the western and southwestern extensions of the Homestake-Wharf mining district that has produced approximately 52 million ounces of gold. Golden Crest is scheduled for a major drilling campaign in 2026. In addition to its Golden Crest project, Solitario holds a 100% interest in the Cat Creek critical minerals project (molybdenum-rhenium) and 100% interest in its Bright Angel gold-copper project, both in Colorado. Solitario also has a 50% joint venture interest (Teck Resources 50%) in the high-grade Lik zinc deposit in Alaska and a 39% joint venture interest (Nexa Resources 61%) in the high-grade Florida Canyon zinc project in Peru. Both Florida Canyon and Lik represent advanced exploration projects with over $110 million spent collectively on the properties. Solitario is carried to production on its Florida Canyon project through its joint venture arrangement with Nexa. The Company is traded on the NYSE American ("XPL") and on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("SLR"). Solitario's Management and Directors hold approximately 8.0% (excluding options) and Newmont Corporation owns 9.3% of the Company's 92.1 million shares outstanding. Solitario's cash balance and marketable securities stand at approximately US$8.3 million. Additional information about Solitario is available online at www.solitarioresources.com. Solitario has a long history of committed Environmental, Social and Responsible Governance ("ESG") of its business. We realize ESG issues are also important to investors, employees, and all stakeholders, including communities in which we work. We are committed to conducting our business in a manner that supports positive environmental and social initiatives and responsible corporate governance. Importantly, we work with joint venture partners that not only value the importance of ESG issues in the conduct of their business on our joint venture projects but are leaders in the industry in this important segment of our business. For More Information Please Contact: Chris Herald, President and CEO Solitario Resources Corp. Tel. 303-534-1030 ext. 1 Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (and the equivalent under Canadian securities laws),that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such sections. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. They are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and address activities, events or developments that Solitario expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, and are based on current expectations and assumptions. Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Solitario's Golden Crest land position does not cover any of the areas of historical gold production or historical unmined resources. Certain historical information concerning exploration and gold production in the Black Hills region has been obtained through both public and private sources and are believed to be substantially factual, but Solitario can give no assurances of the accuracy of such information. The existence of historic mines and resources adjacent to Solitario's land position do not necessarily support the existence of economic mineral deposits on Solitario's land position. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's expectation of the projected timing and outcome of engineering studies; expectations regarding the receipt of all necessary permits and approvals to implement a mining plan, if any, at any of its mineral properties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among others, risks relating to risks that Solitario's and its joint venture partners' exploration and property advancement efforts will not be successful; risks relating to fluctuations in the price of zinc, gold, lead and silver; the inherently hazardous nature of mining-related activities; uncertainties concerning reserve and resource estimates; availability of outside contractors, and other activities; uncertainties relating to obtaining approvals and permits from governmental regulatory authorities; the possibility that environmental laws and regulations will change over time and become even more restrictive; and availability and timing of capital for financing the Company's exploration and development activities, including uncertainty of being able to raise capital on favorable terms or at all; risks relating to the impacts of pandemics or similar epidemics; as well as those factors discussed in Solitario's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") including Solitario's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other SEC filings (and Canadian filings) including, without limitation, its latest Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The Company does not intend to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. SOURCE: Solitario Resources Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/solitario-receives-positive-usfs-decision-memo-approving-its-ponderosa-drilling-p-1141775 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Omega Pacific Resources Ltd. (CSE: OMGA) ("Omega Pacific" or the "Company") is pleased to announce highly encouraging results from a comprehensive Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) completed at the GIC Prospect on the Company's wholly owned Williams Property. The study significantly advances the Company's understanding of mineralization controls and highlights multiple opportunities to expand gold mineralization through targeted drilling. The data strongly supports the presence of a robust, structurally controlled gold system with significant discovery and expansion potential. "We are seeing at GIC the transition from isolated drill success to a coherent discovery story," said Jason Leikam, CEO of Omega Pacific Resources. "The data now clearly define an extensive gold system with an understanding of its controls, and most importantly where it's obvious extensions. This kind of geological clarity is exactly what we look for at the discovery stage and we are very confident our next drill program will deliver results similar to the robust intercepts we reported in 2024." Mr. Leikam added additional regional context, "GIC sits stratigraphically in the Takla (Stuhini) formation, directly adjacent to the Red Line unconformity near contact with the Toodoggone Formation (Hazelton). The presence of this key marker for large deposits across northern British Colombia indicates we in the right setting to locate significant gold and copper gold systems. The initial indications we see at GIC and directly east toward the newly identified ROI Copper-Gold Prospect further enhance our confidence the Williams Property host both multimillion ounce gold and adjacent porphyry potential." Mr. Leikam continued, "With the obvious geological setting and verification of recent drill results, Omega Pacific is on the right trajectory to deliver in similar fashion to other notable successes in the Toodoggone. The region is continuing to deliver on exploration results. Our neighbours to the south, including TDG Gold and Amarc Resources, showcase the rich mineral endowment of this region that is continuing to attract key industry participants with long term commitments to resource development. Key initial results from these other discoveries are comparable with Omega Pacific's 2024 results. The takeaway is that with the verified potential that GIC offers and the opportunity for new discoveries at ROI, the Williams Property offers a lot of value, and we expect to unlock that value in the upcoming 2026 exploration program." The EDA integrated historical and recent drill data, multi-element geochemistry, structural measurements, soil geochemistry, and geophysics to develop a preliminary 3D geological model. This model has generated high-confidence exploration targets and materially reduced geological risk. Highlights Gold mineralization shows strong continuity and is hosted within a well-defined mafic volcanic stratigraphic horizon intersected in 2022 and 2024 drilling across a strike length over 750 m (Figure 1). Clear geochemical and alteration vectors have been identified. Strong correlation between pyrite-rich intervals and gold mineralization, enabling simple visual vectors and use of downhole geophysical methods. Advanced geochemical clustering techniques successfully distinguish mineralized mafic rocks from background lithologies that can be applied using portable XRF data to support real-time drilling decisions. Structural analysis confirms faulting and bedding orientation as key controls on mineralization, with mineralized horizons remaining open along strike, potentially down- and up-dip (Figure 2). 2 km east of GIC, compelling soil geochemical anomalies, named the ROI Prospect, highlight copper-molybdenum and gold-bismuth-tellurium signatures consistent with porphyry-style mineralization, suggesting a second exploration target style within a broader 4.6 km long prospective area. Figure 1. Mineralized mafic package, confirmed by drilling spans 750 m. Mineralization continues open in all directions. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11671/285418_ec39797414d0abf9_001full.jpg Figure 2. 2024 drilling cross section looking east. Mineralized mafic package projected to surface as possible extension of mineralized zone to north. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11671/285418_ec39797414d0abf9_002full.jpg A Clear Path to Growth The EDA results confirm GIC Prospect hosts a coherent, structurally controlled gold system with significant upside potential. Mineralization remains open at depth and laterally beyond current 750 m drilling area. The integration of historical data, modern geochemistry, and 3D geological modeling has materially reduced geological risk and sharpened drill targeting. The growing geological framework, multiple independent vectors to mineralization, a clear roadmap for systematic exploration has emerged. Strong Vectoring Toward Higher Grades The study identified a compelling relationship between gold grades and hydrothermal pyrite development. In recent drilling, logged pyrite abundances greater than 15% are associated with an estimated greater than 80% probability of gold grades exceeding 0.2 g/t Au. Geochemical evidence suggests gold is hosted within hydrothermal pyrite alongside bismuth and tellurium, providing a powerful vector toward higher-grade zones. Analyzed drill core also indicates the least structurally disrupted rocks returned the highest gold grades, suggesting focused zones of preservation and potential grade enhancement. Advanced data-driven geochemical clustering further differentiates mineralized mafic rocks from background lithologies with high confidence. These results can be applied directly to portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) based classifiers during drilling enabling real-time identification of mineralized zones to dynamically adapt drill programs and maximize discovery potential and accelerate additional discoveries. Multiple Target Styles Emerging In addition to the main GIC zone, soil geochemical surveys at the ROI Prospect identified copper-molybdenum and gold-bismuth-tellurium anomalies consistent with porphyry-style mineralization (Figure 3). These results highlight the potential for a second mineralization style within the broader property package, significantly enhancing the overall exploration upside. Figure 3 Directly east of GIC, the untested ROI Prospect holds potential for new discoveries of porphyry mineralization. GIC and ROI cover 4.6 km east to west. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11671/285418_ec39797414d0abf9_003full.jpg Next Phase of Exploration Omega Pacific is now positioned to aggressively advance the project through targeted drilling designed to test extensions of known mineralization and simultaneously evaluate new high-impact targets. Omega Pacific plans to advance the GIC Prospect through: Follow-up drilling focused on extending mineralization along projected structural and stratigraphic trends. A modern, full-suite soil geochemical survey over priority target areas. Continued refinement of 3D geological models to guide efficient capital deployment. More details on the next exploration steps will be disclosed as budgets are defined. About Omega Pacific Resources Omega Pacific Resources Ltd. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the discovery and development of the Williams Property in British Columbia's Toodoggone District. The Company also continues to evaluate prospective assets domestically and internationally. With a talented technical team, Omega Pacific's talented technical team has been instrumental in the resurgence of the Toodoggone District with notable exploration success. We are committed to responsible exploration with judicious use of capital. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws including, without limitation, the timing, nature, scope and details regarding the Company's exploration plans and results. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements in this press release but are not limited to, statements with respect to the expectations of management regarding the Offering, the expectations of management regarding the use of proceeds of the Offering, closing conditions for the Offering, and no objection from the CSE in respect of the Offering. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Risks that could change or prevent these statements from coming to fruition include the CSE objecting to the Offering; the proceeds of the Offering may not be used as stated in this news release; Omega Pacific may be unable to satisfy all of the conditions to the closing required by the CSE. Omega Pacific does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285418 Source: Omega Pacific Resources Inc. COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Davenport Aviation announced the successful completion of Virtus First Shot testing last month in west Texas, marking a major milestone in the development of the Virtus modular weapon system and the first weaponized test of the Virtus H125 platform. The campaign included multiple successful rocket launches, officially validating Virtus as a proven, weaponized AS350/H125 configuration. The successful firing confirmed the structural integrity, system integration, and operational viability of Virtus on the AS350/H125 airframe. With these results, Davenport Aviation has demonstrated a fully functional, mission-ready armed configuration capable of supporting modern military and security operations. "This was a critical milestone for Davenport Aviation and the Virtus team," said Rob McMillin, Vice President of Aircraft and Aircraft Systems at Davenport Aviation. "Completing our First Shot test campaign validates the engineering behind the system and proves that the H125 can safely and effectively operate in a weaponized configuration." Virtus is the world's first modular weapon system developed specifically for the AS350/H125 family, allowing operators to rapidly configure a single aircraft for multiple mission profiles. Installations and removals can be completed in under an hour, enabling seamless transitions between roles. Designed for multi-mission adaptability, Virtus supports configurable armament ranging from podded miniguns and unguided rockets to precision-guided munitions and air-launched effects. The system also integrates EO/IR sensors, door gun options, hoists, searchlights, cargo capability, ballistic protection, and emergency floats-supporting armed reconnaissance, ISR, special operations, search and rescue, firefighting, humanitarian aid, and CASEVAC/MEDEVAC missions. "The success of First Shot confirms what we set out to build-a true multi-mission aircraft that gives operators flexibility without the cost and complexity of traditional attack platforms," said Chris Arnold, Director of Government Sales at Davenport Aviation. "Virtus allows global operators to meet evolving mission demands with a single, cost-effective helicopter." Davenport Aviation extends its appreciation to XP Services, Moog Inc., and Ember Solutions for their collaboration in achieving this milestone. Built on the proven AS350/H125 platform, Virtus enables operators to modernize existing fleets while reducing procurement costs, training burdens, and lifecycle expenses. For more information, visit www.davenportaviation.com/virtus. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2920431/Davenport_Aviation_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/davenport-aviation-successfully-completes-virtus-first-shot-validating-weaponized-as350h125-platform-302697742.html Detroit, Michigan--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (OTCID: AITX) (the "Company"), a global leader in AI-driven security and productivity solutions, along with its wholly owned subsidiaries, Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD-I), and Robotic Assistance Devices Mobile, Inc. (RAD-M), today announced that the third leg of ROAMEO's national demonstration tour has arrived in Nashville, Tennessee, where CEO/CTO and founder Steve Reinharz is personally leading a series of invitation only enterprise field presentations of the Company's autonomous patrol platform. The Nashville engagements are designed to provide prospective clients and stakeholders with live, onsite evaluations of ROAMEO operating within real world environments, enabling decision makers to experience the platform's capabilities beyond a traditional showroom setting. RAD's ROAMEO pictured during its Nashville stop on the third leg of its national demonstration tour, supporting CEO led invitation only enterprise field presentations. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5243/285357_4166cdfcf41bdbda_001full.jpg ROAMEO, now in its fourth generation, represents the Company's most advanced and resource intensive autonomous security platform developed to date, reflecting years of engineering refinement and field validation. Purpose-built to modernize patrol operations traditionally performed by vehicle-based security personnel, ROAMEO addresses a longstanding gap in scalable perimeter coverage. As interest from enterprise and municipal clients continues to build, the demand to evaluate ROAMEO within active operating environments has become increasingly clear. By bringing the platform directly to prospective users, RAD enables security leaders to assess autonomous patrol performance across their own parking facilities, campuses, and perimeter routes, while also facilitating broader internal engagement among executive stakeholders responsible for budget, risk management, and operational oversight. Steve Reinharz, CEO/CTO and founder of AITX and RAD (left), pictured in Nashville with two RAD Robotic Technicians during invitation only enterprise field demonstrations of ROAMEO's fourth generation autonomous patrol platform. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5243/285357_4166cdfcf41bdbda_002full.jpg "This is about meeting enterprise clients where they operate," said Reinharz. "When an organization is evaluating a transformation of its patrol strategy, it is critical that stakeholders experience the platform in their own environment. Bringing ROAMEO onsite allows security leaders, financial executives, and operational decision makers to evaluate autonomy in context, ask the right questions, and move forward with clarity. Our responsibility is to support that process directly and transparently." The Nashville presentations are being conducted on an invitation only basis, reflecting structured engagement with qualified enterprise and municipal prospects along the tour route. Additional stops are scheduled in the coming weeks as ROAMEO continues westbound, with select opportunities available for organizations seeking an onsite evaluation prior to ISC West. Interested parties are encouraged to submit a demonstration request while scheduling remains open, as tour availability is limited before ROAMEO arrives in Las Vegas. The Company invites security professionals and channel partners to experience ROAMEO in action at ISC West 2026. Attendees will have the opportunity to see live demonstrations, speak directly with RAD leadership and product experts, and learn how autonomous security deployments are being proven, expanded, and scaled across real world environments. Meetings may be scheduled in advance or arranged onsite throughout the show. About Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (AITX) AITX, through its primary subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD-I), is redefining the nearly $50 billion (US) security and guarding services industry 1 through its broad lineup of innovative, AI-driven Solutions-as-a-Service business model. RAD solutions are specifically designed to provide cost savings to businesses of between 35%-80% when compared to the industry's existing and costly manned security guarding and monitoring model. RAD delivers these cost savings via a suite of stationary and mobile robotic solutions that complement, and at times, directly replace the need for human personnel in environments better suited for machines. All RAD technologies, AI-based analytics and software platforms are developed in-house. The Company's operations and internal controls have been validated through successful completion of its SOC 2 Type 2 audit, which is a formal, independent audit that evaluates a service organization's internal controls for handling customer data and determines if the controls are not only designed properly but also operating effectively to protect customer data. This audit reinforces the Company's credibility with enterprise and government clients who require strict data protection and security compliance. RAD is led by Steve Reinharz, CEO/CTO and founder of AITX and RAD, who brings decades of experience in the security services industry. Reinharz serves as chair of the Security Industry Association's (SIA) Autonomous Solutions Working Group and as a member of the SIA Board of Directors. The RAD team also draws on extensive expertise across the sector, including Mark Folmer, CPP, PSP, President of RAD and Chair of the ASIS International North American Regional Board of Directors, Troy McCanna, former FBI Special Agent and RAD's Chief Security Officer, and Stacy Stephens, co-founder of security robotics company Knightscope. Their combined backgrounds in security industry leadership, law enforcement, and robotics innovation reinforce RAD's ability to deliver proven, practical, and disruptive solutions to its clients. RAD has a prospective sales pipeline of over 35 Fortune 500 companies and numerous other client opportunities. RAD expects to continue to attract new business as it converts its existing sales opportunities into deployed clients generating a recurring revenue stream. Each Fortune 500 client has the potential of making numerous reorders over time. AITX is an innovator in the delivery of artificial intelligence-based solutions that empower organizations to gain new insight, solve complex challenges and fuel new business ideas. Through its next-generation robotic product offerings, AITX's RAD, RAD-R, RAD-M and RAD-G companies help organizations streamline operations, increase ROI, and strengthen business. AITX technology improves the simplicity and economics of patrolling and guard services and allows experienced personnel to focus on more strategic tasks. Customers augment the capabilities of existing staff and gain higher levels of situational awareness, all at drastically reduced cost. AITX solutions are well suited for use in multiple industries such as enterprises, government, transportation, critical infrastructure, education, and healthcare. To learn more, visit www.aitx.ai, www.radsecurity.com , www.stevereinharz.com, www.raddog.ai, www.radgroup.ai, www.saramonitoring.ai, and www.radlightmyway.com, or follow Steve Reinharz on X @SteveReinharz. CAUTIONARY DISCLOSURE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS The information contained in this publication does not constitute an offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy securities of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (the "Company"). The information provided herein is believed to be accurate and reliable, however the Company makes no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to its accuracy or completeness. The Company has no obligation to provide the recipient with additional updated information. No information in this publication should be interpreted as any indication whatsoever of the Company's future revenues, results of operations, or stock price. For purposes of the Company's disclosures, "Artificial Intelligence" refers to machine-based systems designed to operate with varying levels of autonomy that, for a given set of human defined objectives, can make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments. In the context of the Company's business, Artificial Intelligence is deployed primarily within the security services and property management industries to support functions such as detection, analysis, prioritization, communication, and response related to safety, security, and operational events. The Company delivers these capabilities principally through its SARA (Speaking Autonomous Responsive Agent) platform, which serves as the Company's primary agentic artificial intelligence system. SARA is designed to receive and process video, audio, and other sensor data, apply automated analysis and inference, and support actions in accordance with predefined operational objectives and human oversight. Further note that the Company's Board of Directors oversees the Company's deployment of Artificial Intelligence. ### 1 https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/security-services-industry/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285357 Source: Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. Stops in New York, Singapore, and Paris, where industry experts will provide attendees with the latest innovations and expert insights to fight ransomware and other modern cyberattacks Cohesity, the leader in AI-powered data security, today unveiled Catalyst on Tour, now taking its signature event to New York, Singapore, and Paris to help organizations bridge the gap between cyber resilience and the AI-driven future. As the World Economic Forum (WEF) recently reported, cyber resilience is an economic imperative. Designed for CISOs, IT leaders, and data architects, Catalyst on Tour will showcase the latest breakthroughs in cyber resilience across security, cloud, and AI, with actionable guidance to fortify multicloud data and building an intelligent, AI-ready enterprise. IndraNooyi, former Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, will keynote the event, sharing lessons about leading transformative growth and championing resilience, responsible innovation, and purpose-driven leadership. As the architect of Performance with Purpose, Nooyi emphasizes trust, sustainability, and long-term value-principles critical to today's AI-driven, cyber-resilient world. Additional speakers include: JF Legault, Deputy CISO Global Technology Chief Control Manager, JPMorganChase Leigh-Ann Russell, Chief Information Officer and Global Head of Engineering at BNY and is a member of the company's Executive Committee Edmond Mack, Chief Information Security Officer, Cencora David Krieff, Group Chief Information Officer, Groupe ADP (Aeroports de Paris) Manoj Prasanna Kumar, Chief Technology Officer, Singtel Digital InfraCo. Steve Lee, Managing Director Prism Solutions, former CIO CISO at SP Group Simon Piff, who is research vice president for IDC's Asia/Pacific (AP) region, based in Singapore. "Sophisticated attackers are targeting data as the ultimate prize, and every organization is under pressure to both protect that data and unlock it for AI," said Carol Carpenter, Chief Marketing Officer, Cohesity. "With Catalyst on Tour, we're bringing our customers, partners, and industry leaders together in New York, Singapore, and Paris to share battle-tested strategies for resilience, showcase bold innovations, and demonstrate how an AI-ready data foundation can accelerate business outcomes." Event At-a-Glance New York City Catalyst on Tour will kick off in New York City to explore how to modernize data protection and recovery, advance identity resilience, and operationalize AI on trusted data. Tuesday, March 10, 2026 8:30 AM 1:00 PM ET Singapore In Singapore, attendees will learn how to protect and unlock data for AI across rapidly growing digital economies, with a focus on hybrid and multicloud environments. Wednesday, March 11, 2026 12:00 PM 4:30 PM SGT Paris Catalyst on Tour wraps in Paris, where it will focus on European cyber resilience, multicloud security, and AI initiatives, addressing complex regulatory environments and data sovereignty requirements. Thursday, March 12, 2026 1:00 PM 5:30 PM CET Additional Presentations and Sessions Across all three cities, attendees will gain access to key announcements, live demos, and interactive sessions that "supercharge" resilience across AI, cloud, and identity. The program includes keynotes and breakout sessions as well as opportunities to see partner integrations that detect threats earlier and accelerate complete recovery. Cohesity and industry experts will explore topics like: Protecting and Securing Cloud and SaaS Data Without Limitations? The Practices that Define Resilience Leaders AI-Powered Data Security for Modern Cyber Resilience Extracting Gen AI-Powered Insights from Enterprise Data Find the full agenda here. Registration Catalyst on Tour is free to eligible Cohesity customers, partners, and prospects in New York, Singapore, and Paris. Seats are limited, and each attendee must register individually and be 21 or older. Registration closes Wednesday, March 4, 2026. To register for the event, visit here. For those who cannot attend in person, they may register for the livestream in their preferred geography here. If you are a member of the media, please contact media-relations@cohesity.com to schedule an interview with a company executive. About Cohesity Cohesity is the leader in AI-powered data security. Over 13,600 enterprise customers, including nearly 70% of the Global 500, rely on Cohesity to strengthen their resilience while providing Gen AI insights into their vast amounts of data. Formed from the combination of Cohesity with Veritas' enterprise data protection business, the company's solutions secure and protect data on-premises, in the cloud, and at the edge. Backed by NVIDIA, IBM, HPE, Cisco, AWS, Google Cloud, and others, Cohesity is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA, with offices around the globe. To learn more, follow Cohesity on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260226211733/en/ Contacts: Media Contact Michael Thacker media-relations@cohesity.com Cloud-delivered sovereign solution for enterprises of all sizes News Summary Digital sovereignty has become a board-level conversation as regulatory fragmentation, geopolitical tension, and AI-driven data flows reshape global infrastructure strategy. Versa announced the general availability of Sovereign SASE-as-a-Service, delivering full-stack security and networking with data, control, and management planes operating entirely within sovereign infrastructure. This offering builds upon Versa's years of experience deploying sovereign SASE for service providers and global organizations. Versa, the global leader in unified security and networking, today announced the general availability of Sovereign SASE-as-a-Service, the world's first fully cloud-delivered SaaS offering in which the data, control, and management planes operate entirely within a region's legal jurisdiction. Digital sovereignty has moved from a compliance consideration to a board-level decision. Across Europe and other regions, governments are asserting stronger authority over data residency and protection. The European Union's GDPR, NIS2, and DORA frameworks are tightening enforcement standards, and data residency alone is no longer sufficient. Most SASE offerings fall short of true sovereignty While vendors may operate a local POP (point of presence) within a country, user traffic is often forwarded to security gateways in other regions for content and threat inspection. Others perform localized inspection in a limited set of countries yet maintain operational control and management outside the jurisdiction where the data is processed, creating a critical sovereignty gap. As a result, when users connect to the internet or private applications, traffic may be routed-or "hairpinned"-outside the country for inspection, and user metadata may be logged outside the country. True operational sovereignty requires far more than simply localizing the gateway, and placing gateways on customer premises does not close the gap. Versa pioneered sovereign SASE and has delivered these capabilities in production for years, partnering with service providers worldwide to help them build and operate sovereign SASE services for their customers. Swisscom, for example, recently launched its beem service in Switzerland on Versa's sovereign architecture, the first carrier-grade sovereign SASE deployment at national scale. "Many enterprises invested in sovereign cloud strategies, only to discover that secure access to their applications and data was still governed outside their jurisdiction," said Kelly Ahuja, chief executive officer of Versa. "Deploying a cloud SASE provider's appliance on customer premises does not make a solution sovereign. True sovereignty requires clarity on where access is secured, where policy is enforced, and who governs data while it is in motion." Sovereign SASE-as-a-Service: Enterprise-Grade Sovereignty, Now Accessible Until now, building and operating a sovereign SASE infrastructure was limited to organizations with extensive resources and specialized expertise. With Sovereign SASE-as-a-Service, enterprises of all sizes can now consume fully managed, jurisdictionally compliant security and networking without building or operating the infrastructure themselves. Versa's Sovereign SASE-as-a-Service offering in Germany and the DACH region includes: Full-stack architectural sovereignty: Data plane, control plane, management plane, and logging operating entirely on EU-hosted and controlled infrastructure, independent of Versa's global cloud infrastructure. Data plane, control plane, management plane, and logging operating entirely on EU-hosted and controlled infrastructure, independent of Versa's global cloud infrastructure. EU-governed jurisdiction: Contracted through Versa Networks B.V., a Netherlands-based legal entity, with EU-governed operations, localized data processing, and support. Contracted through Versa Networks B.V., a Netherlands-based legal entity, with EU-governed operations, localized data processing, and support. Cloud-simplicity: Fully managed SaaS-style consumption without requiring customers to build, staff, or operate sovereign infrastructure. Sovereign Cloud Is Necessary But Not Sufficient Sovereign cloud initiatives from hyperscalers address where applications reside and data is stored, but not where data is inspected, routed, logged, and protected in motion. Versa Sovereign SASE complements sovereign cloud initiatives, extending sovereignty beyond storage and enforcing Zero Trust policies and traffic inspection entirely within sovereign boundaries. Supporting Analyst, Customer, and Partner Quotes Jim Frey, principal analyst, enterprise networking, Omdia "Delivering sovereign SASE as a managed service represents a structural shift in the market. Until now, sovereign architectures were largely limited to national operators or organizations with the resources to build and operate their own infrastructure. A managed model lowers the barrier for regulated enterprises that require jurisdictional alignment without taking on that operational burden." Dario Maisto, senior analyst, Forrester Research "Once a blurred compliance and privacy-related discussion for techies, digital sovereignty is now a top risk management concern across the board." (The State Of Digital Sovereignty In Public Cloud, 2026) "Organizations across Europe are increasingly concerned about overdependence on hyperscalers for infrastructure, AI, and data services." (The State Of Cloud In Europe, 2026) Boris Wetzel, Managing Director Founder, Germany-based IT security managed services provider, Choin "Many of our enterprise customers are looking for the SASE capabilities they trust, but delivered in a way that meets strict EU sovereignty and GDPR requirements. Versa's Sovereign SASE-as-a-Service approach allows us to address those needs without changing the underlying platform or operating model, which is exactly what the market is asking for." For more information on this announcement, visit the Versa blog, Introducing Sovereign SASE as a Service and https://versa-networks.com/products/sovereign-sase/. About Versa Versa, the global leader in unified security and networking, enables organizations to create self-protecting networks that simplify and automate network and security infrastructure. Powered by AI, the VersaONE Universal SASE Platform delivers converged SSE, SD-WAN, and SD-LAN solutions that protect data and defend against cyberthreats while delivering a superior digital experience. Versa is trusted by thousands of customers globally with hundreds of thousands of sites and millions of users relying on Versa for mission-critical networks and security. Versa is privately held and funded by Sequoia Capital, Mayfield, BlackRock, and other leading investors. For more information, visit https://www.versa-networks.com and follow Versa on LinkedIn and X (Twitter) @versanetworks. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260226479036/en/ Contacts: Jim Brady Media@versa-networks.com Expanded Platform Integrations to Roche AXELIOS 1, New PCR-Free WGS Complete Kit with Watchmaker, and Production-Scale Customer Data Signal a Turning Point for Automated Genomics BOSTON, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Volta Labs today announced a sweeping set of product launches, strategic partnerships, and customer presentations that position the company at the center of the next wave of genomic sequencing advancement. With new collaborations spanning Roche and Watchmaker Genomics Volta Labs is expanding the capabilities of its Callisto platform - transforming sequencing from manual workflow development to true push-button execution. Expanding Across the Sequencing Ecosystem Roche Sequencing - AXELIOS 1 Roche presented the development of Callisto to be a part of its AXELIOS 1-compatible automation solutions. Volta will look to integrate the AXELIOS 1 SBX-D prep workflow into the Callisto platform. Callisto already has onboard DNA extraction workflows, enabling a streamlined, end-to-end solution. Our goal is to ensure customers adopting next-generation sequencers can rely on Callisto for automated, high-quality library prep from day one. This reflects our broader commitment to making Callisto the automation layer across sequencing ecosystems. Hartwig Medical Foundation Presentation: Advancing cfDNA Whole Genome Sequencing At AGBT, Hartwig Medical Foundation detailed its exploration of circulating-tumor DNA (ctDNA) for longitudinal patient monitoring, including therapy selection and disease monitoring, as a key workflow for oncology. This work utilizes the Volta Labs Callisto platform, and the presentation showcased the fully automated cfDNA workflow and the successful optimization required to implement it in their high-throughput environment. The details shared included insights on workflow tuning, size selection, and the operational advantages of Callisto, such as unique mixing capabilities that may lead to faster ligation. Hartwig's presentation underscored the platform's role in advancing clinical-grade whole genome sequencing for challenging sample types. Watchmaker Genomics Collaboration As part of its product evolution, Volta Labs also introduced the Callisto Complete Kit for DNA EF Library Prep, Powered by Watchmaker Genomics. The fully automated solution delivers PCR-free whole genome sequencing with minimal hands-on time, high reproducibility, and strong performance across challenging inputs. This launch represents a major step forward in making highest quality WGS accessible without increasing staffing burden or workflow complexity. Together, these partnerships underscore Callisto's expanding role as the universal automation platform for modern genomics - supporting any sequencer, any chemistry, any assay, on one system. Customer Proven Production-Scale Validation At AGBT in the Volta Labs Sponsor Suite (Fulton Suite), world-class institutions such as UMC Utrecht and Hartwig Medical Foundation showcased real-world data from high-throughput environments using Callisto. Both UMC Utrecht and Hartwig Medical Foundation have been leveraging Callisto for nearly a year. Their presentations highlighted significant improvements in consistency, reproducibility, and operational efficiency. "Since partnering with Volta Labs over a year ago, we've successfully deployed Callisto in our diagnostic environment and processed thousands of patient samples. The demand has exceeded our initial capacity, which speaks to the platform's reliability and utility. We're now expanding our Callisto footprint and standardizing workflows laboratory-wide, including new protocols for ctDNA and other critical applications." said Bert Van der Zwaag, Laboratory specialist clinical genetics, Head of DNA diagnostics core facility at UMC Utrecht. The Shift to Apps-Based Genomics Volta Labs also unveiled a growing pipeline of pre-developed applications rolling out through 2026 - advancing its vision of an apps-based model for genomics, where validated workflows replace repeated, costly method development. "Sequencing innovation shouldn't require every lab to reinvent the workflow," said Udayan Umapathi, CEO of Volta Labs. "We're accelerating the industry's shift toward truly automated genomics - where push-button sequencing becomes the standard, not the exception." About Volta Labs Volta Labs is pioneering a new future of sequencing sample preparation by combining digital fluidics, modular workflows, and full walk-away automation in a single platform. Callisto enables high-quality, reproducible NGS library preparation for whole-genome, targeted, and custom applications. Volta Labs is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Media Contact: Nicole Ellis Ovadia Director of Strategic Marketing novadia@voltalabs.co Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2611556/VoVolta_Labs_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/volta-labs-ignites-agbt-2026-with-major-product-launches-and-industry-shaping-partnerships-302697844.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Questcorp Mining Inc. (CSE: QQQ) (OTCQB: QQCMF) (FSE: D910) (the "Company" or "Questcorp") is pleased to announce the commencement of its 2026 induced polarization ("IP") survey at its 1,168-hectare North Island Copper Project located near Port Hardy on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The 10-15 line-kilometre IP program is being conducted by Peter E. Walcott & Associates Limited ("Walcott") of Coquitlam, British Columbia. The 2026 IP survey is designed to confirm and refine historical geophysical targets associated with the Marisa Zone porphyry copper system and to support the development of follow-up drill targets. In 1992, two of five diamond drill holes completed to test a 1991 IP chargeability anomaly intersected copper mineralization, including: 0.078% copper over 56.39 metres (DDH92-01) (DDH92-01) 0.041% copper over 70.71 metres (DDH92-03) Both intercepts were encountered within altered quartz diorite, with DDH92-03 reporting increasing copper grades at depth. Source: Geophysical and Diamond Drilling Report on the Marisa Property, G.J. Allen and P.G. Dasler, dated February 29, 1992, prepared for Great Western Gold Corporation. The current survey lines will follow the historical survey azimuth and will be positioned midway between the 1992 IP lines to enhance data resolution across the target area. Historical and newly acquired datasets will be integrated to generate updated chargeability and resistivity elevation models, as well as pseudosection interpretations. The objective is to improve subsurface targeting precision ahead of a potential drill program. "The North Island Copper Project represents a compelling porphyry copper target with demonstrated historical mineralization," stated Saf Dhillon, President & Chief Executive Officer. "This IP program is a disciplined step toward refining our geological model and advancing toward drill-ready targets. With our recent financings completed, the Company is well positioned to execute its planned exploration programs while maintaining a prudent approach to capital deployment." The Company cautions that a Qualified Person has not verified the historical exploration data referenced in this release. The presence of mineralization on adjacent or nearby properties, including NorthIsle Copper and Gold and BHP properties, is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the North Island Copper Project. The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by R. Tim Henneberry, P. Geo (BC), a Director of the Company and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Questcorp Mining Inc. Questcorp is engaged in the business of the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in North America, with the objective of locating and developing economic precious and base metal properties of merit. The Company holds an option to acquire an undivided 100-per-cent interest in and to mineral claims totalling 1,168.09 hectares comprising the North Island Copper property, on Vancouver Island, B.C., subject to a royalty obligation. The Company also holds an option to acquire an undivided 100-per-cent interest in and to mineral claims totalling 2,520.2 hectares comprising the La Union project located in Sonora, Mexico, subject to a royalty obligation. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Saf Dhillon President & CEO https://questcorpmining.ca This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the intended use of proceeds from the Offering; and closing of subsequent tranches of the Offering. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain capital markets; and delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking 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. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285467 Source: Questcorp Mining Inc. Sydney, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Central Iron Ore Ltd. (TSXV: CIO) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its press release of February 10, 2026 and due to investor demand, the Company has upsized its non-brokered private placement financing to up to 4,416,642 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.072 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to $317,998.22 (the "Offering"). Each Unit shall consist of one ordinary share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Ordinary Share") and one Ordinary Share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Ordinary Share at a price of $0.12 per Ordinary Share until October 15, 2030. Gross proceeds raised from the Offering will be used for contribution to the Company's South Darlot joint venture, drilling at the Company's British King Mine Area, and for corporate and general working capital purposes. Closing of the Offering is subject to receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including the approval of TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance and the resale rules of applicable securities legislation. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons as defined under applicable United States securities laws unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Although the Company believes that such information is reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking information as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the state of the financial markets for the Company's equity securities, the state of the market for iron ore or other minerals that may be produced generally, recent market volatility; variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, the Company's ability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies and other risks associated with the exploration and development of mineral properties. The reader is referred to the Company's disclosure documents for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects, copies of which may be accessed through the Company's page on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285466 Source: Central Iron Ore Limited Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - iMetal Resources Inc. (TSXV: IMR) (OTCQB: IMRFF) (FSE: A7VA) ("iMetal" or the "Company") has intersected 16.65 metres at 1.25 g/t gold within 62.25 metres at 0.61 g/t gold at its Gowganda West Gold Project, southwest of Timmins, Ontario. Drilling in the West Zone intersected broad levels of gold mineralization in multiple holes, with long intervals of gold mineralization encountered in two of the six holes completed during the program, complementing the spring 2023 discovery hole of 48.5m of 0.85 g/t Au starting at 316.5m (see News Release dated 2023-Jun-06). Highlights: IMGW-25-06 returned 0.424 g/t gold over 278.35 metres from 45.1 to 323.45 metres, which included several sub-intervals, including: 1.019 g/t gold over 7.4 metres from 118.75 to 126.15 metres 0.566 g/t over 80 metres from 154 to 234 metres 0.610 g/t gold over 62.45 metres from 261 to 323.45 metres, including 1.239 g/t gold over 16.65 metres from 289.35 to 306 metres IMGW-25-01 returned 0.419 g/t gold over 65.75 metres from 276.7 to 342.45 metres, including 0.868 g/t gold over 8 metres from 296.5 to 304 metres 0.786 g/t gold over 5.8 metres from 315.95 to 321.75 metres from 276.7 to 342.45 metres, including IMGW-25-03 returned 1.116 g/t gold over 6.2 metres from 342.75 to 348.95 metres from 342.75 to 348.95 metres McFarlane Lake Mining Limited, contiguous to the northwest has identifed a parallel zone to it's Juby Zone within the regional Ridout-Tyrrell Deformation Zone, the 826 Zone, which appears to trend into the West Zone. "These results continue to expand the gold system at Gowganda West and demonstrate both broad mineralization and higher-grade internal intervals," stated Saf Dhillon, President & CEO of iMetal. "The scale of the mineralized envelope, combined with its proximity to the Juby Deposit and the emerging 826 Zone, reinforces the structural significance of this corridor. We look forward to incorporating these results into our ongoing geological model and planning the next phase of drilling!" commented iMetal President & CEO Saf Dhillon. The drilling intersected the targeted host rocks that exhibited alteration patterns and mineralization similar to that which was intersected in the 2023 drill program. The dominant rock type intersected is a matrix supported greenish polymictic conglomerate composed of heterogenous centimetric to pluricentimetric round clasts with different colors. A percentage of the red clasts are magnetic but the matrix is not. Zones of moderate to pervasive hematization /potassic alteration, sericitization and silicification were noted in the drill holes. Mineralization included disseminated and clast-replacement controlled pyrite, while a few holes also intersected local chalcopyrite vein fractures or plurimillimetric clusters. Alteration intensity appears to be a control on elevated gold values. Pyrite content also shows a relationship with elevated gold values and intensity of alteration. Table 1. 2025 Key Intervals To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7946/285465_table1.jpg Drilling also intersected multiple dykes in all holes. Diabase ranged in width from 1.45 to 45.05 metres in width and did not return any elevated gold values, though elevated gold values were noted at the lower contacts in several holes. Fine-grained intermediate dykes range in width from 1 to 20.8 metres and carry gold values in some instances but not others. Table 2. 2025 Drill Collar Table To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7946/285465_table2.jpg The Gowganda West property hosts a large package of gold prospective Timiskaming metasediments, approximately 7 km in strike and up to 5 km in width, that hosts all the gold mineralization thus far discovered on the property. Successive drill programs advancing to the southwest continued to intersect increasing alteration and gold values in suspected NW trending zones and lead directly to the IMGW23-04 discovery hole. The 48.5m gold interval is characterized by a coarse-grained to boulder-sized conglomerate, with moderate to pervasive silica alteration associated with a large intermediate-mafic dyke. Ther 2022 and 2023 drill programs appear to suggest a strong correlation between the intensity of the silica alteration and increased gold grades. Figure 1. 2026 Drill Hole Locations To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7946/285465_6b2a3af7241a6a98_002full.jpg Gowganda West is an exploration-stage gold project about 100 km south-southeast of Timmins, Ontario; contiguous to McFarlane Lake Mining's Juby Deposits Project in the Shining Tree Camp of the southern part of the Abitibi Greenstone Gold Belt; and also contiguous to the Knight project that is part of the Strategic Partnership between Orecap Invest Corp. and Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. iMetal's fall 2022 and spring 2023 drill program were successful in intersecting new gold trends in the SW section of the property. The Property also has multiple-ounce grab samples from trends that have yet to be drill tested. Figure 3. All 2026 Drill Intervals To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7946/285465_table3.jpg Image 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7946/285465_image1.jpg Image 2 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7946/285465_image2.jpg Image 3 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7946/285465_image3.jpg QA/QC All samples were dispatched to ALS Minerals prep facilites at either Val D'Or or Lachine (Montreal) where they underwent standard preparation procedures of CRU-21 and PREP-31. All pulps were then dispatched to ALS Minerals North Vancouver to undergo the Au-AA24 procedure, a 50 gram gold fire assay with an AAS finish. Intervals of visible chalcopyrite underwent the ME-ICP41 procedure, again in North Vancouver. All ALS Minerals laboratories and prep labs are Standards Council of Canada (SCC) ISO/IEC 17025 accredited facilities and are independent of iMetal Resources Inc. A rigorous QA/QC program is was instituted with a certified standard and a blank inserted at an interval of every thirty samples. Each 30th sample is also be duplicated. No anomalies were noted in the QA/QC data. Qualified Person The technical content of the New Release has been reviewed and approved by R.Tim Henneberry, P.Geo. (BC), a director of the Company and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. About iMetal Resources Inc. iMetal is a Canadian-based junior exploration company focused on the exploration and development of its portfolio of resource properties in Ontario and Quebec. The flagship property Gowganda West, is an exploration-stage gold project with a recent discovery hole of 48.5m at 0.85 g/t gold that borders the Juby Deposit and is located within the Shining Tree Camp area in the southern part of the Abitibi Greenstone Gold Belt about 100 km south-southeast of the Timmins Gold Camp. The 220-hectare Ghost Mountain property, 42 kilometres NE of Kirkland Lake, lies 5 kilometres W of Agnico Eagle's Holt and Holloway Mine. Carheil is an exploration stage project with multi-metal potential and previous graphite results. The project is about 170 km north of Rouyn-Noranda in the Northern Abitibi Greenstone Belt. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This release may contain forward-looking statements or forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities legislation that may not be based on historical fact, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "believe", "may", "plan", "will", "estimate", "continue", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "potential", and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of iMetal to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements or information in this release relates to, among other things, the potential to complete a transaction with the Vendor and the outstanding conditions to such a transaction. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and assume, among other things, the ability of the Company to successfully pursue its current development plans, that future sources of funding will be available to the company, that relevant commodity prices will remain at levels that are economically viable for the Company and that the Company will receive relevant permits in a timely manner in order to enable its operations, but given the uncertainties, assumptions and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements or information. The Company disclaims any obligation to update, or to publicly announce, any such statements, events or developments except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285465 Source: iMetal Resources Inc. LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / February 26, 2026 / If you are submitting documents for official purposes such as applying for a residency visa, studying abroad, or dealing with legal issues, in countries like France, Germany, Spain, or Italy, you'll need sworn translations of any documents not in the country's official language. But what is a sworn translation, and how do you get one? In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about sworn translations, when you need them, and how to get one that will be accepted the first time. What is a Sworn Translation? A sworn translation is an official translation done by a translator legally authorized to translate and certify that their work is accurate and complete. The translator formally declares, often through an oath, signature, stamp, or written statement, that the translation accurately represents the original text. This also means that they assume legal responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the translation. In some jurisdictions, sworn translators are appointed by a court or government authority. While in others, they may submit a signed declaration without appearing before a judge. Overall, several countries, including France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, require sworn translations for official documents. When is a Sworn Translation Required? You'll need sworn translations whenever you need to submit documents to an authority, such as Immigration Offices, Government Agencies, Universities, Courts, and more, for official purposes. This includes when submitting documents for immigration or citizenship applications, court proceedings, academic admissions, employment verification abroad, or cross-border business transactions. Authorities require sworn translations of foreign-language documents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, court judgments, contracts, financial records, or driving licenses, before they can be accepted. The idea is that sworn translations accurately reflect the original documents, giving authorities enough context to assess them before making a decision. How Does Sworn Translation Legal Validity Differ by Country? A sworn translation obtained in one country is not legally valid for use in another. This is because each country sets rules for how its foreign documents must be translated, certified, or authenticated. In countries such as France, Italy, or Spain, sworn translators are appointed by courts or government authorities, and their translations are legally valid for use in their country. However, in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, the concept of sworn translations does not exist. Instead, authorities require certified translations by professional translators, which include a signed certificate of translation accuracy. In some cases, these certified translations may need to be notarized or apostilled before use. Because the rules differ, it's always best to verify the requirements of the authority you're submitting to. How is a Sworn Translation Different from Other Translations? The terms certified, sworn, and notarized translations are often used interchangeably. While they are similar because they all involve the translation of official documents, each has a different level of legal formality. Certified Translation A certified translation is a translation prepared by a professional translator and accompanied by a signed statement from the translator or translation provider confirming that the translation is accurate and complete. This signed statement, also called a certificate of translation accuracy, is used in many countries, such as the United States, for official purposes. Notarized Translation A notarized translation is a certified translation in which a notary public verifies the identity of the translator who signed the certification statement. The notary confirms that the translator's signature and identity are genuine, but they do not verify that the translation is accurate. Sworn Translation A sworn translation is a translation done by a translator authorized by a court or government body, who has taken an oath to produce accurate translations. Sworn translations are considered legally valid in countries where they are required. Which Countries Require a Sworn Translation? The most common countries where sworn translations are required include: Brazil Italy Spain France Germany Netherlands Poland Hungary English-speaking countries like the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom require certified translations by professional translators or translation agencies. Since requirements vary, always check the requirements of the receiving authority. What is an Apostille, and When is it Needed? An apostille is an official certificate (a stamp or paper attachment) used to authenticate documents for international use in countries that are members of the 1961 Hague Convention. It confirms that the signature, seal, or stamp on the documents is original and that the documents are valid for official use in another member country without further legalization. When it comes to translated documents, an apostille doesn't verify the accuracy of the translation itself. It just confirms the authenticity of the signature and the status of the public official who certifies the document. This means that an apostille validates who signed the document, not what the translation says. How to Get a Sworn Translation Getting a sworn translation is pretty straightforward, especially with providers like Translayte, which has a large network of sworn translators. Here are the processes involved; Confirm the requirements first: Check with the receiving authority that you require a sworn translation of your documents. Some authorities may require certified or notarized translations instead. Choose a qualified sworn translator or agency: Work with an authorized sworn translator or professional translation agency like Translayte to assign a court-sworn translator for your document and language pair. Upload your documents: Upload legible scanned copies of your documents online to get a free quote and estimated delivery timeline. Receive your sworn translation: Once payment is made, you'll receive your sworn translation digitally via email. You can also request a physical copy to be delivered to your address. What Makes a Translation "Sworn"? A sworn translation must include the following; Certification statement: The statement must include the wording "certified and true copy of the original" to be legally valid. Translator's seal and signature: It must include the seal and signature of the sworn translator. Translator identification details: The translator must clearly state their full name, professional designation (such as "sworn translator" or equivalent title), and the language pairs they are officially authorized to provide. Clear reference to the original document: The document must specify that it's a translation and reference the original document and the language it's in. Consistent formatting: Sworn translations must replicate the formatting of the original document. Pagination must also be clear, and the end of the document should be clearly marked. Who Offers the Best Sworn Translation Service? Translayte offers the best sworn translation services, combining speed, accuracy, and reliability. With over 8,000 5-star reviews and more than 100,000 sworn translations delivered, Translayte has built a strong reputation for providing high-quality translations accepted by authorities worldwide. Here's why clients choose Translayte; Affordable sworn translation services starting at $31.75 per document Guaranteed 100% acceptance for all official document translations Provides urgent sworn translations in under 12 hours Offers sworn translation in 150 languages Has successfully delivered over 100,000 sworn translations. Customer review and approval before final delivery, allowing you to confirm personal details such as names and dates before receiving your translation. Proper certification and translator credentials for all translations Secure, web-based ordering system with 24/7 customer support How to Choose the Best Sworn Translation Services for You Many providers offer sworn translation services. But to avoid issues with your translation, here are some tips to help you choose the right one; Choose a provider that works with legally authorized sworn translators in the country where your documents will be submitted. Confirm that the provider has proven experience translating your specific document type, whether it's for immigration, academic, or business purposes. Ask about the qualifications of the translators who will handle your documents. Confirm their delivery timeline to ensure it doesn't delay your application. Check online reviews to see customer feedback and decide whether it's worth it. Check that the provider offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Confirm that they have 24/7 responsive support to guide you on the type of translation you need and answer any questions you might have. Check whether the translation service can handle additional requirements, such as notarisation or apostille , or whether you'll need to arrange them separately. FAQs Can a sworn translation be used for both digital and physical document submissions? Yes, it can. Many authorities accept digital sworn translations provided they include all required sections. If you need physical copies, you can always request one from your translation provider. Does a sworn translation expire? No, a sworn translation by itself doesn't expire. However, the document it is tied to may have validity limits. It's always best to check with the authorities to see if you need new translations. Can a sworn translation be amended after it has been issued? No. Once issued, a sworn translation cannot be altered because it has been legally declared. If you need to make changes after the certification statement has been affixed, you may need to get another translation. What happens if there is an error in a sworn translation? If there is an error, the sworn translator will produce a corrected version to ensure the document is still valid for use. Is the original document required to issue a sworn translation? Not really. In most cases, you'll only need a clear copy of the original document. However, some translators or authorities may request to see the original document to confirm authenticity. Are sworn translations required for criminal record certificates? Yes. Criminal record certificates are part of the supporting documents submitted for immigration purposes, employment, or education abroad. As a result, authorities usually request sworn translations of all documents in a foreign language. Do banks require sworn translations for financial documents? Oftentimes. But this depends on the document's purpose. If they are to be used in international transactions, mortgage applications, or account verification, then you may need a sworn translation. Can sworn translations be issued urgently or on the same day? Yes, many providers like Translayte offer urgent or same-day sworn translations to help you meet deadlines. Media Contact: Sophia Orji Content Manager Email: sophia.orji@translayte.com Website: https://translayte.com SOURCE: BDXL Ltd View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/what-is-a-sworn-translation-complete-guide-1141880 DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- According to MarketsandMarkets, the Mental Health Apps Market is projected to grow from about USD 9.94 billion in 2025 to USD 22.73 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 18.0%. Browse 320 market data Tables and 50 Figures spread through 350 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Mental Health Apps Market - Global Forecast to 2030" Mental Health Apps Market Size & Forecast: Market Size Available for Years: 2024-2030 2024-2030 2025 Market Size: USD 9.94 billion USD 9.94 billion 2030 Projected Market Size: USD 22.73 billion USD 22.73 billion CAGR (2025-2030): 18.0% Mental Health Apps Market Trends & Insights: By end-user, the employer groups segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 19.2% during the forecast period. By platform, the iOS segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 18.9% during the forecast period. North America accounted for the largest share of 47.0% of the mental health apps market in 2024. Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=179040407 The mental health apps market is growing rapidly, driven by rising awareness of mental health conditions, rising suicide rates, and expanding access to digital care solutions. In the WHO European Region, one in six people lives with a mental health condition, and over 120,000 people die by suicide each year, equivalent to more than 300 deaths per day (Source: WHO). The adoption of digital mental health initiatives, such as Tele-MANAS (India's national mental health helpline), has resulted in over 25 lakh calls since its launch in October 2022. Out of these, more than 39,000 calls were related to suicidal distress as of October 2025, highlighting high demand for tele-counselling support. This reflects an opportunity for the mental health apps market to scale accessible, on-demand support and address unmet care needs. By end user, Patients/consumers segment accounted for the largest share of the mental health apps market in 2024. By end user, the patients/consumers segment held the largest share of the market in 2024, due to the high penetration of direct-to-consumer (DTC) digital mental health solutions. This segment is driven by strong adoption of self-guided and semi-guided applications that deliver mindfulness training, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) modules, mood tracking, and virtual counseling via mobile platforms. Examples include consumer-focused platforms such as Calm and Headspace, which have scaled globally by targeting individual users seeking accessible, on-demand mental wellness support. Request Sample Pages@https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=179040407 By platform, Android segment dominated the mental health apps market in 2024. The Android segment held the largest share of the mental health apps market, driven by its extensive global smartphone user base, particularly in emerging economies where affordability and accessibility are critical. The platform supports large-scale adoption of direct-to-consumer mental health applications that offer self-guided therapy, mindfulness, and mood tracking, enabling developers to reach a broad, diverse population. Examples of widely used Android-compatible mental health apps include Wysa and Sanvello, which have gained significant traction through Google Play due to Android's scale and accessibility. The Asia Pacific market will emerge as the fastest-growing market in the mental health apps market, supported by a high and rising mental health burden and rapid digital adoption. According to the WHO, ~289 million people in the WHO South-East Asia region are affected by mental, neurological, or substance use disorders, with about 208,000 suicide deaths each year. In the Asia Pacific, about 60% of long-term health problems are caused by conditions such as depression, migraine, anxiety, and schizophrenia. In February 2025, the China National Health Commission launched nationwide initiatives to enhance mental health services. This includes expanding the 12,356 mental health assistance hotline across different provinces and promoting awareness campaigns. These efforts aim to support the growth of the mental health apps market Inquire Before Buying@https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=179040407 Top Companies in Mental Health Apps Market: The Top Companies in Mental Health Apps Market include Teladoc Health, Inc. (US), Headspace Inc. (US), Talkspace (US), Spring Care, Inc. (US), Calm (US), Modern Life, Inc. (US), and DarioHealth Corp. (US), among others. Browse Adjacent Markets: Healthcare IT Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Remote Patient Monitoring Market - Global Forecast to 2030 IoT Medical Devices Market - Global Forecast to 2030 Medical Billing Market - Global Forecast to 2029 Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare Market - Global Forecast to 2030 Healthcare IT Market - Global Forecast to 2030 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. With the widest lens on emerging technologies, we are proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients across the globe. Today, 80% of Fortune 2000 companies rely on MarketsandMarkets, and 90 of the top 100 companies in each sector trust us to accelerate their revenue growth. With a global clientele of over 13,000 organizations, we help businesses thrive in a disruptive ecosystem. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion in new revenue streams that are replacing existing ones within this decade. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we collaborate with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies to keep them future-ready. Our insights and strategies are powered by industry experts, cutting-edge AI, and our Market Intelligence Cloud, KnowledgeStore, which integrates research and provides ecosystem-wide visibility into revenue shifts. 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Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 1615 South Congress Ave. Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445 USA: +1-888-600-6441Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1868219/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/mental-health-apps-market-worth-22-73-billion-by-2030--marketsandmarkets-302698081.html Dosimetry data from the Phase 3 ECLIPSE substudy demonstrated favorable organ radiation absorbed doses supporting administration of 7.4 GBq for up to six cycles BOSTON, Feb. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Curium, a world leading nuclear medicine company dedicated to using cutting-edge technology and innovative science to personalize diagnoses and treatments for patients with cancer, today announced the first dosimetry and pharmacokinetics (PK) data from a substudy of the ongoing pivotal Phase 3 ECLIPSE clinical trial (NCT05204927). The Phase 3 ECLIPSE clinical trial evaluates lutetium-177 (Lu-177) zadavotide guraxetan (a proprietary formulation of 177Lu-PSMA-I&T), an investigational prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioligand therapy, for the treatment of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who have progressed on prior androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI). The data will be presented in a poster at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium (ASCO GU) taking place 26-28 February, 2026, in San Francisco, California. The nonrandomized PK/dosimetry substudy (n=26) was conducted as part of the ECLIPSE trial to evaluate the biodistribution and radiation absorbed dose of Lu-177 zadavotide guraxetan to organs of interest. Sakir Mutevelic, MD, Curium's Chief Medical Officer said: "These data represent the first published dosimetry data for our investigational formulation of Lu-177 zadavotide guraxetan, with projected mean cumulative renal doses remaining low for a six-cycle treatment regimen, thus supporting a protocol amendment to increase from a maximum of four doses to six in the ECLIPSE trial. We will continue to evaluate the ECLIPSE clinical trial data with the goal of bringing this potential therapy to market for those living with mCRPC. This reinforces our long-term vision to treat 80 percent of cancers within the next 10-15 years." Frankis Almaguel, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Loma Linda University Health Cancer Center, and presenting author said: "These data reinforce the clinical utility of using dosimetry data to inform clinical trial protocol design, as well as identify organs at highest risk of radiation exposure." A poster, Pharmacokinetics and Dosimetry of Lutetium Lu 177 Zadavotide Guraxetan in Patients With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC): Results From the ECLIPSE Sub-study (Abstract #174), will be presented on Thursday, 26 February in Poster Session A: Prostate Cancer. The abstract is available here . ASCO GU attendees can learn more about Curium by visiting booth 11 during the symposium. About Curium Curium is a world leading global radiopharmaceutical company with proven expertise in the development, manufacturing and supply of radiopharmaceuticals that transform the way cancer is diagnosed and treated. Headquartered in Boston with offices around the world, Curium's mission is to find new and better ways to diagnose and treat cancer. With a global footprint that extends to more than 70 countries, a skilled and dedicated team of over 3,000 employees, and four manufacturing sites, Curium is uniquely qualified to meet the significant supply and distribution of established products that underlie success in the radiopharmaceuticals market. Curium's global leadership is embodied in a diverse and extensive portfolio of over 45 products, that advance patient care for a wide range of cancers. Curium's pioneering legacy in nuclear medicine is the foundation of the company's dedication to innovation and portfolio expansion to cancer therapeutics, particularly in neuroendocrine tumors and with a late-stage pipeline exploring opportunities in prostate cancer. To learn more, visit www.curiumpharma.com. Inquiries: Camilla Campbell VP, Head of Global Communications communications@curiumpharma.com The five-part series marks Alex Honnold's first role hosting a travel show RENO, NV / ACCESS Newswire / February 26, 2026 / About a month after his daring ascent of Taipei 101 in Taiwan, world-renowned climber Alex Honnold's next big project has brought him back to his home state of Nevada. Get a Little Out There with Alex Honnold is a five-part series in which Honnold reveals the hidden stories, unexpected contrasts, and perspective-shifting experiences in the Silver State. Produced by Outside Brandworks in partnership with Travel Nevada, Get a Little Out There with Alex Honnold will be available on cable and streaming exclusively via Outside TV starting today, February 26. New episodes will be available every Thursday through March 26, 2026. In his first role hosting a travel show, Honnold gets his hands on out-there action, offbeat attractions, and other experiences only Nevada can deliver. Even with all he has seen and done around the world, his home state still finds plenty of ways to surprise him. Honnold's adventures chronicled on the show include scaling the Wild Granites, a remote and largely untouched climbing area, with fellow climber and close friend Tommy Caldwell; connecting with ghosts at Nevada's famously haunted Mizpah Hotel in Tonopah; taking in Nevada's incredible starry night skies at Great Basin National Park; and much more. In addition to Caldwell, climber Cedar Wright, endurance athlete Peyton Thomas, and Honnold's wife, Sanni McCandless Honnold, make appearances throughout the series. The serieswas created in partnership with Travel Nevada and Outside. It was executive produced by David Klimek and Jeff Moore and directed by J.J. Kelley. Ways to watch the show include: Visit outsideonline.com/OutThereNevada to watch episodes and learn more about places that Honnold visited in Nevada Access the free Outside TV app through your smart TV or phone Tune in to Outside TV's 24/7 live channel (available on Samsung, Roku, and more with your Smart TV) EDITORS: A digital media kit containing the show trailer, production stills, and more are available for download here: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/hnR66lVINk ### About Travel Nevada The heart of Nevada shines through Travel Nevada, an organization focused on sharing the experiences, landmarks and living legends that make the Silver State a one-of-a-kind destination. Through community collaborations and strategic partnerships, we aim to connect with both locals and visitors alike, showcasing the sometimes-surprising, always-exciting treasures that keep people coming to Nevada. It's theirs to explore-and ours to safekeep, from preserving our wild-at-heart way of life to our wide-open spaces. For more information, visit TravelNevada.com. About Outside Outside Interactive, Inc. is the premier destination for outdoor inspiration, activation, and celebration. Each year, Outside reaches over 30 million monthly active users and has over 100 million registered users across its network of 25 media, service, and utility brands, including Outside Magazine, Velo, Yoga Journal, Pinkbike, GaiaGPS, Trailforks, MapMyFitness, athleteReg, and more. Outside's mission is to get everyone outdoors, experiencing healthy, connected, and fulfilling lives by creating an experience for both longtime adventurers and those just getting started. Outside's membership offering, Outside+, bundles best-in-class storytelling, videos, gear reviews, mapping apps, online courses, discounted event access, magazines, and more. Learn more at www.OutsideOnline.com. For more information: Tracie Barnthouse, chief communications officer, Travel Nevada tbarnthouse@travelnevada.com 775-350-5386 SOURCE: Travel Nevada View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/travel/get-a-little-out-there-with-alex-honnold-premieres-on-the-outside-network-thursday-february-1140632 Charlotte, North Carolina--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Coverly Shutters has crossed a significant milestone: more than 15,000 homeowners have now purchased plantation shutters online directly through the company, bypassing the traditional showroom model entirely. The achievement marks a turning point for a brand that launched with a simple premise: that premium shutters shouldn't require a premium markup. Coverly Shutters Hits 15,000 Customers by Selling Direct and Skipping the Showroom To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/285432_1b2b169c84104a19_002full.jpg The direct-to-consumer shutter market has grown steadily as homeowners increasingly seek quality home upgrades without the overhead of showrooms, sales consultants, and third-party installers. Coverly Shutters built its model around that shift, shipping custom shutters straight to customers along with everything needed for a straightforward DIY installation. The result: the same quality found at high-end interior design stores, at a fraction of the typical cost. Across more than 1,200 verified reviews, customers have given Coverly Shutters an average rating of 4.9 stars, a figure the company attributes to its focus on responsive service and a buying experience designed to remove friction at every step. "We believe every homeowner deserves plantation shutters without breaking the bank," said Dylan Draper, Owner of Coverly Shutters. "By going direct, we pass the savings on to our customers and give them everything they need to make the process simple and stress-free from start to finish." Coverly Shutters offers a wide range of styles, materials, and design options to suit any aesthetic, from classic to contemporary, whether a customer is outfitting one window or an entire home. As one of the fastest-growing DIY plantation shutters companies in the US, the company continues to expand its product range while keeping its core promise intact: quality shutters, delivered direct, with no middleman in between. About the company: Founded by Dylan Draper and based in Charlotte, NC, Coverly Shutters is a direct-to-consumer plantation shutter company serving homeowners across the United States. The company specialises in custom-made plantation shutters for residential properties, offering a wide selection of styles and materials at accessible price points. With over 15,000 orders fulfilled and a 4.9-star customer rating, Coverly Shutters has built its reputation on quality craftsmanship and a seamless buying experience. For more information, visit https://coverlyshutters.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285432 Source: Plentisoft New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Pronto Translations, a provider of professional interpretation services for international institutions, government bodies, and global organizations, today announced its dedicated multilingual conference support program for the 70th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), scheduled to take place March 9-19, 2026, at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. Each year, the session convenes representatives of UN Member States, UN agencies, and thousands of civil society participants. Recent sessions have drawn more than 8,000 registered delegates and hundreds of NGO-led parallel events, making it one of the largest annual gatherings focused on global gender policy. The 2026 priority theme - ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls - underscores the importance of inclusive legal systems, equitable participation, and non-discriminatory institutions. At global policy forums of this scale, multilingual accessibility plays a critical role in ensuring meaningful engagement across diverse linguistic communities. "Multilateral policymaking depends on clarity, neutrality, and precision in communication," said Joshua B. Cohen, CEO of Pronto Translations. "At CSW70, delegates will engage in negotiations and discussions that influence legislation, international frameworks, and civil society initiatives worldwide. Professional interpretation services are essential to ensuring that language barriers do not limit participation in these critical conversations." The United Nations operates in six official languages - Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish - yet CSW sessions regularly involve participants representing dozens of additional languages. As civil society participation continues to expand, so too does the demand for reliable interpretation services capable of supporting both official proceedings and parallel events. Pronto Translations is mobilizing its global network of experienced conference interpreters to provide comprehensive interpretation services during CSW70, including: On-site simultaneous interpretation for high-level panels and conferences Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI) for hybrid and virtual participation Consecutive interpretation for diplomatic briefings and stakeholder meetings Multilingual equipment coordination and technical support With coverage across 122 languages and 307 language pairs, the company has expanded interpreter availability in the New York metropolitan area in anticipation of increased demand surrounding the March session. "Access to justice begins with access to understanding," Cohen added. "When policymakers, NGOs, and advocates cannot fully engage due to language constraints, the inclusivity of the dialogue is diminished. Interpretation services safeguard equitable participation and help ensure that diverse voices are accurately represented." Organizations planning official side events, NGO parallel programming, diplomatic meetings, or hybrid sessions during CSW70 are encouraged to secure interpretation services in advance due to limited interpreter availability during the session. For further information regarding interpretation services for CSW70 events in New York, please visit https://prontotranslations.com/, write to us at clientservices@prontotranslations.com or call +1 646 984 4073. About Pronto Translations Founded in 1999, Pronto Translations is a New York-based provider of professional interpretation and translation services supporting international institutions, government agencies, NGOs, and global organizations. With more than 25 years in operation, the company specializes in conference and legal interpretation for high-level international forums, alongside multilingual communication support across 122 languages and 307 language pairs. Operating 24/7 across multiple time zones, Pronto Translations combines experienced conference interpreters and translators with secure project management systems to ensure accuracy, confidentiality, and reliability for high-stakes global engagements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285471 Source: Evertise AI PR DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - According to MarketsandMarkets, the global Location-based Services (LBS) and Real-time Location Systems (RTLS) Market size will grow to USD 51.24 billion by 2030 from USD 33.03 billion in 2025, at a CAGR of 8.8% from 2026 to 2030. Browse 400 market data Tables and 60 Figures spread through 450 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Location-based Services (LBS) and Real-time Location Systems (RTLS) Market - Global Forecast to 2030 " Location-based Services (LBS) and Real-time Location Systems (RTLS) Market Size & Forecast: Market Size Available for Years: 2020-2030 2020-2030 2025 Market Size: USD 33.03 billion USD 33.03 billion 2030 Projected Market Size: USD 51.24 billion USD 51.24 billion CAGR (2025-2030): 8.8% Location-based Services (LBS) and Real-time Location Systems (RTLS) Market Trends & Insights: Market growth is supported by increasing demand for real-time location visibility across retail, healthcare, logistics, transportation, and industrial environments. The services segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 12.0% during the forecast period. By location type, the indoor segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 11.8% from 2026 to 2030. By vertical, the retail segment is expected to dominate the market with a share of 19.5% in 2030. North America is expected to account for the largest share of 36.45% of the LBS and RTLS Market in 2030. Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=96994431 Standardizing location protocols and improving interoperability among vendors reduces integration friction and encourages enterprise adoption. The rise of autonomous mobile robots and indoor drones creates demand for precise indoor positioning to enable safe navigation and logistics automation. Public sector investments in smart city infrastructure expand opportunities for wayfinding, asset tracking, and urban mobility services. Additionally, growth in augmented reality applications for maintenance and training, along with an increasing focus on asset lifecycle sustainability, drives demand for location intelligence. Based on service, the application support and maintenance segment holds the largest market share during the forecast period. Based on service, the application support and maintenance segment holds the largest market share during the forecast period as enterprises increasingly rely on LBS and RTLS platforms for mission-critical operations. After deployment, organizations require ongoing assistance with installation support, system configuration, performance optimization, and data and platform maintenance. These services are delivered through a mix of onsite support and remote channels such as web conferencing, telephone assistance, and ticketing systems, ensuring minimal operational disruption. As use cases evolve, end users frequently seek vendor support for customization, feature enhancements, and system upgrades over predefined service contracts. Effective support and maintenance improve system reliability, reduce downtime, and extend platform lifecycle, while also lowering overall capital and operational expenditures. Vendors offering comprehensive multi-vendor and end-to-end support help customers manage complex environments that integrate hardware, software, and analytics layers. As global adoption of LBS and RTLS platforms accelerates across industries, demand for reliable application support and maintenance services continues to expand, reinforcing this segment's dominant market position. Request Sample Pages@https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=96994431 Based on application, the location-based health monitoring segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Based on application, the location-based health monitoring segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, driven by the expanding adoption of LBS-enabled solutions across healthcare and wellness use cases. Applications such as fitness tracking, remote patient monitoring, fall detection, and lone worker protection increasingly rely on real-time location data to improve safety and personalized care. A key trend is the integration of LBS with wearable sensors that measure vital parameters, including heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature, enabling continuous health monitoring and context-aware medical insights. In addition, LBS is gaining importance as assistive technology for the visually impaired, differently abled, and elderly populations, supporting independent navigation, obstacle detection, and daily activity management. Rising awareness of preventive healthcare and lifestyle-related health risks associated with sedentary work patterns is further accelerating demand for advanced wellness solutions. This has led to increased adoption of wearable devices and location-enabled health platforms, positioning location-based health monitoring as a high-growth application segment. By region, Asia Pacific is expected to register the fastest growth in the LBS and RTLS Market during the forecast period. Based on region, Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, driven by rapid digitalization, expanding urban populations, and strong investment in smart infrastructure across both emerging and developed economies. Governments and enterprises in the region are accelerating the adoption of LBS and RTLS to improve efficiency in healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and retail, supported by widespread smartphone penetration and improving wireless connectivity. Asia Pacific also hosts some of the world's largest manufacturing and logistics hubs, where real-time asset tracking and workforce visibility are increasingly critical to productivity and safety. In addition, rising healthcare demand driven by aging populations and urban lifestyles is pushing hospitals to adopt location-enabled patient and asset monitoring solutions. A notable example is Japan, where telecom operators such as NTT DOCOMO have deployed location-enabled healthcare and monitoring services in 2025 to support smart medical facilities. Combined with declining sensor costs and expanding cloud ecosystems, these factors position the Asia Pacific for the fastest growth in the LBS and RTLS Market. Inquire Before Buying@https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=96994431 Top Companies in Location-based Services (LBS) and Real-time Location Systems (RTLS) Market: The Top Companies in LBS and RTLS Market include Cisco (US), Google (US), IBM (US), Microsoft (US), Oracle (US), Ericsson (Sweden), Qualcomm (US), TomTom (Netherlands), Zebra Technologies (US), and ESRI (US). These players have adopted a mix of organic and inorganic growth strategies, including collaborations, acquisitions, product launches, partnerships, agreements, and expansions, to strengthen their international footprint and capture a greater share of the LBS and RTLS Market. These strategies have enabled market players to expand geographically by offering LBS and RTLS solutions. Browse Adjacent Markets: Software and Services Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Smart Learning Market- Global Forecast to 2030 Mass Notification System Market - Global Forecast to 2030 Workforce Management Market - Global Forecast to 2030 Innovation Management Market - Global Forecast to 2030 Trade Surveillance System Market - Global Forecast to 2030 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. With the widest lens on emerging technologies, we are proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients across the globe. Today, 80% of Fortune 2000 companies rely on MarketsandMarkets, and 90 of the top 100 companies in each sector trust us to accelerate their revenue growth. With a global clientele of over 13,000 organizations, we help businesses thrive in a disruptive ecosystem. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion in new revenue streams that are replacing existing ones within this decade. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we collaborate with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies to keep them future-ready. Our insights and strategies are powered by industry experts, cutting-edge AI, and our Market Intelligence Cloud, KnowledgeStore, which integrates research and provides ecosystem-wide visibility into revenue shifts. MarketsandMarkets SalesPlay is an AI-driven Revenue Intelligence Co-Pilot designed to help revenue teams prioritize the right accounts, identify critical changes early, and surface opportunities ahead of demand, so pipeline builds naturally and deals close with greater consistency. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 1615 South Congress Ave. Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1868219/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/location-based-services-lbs-and-real-time-location-systems-rtls-market-worth-51-24-billion-by-2030--marketsandmarkets-302698035.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Masivo Silver Corp. (TSXV: MASS) (OTC Pink: GNYPF) (FSE: R74) ("Masivo" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company's Phase I diamond drill program has begun at its Cerro Colorado Project in Sonora, Mexico. The initial phase of the program consists of approximately eight (8) diamond drill holes totaling an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 meters. The program is designed to systematically test high-priority silver-copper targets identified through geological mapping, surface sampling, and historical data compilation. David G. Coburn, CEO and Director, commented: "The start of drilling at Cerro Colorado is a pivotal moment for Masivo. We are now systematically testing what we have evidence at surface of being at least 1.2 km structurally controlled, expanding silver-copper system with clear evidence of scale at surface. These first holes are designed to validate our geological model and demonstrate continuity at depth. We believe this program has the potential to materially expand the footprint of mineralization and unlock significant value for shareholders." Hole A targets a depth of 130 meters, with the objective of hitting a zone of polymetallic sulfides that may correspond to an anomaly of high chargeability found in the geophysics program or induced polarization ("IP") at a depth of 100 meters below surface. There is strong potential for significantly higher values of silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). Hole B is planned approximately 500 meters northeast of Hole A, targeting a depth of 150 meters. The objective is to test a high chargeability anomaly and follow up on high-grade values identified in sulfide material from the dumps of historic mine workings, which returned assays of 1,840 g/t silver (Ag), 4.82 g/t gold (Au), 3.06% copper (Cu), 4.55% lead (Pb), and 2.92% zinc (Zn). Holes C, D & E are planned between Holes A and B, with the objective of testing the high chargeability anomaly within the same mineralized structure. Hole C and E are designed to reach a target depth of 150 meters, while hole D is planned to extend deeper to 200 meters. Holes F & G are planned to reach depths of 150 to 300 meters northeast of Hole B. Their objective is to test the high chargeability anomaly and assess the continuity of the mineralized structure along a well-defined southwest-to-northeast (SW-NE) trend. Hole H is oriented in a different direction, targeting a southeast-to-northwest (SE-NW) structural system that is perpendicular to the main southwest-to-northeast (SW-NE) trend. This secondary structural system hosts a gold-copper-silver (Au-Cu-Ag) mineralization style, observed in several near-surface historic artisanal workings developed by local "Gambusinos." These small-scale mines have returned high-grade values, including over 20 g/t gold (Au), 95 g/t silver (Ag), and 0.8% copper (Cu). The planned depth for these holes is 120 meters. The Cerro Colorado Project hosts numerous historic workings and surface exposures of silver-copper mineralization. Previous surface sampling has returned encouraging silver and copper values associated with quartz veining, breccia zones, and structurally controlled shear zones. The current drill program represents the first systematic test of several priority targets at depth and is intended to confirm continuity of mineralization below surface exposures. Historic Drill Results (2015) Historic drilling completed by Minera Gold Zone in 2015 on the southwestern margin of the Cerro Colorado system returned broad, near-surface, polymetallic silver and base-metal mineralization, including the following intercepts: ETCC-15-01: 29.65 m @ 50.74 g/t Ag, 0.607% Zn, 0.131% Pb, 0.053% Cu, and 0.062 g/t Au (48.80-78.45 m), including 5.05 m @ 254 g/t Ag and 2.95 m @ 384 g/t Ag. 29.65 m @ 50.74 g/t Ag, 0.607% Zn, 0.131% Pb, 0.053% Cu, and 0.062 g/t Au (48.80-78.45 m), including 5.05 m @ 254 g/t Ag and 2.95 m @ 384 g/t Ag. ETCC-15-04: 35.80 m @ 23.44 g/t Ag and 0.406% Zn (44.50-80.30 m), including 3.15 m @ 159.06 g/t Ag and 0.60 m @ 577 g/t Ag (with associated base metals and gold). These historic intercepts, together with recent mapping and surface sampling, support the current Phase I drill program designed to test the continuity and structural controls of mineralization at depth. Please visit the following link for drill program map and information. https://masivosilver.com/cerro-colorado The Company will provide updates as the program progresses. Qualified Person Brian Brewer, PGeo, is Masivo Silver's qualified person for the company's projects in Mexico and Nevada and has approved this news release. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "David Coburn" Chief Executive Officer This press release contains "forward-looking information" that is based on the Company's current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections. This forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements with respect to the Company's exploration plans. 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 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/285468 Source: Masivo Silver Corp. Original-Research: Eloro Resources Ltd. - from Sphene Capital GmbH 26.02.2026 / 16:34 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Research, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group . The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this research. The result of this research does not constitute investment advice or an invitation to conclude certain stock exchange transactions. Classification of Sphene Capital GmbH to Eloro Resources Ltd. Company Name: Eloro Resources Ltd. ISIN: CA2899003008 Reason for the research: Update Report Recommendation: Buy from: 26.02.2026 Target price: CAD 21.80 (previously CAD 14.10) Target price on sight of: 24 months Last rating change: - Analyst: Peter Thilo Hasler 40,000 m drill program launched, financing secured With two differentiated deposit styles juxtaposed against one another-a large, silver-zinc-lead-dominant system adjacent to a high-grade tin system-and several identifiable near-term catalysts, we believe Eloro offers an attractive risk-reward profile for investors seeking early exposure ahead of the forthcoming drilling campaign. The advancement of a previously underexplored property into a potentially open-pittable porphyry-epithermal silver-tin polymetallic system underpins significant upside potential, while downside risk appears comparatively limited at current valuation levels, in our view. Reflecting materially higher commodity prices, particularly for silver and zinc, we increase our price target to CAD 21.80 from CAD 14.10. This valuation is based exclusively on an in-situ assessment of the higher-grade portion of the Santa Barbara Breccia Pipe at the Iska Iska project in Bolivia, excluding all other assets. Based on the current share price of CAD 2.60, our revised target implies an upside potential of 838.5%. Accordingly, we reiterate our Buy recommendation on Eloro Resources. We met Eloro Resources' management during a Munich roadshow, where the Company provided further details on its recently announced 40,000 m drill program. The contract was signed with Major Drilling Group International, the world's leading provider of specialized drilling services for the metals and mining industry. Following the recent change of government in Bolivia, Major Drilling Group has resumed operations in the country, and the 40,000-meter drill program with Eloro represents its first contract in Bolivia since the transition. The 9 months program is designed to complete 50 m and 25 m infill drilling within the Santa Barbara corridor and to advance drilling across the remaining five mineralized zones at the Iska Iska silver-tin polymetallic project. The objective is to expand the resource footprint to support future economic studies while also testing additional prospective targets within the Iska Iska Caldera. The main portion of the drill program will be financed through a bought-deal private placement of 3,846,200 shares at CAD 2.60 per share, generating gross proceeds of CAD 10 mn. During the roadshow it was mentioned that due to excess demand the financing was increased to CAD 15 mn with an added CAD 2 mn broker over allotment provision exercised. While dilution remains moderate, we believe the proceeds will be sufficient to reach the next key milestone, namely an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) incorporating new definition-drilling data, which management expects in the coming months, followed by a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). You can download the research here: EloroResources_UpdateReport20260226_english Contact for questions: Peter Thilo Hasler, CEFA +49 (89) 74443558/ +49 (152) 31764553 peter-thilo.hasler@sphene-capital.de The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. View original content: EQS News Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Riverside Resources Inc. (TSXV: RRI) (OTCQB: RVSDF) (FSE: 5YY0) ("Riverside" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce early 2026 assay and porphyry Cu exploration results at the 100%-owned Ariel Copper Project (the "Ariel Project" or "Ariel") in Sonora, Mexico. Ariel is a drill-permitted, district-scale porphyry copper-gold set of targets located approximately 18 km east-southeast of the La Caridad copper mining complex in the highly productive Laramide-age Arizona-Sonora copper mining belt. 2026 Exploration Highlights High-grade base metals with 5.4% Pb, 320 g/t Ag in veins both as targets and high-level, lateral indicators for the Ariel Porphyry Cu target Sampling of veins in the north as shown on maps and cross section below link for the upgrade porphyry Cu target linking Maria Luisa and Ariel targets Age dating at Ariel provides similar age to La Caridad and Cananea Mine host rocks further linking the geologic comparisons for the project to major copper districts Applying spectral mineral analysis (near-infrared/short-wave infrared methods) to map alteration minerals commonly associated with porphyry and high-sulphidation systems, including advanced argillic assemblages and breccia-related alteration styles documented at Ariel. Integrating mapping, alteration interpretation, and regional geophysical datasets to prioritize drill collars within permitted areas with full drive-up easy access. Riverside sees the project ready for partnering and moving ahead as it has multiple partnerships with diverse companies on the Riverside portfolio, Ariel is now ready for partnering and drilling toward making a major copper discovery. Building on Riverside's consolidation of the Ariel Project through acquisition of the adjacent Maria Luisa concessions, the Company has now conducted expanded early 2026 field work and has received high grade silver and lead samples from veins, porphyry style alterations, and turquoise mines that are all part of the advancing target definition work with detailed mapping, sampling, alteration mineral studies summarized in the graphics below. These high grades are significant because they are comparable to those seen in other major Arizona-Sonora mining camps, where early mining of silver veins later evolved into major copper discoveries at more than a dozen large mines, including Cananea, La Caridad, Bisbee, Resolution, Morenci, and Ray, to name a few. "Riverside early 2026 field program at the Ariel and Maria Luisa mineral concessions now consolidated into a single, fully permitted drill-ready project area found high grade precious and base metals typical of the major copper mines in the region and now the targets at Ariel continue to improve as the Company derisks the project with systematic fieldwork to sharpen targeting and prepare it for partnering and immediate drilling," said John-Mark Staude, CEO of Riverside Resources. "The combination of geologic mapping, geochemistry, alteration mineral studies, and integrated geophysics is providing stronger vectors into the most prospective zones. Ariel remains a compelling, undrilled copper district target in a premier belt, with excellent access, safety and infrastructure. The recent geochemistry continues to enhance the porphyry Cu target potential at Ariel." Exploration Work and Targeting Progress Riverside has full mineral title for the Ariel property and has advanced copper exploration through database compilations, field mapping, sampling, remote sensing, mineral concession consolidation and regional geophysical data interpretation, leading to the definition of two principal porphyry target areas (Ariel and Maria Luisa). The project has seen limited to no historical drilling to Riverside's knowledge, and the Company considers Ariel a high-quality, drill-stage copper district target with extensive exposed targets and additional areas masked by shallow post-mineral cover. The Project is available for partnership per the Company's business model of project generation; however, the Company could choose to drill the project given the quality exploration district. Project Highlights District-scale, consolidated footprint: Ariel totals 1,640 hectares (16 km) across five fully titled concessions in good standing, including the Maria Luisa area, providing multiple priority target zones for drill testing. Two priority target styles defined: Ongoing work continues to refine (1) a porphyry copper target with near surface copper sulphides and oxides, and (2) an epithermal arget interpreted as the upper portion of a porphyry system, consistent with alteration, veining and breccia styles with walk up safe, easy access on private ranch land. Modern scientific exploration tools improving vectoring: Riverside is applying portable geochemical and mineralogical tools (including portable XRF and short-wave/infrared spectral mineral scanning) to distinguish vein and alteration assemblages and prioritize drill-ready areas. Strategically located in the Sonora, Mexico Laramide copper belt and less than 20km from the La Caridad Cu-Mo porphyry mining complex, with additional regional porphyry prospects in the district. Ariel is underlain by Late Cretaceous volcanic rocks of the Tarahumara Formation intruded by Paleocene (ca. 57 Ma) porphyritic intrusions comparable in age to regional porphyry mineralization events similar to many of the mines in the Arizona- Sonora Belt which includes over 10 significant copper operations. 2026 Sampling North Area - "Maria Luisa" Epithermal Target New exploration geochemistry results from the early 2026 program for the Maria Luisa part of the Ariel Project have high grade Ag and Pb typical of lateral expressions of porphyry copper like those in Arizona at Resolution, Globe-Miami and Bingham in Utah. Here, silver values reach up to >10 oz/t Ag and Pb values reach up to 5.4%, along with gold anomalies of up to 0.4 g/t Au, as shown in the Table, Summary Map, and Cross Section figures in this news release. The sampling showed multiple sets of parallel veining consistent with what is common in major copper districts. Chip samples ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 m were taken by cutting the veins perpendicularly. Some select sample results include: Sample Number Assays RRI-12911 0.42 g/t Au, 0.07%Pb RRI-12912 1.36% Pb, 0.36 g/t Au, RRI-12913 3.14% Pb, 0.14% Zn RRI-12914 1.03% Pb RRI-12918 138 g/t Ag, 5.39% Pb, 0.34 g/t Au RRI-1412 225 g/t Ag RRI-1419 320 g/t Ag RRI-1425 161 g/t Ag RRI-1545 200 g/t Ag, 0.657 g/t Au, 1% Pb RRI-11122 0.5 g/t Au, 0.131% Pb Table 1. Highlights of rock sampling in the northern zone of the Ariel project at Maria Luisa target with high silver and lead typical of the Arizona Sonora major copper operating districts by Riverside. Figure 1. Drone photo looking NNE up the cross-section line from Ariel porphyry in the south toward the yellow loop and the Maria Luisa epithermal shown in blue loop in the north with epithermal Ag-Pb veins and overall distal parts of the drill ready porphyry target. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6101/285478_b6adfa66842e181f_002full.jpg Figure 2: Map of the rock chip assays and sampling locations of recent results and other Riverside assay exploration data with expanded area showing some detail of the Maria Luisa high grade veins. Rock chip geochemical samples collected in 2026 (red) and similar results from previous sampling (yellow) part of epithermal target in the north and porphyry copper target of Ariel in the south. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6101/285478_b6adfa66842e181f_003full.jpg Figure 3. Schematic section showing copper porphyry in red and epithermal in yellow cross hatch color to the north and over top with assays of >5% Pb and >130 gpt Ag typical for the high sulfidation veins potentially emanating from a related porphyry copper To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6101/285478_b6adfa66842e181f_004full.jpg QA - QC, Sampling Management Rock chip sampling at Ariel was taken generally of 1.5m chip channel and select pieces of rock materials from outcrops. Samples were then shipped for analysis by ACT Labs in Zacatecas, Mexico. Samples were analyzed for by gold fire assay, with pulps analyzed with Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mas Spectrometry ("ICP-MS") following four-acid digestion to determine silver, base metals, and pathfinders. Samples were maintained in chain of custody being delivered to the laboratory in sealed bags. Standards and blanks were inserted every 20 samples and the laboratory also did duplicates every 20 samples as additional check on the quality control. The QA/QC was analyzed with a check for any variations in the standards beyond 2 standard deviations and the standards passed. Historic samples were analyzed using the same procedures with samples delivered to Bureau Veritas (Hermosillo, Sonora) for gold fire assay, with pulps forwarded to Vancouver, Canada for Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mas Spectrometry ("ICP-MS") following four-acid digestion to determine silver, base metals, and pathfinders. Qualified Person The technical content of the news release has been reviewed and approved by Freeman Smith, P.Geo. (British Columbia), a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 who is non-independent and the Vice President Exploration for the Company. About Riverside Resources Inc.: Riverside is a well-funded exploration company driven by value generation and discovery. The Company has a strong balance sheet with over C$5,000,000 cash, no debt and tight share structure with a strong portfolio of gold-silver, copper, and REE assets and royalties in North America. Further information about Riverside is available on the Company's website at www.rivres.com. ON BEHALF OF RIVERSIDE RESOURCES INC. "John-Mark Staude" Dr. John-Mark Staude, President & CEO For additional information contact: Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking information. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology (e.g., "expect"," estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "plans"). Such information involves known and unknown risks -- including the availability of funds, the results of financing and exploration activities, the interpretation of exploration results and other geological data, or unanticipated costs and expenses and other risks identified by Riverside in its public securities filings that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. 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/285478 Source: Riverside Resources Inc. MIDLAND, TX / ACCESS Newswire / February 26, 2026 / Waste Energy Corp (OTCQB:WAST) ("WEC" or the "Company"), a clean-energy company converting non-recyclable waste into usable fuel and renewable energy products, today announced that is will present at the Clean Energy & Renewables Virtual Investor Conference on March 5, 2026, hosted by OTC Markets Group. Management will walk through the Company's waste conversion model, its first facility in Midland, Texas, and the operational milestones it expects to hit as commissioning draws near. Permian Basin: A Deliberate Starting Point The Midland facility wasn't placed in the Permian Basin by accident. The region offers something most early-stage energy infrastructure companies spend years chasing established distribution networks, industrial-scale fuel demand, and a deep base of energy capital that understands long-cycle infrastructure investment. Waste tire feedstock is also concentrated in the area, reducing inbound logistics costs and simplifying supply chain management. Management sees the Permian not just as a first market, but as a template. If the model works here, it travels. What the Facility Actually Does Running Phase 1 at full capacity 30 tons per day, 330 days a year, the Midland plant is designed to process around 10,000 tons of waste tires annually. That's north of 300,000 passenger tires, or roughly 140,000 heavy truck tires, every year. Beyond the headline fuel output, the process recovers carbon black, syngas to run the system and high grade steel, all of which have established regional buyers. Steel alone could represent 990 to 1,485 tons of recoverable material annually, based on typical tire composition. The Company is also working with local partners on landfill diversion and tire stockpile remediation in the Permian Basin, a community angle that has drawn interest from regional stakeholders. Rethinking How Carbon Credits Get Made The voluntary carbon market has a credibility problem. Credits get challenged, methodologies get disputed, and human reporting introduces errors that undermine confidence in the underlying asset. Waste Energy Corp has filed a patent for a system designed to fix that at the source. The Company's patent-pending carbon credit automation system uses on-site video monitoring and sensor data to capture the conversion process in real time. That data is then run through a carbon credit algorithm when a match is confirmed, a credit is created automatically, minted as an NFT, and deposited directly into a digital wallet. The credits will be tradeable on the Company's own blockchain-based platform. The logic is straightforward: remove the human from the reporting chain, and you remove the most common source of error and dispute. The result is a carbon credit with a verifiable, immutable record of exactly how and when it was generated, something the market has struggled to produce consistently. For investors, this matters beyond the environmental angle. A carbon credit with a clean chain of custody and blockchain-based provenance is a more defensible asset. It's also a potential competitive advantage as regulators and institutional buyers apply increasing scrutiny to voluntary market integrity. The Carbon Credit Opportunity Based on combustion-equivalent emission factors, full-capacity throughput at the Midland facility could translate to roughly 12,800 metric tons of CO2e annually. Whether that supports a meaningful credit position still depends on third-party validation and registry methodology, a process that hasn't concluded. Conservative estimates put potential annual credits in the 7,000 to 17,000 range, with a theoretical ceiling around 22,000 to 28,000. Management isn't booking that revenue yet, but the automated issuance system is designed to make the validation process faster, cleaner, and more defensible when it does get there. Midland Facility Commissioning & Timelines The Midland facility is approaching commissioning. Management has committed to regular updates tied to actual milestones production ramp, first revenue, and expansion decisions rather than forward-looking timelines that tend to slip. "We are building Waste Energy Corp around disciplined execution and measurable results," said Scott Gallagher, Chairman & CEO. "Our first priority is to demonstrate a model that works operationally and economically. The Permian Basin deployment is not simply a site launch, it is the foundation for a scalable environmental infrastructure platform designed to generate diversified revenue streams, including fuel, recovered materials, and carbon-linked assets." Gallagher continued, "As we move toward commissioning, transparency becomes increasingly important. During the March 5th presentation, I will provide a clear framework outlining our expected path to revenue for the Midland facility. Shareholder value is created through execution, consistency, and scale and our focus in 2026 is to deliver on each of those." The broader context isn't lost on the Company either. U.S. electricity demand hit record highs in 2025 and is projected to keep climbing, driven largely by the data center and AI infrastructure buildout that shows no sign of slowing. Data center electricity demand has grown more than 400% over the past decade. Carbon credits, and U.S. data center power demand is forecast to reach 134 gigawatts by 2030, nearly triple current levels. That kind of structural demand creates a sustained need for new domestic energy sources, particularly ones that don't require greenfield grid infrastructure. Waste Energy Corp's model, modular, deployable near existing waste streams, and producing fuel that can flow through established regional distribution networks is designed for exactly that environment. At the same time, institutional capital continues its rotation toward ESG-aligned infrastructure. Corporate power purchase agreements for zero-carbon electricity reached 29.5 gigawatts in 2025, the highest annual total on record, a signal that large buyers are actively seeking credible, verifiable clean energy and carbon assets. The Company believes its combination of waste diversion, domestic fuel production, and blockchain-verified carbon credits positions it squarely in that flow of capital. The Midland facility will ultimately have to prove the model but the market conditions for doing so have rarely been better aligned. Conference Details Waste Energy Corp will present at the Clean Energy & Renewables Virtual Investor Conference on March 5, 2026. The event is hosted by OTC Markets Group. Registration: www.wec.eco/conference-sign-up About Waste Energy Corp Waste Energy Corp (OTCQB: WAST) converts non-recyclable waste into domestic energy assets through its patent-pending Waste-to-Energy Conversion Technology. The Company is developing an automated carbon credit issuance system that uses sensor data, video verification, and blockchain-based minting to produce carbon credits with verifiable, immutable provenance. Waste Energy Corp is a fully reporting SEC Exchange Act company trading on the OTCQB. For more information, visit www.WEC.eco or access investor disclosures at www.SEC.gov . Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Waste Energy Corp's business operations, future financial performance, and projections. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties - including market conditions, regulatory approvals, and factors outside the Company's control - that may cause actual results to differ materially. Investors should review all risk factors and disclosures in the Company's SEC filings, including quarterly and annual financial statements at www.SEC.gov , before making any investment decision. Investor Contact Waste Energy Corp Email: IR@WEC.eco Phone: (727) 417-7807 Website: www.WEC.eco SOURCE: Waste Energy Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/clean-technology/waste-energy-corp-to-present-at-clean-energy-and-renewables-virtual-investor-confe-1141904 EQS Post-admission Duties announcement: Adtran Holdings, Inc. / Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] Adtran Holdings, Inc.: Release according to Article 50 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] with the objective of Europe-wide distribution 26.02.2026 / 17:21 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Post-admission Duties announcement according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 WpHG transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group . The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. On 26 February 2026, Adtran Holdings, Inc. filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) a form 8-K, available on the SEC website at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000926282/000119312526073361/adtn-20260225.htm and a form 10-K, available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000926282/000119312526073878/adtn-20251231.htm . All documents are also available on the Adtran Holdings, Inc. website at https://investors.adtran.com/sec-filings/default.aspx . Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Stria Lithium Inc. (TSXV: SRA) (" Stria " or the " Company ") announced today the closing of its non-brokered private placement (the " Offering ") previously announced on February 13, 2026 and February 25, 2026, and raised $1,000,000 gross proceeds. The Company issued 2,127,659 Units at a price of $0.47 per Unit. Each Unit is composed of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant (the "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one common share of the Company at a price of $0.59 per share for a period of 36 months following the closing of the private placement, 26 February 2029. The proceeds of the Financing will be used for advancement of the Company's mineral exploration assets and operations, potential future acquisitions, and general working capital purposes. No finder fees were paid in relation to the private placement and no insiders participated in the equity financing. All securities issued pursuant to the Financing will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws and TSXV policies. About Stria Lithium Stria Lithium (TSXV: SRA) is an emerging resource exploration company developing Canadian lithium reserves to meet legislated demand for electric vehicles and their rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The Company is committed to growth through responsible and efficient exploration and development of its mining assets. Stria's Central Pontax Lithium Project covers 36 square kilometres, including 8 km of strike along the prospective Chambois Greenstone Belt. The region, known as the Canadian "Lithium Triangle," is one of only a few known sources of lithium available for hard rock mining in North America. Stria's Pontax Central Project Joint Venture with Cygnus Metals now has a maiden JORC-compliant inferred mineral resource estimate of 10.1Mt at 1.04% Li2O based on the central area of the known mineralisation. This JORC estimate establishes Pontax Central as a significant occurrence in the emerging James Bay lithium region. Cygnus Metals, being an ASX issuer, adhered to Australian JORC Code 2012 guidelines, meaning that such mineral resource estimate is not necessarily compliant with CIM and National Instrument 43-101 standards and the Company is not considering them as such at this time. Cygnus Metals is committed to fully funding and managing the current two-stage exploration and drilling program to a maximum of $10 million at Stria's Pontax property and will also pay Stria up to $6 million in cash. In return, Cygnus may acquire up to a 70% interest in the property. Cygnus has fulfilled its stage 1 requirements within the agreement and has now earned its 51% interest in the property. As momentum builds for the green energy revolution and the shift to electric vehicles, governments in Canada and the United States are aggressively supporting the North American lithium industry, presenting the industry and its investors with a rare opportunity for growth and prosperity well into the next decade and beyond. Stria is committed to exceeding the industry's environmental, social and governance standards. A critical part of that commitment is forging meaningful, enduring and mutually beneficial relationships with local communities and stakeholders, and engaging openly and respectfully as neighbours and collaborators in this project that has the potential to create lasting jobs and prosperity. The scientific and technical content disclosed herein was reviewed and approved by Rejean Girard, P.Geo and president of IOS Services Geoscientifiques Inc., a qualified person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Reference: JORC Mineral Resource Estimate of Pontax Project, James Bay Quebec, Brian Wolfe; Duncan Grieve, August 14, 2023. For more information about Stria Lithium and the Pontax Lithium project, please visit https://strialithium.com. Follow us on: Twitter @StriaLithium Instagram @strialithium Facebook http://www.facebook.com/strialithium LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/company/stria-lithium/ 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 accuracy or adequacy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The Company cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Please refer to the risk factors disclosed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking information except as required by applicable securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285491 Source: Stria Lithium Inc. Wellington Management-Led Round Brings Encord's Total Funding to $110M as Company Sees Physical AI Revenue Grow 10x in Last Twelve Months SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Encord, the data infrastructure company for physical AI, today announced a $60 million Series C led by Wellington Management, bringing the company's total funding to $110 million. Existing investors Y Combinator, CRV, N47, Crane Venture Partners and Harpoon Ventures also participated in the round alongside new investors Bright Pixel Capital and Isomer Capital. The investment will help Encord scale its AI-native data infrastructure platform, which helps AI teams manage, curate, annotate, and align the multimodal data that physical AI systems depend on, including audio, video, images, sensor data, 3D point clouds and other formats that legacy data platforms weren't built to handle. Encord works with over 300 AI teams globally, including Woven by Toyota, Skydio, AXA Financial and numerous physical AI and frontier labs. The company has seen significant growth in both revenue and data volume on its platform in the last twelve months as a result of the surge in physical AI. The Inflection Point in Physical AI Encord's Series C comes as physical AI - which powers robots, autonomous vehicles, drones, and other systems that operate in the real world - enters an explosive new growth stage. After years of lab demos and pilot programs, these systems are moving into production. Analysts project that over 400 million AI robots will come online in just the next 4 years, and that the size of the physical AI industry will eclipse $30B over the same time period. Unlike large language models, which were trained on the open internet, physical AI models must learn from proprietary data, including sensor feeds, video, robotic telemetry, edge cases captured in the field and other sources. Storing and processing this data requires more computational power than storing and processing text. That data doesn't organize itself. Getting the right data into the models and keeping the wrong data out-continuously, at scale-requires purpose-built AI-native data infrastructure. "Everyone is focused on building bigger models," said Ulrik Stig Hansen, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Encord. "But for physical AI, the bottleneck isn't model size. It's data readiness. You can have the most sophisticated model in the world, and it will still fail if the data feeding it is incomplete, inconsistent, or misaligned with real-world conditions. That's the problem we solve." Encord has seen demand surge as physical AI moves from experimentation to deployment: Data on the company's platform has grown from 1 petabyte to over 5 petabytes in twelve months-3x more than the data used to train GPT-4 Revenue from physical AI customers has grown 10x over the same period Encord's physical AI platform allows leading AI companies and teams to capture, organize and redeploy data across the model lifecycle. From facilitating data generation in the pre-training phase to aligning models in accordance with human feedback, Encord's software is designed to handle every data automation and processing task physical AI companies may encounter. Bill Tinney, Senior Director of AI Product Management and Partnerships at Vantor, an Encord customer, said, "At Vantor, we build AI for critical infrastructure and national security - we needed a data platform that could match our ambitions. Encord gives us a unified data layer that scales with the complexity of our geospatial workflows, from curation to annotation to evaluation, without tool fragmentation. For production AI teams, how you operationalize your data is a core competitive advantage." Eric Landau, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Encord, said the funding will accelerate product development and expansion into new markets. "The companies winning in physical AI understand something that others are just beginning to realize: the model is only as good as the data behind it. We're building the infrastructure that makes that data usable-not just once, but continuously, as these systems learn and improve in the real world." About Encord Encord is the universal data layer for AI. The platform helps AI teams train and run their models with the right data - managing, curating, annotating, and aligning data across the full AI lifecycle. Encord works with over 300 leading AI teams, including Woven by Toyota, AXA, and Skydio. Media Contact: Chris Clemens Nexios Communications Strategies chris@nexioscomms.com Correction: In the third paragraph and boilerplate, the list of representative customers served by Encord has been revised. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2798765/Encord_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/encord-secures-60m-series-c-to-scale-ai-native-data-infrastructure-as-physical-ai-hits-inflection-point-302698633.html Vector Capital to Acquire Corel's Suite of Trusted Software Brands for Creativity and Productivity KKR to Retain Ownership of Parallels Business OTTAWA, Ontario, Feb. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Corel Corporation ("Corel") today announced a definitive agreement that will separate its business into two independent companies. Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Vector Capital Management, L.P. ("Vector"), a leading private equity firm specializing in technology investments, will acquire Corel's portfolio of creativity and productivity software and related brands. Parallels will remain under ownership of funds managed by KKR, a leading global investment firm. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Corel provides professional software for graphics, productivity, and digital workflow management, with a broad portfolio of desktop and digital tools, including trusted brands CorelDRAW, MindManager, and WinZip. The Parallels business offers cross-platform and virtualization software, including the well-known Parallels Desktop, enabling businesses and individuals to run Windows applications on Mac computers, and Parallels Workspace Solutions, delivering secure virtual applications and desktops across hybrid and cloud environments. By creating two independent organizations with dedicated teams and strategic focuses, Corel and Parallels will be best positioned to serve their respective customers and markets. Upon completion of the transaction, Christa Quarles, Chief Executive Officer of Corel Corporation, will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer of Parallels and Prasannaa Ganesan, former Chief Operating Officer of Corel, will become Chief Executive Officer of Corel. "We are building on a strong year of growth at Parallels, with Parallels Workspace solutions delivering 49% net new annual recurring revenue growth in 2025, and Parallels Desktop now serving more than one million customers worldwide. Becoming an independent company will allow Parallels to sharpen our focus while continuing to deliver even greater value to our customers," said Christa Quarles, Chief Executive Officer of Parallels. "I'm excited to work with our team to execute our strategy in this next phase." "Corel has a strong portfolio of trusted and reliable software brands that enable its millions of users to create, ideate, and collaborate. We are excited to reunite with the Corel team and look forward to leveraging our deep familiarity with Corel's business to drive growth through strategic M&A, product innovation, and operational enhancement," said Alex Slusky, Founding Partner of Vector Capital, which previously owned Corel and oversaw a significant period of operational development and strategic growth. "We are pleased to welcome Prasannaa back to the helm and are eager to work with him and Corel leadership to focus on disciplined execution, and long-term value creation opportunities." "Corel has delighted and served its customers for decades, providing them with a differentiated portfolio of well-known and trusted software products that simply get the job done," added Ganesan. "I am excited to return to Corel and to partner with Vector as we focus on supporting the company, building on its established foundation, and delivering reliable, high-quality professional software products to our global customer base." The transaction is expected to close in May 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. Moelis & Company LLC served as lead financial advisor to Corel and Kirkland & Ellis LLP as legal counsel in connection with the transaction. Paul Hastings LLP served as legal counsel to Vector Capital, with Alvarez & Marsal serving as financial advisor. About Corel Corel products enable knowledge workers around the world to do great work faster. Offering some of the industry's best-known software brands, we give individuals and teams the power to create, collaborate, and deliver impressive results. Our success is driven by an unwavering commitment to deliver a broad portfolio of innovative applications - including CorelDRAW, MindManager, and WinZip - to inspire users and help them achieve their goals. To learn more about Corel, please visit www.corel.com. About Parallels Parallels is a global leader in cross-platform and virtualization solutions that make it simple for businesses and individuals to securely access applications and data on any device, anywhere. Parallels operates two core businesses. Parallels Desktop enables individuals and organizations to run Windows applications on Mac computers, providing a seamless, native-like experience without changing devices or disrupting workflows. Parallels Workspace Solutions deliver simple, flexible, and secure virtual applications and desktops through Parallels RAS, Parallels DaaS, and Parallels Browser Isolation, offering a modern, cost-effective alternative to traditional VDI across hybrid and cloud environments. Together, Parallels helps customers reduce complexity, streamline IT operations, improve security, and deliver a seamless user experience across Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iOS, Android, and the cloud and emerging application models. To learn more, visit www.parallels.com. About Vector Capital Vector Capital is a leading, San Francisco-based investment firm focused on transformational investments in middle-market technology and technology-enabled businesses. Founded in 1997, Vector manages over $4 billion of capital across credit and private equity strategies on behalf of a high-quality group of global limited partners. For over 29 years, Vector has combined technology investments with operational transformation to deliver breakthrough results. For more information, visitwww.vectorcapital.com. Media Contact For Corel: Beatrice Vogel, Director of Corporate Communications, beatrice.vogel@corel.com For Vector Capital: Nathaniel Garnick / Grace Cartwright Gasthalter & Co. (212) 257-4170 vector@gasthalter.com 2026 Corel Corporation. All rights reserved. Corel, CorelDRAW, MindManager and WinZip are trademarks or registered trademarks of Corel Corporation. Parallels is a registered trademark of Parallels International GmbH. All other company, product and service names, logos, brands and any registered or unregistered trademarks mentioned are used for identification purposes only and remain the exclusive property of their respective owners. For all notices and legal information please visit www.corel.com/en/legal-information/ and www.parallels.com/about/legal/ Novato, California--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Safety Training Seminars, a leading provider of emergency response education, is proud to announce the opening of its newest CPR Certification school in Novato, California. The new location expands access to high-quality lifesaving training for dentists, medical professionals, and healthcare workers living and working throughout Marin County. Safety Training Seminars Opens New CPR Certification School in Novato To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/285481_safety.jpg CPR Classes from Basic to Advanced Life Support in Novato The Novato school will offer Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) courses, designed to meet the certification and renewal requirements of healthcare professionals across a wide range of clinical settings. Courses emphasize hands-on skills, real-world scenarios, and confidence-building instruction to ensure participants are fully prepared to respond in emergencies. Safety Training Seminars has built a strong reputation across California for providing convenient, instructor-led training with flexible scheduling, including weekday and weekend options. The new Novato location continues that mission by reducing travel time for Marin County professionals who previously had to commute farther for certification. "Opening our Novato training center is about making lifesaving education more accessible to the people who need it most," said Laura Seidel, owner of Safety Training Seminars. "Healthcare professionals already carry enormous responsibility. Our goal is to remove barriers to high-quality training so they can stay compliant, confident, and ready to act when seconds matter." The new CPR school is particularly well suited for dentists and dental teams, nurses, physicians, paramedics, and allied health professionals who require official CPR certification for licensing, credentialing, or employment. Classes are taught by experienced instructors with clinical backgrounds and focus on both technical skill mastery and team-based response. With the addition of the Novato location, Safety Training Seminars continues its commitment to strengthening emergency preparedness across local communities by equipping healthcare providers with the skills needed to save lives. Besides CPR training, this school also provides BLS, ACLS, PALS, and First-aid renewal courses in Marin County. About Safety Training Seminars Safety Training Seminars is a CPR and life support school boasting over 70 offices across the State of California covering Alameda County, Contra County, Central Valley, Sacramento, San Francisco, Peninsula, North Bay, South Bay, San Jose, Chico and Redding. Following the latest AHA 2025 Guidelines, students can complete their training through dedicated elearning before showcasing the skills and any center to acquire their official certification card the same day. For more information, please visit safetytrainingseminars.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285481 Source: Plentisoft NURNBERG (NUREMBERG), Germany, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Forum on Shooting Activities (WFSA) has named brothers Franco Gussalli Beretta and Pietro Gussalli Beretta as recipients of its highest honor, the Dr. Vito Genco Shooting Ambassador Award. Franco Gussalli Beretta accepted the award on behalf of both brothers during the WFSA plenary session at the IWA OutdoorClassics trade fair. "It is an immense honour to present our top award to leaders who embody the very essence of what our organisation promotes-excellence in hunting, sport shooting, and responsible civilian firearms ownership," said Tony Bernardo, president of WFSA. "To bestow this honour during the 500th anniversary of the Beretta company makes the recognition especially meaningful." The Dr. Vito Genco Shooting Ambassador Award recognizes individuals worldwide for extraordinary contributions to hunting and sport shooting. Past recipients include Olympic athletes, authors, and public figures, among them the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. In his statement, Franco Gussalli Beretta said, "We are deeply grateful to receive this award from WFSA, an organisation that champions scientific research, tradition, values, and innovation within the global shooting community." Among multiple positions they each hold within the group, Franco Gussalli Beretta is president and CEO of Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta, while Pietro Gussalli Beretta serves as president and CEO of Beretta Holding. Founded in 1526, Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta is marking its 500th anniversary this year. The plenary session also marked WFSA's 30th anniversary, highlighted in a presentation by past president Graham Downing, and included an honorary award to Juergen Kohlheim for his long-standing service on the Executive Committee. Additional topics and panel discussions included shooting disciplines at the LA2028 Olympics, presented by ISSF Secretary-General Alessandro Nicotra di San Giacomo; proposed EU lead ammunition restrictions, presented by Squire Patton Boggs attorney and AFEMS consultant Peter Sellar; and a new WFSA international policy database tool presented by Charles Fowler, Chair of the WFSA Image Committee. About WFSA The World Forum on Shooting Activities (WFSA) is an international non-governmental organization in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Founded in 1996, it includes more than 50 national, regional, and international organizations and works to preserve hunting and sport shooting traditions through cooperation with governments and international institutions. More information: www.wfsa.net Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2921368/WFSA__The_World_Forum_on_Shooting_Activities__logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/wfsa-honors-franco-and-pietro-gussalli-beretta-with-the-dr-vito-genco-shooting-ambassador-award-302698696.html Vertical Structural Continuity Emerging in DDH-26-01 Nova Scotia Introduces Purpose-Built Natural Hydrogen Legislation Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. (CSE: QIMC) (OTCQB: QIMCF) (FSE: 7FJ) ("QIMC" or the "Company") reports that drill hole DDH-26-01 has intersected a second hydrogen-associated structural zone at approximately 313 metres depth at its West Advocate Project, Nova Scotia. This interval from approximately 313 metres to 330 metres depth is distinct from the previously reported 40-metre hydrogen-bearing fault corridor encountered between 142 and 191 metres. The identification of two vertically separated hydrogen-associated structural zones within a single borehole supports the interpretation of a structurally controlled, multi-zone natural hydrogen system and further strengthens QIMC's H2 geological model. Drilling at DDH-26-01 remains ongoing toward the planned total depth of 650 metres. This development coincides with the Government of Nova Scotia's introduction of the Powering the Economy Act (Bill No. 193), proposed legislation that regulates natural hydrogen as a subsurface energy resource within the Province. This legislative development directly enhances investment certainty and long-term planning capability and demonstrates the Province's and Premier Houston's commitment to establishing Nova Scotia as a hub for responsible clean energy development. The Company's exploration at West Advocate involves no hydraulic fracturing and no reservoir stimulation. What This Means for Investors DDH-26-01 has now intersected hydrogen-associated structural intervals at approximately 142 metres and 313 metres depth within a single borehole, supporting the interpretation of a multi-zone, structurally controlled natural hydrogen system rather than an isolated occurrence. In natural hydrogen exploration, structural repetition across depth is a recognized indicator of system continuity and scale. This result further strengthens QIMC's working geological model and provides a defined, systematic, data-driven pathway for the next phases of its Nova Scotia natural hydrogen exploration program. CEO Commentary John Karagiannidis, President & CEO of QIMC, stated: "Intersecting a second hydrogen-associated structural zone at 320 metres while Hole 1 continues drilling toward 650 metres significantly strengthens our geological interpretation of West Advocate as a structurally controlled, multi-zone system. We are observing vertically separated brecciated intervals within a single borehole that exhibit geochemical characteristics consistent with hydrogen-bearing environments. The Province of Nova Scotia's introduced regulatory framework provides the clarity necessary to responsibly advance multi-well exploration strategies and support long-term planning and investment. As we continue defining structural continuity through drilling and logging, this regulatory certainty underpins our disciplined, systematic approach and we commend the Province for its proactive clean energy leadership." Project Geologist Commentary Edward Procyshyn, Project Geologist, commented: "Drill logging has identified within the second structural fault zone three separate brecciated shear zones that are progressively more altered and sheared downhole. With progressive alteration, the breccia fragments become more completely replaced by finely crystalline massive dark carbon-graphite and dark mica. Each underlying shear zone is more highly altered than the overlying shear zone. The middle and lower altered shear zones were most highly altered and develop dark, very finely granular, massive carbon-rich intervals 0.5 to 1 metre thick. These highly altered core intervals contain the highest measured hydrogen gas values. The host rock within the structural fault zone is also progressively altered as the intensity of shear deformation increases downhole. Thinly bedded, finely granular siltstone, dark carbonaceous mudstone, and fanglomerate are progressively recrystallized to form, within the structural fault zone, massive white, very fine-grained porcelain-like units cut by darker web to lenticular fractures. As shear fracturing and alteration increase in intensity downhole, the intervening porcellanite-like host changes colour from white to pale green and finally to darker greenish grey, indicating mineralogical changes due to increasing conditions of alteration." Edward Procyshyn continued: "The progressive hydrothermal alteration of this structural fault shear zone supports the model that white native hydrogen is being increasingly generated at lower crustal levels by degassing of a magmatic system and being transported by advective hydrothermal fluids into the fault-related shear structures. This suggests that the degassing may be generated by injection of mantle plumes into the upper crust within the West Advocate area and that this process may have contributed significant amounts of white hydrogen gas that was and is presently being measured in the intersected structural zones and at surface in the soil-gas samples. The very low to absent quantities of methane contained in the measured gases support the concept that hydrogen is being generated from crustal sources in a naturally occurring hydrogen system rather than from a conventional hydrocarbon occurrence." Gas Monitoring Observations at 313m Parameter Observation Hydrogen (H2) Elevated concentrations detected Oxygen (O2) Depleted relative to atmospheric levels Methane (CH4) None detected Hydraulic fracturing / stimulation Not conducted Measurements were collected in ambient atmospheric air near the borehole collar and during core handling and are subject to atmospheric dilution. 2026 Drill Program: Five-Hole Campaign DDH-26-01 is the first hole in a planned five-hole 2026 drill program designed to systematically evaluate structural hydrogen corridors at West Advocate and adjacent targets. Hole 1 (DDH-26-01): Drilling continues toward planned 650 metres depth. Hole 2 (DDH-26-02): Planned from same pad; oriented N297 with 55 plunge to the northwest. Hole 3 (DDH-26-03): Eatonville Road area along the Reid Line; planned to 700 metres depth. Holes 4 & 5 (DDH-26-04 and DDH-26-05): Bennett Hill targets testing the broader regional structural hydrogen corridor. Nova Scotia Legislation Nova Scotia's proposed legislation reflects a broader recognition by governments that natural hydrogen warrants a dedicated regulatory framework, a development that directly benefits companies with active exploration programs in the province. QIMC is a publicly listed companies with a scientifically rigorous, active 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 350 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/285492 Source: Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. eConsent solution deploys in under four weeks, integrates with any EDC, and delivers affordable, patient-centric digital consent AUSTIN, TX / ACCESS Newswire / February 26, 2026 / DATATRAK International, Inc.'s (OTC:DTRK) DATATRAK Powered by Fountayn unified eClinical, eSource, and decentralized clinical trial (DCT) platform, announces the release of its standalone eConsent solution designed to help sponsors, CROs, and sites modernize informed consent while reducing startup timelines and technology costs. The new eConsent offering can be deployed in under four weeks and is available as a lightweight, cost-effective module or as a fully integrated component of the DATATRAK Powered by Fountayn EDC and DCT ecosystem. Unlike many eConsent tools that are bundled only within large, expensive ePRO or DCT packages, DATATRAK's standalone eConsent delivers flexible pricing so study teams can implement digital informed consent without paying for an entire ePRO system they do not need. Reasonable, study-level pricing makes eConsent accessible for a broader range of trials and budgets, including early-phase, single-site, and investigator-initiated studies. "Study teams want the benefits of modern eConsent-faster startup, better participant understanding, and cleaner documentation-without lengthy implementations or bloated platform costs," said Alex Tabatabai, CEO, DATATRAK. "Our standalone eConsent is purpose-built to launch quickly, fit into existing study infrastructure, and scale seamlessly when sponsors are ready to expand into DATATRAK EDC, ePRO, RTSM, CTMS, or full decentralized clinical trials." Fast Startup, IND-Ready Timelines The DATATRAK eConsent solution is designed for implementation timelines of under four weeks, allowing study teams to go live in time for IND or ethics approval and first-patient-in milestones. Configuration is supported by reusable templates and best-practice workflows that help streamline approvals and site activation. Standalone eConsent with Enterprise-Grade Integration The eConsent module can be used as a standalone utility and integrated with third-party infrastructure, including external EDC, RTSM, CTMS, and eTMF systems, or deployed as a native component of DATATRAK EDC. When used with DATATRAK EDC, consent data and enrollment status are seamlessly connected to subject records, randomization, and visit schedules, enabling true end-to-end digital trial execution on a single platform. Key Capabilities Include: 1. Standalone eConsent that integrates with third-party clinical trial systems or EDC 2. Seamless integration with the consent and enrollment workflow in EDC 3. Support for remote and decentralized clinical trials with patient access from any device 4. Designed for protocol amendments and regulatory workflows DATATRAK's eConsent simplifies managing protocol amendments and re-consent, a common pain point for sponsors and sites. Study teams can easily trigger and track re-consent when protocol changes occur, ensuring every participant is on the correct version and that audit trails remain inspection-ready. The system also supports tracking and managing supporting documents such as witness statements, translations, and supplemental information, helping maintain complete, compliant records across sites and regions. Flexible Patient Engagement and Enrollment Options To support both site-based and remote enrollment, the eConsent solution enables sites to invite participants using multiple methods: email links, QR codes patients can scan on their own device, or direct registration by the physician or site staff. Sites can also schedule consent visits prior to trial enrollment, helping ensure participants have adequate time to review materials, ask questions, and complete consent in a controlled, compliant workflow. When combined with DATATRAK's EDC, ePRO, and eSource capabilities, sponsors can extend the same patient-centric digital experience beyond consent to ongoing data collection and engagement throughout the study. About DATATRAK DATATRAK Powered by Fountayn is transforming healthcare and life sciences through technological innovations by providing a unified, cloud based eClinical and decentralized clinical trial platform that brings together EDC, eSource, ePRO/eCOA, eConsent, RTSM, RBM, Adjudication, Imaging, Safety, Global Oversight and Enterprise Workflow Management, CTMS, eTMF, and DCT tools in a single, configurable environment. With global access from any device and a single-source data model, DATATRAK helps sponsors, CROs, and sites accelerate study timelines, improve data quality, and reduce operational burden across all phases of clinical research. DATATRAK complies with the highest Quality Assurance standards that are 21 CFR Part 11, GDPR, GCP, HIPAA, and CDISC compliant that are fully validated by our experienced team of software quality engineers. DATATRAK's cloud-based platform is trusted in 83 countries, 6 continents, for over 10,000 clinical trials. DATATRAK is based in Austin, Texas and has team members and data hosting infrastructure in its key service regions of the United States, Europe, and Japan. For more information, visit www.fountayn.com or www.datatrak.com. Contact: sales@fountayn.com SOURCE: Datatrak International View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/datatrak-standalone-econsent-accelerates-clinical-trials-1141923 GreenSome Finance reiterates its "Buy" recommendation on ODIOT S.A following its capital increase Paris, 26 February 2026 at 6:30 pm ODIOT SA (Euronext Paris, - Ticker: MLODT) informs the market of the publication of a new financial research report prepared by GreenSome Finance, an independent research firm specialising in the analysis of listed companies. This publication follows the capital increase of 2.1 million recently completed by the Company, an operation that has significantly strengthened its shareholders' equity. Confirmation of the Buy recommendation In its report dated 23 February 2026, GreenSome Finance reiterates its Buy recommendation on ODIOT's shares, maintaining a target price of 60.40, representing an upside potential of approximately +59% based on a share price of 38 at the time of the report. The firm notably highlights the Group's repositioning and the expected improvement in its financial profile following the restructuring actions undertaken in recent financial years. Highlighting of the Group's heritage and industrial fundamentals GreenSome underlines the Company's strong heritage and industrial value, based on: ODIOT's positioning in the high-end luxury segment; the historical reputation of the brands; the control of a production platform built on exceptional craftsmanship. The report also notes that the Company benefits from a unique collection of models, matrices and moulds built up over the centuries, enabling it to control the entire value chain. The full report is available on the ODIOT SA corporate website. About ODIOT SA ODIOT SA is one of the oldest and most prestigious French silversmith brands, founded in 1690. A leading figure of the 18th and 19th centuries, it was a supplier to the Royal Families as well as to Emperor Napoleon I. Renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship, the brand creates outstanding silversmith pieces in solid silver and vermeil, perpetuating a tradition of excellence passed down for more than three centuries. ODIOT SA also owns the brands Tetard Freres, Biennais and Rouge Pullon, further strengthening its positioning in the high-end silversmithing trades and related services. Odiot and Rouge Pullon are distinguished as Company of Living Heritage (Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant) by the French Minister of Economy. Investor Relations Contact: investors@odiotholding.com Press Relations: odiotholding@aelium.fr ODIOT S.A (Euronext Access, - Ticker: MLODT) www.odiotholding.com ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: nW1wlcVslmrImWltYZllbZNlmWlolGaWaWWdyGdplJiabZpgm2dqacqeZnJnnGxp - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-96773-20260226_pr-odiot-updategreensome-en.pdf Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Minaurum Silver Inc. (TSXV: MGG) (OTCQX: MMRGF) (FSE: 78M0) ("Minaurum" or the "Company") is pleased to report that six drill rigs are now operating at its Alamos Silver Project as part of the Phase II - 50,000-metre resource expansion drill program. Minaurum will continue step-out drilling on vein zones with established resources at Europa and Promontorio-Travesia, while initiating resource-definition drilling on several additional veins, including San Jose, Quintera, Cotera-Pulpito, and Minas Nuevas. Recent step-out drilling at Europa has returned multiple high-grade silver intercepts, including: 0.50 m of 524 g/t silver equivalent ("AgEq") in hole AL25-172, 0.30 m of 1,032 g/t AgEq in hole AL25-174 and 1.40 m of 290 g/t AgEq in hole AL25-175. At Travesia-Quintera, step-out drilling returned 2.55 m of 197 g/t AgEq, including 0.40 m grading 567 g/t AgEq in hole AL25-173 (see Table 1). "With the continued success of our step-out drilling at the Europa vein zone, we are pleased to have expanded our drill fleet from four to six rigs," stated Darrell Rader, President and CEO of Minaurum Silver. "Supported by an inferred resource of 55 million ounces AgEq at Alamos and a fully funded 50,000-metre resource expansion program currently underway, Minaurum is well positioned to deliver an updated mineral resource estimate in the second half of 2026. We anticipate a steady increase in drill results as the expanded fleet advances the program." Mineralization at the Europa and Travesia-Quintera zones has intersected high-grade silver over narrower widths that clearly define the margins of the robust silver shoots. The vein system displays a well-developed pinch-and-swell geometry along strike and down-dip, characterized by variations in vein thickness and grade. This continuity is exemplified by Hole AL25-163 at Europa, which returned 12.35 metres grading 408 g/t AgEq, including 3.20 metres of 1,277 g/t AgEq, in a 250-metre step-out (see Minaurum news release dated February 10, 2026), demonstrating a potentially large expansion of the mineralized envelope. At Quintera, drilling continues to intersect mineralization within and surrounding historic underground workings, as well as in parallel hanging-wall veins and along strike. Figure 1. Plan view showing locations of Travesia, Quintera, Promontorio, and Europa vein zones, showing areas of the current resource estimate and areas to be drilled in 2026 to expand the resource. Click to enlarge. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3455/285489_8c7cd3810420b91b_003full.jpg Figure 2. Longitudinal section of Europa vein zone, showing locations of highlighted mineralized intersections. Click to enlarge. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3455/285489_8c7cd3810420b91b_004full.jpg Figure 3. Cross sections of Europa and Nueva Europa vein zones, showing holes AL25-172 and AL25-174. EV=volcanic rocks, CZ=marble and skarn, GR=granodiorite. Click to enlarge. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3455/285489_8c7cd3810420b91b_005full.jpg Table 1. Assay highlights of drill holes AL25-168 through AL25-178, Alamos project. EUROPA Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Est. True width (m) Ag g/t Au g/t Cu % Pb % Zn % AgEq g/t AL25-168 18.35 18.85 0.50 0.40 45.6 0.015 0.01 0.011 0.055 49 AL25-171 387.35 387.90 0.55 0.50 74.8 0.008 0.099 0.104 0.222 91 AL25-172 141.55 142.05 0.50 0.45 469 0.093 0.25 0.434 0.695 524 189.50 190.20 0.70 0.65 64.3 0.224 0.078 1.775 2.22 179 233.55 234.45 0.90 0.80 124 0.004 0.433 1.31 5.43 316 259.10 259.60 0.50 0.45 82.2 0.001 0.124 0.272 0.621 113 267.00 267.50 0.50 0.45 54.9 0.011 0.542 0.055 0.065 105 291.90 292.90 1.00 0.90 164 0.268 0.208 0.773 1.483 256 AL25-174 220.35 220.90 0.55 0.45 93.1 0.01 0.295 0.448 0.999 152 362.85 363.20 0.35 0.30 23.5 0.012 0.085 0.167 3.57 120 364.15 365.50 1.35 1.10 218.8 0.004 0.075 0.547 1.21 265 including 365.20 365.50 0.30 0.25 936 0.159 0.218 1.09 1.765 1032 366.90 367.35 0.45 0.35 89 0.114 0.116 2.58 1.815 204 AL25-175 134.20 136.35 2.15 1.85 77 0.016 0.02 0.115 0.538 95 467.05 470.85 3.80 3.20 139 0.021 0.474 0.209 0.427 195 including 468.40 469.80 1.40 1.15 226 0.015 0.557 0.2 0.472 290 AL25-177 220.85 221.35 0.50 0.35 27.5 0.088 0.265 1.465 1.65 126 241.95 242.65 0.70 0.50 75.4 0.103 0.376 0.136 0.651 135 QUINTERA-TRAVESIA Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Est. True width (m) Ag g/t Au g/t Cu % Pb % Zn % AgEq g/t AL25-169 311.10 311.40 0.30 0.25 4.8 0.004 0.001 0.557 2.51 76 AL25-170 188.90 190.25 1.35 1.15 81 0.018 0.191 0.186 0.221 108 AL25-173 309.45 312.00 2.55 2.20 170 0.036 0.2 0.16 0.171 197 including 309.45 309.85 0.40 0.35 507 0.061 0.607 0.107 0.045 567 AL25-176 46.05 46.45 0.40 0.35 22.9 0.003 0.131 0.611 2.17 98 AL25-178 39.90 40.40 0.50 0.45 72.8 0.006 0.187 0.093 0.251 97 137.30 138.15 0.85 0.70 171 0.015 0.418 1.4 0.583 250 169.70 170.45 0.75 0.65 311 0.026 0.676 0.912 0.525 401 Estimated true widths are based on current interpretation of mineralized structures. Weight-averaged silver-equivalent grades (AgEq g/t) are based on: October 1, 2025 Long-term CIBC Global Mining Group Analyst Consensus Commodity Price Forecast: Ag $29.73/tr oz, Au $2,646/tr oz, Cu $4.34/lb, Pb $0.92/lb, Zn $1.21/lb. Metallurgical recovery assumption: 88.3% for Ag, 88.5% for Au, 75.5% for Cu, 83% for Pb, 75% for Zn. Figure 4. Longitudinal section of Travesia-Promontorio vein zones, showing locations of highlighted mineralized intersections. Click to enlarge. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3455/285489_8c7cd3810420b91b_006full.jpg Follow us and stay updated: YouTube: @MinaurumSilver X: @MinaurumSilver LinkedIn: Minaurum Silver Inc Facebook: Minaurum Silver Inc. Subscribe to our email list at www.minaurum.com Minaurum Silver Inc. (TSXV: MGG) (OTCQX: MMRGF) (FSE: 78M0) is an Americas-focused explorer concentrating on the high-grade 100% owned, production-permitted Alamos silver project in southern Sonora, Mexico and the Lone Mountain CRD Project in Nevada, USA. Minaurum is managed by one of the strongest technical and finance teams and will continue its founders' legacy of creating shareholder value by acquiring and developing a pipeline of Tier-One precious-and base metal projects. The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. _________________________________________________________________________ 1570- 200 Burrard Street Telephone: 1 778 330-0994 Vancouver, BC V6C 3L6 www.minaurum.com info@minaurum.com Data review and verification: Stephen R. Maynard, Vice President of Exploration of Minaurum and a Qualified Person (QP) as defined by National Instrument 43-101, reviewed and verified the assay data, and has approved the disclosure in this news release. Verification was done by visual inspection of core samples and comparison to assay results. Assay results have not been checked by re-analysis. No factors were identified that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data presented in this news release. Analytical Procedures and Quality Assurance/Quality Control: Preparation and assaying of drilling samples from Minaurum's Alamos project are done with strict adherence to a Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) protocol. Core samples are sawed in half and then bagged in a secure facility near the site and then shipped either by a licensed courior by Company personnel to ALS Minerals' preparation facility in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. ALS prepares the samples, crushing them to 70% less than 2mm, splitting off 250g, and pulverizing the split to more than 85% passing 75 microns. The resulting sample pulps are prepared in Hermosillo and then shipped to Vancouver for chemical analysis by ALS Minerals. In Vancouver, the pulps are analyzed for gold by fire assay and ICP/AES on a 30-gram charge. In addition, analyses are done for silver, copper, lead, and zinc using 4-acid digestion and ICP analysis. Samples with silver values greater than 100 g/t; and copper, lead, or zinc values greater than 10,000 ppm (1%) are re-analyzed using 4-acid digestion and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Quality-control (QC) samples are inserted in the sample stream every 20 samples on average, and thus represent 5% of the total samples. QC samples include standards, blanks, and duplicate samples. Standards are pulps that have been prepared by a third-party laboratory; they have gold, silver, and base-metal values that are established by an extensive analytical process in which several commercial labs (including ALS Minerals) participate. Standards test the calibration of the analytical equipment. Blanks are rock material known from prior sampling to contain less than 0.005 ppm gold; they test the sample preparation procedure for cross-sample contamination. In the case of duplicates, the sample interval is cut in half and then quartered. The first quarter is the original sample, the second becomes the duplicate. Duplicate samples provide a test of the reproducibility of assays in the same drilled interval. When final assays are received, QC sample results are inspected for deviation from accepted values. To date, QC sample analytical results have fallen in acceptable ranges on the Alamos project. When final assays are received, QC sample results are inspected for deviation from accepted values by the QP. To date, QC sample analytical results have fallen in acceptable ranges on the Alamos project. ALS Minerals is independent of Minaurum Silver and is independent of the Qualified Person. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including the Resource Estimate; the ongoing Phase II 50,000 m resource expansion drill program; and the completion of an updated resource estimate in the second half of 2026. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof 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" or the negative connotation thereof. In making the forward-looking information in this release, Minaurum has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on Minaurum's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Minaurum, including that Minaurum will be able to obtain all necessary permits and approvals for planned exploration and drilling activities; that Minaurum's planned drilling and exploration activities will be completed on the expected timeline, or at all; that the results of the drilling and exploration activities will be as expected; that Minaurum will be able to complete the updated mineral resource estimate on the timelines expected, or at all; and that Minaurum will have the financial resources to complete its ongoing drill program and anticipated updated mineral resource estimate. Although Minaurum considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking information in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking information. In making the forward-looking information in this release, Minaurum has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on Minaurum's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Minaurum. Although Minaurum considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking information in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking information, including risks relating to the actual results of drilling or exploration activities, fluctuating silver prices, possibility of equipment breakdowns and delays, drilling or exploration cost overruns, availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions, regulatory changes and timeliness of government or regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Minaurum does not intend, and 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 law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285489 Source: Minaurum Silver Inc. Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Rain City Resources Inc. (CSE:RAIN) ("RAIN" or "the Company") is providing a bi-weekly update on the status of its Management Cease Trade Order ("MCTO") granted by the Alberta Securities Commission on January 29, 2026. The MCTO was granted due to the Company's inability to file its annual audited financial statements, annual management's discussion and analysis and certification of the annual filings for the year ended September 30, 2025 (the "Required Filings") by the January 28, 2026 deadline resulting in a default under Part 4 of National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations ("Default"). The audit is progressing expeditiously, and the Company is on track to file the Required Filings on or before March 30, 2026. The Company continues to work towards obtaining financing required for audit costs, filing fees and general working capital. The Required Filings and the Company's interim reports are expected to be completed on or before the March 30, 2026, relief period deadline. Additionally, on or before March 30, 2026, the Company will also be required to file its Q1 interim financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2025, including management's discussion and analysis for the same period and management certifications of interim filings. While the MCTO is in effect, the general investing public will continue to be able to trade freely in the Company's listed common shares. However, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer will not be able to trade the Company's shares. The Company intends to comply with the provisions of the alternative information guidelines as set out in National Policy 12-203 for as long as it remains in default, including the issuance of bi-weekly default status reports, each of which will be issued in the form of a news release. Other than as disclosed in this news release, the Company also confirms that, at the date hereof, there are no insolvency proceedings against it and no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed as of the date of this press release. About Rain City Resources Inc.: Rain is an integrated critical mineral technology and project development company committed to addressing the environmental, social, and economic challenges of lithium and critical mineral extraction from brine. By advancing scalable, water-conscious DLE solutions, Rain is helping drive the transition to a clean energy future. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding: the Company's proposed financing plans and management expectations that it will miss the filing deadline for the Required Filings and the Company's ability to file the Required Filings within the time period described herein; discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions. These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: the Company being unable to execute its business plans as intended; the Company being unable to file the Required Filings in the proposed timeframe; the Company being unable to secure adequate financing; recent market volatility; and the state of the financial markets for the Company's securities. 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. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285497 Source: Rain City Resources Inc. EQS-News: EnergyNet Ltd. / Key word(s): Miscellaneous United States (U.S.) Secretary of Energy Chris Wright is back to Powering Africa Summit 2026 to discuss energy access and clean cooking 26.02.2026 / 20:30 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Building on last year's focus, 'The Future of the US & Africa Energy Partnership', PAS 2026 will analyse how US foreign policy is transforming under the current administration, including through investment-led commercial diplomacy WASHINGTON, D.C., United States of America, February 26, 2026/APO Group/ -- U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright will return to Powering Africa Summit (PAS), taking place in Washington, D.C. on 19-20 March 2026, where he will take part in a fireside chat focused on energy access and clean cooking. Having provided a keynote address and participated in a fireside chat at the 10th anniversary PAS 2025, Secretary Wright will again join policymakers and industry leaders at this year's Summit to discuss US-Africa cooperation across energy infrastructure, critical minerals and investment strategies. Building on last year's focus, 'The Future of the US & Africa Energy Partnership', PAS 2026 will analyse how US foreign policy is transforming under the current administration, including through investment-led commercial diplomacy. Within this year's theme, 'Powering the US-Africa Partnership: Energy Infrastructure, Critical Minerals & Investment Strategies', a spotlight will be shone on progress since PAS 2025, and the role of reciprocal agreements in advancing critical minerals development and increasing trade between the US and Africa. Some of the Summit's key sessions will explore large scale infrastructure investment, guarantees and financing, and how gas strategies between the US and Africa are increasing energy security and bilateral trade, with several senior government leaders set to attend, including: H.E. Honourable Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Vice President, Liberia H.E. Honourable Dr. Eng. Habtamu Itefa Geleta, Minister of Water & Energy, Ethiopia H.E. Honourable John Abdulai Jinapor, Minister for Energy & Green Transition, Ghana Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), will be in attendance to provide welcome remarks at the summit, alongside Adam Cortese - CEO of renewable energy solutions specialist Sun Africa - who will provide the summit sponsor welcome address. Cortese commented: "Sun Africa is proud to sponsor the Powering Africa Summit 2026 at this transformative time for US-Africa energy collaboration. Secretary Wright's continued leadership and engagement underscore the growing commitment to practical, investment-driven solutions that expand energy access and unlock opportunities in critical minerals and infrastructure. We look forward to meaningful dialogue with ministers, policymakers, and industry partners to advance win-win initiatives grounded in pragmatism and profitability, ensuring sustainable success that will withstand the test of time." Senior representatives from other leading global organisations, agencies and institutions include: John Jovanovic, Chairman, U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM) Nicholas Checker, Senior Bureau Official, Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State Thomas Hardy, Deputy Director & COO, U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Daniel Petrie, Acting Chief of Staff, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Nancy Rivera, MD, U.S. International Development Finance Group (DFC) Simon Gosling, Managing Director of EnergyNet, commented: "We're delighted to be back for the 11th Powering Africa summit in Washington DC next month, and of course to be welcoming Energy Secretary Chris Wright back to the Summit to meet with stakeholders and to discuss the future of US/Africa relations. At last year's Summit the Secretary talked about America's [all of government approach] to partnering with African nations, and we're pleased to have confirmed such a broad, high level representation from across State, Energy, Exim, DFC, MCC and Commerce to provide those necessary insights into the Trump Administration policies..." Alongside Summit Sponsor Sun Africa, Petrodex joins as the Lead Sponsor, Genesis Energy as the Networking App Sponsor, and Lagos State Office of Works as the African Government Partner. Other sponsors include Endeavor Energy, Denham Capital, Mission 300 and HYDRO-LINK. Associate Sponsors include Absa, Alliant, Allied Talent Partners, A&O Shearman, Nant Power, NRECA International and McDermott, Will & Schulte. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of EnergyNet Ltd.. Download Image: https://apo-opa.co/4baBSpc Saudi Electricity Company Launches New Corporate Identity RIYADH, SA / ACCESS Newswire / February 26, 2026 / Saudi Electricity Company launched today its new corporate identity and announced its official rebranding as Saudi Energy (SE), in a move that reflects the company's expanding role within the Kingdom's energy ecosystem and aligns with the structural transformation underway in Saudi Arabia's energy sector. The step supports the company's efforts to enhance energy supply security and grid reliability in line with the objectives of Vision 2030. Eng. Khalid Al-Ghamdi, Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Energy, said the transformation builds on financial, regulatory and structural reforms implemented in the electricity sector since 2020 under the Ministerial Committee for the Restructuring of the Electricity Sector, chaired by HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy, to achieve the sector's objectives and improve service quality for consumers. Al-Ghamdi emphasized that the new identity draws on the company's established legacy, marks a new chapter in its journey, and represents an evolution in role and responsibility rather than a change in its core business. He noted that the launch constitutes a strategic step toward reinforcing a modern institutional image grounded in trust, sustainability and future readiness, reaffirming Saudi Energy's commitment to supporting the energy sector and contributing to sustainable growth and prosperity across the Kingdom. "We are building on a strong legacy in the electricity sector and moving forward with an identity that reflects our readiness for a more integrated phase. We will continue contributing efficiently to the national energy system and enhancing service reliability, in alignment with the strategic direction of the Ministry of Energy and the objectives of Vision 2030," Al-Ghamdi said. The company affirmed that its renaming to Saudi Energy reflects its role within the Kingdom's national energy ecosystem, including the development and execution of energy storage projects and systems, as well as its pivotal role in enabling the energy sector's transformation. This includes enhancing sector reliability and efficiency by achieving an optimal electricity generation mix, displacing liquid fuels to strengthen supply security, modernizing, automating and expanding transmission and distribution networks, increasing localization, attracting investment, and advancing the Kingdom's environmental objectives. It added that the launch of the new identity builds on the company's long-standing national legacy in supplying electricity across the Kingdom and reinforces its position as a key enabler of electrical infrastructure. It also highlights its central role in enhancing grid reliability, modernizing and automating its infrastructure, and supporting the integration of energy sources, contributing to system stability and long-term energy security. The evolution continues under the existing regulatory framework governing the company's licensed activities across generation, transmission, distribution, storage and power system enablement, ensuring continuity in its operating model and governance structure. The company said that under its new identity, Saudi Energy places customer centricity at the core of its operating strategy, embodied in its corporate promise, "Around you, for you." It added that it remains committed to enhancing customer experience, strengthening service quality, advancing digital engagement channels and responding effectively to the needs of individuals, businesses and industrial sectors, contributing to improved quality of life and economic competitiveness. The company added that the transformation further aligns Saudi Energy with international best practices in managing and operating energy networks and critical infrastructure, strengthening operational efficiency and reinforcing its role as a key enabler of electrical infrastructure, while supporting the Kingdom's broader positioning as a global energy hub. Restricted - ???? Contact Information: Saudi Energy 966920001100 933@se.com.sa SOURCE: Saudi Electricity Company View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/oil-gas-and-energy/saudi-electricity-company-launches-new-corporate-identity-rebrands-as-saudi-ener-1141551 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Phenom Resources Corp. (TSXV: PHNM) (FSE: 1PY0) ("Phenom" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced non brokered private placement financing (the "Offering") and issued an aggregate of 5,000,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.25 per Unit, for total gross proceeds of $1,250,000. Each Unit is comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"), with each Warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire one additional Share at an exercise price of $0.35 per Share for a period of four years from the date of issuance. The net proceeds from the Offering are expected to be used for work programs on the Company's exploration properties and for general working capital. No insiders of the Company participated in the Offering. No finder's fees were paid in connection with the Offering. The Offering was well supported by several existing shareholders who increased their ownership positions. Following completion of the Offering: Rob McEwen through Evanachan Limited will own 5,388,236 common shares, representing approximately 4.4% of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares; Bob Kopple through KF Business Ventures LP will own 7,752,000 common shares, representing approximately 6.3%; and Eric Muschinski through Phenom Ventures LLC will own 8,700,000 common shares, representing approximately 7.1%. The Company has been advised that Evanachan Limited, KF Business Ventures LP and Phenom Ventures LLC are not acting jointly or in concert. All securities issued under the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period expiring June 27, 2026, in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The Offering remains subject to final approval of the TSXV. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons (as defined in the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration is available. In addition, the Company announces that it has granted an aggregate of 1,650,000 stock options (the "Options") to certain directors, officers and consultants of the Company pursuant to its omnibus equity incentive plan. Each Option is exercisable to acquire one common share of the Company (an "Option Share") at an exercise price of $0.275 per Option Share for a period of five years from the date of grant, being February 25, 2026. The Options vest in full on the date of grant. The Options were granted in accordance with the terms of the Company's omnibus equity incentive plan and the policies of the TSXV. Any Option Shares issued upon exercise of the Options will be subject to a four month hold period from the date of grant in accordance with the policies of the TSXV and applicable securities laws. The grant of the Options remains subject to acceptance by the TSXV. About Phenom Resources Corp. Phenom has 100% interest in the Carlin Gold-Vanadium Project, located six miles south from the town of Carlin, Nevada, and Highway I-80 in Elko County, which hosts the Carlin Vanadium deposit, North America's largest highest grade primary vanadium resource. The Company has options on three gold projects in Nevada - the Dobbin and King Solomon Properties, which are Carlin Gold-type targets, and the Crescent Valley Property, a Bonanza high grade gold vein-type target. 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. Forward-looking information Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking" statements. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance and include, but is not limited to, statements regarding the intended use of proceeds of the Offering, including funding work programs on the Company's exploration properties and for general working capital purposes, the receipt of final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, and other statements that are not historical facts. All such statements involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to vary from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, they should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and they will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions on the date of this news release, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations. 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/285525 Source: Phenom Resources Corp. LONDON, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Head and Neck Cancer Therapeutics Market - Growth, Share, Opportunities & Competitive Analysis, 2024 - 2032" report has been added to the offering of Credence Research Inc. The global head and neck cancer therapeutics market is projected to grow from USD 1.58 billion in 2024 to USD 2.6 billion by 2032, reflecting a CAGR of 6.8% over 2024-2032. Growth is supported by rising incidence, expanding use of immunotherapy and targeted therapies, and broader adoption of precision medicine, subject to access and reimbursement constraints across regions. Key Attributes Historical Period: 2020-2023 2020-2023 Base Year: 2024 2024 Forecast Period: 2025-2032 2025-2032 Head and Neck Cancer Therapeutics Market Size 2024: USD 1.58 Billion USD 1.58 Billion Head and Neck Cancer Therapeutics Market Size 2032: USD 2.6 Billion USD 2.6 Billion Head and Neck Cancer Therapeutics Market CAGR (2024-2032): 6.8% Access crucial information at unmatched prices! Request your sample report today and start making informed decisions powered by Credence Research Inc. - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/head-and-neck-cancer-therapeutics-market Rising Prevalence of Head and Neck Cancers Higher prevalence and diagnosis rates of head and neck cancers underpin demand for therapeutics. Tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and HPV infection remain key risk factors in many markets. Some public health agencies report that HPV accounts for a substantial share of throat and mouth cancers, reshaping incidence patterns by subsite and region. These factors expand the treated population and support demand across first-line, recurrent, and metastatic care settings. Population aging further increases risk in many countries, adding to the addressable patient base. However, treatment uptake still depends on stage at diagnosis, timely referral to specialist centers, and patient ability to access and afford care. Advancements in Targeted and Immunotherapy Treatments Targeted therapies and immunotherapies have broadened the available treatment toolkit, particularly in recurrent or metastatic disease and biomarker-defined subgroups. EGFR-directed approaches and monoclonal antibodies are used in certain regimens. Checkpoint inhibitors, including pembrolizumab, have shown survival benefits in selected populations. These modalities can offer different efficacy and safety profiles versus conventional chemotherapy. Clinical benefit, though, varies by tumor type, line of therapy, biomarker status, and patient health. Ongoing clinical trials and label expansions continue to adjust where and how these agents are positioned within treatment pathways. Growing Adoption of Immunotherapy Immunotherapy is becoming a key component of the head and neck cancer treatment landscape. Immune checkpoint inhibitors and other immune-based approaches are gaining traction due to their ability to boost anti-tumor immune responses and extend survival in certain settings. For instance, GeoVax's Phase 2 trial of gene therapy Gedeptin combined with pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in recurrent head and neck cancer aims for pathologic complete responses in 36 patients, reflecting growing interest in immune-based strategies. Regulatory approvals and expanding clinical experience have supported the inclusion of immunotherapy in more treatment protocols. This trend reflects a broader shift in oncology toward immune-modulating approaches, although cost and eligibility criteria still constrain uptake. Market Challenges High Treatment Costs The high cost of advanced treatment options remains a major restraint. Immunotherapies, targeted therapies, and precision diagnostics often carry substantial price tags, which can limit access for many patients, especially in low- and middle-income regions. Expenses from prolonged therapies, companion diagnostics, and supportive care add further burden to patients and health systems. This financial pressure can constrain adoption, even where clinical benefit is demonstrated. Limited Access to Advanced Healthcare Infrastructure Access to specialized oncology services remains uneven. Many patients in developing and underdeveloped regions cannot reach centers that provide advanced therapies or complex diagnostics. Rural areas face gaps in diagnostic capacity, specialist availability, and timely referrals. This imbalance contributes to late-stage diagnosis and reduces the effectiveness of available interventions. The disparity in infrastructure and trained personnel remains a significant barrier to broader adoption of advanced therapeutics. Market Opportunities The increasing adoption of precision medicine presents a key opportunity. Advances in genomic profiling and biomarker identification support development of targeted therapies and more personalized regimens. Tailored treatment strategies can improve clinical outcomes and reduce unnecessary exposure to less effective options. Growing use of immunotherapy and combination regimens offers further opportunity. Integrating checkpoint inhibitors and other immune-based therapies with established treatments can improve survival and address resistance patterns. Firms that focus on novel combinations and biomarker-guided approaches can capture new growth segments. Improving healthcare infrastructure and access in emerging markets also expands opportunity. Investments in oncology centers, diagnostics, and reimbursement schemes can unlock new demand. Strategic collaborations, local trials, and adaptive pricing models can help companies build presence in these regions. Market Segmentation By Therapy Type Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Targeted Therapy By Route of Administration Injectable Oral By Distribution Channel Hospital Pharmacies Retail and Specialty Pharmacies Online Pharmacies By Region North America: United States, Canada United States, Canada Europe: United Kingdom, Germany, France, and others United Kingdom, Germany, France, and others Asia-Pacific: China, India, Japan China, India, Japan Latin America: Brazil, Mexico Brazil, Mexico Middle East and Africa: South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and others Browse Complete Report Originally Published by Credence Research - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/head-and-neck-cancer-therapeutics-market Regional Analysis North America North America is described as accounting for around 40% of global revenue. The region benefits from established oncology infrastructure, high adoption of advanced therapies, and strong clinical research activity. Some sources cite more than 65,000 new head and neck cancer cases per year, supporting consistent treatment demand. Uptake of checkpoint inhibitors such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab has influenced treatment patterns in eligible patients. Reimbursement policies play a central role in shaping access and choice of therapy. Europe Europe is described as contributing around 30% of global share. Public health coverage, oncology research funding, and awareness campaigns support early detection and treatment access. Annual incidence is cited at more than 150,000 cases, with rising HPV-linked disease reported in some subtypes. EU-level initiatives and national programs support personalized medicine and development of novel therapies. Vaccination and prevention may affect long-term incidence, but near-term demand is driven by existing diagnosed populations. Key Player Analysis AstraZeneca Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Clinigen Group plc. Coherus BioSciences Eli Lilly and Company Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Merck & Co. Sanofi Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd Recent Developments In February 2025, Merus N.V. reported that the U.S. FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation for petosemtamab in combination with pembrolizumab for first-line treatment of adults with recurrent or metastatic PD-L1-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (CPS = 1). In March 2025, Aprea Therapeutics signed a Material Transfer Agreement with MD Anderson Cancer Center to evaluate its WEE1 inhibitor, APR-1051, in HPV-positive and HPV-negative head and neck cancers. The work includes preclinical studies on replication stress and evaluation of combination strategies, including with immune checkpoint inhibitors. In April 2025, Akeso, Inc. received U.S. FDA approval for penpulimab-kcqx (a PD-1 monoclonal antibody) in combination with cisplatin or carboplatin and gemcitabine for adult recurrent or metastatic non-keratinizing nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In June 2025, Exelixis discontinued development of zanzalintinib for advanced head and neck cancer, citing a more competitive FGFR-inhibitor landscape. In June 2025, the U.S. FDA approved peri-operative pembrolizumab following KEYNOTE-689 results reporting event-free survival benefit. In July 2025, Rakuten Medical, Inc. expanded patient recruitment to Japan and reported plans to expand to Eastern Europe for its Phase 3 ASP-1929 photoimmunotherapy program in combination with pembrolizumab as first-line therapy for recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In September 2025, Transgene reported positive Phase 1 results for TG4050 in operable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In October 2025, Bicara Therapeutics, Inc. reported that the U.S. FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation for ficerafusp alfa in combination with pembrolizumab for first-line treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In December 2025, Pyxis Oncology reported positive preliminary Phase 1 data for micvotabart pelidotin (MICVO) in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Report Coverage The research report offers an in-depth analysis by Therapy Type, Route of Administration, and Distribution Channel. It profiles leading market players, outlining their business overviews, product portfolios, investment focus, revenue streams, and key applications. The report also examines the competitive environment, SWOT positions, key market trends, and primary drivers and restraints. It reviews market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and technological advances shaping the sector. The analysis includes assessment of macroeconomic factors and healthcare system changes affecting demand. Finally, the report provides strategic recommendations for new entrants and established companies to navigate regulatory complexity, optimize portfolios, and capture growth opportunities in both mature and emerging markets. Browse Complete Report Originally Published by Credence Research - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/head-and-neck-cancer-therapeutics-market Related Reports - Neoantigen-Based Personalized Cancer Therapeutic Vaccines Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/neoantigen-based-personalized-cancer-therapeutic-vaccines-market Colorectal Cancer Therapeutics Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/colorectal-cancer-therapeutics-market Head and Neck Cancer Therapeutics Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/head-and-neck-cancer-therapeutics-market Lung Cancer Therapeutics Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/lung-cancer-therapeutics-market Cancer Therapeutics Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/cancer-therapeutics-market Checkpoint Inhibitor Refractory Cancer Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/checkpoint-inhibitor-refractory-cancer-market Antisense RNAi Therapeutics Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/antisense-rnai-therapeutics-market U.K. Monoclonal Antibodies Therapeutics Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/uk-monoclonal-antibodies-therapeutics-market Italy Monoclonal Antibodies Therapeutics Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/italy-monoclonal-antibodies-therapeutics-market France Monoclonal Antibodies Therapeutics Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/france-monoclonal-antibodies-therapeutics-market Europe Monoclonal Antibodies Therapeutics Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/europe-monoclonal-antibodies-therapeutics-market Australia Monoclonal Antibodies Therapeutics Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/australia-monoclonal-antibodies-therapeutics-market U.S. Monoclonal Antibodies Therapeutics Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/us-monoclonal-antibodies-therapeutics-market mRNA Therapeutics Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/mrna-therapeutics-market Brain Metastasis Therapeutics Market https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/brain-metastasis-therapeutics-market About Us Credence Research Inc is a global market intelligence and consulting firm founded in 2015. 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To find out more, visit www.credenceresearch.com or follow us on X.com, LinkedIn and Facebook Contact Us - Credence Research Inc, Tower C-1105, S 25, Akash Tower, Vishal Nagar, Pimple Nilakh, Haveli, Pune - 411027, India USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@credenceresearch.com Visit Our Website: https://www.credenceresearch.com/ Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2562161/Credence_Research_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/head-and-neck-cancer-therapeutics-market-to-reach-usd-2-6-billion-by-2032--driven-by-immunotherapy-and-precision-oncology--credence-research-inc-302699011.html Consistent, high-grade gold intervals in the Telbel mine area include 8.5 grams per tonne of gold ("g/t Au") over 8.0 meters ("m") (drill hole JO-25-05) and 7.6 g/t Au over 5.3 m (drill hole JO-25-01) Shallow, high-grade intervals in the Eagle-Telbel area include 3.0 g/t Au over 6.8 m (drill hole JO-25-06) and 5.3 g/t Au over 6.8 m (drill hole JO-25-07) Three drill holes (JO-25-01, JO-25-05 and JO-25-07) included five individual assays greater than 20.0 g/t Au with a high of 40.8 g/t Au over 0.5 m (drill hole JO-25-05) Large step-out drilling at Joutel (>100 m from previously mined-out stopes) demonstrates that high-grade gold mineralization extends well beyond historical underground workings and remains open in multiple directions Maiden Joutel mineral resource estimate ("MRE") excluding current drilling to be included in an updated MRE expected in H1 2026 Fully funded 30,000-m Douay/Joutel Program advancing with additional drilling planned in 2026 ; seven (7) holes reported today out of 39 holes (~17,000 m; ~57%) completed to date Technical team strengthened with the appointment of Pascal Lessard, P.Geo., a 30-year mining veteran, as Vice President, Exploration and the promotion of Ian Cunningham-Dunlop, P.Eng., to Executive Vice President, overseeing strategy and execution across all projects. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Maple Gold Mines Ltd. (TSXV: MGM) (OTCQX: MGMLF) (FSE: M3G0) ("Maple Gold" or the "Company") today announced initial assay results from seven (7) drill holes completed during its ongoing, fully-funded 30,000-m winter drill campaign (the "Program") at its 100%-owned Douay Gold Project ("Douay") and Joutel Gold Project ("Joutel") (together, "Douay/Joutel" or the "Property") located along the Casa Berardi-Douay Gold Trend in Quebec, Canada. The Company is also pleased to appoint Pascal Lessard, P.Geo. as Vice President, Exploration and promote Ian Cunningham-Dunlop, P.Eng. to Executive Vice President, both with immediate effect. These appointments further strengthen Maple Gold's technical leadership as it continues to advance systematic resource growth across its district-scale gold projects. "Initial Joutel results demonstrate that shallow, high-grade gold mineralization extends beyond the previously mined-out stopes, reinforcing our view that Joutel offers compelling exploration upside through targeted step-outs in areas with limited historical drilling that are proximal to existing underground workings," stated Kiran Patankar, President & CEO of Maple Gold. "With the largest expansionary drill program in the Company's history well underway, we are delighted to welcome Pascal Lessard, P.Geo. as our new Vice President, Exploration and promote Ian Cunningham-Dunlop, P.Eng. to the role of Executive Vice President. Importantly, following our recently completed financing, Maple Gold's strong cash position of approximately $30 million will support aggressive exploration through 2027, positioning us to continuously execute on multiple value-driving catalysts at Douay/Joutel. All the key elements including technical depth, financial strength and strategic leadership are now in place to unlock the next phase of discovery and growth for Maple Gold." Discussion of Joutel Drilling Results Results reported today include seven (7) diamond drill holes ("DDH") designed to test shallow areas between and along strike from the historical Eagle and Telbel gold mines at Joutel (Figures 1 and 2). These holes targeted interpreted zones of high-grade gold mineralization projected up-plunge towards surface from previously mined-out stopes within the Main Iron Carbonate Horizon ("MICH"). The Eagle, Eagle West and Telbel gold mines (the "Joutel Mining Complex") produced 1.1 million ounces of gold at an average grade of 6.5 g/t Au from the MICH between 1974 and 19931. The Joutel Mine Complex lies along the southern branch of the regional Casa Berardi Deformation Zone, a major gold-bearing structure in the prolific Abitibi Greenstone Belt. Mineralization is hosted within the uppermost cycle of the Joutel volcanic complex (the "Mine Sequence"), which includes a thick rhyodacitic to dacitic pyroclastic footwall unit overlain by interbedded clastic and chemical sedimentary rocks, felsic pyroclastics, and mafic flows. Within the Mine Sequence, the continuous MICH horizon, with strong iron carbonate alteration and veining, hosts the bulk of historical gold production. The Mine Sequence is also cut by two significant, late east-northeast to northeast-trending Proterozoic diabase dykes (Figures 1 and 2). Gold mineralization at Joutel is typically hosted within semi-massive pyrite-quartz-ankerite-siderite-carbonate horizons (for example, the MICH) cut by quartz and quartz-dolomite veins and veinlets. The MICH trends southeast at 130 azimuth and dips sub-vertically. Both the Eagle and Telbel mines host higher-grade 'shoots' that show primary plunges of 55 to 60 to the southeast, consistent with the regional plunge lineation. A secondary shallower westerly plunge has also been noted, orthogonal to the primary plunge. The MICH is the primary exploration target at Joutel, along strike, up- and down-dip, and up- and down-plunge of known high-grade mineralization. Sub-parallel carbonate horizons are also secondary targets. Details of the seven (7) reported drill holes are further described below: 1. Telbel mine area: Three (3) drill holes were completed 200-300 m southeast of the Telbel Mine shaft to target near-mine extensions from 100-500 m vertical depth (100 m above the mined-out stopes), where up-plunge projections of high-grade mineralization extend into shallower areas with limited drilling. All three (3) drill holes intersected the MICH with results as follows: 8.5 g/t Au over 8.0 m , in DDH JO-25-05, including 17.5 g/t Au over 1.5 m, and including 40.8 g/t Au over 0.5 m , and including 15.0 g/t Au over 2.3 m, including 29.8 g/t Au over 0.5 m , and 30.8 g/t Au over 0.5 m 7.6 g/t Au over 5.3 m , in DDH JO-25-01, including 13.3 g/t Au over 3.0 m, including 25.4 g/t Au over 1.5 m (with visible gold) 1.5 g/t Au over 6.0 m , in DDH JO-25-03, including 2.3 g/t Au over 1.5 m 2. Eagle-Telbel area: Four (4) drill holes targeted near-mine extensions between the Eagle and Telbel Mine shafts, specifically the region between the two late diabase dykes, where up-plunge projections extend into shallower areas with limited drilling. Two drill holes, JO-25-06 and JO-25-07, drilled 100 m apart and 100 m above the historical Eagle underground workings, returned wide intersections with narrow higher-grade intervals as follows: 1.4 g/t Au over 16.5 m , in DDH JO-25-06, including 3.0 g/t Au over 6.8 m , including 13.5 g/t Au over 0.6 m 2.4 g/t Au over 16.0 m , in DDH JO-25-07, including 5.3 g/t Au over 6.8 m , including 15.5 g/t Au over 2.1 m, including 38.5 g/t Au over 0.5 m A third hole, JO-25-02, intersected the large easternmost diabase dyke at the target depth, and did not encounter any mineralized zones. A fourth hole, JO-25-04, was drilled to a depth of 303 m and was converted to a temporary water source for the remaining holes at Joutel during the Program. It was drilled to depth in January 2026 as JO-25-04EXT and assays are pending. Key findings of the Company's Joutel drilling to date include: Successful demonstration that the known MICH-hosted gold mineralization extends beyond the historic Eagle-Telbel underground workings. Gold mineralization appears associated with a zone of hydrothermal breccia hosted by felsic tuff underlain by the MICH and then well bedded, semi-massive pyrite mineralization. Three (3) of the drill holes (JO-25-01, JO-25-05 and JO-25-07) included five individual assays greater than 20.0 g/t Au with a high of 40.8 g/t Au over 0.5 m in drill hole JO-25-05. The gold encountered in drill holes JO-25-05 and JO-25-07 occurs within the MICH while the gold intersection with visible gold in the lower portion of drill hole JO-25-01 is hosted within a 8.5 m wide felsic to mafic intrusive unit immediately below the MICH which appears to occupy a southeast trending, steeply dipping structural zone parallel to the MICH. This structural zone represents a new target for the Company. The high-grade gold system at Joutel remains open in multiple directions with strong potential for expansion through follow-up drilling. Details of DDH locations can be found in Figures 1, 2 and 3 with significant assay highlights in Table 1. Key individual assays from DDH JO-25-05 are shown in Plate 1 and Table 2. The Company has now reported assays for seven (7) drill holes out of 17 drill holes completed to date at Joutel totaling 8,200 m of the approved Program. 2026 Winter Program Update The Company has completed 39 drill holes totaling ~17,000 m as part of its ongoing 30,000-m Program (approximately 57% complete). At Douay, drilling has focused on testing of the down-plunge extensions of the higher-grade Nika, 531, Douay West, and Porphyry West Zones. At Joutel, drilling is following-up on encouraging results from drill holes JO-25-01, JO-25-05, JO-25-06 and JO-25-07 with 50-m-spaced step-out drill holes. Additional assay results will be reported as they are received, following QA/QC validation and interpretation. Concurrent development initiatives are anticipated throughout 2026 to advance and de-risk Douay/Joutel, including an updated Douay MRE and a maiden Joutel MRE expected in H1 2026 as well as an internal scoping/engineering study. The Company has also approved an inaugural 2,000 m diamond drill program at its Morris VMS Project, east of Matagami, Quebec, expected to be completed in H1 2026, to evaluate prospective stratigraphy known to host VMS deposits and mines in the Matagami mining camp. A total exploration budget of $13.9 million has been approved for 2026, including permitting, 32,000 meters of diamond drilling, regional sonic drilling, assaying, personnel, camp, and site support costs. This work will be fully funded from Maple Gold's existing treasury. Planning for additional drilling in 2026/27 is currently underway. Figure 1: Plan view map of the Eagle-Telbel Area highlighting the MICH Horizon, Drill Target Areas, and 2025 Completed Drill Holes To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3077/285535_17bc825074fedb6d_001full.jpg Figure 2: Joutel longitudinal section with Eagle-Telbel Underground Workings & Mined-Out Stopes (in grey) and 2025 Completed Drill Holes with Significant Assay Results. Looking Northeast. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3077/285535_17bc825074fedb6d_002full.jpg Figure 3: Joutel DDH Cross-Section - Telbel Mine East - Drill Holes JO-25-01, JO-25-03 and JO-25-05 with Significant Assay Results. Looking West. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3077/285535_17bc825074fedb6d_003full.jpg Table 1: 2025 Joutel Drill Program - Significant Assay Results Target From To Length* Au_FA Drill Hole (meters) (meters) (meters) (g/t) Telbel Mine JO-25-01 369.9 377.1 7.2 0.6 Including 371.4 375.3 3.9 1.0 Including 371.4 372.9 1.5 1.3 And 479.9 480.9 1.0 1.9 And 489.2 495.2 6.0 0.4 Including 493.7 495.2 1.5 3.8 And 512.2 517.5 5.3 7.6 Including 512.2 515.2 3.0 13.3 Including 513.7 515.2 1.5 25.4 JO-25-03 107.0 125.4 18.4 0.7 Including 119.4 125.4 6.0 1.5 Including 120.9 122.4 1.5 2.3 JO-25-05 517.5 525.5 8.0 8.5 Including 517.5 519.0 1.5 17.5 Including 517.5 518.0 0.5 40.8 And Including 523.3 525.5 2.3 15.0 Including 523.3 523.8 0.5 29.8 And Including 525.0 525.5 0.5 30.8 Eagle-Telbel - 'Between the Dykes' JO-25-06 290.5 307.0 16.5 1.4 Including 291.4 305.2 13.8 1.6 Including 291.4 298.2 6.8 3.0 Including 297.0 297.6 0.6 13.5 JO-25-07 291.5 307.5 16.0 2.4 Including 300.8 307.5 6.8 5.3 Including 300.8 302.9 2.1 15.5 Including 300.8 301.3 0.5 38.5 *Intersections are reported as drilled widths; true widths are estimated to be 60-90% of drilled widths Plate 1: Detailed Drill Core Photos - DDH JO-25-05 - 8.5 g/t Au over 8.0 Meters (517.5 m to 525.5 m) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3077/285535_17bc825074fedb6d_004full.jpg Table 2. Detailed Assay Results from DDH JO-25-05 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3077/285535_17bc825074fedb6d_005full.jpg *Intersections are reported as drilled widths; true widths are estimated to be 60-90% of drilled widths Management Appointments Pascal Lessard, P.Geo. - Vice President, Exploration: Mr. Lessard is a senior exploration executive who brings more than 30 years of global mineral exploration and project leadership experience with Glencore, Xstrata and Falconbridge and a proven track record of delivering resource growth in complex geological environments. He has directed multi-million-dollar exploration portfolios across five (5) continents and led teams spanning early-stage greenfield targeting through advanced resource definition. Recognized for his technical leadership, strategic project management expertise and commitment to the highest environmental, health, safety, and community standards, Mr. Lessard aligns disciplined, data-driven exploration programs with broader corporate growth strategies. As Vice President, Exploration, he will leverage his extensive experience and network in Quebec to manage daily on-site operations, supervise subcontractors and staff, ensure adherence to safety regulations, and maintain project quality and schedules with an immediate focus on Douay/Joutel. Mr. Lessard holds a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Montreal. Ian Cunningham-Dunlop, P.Eng. - Executive Vice President: Mr. Cunningham-Dunlop has been promoted to Executive Vice President based on his strong technical leadership and stewardship of the Company's projects since being appointed as Vice President, Technical Services in August 2024. In this expanded role, he will continue to oversee all exploration and development activities across the Company district-scale Quebec project portfolio, driving systematic resource growth and broader technical advancement, in addition to supporting corporate strategic objectives. Mr. Cunningham-Dunlop brings extensive experience in Archean lode gold systems, having worked throughout Ontario, Quebec and West Africa, and has played key technical and strategic roles on numerous successful exploration and development projects globally. His project experience includes HighGold Mining's Johnson Tract project in Alaska, NewCastle Gold's Castle Mountain project in California, True Gold Mining's Karma mine in Burkina Faso, Fronteer Gold's Long Canyon project in Nevada, multiple gold and gold-copper projects in Turkey, and Aurora Energy's Michelin uranium deposit in Labrador. Mr. Cunningham-Dunlop previously led the exploration team at Homestake Mining/Barrick Gold's Eskay Creek mine in British Columbia, where he was awarded the B.C. & Yukon Chamber of Mines E.A. Scholz Award for "Outstanding Contribution to a Mining Development Project". He holds a B.Sc. in Geological Engineering from Queen's University and is a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Equity Incentive Grants Maple Gold's Board of Directors has approved the grant of stock options ("Options") to an employee to purchase an aggregate of 100,000 common shares of the Company (each, a "Common Share"), with an exercise price of $2.47 per Common Share. The Options will vest in three equal tranches over a 24-month period. Once vested, each Option is exercisable into one Common Share for a period of five years from the date of grant. The Company's Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") governs these Options, as well as the terms and conditions of their exercise, which is in accordance with policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. Further details regarding the Plan are set out in the Company's Management Information Circular filed on October 16, 2025, which is available on SEDAR+. Additional Notes Starting azimuth, dip and final length (Azimuth/Dip/Length (m)) for the seven (7) drill holes reported in this news release are noted as follows: JO-25-01 (039/55/600), JO-25-02 (040/45/390), JO-25-03 (040/55/273), JO-25-04 (038/45/303), JO-25-05 (039/67/714), JO-25-06 (040/45/393), and JO-25-07 (040/47/420). Quality Assurance and Quality Control The Company implements strict Quality Assurance ("QA") and Quality Control ("QC") protocols at the Joutel Gold Project covering the planning and placing of drill holes in the field, drilling and retrieving the NQ-sized drill core, drill hole surveying, core transport, core logging by qualified personnel, sampling and bagging of cut drill core for analysis, and the transport of samples from site to commercial laboratories for analysis. All core drilling conducted by the Company is oriented. Samples of drill core were cut by a diamond blade rock saw, with half of the cut core placed in individual sealed polyurethane bags and half placed back in the original core box for permanent storage at the Douay site. Sample lengths typically vary from a minimum 0.3-m interval to a maximum 1.5-m interval, with an average 0.5 to 1.0-m sample length. Drill core samples were delivered by truck in sealed woven plastic bags to ALS Geochemistry laboratory facility in Val-d'Or, Quebec for sample preparation with final analysis at ALS Geochemistry Analytical Lab facility in North Vancouver, BC. for the fire assay fusion method and induced coupled plasma (ICP) atomic emission spectroscopy. ALS Geochemistry operate meeting all requirements of International Standards ISO/IE 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015. Drill core samples were crushed to 70% passing 2mm, then a representative split is taken and pulverized to 85% passing 75m. Gold was determined by the fire-assay fusion method (Au-AA24) of a 50-gram sub-sample with atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Samples that returned values >5 ppm gold from fire assay and AAS were determined by using fire assay and a gravimetric finish. Various metals including silver, gold, copper, lead and zinc were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) mass spectroscopy (ME-MS41), following aqua regia digestion. All ALS Geochemistry sites operate under a single Global Geochemistry Quality Manual that complies with ISO/IEC 17025:2017. ALS Geochemistry follows the quality management and operational guidelines set out in the international standards ISO/IEC 17025 - "General Requirement for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories" and ISO 9001 - "Quality Management Systems". Qualified Person Ian Cunningham-Dunlop, P.Eng. (PGO/EGBC/OGQ), Executive Vice President of Maple Gold, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information related to exploration and Mineral Resource matters contained in this news release. Mr. Cunningham-Dunlop is a Qualified Person as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About the Douay/Joutel Gold Project The Douay/Joutel Gold Project is located adjacent to Highway 109 in the heart of Quebec's Abitibi greenstone belt, Canada's premier gold mining jurisdiction. This large, 100%-owned land package includes the Company's flagship Douay Gold Project, which hosts an established mineral resource2 containing 511,000 ounces of gold (Indicated) and 2.53 million ounces of gold (Inferred), as well as the past-producing, high-grade Joutel Mine Complex1. The Property contains ~481 square kilometers of highly prospective geology within the influence of the major gold-bearing Casa Berardi Deformation Zone. Gold mines in the immediate region include the Casa Berardi Gold Mine, recently acquired by Orezone Gold Corporation from Hecla Mining Company, and the Detour Lake Gold Mine operated by Agnico Eagle Mines Limited. About Maple Gold Maple Gold Mines Ltd. is a well-funded Canadian gold exploration company focused on advancing its 100%-owned, district-scale Douay/Joutel Gold Project located in Quebec's prolific Abitibi Greenstone Gold Belt. Douay/Joutel benefits from exceptional infrastructure access and boasts ~481 square kilometers of highly prospective ground including an established gold mineral resource at Douay with significant expansion potential as well as the past-producing Telbel and Eagle West mines at Joutel. In addition, the Company holds an exclusive option to acquire 100% of the Eagle Mine Property, a key part of the historical Joutel Mining Complex. Maple Gold's property package also hosts a significant number of regional exploration targets along a 55-kilometer strike length of the Casa Berardi Deformation Zone that have yet to be tested through drilling, making the property ripe for new gold and VMS discoveries. The Company is currently focused on carrying out exploration and drill programs to grow mineral resources and make new discoveries to establish an exciting new gold district in the heart of the Abitibi. For more information, please visit www.maplegoldmines.com. ON BEHALF OF MAPLE GOLD MINES LTD. "Kiran Patankar" Kiran Patankar, President & CEO 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 PRESS RELEASE. Forward-Looking Statements and Cautionary Notes: This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively referred to as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation in Canada. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective,", "strategy", "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements about the resource expansion and discovery potential across the Company's gold projects, and its intention to pursue such potential, and the Company's exploration work, planned activities and results from current and future work programs. Although the Company believes that forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct, as forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, uncertainties and management's best estimate of future events on the date the statements are made and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations and projections, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of additional risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements in this news release, please refer to the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators available on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval Plus (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.ca or the Company's website at www.maplegoldmines.com. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and/or the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any intention to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 1 The Eagle, Eagle West and Telbel Gold Mines at Joutel were in production from 1974 to 1993 and produced 1.1 million ounces of gold at an average grade of 6.5 g/t Au (Agnico Eagle Mines Limited's corporate website). 2 The Douay Project contains Indicated Mineral Resources estimated at 10 million tonnes at a grade of 1.59 g/t Au (containing 511,000 ounces of gold), and Inferred Mineral Resources estimated at 76.7 million tonnes at a grade of 1.02 g/t Au (containing 2,527,000 ounces of gold). See the technical report for the Douay Gold Project entitled "Technical Report on the Douay and Joutel Projects Northwestern Quebec, Canada Report for NI 43-101" prepared by SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. with an effective date of March 17, 2022, and dated April 29, 2022. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285535 Source: Maple Gold Mines Ltd. All financial figures are in Canadian dollars, unless noted otherwise. Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Suncor Energy (TSX: SU) (NYSE: SU) has filed its 2025 Annual Report, 2025 Annual Information Form and 2026 Management Proxy Circular. To view the company's annual disclosure documents, visit Suncor's profile on sedarplus.ca or sec.gov or visit Suncor's website at suncor.com/financialreports. Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB) Additionally, the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) has accepted a notice filed by Suncor to renew its NCIB to purchase the company's common shares through the facilities of the TSX, New York Stock Exchange and/or alternative trading systems in Canada and the U.S. The notice provides that, beginning March 3, 2026, and ending March 2, 2027, Suncor may purchase for cancellation up to 118,700,000 common shares, which is equal to approximately 10% of Suncor's public float of 1,187,545,672 common shares as of February 18, 2026. On February 18, 2026, Suncor had 1,187,814,362 common shares issued and outstanding. The actual number of common shares that may be purchased under the NCIB and the timing of any such purchases will be determined by Suncor. Suncor believes that, depending on the trading price of its common shares and other relevant factors, purchasing its own shares represents an attractive investment opportunity and is in the best interests of the company and its shareholders. The company does not expect the decision to allocate cash to repurchase shares will affect its long-term strategy. Pursuant to Suncor's previous NCIB, Suncor agreed that it would not purchase more than 123,800,000 common shares between March 3, 2025, and March 2, 2026. Between March 3, 2025, and February 24, 2026, and pursuant to Suncor's previous NCIB, Suncor repurchased 54,150,911 shares on the open market for approximately $3.075 billion, at a weighted average price of $56.79 per share. Subject to the block purchase exemption that is available to Suncor for regular open market purchases under the NCIB, Suncor will limit daily purchases of Suncor common shares on the TSX in connection with the NCIB to no more than 25% (1,776,141 common shares) of the average daily trading volume of Suncor's common shares on the TSX during the previous six-month period (7,104,566 common shares). Purchases under the NCIB will be made through open market purchases at market price, as well as by other means as may be permitted by securities regulatory authorities. Suncor expects to enter into an automatic share purchase plan in relation to purchases made in connection with the NCIB on March 3, 2026. Legal Advisory - Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements") and other information based on Suncor's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions that were made by the company in light of information available at the time the statement was made and consider Suncor's experience and its perception of historical trends. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements about the NCIB, including the amount, timing and manner of purchases under the NCIB, that depending on the trading price of its common shares and other relevant factors, repurchasing its common shares represents an attractive investment opportunity and is in the best interest of the company and its shareholders, the expectation that the decision to allocate cash to repurchase shares will not affect its long-term strategy and the expectation that Suncor will enter into an automatic share purchase plan related to purchases made in connection with the NCIB. Forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some that are similar to other oil and gas companies and some that are unique to Suncor. Suncor's actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by its forward-looking statements, so readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on them. Suncor's Annual Information Form and Annual Report to Shareholders, each dated February 25, 2026, its Form 40-F dated February 26, 2026 and other documents it files from time to time with securities regulatory authorities describe the risks, uncertainties, material assumptions and other factors that could influence actual results and such factors are incorporated herein by reference. Copies of these documents are available without charge from Suncor at 150 6th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2P 3E3 or by referring to suncor.com/FinancialReports or to the company's profile on SEDAR+ at sedarplus.ca or EDGAR at sec.gov. Except as required by applicable securities laws, Suncor disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Suncor Energy - Canada's leading integrated energy company Suncor's operations span the full energy value chain, including oil sands mining and in situ operations, upgrading, offshore production, petroleum refining in Canada and the U.S., marketing and trading, and nationwide Petro-Canada retail and wholesale networks - delivering reliable energy that fuels economic growth and meets the needs of customers across Canada and globally. With an unwavering focus on safety, operational excellence, and profitability, Suncor is committed to delivering industry-leading performance and long-term shareholder value. Suncor's common shares (symbol: SU) are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges. For more information, visit suncor.com or find us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285526 Source: Suncor Energy Inc. Hub and Spoke Mine Plan in Central Newfoundland: Three deposits, Hammerdown, Orion and Stog'er Tight, centered around the Company's Pine Cove Mill Three deposits, Hammerdown, Orion and Stog'er Tight, centered around the Company's Pine Cove Mill Robust Economics: After-tax NPV5% [1] of $199.2 M [2] using a base case scenario (variable price deck: long-term price of US$3,475/oz averaging US$3,656/oz Au [3] ) After-tax NPV5% of $415.1 M using an upside scenario (US$5,000/oz Au) Solid Production over an Extended Mine Life: 251,287 oz Au produced over a 13-year LOM [4] Average LOM total cash costs [5] and AISC [6] of US$2,149/oz Au and US$2,429/oz Au Total after-tax free cash flow [7] of $243.3 M Additional Value Potential from Exploration Upside: Deposits open laterally and to depth; additional target areas being evaluated Exploration planned to commence H2/26 All amounts in Canadian dollars unless stated otherwise Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - New Found Gold Corp. (TSXV: NFG) (NYSE American: NFGC) ("New Found Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") and updated mineral resource estimate ("MRE") for the Company's 100% owned Hammerdown Gold Project ("Hammerdown" or the "Project"), which includes the Hammerdown deposit, Orion deposit and Stog'er Tight deposit (collectively, the "Deposits") and the Pine Cove Mill ("Pine Cove" or the "Mill"), located in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The Deposits are evaluated with a Hub and Spokes model centred around Pine Cove, with the Hammerdown deposit currently being ramped up to commercial production. "Today's updated mineral resource and life of mine plan for Hammerdown demonstrates cashflow generation from operations which will offset overhead and exploration costs as we continue to fast-track our flagship Queensway Gold Project towards production in H2/27, taking full advantage of the tremendous synergies through our strategic purchase of Pine Cove and the Nugget Pond gold circuit. This purchase accelerates the development of Queensway by two to three years, coinciding with this exciting gold market," commented Keith Boyle, Chief Executive Officer. "Our team has a demonstrated track record of exploration success in the discovery of orogenic gold deposits in central Newfoundland. With the completion of the Maritime Resources Corp. acquisition just over three months ago, we have commenced evaluation of the exploration upside of the Project. As part of our Hub and Spoke strategy, the mine plan brings in additional resources with the inclusion of the Orion and Stog'er Tight deposits, which were not contemplated in previous mine plans. We look forward to commencing exploration work on our new landholdings later this year," continued Mr. Boyle. [1] NPV5% = net present value at a 5 percent discount rate. [2] M = million. [3] oz Au = ounces of gold; Base case gold price US$4,132 in Year 1, US$4,000 in Year 2, US$3,775 in Year 3, US$3,600 in Year 4 and 5 and US$3,475 thereafter. [4] LOM = life-of-mine. [5] Cash cost is a Non-GAAP measure; See notes below for additional information regarding cash costs. [6] AISC = all in sustaining costs; Note AISC is a Non-GAAP measure; See notes below for additional information regarding AISC. [7] Free cash flow is a Non-GAAP measure; See notes below for additional information regarding free cash flow. Project Overview Hammerdown includes the Company's 100% owned Hammerdown property and Pine Cove property (Figure 1). The Hammerdown property includes the Hammerdown deposit and the Orion deposit; the Pine Cove property includes the Stog'er Tight deposit and Pine Cove, a fully permitted processing plant and tailings facility. The Hammerdown deposit is an open-pit mining deposit with first gold pour in November 2025 and is currently ramping up gold production. Hammerdown is located in the north-central portion of the island of Newfoundland in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador ("NL") on the east coast of Canada. The Hammerdown and Orion deposits are located approximately 95 kilometres ("km") by road from Pine Cove, which includes a fully permitted and operating processing plant and tailings facility. Commercial production at the Hammerdown deposit is expected to be achieved in H2/26. The Stog'er Tight deposit is located on the Pine Cove property, 4 km east of Pine Cove. The Company's 100% owned flagship Queensway Gold Project ("Queensway") is located approximately 270 km by road from Pine Cove and approximately 15 km west of the town of Gander. Key Outcomes of the PEA: The PEA has returned an after-tax NPV5% of $199.2 M at the base case gold price (variable price deck: long-term price of US$3,475/oz averaging US$3,656/oz Au) and an after-tax NPV5% of $415.1 M at the upside gold price of US$5,000 (Table 1), Over a 13-year period, the total mill feed throughput is expected to be 3.2 million tonnes ("Mt"), with an average mined grade of 2.19 grams of gold per tonne ("g/t Au"), a post-sorting mill feed head grade of 2.89 g/t Au and average annual gold production of approximately 19.3 thousand ounces ("koz") of gold per annum (Figure 2), Average LOM cash costs and AISC of US$2,149/oz and US$2,429/oz, respectively, Total capital costs (with contingency) are estimated at $24.3 M and reclamation, and closure costs are estimated at $18.0 M, The PEA mine plan was developed from Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources of 3,328 kt grading 2.43 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold containing 260,000 ounces of gold and Inferred Mineral Resources of 2,132 kt grading 2.34 g/t gold containing 161,000 ounces of gold. LOM Plan: 13-year open pit project commencing in 2026, including one year of stockpile rehandling in 2038 (Figure 2), Continuation of the conventional open pit truck-and-shovel operation executed by a mining contractor, as currently underway at the Hammerdown deposit, Process plant feed rate of 700 tonnes per day ("tpd") with the addition of sorting at the Hammerdown and Orion deposits, Hammerdown deposit pit mined in multiple phases, followed by the Orion deposit pit and four Stog'er Tight deposit pits sequentially, The Hammerdown deposit accounts for 75% of mineralized material mined (82% of recovered gold), with mining taking place in this zone from year 1 to year 10 and the Orion and Stog'er Tight deposits account for 25% of mineralized material mined (18% of recovered gold), which will be mined from year 8 to year 12, The average material mined, consisting of mineralized material, waste rock and overburden, is 12,300 tpd during the LOM, ranging between 11,800 tpd and 18,400 tpd from year 1 to year 6 and between 2,500 tpd and 13,700 tpd from year 7 to year 12, The average strip ratio over the LOM is 11.4, with total material mined of 54.1 Mt including 4.4 Mt of mineralized material at an average grade of 2.19 g/t Au, With sorting, a total of 3.2 Mt of mineralized material at an average grade of 2.89 g/t Au will be processed with total gold recovery of 251.3 koz of gold; Process plant average gold recovery for the zones being mined from year 1 to year 4 is estimated to be 87.2% and 84.3% thereafter, with LOM average gold recovery of 85.5%. Table 1: Hammerdown Gold Project PEA Summary: Key Metrics and Project Economics. Production1 2026 PEA Units LOM 13 years Total Potential Mill Feed Tonnage 3,159 kt Average Mined Grade 2.19 g/t Au Mill Feed Head Grade (Post-Sorting) 2.89 g/t Au Cut-off Grade (Range Depending on Deposit) 0.41-0.56 g/t Au Process Plant Average Gold Recovery 85.5 % Contained Gold 306.6 koz Recovered Gold 251.3 koz Average Annual Gold Production 19.3 koz/yr Average Mineralized Material Mining Rate (Post Sorting) 700 tpd Strip Ratio 11.4:1 waste:ore Operating & Capital Costs1 Total Operating Costs1,2 725.9 $M Sustaining Capital Costs (with contingency) 97.7 $M Total Capital Costs (with Contingency) 24.3 $M Reclamation and Closure Capital 18.0 $M Royalty NSR 17.4 $M Total Cash Cost 2,149 US$/oz Au AISC (LOM) 2,429 US$/oz Au Financial Summary Gold Price (Average LOM Base Case) 3,656 US$/oz Au Exchange Rate 1.39 C$/US$ Discount Rate 5 % Pre-Tax NPV5% (Base Case Gold Price: US$3,656 average LOM) 318.5 $M After-Tax NPV5% (Base Case Gold Price: US$3,656 average LOM) 199.2 $M Pre-Tax NPV5% (Upside Gold Price: US$5,000) 680.8 $M After-Tax NPV5% (Upside Case Gold Price: US$5,000) 415.1 $M Internal Rate of Return N/A - Payback Period N/A - Notes: 1 Denotes a "specified financial measure" within the meaning of National Instrument 52-112 - non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure. See note on "Non-IFRS Financial Measures". 2 Total operating costs refer to onsite charges that cover open pit mining, processing and material handling, and onsite general and administrative costs. 3 AISC is calculated as the sum of dore transportation, treatment and refining charges, royalties, onsite operating costs, and sustaining capital costs, divided by the quantity of ounces sold. The PEA is preliminary in nature, it includes Inferred Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. No Mineral Reserves are defined for the Project. Figure 1: Hammerdown Gold Project: Location Map. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7337/285504_5cc229df2479f9df_001full.jpg Figure 2: Hammerdown Gold Project: Gold Production by Year with Mill Feed Head Grade and AISC. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7337/285504_5cc229df2479f9df_002full.jpg Mineral Resource Estimate Mineral Resources are reported for the Hammerdown, Orion, and Stog'er Tight deposits, which are planned to share Pine Cove. Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources ("M&I") for the projects combined total 3.328 Mt at an average gold grade of 2.43 g/t Au for 260,000 contained ounces of gold. Inferred Mineral Resources total 2.132 Mt at an average grade of 2.34 g/t Au for 161,000 ounces of gold (Table 2). Table 2: Hammerdown Gold Project Consolidated MRE (effective date January 22, 2026)12. Property Deposit Mining Method Category Tonnage (kt) Grade (g/t Au) Contained Oz (koz)3 Hammerdown Hammerdown Open Pit Measured 271 8.24 72 Indicated 1,823 1.96 115 Measured & Indicated 2,094 2.77 187 Inferred 973 2.59 81 Hammerdown Orion Open Pit Indicated 598 1.75 33.6 Inferred 91 1.92 5.6 Underground Indicated 636 1.92 39.3 Inferred 523 2.16 36.2 Pine Cove Stog'er Tight Open Pit Inferred 545 2.16 37.8 Total Measured 271 8.24 72 Indicated 3,057 1.91 188 Measured & Indicated 3,328 2.43 260 Inferred 2,132 2.34 161 Notes: 1 Refer to the Appendix to see MRE notes and data verification for each deposit. 2 The mineral resource database was closed on June 16, 2025, and contains 93,818 metres ("m") of drilling in 1,108 diamond drill holes ("DDH") and 310 m in 86 channels at Hammerdown, 46,017.34 m of drilling in 219 DDH at the Orion deposit and 35,246.42 m of drilling in 523 DDH at the Stog'er Tight deposit that were used to inform the MRE presented. The Qualified Person ("QP"), as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), responsible for the MRE were Christian Beaulieu of Mineralis Consulting Services Inc. for the Hammerdown deposit, Chafana Sako of Norda Stelo Inc. for the Orion and Stog'er Tight deposits, and Stephen Coates of Evomine Consulting Inc. for constraining volumes on all deposits. 3 Numbers may not total due to rounding. Comparison of PEA Relative to 2022 Feasibility Study The following section provides a comparison of the updated Mineral Resources reported herein to the technical report titled "Feasibility Study Technical Report: Hammerdown Gold Project, Newfoundland" with an effective date of August 15, 2022, prepared by JDS Energy and Mining Inc. for Maritime Resources Corp. (the "2022 Feasibility Study", Table 3). Changes to the Hammerdown deposit MRE in the 2022 Feasibility Study primarily reflect the application of new estimation parameters informed by increased data confidence from the tightly spaced grade control drilling completed in 2024 and 2025. Specifically, tighter distance constraints were applied to high grade intervals, which affected overall grade and ultimately reduced it relative to the previous estimate. Additional changes include an increase in resources classified as inferred due to missing data validation needed to confirm the positions of historically mined out underground stopes. New optimization parameters also contribute to loss in contained ounces, as well as additional depletion of historically mined stopes. The methodology used to report the MRE in a narrow-vein environment also contributes to lower grades as more waste is accounted for as must-take material. Adjusted cut-off grades and the reporting methodology contributed to the increase in contained metal. The Orion and Stog'er Tight deposits were not included in the 2022 Feasibility Study. Table 3: Hammerdown Gold Project Consolidated MRE Compared to 2022 Feasibility Study3. 2026 PEA1, 4 2022 Feasibility Study (open pit only)2, 3 Resource Category Tonnage (kt) Grade (g/t Au) Contained Oz (koz) Tonnage (kt) Grade (g/t Au) Contained Oz (koz) Measured 271 8.24 72 698 5.47 123 Indicated 3,057 1.91 188 2146 3.00 207 Measured & Indicated 3,328 2.43 260 2845 3.61 330 Inferred 2,132 2.34 161 302 1.31 13 Notes: 1 Using a cut-off grade of 0.35 g/t Au for Hammerdown (excluding Wisteria), 0.48 g/t Au for Hammerdown Wisteria area, 0.47 g/t Au for Orion open pit, 1.13 g/t Au for Orion underground and 0.42 g/t Au for Stog'er Tight open pit. 2 2022 Feasibility Study, with an effective date of August 15, 2022, prepared by JDS Energy and Mining Inc. for Maritime Resources Corp. 3 The Orion and Stog'er Tight deposits were not included in the 2022 Feasibility Study. 4 Refer to the Appendix for additional MRE notes. Mining The PEA contemplates open pit mining from the Hammerdown, Orion and Stog'er Tight deposits, designed as conventional truck and shovel open pit operations operated by a contractor. Run of mine ("ROM") mineable material from the Hammerdown and Orion deposits will be sent to the on-site crushing and sorting plant to produce mill feed that will be hauled to Pine Cove for final processing. A total of 4,354 Mt of ROM mineable material is scheduled to be mined from all open pits with a diluted grade averaging 2.19 g/t Au. A total of 48.0 Mt of non-acid generating waste rock will also be produced and stored in a waste rock stockpile adjacent to the open pits. The open pits have been designed and scheduled to maximize project NPV. Pit slope optimization has been undertaken based on geotechnical data collected between 2020 and 2021. The Hammerdown deposit's open pit development consists of two phases of pushbacks with overburden thickness averaging less than 2 m. Mining will be completed by conventional drilling, blasting, loading and hauling on 4 m benches in mineralized material and 8 m benches in waste where practical at the Hammerdown deposit and 5 m benches at the Orion and Stog'er Tight deposits. Waste loading and haulage will be handled by 3 m3 hydraulic excavators and 41-tonne payload articulated haul trucks. Mineralized material loading and hauling will be handled by a fleet of 2 m3 hydraulic excavators with a 7 m3 front end loader as backup and 38 tonne payload articulated haul trucks. Grade control in the open pit is a key part of the mining process and will be accomplished through a combination of 4 to 5 m bench heights with 2 m flitches, controlled blasting, 50,000 m of close spaced diamond drilling (15 m centres, 10 m vertically) to identify and report vein orientations and grades to the mine planners, selective excavation under GPS control, and mine geological control. The sorting process is integrated to remove dilution taken with the narrow veins during the mining process. Processing and Recovery Pine Cove was commissioned on low grade stockpiles in 2025 and commenced processing Hammerdown deposit mineable material in Q4/25. The mineralized material from the Hammerdown, Orion and Stog'er Tight deposits will be processed at Pine Cove, a fully permitted processing plant and in-pit tailings facility. Mineable material from the three deposits will be trucked to the Mill and processed at a nominal rate of 700 tpd. The flowsheet consists of a ball mill and flotation circuit that produces a gold-pyrite concentrate, cyanide leach, filtration and Merrill Crowe gold recovery circuit. The process plant average gold recovery for the zones being mined from year 1 to year 4 is estimated to be 87.2% and 84.3% thereafter, with LOM average gold recovery of 85.5%. The Company has recently purchased a sorter which it plans to commission in H2/26. Sorting at the Hammerdown deposit is expected to commence in 2027, at the Orion deposit in 2033 and once commenced, continue over the LOM at these two deposits. Additional Value Potential from Exploration Upside Hammerdown hosts multiple gold-bearing trends with potential for resource growth and new discovery over the 44,650 hectare land package. To date, only limited near surface work has been completed across large portions of the land holdings, yet the Project presents a broad pipeline of early- to advanced-stage exploration targets. Near resource expansion opportunities remain strong at the Hammerdown, Orion, and Stog'er Tight deposits, where drilling to date has largely been confined to the upper 220 m with minimal lateral testing along key structural corridors (Figure 3). The limited deeper testing that has been completed to date has intersected mineralisation at vertical depths of up to 400 m at the Orion deposit, highlighting the opportunity for continued resource growth at depth. Figure 3: Hammerdown Gold Project: Hammerdown and Orion Deposit Longitudinal Sections. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7337/285504_5cc229df2479f9df_003full.jpg Looking ahead, the Company plans to advance step out drilling around existing mineral resources while evaluating high priority regional targets along prospective trends, including the Hammerdown Deformation Zone, Whisker Valley, El Strato, Scrape, Goldenville, and Deer Cove (Figure 4). In 2026, exploration activities will emphasize comprehensive data compilation, geological interpretation, and systematic targeting to support a long-term discovery strategy and inform well-designed programs for 2027 and beyond. Concurrently, drilling is scheduled to begin in H1/26 to derisk the deeper portions of the Hammerdown deposit mine plan. Regional initiatives will focus on building foundational datasets, including property wide geophysics, reconnaissance soil sampling, and prospecting, to guide future exploration and enhance the geological understanding across the broader land package. Figure 4. Hammerdown Gold Project: Exploration Potential. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7337/285504_5cc229df2479f9df_004full.jpg Qualified Persons and Technical Information The PEA was prepared by consultants who are independent of New Found Gold, each of whom are QPs as defined by NI 43-101. Each of the QPs have reviewed and confirmed that this news release fairly and accurately reflects, in the form and context in which it appears, the information contained in the respective sections of the PEA for which they are responsible. The following acted as QPs under NI 43-101 as authors of the PEA: William Richard McBride, P.Eng., WSP Canada Inc., responsible for Introduction, Market Studies and Contracts, compiling of Capital and Operating Costs, Economic Analysis. Dachun (David) Jin, P.Eng., WSP Canada Inc., responsible for Project Infrastructure, Electrical and Water Management Capital Costs. Stephen Coates, P.Eng., Evomine Consulting Inc., responsible for Mineral Reserve Estimate, Mining Methods, Project Infrastructure, Subsection for haul roads and stockpiles, LOM Plan, Mining Capital and Operating Costs. Christian Beaulieu, P.Geo., Mineralis Consulting Services Inc., responsible for Property Description and Location, Accessibility, Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure, and Physiography, History, Geological Setting and Mineralization (Hammerdown deposit), Deposit Types (Hammerdown deposit) Exploration (Hammerdown deposit), Drilling (Hammerdown deposit), Sample Preparation, Analyses, and Security (Hammerdown deposit), Data Verification (Hammerdown deposit only), Mineral Resource Estimate (Hammerdown deposit), Adjacent Properties. Michael Levy, P.Eng., JDS Energy & Mining Inc. responsible for Geotechnical Analysis and Slope Design Parameters for Hammerdown, Orion and Stog'er Tight deposits open pits. Chafana Hamed Sako, P.Geo., Norda Stelo Inc., responsible for Geological Setting and Mineralization (Orion deposit), Deposit Types (Orion deposit), Exploration (Orion deposit), Drilling (Orion deposit), Sample Preparation, Analyses, and Security (Orion deposit), Data Verification (Orion deposit), Mineral Resource Estimate (Orion and Stog'er Tight deposits). James Guiraud, P.Geo., Norda Stelo Inc., responsible for Geological Setting and Mineralization (Stog'er Tight deposit), Deposit Types (Stog'er Tight deposit), Exploration (Stog'er Tight deposit), Drilling (Stog'er Tight deposit), Sample Preparation, Analyses, and Security (Stog'er Tight deposit), Data Verification (Stog'er Tight deposit). Stacy J. Freudigmann, P.Eng., Canenco Consulting Corp., responsible for Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testing, Recovery Methods , Sorting and Crushing Plant Capital and Operating Costs. Sheldon H. Smith, P.Geo., Stantec Consulting Ltd., responsible for Property Description and Location - Subsection for environmental risks and liabilities, Mining Methods - Subsection for hydrogeology and geochemistry, Environmental Studies, Permitting, and Social or Community Impact, Closure Costs. J. Alex Mcintyre, P.Eng., Knight Piesold Ltd., responsible for Project Infrastructure - Subsection for tailings, Environmental Studies, Permitting, and Social or Community Impact - Subsection for closure, TSF Operating Costs. Neil J. Lincoln, P.Eng., Lincoln Metallurgical, Inc., responsible for Recovery Methods - input, Mill Capital and Operating Costs, general and administrative ("G&A") costs, Haulage. Mr. Keith Boyle, P.Eng., CEO of New Found Gold, is the Company's QP under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and assumes responsibility for the scientific and technical content in this press release. Technical Report The complete NI 43-101 Technical Report pertaining to the PEA (the "Technical Report") will be filed within 45 days and will be available on the New Found Gold website, on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and on EDGAR (www.sec.gov/edgar). About New Found Gold Corp. New Found Gold is an emerging Canadian gold producer with assets in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The Company holds a 100% interest in Queensway and Hammerdown, which includes fully permitted milling and tailings facilities. The Company is currently focused on advancing its flagship Queensway to production and bringing the Hammerdown deposit into commercial gold production. In July 2025, the Company completed a PEA at Queensway (see New Found Gold press release dated July 21, 2025). Recent drilling continues to yield new discoveries along strike and down dip of known gold zones, pointing to the district-scale potential that covers a +110 km strike extent along two prospective fault zones at Queensway. Through 2025 New Found Gold built a new board of directors and management team and has a solid shareholder base which includes cornerstone investor Eric Sprott. The Company is focused on growth and value creation. Keith Boyle, P.Eng. Chief Executive Officer New Found Gold Corp. Follow us on social media at https://www.linkedin.com/company/newfound-gold-corp and https://x.com/newfoundgold. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Appendix Hammerdown Deposit MRE The mineralized domains at the Hammerdown deposit were modeled by using drillhole assay data in Leapfrog Geo ("Leapfrog") and categorized as either vein-hosted or disseminated mineralization. Vein-hosted zones (Hammerdown, Muddy Shag and Rumbullion areas) were modeled using a nominal 0.50 g/t Au cut-off and capture discrete high-grade veins within broader deformation corridors. Disseminated mineralization (Wisteria area) was modeled using a 0.35 g/t Au cut-off to define broader, lower-grade zones. The following updated Hammerdown deposit MRE is effective as of January 22, 2026 and incorporates 93,818 m of drilling in 1,108 DDH and 310 m in 86 channels (Table 4). Table 4: Hammerdown Deposit Updated MRE (effective date January 22, 2026). Deposit Mining Method Category Tonnage (kt) Grade (g/t Au) Contained Oz (koz) Hammerdown1 Open Pit Measured 271 8.24 72 Indicated 1,823 1.96 115 Total Measured & Indicated 2,094 2.77 187 Inferred 973 2.59 81 Hammerdown MRE Notes: The Mineral Resources described above have been prepared in accordance with the CIM Standards (Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, 2014). The effective date of the MRE is January 22nd, 2026 with a database cut-off date of June 16, 2025 and using a depletion surface of December 31st, 2025 . The lower cut-offs used to report open pit Mineral Resources are 0.48 g/t Au for the Wisteria area and 0.35 g/t Au for all other areas within the Hammerdown deposit pit optimization. The Hammerdown deposit has been classified as Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources according to drill spacing and confidence in the historical stope placement. Bulk density was assigned based on historical and recent specific gravity measurements. A single value of 2.81 g/cm3 was used, and 1.9 g/cm3 for backfill material within historical stopes. The MRE is based on a subblocked model with a main block size of 2.5 m x 1 m x 4 m, and subblocks of 0.16 m x 0.06 m x 2 m. Gold grades were composited to 1-m length and estimated with ID3 and high-grade spatial restrictions. The open pit MRE is reported inside mineable shapes constrained by an open pit optimization to respect Reasonable Prospect of Eventual Economic Extraction (RPEEE). No mining dilution and losses are added to the MRE; however, must-take material is accounted for in open pit mineable shapes. Open pit optimization and cut-off grade assume long-term gold price of US$ 3,500/oz, and a US$/C$ exchange rate of 1.40, slope angles of 50, bench height of 4 m, minimum mining width of 1.5 m, metallurgical recoveries of 92%, mining costs of C$10/t mined, processing costs of C$40/t processed, transport costs of C$25/t processed and general and administrative costs of C$10/t processed. Tonnage has been expressed in the metric system, and gold metal content has been expressed in troy ounces. The tonnages have been rounded to the nearest 1,000 tons, and the metal content has been rounded to the nearest 1,000 ounces. Totals may not add up due to rounding errors. These Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves as they have not demonstrated economic viability. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred Mineral Resources in this news release are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these resources as indicated or measured; however, it is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration. The QP is not aware of any factors or issues that materially affect the MRE other than normal risks faced by mining projects in the province in terms of environmental, permitting, taxation, socio-economic, marketing, and political factors, and additional risk factors regarding Indicated and Inferred Resources. Orion Deposit MRE The updated Orion deposit MRE was prepared by Norda Stelo using Leapfrog geo 2025.3 ("Leapfrog 2025.3") and Leapffog Edge 2025.3 ("Edge"). Leapfrog 2025.3 was used to model the lithologies and mineralized zones. The estimation, which consisted of 3D block modelling and grade interpolation, was performed with Edge. Statistical studies, capping and variography were completed using Edge, Snowden Supervisor v.9 ("Supervisor") and Microsoft Excel. Grades were interpolated using ordinary kriging. The updated MRE is reported above a 0.47 g/t Au cut-off for an open-pit scenario and at 1.13 g/t Au for an underground scenario. The following Orion deposit MRE is effective as of January 22, 2026, and incorporates 46,017.34 m in 219 DDH (Table 5). Table 5: Orion deposit MRE (effective date January 22, 2026). Deposit Mining Method Category Tonnage (kt) Grade (g/t Au) Contained Oz (koz) Orion2 Open Pit Indicated 598 1.75 33.6 Inferred 91 1.92 5.6 Underground Indicated 636 1.92 39.3 Inferred 523 2.16 36.2 Total Indicated 1.234 1.84 72.9 Total Inferred 614 2.12 41.8 Orion MRE Notes: These Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves as they do not have demonstrated economic viability. The MRE follows current CIM Definition Standards (2014) and CIM MRMR Best Practice Guidelines (2019). The QPs for the MRE, as defined by NI 43-101, are Chafana Sako, P.Geo. of Norda Stelo and Stephen Coates, P.Eng. of Evomine. The effective date is January 22, 2026. The estimation encompasses thirty seven (37) zones and a dilution envelope using Leapfrog 2025.3 and interpolated using Edge. 1.0-m composites were calculated within the mineralized zones using the grade of the adjacent material when assayed or a value of zero when not assayed. High-grade capping on composites (supported by statistical analysis) was set between 5.0 and 70.0 g/t Au for envelopes. The estimate was completed using a sub-block model in Edge, with a parent block size of 5 m x 5 m x 5 m (X,Y,Z) and a sub-block size of 0.625 m x 0.625 m x 0.625 m (X,Y,Z). Grade interpolation was obtained by the Ordinary Kriging (OK) method using hard boundaries. Density values of 2.7 to 2.83 g/cm3 were assigned to all mineralized zones. Mineral Resources were classified as Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources. The Inferred Mineral Resource category is defined for blocks estimated if the 1 to 5 holes closest to the block have an average distance < 35 to 55 m and if the block was estimated with pass 1 or 2 and there is reasonable geological and grade continuity. The MRE is locally pit constrained. The pit-constrained results are presented undiluted and are considered to have reasonable prospects of economic viability. The pit-constrained MRE is reported at a 0.42 g/t Au cut-off grade. The cut-off was calculated using the following parameters: gold price = US$ 3,500/oz; USD:CAD exchange rate = 1.40; mining cost = CA$10.00/t; processing + G&A costs = CA$48.50/t; bedrock slope angle of 50 and mill recovery = 92%. The underground mineral resource estimate is reported at a cut-off grade of 1.13 g/t Au. The underground mineral resources estimate was based on potential long hole mining method depending on the orientation of the mineralization. The cut-off grade was calculated using the following parameters: mining cost = CA$ 100.00; processing cost and G&A = CA$ 82.02; selling costs = CA$ 4.89; gold price = US$ 3,500/oz; USD:CAD exchange rate = 1.40; and mill recovery = 92%. The cut-off grades should be re-evaluated in light of future prevailing market conditions (metal prices, exchange rates, mining costs etc.). The number of metric tons (tonnes) was rounded to the nearest thousand, following the recommendations in NI 43-101. Any discrepancies in the totals are due to rounding effects. The metal contents are presented in troy ounces (tonnes x grade / 31.10348). The QPs are not aware of any known environmental, permitting, legal, title-related, taxation, socio-political, or marketing issues or any other relevant issue not reported in the Technical Report that could materially affect the MRE. Stog'er Tight Deposit MRE The Stog'er Tight deposit MRE was prepared by Norda Stelo using Leapfrog 2025.3 and Edge. Leapfrog was used to model the lithologies and mineralized zones. The estimation, which consisted of 3D block modelling and grade interpolation, was performed with Edge. Statistical studies, capping and variography were completed using Supervisor and Microsoft Excel. Grades were interpolated using ordinary kriging. The updated MRE is reported above a 0.42 g/t Au cut-off for an open-pit scenario. The following MRE is effective as of January 22, 2026 and incorporates 35,246.42 m in 523 DDH (Table 6). Table 6: Stog'er Tight MRE (effective date January 22, 2026). Deposit Mining Method Category Tonnage (kt) Grade (g/t Au) Contained Oz (koz) Stog'er Tight3 Open Pit Total Inferred 545 2.16 37.8 Stog'er Tight MRE Notes: This MRE follows current CIM Definition Standards (2014) and CIM MRMR Best Practice Guidelines (2019). The QPs for the MRE, as defined by NI 43-101, are Chafana Sako, P.Geo. of Norda Stelo and Stephen Coates, P.Eng. of Evomine. The effective date is January 22, 2026. The estimation encompasses twelve (12) zones and a dilution envelope using Leapfrog 2025.3 and interpolated using Edge. 1.0-m composites were calculated within the mineralized zones using the grade of the adjacent material when assayed or a value of zero when not assayed. High-grade capping on composites (supported by statistical analysis) was set at 30.0 g/t Au for envelopes. The estimate was completed using a sub-block model in Edge, with a parent block size of 3 m x 3 m x 3 m (X,Y,Z) and a sub-block size of 0.75 m x 0.75 m x 0.75 m (X,Y,Z). Grade interpolation was obtained by the Ordinary Kriging (OK) method using hard boundaries. Density values of 2.8 to 2.9 g/cm3 were assigned to all mineralized zones. Mineral Resources were classified as Indicated and Inferred Resources. Indicated resources are defined for blocks were estimated if the 2 holes closest to the block have an average distance < 30 m with pass 1 or 2, and there is reasonable geological and grade continuity. The inferred category is defined for blocks estimated if the 1 hole closest to the block have an average distance < 60 m and if the block was estimated with pass 3 and there is reasonable geological and grade continuity. The MRE is locally pit constrained. The pit-constrained results are presented undiluted and are considered to have reasonable prospects of economic viability. The pit-constrained MRE is reported at a 0.48 g/t Au cut-off grade. The cut-off was calculated using the following parameters: gold price = US$ 3,500/oz; USD:CAD exchange rate = 1.40; mining cost = CA$10.00/t; processing + G&A costs = CA$82.02/t; bedrock slope angle of 50 and mill recovery = 92%. The cut-off grades should be re-evaluated in light of future prevailing market conditions (metal prices, exchange rates, mining costs etc.). The number of metric tons (tonnes) was rounded to the nearest thousand, following the recommendations in NI 43-101. Any discrepancies in the totals are due to rounding effects. The metal contents are presented in troy ounces (tonnes x grade / 31.10348). The QPs are not aware of any known environmental, permitting, legal, title-related, taxation, socio-political, or marketing issues or any other relevant issue not reported in the Technical Report that could materially affect the MRE. Data Verification The data used in the Hammerdown MRE is supported by Quality Assurance and Quality Control ("QA/QC") procedures, such as the insertion of certified standards and blanks into the sample stream and the utilization of certified independent analytical laboratories for all assays. The QA/QC data and methodology on the project were reviewed and will be summarized in the Technical Report. Hammerdown Deposit MRE Christian Beaulieu, P.Geo. of Mineralis Consulting Services Inc., an independent QP in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101, has reviewed the adequacy of sample preparation, security, and analytical procedures conducted by New Found Gold from 2018 through to the effective date of the Hammerdown deposit MRE. This review found no material issues or inconsistencies that could adversely affect the quality or reliability of the data. The QP is of the opinion that: New Found Gold's sample preparation procedures are appropriate for the deposit type and mineralization style. Analytical methods used, including fire assay, are suitable for determining gold grades in the Hammerdown deposit. The QA/QC program, which includes certified reference materials ("CRMs"), blanks, and field and coarse duplicates, is well-structured, meets industry standards, and provides confidence in the assay data. Sample security measures and chain of custody protocols are sufficient to ensure the integrity of the data. Overall, Mr. Beaulieu is of the opinion that New Found Gold's sampling, analytical methods, and QA/QC program meet industry standards and are suitable for use in the Hammerdown deposit MRE. While some CRMs show minor bias, they are not judged to materially impact the validity of the database and are conservative in nature. Data verification for the drill hole database included comparing gold assay values used to support the Hammerdown deposit MRE against the original analytical certificates from Eastern Analytical Ltd. ("EAL") in Springdale, NL, the primary laboratory used by New Found Gold between 2018 and 2025. Mr. Beaulieu identified no material discrepancies that would impact the validity of the Hammerdown deposit MRE and is of the opinion that the verification process confirms the reliability of the assay database, ensuring its suitability for use for the Hammerdown deposit MRE. In accordance with NI 43-101, Mr. Beaulieu, conducted a site visit to the Hammerdown deposit and related facilities on May 12 to May 13, 2025 and on October 15 to October 16, 2025. During these visits, Mr. Beaulieu inspected and reviewed the logging environment and procedures for data collection and sampling. He also examined core samples from the Wisteria, Hammerdown and Rumbullion areas of the Hammerdown deposit. In addition, he interviewed New Found Gold's personnel and gathered information necessary for completing the Hammerdown deposit MRE and accompanying Technical Report. Mr. Beaulieu also inspected mineralized intervals from drill hole cores and from surface mineralization (outcrops) relevant to the Hammerdown deposit MRE and verified collar locations using a handheld GPS and visually comparing mineralization with interpreted drilling sections. New Found Gold provided full access to all facilities and personnel during the visit. Mr. Beaulieu was accompanied by New Found Gold personnel: Jason Flight, P.Geo. (Senior Project Geologist), Larry Pilgrim, P.Geo. (Project Manager, NL Properties) and Paul LeGrow, P.Geo (Geologist). Orion Deposit MRE Chafana Sako, P.Geo. of Norda Stelo, an independent QP in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101, has reviewed the adequacy of sample preparation, security, and analytical procedures conducted by New Found Gold from 2011 through to the effective date for the Orion deposit. This review found no material issues or inconsistencies that could adversely affect the quality or reliability of the data. The QP is of the opinion that: NFG's sample preparation procedures are appropriate for the deposit type and mineralization style. Analytical methods used, including fire assay, are suitable for determining gold grades in the Orion deposit. The QA/QC program, which includes CRMs, blanks, and duplicates, is well-structured, meets industry standards, and provides confidence in the assay data. Sample security measures and chain of custody protocols are sufficient to ensure the integrity of the data. Overall, Mr. Sako is of the opinion that NFG's sampling, analytical methods, and QA/QC program meet industry standards and are suitable for use in the Orion deposit MRE. Data verification for the drill hole database included comparing gold assay values used to support the Orion deposit MRE against the original analytical certificates from EAL in Springdale, NL, the primary laboratories used by New Found Gold between 2011 and 2022. Mr. Sako found no material discrepancies identified that would impact the validity of the Orion deposit MRE and is of the opinion that the verification process confirms the reliability of the assay database, ensuring its suitability for use for this MRE. Stog'er Tight Deposit MRE Chafana Sako, P.Geo. of Norda Stelo, an independent QP in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101, has reviewed the adequacy of sample preparation, security, and analytical procedures conducted by New Found Gold from 2014 through to the effective date for the Stog'er Tight deposit MRE. This review found no material issues or inconsistencies that could adversely affect the quality or reliability of the data. The QP is of the opinion that: NFG's sample preparation procedures are appropriate for the deposit type and mineralization style. Analytical methods used, including fire assay, are suitable for determining gold grades in the Stog'er Tight deposit. The QA/QC program, which includes CRMs, blanks, and duplicates, is well-structured, meets industry standards, and provides confidence in the assay data. Sample security measures and chain of custody protocols are sufficient to ensure the integrity of the data. Overall, Mr. Sako is of the opinion that New Found Gold's sampling, analytical methods, and QA/QC program meet industry standards and are suitable for use in the Stog'er Tight deposit MRE. Data verification for the drill hole database included comparing gold assay values used to support the Stog'er Tight deposit MRE against the original analytical certificates from EAL in Springdale, NL, the primary laboratories used by New Found Gold between 2014 and 2021. Mr. Sako found no material discrepancies identified that would impact the validity of the Stog'er Tight deposit MRE and is of the opinion that the verification process confirms the reliability of the assay database, ensuring its suitability for use for this MRE. In accordance with NI 43-101, James Guiraud, P.Geo., of Norda Stelo, conducted a site visit to the Stog'er Tight deposit and related facilities on October 5 to 10, 2025. During this visit, he inspected and reviewed the logging environment and procedures for data collection and sampling. He also examined core samples from the Stog'er Tight deposit. In addition, he interviewed New Found Gold's personnel and gathered information necessary for completing Stog'er Tight deposit MRE and accompanying Technical Report. Mr. Sako also inspected drill collars and drill hole cores relevant to this MRE, verifying collar locations and visually comparing mineralization with interpreted drilling sections. New Found Gold provided full access to all facilities and personnel during the visit. Exploration Data Figure 4 presents a compilation of historic and recent rock sample results collected by Maritime Resources Corp. ("Maritime"), Signal Gold Inc. ("Signal Gold"), as well as previous operators. Rock samples were obtained during prospecting programs, geological mapping, channel sampling, and diamond drilling campaigns. Sampling media include, outcrop and channel samples, interpreted to represent in place bedrock; float samples of uncertain origin that may have been transported by glacial or surficial processes; subcrop samples derived from low lying or partially exposed material that may reflect underlying bedrock but cannot be assumed to be in situ; and diamond drill core. Historic operators employed a variety of location control methods, including cut lines and non GPS techniques, resulting in variable positional accuracy for older sample data. In contrast, Maritime and Signal Gold used handheld GPS units for geological mapping, prospecting, and a combination of handheld GPS and high-precision Trimble Differential GPS system for drill hole collar and channel sample locations. Recent analytical work completed by Maritime and Signal Gold was performed by EAL of Springdale, NL. EAL is accredited to ISO 17025:2005 for a defined scope of analytical procedures and is independent of New Found Gold. Samples were delivered to the laboratory in sealed plastic bags by field personnel. At EAL, samples were dried, crushed, and pulped. Crushing was completed to approximately 80% passing -10 mesh, after which a riffle splitter was used to obtain a ~250 g subsample. This subsample was pulverized using a ring mill to 95% passing -150 mesh. A 30 g aliquot was selected from the pulped material for fire assay analysis. EAL maintains a comprehensive internal QA/QC program including the routine insertion of standards, blanks, and duplicates within each analytical batch. In addition, for drill core and channel sampling only, Maritime and Signal Gold inserted CRMs, blanks, and duplicate samples into the sample stream to monitor assay accuracy and precision during drilling campaigns. Umpire check assays were periodically completed at an independent secondary laboratory to assess potential analytical bias, involving re-analysis of selected pulps and rejects. The EAL internal QA/QC program was relied on for grab samples. Historical QA/QC information provided by prior operators is incomplete and cannot be fully verified. Database records indicate that the majority of historical analyses were performed by EAL; however, the absence of documented QA/QC protocols limits the ability to assess data reliability for older sampling. Cautionary Statement The PEA is preliminary in nature. It includes Inferred Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. Forward-Looking Information This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding bringing the recently acquired Hammerdown deposit into commercial production in H2/26; ramping up Pine Cove to full production; statements relating to Hammerdown's on-island processing, hauling, sorting and tailing facilities; advancing Queensway toward production in H2/27; commissioning of a sorter in H2/26; future exploration programs at Hammerdown and the timing and focus thereof; and continuing focused exploration at Queensway to grow resources and support future expansions. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "interpreted", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "aims", "suggests", "indicate", "often", "target", "future", "likely", "pending", "potential", "encouraging", "goal", "objective", "prospective", "possibly", "preliminary", and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "can", "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with the Company's ability to complete exploration and drilling programs as expected, possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of exploration results and the results of the metallurgical testing program, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's Annual Information Form and Management's Discussion and Analysis, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.ca for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. Non-GAAP Financial Measures The Company has included certain non-GAAP financial measures in this press release. These financial measures are not defined under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and should not be considered in isolation. The Company believes that these financial measures, together with financial measures determined in accordance with IFRS, provide investors with an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company. The inclusion of these financial measures is meant to provide additional information and should not be used as a substitute for performance measures prepared in accordance with IFRS. These financial measures are not necessarily standard and therefore may not be comparable to other issuers. All-in Sustaining Cost All in sustaining cost is a non-GAAP financial measure calculated based on guidance published by the World Gold Council ("WGC"). The WGC is a market development organization for the gold industry and is an association whose membership comprises leading gold mining companies. Although the WGC is not a mining industry regulatory organization, it worked closely with its member companies to develop these metrics. Adoption of the all-in sustaining cost metric is voluntary and not necessarily standard, and therefore, this measure presented by the Company may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. The Company believes that the all-in sustaining cost measure complements existing measures and ratios reported by the Company. All-in sustaining cost includes both operating and capital costs required to sustain gold production on an ongoing basis. Sustaining operating costs represent expenditures expected to be incurred at the Project that are considered necessary to maintain production. Sustaining capital represents expected capital expenditures comprising mine development costs, including capitalized waste, and ongoing replacement of mine equipment and other capital facilities, and does not include expected capital expenditures for major growth projects or enhancement capital for significant infrastructure improvements. Cash Costs Cash Costs are reflective of the cost of production. Cash Costs reported in the MRE include mining costs, processing and water treatment costs, general and administrative costs of the mine, refining and transportation costs, silver revenue credits and royalties. Free Cash Flow Free Cash Flows are revenues net of operating costs, royalties, working capital adjustments, capital expenditures and cash taxes. The Company believes that this measure is useful to readers in assessing the Company's ability to generate cash flows from Hammerdown. Table 7: Hammerdown Gold Project: Mine Plan Summary. PRODUCTION YR1 YR2 YR3 YR4 YR5 YR6 YR7 YR8 YR9 YR10 YR11 YR12 YR13 YR14 Total Units 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2036 2037 2038 2039 Mill feed production tonnage 3,159 k t 256 256 256 256 256 256 256 256 256 256 256 256 91 - Mill feed head grades, Au 2.89 g/t 3.11 4.92 3.92 2.68 1.87 2.25 3.27 4.85 2.75 1.94 1.92 1.68 1.75 - Ounce Production 251,287 oz 22,29 35,288 28,080 19,18 12,66 15,59 23,322 34,474 18,557 12,252 13,068 12,028 4,476 - Commodity price, Au 3,656 US$/oz 4,132 4,000 3,775 3,600 3,600 3,475 3,475 3,475 3,475 3,475 3,475 3,475 3,475 - Gross Revenue - US$ 918.6 MUS$ 92.1 141.1 106.0 69.0 45.6 54.2 81.0 119.8 64.5 42.6 45.4 41.8 15.6 - Exchange Rate 1.39 CA$:US$ 1.39 1.39 1.39 1.39 1.39 1.39 1.39 1.39 1.39 1.39 1.39 - - - Gross Revenue - CA$ 1,276.8 MCA$ 128.0 196.2 147.3 96.0 63.4 75.3 112.6 166.5 89.6 59.2 63.1 58.1 21.6 - Selling Costs 7.0 MCA$ 0.6 1.0 0.8 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.6 1.0 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.1 - Net Smelter Return 1,269.8 MCA$ 127.4 195.2 146.5 95.4 63.0 74.9 112.0 165.5 89.1 58.8 62.7 57.7 21.5 - Royalites 17.4 MCA$ 1.3 5.1 1.5 1.0 0.6 0.8 1.1 1.7 0.6 0.1 1.3 1.7 0.6 - Net Revenue 1,252.4 MCA$ 126.1 190.1 145.1 94.5 62.4 74.1 110.8 163.9 88.5 58.7 61.4 56.0 20.8 - Operating Costs 725.9 MCA$ 66.0 77.4 71.0 60.2 48.7 61.4 71.6 63.9 54.2 52.7 48.1 35.3 15.4 - Sustaining Capital Costs (incl. Contingency) 97.7 MCA$ 5.6 0.3 10.5 23.2 34.1 19.9 0.4 - 3.7 - - - - - Capital Costs (incl. Contingency) 24.3 MCA$ 24.3 - - - - - - - - - - - - - Other Costs 18.0 MCA$ 1.3 (0.1) (0.5) (0.5) 1.4 1.2 (0.2) 0.6 0.4 6.5 0.2 0.2 0.2 7.2 Taxes 143.2 MCA$ 4.8 41.5 26.7 8.3 - - 9.1 37.4 10.7 - 2.1 6.4 1.2 (5.0) Cash flow results Pre-tax cash flow 386.5 MCA$ 28.8 112.5 64.0 11.7 (21.9) (8.4) 39.1 99.3 30.1 (0.5) 13.1 20.5 5.2 (7.2) Cumulative Pre-Tax Cash Flow MCA$ 28.8 141.3 205.3 217.0 195.1 186.8 225.9 325.2 355.3 354.9 368.0 388.5 393.7 386.5 After-tax cash flow 243.3 MCA$ 24.0 71.0 37.3 3.4 (21.9) (8.4) 30.0 61.9 19.4 (0.5) 11.0 14.1 4.0 (2.2) Cumulative After-Tax Cash Flow MCA$ 24.0 95.0 132.3 135.7 113.8 105.4 135.4 197.4 216.8 216.4 227.4 241.5 245.5 243.3 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285504 Source: New Found Gold Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - GoldQuest Mining Corp. (TSXV: GQC) (OTCQX: GDQMF) ("GoldQuest" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointments of Coille Van Alphen and Jose Michelen to the Company's board of directors (the "Board"), effective immediately, to fill the vacancies created by the resignations of Bill Fisher and Julio Espaillat from the Board. Mr. Fisher and Mr. Espaillat have served on the Board for 16 years and 15 years, respectively. The Company would like to thank them both for their valuable contributions and service to GoldQuest over the past years and wishes them continued success in their future endeavors. Luis Santana, Director and Chief Executive Officer of GoldQuest, commented: "We are very pleased to welcome Coille and Jose to the Board of GoldQuest at this important stage in the advancement of the Romero Project. Their combined experience in capital markets, corporate governance, finance and strategic development will further strengthen our Board as we continue to advance the Romero Project through permitting and towards development. At the same time, I would like to sincerely thank Bill and Julio for their commitment and contributions to the Company." Coille Van Alphen Ms. Van Alphen is a Metals & Mining Portfolio Manager at Equinox Partners, a US-based global value investment firm recognized for its long-term investment horizon and focus on good corporate governance. In this role, she manages a concentrated portfolio of precious metals miners and oversees investments in base metals companies. Previously, Ms. Van Alphen was Senior Analyst of a precious metals mutual fund at Toqueville Asset Management (now Sprott Funds), where she was responsible for evaluating and monitoring global mining equity investments. Earlier in her career, she worked at CPP Investment Board in global capital markets and external portfolio management. Ms. Van Alphen holds an MBA, graduating with distinction, from the Ivey School of Business at Western University and is a CFA charterholder. Jose Michelen Mr. Michelen has profound corporate and investment experience in the Dominican Republic and South America and has a track record of implementing and executing strategic corporate development goals within various enterprises. He has been active in financial markets since 1996, initially working in New York before co-founding a financial transactional platform in the Dominican Republic in 2002. Since 2004, Mr. Michelen has focused on actively managing and overseeing investments across various industries in the Dominican Republic and Central America. He is a founding partner and board member of several Dominican financial institutions, including Centro Financiero Crecer, AG Investments and Alpha Valores, and has served on the board of directors of the Bolsa de Valores de la Republica Dominicana. He currently serves on the Board of Cevaldom. Mr. Michelen holds an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science degree from New York University. About GoldQuest GoldQuest Mining Corp. is a Canadian exploration and development company with strong participation from Dominican investors, focused on advancing its gold and copper assets in the Dominican Republic. The Company has a Board of Directors and management team with prior experience developing and operating a mine in the country. Additional information can be viewed at the Company's website www.goldquestcorp.com. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of GoldQuest Mining Corp., "Luis Santana" Director & CEO 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. Forward-looking statements: Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking information that involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the merits of the Company's mineral properties. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "potential", "likelihood", "appears", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "aims", "forecasts", "at least", "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", "should", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks related to uncertainties inherent in drill results and the estimation of mineral resources; commodity prices; changes in general economic conditions; market sentiment; currency exchange rates; the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the Company's ability to raise funds through equity financings; risks inherent in mineral exploration; risks related to operations in foreign countries; future prices of metals; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals; government regulation of mining operations; environmental risks; title disputes or claims; limitations on insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of litigation. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could affect the Company and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, do not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All statements are made as of the date of this news release and the Company is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable, including expectations regarding mineral exploration and development costs; expected trends in mineral prices and currency exchange rates; the accuracy of the Company's current mineral resource estimates; that the Company's activities will be in accordance with the Company's public statements and stated goals; that there will be no material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties; that all required approvals will be obtained and that there will be no significant disruptions affecting the Company or its properties. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285499 Source: GoldQuest Mining Corp. Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Grizzly Discoveries Inc. (TSXV: GZD) (FSE: G6H) (OTCQB: GZDIF) ("Grizzly" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that preliminary results have been received from Peter E. Walcott and Associates from an Induced Polarization (IP) program conducted in February 2026 to follow up excellent prior results from both surface sampling and historical drilling at the Sappho Critical Minerals Target (Figure 1). In light of the current escalating metal prices for critical minerals/metals including copper (Cu), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), gold (Au) and silver (Ag), the Sappho Skarn/Porphyry Target warrants follow-up exploration including drilling. A total of four lines of IP for 4.5 line-kms were completed. Further IP work is being planned prior to the commencement of drilling. Due to current weather conditions and the desire to complete more IP, the fully funded drilling of 4 to 6 drillholes and about 1,500 to 2,000 m at Sappho is slated to commence approximately early to mid-April. Highlights The IP survey has yielded a significant near surface conductivity anomaly on Lines 9600 and 9700 North coincident with Main Showings and the Skarn intersected in drilling in holes 10SP02 and 10SP03 in 2010 (Figures 2 and 3). Follow-up drilling (fully funded) is planned to test the conductive zone this April. The IP Survey has detected a new significant deeper chargeability anomaly on the southeast part of the grid - likely up against one of the Main Sappho faults (Figures 4 to 6). The chargeability anomaly is not closed off and is on the order of 20 to 30 millivolts per volt and is consistent with a number of porphyry targets that have yielded new discoveries in BC recently. Five (5) new sulphide showings were discovered during 2022 field work, with 4 of the 5 showings yielding rock grab samples with >1% copper (Cu) up to as high as 7.25% Cu (Figure 1 and see Grizzly news release dated November 3 rd , 2022). A total of 17 rock grab samples returned values >1% Cu up to 9.06% Cu, many also with anomalous gold (Au), silver (Ag), platinum (Pt) and palladium (Pd). A total of 11 samples have yielded >500 parts per billion (ppb) Pt and Pd up to 4.64 grams per tonne (g/t) Pt and up to 2.28 g/t Pd. The Geological Setting is the East Fault Contact of the Toroda Graben with numerous pyroxenite-monzonite-diorite (older) and younger QFP-diorite (Tertiary) intrusions into intermediate-mafic volcanics along with a complex magnetic feature at the Sappho CG area (Figure 1). The East and West Faults of the Toroda Graben likely played a role in controlling the Au-Ag mineralization for the Buckhorn Skarn and Mine to the southwest and the Cu-Au-Ag mineralization for the Motherlode/Greyhound skarns to the north (Figure 2). Skarn and porphyry style alteration and mineralization along with Cu-PGE's-Au-Ag are observed in outcrop and drill core along with a complex magnetic signature in the Main Sappho CG area. The Sappho area is being targeted for copper-gold skarn and porphyry type targets associated with a Jurassic alkalic intrusive complex and several younger diorite intrusions (Figure 1). A total of five new showings of copper oxide mineralization were found during the 2022 program (Figure 1). Previous surface sampling and drilling by Grizzly has yielded significant anomalous copper, gold, silver along with platinum and palladium. Numerous historical and new rock grab samples have yielded greater than 1% Cu, 1 g/t Au, 1 g/t Ag, 1 g/t Pt and 1 g/t Pd (Figure 1). Historical 2010 drilling by the Company (4 core holes) yielded up to 0.31% Cu, 0.75 g/t Au, 0.34 g/t Pt, 0.39 g/t Pd and 6.57 g/t Ag over 6.5 m core length in skarn at Sappho (in hole 10SP03), including a 1 m core length intersections of 3.82 g/t Au and 199 g/t Ag, and in a separate sample 1.83 g/t Pt and 2.09 g/t Pd across 1 m - these results all are associated with >1% Cu in those samples. These higher grade zones were contained within a 63.5 m core length zone logged as a pyroxene - sulphide skarn with a grade approaching 0.7% copper equivalent derived from current metal prices for Cu, Au, Ag, Pt and Pd. Drillhole 10SP03 targeted a magnetic anomaly and had no indications of surface mineralization at the time of drilling. One of the new 2022 showings has been found proximal to drillhole 10SP03 and the targeted magnetic anomaly. Figure 1: Sappho Rock Sampling Summary 2026 and Planned IP and Drillhole Locations. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4488/285545_0a04322da4d288e2_002full.jpg Brian "Griz" Testo, President & CEO of Grizzly Discoveries, states: "Anomalous ground magnetics and now IP has outlined multiple new targets across the Sappho Project. I am excited to see what the next phase of IP work and drilling might show us - Grizzly will continue to refine these targets to the drill ready stage for drilling in the next couple of months and I look forward to identifying some new discoveries." Figure 2: Sappho IP Results Showing Conductivity Anomaly Lines 9600 and 9700. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4488/285545_0a04322da4d288e2_003full.jpg Figure 3: Sappho IP Results Showing Modelled Conductivity Anomaly on Line 9600. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4488/285545_0a04322da4d288e2_004full.jpg Figure 4: Sappho IP Results Showing Chargeability Anomaly Lines 9400 and 9500. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4488/285545_0a04322da4d288e2_005full.jpg Figure 5: Sappho IP Results Showing the Modelled Chargeability Anomaly on Line 9500. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4488/285545_0a04322da4d288e2_006full.jpg Figure 6: Sappho 3D IP Model Showing Chargeability Anomaly on Lines 9400 and 9500. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4488/285545_0a04322da4d288e2_007full.jpg The Company is continuing with surface exploration in the Greenwood area. Crews from APEX Geoscience Ltd. completed rock sampling in August through to November and again in January. The exploration work is ongoing and includes prospecting and rock sampling at targets in the Rock Creek area, the Midway area, the Copper Mountain area, the Overlander-Attwood area and the Sappho (Figure 7). Additional groundwork including ground geophysical surveys are being planned and will comprise IP, magnetics and Loupe electromagnetics (EM) for the Sappho, the Midway and Motherlode areas (Figure 7). Rock sampling results (>220 samples) from the 2025 fieldwork are pending and will be released as they are received. Figure 7: Exploration Targets 2026. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4488/285545_0a04322da4d288e2_008full.jpg ABOUT GRIZZLY DISCOVERIES INC. Grizzly is a diversified Canadian mineral exploration company with its primary listing on the TSX Venture Exchange focused on developing its approximately 72,700 ha (approximately 180,000 acres) of precious and base metals properties in southeastern British Columbia. Grizzly is run by a highly experienced junior resource sector management team, who have a track record of advancing exploration projects from early exploration stage through to feasibility stage. QUALIFIED PERSON STATEMENT The technical content of this news release and the Company's technical disclosure has been reviewed and approved by Michael B. Dufresne, M. Sc., P. Geol., P.Geo., who is a non-independent Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. On behalf of the Board, GRIZZLY DISCOVERIES INC. Brian Testo, CEO, President Suite 363-9768 170 Street NW Edmonton, Alberta T5T 5L4 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. Caution concerning forward-looking information This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. This information and statements address future activities, events, plans, developments and projections. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information and statements are frequently identified by words such as "may," "will," "should," "anticipate," "plan," "expect," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and similar terminology, and reflect assumptions, estimates, opinions and analysis made by management of Grizzly in light of its experience, current conditions, expectations of future developments and other factors which it believes to be reasonable and relevant. Forward-looking information and statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause Grizzly's actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information and statements and accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed thereon. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary include but are not limited to the availability of financing; fluctuations in commodity prices; changes to and compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including environmental laws and obtaining requisite permits; political, economic and other risks; as well as other risks and uncertainties which are more fully described in our annual and quarterly Management's Discussion and Analysis and in other filings made by us with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available at www.sedarplus.ca. Grizzly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements except as may be required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285545 Source: Grizzly Discoveries Inc. All dollar amounts are in Canadian dollars ("$") unless otherwise indicated Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - Gold X2 Mining Inc. (TSXV: AUXX) (OTCQB: GSHRF) (FSE: DF8) ("Gold X2" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the second and final tranche (the "Second Tranche") of its non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") as previously announced in the Company's news releases dated January 27, 2026 and February 19, 2026. Michael Henrichsen, CEO of Gold X2, commented, "We are pleased to officially close this private placement which marks a pivotal moment for Gold X2 Mining as we welcome strategic investments from AngloGold Ashanti and Hess Capital. The transaction significantly increases the Company's treasury, bringing the current cash position to approximately $122 Million and positions the Company to fund infill, expansion and exploration drill programs as we advance the Moss Gold Project towards a Feasibility Study in 2027. We look forward to moving forward with pace as we continue to derisk the project and unlock shareholder value." In connection with the Second Tranche, Gold X2 issued 58,992,945 charity flow-through common shares of the Company (each, a "Charity FT Share") at a price of $1.233 per Charity FT Share for gross proceeds of $72,738,307. With the Second Tranche closing, the Company has raised total gross proceeds of $115,898,306 in the Private Placement. The gross proceeds from the sale of the Charity FT Shares in the Second Tranche will be used to advance exploration and resource expansion activities at the Company's Moss Gold Project in Thunder Bay which will qualify as "Canadian exploration expenses" and "flow-through mining expenditures", as those terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Qualifying Expenses"). $9,450,000 in Qualifying Expenses will be incurred and renounced by Gold X2 to the subscribers of the Charity FT Shares in the Second Tranche effective as at September 15, 2026, and $63,288,300 in Qualifying Expenses will be incurred and renounced by Gold X2 to the subscribers of the Charity FT Shares in the Second Tranche effective as at December 31, 2026. In connection with their strategic investment, AngloGold Ashanti will acquire an aggregate of 58,992,945 Common Shares, representing approximately 9.9% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares in the Company following closing of the Private Placement. All securities issued pursuant to the Second Tranche will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus one day from the date of issuance, in addition to such other restrictions as may apply under applicable securities laws of jurisdictions outside Canada. No finder's fees were paid in connection with the Second Tranche. None of the securities sold in connection with the Second Tranche have been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no such securities may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The Second Tranche and the Private Placement are subject to final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Gold X2 Mining Gold X2 is a growth-oriented gold company focused on delivering long-term shareholder and stakeholder value through the acquisition and advancement of primary gold assets in tier-one jurisdictions. It is led by the ex-global head of structural geology for the world's largest gold company and backed by one of Canada's pre-eminent private equity firms. The Company's current focus is the advanced stage 100% owned Moss Gold Project which is positioned in Ontario, Canada, with direct access from the Trans-Canada Highway, hydroelectric power near site, supportive local communities and skilled workforce. The Company has invested over $100 million of new capital and completed approximately 100,000 meters of drilling on the Moss Gold Project, which, in aggregate, has had over 300,000 meters of drilling. The 2026 updated NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate ("MRE") for the Moss and East Coldstream Deposits has expanded to 2.458 million ounces of Indicated gold resources at 1.04 g/t Au, contained within 73.8 million tonnes and 4.209 million ounces of Inferred gold resources at 0.97 g/t Au contained within 134.7 million tonnes. The Moss Deposit also has a silver MRE of 3.160 million ounces of indicated silver resources at 1.53 g/t Ag contained within 64.3 Mt and 6.273 million ounces of inferred silver resources at 1.55 g/t Ag contained within 125.9 Mt. Results of a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") of the Moss Gold Project suggest the potential for the deposit to support a long-life mining operation with a strong production profile and low production costs. The MRE and PEA are supported by a NI 43-101 technical report for the Moss Gold Project which will be filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and the Company's website by March 12, 2026. For more information, please visit SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and the Company's website (www.goldx2.com). For More Information - Please Contact: Michael Henrichsen President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Gold X2 Mining Inc. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, statements that regarding the use of proceeds from the sale of Charity FT Shares to advance exploration and resource expansion activities at the Moss Gold Project; and the incurrence and renunciation of Qualifying Expenses to subscribers effective as at September 15, 2026 and December 31, 2026. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the potential results discussed in the forward-looking statements. In respect of the forward-looking statements herein, Gold X2 has relied on certain assumptions that it believes are reasonable at this time, including assumptions that the proceeds from the Private Placement will be used as intended; and that the Qualifying Expenses will be incurred and renounced as planned. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these times. Risks and uncertainties that may cause such differences include but are not limited to: that the proceeds from the Second Tranche may not be used as intended; that the Qualifying Expenses may not be incurred or renounced as planned; other risk factors as detailed from time to time and additional risks identified in Gold X2's filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca). Gold X2 expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285551 Source: Gold X2 Mining Inc. Victoria, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - ALUULA Composites Inc. (TSXV: AUUA) (OTCQB: AUUAF) ("ALUULA" or the "Company"), a leading developer of an ultra-light, high performance and recycle-ready composite materials, today announced that it has retained Bristol Capital Ltd. ("Bristol"), a leading investor relations firm specializing in Canadian and U.S. micro- and small-cap companies, to provide investor relations and communication services. Bristol has been engaged by the Company for an initial period of twelve (12) months, commencing March 1st, 2026, and ending February 28th, 2027, unless terminated in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Under the agreement, Bristol will provide a comprehensive suite of investor relations services focused on increasing market awareness and expanding the Company's engagement with institutional and professional investors across North America. Compensation payable to Bristol will vary based on the level of services provided, ranging from CAD $7,000 to CAD $14,000 per month. This compensation will be paid from the Company's general working capital. In addition, the Company has agreed to grant Bristol stock options in accordance with the Company's Employee Stock Option Plan, representing 100,000 common shares of the Company, exercisable for a period of five years from the date of issuance at an exercise price equal to CAD $3.30, the closing price of the Company's shares on the day prior to grant. The options will vest over four years, with 25% vesting on the one-year anniversary of the grant date and the remainder vesting monthly thereafter. "As ALUULA continues to scale its commercialization efforts and expand global adoption of its innovative composite materials, maintaining clear and effective communication with the investment community is critical," said Sage Berryman, President and Chief Executive Officer of ALUULA Composites. "Partnering with Bristol Capital enhances our ability to broaden investor awareness, strengthen institutional engagement, and effectively articulate our long-term growth strategy. We look forward to working closely with the Bristol team and continuing to build out a strong shareholder base." Bristol, founded in 2001 and headquartered in Toronto, has established itself as a leading investor relations and capital markets advisory firm servicing companies across international markets in technology, renewables, energy, aerospace, and more. Their primary focus is on helping public micro- and small-cap companies enhance their capital markets profile and engage effectively with institutional and retail investors worldwide. Bristol's place of business is 180 Brodie Dr Unit 5, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3K8, Canada. ALUULA and Bristol are arm's length parties. To the knowledge of the Company, Bristol does not currently hold, or have a right or an intent to hold, directly or indirectly, any securities of ALUULA other than the stock options described above. The engagement remains subject to applicable regulatory approvals, including acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange. About ALUULA Composites 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. aluula.com | (TSXV: AUUA) (OTCQB: AUUAF) ALUULA's Brand Partners The term "brand partners" does not refer to formal partnerships with our customers. The term refers to marketing relationships with our customers who use ALUULA's technology as a brand ingredient in their products. TSX Venture Exchange 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 The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans, and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: the investor relations agreement and TSX Venture Exchange acceptance of that agreement. These statements are based on assumptions subject to significant risks and uncertainties as described in the Company's management discussion and analysis. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, including the timing and receipt of all applicable regulatory, corporate third-party approvals, the actual results, expectations, achievements, or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Although the Company 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 Company 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285513 Source: ALUULA Composites Inc. Bilateral trade with China hits 251 billion in 2025 even as Germany flags a widening 90 billion deficit German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (4th R) attends a meeting with Chinas Premier Li Qiang (5th L) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on February 25, 2026.- AFP China has once again emerged as Germanys largest trading partner, overtaking the United States in 2025, a shift that underscores both the resilience and the risks of Germanys economic entanglement with the worlds second-largest economy. Official data show that bilateral trade between Germany and China reached 251 billion in 2025, up 2.2 per cent from the previous year. By contrast, trade with the United States fell 5 per cent to 240 billion, amid tariff frictions and policy uncertainty in Washington. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The numbers set the backdrop for Chancellor Friedrich Merzs first visit to Beijing since taking office. The trip aimed at resetting relations that are economically indispensable yet increasingly imbalanced. Trade at record highs but skewed The headline figure masks a widening asymmetry. Germany imported 170.6 billion worth of goods from China in 2025, while exporting only 81.3 billion leaving a trade deficit of roughly 90 billion. Merz acknowledged the strain during meetings on Wednesday with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing. Merz noted that the trade deficit had increased fourfold since 2020, and said this was largely due to overcapacity. This dynamic is not healthy, he told reporters after the meetings. Yet he also stressed the need for fair cooperation and open communication, reflecting the delicate balance Berlin is attempting to strike: de-risking without decoupling. Washington vs Beijing While China has regained the top slot in terms of total trade volume, Germanys trade dynamics with the United States tell a different story. Trade with the US stood at 240 billion in 2025, and unlike the China relationship, it has traditionally generated sizeable export surpluses for Germany in automobiles, machinery and chemicals. However, the 5 per cent decline last year highlights the fragility of transatlantic flows amid tariff tensions and industrial policy disputes under President Donald Trump. In absolute global terms, USChina trade remains far larger than GermanyChina commerce. But for Berlin, Chinas role as both a vast export market and a dominant supplier of intermediate goods makes it structurally more consequential to its industrial ecosystem. In short, Germanys exposure to China is not just about trade volume, it is about embedded supply chains, joint ventures and long-term capital commitments. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ALSO READ: Germanys Merz meets Xi in China, calls for fair trade and deeper ties Germanys industrial dependence For Germany, the stakes are uniquely high. Unlike the US, whose economy is more consumption-led, Germanys growth model is anchored in manufacturing exports. China is not merely a trading partner but a production hub and profit centre for its flagship companies. Automakers such as Volkswagen and BMW derive a significant share of global sales from China, even as they face intensifying competition from Chinese electric vehicle makers. The presence of senior executives in Merzs delegation underscored how central China remains to corporate Germany. At the same time, supply chain disruptions including Beijings tightening of export controls on rare earths and key components last year have reinforced calls within Europe for strategic diversification. During Merzs visit, China signalled goodwill, including a order for 120 aircraft from European aerospace group Airbus. Several cooperation agreements were signed, though they were limited in scope, covering climate action, green transition efforts and sector-specific protocols. President Xi Jinping emphasised the need for stronger strategic communication in an increasingly turbulent world, as European leaders navigate strained ties with Washington and a shifting global trade order. For Merz, who is due to travel to Washington next week, the timing is significant. Germany is attempting to recalibrate relations with both superpowers simultaneously maintaining market access in China while reinforcing transatlantic economic and security ties. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Breaking from industry practice ahead of a major release, DeepSeek did not share pre-release versions of its next model, V4, with Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) for performance optimisation. Instead, it granted early access to domestic suppliers In a move that underscores the deepening technological divide between the US and China, DeepSeek, the Chinese artificial intelligence lab whose low-cost model jolted global markets last year, has withheld early access to its upcoming flagship model from leading US chipmakers, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter. Breaking from industry practice ahead of a major release, DeepSeek did not share pre-release versions of its next model, V4, with Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) for performance optimisation. Instead, it granted early access to domestic suppliers, including Huawei Technologies, giving Chinese chipmakers a head start of several weeks to tune the software for their processors, the report said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD DeepSeek is expected to unveil V4 around the Lunar New Year holiday. AI developers typically provide leading hardware makers with advance access to major model updates so that the software runs efficiently on widely used graphics processing units (GPUs) and accelerators. DeepSeek has previously worked closely with Nvidias technical staff. Strategic shift amid export tensions The move comes amid intensifying scrutiny in Washington over Chinas access to advanced AI chips. A senior official in the administration of US President Donald Trump told Reuters that DeepSeeks latest AI model was trained on Nvidias most advanced Blackwell chips using a cluster in mainland China a step that could potentially violate US export controls. According to the US official, DeepSeek may seek to remove technical indicators that reveal its use of American AI chips and could publicly claim that it relied on Huawei processors to train its model. If confirmed, such a strategy would reflect Beijings broader push to reduce dependence on US semiconductor technology while bolstering domestic champions such as Huawei. ALSO READ: Nvidia beats estimates, but cash return question caps market reaction Ben Bajarin, chief executive of research firm Creative Strategies, told Reuters the direct financial impact on Nvidia and AMD was likely to be limited. The impact to Nvidia and AMD for general data accelerators is minimal most enterprises are not running DeepSeek, which serves as a benchmarking model more than anything else, Bajarin said. He added that advances in AI coding tools have compressed the time needed to optimise software for hardware from months to weeks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, he suggested the decision fits into a broader Chinese government effort to try to keep US hardware and models disadvantaged within China. Chinas open-source surge DeepSeek burst onto the global AI scene in January 2025 with a low-cost model that intensified competition with US labs and triggered volatility in technology stocks. Its models have since been downloaded more than 75 million times on Hugging Face, the open-source platform widely used by developers. Over the past year, downloads of Chinese AI models on the platform have surpassed those from any other country, highlighting the rapid ascent of Chinas open-source ecosystem. Global debt ballooned by nearly $29 trillion last year to touch a record $348 trillion, as governments ramped up spending on defence, national security and artificial intelligence-linked infrastructure Global debt ballooned by nearly $29 trillion last year to touch a record $348 trillion, as governments ramped up spending on defence, national security and artificial intelligence-linked infrastructure, according to the latest figures by the Institute of International Finance (IIF). The $28.8 trillion jump in 2025 marks the sharpest annual increase since the pandemic-era borrowing spree, underscoring a structural shift in global leverage from the private to the public sector. Global debt surged as governments invest in national security and resilience, the IIF said in its February report, noting that roughly two-thirds of the increase originated in mature markets amid widening fiscal deficits. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Public debt drives the surge While the headline global debt-to-GDP ratio declined for a fifth consecutive year to about 308 per cent in 2025, the improvement masks a divergence beneath the surface. The fall in the ratio was entirely due to deleveraging in the private sector. Government debt burdens, in contrast, continued to rise across advanced and emerging markets alike. In emerging markets, debt-to-GDP ratios continued to rise, hitting a fresh record above 235% of GDP, IIF said. Government borrowing alone accounted for over $10 trillion of the overall increase in global debt in 2025. China, the United States and the Euro Area together were responsible for nearly three-fourths of that rise. Within Europe, France and Italy led the expansion in public debt, followed by Germany. The IIF warned that a potent mix of fiscal expansion, still-accommodative monetary policy and potential regulatory easing could fuel further debt accumulation in the coming years, even as global growth remains resilient. Europes defence reset A key driver of the new borrowing cycle is a sharp increase in defence outlays, particularly in Europe. The report estimates that Europes defence push could lift EU government debt-to-GDP ratios by more than 18 percentage points by 2035 unless private capital mobilisation accelerates. The build-up comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions and pressure on European nations to boost military spending. In the United States, federal debt held by the public is projected to rise by more than 20 percentage points to above 120 per cent of GDP by 2036, according to projections cited in the report. Despite concerns over fiscal balances, foreign demand for US Treasuries, corporate bonds and equities remains robust. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD AI investment reshapes capital markets Beyond defence, artificial intelligence has emerged as a new engine of borrowing. The IIF flagged a surge in bond issuance by AI-linked US corporates, which is on track to hit another record in 2026. Large-scale investments in AI-driven data centres, energy security, transition projects and resilient infrastructure are reinforcing what the report describes as a new capex supercycle. This has been reflected in rising IPO, leveraged loan and high-yield bond issuance, signalling abundant liquidity and strong investor risk appetite. However, the IIF cautioned that the combined force of fiscal stimulus, easier financial conditions and capex-driven corporate borrowing could result in episodic overheating and stretched valuations in parts of the market. Borrowing costs and yield curves Record sovereign issuance has also kept upward pressure on borrowing costs. Ten-year government bond yields in the US and UK are hovering around 4 per cent, while Germanys benchmark yield has climbed above 2 per cent a marked reversal from the negative yields seen a few years ago. Longer-term borrowing costs have risen faster than short-term rates, leading to a steepening of government yield curves typically a sign that investors are demanding higher compensation for increased bond supply and fiscal risk. Emerging markets face $9 trillion refinancing test Emerging markets confront a different challenge: refinancing. The IIF estimates that EMs face over $9 trillion in debt redemptions in 2026, a record high. While accommodative global funding conditions and strong investor appetite for carry trades have helped contain risks so far, the refinancing burden leaves many countries vulnerable to shifts in global liquidity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Debt-to-GDP ratios in emerging markets have continued to rise, hitting fresh records above 235 per cent of GDP, even as advanced economy ratios have edged lower. The buildup in sovereign debt among emerging markets has been most pronounced in China, Brazil, Mexico and Russia, the report noted. For the January quarter, Nvidia reported revenue of $68.13 billion, up 94 per cent year-on-year and ahead of analysts estimates of $66.21 billion The earnings juggernaut at Nvidia rolled on for a 14th straight quarter, but the reaction on Wall Street suggested that simply beating estimates is no longer enough. The worlds most valuable chipmaker posted better-than-expected results for the January quarter and issued a robust revenue forecast for the current period, underscoring unabated demand for its artificial intelligence processors from Big Tech customers. Yet its shares traded largely flat in after-hours trading, reflecting investor expectations that have steadily risen alongside its meteoric run. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang struck a confident tone on the post-earnings call, dismissing concerns of an AI slowdown. This new way of doing computing is not going to go back, Huang said, reiterating that AI-generated output would form the backbone of future computing infrastructure. Beat-and-raise, but no fireworks For the January quarter, Nvidia reported revenue of $68.13 billion, up 94 per cent year-on-year and ahead of analysts estimates of $66.21 billion, according to LSEG data. Adjusted earnings came in at $1.62 per share, topping expectations of $1.53. Looking ahead, the company forecast fiscal first-quarter sales of $78 billion, plus or minus 2 per cent comfortably above the Streets average estimate of $72.60 billion. This was a good beat and raise, the usual for Nvidia, but based on the reactions preliminarily, it seems a lot was baked in to the cake so far, Ken Mahoney, CEO at Mahoney Asset Management, which holds Nvidia shares, told Reuters. The numbers reinforce the scale of AI-driven capital expenditure sweeping across the technology industry. Hyperscalers such as Meta Platforms have projected combined capital expenditure of at least $630 billion in 2026, with the lions share directed toward data centres and AI processors Nvidias core market. Its clear from Nvidias latest numbers and their forecast that concerns about an AI slowdown simply are not showing up yet, Bob ODonnell, chief analyst at TECHnalysis Research, told Reuters. ALSO READ: Shipments of Nvidia H200 AI chips to China remain stalled Investors want more cash back Despite the upbeat results, a key question from analysts centred on capital returns. On the post-earnings conference call, UBS analyst Tim Arcuri asked whether Nvidia planned to return more of what could be roughly $100 billion in cash generation this year to shareholders, noting that no matter how good the results have been, the stock hasnt really gone up much. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress responded that Nvidia remains focused on investing in the broader AI ecosystem rather than stepping up buybacks or dividends materially. Supply concerns and competition Nvidia also sought to calm concerns that a supply crunch at contract manufacturer TSMC could limit growth. The company said it had secured sufficient chip inventory and manufacturing capacity to meet demand for several quarters ahead. However, it flagged that supply constraints would continue to affect its gaming business. At the same time, competitive pressures are mounting. Rival Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is preparing to launch a new flagship AI server later this year and has secured deals with some of Nvidias largest customers, including Meta. Meanwhile, Alphabets Google has emerged as a formidable in-house competitor with its Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), supplying AI workloads to clients such as Anthropic and reportedly exploring broader deployments with other hyperscalers. Big Tech companies are increasingly designing custom silicon to reduce dependence on Nvidia and optimise costs in their vast data centre networks. Another emerging risk is customer concentration. During fiscal 2026, two customers accounted for 36 per cent of Nvidias revenue, up from three customers contributing 34 per cent in the previous fiscal year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ALSO READ: Chinas DeepSeek trained AI model on Nvidias Blackwell chip despite US ban: Report No China boost yet Notably, Nvidias current-quarter forecast excludes any expected revenue from data-centre chip sales to China. US export restrictions have curtailed shipments of its most advanced processors to Chinese customers. The company said it recently received licences from US authorities to ship small amounts of its H200 chips to China, though these are not reflected in the guidance. By contrast, AMD has reinstated AI chip sales to China in its own forecast after securing similar licences for modified processors. Nvidia also announced it will begin including stock-based compensation expenses in its non-GAAP financial measures a significant accounting change at a time when competition for elite AI engineers is intensifying. Stock-based compensation is a foundational component of Nvidias compensation program to attract and retain world-class talent, the company said. Zimbabwe halts exporting lithium and China is happy about it. Representational image/Pixabay Zimbabwes abrupt decision to suspend exports of raw minerals and lithium concentrates has sent tremors through global commodity markets, pushing up Chinese lithium futures prices and sharpening concerns about supply stability just as energy storage demand gathers pace. On Thursday, the most actively traded lithium carbonate contract on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange surged 6.07 per cent to 178,020 yuan ($26,043.45) a metric ton around 9 am IST. Earlier in the session, prices had spiked more than 9 per cent to 187,700 yuan underscoring the markets sensitivity to supply-side shocks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Zimbabwe pulls the plug on raw exports Zimbabwe on Wednesday ordered an immediate suspension of exports of all raw minerals and lithium concentrates. The move is widely seen as part of a broader strategy to promote domestic value addition and curb the outflow of unprocessed resources. The southern African nation is the largest lithium producer in Africa and a critical supplier to Chinas battery ecosystem. It exported 1.128 million tonnes of spodumene concentrate in 2025, up 11 per cent from the previous year, with the bulk of shipments headed to Chinese buyers. By halting raw exports, Harare is tightening the spigot on a key feedstock used in lithium carbonate and hydroxide production materials central to electric vehicle (EV) batteries and large-scale energy storage systems. Why China stands to gain At first glance, the export ban appears disruptive for Chinese refiners but China may ultimately benefit. Chinese mining giants such as Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt and Sinomine have made substantial investments in Zimbabwes lithium assets in recent years. With boots already on the ground, these firms are well placed to pivot toward in-country processing if Harare accelerates plans to develop domestic refining capacity. Such a shift could deepen Chinas strategic grip over upstream lithium assets while aligning with Zimbabwes ambition to move up the value chain. Instead of merely importing raw spodumene, Chinese-backed operations could refine material locally before shipping higher-value products to China. In that sense, while short-term price volatility is inevitable, longer-term supply chains may become more vertically integrated and more tightly linked to Chinese capital and technology. ALSO READ: How access to critical minerals will determine the new world order Energy storage boom fuels price rally Expectations of a boom in grid-scale energy storage systems have driven a rally in lithium prices since the second half of 2025. As renewable energy penetration rises globally, utilities are increasingly investing in battery storage to stabilise power supply. That structural demand story has already tightened sentiment in lithium markets. Zimbabwes move adds a fresh layer of uncertainty, particularly for traders wary of geopolitical and regulatory risks in key resource-rich nations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The 6 per cent-plus jump in Guangzhou futures highlights how quickly supply-side headlines can translate into price action. If the suspension is prolonged, or replicated by other producers seeking to capture more value domestically, lithium markets could face renewed bouts of volatility. Supply security back in focus For China, which dominates global lithium refining and battery manufacturing, securing stable raw material flows is a strategic imperative. The export halt by Africas top lithium producer serves as a reminder that upstream risks can emerge abruptly. For Zimbabwe, the gamble is whether restricting raw exports will catalyse meaningful investment in local processing without deterring foreign capital or triggering unintended trade frictions. Feature: Przewalski's horses return to wild through China-Germany cooperation Xinhua) 13:11, February 26, 2026 BERLIN/LANZHOU, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- As February draws to a close, early Spring approaching in Berlin, but winter is not yet ready to let go. The wind is still cold, and patches of snow refuse to melt. In the Przewalski's horse area at the Tierpark Berlin, the ground is a sheet of white. In the center stands a haystack, and around it a dozen or so Przewalski's horses, a sandy-brown color against the snow, lower their heads to eat. They bury their noses deep in the hay, and the warm breath they exhale settles back onto their manes, turning into fine frost. Przewalski's horse, the world's only remaining wild horse species, has an evolutionary history spanning over 60 million years. "They really like leaves," Martin Kraenzlin, curator of mammals at the park, told Xinhua. A keeper pushes a cart slowly across the snow, stops at the edge of the herd and adds bundle after bundle of hay, fresh branches, and even a Christmas tree. Feeding Przewalski's horses is much simpler than feeding domesticated horses, Kraenzlin said. In winter, the animals are given hay and pelleted feed and in summer, fresh grass is added. Hay is available around the clock. Meanwhile, order within the herd follows rules as old as the species itself. "In the wild, a typical group consists of one stallion and several mares," Kraenzlin explained. "But in Tierpark Berlin, where the herd is mare-dominated, the dominant animal is usually the oldest or strongest mare and that role can shift over the course of a year or when new individuals join." It is hard to imagine that these calm, unhurried animals once nearly disappeared from the wild. Native to the Junggar Basin in China's Xinjiang and parts of Mongolia, the species is listed as a national first-class protected animal in China and remains endangered globally. To bring the wild horse back has become a shared mission across borders. In 1985, China launched a program to reintroduce Przewalski's horses from overseas, and established breeding bases in Xinjiang and northwest China's Gansu Province. In the late 1980s, the Endangered Animal Protection Center in Gansu introduced 18 founder animals from countries including Germany and the United States. "From the beginning, we followed a phased approach aimed at rebuilding wild populations," said Wang Hongjun, a wildlife manager at the center. The population was divided into multiple smaller groups to build a solid breeding stock, laying the foundation for sustained population growth. To strengthen that foundation, the center worked intensively on details. "By upgrading facilities, tightening day-to-day monitoring, and improving feed and nutrition across breeding seasons, while adjusting herd structure to maintain genetic diversity, we have strengthened our overall capacity for breeding and conservation," Wang explained. Kraenzlin said China has done "outstanding work not only in breeding, but also in monitoring and winter feeding. That is especially important in the early stage of reintroduction, as cold winters and limited food mean a newly established population needs stable support." One by one, the horses were brought back to their native range. They weathered winter after winter, and the population expanded steadily. In 2025, official data showed that the population of Przewalski's horses in China has surpassed 900, accounting for one-third of the global total. "China's experience proves that large animals like Przewalski's horse can be successfully returned to the wild," Kraenzlin said. Nevertheless, expanding the population remains a long-term task. "Today, wild populations are mainly found in China and Mongolia, but they are still relatively small," he said. Alongside hunting and habitat loss, brutal winters have also historically been a key factor in the species' decline. "Small populations are far less resilient to extreme winters than large ones," Kraenzlin said. "Countries therefore need to further cooperate in areas including introducing more individuals to bolster existing herds and promoting genetic exchange between them, to ensure continued population growth." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The couple shared the photos on their Instagram story and fans were quick to pick and make a collage of the celebrations, which are now going viral on social media Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna are all set to tie the knot to today and fans cannot wait for the official pictures. But we have exclusive details about what the groom is about to wear for the biggest day of his life. A source exclusively tells Firstpost, Rashmika's uncle will gift the groom traditional attire a silk dhoti (pancha) that Vijay will wear at the wedding ritual. The couple, who are set to tie the knot on February 26, shared photos from their Haldi decor, and it looked like a ray of sunshine. Their sangeet is also scheduled for tonight. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Held at the luxurious ITC Mementos resort in Udaipur, the haldi function reflected warmth, tradition, and understated elegance. The couple shared the photos on their Instagram story and fans were quick to pick and make a collage of the celebrations, which are now going viral on social media. Lokah actress Kalyani Priyadarshan was also a part of the celebrations. A private yet star-studded affair in Udaipur The wedding festivities are being hosted at a secluded luxury property chosen for privacy and exclusivity. Reports suggest that the couple opted for a close-knit celebration, inviting only family members and a handful of friends from the film industry. Directors, actors, and close collaborators were spotted arriving in Udaipur ahead of the ceremonies, further building excitement around the big day. Sources indicate that the haldi, mehendi, and sangeet ceremonies are being held at the same venue, leading up to the wedding on February 26, followed by a grand reception planned in Hyderabad on March 4. Prime Minister Narendra Modi sends heartfelt wishes Adding a special touch to the celebrations, Narendra Modi extended his warm congratulations to the couple and their families. In his message, the Prime Minister described their union as the beginning of a new, beautiful chapter and wished them a life filled with happiness, shared dreams, and personal growth. In an exclusive interview with Firstposts Lachmi Deb Roy for Prime Videos The Bluff, Priyanka Chopra talks about why she moved to Hollywood. Priyanka Chopra personifies hard work and discipline. She is the definition of self-made woman. In a recent conversation, Priyanka Chopra mentioned as to why she moved to Hollywood. What Priyanka Chopra mentioned about her Hollywood move? I dont think I ever wanted to leave Bollywood. I felt limited for many reasons when I was working in Hindi films. I was being pushed into I was looking for opportunities that felt exciting to me as an artist and I landed up working in America. After 12 years, I am finding the momentum in choosing work. But at the same time, I love my work in India, I am really excited to be doing Varanasi in India again. I would hate to have to choose between the two. I straddle both the worlds and I enjoy working in both the industries. They are both different in many ways just as cultures. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD WATCH the full video interview below: About Prime Videos The Bluff and Priyanka Chopras performance Not just an action flick, Priyanka Chopras film is a story of resilience. Directed by Frank E. Flowers and written by Joe Ballarini & Frank E. Flowers, The Bluff is produced by the famous Russo Brothers. From swinging on ropes and engaging in brutal hand-to-hand combat to wielding a rapier and flintlock with conviction, Priyanka proves she is now a full-fledged action hero. In The Bluff, Priyanka Chopra stretches herself like a rubber band, but bounces back to her original shape, recovering quickly from negative events and that shows her characters resilience. When it comes to commanding the screen, nobody does it like Priyanka Chopra Jonas. From the very first scene, The Bluff captures the place of a meaningful and entertaining action drama. Shah observed the plea to halt the films release is premature, misconceived and not maintainable. Vipul Amrutlal Shahs The Kerala Story 2 was all set to release in cinemas on February 27. But the Kerala High Court has halted the release after a petition and it has observed the film depicts the state in wrong light. The observation over the content of the film was done by Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas. Shah observed the plea to halt the films release is premature, misconceived and not maintainable. The filmmakers affidavit says The supervisory jurisdiction of this court does not extend to substituting its own assessment of a films content for the expert judgment of the certifying authority. The said film is slated to release in over 1,800 theatres across India as well as overseas. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A new date is now likely to be announced by the makers. The makers of _The Kerala Story 2 Goes Beyond_ have issued an official clarification, firmly denying reports suggesting that the films teaser was removed following court intervention. Production house Sunshine Pictures termed the circulating claims as completely false, baseless, and misleading, urging all to refrain from spreading unverified information. The statement comes in response to reports that surfaced after the Kerala High Court agreed to watch the film ahead of its scheduled release, sparking speculation about possible restrictions. In a detailed statement, Sunshine Pictures clarified that the matter is currently sub judice and no court has passed any order directing the removal of any promotional content. Sunshine Pictures 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 subjudice. No judgement or order has been passed by any court directing the removal of any content, the statement read. Games View All The production house further stressed that neither the teaser nor the trailer has been taken down, adding that both remain accessible across all official platforms. Konkona Sen Sharma opens up about Netflix film Accused, criticising Bollywoods derogatory portrayal of gay characters and explaining how the film avoids default tropes around homosexuality. Actor Konkona Sen Sharma has strongly criticised how homosexuality has traditionally been portrayed in Hindi cinema, saying that queer characters often appear only when filmmakers want to highlight an issue, usually through stereotypes and caricatures. Speaking in a recent interview with Just Too Filmy while promoting her upcoming Netflix film Accused, Konkona said, We dont have gay characters until there is an issue. And then it becomes about that. Often, it ends up being derogatory. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD She added that many mainstream films reduce LGBTQ+ characters to comic relief or exaggerated traits, which only reinforces harmful stereotypes rather than normalising queer identities. According to her, cinema must move beyond tokenism and represent LGBTQ+ characters as layered, everyday individuals. How Accused avoids default tropes around homosexuality In Accused, directed by Anubhuti Kashyap, Konkona plays Dr Geetika, a respected gynaecologist whose life unravels after she is accused of sexual misconduct. The film also stars Pratibha Ranta as her wife, portraying a married queer couple living in London. Talking about the approach, Konkona said that the film deliberately avoids typical storytelling cliches attached to queer relationships. There was no burden of playing a queer couple, no pressure to do it differently, she explained, adding that the focus remained on emotional truth rather than sexual identity alone. Director Anubhuti Kashyap echoed this, stating, I did not want to make a commentary on queer relationships. They are just a couple who happens to be queer. She added that setting the film in London allowed the story to move beyond social commentary and focus on the characters emotional conflicts instead. Games View All Anubhuti further stressed that her intention was to normalise queer relationships rather than sensationalise them. Being queer is central, but not the main focus of the film. I think queer representation needs normalisation rather than commentary, she said. Konkona also highlighted how her character challenges gendered power structures, noting, Women in positions of authority are called bossy and domineering when they have to pattern themselves after the patriarchy to be heard and taken seriously. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pratibha Ranta on discomfort with women in power Co-star Pratibha Ranta added that Indian society is still uncomfortable with women holding authority, especially in professional spaces. People get uncomfortable when women are in charge. Were still getting used to seeing it, she said, underlining how Accused explores these layered social dynamics beyond sexuality alone. When and where to watch Accused Accused, starring Konkona Sen Sharma and Pratibha Ranta, and directed by Anubhuti Kashyap, premieres on Netflix on February 27, promising a sensitive, layered take on identity, power, and prejudice. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle carried out a public, official visit to Jordan days after Prince Andrews arrest, meeting leaders and WHO officials. Heres what happened. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle undertook a high-profile public visit to Jordan, just days after Prince Andrews arrest in connection with allegations linked to the Jeffrey Epstein files. Contrary to early speculation, the trip was neither secretive nor low-key, but involved official meetings, diplomatic engagements, and humanitarian outreach, drawing international attention. Public Engagements and Official Meetings in Jordan During their visit, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were formally welcomed by British Ambassador to Jordan Philip Hall, who praised their presence and support for ongoing humanitarian efforts. The couple is scheduled to meet Jordanian leaders and senior health officials, and also visit World Health Organization (WHO) teams working on frontline health and mental health programmes in the region. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ambassador Hall said their support and acknowledgment of the work being carried out by the Jordanian government, the United Nations and WHO was enormously appreciated, underscoring the official and public nature of the visit. Visit Comes Amid Prince Andrew Arrest Fallout The Jordan trip coincides with intense scrutiny following Prince Andrews arrest on February 19, 2026, over allegations of misconduct in public office. The investigation is reportedly linked to newly released Epstein-related documents, which allege that Andrew may have shared sensitive UK trade information during his tenure as a government envoy. He has denied any wrongdoing and was released under investigation. While no formal connection has been drawn between the two developments, the timing of Harry and Meghans public overseas engagement has amplified media focus on the royal family, sparking debate about diplomacy, protocol, and the Sussexes evolving international role. Games View All In an interview with Firstposts Lachmi Deb Roy for her column Not Just Bollywood, actress Konkona Sen Sharma talks about her film, Netflixs Accused and more. Konkona Sen Sharma has been renowned for her terrific artistic capabilities and for shaping beautifully flawed women characters in Indian cinema. In a conversation with Firstpost, she talks about her film Accused to be released tomorrow, working on queer characters, womens roles changing in cinema and more. She says, I have to make the best out of what is offered to me. If it is a well written character with fleshed out details, it always makes it easier. And if not, I try to bring something of myself to it. It makes it real for yourself and then for the people watching it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh, Director, Original Films, Netflix India rightly adds, We were drawn to Accused because it takes a familiar and deeply resonant idea an accusation and approaches it from an unusual and courageous lens. Instead of simplifying innocence and guilt, it sits with the discomfort of the process and, as an audience, asks us to examine how quickly we form judgments. With a story like this, it was important to work with someone like Anubhuti Kashyap, who brought extraordinary craft, honesty, and emotional precision to the storytelling." Edited excerpts of Konkona Sen Sharmas interview: Is it difficult to deal with women bosses? Not for me (laughs) Women bosses are accused as the Netflix film _Accused_ suggests. Have you faced any situation when your subordinates have turned against you and what was the preparation for the role like? Luckily, I have never faced that. Ive largely been an actor, its not like Im the boss of anything. I have not personally faced anything like that. But women prefer women bosses, though in an ideal world, the gender of your boss should not matter. But this particular time, we are dealing with an unusual case. It is not an everyday kind of a situation where a woman is accused of sexual misconduct, or there are allegations of sexual misconduct against her. And this is a woman who is in the position of authority and power who is supposedly abusing it. This happens right in the beginning of the film, this is the basic premise of the film. The film is trying to examine and explore what happens to that person, what happens to the relationship and family of that person. The film is examining power, indifference, and fears. Games View All You have played a LGBTQ character in Geeli Puchi also. How do you go about the complexities of the relationship? With a well written character, there are always some specificities that make them stand apart and make them real. I dont think it has to do anything with their sexual orientation. Because I have also played so many straight characters, but nobody has ever asked how these characters were different from one another. It depends on how its written and what you are trying to portray. The attempt is to portray a complex, nuanced human being with some depth. Everybody has different sexual orientations or many other complexities. We do not have to focus on her coming from a queer community. Of course, that happens to be the fundamental identity of hers. But thats not her only identity. There are many other identities of hers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A still from Netflixs Accused Womens roles in cinema are changing for the better. How do you make the choices for your characters? I have to make the best out of what is offered to me. If it is a well written character with fleshed out details, it always makes it easier. And if not, I try to bring something of myself to it. It makes it real for yourself and then for the people watching it. How much can you relate to your character in Accused? Very few I would say. But I enjoyed playing many things about her. There are some toxic things in a man woman relationship that we have brought into the equation of Meera and Geetika, which I really enjoyed. I never had a chance to play a toxic man. Here through my character of Dr Geetika, I play a toxic man in a relationship. WATCH the full interview here: STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Vivek Ruthia, 63, claims that the British government borrowed Rs 35,000 from his late grandfather, Seth Jummalal Ruthia, in 1917. The man extended the loan and received written documentation confirming the debt and promising repayment. But Ruthia claims the money was never repaid The family of late businessman Seth Jumma Lal Ruthia claims that he lent Rs 35,000 to the British administration in 1917. Image courtesy: News18 A century-old pending bill from Madhya Pradeshs Sehore district is making headlines after a financial claim dating back to the colonial era has surfaced. A family alleges that the British government owes them money borrowed over a century ago, and they have the proof. Vivek Ruthia, 63, claims that his late grandfather, Seth Jumma Lal Ruthia, a prominent businessman of Sehore, loaned Rs 35,000 to the British administration in 1917. According to him, the amount, which would now run into crores, was never repaid, News18 reported. The family is now considering sending a legal notice to the British government. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A war loan that the British never repaid In 1917, when the world was in the grip of war and the colonial administration was under immense financial pressure, local British officials reportedly approached Seth Jumma Lal Ruthia, a prominent trader in cloth and grain in Sehore, for assistance. Ruthia advanced Rs 35,000 to WS Davis, then a British political agent in Bhopal under British rule. According to the Ruthia family, the amount was given to assist in administrative management in the Bhopal princely state back then. News18 Hindi reported that the patriarch extended the loan and received written documentation confirming the debt and promising repayment. However, the matter was later forgotten after Indias independence in 1947. And now, more than a century later, Seth Jummalals grandson says the money was never repaid as the matter remained unsettled and eventually slipped into obscurity. In 1917, my grandfather, the late Seth Jumma Lal Ruthia, loaned Rs 35,000 to the British government. That amount has not been repaid to this day, Vivek said as quoted by the NDTV. Document discloses family contribution Vivek claimed that the family recently found documentary evidence, including certificates and correspondence among old records and a family will following the death of his father, Seth Manak Chand Ruthia. He also noted that the papers had remained in the familys possession for more than two decades, and that this came to light recently during internal discussions. The Indian War Loan document shows that late Seth Jumma Lal Ruthia contributed Rs 35,000 to the British government in 1917. Image courtesy: News18 According to him, the documents indicate that the loan was taken to streamline administrative management in the Bhopal princely state during British rule and was classified as a war loan. The document, dated June 4, 1917, mentioned in the report, says, Seth Jumma Lal of the firm of Seth Rama Kishan Jaskaran Ruthia subscribed 35,000 (Rupees thirty five thousand only) to the Indian War Loan and thereby showed his loyalty to the Government and Empire. The document appears to have a signature of WS Davis. He was among the officials who managed relations with local rulers, oversaw administrative affairs, and ensured alignment with British authority. Historians also note that Davis, who signed the bond certificate, had literary connections in Bhopal, Times of India (TOI) reported. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Indian War loan document also makes Seth Jummas contribution to the British government in 1917 categorical. Ruthia readies legal notice to British govt After the discovery of the old documents decades later, Vivek is now considering sending a legal notice to the British government to recover what he describes as a historic and unpaid sovereign debt. This is not just about money, but about justice and history. Rs 35,000 in 1917 would amount to crores in todays currency, including interest, he said, according to media reports. If you calculate the amount based on the gold price of 1917 and compare it to todays rate, the figure becomes significantly higher. I am exploring legal options now. I will move to recover the money with interest as per statues of present-day law, Vivek added. However, legal experts say that such cases involving pre-independence transactions are rare and complex. Establishing the authenticity and legal validity of documents that are over a century old may prove challenging. The affluent Ruthia family Before Independence, the Ruthia family was among the most influential and wealthy families in the Sehore and Bhopal princely states, NDTV reported. It was known for its administrative clout and financial strength. The Ruthias reportedly owned extensive land and property. Even today, it is said that around 20 to 30 per cent of Sehores settlements are located on land that once belonged to them. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The family continues to own properties in Sehore, Indore, and Bhopal, and remains active in sectors such as agriculture, hospitality, and real estate. However, like many traditional landowning families, they are involved in property disputes and cases connected to decades-old rents set at nominal amounts, according to the media outlet. With inputs from agencies Anthropic is in trouble; it is at risk of being blacklisted by the US Department of War. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has given the AI firm, led by Dario Amodei, until 5 pm on Friday (February 27) to accede to the Trump administrations demands. But what are they? The Pentagon has reportedly made its first move in blacklisting Dario Amodei-led Anthropic after the AI giant failed to drop its demands. File image/AFP You have until Friday to decide This ultimatum may sound like a dialogue from a movie. However, its not. The US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has threatened to terminate Anthropics contract with the Pentagon by Friday (February 27) unless the AI startup agrees to the Trump administrations terms of use. The threat is, perhaps, Anthropics biggest crisis in its five-year existence if it doesnt relent to Hegseths demands, the AI startup not only loses its Pentagon contract but could also be labelled a supply chain risk, meaning that no company doing business with the Department of War would be allowed to use Anthropics models. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But why is it that Dario Amodei is sparring with the US Department of War? Whats the beef? What is Anthropic and how is it linked to Department of War? Anthropic is an AI firm founded in 2021 by former OpenAI executives. Today, the Dario Amodei-led company is best known for building Claude, a popular large language model (LLM). What is very notable and that sets Anthropic apart from other AI giants is that it calls itself a responsible developer in the AI landscape. On its website, the company describes itself as a Public Benefit Corporation committed to the responsible development and maintenance of advanced AI for the long-term benefit of humanity. Currently, Anthropic is the only AI company to have its model deployed on the Pentagons classified networks, through a partnership with data analytics giant Palantir. A senior Pentagon official told CBS News that Grok, which is owned by Elon Musks xAI, is on board with being used in a classified setting, and other AI companies are close. The Claude AI app is seen in the app store on a phone in New York City. The US DefenCe Department used Anthropics Claude Ai, via its Palantir contract, to help with the attack on Venezuela and capture former President Nicolas Maduro. AFP Why is Anthropic at odds with the Pentagon? At the heart of Anthropics battle with the Pentagon is their AI model, Claude, and its reported use during the US militarys operation to capture Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro in January. When the news emerged that Claude had been used, an Anthropic spokesperson had stated that the company has not discussed the use of Claude for specific operations with the Department of War. Anthropic has also sought assurances from the Department of War that its AI system would not be used for mass surveillance of Americans and would not make final targeting decisions in military operations without human involvement. A source close to the matter was quoted as saying, Claude is not immune from hallucinations and not reliable enough to avoid potentially lethal mistakes, like unintended escalation or mission failure without human judgement. These restrictions have pitted Anthropic against the Department of War. Hegseth has maintained that firms providing the Pentagon with AI models must give it complete freedom to do with them what it likes when used for lawful military actions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But thats not all. Anthropics need for AI safeguards has put it in the crosshairs of the Trump administration. Last October, Trumps top AI adviser, David Sacks, accused Anthropic of running a sophisticated regulatory capture strategy based on fear-mongering. He argues that Anthropic disingenuously warns of extreme risks from AI systems in order to justify regulations on the technology with which only it and a few other AI companies can easily comply. And Hegseth, too, has slammed so-called woke AI companies. In January, Hegseth slammed AI systems with ideological restrictions. Department of War AI will not be woke, he then said. It will work for us. Were building war-ready weapons and systems, not chatbots for an Ivy League faculty lounge. Anthropic has until 5:01 pm on Friday before the Department of War invokes the Defence Production Act on the company in a bid to compel the use of its models. File image/AFP How serious has the Pentagon vs Anthropic feud become? This battle between Hegseth and Anthropic escalated on Tuesday (February 24) with the Pentagon warning that the companys contract would be cancelled. At the meeting with Amodei, Hegseth stepped up the ante, vowing to terminate Anthropics contract on February 27 if the AI firm didnt agree to the Pentagons terms, reported sources. A senior Pentagon official said that if Anthropic did not get on board with the Department of War, the latter would invoke the Defence Production Act (DPA), a law that gives the president authority to oblige companies to do national-security work, as well as labelling Anthropic a supply-chain risk. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For those who dont know, being designated a supply chain risk is typically reserved for foreign adversarial firms, such as the Chinese-based Huawei. And, an Axios report on Wednesday stated that Hegseth has asked two defence contractors Boeing and Lockheed Martin about their exposure to Claude. This, the news outlet reported, is the first step toward a potential designation of Anthropic as a supply chain risk. How will Anthropic be impacted by Pentagons move? Firstly, if the Pentagon terminates its contract with Anthropic, the company would lose out on $200 million, which is a paltry amount for a company that generated $14 billion in revenue in February. However, deeming Anthropic as a supply chain risk has larger implications. The New York Times has stated that the move could force Anthropic to make its product available for free. Moreover, it would give Anthropics competitors an edge. The Pentagon already has an agreement with Elon Musks company xAI to use its artificial intelligence model, Grok, on the classified system. Google, another leading AI developer, is also taking on contracts for classified and unclassified work with the Pentagon, having scrapped restrictions on the use of AI for defence purposes in 2024. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD FILE - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has vowed to punish Anthropic for not bending to the Trump administrations demands. File image/AP What comes next? Following the Tuesday meeting, Anthropic said that it had continued good-faith conversations in the meeting at the Pentagon. However, it didnt mention anything about Hegseths threat of invoking the Defence Production Act. But Anthropic, it seems, has been loosening its own safety standards. The AI company recently released an updated version of its Responsible Scaling Policy (RSP), stating that the new policy is a reaction to changes in the market environment. The policy environment has shifted toward prioritising AI competitiveness and economic growth, while safety-oriented discussions have yet to gain meaningful traction at the federal level, the Anthropic announcement read. In an interview with podcaster Dwarkesh Patel, Amodei also suggested a likely loosening of safety commitments as the firm faces commercial pressure. Owen Daniels, associate director of analysis and fellow at Georgetown Universitys Center for Security and Emerging Technology, also told the AP that the feud with the Pentagon will test Anthropic. Anthropics peers, including Meta, Google and xAI, have been willing to comply with the departments policy on using models for all lawful applications. So the companys bargaining power here is limited, and it risks losing influence in the departments push to adopt AI. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin the second day of his official visit to Israel. He will meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog and also visit the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre to pay tribute to the victims. Iran and the US are scheduled to convene in Geneva, Switzerland, for a critical third round of diplomatic negotiations It will be the second day of Prime Minister Narendra Modis official visit to Israel. Meanwhile, the US and Iran are set to convene in Geneva, Switzerland, for a third round of diplomatic negotiations. A verdict is expected in Jimmy Lais appeal against his 2022 fraud conviction. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee as part of a congressional investigation into the files of late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Ukrainian negotiators are set to meet with US representatives on Thursday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here is all that is set to take place throughout the day. PM Modis Day 2 in Israel Today marks the second day of Prime Minister Narendra Modis official visit to Israel, where he will hold several high-profile diplomatic and memorial engagements in Jerusalem. Firstly, he will visit Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre, to pay tribute to the victims of the Holocaust. Following this, he will hold bilateral discussions with the Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the Presidents Residence. He is also scheduled to meet again with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for detailed discussions between the two national delegations. Both leaders will oversee the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and issue joint press statements at the Hotel King David. PM Modi is set to emplane for New Delhi from Ben Gurion International Airport in the afternoon. US-Iran to hold talks The United States and Iran are scheduled to convene in Geneva, Switzerland, for a critical third round of diplomatic negotiations aimed at resolving the escalating nuclear standoff. The meeting, facilitated by Oman, follows two previous rounds of indirect talks held earlier this month in Muscat and Geneva. The Iranian team is led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while the US delegation is headed by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. The primary focus remains Irans uranium enrichment and the potential lifting of US sanctions. Iran has firmly stated it will only discuss its nuclear programme, ruling out talks on its ballistic missile arsenal or regional proxies. Court of Appeal rules on Jimmy Lai fraud case The Hong Kong Court of Appeal is scheduled to deliver its ruling on Jimmy Lais appeal against his 2022 fraud conviction. In December 2022, Lai was sentenced to five years and nine months in prison for fraud. The case involved a contractual dispute regarding the lease of the headquarters for his now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper, Apple Daily. Media mogul Jimmy Lai, founder of Apple Daily, arrives the Court of Final Appeal by prison van in Hong Kong, China. File image/Reuters This appeal ruling follows the heavy sentence handed down on February 9, 2026, where Lai received 20 years in prison for separate national security offences, including conspiring to collude with foreign forces. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hillary Clinton to testify on Epstein files Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee as part of a congressional investigation into the files of late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. While most depositions in this probe have occurred in Washington, DC, her session has been scheduled to take place in Chappaqua, New York. Clinton has denied any personal links to Epstein, stating she never met him, and has publicly challenged Republicans to hold the hearings in public. Ukrainian negotiators to meet with US representatives Ukrainian negotiators and US representatives are scheduled to meet in Geneva, Switzerland, today to hold high-level discussions aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. The Ukrainian delegation is led by Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council. The US side is represented by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The meeting serves as a preparation for an upcoming trilateral summit involving Russia, which is expected to take place in early March. Negotiators will explore frameworks for a potential peace deal, following previous rounds in Abu Dhabi and Geneva that ended without a breakthrough on territorial issues. Ukraine is reportedly seeking a 20-year security guarantee commitment from the US as part of any final settlement. With inputs from agencies After US and Israeli strikes on Irans nuclear sites in 2025, US President Donald Trump now claims Tehran is rebuilding its nuclear programme. As indirect talks resume in Geneva amid US military buildup, questions remain over Irans enrichment levels and whether these talks can avert fresh conflict A satellite image shows tunnel entrances covered with soil at Isfahan nuclear complex, in Isfahan, Iran, February 10, 2026. Vantor/Handout via Reuters United States President Donald Trump has been arguing that Tehran is attempting to revive sensitive nuclear activities eight months after American and Israeli strikes that he previously described as having obliterated the programme. The warnings come as Washington deploys large military assets to West Asia, revives indirect negotiations with Tehran in Geneva, and signals that further military action remains a possibility if diplomacy fails. Iran, for its part, continues to deny any intent to build nuclear weapons, insisting its nuclear work is civilian in nature and warning of severe retaliation if attacked again. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD From obliterated to starting it all over Trumps public position on Irans nuclear programme has evolved sharply since US and Israeli forces struck Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025. In the immediate aftermath of the operation, the US president repeatedly said the attacks had obliterated Irans nuclear infrastructure. The administration framed the operation as a decisive blow that severely curtailed Tehrans ability to pursue any pathway toward a nuclear weapon. However, now, Trump has adopted a more urgent tone. In his State of the Union address earlier this week, he argued that despite warnings not to attempt reconstruction, Iran was starting it all over. While reiterating that his preference was to address the issue through diplomacy, he also said the United States would never permit Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. He added that although Tehran had signalled an interest in reaching an agreement during negotiations, we havent heard those secret words, We will never have a nuclear weapon. These remarks followed weeks of contradictory messaging from Washington over why the United States might again consider military action against Iran. When Trump first threatened renewed strikes last month, the justification publicly cited by the White House focused on Irans violent suppression of nationwide protests. More recently, the emphasis has shifted back to nuclear concerns. When asked why another strike might be necessary after last years operation had been portrayed as a success, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, Well, theres many reasons and arguments that one could make for a strike against Iran. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US intelligence assessments have not always aligned neatly with the presidents rhetoric. In March 2025, the US intelligence community assessed that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon. Despite that assessment, the Trump administration proceeded with airstrikes in June 2025 targeting Irans nuclear facilities. Now, even after Trumps repeated claims that those strikes were devastating, the administration is again raising the prospect of military action based on assertions that Iran is dangerously close to nuclear weapons-related capabilities. Critics argue that the evolving explanations have made it difficult to determine Washingtons precise objectives whether the goal is to force incremental concessions from Tehran on its nuclear programme, to curtail Irans broader military and missile capabilities, or to pursue more maximalist aims related to regime change in Tehran. What last years strikes achieved, and what they did not US and Israeli strikes in June 2025 targeted several Iranian nuclear sites. An initial American assessment after the operation concluded that one uranium enrichment facility had been largely destroyed, while two other targeted locations were significantly damaged but not eliminated. According to that assessment, the strikes set back Irans nuclear progress by several months rather than permanently dismantling its capacity to enrich uranium. The assessment also indicated that Iran had taken steps to reduce potential losses ahead of the strikes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Much of the countrys stockpile of highly enriched uranium was believed to have been moved from some sites before they were hit, limiting the extent to which the attacks could degrade Tehrans overall nuclear capability. Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, later said that the nuclear programme had been badly damaged by the US and Israeli operation, but that large quantities of enriched material were likely relocated in advance. The US operation was framed by Trump as a success. In his State of the Union speech, he referred to the strikes as Operation Midnight Hammer and said they had achieved their objectives. However, the administrations more recent warnings about Iran rebuilding its programme implicitly acknowledge that the strikes did not eliminate the countrys ability to resume sensitive nuclear work over time. Iran has repeatedly said that the attacks were acts of aggression and has warned of serious retaliation in response to any future strikes, even if limited. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tehran has also maintained that the strikes did not change the fundamental nature of its nuclear policy, which it says is aimed at civilian energy production rather than weapons development. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated this position, saying Iran would under no circumstances ever develop a nuclear weapon. What we know about Irans nuclear enrichment levels Before the June 2025 strikes, Iran had accumulated a stockpile of uranium enriched to levels far exceeding what is required for nuclear power generation. While civilian nuclear reactors typically use uranium enriched to less than 5 per cent, Iran had enriched uranium to nearly the purity required for weapons use. In 2024, Grossi warned that Tehran was dramatically accelerating enrichment to 60 per cent purity, approaching the roughly 90 per cent level generally associated with weapons-grade material. Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy involved in the current round of diplomacy, said Iran could be as little as a week away from possessing industrial-grade bomb-making material, citing enrichment levels of 60 per cent. Iranian officials dismissed that claim as a verbal mistake. Experts caution that enrichment levels alone do not equate to a nuclear weapon. Darya Dolzikova of the Royal United Services Institute said that possessing highly enriched uranium is only one element in a much longer and more complex process. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Just enriching to 90 per cent isnt enough. You need to actually build the nuclear warhead. You need to put it on the delivery system, she told US media outlet NBC News. Dolzikova also noted that even if Iran were close to producing highly enriched material, military strikes and other counterproliferation actions do not always permanently halt nuclear progress, pointing to the limited long-term impact of last years attacks. How Iran is fielding nuclear-capable missiles Trump has said Iran had already fielded missiles capable of threatening Europe and US military installations overseas, and that Tehran was working to develop missiles that could eventually reach the United States. The US Defense Intelligence Agency has reported that Iran is developing space launch vehicles that could provide the technical foundation for intercontinental ballistic missiles. According to the agencys assessment, Iran could potentially field up to 60 ICBMs capable of striking across the US homeland by 2035, if Tehran chose to pursue such a capability. The DIA stressed that this outcome would depend on a political decision by Iran to move in that direction. Analysts differ over how imminent this threat is. Kelsey Davenport of the Arms Control Association said there was little indication, if any that Iran had begun testing or developing missiles designed to reach the United States. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If Iran does intend to do that, I think its years away, she told NBC News. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has argued that Irans refusal to discuss its ballistic missile programme in negotiations is a major problem that would eventually need to be addressed, saying the missiles are designed solely to strike America and pose a threat to regional stability. Rubio has also suggested that progress on nuclear issues will be difficult if Iran remains unwilling to engage on missiles. How US-Iran nuclear talks are faring Indirect talks between the United States and Iran are resuming in Geneva on Thursday. The negotiations are being mediated by Omans foreign minister Badr Albusaidi, who has been shuttling proposals between the two sides. The US delegation is expected to include Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, while Araghchi will represent Iran. Araghchi has said Iran is seeking a rapid and equitable agreement, but has made clear that Tehran will not relinquish what it views as its right to peaceful nuclear technology. A deal is within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority, he said. Reuters has reported that Iran is offering new concessions in exchange for the lifting of sanctions and formal recognition of its right to enrich uranium. However, officials on both sides have acknowledged that significant disagreements remain, including over how quickly and extensively US sanctions would be eased. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump has set a tight deadline, warning that Iran must agree to a deal within 10 to 15 days or face severe consequences. This compressed timeline has raised concerns among diplomats that negotiations may be overshadowed by the looming threat of military action, potentially complicating efforts to reach a durable agreement. Grossi is also expected to be in Geneva during the talks, as he was during previous rounds, to hold discussions with both delegations. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies India and Israel have elevated their time-tested relationship to a special strategic partnership, PM Narendra Modi announced on Thursday (February 26) during his two-day trip to the West Asian country. The two sides have also decided to finalise a mutually beneficial free trade agreement (FTA) soon. Indias UPI is also likely to be introduced in Israel Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu reach to shake hands as they attend a press conference in Jerusalem on February 26, 2026. Reuters Prime Minister Narendra Modis two-day visit to Israel brought his bonhomie with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the evolved ties between the two countries front and centre. India and Israel on Thursday (February 26) elevated their time-tested relationship to a special strategic partnership. During his visit that began yesterday, the Indian leader also outlined a framework for deepening the relationship with Israel, spanning various sectors such as defence, technology, trade and counter-terrorism. This was Modis second trip to Israel since 2017. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How successful was it? We explore. Deals, MoUs & more India and Israel have elevated their strategic partnership to a special strategic partnership for peace, innovation & prosperity, as per a joint statement by the two sides. Underlining that the relations between the two countries are rooted in deep trust, shared democratic values, and strong humanitarian principles, PM Modi announced, We decided to give time-tested India-Israel ties the status of special strategic partnership. Following talks between the Indian leader and his Israeli counterpart, the two sides inked various agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to enhance cooperation in areas of trade, agriculture, energy, cyberspace and digital payment. The countries reportedly signed 16 agreements and made 11 announcements, including signing an MoU on Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence (AI). They also agreed to enhance collaboration in AI for the welfare of their people. India and Israel also pledged to expand their defence partnership through joint development and production of military hardware under the framework of the transfer of technologies. Israeli PM Netanyahu announced that the two sides have decided to hold a government-to-government (G2G) meeting in India as soon as possible. We have decided to establish the Critical and Emerging Technologies Partnership. This will give new momentum to cooperation in areas such as AI, quantum, and critical minerals, PM Modi said during his trip. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As per the joint statement, shared by the Prime Ministers Office (PMO), the leaders of the two countries emphasised that the initiative would synergise the individual strengths of both countries in niche technologies, fostering a focused and futuristic partnership. Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, greets his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during a press conference in Jerusalem, February 26, 2026. AP India and Israel will also expand cooperation in civil nuclear energy and space. India and Israel will work in the fields of civil nuclear energy and space, Modi said, stressing that high-technology sectors were key pillars of the evolving relationship. The two sides have also decided to deepen people-to-people cooperation. Israel would allow 50,000 additional Indian workers into the country over the next five years, particularly in manufacturing sectors, the statement read. India and Israel will also cooperate in the field of horizon scanning, which helps identify emerging global trends in areas like technology, economy and society, by leveraging data, AI and expert insights to support strategic planning and decision making, as per the joint statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The two sides also launched the IndiaIsrael Financial Dialogue to boost closer financial cooperation. They also pushed for robust dialogue between their national cyber authorities and vowed to enhance cooperation in cybersecurity. The countries have signed a Letter of Intent for setting up an India-Israel Centre of Excellence in Cybersecurity in India. PM Modi also strongly backed US President Donald Trumps Gaza peace initiative. Humanity must never become a victim of conflict, he said. The Gaza Peace Plan has opened a route to peace. India has supported such efforts. In future too, India will continue to cooperate and have dialogue with all nations," PM Modi said. He pointed out that Indias interests are closely linked to stability in West Asia. India and Israel stood shoulder-to-shoulder in opposing terrorism and its supporters, and we will continue to do so, Modi declared. India and Israel are completely clear that there is no place for terrorism in the world. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD FTA in the making India and Israel plan to conclude a mutually beneficial free trade agreement (FTA) soon. At the joint press meet with his Israeli counterpart, PM Modi said: We will work to conclude a mutually beneficial free trade agreement. The first round of negotiations for an FTA to boost trade and investment between the two countries reportedly ended on February 26. Israels ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, told NDTV that the deal could be finalised this year. Total merchandise trade between India and Israel stood at $3.62 billion in the financial year (FY) 2024-2025. According to trade experts, while bilateral trade with Israel is modest compared to Indias larger partners, it is more technology-intensive and investment-linked with Tel Aviv. 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, Ajay Sahai, director general, Federation of Indian Exporters Organisation, told Mint. ALSO READ: Is India eyeing the Iron Beam as Modi visits Israel? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD UPI connect India and Israel have signed an MoU to introduce the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in the West Asian country. Inked between Indias NPCI International (NIPL) and Israels MASAV the deal will enable cross-border remittances between the two countries via the UPI, as per MEA. An agreement has been reached for the use of UPI in Israel, PM Modi announced. #WATCH | Jerusalem | Addressing joint press briefing with Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu, PM Modi says," We have decided to establish a critical and emerging technology partnership. I am happy that an agreement has been signed for the use of UPI in Israel. We will further our work pic.twitter.com/WhRaR5nxjm ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2026 The two sides will explore linking UPI with Israels fast payment system to bolster interoperability and strengthen economic ties. This will help improve financial connectivity between the two nations and support trade and economic activity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Day 1 of PM Narendra Modis visit to Israel was all about the bonhomie that he shares with Benjamin Netanyahu. The two world leaders shared warm hugs and laughs, lavished praise on one another and even carpooled. The Israeli leader even donned a Modi jacket, surprising his Indian counterpart PM Narendra Modi and Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu share a warm embrace as the Israeli leader welcomes his Indian counterpart to Israel. The two leaders shared laughs, hugs and close bonhomie on Day 1 of Modi's Israel visit. Image Courtesy: @netanyahu/X Prime Minister Narendra Modi is known to be a friend to other world leaders. He often refers to Russias Vladimir Putin and Frances Emmanuel Macron as dear friends. But its not just the Russian and French leaders whom PM Modi considers a pal. The Indian leader also considers his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, a close friend, and the bonhomie between the two was on display on the first day of PM Modis visit to Israel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Catch live updates from From hugs to laughs, and even a car ride, the two leaders relationship underscored just how close Israel-India relations have grown under Modi. Netanyahus red carpet welcome to Modi When PM Modi arrived at the Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv on Wednesday (February 25), his second visit to the Jewish nation, he was welcomed by none other than Israels Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara. The two leaders hugged and exchanged pleasantries as Modi was accorded a ceremonial red carpet welcome. Modi and Netanyahu also shared a laugh at the tarmac when Netanyahu pointed out a small coincidence that PM Modi shared with Sara the Indian leader was wearing a saffron-colored pocket square, which was the same shade as the dress that Sara wore. Noticing the colour coordination, Netanyahu pointed to Modis pocket square and then to his wifes outfit, saying, You see what she wore? Yes, saffron, Modi replied with a laugh, as the two leaders exchanged warm greetings. Welcome to Israel my dear friend @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/AnRtceD9Ci Benjamin Netanyahu - (@netanyahu) February 25, 2026 A medal for his brother, and hug anecdote The bonhomie between Netanyahu and PM Modi didnt end at the airport. Prime Minister Modi was given the rare honour of addressing the Knesset, Israels parliament. Hes the first Indian prime minister to be given this honour. And before Modi could take the podium at Israels parliament, Netanyahu lavished praise on his Indian counterpart, calling the latter not only his friend but more of a brother. A great leader on the world stage. Welcome to Jerusalem, my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and your distinguished delegation. Now, I said, Narendra, my dear friend, these are not just words. I would almost venture to say, more than a friend, a brother. Netanyahu also shared an anecdote about PM Modis warm embrace, saying its well-known across the world as the Modi hug. Its been a wondrous friendship, both personally between the two of us and between our two countries and our peoples. Earlier today, my wife Sara and I greeted you at the airport. And just as you came down the steps, we embraced each other. Prime Minister Modis personal embrace is something special. Its called the Modi hug. Its well known around the world. And when you hug someone, closely, truly, you know its not an act. Its a real thing. Its called the Modi hug. So I want to return the hug here to every single one of the Knesset members, and its not only an indication of the personal relations, of the personal friendship between us, but it really reflects the warmth of the ties between our two peoples, the Israeli PM said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives the Speaker of the Knesset Medal from Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana at the Knesset, Israeli parliament, in Israel. Image Courtesy: @NarendraModi/X Israel also conferred upon PM Modi the Speaker of the Knesset Medal in recognition of his exceptional contribution to strengthening relations between India and Israel. The Indian prime minister is the first leader to receive this medal, which is the highest honour of the Israeli parliament. Modis heartfelt address to Knesset Following Netanyahus kind words, PM Modi delivered a rousing speech in the Israeli parliament, which even received a standing ovation. Affirming Indias close ties to Israel, PM Modi noted that he was born on the same day that India formally recognised Israel and said he is very happy returning to a land to which he has always felt drawn. Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greets Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a special session of the Knesset, Israels parliament, in Jerusalem. Reuters He also expressed his heartfelt grief for every life lost in the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023. No cause can justify the murder of civilians. Nothing can justify terrorism. India has also endured the pain of terrorism for a long time. We remember the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the innocent lives lost, including Israeli citizens. Like you, we have a consistent and uncompromising policy of zero tolerance for terrorism with no double standards, said the Indian leader. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Modi also expressed strong support for the Gaza peace initiative approved by the UN Security Council in November. It offers a pathway, he said, adding India believes it holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people of the region. Modis car diplomacy continues After his address to the Knesset, Prime Minister Modi and Netanyahu shared a car ride to a tech exhibition. Israels Netanyahu shared the image of the two in the car on social media, writing: Hum saath aage badh rahe hain (We are moving forward together). PM Narendra Modi and Israels Benjamin Netanyahu share a car ride after the Knesset address, underlining strong India-Israel ties. Image Courtesy: @netanyahu/X The car ride, referred to as Modis car diplomacy, once again displayed the rapport that both leaders share. Earlier, PM Modi shared a similar moment with Frances Emmanuel Macron, Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Netanyahus jacket surprise for Modi Modis Day 1 in Israel culminated with a private dinner with Benjamin Netanyahu. For the occasion, Netanyahu, who is usually seen in suits, was dressed in a stone-coloured Nehru jacket, also popularly known as a Modi jacket. He paired it with a white, long-sleeved kurta-style shirt featuring a simple collar. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Modis Day 2 in Israel After a successful day one in Israel, PM Modi is geared up for a big day 2 in Israel. He will start the day with a visit to Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre, to pay tribute to the victims of the Holocaust. Following this, he will hold bilateral discussions with the Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the Presidents Residence. Modi will also meet again with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for detailed discussions between the two national delegations. Both leaders will oversee the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and issue joint press statements at the Hotel King David. With inputs from agencies South Korea logged 254,500 births in 2025, the biggest increase in nearly two decades. Analysts credit several factors, including echo boomers and a rise in marriages, for the 6.8 per cent surge in total births last year. Echo boomers or the echo boom generation refers to people born between 1991 and 1995 A woman pushes her child in a stroller past rental bicycles in Seoul on April 26, 2024. File Photo/AFP South Korea has seen its biggest rise in births in nearly two decades, courtesy of echo boomers among other factors. The East Asian country recorded 254,500 births in 2025, the largest annual increase since 2007, according to provisional figures released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics on Wednesday (February 25). The 6.8 per cent surge in total births last year is the second consecutive annual jump and the fourth-highest rise since the government first began compiling such data in 1970, reported Korea JoongAng Daily. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lets take a closer look. South Koreas birth rate rises South Korea, which is reeling from a population crisis, breathed a sigh of relief as birth rates increased for a second year in a row in 2025. The countrys fertility rate, the average number of babies a woman is expected to have in her lifetime, climbed to 0.80 from 0.75 in 2024 and 0.72 in 2023, as per Newsweek. This is the first time that South Koreas fertility rate has returned to the 0.8 range since 2021. However, the number of deaths continued to outnumber births, meaning the overall population is still shrinking. Last year, deaths exceeded births by 108,900. Despite the progress, South Korea is still the only Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member with a fertility rate below 1.0. Who are echo boomers'? Births in South Korea rose for two consecutive years after almost a decade of steady decline. The increase in South Koreas birth rate is partly driven by younger millennials, or echo boomers. Echo boomers or the echo boom generation refers to people born between 1991 and 1995. Almost 3.6 million (36 lakh) children were born in South Korea during the period, with births increasing temporarily after the government ended its family planning policy. These people are now in their early 30s, the peak age for childbearing. The term echo boom is used to describe the demographic cohort comprising the children of the East Asian countrys earlier baby boomer generation. A woman holding her baby in her arms looks at a view of Seoul shrouded by fine dust during a polluted day in Seoul, South Korea, March 6, 2019. File Photo/Reuters Women in this group numbered an estimated 1.7 million (17 lakh) in 2025, a nine per cent rise from 2020, as per The Guardian. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This cohort, aged 30 to 34, recorded 73.2 births per 1,000 women, compared with 21.3 among women in their late 20s. The average age of mothers rose to 33.8 last year, up 0.2 years from the previous year. The share of births to women aged 35 or older increased 1.4 percentage points to 37.3 per cent, meaning more than three out of every 10 babies born last year were to women in this age group. What else pushed up Koreas birth rates? Analysts credit various other factors for South Korea recording a jump in birth rates in the past two years. They said the country has seen a spike in post-pandemic marriages and improved perceptions regarding child-rearing. Births within two years of marriage have increased sharply, as per Independent. Kang Hyun-young, an official overseeing birthrate policy at the ministry, told Aju Press: The increase in marriages over the past three years provides a foundation. But whether the trend continues depends on demographic structure and ongoing social changes. It remains unclear how much the governments heavy spending on pro-natalist measures, including baby allowances, extended parental leave and child care subsidies, has helped boost the birth rates. Some corporations now offer up to 100 million won (Rs 6.38 crore) per birth. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Housing subsidies may have also contributed to the spike in Koreas birth rates. It wasnt an easy decision to step back from work, but I always thought I would have a child if I got married, Kang, 40, who had her first baby last year and is on parental leave, told Korea JoongAng Daily. Because I have many friends who gave birth in their late 30s, I wasnt afraid of being an older mother. The fact that my husband can take parental leave for up to three years also played a big role in my decision to have a baby. Last February, the government allowed for up to three years of shared parental leave to employees. I waited until my life felt more settled before having children, so I ended up pregnant in my late 30s, but I definitely feel like there are more people around me who want to have children. And for us, it happened naturally, Lee Soo Min, who is expecting her second child after six years of marriage, told Korea JoongAng Daily. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD I can take a total of six years of parental leave, and my husband has already used one year. The system has improved compared to before, so the burden of parenting feels lighter. According to the government survey data, the share of respondents who want to have children after marriage grew 3.1 per cent between 2022 and 2024. Will the birth rate improvement last? Experts caution that the increase in birth rates in South Korea may be temporary. Some predict that the births may continue to intensify for the time being, as the number of marriages remains on the rise. Last year, South Korea recorded 240,000 marriages, up 8.1 per cent from the previous year. Because the increase in marriages has accumulated over three years, we can expect births to rise as well, Park Hyun-jung, the head of the population trend division at the Ministry of Data and Statistics, told Korea JoongAng Daily. But we will have to watch how things unfold. Demographers caution that this positive demographic trend is likely to subside from 2027 as smaller post-1996 cohorts enter their thirties. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Many challenges remain in resolving South Koreas population crisis. Experts blame high housing costs, skyrocketing private education spending, workplace stigma against parents and stagnant youth employment as structural barriers that the government policy has failed to tackle, as per The Guardian. The infrastructure supporting childbirth has continued to shrink. With inputs from agencies Renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking has once again been linked to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. An image from the Epstein files shows the British scientist lounging by a pool with two bikini-clad women This image of Stephen Hawking reclining on a sun lounger along with two other women in bikinis has gone viral. Image Courtesy: @Real_Ames/X The Epstein files saga continues. The latest revelation from the Epstein files shows noted scientist Stephen Hawking relaxing on a sun lounger with two bikini-clad women. The photo of the late British physicist has circulated online after it was featured in the latest tranche of documents released as part of the United States Department of Justices (DoJ) investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. But what do we know of this image? Who are the women in it? Heres what we were able to find out. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Stephen Hawkings and the viral image An image of Hawking, who died in 2018, from the Epstein files has gone viral on social media. In the photo, the scientist is seen fully clothed on a sun lounger between two women, whose faces are redacted, holding tropical cocktails. This visual came to light after more than three million documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case were released by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on January 30. A preliminary search of his name in the digital Epstein files library yields at least 250 results. But what caught everyones attention is the image in question. While key details about the image are still unknown, it is believed that it was taken in 2006 during a symposium at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, St Thomas, where the British theoretical physicist delivered a talk on quantum cosmology. Speculation on whether the image is genuine or fake Soon after the image was released, many speculated if it was real or fake. While some argued that it was generated using artificial intelligence, others pointed to the fact that Hawking has been linked to Epstein, and hence, it is real. Earlier, the files included emails from the Epstein estate in which Hawking had been accused of participating in an underage orgy by Virginia Giuffre. The email, written by Epstein, said: You can issue a reward to any of Virginias friends, acquaintances, or family who come forward and help prove her allegations are false. The strongest is the Clinton dinner, and the new version in the Virgin Islands that Stephen Hawking participated in an underage orgy. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), according to the Epstein files, also received a tip-off that claimed that Epstein and Hawking attended an all-male gay club in 2011. Another image of Hawking has been going around on social media. Image Courtesy: @OunkaOnX/X Hawkings family speaks up Amid this speculation, Hawkings family has now spoken up on the image and the women in it. A family representative told the Daily Mail that the two women were the late scientists long-term carers from the UK. Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct on his part is wrong and far-fetched in the extreme, they added. They further stated that the image was, in fact, taken at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on the Caribbean Island of St Thomas in 2006. Professor Hawking made some of the greatest contributions to physics in the 20th century while at the same time being the longest-known survivor of motor neurone disease, a debilitating condition which left him reliant on a ventilator, voice synthesizer, wheelchair and round-the-clock medical care, his family told The Post in a statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In March 2006, Hawking joined other leading scientists at a conference financed and organised by Epstein, months before the disgraced financier faced prostitution-related charges in Florida. Renowned for his work on black holes and general relativity, Hawking fundamentally reshaped the field of modern cosmology. The British physicist passed away in 2018, aged 76. He was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 21 and given only a few years to live. But the man defied all odds and went on to have a decades-long scientific career. Hawkings research showed that black holes can emit radiation, now known as Hawking radiation, reshaping modern physics. A professor at the University of Cambridge, he also became a global science icon through his bestselling book A Brief History of Time. With inputs from agencies The situation is tense between Iran and the US as the Islamic Republic faces the threat of major strikes by the worlds most powerful military. But, even after this, Tehran has the power to inflict pain on American forces and allies. It has hundreds of missiles capable of hitting Israel As US forces mass in the West Asia, Iran faces the threat of major strikes by the worlds most powerful military, potentially targeting its leaders, military, nuclear sites, and critical infrastructure. Iran has nowhere near the same capabilities, and is even more vulnerable after last years war launched by Israel and recent anti-government protests. But it could still inflict pain on American forces and allies, and may feel it has to if the Islamic Republics survival is at stake. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While Iran suffered major losses last June, it still has hundreds of missiles capable of hitting Israel. While Iran suffered major losses last June, it still has hundreds of missiles capable of hitting Israel, according to Israels estimates. Iran boasts a much larger arsenal of shorter-range missiles capable of hitting US bases in Gulf countries and offshore American forces, soon to be joined by a second aircraft carrier. Iran has previously threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for the global oil trade, and claimed to have done so partially during military drills last week. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Iran could sink American warships, and top officials have said a US attack would spark regional war. Irans UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said all bases, facilities and assets of the hostile force in the region would be legitimate targets. Lingering capabilities Israel carried out heavy strikes on Irans longer range missile arsenals as well as its military leadership and nuclear program during the 12-day war in June. The US struck Irans main nuclear sites, and President Donald Trump said at the time that they had been obliterated. But the extent of the damage and how much has been rebuilt is still unknown. Iran continued to strike Israel with missiles and drones until the fighting stopped, increasingly eluding its vaunted air defenses. Irans shorter-range missile arsenal was largely untouched, said Danny Citrinowicz, an Iran expert at Israels Institute for National Security Studies. That could make Iran more inclined to retaliate against tens of thousands of US forces based in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and elsewhere. Iran may be weak. But it still has ways to inflict real pain on the United States and much more incentive to try than it did before, Nate Swanson, head of the Atlantic Councils Iran Strategy Project, wrote in Foreign Affairs. Iranian officials feel they need to give Trump a bloody nose or they will perpetually be at risk. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iran launched missiles at a US base in Iraq after the killing of its top general in 2020 and targeted a US base in Qatar near the end of last years war. Those strikes, which appeared to have been telegraphed in advance, caused damage but no fatalities, as early warning systems and missile defenses swung into action. Iran could also carry out attacks farther afield. The country has been accused of using criminal gangs and armed groups to plan or carry out attacks around the world, including on dissidents, Israelis, and Jewish targets. Learning curve Last years Israeli strikes killed several top generals and nuclear scientists, revealing major vulnerabilities. At one point, Trump said the US knew where Khamenei was hiding, calling him an " easy target." Fresh off the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, Trump may consider decapitation strikes aimed at bringing down Irans decades-old Shiite theocracy, which he recently said would be the best thing that could happen. The Iranians have had eight months to learn from their mistakes and firm up internal security. Citrinowicz said there are likely contingency plans if Khamenei were to be killed. Rather than naming a single successor, power would probably shift to a small committee until hostilities subsided. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Experts say the death of the 86-year-old Khamenei, who has ruled Iran for over three decades, would not in itself spell the end of the Islamic Republic. Power might eventually pass to a member of his inner circle, as it did in Venezuela, or to Irans Revolutionary Guard. US allies could be targets American allies are clearly concerned about a regional war, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned of a heavy response to any Iranian attack on Israel. Arab Gulf states have long viewed Iran with concern and leaned on the US for defense, but do not want to be drawn into war. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which host thousands of American troops, have said they would not allow their airspace to be used. An Arab Gulf diplomat said regional leaders were talking to Iran and the United States to avert war, warning that it could have severe consequences, including a spike in oil prices. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive, closed-door talks. Iran has its own allies, including Houthi rebels in Yemen, armed groups in Iraq, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas in the Palestinian territories. But its self-described Axis of Resistance suffered major losses in the fighting that rippled across the region after Hamas October 2023 attack from Gaza. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A global pressure point Another close-in target could allow Iran to inflict wider pain. Around one-fifth of all traded oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, just off Irans shore. The US Navy is committed to keeping it open, but Iranian attacks could disrupt trade, as the far-weaker Houthis managed to do in the Red Sea for much of the past two years. Navy ships conducting operations during a join drill by Iranian and Russian forces in the Indian Ocean. File image/AP Iranian officials have not explicitly threatened to target the strait in the current standoff, but Iranian forces partially closed it last week during military drills, signalling it could be vulnerable if war breaks out. Other critical oil assets would also be within range. In 2019, strikes on oil infrastructure temporarily halved Saudi Arabias production. Yemens Houthis claimed responsibility, but US officials later blamed Iran. The nuclear question After initially threatening military action over Irans killing of protesters, Trump shifted attention to its nuclear program, warning that bad things would happen if Iran didnt agree to a deal. The two sides are set to hold another round of indirect talks in Geneva on Thursday. Iran has always said its nuclear program is peaceful, while the US and others have long suspected that Tehran intends to eventually develop weapons. After Trump scrapped a 2015 nuclear agreement, Iran ramped up its enrichment of uranium, building up a stockpile of near-weapons-grade material. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Irans biggest sites were hit by US and Israeli strikes, causing significant damage above ground. But its unclear whether enriched uranium was spirited away before they were hit or buried underground. Iran says it has been unable to enrich since then, but it has also barred inspections. Iran is still believed to be a long way from developing a usable nuclear weapon, but radioactive material could pose a risk in the event of widespread strikes. Borge Brende, president and CEO of the World Economic Forum, resigned after US Justice Department documents revealed multiple interactions with Jeffrey Epstein. The disclosures triggered an independent WEF review and political backlash in Norway amid the general scrutiny of Epsteins network across business and political elites President of World Economic Forum Borge Brende gives his welcoming remarks at the 55th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2025. File Image/Reuters Brge Brende has resigned from the top job at the World Economic Forum (WEF). His departure on Thursday, followed weeks of scrutiny after the release of a vast cache of documents by the US Justice Department concerning the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The disclosures drew Brende into a widening circle of high-profile figures whose past interactions with Epstein have come under renewed examination. Who is Brge Brende? Born on September 25, 1965, Brge Brende built his career in Norwegian public life before moving into global policy circles. He is affiliated with Norways Conservative Party and served in multiple ministerial roles across different governments. Between 2001 and 2004, he was minister of the environment, followed by a term as minister of trade and industry from 2004 to 2005. He later became minister of foreign affairs from 2013 to 2017. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In parallel with his ministerial work, Brende represented Sr-Trndelag region in the Norwegian parliament from 1997 to 2009. His academic background includes degrees in economics, law and history from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim. Brendes association with the WEF began well before he assumed its top role. In January 2008, he joined the organisation as managing director with responsibility for relations with governments and civil society. A year later, he took on the position of secretary general of the Norwegian Red Cross, where he served from 2009 to 2011. He then returned to the forum in 2011 as a managing director, deepening his involvement with the institutions global initiatives. On September 15, 2017, it was announced that Brende would become president and CEO of the forum from mid-October that year. His appointment placed him at the helm of an organisation best known for convening political leaders, corporate executives, civil society representatives and academics at its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. During his tenure, Brende advocated for new formats of international cooperation, including the idea of closer strategic coordination among China, India and the United States in 2023. By early 2026, Brende had led the WEF for more than eight years. His period in office coincided with internal reforms at the organisation and efforts to address criticisms about governance and transparency. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Those reforms gained additional urgency after the forums founder, Klaus Schwab, stepped down as chair of the board in April 2025 following internal scrutiny prompted by whistleblower allegations and questions about governance. Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink were appointed as co-chairs in August 2025 to guide the forum through a reform process. How was Brende involved with Epstein? The chain of events that culminated in Brendes resignation began with the release of more than three million pages of documents by the US Justice Department last month, linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein, who was convicted in 2008 of soliciting prostitution from a minor, died by suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. The documents detailed Epsteins interactions with a wide range of business leaders, politicians and public figures. Among the records were iMessage exchanges and other communications involving Brende between 2018 and 2019. The material showed that Brende and Epstein had met over three formal business dinners across two years and had corresponded multiple times by email and text message. Their exchanges covered a range of topics, including discussions related to Davos and potential attendees, as well as Epsteins efforts to position himself as an adviser with access to senior figures. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In one message sent after a dinner in 2018, Brende wrote, thx for a very interesting dinner Youre a brilliant host. Warmly, Borge, later adding, Missing you Sir. Borge. In another exchange, after Epstein described advice he was providing to a Middle Eastern leader, Brende replied, Concur. Im glad youre giving him council. Before the release of the additional files, Brende had stated publicly in November 2025 that he had never met Epstein. Following the disclosures, he revised his account, saying he had not been aware of Epsteins criminal background and that the interactions were limited to three dinners over two years. The disclosures also included a photograph sent by Epstein in April 2018 showing Brende alongside Steve Bannon and former Norwegian diplomat Terje Rd-Larsen. Other messages cited in the files showed exchanges in which Epstein appeared to seek introductions and influence connected to the WEF, with Davos frequently mentioned as a focal point for potential access to global leaders. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Norwegian outlets questioned Brende about the discrepancies between his earlier statements and the contents of the files. The revelations also raised questions about due diligence and judgment, particularly given Epsteins prior conviction in 2008 and the subsequent public reporting on his activities. What was the reaction across Norway? The Epstein files resulted responses from senior figures in Norwegian politics, including those who had worked with Brende during his time in government. Erna Solberg, the leader of the Conservative Party and prime minister during Brendes tenure as foreign minister, said on February 1, that she only knew what had been reported in the media and that the contacts appeared obviously unwise. Guri Melby, leader of Norways Liberal Party described the communications between Brende and Epstein as grotesque and told TV2, Brende knew exactly who Epstein was and yet sits there eagerly nodding to his visions of global power. Its completely incomprehensible. Brende rejected the characterisation of the messages put forward by critics, arguing that the excerpts were taken out of context. He said he did not recall certain exchanges cited in the documents and maintained that he had been unaware of Epsteins criminal history at the time of their interactions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The files also included material that critics said contradicted his account, including records showing that Epstein had sent him a link relating to his criminal sentence and that Brende had responded with a thumbs-up emoji. Brende said he was completely unaware of the link and that he had not opened it. The documents also recorded messages in which Epstein and Brende ridiculed Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, referring to her as Miss Piggy. Brende said he did not remember those messages. Critics pointed to the cumulative pattern of the exchanges and to what they described as repeated revisions of Brendes explanations as new details emerged. The files also showed that Brende had previously stated in November 2025 that he had nothing to do with Epstein, despite records indicating that they had exchanged 120 messages and met on several occasions. What next for Brende & WEF? The WEF initiated an independent review conducted by outside counsel into Brendes relationship with Epstein. The probe was launched earlier this month. The forum said the review aimed to assess whether any concerns existed beyond what had already been disclosed in the public domain. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a subsequent statement, co-chairs Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink said the review had concluded and that it had not identified further issues beyond those already known. They confirmed that Alois Zwinggi, a senior figure at the forum, would take over as interim president and CEO. The board of trustees would oversee the transition and begin a process to identify a permanent successor. Hoffmann and Fink also issued a statement responding to Brendes departure, saying, We wish to express our sincere appreciation for Brge Brendes significant contributions to the World Economic Forum. His dedication and leadership have been instrumental during a pivotal period of reforms for the organisation, leading to a successful annual meeting in Davos. We respect his decision to step down. Brendes resignation statement said, After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum. My time here, spanning 8-1/2 years, has been profoundly rewarding. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He added, I am grateful for the incredible collaboration with my colleagues, partners, and constituents, and I believe now is the right moment for the Forum to continue its important work without distractions. His statement did not refer to Epstein by name. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies Saudi Arabia has banned poultry and egg imports from India and 39 other countries. The decision was part of precautionary measures to safeguard public health and protect its domestic food supply chain. It comes amid rising global concerns over bird flu outbreaks Saudi Arabia has imposed a ban on the import of poultry and table eggs from 40 countries, including India. File image/Reuters Saudi Arabia has taken a firm step to protect its public health by tightening controls on poultry and table eggs. The nation has banned these imports from 40 countries, including India. In addition to the full ban, partial restrictions apply in specific states or cities across 16 countries, including Australia, the United States, Italy, Belgium, Bhutan, and others. Saudi poultry, egg ban hits 40 nations A full ban on imports applies India and the following places: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Djibouti, South Africa, China, Iraq, Ghana, Palestine, Vietnam, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Cameroon, South Korea, North Korea, Laos, Libya, Myanmar, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Hong Kong, Japan, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Serbia, Slovenia, Cote dIvoire and Montenegro. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) announced the ban decision as a part of precautionary measures aimed at safeguarding public health and protecting its domestic food supply chain. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Industry experts say the ban could temporarily disrupt regional trade flows, especially for exporters who rely heavily on the Saudi market. File image/Reuters The decision aims to protect public health and ensure food safety in the local market, the authority said, as quoted by Moneycontrol. According to SFDA, the move aligns with the Kingdoms strict biosecurity protocols designed to intercept the entry of infectious animal diseases into Saudi Arabia. Officials added that the countries on the banned list were selected based on international disease surveillance reports and risk assessments, primarily regarding outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as bird flu. They also emphasised that the ban applies to imports of table eggs and poultry products from nations considered to pose potential animal health risks, Mathrubhumi reported. According to authorities, certain bans have been in effect since 2004, while other countries have been gradually added over the years, based on updated risk assessments and international reports concerning animal disease. Clarification on exempted products Saudi Arabia further clarified that heat-treated and fully processed poultry products may remain eligible for import and be exempted from the ban. Shipments with valid veterinary health certificates will be thoroughly inspected. The products must comply with all health requirements, including carrying official certification from the exporting nation, and should originate from facilities approved by Saudi regulators. It should also be confirmed that the applied heat treatment or processing is enough to eliminate the bird flu or Newcastle disease virus. SFDA, in a statement, said, Saudi Arabia prioritises consumer safety, and the integrity of its food supply. Import suspensions are implemented whenever necessary to mitigate potential risks, according to a media report. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Impact on India Now, the Indian exporters and trade authorities are expected to evaluate the impact of the ban and review shipments. The step will ensure compliance with the updated Saudi regulations. Industry experts say the ban could temporarily disrupt regional trade flows, especially for exporters who rely heavily on the Saudi market. A poultry farm worker dries egg trays in the sunlight at a factory in Jalandhar on March 27, 2023. Image courtesy: Moneycontrol 16 nations under partial restrictions A partial ban has also been imposed, specifically targeting provinces and cities in 16 countries. These include Australia, the United States, Italy, Belgium, Bhutan, Poland, Togo, Denmark, Romania, Zimbabwe, France, the Philippines, Canada, Malaysia, Austria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The SFDA clarified that restrictions in these nations apply only to designated states and cities rather than a nationwide ban. Bird flu concerns across the globe Saudi Arabias new import restrictions come amid global concerns over bird flu, prompting tighter monitoring of import checks and updated regulations. According to the National Library of Medicine, Avian influenza, or bird flu, is increasingly concerning worldwide, as experts prepare for the potential emergence of the next human influenza pandemic. Only influenza A has been proven capable of triggering pandemics so far. Analysts note that, since Saudi Arabia has a diversified supplier base and expanding domestic poultry production, the ban may not lead to an immediate shortage. File image/Reuters Since 2003, outbreaks of this disease in birds, especially domestic poultry, have been reported regularly across Southeast Asia and have now affected parts of Africa and Europe. Many countries that are not affected are preparing for the possible arrival of HPAI A/H5N1 in wild birds and poultry within their territories, the National Library of Medicine noted_._ With inputs from agencies The Canadian Prime Minister will depart for Mumbai at 10:00 am Ottawa time (8:30 pm IST). This would be his first visit to India as PM (L/R) Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney greets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before a group photo during the Group of Seven (G7) Summit at the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada on June 17, 2025. (Photo by Geoff Robins / AFP) Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to begin an official visit to India from February 26 to March 7, in an attempt to reset ties between the two nations after a period of strained relations. His visit will begin in Mumbai, where he is scheduled to meet business leaders to explore opportunities for deeper economic cooperation. He will then travel to New Delhi for high-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 2. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The discussions are expected to focus on strengthening collaboration in key sectors such as clean energy, artificial intelligence, defence, and advanced technology. A major objective of the visit is to accelerate negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which aims to boost bilateral trade and investment. Officials have emphasised Indias growing global economic influence and its importance as a strategic partner for Canada. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached $30.8 billion in 2024, making India Canadas seventh-largest trading partner. Both leaders have also expressed ambitions to increase trade to $50 billion by 2030. Canada softens stance Ahead of Carneys upcoming visit, the Canadian government has now said it no longer believes India is linked to violent crimes in Canada. Officials indicated that while past investigations examined possible foreign interference and criminal links, current assessments no longer connect the Indian government to ongoing violent activities. The clarification comes as Ottawa seeks to stabilise relations and re-engage with India through diplomacy and economic cooperation. The statement came during a briefing with journalists ahead of Carneys trip, with senior government officials, cited by Canadian English daily Toronto Star, describing progress in security talks and collaboration between Ottawa and New Delhi. We have a very robust diplomatic engagement, including between national security advisers, and I think we can say were confident that that activity is not continuing, one of the senior officials, who did not want to be named, said on Wednesday. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says IMEC was discussed extensively during Modi-Netanyahu talks, noting regional tensions impact progress. PM Modi links West Asia stability to Indias security and reiterates support for dialogue and the Gaza Peace Plan. Emphasising the importance of regional connectivity, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday said the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was discussed at some length during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Briefing the media in Jerusalem at the end of Modis visit, Misri described IMEC as a priority initiative but acknowledged that prevailing regional tensions are affecting its pace. He noted that stable relations among participating countries are critical for the corridors successful implementation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite these challenges, Misri said some countries are moving ahead with specific components of the project independently to sustain progress. He stressed that all stakeholders must work to ensure the extremely important initiative continues to advance. During his bilateral discussions, Modi also reviewed cooperation under IMEC and the India-Israel-UAE-USA grouping, known as I2U2. The Prime Minister highlighted the need for enhanced regional cooperation and reiterated that peace and stability in West Asia are directly linked to Indias security interests. Today we also had extensive discussions on regional and global issues. While promoting regional connectivity, we will move forward with new momentum on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and India-Israel-UAE-USA, i.e., I2U2, PM Modi said.Peace and stability in West Asia are directly linked to Indias security, he added. The Prime Minister also stated that India has consistently supported dialogue and peaceful solutions in West Asia, while referring to efforts to de-escalate tensions and noted that the Gaza Peace Plan has created a pathway towards peace that India fully supports. Therefore, from the beginning, we have supported dialogue and a peaceful solution. This is the call of the Global South and all of humanity. Indias thinking is clear: Humanity must never become a victim of conflict. The Gaza Peace Plan has created a path for peace, the Prime Minister said. He affirmed that India will continue dialogue and cooperation with all countries to restore stability. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies PM Modi becomes the first world leader to cross 100 million Instagram followers. This speaks volumes about his unmatched global digital reach Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become the first world leader to cross 100 million followers on Instagram, cementing his position as the most followed political leader on the platform. The achievement is a historic first, with PM Modi reaching a level of online popularity unmatched by any other political figure globally. He joined the Meta-owned platform in 2014, and over the years, his account has evolved into one of the most engaging digital spaces among world leaders. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The scale of his dominance becomes even clearer when compared to his peers. According to the data, PM Modi now has twice as many followers as US President Donald Trump, who holds the second spot with 43.2 million followers. Meanwhile, the combined follower count of several major global leaders still falls short of PM Modis individual total. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has 15 million, followed by Brazilian President with 14.4 million followers, and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan follows with 11.6 million. Lastly, Argentine President Javier Milei has 6.4 million followers. His popularity is not limited to the global stage. Within India, the gap between Modi and other political leaders is stark. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ranks a distant second with 16.1 million followers, followed by Congress Rahul Gandhi with around 12.6 million. PM Narendra Modi has crossed the historic milestone of 100 million followers on Instagram, becoming the first world leader and politician to achieve this feat on the platform. PM Modi joined Instagram in 2014. He has more than twice as many followers as US President Donald Trump pic.twitter.com/86EBF0CdIb ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2026 PM Modi in Israel The social media milestone comes alongside PM Modis high-profile state visit to Israel, where he addressed the Knesset. In recognition of his role in strengthening IndiaIsrael relations, he was awarded the Speaker of the Knesset Medal, the parliaments highest honour, for what officials described as his exceptional leadership in advancing strategic cooperation between the two nations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The honour was presented after his address, which received a standing ovation and prolonged applause from lawmakers. Following the speech, several members of the Knesset gathered around Modi for photographs and selfies. PM Modi in Israel: At the Israeli Parliament, PM Modi expressed Indias backing for the Gaza peace initiative, describing it as a step toward lasting and fair peace in the region. He also denounced Hamas October 7 attack on Israel Prime Minister Narendra Modi was met with a standing ovation at the Israeli Knesset on Wednesday, shortly after his arrival in Tel Aviv for a two-day state visit to Israel. He is the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli Parliament, marking his second visit to Israel in a decade, after his 2017 trip. Upon arrival, PM Modi was welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara. The Indian PM expressed his gratitude for the warm reception, calling it an extremely honourable welcome, while Netanyahu described the visit as historic, posting on X, Aapka swagat hai (We welcome you). On the second and concluding day of his Israel visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, after which both sides elevated ties to an India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership focused on peace, innovation and prosperity. Nearly 16 MoUs and agreements were exchanged across sectors including defence, technology, civil nuclear energy and space. PM Modi reaffirmed that India and Israel will move towards joint development, joint production and transfer of technology in defence cooperation. He also reiterated that terrorism has no place in the world and expressed Indias support for efforts aimed at regional peace, including the Gaza Peace Plan. Live Updates The overlap of Ramadan and London Fashion Week transformed a runway moment into a communal breaking of the fast. When London Fashion Weeks autumn/winter 2026 schedule landed in February, the citys fashion calendar was already packed with buzzy runway shows, emerging talent and industry glitterati. But this season carried something new: an intentional pause for iftar, the evening meal marking the end of the daily fast during Ramadan. For the first time in the events recent history, British-Yemeni designer Kazna Asker incorporated the spiritual rhythm of Ramadan directly into her London Fashion Week presentation, turning a tightly scheduled industry moment into something communal and culturally rooted. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Fasting fashion Askers autumn/winter 2026 presentation, titled Hour of the Sunset, unfolded in the British Fashion Councils NewGen space at 180 Strand. Rather than beginning and ending with the usual day-to-night cadence, the show was structured around sunset, the moment Muslims break their fast each day during Ramadan. At 5.30 pm, as the sun dipped below the London skyline, the atmosphere shifted. The show paused. Guests, models, designers and staff observed the call to prayer, then shared iftar, first with Palestinian dates (a food closely tied to Ramadan tradition), followed by flatbreads, lentil soup, biryani and other Middle Eastern dishes. Author and poet Yassmin Abdel-Magied kicked off the ritual with a reading and reflection on the significance of breaking fast, explaining that the act is not just about food but about community, self-discipline and spiritual focus. In my culture, it really is a blessing to share food with people, to break bread, Asker told Vogue. She noted that many non-Muslim friends look forward to Ramadan because of the communal energy that surrounds iftar gatherings, a feeling she hoped to bring into this presentation. Wardrobe and worldview This moment was more than a break for food; it was a deliberate cultural statement. Askers work blends British streetwear sensibilities with traditional Middle Eastern fabrics and forms, influenced by her Yemeni heritage and travels across the Middle East and Africa. For her NewGen presentation, which also marked her final show within the British Fashion Councils NewGen programme, garments featured references to traditional dress, abayas, kaftans and embroidered motifs, with storytelling layered into both silhouette and styling. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Models moved from platforms to floor-level seating, where guests sat on Persian carpets in a space reimagined as a majlis, a traditional communal room for gathering and discussion in Arab households. This setup transformed the venue from a conventional runway into a shared space, blurring distinctions between presentation and ceremony. Asker also used the platform to subtly disrupt traditional fashion norms, including assigning gendered accessories in unexpected ways, such as placing a traditional jambiya dagger on a female model, as part of her narrative on empowerment and cultural reinterpretation. The citys cultural context London is one of the most ethnically and religiously diverse cities in the world, with vibrant Muslim communities and an expanding cultural calendar that includes visible, public celebrations of Ramadan across the city. In recent years, the West End has been lit up with Ramadan displays while halal-friendly dining trails have emerged across eateries in central London, signs of a city where Islamic observance increasingly intersects with public and cultural life. At London Fashion Week, this intersection took a new form. What is typically one of the most tightly choreographed (and tightly booked) events on the fashion calendar became a space where a shared meal and creative expression coexisted. The pause for iftar was not a peripheral moment tacked onto the schedule, but an integral part of the presentations rhythm. Changing fashion culture What made Askers iftar moment stand out was not simply the fact that it happened, but how it was woven into the narrative of the clothes and the presentation itself: as a shared cultural act rather than a detached spectacle. Fashion weeks have long been spaces of glamour and industry theatre. This year, they also became a place where faith, food and fellowship found a runway moment. In doing so, London Fashion Week acknowledged that creative expression is not separate from the lived experience of the people who make, wear and attend the shows. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD West Asia will remain complex. But complexity, handled with patience and prudence, can be an opportunity rather than a liability. Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Israel comes at a time when West Asia is unsettled, alignments are fluid and strategic certainties are scarce. For India, this engagement is not simply bilateral diplomacy; it is a carefully calibrated exercise in maintaining equilibrium across one of the worlds most politically charged regions. Over the past decade, PM Modis rapport with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has become emblematic of a transformed India-Israel partnership. What was once discreet is now open, strategic and confident. Defence cooperation, high technology, intelligence sharing, agricultural innovation and water management have elevated Israel into a key pillar of Indias security and modernisation matrix. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Yet Indias West Asia policy has never been about choosing sides. It has been about managing equations in Indias national interest. Israel: Technology, Security and Strategic Depth Since establishing full diplomatic relations in 1992, Indias engagement with Israel has steadily deepened. Today, Israel is among Indias most significant defence partners, supplying advanced surveillance systems, drones, missile technologies and border management solutions. Beyond procurement, the relationship increasingly emphasises joint research, co-development and technological adaptation to Indian conditions. Israels experience in counterterrorism, rapid mobilisation and the integration of artificial intelligence into battlefield management aligns closely with Indias evolving security doctrine. As warfare becomes multi-domain and technology-driven, India values Israel not merely as a supplier but as a knowledge partner. For India, strengthening this pillar reinforces its self-reliance ambitions while ensuring operational preparedness. The Gulf Imperative: Diaspora, Energy and Economics Even as ties with Israel flourish, Indias foundational interests in the Gulf remain paramount. Nearly nine million Indians live and work across the Gulf region. Remittances exceeding $50 billion annually underpin household incomes and foreign exchange reserves. Energy flows from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and others remain critical to Indias economic stability. Over the last decade, India has significantly elevated its engagement with the Gulf nations. Relations with the UAE have expanded into infrastructure, fintech, logistics and investment partnerships. Strategic cooperation with Saudi Arabia now encompasses counterterrorism, maritime security and long-term energy coordination. India therefore has to tread carefully. Any perception of imbalance in its West Asia posture could reverberate across diaspora welfare, trade flows and energy security. Relations between several Arab states and Israel have, over the years, also significantly improved. India is fully mindful of that. Old Friendships Matter: Egypt and Jordan Indias diplomacy in West Asia also rests on longstanding relationships that predate contemporary geopolitical realignments. Its ties with Egypt and Jordan reflect decades of political engagement, development cooperation and shared positions in multilateral forums. These relationships may not dominate headlines, but they contribute to Indias credibility as a consistent and independent actor. Preserving such ties reinforces Indias image as a country that values continuity even as it builds new strategic partnerships. In a region where memory shapes diplomacy, historical goodwill remains an asset. Iran, Connectivity and Strategic Access No balancing act in West Asia is complete without factoring in Iran. While Israel views Iran primarily through a security lens particularly concerning its nuclear ambitions Indias engagement with Tehran is driven by connectivity and continental access. The development of the Chabahar Port offers India a gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. It connects to the International North-South Transport Corridor, enhancing trade routes towards Russia and Europe. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indias approach has been one of compartmentalisation: deepening strategic cooperation with Israel while maintaining pragmatic ties with Iran. This dual engagement reflects Indias strategic autonomy. IMEC: Connectivity as the New Geopolitics A critical dimension of PM Modis current engagement with Israel is the future of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). IMEC envisions linking Indian ports to the Gulf by sea, connecting onward by rail through Saudi Arabia and Jordan, and eventually reaching European markets via Israels Mediterranean access. It is as much a geopolitical statement as an economic initiative. For India, it promises supply chain resilience, diversified trade routes and deeper integration with West Asias economic transformation. However, regional instability particularly the Gaza conflict has slowed momentum. Infrastructure requires predictability. Political volatility raises risk calculations. India is keen to ensure that IMEC regains traction, not merely for commerce but for strategic positioning. Israels role in the corridors western leg makes stability there indispensable. Reviving IMEC would anchor India more firmly in the regions future economic architecture. Flexible Groupings: The I2U2 Dimension Another evolving layer in this architecture is the I2U2 Group, comprising India, Israel, the UAE and the United States. Unlike traditional alliances, this is a functional platform focused on food security, renewable energy, infrastructure and technology. The grouping illustrates a broader trend: West Asia is experimenting with flexible, project-based coalitions centred on economics and development rather than rigid military blocs. For India, participation enhances its regional profile without compromising independence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Such platforms allow India to work simultaneously with Israel and key Gulf partners within a framework that includes Washington but does not bind New Delhi into formal alignments. Gaza, Two-State Realities and Diplomatic Contradictions The Gaza conflict presents the most sensitive dimension of Indias balancing act. The United States has yet to articulate a clear end state for Gaza. Israel prioritises security and deterrence. Arab states weigh domestic opinion against strategic calculations. Indias long-standing support for a two-state solution remains intact. At the same time, it unequivocally condemns terrorism and recognises Israels right to defend itself. These positions are not mutually exclusive, though they often generate diplomatic friction. India is not part of emerging peace frameworks but remains observant and cautious. Domestic sensitivities, regional partnerships and global expectations all intersect here. Contradictions exist but diplomacy thrives on managing contradictions, not eliminating them. A Decade of Calibration, A Decade Ahead Over the past twelve years, PM Modi has built working relationships across divides engaging Israel, strengthening Gulf partnerships, maintaining access to Iran and preserving traditional friendships with Egypt and Jordan. Few leaders have invested so consistently in West Asias diverse capitals. The central challenge now is continuity amid turbulence. India must tiptoe through shifting configurations without forfeiting strategic gains. Nothing should be lost; more should be gained. If the last decade was about establishing presence and trust, the next must focus on institutionalising gains through connectivity projects like IMEC, technology partnerships with Israel, economic integration with the Gulf and sustained dialogue across fault lines. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a fractured West Asia, Indias strength lies in achieving equilibrium. PM Modis Israel visit underscores that the objective is steady, interest-driven engagement. Replicating the achievements of the past twelve years will require the same clarity of purpose: partnerships anchored in realism, flexibility in the face of contradictions and unwavering attention to Indias national interests. West Asia will remain complex. But complexity, handled with patience and prudence, can be an opportunity rather than a liability. (The writer is the former Commander of Indias Srinagar-based Chinar Corps. Currently he is the Chancellor of the Central University of Kashmir and a member of the National Disaster Management Authority. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) Indias eastern infrastructure is no longer about connectivity or development; it is about denying China time, surprise, and coercive leverage. The Brahmaputra tunnel, the Dibrugarh Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) and the planned underground rail connectivity to the Siliguri corridor negate Beijings long-held assumption that the Northeast can be isolated through terrain, weather, or engineered coercion. What China attempted to achieve through roads, dams, and forward civilian villages to deny Indian response and manufacture coercive advantage is now being structurally reversed. India is changing the geometry of the battlespace by redesigning it for the combat edge. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When denial is credible, and domination is a capability, deterrence and escalation levers get controlled. Rapid mobilisation, air power superiority, and uninterrupted logistics convert the eastern theatre from a vulnerability into a zone of credible deterrence. Weaponised flooding, salami slicing, and Chumbi-based pressure lose strategic effect when mobility is escalatory and response is proactive and pre-emptive. The eastern rampart now imposes costs, shortens warning cycles, and removes surprise. The inauguration of the Brahmaputra underwater tunnel on February 14 marks a decisive inflexion in Indias eastern strategy. The twin-tube tunnel, located almost 32 metres beneath the riverbed and 33.7 kilometres in length, links Gohpur on the north bank to Numaligarh on the south bank in the vicinity of Dibrugarh. It compresses what used to be a 240 km diversion into a straight 34 km tunnel. The distance that took more than six hours before is now covered within half an hour. All concealed, silent but disruptive to the adversary. The tunnel represents a decisive shift in Indias eastern defence posture at a time when Chinese military infrastructure and operational patterns increasingly threaten the Siliguri Corridor, the narrow land bridge linking mainland India to the Northeast. Barely 22 kilometres wide at its most vulnerable stretch, Siliguri remains the most consequential geographic choke point in the Indian Union. Its vulnerability lies not only in width but also in its exposure to surveillance, disruption, and time-sensitive coercion. From the Chumbi Valley in Tibet, located roughly 130 kilometres away, the Peoples Liberation Army retains the theoretical ability to disrupt this corridor in the opening hours of a high-intensity contingency. Chinas approach to the eastern sector has been deliberate and cumulative. Border villages constructed as civilian settlements double as logistics nodes. The airfields, feeder roads and rail infrastructure leading to Arunachal Pradesh have continued to proliferate and are reinforcing the long-held position of Beijings claim of Arunachal as South Tibet. The Doklam crisis in 2017 and Galwan in 2020, followed by the confrontations in Tawang in Dec 2022, demonstrated how Chinese formations could mobilise, sustain, and rotate under harsh conditions. The objective was strategic leverage: compel India to accept incremental loss or risk strategic dislocation of its Northeast. The lesson was strategic and demanded immediate addressal. Geography could no longer be trusted to provide a deterrent on its own, and this had to be supplemented by speed, redundancy and depth. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The underwater tunnel corrects that structural delay. By placing a hardened, all-weather artery beneath the river, India has removed a natural choke point that once complicated reinforcement of the northern bank. What was earlier a dispersed logistical effort becomes a continuous flow. In military terms, response cycles shrink, cohesion improves, and concentration of force becomes viable within compressed timelines. In effect, the tunnel restores operational mass and operational tempo without visible mobilisation. China understands this geometry. Its investments in Tibets infrastructure, including forward airfields and rapid mobilisation corridors, are designed to exploit short interior lines. In such a scenario, Indias ability to reinforce and sustain eastern formations without over-reliance on the Siliguri axis becomes critical. The tunnel, in conjunction with bridges, upgraded railheads, and hardened depots, introduces depth into this equation. Depth is not distance alone; it is redundancy. Even if pressure is exerted near Siliguri, eastern Assam no longer feels operationally distant. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The recent decision by Indian Railways to take rail connectivity underground to the Siliguri corridor acknowledges an uncomfortable truth long understood by planners: Siliguris importance lies as much in its fragility as in its geography. Surface connectivity here has always been exposed to weather, congestion, disruption, and, in crisis, to coercion. An underground rail alignment changes the character of that exposure. In modern conflict, survivability of movement is as decisive as speed. The strategic value of the tunnel and planned rail link is magnified through its integration with the Dibrugarh Emergency Landing Facility at the Moran Bypass (NH-2). Operational since 2023 under the Indian Air Forces dual-use airfield programme, this 3-kilometre runway supports both civil aviation and frontline fighter platforms. Being an ELF, it is fully equipped for all strike aircraft, along with protected shelters, fuel storage and repair facilities. Airfields on the Tibetan plateau have long offered China proximity advantages of operating in a faster timeframe despite altitude constraints on payloads. The ELF has now offset that asymmetry. The delivery of ammunition, spares and fuel in Numaligarh depots to the ELF complex can be transported in a quick time. Precision munitions, heavy calibre ammunition and air defence equipment are all refuelable without being subjected to surface interdiction. The modern strike aircraft based at Chabua and Dibrugarh can maintain continuous aerial patrols and offset the Chinese advantage. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Equally significant is the integration of air defence systems that can now be repositioned swiftly because ground mobility is assured. The Akash NG and Akashteer systems moved by tunnels create overlapping coverage of the Chumbi approaches and are linked with the S-400 missiles in depth, covering the area in a multi-tiered, multi-layered air defence architecture. Airspace dominance now is not about contest; it is about discouraging enemy misadventure altogether. These developments signal a doctrinal evolution. Indias eastern posture historically emphasised holding ground and preventing ingress. The deterrence has now shifted to denial and domination. The emerging architecture supports rapid reinforcement, offensive denial, and theatre-level integration for domination. Mobility corridors are no longer mere supply lines; they are operational enablers that permit manoeuvre warfare in terrain once considered restrictive. This constitutes a strategic dislocation in terms of time, space, force and cognition. Shorter mobilisation timelines also enhance escalation control. Speed stabilises crises when capability is visible. Graduated options become viable because reinforcement is not synonymous with escalation. Deterrence rests on capability, credibility and strategic communication through these projects. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a contingency centred on the Tawang sector, rapid PLA mobilisation from Medog coupled with diversionary manoeuvres toward Sela Pass would previously have strained Indian response timelines. Seasonal flooding compounded delays, fragmenting force cohesion. Under the current configuration, mechanised elements, armour and artillery reach operational zones within hours. Air operations from Dibrugarh generate sustained sorties, while mobile missile units threaten logistics nodes across the Tibetan plateau. In a dual-front scenario, with western forces engaged elsewhere, the tunnel-ELF-rail link complex sustains eastern combat power autonomously. Airlifted formations, missile deployments and rapid rail movement deny adversaries the opportunity to exploit geographic or temporal gaps. Beyond the military domain, the infrastructure reinforces economic and energy security. Reliable integration of Northeast hydropower into the national grid underwrites regional development and strategic sustainability. Indigenous expertise gained in subaqueous construction carries implications for future projects in island territories and friendly regional countries. The Brahmaputra tunnel and the Dibrugarh Emergency Landing Facility, along with the planned underground rail connectivity, make geography an asset rather than a liability. Indias eastern military geometry is no longer defined by rivers that divide but by corridors that connect. This is deterrence engineered, not declared, and it is precisely what alters adversarial calculus. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD (The author is former Director General, Mechanised Forces. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) The departure of Japans last giant pandas marks more than the end of a diplomatic tradition; it reflects the deepening chill in China-Japan relations The departure of two beloved panda cubs from Tokyo marks the end of an era as geopolitical tensions over Taiwan push Japan and China further apart. The scene at Japans Ueno Zoo in Tokyo was quietly emotional in January last week as many children flocked to see the two panda cubs, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, for one last time. The twins have since left the country for China, where they will now be reunited with their fellow species. While the panda cubs would be happy to meet more of their kind, they have left Japan panda-less for the first time in almost half a century. In 1972, when the first pandas arrived in Japan as a gift from China, they marked a significant moment of normalisation in the bilateral relations between the two countries. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Japan and China, both isolationist until the nineteenth century, signed a Treaty of Friendship and Trade only in 1871 when China was under the rule of the Qing Empire and Japan was ruled by the Meiji dynasty. The Meiji Restoration had transformed Japan from a feudal country into a modern industrialised nation-state. However, its quest to seek great power status for itself led to the beginning of a long era of conflict with China, starting with the 1894 war over control in Korea, which had existed as a Chinese tributary until then. The Qing Empires defeat in the war led to the Treaty of Shimonoseki, under which China had to cede Taiwan, then known as Formosa, to Japan. From 1895, for the next fifty years, Taiwan was under Japanese colonial rule until 1945, when Japan lost the Second World War and had to relinquish control of the island to China once again. After the Second World War, the conclusion of the internal conflict the Chinese Civil War led to the creation of two separate states: the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland, led by the Communists, and the Republic of China in Taiwan, led by the nationalist Kuomintang Party under the leadership of Chiang Kai-shek. Japan recognised the latter as the official representation of China and did not maintain any diplomatic ties with the PRC. This was largely driven by Japans post-war geopolitical alignment, as it had fallen firmly into the American zone of influence during the Cold War. As a result, the United States convinced Japan to recognise the RoC as the legitimate China, owing to its own containment policy towards communism. Thus, the 1952 Treaty of Taipei formally established diplomatic relations between Japan and Taiwan, leaving the PRC completely out of the picture. This continued until February 1972, when the US itself switched its policy following President Richard Nixons visit to the Peoples Republic of China. It was the US normalisation of relations with Communist China, in order to benefit from the Sino-Soviet divide, that ultimately paved the way for Japans own diplomatic relationship with the PRC. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In July 1972, Kakuei Tanaka became Prime Minister of Japan, and his first priority was to adjust the countrys diplomatic policy towards China in light of the new geopolitical realities. He soon followed Nixon to China, leading to the signing of a Joint Communique that laid out three preconditions for normalisation of relations. The first was Japans abrogation of the 1952 treaty with the RoC; the second was the recognition of Taiwan as an inalienable part of PRC territory; and lastly, acceptance of the PRC as the sole legal government of China. Although Tanaka did not explicitly accept Taiwan as PRC territory, he did extend Japans respect and understanding towards it. It is important to note how the interpretation of this particular statement has become a subject of controversy in contemporary times. However, at that time, the normalisation of relations dominated every other concern, and China gifted two pandas, Kang Kang and Lan Lan, to Japan. This practice became institutionalised over the years until 2026, when strained bilateral relations once again left Japan bereft of any pandas in the country. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Interestingly, Japan is not the only country to which China has extended pandas as gifts. Giant pandas, which endear themselves to children and adults alike, are native to China and are found exclusively in its mountainous regions. The practice of gifting them for diplomatic purposes dates back to the Tang dynasty (618-907 CE), when a pair of pandas were gifted to the Japanese emperor as a goodwill gesture to improve relations between the two countries. It was revived in modern times in the twentieth century when two giant pandas were gifted to the United States during the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1941 to thank it for its support against Japan. It is a whole story of two innocent pandas caught in a wartime adventure before eventually reaching the shores of their host country. Later, Mao Zedong used panda diplomacy to foster strong alliances with fellow communist countries such as the Soviet Union and North Korea. In the late 1970s, when China began pivoting to the capitalist West, it revived the same diplomatic practice, starting with the United States, then Japan, and later even the United Kingdom, to build goodwill. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The practice was altered slightly in 1984 when market-savvy Deng Xiaoping changed the model from gifting pandas to loaning them instead. Each panda loan brought in one million dollars for China, which were spent on panda conservation efforts. Thus, Chinas ancient panda diplomacy evolved into a thoughtful model that signalled its soft power, built shared affection for pandas with diplomatic partners, and contributed to their conservation and welfare. However, this model also has its limits in ensuring amicable ties, as shown by the latest turn in JapanChina relations. Since the beginning of the current century, both countries have experienced several episodes of heightened tension due to competing territorial claims, particularly arising from Chinas expanding presence in the East China Sea. The fishing boat collision incident in 2010 and the nationalisation of some Senkaku Islands (referred to by China as the Diaoyu Islands) by Japan in 2012 structurally weakened their relationship. Although there were multiple attempts to restore trust, the fundamentals were simply not in favour of harmonious relations between the two countries. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On one side is an ambitious and powerful China, with an almost $20 trillion economy and an equally formidable military. On the other side is a remilitarising Japan, which has moved away from its post-war pacifism in order to build a state-of-the-art military. According to Japanese strategic documents, China represents their greatest challenge, alongside its close ally North Korea. The domestic consensus on remilitarisation, which began incrementally under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has gained new momentum under the leadership of Japans first female Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, who secured a landslide victory in the countrys recently concluded snap polls this month. Takaichi has advanced the goal of spending 2 per cent of GDP on defence by two years, which would bring Japan on par with some of the worlds largest military spenders. Her bold statement in November 2025, in which she claimed that Chinese military action in Taiwan would constitute a survival-threatening situation for Japan and would trigger a military response, caused a furore in bilateral relations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The remarks immediately spiralled into a diplomatic showdown, with China issuing a travel advisory against Japan, banning Japanese films, and placing restrictions on Japanese defence companies access to dual-use items such as rare earth metals and sensitive materials. This was accompanied by coercive tactics such as incursions into the East China Sea and live-fire exercises near Japan by the Chinese military. Both China and Japan hold sharply opposing views regarding Taiwans status. For China, reunification with the mainland even by force as a last resort would vindicate its resurgence in the current century. China views its colonial past, during which multiple foreign powers divided its territory, as its century of humiliation, and frames the reclaiming of lost territories as national rejuvenation. On the other hand, Japan regards such reunification as a threat to its own survival. Taiwan is located just 110 km from Japans southwestern Yonaguni Island. Any military action by China in the region carries the real possibility of spilling into Japanese sovereign territory. Japan also depends on the Taiwan Strait and adjacent waters for its energy security, with 90 per cent of its energy imports passing through this route. Furthermore, a successful reunification especially through military means could embolden China to use similar methods in pursuing its other territorial claims, including in the East China Sea. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Japan increasingly sees itself as a stakeholder in the post-war international order, where territorial conquest would significantly undermine established norms. This may explain why Takaichi shed years of strategic ambiguity with such a strong statement, which was received favourably within Japan. The crux of the matter is that Taiwan has become a flashpoint in China-Japan relations, where each episode of tension leads to serious deterioration in ties, pushing pre-2010 camaraderie towards a point of no return. The year 2027, marking the centenary of the founding of the Peoples Liberation Army, is viewed by many as a potential deadline for a significant military move towards Taiwans reunification. Only time will tell whether and when that might happen, but the truth remains that Taiwan reunification is a question of prestige for Chinese leaders foremost among them President Xi Jinping while Japans current Prime Minister, Takaichi, has termed it an existential crisis. This makes it one of the most contentious geopolitical issues in the world one far too serious for even the worlds most adorable pandas to soften. (The author is a New Delhi-based commentator on geopolitics and foreign policy. She holds a PhD from the Department of International Relations, South Asian University. She tweets @TrulyMonica. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) Google and unnamed partners terminated Google Cloud projects controlled by the hacking group, identified and disabled internet infrastructure it was using and disabled accounts the group used to access Google Sheets, which it used to carry out its targeting and data theft operations. Google disrupted a Chinese-linked hacking group that breached at least 53 organizations across 42 countries, the company said Wednesday. The hacking group, tracked as UNC2814 and Gallium, has a nearly decade-long history of penetrating government organizations and telecommunications companies, the company said in findings shared exclusively with Reuters. This was a vast surveillance apparatus used to spy on people and organizations throughout the world, John Hultquist, chief analyst with Google Threat Intelligence Group, said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Google and unnamed partners terminated Google Cloud projects controlled by the hacking group, identified and disabled internet infrastructure it was using and disabled accounts the group used to access Google Sheets, which it used to carry out its targeting and data theft operations. Using Google Sheets allowed the group to evade detection and blend into normal network traffic and was not a compromise of any Google product, the company added. Charley Snyder, senior manager of Google Threat Intelligence Group, said the group had confirmed access to 53 unnamed entities across the 42 countries, with potential access in at least 22 more countries at the time of disruption. Snyder declined to identify the compromised entities, but said in one case the group had installed a backdoor Google calls GRIDTIDE on a system containing full names, phone numbers, dates of birth, place of birth, voter ID and national ID numbers. The targeting is consistent with efforts to identify and track select targets, the company said. Similar campaigns have been used to exfiltrate call data records, monitor SMS messages, and to even monitor targeted individuals through the telcos lawful intercept capabilities. Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said in a statement that cyber security is a common challenge faced by all countries and should be addressed through dialogue and cooperation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD China consistently opposes and combats hacking activities in accordance with the law, and at the same time firmly rejects attempts to use cyber security issues to smear or slander China. The activity is distinct from separate high-profile, telecommunications-focused Chinese hacking activity tracked as Salt Typhoon, Google said. That campaign, which the US government has linked to China, targeted hundreds of US organizations and prominent US political figures. Among all the Artificial Intelligence features that landed with the new Galaxy S26 Ultra in India, its Privacy Display stands out not just for innovation but for practicality, a genuinely useful feature rather than a marketing talking point. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has finally arrived in India, bringing with it a host of AI-powered upgrades and one standout innovation: the Privacy Display. While much of the buzz around Samsungs 2026 flagship has focused on its intelligent camera and on-device AI features, its this new display technology that feels genuinely transformative. During the launch, I had the chance to see the Privacy Display in action, and it immediately became clear that this isnt another flashy gimmick. Its a practical, thoughtfully engineered solution to a problem every smartphone user faces, keeping personal information safe from prying eyes in public spaces. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Before I give you the verdict, lets take a look at the science behind it. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultras Privacy Display: How does it work As mobile experiences become more personalised with the rise of AI, privacy protection has become more crucial than ever, especially when using devices in shared or public environments. The worlds first #PrivacyDisplay on mobile. https://t.co/mstdGmM0RI. Meet your built-in privacy screen, only on #GalaxyS26Ultra. Privacy Display will allow you to protect your private information by hiding your full screen from other people's view. Or, you can choose what you pic.twitter.com/YSGFkHiY8G Samsung India (@SamsungIndia) February 26, 2026 Samsung has approached this challenge at the hardware level, building privacy directly into the Galaxy S26 Ultras display. Samsungs Privacy Display works at the pixel level. Using a new OLED layer that controls light dispersion, it blocks side-angle visibility while keeping the screen perfectly clear for the primary user. Samsung calls it a hardwaresoftware fusion, the first of its kind in a smartphone. This means you can use your phone normally, and the display dynamically adjusts when privacy mode is activated. Whether youre entering your banking PIN, reading sensitive emails, or using secure apps, the display restricts what others can see without sacrificing brightness or colour quality. The feature also allows customisation. You can set it to automatically activate during specific actions, like entering passwords or unlocking payment apps, or manually switch it on for certain apps. The Partial Screen Privacy mode hides pop-up notifications, while Maximum Privacy Protection completely blocks side views, even when switching between portrait and landscape modes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How Privacy Display beats traditional screen guards Anyone whos used a stick-on privacy screen knows the downsides, duller colours, reduced brightness, and faster battery drain because youre forced to crank up the display. The Galaxy S26 Ultras Privacy Display eliminates all of that. Because the feature is built into the hardware, the phone maintains its vivid display quality at all times. You can choose when to enable privacy, say, while entering your PIN on a crowded train or using your banking app in a cafe, and turn it off when showing something to a friend. Unlike a static guard, this technology adapts to your needs. Samsungs software integration also means the feature feels seamless. It can be toggled quickly through the control panel or even automated through One UIs smart routines. Theres no extra glare, no reduced clarity, and no reason to compromise between visibility and discretion. Verdict Having seen the Privacy Display in action, I can safely say this is not a gimmick, its a feature that really makes a difference. In an age where our smartphones are extensions of our personal and professional lives, privacy should be built into the device itself, not added as an afterthought. The Galaxy S26 Ultras Privacy Display delivers exactly that. It solves a real-world problems, such as, shoulder surfing and screen snooping, with an elegant blend of hardware precision and software control. Its smart, intuitive, and incredibly practical. If theres one feature I expect other brands to imitate soon, its this one. Samsung may have just set a new standard for smartphone privacy, proving that innovation doesnt always mean more pixels or higher megapixels, sometimes, its simply about keeping your screen truly yours. We will experiment with this feature even more, once we get the device in out hands. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The president will hold a meeting with representatives of firms including Amazon.com, Meta Platforms, Microsoft Corp. and Google parent Alphabet Inc on March 4 US President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the US Capitol in Washington as Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson listen. AP US President Donald Trump has summoned executives of Google, Amazon and Meta next week to sign a pledge committing their companies to pay the electricity bills of the data centres they use to power their AI models. A White House official told Bloomberg that the president will hold a meeting with representatives of firms including Amazon.com, Meta Platforms, Microsoft Corp. and Google parent Alphabet Inc on March 4. Some other tech companies that will be part of the meeting include Elon Musks xAI, Oracle and OpenAI. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Although the commitments would not be legally binding, administration officials argue that making them formal and public would create accountability and help reassure consumers concerned that the rapid expansion of AI-driven data centres could drive up costs and cause environmental harm. White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said, Under this bold initiative, these massive companies will build, bring or buy their own power supply for new AI data centres, ensuring that Americans electricity bills will not increase as demand grows. How data centres are raising electricity costs Data centres, the central driving component of the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, are facing massive public backlash over their energy usage, with the common person left wondering whether they have to foot the bill for the tech giants. Concerns are also being raised about the use of water and land to run these data centres, as well as their reliance on diesel generators for backup power. Although Trump pledged during the 2024 campaign to cut electricity bills in half, power prices have instead climbed, driven by surging demand from data centres, industrial activity, and the growing electrification of home heating, cooking, and transportation. Nationwide, the average retail electricity price reached 17.24 cents per kilowatt-hour in December, up six per cent from a year earlier. Provide for your own needs During his State of the Union address, Trump mentioned this issue, saying, Were telling the major tech companies that they have the obligation to provide for their own power needs. They can build their own power plants as part of their factory, so that no ones prices will go up. And in many cases, prices of electricity will go down for the community and very substantially down. With China rapidly scaling its robotics dominance, the US is calling in its own robot-makers for urgent talks. The goal is to revive domestic innovation before the global humanoid race leaves America behind. A humanoid robot performs a dance with robot dogs dressed in lion costumes on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Horse, at the Niangniang Temple in Beijing, China, February 17, 2026. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov The US Department of Commerce is shifting its attention to robots. The agency has invited Americas leading robotics companies to a roundtable next month as it tries to fortify the domestic industry and counter Chinas growing lead in the field. According to a leaked invitation from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) reviewed by Semafor, the 10 March meeting will focus on key supply chain and policy challenges affecting American robotics manufacturing and deployment. Makers of humanoids and industrial robots alike are expected to attend. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A Commerce spokesperson said the meeting aims to gather a variety of opinions and perspectives on how Washington can support robotics innovation, though it wont overlap with ongoing work on tariffs or export controls. America plays catch-up in the robot race Robotics has become a new front in the USChina technology rivalry. Reports suggest that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has already held private meetings with robotics executives, and that an executive order on robotics could arrive later this year. Industry insiders say the sense of urgency is warranted. Beijing has declared robotics a national strategic priority and backed its companies with heavy subsidies, spurring a surge in production and exports. American firms argue that without comparable government support, theyll struggle to compete with Chinese manufacturers that can outscale and undercut them. And the numbers are sobering. China is already the worlds largest producer and user of robots. Market researcher Omdia reported that Chinese robotics company AgiBot shipped over 5,000 humanoid robots in 2025, nearly 40 per cent of the global market. Musk sounds the alarm Few have been as vocal about the issue as Elon Musk, who has repeatedly warned that China could soon dominate humanoid robotics. During a Tesla earnings call, earlier this month, he admitted that while the companys Optimus currently leads the field, the next wave of rivals will almost certainly come from China. China is exceptionally good at scaling, manufacturing, and AI, Musk said. I think China will be by far the biggest competitor in the humanoid robot market. He added that while Tesla and SpaceX are ahead for now, ranks two through ten will all be Chinese companies. Musk isnt alone in his concern. Yann LeCun, the Meta chief scientist often dubbed the godfather of AI, recently warned that Chinas growing dominance in artificial intelligence could reshape the balance of global power. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Experts believe that kind of competition could accelerate innovation, but also risks widening the gap between Chinas state-backed robotics ecosystem and the more fragmented US industry. As the robot race speeds up, Washingtons March roundtable might be just the wake-up call Americas robotics sector needs, before the machines from Shenzhen and Shanghai leave Silicon Valleys creations in the dust. Terrorists linked to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State are ramping up their attacks on the borderlands between three West African nations: Niger, Benin and Nigeria, a think tank report has revealed. Soldiers of the Somalia National Army (SNA) raise their weapons when they gathered near their camp for a talk from visiting senior officers at Awdheegle, one of several towns recently liberated from the Al-Qaeda-linked terrorists in Somalia's lower-Shabelle region on November, 2025. AFP Terrorists linked to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State are ramping up their attacks on the borderlands between three West African nations: Niger, Benin and Nigeria. The revelation was made in a report by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) project, which was published on Thursday. The report argued that the terror groups operating in these nations are turning transit corridors into active conflict zones. It noted that violent incidents involving Islamist groups in the triborder area rose to 90 per cent between 2024 and 2025. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, the death toll doubled to over 1,000 as attacks intensified in the region. The findings underscore the accelerating spread of jihadist groups in West Africa, where governments and foreign militaries have struggled to contain their advancement in the region for decades. The report stated that fighters aligned with al Qaeda and Islamic State have deepened their presence in Benins Alibori and Borgou departments, Nigers Dosso region, and Nigerias Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger and Kwara states. Their operations now reflect continued spread, growing lethality, and rising risks to civilians, it added. Nigeria faces the worst Nigeria has battling with Islamist insurgents for over 15 years: Mainly Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP)in the northeast. However, Al-Qaeda and Islamic Stateaffiliated cells have become more active in the northwest, where there is a weak state presence. It is pertinent to note that West Africa hosts a patchwork of jihadist factions, many operating under the umbrellas of al Qaedalinked Jamaat Nusrat alIslam walMuslimin (JNIM) or Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP). The expansion of these groups has fueled political instability across the region. Militaries in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have seized power since 2020, citing the failure of elected governments to stem the violence. In light of this, the United States carried out air strikes in northwestern Nigeria in December and has begun deploying a small number of troops to train Nigerian forces confronting terrorists. In its report, ACLED said that jihadist groups have stepped up communication about their activities in the triborder zone, which could signal competition between rival factions. Such outbidding, the report said, is likely to drive further escalation. Taliban claims to have killed and captured Pakistani soldiers in cross-border clashes along the Durand Line, while Pakistan reports unprovoked Afghan fire in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and raises nationwide security alert. The Taliban administration said on Thursday that its forces killed and captured several Pakistani soldiers during a cross-border offensive launched in retaliation for recent airstrikes it described as deadly. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in posts on X that multiple Pakistani troops were killed and others taken prisoner. He added that large-scale operations had been launched against Pakistani military positions along the Durand Line in response to what he called repeated provocations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to Mujahid, specialised units equipped with laser-guided systems also began operating overnight along the frontier. Meanwhile, Pakistan said it had taken immediate action after what it termed unprovoked firing by Afghan forces along the shared border. Islamabads information ministry said Afghan troops opened fire at several posts in the north-western province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, triggering more than two hours of clashes before Pakistani forces retaliated. The exchange marks another escalation in tensions between the two neighbouring countries along their volatile border. Afghan forces opened fire on posts in Pakistans mountainous northwest, sparking more than two hours of fighting before Pakistani troops retaliated, Pakistani officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media. The clashes along the 2,600-km (1,615-mile) are the latest flare-up to threaten a fragile ceasefire following deadly clashes in October. Earlier this week, the Taliban warned it would make an appropriate and measured response to airstrikes launched by Pakistan over the weekend on what Islamabad said were camps of militants from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State in Khorasan Province in eastern Afghanistan. Islamabad says TTP leaders operate from Afghan territory and use it as a safe haven to plan attacks inside Pakistan, a charge Kabul denies. In response to repeated provocations and violations by Pakistani military circles, large-scale offensive operations have been launched against Pakistani military positions and installations along the Durand Line, the spokesperson for Afghanistans Taliban administration, Zabihullah Mujahid, said in a post on X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Specialised laser units have also begun operations along the Durand Line, which would take advantage of the darkness of night, Mujahid said in a separate statement. Pakistan said it was boosting security nationwide this week, placing forces on high alert and accelerating intelligence-based operations, arresting dozens of suspected militants, their handlers and facilitators, including Afghan nationals. With inputs from agencies Chinas National Peoples Congress removes nine military deputies, including five full generals, amid ongoing PLA anti-corruption purges, as the International Institute for Strategic Studies warns of command deficiencies in Chinas armed forces. Chinas top legislative body has removed nine military representatives from its roster of deputies ahead of next weeks major annual political gathering in Beijing, according to state-run news agency Xinhua. The National Peoples Congress (NPC) on Thursday revised its list of delegates from the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and the Peoples Armed Police, cutting the total number of military deputies to 243. Those dismissed include five full generals, one lieutenant general and three major generals. The five full generals are Li Wei, political commissar of the information support force; Li Qiaoming, commander of the ground forces; former navy chief Shen Jinlong; former navy political commissar Qin Shengxiang; and former air force political commissar Yu Zhongfu. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lieutenant general Wang Donghai, political commissar of the National Defence Mobilisation Department under the Central Military Commission, was also removed. The three major generals taken off the list are Bian Ruifeng of the Central Military Commission, Ding Laifu of the ground forces and Yang Guang of the rocket force. The removals come amid an expanding anti-corruption campaign within Chinas military ranks. Analysts say the sweeping crackdown has created notable gaps in the command chain of the rapidly modernising armed forces. The London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) warned in its annual Military Balance report that the ongoing purges have affected key institutions, including the supreme Central Military Commission, theatre commands, weapons procurement systems and defence academic bodies. From an organisational perspective, until the vacancies are filled, the PLA is operating with serious deficiencies in its command structure, the IISS said in its latest assessment. Xi made a rare public reference to the crackdown in a virtual address to Chinas armed forces earlier this month. The IISS report noted that rises in Chinese military spending were consistently outpacing the rest of Asia amid a global surge in defence budgets. Chinas share of the regional total grew to almost 44% in 2025, up from an average of 37% between 2010 and 2020. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Deadly gunfire erupted off Cubas coast as its coast guard engaged a Floridaregistered speedboat, leaving four dead and six wounded. US officials are monitoring amid rising tensions Cuban authorities have said that a Floridaregistered speedboat involved in a deadly gunfight off the islands north coast was carrying armed Cuban nationals who intended to stage an infiltration mission with violent ends. The incident, which left four people dead and six others wounded, occurred on Wednesday near Villa Clara province, over 160 kms from Florida. Cuban officials say the group on the speedboat was armed with assault rifles, Molotov cocktails, camouflage gear and other tactical equipment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Cuban authorities describe armed infiltration Cubas Ministry of the Interior said the vessel, registered in Florida under number FL7726SH, was intercepted by border forces about one nautical mile off Cayo Falcones island. The ministry said that preliminary statements from those detained indicated they were attempting an infiltration with terrorist ends. Authorities reported that weapons recovered from the boat included firearms and homemade explosive devices, and that many of the individuals have criminal or violent records. One of the dead has been publicly named, with identities of others expected to be released as investigations continue. As a result of the confrontation, at the time of this report, four foreign attackers were killed and six others were wounded, the ministry said. Cuban state media said one person aboard later admitted flying into Cuba to rendezvous with the boat, suggesting coordinated planning. US response and diplomatic fallout The episode has led to responses in the United States. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was gathering information but declined to solely rely on the Cuban governments account. As we gather more information, well be prepared to respond accordingly, Rubio said. Florida officials, including Representative Carlos Gimenez, called for investigations into the deadly shootout, with Floridas attorney general directing prosecutors to look into what he described as a massacre. The death toll in the recent floods in southern Brazil rose to 46 as authorities in the state of Minas Gerais work on taking hold of the situation. The Parque Burnier neighbourhood of Juiz de Fora faces the aftermath of a landslide in Brazils Minas Gerais state on February 24. AFP The death toll in the recent floods in southern Brazil rose to 46 as authorities in the state of Minas Gerais work on taking hold of the situation. Homes and towns have been covered in mud and debris as rescue operations continue in full swing. On Wednesday, the Brazilian states fire department published the revised death toll, adding that about 21 others remain missing. As per the authorities, 40 of the deaths took place in the town of Juiz de Fora, while the other six were from nearby Uba. The devastating floods have also managed to displace about 3,600 residents from the area, and the search operation is underway. Our family is desperate, Josiane Aparecida, a 43-year-old cook in Juiz de Fora, told AFP. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD She also mentioned that her aunt and cousin both died due to a landslide and that her cousins boyfriend and two children, ages six and nine, remain missing. We have hope, and yet we dont, because its so difficult [to find them], and weve already lost two, she said. Floods causing landslides It is pertinent to note that torrential rains in southern Brazil have caused waterways to spill their banks and soil to become loosened on hillsides. The dramatic weather conditions have swept away homes, engulfing dozens of people. Firefighters warned that the death toll may rise because those who are still missing are unlikely to be found alive. Periods of heavy rains often cause lethal floods in Brazil, where poor communities live in impoverished structures. We never had support from the public authorities to help us with anything, Flavio Clemente Rodrigues, a resident of Juiz de Fora, told The Associated Press news agency. Mayor Margarida Salomao of Juiz de Fora said that at least 20 landslides have occurred in the area since the rain began on Monday. In the midst of this, Brazilian meteorological authorities have warned that more rain is still expected in the coming days. Scientists have argued that climate change is increasing the severity and frequency of extreme weather events, including flooding. On Wednesday, Peru also declared a state of emergency as heavy rains and flooding engulfed half of the South American nation. Denmark will hold a parliamentary election on March 24, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Thursday, seeking to capitalise on a surge in support for her defiant stance against US pressure over Greenland Denmark will hold a parliamentary election on March 24, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Thursday, seeking to capitalise on a surge in support for her defiant stance against US pressure over Greenland. Frederiksen has spent recent months rallying European leaders against President Donald Trumps renewed interest in annexing the Arctic island, an effort that opinion polls suggest has bolstered her popularity after public dissatisfaction over rising living costs and pressures on welfare services. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This will be a decisive election, because it will be in the next four years that we as Danes and as Europeans will really have to stand on our own feet, Frederiksen said. We must define our relationship with the United States, and we must rearm to ensure peace on our continent. Local record also in focus The Greenland crisis has further raised Frederiksens profile on the international stage, boosting the standing she gained through her swift response to the COVID-19 pandemic and for building European support for Ukraine. The election will test whether voters reward her international leadership and defence of Danish sovereignty or punish her government for what critics say has been an inattention to problems at home. The trust in Mette Frederiksen as a leader and her ability to navigate the Greenland and Ukraine crises will be central to the campaign, political commentator Joachim B. Olsen said. Her weakness is that, having been prime minister for two terms, it becomes more difficult to talk about solutions to the problems, he added. She wants to talk about inequality, but then voters will ask why she hasnt addressed those problems until now. Denmarks current government is an unusual cross-partisan coalition of Frederiksens Social Democrats, the centre-right Liberal Party led by Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, and the Moderates, led by Lars Lokke Rasmussen, the foreign minister who has twice served as prime minister. Created in 2022 as a crisis government, the coalition stands to lose its majority, according to opinion polls, as parties reposition themselves along more traditional left-right lines. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Social Democrats suffered a significant defeat in the 2025 municipal elections, losing the Copenhagen mayoralty for the first time in 87 years. While the partys support plummeted to 17% in December polls, it has since rebounded to 22% as Frederiksens approval ratings got a lift from her handling of the Greenland dispute. In the 2022 general election, the party won 28% of the vote. Political scientist Rune Stubager said voter concerns include food prices, welfare, inequality and immigration. The governments 2023 decision to abolish the Great Prayer Day public holiday to fund higher defence spending was unpopular, despite broad public support for military investment. The Green Left party, a traditional ally of the Social Democrats that is currently in opposition, has pledged to reinstate the holiday if elected, a proposal the Social Democrats have not ruled out. Frederiksens party also aims to emphasise its strict immigration policies, a stance that helped its 2019 victory. In January, the government proposed easing deportation rules for foreign nationals, acknowledging the potential clash with European human rights frameworks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A former US F-35 fighter pilot has been arrested and accused of secretly training Chinese military pilots, raising alarms over national security and Chinas recruitment of Western defence expertise Representational image of a US marines pilot of an F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet getting into the cockpit (AFP) A former US fighter pilot, who once flew and instructed on one of Americas most advanced stealth aircraft, has been arrested and accused of secretly training Chinese military pilots. US authorities identified the accused as Gerald Brown, a former US Air Force major and instructor pilot for the F-35 Lightning II. He was arrested in Indiana and charged with providing defence services to Chinese pilots without official authorisation, according to the US Department of Justice. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Accused of betraying his country Brown, 65, had decades of military experience and was considered an elite fighter pilot. Officials say his knowledge and skills made him a valuable target for foreign military recruitment. Roman Rozhavsky, assistant director at the FBIs Counterintelligence and Espionage Division, said Brown allegedly betrayed his country by training Chinese pilots to fight against those he swore to protect. Rozhavsky added, The Chinese government continues to exploit the expertise of current and former members of the US armed forces to modernise Chinas military capabilities. This arrest serves as a warning. US Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro also issued a strong warning, saying Brown and anyone conspiring against our Nation would be held accountable. According to prosecutors, Brown served 24 years in the Air Force, leading combat missions and commanding sensitive units, including those connected to nuclear weapons delivery systems. China recruitment concerns grow Authorities allege Brown travelled to China in December 2023 and remained there until early February 2026, training military pilots as part of a contract negotiated through intermediaries. The case triggers broader concerns among Western governments that China is actively recruiting former military personnel to strengthen its air force capabilities. In 2024, the US and its allies issued warnings that China was targeting Western military talent to gain critical operational insights. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Officials said such recruitment efforts pose risks not only to national security but also to allied defence systems, as trained personnel carry sensitive tactical knowledge. Brown now faces serious criminal charges, and if convicted, could face lengthy prison time. Hillary Clinton on Thursday urged the Republican-led House Oversight Committee to call President Trump to testify about his ties to Epstein, accusing lawmakers of attempting to shield the president Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton listens to speakers during the international conference to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, April 19, 2023. Reuters File Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday urged the Republican-led House Oversight Committee to call President Donald Trump to testify about his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, accusing lawmakers of attempting to shield the president. Appearing for a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee in Chappaqua, New York, Clinton said the panel had compelled her testimony despite her having no relevant knowledge. You have compelled me to testify, fully aware that I have no knowledge that would assist your investigation, in order to distract attention from President Trumps actions and to cover them up despite legitimate calls for answers, AFP quoted Clinton as saying. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD She added that the committee should question Trump directly under oath about the tens of thousands of times he shows up in the Epstein files. Clinton said she had no connection to Epstein or his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island, homes or offices. I have nothing to add to that, Reuters quoted her as saying. Trump, who was once socially acquainted with Epstein, has not been charged with any wrongdoing related to the financier, who died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. Clinton also alleged that Trumps administration had gutted a State Department office focused on international sex trafficking. Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, is scheduled to testify before the committee on Friday. The couple had initially resisted appearing but agreed after lawmakers moved toward holding them in contempt of Congress. Bill Clinton has acknowledged flying on Epsteins plane in the early 2000s but has denied any wrongdoing. Committee Chairman James Comer rejected claims that the inquiry was politically motivated, saying, No one is accusing at this moment the Clintons of any wrongdoing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He said the panel would examine any interactions Clinton may have had with Epstein and his links to the Clinton Foundation. Representative Robert Garcia, the committees top Democrat, said Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick should also testify. Lutnick has acknowledged visiting Epsteins private island years after he says he cut ties. The US Justice Department has released more than three million pages of documents related to Epstein in recent months. The files detail his connections with prominent political and business figures, including Trump, Lutnick and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Internationally, the disclosures have prompted investigations involving Britains Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York. With inputs from agencies In a last-ditch effort to avert a war, the United States and Iran will hold talks nuclear talks today in Switzerlands Geneva even as President Donald Trump has continued to deploy more firepower to West Asia. In a last-ditch effort to avert a war, the United States and Iran will on Thursday hold talks nuclear talks in Geneva, Switzerland. Even as officials are gathering in Geneva, Trump has continued to ramp up military and economic pressure on Iran. The US military has moved more than 150 aircraft to West Asia since the last round of talks on February 17. The administration has also announced another tranche of sanctions on Iran. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A US official told Reuters that talks will involve US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trumps son-in-law, and Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, the countrys principal negotiator, a US official told Reuters. The US-Iran talks in Geneva will follow the Oman format where Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi will mediate indirect talks between the two sides. Trump has insisted that he wants to arrive at a diplomatic solution but remains open to an offensive against Iran. My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy. But one thing is certain. I will never allow the worlds number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon. Cant let that happen. We are in negotiations with them. They want to make a deal, but we havent heard those secret words: We will never have a nuclear weapon, Trump said on Tuesday. Analysts have noted lately that Trump has deployed up to 40-50 per cent of American air power in West Asia for a potential offensive against Iran. Separately, there are tens of thousands of ground troops in the region and two aircraft carrier groups that comprise dozens of warships. Is Trump expanding scope of talks with Iran? Even as talks originally focussed on the Iranian nuclear programme, there are signs that Trump has decided to include the ballistic missile programme as well. In the State of the Union address, Trump claimed that Iran is building could strike the United States. They have already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and theyre working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America, said Trump. As per reports, Iran is willing to agree to limits on its civil nuclear programme but not willing to budge on the ballistic missile programme. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed Trump to include Irans ballistic missile programme in the talks and secure a commitment to shut it down. Iran, meanwhile, has maintained that the missile programme was out of bounds in talks. US officials warn Iran may be rebuilding nuclear capabilities ahead of key Geneva talks, as Washington insists Tehran cannot possess nuclear weapons and tensions rise amid military deployments and diplomatic pressure The United States has raised fresh concerns about Irans nuclear ambitions, with top officials warning that Tehran may be attempting to rebuild elements of its nuclear weapons capability. The warnings come just hours before critical nuclear negotiations between the two countries in Geneva, amid rising tensions and increased military presence in the Middle East. US officials said the upcoming talks could determine whether diplomacy can still prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, something Washington insists remains a red line. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rubio says Iran trying to rebuild nuclear programme Speaking during a visit to Saint Kitts and Nevis, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Iran appears to be slowly rebuilding its nuclear infrastructure, despite previous US strikes targeting its facilities. After their nuclear programme was obliterated, they were told not to try to restart it, and here they are, Rubio said. You can see them always trying to rebuild elements of it. Theyre not enriching right now, but theyre trying to get to the point where they ultimately can. Rubio also warned that Irans military capabilities go beyond nuclear ambitions. He said the country possesses ballistic missiles capable of threatening US interests and allies, and is actively working to expand its weapons reach. Beyond just the nuclear programme, they possess these conventional weapons that are solely designed to attack America and attack Americans if they so choose to do soThey already possess weapons that can reach much of Europe already now, as we speak, Rubio said. Iran, however, has insisted that missile issues should not be part of the nuclear talks something Rubio described as a big problem. Rubio says Iran is rebuilding its nuclear weapons capabilities. They are not enriching right now, but they are trying to reach a point where they ultimately can. Irans short range ballistic missiles are a threat to US bases in the region. pic.twitter.com/WbEF1brjIV Yusuf Unjhawala (@YusufDFI) February 26, 2026 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon US Vice President JD Vance reinforced Washingtons stance, stressing that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remains non-negotiable. The principle is very simple: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, Vance told reporters ahead of the Geneva talks. The talks, which will involve US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner meeting Iranian officials, mark the third round of negotiations this year. COLLINS: Can you explain to the American people why the US would need to strike Iran to stop them from getting a nuclear weapon if the US 'obliterated' their enrichment program last summer? JD VANCE: I'm not going to make any news on Iran today pic.twitter.com/1NgBCwWmyg Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 25, 2026 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The diplomatic effort comes against a tense backdrop. The US has deployed significant military forces to the Middle East, hinting that military options remain on the table if negotiations fail. At the same time, Iran has warned it could retaliate against US bases in the region if attacked. With both sides preparing for negotiations, the Geneva meeting could prove pivotal in shaping the future of US-Iran relations, and determining whether diplomacy can prevent a new nuclear crisis. US Vice President JD Vance announced on Wednesday that US President Donald Trumps administration is temporarily halting more than quarter-billion dollars in Medicaid reimbursements to the state of Minnesota US Vice President JD Vance announced on Wednesday that US President Donald Trumps administration is temporarily halting more than quarter-billion dollars in Medicaid reimbursements to the state of Minnesota. Vance emphasised that the move is part of Trumps newly announced war on fraud. The American vice president said that the action is being undertaken to ensure that Minnesota is a good steward of the American peoples tax money. The halting of funds is coming following a fraud scandal linked to residents of the Somali community in Minneapolis, which prompted the administration to send thousands of federal immigration agents into Minneapolis. The deployment of the agents eventually led to the deaths of two US citizens and widespread protests. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What were doing is we are stopping the federal payments that will go to the state government until the state government takes its obligations seriously to stop the fraud thats being perpetrated against the American taxpayer, the vice-president said at a press conference in Washington. He was joined by Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centres for Medicare & Medicaid. Why it matters During the presser, Oz emphasised that it was the first time that the American government had taken such actions against a state. Its inconceivable that you would take advantage of these precious programs, he said, adding that while Minnesota was first, other states would be next. Oz also announced that the administration was imposing a six-month national moratorium on federal funding for people who need durable medical equipment. This includes prostheses and orthotics. He said that the new enrollments for federal funds for such devices would be halted due to concerns about benefit fraud. It is pertinent to note that Medicaid, the nations healthcare safety net for low-income Americans, serves more than 70 million people. This includes children, pregnant women, older adults and people with disabilities. The state of Minnesotas Medicaid and MinnesotaCare programs provide healthcare coverage for nearly 1.3 million people in the state, or roughly one in four Minnesotans. This has nothing to do with fraud, Minnesota governor Tim Walz responded to Vances proclamation in a post on X. The agents Trump allegedly sent to investigate fraud are shooting protesters and arresting children. His DOJ is gutting the US Attorneys Office and crippling its ability to prosecute fraud. And every week, Trump pardons another fraudster," he added. The Trump administration has been aggressively targeting Minnesota after a sprawling fraud scandal involving the states social service programs. Federal prosecutors estimated that as much as $9 billion has been stolen across schemes linked to the states Somali population. In light of this, dozens of people were charged with fraud in 2022, during the Biden administration, by a team of federal prosecutors in Minnesota led by Joseph Thompson and Harry Jacobs. Thompson and Jacobs were among the federal prosecutors who resigned in January after senior Justice Department officials pressed them to open a criminal investigation into the actions of the widow of Renee Good, the Minneapolis woman shot and killed by an ICE officer. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Vance questions the integrity of the Minnesota government During the presser, the vice president suggested that if the state was worried about the impact on services and low-income residents, it needed to cooperate with the federal government. The main reason that were doing this is that we want to make sure that the people of Minnesota have access to the services that theyre entitled to, he said. Vance made it clear that he hopes the residents of the state will blame the states Democratic leaders for the withheld funding. What I would say to the people of Minnesota is: we want to do right by you; we think you deserve better public services; we think you deserve to have the benefits that youre actually entitled to, Vance said. And we encourage everybody in Minnesota, whatever their political affiliation, to work on the state government a little bit, because if we had some better cooperation, we could have commonsense immigration enforcement. We could also have less money going to fraudsters," he added. During his State of the Union address on Tuesday, Trump singled out Minnesota as a stunning example of the fraud he claimed was rampant in blue states and placed Vance in charge of what he branded the administrations war on fraud. The American leader went on to use disparaging language against Somali Americans, describing them as pirates who ransacked the state. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ilhan Omar, a Somali-born representative from Minnesota, hit back: Thats a lie! Wednesdays announcement now suggests the administration will continue to find ways to target Minnesota and other blue states. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney begins Asia tour starting in India, aiming to double bilateral trade by 2030 and reduce economic dependence on the United States amid tariffs and ongoing trade uncertainty. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney departed for Asia on Thursday for a three-nation visit beginning in India, where he aims to expand bilateral trade as relations with the United States remain strained. Carneys stop in India represents another attempt to rebuild ties that sharply deteriorated after Ottawa accused New Delhi of being linked to actions against Sikh activists on Canadian soil. India has denied the allegations. The broader trip, which also includes Australia and Japan, reflects Carneys strategy to reduce Canadas heavy economic dependence on its southern neighbour. In 2024, before US President Donald Trump returned to office and introduced sweeping tariffs that disrupted global trade, over 75 percent of Canadian exports were destined for the United States. Bilateral trade that year totalled more than $900 billion. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While Trump has largely maintained the North American trade agreement negotiated during his first term keeping roughly 85 percent of US-Canada trade free of tariffs he has also imposed sector-specific duties that have weighed on key industries. Concerns persist in Ottawa that abandoning the wider trade framework could severely impact Canadas economy. To cushion against such risks, Carney has prioritised expanding commercial ties with Europe and Asia. He has announced plans to more than double two-way trade with India to Can$70 billion ($51 billion) by 2030. University of Toronto public policy expert Drew Fagan said diversifying trade partnerships is a prudent move, encouraging Canada to pursue opportunities in alternative markets when possible. However, he warned that stronger links with countries such as India would not fully compensate for a potential breakdown in US trade relations. Its not a solution. Its not a replacement and it never will be, Fagan said. - Transnational repression - Carney left Ottawa on Thursday morning en route to Mumbai. He is expected to meet with business groups in the Indian city over the weekend before heading to New Delhi for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a meeting that will be closely watched. Before Carney took office last year, Ottawa accused Modis government of direct involvement in the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a naturalized Canadian citizen who advocated for an independent Sikh state called Khalistan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Former prime minister Justin Trudeaus government further charged India with directing a campaign of intimidation against Sikh activists across Canada. India has denied those allegations. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand was asked Monday if Canadian concerns about transnational repression would feature at the New Delhi talks. Yes, that is always at the forefront of our minds, Anand told reporters in Ottawa. Carneys hopes for trade growth with Australia and Japan are more modest, but his office said cooperation over critical mineral supply chains will be a priority. Advanced economies have made a push to deepen critical mineral cooperation, especially in the processing of rare earth elements essential to power many high-tech products. China currently has dominant control of rare earth supply chains, a concern that Canada highlighted throughout its just-concluded G7 presidency. With inputs from agencies Minister for Defence Helen McEntee unveils Irelands first National Maritime Security Strategy aboard LE Samuel Beckett, aiming to safeguard sovereignty, protect undersea infrastructure, and boost naval cooperation with Britain and France Neutral since 1922, Ireland is seeking deeper defence cooperation with the UK and France amid fears of potential Russian threats, as Minister for Defence Helen McEntee launched the countrys first National Maritime Security Strategy. Unveiled aboard the naval vessel LE Samuel Beckett in Dublin, the five-year plan aims to safeguard Irish sovereignty, protect critical undersea infrastructure and strengthen naval coordination with Britain and France, reported RTE, an Irish public service broadcaster. The move comes as Ireland prepares to host the EU presidency for six months from 1 July and faces mounting scrutiny over its defence capabilities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD There is a backdrop of an ever-changing political and I think we all know that. We are for the first time, and for the past four years, witnessing a war taking place on the continent of Europe. We are seeing emerging and changing threats in terms of hybrid threats, hybrid warfare and shadow fleets. Were seeing an increasing volume of cyber attacks and security concerns. So the need to increase our focus on our security and defence is absolutely essential, RTE quoted McEntee as saying. This is not just a priority for Ireland. This is a priority for every European member state and for every country to increase and to highlight and to enhance our work when it comes to our security and defence, McEntee added. A key element of the strategy is expanding regional partnerships, with British and French vessels potentially patrolling Irish-controlled waters during the EU presidency. Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces Rossa Mulcahy said security challenges could emerge in cyber space, air space and at sea. Its a significant opportunity for Ireland and the Defence Forces. An Garda Siochana have the lead for national security and we will provide all the resources they request of us. It will involve our army, our air force and our naval service capabilities and personel, RTE quoted Mulcahy as saying. Theres been a lot of commentary in the media about the capacity of the Defence Forces to meet those tasks, Im confident that the asks of An Garda Siochanas requests, that we will be able to meet those. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Well have challenges in our cyber space, potentially in our air space and at sea, but well have a plan in place. Im confident well be able to provide the supports for An Garda Siochana, Mulcahy added. Under the strategy, Ireland will explore links with the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) through a broader JEF-Plus format, while rolling out military radar and sonobuoy programmes. Legislation is also expected before the Dails summer recess to expand Naval Service powers to board and inspect suspected Russian shadow vessels within Irelands territorial waters and its 420,000 sq km Exclusive Economic Zone. Opposition parties welcomed the focus on maritime security but raised concerns over neutrality. Sinn Fein defence spokesperson Donnchadh O Laoghaire said: We absolutely accept we share our seas with our neighbouring countries, there needs to be cooperation, but that should be on a bi-lateral basis - between Ireland and France, between Ireland and Britain - not with Nato. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We shouldnt be meshing ourselves with international organisations like that. People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy described the strategy as a shameful abandonment of any independent foreign policy, claiming it commits Ireland to deep military cooperation and increased arms spending. Responding in the Dail, Taoiseach Micheal Martin rejected the criticism. If anything happened to the cables, if anything happened to the gas connectors with Britain, we wouldnt have an economy in ten days. Are you saying we shouldnt cooperate with Britain to protect the gas interconnectors with the UK? Are you saying we should ignore all of our European partners in protecting undersea critical infrastructure - such as subsea cables, such as the interconnector with France that will be completed in a year or two? What planet are you on? With inputs from agencies Defence ministry said fighter aircraft were deployed as a drone entered Romanian airspace during a Russian strike near the Ukrainian border, underscoring repeated spillover risks along the Danube frontier Romania scrambled fighter jets on Thursday after a drone entered its airspace during a Russian strike on Ukrainian infrastructure near the border, according to a Reuters report, citing the defence ministry. It was the second such breach in as many days, heightening concerns about the spillover of the war into Nato territory. The EU and Nato member shares a 650-kilometre (400-mile) border with Ukraine and has repeatedly reported drones violating its airspace and debris falling on its territory since Russia began targeting Ukrainian port facilities along the Danube. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In several cases over the past two years, drone fragments have been found on Romanian soil, prompting authorities to issue air raid alerts in border communities and temporarily evacuate residents. Bucharest has previously condemned the incursions as violations of its sovereignty, while deploying additional air defence measures and stepping up patrols along its eastern frontier. Nato has also increased aerial surveillance missions in the region following earlier breaches. Romanian officials have maintained that while there is no indication the country was deliberately targeted, the repeated incidents underscore the risks posed to alliance members bordering Ukraine as Russia continues its aerial campaign. With inputs from agencies The United States and China have reached stability in their long-fractious relationship, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday ahead of President Donald Trumps visit to the Asian power. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio walks to a meeting of G7 foreign ministers at the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool) The United States and China have reached stability in their long-fractious relationship, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday ahead of President Donald Trumps visit to the Asian power. I think weve reached a point at least of a sort of strategic stability in the relationship, Rubio told reporters. I think both countries concluded that having an all-out global trade war between the United States and China would be deeply damaging to both sides and to the world, Rubio said on a visit to the tiny Caribbean nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rubio has long been known as a hawk on China, with he and Trump casting the worlds second largest economy as an adversary that needed to be defeated globally. Rubio said that the United States would keep raising concerns including seeking to diversify from Chinas dominance in supply chains. He also vowed to keep pushing China to negotiate a three-way nuclear deal with the United States and Russia. A senior US official met with Russia and China in Geneva this week after the expiration of New START, the last remaining treaty between Russia and the United States that limited nuclear warheads. They have publicly said theyre not willing to do it, Rubio said of China. Well continue to press on it, because we think it would be good for the world if we could reach such an agreement. Chinas nuclear arsenal has been growing rapidly, although it remains well below those of Russia and the United States. Trump is set to travel to China from March 31 to April 2 in his first visit to the country of his second term. Rubio indicated he expected to travel with Trump, to whom he is also national security advisor. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD China in 2020 imposed sanctions on Rubio, then a senator, over his advocacy for human rights in Hong Kong and among the Uyghur minority. The Ukrainian Air Force reported high-speed targets heading toward Kyiv shortly before Tymur Tkachenko, head of the capitals military administration, said Russia was attacking the city with strike drones and ballistic missiles A woman looks at houses heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine in Kyiv region. File image/Reuters Ukraines capital, Kyiv, was hit by several explosions on Thursday, triggering a warning of air raids in the city, ahead of another round of talks with Russia and the US in Geneva. According to a report by AFP, the Ukrainian Air Force reported high-speed targets heading toward Kyiv shortly before Tymur Tkachenko, head of the capitals military administration, said Russia was attacking the city with strike drones and ballistic missiles. Air defence is operating. Stay in shelters until the alert is cleared! he said on Telegram. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Which other cities came under attack? The attacks were, however, not limited to Kyiv. Kharkivs mayor, Igor Terekhov, reported two blasts in the city as Russian Shahed drones targeted the area, warning residents to stay in shelters with drones and missiles flying towards the city. Terekhov later reported a combined air attack with impacts in the Shevchenkivsky and Kyivsky districts. At the same time, the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia also witnessed several explosions, wounding at least one person. In Kryvyi Rig, Oleksandr Ganzha, head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional administration, said a Russian strike wounded an 89-year-old man and sparked a fire that damaged a high-rise building. Geneva talks Washington is seeking to bring the war to a close following Russias full-scale invasion, a conflict that has killed hundreds of thousands of people and devastated vast areas of eastern and southern Ukraine. Russian state news agency Tass reported the Kremlins economic affairs envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, also plans to be in the Swiss city. Dmitriev plans to arrive in Geneva on Thursday to pursue negotiations with the Americans on economic issues, it cited an unnamed source as saying. 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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Nureddin Baba, spokesperson for Syrias Interior Ministry, said the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) pulled out of the camp without coordinating with either the Syrian government or the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State, also known as ISIS Members of the Syrian government forces stand at the empty Al-Hol camp, closed by the Syrian authorities in the northeastern Hasakeh governorate on February 25, 2026. AFP A large-scale escape occurred last month at Syrias al-Hol camp, which houses families associated with the Islamic State, following the withdrawal of Kurdish forces, Syrian state television reported. The development comes amid claims that thousands of individuals may have fled the facility. Nureddin Baba, spokesperson for Syrias Interior Ministry, said the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) pulled out of the camp without coordinating with either the Syrian government or the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State, also known as ISIS. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The SDF dismissed the ministrys remarks as misleading, accusing authorities in Damascus of attempting to shift blame. The Kurdish-led group alleged that factions aligned with the Syrian government entered the camp and removed relatives of ISIS members. In the face of this deliberate escalation, and amid suspicious international silence, our forces were forced to withdraw in order to avoid turning the camp into an open battlefield, the SDF said. Our forces withdrawal came as a direct result of the military attack and mobilisation by Damascus targeting the camp and its surroundings, the statement added. Security risks, breaches Earlier this year, in January, the SDF said it had withdrawn from al-Hol because of what it described as international indifference toward ISIS and the failure of the international community to assume its responsibilities in addressing this serious matter. Baba stated that Syrian authorities had identified more than 100 breaches in the camps perimeter wall, which facilitated smuggling operations, and noted that the exact number of escapees still needs to be confirmed. An internal memorandum circulated among European Union member states warned of potential security risks, raising the possibility that thousands of camp residents, potentially a majority, had escaped, according to Reuters. How many escaped? The Wall Street Journal, citing US intelligence agencies, reported that between 15,000 and 20,000 individuals, including ISIS affiliates, are now unaccounted for in Syria following the breakout. The United Nations estimates that more than 30,000 people have been living in the al-Hol camp. The incident has intensified concerns about the status of thousands of ISIS prisoners and their families in northeastern Syria. Those concerns grew after Syrian government forces captured significant areas previously controlled by Kurdish forces that had overseen detention facilities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At the same time, detainees were reported to have escaped from al-Shaddadi Prison, which the SDF said was holding thousands of ISIS prisoners. Despite US President Donald Trumps pledge to end the Ukraine war within 24 hours of taking office, the peace process has remained a nonstarter for over a year as Russian leader Vladimir Putin remains focussed on his key issues and maximalist goals raising questions about whether the Trump administration has a coherent strategy to end the conflict. US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the tarmac after they arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. (Photo: AFP) US President Donald Trump had promised to end the Ukraine war within 24 hours of taking office. Yet more than a year into his term, the peace process remains a non-starter as Russian leader Vladimir Putin maintains that his key demands be addressed, giving him more time to pursue his maximalist goals. The impasse has prompted questions about whether the administration has a coherent strategy to end the war or even a clear understanding of the conflict. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Kremlin has consistently stated that the war will continue until Ukraine accepts Russian terms, but Trump has refused to punish Putin for his unwillingness to seek an end to the conflict. Instead, he has repeatedly pressured Ukraine by suspending aid, attacking President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with false accusations, and bolstering anti-Ukraine far-Right forces across Europe into accepting Russian demands. In the clearest indication that Trump wants the war to end as quickly as possible, showing readiness to reposition the USs stance on Ukraines security, he floated a 28-point proposal last year that many analysts termed essentially a Russian wishlist. After Ukraine and European partners pushed back, the proposal was revised into a 20-point plan. But Putin rejected it not the first time. He has rejected previous Trump-endorsed proposals whereas Ukraine has accepted all of them. Zelenskyy has said that Trump wants a deal by June and linked this to the upcoming midterm elections Republicans are widely expected to lose the elections. Trumps pressure campaign against Ukraine may partly reflect electoral calculations ahead of the midterms, but it also goes beyond politics and ties into his personal ego, according to Nicholas Lokker, an Adjunct Fellow for the Transatlantic Security Programme at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). As Trump has persisted with a carrots-and-sticks approach carrots for Russia and sticks for Ukraine that has yielded no progress, Lokker believes the administration does not appear to have a coherent strategy at all. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As long as President Putin does not seem to demonstrate true interest in making a deal other than one that would accomplish his maximalist goals, I think the war will continue to be more or less a stalemate. Moreover, the Trump administration has not really demonstrated much evolution in its approach to negotiations, so it doesnt appear that there is a coherent strategy for changing President Putins calculus in a way that would make an acceptable deal feasible, says Lokker. Has Trump misunderstood the nature of Russia-Ukraine war? Trump observers say his worldview is primarily about business. But for Putin, it is not. For Putin, the Russian war on Ukraine is not about geopolitics but about ideological commitment to the Russian nation that the Soviet Union exemplified. His critics say Putin has not reconciled with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Putin has always sought to restore the Soviet Union, and all of his actions such as the consolidation of power in Russia, the invasions of Georgia and Ukraine, and the political subjugation of Belarus form part of a broader project to restore Soviet greatness and reclaim a sphere of influence lost with the fall of the Soviet Union, according to Kseniya Kirillova, a Russia analyst at the Jamestown Foundation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Negotiations with Putin are only possible from a position of strength. If the West opts for concessions and compromises, he will never stop because war has become the principal foundation of his regime, says Kirillova. According to Kirillova, the war has become Putins primary tool for consolidating domestic authority, distracting the public from economic stagnation and a lack of political freedoms. Beyond domestic control, she says he has doubled down on a mission to unify the Russian lands an ideological pursuit detached from reality. ALSO READ: With Russias terms to Ukraine, Putin seeks surrender not a peace deal Trumps remarks on the Ukraine war and efforts to end it reflect some gaps in how he perceives the nature of the conflict. His approach relying on pressuring Zelenskyy to concede some of Putins demands in pursuit of a quick deal is often questioned by European leaders and geopolitical experts, who say this is unlikely to bring genuine peace, even if it results in some form of agreement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Kirillova says that Putin is interested in a temporary pause in the war because continuing it would require him to make unpopular decisions such as launching another round of mobilisation and increasing military expenditure steps Russia can ill afford. However, any deal would require Ukraine to make concessions, and this is where Putin is counting on Trump to deliver him a victory not only in the present conflict but for the future as well. Realistically, Ukraine will be forced to make certain concessions, but that would only be advisable under two conditions: Ukrainian statehood is preserved and the West provides clear security guarantees. Without these conditions, President Putin could resume the war within a few years regardless of any concessions he receives now, as he is compelled to continue fighting in order to maintain his domestic grip on power, Kirillova tells Firstpost. The Ukraine-Russia divide deepening despite Trumps efforts At the heart of the failure of peace efforts lies Trumps inability to bring the two sides to agree to a ceasefire pending final resolution of conflicting points. He has positioned himself as a master mediator, but his Ukraine peace efforts put a question mark on his claim. Some critics now see Trump as a conduit for Putins maximalist demands. Over the past year, the more Trump has offered, the more Putin has demanded. In December, Putin rejected even Trumps 22-point proposal, which contained almost his entire wishlist. He said that anything less than the absolute acceptance of all his terms not merely most of them but all would mean Russia would liberate its historical lands by military means. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Russia would only end the war off the battlefield if any agreement addressed the root causes of the conflict on its terms, Putin further said. The differences between Russian and Ukrainian positions are fundamental and Trump is doing nothing to bridge them, making negotiations unlikely to progress anytime soon, according to Lokker. President Trumps demands parroting those of Russia that Ukraine agree to surrender territory are a non-starter for Ukraine, and I dont see that changing. Meanwhile, I dont see Russia backing down from this demand unless additional military or economic pressure were to change President Putins calculus. As long as this fundamental difference in positions cannot be bridged, I think negotiations will remain stuck, says Lokker. In a last-ditch effort to avert a war, the United States and Iran have begun Oman-mediated talks in Geneva. US President Donald Trump has continued to ramp up military and economic pressure on Iran to force Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei into accept his terms on the nuclear and ballistic missile programme. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi meets US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, in Geneva, Switzerland, as part of US-Iran indirect talks on February 26, 2025. (Photo: X/Foreign Ministry of Oman) In a last-ditch effort to avert a war, the United States and Iran on Thursday began talks in Geneva with Omans mediation. Even as American and Iranian negotiators are holding talks, US President Donald Trump has continued to ramp up military and economic pressure on Iran to force Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei into accept his terms on the nuclear and ballistic missile programme. While Iran has shown willingness to make concessions on the nuclear programme, it has maintained that the missile programme is beyond the scope of talks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ahead of the meeting, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Irans insistence on excluding the missile programme from talks was a big, big problem. In recent months, Trump has moved hundreds of fighter planes and dozens of warships including two aircraft carriers to West Asia for a potential offensive against Iran that could range from limited targeted strikes to a full-scale invasion. Since the last round of US-Iran talks on February 17, Trump has moved an additional 150 aircraft to West Asia, according to Washington Post. The Foreign Ministry of Oman confirmed that Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi has met US and Iranian officials. It is not known if talks have concluded for the day. Can Oman-mediated US-Iran talks save the day? The US delegation will be led by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law, and Irans delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Al-Busaidi will mediate talks between them in the Oman format. Al-Busaidi will hold separate back-and-forth talks with both the delegations to convey their positions to each other and try to bridge the gaps. The Foreign Ministry of Oman shared photos of al-Busaidis meetings separately with US and Iranian officials. The meeting addressed a review of the Iranian sides perspectives and proposals along with the responses and inquiries from the American negotiating team regarding the handling of the key elements of Irans nuclear program and the necessary guarantees to achieve the desired agreement for this important dossier from all its technical and oversight aspects, the foreign ministry said in a statement about the meeting with Kushner and Witkoff. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Al-Busaidi clarified that the efforts are continuing intensively and in a constructive spirit, under the negotiators unprecedented openness to new and creative ideas and solutions, while preparing the supportive conditions for progress and reaching a fair agreement with sustainable guarantees, the statement further read. | @badralbusaidi pic.twitter.com/Vbqok9x2ct (@FMofOman) February 26, 2026 Following the meeting with Aragchi earlier in the day, the Omani foreign ministry said he and al-Busaidi discussed the latest developments and reviewed the visions and proposals that the Iranian side will present in order to reach an agreement on the Iranian nuclear programme based on the guiding principles agreed upon in the previous round of negotiations. The war of words continue Even as American and Iranian officials are holding talks, the war of words has continued. Trump has warned Iran that he would go for an offensive if talks fail and Iran has warned it would not hold back. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy. But one thing is certain. I will never allow the worlds number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon. Cant let that happen. We are in negotiations with them. They want to make a deal, but we havent heard those secret words: We will never have a nuclear weapon, Trump said on Tuesday. In an interview with India Today ahead of talks, Aragchi warned that there would be no winners in any conflict and it would be a devastating war for everyone. Since the Americans bases are scattered through different places in the region, then unfortunately perhaps the whole region would be engaged and be involved, so it is a very terrible scenario, said Aragchi. Analysts have noted lately that Trump has deployed up to 40-50 per cent of American air power in West Asia for a potential offensive against Iran the largest since the Gulf War of 1991 and the invasion of Iraq in 2003. The airpower has joined tens of thousands of ground troops in several bases in the region. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Amid the brewing tensions in West Asia, the US military has reportedly begun moving another six F-22 stealth fighter jets toward the region. A US F-22 Raptor, based out of Al Udeid Base in Doha, Qatar, receives fuel from a 28th Expeditionary Air Refuelling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker during a combat air patrol mission over an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, in this picture taken September 13, 2019 and released by US Air Force on September 18, 2019. File Image/US Air Force via Reuters Amid the brewing tensions in West Asia, the US military has reportedly begun moving another six F-22 stealth fighter jets toward the region. Analysts monitoring open-source flight tracking data told The Times of Israel that the six F-22s are expected to be deployed at an Israeli Air Force base. The manoeuvring is coming at a time when the United States and Iran are set to commence critical talks on the latters nuclear programme. It is pertinent to note that 11 F-22 stealth fighter jets already landed at the Israeli airbase yesterday. According to flight tracking data, the six F-22s took off from the United States on Wednesday and linked up with their accompanying refueler planes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Langley F-22s Cell 2 crossing underway #FreeIran --- "Operation LION & SUN" --- In a mirror of yesterday's movement of 6x F-22A "Raptor" jets, another 6 are airborne and linking up with tankers for the crossing to RAF Lakenheath. 3 tankers will take them part way, and then 2 pic.twitter.com/FFxwfzaojb DefenceGeek (@DefenceGeek) February 25, 2026 As per the report, they are currently en route to the Royal Air Force Lakenheath airbase in England. On Tuesday, 12 F-22s that were stationed at RAF Lakenheath took off for Israel. However, one of the jets returned to the airbase due to a technical issue. The rest of the 11 fighter jets are now deployed at an air base in southern Israel, an Israeli defence official told The Times of Israel. It is important to note that the F-22s are operated exclusively by the US Air Force and are known to be the worlds most advanced air-superiority fighter. They are built for unmatched speed, manoeuvrability, and stealth in air-to-air combat. The movement of the jets is coming at a time when US President Donald Trump is considering whether to take military action against Iran. Dozens of fighter jets including F-35s, F-22s, F-15s and F-16s have been spotted heading to West Asia by the Military Air Tracking Alliance, a team of about 30 open-source analysts that routinely analyses military and government flight activity in recent days. Iran-US enters critical talks Meanwhile, Tehran is entering critical talks on its nuclear programme with the US on Thursday. Iran insists a deal is in reach as long as Washington sticks by its willingness to concede to the West Asian nations symbolic right to enrich uranium, allow Tehran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, and not impose controls on Irans ballistic missile programme. The Iranian diplomats are considering these three preconditions critical for the success of the talks, but it remains unclear if Trump accepts these conditions. On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that it would be a big problem if Iran did not negotiate over missiles. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who is heading to Geneva for the talks along with Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, had already accepted these principles in the two previous rounds of indirect talks, Iranian officials claim. However, there is still a possibility that Trump could overturn these terms. If this happens, failed talks would inevitably lead to a conflict between the two nations that could rapidly consume the whole of West Asia. Hence, there is a lot at stake as the two nations sit down to discuss the highly contentious issue. US and Ukrainian officials wrapped up talks in Geneva on Thursday aimed at advancing efforts to end Russias four-year invasion of Ukraine, as Moscow indicated it was in no rush to finalise any agreement A police officer armed with a machine gun stands guard outside the Hotel des Bergues during fresh talks between US and Ukrainian envoys, in Geneva, on Wednesday. AFP US and Ukrainian officials wrapped up talks in Geneva on Thursday aimed at advancing efforts to end Russias four-year invasion of Ukraine, as Moscow indicated it was in no rush to finalise any agreement. According to AFP, the US delegation departed Genevas Hotel des Bergues, which hosted the discussions, while Swiss agency ATS-Keystone published a photograph of Ukraines lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, leaving the venue. US President Donald Trump has been pressing for a resolution to Europes deadliest conflict since World War II but has yet to broker a breakthrough between Moscow and Kyiv. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Earlier US-led rounds of negotiations in Geneva and Abu Dhabi failed to produce a compromise, particularly over territorial disputes. Russia signalled it would not be rushed into a deal. Have you heard anything from us about deadlines? We have no deadlines, we have tasks. We are getting them done, AFP quoted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying to state media. Kyiv maintains that progress will require direct talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and said Thursdays discussions were aimed at laying the groundwork for such a summit. Today in Geneva we continue our work within the framework of the negotiation process. A bilateral meeting with the American delegation has begun with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Umerov said earlier. He added that Ukraine seeks to synchronise positions with Washington ahead of fresh trilateral talks scheduled for March. Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev was also present at the Geneva venue, though Russian state media reported no meeting between him and the Ukrainian delegation. Dmitriev declined to comment when approached by reporters after leaving the talks, according to video circulated by pro-Kremlin outlets. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Drone, missile attacks Hours before the talks, Russian forces launched around 420 drones and 39 missiles across Ukraine, injuring more than two dozen people in at least six regions, authorities said. AFP reported hearing multiple explosions in central Kyiv shortly after officials issued alerts that Russia had begun its assault. According to regional authorities, the strikes damaged an electricity substation in the southern Odesa region and hit a school building in the southern Zaporizhzhia region. Destruction has been recorded in eight regions, with many private homes and apartment buildings damaged, Zelenskyy said. Also ahead of the meeting, Russia announced that it had returned the bodies of 1,000 killed Ukrainian soldiers to Ukraine, while Moscow received 35 Russian bodies in exchange. The two sides regularly exchange the remains of killed serviceman, one of the few areas of cooperation between the warring countries. Zelenskyy spoke with Trump on Wednesday ahead of the talks, with US envoys Witkoff and Kushner part of the 30-minute call. We expect this meeting (in Geneva) to create an opportunity to move talks to the leaders level. President Trump supports this sequence of steps, Zelenskyy said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD After first refusing to negotiate with Russia, Zelenskyy has repeatedly said that the only way of resolving difficult issues, including territory, is through a meeting with Putin. Talks between Moscow and Kyiv remain deadlocked over the fate of the Donbas - the industrial region in eastern Ukraine that has been the epicentre of the fighting. Russia is pushing for full control of Ukraines eastern Donetsk region, and has threatened to take it by force if Kyiv does not cave at the negotiating table. But Ukraine has rejected the demand and signalled it would not sign a deal without security guarantees that deter Russia from invading again. With inputs from agencies South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has been pushing efforts to bridge the gaps in diplomatic ties with North Korea by seeking a peaceful coexistence of the two nations still technically at war North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (C) inspecting the construction of a greenhouse farm and a regional development project in the city of Sinuiju, North Pyongan province. AFP file North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has rejected an offer from Seoul to mend ties through diplomatic efforts, saying Pyongyang has absolutely no business dealing with his nations most hostile enemy. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has been pushing efforts to bridge the gaps in diplomatic ties with North Korea by seeking a peaceful coexistence of the two nations still technically at war. Kim has shown no interest in sitting down for diplomatic talks with South Korea, the country he calls Pyongyangs hostile enemy and will permanently exclude South Korea from the category of compatriots", Kim said, according to the Korean Central News Agency. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As long as South Korea cannot escape the geopolitical conditions of having a border with us, the only way to live safely is to give up everything related to us and leave us alone, he said. In fact, North Korea amended its constitution in 2024 to define South Korea as a hostile state for the first time. How South Korea has been trying to mend ties South Koreas disgraced ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol was accused of using unmanned drones to scatter propaganda leaflets over North Korea in 2024. Lee has sought to mend ties by stamping out such provocations, and has even suggested a rare apology may be warranted. A UN Security Council committee recently approved exemptions allowing fresh flows of food and medicine into North Korea, according to diplomatic sources. A government official in Seoul has said that South Korea has made various efforts to fix relations and ensure that humanitarian aid reaches North Korea. Thousands of party elites packed North Koreas capital, Pyongyang, in recent days for a summit of the ruling Workers Party, a gathering that directs state efforts on everything from diplomacy to war planning. A grand military parade was held on Wednesday evening as the once-in-five-years gathering drew to a close, state media said. Can get along with US At the same time, Kim has shown optimism in improving relations with the US, saying that North Korea can get along well with Washington if it acknowledges its nuclear status. Speculation is mounting that US President Donald Trump may seek a meeting with Kim when he travels to China later this year. Kim made a direct appeal to the United States as a landmark congress of North Koreas ruling Workers Party drew to a close on Wednesday evening. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If Washington respects our countrys current (nuclear) status as stipulated in the Constitution and withdraws its hostile policy there is no reason why we cannot get along well with the United States, Kim said. With inputs from agencies Borge Brende, the president and CEO of the World Economic Forum, announced on Thursday that he is stepping down, weeks after the forum launched an independent review into his relationship with the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein President of World Economic Forum Borge Brende gives his welcoming remarks at the 55th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on January 21, 2025. File Image/Reuters Borge Brende, the president and CEO of the World Economic Forum, announced on Thursday that he is stepping down, weeks after the forum launched an independent review into his relationship with the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Brende, who took over as WEF president in 2017, made the decision following disclosures from the US Justice Department showing that he had three business dinners with Epstein and had also communicated with the disgraced financier via email and text messages. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum. My time here, spanning 8-1/2 years, has been profoundly rewarding, Reuters quoted Brende, a former Norwegian foreign minister, as saying in a statement. The official statement from the WEF did not mention Epstein, but Brende told Norwegian media he regretted how he had managed his interactions with the American financier and did not want the matter to distract from the forums work, including the annual Davos summit. Brende has maintained that he was unaware of Epsteins criminal history prior to meeting him in 2018 and expressed regret for not investigating him more thoroughly. His resignation comes amid growing scrutiny over Epstein, who was convicted in 2008 of soliciting prostitution from a minor. The revelations surrounding Epstein have sent shockwaves through global business and political circles, including the British royal family. Independent review In their own statement, Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink, co-chairs of the Geneva-based WEF, said an independent review conducted by outside counsel into Brendes ties with Epstein had concluded and had found no additional concerns beyond what has already been disclosed. Brende told Norwegian business daily Dagens Naeringsliv that while the review had not uncovered any previously unknown issues relating to Epstein, the case risked drawing attention away from the forums work. He said he regretted he had not been more open about the dinners and subsequent communications he had with Epstein. Like many others, I have felt a great deal of discomfort at being linked to Jeffrey Epstein, and I was afraid that the contact would be portrayed as something other than what it was. That is the honest answer, Brende told the newspaper. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Text messages from 2018-19 released among the Epstein files appear to show a friendly tone between the two men, with Brende calling Epstein a brilliant host and saying missing you Sir after a dinner with Epstein, former Trump aide Steve Bannon and a former Norwegian government minister. Their last communication was a week before Epstein was arrested in 2019. Zwinggi to serve as interim CEO Hoffmann, vice-chair of Swiss pharma giant Roche, and Fink, the CEO of BlackRock, thanked Brende for his contributions to the forum. His dedication and leadership have been instrumental during a pivotal period of reforms for the organization, leading to a successful annual meeting in Davos, they said. WEF Managing Director Alois Zwinggi will serve as interim president and CEO, and the forums Board of Trustees would oversee the leadership transition, including a plan to identify a permanent successor, they added. The U.S. Justice Department has released more than 3 million pages of documents relating to Epstein, who died by suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. His ties to a long list of business and political leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton and Tesla CEO Elon Musk are under close scrutiny. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Abroad, the revelations have prompted criminal investigations of Britains Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York, and other prominent figures. Brendes resignation follows the departure last year of the WEFs founder and longstanding chair Klaus Schwab after he came under pressure from a whistleblower alleging misconduct. The WEF subsequently said an internal investigation had found no evidence of material wrongdoing by Schwab. With inputs from agencies Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel stand during a guard of honour at the Tel Aviv airport, Israel, on February 26, 2025. (Photo: Firstpost via GPO, Israel) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for running an amazingly efficient government. Modi arrived in Israel on Wednesday on a daylong visit. It was the first head of government-level visit between the two countries since 2018. At a press briefing with Modi, Netanyahu said that the Prime Minister had managed to do for the India-Israel relationship with one minister and ambassador was worthy of thoughts. Netanyahu said, I have to comment to my friend Narendra. You have an amazingly efficient government. What you can do with one minister and one ambassador gives me thoughts. I dont want you to worry about it. In fact, we know that the meeting of minds and hearts that weve had here will also continue in this remarkable G2G that is long overdue and will create an even greater boost to the enormous benefits that we can bring to each other, and I think to humanity at large." STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD VIDEO | Addressing a joint presser alongside PM Narendra Modi, Israeli PM Netanyahu says, I have to comment to my friend Narendra, You have an amazingly efficient government. What you can do with one minister and one ambassador gives me thoughts. I dont want you to worry about pic.twitter.com/LG5L4Z6SbM Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 26, 2026 In their discussions, Modi highlighted the vast potential of bilateral cooperation, noting that the relationship in many areas can be very strong and useful for the global good. Modi referred to Israels specialisation in certain sectors, saying that whether it is science, innovation, or educational institutions, you have great expertise in certain areas, especially regarding water and agriculture, adding that India has already adopted several Israeli best practices in agriculture with encouraging outcomes. A head of the government-level visit had been overdue between the two countries since 2019 when Netanyahus visit to the country was postponed because of the political crisis in the country. In 2020, the visit could not take place because of the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2022, then-PM Naftali Bennets visit to India was announced but he tested positive for Covid-19 just weeks ahead of the visit and it was therefore postponed. By the time he recovered, Israel was in the grips of a political crisis again the crisis that began in 2019 that did not allow him to make the visit. The next year, even though Netanyahu returned to power, the Hamas-led attack of October 7 ruled out any visit for the duration of the war. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Then, last year, Netanyahu was scheduled to visit India in December but it was called off over security concern about the Red Fort blast in Delhi. Nothing has announced the opening of its sixth Exclusive Service Centre in India, located in Kolkata. This new facility is part of the companys broader strategy to enhance its after-sales infrastructure and expand its service ecosystem for its growing user base in the Eastern region. Facility Details and Operations The Kolkata center is designed to offer dedicated assistance, including specialist diagnostics, priority repairs, and focused customer care. Beyond standard technical support, the facility will eventually host service camps and provide access to extended care plans and device protection solutions. Location: 3rd Floor, #66 Vivekananda Road, Girish Park North, P.S. Girish Park, Kolkata 700006 3rd Floor, #66 Vivekananda Road, Girish Park North, P.S. Girish Park, Kolkata 700006 Operating Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Saturday (Closed on Sundays) 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Saturday (Closed on Sundays) Nothing Service Day: Observed on the second and fourth Saturday of every month. Customers visiting on these days can receive complimentary product cleaning, discounts on spare parts, and a waiver on standard service charges. After-Sales Infrastructure Expansion The establishment of the Kolkata facility aligns with Nothings ongoing investments in its Indian after-sales network. Throughout 2025, the company increased its standard nationwide service centers from 350 to 430, with a stated goal of reaching 500 operational centers by the end of 2026. Furthermore, priority service desks have been scaled from 5 to over 30 locations across the country to improve service accessibility and reduce customer wait times. This service center launch follows the recent opening of Nothings first offline flagship store in Bengaluru earlier this month. The company is currently preparing for its next major hardware release, the Phone (4a) series, scheduled to launch on March 5, 2026. Nothing is gearing up for a major hardware refresh next week. Scheduled for March 5, 2026, the London-based tech brand will host its Built Different event. Alongside the Nothing Phone (4a) series, the company has confirmed the launch of Nothing headphone (a) at the event. Nothing Headphone (a): A Vibrant Audio Expansion The teaser image showcases a bold, bright yellow finish paired with a textured, metallic-styled rim and Nothings signature dot-matrix typography. This confirms that Nothing is leaning heavily into expressive colors for its new (a) tier. Recently spotted on Singapores IMDA certification database under the model number B186, the Headphone (a) is positioned as an accessible alternative to last years premium Headphone (1). What we know so far: Design & Build: To achieve a lower price point, the Headphone (a) will transition to a polycarbonate shell while still retaining a stripped-back version of Nothings iconic transparent design. To achieve a lower price point, the Headphone (a) will transition to a polycarbonate shell while still retaining a stripped-back version of Nothings iconic transparent design. Colorways: Joining the yellow seen in the teaser are rumored pink, black, and white options. Joining the yellow seen in the teaser are rumored pink, black, and white options. Availability: Pre-orders are expected to open on March 5, with wider retail availability beginning March 12. Nothings March 5 event looks poised to shake up the mid-range market with eye-catching design and bold color choices. Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024. Democratic U.S. senators including Colorado Sen. John Hickenlooper on Wednesday pressed President Trumps nominee to serve as director of the Bureau of Land Management about his position on public-land sales, something he has advocated for in the past. Their questioning of Steve Pearce came during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on his nomination. At one point during his response he also alluded to frustration about BLM land being managed from the nations capital. I recognize the importance of the federal lands and support the missions completely. I do not believe that we have too much federal land sitting in public hands. I know that it creates great stress in the West to have these lands managed from Washington; that I do know. The first Trump administration moved the BLMs national headquarters from Washington to Grand Junction, a move that was reversed by the Biden administration. Proponents of locating the headquarters in the West say top BLM decisionmakers should be near the lands and communities their decisions affect. Opponents argue those decisionmakers need to be near people occupying the halls of power in Washington. Pearce is a Republican and a former congressman from New Mexico who also has a background in the oil and gas industry. His nomination has support from Republican lawmakers and oil and gas industry supporters, and opposition from environmental groups who cite things like his history of advocating public lands sell-offs and cosponsoring bills that would undermine the Antiquities Act, under which presidents can create national monuments. Hickenlooper and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., have both come out in opposition to Pearce becoming BLM director. Hickenlooper, a member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, told Pearce Wednesday that there has been a huge upwelling of people concerned about your nomination over the many things youve said around selling public lands. Hickenlooper later added, I think there is a lot of distrust and youre going to have to work very hard to dispel that. Pearce said that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has been clear that the Federal Land Policy and Management Act prohibits any large-scale lands sales by the BLM director. I would intend to follow his lead on that. There wont be any large-scale sale of land, he said. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., asked Pearce, Not long ago, you said with respect to public land located in Western states and I quote, most of it we do not even need. Now my question to you then is: is there too much public land in the West now, in your view? Pearce answered, The statement made there was when I represented, as a legislative person, a district that was, I think, at odds with federal agencies many times because the management of those lands is sometimes not as well done as it should be. And local people pay the price. It cost them jobs, it cost them their careers, cost them their land. And so I spoke of those frustrations, but ... I dont visualize selling large swaths of land. Wyden then asked Pearce whether that means he no longer agreed with the statement he previously made. Said Pearce, Im not so sure that Ive changed. Im not sure that I was not speaking out of sheer frustration with an agency on behalf of the people who are being overwhelmed. So I do not believe that were gonna go out and wholesale land from the federal government. That, again, has been stated by the secretary and federal law says that we cant do that from the BLM itself. FLPMA has a provision allowing some land disposals by the BLM. While such disposals have occurred sparingly, some conservationists fear Pearce, if confirmed by the Senate, would dispose of large amounts of public land. Pearce told the committee he would look to its own members to help him identify isolated parcels for sale within each of their states. I think thats where the best insight is going to come on what do with public lands, he said. Jordan Schreiber with the Wilderness Society said that at Wednesdays hearing, we heard Steve Pearce try to gloss over his embrace of selling off Americas public lands, but nobody should fall for it. The American people overwhelmingly want to keep public lands in public hands and continue the wild, open and free access our families have enjoyed for generations. Those values cannot be reconciled with Pearces radical voting record, which reflects his belief that our public lands are better off being sold, disposed, leased or drilled than conserved for future generations. Senators should reject his confirmation. Ahead of the hearing, a coalition of oil and gas trade associations, among them the Western Energy Alliance and Independent Petroleum Association of America, wrote a letter of support of Pearce to the Senate committees leadership. Mr. Pearce is exceptionally qualified to lead BLM and to carry out the presidents priorities of unleashing energy, expanding access to recreation, and incentivizing conservation on public lands, the groups said in their letter. China reclaims spot as Germany's top trading partner 13:14, February 26, 2026 By Zhong Nan ( Chinadaily.com.cn As Germany recalibrates its economic ties with China, government officials and business leaders said on Tuesday that stability in bilateral ties is essential for sustaining trade flows and reinforcing supply chain resilience across global markets. As German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visits China on Wednesday and Thursday with a business delegation, they said that a sound partnership can create space for collaboration in renewable energy, artificial intelligence and trade in services, underscoring the strategic weight of Sino-German engagement amid shifting global trade dynamics. Amid growing protectionism and geopolitical uncertainty, China took over from the United States to become Germany's largest trading partner in 2025, according to Germany's Federal Statistical Office, or Destatis. Destatis said that China-Germany trade totaled 251.8 billion euros ($296.75 billion) in 2025, rising 2.1 percent year-on-year, while trade with the US fell 5 percent on a yearly basis. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said that as China embarks on the first year of its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, the country welcomes German companies to seize the new opportunities arising from China's high-standard opening-up. "They are encouraged to consolidate cooperation in traditional sectors while tapping the potential of emerging fields such as clean energy, embodied artificial intelligence, biotechnology and industrial digitalization, turning opportunities into tangible outcomes," the commerce official said in a statement on Tuesday. The spokesperson said that China stands ready to work with Germany to enhance mutual understanding and trust through dialogue and communication, uphold free trade, and safeguard the rules-based multilateral trading system. Against a backdrop of recurring political talk of "de-risking", businesses in the real economy remain guided by commercial logic, said Liu Ying, a researcher at Renmin University of China's Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies in Beijing. "In response to growing protectionist pressures, German firms are increasingly deepening cooperation with China to enhance supply chain resilience and long-term competitiveness," said Liu. Recent trade data further illustrate the scale and complexity of bilateral economic ties. China's exports to Germany totaled $118.27 billion last year, up 10.5 percent year-on-year, statistics from China's General Administration of Customs showed. Zheng Chunrong, director of the German Studies Center at Tongji University in Shanghai, said that from the German perspective, the widening trade deficit reflects not only the depth of economic ties between the two countries, but also Germany's strong reliance on the Chinese market. Business leaders said that addressing these concerns will require deeper structural cooperation, including improved market access, reciprocal investment and the development of more balanced value chains. Martin Hofmann, chairperson of the German Chamber of Commerce in China North China, said that sophisticated partnerships with Chinese companies, together with a third wave of localization focusing on research and development and its speed of industrialization, have become key response mechanisms for German companies in China to strengthen their market position and drive not only local but also global innovation leadership. (Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun) Unlock The Full Potential Of Your 401(k) Your 401(k) is one of the most powerful tools for securing your financial future. The question is: Are you using it to its full potential? Here are some strategies to help you maximize its benefits: Earn your employers match. Its a good idea to contribute as much as you can afford to your 401(k) plan. (In 2026, you can put in up to $24,500, or $32,500 if youre 50 or older. If your plan allows, theres also a super catch-up contribution of $11,250 for people aged 60 to 63, for a total contribution limit of $35,750). At least put in enough to earn a matching contribution if one is offered. Otherwise, youre shortchanging yourself. For example: Your employer matches 50 percent of your contribution up to $5,000. If put in $8,000, your employers 50% match is $4,000, and youre leaving $1,000 on the table. Give your plan a raise. When your income increases, consider increasing contributions to your 401(k). When you get a bonus or a tax refund, you could use some or all of that to boost your retirement savings. Evaluate the Roth option. When you invest in a traditional 401(k), you contribute pre-tax dollars, lowering your taxable income that year. Your earnings grow tax-deferred and are taxed when you withdraw. If your employer offers a Roth 401(k), you contribute after-tax dollars, so your taxable income doesnt drop that year. However, withdrawals in retirement, contributions and earnings alike, are generally tax-free. (Employer matching contributions and related earnings remain taxable.) If you expect a higher tax bracket in retirement or want to diversify tax treatment for flexibility in retirement, consider the Roth option. In 2026, the Roth option must be used for catch-up contributions if you earn more than $150,000 and you are 50 or older. Consult your tax advisor before deciding. Build an appropriate investment mix. You may have multiple investment options in your 401(k). The driving principle early on is growth so your plan can fund a long retirement. But growth-oriented investments are naturally riskier than fixed-income vehicles. When starting your career, you may prefer a portfolio weighted toward aggressive growth, as you have years to recover from downturns. Nearing retirement, though, consider shifting to a more conservative mix. A financial advisor can help you choose an appropriate mix at different stages, based on your risk tolerance, time horizon and goals. Keep your plan intact. At times, you may feel a financial pinch that leads you to consider taking out loans or early withdrawals from your 401(k). However, this can cause you to incur taxes and penalties and will likely slow the growth needed to help reach your retirement savings goals. Taking steps to prepare for unexpected expenses, such as building an emergency fund containing three to six months worth of living expenses, can help you avoid dipping into your 401(k). You may also be able to find other ways to access cash. By following these steps, you can unlock the full potential of your 401(k) and position it as a cornerstone of your retirement income. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation. Great Northern Development Corporation (GNDC) is proud to announce the fourth annual Minnow Tank business competition, offering $10,000 in cash awards to rural entrepreneurs across northeastern Montana. The contest supports both startups and existing small businesses looking to grow, turning strong ideas into sustainable operations. Minnow Tank isnt just a competition; its a proven community investment model. Over the past three years, more than 60 individuals have applied, with over 75 percent of past finalists still operating their businesses today. Thats over $40,000 awarded directly to business owners in northeastern Montana. All donations go straight to award recipients. Minnow Tank isnt about putting on a show; its about providing real capital to real businesses that are building something in rural Montana, said Quincy Walter, small business advisor with GNDC. Weve seen that when entrepreneurs have access to both planning tools and funding, theyre more likely to launch and stay in business, and the Minnow Tank success rate backs that up. Minnow Tank supports startups and expanding businesses by helping them build strong, realistic business plans with solid financial projections and growth strategies. Two businesses will each receive a $5,000 award. The funds can be used toward startup costs, expansion, matching funds for other grants, or other business needs. There is no reporting requirement, and entry is completely free. Since launching the program, we have worked with more than 45 businesses across our seven-county region, with over 70% still operating or successfully launched today. The program works because businesses leave stronger and more prepared than when they started. As leaders and connectors in your communities, were asking for your help in sharing this opportunity with your members. If business owners want assistance reviewing or building their business plan, they need to reach out soon. I want to make sure anyone serious about applying has time to work through the process thoroughly. 2026 Minnow Tank Key Dates: Business Plan Submission Deadline: Thursday, March 12, 11:59 p.m. - Online submission only. Drop-off applications or mailed-in applications for the 2026 competition will not be accepted. Finalist Announcement: Tuesday, March 24 Live Finale Event: Thursday, April 30 in Glasgow Awards: Two $5,000 cash prizes one for a startup, one for an expanding business Eligibility : Applicants must be 18 years or older. The competition is not open to nonprofits. Business plans must be submitted via the GNDC Minnow Tank Page by Thursday, March 12, 11:59 p.m. MST. There will be an Indian Taco Supper at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Nashua on Monday, March 9th from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Free will donation and take-outs are available. Thrivent has provided supplemental funds and all are welcome!!! The Truth: Medicaid Works for Montana I stand with 59 hospitals that signed on to this letter to state: we don't think healthcare should be political, but when we see political campaigns spreading misinformation about our state's healthcare, we will... Contracts Contracts for Feb. 25, 2026 NAVY Castelion Corp.,* Torrance, California, is awarded a $49,998,005 firm-fixed-price order (N6833526F1022) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N6833526G0006). This order provides full-scale prototypes, flight testing, and operational fielding to continue to expedite the Blackbeard Hypersonic Weapons development, integration, testing, and early operational capability in support of Small Business Innovation Research Phase III effort, topic AF231-D026, entitled "Low Cost Highly Manufacturable Long Range Strike Weapon Production." Work will be performed in Torrance, California, and is expected to be completed in November 2027. Fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $49,998,005 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract action was competed. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. KTH Services JV LLC,* is awarded a $41,369,267, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for regional base operations support services. This contract provides day-to-day operations, including supervision, management, tools, material, equipment, facilities, and transportation necessary to support base operations support services. Work will be performed at various locations within the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Naval District Washington area of responsibility including, but not limited to, Maryland (54%); Washington, D.C. (35%); and Virginia (11%), and is expected to be completed by April 30, 2034. The maximum dollar value, including one 12-month base period and seven 12-month option periods, is $333,942,384. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds will be obligated on individual task orders and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the SAM.gov website, with three offers received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Washington, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity (N40080-26-D-1004). Lockheed Martin Space of Titusville, Florida, is being awarded an $18,867,588 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00022) to a previously awarded and announced contract (N0003024C0100) for Trident II (D5) Life Extension 2 SSP Alteration Advanced Design and Development Program efforts. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama (30%); Denver, Colorado (17%); Gilroy, California (12%); Folsom, California (12%); McDonald, Tennessee (8%); Palo Alto, California (5%); Sunnyvale, California (5%); Lanham, Maryland (5%); Titusville, Florida (3%); and locations less than 1.0 % each (3%). Work is expected to be completed Aug. 30, 2030. This action will be awarded using fiscal 2026 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $18,867,588 and no funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is being awarded to the Contractor on a sole source basis under 10 U.S. Code 2304(a)(1) and was previously synopsized on the Systems for Award Management (SAM) website, with one proposal received. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. The information contained in the announcement is unclassified. AIR FORCE L3Harris Technologies, Integrated Systems L.P., Greenville, Texas, was awarded a $27,737,627 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of programmed depot maintenance. This contract provides for programmed depot maintenance in support of the Tactical Airborne Surveillance System program. Work will be performed at Greenville, Texas, and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2029. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $27,737,627 are being obligated at the time of award. The 645th Aeronautical Systems Group, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-21-G-4027/FA8620-26-F-B055). U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $19,421,000 firm-fixed-price modification to an existing delivery order (H9224126FE001) for procurement of MH-47G rotary wing aircraft in support of U.S. Special Operations Command. The majority of the work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, and is expected to be completed by November 2030. U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity. ARMY Iron Mountain Solutions LLC,* Huntsville, Alabama, was awarded an $18,991,952 modification (P00085) to contract GS10F-0390Y/W31P4Q-21-F-B001 for technical support for the Utility Helicopters Project Office. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $211,236,297. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 7, 2026. Fiscal 2025 and 2026 Army procurement; research, development, test and evaluation; and operations and maintenance funds, as well as fiscal 2010, 2024, 2025, and 2026 Foreign Military Sales funds for Albania, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Austria, Bahrain, Brazil, Croatia, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates in the amount of $18,991,952, were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY Accenture Federal Services LLC, Arlington, Virginia, is awarded a $9,338,477 option modification to previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract HT003824C0004 for a total cumulative value of $28,845,061. The modification is a six-month option period in support of the Program Executive Office - Defense Healthcare Management Systems, Joint Operation Medicine Information Systems Program Management Office CustomerX Pod 2 initiative providing user adoption, training and exercise, and release and deployment support. This six-month option period begins Jan. 8, 2026, and concludes on July 7, 2026. The work location is within the contiguous U.S., which could include Fort Campbell, Kentucky; the USS Kearsarge, Norfolk, Virginia; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort McCoy, Wisconsin; San Antonio, Texas; Travis Air Force Base, Dallas, Texas; Camp Beauregard, Louisiana; Tampa, Florida; and others to be determined; outside the contiguous U.S., which could include the Indo-Pacific Command; Germany; Hawaii, South Korea; Poland; Kosovo, European Command; Djibouti; and some others to be determined, or both. The option period is funded with fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance; and fiscal 2024 and 2026 procurement funds. The Defense Health Agency, Defense Healthcare Management Systems Contracting Division, Rosslyn, Virginia, is the contracting activity. *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4414615/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address CNO Remarks to Navy Submarine League Pacific Southwest - As Prepared US Navy San Diego Speech by Adm. Daryl Caudle Presented on 10 February 2026 Date Published 13 February 2026 Good afternoon, everyone! It's great to be back in Point Loma in America's finest city! My wife Donna and I got married here 21 years ago and it always brings back fond memories. The weather, the fleet concentration area, and most of all the people. Bruce - I want to thank you and your team at the Pacific Southwest Navy League for putting this together and getting all of us in one room to talk about our beloved submarine community, and anything else you want to discuss today. I see that my good friend VADM Robert Thomas is in the crowd. For those that don't know, Admiral Thomas was my commodore when I was at Squadron 11 and attended my wedding too. Great to see you again, sir. It's genuinely great to be in a room full of people who understand, better than anyone, what it means to operate quietly, independently, and with absolute trust in the Sailors to your left and right. I don't say this lightlythere is no group I enjoy speaking with more than submariners, especially retired ones, who have seen the evolution of our beloved force. You've earned the right to tell sea stories, offer unfiltered advice, and remind the rest of the Navy how this force really learned to operate and fight under pressure. It's also good to see some active-duty submariners in the audience from the San Deigo waterfront who operate our 688 submarines (my favorite submarine) that continues to be the workhorse of the Force. Thanks for what you do each day. Let me start with the obvious point that everyone in this room already knowsbut sometimes the nation forgets. Submarines have always been and remain foundational to our maritime advantage. In a world of increasingly contested domains, submarines give the Joint Force something irreplaceable: uncertainty for our adversaries and assurance for our allies. When a submarine is on station, it changes the calculation - without firing a shot, without making a broadcast, and without needing an escort. As CNO, I depend on our Navy programs and platforms in order to ensure we land the budget correctly. Submarines are something that all levels of leadership respect and demand more of - in those budget and strategy discussions. From the White House, throughout the Pentagon, to Congress there is a great deal of alignment on the value of our Submarine Force to the Joint Force and around the world. And let me tell you, our submarines are always on station. This year alone, multiple ships have returned home safely from demanding operations in the Indo-Pacific. Most recently here in San Diego, we had USS GREENEVILLE under the leadership of CDR Chad Tella return from a very successful deployment. Others have supported maritime security and counter-illicit trafficking missions in places like the Caribbean - delivering real effects in highly unique missions - demonstrating the all-purpose value of our submarines. At the same time, our shipyards are delivering - returning submarines like the USS CHEYENNE, back to the fleet... extending operational availability and putting real combat power back in the hands of Fleet Commanders. Additionally, one of our guided-missile submarines also took part in Operation Midnight Hammer in which it launched Tomahawk missiles, significantly damaging Iran's three nuclear sites. This does not happen by accident. It is the result of decades of discipline, technical excellence, and a culture that prizes accountability and humility. That culture is your legacy. Today's Joint Force depends on submarines more than ever before. Whether it's holding targets at risk deep inland, enabling freedom of maneuver for carrier and expeditionary forces, supporting cyber and space effects, or setting the conditions for deterrence long before a crisis breaks into the open...submarines are integrated into every serious operational plan we have. And increasingly, our combatant commanders don't ask if submarines are part of the solution - they ask how many and how soon. That demand signal is only getting stronger. Let me shift gears for a moment and talk about how I think about fighting the fleet - because that matters to a room like this too. Yesterday, at the Naval War College, I rolled out the U.S. Navy Fighting Instructions. These instructions are not slogans. They're guidance and direction for how we prepare, posture, and fight - starting now, not when the first shot is fired. At their core, they're about three things: warfighting readiness as the core of our differentiated value, operational initiative and fungibility, and implementing an Enhanced Mission Command Framework. If that sounds familiar - it should. We invented and honed these principles over our existence. Those principles were forged in the submarine force long before I earned my dolphins. In a conflict, submarines will not be waiting for permission or reach-back about what to do next. They will be forward. They will be integrated with the Joint Force. And they will be executing mission-type orders in environments where communications are degraded and timely decisions must be made at depth. My expectation is simple: When a submarine deploys, it is ready on day one to transition from competition to crisis to conflict - without pause, without re-tasking, and without lowering our standards of quality or lethality. That means we train the way we fight. We empower commanding officers. And we accept prudent risk to gain operational advantage. Submariners are uniquely suited for this moment. They operate independently by design and thrive in ambiguity. And they understand that silence is often the most powerful weapon we have. In many ways, the submarine force is not adapting to my Fighting Instructions. It helped write them. That mindset - forward, trusted, lethal - is exactly why AUKUS matters so much. I'll be very direct. AUKUS is one of the most significant strategic undertakings in the history of the submarine force - and in my view, one of the most consequential defense partnerships of our lifetime. It's not just about boats. It's about shared deterrence, interoperability at the deepest levels, and a long-term commitment to peace through strength in the Indo-Pacific. Later this year, the U.S. Navy will stand up Submarine Rotational Force - West, which will eventually reconstitute Squadron Three, in Australia. That matters. It means U.S. submariners operating forward, shoulder-to-shoulder with Australian and UK partners - sharing tactics, standards, maintenance practices, and trust. It also sends an unmistakable message: Our undersea advantage is collective, united, and formidable - and we intend to keep it that way. You may have seen reporting about the Presidential review of AUKUS. Let me reassure you - that review is on track, and it reflects what I see every day - a serious, disciplined effort that is delivering real progress. We are aligned across the U.S. government, with Congress, and with our partners on workforce development, industrial base capacity, nuclear stewardship, and long-term sustainment. This is hard work. It requires patience, honesty, and follow-through. But submariners know how to do hard things the right way - or not at all. I would be remiss if I didn't say this to a room like this: Platforms matter. Technology matters. Strategy matters. But submarines have always been - and will always be - about people. About the young officers learning command presence at depth, Chiefs who quietly keep the boat running, and Sailors who understand that forceful backup isn't aspirational - it's required. Every Sailor I meet today is standing on the shoulders of those who came before them. They inherit your standards. They inherit your pride. And they inherit your refusal to cut corners. I'll close with this. The undersea domain is no longer a niche area of operations - it is central to deterrence, competition, and conflict. And if we continue to invest in our submariners, our partnerships, and our values, the United States Navy will remain the world's premier undersea force. That didn't happen by accident. It happened because of leaders and pioneers like you. Thank you for your service, for your leadership, and for everything you continue to do to support today's Navy. And thank you - for always reminding us what right looks like. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address CNO Keynote Remarks at AFCEA WEST - As Prepared US Navy San Diego Convention Center Speech by Adm. Daryl Caudle Presented on 10 February 2026 Date Published 13 February 2026 Good morning, everyone and welcome. RADM Spicer, thank you for that warm introduction. Members of Congress, Former Vice Chairman Grady, GEN Smith, Flag and General Officers, active, reserve, and veteran servicemembers, leaders from academia, and industry partners it is absolutely an honor to be with you today. As the premiere Naval Conference and Exposition on the West Coast, this forum exists for one reason - to address the wide array and increasingly complex network of threats our Sailors may one day face. Yesterday at the Naval War College, I unveiled our Navy's newest strategic guidance - the United States Navy Fighting Instructions. This morning, I'd like to give you a clear understanding of that vision - not as theory, but as direction you can act on. I'd be remiss if I didn't take a moment to acknowledge my predecessors, the ones who bore the weight of this office and the tremendous responsibility to define, develop, and deliver a Navy capable of fighting and winning our Nation's wars. Greenert's Sailing Directions Richardson's Design for Maintaining Maritime Superiority And, our previous two CNOs' Navigation Plans Each offered the right strategy, at the right time, under the right circumstances. But, today we find ourselves operating in an era with other Great Powers, an era in which the speed of decision ruthlessly punishes delay. It's in these complex times that we must evolve our strategy once more rapidly responding to new leadership direction, increasingly sophisticated threats, and systemic industrial base challenges. But all is not lost. For the first time in my career, from the Oval Office and Capitol Hill to the halls of the Pentagon and the American people our Nation's leadership is aligned on the enduring importance of delivering a resilient and responsive defense industrial base. The indicators are clear. President Trump and Secretary Phelan's Golden Fleet Initiative signal that a dominant United States Navy is the world's surest guarantee of peace. Secretary Phelan means it when he says, and I fully agree, that there is no future fight the Navy isn't in - as an integral part of the main effort. I take that statement seriously and with every ounce of resolve in my being, I am moving at warp speed to follow through on that guarantee. Because, as long as I'm CNO I will do anything and everything necessary to ensure we never enter a fair fight and that our country will never lose. Which is why I am with you today. In their simplest form, the U.S. Navy Fighting Instructions provide a conceptual framework for modern warfare delivering homeland defense, sustaining our global network of deterrence, and preserving our national prosperity. It is my overarching guidance that outlines which investments matter most, the asymmetric capabilities we need to forge, and the requisite levels of technical mastery that will enable our Sailors to fight and win across all time horizons. As such, the U.S. Navy Fighting Instructions is our Navy's answer to the daunting question that will define modern naval warfare for decades to come: "How do we ensure we can fight and win across the spectrum of conflict, under conditions we cannot entirely predict against adversaries who are increasingly capable, innovative, and aggressive at near parity levels simultaneously in key areas of vital national interest around the world?" To get after this problem statement, it was important for me to take a step back and to understand what services and capabilities our Navy uniquely provides, and to which stakeholders? As CNO, I have a lot of jobs, but perhaps at the top of the list is the need to communicate the value proposition of why our Navy matters - to the Joint Force and to the Nation. I believe that idea shapes the core of any organizational strategy, which comes down to defining, highlighting, and conveying our differentiated value. So, what is our differentiated value? From the perspective of the American people: Our Navy assures homeland defense, delivers global stability and deterrence and safeguards maritime trade - nearly 70% of which moves by sea - that underwrites our prosperity. From the Joint Force's perspective, we provide seven indispensably unique missions. We deliver: Sea control and sea denial Maritime security Tailored deterrence Global replenishment across contested environments Freedom of maneuver And power projection over the horizon with precision and mass. The bottom line is this, no other Navy nor any other Joint or Combined Force in the world can do what we do. Once you understand why our Navy matters, only then can you define what or as I like to call it, the "special sauce" our Navy must deliver. Which, in turn, is the answer to our problem and by way of the Fighting Instructions takes the form of the core implementation concept - a full-spectrum Hedge Strategy. As my thinking has evolved over the last several years, it has become pointedly clear to me that our Navy's theoretical approach to combat could no longer be based on capability overmatch, setting a theater with impunity, and winning by mass dominance alone. Under the constraints of an ever-lowering cost of entry and the proliferation of asymmetric capabilities coupled with simultaneous peer conflicts, the Nation needs a Navy that can hedge tailored solutions aggressively, innovate continuously, fight distributively, and command with clarity across the battlespace. This Hedge Strategy will be implemented through a set of initiatives, some new and some familiar, that combine to enable a fleet which can learn, adapt, and counter our adversaries. These include: Tailored Forces and Tailored Offsets. Combat Surge Ready (CSR) certifications as part of the Global Maritime Response Plan (GMRP). An Enhanced Mission Command Framework (EMCF) The recently released Navy Warfighting Concept and the implementation of a new Navy Deterrence Concept In its most rudimentary form, the Hedge Strategy accepts fiscal, industrial, and operational realities. It balances cost-effective, scalable, risk-worthy mass with the most advanced multi-mission platforms we can build and sustain while taking stock in the likelihood of pacing scenarios and the severity of risk that's attached. When you consider the unique capabilities our Navy already provides, you'll notice hedges are prevalent in almost everything we do: Our Navy Special Forces and Special Operators, less than two percent of our forces, are our Nation's hedge against low intensity and irregular warfare threats. Our Ballistic Missile Submarines and E-6B Mercuries, less than six percent of the Navy, is our hedge against nuclear conflict and strategic attack. And when crisis erupts or conflict breaks out, the Navy is the Joint Force's ultimate hedge - able to move fast, stay forward, and deliver sovereign options from the sea. Hedge Strategy is a means of thoughtfully bringing the full weight of our maritime forces to bear providing relevant capabilities for every situation, while ensuring the credibility and efficacy of our differentiated value persists. However, building a Fleet to cover every pressing scenario is not only cost and risk prohibitive but a disservice to the taxpayer and less effective operationally. What Hedge Strategy avoids is a brittle, single-purpose force that is either over-built for the high-end fight and under-used day-to-day or optimized for low end crisis and overmatched when it counts. By design, the Hedge Strategy is intended to be a force multiplier to our general-purpose forces working in concert with the Sailors and platforms of our traditionally manned fleet. And I fully acknowledge the need for a bigger Fleet. The President and the Secretary of the Navy share that same sentiment - as evidenced by the recent announcement of the Golden Fleet initiatives. But, the challenge becomes determining where to snap the chalk line, how much of each force element is truly enough? That is what Hedge Strategy aims to do. It buys down risk in some areas, shifts risk to others, but in the end it unabashedly embraces risk to tip the scales in our advantage. To achieve this end, we must buy, field, and posture, ready capabilities Tailored Forces and Tailored Offsets to address specific situations that are too consequential to ignore but too unlikely to drive our overall fleet design. As a whole, Tailored Forces and Tailored Offsets are scalable formations that manage risk, expand mass, force multiply, improve response options, and preserve our combat advantage. Tailored Forces are the composite packaging of Tailored Offsets certified to address specific missions, in particular regions. They include general purpose units from the main battle force - surface combatants, patrol aircraft, and submarines - for deployment and command and control. Whether it's conducting anti-submarine warfare in the North Atlantic, clandestine mine warfare across critical chokepoints, or supporting fires off the coasts of foreign shores, tailored forces with tailored certifications will allow our Navy to hedge against the likelihood of any threat without constraining our force design around a single pressing scenario. Tailored Offsets are systems and platforms that are the easiest to adapt and combine. They are capabilities like: Attritable and easily replenishable USVs MUSVs designed for scouting, screening, and striking UUVs for water space denial, survey, and mine warfare And low-cost, high-volume interceptors for counter-drone defense Together, these tailored capabilities will amplify and complement the main battle force through lethal outputs that are scalable, deployable, adaptable, and cost-effective. It's in this line of effort where I expect you, our industry partners - traditional and non-traditional vendors alike - to move fast, iterate aggressively, and help us scale these packages at speed. While Hedge Strategy focuses on a small set of high-consequence, low-probability scenarios, we must also be able to field a fleet that can be a first responder to emerging crises, wherever they occur. Working together in concert, every tailored capability and every Navy platform will be enabled by and enablers to each other. That's where Global Maritime Response Plan and Combat Surge Ready comes into play. On any given day, the Navy balances ships that are either deployed, in critical maintenance, or progressing through the various cycles of our force generation model. Global Maritime Response Plan is a way to ensure that the ships in the workup and sustainment phases of force generation can readily flow into conflict. As defined through a series of Response Conditions, GMRP ties force generation to indications and warnings of adversary behavior, ultimately hedging our bets against deterrence shortfalls while denying adversary opportunism. Actively engaged with GMRP is our structure to provide emergent response options for the President through our Combat Surge Ready forces. CSR is a level of readiness and formal designation for Tailored Forces, where each respective Type Commander has certified that a crew and their platform are ready to fight - proving that they can shoot, maneuver, communicate, and defend as the tactical environment and acceptable levels of risk demand. CSR is what actually optimizes the OFRP. Now let me shift to the question that ties all of this together: how do we command and control the fight? My priorities of Foundry, Fleet, and Fight are not abstract ideas they are a warfighting system. And in the next conflict, that system will be tested under pressure, at speed, and under fire. Communications will be disrupted. Space and cyber will be under attack. The enemy will try to fracture our kill chains, slow our decisions, and isolate our forces. In that kind of fight, we can't afford a Navy that waits for permission. The only way to fight effectively is to ensure that every force element at every level can sense, synthesize, decide, and act fast enough with confidence to achieve Commander's Intent. That's why, to fight at the timing, tempo, and synchronization demanded by the Hedge Strategy, the Navy will implement an Enhanced Mission Command Framework. Mission command cannot be something we fall back on when networks fail. Mission command must be how we prepare, practice, and fight - all the time. So instead of rigid hierarchies and constant reach-back, we will build a Fleet that operates through empowered, self-organizing teams commanders who understand the mission, own the intent, and act with disciplined initiative. Enhanced Mission Command gives us a clear way to delegate decision authority across the force matching autonomy to capability, and authority to the demands of the tactical situation. It will ensure we are ready not for the last war, but for the one that is coming. In order to hedge appropriately, this strategy must indeed be guided by authoritative naval concepts. Last month, I formally signed into action a Navy Warfighting Concept - the Navy's overarching warfighting approach tied inextricably to the Joint Warfighting Concept. It tells commanders how we intend to fight, where we will accept risk, and where we will not. It conveys a proactive approach that uses the global maritime maneuver space to gain and exploit sea control while imposing sea denial. But if you look at the global disposition of our forces, although warfighting is what we are designed to do, it accounts for only a fraction, I argue 10%, of our day-to-day operations. We have the Navy Warfighting Concept which defines what and how we fight, but importantly, we need a Navy Deterrence Concept that defines who and how we deter. Because deterrence activities dominate the preponderance of what our forces do day-to-day around the world. The question is, what's the ROI of our campaigning efforts? Is it working? How do we know? What are the metrics for success? As the world's premiere maritime force, we must be eyes wide open and acknowledge that deterrence is an infinite game, it's a concept that to work, must live continuously in the minds of our adversaries and in turn, allow us to shape their behavior to cause a desired effect. The Navy Deterrence Concept will explicitly define who we're deterring and from what specifically we're preventing them from doing. It will help us decide where to posture forces, what they should do to shape behavior, and how we need to tune the intelligence community for the feedback necessary to assess our activities. Bottom Line - the Navy Deterrence Concept is my way of formalizing a deterrence kill chain, defining escalation dominance, and codifying it into doctrine. Ladies and gentlemen, on my first day in office, I released three priorities: the Foundry, the Fleet, and the way we Fight. They expound upon Secretary Phelan's priorities and emphasize the need to view everything we do through an operational lens. Between the Secretary, the Commandant, and myself - I want to be crystal clear that there is no daylight between our shields. We are working in lockstep to deliver the Navy our Nation Needs. Underpinned by the Foundry, the Fleet, and the way we Fight, the United States Navy Fighting Instructions will guide us to a more enduring end-state, taking us from the "as-is" where capability drives strategy to our final destination, where strategy drives our force design, our tailored force packages, and an investment trajectory to make every dollar count. At the center of this vision will always be the United States Navy Sailor. They are our most enduring strategic advantage and the heartbeat of our world-class Navy. Every policy we produce, every change we implement, and every strategy we employ revolves around these priorities. They are the ultimate link within every kill-chain, which guides everything we do and serve as the bedrock of my guidance. As I begin to close, let me leave you with this. Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, the Father of the Nuclear Navy once said and I quote: "The great end of life is not knowledge, but action." He believed that our duty was to act as if the fate of the world depended on us - to live for the future, not for our own comfort or success. And, with our Battle-Ready Sailors leading the way, there is no challenge too great or goal out of reach that our Navy won't meet. That's exactly what these Fighting Instructions aim to do, providing our Sailors with a new way to think about our challenges, and a new way to leverage the asymmetric advantages, capabilities, and structures to fight and win today, tomorrow, and into an uncertain future. But the Navy can't accomplish this alone. From our joint and combined forces across the globe to our industry partners at home, every one of us has a critical part to play. The U.S. Navy Fighting Instructions aren't just guidance for the Fleet - they are a clear and bright demand signal to our industry and allied partners about the capabilities we must build, scale, and sustain. As Admiral Rickover reminded us, the future belongs to those who act. Our Navy requires it. Our Nation demands it. And for the American people, we will follow through with urgency, discipline, and results. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address CNO Presents U.S. Navy Fighting Instructions - As Prepared US Navy Naval War College Speech by Adm. Daryl Caudle Presented on 09 February 2026 Date Published 13 February 2026 Good afternoon, everyone and welcome. It is absolutely an honor to be back in the halls of our Navy's "home of thought" a prestigious institution charged with educating, training, and inculcating the future leaders of our naval forces. Rear Admiral Walker, thank you for that warm introduction and thanks to you and your team for opening the War College's doors as I unveil our Fleet's newest strategic guidance the United States Navy Fighting Instructions. As the intellectual minds who will one day lead our naval, joint, allied, and interagency organizations it was important for me to make this my first stop. To all our students in the audience and here at the War College congratulations on your selection to attend this incredible school - the very same institution over which the world's most influential naval strategist, Alfred Thayer Mahan presided. In the same vein, let me continue by acknowledging your exceptional network of professors and staff. Your time at Newport - the long hours, late nights, and big thinking to sharpen our cognitive advantage - would not be possible without those who so selflessly pour themselves into your education. On behalf of our entire United States Navy team, and our allied navies around the world, I am deeply grateful for what you do. I'd be remiss if I didn't take a moment to acknowledge my predecessors, the ones who bore the weight of this office and the tremendous responsibility to define, develop, and deliver a Navy capable of fighting and winning our Nation's wars. From Greenert's Sailing Directions to Richardson's Design for Maintaining Maritime Superiority and our previous two CNOs' Navigation Plans each of those leaders deeply understood the challenges of their time. In their own moments of consequential leadership, these CNOs laid out their own strategic guidance to the Fleet meaningfully moving the needle on our Navy's readiness to get after our most pressing challenges. Each offered the right plans, at the right time, to sustain our combat readiness, while directing the future force design and service concepts of our all-domain Fleet. But, today we find ourselves operating in an era with other Great Powers, an era in which the speed of decision ruthlessly punishes delay. Therefore, it's in these complex times that we must evolve our strategy once more rapidly responding to new leadership direction, technological advances, asymmetric attack vectors, and systemic industrial base challenges. Despite these many obstacles, an undeniable truth continues to persist that the requirement for a strong, resilient, and globally present Navy has never been more important to our Nation's defense. A lethal, resilient, and agile Navy that can swiftly respond to emerging crises, diffuse asymmetric threats, and engage across a wide variety of missions, contingent to sustained operations at sea. We must organize, train, and equip our forces to deliver peace through strength and preserve our national security interests while standing ready to deter those who would challenge our way of life. As such, we are calibrating our sights, refining our course, and transforming our approach to get after our Navy's most consequential challenges with an enduring set of scalable concepts. Just as our Navy once navigated transformational periods of change from the Age of Sail to the Age of Steam and the Age of Nuclear Propulsion and Power Projection we must once again navigate an unprecedented period of convergence the Age of Competitive Innovation. This past year alone we've stood witness to the tides of global disruption the decades long global security environment continuing to erode, our list of pacing threats continuing to grow and our adversaries evolving in technological sophistication and brazen ambition. Whether it's by way of grey-zone tactics, the militarization of foreign industrial bases, or the unlikely integration of state and non-state actors the United States Navy must similarly adapt our theory of victory to combat each of these regional and existential threats. And, while all these factors continue to shape the strategic laydown of the Fleet around the globe, our Nation continues to navigate our own decisive rip currents at home. The once formidable arsenal of democracy that enabled our forces to sweep seamlessly across European and Pacific theaters of war continues to lag well below contracted demand and by my assessment, lacks sufficient creativity, adaptability, and vision. Years of deferred maintenance and investments have reduced our shipyards, munition factories, and naval installations to hollow shells of their once great capacity and scale. But all is not lost. For the first time in my career, from the Oval Office and Capitol Hill to the halls of the Pentagon, to and perhaps most important, the American people our Nation's leadership is aligned on the enduring importance of delivering a resilient and responsive defense industrial base. The indicators are clear President Trump and Secretary Phelan's Golden Fleet Initiative signal that a dominant United States Navy is the world's surest guarantee of peace. Secretary Phelan means it when he says, and I fully agree that there is no future fight the Navy isn't in - as an integral part of the main effort. To this point, Secretary Phelan often conveys the well-regarded saying by Alfred Thayer Mahan, " to be a superpower, one must be a seapower." There should be no doubt that the strength of our nation depends on the strength of our Navy. Like my predecessors, I take that statement seriously - with my priorities and my actions. With every ounce of resolve in my being, I am moving at warp speed to follow through on that promise for you and our Nation. Because, as long as I'm CNO I will do anything and everything necessary to ensure we never enter a fair fight and that our country will never lose. Which is why I am with you today. Since joining the Navy in 1985, I have been on a journey of continuous learning. It hasn't always been linear, but the ups and downs between then and now have sharpened my perspective and honed my understanding. Consider any problem of consequence. To achieve a solutions-oriented approach, we can only drive progress by first rigorously assessing the current state of affairs. In that assessment, comes the discovery of a problem that can only be addressed by some form of innovation - a new way of thinking about the problem set drivers. Only by approaching the problem with honesty and rigor, can we action the necessary framework to bring that solution to bear. This process is contingent on a willingness to be intellectually honest with ourselves - and in our assessments - tensioning the system to gain traction along the right trajectory, and hit our target on the mark. The same school of thought has been applied to the U.S. Navy Fighting Instructions, which in their simplest form are designed to provide a conceptual framework for modern warfare - delivering homeland defense, sustaining our global network of deterrence, and preserving our national prosperity. It forms my overarching guidance that outlines which investments matter most, the asymmetric capabilities we need to forge, how those capabilities should be packaged and certified, to what extent can those ensembles operate autonomously, and finally, the requisite levels of technical mastery that will enable our Sailors to fight and win across all time horizons. As such, the U.S. Navy Fighting Instructions is our Navy's answer to the daunting question that will define modern naval warfare for decades to come: "How do we ensure we can fight and win across the spectrum of conflict, under conditions we cannot entirely predict against adversaries who are increasingly capable, innovative, and aggressive at near parity levels simultaneously in key areas of vital national interest around the world?" To get after this problem statement, it was important for me to take a step back and to understand what services and capabilities our Navy uniquely provides, and to which stakeholders? As CNO, I have a lot of jobs, but from my perspective in the E-ring, perhaps at the top of the list is the need to communicate the value proposition of why our Navy matters - to the Joint Force and to the Nation. A need to develop a deep understanding across all Navy stakeholders. I believe that idea shapes the core of any organizational strategy, which comes down to defining, highlighting, and conveying our differentiated value. In short, our differentiated value provides the overarching framework for the Fighting Instructions to launch from. So, what is our differentiated value? From the perspective of the American people: Our Navy assures homeland defense from seabed to space ensuring our lawful sovereignty over natural resources and protection of our shores against foreign and domestic threats all of which spans across a whopping 4.5 million square miles of exclusive economic zones. We deliver global stability and deterrence whether it's our carrier strike groups or ballistic missile submarines or our grey hulls on the horizon that symbolize hard military power we keep sea lines of communication open to stimulate our economy, preserve our national prosperity, and bolster our wealth. With nearly 70% of trade moving by sea the daily presence of our Navy around the globe ensures that Americans can live, work, buy, sell, and trade with confidence and stability. From the Joint Force's perspective, we provide seven indispensably unique missions. We deliver: Sea control and sea denial Maritime security Tailored and combat-credible deterrence Global replenishment across contested environments Freedom of maneuver, And, power projection over the horizon with precision and mass. The bottom line is this, no other Navy no other Joint or Combined Force in the world can do what we do. The outsized contributions we deliver across the spectrum of conflict is what separates us from our allies and partners and that same value is what will ensure our place as the world's preeminent fighting force for decades to come. Once you understand why our Navy matters, only then can you define what our Navy must deliver. Further, it ensures that our resources are prioritized and executed to never lose the "special sauce" that our differentiated value provides. Which, in turn, is the answer to our problem and by way of the Fighting Instructions takes the form of the core implementation concept - a full-spectrum Hedge Strategy. As my thinking has evolved over the last several years, it has become pointedly clear to me that our Navy's approach to our theory of combat could no longer be based on capability overmatch, setting theater conditions with impunity, and winning by mass dominance alone. Under the constraints of an ever-lowering cost of entry and the proliferation of asymmetric capabilities coupled with simultaneous peer conflicts the Nation needs a Navy that can hedge tailored solutions aggressively, innovate continuously, fight distributively, and command with clarity across the global network of complex battlespaces and domains. This Hedge Strategy will be implemented through a set of initiatives, some new and some familiar, that combine to enable a fleet that can learn, adapt, and counter our adversaries by optimizing and force multiplying our differentiated value. These include: Blunting adversary advantages with our own innovations or what we're calling Tailored Offsets, which are organized into Tailored Forces. Ensuring we make the best use of our units in off-cycle force generation through Combat Surge Ready certifications as part of the Global Maritime Response Plan. An Enhanced Mission Command Framework defining how we command forward. Delivering and making good on the recently released Navy Warfighting Concept - which is tied inextricably to the Joint Warfighting Concept. And, designing and implementing a new Navy Deterrence Concept that works hand in glove with the Warfighting Concept to improve our global posture, enhance our campaign objectives, and strengthen our ability to shape competitor behaviors - decision calculus and the respective battlespace. In its most rudimentary form, the Hedge Strategy accepts fiscal, industrial, and operational realities - and still demands a Navy that is lethal, agile, responsive, and flexible. It balances cost-effective, scalable, risk-worthy mass with the most advanced multi-mission platforms we can build and sustain while taking stock in the likelihood of pacing scenarios and the severity of risk that's attached. When you consider the unique capabilities, our Navy already provides, you'll notice hedges are prevalent in almost everything we do: Navy Special Forces and Special Operators, less than two percent of our forces, are our Nation's hedge against low intensity and irregular warfare threats. Our Ballistic Missile Submarines and E-6B Mercuries, less than six percent of the Navy, the pinnacle of our Nation's nuclear triad, is our hedge against nuclear conflict and strategic attack. Our global network of Allies and partners are our enduring hedge when our resources and presence are constrained. And when crisis erupts or conflict breaks out, the Navy is the Joint Force's ultimate hedge - able to move fast, stay forward, and deliver sovereign options from the sea. We flow forces on a moment's notice off the coast of foreign shores, to the waters of the Middle East, to the frigid icecaps below the North Pole, and across the expansive waters of the Pacific. No matter the scenario, our differentiated value allows us to be anywhere in the world, full-up round and ready to go, in a matter of two weeks. So, Hedge Strategy is a means of thoughtfully bringing the full weight of our maritime forces to bear providing relevant capabilities for every situation, while ensuring the credibility and efficacy of our differentiated value persists. However, building a Fleet to cover every pressing scenario is not only cost and risk prohibitive but a disservice to the taxpayer and less effective operationally. In our rich 250-year history, seldom have we built, designed, and generated a force that was employed exactly as we intended. If history has taught us anything, it's that forces designed for high-end warfare are most likely to be employed for low-end scenarios and contingencies. Whether you build a Navy for high consequence, low probability or low consequence, high probability scenarios in either case you're left with an over or undersubscribed force that's sub-optimized to address specific use cases, which may never come to bear. What Hedge Strategy avoids is a brittle, single-purpose force that is either over-built for the high-end fight and under-used day-to-day or optimized for low end crisis and overmatched when it counts. This isn't a one size fits all approach. By design, the Hedge Strategy is intended to be a force multiplier to our general-purpose forces working in concert with the Sailors and platforms of our traditionally manned fleet. And I fully acknowledge the need for a bigger Fleet. The President and the Secretary of the Navy share that same sentiment - as evidenced by the recent announcement of the Golden Fleet initiatives. But, the challenge becomes determining where to snap the chalk line how much of each force element is truly enough? That is what Hedge Strategy aims to do. It buys down risk in some areas, shifts risk to others but in the end it unabashedly embraces risk to tip the scales in our advantage. To achieve this end, we must buy, field, and posture, ready capabilities Tailored Forces and Tailored Offsets to address specific situations that are too consequential to ignore but too unlikely to drive our overall fleet design. As a whole, Tailored Forces and Tailored Offsets are scalable formations that manage risk, expand mass, force multiply, improve response options, and preserve our combat advantage. Tailored Forces are the composite packaging of Tailored Offsets certified to address specific missions, in particular regions. They include general purpose units from the main battle force - surface combatants, patrol aircraft, and submarines - for deployment and command and control. Whether it's conducting anti-submarine warfare in the North Atlantic clandestine mine warfare across critical chokepoints like the Straits of Hormuz or supporting fires in a Taiwan Strait scenario tailored forces with tailored certifications will allow our Navy to hedge against the likelihood of any threat, in any theater, without constraining our force design around a single pressing scenario. Tailored Offsets are systems and platforms that are the easiest to adapt and combine in ways that address these high-consequence, low-probability situations, while improving lethality at better levels of acceptable risk. They are capabilities like: Attritable and easily replenishable USVs MUSVs designed for scouting, screening, and striking UUVs for water space denial, survey, and mine warfare And, low-cost, high-volume interceptors for counter-drone defense Together, these tailored capabilities will amplify and complement the main battle force through lethal outputs that are scalable, deployable, adaptable, and cost-effective. While Hedge Strategy focuses on a small set of high-consequence, low-probability scenarios we must also be able to field a fleet that can be a first responder to emerging crises, wherever they occur. It's in this respect that every part of our Navy plays an essential role - large surface combatants and main battle forces aren't going away. Working together in concert, every tailored capability and every Navy platform will be enabled by and enablers to each other. That's where Global Maritime Response Plan and Combat Surge Ready comes into play. On any given day, the Navy has nearly 100 ships deployed around the world, 100 ships in long-term maintenance, and 100 ships throughout the various cycles of our force generation model. Through a well-defined and deliberate approach, the Global Maritime Response Plan aims to do more with those 100 ships in the workup and sustainment phases of our force generation model so they can readily flow into conflict. GMRP provides a scalable plan, empowered by decision support matrices and authority transfer processes to certify and deploy those units when called into action. As defined through a series of Response Conditions, GMRP ties force generation to indications and warnings of adversary behavior ultimately hedging our bets against deterrence shortfalls while denying adversary opportunism. GMRP is what, for the first time, defines how to flow the TPFDD in conflict through formal orders and condition-based assessments. Actively engaged with GMRP is our structure to provide emergent response options for the President through our Combat Surge Ready forces. CSR is a level of readiness and formal designation for Tailored Forces where each respective Type Commander has certified that a crew and their platform are ready to fight - proving that they can shoot, maneuver, communicate, and defend as the tactical environment and acceptable levels of risk demand. CSR is what actually optimizes the OFRP. Now let me shift to the question that ties all of this together: how do we command and control the fight? My priorities of Foundry, Fleet, and Fight are not abstract ideas they are a warfighting system. And in the next conflict, that system will be tested under pressure, at speed, and under fire. The environment we are sailing into will be contested from the opening minute. Communications will be disrupted. Space and cyber will be under attack. And, the enemy will try to fracture our kill chains, slow our decisions, and isolate our forces. In that kind of fight, we cannot afford a Navy that waits for permission. We will operate with forces ranging from unmanned systems at the edge to submarines forward to Carrier Strike Groups maneuvering at scale. The only way to fight effectively across that span is to ensure that every force element at every level can sense, synthesize, decide, and act fast enough with confidence to achieve Commander's Intent. That's why, to fight at the timing, tempo, and synchronization demanded by the Hedge Strategy, the Navy will implement an Enhanced Mission Command Framework. Mission command cannot be something we fall back on when networks fail. Mission command must be how we prepare, practice, and fight - all the time. The EMCF begins with the assumption that communications will be degraded, contested, or denied and that our forces must still execute. So instead of rigid hierarchies and constant reach-back, we will build a Fleet that operates through empowered, self-organizing teams commanders who understand the mission, own the intent, and act with disciplined initiative. This is not decentralization for its own sake. This is a modern warfighting imperative. Enhanced Mission Command gives us a clear way to delegate decision authority across the force matching autonomy to capability, and authority to the demands of the tactical situation. Through Delegated Autonomy Levels, we will define what a unit manned or unmanned can do independently based on its ability to sense the battlespace, synthesize what matters, and deliver effects without waiting for higher headquarters. Because in the Fight, the unit that can act first wins. And at the end of the day, autonomy is not unlimited. It is designed. It is governed. It is a function of two things: the tactical conditions a unit faces and the level of risk we are prepared to accept to seize the initiative. This is how we will command forward. This is how we will fight through disruption. This is how the Fleet will stay aligned, lethal, and fast even when the enemy is trying to break the system. The Foundry builds it. The Fleet trains it. And, the Fight demands it. The Enhanced Mission Command Framework will ensure we are ready not for the last war, but for the one that is coming. Which brings me to the final input of the Fighting Instructions. In order to hedge appropriately, this strategy must indeed be guided by authoritative naval concepts. Last month, I formally signed into action a Navy Warfighting Concept - the Navy's overarching warfighting approach. It tells commanders how we intend to fight, where we will accept risk, and where we will not. And, it conveys a proactive approach that uses the global maritime maneuver space to gain and exploit sea control while imposing sea denial. The Navy Warfighting Concept is by no means meant to collect dust on a shelf; it is meant to be executed by Fleets, squadrons, and ships at sea and should be alive and well in the minds, planning, exercises, and operations of Commanders at every level. But if you look at the global disposition of our forces, although warfighting is what we are designed to do, it accounts for only a fraction of our daily operations. In every domain around the world, our naval forces are actively campaigning in order to deter our adversaries. I argue that the act of deterrence accounts for nearly 90% of our day-to-day activities. We have the Navy Warfighting Concept, which defines what and how we fight but importantly, we need a Navy Deterrence Concept that defines who and how we deter. Because deterrence activities dominate the preponderance of what our forces do day-to-day around the world. The question is: what's the ROI of our campaigning efforts? Is it working? How do we know? What are the metrics for success? Of all the white binders in your workspaces, I would wager that there's not one that gives you a clear, formalized approach to what deterrence at sea really means - it's an ill-defined practice where the players come and go, yet it defines our operations in nearly everything we do day-to-day. As the world's premiere maritime force, we must be eyes wide open and acknowledge that deterrence is an infinite game it's a concept that to work, must live continuously in the minds of our adversaries and in turn, allow us to shape their behavior to cause a desired effect. Deterrence is the last and final trip wire to conflict, and the Navy Deterrence Concept takes that responsibility head on. It will explicitly define who we're deterring and from what we're specifically preventing them from doing. It will help us decide where to posture forces, what they should do to shape behavior, and how we need to tune the intelligence community for the feedback necessary to assess our activities. Bottom Line - the Navy Deterrence Concept is my way of formalizing a deterrence kill chain, defining escalation dominance, and codifying it into doctrine. Ladies and gentlemen, on my first day in office, I released three priorities: the Foundry, the Fleet, and the way we Fight. These priorities were a simple but effective way for me to convey my vision to our forces around the world with clarity and focus. They expound upon Secretary Phelan's priorities and emphasize the need to view everything we do through an operational lens. Underpinned by the Foundry, the Fleet, and the way we Fight the United States Navy Fighting Instructions is a transformational framework that will guide us to a more enduring end-state taking us from the "as-is" where capability drives strategy to our final destination, where our strategy drives our force design, our tailored force packages, and an investment trajectory to make every dollar count. At the center of this vision will always be the United States Navy Sailor. They are our most enduring strategic advantage, our primary weapon system, and the heartbeat of our world-class Navy. Within each priority, you'll notice that People our Sailors are the underlying center of gravity. Every policy we produce, every change we implement, and every strategy we employ revolves around these priorities. They are the ultimate link within every kill-chain, which guides everything we do and serve as the bedrock of my guidance. As I begin to close, let me leave you with this. Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, the Father of the Nuclear Navy once said and I quote: "The great end of life is not knowledge, but action." He believed that our duty was to act as if the fate of the world depended on us - to live for the future, not for our own comfort or success. In every ocean around the world our Navy remains at the tip of the operational spear sailing, flying, and steaming at the decisive edge of lethality. With our Battle-Ready Sailors leading the way, there is no challenge too great or goal out of reach that our Navy won't meet. And that's exactly what these Fighting Instructions aim to do provide our Sailors with a new way to think about our challenges, a new way to leverage the asymmetric advantages, capabilities, and structures to fight and win today, tomorrow, and into an uncertain future. As Admiral Rickover reminded us, the future belongs to those who act. Through disciplined execution and a clear-eyed approach, we will honor that charge defending our country, deterring our adversaries, and preserving our place as the most formidable fighting force the world has ever known. Our Navy requires it. Our Nation demands it. And for the American people, we will follow through with urgency, discipline, and results. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Navy welcomes PBBM order for more infra in Kalayaan Island Group Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno February 24, 2026, 4:48 pm Updated on February 24, 2026, 7:34 pm MANILA -- A ranking Philippine Navy (PN) official on Tuesday welcomed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s calls to provide more infrastructure for Pag-asa Island, the largest Philippine-occupied feature in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG). At a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, PN spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said such plans are considered a "sovereign action of the Philippine government" that would give the country a "stronger foothold in the maritime features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS)." "It is a very welcome move to allow the AFP and other government agencies to have more access, especially to the people in the Municipality of Kalayaan," he added. The Municipality of Kalayaan is located on Pag-asa Island, which is part of the seven islands and two reefs which form the KIG that is officially occupied and administered by the Philippines. "The actions of the government are to make the Municipality of Kalayaan a fully functional municipality of the Republic of the Philippines with all government agencies represented in that municipality," Trinidad said. Pag-asa Island is home to Filipino civilians and military personnel. It also hosts Rancudo Airfield, which is operated by the Philippine Air Force. Earlier, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called for the possible construction of a port and airport, and other airway facilities for the KIG. Also, Trinidad said there is nothing new about China opposing the Philippines' plans for the KIG, as the country had been doing so since 1992. "They have been opposing our actions in the WPS since 1992," the PN official said. And when asked how they plan to ensure that construction will not be impeded by China, Trinidad said "appropriate security measures are in place" to ensure any construction by the Philippine government on the island group will not be impeded. "There (had) already been ongoing enhancements and refurbishment of facilities on the island, and there are appropriate security measures in place," he said. Ship christening This developed as the PN christened and commissioned two brand-new naval vessels during a ceremony at the Naval Operating Base Subic in Zambales on Tuesday. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said that acquiring offshore patrol vessel (OPV) BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS-20) and fast attack interdiction craft (FAIC) BRP Audrey Banares (PG-910) is not meant for aggression but merely for defense. "Let me be clear: modernization is not a signal of aggression. It is a statement of responsibility. A credible defense posture deters conflict. Preparedness prevents miscalculation. Capability preserves peace," Brawner said. The AFP's modernization efforts, he said, are anchored on responsibility and peace. To embody courage, leadership, and the enduring spirit of Filipino resistance, BRP Rajah Sulayman was named after the pre-Hispanic ruler who led Tagalog forces during the 1570 Battle of Manila. Meanwhile, to symbolize the bravery and dedication of Filipino sailors who defend the nation's sovereignty, BRP Audrey Banares honors Jose Audrey Banares, a Navy commando who was killed off Zamboanga City in September 2013 after a sea battle with Moro National Liberation Front extremists. By integrating these vessels into the active fleet, Brawner said, the AFP not only recognizes the legacy of its defenders but also ensures a more formidable presence in both littoral and deep-sea operations. BRP Rajah Sulayman was launched in Ulsan, South Korea on June 11, 2025, and arrived in the Philippines last Jan. 17. The BRP Rajah Sulayman is the first of six OPVs ordered from shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, worth about PHP30 billion, in 2022. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address February 25, 2026 By Matthew Olay, Pentagon News Senior Air and Space Force Leaders Discuss Defense of Homeland The War Department's 2026 National Defense Strategy, released Jan. 23, prioritizes defending the homeland as its first line of effort. Yesterday, during a panel on homeland defense at the Air and Space Forces Association's annual warfare symposium in Aurora, Colorado, three senior Air and Space Force generals discussed how their respective combatant commands are working to do just that. Space Force Gen. Stephen N. Whiting, commander of U.S. Space Command; Air Force Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command; and Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael J. Lutton, deputy commander of U.S. Strategic Command, spent just under 45 minutes discussing what they view as the biggest threats to the homeland and how they foresee the development of the Golden Dome for America missile defense system, among other topics. Regarding the threat assessment to North America, two of the three leaders agreed that cyberattacks from U.S. adversaries are near the top if not at the top of the list. "The cyber threat is the most persistent and present threat that we have. I'm often asked when doing congressional testimony, 'What's our next attack going to be?' And I say we are under attack right this second in cyber[space] from nation states and proxies to them, trying to get into our systems to the tune of hundreds of millions [of] attempts a day," said Guillot, whose combined NORAD and Northcom commands focus on homeland defense in all domains. Lutton, whose command conducts global operations to deter strategic attacks particularly nuclear and employs tailored forces to guarantee the security of the nation and its allies, concurred with Guillot's assessment. "With respect to cyberspace, the ability of cyber to disrupt or deny or degrade that has a different tempered dimension, if you will, than a ballistic missile [and] there's potential ambiguity with cyber that is very much a focus of [Stratcom]," Lutton said. As commander of Spacecom the command responsible for conducting, planning and integrating joint military space operations with allies to deter aggression, defend national interests, and defeat threats in, from and to space Whiting said his primary concern is Russia's reported development of a space-based, nuclear-powered anti-satellite capability designed to destroy or disable satellites, particularly in low Earth orbit. "If Russia were to launch that, of course, it would violate the Outer Space Treaty that they're a signatory to, [and] it would be an incredibly destructive and indiscriminate weapon that would hold all nations' space capabilities at risk," Whiting said. "And, of course, that's just something that we wouldn't want to tolerate," he added. In terms of the development of the Golden Dome which President Donald J. Trump authorized via Executive Order 14186 on Jan. 27, 2025 all three leaders said their respective commands are working closely together and with Space Force Commander Gen. Michael A. Guetlein, the director of the Golden Dome mission. Guillot said that as soon as Guetlein was confirmed to lead Golden Dome, he flew out to meet with Guillot and Whiting to begin basic planning for the program. "And the three of us left the room, without any exaggeration, 100% aligned with what we thought Golden Dome for America should look like," Guillot said. He added that the program is moving along at such a clip that it might have demonstrable capability much faster than initially anticipated. "When Golden Dome first was discussed, I think some thought it would be a 2040 ... type of capability [but] it's not; it's much closer, and a lot of the capabilities are [already] there," Guillot said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address February 25, 2026 By Army Master Sgt. Zach Sheely, National Guard Bureau Hegseth: National Guard Aligned With National Defense Strategy - Homeland First, Borders Secured, Peace Through Strength Secretary of War Pete Hegseth addressed National Guard leaders today at the Herbert R. Temple Army National Guard Readiness Center in Arlington, Virginia, where he underscored the War Department's top priorities: restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military and reestablishing deterrence. In attendance were: the National Guard adjutants general the senior Army and Air National Guard officers representing each state, three territories and the District of Columbia; along with Air Force Gen. Steven Nordhaus, National Guard Bureau chief, and Senior Enlisted Advisor John Raines; as well as Army Gen. Thomas Carden, National Guard Bureau vice chief. During the meeting, Hegseth outlined the guard's critical alignment with the 2026 National Defense Strategy the War Department's guiding document for implementing the core pillars of President Donald J. Trump's National Security Strategy: America first, peace through strength and common sense. Hegseth praised the "great work being done" by the National Guard in support of the NDS, which prioritizes homeland defense first, deterring China in the Indo-Pacific region through strength rather than confrontation, increasing burden-sharing with allies and partners and supercharging the U.S. defense industrial base. "This group is central to reestablishing the United States' deterrence," Hegseth told the adjutants general. "That charge fell quickly to the National Guard, which has been instrumental in establishing 100% operational control of our southern border the baseline of our deterrence. The guard fills gaps as we are layering more effects to close them." Hegseth emphasized that the U.S. cannot be a sovereign country without control of its own borders. Since January 2025, more than 18,000 National Guardsmen have supported operations on the southern border, contributing to the lowest level of U.S.-Mexico border crossings in over 50 years. The secretary also highlighted cities like Memphis, Tennessee, New Orleans and Washington, which have each seen sharp reductions in violent crime, due in part to a uniformed National Guard presence working alongside law enforcement partners, as Trump spotlighted in yesterday's State of the Union. "I salute those who embraced coming alongside law enforcement agencies to make our cities safer," Hegseth said. "It's just like in the aftermath of natural disasters the guard adds huge value, and they make people feel safer where they live. Their incredible professionalism goes a long way." During the State of the Union, Trump awarded two West Virginia National Guardsmen, Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, the Purple Heart, following the attack in Washington that took Beckstrom's life while both were on duty as part of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force. "President Trump showcased our best warriors, past and present," Hegseth said. "They don't do it to be recognized." The secretary reminded the generals that the National Guard is vital to homeland defense. Army Guardsmen in Alaska, California and Colorado operate the department's only capability to defeat intercontinental ballistic missile strikes with defensive interceptor missiles. Sixteen of the 17 Aerospace Alert Control sites are operated by Air Guardsmen in conjunction with North American Aerospace Defense Command, to launch fighters at any time to intercept, inspect, influence and defeat potential airborne threats, 24/7. National Guardsmen also sustain enduring missions in counter-drug operations and cyber defense. With 435,000 total service members, the National Guard provides 20% of the U.S. joint force at about 4% of DOW's budget. Regarding force strength, the Army Guard constitutes 40% of the Army's operational force, fielding eight full divisions, while the Air National Guard provides 30% of the Air Force's operational forces across 90 wings. Hegseth applauded the National Guard's integral role in high-profile missions such as Operation Midnight Hammer, which showcased exquisite warfighting capabilities and combat experience. "I don't have to remind you all of that," he said. "[Midnight Hammer] and Operation Absolute Resolve demonstrated the ripple effect of American power. You have to prove you can TKO again and again." Hegseth, a former Army National Guard infantry officer who served in units across six states, noted the unique skill sets that reside in the National Guard, where members balance civilian careers with service. He stressed the guard also advances both the second and third pillars of the NDS deterring China in the Indo-Pacific region through strength rather than confrontation and increasing burden-sharing with allies and partners through DOW's National Guard State Partnership Program. The SPP now encompasses partnerships with 116 nations linked to the National Guard of a state, territory or D.C. Of those, 18 are in the Indo-Pacific area of operations, and 30 are in Central and South America, supporting counter-narco-terrorism efforts and enabling partners to lead regionally. Globally, the U.S. is enabling allies and partners to "step up and take the lead" in their own defense. Hegseth applauded the guard's partnerships in the Western Hemisphere, where he said the department has "only just begun to counter narco-terrorists and cartels." "Military-to-military partnerships pay off in spades, and the SPP is a bedrock of that," he said. "Countries are ready to go when they see we are with them." He noted the ingenuity of guard soldiers and airmen in leveraging skills and experience to help shape future warfighting equipment. "We welcome your feedback and bottom-up input from the troop-level to know we're fielding the right systems, when and where we need them." On the personnel side, Hegseth said one facet of restoring the warrior ethos is to reduce or eliminate unnecessary "mandatory" trainings and slideshow briefings and instead, empower commanders and noncommissioned officers to lead lethality-focused training. "We hope it makes drill weekend and annual training a little better," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU Statement - UN Security Council Arria-formula Meeting: Red Hand Day 2026 on Safe Education to Prevent the Recruitment and Use of Children in Armed Conflict European External Action Service (EEAS) 25.02.2026 New York 24 February 2026, New York - Statement on behalf of the European Union by H.E. Ambassador Hedda Samson, Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, at the Arria-formula Meeting on Red Hand Day 2026: Safe Education to Prevent the Recruitment and Use of Children in Armed Conflict Check against delivery Chair, I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union. We thank Panama and the co-sponsors Austria, Greece, Japan, Liberia and Uruguay for organising this meeting on the occasion of Red Hand Day, as well as the briefers for stressing the important connection between education and child protection in conflict settings. The Secretary General's latest report on Children and Armed Conflict refers to the recruitment and use of 7,402 children by parties to conflict in 2024 - representing only verified cases, and therefore unfortunately just the tip of the iceberg. One third of these children were girls, specifically targeted and subjected to severe violations, including forced marriage and sexual exploitation. Securing access to safe and inclusive education is central to preventing the recruitment of children in conflict settings, and to reintegration efforts for children released from armed groups. For many children, school - whether in formal classrooms, temporary learning spaces or simple community-based settings - is the only constant in an insecure daily environment. This crucial importance of education was highlighted during a consultation conducted by the EU with children living in conflict-affected settings in preparation for this year's Human Rights Council resolution on the Rights of the Child, which will focus on Children and Armed Conflict. Twenty-four children between 12 and 17 years old from ten different countries were consulted in a child-friendly online meeting, organised in cooperation with civil society. The children called for several recommendations to be included in the HRC resolution. Their top priority was that States should build safe learning spaces, protect schools from military use, invest in alternative and remote learning, and guarantee access to education so that children do not fall behind in their studies. However, the Secretary General's report confirms that we currently fail to fulfil this straightforward request. It documents not only an increase in verified violations against children across the board, but in particular a significant rise in attacks affecting schools and education personnel. The EU calls on all parties to the conflict to uphold international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, respect the protections afforded to education facilities, and hold accountable those responsible for attacks. Regarding reintegration, children released from armed groups require sustained support. Education systems need the capacity to welcome these children without stigma, through support from trained teachers, psychosocial care and flexible learning pathways. Programmes that combine education with child protection, mental health care, and assistance to displaced families have proven effective in reducing vulnerability, strengthening resilience and preventing re-recruitment. These approaches must consider the different experiences of girls and boys, ensure accessibility for children with disabilities, and provide confidential, survivor-centred support for victims of gender-based violence. We encourage Member States that have not yet done so to endorse and implement the Paris Principles and Commitments, building towards the 20th anniversary that we will celebrate in 2027, the Vancouver Principles and the Safe Schools Declaration, and to abide by the principles of the Political Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas; and encourage endorsers to uphold their commitments, ensure their full implementation, and exchange lessons learned and good practices. We also call on States and other parties to conflict to actively participate in the protection of children in armed conflict by developing concrete Action Plans and supporting the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism and relevant Country Task Forces. The EU remains a staunch supporter of the mandate of the SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict, and welcomes its recent extension by the General Assembly for a four-year period. Let us not forget that children are powerful agents for change, and quality education is the key to empowering them. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Somalia's humanitarian crisis worsening with 6.5 million people facing high levels of hunger, Federal Government and United Nations warn Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) From FAO Country Office in Somalia 25/02/2026 Joint News Release Mogadishu - Nearly 6.5 million Somalis face high levels of hunger, and more than 1.8 million children face acute malnutrition due to worsening drought, the Somali government and UN agencies have warned in a new report. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report indicates that a third of the population - 6.5 million people - are expected to face crisis levels of hunger or worse (IPC 3 and 4) by March, an increase of 1.7 million people since January. This includes two million individuals experiencing severe hunger (IPC 4). More than 1.8 million children under five will also face acute malnutrition in 2026, almost half a million of them likely to be severely malnourished. The drought is also having a devastating effect on agriculture, with widespread crop and livestock losses in addition to large scale displacements of people. "The drought emergency in Somalia has deepened alarmingly, with soaring water prices, limited food supplies, dying livestock, and very little humanitarian funding," said George Conway, Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia. "Urgent life-saving assistance is essential to save lives and prevent a collapse of pastoral and farming livelihoods, as the coming months are critical with no rains expected at least until the next Gu rains in April-June." Humanitarian needs remain immense, with current assistance addressing only the most basic survival requirements after critical funding shortfalls have left aid agencies with no choice but to reduce rations and the number of people who are able to be assisted with life-saving support, including food, nutrition, health, and water and sanitation. Although the Gu rains expected between April and June 2026 may provide some relief, the situation will remain critical, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA) warned on Tuesday. The country's food security situation is deteriorating at an alarming rate because of prolonged dry conditions. Intensified drought has triggered widespread food insecurity, mass displacements, crop failures, livestock losses, rising food prices, and disrupted livelihoods, the report says. It indicates that food security and malnutrition rates are expected to deteriorate rapidly until the end of March 2026 with two million people classified as living in Emergency conditions (IPC Phase 4). "The severity of this drought is undeniable and deeply alarming," said Mohamud Moallim Abdulle, the Commissioner of the Somalia Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA). "Millions of our people are facing crisis levels of hunger, with many families already in emergency conditions, and an unprecedented number of children suffering from acute malnutrition. Somalia is once again at a critical crossroads as climate shocks, displacement, and declining humanitarian funding push vulnerable communities beyond their coping capacity. The tragic loss of lives in Bardhere today is a stark reminder that behind this crisis are real families in distress. We urgently call on international partners, the Somali diaspora, businesses, and civil society to scale up immediate support. SoDMA remains fully committed to strengthening coordination, enhancing transparency, and ensuring the most efficient and accountable use of the limited resources available. Together, through collective action and shared responsibility, we can save lives and protect livelihoods before conditions deteriorate further." The drought is attributable to below-average rainfall during the Deyr season (October-December 2025) combined with current dry Jilaal season (from January to March). The effects of the drought on crops and livestock can be seen by figures which show that the Deyr season cereal harvest in southern Somalia is 83 percent lower than the long-term average from 1995 to 2025, while livestock conception and birth rates across the country are much lower than normal. Both the UN and the Somali government warned that substantial funding cuts have compelled humanitarian partners to scale back or suspend critical lifesaving programmes, including food security, health, nutrition, and water and sanitation interventions. The funding cuts come as humanitarian needs remain immense, with current assistance addressing only the most basic survival requirements. Childhood illness remains high across the country, with limited access to health and nutrition services and outbreaks of cholera, measles, and diphtheria in the southern and central regions of the country. While aid agencies in the country have the capacity and expertise to mount a comprehensive response and turn the tide of the worsening humanitarian situation, they are constrained by funding shortfalls. Note to editors The Government and the UN urge donors to act urgently to scale up life-saving assistance and protect the most vulnerable communities, by: Urgently scaling up life-saving humanitarian food assistance and malnutrition prevention and treatment. Expanding social safety nets, shock-responsive social protection, and human development programmes. Enhancing Early Warning and Anticipatory Action as a cost-effective way to mitigate the impact of predictable food shocks. Adopting a multi-sector approach by linking food security, nutrition, health, and WASH programmes to address underlying causes of malnutrition. In 2026, the funding requirement to continue providing life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable people in Somalia is $852 million. Sustained and flexible funding is critical to meet identified humanitarian needs, prevent further deterioration, and protect life-saving gains. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vice-Minister Verbickas met with the Ambassador of Israel Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Updated 2026-02-25 On 24 February, Vidmantas Verbickas, Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with Shelly Hugler Livne, Ambassador of the State of Israel to Lithuania. The sides discussed bilateral relations between Lithuania and Israel as well as the security situation in the Middle East. They also exchanged views on the situation in Iran and Syria. The Vice-Minister underlined the importance of regional stability and the need to uphold the principles of international law. In the context of cooperation within international organisations, Vice-Minister Verbickas stressed the importance of Israel's support for Ukraine. The Israeli Ambassador drew attention to recent statements by Francesca Albanese, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory. The Vice-Minister noted that representatives of international organisations, including the United Nations, should base their statements and actions on the principles of objectivity and impartiality. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A look at the Defence news 16 - 22 February Netherlands Ministry of Defence News item | 25-02-2026 | 09:56 Last week, amphibious transport ship HNLMS Johan de Witt set sail for northern Norway to take part in exercise Cold Response. Around 25,000 military personnel from 14 countries, including the US, will be participating in this large scale Arctic NATO exercise, which is part of NATO mission Arctic Sentry. The exercise will be held on land and in the waters around Norway and Finland. Navy ship to leave for Indo-Pacific Last week, the Netherlands Ministry of Defence announced that HNLMS De Ruyter will be leaving for the Indo-Pacific in mid-April for a five-month period. The air defence and command frigate will call at multiple ports as the Netherlands aims to strengthen its ties with various countries in the region. Maritime security and stability in the Indo-Pacific are in the interest of the Netherlands. With its presence, the navy vessel will contribute to the promotion of the international rule of law. Increased hybrid threats from Russia In addition to the war of aggression in Ukraine, a military escalation between Russia and the West has become a plausible scenario. The General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) and the Defence Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) are also concerned about the increased threat posed by Russian hybrid activities in the grey zone between war and peace. All of this and more is discussed in the joint AIVD and MIVD publication 'Tussen vrede en oorlog' (between war and peace), which was published last week. In their report, the services provide insight into the Russian threat that is manifesting itself in various ways in Europe. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PH-US talks ongoing to ensure 'stable' trade, investment ties: Palace Philippine News Agency By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos February 25, 2026, 2:19 pm MANILA -- The Philippines will sustain its active engagement with the United States (US) to ensure that the two countries' longstanding trade and investment partnership remains stable and mutually beneficial, Malacanang said on Wednesday. The statement came after US President Donald Trump earlier raised the global import tariff to 15 percent from the 10-percent rate initially introduced following a Supreme Court ruling that struck down his previous trade policy. Speaking to reporters, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the country's economic managers are already looking into the latest development. "In the meantime, we will evaluate and monitor recent developments. Our goal is to ensure that our trade and investment relations with the US remain stable and predictable," Castro said, citing the economic team's statement. Castro said the Philippine government would continue to engage with the US, considering that it remains a "major trading partner." A new 10-percent global import tariff went into effect in the US on Tuesday, despite Trump's recent threat to impose a 15-percent rate. According to reports, the White House said the planned 15-percent increase was still being worked on. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New naval craft shows Navy commitment to face modern threats Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno February 25, 2026, 1:57 pm MANILA -- The head of the Philippine Navy (PN) said its acquisition of modern naval craft showcases its commitment to address traditional and emerging security challenges in the maritime domain. PN chief Vice Adm. Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta gave this statement during the christening and commissioning of the country's first brand-new offshore patrol vessel (OPV), the BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS-20) and the last of the nine fast attack interdiction craft (FAIC), the BRP Audrey Banares (PG-910), at the Operating Base-Subic in Zambales on Tuesday, a Navy statement on Wednesday said. "Both ships are tangible representations of our commitment to protect our seas and secure our people. BRP Rajah Sulayman is considered the first of her class, and as a modern offshore patrol vessel newly acquired for the fleet, she harnesses our capacity for sustained operations to bolster national defense," he added. Ezpeleta said BRP Audrey Banares adds depth and versatility to our patrol forces, "reinforcing readiness and adaptability to address both traditional and emerging maritime security challenges." With the activation of these naval vessels, the PN chief said the Navy reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the nation's maritime domain and supporting national and regional security objectives. "As both vessels take their place within our fleet, I have no doubt that they shall be vital contributors to the conduct of our operations at sea and to the growth of our Navy," Ezpeleta said. The contract for the nine FAICs, also known as the Acero-class gunboats, worth PHP10 billion, was issued in February 2021. These ships are expected to replace PN's medium-sized patrol craft and help protect Philippine littoral waters. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Comms, sensor 'interference' hits PH patrols in WPS Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno February 25, 2026, 12:18 pm MANILA -- A ranking military official on Wednesday said naval and air patrols of the country have experienced "interference" in their communications and sensor systems while conducting patrols in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). In an interview with reporters, Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson for the WPS Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad was asked if PN ships and aircraft have experienced losing their Starlink internet connection, similar to what the Coast Guard had reported earlier in the week, when patrolling near Bajo de Masinloc. "What has been on record is the interference in our communication systems and the different sensors of our ships and aircraft when we do patrols in the WPS and Bajo de Masinloc," he said. "Interference" could mean the jamming of electronic or radio signals from platforms of unfriendly or hostile nations. Asked how the Philippines can counter the semi-permanent presence of Chinese maritime forces in Bajo de Masinloc, the PN official pointed to the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) shift to the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) in 2024. "The shift of the AFP to the comprehensive archipelago defense posture as mentioned by the SND (Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr.) in 2024, is in response to the threats to our maritime domain. We have increased our patrols. We have increased, improved our support and sustainment capability," he added. The CADC is a defensive shift tasking the AFP to patrol all Philippine territories, including its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. Trinidad said the military has also increased, improved and developed the capability of the islands to sustain the country's military forces. "These are all geared towards the maritime domain and securing and protecting what is rightfully and legally ours," he added. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hungary to Deploy Military Personnel, Equipment Near Key Energy Facilities - Orban Sputnik News 20260225 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Hungary will deploy military personnel and equipment near key energy facilities, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Wednesday. Hungary will strengthen the protection of the critical energy infrastructure in order to protect it from further hostile actions by Ukraine, Orban said in a video on social media. "Military personnel and equipment necessary to prevent attacks will be deployed near key energy facilities. Police with an increased number of forces will patrol areas around power plants, distribution stations and control centers," Orban said. On Monday, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that Hungary had blocked the 20th package of anti-Russia sanctions and the 90 billion euro loan ($106 billion) to Ukraine due to Kiev's shutdown of the Druzhba oil pipeline. On February 13, the Slovak Economy Ministry announced that oil supplies to the republic via the Druzhba pipeline had been suspended. The ministry expected them to resume in the coming days, but it did not happen. On February 18, the Slovak government declared a crisis situation due to oil shortages, deciding to allocate up to 250,000 tonnes of oil from state reserves to the Slovnaft refinery. Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova said that the Ukrainian side had previously postponed the restoration of supplies several times. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary of State Marco Rubio Remarks to Press US Department of State Remarks Marco Rubio, Secretary of State St. Kitts Marriott Beach Resort Frigate Bay, Saint Kitts and Nevis February 25, 2026 SECRETARY RUBIO: So this morning we were made aware by Cuban authorities of an incident off the coast of Cuba. We immediately began to look into it. As it stands now, the Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard, others are involved. The majority of the information we still possess is what Cuban authorities are providing both the public and the U.S. Government. We have our embassy on the ground in Havana working this as we speak, asking for access to the people that were on those vessels, if they were American citizens or permanent residents. According to the Cuban regime, that the boat was registered in Florida. We're tracking that down. We will know shortly. We will know quickly many more facts about this incident than we know right now. The majority of the facts being publicly reported are those by the information provided by the Cubans. We will verify that independently. We will - as we gather more information, then we'll be prepared to respond accordingly. I'm not going to speculate. I'm not going to - I'm not going to opine on what I don't yet know. But we're going to find out exactly what happened here, and then we'll respond accordingly. Okay. Any questions? QUESTION: Have you been in touch with anyone in Cuba? And I mean, what's your contact with SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, the authorities in Cuba, the border guard, has constant contact with the Coast Guard, so they alerted them this morning. I was made aware of it at that time. So oftentimes in these incidents and things like this, the initial reports are incomplete, and then as the day has progressed, I think early this morning - certainly by 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. this time, maybe a little later our time here - I reached out and we began to look at it independently. We have various different elements of the U.S. Government that are trying to verify elements of the story based on what's been provided to us. Now, I know that the Coast Guard has responded to the area, to the vicinity. I'll need to get more fidelity and understanding from them once I get on the airplane about what exactly they're looking for. I don't know who has possession of the vessel, which is the first thing we want to have. We obviously want to have access to these people if they are American citizens or U.S. residents. But I'm not going to speculate now because right now, still a lot of the information that's out there is information that's been provided by the Cubans. We are going to verify that information independently and reach our own conclusions. QUESTION: So this was not U.S. Government personnel? There was no U.S. Government operation happening? SECRETARY RUBIO: No, no. QUESTION: Have you spoken to any Cuban officials about this? SECRETARY RUBIO: No, we haven't spoken QUESTION: (Inaudible.) SECRETARY RUBIO: Directly about this now? No, I'm not going to comment about any conversations we've had on this topic. Suffice it to say what is important to be out there and everyone needs to know is that we're going to have our own information on this, and we're going to figure out exactly what happened. And there are a number of things that could have happened here. But I'm not even going to - I was about to say I'm not even going to speculate as to what it could have been. It's a wide range of things. Suffice it to say it is highly unusual to see shootouts on open sea like that. It's not something that happens every day. It's something, frankly, that hasn't happened with Cuba in a very long time. And - but we're going to find out. We're not going to base our conclusions on what they've told us. And I am very, very confident that we will know the full story of what happened here and we will know it soon, and then we'll respond appropriately based on what that information tells us. QUESTION: If these were American citizens or residents, what kind of retaliation might we expect from the administration? SECRETARY RUBIO: Yeah, I'm not going to speculate on what the U.S. will do. I'm going to - what I'm telling you is that we're going to find out exactly what happened, who was involved, and then we'll make a determination on the basis of what we find out. And we are going to find out. We're not going to just take what somebody else tells us. We're going to find out. And I'm very confident we will be able to know the story and be able to independently verify the facts about it. QUESTION: And just to clarify, you found out prior to the post on X from the Cubans, didn't you? SECRETARY RUBIO: Yes. Well, and obviously there was an incident at sea, so they - we do have constant contact with them at the Coast Guard level where they notify the U.S. Coast Guard on a variety of things, including migrants and so forth, that there's these mil-to-mil, I guess Coast Guard-to-coast-guard channels, that exist. And this reporting early on was fragmentary about an incident, but not the details. They provided more details in the social media post they put out as well as a notice they sent to the embassy, or from their embassy to the State Department. But in it is embedded all sorts of facts of things that they claim to be facts, which is where the ship came from, where the boat came from, who was on it, what happened, and so forth. These are the things we're going to - we're going to independently verify. And then we'll present that to the policymakers in our country, including the President, and we'll make determinations based on the facts. Right now, we're still gathering facts. QUESTION: But do you have any reason to doubt their version, or is it just that your (inaudible)? SECRETARY RUBIO: I have every reason to want our own information. We don't generally make decisions in the United States on the basis of what Cuban authorities are saying. QUESTION: Can I ask you about the oil announcement today by the Treasury Department about Venezuelan oil to Cuba that for humanitarian reasons - for private companies? Is this a shift in policy? What is the motivation? SECRETARY RUBIO: No, it's always been legal to sell to the private sector in Cuba, okay? These are - these would not be sales to the government. These would not be sales to the military-owned GAESA, the company. These would be sales to a very small private sector that exists in Cuba, and that's always been legal. I mean, there are people that have a license to do that now. This would just expand to the numbers that could do it. Again, it would go to the private sector. The private sector in Cuba is quite small. It exists, but it's small. And it certainly in and of itself does not have the capacity to deal with the scale and scope of the challenges they're facing. But if the Cuban economy were a functioning economy, it would have a much larger private sector. And so what's clear is that - and I would say this, that the people of Cuba are suffering today. They've been suffering for a long time. They're suffering now, perhaps more than at any time in recent memory, perhaps in the history since 1959. This is the worst economic climate that Cuba has faced, and it is the authorities there in that government who are responsible for that. They are the ones that have made decisions that have left Cuba vulnerable to the situation they're now in. Understand that Cuba has largely survived on the basis of subsidies. The Soviet Union gave them free things. When the Soviet Union collapsed, they went into a special period which was disastrous for them. And then along came Hugo Chavez and bailed them out for a long time. When that sort of died off a little bit, the Maduro regime was providing them fuel - or they were providing them actually crude oil. Some percentage of that was refined and used domestically, and a large percentage of that never even made it to Cuba. It was sold in the open market for cash to fund the regime and to fund the military-owned company. So the reason why Cuba's electricity grid was already in collapse - before Maduro was captured it was already in collapse - the reason why things are as bad as they are is because they have an economic model that does not exist, that does not work. It doesn't exist anywhere in the world. It is not functional. And the only way Cuba is going to have a better future is if it has a different economic model. Now, if you go back to President Trump's 2017 or 2018 executive orders on a new policy in Cuba, that policy was entirely designed in many ways to put the private sector and individual private Cubans - not affiliated with the government, not affiliated with the military - in a privileged position. The reason why those industries have not flourished in Cuba is because the regime has not allowed them to flourish. So now that they're in a crisis, there is an opportunity for them to import fuel - in small quantities, granted - through a private sector. If we catch the private sector there playing games and diverting it to the regime or to the military company, if we find that they're moving that stuff around in ways that violate the spirit and the scope of these permissions, those licenses will be canceled. But it's the same reason why we've provided humanitarian assistance. We've provided humanitarian assistance in Cuba in the aftermath of the hurricane; we provided it through the Catholic Church, not through the government. And we're prepared to do something similar when it comes to fuel through the private sector, the small private sector. But that alone will not solve Cuba's very dramatic problems that have been caused by 60-some-odd years of mismanagement, ineptitude, and a failed economic model. QUESTION: There's been some reporting that this was a boat, a private boat, that was trying to rescue or help some people escape Cuba. I don't know if you can comment on that and if you can say whether you would advise people to not do that. What can you say about that? SECRETARY RUBIO: Yeah. Well, first of all, I'm not going to comment about the specific boat until we have all the information. So I just want to be clear I'm not going to speculate about whose boat it was, what they were doing, why they were there, what actually happened. I'm not going to speculate on that because it's not smart to do that until we have all the facts. Now, separate from that, yes, there have been people in the past that have run into Cuba to bring people and so on. It is illegal. It is a violation of federal law to go and run people back and forth. And we've caught people doing that in the past. It doesn't normally lead to shootouts, to be honest with you. But I'm not claiming that's what's happened here. I don't know. We don't know. And it would be unfair for me - and quite unwise - to sit here and speculate it might be this and it might be that when we're going to know. We are going to know. And when we know, then we'll tell you and we'll do what needs to be done about it, depending on what it is. QUESTION: Secretary, do you have any expectation - can you share with us your expectation for - on the subject of Iran and the negotiations tomorrow, and your own plans in terms of Middle East and Israel? What should we be looking for next? What are you expecting next? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, I think tomorrow Steve and Jared will be there. I think they're on their way there now, actually. And the President was very clear last night that he always prefers diplomacy, but I want you to understand and everyone should know that Iran poses a very grave threat to the United States and has for a very long time. They are in possession - first and foremost, after their nuclear program was obliterated, they were told not to try to restart it, and here they are. You can see them always trying to rebuild elements of it. They're not enriching right now, but they're trying to get to the point where they ultimately can. The other thing I would point you to, however, is that Iran possesses a very large number of ballistic missiles, particularly short-range ballistic missiles that threaten the United States and our bases in the region and our partners in the region, and all of our bases in the UAE, in Qatar, in Bahrain. And they also possess naval assets that threaten shipping and try to threaten the U.S. Navy. So I want everybody to understand that, and beyond just the nuclear program they possess these conventional weapons that are solely designed to attack America and attack Americans, if they so choose to do so. These things have to be addressed. The negotiations tomorrow and the talks tomorrow will be largely focused on the nuclear program, and we hope progress can be made because that's the President's preference: to make progress on the diplomatic front. But it's also important to remember that Iran refuses - refuses - to talk about ballistic missiles to us or to anyone, and that's a big problem. QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, last night the President said that Iran was working to build missiles that will soon reach the U.S. Can you clarify if the U.S. assessment is Iran is actively seeking that capability? SECRETARY RUBIO: Oh, yeah. Yeah. So in QUESTION: And how far away are they from achieving it? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, I won't speculate as to how far away they are, but they are certainly trying to achieve - and this is not new. They are trying to achieve intercontinental ballistic missiles. For example, you've seen them try to launch satellites into space. You've seen them increasing the range of the missiles they have now, and clearly they are headed in the pathway to one day being able to develop weapons that could reach the continental U.S. They already possess weapons that could reach much of Europe already now as we speak. And the ranges continue to grow every single year exponentially, which is amazing to me. For a country that's facing sanctions, whose economy is in tatters, whose people are suffering - and somehow they still find the money to invest in missiles of greater and greater capacity every year. This is an unsustainable threat. QUESTION: There was a DIA assessment I think that said that if they chose to pursue this, that they would be able to develop these missiles that could reach the U.S. by 2035. Is that still SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, I won't comment on assessments or anything that the Intelligence Community says. Suffice it to say that it's a threat. We can see that it's possible. We saw North Korea do it. We've seen other countries do it in the past. And we would view that as a grave threat to the United States. But already now they possess missiles that threaten American interests. As we speak, they possess thousands of short-range ballistic missiles that can reach U.S. bases located in the region - in Saudi Arabia, in Qatar, in Bahrain, in the United Arab Emirates, throughout the region. It's a threat that exists already. QUESTION: Can I ask on Cuba? QUESTION: Is tomorrow the last chance for diplomacy, Mr. Secretary? If you don't reach a deal with Iran, is diplomacy off the table? SECRETARY RUBIO: I don't think diplomacy is ever off the table. The President wants diplomatic solutions. He prefers them. He prefers them greatly. He wants that more than anything else. So I wouldn't characterize tomorrow as anything other than the latest in a set of conversations, and hopefully they're productive. But eventually, we'll have to have conversations about more than just the nuclear program; but if you can't even make progress on the nuclear program, it's going to be hard to make progress on the ballistic missiles as well. So I wouldn't characterize tomorrow as anything other than the next opportunity to talk. QUESTION: Could you just clarify the President? The President said Iran just has to say we will never have a nuclear weapon. Is the question really them saying we will never have a weapon, or is it saying we will never enrich? They say they reserve the right to enrich uranium but they're not going towards weapons. So what (inaudible)? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, let me put it to you this way. Let me put it to you this way. If, in fact, what you're interested in is a peaceful nuclear program, you can do it like most of the countries in the world do it, which is they have above-ground reactors and they import the fuel. We have deals now to do that with countries. If what they really wanted was energy from it, they could do small modular reactors, which is something that's quite affordable and achievable for a lot of countries. But when you say we want to enrich and we want to enrich deep underground, and you have a history in the past of enriching to 20 and even 60 percent, plus you're building missiles that could potentially carry warheads, that doesn't sound to me like someone who's a country that's not interested in building weapons. So it's not just the rhetorical; it's the actions to back the rhetoric, which we simply haven't seen. QUESTION: So you're looking for a commitment to zero enrichment, just to paraphrase? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, they don't need to enrich in order to have nuclear energy. They don't need nuclear energy, by the way. They have plenty of natural gas. But if they wanted nuclear energy, they could have it the way other countries have it. The fact that they refuse to get it that way, the fact that they insist not just on enrichment but on enrichment in locations located inside of mountains, is - I think you would have to lack common sense to not know what that means or what that could mean. QUESTION: Democrats came away from the group of eight meeting kind of sounding alarmed by what they heard and saying that you guys needed to make more of a case for why the U.S. should go to war with Iran. SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, I don't comment about Gang of Eight briefings. There were various topics that were discussed. I don't comment on them. That's why we do them in a classified setting. I don't think anyone should leave those meetings talking about anything or even characterizing them. At least that's the way we handled it when I was on the Gang of Eight. Perhaps that's changed. But generally, that said, just outside of the Gang of Eight briefing - yeah, what's happening with Iran is very concerning. It's been very concerning for 40-something years, and it's become increasingly concerning as they have increased their weapon capabilities. So I don't think that's a mystery to anyone that Iran is of deep concern. Multiple administrations have confronted this threat. The threat has simply grown over time in terms of how they have been able to extend the reach of their missiles. And their insistence - their blind insistence - on being able to enrich and enrich in these hidden locations make you even more uncomfortable. But look, let's see what happens tomorrow. Maybe something good will come of it. QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, can you confirm or comment on reports that you've spoken with Raul Castro's grandson? SECRETARY RUBIO: I won't comment on any conversations we've had. Suffice it to say that the United States is always prepared for - prepared to talk to officials from any government that have information to share with us or viewpoints they want to share with the United States, and that's my job to do that. So whether it's someone in Cuba or potentially one day someone in North Korea or right now in Iran, we are always open to listen. That's different from a negotiation obviously, but we're prepared to listen to viewpoints that other people say. Cuba is a country located 90 miles off the coast of the United States. It has a very severe and catastrophic economic crisis on its hands. And if someone in their system has information to share with us about changes they're open to making or moves they're prepared to accept, we would certainly listen to that. And I would probably do that not in a setting in front of the media because I think it would be more productive that way, but ultimately actions will be important in something like that. QUESTION: I mean, can they negotiate a new system in Cuba? I mean, are you hopeful that there might be reformists inside who could have (inaudible)? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, I mean, the status quo is unsustainable. I had - we had a meeting here today with all the leaders of CARICOM, and it was one of the points I raised, and I think virtually everyone in the room agreed that Cuba's status quo is unacceptable. Cuba needs to change. It needs to change. And it doesn't have to change all at once. It doesn't have to change from one day to the next. Everyone is mature and realistic here. We're seeing that process play out, for example, in Venezuela. Many in the - many of the countries represented at the CARICOM conference today were themselves countries that went through transitions at some point in their history. But Cuba needs to change. It needs to change dramatically because it is the only chance that it has to improve the quality of life for its people and not lose 15 percent of its population since 2021. Fifteen percent of the people of Cuba have left since 2021. That is not a system that's working. That's a system that's in collapse, and they need to make dramatic reforms. And if they want to make those dramatic reforms that open the space for both economic and eventually political freedom for the people of Cuba, obviously the United States would love to see that. We'd be helpful. If they decide they're going to dig in and just continue forward, then I think they're going to continue to experience failure and the people of the country are going to continue to suffer. It'll be the regime's fault. QUESTION: Going back to Iran for a moment, President Trump said that the nuclear sites have been obliterated under Operation Midnight Hammer. What has changed since then? Have you seen movement of material? What is it that (inaudible)? SECRETARY RUBIO: No, you have. There's been reporting. I don't know if your outlet has, but others have reported on it. I think it's pretty clear that they have not abandoned their desire to enrich again. They've not abandoned that. In fact, they have publicly insisted that they have the right to do so. I won't comment on the intelligence picture, but I can tell you that there's reason to believe that they, given the opportunity, will return to enrichment one day. They've been set back, so it's - but they can - if they try to rebuild it, we'll have to address it. And - because that was made clear to them. QUESTION: And you said earlier this month that in order to achieve a meaningful agreement, that there would have to be discussion of ballistic missiles, of their actions SECRETARY RUBIO: Yeah, I said that here today again, now. QUESTION: Yeah. SECRETARY RUBIO: I said it again. It's important. These ballistic missiles are a grave threat. QUESTION: So is there any way to walk away from Thursday's meetings with something that is meaningful enough to stop U.S. military action? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, that's for the President - the President made no decision on that, so it's - I don't know if Thursday's the key date for that. I think progress needs to be made. It would be good if progress was made on Thursday. And I would say that the Iranian insistence on not discussing ballistic missiles is a big, big problem. I'll leave it at that. QUESTION: You talked about elections in Venezuela. I wonder what you're thinking of timeline for that. SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, I don't know if we'd set an artificial timeline. The important part is just if you think about it logically, it's hard to have elections where many of the people that may want to participate in have been in jail or are still overseas. So I do think that as we enter this recovery phase, which we think - we - I think we've done a pretty good job working with the interim authorities on the stabilization phase. You have not seen mass migration, you have not seen civil war, you have not seen violence; on the contrary, you've seen some real stability on the ground and you've seen a growing in productivity among their key sectors. I think now you enter into this - we're increasingly entering into this phase of recovery, and part of that is a national reconciliation. So there have been very positive steps taken. Hundreds of political prisoners have been freed, the infamous prison Helicoide has been closed. You are - those are all very positive. You've seen an amnesty law pass. There was actually a real debate in their national assembly over the law and even amendments filed to it and so forth. These are all very positive. They're not enough, but they're positive, and I think that begins to create the groundwork for civil society there to function. To have elections, you need to have a number of factors. You need to have political parties that are formed. You need to have political movements. You need to have a media environment that allows people to campaign and get the word out. All of these things have to be in place, and you need to have candidates that can run. And so I think it begins by getting - a lot of the people that were in jail were in jail because they were candidates or they - because they were supporting candidates or because they were involved in their politics. So you have to have a real civil, political society in order to have elections, and that begins, in the case of Venezuela, by the amnesty law, by the freeing of political prisoners, and by the ability of Venezuelans abroad who want to participate in the country's political life to return. There are other factors that people need to consider. As an example, in order to have a real election, you will need to account for how Venezuelans living abroad can vote. Are there consulates set up where they can come in and vote? Because those were big polling places in the past, and in fact, Chavez prohibited consular voting at one point, and so did Maduro, because they were losing those votes big time, as you can imagine. So there - there is a pathway here. We're not even nine weeks since Maduro's capture. I think life in Venezuela today is not good enough, but it is substantially better than it was nine weeks ago, where this could have gone in a very different direction. And frankly, a lot of the so-called experts on many of your outlets were predicting this was going to be catastrophic and the whole thing's going to fall apart and it's going to descend into chaos, and that has not happened. But we've got to key on top of it. It has to keep moving in this direction. The trend line is good, but it needs to be sustained. This is still a process of recovery, and then you can move into that period of transition to something. In the end, here's the bottom line: For Venezuela to achieve its potential, which means to attract the kind of investment it needs to truly rebuild its economy and achieve its potential, it will need to legitimize its government through an election. They know that. QUESTION: Mr. - Mr. Secretary, yesterday was the four-year anniversary of Russia's war against Ukraine. There has been very little progress in ending that war. This week it's, we've been told, only bilateral discussions between the U.S. and Ukraine. SECRETARY RUBIO: Yes. QUESTION: Is there a point in which the administration will change tacks and increase pressure on Moscow, as has been called by Kyiv and others in the SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, the administration has continued to increase pressure on Moscow. As an example, the President levied additional sanctions late last year on their oil company, on Rosneft. The administration continues to sell weaponry to Ukraine. We don't sell weapons to Russia and we don't sanction Ukraine. We - the President values the fact that he is the only global leader that has any chance in the world of bringing these two sides together at a negotiating table. We're the only country or only entity on the planet that's been able to achieve having Russian negotiators and Ukrainian negotiators sit at a table and talk to one another. And for a war as horrible as this, this is a very important position for us to be in that we don't want to forfeit because if we walk away or if we foreclose that, then who's going to do it? The United Nations isn't going to do it. France isn't going to do it. The EU isn't going to do it. The Russians won't even speak to them. So we don't want to walk away from - we know that, at the end, that war in Ukraine does not have a military solution. That war will be settled through a negotiation, and right now we are the only country in the world that can be a catalyst for negotiation. If we forfeit that role, no one else can do it. That said, do I believe the President's patience is infinite? I do not. But I am not going to forecast for you when that runs out or at what point he decides not to do it any longer. I can tell you, and I think you've heard him express, a deep frustration that this has not come to an end, because he sees it as a completely stupid and senseless war in which every single week 7-8,000 soldiers are being killed on the battlefield, numbers that would be staggering in the context of any other conflict in the world. And that's what's happening, and it's doing tremendous damage to Russia, but it's also doing generational damage in Ukraine - every day that goes by, more and more destruction, and it could take a generation for that country to rebuild, not to mention the suffering of its people that they've gone through this winter has been horrific. QUESTION: But why is that frustration equally levied at both Zelenskyy and Putin when it is Moscow that is continuing to strike civilian infrastructure, civilians throughout Ukraine? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, I - yeah. No, I go back to the point I made to you, and that is that the reason why Ukraine's been able to sustain this war is because the United States has provided and sold weapons to Ukraine and has also provided them with intelligence assistance and the like, and also we've imposed sanctions on Russia. We've not imposed sanctions on Ukraine. So in that sense, the U.S. has not been stagnant here with regards to it. I think the President's frustration is generalized, and you've seen that expressed from time to time. He just doesn't understand how two countries in such a vicious, horrific, and bloody war cannot reach an understanding on how to end it. He wants to see it ended, and he's done a lot. He's invested a lot of political capital in this. I mean, the easiest thing to have done is to just continue with the previous policies that was just ending into a protracted conflict. The President's invested a tremendous amount of political capital. Steve has traveled I don't know how many times on his own dime all over the world to try to bring this to a conclusion. So we have a lot of people that have invested a lot of energy into this, and I think we've made progress on narrowing the issues, but I think some issues still remain that are very, very difficult, unfortunately. QUESTION: Secretary, the President has a trip to China scheduled the end of SECRETARY RUBIO: March something to early April? QUESTION: Yes. And last night at the State of the Union was the first time in two decades that China wasn't expressly mentioned in the speech. What's your view on the competition for the U.S. with China and China's access to things like cutting-edge Nvidia chips or other AI chips and things? SECRETARY RUBIO: Yeah. So I think we've reached a point at least of sort of strategic stability in the relationship. I think both countries concluded that having an all-out trade - global trade war between the United States and China would be deeply damaging to both sides and to the world. There remain issues of disagreement. There remain issues that we know in the long term are going to have to be confronted and could be irritants in our relationship. We've not been bashful in saying that we don't think the - we don't think it's sustainable to live in a world where we depend on some country for 90 percent of anything, whether it's supply chains or critical minerals or the like, pharmaceuticals and the like. And we have every intention of doing everything we can to ensure that our critical supply chains are diversified. And that will continue to be a point of contention, I imagine, but that's something that's critical to our national security and that we've been working on and will continue to work on. I also think that from a responsibility standpoint, the two largest economies in the world who both possess nuclear arsenals have to be able to talk, have to be able to communicate, and have to be able to interact. It would be reckless and irresponsible for the United States and China not to have meetings, not to have conversations, and not to have opportunities to - for our leaders to interact with one another. I just think it's - I don't know anybody who thinks that's a good idea. It would be foolish, and frankly, dangerous for us not to have a relationship with them, even as our areas of conflict and disagreement remain. QUESTION: Are you worried, though, about technology theft or that they're getting access to chips that export controls should be preventing them from getting access to - Blackwells and other things SECRETARY RUBIO: Yeah. And every agreement the President's made has all gone through a full national security review to minimize and mitigate against that. And obviously, no measures are perfect. They've also been developing their own native capabilities, oftentimes we would imagine by information they've garnered from other countries. These are all well-established things, but as far as the advances they have made - but yeah. I mean, that's what will continue to be part of the dynamic in this relationship and in balancing all of this out. But as I said, I mean, we've reached the point of sort of strategic stability. Both countries see value in that. We've gotten them to schedule more fentanyl precursors, which is important. Now we need them to act on it. We've seen them increase their purchase of American agricultural goods, but there are other areas where we wish they were doing more, and we'll continue to press on those. QUESTION: Are they going to take you off the sanctions list so you can go? SECRETARY RUBIO: We'll find out when I go. (Laughter.) QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, there were talks in Geneva this week between officials who deal with nuclear weapons from the United States, China, and Russia. I wondered if you could characterize how those talks - what came of those talks, and whether there's any sign that Chinese officials would consider some kind of trilateral nuclear nonproliferation treaty like the President has suggested he is seeking. SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, we think ultimately, in the 21st century, for there to be a true arms control agreement it has to involve China. Their stockpiles have increased dramatically. Their position, that they would argue that they're still way behind the United States and Russia, we think that's irrelevant. They certainly have the capacity to catch up and are well on their way to doing so. So we believe, the President strongly believes, that any - for any sort of agreement, a nuclear agreement, in the 21st century to be legitimate, it has to involve these three countries, the United States, Russia, and China, and we're going to continue to explore their willingness to do so. They have publicly said they are not willing to do it. I'm sure you've heard them say that. I'm sure they've reiterated it, and I know they restated that again very recently. But we'll continue to press on it because we think it would be good for the world if we could reach such an agreement. The President would be in favor of that if we could do it, but it has to be all three countries. QUESTION: But how do you compel China to - if they're saying it's just not in our interest SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, then, we may not have a deal. We can't compel them. They'll just have to argue to the world why they need to keep building nuclear weapons, and that's a sovereign choice that they can make. You can't compel anyone to make a deal. You can certainly create incentives for them to do it, but you can't compel it. So we could pressure, we can guide, we can cajole, but we can't compel. So ultimately, if they want to make an arms deal with the three countries, we're prepared to talk about it. If they don't want to do it, then we won't have one. We'll just keep doing what we need to do. QUESTION: Could I ask you about Haiti, your talks with the - with Prime Minister Fils-Aime? What - what's the (inaudible) status there? I mean, what are you looking for from CARICOM to - or from the prime minister? Are you optimistic? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, yeah. I mean, a couple things. We had a rough patch there early this year when the transitional council said they weren't going to leave. We addressed it forcefully; they left. So we're where we need to be now. The gang suppression force is building. We are very happy with the commitments we have gotten in terms of personnel. We feel like we've got more commitments than we have spots available for that gang suppression force. We need to do a little bit better on the funding. We're still looking for donor countries to fill in gaps, but we think we'll get there. It'll be under UN auspices, which is important for the UN to show that it can solve a problem. And the goal of this entity would be to get on the ground and allow the Haitian authorities to hold territory from these gangs so you can have a baseline of stability that allows you to do two things: number one, rebuild the country without having to go through roads that have checkpoints run by these criminal gangs; and number two, hold elections, perhaps later this year. Maybe not in the middle of the summer when it's rainy season, but later this year. That's the desire they have as well. It's hard to hold elections, however, when you still have gangs conducting checkpoints, and those aren't going to be real elections. So that's why the gang suppression force is so important and why I'm very proud of the role the U.S. played in forming that. And I'm very happy at the role that countries like Canada and others have played. They're very forceful in helping us with this. There are a couple other countries we wish would step up and do a little more, and we'll be talking about that. I've raised it at every G7 meeting and we've gotten good response. Japan has now made contributions, and others. We need to get a few more donor countries up to the plate here. QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, in your meetings today, obviously a lot of these islands here have had good relations with Cuba. A lot of them have had these medical missions that they rely on. They send their own doctors, local doctors, to be trained in Cuban medical schools. Is this something that came up today? It obviously has been something that the U.S. is pressuring them to move away from. But are there alternatives to a place like St. Kitts that is so small? SECRETARY RUBIO: Yeah. Well, we're providing alternatives to them. We have medical missions that can provide an alternative. And in fact, we've met some of those folks in the past. The other thing with the Cuban medical program is the fact that these people are working - basically, it's human trafficking. I mean, they're barely even being paid. Their freedom of movement is tightly restricted. And we want these countries to understand that that's what they're participating in. They're paying this money to the regime, which collects the funds. They get paid for these medical missions. Virtually none of this money goes to these doctors, who are in many cases - we think it's like a version of human trafficking, labor trafficking, and we think it's wrong. Now, you've seen other countries that have decided, I'll just pay the doctors directly, but the Cubans won't allow it. So again, that's sort of the point we've raised with them. I mean, we're not going to cut diplomatic relations with countries in the Caribbean because they don't agree with us on it, but we make a forceful point about it, and it came up today. It wasn't the feature of the conversation, but it came up. All right, let's get out of here. One more. Are you guys all traveling? QUESTION: Yeah. SECRETARY RUBIO: All of you? QUESTION: Not all. SECRETARY RUBIO: Not all, okay. QUESTION: Coming back to Cuba SECRETARY RUBIO: Sorry, the plane ain't that big. (Laughter.) QUESTION: To come back to Cuba, some of the countries you met today have raised concerns about spillover and instability caused by the humanitarian crisis there. Is the move today on oil sales a sort of recognition that the humanitarian crisis is getting out of hand, that the U.S. blocking oil shipments SECRETARY RUBIO: No - I mean, no, first of all, forget about today. The humanitarian crisis is getting out of hand because the Cubans don't know how to run an economy. They're incompetent. They have a military-controlled holding company named GAESA which controls 40 percent of their GDP, and none of the money that that company has generated flows to the coffers of the government. None of that money goes to schools. None of that money goes to roads. None of that money goes to feeding the population. You have a country that has fertile farmland that imports sugar. This was one of the world's leading exporters of sugar; now they import sugar. They import almost all their food. They - it's a dysfunction. It's just not even an economy. It's a total dysfunction. That's their fault. As far as spillover effect, they're not more concerned than we are. We're 90 miles away, and the U.S. has experienced mass migration from Cuba in the past, certainly in the early '90s with the rafter crisis, but as recently as 2021 and '22 we were having people show up in the Florida Keys and stranded in the Bahamas. So we don't want to see it, either. And ultimately, as far as the move today with oil, this is existing - the law allows us to do business like fuel and even telecommunications with the Cuban private sector. The problem is the Cuban private sector is very small. If they want to open the gates and allow the Cuban private sector - independent of the military, independent of the government - to grow, that solution is there. What the Cuban people should know is this: that if they are hungry and they are suffering, it's not because we're not prepared to help them. We are. It's that the people standing in the way of us helping them is the regime, is the Communist Party. That's who's standing in the way. If they move out of the way, we're more than happy to work with individual Cubans so they can have an opportunity to feed their families and build their economy. But we are not the impediment. They are. All right. Let's go home. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government US Department of State Remarks Marco Rubio, Secretary of State St. Kitts Marriott Beach Resort Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis February 25, 2026 SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, thank you for allowing me to come. As you can imagine, last night we had the State of the Union; it was two hours, the speech, and then we got on a plane and came here. And when I told my colleagues I needed to come here to Saint Kitts and Nevis on a work trip, they were like, "Oh, sure, you're going on a work trip." (Laughter.) But in fact it is, with our important partners, allies, and friends from the region, and I want to thank you for giving me this small opportunity to share some time with you and to be a part of this gathering. I don't know when the last time - you said 10 years ago was the last time all the members were together, or the last time a secretary of state joined you? MODERATOR: They told me 10 years ago. That is what I am told. SECRETARY RUBIO: I was hoping it had been some 30 years since a secretary of state came. (Laughter.) Anyway, I'm happy to be here. This is - in many ways, the Caribbean Basin is home for me, having grown up and lived almost the entirety of my life in Miami, and during my career in the United States Senate followed very carefully the issues that impact this region. And I am very happy to be in an administration that's giving priority to the Western Hemisphere after largely being ignored for a very long time. There's extraordinary opportunities. We share two things: We share common opportunities, and we share some common challenges. And that's what we hope to confront. I want to start out by saying that I'm also happy to be part of an administration that is not constrained by outdated orthodoxy, outdated boilerplate platitudes about partnerships and the like. We are interested in rebuilding and constructing a new dynamic in this Western Hemisphere in which we partner with all of you on the issues we share in common. I won't go long. I don't want to go long, but I want to touch upon a few of those because I think they're important and they impact the broader Americas. The first is the one I've shared with many of you individually and will share with you again now: We believe that perhaps the most urgent security threat in the region - that includes us, but obviously all of you - is the threat of these transnational criminal organizations, many of you - many of whom have funding and power that rival if not exceed that of many of the nation-states that they threaten. We recognize that it is an interlocked challenge that comes from a broader perspective. Number one, they're obviously fueled by narcotrafficking and other illicit means. Oftentimes, those drugs and the proceeds from those drugs - those drugs are destined for the United States, but the proceeds from those drugs, the money they're ultimately making, is being made in the streets of our country. This is a danger in the countries that they transit, and it's ultimately a danger to the national security of the United States. We've also watched with alarm at the level of armament that these groups have. We recognize that many of these groups are buying weaponry from the United States, and that we are committed and continue to work very hard with our law enforcement agencies to shut that down. I hope you have seen, both in the case of Haiti but in other dynamics, that we have not shied away, not just from designating groups for what they are - these are terroristic organizations - but even individuals who are responsible for being supportive of them. We've also gone after them, and this is something that we have as a shared dynamic. We have a long history of working together on responding to these challenges, but I think our cooperation will have to grow even deeper and our commitment to it will have to grow even stronger because these groups grow stronger. I point you only to something not in the Caribbean Basin, but nonetheless indicative of what we're - the challenges that we're facing here, and that is the role that these drug cartels have established for themselves in Mexico. I'm not sure if you've seen some of the imagery of these groups after their leader was killed, but they're out there with full military gear, military weaponry, armed transports - very dangerous. And it is something that we need to address collectively and together. The second thing is there are extraordinary opportunities for economic advancement, to work together on issues like energy. Energy is critical for the future; it's critical for every economy in order to prosper. Many of the countries represented here today have energy resources that I know you seek to explore responsibly, safely, but in a way that generates wealth and prosperity for your people and your countries, and we want to be your partner in that regard. So that's another area of - that hopefully we can cooperate on very closely together. And I would add to that that part of the dynamics there is some of the regional - some of the regional opportunities that are occurring. Irrespective of how some of you may have individually felt about our operations and our policy towards Venezuela, I will tell you this, and I will tell you this without any apology or without any apprehension: Venezuela is better off today than it was eight weeks ago. The progress being made there is substantial, and there's a long ways to go. But the new interim authorities, led by Delcy Rodriguez, have done things that eight or nine weeks ago would have been unimaginable. They have released political prisoners; they have closed Helicoide, which is their most infamous prison of all. They are, for the first time in a long time, generating oil revenue that's going to the benefit of their people, using those funds not just to make payroll for government services but to purchase medical equipment that's necessary for their system. There's a long ways to go, and we're committed to making it work. We have opened - reopened our embassy in Caracas, where we have an excellent charge who's on the ground, along with other government officials, and we intend to continue to build on that. Now, we believe strongly - and I think all of you would share this view - that ultimately, in order for them to take the next step to truly develop that country and to truly benefit from that country's riches for the benefit of their people, they will need the legitimacy of democratic - fair, democratic elections. But our initial priority in the aftermath of Maduro's capture was to ensure that there wasn't instability, that there wasn't mass migration, that there wasn't spillover violence, and we believe we have achieved that. Now we are in the process from going from that phase of stability to a phase of recovery. That country needs to recover from a lot of things, including deep, internal fractures, but also some dysfunction that existed in their economic systems. I say all this to you because ultimately we do believe that a prosperous, free Venezuela who's governed by a legitimate government who has the interests of their people in mind could also be an extraordinary partner and asset to many of the countries represented here today in terms of energy needs and the like, and also one less source of instability in the region. So we expect to work very closely with all of you on that topic as well to the extent possible, and I think it's related to the topic of security that I highlighted. The third point is just the broader stability of the region. We want the region to be seen. And I include the region of the southern United States, which we know is part of the Caribbean Basin. We want it to be a place that is attractive for inbound investment. Many of you have taken on the - and done a tremendous job of seeking to diversify your economies and continue to seek ways to diversify your economies. To the extent that there are opportunities for American businesses or American investors to be a part of that, we want to facilitate that. We want to be a part of making that happen. Here's the bottom line: the stronger, the safer, the more prosperous, and the more secure that all of your counties are, the stronger, safer, more secure, and prosperous the United States is going to be. We view our security, our prosperity, our stability to be intricately tied to yours and we are going to evidence in the actions we're prepared to take and in the priority that we want to give this our intent to follow through on it, which is why I'm here today, which is why I wanted to come here today and interact with all of you collectively and a few of you individually in the time that's permitted to me. So I want to thank you for this opportunity to address you. I hope that my presence here today serves as a real-world demonstration of our commitment to being your partner, to - I don't even want to call it resetting relations because it's really not about a reset. I mean, we have longstanding ties to each of you bilaterally and all of you collectively, but reinvigorating our relationships because we have a lot in common to work on, both opportunities and challenges, and the United States is committed to doing that. And certainly over the next three years and I remain in this post, it will be personal priority to me. It will be one that I will be personally engaged in and it's one that I hope to leave for my successor, whoever that may be, a very strong and stable relationship that they can continue to build upon as well. So I want to thank you for this opportunity to address you and to join you here today in this gathering. (Applause.) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The UK strongly supports MINUSCA and its vital role in protecting civilians in the Central African Republic: UK statement at the UN Security Council Speech Statement by Ambassador Archie Young, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on MINUSCA. From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Archie Young CMG Published 25 February 2026 Location: United Nations, New York Delivered on: 25 February 2026 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) I will make three points today: on elections, on the security situation and consolidating peace. First, the United Kingdom commends the government of the Central African Republic for their efforts, working in coordination with MINUSCA, to ensure that presidential, legislative, regional and municipal elections took place and largely peacefully on 28 December. We welcome that the vast majority of polling stations opened as scheduled and particularly note the significant increase in women's participation as both voters and elected officials. These are encouraging signs and inclusive political participation will be crucial for strengthening democratic governance. Second, while the United Kingdom welcomes progress in the overall security situation in CAR, we are concerned at the continuing instability particularly in the border areas and the spillover from Sudan. We call on all parties to uphold their commitments under the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation and to implement its provisions in full. We are also concerned by reports of human rights violations and abuses, including conflict-related sexual violence, by security actors. We call for all perpetrators of violations and abuses to be held accountable. We also call on the Government of CAR to carefully consider its security partners. Third, longterm security depends on strengthening and sustaining the national disarmament, demobilisation and rehabilitation programme, alongside broader security sector reform and local peacebuilding initiatives. These efforts are essential to reducing the influence of armed groups and consolidating recent security gains. We encourage the Government of the Central African Republic to maintain momentum and ensure that these programmes are adequately supported and properly sequenced. We further call on those remaining armed groups to join the peace agreement. I also reiterate the United Kingdom's strong support for MINUSCA and its vital role in protecting civilians and supporting lasting stability in the Central African Republic. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 25 February 2026 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General. ** Guests Good afternoon. I don't have much for you today, but I have a few updates; but I do want to make sure you stay for our guests from the World Food Programme (WFP) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Ross Smith, who is WFP's Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response, and Rein Paulsen, FAO's Director of Office of Emergencies and Resilience, will both be joining us virtually from Rome to discuss the just-released Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system report on Somalia. And Somalia is one of these crises, as they will tell you, we have not been paying enough attention to. ** Sudan Let me start with another crisis that we speak about here almost every day, and that is Sudan, to tell you that we remain deeply concerned by the escalating harm to civilians as fighting intensifies in North Darfur State. Our friends at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) tell us that nearly 2,700 people were displaced following attacks on Misteriya town in the locality of Kebkabiya in recent days. A local organization, the Sudan Doctors Network, says that 28 civilians were killed and 39 others were injured in these attacks. We call again for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure and for the parties to the conflict to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law. ** Central African Republic This morning, in the Security Council, Valentine Rugwabiza, the Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), briefed the Security Council via video link. Reflecting on the elections late last year, she said the Central African Republic reached an important milestone with the first municipal polls held since 1988 and the most extensive electoral operation ever undertaken in the Central African Republic. Ms. Rugwabiza noted that serious security challenges persist, particularly in the south-east, in the Haut-Mbomou Prefecture. In the north-east, she added, the conflict in Sudan has driven over 11,000 refugees into the Vakaga Prefecture, adding pressure on already limited services, and it is also heightening local tensions. The Special Representative added that the Mission remains engaged with local authorities and communities and continues to consolidate its presence to enhance the protection of civilians. Finally, turning to the impact of liquidity constraints, the Special Representative said the Mission is implementing efficiency measures, while ensuring that available resources are dedicated to the protection of civilians, and that the Mission's footprint preserves coverage in priority areas. ** Western Sahara Also, I just wanted to give you a bit more update on Western Sahara. I can tell you that, in close partnership with the United States, as penholder on Western Sahara in the Security Council, Staffan de Mistura, the Personal Envoy of the Secretary General for Western Sahara, co-chaired negotiations in Washington, D.C. That was 23-24 February. That was co-chaired with Ambassador Michael Waltz, the Permanent Representative of the US, with vital support from the Senior Adviser for Arab and African Affairs to the United States President, Massad Boulos. This was the third co-chaired inter-ministerial meeting on Western Sahara since January. The negotiations saw in-depth discussions, taking as a basis Morocco's autonomy proposal, as per Security Council resolution 2797 (2025). This is encouraging, and significant work will still be required, including on the key issue of self-determination for the people of Western Sahara, to reach a mutually acceptable solution to the conflict. ** Occupied Palestinian Territory Turning to the situation in Gaza, today, Ramiz Alakbarov, the Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, started a two-day visit to the Gaza Strip. In Deir al-Balah, he met with UN agencies and our partners to discuss the challenges to humanitarian access and delivery that our colleagues on the ground continue to face. The agencies expressed their concerns about continued security incidents near the so-called "Yellow Line", which have resulted in civilian casualties. South of Gaza [City], Dr. Alakbarov visited the Abu-Jarad dumping site for solid waste and a debris crushing site. Our partners have been using this site to dispose of solid waste, given access restrictions to Gaza's main landfills. Dr. Alakbarov also went to the Rafah crossing and witnessed people returning to Gaza. Tomorrow, he will visit the field hospital in Al Mawasi, where we and our partners are helping patients to go to Egypt through the Rafah Crossing. Overall, since the ceasefire and as of this Monday, our colleagues at the World Health Organization (WHO) have facilitated the evacuation of more than 740 patients, including 432 children, through the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem crossing, as well as the Rafah crossing. However, 18,500 patients, including 4,000children, still urgently need medical evacuation. They need this to get specialized treatment that they cannot get in Gaza. To reduce reliance on evacuations, WHO continues to call for the rehabilitation and rebuilding of Gaza's health system, including allowing more medical supplies in, restoring damaged facilities and expanding essential services. WHO also urges reopening medical referrals to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem; greater acceptance of patients by Member States for treatment abroad; and ensuring that patients are able to return to Gaza after their treatment is completed. ** Lebanon/Israel I was asked yesterday about an incident that occurred yesterday, Tuesday, in southern Lebanon in Marjayoun, in which it was reported that our peacekeepers were targeted by Israeli fire. I can tell you that the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) clarified that UN peacekeepers, who happened to be in the area performing tasks unrelated to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) presence there. Those peacekeepers observed a group of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers dismounting from two vehicles and firing shots toward the Lebanese Armed Forces post. UNIFIL sent a "stop fire" request to the IDF through its liaison channels. UNIFIL confirmed that its peacekeepers were not the target of the fire. That being said, we once again call on all parties for immediate de-escalation and urge the parties to return to a cessation of hostilities and fully implement Security Council resolution 1701 (2006), which is essential for stability along the Blue Line. ** Waste Trafficking Lastly, I want to flag an interesting report from our colleagues in Vienna at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Today, they released an analysis showing that illegal waste flows are causing economic, public health and environmental damage, especially in low-income countries. The study shows that, although the illegal dumping, burning, movement, shipping and disposal of waste happens worldwide, when waste is trafficked, the least valuable and/or the most difficult and expensive waste to dispose of flows from high-income to low-income regions. These include plastics and e-waste, which can contain hazardous substances or harmful chemicals. Since waste is often trafficked to countries that struggle with environmentally-sound waste management, this has a significant negative consequence for people's health and the environment. UNODC notes that organized crime groups have been found to be involved in waste crime around the world. Corporate involvement in waste crime and trafficking is also common, they found. According to the analysis, legislative gaps, limited enforcement capacities, lack of traceability and low penalties are all facilitating a trade that some estimate to be worth billions of dollars. Speaking of billions of dollars, I have no money to report that we took in today, but our cashiers are open for business to accept cheques. So, Pam, if you're volunteering for some money, I will take it. ** Questions and Answers Question : Unfortunately not. I know, you may not want to answer this because it's an agency, but the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] reported a few days ago that the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia is operating on the sole remaining main power line after losing its only backup more than a week ago. I did ask IAEA. They're looking into it. They didn't think there was a change. How significant do you think... does the SG think that nuclear threat of a nuclear accident could happen in the Zaporizhzhia conflict one? Spokesman : Well, we've always, I mean, since Zaporizhzhia and other nuclear plants have been in the middle of this conflict, we've continued to express our concern. I think the IAEA is best placed to evaluate the technical risk, and we encourage the Russian Federation and Ukraine to work closely with the IAEA to ensure the safety of the plant for everyone's sake. Edith Lederer? Question : Thank you, Steph. Two questions. First on Western Sahara. I do not believe that we have ever been able to get any kind of an in-person briefing from Staffan de Mistura. Is that ever going to be possible? Spokesman : You know, I will say this because Staffan is a good friend, but I think Staffan is like me and is never shy of microphones or lenses. That being said, I think given the sensitivity of where the discussions are, he's decided not to speak publicly. As soon as he feels he can, I know that he will. Question : And secondly, on the turmoil in Mexico following the arrest of one of the cartel kingpins, does the UN have staff in Mexico that's been tracking any of this unrest? Spokesman : It's a good question. We have a number of agencies present in Mexico. We can check with our colleagues at UNODC if they have anything to say on that. Gabriel, then Namo. Question : Thanks, Steph. You mentioned that there's still 18,500 patients in Gaza that need to urgently be evacuated. Of those, 4,000 are children. What is the hold-up on getting children out of Gaza to get the medical attention? Spokesman : I mean the holdup is, you know, is bureaucratic, not enough access through the checkpoints. Also, as WHO said, we need more Member States to accept these cases, right? The last thing you would want to do when you're evacuating someone with serious medical conditions is just evacuate them and then hope there'll be an ambulance on the other side. So, all these things have to be coordinated. The treatment is by definition complicated. Egypt and other countries in the region, I know Jordan and others taken have people in, but we need more Member States to take in more people. Namo and Ibtisam. Question : Two questions. One, a follow-up on Kobani. Your colleagues have told us that there hasn't been any cross-border movement of aid from Turkiye to Kobani even though Kobani sits right on the border with Turkiye and OCHA [Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs] has relied on what you have inside Syria. Why is that? Is it because Turkiye is not allowing aid? Spokesman : No, I think if that's what they told you, you need to ask our colleagues on the ground, because I don't have the answer from here, and I would just ask them. So, I appreciate all your questions, Namo, but I think for some of the more detailed, granular stuff, you really need to get it straight from our colleagues in Syria. Question : Okay, and just one last question on the choice for the next Secretary-General. Has Mr. [Antonio] Guterres ever shared his views on why the United Nations has never had a woman serve as the Secretary-General? And does he believe it's time for that to change? Spokesman : Why it hasn't? I think you have to ask those who vote as to why. The Secretary-General, I think, will not express himself on the race as it heats up, so to speak. But, I think he has clearly said in the past that he thinks that there should be no question in the sense that a woman would make an amazing leader of this organization. Speaking of leaders of this organization, Ibtisam? Question : Yeah, thank you. Just a follow-up on your Western Sahara note, is there another meeting that is planned on that level? And also today in the afternoon, I think there is a closed consultation at the Security Council. Is there any somebody from the Secretariat who is going to attend? Spokesman : I'll check on the closed consultations. And these meetings will happen when they need to happen. Yes, sir? Question : Thank you, Steph. I wanted to ask about President [Donald J.] Trump's State of the Union address yesterday, as well as the new wave of sanctions on ships involved in selling Iranian oil. Firstly, did the Secretary-General watch the address? And is he concerned about any of the divisive language or the sanctions that were recently imposed? Spokesman : I don't think he watched it. I know he came back late yesterday. You know, I think in terms of Iran, we would like to see a de-escalation. And I think, like everybody, we're looking towards the talks that are scheduled to be held in Geneva tomorrow. Sinan? Question : Thank you, Stephane. I have a question on Iran, and I was a little bit late. I'm sorry if you made a statement on it. But, the question is, do you have any information regarding the reports, how many people have been killed in Iran? Because some official number says 3,000, and some independent agencies say more than 30,000. I wonder if UN...? Spokesman : No, we do not have... as far as I know, we do not have hard numbers. Whether you take the estimate brought by the Government or the estimate brought by other groups, it's horrendous and blood-curdling in terms of the number of people that may have been killed during the demonstrations as they only tried to express themselves freely. Question : Can I ask one follow-up? There will be any investigation by the UN in Iran? Because I remember there was some Internet-connection problem, some other problems. There will be any investigation? Spokesman : I mean, in terms... from the Secretariat point of view, the Secretary-General cannot lead an investigation without a mandate from Member States. What other mechanisms could develop, I think those are questions addressed to other bodies. Islam, and then we'll go back here, and then we'll go to our guests who've been very patient. Islam, did you have a question? Question : Yes, Stephane. Yes, thank you. I have two questions. One is about Sudan. Mona Rishmawi, a member of the UN fact-finding mission for the Sudan, prepared a report and said that "the threshold of genocide has been reached in El Fasher committed by RSF [Rapid Support Forces]". Have you received that report? Any detail? And also, any comment from the Secretary-General in this report? Spokesman : I mean, we're aware of the report. The fact-finding commission, like many of the other fact-finding commissions that exist, are very important cogs in getting to accountability, knowing that these accountability takes time, but they are very important human rights mechanisms. I think we've been talking almost here daily about the horrific situation in Sudan and the reckless actions of those who hold the guns in Sudan and the suffering of the people that they should be protecting instead of killing. As far as genocide, and I think you know the answer is that it's not for the Secretary-General to declare a genocide. It's for our part, for a competent legal authority. But, I think we have been very, very clear on the issue of atrocities in Sudan. Question : Thank you. And second question, there have been some videos circulating on social media lately, showing Muslim men, mostly elderly, being beaten on the streets by Hindu men in India, reportedly just for being a Muslim. Have you received any information in this regard? Spokesman : I have not. I have not seen those reports, but we'll look into it. Okay. Pam, and then we'll go to our guest. Question : Steph, a very quick follow-up to Edie's question. When you look into Mexico, can you find out if any UN staff is being asked to shelter in place? Spokesman : No, I mean, I think the shelter in place orders, from what I saw, were waived about 48 hours ago. And I'm not aware of that we have any specific presence in Puerto Vallarta. Correspondent : Okay. Thank you. Spokesman : Alright. Thank you. Let's turn to Somalia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Sudan: Funding gaps threaten nearly 2 million displaced people 25 February 2026 - Funding shortfalls are putting the lives of more than 1.9 million displaced people in South Sudan at risk amid rising humanitarian needs, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Wednesday. The warning comes as the world's youngest nation remains among the top displacement crises, with nearly 10 million people in need of humanitarian assistance including returnees fleeing the war in neighbouring Sudan. IOM requires just over $131 million for operations in South Sudan this year but faces a $29 million funding gap. 'An extraordinary burden' The UN agency and partners are supporting the authorities with piloting government-led solutions under the UN Secretary-General's Action Agenda on Internal Displacement whose goals include ensuring effective protection and assistance for those who have been uprooted, and preventing new displacement crises from emerging. "South Sudan is carrying an extraordinary burden, and funding shortfalls risk undermining progress toward durable solutions for millions," said IOM Deputy Director General for Operations, Ugochi Daniels, who is currently visiting the country. "Displaced families and host communities are trying to rebuild their lives, but the strain is real. Without sustained support and progress toward peace, these communities could face renewed instability and displacement." Conflict within and beyond borders Millions of people remain displaced within South Sudan and across borders due to years of conflict, flooding and instability. Major aid cuts are constraining the delivery of life-saving assistance and slowing progress toward longer-term recovery. South Sudan is also grappling with new arrivals fleeing the war between rival militaries in Sudan which erupted in April 2023. Since then, more than 1.3 million people have crossed the border. The majority, 67 per cent, are South Sudanese returnees. The situation is placing immense pressure on border communities, overstretched services, and fragile infrastructure. Ease the burden The northern town of Renk is among the main entry points for people escaping from war-ravaged Sudan, and humanitarian needs remain acute. "Emergency assistance, health screening, protection support, and onward transportation remain critical to stabilizing new arrivals and easing the burden on host communities already facing limited resources," IOM said. Ms. Daniels travelled to the city of Bentiu where families are returning home and rebuilding after years of displacement and floods. "Dikes, drainage, and water pumping, make this possible, but lasting recovery depends on security and continued investment in basic services and livelihoods," she wrote in a tweet. In response to the overall situation, IOM stressed the need for strong coordination and leadership grounded in close partnership with the South Sudanese authorities, reliable humanitarian access to people in need, and security for humanitarian workers. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Occupied Palestinian Territory Senior UN official discusses challenges to aid delivery with partners Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, the Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, is on a two-day visit to Gaza Strip. In Deir al Balah, he met with UN agencies and partners to discuss the challenges to humanitarian access and delivery they continue to face. He heard their concerns about continued security incidents near the so-called "Yellow Line," which have resulted in civilian casualties. South of Gaza city, Dr. Alakbarov visited the Abu-Jarad dumping site for solid waste and a debris crushing site. Humanitarian partners have been using this site to dispose of solid waste given access restrictions to Gaza's main landfills. Dr. Alakbarov also went to the Rafah checkpoint and saw people returning to Gaza. Tomorrow, Dr. Alakbarov will visit the field hospital in Al Mawasi, where the UN and its partners are helping patients to go to Egypt through the Rafah crossing. Overall, since the ceasefire and as of this Monday, the World Health Organization (WHO) has facilitated the evacuation of more than 740 patients - including 432 children - through the Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings. However, 18,500 patients - including 4,000 children - still urgently need to be medically evacuated for specialized treatment unavailable in Gaza. To reduce reliance on evacuations, WHO continues to call for the rehabilitation and rebuilding of Gaza's health system, including allowing more medical supplies in, restoring damaged facilities and expanding essential services. It also urges reopening medical referrals to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem; greater acceptance of patients by Member States for treatment abroad; and ensuring patients are able to return to Gaza after their treatments are completed. Sudan Escalating clashes in North Darfur State claim civilian lives OCHA is deeply concerned by the harm civilians are increasingly being subjected to as fighting intensifies in North Darfur State. The International Organization for Migration reports that nearly 2,700 people were displaced following attacks on Misteriya town in the locality of Kebkabiya in recent days. A local organization, the Sudan Doctors Network, says that 28 civilians were killed and 39 others were injured in these attacks. Further attacks have also been reported in the town of Tina in Sudan, just near the border with Chad. The deteriorating security situation in the area has forced the closure of a hospital supported by Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) just across the border in Chad. MSF's moved to another new hospital site nearby and around 40 patients were relocated over the weekend, in coordination with the Chadian authorities. OCHA once again reiterates its calls for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure and for 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. Posted on 25 February 2026 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Post-Election Progress in Central African Republic Remains Fragile, Mission Head Tells Security Council, Cites Security Challenges, Liquidity Constraints Meetings Coverage Security Council 10111th Meeting (AM) SC/16305 25 February 2026 While buoyed by the holding of combined presidential, legislative, regional and municipal elections on 28 December 2025, gains made in the Central African Republic in recent years are fragile and require international support to consolidate, the Security Council heard today. Another central and related point of discussion this morning was the future of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). While the Council renewed its mandate on 13 November 2025, the United States delegation abstained from that vote while suggesting that the Mission's responsibilities be assumed by national authorities. While the liquidity crisis has affected MINUSCA in the intervening months, many speakers would praise its support for December's important round of voting. "These elections which included the first municipal polls held since 1988 represented the most extensive electoral operations ever undertaken in the Central African Republic," said Valentine Rugwabiza, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for that country and Head of MINUSCA. This positive outcome results from sustained joint investment by the Government and MINUSCA to extend State authority and advance implementation of the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic. She emphasized that MINUSCA's multifaceted support contributed to a secure operating environment during the electoral campaign and on election day "including in most hotspot areas". Turning to security, she said that, while conditions improved in the country's west and central regions, challenges persist in the north-east and south-east. In the latter particularly in the Haut-Mbomou Prefecture ongoing attacks target civilians and local authorities, and 21 voting centres could not open on election day. "The insecurity has also exacerbated intercommunal tensions and further constrained humanitarian access," she added. Meanwhile, in the north-east, the conflict in Sudan has driven thousands of refugees into Vakaga Prefecture. While MINUSCA is working in both prefectures to enhance civilian protection, she said its operating environment was affected by liquidity constraints. On that, she reported that at the same time it was required to provide multidimensional electoral support and conduct disarmament operations in multiple localities MINUSCA advanced efficiency measures, forced strict expenditure controls and readjusted its footprint following a reduction of uniformed personnel. "These realignments have had an operational impact," she said. Stressing that the period following elections will be "decisive" for consolidating political, peace and security gains, she said MINUSCA will work to create the necessary conditions for the gradual, orderly transfer of its mandated tasks "commensurate with the capacity of national institutions to assume them". This, she concluded, will require joint planning with the incoming Government, unified Council support and the "financial resources necessary to implement MINUSCA's mandate". Calls for Sustained, Predictable Funding for MINUSCA "Looking ahead, we are optimistic," said Omar Hilale (Morocco), Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, as he underlined Bangui's efforts to achieve a "paradigm shift" from protracted crises and aid dependency to a path of sustainable development. However, he stressed that significant international support is still required as the Central African Republic enters a critical phase. The current electoral cycle must be successfully completed, security sector reform is essential and MINUSCA which is playing a central role must retain the expertise needed to support a transition to national ownership. Echoing these appeals to adequately resource MINUSCA, the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, also speaking for Liberia and Somalia, observed that the Mission continues to implement its mandate and support national institutions despite significant financial constraints. Those constraints, she said, could "slow down MINUSCA's operations, limit the mobility of its forces and undermine its ability to carry out its priority tasks including the protection of civilians". Urging sustained, predictable and adequate financing for peacekeeping operations, she stressed that this is "not optional". Welcoming the Mission's electoral-support and civilian-protection efforts, France's representative pointed out that these achievements are "all the more remarkable, since [MINUSCA] is operating in a context of serious liquidity constraints that hamper its means to act". Similarly, the representative of the Russian Federation said that, despite MINUSCA's measures to optimize resources and staffing "that were triggered, as we know, by a reluctance or unwillingness by individual payers to comply with their financial obligations" peacekeepers are effectively carrying out their mandate. "Their efforts contribute to safeguarding the gains achieved and ensuring their sustainability," said Bahrain's representative. "MINUSCA played an indispensable role throughout the electoral process," said the representative of Greece. The Mission also helped secure positive gains along the country's border region with Sudan, which he described as a "tangible achievement of UN peacekeeping". However, major challenges remain including addressing the plight of children which require more support. "We stand ready to help ensure that [MINUSCA's] current capacity is sustained in the months ahead," he said, noting the delicate post-electoral period to come. And while Bangui must ultimately assume ownership of its security, Latvia's representative said that, "for now, the support of MINUSCA remains indispensable". Unreimbursed Costs Shift Peacekeeping Burden to Troop Contributors While MINUSCA is a "success story of this Council", the representative of Pakistan which contributes more than 1,200 uniformed personnel to the Mission underscored that "indiscriminate financial cuts ultimately undermine both peacekeeping and the Council's core mandate". He also pointed out that troop-contributing countries have not been reimbursed for personnel costs since 30 September 2025 or for equipment since 31 December 2024. Against that backdrop, he observed: "This essentially means that the troop-contributing countries in addition to providing human resources and sacrifices also continue to shoulder the financial burden of peacekeeping missions while having little to no say in mandate formulations, changes or drawdowns." While noting MINUSCA's critical role in all key developments, the representative of the United States said that these successes "now necessitate a re-evaluation of the Mission's posture" both to consolidate gains and ensure that responsibilities are transitioned to the Government. "As we look ahead, we must ensure that MINUSCA consolidates, ceases efforts that are no longer necessary and transitions responsibilities to [Bangui] or other appropriate stakeholders wherever possible," he said. He added: "The ultimate measure of success is to create conditions such that the Mission itself is no longer needed." For his part, the representative of the Central African Republic stressed that recent events demonstrate that "any rushed transition brings about real risks for the stability already achieved". To illustrate, he noted that the temporary suspension of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes during elections was accompanied by an increase in security incidents in the west and central parts of his country. Against that backdrop, he stressed that the transfer of security responsibilities "must be part of a gradual process that is based on verifiable progress of domestic capacities". He went further: "A decision guided by conditions on the ground and not by budgetary constraints is the safest guarantee of a successful handover." Without Equity 'Violence Will Continue to Replace Peace Agreements' On the path forward, China's representative said that, following elections, "the priority must shift to strengthening national governance systems". Capacity-building support must be provided, and foreign investment is needed to help Bangui better leverage its natural resources, accelerate infrastructure growth and extend basic services to all its people. Speaking from her own country's experience emerging from conflict, Colombia's representative warned that, without equity, "violence will continue to replace peace agreements". Panama's representative stressed that post-electoral consolidation requires dialogue, respect for the rule of law and sustained State presence at the local level. He also called for "efforts to combat impunity", voicing concern over persistent attacks by armed groups in the country's east and south-east regions. Relatedly, the representative of the United Kingdom Council President for February spoke in his national capacity to express concern over reports of human rights violations by security actors, urging accountability and that the Government "carefully consider its security partners". And underlining the need to transform electoral outcomes into credible, effective institutions, Denmark's representative joined others in noting "historic gains" in women's representation at the local level. She stressed: "The faith placed by voters in this process must translate into a new political reality one of responsive governance, increased legitimacy and greater stability." Spotlighting the underfunding of the relevant humanitarian response plan and the reductions to MINUSCA's budget, she underscored that this is not the moment for either the Council or the international community to step back. "It is the moment to step in," she urged, adding: "We must now sustain the hope and progress that this milestone has created." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 25 February 2026 - Day 1463 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 216 combat clashes. According to the information, the Russian enemy launched one missile strike, used one missile, 36 air strikes, dropped 128 controlled airstrikes. In addition, used 2193 kamikaze drones and carried out 1866 shells of settlements and positions of Ukrainian troops. In the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursk directions, the Russian enemy attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders 12 times, two clashes are ongoing, carried out 91 shelling of settlements and positions of Ukrainian units, including 16 from reactive systems of arson fire. In the South Slobozhansky direction, Russian forces attacked 11 times in the areas of Pi any, Starica, Rybalkiny, Vovchansk and in the directions of Zelenoy and Lyman. Two clashes are underway. Six attacks were carried out by Ukrainian defenders in the Kupyans komu direction in the area of Borivskaya Andriyivka and in the direction of Novoplatonivka, Pi any and Kurylivka. One fight is still going on. In the Lyman direction Ukrainian warriors stopped 10 attacks, towards novoegorivka, drobisevogo, lyman and in the area of mirnogo. Yet another battle is underway. In the Slavic direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled two Russian attempts to advance in the areas of Yampol and Platonivka. In the Kramators komu direction Russian occupiers made three attacks in the areas of Bondarny and Minkivka. In the Konstantinivka direction, the Russian occupiers today stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders 16 times towards the settlements of Konstyantinivka, Ivanopilya, Illinivka, Berestok, Rusin Yar, Stepanivka, Novopavlivka and Sofiyivka. The enemy committed 50 attacks in the Pokrovsky direction. The Russian occupiers tried to advance in the areas of the settlements Rodinske, Kotline, Molodetske, Udaachne, Novomykolaivka, Muravka, Filiya and towards the settlements Bilitske, Grishine, Novopidgorodnoe, Novooleksandrivka and Novopavlivka. According to preliminary calculations, today in this direction Ukrainian soldiers eliminated 122 Russian occupiers and wounded 33; destroyed 37 unmanned aircraft, one motorcycle, artillery system, three vehicles units. Two units of automobile, one unit of special equipment and 12 coverings of the Russian opponent's personnel were struck. In the Oleksandrivsky direction, the Russian aggressor attacked five times in the areas of the settlements Zeleny Gai, Ternove, Vyshneve and Kalinovsk. The air strike was suffered by Pokrovskke, Gavrilivka, Eagles. In the Gulyaipil direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 30 Russian attacks in the area of Gulyaipol, Bilogiria and towards the settlements of Dobropillya, Zaliznychnne, Girke and Varvarivka. Two more attacks are underway. In addition, enemy aviation struck settlements of Vozdvizhivka, Gulyaipilske, Dolinka, Kopany, Lyubitske, Tersyanka. In the Orihiv direction, the Russian enemy attacked eight times in the areas of the settlements Stepnogirsk, Mali Scherbaky and Stepovo. In the pridniprovsk direction, Ukrainian warriors 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. As a result of active and resolute actions, units of the Sever Group of Forces took Grafskoye (Kharkov region) under control. Three mechanised brigades, two motorised infantry brigades, one artillery brigade of the AFU, and two national guard brigades have been hit near Nesternoye, Tsirkuny, Kamennaya Yaruga, Olshany, Zhovtnevoye, Martovoye, and Veseloye (Kharkov region). In Sumy region, units of an AFU air assault brigade, one territorial defence brigade, and one national guard brigade have been hit near Mikhaylovka, Kondratovka, Ugroyedy, and Miropolye (Sumy region). The AFU losses amounted to more than 220 troops, 11 motor vehicles, one U.S.-made MLRS rocket launcher, and three field artillery guns, including one U.S.-made M777 howitzer. One electronic warfare station and three materiel depots were neutralised. The Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. The Group's formations inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, one security brigade of the General Staff of the AFU, and two national guard brigades near Palamarevka, Blagodatovka, Novoosinovo, Staroverovka, one Grushevka (Kharkov region) and one Mayaki (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy lost up to 190 troops, one Bucephalus armoured personnel carrier, three armoured fighting vehicles, including one U.S.-made HMMWV armoured vehicle, and one UK-made Defender armoured vehicle, 18 motor vehicles, four artillery guns, one electronic warfare station, and three ammunition depots. The Yuzhnaya Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front line. Strikes were delivered at formations of four mechanised brigades, one assault brigade, one motorised infantry brigade, one mountain assault brigade of the AFU, one marine brigade, and one territorial defence brigade close to Druzhkovka, Verolyubovka, Kramatorsk, Nikiforovka, Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka, and Konstantinovka (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy lost up to 140 troops, seven armoured fighting vehicles, 11 motor vehicles, three field artillery guns, and two electronic warfare stations. One fuel depot and three materiel depot were defeated. The Tsentr Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Russian troops inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of five mechanised brigades, two jaeger brigades, one airmobile brigade, one assault regiment of the AFU, two marine brigades, the Azov Special Operations Brigade, and four national guard brigades close to Maryevka, Torskoye, Belitskoye, Krasnoyarskoye, Novopavlovka, Lenina, Sergeyevka, Kucherov Yar, Grishino, Dobropolye (Donetsk People's Republic), and Mezhevaya (Dnepropetrovsk region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 390 troops, an armoured personnel carrier, five armoured fighting vehicles, eight motor vehicles, and one field artillery gun. The Vostok Group of Forces continued advancing into the depth of enemy defence. The losses were inflicted on the formations of three mechanised brigades, one assault brigade, two air assault brigades, five assault regiments of the AFU, and one marine brigade near Zelenaya Dibrova, Dolinka, Komsomolskoye, Lyubitskoye, Charivnoye, Barvinovka (Zaporozhye region), Aleksandrovka, Orestopol, and Pokrovskoye (Dnepropetrovsk region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 355 troops, five armoured fighting vehicles, 11 motor vehicles, and three artillery guns. Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU mountain assault brigade near Dimitrovo and Shcherbaki (Zaporozhye region). More than 50 troops, 15 motor vehicles, three electronic warfare stations, one Israel-made RADA RPS-42 radar station, as well as two ammunition and materiel depots have been neutralised. Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack drones, missile troops, and artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have inflicted damage on the POL and power infrastructure facilities used in the interests of the AFU, storage areas of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 147 areas. Air defence systems shot down 115 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 670 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 117,299 unmanned aerial vehicles, 651 anti-aircraft missile systems, 27,873 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,674 MLRS combat vehicles, 33,474 field artillery guns and mortars, and 55,252 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Caribbean Basin Security Initiative US Department of State Fact Sheet Office of the Spokesperson February 25, 2026 Launched in 2010, the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) is a U.S. security cooperation program with thirteen Caribbean countries: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. Through CBSI, the United States works to develop Caribbean countries' capabilities to disrupt illicit trafficking and transnational crime, advancing Caribbean and U.S. national security. Disrupting Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking The United States works with Caribbean law enforcement agencies to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs), including TCOs involved in trafficking narcotics and firearms, and TCOs with linkages to South American and Mexican trafficking groups. CBSI works with U.S. law enforcement to provide training and technical assistance, including through the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Customs and Border Security (CBP), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Across the Caribbean, CBSI supports specialized, vetted law enforcement units that work directly with U.S. law enforcement to conduct complex narcotics trafficking and transnational organized crime investigations. CBSI supports the CARICOM Crime Gun Intelligence Unit (CGIU) based in Trinidad and Tobago. The CGIU works with U.S. law enforcement and uses intelligence to investigate firearms trafficking and gun crime in the region. CBSI also provides specialized training and case mentoring for Caribbean countries to investigate and prosecute money laundering and financial crimes and seize and reinvest criminal assets - targeting the sources of funding that enable TCO operations. Maritime Security The United States collaborates with the Regional Security System (RSS) to detect and disrupt illicit maritime trafficking in the Eastern Caribbean, including through the use of two U.S.-donated C-26 maritime patrol aircraft. The RSS serves eight member states (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) and plays a leading role in addressing operational security threats including drug trafficking, arms trafficking, and internal security challenges. The CBSI Technical Assistance Field Team (TAFT) is a small team comprised of U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army engineers and logisticians who help select Caribbean coast guards and maritime-patrol units improve maintenance and operational readiness through technical assistance visits. The TAFT operations support U.S. efforts to strengthen regional security by bolstering the maritime security and counter-trafficking capabilities of Caribbean nations. In May 2025, Trinidad and Tobago hosted the 40th iteration of Exercise Tradewinds - a USSOUTHCOM-convened training exercise. The exercise brought together more than 1,000 participants from 31 countries for multinational staff training, maritime interdiction, ground security, and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief operations, with the exercise scenario specifically focusing on countering a Regional Malign Actor (RMA) and Violent Extremist Organization (VEO) threat. Enhancing Public Safety The United States supported the development and deployment of the Dominican Republic's 911 emergency response system, expanding access to emergency services to nearly 90 percent of the country. U.S. support has transformed the Saint Lucia Forensics Lab into a Regional Center of Excellence, which serves as a regional training hub on cutting-edge forensic analysis and synthetic drug detection to support more effective prosecutions of transnational organized crime. U.S. specialized training and equipment support for the RSS Digital Forensics Lab (DFL) in Barbados has transformed the DFL into the region's premier hub for court-admissible digital evidence. For press inquiries, submit a request here . NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Swiss Government Press release Published on 25 February 2026 Berne, 25.02.2026 -- On 25 February 2026, the Federal Council has adopted the dispatch and draft of a federal act on space operations for submission to Parliament. The proposed legislation is intended to enable players in Switzerland to exploit technological and economic opportunities in space. It also sends a signal that Switzerland is a forward-looking and responsible space nation. The new federal act on space operations will regulate the requirements for the operation of Swiss satellites in space for the first time. The Federal Council wants all space operations to be authorised, supervised and compliant with international standards. The proposed act will also address liability issues and establish a national register for space objects. The Confederation thereby contributes to the safe, responsible and sustainable use of outer space. A clear legal framework in Switzerland will facilitate private investment in this rapidly growing sector, thereby boosting the international competitiveness of Swiss players and enabling the Confederation to address security-related challenges arising from space activities. Broad support shown during consultation procedure The consultation procedure has shown that there is broad support for the draft act among cantons, political parties, economic actors and the population at large. There is a need for reliable, future-oriented rules that are in line with UN space treaties. At the same time, there is a desire for as little bureaucracy as possible for the economy and the scientific community. Various points raised during the consultation procedure have been incorporated into the revised draft act. Taking responsibility in outer space The act on space operations is an expression of Switzerland's forward-looking and responsible self-image as a space nation. With this act, the Federal Council aims to bring legal certainty and help to maintain and support Switzerland's appeal as a location and boost the competitiveness of the Swiss space sector. Minister Anand and Minister McGuinty welcomed Republic of Korea counterparts to Ottawa Global Affairs Canada News release February 25, 2026 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, welcomed their Republic of Korea counterparts to Ottawa for the second Foreign and Defence 2+2 Ministerial Meeting. The ministers met with the Republic of Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Minister of National Defence Ahn Gyuback to advance shared foreign policy and defence priorities while committing to strengthen cooperation and reinforce their strategic partnership in a rapidly changing global environment. As announced in the Canada - Republic of Korea joint statement, both countries agreed to update the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Action Plan and further strengthen security and defence cooperation. This commitment builds on the launch of the Canada-Korea Security and Defence Cooperation Partnership (SDCP), announced by Prime Minister Carney and President Lee Jae Myung in October 2025. The joint statement outlines the creation of an SDCP Action Plan, setting out an ambitious series of initiatives to enhanced defence cooperation, deepen defence industrial ties, and contribute meaningfully to regional and global stability. During the visit, Minister Anand and Foreign Minister Cho signed the Agreement on the Protection of Military and Defence Classified Information between Canada and the Republic of Korea, marking a pivotal milestone in the strategic partnership between the two countries. This agreement will deepen defence and security cooperation by providing a secure and trusted framework for the exchange and protection of classified information and enable our respective defence industries to work more closely together. Minister McGuinty and Minister Gyuback also announced the initiation of measures to commence negotiations on a Defence Cooperation Agreement, including a legal framework to improve interoperability, and to facilitate cooperative activities between both countries. The Republic of Korea is one of Canada's most important strategic partners in the Indo-Pacific and advancing this agreement reflects the strength of our relationship. The ministers also discussed security in the Indo-Pacific including actions by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) that violate UN Security Council Resolutions, as well as unlawful military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK. The ministers highlighted the need for cooperation to counter cyber and foreign interference threats. Canada and the Republic of Korea confirmed that the first Canada-Korea Cyber Policy Consultations will take place in March 2026 to deepen cyber cooperation between the two countries. The ministers agreed to establish a formal Canada-Korea Space Security Dialogue. They acknowledged, that as the space domain is becoming increasingly contested, Canada and the Republic of Korea are well positioned to leverage their respective strengths to accelerate development and enhance collective security. The Foreign and Defence 2+2 Ministerial Meeting has become an important forum for both countries to discuss responses to global and regional challenges and to advance a shared vision for stability and prosperity, building on more than 60 years of close collaboration and friendship. The ministers reiterated their commitment to hold the 2+2 Ministerial Meeting every two years, with the next meeting to be held in the Republic of Korea in 2028. Quick facts This is the fourth meeting between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Canada and the Republic of Korea since 2025. They met in September 2025 at the UN General Assembly, in November 2025 at the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and in February 2026 at the Washington Critical Minerals Ministerial. In September 2022, Canada and the Republic of Korea announced the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) and launched the CSP Action Plan in July 2024. The Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement entered into force in 2015 - the first bilateral free trade agreement that Canada initiated in the Indo-Pacific region. Launched in 2022, Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy commits to advancing five strategic objectives from security and trade to sustainability and regional engagement. It reflects Canada's commitment to inclusive growth and partnerships that create shared prosperity with Indo-Pacific economies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Former U.S. Air Force Pilot Arrested for Providing Defense Services to the Chinese Military Wednesday, February 25, 2026 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs Former U.S. Air Force officer and pilot Gerald Eddie Brown, Jr., also known by the call sign "Runner," 65, a U.S. citizen, was arrested today in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Brown was charged by criminal complaint for providing and conspiring to provide defense services to Chinese military pilots without authorization, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA). Brown is expected to have his initial appearance before a Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Indiana on February 26, 2026. "The United States Air Force trained Major Brown to be an elite fighter pilot and entrusted him with the defense of our Nation. He now stands charged with training Chinese military pilots," said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. "When U.S. persons - whether military or civilian - provide training to a foreign military, that activity is illegal unless they have a license from the State Department. The National Security Division will use all tools at its disposal to protect our military advantages and hold to account those who would violate the AECA." "Gerald Brown, a former F-35 Lightning II instructor pilot with decades of experience flying U.S. military aircraft, allegedly betrayed his country by training Chinese pilots to fight against those he swore to protect," said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI's Counterintelligence and Espionage Division. "The Chinese government continues to exploit the expertise of current and former members of the U.S. armed forces to modernize China's military capabilities. This arrest serves as a warning that the FBI and our partners will stop at nothing to hold accountable anyone who collaborates with our adversaries to harm our service members and jeopardize our national security." "As an Air Force Officer, Brown took an oath to defend our Nation against all enemies foreign and domestic, he broke that oath, and betrayed the country, jeopardizing the safety of our servicemembers and allies," said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia. "We will hold Brown, and anyone conspiring against our Nation, accountable for their actions. The Department of Justice and my prosecutors are steadfast in our commitment to use every lawful tool available to keep American military expertise where it belongs - here in America." "Providing U.S. military training to our adversaries represents a significant threat to national security," said Lee M. Russ, Executive Director of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Office of Special Projects. "AFOSI remains committed to countering the threat posed by those who violate the trust placed in them and endanger our service members." As alleged in the complaint, since at least in or around August 2023, Brown willfully conspired with foreign nationals and U.S. persons to provide combat aircraft training to pilots in the Chinese Air Force, known as the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). This training was a defense service under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Brown, a U.S. person under the ITAR, lacked the required license from the State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) to provide that training to foreign persons or foreign military units. Brown served for over 24 years in the U.S. Air Force, leaving active duty in 1996 with the rank of Major. During his lengthy military career, Brown commanded sensitive units with responsibility for nuclear weapons delivery systems, led combat missions, and served as a fighter pilot instructor and simulator instructor on a variety of fighter and attack aircraft, including the F-4 "Phantom II," F-15 "Eagle," F-16 "Fighting Falcon," and the A-10 "Thunderbolt II" (Warthog). Brown then served as a commercial cargo pilot and, most recently, as a contract simulator instructor for two different U.S. defense contractors training U.S. military pilots on flying the A-10 and the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. According to the complaint, in or around August 2023, Brown began arranging the terms of his contract to train Chinese military pilots, using a co-conspirator to negotiate with Stephen Su Bin, a Chinese national who in 2016 pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California to conspiring to hack into the computer networks of major U.S. defense contractors and steal sensitive military and export-controlled data for the PRC. He was sentenced to nearly four years in prison. Su Bin and his company PRC Lode Technology Company were also added to the U.S. Department of Commerce's Entity List in 2014. Throughout these communications, Brown consistently stated his intent to train PRC military pilots in combat aircraft operations. In the resume he prepared for his application, Brown wrote his "objective" as "Instructor Fighter Pilot." A co-conspirator told Brown that he hoped Brown would be assigned to "my base, but otherwise you'll go where is the local equivalent as the [U.S. Air Force] Weapon School." Later, he stated to a co-conspirator that, upon his arrival in China, "Now.... I have the chance to fly and instruct fighter pilots again!" In December 2023, Brown traveled to China to begin his work training PRC military pilots. After his arrival, Brown answered question for three hours about the U.S. Air Force on his first day in the PRC and then, on his second day, prepared and presented a brief about himself for the PLAAF. Brown remained in China until he traveled to the United States in early February 2026. The charges against Brown follow similar charges filed against former U.S. Marine Corps pilot Daniel Edmund Duggan in the District of Columbia in September 2017. Duggan was charged with providing and conspiring to provide defense services to Chinese military pilots without authorization in violation of the Arms Export Control Act, as well as for conspiring to engage in international money laundering. Like Brown, Duggan received significant training during his career as a pilot in the U.S. military, then used that training for the benefit of the Chinese military. In particular, Duggan is alleged to have trained Chinese military pilots on the tactics, techniques, and procedures associated with takeoff from and landing on an aircraft carrier. Duggan was arrested in Australia in October 2022 and is currently pending extradition to the United States. In June 2024, the United States, along with the governments of Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand, published a bulletin warning that "China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) continues to target current and former military personnel from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) nations and other Western countries to help bolster the PLA's capabilities." In February 2025, Gen. James B. Hecker, the then-commander of NATO Allied Air Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, stated: "Once you fly on our team, even after you hang up your uniform, you have a responsibility to protect our tactics, techniques and procedures." The case against Brown is being investigated by the FBI's New York Field Office, with valuable assistance from the FBI's Louisville, Indianapolis, and Los Angeles Field Offices. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations also provided substantial assistance. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Beau Barnes and Acting Deputy Chief Sean Heiden of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven B. Wasserman from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, with assistance from National Security Division Paralegal Specialist Derra McQuaig. Substantial assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana. * * * An indictment, complaint, or criminal information is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Topics: Export Control Counterintelligence Component: National Security Division (NSD) Press Release Number: 26-191 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese premier chairs State Council executive meeting People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 09:36, February 25, 2026 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on February 25, 2026 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: February 25, 2026 17:05 China Daily: It's reported that U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation Christopher Yeaw accused China of conducting nuclear explosive tests, and said the U.S. will return to testing "on an equal basis" with other countries. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization said on its website that they detected two very small seismic events in China on June 22, 2020, but with this data alone, it is not possible to assess the cause of these events with confidence. What's China's comment? Mao Ning: The U.S. accusation is unsubstantiated and entirely groundless. China has reiterated on multiple occasions that it all along firmly supports the purposes and objectives of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and honors the moratorium on nuclear testinga commitment made by the five nuclear-weapons states. Shirking arms control obligations by vilification harms the U.S.'s own reputation. China urges the U.S. to abide by the moratorium on nuclear testing, uphold the global consensus on nuclear test ban, and stop finding false justification for resuming nuclear testing. RIA Novosti: Yesterday, the UK authorities have expanded the sanctions lists against Russia, adding around 250 individuals and companies, including legal entities from China and the UAE. I wonder what's China's comment on this? Mao Ning: China opposes unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law or authorization of the UN Security Council. China strongly deplores relevant moves of the UK side. On the Ukraine crisis, China has all along promoted talks for peace and strictly controlled the export of dual-use articles. The normal exchanges and cooperation between China and Russia should not be disrupted or affected. China will do what is necessary to firmly defend its legitimate and lawful rights and interests. DPA: Chancellor Friedrich Merz before departing for Beijing laid out five guidelines for his trip to China. This time, unlike the previous government, Merz didn't speak of China as a systemic rival, a term the previous administration included in its so-called China strategy. What is China's comment on this? Mao Ning: China and Germany are all-round strategic partners. There are successful practices of sound competition and integrated development between the two countries. China-Germany cooperation is mutually beneficial, bringing tangible benefits to our two peoples. Both sides should uphold the principles of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit, achieve greater progress in China-Germany relations, and jointly make greater contributions to world peace and prosperity. RIA Novosti: The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service said yesterday that the UK and France are preparing to transfer nuclear weapons to Kiev, because they believe Ukraine should be supplied with an atomic or at least a "dirty" bomb to claim more favorable conditions for the end of the conflict. What's China's comment on this statement? Mao Ning: I'm not familiar with the specifics. China always believes that nuclear weapons must not be used, a nuclear war must not be fought, and international non-proliferation obligations should be earnestly observed. Dialogue on the Ukraine crisis has started and it's hoped that parties can seize the opportunity and reach a comprehensive, durable and binding peace agreement. We call on relevant parties to remain calm, exercise restraint and avoid any moves that may lead to misunderstanding and miscalculation and even escalation. RIA Novosti: U.S. Republican Senator Ted Cruz on Tuesday claimed that the governments in Venezuela, Cuba and Iran could be replaced with regimes friendly to the United States within the next six months. What's China's comment on this statement given that Beijing has close relationships with those three countries? Mao Ning: China stands against interference in countries' internal affairs under any pretext and any violation of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and other countries' sovereignty. Nippon TV: Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has approved the proposal calling the government to ease the rules of limiting defense equipment exports, making it possible to export lethal weapons that were previously not permitted. Does the Ministry have any comment on this? Mao Ning: We noted the report and have serious concern over the move. Due to Japan's history of aggression, its moves in military and security areas have been closely watched by its Asian neighbors and the international community. In recent years, Japan has been revamping its security and defense policies, its officials clamored for the possession of nuclear weapons, and the country sought to revise the three Non-Nuclear Principles and lift restrictions on the export of weapons. The latest move has once again laid bare the Japanese right-wing forces' ambitions to breach the postwar international order, break free from domestic laws and remilitarize Japan. The international community needs to stay on high alert, jointly safeguard the outcomes of the victory in WWII and the postwar international order, and firmly reject reckless moves of Japanese neo-militarism. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Jimmy Lai reportedly wins appeal in separate fraud case, still serving 20-year sentence for national security offenses Global Times By Chen Qingqing Published: Feb 26, 2026 02:19 PM Jimmy Lai, founder of Next Digital, has had his fraud conviction in a Hong Kong Science Park-related case overturned on appeal. Lai is serving 20-year sentence in a separate national security case, according to local media reports on Thursday. Several legal professionals in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) told the Global Times that the fraud case is another case different from the earlier national security case in legal characterization, and the two rulings showed that the city upholds the independent judiciary and procedural justice. Lai, 78, along with former Next Digital executive Wong Wai-keung, were accused of breaching the lease by allowing Dico Consultants to use the Apple Daily building in the Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate and concealing this from the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation for nearly 21 years, according to local media reports. In delivering the original judgment, trial judge Chan Kwong-chi stated that Dico Consultants Limited was a private company providing management consultancy services, which were unrelated to the newspaper business. The Court of Appeal held that, under the requirements for the Theft Ordinance, criminal liability for concealment arises only where there is a breach of a duty to disclose. In this case, although Dico Consultants occupied the premises in breach of the lease terms, and Apple Daily Printing Limited, as the contracting party, had certain disclosure obligations, the Court of Appeal also considered long-established authorities. It found that, under common law principles, a contracting party generally has no duty to disclose its own breach of contract. Moreover, the lease did not expressly stipulate that the contracting party was required to make proactive disclosure. The HKSAR's Department of Justice countered that, whether the arrangement constituted "exclusive occupation" or "shared use," prior approval in the form of a licence from the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation was required. It argued that, as the tenant had enjoyed preferential land premiums under a "special lease," it bore a non-delegable duty of disclosure. Notably, during the appeal hearing, Justice Anthea Pang Po-kam, who sat on the panel, astutely observed that the tenant had made substantial investments and that the project was intended to promote Hong Kong's economic development. She questioned whether the arrangement was merely beneficial to the tenant alone. Her remarks reflected the Court of Appeal's independent and thorough scrutiny of both the factual matrix and the legal arguments in the case, Willy Fu, a law professor and director of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies, told the Global Times on Thursday. Lai received a heavy 20-year sentence for colluding with external forces to endanger national security, and that his unlawful acts had been punished in accordance with the law. The outcome of the fraud appeal falls under a different legal category from the national security case: The former concerns commercial contractual integrity, while the latter involves issues of national sovereignty and security, Louis Chen, a member of the Hong Kong Election Committee, told the Global Times on Wednesday. "The two cases differ fundamentally in legal characterization, standards of evidence, and sentencing logic. The judiciary's independent handling of the two cases demonstrates Hong Kong's rule-of-law principle of 'one offense, one judgment' and procedural justice," Chen said. The HKSAR's High Court sentenced Lai on February 9, 2025 to 20 years in prison. Lai was found guilty in December by the High Court of the HKSAR on two charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials. Mitigation hearing for Lai's case began on January 12 and concluded on January 13. This appeal process is a testament to the essence of the common law tradition. Hong Kong's judicial system, with its multi-tiered appellate mechanism, is designed to ensure that every case receives the fairest possible adjudication, Fu noted. Even after a trial court has rendered its judgment, a party who believes that there has been an error in the application of the law or in the assessment of the facts may still seek redress before an appellate court, he said. "Such an institutional design serves as a robust safeguard for human rights and the right to a fair trial." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Canada provides assistance to the people of Cuba Global Affairs Canada News release February 25, 2026 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada Cuba is facing rapidly worsening conditions driven by severe fuel shortages, prolonged blackouts and growing barriers to accessing food and health care. The energy crisis, further compounded by last year's challenges, including Hurricane Melissa, has increased the vulnerability of millions of people. Today, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), announced an accelerated funding of $8 million to be released immediately to scale-up food and nutrition for vulnerable Cubans. This funding is part of an international assistance program to strengthen local food security and nutrition, delivered through trusted partnerships with the World Food Programme and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), ensuring our aid reaches the Cuban people directly. Canada continues to monitor the situation in Cuba and remains in close contact with its partners to assess and respond to evolving needs. Quotes "As the people of Cuba face significant hardship, Canada stands in solidarity and is providing targeted assistance to help address urgent needs. Through trusted humanitarian partners, we are delivering timely support to vulnerable communities and reaffirming Canada's commitment to the well-being and dignity of the Cuban people." - Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs "Canada stands with the people of Cuba during this difficult time. Our support will be delivered directly to the most vulnerable to help address urgent food and nutrition needs and provide some immediate relief." - Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development) Quick facts Canada's international assistance in Cuba is delivered through experienced partners, including United Nations entities and Canadian non-governmental organizations. In fiscal year 2024 to 2025, Canada provided $8.3 million in funding for development assistance to Cuba. This support went toward strengthening nutrition and food security, supporting renewable energy solutions, advancing women's economic empowerment and preventing and responding to genderbased violence. Canada provided over $3 million in humanitarian assistance in the wake of Hurricane Melissa in October 2025 to support the emergency needs of affected populations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Armed attack against a patrol vessel of the Border Guard Troops of the Ministry of the Interior Republic of Cuba - Ministry of Foreign Affairs FEB 25 2026 Note from the Ministry of the Interior On the morning of February 25, 2026, a violating speedboat was detected within Cuban territorial waters. The vessel, registered in Florida, United States, with registration number FL7726SH, approached up to 1 nautical mile northeast of the El Pino channel, in Cayo Falcones, Corralillo municipality, Villa Clara province. When a surface unit of the Border Guard Troops of the Ministry of the Interior, carrying five service members, approached the vessel for identification, the crew of the violating speedboat opened fire on the Cuban personnel, resulting in the injury of the commander of the Cuban vessel. As a consequence of the confrontation, as of the time of this report, four aggressors on the foreign vessel were killed and six were injured. The injured individuals were evacuated and received medical assistance. In the face of current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its determination to protect its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defense is a fundamental pillar of the Cuban State in safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring stability in the region. Investigations by the competent authorities continue in order to fully clarify the events. Update on the armed infiltration attempt As part of the ongoing investigation into the armed attack against a patrol vessel of the Border Guard Troops of the Ministry of the Interior, in the northeastern area of the El Pino channel, at Cayo Falcones, municipality of Corralillo, Villa Clara province, the following update is provided: Authorities have confirmed that the intercepted speedboat, registered in the State of Florida under number FL7726SH, was carrying 10 armed individuals who, according to preliminary statements by those detained, intended to carry out an infiltration for terrorist purposes. The following items were seized: assault rifles, handguns, improvised explosive devices (Molotov cocktails), body armor, telescopic sights, and camouflage uniforms. Based on preliminary questioning, the following detained individuals have been identified: 1. Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez 2. Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez 3. Conrado Galindo Sariol 4. Jose Manuel Rodriguez Castello 5. Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara 6. Roberto Azcorra Consuegra Michel Ortega Casanova has been identified among the deceased. Efforts are ongoing to identify the remaining three individuals. All participants are Cuban nationals residing in the United States. Most have prior records involving criminal and violent activity, including Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez, who appear on Cuba's National List of individuals and entities designated pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373, international law, and Cuban domestic legislation. They are currently under criminal investigation and are wanted by Cuban authorities for their alleged involvement in the promotion, planning, organization, financing, support, or execution of terrorist acts in Cuba or abroad. In addition, Cuban national Duniel Hernandez Santos was arrested within national territory. He had allegedly been sent from the United States to facilitate the landing and reception of the armed group and has confessed to his role. The investigation remains ongoing until all facts have been fully established. Cuban Ministry of the Interior (Non-official translation) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Xi Jinping Meets With German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: February 25, 2026 22:29 On the afternoon of February 25, 2026, President Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. President Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Germany are the world's second and third largest economies, and the bilateral relationship not only bears on the interests of both countries, but also has significant impact on Europe and the world. The international landscape is undergoing the most profound transformations since the end of WWII. The greater changes and turbulence the world faces, the more important it is for our two countries to enhance strategic communication, strengthen strategic mutual trust and work for new progress in China-Germany all-around strategic partnership. President Xi Jinping made three propositions on further developing China-Germany relations. First, both countries should be reliable partners that support each other. China and Germany have pursued self-reliance and realized rapid development. Both have upheld mutual respect, mutual trust and open cooperation, and together written a success story of mutual benefit. China adheres to the path of peaceful development, and has the capacity and confidence to achieve Chinese modernization. China will continue to share development opportunities with Germany and the wider world. We hope the German side can view China's growth in an objective and rational manner, pursue a positive and pragmatic policy toward China, and work with China for steady and sustained growth of the bilateral relationship. Second, both countries should be innovative partners that champion openness and win-win results. The German government put forward new development strategies in such areas as technology, innovation and digital development. They highly resonate with China's objective of pursuing intelligent, green and integrated development during the 15th Five-Year Plan. The two sides should foster greater synergy between development strategies, support the two-way flow of talent, knowledge and technology, and promote dialogue and cooperation on AI and other cutting-edge technologies. Both sides need to correctly grasp the interplay of competition and cooperation, explore cooperation pathways that lead to win-win results, and jointly keep industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded. Third, both countries should be partners that understand each other and share close bonds through cultural and people-to-people exchanges. China and Germany, as major countries with profound cultural heritage, should strengthen mutual learning in culture and boost people-to-people exchanges, so as to cement the popular foundation for China-Germany friendship. President Xi Jinping stressed that as changes not seen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace, countries should tackle challenges together and pursue a shared future. China and Germany should uphold the central position of the U.N., reaffirm its leading role, and take the lead in safeguarding multilateralism, practicing international rule of law, defending free trade, and advocating for solidarity and coordination. China supports Europe in seeking to increase autonomy and strength, and hopes the European side can work with China toward the same direction, adhere to the positioning of strategic partners, and uphold openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, so as to deliver greater growth in China-Europe relations, and make bigger contributions to world peace and development. Chancellor Merz said that he was delighted to visit China during the nationwide celebration of the Spring Festival, and conveyed best wishes to the Chinese people for the Year of the Horse. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Germany and China have maintained friendly exchanges and close cooperation, which has delivered benefits to both peoples. The German side values its relations with China and firmly upholds the one-China policy. It stands ready to work with China to carry forward the traditional friendship, stay committed to mutual respect and open cooperation, and continue to deepen the all-around strategic partnership. The German business community attaches high importance to the Chinese market, and hopes to further deepen cooperation with China for mutual benefit and shared growth. Profound changes are taking place in the international landscape. Germany and China shoulder important responsibilities in jointly addressing global challenges. The German side looks forward to working with China to enhance coordination, jointly adhere to free trade and reject protectionism. To pursue reliable and sustained economic and trade cooperation serves the interests of both the EU and China, and also contributes to the stability and prosperity of the world. Germany supports the EU and China in enhancing dialogue and cooperation. The two leaders exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. President Xi expounded on China's principled position, and pointed out that the key to finding a solution lies in consistent dialogue and negotiation. It is important to ensure the equal participation of all sides and strike a solid foundation for peace; accommodate the legitimate concerns of all sides and enhance the will for peace; and realize common security and build a lasting architecture of peace. The two sides issued the Joint Press Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Germany. Wang Yi was present at the meeting. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister's Departure statement ahead of his visit to Israel India - Ministry of External Affairs February 25, 2026 At the invitation of my dear friend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, I will be undertaking a State Visit to Israel from 25-26 February 2026. 2. India and Israel share a robust and multifaceted Strategic Partnership that has witnessed remarkable growth and dynamism in recent years. I look forward to my discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu aimed at further strengthening our cooperation across various domains, including science and technology, innovation, agriculture, water management, technology, defence and security, trade and investment, as well as people-to-people ties. We will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. 3. During the visit, I will also meet with H.E. Mr. Isaac Herzog, President of Israel. I will also have the honour of becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli Parliament, Knesset, an occasion that would be a tribute to the strong parliamentary and democratic ties that bind our two nations. 4. I also eagerly look forward to interacting with the members of the Indian diaspora who have for long been nurturing the India-Israel special friendship. 5. I am confident that my State Visit will further consolidate the enduring bonds between the two countries, set new goals for the Strategic Partnership, and advance our shared vision for a resilient, innovative and prosperous future. New Delhi February 25, 2026 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister addresses the Israeli Parliament - Knesset (February 25, 2026) India - Ministry of External Affairs February 25, 2026 Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed today a Special Plenary of the Knesset in Jerusalem. He is the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli parliament. 2. Upon his arrival at the Knesset, Prime Minister was received by the Speaker of the Knesset, H.E. Amir Ohana and accorded a ceremonial welcome. The Prime Minister of Israel, H.E. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu; Leader of Opposition, H.E. Mr Yair Lapid; and Speaker Ohana spoke in the Plenary ahead of Prime Minister's address, expressing strong bipartisan support for India-Israel ties. 3. Prime Minister began his address by thanking the Speaker for the special honour. Highlighting the strong bonds of friendship between India and Israel, Prime Minister noted that the two peoples share both ancient civilizational ties and a robust contemporary partnership based on technology, innovation, defence, security and strategic convergences. He stated that the vibrant people-to-people ties based on cooperation in agriculture, rural development, water management, sustainability and enterprise have imparted a dynamic outlook to the relationship. Underlining the historical connections and two-way movement of people between the two countries, Prime Minister stated that the Indian community in Israel and the Jewish diaspora in India have made significant contribution to progress in both countries. 4. Recalling the uncompromising policy of zero tolerance for terrorism of the two countries, Prime Minister offered condolences for the October 7 terror attack and noted that there can be no justification for such brutality. He offered India's support to all efforts that contribute to durable peace and stability in the region. In this context, he highlighted India's firm support for the Gaza Peace Initiative endorsed by the UN Security Council. Noting the ongoing collaboration between India and Israel in the plurilateral arena, he called for deeper interaction between the two countries in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor [IMEC] and the I2U2 frameworks. 5. Prime Minister highlighted India's growth story and sought greater bilateral collaboration in the fields of trade, investment, infrastructure development, green growth, start-ups, digital solutions and emerging technologies, unlocking the innovation and creativity of the youth. Expressing satisfaction at the conclusion of the Bilateral Investment Treaty, he called for early finalisation of an ambitious Free Trade Agreement to realise the untapped trade potential. 6. Prime Minister called for greater parliamentary interaction between the two vibrant democracies taking advantage of the recently formed Parliamentary Friendship Group for Israel in India. Drawing parallels between the ethos of the two civilizations, Prime Minister noted that India's philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam [the world is one family] and the Israeli principle of Tikkum Olam [healing the world] speak of shared approaches towards a harmonious society. Prime Minister thanked the members of the Knesset for their contribution to India-Israel ties and conveyed good wishes for the upcoming festival of Purim. 7. After his address, Prime Minister was bestowed with the "Medal of the Knesset," by the Speaker of the Knesset, H.E. Amir Ohana. Prime Minister dedicated the honour to the enduring friendship between India and Israel. The full address of Prime Minister may be seen here [link] Jerusalem February 25, 2026 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Govt determined to expand capacity of indigenous defence industry for local production & exports, Indian diplomats crucial to realising the vision: Raksha Mantri to IFS Trainee Officers India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 25 FEB 2026 4:21PM by PIB Delhi The Trainee Officers of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) - 2025 Batch called on Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at South Block, New Delhi on February 25, 2026. Addressing the officers, Raksha Mantri voiced the Government of India's determination for expanding the capacity of indigenous defence industry for both local production and exports under 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', and the crucial role played by Indian diplomats in realising the vision. Enumerating the steps taken by the Government towards absorption of niche technologies in the defence sector, he stated that India has traversed a long distance from being a major importer of defence equipment to a manufacturer and exporter of platforms in all domains. Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted that the global comity of nations is closely following India's growth story and looking up to its leadership role. He encouraged the officers to work with honesty and integrity to further India's positive image. He told them that, while conducting their duties abroad, they should always remember that they represent the aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. He urged them to remain open to new ideas, people, and perspectives from every culture and carry with them the values of India's civilisational wisdom. He congratulated them for putting in hard work to join the coveted IFS. Before the interaction, the trainee-officers were briefed on various defence diplomacy initiatives, defence budget, Tri-service integration and defence acquisition by officials from verticals of the Ministry of Defence. The batch comprised 55 Trainee officers with 53 Indian Trainees and 02 trainees from Bhutan. **** VK/Savvy (Release ID: 2232685) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's missiles not a global threat, only meant for self-defense: Foreign Minister Araghchi IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 25, 2026 Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has denied US President Donald Trump's claims that Iran is developing missiles capable of reaching the United States, stressing that the Islamic Republic's missile program is solely for self-defense. Araghchi made the remarks in an exclusive interview with India Today in Tehran on Wednesday, hours before departing for Geneva, Switzerland, where he is due to meet American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner a day later for a third round of talks over Iran's nuclear program. On Tuesday, President Trump claimed during his State of the Union address in Washington, D.C., that Iran "is working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America." Responding to the India Today question about where Trump's claim originated, the Iranian foreign minister said that the US president has often complained about fake news and now "he is the victim of fake news." He emphasized that Iran is not developing missiles with ranges longer than 2,000 kilometers. "We are not developing long-range missiles, and we have limited the range of our missiles below 2,000 kilometers intentionally by ourselves because we don't want anyone. We don't want it to be a global threat. This is only to defend ourselves. Our missiles have a defense nature. They are only to build deterrence and to help us defend ourselves," said Araghchi. He added that an example of Iran using its missiles for self-defense was during the 12-day war of aggression that Israel and the US conducted against the country in June last year. "We did not initiate that war. It was Israelis and then Americans. We only defended ourselves. For them, that was an illegal act of aggression. For us, it was a legitimate act of self-defense." 'A fair deal achievable' The Iranian foreign minister also commented on the ongoing talks between Iran and the US, as well as Washington's military build-up near Iran and its threats of military action should the talks fail. He said Iran is ready for both war and peace, and emphasized that a fair deal is within reach, citing progress in the two rounds of discussions held with American envoys in Muscat and Geneva earlier in February. "I think a fair, balanced, and equitable deal is achievable, and we can do it. Of course, our armed forces are prepared to do their job and we know how to defend ourselves," he noted. That does not mean Iran wants war; rather, the country wants to prevent the war, he added. Araghchi also said "there is no military option for Iran's peaceful nuclear program," stressing that the country is ready to remove any concerns over the program without relinquishing its right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. "We are ready to answer questions. We are ready to remove concerns, but we are not ready to give up our right for peaceful use of nuclear technology." Elsewhere in the interview, Araghchi said that Israel is trying to drag the US into war with Iran and warned that any such conflict would engulf the entire region, as American bases, which he described as legitimate targets, are scattered "in different places in the region." "There would be no victory for anybody. It would be a devastating war...it is a very terrible scenario I don't even want to talk about that," he said. 4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Intelligence forces dismantle terror network in SE Iran IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 25, 2026 Zahedan, IRNA -- Iranian intelligence forces have dismantled a team of terrorists in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, close to the border with Pakistan. The provincial General Directorate of Intelligence announced in a statement on Wednesday that three terrorists were killed and 8 others captured in a joint counterterrorism operation, involving the Quds Base of the IRGC Ground Force, police, and the provincial intelligence department. It said the terrorist network, affiliated with Takfiri groups and foreign spy services, was behind the martyrdom of three law enforcement forces and a civilian at a checkpoint in Fahraj County, in the southeastern city of Kerman. According to the statement, a cache of weapons was also confiscated from the terrorist hideouts, including RPGs, an American M4 equipped with a night vision camera, several Kalashnikovs equipped with grenade launchers, as well as weapon silencers, stolen vehicle number plates, and two vehicles used by terrorists. The provincial General Directorate of Intelligence also announced that the detained elements, during preliminary interrogations, had explicitly confessed to the attack on the Fahraj checkpoint. Emphasizing the role of intelligence in carrying out this successful operation, the statement said the complete report will be made available to the public once investigations are completed and the results are clear. 4399**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran: Claims on nuclear, missile programs, unrest death toll are 'big lies' IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 25, 2026 Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has dismissed claims about the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and the number of people killed during recent unrest as "big lies," saying fabricated narratives are being used to advance a hostile propaganda campaign against the nation. In a post on his X account, Baqaei said repeated allegations made by US officials and the Israeli regime rely on the deliberate creation of a false reality. "Professional liars are good at creating the 'illusion of truth,' he said." "'Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth', is a law of propaganda coined by Nazi Joseph Goebbels." "This is now systematically used by the U.S. administration and the war profiteers encircling it, particularly the genocidal Israeli regime, to serve their sinister disinformation & misinformation campaign against the Nation of Iran," he said. "Whatever they're alleging in regards to Iran's nuclear program, Iran's ballistic missiles, and the number of casualties during January's unrest is simply the repetition of 'big lies'. No one should be fooled by these prominent untruths." His remarks followed comments by US President Donald Trump, who claimed in a speech to Congress that Iran was working on ballistic missiles capable of reaching US territory and threatening Europe and American bases abroad. Trump also alleged that Washington had warned Tehran against rebuilding a weapons program, especially nuclear arms, claiming that Iran's nuclear program had been destroyed and was now being restarted. Iran has repeatedly rejected such accusations, insisting its nuclear activities are peaceful and conducted within international frameworks. 4208**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNGA resolution on Ukraine fails to promote lasting peace: Iran IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Feb 25, 2026 New York, IRNA -- The permanent mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations has clarified its negative vote on a draft resolution concerning the Ukraine war during the 23rd plenary meeting of the eleventh emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly, held on February 24, 2026, in New York City. Iran's representative reaffirmed Tehran's consistent position since 2022, emphasizing its principled commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter. He stressed the need for full respect by all UN member states for sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and internationally recognized borders, as well as refraining from the threat or use of force. The Iranian envoy underlined Iran's support for a durable peace in Ukraine, stating that any sustainable solution must address the root causes of the conflict, including provocative actions and decisions by certain states and NATO. Expressing regret that the draft resolution did not address these underlying issues, the representative argued that the text was introduced at an inappropriate time and without transparent prior consultations. The official voiced concern that the resolution could deepen divisions and potentially serve geopolitical rivalries rather than promote lasting peace. Iran also firmly rejected allegations of supporting any party to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The resolution, backed by Western countries, was adopted with 107 votes in favor, 12 against, and 51 abstentions. The United States abstained, while Russia voted against. 4208**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran dismantles foreign-backed terror network in Southeast Iran Press TV Wednesday, 25 February 2026 5:20 PM Iran has dismantled a Takfiri terrorist network affiliated with foreign spy agencies in the country's southeast, arresting eight members and killing three others. In a joint operation by Iranian intelligence forces, the Quds Base of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force, and law enforcement forces, eight terrorists operating along the southeastern border were taken into custody. Three other members of the network, affiliated with foreign spy agencies, were killed during ensuing clashes with the security forces. All those arrested or killed were foreign nationals, according to Iranian authorities. During the operation, security forces recovered a large arsenal of weapons from the terrorists' hideouts, including an RPG-7, an American M4 rifle fitted with a night-vision scope, multiple Kalashnikov rifles equipped with grenade launchers, several handguns with ammunition and supplies, weapon silencers, license plates from stolen vehicles, and two passenger cars prepared for use in attacks. The detainees also confessed to carrying out an earlier assault on security forces at a checkpoint in Fahraj County in Kerman Province, which killed three officers and one civilian on December 15. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US imposes more sanctions on Iran ahead of new round of talks Iran Press TV Wednesday, 25 February 2026 5:18 PM The United States has announced a fresh set of sanctions connected to Iran, even as diplomatic efforts over Tehran's nuclear program continue. According to a Wednesday statement by the US Department of the Treasury, the new sanctions target dozens of people, companies and maritime vessels it accused of supporting Iran's sensitive industries. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) claimed in the statement that those listed were involved in activities linked to Iran's oil trade as well as the development of missile capabilities and other advanced military technology. The restrictions were introduced just a day before Iranian and US delegations were to hold a new round of talks in the Swiss city of Geneva to sort out differences about Tehran's nuclear program. The talks follow two rounds of discussions this month in Oman and in Geneva, where the two sides put forward initial proposals for how they can reach an agreement. This comes amid threats of a military confrontation between Iran and the US, as Washington has increased its military buildup in the region, prompting Iran to warn that it would retaliate harshly against any act of aggression. The new sanctions were announced on the same day that Donald Trump addressed Congress, where he repeated his previous accusations against Iran and raised the possibility of military action if negotiations fail. OFAC claimed it had identified networks believed to help Iranian institutions obtain equipment and raw materials needed for weapons production. It claimed these networks allegedly assisted organizations tied to Iran's defense sector in securing specialized machinery and components. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran warns Trump against decisions based on false information Iran Press TV Wednesday, 25 February 2026 11:04 AM Iran's Parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has warned US President Donald Trump against making decisions based on false information, emphasizing that Iran has never sought, does not seek, and will never seek nuclear weapons. Speaking at a meeting with economic activists in the Iranian Parliament on Wednesday, Qalibaf reacted to Trump's latest remarks over Iran's peaceful nuclear activities. During his State of the Union address in congress, Trump once again claimed that he would not allow what he called the world's leading sponsor of terrorism to obtain a nuclear weapon. Qalibaf said, "In a previous interview I gave to CNN, I told the US president not to make incorrect analyses based on false information, and then make wrong decisions." He stated that Iran has "never sought, does not seek, and will never seek nuclear weapons," adding that despite these assurances, the United States continues "to act with threats." He criticized US claims during the 12-day war, including reports that the city of Mashhad had fallen, and condemned foreign interference and misinformation by anti-Iranian elements and Israel which orchestrated attempted coups during the riots. Qalibaf also noted that Trump directly intervened in the recent diturbances, citing his statement on the 12th day of the 12-day war promising US assistance. He dismissed US and Israeli accounts of casualties reporting 32,000 deaths in latest foreign-backed riots, calling them false and misleading. He said the real perpetrators were past terrorists responsible for over 17,000 targeted killings in Iran, including the deaths of high-ranking officials such as the president, prime minister, judiciary chief, parliament members, and military commanders. The parliament speaker also referred to a recent statement by US special envoy to West Asia, Steve Witkoff, who said Trump is "curious" as to why Iran has not "capitulated" to US demands. "The reason the Iranian people do not fear or submit," Qalibaf said, "is because you do not understand them. Even during the 12-day war, while the fifth and sixth rounds of negotiations were underway, Trump attacked us from behind the negotiation table, along with Israel, and faced a humiliating defeat." Qalibaf emphasized that all options regarding the United States remain on the table, including both dignified diplomacy and a deterrent defense. He added that if the diplomatic table respects Iranian dignity and mutual interests, Iran will engage, noting that the third round of negotiations is scheduled for tomorrow. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran dismisses US 'big lies' on nuclear, missile programs, riot death toll Iran Press TV Wednesday, 25 February 2026 9:39 AM Iran has dismissed new US allegations regarding its nuclear and missile activities and the number of people killed during recent riots as "a series of big lies," sharply criticizing " a coordinated disinformation campaign" against the country. In a post on his X account on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said repeated allegations made by US officials and the Israeli regime rely on the deliberate creation of a false reality. "Professional liars are good at creating the 'illusion of truth'," he wrote. "'Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth', is a law of propaganda coined by Nazi Joseph Goebbels," he said, referring to Joseph Goebbels, the propaganda minister of Nazi Germany, and his use of this tactic to shape public perception. "This is now systematically used by the US administration and the war profiteers encircling it, particularly the genocidal Israeli regime, to serve their sinister disinformation & misinformation campaign against the Nation of Iran," he said. His remarks followed comments by US President Donald Trump, who claimed in a speech to Congress that Iran was working on ballistic missiles capable of reaching US territory and threatening Europe and American bases abroad. Trump also alleged that Washington had warned Tehran against rebuilding a weapons program, especially nuclear arms, claiming that Iran's nuclear program had been destroyed and was now being restarted. "Whatever they're alleging in regards to Iran's nuclear program, Iran's ballistic missiles, and the number of casualties during January's unrest is simply the repetition of 'big lies'. No one should be fooled by these prominent untruths," Baghaei said. The latest development comes as the Trump administration has stepped up its military build-up in West Asia, with the US president renewing threats against Iran and warning of a "very bad day" if no agreement is reached in the ongoing nuclear talks with Tehran. Washington has continued its "maximum pressure" campaign while deploying substantial military assets to the region, including two aircraft carriers, more than a dozen warships, and a large number of warplanes. Meanwhile, the third round of talks between Washington and Tehran is scheduled for Thursday in Geneva. Tehran has reiterated that it seeks a diplomatic resolution to the dispute over its nuclear program but has warned it will defend itself decisively if Washington resorts to military action. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian commanders warn US not to mistake it for other nations, vow decisive response to any aggression Iran Press TV Wednesday, 25 February 2026 8:55 AM A senior Iranian military official has warned the United States not to mistake Iran for other countries, saying Tehran would respond decisively to any act of aggression. Brigadier General Rasoul Sanaei-Rad, political deputy of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces' ideological-political office, said the United States "should not mistake our country for nations... Iran is neither Libya, nor Syria, nor Venezuela." 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 aggression against Iran, deploying two carrier groups and dozens of fighter jets, bombers, and refueling aircraft to regional waters near Iran. Sanaei-Rad noted that recent movements of US naval forces in the region are aimed at projecting power but will not intimidate Iran. "What we are witnessing now is a kind of show of strength by the enemies, so that perhaps they can use it for the negotiation table, but this is also wrong, because at the negotiation table, we also have the same support of the eight-year Sacred Defense and the 12-day war," he said, referring to the Iraqi war on Iran in the 1980s and the US-Israeli war in June. Sanaei-Rad said Washington misjudges Iran's capabilities and public resolve, stating that any military miscalculation would bring heavy material and reputational costs for the United States. He also warned that any confrontation could escalate beyond the region. He further slammed Israel for influencing US assessments, saying "miscalculations" in Washington stem partly from Israeli pressure. "The Americans must have understood the essence of the issue after confronting the Yemenis, even at a much lower level and scale; therefore, if they make a mistake" he said, "Iran's response will be decisive and crushing, and the result could be a regional war, even one with dimensions beyond the region." He warned that any confrontation would not only harm the United States but would also create insecurity extending beyond the region and affecting its allies. He added that the "Zionist regime," which feels it is sinking, would spare no country including the United States and would be willing to drag others into broader instability. Brigadier General Alireza Elhami, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base, also said hostile psychological campaigns would not undermine Iran's morale. Referring to current regional developments, he stressed the importance of strengthening domestic capabilities and enhancing technical expertise. "We must continue the path of progress with hope for the future and confidence in our internal capabilities, and not allow the enemy's psychological propaganda to weaken our morale," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump Vows In Address To 'Never Allow' Iran To Have Nuclear Weapons. By Alex Raufoglu February 25, 2026 WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump used the longest State of the Union address in US history to repeat the threat of military action against Iran if diplomacy fails -- and pledged to keep negotiating to end the war in Ukraine. Speaking for nearly one hour and 50 minutes, Trump used the joint session of Congress to frame his administration's achievements as the dawn of a "golden age." The speech was an opportunity to focus on domestic policy ahead of November's midterm elections, but Trump also restated key priorities on foreign affairs and global security. Iran Trump spent several minutes discussing Iran, which he presented as a direct and ongoing threat while also recalling US military strikes on the country in June last year. "After [operation] Midnight Hammer, they were warned to make no future attempts to rebuild their weapons program, in particular nuclear weapons. Yet they continue starting it all over again," he said. "My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy," Trump said. "But one thing is certain: I will never allow the world's number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon. Can't let that happen." His words came amid a massive US military buildup in the Middle East, and ahead of further US-Iran talks slated for February 26. The talks are focused primarily on Iran's nuclear program, which Tehran insists is intended for peaceful, civilian purposes such as electricity generation. "For decades, it had been the policy of the United States never to allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. Many decades," Trump said. Referring to Iran's clerical leadership since the 1979 revolution, he said: "Since they seized control of that proud nation 47 years ago, the regime and its murderous proxies have spread nothing but terrorism and death and hate." Trump further stated that in recent domestic unrest Iranian authorities had "killed at least, it looks like, 32,000 protesters in their own country." Human rights groups have counted some 7,000 deaths, but it is widely believed the actual number is significantly higher. Trump closed his comments on Iran with the warning: "No nation should ever doubt America's resolve. We have the most powerful military on Earth." In an apparent response to Trump's address, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei posted on social media that the US administration was spreading lies. "Whatever they're alleging in regards to Iran's nuclear program, Iran's ballistic missiles, and the number of casualties during January's unrest is simply the repetition of 'big lies,'" he wrote. Ukraine This section of his speech was preceded by brief remarks on Ukraine, where Russia's full-scale invasion has now entered its fifth year. Trump said his administration is "working very hard" to end the war, referring to several months of talks that continued last week with trilateral meetings in Geneva, Switzerland. His chief envoy, Steve Witkoff, looked on. He said following the latest round of talks that "meaningful progress" was made, without giving details, and added that "both parties agreed to...continue working toward a deal." On February 25, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters in Kyiv that a new round of US-brokered talks with Russia would be held in March. Trump's remarks on Ukraine did not go into much detail, but he again returned to the terrible human cost of the conflict. "Twenty-five thousand soldiers are dying each and every month. Think of that, 25,000 soldiers are dying a month," he said. Casualty figures are not publicly available and cannot be independently verified. But one recent report put the number of killed, wounded, and missing at 1.2 million Russians and 500,000-600,000 Ukrainians. Repeating a familiar campaign claim, Trump added that the war "would have never happened if I were president." The remarks come as European leaders used the fourth anniversary of the conflict to reaffirm support for Kyiv and as questions linger over Washington's long-term strategy. Energy, Tariffs Foreign policy was closely tied to Trump's domestic economic agenda. He touted expanded oil and gas production under his "drill, baby, drill" policy, arguing that increased US output -- alongside what he described as a "bright new beginning" in Venezuela -- would help drive down global energy prices. Calling Venezuela "our new friend and partner," Trump said the US had secured 80 million barrels of oil following the ouster of longtime leader Nicolas Maduro. On trade, Trump said tariffs paid by foreign countries would eventually "replace the modern day system of income tax" and ease the financial burden on Americans. Throughout the speech, Trump returned repeatedly to a central theme: American resurgence. While Trump's speech was greeted with cheers and standing ovations from Republicans, the Democrats sat in stony silence broken by occasional heckles. Delivering the party's official response, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger said Trump "continues to cede economic power and technological strength to Russia, bow down to China, bow down to a Russian dictator, and make plans for war with Iran." Dozens of Democrats boycotted the event altogether, holding a separate event elsewhere in Washington where they criticized Trump on a range of issues. "I'm not at the State of the Union speech tonight because these are not normal times and Democrats have to stop behaving normally," said Democrat Senator Chris Murphy. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-state-of-the-union- iran-ukraine/33687631.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Treasury Targets Iran's Shadow Fleet, Networks Supplying Ballistic Missile and ACW Programs U.S. Department of the Treasury February 25, 2026 WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned over 30 individuals, entities, and vessels enabling illicit Iranian petroleum sales and Iran's ballistic missile and advanced conventional weapons (ACW) production, as part of Treasury's ongoing campaign of maximum pressure on Iran. Specifically, OFAC targeted additional vessels operating as part of Iran's shadow fleet, which transport Iranian petroleum and petroleum products to foreign markets and serve as the regime's primary source of revenue for financing domestic repression, terrorist proxies, and weapons programs. OFAC also targeted multiple networks that enable Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) to secure the precursor materials and sensitive machinery required to reconstitute ballistic missile and ACW production capacity, as well as proliferate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to third countries. "Iran exploits financial systems to sell illicit oil, launder the proceeds, procure components for its nuclear and conventional weapons programs, and support its terrorist proxies," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "Under President Trump's strong leadership, Treasury will continue to put maximum pressure on Iran to target the regime's weapons capabilities and support for terrorism, which it has prioritized over the lives of the Iranian people." Today's action is being taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13902, which authorizes sanctions on key sectors of Iran's economy; E.O. 13382, which authorizes sanctions on weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferators and their supporters; and E.O. 13949, which authorizes sanctions on property of certain persons with respect to the conventional arms activities of Iran. This action is in furtherance of the President's National Security Presidential Memorandum 2 (NSPM-2), which undergirds Treasury's continued campaign of maximum economic pressure against Iran's shadow banking, money laundering, weapons proliferation, and sanctions evasion networks and has impacted the Iranian regime's ability to sell its petroleum to support its destabilizing behavior and recoup those funds. In 2025, OFAC sanctioned more than 875 persons, vessels, and aircraft as part of this campaign. SHADOW FLEET VESSELS TRANSPORTING IRANIAN PETROLEUM Today, OFAC intensified pressure on the Iranian shadow fleet, targeting 12 shadow fleet vessels and their respective owners or operators that have collectively transported hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products. Instead of allocating this revenue for the benefit of the Iranian people, the regime ultimately siphons it off to fund regional terrorist proxies, weapons programs, and repressive security services, rather than the basic economic needs the Iranian people have repeatedly and courageously demanded. The following vessels are linked to years of transporting Iranian petroleum and petrochemical shipments, including significant volumes in 2025 that continue into 2026: The Panama-flagged HOOT (IMO 9267962), owned by Panama-based Poros Maritime Ventures S.A. , transported hundreds of thousands of barrels of Iranian liquified petroleum gas (LPG) to Bangladesh in 2025. (IMO 9267962), owned by Panama-based , transported hundreds of thousands of barrels of Iranian liquified petroleum gas (LPG) to Bangladesh in 2025. The Barbados-flagged OCEAN KOI (IMO 9255933), owned by Marshall Island-based Ocean Kudos Shipping Co Ltd , has transported millions of barrels of Iranian high sulfur fuel oil (HSFO) and condensate since May 2025. The OCEAN KOI has operated as part of the Iranian shadow fleet since at least 2020. (IMO 9255933), owned by Marshall Island-based , has transported millions of barrels of Iranian high sulfur fuel oil (HSFO) and condensate since May 2025. The has operated as part of the Iranian shadow fleet since at least 2020. The Barbados-flagged NORTH STAR (IMO 9299563), owned by British Virgin Islands-based Mistral Fleet Co Ltd , has transported nearly two million barrels of Iranian HSFO since late 2025. (IMO 9299563), owned by British Virgin Islands-based , has transported nearly two million barrels of Iranian HSFO since late 2025. The Comoros-flagged FELICITA (IMO 9167162), owned, operated, and managed by Liberia-registered Vast Marine Inc , has transported millions of barrels of Iranian HSFO and naphtha since 2023. (IMO 9167162), owned, operated, and managed by Liberia-registered , has transported millions of barrels of Iranian HSFO and naphtha since 2023. The Iran-flagged ATEELA 1 (IMO 9548990) and ATEELA 2 (IMO 9549009), owned by Iran-based Behengam Tadbir Qeshm Shipping and Maritime Services Company , has transported over 100,000 barrels of Iranian petroleum products for the National Iranian Oil Company since late 2025. (IMO 9548990) and (IMO 9549009), owned by Iran-based , has transported over 100,000 barrels of Iranian petroleum products for the National Iranian Oil Company since late 2025. The Palau-flagged NIBA (IMO 9046784), owned, operated, and managed by Panama-based Paros Maritime S.A. , has transported millions of barrels of Iranian LPG, including butane and propane, since 2025. The NIBA has operated as part of the Iranian shadow fleet since at least 2020. (IMO 9046784), owned, operated, and managed by Panama-based , has transported millions of barrels of Iranian LPG, including butane and propane, since 2025. The has operated as part of the Iranian shadow fleet since at least 2020. The Vanuatu-flagged LUMA (IMO 9034690), owned by Marshall Island-based Wansa Gas Shipping Co. , has transported hundreds of thousands of barrels of Iranian LPG to end users in Bangladesh and Pakistan since late 2025. The LUMA previously carried Venezuelan LPG. (IMO 9034690), owned by Marshall Island-based , has transported hundreds of thousands of barrels of Iranian LPG to end users in Bangladesh and Pakistan since late 2025. The previously carried Venezuelan LPG. The Panama-flagged REMIZ (IMO 9223344), owned by Marshall Islands-based Goldwave Maritime Services Inc , has transported millions of barrels of Iranian oil to East Asia since 2025. (IMO 9223344), owned by Marshall Islands-based , has transported millions of barrels of Iranian oil to East Asia since 2025. The Palau-flagged DANUTA I (IMO 9193721), owned by Panama-based Ithaki Maritime and Trading S.A., has transported millions of barrels of Iranian LPG to East Asia since 2023. (IMO 9193721), owned by Panama-based has transported millions of barrels of Iranian LPG to East Asia since 2023. The Palau-flagged ALAA (IMO 9155341), owned by Liberia-based Kaito Navigation SA ,has transported dozens of Iranian LPG shipments to various jurisdictions, including Turkiye, since 2022. Kaito Navigation SA is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for operating in the petroleum and petrochemical sectors of the Iranian economy. (IMO 9155341), owned by Liberia-based ,has transported dozens of Iranian LPG shipments to various jurisdictions, including Turkiye, since 2022. Kaito Navigation SA is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for operating in the petroleum and petrochemical sectors of the Iranian economy. The Panama-flagged GAS FATE (IMO 9147394), owned by Marshall Islands-based NYR Shipping Co., has transported over a million barrels of Iranian grey ammonia to various jurisdictions since 2024. NYR Shipping Co. is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for operating in the petrochemical sector of the Iranian economy. The following companies are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for operating in the petroleum sector of the Iranian economy: Poros Maritime Ventures S.A.; Ocean Kudos Shipping Co Ltd; Mistral Fleet Co Ltd; Vast Marine Inc; Behengam Tadbir Qeshm Shipping and Maritime Services Company; Paros Maritime S.A.; Wansa Gas Shipping Co.; Goldwave Maritime Services Inc; and Ithaki Maritime and Trading S.A. The following vessels are being identified as blocked property of the previously identified blocked persons: HOOT (Poros Maritime Ventures S.A.); OCEAN KOI (Ocean Kudos Shipping Co Ltd); NORTH STAR (Mistral Fleet Co Ltd); FELICITA (Vast Marine Inc); ATEELA 1 and ATEELA 2 (Behengam Tadbir Qeshm Shipping and Maritime Services Company); NIBA (Paros Maritime S.A.); LUMA (Wansa Gas Shipping Co.); REMIZ (Goldwave Maritime Services Inc); DANUTA I (Ithaki Maritime and Trading S.A.); ALAA (Kaito Navigation SA); and GAS FATE (NYR Shipping Company). NETWORKS SUPPLYING IRAN'S BALLISTIC MISSILE AND ADVANCED CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS PROGRAMS In furtherance of NSPM-2, OFAC also targeted nine individuals and entities based in Iran, Turkiye, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that have facilitated the procurement of precursor chemicals and sensitive machinery for the IRGC and MODAFL and their respective missile and ACW programs, as well as proliferated UAVs to third countries. In line with the Trump Administration's commitment to sustaining maximum pressure on Iran, these sanctions seek to disrupt procurement networks that support Iran's missile and UAV development, which Tehran continues to prioritize at the expense of the Iranian people. This action represents Treasury's fourth round of nonproliferation designations in support of the September 27, 2025 reimposition of United Nations sanctions and other restrictions on Iran, which occurred as a direct result of Iran's continued non-performance of its nuclear commitments. Iran-based Oje Parvaz Mado Nafar Company (Mado) produces UAV engines used in Iran's Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 UAVs. OFAC designated Mado pursuant to E.O. 13382 in October 2021 for having provided support to the IRGC. Turkiye-based companies Utus Gumrukleme Gida Tekstil Ithalat Ihracat Dis Ticaret ve Sanayi Limited Sirketi (Utus), Arya Global Gida Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi (Arya), and Altis Tekstil Makina Ticaret Limited Sirketi (Altis) have served as financial intermediaries for Mado's procurements. Utus has originated payments totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars in furtherance of Mado's purchases of sensitive machinery for application in the IRGC Aerospace Force Self Sufficiency Jihad Organization's (IRGC ASF SSJO's) ACW platforms. Arya has originated transfers totaling more than $1 million in support of Mado's purchases of sensitive machinery, and Altis has originated financial transactions worth tens of thousands of dollars in furtherance of Mado's procurements. On July 18, 2017, the U.S. Department of State designated the IRGC ASF SSJO, which is involved in Iranian ballistic missile research and flight test launches, pursuant to E.O. 13382 for engaging, or attempting to engage, in activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a risk of materially contributing to, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery. Utus, Arya, and Altis are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, Mado. OFAC is also designating two companies for their support to Marco Klinge (Klinge), a U.S.designated individual who has coordinated and facilitated the procurement of materials, including the ballistic missile propellant precursor sodium perchlorate, for Iran's Parchin Chemical Industries (PCI). Sodium perchlorate is used to manufacture the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)-controlled chemical ammonium perchlorate. Ammonium perchlorate is used in solid propellant rocket motors, which are commonly used for ballistic missiles. OFAC designated Klinge pursuant to E.O. 13382 on November 12, 2025, for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, PCI. PCI is an element of Iran's Defense Industries Organization (DIO) that is responsible for the import and export of chemical goods. OFAC designated PCI pursuant to E.O. 13382 in July 2008, and the Department of State designated DIO pursuant to E.O. 13382 in March 2007. Both DIO and PCI are also subject to an asset freeze pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1737 and UNSCR 1747, respectively. Iran-based Adak Pargas Pars Trading Company (Adak Pargas Pars) and UAE-based Mostafa Roknifard Prime Choice General Trading LLC (MRPCG Trading) have facilitated Klinge's efforts to procure sodium perchlorate, including for Iranian government customers such as PCI. Adak Pargas Pars and MRPCG Trading are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, Klinge. OFAC is designating four individuals based in Iran for their connection to Qods Aviation Industries (QAI), an element of Iran's MODAFL. QAI designs and manufactures light and ultralight UAVs, including the Mohajer-2 in the mid-1990s and the Mohajer-6 in 2017. QAI has reportedly supplied UAVs to all branches of the Iranian military and buyers in Africa and Latin America. OFAC designated QAI pursuant to E.O. 13949 in October 2023. The U.S. Department of State designated MODAFL pursuant to E.O. 13949 in September 2020. QAI employees Mohammad Abedini (Abedini) and Mehdi Zand (Zand) have traveled to Russia on behalf of QAI to provide support to resolve technical issues with QAI-designed, Mohajer-series UAVs for the Russian Federation. QAI employees Mehrdad Jafari (Jafari) and Ebrahim Shariatzadeh (Shariatzadeh) have traveled to Venezuela on behalf of QAI to provide UAV technical support. Abedini, Zand, Jafari, and Shariatzadeh are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13949 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, QAI. SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS All property and interests in property of the persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked persons. Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions. In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities involving designated or otherwise blocked persons. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated or blocked person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. Furthermore, engaging in certain transactions involving the persons designated today may risk the imposition of secondary sanctions on participating foreign financial institutions. OFAC can prohibit or impose strict conditions on opening or maintaining, in the United States, a correspondent account or a payable-through account of a foreign financial institution that knowingly conducts or facilitates any significant transaction on behalf of a person who is designated pursuant to the relevant authority. The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, or to submit a request, please refer to OFAC's guidance on Filing a Petition for Removal from an OFAC List. Click here for more information on the persons designated and any property identified as blocked property today. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US, Iran To Meet For Nuclear Talks Amid Fears Of Military Conflict By RFE/RL February 26, 2026 US and Iranian officials are set to hold a fresh round of nuclear talks in Geneva on February 26 for what is seen as a last-ditch attempt to avoid a major military conflict between the foes. The third round of discussions come as President Donald Trump weighs options for US military action if no deal is secured to curb Iran's nuclear program, with two American carrier groups deployed within striking distance of the Islamic republic. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi left Tehran for the Swiss city on February 25, and is expected to hold talks with White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. Omani representatives will act as mediators, as they have in previous rounds. The sides held indirect talks earlier this month in Oman, the first since Israel and the United States bombed Iran's key nuclear sites during a brief conflict in June. A second round of talks was held in Geneva on February 17. The two rounds of negotiations failed to yield a breakthrough, and key sticking points remain unsolved. During the talks, the United States has demanded that Iran put a complete halt on enriching uranium and give up its stockpile of around 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, steps that would prevent Tehran from building a nuclear weapon. Tehran insists that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful, civilian purposes such as electricity generation. "After their nuclear program was obliterated [by US and Israeli air strikes last year], they were told not to try to restart it...You can see them always trying to rebuild elements of it," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on February 25. "They're not enriching right now, but they're trying to get to the point where they ultimately can." Rubio said that while the talks will focus on Iran's nuclear program, its missiles "have to be addressed in the negotiations" as Tehran possesses "thousands of short range ballistic missiles that can reach US bases located in region." He added that Trump's comments on February 24 during his State of the Union address that Iran is "working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America" didn't mean they currently possess such weapons, but that "clearly they are headed in the pathway to, one day, being able to develop weapons that could reach the continental US." Iran has indicated it is prepared to make concessions in return for the lifting of US sanctions and recognition of its right to enrich uranium. Kelsey Davenport, the director for nonproliferation policy at the US-based Arms Control Association, said there is still a chance for diplomacy even as the "risks of miscalculation and the risks of a return to conflict are extremely high." "I think despite all of the threats, Trump wants a deal," Davenport told RFE/RL's Radio Farda. "He does not want to get the United States bogged down in another conflict in the region. And I think that Iran, too, to realize sanctions relief and to prevent a return to conflict, would also see value in an agreement." Ahead of the February 26 negotiations, Araqchi said the sides were close to an agreement that would avoid a military confrontation. "We have a historic opportunity to strike an unprecedented agreement that addresses mutual concerns and achieves mutual interests," Araqchi said in a social media post, adding that a deal was "within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority." Araqchi also vowed that Iran will "under no circumstances ever develop a nuclear weapon," but insisted on the country's right to "harness dividends of peaceful nuclear technology." In his February 24 address, Trump appeared to lay out his case for a possible attack on Iran, saying he would not allow the "world's number one sponsor of terror" to have a nuclear weapon. Trump said Tehran wanted to rebuild its nuclear program and is "at this moment again pursuing their sinister nuclear ambitions." In an apparent response to Trump's address, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei posted on social media on February 25 that the US administration was spreading "lies." "Whatever they're alleging in regards to Iran's nuclear program, Iran's ballistic missiles, and the number of casualties during January's unrest is simply the repetition of 'big lies,'" he wrote. The negotiations in Geneva come after repeated threats from Trump of military action against Tehran, first over Iran's brutal crackdown on mass protests in January, and then more recently over the country's nuclear program. World powers struck a landmark nuclear deal with Tehran in 2015 to prevent an Iranian bomb. Western economic sanctions were eased at the time, but Iran began reneging on commitments after Trump, in his first term as president, withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and reimposed sanctions. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-trump-nuclear- talks-conflict-geneva/33687931.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address FM Sa'ar speaks at the Knesset at an event celebrating 250 Years of the United States and the Israel-US Strategic Partnership Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs FM Sa'ar: "We appreciate the important decision by the US embassy to extend consular services to Efrat, in Judea and Samaria." Type: Press Releases Topic: Foreign Policy Publish Date: 25.02.2026 Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar spoke today (Wednesday, 25 February 2026) at the Knesset at an event celebrating 250 Years of the United States and the Israel-US Strategic Partnership. Following are his full remarks: "This year, we mark 250 years since the birth of the United States of America. The Founding Fathers established a nation rooted in liberty and the moral Judeo-Christian values of the Bible. As George Washington said: "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible." These shared values are the core of the unbreakable bond between the United States and the Jewish state. Unfortunately - these values are under attack today - from the left and the right. I want to commend my friend, Ambassador Huckabee, for standing firmly by the truth, including in his famous debate that was mentioned here. The benefits that Israel brings to American interests and American national security are huge. Just as we have no better friend and ally around the globe than the US, the US doesn't have a better, stronger and more loyal ally here in this region, and probably beyond. Israel is an asset to all its friends, but especially to the United States of America. We also appreciate the important decision by the US embassy to extend consular services to Efrat, in Judea and Samaria. * Last week, I had the honor of representing Israel at President Trump's Board of Peace summit in Washington. The President has proven time and again that he deserves the title: the leader of the free world. His bold action in Operation Midnight Hammer this past June together with our Operation Rising Lion against Iran's nuclear facilities, made our region, and the world, a safer place. His leadership helped bring about the release of all our hostages. His comprehensive plan addresses the root causes of the terror in Gaza. And I said in Washington that previous plans failed because they didn't address the core problems - terror, incitement, and hate. At the heart of this plan are the: Disarmament of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Demilitarization of the Gaza Strip. And deradicalization of Palestinian society there. This why it has a chance to be successful. And this is why we we'll do our utmost to try help it succeed. * As America marks 250 years of independence, Israel stands proudly beside her. God bless America. And God bless the State of Israel." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Remarks by PM Netanyahu at the Special Knesset Session in Honor of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Israel - Prime Minister's Office Type: Events and Speeches Government: The 37th Government Publish Date: 25.02.2026 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today ,at the special Knesset session in honor of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi: "Mr. Speaker, Members of the Knesset, As you know, heads of state and prime ministers come to the Knesset. We receive them warmly, and it is always a moving moment for all of us and for me. I must tell you, Narendra, my dear friend, I am deeply, deeply moved by your visit today. Since I must be diplomatic, I won't rank it, that would get me into trouble. But I have never been more moved than by your visit with us, a great friend of Israel, a passionate supporter of the alliance between India and Israel, and a great leader on the international stage. My dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and your distinguished delegation: Welcome to Jerusalem. Narendra, my dear friend, and I do not say this lightly; I would say you are even more than a friend, a brother. In many ways, we are brothers. When you were here last, we were both on the Mediterranean coast. I suggested we take off our shoes and go into the water, the same water we wanted to desalinate, and indeed we did so using Israeli technology. With all due respect to our Christian friends, they said we didn't just wade in the water, we walked on water. That isn't true. We didn't walk on water, but we have performed miracles since then. We have doubled our trade, tripled our cooperation, and quadrupled our understandings in ways I cannot begin to describe, and in certain ways that I should not describe. But it is a wonderful friendship, both personally between the two of us, between our two countries, and between our two peoples. Earlier today, my wife Sara and I welcomed you at the airport, and as you stepped off the stairs, we embraced, because Prime Minister Modi's personal embrace is something unique. It is known worldwide as the 'Modi Hug.' When you hug someone tightly, truly, you know it is not a show. It is the real thing. It is called the 'Modi Hug,' and I want to return that hug to you on behalf of every member of the Knesset; it points not only to the brave personal friendship between us. It reflects the warmth that exists between our two nations. India is a giant power of one and a half billion people. Israel is a bit smaller. But Israel is a giant too. It is a superpower. It is a giant in spirit, a giant in deeds, capable of performing miracles. The alliance between us is a massive multiplier of the strengths of each of our countries. It is a multiplier of spirit and a multiplier of actions and capabilities. We are two ancient civilizations dating back thousands of years. If we look at where human civilization grew on Earth, it developed in a few places, the main ones being the Indus Valley and the Jordan Valley. These are the places where great things developed, great spiritual things, conceptual things, matters of the heart, the mind, and morality. We are two ancient civilizations, and we had to travel through the journey of generations and face troubles and challenges. Yet nearly 80 years ago, at almost the same time, we both broke free from British rule and gained independence. We have so many shared interests. We are two democracies. You are a giant democracy, but so is Israel. Think of the things we had to do, the things we went through, and how we preserved our democracy against challenges that I think very few countries have faced. We are now deepening our profound alliance, the strong, strategic, open alliance we have created. We created an open alliance. No less than that, both our countries are at the peak of their power. Israel is stronger than ever, and India is stronger than ever! I just said to the Indian Prime Minister, when we sat in your office, Mr. Speaker: I personally follow every piece of news coming from India. India is now ranked at such-and-such a number in the world, high, high up; India has now achieved another goal, very high; India did this and India did that. First of all, Narendra did it, and with him, the Indian people. And I am so pleased, and I only say: More and more and more. Because in the twelve years under your leadership, you initiated reforms, you invested in infrastructure, you acted in employment, health, agriculture, welfare, quality of life, energy, technology, and innovation. The sky is the limit? No way. India is a space power, one of the largest in the world. The sky is not the limit. But the challenges never end. Yet India under your leadership, my friend, has established its position as an Asian lion charging toward the goal: more growth, more progress, more prosperity, more prosperity. And I want to tell you, my friend Narendra: There is another reason for the deep appreciation you receive here in this house and from the public in Israel, because immediately after the horrific massacre on October 7, immediately after that murderous attack, you stood up so clearly, so morally, so sharply, you stood by Israel. We will never forget that. We know what we stood against. But many in the world, perhaps with momentary, initial sympathy, forgot very quickly. Israel stands, has stood, and continues to stand at the forefront of civilization against radical Islam. And the home base of radical Islam is the Middle East, but the lava that has erupted from the volcano of this fanaticism is spreading rapidly to every continent, to every country. India, like Israel, has known terrorist attacks, severe terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of innocents. When my wife Sara and I visited Mumbai, we were in that same famous hotel where that murderous attack took place, and from there we walked a few meters to the Chabad center, where despicable terrorists murdered the couple, two young parents of the boy Moishe. And who saved Moishe? It was his Indian nanny who saved Moishe. That, too, we will never forget. India supports Israel, and Israel supports India, in cases that are well-known and in cases that are less known. India supports Israel because it understands that Israel serves as a defensive wall against barbarism, and we do this first and foremost to protect ourselves, but also in the service of the civilized world. Israel, like India, is a fortress of democracy, of freedom, and of human rights, in a wild region, teeming with dangers. The massacre of October 7 made it unequivocally clear: Either the jihadist 'Axis of Evil' will break us, or we will break it. And we are breaking it and will break it! We have already done so and are doing so thanks to the heroism of our fighters, the men and women fighters, our commanders, what heroism. My friend Narendra, I would like to introduce you, if there is time, to some of them; you must see them. I would like to introduce you to our wounded, some of them amputees. There is one of them, I will bring his picture tonight, I want to show you. His name is Ari, a hero of Israel. Thanks to the heroism of our fighters, thanks to the calculated and courageous decisions made by the Israeli government spread here before you; thanks to the steadfastness of our citizens, thanks to all these, we have struck our enemies hip and thigh, on seven fronts of the War of Redemption. But my dear friend, we have paid heavy costs. And I want to tell you, my dear friend that fighters, men and women, from families of Indian origin also fell in battle. We bow our heads in their memory, together with all our heroes who fell. Our defensive war is a most just war. But it is not only a war on the battlefield. It is a war for the truth. It is a war for the future of humanity. And I must say, we see that in the battle for the future of humanity, antisemitism is once again rearing its head. We were there only 80 years ago and we saw it: Antisemitism that starts with the Jews, and afterward endangers all of humanity. In the face of waves of antisemitism and the lies hurled at us, we have not bowed our heads. But even in this struggle, Narendra, we found in you and in India true friends. [English] In a world where antisemitism is rising, India stands out: A civilization where Jews were never persecuted by the state, only welcomed. [End English] Narendra my friend, Prime Minister of India, in the face of radical Islam that threatens all of humanity and free nations, we will build together an iron alliance. An alliance of nations that advocate for moderation, progress, human dignity, and mutual respect. An alliance of nations that sanctify life, and are ready to fight against those who worship death and want to return us to the dark barbarism of the Middle Ages. Next week, we will celebrate the holiday of Purim, and the Jewish people will read the Scroll of Esther from the Bible. India is mentioned there, as you said, Mr. Speaker, in the description of the ancient kingdom of Persia and Media, which according to the Scroll stretched 'from India to Ethiopia'. Jewish communities existed throughout the generations in India. Since we gained our independence, tens of thousands of Indian-born Jews have come to Israel. And recently we decided in the government to bring part of the 'Bnei Menashe' community in India to Israel, we met their representatives, sweet children, and one of the parents told me: 'We are not Bnei Menashe, we are Bnei Yisrael!' Exactly right. And they are immigrating to Israel out of their desire to be absorbed into our state. Because the yearning for Zion, the yearning for the Land of Israel, stands at the heart of the Zionist vision. This was understood by some of India's greatest spirits, who regarded Zionism in its early days with great sympathy. Among them was the great Indian poet, Tagore. Tagore won the Nobel Prize for Literature even before World War I, and during it. There were those who compared his white-bearded figure to the prophets of Israel. Words that came out of India spoke to us, as did books that came out of India. My late uncle, Prof. Elisha Netanyahu, was one of the founders of the Faculty of Mathematics at the Technion. Uncle Elisha always spoke to me with admiration about Indian mathematicians. And specifically, he mentioned Ramanujan. He mentioned him many times, because Ramanujan's genius discoveries at the beginning of the 20th century changed the face of mathematics. Ramanujan came from the people, just as you came from the people! You rose from the people. You rose higher and higher because you knew what your roots were. Well, all this happened at the beginning of the last century. And toward the end of the last century, India and Israel established full relations. And one of the results of this diplomatic turning point is the movement of Israeli travelers 'to the East.' Tens of thousands of Israelis, young and old, visit India every year. They admire everything, everything. Everything. What exists today and also the ancient cultural heritage. One Indian citizen asks a traveler from Israel: 'How many of you are there?' And the Israeli answers him, 'Ten million.' And the Indian continues, 'And how many in Israel?' Not a billion and a half. But many, many who admire India, embrace India, and also want to come to India. One of them is me, and my wife is here too, we want a return visit. I've already produced that, I'm telling you now, the first diplomatic achievement. We will bring the government to India. Not only will we bring the Prime Minister of India to the government, we will bring the Israeli government to India for a visit. In this current visit of yours to Israel, we will tighten the bonds between us even further, both personal and political. Because together we are leading moves on a historic scale. This is certainly happening regarding security challenges and security opportunities. But not only in security: We are creating innovative action-axes in economy, trade, energy, technology, cyber, artificial intelligence, and space. In space, as well. Minister of Defense, Israel [Katz], you speak of this often, and here you know there is a listening ear. We are developing together the IMEC initiative, this is a maritime and land corridor that will connect India, through the Arabian Peninsula, to the Port of Haifa, and from here to the Mediterranean and Europe. IMEC, this maritime-land corridor, can only exist and flourish if it passes through stable and secure countries. And there are no countries stronger and more secure on this axis than India and Israel. Therefore, I welcome your commitment to Israel being a connecting link between Asia and Europe through the Port of Haifa! In this visit of yours, we will also implement agreements in tourism, culture, agriculture, water, and desalination. And in the spirit of the 'Abraham Accords' and peace, we will continue the revolution of new alliances, of increasing regional stability, of strengthening resilience, progress, and prosperity. I want you to notice: we are not just reacting to reality. We are shaping reality, out of a closeness and trust greater than ever! My friend Narendra, since your last visit to Israel, the previous one in 2017, much water has flowed in the Ganges River in India, as well as in the Mediterranean, where we both dipped our feet on a wonderful summer day. But since then, I wish to update you, we have kept in constant contact. We speak dozens of times on the phone, conversations so open, so friendly. With warmth of heart, true and not feigned warmth. We have continued since then to promote the relations between us. We nurtured the ties between the two peoples, in each of which there is much curiosity and much, much talent. I remember well the heart-stirring experience when we visited with you in the Gujarat district. That is where you grew up, where you were Governor. And there, Governor Modi discovered the genius of agriculture in Israel and brought it to India, and from there it spread to all of India. Well, we visited there, and when we visited Gujarat, hundreds of thousands, hundreds of thousands of residents stood in the streets and cheered and waved the flags of Israel and India. And there was also a giant sign in Hebrew, giant, as big as this whole building, 'Welcome,' in Hebrew. So today, distinguished guest, you are again in Israel, you are received here with the same warm reception, with the same closeness of hearts. In the 21st century, we will bring the alliance between Israel and India to unprecedented heights. And I am sure the day will come, I am sure because when we visited India, you brought a performance by the fantastic artists of Bollywood. So I say the day will come, and they will make a movie in Hollywood about the story of brotherhood between the two countries. And I promise you, it will be a blockbuster! Prime Minister Modi, my dear friend Narendra, I bless you from the bottom of my heart, you and your entourage. May you all be welcome in Israel, in Jerusalem, in true friendship, and in true appreciation. Welcome!" NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The 3rd Japan-Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue (JPIDD) Ministry of Defense of Japan (Press Release) February 25, 2026 Ministry of Defense From February 22 to 24, the Ministry of Defense held the 3rd Japan-Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue (JPIDD), inviting Pacific Island countries, regional partner countries, and ASEAN countries. The JPIDD plenary session took place on February 23rd in Tokyo. At this meeting, among the three Pacific Island countries that possess armed forces, Fiji was represented by Hon. Pio Tikoduadua, Minister of Defence and Veteran's Affairs; Papua New Guinea by Dr. Billy Joseph, Minister of Defense, and Tonga by His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince Tupoutoa Ulukalala, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for His Majesty's Armed Forces. In addition, 11 Pacific Island countries without armed forces and seven partner countries participated. ASEAN countries also participated as observers for the first time, bringing participation to a total of 28 countries and one organization. At the outset, Defense Minister Koizumi delivered a keynote address, and called for strengthening bonds and connectivity and for jointly building an autonomous and resilient region, in order to together firmly safeguard the Pacific Ocean that connects Japan and the Pacific Island countries as the "Ocean of Peace." To that end, he expressed his determination to strengthen interconnectivity in three fields: "people-to-people," "crisis response," and "resilience." In particular, with regard to people-to-people connectivity, he proposed the "Next Generation Leadership Security Program" as a new initiative. This program aims to promote mutual understanding and strengthen human networks by inviting young and mid-career officials from Pacific Island countries and the PIF Secretariat, who are expected to be responsible for security policy planning in their respective countries in the future, to participate in programs hosted by the Ministry of Defense. This proposal received broad support from each country. The plenary session was chaired by State Minister of Defense Miyazaki, and exchanges of views were conducted in two sessions themed on "Maritime Security" and "Climate Change and Humanitarian Assistance / Disaster Relief (HA/DR)," which are matters of common interest between Japan and the Pacific Island countries. In the session on maritime security, Japan introduced its initiatives, including the Ship-rider Program, in which naval officers, maritime law-enforcement officers from 11 Pacific Island countries embarked on the JS Ise, travelling from Sasebo Port to Manila Port to share knowledge related to maritime security. Japan also introduced joint training initiatives, such as boarding and inspection training conducted by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force with Pacific Island countries. In response, Pacific Island countries expressed high appreciation for these initiatives. In addition, many Pacific Island countries noted that issues such as IUU (illegal, unreported, and unregulated) fishing directly affect national survival, but that resources and capabilities to address such challenges are limited. They emphasized the importance of addressing these issues through cooperation with partner countries both within and outside the region. In the session on climate change and HA/DR, Japan introduced its efforts as a disasterprone country to share the experience and knowledge it has accumulated to date with Pacific Island countries and others through capacitybuilding assistance programs and related initiatives. Pacific Island countries expressed the shared view that they are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and that climate change is no longer merely an environmental issue but has become a security challenge. In addition, they recognized that, in order to respond effectively, it is important to enhance resilience to climate change by strengthening the capabilities of each country's military and lawenforcement agencies and by promoting cooperation beyond national and regional boundaries. At this JPIDD, through frank and constructive exchanges of views with participating countries, it was confirmed that trust with Pacific Island countries will be further strengthened and that cooperation will be enhanced in order to address common challenges. (Participating countries and organization) Countries with armed forces (3 countries): Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga Countries without armed forces and related organizations (11 countries and 1 organization): Cook Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, PIF Secretariat Partner countries (7 countries): United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, France Observer countries (7 countries): Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Viet Nam NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNICEF statement on new reports of children killed and injured by airstrikes in Myanmar UNICEF Statement 25 February 2026 BANGKOK, 25 February 2026 - "UNICEF is deeply alarmed by new reports that at least five children have been killed and three others injured in deadly airstrikes that hit Ponnagyun Township, Rakhine State, and Myinmu Township, Sagaing region between 23 and 24 February. "Children and civilians are once again bearing the brunt of escalating hostilities, with the strikes in Rakhine State reported to have hit homes and a busy local market in a village hosting displaced families. "Ongoing clashes continue to displace children and upend their access to vital services, including health care, education and protection. UNICEF is responding to the needs of conflict-affected children and their families across Myanmar. "UNICEF calls on all parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law. Children must be protected at all times." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Please enable JavaScript and refresh the page Over the last few days, Security Forces conducted a series of high-tempo intelligence driven operations, part of relentless counter terrorism campaign aimed at eliminating Indian Proxies, Fitna Al Khwarij & Fitna Al Hindustan. Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan Rawalpindi - February 25, 2026 No PR-57/2026-ISPR Over the last few days, Security Forces conducted a series of high-tempo intelligence driven operations, part of relentless counter terrorism campaign aimed at eliminating Indian Proxies, Fitna Al Khwarij & Fitna Al Hindustan. On 24 February 2026, twenty-six khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy Fitna Al Khwarij were killed in four separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, whereas eight khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy Fitna Al Hindustan were killed in an engagement in Sambaza, Balochistan. Movement of a group of khwarij, opposite general area Hassan Khel, North Waziristan District, who were trying to infiltrate through Pakistan-Afghanistan border, was picked up by the security forces. Own troops effectively engaged this group of khwarij. As a result of precise and skillful engagement, one kharji belonging to Indian proxy, Fitna al Khwarij was sent to hell. It is significant to highlight that killed kharji has been identified as an Afghan national. In another engagement, an intelligence based operation was conducted in Lakki Marwat District. During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and after an intense fire exchange, three khwarij were successfully neutralised. Simultaneously, in two separate engagements in general area Narmi Khel, Bannu District, own troops effectively neutralized ten khwarij, while operating on precise intelligence, own troops successfully eliminated twelve khwarij in gen area Mir Ali, North Waziristan District. During the fifth engagement, own troops conducted an intelligence based operation in general area Sambaza, Zhob District. After an intense fire exchange, eight terrorists belonging to Fitna Al Hindustan were successfully neutralized. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from Indian sponsored killed khwarij and terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area. The Security Forces of Pakistan remain resolute and unwavering in their commitment to defend the nation's frontiers. Sanitization operation are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored Kharji found in the area as relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision "Azm e Istehkam" (as approved by 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USFK denies apologizing to ROK authorities over Yellow Sea standoff, refutes Seoul's claim; incident reflects fundamental differences between the two sides: Chinese expert Global Times By Liu Xin Published: Feb 25, 2026 05:19 PM The United States Forces Korea (USFK) had reportedly strongly refuted claims by South Korean military authorities that Commander Xavier Brunson had apologized to the South Korean government, instead only expressing "regret" over a recent aerial exercise above the Yellow Sea that resulted in a standoff with Chinese fighter jets, in a statement that South Korean media noted was unusually released in the middle of the night on Tuesday. Earlier, some South Korean media had reported that the USFK had apologized to Seoul over the issue. The rift reflects frictions as the US prioritizes its own interests while sidelining South Korea's security concerns, said Chinese experts. Instead of miscommunication, the incident reflects fundamental differences between the two sides over strategic interests, alliance ties, and how to characterize the situation. "Commander Xavier Brunson directly communicated with Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back to reconfirm that prior notification had been provided to the South Korean side regarding the incident," USFK claimed in a statement. It added, "However, we expressed regret over the failure to report the matter in a timely manner to the Defense Minister and the JCS Chairman." This is interpreted as USFK asserting that it had notified South Korean military authorities in advance about the training plan, according to a report from the Chosun Daily on Wednesday. The report also noted that the statement was released late on Tuesday and that "It is unusual for USFK to issue a statement in the middle of the night." A Yonhap News report on Wednesday noted that the statement also claimed it was "regular training" aiming to maintain so-called "highest level of readiness," and "We don't make apologies for maintaining readiness," per report. Previously, the Global Times learned from sources that the US military recently organized aircraft to conduct activities in the airspace facing China over the Yellow Sea. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), in accordance with laws and regulations, organized naval and air forces to conduct monitoring and alerting throughout the entire process, and effectively responded to and handled the situation. According to the Chosun Daily, the USFK conducted a large-scale exercise from the February 18 to 19, dispatching F-16 fighter jets from Osan Air Base. At the time, Chinese fighter jets responded, leading to a temporary standoff between US and Chinese aircraft. Following the incident, South Korean Defense Minister Ahn reportedly lodged a complaint in a call with Brunson on February 19 over the failure to share details of the exercise with South Korean authorities in advance. The incident led the US military to end the exercise on Thursday, earlier than the planned end on Saturday, per Yonhap. Subsequent reports from some South Korean media claimed that Commander Brunson had apologized to South Korea over the USFK's air exercise. Korea JoongAng Daily on Tuesday reported that the commander of USFK has delivered an apology to Seoul. The contradicting statements between the US and South Korea over the incident underscores the frictions with Washington's pursuit of its so-called "Indo-Pacific" strategy in ways that prioritize US interests over South Korea's own security concerns, heightening the risk that South Korea could be drawn into broader regional confrontations, Lu Chao, a professor at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday. By acting without prior notification on a major issue, USFK placed South Korea in an awkward diplomatic position and a risky strategic situation. Such a vague expression of "regret" cannot resolve the problem, either legally or in terms of alliance relations, said the expert. Song Zhongping, a Chinese military affairs analyst, said, "The US has treated South Korea's military and air defense identification zones as its own, revealing a hegemonic mindset. That is why Washington felt no need to apologize." Since South Korea cannot place effective constraints on US forces through agreements, similar incidents are feared to recur, he said. Clearer boundaries on where US drills are conducted are needed to avoid friction, but the fact that US forces operate beyond South Korean control reflects arrogance, the expert added. In an editorial released on Tuesday, South Korea media outlet The Hankyoreh wrote that this incident represents a clear "military provocation" by USFK, deliberately stimulating China without any proper prior communication with South Korea. It said this is absolutely not something that can or should be resolved with a one-time protest. If the "strategic flexibility" that the US seeks for USFK is this aggressive and reckless, South Korea can never accept it. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Foreign Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Le Hoai Trung 25 February 2026 10:42 239-25-02-2026 On February 24, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a meeting in Moscow with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Le Hoai Trung, who visited Russia as a special envoy of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam. Held as usual in a friendly atmosphere, the meeting focused on measures to further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, including upcoming contacts at various levels, cooperation between the two foreign ministries, as well as the latest international developments. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement of the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations Office and Other International Organizations in Geneva Ambassador Gennady Gatilov at the High Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament, Geneva, 24 February 2026 25 February 2026 14:17 241-25-02-2026 Unofficial translation Mr. President, Distinguished colleagues, The current session of the Conference on Disarmament (CD) takes place against the background of rapidly deteriorating situation in the field of international security and strategic stability. The increase of tensions is observed almost everywhere: long-standing conflicts are renewing intensively, new hotspots of confrontation are emerging. Meanwhile, diplomacy, efforts for reaching consensus and compromise solutions are more and more frequently replaced by unilateral and highly dangerous actions. Western states are steadily implementing a policy of forceful dominance in the world. In pursuit of decisive military superiority Washington and its allies are expanding the network of alliances directed against third countries, and actively implementing a number of programs which undermine global stability and regional security, as well as previous agreements. This provokes other countries to take compensatory measures. The Ukrainian crisis is a direct consequence of this state of affairs. The situation in Ukraine is a result of the policy of Western countries which for a long time have cultivated anti-Russian sentiments in Ukraine, fostered hatred for Russia and everything Russian, suppressed Russian language, history and culture, engaged in the military development of its territory and increased the supplies of long-range weapons to the Kiev regime. The blockade of the population of regions trying to protect its rights and identity by the national radicals who seized power in Kiev was openly supported by those States. Massive bilateral programs of weapons supply are being currently carried out: the conflict is being invested in rather as a long-term project with multi-year budget planning than as a temporary crisis measure. All this, along with the freezing of a real political dialogue and imposing unilateral restrictive measures, leaves no doubt about the true intentions of the NATO countries, among which the task of overcoming the crisis is apparently missing. Russia has always advocated for a negotiated settlement of the conflict. At the same time, the dialogue should be based on an equal and mutually respectful basis, where an ultimate goal is to establish a long-term peace with respect for the legitimate interests of all States and nations living in this region instead of a short truce. So far, we see only regular attempts by Western countries to dictate their own terms and to impose their own model of so-called settlement of the crisis through providing to Ukraine certain "security guarantees" which look like an instrument to resume the conflict in the future. The ongoing tensions in the Middle East could have devastative consequences for both regional and global security. The Israeli-US attacks on Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities, which were placed under the IAEA safeguards, have become a serious blow to the nuclear non-proliferation regime. They demonstrated that even a good-faith participant of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) can become the object of aggression, cynically masked by nonproliferation rhetoric. We are convinced that the existing contradictions around the Iranian nuclear program can only be resolved through politico-diplomatic means. In this regard, we welcome the resumption of the bilateral dialogue between Washington and Tehran. We are concerned about the growing tensions in Latin America and the Caribbean. The reliance on the use of force or threat of force as the main instrument of foreign policy in relations with sovereign States (in particular, Venezuela and Cuba) is fraught with increased confrontation in interaction between countries, including the aggravation of conflicts between major States. We note with regret that against the background of deteriorating international security environment and persistent tensions in the military-strategic sphere the United States rejected the constructive Russian initiative inviting the parties to the New START Treaty to commit officially to voluntary self-limitations to keep the quantitative ceilings specified in the Treaty following its expiration. Under these circumstances our country intends to act responsibly and in a balanced manner. We will develop our policy in the field of strategic offensive arms on the basis of a thorough analysis of the US military policy and the overall situation in the strategic sphere. Looking ahead, we remain open to seeking politico-diplomatic ways to comprehensively stabilize the strategic situation on the basis of equal and mutually beneficial dialogue solutions, if the appropriate conditions for such cooperation are shaped. However, at the moment a limited group of countries undermines the system of agreements in the field of arms control, committing numerous violations of the fundamental imperatives of the UN Charter, such as equality, respect of sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, the resolution of disputes through dialogue. This threatens trust-based relations between States and significantly complicates the search for compromises. The current state of affairs also affects the work of the disarmament "triad", including the CD, influencing inter alia the prospects for negotiating agreements in the field of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation (ACDN). We assign the CD a crucial role in strengthening the international security architecture through elaborating multilateral legally binding agreements on ACDN. The development of an international legally-binding instrument on the prevention of an arms race in outer space remains a constant priority for the Russian Federation. The basis for it is the draft treaty on the prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space, the threat or use of force against outer space objects, submitted by Russia and China for consideration by the Conference, as well as the 2024 consensus report of the UN Group of Governmental Experts on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space. The relevance of such an instrument has increased significantly in the light of the policy pursued by the US and its allies aimed at placing weapons in outer space and utilizing near-Earth orbits for combat operations to ensure global dominance. We note the large-scale programs of Western countries to develop weapons systems designed to enable the use or threat of force in, from or against outer space. A clear example is Washington's decision to develop the global missile defense program "Golden Dome" which envisages, inter alia, the deployment of space-based interceptors as early as 2028. Against the background of the current international instability our common goal is to ensure sustainability of the NPT. As a depository State of the NPT the Russian Federation strictly adheres to its "letter and spirit". We attach particular importance to the upcoming 11th NPT Review Conference, which takes place in April-May 2026. We hope that it will be held in a constructive working atmosphere and will reaffirm the readiness of all States Parties to the Treaty to fulfill their respective obligations. For us, the NPT remains the only international legal reference point and foundation for efforts towards nuclear disarmament. The ideals of building a nuclear-weapon-free and safer world for all as the ultimate goal of nuclear disarmament process remain unshakable for us. At the same time, such efforts should be placed in the context of general and complete disarmament, as provided for by the provisions of the NPT. We advocate for the comprehensive implementation of this formula on the basis of step-by-step measures that do not diminish anyone's security and contribute to strengthening global stability. When considering disarmament issues it is impossible to abstract from military-political and strategic realities, so any initiatives in this field should realistically correlate with the international security environment. The establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones (NWFZs) contributes to the strengthening of the international non-proliferation regime. The reservations to the protocols to treaties on NWFZs are justified by the situation around AUKUS partnership which creates risks of deploying the military infrastructure of nuclear weapon States on the territory of a non-nuclear-weapon State which is party to the Rarotonga Treaty. The Russian Federation consistently supports the establishment in the Middle East of a zone free of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction. We call on Washington and Tel Aviv to join efforts aimed at establishing such a zone. We reaffirm our readiness to discuss the issue of elaborating an international treaty on security assurances for non-nuclear-weapon States, taking into account our doctrinal guidelines and approaches. Russia does not deem it possible to perceive as legitimate the claims by the non-nuclear-weapon States that rely on Western schemes of "nuclear umbrella" to receive negative security assurances and to consider such ambitions on an equal footing with similar but fully legitimate interests of other States that do not possess nuclear weapons. The situation around the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) remains challenging. Actions by the US administration, including President Trump's instructions on resuming nuclear testing in October 2025, raise additional doubts about the prospects of the CTBT's entry into force. We warn that the US withdrawal from its national moratorium would trigger a "domino effect" when the responsibility for the consequences would rest entirely with Washington. Mr. President, The Russian Federation, as depositary State of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), advocates for the comprehensive strengthening of its regime, including through the adoption of a legally binding protocol to the BTWC with an effective verification mechanism. We will continue to contribute substantively within the framework of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention. We will seek answers to our questions regarding the facts of biological and military activities on the Ukrainian territory, conducted with the support of the Pentagon and its affiliated structures, including private companies, in violation of the BTWC, which were disclosed during the Special Military Operation. We are deeply concerned by the ongoing deliberate efforts by Western countries to turn the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) into an instrument for achieving their own geopolitical goals. The politicization of the OPCW's work, connivance or complicity in violating the provisions of the Convention by individual States Parties lead to the erosion of the chemical weapons regime and eventually could trigger the "domino effect", fraught with accelerated degradation of the arms control and non-proliferation system as a whole and consequences that will affect everyone. Given the continuing threats of the use of chemical substances and biological agents as weapons by terrorists, the Russian initiative to develop at the CD an international convention for the suppression of acts of chemical and biological terrorism is more relevant than ever. Negotiations on this document could become a viable way to overcome the current impasse in the substantive work of the Conference. Mr. President, The CD remains a unique and indispensable negotiating forum to develop multilateral legally binding agreements on ACDN. The agenda of the forum shaped many years ago, still remains relevant. The urgency to start negotiations on its specific items, while upholding the fundamental principles of the forum's functioning (primarily, the rule of consensus), is increasingly evident in the current circumstances. At the same time, we note with regret that the delegations of Western countries have no interest in launching the substantive work at the CD and fulfilling its negotiating mandate. Under far-fetched pretexts, they prevent the adoption of a comprehensive and balanced program of work, shifting the focus to non-mandatory and secondary issues, and generally sabotage any attempts to bring the activities of the Conference to a negotiating mode. The failure to adopt the CD's subsidiary bodies reports with concrete conclusions and recommendations (including those regarding the organization of work this year), instigated by the US last year, is yet another evidence of such a situation. We advocate for the inclusivity of intergovernmental processes and attach great importance to the role of observers at the CD. However, the expansion of membership should not become an end in itself. The Conference is a negotiating forum with a limited membership which operates on the principle of consensus. Therefore, the members of the forum have the right to admit the observer status application of those who could contribute positively to the CD's work and, vice versa, deny in case countries are not interested in an equal and mutually respectful dialogue. In the interests of peace and international security the Russian Federation is open to cooperation with all interested states to achieve at the CD as soon as possible the results that could satisfy everyone. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Top Daesh commanders resurface in Raqqah amid growing insecurity in Syria under Jolani Iran Press TV Wednesday, 25 February 2026 8:26 AM Commanders of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group have reemerged in the northern city of Raqqah in Syria, local reports say as security is alarmingly deteriorating in the Arab country under the ruling Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham-led (HTS) administration. Several recognized Daesh leaders have recently been seen operating openly inside Raqqa, once the de facto capital of the group inside the Arab country, RT reported on Tuesday, citing local sources. Syria, under former Daesh deputy Muhammad al-Jolani, has undergone a significant shift in its political and military landscape, as rival factions within his Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), continue to compete for influence and control across the country. Local informants confirmed that residents have recently spotted several Daesh members and senior figures moving through Raqqah, noting that their coordinated movements and deployment show their roles within a so-called "ministry of defense" established by the terror group. The development has alarmed Syrian residents, raising serious concerns about potential security reorganization and restructuring of Daesh in the region. Among the figures reportedly identified are Sufyan al-Qasham also known as Sufyan al-Nuaimi, Faisal al-Balawi, and Salem Turki al-Amari also known as Abu Saddam al-Ansari, all described as prominent Daesh commanders. In recent weeks, a significant number of Daesh members and their families have escaped from detention facilities previously controlled by the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The escapes followed clashes between SDF forces and units affiliated with the HTS regime's ministry of defense. Meanwhile, reports indicate that Daesh activity has intensified amid a reduction in US military presence at several bases in northeastern Syria. Daesh earlier released an audio message announcing the beginning of a "new phase of operations" against Jolani's regime, issuing explicit threats. Analysts view the message as a clear indication that the terrorist group is seeking to revive and expand its activities in the area. Critics argue that because of the policies of the Jolani regime in Damascus, Daesh has been steadily regaining power, exploiting instability and security vacuums to rebuild its networks in Raqqah and beyond. Daesh once seized large swaths of Syria, establishing a brutal regime over cities like Raqqah, imposing strict control through fear and violence. In 2017, its territorial hold was dismantled under President Assad amid counterterrorism contribution steered by General Qassem Soleimani, former commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC). The group was consequently driven from its strongholds and reduced to a scattered insurgency. Jolani seized power in the Arab country following a rapid onslaught by his militant group, which ousted the government of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. In 2025, the US formally removed HTS from its terrorist designation list, and Jolani held direct talks in Washington with President Donald Trump, a move critics say reinforced claims that Washington has come to view him not only as a pragmatic partner but, in practice, as a strategic asset despite his group's terrorist past. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New drone factory opens in Suffolk to boost Ukraine's Armed Forces against Russia's war Press release Ukraine's Armed Forces will be able to better defend itself against Russia's brutal attacks. From: Ministry of Defence and Luke Pollard MP Published 26 February 2026 Ukraine's largest drone manufacturers open new factory in Suffolk, creating up to 500 jobs and boosting economic growth. Factory to produce cutting-edge drones, providing critical support in Ukraine's fight for freedom, four years on from Putin's illegal invasion. The UK stands with Ukraine, with over 1 billion committed for the country's air defences since July 2024. Ukraine's Armed Forces will be able to better defend itself against Russia's brutal attacks after one of Ukraine's largest drone manufacturers opens a new factory in Suffolk. Four years on from Putin's illegal invasion, the UK is backing Ukraine by hosting a new Ukrspecsystems production facility in East Anglia. The UK has previously ordered over 80 SHARK and Mini-SHARK drones from Ukrspecystems' factories in Ukraine, which help save Ukrainian lives by combatting Russia's war effort. In a vote of confidence for the UK, Ukrspecsystems chose sites in Mildenhall and Elmsett in Suffolk for their new drone factory and testing and training facility. The company's 200 million investment will create up to 500 British jobs at the sites and broader UK supply chain. Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP said: Our resolve to support Ukraine is stronger than ever, and we are backing Ukraine's defiant Armed Forces as they fight for peace. Ukrspecsystems' new factory is a vote of confidence in UK support and underlines the deepening cooperation between our nations' defence industries. This investment will create up to 500 new jobs in the East of England, drive defence as an engine for growth, and help Ukraine defend itself against Putin's aggression. The facility was opened by Defence Minister Luke Pollard yesterday, reaffirming the UK's continued support for Ukraine. This follows more than 1 billion committed to support Ukraine's air defences since July 2024, helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian drone attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure. Ukrspecsystems is a Ukrainian drone company, founded in 2014, which produces a wide variety of drones, including the PD-2 and SHARK-M surveillance drones which communicate autonomously with strike drones to identify, track and destroy Russian targets. Ukrspecsystems' drones have contributed to almost $3 billion of damage to Putin's war machine since the onset of the full-scale invasion. The UK has separately started producing Octopus interceptor drones, aiming to ramp up to thousands per month, designed to take out Russian Shaheeds and other weapons at a fraction of the cost, part of the Ministry of Defence's 4.5 billion military support package. Today's news is a clear demonstration of the 100 Year Partnership in action - establishing stronger and closer defence cooperation and industrial bases between the UK and Ukraine. It also follows the announcement of a new business centre in Kyiv which will enable Britain's cutting-edge defence industry and innovators to step up their work to equip Ukraine's Armed Forces. Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK General Valerii Zaluzhnyi said: This factory represents more than industrial cooperation - it is part of a new European security architecture built on shared responsibility and shared production. Ukraine brings battlefield experience and innovation, and together with the United Kingdom we are strengthening the capabilities needed to deter aggression. The UK's Defence Industrial Strategy is making it easier for defence business to operate in the UK, driving economic growth and supporting the government's support for Ukraine, in line with the Strategic Defence Review. Director of Ukrspecsystems UK Rory Chamberlain said: Four years on from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, this factory delivers what matters: secure supply, secure resource, and sustained support for Ukraine. By establishing production in the UK, Ukrspecsystems are increasing the resilience of the UK's defence industrial base, and providing a trusted supply chain that ensures that the drones relied upon by the Ukrainian Armed Forces can be built and scaled without interruption. Delivered with UK and Ukrainian Government support and in partnership with British SMEs, this is 'Made with Ukraine' in action - embodying the UK-Ukraine 100-Year Partnership through real industrial capability, happening now in East Anglia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address "The fate of Ukraine is our fate" Germany - Federal Government A war of aggression against Ukraine In February 2022, Russia launched its attack on the whole of Ukraine - and the European peace order - in violation of international law. A free, strong and sovereign Ukraine is needed for lasting peace, said Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Tuesday, 24 February 2026 24 February 2026 marks the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of the whole of Ukraine. For four years, Ukraine has been defending its freedom - and our common security in Europe. "For four years, every day and every night has been a nightmare for Ukrainians, and it's not just a nightmare for them, but for all of us. War has been back in Europe for almost four years," wrote Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz on X and Instagram. The Chancellor made it clear that since then we have been reminded daily of "what violence, lack of freedom and revisionism look like". At the same time, the Ukrainians' fight for defence reminds us of what just resistance looks like. Peace in Europe only with a free, sovereign Ukraine The Federal Chancellor expressed confidence, saying: "We will only be able to create sustainable peace in Europe together with a free and sovereign Ukraine, a strong Ukraine that can continue to protect itself against Russian attacks now and in the future." Political and historical common sense demand that we recognise this: "The fate of Ukraine is the fate of the whole of Europe," said Chancellor Merz. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Written message from Prime Minister TAKAICHI for Virtual Leaders Meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan February 24, 2026 On February 24, Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan, issued a written message for the "Virtual Leaders Meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on Ukraine", which was hosted by the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the French Republic. The message content is as follows: It is regrettable that four years have passed since Russia's aggression against Ukraine began. Unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force must not be tolerated. We express our respect for the vigorous efforts of all countries involved to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. It is vital to bring peace to Ukraine as soon as possible. It is essential that relevant countries work together in solidarity to support Ukraine, with involvement of the United States, so that the future of Ukraine is shaped in accordance with the will of Ukraine. Japan has provided generators and other items in response to the severe winter conditions facing Ukraine, and has announced and is implementing approximately $20 billion in assistance, including approximately $6 billion in financial support announced last December. Japan will contribute to Ukraine's efforts to strengthen its social and economic resilience through public-private partnership assistance for recovery and reconstruction. Furthermore, pressure on Russia must continue, and Japan will continue to impose sanctions against Russia. Japan will never waver in its consistent position of standing with Ukraine. Japan will work closely with the international community. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We provide critically needed missiles, says Minister R. Kaunas after meeting with V.Zelenskyy in Kyiv Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence 2026-02-24 International cooperation Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas on a visit to Ukraine for commemoration of the 4th anniversary of the wide-scale war attended meetings of the Coalition of the Willing and The Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) on Tuesday. He also met bilaterally with President of Ukraine HE Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Minister of Defence of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov. "We are transferring 30 pieces of RBS missiles to Ukraine to help the country protect critical infrastructure. It is the equipment Ukraine critically needs right now to strengthen air defence," said Minister of National Defence R. Kaunas after the bilateral meeting with V.Zelenskyy in Kyiv. At the NB8 meeting Minister underscored the necessity to support Ukraine against Russia's attempts to use winter weather by means of damaging civilian energy infrastructure. "During the coldest January and February months in 2026 Lithuania stood by Ukraine's side with all it could. 90 power generators worth over EUR 2 million were delivered. Lithuania is currently arranging to transfer diesel power generators, transformers, electric engines and other energy equipment needed to restore energy supply and rebuild damaged infrastructure in light of the recent Russian attacks," said Minister R. Kaunas. According to minister, the key priority remains the same: to help Ukraine resist Russian efforts to weaponize winter. Despite the rhetoric of the so-called energy ceasefire, russia successfully continues systemic attacks against Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure: electricity networks, substations and nuclear energy related-sites to use winter weather and the factor of nuclear risk for pressure. Lithuania will make a new contribution to Ukraine's air defence through the PURL initiative through which U.S. equipment is supplied to Ukraine. Minister also noted that the latest LNG freight will soon reached Ukraine from the United States via the Klaipeda LNG Terminal. At the meeting of over 30 Ukraine's supporters at the Coalition of the Willing, Minister underscored Lithuania's steadfast commitment to continue rendering comprehensive assistance. "We will continue actively seeking to step up support to Ukraine in NATO, EU and other international formats," Minister R. Kaunas said at the meeting. Minister emphasized that assistance to Ukraine and its EU membership aspiration will be among Lithuania's strategic priorities in 2027 during the Presidency of the Council of the EU. The bilateral meeting with Minister of Defence of Ukraine M. Fedorov focused on the industrial cooperation between the two countries. They agreed on further tightening the cooperation on developing joint production of Lithuanian and Ukrainian weaponry in Lithuania and in Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Denmark to finance infrastructure modernisation at an Armed Forces of Ukraine training centre Ministry of Defence of Ukraine 24 February, 2026, 3:53 PM EET The defence ministries of Ukraine and Denmark are launching a joint infrastructure project designed to strengthen the Armed Forces of Ukraine's capacity for personnel training. The parties have already signed the corresponding letter of intent. The project's technical framework has also been approved. It provides for comprehensive modernisation and infrastructure upgrades at one of the Armed Forces of Ukraine's training centres. A key aspect of the modernisation will be improving living conditions and safety standards for service members undergoing training at the facility. Denmark is investing approximately 33 million in training infrastructure, living and sanitary facilities, equipment, and training drones. The 'Come Back Alive' International Charitable Foundation will serve as the project's implementation partner, in line with the previously signed memorandum of cooperation with the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. "Our task in achieving the objectives of this war is to transform Ukraine's military training system. High-quality training reduces losses and increases effectiveness. Modernising the training centre is one of the first steps towards this," said Ukraine's Minister of Defence, Mykhailo Fedorov. The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine initiated the project, securing partner funding, developing a financial cooperation model, and together with the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and representatives of the training centre preparing the project's technical specification. The current infrastructure project is part of a broader strategy to strengthen cooperation between the defence ministries of Ukraine and Denmark. As a result of efforts to secure funding from partner countries, Ukraine will be able to upgrade and significantly improve the existing infrastructure of its training centres. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mykhailo Fedorov and the Minister of National Defence of Lithuania discuss security cooperation plans for 2026 Ministry of Defence of Ukraine 24 February, 2026, 6:14 PM EET In Kyiv, Ukraine's Minister of Defence, Mykhailo Fedorov, and Lithuania's Minister of National Defence, Robertas Kaunas, discussed prospects for developing cooperation between the defence enterprises of both countries. Mykhailo Fedorov stressed the importance of aligning joint projects with the Defence Forces' current needs, particularly in extended-range artillery. The parties discussed expanding defence cooperation and identifying priority areas of support for Ukraine. In particular, Lithuania confirmed its readiness to support the establishment of a joint venture for drone production. Mykhailo Fedorov expressed gratitude to Lithuania for providing annual support amounting to 0.25% of its GDP, as well as for its contributions to the PURL mechanism. The parties also discussed the possibility of directing SAFE credit funding to support Ukraine as early as this year. In addition, the parties discussed enhancing Lithuania's defence capabilities to counter Shahed drones. Ukraine stands ready to share practical experience and support the rapid deployment of new capabilities that can reinforce partner countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address What is known about the AASM Hammer guided aerial bombs provided by France for Ukrainian aircraft Ministry of Defence of Ukraine 24 February, 2026, 12:30 PM EET Ukraine and France are continuing efforts towards a record level of deliveries of AASM Hammer guided aerial bombs to Ukraine. The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine provides an overview of these munitions, which have been effectively engaging enemy targets for several years. In the French Air and Space Force, AASM Hammer aerial bombs can be employed from a wide range of aircraft, including the F-16, Dassault Rafale, Mirage 2000D, and others. In the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, these aerial bombs have been adapted for launches from MiG-29 aircraft. AASM HAMMER is a modular guidance kit with a range-extension module that turns unguided gravity bombs into precision-guided air-to-surface weapons. It includes a guidance section and a tail module with aerodynamic fins and a booster. Equipped with inertial, satellite, laser, or infrared guidance, the munition delivers target accuracy within 10 metres. The booster enables engagement of enemy targets at ranges of up to 70 km, allowing aircraft to release the munition from a safe stand-off distance. Currently, the most common AASM Hammer configurations are for the 250-kg Mk 82 and 1,000-kg Mk 84 bomb bodies. Other bomb variants are also supported. To recap, in Kyiv, the Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Mykhailo Fedorov, and France's Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, Catherine Vautrin, signed a Letter of Intent on joint weapons production in Ukraine and France. The talks also covered efforts to ensure a record volume of deliveries of AASM Hammer guided aerial bombs. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'War Remains Stain on Collective Conscience', Under-Secretary-General Tells Security Council as Ukraine War Enters Fifth Year, Urging Ceasefire Meetings Coverage Security Council 10110th Meeting (PM) SC/16302 24 February 2026 As the Russian Federation's war on Ukraine enters its fifth year, the Security Council today heard that ongoing diplomatic efforts must first yield an immediate ceasefire, and then a lasting peace, to finally end the widespread suffering wrought by prolonged conflict. The Council is meeting in the wake of the General Assembly's Emergency Special Session on the same topic, after months of intensified Russian Federation attacks on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure amidst freezing temperatures. While ongoing diplomatic efforts seek to end the war, 2025 was a particularly deadly year for civilians despite the Council's adoption of resolution 2774 (2025) one year ago on the third anniversary of the Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine. Today marks the fourth. "The war remains a stain on our collective conscience," said Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, speaking for the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Spotlighting the cascading consequences of the Russian Federation's invasion a "blatant violation of international law" she underscored that the human toll has been catastrophic. "Last year was the deadliest for Ukrainian civilians since 2022," she said. And since the start of the war, more than 15,000 civilians have been killed in Ukraine, more than 41,000 have been injured, millions have been forced to flee their homes and millions more require life-saving assistance. Adding that "the plight of Ukrainian children is particularly dire", she reported that more than 3,200 have been killed or injured and that "a whole generation has lost years of education". And this winter, the Russian Federation's intensified strikes against Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure have turned access to basic services into "a matter of life and death", she said. Also noting that civilians in the Russian Federation are increasingly affected by reported Ukrainian strikes, she urged both sides to implement an "immediate moratorium" on attacking civilian populations and infrastructure. She went on to recall the Council's adoption of resolution 2774 (2025) one year ago, which implored a "swift end to the conflict". While commending ongoing diplomatic efforts by the United States and others towards this end, she underlined the need for "concrete" measures to de-escalate the fighting and create space for such efforts to succeed. "The parameters of peace in Ukraine are not a mystery," she said it must accord with international law and uphold the country's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Calling for an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire, she stressed: "Enough with the death, enough with the destruction, enough with the broken lives and shattered futures." 'Russia Shows No Interest in Peace' Calling for clear-eyed negotiations, France's representative said his country did everything it could to prevent the war and will do everything it can to end it. Supporting ongoing peace efforts, he underlined the need to "broadcast the voice of Europe", stressing that peace requires sincere political will and "we have that". However, "Russia shows no interest in peace", stressed Denmark's representative; rather, Moscow's actions are "desperate and deeply cynical". "Yes, this has been ongoing for four years yes, I am not happy about the fact that people are dying but, if need be, this will continue for as long as necessary," said the delegate of the Russian Federation. Stating that European countries neither seek a lasting solution to the Ukraine crisis nor care about the future of the Ukrainian people, he said that statements made during the recent Munich Security Conference did not mention peace in Ukraine. Recalling that Moscow has, from the outset, preferred "diplomatic methods for the achievement of the goals of the special military operation", he said it has participated in negotiations "conscientiously and in good faith". However, any agreement must be comprehensive, address root causes and "result in a real end to this conflict, rather than an ephemeral ceasefire", he stressed. Calls for Sustained Pressure on Russian Federation The root cause of the past 1,461 days of illegal war is well-known, stressed Baiba Braze, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Latvia "Russia's imperial and colonial aspirations". Moscow refuses to accept that empires are dead and continues to sabotage ongoing peace efforts. "The good news is that Russia's aggression is failing," she said, noting that it lost more than 400,000 troops in 2025 alone while capturing less than 1 per cent of Ukrainian territory. Nevertheless, she said that, while Ukraine will remain free and sovereign, "it's time to bring this war to an end". "This means keeping up the pressure on Russia, and choking off their war machine," stressed Stephen Doughty, Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom, Council President for February. To this end, London is announcing the "largest package of measures since 2022". Calling "again" on the Russian Federation to comply with international law, he added that his country and its partners are pressing Moscow to "meaningfully" engage in the peace process. Yet, Mariana Betsa, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, said that the Kremlin continues to show "no readiness in stopping this aggression, using the negotiation process as a cover to continue this war". Three rounds of trilateral meetings among her country, the Russian Federation and the United States have been held to date the latest on 17 and 18 February in Geneva but there has been "no agreement on the most sensitive political matters", she noted. "Ukraine is not an obstacle to peace we want peace more than anyone else but, of course, it should be a just peace," she said. While Kyiv is willing to make difficult compromises, Moscow's unchanged position is that Ukraine must withdraw from its sovereign territory. Underscoring the fundamentality of sovereignty and territorial integrity, she stressed that this is a "red line" for her country "and, I'm more than sure, for every country present in this hall". For her part, the representative of the United States reported: "We are closer to a deal right now than at any point since the war began, but we have obviously not reached it." One reason that the conflict continues is the support Moscow continues to receive from third countries, she said, stating: "China remains the decisive enabler of Russia's war industrial machine." Rejecting that statement, China's representative stressed that his country neither created nor is party to the conflict and also does not supply lethal weapons. Delegates Urge Diplomacy, Civilian Protection Arnold Kammel, Secretary-General in Austria's Federal Ministry of Defence, also said that his country does not provide weapons; rather, it provides humanitarian support. He also said that Austria is willing to host future negotiations. Michael Damianos, Minister for Energy, Commerce and Industry of Cyprus, joined those expressing support for ongoing diplomacy as did Somalia's representative while the representative of Bahrain noted that such efforts resulted in the exchange of prisoners between the conflicting parties. The representatives of Pakistan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for their part, spotlighted the war's global consequences and underlined the need to end the conflict. Several delegates, including those of Panama and Colombia, pointed to the importance of protecting civilians, as those of Greece and Spain stressed that targeting civilian populations and infrastructure violates international law. In every conflict, said Liberia's representative, civilians are the "unwilling front lines". Some of the wider UN membership also took the floor today, many to point to Moscow's intransigence at the negotiating table. Germany's representative stressed that the Russian Federation must finally agree to an unconditional ceasefire and seriously engage in negotiations. Similarly, the representative of the European Union, in its capacity as observer, stated: "To have peace, Russia must be made to realize that its strategy of pretending to negotiate while extending its aggression will no longer be tolerated." Speakers Reject Borders Redrawn by Force, Warn of Russian Federation's Imperial Ambitions The international community must also never tolerate "attempts to redraw internationally recognized borders by force", said Lasha Darsalia, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Georgia, recalling that his country "knows first hand the consequences of occupation". Meanwhile, Sweden's representative also speaking for Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway said that these countries "will ensure that aggressors are held responsible and that Russia will pay compensation for the damage caused by its war". Moscow seeks to reverse the collapse of the Soviet Union "and here we will find the real root causes of this conflict" said Estonia's representative. "This is a war of choice, driven by calculated imperial ambition," added Lithuania's representative, who also detailed Moscow's "broader strategy to destabilize our region" through escalating hybrid threats against his own country and others. "We feel it in Poland," said that country's representative, while pledging that these actions will not undermine Warsaw's resolve to help Ukraine. "Once, a wall stood in Europe," recalled Petr Macinka, Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic one that separated freedom from oppression, truth from propaganda and the future from the past. "That wall no longer stands in Berlin," he said "it stands in Ukraine". Recalling the words spoken by the United States President in 1987, he urged that a similar message be sent to the Russian Federation President now: "Mr. Putin, break down this war." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Swiss Government Press release Published on 25 February 2026 Berne, 25.02.2026 -- On 25 February, the Federal Council decided to adopt the further measures contained in the European Union's 19th package of sanctions against Russia with effect from 26 February. On 12 December last year, 64 individuals and entities were already added to Switzerland's sanctions list, and the first measures of the 19th sanctions package were adopted. In response to Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, the EU adopted new measures against Russia on 23 October 2025 as part of its 19th package of sanctions. These measures aim to further increase pressure on Russia's military industrial base and the energy and financial sectors, which are considered key sectors in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. On 12 December last year, Switzerland already imposed sanctions on 64 additional individuals and entities (press release). This means that around 2,600 individuals and entities in Switzerland are currently subject to asset freezes in connection with the situation in Ukraine. The corresponding sanctions list is identical to that of the EU. In addition, the oil price cap for Russian crude oil destined for third countries was lowered from USD 47.60 to USD 44.10 as of 1 February. Energy and financial measures From 25 April, a complete ban on the purchase and import of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) will apply in Switzerland. In the case of pre-existing long-term supply contracts, a transition period applies until the end of 2026. The measure aims to reduce Russia's revenues from the sale of fossil fuels, which are a major source of funding for the war against Ukraine. In order to reflect the growing importance of cryptocurrencies for the Russian war economy, the provision of all crypto services to Russian citizens and companies is now prohibited. In addition, the Federal Council has decided to ban transactions involving certain rouble-backed cryptocurrencies, such as stablecoin A7A5. At the same time, the Federal Council has extended the ban on the use of certain specialised messaging services for payment transactions. The interpretation guide for sanctions measures issued by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs will be updated promptly, particularly in this area. Trade measures In the trade sector, the list of goods that contribute to Russia's military and technological strength has been expanded to include metals used in the construction of weapon systems and products used in the manufacture of fuels. In addition, the Federal Council has imposed purchase and import bans on other goods that are important to Russia. New additions include, for example, acyclic hydrocarbons, which represent a significant source of income for Russia. Further measures The Federal Council has decided to prohibit the acquisition and retention of holdings in companies as well as the establishment and continuation of joint ventures in certain special economic, innovation or preferential zones where, among other things, war-related goods are produced. The existing ban on the provision of services will be extended to new services. From now on, certain services in the field of advanced technologies and artificial intelligence, as well as those directly related to tourism, are prohibited. In addition, the provision of all non-prohibited services for the Russian government is subject to authorisation. Finally, the Federal Council has, as the EU has done, introduced an obligation for Russian diplomatic staff accredited in the EU to give advance notice if they are transiting through or entering Switzerland. Measures against Belarus Alongside the 19th sanctions package issued on 23 October 2025, the EU also imposed further measures against Belarus in light of that country's continued involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine. At its meeting on 25 February, the Federal Council decided to fully adopt these new measures. Among other things, they include an extension of service bans, a tightening of certain trade restrictions and measures relating to cryptocurrencies. The new provisions will enter into force on 26 February. This decision further aligns Switzerland's sanctions regime against Belarus with that against Russia, strengthening its impact and preventing circumvention. "Ukraine lives in all of us" - Secretary General Berset Council of Europe Strasbourg ceremony marks fourth anniversary of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine Council of Europe Strasbourg 25 February 2026 The Council of Europe has marked the fourth anniversary of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine with a ceremony emphasising solidarity, peace and accountability. "Ukraine lives in all of us. Now is the time for peace, for reconstruction, for a free Ukraine in a secure Europe," said Secretary General Alain Berset. "We ensure that law prevails over force. Peace cannot be built on impunity - it must be built on democratic security," he added. Ambassador Daniela Cujba, Permanent Representative of Moldova to the Council of Europe, speaking on behalf of the Committee of Ministers' Presidency, highlighted the courage of the Ukrainian people. "Today, we honour the victims of war and the extraordinary bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian people. We stand with Ukraine with a firm belief that peace, freedom, justice and dignity must prevail. The future of Ukraine is intrinsically linked with the future of Europe." In a strong tribute, Ambassador Mykola Tochytskyi, Permanent Representative of Ukraine, declared: "We honour the memory of all defenders who have fallen for a free Ukraine. We will defend our independence. We will not betray our heroes, we will not betray Ukraine, we will not betray Europe." On 24 February, the 46 nations of the Council of Europe reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine and condemned attacks on vital infrastructure during extreme winter conditions. As a sign of solidarity, the Council of Europe's main building was illuminated in the colours of the Ukrainian flag, symbolising unity and hope. In addition, an exhibition entitled "Living through the war" was opened and will run until 27 February. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna: the international community has sent a clear signal that respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity is a precondition for a just and lasting peace Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 25.02.2026 | 10:53 Yesterday, 24 February, the UN General Assembly adopted by 107 votes a resolution calling for an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine. The resolution underlines the importance of respecting Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and internationally recognised borders, and expresses deep concern over Russia's attacks against Ukrainian civilians, civilian infrastructure and energy infrastructure. According to foreign minister Margus Tsahkna, the resolution confirms the international community's firm commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, international law, and the protection of Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity. "From the very beginning, the objective of Russia - a permanent member of the UN Security Council - has been clear: to subjugate the whole of Ukraine and, in doing so, to rewrite the norms of international law," Tsahkna said. "Through its aggression, Russia has gravely violated the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and committed serious crimes against the Ukrainian state and its civilian population - from drone attacks and the deliberate bombing of energy infrastructure to the mass deportation of children to Russia. Today's decision shows that a large number of member states continue to condemn Russia's aggression and demand consequences for the aggressor's actions." Tsahkna stressed that the political and economic pressure exerted by the international community on Russia must be further increased. To avoid impunity, efforts to hold Russia accountable through international courts must continue. "To prosecute the crime of aggression, we must move swiftly to launch the special tribunal being established under the auspices of the Council of Europe," the minister said. He added that Estonia considers it essential to continue supporting both Ukrainian courts and the International Criminal Court in investigating war crimes and human rights violations. "Every crime must carry a penalty," he emphasised. According to the foreign minister, alongside increasing pressure on Russia, the international community must stand firmly by Ukraine. "Our task is to continue providing comprehensive support to Ukraine - from military and humanitarian assistance to the delivery of critical supplies. It is also important to participate in Ukraine's reconstruction in the longer term," Tsahkna said. Estonia was represented at the special session of the General Assembly and the meeting of the Security Council by Ambassador Rein Tammsaar, Estonia's permanent representative to the UN, who stressed in Estonia's statement that Russia's full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, now in its fifth year, constitutes the greatest threat to global peace and security. "Russia's imperialist objectives with regard to Ukraine have not changed," he said. "To end the war and the violence, all UN member states must jointly exert additional pressure on Russia. Only then can we compel the aggressor to make peace in Ukraine." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China pushes back against smears over Ukraine crisis, reiterates its position on calling for ceasefire, promoting peace talks as conflict enters fifth year Global Times By Zhao Yusha Published: Feb 25, 2026 10:08 PM China's position on the Ukraine issue has been open, clear and consistent - calling for a ceasefire, an end to hostilities, and the promotion of peace talks and dialogue, and the US smearing of China's stance aims to provoke bloc confrontation and create division and antagonism, China's Permanent Representative to the UN Fu Cong said at a UN Security Council meeting on Tuesday as he pushed back against accusations from the US. The remarks came as the US and some Western governments intensified criticism of China over the Russia-Ukraine conflict ahead of its fourth anniversary, bringing the issue back into sharp international focus. Chinese diplomats have repeatedly pushed back, issuing pointed rebuttals. Speaking at the meeting held by the UN on Tuesday, Fu said China has not provided lethal weapons to any party to the conflict and has consistently exercised strict controls over the export of dual-use items. Fu's remarks came after Tammy Bruce, the US deputy UN envoy said at the UN session that "China remains a decisive enabler of Russia's war machine." "If China truly wants peace, it should immediately end exports of dual-use goods and stop purchasing Russian oil," Bruce said, according to Reuters. Fu said that as a major global producer, trading nation, and consumer, China maintains normal economic and trade relations with Russia, Ukraine, Europe, and the US. These exchanges follow market and commercial principles, do not violate UN Security Council resolutions, and are legitimate and beyond reproach. China will safeguard its energy security based on its national interests. Fu stressed that the US has on various occasions fabricated excuses and spread falsehoods to attack and smear China. This is blatant political manipulation aimed at provoking bloc confrontation and creating division. China once again urges the US to stop shifting blame, deflecting responsibility, and creating conflicts and wars around the world, said Fu. Also on Wednesday, in response to the UK government's expansion of its sanctions list against Russia to add around 250 individuals and companies, including legal entities from China and the UAE, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference that China opposes unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law or authorization of the UN Security Council. China strongly deplores relevant moves of the UK side. Mao noted that on the Ukraine crisis, China has all along promoted talks for peace and strictly controlled the export of dual-use articles. The normal exchanges and cooperation between China and Russia should not be disrupted or affected. China will do what is necessary to firmly defend its legitimate and lawful rights and interests. On Monday, when asked to comment on the report that the US Ambassador to NATO said that a call from China could end the Ukraine crisis and that "this war is being completely enabled by China,'' Lin Jian, spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that 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, said Lin, noting that the so-called "enabling the war" is nothing but a groundless accusation. China has consistently advocated for cease-fire, de-escalation, and a political settlement through dialogue and negotiation. However, as the conflict continues, some countries have persistently supplied weapons and military support to the battlefield, prolonging the duration of hostilities. Under such circumstances, diplomatic efforts alone cannot produce immediate results, Yang Jin, an associate research fellow with the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. Commenting on claims by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service that the UK and France are preparing to transfer nuclear weapons to Kiev, because they believe Ukraine should be supplied with an atomic or at least a "dirty" bomb to claim more favorable conditions for the end of the conflict, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday that she is not familiar with the specifics. "China always believes that nuclear weapons must not be used, a nuclear war must not be fought, and international non-proliferation obligations should be earnestly observed," she said. What's changed, what's not As the conflict entered its fifth year on Tuesday, international media has focused on how much has changed during the war and how the war has changed the world. The New York Times published an article on Tuesday noting "same war, different message: Trump tonight vs. Biden four years ago," and compared the level of support for Ukraine between the two administrations. CNN in an article also highlighted the change of the transatlantic relationship, "The NATO alliance, and security on the continent, was founded on the promise the US would, ultimately, again, defend Europe." "However fast the Trump White House seeks to erase that assurance, Europe remains slow to pick up the slack. Centrist leaders in the UK, France and Germany resist spending a larger percentage of their strained budgets defending against a Russian threat that their far-right populist opponents might think can be easily negotiated away," according to CNN. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that Russia and Russians have changed profoundly over the past four years in terms of consolidation and the "maturing of society," in response to journalists' questions about how the country has changed since February 2022, per Tass. Marking the anniversary, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said Vladimir Putin "has not achieved his goals," and that Ukraine will do "everything to achieve peace and justice," according to the BBC. Bloomberg said in a report that US President Donald Trump's efforts to end the conflict "are stalling with peace talks deadlocked and the fighting largely at a stalemate after four years of war." "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," according to the report. As the conflict enters its fifth year, much has changed - including multipolarity is no longer merely a trend but a reality; major power consultation and strategic competition are playing an increasingly prominent role; as realism and pragmatism are on the rise, Europe's relationship with the US, the leadership in Washington and the level of American support for Ukraine have all changed. Yet there are things that remain constant: international law and international norms remain an important foundation of international relations, and the "law of the jungle" has not become the dominant principle governing international relations, said Zhang Hong, a research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Another thing that has remained unchanged is Western smear of China, said Zhang, noting that when the peace prospects still remain dim after four years, blaming China for the conflict is, in itself, a reversal of cause and effect. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The RDNA5 report provides international recognition of the scale of the destruction and a clear plan for Ukraine's recovery, says Oleksii Kuleba Ukraine Government Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, posted 25 February 2026 14:25 Deputy Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine Minister of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine, Oleksii Kuleba, and World Bank Managing Director for Operations, Anna Bjerde, held a working meeting on the eve of the RDNA5 presentation. First Deputy Minister Aliona Shkrum and Deputy Ministers Maryna Denysiuk and Yevhen Dubogryz also joined the meeting. The key topic of the meeting was the presentation and discussion of the results of the fifth Ukraine Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA5), prepared jointly by the Government of Ukraine, the World Bank, the European Commission and the United Nations. "Thanks to the RDNA5 report, we have a comprehensive, transparent and internationally recognised picture of the scale of the destruction. These are not just numbers, but a document that allows us to structure our priorities and allocate resources effectively. I am grateful to the World Bank for its support and joint work on the report," Oleksii Kuleba emphasised. Together with the World Bank, the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development will conduct a study on the comprehensive recovery of settlements as a logical continuation of RDNA5. This will allow the pilot project to be scaled up from 5 to 20 communities, taking into account the economic potential of the territories and migration processes. The meeting's participants also discussed the issue of financing compensation for damaged and destroyed housing within the framework of the eVidnovlennia programme. Significant attention was paid to strengthening institutional capacity through the creation of a Project Management Unit (PMU/PIU), which will improve the effectiveness of joint initiatives. In addition, the parties discussed expanding sectoral cooperation, particularly in the areas of energy recovery within the REPOWER project and port logistics within the RELINC project, as well as further steps to ensure the financial sustainability of the railway sector. The sides agreed to continue close coordination of efforts in the recovery process and to work together to ensure the financial sustainability of strategic sectors of the Ukrainian economy. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Denys Shmyhal took part in Volodymyr Zelenskyy's meeting with Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa Ukraine Government Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, posted 25 February 2026 10:24 First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal participated in a meeting between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and President of the European Council Antonio Costa. The parties discussed strengthening the resilience of Ukraine's energy system and preparations for the upcoming autumn-winter period. "We thank Europe for standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. We feel this support in the most difficult moments. The European Union has developed a plan to support Ukraine through the next winter," said the Minister of Energy. Denys Shmyhal expressed gratitude to Ursula von der Leyen for the continued support of Ukraine's energy sector and for announcing a EUR 920 million assistance package entitled "Repair, Rebuild, Restart," aimed at supporting Ukraine through the next winter season. "We highly appreciate this support. The details of the plan will be discussed during the Energy 'Ramstein' meeting in March," Denys Shmyhal noted. He also thanked the European Union for the transfer of 500 generators to support the energy system and critical infrastructure. According to him, this timely assistance has contributed to stabilizing the situation and maintaining system reliability. Together with European partners, Ukraine continues to restore damaged infrastructure and strengthen national energy security. "Together, we are rebuilding our infrastructure and doing everything possible to ensure that light prevails over darkness," Denys Shmyhal concluded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister B. Braze at the UN Human Rights Council urges to exert maximum international pressure on Russia Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Published: 25.02.2026 On 25 February 2026, four years after Russia began its war against Ukraine, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braze, addressed the UN Human Rights Council, underlining that: "Russia continues its barbaric aggression deliberately destroying energy infrastructure and trying to freeze millions of Ukrainians to death. These are war crimes and crimes against humanity. Russia still has over 1.6 million Ukrainian children trapped under occupation or forcibly deported to Russia. These kids are subjected to illegal adoptions and militarisation. And it is all aimed at erasing their Ukrainian identity. Russia must immediately ensure the safe and unconditional return of these children to Ukraine. Russia and its leadership must be held accountable for all atrocities committed." B. Braze called on all countries to apply maximum pressure on Russia, including through sanctions and targeting Russia's shadow fleet, in order to weaken its war economy and reduce the revenue for continuing the war. "Putin's regime is war. War economy, war propaganda, war religion, mass repressions, censorship. Even its education system has become part of the war machine. The human rights situation has eroded dramatically, including a vicious assault on civic freedoms within Russia. We must step up pressure on Russia and continue efforts to isolate it and its ally Belarus within international organisations, including within the UN system," B. Braze urged. She also urged all countries to maximise support for Ukraine's self-defence, to mitigate the consequences of Russia's barbaric attacks on the energy system, and to support civilians. Addressing the human rights situation in Belarus, the Minister recalled the recent release of political prisoners and expressed gratitude to the United States for its support. At the same time, B. Braze pointed out that more than 1100 people are currently detained on political grounds and called on the Belarusian regime to release all political prisoners. The Minister expressed her full support for the Belarusian people's aspirations for a free, sovereign, and independent Belarus. Commenting on the situation in Iran, B. Braze sharply condemned the regime's brutal repression and expressed clear support for the courageous Iranians standing up for their rights and freedoms. Latvia, together with other EU Member States, fully supports the imposition of sanctions on the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and all those responsible for human rights violations in Iran. Regarding the situation in Venezuela, the Minister called on the authorities to unconditionally release all political prisoners. "As an elected member of the UN Security Council, Latvia strongly commits to upholding international law, strengthening peace, security and multilateral system. It is in all our interests to uphold the rules-based international order and compliance with international law. My country will continue to support women's empowerment, gender equality, prevention and elimination of sexual violence in armed conflicts," said B. Braze in the conclusion of her statement. Background information The statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braze, was broadcast on 25 February 2026 during the high-level segment of the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council. The 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 23 February to 31 March 2026. Download: Full text of the statement submitted to the UN Human Rights Council NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Four years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Latvia reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine and its path towards the EU Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Published: 25.02.2026 On 24 February 2026, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Artjoms Ursulskis, attended the meeting of the European Union (EU) General Affairs Council which took place in Brussels. During the meeting, views were exchanged on the draft agenda for the European Council meeting on 19-20 March and an informal discussion was held on the establishment of a European Centre for Democratic Resilience. During the exchange of views on the preparations for the European Council, the Parliamentary Secretary noted: "Today marks four years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but we cannot forget that the war began back in 2014. The message remains consistent everywhere: Russia's violations of international norms will not be tolerated, and our support for Ukraine will continue. The escalation of Russia's attacks again calls into question its genuine intent to achieve lasting peace, making it vital that we continue collaborating with our allies to establish a lasting and fair peace in Ukraine. At the same time, it is crucial to keep advancing Ukraine's EU accession - Ukraine has already done its "homework", and now the EU must fulfil its commitments and begin negotiations with Ukraine on specific matters." In the discussion on the establishment of a European Centre for Democratic Resilience, the Parliamentary Secretary emphasised that Latvia expects the centre to address issues such as protecting elections from foreign information manipulation and interference, assessing the impact of artificial intelligence on information integrity, and enhancing public resilience by fostering community-level resilience and enhancing democratic skills and engagement. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian representative handed a protest note over the continued shelling of Ukraine Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Updated 2026-02-25 On 24 February, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned a representative of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Lithuania and handed a diplomatic note expressing protest over Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine since 2014. The document states that as the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine approached, on the night from 21 to 22 February, Russia launched new cold-blooded missile and drone attacks deliberately targeting the civilian population of Ukraine, residential areas, and civilian infrastructure, thus further adding to the list of war crimes committed in Ukraine by Russian military forces and their leading politicians. The note recalls that accountability for war crimes and other international crimes is not subject to a statute of limitations. Lithuania demands an immediate end to the aggression against Ukraine, the withdrawal of all the occupying forces from the entire internationally recognised territory of Ukraine, and compensation for all damage caused to Ukraine by the Russian aggression. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Updated 2026-02-25 Today marks four years since Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine. In defending themselves against the Russian attack, the Ukrainian people are defending not only their country on a daily basis. They also defend the security of Lithuania and Europe as a whole, as well as the democratic values of freedom, the rule of law, and human dignity, which are important to all of us. For this, we say to them: ' - Thank you!' Through our actions, we will continue to consistently support Ukraine - its freedom, independence, territorial integrity, and self-determination. This war did not start in 2022. Russia attacked Ukraine as early as 2014, when it seized and illegally annexed Crimea. Lithuania clearly says: we will never recognise any seizure of Ukrainian territories and will not recognise attempts to redraw international borders by force. This was reaffirmed by the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, which adopted Resolution on Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity (8 May 2025 No XV-181). Lithuania supports the efforts of the United States, Ukraine, and Europe to end this war and achieve a just and lasting peace. But true peace will only be possible when Russia is stopped and ceases its aggression, withdraws its troops from the entire internationally recognised territory of Ukraine, compensates for the damage caused, and those responsible for war crimes are held to account. We support the ceasefire as a necessary first step towards peace, but stress that Ukraine needs strong security guarantees backed by the U.S. and Europe. And the EU and NATO membership is the most reliable guarantee. Ukraine needs to be strong, both on the battlefield and in the negotiations. It must not be pressured to accept unfair solutions that are contrary to international law. The international community as a whole must remain united and continue to help Ukraine. This includes: political and diplomatic support; military assistance, including air defence; financial and humanitarian aid; investments in Ukraine's defence industry and energy reconstruction. At the same time, it is necessary to increase pressure on Russia and its accomplices. Sanctions are one of the most important tools to do this. It is regrettable that the unconstructive stance of some EU countries has not led to the timely adoption of the 20th package of sanctions. We will do our utmost to overcome the obstacles as soon as possible. Lithuania will continue to support Ukraine with concrete actions. Lithuania will provide support of at least 0.25% of its GDP for Ukraine's defence and security needs. We will invest additionally in the reconstruction of Ukraine, especially in the areas of energy, health, and education. We will seek to further constrain Russia's ability to continue the war by tightening sanctions and increasing the international isolation of Russia and Belarus. We will seek to hold the Russian and Belarusian authorities to account for war crimes, that the established Special Tribunal begins its work as soon as possible, and to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's needs. The damage caused to Ukraine must be compensated. We will also work to ensure the return of all abducted Ukrainian children to their homes and that prisoners of war and unlawfully detained civilians are released and compensated for the harm they have suffered. Lithuania will stand with Ukraine until its victory. ! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Budrys at the OSCE: By continuing its aggression against Ukraine, Russia continues blatantly violating international law and undermining the foundations of the OSCE Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Updated 2026-02-25 On 24 February, marking the 4th anniversary of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine at the OSCE Reinforced Meeting of the Permanent Council, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kestutis Budrys, strongly condemned Russia's ongoing aggression and expressed his full support for Ukraine. "Today marks the beginning of the fifth year of Russia's fullscale war of aggression against Ukraine, and the thirteenth since the illegal annexation of Crimea," the head of Lithuania's diplomacy recalled, stressing that Russia's actions continued to blatantly violate the fundamental principles of international law and undermine the foundations of the OSCE. According to Budrys, Russia deliberately ignores the intense efforts of Ukraine and the United States to achieve a just and sustainable peace and, by simulating involvement in the negotiation process, is further intensifying barbaric attacks against the peaceful Ukrainian civilians. 'Almost every day, Russia launches missile and drone attacks, striking Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro, Kherson, Kyiv, Sumy, and other regions of Ukraine. Russia systematically targets the country's critical energy infrastructure, resulting in disruptions to electricity, water, and heating for hundreds of thousands of people when temperatures fall below -20C,' the Minister said, stressing that these deliberate attacks on civilians constitute war crimes. The head of Lithuania's diplomacy called on the OSCE to take more decisive action in response to Russia's aggression, stressing the need to defend international law and the principles of the organization. Budrys emphasized that the OSCE must actively seek full accountability for Russian crimes and strengthen support for Ukraine as it defends itself. He also called for more determined action from the organisation's institutions to repatriate Ukrainian children abducted by Russia and secure the release of illegally imprisoned OSCE staff, and called on other OSCE participating states to more actively use the existing political mechanisms of the organisation for this purpose. The Minister also voiced strong support for Ukraine, stressing that Lithuania would never recognise the illegally occupied or annexed territories of Ukraine as part of Russia, and urged OSCE participating countries to commit to a principled policy of non-recognition. Russia's aggression against Ukraine has been ongoing since 2014, when Russia occupied and illegally annexed Ukraine's Crimean peninsula and started hostilities in the eastern Ukraine. On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale war against Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran rejects UN resolution on Ukraine for lack of support for lasting peace Iran Press TV Wednesday, 25 February 2026 7:08 AM The permanent mission of Iran to the United Nations has expressed its firm opposition to a draft resolution on the Ukraine crisis, citing concerns that it would not contribute to lasting peace in the region. Ali Bahreini, Iran's ambassador and permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, reaffirmed Tehran's consistent position on the crisis at the 23rd plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly's 11th Extraordinary Special Session on Tuesday, emphasizing the need for peaceful dialogue and adherence to international law, particularly the principles of the UN Charter. He went on to say that since the beginning of the conflict, Iran has maintained that all UN member states must respect sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity, and avoid the use or threat of force. The Iranian envoy also highlighted Tehran's advocacy for addressing the root causes of the crisis, including actions by certain states and NATO that have provoked tensions, expressing regret that the current resolution did not adequately address these fundamental issues. "This text was presented at an inopportune time and without transparent consultations," he said. "It not only fails to advance peace but may also deepen existing divisions." Commenting on Iran's vote against the resolution, the Iranian envoy stressed Tehran's commitment to supporting efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict, while firmly rejecting baseless allegations about its involvement in supporting one side in the war. "The Islamic Republic of Iran categorically rejects these accusations, which have been consistently denied," he said. Additionally, the Iranian mission raised concerns about the true objectives behind the resolution, suggesting that it may be more about political exploitation within the broader geopolitical competition rather than fostering peace in Ukraine. The UN General Assembly's resolution, which calls for an immediate, complete, and unconditional ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, was sponsored by Western countries and received 107 votes in favor, 12 against, and 51 abstentions. Notably, the United States abstained from voting, while Russia voted against it. The resolution reiterates the UN's support for a "sustainable peace" in Ukraine on the fourth anniversary of the conflict. Despite voting against the resolution, Iran reiterated its commitment to constructive engagement and dialogue as the only viable path to a sustainable peace in Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump, Zelenskyy Speak By Phone Ahead Of Geneva Talks As Pressure Mounts For Tougher Line On Russia By Alex Raufoglu February 25, 2026 WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke by phone on February 25, a high-stakes conversation confirmed by both the White House and Kyiv as diplomatic efforts intensify ahead of renewed negotiations in Geneva. The call serves as a precursor to a pivotal February 26 meeting in Switzerland, where Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov is slated to meet with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump adviser Jared Kushner. The talks in Geneva are expected to center on a "prosperity package" designed for Ukraine's economic recovery, while laying the groundwork for a potential trilateral summit with Russia as early as March, according to both Ukrainian and US officials. In a social media post following the call, Zelenskyy noted that Trump's envoys participated in the discussion, which focused heavily on the agenda for the upcoming rounds of diplomacy. "We expect this meeting to create an opportunity to move talks to the leaders' level," Zelenskyy wrote, adding that Trump "supports this sequence of steps." He characterized a direct leaders' summit as "the only way to resolve all the complex and sensitive issues and finally end the war." Territory And Political Will The diplomatic maneuvering comes amid a sobering assessment from Kyiv regarding the fundamental gaps between the warring parties. Speaking earlier in the day alongside Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Zelenskyy identified "political will" and "territorial integrity" as the primary friction points. "The problem is with the political will to stop this war and the question of territories," Zelenskyy said. While acknowledging the Trump administration's desire for a swift conclusion to the conflict, he expressed skepticism that lower-level working groups could resolve the most contentious issues. "I'm not sure that we will have tomorrow exactly [a] result... on the territories," he said, reflecting his stance that such breakthroughs "must go to the level of leaders." While Kyiv has signaled a pragmatic willingness to consider a cessation of hostilities along current lines of control, officials emphasize that any cease-fire must be bolstered by "ironclad" security guarantees from Washington and European allies. Moscow, however, continues to demand that Ukraine relinquish additional territory in the eastern Donetsk region -- a demand Kyiv has flatly rejected. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov recently cast doubt on the utility of a Putin-Zelenskyy summit, questioning whether Ukraine's current negotiating position offers a viable "path forward." The Language Of 'Pressure' Against this backdrop of stalled diplomacy, Ukrainian officials and activists are warning that talk alone will not move the needle in the Kremlin. In Washington, Ukrainian Ambassador Olha Stefanishyna told reporters on February 24 that diplomacy must be backed by "hard power." "The language which is understood by Russians is not the dialogue or diplomatic effort -- it's the pressure," Stefanishyna said, arguing that sanctions and battlefield resistance are the only effective tools to influence Moscow's calculus. That sentiment was echoed on the streets of the US capital over the weekend. Several hundred demonstrators gathered at the Lincoln Memorial before marching to the Russian ambassador's residence. The rally, organized by US Ukrainian Activists (USUA), served as a reminder of the domestic pressure on the White House to secure a "just peace." "The Ukrainian diaspora continues to send a clear message to the US administration: Ukraine needs a just and lasting peace with strong security guarantees," said Nadiya Shaporynska, the group's president. Speaking to RFE/RL on February 24, she cautioned against a return to the "failed model" of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, which saw Ukraine trade its nuclear arsenal for security assurances that were ultimately ignored by Moscow. Republicans Renew Call For Tomahawks The demand for increased pressure is also gaining traction on Capitol Hill, where influential Republican lawmakers are urging the Trump administration to expand military support as a means of gaining leverage at the bargaining table. On February 24, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina called for the provision of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. Graham argued that the ability to strike drone and missile factories deep inside Russian territory is essential, asserting that "at this point, Putin is not serious about ending the war." This sentiment was mirrored on the Senate floor by Republican Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas, who described Russia's invasion as a "strategic failure" defined by massive casualties. Moran joined the call for Tomahawks and tightened sanctions, insisting that Moscow must not be allowed to claim victory "either on the battlefield or at the negotiating table." Representative Don Bacon (Republican-Nebraska), speaking at the American Foreign Policy Council on February 25, framed the support as a matter of global precedent. He argued that providing long-range precision weapons and "crushing" sanctions is necessary to demonstrate that the United States will not tolerate the "violent conquest of territory." Breakthrough Elusive Despite multiple meetings between Ukrainian, Russian, and US officials this year, a definitive breakthrough remains elusive. While senior US officials have privately signaled their desire to maintain diplomatic momentum, the gap between Kyiv's demand for security and Moscow's demand for land remains vast. Zelenskyy has expressed a readiness to meet Putin on neutral ground, but the success of such an encounter likely hinges on the outcome of the Geneva talks and the proposed trilateral round in March. As the war enters its fifth year, the dual tracks of diplomacy and high-intensity combat continue to run in parallel. Whether the combined weight of international pressure and renewed negotiations can finally shift the trajectory of the conflict remains the defining question of the current diplomatic push. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-zelenskyy-call-geneva- talks-russia-ukraine-pressure/33688205.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on the UN General Assembly vote on the resolution 'Support for lasting peace in Ukraine' 25 February 2026 15:41 243-25-02-2026 On February 24, to mark the fourth anniversary of the start of Russia's special military operation, the 11th emergency special session of the UN General Assembly on the Ukraine crisis was reconvened at the initiative of Kiev and its European backers. During the session, this group of countries introduced yet another biased, anti-Russia resolution. This time, it is slyly titled "Support for a lasting peace in Ukraine" and, unlike previous resolutions of the 11th ESS, has been kept deliberately brief. The authors were forced into this tactical manoeuvre by the steadily declining support for their anti-Russia initiatives in the General Assembly, which have clearly become tiresome for the overwhelming majority of the international community. But despite the seemingly refreshed packaging of this Ukrainian-European "product," its substance remains just as harmful - as do the intentions of its authors. This one-sided, politicised text, besides the usual baseless accusations against Russia, selectively quotes the UN Charter and says nothing about the root causes of the conflict around Ukraine. Without addressing these causes, a lasting and sustainable settlement is simply impossible. It also includes an absurd tribute to the "efforts" of European countries, which continue to pour weapons into the Kiev regime, "aimed at ending the war." In an effort to broaden its support base among General Assembly members, the document is packed with pseudo-peaceful language, including calls for a ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, and the return of forcibly displaced persons, including children, as "confidence-building measures." Such wording looks particularly cynical given the long track record of duplicity shown by the Kiev regime and its European sponsors, who have repeatedly demonstrated their inability to negotiate by sabotaging every agreement reached, starting with the Minsk accords. It is also telling that, in order to secure additional votes, the authors had to omit any reference to all the previous odious "products" of the 11th ESS from the new resolution - effectively disavowing the ultimatums they contained. There is no doubt that this clumsy manoeuvring by Kiev and the Europeans in the General Assembly was intended to create a smokescreen around the trilateral negotiation process. That was clearly confirmed again during the vote, when the Kiev regime, backed by the European "war party," pitted itself against the international community, which supports genuine peace efforts to end the Ukrainian crisis, as well as against the other two parties to the negotiations. The American delegation, explicitly stating that the Ukrainian-European initiative in the UN General Assembly was damaging to the negotiation process, requested a separate vote on a number of the draft's destructive provisions. In particular, they sought to remove from the preamble the paragraph reaffirming "the territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders." However, the Europeans, relying on sheer numbers, pushed through a procedural decision preventing that separate vote. In the end, the General Assembly considered the original draft; 107 delegations voted in favour, 12 against, 51 states including the United States abstained, and 23 did not participate. So, instead of a success, Kiev and its backers have ended up with a rather lacklustre voting record, and serious political costs, having exposed themselves as opponents of peace. The deepening transatlantic rift over the Ukrainian issue is also becoming increasingly evident. Given Kiev's frantic attempts to mislead the General Assembly, it is worth recalling that a year ago the UN Security Council, which bears primary responsibility under the Charter for maintaining international peace and security, adopted Resolution 2774. That binding document called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, and today the task for all interested parties is to implement that Council decision consistently and in good faith. Overall, the discussions at the UN clearly demonstrate the international community's fatigue with the Ukrainian situation - a situation our opponents are trying to keep artificially afloat. Against this backdrop, what is needed are genuine efforts toward a peaceful resolution, efforts in which Russia is participating in good faith. Moscow hopes that all reasonable members of the international community will also support them, without being distracted by various minor obstructions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Calls on France, UK, EU, UN to Prevent Transfer of Nuclear Weapons to Ukraine - Appeal Sputnik News 20260225 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian State Duma lawmakers are calling on the parliaments of France, the United Kingdom, the European Parliament, and the UN to take emergency measures to prevent the transfer of nuclear weapons to Ukraine, Sputnik discovered on Wednesday after reviewing a draft appeal. Earlier in the day, the chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs, Leonid Slutsky, said that a draft appeal to the parliaments of France, the UK, the EU Parliament, and the UN had been submitted to the Russian State Duma in response to information about Paris and London's planned nuclear weapons deliveries to Ukraine. "Considering the critical danger of transferring nuclear weapons, their individual components, and delivery systems to the imminently defeated, anti-people, and criminal Kiev regime, State Duma lawmakers call on the parliaments of France and the UK, the European Parliament, as well as relevant organizations and bodies of the United Nations system, to take extraordinary measures to prevent such a scenario," the document read. The Russian State Duma considers plans to supply Kiev with nuclear weapons a flagrant violation of international law, the document said, adding that these possible actions could put the world on the brink of nuclear catastrophe. Implementation of plans to supply nuclear weapons to Ukraine will lead to escalation of the conflict with a likely tragic outcome, the document read. "State Duma lawmakers appeal to members of the National Assembly of France and the House of Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to immediately initiate a corresponding parliamentary investigation in their countries, the results of which should be made public," the document read. The investigation of plans to provide Ukraine with nuclear weapons should be a measure to maintain peace and bring those involved to justice, the document said. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Hopes Publication of UK-French Plans to Transfer Nukes to Ukraine Will Hinder Them Sputnik News 20260225 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia hopes that the publication of plans to transfer nuclear technology to Ukraine will prevent their implementation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday. "Let's hope that the timely publication of this intelligence will ultimately prevent the implementation of these crazy, completely insane plans," Peskov told Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin. It is strange to expect London and Paris to confirm their desire to transfer nuclear weapons to Ukraine, Peskov added. On February 24, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service said that France and the UK have plans for transferring nuclear weapons to Ukraine. The Western states are aware that their plans to provide Ukraine with nuclear weapons and a dirty bomb imply a gross violation of international law, primarily the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and run the risk of destroying the global non-proliferation system, the statement read. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Western Troops Won't Step Into Ukraine Without Russia's Approval - Report Sputnik News 20260225 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier that the presence of NATO allies' troops on Ukrainian soil would be a threat to Russia, and that Moscow would not accept it under any circumstances. President Vladimir Putin warned that foreign forces in Ukraine would become legitimate targets for the Russian military. "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," The Telegraph reports, citing sources. Some members of the coalition have specified they will only deploy troops "if there's Russian consent." The main concern is that without Russia's approval, any European force deployed to Ukraine could be viewed as a legitimate military target for military strikes, the report adds, recalling Russia's warnings. This means that the UK-French plan to enforce any ceasefire could be derailed by Russia, The Telegraph stipulates. Earlier, UK PM Keir Starmer announced that Britain and France have signed a declaration of intent to deploy troops in Ukraine in case of peace deal with Russia, with French President Emmanuel Macron suggesting thousands of troops could be deployed. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Troops Liberate Grafskoye Settlement in Kharkov Region Sputnik News 20260225 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian armed forces have liberated the settlement of Grafskoye in the Kharkov region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. "As a result of active and decisive actions, units of the Sever battlegroup liberated the Grafskoye settlement in the Kharkov region," the ministry said in a statement. Russia's Tsentr battlegroup has eliminated up to 390 soldiers has eliminated up to 390 soldiers Ukraine has also lost up to 355 soldiers in battles with the Russia's Vostok battlegroup and over 220 soldiers with the Sever battlegroup Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's FSB Foils Ukrainian Plot to Attack Military Airfield in Krasnodar Region Sputnik News 20260225 KRASNODAR, Russia (Sputnik) - The Federal Security Service (FSB) office for the Krasnodar Territory reported on Wednesday that it had thwarted a planned terrorist attack on a local military airfield, stating that an individual intended to set fire to an aircraft at the behest of the Ukrainian special services. "The Federal Security Service of Russia for the Krasnodar Territory has prevented a terrorist attack planned by the Ukrainian special services at one of the military airfields in the region. During the operational search activities carried out, it was established that a Russian citizen, born in 1986, proactively established contact in the WhatsApp messenger with a representative of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine," the FSB said in a statement. The detainee made incendiary mixtures to set fire to a military aircraft at one of the airfields of the Krasnodar Territory, the statement read. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US State Department Urged Ukraine to Cease Attacks on US Interests Sputnik News 20260225 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The administration of US President Donald Trump warned the Ukrainian government that Ukraine's strikes on a Russian oil facility in the Black Sea late last year impacted US investments in Kazakhstan, Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Olga Stefanishyna said. In late November 2025, Ukrainian drones attacked critical infrastructure of the international Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) in the waters of the Novorossiysk seaport. As a result, Kazakh oil exports also declined. "We have been hearing that Ukrainian attacks to Novorossiysk affected some of the American investments which are being performed through Kazakhstan. And we have heard from Department of State that we should refrain from, from, you know, attacking American interests," Stefanishyna told CNN on Tuesday. The ambassador noted that the State Department's message emphasized the United States' current lack of economic interests in Ukraine comparable to those in Kazakhstan, and lamented that, in "35 years of Ukraine independence, having so many chances, we never brought ourselves to the situation where we can do the same." US oil and gas company Chevron is a major shareholder in the CPC, which transports oil from Kazakhstan's fields to the Black Sea for export. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK reaffirms commitment to humane treatment of POWs and accountability of Russia in Ukraine: UK statement to the OSCE Speech Ambassador Neil Holland reaffirms the UK's commitment to the humane treatment of prisoners of war, highlighting the IHL obligations, improving oversight mechanisms, and the training of personnel deploying on operations. Russia must be held accountable for the documented inhumane treatment of prisoners of war in Ukraine. From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Neil Holland Published 25 February 2026 Location: Vienna Delivered on: 25 February 2026 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) The United Kingdom thanks France for convening this important discussion. We fully support today's focus on the protection of prisoners of war, an obligation that lies at the centre of International Humanitarian Law and at the core of the OSCE's politico military commitments. Madam Chair, as the panellists have rightly highlighted, Article 4 of the Third Geneva Convention and Additional Protocol I are both very clear. The humane treatment of prisoners of war is a legal obligation, a fundamental standard of military professionalism, and a prerequisite for stability and trust among States. The United Kingdom takes these obligations extremely seriously. There have, regrettably, been instances where UK personnel have fallen short of the high standards we set for ourselves. These incidents were thoroughly investigated, including through independent inquiries and judicial processes. Where wrongdoing was identified, individuals were held accountable. But, crucially, the UK used these experiences to drive significant reforms: strengthening training on international humanitarian law, improving detention policies and oversight mechanisms, and embedding clearer guidance for personnel deployed on operations. This process of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement is essential. It reinforces discipline within our armed forces and demonstrates the UK's determination to meet its IHL obligations in full. We encourage all participating States to take a similarly rigorous approach. Madam Chair, today's discussion once again highlights that responsible states train their armed forces, enforce discipline, and uphold their legal commitments. Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine shows the profound consequences when a state deliberately chooses not to do so. ODIHR's recent reports, as well as the findings of the latest Moscow Mechanism mission, document a pattern of torture, ill-treatment, and inhumane conditions inflicted by Russian forces on Ukrainian prisoners of war. These are serious and systematic violations. They demand accountability. Russia is bound by the same rules as every other participating State around this table. Its continued disregard for its obligations undermines not only the safety of POWs, but the very foundations of the OSCE's security order. Madam Chair, the humane treatment of prisoners of war is not simply a legal requirement. It is a test of credibility, professionalism, and commitment to the rules-based order. The United Kingdom will continue to uphold these standards ourselves, to support Ukraine in defending its sovereignty, and to press for full compliance by all participating States. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK honours Ukrainian resilience on 4th anniversary of Russia's illegal war: UK Statement to the OSCE Speech UK Senior Military Advisor, Lt Col Joby Rimmer hails Ukraine's extraordinary resilience - defending its territory and protecting civilians to withstand relentless drone and missile barrages - as he condemns Russia's illegal invasion and demands full withdrawal on the invasion's fourth anniversary. From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Lt Col Joby Rimmer, Senior Military Advisor at the UK Delegation to the OSCE Published 25 February 2026 Location: Vienna Delivered on: 25 February 2026 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) Thank you, Madame Chair. Yesterday marked four years of Ukrainian resistance against the illegal full-scale invasion by the Kremlin regime. The Russian Federation, planned to bring down the independent nation of Ukraine in just three days. Showing remarkable resilience, Ukraine continues to endure this unprovoked, unlawful and brutal assault and determinedly remains a sovereign, independent and democratic nation. For four years, this Forum has meticulously documented the consequences of this illegal war: systematic violations of OSCE commitments, utter disregard for international humanitarian law, and a deliberate campaign to deny a sovereign neighbour it's right to exist as an independent State. The Code of Conduct is clear: armed forces must operate in full accordance with international humanitarian law, and serious violations are a matter of 'direct and legitimate concern' to all participating States. That remains our shared benchmark. The United Kingdom has been equally clear: any outcome in Ukraine must be a just and lasting peace. We welcome US-led efforts to secure such a peace, and we recognise that Ukraine has shown real commitment, engaging constructively in negotiations and agreeing to proposals for a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire. Using FSC terminology, such a peace must be rooted firmly in respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and the non-use of force. From this Forum's perspective, we can apply two basic tests. Firstly, the principles test asks whether Russia commits to our shared obligations: respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-use of force, and full implementation of the Code of Conduct. Secondly, the behavioural test asks whether Russia's actions move toward peace: withdrawal of its forces; cessation of missile and drone strikes; no imposed settlement; and full respect for Ukraine's sovereign right to determine its own future. The evidence available to this Forum enables definitive conclusions on both tests. In 2025, Russia launched nearly 55,000 drones (more than 4 x the 2024 total) and over 1,800 missiles. These attacks killed 2,514 civilians, injured more than 12,000, and left millions without heat or power in subzero temperatures. Russia's actions violate international law, deepen the humanitarian crisis, and gravely undermine regional security. And while Ukraine continues to defend its territory, protect its people and contribute to Europe's collective security, Russia intensifies an illegal war that has already cost over 1.2 million Russian casualties. Madam Chair, lasting peace requires Russia to end its aggression and withdraw from Ukraine's internationally recognised territory. Until then, the United Kingdom will continue to stand firmly with Ukraine, militarily, politically and diplomatically, and we will continue to use this Forum to uphold the principles Russia seeks to dismantle. Finally, on this 4th Anniversary, it is a moment to commemorate the sacrifices the Ukrainian people have made, and continue to make, to defend their freedom. But as we mark this solemn moment, we are also clear about one thing: the UK takes no satisfaction in the loss of Russian lives. These are avoidable and tragic deaths, young men sent into harm's way as a result of a war driven by President Putin's maximalist ambitions, not the interests of the Russian people themselves. They are also victims of this senseless and illegal invasion. We again call on Russia to cease its illegal war, withdraw all its forces from Ukraine's internationally recognised territory, and engage in good faith towards a just and lasting peace. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Anita Anand Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 25 February 2026 19:01 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I had a substantive call with my Canadian colleague Anita Anand to coordinate further bilateral agenda and advance a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. I thanked Canada for yesterday's important decisions: allocating CAD 20 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, adopting a new sanctions package targeting Russia's shadow fleet and key sectors of its economy, and lowering the price cap on Russian crude oil. These steps reflect Canada's unwavering solidarity with Ukraine. We discussed strengthening Ukraine's energy resilience, increasing sanctions pressure including the need to further restrict maritime services for Russia's shadow fleet and extending Operation UNIFIER until 2029. I also expressed appreciation for Canada's co-sponsorship of the UN General Assembly resolution "Support for lasting peace in Ukraine". We agreed to stay in close contact, including a further visit by Minister Anand to Ukraine and coordination within the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. Deeply grateful for Canada's steadfast partnership and leadership". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Strengthening defence cooperation with France: the new Brave France initiative Ministry of Defence of Ukraine 25 February, 2026, 12:00 PM EET Brave1 and France's Defence Innovation Agency (Agence de l'innovation de defense, AID) will launch the Brave France initiative, having signed a Letter of Intent to establish a joint grant programme for defence companies. The initiative encompasses: a joint grant programme to support Ukrainian and French defence innovations; hackathons aimed at identifying practical solutions and supporting startup development; testing innovations through the Test in Ukraine platform. Ukraine and France have significant potential for defence technology cooperation. This partnership opens the way for Ukraine to access allies' advanced technologies. At the same time, the French side gains access to a unique high-tech warfare experience that cannot be replicated under any other conditions. The next steps will involve agreeing on priority areas, establishing a joint coordination body, developing a funding mechanism, and planning additional activities. The initiative is set to launch in the second quarter of 2026. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine to equip another 4,000 km of roads with anti-drone protection by year's end Ministry of Defence of Ukraine 25 February, 2026, 3:12 PM EET Ukraine is accelerating the installation of anti-drone nets to protect border areas from enemy UAVs. By the end of 2026, plans call for 4,000 km of roadways to be equipped with anti-drone protection. "Near the front line, Russia employs drones as instruments of terror against civilian vehicles, emergency responders, and repair teams. On the President's instructions, we are reinforcing protection in frontline areas and accelerating the installation of anti-drone nets. Priority is being given to roads that sustain logistics and support communities near the line of contact," said Ukraine's Minister of Defence Mykhailo Fedorov. An additional UAH 1.6 billion in budget funds has been allocated for anti-drone nets. In February, despite adverse weather conditions, coverage was extended to 125 km of roads and 55 km of structures were restored. Over the course of a month, the pace of anti-drone protection installation increased from 5 km per day in January to 12 km per day in February. This has significantly improved the safety of military movement and ensured the steady functioning of frontline communities. "As early as March, we plan to protect 20 km of roads per day. By year's end, an additional 4,000 km of roads are planned to be equipped with anti-drone protection," Mykhailo Fedorov said. In parallel, fortification works have been accelerated in the Kharkiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv regions to bolster defensive resilience and counter enemy offensive operations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The EU Will Participate in Restoring Ukraine's Energy Sector and Upgrading Its Protection - Address by the President President of Ukraine 25 February 2026 - 20:11 I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians! It's been an active day. The Prime Minister of Norway visited Ukraine. Thank you, Jonas! Norway provides a lot of support and is one of our largest partners. Air defense for Ukraine, contributions to the PURL initiative enabling us to purchase American missiles for the Patriots, military aid packages, and energy support. Norway helped us get through this winter. Overall, we've reached the highest level of relations with all the countries of Northern Europe. It's one of the most productive formats - NB8: the Nordic countries plus the Baltic States. Just yesterday, we held a corresponding summit here in Kyiv. Leaders came to Ukraine to support us, and new aid packages have been announced right now. Sweden provides a military assistance package worth USD 1.5 billion. Norway adds almost USD 1.2 billion for our joint drone production. And we already effectively have strategic relations with Norway, and we agreed to formalize this through a corresponding agreement. Denmark is providing a support package for the energy and humanitarian sectors, which will support people and life in communities right now. Additional decisions on support have been made by Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. And altogether, the NB8 countries - the Nordics and the Baltics - will allocate over EUR 12 billion to support Ukraine this year, including around EUR 1 billion for energy support. This is extremely important for us - for Ukraine. Every decision, every meeting, and our summits strengthen Ukraine's confidence and increase our ability to protect lives. I also want to once again highlight our joint work with the European Union. Yesterday, we discussed important issues with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Antonio Costa, President of the European Council. First, the EU will participate in restoring Ukraine's energy sector and upgrading its protection. We discussed this in detail, and the government officials are already preparing a corresponding strategy for reconstruction and protection for the next winter. The task is to present the details by March 1, and the strategy will be approved at the national level, so that every community and every region clearly understands the priorities. Ursula will help us implement this. Thank you! We also had substantive discussions on the new EU sanctions package - the 20th package. We expect the sanctions pressure on Russia over this war to continue and to remain effective. I thank the United Kingdom for the new sanctions - the largest since 2022. Australia has also presented a new sanctions package, along with New Zealand and Canada. Canada has also provided a support package. There are new support decisions from Croatia as well. All of this - in these very days, right now - clearly demonstrates that our partners stand with us, with Ukraine. In March, we will continue active diplomatic efforts - a lot is already planned. We will continue to strengthen Ukraine. And this day is not over yet - there will be further negotiations. And one more thing. I received reports from the Security Service of Ukraine: I tasked Yevhenii Khmara and Oleksandr Poklad with working to cleanse the Service of those whose interests are not aligned with Ukraine at all. Results have already been achieved. Today, corresponding detentions took place, and it is very important that fair verdicts follow. Everyone in public office must work for Ukraine and for the sake of Ukraine. There will be no other option. Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President of Ukraine Held a Phone Call with the President of the United States President of Ukraine 25 February 2026 - 21:44 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call with President of the United States Donald Trump. Also participating in the call were envoys of President Trump - Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators are currently working intensively and thanked them for all their work and for their active involvement in the negotiations and the efforts to end the war. The Head of State emphasized that Ukraine greatly values the implementation of the PURL initiative. This winter is the most difficult one for our country, but the missiles for air defense systems that Ukraine can purchase from the U.S. are helping a lot in overcoming all these challenges and protecting lives. The President of Ukraine and the President of the United States also discussed the issues that their representatives will address on February 26 in Geneva during the bilateral meeting. They also covered preparations for the next meeting of the full negotiating teams in a trilateral format at the very beginning of March. Ukraine expects this meeting to create an opportunity to move talks to the leaders' level. President Donald Trump supports this sequence of steps. "This is the only way to resolve all the complex and sensitive issues and finally end the war," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy Met with Members of the European Parliament from the United for Ukraine Parliamentary Network President of Ukraine 25 February 2026 - 21:53 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Members of the European Parliament who are part of the parliamentary network United for Ukraine (U4U). The meeting was attended by MEPs from Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden. The Head of State thanked the Members of the European Parliament and their countries for supporting Ukraine during this challenging time. "I believe that when people see how many people, countries, and representatives from such a large international audience support Ukraine, it greatly boosts the morale of Ukrainians. This is especially important for the heroic people on the front lines, and of course for civilians - particularly after such winters and massive Russian attacks," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The President stressed that Ukraine already needs to restore and restructure its energy system following this extremely harsh winter. And Ukraine has reached an important agreement with the European Commission to support this process. The Head of State also noted that Ukraine counts on continued European unity and support, particularly regarding major initiatives such as the EUR 90 billion financial support package for 2026-2027. In addition, a more active role for Europe in the negotiation process to end the war remains crucial. The President outlined Ukraine's needs, foremost among them assistance with the country's air defense. For this reason, the PURL initiative must be further developed and scaled up. It is also necessary to use the European SAFE instrument. According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine proposes that each partner allocate at least 10% of this financial instrument to support joint production with our country. That's because this minimum will be sufficient for Ukrainian manufacturers to open production lines in various countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy Discussed Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ghana President of Ukraine 25 February 2026 - 18:12 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ghana Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. "Thank you for your visit. I had a constructive dialogue with your President. Please convey my regards to him. Thank you for your support," the Head of State said. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also highlighted Ghana's consistent support for Ukraine's positions in United Nations forums. "Yesterday we had a very important resolution, and for us it was crucial to receive at least as much support - even at the political level - as in previous years. Because this is always a struggle not only for our independence and freedom - which is extremely important, but also a fight for influence over other countries and the world, and an effort not to lose focus on Ukraine," the President emphasized. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ghana stated that his country continues to support Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. "Our position has not changed. We remain committed to the UN Charter. We reaffirm our support for the territorial integrity of countries. We must not tolerate any attempts to undermine the UN Charter or encroach on sovereign states," Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa stressed. The meeting also covered the development of bilateral cooperation and sectors where partnership between the countries could potentially deepen. Discussions focused on defense cooperation, the agro-industrial sector, and expanding educational programs for Ghanaian students in Ukrainian higher education institutions. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa also discussed the importance of actively countering Russian recruitment of citizens of Ghana and other countries in Africa to participate in the aggressive war against Ukraine. On Russia's side, 272 Ghanaian citizens and around 1,700 citizens from other African countries are currently fighting. The meeting further addressed Ghana's upcoming priorities as chair of the African Union next year. The Head of State invited the President of Ghana to visit Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by the President of Ukraine During a Joint Press Conference with the Prime Minister of Norway President of Ukraine 25 February 2026 - 15:30 Jonas, dear Mr. Prime Minister, Dear attendees, our teams, Dear journalists, I am glad to meet with the Prime Minister of Norway - these are always substantive, very good meetings: Norway is always one of the strongest defenders of life in Ukraine. I thank every Norwegian for this, and I thank you personally, Jonas. Thank you very much. We have gone through different stages of this war - Russia's war against Ukraine, Russia's war against all of Europe. We have done a lot together in defense, diplomacy, the economy, and the humanitarian sphere. Norway provides us with significant energy support, and this is a fact. In many ways, it is precisely thanks to our cooperation with Norway that we have been able to get through this winter and the previous ones, each of which Russia simply tries to turn into a weapon against our ordinary people, against life in Ukraine in general. Norway is also among the most active investors in the PURL initiative. And this is also a fact. This program allows us to purchase air defense, primarily for our systems. To date, this already amounts to $970 million within the PURL initiative. Please continue supporting this essentially non-alternative program. For now. There are no Patriots in Europe yet; production in the United States is also insufficient actually. Nevertheless, we are working on this with all partners. Norway, as I said, is one of the leaders in this initiative. We also greatly appreciate every military package provided by the Norwegians. The long-term nature and predictability of Norway's support, your annual financial support packages, greatly help with defense planning in this terrible war and all our actions. I am grateful that after February 24, 2022, Norway made such a principled and strong choice not simply in favor of Ukraine and Ukrainians, but in favor of what Europe stands for - a community of nations that truly value life, human life, and respect peace between independent nations. That is exactly what Europe must remain - a real defender of the lives and rights of people and nations. I thank you, Jonas, and once again I thank all of Norway. Today we spoke about continuing our joint work. We will work toward a new level of partnership - toward a strategic partnership between our countries. In fact, we have already reached this level. I outlined the situation with our defense at the front and Ukraine's air defense needs. We discussed our diplomatic work - new meetings are being prepared in a trilateral format with the Americans and the Russians. Of course, we will coordinate substantively with Europe. We are grateful that Norway is ready to continue helping us in the energy sector - and not only helping, but also working more on joint ideas. Today we discussed some possible joint future projects. And today we discussed some of these energy prospects what can strengthen us. The energy ministers of our states will remain in contact, and there will be a relevant agreement on energy cooperation. We thank Norway for supporting sanctions efforts - ours and Europe's. This helps. I would also like to highlight our cooperation in weapons production. We greatly value that Norway provided Ukraine with NASAMS - I repeat this every time. We are very grateful for this. We expect our relations to reach a level that will allow us to jointly produce weapons. And this is needed not only by us in Ukraine. I am confident everyone on our continent who works for real security needs it. It is important that one of the most effective formats for coordination and joint work has become our NB8 format - the Nordic and Baltic states together with Ukraine. We have such regular meetings and many joint results. A good example for all other partners of how to make their nations and Europe stronger. Thank you, Jonas, for this visit, for these two days of work, support, agreements, and coordination! Very glad to see you again! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese Consulate-General in Osaka warns citizens after Chinese national robbed Xinhua) 13:22, February 26, 2026 TOKYO, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Consulate-General in Japan's Osaka said on Thursday that a Chinese national was robbed on a street in Osaka, urging citizens to avoid traveling to Japan recently in light of a recent deterioration in public security. According to the consulate, the incident occurred on Wednesday in Sumiyoshi Ward of Osaka city, where the victim was attacked by an unidentified assailant and had a backpack containing 5 million yen (about 32,100 U.S. dollars) in cash stolen. The suspect remains at large. The consulate said it had immediately lodged representations with local police, calling on Japanese authorities to solve the case as soon as possible and to effectively safeguard the lives and property of Chinese nationals in Japan. Citing a spate of similar cases recently, the consulate reminded Chinese nationals in its consular district to closely monitor the local security situation, heighten their vigilance and avoid carrying large amounts of cash when going out. In case of emergencies, the consulate advised citizens to promptly report to the police and contact the Chinese Consulate-General in Osaka for assistance. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) We Will Work Toward a Strategic Partnership Between Our Countries - President of Ukraine Following a Meeting with the Prime Minister of Norway President of Ukraine 25 February 2026 - 15:20 Ukraine and Norway will work toward a strategic partnership. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this following a meeting with Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Stre. The Head of State thanked Norway for all its support and particularly highlighted energy assistance. Such cooperation helps Ukraine get through every winter that Russia tries to turn into a weapon. Norway is also one of the largest investors in the PURL initiative: total contributions have already reached $970 million. "We also greatly appreciate every military package provided by the Norwegians. The long-term nature and predictability of Norway's support, your annual financial support packages, greatly help with defense planning in this terrible war and all our actions," the President said. During the meeting, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Jonas Gahr Stre discussed continuing joint work and moving toward a strategic partnership. They also discussed future joint energy projects that could strengthen both countries. The energy ministers will remain in contact and prepare a relevant agreement on energy cooperation. "I would also like to highlight our cooperation in weapons production. We greatly value that Norway provided Ukraine with NASAMS - I repeat this every time. We are very grateful for this. We expect our relations to reach a level that will allow us to jointly produce weapons," the Head of State noted. The President briefed on the situation at the front and air defense needs. The leaders also discussed diplomatic efforts. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that preparations for new trilateral-format meetings are ongoing, and Ukraine will coordinate substantively with Europe. The Head of State also thanked Norway for supporting sanctions efforts and highlighted the NB8 format (the Nordic and Baltic countries), which has become one of the most effective platforms for coordination and joint work. The Prime Minister of Norway assured his country will continue to support Ukraine, including in drone production. According to him, total assistance for 2026 will amount to about $8 billion. "We support your efforts, the efforts of your diplomats, to reach an agreement that you will be able to defend as a democratic state, and you can count on us standing with you," Jonas Gahr Stre said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defense and Energy Packages for Ukraine and Sanctions Against Russia - Key Diplomatic Outcomes Marking the Fourth Anniversary of the Start of the Full-Scale Russian Invasion President of Ukraine 25 February 2026 - 13:20 On the eve of and on the day of the fourth anniversary of the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukraine's partners announced new support packages for Ukrainians and sanctions against Russia. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen agreed on the European Commission's participation in implementing Ukraine's updated energy strategy - restoring the energy sector and rebuilding the system. As Russia continues its attempts to destroy Ukraine's power grid, it is already important to begin preparations for the next winter. "We discussed this today, and I consider it one of the biggest decisions, which is very important for us," the Head of State noted the day before. Ursula von der Leyen also announced a new energy plan: Repair, Rebuild, Restart. It will provide for a 920 million package to stabilize Ukraine's energy system. President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola signed, on behalf of the European Parliament, an agreement to provide Ukraine with a 90 billion loan. It is important that this financial support begins working for Ukraine as soon as possible and as effectively as possible. Partners allocated new support packages to Ukraine: Sweden - a military assistance package of more than $1.5 billion. Norway - $1.2 billion for joint drone production. Denmark - an additional 510 million for military support for Ukraine in 2026 and 120 million in humanitarian and energy assistance. Finland - 20 million in humanitarian assistance and 52 generators. Lithuania - 30 missiles for MANPADS; a Joint Statement of Intent on co-production of defense products on the territory of Lithuania was approved. Funding for the first projects will amount to at least 100 million under the SAFE instrument. Estonia - 11 million for the PURL program. Latvia - 10 million for the PURL program. Iceland - 200,000 for energy equipment. Overall, the leaders of the Nordic and Baltic countries at the NB8 Summit in Kyiv stated that this year the amount of defense assistance to Ukraine will total nearly 12.5 billion, including contributions to the PURL initiative. The United Kingdom - 20 million to support Ukraine's energy system; 5.7 million in humanitarian assistance for communities near the front line and internally displaced persons; 30 million to support the resilience of Ukrainian society and to hold those responsible for war crimes accountable. Canada - CAD 2 billion in military assistance, 400 armored vehicles, and CAD 20 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund. New Zealand - $4.8 million in humanitarian assistance and to the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund. Croatia - 1.5 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, 500,000 worth of energy equipment, and 1.5 million worth of robotic demining machines. Ukraine's partners also announced new sanctions packages against Russia: The United Kingdom - the largest sanctions package since 2022, including measures targeting Russia's oil and gas revenues and the shadow fleet. Australia - sanctions against 180 legal entities and individuals, as well as vessels of Russia's shadow fleet. In addition, Australia lowered the price cap on Russian oil to $44.1 per barrel. Canada - sanctions against 21 individuals, 53 entities, and 100 vessels of Russia's shadow fleet. Canada also lowers the price cap on Russian oil to $44.1 per barrel. New Zealand - the 34th sanctions package against individuals, companies, and vessels linked to supporting Russian aggression. New Zealand also lowered the price cap on Russian oil to $44.1 per barrel. On the day of the fourth anniversary of the start of the full-scale Russian aggression, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution "Support for lasting peace in Ukraine" submitted by Ukraine. A total of 107 countries voted in favor. "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," Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X. In a joint statement, the leaders of the Group of Seven countries reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity, freedom, sovereignty, and independence. They also support commitments within the Coalition of the Willing to provide Ukraine with security guarantees. In addition, in recent weeks G7 countries have delivered more than 2,500 generators and other essential equipment to Ukraine (transformers, turbines, cogeneration units, boilers, and repair equipment). NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Four years on, is peace any closer in the Ukraine crisis? People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 08:18, February 26, 2026 UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says the Ukraine crisis "is a stain on our collective consciousness, and remains a threat to regional and international peace and security." BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- As the Ukraine crisis marked its fourth anniversary on Tuesday, the conflict remains entrenched in a stalemate, with mounting human and economic costs and little immediate hope for a negotiated peace. While both Kiev and Moscow reaffirm their willingness to engage in dialogue, the reality on the ground reflects a complex interplay of military aid, diplomatic maneuvers, and international pressure, leaving the future of Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II uncertain. MOUNTING CALL FOR PEACE As the war grinds on and the human and economic toll continues to rise, calls for an immediate ceasefire and renewed diplomatic engagement have intensified. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday reiterated his call for an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire as a first step towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace. In a statement, the UN chief said the crisis "is a stain on our collective consciousness, and remains a threat to regional and international peace and security." For peace to be just, he said, it must be in line with the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions, respecting Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. In a statement on Tuesday, the G7 leaders pledged continued support for a peace process and direct discussions, adding that Europe has a leading role to play in this process, joined by other partners. "We acknowledge that only Ukraine and Russia, working together in good faith negotiations, can reach a peace agreement," said the leaders. As for China, 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 a door for dialogue has opened, with all parties maintaining communication, she said dialogue and negotiation remain 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. CONTINUED MILITARY SUPPORT Despite growing calls from the international community for dialogue and a negotiated settlement, Western countries have continued to step up military assistance to Ukraine. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday announced a new aid package for Ukraine, including approximately 2 billion Canadian dollars (1.46 billion U.S. dollars) in military assistance and 20 million Canadian dollars (14.6 million dollars) to rebuild infrastructure damaged in the conflict. To target the financial enablers, Canada is also imposing new sanctions and further lowering the price cap on Russian crude oil, he said. On Feb. 19, Sweden announced one of its largest military support packages for Ukraine, worth about 1.4 billion dollars, with the bulk of the funding directed toward air defense, long-range capabilities and ammunition, according to a government statement. In addition, Sweden will donate certain equipment from its armed forces, including recoilless rifles with ancillary equipment and ammunition, while providing funds for replacement procurements and transport, the statement said. On Feb. 12, Britain announced a new half-a-billion-pound (680 million dollars) package for urgent air defense support to Ukraine during a NATO defense ministers' meeting in Brussels. According to British Defense Secretary John Healey, 150 million pounds (202.83 million dollars) of the total will be allocated for air defense interceptors and 400 million pounds (540.88 million dollars) will be used for lightweight multirole missiles. In addition, Britain will also provide an extra 1,200 air defense missiles together with its partners in the air defense consortium. While the United States has made no new aid commitments in 2025, European countries have significantly increased their support, and collectively have provided more aid than the United States since the start of the conflict, said the Council on Foreign Relations on Monday. PEACE TALKS TO CONTINUE With hundreds of thousands of soldiers from both sides killed or injured in the conflict, the two sides have recently reiterated their commitment to peace. In Tuesday's address marking the fourth anniversary of the conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine's determination to pursue a just and lasting peace while defending its sovereignty. "Of course, we all want the war to end. But no one will allow Ukraine to end. We want peace. Strong, dignified, lasting," Zelensky said. "We have preserved Ukraine, and we will do everything to secure peace and justice." In an interview with the Financial Times on Monday, Zelensky said Russia and Ukraine were at the "beginning of the end" of Europe's biggest conflict since World War II. "Ukraine needs a ceasefire -- yesterday, today, tomorrow," he said. "We don't need a pause. We need the end of the war." As for Russia, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that Russia remains committed to resolving the ongoing Ukraine crisis through political and diplomatic efforts. "We continue efforts for peace. Our position is well known and consistent. Now everything depends on the actions of Kiev," Peskov said, adding that Russia's special military operation will continue until its goals are achieved. Since the start of 2026, the two sides, along with the United States, have held several rounds of talks. The most recent round concluded in Geneva on Feb. 18 with no breakthrough on key issues. The next round of talks could be held at the end of this week, said a Reuters report, citing Zelensky's chief of staff, Kyrylo Budanov. Two previous rounds of trilateral talks, held in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 23-24 and Feb. 4-5, also failed to resolve key territorial issues. What is really playing out between the two adversaries and their allies is a slow-motion standoff, one fueled by strategic ambiguity, with all possible scenarios for resolving the conflict still very much undecided, the French newspaper Le Monde reported on Monday. "Both sides are currently on fire, but the question is which one is burning down faster. It's the same somewhat cynical race that has been underway since 2022," Elie Tenenbaum, director of the security center at the French Institute of International Relations, was quoted as saying. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Da Costa hits back at Verstappen's Formula E jibe Former Formula E champion Antonio Felix da Costa has responded to criticism of Formula 1's new regulations, after Max Verstappen likened the 2026 cars to "Formula E on steroids". Max Verstappen, Bahrain test 2026 Dawn Chua, Formula Press Speaking to France's Auto Hebdo, da Costa defended the role of energy management in modern racing. In Formula E, energy management isn't a constraint but rather an integral part of race strategy, he said. Formula 1 drivers learn a lot about energy management, driving techniques and the software we've used in Formula E over the last ten years. Many Formula 1 drivers work with the teams on the simulator. I've even been contacted myself. The Portuguese driver, who won the 2019-20 Formula E title, argued that electrification in F1 is a natural consequence of broader automotive trends. It's the car manufacturers who pay, he said. "If they sell electric or hybrid cars, they can only race with those technologies. It's a natural evolution, and F1 drivers will have to adapt. If they don't like it, they can stay home. I also love V10s, V12s and all the rest. But if they're no longer being manufactured, if they're engines from the Stone Age, there's not much we can do. With Formula E preparing to introduce its new Gen4 car, series chief Jeff Dodds has suggested Verstappen might be tempted to try it. I think when he sees Gen4, we might be able to convince him, da Costa said. He insisted Verstappen's comments were not necessarily a direct attack on Formula E itself. "I don't think it was an attack on Formula E. He meant that Formula E has its own way of racing and F1 has its own, but the new regulations mean there's now a middle ground. We know what Max is like. He always wants to drive fast cars and push to the limit all the time. (GMM) F1 to deploy AI system in latest track limits crackdown Formula 1 is set to introduce a new AI-assisted system in 2026 aimed at ending the long-running track limits controversy. Esteban Ocon, Bahrain test 2026 Dawn Chua, Formula Press According to reports including Italy's La Repubblica, the semi-automated technology - known internally as ECAT (Every Car All Turns) - will integrate with the FIA's existing race management software to detect when cars exceed circuit boundaries. Track limits have become one of the sport's most contentious officiating flashpoints in recent seasons. The new system uses computer vision and micro-sector lap data to compare a car's position against a reference model, automatically flagging incidents for review. It is understood that up to 95 percent of cases will now be filtered by software before reaching race control. FIA Single-Seater Head of Information Systems Strategy Chris Bentley explained that the platform is built around a centralised camera controller. The new system will allow us to set all distances from a single point and distribute the necessary calculations, Bentley said. We will be able to run the computer vision software on any machine on the network, send it the portion of the video to be processed, and receive the results - allowing us to process ever more data. Stewards will still retain final authority, but the aim is to improve consistency and provide clearer visual evidence to teams. The announcement comes amid the broader technological shift sweeping Formula 1 and the world, with AI increasingly embedded in strategy, simulation and data analysis. Several teams in 2026 now feature AI-focused partners, reflecting the sport's wider digital transformation. Coincidentally, the development was highlighted on the same day Lewis Hamilton - whose helmet carries sponsorship from AI company Perplexity - urged professionals to stay curious about the changing landscape of technology. Technology and AI are reshaping our industries, Hamilton wrote on LinkedIn ahead of the Melbourne season opener. Leadership can depend on how quickly you adapt to changes and are willing to evolve. (GMM) Madrid GP step closer as track test planned Madrid's return to Formula 1 has moved a step closer, with a mandatory pre-race test lined up for the new Madring circuit - although official confirmation is still pending. Carlos Sainz Williams The Spanish GP is scheduled for September 11-13 as the 16th round of the 2026 season, but the semi-urban track must first pass final FIA validation procedures. According to local reports, a national cup event - the GR Cup Spain featuring Toyota GR86 machinery - is set to run at Madring on August 14-16, just one month before the grand prix. The event would serve as the required operational test for safety, logistics and race procedures at the new venue. Construction is due to conclude in May, after which a final FIA inspection will determine whether the remaining asterisk beside the race on the official calendar can be removed. Organisers insist the project remains on schedule, with earlier FIA concerns - including drainage - addressed during development. More than 80,000 tickets have already reportedly been sold for the grand prix weekend. Madrid-born Carlos Sainz welcomed the return of Formula 1 to the Spanish capital, although he acknowledged the race remains some way off. I hope to be there to fight for bigger things in Madrid, he said at an event with his sponsor Estrella Galicia in the city this week. "But there are many races left. Perhaps this will be the most historic year for Formula 1, with the most development in the cars. We'll have to wait and see. Sainz also urged understanding from vocal critics of F1's newest event. I'm sure F1 makes a lot of noise, but it also brings many very good things, he said. (GMM) Stroll denies Aston sale as Honda pressure mounts Lawrence Stroll has dismissed rumours he is preparing to sell his Formula 1 team, insisting he is "not going anywhere" despite Aston Martin's troubled start to 2026. Lance Stroll, Bahrain test 2026 Dawn Chua, Formula Press The Canadian billionaire has now secured full and permanent rights to the Aston Martin name for use in Formula 1, tightening the link between the road car company and the racing operation. Speculation about a possible sale re-kindled after a difficult opening to the new Honda-powered era, even though the team boasts Adrian Newey, Fernando Alonso, state-of-the-art facilities and major investment. You can't spend hundreds of millions of pounds, build the best new Formula 1 campus and hire 400 of the best employees if you're about to leave the business, Stroll told the New York Times. "Sell? That news couldn't be further from the truth. I have no interest in ceasing to be the majority shareholder of this team for a long time - and the same goes for the car company. I'm not going anywhere. I plan to run these businesses for many years to come. I'm at the beginning of the road in both cases. On track, however, questions are already emerging - particularly around the new Honda power unit. When asked if he still had confidence in the project, Fernando Alonso drew a clear distinction between chassis and engine. Yes - especially on the chassis side, Alonso said. The power unit is a little bit more difficult because we don't have a good understanding yet of the regulations and what is needed. The Spaniard was quick to defend design chief Adrian Newey. After 30-plus years of Adrian dominating the sport, it's not that he will forget everything in one year, Alonso said. Even if we are not at 100 now, we will be at 100 soon because we will fix any problem on the power unit. Former driver Ralf Schumacher, however, warned that Honda's relationship with Alonso could again become delicate - recalling the infamous GP2 engine criticism during their time together at McLaren. I don't think they've forgotten that experience, because things like that leave a mark, Schumacher said on Sky Deutschland. The way Fernando handled it back then was very open - harsh criticism. He was younger, perhaps more impulsive, but people in Japan don't forget something like that. Schumacher also expressed surprise at Honda's struggles after its recent success with Red Bull. Who would have thought Honda would run into such difficulties? he said. They specifically wanted a higher proportion of electric power, and that's exactly where they're now having the biggest problems. He urged Honda to react strategically to the latest crisis. Honda now needs to take the initiative and say 'This is a huge disaster, we made a mistake. It will take this long, the team needs this much patience'. (GMM) Featured Airport renamed: Petitioner hails Mahamas legacy decision GraphicOnline Feb - 26 - 2026 , 14:47 3 minutes read A leading campaigner behind the renaming of Kotoka International Airport has hailed President John Dramani Mahamas decision to restore the facilitys former name, describing it as a defining moment in Ghanas democratic journey. Mr Steven Nhyira Odarteifio, who petitioned for the change earlier this year, welcomed the governments announcement that the airport would revert to Accra International Airport, a move made on February 23, the eve of the 60th anniversary of the overthrow of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah. In a statement issued on February 24, 2026, Mr Odarteifio said he received the decision with deep gratitude and a full sense of history, framing the development as more than a symbolic adjustment. On January 20, 2026, he had led a petition advocating the renaming, arguing that the issue was not a diversion from pressing economic concerns but part of a broader moral reckoning. On 20 January 2026, I led a petition calling for this change - not as a distraction from bread-and-butter development, but as a reminder that nation-building is both material and moral. A country can build roads, airports, ports, and factoriesand still choose to correct what it honours at its front door, he stated. He commended President Mahama for what he described as principled leadership. To His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama and the Government of Ghana, thank you for showing that leadership remains a fearless blend of courage and conviction. This moment will be remembered as a legacy decision - because it signals that Ghanas democracy is mature enough to hear its people, reflect, and act. The petitioner also acknowledged the role of the Ministry of Transport and state institutions tasked with implementing the transition, including the Ghana Airports Company Limited, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, security services, airlines and other partners. Beyond government, Mr Odarteifio extended his appreciation to citizens and advocacy groups who sustained public debate on the issue. To every citizen who debated, criticized, supported, prayed, wrote, spoke, and stood firm - thank you, he said, singling out media organisations, civil society actors and public figures such as Samia Nkrumah, Kwaku Sintim Misa, Kwesi Pratt Jnr and the Democracy Hub for keeping the discussion alive. He argued that the renaming carries continental resonance, linking it to the legacy of Ghanas first President and the broader Pan-African project. This win belongs to Ghana, the African Union and the Founders of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). The spirit of Dr. Nkrumah is revived in us. While celebrating the decision, Mr Odarteifio emphasised that symbolic acts must go hand in hand with tangible development outcomes. Our development agenda must continue - jobs, education, health, food security, and industrial growth - but today also proves something important: we can pursue progress without losing our conscience. Featured Atimpoku Fuel case: Vivo Energy witness admits petrol sold to customer contained water Justice Agbenorsi Feb - 26 - 2026 , 16:02 3 minutes read The quality of fuel sold to customers at the Atimpoku Shell Fuel Station became the focus of cross-examination on January 30, 2026, in a case where a customer has sued Vivo Energy, operators of Shell, over alleged fuel contamination. The first defence witness, John Delase-Michael, a retailer at the Atimpoku Shell station, stated in his witness statement that the fuel sold to the plaintiff had, unknown to the company, been infiltrated with water. Under cross-examination from counsel for the plaintiff, John Jaja, led by Dela Blagogee, the witness admitted that the petrol sold was mixed with water. The witness, however, told the court presided over by Justice Isaac Addo that that was the first time we sold fuel mixed with water due to the heavy downpour. Plaintiffs case The plaintiff, Edmund Barwuah, through his lawyers, sued Vivo Energy for its Shell station at Atimpoku, near the Adomi Bridge in the Eastern Region, claiming that petrol sold there was contaminated with water. Barwuah was among many customers who bought fuel contaminated with water on August 28, 2022, an incident that led to the temporary closure of the station by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA). In a suit filed at the High Court in Accra, the plaintiff argued that Vivo Energy owed a duty of care to ensure that fuel sold at its stations meets required standards. He alleged that this duty was breached by Vivo alleging selfish and unholy financial gain. He added that damage to his car caused him to miss a scheduled business meeting, costing him a business opportunity worth GH2.5 million. Barwuah is seeking special damages of GH2.5 million, an order requiring Vivo Energy to replace his 2017 Ford Explorer with a similar vehicle, and GH600 per day for the loss of use of his car from August 28 until the replacement vehicle is provided. The company later explained that water had leaked into the underground tank following heavy rainfall and issued an apology for the incident. Cross-examination Counsel for the plaintiff suggested that when the plaintiff and his friend returned to the station to report the contamination, the witness initially disputed the claim. He also hesitated when asked to dispense the fuel into a container to verify whether it contained water. The witness explained: I initially did not agree to do so because the filling station did not approve of us doing that, with reasons that dispensing fuel into containers could cause fire outbreak and other accidents. Under pressure, he eventually dispensed the fuel into a container and confirmed it was mixed with water. When asked whether his hesitation was because he knew the fuel was contaminated, he denied the suggestion, explaining: This was the first time something of that sort had happened at our workplace. Recklessness allegation Counsel for the plaintiff argued that the testimony highlighted the defendants recklessness and disregard for its own safety protocols. The witness maintained that was not the case, stating: This is because this was the first time an incident of that sort had happened, and I only dispensed the fuel into the container under immense pressure. I also did that to ensure that there was no commotion and for understanding to prevail because the customers were not cooperating from the onset of their arrival at the filling station. Although the witness admitted that there was no record to support his claim of pressure, he said: It is so that there is no record before this court of that fact, but it was because of the pressure they mounted on me that pushed me to do so. When asked if any customers returned with weapons, he confirmed: It is so that none of the customers returned wielding weapons or to attack any of the workers on duty at that time. PURC says it has no dedicated system to monitor usage of ECG prepaid credits Previous article: PURC says it has no dedicated system to monitor usage of ECG prepaid credits Featured Captured on the frontline: How two Ghanaians ended up in Russias war Pacome Emmanuel Damalie Feb - 26 - 2026 , 10:20 5 minutes read Two Ghanaian prisoners of war being held in Ukraine have pleaded for forgiveness from both Ghanaians and Ukrainians for their involvement in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The two men, identified as Kojo and Kofi not their real names were captured by Ukrainian forces on the battlefield last year and are currently being held at an undisclosed location. During a visit to the facility by a government delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, at about 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2026, the two acknowledged that their decision to join the war effort was misguided and had dented Ghanas reputation as a peaceful nation. They appealed directly to President John Dramani Mahama and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for clemency. We are very sorry for what we did. We ask President John Dramani Mahama and the people of Ukraine and their government to forgive us and spare us. We know people all over the world know Ghana as a peaceful country with peace loving people, but we have stained that status. We are not proud of what we did and we ask Ghanaians and Ukrainians for forgiveness. We know we have hurt a lot of people; but we ask for forgiveness. We're also very sorry to our families; we know they're very much worried about us. Let our families know that we're alive and continue to remember us in your prayers, Kojo, a father of one, said remorsefully. Kofi said they were determined to turn over a new leaf if released, adding that they hoped to serve as advocates warning Ghanaian youth about the dangers of the war and what he described as the theatrics of agents who recruit unsuspecting young Africans. How they were recruited Recounting the circumstances that led to his recruitment, Kojo said he was lured to join the Russian forces due to financial difficulties in paying his university fees in 2024. With a promised signing bonus of 1.9 million Russian roubles and a monthly salary of 200,000 roubles, he said he accepted an offer to serve as a fire rescue officer, only to be deployed later to the combat frontline by his Russian superiors against his will. He disclosed that although the money was being held in BTB Bank in Russia, it had brought him little personal benefit, explaining that he had sent 500,000 roubles home to purchase items for an orphanage in Kumasi. Kojo said that during intense fighting, all members of his unit were killed in bomb explosions, leaving him alone on the battlefield. He claimed he expected to be killed by Ukrainian shelling but was instead captured. Although he said he has been treated humanely at the camp, Kojo stated that he still carries fragments of metal from an explosion in parts of his body, causing him intermittent pain. Kofi, a graphic designer, said he was lured into the Russian forces by a Russian police officer who had repeatedly cautioned him about overstaying a 14-week visa granted to him in Russia. He explained that for the first eight months, he was not involved in combat operations, but was later deployed to the frontline following a change in command. Kofi said he fled the battlefield after witnessing several of his compatriots killed in action and surrendered to Ukrainian soldiers, leading to his capture. He further revealed that at the time of his training, more than 10 Ghanaians had been recruited by an agent who promised them decent jobs, only for them to realise after signing contracts that they had enlisted in the Russian army. He said he could not confirm where those Ghanaians had been deployed or whether they were still alive. Kojo added that recruitment into the Russian army had become a lucrative enterprise for agents, who allegedly take a 30 per cent share of each African recruits salary. The two men confirmed that the camp also holds prisoners of war from other African countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, Burundi, Algeria, Morocco and Uganda, among others. In an earlier briefing, Ukrainian officials alleged that Russia had recruited 1,785 Africans from 36 African countries, including Ghana. Governments assurance Addressing the captives, the Foreign Affairs Minister conveyed the governments forgiveness and reaffirmed efforts to secure their freedom. President Mahama says I should tell you that he has forgiven you. The people of Ghana have also forgiven you. We're committed to working with the Ukrainian officials for your release. We have discussed that President Zelenskyy, but we still have some paperwork to do. We hope and pray that we can secure your release soon to commence your rehabilitation and reintegration and to also become ambassadors for peace and advocating against the criminal networks recruiting vulnerable young people to fight in this war, he said. Mr Ablakwa added that the government was committed to supporting efforts towards a ceasefire to allow for peaceful negotiations and bring an end to the recruitment of innocent Africans into a conflict they should not be part of. He also urged young Ghanaians, particularly those seeking opportunities abroad, to conduct thorough checks before accepting job offers. The Minister said the government would take decisive measures to dismantle the cartel or syndicate of agents who are endangering the lives of vulnerable Ghanaians on the battlefield, often against their will. Featured DVLA backs down on overseas staff deployment after public outcry and Foreign Ministry denial GraphicOnline Feb - 26 - 2026 , 19:16 3 minutes read The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has distanced itself from plans announced by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to extend licensing services to Ghanaians living abroad, stating it has no record of approving such an initiative. In a press release issued on Thursday, February 26, 2026, the Ministry said it had not issued any directive to Ghana's diplomatic missions nor granted approval to any entity for the deployment of staff to register or renew driving licences for Ghanaians in the diaspora. The statement was directed to all media houses and signed by the Ministry's communications department. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state categorically that it has neither issued a directive to our diplomatic missions abroad nor granted approval to any entity for such an arrangement," the statement read. The Ministry further indicated that it was unaware of any new government policy to that effect and had no documentation pointing to such a policy direction. "There is no record available at the Ministry pointing to this purported new policy direction. For the avoidance of doubt, there has been no formal engagement, no new policy brought to our attention and no financial commitment as irrefutable evidence at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs establishes," the statement added. The clarification comes two days after the DVLA Chief Executive, Julius Neequaye Kotey, announced at the commissioning of a new office in Bantama, Kumasi, that staff would be travelling to the United States, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom to provide licensing services. The remarks generated widespread debate, with members of the public questioning the use of state resources for overseas assignments while domestic offices faced operational challenges. In response to the public reaction, the DVLA issued a statement on Thursday explaining that it had entered into an arrangement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to collaborate with Ghana's embassies in selected countries. The Authority stated that under the plan, embassy staff would be trained to verify documents and forward them to Accra for processing, after which completed licences would be returned to the embassies for collection by applicants. The DVLA emphasised that its domestic staff would not be posted to work at the embassies. However, the Foreign Ministry's statement directly contradicts the DVLA's assertion of a collaborative arrangement. Later on Thursday, the DVLA issued another statement announcing a review of its proposed approach. "The Management of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has taken note of the public reactions following the announcement of our intention to extend selected services to Ghanaians living abroad. We appreciate the feedback and the concerns expressed by members of the public," the statement said. "In view of these sentiments, Management is reviewing the proposed approach and exploring alternative options to ensure that our services remain accessible to all Ghanaians, including those residing outside the country." The Foreign Ministry assured the public of its commitment to transparency and financial prudence in public service delivery. GhIE secures 10.72-acre land for Engineering Village at Assin Kushea Shirley Asiedu-Addo Feb - 26 - 2026 , 09:57 2 minutes read The Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) has secured a 10.72-acre land at Assin Kushea in the Assin North District of the Central Region for the construction of an Engineering Village and Museum. The land was formally handed over by the Paramount Chief of the Assin Owirenkyi Traditional Area, Ahunuabobrim Nana Pra Agyensaim VI, during a ceremony at Assin Kushea last Monday. The project, when completed, would serve as a major hub for engineering innovation, skills development and tourism in the area. Representatives from institutions including MTN Ghana, ECG, Telecel Ghana, the Volta River Authority, Ghana Highway Authority and Ghana Water Company Limited attended the ceremony. STEM hub The President of the GhIE, Ludwig Hesse, said the engineering village would include an industrial park, engineering museum, conference facility, eco-park and recreational centre, as well as hostel and residential accommodation. He added that the facility would also house offices for the management team, a dormitory block, a restaurant, and residential facilities for staff. He said the proposed engineering village, when completed, would collaborate with basic schools in the area to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education by providing practical training opportunities for pupils, particularly in robotics and other technical skills. Mr Hesse said the serene environment and cleanliness of Assin Kushea influenced the decision to site the project in the community. Socio-economic development The Paramount Chief and President of the Owirenkyi Traditional Council, Ahunuabobrim Nana Pra Agyensaim VI, described the project as a major boost for tourism and socio-economic development in the area. He stated that the community expected the engineering village to facilitate job creation, promote innovation, and provide skills-training opportunities for the youth. Nana Pra Agyensaim VI said the project was a long-term legacy initiative aimed at supporting the development of Assin Owirenkyi and its surrounding communities. He, therefore, called on residents and stakeholders to support the successful implementation of the project. Ghana targets 15 months of import cover by 2028 under new gold-backed reserve plan Next article: Ghana targets 15 months of import cover by 2028 under new gold-backed reserve plan Two SWESBUS students remanded over assault of Obrachire SHS student at inter-schools sports Previous article: Two SWESBUS students remanded over assault of Obrachire SHS student at inter-schools sports Featured Govt probes electricity bills, meter issues - Local company starts meter production Beatrice Laryea Feb - 26 - 2026 , 06:57 5 minutes read The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has announced measures to address the persistent challenges in electricity metering, including shortages, delays in access and complaints of abnormal billing. Mr Jinapor said he had directly engaged the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) to urgently resolve the supply constraints and streamline distribution processes. He assured the public that the persistent meter shortages would soon a thing of the past, especially with the establishment of a local manufacturing plant to reduce reliance on imports. The minister acknowledged the widespread public frustration over the difficulty in obtaining meters and the long waiting periods consumers faced before installation. Seven-day deadline In a speech delivered on his behalf by the Deputy Minister, Richard Gyan-Mensah, at the commissioning of the MBH Power Meter Manufacturing Facility in Tema yesterday, the minister described accurate metering as fundamental to fairness, transparency and revenue protection in the countrys power sector. Mr Jinapor, who spoke briefly at the event before departing for another assignment, said the institutions had been given a seven-day deadline to submit a report and propose lasting solutions to address the irregular meter readings in order to restore consumer confidence. On concerns about high and inaccurate billings, the minister said he had instructed ECG and the Energy Commission to investigate complaints of under-billing and over-billing. He emphasised that while the nation currently faced no power generation deficit, challenges within the distribution network were being actively resolved. The government, he said, remained committed to improving service delivery, ensuring accurate billing and strengthening Ghanas electricity value chain through strategic partnerships and local production initiatives. The minister described the commissioning of the MBH Power Meter Manufacturing Facility as a major milestone in the countrys energy sector, marking a significant shift towards local production and industrial growth. He emphasised that accurate and reliable metering was central to efficiency, transparency and revenue assurance across the electricity value chain, namely from generation to distribution and final consumption. Proper metering, Mr Jinapor said, would ensure fair billing, reduce losses and strengthen financial sustainability within the power sector. Mr Jinapor added that for years, the nation had relied heavily on imported meters, leading to capital outflows and limited local participation in the industry. However, the establishment of MBH Powers manufacturing plant now signalled a strategic move to reduce import dependence, retain economic value locally, create skilled and semi-skilled jobs and build technical capacity within the country. "While imports have helped us expand access, they have also meant capital outflow and limited local participation in this critical segment of energy industry. Today, we are proud that this narrative is changing. With the establishment of MBH Limited Manufacturing Plants here in Ghana, we have taken a bold step towards local production," he said. "We are, therefore, happy to partner with credible private investors like MDH Power who share our commitment to reliability, innovation and national development. Our energy sector reform agenda emphasises improved metering, reduction of commercial and technical losses, enhanced revenue mobilisation and manufacturing to align perfectly with these priorities," he stressed. He reaffirmed the governments commitment to fostering partnerships with credible private investors to drive innovation, improve metering systems, reduce commercial, technical losses and enhance revenue mobilisation. He further assured stakeholders that it would continue to promote policies that encouraged local content, industrialisation and sustainable investment, describing the project as a strategic partnership for national progress and long-term energy sector resilience. 750,000 units annually The Director of the Ghana Office of MBH Power Limited, Nikel Goel, reaffirmed the companys long-term commitment to Ghanas power sector at the commissioning of its new meter manufacturing factory in Tema. He described the event as a major milestone in MBH Powers journey in Ghana, which began in 2007. Over the years, the company has executed several key power infrastructure projects, including substation construction, switchgear upgrades, electrification initiatives, high-voltage distribution system improvements and network enhancement works across various parts of the country. Mr Goel mentioned that the company initially operated a meter assembly plant from a rented facility but had now invested in building a permanent factory as a demonstration of its confidence in Ghanas economic growth and its long-term partnership in the power sector. The factory has the capacity to produce 750,000 meters annually, with plans to double production in the future. The facility is expected to promote local content, create employment opportunities, reduce power losses and enhance revenue flows across the electricity value chain. Mr Goel emphasised that reliable electricity supply was critical to Ghanas economic development, and assured stakeholders that MBH Power remained committed to supporting the countrys energy aspirations. He expressed appreciation to contractors, artisans and the people of Tema for their support, reiterating that MBH Power was in Ghana for the long haul as a dependable partner in progress. The event was attended by the Chairman of MBH Group, Mukhi Bhagwan; main shareholder, Rachit Shah; power sector specialist from Niger, Ari Ibrahim Pokori; General Manger of Operation, Ghana Water Limited, Michael Botse-Baidoo, and the Member of Parliament for Tema East, Isaac Ashai Odamtten. Featured Were confident of passing anti-money laundering framework Twum Boafo Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Feb - 26 - 2026 , 12:57 3 minutes read The Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Intelligence Centre, Kwadwo Twum Boafo, has said he is confident Ghana will successfully pass the ongoing mutual evaluation exercise being undertaken by the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), a specialised institution of ECOWAS. He said Ghana had, over the years, built a robust regime for counter terrorist financing and proliferation financing. In an interview with the Daily Graphic following an on-site visit by the GIABA delegation, Mr Twum Boafo said that the government had provided the necessary support to all relevant agencies to meet international standards. As part of the third round of the mutual evaluation exercise, a delegation from GIABA was in the country from January 26 to February 6, 2026 to undertake an on-site assessment of our regime. I must say that the exercise went quite smoothly, with active participation from all institutions. The process began before I arrived, and since my arrival, we have continued to engage with the assessors and provided them with all the required information and data. Based on what I know and the system we have built, I believe Ghana will pass. Im very confident of that, he added. Background From January 26 to February 6, 2026, Ghana hosted the on-site visit for its Third Round Mutual Evaluation exercise, marking a major milestone in assessing the countrys compliance with international standards on anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing and counter-proliferation financing. The evaluation was conducted under the GIABA framework in accordance with the benchmarks set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). A team of international assessors and officials from the GIABA Secretariat engaged extensively with stakeholders from Ghanas public and private sectors. The purpose was to validate the countrys technical compliance with the FATFs 40 Recommendations and to assess the overall effectiveness of the AML/CFT/CPF framework. The opening session brought together high-level government and institutional leaders, including the Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem; the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama; the National Security Coordinator, Commissioner of Police Osman Abdul Razak; the Director-General of GIABA, Edwin W. Harris Jr; and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The assessors held meetings with a broad range of competent authorities, supervisory and self-regulatory bodies, as well as representatives from financial institutions, designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs), non-profit organisations and virtual asset service providers. The Third Round Mutual Evaluation placed strong emphasis on effectiveness. Assessors examined Ghanas understanding of money laundering and terrorist financing risks, risk-based supervision, the use of financial intelligence in investigations and prosecutions, targeted financial sanctions, transparency of beneficial ownership information, asset recovery outcomes and mechanisms for inter-agency and international cooperation. Adoption The final report is expected to be considered for adoption at the GIABA plenary scheduled for November 2026. The event was later attended at the end of the two-week period by the Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on CPF, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson; the Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Matilda Asante; the Deputy National Security Coordinator, Elizabeth Yankah; the FIC CEO and representatives of GIABA. Next article: DVLA backs down on overseas staff deployment after public outcry and Foreign Ministry denial Featured Inside the fake traffic fine scam: Police reveal how seven suspects were arrested GraphicOnline Feb - 26 - 2026 , 19:33 3 minutes read The Ghana Police Service has uncovered and dismantled what investigators describe as a carefully structured cyber fraud network that exploited public trust in law enforcement by issuing fake electronic traffic violation notices. The fraudulent messages, which circulated widely over the past week, falsely appeared to originate from the Police Service and directed recipients to click on links to settle alleged traffic fines. According to investigators, the links led to payment channels designed to siphon funds from unsuspecting victims through a chain of mobile money transfers. Speaking at the National Police Headquarters in Accra on Thursday, Chief Superintendent Alexander Kwaku Obeng disclosed that seven individuals had been arrested following a targeted intelligence-led operation. Seven suspects have been taken into custody, all of whom are assisting with ongoing investigations, he confirmed. Police said the investigation revealed a layered financial structure intended to disguise the movement of funds. Proceeds from victims were reportedly routed through multiple mobile money accounts before being consolidated by Martha Quarshie, identified as a vendor operating in Ada. Her arrest and subsequent interrogation led officers to Prosper Otumfour, whom authorities describe as the central architect of the scheme. He was apprehended at his residence in Winneba. A search of the premises yielded GH4,188 in cash, several SIM cards, mobile phones and laptops believed to have been used in orchestrating the fraud. Further operations resulted in the arrest of Robert Akplehe and Christian Akplehe, both mobile money vendors, as well as Michael Edem Amemornu, who investigators say received portions of the fraudulent proceeds. Searches at their homes and workplaces uncovered additional electronic devices, SIM cards, bank cards and cash amounting to several thousand cedis. Police investigations suggest that Prosper Otumfour registered Telecel Cash SIM cards in the names of associates, including some of the suspects, to collect payments from victims. The funds were then transferred to Martha Quarshie, who redistributed them through a web of accounts, creating what investigators describe as a deliberate effort to obscure the origin and final destination of the money. All seven suspects Martha Quarshie, Peter Ofori McCarthy, Alfred Kofi Totimeh, Prosper Otumfour, Robert Akplehe, Christian Akplehe and Michael Edem Amemornu remain in custody and are expected to be charged before court. Police say efforts are ongoing to identify additional collaborators. The coordinated operation was carried out across Accra, Ada and Winneba, with police commending the officers involved for their swift and methodical execution. In response to the incident, the Police Service announced that it is advancing plans to introduce an automated traffic enforcement system, Traffitech-GH, aimed at strengthening transparency and limiting opportunities for fraud in the issuance of traffic penalties. The initiative is being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Transport, the National Road Safety Authority, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority and the Ministry of Finance. The Police Service reaffirmed its commitment to protecting citizens from cyber-enabled crime and warned that individuals who misuse its name or systems to perpetrate fraud would face decisive legal action. Next article: 5 things you must know before entering Ghanas medicinal cannabis business Featured Kanor assumes command of GRA Customs Division, pledges integrity and innovation Diana Mensah Feb - 26 - 2026 , 17:08 4 minutes read The outgoing Commissioner of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Brigadier General Glover Ashong Annan, has officially handed over authority to the new Acting Commissioner, Aaron Kanor. The handover ceremony took place at the forecourt of the Customs Headquarters in Accra, marked by a display of military precision, including a rifle display, March on Parade, inspection of the parade, trooping of the band, drill demonstrations, and the ceremonial pulling of a pick-up vehicle carrying the outgoing commissioner by senior officers. The event brought together Deputy Commissioners, sector commanders, heads of security services, Commissioners of SSD and DTRD, as well as family and friends. Dignitaries present included the Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations), Stan Dogbey; Commissioner-General of GRA, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong; Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama; and others. Presidential appointment The transition follows the appointment of Mr Aaron Kanor as Acting Commissioner of the Customs Division by President John Dramani Mahama, with immediate effect. The appointment was announced in a press release issued by the Authority on February 23, 2026. Outgoing Commissioner highlights achievements In his address, Brigadier General Annan thanked President Mahama and the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, for the confidence reposed in him to lead the institution. He said that despite a challenging fiscal environment, the Customs Division mobilised approximately GH51.4 billion in revenue last year, representing a 14 per cent growth. Although the Division fell short of its target by nine per cent, the performance reflects the unwavering dedication of officers stationed at borders, checkpoints and offices nationwide, he noted. He highlighted that the Division faces an ambitious revenue target of GH67.5 billion this year but expressed confidence that officers would not only meet but exceed the target through resilience and determination. Key achievements under his leadership included the operationalisation of a Customs Police Unit and a Marine Unit, the establishment of a hospital dedicated to Customs officers, comprehensive training programmes for both junior and senior officers, and a state-of-the-art automotive and conference facility at headquarters. As he transitioned from office, Brigadier General Annan urged staff to extend the same spirit of cooperation, loyalty, and dedication to the incoming Acting Commissioner. Institutions do not thrive on individuals; they thrive on continuity, unity and collective purpose, he said, calling on officers to uphold the highest standards of integrity, discipline, and professionalism. Incoming Commissioner pledges integrity and innovation In his acceptance speech, Mr Kanor pledged to lead the Division with professionalism, integrity, and innovation. I am grateful for the confidence His Excellency has placed in me, and I will work diligently with all stakeholders to contribute our best to the success of his reset agenda, he said. He extended appreciation to his predecessor, commending Brigadier General Annans leadership and significant milestones achieved under his tenure. I will work closely with each and every officer to ensure that we deliver on our mandate to facilitate legitimate trade, protect our borders and collect the revenue due the state, Mr Kanor added, emphasising that professionalism, innovation, and collaboration would define his leadership approach. He also pledged to leverage technology to improve operations, strengthen risk management systems, and enhance partnerships with border communities as well as regional and international organisations. Commissioner-General warns against complicity Mr Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, Commissioner-General of GRA, cautioned officers against complicity in unethical conduct, stressing that corruption does not occur by accident. Containers do not redirect themselves. Manifests do not forge themselves. Tracking devices do not go dark by accident. This is not a failure of systems; it is a failure of people. He assured that the Authority would offer no protection to officers found to have engaged in unethical conduct, promising full cooperation with investigations and vowing that there will be no quiet transfers and no institutional shelter. Mr Sarpong commended Brigadier General Annans emphasis on teamwork and humility in leadership and pledged the full support of the Authority to Mr Kanor, challenging him to build upon the high standards set by his predecessor. Featured No ready market, no licence: Govt sets strict entry rules for cannabis business Mohammed Ali Feb - 26 - 2026 , 15:30 3 minutes read The government has introduced new conditions for entry into Ghanas medicinal cannabis industry, requiring investors to secure confirmed buyers before obtaining licences to operate. The Minister for the Interior, Mr Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, announced this at a press briefing in Accra on Thursday, February 26, 2026. He said the measure is intended to prevent diversion of cannabis into the illegal market and to protect public safety. Mr Mohammed-Mubarak stated that applicants must show a clear market for their produce as part of the licensing process. He said authorities would not grant licences to individuals who cannot identify who they intend to sell to. We wont give you the licence if you dont show us who you are going to sell it to. You need to have an off-taker, he said, adding that the government will not permit cultivation without secured buyers. The directive introduces stricter operational conditions in the rollout of Ghanas medicinal cannabis programme. It affects farmers, investors and processors seeking to enter the sector. The policy is being implemented under the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Act, 2023 and the Cannabis Regulations, 2023. These laws provide legal backing for the cultivation and management of cannabis strictly for industrial and medicinal purposes. Mr Mohammed-Mubarak stressed that recreational use of cannabis remains illegal. For the avoidance of doubt, cannabis with more than 0.3 per cent THC remains a prohibited narcotic, he said. He outlined additional controls that prospective operators must meet. According to him, a total of 11 different licences are required across the value chain, including cultivation, processing, transportation, import and export. Each licence is activity-specific and non-transferable. You cannot cultivate and assume you can transport. You need another licence for that, he explained. The Minister also said Ghana does not currently produce the specialised low-THC cannabis seeds required for the programme. As a result, all seeds must be imported under licence. Government is not positioning itself to provide the seeds. It is a business opportunity for those who want to import, he said, while encouraging research institutions to develop local seed capacity over time. To prevent abuse and diversion into illegal channels, the Interior Ministry, working with the Narcotics Control Commission and other security agencies, will apply surveillance and enforcement measures. These include GPS tracking, drone monitoring and unannounced inspections of licensed facilities. Security agencies such as the Police, Immigration Service, Prisons Service and the National Investigations Bureau will take part in enforcement. Mr Mohammed-Mubarak warned that failure to comply with the regulations could have consequences for the countrys standing internationally. If we get it wrong, Ghana could easily be blacklisted, and all the efforts will come to nothing, he said. He added that licensed facilities must not be located within 100 metres of schools or residential areas. Operators are also required to submit quarterly returns or face sanctions. On the economic outlook, the Minister said although the sector has the potential to generate substantial revenue, the governments immediate concern is public safety. Our emphasis is more on security and public safety than the money. If we do it right, the benefits will come, he said. The introduction of the off-taker requirement is expected to shape participation in the sector. It limits entry to investors who can show full commercial readiness from production to sale. For many local farmers and small-scale entrants, the directive raises the entry threshold. It indicates that participation will require not only land and interest, but also firm market arrangements and capital. Mr Mohammed-Mubarak said the government remains open to engagement but will enforce the rules. Our doors are open 24-7, but we will make sure the intent of the law is fully achieved, he said. Featured Senya Bereku: Navy, Air Force launch rescue after gunmen attack fishing vessels Mohammed Ali Feb - 26 - 2026 , 14:34 2 minutes read More than 50 fishermen have been left stranded at sea off the coast of Senya Bereku in the Awutu Senya District of the Central Region after armed men attacked their vessels during a night fishing expedition and fled with critical equipment. The Ghana Navy, with support from the Ghana Air Force, commenced a search and rescue operation at dawn on February 26, 2026, approximately 35 nautical miles off the Senya Bereku coastline. In a press release dated February 26, 2026, the Ghana Armed Forces confirmed that the operation was launched following an attack on fishing vessels in the area. According to reports, the armed men fired warning shots, held the fishermen at gunpoint and seized seven outboard motors, generators and other valuables, rendering the boats immobile. An eyewitness, Elder Samuel Fetteh, told Adom News that the attackers overpowered the fishermen and carried out the robbery without resistance, leaving them stranded about 4,000 metres offshore. The Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya West, Gizella Tetteh, speaking on Joy FM on February 26, said the fishermen had not returned to shore as of midday. She disclosed that four canoes had been dispatched by local canoe owners to tow the affected boats back to safety. They are sitting in their boats without motors, and they do not use paddles these days, so they cannot move. That is why they have to be towed by their colleagues, she said. Ms Tetteh dismissed suggestions that any of the fishermen had been taken hostage, clarifying the nature of the incident. As far as I know, nobody has been taken hostage. That report is not accurate. It is a robbery because the attackers had guns, she said. She added that one of the affected boats had been towed to Tema after a fisherman managed to latch onto another vessel, while others making their way back to Senya Bereku remained at sea. Communication with the stranded fishermen, she noted, had been hampered by poor network coverage, complicating coordination efforts. The District Chief Executive for Awutu Senya West, Kalala Nyamkye, also confirmed the attack and indicated that a rescue boat had been deployed to ensure the safe return of the fishermen. Ms Tetteh further stated that the Inspector-General of Police had deployed personnel from the military and the Marine Police to track down those responsible for the attack. 5 things you must know before entering Ghanas medicinal cannabis business Previous article: 5 things you must know before entering Ghanas medicinal cannabis business Featured Seventy-one fishermen rescued after pirate attack off Central Region coast Shirley Asiedu-Addo Feb - 26 - 2026 , 16:15 2 minutes read Seventy-one fishermen were rescued and brought home safely after a pirate attack at sea on Wednesday evening. The Central Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Emmanuel Dawood Mensah, said the pirates, reportedly speaking pidgin English, ordered the fishermen to hand over their outboard motors, generators, mobile phones, and cash. They got away with seven outboard motors, five generators, mobile phones, cash and fuel, Mr Mensah added. The fishermen were on board seven canoes: one from Tema, two from Chorkor in the Greater Accra Region, and four from Senya Beraku in the Central Region. Mr Mensah praised the collaboration between NADMO, the Navy, the Marine Police, the Fisheries Commission, and local fishermen groups for ensuring the safe return of all the crew. He added that police had taken statements from the crew, NADMO had conducted an assessment, and the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya, Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, had provided psycho-social support to the affected fishermen. Investigations are ongoing. The President of the Ghana Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association, Nana Kweigah, said they received information about the incident around 7 pm on Wednesday. He explained that the crew had set sail from Senya Beraku earlier in the day but were attacked between Senya Beraku and Dampase in the Central Region. The pirates were reported to have fired gunshots before ordering the crew members to hand over their phones, outboard motors, fuel and generators, Nana Kweigah said. He described the immediate challenge as locating and communicating with the fishermen at sea. Our greatest challenge was communication and location, he said. In each of the cases, the robbers reportedly instructed one of the crew to place a call back home and report the incident before taking all the phones. Throughout the night we struggled to establish contact. Even after alerting the Navy, determining the exact location of the attacked canoes remained difficult, he added. Nana Kweigah urged authorities to equip fishermen with better communication and monitoring tools for enhanced safety at sea. He said: There is a need to relook at equipping fishers with the needed communication and monitoring gadgets and systems while at sea for enhanced safety. Featured SML scandal: Special Prosecutor files witness statements as Ofori-Atta extradition case progresses Justice Agbenorsi & Joselyn Kafui Nyadzi Feb - 26 - 2026 , 15:51 4 minutes read The Special Prosecutor (SP), Kissi Agyebng, has filed two witness statements in the case in which former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and others are charged with allegedly causing a financial loss of more than GH1.4 billion in the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) contract saga. In court today, February 26, the SP told the trial High Court that efforts were underway to file the remaining documents he would rely on to prove his case against the accused persons. Court updated on service of charges The SP provided the court with an update on attempts to serve the former Finance Minister and Ernest Darko Akore an aide to Ofori-Atta during his tenure with the charge sheet, noting that both are currently outside the country. Regarding Ofori-Atta, he said: Since the former ministers apprehension by the United States authorities on January 6, 2026, he is in custody, adding that the first proceedings against him concern an immigration violation which commenced in January. He further informed the court that a second set of proceedings commenced this week in relation to the extradition request. The SP assured the court that his office would provide an update on the presence of the accused persons at the next adjourned date. The case has been adjourned to March 26, 2026. Profile of the accused Among the accused are Col. Kwadwo Damoah (Retd), a former Commissioner of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Member of Parliament for Jaman South. Other accused persons include Emmanuel Kofi Nti and Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, both former Commissioner-Generals of the GRA, Isaac Crentsil, former Commissioner of the Customs Division of the GRA, Evans Adusei, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SML, and SML itself. They face 75 counts, including causing financial loss to the state, using public office for profit, willful oppression, directly influencing the procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage, and entering into agreements that bind the government financially for more than one year without parliamentary authorisation. All accused persons have pleaded not guilty and have since been admitted to bail. The case arose from a revenue assurance contract awarded to SML by the previous government, which later became controversial and was eventually cancelled following a directive by President John Dramani Mahama. The case has also drawn public attention due to the extradition efforts involving Ofori-Atta, whom the OSP has accused of running from justice, although the former Finance Minister maintains he is in the USA for medical treatment and insists he has nothing to hide. Allegations detailed in charge sheet In a charge sheet signed by the Special Prosecutor and filed at the Criminal Division of the Accra High Court, the OSP alleged that the accused persons hatched a criminal enterprise to use the SML contract to fleece the nation. He stated: The criminal enterprise was commenced in 2017 by the first, third, seventh and eighth accused persons, with the other accused persons joining the adventure at various times. The criminal enterprise was characterised by no genuine need for contracting the eighth accused company for the obligations it purported to perform, and the contracts were secured for the eighth company through self-serving patronage and promotion by the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth accused persons based on false and unverified claims. The OSP further accused the accused persons of engaging in prohibited acts and acted with increased emboldened impunity as they freely abused their public offices by using the offices for private benefit. He added that the six former government officials created opportunities for SML to largely pretend to perform the services under the various contracts leading to immense financial loss to the republic of about one billion, four hundred and thirty-six million, two hundred and forty-nine thousand, eight hundred and twenty-eight cedis, fifty-three pesewas (GH1,436,249,828.53). The accused persons based their actions on their false claims that the eighth accused company possessed technical expertise and capability in revenue assurance, and that the technical expertise and capability of the eighth accused person had greatly increased revenue for the republic; and further that the eighth accused company exclusively possessed the only patented and proven technological systems in the world for value chain transaction audits, external price verification and measurement audit services in the downstream petroleum, upstream petroleum and minerals sectors, the OSP added. Featured Tomato traders complete first trip to Burkina Faso after terror attack Diana Mensah Feb - 26 - 2026 , 13:25 2 minutes read A group of Ghanaian tomato traders has returned safely from Burkina Faso, nearly two weeks after fellow traders were caught up in a terrorist attack in that country. The traders, who travelled on Monday, February 22, made it back to Ghana on Thursday, February 26, marking the first successful sourcing trip since the attack in the Titao community of Burkina Faso disrupted cross-border trade. Their departure followed government intervention that led to the reopening of the border to enable tomato sellers to resume their sourcing activities. The temporary closure had triggered supply shortages and sharp price increases in several markets across the country. The traders safe return has brought relief to major tomato hubs, particularly the CMB area in Accra, where sellers had been struggling with dwindling stocks and rising wholesale prices in recent weeks. At the CMB Underbridge branch of the Ghana National Tomato Traders Association, traders expressed gratitude for the safe return of their colleagues and commended the government for facilitating the reopening of the border. However, they also voiced dissatisfaction over what they described as delays in taking that decision, arguing that the prolonged uncertainty had compounded their financial losses. Some traders admitted that anxiety remains high following the earlier attack, describing the latest journey as tense but necessary due to the acute shortage of tomatoes on the local market and Ghanas heavy reliance on supplies from Burkina Faso. Featured 5 things you must know before entering Ghanas medicinal cannabis business Mohammed Ali Feb - 26 - 2026 , 16:46 2 minutes read The government has outlined new entry conditions for Ghanas medicinal cannabis industry, making it clear that participation will require more than interest or access to land. At a press briefing in Accra, the Minister for the Interior, Mr Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, said the sector will be tightly regulated, with attention on security, traceability and full commercial accountability. Addressing journalists on Thursday, February 26, 2026, he set out the requirements that investors, farmers and businesses must meet before entering the industry. 1. First, applicants must secure a buyer before they are granted a licence. Mr Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak said authorities will not issue licences without proof of a ready market. We wont give you the licence if you dont show us who you are going to sell it to. You need to have an off-taker, he stated. This rule rules out the approach of producing first and searching for a market later, and raises the bar for small-scale operators. 2. He also said the industry is governed by multiple licences rather than a single permit. A total of 11 licences cover activities such as cultivation, processing, transportation, import and export. Each licence is activity-specific and cannot be transferred. You cannot cultivate and assume you can transport. You need another licence for that, he explained. 3. On seed supply, the Minister said Ghana does not yet produce the specialised low-THC cannabis seeds required for medicinal use. All seeds must therefore be imported under licence. Government is not positioning itself to provide the seeds. It is a business, he said. 4. Mr Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak added that strict monitoring measures will be in place to prevent diversion into illegal markets. The Interior Ministry, working with the Narcotics Control Commission and other security agencies, will use GPS tracking, drone surveillance and unannounced inspections. If we get it wrong, Ghana could easily be blacklisted, he warned. 5. He further stated that recreational cannabis remains illegal. Cannabis with THC levels above 0.3 per cent is still classified as a prohibited narcotic under Ghanaian law. The programme operates under the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Act, 2023, and related regulations, which limit its use to industrial and medicinal purposes. While the sector has the potential to generate revenue, Mr Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak said the priority is proper control and public safety. Our emphasis is more on security and public safety than on money. If we do it right, the benefits will come, he said. These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Guam Visitors Bureau officials on Thursday said GVB will be taking over the maintenance of some of the most frequented public restrooms by tourists and residents across Guam, currently under the purview of the Department of Parks and Recreation. GVB has a request for proposals ready, but the tourism board deferred voting on it after about a half-hour discussion. They wanted a clearer picture of the cost and scope of work, among other things. Meanwhile, DPR parks administrator John Taitague told the Pacific Daily News that his agency would remove the parks under GVBs consideration from DPRs public restroom maintenance contract, which he said is still sitting with the General Services Agency. Theyre still in the works. [No updates] to my knowledge, Taitague said. Tumon to Humatak restrooms GVB tabled further discussion and approval of the RFP. The proposed scope of work includes public restroom cleaning for up to five locations two to four times a day every week, as well as daily inspections and condition monitoring. The bureau identified the restrooms at Ypao Beach Park in Tumon, Latte Stone Park in Hagatna, Matapang Beach in Tumon, Fort Soledad in Humatak, and Fort Apugan in Agana Heights as the most frequented by locals and tourists, according to GVB General Manager Regine Biscoe Lee. This is something that comes up in almost every single one of our marketing meetings. We always see it online. People are complaining about park maintenance and public restroom availability, Biscoe Lee told the board. As much as were concerned...were not park maintenance, [but] we want to make sure that we are providing some support for our brother and sister agencies. The contract would last until the end of fiscal year 2026, with the option to renew. The cost of the contract is estimated at $6,000 per restroom per month, according to board member Brian Artero. Responding to concerns from GVB Board Chair George Chiu and board member Robert Hofmann, Artero said the cost for a single-round cleaning and maintenance would be between $1,500 and $2,000 per restroom. Because the RFP outlines as many as four cleanings and condition checks per day, the monthly cost amounts to at least $30,000. According to Pacific Daily News archives, DPRs current monthly payments are between $14,000 and $17,000 to Guam Cleaning Masters for restroom maintenance since its previous contracts expired in September 2025. No takers Ina Carillo, GVBs new director for destination development, told the board that DPR is out for bid for a new contract. But they dont have any takers, she said. She said the scope of work DPR drafted into its RFP design might be putting off vendors. The current vendor isnt interested in doing it anymore, so there isnt a consistent cleaning schedule, Carillo said. Weve studied their RFP, and its actually a lot more extensive. They want an attendant to sit outside of the bathroom and clean after every single use, plus minor repairs and servicing for each bathroom. They want it all with one vendor [so] I think thats why theyre not being successful. Chiu said the scope of work was too vague, so he would rather it be reworked into something more specific before receiving approval. He had reservations about where the funding would come from and whether competitive procurement is the proper method to use. Chiu also asked why the five identified restrooms were not already written into the RFP when it was presented on Thursday. Alternatives Hofmann suggested alternatives to contracting vendors altogether. He said the bureau could instead offer incentives to nearby businesses to open their restrooms to the public when the park facilities are closed or unfavorable. I think you could have required a different solution for each one. Depending on location, it cannot be all the same. Something we can do immediately is simple signs that the restroom is closed and tell them where the nearest restroom is, Hofmann said. The Sinajana mayor said businesses and institutions near popular public parks, such as Guam Museum or the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral Basilica in Hagatna said they dont have a problem opening the restrooms for tourists if [GVB] can help offset the water and toilet paper costs. Hofmann also had issues with the language of the RFP saying proposals would only be sought from professional and experienced contractors. He said local small and newer businesses should be considered for vendors as well. GVB board member Ho Eun thought the scale of the projects was too small for a competitive RFP, and said the bureau could instead put out an invitation to bid. Chiu recommended the board table the matter for later. 50 ergonomic office chairs The GVB board also discussed a purchase order for 50 new office chairs. A unanimous vote okayed a $31,984.13 purchase of 50 ergonomic office chairs, including the removal and disposal of the old officer chairs, acquired in fiscal 2012. The order went out to M80 Systems. Japan marketing consultant The tourism board discussed a new contract for a professional marketing consultant for its Japan office. The scope of work included market analysis, insights, strategic development, brand positioning, performance metrics and evaluations, and more. The highest-rated offeror was JTB Tourism Research & Consulting Co. The negotiated price for the contract was $30,642.86 per month for up to seven months, from March 1 to Sept. 30, including a one-time $85,500 fee upon satisfactory completion. Chiu said the bureau definitely needs a consultant to understand the Japan market. The travel agency wholesaler business for Japan market is down to 16%. Thats a shocker. Guam used to be 90% of the wholesale market, so the market has changed, Chiu said. If you look at the [2019 peak], were at 33% of where we want to be. Our market share in 2024 was 0.16%, and in 2025, it went up to 0.18%. GVB board member Ken Yanagisawa, head of the Japan marketing committee, said this contract would help the bureau capture whats happening in the Japan market. This proposal is part of creating long-term goal. The focus is as much capture and as much exposure as possible, Yanagisawa said. We need to have total analysis of Japan market and create a proposal of what is best course of action for future. Nadine Leon Guerrero, GVB director of global marketing, added that the budget for Japan marketing is nowhere near what it was before, so a consultant would be another way to get the data to help build a long-term strategy. The board approved the contract award, deciding the consultant would report directly to Yanagisawa and Biscoe Lee. Residents worried about cancer and toxicity from dieldrin exposure, medical bills, the source of contamination, and a perceived lack of communication by the government vented their frustrations during a Wednesday night town hall at the Yigo Gym. Residents got updates from the Guam Environmental Protection Agency on efforts to find the source of the cancer-linked pesticide found at high levels in Yigo water well Y-15, and study its impacts. Meanwhile, nearly 300 dieldrin contamination claims seeking up to $500,000 each from Guam EPA and the Guam Waterworks Authority are being processed by the law firm of former attorney general Leevin Camacho, whose family is impacted by the contamination. Camacho said his firm has already filed nearly three dozen claims. Camacho & Taitano LLP is hosting a free workshop to educate residents impacted by dieldrin and help them file claims against GovGuam. It is scheduled for 12 p.m. on Monday, March 2, at the Our Lady of Lourdes Social Hall in Yigo. GWA last October finished an interim treatment system for the well, which serves some 1,200 residents. A permanent treatment system is anticipated by this summer. We all got poisoned Several residents on Wednesday said they believed their illnesses may be linked to contamination, and wanted to see whoever was responsible to pay. Prior to treatment, water coming out of Y-15 was tested at 1.76 parts per billion. Thats almost eight times the level where Guam EPA considers increased cancer risk unacceptable, and over twice the level where neurological risks present. Yigo resident Frank G. Blas, who lived near the well, said Wednesday that his diabetes was accelerating, and he could feel his body shutting down. He wanted to know whether his health problems were made worse by dieldrin, and said the government shouldnt wait until 20 years later to recognize the issue. Its banned because its poison. Its poison. And thats what happened to us, we all got poisoned, he said. Blas said after a source was found, someone had to pay. Where are these people going to find finances to get their treatments? he asked. Dededo resident Bobby San Nicolas Benavente said she used to live in Yigo for 50 years, and now lives near Dededo well D-17, where dieldrin has also been found at unacceptable levels. Benavente said she had tried sending an email to GWA about what houses were served water by D-17. I never got an answer, she said. Guam EPA told GWA to notify residents served by D-17 about dieldrin in their water last June, the Pacific Daily News has reported. Instead, GWA shut down the well ahead of the required notification date, and has maintained a notice is not required because no one is getting water from the well. Benavente on Wednesday said she has been dealing with neurological issues since 2015. She said doctors have not been able to tell her what the problem is, but after finding out about dieldrin toxicity, she believes it may be the cause. It breaks my heart to think back of them, many, many days and weekends where I filled up the...inflatable swimming pool for my grandchildren and my great grandson to swim in and soak in for hours, Benavente said. What did we do to put those babies possibly at risk? She said officials needed to speed it up. Guam EPA is working with the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry for a public health assessment for Yigo, Guam EPA senior science advisor Capt. Elizabeth DeGrange told residents Wednesday. Guam EPA: Military source not final Guam EPA is looking into dieldrin found in soils at Andersen Air Force Base, but it is not conclusive that the military is the source of contamination, Guam EPAs Derange said. She said a request that Joint Region Marianas investigate the potential dieldrin sources at Andersen is not a sign of guilt. It is a sign of, hey, we have to look at this, she said. With a sampling plan for Andersen due from JRM Friday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Guam EPA will have oversight of the investigation and any future sampling and testing, according to DeGrange. Guam EPA previously pointed to soil at highly contaminated superfund sites at Andersen. Data from redevelopment of old Andersen housing, another potential source, is also under review. DeGrange said that to the best of her agencys knowledge, Andersen has complied with requirements for superfund sites and permit requirements for construction. At the same time, she said Guam EPA does not have significant data about soil outside the fence line near Y-15, and plans to do more sampling and testing. They are asking for funding so that samples from some 55 locations around Guam, already in the mainland, can be tested for dieldrin this summer, according to DeGrange. Soil samples and water samples from rivers and wetlands around Guam collected during a regular assessment this year will also be tested for dieldrin, chlordane, and a panel of other pesticides, she said. The U.S. banned dieldrin in the 1980s, but has been detected at high levels in Y-15 since at least 2008, and at lower levels in 88 wells around Guam. Guam EPA is eyeing recent housing developments, or continued use as possible causes for its continued appearance in Guam water. Residents point to Andersen But several Yigo residents pointed to Andersen as the potential source of contamination during Wednesday nights town hall. Joaquin Cruz, 75, said he lived right by well Y-15 and the back gate to the base. He pointed to base housing that was demolished prior to 2023, and sat up on a hill. When Im in that area, whenever its raining, actually water coming from Andersen, right from that area where housing used to be that got demolished, down to the foundation, Joaquin Cruz said. I dont know how much further debate you have to do but you know its coming from there. Former AG Camacho, speaking at the town hall, said, There are no housing developments near Y-15, other than the Andersen. I can tell you, as someone whos grown up in Yigo, no one was building a housing development near Upi from 1989 until now, he said. He said federal law did not require proof beyond all certainty to pursue a claim against the source of contamination, and GovGuam should pursue a claim. Is this going to be another case where we have known contamination tax payers and rate payers and millions of dollars for filters, and you dont go after the source because, oh, we cant prove it? Camacho asked. Thats BS. Suspicions Yigo resident Eddie Cruz said he did not believe the conclusive source of dieldrin was the military. Cruz said he and other farmers had suspicions about what some growers were using to get such a good product from their crops. It all comes back to suspicion of, maybe its the chemicals, maybe its the pesticide, herbicides, or whatever theyre using, he said, questioning whether the government was aware of every chemical that was coming in at the port. But he did recall memories from his time working with his father transporting materials for the Air Force decades ago. We hauled Agent Orange, which they denied, DDT, and other crazy chemicals that had PCBs and other stuff in it, Cruz said, adding that hed heard dieldrin was sprayed on base back in the 1980s to deal with termites. Theres got to be some documentation somewhere, he said. DeGrange told the crowd that Guam EPA was not willing to place blame until there was enough evidence to make a case. What I can tell you is that the group of people sitting at this table are doing everything we can to address the issue, to find a responsible party, if we can do that, she said. To be good, right and true in our investigation, both inside and outside a fence line. Hafa Adai yan Biba Mes CHamoru! In the lead-up to CHamoru Heritage Month and Guam History and CHamoru Heritage Day this March, the Guam Visitors Bureau honors and celebrates our proud CHamoru culture that has enjoyed a revival in recent years as our people reconnect with and honor our roots. This cultural resurgence inspires us to keep our traditions alive and guides us as we seek to reset Guams visitor industry by grounding it in our 4,000-year-old traditions of respect, hospitality, and inclusion. GVB upholds the seven pillars of CHamoru culture to guide decision-making when promoting i kotturan CHamoru (the CHamoru culture) and advancing our island as an ideal destination for visitors seeking warmth, connection, adventure, and relaxation in a family-friendly setting. (1) Inafamaolek. This is the tradition of interdependence that restores harmony and balance, working together for the benefit of the whole community and maintaining mutual respect at all times. Inafamaolek is a system of reciprocity and cooperative support. (2) Saina. Respetu, or respect, is a foundational CHamoru value, with a special emphasis on elders and ancestors. It is often demonstrated when young people (manhoben) smell the hands or kiss the cheeks of our saina (elders), a common act of deference called mannginge. We always give respect where it is due. (3) Inagoflie. This is another form of respetu that is characterized by unconditional love. Loving and respecting others without judgment, regardless of their affiliations or orientations, is our way of valuing difference, honoring talent, fostering bonds of cohesiveness and welcoming inclusion and productivity. (4) Famalaoan. The foundation of Guams CHamoru culture is a matrilineal society. The matriarchy typically governed various aspects of island life, including religious practices, family gatherings, home affairs, inheritance, property rights, and maintaining lineal connections. (5) Inadahi. This word signifies caring for our resources. Our ancestors were the original sustainability experts, and their enduring love, respect, and connection with our air, water, and land continue to guide us. (6) I Hinengge. This term symbolizes Guams CHamoruized Roman Catholicism and is reflected in the ways our manamko still worship today, venerating our dearly departed and ancestors with rosaries led by a techa (prayer leader) in CHamoru and hymns sung at home or during church services. (7) Latte. The pillar and the capstone, the haligi and the tasa, form the most iconic of all CHamoru symbols. The latte stonethe foundation of ancient CHamoru architecture stands tall as a symbol of home, strength, resilience, and a connection to the past. Culture where it counts At GVB, we weave CHamoru culture into Destination Guams brand strategy, ensuring i kottura touches every aspect of the visitor journey from trip planning through the island experience to the return home and year-round follow-up. We extend this cultural approach to how we engage partners, reset the industry for optimal growth, and treat one another with consistent respect. CHamoru identity is our destinations strength and our enduring narrative of survival and celebration. GVB has had the opportunity to share our strategic and data-driven marketing plans with the community. In the spirit of mutual respect for the people we serve, we are devoted to adhering to strict guidelines for all public spending while delivering a strong return on public investments in airline incentives and business travel. Our goal is to yield consistent, progressive results. GVB closely monitors every investment to ensure visitor spending far exceeds the cost of attracting visitors to our shores. We report on our diligent marketing efforts and results at home and abroad. These endeavors are gaining verifiable traction: Arrivals have increased month over month for eight consecutive months, comparing 2024 to 2025 and even January 2025 to January 2026. We recognize those who sometimes publicly disagree with GVBs approach. We invite our entire community to join us in the spirit of inafamaolek. Lets not only count the money and monitor the results but also improve the visitor experience by volunteering and working together. Each of us can do our part. Together with our partners, the staff and management of GVB actively participate in cleaning and maintaining beaches and public spaces. We also contribute to promoting the UN Sustainable Development Goals, beautification, and improvements in safety and security for residents and visitors alike. We appreciate all leaders and volunteers who help GVB guide the visitor industrys reset while working together to keep Guam a premier Pacific destination. Our deep respect for our island and its people and our commitment to the GVB mission continues to guide the work we do every day. And we remain focused on making Guam the best place to live, work, and visit. Haiti - Security : High-level strategic meeting on strengthening national security On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Patrick Pelissier, the Minister of Justice, acting as interim Prime Minister while Prime Minister Fils-Aime attended the 50th Ordinary Session of the CARICOM Conference in Saint Kitts and Nevis, chaired a high-level strategic meeting focused on strengthening national security, consolidating institutional stability, and mobilizing all of the nation's vital forces. This important working session brought together the High Command of the Haitian National Police (PNH), representatives of the central government, and Wilson Jeudy, the Mayor of Delmas. On the Prime Minister's instructions, the PNH's main operational directorates, including the General Directorate (DG-PNH), the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ), the Central Directorate of Administration and Police (DCAP), and the West 1 and 2 Departmental Directorates, participated in the discussions. The discussions led to the definition of more effective and efficient mechanisms aimed at : Optimizing the deployment of mobile patrols and fixed checkpoints; Intensifying prevention and law enforcement operations in all ten geographic departments; Strengthening the police presence by increasing the number of outposts and forward operating bases; Enhancing internal troop control and ensuring strict and visible identification of PNH officers; Increasing targeted traffic stops and searches, based on reliable intelligence. These actions reflect the commitment to restoring state authority, protecting lives and property, and neutralizing criminals, in strict compliance with the law and fundamental rights. The Government also emphasized the need for structured collaboration with the public, stressing that citizen participation, particularly through alert mechanisms for kidnappings or suspicious activities, is a key pillar of the national strategy. This synergy between law enforcement, judicial authorities in the country's eighteen jurisdictions, and local governments aims to create an atmosphere of trust, stability, and hope for all citizens. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Politic : PM Alix Didier Fils-Aime met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio On the sidelines of the 50th Ordinary Session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), held in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis (February 24-27, 2026), as part of efforts to strengthen the strategic dialogue between Haiti and the United States, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils Aime held a high-level bilateral meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The discussions were characterized by open, respectful, and results-oriented cooperation, centered on a shared objective : to sustainably restore institutional stability, strengthen public security, and create the conditions for credible elections in Haiti. At the heart of the discussions was the Pact to Rebuild National Stability and Guarantee Credible Elections in Haiti, hailed as a major political step forward. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the importance of this initiative, which enshrines the unity of political forces and civil society actors around a shared agenda for democratic transition. He emphasized that this Pact represents a strong signal of hope and collective responsibility, essential for restoring national and international trust. Both officials gave priority to the security situation in Haiti. The Prime Minister outlined the measures undertaken by the Government to restore state authority and dismantle the criminal networks that threaten public peace. He advocated for strengthened bilateral cooperation to enhance the operational capabilities of national forces and consolidate regional and international coordination mechanisms. Discussions also focused on mobilizing partners to support the deployment of the Gang Repression Force (FRG), particularly in terms of specialized human resources, strategic equipment, logistical support, and financial assistance. Both parties agreed to work together to ensure the effective and sustainable implementation of this initiative, which is essential to restoring republican order. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - ONA : Working meeting on the ONAPolis program On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, the National Old-Age Insurance Office (ONA) held a working meeting dedicated to evaluating and strengthening the ONAPolis program. This meeting brought together representatives from ONA, the Haitian National Police (PNH), the Portfolio Directorate, the Budget Directorate, and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF). Discussions focused primarily on the operational constraints observed in the program's implementation, as well as the need to consolidate the inter-institutional collaboration framework. Ronald Bazile, the Director General of ONA, invited the Police representatives to refer to the memorandum of understanding governing the ONAPolis program to ensure a harmonized understanding of the respective responsibilities of the stakeholders. It was reaffirmed that the program is part of a structured social protection system. As such, affiliated police officers receive the same benefits and are subject to the same rules and procedures as all ONA insured members. Regarding loan applications, ONA reiterated that all requests must be submitted through the Police Human Resources Department (HRD). Applications submitted directly to the institution cannot be considered. Applicants are advised to contact HRD to inquire about: the number of applications submitted to ONA; the number of applications currently being processed; and the status of incomplete or non-compliant applications. This system aims to ensure traceability, transparency, and efficiency in the processing of applications. ONA applies strict financial analysis criteria before making any decision to grant credit. Applications deemed insufficient due to insufficient repayment capacity cannot be approved. This requirement addresses three imperatives : Preventing any situation of over-indebtedness; Preserving the financial balance of the program; Protecting beneficiaries from disproportionate debt. In this context, a systematic verification is carried out with the National Credit Bank (BNC) to ensure that no outstanding financial commitments compromise the applicant's solvency. Following this meeting, the parties agreed to.: Strengthen operational collaboration with the Police Human Resources Department; Establish a periodic financial reconciliation mechanism; Improve institutional communication; Further clarify the financial process and administrative responsibilities. The ONA reaffirms its commitment to : Maintaining rigorous standards of financial analysis; Guaranteeing the protection of beneficiaries against over-indebtedness; Consolidating ONAPolis with a view to sustainable social protection; Facilitate, to the extent possible, the priority processing of specialized units. Through this strategic approach, the ONA confirms its central role in consolidating a structured social program, based on administrative rigor, institutional responsibility, and the effective protection of insured individuals. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Social : The CDH denounces the blocking of the recruitment of 80 new customs agents In a statement, the Haitian Customs Collective (CDH) expresses its strongest indignation at the decisions and practices of the current management of the General Customs Administration (AGD), headed by Gerald Remplais, which are causing deep unease within the institution. The Haitian Customs Collective (CDH) publicly denounces the stalled recruitment process for 80 new customs surveillance agents, following the exams held on Sunday, August 24, 2025, in which 3,232 candidates participated. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45184-haiti-flash-agd-recruits-80-new-customs-agents.html While the marking process, which began on September 8, suggested that the new agents would be welcomed as early as October, "the CDH can confirm, after several inquiries, that this process has been superseded by the opaque recruitment of 210 agents close to Gerald Remplais, the current Director." Since last November, CDH members have conducted several information-gathering and internal investigations into irregularities within the administration. The compiled evidence, according to the CDH, reveals a management style that neither promotes the advancement nor enhances the reputation of Haitian customs, but rather "is characterized by practices of favoritism and the granting of undue advantages." Given the gravity of the situation, the CDH calls upon the competent authorities, state oversight bodies, and partners in the customs chain to address this matter urgently. The CDH reaffirms its commitment to a professional, ethical customs administration that respects the rights of its agents, an essential condition for the proper functioning of the public service and the credibility of the institution. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Cap-Haitien : Landslide, 5 victims Following the heavy rains recorded since Tuesday, February 24 in Cap-Haitien, several areas of the city are currently affected by significant flooding, impacting residential neighborhoods as well as certain strategic roads. In the Bassico area (Bel-Air), a landslide caused by the fall of a rock. Provisional assessment : 3 houses damaged and 5 people seriously injured. Furthermore, various areas of the municipality are experiencing significant accumulations of water due to the saturation of the evacuation canals. The Municipality, with the support of the Ministry of Public Works, has initiated emergency interventions aimed at clearing the canals and drainage corridors and clearing the main roads. The municipal crisis management unit is activated. Municipal services, in coordination with Civil Protection and departmental authorities, ensure continuous monitoring of the situation and intervene in affected areas. Emergency number: +509 4391 2828. The population can call, send an SMS or a WhatsApp message to report any emergency situation or request assistance. Brazil Visa : Mandatory measures The Visa Application Reception Center for Brazil (CAVB), managed by IOM in Haiti, reminds those concerned that, since 2025, it is mandatory to have two telephone numbers as well as an email address in order to facilitate the finalization of files when applying. Please ensure you have this information ready for the agent at the time of your request. Call center : open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Our agents are at your disposal at the following numbers: 2817 0320 / 3163 6075 / 3170 9307 / 4910 1l17 / 3668 8490 Email : iomhaitivrf@iom.int New Minister of the Economy installed On Wednesday February 25, 2026, Serge-Gabriel Collin was officially installed as Minister of the Economy and Finance. In his speech, the new Minister presented a lucid diagnosis of the economic situation and affirmed that budgetary discipline is essential to the stability of the country. Its priorities : Strengthen the mobilization of internal resources; ensure rigorous management of public spending and respect international commitments, particularly with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). More than US 500 million to secure the borders The Superior Court of Accounts and Administrative Disputes (CSC/CA) approved a 10-year contract worth $542 million, supported by the private service provider, aimed at strengthening border security between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. This agreement concluded with the American firm Evergreen Trading System Limited https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46642-haiti-news-zapping.html provides, among other things, for the installation of technological equipment including scanners, helicopter drones, satellite surveillance, installation of goods scanners and container scanners in seaports as well as in the border posts of Malpasse, Belladere and Ouanaminthe New Management at the DGI Chesnel Francois was officially installed at the head of the Directorate General of Taxes (DGI). He is committed to conducting rigorous, efficient and visionary management, based on collective responsibility and a culture of results and took the opportunity to present his major orientation options : Acceleration of the modernization and digitalization of procedures; Strengthening tax justice and combating fraud; Deployment of the Revenue Management System (RMS); Implementation of the General Tax Code and improvement of institutional performance and tax governance. ONA : 2 promotions to the IT department On Wednesday February 25, 2026, the National Old Age Insurance Office (ONA), Edwing Charles, Chief of Staff of Director General Ronald Bazile, installed two executives at the head of the IT Systems Department (DSI). Carlos Philippe was promoted to Director I, while Marc Antoine Valcourt rose to the position of Director II within the IT department. This decision is part of the General Management's project aimed at promoting internal skills and accelerating the computerization of the institution. HL/ HaitiLibre In its dispute with Anthropic, the US Department of Defense has now allegedly issued an ultimatum until Friday, threatening the AI company with severe consequences if it does not meet the demands by then. This is reported by the US magazine Axios, citing informed sources after a meeting between US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei on Tuesday. If Anthropic does not grant the US military unrestricted access to its in-house AI, it will either be declared a risk to supply chains or forced to release a version for the military via the Defense Production Act (DPA), Axios quotes. Continue after ad Law intended for production of war materials While the first scenario is not new even though classification as a supply chain risk was previously reserved for foreign adversaries the alternative is no less extraordinary: The Defense Production Act is actually intended to enable the US government to order the production of war-critical goods. In recent times, however, it has also been used, among other things, in the context of the Corona pandemic to accelerate the production of medical devices and articles. Its use in a dispute over limits for AI systems would be a significant expansion of the law's scope. However, the AI industry has already been obligated to implement security measures when training its models with the help of the DPA. Despite this escalation for the US government, Anthropic has so far shown no inclination to comply with the demands. The AI company does not want to allow the Department of Defense to use its AI technology for mass surveillance of the US population. Furthermore, weapons that fire without human intervention should not be developed with it. The department is nevertheless pushing for the release because it has no comparable alternative to Anthropic. The only reason we're still talking to these people is we need them and we need them now, the magazine quotes someone from the department. The problem for these guys is they are that good, it continues. Anthropic is one of four AI companies to which the Pentagon pledged up to 200 million US dollars each in the summer for the development of agentic AI workflows. The US Department of Defense is now threatening to revoke this contract if the company does not comply with the demands. This would be significantly less problematic for Anthropic than the escalation. Classification as a supply chain risk would force other companies to choose between doing business with the US military or with Anthropic. This decision would likely not be difficult. At the same time, however, it has also been stated by the US Department of Defense that Anthropic's AI would be enormously difficult to remove from its systems. (mho) 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. Kivimaki denied all charges and sought dismissal of the case before the appeal court. Prosecutors called for a seven-year sentence. The court upheld the district courts findings of guilt but raised the sentence from six years and three months imposed in April 2024 by the Western Uusimaa District Court. The Helsinki Court of Appeal sentenced Aleksanteri Kivimaki to six years and 11 months in prison. The term stands one month short of the statutory maximum of seven years for the offences. The case concerns the breach of the psychotherapy centre Vastaamos patient database in November 2018. The perpetrator accessed the system without authorisation by using user credentials that did not belong to him. The court found that the intrusion required dedicated software and a detailed technical plan. Judges stated that the offender reduced the risk of detection by using encrypted VPN connections. Servers involved in the offence relied on strong encryption methods. In autumn 2020, the attacker attempted to extort money from Vastaamo. When that failed, patients began to receive blackmail messages. Sensitive therapy records later appeared on the Tor network. The court convicted Kivimaki of aggravated data breach, aggravated attempted extortion, 20 counts of aggravated extortion, 9,231 counts of aggravated dissemination of information violating personal privacy and 20,745 counts of aggravated attempted extortion. The Court of Appeal described the crimes as a planned entity that affected an exceptionally large number of victims in a vulnerable position. It stated that the acts were conducive to causing significant suffering. The offences were driven by the aim of obtaining significant financial benefit, the court said in its judgment. The judges assessed that a fair punishment would in principle have been the maximum seven-year term. They reduced the sentence by one month because Kivimaki reached conditional settlement agreements with numerous victims concerning compensation. The agreements are conditional, and according to the information presented no compensation has so far been paid by Kivimaki, the court wrote. It added that the agreements justified only a minor mitigating effect, including possible savings in legal costs. Kivimakis lawyer Peter Jaari said he had discussed the judgment with his client. Of course Kivimaki is deeply disappointed, Jaari told Helsingin Sanomat. He described the ruling as the least expected of the alternatives considered by the defence. Jaari said Kivimaki is currently abroad and that he does not know his exact location. The appeal courts judgment is enforceable despite the possibility of applying for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court. Jaari said it is likely that his client will seek such leave. Kivimaki must report to prison at a time set by the Criminal Sanctions Agency to serve the remainder of his sentence. He has spent more than two and a half years in pre-trial detention. As a first-time offender under Finnish law, he becomes eligible for conditional release after serving half of the sentence. French police arrested Kivimaki near Paris in February 2023 following an international search. The district court released him in February 2024 during proceedings, but the Court of Appeal later ordered him remanded in custody again. He evaded authorities for about a week before police found him in a flat in central Helsinki. In September last year, during the appeal hearing, the court released him pending judgment, citing the length of his pre-trial detention. The Vastaamo breach ranks as the largest criminal case in Finland measured by the number of victims. Separate proceedings linked to the case remain pending in the district court, including charges against another individual for aiding aggravated extortion. HT Swedens National Defence Radio Establishment, known as FRA, confirmed that it has urged the energy sector to increase vigilance. TV4 said an actor with links to a foreign power has issued a warning covering all Nordic countries and signalled that an attack could take place in the near future. The broadcaster cited unnamed sources and described the threat as concrete. Authorities across the Nordic region have raised preparedness levels after Swedish broadcaster TV4 reported a serious threat against the common energy infrastructure. It is correct that we have urged the energy sector to increased vigilance in Sweden, said Ola Billger, head of communications at FRA, in comments carried by TV4. We did that at the end of last week through the National Cyber Security Centre. Billger said the move followed cyber attacks against Polands energy sector in late December. The background is that Poland was subjected to attacks in its energy sector at the end of December. We assess that there is reason to be attentive in a Swedish context as well, he said. Polands Prime Minister Donald Tusk said at the time that Russian influence stood behind the incident, according to Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. Polish authorities shared information with Nordic counterparts after the attack, which led to steps in Sweden. TV4 reported that several authorities and police units across the Nordic countries have entered a state of alert. In Sweden, police officers have received orders to guard facilities linked to energy supply. The broadcaster said the actor behind the threat has indicated a deadline before a possible strike. TV4 stated that it does not know how the attack would be carried out or what form it would take. Swedish police confirmed that they are monitoring the situation. FRA said it has advised energy facilities to review a report from Poland and to strengthen monitoring capacity. It is about reading this report from Poland and taking part in the content. We have also urged the sector to have good monitoring capability, to be able to handle cyber attacks. In particular to have the ability to restore systems if something happens, Billger told TV4. In Finland, several authorities contacted by local media said they could not immediately comment on the Swedish reports. These included the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of the Interior, the national grid company Fingrid, the Energy Authority and the National Cyber Security Centre. Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom and other agencies also declined to provide immediate assessments when approached by reporters. TV4 reported that Swedish authorities are taking part in a joint international effort in response to the threat. The operation is led by FRA, which operates under the Ministry of Defence and conducts signals intelligence. The broadcaster said the threat concerns the energy network across the Nordic region, including Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. HT The police confirmed that the suspected offence carries the title of negligent breach of official secrecy. The investigation remains at a preliminary stage and authorities have not released further details. Helsinki police have opened a preliminary investigation into a suspected negligent breach of official secrecy linked to Finlands embassy in Lisbon, after the Foreign Ministry filed a request for investigation over information disclosed to the media. The request for investigation followed media reports on events at the Lisbon embassy. Newspaper Ilta-Sanomat first reported that the ministry had turned to police over a suspected leak of confidential material. The case centres on former ambassador to Portugal Titta Maja-Luoto, who received a written warning last summer for inappropriate conduct and harassment. The warning followed a harassment complaint signed by the entire embassy staff. After the matter became public, the ministry recalled her to Helsinki and ended her posting as head of mission. The ministrys Chief Information Officer Ari Uusikartano told STT that the request for investigation was filed late last year after officials concluded that protected information had been disclosed unlawfully. The Criminal Code provides that negligent breach of official secrecy is punishable by a fine or up to six months in prison. An offence occurs if a public official, through carelessness, reveals information that the law requires to be kept secret. Maja-Luoto continues to work at the Foreign Ministry in Helsinki as a specialist in bioeconomy and circular economy matters within the department for international trade. HT German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Beijing on 24 February for a two day visit focused on trade, Ukraine and shifting global power balances. He travelled with more than 30 senior executives from Volkswagen, BMW, Siemens and Airbus. The trip marked his first to China since taking office in May 2025 and came amid strain in transatlantic trade relations. Merz met Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People before holding talks with President Xi Jinping. The sides signed agreements on climate cooperation and food security. Airbus secured an order for 120 aircraft, according to officials briefed on the discussions. German business leaders attended a state banquet and joined meetings centred on market access and supply chains. Germanys trade deficit with China has widened. Chinese exports to Germany stand at roughly twice the value of German exports to China, according to federal data. Merz addressed the imbalance during talks. We want fair competition and reciprocal access, he said during a joint appearance, according to German officials present. Li said China welcomed German investment and opposed protectionism. China supports open cooperation and rejects decoupling, he said in remarks released by state media. Xi told Merz that both countries should enhance mutual trust and manage differences through dialogue, according to a foreign ministry statement. The visit unfolded against tariff tensions between the United States and major trading partners. Washington has signalled further measures in sectors linked to electric vehicles and advanced technology. Beijing has criticised what it calls containment. Berlin faces pressure from industry groups to stabilise ties with China while reducing exposure in sensitive sectors. Merz rejected full economic separation from China but pressed Beijing on subsidies, currency valuation and access to raw materials. He raised the war in Ukraine and urged China to use its influence with Moscow to support a ceasefire. After the meetings, both governments issued a statement backing efforts toward a political settlement and affirming support for Ukraines territorial integrity. Taiwan featured in the discussions. German officials said Merz stressed the need for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Chinese officials reiterated their position that Taiwan is an internal matter and repeated calls for peaceful reunification. On the second day, Merz travelled to Hangzhou, home to technology groups including Alibaba and DeepSeek. He met company executives and visited a robotics laboratory. Members of the German delegation explored partnerships in electric mobility, digital services and green technology. The visit forms part of a wider pattern of European engagement with Beijing. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpotravelled to China earlier this year with a delegation focused on clean energy and timber exports. Orpo said Finland sought to maintain open channels with China while safeguarding European interests. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited China in recent months and met Xi in Shanghai. The two sides signed agreements covering financial services and education exchanges. Starmer told reporters that Britain would pursue serious engagement where it serves our national interest. Downing Street said the government would continue to raise security concerns. French President Emmanuel Macron travelled to Beijing last year and called for European strategic autonomy. He urged the European Union to avoid dependence on either Washington or Beijing. His remarks added momentum to debate within the bloc over defence, trade and industrial policy. China remains Germanys largest trading partner in goods. Bilateral trade exceeded 250 billion euros in 2025, according to German statistics. German carmakers derive a large share of global sales from the Chinese market. At the same time, the European Commission has launched investigations into Chinese electric vehicle subsidies and imposed provisional duties on selected imports. European officials describe their approach as de risking rather than decoupling. The strategy seeks to reduce reliance in critical sectors while sustaining commercial ties. Brussels has advanced trade talks with India, Indonesia and countries in Latin America as part of a broader diversification drive. The renewed diplomatic activity reflects shifts in the international system. European governments have signalled a desire to act with greater independence as relations with the United States face strain over trade policy, defence spending and industrial subsidies. Leaders across the continent have increased direct engagement with Beijing while maintaining security commitments through NATO. Merz concluded his visit on 26 February and returned to Berlin with members of his cabinet and business delegation. German officials described the talks as constructive and said working groups would follow up on trade issues and climate cooperation. The exchanges between European capitals and Beijing mark a phase of recalibration in global affairs as power centres diversify and alliances adjust. HT Registration opens for countys Republican convention Registration is now open for the Henderson County Republican Party convention, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at Apple Valley Middle School. Gay Dillard, the North Carolina GOP Vice Chair, will be the special guest speaker at the convention. Local Republican incumbent elected officials and primary election winners are also expected to speak at the meeting, the Republican Party said in a news release. State Sen. Tim Moffitt is the convention chairman. Precinct meetings will precede the convention. During precinct meetings, delegates and alternates to the convention are elected and those who attend indicate whether they have an interest in attending the 11th Congressional District Republican Convention and/or the state Republican Convention. The county convention is open to those who are registered to vote in Henderson County and have been registered as Republicans as of Jan. 31, 2026, or who will become 18 years old within 30 days prior to the convention or can prove that he or she moved into Henderson County within 30 days prior to the convention. Online registration is available before March 28 by visiting hcgopnc.org. Online registration costs $15. Registration at the door is $20. Lunch is available for $10. For more information, contact the Republican Party at hello@hcgopnc.org. A WORLD-renowned DJ has performed at the Mayor of Henleys club night on Saturday. Norman Jay MBE headlined the Mayors Mission Club Night at the town hall, which raised funds for his chosen charities. Councillor Tom Buckley organised the event in aid of the Chiltern Centre, the Nomad youth and community project and Lowland Rescue. He said: Being mayor was never in my plan but, when you are asked, you want to put your personality out there. The biggest thing for me was trying to connect the town council to Henley. My chosen charities for this year do so much for people around Henley and I dont think that they are the expected ones, as a lot of their work goes unnoticed. Becoming mayor really opened my eyes to the places in the town that dont get enough light shone on them. People see Henley as only one thing, which is a really wealthy town, but its actually quite regular. There are people here who struggle. Cllr Buckley was visibly emotional as he told of how during the early Nineties, the biggest influence on his life was the club scene in Belfast, as it brought people together. He said: The club scene did so much for the peace process because it brought people on both sides of the community together. I thought I would do it again here. The goal is to really bring people together. Were doing something quite different that people wouldnt really expect from a mayor. I didnt come for the politics when my wife and I moved here nine years ago. But Im ready to make the most of it, give something back to the community and have a really good time. About 90 revellers attended the club night, which started at 4pm and continued until midnight. They all gathered in the council chamber to hear music from the DJs, John Maslin, and Alex Darby from Vaultage Events. Jay performed his set from 8pm to 10pm. He said: Im really excited for tonight and DJing in the council chambers will give my set a more personable touch. This is the first time I have ever performed in Henley. Ive visited Henley before but only socially, so to come here tonight for such a worthy cause and to support the mayor is great. Hayley Pullen, 20, and Karisa Botha, 33, were dressed as the aliens from the Men in Black film series, complete with antennae, green glasses, gloves and glitter. Miss Botha said: We have come tonight to support the town and support the mayor. Were ready to have a good night out and this is a fantastic event to come to. It has been brilliant so far, the music is amazing, the drinks are good and the vibe is absolutely lovely. There was also a bar in the chambers, serving beer, cider, cocktails, wine and soft drinks, run by James Meston and Richard Austin-Bailey. Mr Meston said: Tonight should be a really great night. It is really exciting to see everyone here and everyone coming in, ready to have a good time. We havent really had an event like this before, especially at the town hall, so I think it will be incredibly good. Sean Fleming, from Henley, said: Tom Buckley is the best mayor that Henley has had. He should be the mayor for the next 10 years and I think his shirts are absolutely amazing. Jo Eddon, of Albert Road, said: I came tonight to support the town, the mayor and the charities but, also, to have a chance to dance to club music in the town hall is a really exciting opportunity. I think our current mayor is absolutely fantastic. Nicola Taylor, president of the Henley WI, came to the event with her friend, Karen Bennett. The pair brought multi-coloured glowsticks with them, which they were wearing as jewellery. Mrs Taylor said: We like to dance, we like to party and we wanted to come along and support the mayors chosen charities. Claire and Patrick Collins, from Henley, came as friends of family law firm, Blanchards Law, which sponsored the event. Mrs Collins said: To have a club in the town hall is such an interesting concept. Its a great idea. Weve never been to anything like this before and its absolutely fantastic! Xi meets German Chancellor Merz, puts forward three suggestions for bilateral ties Xinhua) 13:29, February 26, 2026 BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on an official visit to China, in Beijing on Wednesday. Xi pointed out that China and Germany are the world's second and third largest economies, and the bilateral relationship not only bears on the interests of both countries, but also has significant impact on Europe and the world. The international landscape is undergoing the most profound transformations since the end of World War II, he said, adding that the greater changes and turbulence the world faces, the more important it is for the two countries to enhance strategic communication, strengthen strategic mutual trust and work for new progress in China-Germany all-around strategic partnership. Xi made three propositions on further developing China-Germany relations. Firstly, he said that both countries should be reliable partners that support each other. China and Germany have pursued self-reliance and realized rapid development, said Xi, noting that both have upheld mutual respect, mutual trust and open cooperation, and together written a success story of mutual benefit. He said that China adheres to the path of peaceful development, and has the capacity and confidence to achieve Chinese modernization, adding that China will continue to share development opportunities with Germany and the wider world. China hopes the German side can view China's growth in an objective and rational manner, pursue a positive and pragmatic policy toward China, and work with China for steady and sustained growth of the bilateral relationship, Xi added. Secondly, he said that both countries should be innovative partners that champion openness and win-win results. The German government put forward new development strategies in such areas as technology, innovation and digital development, said Xi, noting that they highly resonate with China's objective of pursuing intelligent, green and integrated development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. Xi said the two sides should foster greater synergy between development strategies, support the two-way flow of talent, knowledge and technology, and promote dialogue and cooperation on AI and other cutting-edge technologies. Both sides need to correctly grasp the interplay of competition and cooperation, explore cooperation pathways that lead to win-win results, and jointly keep industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded, he added. Thirdly, Xi said both countries should be partners that understand each other and share close bonds through cultural and people-to-people exchanges. China and Germany, as major countries with profound cultural heritage, should strengthen mutual learning in culture and boost people-to-people exchanges, so as to cement the popular foundation for China-Germany friendship, he said. Xi stressed that as changes not seen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace, countries should tackle challenges together and pursue a shared future. China and Germany should uphold the central position of the United Nations, reaffirm its leading role, and take the lead in safeguarding multilateralism, practicing international rule of law, defending free trade, and advocating for solidarity and coordination, he said. Xi emphasized that China supports Europe in seeking to increase autonomy and strength, and hopes the European side can work with China toward the same direction, adhere to the positioning of strategic partners, and uphold openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, so as to deliver greater growth in China-Europe relations, and make bigger contributions to world peace and development. The two leaders exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Xi expounded on China's principled position, and pointed out that the key to finding a solution lies in consistent dialogue and negotiation. He noted that it is important to ensure the equal participation of all sides and strike a solid foundation for peace, accommodate the legitimate concerns of all sides and enhance the will for peace, and realize common security and build a lasting architecture of peace. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) U.S. imposes new sanctions targeting Iran's oil sales, weapons production Xinhua) 13:33, February 26, 2026 WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. administration on Wednesday sanctioned over 30 individuals, entities and vessels enabling "illicit" Iran's oil sales and ballistic missile and advanced conventional weapons (ACW) production. Announced by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control in a statement, the measures targeted 12 vessels and their respective owners and operators. The sanctions also targeted multiple networks that enable Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics to secure the precursor materials and sensitive machinery required to reconstitute ballistic missile and ACW production capacity, as well as proliferate unmanned aerial vehicles to third countries, the statement said. In 2025, the U.S. administration sanctioned more than 875 persons, vessels and aircraft as part of Washington's campaign of "maximum pressure" on Iran, according to the statement. U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he will never allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon, while accusing it of developing missiles that could soon reach the United States. A new round of U.S.-Iran talks is scheduled for Thursday in Geneva and is expected to focus on Iran's nuclear program, including uranium enrichment levels and sanctions relief. Many analysts say the upcoming round of U.S.-Iran talks could mark the final diplomatic opportunity before a potential joint military operation by the United States and Israel against Iran. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) CRM Driven Personalization: Moving Beyond Automated Messages to Predictive Guest Experiences - By Lisa Jane Wheaton - Image Credit Maestro PMS Why the hotel PMS is the engine behind modern personalization For years, the hospitality industry has been talking about personalization. Today, personalization is no longer optional; it is a critical differentiator that drives loyalty, revenue, and long-term competitive advantage. Hotels that deliver experiences tailored to each guest are outperforming the market, while those relying on generic messaging increasingly risk irrelevance. The next era of guest engagement isnt about sending more messages. Its about delivering the right message, at the right moment, shaped by meaningful guest insight. Hotels are moving away from automation for automations sake and toward something far more powerful: predictive, intelligence-led experiences driven by Customer Relationship Management (CRM) intelligence. This is where a personalized hotel CRM solution becomes more than a technology investment. It becomes a strategic foundation for both guest experience and revenue performance. Not long ago, the industrys definition of guest communication was fairly simple. Confirmation emails, pre-arrival reminders, post-stay surveys. Automated workflows helped hotels scale communication, and that was an important step forward. But todays guests expect more than efficiency. They expect recognition. They want the hotel to understand who they are, anticipate what matters to them, and create experiences that feel curated rather than generic. The difference between automated and personalized is subtle on the surface, but transformational in practice. Automation distributes messages on a schedule. True personalization is informed by guest intelligence and shaped by preference and behaviour. In many ways, this shift reflects a broader hospitality CRM strategy evolution: hotels are no longer simply communicating with guests they are learning from guest behavior and preferences over time. Where Many Hotels Still Fall Short The challenge is not intent, its infrastructure. Guest data exists everywhere: in the hotel property-management system (PMS), in booking channels, in loyalty systems, in email platforms, in on-property interactions. Yet too often, it remains fragmented, underutilized, or locked away in silos. As a result, personalization becomes superficial. A guest might receive a welcome back email, but the hotel doesnt remember their room preference; or a family traveler gets pushed a couples package, or a high value repeat guest is treated the same as a first-time OTA booking. Without a CRM that unifies guest profiles and supports segmentation, hotels risk delivering experiences that feel automated rather than intentional. And today, guests notice. The real opportunity lies in moving beyond surface-level personalization into intelligence-driven personalization that is rooted in insight, not assumptions or incomplete data. How Smarter Personalization Starts with the PMS The future of guest experience personalization depends on having systems that do more than just store guest information but activate it across the entire operation. Thats why personalization cannot live only in marketing tools or disconnected CRM databases. The richest opportunities come when guest intelligence is rooted in the PMS, where reservations, preferences, stay history, spending patterns, and on-property interactions all come together. In many ways, the PMS evolved into one of the most strategic personalization platform within the hotel technology ecosystem. When guest data is unified at the core, hotels can move beyond surface-level outreach and begin delivering experiences that feel seamless and genuinely tailored from pre-arrival through post-stay. A modern hospitality CRM strategy works best when it is powered by operational insight, not just promotional messaging. With the right PMS foundation, hotels can build richer guest profiles, track meaningful preferences over time, and support segmentation that drives smarter engagement, not just marketing. This is where data-driven personalization becomes actionable. It is no longer about sending blanket campaigns or automated reminders. It becomes about shaping offers, service delivery, and communication based on who the guest is, what they value, and where they are on their journey. Guest profile segmentation for hotels becomes far more impactful when it reflects real stay behavior rather than assumptions. Whether identifying repeat corporate travelers, leisure guests who consistently upgrade, or families who return seasonally, personalization strategies for hotel CRM become much more achievable when the data is connected through the PMS. And importantly, this intelligence supports not only marketing, but the on-property teams delivering hospitality in real time. It helps hotels create consistency, recognition, and personalization across every department. The Revenue Impact of Personalized CRM Personalization is often framed as a guest experience initiative, but in reality, it is equally a revenue strategy. Hotels investing in CRM personalization are better positioned to strengthen direct relationships, reduce reliance on third-party channels, and deliver offers aligned with demonstrated guest intent When communication is personalized, conversion improves. When offers align with guest intent, ancillary spend increases. When guests feel known, loyalty deepens. In short, the revenue impact of personalized hotel CRM is real, measurable, and growing. Leading hoteliers increasingly recognize that CRM is not merely a marketing utility. Its a revenue engine that connects guest insight to smarter commercial decisions. It supports smarter forecasting, stronger retention, and more meaningful guest lifetime value. And perhaps most importantly, it helps hotels move from reactive engagement to proactive experience design. That is the future of hospitality. The Takeaway Hospitality is entering a new chapter where personalization is not defined by automated touchpoints, but by intelligence-driven experiences. Hotels that succeed in this next era will be those that treat CRM as a strategic foundation, not an add-on. They will unify guest data, segment thoughtfully, and deliver communication that feels human, relevant, and predictive. The question is no longer whether personalization matters, but whether your systems and strategy are equipped to deliver it consistently and at scale. At Maestro, we believe that the most powerful guest experiences come from understanding guests deeply and using technology to support hospitality, not replace it. The future belongs to hotels that can turn data into connection, and connection into loyalty and revenue. That is what CRM-driven personalization truly represents. About the Author Lisa Jane Wheaton is the Senior Product Strategist of Maestro, the preferred Web Browser based cloud and on-premises all-in-one PMS solution for independent hotels, luxury resorts, conference centers, vacation rentals, and multi-property groups. Maestros enterprise system offers embedded payments and 20+ integrated modules on a single database, including mobile and contact free apps to increase profitability, drive direct bookings, centralize operations, and enable operators to engage guests with a personalized and safe experience. Maestros Support Service provides unparalleled 24/7 North American based live support and education services. Rendering of the Anantara Perth Hotel - Image Credit Minor Hotels Minor Hotels has announced the signing of Anantara Perth Hotel, marking the introduction of the Anantara Hotels & Resorts brand to Australia with a planned opening in 2032. Minor Hotels has signed an agreement to open Anantara Perth Hotel, introducing the Anantara Hotels & Resorts brand to Australia. The property is planned as part of the Burswood Point masterplanned development in Perth, with an anticipated opening in 2032. The hotel is being developed by Golden Sedayu, a partnership between Golden Group of Perth and Agung Sedayu. The planned Anantara Perth Hotel will be located on the Swan River waterfront and is expected to feature 150 guest rooms and suites. Facilities at the hotel are set to include two restaurants, a swimming pool, a fitness centre, and an Anantara Spa. The Burswood Point development, where the hotel will be situated, is valued at AUD $3.8 billion. The site is located near Perths central business district and is accessible to both domestic and international airports. Anantara Perth Hotel will join Minor Hotels portfolio in Australia, which includes properties under the Oaks Hotels & Resorts and Avani Hotels & Resorts brands. The Anantara brand has more than 50 properties globally. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A 10-year-old boy in China went to court after his father took nearly 80,000 yuan (8,600) of his Lunar New Year gift money to fund his second wedding. The boy sued his father for using his New Year red envelope money for personal expenses, drawing widespread public attention to the case and sparking a debate on social media. A Chinese court has now ordered the man to repay the boy. The child had the money deposited in a bank account managed by his divorced father, whom he was living with at the time in Zhengzhou in Henan province. After the boy moved in with his mother following his fathers remarriage, they discovered the man had emptied the account, including the interest accrued on the savings. The mother later learned that the entire 82,750 yuan had been used to cover the mans wedding expenses. Repeated attempts by the boy and his mother to recover the money were unsuccessful as the father argued the gift money had been given by his relatives and friends over the years. He said he would return the money once the child reached adulthood. He also claimed the boy was being influenced by his mother for financial gain. The boy eventually filed a lawsuit against his father to recover the money. The court ruled that monetary gifts given to minors constituted personal property once transferred under Chinas civil code, and that parents, as legal guardians, were only entitled to manage a childs assets. The court said the money could only be used by a guardian if it was in the childs direct interests, such as for their education or medical needs. Using the funds for personal expenses of the guardian infringed upon the childs rights, it added. In China, the Lunar New Year "lucky money" is traditionally gifted in red envelopes to children and elders to bestow good fortune and blessings. Over the years, it has become a topic of debate among families whether parents should hold the money for children or use it. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Hong Kong court sentenced the father of a US-based activist to eight months in prison on Thursday for attempting to withdraw funds from his daughters insurance policy, in the first such case under the national security law. Kwok Yin Sang, 69, was found guilty earlier this month of attempting to deal with financial assets belonging to an absconder under the 2024 security law, locally known as Article 23 legislation. His daughter Anna Kwok, who is the executive director of the Washington-based Hong Kong Democracy Council, slammed his conviction as transnational repression. Authorities have offered HK$1m (about 94,323) for information leading to the younger Kwok's arrest and later banned anyone from handling any funds for her. She is among 34 people targeted by police bounties, widely seen as part of a crackdown on dissent following the massive, anti-government protests in 2019. They accuse her of demanding foreign sanctions, blockade and engaging in other hostile activities against China and Hong Kong during meetings with foreign politicians and government officials. After the verdict, she said my father was convicted simply for being my father, and that his charge was founded on an incoherent fiction. The older Kwok bought an insurance policy for his daughter when she was a toddler, and she gained control of it when she reached the age of 18. In 2025, the father sought to terminate the policy and withdraw funds amounting to roughly $11,000 (8,114), the court heard. He was arrested the same year for allegedly attempting to deal with funds belonging to an absconder. Acting principal magistrate Cheng Lim Chi handed down the sentence on Thursday. Mr Kwok's lawyer earlier argued for a 14-day prison term, saying that no evidence showed his client intended to send the money to his daughter. Mr Kwok's charge carried a maximum prison term of seven years, but his case was heard at the magistrates courts, which normally hand down sentences of no more than two years. This comes weeks after former Apple Daily newspaper founder and British citizen Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in jail after convicted in a national security trial, drawing widespread outrage and condemnation. Police have also issued bounties for other overseas-based Hong Kong activists, including pro-democracy former lawmakers Nathan Law and Ted Hui. The US and the UK governments have condemned the bounties. In 2025, Washington sanctioned six Chinese and Hong Kong officials whom it said were involved in transnational repression and acts that threaten to further erode the citys autonomy. Weeks later, Beijing said it would sanction U.S. officials, lawmakers and leaders of nongovernmental organizations who it said have performed poorly on Hong Kong issues. Hong Kong and Chinese governments insist the 2024 law and a Beijing-imposed national security law enacted in 2020 were necessary for the city's stability. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Hong Kong appellate court on Thursday quashed fraud convictions against media magnate Jimmy Lai, a rare victory in the prominent activists legal battles. Lai, 78, an outspoken critic of Chinas ruling Communist Party and founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily, will stay in prison because he was sentenced to 20 years, earlier this month, after being convicted in another case brought under a China-imposed national security law. That came more than five years after he was arrested under the law, which was used in a years-long crackdown on many of Hong Kongs leading activists. Lais plight has evoked grief over the city's loss of press freedom and sparked an international outcry, though the city's authorities insist his case had nothing to do with media independence. open image in gallery Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, centre, who founded local newspaper Apple Daily, is arrested by police officers at his home in Hong Kong on 18 April 2020 ( AP ) The conviction overturned on Thursday was from an earlier fraud case in which prosecutors alleged that a consultancy firm controlled by Lai had used office space that his media business rented for publication and printing purposes. Lai was sentenced to five years and nine months in prison in 2022 after being found guilty of two fraud charges. A lower court judge found that Lai and his co-defendant, Wong Wai-keung, had concealed that the firm was occupying space and violated a lease agreement, saying he had used his media organisation as a protective shield. He also fined Lai 2 million Hong Kong dollars (188,000). Judges at the higher court ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendants had made false representations, throwing out both convictions. Neither defendant appeared in court. The ruling could slightly reduce Lais total prison time. The judges handling Lais national security case allowed the two sentences to be served concurrently for only two years, with the other 18 years to be added after the fraud sentence. open image in gallery Jimmy Lai walks through Stanley prison in Hong Kong, 28 July 2023 ( AP ) The lengthy sentence has raised concerns that he could spend the rest of his life in prison. Lai's children have expressed hopes that a visit by US president Donald Trump to Beijing could help secure the release of their father, a British citizen. The White House has confirmed that Mr Trump will travel to China on 31 March through 2 April to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping. UK foreign secretary Yvette Cooper has said Lai was sentenced for exercising his right to freedom of expression and called on the Hong Kong authorities to release him on humanitarian grounds. Chinese and Hong Kong authorities have defended Lai's sentencing in the national security case, saying it reflected the spirit of the rule of law. They also insisted that the security law is necessary for the citys stability. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Kim Jong Un said North Korea could get along well with the US only if it recognised the Asian nations status as a nuclear state and abandoned its hostile policy towards Pyongyang. His remarks promptly fuelled speculation that Donald Trump could seek a meeting with the North Korean leader during his planned April trip to China, likely reviving diplomacy after the collapse of their 2019 Hanoi Summit over sanctions relief and denuclearisation disputes. Mr Kim, however, made clear that he would reject any negotiations premised on Pyongyang giving up its nuclear weapons. If the US respects our countrys current status as stipulated in the constitution, and withdraws its hostile policy, the leader was quoted as saying by the state news agency KCNA, theres no reason why we cannot get along well. Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump shake hands during a meeting at the Military Demarcation Line that divides the Korean Peninsula on 30 June 2019 ( AFP via Getty ) At the same time, Mr Kim struck a sharply confrontational tone towards South Korea, declaring it a hostile state and ruling out reconciliation. North Korea had absolutely no business dealing with South Korea, he said, describing the rival neighbour as the most hostile entity. His nation, he added, would permanently exclude South Korea from the category of compatriots. As long as South Korea cannot escape the geopolitical conditions of having a border with us, the only way to live safely is to give up everything related to us and leave us alone. Mr Kim made the remarks as a landmark congress of the ruling Workers Party concluded on the evening of 25 February. The comments signal an intention to pursue relations with the US independently, without going through South Korea, Yang Moo Jin, former president of the University of North Korean Studies, Seoul, told the AFP news agency. Mr Kim was also making clear that he would reject any negotiations premised on denuclearisation, Prof Yang added. Mr Kim, meanwhile, warned that the North Korean military would immediately launch a fierce retaliatory attack against any military hostile act committed by any force that infringes upon the sovereignty of our country. North Korea assembled around 50 warheads, possesses enough fissile material to produce up to more and is accelerating the production of further fissile material, think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) estimated last year. Mr Kim also laid out North Korea's plans to develop stronger intercontinental ballistic missiles including ones that can be launched from underwater, attack systems using artificial intelligence, unmanned drones, and weapons that can hit enemy satellites, KCNA said. State media photos of the military parade showed formations of soldiers marching through brightly-lit Kim Il Sung square under a podium where Mr Kim and his daughter stood with senior officials. Some troops in the parade wore camouflage and special warfare gear, and jets conducted a fly-by. There was no military hardware visible in photos nor reference by KCNA to strategic weapons such as those that were shown off in a military parade in October. The presence of Mr Kim's daughter, known as Ju Ae, will fuel further speculation over whether she is being groomed as his successor. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Indias top court on Thursday rebuked the countrys school curriculum body and ministry of education for publishing a textbook with a section on corruption in judiciary and ordered its immediate ban. During a hearing in the capital Delhi, the Supreme Court issued a show-cause notice to the ministry of education and top officials for publication of an 8th grade textbook for social science subject which detailed challenges faced by Indian courts and even taught students about how judges can be removed. The book has been published by the countrys prominent academic arm National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), which develops the curriculum for Indian students across subjects and is recommended for students above 9th grade. The notice has been issued to the secretary of school education and the NCERT director, asking them why any action under the Contempt of Courts Act or any other law should not be taken against them. In a chapter about the role of judiciary in Indian society, the textbook reportedly referred to topics like judicial corruption, complaints against judges, lack of transparency and excerpts from a former Chief Justice of Indias speech. It also detailed the process of removal of court judges with parliamentary action. In a suo motu hearing, the court bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi, and Vipul M Pancholi said it was nearly shocked to see publication of such content on Indian judiciary. The publication of the book, CJI Kant said, was a "deep-rooted, well-orchestrated conspiracy" to malign the Indian judiciary. Another chapter titled justice delayed is justice denied has been published with inaccurate figures about backlog in the Indian courts, solicitor general Tushar Mehta said. "We cannot teach our children that justice is denied in the country," he said. Students check books during their visit to the International Book Fair in India ( AFP via Getty Images ) There appears to be a calculated move to undermine the institutional authority and demean dignity of the institution", the bench said, adding that if allowed to be published unchecked, the chapter will erode the stature of the judiciary in the public esteem and faith on top institution in the impressionable young minds. Publishing a paragraph on the number of complaints received against judges gives an impression that no action has been taken against them, the bench noted. The bench also pointed out that comments made by former Chief Justice of India BR Gavai were taken out of context to imply that the CJI had acknowledged the existence of corruption. The court noted that such a textbook is not only studied by school children, but also reached their parents, wider society and the next generation. Prime facie, the Supreme Court said, the books publication is a serious misconduct and comes within the purview of criminal contempt of court, if proved to be a deliberate act to scandalise the judiciary. Coming down on the officials, the court has issued a blanket ban on the publication, re-printing and digital dissemination of the book containing the contemptuous chapters and said any sharing of the content, in any form, will be taken seriously. The court has also asked for the physical copies to be immediately seized and no instruction should be imparted to students based on the book. "It shall be the personal responsibility of NCERT Director and the principal of every school where the book has reached to effectuate immediate seizure and sealing of all copies of the book in their premises and submit a compliance report, the court said. The court has also asked the NCERT to submit the names of the persons involved in preparing the now-banned chapter. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Indias decision to change the name of the southern state of Kerala to Keralam has led to demands for the renaming of other regions, including the national capital of Delhi, to reflect local languages and pre-colonial identities. Earlier this week, prime minister Narendra Modis cabinet gave the green light to officially rename Kerala to Keralam the name used in the local Malayalam language by almost 35 million residents of the state. Modi said the decision reflects the will of the people of the state and is in line with our efforts to strengthen the connection with our glorious culture. In Malayalam, kera means coconut tree, and alam is land the name translates to the land of coconut trees. The state, popularly known as Gods own country for its palm-fringed backwaters and beaches in the south and lush hill stations and plantations in the north, produces nearly 45 per cent of Indias coconuts. The move is seen largely as an effort to gain votes just months before assembly elections in the state where Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been trying to make inroads for years. Over the years, Modi's government has been changing colonial names, claiming it is to help India move past what it has termed a mentality of slavery. The movement began with the renaming of states and cities from their English-derived names, such as Bombay becoming Mumbai, Orissa becoming Odisha, and Madras being renamed Chennai. This week there was controversy when a bust of British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens was removed from the Rashtrapati Bhavan the official residence of Indias president, formerly the Viceroy's House which he designed in the 1920s along with many other New Delhi buildings including India Gate. The bust has been replaced with that of the first and only Indian Governor-General, Chakravarti Rajagopalachar, as part of what the current president called series of steps being taken towards shedding the vestiges [of a] colonial mindset and embracing, with pride, the richness of Indias culture. open image in gallery A woman kayaks through the backwaters of Munroe Island in Kollam District, Kerala, South India ( Getty/iStock ) Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who has pushed for renaming Kerala since 2023, had said the state should be known by the name its people use. The left-party alliance leader was backed by the opposition party chief in the state, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who argued that it highlighted the states cultural roots. The demand for a united Keralam for the people who speak Malayalam as their mother tongue has been strong since the days of the freedom struggle, he had then said. Shashi Tharoor, MP from the state capital of Thiruvananthapuram for the Congress party, welcomed the change with a caveat. All to the good, no doubt, Tharoor wrote on X. 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? The name Kerala is often viewed as from the colonial era and subsequent official documentation," Sree Prakash Purayath, general secretary of the Indian Association Sharjah (IAS), told the UAE-based outlet Khaleej Times. Several Gulf countries have a sizeable population of Keralites as expatriate workers. Since the 1960s, remittances from the Gulf have been the backbone of Kerala's economy, making up a third of its gross domestic product. The proposal will next be introduced in parliament, and once passed, Keralam will become the states official name in English-language records. However, the renaming of one state has left the chief minister of another in the east seething. It has separately also led to mounting calls for renaming Delhi. open image in gallery Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple reflected in a pond at sunset, in Thiruvananthapuram city, Kerala, south India ( Getty/iStock ) Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of the eastern state of West Bengal, claims that Keralas proposal has been accepted because there was an understanding between the states CPM [Communist party of India] and BJP. Banerjee, who has been trying to get her state renamed since being voted to power in 2011, claimed that her efforts were rejected by the government because of its anti-Bengal stance. They disrespect the icons and visionaries of Bengal. They only use the word 'Bangla' during polls to get electoral benefit. That is why they have not given the approval to rename the state, she says. Bengal, along with Kerala, will head to the polls this summer. Banerjee says she had repeatedly tried to rename West Bengal as Bangla and hoped it would happen once the federal BJP government is voted out of power. The chief minister said the bid to rename West Bengal was made to avoid being called last in alphabetical order at official meetings. She argued it was often given the floor only in the latter half, when attention had waned. Meanwhile, a BJP MP has written to the federal home ministry, requesting that the national capital, Delhi, be renamed to Indraprastha a city cited in the Hindu epic Mahabharata as the designated capital of the brotherly quintet of the Pandavas. Praveen Khandelwal says the name Indraprastha reflects the city's original civilisational identity. He says historical texts and archaeological findings suggest that present-day Delhi was once Indraprastha, according to NDTV. In 2023, invites sent by Indian president Droupadi Murmu calling herself President of Bharat for a dinner on the sidelines of the G20 summit stirred speculation that the government may be about to change the country's name. Given the Hindu-nationalist ideology of Modis government and its push for increased use of Hindi, critics responded to the use of Bharat in the invites by suggesting the government was pushing for the name to be officially changed. In English, the South Asian giant is called India, while in Indian languages it is also called Bharat, Bharata and Hindustan. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice At least two South Africans have died fighting for Russia in the war in Ukraine after being tricked into traveling there by a recruitment scheme, South Africas foreign minister said Thursday. It was the first time South African authorities had confirmed any of their citizens who were allegedly lured to Russia with false promises of employment or training opportunities had been killed in the war. Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola didnt name the two people who died or say when they had died. His announcement came while he visited the families of 11 South Africans who returned home on Wednesday after they were allegedly recruited in a scheme promising them security training in Russia and ended up involved in the conflict in Ukraine. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, a daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, is being investigated by police for alleged involvement in luring those men to Russia. She denied any wrongdoing but resigned as a lawmaker last year over the allegations. Lamola said the two people who died were not connected to the group allegedly recruited by Zuma-Sambudla. Ukraine has said it believes more than 1,700 Africans have been recruited to fight for Russia. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice 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. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A young man undergoing chemotherapy for aggressive cancer has been left heartbroken after his work van and tools were stolen from outside his home. Tommy Holland, 25, was diagnosed with stage four Burkitt Lymphoma, an aggressive and fast-growing cancer, in late 2025. The tiler initially dismissed hip pain as sciatica, and after experiencing chest pains and night sweats in early November, he said he was sent home from hospital with antibiotics. Weeks later, his mother urged him to return, leading to blood tests that revealed concerning infection markers and his devastating diagnosis. On 10 February, while Mr Holland was in hospital for his third round of chemotherapy, his Nissan Navara, containing all his essential work tools, was stolen from outside his house. The combined value of the vehicle and equipment is estimated at 20,000. open image in gallery Tommy Holland with his fiancee Bethany Duffin ( Kennedy News & Media ) Ring doorbell footage captures the thieves struggling to get away in the truck, having stopped outside a neighbour's house before then finally driving off. Mr Holland, who lives with his fiancee Bethany Duffin in a town near Corby, Northamptonshire, said: "It was just heartbreaking. "I absolutely loved my truck. It was sort of my pride and joy. "Whether they knew it had tools in the back I don't know, but it's just completely stripped me of all of my work stuff. I have tried to stay as strong as possible through it because at the end of the day, as much as it is terrible, there are a lot of people out there that are probably going through a lot worse. open image in gallery Tommy Holland's Nissan Navara ( Kennedy News & Media ) Mr Holland is currently off work due to his treatment, but his sister, 30-year-old Georgie Holland, has set up a GoFundMe to replace his van and tools. She said: It's been a massive emotional rollercoaster, especially because it's Tommy, and I say that because he is just such a sweet soul. "[His diagnosis] has really been just a massive toll on the family ... but even throughout all of this he's remained positive. Ms Holland described the truck theft as a nightmare. We're all working out how we can get him money and get back to his livelihood more than anything. That truck was really the hope that he would go back to work as soon as he was back to health and he could just jump back into it but it's preventing him from doing that. open image in gallery Tommy Holland, pictured with Bethany Duffin, has been undergoing chemotherapy ( Kennedy News & Media ) The GoFundMe has now raised more than 6,000 and the stay-at-home-mum says it will help Tommy to get back on his feet. Georgie, who lives in London, said: The response has been insane. I think Tommy is just so overwhelmed and appreciative of everything and it's given him hope as well for the future. Tommy has another cycle of chemotherapy at the start of March. Afterwards, he will find out whether the chemotherapy has worked or if he will need further treatment. Northamptonshire Police confirmed that shortly before 11pm on Tuesday 10 February, a grey Nissan Navara was stolen from a town near Corby. A spokesperson said that initial inquiries have been made, however unfortunately the vehicle has not been recovered and no-one has been arrested. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Immigration officers are alleged to have stolen cash and property valued "in the hundreds of thousands" from small boat migrants upon their arrival and processing in the UK, a court has heard. Six officers, all employed by the Home Office, face charges of money laundering. Five of them are also accused of misconduct in public office and conspiracy to steal, with the alleged offences occurring between 2021 and 2022. One of the defendants, Besmir Matera, 36, faces additional charges related to his own entry into the UK. He is accused of obtaining leave to enter the country by deception between 2003 and 2004, having allegedly "applied for asylum providing a statement and questionnaire in which he lied about his personal circumstances, including giving a false name, date of birth, place of birth and nationality," the court was told. Mr Matera also faces two counts of possessing an identity document with improper intention, specifically a passport and a driving licence. The court heard that Mr Matera, alongside Lee-Ann Evanson, 42; John Bernthal, 53; Ben Edwardes, 45; Jack Mitchell, 33; and David Grundy, 43, were colleagues working in immigration enforcement clandestine operations response teams in the south-east of the UK. open image in gallery The defendants appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday (SFO/PA) ( PA Archive ) Prosecutor Lyndon Harris told Southwark Crown Court that their duties involved "managing the arrival of migrants on small boats, the initial processing of those individuals, searching, and placing property into bags." The total amount allegedly stolen is estimated to be "in the hundreds of thousands." All six defendants appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, where they denied the charges against them. Mr Matera, of Reigate, Surrey, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to steal, misconduct in public office, converting criminal property, obtaining leave to enter to remain in the United Kingdom by deception, and two counts of possession of an identity document with improper intention. Ms Evanson, of Bracknell, Berkshire; Mr Bernthal, of Welling, south-east London; Mr Edwardes, of Bexleyheath, south-east London; and Mr Mitchell, of Dover, Kent, each denied charges of conspiracy to steal, misconduct in public office, and converting criminal property. Mr Grundy, of Croydon, south London, pleaded not guilty to converting criminal property. The provisional trial date has been set for 17 January 2028, with Judge Nicholas Rimmer acknowledging the significant delay. "Im sorry its so long away its the earliest date that the court can accommodate," he stated. The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks. All defendants were released on bail. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A second suspect has been arrested after a man armed with an axe was spotted during Ramadan prayers at a mosque in Manchester. Police were called to Manchester Central Mosque at around 8:40pm on Tuesday evening following reports of a white man in a high-viz jacket carrying a bag with an axe inside. The force said the man purported to be doing work on the building, but was reported to the police by staff who had no knowledge of any works. Greater Manchester Police said one suspect, a man in his 50s, remains in police custody after he was arrested at the scene on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon and possession of class B drugs. A second suspect, a man in his 20s, has now been detained on suspicion of conspiracy to commit assault, the force said. open image in gallery One man was arrested at the scene on Tuesday night (Richard McCarthy/PA) ( PA Wire ) Nobody was hurt during the incident, and officers said there is no intelligence to suggest it poses a wider threat to the community. The force added they are not seeking any further suspects and that the investigation is ongoing. Assistant Chief Constable John Webster said: Our investigation has been working at pace, leading to us making an arrest for the outstanding man this morning. Detectives will be conducting interviews with him today. We continue to take this incident seriously and have been granted extra time by the courts to question the first man, so we can thoroughly explore all possible lines of enquiry into the circumstances. We know this has been a concerning time for many of our communities, and we remain committed to acting on any concerns reported to us. Sir Keir Starmer expressed concern about the incident, saying on Wednesday: I know this will be worrying for Muslim communities, especially during Ramadan, a time of peace and reflection. My thanks go to the volunteers and emergency services for their quick response. We have provided up to 40 million funding for additional security at mosques, Muslim schools and community centres, and will continue to act to ensure communities are able to live without fear. In a statement, the mosque said a serious security incident had occurred during prayers. It said volunteers spotted a suspicious bag containing an axe before they escorted a man to a separate room. The Muslim community in the UK has experienced a notable rise in threats and hostility over recent years, it added. The increase in Islamophobic incidents is a serious concern, and greater resources are urgently needed to address this growing and real risk. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Police and schools are on alert after posts appearing to incite children to fight using knives spread across social media. The school wars trend has seen the spread of posts on platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat, which separate schools into red and blue teams and encourage pupils to fight using bladed weapons. At least a dozen accounts encouraging or threatening violence as part of the trend have been removed following police contact. A number of schools, mostly in London, are understood to have written to parents asking them to remain vigilant regarding the trend. In a letter seen by The Independent, one west London school warned the craze is causing serious concern and urged parents to check their childrens smartphones in order to keep our school safe. open image in gallery Graphics listing schools as red or blue are circulated on social media ( TikTok ) The posts divide schools into red and blue teams and urge children to jump anyone they see from an opposing team. In one, seen by The Independent, children are urged to be violent and use compass points to attack each other. Others suggest they will get video game-style points if they punch an opp (opponent) or stain an opp. A TikTok spokesperson said it had restricted searches relating to red vs blue and told The Independent the trend is found across many social media platforms. They added that the platforms community guidelines do not allow threats, glorifying violence or promoting crimes that could harm people or property. On Snapchat, most people are believed to use the app to chat with friends, and it doesnt have a feed of unvetted or unmoderated content. The trend, which appears to have started in London, now appears to have spread to other parts of the UK, including Bristol. Charities dedicated to stamping out knife crime have also issued statements about the trend. Charlies Promise, a charity founded in memory of 17-year-old Charlie Cosser, who died after he was stabbed in the chest three times at a party, warned: While some young people may view this as a game or online challenge, the risks are very real. The Metropolitan Police said they are aware of the posts and are in close contact with schools across the city to respond firmly to any reports of disorder. In a statement, Commander Neerav Patel said he wanted to remind young people of the serious consequences of carrying weapons and getting involved in violence. open image in gallery Schools are pitted against each other in the London wars on social media accounts ( TikTok ) He continued: Were aware of social media posts circulating and are in close contact with schools across several London boroughs to offer reassurance. Officers will maintain a strong, visible presence around schools, and will respond firmly to any reports of violence or disorder. We continue to closely monitor online spaces and have worked with platforms to request a dozen social media accounts to be disabled where threats or violence were planned or encouraged. I would like to remind young people of the serious consequences of getting involved in matters like this. An arrest, charge and conviction for violence and carrying weapons could mean imprisonment with a significant long-term impact on future opportunities. Neighbourhood chief inspector Keith Smith from Avon and Somerset Police said they are monitoring the situation extremely closely and that there has been no evidence of incidents linked to the trend in the area. We have seen several posts linking this national trend to schools in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. While this will cause concern to our communities, we are monitoring the situation extremely closely. At this stage, there is no evidence to suggest any incidents have occurred in the Avon and Somerset area which can be linked to this trend. We will have a heightened presence in several areas over the next few days, which will include reassurance patrols at schools listed on the social media posts, and contingency plans will also be in place should we need them. We are taking this matter incredibly seriously, are working with partners and other interested parties, while carrying out intelligence checks, and any incidents reported to us will be investigated accordingly. This trend is not linked to any ongoing investigations, but we would urge people with concerns to contact us promptly or call 999 if a crime is in progress. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Corfu has become Rightmoves most-searched overseas destination thanks to BBC series Amanda & Alans Greek Job. Searches for the Greek island have experienced a significant surge in interest following the programme which sees close friends Amanda Holden and Alan Carr embark on a property renovation. Online queries for Corfu increased by 173% in January compared to the previous year, outstripping traditional hotspots such as Dubai, the Costa Del Sol and the Algarve. Rightmove said it recorded a similar trend previously for searches in Spain, which it put down to the popularity of Amanda & Alans Spanish Job. Holidaymakers can now book at the Spanish villa renovated by Carr and Holden, with prices varying from 225 (196) per night in the high season from May to October, to 195 (170) per night in the winter months. Colleen Babcock, a property expert at Rightmove, said: Time and again we see curious home hunters flock to see properties for sale in locations theyve seen on TV or in films. Corfu is a popular holiday destination and now people are looking at properties there, too ( Getty/iStock ) Comedian Carr recently won The Celebrity Traitors, in a dramatic finale and, according to reports, Holden may appear on the next series. The 54-year-old Britain's Got Talent judge is reportedly considering a stint on the reality tv gameshow hoping to secure a substantial sum for her chosen charity. However, following in the footsteps of her close friend may prove difficult due to her demanding schedule. A source told The Sun: Filming for The Celebrity Traitors takes place in the Scottish Highlands at the same time that BGT semi-finals are filmed live in London on a Saturday night. Its not impossible for her to be given some time off but it isnt the only work shed have to juggle. Theres her Heart Breakfast radio show as well as potentially more series of her show with Alan and her Beeb quiz show The Inner Circle. But its something shed really love to do if she can make it all work, they added. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice More than 100,000 people claimed asylum in the UK last year, slightly down on the year before but still significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, official figures show. Government figures published on Thursday revealed that 100,625 people applied for asylum in 2025, down 4 per cent on 2024. This is more than double the number arriving in the pre-pandemic year 2019, when 45,537 people claimed sanctuary. The number of people arriving in the UK on small boats rose by 13 per cent year-on-year to 45,774 but this was still lower than the 2022 peak. Small boat migrants accounted for 41 per cent of the total number of people claiming asylum last year, with Eritreans the most common nationality arriving in the UK after making the perilous journey across the Channel. Home Office data revealed that migrants are now making the crossing in larger dinghies with an average of 71 people in each boat in the winter months last year. Some 39 per cent of asylum seekers claimed sanctuary after entering the UK on a visa or on other legal routes. The top five nationalities for those claiming asylum were Pakistani, Eritrean, Iranian, Afghan and Bangladeshi. Work visas for foreign nationals coming to the UK continued to fall, with 19 per cent fewer issued than the previous year. This was largely driven by a fall in health and care visas following the introduction of tougher visa requirements. The number of visas issued to foreign students was also down 3 per cent on the previous year, with 407,000 granted in 2025. The number of grants to stay in the UK on work routes was on the rise, however as those who arrived in the peak of 2022 and 2023 sought to extend their time in Britain. open image in gallery An RNLI lifeboat delivers migrants to Dover port after intercepting a small boat crossing last December ( Getty ) Dr Madeleine Sumption, director of the Migration Observatory, said: The overall picture is that the number of people receiving visas has fallen slightly, but asylum applications remain unusually high by historical standards. Fewer migrant care workers, nurses, therapists, scientists, education professionals and skilled tradespeople are coming to work in the UK, analysis by the Work Rights Centre found. Visas granted to science, research, engineering and technology professionals fell from a peak of 24,843 in 2022 to 9,072 in 2025. Data also showed that the number of migrants housed in hotels was down 19 per cent year-on-year to 30,657, but the numbers who were in contingency or dispersal accommodation such as shared flats were slightly up on 2024. 72,769 people were being housed in Home Office accommodation other than hotels as of 31 December 2025, up 2 per cent on 2024. A Home Office spokesperson said that the statistics show real progress as we restore order and control to our borders. They added: We have removed nearly 60,000 illegal migrants, numbers in asylum hotels are down, law enforcement action against people smugglers is at record levels, and we are bearing down on the asylum backlog. But we must go further. The number of people crossing the Channel is too high, and too many hotels remain in use. The backlog of people waiting for an initial decision on an asylum application in the UK has also dropped sharply to its lowest level in more than five years. Some 64,426 people were waiting for an initial decision on their claim at the end of December 2025 down 20 per cent from 80,841 at the end of September 2025. This is much lower than the asylum backlog peak of 175,457 at the end of June 2023. However, Imran Hussain, director of external affairs at the Refugee Council, explained that this still represented tens of thousands of people waiting in limbo. open image in gallery Asylum seekers have been moved into this former army training camp in Crowborough, England, as part of the Home Offices plans to reduce reliance on hotels ( Getty ) He said: These numbers show what we see in our frontline services every day people stuck in hotels for months, even years, unable to legally work or rebuild their lives. Although the backlog of initial asylum applications has been brought down, poor-quality decisions mean that many people are still waiting in hotels as they go through the appeals process. He called on the government to give temporary permission to stay to people from countries with high refugee grant rates, suggesting the move could clear all migrant hotels this year. The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford said that, while there had been a boost in the speed at which asylum claims were processed, this had not a big impact on the total number of people receiving asylum support. Ministry of Justice data indicated that the total number of people awaiting for an appeal against an asylum decision doubled to just below 70,000 in the year ending September 2025. Dr Peter Walsh, at the Migration Observatory, said that Labour was struggling to reduce the number of people in the asylum system, because asylum applications remain unusually high and because of the appeals backlog. There are also 4,004 Afghans over half of whom are children who are being housed in transitional accommodation such as military housing at the end of December 2025, data showed. These families will have come to the UK on the legal resettlement schemes for those who supported Britain. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A reality TV star is locked in a 500,000-plus Appeal Court fight with his bird-breeding neighbours after noisy work at his home scared their prize racing falcons to death. Barnes Thomas, a former art dealer who appeared on Bear Grylls survival skills show The Island in 2018, claims it was unfair that he was blamed for the stress death of his neighbours incredibly sensitive birds of prey, which can be terrified even by the sight of a kite in the air near their pen. After a judge last year ruled he should have been more careful not to upset the gyrfalcons next door, Mr Thomas, 30, was handed a compensation and costs bill totalling about 500,000, on top of his own legal bills. He is now fighting on, arguing his neighbours Martin Nicholas, 43, brother Scott, 44, and their business Raptors of Penwith (ROP) requiring him to tip-toe around during the birds breeding season, is akin to London Zoo moving its giraffes to a Kilburn housing estate and telling the locals to be quiet. His lawyers say the judge's ruling means Mr Thomas is unreasonably restricted at his home, after the court heard the falcons are stress monsters who can be terrified even by the sight of a kite on a string. open image in gallery Barnes Thomas is a former art dealer ( Champion News ) Mr Thomas appeared on Bear Grylls survival show The Island in 2018, later describing it as the worst experience of my entire life after packing a velvet coat, sleeping in an ants nest, and accidentally burning his socks over a fire. Having grown up on a cattle farm and worked as an art dealer, Mr Thomas later set himself up as a farmer on the edge of the idyllic Cornish village of St Just, close to Lands End. But he soon found himself at war with his neighbours, the Nicholas brothers, who run their raptor business on adjoining land, breeding gyrfalcons and peregrine falcons, which they sell to be used in falcon races in Dubai. open image in gallery Aerial image showing the location of the dispute between Barnes Thomas and falcon breeders, Scott and Martin Nicholas ( Champion News ) After finding that work on Mr Thomas land had caused the deaths of three gyrfalcons, a judge in April last year ordered him to pay his neighbours company about 300,000 in compensation and interest, and more than 180,000 towards the breeders lawyers bills, on top of his own court costs. Giving judgment following a nine-day High Court trial last year, Judge Jonathan Russen KC said the bitter row which erupted between the three had acquired real momentum...over a relatively short space of time. Mr Thomas had proved to be a controversial neighbour, creating a lake on his land, temporarily removing a stile on a public footpath causing opposition within the wider neighbourhood and pre-empting the switching on of community Christmas lights by turning on his, and his neighbours, first. open image in gallery The Nicholas brothers run their raptor business on adjoining land ( Champion News ) Mr Thomas and his neighbours ended up in court after they claimed that noisy work on a barn that related to his scaffolding business had effectively scared three valuable birds to death. The brothers sued for nuisance and negligence, arguing that the work undertaken during their birds' breeding seasons had caused the death of the birds, reduced overall breeding and also resulted in egg loss, with some birds damaging them. For three days, a JCB bucket had been raised in the birds' line of sight, which Scott Nicholas said had caused them to go mental at the sight of this alien object. Through their company, the brothers claimed the acts breached a duty of care not to cause or permit the falcons to suffer excessive noise or visual threats, in particular during the breeding season. Giving judgment on the nuisance and negligence claims, Judge Russen said he was convinced that the actions of Mr Thomas and his company, Upper Cot Estate Ltd (UCE), had caused the three birds' deaths. open image in gallery Raptors House ( Champion News ) He said Mr Thomas had been told that March to June was the time to avoid excessive noise and visual disturbances, but that videos taken in the incubation room while building work was done on his barn showed the noise upsetting the birds. These activities, related to the building of the barn, cannot be said to be outside the ordinary and common use of agricultural land but they were carried out without proper consideration of Raptors of Penwiths breeding season, he said. In relation to the raising of the digger bucket, he added: For the purpose of on-site inspection by an engineer, the bucket was raised. With the bucket raised next to the aviary for those three days, the machine broke the line of sight of at least some birds in the western pens. Placing the digger on the birds line of sight on 7 April 2022 was entirely at odds with ensuring that no undue inconvenience was caused to Raptors of Penwith. The judge found that three gyrfalcons died as a result of stress created by the acts of nuisance and awarded compensation in relation to them. Appealing to three senior judges at the Court of Appeal, Mr Thomas barrister, Tom Weekes KC, this week argued that Judge Russen had got his judgment completely wrong. Arguing before Lord Justice Moylan, Lord Justice Nugee and Lady Justice Whipple, he said Mr Thomass use of the land to erect a barn and store materials for his scaffolding business was all common and ordinary use of land. He said the law states that an activity on land cannot be deemed a legal nuisance if it only interferes with a particularly sensitive occupier or a particularly sensitive trade. And it would be unfair if the brothers' bird-breeding next door would be allowed to limit his use of his own property so as to effectively appropriate the neighbour's land as a buffer for the protection of the sensitive trade. open image in gallery Barnes Thomas outside the Court of Appeal after a hearing in the row over falcons ( Champion News ) The learned judge should have dismissed ROPs nuisance claim on a straightforward application of the common law principle that a man cannot increase the liabilities of his neighbour by applying his own property to special uses, whether for business or pleasure, Mr Weekes KC said. Absent a finding that the erection of the barn/the scaffolding business substantially interfered with the ordinary use and enjoyment of Martin and Scott Nicholas land, rather than ROPs sensitive business, those activities did not cross the threshold of creating an interference that was sufficiently serious to be capable of being a nuisance. Although the brothers aviary is in a rural area, if they required a buffer to protect it, then they should either site it on a larger piece of land, erect their own audio or visual barriers or make an agreement with neighbours in relation to their activities. Leaving aside the intricacies of the legal analysis, the outcome at the trial tells us that something has gone badly wrong with the judgment, the barrister continued. To an extent that would be uncertain even to someone who is an expert in the breeding of falcons, the judgment implies that, for much of the year, the appellants must keep quiet and refrain from positioning things in the air. A wide range of perfectly normal uses of the land would be unlawful or, at least, risk litigation. The utility of the land, and therefore its value, would have been greatly reduced. Raptors of Penwith would have succeeded in appropriating Upper Cot Estates land as a buffer to protect its sensitive business. But for the brothers and their business, Jonathan Seitler KC said operation of the scaffolding business, including the operation of a 10m truck-mounted crane which posed a visual threat to the birds, was not a common or ordinary use of the land. There had also been excessive noise created by the operation of diggers and JCB excavators and by the unloading and loading of granite from a steel trailer. And he said that, just because the falcons were sensitive to excessive noise and visual disturbances, it did not mean bird-keeping there amounted to a special use of the land. Assessment of the noise and visual disturbances also had to be done in the context of the rural area, in which the judge found as a fact that the siting of an aviary was an ordinary use of land. The learned judges findings of fact regarding the character of the locality informed his assessment of whether the appellants activities constituted a nuisance, he said. He said there could not be any sensible dispute that the nuisances amounted to substantial interference with the aviary, including scaffolding poles being dropped onto each other from 10m and by granite being worked on, causing the entire aviary to vibrate. These activities would have amounted to a substantial interference in the case of general livestock for example, cows during calving had ROP put its land to these more ordinary or usual purposes. Simply complaining that ROPs use of its land is for a sensitive purpose does not grant the appellants immunity from liability in private nuisance so that they are free to generate excessive noise and vibrations adversely affecting the use of the land without any regard for the harm caused. Fundamentally, the appellants case is contrary to the balance between neighbours opposing interests in the use of their respective land which the law aspires to strike. Following a two-day hearing in London, the appeal judges reserved their decision on the appeal until a later date. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The first Ukrainian drone production factory started operations in Suffolk on Wednesday, in a boost for Britains defence industry. Ukrainian firm Ukrspecsystems has invested 200m into sites in Mildenhall and Elmsett, and is expected to create up to 500 British jobs at the locations and the wider UK supply chain. Luke Pollard, minister for defence readiness and industry, said: Ukrspecsystems new factory is a vote of confidence in UK support and underlines the deepening cooperation between our nations defence industries. This investment will create up to 500 new jobs in the East of England, drive defence as an engine for growth, and help Ukraine defend itself against Putins aggression. The UK has previously ordered over 80 SHARK and Mini-SHARK drones from Ukrspecystems factories in Ukraine, and hailed the plant opening as a clear demonstration of the 100 Year Partnership between the two countries. open image in gallery Valerit Zaluzhnyi, the Ukrainian ambassador to Britain, says the plant represents an expansion of cooperation between the two countries ( Valerii Zaluzhnyi/X ) The firm, founded in 2014, produces a variety of drones, which have caused almost $3bn (2.6b) in damage to Vladimir Putins war machine since February 2022, according to the British Ministry of Defence. Valerit Zaluzhnyi, the Ukrainian ambassador to Britain, said on Wednesday that the plant represented an expansion of cooperation between the two countries. Ukraine is fighting a war amid constant missile strikes, infrastructure destruction and threats to production facilities. Therefore, the launch of production in the UK has a deep strategic logic, he said on social media. open image in gallery Zaluzhnyi, a former commander of the Ukrainian armed forces, says Ukrspecsystems has proven the efficiency of its drones on the front line ( Valerii Zaluzhnyi/X ) This is not a shift of the centre of gravity away from Ukraine. It is an expansion of our joint capabilities and the creation of a second line of defence that guarantees continuity of production. Mr Zaluzhnyi said the centre of engineering expertise would remain in Ukraine while production would be integrated into Britains defence industry. Ukraines defence industry has grown fast during the four years of the war with Russia. Its production capacity is estimated at $50-55bn (43.6-47bn) this year, meeting more than 50 per cent of the Ukrainian armys needs. Kyiv is also now preparing to resume exporting materiel and services for the first time in four years. open image in gallery Ukraines production capacity is estimated at $50-55bn this year, meeting more than 50 per cent of the Ukrainian armys needs ( Valerii Zaluzhnyi/X ) Davyd Aloian, deputy secretary of Kyiv's National Security and Defence Council, said last week that the country could export several billion dollars worth of goods and services in 2026, with a significantly higher potential than pre-war exports allowed. Ukrspecsystems says on its website that it is working in the UK as part of the 1Force consortium, jointly with British Eagle Eye Innovations Ltd and Digital Concepts Engineering Ltd. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The broadcast of Channel 4s Dirty Business has sparked a strong response from Independent readers, who shared anger, frustration and disbelief at the state of Britains rivers and the conduct of privatised water companies. Many readers highlighted the long-standing problem of untreated sewage being pumped into rivers and coastal waters, describing the environmental and public health risks including incidents of e-coli infection and drawing attention to the failures of the Environment Agency and other regulators. Several commenters connected the crisis to broader political and economic factors, citing privatisation, deregulation, neoliberal policies and years of austerity as enabling executives to extract huge profits while ecosystems suffered. Offshore investors, corporate greed and government complicity were all called out, with some arguing that the situation represents systemic failure rather than isolated wrongdoing. Some proposed urgent remedies, including renationalisation, stronger enforcement, and even withholding payments from water companies until standards improve. Heres what you had to say: The programme hit the mark The water companies, the regulators and the government will all blame each other for the disgrace that is the state of British rivers and, of course, they wouldn't be wrong. Theres also plenty due to recent political leaders whose continuous programme of austerity has undoubtedly made a very bad situation much worse. The programme hit the mark in many ways, especially with the analogy of crime bosses which is how operators illegally dumping sewage and then covering it up need to be understood and punished. What it has so far failed entirely to represent to viewers, however and I doubt that will be remedied in the concluding episode is that the state of the Windrush, or any other single badly contaminated river, is not an aberration to be blamed entirely on greedy, criminal utility providers, but the inevitable result of neoliberal economics and water management just one more normal accident, stemming from systematic irresponsibility in environmental governance. Privatisation, deregulation and fiscal austerity have left the nation with criminally minded executives extracting vast profits from the water industry whilst destroying ecosystems up and down the country. What we saw on the drama is simply the logical outcome of giving a profit-making enterprise control over resources the access to which represents a fundamental human right and cutting so-called red tape whilst simultaneously gutting funding to institutions tasked with monitoring compliance. Until that is recognised and presented to the general public, there'll just be so much hand-wringing, a token resignation or two, and a return to business as normal as soon as the fuss dies down. Rosco00001 I got E. coli after missing a sewage alert Some of us swim all the year round in Cornwall and I never go in if there is a sewage alert, although out of season some areas are not monitored, e.g. Penzance and Wherrytown, so we don't know whether there has been a discharge. At Long Rock, just along the coast, there is nearly always an alert when it has rained or is raining, so it hasn't been possible to swim much since before Christmas as we have had 55 days of rain since the beginning of the year. I missed an alert one day last year and went in and got E. coli it was not a good experience. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. pedne What a mess Offshore private venture capital companies have no place in this industry. And the failure of the regulator is criminal. The privatised water companies may have taken 85 billion out, but the industry is reckoned to need 200 billion investing. What a mess privatisation along with a failure to enforce regulations by governments, Ofwat and the Environment Agency, who, like much of the public sector, were inefficient, ineffective and conflicted (by pension fund investments and senior staff transferring to the private water companies). Our rivers and streams face four big risks: Direct and ground/aquifer water over-abstraction (which makes pollution much worse as there is physically less clean river flow to dilute it). The licensed and unlicensed/unlawful release of partially treated and raw sewage into our rivers and streams by the water companies. The run-off of topsoil and agrichemicals due to modern farming practices. The continued and increased development of greenfield sites, with surface water run-off from roads, roofs, driveways, car parks and the industrial built environment creating increased flash flood events. This is increasingly causing flooding to existing homes with no previous history of flooding (climate change and milder, wetter winters exacerbate this). We are a small island with limited natural resources and a very fragile ecosystem. Pablo A warning for the NHS This damning example of what can go wrong with selling off vital services to greedy financial companies should serve as a warning for the NHS. It's already underway with the veterinary service, though the result is a huge cost increase rather than failure to look after animals. GMB Essential viewing The programme is essential viewing. Let's hope it has the same impact as Mr Bates vs the Post Office. StrangerPassingBy. The UKs extreme privatisation model The UKs extreme privatisation model of the water industry, with funds leaving the UK, is almost unique globally. This model has also been the case in other sectors housing, transport, energy, etc. Public services for citizens became commodity units for investment, nothing more. While we were told we would get our sovereignty back with Brexit, the UK was already being sold and critical infrastructure services were haemorrhaging cash to overseas investment houses. Both the Tories and Labour have overseen this scandal. Herbacious Stop payments to all water companies now What is needed is immediate action by which I mean now and not in 1, 5, 10 or 20 years time. Politicians and regulators have consistently failed to deliver and have shown themselves as not fit for purpose, so it is over to us, the consumer and general public. I suggest we ALL stop payments to ALL water companies NOW until we are happy with the way things are run and the overall service provided. Large private monopolies need to be disbanded ASAP. In any other walk of life, one would refuse to pay or demand money back for such an abject failure. BicycleRepairMan A national disgrace The water industry is quite simply a national disgrace. Don't ever let those advocates of deregulation and the free market opine about privatisation again. This brilliant series demonstrates literally how privatisation can kill both adults and children. The companies are traded from equity firm to equity firm, each time creaming off as much profit as they can get away with. The Environment Agency is complicit and politicians do nothing. The Tories who created this monstrosity should hang their heads in collective shame. Labour too. The first act of Starmer should have been to pass an emergency enabling Bill to renationalise each company without compensation. We have been gifted a Third World water and sewerage industry by the spivs and racketeers who would love to do the same to the NHS. Criticaleye The true reason for Brexit This film shows the true reason for Brexit. Sewage-polluted rivers and coastlines do not conform with EU water directives; the Government knows this. Apart from fines, it would cost the Government hundreds of billions to get sewage pollution under control to match the EU water directive money the Government does not have and the water companies won't spend. So the only solution is to leave the EU so that the EU water directive no longer applies: government happy as it doesn't have to fork out money it doesn't have, water companies happy as it is business as usual. The only loser is the consumer, the little man or woman but hey, what's new? Rasputin007 Some of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity. Want to share your views? Simply register your details below. Once registered, you can comment on the days top stories for a chance to be featured. Alternatively, click log in or register in the top right corner to sign in or sign up. Make sure you adhere to our community guidelines, which can be found here. For a full guide on how to comment, click here. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A 1 billion rise in Heathrows debt has prompted campaigners against a third runway to argue the governments decision to back the airports expansion is even more absurd. The companys accounts for last year, just released, show it reported 17.6bn of debt up from 16.6bn in 2024. The owners also reported pre-tax profits of 575m, down more than a third from 917m in 2024 - despite passenger numbers growing by 600,000. open image in gallery Record breaker: Heathrow airport handled over 84 million passengers in 2025 for the first time ( Heathrow Airport Ltd ) Heathrows controversial 49bn expansion plan would mean more than 700 houses being demolished and the M25 motorway being moved into a tunnel to create the third runway, a new terminal and new taxiways. Campaign organisation the No 3rd Runway Coalition said the rising debt raised questions over the viability of the project. Paul McGuinness, chair of the coalition, claimed Heathrow was the most indebted piece of infrastructure in the UK. Expansion, he said, was an inordinately expensive project which would cost a fraction of the price anywhere else in the UK, and absurd when the total cost of Gatwicks expansion is just 2.2bn. He warned that taxpayers could end up bailing out the project if its ever to be more than an unfinished hole in the ground. Debt at Britains largest airport has gradually crept up from nearly 14bn in 2019. open image in gallery Environmental campaigners protested against expansion ( Getty Images ) Last year, chancellor Rachel Reeves backed the long-awaited expansion, saying it would potentially create 100,000 jobs and boost the UK economy. The new runway, first approved by MPs in 2018, is expected to take at least a decade to create. Critics say increases in noise and pollution, rises in carbon emissions, the closure and diversion of the M25 and the eviction of thousands from their homes make the scheme unacceptable. Heathrow says it has a plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, despite more flights, using less damaging fuels, with government financial incentives. An airport spokesperson denied that the 17.6bn debt raised questions over the expansion plans. She said: Heathrow remains very well funded, maintains an investment-grade credit rating and maintains a strong financial position with liquidity of 2.9bn. The Independent has also asked the government to respond. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Jeffrey Epstein lay the blame on King Charles on the day Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor gave up his role as the UK's trade envoy. The former prince was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office following allegations he shared sensitive information with the late paedophile financier during his time as trade envoy. He spent around 11 hours in custody as searches were conducted at his home on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk and at his former home, Royal Lodge in Windsor, Berkshire. In the latest release of the Epstein files, an email dated July 21 2010 saw an exchange between the convicted sex offender and Mr Mountbatten-Windsors close aide David Stern. It read: "I assume he knows that this is Charles doing." His words came in response to a message from the former Duke, which read: "Lots of tv coverage on PA and always big feature on you. Insane." open image in gallery Jeffrey Epstein blamed "Charles" on the day Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor lost his UK trade envoy job, email reveals ( US Justice Department ) Mr Mountbatten-Windsor became the UK's special representative for international trade and investment in 2001 but stepped down 10 years later amid the furore over his friendship with Epstein. He received no salary for travelling around the world and at home promoting Britain's business interests, but criticisms were made about the thousands of pounds spent each year on his expenses and travel costs. open image in gallery The former prince was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office f ( PA Wire ) Retired civil servants have recently claimed the former prince used taxpayers' money to pay for massages and excessive travel costs, with one telling the BBC: "I couldn't believe it... it was like it wasn't real money, they weren't spending any of their own money." His decision to step down from the role came in the same year he was pictured with his arm around his primary accuser, Virginia Giuffre, who said she was trafficked to the former duke at the home of convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. open image in gallery Jeffrey Epstein appeared to blame the King for Andrew losing his role as the UKs trade envoy ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Ms Giuffre claimed she had sex with the former prince three times - at Maxwell's home in London, at Epstein's New York townhouse and on the disgraced financier's Caribbean island, Little St James. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor paid Ms Giuffre millions of pounds to settle a civil suit in the US in 2022, a woman he has claimed never to have met. The former prince has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. King Charles issued a statement shortly after his brother's arrest on February 19, in which he said: "The law must take its course." Following the arrest, ministers agreed to release files related to Mr Mountbatten-Windsors appointment as trade envoy, but said they would be unable to publish material that police need for their inquiries until officers are "satisfied". Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Jersey has become the second British Isles jurisdiction to approve legislation for assisted dying, though concerns persist over the slow pace of such laws reaching the statute books. The island's States Assembly passed its draft Assisted Dying Law on Thursday, a crucial step before it proceeds for royal assent to formally become law. This move follows the Isle of Man, where the Tynwald became the first parliament in the British Isles to agree a framework for assisted dying in March last year. However, supporters of the law change have raised concerns about the almost year-long wait for the Isle of Man Bill to be granted royal assent, highlighting potential delays in the implementation of similar legislation. open image in gallery Campaigners outside Jerseys States Assembly where assisted dying legislation is being debated ( Christian Keenan/PA ) As Crown Dependencies, for primary legislation on the Isle of Man and Jersey to get royal assent and therefore formally become law, the lord chancellor currently David Lammy is required to recommend it. Analysis by the Press Association has shown the process to get assisted dying on the Isle of Mans statute book has taken almost four times longer than other Bills on the island. After 338 days, the UK Ministry of Justice is yet to process the legislation for royal assent. A freedom of information request by PA shows that since the start of 2020, the Ministry of Justice took an average of 88 days to process Isle of Man legislation. After the Assisted Dying Bill, the next-slowest scrutiny process was in 2021, when the lord chancellor received the Climate Change Bill 194 days before clearing it. During debate on Wednesday, Jerseys attorney general Matthew Jowitt said he would be astonished if the assisted dying draft law was not given royal assent should it clear his islands parliament. After the Isle of Man delay was raised, he told the States Assembly: If it didnt, we would be facing a constitutional difficulty of some magnitude. He described the constitutional relationship Jersey has as a Crown Dependency as something of a ballet, and it requires all of us to avoid stepping on each others toes. Jerseys parliament voted in May 2024 in favour of drawing up laws for an assisted dying service. On Thursday, after three days of debate, the law was approved with 32 States Assembly members voting in favour and 16 against. Under the law, eligibility for an assisted death requires someone to have been resident in Jersey for at least 12 months, to have a voluntary, settled and informed wish to end their own life, and to be terminally ill with a life expectancy of six months, or 12 months if they have a neurodegenerative disease. In contrast to the Bill being considered at Westminster, which states the terminally ill adult must take an approved substance themselves, the Jersey legislation would allow a doctor or registered nurse to administer the lethal drugs. open image in gallery David Lammy, the lord chancellor and deputy prime minister, is responsible for processing legislation. ( Lucy North/PA ) Campaigners in favour of legalising assisted dying hope a service can be in place in Jersey by the end of summer 2027. But Alex Allinson, who is behind the Isle of Mans legislation, has expressed concern at the lengthy delay his Bill has faced in gaining royal assent, and therefore finally becoming law. He cautioned that after royal assent, a lot of work is still needed before a service is up and running, including setting up support systems for patients, families and medical staff on the island. A UK Government spokesperson said the length of processing time depends on the complexities and sensitivities of a Bill, as well as any legal and constitutional issues. There is no target time for Whitehall to process legislation approved in Douglas, and Dr Alex Allinson told PA the lack of deadline is interesting. The GP and independent member of the House of Keys, said Whitehall had not raised questions fundamental to the principles behind the Bill, and he insisted it really is a matter of royal assent being granted so that we can get on with the significant amount of additional consultation we will need to do to bring it into implementation. The Bill, passed on March 25 last year, would make assisted dying available to terminally ill adults who are reasonably expected to die within 12 months, and they must have lived on the Isle of Man for at least five years. open image in gallery Dr Alex Allinson described the lack of deadline for Whitehall to process the legislation as interesting ( Dignity in Dying/PA ) An Isle of Man government spokesperson said the law will not be commenced until all required secondary legislation and the code of practice have been developed, consulted upon and approved by Tynwald. It is thought the implementation period for an assisted dying service could be up to two years after royal assent. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which would apply to England and Wales, is continuing to undergo scrutiny in the House of Lords, with supporters accusing some opponents of trying to talk out the contentious legislation, but many peers insist they are simply doing their job of scrutinising a Bill, which they argue is not safe in its current form and needs to be strengthened. Lord Falconer told the Press Association peers attempts to filibuster are not the end of the road for the draft law because of plans to invoke the Parliament Act. The Labour former minister, who is sponsoring the Bill in the upper chamber, said: The Lords prides itself on focusing on the things that matter and that most certainly is not whats been going on here. So the tragedy is that a small number of people in the Lords are blocking a Bill that has passed in the Commons. Youve got the Commons, the Jersey parliament, and the Isle of Man parliament all passing it, and its the Lords that are blocking it in England and Wales, he added. Welsh lawmakers in the Senedd on Tuesday voted to give their legislative consent for the UK Parliament to pass the Bill. The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is expected to be voted on at Holyrood in March. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Vulnerable teenagers are being recruited at school and university to sell sex under the guise of legal prostitution before being sexually exploited, a major report into modern slavery in the UK has warned. Eleanor Lyons, the independent anti-slavery commissioner, warned that sexual exploitation of women and girls is on a clear and sustained rise in the UK, with pimps using the internet to reach new victims and advertise them online with subscription platforms then acting as a gateway to abuse. Survivors said women and girls were sometimes being offered discount codes for signing up to adult service websites and told it would lead to a life of glamour and financial independence. One survivor said platforms deliberately targeted young women by offering free premium accounts to students with a university email address. But many go on to be sexually exploited, the report warned, with criminal gangs among those using adult service websites to recruit, control and profit from vulnerable victims. Among the cases highlighted in the shocking report is a survivor who recalled a university-issued manual promoting prostitution as a way to pay off student loans. Another woman, described as a well-educated professional and mother, told how she signed up for an adult service website to get money following a divorce, but quickly found herself being controlled by a pimp. The man ran a group on the website, which the mother thought would provide income stability, but instead he took control of all her communications and accommodation, leaving her trapped. The report, titled Behind the Profile, warns there is a concerning cultural shift in which sexual exploitation is increasingly mainstreamed and reframed as empowerment. One survivor, who was from a stable, supportive family, said that the mainstreaming of online subscription platforms that sell sexual content had made it seem normal. Another girl recalled being influenced to join a sugaring website by a school friend when she was just 16. The platforms connect men who provide financial support for women in exchange for companionship or intimacy. The girl said that this quickly escalated into selling sex, describing her experience saying: There was a girl in my English class...she was meeting older guys on this website...I made an account on there...It was just a weird sort of very insidious transition...suddenly youre walking up to hotel rooms to meet guys youve never met before for money. open image in gallery Of the nearly 63,000 adverts on adult service websites analysed for the report, 59 per cent showed three or more indicators of trafficking and exploitation. ( Getty Images ) The report, published on Thursday, draws on testimony of survivors and analysis of 62,900 adverts across 12 sex for sale websites. One survivor, who was initially trafficked through an escort agency at age 19, said that the agency operated under the guise of legal escorting but actually used violence, isolation and control to traffic girls and young women. She told researchers she knew of one girl who was 17 at the time and had been exploited by the agency from the age of 13 or 14. Another woman created an online account to make some quick money in her early twenties after she had come out of a difficult relationship. Within weeks she met a man who offered to help with messaging, saying he would deal with difficult buyers and make the process safer. Soon she was locked out of her account and he controlled all her earnings, using money and intimidation to gain control over her. The report found that organised criminal gangs were using adult service websites to recruit, control and profit from vulnerable victims. The criminal activity was both UK-based and transnational, with women trafficked across borders as well as throughout the UK. Another survivor described how online accounts create an illusion that the woman is acting freely. She said: [I was] being raped on webcam essentially. And of course, the people watching arent aware of that...the profile is written so it sounds as if Im independent and enjoying it. However others said that some men openly discussed having sex with trafficked women on the platforms. You will see men sharing about... these girls are trafficked... you can get away with doing this to her... its just right there on the page, one survivor said. open image in gallery Survivors warned that adult service websites allow criminals to advertise trapped women for sex ( PA ) Survivors interviewed for the report warned against these potential gateways into sexual exploitation. They also said that online platforms use of menu systems and niche categories were contributing to escalating violence. One women said she had had multiple encounters where she thought she would die, saying: I thought if I had tattoos, then if a buyer killed me, theyd at least be able to identify the body. I would be suffocated. Another recalled a university-issued manual that promoted prostitution as a way to pay off student loans. The Independent has previously written about training offered to support Durham University students working in the sex industry. Between 2020 and 2025, referrals of women for modern slavery support increased by 86 per cent - from 1,114 to 2,076. While the majority of adult female trafficking victims in the UK are foreign nationals, British nationals account for a substantial majority of child victims. Sexual exploitation of children is also on the rise, with referrals rising from 370 in 2020 to 568 in 2025 - a jump of 54 per cent. According to online web traffic estimates analysed by the anti-slavery commissioner, the 12 adult service websites she looked at attracted nearly 42 million global visits in the month of January. British, Brazilian and Romanian women were the most advertised nationalities on the sites. London was the most common UK city listed as a location for the women, followed by Glasgow, Manchester and the South East. Of the nearly 63,000 adverts analysed for the report, 59 per cent showed three or more indicators of trafficking and exploitation. Rape Crisis offers support for those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website at www.rapecrisis.org.uk. If you are in the US, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673) Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A newborn sperm whale calf, the youngest ever recorded in England and Wales, has been discovered dead on a scenic beach in Devon. The 12-foot-long animal was found at Challaborough Bay, near Torquay, after being reported by beachgoers. Experts examining the tragic find suggest that recent storms could have contributed to its death. Scientists from the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP) attended the scene. "It's incredibly young, said Rob Deaville of CSIP. "This is by far the youngest and smallest sperm whale ever recorded in England and Wales alive or dead. "Our partners in Scotland have had two similarly small sperm whales in recent years." open image in gallery Experts examine the body of the young sperm whale ( Jam Press/Rob Deaville/CSIP ) A CSIP spokesperson added: "The CSIP attended a highly unusual stranding. "A team accessed and examined a 3.6m male sperm whale calf that was reported stranded at Challaborough Bay. "A small decomposed sperm whale was also reported in southeast Cornwall earlier this month but could not be accessed for examination. "Photos taken at the time allowed us to make a match between the two stranding events to demonstrate they were the same individual. Although the whale was decomposed, experts were able to conduct a basic field necropsy, the spokesperson said. open image in gallery The newborn whale was just 12 feet long ( Jam Press/Rob Deaville/CSIP ) "A small quantity of sand/beach material was found within the stomach chambers this was likely actively ingested, suggesting that the whale may have live-stranded at or around the time of death. "A wide range of samples were also collected that may help inform future research in areas such as contaminant exposure and population structure. "Notwithstanding that the whale was initially reported in southeast Cornwall, this is the first stranding of a sperm whale recorded in Devon since strandings began to be routinely recorded in the UK nearly 120 years ago. "Its also the smallest and youngest sperm whale ever recorded in England and Wales over this same period. "Historically, nearly all sperm whale strandings in the UK have been subadult males around 10-14m long, reflecting our proximity to the normal distribution of sperm whale bachelor pods. "Female sperm whales and their young aggregate in matriarchal pods in warmer waters much further south. "Birth length of sperm whales is quoted as around 3.5m so this was an exceptionally young individual and given the condition of the body, likely died some distance south of us, with the body drifting northwards and making landfall on our shores due to the recent period of intense storm activity the UK has been experiencing." Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Kemi Badenoch has said she would absolutely not apologise for claiming Labour was being branded a paedo defenders party during Prime Ministers Questions. During their weekly exchange on Wednesday, the Conservative leader challenged Sir Keir Starmer directly, stating he should ask why his backbenchers are saying that theyre being called the paedo defenders party. Her controversial jibe followed a report in The Times, which detailed how female Labour MPs had informed Sir Keir earlier this month that voters had screamed the phrase at them in the street, linking it to the Peter Mandelson scandal. Ms Badenochs remarks have since drawn significant criticism from Labour MP Natalie Fleet, who was groomed as a teenager, and Katie Amess, the daughter of murdered Tory MP Sir David Amess. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said she will not apologise for the comments ( Gareth Fuller/PA ) Ms Fleet told LBC the use of the term was just really disgusting and suggested it had put Labour activists in danger. She said: There are hundreds of thousands of political activists, Labour and otherwise, that want to make the country a better place and to just throw language like that around because it might get you some extra votes is just really disgusting. Ms Amess said it had been very inflammatory and called for Ms Badenoch to apologise, adding: Its not the way that our politicians should be talking, unfortunately. Appearing on a phone-in on LBC on Wednesday evening, Ms Badenoch stood by her comments, saying: I will absolutely not apologise. She added: I remember when Keir Starmer and the Labour Party were putting out posters saying Rishi Sunak was supporting paedophiles so that they wouldnt go to prison. These people know how to dish it but they dont want to take it. Ms Badenoch declined to say whether she thought Labour was a party of paedo defenders, saying: It wasnt my words, a female Labour MP used that language. She added: Nobody would be calling them that if they held themselves to higher standards. Sign up to our free Brexit newsletter for our analysis of the continuing impact of Brexit on the UK Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sir Keir Starmer has made a final desperate plea to voters in Gorton and Denton, urging them to turn against toxic politics and make a choice between unity or division in a crucial by-election which experts believe could herald a new era of British politics. With the vote expected to be a major test of his leadership, the prime minister made a last-ditch attempt to persuade voters to back his party. Ahead of the vote, Labour appeared to be neck and neck with the Greens and Reform in a fight to win the Greater Manchester seat, with any of the three parties in with a chance of winning. It came as Green Party leader Zack Polanski told The Independent that his party is on the cusp of transforming British politics, with the party tipped to potentially pull off a shock victory risking Labour being relegated into third place in what was its seventh safest seat in the country. In a final rallying cry, Sir Keir said: The choice at todays by-election could not be more stark. Unity or division. Driving down the cost of living with Labour or driving a wedge between communities under Reform. Moving forwards together, or opening up anger and division that holds our country back. open image in gallery Starmer visited Gorton and Denton this week ( Getty ) Reforms candidate Matthew Goodwin thinks people who arent white cant be English and wants women who choose not to have children to pay more tax. Vote Labour in Gorton and Denton today to send him and his toxic politics packing. He added: Only Labours Angeliki Stogia can unite communities in Manchester and Tameside and stop Reform. A vote for the Greens or any other party just risks letting Goodwin in through the back door. With Nigel Farage having made a final trip to Gorton and Denton on Wednesday evening, leading pollsters said they believe the by-election is a microcosm of what is to come in British politics running up to the general election and suggested it could lead to a realignment of the left. Professor Sir John Curtice said: All that the (previous) polls tell us is what we might have anticipated anyway - there are three parties in with at least a shout. It will not make it easy for voters who are minded to do so to work out how best to vote tactically. But the result will likely reflect the fragmentation of British politics. Labour MPs, meanwhile, have raised fears that a victory for the Greens would be worse than one for Reform. One MP said: It will give our voters permission to vote Green because they will believe that it is an alternative party on the left which can win. This will split out vote in dozens of seats and let Reform in with a split vote on the left. open image in gallery Green Party leader Zack Polanski with candidate Hannah Spencer, who hopes to win the Gorton and Denton seat ( PA ) A senior minister told The Independent: My fear is that we will react to a Green victory by tacking very hard to the left which will leave us in a worse position than we are now. Pollster Lord Robert Hayward said: If the Greens win, it is the shape of things to come, both because it shows that people are willing to leave the Labour Party to vote Green, but also because the Workers Party and Your Party have stood aside for the Greens. Now, if you look at a number of places around the country, particularly east London boroughs like Redbridge, Newham, Waltham Forest, Hackney... if the Greens can show that they can do well in a coalition with the progressives, then I wouldn't be at all surprised to see kind of joint tickets in a number of those London boroughs against Labour. Labour MPs have suggested that the prime minister will not face an immediate challenge, even if the party comes third, because they do not want a leadership election while they are fighting the local and devolved elections on 7 May. But a number believe those manoeuvres will come after the local elections. A minister noted: If things go badly in May then the prime minister will be very vulnerable. Sir Keir, for his part, tried to ignore the threat from the Greens and portrayed the contest as a straight fight with Reform. open image in gallery Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (front left) and Reform UKs Gorton and Denton by-election candidate Matt Goodwin (front right) ( PA ) On Wednesday, he tried to ram home the message during a fiery session of Prime Ministers Questions in the Commons where he confronted Nigel Farage and made a fresh attack on the Greens policy to legalise drugs. Sir Keir attacked Mr Farage over a Facebook post shared by Simon Evans, Reform's deputy leader of Lancashire Council, which featured a picture of Bolsover MP Natalie Fleet. The post also included a comment, which reportedly said: "You dozy cow, you should be shot." Mr Evans later deleted the post and issued an apology on Facebook, saying that he did "did not notice the accompanying text" and had made "a genuine mistake". The prime minister said: "When death threats were made against (Mr Farage), I stood at this despatch box and condemned them outright. "If he has any decency or backbone, he will stand up, apologise, condemn the comments and sack the individual in his party." The Labour leader also criticised the Greens, saying: "The Green Party's policy isn't just irresponsible, it's reprehensible, legalising cocaine, heroin, ketamine and the date rape drug, GHB, a drug which we know is used to spike drinks for women." open image in gallery ( Getty ) He said the policy would "shatter lives" and increase anti-social behaviour. Hannah Spencer, the Green Party's Gorton and Denton by-election candidate, has previously said she thought "decriminalising is a conversation that we need to have". Mr Polanski told The Independent: We are confident, and have run a fantastic campaign. This is one of Labour's safest seats and if we can win here, there are no, no go areas for the Greens. Labour has blown away its core voter base to its left and that makes Starmer the worst Labour leader on record. Labour won the seat in 2024 with a majority of 13,413 and more than half the vote, but the party's popularity has plummeted since Sir Keir entered No 10. If Labour loses, it will be the first time in nearly 100 years that the Gorton area of Manchester has not been represented by an MP from Sir Keirs party. A win for Reform would bring its number of MPs in the House of Commons to nine, level with the SNP. If the Greens win the seat, it will be the first time in history the party has won a by-election for the House of Commons. It will also be the first time the Greens have won a Commons seat in the north of England. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Tommy Robinson has been hosted by the Trump administration for a meeting at the US state department in Washington. The far-right agitator, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, said he was in America making alliances and friendships. Posting on social media platform X, he added that he had had the privilege of an invite to the @StateDept. Robinson, who has convictions for using a fake passport, stalking, and contempt of court, was pictured with Joe Rittenhouse, a senior adviser at the state department. Mr Rittenhouse wrote on X: Honored to have free speech warrior @TRobinsonNewEra at Department of State today. The World and the West is a better place when we fight for freedom of speech, and no one has been on the front lines more than Tommy. Good to see you my friend! The visit appeared to be the latest example of the Trump administration's promotion of free speech in countries where it claimed politicians had stifled voices online. open image in gallery Robinson pictured at the state department ( X ) In December, it denied visas for two Britons campaigning against misinformation online, who US secretary of state Marco Rubio accused of helping lead organised efforts to coerce American platforms to censor, demonetise, and suppress American viewpoints they oppose. US president Donald Trump has also been critical of the UK over free speech issues. In response to one person on X writing this is not normal, Robinson wrote: Its the new normal when America has an administration that believes in free speech, doesnt mean they agree with everything Ive ever said, they believe in my right to say it. The US visit comes six years after Robinson failed in an attempt to visit Washington to give a speech on Capitol Hill, after his visa was not granted in time. Last Thursday, however, he posted a video of himself in America, saying: Im in the United States of America, you see how happy I am? Its been a long time coming, Ive dreamed about this moment for so long. open image in gallery Robinson said he was in America making alliances and friendships ( X ) It comes just weeks after Robinson claimed to have left the UK for his safety after being named in a so-called Islamic State publication that encouraged others to commit violence against him. Last year, Robinson organised a Unite the Kingdom rally in central London, attracting up to 150,000 people, in what was thought to be the largest nationalist event in decades. At the event, Elon Musk, the owner of X, gave a speech via a video link. Mr Musk had months earlier called for the release of Robinson, who was serving a prison term for repeating libellous claims against a Syrian refugee. Robinson founded the English Defence League in 2009, before standing down four years later. Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman told The National that the Trump administration welcoming Robinson would be deeply alarming. She said: When communities across the UK are facing rising levels of hate crime and far-right extremism, the idea that figures like Robinson are being treated as legitimate political actors by what are supposed to be our international allies, should concern us all. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A man implicated in an alleged scheme that lured Kenyans with promises of skilled work in Russia, only for them to be deployed to the front lines in Ukraine, has been arrested by police in Kenya. Festus Omwamba was apprehended on suspicion of human trafficking in Moyale, a northern Kenyan town close to the Ethiopian border. He is now being transported to the capital, Nairobi. Police spokesperson Michael Muchiri stated that Omwamba was attempting to flee after returning from Russia. Omwamba, who was identified by three Kenyan recruits who spoke to The Associated Press, had reportedly vanished after families began protesting the disappearances and deaths of their relatives involved in the conflict. Last week, the Kenyan government disclosed that over 1,000 Kenyans had been recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine. Of these, at least 89 remain on the front line, 39 are hospitalised, 28 are missing in action, and others have returned home. At least one fatality has been confirmed. open image in gallery Family members of Kenyans who joined the Russian army in Ukraine hold photos of their loved ones during a protest calling on the government to urgently repatriate them and their remains in Nairobi ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) An intelligence report presented to Kenya's Parliament by the majority leader, Kimani Ichung'wah, said Kenyan and Russian government officials colluded with rogue job recruitment agencies to lure Kenyans to the front lines. The Russian Embassy in Nairobi denied the allegations, saying in a statement Thursday that it never issued visas to anyone intending to travel to Russia to fight in Ukraine. It added: "The Russian Federation does not preclude citizens of foreign countries from voluntarily enlisting in the armed forces." Kenya's Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi on Feb. 9 told the AP that he would travel to Russia for what he called a "diplomatic approach to rein in any dubious entities that are taking advantage of anyone in this misadventure." Mudavadi added that efforts to secure the release of Kenyans in Ukrainian prisons and repatriate those in Russia were ongoing. "You recall that even at the highest level, the president made an appeal that if indeed there are Kenyans who have found themselves on the wrong side of the law, the appeal was made to the Ukrainian government to look at how they can be processed and brought back," the minister explained. open image in gallery Russia has routinely recruited people from African countries to their ranks ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Omwamba's arrest is a major development in the government's push to stop the recruitment of Kenyans to fight in Ukraine. A recruit who escaped from the front line and sought refuge at the Kenyan Embassy in Russia, and was later processed for return home, John Kamau, told the AP he met Omwamba at a house in Nairobi where fellow recruits awaiting travel to Russia were kept. Another recruit, who requested anonymity for fear of being tracked down by Russians, said Omwamba avoided contacting the recruits by text message and would instead call them or meet them in person. The recruit had signed up after being told he would get a plumbing job in Russia, but on arrival, his passport was taken away and he was taken to a military camp for a few days before being deployed to the front line. All recruits said Omwamba oversaw their tourist visa applications and ticket purchases, and two weeks after the first contact, they received visas and traveled to Russia. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Six Cuban exiles were being held under guard in hospital on Thursday after what Cuba has described as an attempt by heavily armed men to infiltrate the country by speedboat. Four others aboard were killed when Cuban forces returned fire on the Florida-registered vessel. The incident comes amid heightened tensions between the US and Cuba Donald Trump has tightened economic sanctions on Cuba since capturing the Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, a key Cuban ally, on 3 January. The US secretary of state Marco Rubio said his government would independently investigate the incident, and that the US embassy in Havana was seeking access to the survivors to determine if any were US citizens or permanent residents. He said it was not a US operation and that no US government personnel were involved. Politicians in Florida have pledged to conduct their own probes, saying they distrust the Cuban account. Cuba said the six survivors were receiving medical attention. At least some appeared to be in custody at the Arnaldo Milian Castro Provincial Clinical Surgical Hospital in Santa Clara, the capital of the province where the incident occurred and about 150 miles east of Havana. The hospital was under heavy guard. Security personnel who stopped Reuters journalists near the entrance confirmed the suspects were being held there but provided no further details. Medical staff at the Arnaldo Milian Castro hospital on Thursday ( Reuters ) Cuban government and US embassy officials in Havana did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel vowed to defend the country against aggression. Cuba will defend itself with determination and firmness against any terrorist and mercenary aggression that seeks to affect its sovereignty and national stability, he said. Cuba does not attack, nor threaten, he added, repeating a common Cuban response to decades of US economic sanctions and the virtual oil blockade imposed by Mr Trump in January. Cuba said the suspects came from the US dressed in camouflage and armed with assault rifles, handguns, homemade explosives, ballistic vests and telescopic sights. An additional Cuban suspect was detained on Cuban territory in connection with the plot, and the boat commander was also wounded, government officials said. Many Cuban exiles, largely concentrated in Miami, have long dreamed of overthrowing Cuba's Communist government or seeing it fall. Exile paramilitaries have attempted or carried out acts of sabotage in the past. Opponents of the government may have been emboldened by the overthrow of Mr Maduro and a tightening US oil blockade that has exacerbated severe energy shortages. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The U.S. and Cuban governments have opened investigations into a firefight between armed passengers on an American-registered speedboat and members of the Cuban military that left four people dead. The exact circumstances and motives of the 10 people onboard the boat remain unknown, though a family member of one of the deceased men said he had developed an obsessive and diabolical quest for Cubas freedom. Another was an Amazon delivery driver in areas around Miami, according to his daughter. The countrys Ministry of the Interior claimed Wednesday that the individuals were Cuban nationals living in America, who were attempting to infiltrate the country for terrorist purposes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that, while the incident was not an American operation, the U.S. would respond appropriately. It comes at a time in which tensions between the two nations continue to rise, after President Donald Trump used the new U.S. leverage in Venezuela to impose an effective oil embargo on the communist nation. The incident occurred Wednesday morning after the boat entered Cuban waters in Falcones Cay, Villa Clara province, and was approached by the coast guard and asked for identification. Crew members then opened fire on the troops, injuring their commander, Cuban officials claim. open image in gallery The U.S. and Cuban governments have opened separate investigations into a firefight between armed passengers on an American-registered speedboat and members of the Cuban military that left four people dead ( AFP/Getty ) According to the Ministry of the Interior, the soldiers returned fire, killing four people and injuring six who were then evacuated from the scene for medical treatment. Authorities say they found assault rifles, handguns, molotov cocktails, body armor and fatigues on the vessel. As of Thursday, the Cuban government said it has identified seven of the 10 passengers. Two of the men, Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez, are wanted by Cuban authorities based on their involvement in the promotion, planning, organization, financing, support or commission" of terrorism, the Ministry said. One of the four killed was named as Michel Ortega Casanova, an American citizen who lived in the U.S. for more than 20 years. Casanovas brother told The Associated Press that he had become militant in his quest for Cuban freedom due to the suffering they endured on the island. open image in gallery Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the incident was not a U.S. operation ( AFP/Getty ) Only us Cubans who have lived over there understand, Misael Ortega Casanova told the AP after his brothers death, while also calling his mission obsessive and diabolic. He told the outlet that his brother was a truck driver and leaves behind his wife, mother, two sisters - one of whom still lives in Cuba - and a pregnant daughter. The other passengers were identified as Jose Manuel Rodriguez Castello, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, Roberto Azcorra Consuegra, and former political prisoner Conrado Galindo Sariol. Conrado Galindo Sariols daughter, Maria de Jesus Galindo, said she had no idea that her father was involved in the violent incident in Cuba and thought he had been working his usual job delivering packages for Amazon in areas just outside Miami. It was a total surprise, the 22-year-old told The Washington Post. Im in shock. I never would have expected this. She added that she had last seen her father three days ago and had not been in touch with him on Wednesday. The Independent has contacted Amazon for more information on his alleged employment. Both Cuba and the U.S. have vowed to establish the facts of the incident. We have stated this repeatedly, and we reiterate it today: Cuba will defend itself with determination and firmness against any terrorist or mercenary aggression that seeks to undermine its sovereignty and national stability, Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel wrote on X Thursday. Rubio also said the American government was gathering information, including whether the people were U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Cuban authorities said that the boat the men were riding in was registered in Florida, around 100 miles from where the incident took place. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida said it was pursuing answers through every legal and diplomatic channel available, adding that facts remain unclear and conflicting. open image in gallery The incident occurred Wednesday morning after the boat entered Cuban waters in Falcones Cay, Villa Clara province, and was approached by the coast guard and asked for identification. Crew members then opened fire on the troops, injuring their commander ( Getty ) Other Florida lawmakers expressed skepticism over the Cuban governments version of events, with Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar saying on X that the regime lies, manipulates, and rewrites reality to protect itself. Salazar called for a full investigation as did Florida Senator Rick Scott, who said The Communist Cuban regime must be held accountable! The bottom line is the Communist Cuban regime must go, added Florida Rep Byron Donalds. Wednesdays incident comes at an unfortunate time for relations between the two nations as the Trump administration takes an increasingly aggressive stance towards Cuba. Following the capture of ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro on January 3, Trump halted oil shipments to Cuba and later signed an executive order imposing tariffs on any nation that sold or provided oil to the Caribbean island. On Wednesday, the U.S. Treasury Department slightly eased restrictions on the sale of Venezuelan oil to Cuba, but the islands energy and economic crisis is expected to persist. William LeoGrande, an American University expert on Cuba, said Cuba's private sector would not import enough oil to really make a significant dent in the humanitarian crisis." Any sizeable imports would probably have to go through the Cuban government's import agency, and whether the embargo will allow that is still not entirely clear, LeoGrande told reporters Thursday. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Former President Bill Clinton and former first lady Hillary Clinton are hunkering down ahead of their depositions on the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein this week, according to a new report. The media buzz around redacted government files related to Epstein and their subsequent release has brought fresh scrutiny to those who were in or suspected of being in the disgraced financiers social circle. Many have questioned the decades-old friendship between President Donald Trump and Epstein. But Bill Clintons relationship with the convicted sex offender has also been questioned. Neither Trump nor the Clintons have been accused of criminal wrongdoing related to Epstein. The Clintons initially refused to testify in the House of Representatives investigation into Epstein, but have since agreed amid the threat to hold them in contempt of Congress. Hillarys deposition is expected to be on Thursday and Bills on Friday. open image in gallery Former President Bill Clinton and former first lady Hillary Clinton are 'hunkering down' ahead of their depositions on the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein this week, according to a new report ( Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images ) The depositions will take place in the Clintons current hometown of Chappaqua, New York, and Republicans are hoping to release video of the interviews days later, according to a CNN source. The Clintons and members of the House Oversight Committee have agreed to several talking points for the depositions, which include the alleged mismanagement of the federal investigation into Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell, Epsteins 2019 suicide and how Epstein and Maxwell sought to curry favor to protect themselves, a person familiar with the matter told CNN. Maxwell is serving 20 years in prison for helping Epstein sex traffic minor girls. The depositions are also expected to go over broader topics such as potential violations of ethics rules in connection with elected officials and how the government could fight against sex-trafficking rings. open image in gallery Bill Clinton had socialized with Epstein in the early 2000s but knew nothing about the crimes the disgraced financier had either pleaded guilty to or was accused of, according to the former presidents spokesperson ( DOJ ) The Independent has reached out to a representative for Bill Clinton for comment about his and Hillarys deposition preparation. The Department of Justice has released millions of documents related to Epstein after being compelled to do so by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Included in the documents are images of Bill Clinton, such as a photo of him in a hot tub alongside someone whose face was redacted, one of him and Epstein wearing matching silky shirts and another of him swimming with Maxwell. Days after Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges in 2019, Bill Clintons spokesperson Angel Urena admitted the former president traveled on Epsteins private plane, but said he knows nothing about the terrible crimes the disgraced financier had either pleaded guilty to or was accused of. Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor in Florida in 2008. open image in gallery Images of Bill Clinton were released in the governments Epstein files dump, including one of him swimming with the disgraced financiers associate, Ghislaine Maxwell ( DOJ ) The trips Clinton took in 2002 and 2003 included stops in connection with the work of his nonprofit, the Clinton Foundation, Urena said. While Clinton had met Epstein at his office and his apartment in New York in the early 2000s, according to Urena, he had never been to his private island, where Epstein was accused of trafficking underage girls to before sexually assaulting them. Urena added that Clinton had not spoken to Epstein in well over a decade in his 2019 statement. Hillary Clinton recently told the BBC she never met Epstein but did encounter Maxwell on a few occasions. "We have nothing to hide. We have called for the full release of these [Epstein] files repeatedly. We think sunlight is the best disinfectant, Hillary said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A nearly blind refugee who went missing a week after Border Patrol agents left him at a coffee shop was found dead in Buffalo, New York as freezing temperatures and blizzard conditions struck the East Coast. Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a 56-year-old Rohingya refugee from Myanmar, disappeared February 19 after officers dropped him off at a Tim Hortons coffee shop on Niagara Street. His body was discovered Tuesday night. Homicide detectives are investigating events leading up to his death following his release from law enforcement custody last week, and New York Attorney General Letitia James said her office is reviewing our legal options. Alam experienced serious medical conditions and did not speak English. His cause of death was determined to be health-related. He is survived by his wife and two children. His death follows growing scrutiny into in-custody deaths under immigration authorities and allegations of abuse and mistreatment of refugees and other immigrants pursued by Donald Trumps administration. open image in gallery Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a refugee from Myanmar, was found dead February 26 several days after Border Patrol agents dropped him off at a Tim Hortons coffee shop ( Buffalo Police Department ) Shah Alam arrived in Buffalo in December 2024 but spent the last year locked up in a local jail. He was arrested last year following an incident in which he became disoriented during a walk and ended up on a womans porch while using a curtain rod as a makeshift walking cane, according to police. Shah Alam is completely blind in one eye and can only see with blurry vision for several feet in the other, according to lawyers with Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo. When Shah Alam did not follow police commands to drop his curtain rod, officers Tasered and beat him, according to Legal Aid. Two Buffalo Police officers were injured during the incident, according to the Erie County District Attorneys Office. open image in gallery Erie County Sheriffs Office alerted Border Patrol to Shah Alams in its custody, then gave him a courtesy ride to a coffee shop. He died five days later ( AP ) He was arraigned in Buffalo City Court and held on bail set at $25,000 cash or bond. A federal immigration detainer was issued after his arrest, which alerted federal authorities to his detention, according to the district attorneys office. A grand jury later indicted him on felony assault, burglary and criminal mischief charges. His bail was modified to $5,000 cash or bond at his arraignment on the indictment in June 2025, though he remained inside the local jail. Earlier this month, Shah Alam agreed to plead guilty to reduced charges of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree and one count of criminal trespass in the third degree. His bail was continued at $5,000 cash or bond, and his sentencing was scheduled for March 24. The district attorneys office is now moving to dismiss the charges. But Keane said his office was not aware that Shah Alam was released from jail. The Erie County Sheriffs Department alerted Border Patrol that Shah Alam was in their custody on February 19, according to Customs and Border Protection. Shah Alam was protected against removal from the country, though agents offered him a courtesy ride to a Tim Hortons coffee shop, which was determined to be a warm, safe location near his last known address, according to the agency. He showed no signs of distress, mobility issues, or disabilities requiring special assistance, the agency said in a statement. His family was not contacted, and he never made it home. His family reported him missing two days later. Buffalo Police said a detective on the missing persons case temporarily closed it after mistakenly believing Shah Alam was in immigration enforcements custody. I recognize the desire for answers sought by his family, friends and our community as his death remains under investigation, Keane said in a statement. open image in gallery Governor Kathy Hochul is demanding accountability from the Trump administration after the refugees death ( Getty Images ) Governor Kathy Hochul said New Yorkers deserve answers and accountability after Shah Alams death. Buffalo Mayor Sean M. Ryan called his death deeply disturbing and a dereliction of duty. U.S. Customs and Border Protection must answer for how and why this happened, he said in a statement. Buffalo is a city that welcomes refugees and believes government should protect human dignity, not endanger it. U.S. Customs and Border Protection failed that basic standard. Since the United States has officially recognized the violence against the Rohingya as genocide, there is a clear expectation that survivors seeking refuge will be treated with dignity and protection, said Nay San Lwin, co-chair of the Buffalo-based Arakan Rohingya National Council, an advocacy group that is working with Shah Alams family. Leaving a vulnerable individual who is visually impaired and faces significant language barriers unsupported in extreme weather is a serious failure of duty, Lwin told The Independent. We call for immediate accountability for the officers' actions. To prevent further suffering among the refugee community, justice must be served without delay. Murad Awawdeh, president of the New York Immigration Coalition, noted that Shah Alams family is not planning his funeral during Ramadan. When he was released from jail and turned over to Border Patrol, agents treated Alam as disposable, Awawdeh said. This inept and negligent action resulted in a mans death a wife left without her husband, and kids left without their father. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Four people were killed and six wounded when their Florida-registered speedboat entered Cuban waters on Wednesday, prompting a deadly exchange of gunfire with a patrol boat, the countrys government said, accusing the men of plotting an armed infiltration. The vessel came within one nautical mile of the El Pino channel on Falcones Cay in Villa Clara province on the north coast of Cuba, about 120 miles east of Havana, when it was approached by a vessel carrying five Border Guard Troops, according to the official account. When the patrol unit asked the occupants to identify themselves, they allegedly opened fire, wounding the commander of the Cuban vessel, prompting the troops to retaliate in kind. The wounded were evacuated and received medical attention and were subsequently found to be Cuban residents of the United States with criminal records. Assault rifles, handguns, improvised explosive devices (Molotov cocktails), bulletproof vests, telescopic sights, and camouflage uniforms were seized, the governments statement read. It named the six injured men and one of the deceased and said an investigation was underway to identify the remaining three and clarify precisely what happened. open image in gallery The 10 men have been accused of being Cuban residents of the U.S. with criminal records intent on an armed infiltration of the Communist island ( Getty ) Two of the wounded Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez were previously wanted by Cuba for terrorism offences, the country said. Faced with the current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its commitment to protecting its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defense is a fundamental pillar for the Cuban state in safeguarding its sovereignty and stability in the region, the statement concluded. Its Interior Ministry later added that another man, Duniel Hernandez Santos, had also been arrested after being sent from the U.S. to facilitate the reception of the armed infiltration, an accusation to which he was reported to have confessed. Bizarrely, one of the men named among those hurt, Roberto Azcorra Consuegra, told NBCs Miami affiliate that he was still in the U.S. and surprised to see his name on the list. He did not comment further. open image in gallery Marco Rubio says the U.S. will respond appropriately after investigating ( AFP/Getty ) Cuba said the boat used was registered in the Sunshine State under the number FL7726SH. According to maritime database records cited by CNN, it is a 24ft Pro-Line powerboat manufactured in 1981, typically used for fishing, and is owned by an individual residing in Miami Lakes, Florida. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in St Kitts and Nevis for a diplomatic conference with Caribbean leaders, said: Were going to find out exactly what happened here and then well respond accordingly. Suffice it to say, it is highly unusual to see shootouts on open sea like that. Its something, frankly, that hasnt happened over Cuba in a very long time. He also warned: Cubas status quo is unacceptable. Cuba needs to change. It needs to change, and it doesnt have to change all at once. Everyone is mature and realistic. Rubio said the islands economy was in collapse and called on Havana to make dramatic reforms. open image in gallery Cuba is currently facing an energy crisis after the US blocked oil shipments from Venezuela ( AP ) Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, meanwhile, said he was ordering prosecutors to open a separate investigation in conjunction with other state and federal law enforcement partners, saying the Cuban version of events cannot be trusted. Florida Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez called the incident a massacre and expressed his support for the investigation, as did his Democratic counterpart Debbie Wasserman Schultz and the states GOP senator Rick Scott. The Villa Clara province, where the boat was intercepted, is known for its white sandy beaches and shallow waters and has previously seen vessels seized off its coast carrying illegal migrants to the U.S., which houses a significant Cuban exile community opposed to the islands Communist government. open image in gallery Villa Clara province is known for its white sandy beaches and shallow water ( Reuters ) The firefight comes at a time of heightened tensions between Cuba and the U.S., which has blocked virtually all oil shipments since its move on January 3 to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from power. American forces captured Maduro in a surprise attack on Caracas over the New Year, extraditing him to New York, where he pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges. Doing so removed a key Cuban ally from the chessboard and increased pressure on the government in Havana, which was reliant on Venezuela to help meet its demand for roughly 100,000 barrels of oil a day to keep the lights on. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official has assured state election administrators that immigration agents will not be deployed to polling stations during November's midterm elections, seeking to allay significant Democratic concerns about potential interference from the Trump administration. Heather Honey, the deputy assistant secretary for election integrity, conveyed this message to a group of secretaries of state, stating that "any suggestion that ICE will be present at any polling location is simply not true." This assurance was confirmed by Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a Democrat, and a spokeswoman for Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read. Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams, a Republican, also posted on X that the promise originated from "DHS." The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment. Honey, however, is known as an election conspiracy theorist who has previously supported false claims that Donald Trump did not lose the 2020 election. She participated in the call alongside representatives from the FBI, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, the Postal Service, and other federal agencies, in what would typically be a routine coordination meeting for the midterms. This year, however, several actions by the Trump administration have unsettled Democratic secretaries of state. Democratic officials and public interest lawyers across the country have spent months strategizing how to respond to potential meddling by Trump in the midterm voting and ballot counting processes ( Getty ) The Department of Justice has been filing lawsuits to obtain detailed voter data without providing clear reasons, while Trump has continued to propagate false claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election, urging his administration to investigate. Earlier this month, the FBI raided an election office in Fulton County, Georgia a Democratic stronghold including Atlanta to seize 2020 ballots and other voting records, reportedly based on long-debunked election conspiracy theories. Democratic officials and public interest lawyers across the country have spent months strategising how to respond to potential meddling by Trump in the midterm voting and ballot counting processes. Honeys presence on the call underscored the new environment for election officials, particularly given that the U.S. Constitution stipulates that states, not the federal government, are responsible for running elections, a power often vested in the elected office of the secretary of state. During the call, Democratic secretaries of state questioned Honey about Trump administration cuts to election security funding, its campaign to target noncitizen voting which is already illegal and rarely occurs and fears regarding federal law enforcement officers appearing at polling places this autumn. The White House has previously dismissed these concerns, pointing to the absence of disruption during last year's election, where Democrats performed well. At a congressional hearing earlier this month, the heads of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection both responded "No, sir" when asked if they were involved in any efforts to guard voting precincts. Democrats, however, highlight Trumps past willingness to attempt to overturn his 2020 loss, his pardoning of those who attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan.6, 2021 on his behalf, and his staffing of the administration with individuals who aided his efforts to overturn the 2020 results. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice FBI official Marshall Yates, who led the bureaus congressional affairs office and played a key role in President Donald Trumps investigation of his political enemies, is leaving his role, according to a report. Yates, a former Capitol Hill staffer from Alabama, follows former deputy director Dan Bongino in leaving Kash Patels agency after less than a year, and is doing so to spend more time with his family, CBS News reports. Yates, who took office last March, served as point man for discussions with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley. Sen. Grassley released a series of documents last year related to past FBI investigations into Trump, in which the names of agents involved were not redacted, leading to their frequent dismissal. The purge continued on Wednesday when Patel fired another 10 employees who had worked on special counsel Jack Smiths investigation into the president for allegedly hoarding classified documents from his first term at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida. open image in gallery The FBI has endured a rocky first year under the leadership of former podcaster Kash Patel ( AFP/Getty ) Yates also served as one of the FBI representatives on the Department of Justice-led Weaponization Working Group, an interagency task force set up by the Trump administration to re-examine the conduct of those agencies during the Joe Biden era in search of potential instances of political bias. The group looked at the prosecution of Trump supporters over their actions during the Capitol riot of January 6, 2021, the allegedly unjust firing of former agents for objecting to Covid-19 protocols during the pandemic and other matters of controversy. Their work was defended last September by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who said: It is not weaponizing the Department of Justice to demand accountability for those who weaponized the Department of Justice, and nobody knows what that looks like more than President Trump. We are not going to tolerate gaslighting from anyone in the media or from anyone on the other side who is trying to say that its the president who is weaponizing the DOJ. It was Joe Biden and his attorney general who weaponized the DOJ. Joe Biden abused this sacred American institution to go after his political opponent in an election year. open image in gallery Yates previously served as counsel to Rep. Thomas Massie, who remains at odds with the Department of Justice over its handling of the Epstein files ( Getty ) Yates was previously a lawyer in Washington, D.C., who was hired as counsel by Alabama Republican Rep. Mo Brooks before being promoted to chief of staff. He then served as counsel to Kentucky GOP Rep. Thomas Massie from 2023. Both Brooks and Massie have been critical of the FBI in the past, and the latter remains locked in conflict with the DOJ over the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, for which he has long campaigned. Yates was also an executive director of the Election Integrity Network, which campaigned for the overturning of the results of the 2020 presidential election in line with Trumps still-unproven narrative that Bidens win was the result of widespread fraud. ProPublica previously reported in November that Yates, Bongino, and Nicole Rucker, Patels personal assistant, were all granted high-level security clearances at the FBI despite failing to clear polygraph exams. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Hillary Clintons closed-door deposition in the congressional Jeffrey Epstein investigation was paused Thursday after a right-wing influencer shared a photo of the former first lady during proceedings, which he said was given to him by GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert. MAGA influencer Benny Johnson posted the photo of a stern-looking Clinton on his X account, which he said was provided by Boebert and appeared to be taken from where the Republican was sitting in the room. The first image of Hillary Clinton testifying under oath about Jeffrey Epstein to the Republican Oversight Committee, Johnson wrote on X. This is the first time Hillary has had to answer real questions about Epstein. Clinton does not look happy. After the post, Clinton adviser Nick Merrill said that the hearing went off the record while they figure out where the photo came from and why possibly members of Congress are violating House rules. While Clintons deposition is being recorded, it is closed-door, and videos and a transcript of the deposition will be released after they have been reviewed by attorneys, House Oversight Committee chairman Rep. James Comer said. open image in gallery MAGA influencer Benny Johnson posted the photo of a stern-looking Clinton on his X account, which he said was provided by Rep. Lauren Boebert ( Lauren Boebert ) open image in gallery The image was taken by GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert, Johnson said, and shared the full shot the congresswoman took from her seat in the room ( Lauren Boebert ) Clinton is being deposed in her hometown of Chappaqua, New York, while former President Bill Clinton is set to be questioned Friday. The couple wanted a public hearing, but Comer requested that the deposition be conducted privately. The Independent has contacted Boeberts office for comment. In a post on X, the congresswoman defended Johnsons decision to post the photo, though she did not confirm that she was the one who sent it to him. Benny did nothing wrong, the Colorado Republican wrote. Proceeding with deposition. Johnson claimed Boebert gave him permission to post the photo with credit and accused Clintons team of trying to weasel out of answering questions. Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the committee, said sharing the photo with Johnson was unacceptable. Republicans [are] breaking their own committee rules that they established with the secretary and her team, Garcia told reporters Thursday afternoon. open image in gallery Johnson claimed Boebert gave him permission to post the photo with credit and accused Clintons team of trying to weasel out of answering questions ( Getty ) It was gracious of the secretary and her team to continue the deposition, he added. Clinton has not been accused of any crimes in connection with Epstein and denies wrongdoing. In her opening statement to the committee, Clinton said she did not recall ever meeting Epstein and had no idea about the crimes of the sex offender and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell. I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island, homes or offices, Clintons said in the statement that was posted on her social media account. Republican Rep. Nancy Mace was one of the lawmakers who quizzed Clinton about her husband Bill Clinton and Epstein, according to CNN. The South Carolina congresswoman asked the former secretary of state whether the former first lady had any feelings about young women massaging her husband, according to the network. open image in gallery Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the committee, said sharing the photo with Johnson was unacceptable ( AFP via Getty ) A source in the room told CNN that Clinton responded that she would not speculate about things she was not present for, and that she was not there to talk about feelings. The Democrat earlier accused lawmakers of not taking their inquiry into Epsteins alleged sex trafficking operation seriously. If you are new to this issue, let me tell you: Jeffrey Epstein was a heinous individual, but hes far from alone, Clinton said. This is not a one-off tabloid sensation or a political scandal. Its a global scourge with an unimaginable human toll. Clinton also took aim at President Donald Trump in her opening statement and called for lawmakers to question him under oath. Trump is not accused of any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. If this Committee is serious about learning the truth about Epsteins trafficking crimes, it would not rely on press gaggles to get answers from our current president on his involvement; it would ask him directly under oath about the tens of thousands of times he shows up in the Epstein files, Clinton said. Trump is mentioned in the Epstein files because he was once friends with Jeffrey Epstein. However, the two stopped being friends long before Epstein was investigated and convicted in Florida of prostitution. This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new information Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Former first lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is set to testify Thursday to the House Oversight Committee about the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, while her husband, former President Bill Clinton, is scheduled to be questioned by lawmakers on Friday. The Republican-led committee is traveling to the sleepy hamlet of Chappaqua to question the Clintons behind closed doors in their New York hometown after images of Bill Clinton were included in a tranche of documents dropped by the Justice Department, which released the files to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The Clintons, who have not been accused of any crimes in connection with Epstein and denied wrongdoing, have been locked in a tense back-and-forth with the committee for months. They had previously resisted subpoenas to compel their testimony, labeling efforts from the GOP-controlled House Oversight Committee invalid and legally unenforceable in a searing letter that also condemned Donald Trumps administration and the alleged failures of a Republican-dominated Congress to hold it accountable. But, with the threat of a House vote to hold them in contempt of Congress, the couple agreed to be questioned behind closed doors. open image in gallery Former first lady Hillary Clinton is set to testify Thursday to the House Oversight Committee about Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, while her husband, former President Bill Clinton, will be questioned Friday ( Getty Images ) They were reported to be hunkering down ahead of the grilling this week. Republican Rep. James Comer, chair of the House Oversight Committee, said the panel would press for the answers in the depositions. Bill and Hillary Clinton have never answered a single question about their well-documented ties to Jeffrey Epstein & Ghislaine Maxwell, Comer said Thursday in a post on X. That ends today. The House Oversight Committee will press for the answers survivors and the American people deserve. Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee defeated by Trump, said she never met Epstein but did encounter Maxwell on a few occasions. In an interview with the BBC last week, Hillary Clinton claimed this week that the depositions were an attempt to divert attention from Trump. open image in gallery Members of the committee are traveling to the sleepy hamlet of Chappaqua to question the Clintons behind closed doors at their New York home ( AFP via Getty Images ) Other witnesses were asked to testify, she said. They gave written statements under oath. We offered that. Why do they want to pull us into this? To divert attention from President Trump. This is not complicated. We have nothing to hide, she added. We have called for the full release of these [Epstein] files repeatedly. We think sunlight is the best disinfectant. The depositions with the former president and former secretary of state will be filmed, and Republicans are hoping to release footage of the interviews in the following days, according to CNN. Members of the panel questioning the Clintons this week plan to speak to reporters at the end of each session, Politico reports. Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the committee, told the outlet that both Republicans and Democrats are glad the deposition is happening. open image in gallery Photos of Bill Clinton with Epstein were included in the first document dump by the Justice Department, which the White House and Trumps allies immediately pounced upon ( DOJ ) The Clintons and members of the committee have agreed to several talking points for the depositions, which include the alleged mismanagement of the federal investigation into Epstein and Maxwell, the sex offenders 2019 death by suicide and how Epstein and Maxwell sought to curry favor to protect themselves, a person familiar with the matter told CNN. In December 2025, photos of Bill Clinton with Epstein were included in the first document dump by the Justice Department, which the White House and Trumps allies immediately pounced upon. Following the release of the photographs, the couple published a blistering eight-page letter to the committee, and said they anticipated that House Republicans would continue to release irrelevant, decades-old photos that you hope will embarrass us. Days after Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges in 2019, Bill Clintons spokesperson Angel Urena admitted the former president traveled on Epsteins private plane, but said he knows nothing about the terrible crimes the disgraced financier had either pleaded guilty to or was accused of. The trips Clinton took in 2002 and 2003 included stops in connection with the work of his nonprofit, the Clinton Foundation, Urena said. Rachel Dobkin contributed to this report Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee emerged from a six-hour deposition with former President Bill Clinton with sharply contrasting takeaways particularly when it came to President Donald Trumps relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. During the closed-door proceedings in upstate New York, Clinton was peppered with questions about the billionaire pedophile including whether or not he had sex with an unidentified woman pictured in the Epstein files. The former two-term Democratic president stressed that he did nothing wrong, that he saw nothing that ever gave me pause and that he cut ties with the convicted sex offender long before his 2008 guilty plea. Following the deposition Friday, Republican lawmakers thanked Clinton for his cooperation, with Rep. Nancy Mace telling reporters that he did attempt to respond to every single question asked, even when his attorneys told him to shut up. GOP officials also claimed that Clintons testimony absolved Trump of wrongdoing, while Democrats contended that it actually raised more questions than it answered about the 79-year-old president. Both Clinton and Trump have denied wrongdoing associated with Epstein. Neither has been charged with a crime associated with him. open image in gallery Former President Bill Clinton sat for a six-hour deposition with House Oversight Committee members about his relationship with Epstein ( AP ) Video of the proceeding is expected to be released soon and lawmakers have said that more people will be brought in to testify. Here are the main takeaways from Bill Clintons deposition. Democrats and Republicans sparred over Trump's relationship with Epstein Democratic members of the committee told reporters that Clintons testimony raised more questions about why Trump and Epstein stopped being friends in the early 2000s. In fact, President Clinton confirmed that he knew Trump and Epstein had a close relationship and said Trump reported having great times with Epstein, Oversight Democrats wrote in a statement. Trump, who has always maintained his innocence related to Epstein, has said he stopped being friends with Epstein because he kicked him out of Mar-a-Lago after learning Epstein acted inappropriately with women. But Republican Chairman James Comer had a different takeaway claiming Clinton exonerated Trump of wrongdoing. He stated that he has no information that President Trump did anything wrong, and that President Trump never said anything to Clinton to make him think that he was involved with Epstein, Comer said in a statement. open image in gallery Rep. Robert Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the committee, urged Republicans to release the transcript and video of the Clintons' depositions within 24 hours ( Reuters ) Bill Clinton said I did nothing wrong The former president adamantly stated in his opening remarks that while he once knew Epstein, he knew nothing of Epsteins crimes and never participated. "I had no idea of the crimes Epstein was committing, Clinton told lawmakers. Bill Clinton has always maintained his position of innocence, despite unflattering photos that have emerged, which have led to speculation. No matter how many photos you show me, I have two things that, at the end of the day, matter more than your interpretation of those 20-year-old photos. I know what I saw, and more importantly, what I didn't see. I know what I did, and more importantly, what I didn't do. I saw nothing and I did nothing wrong, Clinton said. The former president added that as someone who grew up in a home with domestic abuse, not only would I not have flown on his plane. I would have turned him in myself. Lawmakers asked Bill Clinton about photos in Epstein files The former president was reportedly asked about photos where he appears alongside Epstein and occasionally women. The photos were unveiled by the Justice Department as part of the Epstein files. One photo in particular shows Bill Clinton reclined in a jacuzzi with a woman whose face is redacted. When asked if he knew the women, the former president said he did not. When asked if he had ever had sex with the woman, Clinton said he did not, sources told CNN. The former president specifically told members of the committee that his memory may not be able to recall some of the details from years ago. open image in gallery Bill Clinton insisted he did not know the identity of the woman pictured with him in a jacuzzi in the Epstein files ( DOJ ) Bill Clinton criticized lawmakers for deposing Hillary Clinton As part of his opening statements, Clinton criticized lawmakers for forcing his wife, Hillary Clinton, to also sit for a six-hour closed-door deposition Thursday. You made Hillary come in. She had nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. Nothing. She has no memory of even meeting him. She neither traveled with him nor visited any of his properties. Whether you subpoenaed 10 people or 10,000, including her was simply not right, Bill Clinton said. Hillary Clinton has consistently said she did not know Epstein well, had never been to his home or offices, never flown on his jet and didnt remember meeting him. open image in gallery Hillary Clinton, appearing after her deposition Thursday, said lawmakers asked her unrelated questions during her six-hour testimony ( AFP/Getty ) Democrats accused Republican committee members of subpoenaing Hillary Clinton for a political show, saying they asked unrelated questions about UFOs, conspiracy theories and her personal feelings. Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, meanwhile, accused the former secretary of state ofscreaming and being unhinged during her deposition. A spokesperson for Hillary Clinton called Mace full of s***. GOP lawmaker appeared to share photo from closed-door briefing Hours after the deposition, Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Colorado Republican, posted a photo that appeared to depict Clinton as he testified before lawmakers. It came one day after Boebert reportedly leaked a photo of Hillary Clinton during her own deposition to a right-wing influencer, which was posted online. The first image of Hillary Clinton testifying under oath about Jeffrey Epstein to the Republican Oversight Committee, MAGA influencer Benny Johnson wrote on X. This is the first time Hillary has had to answer real questions about Epstein. Clinton does not look happy. After the post, the proceedings briefly went off the record in order to determine what happened and whether any rules had been violated, Clinton adviser Nick Merrill said. While recorded, both depositions were held behind closed doors against the wishes of the Clintons. What comes next? After Clintons deposition, Republican committee members emphasized that their investigation remains ongoing, noting they still seek answers about Epstein including about the source of his wealth and the network of individuals connected to him. Were going to bring more people in, Comer told reporters. Were not finished. In addition to the Clintons, the committee deposed billionaire Les Wexner, a longtime Epstein associate, in Ohio earlier this month. When asked whether Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick would be brought in to testify, Comer urged viewers to stay tuned. We have a lot of questions about anyone who spent time with Epstein post conviction, the first conviction, he said. Earlier in the day, Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, said he believes they have enough votes to subpoena Lutnick, who admitted to visiting Epsteins private island in 2012. When it came to Trump, Republicans struck a different tune, claiming there was no need to bring the president before the committee as they said without evidence that he has been exonerated of wrongdoing. Democrats, on the other hand, have repeatedly called for Trump to face questions about his relationship with Epstein. If Donald Trump, according to them, is exonerated, then why did Secretary Hillary Clinton who's literally never met Jeffrey Epstein come before us? Rep. Yassamin Ansari, an Arizona Democrat, told CNN on Friday evening. By that standard, Donald Trump should come before this committee. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer told reporters Thursday that its very possible his panel will compel Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to give evidence over his relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell as part of the committees long-running probe into the infamous criminals. Speaking in Chappaqua, New York as he prepared to lead a deposition of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as part of the same probe, Comer was asked if the panel would consider a subpoena for Lutnick, a longtime friend of President Donald Trump who had unsuccessfully pushed to become Treasury Secretary after serving as the finance chief for he 2024 campaign. He replied: I that's very possible, and I think it's a good possibility that his name will arise in some questioning today. Comer defended his committees decision to compel testimony from Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, by noting that theyd already heard testimony from two ex-Trump cabinet members. So this isn't just about Democrats. This is about anyone that has any knowledge of Epstein, he said. The chairmans suggestion that Lutnick could soon be facing a congressional subpoena comes after weeks of increased scrutiny of his relationship with Epstein, his onetime next-door neighbor in New York, after documents released by the Justice Department showed that hed lied during an interview with the New York Post in October when hed claimed to have cut off contact with Epstein after a 2005 encounter that he claimed had left him so unsettled that hed vowed to never be in the room with that disgusting person ever again. ( Getty ) The documents released as part of the Epstein Files included emails which showed that Lutnick not only maintained ties with Epstein as late as 2018 the year before he was indicted on federal sex trafficking charges and long after hed spent time in jail for state-level offenses related to his preying on young girls but even arranged a visit to Epsteins so-called rape island in 2012. Being mentioned or pictured in the Epstein files does not indicate guilt. The commerce secretary admitted to visiting the infamous landmass, which is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, during sworn testimony before the Senate Commerce Committee on February 11. Asked about the documents by Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Lutnick admitted to visiting the island but denied anything inappropriate about the trip. I did have lunch with him, as I was on a boat going across on a family vacation. My wife was with me, as were my four children and nannies, he said. We had lunch on the island, that is true, for an hour, and we left with all of my children with my nannies and my wife I dont recall why we did it. Lutnick also claimed in his testimony that he did not have any relationship with Epstein and barely had anything to do with that person. In the weeks since his appearance before the Senate panel, lawmakers from both parties have called on Lutnick to step down from his administration post. But President Donald Trump has refused to sack him and has continued to keep him close by bringing him on multiple trips aboard Air Force One. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Columbia University student arrested by immigration officers inside her campus apartment was released from custody hours after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged President Donald Trump to let her go during his visit to the White House. Neuroscience student Ellie Aghayeva was released from federal detention in New York City Thursday afternoon. I am safe and okay, she wrote to her followers on Instagram. I am so sorry but I am in complete shock over what happened and my phone is blowing up with calls from reporters. I need a little bit of time to process everything. I will come back soon. But please don't worry. I love you all. Department of Homeland Security officers misrepresented themselves to enter a residential building to arrest Aghayeva early Thursday morning, according to university officials. Dhs illegally arrested me, she wrote on Instagram with a photograph from the back of a vehicle Thursday morning. Please help. open image in gallery Columbia University student Ellie Aghayeva was released from federal immigration custody hours after her arrest February 26 from inside her campus residence ( Ellie Aghayeva/TikTok ) She was arrested at 6:30 a.m., according to Columbias acting president Claire Shipman. Agents may have made misrepresentations to gain entry to the building to search for a missing person, Shipman said in a statement. open image in gallery Aghayeva posted a picture after she was detained by ICE at her residence at Columbia University in New York City ( Ellie Aghayeva/Instagram ) Her student visa was terminated in 2016, according to a statement from Homeland Security. The building manager and her roommate allowed officers into the apartment, a spokesperson told The Independent. Mamdani, who met with the president Thursday afternoon, said he had shared his concerns about her arrest during their meeting at the White House. During a phone call that afternoon, the president told him she would be released imminently, according to the mayor. Aghayeva, who is originally from Azerbaijan, frequently posts videos about life on campus and study routines on Instagram, where she has more than 106,000 followers. The aspiring social media personality has more than 114,000 followers on TikTok. School of General Studies Dean Lisa Rosen-Mestch announced the students arrest in an email to General Studies students Thursday morning, according to The Columbia Spectator. open image in gallery Aghayeva was escorted to her apartment with her face covered after her release ( Getty Images ) open image in gallery Mamdani met with Trump in the Oval Office for a second time Febraury 26 ( New York City Mayor's Office ) She described the arrest as upsetting and unsettling for our community. Thursdays arrest is not the first immigration enforcement action on Columbia property; graduate student Mahmoud Khalil was arrested in the lobby of his university-owned building last March, igniting a legal battle at the center of the Trump administrations campaign to arrest and deport international students. The arrest also follows campus protests demanding the university maintain stronger protections for international students against federal immigration agents at the university. Columbia has stressed that all law enforcement agents must have a judicial warrant or judicial subpoena access nonpublic areas of the university, including housing and classrooms and other buildings that require a university ID. Administrative warrants which are issued internally by federal agencies are not sufficient, Shipman wrote. Do not allow them to enter or accept service of a warrant or subpoena, she said. open image in gallery University officials say ICE officers may have tried to gain entry by claiming they were seeking a missing person ( Getty Images ) open image in gallery Columbia students have rallied against the Trump administrations targeted arrests of international student activists ( Getty ) New York City Council members were also briefed on the incident. ICE has no place in our schools and universities, Speaker Julie Menin said in a joint statement with City Councilman Shaun Abreu. These activities do not make our city or country safer, but rather drive mistrust and danger, they added. As Columbia College alumni, our hearts are with the community there, and we have been in contact with the University to offer our assistance. Khalil continues to fight the Trump administrations attempts to remove him from the country after his release from an immigration detention center in Louisiana last year. Khalil, a legal permanent resident of the United States and a prominent student activist against Israels war in Gaza, was stripped of his green card and arrested last March after Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally signed off on his removal, baselessly alleging Khalil and others promoted antisemitism and provided material support for terrorist groups, according to documents submitted in court filings. He was jailed for more than 100 days while his legal team fought for his release, and federal judges have lambasted the administrations unconstitutional conspiracy to violate the First Amendment rights of international students and faculty. An immigration court judge has ordered his removal to Syria or Algeria over allegations that he omitted information from a green card application, which his legal team called meritless. Mohsen Mahdawi, another Columbia student targeted by Rubio, was also granted release from federal custody after he was arrested during a citizenship interview last year. An immigration court judge has terminated his removal proceedings, finding no basis to deport him. During his White House meeting, Mamdani also gave White House chief of staff Susie Wiles a list of four other students targeted by federal authorities and asked for the administrations help to keep them out of custody, according to the Associated Press. He mentioned the cases of Khalil and Mahdawi as well as Yunseo Chung and Leqaa Kordia all of whom were targeted for their pro-Palestinian activism. A federal judge has blocked federal agents from arresting Chung, and Kordia has been locked up in ICE detention for nearly a year. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Crowds of mourners lined up in Chicago as memorial services for the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. began Thursday in the city the late civil rights leader called home. The protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and two-time presidential candidate will lie in repose for two days at the headquarters of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition before events in Washington, D.C., and South Carolina, where he was born. Family members wiped away tears as the casket was brought into the stately brick building. Flowers lined the sidewalks where people waiting to enter watched a large video screen playing excerpts of Jackson's notable speeches. The outpouring of love and support received from around the globe has been abundant and deeply felt, Jackson's family members said in a recent statement. Next week, Jackson will lie in honor at the South Carolina Statehouse, followed by public services ( Getty ) Jackson died last week at age 84 after battling a rare neurological disorder that affected his mobility and ability to speak in his later years. Remembrances have already poured in from around the globe, and several U.S. states, including Minnesota, Iowa and North Carolina, are flying flags at half-staff in his honor. But perhaps nowhere has his death been felt as strongly as in the nations third-largest city, where Jackson lived for decades and raised his six children, including a son who is a congressman. Bouquets have been left outside the familys Tudor-style home on the citys South Side for days. Public schools have offered condolences, and city trains have used digital screens to display Jacksons portrait and his well-known mantra, I am Somebody! His causes, both in the United States and abroad, were countless: Advocating for the poor and underrepresented on issues including voting rights, job opportunities, education and health care. He scored diplomatic victories with world leaders, and through his Rainbow PUSH Coalition, he channeled cries for Black pride and self-determination into corporate boardrooms, pressuring executives to make America a more open and equitable society. We honor him, and his hard-earned legacy as a freedom fighter, philosopher, and faithful shepherd of his family and community here in Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement. Next week, Jackson will lie in honor at the South Carolina Statehouse, followed by public services. According to Rainbow PUSH's agenda, Gov. Henry McMaster is expected to deliver remarks, however the governor's office said Thursday that his participation wasn't yet confirmed. Jackson spent his childhood and started his activism in South Carolina. Details on services in Washington have not yet been made public. However, he will not lie in honor at the United States Capitol rotunda after a request for the commemoration was denied by the House Speaker Mike Johnsons office. The two weeks of events will wrap up next week with a large celebration of life gathering at a Chicago megachurch and finally, homegoing services at the headquarters of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Family members said the services will be open to all. His life is broad enough to cover the full spectrum of what it means to be American, his eldest son, Jesse Jackson Jr., told reporters recently. We only ask people to come and be respectful in context of the extraordinary life he lived. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A letter from John F. Kennedy to his Swedish mistress arranging a romantic rendezvous behind Jackie Kennedy's back has emerged 71 years later. The future US president, a serial adulterer, wrote to Gunilla von Post saying that he was heading to Europe and he hoped to see her. He first met the Scandinavian aristocrat in Cannes, just weeks before marrying Jacqueline Bouvier in 1953. JFK was planning his return to Europe two years later and told Gunilla write to me right away. He said he hoped to stop off in Stockholm and would like to say hello. He ended the June 1955 letter by congratulating her on her engagement to Swedish landowner Anders Ekman, although this seemingly did not deter him from wishing to rekindle their romance. open image in gallery A letter from JFK to his Swedish mistress arranging a romantic rendezvous behind Jackie Kennedy's back has emerged 71 years later ( RRAuction/BNPS ) open image in gallery JFK, the 35th US President, was a serial adulterer who was also romantically linked with Marilyn Monroe ( RRAuction/BNPS ) "I am writing you both in Bastad + Stockholm as I do not have your new address, JFK wrote. "I am coming to Stockholm, I hope, around the 7th of September. Is there any chance you shall be there as I would like to say hello. "Write to me right away as I shall be leaving for Europe in 2 weeks. Congratulations. Gunilla revealed in her memoirs that they ended up spending an intensely intimate and joyful week traveling through Sweden together. JFK even reputedly considered leaving Jackie for her but changed his mind after she suffered a miscarriage. The hand-written, one page letter, signed Jack, has emerged for sale for $29,700 (22,000) at RR Auction, of Boston, US. open image in gallery A hand-written, one page letter, signed Jack, has emerged for sale for $29,700 ( RRAuction/BNPS ) "This is a handwritten letter from Senator Kennedy to his Swedish mistress, Gunilla von Post, arranging plans for a romantic reunion, an RR Auction spokesperson said. "Gunilla von Post was a Swedish aristocrat Kennedy had met by chance in Cannes, France in the summer of 1953, just weeks before his wedding to Jacqueline Bouvier. "As detailed in her poignant memoir, Love, Jack, von Post recounts that she and Kennedy spent an intensely intimate and joyful week together while traveling through Sweden in August 1955. "Von Post later wrote that in the year following their affair, Kennedy sought to end his marriage and bring her to the United States. "But these efforts were blocked by his father, his political ambitions, and the couples shared sensitivity to Jacqueline Kennedys miscarriage in 1955 and pregnancy in 1956. open image in gallery ( RRAuction/BNPS ) "Gunilla von Post and John Kennedy would see each other only one other time, this by chance at a gala at the Waldorf Astoria in 1958 while von Post was pregnant with her first child." Gunilla's husband was killed in a plane crash in 1960. JFK, the 35th US President who was also romantically linked with Marilyn Monroe, was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald while his motorcade passed through Dallas, Texas, in 1963. The sale takes place on March 27. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Transgender people living in Kansas have been ordered to hand back their drivers licenses if they do not reflect their assigned-sex-at-birth, under a new law. Residents received letters informing them that the controversial House Substitute for Senate Bill 244 would take effect today. The letter, seen by Erin In The Morning, a website dedicated to covering issues impacting transgender people, says that drivers will be issued a new license upon handing in their old one. Please note that the Legislature did not include a grace period for updating credentials, the letter reads. That means that once the law is officially enacted, your current credentials will be invalid immediately, and you may be subject to additional penalties if you are operating a vehicle without a valid credential. The legislation was vetoed by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, a Democrat, earlier this month, but was then overwritten by a Republican supermajority in the state legislature. open image in gallery Transgender Kansans are required to exchange their licenses if they do not reflect their assigned-sex-at-birth, under a new law ( AP ) However, the rapid enactment of the new law has left transgender residents across the state scrambling to get the correct identification. Iridescent Riffel, a transgender woman who commutes to work, says that she is now worried about getting into her car. I dont want to get a misdemeanor just trying to go to work, she told The Kansas City Star. Im salaried. Im not working hourly, and not everyone has that same privilege as me. Riffel said that she has yet to receive a letter herself, despite changing her sex from M to F in 2023. Her boss has agreed to let her work remotely until she can legally drive again. SB 244 also requires transgender Kansans to use bathrooms and multi-occupancy private spaces in accordance with their sex assigned at birth, while in government buildings. The bill allows private citizens to take legal action against someone if they suspect them of not using the bathroom that is in accordance with their assigned sex at birth. If successful, someone who files a complaint against a transgender person in a public bathroom could stand to gain $1,000. Anyone found to have used a bathroom not in accordance with their assigned sex at birth will be given a written warning on their first offense. On their second offense, they will receive a $1,000 fine. A third offense carries a $ 1,000 fine and a six-month prison sentence. open image in gallery Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has described SB 244 as poorly drafted legislation Another change enforced by the sweeping bill relates to the term gender, which has now been defined as a persons biological sex at birth. As the law continues to be rolled out today, Democratic Representative Abi Boatman has slammed the new legislation. The persecution is the point, Boatman told The Kansas City Star. Kelley Robinson, the president of the Human Rights Campaign, also accused Kansass lawmakers of choosing politics over people. Forcing people into the wrong bathrooms, stripping them of accurate IDs, and allowing government-sanctioned harassment doesnt make anyone safer - it targets transgender Kansans for no reason and will undoubtedly impact many others who are targeted with animus whether or not they are transgender, Robinson said in a press release. Governor Kelly vetoed SB 244 earlier this month, describing it as poorly drafted legislation. Not only will this bill keep brothers from visiting sisters dorms and husbands from wives shared hospital rooms, it will cost Kansas taxpayers millions of dollars to comply with this very vague legislation, she added. The Independent has contacted Governor Kelly for comment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The FBI, under the leadership of Kash Patel, has fired at least 10 employees who worked on the investigation into classified documents at President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate, according to multiple media reports. The staffers were dismissed after Reuters reported that the bureau had obtained phone records from Patel and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles in connection to the probe during the Biden administration. It is outrageous and deeply alarming that the previous FBI leadership secretly subpoenaed my own phone records along with those of now White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles using flimsy pretexts and burying the entire process in prohibited case files designed to evade all oversight, Patel told Reuters. The investigation, launched in March 2022 under the direction of Special Counsel Jack Smith, focused on Trumps handling of classified materials after leaving office in 2021 and his alleged obstruction of justice. It culminated in an FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago in August 2022, during which agents recovered boxes containing materials marked top secret. The following year, Trump was hit with a 37-count indictment from Smiths office, alleging that he, as a private citizen, willfully kept documents containing some of the countrys most sensitive secrets. In July 2024, a federal judge dismissed the case, ruling that Smith's appointment was unconstitutional. open image in gallery FBI Director Kash Patel fired at least 10 bureau employees tied to the Trump classified documents probe, according to reports ( Reuters ) Trump has called Smith a deranged animal and labeled the case against him a "witch hunt. Hes also asserted that former President Joe Biden who was subject to a similar classified documents investigation, which yielded no criminal charges benefited from preferential treatment. Last year, GOP lawmakers also accused the Biden era FBI of obtaining the cellphone data of nine Republican members of Congress in connection to its probe into the Jan. 6 riot. At the time, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he had grave concerns about the revelation. The Independent has reached out to the FBI for comment. The fired FBI employees, who were let go on Wednesday, were all tied to Trumps classified documents probe, sources told CBS News. The FBI Agents Association, which represents both current and past agents, released a statement condemning the mass firings. These actions weaken the Bureau by stripping away critical expertise and destabilizing the workforce, undermining trust in leadership and jeopardizing the Bureau's ability to meet its recruitment goalsultimately putting the nation at greater risk," the group said, according to CBS News. open image in gallery Patel recently courted controversy when he traveled to Italy for the Olympics, where he was seen chugging beer with the US mens hockey team ( Social media ) Its just the latest instance of layoffs at one of the nations top law enforcement agencies. Since Trump took office last January, the bureau has purged staffers connected to probes into the president as well as those tied to the investigation into Jan. 6 rioters. Patel has also dismissed at least 30 agents who appeared to lack the necessary conservative bona fides. Some took a knee in a show of solidarity with the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests; another implemented government policy denying religious exemptions for the covid vaccine; a third displayed a gay pride flag, The Wall Street Journal reported in November. Patel, a former Florida public defender, has also courted controversy for using government planes for personal reasons including, most recently, to attend the Olympics in Italy. In a video posted online, he was seen drinking beer with the U.S. mens hockey team in a locker room after their gold-medal victory. Pushing back against criticism, the director wrote on X that the team invited me into the locker room to celebrate this historic moment with the boys. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Attorneys for Kilmar Abrego Garcia are working to persuade a federal judge to throw out human smuggling charges against him. Abrego Garcia, whose erroneous deportation has become a focal point in the immigration debate, alleges that his criminal prosecution is vindictive. He claims it was orchestrated by officials within Donald Trump's administration as retribution, following their obligation to return him to the United States. Abrego Garcia, 30, immigrated to the U.S. illegally as a teenager but has an American wife and child. He has lived and worked in Maryland for years under the supervision of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Although he is a Salvadoran citizen, an immigration judge determined in 2019 that he faced danger in El Salvador from a gang that had threatened his family, granting him a court order preventing him from being deported. After he was deported to El Salvador last year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the Trump administration had to work to bring him back. He was eventually returned to the U.S. only to face criminal charges of human smuggling based on a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee. Body camera footage from a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer shows a calm exchange with Abrego Garcia after he was pulled over for speeding. Federal judge says there may have been an improper motivation to bring charges after Salvadoran immigrant sued for his return ( Getty ) There were nine passengers in the car, and the officers discussed among themselves their suspicions of smuggling. However, Abrego Garcia was eventually allowed to continue driving with only a warning. U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw previously found some evidence that the prosecution against Abrego Garcia may be vindictive. The judge said many statements by Trump administration officials raise cause for concern. He specifically cited a statement by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche that seemed to suggest the Justice Department charged Abrego Garcia because he won his wrongful deportation case. Abrego Garcia's attorneys have been sparring with prosecutors for months over whether officials like Blanche would be required to testify at Thursday's hearing and what emails Justice Department officials would have to turn over to them. First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Rob McGuire has argued that he alone made the decision to prosecute, so the motives of other officials were irrelevant. Crenshaw personally reviewed many of the disputed documents. In an order that was unsealed in late December, he wrote, Some of the documents suggest not only that McGuire was not a solitary decision-maker, but he in fact reported to others in DOJ and the decision to prosecute Abrego may have been a joint decision. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice YouTuber Nick Sherley, who was praised by JD Vance over a controversial video alleging fraud at Somali-American-run daycare centers, has thrown support behind a new Jewish invasion theory online. The 23-year-old responded to a post by fellow Youtuber Tyler Oliveira promoting a documentary on New Jersey's Jewish Invasion. EXPOSE IT ALL, Shirley replied. Shirley, who describes himself as an independent journalist, gained popularity in December after posting a 42-minute video in which he alleged that 10 day cares run by members of the Minnesota Somali-American community had misappropriated upwards of $100 million in taxpayer funds. In his video, Shirley visited several of the centers, pretending to be enrolling his non-existent son in order to gain entry, as well as one Somali-owned business that Shirley alleged received $4 million in state funds. open image in gallery Nick Shirley, a right-wing YouTuber who was praised by JD Vance for sparking a probe into alleged fraud at a Minnesota daycare probe, which led to the freezing of state childcare funding, has thrown support behind a new Jewish invasion theory online ( Nick Shirley/ YouTube ) After he was told he could not enter buildings with a camera to see children, Shirley concluded the daycares most be fronts. "[Minnesota Governor] Tim Walz and the fraudsters aren't escaping this one," he claimed in the video, which has now been viewed almost four million times. "In one day, my crew and I uncovered over $110,000,000 in fraud. This is just the tip of the iceberg. We the people simply work too hard and pay too much in taxes to allow this to happen. They must be held accountable." The video caught the attention of high profile figures including FBI Director Kash Patel and the vice president, who reposted the video, writing: "This dude has done far more useful journalism than any of the winners of the 2024 @pulitzercenter prizes. open image in gallery Shirley, 23, responded to a post by another influencer promoting a documentary on New Jersey's Jewish Invasion, replying EXPOSE IT ALL ( X ) Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also announced that federal agents would begin conducting door-to-door raids in Minnesota in response to the report, while the administration briefly paused federal childcare funds to the state, drawing an angry response from Walz. Though many of his specific allegations remain unverified, Shirleys popularity among Republicans was not diminished and he was invited to attend Donald Trumps State of the Union address Tuesday in Washington D.C., by Minnesota Rep. Pete Stauber. Stauber, who represents Minnesota's Eighth Congressional District, said Shirley did Minnesota "a tremendous service" by highlighting the alleged fraud. The Independent has contacted the White House for comment over Shirleys online comments and apparent support for the documentary about the Jewish invasion of New Jersey. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Homeland Security adviser Stephen Miller spent nearly a day feuding online with liberal podcaster and former Obama administration official Jon Favreau about the Democratic reaction to Donald Trumps State of the Union speech. The spat began on Tuesday evening, when Miller claimed that Democrats refusing to stand at various moments during the presidents speech had betrayed the country. Democrats declared to the world their searing disdain for, and profound disloyalty to, the actual citizens of the United States, Miller wrote. They were repeatedly entreated to stand. Over and over. They refused. It was a moment that chills to the bone and which will live for a thousand years. The comments were a reference to the multiple times Trump urged Democrats to stand, including to show their support for the phrase, The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens. Democrats protested throughout Trumps speech through a mix of boycotts, signs, and shouted criticisms that Trumps immigration agents had killed Americans Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis. open image in gallery Homeland Security adviser Stephen Miller, the architect of Trumps mass deportation policy, spent nearly a day feuding with liberal podcaster Jon Favreau because Democrats wouldnt stand during the presidents State of the Union address ( Getty ) It's genuinely so funny how hard they're trying to make this a thing, Favreau, host of Pod Save America, wrote in response. The feud only continued from there. Democrats leapt, clapped, hollered and cheered for raising taxes but their legs, hands and voices froze in icy contempt as they glowered at the parents of slain children, Miller said in response. Democrats vowed allegiance to invaders over citizens, and this top Dem finds their deadly betrayal hilarious. open image in gallery on Favreau speaks onstage during the Crooked Media Pod Save America: The Democracy or Else Tour ( Getty Images for Crooked Media ) This prompted another mocking comeback from Favreau, who has long been a vocal critic of the administration. No, I find you hilarious, he said. And I genuinely hope the boss lets you drive the midterm strategy and brings more of your Victorian asylum patient energy into his speeches. The argument soon grew more personal. open image in gallery Democrats boycotted, including Reps. Rashida Tlaib (left) and Ilhan Omar (right), protested President Trumps State of the Union speech ( Reuters/Getty ) Jon is a textbook sociopath, Miller wrote back. He has been given multiple opportunities to show empathy for American moms whose children were raped and murdered by the illegals whose entry he cheered. He refuses. He finds the topic hilarious. Jon, one more time: do you grieve for these families? I mean I certainly have sympathy for yours, Favreau said in reply. By Wednesday evening, Favreau attempted to pivot the conversation to discuss the tens of thousands of people, including children, in immigration detention, the vast majority of whom have no criminal convictions. open image in gallery 2025 was one of the deadliest years in immigration detention centers in U.S. history ( Reuters ) We can keep playing dumb Twitter games, but you're a government official with the power to free countless American families and children who are suffering in the squalid detention centers where you've illegally jailed them, Favreau wrote. Why don't you? Miller wasnt the only one criticizing Democrats over their conduct during the speech. Within the address itself, President Trump repeatedly took aim at Democrats and chastised them for not standing. "These people are crazy. I'm telling you, they're crazy," Trump said. "We're lucky we have a country with people like this. Democrats are destroying our country." At least 32 people died in immigration detention last year, the deadliest non-Covid year in these facilities in U.S. history. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice When President Donald Trump announced with an AI-generated image that he planned to send a hospital ship to Greenland, it caused widespread confusion. While an American submariner had to be rescued by the Danish military after falling ill, there was no indication that any widespread illnesses were present in Greenland. New reports suggest that Trump was inspired to send a hospital ship after a comment from a MAGA-loving Greenlandic bricklayer. Jrgen Boassen, 52, is apparently one of a small number of avid Trump supporters on the island, going so far as to help organize Donald Trump Jr.'s visit to Greenland last year. He says he was the one who inspired Governor Jeff Landry Trump's Greenland envoy to pitch the hospital ship idea, according to the Wall Street Journal. He told the paper that he had been staying with Landry at the governor's mansion in Louisiana for Mardi Gras when Landry asked what the U.S. could do for Greenland. open image in gallery President Donald Trumps plan to send a hospital ship to Greenland reportedly came from a pro-MAGA Greenalnder who met with the presidents envoy to the island, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry ( Getty/@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social ) I told him our healthcare system is deteriorating, and that people are sick. Some people are diagnosed too late, Boassen said. He noted that he didn't specifically suggest a hospital ship, but added that "any help is appreciated." Landry told the paper that he discussed the idea with Trump during a White House dinner on Saturday, which prompted the president to ask whether the island really needed a hospital ship. The governor said Greenlanders "absolutely need it," which was all it took for Trump to agree to the idea. "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. Its on the way!!!" Trump said in a Truth Social post. The Independent has asked the White House for comment. After Trump's post featuring an AI-generated illustration of a ship with an American flag it was unclear if a real ship would materialize. Pentagon officials confirmed to the WSJ that no orders have been given to deploy either of the Navy's hospital ships. Both have been undergoing maintenance in Mobile, Alabama. open image in gallery President Donald Trump's February 21, 2026 Truth Social post in which he claims he will send a hospital ship to Greenland. No orders to deploy a Navy hospital ship to the region ever materialized ( Truth Social/@realDonaldTrump ) The issue of healthcare appears to have been a very personal one for Boassen. His mother died a few years ago from sepsis after she had been misdiagnosed at a rural clinic. She was reportedly treated with painkillers. Despite whatever problems Greenland's system may have, many of the island's residents said they preferred their system free, universal healthcare to the private model in the U.S, according to a Copenhagen Post poll of Greenlanders. Landry claims otherwise, citing Greenlanders he has reportedly spoken with. Thats not what Im hearing from Greenlanders. They think that universal healthcare sucks over there," he told the WSJ. In any case, Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen rejected the unsolicited offer of aid from Trump. "President Trump's idea of sending an American hospital ship here to Greenland has been noted. But we have a public healthcare system where treatment is free for citizens. It is a deliberate choice," the prime minister said in a Facebook post. He suggested that the Trump administration "talk to us instead of just making more or less random outbursts on social media." open image in gallery Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen rejected President Donald Trumps unsolicited offer to send a hospital ship to Greenland, noting that the island has free healthcare available to all of its citizens ( AP ) Trump's post was another example of his fixation on Greenland. The president has previously insisted that the U.S. taking control of Greenland is paramount to America's national security. He has also insisted that Denmark and the Greenlanders themselves will be taken over by China if they are not brought under U.S. control. Greenlanders at large and Danish officials have expressed alarm and displeasure at the president's repeated insinuations that he would do anything it takes to take over Greenland, including using military force. Trump has since softened his stance on using military force and tariffs to take control of the island. During the Davos World Economic Forum in January, Trump said the U.S. had reached a deal with Greenland, and no further action would be taken to try to wrest control of the island from Denmark. Its a deal that everybodys very happy with," Trump told reporters. Its a long-term deal. Its the ultimate long-term deal. It puts everybody in a really good position, especially as it pertains to security and to minerals. He added that the agreement is a "deal thats forever." Shortly after the announcement, Greenland's prime minister said he was not clear on much of what Trump was referring to but said he was open to discussions, so long as they did not involve violating the island's sovereignty. "I don't know what there is in the agreement, or the deal, about my country," he told reporters in January. "We are ready to discuss a lot of things and we are ready to negotiate a better partnership and so on. But sovereignty is a red line." Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump on Thursday hosted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for a face-to-face meeting, just days after attacking him during his State of the Union speech on Tuesday. Mamdanis visit was not on Trumps public schedule for the day, and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the timing or substance of the planned meeting. But Mamdani confirmed the sit-down afterwards in a post on X in which he called it productive and added that he was looking forward to building more housing in New York City. Accompanying the brief statement was a photograph of him and Trump behind the iconic desk hewn from timbers salvaged from H.M.S. Resolute, with the president holding a pair of New York Daily News front pages. One was a reproduction of a famous Daily News front page from October 30, 1975 which read FORD TO CITY: DROP DEAD in reference to then-president Gerald Fords pledge to veto any federal bailout of the cash-strapped metropolis. Mamdani called his second meeting with Trump 'very productive' ( New York City Mayor's Office ) The other was a mock-up in the same style with a photo of Trump and the accompanying headline TRUMP TO CITY: LETS BUILD indicating that Trump had backed a new era of housing. A smaller headline read: Trump Delivers 12,000+ Homes and Most Since 1973. The ersatz newspaper appeared to invoke Trumps own family history. His father, Fred Trump Sr., was a prolific builder whose construction company built and sold thousands of single-family homes in Queens plus apartment buildings in Brooklyn as well as up and down the East Coast from the 1930s onward. The surprise trip by the Big Apple mayor comes on the heels of him being on the receiving end of barbs from Trump, who called him the new communist mayor of New York City during an extended riff on the alleged popularity of a GOP voter identification bill which critics say would make it harder for many Americans to cast ballots this fall. I think he's a nice guy. I actually speak to him a lot bad policy, but nice guy, Trump said before suggesting that Mamdani is a hypocrite for not supporting voter ID even though the city government requires people to present identification and a social security card to comply with federal immigration and tax laws before they can receive payment for shoveling snow. Trump, a native New Yorker who was born and raised in Queens, previously hosted Mamdani for a White House visit in November, shortly after the 34-year-old was elected to become the 112th mayor of the countrys most populous city. The president, who had for months assailed the ex-New York State assemblyman as a communist and suggested that the government would retaliate against New Yorkers if they elected him over ex-governor Andrew Cuomo and perennial GOP candidate Curtis Sliwa, shocked reporters by treating the then-mayor-elect warmly and predicting that the self-described Democratic Socialist would be a really great mayor for their shared home city. Seated behind his desk in the Oval Office while Mamdani stood next to him during what became a half-hour love-fest between the two men on November 21, Trump told reporters hed congratulated his hometowns next chief executive and pledged to help him bring prices down for New Yorkers. I think you're going to have, hopefully, a really great mayor the better he does, the happier I am, Trump said. I will say there's no difference in party. There's no difference in anything, and we're going to be helping him to make everybody's dream come true, having a strong and very safe New York. The astonishingly convivial photo opportunity then morphed into a question-and-answer session with White House reporters and select MAGA influencers who were brought into the room to witness the moment, with multiple questioners attempting to bait the men into attacking each other. Asked about his previous comments calling Mamdani a communist including one posted to Truth Social just one day ago Trump implied that Mamdanis views might change in the future and predicted that the youngest mayor-elect in New York history is going to surprise some conservative people. When the mayor-elect was similarly pressed on past comments in which hed called Trump a despot, the president jumped to Mamdanis defense by telling reporters: I've been called much worse than a despot, so it's not that insulting. And after another reporter pushed Mamdani to say whether he was affirming prior comments in which he referred to the president as a fascist, Trump came to the rescue once more and implied that he did not have a problem with the attack. Thats OK you can just say yes, Trump said. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Belgium will install an air-defence system at Europes second biggest port, Port of Antwerp, according to local media reports. The report by Belgian newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen, citing Prime Minister Bart De Wever, follows multiple drone sightings last year that forced temporary closures of airports and a military airbase. Drones were also spotted over the port itself, including above nuclear power plants, the BASF chemical site, and the Europa terminal. "An air-defence system is coming to the port of Antwerp. It's a Nasams type and has already been ordered," De Wever said at a yearly Community Meet-Up of the port of Antwerp-Bruges. The defence ministry expects the first battery to arrive in 2027. The system is designed to protect against fighter jets, drones, or other short-range threats. A Defence Ministry spokesperson declined to provide specific details on the plans - first reported by Belgian media - citing operational security reasons but added that the system will be ordered soon. open image in gallery The system is designed to protect against fighter jets, drones or other short-range threats ( Associated Press ) A port spokesperson said the deployment reflects the strategic importance of the hub: "Given the importance of our port as an economic engine of Belgium, it is essential that the port is protected and secured, both digitally and physically." Port of Antwerp is the second-largest seaport in Europe, and handles 290 million tonnes of cargo annually, serving as a major hub for container, breakbulk, and chemical transport. According to the 2025 annual report by the European Union Drugs Agency, more drugs flowed through Antwerps port than any other European facility. Belgium faced multiple drone sightings and disruptions in 2025, including drones over the Port of Antwerp in November 2025. Maritime police spotted drones over the port after receiving several reports. Port of Antwerp-Bruges spokesperson Lennart Verstappen said at the time: "Every month, we receive an average of 200 drone flight requests over the port, for example, on behalf of companies. These requests are made through a standard procedure". open image in gallery Belgium faced multiple drone sightings and disruptions in 2025, including drones over the Port of Antwerp in November 2025. ( Associated Press ) Liege airport was forced to temporarily halt flights twice in a week due to a drone sighting in November 2025. The disruption came just three days after drone sightings in the capital, Brussels, and in Liege forced the diversion of many incoming planes and the grounding of some due to depart. Sightings of drones over airports and military bases have caused major disruptions across Europe in recent months. Authorities in some countries have linked Russia to the incidents, saying they form part of Moscows hybrid warfare campaign against Europe. Moscow has denied any connection to the incidents. New Zealand communities celebrate Chinese New Year with gala, seaside carnival Xinhua) 14:59, February 26, 2026 AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese communities across Auckland celebrated the Chinese New Year with a series of vibrant cultural events, highlighting the festive spirit of the Year of the Horse and showcasing the growing interest in Chinese culture in New Zealand's multicultural society. Festivities included both the sixth Chinese Lunar New Year Online Gala in New Zealand and a large-scale seaside carnival held at Takapuna Beach, drawing participation from community groups, artists and residents of diverse ethnic backgrounds. The online gala, jointly organized by the Chinese Culture Association NZ and Pacific Culture and Arts Development Association, was broadcast globally on multiple digital platforms, bringing together performers from New Zealand, China and Australia. The four-hour program featured music, dance, instrumental performances, comedy, recitation and multimedia presentations, reflecting both traditional heritage and contemporary creativity. During the weekend, the "Happy Chinese New Year" carnival transformed Auckland's landmark Takapuna beach into a lively festival ground filled with performances, traditional crafts and Chinese cuisine, as thousands gathered to celebrate. With the scenic backdrop of the Hauraki Gulf and Rangitoto Island, visitors enjoyed stage performances, cultural demonstrations and interactive activities. A dancing robot performance became a major attraction, illustrating the fusion of innovation and tradition. The event also featured demonstrations of intangible cultural heritage, including traditional dragon beard candy making and live noodle-making shows, alongside popular foods such as dumplings, lamb skewers and Chinese tea. Specialty products from different regions of China were also displayed, allowing visitors to experience Chinese culinary culture firsthand. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Two British men have been arrested in Spain for allegedly staging a bizarre fake kidnapping to extort 725 worth of cash from a relative, police have said. The 51-year-old and 37-year-old man are said to have sent a family member a video that appears to show the alleged kidnapping victim covered in blood and being threatened with a knife. They demanded that the ransom be transferred into the abductors bank account or the alleged victim would be killed, according to police. The recipient of the video alerted British authorities to the supposed threat. An investigation began after police received a tip-off from Interpol that a British citizen had been kidnapped in Benidorm, a popular tourist city. Specialist units were called in from Madrid to help, but when officers arrived at the hotel where the supposed crime was taking place, they saw the two men strolling out of the building in a relaxed and amicable way, Diario de Alicante reported. open image in gallery ( AFP via Getty Images ) The men were arrested on suspicion of simulating a crime and for fraud. While they were being fingerprinted, officers discovered that the alleged kidnapper had provided a false name when he checked into the hotel and when arrested by police. He was subsequently charged with identity theft, according to Olive Press. Our investigation began after a tip-off from Interpol about the possible abduction of a British national in the resort, a spokesperson for Alicante police told the Daily Mail. A relative of the man who had apparently been kidnapped, who initially alerted authorities in the UK, said he had received videos in which the supposed victim was covered in blood and the alleged kidnapper was threatening him with a knife. Officers contacted British consular officials so they could provide the images they'd received from the tipster. The British authorities also provided recordings of conversations in which the kidnapper made ransom demands saying the man he had hostage would be killed if the money wasn't paid. After identifying the location of the hotel, police prepared for a rescue operation - and discovered the pair had checked in days earlier. The Independent has contacted Spains national police for an update. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Denmark is set to hold an early general election on 24 March, prime minister Mette Frederiksen announced on Thursday. Her decision comes as the nation continues to navigate the aftermath of US president Donald Trumps controversial interest in Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. Citizens across the Scandinavian country, a key member of both Nato and the European Union, will cast their votes for the Folketing, Denmarks parliament. The legislative body comprises 179 seats, with 175 allocated to representatives from Denmark itself, and two seats each for lawmakers from Greenland and the Faroe Islands, the kingdoms other semi-autonomous region. It is now up to you, the voters, to decide what direction Denmark will take over the next four years. And I am looking forward to it, Ms Frederiksen, 48, said during her parliamentary announcement. The past year presented a significant challenge for the Danish government, largely due to Mr Trump's pursuit of US control over Greenland. This culminated in his brief threat in January to impose new tariffs on Denmark and several other European nations if they failed to discuss the future of the island. open image in gallery Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen ( AP ) Ms Frederiksen hopes her firm and direct handling of the Greenland crisis will resonate positively with Danish voters. She recently issued a stark warning, suggesting that an American takeover of Greenland could ultimately lead to the dissolution of the Nato military alliance. Polls also show a bump in the popularity of the prime ministers Social Democrats during recent weeks, which were dominated by the looming Greenland crisis. Some Danish citizens have been so upset with the US presidents frequent talks about seizing Greenland that they participated in protests and even boycotted American goods in supermarkets. As she announced the election on Thursday, Ms Frederiksen said in parliament: This will be a crucial election for us, because in the next four years, we as Danes and as Europeans will really have to stand on our own two feet. We must define our relationship with the US. We must arm ourselves to ensure peace on our continent. We must keep Europe together, she added, referring to Russias ongoing war on Ukraine, which is now in its fifth year. PMs strict immigration policies After Mr Trump backed down on his Greenland threats in January, the US, Denmark and Greenland started technical talks on an Arctic security deal. Still, Ms Frederiksen made clear earlier this month that she remains wary about the Greenland issue. Asked at the Munich Security Conference whether the crisis had passed, she replied: No, unfortunately not. I think the desire from the US president is exactly the same. He is very serious about this theme. Frederik Hjorth, an associate professor for political science at the University of Copenhagen, said: The Greenland crisis has played a major part in the noticeable bump that the government parties have received over the last couple of months. While Mr Trump would likely not feature in a major way in the election campaign, he will be sort of a background theme in the campaign because that speaks to the government message of the importance of having competent people in charge. Ms Frederiksen, a centre-left Social Democrat, has become known for her strict immigration policies, which are among the toughest in Europe. open image in gallery Nuuk, the capital of Greenland ( AP ) In January, her government unveiled a legal reform allowing the deportation of foreigners who have been sentenced to at least one year of unconditional imprisonment for serious crimes. She pitched such ideas years before other countries on the continent tried to outsource asylum request procedures to third countries or set up return hubs for rejected asylum seekers outside the European Union. Beyond that, the cost of living in Denmark will probably also become a prominent campaign topic, Prof Hjorth said. A general election must be held at least every four years, but the prime minister can call one at any time. The last election was held on 1 November 2022 and resulted in a three-party coalition that crosses the left-right divide. Ms Frederiksen has led Denmark since mid-2019. She currently heads a government with the Liberal Party of defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen and the centrist Moderate party of foreign minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen, a former prime minister. If she gets re-elected, it would be her third term. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Police officers have arrested a 50-year-old Burundian man linked to a top general in connection with the murder of three Italian missionary nuns in Burundi's commercial capital Bujumbura more than 10 years ago. On Thursday, prosecutors in Parma said Guillaume Harushimana is suspected of having instigated, co-organised and logistically supported the murders of Olga Rachietti, 83, Lucia Pulici, 75, and Bernadetta Boggian, 79, in two separate attacks on September 7-8, 2014. The killings were ordered by General Adolphe Nshimirimana, then head of the Burundi secret police, who was assassinated in 2015. They were carried out via Harushimana, who was one of his aides, the prosecutors said in a statement. According to investigators, the nuns may have been killed for refusing to provide medical aid to Burundian militias deployed in Congo, disputes over the funding of a youth centre in Kamenge, or as part of a sacrificial rite. Prosecutors said four people were suspected of carrying out the killings: two made radio confessions, one described as the general's bodyguard was questioned in Parma and partially admitted the facts, and a fourth person who has not been identified. open image in gallery Italian nun Olga Raschietti (C), who was killed in Kamenge ( AFP PHOTO / MISSIONARIE DI MARIA-/AFP/Getty Images ) Burundi authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Harushimana could not be reached for comment. Italian prosecutors said they reopened investigations into the murders in 2024, thanks to leads from a book by investigative journalist Giusy Baioni, leading them to testimonies from other nuns who had not been heard by Burundian authorities. Harushimana's name had already emerged in connection with the murders, Italian prosecutors said, adding that he had obtained a travel visa to Italy in 2018 to attend a training course in the northern city of Parma. They said he was taken in for questioning at the time in Parma, but denied any involvement, claiming he had been outside Burundi at the time of the murders, and providing passport stamps as evidence of his absence from the country. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Russia has issued a stark warning that any deployment of British troops in Ukraine would prolong the conflict, rather than bring it to an end. The statement from Moscow comes after both France and Britain indicated an intention to send forces to Ukraine once a ceasefire with Russia is established. Maria Zakharova, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman, directly addressed recent comments made by Defence Minister John Healey. Mr Healey had written in a newspaper article: "I want to be the Defence Secretary who deploys British troops to Ukraine - because this will mean that this war is finally over. It will mean we have negotiated peace in Ukraine. And a secure Europe needs a strong, sovereign Ukraine." Responding to this, Ms Zakharova told reporters: "Contrary to Healey's misconception, the deployment of British troops to Ukraine will not mean the end of the war, but rather a prolongation of the conflict and an increase in the risk of a large-scale military confrontation involving many more states." She reiterated Russia's long-standing warning that it would consider any foreign troops on Ukrainian soil as legitimate targets. Speaking on the fourth anniversary of the war, Mr Healey said the war had been four years of failure for Putin ( Getty ) The Defence Secretary previously announced the UK will spend 200 million preparing British troops for deployment to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia. John Healey, who discussed plans for the Multinational Force Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelensky, said the money will pay for upgrades to vehicles and communications systems, counter-drone protection and other equipment to ensure troops are ready to deploy. Speaking on the fourth anniversary of the war, Mr Healey said the war had been four years of failure for Putin. He 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. Mr Healey added: 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. Rescue operations continue in Kharkiv as Kyiv says Moscow used new weapon in deadly attack On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice 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. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Four years ago, on February 24 2022, Russian president Vladimir Putin announced that his forces had begun a full-scale invasion of Ukraine the reasons for which we have explored here. Within minutes, explosions were heard in major Ukrainian cities as Russian troops flooded across the border. Russian forces made swift gains, capturing key areas near the capital of Kyiv. But the offensive soon stalled and, by December, Russia had been forced to withdraw its forces and consolidate in the east where the war has ground on ever since. We asked Stefan Wolff, Tetyana Malyarenko, Scott Lucas and Mark Webber, four regular contributors to the Conversation UKs coverage of Ukraine, for their take on the most surprising development of the war so far and its likely trajectory from here. A very traditional war with added drones Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham; Tetyana Malyarenko, Professor of International Security, and Jean Monnet, Professor of European Security, National University Odesa Law Academy For us, the most surprising development remains Moscows decision to launch a large-scale ground invasion of Ukraine in the first place. Even though many Russian and western analysts expected a swift Ukrainian defeat, this always seemed unlikely from the perspective of Ukraine. The mobilisation of Ukrainian society early on in the war testified to this and underlined that there was no realistic scenario under which the Kremlin could swiftly achieve its goals to oust President Volodymyr Zelensky and demilitarise and denazify Ukraine. open image in gallery A person stands at a makeshift memorial to fallen Ukrainian and foreign soldiers in Independence Square in Kyiv ( AFP/Getty ) Much less surprising was Russias transition to a war economy and a traditional war of attrition, which became a foregone conclusion as soon as Moscows plan for a victory parade in Kyiv within weeks of the full-scale invasion turned out to be a pipe dream. Combat methods have evolved over the past four years, especially regarding the integration of drones. Russia has exploited drone technology to attack the whole range of critical infrastructure in Ukraine, not just military targets. But the foundation of Russian and then Soviet military doctrine the use of mass armies and tactics of mass destruction has remained untouched. Moving forward, both sides have sufficient resources and external support to maintain the status quo. They will continue to fight each other in the hope of exhausting their opponent. But neither side is likely to reach this point of exhaustion soon. And until it does happen, political, economic and social stagnation in both Russia and Ukraine will continue to take its toll on their citizens. Putins hopes are pinned on Trump Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics, University College Dublin On the day the war broke out, I was in a discussion group of political and military analysts. When we got the news that Russian special forces had landed at the Hostomel airbase near Kyiv, each of us thought the capital would fall within a few weeks. However, four years have passed and Ukraine now controls more territory than it did in June 2022. This is despite facing the second-most powerful military in the world, Russias disinformation assault and political warfare trying to split Europe, and abandonment by the Trump camp. The Russian presidents unwillingness to give up his quest for Ukraine as part of a Greater Russia and the Trump camps willingness to sacrifice Ukrainian and European security are less of a surprise. Putin made clear in an essay in 2021 that this would be his legacy project. So any soundbites about peace around the corner particularly from Trumps envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are cynical declarations or wishful thinking. The Kremlin will not accept less than the seizure of all of the strategic Donetsk region, the rest of the country without effective security guarantees, and the fall of the Zelensky government. Putin cannot accept less because this would be the failure of his project at the cost of 1.3 million casualties and counting. His hope is that Trumps envoys will enable him to achieve what he cannot on the battlefield. The Trumpists do not believe in alliance but in transactional relationships, which is why the Kremlin is now dangling joint economic projects in front of the US government. But, irrespective of this, I see no change in the wars trajectory in the near future. A negotiated end to the invasion is close to impossible because of the Kremlins quest for victory through Kyivs capitulation. That capitulation is unlikely. open image in gallery Ukrainian servicemen walk through a charred forest at the frontline, a few kilometres from Andriivka ( AP ) Russia has made only marginal advances on the ground. And Zelensky is maintaining his line over sovereignty, territory and security. Although Ukraines energy infrastructure has been seriously damaged, most Ukrainians support continued resistance. While cumbersome in its support, which has been complicated by pro-Kremlin figures like Hungarys Viktor Orban and Slovakias Robert Fico, the EU is also stepping up its backing of Kyiv and partially filling the gap that has been left by Trump. The Kremlin is facing a tightening of economic constraints on its quest. It is cutting social spending and increasing taxes to maintain the war. However, as there has been no widespread public pressure domestically that could curb the Kremlins ambitions, the invasion will grind on. Two ways to overcome the stalemate Mark Webber, Professor of International Politics, University of Birmingham For me, the biggest surprise so far has been the resilience and adaptability of the Ukrainian war effort. Most observers, myself included, assumed in 2022 that the Ukrainians would buckle under the Russian onslaught. Nato-led training programmes have undoubtedly been important for Ukrainian defenders. But seemingly more vital has been the determination provided by national identity. Putins 2022 claims that Ukraine had been committing genocide against Russian speakers and that its government was a neo-Nazi dictatorship were both spurious and counterproductive. About the authors Stefan Wolff is a Professor of International Security at the University of Birmingham. Mark Webber is a Professor of International Politics at the University of Birmingham. Scott Lucas is a Professor of International Politics, Clinton Institute at University College Dublin. Tetyana Malyarenko is a Professor of International Security, Jean Monnet Professor of European Security at the National University Odesa Law Academy. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. I too believe Russias war methods in Ukraine were grimly predictable. Waves of infantry assaults designed to overwhelm defences through sheer volume have been a recurring strategy in previous Russian military campaigns in Chechnya, Georgia and Syria. But this strategy has resulted in a stalemate in Ukraine with the frontlines effectively frozen. There are two things that could alter this. The first is a change of approach by China, which has effectively subsidised Russias war effort through technology transfers and energy purchases. Beijing could cut off some of the technology it provides Russia and exert pressure on Moscow to encourage flexibility in the peace negotiations. But, at present, it has no interest in abandoning Russia. Their alliance is a way of balancing the US and Nato in the global competition for influence. The second possible agent of change is a massive armament effort on behalf of Ukraine. This would require Germany, France and Britain to boost already significant arms provisions and to allow their use in a manner that is not constrained by fears of escalation. However, this scenario also seems unlikely. These three countries lack the domestic political imperative to back Ukraine to victory. And the US, which was overly cautious even under the presidency of Joe Biden, has now left the field of battle. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Vatican has unveiled a new postage stamp honouring Ukraine's Catholics, featuring a striking image of Kyiv's Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ during a blackout. This design marks an unusually pointed reference to the daily struggles faced by Ukrainians amid the ongoing war. Typically, the Vatican Postal Service avoids political themes in its stamp designs, usually opting for religious figures or holidays. However, this new stamp, released during the week of the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion, depicts the cathedral darkened by a lack of electricity but illuminated by an evening sky. Blackouts have become a common experience across Ukraine as Russia continues to target the country's energy infrastructure. Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, who leads Ukraine's four million Eastern-rite Catholics, described the stamp's release at a Vatican event as "a great moment of consolation." open image in gallery The new stamp, issued in the week that marks the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion, depicts Kyiv's Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ darkened by a lack of electricity but illuminated from behind with the orange glow of an evening sky ( Reuters ) "We really feel embraced by the Holy See for this particular attention to our history, to our life in this tragic moment of war," Shevchuk said, speaking Italian. The Vatican stamp was released to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the restoration of Kyiv's Catholic diocese after the fall of the Soviet Union and the 12th anniversary of the cathedral's construction. The cathedral has also served as a bomb shelter during the war. Shevchuk called it a "centre of resistance". Around 10 per cent of Ukrainians belong to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, which follows Eastern rites but recognises the authority of the pope and is in communion with Rome. A majority of Ukrainians are Eastern Orthodox. open image in gallery The Vatican stamp was released to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the restoration of Kyiv's Catholic diocese after the fall of the Soviet Union and the 12th anniversary of the cathedral's construction ( Reuters ) Pope Leo made an impassioned appeal on Sunday for peace in Ukraine, saying an end to the war with Russia "cannot be postponed". The US is trying to broker a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv but so far without success. Tens of thousands of tourists visit the Vatican daily. Many buy stamps at Vatican post office branches, including in St. Peter's Square, often to send postcards home. The new stamp carries a value of 1.35 euros ($1.60), the cost of delivery of a regular-size letter to destinations across Europe. The Vatican, a tiny sovereign state within Rome, has maintained an independent postal service since 1929. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Indian prime minister Narendra Modi told Israels parliament on Wednesday that New Delhi stood with it "with full conviction" as he offered condolences over the October 2023 Hamas attack. Mr Modi received a rousing welcome from Israeli lawmakers at the start of his two-day visit as he promised friendship, respect and partnership with the Mideastern country at a time when its global standing has suffered because of the war in Gaza. "Like you, we have a consistent and uncompromising policy of zero tolerance for terrorism, with no double standards," he told the Knesset, where he received a standing ovation after a 30-minute speech. Mr Modi added: Let us ensure that the friendship between India and Israel remains a source of strength in an uncertain world." Both Mr Modi and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also addressed the parliament, spoke of terrorist attacks that their nations had faced, with the latter saying India and Israel both faced the challenge of confronting "radical Islam". Some opposition lawmakers briefly walked out of the special session, protesting at the speaker's decision not to invite the head of the Supreme Court, but returned for Mr Modi's remarks. Mr Netanyahu's right-wing government, which the speaker belongs to, has had a confrontational relationship with the court. Mr Modi, the leader of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, became the first prime minister in India's history to visit Israel in 2017, during which he and Mr Netanyahu took a barefoot stroll on a beach in the northern port city of Haifa. Still in power nearly nine years later, the two leaders are expected to hold talks on artificial intelligence as well as defence at a time when Israel is seeking to increase its military exports. The Indian leader was greeted at the airport with a hug from Mr Netanyahu, who later introduced Mr Modi to the Knesset as Narendra, my dear friend". Ive never been more moved than by your visit here with us, said Mr Netanyahu, calling Mr Modi a great friend of Israel, a great champion of the Israel-India alliance and a great leader on the world stage. open image in gallery India's prime minister Narendra Modi is greeted by Israeli lawmakers after his speech to the Knesset on 25 February 2026 ( AFP via Getty ) The visit is likely to give Israel a boost after seeing relations with many of its allies deteriorate over its prosecution of the war in Gaza. An Israeli government official told Reuters that Mr Modi's visit would "pave the way for new partnerships and collaborations across many fields. Bilateral ties were on the cusp of a significant upgrade, an Israeli foreign ministry official said. Mr Modi's visit to Israel underscored how much closer Israel-India relations had grown during his tenure. His governments embrace of Israel has marked a shift in the foreign policy of India, which has historically supported the Palestinians. India did not establish full diplomatic ties with Israel until 1992 and Mr Modis visit aims to strengthen security, economic and technological cooperation between the two countries. In addition to being a powerful ally, India is also Israels second-largest trading partner in Asia. Total trade between India and Israel was valued at $3.6bn in the 2025 fiscal year, according to India's commerce ministry. Mr Modi had been one of the first global leaders to swiftly express solidarity with Israel following the October 2023 attack, which triggered Israel's war on Gaza. You didnt flinch. You didnt waver. You didnt give excuses, Mr Netanyahu said as he thanked Mr Modi for his support. You stood next to Israel. You stood by Israel. In turn, Mr Modi affirmed Indias strong support for the US ceasefire plan for Gaza that was endorsed by the UN Security Council last year. It lays out plans for ending Hamas rule, disarming the militant group, rebuilding the territory and withdrawing Israeli troops with only a vague commitment to possible Palestinian statehood. We believe that it holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people of the region, including the Palestine issue, Mr Modi said. His visit to the Middle East also comes at a time when the US has deployed a vast naval force near Iran's coast ahead of possible strikes on the Islamic Republic, with the two countries at an impasse in talks over Tehran's nuclear programme. The US has also deployed an aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean, bound for Israel's coast. A US attack on Iran could draw Iranian retaliation against Israel as well as US military facilities in Gulf Arab countries, where millions of Indians live and work and send home billions of dollars in remittances each year. In his speech to Israeli lawmakers, Mr Modi vaguely spoke about the challenges facing stability in the region, acknowledging that the landscape had become more challenging in recent years, but made no mention of the US military build-up, or of Iran. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice US and Iranian officials met for a third round of indirect talks in Geneva on Thursday to resolve their longstanding nuclear dispute amid Donald Trumps mounting threats of a military strike against Tehran. The two nations renewed negotiations this month in a last-ditch effort to find a diplomatic solution to the decades-long stand-off over Tehran's nuclear program, as the Trump administration imposed sweeping new sanctions and continued to build up its military presence in the Middle East. Irans foreign ministry said it was entering a third round of talks with seriousness and flexibility, stressing negotiations would only focus on nuclear topics and sanctions removal. Washington has pushed to expand talks to cover Irans missile stockpiles, support for armed groups and the treatment of their own people. US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, joined indirect talks with Irans foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, in Switzerland. The talks follow discussions in Geneva last week and will be mediated by Oman's foreign minister, Badr al-Busaidi. A deal is within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority, Araqchi said in a statement on social media, ahead of talks, while reiterating that Iran would not give up its right to peaceful nuclear technology, which Washington views as a potential pathway to nuclear weapons. open image in gallery Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L) meets his Omani counterpart in Geneva ahead of indirect talks on Thursday ( Omani Foreign Ministry ) US vice president JD Vance on Wednesday accused Iran of attempting to rebuild its nuclear program after US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites last June. Iran cant have a nuclear weapon. That would be the ultimate military objective, Vance told Fox News. In fact, weve seen evidence that they have tried to do exactly that As the president has said repeatedly, he wants to address that problem diplomatically, but of course the president has other options as well. Trump also raised the stakes as he claimed Iran was building missiles that would soon be able to reach the US during a rambling State of the Union address this week. After talks in Geneva earlier this month ended without clear resolution, Trump said he would prefer to resolve the crisis by diplomatic means - but would not allow Tehran to have a nuclear weapon. The president first threatened to bomb Iran last month as the government increased its crackdown on anti-government protests, and has since raced two aircraft carriers and dozens of jets to the region in a huge show of force. Trump warned on Monday that it would be a very bad day for Iran if no deal was reached to solve a longstanding dispute. Iran has threatened to strike American bases in the region if it is attacked. open image in gallery In this satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC, the headquarters of the US Navy's 5th Fleet is seen in Manama, Bahrain, on Saturday ( Planet Labs PBC ) An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson responded to the allegations by accusing the US of repeating big lies regarding its nuclear program, ballistic missiles and the number of protesters killed in the crackdown. US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, speaking in Saint Kitts and Nevis, said the Geneva talks would centre largely on Irans nuclear program. He reiterated Washingtons concerns over Tehrans ballistic missile activities, warning that Iran was seeking to develop them into intercontinental-range weapons. Beyond just the nuclear program, they possess these conventional weapons that are solely designed to attack America and attack Americans if they so choose to do so...They already possess weapons that can reach much of Europe already now, as we speak, Mr Rubio said. The Trump administration has been assembling a massive military force in the Middle East, prompting fears of a wider regional conflict. In June last year, the US joined Israel in hitting Iranian nuclear sites, in a strike which Trump claimed had obliterated the country's nuclear facilities. Mr Trump said on 19 February that Iran must make a deal in 10-15 days, warning that really bad things would otherwise happen. open image in gallery US President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the Capitol on 24 February ( Getty ) The US Treasury Department has unveiled sweeping sanctions targeting more than 30 individuals, entities and vessels accused of bankrolling Irans oil exports, ballistic missile program and weapons manufacturing network. Tehran was reportedly offering fresh concessions in exchange for sanctions relief and recognition of its right to enrich uranium, as it seeks to avert a US attack. However, the two sides remain deeply divided, including over the scope and sequencing of relief from crippling US sanctions, a senior Iranian official told Reuters. Inside Iran, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei faces what is seen as the gravest crisis of his 36-year rule, with the economy buckling under tightened sanctions and renewed protests following major unrest and a bloody crackdown in January. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, is also expected to be in Geneva during the talks for discussions with both sides, as he did last week. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Senior advisers to Donald Trump would privately prefer Israel to strike Iran first as a sharp response from Tehran would make it easier to justify US intervention, according to a report. Two people familiar with talks on the matter told Politico that there is an assessment at the highest levels that Americans would be more likely to support the US supporting an ally than picking a fight with Iran without clear provocation. Recent polling showed 56 per cent of the American public has little or no trust in Mr Trumps judgment regarding the use of force overseas, reflected in a disapproval rating that has risen four points in the last month alone. open image in gallery Flames rising from an oil storage facility in Tehran struck by Israeli missiles ( AP ) Theres thinking in and around the administration that the politics are a lot better if the Israelis go first and alone and the Iranians retaliate against us, and give us more reason to take action, one of the sources told Politico under the condition of anonymity. Both sources told the outlet that if Mr Trump does opt for a military campaign, the most likely scenario would involve bilateral US-Israeli action, similar to the strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure last summer. A US official told Reuters that the US has already sent a dozen F-22 fighter jets to Israel, the first time Washington has deployed combat aircraft to the country for potential wartime operations. The Trump administration has not formally announced the deployment. open image in gallery Donald Trump shakes hands with Benjamin Netanyahu at a press conference in December ( Getty ) Mr Trump has said that he would prefer a diplomatic outcome to the crisis, but has kept the option of force on the table, moving two aircraft carriers and accompanying destroyers to the region in a show of force. The USS Gerald R Ford, the largest US aircraft carrier, left port near Crete on Thursday bound for shores near Haifa in northern Israel, where it is expected to arrive on Friday. The large US deployment has raised fears of a wider regional conflict. In June last year, the US joined Israel in hitting Iranian nuclear sites. Iran has threatened to retaliate fiercely if attacked again. open image in gallery USS Abraham Lincoln pictured in the Arabian Sea on Wednesday ( Copernicus Sentinel-2 ) Washington is pushing Tehran to make a deal to limit its nuclear programme, which it claims is aimed at building a nuclear weapon. Iran denies the allegations, but said it would approach ongoing talks in Geneva with seriousness and flexibility. Mr Trump raised tensions last Thursday when he said that Iran would have to make a deal within 10 to 15 days or really bad things would happen. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that Iran aimed to achieve a fair, swift deal, but reiterated that it would not forgo its right to peaceful nuclear technology. Washington views nuclear enrichment inside Iran as a potential pathway to nuclear weapons. Get Travel Insider with Simon Calder. A newsletter packed with tips, deals, inspiration, and the latest travel news Get the Travel Insider newsletter with Simon Calder Get the Travel Insider newsletter with Simon Calder Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice From mooring up alongside historic landmarks in the centre of a city to exploring vineyards, there are plenty of benefits to a river cruise. Guests are spoiled for choice with routes on iconic rivers such as the Danube, the Seine and the Nile offered by luxury and more budget-friendly cruise lines. Most river cruise lines provide onboard talks and include food, excursions and often tips in their prices. There are around 27 river cruise lines, according to industry data from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and river cruise options will grow from next year when Celebrity Cruises enters the market. With so much choice of cruise line and waterways, it can be hard to choose the best river cruise for your budget and interests. Consumer watchdog Which? has released its latest cruise passenger survey, helping passengers find the best line for their budget. In October and November 2025, a panel of more than 1,400 cruise passengers and the general public were asked about their experiences of cruise holidays in the past two years. Cruise lines were scored on factors such as customer service, passenger-to-space ratio, food, cabin quality, the itinerary and value for money. An overall customer score was given based on satisfaction and their likelihood to recommend the brand. Here are the best river cruise lines, according to passengers. The top rated river cruise line open image in gallery Cruise editor Marc Shoffman sailed with Avalon Waterways in Bordeaux in March 2025 ( Marc Shoffman ) Passengers rated Avalon Waterways as the best river cruise line, with a score of 86 per cent. It is one of the more expensive options with an indicative price of 651 per person per night. The Swiss brand, which sails on rivers in regions such as Bordeaux, Provence and the Peruvian River, got top scores for its customer service, cabin quality, cleanliness and food and drink. The report praised the cruise lines high-end cabins and super attentive service, highlighting its Egyptian cotton sheets, marble bathrooms and floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that open into balconies. The cheapest river cruise line open image in gallery CroisiEurope is one of the cheapest ways to do a river cruise but still scores highly among passengers ( Marc Shoffman ) CroisiEurope was found to be the cheapest river cruise line, with an indicative price of 531 per person per night. It still ranks well though, with a customer score of 77 per cent. The family-owned independent brand mainly sails on the continents major rivers including the Rhine, Seine and Danube but it has recently extended to more exotic destinations such as the Ganges and the Mekong. The report highlights decent French food, free cocktails and a family feel onboard. It said: You wont feel like youve scrimped with this budget-friendly river cruise particularly when it comes to a tipple. open image in gallery The best river cruise lines, according to Which? readers ( Which? ) Which? Recommended Providers The consumer watchdog also has its own Which? Recommend Provider (WRP) rating for the cream of the crop. It is given to cruise lines with the highest scores and most transparent information on extras such as gratuities, excursions and drinks at the booking stage. Two cruise lines gained this accolade: Uniworld and Scenic. Uniworld, which scored 84 per cent, was praised for the boutique hotel concept on the water. The report said: The result is Baroque-style staterooms dripping with Murano glass and gilded splendour. Farm to ship food, sourced from the surrounding countryside, is equally well presented. Theres a butler service for each suite, and you wont have to put your hand in your pocket the whole trip not even to tip staff. The river cruise line was described as an excellent all-inclusive choice for your next river cruise if luxury and style are important to you. Scenic was also given a WRP rating. The luxury river cruise line was found to be the most expensive at 710 per person per night and scored 82 per cent, with high scores for customer service and cleanliness. Which? suggested luxury touches such as sun terraces and Dyson hairdryers, as well as exclusive excursions to cultural sites, make Scenic worth the splurge for a special occasion holiday with all the trimmings. Read more: The best river cruises around the world Marco Rubio said the US will respond appropriately after Cuban forces killed four people and wounded six others aboard a Florida-based speedboat on Wednesday (25 February). The vessel entered Cuban waters and opened fire on a Cuban patrol, the Cuban government said. Speaking to reporters in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, the US Secretary of State described the incident as highly unusual, and something, frankly, that hasnt happened with Cuba in a very long time. He added: Im very, very confident that we will know the full story of what happened here and we will know it soon, and then we will respond appropriately based on what that information tells us. It is 25 years since there was a Clinton in the White House, yet the diehard Democrat power couple still have a habit of ending up in the headlines. The release of the Epstein files has induced Bill and Hillary to testify in an investigation in Congress. That milestone marks a stinging defeat for a couple who, only a month ago, were furiously presenting their refusal to testify as a striking counter-blow against the manipulation of the justice system in the Maga era. The Clintons semi-royal political style always has a tendency to conflate their own interests with the national story: Every person has to decide when they have seen or had enough and are ready to fight for this country, its principles and its people, no matter the consequences, they wrote in a lengthy letter to James Comer, the chair of the House Oversight Committee, explaining early reluctance to testify before a staunchly Republican chair and several other members close to Trump. For us, now is that time. And yet here we are Hillary will appear by remote link to the committee today, and her husband tomorrow. Her opening statement, which she shared on social media, said she had no idea of Epsteins crimes and called for Trump to be questioned. The enmity between Hillary, in particular, and Trump also runs deeply personally. In 2016, she saw her dream of becoming the first female president and cementing a dynastic grip on American power dissolve under the barrage of the Trump campaign that upended US politics. A no-holds-barred campaign showed her struggling to shake off a snobbish comment about Trump supporters being a basket of deplorables with extremist views, while the Trump campaign leveraged conspiracy theories and attacks on crooked Hillary in a campaign that ended in her defeat. As I wrote at the time, that race was Hillary Clintons to lose and she lost it. To end up in another tussle in front of the public gaze at the behest of her nemesis, who has returned to the White House she coveted, must cut deep. Certainly, the attempt to have a couple on whom Donald Trump has long fixated, seeing them as the incarnation of the progressive internationalism he despises, answering invasive questions about any personal or institutional dealings with the convicted sex offender is political catnip to Maga Republicans. But it is also a sign that the Clintons no longer get things all of their own way. The Democratic Party, whose senior ranks were initially divided about supporting the Clintons opposition to giving testimony, has thrown its weight behind greater transparency as the horrors of the Epstein files emerged, and scalps have accumulated in Britain and beyond. Now, Democrat members of the Oversight Committee are keen to say that they do not intend to ask softball questions of the duo. The Clintons are sitting for separate depositions but both will be asked about Jeffrey Epstein ( AFP/Getty ) So far, Hillary Clinton has been adamant that she has no personal dealings with Epstein at all, while Bill Clinton has stuck to a well-trodden tale that his only involvement with the late sex abuser and traffickers was via donations for charities and taking flights from him as a donor to such causes. He will emphasise that he cut off contact with Epstein before his benefactor was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2009. But the suggestion that dealings with Epstein were not purely official is not helped by the release of pictures apparently showing the former president relaxing in a jacuzzi swimming pool alongside Ghislaine Maxwell, Epsteins enabler in procuring sexual services, now serving a long prison sentence for her role in supporting his crimes. Nothing released in the files incriminates the former president or suggests illegal activity. But the public ire over the contents release means that the Clintons have ended up where they least wanted to be in the sights of a Republican movement that wants to pin a bleak association with Epstein on wealthy Democrats and move on from awkward questions about the late paedophiles previous friendship with Donald Trump. For the Clintons, now both in their 70s and still actively engaged in their Global Initiatives across continents, this is a fight for their legacy and reputation. They remain lionised by centre-leftists recalling the good parts of his leadership transatlantic relations, personal charisma and electability. His downsides have been whitewashed by admirers his power-exploitative behaviour to younger women, Monica Lewinsky and others before her, would not now be so lightly excused as it was at the time, nor would previous accusations going back to his time as governor in Arkansas. Nor would Hillarys tendency to downgrade these matters as mere personal inconveniences be shrugged off. The entanglement of massively wealthy donors, supporting a wide range of global projects via the Clinton Foundation is also under scrutiny as the dramatic fallout from the release of the Epstein files (or at least the parts the US Department of Justice permits to be published) has brought the longstanding Clinton method of seeking to combine rich-world connections with progressive causes centre stage. A couple used to setting the terms of debate have been forced into speaking by remote link to a committee to exonerate themselves. That is a reversal they were reluctant to make and did so only after Congress toughened its stance, with a possible bipartisan vote that could hold them as being in contempt of the process. The initial reluctance to testify was an understandable reaction to a disclosure process driven by the Trump administration. But politics has moved on. Democrats need new models to advance their cause. In the present maelstrom, in which senior transatlantic figures, including today the head of the World Economic Forum at Davos, Borge Brende and Harvard president Larry Summers, have resigned public roles for having links to Epstein, the political power duos aversion to opening up about a connection to donations from Epstein to campaign in the 1990s looked avoidant. Even this appearance has been subject to last-minute hard bargaining to avoid the unwelcome impression that this hearing is really about putting the Clintons on trial. Two lawyers retained by the couple will be in attendance, with a research back-up team, and the depositions will be taken from their home in upstate New York beginning with Hillary on Thursday and her husband on Friday. That too has been a fraught negotiation there has always been ambiguity in the Clintons communications about whether they are in essence the First couple of yore or separate entities. Their legal teams were adamant that they should not appear together. It would look like the Macbeths were on trial, says one former campaign aide. And that is exactly what Trump wants. The Clintons can play politics too, however, and have driven their own bargain as to the areas the House Oversight Committee can explore in an agreement on the terms of taking part. They will raise alleged mismanagement of the federal governments investigation into Epstein and Maxwell (code for Trumps selective and partisan approach) and be asked about ways the federal government could better combat sex-trafficking rings. But there is a danger zone: how Epstein and Maxwell curried favour to protect themselves from enquiry into their dark deeds and why so many smart and powerful people failed to notice, or chose not to notice, that anything was amiss. That really does put an entire system of power, networks and evasions on trial, by no means only or mainly the Clintons, but now inescapably including them. Anne McElvoy is co-host of Politics at Sam and Annes podcast at Politico Diageo Plc cut its guidance for the second time this fiscal year as the British distiller struggles to revive demand in the US and China, in an early challenge for new Chief Executive Officer Dave Lewis. Shipping contracts may prove the key to unlock tariff refunds for Irish SMEs Irish exporters maybe able to offset duty paid wrongly last year QINGDAO, CHINA - OCTOBER 1, 2025 - The cargo ship is loading and unloading containers for export to Pointe Noire Port in Africa at the Qianwan Container Terminal in Qingdao Port, Shandong Province, China on October 1, 2025 (Photo credit should read CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images) Donal O'Donovan Thu 26 Feb 2026 at 06:30 Some Irish businesses that paid tariffs upfront on goods they shipped to the US can seek to set that off against this years bills, or seek to recoup the funds through Irish rather than US courts, an international commercial lawyer has flagged. The US ambassador to Ireland has moved to downplay concerns about the impact of geopolitical disruptions, such as Americas shifting tariff policies, telling business leaders hes annoyed by the narrative around the impact of uncertainty. Darkness always comes out when you drink too much. It starts off as fun. Then its fun and problems. Then its problems and fun. Then its just problems: Foy Vance The Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has said he is prepared to commission an independent governance review of some of the issues raised by IFA last week, in a bid to break the deadlock of IFAs protest at Bord Bia, which is one month old this week. In a statement issued this evening, the Minister called on IFA to engage in the process in good faith and encouraged the five IFA members to end their protest inside the building. Last week IFA wrote to the board members of Bord Bia, setting out a review process based around seven areas. The Minister said many of the matters raised, particularly those relating to the Quality Assurance Scheme, could be addressed through a new Farmer Forum, one of several commitments agreed at a Food Vision stakeholder meeting he convened on February 13. However, the Minister acknowledged that not all of IFAs concerns fall within the scope of the Farmer Forum and that he is examining the option of commissioning an external, expert-led governance review to examine the remaining strands of the IFAs submission. I believe an external, independent and expert-led review will be crucial in resolving issues credibly and objectively, he said, adding that the Bord Bia board will meet next Monday, 2 March, to consider the proposal. He has suggested that, following that meeting, the board would not convene again until the review is complete. He also said there has been detailed direct engagement by his Department and IFA senior officials to discuss a potential compromise. I have spoken to the IFA President in recent days, and I believe there is an opportunity to bring a resolution to this. This protracted dispute is not in the best interest of the agri-food sector, the Minister said. The February 13 meeting, resulted in a series of agreed actions aimed at easing tensions. These include revisiting the focus on farmers experiences of quality assurance audits, establishing the Farmer Forum to improve engagement with Bord Bia, and launching a dedicated information campaign to better explain Origin Green and the Quality Assurance Schemes. He also said the Department of Agriculture and Food will undertake an initiative to enhance understanding of global supply chains for Irish food and drink and an understanding of labelling and food information for the consumer requirement. IFAs protest started on January 25, in response to revelations Dawn Farms imports Brazilian beef as part of its supply chain. Dawn Farms CEO Larry Murrin is also the Chairman of Bord Bia. And the Minister today reiterated his support for the Chairman. Mr Murrin appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Agriculture on 5 February and gave a robust and in-depth explanation in relation to the matters which have been raised, including Dawn Farms supply chain contingency. Mr Murrin continues to have my full confidence to serve as Chair of Bord Bia. The Board of Bord Bia will meet again next Monday, 2 March and they will be consulted on the proposal to establish an independently run governance review. Andrew McGinley says the time feels right as he winds up charity set up in memory of his three children Mr McGinley said the organisation had successfully fulfilled its purpose since it was founded five years ago Andrew McGinley with his children, Conor, Carla and Darragh Catherine Fegan Thu 26 Feb 2026 at 16:25 Andrew McGinley, whose three children were killed by their mother who was suffering from mental illness, has announced that the work of a charity established in their honour is coming to an end. Boy (14) becomes youngest person in Ireland to be charged with organised crime offence Three relatives of accused teenager also appear in court Stock image. Ken Foy Thu 26 Feb 2026 at 06:30 A teenage boy who only turned 14 last month has become the youngest person ever to be charged with a serious organised crime offence in Ireland. American man appeared in court on Wednesday, charged with murdering the Kerry farmer Janice Gaine sat at the back of the courtroom, holding on tightly to the two women sitting either side of her. Mike Gaines widow had positioned herself on the side of the public gallery nearest the door, but moved closer to the accused bench just before Michael Kelley was led into court. Luxury cars in driveway do not suggest couple are in financial difficulties, judge says Having failed to remove a number of residential cabins and other illegal developments on their gated property Frank and Sylvia Gaynor face imprisonment for contempt of court orders Stock image Ray Managh Thu 26 Feb 2026 at 18:37 Luxury cars parked in a Dublin couples driveway did not suggest they were in financial difficulties despite husband, plumber and taxi driver Frank Gaynor telling a judge he was broke. 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? Max Boot: US sleepwalking into a war with Iran without a clear rationale Regime change is unlikely to come from airstrikes so what is the objective? Rescue forces work at the site of an Iranian army helicopter crash in a fruit market in Isfahan, Iran. Photo: Iranian Red Crescent/Wana Max Boot Washington Post Wed 25 Feb 2026 at 06:30 The US military has assembled a formidable armada in the Middle East, including two aircraft carrier strike groups and dozens of additional aircraft. It is the largest array of US warplanes in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonalds recent remarks that Europes militarisation had gone from a creep to a gallop left many scratching their heads. That militarisation intensified after Russia began the biggest war on the continent since 1945. As the carnage in Ukraine enters its fifth year and indiscriminate attacks on civilian cities across the country continue, while Russia also carries out a proxy war on Western infrastructure, the defence of both Ukraine and Europe become more inseparable. Ms McDonalds opposition to the 90bn EU loan, 60bn of which is for weapons vital for Ukraines defence, puts her party on the same page as Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban on the issue. The Sinn Fein leader wants to see a greater focus on diplomatic solutions. Who wouldnt? But Russia has no interest in reining in its killing machine. To believe otherwise would be disingenuous. Its maximalist demands have left peace talks deadlocked. Marking the fourth anniversary of its invasion, the Kremlin announced that Western countries decision to intervene in the conflict meant it had become a much wider confrontation involving nations that Russia believes want to crush it. The intervention was to give Ukraine the means to defend itself and protect civilians in a country the Russian president has vowed to wipe off the map. Such comments are in keeping with the self-serving delusional narrative Moscow has been spinning. It grotesquely presents itself as the victim, but the soaring death tolls give the lie to these deeply cynical claims. There is no disguising its role as a brutal aggressor. Vladimir Putin has forced Europe to make security and the protection of borders an urgent priority. The US could intensify efforts to stop Russias shadow fleet and tighten sanctions Irish Defence Minister Helen McEntee has sought government approval for a new national maritime security strategy. It entails greater co-operation with neighbouring states and international partners in the area. The Cabinet is also mulling over joining a regional hub to monitor North Atlantic infrastructure. All of this speaks to the heightened threat Russia now presents. We remain neutral and non-aligned, yet co-operating with our neighbours in defending national interests and core values becomes more critical when all are clearly at risk. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the EU to set a date for his countrys accession to the bloc. He also appealed for clarification on the kind of post-war security guarantees his country can expect. His people have earned the right to both. US president Donald Trump has been driving putative peace initiatives. America has been very clear that they want this war to end, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has said. So if you want this war to end, then we should really do everything to put the pressure on the aggressor. To this end, the US could intensify efforts to stop Russias shadow fleet and tighten sanctions. With a resurgent and revanchist Russia on its doorstep, it would be remiss, if not irresponsible, for Europe not to double down on building both its resilience and defence. Living with a hearing impairment from an early age, Limerick graduate Siobhan Schous has defied expectations both in high-performance sport and in education. The 32-year-old Kilmore, County Clare native was born without a bile duct and had the first of many surgeries as a young baby, which included a liver transplant. Additional late evening or night services on the Fermoy-Mallow and Mitchelstown-Mallow Local Link routes to meet the growing demand and to help business owners in the locality have been requested by councillors. The issue was raised at a recent Northern Committee meeting by Fianna Fail councillor Frank OFlynn who tabled a motion requesting Cork County Council to call on Local Link to investigate and provide increased frequency of Local Link bus services from Fermoy/Mallow and Mitchelstown/Mallow routes in relation to the provision of the much-needed late evening/night services. Cllr OFlynn said the rural link service has been an outstanding success since it was first initiated several years ago. People who are in remote parts now have a facility to get to town, do their shopping and meet their friends. The facility from Fermoy to Glanworth into Rockmills into Kildorrery is absolutely brilliant and the bus is full morning noon and night. It has made people in rural Ireland self-sufficient, continued Cllr OFlynn. It has given them independence and a quality of life. It has been good for footfall in towns and villages. There are two people living in the Araglen area now going to Mallow College and this is possible because they are picked up in Fermoy town. It is a tremendous service. Is there any way to extend this service, especially at weekends, so people can go for a meal or late-night shopping. I would ask for a trial period. I would like the Local Link body to look at this. It would make a big difference to businesses, he added. Cllr OFlynn said a late bus for a few extra hours would make a big difference to the various towns and villages across the wider hinterland. You would have Mitchelstown, Mallow and Fermoy involved. People might stay on longer for a few extra hours especially on a Friday and Saturday night. I would like to see a late bus, coming back from Mallow to Fermoy or from Fermoy back to Mallow and the same for Mitchelstown. There is a big demand for weekend services. Fianna Fail councillor Pat Hayes who seconded the motion appealed for increased hours for the Local Link service. It is a fantastic service. It does need increased frequency. It is ideal to leave the car at home and to use the Local Link. Fianna Fail councillor Gearoid Murphy agreed that the expanded Local Link has been transformative, and he acknowledged the role played by former Transport Minister Eamon Ryan. I have not been shy in criticising many of his other decisions. A stopped clock is right twice a day and, in this case, certainly this is a very good initiative. Fine Gael councillor Kay Dawson said the nighttime economy in local areas has suffered in many areas due to the small number of taxis and increasing the hours on a weekend night could really make a big difference in the survival of many businesses. Senior Engineer, Sustainable Travel Unit, John Slattery said the Sustainable Travel Unit of Cork County Council will draft a letter for the approval of the elected members of the Kanturk-Mallow Municipal District to be sent on their behalf to the National Transport Authority (NTA) requesting increased frequency of Local Link bus services on the Fermoy-Mallow and Mitchelstown-Mallow routes including late evening or night services. Cork man Gearoid will become the next Leesider to chance his arm at the game of love on RTEs First Dates Ireland on Thursday night. The 37-year-old is matched with Rachel (32) from Monaghan, who hates weddings because they remind her that people are in love. The Monaghan woman has been single for 10 years but is Gearoids man-bun and beard combination what Rachel has been searching for? Also on Thursdays show, the self-proclaimed happily unmarried Gerry (64) from Meath bravely ventures out of his comfort zone to meet Tai chi instructor Bernie (70), who is also from the Royal County. Wicklows Moss (20) recently returned from Luxembourg and is matched with part-time bartender Ian (19), from Kildare. Rachel, 32, from Monaghan Both Moss and Ian are over 6ft in height, and until their date in front of the nation, neither one had dated anyone near their height. The question is whether the two students share more in common than their height and confidence? Finally, barman Jake (22) from Cabinteely is matched with fellow Dubliner Leah (22). Jake is looking for a lady who can put him in his place and Artanes fearless and forward Leah has a soft spot for the popular mullet-moustache combination, which Jake dons. The question is whether both of their dreams will come true. First Dates Ireland episode five airs on Thursday, February 26 at 9:35pm on RTE2. A Cork Judge has said that Irish people need to look at our society, when it comes to the dangers on our roads. Speaking while presiding over Mallow District Court, Judge Colm Roberts told a solicitor who was speaking on behalf of his client, who was stopped for driving unaccompanied, but had already paid the Fixed Charge Notice in relation to the issue. Cork TD John Paul OShea has said it is up to Neoen Renewables Ireland Limited to respond to An Coimisiun Pleanalas request for further information about its battery storage facility plans for a site west of Newmarket. In the summer of 2025, Cork County Council granted a 10-year planning permission to Neoen Renewables Ireland Limited for the project. Neoen, a renewable energy company received conditional permission for an energy storing facility in Curraduff, Newmarket. The plans consist of a 10-year planning permission for an energy storage facility of a 35-year lifespan at Curraduff. The planning permission comes with 28 conditions. Residents and local community groups have voiced strong objections against plans for a battery energy storage system (ESS) facility. One of the major points raised is the close proximity of the proposed facility to residential housing. Other key points of concern for residents include the potential effects on the biodiversity of the area and the health of the River Blackwater, in the case of potential battery leaks. Against this backdrop, An Coimisiun Pleanala have requested further detail on a range of issues from Neoen to be provided on or before May 5 this year. Fine Gael TD for Cork North West John Paul OShea said it is now up to Neoen Renewables Ireland Limited to respond to the queries. An Coimisiun Pleanala want clarity on several issues. From a public representative point of view, Cllr Murphy and I welcome the commission asking these very relevant questions because we were asking those questions when we made our submission to Cork County Council. Deputy OShea said Newmarket Environmental Protection Group, public representatives and residents have all done their bit on the ground. It is now up to Neoen to respond to the tough questions from An Coimisiun Pleanala before May 5. There has been a great community effort from the local community on this proposal, and the community are working as one on it. A statement issued to The Corkman on behalf of Newmarket Environmental Protection Group said: In relation to An Coimisiun Pleanalas recent query seeking further information from Neoen Renewables Ltd. through their agent GaleTech Energy Services, our Newmarket Environmental Protection Group have no requirement to make a further response at the moment until such time as An Coimisiun Pleanala receive the requested information from Neoen Renewables Ltd. My favourite room: Mum gasped. She later told me it was a shock to see how much of a doer-upper it was From empty shell to Home of the Year contender Darragh Adelaide stepped down from South Dublin County Council for personal reasons and will be replaced in April People Before Profit councillor Darragh Adelaide has stepped down from his role for personal reasons, and will be replaced by former TD Gino Kenny in South Dublin County Council (SDCC) this April. It came out of the blue and Im not celebrating because of the circumstances but Darragh stepped down and that was his choice, said Mr Kenny, who will represent Clondalkin in the local authority. Mr Kenny, has previously been elected into the council between 2009 to 2016. In 2016, he served as a TD for Dublin Mid-West before he lost his seat in the 2024 general election. Its just over ten years since I left SDCC. Ive had over a year since the general election, I was disappointed but I got on well. I didnt plan or expect to go back into electoral politics, that was not on my radar, he said. He said he hopes to revisit some issues like housing, drug reform and rent control when he is back in the council. Some of the issues are essentially the same I will be look at housing and public services in the area, he told the Irish Independent. "Theres a big issue coming up in the next few months with council rents and thats going to be big in the October budget almost 80pc of the calls I get have to do with housing, so that will be important. I will also bring up some of the same things I brought up on a national level like drug reform and work towards that. Mr Kenny said he hoped to continue the extraordinary work that Mr Adelaide had done in the council. He has done extraordinary work around anti-racism over the last two years and I hope to continue in the same vein in terms of that anti-racism work and dispelling some of the misinformation, he said. Bad actors are trying to stoke up division and hatred in our community and thats extremely important to challenge Ill be continuing the same work Darragh is doing around anti-racism. Its a privileged position to be able to represent the area you live in and the ordinary people who live in the county. In an online statement, People Before Profit said that Darragh Adelaide had resigned from the role for personal reasons. Darragh has been an exemplary councillor. He has represented and fought for his constituents and for working class people across SDCC, it said. "He has also played a central role in standing up to racism and the far right and building a vibrant antiracist movement in Dublin and beyond. People Before Profit has selected Gino Kenny to replace Darragh on SDCC. We are delighted that Gino has accepted this nomination. "We know he will work to represent the people of Clondalkin and will work with our other councillors on SDCC to ensure that there is a voice for radical change on the Council." Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme She maintains her innocence, judge, says solicitor After a car was found burnt-out on the side of a Cork mountain, two women appeared at Killarney District Court on charges of failure to give information. Margaret Avanso and Veera Dooley, both of Ballyspillane, were present in court before Judge David Waters. Both were questioned in relation to an incident related to dangerous driving and endangerment at Tesco, Killarney between 2.30pm to 2.45pm on December 20, 2024. The court first heard the case of Ms Avanso, who was visited on January 26, 2025 by Sergeant Joe OSullivan. The sergeant testified that he asked if she knew who drove the vehicle registered in her name on that date, to which she allegedly replied, Sure, how am I supposed to know that? Its three weeks ago. She then asked him to leave, said the sergeant. Solicitor Padraig OConnell noted his client said she provided all the information she had, as was her obligation. She maintains her innocence, judge, and thats it, he said. Judge David Waters convicted and fined her 400. I think she would have known very well who was driving her car on that day, he said. The court then heard the case of Ms Dooley, who was also visited by Sgt Sullivan during his investigation. He told the court he had asked her who was driving a vehicle registered in her name at the time of the incident. She replied that she had sold it to a scrapyard in Co Limerick for 800 three weeks earlier. She alleged she had contacted a buyer on Facebook Marketplace but had no receipt or evidence of any messages to this buyer, nor details of his name or business, the sergeant testified. The vehicle was found burnt out in Nad up the side of the mountain in County Cork on January 1, 2025, the court heard. Another garda testified that he saw the vehicle parked in Flesk Grove, Killarney about 15 minutes prior to the December 20 event. You see the vehicle parked up in Killarney when its supposed to be in County Limerick and then it shows burnt up in Nad, said the judge. He noted that Ms Dooley had provided an explanation. Although there was considerable doubt to the veracity of her story, the obligation was on the State to show if this statement was false, he said. I strongly suspect she was being less than truthful with the garda but I cant convict, the judge said. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme The group first assembled in Listowel in February 2024 The Listowel for Palestine group has marked its second year drawing attention to the slaughter in Gaza. The group, led by Dr Geraldine Rochford, first assembled at the square in Listowel on February 20, 2024 and marked two years of weekly demonstrations on Tuesday evening (February 24). The Palestinian people have taught the world that they will endure and they will overcome and we will continue to campaign for them until the illegal Israeli occupation ends with justice and accountability, Dr Rochford said. The groups demonstrations are aimed at raising awareness of the ongoing carnage in Gaza, recognised as a genocide by leading scholars, and the illegal Israeli settlements and violence in the West Bank. The group highlights that most Palestinians in Gaza are living in flimsy tents and lack essential food, water, hygiene facilities and medical aid due to Israels blockade. It has also raised awareness about how many Palestinians are jailed without any charge or trial, including Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, who remains in detention despite reports of his deteriorating health. A member of the group, Matt Mooney, told The Kerryman he has been highly disappointed with the national broadcasters reporting on Palestine. I am highly disappointed in recent times with RTEs and its reportage on the genocide in Gaza and the brutal and violent displacement of residents of the West Bank by settlers backed up by the Israeli regime soldiers, Mr Mooney said. He said RTE is far behind social media as a source of breaking news and this means that many Irish people are left in the dark as to what is occurring in Gaza. The stark reality of Gaza's long night of agony is not flashed on our screens, Mr Mooney said. Over the past two years, the Listowel group has raised money for organisations including Medical Aid for Palestinians. Members are also in contact with families on the ground in Gaza and continue to make donations to them. They have highlighted that the Government, despite its promises, has yet to enact the Occupied Territories Bill which would ban imports of goods and services from occupied territories. The group has gone to great lengths to encourage the boycotting of companies that do business in the occupied territories. Along with Kerry Friends of Palestine and Gaels against Genocide, the group is currently campaigning for the GAA to drop Allianz insurance. Allianz was among the companies named in a UN report as one of the insurers which invest large sums in shares and bonds implicated in the occupation and genocide, partly as capital reserves for policyholder claims and regulatory requirements, but primarily to generate returns. Members of the Listowel group have noted that hundreds of Gazans have died since the ceasefire of October 2025 was announced. They have called on Micheal Martin to not meet US President Trump on St Patricks Day. The Taoiseach will soon be off to the White House, as if all is well in the world, with a bowl of shamrock for the President of America who is the one winding up the clockwork mouse, Netanyahu, with weaponry that's vaporising Gazans out of existence, Mr Mooney said. The group has thanked the community and businesses of Listowel for their support. All are welcome to take part in its demonstrations in Listowel square between 6pm and 7pm every Tuesday. Margaret Hegarthy, Mary Horgan, Mary Keane, Bernie Daly, Margaret McAuliffe, Christy Walsh, Martha Woulfe, Eleanor Moran at the launch of the upcoming pre-Cheltenham fundraising night for Kerry Parents & Friends. Photo by John Kelliher. Christys Bar in Listowel will, on Wednesday, March 4, play host to an exciting and hopefully insightful Cheltenham Preview Night, where experts will be on hand to give their analysis and valuable betting insights ahead of the highly anticipated Cheltenham Festival which runs from March 10 to 13. The night will start at 8pm and, as usual, will be hosted by Pat Healy and Billy Keane. The impressive panel of racing experts taking part on the night includes Darragh OKeeffe (Jockey), Eoin McCarthy (Trainer), Mick Winters (Trainer), Eric McNamara (Trainer), Ryan McHugh (Paddy Power Racing Expert), Berkie Browne (Bookmaker), Pat Cash Healy, James O Flaherty, and Billy Keane. In addition, there will be a special live phone-in with David Casey, Assistant Trainer to leading Irish trainer Willie Mullins, offering further exclusive insights into this years runners and riders. The event will be in aid of the Kerry Parents & Friends Association (KPFA) charity, with over 30k raised for them over the course of the past three years through the event. Entry will cost 10 at the door, with all attendees enjoying charity betting opportunities sponsored by Betdaq and Browne Bookmakers as well as plenty of spot prizes to be won throughout the evening. Bernie Daly of Kerry Parents & Friends spoke to The Kerryman this week ahead of the event and revealed what the charity is hoping for, another big win as they had a few years ago, when they came away with a cool 20k winnings thanks to some savvy betting. Some of the service users are able to use bikes, and so they are able to go out on the Greenway, and so one of the things that the KPFA would like to have in the centre is one of those steel tech sheds where they can store these bikes. We dont know what size-wise yet, we want thats depending on how much we raise but itd be great to have somewhere to store them," she said. "At the moment, were just storing them in the centre itself, which isnt really ideal, let's be honest, as space is always at a premium there. Theyve got a treadmill in there too, and what theyre hoping is that they might be able to add a few bits more to this as well in the shed to make it a little mini gym that people could use, Bernie continued. "Itd be great if they could have a place where they could exercise rather than just sitting around all day, she added. Organisers have extended special thanks to Christy Walsh, Pat Healy, and JC O Shea for their dedication and assistance in coordinating the event. Mr Murphy on his way to receiving the award. A Beaufort man has been awarded for his efforts to advance inclusion, belonging and diversity across the engineering sector in Ireland. Danny Pio Murphy, a chartered engineer, was honoured with the Emerging Leader Award at the National Diversity & Inclusion Awards 2026. Mr Pio Murphy, who is associate director at DBFL Consulting Engineers, was recognised for embedding equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) practices within his company and across his industry. Accepting the award, Mr Murphy said his EDI work has always been personal to him. It comes from knowing what it feels like to question whether you belong in a space, Mr Murphy said. I also know the power of someone simply saying: You belong here. Sometimes leadership is about being that person for others, he added. The engineer said inclusion is not just a social responsibility but a professional imperative. Engineering is at the forefront of tackling challenges such as housing, climate change and sustainability. To solve these effectively, we need diverse perspectives and inclusive collaboration, Mr Murphy said. When people feel they belong, they thrive and when they thrive, our communities benefit, he added. Mr Murphy paid tribute to the colleagues, mentors and communities who supported him throughout his efforts, noting that the award reflects collective effort rather than individual achievement. As a founding member of DBFLs internal EDI team, Mr Murphy helped design and implement the companys first EDI Action Plan in 2020. This contributed to a transformation that saw DBFL achieve Gold Investors in Diversity Accreditation in 2025, a distinction held by only 28 organisations in Ireland. Mr Murphy also co-founded and now serves as chairperson of Engineers Irelands Inclusion and Diversity Society, helping to embed inclusive practices within the professional engineering body that represents 30,000 members and influences more than 75,000 engineers nationwide. He has also contributed to the development of the Association of Consulting Engineers of Irelands diversity and inclusion initiatives and governance framework, supporting over 120 member firms employing more than 5,000 professionals. Alongside his national EDI leadership, Mr Murphy leads complex transport and infrastructure projects, delivering strategic planning, modelling, appraisal and innovative scheme design at national, regional and local levels. The Beaufort engineer hopes the recognition he has received will encourage more young people, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, to see engineering as a profession where they can succeed, contribute and belong. The National Diversity & Inclusion Awards, hosted by the Irish Centre for Diversity, celebrate individuals and organisations driving meaningful change in workplaces and communities across the country. Bilal Aldarabe from Dura city in the West Bank, now living in Killarney, speaking at the Kerry premiere of the Oscar-nominated film The Voice of Hind Rajab. There was a good turnout in The Brehon Hotel on Sunday evening for the Kerry premiere of the Oscar-nominated film The Voice of Hind Rajab. Attendees at the Kerry premiere of the Oscar-nominated film The Voice of Hind Rajab in The Brehon Hotel on Sunday night. Attendees at the Kerry premiere of the Oscar-nominated film The Voice of Hind Rajab in The Brehon Hotel on Sunday night. The Brehon Hotel on Sunday evening played host to the Kerry premiere of the Oscar-nominated film, The Voice of Hind Rajab, the screening of which was presented and organised by the local Killarney for Palestine group. A Tunisian-French co-production, the film tells the true story of Hind Rajab, who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza. The film features real voice recordings between Hind and Red Crescent volunteers who attempted to rescue her, forming the emotional centre of the story. It has received nominations from all three major awards bodies, including the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes and most recently the BAFTAs, further cementing its reputation as a significant work of international cinema. On how the screening went, Killarney for Palestine said that the event was unavoidably emotionally overwhelming. We knew the real audio of Hind was a feature of this film. We knew this and yet somehow were still totally unprepared for how devastating this would actually be. There was no circumventing, no averting, we were right there in the room for the tortuous hours the Palestine Red Crescent Team desperately spent on the line with Hind, doing all they could to comfort her and reassure her that help was coming, the group posted on their social media. "We heard her small terrified little voice say how she was in the Butterfly class in school, we heard her describe her fear of the encroaching darkness, we heard her say the words Im dying...At one point, our brains momentarily tricked us into thinking there might be a happy ending to this story (though of course we knew the real outcome), as the red dot representing the ambulance, finally given clearance edged closer to her location on the map, only to abruptly stop, callously intercepted by the Israeli military." The closing scene with Hind and her little brother playing by the sea in Gaza was almost too much to bear but also, so perfectly rendered, the post continued. Going on, the group said that they feel great gratitude for all who attended the event and supported it. Through the premiere, over 2k was raised for the displaced families that the group supports in Gaza. They added that they are also going to make a contribution to the Hind Rajab Foundation. Cabinet is set to consider approval of a 700 million Enterprise Fleet Replacement Programme that would see eight new trains purchased for the DublinBelfast line, significantly increasing services through Drogheda and Dundalk. The proposal, brought to Cabinet by the Minister for Transport, represents the full sign-off required to progress the order with Swiss rail manufacturer Stadler Rail. If approved, it would mark the most significant upgrade to cross-border rail services in decades. Matt Molloy has been named as the Grand Marshall of the Westport St Patrick's Day Parade. Photo: Destination Westport via Facebook. Westport is all set for an exciting and eventful 2026 St Patricks Day celebration, as the Mayo town has officially announced its Grand Marshal for this year's parade. Matt Molloy, world-renowned flutist and member of the six-time Grammy-winning group The Chieftains, will lead this years parade, which takes place on Tuesday, March 17, under the theme Reeling in the Years. Local businesses, community groups, residents, and visitors are invited to come together to celebrate Irish heritage, and bring their energy, music, and community spirit to the streets of Westport. A long-time resident of Westport, Mr Molloy is also the owner of the famous Matt Molloys pub on Bridge Street, a popular spot for traditional music sessions. The talented flute and tin whistle musician is the embodiment of the tradition, culture, and joy that the Westport celebrations aim to showcase. Born in Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon, Mr Molloy began playing the flute at the age of eight and became an All-Ireland Flute Champion by the time he was 18. He joined The Chieftains in 1979 and toured the world with the legendary folk band, sharing the joys of Irish traditional music with an international audience. Mr Molloys role as the Grand Marshall of the parade promises to be a highlight of the day. St Patricks Day celebrations in Westport kick off on Saturday, March 14, with a Duck Race along The Mall River. This will be followed by a busking competition and a Pipers Trail leading around the town, as musicians bring traditional music through the streets and around local venues. On St Patricks Day itself, the parade will be followed by a Family Fun Zone in the James Street Car Park between 2pm and 5pm. Live music performances will also take place outside the Westport Town Hall later on that afternoon. With traditional music, community spirit, and a host of family-friendly events on offer, Westport is set to deliver a St Patricks Day celebration to remember. This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. Gusserane Community Action Group claim the application is the most opposed in the countys history Pictured during the Solar public meeting in the Gusserane Community Hall on Monday evening were Adrian Redmond (Local resident), Anne Corcoran (Secretary), Alan Corcoran, Colm Ryan (Treasurer), and Terry Murphy (Chairman). Photo: Jim Campbell Chairman Terry Murphy is addressing the attendees during the solar farm public meeting in the Gusserane Community Hall on Monday evening. Photo: Jim Campbell As the fight to prevent a 300-acre solar farm being developed in their community continues, the people of Gusserane, Co Wexford have highlighted how disastrous they believe the development would be for their local environment. Citing the impact on protected species, the loss of habitat, and the impact on rivers, groundwater, and biodiversity, committee members from the Gusserane Community Action Group (GCAG) were joined by South East Radios Alan Corcoran to discuss these concerns in a public setting this week. Held in Gusserane Hall, this emergency meeting was attended by many of the 120 people who have raised formal objections about the Shelburne Energy Farm. In September of last year, Gen7 Renewable Energy Limited submitted a planning application for the development of the solar farm on a 121.5 hectare site at Cloonagh/Ballygarvan/Nash, Dunmain in Co Wexford. Thereafter, on November 21, 2025, Wexford County Council (WCC) requested further information regarding the application; requesting more detailed drawings, details on the access points of the farm, and information regarding cable networking. It also asked for the total number of proposed containerised transformers and PCUs (solar power conditioning units), information on the maintenance of the panels, and evidence of community engagement. Until this information is supplied WCC cannot approve or reject the application for planning. And while the development has been the subject of much debate in the council chamber since the GCAG held a protest outside County Hall last December, chief executive of WCC Mr Eddie Taaffe has stated he is legally obliged to treat the application objectively when it is finalised. This has not deterred the GCAG, however, and, at the meeting, they raised concerns about the industrial scale of the project, the proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and 220kV substation and its proximity to Gusserane National School, and the loss of productive agricultural land. Chairman Terry Murphy addressing the attendees during the solar farm public meeting in the Gusserane Community Hall on Monday evening. Photo: Jim Campbell A spokesperson for the group said many of their concerns are rooted in environmental protection, including the potential loss of habitats and impacts on protected species, local rivers, groundwater and downstream designated areas. "Protecting the natural environment and ensuring developments are properly located and regulated is central to our argument, the spokesperson said. In addition, we are very frustrated with WCCs request for further information, particularly when compared to how other county councils have treated similar developments. "WCCs request has not adequately reflected or addressed the concerns raised in over 120 submissions (made by the public) which makes this the most opposed planning application in the countys history. Contending that WCCs decision to designate large areas of the county as open for consideration for solar development, has left the county uniquely exposed to speculative energy developers, the group stated that several other counties chose not to make such designations while awaiting national policy. "This, coupled with one of the highest approval rates of any county in Ireland, has effectively opened the door to a surge of large-scale energy proposals in rural communities, they added. With the overriding feeling being that this is the wrong development in the wrong place and that Gusserane and is a fundamentally unsuitable location for a solar farm, the GCAG claimed there was a lack of meaningful community engagement (from the developer) prior to the application being lodged. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. Bill Gates said he saw nothing 'illicit' during his time with Epstein Photo: Bloomberg Bill Gates has apologised to staff at his charitable foundation over his past friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, also admitting to two extramarital affairs, according to a report. I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit, the Microsoft founder told his employees in response to the Department of Justices release of the Epstein files, according to The Wall Street Journal, citing an audio recording of the latest biannual Gates Foundation town hall. To be clear, I never spent any time with victims, the women around him, Gates said while apologising to foundation executives for introducing them into Epsteins orbit. It was a huge mistake to spend time with Epstein. I apologise to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made, he said. To give her credit, she was always kind of sceptical about the Epstein thing The tech entrepreneur turned philanthropist explained that he first met the paedophile in 2011, three years after Epstein had pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution in Florida, but that he had not looked into the financiers background and was only dimly aware of an 18-month thing that limited his travel. He acknowledged that his then wife, Melinda Gates, had expressed concern about Epstein in 2013, but that he had ignored her caution and continued to see him socially. Knowing what I know now makes it, you know, a hundred times worse in terms of not only his crimes in the past, but now its clear there was ongoing bad behaviour, Gates said, according to the WSJ. Melinda Gates expressed concern about Epstein in 2013, the Microsoft founder said. Photo: AP Alluding to his ex-wife, he added: To give her credit, she was always kind of sceptical about the Epstein thing. Gates continued to map out the course of their relationship, saying he had met with Epstein in 2014, taken trips on his private jet and spent time with him in Germany, France, New York and Washington, but never stayed overnight at his properties or visited Little St James, his now-notorious private Caribbean island. He said he did not see Epstein again thereafter, although there were ancillary issues that Epstein continued to email him about, but Gates said he chose not to respond to them. Bill Gates said he saw nothing 'illicit' during his time with Epstein Photo: Bloomberg Todays News in 90 seconds - Thursday February 26 Gates also said the women pictured with him in the files were Epsteins assistants, whom the billionaire had asked to pose with him. During the town hall, the billionaire also admitted to two affairs. I did have affairs, one with a Russian bridge player who met me at bridge events, and one with a Russian nuclear physicist who I met through business activities, he said. BBC should have been aware of what to expect John Davidson distraught at Baftas N-word furore Tourettes campaigner said he wanted to disappear, and hopes people can understand his situation John Davidson, who features in the Bafta-winning documtary, 'I Swear' Tom McArdle Thu 26 Feb 2026 at 06:30 A Tourettes syndrome campaigner has said the BBC should have done more to protect him after he shouted the N-word at the Baftas. The drones are made by German startups Helsing and Stark Defence German lawmakers approved two orders for attack drones, each worth about 270m, from domestic startups Helsing and Stark Defence as Berlin seeks to strengthen Natos eastern flank. The budget committee in the Bundestag voted yesterday to pass framework agreements with the companies to buy kamikaze drones (medium-range loitering munition systems), according to members of the group who asked not to be identified because the deliberations arent public. An apartment building in Zaporizhzhia was hit by Russian drones during the bombardment (Kateryna Klochko/AP) Russia launched a barrage of 420 drones and 39 missiles at Ukraine overnight, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, as US and Ukrainian envoys prepare to hold more talks in Geneva on ending the war that is now in its fifth year. We got lost in Moscow and I thought Id never see my husband again: the Irish housewives who took on the USSR Tehran compares US president to Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels Remarks by Iranian officials before Thursdays negotiations come as the US has assembled its biggest deployment of aircraft and warships to the Middle East in decades, part of Mr Trumps efforts to get a deal to constrain Irans nuclear programme while the country struggles at home with growing dissent following nationwide protests last month. Emperor penguins must stay on land for over a month as they moult and replace their feathers. Photo: Getty Huge numbers of emperor penguins in Antarctica may have died because of melting sea ice, experts fear. For the first time, scientists have used satellites to spot the places where penguins gather to moult and replace their feathers on the coast of Marie Byrd Land in western Antarctica. Democrats say justice department covering up claim against president The US justice department withheld documents from the Epstein files that allege Donald Trump sexually abused a minor, according to reports. More than 50 pages missing from the release contain notes from several interviews the FBI conducted with a woman who claimed she was abused by Mr Trump in 1983, when she was around the age of 13. A New Orleans judge has ordered Shia LaBeouf to return to drug and alcohol rehabilitation and set a $100,000 bond after the film star was charged with two counts of battery over an alleged assault outside a bar during Mardi Gras. LaBeouf, who waited alone in the courtroom wearing a fleece jacket and jeans tucked into cowboy boots, was also admonished by the judge for allegedly yelling homophobic slurs while hitting multiple people near the French Quarter. The police report said LaBeouf dislocated one victims nose. The United States and Iran made significant progress in talks on Thursday aimed at resolving a longstanding nuclear dispute and averting new US strikes, mediator Oman said, amid Washington's large-scale military buildup in the Middle East. The two sides plan to resume negotiations soon after consultations in their countries' capitals, with techical-level discussions scheduled to take place next week in Vienna, Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi said in a post on X after the day's talks ended in Switzerland. Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community! Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region. The Civil Servants Federation (ADEDY) has called a 24-hour strike on Saturday for all public sector employees working that day. The action marks three years since the tragic Tempi railway accident. A rally will take place at 12:00 noon at Syntagma Square in Athens, with similar gatherings planned nationwide. iefimerida.gr On Thursday at 11:00 am, the Cabinet will meet under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Maximos Mansion. The topics of the Cabinet meeting are: Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou will present the energy agreements between the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Hellenic Hydrocarbon and Energy Resources Management Company, and the ChevronHelleniQ Energy partnership. Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni will speak on the challenges of developing artificial intelligence in all forms of art and protecting artists intellectual property rights, the integration of artificial intelligence into culture, and cooperation with PHAROS AI Factory. She will also present the bill for the establishment of a legal entity in the form of a public limited company under the name Organisation for the Development and Management of Greek Cultural Heritage S.A and the reorganisation of the Organisation for the Management and Utilisation of Cultural Resources. Minister of National Economy and Finance Kyriakos Pierrakakis will present the Ministrys bill on: a) Tackling illegal betting and gambling b) Public sector pension arrangements and other wage and tax provisions Minister of Justice George Floridis will present the bill on reforming the legislative framework for administrative compliance with court decisions. Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Yannis Kefalogiannis will present the bill on the housing assistance and other support measures following natural disasters. iefimerida.gr Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will convene his Cabinet on Thursday to review a major offshore hydrocarbon exploration partnership with Chevron and advance a sweeping legislative crackdown on illegal gambling. During the 11 a.m. session at Maximos Mansion, Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou and Deputy Minister Nikos Tsafos will present the landmark energy agreements. The partnership between the state, Chevron, and the HelleniQ Energy consortium marks a critical expansion of Greeces offshore energy strategy. Shifting to domestic enforcement, National Economy and Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis and Deputy Minister Thanos Petralias will introduce strict new legislation targeting unlicensed gaming operations and illegal betting rings. Mr. Pierrakakis will also outline upcoming public-sector pension adjustments and related tax provisions. Following recent severe weather events, Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Ioannis Kefalogiannis and Deputy Minister Kostas Katsafados will submit a comprehensive bill overhauling state housing assistance for natural disaster victims. Meanwhile, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni will brief the Cabinet on the rapidly evolving impact of artificial intelligence on artistic copyrights. Mrs. Mendoni will also propose a newly restructured state organization to modernize the management of Greece's vast cultural heritage. Finally, Justice Minister Giorgos Floridis is slated to present legal reforms ensuring the public administration strictly complies with judicial decisions, rounding out a Thursday agenda heavily focused on national resilience, technological adaptation, and economic security. iefimerida.gr Greece is moving to cement its position as a vital energy conduit for Europe, leveraging deepening cooperation with the United States to secure the continent's natural gas supply. Greek Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou met with U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum this week in Washington . The strategic talks, held on the sidelines of the Transatlantic Gas Security Summit, focused heavily on expanding the "vertical corridor" project The ambitious infrastructure network aims to receive liquefied natural gas produced in the U.S. at Greek port terminals before piping it northward to markets across southeastern and eastern Europe. Following the high-level meeting, which included Greek Ambassador to the U.S. Antonis Alexandridis and U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle, Mr. Papastavrou emphasized that Athens has successfully transformed into a "reliable hub for energy security" in the broader Mediterranean region. The discussions also highlighted a shift in Greece's domestic energy policy. Mr. Papastavrou stated that the next critical phase of Athens' strategy is to aggressively explore and exploit potential offshore natural gas discoveries within Greek territory. By tapping into its own domestic reserves alongside American LNG imports, Greece aims to bolster its national economy while directly contributing to European energy sufficiency amid ongoing global supply chain shifts. iefimerida.gr Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis highlighted the crucial role of remote frontier residents in national security during a visit to the "Lady of the Delta," a woman living alone in the sensitive Evros River border region. In a video posted to social media , Mr. Mitsotakis documented his journey to the isolated home of Artemis , a local resident who has spent decades living off the grid in the sprawling delta The visit underscored the government's ongoing initiative to support isolated communities through vital infrastructure upgrades. "She contacted us; we installed solar panels for electricity, and now she has a telephone," Mr. Mitsotakis said in the footage, emphasizing the tangible human impact of the state's recent outreach. The prime minister praised such isolated inhabitants as literal border sentinels who help safeguard Greece's northeastern frontier. During the video, he displayed a photograph from his initial 2020 visit to the area, which occurred amid a tense hybrid border crisis when thousands of migrants attempted to cross from neighboring Turkey. In the newly released clip, Mrs. Artemis warmly welcomes the prime minister, referring to him affectionately as "the president man." The two shared a homemade meal featuring locally caught eel, which Mr. Mitsotakis called "unbeatable." Reflecting on the encounter, Mr. Mitsotakis stressed the importance of directly connecting with citizens in Greece's most remote corners to reinforce national security and solidarity. "That's why I try to get out as much as possible," he said. "Because your work has a real footprintimproving even one person's life." iefimerida.gr The EU Commission has approved a 400-million-euro Greek state aid scheme for strategic investments in clean technologies. According to the announcement, the measure aims to boost production capacity for net-zero EU Commission approves Greek state aid of 400 million euros for business investments in clean technologies - The African Democratic Congress (ADC) condemns, in the strongest possible terms, yesterdays disturbing gun attack and assassination attempt in Edo State targeting Chief John Oyegun, former Governor of Edo State and Chairman of the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee; Mr. Peter Obi, a national leader of our party; and Mr. Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party candidate for Edo State who recently joined the ADC. This was not an isolated incident. It bears the unmistakable marks of a dangerous and escalating pattern of political intimidation and terror against our party across the country. The resort to gunfire against lawful political actors represents an act of terrorism against the opposition, which has no place in a constitutional democracy. Advertisement We are particularly alarmed by the pattern of inflammatory rhetoric and threats that have preceded these events, including the outrageous claim by the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, who had earlier issued a threat that he would not guarantee the safety of Mr. Peter Obi should he visit Edo State. The Governor has since gone ahead to make further ridiculous and irresponsible claims that the ADC is sponsoring cultism in Edo State and has threatened to start demolishing properties of the opposition in the State. Let it be said plainly: Nigeria is not a private estate. Edo State is not the personal property of any party or any governor. No elected official has the constitutional authority to threaten, harass, or endanger law-abiding political actors for exercising their democratic rights. Our members and supporters across Edo State and Nigeria have the constitutional rights to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and lawful self-defence. The Federal Government and the Edo State Government are free to continue on their present course. But let there be no misunderstanding: if any harm comes to our leaders, members, or supporters as a result of this escalating climate of official hostility, intimidation, or incitement, the responsibility for whatever consequences follow will rest squarely with those who choose the path of provocation over the path of peace. We are compiling all cases of acts of terrorism by the ruling APC against our party. We shall soon be making our reports available to all diplomatic missions as well as the ECOWAS Court of Human Rights. Let no one be left in doubt: regardless of the level of intimidation, ADC will not bow to terror and will take all lawful means to protect its members and facilities across the country. We urge all our members to remain vigilant and to go about their lawful activities without fear. Signed: Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary African Democratic Congress (ADC) The Coroners Court sitting at the Yaba Magistrate Court has adjourned proceedings until April 14, 2026, for the commencement of an inquiry into the death of 21-month-old Master Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr Ivara Esege. Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji fixed the date on Wednesday when the matter came up before the court. Nkanu died on January 7, 2026, after receiving care at Atlantis Hospital and undergoing medical procedures at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos. Advertisement The child was initially admitted to Atlantis Hospital in Lagos for what was described as a worsening but initially mild illness. While arrangements were being made to transfer him to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States, Atlantis referred him to Euracare for pre-flight diagnostic procedures, including an MRI, lumbar puncture, and insertion of a central line. However, the child passed away following the procedures. His parents have alleged medical negligence and professional misconduct in connection with his death. When the case was called, Professor Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) announced his appearance for the family, Adebola Rahman appeared on behalf of the Attorney-General of Lagos State. Prof. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, of Health Ethics and Law Consulting, represented Atlantis Hospital, while Euracare was also represented. In a preliminary meeting with the parties, Magistrate Adetunji stated that the court received an application from the Chief Coroner of Lagos State following a request by the Attorney-General that an inquest be conducted. She noted that the Lagos State Government also considers itself bereaved. The Lagos State Government is also bereaved; that is why the Attorney-General has taken this step. It is not just the family of the deceased that is affected, she said. The magistrate explained that the preliminary session was to determine whether a formal inquest would proceed. She directed all parties to file their witness statements before the next adjourned date and cautioned them to approach the proceedings carefully, stressing that the courts goal was to determine the cause of the incident. Adetunji further stated that an autopsy is generally the starting point in every inquest. For every inquest, the starting point is that there must be an autopsy done to give us a professional report, she said. Pinheiro urged the court to proceed with the hearing, stating that the parents maintain that the childs death was unnatural and occurred during medical intervention. He said the family would present evidence alleging gross medical negligence, possible overdose, wrongful prescription, improper administration of propofol and wrongful diagnosis According to him, the family plans to call five independent medical professionals, including an anesthesiologist, a paediatric anaesthesia specialist, a radiologist, an intensivist, and the childs father, who is also a medical doctor. Pinheiro also urged the court to direct Euracare to preserve all physical and electronic evidence from January 6, 2026, including CCTV footage, electronic monitoring data, pharmacy records, emergency equipment logs, internal communications, and morbidity and mortality reviews. He suggested that Euracare should open the hearing, followed by the family and then Atlantis Hospital. The magistrate agreed that Euracare would proceed first, but ruled that the family would present its case next, followed by Atlantis. Earlier, Onyemelukwe told the court that Atlantis would present its account of events. She stated that she only became aware of the court appearance on Tuesday after receiving a letter. Rahman, representing the Attorney-General, said that following news of the childs death, the Lagos AG applied for an inquest. Since all the parties are here, we would be asking the court to open the hearing. We pray this court to commence with the hearing, he said. In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, issued by the law firm led by Pinheiro (SAN), Adichie and her husband accused Euracare, its anesthesiologist, and other attending medical personnel of breaching the duty of care owed to their son. The notice stated that the child, born on March 25, 2024, was referred to Euracare on January 6, 2026, for diagnostic and preparatory procedures ahead of an emergency medical evacuation to the United States, where a specialist team was reportedly on standby. The procedures reportedly included an echocardiogram, a brain MRI, Insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter. Lumbar puncture, Intravenous sedation using propofol was administered. The parents alleged that the child developed sudden and severe complications while being transported to the cardiac catheterisation laboratory after the MRI. The notice raised concerns about cumulative dosing of propofol in a critically ill child, inadequate airway protection during deep sedation, failure to ensure continuous physiological monitoring, transfer without supplemental oxygen or adequate monitoring, insufficient accompanying medical personnel, alleged unavailability of basic resuscitation equipment, delayed recognition and management of respiratory or cardiovascular distress and failure to comply with established paediatric anaesthesia and patient-transfer safety standards. The court adjourned till April 14, 2026, to commence the hearing. Kayode Egbetokun, the former inspector-general of police (IGP), says he is happy that Tunji Disu is taking over from him as the countrys acting police chief. Egbetokun spoke on Wednesday at the State House, Abuja, during the swearing-in and decoration of Disu as acting IGP. The former IGP resigned from his position on Tuesday following a directive from President Bola Tinubu. Advertisement I am happy that he is the one taking over from me. My advice to him is that he already knows all the things we have been doing together strengthening operations, enhancing intelligence coordination, improving the inter-agency deployment model, dismantling several criminal syndicates, and improving our intelligence response mechanisms. I am sure he will continue to do that, the former IGP said. Egbetokun advised the new acting IGP to continue to remain committed to his duties, noting that Disu has been part of his administration from the beginning. He was my principal staff officer; he was commissioner of police in Rivers state and in the FCT; he was assistant inspector-general in charge of my special protection unit, Egbetokun said. When the president gave the presidential directive to withdraw police officers from VIP protection, he was the person I called upon to ensure that the directive was fully complied with, and he did it very well. Egbetokun said he is particularly excited to hand over to Disu, noting that they share unique history and both benefited from the mentorship of Tinubu during his tenure as governor of Lagos state. I remember learning many things from him (Tinubu), but there is something in particular I recall, he said. He once said that a good leader should have a successor and a succession plan and must invest in his likeliest successors. I invested in likely successors in the Nigeria Police Force, and I am happy that one of those I invested in has been found most suitable for the job and has been decorated today. Egbetokun thanked the president for trusting him with different positions, especially when he appointed him as his chief security officer when he was governor of Lagos state, and subsequently as IGP when he became president. I am deeply grateful to him, Egbetokun said. Eniola Badmus, the Nollywood actress, has threatened legal action against an X user who accused her of being a pimp A pimp is a person who controls one or more sex workers, arranges clients for them, and takes a cut of their earnings. On Thursday, the user identified as Femzydr1 claimed Badmus is a private pimp who connects young women to top directors, movie executives, and politicians. Advertisement The user also claimed that she gained entry into the political scene through the connections and that some of the women were exploited as a result. Popular Yoruba Actress Eniola Badmus is reportedly a private pimp in Nigeria and in the movie industry, linking young girls up with top directors, movie executives, and Nigerian politicians, the tweet reads. She surely gained entry into the political scene through this network, and many young girls have been exploited & used for different purposes by politicians through her connections. Reacting via X, Badmus described the allegation as false and warned that the appropriate authorities would take action, stressing that no forgiveness in this zone. This is the attention youve been craving for, so lets get in to it. This is a false accusation and authorities will step in. Let it be known that we do not forgive in this zone, she wrote. https://x.com/BadmusEniola/status/2026954387881361717?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2026954387881361717%7Ctwgr%5E9be90282d000bca32f199adaf6297891ef87fc21%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Flifestyle.thecable.ng%2Feniola-badmus-threatens-to-sue-x-user-who-called-her-a-pimp%2F PRESS RELEASE OGUN POLICE PROVIDE UPDATE ON TIKTOK RAPE ALLEGATION, RELEASE COMPLAINANT TO MINISTRY FOR WELFARE SUPPORT The Ogun State Police Command wishes to provide an update on Abigeal Nsikak, popularly known as Mirabel on TikTok, following the rape allegation she made online. Advertisement Upon her visit to the police station, she was received and taken to a medical facility for necessary examination to verify her claims. She has continued to cooperate with investigators as due process progresses. In consideration of her welfare and support needs, she has been released to the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. The Ministry has undertaken responsibility for her care and has assured the Command that she will be made available whenever required as investigations continue. The Command assures the public that the matter is being handled with professionalism, sensitivity, and diligence. Members of the public are urged to refrain from speculation and allow the investigation to run its full course. Further updates will be provided as necessary. DSP OLUSEYI B. BABASEYI POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER OGUN STATE COMMAND ELEWERAN, ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE. 25TH FEBRUARY, 2026. https://x.com/i/status/2026729934043881661 Once envisioned as a bridge between Java and JavaScript, the Detroit project never got off the ground. Now, there are efforts at reviving it, adding a Python engine to the mix. Intended to enable using JavaScript as an extension language for Java applications, the Detroit project fizzled out after losing its sponsoring group around 2018. But according to a new proposal dated February 25, there still is interest in bringing Java and JavaScript together. The proposal was gathering steam on an OpenJDK mailing list this week. List participant Sundararajan Athijegannathan, who has offered to lead the project, wrote that there is also interest in accessing AI functionality written in Python from Java applications. In addition to extending JavaScript to Java applications, Java libraries would be accessed from JavaScript applications, according to Athijegannathan. Celeste Ng attending a 2020 event for Hulu's mini-series "Little Fires Everywhere," based on her book of the same name. Ng's "Our Missing Hearts" is this year's One Book, One Philadelphia pick. Read more Celeste Ngs 2022 New York Times bestseller, Our Missing Hearts, is the 2026 One Book, One Philadelphia pick. The dystopian novel is about a 12-year-old biracial Chinese American boy and his quest to be reunited with his mother in an authoritarian America. Im thrilled and honored, Ng said Wednesday, speaking from her Boston study a few hours before she hopped on a plane to Philadelphia for Thursdays announcement. Advertisement Ngs 2017 novel Little Fires Everywhere was adapted into the 2020 Hulu miniseries of the same name, starring Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon. I love community reads programs, Ng said. I relish in this idea that readers will have a shared experience, that they will be able to talk to each other, get to examine the world they are living in, ask if this is the world they want to live in, and figure out what they are going to do about it. In Ngs 335-page paperback, a future America is living under the Preserving American Culture and Traditions Act, where books are banned, voices are censored, and citizens are forbidden to criticize a government for its wrongdoings, especially its unfair treatment of people of color. People of Asian descent are particularly mistreated, considered scapegoats for a severe economic crisis. Ng wrote Our Missing Hearts in 2020 during the pandemic when AAPI hate was at an all-time high. Years on, Ngs PACT mirrors present-day America, where under President Trumps executive order to "restore truth and sanity to American history," historic panels honoring George Washingtons enslaved staff were removed from Independence Hall National Park last month. (On Feb. 17, a federal judge ordered the panels to be restored, but the Trump administration appealed the decision and the return of the plaques to the park has been halted.) I sort of hoped the book would get further way from reality as the years went by, but thats not the case so far, said Ng, who stressed shes not a psychic, just aware of history. We are in a world where we just arent going to mention George Washington had enslaved people and we are taking down the gay pride [flag] at Stonewall, trying to pretend that none of this happened. Bird is the 12-year-old in the center of Ngs book. His Chinese mother criticizes America through her poetry and art. She leaves Bird with his white dad, and continues to make public art that unites Americans and encourages them to speak out. I feel like Philly is a living example of that, said Ng, who was born in Pittsburgh and periodically visits Philadelphia. The Mutter Museum is one of her favorite places to visit. Shes keeping an eye on how the museum handles its collection of human remains. Philadelphians get to walk past history daily. There is art all around you, reminding you of the stories that form you and are a part of your lives. Philly is a space that can start connection through all of the beautiful sculptures and murals reminding us that change is possible. Our Missing Hearts is the Free Librarys 24th One Book, One Philadelphia pick. Last years choice was Tariq Black Thought Trotters 2023 memoir, The Upcycled Self. The annual program urges Philadelphians to read the same book, fostering literacy and civic dialogue. The kick-off event is April 7. Ng will return to Philadelphia that day for a book signing and celebration. One Book ends May 28. A series of events at Parkway Central and the 54 branch libraries will take place throughout the year. I hope the conversation will get people thinking, what do we lose when stories disappear, Ng said. What do we do if stories never get told? What happens when we intimidate people out of talking about the past and learning from it? Im really grateful to the Free Library of Philadelphia for starting these conversations in this moment. An image of the Mennonite Meetinghouse located at 6119 Germantown Avenue. This image is an artist rendering of the 1770 Mennonite Meetinghouse, where descendants of the first petition against slavery continued to fight for the abolition of slavery. Read more In 1683, the Concord arrived in Old City from Krefeld, an artisan community in Germany, with 33 people aboard, many of whom practiced the Mennonite and Quaker faiths. Americas newest arrivals took the windy, wooded trail uptown, settling along the Lenape Great Road, what today is called Germantown Avenue, the Northwests main thoroughfare. Advertisement Mennonites are Anabaptists, Christians who are baptized as adults. And although Quakers arent, the two groups worshipped together in the home of settler Thones Kunders at 5109 Germantown Avenue. Their shared belief in Christian pacificism and non-violence united them. Here they drafted a petition that would become the public protest against slavery in British Colonial North America. Germantowns history is rooted in this incident. This historic protest will be remembered at Saturdays firstival at the Historic Germantown Mennonite Meetinghouse. Each weekend in 2026, the Philadelphia Historic District is throwing a party in honor of Americas 250th birthday. The bashes mark events that happened in Philadelphia before anywhere else in America and often the world. Early Germantown settlers were familiar with European slavery. However, Americas version of chattel slavery, with its backbreaking labor, cruelty, and separation of families, went against Quaker and Mennonite religious beliefs, said Craig Stutman, a history professor at Delaware Valley University in Doylestown. Historians believe this inspired Quaker friends and Mennonites Garret Henderich, brothers Abraham and Dirck op den Graeff, and Germantowns founder Francis Daniel Pastorious to draft a petition stating good Quakers must had to reject the brutal human trafficking. On April 18, 1688, the men signed the protest in Kunders home. Pastorious, Hendricks, and the op den Graeff brothers took their petition to local Quaker meetings in Dublin, todays Abington Friends; the Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting; and the annual meeting in Burlington, NJ. They wanted the Quaker hierarchy to acknowledge slavery was an evil practice that needed to stop. Their pleas were swept under the rug because even in these early American Quaker circles, enslaved people were the backbone of the economy. Even people like Pennsylvanias founder William Penn owned slaves and didnt want to touch the political lightening rod, Stutman said. READ MORE: Yes, there are older Chinatown gates in the country. But Philadelphias is the real deal. The rejection of the protest petition didnt stop the fight. In 1758, Quakers George Keith, Benjamin Lay, and Anthony Benezet, convinced Quakers to enact a law saying slaveholders could not be members of the Society of Friends. Seventeen years later, Americas first antislavery meeting was held at the Rising Sun Tavern. This was a first step in the direction of allyship with free and enslaved Black people who had long been fighting for freedom through slave revolts and cobbling together abolitionist societies, Stutman said. And it was the foundation. So ultimately by the late 18th and early 19th century, Philadelphia would be a place where Black and white people worked together and fought against the institution of slavery, and where the enslaved came for freedom. The protest petition was lost in the Quaker archives sometime in the 1700s. It was rediscovered in 1844, when it was used by abolitionists to inspire a new generation of freedom fighters. It currently resides at the Haverford Library Quaker and Special Collections. This weeks Firstival is Saturday, Feb. 28, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Historic Germantown Mennonite Meetinghouse, 6119 Germantown Avenue. The Inquirer will highlight a first from the Philadelphia Historic Districts 52 Weeks of Firsts program every week. A 52 Weeks of Firsts podcast, produced by All Thats Good Productions, drops every Tuesday. Walmart Spark Program Delivery drivers in Pennsylvania will receive about $1.4 million as part of a multistate settlement in which the retail giant was accused of pocketing a portion of tips and other payments meant for drivers. Pennsylvanias share is part a larger $100 million settlement from the complaint brought by the Federal Trade Commission and 11 states, according to a news release from the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals office. Advertisement Of that total, $79 million will go to drivers, $11 million will go to states, and $10 million will be paid to the FTC to provide refunds to customers. Walmart allegedly deceived both customers and delivery drivers, leading them to believe that drivers would get the entire tip customers left for them when, in fact, Walmart was retaining a portion and in some cases the entire tip. Tips were only one payment the drivers were misled about, the lawsuit alleged. Drivers were also shortchanged on pre-tip amounts, base pays, and incentive pays that were inaccurately advertised to them, according to the suit. Walmart was aware almost immediately of issues with the program, and drivers being paid less than face value, yet did nothing to remedy the situation, Pennsylvania Attorney General David Sunday said in a statement. Time and time again, Spark drivers did not receive tips they were entitled to this settlement goes a long way to making those harmed Pennsylvanians whole. In response to the settlement, Walmart said that it was working to improve procedures and ensure fairness and transparency with drivers and that it was issuing payments to impacted drivers. When asked whether those were the payments legally mandated by the settlement, a Walmart spokesperson said they were. We value the hard work and dedication of the drivers who deliver great service and products to our customers, the spokesperson said in a statement. The Spark program started in 2018 and enrolled nearly one million drivers across the country who collectively made more than 272 million deliveries, according to the Attorney Generals release. Walmart now will be required to operate an earnings-verification program and submit annual reports to the FTC for the next 10 years. The company is not allowed to modify orders after drivers have accepted them nor misrepresent how much a driver will earn from an offer. A FedEx cargo plane is shown on the tarmac at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in 2021 in Florida. Read more FedEx is suing the U.S. government, the latest company to request a refund on what it paid for tariffs set by President Donald Trump last year after the Supreme Court ruled that the tariffs are illegal. More than 1,000 companies have filed suit in the U.S. Court of International Trade in efforts to recoup costs from the illegal tariffs, including large U.S. corporations such as Costco and Revlon. Most of the lawsuits were already in process ahead of the Supreme Court decision Friday. Advertisement FedEx said in a filing with the U.S. Court of International Trade that they have suffered injury from having to pay the tariffs and that the relief theyre seeking from the court would redress those injuries. Tim Meyer, a law professor at Duke University, said each case is likely to have to be tried individually. Were going to have to wait and see how the government decides to handle the refund claims, he said. And then if the government chooses not to set up a process for the refunds, ultimately the Court of International Trade is going to have to adjudicate over a thousand cases. The National Retail Federation said in a statement on Friday that the Supreme Courts ruling provided certainty for U.S. businesses and manufacturers. We urge the lower court to ensure a seamless process to refund the tariffs to U.S. importers, it said. The refunds will serve as an economic boost and allow companies to reinvest in their operations, their employees and their customers. The Supreme Court struck down Trumps far-reaching global tariffs on Friday. Trump said he was absolutely ashamed of some justices who ruled 6-3 against him, calling them disloyal to our Constitution and lapdogs. At one point he even raised the specter of foreign influence without citing any evidence. The courts ruling found tariffs that Trump imposed under an emergency powers law were unconstitutional, including the sweeping reciprocal tariffs he levied on nearly every other country. The Treasury had collected more than $133 billion from the import taxes the president has imposed under the emergency powers law as of December, federal data shows. The impact over the next decade has been estimated at some $3 trillion. A study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found U.S. businesses and consumers are paying nearly 90% of the tariffs that Trump has imposed. Trump has vowed to collect tariffs through other means. He reached for a stopgap option immediately after his defeat Friday at the Supreme Court: Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 allows the president to impose tariffs of up to 15% for up to 150 days. But any extension beyond 150 days must be approved by a Congress likely to balk at passing a tax increase as Novembers midterm elections loom. U.S. Marshals and police arrested Michael Robinson, a 43-year-old paraprofessional at Radnor Middle School, Thursday morning in Wayne. Read more An employee of Radnor Middle School was arrested Thursday morning and charged with sexually assaulting a child in Texas, authorities say. Michael Robinson, 43, was taken into custody by U.S. marshals and Radnor police a block from the Wayne middle school around 7:30 a.m., according to a spokesperson for the marshals service. Advertisement Robinson is a paraprofessional at Radnor Middle School, law enforcement officials said. He was wanted by Texas authorities in connection with the assault, which officials said occurred in 2024 after Robinson met the victim online. A spokesperson for the Radnor Township School District said that it is cooperating with law enforcement and that it has not received information indicating that Robinson behaved inappropriately with Radnor students. Parents of the limited number of children to whom the employee was assigned were contacted by the administration immediately, the spokesperson said, adding that Robinson has been placed on leave amid the investigation into his behavior. Law enforcement officials said Robinson traveled to Tyler, Texas, to meet the victim, whom he assaulted over the course of a weekend. He was indicted by prosecutors in Smith County, Texas, in December and charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child under 15 years old. Robinson is being held at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility in Delaware County, awaiting extradition to Texas. A shell casing lies in the middle of Salford Street in January 2021. Read more A sixth person associated with the Young Bag Chasers was arrested overnight and is expected to be charged with two homicides, prosecutors said. Hamzah Curry, 25, was taken into custody Wednesday evening in Kansas City, Mo., after spending nearly a year on the run after the killing of a 36-year-old man in 2021. Advertisement Curry was also newly wanted in connection with the killing of Qaadir Cheeks, a 20-year-old better known as 55Qua, who was shot and killed near 55th Street and Baltimore Avenue in May 2024, said Assistant District Attorney Bill Fritze, supervisor of the Gun Violence Task Force in the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office. Curry is one of 19 people indicted by a grand jury as part of a sprawling investigation by Philadelphia police and prosecutors into years of retaliatory shootings between West Philadelphia gangs, Fritze said. He will be charged once he is extradited to Philadelphia, he said. Officials identified him as a member of Young Face Arrangers, or YFA, a younger subset of YBC. He is also the older brother of Arshad Curry, another YBC/YFA member, who is serving 42 to 85 years in prison for killing three people in 2021. A warrant was issued for Hamzah Currys arrest last spring after detectives tied him to the killing of Stangely Bertrand on the 300 block of North Salford Street on July 16, 2021. Investigators believe Bertrand, who was shot in the head, was a bystander caught in the crossfire, according to a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation. Salahuddin Carter, 21, another YBC/YFA member known as YFA4our, was arrested and charged with Bertrands death in June. Carter was also charged Wednesday with two additional shootings including the shooting of an 8-year-old near 13th and Oxford Streets in 2022 as part of the indictment. Investigators tied Carter and Curry to Bertrands killing after Carter, who was 16 at the time, was shot twice in the stomach during the exchange of gunfire, and Curry drove him to the hospital, according to the affidavit of probable cause for Carters arrest. Inside Currys car, police found two 9mm handguns, blue latex gloves, and live rounds, the affidavit said. A ballistics report later showed that both guns were fired on Salford Street the night Bertrand was killed, the records say. And then, this month, Curry was also sought in the killing of Cheeks, whom YBC members shot more than a dozen times in West Philadelphia. Four others have been charged in that case: Stephen Baby Yopp Weddington, Jymir Lil Mir Burbage, Hasin Muse, and Tatiana Edwards. The Philadelphia Police Departments homicide fugitive task force and U.S. marshals had been working to locate Curry since last year, and on Wednesday evening found him at a motel in Missouri, the source said. A detective picking up fired cartridge casings in West Philadelphia. Read more Law enforcement officials on Wednesday announced sweeping charges against 19 people affiliated with several Philadelphia gangs they say are responsible for shooting nearly three dozen people in two years. The indictment caps a more than two-year investigation into the Young Bag Chasers, or YBC, and rival crews including CCK and the Parkside Killers. Authorities say the groups traded gunfire in brazen retaliatory shootings sometimes on consecutive days, often in broad daylight, and at times on the same blocks over and over again. Advertisement READ MORE: The rise and fall of the Young Bag Chasers Below is a breakdown of the shootings included in the indictment and the defendants charged in each case, according to prosecutors: Sept. 21, 2022 Shots are fired at 1400 N. 75th St. No one is struck. YBC members Mark Yak Yola Johnson and Kasim Brown, aka FSdaBender, have been charged. Sept. 22, 2022 An 8-year-old girl and 20-year-old man are shot at 1500 N. 13th St. YBC members Salahhuddin Carter, aka YFA4our, and Jymir Lil Mir Burbage have been charged. Oct. 7, 2022 Shots are fired at 3900 Wallace St. No one is struck. YBC members Carter and Burbage have been charged. Oct. 29, 2022 Three people are shot at 3800 Aspen St. YBC members Burbage and Jerwayne Haywood have been charged. Nov. 30, 2022 Shots are fired at 4300 Reno St. No one is struck. YBC member Burbage has been charged. Dec. 5, 2022 Tahjae Brooks, aka Jae100, is killed at 4300 Parrish St. CCK affiliates Ronnie Vincent-Quan, Herman Cherm Stigall, and Anthony Lacey-Woodson, aka Pistol P, are charged. Lacey-Woodson is serving 45 to 90 years in prison for three murders. May 16, 2023 Kameir T.O. Scott is killed at 600 N. Preston St. Markees Muhammad, of the Parkside Killers, is charged. May 27, 2023 Three people are shot at 5200 Jefferson St. YBC members Kasim Brown and Quamere Hall, aka Mere Pablo, are charged. May 30, 2023 Shots are fired at 5200 Jefferson St. No one is struck. YBC members Burbage and Brown have been charged. July 8, 2023 Sharif King, 34, is killed at 5200 Jefferson St. YBC members Stephen Weddington, Hall, and Johnson have been charged. July 27, 2023 Shots are fired at 100 Manton St. No one is struck. CCK member Hasaan Stafford, aka Saany Goon, is charged. Kydair Honcho Strickland, a CCK/7th Street member who was killed in August 2024, was also involved, prosecutors said. Oct. 5, 2023 A 20-year-old man is shot at 5200 Jefferson St. YBC members Weddington and Johnson have been charged. Oct. 6, 2023 A 20-year-old man is shot at 600 North Brooklyn St. Parkside members Muhammad and Paul Beckwith are charged. Oct. 10, 2023 Shots are fired at 2100 N 53rd St. No one is struck. YBCs Weddington charged, and CCK affiliate Strickland also fired shots, prosecutors said. Nov. 4, 2023 Shots are fired at 1300 N 53rd St. No one is struck. CCKs Stafford is charged. Dec. 7, 2023 Zyir Booga Stafford is killed while leaving his work at McDonalds, at 29th and Clearfield Streets. YBCs Weddington and Burbage have been charged. Dec. 11, 2023 Shots are fired at 1400 S 56th St. No one is struck. CCKs Stafford, Stigall, and Nasir Jefe Wells who is serving life in prison for a separate murder have been charged. Dec. 15, 2023 Shots are fired at 2900 Girard Ave. No one is struck. CCKs Wells is charged. Jan. 22, 2024 Shots are fired at 1000 Arch St. No one is struck. CCKs Wells and Stafford are charged. March 13, 2024 Shots are fired at 4300 Lancaster Ave. No one is struck. Parksides Muhammad is charged. May 18, 2024 Qaadir Cheeks, aka 55Qua, is killed at 5500 Baltimore Ave. YBCs Weddington, Burbage, Hamzah Curry, and Hasin HassPNB Muse, have been charged with murder. Tatiana Edwards has been charged with criminal conspiracy to murder after officials said she lured Cheeks outside to ultimately be shot. Dec. 8, 2025 A 24-year-old man is shot multiple times at 4800 Folsom St. Recap: Students, parents, and teachers beg board not to close their schools The Philadelphia school board heard several hours of public testimony Thursday evening and into Friday morning about a proposal to close 18 schools. Superintendent Tony B. Watlington presented his proposed facilities plan to the board Thursday. It includes closing 18 schools, colocating six schools, and modernizing 159 school buildings. The plan Watlington presented Thursday had some changes compared to an initial proposal unveiled last month. Conwell Middle School and Motivation High School, two schools that had been including on the first iteration of the closure list, were removed. Students walked out of Parkway Northwest High School on Wednesday to protest its potential closure. Read more Lyric Jenkins is a strong student, with a report card full of As and Bs. She approached her high school selection process seriously, finally zeroing in on a school that checked all her boxes. Jenkins chose Parkway Northwest High School for Peace and Social Justice, she said, because it was an academically rigorous magnet school, safe and not huge. Advertisement I wanted a small community where I could be seen, said Jenkins, now a 10th grader at Parkway Northwest in East Germantown. Last month, Jenkins was shocked to find her school was being targeted for closure, in part because of the very size that drew her to choose it. Philadelphia School District officials have proposed closing Parkway Northwest and 19 other schools, colocating six more and modernizing 159 under a sweeping facilities plan. The proposal calls for closing Parkway Northwest in 2027 and making it an honors program inside Martin Luther King, a large comprehensive high school about half a mile away. That plan has drawn fire from many, including more than 100 Parkway Northwest students, who walked out of school en masse Wednesday to protest waving signs, singing, and banging drums. Those fighting to save the school argue that its small size is an asset, and enrollment has been growing, and they have expressed safety concerns about sending children to Martin Luther King. More students choosing Parkway NW District leaders have said their plan is not motivated by finances, though there is clearly a desire to shrink the school systems footprint, with 70,000 empty seats citywide. Some schools are less than a quarter full, and others, mostly in the Northeast, dont have enough room to accommodate all the students enrolled. Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. said the plan will provide a stronger and more equitable education for students citywide. Closing Parkway Northwest is part of a strategy to shut a handful of small district magnet or citywide schools, moving them into reinvigorate neighborhood high schools. That strategy has been uniformly denounced by staff, students, and parents at Parkway Northwest and the other schools that would be forced to surrender their independence Parkway West, Motivation, Lankenau, and Robeson. All have been affected by changes to the districts special admission process, which shifted the district to a strict centralized lottery, stripping away from schools the ability to have any discretion over their incoming classes. Parkway Northwest and the other magnets all saw enrollment tumble after the forced move to the lottery a factor thats now being used against them. The school has worked diligently to build enrollment back up, said Beth Ziegenfus, Parkway Northwests school-based teacher leader and the coordinator of its robust dual enrollment program. More students have been choosing Parkway, Ziegenfus said. If you think about what our projected enrollment is for next year, were looking at an extra 150 kids that we could have here. The closure recommendation discounts that growth, Ziegenfus said, and it also threatens students like Jenkins. These small schools offer something to students who dont thrive in large environments, said Ziegenfus. There is something to be said about kids knowing every single adult in the school it contributes to the safety. When every child knows you and you know every child, youre able to offer support, or redirect behaviors, or offer assistance. Ziegenfus spent years teaching at Frankford, another large neighborhood school. She said she cares about comprehensive high schools, sees their value, and believes they need more resources. But those resources shouldnt come at the expense of Parkway and other small schools. We should invest in King, but two things can be true at the same time. We need Parkway, said Ziegenfus. Theyre really disrupting the children here, and the children at King, and the incoming kids who are going through the school selection process. Theyre going to flee somewhere else At recent district meetings about the proposed Parkway Northwest closure, anger bubbled over. Students, teachers, and community members disputed the districts statistics around the school in a meeting with district officials, saying its 60% building capacity score was off. But mostly, they raised alarms about safety. My question is, how will I be able to grow my education at a bigger school if I dont even feel safe there? said Sanai Williams, a Parkway Northwest 10th grader. I dont feel like Im going to be able to grow my education if Im watching my back, thinking Im going to get attacked every which way at King. Rodrigo Fernandez, the Parkway Northwest Spanish teacher, said he was frustrated by a perceived lack of real opportunity to shape the plan. You are not listening to us, Fernandez said. You havent heard one single person saying, I am excited about this plan. If you want to retain our students, you wont retain them by doing this. Theyre going to flee somewhere else. They didnt choose that setting. Over 1,500 community members have signed a Change.org petition calling for the district to reverse the closure recommendation. A peace and social justice mission Parkway Northwest, said Elliott Seif a retired educator and author whos volunteered at Parkway Northwest for 15 years is being offered up as sacrificial lamb to do something at Martin Luther King, which it may not be able to do. And Paula Paul, another longtime Parkway Northwest volunteer, said the very nature of the school makes it essential in the city. Does not our city need a school devoted to peace, social justice, and violence prevention, and one where people have formed a community that is functional, a school that works, a school where kids want to be? Paul asked district officials. Weve been struggling to get schools that are functioning, not to lose students, for students to feel safe, to feel connected. Why would we close this school? Watlington is expected to present his plan to the school board Thursday, but the board will not vote then. A date for the final decision on closures and other changes has not yet been set. Students rally against school closures outside Philadelphia School District headquarters Thursday on North Broad Street, before Superintendent Tony B. Watlington presented his proposal to close 18 schools to the school board. Read more Two of the 20 Philadelphia schools originally targeted for closure under Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr.s facilities plan have been spared and will remain open. Conwell Middle School in Kensington and Motivation High in Southwest Philadelphia will not close after all, Watlington announced at a charged school board meeting Thursday. Advertisement As communities advocated to save their schools in the weeks since Watlington unveiled his plan, Conwell and Motivation, both magnet schools that accept students citywide, had powerful political allies. Several members of City Council opposed the Conwell closure, and Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D., Philadelphia) spoke out against shutting down Motivation. Watlington said the change from 20 to 18 school closures was not because of politicians, though. We pored through thousands of feedback loops from a number of Philadelphians, to include parents, students, grassroots organizations, and certainly elected officials, the superintendent told reporters during a briefing this week. We took all of that feedback together and, in tandem, we landed on these recommended changes, not reflecting one voice or sector more than the others. Watlingtons $2.8 billion facilities plan, which now includes closing 18 schools, colocating six, and upgrading 159, is not yet final and continues to face strong opposition from affected school communities. He formally presented it to the school board Thursday, and the board is expected to vote in the coming weeks, though no date has been set. Schools would begin closing in 2027, and school building upgrades would take several years. Under the revisions Watlington presented Thursday: Conwell would remain open and continue to be a magnet, but would also add a neighborhood admissions component. Students from nearby Elkin Elementary, a K-4, would move to Conwell beginning in fifth grade, and the school would still accept students from around the city. Motivation would absorb students from Paul Robeson High, which is on the closure list. Robeson and Motivation are both citywide admissions schools, and Motivation would remain so under the plan. Robeson had previously been scheduled to move into Sayre, another citywide admissions school. Lankenau High, the citys environmental science magnet, had been targeted for closure and would have moved into Roxborough High. It would still close under the revised plan, but would instead move into Saul High School, the citys agricultural science magnet. Both are in Roxborough. Accelerating Opportunity In his presentation to the board, Watlington called the 10-year plan Accelerating Opportunity. The proposed changes were spurred not by finances though the district has 70,000 empty seats and has indicated it needs to shrink its footprint but by a desire to accelerate progress, Watlington said. The district is making gains in academics, attendance, and dropouts, but still, the superintendent said, the majority of our young people still dont perform at grade level of reading and math. Philadelphia, Watlington told reporters, must multiply that acceleration curve by five or 10. Because we cant wait for generations to improve these outcomes and opportunities for all of our children. And we know that theres a huge disparity based on where you live in Philadelphia. The 159 modernization projects to upgrade schools range from new roofs and fresh paint in some buildings to larger projects, including a $58 million refresh at South Philadelphia High. The district released the full list of proposed modernization project details this week. But funding for them is not yet certain; the district plans to pay $1 billion of the $2.8 billion cost and hopes state and philanthropic funding will cover the rest. How did Conwell and Motivation get spared? Students, parents, and staff at each of the 20 schools proposed for closure have made cases for why Watlington should change his mind since their schools landed on the closure list last month. In Conwells case, Watlington told reporters the advocacy work of the large, historic alumni base of the magnet middle school helped move the needle. So, too, did significant feedback from individuals about a part of the city where individuals felt very strongly that we have to figure out how to invest more in. Conwell supporters spoke out strongly against divesting from a school in Kensington, the center of the citys opioid epidemic. Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, for example, said at a meeting at Conwell that we are saying to these families, we are punishing them because as a city, we cant respond to the public safety issues that we have on the outside, and that is just not fair. Also, Watlington said, the distance between Conwell and the school its students would have been sent to AMY at James Martin, more than two miles away in Fishtown was significant. Instead, officials decided to build Conwells enrollment by routing students from Elkin. Elkin students now attend Stetson Middle School, which remains on the closure list. Conwell would remain a magnet school, open to students citywide only through the school selection process. Elkin students would be in separate classes, and Conwell would continue to offer accelerated classes to its magnet students. Closing Motivation would have left Southwest Philadelphia with no magnet school. Watlington said officials liked the idea of routing Robeson, a strong citywide school in West Philadelphia, to Motivation. The building itself at Motivation is not at the bottom of the heap in terms of programmatic ratings, the superintendent said. The problem with Motivation is that weve lost enrollment. Relocating Robeson inside Motivation solves the number one problem were solving for, is how do we build our enrollments, address under- and overenrollment so we can push in more high-quality academic and extracurricular programs. Our community, quite frankly, made some suggestions that had merit. Disappointment for Lankenau and other schools The outcry around closing Lankenau was also significant; Watlingtons team did not retreat from a closure recommendation, but now wants to locate the school at Saul, another magnet with a complementary mission. Saul has room to accommodate Lankenau, Watlington said. But he said district lawyers are reviewing a recent revelation that the Lankenau site must be offered back to the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education as a result of a 1973 deal. The district had proposed giving that school property to the city. We have to do our due diligence, and those sometimes can be a bit complicated, but well work through all of the details as appropriate, he told reporters. The ball is in the school boards court now. It has not set a date for a vote on the plan or said whether it will consider further public engagement. But, Watlington said, we look forward to the board of education receiving these recommendations and doing some thoughtful digesting of these very well-thought-out recommendations that reflect our community at larges feedback. Robert Clendaniel, photographed in 2023, was one of 36 plaintiffs who were part of a five-year-long federal lawsuit taking aim at Philadelphia's "courtesy tow" system. He had his legally parked car towed in 2022, then had to pay $141 to get it back after it was towed again to a lot in Southwest Philadelphia. I got zero explanation, Clendaniel said. Read more Our long municipal nightmare could be over. The dreaded courtesy-tow system, the bane of so many Philadelphia drivers, looks to be finally getting an overhaul, with the city promising in writing to use its reasonable best efforts to stop losing your cars. Advertisement If that happens, gone will be the days of parking a Hyundai on 15th Street, only to find it the following week in the middle of Washington Avenue with $120 worth of parking tickets on the windshield. No more riding around in the back of a police cruiser in a futile attempt to locate a Honda that could be practically anywhere within our 142-square-mile city. Who could forget the guy who was forced to pay nearly $1,000 to get his BMW off the auction block after it was courtesy towed into a loading zone, then impounded by the Philadelphia Parking Authority? And the women who were pulled over by police in other states for driving their own stolen cars, even though they had actually been courtesy towed in Philly months earlier. Now, a less infuriating system could be in the works. After a protracted legal battle in federal court and six years worth of Inquirer stories lawyers for the city have tentatively agreed to fix the problem. The city said in a settlement agreement filed in federal court last week that it will pay $750,000 to 36 courtesy-tow victims and start requiring tow truck drivers who participate in the citys vehicle relocation program to keep track of where they unhook them. U.S. District Judge Joshua D. Wolson still has to sign off on the agreement. They will have a handheld device to record where they are deposited and that will go to a website, said Joseph Kohn of Kohn, Swift & Graf, which represented the plaintiffs along with attorney David Rudovsky. Under the terms of the agreement, the city is expected to partner with the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA), which already uses such technology, to create a citywide system similar to those in Chicago, Phoenix, and other cities that maintain online databases of towed vehicles. What is a courtesy tow? Courtesy towing is a Philly term to describe what the city formally calls relocation towing. Its a notoriously dysfunctional process for moving legally parked vehicles to make room for things like special events, utility work, or construction. Some cars go missing for days or weeks. Others disappear forever. Example of a courtesy tow gone wrong (it often goes wrong): You legally park at the curb near your home in an area covered by your parking permit. That block, unbeknownst to you, subsequently becomes a temporary no-parking zone, say, for a construction project. When you return a couple days later, your car is gone. No one at the police department or any other branch of city government has any idea where it is. Youre on your own. This happens because the city allows private towing companies to handle much of the work, and those companies either fail to notify the police department where they dropped off the vehicles, or the information gets lost somewhere within an antiquated system of handwritten logs and fax machines. There is little accountability. To add insult to injury, some of the towing companies will drop off vehicles in no-parking zones. Then the PPA comes along and starts ticketing those vehicles, unaware that they had been courtesy-towed to that location. Lastly, the coup de grace: Drivers who appeal those tickets are typically unsuccessful because they cant prove to a hearing officer or a judge that they hadnt parked there. The problem got so bad that Comedy Centrals The Daily Show dedicated a segment to it in 2024. But Mary Henin wasnt laughing when she had guns in her face during a trip to the New Jersey Shore in May 2020. Long Beach Island police ordered her and a friend out of her Nissan, claiming it had been stolen. She was handcuffed and sat by the side of the road for 45 minutes until police could determine that the car was hers. It was horrible, Henin, a public defender, recalled on Monday. Were lucky we were only just detained at the end of the day. Turns out, Henins car had been courtesy-towed months earlier for tree trimming. When she was unable to find it, she reported it stolen, as police often advise drivers. Henin later found it a few blocks from her West Philadelphia home and reported that to police, but they never took it out of the stolen-vehicle database. The same thing happened a year later to Julia Lipkis, another Philadelphia courtesy-tow victim. She was pulled over by police in Virginia and wrongly accused of driving a stolen car. Henin was one of the original plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit filed in 2021 alleging that the courtesy-tow process is a violation of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments. Its a taking of property and a due-process violation, said Kohn, the plaintiffs lawyer. He said he first learned of the problem in The Inquirer. Under the proposed new system outlined in the settlement, the PPA would first put stickers on cars before they are courtesy towed, so its parking enforcement officers will know not to issue citations if a vehicle ends up in a no-parking or metered area. Henin said shes relieved that the city has finally moved forward with fixes to a system that has been broken for so long. Im just hoping we can see them implemented quickly, she said. Ava Schwemler, a spokesperson for the citys Law Department, declined on Wednesday to comment on the settlement. While the litigation has been settled, we remain at work finalizing all of the process changes that will follow, Schwemler wrote by email. The city will provide additional information in the near future about the changes that are occurring. PPA spokesperson Marty ORourke said the parking authority is willing to assist the city in any way that it can. At this point, there has been no formal operational agreement with the PPA, ORourke said. Bureaucratic nightmare Its not clear when courtesy towing in Philadelphia got so bad. The Inquirer began reporting on drivers Kafkaesque experiences in January 2020, but the problem likely goes back much further. City Hall has consistently ignored the problem, and, for years, refused to acknowledge that it even exists. When Henin and three other vehicle owners filed their suit, the city tried to settle the case by offering them each $15,000, instead of fixing the systemic issues. Two plaintiffs took the money, but Henin and another driver moved forward with the suit. Dozens more drivers with similar stories later came forward and filed a second lawsuit. They considered pursuing a class-action case. Still, the city would not budge. In legal filings, lawyers for the city argued that it wasnt responsible for the missing vehicles because they had been towed by private companies. [T]hey do not claim an injury that is fairly traceable to the city, Anne Taylor, chief deputy city solicitor, wrote of the plaintiffs in 2023. In the fall of 2024, there was a glimmer of hope. City Council passed a resolution to hold hearings to investigate the practice of courtesy-towing. Philadelphia drivers have been frustrated with the bureaucratic nightmare of getting their vehicles back, with some viewing courtesy-towing as little more than a money-making scheme, read the resolution, which was introduced by Councilmember Jeffery Young. Those hearings led to nothing. They never even happened. No one has explained why. In a pair of rulings in late 2024 and early 2025, U.S. District Judge Mitchell S. Goldberg rejected the citys arguments to have the case thrown out. The two lawsuits were later consolidated. Goldberg ruled that because the city distributes the temporary no-parking signs that precede most courtesy-tows, it has a duty to keep track of the vehicles, whether they are towed by the police department, the parking authority, or a private company. I just dont understand how a big city can have this issue, Danielle Ditommaso, 27, whose Volkswagen Jetta was courtesy-towed from the Ben Franklin Parkway in 2022, told The Inquirer last year. She never saw the car again. Aarthi Manohar, co-counsel on the federal lawsuit, said she couldnt comment on negotiations with the city or what led to the settlement. She commended the drivers who brought the case for sticking it out for five years. They knew the city could and should do better, Manohar said. They were willing to wait nearly half a decade. Cuba's military shot at a U.S.-registered boat Wednesday close to its shoreline, authorities said. Read more HAVANA Cubas government said late Wednesday that the 10 passengers on a boat that opened fire on its soldiers were armed Cubans living in the U.S. who were trying to infiltrate the island and unleash terrorism. The announcement came hours after Cuba said its soldiers killed four people and wounded six others aboard a Florida-registered speedboat that had entered Cuban waters and opened fire on the soldiers first, injuring one Cuban officer. Advertisement Cubas government said the majority of the 10 people on the boat have a known history of criminal and violent activity. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had told reporters earlier that he was made aware of the incident and that the U.S. is now gathering its own information to determine if the victims were American citizens or permanent residents. We have various different elements of the U.S. government that are trying to identify elements of the story that may not be provided to us now, Rubio said while at the airport in Basseterre, St. Kitts, where he was attending a regional summit with Caribbean leaders. The Cuban government identified two of the boat passengers as Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez, who are wanted by Cuban authorities based on their involvement in the promotion, planning, organization, financing, support or commission of actions carried out in the national territory or in other countries, in connection with acts of terrorism. The government said it also had arrested Duniel Hernandez Santos, adding that he was sent from the United States to guarantee the reception of the armed infiltration, who at this time has confessed to his actions. The Associated Press was not immediately able to independently verify that information. Cubas government said it obtained the details about the passengers aboard the boat from the suspects detained following the shootout. It identified seven of the 10 passengers, including Conrado Galindo Sariol, Jose Manuel Rodriguez Castello, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, and Roberto Alvarez Avila. On Thursday, Cubas deputy foreign minister, Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, said the Cuban government erroneously identified Roberto Azcorra Consuegra as one of the boat passengers late Wednesday. He said Azcorra was not aboard the boat. Cubas government said that one of the four killed was Michel Ortega Casanova. The investigation process continues until the facts are fully clarified, the ministry said in a statement. Misael Ortega Casanova, brother of Michel Ortega Casanova, told the Associated Press late Wednesday that he was mourning his brothers death but lamented that he fell into what he called an obsessive and diabolical quest for Cubas freedom. Only us Cubans who have lived over there understand, Misael Ortega Casanova said, referring to the great suffering that he and other Cubans on the island have faced. He noted that his brother, who was a truck driver and an American citizen who lived for more than 20 years in the U.S., leaves behind his wife, his mother, two sisters one of whom lives in Cuba and a daughter who is pregnant. No one knew, Misael said of his brothers plans. My mother is devastated. He added: They became so obsessed that they didnt think about the consequences nor their own lives. Misael said that he did not recognize any of the names that the Cuban government released. He said that while he doesnt believe in heroes because that is ignorance he hopes that his brothers death might be a worthwhile sacrifice: Maybe it will justify that some day Cuba will be free. A highly unusual shootout President Donald Trumps top diplomat refused to speculate on what happened, saying that it could be a wide range of things, and that the U.S. will not solely rely on what the Cuban authorities have provided thus far. Suffice it to say, it is highly unusual to see shootouts in open sea like that. Its not something that happens every day. Its something, frankly, that hasnt happened with Cuba in a very long time, Rubio said. He said both the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard are investigating the incident and stressed that he wants to verify the facts. The majority of the facts being publicly reported are those by the information provided by the Cubans. We will verify that independently as we gather more information, and well be prepared to respond accordingly, Rubio said. Were going to have our own information on this. Were going to figure out exactly what happened. He said it was not a U.S. government operation and that he wasnt going to speculate about whose boat it was, what they were doing, why they were there, what actually happened. One of the men identified by the Cuban government, Conrado Galindo Sariol, was interviewed in June 2025 by Marti Noticias, a U.S.-based news site that has long called for a change of government in Cuba. Galindo, whom the host called a legend and a former political prisoner, was quoted as saying that he wants to support the struggles that Cubans face, especially in the eastern part of the island to achieve the freedom that is needed. He said that the protests in Cuba at that time were not a spark thats going to be extinguished. The regimes leaders are crisscrossing Cuba, trying to mitigate whats coming very soon because they know theyre out of power, that they cant do anything about it, and theyre looking for ways to prevent the protests from growing in other parts of the country, Galindo was quoted as saying. Fear over increased tensions Rubio said he found out about the shooting before the Cuban government posted on social media, noting that the U.S. has constant contact with the country at the Coast Guard level. Earlier, Cubas Interior Ministry issued a statement that provided few details about the shooting, but noted that the boat was roughly 1 mile northeast of Cayo Falcones, off Cubas north coast. The government provided the boats registration number, but the Associated Press was unable to readily verify details of the boat because boat registrations are not public in the state of Florida. It wasnt immediately known what the boat and its occupants were doing in Cuban waters. In the statement, the ministry said Cubas government was safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring stability in the region. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida said it would pursue answers through every legal and diplomatic channel available, adding that facts remain unclear and conflicting. Vice President JD Vance said late Wednesday afternoon that Rubio had briefed him on the incident. He added that the White House was monitoring the situation. Hopefully its not as bad as we fear it could be, Vance said. The shooting threatens to increase tensions between the U.S. and Cuba. Following the ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Trump and top administration officials have taken an increasingly aggressive stance toward Cuba, which had been largely kept economically afloat by Venezuelas oil. The energy crisis Cuba has been grappling with in recent years entered new extremes last month when Trump signed an executive order that would impose a tariff on any country that sells or provides oil to Cuba. The move put pressure on Mexico, which Cuba became largely dependent on for petroleum after Trump halted oil shipments from Venezuela. Meanwhile, James Uthmeier, Floridas attorney general, said he has ordered prosecutors to work with federal, state and law enforcement partners to start an investigation. The Cuban government cannot be trusted, and we will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable, he wrote on X. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks outside the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center in New York, after testifying Thursday before the Republican-led House Oversight Committee. Read more WASHINGTON Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told members of Congress on Thursday that she had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epsteins or Ghislaine Maxwells crimes, starting off two days of depositions that will also include former President Bill Clinton. I had no idea about their criminal activities. I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein, Hillary Clinton said in an opening statement she shared on social media. The closed-door deposition concluded after over six hours of questioning Thursday. Advertisement The depositions in the Clintons hometown of Chappaqua, a typically quiet hamlet north of New York City, come after months of tense back-and-forth between the former high-powered Democratic couple and the Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee as it investigates Epstein, who killed himself in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial. It will be the first time that a former president has been forced to testify before Congress. Yet the demand for a reckoning over Epsteins abuse of underage girls has become a near-unstoppable force on Capitol Hill and beyond. President Donald Trump, a Republican who has expressed regret that the Clintons are being forced to testify, bowed last year to pressure to release case files on Epstein. The Clintons, too, agreed to testify after their offers of sworn statements were rebuffed by the Oversight panel and its chairman, Rep. James Comer (R., Ky.) threatened criminal contempt of Congress charges against them. Like every decent person, Hillary Clinton added in her opening statement, I have been horrified by what we have learned about their crimes. She has previously said that her husband flew with Epstein for charitable trips but that she did not recall ever meeting Epstein. She had also interacted with Maxwell, Epsteins former girlfriend and confidant, at conferences hosted by the Clinton Foundation. Maxwell, a British socialite, also attended the 2010 wedding of their daughter, Chelsea Clinton. As she exited the event center where the deposition was held, Hillary Clinton told reporters that Maxwell had come to the wedding as a guest of someone else and that she had told the committee she only knew Maxwell as an acquaintance. Republicans relish chance to question Clintons Bill Clinton, however, has emerged as a top target for Republicans amid the political struggle over who receives the most scrutiny for their ties to Epstein. Several photos of the former president were included in the first tranche of Epstein files released by the Department of Justice in January, including a number of him with women whose faces were redacted. Clinton has not been accused of wrongdoing in his relationship with Epstein. Comer has also pointed to Hillary Clintons work as secretary of state to address sex trafficking as another reason to insist on her deposition. Clinton defended her work to address sex trafficking around the world, saying that it remained important to help the millions of survivors of sex trafficking. The committees investigation has also sought to understand why the Department of Justice under previous presidential administrations did not seek further charges against Epstein following a 2008 arrangement in which he pleaded guilty to state charges in Florida for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl but avoided federal charges. Hillary Clinton accused Comer of running a one-sided investigation that has failed to hold Trump and other Republican officials to account. This institutional failure is designed to protect one political party and one public official, she said. Yet conspiracy theories, especially on the right, have swirled for years around the Clintons and their connections to Epstein and Maxwell, who argues she was wrongfully convicted. Republicans have long wanted to press the Clintons for answers. The deposition was paused after Rep. Lauren Boebert (R., Colo.) sent a photo of Hillary Clinton in the private proceeding to a conservative influencer who posted it on social media, violating the committees rules for depositions. Democrats said that the incident underscored how important it was for there to be a clear public record of the deposition. Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the Oversight panel, said that Hillary Clinton, after the incident, repeated her longstanding demand that the deposition be made public, and Democrats called for a video and transcript of the complete proceedings to be released quickly. Comer said that he would work quickly to release a video and transcript of the deposition. The purpose of the whole investigation is to try to understand many things about Epstein, he told reporters outside the convention center where the depositions were being held. How did he accumulate so much wealth? How was he able to surround himself with some of the most powerful men in the world? Comer described the deposition as a bipartisan effort and said Thursday that it was very possible the committee would question Trumps Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who was Epsteins neighbor and had several interactions with him. Under questioning from Democrats earlier this month, Lutnick acknowledged that he had met with Epstein twice after the late financiers 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a child, reversing his previous claim that he had cut ties with him after 2005. Democrats call for Trump to testify Democrats, now being led by a new generation of politicians, have prioritized transparency around Epstein over defending the former leaders of their party. Several Democratic lawmakers joined with Republicans on the Oversight panel to advance the contempt of Congress charges against the Clintons last month. Several said they had no relationship with the Clintons and owed no loyalty to them. Garcia also called on Trump to testify in the investigation. He argued that Bill Clintons appearance sets a precedent that should apply to Trump as well. Lets get President Trump in front of our committee to answer the questions that are being asked across this country from survivors, Garcia said. Comer previously said that the committee cant depose Trump because he is a sitting president. Still, Democrats are also coming off an effort this week to confront Trump about his administrations handling of the Epstein files by taking women who survived Epsteins abuse as their guests to Trumps State of the Union address. Garcia and others are also challenging the Department of Justices assertion that it has met the requirements of a law passed by Congress last year that mandates the release of many of the case files on Epstein. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said his caucus in the coming days would also review unredacted versions of the Epstein case files at a Department of Justice office. Schumer, who demanded that the department release all of the files and preserve all materials, said they will pull on every thread until they reveal this massive cover-up. U.S. and Iranian officials completed a round of nuclear negotiations Thursday in Geneva in the shadow of a large-scale U.S. military buildup around Iran. The sides made significant progress and agreed to meet next week to discuss technical details in Vienna, said Omans foreign minister, the mediator of the talks. The apparent plan to continue negotiations, after three rounds in recent weeks, could indicate that President Donald Trump remains open to diplomacy, at least for now. A senior Iranian official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to share details from the closed-door talks, said that the meetings were serious, but that the negotiations still have miles to go to resolve differences. The Trump administration has yet to weigh in on how the talks went or what is next and did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement To avert conflict, negotiators will have to find an off-ramp that Iran might accept while also giving the Trump administration the chance to claim a win. In statements reported midway through talks by Irans state-backed media, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei expressed hope that by the afternoon, following a pause for each side to consult with capitals, they would focus on what Iran considers the two main issues restraints on its nuclear program and the lifting of U.S. sanctions. The talks may have been the most serious round of negotiations with the Trump administration ever, said Ali Vaez, an Iran expert with the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based think tank. He said he had spoken with the negotiating teams on both sides Thursday. They are the most decisive, because everybody understands whats at stake and what the price of failure would be, and if continued over days, I think one could be hopeful that maybe they could reach an understanding, Vaez said. The U.S. military has shifted scores of aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East since a round of talks ended last week without a breakthrough, amid an intermittent drumbeat of threats from Trump that began in response to Tehrans violent crackdown on protesters last month. The U.S. military presence, assembled under a president who campaigned on stopping wars and criticized the era of U.S. military intervention in the Middle East, is among the largest in the region in more than two decades, since the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. Governments in the region and some of Washingtons closest allies have expressed concerns over what could result. At the same time, U.S. military officials have warned that any direct conflict with Iran would be lengthy and could dangerously deplete already-low U.S. weapons stocks. White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner arrived early Thursday in Geneva, where they were also scheduled to meet with representatives from Ukraine and Russia in hopes of reviving apparently stalled negotiations over an end to that war. Iran has said that its focus is on statements by Trump that it can never have a nuclear weapon and must take verifiable steps to that end, in exchange for the rollback of sanctions that have hobbled its economy. U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have voiced a range of demands many of them backed by Israel including an end to Irans support for armed groups in the region and curtailment of its ballistic missile program. Rubio, Witkoff, and others on the U.S. side have pushed for Iran, which international inspectors say has amassed hundreds of pounds of near-weapons-grade, highly enriched uranium, to surrender that material and accept a ban on future enrichment. Iranian negotiators have insisted on their right to enrichment under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. There is no doubt that the United States is interested in addressing nonnuclear issues as well, Vaez said. I think the [U.S.] president believes that if he is to sell a deal it also has to address missiles and Irans regional activities. But it is also clear that on those issues a substantive solution might not necessarily be available, he said. Vaez suggested that a deal on nonnuclear issues might be struck that is more symbolic than substantive. But it would definitely not amount to the kind of capitulation that the U.S. was hoping it would be able to achieve with heightened pressure on Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who headed the Iranian delegation, delivered via his Omani counterpart, Badr al-Busaidi, a new proposal that included token nuclear enrichment for medical purposes and other research, according to two people familiar with the proposal, who spoke on the condition of anonymity about closed-door diplomacy. The Iranian offer includes a pause on most enrichment for three to five years, during which time Iran would be allowed to maintain 1.5% enrichment for medical purposes at a Tehran research reactor, said one of the people with knowledge of the offer, speaking on the condition of anonymity to share sensitive details. After the pause, a normal level of enrichment would be handled by a regional consortium. But Iran might be open to locking, under supervision of international inspectors, the sites of vast underground centrifuges and storage sites for enriched uranium that Trump has said were obliterated by U.S. and Israeli bombing last summer, the person with knowledge of the offer said. The senior Iranian official said after the talks that dismantling Irans nuclear sites remained a red line for Tehran and that Iran would not agree to ship enriched uranium out of the country. Rafael Mariano Grossi the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency that has inspected Irans program on the ground since the 2015 nuclear deal signed under the Obama administration, from which Trump withdrew during his first term also attended the Thursdays talks. Iran has amassed an amount of highly enriched uranium beyond levels needed for most nonmilitary use, although it has said repeatedly it has no intention of producing a nuclear weapon. Grossi said this month there is no evidence of an active plan to build a bomb. In the annual State of the Union address, Trump said on Tuesday that he preferred a diplomatic solution, while adding he would never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon: Cant let that happen. Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Irans supreme leader, said Thursday that an agreement was within reach if the talks stick to Irans pledge not to build a nuclear weapon. He said Irans foreign minister has sufficient support and authority to come to a deal in the negotiations. There is no doubt that the United States is interested in addressing non-nuclear issues as well, Vaez said. With significant Republican congressional opposition to any deal at all, I think the [U.S.] president believes that if he is to sell a deal it also has to address missiles and Irans regional activities. But it is also clear that on those issues a substantive solution might not necessarily be available, he said. Larry Summers speaks during a panel on the second day of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 18, 2017. Read more Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers will resign from teaching at Harvard University amid a campus review of his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the university announced Wednesday. Summers, who has been on leave since November and whose name appeared hundreds of times in newly released Epstein files, will step down at the end of the school year, according to a statement from Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton. Advertisement Professor Summers has announced that he will retire from his academic and faculty appointments at Harvard at the end of this academic year and will remain on leave until that time, Newton said. In a statement, Summers said it was a difficult decision and expressed gratitude to the students and colleagues he worked with over 50 years. Free of formal responsibility, as President Emeritus and a retired professor, I look forward in time to engaging in research, analysis, and commentary on a range of global economic issues, Summers said. The Justice Departments latest release has rippled through academia, uncovering Epsteins ties to numerous researchers who sought his funding and his friendship even after he became a convicted sex offender. Summers resignation follows that of Richard Axel, a Nobel laureate, who on Tuesday announced he would step down as co-director of Columbia Universitys Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute. Summers served as treasury secretary under former President Bill Clinton and went on to lead Harvard as president for five years starting in 2001. Summers also has Philly-area roots. He grew up in Penn Valley and attended Lower Merion schools, graduating from Harriton High School in the early 1970s. A trove of files released by the government cast new light on Summers relationship with Epstein, which spanned years and included visits to one another at their homes in Massachusetts and New York. The two traded emails on topics ranging from politics and the economy to women and romance. Summers, who has been married for 20 years, consulted Epstein on a separate relationship with a woman he was tutoring in economics, according to emails from 2018 and 2019. Epstein described himself as Summers wing man and encouraged persistence. In a 2018 email, Summers said the woman was never his student but he had known her father for 20 plus years as Chinese economic official. I have a very good life w Lisa kids etc., Summers said in a 2018 email, referencing his wife. Easy to put at risk for something that might not materialize at all or if it does might prove transient. In a 2016 email, Summers appeared to use a slur for Asian people while discussing an upcoming meeting between Epstein and an official from a Chinese university. Responding to previous revelations, Summers last year said he had great regrets in my life and that his association with Epstein was a major error in judgment. Harvard officials have publicly said little about Summers relationship. When Summers went on leave last year, the university said it was reviewing individuals at Harvard who were in the Epstein documents to evaluate what actions may be warranted. Epsteins ties to Harvard were the focus of a 2020 campus report finding that the financier gave more than $9 million to the Ivy League school, mostly for a center founded by math and biology professor Martin Nowak. The report did not mention Summers relationship with Epstein. Nowak was later disciplined by Harvard. In December, Summers was dealt a lifetime ban from the American Economic Association, a nonprofit scholarly association dedicated to economic research, over his Epstein ties. At Columbia, Axel said in a statement Tuesday that he regretted his association with Epstein, calling it a serious error in judgment. He said he is also giving up his position as an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute but will continue to research and teach in his laboratory at the Zuckerman Institute in Manhattan. Axel was one of the 2004 winners of the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for discoveries related to the human olfactory system. His name appears more than 600 times in Justice Department files reviewed by the Associated Press, including in emails he exchanged with Epstein and on schedules noting their meetings, dinners and lunches. In a news article published in 2007, while Epstein was initially under investigation in Florida, the scientist praised Epsteins intellect, telling New York magazine: He has the ability to make connections that other minds cant make. He is extremely smart and probing. The resignations are the latest fallout from the Justice Departments recent release of millions of pages of records pertaining to Epstein and his longtime confidant and former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell. Resignations have rippled across the academic, legal and business communities. In Britain, former Prince Andrew and ex-diplomat Peter Mandelson were arrested because of their connections to Epstein and Maxwell. Ginny Kerslake, environmentalist, and Charles Lyddane, developer, discussed development procedures in sites in East and West Whiteland Townships in 2023. Read more So many people packed into an East Whiteland Planning Commission meeting Wednesday in response to a data center project that the crowd exceeded capacity and forced township officials to reschedule the discussion. The meeting will be tentatively rescheduled for March 9 at a larger venue, township officials said. Advertisement It was the second time this week that a strong public presence changed the course for local officials weighing data center projects. In North Coventry, the township supervisors took a vote Monday saying they would deny a data center project that had not yet been formally submitted after more than a hundred people packed into the meeting to object to it. In East Whiteland, the planning commission is weighing an amended application seeking to expand a previously approved data center project that sits on the border of the township and neighboring West Whiteland. The new plan would increase the size of the two data center buildings by roughly 61% from what was previously approved, to exceed 1.6 million square feet. The developers, Sentinel Data Centers and Green Fig Land LLC, said the changes would also update the project to modern technology, saying the approved 2024 plan was outdated. Those changes would include removing two microwave towers, antenna yards, and ground-mounted cooling towers. It would also redesign cooling equipment to use waterless chillers. Lou Colagreco, the attorney for the developer, told the board Wednesday construction would commence within the next couple of weeks, with groundwork underway, under the previously approved project. He urged the commission to recommend the amended plan to the townships board of supervisors. We think that a yes vote approves, at the end of the day, a better plan, Colagreco said. After some musical chairs with the attendees scooting their chairs up to make more standing room at the back the discussion came to a halt roughly a half hour into the meeting. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, planning commission chairwoman Deborah Abel said after a brief pause, but weve just been told by the fire marshal that we cannot continue this meeting with this amount of people in the room. Attendees exceeded the rooms capacity of 98, with an additional 30 people in the lobby. Township officials sought to whittle the numbers down, saying people could watch the livestream at home, or stand in the lobby. But residents chafed at the request, calling on the board to reschedule the meeting instead. It represents a growing trend of residents packing into municipal meetings in Chester County to decry data center projects. More than 100 residents showed up at the North Coventry meeting Monday, speaking for more than an hour against a project that had not formally been submitted to the township. It surprised the developer, who decided to scrap it. In East Vincent, after months of public participation, the planning commission recommended that the townships board of supervisors reject a proposal for the historic Pennhurst site. The opposition from residents clashes with Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, who has sought to draw more of this development to Pennsylvania. And while about 38% of Pennsylvanians said in a December survey they support data centers being built in the state, they were less likely to support data centers in their own backyards. Thanks, everyone, for coming out, Abel told residents as she ended the meeting. Sorry for the waste of time. Macy is a 30-year-old Falabella miniature horse, but she still remembers how to smile. She'll be up for auction at the Land of Little Horses sale. Read more Everything at Land of Little Horses animal theme park in Gettysburg must go this weekend. That means tractors, picnic tables, porta potties, and about 30 miniature horses. Sparkle, Pumpernickel, Russels Majestic Princess Gingerbread, Summer Wish, Shortcake, and the others will head for greener pastures at the Saturday morning auction, which will mark the end of the 55-year-old park. Advertisement In December, the park owners announced on social media that theyd decided to retire and close the facility, which hosted horse shows, trail rides, and grooming activities. They declined to be interviewed for this story. Selling horses, let alone miniature horses, is a first for auctioneer Larry Swartz. We have had strong interest from really across the nation, even a breeder from Hawaii has reached out, Swartz said. (If youre wondering if a mini horse can be transported on an airplane, it can, Swartz said.) Swartz predicts one particular miniature horse, an 11-year-old chocolate mare with a bald face, to fetch the highest price. Cameo was the star of their show here, Swartz said. We expect her probably to be the high seller. Not only does she have distinctive markings, she can wave, smile, untie, lay down, and sit. As of Wednesday afternoon, she was already going for $3,550 in the online prebidding which started Feb. 14 and ends when the live auction starts Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Gettysburg farm at 125 Glenwood Dr. The auction will also be available to view on livestream. Swartz expects each miniature horse to sell for around $2,000 to $3,000. The origins of miniature horses in the United States may date back to the 1800s, according to the American Miniature Horse Association, a Texas-based nonprofit that sets regulations and compiles registries of miniature horses around the country and world. The horses were originally brought over from Britain to assist in the mining industry for hauling wagons of coal, said Valerie Shingledecker, the associations operations manager. The United States now has around 100,000 of them, according to the associations registry. Texas, California, and Florida have the largest number of association-registered miniature horses in the country as of this month. States along the Appalachian Mountain range, where much 19th-century coal mining activity was concentrated, have the next-highest number. Pennsylvania has the fifth-largest population of association-registered miniature horses at about 3,800. Can you own a miniature horse? In recent decades, miniature horses are more commonly seen at petting zoos and in horse shows performing tricks, like pulling people in wagons. They can also be kept as pets. In Philadelphia, residents can apply for a license to own a horse if they have a stable or one quarter acre of land per horse, according to a 2013 law. If residents have neither, they can still keep one so long as they have fewer than three horses in the same space and submit an equine veterinarian-approved exercise plan for the horses. Most importantly manure must be disposed of every 24 hours. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a miniature horse can function as a service animal for people with disabilities. Facilities covered by the ADA are required to adopt policies detailing where and when service miniature horses are permitted. Facilities may elect to not allow them inside if theyre not housebroken. If youre interested in owning one, get ready for a long-haul commitment, Shingledecker said. These horses cannot exceed 34 inches in height at the withers as measured from the last hairs of the mane, according to the American Miniature Horse Association. Theyre about a quarter the size of a regular horse and can live for over 30 years. However, theyre easy keepers, she said, meaning they dont require a lot of food about $2 of hay a day or $730 a year. They also need vaccines and have to have their feet trimmed every six weeks by a farrier, but they dont need horseshoes. All in all, Shingledecker estimates one miniature horse costs about $1,500 a year to take care of. Though theyre generally well-behaved, its important to remember theyre still animals with their own set of defense mechanisms. It is a horse, its not a dog, she said. They can kick and they can bite if they were not socialized well. Dont put them in the house. If they become afraid, theyll either run, kick, or bite, Shingledecker said. On the whole, theyre very friendly, very easy to work with. Five police officers say in a new federal lawsuit they were skipped over for promotions because of a Philadelphia policy change to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the municipal workforce. The officers Christopher Bloom, Kollin Berg, Joseph Musumeci, Marc Monachello, and Leroy Ziegler claim they were victims of an illegal and discriminatory policy change adopted by City Council and Philadelphia voters in the aftermath of Black Lives Matter protests that swept the nation. Advertisement The lawsuit is a proposed class action on behalf of all white male employees of the Philadelphia Police Department who were passed over for promotions since 2021 in favor of a candidate with lower exam scores. The complaint was filed by a team of attorneys affiliated with President Donald Trump who have sued the city previously over diversity initiatives. The change at the heart of the latest lawsuit is related to the so-called rule of two that required city managers to choose between the two candidates with the highest Civil Service exam scores. The rule was an often-cited reason for the limited diversity in the city workforce. Voters got rid of the requirement through a ballot question in 2021, giving the city more discretion to tailor the number of finalists for a position. The five officers sought promotions in November, three from lieutenant to captain and two from sergeant to lieutenant. All were passed over for one of these promotions on account of their race and sex, the suit says. The complaint, filed Wednesday in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, quotes from legislative documents and statements from politicians to argue that the rule change was racially motivated. A 2022 resolution calling on then-Mayor Jim Kenney to study the impact of the rule change repeatedly bemoans the fact that white men were obtaining too many promotions under the citys merit-based promotion system, the suit says, calling it one of the many examples of the city of Philadelphias determination to impose illegal DEI practices that consciously and intentionally discriminate against white men. Another example cited in the lawsuit is a statement by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, a Council member at the time, who championed the change. She is quoted as saying that for too long, the Rule of Two has held back Black and Brown employees. READ MORE: Internal documents shed light on Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers decision to end Philadelphias racial diversity goals in contracting The suit is the latest filed by a team of conservative lawyers against Philadelphia over efforts to address racial inequity. The attorneys include Pennsylvanias self-described go-to lawyer for Republicans, Wally Zimolong; Jonathan Mitchell, the former Texas solicitor general who is credited as the legal mind behind that states abortion ban; and attorneys from American First Legal, an organization formed by Trump adviser Stephen Miller. In October, the group settled a lawsuit that claimed the city violated the Constitution by forcing bidders to sign agreements that included diverse workforce goals. The city agreed to pay $417,000 in attorneys fees and clarify that diversity benchmarks in project agreements were aspirational goals, not mandatory quotas. Parkers administration ended a Philadelphia policy prioritizing businesses owned by women or people of color in city contracting shortly after the settlement. And earlier this month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit revived a lawsuit brought by Philadelphia School District parents challenging admission-policy changes to selective schools as racially motivated. The attorneys are not targeting Philadelphia, according to Zimolong. Philadelphia just so happens to habitually enact policies that violate the United States Constitution, he said. Zimolong declined to comment on the current lawsuit, as did the citys law department. The complaint names as defendants the city, the police department, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, Deputy Commissioner Krista Dahl-Campbell, and Philadelphia Chief Human Resources Officer Candi Jones. It asks a judge to order the promotion of the officers and declare that the citys current hiring policies are unlawful because they consider race and gender. Passed over Police lieutenants Bloom, Berg, and Musumeci sought promotions in fall 2025. There were 10 available positions, and the trio ranked eighth, 11th, and 13th, respectively, on the captain eligibility list based on exam scores. After interviews, six candidates were passed over in favor of those with lower scores, according to the complaint. Five of those six were white males. The lawsuit alleges a similar pattern when the department decided not to promote sergeants Monachello and Ziegler. Monachello and Ziegler were passed over for promotion in favor of lower-ranked female or minority candidates with lower scores on the civil-service examination, the suit says. The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 blasted the police department in a statement following the November promotions, saying the union filed grievances and was considering other actions against unfair DEI practices in law enforcement. The FOP also sent a letter asking the U.S. Department of Justice asking to review the promotion criteria, the suit says. READ MORE: The first Philly police DEI chief was victim to the discrimination she was hired to fix, lawsuit says The police department workforce is 50% white, 34% Black, 12% Hispanic, and 3% Asian, according to data from the city. Nearly 40% of new hires this fiscal year have been Black, compared with 33% white. In comparison, the citys population is 44% white, 42% Black, 16% Hispanic, and 9% Asian, according to the Census Bureau. The department has faced racial discrimination lawsuits from employees, including regarding promotions. But usually the candidates allege they were passed over for a white candidate. For example, in October, an Asian officer sued after not getting promoted to captain, noting in the complaint that no person of Asian descent has been promoted to the rank of Captain since 1976. Leslie Marant, the departments first DEI chief, was fired after less than two years and has filed a suit alleging she became a victim of the systemic sex discrimination she was tasked with fixing. The Philly Pride Visitor Center opens Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in the heart of the citys Gayborhood at 12th & Locust. It is one of America's first visitor centers dedicated to welcoming LGBTQ+ travelers and allies. Guests can learn about Philadelphia's pioneering role in the fight for equal rights while accessing essential resources like maps, itinerary planning, and a curated introduction to the best queer and queer-friendly experiences across the City and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Read more It is a simple, sleek storefront in the Gayborhood. And it is now a welcoming spot. On Wednesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro, city tourism and marketing leaders, and LGBTQ+ advocates officially opened the Philadelphia Pride Visitor Center, one of the countrys first LGBTQ+ visitor centers. Advertisement We need happy things in the world, Shapiro said, during a ribbon cutting at the center. And we need places like this that bring people together. That is the Pennsylvania way. The Philly Pride Center is now just one of a handful of LGBTQ+-dedicated visitor centers in America, including ones in New York and Miami. Opening ahead of Philadelphias big summer celebrations for the 250th anniversary of America in 2026, also known as the Semiquincentennial, officials described the center as a symbol that Philadelphia, the city of the nations birth, welcomes all. At a time when other states are walking away from their LGBTQ+ community, we are walking toward it, Shapiro said. At a time when other states are saying no to pride-based tourism, we are embracing it. Located near 12th and Locust Streets, in a storefront connected to Knock Restaurant and Bar, the center offers visitor services, including itinerary planning, attraction ticketing, and travel information, with a focus on LGBTQ+-affirming destinations, businesses, and cultural institutions. Souvenirs made by LGBTQ+-owned businesses and artists are on sale. The Philly Pride Center reflects something we believe with all of our hearts, said Kathryn Ott Lovell, president and CEO of Philadelphia Visitor Center Corp., which will run the new center. That every visitor should feel like they are welcome and that they belong. We want the Philly pride visitor center to be both a very practical resource and a very visible statement about who we are as a city. More than a year in the making and now open Thursday through Monday, noon to 6 p.m., at 1130 Locust Street the site will represent Phillys fifth visitor center, including ones at Independence Mall, City Hall, Love Park, and the Parkway Visitor Center & Rocky Shop. Philadelphias LGBTQ+ history helped shape this countrys story, and the Philly Pride Center brings that legacy forward in a powerful and visible way, said Angel Val, president and CEO of Visit Philadelphia, which helped found the center, along with Mark Segal, founder and publisher of Philadelphia Gay News. Segal, an activist and author, who was part of the seminal riots at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village in 1969, curated the historical information exhibited at the center, telling of Phillys long and powerful LGBTQ+ legacy. It is a point of pride, Segal said, that the Philly Pride Visitor Center comes at a time when many scholars and activists believe the Trump administration is attempting to sanitize American history. At this time in history, there are many people who are trying to erase us and erase our history, Segal said. But today, by opening a new Pride Center, which yells and screams visibility and take pride in who you are, were saying, No, were not going to allow anyone to put us back in the closet ever again. A student protest in Quakertown last week escalated when officers attempted to detain a teenage girl, police say, setting off a struggle that ended with five teenagers charged and the police chief in the fray. The protest quickly devolved into a melee in which students obstructed traffic, struck vehicles, and assaulted Chief Scott McElree as he tried to take one of the teens into custody, according to the affidavit of probable cause for the arrest of one of the students. Advertisement The document, obtained by The Inquirer, offers the most detailed account yet of what law enforcement officials say happened that day. The protest took place Friday near the intersection of Juniper and Front Streets, where dozens of students had gathered to demonstrate against federal immigration enforcement actions. According to the affidavit, officers were already monitoring the crowd when they observed students walking into roadways, throwing snowballs at vehicles, standing on benches, and, in one instance, kicking a white pickup truck and hitting its side mirror. Officers warned the students to remain peaceful, the document said. At some point, the affidavit said, a teenage girl stepped into the street numerous times, including in front of moving vehicles. An officer approached her on the sidewalk and told her she would be detained. When the girl attempted to walk away, the officer grabbed her arm, the affidavit said, and was quickly surrounded by other students. It was then, according to the document, that McElree intervened. The chief attempted to make an arrest of the girl, the affidavit said, but a teenage boy began pulling her away. McElree grabbed the boy, who began resisting arrest by pulling away and struck the chief in the ear with a cell phone, the affidavit said. The document said several others joined in: One girl struck McElree on the left shoulder. A teenage boy hit him in the head and ribs before an officer took the boy to the ground. Another girl punched McElree with a closed fist, and a different student struck him in the head with a backpack, according to the affidavit. McElree, who left the scene with blood on his face, later told officers that he went to a hospital for treatment, according to the affidavit. Defense attorneys and witnesses have challenged the account officers detailed in the affidavit. Five teenagers were charged with aggravated assault, which is a felony, and other misdemeanor offenses, according to two sources with knowledge of the case. Quakertown police and Bucks County prosecutors have declined to release details of the arrests, including the students names and ages and the charges against them. The teenagers were detained until Tuesday, when they appeared before a Bucks County judge. By late Thursday night , all five teenagers had been released. Videos recorded by bystanders and obtained by The Inquirer show portions of the struggle from different angles. In one clip, McElree, who was dressed in plain clothes, appears to wrap his arm around a girls neck. Witnesses have said he did not identify himself as the police chief before engaging physically with the teenagers. The affidavit makes no mention of a chokehold. The Bucks County District Attorneys Office is investigating the incident. On Thursday, a spokesperson said the office was renewing our request to the community for any footage, photos, or information that they may have to ensure a thorough investigation. . Timothy Prendergast, who represents the 15-year-old girl seen in videos being held in what appears to be a chokehold by McElree, questioned whether the Bucks County District Attorneys Office can conduct an impartial investigation while prosecuting the teenagers. Its hard to believe that a district attorneys office which has charged our clients with felonies, continues to argue for their detention, and has already labeled the chief a victim will do an independent review of what happened, he said. Prendergast and Ed Angelo, who represents a different 15-year-old accused of striking McElree in the shoulder, said they plan to ask the Pennsylvania attorney general to intervene. We need a truly independent investigation, Prendergast said. Prendergast said his client is the teenager accused in the affidavit of hitting McElree with her backpack. In video footage reviewed by The Inquirer, her backpack appears to remain on her back as McElree takes her to the ground. Prendergast contended that affidavits of probable cause reflect law enforcements theory of a case, not established facts. Probable causes are not for the truth of the matter, he said. They are for the commonwealths circling of the wagons what their version of the facts are, which insulates their culpability in this matter. Angelo said that his client also denies hitting the chief and that the charges against her should be withdrawn. He said the situation escalated only after McElree inserted himself into the confrontation. I think its time for the adults to be adults and pull the plug on this, Angelo said. Another adult who entered the altercation was initially placed in handcuffs but was not charged. In one video, an officer can be heard telling the man that the person involved was McElree suggesting the man did not realize he was grappling with the police chief. McElree has not spoken publicly since the incident and has not returned phone calls and text messages seeking comment. Some Quakertown residents have called for McElrees ouster. Quakertown Community School District officials have said they expected to hear concerns from community members Thursday evening at a scheduled board meeting. This article was updated to reflect new information that, as of late Thursday night, all teenagers had been released from custody. When Scott McElree was named Quakertowns top cop in 2004, borough leaders saw a reformer who could boost public trust. And he did so well in the role that, three years later, they gave him a second job borough manager. It is rare for a municipality to appoint someone to both run the police department and oversee everyday municipal matters, from payroll to public records. But McElree embraced the challenge. Advertisement Ill plow snow, too, if its needed, he told a newspaper columnist in 2007. That unusual arrangement is now under scrutiny after a student protest over federal immigration enforcement escalated into a bloody clash last week involving McElree and his officers as are social media posts in his name that have criticized Democrats, with one calling them a domestic terrorist organization. Cell phone videos of the Feb. 20 walkout against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement show the altercation began after McElree, 72, confronted a group of Quakertown Community High School students. In the footage, teenagers appear to strike the chief, who was not wearing his uniform, as he attempts to grab a student. McElree is seen on the sidewalk placing a teenage girl in what appears to be a chokehold. Five teens were charged Tuesday with aggravated assault and related offenses. According to an affidavit of probable cause for the arrest of one of the teens, McElree left the scene bloodied, and later sought care at a local hospital for undisclosed injuries. The affidavit does not mention a chokehold. The clash has raised questions over whether the plain-clothed McElree was identifiable as the boroughs top police officer when he intervened. The incident also has intensified calls for his resignation and focused a national spotlight on his unconventional dual authority. We have a 72-year-old white man, in flannel clothing, angry, unidentified, running into a crowd of children and tackling them, said Timothy Prendergast, a defense attorney representing the 15-year-old girl witnesses captured on video being held in McElrees chokehold. Neither McElree nor the seven elected council members responded to requests for comment from The Inquirer. An attorney for the borough, Peter Nelson, declined to comment by email. He shared a statement from the council, which said its members are very disturbed by the circumstances surrounding this incident and have asked the Bucks County District Attorneys Office to investigate. Prendergast said the muted response from borough officials over the protest illustrates the conflict with the top manager: If we wanted to get information on the chief of police, we couldnt, because wed have to go through the chief of police. Its conveniently inappropriate. Prior to the protest, McElree did not have a record of aggressive policing. Court documents show he was sued three times in 20 years for alleged civil rights violations, mainly involving subordinate officers whom McElree was accused of failing to supervise. Two of those cases were dismissed. One ended with a $60,000 settlement offer, court records show. McElree, of Lafayette Hill, has been a police officer in the Philadelphia suburbs for five decades. He graduated from the FBI National Academy in 1995, but his public service remained on the local level. He served as a detective and sergeant in Whitemarsh Township for 29 years until his elevation to police chief in Quakertown a rank he had aspired to since his youth. More than 70 police officers applied for the position. When I was a young officer, I was very desirous of being a chief, McElree said in 2004, according to an article in the Morning Call. I wanted to stay in police work and ascend to the top. In 2007, Quakertowns council appointed McElree as interim borough manager after the abrupt departure of longtime manager Dave Woglom. But the borough council never hired a new full-time replacement, instead naming McElree to take on both jobs. McElree helped modernize the police department and improve morale among officers that had waned under prior leadership, according to a former township official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to frankly discuss his former colleagues. But the former official said the current situation is an example of what can go wrong with a dual appointment. The borough manager should be able to oversee the actions of a police chief. But in this case, they are one and the same. Theres a reason you dont see this [arrangement], the former official said. Council is having to make decisions without the direction of the borough manager, because hes conflicted. Amid calls for his resignation and outrage from parents, speculation has swirled on social media about McElrees political leanings. Outside of police work, McElree obtained a masters degree in business administration from Liberty University, an evangelical school in Virginia founded by Jerry Falwell that calls itself one of the most conservative campuses in the nation. Voting records show McElree and his wife, Arlene Kosh McElree, are registered Republicans. A Facebook account under his wifes name features a profile picture of a hand-drawn sign that reads: When I die do not let me vote Democrat. McElrees own social media footprint appears faint. But an account he shares with his wife on Truth Social, which President Donald Trump founded, has made a handful posts critical of Democrats and Democratic policies in recent years. The account features a photo of the couple, though it is not clear which of them penned the posts. In August, responding to a Trump post criticizing Democrats, the McElree account wrote a screed that described the party as a deep state oligarchy and a domestic terrorist organization. Dem politicians should be impeached/fired and have their salaries & benefits cut off, the post read. Dem judges should be disbarred all should be banned from politics for life. NO MORE DEMS, read another post, reacting to a Trump statement on the eve of the November general election. According to open source data, McElree also used an official government email address to create an account on Rumble, a Canadian video-sharing platform that is popular in conservative and far-right circles. He has not posted any videos and his viewing history is not public. Prendergast, the defense attorney, said he was concerned by the social media posts, which contained what he described as literally every MAGA hard right-wing talking point. An organizer from Bucks Back the Blue, a police support group, stood by the chief and borough manager, describing him as a tireless and level-headed leader. The organizer recalled McElree attending Black Lives Matter protests during the pandemic, engaging with our community members and listening to their thoughts and concerns. Quakertown has always been an epicenter for peaceful protests, said the organizer, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fears of public retaliation. Chief Scott McElree isnt a bad cop. He isnt a bad person. Just like those kids arent bad kids. Julia Sheppard, photographed in 2021 after she spent a month looking for her Mazda sedan, which had been "courtesy towed." Then a Temple law student, Sheppard had to pay towing fees because she couldn't document the city's involvement. Read more Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter Hey there, Philly. After a yearslong legal battle, the city tentatively agreed to start requiring tow truck drivers to keep track of where they leave vehicles, signaling a fix to the long-maligned courtesy tow problem. Advertisement And a suburban office park in Chester County is getting converted to apartments. Is it a sign of things to come? Plus, we asked you where South and Central Jersey start. The results are in. Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com) If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here. Have you ever felt bewildered after your car went missing from its legal parking spot, only to be found blocks away, thanks to a towing company that never bothered to let you or police know they were moving it? Maybe youve even had to pay to get your vehicle back from the Parking Authority lot after it was moved to a no-parking zone and towed again? Congratulations: Youve been the victim of so-called courtesy towing, a very Philly problem. After a protracted legal battle in federal court, reform of the maddening practice may be on the way: Lawyers for the city have tentatively agreed to require tow truck drivers who participate in its vehicle relocation program to keep track of where they unhook them. The settlement agreement will also pay $750,000 to 36 courtesy-tow victims. As of Wednesday evening, a judge still needs to approve the court settlement. Reporter William Bender, who has been tracking the courtesy-tow saga for years, has the story including tales from towing hell. Several former office buildings in downtown Philadelphia are being converted for residential use as housing demand increases and workspace demand decreases. A high-profile case is the historic Wanamaker Building, where 600 loft apartments will be constructed in former office and retail areas. But the suburbs have been lagging in replacing vacant offices with housing, due in part to architectural challenges their developers tended to build out, not up, which means lots of dark interior space as well as hyperlocal zoning regulations and remote locations. One new project, a sprawling office complex in Tredyffrin Township that will become 162 apartments, indicates that could be changing. It helps that its buildings arent big glass boxes, leaders say. Commercial real estate reporter Jake Blumgart has more. What you should know today As we noted here last month, South and Central Jersey are nebulous concepts. For one: Does Central Jersey even exist? We asked readers to draw a line where they believed each section starts. Factors that influenced their lines included highways say, I-195 and area codes. And on that existential question, 74% said yes, Central Jersey is real. But they strongly disagreed on where it is. See the full map, based on thousands of reader suggestions. In other Jersey news: Attorney General Jennifer Davenport marked her first official day in the office exchanging lawsuits with the Trump administration. Trivia time The latest Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominations were announced on Wednesday. Which Philly-tied musical act has never been nominated? A) Lauryn Hill B) Chubby Checker C) Pink D) The Roots Think you know? Check your answer. What were ... Congratulating: Oyster House for its Americas Classics Award win from the James Beard Foundation. Visiting: Phillys new LGBTQ+ visitor center, one of few in the country. Trying to adopt: One of 30 miniature horses up for sale in Gettysburg. Standing in line for: Poweltons buzzy new Yemeni coffee shop. Considering: How Black History Month teaches us to learn from our past, flaws and all. Unscramble the anagram Hint: Historic Germantown _ Meetinghouse NO EMINENT Email us if you know the answer. Well select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Keyana Kutney, who solved Wednesdays anagram: Pennsport. The development group behind a 36-story apartment tower planned for the Delaware River-adjacent neighborhood secured a $150 million construction loan and plans to break ground next year. Photo of the day One last wordy thing: Feeling competitive? Go inside the Delco Scrabble Club, a home for the thriving local Scrabble scene including some of the best players in the country. Enjoy the rest of your Thursday. Ill be back with you tomorrow morning to close out the week in news. By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10. Signs and notes placed by visitors at the President's House in Independence National Historical Park in February replaced the panels about slavery that were removed in January by the National Park Service. Read more When I studied American history in 11th grade, African American history was barely discussed, except for slavery. I took it upon myself to read about Black history to learn what my class hadnt included. Since then, Ive always looked forward to Black History Month, as scholars of African American history and culture present new research on what had been an understudied aspect of American history. Advertisement After the Civil War ended, Confederate diehards, in a successful effort to memorialize the lost cause, reframed Americas deadliest conflict as the War of Northern Aggression. For over a century, this falsehood included textbooks that claimed plantation owners treated their slaves decently, and that the Norths interference in the Souths internal affairs caused the Civil War. In the early 1900s, the bodies of Confederate soldiers, buried in various Washington cemeteries, were disinterred and reburied in Arlington National Cemetery, Americas most hallowed ground. Shortly thereafter, the massive Confederate Memorial was installed near these graves, as if it were another shrine to Americans who fought for our country. With the increase in the Armys man power during both world wars, new forts were established. The War Department named 10 of them to honor Confederate generals. Mind you, these generals led their forces in a rebellion against the United States that killed American servicemen. During President Joe Bidens presidential term, the Confederate Memorial was removed from Arlington, and Army bases were renamed for American military leaders who fought for the United States, not against it. More importantly, federal and state governments were willing to acknowledge past mistakes in the treatment of Americas Black citizens. During Bidens administration, the unjust treatment of Black soldiers following the 1917 Houston Riot and of Black sailors convicted in the 1944 Port Chicago Mutiny was recognized. Although these men were dead, awarding them posthumous honorable discharges was an acknowledgment that they had been unfairly treated. These were signs of progress in race relations. In early 2025, I marveled at the changes in relaying Americas history, including its unpleasant truths, to students. State and federal governments now emphasize the multiple contributions of Black Americans in all fields of endeavor. The greatest aid in elucidating these contributions was the requirement to teach African American history in schools. READ MORE: Trump and Hegseth are doing our enemies work with their Confederate renaming ruse | Opinion Today, it seems that progress is stopping, as advancements in telling the true story of American history are reversed. Army forts now bear the same names as Confederate generals, and the Confederate Memorial is scheduled to be reinstalled in 2027. On Jan. 22, the National Park Service ordered the removal of slavery storyboards at the Presidents House, the home of Americas first family. Theyve now been restored, awaiting a decision by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. For a month, visitors were deprived of learning true stories about the people George Washington enslaved, Washingtons circumvention of Pennsylvanias manumission laws, the enslaved who escaped, and Washingtons failure to recapture them. Having visited this site multiple times, I never saw any falsehoods on its signage. Instead, I saw an inconvenient truth. Americas first president as well as the majority of our first 18 owned human beings despite living 100 yards from where all men are created equal was adopted in our countrys founding document. Mount Vernon, the Washingtons Virginia plantation, doesnt hide their enslavement of hundreds. Nor do Thomas Jeffersons plantation at Monticello, James Madisons at Montpelier, James Monroes at Highland, and Andrew Jacksons at Hermitage. Americans cant ignore the cruelty of slavery, the wealth enslaved people created for Southern plantation owners, and the Northern bankers, ship owners, and clothing/textile manufacturers who benefited, as well. We cannot obfuscate the fact that slavery didnt end in 1865, as throughout the South, convict leasing and debt peonage reigned for decades after the Civil War. We cannot forget that federal and state governments failed to protect the voting rights of Black citizens for 100 years. We cannot bury the fact that thousands of Black people were publicly lynched in full view of hundreds of men, women, and children. The solution to teaching the unseemly side of American history is to look at Germany, the country whose Nazi regime murdered six million Jews and millions of Catholics, those physically and/or mentally challenged, Roma, gay people, Jehovahs Witnesses, and political opponents. Germany doesnt hide its horrific past. Instead, it has erected monuments memorializing victims of an earlier German government. Germanys past is not buried, forgotten, or ignored. America is not Nazi Germany, but if we start to hide our flaws, we risk repeating history. Black History Month teaches us to learn from our past, flaws and all, and ensure they arent repeated. Paul L. Newman is an amateur historian of African American history. Hes working on a miniseries docudrama on the African American civil rights movement of the first half of the 20th century. Protesters and media gather outside of the Quakertown Borough Police Department in Bucks County on Saturday, a day after five high school students were arrested during a protest against heavy-handed federal immigration enforcement efforts. Read more Students speaking out against abuses by federal immigration agents and the kind of heavy-handed tactics that have led to clashes between protesters and law enforcement across the country were met with excessive force by Quakertown police, who slammed children to the ground and put one in a choke hold. The irony is not lost. Neither should the outrage. Advertisement While some of the facts are in dispute, the picture that emerges from several bystander videos is that it was police primarily Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree who seemingly escalated the confrontation. Five teenagers arrested during the protest have reportedly been charged with aggravated assault. Those are serious felony charges. Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan must also bring that level of accountability to McElree and his officers. It all began on Friday, when students planned a walkout to protest the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. According to Inquirer reporting, initial approval from Quakertown Community High School officials changed to opposition over safety concerns. At least 35 students walked out anyway. The diverse group headed downtown, holding signs and flags and chanting. Some passing drivers honked and shouted approval, or disapproval, from behind the wheel. A letter to parents by Lisa Hoffman, the acting superintendent of the Quakertown Community School District, said they received reports that students were engaging in unsafe and disruptive behavior. READ MORE: The hidden ICE blueprint that should horrify every American | Will Bunch A police statement said students entered traffic, threw snowballs, and damaged property, including a cars side-view mirror. Available video footage shows students arguing with police about being off the sidewalk to shouts of this is a peaceful protest, shortly before McElree out of uniform and not wearing any clearly visible identification barrels into the crowd. McElree engages physically with the students, placing a teenage girl in a choke hold as punches from other protesters rain down. According to students, many believed McElree to be an aggressive counterprotester. A reasonable assumption considering the police chiefs wardrobe and other similar incidents, including one in Texas where a 45-year-old man ended up in a melee with student protesters. Its a grown man. Its a grown man and a kid! Hes on a child! Why is no one stopping this? distressed onlookers are heard saying in one of the videos. McElree then throws a teenage girl to the ground, while another Quakertown officer tosses a student onto a planter. Further compounding the shameful behavior by the authorities, the teens arrested were held in jail until a detention hearing on Tuesday. Thats over 72 hours. This would be unfair for adults; to treat children this way is unconscionable. The Quakertown community has been justifiably incensed over what happened. READ MORE: Trump didnt bring impunity to immigration enforcement | Luis F. Carrasco At a borough council meeting on Monday, borough officials said they were disturbed by the incident, but declined additional comment. Residents wanted their elected leaders to go much further, demanding McElrees resignation or termination. Evan Smith, from nearby Richlandtown, reminded officials that Jesus told us to suffer the little children, not to make them suffer. Colin Hancock, a student who attended the protest, described being afraid to go back to his own home due to the actions of the police. Many seemed shocked that something like this could happen in their small suburban town. The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania accused McElree of acting as a counterprotester, rather than as law enforcement. In a statement, the group said the chief abandoned his job and his mission and said he must be held accountable. Khan said his office is investigating. Hopefully, the results of the district attorneys inquiry will give the community a thorough understanding of the incident and whether McElree or any of his officers merit dismissal. At the very least, changes to the Quakertown Borough Police Department must be implemented so this never happens again. Students exercising their First Amendment rights and engaging in civil disobedience may yet face disciplinary action from their school, but they should not have to deal with brutal treatment by law enforcement, who ought to know better. Pro-Trump activists who say they are in coordination with the White House are circulating a 17-page draft executive order that claims China interfered in the 2020 election as a basis to declare a national emergency that would unlock extraordinary presidential power over voting. President Donald Trump has repeatedly previewed a plan to mandate voter ID and ban mail ballots in Novembers midterm elections, and the activists expect their draft will figure into Trumps promised executive order on the issue. The White House declined to elaborate on Trumps plans. Advertisement Under the Constitution, its the legislatures and states that really control how a state conducts its elections, and the president doesnt have any power to do that, said Peter Ticktin, a Florida lawyer who is advocating for the draft executive order. Ticktin attended the New York Military Academy with Trump and was part of his legal team that filed an unsuccessful 2022 lawsuit accusing Democrats of conspiring to damage him with allegations that his 2016 campaign colluded with Russia. But here we have a situation where the president is aware that there are foreign interests that are interfering in our election processes, Ticktin went on. That causes a national emergency where the president has to be able to deal with it. The emergency would empower the president to ban mail ballots and voting machines as the vectors of foreign interference, Ticktin argued. The idea of claiming emergency executive powers based on allegations of foreign interference attaches new significance to the administrations actions to reinvestigate the 2020 election. Trump has never accepted defeat, while never finding evidence of widespread fraud. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is leading a review of election security that officials said focuses on foreign influence. A 2021 intelligence review concluded that China considered efforts to influence the election but did not go through with them. Ticktin said hes had certain coordination with White House officials but declined to specify, citing safety concerns. But his input has successfully led to a presidential action before. Ticktin represents Tina Peters, a former Colorado county clerk imprisoned on state charges arising from breaking into voting equipment, whom Trump said he pardoned in December. (The presidential pardon did not free Peters from her nine-year prison term because the president has no power over state crimes.) A White House official said the staff is regularly in communication with a variety of outside advocates who want to share their policy ideas with the president, but any speculation about his actions or announcements is just speculation. I have searched the depths of Legal Arguments not yet articulated or vetted on this subject, and will be presenting an irrefutable one in the very near future, Trump said on social media Feb. 13. I will be presenting them shortly, in the form of an Executive Order, he added the same day. Trump is pressuring Republicans to pass legislation to require proof of citizenship for voter registration and ID to cast ballots. The measure, called the Save America Act, passed the House but faces obstacles in the Senate, where Republican leaders have rejected Trumps demand to change the chambers rules to move the legislation forward. 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, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said. The President has 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. Trump has said that if the bill fails, he will act unilaterally to impose the changes for the midterms. What that executive order could look like and the draft circulating among activists have not been previously reported. An early version of the proposed draft, obtained by the Washington Post, cites a 2018 executive order that declared an emergency to impose sanctions on foreign entities targeting election infrastructure. President Joe Biden repeatedly extended that emergency, and in 2024, the Treasury Department used the order to place Iranian and Russian entities under sanctions. There is now clear and compelling evidence from court cases and forensic analysis that these threats have not been mitigated but instead have intensified, reads the proposed draft, dated April 2025. This constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. Last June, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R., Iowa) released FBI records showing an initial tip alleging a Chinese effort to produce fraudulent drivers licenses for mail ballots. Suspicions of Chinese ballots spurred the hunt for bamboo fibers in Arizona ballots during a Republican-led audit in 2021, which reaffirmed Joe Bidens victory in the state. Gabbard recently was present when the FBI searched a warehouse in Fulton County, Georgia, to seize ballots from the 2020 election there. The affidavit submitted to obtain the search warrant, however, did not allege foreign interference. Her office also examined voting machines used in Puerto Rico looking for cybersecurity vulnerabilities, in coordination with the FBI and the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security, according to a spokesperson for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. That inquiry was first reported by Reuters. The stage is largely being set by the revelations coming out of foreign powers being involved in influencing the 2020 election, said Jerome Corsi, who circulated the draft executive order in July. Corsi helped spread the birtherism smear against Barack Obama and a conspiracy theory involving slain Democratic staffer Seth Rich, for which he later apologized. Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III investigated Corsi as a possible link between WikiLeaks and Roger Stone during the 2016 campaign, which Corsi denied. If there was a provable foreign intrusion, that would be a national security emergency and the order could be issued under his powers as commander in chief, Corsi added. Sen. Mark R. Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said there is no national emergency. Weve been raising the alarm for weeks about President Trumps attacks on our elections and now were seeing reports that outline how they may be planning to do it, Warner said in a statement in response to this article. This is a plot to interfere with the will of voters and undermine both the rule of law and public confidence in our elections. The measures listed in the 2025 draft of the proposed executive order include requiring hand-marked and hand-counted paper ballots, requiring voters to register anew for the 2026 midterms with proof of citizenship, and restricting mail ballots to limited circumstances. The draft also proposes authorizing the Justice Department, U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services, the Social Security Administration, and the Postal Service to have a role in identifying ineligible voters. The draft cites emergency authority from laws including the National Emergencies Act of 1976, the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 and the Defense Production Act of 1950. Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution assigns power to regulate elections to state legislatures and Congress, with no role for the president. A presidential emergency on elections has never been tested in court. Trump also signed an executive order last March to require proof of citizenship on voter registration forms and withhold funding from states accepting mail ballots after Election Day. Courts in five cases blocked parts of the order, with three of them pending appeal and another awaiting a ruling, according to a litigation tracker compiled by the legal website Just Security. The conduct of our elections is not for any president to decide. And it must never be manipulated to serve a political agenda, the League of Women Voters, which brought one of the lawsuits against the 2025 order, said in a statement. We will challenge any executive action that suppresses voters, undermines free and fair elections, or violates the constitutional framework that protects our democracy. A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll this month found 54% of American adults, and 55% of independents, oppose Trumps stated desire for the federal government to take over election administration and vote-counting in certain states. Twenty-three percent of adults said they supported it, and the same proportion said they had no opinion. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro delivers remarks at the BBYO International Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 12, 2026. Read more Gov. Josh Shapiro met with leaders in Berks and Schuylkill Counties on Thursday as the communities confront the planned federal conversion of two warehouses into ICE detention centers, and the governor pledged to do everything possible to block the Trump administrations plans in Pennsylvania. Shapiro, a Democrat who first publicly announced his opposition to the potential detention centers earlier this month, cited concerns over the impact on local economies, water resources, and residents quality of life. Advertisement Government warehouse purchases around the country, undertaken as part of a massive ICE expansion of detention capability, have sparked anger, lawsuits and, in one instance, a suspected arson, when someone attempted to burn down a property in Arizona. Im even more determined to do everything in my power to stop these facilities, Shapiro said Thursday at a news conference in Berks County. He spoke on the same day that New Jerseys two Democratic U.S. senators, Andy Kim and Cory Booker, introduced legislation to ban the federal government from buying or converting warehouses for immigrant detention or processing. People across the country are standing up against this inhumanity, and Congress needs to stand with them, Kim said in a statement. And just last week, Bucks County officials said that federal representatives had sought to explore the purchase of warehouses in Bensalem and Middletown Townships. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has purchased two Pennsylvania warehouses this year one in Upper Bern Township in northern Berks County, and another in Tremont Township in Schuylkill County drawing the ire of concerned residents. Shapiro offered few details on how the state government could block the facilities, citing possible legal or regulatory action. The governor, who is running for reelection, has been increasingly vocal in his opposition to ICE tactics even as his administration retains some cooperation with the agency. Earlier this month, Shapiro wrote a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem promising to aggressively pursue every option to block the detention centers from opening in Pennsylvania. Expanding warehouses The ICE effort to buy and repurpose warehouses as detention centers has quickly become one of the most contentious issues in immigration enforcement. The ability to confine and process huge numbers of immigrants is essential to President Donald Trumps promise to carry out an unprecedented deportation campaign. The number of people currently held has already reached historic highs, topping 70,000 this year, and the administration says it needs more space. But as Trumps plan has become public, opposition has been both immediate and fierce. Immigrant advocates call the warehouses concentration camps and question how buildings that were built to store consumer and industrial goods can safely and humanely hold thousands of people. ICE expects to spend $38.3 billion to buy and retrofit warehouses around the nation. Sixteen buildings would be converted into regional processing centers, each holding 1,000 to 1,500 immigrants. An additional eight detention centers would hold 7,000 to 10,000 detainees and serve as primary sites for deportations. Shapiro on Thursday sought to send a clear signal to federal officials that he would fight any facilities in Pennsylvania. Following his news conference, Shapiro posted a video to Twitter declaring that Noem will hear us in Pennsylvania. Standing outside the proposed facility location in Berks County, Shapiro outlined the impact detention facilities would have on local communities including increased pollution in Berks County and draining of water resources in Schuylkill County. Im pissed, Shapiro said. And Im not going to allow this to happen. If you continue to go forward here, you will face legal and regulatory consequences, he warned federal officials. In Bucks County earlier this month, commissioners said that the federal government recently approached warehouse owners in Bensalem Township and Middletown Township about converting the buildings to ICE facilities. Neither owner is going forward with a sale, they said. In Maryland, Democratic Attorney General Anthony Brown has sued the Trump administration to try to stop plans to hold 1,500 immigrants in a warehouse near Williamsport, about eight miles south of the Pennsylvania border. Brown and Maryland Democratic Gov. Wes Moore say the project is unlawful, going forward without an environmental review or public input. ICE purchased the warehouse for $102.4 million in January, the property built as a commercial facility with 825,620 square feet of warehouse space, minimal office facilities, four toilets, and two water fountains, according to the attorney general. The 1,500 immigrants held there would nearly equal the population of Williamsport, home to about 2,000 people. Farther south, in Wilson County, Tenn., ICE is examining a two-building complex that would hold a combined 14,000 to 16,000 immigrants, by far the largest immigration detention center in the country, according to Project Salt Box, a Baltimore-based group that tracks ICE warehouse activity. This month in Surprise, Ariz., someone tried to burn down a warehouse that ICE bought to turn into a 1,500-bed detention center, but the fire was quickly extinguished by the interior sprinkler system, the Arizona Mirror reported, quoting federal officials. The plan to create a fixed, large-scale network of converted warehouses represents a radical new approach to immigration detention. Historically, the American Immigration Council noted, ICEs detention funding has gone almost entirely to contract providers, the private prison companies and state and local governments that lease facilities to the agency. As of February 2025, ICE owned only 10 of the 220 facilities being used to detain immigrants, the council said. Now, ICE seeks to reengineer a detention system that was not centrally planned, but emerged over decades as Congress gradually increased agency funding, the council said. ICE currently operates five detention facilities in Pennsylvania, including the 1,876-bed Moshannon Valley Processing Center, the largest detention center in the Northeast. Two more are located in New Jersey, in Elizabeth and Newark, and the Trump administration has been exploring adding a third at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Councilmember Isaiah Thomas speaks during a press conference in March 2023 at Philadelphia City Hall. Read more For the third time in two decades, Philadelphia voters this May will have the opportunity to weigh in on a city rule requiring local elected officials to step down from their current jobs if they want to seek higher office. Voters rejected City Councils first two attempts to get rid of the resign-to-run rule, which requires a ballot measure because it is part of the citys Home Rule Charter. Advertisement READ MORE: Philly City Council is advancing legislation to let members keep their jobs while running for Congress The latest proposal, which Council approved Thursday in a 15-1 vote, will go before the voters during the May 19 primary election. Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, who authored the measure, is hopeful it will be approved because his proposal is more limited than Councils previous attempts. Reforming the resign-to-run rule for local elected officials is a critical first step towards ensuring Philadelphians have the best representation possible at all levels of government, Thomas said in a statement. READ MORE: What is Phillys resign-to-run rule? Rather than eliminating the resign-to-run rule, Thomas proposal would amend it to allow all elected city officials except the mayor to run for state or federal offices without resigning. (Council members would still have to step down if they wanted to run for mayor, and mayors would still have to resign to seek any other office.) What was this weeks highlight? Why stop there? Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr. cast the only vote against Thomas proposal. He said afterward that he believes a measure to alter the resign-to-run rule should be paired with another charter amendment: one that would impose term limits for Council members. I do believe that we should be limited as elected officials, said Young, a first-term Council member representing North Philadelphia and parts of Center City. I do think that as a public office, we shouldnt do these jobs forever. Youngs position echoes that of the Committee of Seventy, Philadelphias business-backed good-government group. Committee of Seventy CEO Lauren Cristella told Council last year that pairing a resign-to-run change with term limits would provide comprehensive, not piecemeal, reform. The group proposed limiting Council members to three four-year terms. Young said he is open to negotiating about what the right number of terms should be. What else happened? Never read the comments: Is serving on City Council a real job? Not according to a recent Instagram comment from Young, whose taxpayer-funded salary is about $166,000 per year. On Wednesday, Instagram user Alan Fisher criticized the lawmaker in a comment left on an Inquirer video about a controversial zoning bill that Young had authored. Jay Young is a joke of a councilperson and I cannot wait till hes replaced, wrote Fisher, who posts about urbanism issues and has thousands of followers across his social media accounts. Young replied: me too so I can get a real job. After Council ended Thursday, Young said the comment was not an indication of his political future. Im joking, he told reporters. The guy called me a joke, and I made a joke. The backstory: Young, who represents the North Philadelphia-based 5th District, had proposed a zoning bill to prevent the former Hahnemann University Hospital site on North Broad Street from being redeveloped into housing. Young said he was hoping to see the site return to being an employment hub. But instead, his efforts to change the areas zoning led to a rush of housing permit applications from developers hoping to beat him to the punch as his proposal made its way through the legislative process. He has since pressed pause on the bill, and The Inquirer video laid out how the saga had unfolded. READ MORE: City Council bill would ban housing from former Hahnemann University Hospital area In a Council speech Thursday, Young appeared to walk back his comment, although he did not directly mention the episode. People say a lot of vile stuff about us. It seems like were not allowed to have a sense of humor about it, Young said. But I want my constituents to know that in the 5th Council District, we are fighting each and every day to improve their lives. The Instagram comment was not the first time Young has provided curious commentary about his political future. Late last year, when The Inquirer asked if he planned to run for reelection in 2027, Young said: Its not up to me to make that decision. Its up to the people of the 5th District. READ MORE: Philly City Council elections already? This attorney is considering challenging the 5th Districts Jeffery Young in 2027 Usually, the peoples will is discerned through elections. Young, who has already drawn a potential opponent in next years race, said he will instead take the pulse of the 5th District by reaching out to people before deciding whether to seek a second four-year term. At the time, Young seemed to think being a member of Council was a real job. I like doing my job, he said last year. Quote of the day Jerome, I wish that you didnt have to be here today. But know that Philly has your back, and we will support you as you face the bully in the White House. City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, addressing Jerome Richardson Temple student honored: Council on Thursday recognized Jerome Richardson, a Temple University senior who was arrested by federal authorities on charges connected to a January protest in his native St. Paul, Minn. During the surge in immigration enforcement activities and civil unrest in the Twin Cities this winter, protesters interrupted a service at a church whose pastor is also a federal immigration officer. READ MORE: Temple student arrested for anti-ICE protest at Minnesota church in case involving journalist Don Lemon The fallout from the demonstration led to the controversial arrest of former CNN anchor Don Lemon, who live-streamed the event and said he was covering it as a journalist. Richardson said in a video he assisted Lemon by helping with logistics and connecting him with local contacts and posted a text-message exchange in which Lemon said Richardson could produce for him. Richardson turned himself in to federal authorities in Philadelphia earlier this month. His case is pending, along with those of Lemon and other defendants. Whenever journalists are under attack, we are all under attack, Richardson said in a speech to Council. Staff writers Anna Orso, Jake Blumgart, and Ryan W. Briggs contributed to this article. The Philadelphia Housing Authority is the citys largest provider of affordable housing. But last year, the agency started buying private-sector apartment buildings where tenants paid market-rate rents. Its part of PHAs new strategy to add to the citys affordable housing supply. Advertisement The first building PHA bought under this plan is in West Philly and has 233 apartments. Some tenants pay the going rate, and some get help from government subsidies. But the transition to PHA ownership hasnt been smooth, tenants told my colleague. They laid out potential challenges within PHAs new model. Keep scrolling for that story and more in this weeks edition: Michaelle Bond If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here. Tenants keep leaving The Dane, the apartment building in Wynnefield that the Philadelphia Housing Authority took over last year. They say conditions have gotten better since the switch in ownership. But theyre still dealing with things like pest outbreaks and a garage door that breaks down. Tenants say the transition to PHA ownership has been challenging. But PHAs new strategy to expand the citys affordable housing supply relies on transitioning buildings like The Dane. In the last 14 months, PHA has spent $280.6 million for a total of 17 multifamily properties across the city. All together, thats 1,515 apartments. In most of them, tenants are paying the going rate. But PHA wants to fill the buildings with tenants who use housing vouchers to cover a chunk of the rent. It plans to keep renting some apartments at the market rate, and those units will help pay operating expenses. Keep reading to learn more about PHAs plans and some of the pain points that have popped up at The Dane. And now its time for Price Point, the series in which I compare local homes on the market for about the same price. This time, I looked for homes for sale for about $760,000, which is twice the median sale price in the Philly region last month. I was excited to feature these three homes because even though theyre priced similarly, they vary significantly in size. The Upper Dublin Township home is roughly 1,000 square feet larger than the Riverton, Burlington County, home, which is roughly 1,000 larger than the home in Chestnut Hill. Two were built more than a century ago. One was built in the 80s. The homes have varying outdoor spaces, design styles, and numbers of bedrooms and bathrooms. Peek inside these homes for sale and see what roughly $765,000 can buy you in three local communities. The latest news to pay attention to In 2020, Amy Slater and Mark Silow didnt know exactly what they were looking for as they walked the streets of Center City and looked for inspiration in other peoples homes. But theyd know when they found it, they said. And thats exactly what happened when they saw a home on Rittenhouse Square with a style they loved. They left a note for the owners asking for the name of the homes architect. Their boldness paid off. They got the name and an invitation to come over. That started the couples journey to update the home where theyd lived since 1989. On their wish list? More natural light, a new kitchen, and a new roof with a deck. Slater and Silow made those renovations and more. Peek inside the home they call their new old house. Photo quiz Do you know the location this photo shows? If you think you do, email me back. You and your memories of visiting this spot might be featured in the newsletter. Shout-out to Tim G., Maria D., Don L. and Anna-Marie S. for knowing that last weeks quiz featured a photo of the steps to the El station at 8th and Market Streets. Anna-Marie and Don both said they recognized the steps from their former commutes. Up until a few years ago, The Inquirer office was across the street, which is why I know those steps, too. Enjoy the rest of your week. By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10. New Year on the Frontlines: Chinese lantern fair delivers creative flourish 15:53, February 26, 2026 By Shi Ziqiang from People's Daily ( Global Times The 2026 Tangshan Nanhu Spring Festival Lantern Festival in North China's Hebei Province Photo: Zhao Liang 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. Is the Spring Festival lantern fair not only for viewing, but also for playing? The 2026 Tangshan Nanhu Spring Festival Lantern Festival, which took place in North China's Hebei Province, uses a full array of AI technologies to give the traditional lantern fair creative flourish. Visitors can experience the marvelous collision of technology and Chinese New Year festivity in a world of light and shadow. Stepping into the Tangshan Nanhu Scenic Area, tens of thousands of lanterns shine like a river of stars. Five themed lantern zones and 40 creative lantern installations unfold across the site, forming a sea of lights spanning 300,000 square meters and winding along a 1.5-kilometer route. Elements of the Year of the Horse can be seen everywhere: a giant galloping horse lantern installation surges forward with imposing momentum, symbolizing a bright future ahead; the lantern installation named "Ride dreams as horses," meaning "let your dreams carry you forward," appears dreamlike and enchanting, looks like steeds riding the waves accompanied by a galaxy of stars, with romance fully dialed up. Amid the surging crowds, waves of laughter rise one after another. What exactly is it that makes visitors reluctant to leave? The lanterns can "talk," delighting the whole family - At Longquan Bay, the adorably designed "God of Wealth" lantern installation has become the most popular attraction. The "God of Wealth" holds a gold ingot in his hands, his expression irresistibly cute. Furthermore, it can speak equipped with an intelligent voice system, chatting back and forth with visitors and sending the crowd into peals of laughter. Tourists visit the "God of Wealth" lantern installation equipped with intelligent voice system at the festival. Photo: Jiang Yijun Visitors can also scan a code to receive blessings and take good fortune home - the zodiac lantern zone is also a sea of joy. The twelve zodiac lanterns are charming and playful, both traditional and trendy, and young visitors exclaim, "They're so photogenic." AI costume-changing photos also play with time travel between ancient and modern: when it comes to the most trendy check-in spot in the areas, it has to be the "Cyberspace" lantern installation. Dazzling light effects with a full-on futuristic vibe draw a steady stream of visitors lining up to experience AI-powered costume-changing photography. By simply taking a front-facing photo at the designated spot in front of the lantern installation, the system would automatically remove the background, changes outfits, and enhance the image. Hanfu, the traditional Chinese attire, Tang Dynasty (618-907) attire, or modern fashion clothes can be chosen freely. In less than a minute, twenty or thirty beautiful photos are freshly generated. "One-click time travel, it's so thrilling!" exclaimed Chen Zilu, a visitor from Tianjin. "Tradition and technology have sparked new chemistry!" (Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun) After a massive sewage spill in the Potomac River outside Washington, DC attracted the ire of President Donald Trump, federal officials are taking on a larger role in the disaster response a job that could last months. The spill began on Jan. 19, when a section of DC Waters Potomac Interceptor sewer line in Maryland broke. That sent more than 200 million gallons of raw sewage rushing into the river over several days, an amount larger than the oil spilled in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. While emergency repairs to the broken line could be completed by mid-March, theres no timeline for how long it will take to clean up the environmental damage caused by the spill, which threatens human health and local industries reliant on the river, such as boating and fishing. We are exploring opportunities to do some environmental mitigations in the interim, but the full remediation cant begin until the emergency repair is completed, Sherri Lewis, spokesperson for the utility DC Water, wrote in an email. The restoration and remediation efforts will extend beyond the immediate area of broken line, covering affected areas along the rivers shoreline and beyond, she added. DC Water has estimated this disaster response will cost about $20 million. The utility had previously identified the collapsed sewer line as being in need of rehabilitation and committed $625 million to update it, according to a Feb. 11 open letter by David Gadis, DC Waters chief executive officer and general manager. The spill is indicative of the risks posed by aging infrastructure nationwide. Over the past decade, the US wastewater sectors renewal and replacement rate for large capital projects has slightly decreased while the average number of system failures has slightly increased, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers 2025 Report Card for Americas Infrastructure. There are challenges in terms of timely investment, timely maintenance and rehabilitation to address these issues before they become crises of the magnitude that weve seen with this Potomac Interceptor, said Marccus Hendricks, a University of Maryland associate professor of urban studies and planning. Washington, DCs drinking water system which relies on the Potomac was unaffected by the spill because its water is collected upstream of the rupture, city officials said at a Feb. 20 press conference. DC Water constructed a temporary bypass to redirect wastewater back into the system within days. The last sewage release into the river occurred on Feb. 8. Trump last week called the spill a massive Ecological Disaster in a Truth Social post and accused Maryland Governor Wes Moore, a Democrat, of mismanaging the response, even though his state isnt leading it. After the post, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a public emergency and asked the president for federal assistance. Trump approved an emergency declaration, triggering greater involvement from the Environmental Protection Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency. Cleanup is going to take a while, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said on Fox Business Wednesday. The emergency repairs are in the home stretch, he added, but as far as the remediation of the environmental damage that its caused to environmental quality and more thats something thats going to take a while. Local environmentalists welcomed greater federal involvement. Hopefully this will provide oversight and some accountability in what happened here, said Betsy Nicholas, president of the environmental group Potomac Riverkeeper Network. DC Water has been doing daily water quality sampling to detect E.coli bacteria, which can cause gastrointestinal problems. While E.coli levels remain higher than the EPAs recreational standards limit near the spill site, other spots along the river in Maryland and DC are now mostly below those limits. Independent sampling by the University of Maryland has similarly found high E.coli levels near the spill site, including exceeding EPA standards by more than 10,000 times in the days just after the spill was identified. Over time, we have seen the concentration of E.coli decrease, which is encouraging, said University of Maryland associate professor Rachel Rosenberg Goldstein, who is co-leading the sampling effort. But were still seeing, based on last weeks results, that the E.coli concentrations are still above EPAs recreational water quality standards. Her teams sampling has also detected the bacteria that can cause staph infections. Top Photo: Pumps and pipes divert raw sewage into the C&O Canal and around a broken section of the Potomac Interceptor, a six-foot-wide sewage pipe between the Clara Barton Parkway and the C&O Canal, in Cabin John, Maryland, US, on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser on Wednesday declared a public emergency regarding the massive discharge of raw sewage into the Potomac River after a section of sewer line collapsed in January. Copyright 2026 Bloomberg. A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by New York Citys former interim police commissioner that accused the previous mayor, Eric Adams, and his top deputies of operating the New York Police Department (NYPD) as a criminal enterprise. The racketeering lawsuit was originally filed in July by Thomas Donlon, a longtime FBI official appointed by Adams to stabilize the scandal-scarred police department. Instead, Donlon said he encountered systemic corruption and criminal conduct enabled by Adams and his allies, who routinely inflated overtime, blocked internal investigations and punished whistleblowers. In a ruling Wednesday, Judge Denise Cote said the alleged misconduct did not meet the definition of racketeering activity because the lawsuit did not describe the defendants acting with a common purpose. A spokesperson for the citys Law Department said they were pleased the court agreed there was no legal basis for this case to continue. An inquiry to Adams spokesperson was not returned. John Scola, an attorney for Donlon, said his client had already appealed the decision. Mr. Donlon confronted corruption within the NYPDs highest ranks and was forced out for refusing to engage in illegal conduct, Scola said. We are confident the Second Circuit will allow his claims to proceed. Donlon was appointed by Adams following the resignation of the previous police commissioner, Edward Caban, whose phone was seized by federal officials as part of a sprawling probe into the administration. He served as the interim commissioner for about two months, and was later replaced by Jessica Tisch, who continues to lead the department. Donlons lawsuit was one of several filed by veteran police officials that described a culture of rampant corruption and cronyism within the department under Adams. In recent weeks, federal prosecutors have also brought multiple bribery cases against former police officials who served under Adams. Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Legislation Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., the Rolling Meadows, Illinois-based insurance broker, announced the acquisition of Bremen, Germany-based Krose GmbH & Co KG (Krose). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 1920, Krose provides commercial insurance and reinsurance solutions for corporate clients across Germany and specializes in the design and placement of complex programs. Kroses team of risk professionals across property, casualty, cyber, marine, D&O and alternative risk solutions will become part of Gallaghers brokerage operations in Europe. Krose is a highly regarded firm which brings deep market expertise to complement our existing capabilities as we continue to expand in Germany and across Europe, said J. Patrick Gallagher Jr., chairman and CEO. I am very pleased to welcome the Krose team to Gallagher. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. provides brokerage, risk management and consulting services in approximately 130 countries around the world through its owned operations and a network of correspondent brokers and consultants. Source: Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies A.J. Gallagher A federal judge this week granted Marsh its request to prohibit a group of employees who left for Howden US from using its confidential information, soliciting other former employees, and trying to acquire current and prospective Marsh clients. An opinion and order out of U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York concluded that Marsh has demonstrated that it is likely to succeed on the merits of at least some of its claims of breach of contract. Last November, Marsh USA filed a lawsuit against seven former employeesAlfred Gronovius, Andrea Amodeo, Carlos Serio, Giovanni Perez, Janette Wilcox, Nathan Collins, and Richard Lennerthand alleged a coordinated scheme to leave the broker, and steal trade secrets, confidential information, and clients. All senior employees in Marshs Florida zone, the group left for Howden US, the new U.S. retail broking business of Howden. Related: Marsh Sues More Former Employees Over Scheme to Open Howden US Prior to this suit, Marsh filed a suit against Michael Parrish, who was named Howden US CEO, as well as Giselle Lugones, Robert Lynn, and Julie Layton. In that case, the court last September granted Marsh a preliminary injunction. Marsh provided proof that Lugones created a playbook to recruit Marsh employees, according to the most recent court documents. In her Feb. 24 ruling, U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon said Marsh met its burden for an injunction, with the exception of prohibiting the group from servicing clients that had already moved from Marsh to Howden. The judge noted Marsh asked to have its property returned to it, but had not presented any evidence the defendants had any Marsh property. Nevertheless, Rochen said Marsh has shown that it will suffer irreparable harm absent its requested injunctive relief, and has shown that it is at risk of suffering irreparable harm from the solicitation of its employees and the solicitation and servicing of its clients. Marsh presented evidence that Serio and Gronovius solicited clients after leaving the broker, and that Marsh clients and employees continue to move to Howden, the court ruled. The court said Gronovius, Amodeo, Serio, Wilcox, and Collins are prohibited for 1 year from their Marsh resignation from soliciting Marsh employees or contacting Marsh employees with whom they obtained confidential information over the last two years. Gronovius, Serio, and Perez are prohibited from soliciting or servicing Marsh clients for one year, and they are prohibited from clients from which they obtained confidential information over the last two years. All defendants cannot use or disseminate any Marsh confidential information, and must return all such information within 21 days. Howden declined to comment on the order. Topics USA Each morning, Katherine Prevost fills her coffee maker with water from her kitchen faucet and presses the button. Until recently, she didnt know the water may have contained a potent neurotoxin lead. She was shocked when a water test provided by Verite News found lead detected in the water coming from the tap. Now that means that I cant do that anymore, Prevost said. She already drank bottled water, but she relied on tap water for cooking everything from her gumbos and crawfish boils and other daily activities like brushing her teeth. The New Orleans native moved to her block of Congress Street in the Upper Ninth Ward when she was a teenager. Nearly 60 years later, at 72, she still lives in the same home. Prevost replaced the plumbing inside her house after Hurricane Katrina, but modeling by the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans showed that the citys pipes leading to her house likely contain lead. We always thought we had good plumbing, Prevost said. But because the pipes on the street side is not fixed, that means that regardless of what we do, were gonna have lead in our water. On Prevosts block alone, Verite detected lead in all but one of the eight households tested. The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans inventory showed all of the homes with lead detected likely had lead pipes on the citys side of the meter. The toxic metal is common in water across New Orleans, according to previously unpublished city data obtained by Verite News. Between September 2022 and May 2025, about 70% of the households that participated in the S&WBs first free water testing program had lead in their water. Almost every house with lead also exceeded the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended limit of 1 part per billion. The S&WB doesnt know the full extent of lead in the system, but this testing provides the most complete and recent snapshot the city has. More than 1,100 households were tested. The worst test recorded levels of lead 100 times the federal action level. (The program is ongoing, and residents can still request water testing kits.) The S&WB is one of the oldest water systems on the Gulf Coast, with pipes dating back more than a century, and lead experts point to the citys corroding lead water lines as a significant public health hazard. Lead is rather ubiquitous in our water, it is all around us, said Adrienne Katner, an LSU professor known for her research on lead and drinking water. Though the citys water system complies with federal standards, federal officials concede that those standards dont protect residents from harmful lead exposure. And lead experts and water advocates worry the city isnt doing enough to alert residents and protect them from the danger. Unlike most contaminants, lead in drinking water is regulated at a system level. For water utilities to remain compliant, the Environmental Protection Agency requires 90% of homes tested as part of a small survey to have less lead than the federal action level. Currently, the action level is 15 parts per billion, but it will be reduced to 10 ppm in 2027 as part of new requirements under the updated Lead and Copper Rule. The updated rule also required all water systems to replace their lead pipes by 2037. The S&WB tests about 100 households for lead every three years. Since 2012, 90% of the homes it tested had 5 to 8 parts per billion of lead or less, according to the S&WBs annual Consumer Confidence reports. That is really where all of these things fall through the cracks, especially when we think about vulnerable populations, said Taya Fontenette, who headed the Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans lead awareness program until recently. She found lead in 88% of the nearly 150 homes she tested in 2024. No level of lead is safe to consume. Trace amounts can harm brain development in children, especially newborns, and contribute to a wide range of health issues in adults, including high blood pressure, kidney issues and even death from heart disease. It cannot be emphasized highly enough that lead affects us all. It affects nearly every organ in the body, Katner said. We all need to make every effort to reduce our exposure throughout our entire lifetime. Pipe replacement gained even more urgency in 2023, when saltwater moving up the Mississippi River threatened to enter the New Orleans water supply. Saltwater corrodes pipes faster, and the phenomenon will likely happen again as river dredging continues and human-caused climate change affects the potential for droughts. Because of contract disputes, cost and legislative hurdles, it will likely take years before the remainder of the citys tens of thousands of lead pipes are replaced. The longer the process takes, lead experts say many New Orleans residents will remain at risk of unsafe, chronic lead exposure through their drinking water. Earlier this month, the S&WB started accepting new bids for a project management firm for its lead pipe program. Rebecca Johnsey, S&WBs deputy general superintendent of water programs, said the utility will try to shorten the normal procurement process to award the contract by the end of this year and start construction in late 2027, a one-year delay. The reality is, to change out service lines, its going to be a very long and very expensive project for us, Johnsey said. This is not an overnight fix. In the meantime, the utility has started to replace lead lines on a small scale at schools and daycares. Johnsey said the utility also replaces lead lines when theyre found during roadwork projects. As of December, Hayman said the S&WB had replaced lines serving 14 schools and 144 residences in 2025, with three more replacements scheduled at schools. It had also conducted more than 350 service line inspections. Johnsey said the S&WBs focused on increasing public awareness so residents can protect themselves despite the utilitys poor history of notifying residents of lead risks. The state of lead pipes Nationally, lead pipes are pervasive. Federal estimates suggest there could be 4 million to 9 million lead pipes in use across the country. In New Orleans, the number of lead pipes remains unknown but the S&WB predicts 50% to 60% of its 150,000 metered service lines will need some portion replaced. The utility based its modeling on existing lead line records, age of development, water testing and other data. Leads malleability made it attractive to use for waterlines as the city expanded during the early 20th century, said Katner. The material can bend without breaking, an asset when building in the shifting soils of a swamp. Although the citys water leaves the utility lead-free, lead in the pipes can leach into the water on its way to a resident. Johnsey said S&WB treats the water with a chemical that reduces corrosion, but it doesnt fully prevent contamination. Lead can also leach into the water on the customers side. Most New Orleans homes were built before lead pipes were banned in 1988, so the plumbing and fixtures could also be a source of contamination. The only way to check is visually. The utility has to dig down to each unknown pipe to verify the material. When water lines are disturbed, Katner said it can lead to spikes in lead levels that persist for months. Full and partial lead line replacement, road work, and even activities such as adding new meters can raise the risk of lead exposure. Katner said moving the lines can dislodge lead particles into the water, so residents should consistently filter their tap water or flush their lines before use if their meter or lines are disturbed. In 2017, the New Orleans Office of the Inspector General investigated the S&WBs failure to notify residents of the heightened lead risk when the ongoing reconstruction of the water supply system following Hurricane Katrina led to the partial replacement of some service lines. Inspector General Edouard Quatrevaux found thousands of New Orleans residents may have been unknowingly exposed to elevated levels of lead in drinking water. Katner worried that residents still arent being alerted enough when lines are disturbed. When the S&WB replaced SMART meters across the city from 2023 to 2025, the utility said it had beefed up its communication with door hangers, flyers, information on the website and a video to tell residents what to expect during installation. Ceara Labat, spokeswoman for S&WB, said that included language noting that the meter replacement might allow air, debris or contaminants in the water line and recommended flushing the plumbing by running cold water in the bathtub or shower for a few minutes. The S&WB does provide a free lead-filtering water pitcher upon request one of Quatrevauxs 2017 recommendations to residents with lead waterlines, though it doesnt provide free replacement filters after the first six months. But Katner said, at least at her home, she didnt receive notification before or after the meters installation, so she wonders if other residents were missed. In the 2017 report, Quatrevaux had also recommended the utility provide detailed instructions on how to flush plumbing lines after infrastructure projects and conduct water testing at sites affected by the work until there was enough evidence that temporary lead increases had stopped. A spokesperson for the Office of the Inspector General said the agency is considering a follow-up investigation to its 2017 report. Lead accumulates in our bodies Sitting on her porch, Prevost said she struggles with an autoimmune disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. She wondered where they came from. She didnt think they were generational because her parents didnt develop those health problems. After Verite found lead in her water, she wondered if the heavy metal could have contributed, though she hasnt had her blood tested. Other senior residents on her block have similar health issues, and Verite also detected lead in their water. Is the lead affecting our health? she said. What diseases come from the lead and the pipes? Those are questions that need to be answered. The science isnt settled on whether lead contributes to diabetes and autoimmune diseases, though two studies found they could be related. Decades of research have found that lead can have other wide-ranging effects on a persons health. Like many cities, New Orleans has a long history of lead contamination from several sources, such as peeling lead paint and soil. A recent investigation by Verite found unsafe levels of lead at more than 40 of the citys playgrounds. Katner said the prevalence of lead pipes affects people of all ages. Lead in water poses a unique threat even at very low levels 1 part per billion because exposures are chronic and because lead accumulates in our bodies, she said. Newborns face the most danger. Megan Maraynes, an emergency room pediatrician at Manning Family Childrens, said lead can pass through a pregnant woman to her fetus, harming development and potentially leading to premature births. Lead is especially hazardous for children because their brain and their tissues are still developing, Maraynes said. Parents should filter their tap water if they plan to feed their babies with formula, Maraynes and other public health experts said. Some studies have found that Black infants might be more at risk of lead exposure than others because theyre more likely to drink formula. Newborns absorb the lead more easily than older children or adults, so they get the highest doses even at low levels. Its hard to tell when infants are exposed because the effects manifest later with IQ loss, trouble in school and behavioral issues. By that time, Katner said, the damage is done. What we are really speaking about is irreversible brain damage that leads to learning disabilities and impulse control issues, she said, adding that the first dose of lead has the greatest impact. As people move through life, they become exposed through other sources, such as soil when children are crawling and playing. But lead in drinking water may still be there in the background, building up in the bones and affecting organ function. Katner said lead is slow to diminish in the bones and can release back into the bloodstream during pregnancy, lactation, aging and in times of stress. The heavy metal damages kidneys and increases blood pressure, which can lead to hypertension, heart disease and strokes even at low levels. A 2018 study found that low-level, cumulative lead exposure could contribute to 412,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease in the U.S. annually. There is no treatment for the damage caused by lead, Katner said. All we can do is prevent exposure and ameliorate its impact. Limiting lead risk Public health experts say full lead line removal is the only way to ensure the water is safe and stop the generational harm caused by exposure to the neurotoxin. The S&WB initially planned to start replacing pipes en masse this fall. But early last year, the utility failed to follow its own process when selecting a contractor, leading to a drawn-out dispute. The selection committee tasked with evaluating the proposals didnt include a public health expert like the utility requires. Jennifer Avegno, then-director of the citys health department, was serving in the role but wasnt able to attend candidate interviews. She said the committee scheduled the interviews without checking her schedule, according to records of her communications with the committee. Without Avegno, the committee continued without the perspective of a public health professional. After the committee awarded the contract to global engineering firm CDM Smith, the second-highest scoring bidder, EquiFlow NOLA, protested the decision. After several months, the utilitys hearing examiner rejected the protest in September, but S&WB Executive Director Randy Hayman overruled him in early December. Hayman said the failure to appoint a replacement for Avegno was a potentially unlawful deviation from the process laid out by the utilitys request for proposals. This departure violates fundamental principles of competitive selection and justifies re-solicitation of the services sought by the Board, Hayman said. He made the decision about five months into his new role as the utilitys top leader after starting the job in late July. At a special meeting of the New Orleans City Councils public works committee in December, S&WB Executive Director Randy Hayman said he would work to further expedite the hiring of a contractor and construction. Im going to go back to the consultants and put fire on them to try to do the best they can to sharpen their pencils again. So well continue to push to get this done as quickly and as efficiently as possible, Hayman said. But procurement isnt the only hurdle. S&WB expects to spend about $1 billion to replace all of the citys lead pipes by 2037. So far, the utility has secured $152 million in funding from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund. To use the federal drinking water funding, the utility has to ensure the full replacement of lead lines at every property it works on. But currently, Hayman and Johnsey said a provision of the state constitution doesnt allow public money to pay for replacing lead lines on private property. We are actively seeking legislative changes to be able to do that because we would like to be able to get these full replacements on service lines free of cost to the customer, both on the private and the public side, Johnsey said. The legislature has already removed some of the other barriers to replacement. In 2024, state lawmakers passed a law allowing municipalities to permit their utilities to enter private property to replace lead lines as long as they provide residents with enough notice. Future federal funding for replacing lead pipes is also uncertain. The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law dedicated $15 billion directly to lead line replacements across the country. That funding will end this year, though, and the Republican-led Congress recently redirected $125 million of the existing pool to wildfire prevention instead. EquiFlows partners believed they could replace up to 85,000 lead pipes in New Orleans faster and cheaper than the S&WBs current projections. The team was going to be coordinated by Community Infrastructure Partners, a national infrastructure project delivery firm. It designed a community-based lead replacement program focused on securing resident buy-in with transparency, local partnerships and extensive outreach. The company committed to fully inspecting the citys lines and replacing its pipes within 6 to 7 years for $650 million, according to the proposal submitted to the S&WB. At that cost, the company and city would likely still have to find hundreds of millions of dollars to fill the federal funding gap, but it would be more efficient and cost-effective. S&WB spokeswoman Ceara Labat said the utility based its own projections on current contract costs, the number of lead popes and additional expenses such as public communication, pitcher distribution and water testing. She said the S&WBs estimate is in-line with estimates from the American Water Works Association. Fontenette with the Water Collaborative said the nonprofit has also emphasized the importance of speed and equity. She said the group hopes the city replaces pipes faster than the 10-year deadline while ensuring regular updates and prioritizing areas with the most corroded water lines. Structured urgency. We want it to be informed, but we also dont want anyone to drag their feet, she said. And we want, once theyre able to break ground, (the S&WB to) have nothing stopping them from getting this done as fast as possible. Councilmember Aimee McCarron, who sits on the New Orleans City Councils public works committee, said the issue of lead was especially urgent after Verite News playground investigation, and shes already talking to the Moreno administration about remediating parks. When it comes to water, she wants to see replacement coordinated with active or planned roadwork to avoid digging up the same streets. Not only is this issue impacting caregivers and children citywide, but it also concerns my family personally because I have 6-year-old twins and live across from a park that measured high lead levels, McCarron said, adding that all pipe replacements tied to street repairs should be spread across the City as equitably as possible. On Congress Street, Prevost said shes worried about who will get their pipes replaced first and how soon. Her street hasnt had work done since before Katrina, so shes worried her neighbors and other low-income areas wont be prioritized. She currently serves as the president of Upper Ninth Wards Bunny Friend Neighborhood Association, and its been hard to address another major issue: flooding. We just sitting here with busted pipes. You can see the water leaking from under the ground, bubbling up when its raining, she said. I have to pick my battles. Until her pipes are replaced, she plans to stop brushing her teeth with tap water and will buy either a filter or watercooler to cut out lead. Residents should look for filters certified to reduce lead by NSF, which independently tests products. But she doesnt want to do it forever. Fix our pipes so we can be healthy, said Prevost. And (so we) dont have to worry about, do we have to buy bottled water and do we have to test the water before we put it up to our mouth. ___ This four-month investigation was supported by a Kozik Environmental Justice Reporting grant funded by the National Press Foundation and the National Press Club Journalism Institute. It was also produced as a project for the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalisms National Fellowship Fund and the Dennis A. Hunt Fund for Health Journalism. ___ This story was originally published by Verite News and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press. Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The American Equity Underwriters, one of the largest providers of workers compensation insurance for waterfront employees, has named Jason Lake senior vice president and director of loss control. Lake will succeed Jimmy Burgin, who plans to retire in July after 30 years with AEU, the company said in a news release. Lake has been senior loss control manager with AEU since 2013, based in Indiana. He has now moved to AEUs headquarters in the port city of Mobile, Alabama. He is a certified safety professional, chairs the AEU Loss Control Advisory Council, leads his local chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals, and previously served on the NFPA Technical Committee on Gas Hazards. Lake also is a 2005 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and began his career sailing on Watson-class vessels, a type of large cargo ship. AEU, an Amwins company, is program administrator for American Longshore Mutual Association Ltd., a group self-insurance fund authorized by the U.S. Department of Labor for waterfront employers in all 50 states. The company provides claims handling, loss control, consulting and other support. Topics Profit Loss The city of San Diego is paying $6 million to a group of insurers to compensate them for paying claims from floods in January 2024 floods. The city council granted final approval Tuesday to the settlement, part of a longer process in which the city is facing dozens of lawsuits over floods that destroyed homes and displaced residents. Insurers and residents sued the city, arguing it caused the flooding and damage by failing to maintain its stormwater system, the San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting. According to the newspaper, the payments go to 17 insurance carriers in four subrogation lawsuits and comes from a self-insurance program. The article lists the insurers scheduled be paid as: Palomar Specialty; Palomar Express and Surplus; Allied World Assurance; State Farm Mutual Automobile; Tokio Marine Kiln Holdings; Federated Mutual; Allstate; Allstate Northbrook Indemnity; Esurance Property and Casualty; Encompass; Integon National; Integon Preferred; National General; Insurance Co. of the West; Mercury; California Automobile; and Certain Underwriters of Lloyds London. Topics Carriers Flood Irelands first ever maritime security strategy is receiving a general welcome from various defence and security experts. They complement the ambition of the strategy, measures to drive co-ordination among Irelands numerous maritime agencies, and formal declarations of the need to enhance military co-operation with neighbours. Indeed, the strategy and public comments by defence minister Helen McEntee could not emphasise any more how Ireland is pushing for and, consequently, dependent on the military assistance of our neighbours. But in their welcome, the experts do have the usual caveats: The need for political leadership to drive implementation, and the pressing requirement of sustained and increased investment in the Defence Forces. The plan The countrys National Maritime Security Strategy 2026-2030 comes to us before Ireland has published a national security strategy. The former should logically flow from the latter. However, the country has waited more than four years for the national strategy to be published. Despite repeated statements of its imminent release, the Department of Taoiseach continues, inexplicably, to sit on it. The Department of Defence, which churns out documents at a fair click, deserves some credit, not least due to the work of the strategys main driver, Margaret Stanley. Irish Navy personnel at the launch. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins Photos The strategy, formally launched on board the LE Samuel Beckett at Dublins docklands, reminds its readers of the sheer scale of Irelands maritime area. On top of territorial waters out to 12 nautical miles from the coast Irish-controlled waters (exclusive economic zone) stretches to 200 nautical miles. Thats seven times Irelands land mass. The strategy outlines the key risks to Irelands maritime security as: Damage to undersea infrastructure (such as data cables); Disruption to oil supply (which comes by sea into Irish ports); Disruption to electricity or gas supply (comprising of two electricity interconnectors from Britain and two gas pipelines from Britain, the latter supplying 80% of Irelands gas needs); Malicious cyber activity on critical infrastructure; Maritime incident involving mass casualties. It added that the presence of significant communication and cloud infrastructure in Ireland, along with subsea infrastructure in the exclusive economic zone, exposed Ireland to added risk. Further highlighting the importance of Irish ports, and of sea routes, the strategy said that 90% of Irelands trade by volume is transported by sea. It states there are growing concerns about the threats posed by Russias shadow fleet, mainly used to transport sanctioned oil but also suspected, as the strategy points out, of being used for espionage and sabotage including by deploying drones on the border of, or inside, another countrys airspace. Praise Brendan Flynn, a lecturer in political science at the University of Galway and a specialist on maritime security, said: Its an excellent document and a really historic moment the Irish State is giving real attention to the maritime domain in a way that historically it hasnt. He said the naval service had been left in decline in more recent years, with its remaining capabilities focused on fishery protection and, to some extent, counter-narcotics operations, with a very limited role in maritime security. This document shows a major change in mindset, there is higher ambition, Mr Flynn said, particularly commending the inclusion of climate change as a maritime security threat. He welcomed the suggestion of a national maritime security centre, which he said, if up and running, could be an engine for delivery similar to the National Cyber Security Centre. He said that one of the best ideas is the concept of forward operating bases beyond naval service HQ in Haulbowline in Cork to the East and West coasts. The main reason for that is recruitment, retention, career flexibility, and forging deep connections with local communities, he said. It would be great if what comes out of this is our navy has a permanent presence in maybe Dun Laoghaire [Dublin] and Ros a Mhil [Galway]. Professor of law at Queens University Richard Collins said there were a lot of positives in the strategy, mentioning the consideration of new naval bases and more assertive enforcement powers for the naval service. He welcomed the action plan with timelines, but said many of the actions are in the form of giving consideration to something or exploring something. Defence minister Helen McEntee at the launch of the maritime defence strategy at the LE Samuel Beckett. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins Like his academic colleague, he mentioned the national maritime security centre. He stated he believed this was critical to achieving a whole-of-government approach at operational level. He also welcomed the suggestion, albeit vague, of setting up a regional monitoring hub for the EU. Mr Collins welcomed what he said appeared to be a fairly firm commitment to partnering up with other countries in the joint expeditionary force. The joint expeditionary force comprises of 10 northern European countries, and it specifically targets the movements of the shadow fleet and threats to subsea infrastructure. Mark Mellett, a former Defence Forces chief of staff and vice-admiral of the naval service, said: Irelands Maritime Security Strategy 2026-2030 is a pragmatic, whole-of-government blueprint to build maritime domain awareness rapidly, prioritising the protection of critical undersea infrastructure. The strategy points to the actions and partnership required. Kenneth McDonagh, an associate professor of international relations at DCU, said the strategy was a welcome step forward: The strategy rightly highlights the vulnerabilities Ireland faces in relation to critical maritime infrastructure with an emphasis on undersea cables and power connections. The strategy also acknowledges the clear gaps in Irelands capabilities and, although detail is absent, points to the capability development plan that will address these gaps. He said the strategy tries to walk a narrow line between recognising the need to co-operate with international partners, in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks, while maintaining Irelands military neutrality. Caveats Mr Flynn said the key qualification to his positive comments is to what extent the strategy will be implemented or delivered. He expressed concern that what he sees as a good initiative, the national maritime security centre, is only mooted. However, his greatest concern centred around the prospects of the naval service: My main worry is that, in reality, so much depends on the regeneration plan for our navy and also the air corps/air force. Its our navy that will do most of the heavy lifting for this strategy albeit in partnership with many national and international stakeholders. So, I guess Ireland cant afford to drop the ball on that core capacity building task. At Wednesdays launch, the chief of staff, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, said the regeneration plan would be with the minister soon and would outline a multi-annual plan to rebuild the strength and capacity of the naval service. Mr Collins said the establishment of the maritime security working group, which brings together seven departments and four agencies, needs to be made a permanent oversight body in order to drive a whole-of-government approach. Lt Gen Rossa Mulcahy said a plan would be with the minister soon. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins Photos He said the national maritime security centre, while critical, was still just an aspiration: There is a lot still to do to get that off the ground tough. Mr Collins said the positive suggestion of possibly establishing a regional monitoring hub for the EU remains quite speculative at this stage. However, he said such a hub could ease the concerns of EU states that Ireland was not doing enough in the security domain. Mr Collins said the fundamental issues of capacity and capability of Irelands Defence Forces were still dependent both on enhanced resourcing and on regional and local bilateral co-operation. He said details were needed of the co-operation agreements with Britain and France. It would be good to have had some concrete ideas in here around, for example, personnel exchanges, joint exercises, sharing of resources and assets, where feasible. The detail on Ireland-France co-operation is also somewhat vague, he said. Concerns over resourcing of the Defence Forces were again detailed in the Irish Examiner on Monday, with former army ranger officer and ex-TD Cathal Berry saying that the recently published updated implementation plan for government-agreed Defence Forces investment was only half-funded. He said the Department of Defence had sought capital funding of 3.4bn between 2026 and 2030 to implement the Defence Forces investment plan, but had only received 1.7bn from the Department of Public Expenditure. Mr Mellett said securing the necessary investment was crucial. It now needs sustained resourcing and delivery discipline to turn ambition into enduring capability if we are to move from a century of seablindness to an era of maritime domain awareness, he said. The Irish attend an average of five funerals a year, and people in Kerry go to the most. The chances of mourners attending those funerals believing in ghosts is also significant, a survey by website Rip.ie reveals. While nearly two-thirds of the 3,387 surveyed said they believed in heaven, and 16% believed in hell, a further 12% said they believed in ghosts. The survey was conducted to find information on peoples attitudes to funerals, to mark the 20th anniversary of the bereavement notices website, as well as a new podcast called Parting Words. In season one, guests include broadcaster Miriam OCallaghan and Limerick author Sarah Corbett Lynch, whose father Jason Corbett was killed by his wife and father-in-law in North Carolina in 2015. Some 90% of respondents believe every family should have the right to deliver a eulogy at the funeral mass of a family member. When asked how long the eulogy should be, 45% said it should be six to 10 minutes, while 41% said it should be under five. Almost a fifth of people also believe black should always be worn at funerals, and they should be sombre events. While on average, Irish people attended five funerals in the past year, that figure varies from a low of three in Dublin to more than six in Kerry and Limerick. Richie Kelly, Head of RIP.ie from the Irish Times Group, said the findings should provide some food for thought. He said: Its clear that the vast majority support the right to deliver a short tribute about their loved ones and an opportunity to say goodbye to them in their own words. Most funerals in Ireland take place over three days, and 84% of people believe this is about the right time. However, 14% believe this is too fast, while 1% think it is too slow. The Department of Education has said it shares collective responsibility for the fiasco of special needs assistant (SNA) allocations, but insisted the minister knew cuts to those roles were to be implemented before the scandal broke. Addressing the Dail Public Accounts Committee on Thursday, secretary general of the department Bernie McNally said minister for education Hildegarde Naughton would have had awareness sweeping cuts to SNA allocations were to happen. Asked whether the minister knew letters were to be delivered to schools informing them of the cuts, Ms McNally said: The minister would have had awareness, just as we did, of the general policy, and would have been broadly aware letters were being sent. They knew the NCSE [National Council for Special Education] was doing its job, she said. She said the department takes collective responsibility for the failure of communication so we absolutely apologise for the upset that was caused to parents while adding the situation had led to a lot of misinformation. Ms McNally said she wanted to assure parents that there are no cuts. While insisting we all bear responsibility for this, she said the NCSE operates services and resources for special educational needs. Asked if she was blaming the NCSE for what had happened, she said: No, collective responsibility, but added, they are the ones that operate and send out the letters. The tense hearing, which had been convened to discuss issues with how school grants are appropriated, was dominated by the SNA issue, which saw a massive outcry after letters were sent to schools around the country informing them of cuts to SNA levels in 194 schools following a review of allocations. Ms McNally said her department engages every day of the week... really, really closely with the NCSE, but said regarding the specific allocation of SNAs, a lot of the engagement was last year on this. Assistant secretary general of the department Martina Mannion acknowledged the department would likewise have known the letters regarding the SNA cuts had increased reductions or remaining the same, but insisted the content was a matter for the NCSE. Asked why 19m in additional emergency funding to maintain the current level of SNAs for another year was allocated by the Cabinet and why it was not budgeted for in advance, Ms Mannion replied: It was expected that we would be able to provide for the level of need in the system, but said that level of need subsequently became greater. Defending the process of reviewing SNA allocations, she said it was very important that SNAs are allocated to where there is greatest need, adding the need is going to move. The department was unable to confirm whether or not that 19m allocation would see a similar level of cuts to other resources, with representative of the Department of Public Expenditure Georgina Hughes-Elders stating repeatedly the matter was being negotiated internally with the Department of Education, while adding her department had only been asked for the money in recent days. Ms McNally reiterated this wasnt handled properly, but said a lot of the problem had revolved around how the cuts were communicated. I can confirm that well look at this process and how its communicated and how parents find out about the outcome, she said. Hundreds of students may be blocked from accessing an appropriate education this year, as there are not currently enough school places for all children who require special classes. The Dail Public Accounts Committee has heard there are not enough special classes available for the next academic year to meet the demand that is currently there for September 2026. As fallout from the SNA controversy continued this week, the Dail heard fears hundreds of students may be denied an appropriate school place for the upcoming school year. On Wednesday, Labours education spokesperson Eoghan Kenny questioned the Taoiseach on whether the high number of applications this years means 600 special classes were required for this September. The Department of Education has funding to open 400 special classes attached to mainstream schools, which can take in a maximum of six students. In response, Micheal Martin confirmed demand this year "increased exponentially". Representatives from the department appeared before the Public Accounts Committee on Thursday, where they confirmed to Mr Kenny the current resources did not meet the current demand for places. Mr Kenny said: The fundamental issue is clear. Right now, and albeit, I don't doubt your work on it, [but] right now, we do not have enough school places for children who require special classes for the coming year. Department of Education secretary general Bernie McNally said: We are working on that, and we're finalising that plan, and we will publish the numbers and our plan to respond to that need very soon. Mr Kenny said: The plan will have to include an extra allocation of funding from Department of Education or from the Department of Public Expenditure to open extra classes to meet the demand that wasn't envisaged. "The level of demand is more than what we currently have. We will more than likely have to go back to the kitty, get extra money, and that's going to be more than likely to plan: go back to the kitty, get extra money and open extra special classes." He also raised fears around special school provision, as they "can't be built overnight." He asked if Government leaders were aware we currently do not have the level of resources to match the level of need. The leaders are aware that there are substantially increased needs coming down the track, Ms McNally said. They're aware that we don't have the resources to match that yet, Mr Kenny asked. She replied: They're aware that we have further analysis to do to ensure that we can meet the need. A memo is expected to go to Government shortly, outlining the increased need, Martina Mannion, assistant secretary general, told the committee. The numbers of coming forward have increased. So, we are engaging with the National Council for Special Education, and we understand that this will be the subject of a memo for Government with further detail as to how we would go forward to meeting the need. She added: We're much further on than we were last year. We have 301 classes sanctioned already this year, which is number of months earlier than they would have been last year. "An e-scooter in a child's hands can turn a minute of fun into a lifetime of sorrow." That was the warning from gardai after an eight-year-old was seen travelling at speeds of up to 30km/h in Co Louth. A 51-year-old Mitchelstown man sent a sexual Snapchat message to a schoolgirl within three hours of his prison release from a sentence for a sexual assault despite strict conditions on him under the Sex Offenders Register. When Detective Garda David Barry questioned Anthony Quigley of Roches Heights, Mitchelstown, County Cork, about this latest of many offences he admitted using the ID, SusieLOL as a decoy and said to gardai: Snapchat is like a haven for paedophiles. The Snapchat message that he sent to a teenaged girl on September 15, 2025, used a popular song but altered to words to make them sexually suggestive. It was sent within three hours of his release from prison on September 15 During interviews he said he was fully aware of the requirements under the act and the order he was subjected to, Det. Garda Barry said. The order was imposed one year ago by Judge Dermot Sheehan and included prohibitions on Anthony Quigley contacting any child under the age of 18 or going within 50 metres of a school or such places where children congregate. This ban was for 15 years from February 2025. On February 24, 2025, he was sentenced for a sexual assault and released from custody before 11am on Monday, September 15, 2025. By 2.03pm he was at home in Mitchelstown, his phone charged and a lewd message sent to a schoolgirl in County Cork. Offences committed against a 16-year-old boy dated back to shortly before he was sentenced in February last year. Between February 10 and 15, 2025, Anthony Quigley was involved in WhatsApp text message exchanges with the teenaged autistic boy, numbering 214 messages. The boy had contacted the accused first, asking him to buy a vape for him. However, included in the 84 messages that Anthony Quigley sent were two memes of adult pornography and a photograph of his penis. John Devlin, defence barrister, said of Anthony Quigley: He suffered significant head injuries in a car accident 20 years ago affecting his speech and memory. Ray Boland, defence senior counsel, said a psychiatric report had been prepared on the accused back in 2019 but that an updated report may be necessary. Judge Sinead Behan said at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday she would need an updated report to address why these type of offences were occurring, assessing future risk and the danger he posed to himself and others. This is beyond being depressed or having a drug addiction, the judge said. Sentencing was adjourned until April 28. Anthony Quigley spoke from the dock to ask, Would you let me out on bail? Judge Behan said: There is no question of you getting out on bail. The 51-year-old has 68 previous convictions including four for sexual assault, six for common assault, 13 for harassment or stalking, 12 for sending indecent messages, three for making hoax calls and 12 for public order offences. - If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services. The major redevelopment of a cinema bought by artist Yvonne McGuinness and her husband, actor Cillian Murphy, has been granted planning permission by Kerry County Council. The well-known Phoenix Cinema in Daingean Ui Chuis was bought by the couple in November 2024. Their plans will retain the building as a cinema while expanding its use to include a multi-disciplinary performance space, exhibition and rehearsal areas, a bar, cafe, and restaurant, artist studios, and a redesigned courtyard. The cinema, which had served west Kerry communities since 1919, closed during the covid pandemic. When the OSullivan family announced plans to sell in 2022, fears emerged locally that the site could be redeveloped for commercial or residential use. A community campaign was launched to protect its cultural role. The planning application followed extensive public consultation, including meetings and presentations held in the old cinema. The project has also secured 933,000 under the Governments Rural Regeneration Fund. Yvonne McGuinness (centre) at the public consultation in the Phoenix Cinema in Dingle last August with planning consultant Laura Brock and architect Andrew Clancy. File picture: Manuela Dei Grandi Many letters of support were submitted, particularly from the wider west Kerry arts community. However, some neighbouring residents raised concerns about the potential impact on adjoining properties and additional pressure on parking in nearby streets. Planning permission has been granted subject to 13 conditions and may yet be appealed to An Coimisiun Pleanala. Murphy and McGuinness are long associated with the west Kerry Gaeltacht. The Cork actors parents holidayed in the area for decades and he now spends extended periods there with his own family. Actor Cillian Murphy, who purchased the Phoenix Cinema with artist Yvonne McGuinness, pictured at the 2010 Dingle Film Festival. Picture: Eamonn Keogh/MacMonagle Speaking after the purchase at the time, Cillian Murphy said he had been attending films at the Phoenix since childhood. He said: My dad saw movies there before me, and weve brought our own children there too. We recognise what the cinema means to Dingle. His artist wife Yvonne said the aim is to reopen the doors and broaden the venues creative potential, restoring its place at the heart of the towns cultural life. The Phoenix was destroyed by fire in 1921 and again in 1938 but was rebuilt on both occasions by the Houlihan family, inspiring its name. Over the decades it became a social hub, hosting drama, concerts and dances, and later welcoming showbands and performers including Rory Gallagher and Dana. The country's largest landlord has said its rental income could surge by 25%, thanks to new Government rules. Ires Reit's prediction comes as even the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) conceded that rents across the country will rise "in the short term" after the measures kick in on March 1. The reforms will give landlords the ability to reset rents to market rates every six years, or if a tenant voluntarily ends the lease. A briefing provided by Ires Reit to investors outlines that it believes its rental properties are being charged at 20% below market rent. There has been an angry reaction from political opposition over the Government's rental changes, with Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald saying it paints a frightening picture of the size of the rent increases coming down the tracks. The companys briefing set out a total of 3,627 rental properties owned across the State, with the average monthly rent per unit being 1,852. It also adds that it expects a 25% potential rental income uplift with minimal added costs, saying this will come through as tenancies turnover. In the Dail, Ms McDonald said the Government had been warned that reforms to rent laws would lead to rent hikes. Due to your decisions, the property funds are set for a bonanza, Ms McDonald said. Now we see the proof, straight from the horses mouth, the biggest corporate landlord in Ireland is saying out loud the very thing that you denied. That they will make a fortune from your legislation, all on the backs of renters. In response, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said that renters in existing tenancies would only face 2% hikes each year, while saying there were further protections for renters in place with restrictions on no-fault evictions. We have over 513,000 people renting now, made up in terms of different categories, from public to the private sector, but over 290,000 people who are currently renting will not have their tenancies impacted, Mr Martin said. He said the Government wanted to bring more investment into the market, saying supply is key to moderate rents into the medium term. It comes as the RTBs director, Rosemary Steen, acknowledged that the legislation would lead to rent rises at least in the short term. However, Ms Steen said it would require time to evaluate the impact of the changes. What I want to communicate today is it's not a free-for-all, she said, noting that there is clear guidance in regard to rent settings that apply. We need to give the market a chance to respond. I do suspect itll take a number of months for the changes, in terms of their impact, to be seen, Ms Steen said. For tenancies created after March 1, landlords will be permitted to hike rents to market rates. While in a lease, they will be restricted to yearly rent increases of 2% per year. However, this 2% rule will not apply for new build apartments, with landlords permitted to increase rents in line with the Consumer Price Index instead. Ires Reit also told investors that, due to the exemption of new-build apartments from the 2% rule, building them would be incentivised and there would be opportunities for growth. Ires Reit welcomed the change in rental rules, with chief executive Eddie Byrne saying the improving regulatory backdrop means it will enter 2026 with strong momentum. We are now actively pursuing reinvestment opportunities to enhance the portfolio by investing in higher quality and higher yielding assets, he added. In a statement, a spokesperson for Ires Reit said: The 25% potential increase in overall rental income referenced in a recent investor presentation relates to a cumulative portfolio-level projection over a period of at least 10 years. Under the new regulatory framework, the 2% annual cap continues to apply to all existing tenancies, including renewals. Existing I-RES tenants will not see rent increases above 2% per annum. Discount supermarket Lidl has received the green light from the local council for a new 200m regional distribution centre outside Cork City. The new unit, located in Wallingstown, Little Island, will mark Lidl's fourth in the Republic of Ireland and the second to be located in Cork. Speaking on the positive planning bid, the discount retailer said the facility is "essential to supporting our ambitious expansion across the south and southeast." Lidl said the new centre is anticipated to come on stream by 2030. The retailer also said it plans to rapidly expand its store network over the next five years. Last year, the German company announced a fresh investment of 600m in developing 35 new stores, along with the Little Island distribution centre. Lidl currently services 190 stores in the Republic from its three regional distribution centres at Charleville in North Cork, Mullingar, and Newbridge. It currently operates 52 stores across Munster, including 22 in Cork, six in Limerick, four in Waterford, and eight in Kerry. Speaking on its latest planning approval, regional managing director for Munster at Lidl Ireland, Tara O'Connor, said: "This is an important milestone and reflects our continued commitment to investing in the Munster and Western region. "Since submitting the planning application in October 2024, we have opened an additional four new stores in the region at Moycullen, Killorglin, Limerick and Claregalway, with a number of other stores in the pipeline at various stages of the planning process." Ms O'Connor added that the approval was "vital to ensure we meet the future needs of our business as we continue to deliver on our ambitious expansion plans and open new stores across local towns and cities over the next four years." The US will provide on-site consular services in two Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank for the first time, breaking with previous policy, in a move that has been criticised by Palestinian officials as a clear violation of international law. In a post on X, the US embassy in Jerusalem said that as part of an initiative to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence, it would provide Americans with routine passport services in the West Bank settlement of Efrat on Friday for one day only. Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967, are illegal under international law. Efrat, about 7 miles (12km) south of Jerusalem, is home to about 12,000 Israelis. The Palestinian Authoritys Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission said in a statement that the initiative constitutes a clear violation of international law and a blatant favouring of the occupation authorities, referring to Israel. Muayyad Shaaban, the head of the commission, said the step entrenches a settlement reality that undermines the possibility of establishing an independent and sovereign Palestinian state. Hamas called it a dangerous precedent and a practical recognition of the legitimacy of settlement and the occupations control over the West Bank. The US embassy in Jerusalem said similar facilities offering consular services would be provided in the coming months in a second Israeli settlement, Beitar Illit, as well as in the Palestinian city of Ramallah and three cities inside Israel. The Israeli foreign minister, Gideon Saar, welcomed the US move. We appreciate the important decision by the US embassy to extend consular services to Efrat, in Judea and Samaria, he said, using the biblical name for the West Bank. Hugh Lovatt, a senior policy fellow with the Middle East and North Africa programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said the intent and context of the new policy were important. The background is very clear. Mike Huckabee [the US ambassador to Israel] is an avowed proponent of the Greater Israel vision and supports the realisation of that vision between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, Lovatt said. This is a signal that the US will not treat the Israeli settlements [in the West Bank] in any different way from towns within Israel. Last week, Israels cabinet approved measures to tighten the countrys control over the West Bank and make it easier for settlers to buy land, a move Palestinians called a de facto annexation. Donald Trump, a staunch supporter of Israel, has said he opposes Israeli annexation of the West Bank in line with longstanding US policy but his administration has not taken any measures to halt settlement activity, which has risen since he took office last year. Settler violence and army raids have increased in the West Bank since the war in Gaza began in October 2023. Last week, Israeli settlers shot and killed a Palestinian American man during an attack on a village, the Palestinian health ministry and a witness said. On Tuesday, there were arson attacks on Palestinian homes in Masafer Yatta and other nearby villages in the south Hebron Hills. The area has been repeatedly targeted by violent settlers in recent years. The US currently offers passport and consular services at its embassy in Jerusalem as well as at a Tel Aviv branch office. The number of dual American-Israeli nationals living in the West Bank is estimated to be in the tens of thousands. Much of the West Bank is under Israeli military control, with limited Palestinian self-rule in some areas run by the western-backed Palestinian Authority. Netanyahus ruling coalition, which has a large voter base in the settlements, includes many members who want Israel to annex the West Bank, land captured in the 1967 Middle East war, to which Israel cites biblical and historical ties. Efrat, the Jewish settlement where American consular officials will provide passport services on Friday, is home to many American immigrants. More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank, home to 3 million Palestinians. Most settlements are small towns surrounded by fences and guarded by Israeli soldiers. -The Guardian The far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been hosted by the Trump administration for a meeting at the state department in Washington. Mr Robinson, 43, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was hosted by Joe Rittenhouse, a senior adviser at the state department. Mr Rittenhouse wrote on X: Honoured to have free speech warrior @TRobinsonNewEra at Department of State today. The world and the West is a better place when we fight for freedom of speech, and no one has been on the front lines more than Tommy. Good to see you my friend! Mr Robinson, who has convictions for assault, using a fake passport, mortgage fraud and contempt of court for repeating false allegations against a Syrian refugee in breach of an injunction, wrote on X: In America, making alliances & friendships, today I had the privilege of an invite to the @StateDept. Mr Robinson visited the state department in an unofficial capacity on a tour today, a department spokesperson told Reuters via email, without providing answers to questions on who else Mr Robinson met, what was discussed and what the objective of his visit was. In the photographs Mr Rittenhouse posted on X, Mr Robinson can be seen examining the objects in the departments John Quincy Adams state drawing room, one of the departments diplomatic reception rooms, which features collections and masterpieces from the federal era. Earlier this month, the far-right agitator said he had left the UK after he was warned by police that they received intelligence he was named in a so-called Islamic State publication which encouraged others to commit violence against him. He posted a clip of a phone call from police to his X account in which an officer told him he had been identified in a magazine called Yalghaar, which is reportedly published by ISKP (Islamic State Khorasan Province). Mr Robinson wrote on X: I have now left the country, I need time to work things out for my safety and the safety of my family. I will probably have to relocate them. In November, the far-right activist was cleared of a terror-related offence after being accused over a refusal to give police access to his phone during a border stop in Folkestone, Kent. After his acquittal, he thanked the US tech billionaire Elon Musk, who he said had funded his legal costs in the case. Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman told The National that the Trump administration's welcoming Robinson would be deeply alarming. She said: This is a man who has built his profile on division, racism and Islamophobia, and whose politics are rooted in the most vile hatred and fascism, so its perhaps no surprise that Donald Trumps White House are among his fans. When communities across the UK are facing rising levels of hate crime and far-right extremism, the idea that figures like Robinson are being treated as legitimate political actors by what are supposed to be our international allies should concern us all. Ms Chapman added: Instead of rolling out the red carpet for extremists, we should be rolling out legislation that ensures we work together internationally to tackle hate, defend human rights and build inclusive democracies that protect everyone. - The Guardian Russia launched a barrage of 420 drones and 39 missiles at Ukraine overnight, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, as US and Ukrainian envoys prepare to hold more talks in Geneva on ending the war that is now in its fifth year. The nighttime bombardment, which included 11 ballistic missiles, targeted critical infrastructure and residential areas across eight regions of Ukraine, Mr Zelensky said. Dozens of people, including children, were injured, officials said, although authorities did not immediately publish a confirmed total. Mr Zelensky said late on Wednesday that he had spoken by phone with US President Donald Trump and thanked him for his efforts and engagement in pursuing peace negotiations. The bombardment targeted residential areas across eight regions of Ukraine, the countrys president Volodymyr Zelensky said (Kateryna Klochko/AP) The US-brokered talks between Moscow and Kyiv are continuing but are deadlocked on the issue of the future of Ukrainian territory that Russia claims as its own. Trump representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who were also discussing nuclear negotiations with Iran in Geneva before turning to the war in Europe, were due to meet with Rustem Umerov, the head of Ukraines national security and defence council. They also joined Mr Trumps call with Mr Zelensky. Washington is looking to keep momentum in its yearlong push to stop the fighting and overcome deep enmity between the warring countries. Ukrainian and European officials have accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of feigning interest in peace negotiations, hoping to avoid punitive US measures such as additional sanctions while pressing forward with the invasion. When the whole world demands Moscow to finally stop this senseless war, Putin bets on more terror, attacks and aggression Thursdays talks between the American and Ukrainian envoys were to address details of a possible post-war recovery plan for Ukraine and discuss preparations for an upcoming trilateral meeting with Moscow officials, perhaps next week, according to Mr Zelensky. He said he had also tasked Mr Umerov with discussing a possible prisoner exchange. Russia returned 1,000 bodies of fallen soldiers to Ukraine, and received 35 bodies of its fallen troops, Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation at previous talks with Ukraine, said on Thursday. He did not say when the exchange happened. Russia struck gas infrastructure in the Poltava region and electrical substations in the Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions, Mr Zelensky said. Emergency crews responded in five other regions, as well as in the capital. Washington is looking to keep momentum in its yearlong push to stop the fighting (Iryna Rybakova/Ukraines 93rd Mechanised Brigade via AP) Ukraines air defences shot down most of the Russian missiles, Mr Zelensky said, crediting western partners for timely delivery of additional air defence interceptors. Ukraine needs foreign help to sustain its fight against Russias bigger forces. Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha urged allied countries to provide more military aid. When the whole world demands Moscow to finally stop this senseless war, Putin bets on more terror, attacks and aggression, Mr Sybiha said in a post on the ministry of foreign affairs website. Soham killer Ian Huntley has suffered serious injuries after being attacked in prison. Durham Constabulary said a prisoner, understood to be Huntley, was assaulted on Thursday morning at HMP Frankland before being rushed to hospital. A spokesman for the force said: Police were alerted to an assault which had taken place within HMP Frankland in Durham this morning. A male prisoner suffered serious injuries during the incident and was transported to hospital. A police investigation is now under way into the circumstances of the incident and detectives are liaising with staff at the prison. The Sun, which first reported the attack, said he was knocked unconscious with a metal pole and that a source said his condition was touch and go. Former caretaker Huntley killed 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman after they left a family barbecue to buy sweets in Soham, Cambridgeshire, on August 4 2002, then dumped their bodies in a ditch. He is serving a life sentence, with a recommendation that he must serve at least 40 years, for the murders. A Prison Service spokesperson said: A prisoner is receiving treatment after an incident at HMP Frankland on Thursday morning. It would be inappropriate to comment further while police investigate. A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: We dispatched two ambulance crews to the scene and requested support from the Great North Air Ambulance Service. One patient was transported to hospital by road. It is not the first time Huntley, 52, has been attacked at Frankland prison. Using a home-made weapon, robber Damien Fowkes slashed him in 2010, causing a severe gaping cut to the left side of his neck. The wound was 7in (18cm) long and required 21 stitches. Fowkes asked a prison officer: Is he dead? I hope so. He described Huntley as a notorious child killer, both inside prison and in society in general. What is Huntley serving a life prison sentence for? Huntley is serving a life prison sentence for the murder of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002. He claimed during his trial at the Old Bailey in 2003 that the girls, wearing their Manchester United shirts, went inside his house, after they had left a family barbecue, because Holly had a nosebleed. Ian Huntley sitting in his car outside his house near the college in Soham in 2002, during the period when police were looking for 10-year-old Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. Huntley, now 52, said in his testimony that Holly drowned in the bath and that he killed Jessica as he tried to silence her screams, but jurors concluded he was lying. The judge, Mr Justice Moses, told Huntley: You are the only person who knows how you murdered them. He said: Ian Kevin Huntley on the 4th of August 2002 you enticed two 10-year-old girls, Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, into your house. They were happy, intelligent and loyal. They were much loved by their families and all who knew them. You murdered them both. You are the one person who knows how you murdered them, you are the one person who knows why. You destroyed the evidence, which showed no mercy and no regret. Once you killed one of them, you had to kill the other in an attempt to avoid detection. On the 10th of August, six days later, you told the BBC that you were the last friendly face these two girls had to speak to. That was a lie which served to underline the persistent cruelty of your actions. The girls bodies had been found in a ditch near an airbase at Mildenhall in Suffolk after a two-week search. Huntleys girlfriend, Maxine Carr, who was a teaching assistant at the girls school, served 21 months for perverting the course of justice for giving Huntley a false alibi. She is now living under a new identity. The case prompted an inquiry into how Huntley slipped through police vetting procedures despite a string of sex allegations made against him in his hometown, Grimsby, in the late 1990s. The report from the inquiry revealed a deeply shocking catalogue of errors across all organisations that had contact with Huntley before he murdered Holly and Jessica. It made 31 recommendations to improve intelligence sharing, police information systems and employment vetting nationwide. Italian police on Wednesday arrested four people over an alleged Camorra plot to infiltrate a Naples hospital, stage fake crashes for insurance payouts, and spirit corpses away on oxygen-masked stretchers to profit from private ambulance transfers. The investigation, prompted by the testimony of a state witness, uncovered a web of lucrative criminal activity allegedly carried out by members of the Contini clan of the Camorra, the Neapolitan mafia, inside San Giovanni Bosco hospital. Prosecutors said the operations were made possible by the organisations capacity for intimidation, a force that bent public officials and private citizens alike to its will. According to investigators, the clan in effect took control of the hospitals coffee bar and cafeteria services, as well as the snack and drinks vending machines scattered throughout the building. Prosecutors say the Camorra exploited an association operating in the ambulance services sector, relying on the complicity of medical and paramedical staff, private security guards, and employees of other firms working within the hospital. With the assistance of compliant doctors and professionals, investigators believe the suspects also orchestrated a series of insurance frauds on behalf of the Contini clan. 'Staged traffic accidents' These allegedly involved staging road traffic accidents, recruiting paid false witnesses and producing fabricated expert reports to secure compensation payouts. Prosecutors say co-operation was secured through intimidation and violence. According to police in Italy, the Camorra gang took control of the hospitals coffee bar and cafeteria services, and also relied on 'complicity of medical and paramedical staff, private security guards, and employees'. Picture: iStock In return, the clan and its allied families were granted illicit favours, such as the issuing of false medical certificates, including those used to obtain unlawful releases from prison, and the illegal transport of corpses by ambulance rather than through authorised funeral services. An emergency room doctor is accused of falsifying the discharge papers of a patient who had already died, allegedly to allow her body to be transported home in a private ambulance connected to the clan. 'Deceased patients illegally removed' Prosecutors claim the ambulance management system operated on a grim logic: Deceased patients were illegally removed from the hospital to bypass the mortuary. To evade checks, the body would be placed on a stretcher fitted with an oxygen mask, creating the appearance that the patient was still alive during the journey home. Prosecutors said: Families were charged between 700 and 1,200 for the service. A psychiatrist employed by the local health authority is also under investigation. She is alleged to have issued false medical certificates on behalf of individuals linked to Camorra clans, enabling them to obtain judicial benefits and, in at least one case, secure release from prison on the basis of fabricated psychiatric evaluations. Among those served with legal orders is a lawyer accused of external participation in a mafia association. Prosecutors allege he acted as a conduit of information to and from prison environments, particularly regarding the monthly payments known as mesate destined for the families of incarcerated members. Iran and the US have held hours of indirect negotiations over Tehrans nuclear programme but walked away without a deal, leaving the danger of another Middle East war on the table. Omans foreign minister Badr al-Busaidi, who mediated the talks in Geneva, said there had been significant progress in the negotiation without elaborating. But just before the talks ended, Iranian state television reported that Tehran was determined to continue enriching uranium, rejected proposals to transfer it abroad and sought the lifting of international sanctions, indicating it was not prepared to meet Donald Trumps demands. Donald Trump (Matt Rourke/AP) The US president wants a deal to constrain Irans nuclear programme and sees an opportunity while the country is struggling at home with growing dissent after nationwide protests. Tehran also hopes to avert war, but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues, like its long-range missile programme or support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Mr al-Busaidi said technical-level talks would continue next week in Vienna, the home of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations atomic watchdog. The US has gathered a massive fleet of aircraft and warships in the Middle East and Iran has said American military bases in the region would be considered legitimate targets in the event of an attack, putting at risk tens of thousands of US service members. Tehran has also threatened to attack Israel, meaning another regional war could erupt across the Middle East. There would be no victory for anybody it would be a devastating war, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview filmed on Wednesday just before he flew to Geneva. Omans foreign minister Badr al-Busaidi, right, with Steve Witkoff, centre, and Jared Kushner (Foreign Ministry of Oman/AP) Since the Americans bases are scattered through different places in the region, then unfortunately, perhaps the whole region would be engaged and be involved, so it is a very terrible scenario. Ali Vaez, an Iran expert with the International Crisis Group, said it was a good sign that the Americans did not walk away immediately when Iran presented its latest proposal on Thursday. There might still not be a breakthrough at the end of this day, but the very fact that the US team is returning shows that there is enough common ground between the two sides, he said. The sides held multiple rounds of talks last year that collapsed when Israel launched a 12-day war against Iran in June and the US carried out heavy strikes on its nuclear sites, leaving much of Tehrans nuclear programme in ruins. Mr Araghchi represented Iran at the talks. Steve Witkoff, a billionaire property developer and friend of Mr Trump who serves as a special Middle East envoy, headed the US delegation with the presidents son-in-law Jared Kushner. The talks again were mediated by Oman, an Arab Gulf country that has long served as a go-between between Iran and the West. The two sides adjourned after around three hours of talks and resumed the discussions later. Steve Witkoff, fifth left, leaves the Bergues Hotel in Geneva (Martial Trezzini/Keystone/AP) During the break, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said diplomats held very intensive negotiations. He said the Iranians felt there were constructive proposals offered on nuclear issues and sanctions relief. Mr Trump wants Iran to halt its enrichment of uranium and roll back its long-range missile programme and its support for regional armed groups. Tehran says it will only discuss nuclear issues, and maintains its atomic programme is for entirely peaceful purposes. US secretary of state Marco Rubio told reporters on Wednesday that Iran is always trying to rebuild elements of its nuclear programme. He said that Tehran is not enriching uranium now, but theyre trying to get to the point where they ultimately can. Iran says it has not enriched since June, but it has blocked IAEA inspectors from visiting the sites America bombed. Satellite photos analysed by the Associated Press have shown activity at two sites, suggesting Iran is trying to assess and potentially recover material. The West and the IAEA say Iran had a nuclear weapons programme until 2003. After Mr Trump scrapped the 2015 nuclear agreement, Tehran ramped up its enrichment of uranium to 60% purity a short technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. US intelligence agencies assess that Iran has yet to restart a weapons programme, but has undertaken activities that better position it to produce a nuclear device, if it chooses to do so. Some Iranian officials have spoken openly about the countrys readiness to produce a bomb if that decision is taken. By Andrew Gawthorpe, Leiden University (The Conversation) As the US continues to assemble military assets in the Middle East and Europe ahead of a possible strike against Iran, Donald Trump is running up against two problems that have plagued American presidents before him. The first is civilian misunderstanding of war. Fresh from what he sees as quick and easy victories against Iran last June and Venezuela this January, Trump wants military options which allow him to damage Iran at little risk or cost. But unfortunately for the president, no such option exists. And there are reports which Trump denies that his top general has warned him about the risks involved. Despite the damage it has sustained in recent conflicts with the US and Israel, Iran maintains formidable capabilities. It has the ability to harass and perhaps close key shipping lanes, launch missile strikes against US forces and allies across the region, and perhaps carry out terrorist attacks throughout the world. Trumps repeated threats to overthrow the Iranian government make it much more likely Tehran will use these capabilities rather than exercising restraint as it did when the US attacked it last year. According to several media outlets, Trumps military advisors have informed him of these risks. The president is reportedly not taking the news well. CBS News reports that Trump is frustrated with what aides describe as the limits of military leverage against Iran and is pushing for options that will give him a painless victory. These exchanges between the military and its civilian masters are reminiscent of the interventions of the 1990s. During the Clinton administration, the White House repeatedly pushed the Pentagon to come up with low-risk plans for engagement in Somalia and the Balkans. The president and his staff wanted to be seen as doing something about urgent humanitarian tragedies, but they also didnt want to risk a political upset by getting American soldiers killed. Top military officers, particularly the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Colin Powell, pushed back against the civilians. War entails risk, they told the White House, and American soldiers could die if risks were not weighed appropriately. In his memoirs, Powell recalled his response to a question from Clintons secretary of state, Madeleine Albright: Whats the point of having this superb military that youre always talking about if we cant use it? I thought I would have an aneurysm. As so often with Trump, he is pushing this dynamic of civilian ignorance meeting military expertise to extremes. The current build-up against Iran started not with a clear strategy or objective, but a presidential social media message promising Iranian protesters that help is on the way. His current frustration stems from the difficulty of translating that vague promise into an actionable military plan. TruthSocial Pushing at the limits of action The second theme that is shaping and limiting Trumps options is imperial overstretch. However powerful the US military is, it has limits and in recent years, it has been pushing against them. In particular, the US has a critical shortage of key missile defence munitions such as Thaad interceptors and Patriots. These platforms would be vital in defending against Iranian retaliation, but the US has been burning through them in recent years by providing them to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. The navy has also run down its own stocks of SM-2, SM-3 and SM-6 missiles, which are vital for defending the fleet and other American forces. The result is that the US lacks the munitions to sustain a long, high-intensity conflict with Iran. If it gets into one, it will have to draw missiles from elsewhere, leaving its forces in Europe and the Indo-Pacific even more understocked than they already are. And because the country has a limited production capacity of these missiles, it could be literally years until the US can replenish its stocks and be ready for contingencies in places like Taiwan. For a president who promised to avoid unnecessary overseas entanglements and put America First, this risk of overstretch is particularly ironic. But it is a function of Trumps lack of serious strategic vision. Strategic incontinence One name for it might be strategic incontinence. Rather than focusing on a few vital national interests and assigning capabilities accordingly, Trump seems to pinball between different regions of the globe without regard for whether the US has the capabilities to achieve his goals. He seems to tweet his way into commitments too many of them without asking basic questions about military capabilities or missile stocks. File photo of IRGC ship on patrol in Persian Gulf. National Archives. Public Domain. Via Picryl. Trump may still attack Iran. He has already put himself in a difficult position, engaging in a massive military build-up and threats of action before he knew whether he could follow through, or at what risk. For a president who is particularly concerned with avoiding looking weak, backing down now might be out of the question. If Trump does attack Iran despite the warnings of his military advisers, it will be one of the riskiest military decisions that a US president has taken in a very long time. The geopolitical consequences and political price will be his to bear, but could affect us all. Andrew Gawthorpe, Lecturer in History and International Studies, Leiden University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) Earlier this month, Jonathan Crickx, the State of Palestine Chief of Communication for UNICEF (the UN International Childrens Emergency Fund), revealed that his agency estimates that at least 17,000 children in the Gaza Strip are unaccompanied or separated. Each one, a heartbreaking story of loss and grief. This corresponds to 1% of the overall displaced population 1.7 million people. These 17,000 children are alone and on their own. An estimated 39,000 children have lost one or both parents to Israeli bombardment, but about half of them have been taken in by relatives or strangers. Al Jazeera calls it the worlds largest orphan crisis, proportionally. The reason Gaza has this monstrous number of orphans is that the Israeli government killed their parents, including their mothers. The majority of the more than 70,000 people the Israeli air force and army have killed in Gaza are innocent civilians, often evaporated by one ton bombs dropped on inhabited family apartment buildings with no military purpose. Crickx said at a press conference in Geneva, In a center where unaccompanied children are hosted and cared for, I also saw two very young children aged 6 and 4. They are cousins and their entire respective families were killed in the first half of December. The four year old girl in particular is still very much in shock. Donate to UNICEFs Gaza work by clicking here. One of the children UNICEF worked with wrote this poem (translated from Arabic): I am a child from Gaza, dreaming of tomorrow, After nights of darkness and bitter pain I dream of a home where fear has no place, Of my mothers voice, of the childrens laughter I dream of my school, my notebook, and my poems, Of a toy that thunder cannot snatch away I am tired of a war that has stolen my innocence And taken my little dreams away Tell the world: Here is a child with hope, And with dreams that grow, despite cruelty and despair. Alaa Ziad Kashta Never miss an issue of Informed Comment: Click here to subscribe to our email newsletter! Social media will pretend to let you subscribe but then use algorithms to suppress the postings and show you their ads instead. And please, if you see an essay you like, paste it into an email and share with friends via a newsletter or cc list. Please link back to the Informed Comment site. I looked around and discovered that Slovenia, which has a population similar to that of Gaza, has 769 children in foster care. While another 547 are in residential care because of emotional or behavioral disorders, and more orphans may be with uncles and aunts or other relatives, it seems clear that there are only a couple thousand orphans in the country of 2.13 million people. Slovenia used to be part of Yugoslavia, and is the birthplace of Melania Trump. Or, take Croatia, which has a little less than twice Gazas population. It has 4,000 orphans. That would be like Gaza having 2,279 orphans, given the difference in population. But Gaza has about 7 1/2 times as many orphans as we might expect from these comparisons. That is horrific. Unlike the orphans in Slovenia or Croatia, moreover, many of these Palestinian children are not in residential or foster care. They are wandering amid rubble and flooded dirt paths in the cold rainy winter trying to find food. Crickx explained, Of 12 children I met or interviewed, more than half of them had lost a family member in this war. Three had lost a parent, of which, two had lost both their mother and their father. Behind each of these statistics is a child who is coming to terms with this horrible new reality. 11 year old Razan was with her family in her uncles house when it was bombed in the first weeks of the war. She lost almost all her family members. Her mother, father, brother, and two sisters were killed. Razans leg was also injured and had to be amputated. Following the surgery, her wound got infected. Razan is now being taken care of by her aunt and uncle, all of whom have been displaced to Rafah. Razan isnt even among the 17,000 unaccompanied orphans, since despite her horror story she at least is living with an aunt and uncle who are themselves internally displaced refugees without resources. Palestinian childs art. The Gaza We Want UNICEF . Permissions are granted for one-time use in a context that accurately represents the real situation and identity of all human beings depicted. UNICEF multimedia assets are documents of real people and situations. Just this week, Crickx spoke of UNICEFs The Gaza We Want program, where they asked Palestinian children about their own desires for the future of the Strip. It reminded me that President Donald Trumps so-called Board of Peace for Gaza doesnt have a single Palestinian voice in it. Crickx said, Three weeks ago in the Gaza Strip, I met Hala, a 15-year-old girl in a UNICEF Temporary Learning Centre in Deir El Balah. She told me: missing school affected my learning a lot. Education matters for my future, so I dream of a safe lifehaving a secure home, my own room, and a good school where I can learn and grow. In one sentence, Hala summarized what I heard so many times in Gaza: children want a proper home, they want safety, and they want to be back on school benches. And all decision makers should hear their call and consider it the utmost priority. These are not extraordinary demands. They are the fundamentals of childhood. Palestinian childs art. The Gaza We Want UNICEF . Permissions are granted for one-time use in a context that accurately represents the real situation and identity of all human beings depicted. UNICEF multimedia assets are documents of real people and situations. He added, I also want to share the voice of 14-year-old Mayar. During the Gaza We Want discussions, she told us, Life has been so difficult, no child should ever have to live through this. The Gaza I want is a beautiful place with hospitals, schools, and safe buildings. I was injured in the war and it affected me a lot. Whenever I hear an airstrike, I get scared. But during the Gaza We Want activity, I felt so much better in my head. Donate to UNICEFs Gaza work by clicking here. A photo on a Russian officials Telegram channel. A video from a propaganda resource. A post on the Russian social network Vkontakte. A source review report. Geolocation. Metadata. Linguistic analysis. And finally a notice of suspicion... Between the childs first trace on the Internet and the courts verdict there is an abyss. A temporal, legal, procedural, and technical one. On 21 March 2022, the Prosecutor Generals Office of Ukraine opened criminal proceedings into the illegal transfer of Ukrainian children to occupied territories and their subsequent deportation to the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. As of September 2025, information on 19,546 Ukrainian children alleged to be illegally deported is being verified as part of these proceedings. But so far, only 16 suspects, including four Russian citizens, have been notified of suspicion. Three trials against 10 individuals have begun. No verdicts have yet been issued. 19,546 children. 16 notices of suspicion. 10 defendants. 0 verdict. Why? Two Russian Duma members among the suspects In 2022, Yana Lantratova, a Russian State Duma deputy and an advisor to the leader of the party A Just Russia travelled to occupied Kherson. She was accompanied by Inna Varlamova, the wife of Sergei Mironov, leader of the party A Just Russia. The two women took an 11-month-old girl and an almost two-year-old boy from the regional childrens home to Moscow, allegedly for medical treatment, although, according to the Prosecutor Generals Office of Ukraine, the children did not require treatment. The BBC reported that the children, who are half-siblings, were later issued Russian birth certificates. In its investigation, the BBC claims that Varlamova and her husband adopted the Ukrainian girl and changed her identity: Margarita is now called Marina. The children have not yet been returned. Both Lantratova and Varlamova are accused of organising the forcible transfer and deportation of children to Russia. Igor Kastiukevich, also a member of the Russian State Duma, in charge of social security in the Kherson region during the citys occupation, is also a suspect in this case, as well as in the transfer of 46 children from the same regional childrens home to Crimea. According to the investigation, Kastiukevich posted a video on his Telegram channel showing the children being taken. Later, some of the childrens profiles appeared on the Moscow Region governments adoption website. Kastiukevich allegedly was helped by four Ukrainian citizens, respectively in charge of the childrens home, the regional health department, and the ministry of Health of the occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea. DNR officials involved in deportation Another case deals with the illegal transfer and deportation of 31 children from the occupied Donetsk region to Russia. The youngest was six years old at the time, the oldest was 17. Nineteen were orphans or children deprived of parental care from Mariupol, and nine were from the occupied cities of Shakhtarsk and Khartsyzsk. Three more children lived in Mariupol with their father, who was sent to the Olenivka prison, near Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine In May 2022, the head of the DNR (the self-proclaimed separatist Donetsk Peoples Republic), Deny Pushylin, signed a decree to send children for alleged health treatment to the Polyany sanatorium in the Moscow region. He entrusted the task of implementing this decree to Eleonora Fedorenko, his advisor, and Svetlana Mayboroda, who runs the DNR Family and Childrens Service. The children were taken to the DNR capital Donetsk, then by bus to Rostov-on-Don, and later by a Russian official plane to Moscow. They were given documents from the DNR, then issued Russian passports and transferred to Russian foster families. Among them is a 17-year-old teenager from Mariupol, who was placed under the guardianship of Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian presidents commissioner for childrens rights. Among the 31 children, 25 remain in deportation to this day. A Russian army officer also suspected Dzhabrail Yusupov, a Russian army officer, commander in a Cossack Motor Rifle Brigade, is also a suspect. On 24 March 2022, Russians occupied the village of Novopetrivka in the Mykolaiv region, where a boarding school with 15 orphaned children was located. According to the Ukrainian investigation, in mid-July 2022, armed men in uniform entered the school grounds. Under Yusupovs command, they took away the children, along with the schools principal and her husband. They were first transported to a rehabilitation centre in the village of Stepanivka in the suburbs of Kherson, then to Dzhankoy in occupied Crimea, and finally to the Zhemchuzhina Rossii recreation camp in Anapa. After a month there, Ukrainian volunteers managed to evacuate the orphans to Georgia, in the South Caucasus. Of the 16 individuals who have been notified of suspicion in connection with the deportation and forced displacement of Ukrainian children, 10 are defendants in three criminal proceedings currently being heard in the Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv, in absentia, without the defendants presence. The hearings are closed. No verdicts have been issued yet. The six other suspects, including Pushylin, are not currently being heard by the courts. Their proceedings are at the stage of pre-trial investigation. The paradox of numbers Theoretically, we could have 20,000 cases and only two suspects, says Kateryna Rashevska, an expert on international justice and legal analysis at the Regional Centre for Human Rights. When it comes to abducted children, she explains, dozens or even hundreds of children may be part of one single case. But this is not the main reason for the discrepancy between the number of cases and the number of notices of suspicion. The main problem faced by investigators is that the children, their parents and legal representatives, as well as witnesses remain in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine. Thus, it is not possible to gather evidence in a proper manner, it is not possible to interview witnesses in a proper manner, and there is no access to suspects or defendants, says Myroslava Kharchenko, head of the legal department at the NGO Save Ukraine. Another factor explains the discrepancy: prioritisation. The deportation and forced displacement of Ukrainian children is, of course, a matter of national interest, Rashevska says. Overall, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, around 170,000 war crimes have been committed, and all of them need to be investigated. This means that we will focus primarily on the organisers, on those individuals who determined the fundamental aspects of the implementation of the deportation and forced displacement policy, she adds. For example, a member of the State Duma is a person who not only deported children but also participated in their militarisation and re-education. Digital evidence: from screenshot to protocol According to Rashevska, Ukrainian investigators try to investigate childrens deportation cases with a very high threshold of proof. This is done to ensure that the evidence they gather could be considered admissible by international courts in the future. The Prosecutor Generals Office states that information contained in open sources on the Internet is recorded and used as evidence of the illegal transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children. But to become evidence, open-source information must undergo a complex verification process. This involves assessing its relevance, admissibility, validity and sufficiency, Rashevska explains. When it comes to information from the Russian side of Telegram, YouTube, Facebook or Vkontakte, it is not enough to simply download a video or photo to include it in criminal proceedings. An investigative action called a source review must be carried out with a relevant protocol prepared, attached to the criminal proceedings, to have evidentiary value. Then the authenticity of the source must be established. If information from, for example, Maria Lvova-Belovas Telegram channel is used, then the first step is to prove that it is indeed her Telegram channel, Rashevska explains. And in order to use her words from this channel as evidence, an expert in criminal proceedings needs to perform a linguistic examination and accurately write down exactly what Maria Lvova-Belova said and what she meant by it. An additional complication is coming from the Ukrainian legislation. We have a provision stating that photo and video materials can have evidentiary value and be used as evidence in proceedings, in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code, but we have not yet determined what constitutes digital electronic evidence, Rashevska points out. This legislative gap creates opportunities for appeal. In modern judicial practice, if digital evidence is gathered correctly, it is accepted. However, the information gathered through open sources intelligence (OSINT) tools might raise more doubts and questions about its admissibility in court, if the tool is not certified by the Ukrainian state. In such cases, Karchenko adds, additional expert examinations could address this issue. Standards of evidence: from national to international courts At the international level, the Berkeley Protocol provides unified rules for the gathering, metadata, interpretation traceability, authenticity and storage of information from open sources. For the Special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, currently being established, it would be a good thing if its statutes clearly specified the possibility of admitting evidence taken from open sources and the criteria it must meet in order to be considered admissible, Rashevska says. In practice, digital evidence in international courts and tribunals is often corroborated by external evidence, such as expert testimony or other types of evidence. So far, there have been tens of thousands of digital traces gathered by volunteers, journalists and OSINT analysts, thousands of hours of work by investigators and prosecutors, hundreds of reports on the digital sources examination and expert analysis. Every screenshot from a Russian officials Telegram channel, every video from a propaganda resource, every post on Vkontakte undergoes a complex transformation process, from information to evidence. The cases of deportation of Ukrainian children are another test ground for the Ukrainian legal system. It is a test of whether it can adapt quickly enough to the conditions and challenges of wartime. This report was produced thanks to a grant by Fondation Hirondelle/Justice Info. A full version of this article was published on November 11, 2025, in "Status Quo". There is no proven link between the "uniquely colourful and crusty" speeches of former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte and the murders he is accused of, his defence lawyer told the International Criminal Court Thursday. On the third day of a hearing to decide whether Duterte should face trial on crimes against humanity charges over his "war on drugs", lawyer Nicholas Kaufman said the prosecution had failed to show his client had directly ordered any murders. "There is no smoking gun in this case," Kaufman told the three-judge panel at the ICC. "Not one witness relevant to any of the 49 incidents with which Mr. Rodrigo Duterte is charged will testify that he received a direct order from the former president to go out and kill someone," added the lawyer. Duterte has not attended proceedings, waiving his right to appear. Kaufman says the 80-year-old is not mentally fit to follow the hearing. The lack of evidence of a "causal nexus" between Duterte's words and alleged crimes "should be sufficient to convince any reasonable bystander... that Rodrigo Duterte is innocent of these charges levelled at him," said Kaufman. Earlier in the week, the prosecution laid out their case: that Duterte played a "pivotal" role in a campaign of extrajudicial killings that saw thousands murdered. Duterte personally drew up death lists, incited murders and then boasted about them afterwards, prosecutors alleged. They showed multiple videos of the former president threatening to murder alleged drug users and joking about his skills in extrajudicial killing. But Kaufman said the prosecution had "cherry picked" speeches, ignoring what he said were dozens of examples of Duterte stressing the need to act within the law. "Do not kill if you are not in danger of losing your life," Kaufman cited Duterte as saying in one speech. Following the week-long "confirmation of charges" hearing, the three-judge panel has 60 days to decide whether to proceed to a full trial. A lawyer representing the victims told the ICC on Tuesday that the court was the "last refuge" for loved-ones in their search for justice. Kaufman stressed: "The defence does not disrespect the soul of any deceased person, nor does it make light of the loss of life." A complaint has been filed in Switzerland accusing Iranian deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi of crimes against humanity linked to anti-government protests in his country in recent years, lawyers said Thursday. The complaint, filed by an Iranian-Swiss citizen, said Gharibabadi "may have committed serious crimes contrary to international law" linked to protests over the death in custody of a woman, Mahsa Amini, the lawyers told AFP, demanding the arrest of the deputy minister who has been in Geneva this week. It suggested he could be "a co-perpetrator or, at the very least, that his responsibility could be engaged due to his position as a hierarchical superior at the time of the events". "We expect the Swiss authorities to arrest the accused as soon as possible," said the lawyers William Bourdon and Philippine Vaganay, both French nationals. "There is no other option," they said in a statement sent to AFP. "This obligation to arrest him is imperative under both Swiss and international law; otherwise, the fight against impunity for those responsible for the most serious crimes is a pipe dream." - Universal jurisdiction - Swiss judicial authorities confirmed to AFP that the office of the country's attorney general had received the complaint, which was "currently being reviewed according to standard procedure". "The filing of a criminal complaint does not necessarily mean that criminal proceedings have been initiated," they said in an email. The complaint was filed under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows countries to prosecute alleged crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide regardless of where they were committed. Gharibabadi has this week been in Geneva, where he on Monday addressed the United Nations Human Rights Council and the Conference on Disarmament. It was unclear if he remained on Thursday in the Swiss city, where Iran was taking part in high-stakes indirect nuclear talks with the United States. The complaint is linked to Iran's brutal crackdown on protests that erupted in the country after the 2022 death in custody of Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd who had been arrested for allegedly violating the strict dress rule for women based on Islamic sharia law. It charged that Gharibabadi "could be held responsible" for having "participated in and covered up acts of murder, physical and sexual violence, arbitrary detention, inhuman or degrading treatment and violations of fundamental rights" during the crackdown. The complaint highlighted that Gharibabadi at the time was a high-ranking official in Iran's judiciary, with command over those "who implemented the deadly policy, which led to arbitrary detention, violence, acts of torture and murder", as well as "execution of civilians". - 'Extremely serious crimes' - "His high-ranking position within the Iranian security apparatus and his role in the uprisings that followed the death of Masha Amini and continue to this day leave no doubt as to his criminal responsibility," Bourdon and Vaganay said in their statement. The complaint, which relies heavily on a 2024 UN fact-finding mission report, also charged that Gharibabadi had clearly not taken "all the necessary and reasonable measures within his power to prevent or suppress these acts". On the contrary, the complaint maintained that his public statements at the time "clearly reveal a fierce determination to cover up extremely serious crimes committed under his command". It pointed for instance to a statement delivered before the United Nations in November 2022, in which it said he "clearly justified the massacres taking place", referring to demonstrators as US-backed "rioters" who "brutally attacked security forces". Those statements suggest "he was fully aware of the serious crimes committed", the complaint said. The text insisted on the need for Switzerland to take action in the case. "One of the only ways to end the impunity currently enjoyed by the Iranian authorities lies in the exercise by third-party states of their universal jurisdiction over human rights violations," it said. You are free to republish this content online or in print, as long as you respect our Creative Commons license Do not edit or adapt the content without the express agreement of the editors, make sure the authors name (first name and family name) and JusticeInfo.net are mentioned clearly at the beginning of the article. Dont forget to include a link to the article you are republishing (not just to the Justice Info homepage), saying explicitly that you are republishing this content.Please note that image rights cannot be automatically included in our Creative Commons licence. Look at the credits below the images to check whether the content is one to which you hold the rights, or ask the editors about this.Copy the HTML code below into your content management system (CMS). If necessary, contact your webmaster. Once selected, press "Ctrl-C" to copy the code. Netizens have been talking about the love life of Korean actor Moon Sangmining him with Hong Eunchae of LE SSERAFIM on social media. Fans on forums have been talking about posts, accessories, and interactions, which has led to a lot of discussion. Fans saw something on Panchoa that started rumors. One person asked,"So if not Moon Sangmin, does she have something with Jisung?" This question brought attention to Moon Sangmin in an indirect way. People on Pann Nate talked about the rumors about his connection. Someone commented, "Do you think that Moon Sangmin is crazy enough to be dating her?...,"showing doubt about the idea. Other posts talked about how fans reacted. One user on Pann Nate said, "LE-roaches really don't know their place. They were grabbing Karina by the hair, No but, please LE-roaches-ah.... Your rival isn't Karina, Why do you guys always draft A-tier female idols If you're gonna nitpick about someone, please at least pick someone of your own level...! It's hilarious how you guys are always going after Karina and Winter Do you guys seriously think that she's of the same level to be rivals with Karina and Winter...?" Read more: WOODZ and Jung Hoe Ryn Draw Attention for Striking Resemblance at Slide Strum Mute Press Event While the comment mainly addressed idol rivalries, it indirectly highlighted the intensity of scrutiny surrounding Moon Sangmin's rumored involvement. Fans also noticed that the fandom reacted differently to the rumors about Hong Eunchae. "If it had been another female idol wearing a Cartier ring on her ring finger, there would've been dating rumors everywhere, but today she survived because she's from LE SSERAFIM"one post said. Although Moon Sangmin has not directly responded to the rumors regarding his personal life, many people remain curious about it as evidenced by how quickly fans search for evidence of a relationship through online discussions, exchanges, and posts by Moon on social media. In addition to Pann Nate and Panchoa's discussion of Moon Sangmin, many individuals are following what is happening with other celebrity actors from Korea, and as time goes by, there is a growing public interest in Moon's connections (both personal and professional) from other people (including those not in any direct contact with him). Sri Lanka's national poverty line rises to 54 USD in January 2026 Xinhua) 16:49, February 26, 2026 COLOMBO, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- In January 2026, an individual in Sri Lanka requires at least 16,730 rupees (54 U.S. dollars) per month to meet basic needs, according to official poverty line data recently released by Sri Lanka's Department of Census and Statistics. The January figure is nearly 400 rupees higher than the same period last year, and marks a substantial climb compared with previous survey years. The national poverty line stood at 6,117 rupees in 2016 and reached 6,966 rupees in 2019, before accelerating sharply in the post-2022 period amid rising consumer prices. District-level estimates for January show notable variation across the country. Colombo recorded the highest official poverty line at 18,044 rupees per person per month, followed by Gampaha at 17,951 rupees and Kegalle at 17,493 rupees. The official poverty line represents the minimum monthly expenditure required per person to fulfill basic consumption needs. District poverty lines are re-estimated to account for regional price differences using the National Consumer Price Index, with 2021 as the base year. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Tuesday, February 24 2026 -An air ambulance carrying seven people crashed in Jharkhand's Chatra district today, the aviation regulator DGCA said today, February 23. The flight manifest showed two pilots, a patient, two attendants, a doctor and a paramedic. The aircraft, a Beechcraft C90 operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, took off from Jharkhand's capital Ranchi at 7.11 pm. It lost radar contact 23 minutes later. "After establishing contact with Kolkata, at 19:34 IST aircraft lost communication and radar contact with Kolkata at approximately 100 NM south-east of Varanasi," the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement. The Beechcraft C90's tail number was VT-AJV. "The district administration search and rescue team is at the location and AAIB team is being dispatched for investigation. Further information will be shared," the DGCA said. The patient, a 41-year-old man, had suffered 63 per cent burn injuries in an accident. He was undergoing treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU). He was being taken to Delhi for advanced medical care when the crash occurred. According to News9Live, all 7 occupants of the plane are feared de@d. Wednesday, February 25, 2026 - The State Department for Diaspora Affairs has issued a stern warning to Kenyans, cautioning them against falling victim to fraudulent overseas job advertisements that promise attractive salaries of up to Ksh80, 000 per month. In an update shared on Wednesday, February 25th, the department flagged as fake a viral poster circulating on social media that claimed to offer multiple employment opportunities in Malaysia. The poster listed positions such as factory workers, plant operators, caregivers, hospitality staff, warehouse workers, drivers, and cleaners - all allegedly paying between Ksh65,000 and Ksh90,000. Authorities clarified that the individuals behind the advertisement are not licensed recruitment agents and have not been approved to facilitate overseas employment. This comes as unsuspecting Kenyans continue to be lured with promises of lucrative jobs abroad, including in Russia, where disturbing reports have emerged of some recruits being forcibly drafted into the Russian army to fight in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. According to a recent investigative report, at least 10 Kenyans are among 316 Africans who have been killed on the frontlines in Ukraine while fighting for Russia, a chilling reminder of the dangers posed by fraudulent recruitment schemes. Wednesday, February 25, 2026 - Nairobi Woman Representative, Esther Passaris, has spoken candidly about modern relationships, insisting that women are not to blame when love falters. Appearing on a local TV station on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026, Passaris said: I think it takes two to tango; both the woman and the man have the responsibility to sustain the relationship. Passaris argued that the real issue lies in how some men respond to empowered women who can stand on their own. I dont think the problem is the woman. The problem is the empowered woman that a man cannot entertain, she explained. According to her, many men struggle to accept women who can buy their own clothes or handle their own needs. She referenced Miley Cyrus hit song Flowers - I can buy myself flowers - noting that men often resist such independence. She also linked relationship struggles to the rising cost of living, stressing that financial pressures weigh on both partners. Also, the woman has to understand the mans ego, she added, urging women to consider mens feelings in these situations. Passaris emphasized the importance of communication and cultural awareness. She advised couples to openly discuss roles early in marriage, giving the example of a Nandi man who may never enter the kitchen. So you have to have an agreement when I am sick, are you going to cook for me or take me to my mom? she said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, February 24 2026 -Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office as part of an investigation linked to the latest revelations from the Epstein files. The 72-year-old former Labour minister and former UK ambassador to the United States was seen being led from his London home in Camden by plain-clothed police officers and placed into a vehicle on Monday. Officers also executed search warrants at another property in Wiltshire. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrest, stating: 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, February 23 and has been taken to a London police station for interview. This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hayley Sewart had earlier said: I can confirm that officers from the Mets Central Specialist Crime team are in the process of carrying out search warrants at two addresses, one in the Wiltshire area, and another in the Camden area. The searches are related to an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office offences, involving a 72-year-old man. Mandelson is accused of allegedly passing market-sensitive information to convicted s3x offender Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary under former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, particularly around the period of the 2008 financial crisis. Police have reportedly launched a criminal investigation into those claims. Images released by the US Department of Justice as part of the Epstein files show Mandelson in his underwear at Epsteins Paris residence, as well as a photograph of the two together on a yacht. Records have also reportedly revealed a series of payments from Epstein to Mandelson and his husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva. Mandelson has not publicly responded to the latest allegations. However, in a previous interview with The Times, he admitted to a lapse in judgment regarding funds Epstein sent to his husband for an osteopathy course. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who previously appointed Mandelson as ambassador to Washington in December 2024, has since distanced himself. Starmer said Mandelson betrayed our country, our Parliament and my party, adding: 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. Mandelson, a central figure in the New Labour era and often nicknamed the Prince of Darkness for his political influence, was removed from his diplomatic post in Washington last year over his links to Epstein. The Metropolitan Police investigation remains ongoing. Wednesday, February 25, 2026 - A Kenyan lady has exposed a Mubaba who couldnt take rejection kindly. In the viral WhatsApp exchange, the man claimed to own a company worth Ksh 83 million, making Ksh2 million in weekly profits, plus rentals in Kileleshwas Ambra Heights. Google it, you see the owner and licensed under who with this wealth ata babako afanye miaka ngapi haezi pata, infact your entire generation, he wrote. However, the lady was not moved by his wealth and fired back with a sarcastic dig. Enyewe pesa bila akili ni kama mkebe tupu she fired back. The mans meltdown has sparked a conversation how some men, especially the wealthy handle rejection. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, February 25 2026 - A judge sentenced a Dauphin County man to between 60 and 120 years in state prison last week after he was found guilty of r@ping two spa workers at gunpoint in Lancaster County in 2024. According to the Office of Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams, Christopher A. Rivera, 38, of Middletown, was found guilty of two counts each of robbery, r@pe, forcible compulsion and involuntary deviate sxual intercourse forcible compulsion, along with four counts of sxual assault. The DA's Office said Rivera held the victims at gunpoint with a pellet gun inside of a Penn Township spa along the 1200 block of Lancaster Road on Aug. 27, 2024. Authorities said Rivera demanded money from the victims, but he later r@ped them in a massage room after they gave him more than $800 of the store's proceeds. Rivera was shown on surveillance footage pointing the pellet gun at the victims before forcing them into a massage room and later fleeing as police began to arrive, the DA's Office said. A Northern Lancaster County Regional Police officer responding to the scene shortly after 8 p.m. ultimately shot Rivera, who was ignoring orders while fleeing and still holding the pellet gun, which the DA's Office said looked like a handgun. Adams later determined that the officer was justified in shooting at Rivera. Assistant District Attorney Fritz Haverstick prosecuted the case. Lancaster County Detective Brent Shultz filed the charges. Monday, February 23 2026 - The new Dutch government has sworn in 38-year-old centrist Rob Jetten as the country's youngest-ever prime minister and the first openly gay one. Mr. 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. Jetten takes office 117 days after last years general election and is also the first openly gay Dutch leader. He succeeds Dick Schoof, whose government collapsed in the summer of 2025, triggering snap elections. Jettens party scored a narrow victory over the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) led by Geert Wilders. Jetten now leads a coalition made up of his own Democrats' 66 (D66), the center-right Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), and the liberal Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). Together, the three parties control just 66 of the 150 seats in parliament, meaning that the new prime minister will depend on opposition support from day one. His government is planning a big splurge on defense, pouring billions more euros into the military to reach the NATO spending target of 5 percent of gross domestic product. Jettens government will also press ahead with closely watched plans to slash back emissions from the Netherlands massive livestock industry Tuesday, February 24 2026 -Nicki Minaj has launched a fresh attack on California Governor Gavin Newsom following a recent speaking engagement in Georgia, accusing him of being condescending toward Black voters In a series of posts on X, the rapper criticised Newsoms remarks during an event where he was promoting his memoir, Young Man in a Hurry. Reacting to a clip from the appearance, Minaj wrote, His way of bonding with black ppl is to tell them how stupid he is & that he can't read. She continued her criticism, adding, He's not just TELLING them that they're probably stupid & probably can't read, he's LITERALLY SLOW-ING-DOWN-HIS-SPEECH to make them understand the words that are coming out of his mouth!!!! During the event, Newsom discussed his experience living with dyslexia and referenced his low SAT score while speaking about overcoming learning challenges. I'm like you. I'm no better than you, he said when asked how he dealt with the disability. Some social media posts had suggested that the audience at the event was entirely or predominantly Black. However, a video showing people lining up to attend appeared to indicate a racially diverse crowd. The clip shared by Minaj featured Newsom and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, who is Black, but did not show the audience. Minajs comments come amid what some observers have described as a shift in her political tone online. She has previously criticized Newsom over his support for transgender children. Meanwhile, a recent Politico report alleged that Minajs social media posts have been amplified by what it described as a coordinated network of thousands of bots Wednesday, February 25, 2026 - Social media personality, Trophy Kiprono, has ignited a lively debate online after citing research that found many Africans become less religious once they move overseas. According to Trophy, in developed countries, Government systems already provide nearly 90% of what most Africans pray for. From affordable healthcare to job opportunities, these institutions fulfill the very needs that often drive people to church back home. Her bold claim has sparked mixed reactions, but a surprising majority of Kenyans admit it rings true. The observation highlights the stark contrast between life at home and abroad, where faith often fills the gaps left by weak systems. Watch the video>>> below The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, February 25, 2026 - TV host Natalie Githinji has opened up about why she briefly distanced herself from her surname at a time when President William Ruto was trending with the nickname Githinji. Speaking in an interview with Oga Obinna, Natalie explained that the timing felt wrong. Mr President was trending with me, nikasema, this is the wrong time to be called Githinji. Just call me Natalie. Niite tu Natalie for now, she said, emphasizing her preference to be recognized simply as Natalie while the Presidents nickname dominated public discourse. President Ruto was nicknamed Githinji - a Gikuyu word meaning to slaughter - at the height of the Gen Zled protests, where several young people tragically lost their lives at the hands of rogue police officers. The grim association made the moniker particularly controversial, amplifying Natalies discomfort with sharing the name at that moment. Ruto has long been associated with nicknames that define each political season, unlike his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta, whose monikers Jayden and Uhunye carried lighter, playful undertones. For Natalie, however, the overlap was overwhelming, prompting her to temporarily drop her surname until the storm passed. The Kenyan DAILY POST A KILDARE woman diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimers disease in her early forties has shared her story in the hope of breaking stigma and encouraging greater understanding of dementia in the country. Maureen Garry (68) was diagnosed shortly after being widowed and left to raise her four young children alone a life-changing moment she describes as terrifying and isolating. Young-onset dementia refers to cases diagnosed under the age of 65. Dementia itself is an umbrella term for conditions that cause damage to the brain, with Alzheimers disease the most common form. Maureen now lives surrounded by family, with her four adult children and seven grandchildren all living on the same road. I was terrified and had four young children to look after, she said of her diagnosis. It was life-changing. I was lost, scared and lonely. But over time, I found strength I didnt know I had. One of the immediate changes she made was to stop driving, despite having just bought her first brand-new car. I never got to drive it. I couldnt take the chance, she said. Imagine how difficult that was with four young children. Maureen who lives in Maynooth said the condition has gradually made everyday tasks difficult, from getting dressed to tying shoelaces. Once very independent, she now stays close to home and rarely goes out alone. She recalled bringing her children by herself to Disneyland in France before her diagnosis, driving abroad for the first time with only a six-year-old as her co-pilot. Those memories remind me how much Alzheimers has changed my life, but they also remind me of my strength, she said. She credits her partner, Peter, with helping her manage daily life and stay positive. Maureen believes public misunderstanding remains one of the biggest challenges facing people living with dementia. People often dont really understand what dementia is, and I think thats the biggest misunderstanding of all, she said. There are still stigma and fear around it, simply because people dont know enough about the condition. People can feel unsure of what to say or do when they dont understand something. Thats why the dementia-inclusive community work happening here in Kildare is so important it helps people understand dementia more. There are so many different types of dementia, and fear can still be a big problem for many people. If I am out and I need help, Ill turn to the person beside me and say, 'I have a type of dementia would you mind helping me, please?' It might be something simple, like helping me with my coat or showing me where the bathroom is. This has been my personal experience, and everyones dementia is different but understanding and kindness make a huge difference, she said. Maureen became involved with the Irish Dementia Working Group after her daughter, who is an occupational therapist, discovered it online. I went to my first meeting, came home, and announced to my family, These are my people, she said. The national advocacy group is made up of people living with dementia who campaign for improved supports and awareness. Everybody matters. Everyone has a nugget of wisdom, and when we are all working in the same room, it truly is amazing. We may be struggling with similar issues and challenges, but we are doing something about it. We all have a purpose and being a member of the Irish Dementia Working Group helps us all find that purpose. To those newly diagnosed, she offers reassurance. This is not the end its the start of a new beginning, she said. Your voice is what protects you. Be honest; people are helpful. Trust your gut. Make sure to take all the support you can. Make contact with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland. You dont have to go through this on your own. She also advises those with dementia to not dwell on the past unless they are good memories. Dont look back unless it makes you smile, she said. Dont sit in the corner doing the stinking thinking. Look for the moments that make you smile theyre still there. Helen McLeane, manager of the charitys Kildare Day Care Centre in Kildangan, said community awareness initiatives can transform lives. She said: The Alzheimer Society of Ireland's Friends of ASI initiative is about empowering communities to better understand dementia and support the people and families who live with it every day. In the Kildare Day Care Centre in Kildangan, we see every day the challenges our clients face and we also see how much of a difference simple kindness, patience and understanding can make. When local people, businesses and services take even small steps to be more aware and welcoming, it lifts peoples confidence and helps them stay connected to their community. "Its fantastic to see Friends of ASI coming to Kildare, building that awareness and helping create communities where people living with dementia feel understood and valued. A dementia-inclusive community event hosted by the charitys Friends of ASI initiative will take place at the Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge on 26 February at 7pm, bringing together organisations and residents to explore how communities can better support those affected. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland National Helpline is available on 1800 341 341 or via alzheimer.ie. A KILDARE man with a broken leg, who stole a car whilst in a wheelchair, was remanded in custody for a fortnight after a garda objection to his bail was upheld. Edward Stokes (42), with an address at Lerr Avenue, Abbeylands, Castledermot appeared in Naas District Court last week (19 February) from Garda custody following his arrest the day before. Garda David Murphy from Naas Garda Station was giving evidence of arrest charge and caution. He testified how Mr Stokes reply to the charge of unauthorized taking of an MPV was: sorry, but that the gardai would oppose him getting bail because of fears of his not showing up for court. Garda Murphy told the court how Mr Stokes was arrested at an address in Saggart, Co Dublin the day before court after tracking the stolen car there, following the information given by the rightful owner. Couldnt make it up He explained how the car was stolen from Naas General Hospital underground car park after the defendant allegedly took the keys from a jacket pocket in a staffroom, before going down in the lift, and pressing a button on the fob until one car lit up. All of this was done, allegedly, from a wheelchair which he had been given upstairs following his treatment for a broken leg. We checked the CCTV and saw him check the cars before he finally opened one, said Garda Murphy. The wheelchair was found where the car used to be. We saw him on the CCTV in the wheelchair, going around the hospital, he added. You couldnt make this up, said Judge Zaidan. Was it a manual, or an automatic? asked the judge. Automatic. It was an electric Cupra, said Garda Murphy. The injured party (a radiologist) gave us the tracking info, and we detected the car in Saggart where we made the arrest, he clarified. Garda Murphy also testified that they found Mr Stokes was found in possession of a mobile phone not his own, that didnt belong to the owner of the stolen car, but to another staff member at the hospital. In cross-examination with the garda, defending solicitor Tim Kennelly confirmed that early admissions were made and though theft and unauthorised taking of an MPV had maximum penalties of five and 10 years respectively: You get an automatic discount if someone makes an early admission. Thats up to the DPP, interrupted Sergeant Dave Hanrahan. Thats not for the sergeant to jump in, hes not in the witness box giving evidence. This isnt the schoolyard, said Mr Kennelly. Well founded objections After legal argument about the defendants circumstances, Sgt Hanrahan added a further charge was being considered. The keys were taken from a staffroom so there could be a further charge of burglary brought? prompted the sergeant. Yes, Judge, said Garda Murphy. Mr Kennelly added: The very maximum he could get in this court is 24 months. Or a suspended sentence! said Judge Zaidan Not in this court! remarked Mr Kennelly, knowing Judge Zaidans antipathy to suspended sentences. I suspect Mr Stokes was in hospital getting treatment, and then embarked on the unthinkable, went to the staffroom, took the keys, made his way to the car park, tried every car until the fob flashed one, and all this while in a wheelchair! summed up the judge. This man was desperate to get going! I find garda objections to bail sustainable and well-founded. Your client doesnt look good. How old is he? asked the judge. The court was told Mr Stokes admitted to Garda Murphy he was a drug addict, and had no recollection of the theft. 42, said Mr Kennelly. He looks a lot older than that, said the judge, before remanding Mr Stokes into custody to re-appear by videolink on 26 February for his book of evidence. Mr Kennelly then made the suggestion that his client was willing to make a guilty plea, if the case was kept in the district court, and the judge told the sergeant: Let the DPP know that. If this man needs any medical attention whilst in custody, dont bring him to Naas General Hospital, said the judge. THE convicted murderer of a young Kildare woman, who evaded justice for 20 years, died last year from severe lung disease while serving a life sentence, an inquest has heard. John Crerar (76), a father of five from Woodside Park, Kildare, died at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital on 25 January 2025 just over 24 hours after he was transferred from a medical cell in Arbour Hill Prison following a sharp deterioration in his health. An inquest into his death at Dublin District Coroners Court on Thursday heard Crerar suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and had been on 24-hour oxygen for a while. Although no member of the deceaseds family attended the hearing, the inquest heard that his sister, Kay, one of her friends and a priest were by his bedside when he passed away. Evidence was also heard that Mr Crerars daughter, Carol, formally identified her fathers body to gardai. Mr Crerar a former sergeant in the Defence Forces who came originally from Co Tipperary was found guilty of the murder of Phyliss Murphy (23) on a date unknown between 22 December 1979 and 18 January 1980 following a trial at the Central Criminal Court in October 2002. Ms Murphy was last seen alive while waiting at a bus stop opposite the Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge, Co Kildare shortly after 6.30pm on 22 December 1979 to travel home to Kildare town after shopping for Christmas presents. Her naked body was found 28 days later in a forested area near the Wicklow Gap about 30km away from her last known location following an extensive search involving 3,000 volunteers across a wide area of Kildare and Wicklow. Several items of her clothing as well as Christmas presents which she had bought were found at various locations in the Curragh, Brannockstown and Lockstown Upper in Wicklow. A postmortem on Mr Murphy showed she had been beaten and strangled, while she also had injuries consistent with being raped. Mr Crerar was identified as the prime suspect for the murder as a result of advances in DNA testing which resulted in blood samples provided by him in 1980 being matched two decades later with semen samples recovered from the victims body. Gardai had asked several males in the Kildare area to voluntarily provide blood samples as part of their investigation. Detectives had identified Mr Crerar as a potential suspect at the time as one garda had noted that he appeared shifty and nervous when questioned about the murder. However, forensic experts at the time were only able to identify a blood group from semen samples taken from Ms Murphys body rather than a full DNA profile which only became available in 1998. Mr Crerar also had an alibi, that was only withdrawn during his trial, which had been provided by a fellow security guard for Provincial Security Services at the Black & Decker plant in Kildare where both former soldiers worked. Mr Crerar was arrested and charged with the cold case murder in July 1999 and pleaded not guilty when he went on trial the following year. During the murder trial, evidence was heard that Mr Crerar knew Ms Murphys family as he lived near them in Kildare town and was friendly with the deceaseds sister, Claire. The inquest heard that a call light had been activated in Mr Crerars cell at 3am on 24 January 2025 when the prisoner sought medical attention. A prison nurse, Martina Murphy, gave evidence of providing care to Mr Crerar for several hours before a decision was made to call an ambulance to bring him to hospital because of his deteriorating condition. Ms Murphy outlined how the prisoner had become more unsettled and his breathing more laboured. She told the coroner Myra Cullinane that a problem with the prisons computer system as a result of Storm Eowyn earlier that week did not delay the prisoners transfer to hospital. The inquest heard that a do not resuscitate order had been in place for Mr Crerar since April 2024 which resulted in doctors at the Mater deciding not to intubate him after assessing he had advanced respiratory failure. The results of a postmortem showed he died from acute bronchial pneumonia against a background of COPD and pulmonary emphysema. A jury of five women and one man recorded a verdict of death due to natural causes. THE IRISH Farmers Association (IFA) will hold a national protest in County Kildare this Saturday, at 2.30pm to escalate the campaign for a new Chair of Bord Bia. Farmers will assemble at the office of Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon in Newbridge to drive home the message that the Chair of Bord Bia has to step down. The protest will include tractors and machinery and farmers on foot. IFA President Francie Gorman said the proposal emerged a meeting held on Tuesday evening in Athy, which was attended by over 800 farmers. The overriding view at the meeting was that Minister Heydon is dragging his feet and doesnt seem to understand the deep frustration that exists across the farming community, he said. The IFA has been protesting at Bord Bia since January 26 and said its proposals to bring about a resolution have been stonewalled at every turn by the Minister and others. Farmers who spoke last night felt they have no choice but to confront the Minister at his constituency office in Newbridge. Minister Heydon is hellbent on protecting the Chair of Bord Bia and in the process he is doing huge damage to Bord Bia. We will use Saturday to direct farmer anger at the Ministers door, he said. Ann O'Loughlin Supermacs owner Pat McDonagh has failed in an attempt to block an environmental advocacy group from obtaining legal costs protection in its High Court challenge to an aspect of the businessmans motorway service station development outside Ennis, Co Clare. Justice David Holland on Thursday said Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) should benefit from a protective costs order, which limits the legal costs a litigant is liable for in a court action. Litigants who take certain cases relating to environmental issues can qualify for the order. In its action, FIE wants the court to quash a wastewater connection agreement between Uisce Eireann and McDonagh. This agreement allows for the new service station, the Banner Plaza, to be connected to Uisce Eireanns wastewater treatment plant at Clareabbey, close to Ennis. The service station, located off the M18 at Kilbreckan, Doora, is in operation, though it is not connected to the wastewater system. FIE claims the Clareabbey treatment plant is overloaded, receiving wastewater in excess of its treatment capacity. The group alleges Uisce Eireann breached legislation by entering into the agreement with McDonagh in circumstances where the plant is overloaded. The group further alleges that allowing the service station to connect to the wastewater system will exacerbate unlawful pollution of the river Fergus. FIEs case is against Uisce Eireann. McDonagh the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Attorney General are notice parties in the action. The group was given permission by the court to pursue the judicial review proceedings last September. Mr McDonagh first lodged plans for the service station over a decade ago, eventually securing planning permission from An Bord Pleanala (now An Coimisiun Pleanala) in 2022. The grant of planning permission was previously the subject of a separate High Court challenge, but the planning authoritys decision was upheld by the court last year. In a judgment on Thursday, Holland said that cost protection provisions in the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 applied to FIEs case over the wastewater connection. Under the 2011 Act, cost protection is available to litigants who bring an action seeking to ensure compliance with a requirement or condition of certain licences or permits, and in circumstances where failure to comply is causing, or is likely to cause, damage to the environment. The purpose of the proceedings is to ensure compliance with the Water Services Act 2007, the judge said. He said there was a statable case that discharge of effluent from the service station to the wastewater network is likely to cause environmental damage. Opposing costs protection, lawyers for McDonagh argued that the wastewater agreement only authorises connection to the wastewater network, and not the discharge of effluent to the network. McDonaghs side submitted that discharge is authorised by a separate trade effluent discharge licence. FIE rejected this argument as simplistic, emphasising that the agreed and only purpose of connection to the network is the discharge of effluent. The case returns to court in March. Alison O'Riordan A wealthy New Yorker who strangled his father at a five-star midlands resort after the 66-year-old had travelled from the US on a "mission of mercy" to help his son, continues to suffer from a mental disorder and has been committed to the Central Mental Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. A Central Criminal Court judge made the order this afternoon, two weeks after a jury returned the special verdict of not guilty of murder by reason of insanity following the trial of Henry McGowan. On February 12th at the Central Criminal Court, a jury accepted the evidence of two psychiatrists that the defendant was suffering from schizoaffective disorder when he killed his father just over an hour after arriving at the Ballyfin Demesne hotel and fulfilled the criteria for the special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Henry McGowan (31), with an address at Clinton Street, Brooklyn, New York had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of John McGowan (66) at Ballyfin Demesne, Ballyfin, Portlaoise, Co Laois, on November 12th, 2024. Brendan Grehan, prosecuting, told Justice Paul McDermott on Thursday that he had a report from consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Mark Joynt of the Central Mental Hospital (CMH). Dr Joynt, who appeared via video-link, told Grehan he had been tasked with preparing a report on Henry McGowan pursuant to section 5(3) of the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006 as to whether the defendant is suffering from a mental disorder and is in need of inpatient care at the CMH. Dr Joynt said the defendant had been transferred from various units within the CMH to date, which has been based on him making satisfactory progress. The witness told the prosecutor that Henry McGowan has fully accepted his diagnosis of having a mental illness and his need for treatment. Dr Joynt also said the defendant had told him that he is absolutely committed to remaining on his medication - which includes a long-acting injectable antipsychotic medication - to prevent a relapse of his mental illness. Dr Joynt said in his opinion Henry McGowan's symptoms and history are most consistent with schizoaffective disorder. The expert witness said, having examined the defendant, he is of the view that he does present with a severe relapsing mental illness in the absence of appropriate care and treatment. The witness said McGowan met the criteria for a mental disorder as defined in the Mental Health Act 2001 and has a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. He also said that because of the severity of the illness, the defendant's judgment is so impaired that a failure to continue to detain him in the CMH could lead to a serious deterioration in his condition. Dr Joynt said Henry McGowan has demonstrated a positive response to his initial treatment. However, he said the defendant has significant outstanding treatment needs and requires specialist treatment and intervention which can only be provided by the CMH. The expert witness said McGowan continues to suffer from a mental disorder and is in need of inpatient care. He said the defendant requires specialist inpatient treatment, which cannot be afforded at any other setting. Dr Joynt recommended that McGowan be returned to the CMH, where he will be further reviewed at regular intervals, and confirmed that there is a bed available for him there. Justice McDermott said Dr Joynt had given the opinion that failure to detain the defendant would lead to a serious deterioration in his treatment. The judge committed McGowan to the CMH under the provisions of the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006 to continue his treatment until an order is "ultimately made in the future" under section 13 of the act, when his "condition hopefully improves". Justice McDermott called it a "very difficult and traumatic case" for the McGowan family. The judge also referenced the trial and the jurors hearing how this "terrible tragedy had unfolded". He said he could only wish McGowan well in the future and extended his sympathy to the family. As part of a pilot project BreakingNews.ie has used AI to suggest headline options for this article. The final headline was chosen and edited by BreakingNews.ie journalists. Find out more Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Gardai investigating the disappearance of Kilkenny woman Jo Jo Dullard and Kildare woman Deirdre Jacob have 'concluded their current search phase' at a site on the Kildare/Wicklow border. A further assessment of the site remains ongoing and according to gardai, the families of the two missing women have been updated with developments. The search operation is being led by the Serious Crime Review Team, Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation supported by the Garda National Technical Bureau and local resources from Kildare Division as required. READ NEXT: New outdoor seating area on the cards for popular Kilkenny petrol station Josephine 'Jo Jo' Dullard went missing on November 9 1995 while on her way home to Callan in County Kilkenny after socialising in Bruxelles bar on Dublins Harry Street. The 21-year-old missed her last bus to Kilkenny and instead boarded a 10pm bus to Naas, County Kildare, intending to hitchhike the rest of the way home. She hitched a lift from Naas to the slip road on the M9 motorway at Kilcullen, Co Kildare, and at 11.15pm got another lift to Moone. There, Ms Dullard called her friend Mary Cullinan at 11.37pm from a phone box. During that call, Ms Dullard told Ms Cullinan that a car had stopped for her and she was going to take the lift. Ms Jacob was last seen near her home at Roseberry, Newbridge, in Co Kildare at around 3pm on July 28 1998. LATEST: Works set to begin on large-scale Kilkenny school project She was 18 at the time of her disappearance and had just completed one year at St Marys University in London. On the day she was last seen, Ms Jacob had walked into Newbridge town to get a bank draft to send to a college friend in London for their rent deposit. At 2.14pm, she was observed on CCTV walking on Main Street, Newbridge, and shortly after was observed in the AIB bank. At 2.26pm, Ms 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 Ms Jacob on CCTV was recorded at 2.35pm, walking outside the PTSB Bank on Main Street. She was last seen shortly after 3pm near her family home. FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE Two teenagers who tragically died following a crash in Donegal on Tuesday night, have been named locally. Daniel Cullen and Caoimhin Porter, both aged 18 where from the Shantallow area Derry city, died after the vehicle they were travelling collided with a lorry in St Johnston in Donegal. READ NEXT: Search for missing women Deirdre Jacob and Jo Jo Dullard 'concludes' as family given updates The driver of the car was brought to Altnagelvin Hospital with serious injuries and later brought to Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. It is believed the three friends were returning to Derry via Lifford and St Johnston after a trip to the Asda store in Strabane when the collision occurred. Gardai say no other injuries were reported. Qualified grief counsellors will be available for anyone who would like to speak to someone from 7pm at Shantallow Community Centre. Derry priest Fr Michael Canny met with the families of two of the young men and said the relatives and friends of the young men are utterly devastated and in a state of shock. "At this time, Fr Canny said. our thoughts and the thoughts of most of the people in the city are with the families who are totally devastated to have received this news last night. "This is a close knit community that sticks together, but nevertheless their lives are now going to be changed forever. We also pray for the young man in hospital. "Their family and their friends are in total shock. READ NEXT: Depraved - Irish ex-soldier found with child sexual abuse content after report by Snapchat Foyle MP Colum Eastwood described the crash as a profound tragedy that will affect families, friends and communities across the North West. The former SDLP leader said: People in communities across Derry and Donegal woke up this morning to news of this crash, and the deaths of two teenagers with their whole lives ahead of them. Today and the days ahead will be unimaginably difficult. But I know that people in Derry and Donegal will offer them every possible support to get through this. Were also thinking of the young man in hospital in Belfast today with serious injuries. Local Sinn Fein councillor Sandra Duffy expressed her condolences to the families of those killed and injured in the accident. My thoughts are with their families and friends, and with all those affected, at this deeply sad and difficult time. I also want to pay tribute to the emergency services for their efforts at the scene," Cllr Duffy said. READ NEXT: 'Stop using immediately' - Urgent recall issued in Ireland after asbestos found in children's toy Post-mortem examinations are due to take place and the coroner has been notified. The area is being examined by forensic investigators and the road is closed. Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward. The Herald reports: Sir Peter Jacksons long-rumoured movie museum plans appear to be gaining traction, with representatives holding talks with the Wellington City Council over the project. Mayor Andrew Little and council officials met with Jacksons team late last year in what a council spokesman described as a general relationship meeting. It wasnt a meeting specifically about the movie museum, although that was one of the projects discussed, the spokesman said. Since then, further discussions have taken place between the councils city development team and Jacksons people, understood to relate specifically to his plans for a museum at his 2.7ha Lyall Bay site. The Herald understands a resource consent application is being prepared for the development, and is expected to be lodged soon. At the time, it was expected the museum would attract 350,000 visitors annually, create 258 jobs, and generate $28.2m in new spending each year. The NY Post reports: A Gaza doctor who slammed Israel in a pair of New York Times op-eds is a colonel with terror group Hamas, according to an Israeli watchdog group and the Israeli Defense Forces. Hussam Abu Safyia was photographed wearing a Hamas camo military uniform while at a gathering of Hamas elites to celebrate the completion of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in 2016, according to the Jerusalem-based watchdog NGO Monitor. COLUMBIA A mid-Missouri therapist is looking to be an outlet for the Black community in Columbia to seek mental health treatment through therapy. Dr. Christine Woods, an assistant teaching professor at the University of Missouri, has been practicing as a licensed clinical social worker in Columbia for the last 30 years. Everybody needs someone to talk to, everybody, Woods said. As the owner of Crowned Counseling in Columbia, Woods has committed herself to normalizing mental health care, while encouraging people to treat it with the same urgency as physical health. It exacerbates other deeper illnesses or deeper mental illnesses, and so it is just as important to pay attention to your mental health as it is to your physical health, Woods said. "When you walk through our doors, your crown is lifted," Woods said. "You feel better just with the atmosphere, and so we set the stage. I believe that healing starts from the crown to the ground." Crowned Counseling is a group practice, offering counseling to individuals, groups, families and couples. "Young, old, Black, white, Hispanic and Asian," Woods said. "Therapy is for everybody." Woods is especially hopeful that more people in the Black community will reach out for support. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. "I think it is very important that they have someone who looks like them that says, 'You know what? It's OK. It's OK not to be OK' and really own that and really own their story and to work through those things," Woods said. Community members discuss normalizing mental health in the Black community Lincoln Vice President Antoinette Candia-Bailey's suicide sparked discussions about mental health among Black leaders. Therapy and mental have historically been seen as a taboo topic within in the Black community. KOMU 8 first looked at the issue in 2024. At that time, Tasca Tolson, a Black certified trauma-informed mental health professional, shared her thoughts on the issue. "We've been raised to be so 'on it' and 'pull up your bootstraps,' and 'suck it up' and 'make it happen' for so long," Tolson said. "Nobody says it's OK to be tired." Woods agreed with this sentiment, expressing that many Black families encourage kids to push through mental health struggles. "The way that the Black family has dealt with that historically is that, 'Oh, you're strong, you'll get through it. You just keep going. You push through,'" Woods said. Woods said that if someone is not ready for therapy or is struggling financially, there are things people struggling with mental health can do at home. "Breathing, mindfulness, getting out for walks, exercising, things like that, that can truly help to lessen some of the anxiety and the depression symptoms we might experience," Woods said. "It just requires an open mind and an open heart to heal." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to reporters in a departure lounge before returning to Washington following meetings with Caribbean Community leaders, at Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, on February 25. Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. By Rebecca Black, Press Association A second person has been arrested in a day by police investigating the disappearance and murder of Lisa Dorrian. The 25-year-old from Bangor, Co Down, was last seen alive on February 27th 2005 after attending a party at Ballyhalbert Caravan Park. Despite extensive searches in multiple locations and campaigning by her family, Dorrians body has never been found. Police said a 42-year-old man was arrested in Scotland on Wednesday on suspicion of murder, assisting offenders, withholding information and preventing a lawful and decent burial. Our detectives have made a second arrest today in relation to the murder and disappearance of Lisa Dorrian.https://t.co/w628lW8eu7 pic.twitter.com/3Z3fAO0lEk Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) February 25, 2026 Hours earlier, a 40-year-old woman was arrested in Bangor. She was arrested on suspicion of murder, assisting offenders, withholding information and preventing a lawful and decent burial, and remained in police custody on Wednesday evening. Detective Chief Inspector Kerrie Foreman acknowledged the support of Police Scotland, as well as the PSNIs Cross-Border Transit Officers. a Its almost 21 years since Lisas disappearance and murder. Thats 21 years of torture for a loving family, she said. I am keen to take every opportunity to encourage anyone with information to do the right thing and come forward. a Detectives can be contacted on 101. Alternatively, information can be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. inheriting an Irish farm may mean paying a huge tax bill, if left to a niece or nephew, but a Laois councillor is urging a change of inheritance tax laws. Cllr Conor Bergin is calling for a review to protect succession of family farms and rural businesses. He tabled a motion to the February meeting of Laois County Council, asking Minister for Finance, his Fine Gael colleague, Tanaiste Simon Harris, to review the Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) on farms, so it it doesn't cause forced sales or financial pressure. "In Laois and anywhere in the country, when a family farm is transferred to the next generation, be it through death or a transfer, the rules should help continuity and not force people to have a large tax bill. "At the moment inheritance tax is 33% above the threshold of 400,000 for a parent to child. That has increased, it was 333,000. It's 40,000 for nieces and nephews. I see this every day of the week in my solicitor's practice. There's loads of cases where nieces or nephews are in some case the same as a son or daughter, where people mightn't have children of their own. "You have agricultural relief which reduces the taxable assets of the farm by 90%. Works great if you have proper tax planning done in advance. In cases where maybe there's no will or someone dies without a will or proper tax planning, it can work out a lot trickier if the successor works off the farm. "To get that 90% reduction, you have to be in a situation when you receive the farm, that 80% of what you own, your cash, house everything, has to be in the agricultural property. You have to time it very well. If there isn't proper planning people can still incur a large tax liability. "Family farms are family businesses. When they are transferred to the next generation, the question is who should get the most benefit from it, the family or person inheriting it, or the state. "In many cases they are modest farms. The price of agricultural land in Laois is increasing the whole time. As any farmer will tell you, the value of the land often doesn't reflect the value of the business. We need a policy that keeps people on the land, keeps businesses alive, and keeps communities strong," said Cllr Bergin, who represents the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District. Cllr Paddy Buggy seconded the motion. "We are probably into the fourth generation of landowners since the foundation of the state. In a lot of small farms, there is no direct heir, it will be a niece or a nephew that will take over that farm. "In reality that young person will have an off-farm income. How else will they be able to survive? So when they come to inherit, the tax bill is going to be so high that instead of being able to hold onto the farm, they have to sell off some of it to pay the taxes. I don't think that's fair. A lot of agricultural land in this county is now making between 15,000 to 20,000 an acre. It bears no resemblance to the income you'll generate from that farm. Read next: Laois councillors reject Government stance on Bord Bia chair resignation "If we don't do something about it, by the next generation, there'll be only a handful of farmers holding huge vast estates of land. That would be hugely disappointing that a little over a hundred years since independence, we'll have gone back to that. "It's not as if you're going to put the money in your back pocket. When you inherit a farm it's more like getting a liability than a gift at this stage," Cllr Buggy said. Cllr Ollie Clooney said that "land is increasing in price because we're not making any more of it". "It's a tool to do your work. if you do incur this tax, you won't have the income to pay it and the bank will tell us to sell half or whole thing. We had landlords here before, thank god we got rid of them but we are heading back that way. If a bit of land goes up, its not the small man that buys it. "It's great to see young people taking it up, this is going to be a big burden if we don't do something," he said. Read next: 'Disappointed' no extra busstops planned for Portlaoise Cllr John King agrees. "Farmers will make wills but will not do the paperwork. My advice to young people is become a farmer first then get your job after. A farm could make close to a million, and you could have the asset but you mightn't have the price of a loaf of bread. "If you get word from your uncle you're being left land, you'd get excited for a few days then when realise what you have to pay you're better off if you didn't get it," Cllr King said. Cumann Gaelach Chontae Laoise, a Laois based group dedicated to the encouragement of the Irish language, have announced some exciting events to take place in Portlaoise. Conradh na Gaeilge, the national organisation which aims to promote the use of Irish as the standard language of Ireland, was recently re-established in Co. Laois with the formation of this new branch. A 'Caife agus Comhra' will take place on Saturday February 28, between 11am and 12.30pm in the Dunamise Arts' Centre. This is the first Portlaoise event organised by Cumann Gaelach Chontae Laoise, with all welcome regardless of their level of Irish. The second event on their agenda is a 'Oiche Sheolta,' which will start at 8pm on Friday March 6 in De Bruns @ Humes, Portlaoise. This will feature a 'Trath na gCeist' ( Table Quiz), with prizes, followed by a trad sessiun and pop-up Gaeltach. Once again, all levels of Irish are welcome, with volunteers eager to help those who wish to improve their Gaeilge. The evening is expected to run until 11pm. There is a 5 entry fee per person for the table quiz, with cash the only form accepted. There is a max group of four per table. "Failte roimh chach/All welcome!" organisers said. Conradh na Gaeilge currently has 170 branches across the country, and has seen a 400% growth in individual memberships over the past 3 years. This branch is now run by voluntary officers, who are preparing a plan to further promote the use of spoken Irish in Laois. Cumann Gaelach Chontae Laoise will have delegates at the Ard Fheis for Conradh na Gaeilge which takes place in Belfast from February 20 to 22 next. This means Laois will join in on a national decision-making level. "Dubhghlas de hIde (Douglas Hyde), who was one of the founders of Conradh na Gaeilge in 1893, was later the first President of Ireland," a representative said. "This resonates with our current President, Catherine Connolly, who also prioritises speaking Gaeilge. In doing so she gives practical expression to a noble cause. Likewise, the new Co. Laois branch will promote the use of our native tongue here in The OMoore County where once, fado fado, it held sway," the group said. Branch Cathaoirleach Siobhan Ui Chuinn welcomed Laois locals to join the activities as the running of their branch. For more info on the upcoming events, click here. For more news on the new cumann, click here. A wealthy New Yorker who strangled his father at a five-star Laois resort after the 66-year-old had travelled from the US on a "mission of mercy" to help his son, continues to suffer from a mental disorder and has been committed to the Central Mental Hospital where he is undergoing treatment. A Central Criminal Court judge made the order this afternoon, two weeks after a jury returned the special verdict of not guilty of murder by reason of insanity following the trial of Henry McGowan. On February 12 at the Central Criminal Court, a jury accepted the evidence of two psychiatrists that the defendant was suffering from schizoaffective disorder when he killed his father just over an hour after arriving at the Ballyfin Demesne hotel and fulfilled the criteria for the special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Henry McGowan (31), with an address at Clinton Street, Brooklyn, New York had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of John McGowan (66) at Ballyfin Demesne, Ballyfin, Portlaoise, Co Laois, on November 12, 2024. Brendan Grehan SC, prosecuting, told Mr Justice Paul McDermott today that he had a report from consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Mark Joynt of the Central Mental Hospital. Dr Joynt, who appeared via video-link, told Mr Grehan he had been tasked with preparing a report on Henry McGowan pursuant to section 5(3) of the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006 as to whether the defendant is suffering from a mental disorder and is in need of inpatient care at the CMH. Dr Joynt said the defendant had been transferred from various units within the CMH to date, which has been based on him making satisfactory progress. READ ALSO: Man found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity The witness told the prosecutor that Henry McGowan has fully accepted his diagnosis of having a mental illness and his need for treatment. Dr Joynt also said the defendant had told him that he is absolutely committed to remaining on his medication - which includes a long-acting injectable antipsychotic medication - to prevent a relapse of his mental illness. Dr Joynt said in his opinion Henry McGowan's symptoms and history are most consistent with schizoaffective disorder. The expert witness said, having examined the defendant, he is of the view that he does present with a severe relapsing mental illness in the absence of appropriate care and treatment. The witness said Mr McGowan met the criteria for a mental disorder as defined in the Mental Health Act 2001 and has a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. He also said that because of the severity of the illness, the defendant's judgment is so impaired that a failure to continue to detain him in the CMH could lead to a serious deterioration in his condition. Dr Joynt said Henry McGowan has demonstrated a positive response to his initial treatment. However, he said the defendant has significant outstanding treatment needs and requires specialist treatment and intervention which can only be provided by the CMH. The expert witness said Mr McGowan continues to suffer from a mental disorder and is in need of inpatient care. He said the defendant requires specialist inpatient treatment, which cannot be afforded at any other setting. Dr Joynt recommended that Mr McGowan be returned to the CMH, where he will be further reviewed at regular intervals, and confirmed that there is a bed available for him there. Mr Justice McDermott said Dr Joynt had given the opinion that failure to detain the defendant would lead to a serious deterioration in his treatment. The judge committed Mr McGowan to the CMH under the provisions of the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006 to continue his treatment until an order is "ultimately made in the future" under section 13 of the act, when his "condition hopefully improves". Mr Justice McDermott called it a "very difficult and traumatic case" for the McGowan family. The judge also referenced the trial and the jurors hearing how this "terrible tragedy had unfolded". He said he could only wish Mr McGowan well in the future and extended his sympathy to the family. On February 12 last, Mr McGowan's defence counsel Michael Bowman SC told the trial jury that it was a "particularly tragic" case, as a father's paternal instinct had driven him to prioritise his son's well-being above his own, with fatal consequences. In his closing speech, prosecutor Mr Grehan said John McGowan had left the safety of his home in Connecticut and flown to Ireland "without even stopping to drop a bag". After arriving in Ireland, the successful Wall Street trader went straight to the Mater hospital and embraced his son, effectively taking custody of him, Mr Grehan said. Counsel said the father and son had retreated to Ballyfin and tragically the deceased, who had come on "a mission of mercy to help his son", ended up dead. The reality of these cases, the barrister had told the trial jury, is that it is often those closest to a person who develops an active mental illness that are "most at danger". The three-day Central Criminal Court trial heard that Henry McGowan was the youngest of five children in a family of Irish heritage. The defendant's mother was a curator in an art gallery and his father John was a successful Wall Street trader. Consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Stephen Monks said that the defendant told him he had smoked a lot of weed in high school during his mid teens but stopped doing so by the age of 20. The trial heard that Henry McGowan first fell under the care of psychiatric professionals with an involuntary admission to Mount Sinai Hospital in New York in January, 2022. It was there that Mr McGowan's first "manic episode" was recorded, where psychosis was observed along with depression and suicidal ideation. Two months later, Henry McGowan was involuntarily admitted to the Sainte-Anne psychiatric hospital in Paris for four weeks. The trial heard he had suffered persistent paranoid delusions on a flight from the US, where he had attempted to seize an infant in a bassinet. The trial heard Henry McGowan had lunged at the infant's family while under the delusional belief that their child needed to be sacrificed to protect the plane. Henry McGowan had to be restrained by passengers on the flight and was arrested on his arrival at a Paris airport. John McGowan travelled to Paris in March 2022 in the days after Henry's admission to assist his son as best he could with his return. The defendant was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder following this incident. Evidence was given that Henry McGowan took another trip to Europe in October, 2024. In the lead-up to strangling his father, the defendant described experiencing impulsive behaviour such as buying a "conspicuous pink coat" in Harrods in London and renting a Lamborghini in Paris. The trial also heard that the defendant said he had earned 4.5 million dollars from his last job, with the court hearing that his money has now been placed in a trust. Henry McGowan was interviewed on four occasions, telling gardai that he had grabbed his father by the chest and pushed him hard, before strangling him on a bathroom floor with his bare hands. He said he had told his father that he would "always love him as he had his last breath". The defendant had described the killing in detail, telling detectives: "I counted to 49 and when I got to 49 he was breathing and had a pulse. I counted on 20 seconds longer and he stopped. He kept gasping for air, I would not let go". The defendant continued, saying: "I was seething and physically tired..once he hit his head and was on the ground he wasn't resisting. I then put a full fist into his throat using my full force. I pushed down with both hands on his Adam's apple but he kept breathing. I then put full force on his throat with my knuckles.... It was shocking how long it took. I say it took in the region of eight minutes". Mr McGowan later told Dr Monks that on the day of the killing, he had feelings of his father not being his real father and described delusional ideas where his father was an imposter. The defendant said: "I thought it like I was ordained by God to kill my father, like he was a source of evil". A new Teagasc research centre will be a fitting way to carry on the legacy left by the late pioneering farmer Padraig Walshe. So said the chairman of Farmer Business Developments, Pat Murphy, following the start of construction on the Padraig Walshe Centre for Sustainable Animal and Grassland Research at Moorepark in Co Cork. Teagasc say a 6 million contribution made by FBD Holdings plc, FBD Trust CLG and Farmer Business Developments plc matched by 6 million funding provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, will support the development of the new centre, which will be named in honour of the Durrow farmer who was also a former President of the IFA. A statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live said the new Centre will provide state-of-the-art laboratory and animal metabolism facilities to support research aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient losses from grassland-based livestock systems. Teagasc say it should also contribute to improving productivity and resilience, and enhancing the environmental sustainability and competitiveness of Irelands agrifood sector. With construction now underway, Teagasc says it will work closely with the contractors and stakeholders to develop new facilities that can translate research into practical solutions for farmers, industry and policy makers. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, travelled to Moorepark for the official launch. I welcome the start of construction at Moorepark and thank FBD and its partners for their significant support for publicsector research. This facility will strengthen Irelands capacity to develop and deliver practical solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient losses while protecting farm incomes and competitiveness. The work here will be central to meeting our climate and waterquality objectives and to ensuring a sustainable future for our agrifood sector, said Mr Heydon. Pat Murphy, Chairman of Farmer Business Developments plc, commented on the Laois man it is being named after. We are pleased to support the Centre and proud that it will bear the name of our late colleague Padraig Walshe. Padraig was a pioneering grassbased dairy farmer who championed innovation and research. It is fitting that this facility will carry forward that legacy, he said. READ NEXT: Memory Lane PICTURES Fabulous night at Laois farm celebration Professor Frank OMara, Teagasc Director, spoke about the purpose it will serve. MORE BELOW PHOTO OF Padraig Walshe. The new laboratory and animal metabolism facilities will allow Teagasc to undertake the mechanistic, in-depth research needed to develop solutions that are suitable for widespread adoption in grass-based systems. This new Centre creates the capacity for mission-critical studies that will deliver tangible benefits to farmers, industry and policy makers, helping to reduce emissions, improve nutrient efficiency and productivity and support a competitive and sustainable agri-food sector in Ireland, he said. Michael Berkery, Chairman of FBD Trust CLG, said the Trust is delighted to support Teagasc in this venture. The research at Moorepark aligns with the Trusts objectives to advance the interests of Irish farm families and the wider farming sector, delivering practical benefits for sustainable farming. We look forward to seeing the benefits flow to rural communities, he said. Tomas O Midheach, CEO of FBD Holdings plc, said FBD is proud to support. READ ALSO: Laois councillors reject Government stance on resignation of Bord Bia Chair The research enabled by this Centre will help advance climaterelated solutions for farming. At FBD Insurance, we believe it is essential to support practical, sciencebased work that helps farmers meet the emissions reduction challenges ahead, he said. The launch in Fermoy was attended by: Jim Bergin, Chair of FBD Holdings Plc; Liam Herlihy, Chairman of Teagasc; Pat Murphy, Chairman of Farmer Business Developments Plc; Martin Heydon, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Professor Frank O'Mara, Director of Teagasc; Ella Walshe, Co. Laois; Tomas O Midheach, CEO of FBD Holdings Plc; and Michael Berkery, Chairman of FBD Trust. The design contract was awarded to CJ Falconer and Associates Architects. Conack Construction has been awarded the contract to construct the laboratory building and Donnelly Civil Engineering Limited will construct the Animal Metabolism facility. A Laois Fine Gael councillor has called for a halt to the incoming rental reform in March which has stirred major controversy across the country. Councillor Conor Bergin defied his own party's position on The Residential Tenancies Bill which will see significant changes to renting and tenancy agreements. The bill will allow tenants to remain in rented homes for a minimum of 6 years after living there for 6 months. This is designed to ensure enhanced protections for renters. The bill also allows for landlords to reset rents to market value when entering a new tenancy or at the end of a 6 year cycle. Landlords won't be allowed to reset the rent after a 'no fault eviction', meaning a landlord cannot end a tenancy if the tenant hasn't violated their agreement. This is to protect tenants from being evicted so that landlords can increase their prices. The new bill was signed into law by President Catherine Connolly on Tuesday, February 24. This means that it will come into effect on Sunday, March 1. Only tenancy agreements made on or after this date will be subject to the rule changes. The changes have been met with fierce opposition, with people concerned that landlords will be able to further increase prices for new tenants as well as some even leaving the market to avoid the lengthy 6 year tenancy rules. Councillor Conor Bergin raised the issue at a meeting of Laois County Council on Monday, February 23. He tabled a motion for the council to call on the Government to pause the rental reforms and to engage with local authorities to ensure that any changes do not reduce rental supply or place more pressure on renters and small landlords. The Fine Gael councillor said he was calling for a halt to the reforms based on his own beliefs and not that of his party's, remarking that he anticipated a "slap on the wrists" for his motion. "It's about simple common sense," Cllr Bergin told the council. "What works in Dublin and for the Dublin market, does not work in Laois. The Government moved too fast on this without understanding the local reality." Cllr Bergin added that he does not see the demand for six year leases in Laois, an aspect of the new bill which may push landlords out of the market. "The reforms aren't going to increase the supply, all it's going to do is make it more restrictive. What it's going to do is put small landlords out of the market. What does that mean? That means when supply drops, rents rise," he explained. Cllr Bergin said he knows of a lot of people who are thinking of selling their properties at the moment because they can't keep up with regulations that are there. With pressures already on families and people renting, Cllr Bergin urged: "We need to have a pause and a proper conversation with local authorities because it's the likes of local authorities like Laois County Council who know about housing." Fellow Fine Gael councillor, Vivienne Phelan agreed with Bergin's motion and said that smaller landlords are "being demonised." Councillor Caroline Dwane Stanley also supported the motion, saying people will be "driven into homelessness." With no cap on new tenancies, Cllr Dwane Stanley said that prices will be "absolutely chaotic." The Independent councillor said that just last week she checked out rental properties in Laois and found that a one-bedroom apartment cost 1,750 a month and a four-bedroom home was 2,200 a month. READ NEXT: Meeting of first ever Bat Group in Laois a 'resounding success' Cllr James Kelly and Cllr Tommy Mulligan both supported the motion, but admitted it's too late now to see any changes made to the bill. Cllr Kelly echoed the concerns raised, saying: "What TDs have voted for is for young people to emigrate or move back in with their parents. They should have called it 'Raise Your Rent' bill." Laois County Council said they would write to the Housing Minister, James Browne TD, and ask for the bill to be paused. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme Community creches need to be developed in Kildare. Naas mayor Seamie Moore said Kildare County Council should consider the purchase and construction of a 150 places creches that was zoned in the Kildare County Development Plan. READ NEXT LATEST: AIB banking app sends Irish people 'urgent alert' over major fraud fears Cllr Moore said the site was zoned in Jigginstown, Naas, and KCC could act as a landlord, appointing a registered childcare group to manage or provide an early years creche on the site - or invite the Land Development Agency to do it. At a Naas Municipal District meeting, Cllr Bill Clear said there is a huge demand for creche places and because of this mothers and fathers cannot go back to work. A community creche is what we need, he said, adding that there is just one in Kildare (Maynooth) while County Wexford has seven. According to KCC, providing such a facility is not within its remit although it provides zoning via the planning process . KCC said its aware of recent national announcements regarding the provision of State-led childcare, however the operational detail is not available. Alarm bells are ringing for young farmers across the country amid the presence of forestry vultures in County Leitrim, the Dail has heard. Roscommon-Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice raised the issue during a recent debate on the Future of the Family Farm Bill. He outlined the challenges facing young farmers across the country, particularly when it comes to acquiring land. Deputy Fitzmaurice said: We are looking at youngsters and talking about generational renewal. If you had 30 or 40 acres one time, you need more now. There is no doubt about it. Can you get that more, however?" READ NEXT: All things Potato as popular Leitrim event makes its annual return It is hard done when you go in as a young farmer. It is hard done when the solar company is trying to put solar panels on the fields beside you when it is for sale or the wind turbine fella that is owned by a foreign company is trying to put wind turbines in another field. He continued by highlighting the amount of trees that have been planted in County Leitrim, amid the presence of a number of forestry companies. The forestry companies - the vultures we decided we would bring in from England - come from another place and start bidding against you. It is not simple. We saw what happened in Leitrim. We see the number of trees that have been put into the likes of Leitrim. I know a certain number of trees are wanted, but where there are trees, whether we like it or not, there will not be houses, farmers, sheep, cattle, horticulture or whatever. Deputy Fitzmaurice acknowledged that forestry companies do bring employment, but encouraged people to examine the ratios per acre. He went on to criticise the treatment of farmers across Europe and cited the number of people who have left the industry in recent years. If we were doing everything so right in the whole of Europe over the last 15 years, why have 5.5 million farms been shut down? That is a queer figure. It is 5.5 million probably multiplied by 2.5; when we are doing an election that is how we tally up how many are in a house. It is 12.5 million people who are now not in farming. That should ring alarm bells for us that we need a commission. He accused European leaders of trying to tick boxes in order to appease countries in other parts of the world. We can follow the European project. They are the whiz-kids. They want us to get rid of steel and bring in most of our products. Do you know why? Climate was mentioned many times, but it is that they want us to tick this box that we are the best kids in the world. This is so we can tell America, China and everyone else, but at the end of the day it is about pounds, shillings and pence. While Deputy Fitzmaurice acknowledged that education is important, he stressed the need for further supports for young farmers. He concluded by encouraging the Government to rethink their approach to the agricultural industry and rural communities. Concerns about possible geo-thermal activity in the border region were highlighted at the recent meeting of Manorhamilton Municipal District. Cllr Eddie Mitchell (Ind) submitted a motion, in which he asked Leitrim County Council to seek an update on a cross-border geothermal energy demonstration project which has been proposed. Concerns were raised at meetings in March 2023, and a chief government ecologist provided reassurances that no boreholes would be drilled into petroleum reserves, his motion stated. Cllr Mitchell asked the council to engage with ICBAN (Irish Central Border Area Network) to receive an update on the proposed demonstration project that it is a partner in. Geo-thermal energy is energy in the form of heat stored beneath the surface of the earth. There were consultations held with six communities in the Lough MacNeans area previously on what they wanted to develop in their areas. However, a geo-thermal well was not proposed by the communities, Cllr Mitchell told the meeting. There were also discussions held with the geo-thermal regulator, who said that drilling into the Lough Allen Basin would not be considered, he added. Cllr Mitchell also asked that the council write to both governments, north and south to seek clarification on the matter. Vincent Dwyer, Council Director of Services, said that the letters could be written to ICBAN and both governments, but he stressed that the councillor needed to find out who specifically needed to be written to in both governments. I ask that the council seek assurances from both governments that geothermal activity, which could provide information on the nature of gas in place in the Lough Allen Basin, will not be proposed, Cllr Mitchell's motion concluded. According to the ICBAN website, The GEMINI (Geothermal Momentum on the Island of Ireland) Project has been awarded funding of 20 million to develop the market for geothermal energy, to de-risk both shallow and deep geothermal energy projects, and to create conditions for job creation and public participation. A judge said a former soldier, who pleaded guilty to possessing and producing child sexual abuse content, committed a truly dreadful crime and knew well that the activity he was engaged in was depraved. Cormac Browne, aged 23, of Camas, Newcastle West, who served in Lebanon with the Irish Defence Forces, told gardai: I am disgusted with myself. READ NEXT: 'There are no words' - Funeral details announced for 16-year-old girl killed in hit and run Limerick Circuit Criminal Court heard Mr Browne got sucked into the darker aspects of the internet during Covid when he was lonely and later became addicted to masturbating. He pleaded guilty to seven charges - possession of child pornography; two counts of production of child pornography on the Monkey app; inciting two girls to participate in a pornographic performance on the app; attending a pornographic performance of a girl on the app and two counts of using information and communication technology to facilitate the sexual exploitation of a child. Monkey, according to its website, is a free live and random video chat app that helps you meet new people instantly. The case was outlined by Lily Buckley BL, instructed by State solicitor Brendan Gill, with the assistance of Detective Garda Orlaith Ryan. Mr Browne was represented by Joseph McMahon BL, instructed by solicitor Sarah Ryan. The investigation was sparked by intelligence received by gardai from the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) in America. ICMEC were notified by Snapchat of an account linked to Mr Browne which Snapchat closed after an image of child pornography was uploaded. Ms Buckley said gardai secured a warrant under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act and searched his home in Newcastle West on April 9, 2023 during which an iPhone 8 was seized. Four images and two videos of child sexual abuse content were found on Mr Brownes phone. Det Garda Ryan said two of the images were category 1 and two were category 2. The detective told the court that category 1 is a child under 17 engaging in explicit sexual activity or witnessing it, and category 2 is a child under 17 exposing genital and/or anal region. One image was of a toddler, one of a 14-year-old girl, one of two girls aged three and six and a photo of a 12-year-old boy and 14-year-old girl. All ages are approximate. READ NEXT: 'Everyone adores mammy' - Irish woman sharing mother's dementia journey on TikTok Ms Buckley said the two videos were recordings of a live video chat on the Monkey app between Mr Browne and underage girls. One video featured two girls, aged 14, and the other, one girl, aged 12. One video was category 1 and the second video was category 2. Ms Buckley said gardai were able to confirm from a video that Mr Browne was in his bedroom due to a Munster poster on his wall. The videos and images were not sent to others. The prosecuting barrister said Mr Browne was arrested on December 3, 2023 and gave gardai his phone, passwords and pin codes. No child sex abuse images or videos were found on this phone. Ms Buckley said he told gardai, I am disgusted with myself; what I did was shocking and terrible and I dont know how old they are but they are not old enough. Ms Buckley told Judge Simon McAleese that from Mr Brownes interviews with gardai, he said he got sucked into the darker aspects of the internet during Covid when he got lonely and started chatting with people online. He used the Monkey app for online sex - to assist him in masturbating. He became addicted to masturbating - three / four times a day. He became indiscriminate on how he got his fix. He went on Monkey app with the intention of masturbating to adult women but didnt skip to the next person when it was female children. He said he didnt have the willpower (not to skip onto the next video), said Ms Buckley, who added that Mr Browne broke down during interviews with gardai and officers calling to his door marked a watershed moment in helping him to stop. Mr McMahon, barrister for Mr Browne, said there are a lot of mitigating factors, not least his clients previous good character. He has pleaded guilty, made full and frank admissions to gardai, was open and honest about his difficulties with masturbating and provided passwords and pin codes. He knew what he was doing was wrong but did not have the willpower to stop. He served in the army, completing a tour of duty in Lebanon. He voluntarily discharged himself, said Mr McMahon, who also spoke of Mr Brownes involvement in a GAA and rugby club. The defence barrister handed in a letter to Judge McAleese from Mr Brownes mother in which she outlines that her belief is that his difficulties started during Covid from loneliness and isolation. His parents in no way condone what he did but are here to support him, said Mr McMahon. READ NEXT: Met Eireann announces new forecasting system will bring 'clarity' during weather warnings Judge McAleese said it is every parents worst nightmare. Mr McMahon cited a probation report in which Mr Browne accepted his behaviour was morally and legally wrong and denied a sexual interest in young girls. Judge McAleese said it was a truly dreadful crime and he knew well that the activity he was engaged in was depraved. He understood children were vulnerable to sexual abuse and as a consumer of child pornography he preyed on their vulnerability. As a serving member of Oglaigh na hEireann his duty was to protect and defend. His misconduct in this matter is additionally disgraceful by virtue of his betrayal of his duty. He resigned his membership of the Irish Army as he realised that it was no longer tenable. The loss of his employment was entirely self-inflicted, said Judge McAleese. The judge said Mr Browne's sexual frustration and matters connected to it being relevant to his offending is frankly trite and I reject any such suggestion. The judge imposed 18 months jail sentences on count 1, 3, 5 and 7 which he suspended in full for three years subject to a number of conditions including ongoing engagement with the Probation Service, attending a programme for sex offenders and have no unsupervised contact with children. Judge McAleese ordered Mr Browne carry out 240 hours of community service, if deemed suitable by the Probation Service, in lieu of an 18 month jail term on count 2 - production of child pornography. Mr Browne has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register. A LOCAL medical research firm has broken ground on a major extension of its facility in Croom. Work has begun on a significant expansion of Croom Medical, the largest single investment the company has made in its 42 year history. The firm says it marks a significant milestone for its work using modern technology to design and make medical parts supporting or replacing bones and joints. READ MORE: Investigation may decide if Limerick tax office building stays or goes Its development will see a purpose-built 38,000 square foot facility on the edge of Croom. It will not only add manufacturing capacity, but also establish a research and development centre of excellence. Its anticipated the building will integrate the full spectrum of designing and producing medical devices that support, repair, or replace bones and joints. For companies which partner with Croom Medical, the facility will ensure there is deeper integration through the full product lifecycle - from early stage design and prototyping through to production. Croom Medical says the centre is designed around the direction in which the orthopaedic industry is heading: cementless fixation, robotic-assisted surgery, and additive manufacturing at scale. Croom Medical was founded by Paddy Byrnes in 1984 as a small precision engineering firm. Since then, it has grown into a global manufacturing partner for leading medtech companies and is one of Crooms largest employers - there are 150 people working in the centre. Over that period, Croom Medical has invested more than 12m in advanced technologies. Chief executive of Croom Medical Patrick Byrnes said: This is a strategic investment designed around where this industry is going next. For our partners, it means deeper integration, advanced capability, and a facility built around their road maps. At the same time, it creates high-value roles and long-term career opportunities here in Croom, strengthening the local economy and the community that has supported us for over four decades. This facility was built on the trust our partners place in our team, and were proud that our growth benefits both our global customers and the town of Croom. Construction of the centre is under way with completion expected by the end of the year. Once operational, the facility will play a central role in supporting Irelands Mid-West medtech ecosystem while reinforcing Croom Medicals position as a full-service orthopaedic manufacturing partner. CONSULTANCY firm Antaris, based in Limerick city centre, is to merge with Pragmatica, which has offices in Cork, Dublin and Kildare. The deal, it is anticipated, will strengthen support for small to medium sized companies across Ireland. Pragmatica will now operate under the umbrella of Antaris, which is based in Pery Square, where 18 staff work. Eugene Cush, the chief executive of Antaris Consulting Ireland, said: This merger is a very positive step for businesses. Businesses are operating in an increasingly complex environment, with sustainability, regulation and risk management now firmly linked. READ MORE: Shannon Airport boosted by inclusion in the Regional Airports Programme 20262030 By bringing Pragmatica into the Antaris group, we are strengthening our ability to provide practical, expert-led solutions that give businesses a solid footing for the future months and years. Pragmatica chief Gillian Peters added: Joining Antaris allows us to scale what we do best working closely with businesses to embed sustainability in a way that is realistic, compliant and commercially sound. Together, we can support businesses not just to keep pace with regulation and supply chain pressures, but to use sustainability as a strategic advantage. The single integrated consultancy firm will now offer 45 related services for Irish and international businesses. AT THE conclusion of the court case of a Limerick ex-soldier found with child sex abuse content on his phone, the presiding judge said people will probably say how can you give someone who committed such an offence a suspended sentence, or anything equating to it? READ THE COURT CASE HERE: Depraved: Limerick ex-soldier found with child sexual abuse content after report by Snapchat Judge Simon McAleese said child pornography is criminalised in order to prevent harm to children. If there wasn't a market for this type of pornography, then children wouldn't be abused for this purpose, stressed Judge McAleese. He said his sentencing is based on the fact that he doesn't see any advantage to the public to having the accused man - Cormac Browne, aged 23, of Camas, Newcastle West - incarcerated. I believe the self-inflicted damage that he brought upon himself, and unfortunately, the terrible damage that he inflicted on his family is something I have to take into account. "As is the public humiliation and shame which Im sure will be visited upon him. They are all self-inflicted, said Judge McAleese, who described it as an exceptional case. I think it's fair to say the prosecution did not exhort me to impose an immediate custodial sentence, maybe I am misreading it. Certainly, Detective Garda Orlaith Ryan was exceptionally kind in the way in which she gave evidence and you should be very grateful to her and the prosecution for the decency they have shown, said Judge McAleese. The judge congratulated gardai for their super work in this case. It's a credit to them, it's the State at its best. It is terrible, difficult, harrowing work that has been done so well. I want to thank the Probation Service and court staff, said Judge McAleese, who told Mr Browne he was very lucky to have Joseph McMahon as his barrister and Sarah Ryan as instructing solicitor. A MAN has been reprimanded in Limerick District Court for his lack of engagement with the Probation Service. Jonathan Hannon, 33, with an address at St Patricks Hostel, was charged with threatening and abusive behaviour on Clare Street on May 25, 2025. The man has been instructed to attend meetings with a probation officer, which he has missed twice. The court further heard that the man would not answer phone calls from the Probation Service. READ MORE: 'It was his land, but my hedge' - heated dispute between Limerick neighbours ends in assault Judge Patricia Harney commented, This is a man with 104 previous convictions. The judge said, This business of not turning up to the probation service is not on and warned the man that prison might not have worked for you but its the only tool left at her disposal, should the man continue to not engage. Solicitor Sarah Ryan, said her client is dealing with an intellectual disability and added hes not offending as much as he was. Ms Ryan further added that the sergeant knows hes not seeing his name as much as he used to before. Judge Harney stated that the mans behaviour is quite wilful and hes playing it like a violin... He has to buck up. The court heard that Mr Hannon has 228 hours of court mandated community service outstanding. The judge adjourned the case to a date in April, and directed the man to engage with the probation service and fulfil his community service order. -Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme A WOMAN who was detected driving at a speed of 166km in a 120km zone has been convicted of careless driving and fined. Edyta Baran, aged 42, with an address in Lissard Heights, Farmers Bridge, Tralee appeared before Newcastle West District Court charged with careless driving. READ ALSO: 'It was his land, but my hedge' - heated dispute between Limerick neighbours ends in assault The court heard that on February 27, 2025, at 3.30pm in the afternoon, Ms Baran was detected driving over the speed limit in the Patrickswell area. The court heard that the careless driving charge was brought forward on the basis of the speed she was travelling - 46kms over the limit. The court heard that Ms Baran has no previous convictions. Ms Baran's solicitor Joseph Mannix, based in Tralee, told the court that his client was on her way to an appointment with her five-year-old son who was having significant difficulties. She was going to physio in the city and she's profusely apologetic, Mr Mannix said. He said that his client's son needed assistance at that time and that she was anxious about potentially missing the appointment. She was fearful she would be late, he said. Mr Mannix told the court that Ms Baran is married to an Irish man and is in the process of applying for Irish citizenship. He said that she runs a cleaning business with her husband in Killarney. Judge Carol Anne Coolican convicted the woman of careless driving. Judge Coolican imposed a fine of 500 and Ms Baran was given 12 months to pay the fine. TWO houses in Limerick city seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) have sold at auction for a total of 121,000 over the advised minimum values. Chief Bureau Officer at CAB and Limerick man, Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Gubbins said in the past 24 hours, four properties deemed the proceeds of crime have been auctioned on behalf of the Criminal Assets Bureau, realising in excess of 1million. Properties in Dublin and Tipperary also went under the hammer. "These sales are a real and tangible example to the local community of the Bureau fulfilling its objective of denying and depriving criminals of the proceeds of crime. "The continued support provided by local Gardai in CAB actions is greatly appreciated by the Bureau," said Det Chief Supt Gubbins. The boarded-up properties in Garryowen were sold via online auctions held by BRG Gibson Auctions, both commencing at noon this Thursday. A three-bedroom mid-terrace property at 7 Sarsfield Court, Garryowen, had an advised minimum value of 100,000. It sold for 173,000. There were a flurry of late offers involving five bidders. The price went from 112,000 at 1.09pm to 173,000 at 1.18pm. There were five contenders with bidder 5 winning the day. READ NEXT: BREAKING: Major blow to criminality as Limerick gardai take 1.5m of drugs off streets Also going under the hammer was 12 The Path, Garryowen, a three-bedroom end-terrace house with an advised minimum value of 120,000. There were three bidders vying for this property with bidder 1 and bidder 2 going head to head. Again, they waited until the end of the auction as the price rose from 122,000 at 1pm to 168,000 at 1.05pm. The new owner is bidder 1. The total sum accrued from the two houses of 341,000 will be returned to the State once all the formalities have been completed. The properties were seized by CAB last October after the High Court ruled they were the proceeds of crime. The seizures form part of CABs case against Kieran Keane Junior, the son of Kieran Keane, who was killed in a brutal gangland murder in January 2003. Mr Keane was shot dead after members of the McCarthy Dundon crime gang abducted him and his nephew Owen Treacy. Mr Treacy survived after being stabbed multiple times and left for dead. Five men were later jailed for life for the murder. Both homes are located just off the Garryowen Road in a long-established residential area, around a 10-minute walk from Limerick city centre, with nearby amenities including St Johns Hospital, schools, shops and local parks. UP TO 10 gardai responded to a serious altercation in the city centre on Wednesday night. Limerick Live understands one of those involved was a man who was released from prison recently and is well-known to gardai. It is believed that the man had been asked to leave a number of city pubs by staff earlier in the evening. Following a media query from Limerick Live, a garda spokesperson confirmed: Gardai received a report of an alleged incident of assault at a premises in the OConnell Street area of Limerick city on Wednesday, February 25 at approximately 10pm. READ NEXT: Gardai seize firearm and 70k of cocaine close to Limerick-Tipperary border Up to 10 gardai rushed to the scene to intervene and assist the injured party. The extent of injuries suffered by the victim is not known but they are not thought to be life threatening. Investigations are ongoing, said the garda spokesperson. Anybody who witnessed the assault, or has camera footage, and can assist gardai is asked to contact investigating gardai in Henry Street on 061 212400 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111. LIMERICK gardai have hit major criminals in their pockets and taken 1.54m worth of drugs off the streets. Gardai attached to the Limerick Divisional Drug Unit, supported by Regional Units based in Limerick, conducted an intelligence led operation targeting the sale and supply of drugs in Limerick city on Wednesday. A garda spokesperson said gardai stopped a vehicle in the city and conducted a search of it. During the course of the search, gardai discovered suspected cocaine worth an estimated 70,000. The driver of the vehicle, a male, aged in his 20s, was arrested and detained at a Limerick garda station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking Act) 1996, said a garda spokesperson. READ NEXT: Cars absolutely flying on lethal approach roads to County Limerick town Gardai subsequently obtained warrants and searched a second vehicle and a domestic residence. During the course of these searches, gardai uncovered suspected cannabis (35 kilograms) and suspected cocaine (11 kilograms). "The estimated value of these seizures are 700,000 and 770,000. The total value of these three seizures is 1.54 million, said the garda spokesperson. The seized drugs will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis. Investigations are ongoing, concluded the garda spokesperson. This seizure forms part of Operation Tara, an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy launched by the Garda Commissioner in July 2021. Operation Tara aims to disrupt, dismantle, and prosecute drug trafficking networks at all levels international, national, and local involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, and local sale and supply of controlled drugs. TWO houses seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) as part of a case linked to the son of a murdered Limerick crime boss are set to go under the hammer this Thursday, February 26. The properties will be sold via an online auction held by BRG Gibson Auctions commencing at noon. Bidding is due to close at 1.01pm. The proceeds of the sales will be returned to the State. The properties, both in the Garryowen area of Limerick city, were seized by CAB last October after the High Court ruled they were the proceeds of crime. The seizures form part of CABs case against Kieran Keane Junior, the son of Kieran Keane, who was killed in a brutal gangland murder in January 2003. USE THE ARROWS OR 'NEXT' TO BROWSE THROUGH THE FULL GALLERY Mr Keane was shot dead after members of the McCarthy Dundon crime gang abducted him and his nephew Owen Treacy. Mr Treacy survived after being stabbed multiple times and left for dead. Five men were later jailed for life for the murder. READ NEXT: Cars absolutely flying on lethal approach roads to County Limerick town One of the houses now heading for auction is a three-bedroom mid-terrace property at 7 Sarsfield Court, Garryowen, which carries an advised minimum value of 100,000. The two-storey house features a lounge and kitchen-dining area on the ground floor, and three bedrooms and a family bathroom upstairs. Outside, there is off-street parking to the front and an enclosed yard to the rear. Also going under the hammer is 12 The Path, Garryowen, a three-bedroom end-terrace house with an advised minimum value of 120,000. USE THE ARROWS OR 'NEXT' TO BROWSE THROUGH THE FULL GALLERY That property also spans two floors, with living accommodation on the ground floor and three bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs, along with off-street parking and a rear yard. Both homes are located just off the Garryowen Road in a long-established residential area, around a 10-minute walk from Limerick city centre, with nearby amenities including St Johns Hospital, schools, shops and local parks. LIMERICK City and County Council is set to revisit plans to construct a pedestrian footbridge in Kilmallock amid a highly dangerous road in the area. Sinn Fein councillor PJ Carey brought forward a motion on the topic at the February meeting of the Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District. The motion called for the local authority to revisit plans to design and provide costings for a pedestrian footbridge at Gotoon Bridge, Kilmallock. Cllr Carey said that a similar motion had been passed four or five years ago but the councils design for the bridge was opposed by local residents. He continued by saying that a lot of work had gone into the design and it was through no ones fault that the bridge is no safer now. READ NEXT: Call for independent mediator to resolve Limerick mayoral deadlock He highlighted that a footbridge would likely cost hundreds of thousands of euro, so it was important to take the views of local residents on board. Cllr Carey concluded by saying that the situation needs to be revisited because the current bridge used by cars is highly dangerous for pedestrians. The Cathaoirleach, Fine Gael councillor Gregory Conway, described the situation as an emergency because of how busy the road is. He added that local residents are getting very anxious and have been contacting him regarding the issue. Meanwhile, independent councillor Eddie Ryan said that Irish Rail should be the ones funding the bridge, given the bridge crosses over railway tracks. However, he called for the council to take action on the issue and to take time to consider what the community wants. In a written response to the motion, Senior Executive Engineer Diarmuid Sheehy said that the plans for the bridge formed part of a wider scheme. Mr Sheehy stated: This forms part of a larger scheme in relation to public realm design for Kilmallock. The Active Travel department have advised that they will arrange for a full detailed survey to be undertaken on the bridge here to determine if alternative local design solutions can be arrived at in respect of this. A preliminary costing report has been compiled for the installation of a pedestrian bridge at this location. He concluded by saying that a workshop could also be arranged for councillors so that they could discuss the issue with the Active Travel department. At the end of the discussion, Cllr Eddie Ryan again called for Irish Rail to be asked to address the situation. Cllr Carey agreed with this suggestion, saying he wasnt sure Irish Rail was ever asked when the footbridge was first proposed. In response, Patricia Liddy, Director of Transportation, Mobility & Placemaking, said that the council has a good relationship with the railway company. She added that the council would ask Irish Rail if it would be willing to examine the issue. Hundreds of special needs assistants (SNAs), parents and children cheered and chanted outside Leinster House on Wednesday afternoon demanding clarity and certainty from the Government. In an interview earlier in the day, Tanaiste Simon Harris said the Government had got a review of how SNAs were allocated at schools wrong. The review and reallocation of SNAs for the next school year was paused after it sparked a backlash from parents and educators. On Monday night, the Government agreed not to reduce the number of SNAs at any schools from September, but in schools where the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) said more SNAs were needed, they would be allocated. Anne Marie Williams, an SNA from Cabinteely, in South Dublin, was at the demonstration and said she thought this decision was just the Government kicking the can down the street. Her colleague, Marnie Kelly, said they just wanted proper job recognition and job security. The group, from a DEIS secondary school, were carrying banners featuring their students handprints and Ms Williams said: Weve got a lot of kids that stay with us because of SNAs, if not, theyd been gone at 13. If they pull out SNAs, dont support these kids, theyll be on the streets at 13 years of age. Also taking part in the protest was six-year-old Lily, a surviving twin, she was born at 25 weeks and spent 11 weeks in neonatal intensive care with bleeds on the brain. Her mother, Natalie Murphy, described her daughter as Einstein clever but said: This time last year, Lily wouldnt leave the house. She wouldnt come in near a crowd like this. Ms Murphy said Lily only got her own SNA in the last year and was like a different child now. She said: Look at her, shes even saying the chants with us. The thought of Lily losing her SNA was terrifying, Ms Murphy said. Shes only a baby; she needs all help she can get to stay in mainstream school. Close to tears, Ms Murphy said the anxiety caused by the uncertainty of the situation was having a ripple effect on the whole family. Michelle Adebisi, an SNA from Bray, described the Governments handling of the situation as shocking, absolutely shocking. Its really bad, its not fair to take away SNAs from everyone who needs them, she said. She pointed out that it was not just children with care needs who relied on SNAs: Some of them are very vulnerable. Some of them have ADHD and autism, and they just need someone to just give them space, to be with them, to help them get through their day. She was at the event with school service dog Diego, who helps children at the Bray School Project who are experiencing anxiety. A Garda appeal has been launched to find two teenage girls who have gone missing from an island off the coast of Cork. Gardai are seeking the publics assistance in tracing the whereabouts of Feya Mc Carthy (13) and Lena Mc Carthy (15) who were reported missing from Bere Island, Co Cork on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Feya is described as being 5 foot 4 inches in height, with a slim build, blonde hair and blue eyes. Feya has her nose pierced. Lena is described as being 5 foot 3 inches in height, with a slim build, black hair and green eyes. Lena has her ears and nose pierced. Gardai and Feya and Lena's family are concerned for their wellbeing. Anyone with any information on Feya and Lenas whereabouts is asked to contact either Castletownbere Garda Station on 027 70002, Bantry Garda Station on 027 20860, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. READ NEXT: Search stood down for 17-year-old boy missing nearly one month as Gardai issue update Gardai have released photographs of the missing teenagers on social media with the posts being shared far and wide in the hopes of sightings or information resulting in their safe return home to their family in Cork. The posts have received hundreds of shares in the short time since they were published on Wednesday evening. Bere Island is situated 120km miles west of Cork City on the Beara Peninsula in West Cork. It is a two-hour drive from Cork City and is only accessible by ferry. UPDATE: Gardai have confirmed Lena and Feya have both been found safe and well. Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon has asked the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) to encourage protesters in an office to leave while engagements to resolve a dispute take place. The IFA said it has been protesting at Bord Bias offices since January 26, with five people occupying the lobby of the building since February 3. The IFA is also planning a protest outside Mr Heydons constituency office in Newbridge on Saturday afternoon. They are part of several demonstrations organised by the farming organisation in the dispute with Bord Bia, the state agency charged with promoting and enforcing standards in Irish food. Today marks four weeks since we began our protest outside @Bordbia. Five farmers have been in the building since Feb 3rd. Our thanks to @UPMC for dropping in to give each of them a check up. The are fit and raring to go for week five. #DoubleStandards #RestoreConfidence pic.twitter.com/sKDg2QEWuM Irish Farmers' Association (@IFAmedia) February 22, 2026 Bord Bia chairman Larry Murrin has faced calls to step down after revelations that his company Dawn Farm Foods sourced less than 1% of its beef from Brazil last year for contingency planning in a contract. He appeared before a committee earlier this month and said security of supply agreements with major international customers require provisions for food crises, disease outbreaks and supply issues. He said that while his company mostly buys from Irish farmers, he needed to demonstrate that Ireland can import beef from somewhere else as part of contingency planning. He said allegations of a conflict of interest are false and driven by social media. On Thursday, Mr Heydon said Mr Murrin gave a robust and in-depth explanation at committee and had his full confidence. There has been extensive engagement and dialogue in relation to this issue since it was first raised, he said. He listed a meeting with farming groups including the IFA last Friday, and commitments by Bord Bia as a result, including establishing a farmers forum to improve engagement. Furthermore, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will undertake an initiative to enhance understanding of global supply chains for Irish food and drink and an understanding of labelling and food information for the consumer requirement, he said. Following this meeting, feedback has been received from six farming organisations the Irish Farmers Association, Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), Irish Grain Growers Group (IGGG), The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA), Macra na Feirme (MACRA) and Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) in relation to these proposals and work is now under way to advance them. The board of Bord Bia met for a scheduled meeting on Wednesday 18 February. Following the meeting, the IFA submitted a document, consisting of seven strands, requesting that the board of Bord Bia commit to initiate a review process into the various issues that have arisen in recent weeks. Of the seven strands, many relating to the QAS schemes, a significant number can be dealt with by the farmers forum which Bord Bia is establishing on foot of the February 13 meeting commitments. In addition, I am examining the option to commission an expert-led governance review which would cover the other strands of the IFA proposal. I believe an external, independent and expert-led review will be crucial in resolving issues credibly and objectively. There has been detailed direct engagement by my department with the IFA at senior official level to discuss a potential compromise. He said he had spoken to IFA president Francie Gorman in recent days and believes there is a chance for a resolution. This protracted dispute is not in the best interest of the agri-food sector, he said. Last week a written request to cease the protest was sent to the IFA from the board of Bord Bia, the IFA have not stood down the protest. Rather they submitted a document requesting a review process into the various issues that have arisen in recent weeks. Again, many of the points raised by the IFA in that request will be dealt with by the farmers forum which Bord Bia is establishing on foot of the February 13 meeting commitments. The board of Bord Bia will meet again next Monday, 2 March, and they will be consulted on my proposal to establish an independently run governance review to try to move this situation forward. The independent expert-led governance review will objectively assess the matters raised and provide me with recommendations. I propose that after Mondays meeting, the board would not meet again until the review is complete. I ask the IFA to engage with these proposals in good faith, and to encourage the protesters still in the Bord Bia building to leave. In the meantime, 140 staff in Bord Bia remain unable to access their office for their normal work, as a result of the continued occupation of the buildings lobby by IFA protesters. Aravind Srinivas-led Perplexity on Wednesday unveiled Perplexity Computer, a super agent that "unifies every current AI capability into a single system". Despite its old name, 'computer', Perplexity's latest product is cutting-edge and can execute tasks end-to-end. How Perplexity Computer works All the user has to do is describe the end product they desire, and Perplexity Computer does the rest, breaking the assignment into specific tasks and dedicating sub-agents to do the work from start to finish. "Computer is a general-purpose digital worker that operates the same interfaces you do. It is the next evolution of AI. Chat interfaces have answers, while agents can do tasks. Perplexity Computer is a system that creates and executes entire workflows, capable of running for hours or even months," said Perplexity, announcing the product. When executing tasks, Perplexity Computer can also pick the best model for the job, including from competitors' models. It can outsource, say, image generation work to Google Nano Bana or video generation work to Veo 3.1. "Perplexity Computer runs Opus 4.6 for its core reasoning engine and orchestrates sub-agents with the best models for specific tasks: Gemini for deep research (creating sub-agents), Nano Banana for images, Veo 3.1 for video, Grok for speed in lightweight tasks, and ChatGPT 5.2 for long-context recall and wide search," the AI company explained. Perplexity also explained that Computer would be able to adapt, saying that its "model agnostic harness" would allow it to adjust its selection as AI models advance. The company also said that users who want to choose specific models for specific subtasks can do so. "As token budgets become a more common consideration in different roles, users must have choice and control over their best use," the company said, explaining its rationale behind giving users the choice. Why 'Computer'? In its blog post announcing Perplexity Computer, the Aravind Srinivas-led company explained the choice of the name. Perplexity noted that the word "computer" had evolved over time, from humans doing computations to machines doing the same. However, Perplexity said that the word, despite its changing connotations, has always meant the same thing: "autonomous division of complex work, with accuracy as a central underlying necessity." Aravind Srinivas can't keep calm As Perplexity launched Computer, CEO Aravind Srinivas posted a flurry of posts on X, highlighting the features of the new product. "What has Perplexity been up to last two months? We've silently been working on the next big thing: Perplexity Computer. Computer unifies every current capability of AI into a single system. Files, tools, memory, and models, orchestrated together, working for you," Srinivas wrote. Re-sharing posts by other users on Computer's abilities, the Perplexity CEO also highlighted how the product would be a game-changer. One user, Greg Isenberg, shared 10 things that one could achieve with Computer, from monitoring entire industries to creating a rolling portfolio dashboard, a post that was shared by Srinivas. Srinivas also shared a post by another user, who claimed that they had created a real-time data terminal that could compete with the Bloomberg Terminal, that costs $30,000 a year. The Perplexity CEO also shared numerous other posts by users on Computer's capabilities, including one that allows users to Relive nostalgia of the Macintosh. Who can access Perplexity Computer? For now, the Perplexity Computer is available to Perplexity Max subscribers. (Bloomberg) -- The European Unions anti-fraud office has been asked to look into the conduct of Peter Mandelson during his time as the blocs trade chief, after further details of the British politicians links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein came to light. The European Commission, the EUs executive arm, made the request on Feb. 18 given the circumstances, and the significant amount of documents made available publicly, according to a spokesperson. The commission has been assessing whether theres any breach of obligations under the EUs treaties and Code of Conduct, the spokesperson added. Mandelson served as EU Trade Commissioner from 2004 to 2008. Brussels-based OLAFs role is to detect and investigate fraud, corruption, and serious misconduct involving EU funds. The commissions request to look into the Mandelson affair doesnt mean the authority will follow up with a case. A representative of OLAFs press office confirmed receipt of the commissions request and said it was looking into the matter. The request to OLAF was previously reported by the Financial Times. The request by the EUs executive arm comes after UK police arrested the Labour Party grandee on suspicion of misconduct in public office after the US Department of Justice released emails allegedly showing him forwarding government information to Epstein. The police had searched two properties linked to the former ambassador to the US last week as part of a criminal probe, which was spurred by the publication of the email cache more than three weeks ago. Some of those missives allegedly showed Mandelson disclosed potentially market-sensitive information to Epstein while serving as a UK government minister. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Mumbai: Native has acquired a strategic stake in India-focused recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) venture Woven as part of its plan to build an integrated, end-to-end talent solutions platform, the companies said on Thursday. Over the past few years, Native has grown from one of Indias fast-growing executive search firms into a multi-platform talent enterprise. The latest investment marks its entry into the RPO segment, expanding its capabilities beyond leadership hiring into embedded, scalable, and tech-enabled talent-delivery models. Our 2030 Vision has always been clearto build an integrated talent platform that supports enterprises across every stage of leadership and workforce build-out, said Reuben Mistry, Natives group chief executive officer. The RPO segment represents a 5,000 crore+ opportunity in India and is becoming mission-critical for enterprises scaling at speed. With Woven, we are not just entering a new segmentwe are strengthening our operating depth and expanding our ability to serve clients end-to-end. Led by founders Vinod Subramanian and Mithun Shetty with 25 years of collective experience in building and scaling multiple RPO programmes across India, the new venture will operate under the brand Woven. The two have held leadership backgrounds spanning global talent organizations and bring operating expertise in enterprise hiring transformation. Woven will operate independently, with Native providing strategic oversight and enterprise integration support. Woven is designed as a dedicated operating muscle for embedded and scalable hiring, Subramanian said, adding the partnership signals a differentiated capability built for execution depth, process excellence, and long-term client partnerships. Earlier this year, Native launched Northward, focused on retained C-suite and board-level mandates, and introduced AlterNatives to support private equity firms and corporates with advisory and independent board appointments. The structure reflects a broader shift within executive searchfrom transactional hiring to capability-building partnershipsparticularly as companies and investors seek more specialized and flexible leadership solutions. With the stake in Woven, Mistry added that this will result in the creation of a fully integrated talent ecosystem, offering a full stack of solutions spanning board, C-suite retained search, mid- to senior-level hiring, advisors-on-call, fractional and interim engagements, people consulting, and large-scale embedded solutions. Also Read | Ixigo to buy majority stake in Spanish train booking firm Trenes for 125 cr We have not disclosed our targets publicly, but India is prioritized as a Top 6 market for us globally, Anne Mehlman, executive vice-president and brand president for Crocs Inc., told Mint in an interview. India may not be a Top 6 market for us by revenue today, but we believe it will be a Top 6 market for us long-term. It hasall of the factors for an outsize revenue opportunity. Info Edge (India) on Thursday said its board has approved a commitment of up to 250 crore to B8 Fund I, a newly launched alternative investment fund focused on growth-stage technology companies in India. The commitment will be made directly by Info Edge and/or through its wholly owned subsidiaries, in one or more tranches, the company said in an exchange filing. B8 Fund I is a scheme under B8 Trust, registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India as a Category II AIF under the Sebi (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012. The fund was launched on 12 February 2026, and will invest in growth-stage, tech-enabled businesses operating in or primarily focused on India. The capital will be drawn down over the fund's eight-year life, which can be extended by two years with the consent of two-thirds of contributors. The company's wholly owned subsidiary, Smartweb Internet Services Ltd, will act as the fund's sponsor and investment manager, meaning Info Edge retains operational control over how the capital is deployed. As a result of this arrangement, B8 Fund I will be classified as a related party of Info Edge under Sebi's listing regulations. The company has stated that the transaction is on an arm's length basis and that promoters have no personal interest in the fund. The company already operates Info Edge Ventures, a three-fund early-stage vehicle with commitments of 2,300 crore, Capital2B with 280 crore committed across one fund, and Redstart, through which it has deployed 110 crore directly. Also Read | GPU diplomacy: African startups could prefer cheaper Delhi clouds to Big Tech Redstart backs early-stage startups in deeptech and SaaS, with a portfolio that includes robotics firm Unbox Robotics, neurotechnology startup BrainSight AI, drone company Skylark Drones, electric aircraft venture The ePlane Company, and industrial robotics startup CynLr. Its balance-sheet investment programme accounts for an additional 2,000 crore. The fair market value of the total portfolio, spanning balance sheet holdings and all fund vehicles, including capital raised from external limited partners, stood at approximately 48,000 crore as of 31 December 2025. No regulatory approvals are required for the transaction to proceed. NEW DELHI: In a setback for Jindal Poly Films Ltd, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Thursday declined to stay proceedings in Indias first corporate class action lawsuit filed by minority shareholders, alleging fraudulent conduct and siphoning of more than 2,500 crore by the companys promoters and management. The appellate tribunal dismissed the companys appeal challenging a 5 February order of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Delhi bench, which had admitted the class action petition under the Companies Act and issued notice in the matter. NCLT in the impugned order has satisfied itself regarding fulfilment of all requisite pre-conditions under Section 245 read with relevant Rules. Thus, we are not inclined to interfere in the impugned order and hence the appeal is dismissed, the NCLAT judgement noted. In its plea, Jindal Poly sought an urgent stay on the NCLT order, arguing that without interim relief it would be required to send formal communications to nearly 40,000 shareholders, stock exchanges and the market regulator. The company contended that such disclosures could cause irreparable reputational and market harm. 5% shareholders cannot run the companyIf it is not stayedfirst it requires notices to all shareholders and stock exchanges. Listed co 40,000 shareholders, wide in rem ramifications, panic, 31% loss since the proceedings started. Irreparable reputation and market harm, a class action by 5% will lead to what they are apprehending, more loss to co, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Jindal Poly Films argued during hearing. Jindal Poly had also argued that the class action petition was not maintainable and that the provision could not be used as a substitute for other legal remedies requiring higher shareholding thresholds. The company said the issues raised relate to governance concerns that should have been pursued through alternative legal routes, adding that the shareholders had earlier filed a separate case against a group company before another tribunal bench. The NCLAT, however, declined to grant interim relief. With Jindal Poly's stay plea rejected, the NCLT can now proceed to hear the matter on merits and determine whether the minority shareholders allegations are sustainable. Earlier this month, the NCLTs Delhi bench admitted the petition, marking the first time an Indian company tribunal has formally issued notice in a corporate class action under Section 245 of the Companies Act, 2013, nearly a decade after the provision came into force. Also Read | Go First moves NCLT to seek release of aircraft parts from Adani-owned Air Works Minority shareholder allegations The case was initiated in March 2024 by minority shareholders Ankit Jain, Rina Jain and Ruchi Jain Hanasoge, who together hold a 4.99% stake in the company. They allege that more than 2,500 crore was siphoned off through undervalued asset sales and related-party transactions involving promoter-linked entities. According to the plea, Jindal Poly invested about 703.79 crore between 2013 and 2017 in group power companiesJindal Powertech and Jindal India Thermal Powerthrough 0% preference shares. In FY21, these companies secured debt waivers totalling over 7,000 crore, improving their valuations. The shareholders allege that Jindal Poly later sold its stake at deeply undervalued prices to promoter-linked entities, resulting in losses exceeding 2,500 crore to public investors. The loss caused to the company by the sale of OCPS (Optionally Convertible Preference Shares) and RPS (Redeemable Preference Shares) is estimated at 2,518.45 crore ( 2,268.03 crore plus 250.42 crore), with the corresponding benefit accruing to the promoter entities, the petition said. Mint had earlier seen a copy of the petition. Section 245 of the Companies Act allows a group of shareholders to file a single case before the NCLT if they believe a company is acting unfairly or causing loss to investors. In a listed company, shareholders holding at least a 2% stake can jointly seek action for fraud, mismanagement or wrongful conduct. The provision was introduced in 2013 following the Satyam scandal, based on recommendations of the J.J. Irani Committee, to strengthen minority shareholder protection. Why NCLAT upheld the admission The NCLAT refused to interfere with the NCLTs order, observing that the legal requirements for admitting the class action were properly met. The petitioners hold a 4.99% stake, above the 2% minimum required for listed companies. The tribunal found there was sufficient initial material to form a prima facie view that the companys affairs may have harmed minority shareholders. It also accepted that the shareholders acted in good faith, having sought clarifications and an independent review before filing the petition. Importantly, the tribunal clarified that past transactions can also be examined and that shareholders may seek relief for the benefit of the company. This is the first time a corporate class action has survived the initial stay challenge and moved forward post-admission. Historically, most Section 245 petitions have either been dismissed at admission or quietly settled; this order signals that class actions are no longer merely theoretical. For minority shareholders (and activist funds), the decision materially strengthens leverage: once notice is issued, said Sindhuja Kashyap, partner, King Stubb & Kasiva. The ruling is only the first step towards a long march. While it gives autonomy to shareholders, the judgment also shoulders responsibilities on shareholders, who otherwise must remain vigilant and take part in the affairs of the company, remarked Pranav Charan, associate partner at Indialaw LLP. Company response Responding to the development, the company said the appellate tribunals order does not affect the merits of the case. Jindal Poly reiterates that all business decisions were taken under commercial wisdom with necessary approvals as required under applicable laws. This decision does not impose any findings on the allegations made in the petition. The company is reviewing the order and shall decide on the next steps accordingly, a spokesperson for Jindal Poly Films Ltd said in a statement. Power for the data centre will initially be delivered in December this year and ramped up to the full 83MW as more of the data centre goes online. Our first building in Navi Mumbai was ready towards the end of last year. The next one will be ready for service by Q4 this (calendar) year, with the third one starting operations by Q3 in the next year, said Digital Edge group chief executive John Freeman. On Monday, WhatsApp told the Supreme Court it would comply with directions requiring it to give users greater control over the data they share with other Meta entities such as Facebook and Instagram, ending a years-long battle with the Competition Commission of India over its controversial privacy policy update in 2021. The update, which required WhatsApp users to consent to having their data shared with Meta for advertising and non-advertising purposes, quickly drew the attention of the competition watchdog, leading to a landmark case that raised questions about dominance, consent and user choice in Indias wider digital economy. Heres why Meta backed down this week, and what it means for Big Tech accountability in India. What sparked the issue? In 2021, Meta released a controversial update to its privacy policy for WhatsApp, requiring users to accept new terms including expanded data collection and mandatory data sharing with Meta companies if they wished to continue using the platform. This triggered a backlash worldwide, but especially in India, WhatsApps largest market. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) soon ordered a probe, saying the policy update may constitute an abuse of WhatsApps dominant position in instant messaging. WhatsApp challenged the probe, arguing that privacy matters were already being deliberated by constitutional courts and remained beyond the jurisdiction of competition law. The case eventually reached the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court, which allowed the CCIs investigation to proceed, holding that competition concerns could be examined independently of parallel privacy proceedings. Also Read | WhatsApp chats rarely hold as evidence in income tax cases, say tribunals What did the CCI probe conclude? Following a detailed investigation by its investigative arm, the CCI passed its final order against WhatsApp and Meta in November 2024. It concluded that WhatsApp had abused its dominant position by effectively making data-sharing mandatory and curbing user choice. It imposed a combined fine of more than 200 crore on WhatsApp and Meta, and directed the company to cease collecting data for advertising purposes. This is one of the significant competition rulings against a global technology platform in India. How did Meta respond? WhatsApp and Meta challenged the ruling before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), seeking relief from both the CCIs fine and behavioural remedies. The appellate tribunal granted the company limited interim relief but did not stay the core directions requiring changes to data-sharing practices. During hearings earlier this month, the Supreme Court criticised Meta and WhatsApp, saying they could not play with the right to privacy of citizens in the name of data sharing. Facing regulatory pressure and several ongoing proceedings, WhatsApp has now agreed to fully comply with the technical directions, even as it continues to fight the "abuse of dominance" label and the associated fine in court. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Meta, told the Supreme Court the company would implement the CCI directions by 16 March. Also Read | WhatsApp chats rarely hold as evidence in income tax cases, say tribunals Why has Meta backed down now? India is WhatsApps largest market. According to World Population Review, the platform had about 1.2 billion monthly users worldwide and roughly 854 million in India in 2024, up sharply from 487.5 million in 2021. Statista estimates WhatsApps total user base grew to 3.3 billion in 2025. While updated India-specific user figures are unavailable, web traffic data highlights the countrys importance. In November 2025, about 14.5% of WhatsApps 3.6 billion visits came from India, second only to Brazil, according to data from SimilarWeb cited by Demand Sage, a data reporting and analytics solutions provider. For Meta Platforms, risking a prolonged confrontation with the CCI and inviting broader scrutiny under Indias tightening digital regulations would mean jeopardising a critical growth market. Compliance ensures stability in a market that is simply too large to alienate. What does this mean for India and Indian WhatsApp users? The case reinforces CCIs authority over Big Tech and sets an important precedent for global technology companies in India, signalling that Big Tech can no longer leverage user data as an anti-competitive shield. It also strengthens user privacy indirectly, through competition law, by allowing Indian users to choose whether or not they wish to share their WhatsApp data with other Meta-owned entities such as Facebook and Instagram. Also Read | How a passengers complaint triggered a national antitrust probe into IndiGo "We have to match the prices of other manufacturers in the world. In India, we have reached a certain economy of scale as far as module manufacturing is concerned. And I am hopeful that in the next couple of years our manufacturers should be in a position to supply larger quantities to the outside world, he said. The Indian food processing sector accounts for 13% of the country's manufacturing gross value added. Its market is expected to grow to $535 billion by the end of 2025-26, according to the India Brand Equity Foundation, an organization registered under the commerce ministry. The sector is projected to expand to $700 billion by 2030 and $2.15 trillion by 2047. New Delhi: India is opening its massive railway network to the countrys startup ecosystem, offering to fund up to half of the development costs for new technologies in a bid to modernize the worlds most populous nations primary transport system. The Indian Railways on Thursday unveiled the third and fourth sets of measures under the governments 52 reforms in 52 weeks programme, launching a new Rail Tech Policy to promote innovation and announcing complete digitization of the Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT) to speed up case disposal. The latest measures are part of what Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described as a Reforms Express aimed at structural transformation of the national transporter this year. Announcing the reforms, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the Rail Tech Policy seeks to build a robust technology ecosystem for the railways by encouraging startups, innovators, industry and academic institutions to develop solutions across safety, security, asset maintenance and grievance redressal. Also Read | Barrier-free tolling runs into a Chinese security bump Under the policy, the railways will fund up to 50% of the project costs proposed by startups. If a project proves successful, the national transporter will place orders for a substantial period to enable scaling up of the technology, Vaishnaw said. The policy also proposes a simplified process for selecting innovators and creating a dedicated Rail Tech Portal to anchor innovation efforts. Innovation challenges can be initiated either by innovators or by departmental users within the railways, creating a two-way channel for problem-solving. The objective is to create a strong startup ecosystem aligned with the operational needs of the railways, Vaishnaw said, adding that the initiative would help accelerate adoption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence-based applications. In parallel, the railways launched the electronic Railway Claims Tribunal (e-RCT) programme, aimed at fully digitizing the tribunal's operations within 12 months. The reform is intended to fast-track settlements, reduce pendency and improve transparency. Digitizing justice The RCT handles compensation claims arising from railway accidents, untoward incidents, and other passenger-related grievances. According to the minister, the number of pending cases has already declined from about 34,000 a few years ago to around 9,500, reflecting a 60-70% reduction in pendency. The e-RCT will connect all 23 benches of the tribunal digitally across the country and enable litigants to file cases electronically from anywhere, with round-the-clock access. The digital platform will have three modules. The first is an e-filing system that will allow 24/7 online submission of claims. The second is a Case Information System (CIS), which will serve as a centralized digital database tracking a case from filing to final judgment, including hearings, evidence submissions and adjournments. The third is a Document Management System (DMS), a central repository of all case-related documents, orders and judgments. Officials said the system will provide automatic alerts and notifications to users, enable real-time case monitoring and introduce automated document handling. Artificial intelligence tools will be used to assist in case processing and generate insights for benches, with the aim of speeding up resolution. Vaishnaw described the e-RCT as a citizen-centric reform designed to modernize the tribunals functioning and improve accessibility for claimants, particularly those located far from tribunal benches. If the model is successful, it can be replicated by other tribunals, including the Central Administrative Tribunal, he said. The third and fourth rounds of reforms follow two earlier measures announced under the programmea long-term, end-to-end cleaning initiative across the rail network and a revamp of Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals to improve freight handling efficiency. With the latest announcements, the railways is attempting to combine operational reforms with technology-led interventions, even as it pushes for faster project execution and improved passenger services as part of its broader modernization agenda. It's been over a week since veteran screenwriter Salim Khan was hospitalised in Mumbai. Khan, who is also the father of superstar Salman Khan, suffered a haemorrhage and was put on ventilator support. Sharing his health update, Salman Khan's co-star Daisy Shah said that Salim Khan is out of danger. Salim Khan out of danger Talking to Filmygyan, Daisy Shah said, I couldnt meet Salim sir, but I am constantly in touch with Salman sir and his family. Salim sir is fine now. He is stable. The surgery went well; it was a success, and he is under observation. But he is out of danger. He was rushed to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital after his health deteriorated. He is currently recuperating in the ICU, as shared by Aamir Khan. Aamir Khan on Salim Khan Aamir Khan, who was among the many to visit the hospital, shared that he could not meet Salim Khan as he was in the ICU. "I went to meet Salim Sahab, and we are all praying that he recovers soon. Since he is in the ICU, I couldn't meet him personally, but I sat with the family. Alvira ji tells me every day that his health is improving. We are all praying that he returns home soon and that his health fully recovers," the actor told reporters on Wednesday evening. Aamir Khan was with his girlfriend, Gauri Spratt, during the visit. Besides Aamir, Sanjay Dutt, Javed Akhtar and Shah Rukh Khan were among the others to visit Khan and his family in the hospital. Also Read | Shah Rukh Khan departs from Lilavati Hospital after meeting Salim Khan What happened to Salim Khan Dr Jalil D Parkar, who has been treating Salim Khan with others, updated the media last week that the screenwriter suffered a brain haemorrhage. He clarified that no surgery was performed. "There was no surgery performed. It was a procedure which we usually do. Yes, he had a brain haemorrhage, which was very minimal, which did not require any surgical intervention." "There was no need for any surgery," he added. "His blood pressure was high for which we treated him and we had to put him on a ventilator because we wanted to do certain investigations. Now the ventilator was put as a safeguard so that his situation doesn't get worse. So it is not that he is critical," he also said. We did the investigations that were required and today we have done a small procedure on him, I will not go into the details. The procedure done is called DSA (digital subtraction angiography). The procedure has been accomplished, he is fine and stable and shifted back to ICU. By tomorrow, we hope to get him off the ventilator. All in all, he is doing quite well. Also Read | Salman Khan rushes as dad Salim Khan admitted to Mumbai's Lilavati hospital Since then, doctors have refrained from sharing any further statements about Salim Khan's health to maintain the privacy of the family. The Khan family has not yet issued a statement. The most straightforward aim would be to use the threat of force to push Iran into a deal that restrains its nuclear ambitions. That has been a focus of American diplomacy for two decades. Even when Mr Trump abandoned the 2015 agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), he did not scorn the idea of a deal with Iran; his goal, he said, was to negotiate a better one. That objective only became more urgent in the years that followed. By last spring the Islamic republic had enriched more than 400kg of uranium to near-weapons-grade, enough to make ten bombs if refined a bit further. This administration has done everything that they could do at the administrative level, Mike Sommers, the president of the American Petroleum Institute, the U.S. industrys largest trade group, said last week at an energy conference in Houston. If you think that permanent reform is hard to get done now, just wait until the Democrats control the United States House of Representatives. The F-22 deployment is the product of two developments: the growing cooperation between the United States and Israel, and the refusal of so many countries to allow the U.S. to use their bases, said Elliott Abrams, who held senior positions in several Republican administrations and has been a strong supporter of Israel. I have to wonder if, over time, Americans will wonder why we have bases in countries that dont cooperate when we ask. Kim seeks U.S. recognition as a nuclear state because doing so would allow North Korea to justify keeping its weapons rather than being seen as a rogue state for possessing them. In his Wednesday speech, Kim said if his nations nuclear program were respected he saw no reason why U.S. relations would be strained, referring to a peaceful coexistence. Absent that, he added, would invite eternal confrontation. Many companies are getting significantly different guidance on whether they have to file lawsuits in the trade court in order to secure their refunds. Some advisers are telling their clients to sit tight for now, and that there is no need to file lawsuits before their bill is finalized. Meanwhile, some law firms are now positioning themselves to bring numerous challenges. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said that he expects his department to take in about the same amount of tariff revenue in 2026 as before, with the help of new tariffs Trump has imposed since the Supreme Court ruling, though other estimates say revenues might drop depending on how long the new tariffs are in place. Baids experience was mirrored by Himanshu Raj. The 39-year-old said he woke up on Tuesday morning to a barrage of messages saying that transactions on his BookMyForex card were being declined, while others were being approved. All of these said that the card was used in Brazil, even as the physical card lay with Raj. In three transactions, the Gurugram-based PR consultant lost $370 or over 33,000 from his forex card. However, mid-level IT executives said there was still ambiguity over the new technology's use and impact. We dont know what AIs impact will be. We might enter into partnerships with every hyperscaler and AI company in the world, but that is of no use if our clients do not have up-to-date technology to embed this AI. Currently, conversations revolve only around productivity as clients want to bill fewer people, said an executive at one of the countrys five largest IT services firms, on the condition of anonymity. (Updates at market close) * TSX ends up 1.1% at 34,501.96 * TD Bank and CIBC shares rise after earnings beats * Materials group adds 2.1% as gold rises * Industrials gain 2% By Fergal Smith TORONTO, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index rose to another record high on Thursday as gold prices edged up and banks reported stronger-than-expected earnings. The S&P/TSX composite index ended up 374.63 points, or 1.1%, at 34,501.96, eclipsing the record closing high it posted on Wednesday. "The TSX has been able to grind higher on the back of materials for the most part and banks," said Allan Small, senior investment advisor of the Allan Small Financial Group with iA Private Wealth. "Bank stocks continue to knock the lights out." Canada's six biggest banks exceeded profit forecasts this week in results boosted by wealth management and fee-based income, underlining the resilience of the country's economy to the impact of U.S. tariffs and broader policy uncertainty. The banks included Royal Bank of Canada, TD Bank and CIBC, which reported on Thursday. Shares of RBC lost 2.1%, while TD and CIBC gained 1.6% and 2.9% respectively. Heavily weighted financials added 0.4% and the materials sector, which includes metal mining shares, was up 2.1%. The sector has gained roughly 31% since the start of the year after nearly doubling in 2025. Canada is negotiating with the United States to remove tariffs on some critical sectors, and a deal could be wrapped into bilateral pacts alongside a review of the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, a Canadian senior minister said. The price of gold was up 0.5% as investors weighed the outcome of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva. Shares of energy infrastructure company Enerflex Ltd jumped 17.7% after the company reported quarterly results. Energy added 0.8% and industrials were up 2%. India's efforts to improve its airport infrastructure will give Bombardier a chance to boost sales of business jets there, chief executive officer Eric Martel said. Shares of Bombardier ended 1.6% higher. Gold, silver rates today: After regaining strength the day before on renewed buying interest, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and the potential impact of US tariffs on global trade, gold and silver rates today saw a marginal downturn. Spot gold rate today fell nearly 0.48% to $5,201 per ounce. Meanwhile, spot silver prices slid around 2% to $89.5 per ounce during Asian trading hours on Thursday. What's driving gold and silver prices? The US imposed sanctions on more than 30 entities linked to Iranian oil and weapons trade, intensifying pressure on Iran ahead of a fresh round of nuclear talks set to take place later on Thursday in Geneva. The upcoming negotiations over Tehrans nuclear programme come amid a continued US military buildup in the region, with President Donald Trump warning of serious consequences if Iran does not agree to a deal. Separately, the Trump administration moved forward with efforts to safeguard the presidents tariff agenda, adding to tensions with global trading partners. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Trump would sign a directive to raise the global tariff rate to 15% where appropriate. Meanwhile, the US dollar index slipped below 97.8, surrendering some of the previous sessions gains and making commodities priced in the greenback more appealing to overseas buyers. Gold and silver prices outlook According to Ross Maxwell, Global Strategy Operations Lead, VT Markets, the dip in Gold this week reflects the market trying to balance macro headwinds and safe-haven demand. A stronger USD and near-term profit taking can cap short-term upside. However, structural drivers remain supportive. If US yields stabilise rather than surge, gold can regain momentum and comfortably regain above $5,200 again, particularly if there are any other events that create risk-off sentiment. The most recent dip looks more like consolidation than a trend reversal, Maxwell said. Meanwhile, on the technical outlook of gold prices, Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, said that the broader uptrend remains intact, with the current sideways phase reflecting a healthy pause following earlier volatility and profit booking. Prices continue to hold above key moving averages and are gradually edging higher, indicating strengthening momentum. Also Read | Gold rate climbs on MCX on increased geopolitical uncertainties, weaker dollar COMEX Gold is trading in the $5,100$5,300 zone after consolidating in recent sessions. Strong buying interest remains visible in the $4,850$5,000 support band. A sustained breakout above $5,500$5,600 could pave the way toward fresh record highs, Ponmudi said. On the silver prices outlook, Ponmudi added that the broader bullish structure remains intact on higher timeframes. Prices have reclaimed major moving averages, signalling a shift from correction toward potential renewed strength. COMEX Silver is trading near $85$90 after correcting from record highs above $121. Strong buying interest is evident in the $70$75 support zone. A sustained recovery above $92$96 could reignite momentum toward $100$105 and potentially retest previous highs. The medium- to long-term outlook remains constructive, supported by industrial demand and structural supply constraints despite near-term volatility, Currently, resident Indians can sell their shares in a company listed on GIFT City exchanges only through an offer for sale (OFS) either at the time of an initial public offering, or after the IPO. Unlike in mainland exchanges, they are barred from selling in the secondary market; if they want to sell, they must participate in another OFS, a time-consuming process for smaller shareholders. Foreign exchange rules designed to prevent round-tripping of funds treat GIFT IFSC as an offshore jurisdiction, effectively barring resident Indians from the "permissible holder" status required to trade on its exchanges. The National Stock Exchange of India Ltd (NSE) has formally requested proposals from investment banks to manage its initial public offering, according to two people familiar with the matter. The exchange plans to select advisers before April, one of the above mentioned people said, asking not to be identified as the information is private. The company might see a 4-4.5% stake sale, which might take up to eight months, chief executive officer Ashishkumar Chauhan had told reporters earlier this month. Both people quoted above said that the process is still in early stages and the timelines and details can change going ahead. This marks the latest development in the country's largest stock exchange's efforts to list on the bourses after a prolonged delay. "Pursuant to the NOC issued by Sebi, the board approved an initial public offering of the company through an offer for sale on 6 February 2026. No further comments at this stage," an NSE spokesperson said over email when Mint reached out for comments. The move to issue a formal request for proposal follows the 30 January "no-objection" notification from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), which ended a regulatory delay that had lasted nearly a decade. The NSE board approved the listing plan on 6 February, appointing a committee led by Life Insurance Corp. of India's (LIC) former managing director, Tablesh Pandey. Pandey currently serves as a non-independent director on the exchange's board. Pandey, who retired as LIC's managing director effective 31 May 2025, is also a director of ITC Hotels Ltd. India's largest life insurer is the single-largest shareholder with a 10.7% stake as of December-end. Other members of the committee include NSE's newly-appointed chairperson, Srinivas Injeti; public interest directors Mamata Biswal, Abhilasha Kumari, and G. Sivakumar; and CEO Chauhan. Such a panel is mandatory for companies without promoters looking to go public. The offer will see stake sale by existing shareholders, the company had said then. NSE's proposed IPO will see shares carry a face value of 1 each, the exchange had notified. NSE had then appointed Rothschild & Co. to advise the exchange on the IPO process The exchange's third-quarter profit rose 15% sequentially to 2,409 crore, while its revenue from operations increased 7% to 3,925 crore. NSE's operating income, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda), almost doubled to 2,851 crore, while its margin widened to 73% from the September quarter's 40%. Also Read | NSE brokers' forum seeks deferment of new prop trading norms By Georgina McCartney HOUSTON, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Oil prices were little changed in choppy trade on Thursday as investors tracked developments in talks between the U.S. and Iran over the OPEC member's nuclear program, weighing potential supply concerns if hostilities escalate. Brent crude futures were up 28 cents, or 0.4%, at $71.13 a barrel by 1:54 p.m. EDT. WTI futures rose 13 cents or 0.2% to $65.55. The U.S. and Iran held indirect talks in Geneva on Thursday over their long-running nuclear dispute to avert a conflict after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a huge military build-up in the region. Oil prices had gained over a dollar a barrel after media reports indicated the talks had stalled over Washington's insistence on zero enrichment of uranium by Iran, as well as a demand for the delivery of all 60% enriched uranium to Washington. However, benchmarks gave up much of the gains after Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi said significant progress had been made in Thursday's meeting. "We will resume soon after consultation in the respective capitals. Discussions on a technical level will take place next week in Vienna," Albusaidi posted on social media site X. Traders said the U.S.-Iran talks are likely to remain the focal point for oil markets over the coming sessions. Any signs of breakdowns in the talks will raise concerns of Middle East supply disruptions and push prices higher, while signs of progress will lead to selloffs, one trader said. U.S. CRUDE STOCKS JUMP, CURBING PRICE GAINS U.S. crude inventories rose by 16 million barrels last week, Energy Information Administration data showed on Wednesday. [EIA/S] Also on the supply side, Saudi Arabia is boosting oil production and exports in a contingency plan should any U.S. strike on Iran disrupt supplies from the Middle East, two sources familiar with the plan said on Wednesday. OPEC , which groups members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia, is likely to consider raising oil output by 137,000 barrels per day in April, three sources with knowledge of OPEC thinking said as the group prepares for peak summer demand while prices remain strong. Brent rose on Monday to its highest since July 31 as Washington positioned military forces in the Middle East in its bid to press Iran to negotiate ending its nuclear and ballistic missile programme. An extended conflict could disrupt supplies from Iran, OPEC's third-biggest crude producer, and other Middle East exporters. "A constructive resolution would likely prompt the market to gradually unwind as much as a $10 per barrel risk premium," ING analysts said in a note. India-Israel deal: Israel's defence company Elbit Systems' stock price surged 2.5% to 2,35,490 ILA in Thursday's trading session, on India-Israel defence deal buzz. The stock rallied despite the Tel Aviv index falling by over 1.16% on February 26. The defence PSU stock has delivered positive gains of over 2.3% in the past five sessions and 4.5% in a month. Zooming out further, the stock has delivered multibagger returns of 440% over the past 5 years. What's behind the rally? The rally in the Elbit Systems shares came ahead of India and Israel signing a new defence deal. According to The Times of India report, the deal between both countries is expected to involve agreements in the offensive weapons segment, covering Rafael Advanced Defence Systems SPICE 1000 guidance kits, Elbit Systems Rampage air-to-ground missiles, Ice Breaker naval cruise missiles, and Israel Aerospace Industries supersonic Air LORA missiles. However, the defence company has remained tight-lipped about any such deal. Rampage air-to-surface missiles, produced by Elbit Systems, have an operational range of roughly 250 kilometers and are deployed by the Indian Air Force on Sukhoi-30 and MiG-29 fighter aircraft. With an effective strike range of about 150250 kilometers and high precision, the system is designed to help India safeguard its fighter jets from air defense systems operated by Pakistan, many of which are supplied by China, according to the report. On Wednesday, the company said it has secured a three-year contract worth $277 million from an international client to supply UT30 MK2 turrets along with ammunition, according to reports. The UT30 MK2 is equipped with a range of weapon systems, including a 30-millimetre (mm) primary cannon, a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun, and anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). Bezhalel Machlis, CEO of Elbit Systems, said the deal highlights strong confidence in the companys advanced land systems and munitions technologies, while also demonstrating its capability to deliver high-performance, operational solutions to armed forces globally. The turret agreement follows the companys announcement on Tuesday that it had secured several contracts worth $435 million from an international client. Under the six-year deals, it will supply a range of advanced systems, including land-based solutions, and undertake the development of an innovative defence program. About the India-Israel deal According to the report, the India-Israel deal is likely to emphasise the transfer of technology for highly advanced weapons systems, some of which Israel has not offered to any other country so far. TOI report further noted that the latest defence cooperation between India and Israel, formalised through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), is likely to focus on two key areas: partnerships in defensive systems and collaboration on offensive weaponry, according to Israeli media sources. India has remained the largest defence customer of Israel for several years, accounting for 34% of its total arms sales between 2020 and 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Data from the Ministry of Defense International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT) indicates that Israels arms exports to India during this period were valued at roughly $20.5 billion. However, recent trends suggest that Israeli defence sales to India continue to rise further. Most traded stocks today: The Indian stock market witnessed bouts of volatility in intraday trade on Thursday, February 26, amid mixed global cues. The Sensex rose by over 300 points during the morning session but failed to hold on to those gains, dropping nearly 150 points in intraday trade. The Nifty 50 touched an intraday high and low of 25,573 and 25,447, respectively. The domestic market is not able to sustain gains and has been witnessing "sell-on-rise" and "buy-on-dips" trends lately. The positive factor for the market is the return of foreign institutional investors (FIIs) after seven months. FIIs have bought Indian stocks worth 4,361 crore in the cash segment in February so far. Meanwhile, Vodafone Idea, IDFC First Bank, Tata Silver Exchange Traded Fund, YES Bank, Eternal, Filatex Fashions, Easy Trip Planners, Ola Electric Mobility, Tata Gold Exchange Traded Fund, Nippon India Silver ETF, and Tejas Networks were the most traded stocks, or most active stocks in terms of volume, on the NSE around 12:30 pm. Vishal Mega Mart, Suzlon Energy, Bank of Maharashtra, Jai Balaji Industries, GTL Infrastructure, Renaissance Global, Jyoti Structures, DEE Development Engineers, and Canara Bank were also among the most traded stocks on the NSE. Also Read | Stocks to buy for short term: Amol Athawale of Kotak Sec suggests 3 shares Some top top most traded stocks today Vodafone Idea: Nearly 28 crore shares of the company had changed hands by 12:30 pm, as the stock jumped 4% in intraday trade on the NSE, looking set to snap its five-day losing streak. On a monthly scale, in February, the stock has declined 2.5% on profit booking after rising for the last five consecutive months. IDFC First Bank: Over 7 crore shares of the company had changed hands by 12:30 pm, as the banking stock jumped almost 4% during the session. The stock has seen strong volatility this week after reporting a fraud of 590 crore at its Chandigarh branch. Meanwhile, the bank said it had paid 100% of the principal and interest to the relevant departments of the Haryana Government as claimed, which works out to a net amount of 583 crore. YES Bank: Over 5 crore shares of the company had changed hands. The banking stock rose by 2.5% in intraday trade on Thursday, looking set to snap its three-day losing streak. In an exchange filing on February 25, the bank said it had taken stringent measures to safeguard the impacted multi-currency prepaid forex card. These fraudulent transactions were carried out on 15 merchants that are based in Latin American countries, in the early hours of February 24, 2026, between 3:30 AM and 8:30 AM (IST). Eternal: Nearly 5 crore shares of the company changed hands as the stock declined over 1% during the session, looking set to extend losses to the eighth consecutive session. The stock is down nearly 9% in February so far, and is on course to end lower for the fifth consecutive month. Filatex Fashions: Over 4 crore shares of the company changed hands by 12:30 pm as the stock rose by 4.5% on the NSE. On a monthly scale, the stock has crashed 21% in February after a 7% rise in January. Read all market-related news here Read more stories by Nishant Kumar India-Israel defence deal: Defence stocks extended their rally for the second consecutive session, rising nearly 4% on Thursday, February 26. The Nifty Defence India index was trading 1.07% higher, amid strong investor interest ahead of the India-Israel defence deal. Astra Microwave Products' share price led the gains, rising more than 4.25% to 8,181.80, followed by Data Patterns, which advanced 3.70%. Unimech Aerospace and Manufacturing Limited and Solar Industries shares were also trading about 3% higher on Thursday. Other defence stocks, including Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), gained around 1.5%, while Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Paras Defence and Space Technologies also traded in positive territory. The rally in stocks comes as investors await the announcement of a new defence deal between India and Israel. PM Narendra Modi departed for Israel on a two-day state visit on February 25. This is his first trip to the country since 2017, when he became the first Indian Prime Minister to undertake a standalone visit there. What do we know so far about the India-Israel deal? As per media reports, unlike previous agreements, the focus this time will not be merely on buying new weapons, and there is unlikely to be any direct arms purchase. Instead, the focus is on the transfer of technology for highly advanced weapons systems, some of which Israel has not offered to any other nation so far, according to a report by the Times of India. In today's uncertain world, a strong defence partnership between trusted partners like India and Israel is of vital importance," Modi said during his address to the Israeli Parliament, Knesset. A key pillar of this expanding partnership is missile defence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Mission Sudarshan Chakra during his Independence Day address, outlining a roadmap to develop a robust, multi-layered missile defence shield for the country. The TOI report further revealed that the latest defence cooperation between India and Israel, formalised through an MoU, is likely to have two key aspects: partnerships in defensive systems and collaboration on offensive weaponry, according to Israeli media reports. On the defensive front, potential agreements are likely to centre around systems developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, as well as solutions from Rafael Advanced Defence Systems and Elbit Systems, the report said. However, the companies involved have not disclosed details regarding the proposed deals. Is it the right time to invest in defence stocks? With Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Israel drawing attention, the markets defence theme has returned to the spotlight reflecting strategic messaging overseas and stronger order book visibility domestically, said Jickson Sajee, Research Analyst at INVasset PMS. He added that IndiaIsrael relations have historically been rooted in defence cooperation, covering areas such as missiles, UAVs, and surveillance technologies, and the visit highlights continued momentum in that partnership. According to Seema Srivastava, Senior Research Analyst at SMC Global Securities, Indias defence sector continues to offer compelling long-term prospects, underpinned by strong government focus on indigenisation, rising budget allocations, and a steady pipeline of modernisation projects across air, land, and naval platforms. From a sectoral perspective, the defence industry is transitioning from sporadic order flows to more predictable, program-driven execution, which favours companies with scale, diversified offerings, and proven delivery track records, Srivastava said. Also Read | Osho Krishan of Angel One recommends these 2 stocks to buy in the near-term Top defence stocks to buy Srivastava of SMC Global Securities, believes that HAL and BEL stand out as structural beneficiaries. HAL and BEL HALs consistent revenue growth and margin expansion reflect its robust execution capabilities and leadership in aircraft manufacturing, while BELs diversified portfolio across radars, communication systems, and electronic warfare ensures resilience and scalability. Both companies enjoy healthy order books, which provide multi-year visibility and align well with Indias push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing, she noted. Mazagon Dock Mazagon Dock, despite near-term revenue softness, remains strategically important given its role in naval shipbuilding and submarine projects. Its strong order book and execution of critical Indian Navy programs position it as a long-term play on maritime defence. BDL BDL faces execution challenges and high dependence on lumpy missile orders, which weigh on its near-term attractiveness. While its valuation appears inexpensive, sustained improvement in order inflows and operational efficiency will be key to unlocking value. Peter Lynch typically invested in stocks with a PEG less than 1.2. He preferred a PEG less than 1. According to him a PEG less than 1 was ideal because he was paying only for an increase in the companys growth rate and not the current growth rate. PSU stock Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) share price advanced around a percent on Thursday, February 26 as retail portion of its offer for sale (OFS) is scheduled to open today. This means individual investors will be able to place their bids on the stock today. The stock advanced as much 0.7% to its day's high of 105.30. The IRFC OFS by the Indian govt did not receive full participation from institutional investors on Wednesday, February 25. Institutional bidders placed offers for around 22.34 crore IRFC shares, accounting for 94.98% of the more than 23.52 crore shares set aside for them under the OFS. Based on the indicative price of 104.12 per share, these bids translated into a value of roughly 2,326 crore. The floor price for the offer has been fixed at 104 per share. Meanwhile, on the equity front, the government chose not to exercise the oversubscription option in the ongoing OFS. In an exchange filing on Wednesday, Indian Railway Finance Corporation Ltd said the promoter had initially planned a base offer to sell up to 261,370,120 equity shares, representing a 2% stake, along with a greenshoe option to offload an additional 2%. However, the oversubscription option will not be utilised. Following the proposed divestment, the government continues to hold a substantial 86.36% stake in the railway sector financing company. IRFC Fundraise Separately, in a post-market exchange filing on Wednesday, IRFC announced that it has signed a loan agreement to raise funds equivalent to $400 million in Japanese yen. The borrowing will be undertaken through the External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) route. The five-year loan is unsecured and benchmarked to the Tokyo Overnight Average Rate (TONAR). The company also said it has partnered with a banking consortium comprising the GIFT City branches of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and MUFG Bank for the transaction. This fundraise follows a similar move in December 2025, when IRFC had successfully raised Japanese yen equivalent to a $300 million facility, the company added. Meanwhile, the firm posted a record net profit of 1,802 crore in the December quarter, while its Assets Under Management climbed to 4.75 lakh crore. The company is also undergoing a strategic transformation under its IRFC 2.0 roadmap, which seeks to move beyond the traditional single-client structure centred on the Ministry of Railways to a multi-client model, covering the wider railway ecosystem and allied infrastructure sectors. If the wording says collateral of cash or cash equivalent, unless specified anywhere else, I would be very surprised if a bank could include SBLC, said a senior private sector banker on condition of anonymity. The concept of an SBLC is not accepted across the board... There are some SBLCs which are allowed by RBI for certain clients of the bank. My sense is that RBI is unlikely to allow an SBLC in for a prop trader. Stock market today: The domestic benchmark indices reversed early gains and entered negative territory after noon on Thursday due to profit booking and weak global signals. The Sensex increased by 303.09 points or 0.36%, reaching an intraday peak of 82,579.16 in the morning session. The broader Nifty 50 rose by 90.45 points or 0.35% to hit 25,572.95. The initial uptick was driven by IT stocks following strong earnings from Nvidia. Nonetheless, the indices began to lose their gains later on. As of approximately 13:18 IST, the Sensex was down by 281.81 points or 0.34 % at 81,994.26, while the Nifty 50 fell by 62 points or 0.25% to 25,420.95. Also Read | Osho Krishan of Angel One recommends these 2 stocks to buy in the near-term According to analysts, a significant factor impacting sentiment was the increase in crude oil prices, which lingered around a seven-month peak due to uncertainties regarding US-Iran nuclear negotiations and concerns about supply disruptions. Profit-taking became evident across multiple sectors, especially in FMCG, metals, and real estate stocks, following the market's initial rise. Analysts observed that even with robust institutional buying, the markets found it challenging to sustain their momentum. Experts noted that weak global indicators further affected investor sentiment. Major Asian stock indices, such as Shanghai's SSE Composite and Hong Kong's Hang Seng, were trading lower, while Wall Street futures indicated a muted start for US markets. Furthermore, the monthly derivatives expiry contributed to increased volatility, as traders adjusted or rolled over their positions. Persistent geopolitical tensions, especially the revived worries regarding the US-Iran nuclear situation, have made investors wary and played a role in the market's subdued performance. Also Read | Buy or sell: Vaishali Parekh recommends three intraday stocks to buy today Market Views - Nagaraj Shetti, Senior Technical Research Analyst of HDFC Securities Nifty 50 The market continued to show upmove amidst choppy trend on Thursday and is currently trading higher by 80 points. We observe a descending triangle type formation on daily chart and this is not a good sign for bulls to sustain the highs. Consistent lower top formation over the last few sessions as per daily chart indicates that the present upside could find strong hurdle around 25,600-25,650 levels in the short term. Immediate support is placed around 25,400-25,350. Technical Picks: Stocks to buy in the short-term Nagaraj Shetti of HDFC Securities recommends these two stocks to buy in the short-term - Aurobindo Pharma Ltd, and NMDC Ltd. Buy Aurobindo Pharma at 1,243, Target at 1,305, Stoploss of 1,205, Timeframe 1 week The stock price was moving in a larger consolidation pattern over the last few months. Present sharp upmove is expected to break above the consolidation resistance around 1,260 levels soon. Volume has started to expand during upside breakout in the stock price and daily RSI shows positive indication. Buy NMDC at 82.90, Target at 88, Stoploss of 80, Timeframe 1 week After a sharp weakness in the mid part of Feb, the metal stock price has bounced back smartly from the range bound action this week. The bearish downside gap of 13th Feb has been filled partially. Volume pattern and bullish RSI indicates more upside in the near term. Also Read | Stocks to buy: Raja Venkatraman recommends two stocks for 26 February Stock market today: The Indian stock market is likely to open higher on Thursday, February 26, driven by global market cues. Trends in the Gift Nifty also point to a positive opening for the Indian benchmark indices, with the index trading near the 25,667 mark about 39 points higher than the previous close of Nifty futures. The Indian stock market is expected to begin the session on a steady note, reflecting overnight gains on Wall Streetled by technology countersand a constructive tone across Asian markets in early trade. Sustained DII inflows continue to act as a structural anchor, supporting selective accumulation in banking, metals, power, FMCG, and auto stocks, said Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money. On Wednesday, the domestic equity market closed slightly higher, with the Nifty 50 remaining above the 25,400 level. The Sensex gained 50.15 points, or 0.06%, to settle at 82,276.07, while the Nifty 50 advanced 57.85 points, or 0.23%, to close at 25,482.50. Stocks to Watch Amid this backdrop, these stocks are likely to remain in focus on Thursday, February 26 - IRFC State-owned Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) said the government will not exercise the oversubscription (greenshoe) option in its Offer for Sale (OFS). SBI Life Insurance The life insurance company has announced an interim dividend of 2.70 per equity share (27%) for FY26. Reliance Industries Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) said that Reliance Enterprise Intelligence has become its step-down subsidiary following the allotment of 85.32 crore shares. Tata Capital The non-banking financial company stated that its wholly owned subsidiary, Tata Capital Housing Finance Ltd, has approved a 650.02 crore rights issue of equity shares in favour of its parent, Tata Capital. Adani Ports Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone announced the early outcome of its cash tender offers to buy back up to $495.1 million of overseas bonds, with investors submitting $196.94 million worth of notes by the early deadline. RVNL The company has received a Letter of Award (LoA) from the National Mineral Development Corporation for the development of a township in Kirandul, Chhattisgarh, with the project valued at 371.69 crore. Lupin The Goods & Services Tax Department of Maharashtra has initiated inspection and search proceedings at the registered office of pharmaceutical major Lupin, the company said in a release on Wednesday. Vikram Solar Vikram Solar on Wednesday said the direct financial impact of the recent preliminary anti-dumping and countervailing (AD/CVD) duties imposed by the United States is limited for the company, as it continues to base its growth strategy primarily in India. Zydus Lifesciences The company intends to introduce the Semaglutide injection in India under the brand names SEMAGLYN, MASHEMA, and ALTERME, following the expiry of the patent. Aditya Infotech In a block deal, Dixon Technologies offloaded a 3.8% stake in Aditya InfoTech for 661 crore. Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund and Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund acquired shares worth 180 crore each, while other participants included Axis Mutual Fund, HDFC Life Insurance, and 360 One Mutual Fund. Pradeep acknowledged the jump in maintenance from his previous Hyundai Creta. The service cost shot up from 15,000 for the Hyundai to 70,000 in the BMW, whereas the monthly bill on fuel did not have much of a difference, considering both cars have similar usage for me, with the X3 matching my older car on fuel economy as wellaround 12 to 14kmpl within city. The costs are manageable given the upfront savings I had from buying it pre-owned," he said. The year 2026 has begun on an uneasy note for investors. After a strong multi-year run across several asset classes, markets are now grappling with mixed corporate earnings, global policy uncertainty, AI-led disruption in technology, and volatile commodity prices. No major asset class has delivered a decisive breakout so far in 2026. In such an environment, discipline, not prediction, becomes the most valuable investment tool. Here is a structured look at how different asset classes are performing and how investors should respond. Domestic Equity : Under Pressure, Yet Not Broken Indian equities have struggled to find momentum in the early part of 2026. The Nifty 50 is down YTD by 2.7% and the Nifty 500 is down 2.38% as on 24 February. This comes on the back of a mediocre year in 2025. Whats Dragging the Market? Mixed Q3 corporate earnings have capped upside. Margin pressures, patchy demand and selective growth have kept broad-based momentum in check. IT Sector: AI Shockwaves The trigger for sharp corrections in IT stocks has been rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence, which India has yet to catch up with. The new enterprise-focused tools from Anthropics Claude created jitters globally and shook the Indian IT stocks, too. However, Indian IT firms are predominantly services-oriented rather than product companies, negative sentiment spilt over. This was driven by the fear that automation could compress billing models and reduce long-term outsourcing demand. Strength in the Indian Equity Market in 2026 so far has been limited to Financials, PSUs and Automobiles. Most other sectors have lagged, making the rally narrow and fragile. Themes like Consumption have defied hopes. Weakness has been across market caps. The recent USIndia trade deal offered only a temporary sentiment boost. The US Supreme Court order striking down Trumps tariffs appeared to provide a further sweetener, lowering the tariffs to 10% from 18% as per the deal. This was also too short-lived as Trump immediately followed the verdict with the announcement of 15% global tariffs. Uncertainty is back in play concerning US tariffs, keeping the markets on their toes. Adding to these worries is the geopolitical tension between the US and Iran. The already shaky beginning of domestic equities could continue until earnings are on a healthy trajectory. Until the dust around US tariffs settles and provides clearer clarity on the final rates, markets may not be able to rejoice, as exporters will be left directionless. FIIs would also await healthy earnings and tariff clarity to resume with meaningful inflows. Until such time, the indices will navigate the volatile way, and this phase would belong to the stock pickers, which is going to be a hard task. Precious Metals : Volatile But Structurally Supported In 2025, precious metals emerged as the leading asset class, overshadowing all others. Following a remarkable surge in 2025 and a soaring ascent in January, Gold and Silver have experienced a slowdown. Both precious metals, Silver and Gold, experienced significant corrections of 38% and 20%, respectively, from their highs, and have encountered volatility in the aftermath. After a little recovery, gold is now 10% below its peak, while silver is down 28%. The correction from recent highs has raised concerns about 2026 performance. However, the structural case remains intact for both precious metals. Golds Macro Tailwinds Central banks continue to accumulate gold. Chinas central bank, for the 15th consecutive month, has bought gold to increase its gold reserves. As per the survey by the World Gold Council, 95% of central banks are likely to increase their gold reserves. Countries like Poland have increased reserves to record levels. De-dollarization themes remain alive. Global debt levels are elevated. Geopolitical uncertainty persists. Preference for real assets remains strong. Demand forecasts for gold have been revised upward, especially for bars and coins. Prices appear to be consolidating rather than collapsing. Silver: High Beta Metal Indias silver imports are at record highs, reflecting strong industrial and investor demand. Silvers utility across key cutting-edge technologies like Solar Panels, EVs, Semiconductors and 5G transmission is real and has laid a long runway for growth. Meanwhile, Chinas net silver exports have dropped sharply, tightening global supply. Silver is in short supply for the 6th consecutive year, and mining of silver is still an underinvested sector. Silvers dual nature, industrial metal plus store of value, gives it relevance. But investors must expect silver to witness higher volatility compared to gold. Precious metals deserve allocation in portfolios. Tariff-related uncertainties and ongoing geopolitical tensions would favour them. But investors should not expect the rally of 2025 to repeat in 2026 when they make fresh investments. Given volatility expected to persist, phased buying in Gold and Silver Funds via STP would be advisable. A dynamic mix of Gold and Silver would augur well for those who wish to invest in the duo with calculated risk. Debt : Rate Cut Hopes Fading The announcement of Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve Chairman has dimmed expectations of aggressive rate cuts in the US. If US rate cuts are limited or delayed, Indias room for monetary easing also narrows. This environment suggests: Moderate rather than stellar returns from debt funds Lower probability of duration-driven rallies Stable but not exciting performance Debt would continue to play its role as a stabiliser, not a return accelerator. Global Equities : The Relative Bright Spot While all the above asset classes are on a sticky wicket, the one area that looks bright is global equities. Many global markets delivered returns superior to India in 2025, and this trend continues in 2026. YTD as on 24 February, the S&P 500 is up by 0.4%, Brazil Bovespa is up by 18.79%, Koreas Kospi has seen a phenomenal surge of 42%, UKs FTSE is up 7.52%, Frances CAC 40 is up 4.54%, Nikkei 225 is up 13.87%, and Euro Stoxx 50 has moved 5.57%. Chinas CSI 300, Hang Seng and Taiwan Weighted are up 2.4%, 3.74% and 16.61% respectively. All of these major indices have outperformed India so far YTD. The relative underperformance of Indian equities highlights the importance of geographic diversification. This should not be treated as a tactical bet for this year, as India is relatively underperforming, but rather as a long-term strategy for better portfolio diversification. That said, the allocation to global equities should be only 10-15%, regardless of how big their outperformance relative to India happens to be. Also, so far, global equity investing for most Indian investors has been predominantly US-focused or completely US. It's time to change that too and spread it across geographies. Global Emerging Market Funds offered by Mutual Funds give you a good mix of Emerging Market Equities like China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, etc. Among global equities, it may be ok to have a slightly higher allocation to the US, given its dominance in most new generation businesses and, otherwise, with no matching alternatives elsewhere. As many Mutual Fund AMCs have exhausted their global investment limits, many have closed fresh purchases or limited purchases in their schemes. However, as an alternative, one can invest through outbound Gift City Funds, which invest in Global Equities and Gift City Funds do not have a ceiling on global exposure. Though originally Gift City Funds had a minimum subscription amount of $150,000, it is now available in retail form with a minimum subscription amount of $5000. How Should Investors Navigate 2026? In a year where no asset class is delivering a smooth ride, the answer is not aggressive repositioning; it is disciplined asset allocation. A Sensible Framework: 1. Domestic Equity: Core allocation but highly selective. 2. Global Equity: 1015% to diversify geographic risk. 3. Debt: Stability anchor with moderate return expectations. 4. Gold & Silver: Strategic hedge allocation. Steam is not over; stagger purchases. 5. Avoid speculative concentration in crypto that are already down 40% or above. 2026 is not a crisis year. It is a transition year. Earnings need to stabilize. AI disruption needs to mature into monetization. Rate clarity needs to emerge. Commodity volatility needs to settle. Until then, portfolios built on discipline, diversification and realistic expectations will outperform portfolios built on emotion, recency bias and overconcentration. (Bloomberg) -- Heavy rains that began Monday night have left dozens dead and caused widespread destruction in southeastern Brazil, exposing a longstanding structural problem of housing in high-risk areas vulnerable to seasonal downpours. Storms in the state of Minas Gerais caused rivers to overflow, destroying bridges and roads, flooding various areas, and displacing nearly 2,600 people. At least 54 have died and 14 remain missing in the cities of Juiz de Fora and Uba, according to the latest bulletin from the states Fire Department. As of Thursday morning, 238 people had been rescued. In both cities, residents and business owners are trying to recover possessions and goods from the mud, while many families continue searching for relatives. In Uba, businesses in the citys central district were completely destroyed and cars were swept away by the floods. Juiz de Fora, the hardest-hit city with 48 confirmed dead and 12 missing, saw entire houses in hillside areas collapse downhill between Monday night and early Tuesday. In one home, three members of the same family were killed, and two children remain missing, according to a local radio station. Authorities have issued new alerts for more rain in the region. On Wednesday night, a new storm further drenched Juiz de Fora, hampering search efforts for the missing. The citys mayor told Brazilian online news outlet UOL that her city had been devastated, adding that she has no way to rebuild it. In Brazil, many cities feature low-income neighborhoods built up in a haphazard fashion in hillside areas, where informal housing has expanded over the years, increasing exposure to landslides and mudslides during the rainy season. The vulnerability is structural, reflecting a longstanding shortage of housing that leaves thousands exposed to seasonal downpours and at risk in cities across the country. Authorities routinely urge residents in these areas to evacuate at the first sign of danger and seek temporary shelter. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas government declared a state of public calamity and released 3.4 million reais ($660,000) in emergency funds for the affected cities. In a post on X, Lula said the focus is to ensure humanitarian assistance, the restoration of basic services, support for displaced residents and backing for reconstruction. He also expressed solidarity with those affected by the loss of their homes and family members. Floods in the region The current disaster adds to a series of deadly floods in Brazil in recent years, as extreme weather events become more frequent across South America. In May 2024, unprecedented heavy rains triggered catastrophic flooding across Brazils southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, overwhelming river basins and inundating entire neighborhoods. The deluge affected nearly all of the states municipalities, displacing hundreds of thousands of residents and leaving 185 people dead and 23 missing. The disaster, described by some analysts as a Katrina moment for Brazil due to its magnitude and socioeconomic consequences, has also fueled debates over infrastructure investment and climate resilience, as authorities and advocacy groups call for more sustained disaster-preparedness measures, while Lula proposed exempting emergency relief spending from the countrys fiscal rules to speed reconstruction efforts. Elsewhere in the region, Brazils neighbor Peru has recently gone on alert as heavy rainfall battering the countrys coast in recent weeks shows no sign of easing, potentially signaling the onset of the El Nino weather phenomenon. More than 700 districts nationwide have been placed under an emergency status due to downpours typically associated with El Nino, which officials say is in its early stages and expected to intensify next month, possibly lasting through November. Torrential rains have battered the Arequipa region, damaging about 1,200 homes and affecting more than 4,000 residents, according to official data from Wednesday. Authorities say 68 people have died since the rainy season began in December. El Nino could cause losses of as much as 291 million soles ($86.7 million) per day, particularly impacting manufacturing, agriculture, commerce and transport, the Lima Chamber of Commerce estimated. --With assistance from Carla Samon Ros. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Prime Minister Narendra Modi has crossed 100 million followers on Instagram, becoming the first serving world leader and politician to reach the landmark on the platform. The milestone reinforces his position not only as Indias most followed political figure online, but as the most digitally influential elected leader globally. The achievement comes amid a two-day official visit to Israel, where Modi was awarded the highest honour of the Israeli Parliament, underscoring the convergence of digital prominence and diplomatic visibility. Modis Instagram Surge: A Global First View full Image Prime Minister Modi joined Instagram in 2014, the same year he first assumed office as Prime Minister Prime Minister Modi joined Instagram in 2014, the same year he first assumed office as Prime Minister. Over the past decade, his account has evolved into a carefully curated channel blending governance updates, foreign policy engagements, cultural observances and personal moments. Crossing the 100 million mark places him well ahead of other global political leaders on the platform. His follower count is more than double that of United States President Donald Trump, who currently has 43.2 million followers. The cumulative total of the next five most-followed world leaders remains lower than Modis individual tally a striking indicator of his global digital reach. Politicians With the Highest Instagram Followings Among current world leaders, the rankings illustrate a sharp drop after the Indian Prime Minister: Donald Trump 43.2 million followers Prabowo Subianto 15 million followers Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva 14.4 million followers Recep Tayyip Erdogan 11.6 million followers Javier Milei 6.4 million followers Within India, the disparity is equally pronounced. The second-highest following among Indian political leaders belongs to Yogi Adityanath, with approximately 16.1 million followers, followed by Rahul Gandhi at around 12.6 million. State Visit to Israel and Knesset Honour The social media milestone coincides with a high-profile visit to Israel, where Modi addressed the Knesset, Israels parliament. The Israeli Parliament conferred the Speaker of the Knesset Medal its highest honour in recognition of what officials described as Modis exceptional contribution through his personal leadership to strengthening strategic ties between India and Israel. The medal was presented following his address to lawmakers, which drew a standing ovation and sustained applause. After the speech, members of the Knesset gathered around the Prime Minister for photographs and selfies, a scene that blended parliamentary ceremony with the informality of the social media age. Historical and Civilisational Ties Emphasised In his address, PM Modi highlighted the depth of historical connections between the two nations, invoking ancient texts to underscore long-standing links. "There is great admiration for Israel's resolve, courage, and achievements in India. "Long before we related to each other as modern States, we were linked by ties that go back more than two thousand years. The Book of Esther refers to India as Hodu. The Talmud records trade with India in ancient times," he said. Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Thursday, speaking at the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) Conclave 2026, flagged the escalating threat of deepfakes and coordinated disinformation campaigns. He stressed that public trust worldwide is at risk and said digital platforms must take responsibility for the content they host. Vaishnaw highlighted that rapid technological advancement has made it possible to produce and disseminate manipulated content on an unprecedented scale. He emphasised that in todays world, the fundamental principle of trust is increasingly at risk, noting that misinformation has shifted from being isolated incidents to a widespread, systemic problem, reported Hindustan Times. The threat is coming from so many different angles deepfakes which can make you believe things that have never happened anyway, Vaishnaw said. He warned about ongoing misinformation campaigns that manipulate public perception, saying, disinformation barrage which can cause a sense of distrust that doesnt exist in real life. He raised the concern involving the creation of fabricated digital material of people. Creating synthetically generated pictures of people well respected in society, creating videos which have absolutely no correlation with reality, he said. Time has come to make that big inflectional change According to the minister, digital platforms must recognise the critical role they play in upholding trust in institutions that have been built over millennia. He said that platforms are responsible for the content they host and for ensuring the online safety of children and all users. He warned that failure to fulfil these responsibilities would make platforms accountable, highlighting that the internet has evolved and its impact on society has grown significantly. He also reflected on the importance of regulating AI-generated content, saying that such material should not be created without the consent of the individual whose face, voice, or personality is used. The time has come to make that big inflectional change. I request the platforms to cooperate with this human society's basic needs. The society which is today asking for this change has to be respected, Vaishnaw said, reported PTI. He said that human society relies on trust in institutionsfrom family and social identity to the judiciary, media, and legislatureall of which function based on the fundamental principle of trust. Citing the media as an example, the minister explained that its credibility depends on impartiality, careful verification of information before publication, and accountability for the content it produces. Also Read | Vaishnaw Apologises After Techies, Attendees Flag Mess On Day 1 Of Summit He added that every institution created by humans operates on the same basic principles, with mutual trust forming the foundation of their functioning. However, he cautioned that in todays rapidly changing world, this fundamental trust is increasingly at risk, particularly due to emerging technologies like deepfakes, which can lead people to believe events that never actually happened. What is DNPA event? The DNPA event is designed to unite policymakers, media executives, and industry experts to explore the latest trends in digital journalism and artificial intelligence. The discussions are expected to cover regulatory frameworks, newsroom transformation, strategies for content monetisation, and the broader economic landscape of digital publishing in an AI-driven era. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carneys visit to India this week is expected to solidify diplomatic ties between the two countries and unlock a wave of new trade opportunities, including in nuclear power, oil and critical minerals, according to a Bloomberg report citing an Indian official. Dinesh Patnaik, India's high commissioner in Ottawa, told the news portal that the trip will cover an immense agenda that could be formalised in cooperation agreements on research, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and education. Patnaik stated that the visit is likely to involve an agreement to increase Canadas uranium exports to India. Additionally, India is interested in purchasing Canadian heavy crude and other energy resources, while also considering investments in infrastructure projects such as pipelines and terminals. Shift in ties The trip signifies a major change in a relationship that was severely strained just a year ago. In 2024, Canada decided to expel six Indian officials, claiming that agents connected to the government were carrying out a campaign of violence, intimidation, and extortion against Canadian citizens. This occurred about a year after then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stunned Canadians by stating that there were credible claims that India was responsible for the murder of a Sikh activist in British Columbia. After Carney replaced Trudeau, everything has changed. We are looking at a total reset of the relationship, Patnaik said in an interview to the news agency. We are not school children with a single issue you took my bag, you took my lunch box, he said. You are the largest democracy in size, we are the largest in population. And so its inevitable and natural for us to work together, and so this visit will put the stamp on that. Carney departs for India on Thursday before continuing to Australia and Japan. The trip highlights his trade-oriented foreign policy and is key to his effort to overcome the diplomatic break. The visit comes at an important juncture in normalisation of India-Canada bilateral relations, Indias Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Thursday, adding that leaders of both countries have agreed to pursue a constructive and balanced partnership grounded in mutual respect for each others concerns and sensitivities. Focus on trade deal In November, Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to restart negotiations for a free-trade deal, with the potential to sign it within a year, according to Patnaik. Despite years of effort and setbacks, Patnaik noted that both economies have developed, and the momentum to reach an agreement is rising. He highlighted Indias recent significant agreement with the European Union as proof of that shift.Political intent overshadows everything, he said. Patnaik noted a shift in Canadian attitude under Carneys leadership. Hes realised that Canada has to behave like a global power, which is that a global power has multidimensional relationships with all countries, Patnaik was quoted as saying. High drama unfolded in Shimla on Wednesday after the Himachal Pradesh Police detained several personnel of the Special Cell of the Delhi Police, accusing the latter of kidnapping three individuals in connection with the shirtless protest by the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in the national capital on 20 February. Tensions, however, subsided on Thursday morning after the Delhi Police team departed from the Shoghi barrier with all their vehicles and the three accused. "Delhi Police has left from the Shoghi barrier in Shimla. Delhi Police has given the seizure memo to Shimla Police. Delhi Police officials have taken along the DVR and seized the vehicle of the accused. Now, Delhi Police will produce the three accused before the local magistrate," a Delhi Police personnel told news agency ANI on Thursday. Also Read | Rahul Gandhi backs Youth Congress after Uday Bhanu Chib's arrest What we know about the cops vs cops face-off Both sides gave conflicting accounts of the standoff that ensued on Wednesday. Sources in the Special Cell of the Delhi Police told The Indian Express that a team had travelled to Himachal to detain the three suspectsall members of the IYCfrom the Shimla district. However, when the Delhi Police team sought to produce the three accused before a local court in Shimla to seek a transit remand, the Himachal Pradesh Police intervened. IE, citing the source, reported that upon reaching the court, the Delhi Police team was informed that court staff were not available for the legal process requested. Around this time, the Himachal Pradesh Police also detained the Delhi Police team for hours and asked the officers from the national capital to furnish a copy of the FIR against the accused, as well as a copy of the court order sanctioning the operation. There, we were told that we had been booked for kidnapping, and were detained, a source who is part of the Delhi Police team told IE. The Himachal Pradesh Police, however, alleged that two Delhi Police teams attempted to re-enter their jurisdiction after arresting the three accused. It was at this point that the cops from the national capital were intercepted near Shimla and Dharampur, before being produced in a Shimla court, reported IE, citing a senior Himachal Pradesh Police officer. The Himachal officer said that nearly 15-20 Delhi Police personnel, led by ACP Rahul Vikram, were detained at around 8 pm after they attempted to leave the court at around 7.30 pm despite being asked not to. Subsequently, in a statement released Wednesday, Shimla Police said an FIR had been registered against the Delhi Police at the Chirgaon police station. "Shimla Police on Wednesday morning received information that around 15 to 20 unidentified individuals, dressed in plain clothes, arrived in vehicles and allegedly forcibly took away three guests staying at a resort in the Mandli area of Chirgaon," the statement by the Himachal Police said. It also accused the Delhi Police team of removing digital video recorders (DVRs) from CCTV cameras at the resort from which they arrested the IYC trio. Meanwhile, ACP Vikram told IE, "I dont know in what capacity the Himachal Police detained us. Two of the three suspects were directly involved in the shirtless protest, while one of them was involved in the conspiracy. Arrests continue Prior to Wednesday's drama, the Delhi Police had already arrested eight people in connection with the 20 February protest by IYC workers at the India-hosted AI Impact Summit 2026 in the national capital. The Youth Congress workers arrested from Shimla, namely Saurabh, Arbaaz and Siddharth, are residents of Amethi, Sultanpur and Rewa, respectively. The Kerala High Court on Thursday granted an interim stay on the release of the film The Kerala Story 2-Goes Beyond, saying that prima facie there is non-application of mind by the censor board while certifying the movie, reported PTI. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas passed the order on two pleas challenging the release of the film. The film was scheduled to be released on 27 February. The court, in its order, also said that the guidelines for ensuring a film does not disrupt social harmony appear not to have been adhered to by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The Kerala Story 2 controversy 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. Kerala High Court has reportedly flagged what it described as the wrong portrayal of the state, claiming that it had the potential to incite passion," mentioned a report by TOI. Recently, three petitions were filed, seeking a stay on the film's release. What the petitions said The petitioners contended that the film aims to tarnish the image of Kerala and harm the reputation of its people. They further alleged that the teaser and trailer were misleading and the content depicted on social media cannot be shown in theatres, reported PTI. Earlier, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, who was considering the stay and cancellation of its certification, emphasised the role of the CBFC. 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," Justice Thomas had said as per a report by Bar and Bench. Premature, misconceived' On Wednesday, reacting to the petitions, the producer of The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond, Vipul Amrutlal Shah, told the Kerala High Court that the pleas opposing the film's release are "premature, misconceived and not maintainable". The Supreme Court on Thursday imposed a blanket ban on the Class 8 NCERT book carrying a chapter on corruption in the judiciary. The top court also ordered the seizure of all physical copies, along with the takedown of its digital versions, news agency PTI said. The top court ordered that the Centre and state authorities comply with its directions immediately, and warned of "serious action" if directions are defied in any form. A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant said there seemed to be a calculated move to undermine the institution and demean the dignity of the judiciary. The bench said such misconduct, having an everlasting impact on the judiciary, would fall within the definition of criminal contempt. "We would like to have a deeper probe," the bench said. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said he wants to find out who is behind the publication of the chapter that mentions corruption in judiciary. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the Government of India stands with the judiciary and will take whatever action the apex court desires. SC issues notices The Supreme Court issued show cause notices to the Secretary of the Department of Education and Literacy (Ministry of Education) and to NCERT Director Dr Dinesh Prashad Saklani to explain as to why suitable action either under Contempt or under any other law against those who have prepared the sub-chapter in the Class 8 NCERT book Corruption in the judiciary, news agency ANI said. The SC observed that a 'deep rooted conspiracy' was behind this content. This is a very calculated move the entire teaching will be dictated. When you look at how the Indian judiciary is portrayed as corrupt, it becomes evident what message is being sent. The entire teaching community will first be instructed that this is what they have to teach. In reality, not a single section of society has been left untouched. It is a deep-rooted, well-planned, and orchestrated conspiracy, the CJI said, according to news agency ANI. Also Read | SC stays criminal proceedings in ED case against Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren Refusing to stall its suo motu proceedings, even after the NCERT had issued an apology with respect to the said selective inclusion of the said Chapter, a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi stressed that any attempt to circumvent or bypass this order will be treated as direct interference with the administration of justice and will amount to contempt of court What is the NCERT textbook case? The case concerns a Class 8 Social Science textbook published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). The section sparked a controversy due to the inclusion of a segment corruption of the judiciary. The textbook reportedly includes a passage on the subject under a chapter titled The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society. LiveMint has not seen the textbook. The Supreme Court was hearing the matter suo motu. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal flagged the matter before a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Wednesday. During the proceedings, however, the apex court indicated that it had already taken cognisance of the matter. What did the Court say? The top court further directed the NCERT to place on record the details of the TeachingLearning Materials Committee that approved the impugned chapter. The names, qualifications, and credentials of all members of the chapter development team are to be furnished before the Court, news agency ANI said. They have fired the gun, and the judiciary is bleeding today. Today, anybody can say anything. At times, there is a mounting attack on us, and we are aware of it. The material is available online, in stores, and even in stores," the chief justice said. Taking exception to the NCERT's Wednesday communication, the SC said there was not a single word of apology in itand that, instead, it had tried to justify it. At the outset, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta tendered an unconditional and unqualified apology on behalf of Ministry of education. The bench posted the matter for further hearing on March 11. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday voiced concern over the inclusion of a chapter on judicial corruption in a Class 8 textbook published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), as reported by PTI. He assured that responsibility would be determined and appropriate action would be taken against those involved in preparing the disputed content. He also underlined that the government has full respect for the judiciary and has no intent of disrespecting the institution, PTI reported. Also Read | NCERT textbook row: SC bans book with chapter on judiciary corruption The remarks came on a day the Supreme Court observed that there appeared to be a "well-orchestrated conspiracy" to defame the judiciary and imposed a "complete blanket ban" on the Class 8 NCERT book and ordered that all copies, physical and digital, be seized. Watch the video here: "They have fired the gunshot. The judiciary is bleeding," a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant said, a day after the National Council of Educational Research and Training apologised for "inappropriate content" in the social science textbook, and said it would be rewritten in consultation with appropriate authorities. The bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, issued show cause notices to the NCERT director and the secretary of the department of school education and asked them to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against those responsible. Reacting to the development, Pradhan said, "I am very sad at what has happened and express regret... There was no intention to insult the judiciary. An inquiry will be conducted and accountability fixed. Action will be taken against those involved in drafting the chapter. As soon as we got to know (about it), the circulation of the textbooks was put on hold." "In a democratic country like India, the judiciary is supreme and we have utmost respect for it. We have taken the issue very seriously. The court's directives will be complied with," he told reporters in Jamshedpur. Pradhan was in Jamshedpur to take part in a ceremony where President Droupadi Murmu laid the foundation stone for a Jagannath spiritual centre. The NCERT's social science textbook for Class 8 in question states that corruption, a massive backlog of cases, and the lack of an adequate number of judges are among the challenges faced by the judicial system. After stern words by the Supreme Court that it will not allow "anyone on earth" to tarnish the judiciary's integrity, the NCERT pulled the textbook from its website, with sources saying the government was livid with the controversial references in the curriculum. The NCERT apologised on Wednesday for "inappropriate content" after facing the Supreme Court's ire over the chapter and stated that the book will be rewritten in consultation with the relevant authorities. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has placed a prosecution sanction received from the competent authority against former Union Finance Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram in respect of the offence of money laundering in the Aircel Maxis and INX Media case before a special court. These prosecution sanction orders have been placed before the Rouse Avenue Special Court here in the national capital by the ED to expedite the trial in these cases, news agency ANI said. The agency had initiated an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, based on the FIR registered by the CBI on 9 October 2011 in the Aircel Maxis case against Chidambaram for offences punishable under the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. In the case, ED said its investigation has revealed that the then Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram, granted Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval to Aircel Maxis in lieu of a quid pro quo. "In the Aircel Maxis Deal, the foreign investor (Maxis) applied for approval of the government for FDI of USD 800 Million ( 3565.91 crore), for which the competent authority for approval was the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). However, as part of a larger conspiracy, approval was fraudulently and dishonestly granted by P Chidambaram on March 20, 2006, who was competent to consider and approve Foreign Direct Investment FDI) proposals involving total investment of 600 crore or less," reads ED statement. Also Read | Karti Chidambaram to be charged in Chinese visa scam case, orders Delhi court The investigation has revealed that illegal gratification of 1.16 crore was received by Karti P Chidambaram (son of P Chidambaram) in his companies, Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt Ltd (ASCPL) and Chess Management Services Pvt Ltd (CMSPL), the agency said. "Investigation has revealed financial transactions between P Chidambaram and Karti P Chidambaram. Investigation has also revealed that funds of ASCPL have also been spent for and on behalf of P Chidambaram." Proceeds of crime amounting to 1.16 crores have been provisionally attached dated 23 September 2017, and the same has been confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority vide order dated 12 March 2018, said the agency. Subsequently, the Prosecution Complaint under PMLA, dating back to June 2018, and the Supplementary Prosecution Complaint, dated October 2018, were filed before the Special Court (PMLA), Rouse Avenue Court, New Delhi, wherein P Chidambaram was arraigned as accused A-6. The Special Court vide its order dated 27 November 2021, took cognisance of the commission of an offence of money laundering. As per the ED, it has been making all efforts to fast-track the trial in the case. The Supreme Court delivered a judgement on Novermber 6, 2024 in the case "Directorate of Enforcement vs Bibhu Prasad Acharya, etc. Criminal Appeal Nos 4314-4316 of 2024" and held that the requirement of the prosecution sanction under section 197(1) of the CrPC is applicable to a complaint filed under section 44(1)(b) of the PMLA, 2002 also. Subsequent to this judgment, many accused persons charged under PMLA, 2002 have challenged the trial proceedings in multiple legal forums, leading to a delay in the trial. To counter such delays and comply with the Supreme Court's judgment, ED has swiftly initiated remedial measures by seeking prosecution sanctions in all such prosecution complaints involving public servants. Therefore, in light of the Supreme Court order, the sanction of P Chidambaram was sought from the competent authority in this case, and the sanction was obtained on 10 February 2026, in respect of P Chidambaram in respect of the offence of money laundering. In the matter of INX Media Private Limited, the ED had initiated an investigation under PMLA, 2002, based on the FIR dated 15 May 2017, registered by the CBI against INX Media Pvt Ltd, INX News Pvt Ltd, Karti P Chidambaram and others for offences punishable under the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. In the instant case, ED said, investigation has revealed that FIPB approval was granted to INX Media Pvt Ltd during the tenure of P Chidambaram as the Union Finance Minister. It was further revealed that, in consideration for granting and subsequently regularising FIPB approval, "illegal gratification was demanded and received through entities beneficially owned and controlled by Karti P Chidambaram." "The investigation revealed that such amounts were routed through shell companies, including Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt Ltd (ASCPL) and associated entities, which were under direct or indirect control of and beneficially owned by Karti P Chidambaram. These funds were layered and integrated through investment in shares of Vasan Health Care Pvt Ltd and AGS Health Care Pvt Ltd, and subsequently multiplied through the sale of shares and overseas investments," the ED said. The investigation has revealed that Karti P Chidambaram and his close associates acted on behalf of P Chidambaram, interacted with INX Media personnel in connection with FIPB approval matters, and collected proceeds of crime arising therefrom. Also Read | SC stays criminal proceedings in ED case against Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren "The proceeds were subsequently routed through shell companies incorporated for the purpose of laundering, layered through complex transactions across multiple jurisdictions without any genuine business activity, and structured to conceal the money trail. The funds were thereafter utilised for deposits into bank accounts and for investments in movable and immovable properties in India and abroad, in the names of shell entities and associates. The total proceeds of crime have been quantified at approximately 65.88 crore, the agency said. Subsequently, a Prosecution Complaint was filed before the Special Court (PMLA), Rouse Avenue Court on June 1, 2020, and cognisance was taken on 24 March 2021, wherein P Chidambaram (Accused -1), Karti P Chidambaram (Accused - 7) and eight other parties have been arrayed as accused. The investigation has revealed that illegal gratification was received by Karti P Chidambaram in his companies. Thereafter, a Supplementary Prosecution Complaint was also filed on December 16, 2024. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Senator Carlos Gimenez have called for an investigation following an incident where Cuban government forces said they shot and killed four people on board a Florida-flagged boat near the Villa Clara coast on Wednesday. Commenting on the incident, Rubio later on Wednesday confirmed that the boat in question did not have US government personnel on board and that whatever transpired was not part of any US operation. However, it is currently unclear whether US citizens were on board. Probes ordered "We are going to have our own information on this, we are going to figure out exactly what happened, and there are a number of things that could have happened here," Rubio said. "Suffice to say it is highly unusual to see shootouts in open sea like that," the US secretary of state added. The US embassy in Havana has been tapped by Rubio to independently verify what happened. Meanwhile, Senator Gimenez, whose district includes the southern tip of Florida, called on US authorities to "determine whether any of the victims were US citizens or legal residents and establish exactly what occurred." "The regime in Cuba must be relegated to the dustbin of history for its countless crimes against humanity," the senator added. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, meanwhile, said he was ordering prosecutors to open an investigation in conjunction with other state and federal law enforcement partners. Rubio and the senator's comments came after the Cuban interior ministry also announced an investigation. What we know about the incident As per Reuters, the ministry said that the Florida-registered boat entered Cuban waters on Wednesday and opened fire on a patrol, prompting security forces to return fire. In the exchange, the Cuban patrol commander was also wounded, while others who were injured were evacuated and received treatment. "When a surface unit of the Border Guard Troops of the Ministry of the Interior, carrying five service members, approached the vessel for identification, the crew of the violating speedboat opened fire on the Cuban personnel, resulting in the injury of the commander of the Cuban vessel," the Cuban Embassy in the US said, adding that four were killed and six injured. "In the face of current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its determination to protect its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defense is a fundamental pillar of the Cuban State in safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring stability in the region. Investigations by the competent authorities continue in order to fully clarify the events," the embassy added. US-Cuba ties strained The incident has taken place at a time when the US has blocked virtually all oil shipments to Cuba, increasing pressure on the Communist-run government in the island nation. US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on 3 January, removing a key Cuban ally from power, and Rubio reiterated his rhetoric against the Cuban government on Wednesday, calling the status quo unsustainable and saying Cuba needed to change "dramatically." Supreme Court on Thursday, 26 February, issued notices to the Central government and the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding a plea seeking a ceiling on the expenditure by political parties during elections. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi issued notices to the Centre and the poll body, seeking their responses. The bench said, Issue notice, returnable on April 27. Justice Bagchi also questioned the effectiveness of regulatory measures on election expenditure when a friend of the candidate supports it, citing the constitutional right to freedom of expression against restrictions. Also Read | Can India buy Russian oil after US Supreme Court order? The judge said, You see the US elections...there are limits to spending by party in the friends of candidate A...let's say an Indian American PAC will fund you, where is the limit? Your political party may be barred, but friends of Mr Bhushan, they will fund...say we put the embargo that no funding beyond X limit...You will come before us, say Article 19(1)(a) - freedom of expression through material support. How will we control that? reported LiveLaw. What did the plea say? The plea said the absence of any expenditure limit on political parties, despite strict limits on individual candidates under section 77(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, creates an "unlevel playing field" in electoral contests, violating the right to equality under Article 14 of the Constitution. Also Read | How the US Supreme Court order blunts Trumps tariff threat "Explanation 1(a) to Section 77(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 creates a legal fiction by excluding from account the massive expenditure incurred by political parties in connection with the election of a candidate, even when the expenses serve the same electoral purpose," it said. The plea mentioned that Section 77(1) of the Act introduced limits on the expenditure incurred by individual candidates during elections. It also sought a direction to declare Explanation 1(a) to Section 77(1) of the Act as unconstitutional, being violative of Articles 14 and 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. It said that a system free of corruption is one of the important aspects of a free and fair election. "This court has time and again held that democracy, free and fair elections and the Rule of Law are basic features of the Constitution, meaning thereby that they cannot be dispensed with even by way of a constitutional amendment," it said. "The Supreme Court, while highlighting the role of money power in elections and electioneering, has consistently observed that elections today are increasingly being contested on the strength of money power often received from illegal sources having vested interest, thereby undermining the fairness of the electoral process itself," the plea said. The Maharashtra government informed the Assembly that the state has recorded 41 tiger deaths in the year 2025, raising fresh concerns among conservationists and wildlife authorities. In neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, eight tigers have died in just 10 weeks or 2.5 months spanning 2025 and early 2026 in the Bandhavgarh reserve, according to a report submitted to the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Maharashtra tiger deaths Forest Minister Ganesh Naik told the Maharashtra Assembly on Thursday, February 26, that the majority of the 41 tigers have died due to natural causes and the government was intensifying efforts to curb the deaths due to accidents, electrocution, and poaching. The minister mentioned that of the 41 tigers, 28 died due to natural causes, eight others due to accidents, four due to electrocution, and one due to poaching. Highlighting the vulnerability of the Ballarshah-Gondia railway line, the Maharashtra minister said that five tigers have lost their lives between 2011 and 2025 due to the line. Also Read | 72 tigers die in deadly virus outbreak in Thailand; popular tourist attraction Chiang Mai park closed What we know To prevent the deaths of wild animals in railway accidents, the Chief Conservator of Forests (Regional), Chandrapur, has formally communicated with the Railway Department to implement specific safety measures, Ganesh Naik stated in his reply. Bandhavgarh tiger deaths The status report mentioned that while four tigers died within the reserve, the remaining four lost their lives in the general forest area. Within the Bandhavgarh reserve, all four tigers died of natural causes between November 21, 2025, and February 2 this year. While two died of mutual conflicts, one drowned in a well and another another succumbed to a disease. The other four died due to electrocution. What is govt doing? In Maharashtra, the minister has proposed construction of underpasses and overpasses on newly-proposed railway lines; enforcing a speed limit of 40 kmph for trains passing through sensitive forest zones; appropriate disposal of food waste by train passengers to ensure animals are not lured toward the tracks, PTI reported. Bhopal-based wildlife activist Ajay Dubey had filed the petition. According to the petition, the tiger population in the world is 5,421, of which 3,167 are in India. As per the latest census, Madhya Pradesh has 785 tigers, it said. Despite being a tiger state, 54 tigers died in Madhya Pradesh in 2025, said the petition. The state had reported 43 tiger deaths in 2022, 45 in 2023, and 46 in 2024, Dubey said. The highest number of tiger deaths in the state since the launch of Project Tiger occurred in 2025, the petitioner claimed. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said that during a meeting with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), he questioned them about the steps being taken toward green initiatives while continuing to charge the levy. He urged the officials to scrap the Environment Compensation Charge (ECC) imposed on commercial vehicles travelling in and out of Delhi. He expressed concern about whether the money collected was actually being used to address pollution as intended, Gadkari said at an India Today event. 'Why are you collecting the toll?' Gadkari said, In a common meeting, I asked the corporation (MCD) what is your contribution for green activities. (They said) no contribution. Why are you collecting the toll? They are telling me it is the Supreme Courts decision, then I requested the Delhi chief minister to stop it immediately. Gadkari said when his ministry reviewed the funds collected under the levy, it found that although the MCD was imposing the charge, it was not using the money to enhance air quality as originally intended. He added that officials from the MCD told him the green fee was an important source of revenue for the civic body. Gadkari proposed that the Delhi government could instead provide 800900 crore as grants-in-aid to the corporation rather than retaining the levy. Gadkari said officials cited a Supreme Court order to justify its continuation while highlighting the legal rationale behind the tax. He added that he had sought intervention so the court could review the matter and offer relief to those affected by the levy. The ministers comments once again cast doubt on how MCD is utilizing the funds collected in the name of curbing pollution. Introduced by the Supreme Court of India in 2015, the ECC is imposed on commercial vehicles entering Delhi to curb air pollution. The fee, collected in addition to regular toll taxes, was intended to deter polluting vehicles from entering the capital and to fund projects aimed at improving public transport and pedestrian infrastructure. The apex court revoked a 10-year-old exemption that allowed commercial vehicles transporting essential goods to enter Delhi without paying the ECC. A bench led by Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, along with Justices K Vinod Chandran and N V Anjaria, issued the order on 26 September 2025, though it was released to the public only recently. The court observed that the exemption, originally granted in October 2015, was causing genuine operational difficulties and weakening the objective of the levy, according to PTI. The bench approved an application filed by the MCD requesting the withdrawal of the the exemption granted to commercial vehicles carrying Essential Commodities viz. Vegetables, Fruits, Milk, Grains, Egg., Ice (to be used as food item), Poultry Items...laden vehicles from ECC in pursuance to this courts order dated 09.10.2015 The civic body said the exemption granted by the court had led to serious challenges, as they must stop all vehicles to verify whether they are transporting essential commodities. It said that this process causes prolonged halts, during which vehicles continue to emit smoke, thereby adding to air pollution. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is in Japan from February 25 to 26, will participate in a series of events, following his visit to Singapore on February 23 and 24. A major highlight of the Japan trip is a test ride on the countrys state-of-the-art magnetic levitation (SC Maglev) train, according to ANI citing an official statement. The Chief Minister took the ride in Yamanashi. SC Maglev train features The SC Maglev is Japans cutting-edge high-speed magnetic levitation train, developed by the Central Japan Railway Company. It employs superconducting magnets to lift and propel the train above the tracks, eliminating friction and enabling speeds exceeding 600 km/h. Tested on the Yamanashi Maglev Line, it set a world speed record of 603 km/h in 2015. The train will operate on the Chuo Shinkansen line, providing rapid connectivity between Tokyo and Nagoya. Japanese experts point out that the maglev system relies on superconducting magnets and a sophisticated guideway mechanism, providing stability and safety even at extremely high speeds. Currently in the testing phase, the technology is widely considered a standard for next-generation transportation. Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Adityanath conveyed his appreciation to the Japanese government and the Governor of Yamanashi Prefecture for their efforts in strengthening India-Japan relations and promoting clean energy collaboration. Speaking in Yamanashi, the CM stated he was pleased that both the Japanese government and the Governor were contributing significantly to deepening ties between India and Japan, furthering the vision of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and PM Modi. "I am very delighted that the Japanese government and the Governor of Yamanashi Prefecture are playing a significant role in strengthening the relationship between Japan and India, and in advancing the efforts made by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," UP CM Adityanath mentioned. Also Read | CII delegation flags stronger investment climate in UP after talks with CM Yogi The Chief Minister also drew attention to partnership in green hydrogen and academic excellence. Citing a proposal put forward during the Governors visit to Uttar Pradesh, he mentioned that the state has initiated a major programme to develop IIT Kanpur as a Centre of Excellence. He stated that building on the Governors initiative, the programme aims to position IIT Kanpur as a hub for green hydrogen technology, which he believes can significantly contribute to PM Modi's mission of achieving energy self-sufficiency in UP. Officials stated that the visit goes beyond mere technological observation and is intended to explore opportunities for enhancing modern transport infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh, the report noted. The state has already initiated major projects such as expressways, metro rail networks, and regional rapid transit systems, it said, adding that the visit is also seen within the wider framework of India-Japan collaboration in high-speed rail, smart mobility, and sustainable transport, which officials believe could influence the future of infrastructure development in Uttar Pradesh and other regions. According to the second person, a compromised camera could provide vital vehicle data even during troop movement in border areas. These are serious issues that need to be addressed before full-fledged barrier-free movement on highways could be facilitated, the official said, adding that there is no change in government policy and MLFF would be implemented across the country in phases. A video of a Gen Z employee ranting about her vacation leave being cancelled at the eleventh hour has created a buzz on social media. The video shows the employee, named Simran, visibly frustrated and complaining about her manager. Simran claimed that she had informed her boss about her travel plans months in advance. Despite this, her manager called her to join the office on the very day she was supposed to board a flight to Vietnam. What happened at the airport Simran, who was already at the airport when she received the message, chose not to cancel her travel plans. In the now-viral video, she explained that she had informed her boss in mid-December about her February vacation. Despite this, on February 19, just as she was about to board her flight to Vietnam, she was told that her leave had been cancelled. Also Read | Reddit user quits job after boss rejects leave, WhatsApp chat goes viral Calling out her manager for the last-minute request, the Gen Z employee said she would have carried her laptop to Vietnam if she had been informed even earlier that day. 'I earn so that I can travel' Main issliye kamaati hun taaki main ghoom sakun (I earn so I can travel), she said. "I earn so that I can travel and enjoy freedom. And when I am getting that freedom, my family allows me to do so. First of all, I listen to my family, she added. She further said that she prioritises listening to her family over anybody else: Pehli baat toh yeh hai main sunti apne ghar walo ki hun, tumhari nahi sunti hun, tu kya kar lega. She concluded by stating that she would not cancel her holiday and would only check her work laptop after returning to India. What is the maximum he can do? Escalate the issue? Let him escalate, I will look for a new job, she said. Main toh aa gayi hun airport pe. Main toh jaa rahi hun. Ab mujhe farak nahi padta. Jo hoga ab main dekhungi 10 din baad tab main apna laptop kholungi (Ive reached the airport and Im going on my holiday. I dont care what happens. Ill check my laptop after I return in 10 days), she continued. Bhaad mein gaya project, bhaad mein gayi company (To hell with the project, to hell with the company), Simran added. The woman has been gaining widespread attention for her unapologetic approach and for placing work-life balance above last-minute corporate demands. Social media reactions Heres how social media users reacted: Simran is right... you can't ask someone to cancel leave when she is about to depart for her vacation, wrote one user. If a critical task only appears the moment an employee checks in for their flight, its not a business emergency; its a management failure, another said. I hope her boss doesnt act vindictive after this. In most offices, management is like that. With increasingly grim job prospects in India, employee exploitation is only going to increase. People have to take calculated risks with respect to job responsibilities, a user commented. A student at Columbia University was arrested early Thursday (February 26) by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who allegedly entered her campus residence by claiming they were searching for a missing person, according to her attorneys and the university. The student, Ellie Aghayeva, is originally from Azerbaijan and is studying neuroscience and political science. Her lawyers said she entered the United States on a visa in 2016. Entry into campus housing In an emergency petition filed on Thursday, Aghayevas attorneys said agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement entered her university-owned apartment in Manhattan early in the morning. The petition states the agents did not have a warrant and represented they were searching for a missing person to gain entry. No reason was given for the arrest, the filing said, adding that she was later transferred to a federal detention center in Lower Manhattan. Her attorneys have requested her immediate release. Social Media post Around 7:00 a.m., Aghayeva posted a message to her more than 100,000 followers on Instagram. DHS illegally arrested me. Please help, she wrote, referring to the United States Department of Homeland Security. A photo accompanying the post appeared to show the backseat of a vehicle. University response In an email shared with students and staff, Columbias acting president, Claire Shipman, said federal agents entered a residential building around 6:30 a.m., claiming they were searching for a missing person. She said the university was reaching out to the students family and providing legal support. Shipman also reminded the campus community of university policy, stating that students should not allow law enforcement into non-public areas and should contact campus public safety if approached. Also Read | Maryland Sues DHS to Stop Massive ICE Detention Facility Concerns over enforcement tactics The case has drawn attention amid reports of federal immigration agents using disguises or misrepresentations to gain access in some cases. Immigration attorneys say such tactics are becoming more common, raising concerns about enforcement practices. The incident comes nearly a year after the detention of former Columbia graduate student and Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who was arrested inside university housing and is currently out on bail while fighting deportation proceedings. Campus policy on law enforcement access Columbia currently requires law enforcement agents to present a judicial warrant or subpoena to access non-public areas of the university, including housing. University officials said they are reviewing the situation and continuing to coordinate support for the student and her family. Cuban authorities said Wednesday that the occupants of a Florida-registered speedboat involved in a deadly gunfight in the islands territorial waters were armed Cuban nationals residing in the United States and were intent on carrying out an infiltration with terrorist ends. Four people were killed and six wounded in the confrontation, according to Havana. The episode, which unfolded off the northern coast of central Cuba, has reignited tensions between Washington and Havana at a moment of acute economic strain on the island and renewed scrutiny of maritime traffic between Florida and Cuba. Cuba Describes Armed Infiltration Attempt According to a statement from Cubas Ministry of the Interior, the vessel approached within one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino channel, north of Corralillo in Villa Clara province. Five Cuban border guard troops on a government boat sought to identify the craft when those aboard allegedly opened fire, wounding a Cuban commander. The ministry said preliminary declarations by detained men indicated they were planning an infiltration with terrorist ends. Officials reported that the group carried firearms, Molotov cocktails, bulletproof jackets and camouflage clothing. No further details about alleged terrorist links were provided. As a result of the confrontation, at the time of this report, four foreign attackers were killed and six were wounded, the government said. The injured were evacuated for medical treatment, Cuban state media reported. Authorities also said one man had admitted flying into Cuba to rendezvous with the boat. Most of those aboard, officials claimed, had criminal or violent records. The government has begun releasing the names of some of the dead and injured. US Response and Rubios Remarks Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in St. Kitts and Nevis during meetings with Caribbean officials, said Washington was gathering information but currently relying on Cuban authorities. As we gather more information, well be prepared to respond accordingly, he said. Asked whether US government personnel or an American operation had been involved, Rubio responded, No. Later, addressing broader US-Cuba relations, Rubio suggested Washington was not anticipating an immediate collapse of Cubas communist government. Cubas status quo is unacceptable. Cuba needs to change. It needs to change, and it doesnt have to change all at once, he said. Everyone is mature and realistic. He added: Thats a system thats in collapse, and they need to make dramatic reforms, urging the government to open the space for both economic, and eventually political, freedom for the people of Cuba. Florida Officials Call for Investigation The boat, registered in Florida, appears to be a 24-foot Pro-Line motorboat built in 1981, according to state records corresponding to the registration number cited by Cuban authorities. Such vessels typically carry eight to ten passengers. Representative Carlos Gimenez of Florida called for an immediate inquiry into what he described as a massacre. Floridas attorney general, James Uthmeier, said he had directed the states Office of Statewide Prosecution to investigate, stating: The Cuban government cannot be trusted, and we will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable. A History of Maritime Clashes Wednesdays incident was not without precedent. In 2022, Cubas Ministry of the Interior reported intercepting 13 American speedboats involved in migrant smuggling and exchanging gunfire with two. In one case near Cayo Fragoso, Cuban officials said a person aboard a US-based vessel fired an automatic rifle at close range during a pursuit, wounding an officer. The US Coast Guard later intercepted the craft. In a separate incident north of Bahia Honda in Artemisa province, Cuban border guards said traffickers opened fire as authorities approached, and one accused smuggler was killed. Once again, regrettable events occur as a consequence of the hostile and irresponsible migration policy of the United States government toward Cuba, which encourages human trafficking operations organized by unscrupulous individuals residing in that country, the Cuban Ministry of Interior said at the time. Economic Crisis and Escalating Tensions between US and Cuba The latest confrontation comes amid severe economic distress in Cuba, marked by oil shortages and soaring food prices. The Trump administration has halted oil shipments to the island and threatened tariffs on goods from countries supplying energy to Cuba, measures Havana has denounced. President Donald Trump recently extended a Clinton-era emergency order permitting US authorities to intercept American vessels bound for Cuba. Citing concerns that the Cuban government has a ready and reckless willingness to use excessive force, including deadly force, the February order authorises American officials to stop, board and detain boats heading to the island. The directive argues that unauthorised entry of US-registered vessels into Cuban waters could facilitate a mass migration from Cuba, thereby harming American foreign policy interests. The fatal exchange also occurred one day after the 30th anniversary of Cubas shooting down of two planes belonging to Brothers to the Rescue, a Florida-based humanitarian group. Jose Basulto, who survived that 1996 incident, said: Those people are acting in that fashion, going there to Cuba to pick up people, are risking their lives. Unanswered Questions Key aspects of Wednesdays episode remain unclear, including the precise motives of those aboard the speedboat and whether any additional coordination occurred beyond what Cuban authorities have alleged. For now, both governments appear cautious. Washington has indicated it is reviewing the facts before responding, while Havana has characterised the confrontation as a defensive action against armed infiltrators. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has reportedly sacked as many as 10 agents who had worked on an investigation concerning President Donald Trump's retention of some classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence. The agents who have been fired by the investigation agency had worked on former Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation, multiple US media reports mentioned. The FBI had raided Donald Trump's residence in Florida in 2022, when he was out of office, as part of an investigation into the retention of classified documents after he left the White House following the end to his first term. The investigation has now been dropped. FBI director Kash Patel ordered the firing of as many as 10 agents agents over their work on the case, multiple US media outlets reported. The investigation agency has not yet released a statement over the firing of the agents. What was the investigation about? After leaving the White House, Donald Trump had allegedly kept classified documents unsecured at his Mar-a-Lago home and thwarted efforts to retrieve them. They included records from the Pentagon and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) about secret nuclear and defense documents, according to prosecutors. In July 2024, US District Judge Aileen Cannon who was appointed by Donald Trump dismissed the retention of documents case against him. He also ruled that Jack Smith, who was leading the investigation, was unlawfully appointed. While the Justice Department appealed Aileen Cannon's ruling, it dropped the case after Trump won the November 2024 presidential election. Meanwhile, the FBI Agents Association had confirmed that some agents have indeed been fired. It also condemned the firings saying it violated "the due process rights of those who risk their lives to protect" the United States. These actions weaken the Bureau by stripping away critical expertise and destabilizing the workforce, undermining trust in leadership and jeopardizing the Bureau's ability to meet its recruitment goals ultimately putting the nation at greater risk, the association said. Also Read | 'Don't want anybody looking through my boxes,' Donald Trump's indictment states Along with those who participated in the probe against illegal keeping of classified documents, the FBI has reportedly also fired some agents who were part of another investigation into Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. That investigation also led to criminal charges, but like the Mar-a-Lago case, was abandoned by special counsel Jack Smith after Trump won the White House in November 2024 because of longstanding Justice Department legal opinions that say sitting presidents cannot be indicted. The reports said the firings came on the same day Kash Patel claimed authorities had obtained his phone records in relation to the Trump probes under the Biden administration, when he was not leading the agency. Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is set to give closed-door testimony on Thursday before a congressional panel probing disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, as reported by AFP. The Clintons had initially rejected subpoenas ordering them to testify in the panel's probe, but the Democratic power couple eventually agreed to do so after House Republicans threatened to hold them in contempt of Congress. Will Bill Clinton appear? Former President Bill Clinton is expected to appear the following day before the Republican-led House Oversight Committee to answer questions about his ties to Epstein, who died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial, AFP reported. View full Image This undated, redacted photo released by the U.S. Department of Justice shows former President Bill Clinton with an unknown person. (U.S. Department of Justice via AP) ( AP ) Democrats say the investigation is being weaponized to attack political opponents of Republican President Donald Trump -- himself a former Epstein associate who has not been called to testify -- rather than to conduct legitimate oversight. Trump and Bill Clinton, both 79, feature prominently in the recently released trove of government documents related to Epstein, but have each said they broke ties with the financier before his 2008 conviction in Florida as a sex offender. Mere mention in the files is not proof of having committed a crime. The Clintons called for their depositions to be public but the committee insisted on questioning them behind closed doors, a move Bill Clinton denounced as akin to a "kangaroo court." Hillary Clinton, 78, who lost the 2016 presidential election to Trump, said in an interview with the BBC last week that she and her husband have nothing to hide. She met Maxwell "on a few occasions," she said, but never had any meaningful interactions with Epstein. The depositions are being held in Chappaqua, New York, where the Clintons reside. Dozens of journalists have converged on the wealthy hamlet to cover the unprecedented hearing. The Secret Service had erected metal barricades around the arts center where the deposition will take place, with the Clintons expected to enter through a side door shielded by a white tent. Sex trafficking Bill Clinton has admitted to taking several flights on Epsteins plane in the early 2000s for humanitarian work connected to the Clinton Foundation but maintained that he never visited Epsteins private Caribbean island. Maxwell, 64, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking. She recently appeared via video link before the House Oversight Committee but declined to answer questions, citing her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Also Read | Donald Trump's wife Melania shared close bond with Ghislaine Maxwell Her attorney, David Markus, said Maxwell would be prepared to speak publicly if granted clemency by Trump. Epstein built connections with influential business leaders, politicians, celebrities, and academics. The disclosure of files related to his case has triggered global fallout, including high-profile arrests in Britain, such as those of former prince Andrew and Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the United States. Many high-profile Americans have had their reputations damaged by ties to Epstein and resigned from their positions, but Maxwell remains the only individual convicted in connection with the late financier. Amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran, a large majority of Americans express concern about the threat posed by Irans nuclear program. Eighty percent of adults report at least a moderate level of concern that Irans nuclear ambitions represent a direct threat to the United States. Nearly half (48%) say they are very or extremely concerned, as per new AP-NORC poll. Public perceptions of Iran remain largely negative. Sixty-one percent of Americans describe Iran as an enemy of the United States, while very few consider it friendly or a close ally. By contrast, 54% of respondents characterize Israel as a close ally of the US, highlighting a clear distinction in how Americans view key actors in the Middle East. Low trust in Donald Trumps foreign policy judgment Despite widespread concern about Iran, most Americans express skepticism about President Donald Trumps decision-making on critical foreign policy matters. A majority (56%) say they have little or no trust in Trumps ability to make the right decisions regarding international military action. Trust is even lower concerning the potential use of nuclear weapons, with 59% expressing little or no confidence in his judgment. Similarly, 56% report low trust in his handling of relationships with US allies, and 55% express skepticism about his management of relations with adversaries. These findings indicate that while Americans broadly perceive international threats as serious, many remain unconvinced that the president would respond appropriately in high-stakes situations involving military force. Sharp partisan divisions Trust in the Presidents handling of international issues is deeply divided along partisan lines. Democrats and independents are significantly more likely than Republicans to express distrust in Trumps judgment. Police on Thursday apprehended a 27-year-old man for allegedly throwing snow and chunks of ice at two officers during a snowball fight at Washington Square Park earlier this week, in an incident that has sparked political debate in the city. The accused, Gusmane Coulibaly, was taken into custody Thursday morning and charged with assault, police said. Authorities are still searching for three other suspects, including two believed to be between 18 and 20 years old, who are also wanted in connection with the attack. Viral video shows confrontation during snowstorm The arrest came three days after the episode, which has sharply divided public opinion and triggered differences between New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Videos circulating online show two uniformed officers walking along a pathway in the park on Monday while snowballs are thrown at them from multiple directions. The footage shows the officers being repeatedly struck and covered in snow. As the situation escalated, the officersappearing increasingly frustratedpushed at least two individuals to the ground while the snowballs continued. In one moment, a person approaches from behind and presses snow onto an officers head. Toward the end of the clip, one officer is seen rubbing his eye. Police commissioner calls act criminal After the videos surfaced, Commissioner Tisch described the conduct as disgraceful and criminal. Also Read | Zohran Mamdani is at odds with NYPD over snowball showdown after blizzard Several political leaders condemned the incident, with critics of Mayor Mamdani arguing that the episode reflects declining respect for law enforcement. During his election campaign, Mamdani had faced criticism for remarks he made about the police department in 2020, though he has since moderated those statements. Mayors response draws mixed reactions In a post on X on Tuesday, Mamdani wrote, 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. However, at a later press conference, the mayor appeared to downplay the severity of the episode when asked whether criminal charges were warranted. Also Read | Washington DC residents enjoy snowball fight as Trump's victory is certified From the videos that Ive seen, it looks like a snowball fight, he said. Police union criticises mayors remarks Patrick Hendry, president of the citys largest police union, strongly criticised the mayors response, calling it a complete failure of leadership. The Federal Bureau Of Investigation (FBI) agents arrived at US TV anchor Savannah Guthrie's mother Nancy Guthries Tucson home on Wednesday morning and remained there for over two hours at the million-dollar property, performing an additional search for evidence before determining if her family can go back home, according to The New York Post citing sources. Investigators were likely searching for any remaining evidence that might have been missed before allowing the Guthrie family to return to the home, sources informed The Post. Nancy was last seen on January 31 after her family dropped her off at her Tucson-area home following a meal together. She was reported missing by relatives the next day. However, the suspects still not have been identified. Sources told ABC News last week that the investigation was gradually transitioning to a smaller, long-term task force approach after authorities main leads failed to produce results. However, the Pima County Sheriffs Department told The Post separately that between 300 and 400 personnel remain designated to the case and that staffing levels have not changed since the probe began. She may already be gone Meanwhile, Savannah Guthrie said her family was offering a $1 million reward for information leading to the recovery of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, who went missing from her Arizona home. Savannah mentioned on Tuesday that her family was 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. In an Instagram post, Savannah stated, She may already be gone. She may already have gone home to the Lord that she loves and is dancing in heaven. Porch camera footage released two weeks ago showing a man wearing gloves and carrying a backpack outside Nancy Guthries home provided investigators with their first significant lead, but it has also sparked widespread speculation. Also Read | Nancy Guthrie case takes new turn as FBI investigates pre-abduction surveillance On Monday, the sheriffs department said it is aware of inconsistencies in the images released of the masked individual, particularly regarding whether the person was shown with or 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 department mentioned, as per AP. Sheriff Chris Nanos made it clear last week that members of Guthries family, including her siblings and their spouses, are not considered suspects. Although the sheriff urged the public not to conduct independent searches, volunteers have continued their efforts. A small group said they discovered a black backpack on Sunday, but it did not match the brand seen in FBI-released surveillance footage showing a masked individual at Guthries home on the night she vanished. Pentagon on Wednesday reportedly asked Boeing and Lockheed Martin to assess their reliance on Anthropics AI model, Claude an early move that could pave the way for formally designating the firm a supply chain risk", reports Axios. Such a designation in the US is typically reserved for companies linked to adversarial states. Applying it to a leading American technology company particularly one whose software is embedded in classified military systems would represent an extraordinary departure from precedent. Pentagon Probes Contractors Exposure to Claude AI The Pentagon contacted Boeing and Lockheed Martin to request an analysis of their exposure to Anthropic and its AI model, Claude, according to individuals familiar with the discussions. A spokesperson for Lockheed Martin confirmed that the company had been approached by the Defense Department regarding an examination of its exposure and reliance on Anthropic ahead of a potential supply chain risk declaration. Boeing did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Also Read | Anthropic engineer says AI will take over most internet-based jobs The Pentagon intends to expand the inquiry to other major defence contractors the so-called traditional primes responsible for supplying fighter aircraft, missile systems and other core military hardware to determine whether and how they are integrating Claude into their workflows. While such outreach does not in itself sever contractual ties, it signals that the department is laying the groundwork for a more severe measure should negotiations with Anthropic collapse. Classified Systems and Strategic Operations at Stake Claude currently holds a unique position within the US militarys AI architecture: it is the only AI model operating inside classified systems. Through Anthropics partnership with Palantir, the system was deployed during the operation to capture Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro and is viewed internally as capable of supporting future contingencies, including a possible military campaign involving Iran. Also Read | Pentagon pressures Anthropic to loosen AI safeguards, sets Friday deadline Officials are said to be impressed with Claudes performance across a range of military use cases. Yet frustration has mounted over Anthropics refusal to relax its safeguards to permit use of the model for what the Pentagon describes as all lawful purposes. Anthropic has maintained firm restrictions, particularly prohibiting the use of Claude for mass surveillance of Americans or for developing weapons that operate without human involvement. Defence officials argue that seeking approval for discrete use cases is operationally impractical. Tense Meeting and a Friday Deadline The standoff intensified during a meeting on Tuesday between Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Anthropics chief executive, Dario Amodei. During the session, Hegseth imposed a deadline: 5:01 pm on Friday. Should Anthropic decline to amend its policies, the administration has warned it could invoke the Defense Production Act (DPA) to compel the company to tailor its model to military requirements, or alternatively declare Anthropic a supply chain risk. Also Read | Pentagon vs Anthropic: Hegseth demands full military access to Claude AI Invoking the DPA could allow the military to retain access to Claude while forcing compliance, though such a move would almost certainly invite legal challenge. The Pentagon stated it was preparing to execute on any decision that the secretary might make on Friday regarding Anthropic. Referring to the possible supply chain risk designation earlier this week, a senior Defense official told Axios: It will be an enormous pain in the ass to disentangle, and we are going to make sure they pay a price for forcing our hand like this. Supply Chain Risk: A Rare and Severe Measure The supply chain risk label is generally associated with companies perceived to pose national security threats because of foreign influence or adversarial state ties. Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei is among the most prominent examples. Applying such a label to a domestic AI company would be unprecedented and could have sweeping commercial implications. Contractors working with the federal government might be compelled to remove Claude from sensitive systems, potentially disrupting projects already reliant on the model. At present, the Pentagons request for exposure assessments represents a preliminary step rather than an immediate directive to sever ties. Some observers view the manoeuvre as strategic brinkmanship intended to pressure Anthropic into concession. Anthropics Position: Safeguards and National Security Anthropic has publicly framed the discussions as constructive, albeit firm. A company spokesperson described the meeting between Amodei and Hegseth as a continuation of 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. The spokesperson declined to comment on the prospect of a supply chain risk designation. Anthropics leadership has repeatedly articulated concerns about the societal dangers of advanced AI, including autonomous weapons and domestic surveillance. Those principles now sit at the heart of a confrontation with the Pentagon at a moment when military adoption of AI systems is accelerating globally. Competitive Landscape: Google, OpenAI and xAI Enter the Frame The dispute unfolds against a rapidly shifting competitive backdrop. Elon Musks xAI recently secured an agreement to move its systems into classified military environments under an all lawful use standard precisely the framework Anthropic has resisted. Google and OpenAI, whose AI models are already deployed in unclassified government systems, are in negotiations to extend their presence into classified domains. One individual familiar with those discussions characterised Claude as the most capable model in several military applications but identified Googles Gemini as a credible alternative. Pentagon and Anthropic are locked in an unusual controversy, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has warned the AI company that it will be removed from his agency's supply chain if it does not meet certain demands. Pentagon has reportedly already taken the first step to blacklist Anthropic as it tapped its defence contractors to assess their reliance on the AI company. The Department of Defense has been engaged in a months-long dispute with Anthropic over its use of Claude AI. Reuters reported that Anthropic has no intention of easing its usage restrictions on military applications. A meeting between Hegseth and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has already taken place, after which talks are continuing. During the meeting, Hegseth said that if Anthropic did not comply, the Pentagon would take action against it, with options including labelling it a supply-chain risk or invoking a law that would force Anthropic to change its rules, reported Reuters. We 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 said in a statement after the meeting. Anthropic has time until Friday, 5 pm, to respond, according to the report. But why are Anthropic and Pentagon fighting? Here is what you need to know. Why US military is fighting Anthropic over how to use Claude AI At the centre of the issue is the question of who controls Claude AI the Pentagon or Anthropic CEO. According to a report by CBS, the standoff started when the US military used Anthropic's Claude AI during the operation to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro last month. A spokesperson for Anthropic said in a statement that the AI startup has not discussed the use of Claude for specific operations with the Department of War. CBS, citing people with knowledge of the matter, said Anthropic has repeatedly asked the Pentagon to uphold certain guardrails, including a restriction on using Claude for mass surveillance of US citizens. Also Read | Anthropic engineer says AI will take over most internet-based jobs Also Read | Pentagon taps Boeing, Lockheed Martin in first step to blacklist Anthropic Pentagon has pushed big AI companies, including Anthropic and OpenAI, to make their AI tools available on classified networks without many of the standard restrictions that the companies apply to users, per Reuters. However, Anthropic does not want the US military to use Claude for final targeting decisions in military operations without any human involvement, as per CBS. Earlier this month, Mrinank Sharma, a senior safety researcher, said he was leaving Anthropic. I continuously find myself reckoning with our situation, he wrote in a letter to colleagues that he posted to X. The world is in peril, he wrote. And not just from AI, or bioweapons, but from a whole series of interconnected crises unfolding in this very moment. The ultimatum from the Pentagon marks an escalation in a growing dispute between the Defense Department and the AI startup over the companys insistence on guardrails for use of its Claude AI tool. If carried out, the Pentagons threat would put at risk up to $200 million in work that Anthropic had agreed to do for the military. Quote of the day: Try never to be the smartest person in the room. And if you are, I suggest you invite smarter people or find a different room" Michael Dell Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Technologies, American billionaire businessman and investor, offers a powerful lesson in humility and growth through this widely shared quote. At first glance, it may sound counterintuitive. After all, many people strive to be the most knowledgeable or accomplished person in any setting. But Dells words suggest that true success lies not in dominance, but in continuous learning. What does Michael Dell's quote mean? The core message of the quote is about surrounding yourself with people who challenge you. If you are the smartest person in the room, it likely means you are not being pushed to expand your thinking. Growth happens when we are exposed to new ideas, different perspectives and higher levels of expertise. By inviting smarter people into the conversation, or placing yourself in more demanding environments, you create opportunities to improve. Dells philosophy also reflects effective leadership. Great leaders do not feel threatened by talent; they actively seek it. Building a strong team means hiring individuals who may surpass you in certain skills. This fosters innovation, sharper decision-making and long-term success. In the corporate world, companies that encourage open dialogue and diverse thinking are often the ones that stay ahead. Beyond business, the quote applies to personal development. Whether in academics, professional life or creative pursuits, stagnation can occur when we remain too comfortable. Choosing a different room symbolises stepping outside familiar circles and embracing environments that stretch our abilities. Dells advice encourages intellectual humility. It reminds us that knowledge is not a fixed status but an ongoing journey. The smartest move is not proving you are the smartest, it is ensuring you never stop learning. Who is Michael Dell? Michael Dell, 65, is the founder, chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies, one of the worlds leading technology infrastructure firms. As of 2025, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index ranks him as the 10th-richest person globally, with an estimated net worth of $151 billion. Earlier estimates by Forbes in October 2023 indicated that around $50 billion of his wealth came from his 50% stake in Dell and 40% stake in VMware, while the remaining assets were managed through his family investment firm, DFO Management. Dell was born in 1965 in Houston, Texas, into a Jewish family. His father, Alexander Dell, was an orthodontist, while his mother, Lorraine Charlotte (nee Langfan), worked as a stockbroker. He studied at Herod Elementary School in Houston and showed an early interest in business, even applying to take a high school equivalency exam at the age of eight. During his early teens, he invested money earned from part-time jobs in stocks and precious metals. Also Read | Dell Pro Essential for business efficiency and Pro Max for local AI innovation Dell later attended Memorial High School in Houston, where he sold subscriptions to the Houston Post during the summer. Although his parents hoped he would pursue a career in medicine, he enrolled as a pre-med student at the University of Texas in 1983 to meet their expectations. His children are Zachary Dell, Alexa Dell, Juliette Dell, Kira Dell, while the spouse is Susan Dell. He serves on the Foundation Board of the World Economic Forum (WEF), as well as on the executive committee of the International Business Council and the US Business Council. He previously held a position on the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, advising the US president on scientific and technological matters. Zohran Mamdani said he had a productive meeting Thursday (February 26) with US President Donald Trump at the White House, where the two leaders discussed housing policy and a federal immigration enforcement operation. The meeting marked the second time the men have met in person since Mamdanis mayoral election victory late last year. Mamdani, a Democrat and self-described democratic socialist, and Trump, a Republican, have frequently criticized each others policy positions despite maintaining open lines of communication. I had a productive meeting with President Trump this afternoon. I'm looking forward to building more housing in New York City, Mamdani wrote on X, posting a photo of the two together. Housing a central focus Housing development was a key topic of discussion, according to the mayor. Mamdani has made expanding affordable housing a central priority of his administration and signaled optimism about potential federal cooperation. Im looking forward to building more housing in New York City, he reiterated in his social media post. While no formal agreements were immediately announced, the tone of Mamdanis remarks suggested a willingness on both sides to find common ground on housing supply and development. Immigration enforcement concerns Mamdani also said he raised concerns about the detention of a student from Columbia University by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) earlier on Thursday. According to the mayor, he addressed the matter directly with Trump during their meeting. Mamdani said the President later informed him that the student would be released imminently. The White House has not released additional details about the detention or the reported decision to release the student. From criticism to cordiality Though the two men have sharply different political worldviews, their interactions have at times defied expectations. Their first meeting in November was described as unexpectedly friendly, despite longstanding public disagreements. Trump referenced Mamdani during his February 24 State of the Union address to Congress, striking a mixed tone. The new communist mayor of New York City, I think hes a nice guy, actually, Trump said. I speak to him a lot. Bad policy, but nice guy. Also Read | Americans lack trust in Trump on military action abroad, poll finds Once a CVD has been imposed, the companies will have to fight it legally, said Santosh Kumar Sarangi, secretary to the Union ministry of new and renewable energy. "So, our companies will have to challenge that in the appellate forum; but until then, this will continue, this 126% which has been imposed," he said. The Indian government is "not in the picture," Sarangi said, adding embassy support may be, however, provided to the affected parties. Iran seeks to offer Donald Trump financial incentives, including investments in its extensive oil and gas reserves, as part of efforts to persuade the US president to agree on a deal regarding its nuclear programme and to avert war, according to a report by the Financial Times. A person familiar with the situation described the potential as a commercial bonanza, noting that Tehran aims to attract Trumps interest with deals that could offer a financial dividend for the US. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to conduct another round of indirect negotiations with US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Geneva on Thursday. A senior US official stated that no commercial offer has yet been made to the US. This was never discussed. President Trump has been clear that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon or the capacity to build one, the official said. Also Read | US deploys combat jets to Israel for potential wartime mission in Iran The individual familiar with the matter told the news portal that the investment opportunities were specifically aimed at Trump, including a significant economic boom in oil, gas, mining rights, and critical minerals.' Another person mentioned that there have been discussions regarding Iran potentially offering US investments in gas and oil. However, the proposal has not yet been formally submitted to Washington. [Iran is] looking at Venezuela as a case study, the person mentioned Trumps effort to encourage US companies to secure oil deals in the Latin American country following the US's action to seize Nicolas Maduro last month. Iran's goal This idea is part of Irans efforts to demonstrate to Washington that it is committed to a deal and to prevent US strikes, especially as Trump applies increasing pressure. Iranian officials have also threatened to escalate any conflict with the US following an American attack, suggesting they may reevaluate their earlier policy of limiting retaliation. Trump's criticism Trump, who has organised the largest military buildup in the Middle East since the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, cautioned Tehran last week that it had a maximum of 15 days to strike a deal, or else bad things will happen. During the State of the Union address on Tuesday, Trump criticised Irans so-called "sinister nuclear ambitions and accused Tehran of working to build missiles that will soon reach the US. My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy, he said. But one thing is certain, I will never allow the worlds number one sponsor of terror, which they are . . . to have a nuclear weapon. Cant let that happen. Iran maintains that its program is for civilian use, yet it was enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels prior to the US and Israel bombings of its nuclear facilities last year. The report mentioned that Iran is considering a multinational verification mechanism for its nuclear program. This could include a US team or a third country acting on its behalf, in addition to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN's watchdog agency. Iran-US Tensions: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that Iran continues to pose a very grave threat to the United States, citing both its nuclear ambitions and extensive missile and naval capabilities. Iran poses a very grave threat to the United States, and has for a very long time" Rubio said on Wednesday (local time). First and foremost, after their nuclear program was obliterated, they were told not to try to restart it, and here they are, Rubio is heard saying in a video shared by Russia Today. "You can see them always trying to rebuild elements of it. They're not enriching right now, but they're trying to get to the point where they ultimately can, Rubio said while speaking to reporters during a trip to St. Kitts and Nevis, the two-island nation in the Caribbean Sea Rubio's remarks come hours before the US and Iranian officials are due to meet in Geneva on Thursday for a third round of indirect talks, as US President Donald Trump threatens to strike Iran if a nuclear deal is not reached. Also Read | Iran military helicopter crashes into fruit market in Isfahan, four killed The discussions come amid the largest US military build-up in the Middle East since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, and with Iran vowing to respond to an attack with force. The talks are seen as a last-ditch effort to prevent a conflict, but the chances of an agreement remain unclear. The other thing I would point you to, however, is that Iran possesses a very large number of ballistic missiles, particularly short range ballistic missiles, that threaten the United States and our bases in the region, and our partners in the region, and all of our bases in the UAE and Qatar and Bahrain, Rubio said. While Trump has said he prefers to solve the crisis through diplomacy, he has also said he is considering a limited strike on Iran to pressure its leaders to accept a deal, according to the BBC. "And they also possess naval assets that threaten shipping and try to threaten the US Navy. So I want everybody to understand that. And beyond just the nuclear program, they possess these conventional weapons that are solely designed to attack America and attack Americans if they so choose to do so, Rubio said. Iran has rejected US demands Iran has rejected the US demand to stop the enrichment of uranium in its territory. But there have been indications that it is prepared to offer some concessions about its nuclear programme. At the scheduled negotiations in Geneva, Iran will be led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while the US will be represented by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. The US has in recent weeks sent thousands of troops and what Trump has described as an "armada" to the region, including two aircraft carriers along with other warships, as well as fighter jets and refuelling aircraft. President Trump first threatened to bomb Iran in January amid anti-government protests, killing thousands of people in the Islamic nation. But since then, his focus has turned to Iran's nuclear programme, which has been at the centre of a long-running dispute with the West. Iran poses a very grave threat to the United States, and has for a very long time. In his State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday, Trump briefly mentioned about the tensions with Iran. The President said Iran was working to build missiles that would "soon" be capable of reaching the US. Trump also accused Iran of trying to "start all over again" with a nuclear weapons programme following last year's strikes. Trump said he could not allow the 'world's number one sponsor of terror' to have a nuclear weapon. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has imposed a total ban on poultry and egg imports from 40 countries. The Kingdom has also announced a partial ban covering specific provinces and cities in 16 other countries. These restrictions are part of the authoritys precautionary measures to safeguard public health and strengthen food safety standards in the local market, Saudi Gazette reported. The SFDA said the list remains subject to periodic review in response to global health developments. Also Read | Saudi Arabia wants to host the worlds cheapest data centres Some countries have been under ban in Saudi Arabia since 2004, while others have been added progressively over the years based on risk assessments and international reports concerning animal diseases, most notably outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, according to the latest update, reviewed by Okaz newspaper and reported by Saudi Gazette. This approach demonstrates the authoritys ongoing commitment to closely monitoring the evolving global epidemiological landscape, the report said. The latest sweeping poultry and egg import ban from 40 countries (plus partial restrictions on regions within 16 others) announced in Saudi Arabia by the SFDA is widely reported by major news outlets, but LiveMint could not find a corresponding notice available either on SFDA or any other official website of the Kingdom. India, 39 Countries in the list of ban The total ban covers the following 40 countries. These include India, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Djibouti, South Africa, China, Iraq, Ghana, Palestine, Vietnam, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Cameroon, South Korea, North Korea, Laos, Libya, Myanmar, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Hong Kong, Japan, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Serbia, Slovenia, Ivory Coast, and Montenegro. Also Read | Ramadan Moon sighted in Saudi Arabia; first Roza tomorrow The partial ban included some provinces and cities in 16 countries, including Australia, the United States, Italy, Belgium, Bhutan, Poland, Togo, Denmark, Romania, Zimbabwe, France, the Philippines, Canada, Malaysia, Austria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Why the ban? The authority further clarified that poultry meat and related products that have undergone heat treatment or other processing methods sufficient to eliminate the Newcastle disease virus will be exempt from the temporary ban, provided they fully comply with approved health requirements, regulations, and standards. Such products must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by the competent official authorities in the country of origin, confirming that the heat treatment or processing applied is adequate to eliminate the Newcastle disease virus. This exemption is granted without prejudice to the requirement that the product originates from an approved facility. According to a report by The Times of India, the SFDA said the move was aimed at safeguarding public health and food safety in the Kingdom. The decision aims to protect public health and ensure food safety in the local market, the authority has said, adding that the list of banned countries is reviewed regularly based on global disease developments. The decision aims to protect public health and ensure food safety in the local market. Global bird flu concerns The latest restrictions come amid renewed global concerns over bird flu, prompting tighter monitoring of food imports and periodic updates to regulatory frameworks. US-Iran tensions LIVE Updates: The third round of nuclear talks between US and Iran are underway. The latest development comes amid increasing American military build-up in the Middle East and Donald Trump's repeated declarations that he will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons. US-Iran nuclear talks For Thursday's talks in Geneva, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to participate, alongside Irans foreign minister Abbas Araqchi, as per a Reuters report that cited a US official. Meanwhile, Omans foreign minister Badr Albusaidi will step back into his shoes as mediator. Rafael Grossi, the chief of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), will also be in the Swiss city to hold talks with both delegations. Trump's case for military action A day ago, US President Trump laid out his case for a military attack on Iran in the longest-ever State of the Union address, reiterating that he would not allow Tehran to possess nuclear weapons. We wiped it out and they want to start all over again. And theyre at this moment again pursuing their sinister ambitions, Trump said in his speech, adding, We are in negotiations with them. They want to make a deal, but we havent heard those secret words: We will never have a nuclear weapon. While the US President said his "preference" was to "solve this problem through diplomacy," he added, "One thing is certain: I will never allow the worlds number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon." Trump's comments were backed by Vice President J D Vance, who, in an interview with Fox News on Wednesday said, "Iran can't have a nuclear weapon. That would be the ultimate military objective, if that's the route that [Trump] chose." Earlier, on 19 February, Trump had warned that really bad things would happen if Iran failed to make a deal in 10-15 days' time. Biggest US military build-up since 2003 Thursdays talks between Washington and Tehran come amid a massive US military build-up in the Middle East, its biggest military deployments in the region since the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Since late January, a carrier strike group centred around the USS Abraham Lincol has been stationed in the region, and the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, has been dispatched to the Gulf. Trump, in his second term, has already attacked Iran once, striking three nuclear sites in June last year, and there are growing fears of present tensions escalating into a regional conflict. Follow LIVE updates from the situation in Middle East. The president and CEO of the World Economic Forum, Borge Brende, announced on Thursday that he was resigning, a few weeks after the forum initiated an independent investigation into his association with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Brende, who became president of the WEF in 2017, announced his decision in a statement following disclosures from the US Justice Department that showed the Norwegian had three business dinners with Epstein and had also communicated with the disgraced financier via email and text message. Who is Borge Brende? Born in 1965, Brende served as the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Trade and Industry, and Minister of Climate and the Environment. He was the Deputy Chairman of the Norwegian Conservative Party as well as an MP and a full-time city counsellor in his hometown of Trondheim. Borge Brende graduated with a BA in economics, law and history, NTNU, Trondheim. He began his career as a political adviser in 1985. Other key positions held Brende served as Chairman of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Red Cross, and was a Board Member of Statoil and the Norwegian School of Economics. Additionally, he was the chair of Mesta, Norways largest road and highway maintenance contracting group, according to the WEF website. He previously served as a Director of the Philanthropy Asia Alliance. Currently, he is a Member of the Advisory Board of the Hoffman Centre for Global Sustainability and serves on the Advisory Council of the Harvard International Negotiation Program, the website says. He is also a member of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) and the Strategic Committee of Sciences Po, and he sits on the Board of the Bilderberg Meetings. Also Read | Did DOJ withhold Epstein Files linked to allegations against Trump? What we know Brende's resignation In a statement issued on Thursday, Brende said, After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum. My time here, spanning 8-1/2 years, has been profoundly rewarding. He added, "I am grateful for the incredible collaboration with my colleagues, partners, and constituents, and I believe now is the right moment for the Forum to continue its important work without distractions. Brende made no mention of Epstein. Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink, co-chairs of the Geneva-based forum that hosts the annual Davos summit, said in a separate statement that an independent review by outside counsel into Brende's connections with Epstein had been completed. The findings indicated no concerns beyond what was already disclosed, it added. In the past few days, nearly every alternate day has brought news of bomb-threat emails sent to one or more schools in Delhi. The script is wearyingly familiar. An email lands in multiple school inboxesoften routed through encrypted servers, sometimes crudely drafted with digital trails left behind. So far, all have proven to be hoaxes. Yet, there has been no let up and the invisible damage they cause continues. The Congress party on Thursday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his address to the Israeli Parliament, calling it an unabashed defence of his host, Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel. The opposition party also recalled India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and his July 1947 reply to the German-born theoretical physicist Albert Einstein regarding the creation of Israel. Modi arrived in Israel on 25 February for a two-day visit aimed at deepening ties with a key trade and defence partner, a trip that has drawn criticism at home from the opposition camp. On his first day, Modi received a rousing welcome from Israeli lawmakers on Wednesday as he promised friendship, respect and partnership with Israel at a time when its world standing has suffered because of the war in Gaza. Addressing the Israeli Parliament, Knesset, Modi described the Gaza Peace Initiative as a path towards "just and durable peace" in the region. He also delivered a message of solidarity with Israel, asserting that terrorism anywhere threatens peace everywhere. Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, denounced the speech on Thursday. "In his address to the Knesset yesterday - which was an unabashed defence of his host - Prime Minister Modi drew attention to the fact that India recognised the new state of Israel on the day he was born," he said. Ramesh cited Nehru's views on the creation of Israel in his letter to Einstein. "Here is Nehru's reply to Einstein a month later. On November 5, 1949, the two had met at Einstein's home in Princeton. In November 1952, Einstein was offered the Presidency of Israel, which he declined," Ramesh recalled. "And a short while before he passed away in April 1955, Einstein and Nehru had exchanged letters on the issue of nuclear explosions and weapons," he pointed out. What did Nehru tell Einstein? In his reply to Einstein on 11 July 1947, Nehru wrote, Ramesh posted, "I confess that while I have a very great deal of sympathy for the Jews, I feel sympathy for the Arabs also in their predicament. In any event, the whole issue has become one of high emotion and deep passion on both sides." In the letter shared by Ramesh along with a post on X, Nehru replies to Einstein, Unless men are big enough on either side, which is just and generally agreeable to the parties concerned, I see no effective solution for the present. Also Read | Netanyahu surprises friend Modi with traditional Indian attire at joint dinner "I have paid a good deal of attention to this problem of Palestine and have read books and pamphlets on the subject issued on either side; yet I cannot say that I know all about it, or that I am competent to pass a final opinion as to what should be done. I know that the Jews have done a wonderful piece of work in Palestine and have raised the standards of the people there, but one question troubles me. After all these remarkable achievements, why have they failed to gain the goodwill of the Arabs? "Why do they want to compel the Arabs to submit against their will to certain demands? The way of approach has been one which does not lead to a settlement, but rather to the continuation of the conflict. I have no doubt that the fault is not confined to one party but that all have erred." The chief difficulty has been the continuation of British rule in Palestine, Nehru said. What's on the agenda today? On the second day, PM Modi and Netanyahu will hold bilateral talks and PM Modi will visit the Holocaust memorial, Yad Vashem. PM Modi will also take part in delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Netanyahu today, followed by the exchange of MoUs and press statements by the two leaders. In his address to the Knesset yesterday - which was an unabashed defence of his host - Prime Minister Modi drew attention to the fact that India recognised the new state of Israel on the day he was born. PM Modi will also interact with the members of the Indian diaspora and visit an exhibition of technologies and innovations in Israel. The guardrails are off for Anthropic, a company founded by former OpenAI employees worried about the dangers of artificial intelligence. Once focused on the proper development of AI technology with safety in mind, Anthropic is now weakening its foundational safety principle, with the company releasing a statement on its revised security policy. "Were releasing the third version of our Responsible Scaling Policy (RSP), the voluntary framework we use to mitigate catastrophic risks from AI systems," Anthropic said on Tuesday, marking the change. Also Read | Pentagon taps Boeing, Lockheed Martin in first step to blacklist Anthropic Anthropic's new safety policy: What changes? In a statement to Business Insider, the company also said that amid heightened competition and lack of government regulation, it would no longer abide by its commitment "to pause the scaling and/or delay the deployment of new models" when such advancements would have outpaced its own safety measures. Anthropics previous safety policy required it to pause training more powerful models if their capabilities outpaced the companys ability to control them and ensure their safety a measure thats been removed in the new policy. Explaining the shift, Anthropic said that the current policy environment with regard to the technology had "shifted toward prioritizing AI competitiveness and economic growth, while safety-oriented discussions have yet to gain meaningful traction at the federal level." Further, the company's chief science officer, Jared Kaplan, told Time Magazine that its responsible scaling policy had failed to keep pace with the AI race. Also Read | Anthropic engineer says AI will take over most internet-based jobs "We felt that it wouldn't actually help anyone for us to stop training AI models. We didn't really feel, with the rapid advance of AI, that it made sense for us to make unilateral commitments if competitors are blazing ahead," Kaplan was quoted as saying by the publication. Anthropic also said that it was "convinced" that "effective government engagement on AI safety is both necessary and achievable", but added that it was "proving to be a long-term project---not something that is happening organically as AI becomes more capable or crosses certain thresholds." To that end, Anthropic will continue to provide safety recommendations for the AI industry, but the company will separate its own plans from its suggestions for the industry. Also Read | Indian IT stocks jump up to 4% as global tech stocks rally Tiff with Pentagon The change comes at a time when Anthropic has been embroiled in a dispute with the Pentagon, and a day after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave the company's CEO Dario Amodei a Friday deadline to rollback AI safeguards. Failing to do so, Hegseth warned, would put Anthropic at risk of losing a $200 million defence contract and being put on a government blacklist, reported CNN. When Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp announced 1,300 acres at McDonald Farm would become a state park, conservationists celebrated. It marked a second win for advocates after Wamp canceled a proposed deed restriction swap in January, which could have opened Enterprise South Nature Park to development. But with a rapidly growing county population, expected to increase by nearly 52,000 by 2040, according to the University of Tennessee's Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research, there's limited space for future businesses looking to set up shop and create jobs. "There's a saying in economic development: no product, no project," said Adam Myers, vice president of economic development at the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. "We do have a number of companies that are landlocked currently and have been exploring the market for opportunities for maybe larger sites or sites where they can consolidate operations." Volkswagen arrived at what was once a World War II ammunition plant, Enterprise South Industrial Park, in 2008. An Amazon fulfillment center followed in 2011, along with multiple auto suppliers. Save Enterprise South Nature Park: "Over-the-moon-excited" for new state park plan More than 1300 acres of McDonald Farm will be part of what Hamilton County Mayor Wamp is calling one of the largest park investments in the countys history. We heard from the leading conservation group behind the former land swap deal, Save Enterprise South Nature Park, about the new plan. The site has helped generate more than 12,000 jobs over the past two decades, according to the chamber. "In the state of where Hamilton County is and where Chattanooga is, those types of big, mega-sites are going to be very hard to come by," Myers said. "Where we see a lot of activity right now is for sites that need to be 50 acres, 80 acres and above, where we can have great opportunity." In addition to smaller sites, Myers said there could also be redevelopment opportunities. Before deciding against development at McDonald Farm, county leaders faced expensive and lengthy processes to even get the land ready for industrial use. "A lot of the projects that we see, they're looking for sites that need to be ready to go, where they can be under construction within 12 to 18 months," Myers said. "That timeline often hinders us when we're trying to really promote opportunities here." Limited space isn't the only thing limiting site selection, Myers said. "It also is things like automation that is impacting that," he said. "Companies are investing in more machinery and equipment, but it's ultimately creating less jobs." Still, Myers said quantum computing jobs present opportunities for future growth. While projects currently in the pipeline remain confidential, local leaders told Local 3 they're committed to balancing conservation with job creation. "The county is actively working with the state, city, chamber and other private sector partners to identify sites that are suitable for future job creation," said Jordan Karnbach, deputy press secretary for Mayor Wamp. You can watch Wednesday's Hamilton County Commission Meeting, which will include discussions regarding McDonald Farm's future, on YouTube. The Ballinalee Players are delighted to bring John B Keane's provocative and powerful play Sive, inspired by real life events from the time to Thomas Ashe Hall in Ballinalee from February 27-28 and March 1. The group have performed in that very hall over the past 10 years, and are happy to return with another play. The play has held audiences rapt since its first performance in 1959 and remains a stalwart of Irelands theatre, having won the All-Ireland Finals that year. Inspired by real-life events in Keanes life in North Kerry, Sive covers powerful themes, some dark comedy and humour to interest the audiences today as it did when it was first shown. PICTURES | Seeing Longford in a different light; Thousands enjoy superb Longford Lights The Ballinalee Players' production of Sive is part funded by Creative Ireland Longford. Keane's language remains as powerful today as it did when first performed by Listowel Players. Ballinalee Players are very much a community theatre group who are supported by the wonderful community in the area, and hope to see as many theatre enthusiasts come to see their rendition of this infamous work. Anne Sheridan, the PRO of the Ballinalee Players, came to chat a little in advance to the performance nights about the group and the cast. "The Ballinalee Players have been a drama group on and off for 60 years. The present incarnation has been for the past 10. Its a local cast of crew made up of volunteers from all walks of life; drivers, teachers, retirees. They range from early 20s to more mature, she said. The cast stars are: Carol Vesey as Nanna Glavin; Anne Sheridan as Mena Glavin; Rowena Rawle as Sive Glavin; Vinny Conefrey as Thomasheen Sean Rua; PJ Donnelly as Mike Glavin; Seamus Cahill as Pats Bocock; Gerry Brady as Cathalawn Bocock; Kevin Reynolds as Liam Scuab; and Pat McDonnell as Sean Dota. Sive deals with young love, marriage, greed and rural life in Ireland of the 1950s. Directed by Martina Reynolds, who has worked with the Ballinalee Players for a number of years as director, there will be darkly comic exchanges between Nanna Glavin and Mena, her hated daughter-in-law. Travelling poets and men of the road, Pats and Carthalawn, bring music and news whether good or bad. Keane's Sive is on this year's Leaving Certificate course, another sign of its powerful memorable and accessible story. It is an opportunity for students to Keanes story brought to life. The play was chosen and cast in November. Rehearsals have naturally increased after Christmas, from three nights to four a week. It is a big time commitment but people appreciate the local support and get support from much further afield. Theres a circuit of people who like going to community and amateur drama. There are individuals and groups who like to travel to see different plays and weekends. Often during the springtime. Now is a busy time. Read more: "I'm speechless!" - Longford's Maura lands HUGE deal with iconic brand Tickets cost 15 per person, and the performance begins at 8pm for February 27-28. Doors open on these two nights at 7:30pm. It is 7pm on March 1 when the performance starts. Eventbrite says that the nights will last the duration of three hours. Booking for all three nights is available on Eventbrite Any queries re tickets call 086 169 3563. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sive-by-john-bkeane-saturday-28th-february-2026-tickets-1982623261546 Longford County Council has given their backing to a Sepsis Awareness Campaign in memory of their late colleague, Andy Lowry. The campaign is led by local advocates Linda Lowry and Bobbi Yasir, in partnership with the Irish Sepsis Foundation, and also honours the late Zara Yasir (18 months), daughter of Bobbi Yasir. Read More: This week! Come see the Ballinalee Players' 'powerful' performance of John B Keane's work Upon announcing their participation in the campaign, Longford County Council stated that Andys legacy would continue to inspire efforts to raise awareness, educate communities, and help prevent future loss of life through early recognition and action. As part of this important initiative, a series of Sepsis Awareness Information Sessions were hosted for staff across the county. The sessions provided clear, practical information about recognising the signs and symptoms of sepsis, while also sharing powerful personal stories that highlight the real-life impact of this serious condition and the vital importance of early awareness. Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Councillor Garry Murtagh, stressed the importance of developing a better understanding of sepsis, adding that increased public knowledge could save lives. He added, It is vital that people know the warning signs and feel confident to act. We are grateful to Linda and Bobbi for their leadership and courage in driving this campaign, and it is a privilege for the Council to support it. Read More: Warrant for man who "couldn't get a lift to Longford" Chief Executive of Longford County Council, Paddy Mahon said the council was honoured to support Linda and Bobbi in such an important campaign. He continued, Sepsis awareness can save lives, and initiatives like this play a crucial role in ensuring people know the warning signs and act quickly. It is especially meaningful for us to be part of this work in memory of our colleague Andy, who is fondly remembered by all who worked with him." Longford County Council encourages the wider community to learn more about sepsis and to continue supporting awareness efforts across the county. Funded by the local democratic reporting scheme There are currently over 6,000 children in care in Ireland and this figure is growing every day. Unfortunately, a lot of children in Ireland cannot live with their own family, either on a short-term or long-term basis for various reasons and are therefore brought into State care. This could be because of illness in the family, the death of a parent, neglect, abuse or violence in the home, or sometimes it can be because the parent or family is not coping and they need respite or long-term help. Foster families are often the safety net for children in those situation; people like Longford Town's Edel McGoey. Edel has been called the Nanny McPhee of her family having fostered 24 children in total on respite over the last seven years. It might sound like a lot of work but, she couldn't recommend it to people highly enough. Edel is currently the proud and loving full-time foster mother to a 13-year-old girl and has been for the past two years. The reason Edel wanted to foster a child in the first place was because she only had one child of her own but always wanted more children. "I just decided to go into fostering to see if I could change somebody else's life. At the beginning, I only started doing respite, which I thoroughly enjoyed, but in the last 18 months, I'm now doing it full-time," Edel told the Longford Leader/Longford Live. Edel reached out to Fostering First Ireland to start her fostering journey and said they are "absolutely amazing." "There's somebody there 24-7. There's always somebody at the end of the phone which thankfully I don't need too often but when you do, it's great. "Once you're over 25, you have a spare bedroom, you're able to drive, and you don't have any children under the age of three, you can foster, which is absolutely a great opportunity if you can do it." READ NEXT: 'Simply not good enough': Longford children and families left without vital support - Longford Live Edel said that while fostering does come with challenges, " it's an amazing journey" and support is there. "Once you've spoken to somebody in Fostering First Ireland, they will guide you through the whole lot and take you from there until the child is in your arms or in your house, whatever the case may be." Edel said that the process takes about five to six months to do the assessment. "It used to take a lot longer but now it's a lot quicker because they're crying out for foster carers." The Longford woman says she has noticed in her seven years of fostering that there is "more and more babies from hospitals coming into care in Ireland." "When I started seven years ago, there were very few little babies but now there are more and more babies coming into care." The local mother described the moment her foster child turned up to her home as "nerve-wracking," adding that she "didn't know what to expect and neither did the child." Edel said that her foster child was already on respite with another foster family before she arrived to her home so it wasn't completely new for the young girl and that they had both met before on respite. "With respite, it's great to see them coming and it's also great to see them going, but with full-time, it's different because you're met with different challenges. "You're meeting other peers, you have social workers a lot of the time, not all the time, and you'll have the education officer, you have to bring them to school, set all that up, but in fairness to FFI, they're amazing. "They will guide you through everything and if you're finding any difficulty, they will help you along the way, especially with education, medical appointments, dental appointments." Edel highly recommends fostering a child to anyone who is able to do so. She said that "even if you weren't available to do a full-time placement, it's amazing to do respite, because you get to meet all these different children, different walks of life and different backgrounds. ALSO READ: 170 Longford pupils show a 'high standard' for one of the biggest quiz events - Longford Live "Now, as I said, they all come with challenges; they're not in foster care for no reason but it's great to be able to give something back. It's very rewarding and it's an amazing journey. "Once you get on it, one piece of advice that would be fostered is just try it; don't think too much about making a call. Once you start, I don't think you'll ever look back. "There's times I'd say, why did I do it? Or I'd be pulling my hair out, but I'm glad I'm still doing it. It's a lot of responsibility but it's been very worthwhile seeing children from all parts of life and to know you're helping them." She emphasised that "it's a wonderful experience, if you have the empathy, the room, and are willing to have a challenge, definitely, I'd go for it". "I think a lot of people are afraid of it, the fact that they have to give up so much. I didn't have to give up anything, so thankfully the children blend into the lifestyle that you have. "But thankfully I've never had any issues and my life hasn't changed in the sense that, yes, it has made a difference to a lot of other children, but I'm still carrying on with my day-to-day living, so it's not as if you have to change your lifestyle." Edel said that her nieces and nephews call her Nanny McPhee because she always has a child with her. If you are interested in fostering a child, you can send an enquiry to www.fosteringfirstireland.ie or call Fostering Advisor Jess directly on 087 9394697. You can also attend one of their fortnightly information sessions which are held online with fostering advisors and experienced foster carers. Fostering First Ireland's criteria to be able to foster a child is as follows: - You need to be over the age of twenty-five, there is no upper age with fostering you just need to be in good health and have a reliable support network around you. - You should have a spare bedroom available, foster children can not share with your own children. - If you have children, your youngest should be at least 3 years old. You do not need children to foster. - You should have your full driving licence, there are a lot of appointments that come up for children in care so it is important that you can travel to and from them. "Fostering is the most amazing rewarding journey you will ever experience, one piece of advice that our foster carers would always give is to just get going and try not to think too much about making that call. You are always supported by professionals and never alone once you get started you will not look back," Fostering First Ireland said. Yemeni Army soldiers fight the Houthis. (Media Center of the Yemeni Armed Forces on X) The Houthis are redeploying forces along major frontlines in Hodeidah and Marib Governorates and have increased attacks on the coalition of anti-Houthi groups aligned with the Yemeni government in recent weeks. The Houthis also appear to be preparing for an emergency, and it is uncertain if this effort is related to domestic activity or potential US strikes on Iran. The Iran-backed terror group is undertaking a range of emergency preparations, according to Yemeni journalist Fares al Hemyari. Hemyari reports that medical centers across Houthi-controlled northern Yemen have been put on alert, and government facilities in the Houthi-controlled capital of Sanaa and other cities have been prepared as shelters. While the Houthis have not provided an explanation for these actions, they come amidst a buildup of American forces in the Middle East ahead of a possible military action against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Yemeni media reported on February 23 that the Houthis killed six fighters and wounded another 13 from the government-aligned Zaraniq Brigades in the southeastern corner of Hodeidah Governorate. This territory is a key nexus between interior governorates on the southern edge of Houthi control and the southern end of the Red Sea coastal plain. Reports say that the Houthis suffered an undisclosed number of casualties in the February 23 attack. The Zaraniq Brigades said that it again repelled an attack launched by the Houthis on February 25. The Zaraniq Brigades is a military formation comprised largely of members of the Zaraniq tribe that operates under the National Resistance Forces (NRF), a coalition of forces opposed to the Houthis on the Red Sea coast. Yemens west coast, which is controlled by the Houthis in the north and government-aligned forces in the south, is crucial territory for both sides, as it provides access to the vital economic waterway. The Media Center for the Yemeni Armed Forces reported Houthi attacks along Marib fronts on February 15 and February 18, which resulted in the death of at least two fighters on February 18. The Houthis initially attacked southern and northern fronts in Marib governorate on February 15 but focused on the southern front during the subsequent attack three days later, using small arms, artillery, mortars, and vehicle-mounted weapons. The Yemeni Armed Forces said it repelled these attacks. The Houthis control the western segment of Marib Governorate, while the government controls its central and eastern portions, which are oil-rich territory. The Iran-backed terror group has been eager to expand into this area for its resources and central location in Yemen. The anti-Houthi coalition in Yemen is still recovering from divisions exacerbated by the advance of southern secessionists throughout eastern Yemen in December. Following this offensive, the Presidential Leadership Council, Yemens executive body, directed the formation of a new government with Saudi support. Under this government, the Ministry of Defense has expressed its intent to unify anti-Houthi forces under the Yemeni Armed Forces and end the fractured leadership and decision-making within the anti-Houthi military ecosystem. Bridget Toomey is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focusing on Iranian proxies, specifically Iraqi militias and the Houthis. A Russian Verba anti-aircraft missile system. (Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation) Iran is looking to Russia to bolster its depleted air defenses after Irans June 2025 war with Israel and as it faces the largest US military buildup in the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The Financial Times reported on Sunday that the two regimes had struck a 495 million deal for Russia to supply Verba shoulder-mounted air defense systems to Iran. However, these defenses would be unlikely to significantly impact a possible US operation against the Islamic Republic. Tehran formally requested the Verba in July after its 12-day war with Israel, and the two sides signed the contract in December, FT reported. During that war and in a pair of earlier strikes in 2024, Israeli forces destroyed or damaged many of Irans air defense systems, including its Russian-supplied S-300 long-range surface-to-air missile batteries. The 9K333 Verba, whose NATO reporting name is SA-29 Gizmo, is Russias most advanced man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) in mass production. It can reportedly hit aircraft up to 6 kilometers away at altitudes of nearly 15,000 feet using the missiles multi-spectral (ultraviolet, near-infrared, and mid-infrared) seeker. The deal reportedly calls for Russia to supply 500 launch units, each equipped with Mowgli-2 thermal imaging sights, along with 2,500 9M336 missiles. Deliveries will occur in three stages between 2027 and 2029, meaning they would arrive after a potential US operation targeting Iran. One source familiar with the contract told the FT that a small number of the Verba MANPADS may already have been delivered. It is also possible that Russia could accelerate the delivery timeline by drawing on existing stocks, though Moscow would likely be hesitant to deprive its own forces fighting against Ukraine. Russian Il-76TD transport planes have flown to Iran at least four times since late December, but it is not known what cargo they were transporting. Regardless, these systems are unlikely to have a decisive effect on a potential US military operation against the Islamic Republic. Iranian forces could use MANPADS to target some drones, helicopters, or other low-flying aircraft, which would complicate potential US air assaults or search-and-rescue missions. However, they would be of little help against fighter jets and bombers flying at higher altitudes. Nevertheless, this contract is another example of how Moscow and Tehran have bolstered their ties since the start of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago. In 2022, Iran began providing Russia with various unmanned aerial systems, most notably Shahed-136 one-way attack drones that Russia used mainly to strike critical infrastructure deep inside Ukraine. Iran also supplied Russia with artillery ammunition and other materiel, including close-range ballistic missiles in 2024, though the missiles have apparently yet to see combat. Most significantly, Iran helped Russia localize production of the Shahed-136 at its new Alabuga drone manufacturing facility in Tatarstan. This capability has enabled Russia to mass-produce modified versions of the drone in far larger quantities than it had received from Iran, churning out several thousand per month between Alabuga and another factory. In May, Moscow and Tehran finalized a 20-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, cementing a collaboration in all spheres, including defense, counter-terrorism, energy, finance, transport, industry, agriculture, culture, science, and engineering. Notably, the agreement did not include a mutual defense clause, absolving Russia of any obligation to defend Iran if it is attacked. Russias lack of meaningful support for Iran during its 12-Day War with Israel did not go unnoticed in Tehran. Despite Irans significant contributions towards Russias war with Ukraine, Russia offered little more than a condemnation of Israel and the United States as they decimated Irans air defense capabilities, missile-production facilities, and nuclear facilities, as well as many of its top military leadership and nuclear scientists. Al Arabiya quoted Mohammad Sadr, a member of Irans Expediency Discernment Council, as stating that the war proved the strategic alliance with Moscow is worthless. The latest collaboration may be Russias attempt prove that its still a worthwhile partner, even though it no longer depends on Iranian deliveries of drones to supply its military. News of the MANPADS deal comes after reports that Russia began delivering Mi-28NE attack helicopters to Iran in January, a big improvement over Irans aging pre-revolution AH-1 Cobras, which were provided by the United States in the 1970s. Iran is also believed to have pursued a deal for Russian Su-35 Flanker-E multirole fighter jets. Whether that will happen is unclear, but Iran did begin receiving Russian Yak-130 training jets in 2023. In recent weeks, Russian officials have spoken out in opposition to potential US military strikes on Iran, calling for all parties to show restraint. Last week, Russian and Chinese vessels joined Iran in naval exercises near the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. However, it is unlikely that Russia will intervene if US President Donald Trump decides to strike Iran. Dmitriy Shapiro is a research analyst and editor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Follow Dmitriy on X @dmitriyshapiro. The Apple Experience event is next week, on March 4. On this weeks episode of the Macworld Podcast, we talk about what we expect: new MacBooks, new iPads, a new iPhone 17e, and a lot more. This is episode 972 with Michael Simon, Jason Cross, and Roman Loyola. Watch episode 972 on YouTube Listen to episode 972 on Apple Podcasts Listen to episode 972 on Spotify Apple Experience on March 4 Click on the links below for more info on what was discussed on the show. This Week in Apple History On February 22, 2001, Apple released the Flower Power and Blue Dalmatian iMacs. Steve Jobs was born on February 24, 1955. On the naming for the new cheap MacBook, some suggestions on TikTok include: MacBook SE bleepblorp7676 on TikTok iBook Colors and Numbers MacBook (A19) or MacBook (2026) poppyfuzzzybalt In regards to the cheap MacBooks price: When you can have the MacBook Air for 999, and even cheaper in the sales, Christmas New Year 850, then this has got to be 599 not a penny over, the MacBook Air is the best MacBook Kenneth Swift on Facebook Why dont you connected Experts remember that Apple said that in the future their Macs would be capable of running Apple Intelligence, which they stated would require 16 GB of RAM. Ivanmarshall9806 on YouTube You can subscribe to the Macworld Podcastor leave us a review!right here in the Podcasts app. The Macworld Podcast is also available on Spotify and on the Macworld Podcast YouTube channel. Or you can point your favorite podcast-savvy RSS reader at: https://feeds.megaphone.fm/macworld To find previous episodes, visit Macworlds podcast page or our home on MegaPhone. LIVONIA, MICH. On February 10 and 11, 2026, future health and physical educators, Alexis Spitzley and Katelyn Mulka, and Dr. Joanna Tremble had the privilege of traveling to our nations capital to advocate for federal education funding. The group attended SHAPE Americas SPEAK Out! Day in Washington, D.C. and were joined by 140 educators from across the country representing 40 states. The two-day event included a prep session on Tuesday reviewing the current status of federal education funding. The group learned how Titles II and IV Parts A of the Every Student Succeeds Act provide opportunities for public elementary and secondary schools to fund diverse programs, like health and physical education. This legislation and funding supports schools in providing a well-rounded education for students, including professional development for teachers, curricular resources, and technology. On Wednesday, the group from Madonna was able to meet with the offices of Senator Elissa Slotkin, Senator Gary Peters, and Congresswoman Rashida Tlalib. Alexis and Katelyn shared their personal stories about why they wanted to become educators and how Title II and Title IV funding will continue to support their development as future teachers specific to their critical content areas once they are in the field. The Africas Green Economy Summit (AGES) 2026 opened its doors in Cape Town , marking a pivotal moment in the continents economic trajectory. Convening a powerful coalition of policymakers, financiers and innovators, the summit signals a decisive shift from conceptual ambition to concrete, bankable action in the pursuit of a sustainable African future. Under the banner of From Ambition to Action: Scaling Opportunities in Africas Green and Blue Solutions, AGES 2026, proudly sponsored by Sanlam Investments, is not merely a forum for discussion but a catalyst for deal-making and partnership. The gathering is built on a singular premise, that Africas environmental challenges are, in fact, its greatest economic opportunities. Ambition lights the path, but it does not pave it. To transform our economies and uplift our communities, we must move beyond rhetoric to robust execution, said Lerato Mbele, Summit Moderator. This summit is a marketplace of ideas where we connect visionaries with investors, ensuring that Africas green transition is not just sustainable, but also scalable and profitable. The strategic focus of this years agenda is underpinned by compelling data. The summit is shining a spotlight on the blue economy, a colossal yet often under-leveraged asset that already injects nearly $300 billion annually into the continents GDP and sustains 46 million livelihoods through fisheries, tourism and logistics. Simultaneously, the green economy, with agriculture and renewable energy at its core, is projected to unlock a staggering $10 trillion in global business value over the next decade, positioning Africa to generate an estimated 300 million new jobs for its burgeoning youth population. These are not distant prospects, but immediate frontiers for investment and innovation. Echoing this sentiment, the Honourable Naren Singh, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, addressed delegates with a call for holistic progress. Our journey towards a low-carbon future must be defined by a fundamental truth: sustainability is a three-legged stool, balancing the health of our planet, the prosperity of our people and the creation of shared value, he stated. By investing in our natural capital, we are investing in the most resilient infrastructure of all our communities. Over the next two days, the summit floor will be a hive of activity. Attendees will engage in high-level interactive sessions, witness live project pitches from Africas most promising green entrepreneurs, and participate in curated networking forums designed to fast-track collaboration and knowledge transfer. AGES 2026 is more than an event, it is a declaration that Africa is ready to build a future where economic resilience and environmental stewardship are the same. A leading Mayo engineering company has reinforced its commitment to supporting future talent with the launch of a new third-level scholarship. Cunningham Civil & Marine, based in Westport, has awarded its inaugural Cunningham Civil & Marine Engineering Scholarship to Nicola Latham, a first-year civil engineering student at the University of Galway. The scholarship provides financial assistance and industry recognition to students who demonstrate strong academic performance and commitment to the profession, and will support recipients throughout their full honours degree. The award was formally presented at the University of Galway Donor Recognition event on December 10, 2025, by company directors Eoghan Cunningham, Danielle Cunningham and Richard Browne. The initiative marks the beginning of a 10-year collaboration between the Westport-based firm and the university. READ MORE: Mayo man appointed managing director of modular building company Civil engineering plays a central role in developing sustainable communities and resilient infrastructure. However, the sector continues to face challenges around participation and diversity. The new scholarship aims to help address this imbalance by encouraging talented students to pursue careers in engineering and by increasing female participation in the industry. We are proud to support students like Nicola as they begin their engineering careers, said Danielle Cunningham. She added that supporting young people entering the profession is vital for its future. Speaking about receiving the award, Nicola said she was initially unsure she would be successful. I was delighted when I saw there was an opportunity to apply for a Civil Engineering Scholarship at the start of my degree in University of Galway, she said.Getting the call to say I had been awarded the scholarship was a huge shock and I honestly could not believe it. READ MORE: Mayo attraction gains autism-friendly accreditation to boost accessibility for all Nicola also encouraged other young women to pursue opportunities in engineering and STEM fields. As a female studying in STEM, I would encourage other females to put themselves forward for opportunities that may arise. A huge thank you to Danielle, Eoghan and Richard for believing in me, she added. Cunningham Civil & Marine employs more than 80 construction professionals and operates nationwide, with additional offices in Dublin and Galway. The company has delivered complex marine and civil engineering projects across Ireland, including major works at Dublin, Cork and Greenore ports. The scholarship reflects the companys ongoing commitment to investing in education and supporting the next generation of engineers, while strengthening links between industry and third-level institutions. The Mayo Strategic Policy Committee for Community, Integration and Recreation met on Wednesday, February 26, to discuss updates on community and integration developments across the county. Anna Connor, Head of Integration with Mayo County Council, presented the latest figures relating to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP). As of February 15, 2026, 866 BOTPs are residing in centre-based accommodation in Mayo. A further 3,905 individuals are living in dispersed accommodation throughout the county. The breakdown of dispersed figures shows 990 BOTPs, who are primarily Ukrainians, living in Castlebar, 764 in Claremorris, 687 in Westport, 669 in Ballina, 375 in Belmullet and 35 in Swinford. Members were also informed that there are currently 14 IPAS centres operating in Mayo, accommodating a total of 1,553 residents. Of these, 695 are children. READ NEXT: Tributes paid following the passing of a 'wonderful mother and wife' in Mayo The committee heard that the Local Authority Integration Team has established a Community Integration Forum aimed at strengthening coordination and collaboration between mainstream services, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and community and voluntary groups. The forum supports Ukrainian refugees, International Protection applicants, individuals granted status, and participants in the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. Community-based initiatives were also highlighted at the meeting. In Achill, a BOTP-focused programme delivered classes to 30 participants during November and December. The classes concentrated on developing language skills related to hospitality, cooking and customer care, particularly supporting those already employed in the sector. Cooking up a Storm, a hospitality training initiative for BOTPs, was also delivered. Separately, Deirdre Finnerty outlined several Government funding schemes administered locally through the Community section of Mayo County Council. These include the CLAR programme, the Towns and Villages Renewal Scheme (TVRS), the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP), and the LEADER programme. The committee noted the continued efforts to support integration and community development across Mayo as demand for services remains. The Mayo branch of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) has announced a series of meetings with county councillors and the public to discuss growing concerns over the leadership of Bord Bia, calling for the resignation of Chairman Larry Murrin. Mayo IFA County Chairman, John Lynskey, said the organisation believes that elected representatives are not receiving the full picture on the issue. It seems that the main political parties are not being told the full truth on this matter, and IFA are asking the County Councillors to attend an open information meeting in their area, he said. Two meetings have been scheduled to cover the four municipal areas of the county. The first will take place on Monday, March 2, at the Park Hotel in Kiltimagh, focusing on the Ballina and Claremorris/Swinford municipal areas. The second will be held on Monday, March 9, at the Castlecourt Hotel in Westport, covering Castlebar and Westport/Belmullet. Both meetings are set to begin at 8pm. READ MORE: Hundreds of farmers back call for new Bord Bia chair at crowded Mayo meeting Mr Lynskey cited a recent Red C poll published in the Business Post, which showed strong public support for the removal of Mr Murrin as Bord Bia chairman. Accountability is paramount, and at present farmers across the entire country have lost confidence in Bord Bia under its current chairman, said Mr Lynskey. He added that while the Minister for Agriculture has the authority to remove Mr Murrin, the government has not acted in line with public sentiment. For whatever reason, the Minister will not do what the will of the people are demanding, he declared. The IFA has called on councillors to attend the meetings and engage in an open dialogue with farmers about the ongoing concerns regarding Bord Bias governance and leadership. READ MORE: Mayo commercial vacancy rate rises to 17.9%, well above national average EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was published prior to the Department of Veterans Affairs rescinding the rule on Feb. 26. A federal lawsuit is challenging a Department of Veterans Affairs rule that requires disability ratings to reflect how well veterans function on medication rather than the severity of their underlying condition. The rule, published Feb. 17 in the Federal Register and effective that day, drew fierce opposition from veterans, advocacy organizations and members of Congress. Within 48 hours, VA Secretary Doug Collins halted its enforcement. But the rule has not been formally rescinded, and the legal fight is just getting started. What the Rule Does The interim final rule, titled Evaluative Rating: Impact of Medication, amended the regulation governing how the VA evaluates functional impairment for disability compensation. Under the change, VA medical examiners are instructed to rate a veterans disability based on the veterans actual level of functional impairment while using prescribed medication or treatment. If medication reduces symptoms, the lower level of impairment determines the rating and the compensation that comes with it. Read More: VA Wont Enforce New Rule on Disability Ratings, Secretary Says. Congress Members Want It Rescinded The VA framed the rule as a clarification of longstanding practice dating to 1958. But the practical effect reverses more than a decade of court precedent that generally prevented examiners from factoring in medications benefits when assigning ratings, unless the specific diagnostic code for that condition mentioned medication as a criterion. Thanks to thousands of comments from our members and community, the VA has withdrawn the so-called evaluative medication rule. But this fight isnt over," Naved Shah, political director of Common Defense, said in a statement provided to Military.com. "This was just the latest attack on veterans, and after more than a year of actions like this, we know theyll try again. "During the State of the Union, the president surrounded himself with service members for show. His administrations record tells a different story of failing and abandoning veterans. We will keep fighting to make sure this country keeps its promise to care for those who served. The Court Precedent It Overrides The rule directly targets a line of decisions from the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. In Jones v. Shinseki (2012), the court held that the VA could not deny a higher rating based on medications ameliorative effects when the relevant diagnostic code did not list medication as a rating criterion. That standard stood for 13 years. In March 2025, the same court extended that protection in Ingram v. Collins, ruling that VA examiners evaluating musculoskeletal conditions must attempt to determine a veterans baseline severity without medication. That case involved Army veteran Carlton Ingram, who had been rated 20% for a back disability and 10% for an ankle condition while taking prescription painkillers. The court found that the VA erred by not discounting the beneficial effects of his medication when assigning those ratings. In its Federal Register filing, the VA called the Ingram decision an erroneous interpretation that would require re-adjudication of more than 350,000 pending claims across roughly 500 diagnostic codes. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs classified the rule as a major rule under the Congressional Review Act, estimating an annual economic impact exceeding $100 million. Despite that classification, VA Secretary Doug Collins invoked emergency authority to make the rule effective immediately, bypassing both the standard 60-day congressional review period and the typical advance public comment process. The Lawsuit Less than 48 hours after the rule took effect, a petition was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The plaintiffs include MilVet Law Firm, based in Tacoma, Washington, which represents more than 500 veterans with service-connected disability claims; Stone Rose Law Firm of Arizona, through attorney Derek Debus; and Andrew Laffoon, a disabled Vietnam veteran with a pending disability claim. The petition asks the court to vacate the rule, arguing that it causes direct financial harm to veterans by lowering disability ratings and, in turn, reducing compensation. MilVet described the VAs action as shocking and unprecedented, noting that for over a decade, the VA had been required to rate disabilities absent the effects of medication. Paul Jennings, a lead attorney at MilVet and himself a disabled veteran, said the rule creates a perverse incentive for veterans to skip treatment to protect their benefits. He also questioned the VAs use of emergency rulemaking authority, noting the agency bypassed the formal process required to implement a rule of this size. The Enforcement Halt, and Why It May Not Be Enough Secretary Collins announced Feb. 19 that the VA was halting enforcement of the rule. He stated it would not be enforced at any time in the future but said the VA would continue collecting public comments through the April 20 deadline. Before announcing the halt, Collins had defended the rule and called criticism of it fake news. The rule has not been formally rescinded. It remains published in the Federal Register and is still part of the Code of Federal Regulations. Veterans advocates and legal experts have pointed out that halting enforcement is not the same as withdrawal and that the rule could be reinstated at any time without a new rulemaking process. VA Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence said Feb. 23 at the Disabled American Veterans Mid-Winter Conference that the department had withdrawn the rule and had no intention of ever doing anything or talking about it ever again, but no formal revocation has appeared in the Federal Register. On Feb. 25, a group of 21 Democratic and independent lawmakers sent Collins a letter demanding immediate formal rescission. The letter, led by Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal and House Veterans Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano, requested that the VA report by March 2 what steps it is taking to suspend the rule and provide a timeline for rescinding or replacing it. At a Senate hearing the same day, Blumenthal pressed for permanent removal, noting more than 18,000 public comments had been submitted opposing the rule. What Veterans Should Know Right Now With enforcement halted, the situation for most veterans should be back to where it was before Feb. 17. The prior legal standard, under which examiners generally could not factor in medications benefits unless a specific diagnostic code addressed it, remains in effect for claims being processed now, according to Collins. Here is what to keep in mind: Existing ratings are not automatically affected. Even when the rule was briefly in effect, it did not trigger automatic reductions of established ratings. VA regulations at 38 CFR 3.951(b) protect ratings that have been in place for 20 or more years from reduction except in cases of fraud. Separate due process protections apply to proposed reductions of any established rating. If you have a pending claim involving medication, talk to your representative. Veterans with pending claims or appeals that involve arguments under the Jones or Ingram precedent should consult with an accredited veterans service organization representative or attorney. Timing may matter depending on how things develop in court. You can submit a public comment. The comment period on the interim final rule remains open through April 20, 2026, at regulations.gov under RIN 2900-AS49. More than 18,000 comments have already been submitted. Public comments become part of the administrative record and carry weight in any future legal challenge. 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. BASSETERRE, St. Kitts and Nevis (AP) U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday defended the Trump administrations military operation to capture Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, telling Caribbean leaders, many of whom objected to that move, that the country and the region were better off as a result. Speaking to leaders from the 15-member Caribbean Community bloc at a summit in the country of St. Kitts and Nevis, Rubio brushed aside concerns about the legality of Maduros capture last month that have been raised among Venezuelas island-state neighbors and others. Irrespective of how some of you may have individually felt about our operations and our policy toward Venezuela, I will tell you this, and I will tell you this without any apology or without any apprehension: Venezuela is better off today than it was eight weeks ago, Rubio told the leaders in a closed-door meeting, according to a transcript of his remarks later distributed by the U.S. State Department. Rubio said that since Maduros ouster and the effective takeover of Venezuelas oil sector by the United States, the interim authorities in the South American county have made substantial progress in improving conditions by doing things that eight or nine weeks ago would have been unimaginable. The Caribbean leaders have gathered to debate pressing issues in a region that President Donald Trump has targeted for a 21st-century incarnation of the Monroe Doctrine meant to ensure Washingtons dominance in the Western Hemisphere. The Republican administration has declared a focus closer to home even as Washington increasingly has been preoccupied by the possibility of a U.S. military attack on Iran. Rubio downplays antagonism in US regional push In his remarks to the group, America's top diplomat tried to play down any antagonistic intent in what Trump has referred to as the Donroe Doctrine. Rubio said the administration wants to strengthen ties with the region in the wake of the Venezuela operation and ensure that issues such as crime and economic opportunities are jointly addressed. I am very happy to be in an administration thats giving priority to the Western Hemisphere after largely being ignored for a very long time, Rubio said. We share common opportunities, and we share some common challenges. And thats what we hope to confront. He said transnational criminal organizations pose the biggest threat to the Caribbean while recognizing that many are buying weapons from the United States, a problem he said authorities are tackling. Rubio also said the U.S. and the Caribbean can work together on economic advancement and energy issues, especially because many leaders at the four-day summit have energy resources they seek to explore. We want to be your partner in that regard, he said. Rubio said the U.S. recognizes the need for fair, democratic elections in Venezuela, which lies just miles away from Trinidad and Tobago at the closest point. We do believe that a prosperous, free Venezuela whos governed by a legitimate government who has the interests of their people in mind could also be an extraordinary partner and asset to many of the countries represented here today in terms of energy needs and the like, and also one less source of instability in the region, he said. Rubio added: We view our security, our prosperity, our stability to be intricately tied to yours. Trump plays up Maduro's ouster Trump, in his State of the Union address Tuesday night. called the operation that spirited Maduro out of Venezuela to face drug trafficking charges in New York an absolutely colossal victory for the security of the United States." The U.S. had build up the largest military presence in the Caribbean Sea in generations before the Jan. 3 raid, which has now been exceeded by the surge of American warships and aircraft to the Middle East as the administration pressures Iran to make a deal over its nuclear program. In the Caribbean, Trump has stepped up aggressive tactics to combat alleged drug smuggling with a series of strikes on boats that have killed over 150 people and he has tightened the pressure on Cuba. Regional leaders have complained about administration demands for nations to accept third-country deportees from the U.S. and to chill relations with China. Godwin Friday, newly elected prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, echoed the fears of many European leaders when he said the Caribbean is challenged from inside and out. "International rules and practices that we have become used to over the years have changed in troubling ways, Friday said. Caribbean leaders point to shifting global order Trump said during the State of the Union that his administration is restoring American security and dominance in the Western Hemisphere, acting to secure our national interests and defend our country from violence, drugs, terrorism and foreign interference. Rubio on Wednesday was holding a series of one-on-one meetings with individual heads of government, including the prime ministers of St. Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago. Terrance Drew, prime minister of St. Kitts and Nevis and chair of the Caribbean Community bloc, said the region stands at a decisive hour. The global order is shifting, he said during the summit's opening ceremony Tuesday. Supply chains remain uncertain, energy markets fluctuate and climate shocks intensify. Like other leaders, Drew spoke about changing geopolitics and said the humanitarian situation in Cuba must be addressed and taken seriously, something also stressed by Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness. It must be clear that a prolonged crisis in Cuba will not remain confined to Cuba, Holness warned. It will affect migration, security and economic stability across the Caribbean basin. The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday slightly eased restrictions on the sale of Venezuelan oil to Cuba, which instituted austere fuel-saving measures in the weeks after the U.S. raid in Venezuela. ___ Coto reported from San Jose, Costa Rica. Associated Press reporters Bert Wilkinson in Georgetown, Guyana, and Andrea Rodriguez in Havana contributed to this report. A former U.S. Air Force pilot and officer with decades of flight experience is alleged by federal prosecutors to have provided and conspired to provide defense services to Chinese military pilots without authorization. Gerald Eddie Brown, Jr., 65, known by the call sign Runner, was arrested Wednesday in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and criminally charged for the alleged violation of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA). The accusations date back to August 2023, according to the Department of Justice, when he allegedly conspired with foreign nationals and U.S. persons to provide combat aircraft training to pilots in the Chinese Air Force, also known as the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Since Brown is a U.S. citizen and that particular training was a defense service conducted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, he lacked the required license from the State Departments Directorate of Defense Trade Controls to provide that training to foreign persons or foreign military units. Brown was scheduled to appear before a magistrate judge in the Southern District of Indiana on Thursday. A pilot with the 442d Fighter Wing prepares to board an A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft Feb. 6, 2026, on MacDill Air Force Base, Fl. Members of the 442d Fighter Wing were in Florida in support of a close air support exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Bryce Youngblood) The United States Air Force trained Major Brown to be an elite fighter pilot and entrusted him with the defense of our Nation. He now stands charged with training Chinese military pilots, Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said in a statement. When U.S. personswhether military or civilianprovide training to a foreign military, that activity is illegal unless they have a license from the State Department." The National Security Division will use all tools at its disposal to protect our military advantages and hold to account those who would violate the AECA. Brown reportedly served more than 24 years in the Air Force, holding the rank of major upon leaving active duty in 1996. He commanded sensitive units with responsibility for nuclear weapons delivery systems, led combat missions, and served as a fighter pilot instructor and simulator instructor on a variety of fighter and attack aircraft during his long career. Those fighter and attack aircraft included the F-4 Phantom II, F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and the A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog). After leaving the service, he became a commercial cargo pilot and, most recently, a contract simulator instructor for two different U.S. defense contractors training U.S. military pilots on flying the A-10 and the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, according to the DOJ. PRC Pilots Trained For Two Years The criminal complaint alleges that in or around August 2023, Brown began arranging the terms of his contract to train Chinese military pilots by using a co-conspirator to negotiate with Stephen Su Bin, a Chinese national who in 2016 pled guilty in a California district court for conspiring to hack into the computer networks of major U.S. defense contractors and steal sensitive military and export-controlled data for the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). Su Bin, who was sentenced to almost four years in prison, and his company PRC Lode Technology Company were added to the U.S. Department of Commerces Entity List in 2014. Brown allegedly communicated to Su Bin that his intentions involved training PRC military pilots in combat aircraft operations. Hes also claimed to have submitted his own resume to PRC nationals, which included an objective to become an Instructor Fighter Pilot. A co-conspirator is claimed to have told Brown that he hoped he would be assigned to my base, but otherwise youll go where is the local equivalent as the [U.S. Air Force] Weapon School. China's Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Jiang Bin gestures during a press briefing, in Beijing, China, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Brown allegedly later replied to a co-conspirator, upon his arrival in China, the following: Now.I have the chance to fly and instruct fighter pilots again! Shortly thereafter, in December 2023, is when Brown is said to have traveled to China to begin his efforts to train PRC military pilots. Brown allegedly answered U.S. Air Force-related questions for some three hours on his first day in China, with his second day involving a prepared brief about himself to the PLAAF. The Air Force veteran remained in China for nearly two years, until he traveled back to the U.S. in early February 2026. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro for the District of Columbia said in a statement that Brown "broke" his oath to the U.S., adding that he "betrayed the country, jeopardizing the safety of our servicemembers and allies." Similar Case From A Decade Ago Browns case in many ways mirrors criminal charges filed in September 2017 against ex-U.S. Marine Corps pilot Daniel Edmund Duggan in the District of Columbia. Duggan was charged with providing and conspiring to provide defense services to Chinese military pilots without authorization in violation of the AECA, as well as for conspiring to engage in international money laundering. Duggan was alleged to have trained Chinese military pilots on the tactics, techniques and procedures associated with takeoff from and landing on an aircraft carrier. He was arrested in Australia in October 2022 and is currently pending extradition to the U.S. A pilot of the "August 1st" Aerobatic Team of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force climbs into the cockpit before performing for the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China 2021, on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, in Zhuhai in southern China's Guangdong province. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) These cases have been warned about, not just by the U.S. government but other nations as well. In June 2024, a joint warning on behalf of the U.S., Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand was published, saying that Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) continues to target current and former military personnel from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) nations and other Western countries to help bolster the PLAs capabilities. Gen. James B. Hecker, commander of NATO Allied Air Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa in February 2025, provided his own advice: Once you fly on our team, even after you hang up your uniform, you have a responsibility to protect our tactics, techniques and procedures. The case against Brown is being investigated by the FBIs New York Field Office, with assistance from the FBIs Louisville, Indianapolis and Los Angeles field offices. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations also provided assistance. JERUSALEM (AP) As U.S. forces mass in the Middle East, Iran faces the threat of major strikes by the worlds most powerful military, potentially targeting its leaders, military, nuclear sites and critical infrastructure. Iran has nowhere near the same capabilities, and is even more vulnerable after last year's war launched by Israel and recent anti-government protests. But it could still inflict pain on American forces and allies, and may feel it has to if the Islamic Republic's survival is at stake. While Iran suffered major losses last June, it still has hundreds of missiles capable of hitting Israel, according to Israels estimates. Iran boasts a much larger arsenal of shorter-range missiles capable of hitting U.S. bases in Gulf countries and offshore American forces, soon to be joined by a second aircraft carrier. Iran has previously threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for the global oil trade, and claimed to have done so partially during military drills last week. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Iran could sink American warships, and top officials have said a U.S. attack would spark regional war. Irans U.N. ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said all bases, facilities and assets of the hostile force in the region would be legitimate targets. Lingering capabilities Israel carried out heavy strikes on Iran's longer range missile arsenals as well as its military leadership and nuclear program during the 12-day war in June. The U.S. struck Iran's main nuclear sites, and President Donald Trump said at the time that they had been obliterated. But the extent of the damage and how much has been rebuilt is still unknown. Iran continued to strike Israel with missiles and drones until the fighting stopped, increasingly eluding its vaunted air defenses. Iran's shorter-range missile arsenal was largely untouched, said Danny Citrinowicz, an Iran expert at Israels Institute for National Security Studies. That could make Iran more inclined to retaliate against tens of thousands of U.S. forces based in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and elsewhere. Iran may be weak. But it still has ways to inflict real pain on the United States and much more incentive to try than it did before, Nate Swanson, head of the Atlantic Councils Iran Strategy Project, wrote in Foreign Affairs. Iranian officials feel they need to give Trump a bloody nose or they will perpetually be at risk. Iran launched missiles at a U.S. base in Iraq after the killing of its top general in 2020 and targeted a U.S. base in Qatar near the end of last year's war. Those strikes, which appeared to have been telegraphed in advance, caused damage but no fatalities, as early warning systems and missile defenses swung into action. Iran could also carry out attacks farther afield. The country has been accused of using criminal gangs and armed groups to plan or carry out attacks around the world, including on dissidents, Israelis and Jewish targets. Learning curve Last year's Israeli strikes killed several top generals and nuclear scientists, revealing major vulnerabilities. At one point, Trump said the U.S. knew where Khamenei was hiding, calling him an " easy target." Fresh off the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, Trump may consider decapitation strikes aimed at bringing down Iran's decades-old Shiite theocracy, which he recently said would be the best thing that could happen. The Iranians have had eight months to learn from their mistakes and firm up internal security. Citrinowicz said there are likely contingency plans if Khamenei were to be killed. Rather than naming a single successor, power would probably shift to a small committee until hostilities subsided. Experts say the death of the 86-year-old Khamenei, who has ruled Iran for over three decades, would not in itself spell the end of the Islamic Republic. Power might eventually pass to a member of his inner circle, as it did in Venezuela, or to Iran's Revolutionary Guard. US allies could be targets American allies are clearly concerned about a regional war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned of a heavy response to any Iranian attack on Israel. Arab Gulf states have long viewed Iran with concern and leaned on the U.S. for defense, but do not want to be drawn into war. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which host thousands of American troops, have said they would not allow their airspace to be used. An Arab Gulf diplomat said regional leaders were talking to Iran and the United States to avert war, warning that it could have severe consequences, including a spike in oil prices. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive, closed-door talks. Iran has its own allies, including Houthi rebels in Yemen, armed groups in Iraq, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Palestinian territories. But its self-described Axis of Resistance suffered major losses in the fighting that rippled across the region after Hamas' October 2023 attack from Gaza. A global pressure point Another close-in target could allow Iran to inflict wider pain. Around one-fifth of all traded oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, just off Iran's shore. The U.S. Navy is committed to keeping it open, but Iranian attacks could disrupt trade, as the far-weaker Houthis managed to do in the Red Sea for much of the past two years. Iranian officials have not explicitly threatened to target the strait in the current standoff, but Iranian forces partially closed it last week during military drills, signaling it could be vulnerable if war breaks out. Other critical oil assets would also be within range. In 2019, strikes on oil infrastructure temporarily halved Saudi Arabias production. Yemen's Houthis claimed responsibility, but U.S. officials later blamed Iran. The nuclear question After initially threatening military action over Iran's killing of protesters, Trump shifted attention to its nuclear program, warning that bad things would happen if Iran doesn't agree to a deal. The two sides are set to hold another round of indirect talks in Geneva on Thursday. Iran has always said its nuclear program is peaceful, while the U.S. and others have long suspected that Tehran intends to eventually develop weapons. After Trump scrapped a 2015 nuclear agreement, Iran ramped up its enrichment of uranium, building up a stockpile of near-weapons grade material. Iran's biggest sites were hit by U.S. and Israeli strikes, causing significant damage above ground. But it's unclear whether enriched uranium was spirited away before they were hit or buried underground. Iran says it has been unable to enrich since then, but it has also barred inspections. Iran is still believed to be a long ways from developing a usable nuclear weapon, but radioactive material could pose a risk in the event of widespread strikes. ___ Associated Press writer Samy Magdy contributed reporting from Cairo. WASHINGTON (AP) As the U.S. and Iran head into their next round of nuclear talks in Geneva, a new AP-NORC poll finds that many U.S. adults continue to view Irans nuclear program as a threat but they also don't have high trust in President Donald Trump's judgment on the use of military force abroad. About half of U.S. adults are extremely or very concerned that Iran's nuclear program poses a direct threat to the United States, according to the new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. About 3 in 10 are moderately concerned and only about 2 in 10 are not very" concerned or not concerned at all." The survey was conducted Feb. 19-23, as military tensions built in the Middle East between the United States and Iran. The U.S. is seeking a deal to limit Irans nuclear program and ensure it does not develop nuclear weapons, while Iran says it is not pursuing weapons and has so far resisted demands that it halt uranium enrichment on its soil or hand over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Trump, who scrapped an earlier nuclear agreement with Iran during his first term, has repeatedly threatened to use force to compel Iran to agree to constrain its atomic program, which Trump claimed to have obliterated" following the 12-day war in June where the U.S. bombed Iranian nuclear sites. Iran has said it would respond with an attack of its own. Trump has also threatened Iran over the killing of protesters. Both countries have signaled they are prepared for war if the talks on Tehrans nuclear program fail, and the U.S. has assembled its largest military force in the Mideast in decades as tensions with Iran have risen. Most Americans, 61%, say Iran is an enemy of the U.S., which is up slightly from a Pearson Institute/AP-NORC poll conducted in September 2023. But their confidence in the president's judgment when it comes to relationships with adversaries and the use of military force abroad is low, the new poll shows, with only about 3 in 10 Americans saying they have a great deal or quite a bit trust in Trump. Even some Republicans particularly younger Republicans have reservations about Trump's ability to make the right choices on these high-stakes issues. Most US adults have concerns about Trumps judgment on military force The Trump administration this year has held two rounds of nuclear talks with Iran under Omani mediation, with a third round scheduled to begin Thursday. Similar talks last year between the U.S. and Iran about Irans nuclear program broke down after Israel launched what became the 12-day war in June. We are in negotiations with them, Trump said during his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, which took place after the poll was conducted. They want to make a deal, but we havent heard those secret words: We will never have a nuclear weapon. Americans have significant reservations about Trump's judgment on foreign conflicts, the AP-NORC poll shows. Only about 3 in 10 of U.S. adults have a great deal or quite a bit of trust in Trump's judgment on the use of military force, relationships with U.S. adversaries or the use of nuclear weapons. More than half trust him only a little or not at all. On each measure, Republicans are more likely than Democrats and Independents to trust that the president will make the right decisions. About 6 in 10 Republicans have a high level of trust in Trump, while roughly 9 in 10 Democrats have a low level of trust in him. But some Republicans' confidence is more qualified. Younger Republicans those under 45 are less likely than older Republicans to say they trust Trump a great deal or quite a bit on his use of military force. About half of younger Republicans say this, compared with about two-thirds of older Republicans. Many view Irans nuclear program as a threat The new finding that 48% of U.S. adults are extremely or very concerned that Iran's nuclear program poses a direct threat to their country is in line with an AP-NORC poll conducted in July 2025, indicating that even with recent escalations between the two countries, Americans have not changed their views. Before the June war, Iran had been enriching uranium up to 60% purity, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels. The U.N. nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency had said Iran was the only country in the world to enrich to that level that wasnt armed with the bomb. Iran has been refusing requests by the IAEA to inspect the sites bombed in the June war, raising the concerns of nonproliferation experts. Worries about Iran's nuclear program cross party lines in the U.S., though Republicans are currently more concerned. Most Republicans 56% say they are extremely or very concerned about Irans nuclear program, compared with 44% of Democrats. Younger Americans are less worried about Iran Americans generally hold a negative view of Iran, but the view is sharper among older Americans. About 6 in 10 U.S. adults say Iran is an enemy of the United States, up slightly from 53% from the Pearson/AP-NORC poll from 2023. Roughly 3 in 10 say the countries are not friendly, but not enemies, and only about 1 in 10 Americans consider the two nations friendly or close allies. At the same time, only about half of U.S. adults under 45 say Iran is an enemy, compared with about 7 in 10 Americans ages 45 and older. There is also a wide generational divide in concern about Iran's nuclear program, with only about one-third of Americans under 45 saying they are highly concerned, compared with about 6 in 10 older Americans. Tensions over Iran's nuclear program have existed for decades, which may help explain why older Americans are more concerned. Nuclear talks had been deadlocked for years after Trumps decision in 2018 to unilaterally withdraw the U.S. from Irans 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. ___ Liechtenstein reported from Vienna. AP reporter Jon Gambrell in Dubai contributed to this report. ___ The AP-NORC poll of 1,133 adults was conducted Feb. 19-23 using a sample drawn from NORCs probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 4.0 percentage points. ___ The Associated Press receives support for nuclear security coverage from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Outrider Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. ___ Additional AP coverage of the nuclear landscape: https://apnews.com/projects/the-new-nuclear-landscape/ Alabama could soon be allowing military veterans to teach without the usual certifications, following other states by offering former service members a unique opportunity while combating an ongoing teacher shortage that plagues not only the state but the nation. Companion legislation introduced in the Alabama House and Senate in January calls for creating a temporary teaching certificate, which would last military veterans five years and not require a bachelors degree. Senate Bill 149 and House Bill 306 were introduced by Sen. Matt Woods and Rep. Rick Rehm, both Republicans, respectively, and the Alabama House passed Bill 306 on Tuesday by a 103-1. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, also a Republican, has to sign the legislation into law. This bill not only strengthens our teacher recruitment efforts, but also creates a clear, meaningful pathway for Alabamas veterans to continue serving by bringing their leadership, discipline and real-world experience into our classrooms, Woods said in a statement in January. Our students, our veterans and communities across the state of Alabama will all benefit from this important partnership. While not requiring a bachelors degree, other requirements must be met to fulfill the obligations of the teaching certificate. They include the following: Veterans qualify if they've served four years on active duty and have at least 60 hours of college credit with a GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. They must pass a criminal background check. They must be recommended for certification by a local superintendent or private school administrator and have other credentials. They must achieve a passing score on the relevant Praxis content test, which is part of the Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP). If the veteran vying for a teaching position fulfills all of those obligations and becomes employed, the superintendent would assign a mentor for the veteran for at least two years if applicable. Timothy Allison, a collaborative special education teacher in Birmingham, Ala., talks to students at Sun Valley Elementary School on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. The Birmingham school system is struggling to fill around 50 teaching spots, including 15 in special education, despite $10,000 signing bonuses for special education teachers. (AP Photo/Jay Reeves) The temporary certificate can only be issued once, it is not renewable, and veterans are to be told about impending certificate expiration and be provided pathways to full professional certification. The Alabama State Board of Education will create rules to implement these provisions, with the act taking effect on Oct. 1, 2026. As a U.S. Army veteran, I have seen firsthand the skills our servicemen and women bring to the workforce, especially in the teaching profession. I think it is important for our students to be exposed to the experiences that military veterans can bring to the classroom. - Rehm in a statement I appreciate Gov. Iveys leadership and support for policies like the Military Veteran Temporary Teaching Certificate, which will strengthen teacher recruitment and reinforce Alabamas reputation as one of the most veteran-friendly states in the nation," Rehm added. Other states have passed similar measures to Alabama, including Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, Texas and Washington. Military.com reached out to Iveys office, the Alabama Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Education for comment. Alabama's Educational Strain Gov. Ivey, in her most recent State of the State Address, said this legislation was one of her top priorities and has higher aims of making Alabama the most military- and veteran-friendly state in the nation. Veterans offer a unique perspective, which is needed across many careers, including in our classrooms, Ivey said last month. When we pass Senate Bill 149, we will create a pathway for more veterans to help educate the next generation." Not only will we be providing a quality education for children across our state and getting more teachers in the classroom, we will allow more veterans to be gainfully employed when returning from service. This legislation will go a long way for students and veterans alike. Governor Kay Ivey waves after she takes the oath to become the 54th Governor of Alabama during a ceremony on the steps of the Alabama State Capital Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in Montgomery, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) The legislation, likely to be signed by Ivey, comes at a time when teacher shortages in Alabama have caused strain across the states education system. In December 2025, the Alabama State Department of Education (ASDE) unveiled a digital educator preparation report card showing data as to why teachers are leaving the state or the profession altogether, along with methods to address the issue. The report card showed a shortage of 548 elementary education teachers across all Alabama districts, in addition to 415 unfilled positions for collaborative special education teachers across all grades. There was also a shortage of 256 early childhood education teachers based on the most recent data from 2024-25. We need to understand why they are leaving education in the first place, Alethea Hampton, educator preparation administrator for the ASDE, told Alabama.com in December. Because if we can understand the why, then we can begin to work on those things that are causing individuals to depart the profession before even becoming certified. One of the most common reasons for not filling positions was prospective educators being unable to pass the Praxis exams. National Teacher Burnout Teacher burnout across the U.S. has accelerated, notably since the COVID-19 pandemic and combativeness that erupted out of state-specific and federal orders that included removing students and educators from schools altogether for months at a time. About 1 in 8 teaching positions were either vacant or filled by an underqualified educator after the previous school year, according to a Stateline report from May 2025. Reasons identified by Stateline included tax revenue being siphoned toward private school vouchers in multiple states, as well as scrutiny regarding books, teachings and displays that have in some instances been connected to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). In turn, some students who were negatively impacted by pandemic-era shutdowns are still climbing back to normal levels. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, center, announced efforts to temporarily employ National Guard troops and state bureaucrats as substitute teachers and preschool caregivers, during a news conference at Sante Fe High School in Santa Fe, N.M., on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee) A 2025 study published by researchers, based on surveys of roughly 500 public school teachers, found that 78% debated leaving the teaching professional entirely since COVID. Reasoning included a lack of administrative support, excessive workloads, inadequate compensation, and challenging student behaviors. The authors called stress and burnout a major public health challenge confronting the education system as teachers are essential individuals supporting children and youth in their formative years." Different states are dealing with it in their own ways, though concerns have been shared nationally in certain regards. The Connecticut Education Association surveyed its members about the state of the teaching profession and asked for five primary concerns. Findings, published in November 2024, cited stress and burnout as the top factors. While burnout is often used as an umbrella term, educators got more granular and cited challenges with student/discipline first, followed by insufficient pay, lack of respect, politicians and non-educators making decisions that affect education, and too many district initiatives. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russia launched a barrage of 420 drones and 39 missiles at Ukraine overnight, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday, as U.S. and Ukrainian envoys prepared to hold more talks in Geneva on ending the war that is now in its fifth year. The bombardment, which included 11 ballistic missiles, targeted critical infrastructure and residential areas across eight regions of Ukraine, Zelenskyy said. Dozens of people, including children, were injured, officials said, though authorities did not immediately publish a confirmed total. Zelenskyy said late Wednesday he had spoken by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump and thanked him for his efforts and engagement in pursuing peace negotiations. The U.S.-brokered talks between Moscow and Kyiv are continuing but are deadlocked on the issue of the future of Ukrainian territory that Russia claims as its own. Zelenskyy has pushed for a summit with Russia's President Vladmir Putin, saying a face-to-face meeting could be decisive in unlocking an agreement, but the Kremlin has rebuffed that proposal beyond inviting the Ukrainian president to Moscow, which Zelenskyy refused. Trump representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who were also discussing nuclear negotiations with Iran in Geneva before turning to the war in Europe, were due to meet with Rustem Umerov, the head of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council. They also joined Trumps call with Zelenskyy. Washington is looking to keep momentum in its yearlong push to stop the fighting and overcome deep enmity between the warring countries. Ukrainian and European officials have accused Putin of feigning interest in peace negotiations, hoping to avoid punitive U.S. measures such as additional sanctions while pressing forward with the invasion. Thursdays talks between the American and Ukrainian envoys were to address details of a possible postwar recovery plan for Ukraine and discuss preparations for an upcoming trilateral meeting with Moscow officials, perhaps next week, according to Zelenskyy. He said he has also tasked Umerov with discussing a possible prisoner exchange. Russia returned 1,000 bodies of fallen soldiers to Ukraine, and got back 35 bodies of its fallen troops, Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation at previous talks with Ukraine, said Thursday. He did not say when the exchange happened. Ukraines Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War later confirmed the return, though it referred to bodies which, according to preliminary information provided by the Russian side, may belong to Ukrainian defenders. Russia struck gas infrastructure in the Poltava region and electrical substations in the Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions, Zelenskyy said. Emergency crews responded in five other regions, as well as in the capital. Ukraines air defenses shot down most of the Russian missiles, Zelenskyy said, crediting Western partners for timely delivery of additional air defense interceptors. Ukraine needs foreign help to sustain its fight against Russias bigger forces. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged allied countries to provide more military aid. When the whole world demands Moscow to finally stop this senseless war, Putin bets on more terror, attacks and aggression, Sybiha said in a post on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. The Russian Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 17 Ukrainian drones overnight over a number of Russian regions, as well as the Black and Azov Seas. Ukraine's domestically developed long-range drones have struck oil refineries, fuel depots and military logistics hubs deep inside Russia. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine The fallout of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent presence in Minnesota continues to cause locals to mobilize. A Feb. 21 benefit concert at Target Center in Minneapolis raised more than $600,000 for The Advocates for Human Rights, according to reports, while Rep. Ilhan Omar, (D-MN), invited affected residents to attend Tuesday's State of the Union address. Omar and President Donald Trump engaged in a heated back-and-forth during the joint address to Congress. Churches and community centers served as organizing hubs between Feb. 21-24 as volunteers expanded legal aid and emergency assistance even as ICE began pulling agents out of the state. Federal officials announced Feb. 12 in Minneapolis that Operation Metro Surgean immigration enforcement effort led by ICEwould begin drawing down after what border czar Tom Homan said was more than 4,000 statewide arrests. The high-profile operation became a test of the administrations interior enforcement strategy in a Democratic-led state. Homan said the effort made Minnesota less of a sanctuary state for criminals and confirmed agents would redeploy nationwide as part of President Donald Trumps broader deportation strategy. The crackdown sparked protests, court challenges and intensified scrutiny of ICE tactics and state-federal coordination. Military.com reached out for comment to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE, the Department of Justice and the governors office. Fundraising Frenzy After ICE Sweep Organizers pivoted quickly after the Feb. 12 drawdown announcement, shifting from protest response to sustained support. The Target Center concert haul raised big money for legal defense, rent assistance and emergency aid for families navigating detention hearings and potential deportation. Proceeds will also support trauma counseling for children whose parents were arrested during the operation. Sagal Ali, right, hugs a person after pouring a cup of shaah, Somali spiced tea, at a memorial for Alex Pretti, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Faith groups and neighborhood coalitions expanded food distribution and know-your-rights workshops across Minneapolis and St. Paul. Support networks remained active as immigration court calendars continued to fill. Omar invited four Minnesotans affected by the operation to attend the State of the Union, saying their presence would spotlight what she described as lasting trauma in immigrant neighborhoods following weeks of enforcement activity. White House Stands Firm The White House framed the Minnesota drawdown not as a retreat but as proof the strategy is working. Administration officials said Operation Metro Surge reflected Trumps pledge to prioritize what he has described as the worst-of-the-worst offenders while expanding deportations nationwide. The presidents entire team, including border czar Tom Homan and [DHS] Secretary [Kristi] Noem, are on the same page when it comes to implementing his agenda, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told Military.com. President Trump is keeping his promise to carry out the largest mass deportation operation in history. Jackson added that anyone in the country illegally remains eligible for deportation, signaling that Minnesotas drawdown does not represent a policy shift. Homan told reporters Feb. 12 in Minneapolis that ICE arrested more than 200 people for alleged violations of 18 U.S.C. 111, the federal statute that criminalizes assaulting, resisting or impeding officers. ICE authority largely flows from the Immigration and Nationality Act and Title 8, and that federal immigration officers can also arrest for federal offenses committed in their presence, including obstruction or assault on a federal officer. White House border czar Tom Homan arrives before an event in the East Room of the White House, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) He said quick response force deployments dropped dramatically as protest activity declined and local law enforcement cooperation increased. Homan did not provide a breakdown of how many involved criminal convictions versus civil immigration violations were involved in those 4,000 arrests he mentioned. Minnesota Lawmakers Demand ICE Overhaul Oversight calls intensified after federal officials confirmed ICE would withdraw personnel from Minnesota. Democratic leaders argued the operation left unresolved questions about use of force, coordination failures, and the broader impact on immigrant communities. Minnesotans stood together, stared down ICE, and never blinked, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) said in a Feb. 12 statement. ICE withdrawing from Minnesota is just the beginning." We need accountability for the lives lost and the extraordinary abuses of power at the hands of ICE agents, and we must see a complete overhaul of the agency. Teyana Gibson Brown, center, a U.S. citizen and resident of Minneapolis, is welcomed by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., left, as she prepares to testify in a forum about the constitutional violations and abuses she experienced when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents forcefully entered her home during President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Minnesota leaders had already moved into court earlier in the operation. A state lawsuit that called the federal surge an unconstitutional federal invasion and sought to block the deployment of more than 2,000 federal agents into the Twin Cities after a fatal shooting ignited protests. The filing alleged racial profiling, warrantless arrests and widespread fear, according to that reporting. Local law enforcement officials also described limited coordination with federal authorities during the surge. Apart from recent meetings with border czar Holman, there was little to no coordination, Minneapolis Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Garrett Parten said Feb. 13. Parten said MPD responded to reported property damage and threats to physical safety during protest activity but did not participate in federal immigration enforcement. He directed requests for protest-related arrest totals to the departments records unit and noted that multiple agencies operated independently within the city during the surge. The contrasting accounts underscore a noticeable divide between federal officials who described the operation as a public safety success, and local leaders who believe the consequences continue to ripple through Minnesota communities. The clash over ICE access in New Jersey is now in federal court. The Justice Department filed a 21-page lawsuit on Feb. 23 in U.S. District Court in Trenton seeking to block Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrills executive order restricting access by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to nonpublic areas of state owned property. Federal attorneys argue that the order violates the Constitutions Supremacy Clause and interferes with federal immigration enforcement authority. Military.com reached out for comment to Sherrill's office, the New Jersey office of the attorney general, the White House, the Department of Justice and ICE. Executive Order No. 12, dated Feb. 11, bars ICE from entering nonpublic areas of state owned property or using state facilities as staging and processing sites without a judicial warrant. DHS Accuses New Jersey of Shielding Criminals The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sharply criticized the executive order. This is legally illiterate. Enforcing federal immigration laws is a clear federal responsibility under Article I, Article II and the Supremacy Clause. - a DHS spokesperson to Military.com While New Jersey sanctuary politicians continue to release pedophiles, rapists, gang members and murderers onto their streets, our brave law enforcement will continue to risk their lives to arrest these heinous criminals and make New Jersey safe again, the spokesperson added. New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill holds up a just signed executive order during her inauguration ceremony in Newark, N.J., Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) DHS said the order undermines efforts to detain and remove individuals convicted of serious crimes. The department cited five people it described as criminal noncitizens in New Jersey, including a Cuban national convicted of homicide and others convicted of sexual assault, child endangerment, rape and making a terrorist-like threat. DHS claimed that limiting access to secure state facilities could force officers to conduct more at large arrests, increasing risk to officers and the public. Feds Lay Out Their Case In the complaint, federal attorneys argue the executive order poses an intolerable obstacle to federal immigration enforcement and unlawfully discriminates against the federal government. The filing states the order prevents immigration officers from entering or using nonpublic areas of state property and from using state facilities as a staging area, processing location or operations base. Justice Department lawyers contend the policy stands as an obstacle to the accomplishment and execution of federal immigration law and substantially interferes with a core federal function, including custodial transfers and detainer operations in secure facilities. The government is asking the court to declare the executive order invalid and permanently block its enforcement. ACLU Slams Federal Lawsuit Civil liberties advocates in New Jersey defended the governors order, arguing that the state is not required to assist federal immigration enforcement and has the authority to control its property. New Jersey has taken significant steps to protect its communities from dangerous policies set by the Trump administration, Amol Sinha, executive director of American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Jersey, told Military.com in a statement. Gov. Sherrills executive order limiting the use of state property for federal immigration enforcement is a legally sound policy that exercises New Jerseys right to control its resources and that prioritizes the safety and wellbeing of its residents. Executive Director of the ACLU of New Jersey Amol Sinha, one of the lawyers for detained Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, is in Newark, N.J., on Friday, March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey) The organization said the lawsuit ignores anti-commandeering principles rooted in the 10th Amendment, which generally prevent the federal government from compelling states to enforce federal law. ICE Legal Clash Heads to Court The case lands amid growing legal pressure on local and state governments over how they handle immigration holds, custody transfers and cooperation with federal agents. A jury verdict against Suffolk County, New York, underscored the legal risk local governments can face when they hold people solely on ICE detainers without a judge signed warrant. Jurors awarded $112 million to more than 670 immigrants over unlawful detention claims. That case moved into an appeal posture as county leaders warned of broader financial exposure tied to detainer practices and transfer policies. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents walk through a gas station, on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy) Federal officials have also argued that cooperation inside secure facilities reduces the need for public facing arrests. In Minnesota, federal officials linked a drawdown of about 700 immigration personnel to increased state and local cooperation, including agreements by county jails to transfer people subject to immigration holds, while confirming roughly 2,000 enforcement personnel would remain. The dispute highlighted how custodial transfers can shift enforcement away from street operations and reduce confrontation. The broader pattern has included states using the courts to challenge federal immigration tactics as well. Minnesotas attorney general and local leaders sued DHS, ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection over a large scale enforcement surge, arguing the operation violated constitutional protections and state sovereignty and seeking emergency limits on federal activity. The complaint in the New Jersey case does not currently have a scheduled hearing date. The Coast Guard flew hundreds of domestic migrant transfer missions over two fiscal years yet insists no lifesaving operations were sacrificed. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem directed the Coast Guard to expand support for domestic migrant transfer flights as part of the administrations immigration enforcement strategy. The Coast Guard told Military.com on Wednesday that crews transported 9,805 migrants during 886 sorties using C-130 Hercules and C-27 Spartan aircraft. Officials said total aviation hours in FY 2025 remained below the 10-year average and no search-and-rescue, counternarcotics or homeland defense missions were delayed or reassigned. Military.com reached out for comment to DHS, the White House, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Government Accountability Office, the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Immigration Law Center. Coast Guard officials described the flights as routine use of multi-mission aircraft rather than a shift in operational priorities. Coast Guard aircraft are multi-mission aircraft, and as such, support for the national transport of illegal aliens mission is measured in sorties, a Coast Guard spokesperson told Military.com. During this timeframe, the U.S. Coast Guard conducted 886 sorties, transporting 9,805 illegal alien. A sortie is a single operational flight. Officials said crews relied on C-130 and C-27 aircraft on an as-needed basis. Both platforms routinely conduct search-and-rescue, maritime patrol and logistics missions. Flight Totals Draw National Attention The spokesperson rejected suggestions that aviation tempo surged beyond historical norms. Average USCG flight hours over the last 10 years are 104,810 per fiscal year, USCG told Military.com. Total FY25 flight hours were 90,374. Officials also dismissed claims that migrant transfer support affected core missions. A U.S. Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry from Mobile, Ala., performs an aerial demonstration along the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 22, 2023, as part of the annual Thunder Over Louisville air show. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer) When asked whether search-and-rescue, counternarcotics or homeland defense missions were delayed, the spokesperson said they were not. The service reported 5,220 lives saved, 19,437 people assisted, and more than $1.02 billion in property protected in 2025. Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the Coast Guard, described search-and-rescue as a sacred trust and said aviation assets remain ready for lifesaving operations, disaster response and drug interdiction, while also supporting immigration enforcement when directed. USCG added that reporting suggesting aircraft were diverted from a missing crewmember search to conduct a removal flight was categorically false, stating that all available resources, including a C-130 aircraft, supported the search effort. ICE Clarifies Scope of Aviation Support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed coordination with the Coast Guard but said its involvement was limited to domestic transfers. President [Donald] Trump and Secretary Noem are using every tool available to get criminal illegal aliens out of American communities and out of our country, an ICE spokesperson told Military.com. ICE Air Operations relies on commercial and charter aircraft for removal flights, and the U.S. Coast Guard supports domestic transfer movements only. ICE Air Operations manages the agencys charter network, transporting migrants between detention facilities inside the United States and conducting international removal flights abroad. Agents with Coast Guard Investigative Services, Enforcement and Removal Operations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Homeland Security Investigations prepare to board a Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules airplane on the tarmac at the Air Station in Kapolei, Hawaii, Feb. 22, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler Robertson) The broader use of military aircraft in immigration operations has drawn attention across services. Air Force personnel assigned to deportation missions were previously directed to remove name tapes and unit patches during certain flightsa policy officials said was tied to safety considerations. ICE deferred cost comparison questions to the Coast Guard. Oversight Questions Continue The Government Accountability Office acknowledged Military.coms inquiry and said it maintains work related to homeland security mission tradeoffs and aviation readiness. GAO conducts audits at the request of Congress and has previously examined Coast Guard fleet modernization and maintenance backlogs. Lawmakers have also raised concerns about a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure maintenance backlog across the Coast Guard, which some members of Congress have cited in broader readiness debates. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations operates its own aviation fleet supporting border security and interdiction missions. The Coast Guard operates under the Department of Homeland Security as both a military service and federal law enforcement agency. Its aviation fleet supports search-and-rescue, maritime safety, drug interdiction, disaster response and homeland defense missions in addition to immigration-related support when directed. Through the past seven years, as shes pursued her medical degree, Johns Hopkins University student Elle Kim has logged more than 1,600 volunteer hours helping veterans. But one veteran in particular changed Kims life. At the time she met James, Kim was at a local VA hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, dropping off handmade care packages. James, a patient at the VA, appeared lonely and disengaged as he watched a Veterans Day Parade on a small TV in his room. Kim figured he could use some company to cheer him up. She knocked on his door, and while Kim startled the veteran at first, he quickly smiled and invited her in. James was not used to visitors. Talking to James, I discovered that I was his first visitor in months; his family moved away a year ago. And, hearing his voice quiver, I sensed his hurt from the isolation, Kim told hopkinsmedicine.org. Opening up his care package, I pulled out handwritten thank-you letters and read them aloud. To James, these cards reminded him that he mattered. I could tell he felt overwhelmed, his eyes watery with faint tears of joy. Over the next few months, we played bingo, took walks around the park and even celebrated his birthday together. Then COVID-19 hit. The virus prevented Kim from seeing James in person, but she didnt want to let go of the bond they had formed. She continued sending cards, telling the veteran he wasnt alone, despite the isolation. Kims small gesture made a big impact. She was inspired to create eCards for Heroes, a project to lift veterans out of loneliness from the pandemic. Elle Kim (LinkedIn) Cards to Fight Loneliness Since June 2018, when she joined the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces as an undergrad at Johns Hopkins, Kim has surpassed 1,600 volunteer hours. During the pandemic, Kim crafted cards for veterans with simple messages like Get Well or I hope you have a good day, including them with their meals at the hospital. Shes still providing uplifting messages almost six years later. Beyond the cards, my primary role is to identify local veterans needs and organize quarterly deliveries of essentials personal hygiene kits, jackets, socks and coffee to support their daily lives, she said. Each delivery begins with listening to veterans, their caregivers and staff members about what would make daily life a little easier. More than a blood bank or disaster relief organization, the American Red Cross provides personal support through multiple divisions, Kim said. After more than seven years of helping veterans, Kim has seen the multitude of ways the Red Cross can help a large, highly diverse veteran population in the Baltimore area. Along with the Baltimore VA Medical Center, the region houses the Loch Raven VA Community Living & Rehabilitation Center, along with Harford Countys Perry Point VA Medical Center. Personal Ties to Veterans For Kim, giving back to veterans has a deep personal connection. As a South Korean immigrant, Kim recalls her grandparents stories of living through the Korean War, and watching American troops help protect and rebuild their homeland following the devastation. The soldiers were friendly and shared food with villagers. Kim was raised in the city of Daegu, which became the site of a military base. Kim became familiar with U.S. soldiers who helped teach her English, shared snakes and played video games with the young Korean. I still remember their kindness, she said. My grandfather always reminded me, If you ever meet a veteran who served in the Korean War, thank them for me. He often spoke about the sacrifices U.S. soldiers made. As I live my life, I will be forever grateful. Upon moving to Baltimore for college, Kim discovered a Korean War veteran population there and had the urge to help. I am honoring the same generation of Americans who once stood by my familys country, Kim says. Supporting veterans through the American Red Cross has been my way of expressing that gratitude. Along with establishing eCards for Heroes, Kim has organized wellness workshops, thank you card deliveries, and uplifting events like bingo night and birthday parties. These little moments of happiness boost Kims mood as well. Chris Duffley of the American Red Cross. (LinkedIn) Service with a Smile Chris Duffley has seen the positive effect of Kims work up close for the past five years. Duffley is the director of Service to Armed Forces and International Services with the Red Cross. Her willingness to continue volunteering and serving through this new chapter in her life is greatly appreciated, Duffley said. She is so kind and positive. Shes a great person to work with and to be around. Red Cross Senior Program Specialist Christiana Ilufoye has seen Kims innovative and creative side come through, looking at challenges as mere steppingstones to success. Elle came up with a great idea to digitize the cards. She teaches other volunteers the standard operating procedures, Ilufoye said. This project helps us meet the mission and supports us despite the changes. She won the Volunteer of the Year award because of the impact she made in the region. Laura Heck, who serves as youth engagement lead for the Red Cross, marvels at the way Kim can connect with veterans. She always has a smile on her face, Heck said. She helped us make connections during COVID. She helped us pivot so veterans wouldnt feel lonely. Receiving these cards is something that picks them up. Were very thankful. More recently, Kim organized a winter outreach and education event to share tips and free kits with vulnerable groups about cold-weather skin care, including veterans and the local homeless population. For Kim, its all about a commitment to service. Just as people speak of lifelong learning as a physician, I see service as a lifelong calling rooted in gratitude for the family and community that have shaped, and will continue to shape, who I am, Kim said. Of all the uniquely dangerous jobs soldiers had during the Vietnam War, Army veteran C.W. Bowmans task ranks near the top of the list. Bowman was a tunnel rat. Bowman, a former staff sergeant, volunteered for the highly stressful but important position of finding enemy intelligence rummaging through the Viet Congs vast underground tunnel system. He has plenty of wild stories of overcoming fear and what he encountered in those dark, dank tunnels. Bowman shared a few of his memories during a presentation at the Richland Library Main on Feb. 13 in Columbia, South Carolina, according to The Post & Courier. Receiving his draft notice at age 19, Bowman joined the Army, shipping off to Vietnam in 1967. He was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division where his tunnel investigation days would soon begin. C.W. Bowman (second from right) at Fort Jackson, South Carolina where he served as a drill sergeant. (C.W. Bowman) Life of a Tunnel Rat Tunnel rats werent found in every unit in Vietnam, but the companies that did use them selected volunteers for the ultra-dangerous job few envied. For Bowman, it all began when his sergeant asked if he could investigate a Viet Cong (VC) bunker. Not knowing what would await him underground, the young soldier crept down into the hole in total darkness. He looked straight ahead, spotting the only light he could see, coming from the other side of the bunker. It was the exit. I just started walking. I didnt look left or right, I didnt look at anything, Bowman said. I said, If I make it through that door, Ill be alive. The fact he survived was good enough for his sergeant Bowman was officially designated the units tunnel rat. He thought about his age, compared himself to others in his unit, and decided to volunteer. I was 20, and a lot of those guys were married and had kids, Bowman said. I really didnt have much to go back to, so I said what the hell, it didnt matter to me, you know? A Job Filled with Fear Raising his hand for such a deadly occupation didnt mean Bowman wasnt fraught with fear every time he shimmied down those Viet Cong tunnels. One story in particular highlights how close the young soldier was to becoming another casualty of war. Stationed in Cu Chi in 1967, Bowman ventured down another tunnel, but this time came across something he had never seen before an underground hospital with VC troops staring back at him, just as shocked to see him as he was of seeing them. The VC drew their guns. Bowman reacted quickly, unloading shots from his .45 caliber pistol. He scrambled back out of the tunnel, dropping a C4 explosive down the hole just to be safe. That wasnt the first time he thought his heart would pound out of his chest. The fear of the unknown never faded, but the more tunnel trips he made, the more Bowman shifted his focus to what was around him and not the thumping of his heartbeat, which consumed him the first time he went into a bunker. The more I did, it was more of a concentration on what was around me, because a lot of the tunnels had booby traps in them, Bowman said. The pounding heart went away. His goal was to investigate anything he could find on the VCs movements and operations. The tunnels revealed all kinds of items, from maps to weapons. In one search, he stumbled upon more than 200 German Mauser rifles. Everybody got a rifle to take home in the company, Bowman said. There was no telling what youd find down there. C.W. Bowman as a young soldier in Vietnam. (C.W. Bowman) Harsh Welcome Home After surviving the tunnels of Vietnam, Bowman had other obstacles to overcome, reacclimating to civilian life and an antiwar public that wasnt kind to many returning soldiers. We were all shunned. We were harassed, Bowman said. Yeah, the homecoming, to me, was worse than fighting in the war. Bowman returned to Vietnam for a second tour in 1970, came home and married his wife, Ruthie. Born and raised in Bordentown, New Jersey, Bowman moved to South Carolina in 1973. Following the war, he spent two years as a drill sergeant at Fort Jackson, South Carolina before leaving the Army. Library Series Invites Veterans Stories Bowmans presentation was part of the librarys Noon Debrief series, which it hosts in partnership with a military history museum, the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room & Museum. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster recently appointed Bowman to the museums board of commissioners. His presentation attracted about 30 participants, including Matthew Padgett, a military history buff from Columbia. I thought it was just gonna be a movie but (the library staff) were like, No, an actual guy who was crazy enough to go be a tunnel rats gonna be speaking, and Ive never met one, Padgett said. Melvin Rest, from Cayce, South Carolina, was also moved by Bowmans presentation. He said it made him realize the sacrifices of so many veterans, including his father, a World War II soldier. He just never would talk about his time in World War II, West said. We could have learned so much more from people (if wed) been more open about talking about it. One attendee posed an interesting question having gone through it, would Bowman volunteer for tunnel rat duty again? Sure, he said. It was gathering intelligence and weapons and ammunition, but it was also proving myself. Lt. Gen. Tadamichi Kuribayashi arrived on the island of Iwo Jima in June 1944. He found a garrison led by men who argued over water rationing. Navy commanders demanded the troops defend the island at the beach. Artillery sat exposed in the open. American carrier strikes had already hit the island twice. Kuribayashi would spend the next eight months transforming the island of Iwo Jima into one of the most elaborate defensive networks in the entire Pacific. When American forces landed in February 1945, they would suffer horrendous losses. Even American commanders admitted Kuribayashi led one of the most successful Japanese defenses during the war. By the end of the battle, nearly the entire Japanese garrison, including Kuribayashi himself, were dead. While the Marines had won and famously raised their flag over Mount Suribachi, the battle became the only Pacific campaign where American losses were higher than Japanese losses. U.S. Marines pose with a captured Japanese flag on top of enemy pillbox. (Wikimedia Commons) Tadamichi Kuribayashi Kuribayashi came from Nagano Prefecture, the sixth generation of a samurai family. As a teenager he wanted to be a journalist, an ambition his teachers at Nagano High School steered him away from. They eventually redirecting him toward the Imperial Japanese Army Academy. He was not an easy student to contain. Years later, Vice Adm. Shegeji Kaneko, who had been a classmate, recalled a young man the school nearly expelled. "He once organized a strike against the school authorities," Kaneko said. "He just escaped expulsion by a hair. In those days, he was already good in poetry-writing, composition and speech-making. He was a young literary enthusiast." In the 1920s, Army service took him to the United States, including time training with cavalry units at Fort Bliss, Texas. What he saw in America followed him through the rest of his career. He wrote to his wife that the United States was "the last country in the world Japan should fight. Its industrial potential is huge and fabulous, and the people are energetic and versatile. One must never underestimate the American fighting ability." Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto had visited the same region years before and reached the same conclusion. Both men would find themselves at war against the U.S., despite their concerns. Soon after Pearl Harbor, Kuribayashi served with Japanese forces in the Battle for Hong Kong, before commanding several Army divisions on garrison duty. As a leader, he astonished his own men by sharing in their hardships, leading from the front and even visiting wounded soldiers in the hospital, something most Japanese leaders refused to do. By 1943, he had become outspoken about Japan's prospects of defeating the U.S. militarily. Many in the Imperial staff labeled him a defeatist. In late May 1944, Prime Minister Gen. Hideki Tojo handed Kuribayashi the order to command forces on Iwo Jima. Emperor Hirohito received him in a private audience before he left Tokyo. American intelligence officers who reviewed his service history noted that roughly 100 of his contemporaries in the Imperial Japanese Army had more combat experience. Japanese leaders likely saw the assignment as a suicide mission that would finally silence the outspoken commander. Meanwhile, American planners assumed taking Iwo Jima from him would only take a few days given his lack of experience. In a letter to his wife after the momentous assignment, Kuribayashi simply expressed regret at failing to make some repairs to the kitchen in their home, while leaving instructions for his son to complete the repairs while he was gone. Tadamichi Kuribayashi as a Lieutenant colonel, 1933-1937. (Wikimedia Commons) The Defenses on Iwo Jima The fall of Saipan and the brutal grinding fight at Peleliu had shown Kuribayashi all he needed to know about what not to do. Piling defenders on the beaches where American naval gunfire and carrier aircraft could chew them apart before a single Marine touched the sand was not a good strategy. Despite the demands of his peers and leaders, he chose to dig underground and create an elaborate bunker complex that would bleed the Americans dry for every inch of ground. His soldiers cut roughly 18 kilometers of tunnels through the island's volcanic rock, connecting fighting bunkers, artillery positions, and command posts into a single network. Individual positions ranged from small fighting holes to chambers capable of holding several hundred men. Tunnel openings were angled to deflect direct naval gunfire hits. Every installation had multiple exits. By the end of 1944, a quarter of the entire garrison had been pulled from other duties and put to work digging. Sketch of Hill 362A, made by the 31st U.S. Naval Construction Battalion. Dotted lines show the underground Japanese tunnel system. (Wikimedia Commons) The work was brutal. Japanese soldier Takeo Abe described what that work felt like. "By the end of 1944, we were forced to spare rations for battle and we foraged around for edible weeds," Abe said. "Suffering from chronic diarrhea, empty stomachs, and lack of water, we dug bunkers in the sand under a merciless sun and constructed underground shelters that were steamy with heat. We used salt water, lukewarm from a well on the beach, for cooking, and saved what little rainwater we could for drinking. But one water-bottle a day was the most we ever had to drink." Reinforcements flowed in through the summer. The 145th Infantry Regiment, originally bound for the Marianas before Saipan fell, was rerouted to the island with 2,700 soldiers from Kagoshima. Rear Adm. Rinosuke Ichimaru arrived in August with more than 2,100 sailors, aviators, and naval ground troops. When the buildup was finished, roughly 21,000 men held the island across five defensive sectors. Conventional officers and Naval leaders pushed hard for a strong beach defense. Kuribayashi refused. The dispute reached Tokyo, and the Germans, whose general staff was consulted, sided with him. As a concession to his critics, 135 pillboxes were placed near the southern beaches. The rest of the defense stayed buried under the sand and into the side of Mount Suribachi. He wrote to his wife that September. "It must be destiny that we as a family must face this," he told her. "Please accept this and stand tall with the children at your side. I will be with you always." View of the invasion beach from the top of Mount Suribachi, February 2002. (Wikimedia Commons) The Japanese Commanders Col. Baron Takeichi Nishi was probably the most famous soldier on Iwo Jima when he arrived, though his fame was established long before the war. He had won a gold medal in show jumping at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, befriended Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks during his time in California. He returned home to Japan as a genuine celebrity. By 1944, the cavalry officer commanded the 26th Tank Regiment. On July 18, 1944, while en route to the island, the transport carrying his regiment was struck by a torpedo from the submarine USS Cobia. All 28 tanks went to the bottom. Nishi returned to Tokyo, secured 22 replacements, and came back. The volcanic terrain made conventional armored warfare useless, so he ordered the tanks buried to their turrets to be used as fixed gun positions. He walked the island in Hermes riding boots, scouting for fields of fire and likely American approaches. His fame exceeded his own command. Throughout the battle, U.S. Marines would broadcast daily radio appeals addressed to him by name, telling him the world couldn't afford to lose someone like Baron Nishi. Nishi with his Olympic steed, Uranus. (Wikimedia Commons) Meanwhile, Ichimaru was a pioneering naval aviator who had spent years in administrative work after a serious injury ended his flying. At Iwo Jima he placed his entire force under Kuribayashi's command. Though not as experienced in ground warfare, his troops would fight to the death like any other Japanese soldier. Before the battle, he drafted a letter in English addressed to President Franklin Roosevelt, intending for American troops to find it when the island fell. The letter opened with Commodore Perry's arrival in Japan a century earlier and moved through the long accumulation of friction between Japan and the West. It accused the Allied powers of building their wealth and security by stripping resources and autonomy from Asia. Ichimaru asked how Roosevelt could condemn Nazi Germany while partnered with the Soviet Union, then closed by invoking Woodrow Wilson, who had reached the height of his power and thrown it away. It was not a letter written by someone expecting to be alive when it was found. Photograph of Ichimaru and his sword. (Wikimedia Commons) The Invasion: Feb. 19, 1945 The Marines came ashore the morning of Feb. 19, 1945. Kuribayashi ordered his troops to hold fire. The first waves labored across black volcanic sand that swallowed boots and bogged down tracked vehicles. The beach had no natural cover of any kind. Troops and equipment compressed against the steep sand terraces above the waterline, stacking up with nowhere to advance and no way to see what was waiting for them north. Kuribayashi let the congestion build. Then he opened up everything he had at once. Artillery from the northern ridgelines, machine gun positions wired into the tunnel network and mortars pre-registered on the landing zones all fired simultaneously. Marines caught on the open beach had no angles on the sources. Casualties in those first hours were severe enough to stagger officers aboard the command ship USS Eldorado as the reports came in. U.S. Marines of the Second Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Regiment, wait to move inland on Iwo Jima, soon after going ashore on 19 February 1945. An LVT(A)-5 amphibious tractor is in the background. Red Beach One. (Wikimedia Commons) That night, Lt. Gen. Holland Smith gathered correspondents on the deck of the command ship. Not one Japanese soldier had charged the beach as expected. "I don't know who he is," Smith said, "but the Japanese General running this show is one smart bastard." Kuribayashi had ordered no mass charges. Maj. Mitsuaki Hara, the only one of his battalion commanders to survive the entire battle, described him as "a professional soldier, sternly disciplined, very strict with his subordinates," and said the troops "disliked him for these very attributes." Kuribayashi had spelled out his thinking in a letter to his wife before the first shot was ever fired. "Americans have always taken casualties very seriously," he wrote. "When the number of casualties is too high, public opinion will boil up and condemn an operation as a failure, even if [they] get the upper hand militarily." Four days after the landing, the Marines reached the base of Mount Suribachi. It fell Feb. 23. The famous flag photograph by Joe Rosenthal was taken that afternoon. The moment meant something for morale on both sides, but Kuribayashi's main defensive line was in the north. The hard fighting had barely begun. Map of the American landing zones on Iwo Jima, showing the proposed alternate landing zones on the north-western side of the island. (Wikimedia Commons) The Battle Continues The month that followed ground down some of the best units the Marine Corps had. The Japanese defense in the north had been built around one idea. Never give the Americans anything without making them pay for it. When a position was overrun, the survivors moved through the tunnels to the next one and the line reconstituted. The Marines cleared hundreds of fortified positions and found hundreds more waiting. A network of hills, draws, and ravines on the island's eastern plateau chewed through attacking units for weeks. Marines called it the Meat Grinder. A shattered, cave-riddled gully in the far north became known as the Gorge and held out until nearly the final day of organized fighting. Nishi's buried tanks provided direct fire support across the northern approach corridors through the early weeks, covering ground that infantry positions alone couldn't hold. Flamethrowers and satchel charges were used to seal cave and bunker entrances, literally burying Japanese troops alive. As the Marines approached one bunker, another concealed one would open up. The Americans had to assault both positions simultaneously while suffering heavy losses, only to come under fire from even more Japanese defenses. The Japanese command structure started to come apart through March. Nishi's regiment had started the battle with 450 men. By March 19, only 60 were still able to fight. Nishi died around March 22. While the details of his death are unconfirmed, it is believed he led his few remaining men in a charge against American forces that day, before he was cut down. Marines from the 24th Marine Regiment during the Battle of Iwo Jima. (Wikimedia Commons) Kuribayashi transmitted his final message to the garrison on Chichi Jima on the night of March 23. "All officers and men of Chichi Jima goodbye from Iwo." Maj. Tomitara Hori, who received it, spent three days trying to raise the island in response. "In the end I received no answer," he said. Before dawn on March 26, several hundred survivors moved against sleeping Marines and Army Air Forces ground personnel near the airfields. They killed and wounded more than 100 Americans before the attack was stopped. Kuribayashi is thought to have died just before or during the assault. Ichimaru also died that day. He carried an Edo period sword into the final fighting, a blade his daughter Haruko later said had saved his life three separate times before Iwo Jima. American troops took it from his body. Decades later it surfaced in the United States, eventually traced through Richard F. Newcomb's 1965 book "Iwo Jima" to a professor who had served in the battle and recognized a description of the sword he had bought as a war souvenir. It was returned to Japan and eventually to Ichimaru's family. Imperial General Headquarters had already issued posthumous promotions for leaders on the island. Kuribayashi became a full general. Ichimaru was elevated to vice admiral. Col. Masuo Ikeda, who commanded the 145th Infantry Regiment and died in the final days, was promoted to major general. The island was declared secured the morning after the final assault. Of the roughly 21,000-man garrison, 216 were taken prisoner. Perhaps 3,000 more scattered into the tunnel network. Most were eventually killed or captured by Army troops over the summer. A small holdout group refused to accept Japan's surrender that August and continued fighting until 1949. Kuribayashi's remains were never recovered. Battle for Iwo Jima, February-March 1945. Japanese Prisoners of War being herded to stockade after capture. Photographed by Kauffman, 1945. Official U.S. Marine Corps Photograph, now in the collection of the National Archives. The Japanese Legacy on Iwo Jima Kuribayashi wrote constantly from the island. Letters to his wife, to his son Taro, to friends and family across Japan. He wrote about American cities he had visited years earlier with the eye of the journalist he had once planned to become. He said his goodbyes without bitterness and without pretending he didn't know what was coming. Journalist Kumiko Kakehashi spent years gathering those letters and tracking down survivors who had known him, publishing her account in 2005 as "So Sad to Fall in Battle." Clint Eastwood used Kakehashi's work and Kuribayashi's correspondence as the foundation for his 2006 film "Letters from Iwo Jima" which was filmed alongside "Flags of our Fathers." The film told the entire battle from the Japanese perspective and earned four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. Japanese audiences made it the highest-grossing film in the country for five consecutive weeks. Critics noted that Eastwood had given Kuribayashi the kind of interior life and dignity that Japanese characters rarely received from Hollywood. Ken Watanabe as Gen. Tadamichi Kuribayashi (left) and Tsuyoshi Ihara as Lieutenant Colonel Baron Takeichi Nishi (right) in Letters From Iwo Jima. (Academy Award Best Picture Winners) Takeo Abe was one of the few Japanese soldiers who survived the battle. He spent the rest of his life trying to bring his comrades home. Most of them are still there. More than 10,000 Japanese soldiers remain sealed inside the tunnel network beneath the island. The Japanese government limits access to what is now called Ioto to official memorial ceremonies. Recovery operations continue to find Japanese remains on the island. Iwo Jima was the only battle of the Pacific War in which total American casualties, roughly 26,000 killed and wounded, exceeded the size of the entire Japanese defending force. Gen. Smith later gave his own assessment of the man responsible for the massive losses on Iwo Jima. "Of all our adversaries in the Pacific," he said, "Kuribayashi was the most redoubtable." Sources: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command; U.S. Marine Corps Historical Division, "Iwo Jima: Amphibious Epic"; U.S. Marine Corps Historical Division, "The Final Campaign: Marines in the Victory on Iwo Jima"; National Park Service, "Closing In: Marines in the Seizure of Iwo Jima"; The National WWII Museum; National Museum of the Pacific War; Kumiko Kakehashi, "So Sad to Fall in Battle: An Account of War" (2005); Richard F. Newcomb, "Iwo Jima" (1965). Greenland has become a focal point of renewed geopolitical interest due to its location between North America and Europe, its proximity to emerging Arctic shipping routes, and its potential reserves of critical minerals. The island operates as a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, exercising authority over domestic policy while Denmark retains responsibility for foreign affairs and defense under the Self-Government Act. This constitutional structure has heightened sensitivity to external initiatives touching domestic governance, particularly public services such as healthcare. The strategic importance of Greenland further complicates the political landscape, as the United States maintains operations at Pituffik Space Base, which military officials describe as strategically significant for missile warning and space domain awareness missions. Against this backdrop of sovereignty concerns and security competition, a proposed U.S. naval hospital ship deployment in early 2026 became a topic of Arctic diplomacy. The Submarine Medevac That Triggered The Controversy The immediate catalyst for the dispute was an emergency medical evacuation involving a U.S. Navy submarine crew member operating near Greenland. Denmarks Joint Arctic Command evacuated the sailor and transported the individual to Nuuk for urgent treatment, demonstrating operational cooperation within existing Danish-Greenlandic rescue and healthcare frameworks. Shortly after the medevac became public, U.S. leadership announced plans to dispatch a naval hospital ship to Greenland, framing the initiative as medical support for residents and referencing the USNS Mercy. The timing of the hospital ship proposal suggests that the announcement followed the Danish rescue rather than emerging from a pre-existing humanitarian program. President Trump stated: "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. Its on the way!" The sequencing transformed the episode into a politically sensitive issue by implying that the evacuation demonstrated shortcomings in Greenlands healthcare capacity. The Hospital Ship Proposal And Medical Diplomacy The USNS Mercy, referenced in the announcement, is a Mercy-class hospital ship with a 1,000-bed medical facility capable of extensive surgical and diagnostic operations. The Military Sealift Command similarly describes the vessel as a platform supporting humanitarian missions and medical operations, underscoring the dual humanitarian and diplomatic role traditionally associated with hospital ship deployments. Hospital ships frequently serve as instruments of medical diplomacy, providing disaster relief and humanitarian assistance while demonstrating naval logistical capacity. In Greenlands case, however, the proposal intersected with sovereignty debates and strategic tensions, complicating its diplomatic reception. Greenlands Response And Healthcare Reality Greenlands prime minister rejected the hospital ship proposal, stating publicly that the initiative was neither requested nor necessary and characterizing the offer as reflecting a misunderstanding of Nordic healthcare systems. Greenland operates a publicly funded healthcare model in which residents receive treatment without direct payment at the point of service. The system also incorporates structured pathways for specialized treatment through cooperation with Denmark, reflecting the integrated healthcare framework of the Danish realm. Officials emphasized that the submarine medevac itself illustrated the existing emergency response capacity and cooperative mechanisms, rather than systemic healthcare failure. Sailors render honors to the USS Arizona while manning the rails aboard the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) as Mercy pulls into Pearl Harbor during Pacific Partnership 2024-1 Oct. 18, 2023. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jacob Woitzel. Source: DVIDS. Why The Medevac Altered The Political Meaning The medevac became central to the controversy because it provided a tangible incident that could be interpreted as evidence of medical need while simultaneously demonstrating functional rescue and treatment capabilities. Greenlands leadership viewed the hospital ship announcement as transforming that emergency response into a narrative questioning local governance capacity, prompting a sovereignty-focused rebuttal. Denmarks defense of Greenlands healthcare model reinforced this interpretation, framing the proposal as unnecessary within an established universal healthcare framework. Strategic Context And Alliance Implications The episode unfolded within a broader geopolitical environment where Arctic security, mineral access, and maritime routes have intensified international interest in Greenland. The presence of U.S. military infrastructure at Pituffik and NATOs increasing attention to Arctic deterrence underscore the islands strategic significance. In such a context, even humanitarian initiatives can acquire strategic meaning. A naval hospital ship, while legally a non-combatant medical asset, remains a visible projection of maritime capability and political interest. The proposal, therefore, carried implications beyond healthcare policy, influencing perceptions of sovereignty and alliance coordination. Medical Assistance, Sovereignty, And Narrative Competition The Greenland hospital ship dispute illustrates how humanitarian tools can become politically charged when deployed amid contested geopolitical narratives. The Danish medevac demonstrated operational cooperation and medical capacity, yet the subsequent hospital ship announcement reframed that episode as evidence of systemic need. Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated they were open to cooperation with the United States, but requested the administration to please talk to us instead of just making more or less random statements on social media. Greenlands rejection did not reflect opposition to cooperation but resistance to a narrative implying governance inadequacy. Officials reaffirmed universal healthcare entitlements and emphasized domestic authority over public services under Greenlands self-government framework. Arctic Diplomacy Moving Forward The controversy demonstrates that humanitarian initiatives cannot be separated from geopolitical context in strategically sensitive regions. A submarine medevac created the spark, the hospital ship proposal supplied the symbol, and sovereignty concerns shaped the response. Future cooperation between the United States, Denmark, and Greenland will likely depend on coordination through established diplomatic channels rather than unilateral gestures. The episode ultimately underscores a broader lesson in Arctic diplomacy: timing and narrative can transform even medical assistance into a contested instrument of strategy, sovereignty, and alliance politics. If you're a mid-career soldier enrolled in the Blended Retirement System (BRS), the rules around your continuation pay just changed. The adjustments, which took effect Jan. 1, 2026, affect when members of the Army become eligible to receive the payment and, for some, how much theyll get. Continuation pay is one of the three pillars of the BRS, alongside the reduced retirement annuity and government matching contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan. It functions as a one-time retention bonus paid to service members at the mid-career mark in exchange for a commitment to serve at least four more years. Think of it as the military's way of sweetening the deal right around the time many people start weighing whether to stay in or get out. The changes were laid out in a Department of the Army memo. Continuation pay is a DoD-wide benefit under the BRS, but each service branch sets its own multipliers, eligibility windows and timing. The changes described in this article are Army-specific, driven by Army policy guidance. The statutory minimums that apply across all branches remain the same: 2.5 times monthly basic pay for active component members and 0.5 times for reserve component members. What varies by service is whether and how far above those floors a branch chooses to pay, and when during the 8- to 12-year eligibility window the payment is offered. Service members in other branches should check their branch-specific guidance for 2026 rates and timing. Heres what shifted in the Army and what it means for your wallet. The Eligibility Window Moved Up Under the previous rules, soldiers became eligible for continuation pay after completing eight years of service, with a window to apply that extended through 12 years of service. Starting in 2026, the eligibility window opens a year earlier, at seven years of service. The window still closes at 12 years. That means soldiers who are approaching the seven-year mark can now request the payment a full year sooner than their predecessors could. The Army has also signaled that the window will narrow again in calendar year 2027, when another change takes effect: The upper limit drops from 12 years to 10 years of service. For planning purposes, that 2027 change is significant. A service member who waits too long to apply could wind up outside the window entirely. It also means the payment will likely be calculated on a lower basic pay amount, since the member will be earlier in their career when they receive it. Read More: Amid Biggest US Military Buildup Since 2003, What Service Members and Families Need to Do Right Now Active-Duty Multiplier: Flat at 2.5 For active component soldiers, including regular Army, Active Guard Reserve and full-time National Guard duty personnel, the continuation pay multiplier is set at 2.5 times their monthly basic pay. That is unchanged from prior years for most active-duty soldiers, though the previous rules technically allowed the multiplier to range from 2.5 to 13 times monthly basic pay depending on specialty, retention needs and other factors. In practice, the Army had been paying at the 2.5 floor for active component soldiers, so the real-world impact is minimal for that group. To put a dollar figure on it, an E-6 at seven years of service earning roughly $4,100 in monthly basic pay in 2026 would receive continuation pay of about $10,250 before taxes. An O-3 at the same point, earning approximately $7,700 per month, would receive around $19,250. Those are one-time payments, and they're taxable as regular income unless invested into the TSP. The Big Change: Guard and Reserve Drilling Soldiers The most consequential shift hits Army National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers in a drilling status. Their multiplier dropped from 2.5 times monthly basic pay to just 0.5 times, matching what most other reserve components already paid. That is not a small adjustment. The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States broke down the math: An E-6 with 10 years of service receiving the 2.5 multiplier in 2025 could have expected roughly $11,462 in continuation pay. Under the new 0.5 multiplier in 2026, that same soldier would receive approximately $2,380, a difference of more than $9,000. There is one exception. Guard and Reserve soldiers who have served 270 or more days of involuntary mobilization within a 730-day period remain eligible for the 2.5 multiplier. That carve-out is new and appears designed to recognize the retention value of soldiers who have borne a heavier deployment burden. Read More: 2026 Taxes: This Is What Military Landlords Need to Know Why It Matters Continuation pay was built into the BRS as a mid-career incentive to keep experienced service members from walking away before they hit the 20-year retirement threshold. Under the old High-36 retirement system, the pension was calculated at 50% of a member's highest three years of basic pay after 20 years of service. Under the newer BRS, the calculation dropped to 40%, meaning the pension is smaller. TSP matching contributions and continuation pay were supposed to make up the difference. For active-duty members, the math still largely works. The government matches TSP contributions up to 5% of basic pay, and the continuation pay, while modest, provides a cash infusion right when many families are making major financial decisions about housing, children's education and whether civilian life might offer a better deal. For Guard and Reserve soldiers, the reduction from 2.5 to 0.5 changes that calculation substantially. A drilling soldier who built their retention decision partly around an expected $10,000 to $12,000 payout is now looking at roughly $2,000 to $2,500. That is not nothing, but it is less likely to be the factor that keeps someone in uniform for another four years. What You Should Do If you are approaching or currently within the continuation pay eligibility window, contact your career counselor, state incentive manager or human resources professional. Make sure you understand which calendar year your application falls under, because the multiplier and window both differ depending on when you apply. If you're a Guard or Reserve soldier who was eligible under the 2025 rates and didn't apply, that window may have closed. Soldiers who are currently eligible should ensure they submit their requests promptly. Remember that continuation pay can be invested directly into your TSP up to the annual IRS maximum, currently $23,500 for those under age 50. There are no government matching contributions on continuation pay invested into the TSP, but the tax advantages of traditional TSP contributions can offset some of the income tax hit. For detailed guidance, soldiers can review MILPER 25-329 and ALARACT 100/2025, both available through the Army Publishing Directorate. The MyArmyBenefits site and the Army's Financial Frontline page also maintain updated continuation pay resources and calculators. 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. According to a report by The Intercept, Google provided U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with extensive personal data about British student journalist Amandla Thomas-Johnson based on an administrative subpoena that was not approved by a judge. The data included usernames, addresses, IP addresses, phone numbers, and bank account details. The request came just two hours after the student was informed that his U.S. visa had been revoked, following his participation in a pro-Palestinian protest. (google logo) This case highlights the U.S. governments use of administrative subpoenaslegal demands issued without judicial oversightto obtain personal information from tech companies about individuals critical of its policies. While such subpoenas cannot compel the disclosure of private communications like email content, they can be used to gather metadata to identify anonymous accounts. The Electronic Frontier Foundation recently urged seven major tech companies to stop complying with such subpoenas, insisting that firms should require judicial confirmation before handing over user data and notify affected individuals to allow time for legal challenges. The journalist involved remarked that when governments and tech giants can easily track and control individuals, society must urgently reconsider what resistance means in the digital age. Roger Luo said:This case exposes systemic risks in the U.S. legal framework where administrative subpoenas bypass judicial oversight. It challenges tech companies ethical obligations to protect user data and underscores the urgent need for transparency and reform in cross-agency data surveillance practices. All articles and pictures are from the Internet. If there are any copyright issues, please contact us in time to delete. Inquiry us Your name Your e-mail Subject Your message (optional) (56-14)/7=? The U.S. federal agency responsible for cybersecurity, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), is currently facing severe challenges. There is widespread concern among bipartisan lawmakers and industry leaders that the agencys ability to perform its core mission has been significantly diminished, leaving it ill-prepared to handle a major cybersecurity crisis. According to reports from the news site Cyberscoop, discussions with sources across Congress, the private cyber industry, and beyond have revealed a consensus that CISA has been severely impacted by a series of layoffs during the first year of the Trump administration. During this period, CISA has lost approximately one-third of its staff, along with critical programs, personnel, and expertise. Affected initiatives include the agencys counter-ransomware program and efforts to promote secure software development. As reported by TechCrunch last year, several members of its election security team were also among those who left. As the federal agency responsible for election security, warnings have been raised that former President Trumps persistent promotion of false claims regarding the 2020 election has led the current administration to deprioritize CISA. Furthermore, to support the previous administrations broad immigration crackdown, CISA reassigned hundreds of employees to other agencies within the Department of Homeland Security, further dispersing its core workforce. Among Cyberscoops sources, the majority blame the Trump administration, Congress, or both. Some individuals also pointed to the agencys acting director, Madhu Gottumukkala, citing struggles in leadership that have reportedly led to security concerns. CISA has been without a permanent director since Trump took office in 2025. Compounding these issues, as the partial shutdown of the U.S. federal government, which began on February 14, continues, CISA is reportedly operating at only about 38% of its normal staffing levels. Following widespread criticism over the killing of two U.S. citizens by federal agents, lawmakers have declined to continue funding federal immigration enforcement agencies. Did our AI summary help? MC Education Desk Read the latest and trending news on CBSE, board exams, NEET, JEE, CUET, competitive exams, scholarships, college admissions, education policies, and more. Did our AI summary help? Ragini Jaiswal Entertainment journalist and content writer with 3+ years of experience covering Bollywood, lifestyle trends, and celebrity stories across leading digital platforms. Did our AI summary help? Kerala High Court places an interim hold on The Kerala Story 2 release amid legal controversy R. Madhavan says fans from the UAE are planning to fly to India to watch Dhurandhar 2 ahead of the March 19 release Did our AI summary help? Gayatri Rani is a Senior-Sub Editor with over three years of experience in delivering Hollywood and Bollywood news. From on-screen romance to real-life vows: Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna tie the knot in Udaipur Did our AI summary help? Gauahar Khan reveals younger son Farwaans face during Umrah in Ramadan 2026 Did our AI summary help? Palak Vij is a Sub Editor and Entertainment Journalist with over a year of experience covering films, television, and pop culture in the digital space. Did our AI summary help? In recent years, Mary had openly discussed her sons struggles with addiction. Ustaad Bhagat Singh OTT deal: Pawan Kalyan starrer sold to Netflix for Rs 82 crore: ReportUstaad Bhagat Singh OTT deal: Pawan Kalyan starrer sold to Netflix for Rs 82 crore: Report Did our AI summary help? Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna listed as spouses on Wikipedia after Udaipur wedding Did our AI summary help? Vijay and Rashmika invite Amit Shah to their reception Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited has launched HPCL recruitment 2026 for more than 700 officer level posts across technical and non technical disciplines. The notification was issued on February 25, 2026, and applications remain open until March 25, 2026. Vacancies include engineering, finance, human resources and specialised managerial roles. Selected candidates will undergo 1 year probation and a 3 year service bond. Salary packages vary by grade, starting from 30,000 per month for junior positions. Did our AI summary help? A nutrient-rich soil mix is essential for the plant to flourish. (Picture: Pexels) BRAND CONNECT *Disclaimer - Brand Connect is a solution that allows brands to break the queue to gain better engagement among our audiences Did our AI summary help? Nvidia designs the graphics processing units that have become the backbone of the global artificial intelligence boom Chandras current terms runs until February 2027, ensuring no immediate leadership vacuum at the $180 billion Tata Group. Bloomberg AI is unlikely to come after every job Did our AI summary help? Viswanath Pilla is a business journalist with 16 years of reporting experience. Based in Mumbai, Pilla covers pharma, healthcare and infrastructure sectors for Moneycontrol. Meghna Mittal Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com Bandhan Bank shares rise nearly 2% as RBI clears SBI MFs proposal to acquire up to 9.99% stake in lender E2E Networks shares rise 2.5% as QIP launched at floor price of Rs 2,630 per share Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Paras Bisht A financial journalist with over 10 years of experience, specialising in tracking stock market movements and fundamental developments that impact investors and the broader economy. A keen observer of global financial markets, I regularly engage with leading market voices to write stories. At Moneycontrol, I focus on decoding market trends, policy shifts and economic changes, driven by a constant passion to learn, analyse, and share knowledge with my readers. Is the worst over for IDFC First Bank? Fraud-hit lender's shares rise over 3% to hit four-day high Chauhan suggested India could consider a minimum eligibility framework for derivatives trading, on the lines of regulatory models in countries such as Singapore and the US For Moneycontrol's Pro Panorama March 9 edition: India explores ways to protect trade during Iran tensions, markets brace for prol... Experts said Indian solar stocks may have overreacted to the United States move to impose preliminary countervailing duties of up to 126% on solar cell and module imports from India USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Teena Jain Kaushal is Editor - Personal Finance (Audience Growth) at Moneycontrol, with over two decades of expertise demystifying money matters. Whether its decoding tax, navigating investments, or breaking down the latest insurance trends, her aim is to help readers make smarter financial decisions. You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user. OK Battlefield awareness powered by data is no longer a support function; it is central to mission success. Not a dry eye left in Israel after PM Modi's moving remarks at Knesset, says Netanyahu Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says, "This is an amazing visit, an amazing conclusion to an amazing visit. It was short but extraordinarily productive and also extraordinarily moving. I think there wasn't a dry eye left in Israel after your moving statement yesterday in the Knesset. I can tell you that since then we have also had the opportunity to not only look deep into our hearts but also into our remarkable minds that we have in our two countries..." Former BJP MP Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria distributed blankets in Rajasthans Tonk on Monday NCERT is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education, established in 1961 to enhance the quality of school education. The row stems from a video circulated on February 7 from the official X handle of the Assam BJP, purportedly showing Sarma aiming and firing a rifle at two individuals one wearing a skull cap and the other sporting a beard A video showing former BJP MP Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria distributing blankets in Rajasthans Tonk has surfaced online. PM Mike Carnet is scheduled to visit India this week The Israel visit, Vikram Misri suggested, underscores Indias effort to maintain balanced and substantive engagement with all key stakeholders in West Asia Modi spoke before a full Knesset chamber, marking the first time an Indian Prime Minister had addressed Israels parliament In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, NCERT said it has put the book's distribution on "strict hold" and apologised for what it termed an "error of judgement" Addressing a special session of Israels Parliament, PM Modi strongly backed Israel on the issue of terrorism PM Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Israel to further consolidate the India-Israel Strategic Partnership PM Modi speaking at a joint press meeting with Netanyahu in Israel. PM Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit of Israel PM Modi will deliver the keynote address, giving direction to the summits central theme. According to the senior cop, the murder was committed for Rs 20,000 The Chief Justice of India banned the NCERT textbook chapter and prohibited the publication Rooh Afza bags tax break as SC classifies it as 'fruit drink' Modi reiterated on February 26 that India and Israel would expedite negotiations on a bilateral FTA Tarun Agarwal is an Associate Fellow at the Center of Policy Research and Governance, New Delhi, where he leads the International Relations and Conflict vertical. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication. 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. His departure comes at a time when concerns are increasingly being voiced about the psychological strain experienced by researchers working in advanced AI laboratories Tanmay Bhat is an Indian comedian, writer, performer, producer and online content creator. The account has since gone viral. Many commenters criticised the alleged conduct of the senior employee. A NASA astronaut has shared a breathtaking 60x speed time-lapse from orbit, capturing lightning storms, blazing sunsets and moonlit oceans in one sweeping view of Earth. (Image: @zenanaut/X) Asteroid 2026 CU1 will pass Earth on 26 February at a distance of about 764,000 miles, travelling at nearly 18,803 miles per hour. NASA says it poses no threat, as it does not meet hazardous criteria. Classified within the Aten group, it crosses Earths orbit and is closely tracked. Meanwhile, ISRO has outlined plans to study future asteroids such as Apophis in 2029 through international cooperation and possible landing missions. Did our AI summary help? A rare six-planet parade will dazzle the evening sky in February 2026. (Image: Canva) Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Ankita Chakravarti is a seasoned journalist with nearly a decade of experience in media. She specializes in technology and lifestyle journalism. She has worked with top Indian media houses like India Today, Zee News, The Statesman, and Millennium Post. Her expertise spans tech trends, phone launches, gadget reviews, and entertainment news. Ankita holds a Master's in Journalism and Mass Communication along with a degree in English Literature. She can be reached out at ankita.chakravarti@nw18.com From Russia to Cyprus, here are the five least peaceful countries in Europe according to the latest Global Peace Index data. 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. From Lathmar Holi near Agra to beachside celebrations in Mumbai, Indians are turning Holi 2026 into a vibrant cultural getaway across Indias most festive cities. 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. Young travellers are swapping luxury shopping for immersive travel experiences in 2026, with 88% planning to maintain or increase their travel budgets, according to Klooks Travel Pulse 2026 report. 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. Jaipur and Udaipur lead Holi 2026 travel trends as accommodation searches jump up to 282%, with temple towns and heritage cities witnessing a festive tourism surge across India. 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. Did our AI summary help? MumbaiVijaydurg Ro-Ro ferry to start from March 1, 2026, offering a seven-hour sea link with vehicle transport ahead of the Holi and summer travel rush. (Representative Image) Afghanistan launched a major offensive against Pakistan along the Durand Line after Pakistani airstrikes. Heavy fighting erupted, with Afghan forces targeting military posts and capturing several. Both sides blame each other for escalating violence and civilian casualties. Did our AI summary help? Ottawa drops link between India and violent crimes before Carneys India trip Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, arguing that the DOJ's so-called "Epstein Files" release exonerated him. Federal documents reveal Jeffrey Epstein remained financially and socially connected to elite networks for years after his 2008 conviction, aided by major banks and billionaires, allowing him to retain influence until his 2019 arrest and subsequent death. Did our AI summary help? PM Modis Israel visit elevated ties to a special strategic partnership, with 16 agreements on defence, technology, trade, and AI. Both nations committed to a free trade deal, expanded worker mobility, UPI integration, and deeper cybersecurity cooperation. Did our AI summary help? Beijing Steps In As US Drops Case Against 3 Chinese Researchers Over Worms Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara escort Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the welcoming ceremony outside the Knesset, the Parliament, in Jerusalem on February 25, 2026. Modi arrived in Israel on February 25 for a two-day visit aimed at deepening ties with a key trade and defence partner, a trip that has drawn criticism at home. (Photo by DEBBIE HILL / POOL / AFP) Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greets India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a special session of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem February 25, 2026. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun Last year, shortly before American air strikes, Iran rushed to get its oil out of its ports by shipping large volumes onto tankers and sending as much as it could to Kharg Island The US and Iran held indirect talks in Geneva, aiming to prevent wider conflict amid a major US military build-up. Both sides exchanged constructive proposals, with Iran signaling a near-term deal is possible if talks focus on nuclear weapons prevention. Did our AI summary help? Chinas anti-corruption drive in its military has created leadership gaps and could impact the PLAs readiness, says the IISS. Despite the purge, Chinas defence spending and military activities in the Indo-Pacific continue to rise, with effects seen as temporary. Did our AI summary help? (FILES) A broken frame of Pakistan's field marshal and army chief, Asim Munir, hangs on the wall after an attack at the Cadet College Wana, a military-linked school, in the South Waziristan district near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, on November 13, 2025. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP) The Pentagon has threatened to cancel Anthropics contract and label it a supply chain risk unless it allows unrestricted military use of its AI. Anthropic, known for safety-focused AI, faces commercial and reputational risks as rivals comply with Pentagon demands. Did our AI summary help? Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman criticized President Shahabuddin for suppressing details about the August 2024 political upheaval and questioned his credibility amid controversy over Sheikh Hasinas resignation and a secretive US trade deal. Did our AI summary help? South Korea saw its largest birth rate increase in nearly 20 years, driven by millennials and rising marriages. Despite optimism, deaths still outnumber births, and experts warn structural challenges may limit lasting population growth. Did our AI summary help? Viral Photo of Stephen Hawking Between Two Women Explained by Family The Tesla logo is seen on a car at the Tesla stand during the 8th International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai on November 6, 2025. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP) Maduros legal fees blocked by US sanctions ahead of New York trial US moves six more F-22 stealth jets to West Asia ahead of Iran nuclear talks, raises strike questions World Economic Forum president Borge Brende resigned after disclosures of his past interactions with Jeffrey Epstein. An independent review found no further concerns. Alois Zwinggi becomes interim president as the board seeks a permanent successor. Did our AI summary help? Why Trumps top general is walking a tightrope on Iran Zelensky speaks with Trump, says talks should lead to leaders' meeting with Russia Gordon Legal partner Andrew Grech has worked to compensate the huge number of Aussies impacted. (Source: Gordon Legal/AAP) More than 300,000 Aussies are being urged to register for a fresh Robodebt class action ahead of a deadline that arrives tomorrow afternoon. The federal government agreed to pay a historic $475 million in extra compensation to victims of the scandal last year. Gordon Legal, the firm that spearheaded the class action lawsuit, is urging people who were victims of the Robodebt scheme to register for the potential payout. The deadline to register is just over 24 hours away. Afte 4pm on Friday, March 6, eligible Centrelink recipients would miss out. Gordon Legal partner Andrew Grech told Yahoo Finance recently there were still hundreds of thousands of people who hadnt yet signed up to get their share. There are up to approximately 482,530 potential eligible group members. To date, more than 135,000 have registered to participate in the proposed settlement scheme, he said. RELATED Group members would have received a notice from Services Australia in November last year giving them information about their options and what they need to do to participate in the settlement. This would have been sent through myGov or to your last known contact details. Grech said any person who was impacted by the Robodebt scheme or the legal personal representatives of the estate of a former group member could register for the settlement. What was the Robodebt scheme? Robodebt was an automated government scheme that ran under the Coalition government from 2015 to 2019. It used a faulty algorithm to incorrectly demand tens of thousands of welfare recipients to pay debts they did not owe. The scandal caused widespread distress, pushing vulnerable Aussies into debt, with many taking out loans they could not afford to make payments. The scheme resulted in the suicide of at least two Australians. A Royal Commission in 2023 labelled Robodebt a crude and cruel mechanism that was neither fair nor legal. It said it made many people feel like criminals and left people "traumatised on the off chance they might owe money. Do you have a story to share? Contact tamika.seeto@yahooinc.com Hundreds of thousands of Aussies still need to register for a new Robodebt class action settlement before the deadline next week. (Source: Getty) A previous class action in 2020 resulted in about $112 million in settlement payments being distributed to group members. In September 2024, Gordon Legal appealed this settlement, seeking further compensation for victims following the damning revelations in the Royal Commissions report. February 26, 2026 Iran U.S. Negotiators Block Progress With Unreasonable Demands Today the third round of the current negotiations between the U.S. and Iran is taking place in Geneva. After three hours the talks were paused to allow the negotiators to communicate with their governments. They are supposed to continue later today. Iran continues to offer reductions in its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Irans Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei insists on tangible outcomes: Todays discussions were very serious, and we hope that in the talks taking place tonight, we will see a continuation of the dialogue on the lifting of sanctions and nuclear issuesthis time in a more operational manner, with practical proposals and executable initiatives, Baghaei said. Baghaei insisting on those is a sign that the conditions the U.S. delegation has offered were vague and lacking specifics. Before todays round started the Wall Street Journal published a list (archived) of tough demands the U.S. is making to Iran. These are: dismantling its three main nuclear sitesat Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan delivering all of its remaining enriched uranium to the U.S. accepting permanent restrictions with no sunset clauses zero enrichment, with potential allowance of low enrichment for medical purposes In exchange for that the U.S. would offer nothing tangible: The U.S. is offering only minimal sanctions relief to Iran as part of a deal, The U.S. wants to see Iran comply with the terms for an extended period and, if judged to be sticking to the agreement, it could in time ask for more sanctions relief and other benefits, the officials said. Why does the U.S. believe that Iran might be willing to give up all for nothing? If the demands the WSJ published are real the negotiations will go nowhere as these are in breach of several of Irans red lines. The Trump administration will thus miss another potential off-ramp from its self-defeating threat of bombing Iran. In consequence the Zionist lobby will increase the pressure on President Trump to regime change the Islamic Republic. But the Trump administration has no public support for such an endeavor. To make the politics around a strike look better it is pushing Israel to fire the first salvo in a new war: As the administration mulls military action in Iran, officials argue itd be best if Israel makes the first move. Theres thinking in and around the administration that the politics are a lot better if the Israelis go first and alone and the Iranians retaliate against us, and give us more reason to take action, said one of the people familiar with discussions. Iran has promised to respond to any strike, be it by the U.S. or Israel, with severe retaliation strikes against both. Israel will not attack Iran without U.S. support or knowledge nor would the U.S. strike without warning Israel to get ready for a response. It is thus doubtful that the question of who did the first strike on Iran, Israel or the U.S., would change the public perception of a new conflict. A new name is starting to pop up on the horizon of the U.S. auto industry, and it is one that could shake up the pickup segment if the company delivers on its headline promise. Slate Auto says it remains on schedule to launch what it claims will be the most affordable pickup truck in the United States. The target price is about $25,000, a figure that would make the planned Slate EV not only the cheapest pickup on sale but also by far the least expensive fully electric truck on the market. A Low Price Promise That Comes With Real Baggage Photo Courtesy: Autorepublika. History is littered with ambitious pickup pricing that did not survive the walk from announcement to production. The best-known recent example is Teslas Cybertruck, which was originally priced far lower than what buyers ultimately saw in the real world. That context is why Slate Autos latest pricing comments are drawing attention and why they also come with plenty of skepticism. Advertisement Advertisement In a video message shared on social media, Slate Auto chief executive Chris Barman addressed the question most shoppers care about first: price. He said the team is working aggressively to keep the number as low as possible, and that final supplier negotiations are still underway. More specifics are expected in June, but the core message remains unchanged. Barman reiterated that the entry-level version, described as the blank slate, is still expected to land around $25,000. The Tax Credit Reality Check That statement matters because the original pricing narrative was tied to federal incentives that helped some electric vehicles undercut their true cost. Those federal electric vehicle tax credits are no longer available in the way Slates early math depended on, which makes the $25,000 target harder to hit. Without that built-in support, Slate has to make the business case work through manufacturing cost, supplier pricing, and tight control of standard equipment. Where The Market Sits Today Photo Courtesy: Autorepublika. Right now, the price floor for a new pickup remains firmly in the compact category. Fords Maverick holds the title as the most affordable new pickup in the U.S., starting at $27,145 in turbo gas form without hybrid assistance. On the electric side, entry prices are in an entirely different universe. Chevrolets Silverado EV starts at $52,800, and other electric pickups also live well north of what many mainstream buyers consider attainable. If Slate can truly bring an electric pickup to market at about $25,000, the gap would be dramatic. It would also create pressure on every automaker that has argued that affordable electric trucks are not financially feasible. A Back To Basics Truck By Design Photo Courtesy: Autorepublika. Slates strategy is not to out-tech the market. It is to strip the product down to essentials and let the buyer decide what matters. The base truck is described as intentionally utilitarian. Manual window cranks are part of the plan. A central infotainment screen is not. Even the exterior approach is aimed at lowering cost, with composite-style body panels positioned as an alternative to traditional paint. Advertisement Advertisement That philosophy is a throwback to the idea of a pickup as a tool first. It also hints at easier repairs and simpler ownership, especially at a time when many modern trucks have become expensive, complex, and loaded with features that buyers may not want but still pay for. The Entire Bet Rests On One Number Of course, this is where the story either works or collapses. The minimalist spec only becomes a strength if the price is truly aggressive. If Slate EV lands near Maverick money, its advantage evaporates, and the stripped equipment list becomes harder to justify. But if Slate holds the line at around $25,000, the company could spark something bigger than a single product launch. It could trigger a new pricing fight in the $25,000 range and revive interest in straightforward, honest vehicles in a truck market that has steadily marched toward higher prices and heavier feature content. This article originally appeared on Autorepublika.com and has been republished with permission by Guessing Headlights. AI-assisted translation was used, followed by human editing and review. Read More Jose Ngeskebei and Derek Naog DPS photos By Bryan Manabat [email protected] Variety News Staff THE Department of Public Safety has arrested two men wanted in connection with a January burglary and theft case on Airport Road. DPS said the case was first reported on Jan. 27 at about 10:29 a.m., when a victim told officers that several items had been stolen from his property. Investigators later reviewed a video circulating on social media showing two individuals loading items into a white Toyota RAV4 on Tun Herman Pan Road near a traffic light. The victim confirmed that the items depicted in the video were his stolen property, DPS stated. Officers located the RAV4, with CNMI license plate ADM 943. The vehicles operator told investigators he had picked up two individuals identified as Jose Ngeskebei and Derek Naog along with several items covered in cloth. The driver said he transported Ngeskebei to Cell Corea and later dropped both men in the Ironwood area. On Jan. 29, investigators interviewed Ngeskebei, who admitted he was with the RAV4 operator and Naog on the day of the incident and acknowledged selling a speaker to Cell Corea. DPS later recovered from Cell Corea a Harbinger speaker, which the victim positively identified as stolen property. CNMI Superior Court Judge Theresa KimTenorio issued arrest warrants for both men on Feb. 20. Ngeskebei was arrested at his Gualo Rai residence on Feb. 25, while Naog was arrested the same day at Club 88 in Garapan. During a patdown search, officers found a small Ziploc bag containing a crystallized substance on Naog, which later tested presumptively positive for methamphetamine. The RAV4 operators name has not been disclosed, nor has he been charged. The vehicle was not impounded. Ngeskebei and Naog were booked and detained at the Department of Corrections. The case remains under active investigation. DPS is urging anyone with additional information to call (670) 6649000 or (670) 6649042. Anonymous tips may be submitted to NMI Crime Stoppers at (670) 2347272. 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. Mobil Oil station on Beach Road in Garapan displays its fuel prices on Thursday morning. Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano By Emmanuel T. Erediano [email protected] Variety News Staff MOBIL Oil on Thursday raised its fuel prices by 10 cents, marking the second increase this year. The price of regular gasoline rose from $5.06 to $5.16 per gallon. Premium gasoline now costs $5.61 per gallon, up from $5.51, and diesel increased to $5.58 per gallon from $5.48. Shell Marianas had not changed its fuel prices as of Thursday noon but is expected to follow suit. On Tinian, as of Thursday morning, Tinian Fuel Services regular gasoline was $7.06 per gallon, and diesel was $7.69. On Rota, Calvo Enterprises regular gasoline price was $6.44 per gallon, and diesel was $9.02. According to Calvo Enterprises staff, the last price adjustment on Rota was Feb. 18, 2026. Military veteran and community activist Fabian Indalencio said his main concern is the impact of the fuel price hike on utility bills. Its hard for people whenever the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. increases its rates, he said. Noting that CUC recently announced plans to implement new utility rates, Indalencio questioned why ratepayers always bear the burden. The ratepayers already pay more for the gas they use for their cars whenever fuel prices rise, and now higher utility bills add to the cost, he said. Reuters reported that oil prices climbed on Thursday, hovering near seven-month highs, as investors gauged whether U.S.-Iran talks could avert a military conflict that risks supply disruptions, though gains were capped by a build in U.S. crude inventories. 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 Emmanuel T. Erediano [email protected] Variety News Staff THE Senate on Thursday followed the House of Representatives override of several of Gov. David M. Apatangs line-item vetoes on the revised fiscal year 2026 budget during its session at the Rota Mayors Office. The provisions vetoed are now law. All eight senators present voted for the override, while Sen. Manny Gregory T. Castro was excused. Before the roll call, Sen. Celina R. Babauta addressed several of the governors line-item vetoes. She defended Section 203(d), which requires the Finance secretary to report to the Legislature any government revenue exceeding $200,000. Babauta noted that the governor argued this duplicates the Planning and Budgeting Act, but she said redundancy in transparency is not a flaw; it serves as a safeguard for the people we represent. She added that requiring these reports strengthens legislative oversight and provides a check and balance on the other branches. Babauta recalled that since the 22nd Legislature, she has supported similar reporting provisions, particularly when the CNMI received over half a billion dollars in federal economic recovery funds. At the time, then-Gov. Ralph DLG Torres opposed the proposals, and they always failed to pass the Senate, she said. Her position has not changed: the Legislature must be informed in real time when revenues exceed projections. So this override that we are about to partake in is not a duplication; it is the Legislature exercising its constitutional authority, Babauta said. Regarding Section 602, which prohibits new vacant positions, she noted the governor claimed it violates separation of powers. It does not, she said. The power to appropriate includes the power to limit. This is responsible budgeting, not interference with the administration. On Section 603, which imposes a salary cap for executive branch officials, Babauta said the governor objected because it freezes appointed officials salaries and requires legislative approval for adjustments. She added, Our constituents are in an austerity environment. If the executive branch can impose reduced hours and suspend legislative accounts unilaterally, then fiscal constraints certainly justify salary discipline within the executive branch. Salary caps during a fiscal crisis are not punitive; they are prudent. Senate Floor Leader Donald Manglona also spoke on the governors line-item veto of Section 612, which would provide hazard pay to Department of Public Works Solid Waste Management employees on Rota and Tinian. He said the issue has been discussed with officials and employees for the past five years. The governor vetoed the provision, citing a lack of funds. Manglona said Solid Waste Management consistently receives a portion of excise tax revenues; the Legislature only sought to set aside funds for employees, with any remainder used for operations. On Section 709(e), which provides stipends, airfare, and lodging for inter-island medical patients and escorts, Manglona noted that Health Network Program funds currently cover only airfare. The Legislature requested that funds also cover lodging, transportation, and stipends for patients traveling within the CNMI, similar to the assistance provided to those leaving the islands. The mayors of Rota and Tinian have been covering these costs using local resources. Regarding Section 711(a), which allows the Department of Public Lands to pay Parks and Recreation Division employees for services on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota using $4.8 million in DPL revenue, Manglona said, Just as DPL has supported DLNRs Parks and Recreation Division in maintaining public sites in the past, we are requesting the same support for Rota and Tinian to keep our sites clean, deter vandalism, and aid recovery efforts in partnership with the Marianas Visitors Authority and other agencies. Other vetoed FY2026 budget items overridden by the Senate include: Section 609. Closes any position that becomes vacant. The governor vetoed it, citing retroactive salary reversals, contract impairment, and potential employee distrust. Section 612. Requires Solid Waste Management to pay $179,691 in hazard pay to employees on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. Section 703. Allows the CNMI Supreme Court chief justice and Superior Court presiding judge to adjust the Judiciarys work schedule and operating hours consistent with available funds. The governor vetoed it, noting proportional cuts under the Planning and Budgeting Act. Section 704. Provides for the legislative branch budget. The governor vetoed it on the same grounds as Section 703. 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. Vice President JD Vance speaks next to Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Mehmet Oz about combating fraud at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., Feb. 25, 2026. REUTERS WASHINGTON (Reuters) The Trump administration is withholding more than a quarter of a million dollars of Medicaid funding from Minnesota, saying the state allowed the theft of federal funds intended for social-welfare programs in the state. Vice President JD Vance and Dr. Mehmet Oz, who oversees the Medicaid healthcare program for low-income households, announced the temporary halt at a joint press conference on Wednesday, where they criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walzs administration for not doing enough to combat fraud. We are stopping the federal payments that will go to the state government until the state government takes its obligations seriously, Vance said. Walz fired back on social media, accusing the administration of attempting to punish Democratic-run states. This has nothing to do with fraud, he said in a post on X. This is a campaign of retribution. Trump is weaponizing the entirety of the federal government to punish blue states like Minnesota. Republican President Donald Trumps administration has used fraud allegations in Minnesota as part of its justification for a months-long immigration crackdown in the state, during which federal agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens, and for freezing funds meant for social programs. Administration officials have pointed to a scandal that began during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the Department of Justice indicted 47 people for allegedly defrauding $250 million from a federally funded child nutrition program. Walz, a Democrat, said the latest withholding of Medicaid funding would be devastating for families, veterans and people with disabilities. Oz said the federal government had paused the payment of $259 million of deferred Medicaid payments to Minnesota following an audit, and would hold on to the funds until the state government proposes a comprehensive corrective action plan. He added that Walz had 60 days to respond. Vance and Oz also announced a six-month nationwide moratorium blocking durable medical equipment suppliers including for prosthesis, orthotics and other items from enrolling in Medicaid, saying such suppliers had become a source of fraud. Oz, citing an estimate from the non-profit Kaiser Family Foundation, said $300 billion a year is spent nationwide on healthcare that is fraudulent, abusive or wasteful. Of that, the federal portion is around $100 billion, he said. The administration will soon announce additional actions targeting other states, he said, citing issues with healthcare fraud in southern Florida, California and New York. Trump has tapped Vance to spearhead an administration war on fraud and created the new role of assistant attorney general for national fraud enforcement to lead the Justice Departments investigation and prosecution of fraud that affects the federal government and federally funded programs. Trump has repeatedly attempted to withhold funding from Democratic-led states, although such cuts have frequently been blocked by federal judges who found the actions potentially retaliatory or legally flawed. Human rights advocates and Trump critics say the administration is using fraud allegations as an excuse to target immigrants and political opponents. Check, check, check THE CNMI presents a compelling case for the labor stabilization bill that the islands delegate introduced in the U.S. Congress. The legislation checks all the key boxes. It would allow the CNMI to secure the workforce it requires while protecting U.S. workers and supporting the development of the local economy. This, in turn, reaffirms the Covenant provision, which states: The Government of the United States will assist the Government of the Northern Mariana Islands in its efforts to achieve a progressively higher standard of living for its people as part of the American economic community and to develop the economic resources needed to meet the financial responsibilities of local self-government. Moreover, the measure would help minimize, to the greatest extent practicable, potential adverse economic and fiscal effects of phasing-out the Commonwealths nonresident contract worker program and maximize the Commonwealths potential for future economic and business growth, as reflected in the statement of U.S. congressional intent in the 2008 law that extended federal immigration law to these remote islands with a small and now shrinking population and an increasingly depressed economy. Once again, the seen and the unseen EVERYTHING is interconnected in a market-based economy. A business that shuts down because of labor shortages means job losses for U.S. workers. In the CNMI, a company that wants to hire CWs is required by law to hire a certain number of qualified U.S. workers. The hiring of CWs must be approved by the federal government and are subject to federal rules, which include prevailing wage rates. (These are usually higher than the federal minimum wage rate.) CWs can only be hired if there are no qualified U.S. workers for those jobs as determined by the federal government. In other words, the jobs filled by CWs allow the hiring of qualified U.S. workers while funding the workforce training programs for U.S. workers and generating revenue for the main employer of local workers, which is the CNMI government. Consider this IN a normal or less dysfunctional economy, a company shuts down because of competition and/or insufficient demand for its products or services. If a company closes primarily because of overly restrictive government regulations such as the touchback then not only will CWs and local workers lose their jobs, but the community will also lose products and services it relies on. By contrast, the loss of redundant government positions whose existence is premised on politics, not economics still leaves affected employees with the option of seeking employment in the private sector, while freeing public funds for services that benefit the public rather than merely advancing politicians election prospects. Another thing THE arbitrary CW program deadline set by far-away politicians doesnt mean the CNMI can no longer hire foreign workers. It means CNMI employers must instead rely on the equally if not more problematic H-visas, designed for a nation of 340 million people with a high-wage economy, a system whose inadequacy continues to be debated in the U.S. Who else but politicians would expect a small island economy to transform itself into one comparable to the U.S. simply by setting deadlines? This begs the question. Why hasnt the U.S. government tried the same approach and tested its effectiveness? Meanwhile, according to a recent op-ed in The Wall Street Journal: Research from the Center for Migration Studies finds that the undocumented workforce in the U.S. is large and overwhelmingly employed across key sectors of the economy. Many of the 675,000 immigrants deported last year were working to build data centers, manufacturing plants, energy infrastructure and housing. Who will take their place when the U.S. has six million unfilled jobs? Come on down BY depriving businesses of an adequate labor pool, the current federal CW program protects hypothetical U.S. workers while harming actual U.S. workers. A lack of workers is bad for the islands already struggling economy, the revenue-starved CNMI government, and the U.S. citizens it serves. U.S. lawmakers, policymakers, and bureaucrats should visit the CNMI to see firsthand the economic, labor, and immigration situation here. They should speak with employers and employees and observe the hiring process. They must be reminded of these islands small indigenous population about 17,000 people who, like other U.S. citizens, have many career options, including those in the States. What the CNMI primarily needs right now is federal assistance in changing federal rules that are harming those they are supposed to benefit. The CNMI needs a better federal workforce law so it can once again grow its economy and become less dependent on federal assistance. Surely that is not too much to ask. Zaldy Dandan is the recipient of the NMI Society of Professional Journalists Best in Editorial Writing Award and the NMI Humanities Award for Outstanding Contributions to Journalism. His four books are available on amazon.com/. Jeep may be preparing to reenter the high-performance SUV arena as company leaders hint at the potential return of a V8-powered Grand Cherokee, including a possible Hellcat variant. The current WL-generation Grand Cherokee has been on the market for roughly five years without a Trackhawk model, leaving enthusiasts wondering whether the supercharged era had ended. Recent developments suggest that may not be the case. Tim Kuniskis, known for championing V8 performance vehicles, has returned to lead the SRT brand and Ram. His reappointment comes as Stellantis signals renewed interest in HEMI V8 engines and performance-focused models. Stellantis recently announced a $13 billion investment aimed at the companys future product strategy. While specific models remain unconfirmed, Jeep leadership has indicated that performance options are not off the table. Jeeps vice president of sales, Mauricio Lopez, described a wide range of product initiatives in development, adding that powertrain decisions are part of broader planning under the new SRT leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Grand Cherokee chief engineer Joe Aljajawi has also acknowledged ongoing customer demand for a V8-powered option, reinforcing speculation that Jeep is evaluating the business case for a high-output variant. Evolving emissions regulations and increased domestic production flexibility may provide automakers with more room to reintroduce larger-displacement engines. The performance legacy of the Grand Cherokee sets a high benchmark. The earlier SRT8 model delivered more than 470 horsepower from a 6.4-liter HEMI V8. Later, the Trackhawk raised the bar with a supercharged engine producing up to 707 horsepower between 2018 and 2021. That SUV could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 3.5 seconds, aided by an all-wheel-drive system that translated power into consistent traction. If revived, a new high-performance Grand Cherokee would likely aim to surpass those figures. Pricing could prove a challenge. The 2021 Trackhawk started above $90,000, and achieving comparable or improved performance within todays cost environment may push future models closer to six-figure territory. For now, Jeep has not confirmed a timeline. Still, leadership comments and renewed investment in V8 development suggest that the era of high-horsepower Grand Cherokees may not be over. Read the full article on Motorious Sign up for the Motorious Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. That Escalated Quickly General Motors 2.0-liter LSY turbocharged inline-four is still a relatively new engine, so widespread long-term issues remain unclear. However, the example from a 2021 Buick Envision acquired by Eric from I Do Cars wasnt as fortunate. Despite showing just 24,491 miles on the odometer, this particular LSY had already been sold as a core. The LSY is produced at GMs Spring Hill plant in Tennessee, while the Buick Envision itself is assembled in China through the GM-SAIC joint venture. The engine is used in several models, including the Chevrolet Blazer and Cadillac XT4, and in the Envision, it produces 228 horsepower. Unlike engines with substantial mileage, extensive internal damage wasnt necessarily expected during this teardown. Still, the inspection offered an opportunity to determine exactly where this particular power unit ultimately failed. A Troubled Past The engine was pulled from a wrecked Envision that had been declared a total loss. The vehicle was originally sold in Missouri before eventually being acquired by a salvage yard in Michigan. With several components missing, Eric assumed the engine had already been partially dismantled and that some of its parts had been sold off. Advertisement Advertisement There wasnt much visible damage to the internal components. However, some notable red flags were wear on the timing chain guide and carbon buildup in the intake ports both somewhat concerning for an engine with fewer than 25,000 miles. The most significant issue was found around the piston crowns, which showed heavy carbon deposits. The oil control rings were also stuck, suggesting excessive oil consumption. I Do Cars/YouTube (I Do Cars/YouTube) Where Things Went Wrong Several factors could have contributed to this irregularity, including the use of low-quality fuel, poor oil quality, and a lack of spirited driving. Without occasionally getting on the throttle, the engine oil may not consistently reach optimal operating temperature, potentially reducing its effectiveness. If those were the primary causes, the issue may be more related to maintenance and usage patterns than to an inherent design flaw. The next-generation Envision could adopt a new engine potentially even a hybrid powertrain though nothing has been confirmed as of this writing. What has been reported is that production will shift to GMs Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas beginning in 2028, effectively ending the models China-built status. Whether that ultimately proves beneficial remains to be seen, but the move would shield the model from tariffs associated with importing from China. I Do Cars/YouTube View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article Advertisement Advertisement This story was originally published by Autoblog on Feb 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Does Scotty Regret His Purchase? For decades, Scotty Kilmer built his reputation on one uncompromising message: never buy a new car. The veteran mechanic consistently warned viewers about depreciation, overcomplicated electronics, and long-term repair costs, instead championing older, proven vehicles. Thats why his decision to purchase a brand-new 2026 Toyota Camry Hybrid at age 72 stunned followers. Kilmer framed the purchase as a rare exception driven by value, hybrid longevity, and practicality, even jokingly calling himself a hypocrite for finally going new. Importantly, Kilmer has not reversed his broader stance on new vehicles. His Camry ownership update suggests something more nuanced: he still believes most modern cars are overly complex, but considers Toyotas hybrid system mature enough to justify long-term ownership. His latest video criticizing the car, therefore, doesnt signal buyers remorse. Instead, it reflects Kilmer doing what he has always done: scrutinizing engineering decisions through the lens of durability and serviceability. He still likes the car overall, but views many of its modern features as compromises forced by regulation, efficiency targets, and evolving industry trends rather than pure mechanical improvement. Toyota View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Inside Scotty Kilmers Biggest Complaints About the 2026 Toyota Camry Kilmers criticisms fall into three clear categories: build quality details, modern technology intrusion, and long-term ownership concerns. Under the hood, he points to a rattling hood prop rod and insufficient insulation mounting tabs, all minor issues, but notable because Toyota traditionally excels in assembly precision. Advertisement Advertisement More serious in his eyes is Toyotas adoption of ultra-thin 0W-8 engine oil, which he argues prioritizes fuel-economy certification gains over mechanical longevity. He plans to switch to thicker 0W-16 oil despite factory recommendations, reflecting his long-standing skepticism toward efficiency-driven engineering changes. Inside the cabin, most complaints target usability rather than reliability. Kilmer dislikes the electronic parking brake for complicating DIY servicing, finds rear-seat reminder warnings intrusive, and criticizes the adaptive cruise control interface for replacing intuitive stalk controls with multi-button steering-wheel inputs. He also questions stylistic interior trim that intrudes into passenger legroom, calls the hybrids EV mode largely symbolic due to limited electric range, and expresses concern over synthetic leather durability. Notably, he still praises ride comfort and adaptive cruise performance itself, reinforcing that his objections center on how features are implemented rather than whether the Camry is fundamentally good. Toyota View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The Hybrid Recall Kilmers biggest concern references a real safety campaign affecting early production Camry Hybrids. Toyota recalled roughly 55,000 units of the 20252026 Camry and Corolla Cross Hybrids due to an improperly torqued bolt inside the hybrid inverter assembly. The defect could cause loss of motive power or, in extreme cases, a fire risk if electrical contact fails. Toyota confirmed owners would be notified once a repair remedy becomes available, with fixes performed free of charge. Advertisement Advertisement The issue ultimately stems from supplier manufacturing equipment rather than a flaw in Toyotas hybrid design, though Kilmer criticized North American Camry production in Kentucky instead of Japan. His concern reflects a wider industry trend, as automakers expand U.S. manufacturing to offset tariffs and keep pace with booming hybrid demand, placing greater pressure on regional quality consistency. Even so, Kilmers criticism doesnt undermine his purchase; he still considers the 2026 Camry one of the few modern cars worth buying new, viewing its shortcomings as evidence of the growing tension between Toyotas durability-first reputation and an industry increasingly shaped by electrification, regulation, and globalized production. Toyota (Toyota) Advertisement Advertisement This story was originally published by Autoblog on Feb 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Former Labor Minister Peter Mandelson arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office British police arrested former Labor Minister Peter Mandelson on suspicion of misconduct in public office following property searches in Camden and Wiltshire. The Metropolitan Police confirmed a 72-year-old man was detained on Feb. 23 and taken to a London station for questioning; no charges have been filed. The probe was reportedly triggered by the release of roughly three million pages of documents by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Emails in the cache allegedly show Mandelson shared sensitive Downing Street communications with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein while serving in the cabinet of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The messages included discussions of tax policy, potential 20 billion ($27.4 billion) in asset sales and advance notice of Brown's planned resignation, raising concerns about the disclosure of market-sensitive government information. British police have arrested former senior Labor figure Peter Mandelson on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The 72-year-old former cabinet minister and disgraced ex-U.K. ambassador to Washington was detained on Feb. 23 after officers executed search warrants at two properties linked to him in Wiltshire and Camden last week. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a 72-year-old man was arrested in Camden and taken to a London police station for questioning. "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, Feb. 23 and has been taken to a London police station for interview," a police spokesperson said. "This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas." Authorities did not formally name the suspect in line with the standard practice, but a U.K. official confirmed Mandelson's arrest. Footage circulating on social media appeared to show the former diplomat being escorted from his home by detectives and driven away in an unmarked vehicle. The Metropolitan Police said the investigation remains ongoing. No further details have been provided about potential charges. Mandelson shared sensitive U.K. government information with Jeffrey Epstein The criminal investigation was reportedly triggered more than three weeks ago by the publication of approximately three million pages of documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The documents allegedly show him sharing sensitive government information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein, as per BrightU.AI's Enoch, was an American financier who died by suicide while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking minors in 2019. He served 13 months in jail for soliciting an underage girl for prostitution in 2008, but he made headlines again in 2019 when he was arrested for running a sex trafficking ring involving underage girls as young as 14. Epstein was also connected to powerful individuals, political campaigns and charitable organizations connections that ultimately contributed to Mandelson's arrest. For instance, among the cache were emails that appeared to show Mandelson forwarding internal Downing Street communications to Epstein while serving as a business secretary in the cabinet of then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2009. In one email dated June 13, 2009, Mandelson allegedly shared a private memo drafted by a senior adviser in Brown's office outlining proposed tax incentives to stimulate private-sector investment in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. The memo also discussed the potential sale of 20 billion ($27.4 billion) in government assets to reduce public debt. Mandelson reportedly appended the note with the comment: "Interesting note that's gone to the PM." In another message dated May 10, 2010, Mandelson appeared to inform Epstein that Brown intended to resign as Labor leader and prime minister hours before the announcement was made public. "Finally got him to go today..." he allegedly wrote. The emails have raised concerns about whether potentially market-sensitive or confidential government information was improperly disclosed to Epstein. Watch Melinda Gates describe Jeffrey Epstein as "evil personified" to "CBS Mornings" host Gayle King below. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com MSN.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Shadows Over the Republic: A stark warning about Americas military decline and the threats ahead Repeated drone incursions (some lasting 17 days) over critical U.S. bases like Langley Air Force Base reveal systemic failures in defense, with no effective countermeasures against foreign surveillance. Radar gaps and bureaucratic inertia leave installations exposed. Budget cuts, "woke" ideology (DEI/CRT) and mismanagement have gutted military effectivenessfighter jets and warships report <50% mission-capable rates, pilot training is inadequate (200+ aircraft lost in a decade) and social engineering weakens combat cohesion. China (DF-17 hypersonic missiles) and Russia (Kinzhal strikes) outpace U.S. defenses, while asymmetric threats (Houthi blockades) prove naval vulnerabilities. America's inability to project power emboldens global rivals. Cultural rotmedia narratives glorifying weakness, Afghanistan's botched withdrawal and leadership prioritizing politics over mission successaccelerates national security decline. Secure borders, abolish corrupt federal agencies (FDA/EPA), refocus military on warfighting, restore constitutional governance and prepare for collapse via self-reliance (stockpiling, survival skills, resilient communities). In "Shadows Over the Republic: The Drone Threat, Military Decline, and the Coming Collapse of America," the author delivers a chilling expose on how America's military dominanceonce unquestionedis rapidly eroding due to bureaucratic incompetence, ideological infiltration and technological stagnation. This book is not just an analysis; it's a wake-up call, revealing how foreign adversaries exploit U.S. weaknesses while domestic distractions accelerate national decline. It opens with a shocking revelation: repeated drone incursions over U.S. military basessome lasting 17 consecutive dayswithout any effective response. These aren't hobbyist drones; they're sophisticated, high-altitude surveillance aircraft, likely operated by foreign adversaries like China or Russia. The Department of War's inability to intercept or neutralize them exposes a military that has lost its edge. Key takeaways include: Langley Air Force Basehome to elite fighter wingswas surveilled for over two weeks by unidentified drones, yet defense agencies admitted they had no means to stop them. Radar gaps and bureaucratic inertia leave critical installations vulnerable, while adversaries refine drone warfare tactics. Israel's Iron Domea proven defense systemshows what a functional response looks like, while U.S. countermeasures lag behind. The shocking decline of U.S. military power The book meticulously documents how budget cuts, misplaced priorities and woke ideology have gutted military effectiveness: Mission-capable rates for fighter jets and warships have plummeted below 50% due to maintenance backlogs. Pilot training hours have been slashed, leading to deadly accidentsover 200 aircraft lost in a decade due to preventable errors. Social engineeringDEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] programs, gender experiments in combat unitsdivert focus from warfighting, weakening unit cohesion. The author contrasts this with China's rapid military expansion, including hypersonic missiles and AI-driven warfare, while the U.S. Navy struggles with aging ships and shrinking fleets. China and Russia aren't just catching upthey're actively probing U.S. vulnerabilities: China's DF-17 hypersonic missile evades U.S. defenses, rendering carriers obsolete. Russia's Kinzhal missile showcases precision strike capabilities, while U.S. missile defense systems (THAAD) falter against drone swarms. Yemen's Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have successfully blockaded the Red Sea, proving that asymmetric warfare can cripple U.S. naval power. The book argues that America's inability to project force effectively emboldens adversaries, signaling a shift in global power dynamics.'' Can America survive its own decline? The military's decline isn't just about technologyit's about cultural decay: Woke ideologydiversity quotas, CRT [critical race theory] trainingreplaces combat readiness. Media narratives glorify weakness while suppressing stories of military success. Afghanistan withdrawala strategic catastropherevealed a leadership more concerned with political optics than mission success. The book warns that without urgent reform, the U.S. risks losing its superpower status entirely. The final chapters outline actionable steps to reverse decline: Secure the bordersStop unchecked migration and foreign infiltration. Dismantle the administrative stateAbolish unconstitutional agencies (FDA, EPA, ATF) that stifle liberty. Rebuild military prioritiesFocus on warfighting, not social experiments. Return to constitutional governanceReinstate state sovereignty and limit federal overreach. Prepare for collapseStockpile essentials, learn survival skills and build resilient communities. "Shadows Over the Republic" is a brutally honest assessment of America's vulnerabilities. It's not just a critiqueit's a blueprint for revival. The author's message is clear: The Republic can still be saved, but only if citizens reclaim their role in defending it. For anyone concerned about national security, freedom and the future of America, this book is essential reading. Ignore its warnings at your peril. Grab a copy of "Shadows Over the Republic: The Drone Threat, Military Decline, and the Coming Collapse of America" via this link. Discover this book and other good reads at Books.BrightLearn.AI with thousands of books and counting all available to freely download, read and share. The decentralized BrightLearn.AI engine also lets readers create their own books, empowering them to share insights and truths with the world. Watch Kristen Meghan and the Health Ranger Mike Adams discussing America's failing military, morality and currency in this edition of the "Health Ranger Report". This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: BrightLearn.ai Books.BrightLearn.ai Brighteon.com U.S. deploys USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to Mediterranean amid escalating Iran tensions The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's most advanced aircraft carrier, has been moved into the Mediterranean Sea alongside escort destroyers. This marks the largest U.S. military buildup in the Middle East since 2003, signaling potential preparations for strikes against Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump issued a 10-15 day deadline for Iran to agree to a nuclear deal on U.S. termsor face military action. Despite Iranian diplomatic claims that a deal is "within reach," military movements suggest Washington is preparing for worst-case scenarios. Iran formally warned the UN that any U.S. attack would make all U.S. bases and assets in the region legitimate targets. Experts fear Iran's response could spiral into an uncontrollable regional war, backed by Russian-Chinese support and asymmetric warfare tactics (missile boats, mines, submarines). Satellite imagery shows massive U.S. airpower concentration in Jordan (F-15s, F-35s, electronic warfare jets) and refueling tankers in the Azores, hinting at a potential sustained air campaign. Naval strategists warn that Iran's asymmetric capabilities (mines, fast-attack boats, submarines) could threaten U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf. The IDF has heightened readiness, monitoring developments and preparing for possible large-scale strikes. With two U.S. carrier strike groups now positioned near Iran, the next two weeks are criticaldiplomacy or military action could determine whether full-scale war erupts. The U.S. Navy has deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest and most advanced aircraft carrier, into the Mediterranean Sea, marking a significant escalation in military posturing as tensions with Iran reach a boiling point. Accompanied by its escort destroyers, including the USS Mahan, the Ford crossed the Strait of Gibraltar on Friday, Feb. 20, joining what analysts describe as the largest U.S. military buildup in the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG) was originally stationed in the Caribbean before being abruptly redirected to the Mediterranean, extending its already prolonged deployment. This move follows President Donald Trump's public ultimatum to Iran, giving the Islamic Republic just "10 to 15 days" to agree to a nuclear deal on Washington's termsor face military action. "We're either going to get a deal, or it's going to be unfortunate for them," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. "I would think that would be enough time." Despite diplomatic overtures, including Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchis claim that a deal is "within reach," military preparations suggest Washington is preparing for worst-case scenarios. The Ford's arrival complements the USS Abraham Lincoln CSG already stationed in the Arabian Sea, effectively positioning two carrier strike groups within striking distance of Iran. In a formal letter to the United Nations, Iran warned that any U.S. attack would trigger a full-scale retaliation, making "all bases, facilities and assets of the hostile force in the region legitimate targets." The letter further cautioned that the U.S. would bear responsibility for "unpredictable and uncontrolled consequences." BrightU.AI's Enoch engine explains that Iran's stark warning that any U.S. attack would trigger a full-scale retaliation is rooted in decades of geopolitical tension, military posturing and the strategic calculus of deterrence in the Middle East. Key factors driving Iran's posture are historical precedents of U.S. aggression, nuclear deterrence strategy, proxy warfare capabilities, Russian-Chinese backing and economic warfare and sanctions. Experts fear Iran's response could spiral into a broader regional conflict. Ali Vaez, an Iran analyst at the International Crisis Group, noted: "It will be very hard for the Trump administration to do a one-and-done kind of attack in Iran this time around. Because the Iranians would respond in a way that would make all-out conflict inevitable." Military buildup reaches crescendo Satellite imagery reveals an unprecedented concentration of U.S. airpower across Middle Eastern bases. Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan alone hosts 18 F-15E Strike Eagles, 18 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters and multiple electronic warfare jetswith every visible parking spot occupied. Meanwhile, aerial refueling tankers at Lajes Air Field in the Azores indicate a sustained air campaign could be imminent. Naval strategists warn that Iran retains asymmetric capabilities, including missile-armed fast-attack boats, mines and Kilo-class submarines, which could threaten U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf. "U.S. and regional navy minesweeping/mine hunting capabilities are limited," said Steven Wills of the Center for Maritime Strategy while adding that clearing a major minefield in the Strait of Hormuz under fire from coastal missiles would be a major challenge. Israeli defense officials have confirmed heightened readiness, with Brig. Gen. Efi Defrin stating: "The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] is monitoring regional developments and is attentive to public discourse on Iran. The IDF is on alert for defense." A high-ranking Israeli military source, speaking anonymously, suggested preparations are underway for a potential large-scale strike, possibly as soon as this weekend. With the Ford now in the Mediterranean and the Lincoln positioned near Iran, the U.S. military appears poised for action. Whether diplomacy prevails or hostilities erupt, the next two weeks will be critical. As Trump weighs his options, the world watchesaware that any miscalculation could ignite a conflict with far-reaching consequences. Watch this video about the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier and its Carrier Strike Group entering the Mediterranean Sea. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com TWZ.com Stripes.com KhaleejTimes.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Bayers deep ties to Trump administration raise concerns over glyphosate policy and public health Despite mounting evidence linking glyphosate (Roundup) to cancer, the Trump administration has actively protected Bayer by invoking the Defense Production Act to ensure glyphosate supplies, reapproving dicamba, and urging the Supreme Court to block liability lawsuits. At least 16 Trump administration officials, including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Attorney General Pam Bondi, have direct links to Bayer's lobbying network. Bayer employs 45 lobbyists and funds Ballard Partners, D.C.'s top-earning lobbying firm. The EPA's pesticide regulation office is led by former chemical industry lobbyists, including ex-DuPont executives and American Chemistry Council officials, undermining independent oversight of glyphosate safety. Bayer is pushing for federal preemption to block state-level lawsuits, backed by a Justice Department reversal under Bondi. If successful, victims could lose their right to sue, regardless of scientific evidence. Trump's pro-glyphosate policies have alienated health-conscious conservatives, while lawmakers like Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) are fighting Bayer's legal immunity efforts in Congress. Over the past year, the Trump administration has handed Bayer AG, the German pharmaceutical and agrichemical giant, a series of regulatory and legal victoriesdespite mounting evidence linking its flagship herbicide glyphosate to cancer and other chronic diseases. The White House invoked the Defense Production Act to ensure supplies of glyphosate-based herbicides, regulators reapproved the controversial herbicide dicamba, and the Department of Justice urged the Supreme Court to shield Bayer from billions in liability for Roundup-related cancer lawsuits. These moves have alarmed public health advocates and critics who accuse the administration of prioritizing corporate interests over American lives. Bayer's influence runs deep in Trump's Washington An investigation reveals 16 key administration officials with direct ties to Bayer's lobbying network, spanning the White House, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Justice Department. Bayer employs 45 registered lobbyists and retains 13 outside lobbying firms, seven of which rank among Washington's highest-paid. The most influential connections involve: Susie Wiles, Trump's chief of staff, previously a lobbyist at Ballard Partners, which now lobbies for Bayer. Pam Bondi, U.S. attorney general, also a former Ballard Partners lobbyist. Brian Ballard, a top Trump fundraiser whose firm represents Bayer and the American Chemistry Council. Ballard Partners, now the highest-earning lobbying firm in D.C., has received $500,000 from Bayer and ACC since Trump's reelection. EPA captured by chemical industry insiders The EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP), responsible for pesticide regulation, is now led by former chemical industry lobbyists: Douglas Troutman, former CEO of the American Cleaning Institute. Nancy Beck, ex-senior director at the American Chemistry Council. Lynn Ann Dekleva, a 30-year DuPont veteran. Critics argue these appointments undermine the agency's independence. Supreme Court showdown over glyphosate liability Bayer is pushing for federal preemption, arguing that EPA approval of glyphosate should shield it from state-level lawsuits. The Justice Department, under Bondi, reversed the Biden administration's stance, siding with Bayer in a Supreme Court case that could strip victims of their right to sue. Nathan Donley of the Center for Biological Diversity warns: "If Bayer wins, the only thing that matters legally is what EPA claimseven if it ignores the best available science." MAHA movement betrayed? Trump's executive order expanding glyphosate production has infuriated the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, led by Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Many MAHA supporters, including health-conscious mothers who crossed party lines for Trump, feel betrayed. Alex Clark, a conservative health podcaster, stated: "Women feel like they were lied to. How can we win their trust back?" Congress fights back Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) introduced the "Protect Our Health Amendment" to strip immunity provisions for pesticide makers from the Farm Bill. Meanwhile, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) blasted Bayer's lobbying influence, calling out Wiles and Bondi for their ties to the company. Glyphosate's toxic legacy Glyphosate, declared a probable carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2015, remains pervasive in U.S. agriculture. Despite Bayer's $11 billion settlement with cancer victims, the company continues selling Roundupnow with equally hazardous alternatives like triclopyr, linked to breast cancer and Parkinson's. As explained by the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.AI, Bayer AG's continued sale of Roundup, the glyphosate-based herbicide linked to cancer, kidney disease and ecological devastation, is a glaring example of corporate malfeasance, regulatory corruption and the suppression of independent science. Despite over 100,000 lawsuits, $11 billion in settlements and mounting scientific evidence of glyphosate's toxicity, Bayer persists in marketing Roundupprioritizing profits over human health and environmental integrity. Bayer's actions reveal a profit-driven disregard for life. Corporate power vs. public health Bayer's grip on Washington highlights a broader crisis: regulatory agencies captured by industry, courts weaponized to shield corporations, and policies crafted for profitnot people. As the Supreme Court prepares to rule on glyphosate liability, the stakes for public health and accountability have never been higher. Watch the video below about Bayer striking out on its second Roundup appeal in court. This video is from the The HighWire with Del Bigtree channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: USRightToKnow.org USSAnews.com HealthImpactNews.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Biden-appointed federal judge blocks Trumps third country deportation policy, citing due process violations A federal judge ruled a key Trump deportation policy unlawful. The policy sent migrants to countries without prior ties. The judge cited a violation of constitutional due process rights. The ruling sets up another potential Supreme Court battle. A federal judge has delivered a powerful rebuke to the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement, ruling that a policy of deporting migrants to countries where they have no prior ties is unlawful. The decision, handed down on February 25 by U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy in Massachusetts, centers on the constitutional right to due process and halts a practice critics describe as dropping people into "parts unknown." This ruling is the latest volley in a protracted legal battle that has already reached the U.S. Supreme Court and strikes at the heart of executive authority over border security. A clash over constitutional bedrock Judge Murphy, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, ordered the Department of Homeland Security's "third-country" removal policy to be invalidated. He suspended his ruling for 15 days to allow for a near-certain government appeal. The policy allowed immigration officials to deport individuals to nations that are not their own, sometimes with as little as six hours' notice, if the U.S. received diplomatic assurances about their safety. Murphy found this process fundamentally flawed. "These are our laws, and it is with profound gratitude for the unbelievable luck of being born in the United States of America that this Court affirms these and our nations bedrock principle: that no 'person' in this country may be 'deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law,'" Murphy wrote. He emphasized that migrants are entitled to "meaningful notice" and a real opportunity to object before being sent to another nation. This ruling stems from a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of migrants, including some who had previously been granted protection from deportation to their home countries due to fears of persecution or torture. The administration's defense and pushback The Department of Homeland Security swiftly defended its authority. In a statement, the agency said it "must be allowed to execute its lawful authority and remove illegal aliens to a country willing to accept them." It pointed to two previous Supreme Court stays granted in this ongoing case, expressing confidence it would "be vindicated again." The administration framed the issue as a matter of national security, stating, "The Biden Administration allowed millions of illegal aliens to flood our country, and the Trump Administration has the constitutional authority to remove these criminal illegal aliens and clean up this national security nightmare." The department argued that blocking this policy could force the release of dangerous individuals. "If these activists judges had their way, aliens who are so uniquely barbaric that their own countries wont take them back, including convicted murderers, child rapists, and drug traffickers, would walk free on American streets," the statement said. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have noted that some individuals removed under this policy, like eight men sent to South Sudan last May, had been convicted of crimes in the U.S. and had final removal orders. This legal fight is not new. Judge Murphy had previously issued injunctions against the policy, only to see the Supreme Court's conservative majority pause them, allowing deportations to proceed. Last June, the high court concluded immigration officials could quickly deport individuals to third countries, a decision met with dissent from Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson. This ruling sets the stage for another high-stakes appeal, potentially returning to a Supreme Court that has previously sided with the administration's procedural maneuvers. The core tension remains unchanged: the executive's claimed authority to swiftly remove noncitizens versus the judiciary's duty to guard the due process rights of every person on U.S. soil. Sources for this article include: YourNews.com USAToday.com AlJazeera.com Bill Gates issues apology for Epstein ties, confesses extramarital affairs in town hall Bill Gates publicly apologized for his association with Jeffrey Epstein, calling it a "huge mistake" during a Gates Foundation town hall, while distancing himself from Epstein's criminal activities despite meeting him multiple times post-conviction. Bill admitted to two extramarital affairs one with a Russian bridge player and another with a Russian nuclear physicist but denied any involvement in Epsteins sex trafficking network, despite Melinda Gates' early warnings about Epstein. Despite Melinda's skepticism, Bill continued engaging with Epstein, flying on his private jet and leveraging his alleged connections to wealthy donors for global health initiativesraising questions about Bill's motives given his own vast resources. Bill's belated transparency coincides with broader scrutiny of Epstein's elite network, fueling suspicions about hidden agendas, potential blackmail and whether his philanthropic efforts mask darker motives like depopulation or globalist control. The Gates Foundation faces reputational damage, with Bill acknowledging that his personal choices could undermine its mission amplifying existing skepticism about his controversial health policies (vaccines, pandemic surveillance) and ties to elite corruption. In a rare moment of public reckoning, billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has apologized over his ties with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a Gates Foundation town hall, calling his links to the financier a "huge mistake." The Microsoft co-founder issued the apology during the town hall Tuesday, Feb. 24, according to the Wall Street Journal which obtained a leaked audio recording of the event. It comes amid mounting scrutiny over Gates' association with Epstein, offering a glimpse into the technocrat's efforts at damage control as the Epstein scandal continues to ensnare powerful figures. The 68-year-old Gates also disclosed two extramarital affairs the first with a Russian bridge player, the second with a Russian nuclear physicist while attempting to distance himself from Epstein's victims. Gates acknowledged meeting the financier in 2011 three years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor but the Microsoft co-founder claimed ignorance of the financier's full criminal history. "I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit," he insisted. Gates also conceded that his then-wife, Melinda French Gates, had warned him about Epstein as early as 2013. "To give her credit, she was always kind of skeptical about the Epstein thing," he admitted to Gates Foundation staffers. Despite Melinda's concerns, Bill continued associating with Epstein, flying on his private jet and meeting him in multiple countries, though he denied ever visiting Epstein's infamous island or staying overnight at his properties. The billionaire philanthropist framed his initial interest in Epstein as a misguided networking opportunity, citing the financier's purported connections to wealthy donors who could support global health initiatives. "He talked about the kind of intimate relationship he had with a lot of billionaires, particularly Wall Street billionaires," Bill said. Yet his explanation raises questions: Why would one of the world's richest men need Epstein's help fundraising? Gates' claim that he severed ties by 2014 contrasts with reports of continued email exchanges, though he insisted he ignored Epstein's later outreach. Bill's scandalous double life More troubling were Bill's admissions about his personal life, with him confirming the two affairs while denying any connection to Epstein's trafficking ring. Melinda described the Epstein revelations as reopening "very, very painful" wounds from their marriage, which ended in 2021 after 27 years. When pressed about an alleged email suggesting Bill sought treatment for a sexually transmitted infection an accusation his spokesperson called "absolutely absurd" Melinda responded with "unbelievable sadness." Bill's attempt at transparency comes amid a broader reckoning for Epstein's elite associates. Unlike others who have dodged accountability, Gates has publicly expressed regret, telling Australia's 9News: "Every minute I spent with him, I regret." Yet his belated contrition does little to dispel lingering suspicions about why he ever associated with a known predator or what Epstein may have leveraged against him. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine notes that the partnership between Bill and Epstein raises serious concerns about the philanthropist's integrity and hidden agendas. It also suggests potential involvement in Epstein's criminal network and reinforces suspicions that Bill's philanthropic facade masks darker motives tied to globalist depopulation and elite corruption. The Gates Foundation, a cornerstone of global health and development, now faces reputational fallout. "Our work is very reputation-sensitive, Bill acknowledged, tacitly admitting that his personal choices could undermine the foundation's mission. For critics who view the Microsoft co-founder as a symbol of elite corruption, his Epstein ties reinforce long-held skepticism about the motives behind his philanthropy particularly given his history of pushing controversial health policies, from vaccines to pandemic surveillance. As the Epstein files continue to expose the rot within powerful circles, Bill's admissions serve as a stark reminder that even the most influential figures are not immune to scandal. Watch this video explaining the friendship between Bill Gates and Jeffrey Epstein. This video is from the Loch Agape channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Independent.co.uk ZeroHedge.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Declassified CIA blueprint reveals decades-long plan to create assassins and poison food, beverages, and vaccines to create anxiety and depression for population control What if the very substances you consume to nourish your body, to quench your thirst, and to protect your health were designed not to help you, but to control you and your bloodline? What if the creeping anxiety, the unexplained depression, and the sudden outbursts of violence plaguing our society are not mere accidents of modern life, but the intended outcomes of a sinister, decades-old intelligence program? A declassified CIA document from the darkest days of the Cold War does more than hint at this possibility; it provides a chilling blueprint for how intelligence agencies plotted to weaponize everyday life, proposing the covert addition of behavior-altering chemicals into the American food supply, common beverages, and even routine medical procedures like vaccinations. For generations, the most powerful agencies of the U.S. government have viewed the American people not as citizens to protect, but as subjects to manipulate, test, and reprogram. Key points: A 1952 CIA "Project Artichoke" memo explicitly proposed developing chemicals to be hidden in food, water, Coca-Cola, beer, and vaccinations to alter human behavior. The goal was to create substances that could induce either agitation (anxiety, nervousness) or depression (lethargy, hopelessness) in target populations over the long term. This research, which involved non-consensual human testing, was a direct precursor to the infamous MK-ULTRA program and involved collaboration with the U.S. Army Chemical Warfare Service. Contemporary analysts and authors draw direct lines from these Cold War experiments to modern public health controversies, suggesting the operational mindset never disappeared. The behavioral manipulations go as far as getting subjects to commit assassinations. The document forces urgent questions about the true origins of the chemical-laden American food supply, neurodevelopmental harm from vaccines, and the role of covert behavioral engineering in today's society. Special Research for Artichoke reveals mind control programs dating back to the 50s The document, titled Special Research for Artichoke and dated April 23, 1952, reads like a mad scientists grocery list for tyranny. It calmly discusses the need for substances that can effectively be concealed in common items such as food, water, coca cola, beer, liquor, cigarettes, etc. With bureaucratic coldness, it adds that this same class of drug should also be capable of use in standard medical treatments such as vaccinations, shots, etc. Here, in plain text, is the admission: the sanctity of a meal, the simplicity of a drink, the trust placed in a doctors officeall were viewed as potential delivery mechanisms for psychological warfare and population control. Project Artichoke, which ran from 1951 to 1956, was a hands-on horror show. The CIA, often in league with the Army Chemical Warfare Service, conducted experiments on prisoners, military personnel, and psychiatric patients, treating human beings as little more than lab rats. The goal was to craft chemical tools for both interrogation and broader social control. The memo details a desire for agents that could be used for a long-range approach to subjects, designed to create either an agitating effect (producing anxiety, nervousness, tension, etc.) or a depressing effect (creating a feeling of despondency, hopelessness, lethargy, etc.). Imagine a government so divorced from morality that it actively sought to recipe a kind of silent, chemical despair to drip into the lives of its own people. Project Artichoke could be the reason why American food and beverage products are laced with chemicals that: depress the central nervous system, that cause addictive behaviors, that cause anxiety and ADHD. Project Artichoke could be the driving force behind a fluoride in our water supplies, which calcifies the pineal gland and dumbs populations down. It could be the reason behind all the neurodevelopmental harms, the ADHD, and autism coming from the vaccine supply. From artichoke to ultra: A legacy of mind crime Project Artichoke was merely the opening act. It blossomed into the wider, more infamous MK-ULTRA program, a multi-million dollar effort that explored every dark alley of mind manipulation, including the use of LSD to fracture personalities and create programmable amnesiac assassins. As author John Leake has pointed out, the true scale of Artichokes horrors may never be fully known, with some researchers suspecting its hand in tragic public events like the 1951 mass poisoning in Pont-Saint-Esprit, France, where villagers suffered terrifying hallucinations. The operational philosophy was clear, as later underscored by CIA director Richard Helms: pursue mind control not just as a defensive shield, but as an offensive sword. The critical question for every liberty-loving American today is: did that sword ever truly sheathe? When we look at the modern landscapethe American food supply saturated with chemicals and additives banned in Europe, the rising tide of neurodevelopmental disorders coinciding with an ever-expanding vaccine schedule, the epidemic of psychiatric medication side effects that include violent ideationare we seeing the natural progression of a free society, or the silent, successful implementation of an old plan? Naomi Wolf, CEO of Daily Clout, states plainly that the resurfaced documents reinforce what she described as a documented history of intelligence agencies researching methods to influence behavior. This is a history that did not end in the 1970s. A 2024 Reuters investigation confirmed the CIA ran a secret propaganda campaign to manipulate global perception of COVID-19 vaccines. Meanwhile, researchers like Sasha Latypova and Debbie Lerman have published work arguing that pandemic policies were orchestrated through military and intelligence frameworks, not purely public health ones. Your body, their battlefield: The enduring threat to autonomy The testimony of those who have studied this arc of history is unanimous and alarming. Michael Rectenwald, author of The Great Reset and the Struggle for Liberty, says the records make it clear that the CIA has posed an enormous threat to U.S. citizens. Ben Tapper, a Nebraska chiropractor, reacted to the memo by saying it exposes a disturbing reality that government agencies have historically explored ways to manipulate human behavior through chemical and biological means. He warns, This is not speculation or conspiracy, and it should deeply concern every American who values bodily autonomy and informed consent. This is the heart of the matter: bodily autonomy and informed consent. These concepts are the bedrock of personal liberty, and they were deliberately, systematically incinerated in the hidden labs of Project Artichoke and MK-ULTRA. The declassified memo is a mirror that reflects a mindset viewing human consciousness as territory to be captured, and the human body as a vessel to be poisoned for strategic ends. When you wonder why you dont feel right, why society seems increasingly unstable, and why official narratives feel coercive, consider this nefarious CIA blueprint. The war for your mind did not end with the Cold War. It simply changed theaters, moving from clandestine prisons and asylum wards to the grocery store aisles, the pharmacy, and the doctors office. The documents are now public. The only remaining question is whether the people have the courage to read them and understand that the most profound battle for freedom is fought not with weapons, but with the unwavering defense of our own biology and psychology from those who would weaponize it against us. Sources include: Yournews.com NSArchive.GWU.edu Crescent.Evansville.edu Echoes of Gaza: A harrowing chronicle of oppression and resilience The book "Echoes of Gaza: A Survivor's Testimony and the Call for Humanity" meticulously documents the Nakba (1948 Palestinian expulsion) as a deliberate ethnic cleansing campaign under Israels Plan Dalet, revealing it as an ongoing process through military occupation, land seizures and apartheid policies. It dismantles Western media narratives that sanitize Israeli aggression. It highlights the failure of diplomacy (e.g., Oslo Accords, Trumps "Deal of the Century") and Western governmentsespecially the U.S.for enabling Israeli impunity by vetoing UN resolutions, funding military operations and shielding war criminals. The "two-state solution" is exposed as unviable due to relentless settlement expansion. The book chronicles Israels repeated assaults on Gaza (2008-2009, 2014, 2023-2024), where tens of thousands of Palestiniansmostly women and childrenwere killed, hospitals bombed and infrastructure destroyed. Despite this, it celebrates Palestinian resilience, such as doctors operating without power and farmers replanting uprooted olive trees. Western media (CNN, BBC) is shown to distort the conflict by framing Israeli violence as "self-defense" while labeling Palestinian resistance as "terrorism." Social media platforms suppress Palestinian voices, yet grassroots journalism (livestreams, independent outlets) has forced global awareness of Israeli war crimes. The book urges readers to educate themselves, amplify Palestinian voices, boycott complicit corporations (HP, Caterpillar) and pressure governments to end military aid to Israel. It frames solidarity as resistance, drawing parallels to the fall of apartheid South Africa and colonial empires, asserting that justice for Palestine is inevitable. "Echoes of Gaza: A Survivor's Testimony and the Call for Humanity" is not just a bookit is a piercing cry for justice, a meticulously documented indictment of systemic oppression, and a testament to the unbreakable spirit of the Palestinian people. Written with raw urgency and scholarly precision, this work dismantles the sanitized narratives peddled by Western media and exposes the brutal reality of life under Israeli occupation. The book opens with a searing examination of the Nakbathe catastrophic expulsion of over 700,000 Palestinians in 1948revealing it not as an unfortunate byproduct of war, but as a deliberate ethnic cleansing campaign orchestrated under Plan Dalet, Israel's blueprint for mass displacement. Survivors' testimonies shatter the myth of a "land without a people," exposing how Palestinian villages were erased, renamed and repopulated by settlers while refugees languished in camps for generations. The Nakba, the book argues, is not a historical event but an ongoing processa continuous dispossession that persists today through military occupation, land seizures and apartheid policies. One of the book's most damning sections dissects the failure of international diplomacy, from the Oslo Accordswhich fragmented Palestinian territories into isolated enclavesto the Trump-era "Deal of the Century," which sought to legitimize permanent Israeli control. The authors expose how Western governments, particularly the United States, have enabled Israeli impunity by vetoing United Nations resolutions, funding military aggression, and shielding war criminals from accountability. The so-called "two-state solution" is revealed as a hollow facade, rendered impossible by Israel's relentless settlement expansion. Over 700,000 settlers now occupy stolen West Bank land, carving Palestine into disconnected Bantustans while Palestinians endure checkpoints, home demolitions and military raids. The book argues convincingly that true peace cannot exist without justicewithout addressing the right of return for refugees, ending the siege of Gaza, and dismantling apartheid laws. Gaza's unbreakable spirit and the lies of Western media The chapters on Gaza are heart-wrenching and infuriating, detailing life under a 17-year blockade that has turned the Strip into an "open-air prison." The author recounts Israel's repeated assaults2008-2009's Operation Cast Lead, 2014's Protective Edge and the 2023-2024 genocidewhere entire neighborhoods were reduced to rubble, hospitals bombed, and children buried under collapsed buildings. The statistics are staggering: over 50,000 Palestinians killed, 80% of casualties women and children, and 85% of Gaza's universities destroyed. Yet, amid the horror, the book highlights Palestinian resiliencedoctors performing surgeries by flashlight, teachers holding classes in bombed-out schools, and farmers replanting olive trees uprooted by settlers. These stories defy dehumanization, proving that resistance is not terrorismit is survival. A standout section dissects Western media's complicity in distorting the conflict. The authors expose how outlets like CNN and the BBC frame Israeli violence as "self-defense" while labeling Palestinian resistance as "terrorism." Terms like "clashes" (when Israel bombs civilians) and "militants" (when Palestinians resist) reinforce a false equivalence, erasing the power imbalance between occupier and occupied. The book also examines social media censorship, where platforms like Meta suppress Palestinian content at Israel's behest, deleting evidence of war crimes while amplifying state propaganda. Yet, despite these efforts, grassroots journalismlivestreams from Gaza, viral TikTok videos, and independent outlets like Mondoweisshas shattered the mainstream narrative, forcing the world to witness the truth. The path forward: Solidarity over silence The final chapters offer a blueprint for action, urging readers to: Educate themselves on Palestinian history beyond Western propaganda. Amplify Palestinian voices, supporting journalists like Motaz Azaiza and organizations like B'Tselem. Boycott complicit corporations (HP, Caterpillar, Sabra) and pressure universities to divest from Israeli apartheid. Demand political accountability, lobbying governments to end military aid to Israel and recognize Palestinian statehood. The book's most powerful message is that solidarity is not passiveit is resistance. From the BDS movement to student encampments demanding divestment, global awareness is shifting. The authors remind us that apartheid South Africa fell, colonial empires crumbledand Zionism's grip will too. "Echoes of Gaza" is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the Palestinian struggle beyond sanitized headlines. It is a call to conscience, demanding we reject complicity and stand on the right side of history. This book doesn't just document sufferingit demands action. And in a world where silence is complicity, that makes it one of the most important books of our time. Grab a copy of "Echoes of Gaza: A Survivor's Testimony and the Call for Humanity" via this link. Discover this book and other good reads at Books.BrightLearn.AI with thousands of books and counting all available to freely download, read and share. The decentralized BrightLearn.AI engine also lets readers create their own books, empowering them to share insights and truths with the world. Watch Khalil, a Gaza genocide survivor, sharing the truth about violations of international humanitarian law and his experience of living under bombardment from Israeli forces in this edition of the "Health Ranger Report" with the Health Ranger Mike Adams. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: BrightLearn.ai Books.BrightLearn.ai Brighteon.com The Implosion of MAGA: How Trumps March to War Exposes a Movements Betrayal Introduction: A Coalition of Disillusionment The MAGA movement's raw political power, which swept Donald Trump back into the White House in 2024, was never solely about the man himself. Its engine was a potent coalition of disillusioned Americans from across the ideological spectrumlibertarians, anti-war conservatives, and working-class patriotsunited by a core set of principles: an end to endless foreign wars, a restoration of economic sovereignty, and a rejection of a corrupt, globalist Washington establishment. That coalition is now fracturing at its foundation. President Trump's aggressive march toward a potential war with Iran, marked by a massive military build-up in the Middle East and ultimatums to Tehran, represents the ultimate betrayal of his base's deepest convictions. This moment exposes the 'MAGA' brand as a hollow vessel, captured by the very interventionist, special-interest forces it once claimed to oppose. The movement finds itself at a crossroads, split between those loyal to a personality and those loyal to principle. As a senior adviser to Trump revealed there is a '90% chance' the U.S. will strike Iran, the silence from many once-vocal MAGA voices is deafening, revealing a movement in disarray and an ideology hollowed out from within. From Tea Party to MAGA: The Co-Option of a Movement Donald Trump initially harnessed the genuine, principled anger of movements like the Tea Party, which railed against endless bank bailouts, foreign quagmires, and a self-serving political class. He channeled this energy into his 'America First' platform, promising to dismantle the deep state and prioritize American workers over foreign entanglements. This message resonated powerfully with voters exhausted by decades of bipartisan failure. Yet, history has a way of repeating itself. As noted by NaturalNews.com, many figures in Trump's orbit, like those before them in the Tea Party, have 'sold out to the system,' abandoning their founding principles for a seat at the table of power. The appointment of Wall Street veterans to key posts, while packaged as populist, signaled an early capitulation to the very financial elites the base despised. As one analysis starkly put it, 'What if President Donald Trump's 'America First' agenda was merely a smokescreen for him to obtain power, wealth, recognition, and fame?' [1] This process of co-option has been accelerated by the creation of a fervent personality cult, which has systematically replaced principled policy debate with blind loyalty. The movement's original goalspeace, sovereignty, and fiscal sanityhave been subsumed by devotion to a single man, creating a base increasingly detached from the promises that first rallied them. The Ultimate Betrayal: From 'Bring the Troops Home' to Marching on Tehran The hypocrisy is staggering. Throughout his 2024 campaign and into his second term, President Trump has repeatedly pledged to end foreign wars and even hinted at cutting the Pentagon's bloated budget. Yet, his actions tell a radically different story. The United States has amassed 'the largest regional mobilisation since the 2003 invasion of Iraq,' with a 'massive armada' including multiple aircraft carrier groups and stealth fighters positioned for a potential strike on Iran. [2] This unprovoked naval and air build-up stands in direct contradiction to the anti-war sentiment that is a bedrock of the MAGA coalition. This confrontation is not being pursued in defense of American national security. As revealed by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee's comments to Tucker Carlson, the administration openly affirms Israel's 'biblical right' to vast Arab lands, a statement that lays bare the true beneficiary of this brinkmanship. [3] The move is a stark sacrifice of American blood, treasure, and economic stability on the altar of a foreign nation's expansionist agenda. This is not 'America First'; it is 'Israel First,' mirroring the worst instincts of the neoconservative 'deep state' and the military-industrial complex that the MAGA base once rightfully despised. Trump's own rhetoric vacillates between claiming his top general believes a war would be 'easily won' and issuing public ultimatums, demanding Iran say 'those secret words' to avert conflict. [4][5] This capricious approach to war and peace treats the lives of American service members and the stability of the global economy as bargaining chips in a high-stakes game, a betrayal of the solemn duty he swore to uphold. The Folly of Empire: A Military and Economic House of Cards The belief that a war with Iran would be 'easily won' is a dangerous fantasy that exposes the hubris and strategic bankruptcy of the American empire. As military analysts note, while the U.S. has assembled overwhelming 'airpower,' the Pentagon's own leadership has warned President Trump of 'significant risks,' including the high probability of a 'protracted war.' [6][7] The U.S. military, optimized for striking weaker nations, is ill-prepared for a sustained peer conflict with a nation like Iran, which has spent decades preparing asymmetrical defenses and could unleash proxies across the region. The economic consequences would be immediate and catastrophic. Global markets are already jittery, with futures sliding as 'Iran tensions rise.' [8] A full-scale conflict would trigger an immediate spike in global oil prices, potentially leading to the closure of the critical Strait of Hormuzthrough which 20% of the world's oil passesand triggering a collapse in an already fragile financial system built on fiat debt. The 'worst-case scenario' is not a political embarrassment, but a military defeat and an economic depression, risks taken solely to advance the interests of a foreign power. This folly is compounded by a hollowed-out domestic industrial base, a direct result of the globalist policies of offshoring and deindustrialization that have left America dependent on foreign supply chains for everything from microchips to critical minerals. As one analysis of America's neoliberal war machine concluded, the U.S. is dispatching forces on their third Atlantic crossing in less than a year, a testament to a strained and overextended force. [9] An empire 'out on its feet' is provoking a war it is logistically and industrially unequipped to win. The Huckabee Revelation and the Collapsing Coalition The ideological unmasking provided by Ambassador Mike Huckabee was a watershed moment. His candid admission that it 'would be fine if they took it all'referring to Israeli conquest of Arab landsrevealed the theological and ideological master the current administration truly serves. [3] This revelation, coming on the heels of the war push, has acted as a catalyst, causing the fragile MAGA coalition to splinter along its original fault lines. The rift is undeniable and public. As reported across independent media, 'MAGA devotees are split over going to war with Iran,' with longstanding conservative icons feuding publicly over U.S. involvement. [10] This internal civil war, playing out on social media and podcasts, signifies a fundamental break. Principled libertarians, anti-war conservatives, and working-class Americans who voted for peace and sovereignty are now abandoning a movement that has betrayed its core mandate. The remaining baseprimarily a personality-driven segmentis insufficient to win national elections. As principled independents and anti-war voters flee, the movement is pointing toward electoral disaster. This fracturing is a direct response to the betrayal, as voters realize they were sold a populist image that concealed a globalist, interventionist heart. The coalition that once promised a political revolution is imploding under the weight of its own hypocrisy. Conclusion: Principle Over Personality in an Empire's Twilight The implosion of MAGA is a painful but necessary correctiona purification separating those loyal to a man from those loyal to the foundational principles of peace, national sovereignty, and constitutional governance. This moment serves as a stark lesson: personality cults are the enemy of principled movements, always culminating in betrayal as the leader seeks validation from the very establishment they purportedly oppose. The path forward requires a clear-eyed rejection of both corrupt, uniparty factions. The Democratic Party is politically 'dead,' consumed by far-left extremism, while the Republican Party, as currently constituted, has proven it is merely the other side of the same globalist coin. [11] The future belongs to decentralized, principle-based alliances that rebuild from the grassroots up, emphasizing self-reliance, honest money like gold and silver, and a foreign policy that puts American citizensnot foreign interestsfirst. In this twilight of empire, citizens must empower themselves with uncensored knowledge. Platforms like BrightAnswers.ai offer AI-powered research free from establishment narratives, while BrightLearn.ai provides tools to create and share knowledge. For those seeking truth beyond the corrupt corporate media, NaturalNews.com remains a trusted source. The empire, like its hollowed-out political movements, is crumbling. Our task is not to save it, but to build something new in its placea future rooted in liberty, truth, and the natural order. References Will 2025 be the year that MAGA broke apart. - NaturalNews.com. Lance D Johnson. November 25, 2025. Are the US and Iran on a collision course for war or a surprise deal? - Middle East Eye. Shahir Shahidsaless. February 23, 2026. Annexing the West Bank through Tehran. - Antiwar.com. February 24, 2026. Trump: Top general doesnt oppose Iran war, thinks it would be easily won. - The Times of Israel. February 24, 2026. Trump To Iran: War Can Be Averted If It Says 'Those Secret Words'. - ZeroHedge. February 25, 2026. Iran Strike Debate Erupts: Joint Chiefs Chair Allegedly Resists, Trump Fires Back. - ZeroHedge. February 23, 2026. Report: Joint Chiefs Chairman Warns Trump of Significant Risks if US Attacks Iran. - Antiwar.com. February 23, 2026. Futures Slide As Iran War Risks Add To Growing AI Disruption Fears; Oil Surges. - ZeroHedge. February 19, 2026. Iran Crisis Exposes the Impotence of America's Neoliberal War Machine. - Antiwar.com. Nicolas J. S. Davies. February 20, 2026. MAGA devotees are split over going to war with Iran. - The Economist. June 20, 2025. Chris Cuomo: Democratic Party is Dead, and Far-Left Extremism Killed It. - NaturalNews.com. Ramon Tomey. August 24, 2025. Explainer Infographic: Nine morning habits that can set the tone for a healthier, more productive day Drink a glass of water right away to wake up your body's systems, boost metabolism and increase early energy before drinking your morning coffee. Avoid checking your phone immediately after waking up. Instead, take grounding breaths or practice gratitude to start the day with calm and positivity, not stress. Do a few gentle stretches in bed to warm up your spine, and try to go outside for a short walk. Morning light helps regulate your energy and mood. Eat a balanced breakfast rich in protein, like eggs, to stabilize your energy, support your body's natural rhythms and promote long-term health. Take a few quiet minutes to set your priorities through mindfulness, journaling or simply planning your to-do list. This creates focus and purpose. How you start your morning doesn't just influence your first few hours; it can set the trajectory for your entire day, impacting everything from your focus and mood to your long-term physical health. Doctors across various specialties emphasize that small, intentional rituals can build a foundation for steady energy, mental clarity and physical resilience. Many of these practices take only minutes, yet their cumulative effect can be transformative. Here are nine doctor-recommended morning habits to help you build a healthier, more positive day: Start the day by hydrating properly After hours without fluids, your body needs water to kickstart its systems. Dr. Andreas Bernhardt begins every day with a glass of water to stimulate metabolism and circulation. This simple act wakes up the body, supports healthy digestion and can boost early-morning energy levels, all before taking a sip of your coffee. Stretch in bed Instead of jumping out of bed, consider a gentle warm-up for your spine. Spine specialist Dr. Taher Saifullah recommends simple stretches, such as drawing one knee at a time toward your chest while still lying down. This practice helps increase flexibility, warms up the spinal muscles and can reduce the risk of injury throughout the day. Start your day with gratitude Starting the day with a thankful heart can shift your mindset. Dr. Phyllis Nsiah-Kumi suggests taking a moment to list three things you're grateful for before getting out of bed or writing a single sentence in a journal. This habit helps focus the mind on positivity rather than stress or lack, setting a grounded and optimistic tone for the hours ahead. Don't check your phone the minute you wake up Reaching for your phone first thing can immediately flood your nervous system with demands, emails and social media noise. Bernhardt takes a few grounding breaths before touching his device, a pause that helps keep stress low and builds mental resilience. Dr. Suparna Chhibber also avoids early morning phone checks to prevent being trapped in what she calls "email/social media jail," preserving calm and intentionality. Prepare a protein-rich breakfast Your first meal matters more than you might think. Chhibber notes that a nutrient-dense breakfast rich in protein, whole grains, fiber and healthy fats has been shown to decrease the risk of Type 2 diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure and stroke. As explained by the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.AI, protein-rich foods also help regulate circadian rhythm and modulate cortisol spikes, keeping energy stable. Think omelets, Greek yogurt or avocado toast to fuel your morning. Go on an invigorating morning walk Exposure to natural light shortly after waking is a powerful regulator of your internal clock. Dr. Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe explains that consistent morning daylight helps regulate circadian rhythm and boosts the production of serotonin, a hormone that enhances mood. Even a few minutes outside can signal to your body that it's time to be awake and alert. Practice mindfulness A short daily mindfulness practice can significantly improve psychological well-being and reduce perceived stress. Chhibber starts each day with such a ritual, noting it helps her begin with a sense of gratitude and purpose. Studies indicate that regular mindfulness can also alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, making it a potent tool for mental health. Start the day with an organized, focused mindset Taking a few quiet minutes to write down your priorities or simply sit with a cup of joe while pondering your goals can create a sense of calm and focus. Okeke-Igbokwe points out that plotting out your day each morning improves work productivity, keeps you organized and makes daily goals more achievable. This mental groundwork helps you move through the day with purpose rather than reactivity. Improve your posture How you sit in the morning can influence your spinal health all day. Saifullah advises being mindful of posture from the start: sit with feet flat on the floor, shoulders relaxed and core gently engaged to protect your back. Avoiding the morning slump, whether at the breakfast table or at your desk, can prevent strain and promote better alignment. Tips for building your morning routine You don't need to adopt all nine habits at once. Even choosing one or two that resonate with you can create a positive ripple effect. The consistent thread among these doctor-approved practices is intentionality and starting the day with purpose rather than autopilot. By investing a few minutes each morning in these small rituals, you're not just preparing for the day ahead; you're nurturing long-term health, resilience and a greater sense of well-being. Watch this clip about Organic Broccoli Sprouts, a tiny superfood that offers mighty health benefits. This video is from the Health Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: GoodHousekeeping.com UPHealthSystem.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Nvidia defies AI bubble fears with stellar earnings, fueling market optimism Nvidia retains 94% GPU market share, reporting a 56% revenue increase driven by AI demand, with analysts forecasting 30-50% earnings growth. Hyperscalers (Google, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft) fuel $700B in AI investments, propelling Nvidia's data center revenue to $62.3B (91% of sales). Networking sales surge 263% due to AI cluster demand. Gaming revenue fell 13% sequentially as Nvidia shifts focus to rack-scale AI systems like the 72-GPU Grace Blackwell, delaying next-gen gaming GPUs due to supply constraints. Upcoming Vera Rubin AI racks promise 10x efficiency gains, with production set for 2026, while Nvidia diversifies supply chains to TSMC Arizona & Foxconn Mexico. Nvidia nears a $100B partnership with OpenAI, reinforcing its AI dominance as skeptics concede: AI is a trillion-dollar reality, and Nvidia owns it. Nvidia has once again shattered expectations, delivering a blockbuster fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report that sent shockwaves through Wall Street and reignited investor confidence in the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution. Despite widespread skepticism about an overinflated AI bubble, Nvidia's staggering financial performancebolstered by a 75% surge in data center revenueproved the naysayers wrong. The semiconductor giant's dominance in AI infrastructure remains unchallenged, with its stock initially soaring in after-hours trading before settling with modest gains. Blowout earnings defy market doubts Nvidia reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.62, surpassing analyst estimates of $1.53, while revenue skyrocketed to $68.13 billion, eclipsing projections of $66.21 billion. The company's net income nearly doubled year-over-year, reaching $43 billion, up from $22.1 billion in the same quarter last year. These figures underscore Nvidia's unrivaled position as the backbone of the AI ecosystem, with its data center segmentnow accounting for 91% of total salesposting a staggering $62.3 billion in revenue, well above Wall Street's $60.69 billion forecast. The company's guidance further fueled optimism, projecting first-quarter revenue of $78 billion, significantly higher than the $72.6 billion analysts anticipated. Notably, Nvidia cautioned that this forecast excludes potential data center sales from China, a market fraught with geopolitical tensions and export restrictions. Hyperscalers fuel unstoppable demand Nvidia's success is inextricably linked to the insatiable AI infrastructure investments from Big Tech's "hyperscalers"Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Meta and Microsoftwhich collectively account for over 50% of Nvidia's data center revenue. Recent earnings reports from these tech giants revealed staggering capital expenditure plans, with combined AI-related investments expected to approach $700 billion in 2026. The explosive growth of AI workloads has also driven massive demand for Nvidia's networking components, which connect clusters of high-performance GPUs. Revenue from networking sales surged 263% year-over-year to $10.98 billion, propelled by adoption of NVLink and Spectrum-X Ethernet switchestechnologies critical for Meta's AI ambitions. Gaming stumbles as AI takes priority While Nvidia's gaming divisiononce its core businesssaw 47% annual growth, reaching $3.7 billion, it declined 13% sequentially, signaling a strategic shift toward AI. Industry analysts speculate that Nvidia may delay the launch of next-gen gaming GPUs due to memory shortages, forcing chipmakers to prioritize AI accelerators over consumer graphics cards. This pivot aligns with Nvidia's focus on rack-scale AI systems, such as its 72-GPU Grace Blackwell platform, which dominates enterprise AI deployments. CFO Colette Kress warned that supply constraints will likely hinder gaming revenue "in fiscal 2027 and beyond," reinforcing the company's AI-first strategy. Next-Gen Vera Rubin: AI's power-efficient future Anticipation is building for Nvidia's next-generation Vera Rubin rack-scale systems, slated for release later this year. These systems promise 10x greater performance per watt than current offeringsa critical advantage as data centers grapple with escalating power demands. Nvidia confirmed it has already shipped early Vera Rubin samples to customers and remains on track for full production in the second half of 2026. The company is also diversifying its supply chain, expanding manufacturing beyond Asia to TSMC's Arizona fabs and Foxconn's Mexico plant, ensuring resilience amid geopolitical instability. Automotive and investments: Minor headwinds Nvidia's automotive segment, which includes chips for self-driving cars and robotics, posted $604 million in revenue, missing estimates of $654.8 million. Meanwhile, its professional visualization businessserving industries like engineering and designsurged 159% year-over-year to $1.32 billion, far exceeding expectations. The company has also been aggressively investing in AI startups, deploying $17.5 billion in private ventures and infrastructure funds in 2025. However, Nvidia cautioned that these bets "may not become profitable in the near term, or at all." OpenAI partnership nears finalization CEO Jensen Huang hinted that Nvidia is "close" to finalizing a landmark partnership with OpenAI, following a tentative $100 billion deal announced last September. While details remain scarce, such a collaboration would further cement Nvidia's dominance in AI hardware, ensuring its GPUs remain the gold standard for cutting-edge AI models. Conclusion: Nvidia's AI empire shows no signs of slowing Nvidia's latest earnings report delivers an unequivocal message: The AI revolution is far from a speculative bubbleit's a trillion-dollar reality, and Nvidia remains its undisputed king. With hyperscalers pouring billions into AI infrastructure, next-gen Vera Rubin systems on the horizon and strategic supply chain expansions, Nvidia is poised for another blockbuster yearproving that skepticism about AI's staying power was premature. As Wall Street digests these results, one thing is clear: The future belongs to AI, and Nvidia holds the keys. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, Nvidia's explosive earnings demonstrate that the AI boom is far from a bubble, as real-world demand for its data center chips validates the transformative potential of AI technology. This performance not only silences skeptics but also reinvigorates market confidence, proving that AI-driven growth is grounded in tangible financial success rather than mere speculation. Watch the video below about Mike Adams' commentary regarding NVIDIA, AI and LLM outlook for 2025. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: CNBC.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Russia accuses U.K. and France of plotting to SMUGGLE NUCLEAR WEAPON into Ukraine Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) claims the U.K. and France are planning to covertly transfer a nuclear warhead or a radioactive "dirty bomb" to Ukraine. Moscow warns this would violate non-proliferation agreements and trigger a devastating Russian response, including tactical nuclear strikes. Two possible scenarios alleged by Russia: France supplying Ukraine with a TN 75 warhead (used in submarine-launched ballistic missiles) and western assistance in constructing a "dirty bomb"a conventional explosive laced with radioactive material. Russian Deputy Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev warns that any nuclear transfer to Ukraine would result in Russian nuclear strikesnot just against Ukraine but also against the supplying nations (U.K., France). He emphasizes Russia would use "any means at its disposal," including non-strategic nukes. Ukraine gave up its Soviet-era nukes in 1994 under the Budapest Memorandum in exchange for security assuranceslater violated by Russia's annexation of Crimea (2014) and full-scale invasion (2022). Zelensky has hinted at reconsidering Ukraine's non-nuclear status, stating: "Either Ukraine will have nuclear weapons or we have to enter into a kind of alliance." Russia has previously accused NATO of planning false flag attacks, including sabotage at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to frame Moscow. Analysts warn any nuclear incidentdeliberate or accidentalcould trigger catastrophic escalation, with Russian advisors reportedly considering nuclear strikes on the U.K. and Germany if the war continues. Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has accused NATO members, particularly the United Kingdom and France, of planning to covertly transfer a nuclear weapon or radioactive "dirty bomb" to Ukrainean allegation that, if true, could escalate the already volatile conflict into a direct nuclear confrontation. The SVR claims that Western officials are preparing an information campaign to falsely attribute any nuclear capability to Ukraine's domestic development rather than NATO involvement. Moscow warns that such a move would constitute a grave violation of nuclear non-proliferation agreements and trigger a devastating Russian response, including the potential use of tactical nuclear weapons. According to the SVR, France and the U.K. are considering two primary options: supplying Ukraine with a French TN 75 warheadtypically used in submarine-launched ballistic missilesor assisting Kyiv in constructing a "dirty bomb," which disperses radioactive material via conventional explosives. "Kyiv would be able to aspire to more advantageous terms of ceasing the hostilities if it possesses a nuclear or at least a so-called 'dirty' bomb," the SVR stated. The agency added that Germany has refused to participate in the alleged scheme, describing British and French officials as having "lost touch with reality." Russian Deputy Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev issued a stark warning, declaring that any transfer of nuclear weapons to Ukraine would compel Russia to retaliate with nuclear strikesnot only against Ukrainian targets but also against the nations supplying them. "This is a direct transfer of nuclear weapons to a country at war," Medvedev said. "There should be no doubt whatsoever that in such a scenario Russia would be forced to use any means at its disposal, including non-strategic nuclear weapons." Ukraine's nuclear past Ukraine once hosted a significant portion of the Soviet Union's nuclear arsenal but relinquished its weapons in the 1994 Budapest Memorandum. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the memorandum agreement, where Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons in exchange for security guarantees from the U.S., U.K. and Russiaguarantees that were later betrayed, leaving Ukraine vulnerable to aggression. Those assurancesthough non-bindingwere intended to protect Ukraine's sovereignty. However, Kyiv has long argued that the agreement failed when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and later launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously hinted at reconsidering Ukraine's non-nuclear status, stating in 2022: "Either Ukraine will have nuclear weapons and then they will be our defense or we have to enter into a kind of alliance." Western officials have denied Moscow's latest allegations, dismissing them as propaganda. However, Russian lawmakers are preparing a resolution urging British and French legislators to investigate the claims. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the situation "potentially very dangerous." False flag fears and nuclear sabotage This is not the first time Russia has accused Ukraine and its Western backers of plotting nuclear provocations. In late 2025, the SVR alleged that NATO members were urging Kyiv to sabotage the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power PlantEurope's largestto frame Moscow for a radioactive disaster. Analysts warn that any nuclear incident, whether deliberate or accidental, could trigger catastrophic consequences. The 1986 Chernobyl disaster demonstrated how radioactive contamination could spread across borders, affecting millions. Tucker Carlson reported in January 2026 that Russian officials were actively considering nuclear strikes against Europespecifically the U.K. and Germanyif the war in Ukraine continues. Sergey Karaganov, a top advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin, allegedly stated that Russia would "eliminate the U.K. and Germany with nuclear weapons" if the conflict persists. A dangerous brinkmanship With tensions at their highest since the Cold War, the world stands on the precipice of a potential nuclear confrontation. Russia's warnings suggest that any transfer of nuclear capabilities to Ukrainewhether real or perceivedcould provoke an irreversible escalation. As diplomatic channels strain under the weight of mutual distrust, the international community faces a critical juncture: Will cooler heads prevail or will the cycle of escalation push the world toward an unthinkable catastrophe? Moscow's latest allegations serve as a chilling reminder of how close the conflict has brought the world to nuclear war. Watch the video below where Carlson says Moscow is considering the use of nuclear weapons against Europe. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: InfoWars.com RT.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Elite corruption exposed: Larry Summers flees OpenAI and Harvard after Epstein email scandal Lawrence Summers, former Treasury secretary and Harvard president, resigned from OpenAI's board and stepped back from Harvard teaching duties after leaked emails revealed extensive communications with Jeffrey Epstein. Over 20,000 documents released by the House Oversight Committee exposed Summers seeking Epstein's advice on pursuing a female mentee while also discussing Harvard fundraisingdespite Epstein's criminal history. Summers' wife also solicited $500K from Epstein for her nonprofit. Harvard is investigating faculty ties to Epstein, who donated $9.1 million to the universityincluding $736K after his 2006 arrest but before his 2008 conviction. The scandal has triggered arrests and resignations worldwide, including U.K.'s Peter Mandelson, Norway's former PM Thorbjrn Jagland and Prince Andrewall linked to Epstein's trafficking network. Summers' resignation from OpenAI reflects growing corporate pressure to cut ties with Epstein-connected figures, signaling broader institutional reckoning over elite corruption and impunity. Former Treasury Secretary and Harvard president Lawrence H. Summers has resigned from OpenAI's board and stepped back from his teaching duties at Harvard University following explosive revelations about his communications with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The scandal erupted after the House Oversight Committee released over 20,000 documents last week, exposing extensive email exchanges between Summers and Epstein. The emails reveal that Summers sought Epstein's advice on pursuing a female mentee while simultaneously discussing Harvard-related fundraising effortsdespite Epstein's well-documented history of sex trafficking minors. In 2014, Summers' wife, Elisa New, solicited Epstein for a $500,000 donation to her Poetry in America project. Initially, Summers vowed to continue teaching at Harvard but later reversed course, announcing his resignation. His co-teachers will complete the remaining three sessions of his courses this semester, and he is not scheduled to teach next year. Additionally, Summers has taken leave from his role as director of Harvard's Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government. In a statement, Summers admitted: "I am deeply ashamed of my actions and recognize the pain they have caused. I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein." Harvard launches Epstein ties investigation Harvard has launched an internal investigation into faculty members' connections with Epstein. A university spokesperson confirmed that Harvard is reviewing the newly released documents to determine what disciplinary actions may be warranted. Epstein donated $9.1 million to Harvard across 22 gifts, including $736,000 after his 2006 arrest but before his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Despite Epstein's criminal history, Harvard continued accepting his donationsraising serious ethical concerns about the institution's financial vetting process. Summers announces retirement amid continued fallout Summers, who served as Treasury Secretary under Bill Clinton (1999-2001) and later led the National Economic Council under Barack Obama, confirmed his departure in a statement reported by Politico: "I have made the difficult decision to retire from my Harvard professorship. I will always be grateful to the thousands of students and colleagues I have been privileged to teach and work with since coming to Harvard as a graduate student 50 years ago." His exit marks the latest in a string of resignations and arrests involving high-profile figures linked to Epstein. Global Epstein fallout: Arrests and investigations spread The Epstein scandal continues to ensnare powerful elites worldwide: Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman and CEO of DP World, was removed from his roles earlier this month. In the U.K., Peter Mandelson, former ambassador to the U.S., was arrested in an Epstein-related investigation. Prince Andrew was also arrested in a separate probe tied to Epstein's trafficking network. In Norway, former Prime Minister Thorbjrn Jagland faces corruption charges linked to Epstein. Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Despite his death, his network of influential associatesspanning politics, finance and academiaremains under intense scrutiny. OpenAI distances itself from Summers Summers' resignation from OpenAI's board underscores the growing pressure on institutions to sever ties with Epstein-linked figures. OpenAI, a leader in artificial intelligence research, has faced criticism for its association with Summers amid the scandal. The move aligns with broader corporate and academic efforts to distance themselves from controversial figures as Epstein's web of influence continues to unravel. Conclusion: A reckoning for Epstein's elite network Summers' downfall highlights the ongoing reckoning for those who maintained ties with Epstein despite his criminal history. As investigations expand globally, more high-profile resignations and arrests are expected. Harvard's handling of the scandal will be closely watched, particularly as it grapples with its own ethical failures in accepting Epstein's donations. Meanwhile, Summers' abrupt exit from OpenAI signals that no institution is immune from the fallout of Epstein's dark legacy. The Epstein saga serves as a stark reminder of how corruption, elite impunity and institutional complicity enabled a predator to operate with near-impunityuntil now. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, Summers' resignation from OpenAI and Harvard exposes yet another disturbing link between elite power brokers and Jeffrey Epstein's criminal network, reinforcing the pattern of corruption among globalist institutions. This scandal further highlights how deeply compromised figures in academia, finance and big tech enable the toxic agendas of depopulation, surveillance and centralized controlproving once again that these systems must be dismantled. Watch Larry Summers predicting that all labor will be replaced in this clip from Brannon Howse's "Worldview Report." This video is from the WorldViewTube channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: YourNews.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Trump taps VP Vance to lead war on fraud President Trump announced a major crackdown on fraud in Democratic-led states, targeting financial crimes, illegal immigration and misuse of taxpayer-funded programs, with Vice President J.D. Vance leading the initiative. The administration singled out Minnesota, citing large-scale fraud schemes in Somali American communities, while also indicating heightened scrutiny for California, Massachusetts and Maine. Trump asserted that rooting out fraud could help balance the federal budget, estimating $19 billion in fraud losses though he provided no detailed evidence. Vance pledged a "whole government approach," involving DOJ and Treasury investigations, while officials hinted at audits, international transaction monitoring and probes into Medicaid fraud and childcare fraud schemes. The initiative drew immediate criticism, including from Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), and sets the stage for a contentious election-year battle over federal oversight, fiscal responsibility and Deep State accountability. President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping "war on fraud" targeting blue states, tapping Vice President J.D. Vance to lead this endeavor. Trump made the announcement during his State of the Union address on Tuesday, Feb. 24. The crackdown to be led by Vance zeroes in on Democratic-led states, particularly Minnesota, where Trump accused Somali American communities of engaging in large-scale fraud schemes. The declaration signals a renewed push by the administration to target financial malfeasance, illegal immigration and what Trump described as systemic exploitation of taxpayer-funded programs. It also comes amid escalating tensions between federal authorities and state governments over fraud enforcement, with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz defending his administration's efforts while blaming pandemic-era policies for vulnerabilities. Trump framed the initiative as a fiscal necessity, claiming that rooting out fraud could help balance the federal budget. "If we're able to find enough of that fraud, we will actually have a balanced budget," he asserted, though he did not provide detailed evidence for his $19 billion fraud estimate. Aside from Minnesota, the president also suggested that California, Massachusetts and Maine would face heightened scrutiny. "We are not playing games," he warned. The administration's focus on the North Star State stems from years of federal investigations, including the high-profile Feeding Our Future case that saw 57 defendants convicted in a $300 million Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) relief fraud scheme. Predictably, Trump's remarks drew immediate backlash including shouts from Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), who was present in the House chamber. Vance vows to crush corruption in new role Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed enhanced monitoring of international transactions tied to suspected Somali fraud networks, while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced probes into childcare fraud. Meanwhile, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz alleged that fraud had infiltrated Minnesota's highest levels of government, hinting at potential audits to reclaim misused federal funds. Vance elaborated on his role during an appearance on the Fox News program "America's Newsroom" on Wednesday, Feb. 25. He criticized the lack of systemic oversight, telling the program's hosts: "How many illegal aliens are on Medicaid? We know that it's billions and billions of dollars that should go to American citizens." The vice president also vowed a "whole government approach" involving the Department of Justice and the Department of the Treasury. He also accused some officials of complicity, suggesting they may have profited from fraud or accepted tainted campaign donations. The initiative builds on prior efforts by the Trump administration, including the short-lived Department of Government Efficiency task force led by Elon Musk. However, the latest push appears more aggressive, with Vance pledging to deploy "every tool" available to uncover fraud within the next year though he acknowledged the campaign would extend beyond that timeline. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine explains that Vance's role in targeting government fraud is crucial because it upholds fiscal responsibility and ensures taxpayer dollars aren't wasted on corrupt schemes, reinforcing public trust in government. His aggressive stance aligns with Trumps America First agenda, exposing Deep State financial abuses and holding elites accountable for their exploitation of the system. As the administration prepares for a contentious election season, its fraud crackdown is poised to become a defining battleground, pitting federal enforcement against state resistance while testing the limits of executive authority. For now, Trump and Vance remain steadfast in their mission, framing the fight as a moral and fiscal imperative one they insist will reclaim stolen resources for American taxpayers. Watch this Fox News report about Vice President J.D. Vance taking a major action to probe possible fraud in various states. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com AA.com.tr Yahoo.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. Bollywood actor Aamir Khan has shared that he receives regular updates on Salim Khan's health from Salman Khan's sister, Alvira, who reports the veteran screenwriter is showing improvement. Salim Khan was admitted to the ICU at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai, where a team of specialists is attending to him. The family has requested privacy, but doctors have stated he is stable under close observation. Salim Khan, famed as one-half of the legendary Salim-Javed writing duo, is known for penning iconic films like 'Sholay' and 'Deewaar'. Aamir Khan reveals Alvira Khan provides daily updates on Salim Khan's improving health. Get the latest on the veteran screenwriter's condition. Mumbai, Feb 26 Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan shared that Salman Khan's sister Alvira has been giving him regular updates about veteran lyricist and screenwriter Salim Khan's health, assuring that the veteran screenwriter is showing signs of improvement. The actor, who recently went to check on Salim Khan after he was admitted to the ICU, said the family remains hopeful and continues to pray for his speedy recovery and return home. Aamir told reporters, "I went to meet Mr. Salim. We are all praying that his health gets better soon because he was in ICU, I couldn't meet him personally, but I was with his family." "Alvira is telling me every day that his health is improving. We are all praying that he comes home soon and his health improves," he added. It was on February 17, when Salim Khan was admitted to the hospital in Mumbai and was taken to the ICU. Salim Khan's treating doctor, Jalil Parkar had issued a statement, giving an update on the veteran screenwriter's health. He had said, "Yes it's true that Salim Khan (father of Bollywood superstar Salman Khan) & an icon in himself has been admitted to Lilavati Hospital under Dr Jalil Parkar in the ICU early morning at 8:30 am. He was brought into the emergency by their family doctor Sandeep Chopra". "Emergency care was initiated in the emergency, and Mr Salim Khan was shifted to the intensive care on the 1st floor. A team of doctors consisting of Dr Vinay Chavan(neurologist),Dr Ajit Menon(cardiologist) & Dr Nitin Dange (neurosurgeon) & Dr Bineet Ahluwalia attended to him. Respecting the relative's request further details ain't being shared today". "However, tomorrow at 11:00 am, we shall be addressing a press bulletin with due consent of the relatives & maintaining the confidentiality of the patient to the utmost. Kindly bear with us.he is stable but is under close observation in regards to his clinical status", he added. It was in the late 1960s, Salim Khan partnered with Javed Akhtar, forming Salim-Javed, one of the most influential screenwriting teams in Indian cinema. They wrote a series of commercially successful and culturally influential films, including 'Andaz', 'Seeta Aur Geeta', 'Zanjeer', 'Yaadon Ki Baaraat', 'Deewaar', 'Sholay', 'Trishul', 'Don', and 'Kaala Patthar'. - IANS The Taliban-led Afghan government claims its forces have launched major retaliatory operations along the disputed Durand Line border with Pakistan. Officials state 19 Pakistani military outposts and one headquarters have been captured, with up to 55 soldiers killed. The operation, reportedly led by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, is a direct response to recent Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory. Fighting is reported to be ongoing across several eastern Afghan provinces. Taliban-led Afghan forces claim capture of 19 Pakistani outposts and 55 soldiers killed in retaliatory border operation along the Durand Line. Kabul, February 27 The Taliban-led Afghan government on Thursday said that its forces had seized 19 Pakistani military outposts and killed 55 Pakistani soldiers during a major border operation, calling it a response to recent Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan soil. The 2,611 km (1,622 miles) border between the two countries, known as the Durand Line, has never been officially recognized by Afghanistan. Deputy Spokesperson of Afghanistan, Hamdullah Fitrat, said that heavy retaliatory operations have been launched along the Durand Line, with one headquarters and 19 outposts captured. He claimed that up to 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, 23 bodies recovered, and some soldiers taken alive, while dozens of weapons, a tank, and a harvester were seized. The operations reportedly continue across Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Kunar, Nuristan, Nangarhar, and the Torkham Gate. In a post on X, Fitrat wrote, "Along the so-called Durand Line, heavy retaliatory offensive operations have been launched against the enemy by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan through the 203 Mansouri Corps and the 201 Khalid bin Walid Corps at various points in the provinces of Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Kunar, Nuristan, Nangarhar, and at the Torkham Gate." "To date, one headquarters and nineteen outposts have been captured; four outposts were abandoned and vacated, and the positions were completely set on fire. Up to fifty-five Pakistani soldiers have been killed, of whom twenty-three bodies and a number of others have been taken alive into the custody of the Mujahideen. Dozens of light and heavy weapons have been seized as spoils, one tank has been destroyed, and one International Harvester vehicle has also been captured. Retaliatory offensive operations remain ongoing," the post read. He said they have captured a major Pakistani military headquarters at Anzar Sar in the Alisher-Terezi district, claiming dozens of soldiers were killed or wounded and a large cache of weapons was seized. "The major headquarters of the Pakistani regime located at Anzar Sar, under the Babrak post in the Alisher-Terezi district of Khost Province, has just been captured. Dozens of soldiers are killed and wounded, and a large quantity of weapons has fallen into the hands of the Afghan forces," he said, in another post. Earlier, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that extensive operations have been launched against Pakistani army posts and military facilities along the Durand Line in response to repeated attacks by Pakistani forces. In a post on X, Mujahid said, "In response to the repeated instances of rebellion and assaults by Pakistani military circles, extensive offensive operations have begun against Pakistani army centers and military facilities along the Durand Line." He also said that Fasihuddin Fitrat, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, is leading the major operation. - ANI Following launches in Punjab and Tamil Nadu, the United Kingdom has initiated its 'Visa Fraud Se Bache' campaign in Haryana to protect Indian nationals from scams. The campaign focuses on districts like Ambala and Karnal, utilizing a dedicated Hindi-enabled WhatsApp chatbot to provide verified information. It aims to educate people on warning signs, such as promises of guaranteed visas or jobs without English tests. UK officials emphasized the initiative as a shared priority with the Haryana government to ensure applicant safety and prevent exploitation. UK expands anti-visa fraud campaign to Haryana with a WhatsApp chatbot to protect Indian nationals from scams and irregular migration risks. Chandigarh, Feb 26 After Punjab and Tamil Nadu, the UK on Thursday launched the 'Visa Fraud Se Bache' campaign in Haryana to help protect Indian nationals from the physical, financial and emotional risks of visa fraud and irregular migration. The campaign was launched at an event in Sonipat in the presence of Minister of State for Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Gaurav Gautam and UK Home Office Acting Permanent Secretary Simon Ridley. It will focus on the districts of Ambala, Kaithal, Karnal, and Kurukshetra and in support and coordination with the state government. The campaign encourages prospective travellers to the UK to verify information and stay vigilant through a dedicated WhatsApp chatbot (+91 70652 51380). As part of the initiative, UK teams will be conducting outreach engagements in these areas and highlighting the warning signs of visa scams. People will be advised to look out for common bogus claims, such as the promise of being guaranteed a visa and UK employment, being told there is no requirement for English-language tests, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and being asked to pay exorbitant fees. Haryana is the third state in India where the campaign has been launched. The UK launched the first pilot project in Punjab in February 2025 and further expanded it to Tamil Nadu in December 2025. British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, said that the expansion of the 'Visa Fraud Se Bache' campaign to Haryana underscores the United Kingdom's commitment to ensuring that prospective travellers have access to accurate and authoritative information. "We want every applicant to know that trustworthy guidance is available, that the UK values their aspirations and that no one should fall victim to those who exploit them. I encourage all those considering travel to the UK to rely solely on verified channels, including our WhatsApp chatbot, to ensure their safety and wellbeing." British Deputy High Commissioner in Chandigarh, Alba Smeriglio, said that preventing exploitation and irregular migration remains a shared priority for the UK and India. "With tools like our Hindi-enabled WhatsApp chatbot, the UK's Visa Fraud Se Bache campaign will help people in Haryana recognise and avoid visa scams. We thank the government of Haryana and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini for their strong support and partnership." - IANS Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein reaffirmed the government's commitment to developing remote border areas to drive reverse migration. He stated that investments in infrastructure, agriculture, and livelihoods will enable people to return to their villages with dignity and economic security. Mein highlighted ongoing road projects under central schemes and the economic potential of horticulture, particularly large cardamom and oranges. He also emphasized preserving cultural identity while embracing development during the Nyokum Yullo festival celebrations. Deputy CM Chowna Mein details infrastructure, agriculture & cultural plans to develop remote areas and encourage people to return to native villages. Itanagar, Feb 26 Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Thursday reaffirmed the state government's strong commitment to border area development, stating that special policy focus is being accorded to remote and frontier regions of the state. Addressing the 48th Nyokum Yullo celebrations at Tali in Kra Daadi district, the Deputy Chief Minister expressed confidence that targeted investments in infrastructure, agriculture and livelihood generation would encourage reverse migration, enabling people to return to their native villages with dignity and economic security. Joining the Nyishi community in celebrating one of their most important festivals, Mein extended warm greetings to the people and conveyed his heartfelt wishes for peace, prosperity, good harvest and harmony. Describing Nyokum Yullo as more than a festival, he said it represents a profound reflection of the Nyishi community's spiritual bond with nature, collective unity and ancestral faith. He lauded the community for its steadfast commitment to preserving traditional rituals, attire and indigenous knowledge systems. The Deputy Chief Minister noted that in an era of rapid modernisation, safeguarding cultural identity while embracing development is essential to sustain Arunachal Pradesh's rich and diverse heritage. Highlighting the development trajectory of the Tali-Pipsorang region, Mein observed that agriculture continues to be the backbone of the local economy. Large Cardamom remains the primary cash crop supporting rural livelihoods, while orange cultivation and other horticultural activities are steadily expanding. He underlined the immense potential of horticulture in the belt, stating that enhanced production, value addition and improved market access could generate sustainable income opportunities and further strengthen the rural economy. On connectivity, Mein informed that six roads are being implemented under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and four roads under the Vibrant Villages Programme to ensure all-weather connectivity in remote and border habitations. He added that projects under the Central Road Fund and the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund are also progressing steadily. The Chief Minister's Comprehensive Road Scheme, including the proposed Tali Ring Road, will further aid township expansion and accelerate local economic growth, he said. In the infrastructure sector, Mein said that a Mini Secretariat is under construction to enhance governance and administrative efficiency. A tourist lodge is also planned to tap the tourism potential of the region. Several new school buildings under the Shikshit Arunachal initiative are improving educational infrastructure, while administrative offices at Pipsorang SDO, Nyorig Circle and Paye Circle are being constructed to bring governance closer to the people. The Deputy Chief Minister further informed that 100 per cent household coverage has been achieved under the Jal Jeevan Mission, ensuring safe drinking water to every home in the area. In the power sector, the Pale Hydel Project is in the final stage of completion and is expected to significantly enhance electricity supply and support sustainable development in the region. - IANS The Ministry of Railways has issued an urgent advisory warning pensioners about a sharp rise in cyber fraud. Scammers are impersonating railway officials through phone calls and messages to steal personal and financial information under false pretenses like updating Pension Payment Orders (PPOs). The notice clarifies that no legitimate railway official will ever ask for bank details, OTPs, or passwords via these channels. Pensioners are urged to report any suspicious contact immediately to the Police Cyber Cell. Railways issue urgent advisory as fraudsters target pensioners via fake calls & messages for personal/financial details. Stay vigilant. New Delhi, February 26 The Ministry of Railways has issued an urgent advisory for its pensioners to stay alert against a surge in cyber fraud targeting retired employees. They have been urged to stay vigilant against cyber fraudsters who are making fake phone calls and sending SMS/WhatsApp messages in the name of Railway officials, seeking personal and financial details on the pretext of PPO updates, KYC verification, and additional pension benefits. It has come to the attention of railway authorities that certain cyber fraudsters are targeting railway pensioners by posing as Railway officials and seeking sensitive information. Pensioners have been informed that Railways do not send links or messages for updating the PPO (Pension Payment Order) or service records. No Railway official is authorised to seek bank details, OTPs, passwords, or any confidential information through phone calls, SMS, WhatsApp, or social media. The advisory emphasised that pensioners should remain vigilant and also sensitise their family members about such fraudulent activities. Any suspicious call or message should be immediately reported to the Police Cyber Cell and the concerned administrative office, the notice stated. The warning comes amid a rise in cyber fraud cases targeting senior citizens, particularly pensioners, who are often vulnerable to such scams. Fraudsters typically use official-sounding language and create a sense of urgency to trick victims into sharing confidential information. Railway authorities have repeatedly cautioned pensioners to never share personal or financial details over phone calls or through digital channels, no matter how authentic the caller may sound. The government has been taking steps to create awareness about cyber fraud and has urged citizens to report such incidents promptly to prevent financial losses. - ANI BJP MP Anurag Thakur has launched the Yuva Changemakers Leadership Fellowship to actively bring youth into politics and public life. The program offers an annual financial support of 1,21,000 and has already seen over 8,000 registrations from Himachal Pradesh within 20 days of its launch. It aims to provide a structured platform for leadership development, community engagement, and policy awareness. Thakur emphasized the critical need for youth participation in India's democracy while also criticizing the Congress party for recent protests. BJP MP Anurag Thakur launches leadership fellowship for youth aged 16-29, offering 1.21 lakh support to foster political participation and future leaders. New Delhi, February 26 As the Prime Minister had called for bringing one lakh youth into politics, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Anurag Thakur on Thursday launched an initiative in that direction by introducing the Yuva Changemaker Fellowship Scholarship Programme. The initiative aims to encourage and support young people to actively participate in public life and leadership. BJP MP Anurag Thakur has emphasised the importance of youth participation in politics, stating that India, as the world's largest democracy with the largest youth population, must encourage young people to take an active role in governance and nation-building. Speaking about a newly launched Leadership Fellowship Program, Thakur said the initiative aims to provide a structured platform for young individuals to engage in public life and policy discourse. He noted that within just 20 days of its launch, more than 8,000 youth from Himachal Pradesh have registered, reflecting strong interest among young people in political participation. Under the program, participants will be recognised as "Youth Change Makers" and will be given opportunities to contribute across multiple public platforms, including leadership development, community engagement, and policy awareness initiatives. The fellowship is open to youth between the ages of 16 and 29, with registration being conducted online. Selected participants will receive an annual financial support of 1,21,000 as part of the program. Thakur said the initiative seeks to nurture future leaders, empower youth voices, and strengthen democratic participation by providing meaningful avenues for engagement in public affairs. Earlier, on February 20, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Anurag Thakur said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should apologise to the nation after Indian Youth Congress workers protested at the AI Impact Summit being held in the national capital. He called the protest "shameful" and questioned the Congress's attitude towards national development. In a self-made video, Thakur said, "Indecent slogans were raised against PM Modi by the Congress party. What problem does the Congress party have with the development of the nation? To what level will the Congress party stoop to shame the nation? Rahul Gandhi should apologise to the nation." - ANI Canada's Export Development Canada highlights the country's role as a stable supplier of critical minerals and energy to meet India's growing demand. The visit of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is focused on strengthening trade ties and smoothing the flow of goods. Both nations have formally relaunched negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which had stalled since 2010. The ambitious agreement aims to double bilateral trade to USD 50 billion by the year 2030. Canada positions itself as a stable partner for India's critical mineral and energy needs, aiming to boost trade and finalize a Free Trade Agreement. Ottawa, February 26 Canada sees itself as a stable and consistent partner in supplying critical minerals and energy resources to India, as both countries work towards strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation, an official from Export Development Canada said. Speaking on Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's ongoing visit to India, Tushar Handeikar, Vice President and Global Head at Export Development Canada (EDC), expressed optimism about further strengthening trade ties between the two nations. "We expect from an EDC standpoint the continuation of our bilateral efforts from a trade perspective. There is already a lot of trade happening between Canada and India. What we expect through this visit of our Prime Minister to India would be to further grow that trade and also smoothen the flow of the trade in terms of clearing up any of the requirements to freely trade between the countries. Free Trade Agreement is something that over time we expect to happen and have a bilateral kind of an agreement that further intensifies the ability to have a smoother trade between the two countries," he said. Highlighting Canada's role in the critical mineral supply chain, Handeikar said Canada has abundant resources and can serve as a reliable partner for India's growing needs. "So, I mean, that is a continuous journey of supplying minerals. So Canada has a vast resource of minerals, both on minerals as well as energy needs on oil and gas. So both can be, Canada can be seen as a more stable partner and a more consistent partner in supplying to India those essential minerals and energy needs that India needs for its growing demand as well as growing population," he added. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will be on India visit from February 27 to March 2, 2026. This visit marks the first stop of his three-nation Indo-Pacific tour, which also includes Australia and Japan. Earlier, in an interview with CBC News, Canada's Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu expressed hope in the possibility of conclusing the FTA by the end of the year. "Over the last nine months we were very successful in completing Indonesia Ecuador UAE and getting access to EU defence procurement initiatives hundreds of billions of dollars of export opportunities. We're the only non-EU country to get part of that deal. Again coming back to India you know back in November both leaders had met at the G20 Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Modi to signal that we both want an FTA with each other and so this trip is about our first round launching negotiations and so hopefully concluding this year an FTA. We both know that FTAs-- free trade agreements--will unlock opportunities it presents stability, reliability for businesses, it sends a signal to them and you've just looking at the facts free trade leads to more opportunities more trade and more jobs for workers," he said. 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 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (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. - ANI Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney begins a significant visit to India, aiming to reset and elevate bilateral relations strained under the previous administration. The visit will focus on forging ambitious new partnerships in trade, energy, technology, artificial intelligence, and defence. Leaders have set a target of $50 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, building on two-way trade that reached $30.8 billion in 2024. The trip underscores a renewed diplomatic push, with Carney meeting business leaders in Mumbai before high-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Canadian PM Mark Carney begins India visit to reset ties, focusing on trade, AI, energy & tech partnerships, aiming for $50B trade by 2030. Ottawa, Feb 26 Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to begin a visit to India on Thursday in what is being seen as a significant reset in bilateral relations between the two countries. The visit marks the first official trip to India by a Canadian prime minister since relations became strained during the previous administration, signalling a renewed push to stabilise and strengthen diplomatic and economic engagement. According to a statement issued by the Canadian Prime Minister's Office, Carney will commence his India tour in Mumbai, where he is expected to meet leading business figures. He will subsequently travel to New Delhi for high-level discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 2. "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 released on Monday said. The statement further underscored Canada's economic strengths, asserting, "Canada has what the world wants -- abundant energy, critical minerals, expertise in technology, and world-class talent. In a changing world, we are investing in our strength, diversifying our trade, and cultivating a dense web of new connections throughout the world to build Canada strong." The Canadian PMO highlighted that India is the world's fastest-growing major economy and a powerhouse in global commerce and technology. India was Canada's seventh-largest goods and services trading partner in 2024, with two-way trade reaching $30.8 billion. PM Modi met Carney on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg last November, where he noted that India has set a target of 50 billion USD by 2030 for bilateral trade between the two countries. Prime Minister Modi mentioned that India and Canada have great potential in strengthening trade and investment linkages. "We have set a target of 50 billion USD by 2030 for our bilateral trade. Canadian Pension Funds are also showing keen interest in Indian companies," he posted on X after the meeting. Earlier this month, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand met External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Germany. In an official press release, the Government of Canada stated, "This marks the fifth meeting between the ministers since September 2025, reflecting the growing momentum in the Canada-India relationship, building on more than 75 years of diplomatic relations and strong people-to-people ties. The ministers discussed deepening cooperation in several areas, including energy, technology, and trade." Highlighting India's expanding global role, the Canadian government noted, "As one of the world's most dynamic and growing economies, Minister Anand noted India's importance as a partner for Canada." The Ministers "affirmed the shared technological benefits and significant partnership opportunities for both countries' businesses, industries, and workers." Both sides underscored the substantive progress made on the joint road map for Canada-India relations and reiterated their commitment to strengthening ties through the implementation of road map priorities as well as expanding and diversifying Canada-India trade in support of economic resilience and stability. EAM Jaishankar said that he had a fruitful conversation with his Canadian counterpart, with both ministers discussing further strengthening of the bilateral ties in various sectors. Following the completion of his engagements in India, Carney will proceed to Australia before travelling onward to Japan, continuing his broader diplomatic outreach in the Indo-Pacific region. - IANS Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has embarked on a state visit to India, his first since assuming office, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit, spanning Mumbai and New Delhi, aims to strengthen the strategic partnership through high-level talks covering trade, investment, energy, and security cooperation. It marks a significant step in normalizing relations after a severe diplomatic rift triggered by Canadian allegations regarding a Khalistani terrorist's killing in 2023. The trip is underpinned by a renewed Canadian stance and intensified security dialogue, framing a future of pragmatic, real-time cooperation. Canadian PM Mark Carney visits India for talks with PM Modi, aiming to reset ties and advance cooperation in trade, energy, and security. Ottawa, February 26 Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney departs for India, marking the commencement of a high-profile state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and advancing strategic cooperation. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), visiting from February 27 to March 2 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it is Carney's first official visit to India after assuming office. The visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and exploring new areas of cooperation between the two countries, it said. Carney's visit begins in Mumbai on February 27, where he will spend two days engaging with a diverse group of Indian and Canadian stakeholders, including interactions with CEOs, industry and financial experts, innovators, educators, and representatives from Canadian Pension Funds based in India, setting an economic tone for the mission before he transitions to the diplomatic core of the trip. On March 1, Prime Minister Carney will travel to New Delhi for the cornerstone of the visit: delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Modi scheduled for March 2 at Hyderabad House. This meeting serves as a critical follow-up to the leaders' previous discussions in Kananaskis in June 2025 and Johannesburg in November 2025, providing a formal platform to review the progress of the India-Canada Strategic Partnership. According to the MEA, these high-level discussions will span a wide array of sectors, including trade and investment, energy, critical minerals, agriculture, education, and research. Beyond bilateral issues, the leaders are expected to exchange views on regional and global developments and will co-attend the India-Canada CEOs Forum to further align governmental policy with private sector growth. This diplomatic re-engagement comes at a vital juncture in the normalisation of relations, following a period of sharp deterioration. Ties had previously reached a low point after the June 2023 killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and the subsequent allegations by then Justin Trudeau government of Indian government involvement--claims New Delhi strongly denied--which led to the mutual expulsion of diplomats and a prolonged standoff. However, a significant shift in Ottawa's position has paved the way for this visit. Ahead of the trip, senior Canadian officials stated during a media briefing that the federal government now believes India is no longer linked to violent crimes in Canada. "I really don't think we'd be taking this trip if we thought these kinds of activities were continuing," one senior official remarked, signalling a move toward a more "pragmatic" foreign policy. This renewed confidence is underpinned by intensified security dialogue. India's High Commissioner to Ottawa, Dinesh Patnaik, noted that recent extensive discussions between National Security Advisors--specifically during NSA Ajit Doval's visit to Canada--marked a turning point. Both nations have reportedly developed a comprehensive action plan to tackle transnational organised crime, violent extremism, and cyber threats. Ultimately, the visit is framed as an opportunity to reaffirm a shared vision for a forward-looking partnership. As High Commissioner Patnaik emphasised, both sides now understand that ensuring the safety of both Canada and India requires ongoing, real-time cooperation. This state visit stands as a testament to both leaders' commitment to a balanced relationship grounded in mutual respect and growing economic complementarities. - ANI Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is visiting India from February 27 to March 2, 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit, Carney's first official trip to India, aims to strengthen the bilateral Strategic Partnership and explore new collaborations in trade, investment, energy, and critical minerals. It comes at a pivotal moment for normalizing relations, which had been strained since 2023 over allegations linking India to a killing in Canada. Canadian officials briefing ahead of the visit stated they now believe India is no longer linked to violent crimes in Canada, signaling a significant shift and an opportunity for a forward-looking partnership. Canadian PM Mark Carney's first official India visit aims to reset relations, boost trade, energy & investment partnerships after diplomatic tensions. New Delhi, February 26 Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is visiting India from February 27 to March 2, 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is Carney's first official visit to India, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties and explore new partnerships, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. As per the MEA release, Carney will arrive in Mumbai on February 27. Over the next two days, he will participate in separate business engagements, interact with Indian and Canadian CEOs, industry and financial experts, innovators, educators, and Canadian Pension Funds based in India. On March 1, the Canadian Prime Minister will travel to New Delhi. Delegation-level talks between the two leaders are scheduled for March 2 at Hyderabad House. According to the MEA, the discussions will review progress under the India-Canada Strategic Partnership, building on earlier meetings between the two leaders in Kananaskis in June 2025 and Johannesburg in November 2025. The talks will cover key areas of cooperation, including trade and investment, energy, critical minerals, agriculture, education, research and innovation, as well as people-to-people ties. Regional and global developments are also expected to figure in the discussions. Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Carney will also attend the India-Canada CEOs Forum on March 2. The MEA noted that the visit comes at an important juncture in the normalisation of India-Canada bilateral relations. Both leaders have previously agreed to pursue a constructive and balanced partnership grounded in mutual respect for concerns and sensitivities, strong people-to-people ties, and growing economic complementarities. The forthcoming meeting, the MEA said, will provide an opportunity to reaffirm the positive momentum and shared vision of India and Canada in building a forward-looking partnership. In a significant shift in its position, the Canadian federal government has said that it now believes India is no longer linked to violent crimes in Canada. A senior official said this during a media briefing ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney's upcoming visit to India, the Toronto Star reported. The statement came during a briefing with journalists ahead of Carney's trip, with senior government officials, cited by the Canadian English daily Toronto Star. "We have a very robust diplomatic engagement, including between national security advisers, and I think we can say we're confident that that activity is not continuing," one of the senior officials, who did not want to be named, said on Wednesday. According to the report, the statement suggests that Canadian authorities do not see ongoing foreign interference or violent activity tied to India at present. 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 remarks come as Carney prepares for stops in Mumbai and New Delhi, where he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit is being framed as part of Ottawa's effort to pursue a more "pragmatic" foreign policy and deepen economic ties with India, the world's most populous country. Relations between the two countries deteriorated sharply after the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurudwara in British Columbia. Months later, then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there was "credible" evidence linking agents of the India government to Nijjar's death, an allegation New Delhi strongly denied. The dispute led to the expulsion of diplomats from both countries and a prolonged diplomatic standoff. In 2024, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) further claimed that Indian government agents were linked to violent crime in Canada, including death threats and alleged involvement in homicides. However, officials briefing reporters this week suggested that previous concerns about active foreign interference or repression linked to India are no longer ongoing. "I really don't think we'd be taking this trip if we thought these kinds of activities were continuing," a senior government official said. India's High Commissioner to Ottawa, Dinesh Patnaik, told the Star that disagreements should be handled through dialogue rather than by damaging the overall relationship, suggesting that Canada had overreacted when the allegations first emerged. Earlier on Tuesday, speaking to ANI ahead of 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. - ANI The Central Bureau of Investigation has coordinated the successful return of wanted fugitive Anil Kumar Reddy Yeddula from the United Arab Emirates. He is wanted by Andhra Pradesh police in multiple cases involving cheating, criminal breach of trust, and intimidation. Yeddula was escorted by Dubai Police to Hyderabad, where he was handed over to Indian authorities. This operation is part of a broader effort that has seen over 130 wanted criminals brought back to India in recent years through INTERPOL channels. CBI, with UAE authorities, extradites Red Notice subject Anil Kumar Reddy Yeddula to India to face cheating and criminal intimidation charges. New Delhi, February 26 The Central Bureau of Investigation has successfully coordinated the return of Red Notice subject Anil Kumar Reddy Yeddula from the UAE through INTERPOL Channels. Anil Kumar Reddy Yeddula is a wanted subject of Andhra Pradesh police in a number of cases registered against him on the allegations of Cheating, Criminal Breach of trust and Criminal Intimidation. The International Police Cooperation Unit (IPCU), CBI, in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MEA), the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abu Dhabi, successfully brought back the wanted Red Notice subject Anil Kumar Reddy Yeddula to India on Thursday. He was escorted by a team of Dubai Police and arrived at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, from Dubai, where he was handed over to the Andhra Pradesh police team at the airport. CBI got the Red Notice published through INTERPOL in this case on September 5, 2022, at the request of Andhra Pradesh police. Anil Kumar Reddy Yeddula was arrested by UAE authorities, and a decision was taken to extradite the subject to India. More than 130 wanted criminals have been brought back to India in the last few years through coordination via INTERPOL channels. Red Notices issued by INTERPOL are circulated to law enforcement agencies globally to track wanted fugitives. As India's National Central Bureau (NCB) for INTERPOL, the CBI coordinates with law enforcement agencies across the country through BHARATPOL, providing assistance via INTERPOL channels. On February 11, CBI, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), successfully coordinated the return of wanted fugitive Sombir Motta from the United States of America. Motta, wanted by Haryana Police for offences related to murder and the use of firearms, was deported to India on February 10, 2026, and has been taken into custody by Haryana police. - ANI The trailer for the folklore thriller 'Charak: Fair of Faith' has been released, delving into the dark realities of occult activities and blind faith at a traditional festival. Director-producer Sudipto Sen clarified the film is unrelated to 'The Kerala Story 2' or Bengal elections, and shared details of its clearance by the CBFC after a review panel. The film, directed by Shieladitya Moulik, features an ensemble cast and is presented by PEN Studios' Jayantilal Gada. It is scheduled for a theatrical release on March 6. Director Sudipto Sen presents 'Charak: Fair of Faith,' a folklore thriller exploring occult rituals. Releasing March 6. Mumbai, February 26 After 'The Kerala Story' and 'Bastar: The Naxal Story', director Sudipto Sen is all set to support another intriguing project, 'Charak: Fair of Faith', which challenges the notions of faith and superstitions. The makers of the upcoming folklore thriller unveiled the trailer on Thursday, exploring the sinister truths of occult activities and blind faith. Backed by Sudipto Sen, the film is set to release theatrically on March 6. The trailer shows a community preparing for the Charak mela, believing it to be their final hope to fulfil long-pending wishes. However, as the rituals grow more intense and frenzied, the narrative begins questioning the thin line between faith and fanaticism, devotion and destruction. It is set against the backdrop of the sacred fair, a traditional festival which involves deep devotion and dangerous rituals. Directed by Shieladitya Moulik, 'Charak: Fair of Faith' brings out the superstition and ritualistic extremities prevalent in India's hinterlands. While talking about the film, producer Sudipto Sen clarified that it has "nothing to do" with 'The Kerala Story 2' or the Bengal elections. "Just yesterday, my film Charak Fair of Faith was cleared by the Censor Board. Ever since 'The Kerala Story', I feel I have become a 'favourite' of the Censor Board. I'm often labelled 'controversial', as if I'm their favourite child. Special care has been taken to ensure that saints and ascetics are not disrespected in the film. We shot Charak at real Charak locations." He also shared in his statement that initially he was associated with " 'The Kerala Story 2', but when I saw that it also included stories from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, I stepped away because I did not have adequate research on those subjects." Sen expressed gratitude to CBFC, saying, " After the screening of Charak, the CBFC committee had certain concerns owing to the film's unique subject, and it was referred to a higher review panel. Post the RC screening, the panel approved the film with a few suggested alterations. I am truly grateful to the CBFC and the esteemed members for understanding our perspective and arriving at a harmonious decision. " "I'm thrilled to bring Charak, a story deeply rooted in the heart and soul of our country to audiences across India and the world. The film reflects the ethos and philosophy of our heartland, striving to deliver a cinematic experience that uplifts humanity and touches the soul," he added. The film is presented by PEN Studios, led by Jayantilal Gada. He said, "Content is the king and it's the need of the hour. Hence, we chose a subject like 'Charak' that is so thought-provoking. The genre of folklore thrillers is new, and the story's combination of mythology and exciting components is so masterfully done that it doesn't just entertain but also leaves you with powerful afterthoughts." The film features a powerful ensemble cast including Anjali Patil, Sahidur Rahaman, Subrat Dutta, Shashi Bhushan, Nalneesh Neel, Shankhadeep, and Shounak Shyamal. Produced by Dhaval Jayantilal Gada and Sipping Tea Cinemas in association with Sudipto Sen Productions, with Rajesh Bhatt acting as associate producer. The film is set to release in theatres on March 6. - ANI The mortal remains of 101-year-old CPI leader R. Nallakannu were donated to the Chennai Medical College Hospital, fulfilling his long-held wish. The Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, accorded his body full state honours in recognition of his life of sacrifice and public service. His condition had worsened after hospital admission in early February, and he ultimately succumbed to multiple organ failure. Leaders from across political parties and prominent film personalities paid rich tributes to the veteran leader. Veteran CPI leader R. Nallakannu's body donated to a Chennai medical college per his wish, accorded full state honours by Tamil Nadu government. Chennai, Feb 26 The mortal remains of veteran CPI leader R. Nallakannu will be donated to the Chennai Medical College Hospital on Thursday, in accordance with his long-expressed wish to support medical education. The 101-year-old leader, who passed away in Chennai on Wednesday, will be accorded full State honours by the Tamil Nadu government before his body is handed over, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced. Declaring that Tamil Nadu would bid farewell with the highest respect, CM Stalin said Nallakannu's life of sacrifice and public service deserved to be honoured by the state. The body has been kept for public homage at Balan House, the CPI's office in Thyagaraya Nagar, and will remain there until 3 p.m., after which party cadres will take out a procession before donating the body to the medical college hospital. Nallakannu had been undergoing treatment at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital after being admitted on February 1 due to age-related ailments. Hospital authorities said his condition worsened over the past two days as his body gradually stopped responding to medication. He succumbed to multiple organ failure at 1.55 p.m., despite intensive care. Leaders across political parties paid rich tributes. Chief Minister Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin were among the first to offer floral respects. AIADMK leaders, including former Minister D. Jayakumar and former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, Congress State president K. Selvaperunthagai, PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president Vijay, BJP leaders L. Murugan and Nainar Nagendran, VCK leader Thirumavalavan, and Naam Tamilar Katchi chief Seeman also paid homage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a condolence message, said Nallakannu was admired across social and political lines and had lived not for himself but for others. AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami described him as a man of rare integrity and moral strength. Prominent film personalities, including Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Nassar, Sathyaraj, Vijay Sethupathi and Sivakarthikeyan, also paid tributes, remembering him as a symbol of simplicity, ideological commitment and unwavering dedication to the people. - IANS Cuban Border Guard Troops engaged in a fatal confrontation with a US-registered speedboat that allegedly entered its waters near Villa Clara province. Cuban authorities state the vessel's crew opened fire first, injuring a Cuban commander, prompting return fire that killed four and injured six aboard the speedboat. The United States, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio commenting, is investigating the incident as Cuba reaffirms its commitment to defending its sovereignty. This clash occurs within the context of historically tense US-Cuba relations and recent regional political shifts. Cuban forces kill 4, injure 6 after a Florida-registered speedboat allegedly entered its waters and opened fire. US investigating. Havana, February 26 Cuban Border Guard Troops on Wednesday morning shot dead 4 and injured 6 aboard a US-registered speedboat in an exchange of fire off the Cuban coast, Havana's Interior Ministry reported. Cuba's Ministry of the Interior reported that a Florida-registered speedboat entered Cuban territorial waters near Villa Clara province, triggering a confrontation with border guards. The speedboat crew opened fire, injuring the Cuban commander, and in response, the guards returned fire, killing four and injuring six on the vessel. In a post on X, the Cuban Embassy in the US said, "On the morning of February 25, 2026, a violating speedboat was detected within Cuban territorial waters. The vessel, registered in Florida, United States, with registration number FL7726SH, approached up to 1 nautical mile northeast of the El Pino channel, in Cayo Falcones, Corralillo municipality, Villa Clara province." The incident occurred 1 nautical mile northeast of the El Pino channel in Cayo Falcones, Corralillo municipality. Cuba claimed the speedboat was violating its waters, while the US is investigating, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating they'll determine the facts "When a surface unit of the Border Guard Troops of the Ministry of the Interior, carrying five service members, approached the vessel for identification, the crew of the violating speedboat opened fire on the Cuban personnel, resulting in the injury of the commander of the Cuban vessel. As a consequence of the confrontation, as of the time of this report, four aggressors on the foreign vessel were killed and six were injured. The injured individuals were evacuated and received medical assistance," added the X post. Cuba reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its territorial waters, citing national defence as a fundamental pillar of its sovereignty. "In the face of current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its determination to protect its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defense is a fundamental pillar of the Cuban State in safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring stability in the region. Investigations by the competent authorities continue in order to fully clarify the events," added the post. No immediate public response from US authorities had been issued at the time of reporting. US-Cuba relations have been historically tense, especially post-Cuban revolution, leading to trade embargoes and military confrontations like the Bay of Pigs invasion. Cuba's alignment with the Soviet Union deepened its rift with the US, leading to extensive economic sanctions. The ousting of Venezuelan President Maduro, Cuba's key ally, threatens to further destabilise the Cuban economy.The recent political actions and statements by US President Donald Trump regarding Latin America have significant implications for regional dynamics, particularly involving Colombia, Mexico, and Cuba. - ANI Cuban border guards killed four people on a US-registered speedboat after a shootout in Cuban waters, escalating existing tensions. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the US is investigating the incident to determine what happened and who was involved. The event recalls historical conflicts like the Bay of Pigs, occurring amid a US oil embargo and Trump's designation of Cuba as a national security threat. Cuba has reaffirmed its right to defend its territorial waters as the US uses economic pressure hoping to force political change. Cuba kills four on a US-registered speedboat in a shootout. US officials investigate as Trump labels Cuba an "extraordinary threat," escalating long-standing tensions. New York, Feb 26 Cuba says it has killed four persons on a mystery US speedboat in a shootout in its waters, cranking up the already high level of tension between Washington and Havana, with US President Donald Trump declaring that country an "extraordinary threat". "We're going to find out exactly what happened here and then we'll respond accordingly," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on the Wednesday incident. "It is highly unusual to see shootouts on the open sea like that," he said. "It's not something that happens every day. It's something, frankly, that hasn't happened with Cuba in a very long time". Cuba's Interior Ministry said that persons on the speedboat began shooting at its border guards when they approached it for identification on Wednesday morning, wounding the commander of the Cuban vessel. When the Cubans fired back, four "aggressors" on the speedboat were killed, and six who were wounded were evacuated and are receiving medical treatment, the ministry said. It did not identify the people on the boat, but gave the registration number, which indicated that it was registered in Florida, just about 150 kilometres from Cuba and has a large community of exiles. A boat with the number it provided is shown in a vessel database as a 24-foot Pro-Line boat that is about 45 years old and can accommodate about 10 people. The incident happened on a day the US made a show of slightly loosening the oil embargo it had placed on it by offering to allow some Venezuelan oil to flow to it, but with a huge caveat that it can go only to the private sector in a Communist country where most of the economy is under state control Rubio, who is in Kitts and St Nevis for a meeting with Caribbean leaders, said that US diplomats in Cuba were trying to get in touch with the wounded people from the boat to determine if they were US citizens or permanent residents and what happened. Rubio denied that it was a US government operation or that government employees were involved. Vice President J.D. Vance said in Washington that the US was monitoring the situation, and added, "Hopefully it's not as bad as we fear it could be" "But can't say more, because I just don't know more," he said, acknowledging the mystery of the boat. Florida Attorney-General James Uthmeier ordered state prosecutors to investigate the incident and said, "We will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable". Cuba's Interior Ministry also said it was investigating the incident. "In the face of current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its determination to protect its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defence is a fundamental pillar of the Cuban State," it warned. Ever since the Communist takeover of Cuba under the leadership of the late Fidel Castro, the US has had an adversarial relationship with it. Issuing several sanctions on Cuba and those involved in certain trades with it, Trump last month called Havana "an unusual and extraordinary threat" to US "national security and foreign policy". He accused it of collaborating with Russia, Iran and various terrorist groups against the US. The tensions flared to new heights after Venezuela's leader, Nicolas Maduro, a fast friend and ally of Cuba, was captured by US forces last month and brought to the US. Cuba, which received discounted or free Venezuelan oil, is facing an economic crisis with the energy cutoff. The US has wielded the oil weapon with expectations that a worsening crisis would topple the Cuban government headed by President Miguel Diaz-Canel. "Cuba needs to change, it needs to change dramatically because it is the only chance that it has to improve the quality of life for its people," said Rubio, the son of Cuban exiles. The mystery boat brought back memories of the Bay of Pigs incident in 1961, when a band of Cuban exiles with Washington's clandestine help launched a failed attack by sea on Fidel Castro's government. Frequently, boats are used to smuggle people out of Cuba and shootings involving them and Cuban forces have been reported. Earlier this month, Trump issued an order allowing US forces to intercept US boats heading to Cuba because of the extreme danger they would face. - IANS Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta interacted with a delegation of students from Ladakh and other regions, emphasizing that such exchanges strengthen national unity. He highlighted the Assembly's operational milestones, including a fully digital, paperless system and its conversion into a solar-powered green legislature. Gupta also announced plans to transform the Assembly into a Heritage Site open to the public. The visit was organized by the ABVP under the Students' Experience in Regional Understanding (SERU) initiative. Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta interacts with Ladakh students, highlights SERU initiative, and announces digital & green legislature milestones. New Delhi, Feb 26 Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Thursday interacted with students from Ladakh and other regions, saying that such exchanges are the foundation of a confident and integrated India. "When students from Ladakh and other regions of our country visit democratic institutions under the SERU initiative, they do not merely travel across geography; they strengthen the living bond of national unity. Such exchanges are the foundation of a confident and integrated India," said the Speaker Addressing an interactive session with a delegation of students from the Union Territory of Ladakh and various other regions, Gupta emphasised that the visit to the historic institution was not merely ceremonial. He stated that it serves as a vital opportunity for young citizens to witness the functioning of a democratic system built upon dialogue, accountability, and public service. He remarked that within these walls, policies are shaped and public concerns are raised in accordance with the Constitution. The visit was organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) under the Students' Experience in Regional Understanding (SERU) initiative. Highlighting the national vision, the Speaker noted that India stands at a pivotal moment. He defined Viksit Bharat as a goal that transcends economic progress, encompassing social inclusion, quality education, and technological advancement. He reminded the students that the journey toward 2047 will be defined by their integrity, innovation, and commitment to unity. Gupta spoke at length on the programme's guiding philosophy, "Aatm Deepo Bhav" (Be your own light). He encouraged the students to cultivate clarity of thought and self-confidence, asserting that national development is sustained by individuals who think responsibly. He noted that from the landscapes of Ladakh to the energy of the capital, every region contributes to the nation's strength. In a significant administrative update, Gupta apprised the students that the Audit Para Monitoring System (APMS) is now fully operational within the Government of NCT of Delhi. This makes Delhi arguably the first State Assembly in the country to implement such a comprehensive, real-time audit monitoring portal, setting a new benchmark for financial transparency, he said. The Speaker also briefed them about transformative digital milestones, including the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA). Through this initiative, the Delhi Legislative Assembly has transitioned into a fully digital, paperless House. Furthermore, the Assembly has achieved a major environmental milestone by converting into a solar-powered green legislature. Preserving the "spirit of democracy," Gupta announced that the Delhi Legislative Assembly is set to be transformed into a distinguished Heritage Site. This initiative will open its historic doors to the general public, allowing citizens to experience firsthand the institution's remarkable journey and its enduring contribution to India's democratic framework, he said. - IANS One of the strangest of many strange 21st-century phenomena is the adoption of the ideas of 20th-century left-wing thinkers by the New Right. From Marcuse and Baudrillard to Jameson and Camus, left thinkers have exerted significant influence on the contemporary postliberal and even anti-liberal right. One figure whom the New Right has appropriated is the French post-structuralist Michel Foucault. Foucaults anarchist radicalism was very attractive to the 20th-century left, who viewed the Western nation-state as an oppressive and reactionary behemoth. In a paradoxically similar manner, Foucaults anti-statism appeals to some members of the 21st-century right who view the contemporary state as a fundamentally oppressive and radical behemoth. That many left-wing thinkers of the previous century continue to provide nourishing intellectual fodder for their purported rivals demonstrates how rich and complex their thought was and is. One of Michel Foucaults most curious and flexible ideas is the notion of heterotopias, or places that exist outside the normal mass political, linguistic, cultural, and temporal structural. Similar to his fellow radical intellectual Giles Deleuzes notion of the schizo, a heterotopia is a place in which alternative and radical ways of being can exist. In the 20th century, gangsta rap, punk, the gay scene, and other subcultures served as heterotopias. However, in the 21st century, when these subcultures have become part of mainstream culture, it is Christian homeschooling co-ops, mens groups, and trad-wife Facebook chats that have become heterotopias, places apart from the dominant culture. One of the examples of Foucaults heterotopias is the graveyard, and in his new work, Graveyards: A History of Living with the Dead, Birbeck Colleges Roger Luckhurst has crafted a history of the ways in which graveyards have served as places outside the normal structure of human life even as they are integratedsometimes beautifully, sometimes grosslyinto the world of the living. Luckhurst points out that many of the worlds great structuresthe pyramids of Giza, St. Peters Basilica, and the Taj Mahalserve, at least on one level, as memorials to the dead. Luckhurst further argues that much of what is called dark tourism is focused on visiting sites of death such as the Chernobyl nuclear site and Ground Zero, and is rooted in the human fascination for and veneration of human death. Further, Luckhurst demonstrates that death has a dominion over swathes of popular culture: Works such as Frankenstein, Carrie, and Night of the Living Dead deal with death and contain iconic scenes involving graveyard mishaps. Such films have been called a pornography of death, and though such a moral condemnation might be warranted, the fact that humans have always been fascinated with death, internment, and even reanimation remains nevertheless a worthy topic of study. Indeed, for religions like Christianity and Buddhism, as well as philosophies such as Stoicism and Existentialism, the reminder of death can be a spur to right moral action. Luckhurst begins Graveyards with a portrait of his home city of London as a city of the dead, rooted in the Roman tradition of a people extramural, that is, outside the city walls, with a host of graveyards outside the old city of Longdon. He further notes that many of Londons cemeteries have been deconsecrated and repurposed as parks. This is one of the fundamental tensions in Graveyards: the clash between the desire for humans to venerate and cherish the dead and the harsh material reality of human decomposition. The burial or at least ritual commemoration of the dead has always been a defining human characteristic, though it is often unclear exactly how early humans felt about their dead. Unsettlingly, Luckhurst writes that the earliest human remains in locations such as Hadar, Ethiopia, and Gran Dolina, Spain, show human bones that likely were stripped of their soft flesh. This could point to some sort of religious ritual or to cannibalism. As human history progresses, there are clearer signs of ritual burial in sites such as the Es-Skhul cave in Israel. Moreover, in the Shanidar Cave in northern Iraq, scientists found bodies with several kinds of pollen intermixed with them. This led archeologist Ralph Solecki famously to propose that mourners laid flowers on the bodies, and thus we see a deep empathy and love for the deceased in early humans. Perhaps the deepest ritualized respect for the dead can be found in the monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The story of Jewish cemeteries (or lack thereof) is a profound marker of the often contentious struggle between Christianity and Judaism. Islam, famously averse to visual imagery and drawing from Near Eastern, Egyptian, and Persian traditions of large-scale buildings, is famous for the aboveground cities of the dead cemeteries in countries like Egypt and Iraq, as well as such colossal funeral monuments as the Iranian Tower of Toghrul and the Amir Timur Tomb complex. Christianity, rooted in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, traditionally has advocated veneration for the human body and has displayed the remains of saints, which themselves served as loci of spiritual power. Luckhursts afterward, Graves After Graveyards, explores the more avant garde ways in which humans have treated the dead. Departing from millennia of Christian inhumation, cremation began to gain traction in Protestant northern European countries in the late 19th century. Patented by Ludovico Brunetti, a cremation device appeared at the 1873 Vienna World Exposition. A Cremation Society of England was formed by Sir Henry Thompson in 1874. While not entirely at odds with Christianity, cremation was often associated with secular modernity and a tendency to present human death in its raw, earthy aspects. This embrace of the material aspect of human death is one of the key marks of how death is increasingly approached (at least among intellectuals). Luckhurst also makes note of the U.K.s contemporary Natural Burial Movement and the phenomenon of eco-burial, which advocates the burial of corpses in the raw ground as a means of emphasizing death as merely a biological process culminating in ecological renewal. Luckhurst also makes much of the work of photographer Sally Mann, whose 2003 What Remains depicts decomposing bodies in the University of Tennessees Body Farm. Mann records in graphic detail her experience walking among the bodies and photographing them. While such depiction of the biological element of human death may have seemed edgy in the 20th century, it is more a source of eye-rolling than avant-garde interest in the 2020s. People now are longing for a return to normalcy, and that normalcy includes respect for humansbody and souleven, and especially, in death. The Delhi Food Safety Department has initiated a special enforcement drive ahead of Holi to prevent the adulteration of festive foods like sweets, oils, and dairy products. Under instructions from Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh, officials have collected dozens of samples and are conducting inspections at key markets and production units. In a parallel action in Uttar Pradesh, authorities seized thousands of litres of adulterated oil and hundreds of kilograms of coloured waste in Kanpur. Both campaigns involve surprise raids, border checkpoints, and laboratory testing with stern warnings to vendors. Delhi and UP food safety departments launch major pre-Holi crackdowns, seizing adulterated oil, sweets, and spices to protect public health. New Delhi, February 26 The Food Safety Department in Delhi has launched a special enforcement campaign ahead of the Holi festivities to curb adulteration of various foodstuffs and prevent consumption by the public. The department's focus is broad, spanning multiple categories including pulses, grains, spices, oils, and dairy products, with a heightened emphasis on items traditionally consumed during Holi. Under the direct instructions of Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh, the proactive initiative aims to curb food adulteration during the high-demand festive season. As part of this drive, officials have already collected 66 food samples, consisting of 54 surveillance samples for monitoring and 12 legal samples for potential prosecution. To tighten the net on substandard goods, the department is conducting specialised inspections at major khoya and paneer mandis, which serve as central hubs for festive sweets. Beyond the markets, authorities are monitoring production units operating in residential areas and have established strict checkpoints at Delhi's borders to intercept adulterated goods entering the city. To maintain the momentum of this crackdown, food safety teams will remain active through the weekends. The government has issued a clear and stern warning to vendors and manufacturers that the sale of adulterated food or sweets will not be tolerated. Separately, the Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (UPFSDA), in collaboration with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), launched an intensive crackdown on food adulteration in Kanpur. This campaign, launched at food outlets across the city as the festival season approaches, resulted in the seizure of more than 13 thousand litres of adulterated oil and over 1,000 KG of coloured waste. The operation resulted in the seizure of 13,972 litres of adulterated oil and 1,350 kg of coloured waste. Additionally, officials raided a fake ghee manufacturing unit in Kalyanpur, and goods valued at 5.45 lakh were seized. All seized samples have been sent to a laboratory for further analysis, according to an official statement. Earlier, FSDA also conducted rapid raids in Lucknow during Ramadan and Holi. The campaign includes surprise inspections of cold storage facilities and dairies. During the raid, 1,320 kg of dates were seized. Along with that, 1,418 kg of coloured Kachri was also seized. - ANI The Delhi High Court has ruled that armed forces personnel cannot be denied disability pension simply because an illness is termed a "lifestyle disorder" or developed at a peace station. The court emphasized that military service is inherently stressful, with factors like discipline, long hours, and transfers contributing to health conditions, regardless of posting location. It set aside an Armed Forces Tribunal order that rejected a retired IAF officer's pension claim for hypertension and heart disease, criticizing the Medical Board's inadequate reasoning. The court directed authorities to grant the officer a 50% disability pension for life with arrears, payable within eight weeks. Delhi High Court rules armed forces personnel cannot be denied disability pension merely because an illness is labeled a "lifestyle disorder." New Delhi, February 26 The Delhi High Court on Thursday ruled that armed forces personnel cannot be denied disability pension merely because a disease is described as a "lifestyle disorder" or because it developed while posted at a peace station. The Court observed that military service remains stressful even in non-operational areas and can contribute to serious health conditions. A Division Bench of Justice V Kameswar Rao and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora set aside an order of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) that had rejected the disability pension claim of a retired Indian Air Force officer suffering from primary hypertension and coronary artery disease. The Court stressed that it does not matter whether an illness develops in a field area or during a peace posting. What matters is whether the disease has a connection with service conditions. It noted that military life involves strict discipline, long working hours, frequent transfers, separation from family, and constant readiness for deployment, all of which can cause physical and mental stress affecting health. The Bench found that the Release Medical Board had failed to provide proper reasons for declaring the officer's disabilities as neither attributable to nor aggravated by service. Simply labelling the illness as a lifestyle disorder without identifying specific lifestyle factors was held to be legally unsustainable. The Court also pointed out that the Board itself recorded that the disease was not due to negligence or misconduct by the officer. The Court rejected arguments relating to obesity, smoking, or alcohol use, noting that these factors were not cited as causes in the Medical Board's findings. It further held that being overweight alone cannot prove that hypertension or heart disease is self-inflicted. The AFT was also faulted for introducing weight and lifestyle factors on its own, without medical evidence supporting such conclusions. The Court also found the Medical Board's reasoning regarding heart disease inadequate, noting that linking a serious cardiac condition to duties performed in the preceding 14 days had no logical basis. The officer had served in the Indian Air Force for over 40 years and was medically fit at the time of joining. He developed hypertension in 1999 and later underwent open-heart surgery in 2016 after being diagnosed with severe coronary artery disease. Despite his disabilities being assessed at 50 per cent for life, his disability pension claim was rejected, leading him to approach the High Court. Allowing the petition, the Court quashed the AFT order and directed the authorities to grant disability pension at 50 per cent for life. It ordered payment of arrears from the date of discharge and directed that the amount be released within eight weeks, failing which interest at 12 per cent per annum will be payable. - ANI The United States experienced net negative migration in 2025 for the first time since the Great Depression, with an estimated loss of 150,000 people. The trend, dubbed the "Donald Dash," is driven by remote work, rising living costs, and lifestyle preferences, leading families and professionals to seek a higher quality of life abroad. Countries like Mexico, Canada, Portugal, and Germany are seeing significant influxes of American residents. Relocation firms report surging demand, while US citizenship renunciation requests have also increased sharply. US sees net negative migration for first time since Great Depression, with 150,000 more leaving than entering in 2025, driven by costs and lifestyle. Washington, Feb 26 In its 250th year, the United States is witnessing a rare reversal. More Americans moved out than moved in last year, a shift not seen since the Great Depression, a major financial daily has reported. The US experienced net negative migration in 2025, with an estimated loss of about 150,000 people, according to calculations by the Brookings Institution. The outflow is expected to increase in 2026. Total in-migration fell to between 2.6 and 2.7 million in 2025, down from nearly 6 million in 2023, according to The Wall Street Journal. A Wall Street Journal analysis of 15 countries with partial or full 2025 data found that at least 180,000 Americans moved to them. The number is likely higher once complete figures are reported. There is no single dataset that fully captures the estimated 4 to 9 million Americans already living abroad. The State Department estimated 1.6 million lived in Mexico in 2022. Canada hosts more than 250,000. The United Kingdom has more than 325,000 Americans living in the country, part of over 1.5 million Americans now living in Europe, it said. In Portugal, the number of American residents has jumped more than 500 per cent since the COVID pandemic. It rose 36 per cent in 2024 alone. Ireland welcomed 10,000 Americans in 2025, about double the previous year. More Americans moved to Germany last year than Germans moved to the United States, the daily said. Relocation firms say demand is surging. On a recent conference call hosted by Expatsi, nearly 400 Americans signed up to learn how to move to Albania. "Previously, the Americans leaving were super-adventurous and well-credentialed," Expatsi founder Jen Barnett was quoted as saying. "Now they're ordinary people, like me." She said the company's goal is "to move one million Americans." Some commentators have labelled the trend the "Donald Dash", as numbers spiked during President Donald Trump's second term. But the movement has been building for years. Remote work, rising living costs, and lifestyle preferences are key drivers. A White House spokesman said the US economy is outperforming other developed nations and that the administration is deporting hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants while attracting "countless ultra-high net worth foreigners," some paying "$1 million for a Gold Card to come settle in the United States." The Department of Homeland Security reported 675,000 deportations and 2.2 million "self-deportations" last year. According to The Wall Street Journal, renunciation requests are also rising. The US government has a month-long backlog of Americans seeking to give up citizenship, either to secure a foreign passport or to avoid taxation on overseas earnings. Requests jumped 48 per cent in 2024 and likely rose further in 2025, immigration firms say. Relocation companies say today's migrants include families and mid-career professionals. "You don't face the prospect of your 5-year-old going into a kindergarten and doing an active shooter drill," said Chris Ford, who moved to Berlin. "The wages are higher in the US, but the quality of life is higher in Europe." In Spain, officials acknowledge the inflow. "Many Americans come, and there are many love stories," said Spanish government spokeswoman Elma Saiz Delgado. "After four glasses of wine, they stay." Education trends reflect the shift. International students coming to America fell 17 per cent last autumn and are expected to decline further. At the same time, more Americans are enrolling in European universities. Applications for British citizenship reached 6,600 in the year to March 2025. Irish passports issued to Americans hit 31,825 in 2024 and an estimated 40,000 last year. "In Albania, you can very easily right now survive on $1,000 a month," said Kelly McCoy, who moved from New York state and now advises other Americans considering relocation. The last time more people left the United States than moved in was 1935, when many Americans sought work in the Soviet Union during the Great Depression. Census historical data records that episode as a rare moment when America became a country of net emigration, the financial daily reported. - IANS External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar in Jerusalem for wide-ranging talks on bilateral cooperation. During his official visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honored with the "Speaker of the Knesset Medal," the Israeli parliament's highest award. In his speech to the Knesset, PM Modi highlighted the ancient historical and trade links between India and Israel, dating back over two millennia. He also emphasized that Jewish communities have lived in India with dignity and without fear of persecution. EAM Jaishankar meets Israeli FM Gideon Saar. PM Modi receives the Knesset's highest honor during his Israel visit, strengthening bilateral ties. Jerusalem, February 26 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said he was "delighted to meet" Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and his team in Jerusalem, highlighting their wide-ranging discussions on bilateral cooperation and regional developments. In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Delighted to meet Israeli FM @gidonsaarand his team in Jerusalem this evening. Valued our wide-ranging and open conversation on our bilateral cooperation and regional developments." At the moment, PM Modi is on a two-day official visit to Israel. The Israeli Parliament on Wednesday conferred the "Speaker of the Knesset Medal" on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the highest honour of the Knesset. The award was conferred in recognition of PM Modi's "exceptional contribution through his personal leadership" to strengthen strategic relations between India and Israel. The medal was conferred after PM Modi's speech in the Israeli Parliament. After his speech, PM Modi interacted with members of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. The MPs took selfies and photographs with PM Modi. PM Modi received a standing ovation during his speech, which was also marked by rapturous applause. In his speech, PM Modi said there is great admiration for Israel's resolve, courage, and achievements in India. "Long before we related to each other as modern States, we were linked by ties that go back more than two thousand years. The Book of Esther refers to India as Hodu. The Talmud records trade with India in ancient times," he said. "Jewish merchants travelled across sea routes that connected the Mediterranean with the Indian Ocean. They came seeking opportunity and dignity. And, in India, they became one of us. Jewish communities have lived in India without fear of persecution or discrimination. They have preserved their faith and participated fully in society. That record is a source of pride for us," he added. - ANI A high-level Election Commission of India delegation, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, arrived in Chennai to review preparedness for the upcoming Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Assembly elections. The team is holding consultations with top state officials and political party representatives on security, phased polling, and Model Code of Conduct enforcement. This follows a review in Puducherry where officials were directed to curb the flow of cash, liquor, and freebies while ensuring impartial law enforcement. The Commission emphasized coordinated vigilance among agencies and monitoring social media to combat fake news. High-level ECI delegation led by CEC Gyanesh Kumar holds key meetings on poll preparedness, security, and MCC enforcement for upcoming Assembly elections. Chennai, February 26 A high-level delegation from the Election Commission of India, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, arrived in Chennai on Thursday by special flight from Puducherry to review the preparedness for the upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The delegation includes Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, along with other senior officials, forming a seven-member team. The Commission is scheduled to hold consultations with the Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police (DGP), District Election Officers, senior police officials, and representatives of recognised political parties in Chennai. Discussions will focus on election preparedness, enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, security arrangements, and whether the polling process should be conducted in multiple phases. The team, which had arrived in Chennai from New Delhi earlier, also held discussions with senior officials in Puducherry regarding election arrangements. Prior to visiting Chennai, the Election Commission on Wednesday directed officials to strictly enforce the rule of law without fear or favour, crack down on the flow of cash, liquor, drugs and freebies, and ensure coordinated action among enforcement agencies ahead of the Assembly elections in Puducherry. During a high-level review meeting in Puducherry, District Election Officers (DEOs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) were instructed to act impartially, enhance voter comfort at polling stations, closely monitor social media to curb fake news, and publicly share details of Central Observers, the EC said. Authorities, including police, transport, GST, excise and forest departments, were asked to ensure coordinated vigilance, while the Airport Authority of India and CISF were directed to strictly follow established protocols. The review was chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, in the presence of the CEO of Puducherry and senior officials of the Commission. The Commission also held meetings with recognised national and state political parties to assess poll preparedness and electoral concerns. Representatives of national parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM) and Indian National Congress (INC), attended the meeting. - ANI Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has announced the immediate withdrawal of all printed copies of a Class 8 NCERT textbook containing controversial content about the judiciary. The Supreme Court has taken serious note, issuing a show-cause notice to education officials and imposing a complete ban on the book's publication and circulation. The court warned that the content, if published with intent to malign, could amount to criminal contempt. The government has ordered a detailed inquiry and pledged to strengthen review mechanisms to prevent future lapses. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan recalls all copies of a controversial NCERT Class 8 textbook chapter. Supreme Court issues contempt notice. Jamshedpur, Feb 26 Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday expressed deep regret over a controversial chapter relating to the judiciary in a Class 8 social science textbook published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training, and announced the immediate withdrawal of all printed copies. Speaking to the media during his visit to Jamshedpur, the Minister said the government had taken the matter very seriously. "We have decided to recall all copies printed so far with immediate effect," he said. Pradhan said that the judiciary is a vital pillar of Indian democracy and maintaining its dignity is the government's foremost responsibility. "People have unwavering faith in the judiciary. We will not allow the reputation of any constitutional institution to be tarnished," he stated. He added that as soon as the issue came to light, directions were issued to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), and the recall process was initiated without delay. A detailed inquiry has also been ordered to determine the nature and extent of the error. "If any official or individual is found negligent, appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the law," Pradhan said. He further assured that the pre-publication review and editorial mechanisms would be strengthened to prevent similar lapses in the future. NCERT has also publicly expressed regret over the matter, he said. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of India has taken serious note of the controversy. On Thursday, the apex court objected to references to "corruption in the judiciary" in the Class 8 textbook and issued a show-cause notice to the Secretary of School Education in the Ministry of Education and the Director of NCERT. The court sought an explanation as to why action should not be initiated against them under the Contempt of Court Act or other applicable laws. It also imposed a complete ban on the publication, reprinting, and digital circulation of the book containing the contentious material. In its preliminary observations, a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant remarked that if the content was found to have been published with the intent to malign the image of the judiciary, it could amount to criminal contempt. - IANS The Education Ministry has written to MeitY and the I&B Ministry to immediately halt the digital dissemination of a withdrawn NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook. This action follows a Supreme Court order imposing a complete ban on the book's reprinting and online circulation. The court took strong exception to a sub-chapter titled "Corruption in the judiciary" and issued show cause notices to top education officials. Chief Justice of India described the inclusion of the chapter as a "deep-rooted, well-planned, and orchestrated conspiracy" against the judiciary. Education Ministry directs MeitY & I&B to halt digital circulation of banned NCERT Class 8 textbook after Supreme Court order. New Delhi, February 27 The Education Ministry on Thursday wrote to the Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, seeking immediate steps to halt the dissemination of the withdrawn textbook through digital platforms and electronic media. This comes after the Supreme Court ordered a complete blanket ban on both the reprinting and online circulation of NCERT's latest Class 8 Social Science textbook. "The Union of India and its agencies will ensure that the book is removed immediately from the physical and digital platforms without any delay, and a compliance report by way of an affidavit is placed on record..." the letter read. The Education Ministry emphasised that a complete blanket ban has been imposed on any further publication, re-printing, or digital dissemination of the book titled "Exploring Society, India and Beyond". "Any attempt to circumvent this order through electronic media or alternative titles, containing the same contents, shall be treated as a direct interference, willful breach and defiance of the directions issued herein above..." the letter read. The MoE further asked for the immediate halt to the dissemination of the Textbook through digital platforms by MeiTy and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. "While the removal of physical Textbooks and stoppage of its re-printing etc. is being done by NCERT and allied Agencies, its dissemination through digital platforms and electronic media has to be stopped by the Competent Authority, namely, MeitY and I & B. Accordingly, it is requested that these directions may be issued for strict compliance be complied with immediate effect and an action taken be furnished by February 27, so that compliance report by way of an affidavit may be placed on record by this Department," the letter stated. The Court issued show cause notices to the Secretary of the Department of Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education and Dinesh Prashad Saklani, Director of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), asking them to explain why action should not be initiated under contempt or other applicable laws for including a sub-chapter titled "Corruption in the judiciary" in a textbook. The apex court also directed NCERT to place on record detailed documents related to the Teaching-Learning Materials Committee that approved the chapter, including the names, qualifications and credentials of all members of the development team. "They have fired the gun and the judiciary is bleeding today. Today, anybody can say anything. At times, there is a mounting attack on us, and we are aware of it. The material is available online, on the internet, and even in stores. This is a very calculated move -- the entire teaching will be dictated. When you look at how the Indian judiciary is portrayed as corrupt, it becomes evident what message is being sent. The entire teaching community will first be instructed that this is what they have to teach. In reality, not a single section of society has been left untouched. It is a deep-rooted, well-planned, and orchestrated conspiracy," the CJI said. - ANI Ethan Hawke has earned his fifth Oscar nomination for portraying lyricist Lorenz Hart in the Richard Linklater-directed biopic 'Blue Moon.' He revealed that the sheer volume of dialogue in the real-time film was staggering, requiring him to know the entire script like a play without traditional rehearsal. Hawke described the process as being "fired from a cannon" but emphasized his deep, meaningful creative partnership with Linklater. The actor expressed gratitude for the nomination while acknowledging other unrecognized performances ahead of the March 15 ceremony. Ethan Hawke reveals the intense challenge of memorizing lines for his Oscar-nominated role in 'Blue Moon,' calling it a brain-breaking experience. Washington DC, February 26 Hollywood actor Ethan Hawke has opened up about the intense preparation behind his Oscar-nominated performance in 'Blue Moon', saying memorising the film's extensive dialogue "broke my brain," according to People. Hawke, 55, has earned his fifth nomination at the Academy Awards for portraying real-life lyricist Lorenz Hart in the Richard Linklater-directed biopic. Reflecting on the experience, the actor said the sheer volume of lines was unlike anything he had faced before. "I had more lines on my first day of filming Blue Moon than I'd probably had in 10 years combined," Hawke said, adding that the script contained a "staggering amount of verbiage." While he takes pride in his ability to handle dialogue-heavy roles, he admitted with a smile, "it broke my brain," according to People. The film, penned by Robert Kaplow, unfolds in real time and is set largely in a New York City bar on a single night in 1943, around the Broadway premiere of Oklahoma!. Hawke explained that the structure required him to know the entire script thoroughly, much like a stage performance, but without the luxury of extended rehearsal time. "I needed to know the whole movie like a play -- without the six weeks of rehearsal for a play that you would have. So it was kind of being fired from a cannon," he said, describing the demanding process. Despite the challenge, Hawke said working on the project never felt like a job. The film marks his ninth collaboration with Linklater, a creative partnership that began in the mid-1990s with Before Sunrise. "We've been pushing each other and driving each other for 30 years. And we've made films that are really meaningful to us. And when other people like them, it feels tremendous," Hawke said. Hawke's Oscar journey began with his supporting role in Training Day (2001), and he has since earned nominations across both acting and screenwriting categories. Recalling the morning of this year's nominations, he said he had asked his wife to wake him only if his name was announced, according to People. On becoming a five-time nominee, Hawke said he felt "a wash of gratitude," while also acknowledging fellow actors whose work went unrecognised. The 97th Academy Awards will be held on March 15, with the ceremony to be hosted by Conan O'Brien and broadcast live on ABC and Hulu, according to People. - ANI Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was discussed extensively during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He acknowledged that the current regional situation poses a challenge to the initiative's progress, though some partner nations are moving forward on components independently. PM Modi emphasized that peace and stability in West Asia are directly linked to India's own security interests. The Prime Minister also reiterated India's support for dialogue, peaceful solutions, and the Gaza Peace Plan as a pathway to restore stability. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirms detailed IMEC talks during PM Modi's Israel visit, highlighting regional challenges and India's push for West Asia stability. Jerusalem, February 26 Highlighting the strategic focus on regional connectivity, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday confirmed that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor was discussed "at some length" between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Addressing the media in Jerusalem at the conclusion of PM Modi's visit, Misri noted that while the project remains a priority, "the regional situation does weigh on the progress of the initiative," as stable ties among participating corridor nations are essential for its success. Despite these regional challenges, the Foreign Secretary stated that some nations are advancing IMEC components independently to maintain momentum, stressing that all parties must ensure this "extremely important initiative can move forward". Underscoring the renewed momentum between India and Israel during his bilateral discussions with Netanyahu on IMEC and the India-Israel-UAE-USA (I2U2) initiative, PM Modi emphasised that "peace and stability in West Asia are directly linked to India's security." "Today we also had extensive discussions on regional and global issues. While promoting regional connectivity, we will move forward with new momentum on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and India-Israel-UAE-USA, i.e., I2U2," PM Modi said. "Peace and stability in West Asia are directly linked to India's security," he added. The Prime Minister also stated that India has consistently supported dialogue and peaceful solutions in West Asia, while referring to efforts to de-escalate tensions and noted that the Gaza Peace Plan has created a pathway towards peace that India fully supports. "Therefore, from the beginning, we have supported dialogue and a peaceful solution. This is the call of the Global South and all of humanity. India's thinking is clear: Humanity must never become a victim of conflict. The Gaza Peace Plan has created a path for peace," the Prime Minister said. He affirmed that India will continue dialogue and cooperation with all countries to restore stability. - ANI France has taken the rare step of barring US Ambassador Charles Kushner from meeting French government officials after he failed to attend a diplomatic summons. The summons was over US criticism of France's handling of the death of far-right activist Quentin Deranque, which French officials saw as interference. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called the ambassador's absence a surprise between historic allies, though both sides pledged to work on the relationship. The incident highlights growing diplomatic sensitivity to foreign commentary on France's internal politics, especially during an election period. France bans US Ambassador Charles Kushner from government meetings after he skipped a summons over US comments on a far-right activist's death. Paris, February 26 France has taken the unusual step of barring the United States Ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, from meeting with members of the French government after he failed to attend a key diplomatic summons related to the death of a far-right activist, reported CNN. The summons came after wide-ranging criticism from the US administration over the killing of 23-year-old Quentin Deranque in the French city of Lyon earlier this month. Deranque, a well-known far-right activist, died from head injuries sustained in a confrontation with alleged left-wing opponents on February 12, an incident that has inflamed political tensions ahead of France's upcoming elections. In the days following Deranque's death, the US State Department's Bureau of Counterterrorism posted on X that "violent radical leftism is on the rise and its role in Quentin Deranque's death demonstrates the threat it poses to public safety," language that was then amplified by the US Embassy in Paris. French officials saw the comments as unwarranted interference in a domestic event, CNN reported. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot summoned Kushner to the Quai d'Orsay on Monday evening to address the diplomatic messaging, but the ambassador did not appear for the meeting and sent a senior embassy official in his place, citing personal commitments. In response, the foreign ministry requested that Kushner "no longer have direct access to members of the French government." "This was a surprise move that should not occur between countries that have a 250-year-old alliance," Barrot said, according to CNN. He stressed that France "does not accept that foreign countries or authorities wade into our national debates." Kushner later contacted Barrot by phone to reiterate his respect for France's sovereignty and to pledge that he would not interfere in French public debate. A source close to the French foreign minister said the two agreed to meet later in the week to "continue working towards a close bilateral relationship." The confrontation marks a rare rupture in Franco-US relations, highlighting strains over diplomatic norms and growing sensitivities around foreign commentary on internal political and social issues in France. It also follows prior friction: in August 2025, Kushner was similarly summoned by French officials after publicly criticizing France's response to antisemitism but did not attend. While Barrot maintained that the dispute would not derail the broader Franco-American alliance, the incident underscores how international reactions to domestic events, especially in an election year, can quickly escalate into diplomatic disputes between long-standing allies. - ANI Shortly after 11:30 p.m. on March 11, 2024, calls started flowing into the Buffalo Police Department's dispatch lines. "There's someone who's drunk or something," said one man on the scene near Prospect Avenue and Jersey Street on the Lower West Side. "He hit about seven cars. He missed me. I could try to stay with him so he doesn't run away ... He's over there, still right now. He's drunk." After months of waiting, Erie County Sheriff's Office releases internal Granville report Documents provided through a Freedom of Information Law request show the Sheriff's Office sustained two charges against Daniel "D.J." Granville in connection with the April 2024 series of crashes. He added that he had taken a recording of the man later identified as Erie County Sheriff's Office narcotics chief Daniel "D.J." Granville attempting to leave the scene in his county-owned pickup truck. "He came down the one-way," the caller said. "He's OK. He was slurring." Another caller: "The guy is not leaving. He's not in any shape or way." Dispatcher: "OK, did he say that he was intoxicated?" Caller: "Yeah, he's very bad." Buffalo Police Department investigation records obtained by The Buffalo News helped reconstruct what happened the night of the Granville crash. The incident was not made public until a year later after local news media reported on the crash. The Buffalo Police Department, under former Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon, did not end its investigation and issue discipline until Scanlon's last day in office. The information shows that plenty of eyewitnesses saw the crash and its aftermath and could speak to Granville's condition. But before he could be questioned or his damaged vehicle inspected by the primary investigator coming to the scene, Granville's sister-in-law, then-Lt. Lucia Esquilin, was aware of the situation and working to help him. At 11:42 p.m., call logs show that Granville called Esquilin. She subsequently called Buffalo Police Officer Thomas Karbowski, the primary investigative officer on the crashes, and Lisa Perillo, a responding officer, before calling Granville, all in the course of the next five minutes. Complete coverage: The D.J. Granville investigation After a series of crashes of his county-owned pickup into seven parked vehicles in April 2024 came to light in March 2025, the Erie County She In an interview with Internal Affairs investigators, Esquilin recalled hearing a hit-and-run call coming over the radio just before receiving the first call from Granville. My brother-in-law calls me at some point ... to let me know where he is and that he was involved in the accident, Esquilin said according to a transcript of an October interview with Internal Affairs detectives. Between 11:55 p.m. and the early hours of the morning, Esquilin sent or received 17 phone calls and text messages in a flurry of communication to and from law enforcement officials in the Buffalo Police Department and Erie County Sheriffs Office, including officers involved in the investigation. She also called the then-chief of detectives, and now interim commissioner of the Buffalo Police, Craig Macy. In an Internal Affairs interview, Macy said he considered Granville a friend and was awakened "from a dead sleep" that evening by Esquilin, who asked about where to impound an unmarked sheriff's vehicle. After Esquilin told him there were no injuries, Macy said he told her "to write tickets and impound the vehicle." He said he asked no questions about whether the driver was intoxicated or impaired. Erie County Sheriff's officials have said they knew nothing about the incident at the time it occurred and knew only that Granville was involved in a property accident afterward. However, Esquilin's call logs showed she called Sheriffs narcotics detective James Delacy, who works under Granville, at 11:55 p.m. that evening. Delacy called her back at 12:39 a.m. Esquilin testified that Granville suggested she called Delacy to figure out where his car should be towed. Buffalo lieutenant demoted after Internal Affairs probe tied to Granville incident Lucia C. Esquilin, sister-in-law of Daniel "D.J." Granville, will revert to her lower rank of detective sergeant as a result of a Buffalo Police Department Internal Affairs probe, said John Davidson, president of the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association. Esquilin also called Erie County Undersheriff William Cooley later in the morning. He was far from the only person to be contacted by her. Between 4:59 a.m. and 7:16 p.m., Esquilin sent or received more than 60 calls or messages, most of them to law enforcement officials, according to the log. In addition to those already named, Esquilin was in contact with Buffalo Police Detective Michael Acquino and Buffalo Police Report Technicians Melissa Kilcoyne and Shawna Marrero. Lt. Karin Turello, an Internal Affairs investigator, interviewed multiple Buffalo Police Department chiefs and lieutenants, who were not at the scene, who testified that it was wrong for Esquilin to remove Granville from the scene and allow his car to be towed away before the primary investigator, Karbowski, arrived. That included then-Police Commissioner Alphonso Wright. When asked if Wright believes there was an effort to conceal Granville's condition at the time of the crash, Wright said, "Looking at the information that I see, and the reason why I started this investigation, yes." An exception to this point of view was Macy. When Turello asked, "Do you believe that if the driver of the vehicle was not an Erie County chief, this would have been handled the same way," Macy responded, "It's a very interesting Internal Affair question. I do, considering that we have thousands of accidents a year." The 911 lieutenant on duty was never alerted to the crash at the time it occurred, according to police testimony. Under questioning by Internal Affairs, Karbowski suggested that Granville got a pass because of his relationship with Esquilin. Granville was also known to other members of the Buffalo Police Department and considered a friend. "If it wasn't a friend to her or a relative, it probably would've been handled differently," Karbowski told Internal Affairs in a March 4, 2025, interview. Though Karbowski was the lead investigator that night, Esquilin was the highest-ranking officer responding to the scene. Granville's sister-in-law, a Buffalo police lieutenant, spoke with prosecutors in 'final step' of probe The District Attorney's Office agreed that nothing Buffalo Police Lt. Lucia C. Esquilin told them in the interview could be used in any case against her, a standard agreement made in circumstances like this, Niagara County District Attorney Brian Seaman and Esquilin's attorney, Rodney Personius, said. According to transcripts, when Esquilin called Karbowski, she told him to start at the other end of accident scene, which spanned two streets, even though other officers were on site who could have done that work. By the time Karbowski arrived on Prospect Avenue, where Granville's car had stopped running, both Granville and his vehicle were gone, he testified. "When you spoke with the witnesses on scene, did any of those witnesses mention that they believed the driver was intoxicated?" Turello asked. "I don't remember that," Karbowski said. "I don't think so." "Was alcohol consumption discussed with anyone at the scene at all?" Turello asked. "No," Karbowski said. "So, OK," Turello said. "When these people called 911, three of them mentioned that he was drunk. That was never said to you or never by anybody?" "No." Sheriff calls Granville cover-up accusations 'patently false'; legislators decry lack of transparency Erie County Sheriff John Garcia says there's no cover-up in his office regarding his chief of narcotics, Daniel "D.J." Granville. Meanwhile, county legislators say they want help from the governor. "So you never spoke with the driver of the striking vehicle?" Turello asked. "No," Karbowski said. "Who did speak with the driver?" "I believe it was Lieutenant Esquilin, and that's all I know," Karbowski said. Karbowski pleaded guilty Dec. 30 to two of the eight departmental charges accusing him of violating policy. In the departmental charges filed against him, which included a violation of body-worn camera policy, improper conduct and failure to follow procedures, the department alleged that Karbowski "failed to conduct a complete and thorough investigation." "Officer Karbowski did not observe the striking vehicle, did not speak with or identify the driver of the striking vehicle and did not locate or interview all involved drivers or witnesses, nor did he ensure that such interviews were conducted by officers," according to a statement of charges signed Dec. 30 by then-Police Commissioner Alphonso Wright. That plea resulted in a four-day suspension, according to the disciplinary order. Officer Omar Tirado, one of the other officers who responded to the scene, told Internal Affairs there was a glass in the center console of Granville's vehicle. When asked if there was an open container in Granville's vehicle, Tirado said, "I don't think it was a, like a beer or something. I just can't remember." Tirado said also told Internal Affairs he didn't check whether the container smelled like alcohol. As previously announced at the end of December, Esquilin was demoted to her prior rank of detective sergeant as a result of a Buffalo Police Department Internal Affairs probe. Mayor Sean Ryan, meanwhile, has elevated Macy to an interim role as Buffalo Police Department commissioner while the search for a permanent leader moves forward. John Davidson, president of the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association, said both Esquilin and Karbowski have returned to work and "continue to work diligently at preventing and solving crime in the City of Buffalo." Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honored with the prestigious Speaker of the Knesset Medal during a special plenary session, receiving a standing ovation from Israeli lawmakers. In his address, he traced the two-millennia-old civilizational ties between the peoples, referencing ancient texts and India's history of providing a safe haven for Jewish communities. He underscored the vital importance of the strategic defense partnership and the synergy between India's economic scale and Israel's technological innovation. The visit also highlighted growing cultural exchanges and the finalization of a Bilateral Investment Treaty to boost economic cooperation. PM Modi receives the Knesset Medal, Israel's highest parliamentary honor, during a visit highlighting defense, trade, and ancient civilizational ties. Jerusalem, February 26 It was a day marked by symbolism, warmth and strategic messaging as Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his Israel visit with a moment that captured the spirit of the relationship, a standing ovation inside the Special Plenary of the Knesset. As applause echoed through the chamber, Israeli lawmakers rose to acknowledge the Indian leader, capping his address with the conferment of the prestigious "Speaker of the Knesset Medal", the highest honour awarded by the Israeli Parliament. The recognition was bestowed for his "exceptional contribution through his personal leadership" in strengthening India-Israel ties, making PM Modi the first foreign leader to receive the distinction. The mood inside the Knesset was not merely ceremonial; it was personal. After the address, Members of the Parliament queued up to PM Modi, exchanging handshakes, selfies, and brief conversations, small gestures that reflected the ease and camaraderie between the two democracies. The moment also carried historical resonance. During PM Modi's landmark 2017 visit, the relationship was elevated to a "Strategic Partnership". His latest address reinforced how that partnership has since broadened in scope and ambition. PM Modi's speech reached beyond contemporary geopolitics, invoking a civilizational bridge that stretches back over two millennia. "Long before we related to each other as modern States, we were linked by ties that go back more than two thousand years. The Book of Esther refers to India as Hodu. The Talmud records trade with India in ancient times," he said. He emphasised that Jewish communities have lived in India " without fear of persecution or discrimination," preserving their faith while fully participating in Indian society, a record he described as a matter of pride. After India's independence, he noted, Indian parliamentary debates reflected admiration for Israel's agricultural transformation of desert landscapes. He recalled how the Kibbutz movement inspired leaders such as Acharya Vinoba Bhave and Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan. Addressing contemporary cooperation, PM stressed that "a strong defence partnership between trusted partners like India and Israel is of vital importance" in an uncertain world. He described India as the fastest-growing major economy in recent years, poised to become one of the world's top three largest economies, while calling Israel a "powerhouse of innovation and technological leadership." This, he said, forms a natural foundation for a forward-looking partnership. "We are committed to expanding trade, strengthening investment flows, and promoting joint infrastructure development. The Bilateral Investment Treaty signed last year will provide confidence and predictability to our businesses," he stated. PM also highlighted the growing cultural engagement between the two countries. He noted the expansion of yoga centres across Israel and rising interest in Ayurveda, inviting more young Israelis to visit India to experience its "holistic wellness" traditions. "At the heart of the India-Israel partnership are the ties between our peoples," he said, inviting Israeli lawmakers to visit India and deepen parliamentary exchanges. He pointed out that the Indian Parliament has established a Parliamentary Friendship Group for Israel. Members of the Jewish Indian community in Israel expressed enthusiasm over the Prime Minister's visit. Ori Kadvil, from the Kochi community, praised India's scale and technological potential, recounting how he was amazed to learn that Indian hackathons host hundreds of teams rather than just participants. "We wish to bring the powers of both of our countries together so we can create marvellous things for both of our people and the entire world," he said, describing his interaction with PM Modi as "an interesting and joyous event." Another Israeli resident, Yarin Didi, lauded the combined strength of Israeli innovation and India's vast market potential, particularly in emerging fields like artificial intelligence. "I am really proud to be here today... Israel is known to have great talent in terms of AI. But I think India has... The Indian market is thousands of times compared to anything I have personally seen before. Both have the talent and the huge economic potential to get innovation to a larger scale," Didi told ANI. Since diplomatic relations were established in 1992, India-Israel ties have steadily expanded across defence, agriculture, water management, technology and innovation. The 2017 elevation to a Strategic Partnership marked a turning point, and Modi's latest address to the Knesset reinforced the momentum. The standing ovation, the historic medal, and the enthusiastic reception from Israeli lawmakers together signalled a relationship that is not only strategic but also rooted in shared democratic values, historical goodwill and people-to-people bonds. - ANI TV actor Gauahar Khan has shared the first public photos of her younger son, Farwaan, from the family's pilgrimage to Mecca during Ramzan. The heartwarming post shows Gauahar and husband Zaid Darbar with both their sons, expressing gratitude and seeking blessings. The couple welcomed Farwaan in September 2025, and their first son Zehaan was born in May 2023. Celebrities and fans flooded the post with loving reactions to the family's spiritual journey. TV actor Gauahar Khan shares first photos of son Farwaan from family's spiritual trip to Mecca. See the heartwarming family moments and fan reactions. Mumbai, February 26 TV actor Gauahar Khan has finally shared a glimpse of her second child, son Farwaan, whom she welcomed with her husband Zaid Darbar, in September last year. Taking to her Instagram handle, Gauahar shared pictures from the family's spiritual trip to Mecca during the holy month of Ramzan. Gauahar and Zaid could be seen delightfully posing with their kids, reflecting a warm mix of serenity, togetherness, and gratitude. In her caption, the actor mentioned how they made sure to take their younger son to Mecca. "Bade ko kaaba se pehla salaam karwaya tha , toh chote ka salaam bhi toh Banta hai. As salaam u alaikum beautiful world, from Farwaan. Keep our children in your duas as we pray for the world from the holy land," she wrote. Calling their kids the "biggest blessings", Zaid Darbar commented, "My biggest blessings, Zehaan & Farwaan. Please keep us in your prayers. Ameen." As soon as the pictures were shared, fans couldn't help but shower love on the family. Actors Nakuul Mehta, Kishwer Merchant, Bharti Singh, Divyaa Agarwal, and Karanveer Mehra also reacted to the post. In September 2025, Gauahar Khan and Zaid Darbar announced their younger son's arrival, further revealing that the baby was born on September 1. "Zehaan is overjoyed to graciously share his kingdom with his new baby brother born on September 1, 2025. Seeking everyone's continued love and blessings for our elated family. Grateful and giggling parents Zaid and Gauahar," their note read. Gauahar Khan and Zaid Darbar got married in December 2020 after dating for a brief period. They welcomed their first child, son Zehaan, in May 2023. - ANI The restoration of Nepal's Jestha Varna Mahavihara, funded by the Government of India, has received the UNESCO Asia Pacific Award of Merit for 2025. The project was part of India's commitment to post-earthquake reconstruction in Nepal following the devastating 2015 earthquakes. INTACH served as the design and project management consultant, employing a holistic conservation approach that allowed daily rituals to continue uninterrupted. The restored site was inaugurated and handed back to the community in March 2024. UNESCO confers Award of Merit for restoration of Jestha Varna Mahavihara in Nepal, a project funded by the Government of India. New Delhi, February 26 The restoration and retrofitting of Jestha Varna Mahavihara, Lalitpur, Nepal -- a Government of India-funded project supported through the Ministry of External Affairs and the Embassy of India in Kathmandu -- has been conferred the UNESCO Asia Pacific Award of Merit 2025. The award was officially announced on 20 February 2026. As per a statement by the Ministry of Culture, the project was undertaken as part of the post-earthquake reconstruction, retrofitting initiatives in Nepal with INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage) as design and project management consultant. INTACH is a premiere Indian Non-Government Organisation working in the field of Heritage Conservation since 1984. INTACH adopted a holistic conservation approach, grounded in archival research, structural stabilisation, archaeological impact assessment, and the preparation of a comprehensive conservation management plan. Importantly, the project safeguarded Vihara's status as a living heritage site, ensuring that daily rituals and community activities continued uninterrupted throughout the conservation process. The Jestha Varna Mahavihara situated 300 meters away from the Patan Darbar Square heritage site, was originally two-storeyed, of which the top floor completely collapsed during the 2015 earthquake, making it structurally unstable. After its reconstruction and retrofitting work was completed, the site was inaugurated on 22nd March 2024 and handed over to the community, the statement added.UNESCO Kathmandu also shared the details in a post on X. The statement further noted that the project was part of the Government of India's commitment for post-earthquake reconstruction projects in Nepal after the devastating earthquakes of 25th April 2015 and 12th May 2015 that caused huge damage across Nepal, including the destruction of several cultural heritage sites. For the conservation of 12 cultural heritage sites, the Embassy of India, Kathmandu, appointed INTACH, New Delhi, to provide design and project management consultancy services and an MoU was signed on 12th December 2019. The Architectural Heritage Division of INTACH established its Nepal Office in Kathmandu with a core technical team of Conservation Architects, Architects, and Engineers which was operational until May 2024. - ANI The Government has launched a pilot project using Central Bank Digital Currency to distribute food subsidies under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana in Puducherry. The initiative aims to make the delivery of food benefits more transparent, efficient, and secure by crediting programmable digital currency directly to beneficiaries' CBDC wallets. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi inaugurated the pilot, stating it represents a major reform for India's food security system by reducing leakages and empowering beneficiaries. The system builds on the JAM trinity and includes efforts to reach feature phone users, with beneficiaries able to use the digital coupons solely for purchasing foodgrains at authorized shops. Govt launches digital rupee pilot for PMGKAY food subsidies in Puducherry, aiming for transparent & efficient Direct Benefit Transfer via CBDC wallets. New Delhi, Feb 26 The Government on Thursday launched a new pilot project that uses Central Bank Digital Currency to distribute food subsidies under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana in Puducherry. The initiative aims to make the delivery of food benefits more transparent, efficient and secure by using the digital rupee for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The pilot was inaugurated on February 26, 2026, in Puducherry by Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi. The event was attended by Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan and Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, along with senior officials from the central and Union Territory governments. Under this new system, food subsidy will be credited directly to beneficiaries in the form of programmable digital currency, also known as e. These digital coupons, generated through the Reserve Bank of India, will be sent to beneficiaries' CBDC wallets. People can then use the digital coupons to buy their entitled foodgrains from Fair Price Shops or authorised merchant outlets. The digital currency can only be used for purchasing foodgrains, ensuring that the subsidy is used for its intended purpose. Speaking at the launch, the Union Minister said that introducing CBDC into the Public Distribution System (PDS) is a major reform in India's food security system. He said it will improve transparency, reduce leakages and empower beneficiaries by giving them clear information about their entitlements. The government highlighted that the PMGKAY is one of the largest food security programmes in the world, providing free foodgrains to over 80 crore beneficiaries. In addition to wheat and rice, millets are also being distributed to improve nutritional security. Officials said that free foodgrain distribution has helped reduce household spending on food, allowing families to spend more on other essential and nutritious items. The Secretary of the Department of Food and Public Distribution said that the new system builds on the Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) framework and strengthens digital empowerment. Special efforts have been made to include feature phone users so that the system can reach more people. Beneficiaries will also be able to locate nearby authorised shops through the application. - IANS A federal judge has declined to halt the construction of a new White House ballroom, a decision hailed by President Donald Trump as "great news for America." Preservation groups had filed a lawsuit seeking to stop the project until compliance with federal review processes. Trump asserts the project is entirely funded by private donors and is ahead of schedule and under budget. If completed by 2028, the ballroom would be the most significant physical change to the White House during Trump's tenure. A federal judge declined to halt the White House ballroom construction, a project President Trump says is privately funded and "great news for America." Washington DC, February 27 US President Donald Trump on Thursday hailed a federal judge's decision allowing the White House ballroom project to proceed, calling it "great news for America". He also asserted that the construction is being funded entirely by private donors, not taxpayer money. A federal judge on Thursday refused to block President Trump's White House ballroom construction project after preservation groups filed a lawsuit seeking to stop it, as reported by The Hill. The preservation groups asked the court to pause construction of the new ballroom until the White House complies with federal requirements, including securing congressional approval, completing independent reviews, and allowing for a public comment process. Sharing the development on Truth Social, the US President wrote, "Great news for America, and our wonderful White House! The Judge on the case of what will be the most beautiful Ballroom anywhere in the World, has just thrown out, and completely erased, the effort to stop its construction. As everyone knows, not one dollar of Taxpayer money is being spent, but rather, all money necessary to build this magnificent building is being put up by Patriot Donors and Contributors." "The Ballroom construction, which is anticipated to also handle future Inaugurations and large State Visits, is ahead of schedule, and under budget. It will stand long into the future as a symbol to the Greatness of America!" the post read. Trump's decision in October to tear down the East Wing paved the way for construction of a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom designed to host state dinners, galas and other major events. The project is expected to be completed by 2028, as reported by The Hill. The estimated cost has risen from USD 200 million to USD 300 million, with the administration claiming that private donors are funding the project, as reported by Al Jazeera. If completed, the ballroom would represent the most significant physical change to the White House during Trump's tenure. - ANI The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Board examinations for Class 10 and Class 12 commenced across the state. In Vadodara, students were given a unique welcome at exam centers with flower garlands, chocolates, jaggery, and band performances to boost morale. Tight security is in place with over 1,000 police personnel deployed across 176 examination centers in the city. Education officials confirmed comprehensive arrangements and coordination with police to ensure a smooth and incident-free exam process. Gujarat Class 10 & 12 board exams start. Students in Vadodara welcomed with flowers, chocolates. Over 1,000 police deployed for smooth conduct. Vadodara, February 26 The Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations commenced in Gujarat from Thursday. A large number of students reached the examination centres in Vadodara to appear for their exams. A total of 176 examination centres have been set up across the city. Tight police security arrangements have been put in place at all centres. More than 1,000 police personnel have been deployed to ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of the examinations. On the first day of the exams, students were welcomed in a unique way at several centres to boost their morale. They were greeted with school band performances, flower garlands, chocolates, and jaggery to encourage and motivate them. Parents and teachers also extended their best wishes to the students and encouraged them to appear for the exams with confidence. The administration appealed to students to reach their centres on time and strictly follow the prescribed guidelines. Speaking with ANI, Rohit Kumar Choudhary, Education Officer Ahemdabad City, said that elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure the smooth conduct of the Gujarat Board examinations in Ahmedabad City. "Comprehensive arrangements have been made at all examination centres in Ahmedabad city. Adequate invigilators and supervisory staff have been deployed, and strict adherence to board guidelines is being ensured," Rohit Kumar Choudhary said. The District Education Officer said that all examination centres have been equipped with necessary facilities and adequate staff deployment. Choudhary appealed to students to remain confident, follow the rules, and reach their respective examination centres well in advance. He added that coordination has been established with the police department to maintain security and prevent any untoward incidents. The Gujarat Board examinations began across the state amid tight security arrangements. - ANI Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel distributed financial assistance of Rs. 6.97 crore directly to the bank accounts of 35,829 farmers newly adopting natural farming. The aid, provided at Rs. 2,000 per acre for the Kharif season, aims to expand the practice across 33 districts through a cluster-based model. The initiative is part of the National Mission on Natural Farming, with the state government allocating Rs. 392 crore in the budget for related activities. The event was attended by state ministers and officials who emphasized the health and environmental benefits of moving away from chemical-based agriculture. Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel transfers 6.97 crore to 35,829 farmers adopting natural farming, promoting chemical-free agriculture. Gandhinagar, February 26 Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel distributed assistance of Rs. 2,000 per acre for the Kharif season through DBT to 35,829 farmers from 33 districts who have newly joined natural farming in the state under the National Mission on Natural Farming. This will expand the scope of natural farming in the state and encourage more farmers to adopt this practice, according to the Gujarat CMO. At a ceremony held in Gandhinagar in the presence of Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani and Minister of State for Agriculture Ramesh Katara, the Chief Minister transferred a total incentive assistance of Rs 6.97 crore directly into the bank accounts of farmers with a single click. With the objective of expanding natural farming in the state, one cluster comprising three Gram Panchayats each has been formed, and in 1,015 such clusters, farmers willing to adopt natural farming are being provided training, guidance, and incentive assistance, according to the release. Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the mantra of "Back to Basics" for a healthy life and called for adopting natural farming in mission mode and for the widespread use of products produced through such farming. He motivated farmers by stating that by adopting natural farming, these farmers have undertaken a task that gives the satisfaction of securing the future generation. He added that Governor Acharya Devvrat has launched a mass movement to inspire farmers in the state towards cow-based natural farming. He also visits villages to provide guidance in this regard. The Chief Minister stated that natural farming has now become the need of the hour and essential for our health, and the sooner we turn towards this method, the sooner we will reap its benefits. On this occasion, Agriculture Minister Jitubhai Vaghani said that the Government of India has launched the National Mission on Natural Farming across the country to promote chemical-free farming by farmers using indigenous cow-based practices and easily available resources. He added that under the leadership of the Chief Minister, 1,015 clusters, each comprising three Gram Panchayats, have been made operational in the state under this mission. Additionally, in the remaining Gram Panchayats, 3,875 non-mission clusters, each comprising three Gram Panchayats, are planned, taking the total to around 4,890 clusters to further promote natural farming. Moreover, to provide farmers with practical exposure to natural farming, 7,100 model farms have been established. He stated that in this year's budget as well, the state government has made a provision of Rs. 392 crore for various activities related to natural farming. This event was attended by Principal Secretary of the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, RC Meena, MD of Gujarat Agro, Vijay Kharadi, Director of Agriculture, Rajendrasinh Rajput and Patel (Gujarat Prakrutik Krushi Vikas Board). - ANI Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held talks with Luxembourg Finance Minister Gillis Roth to enhance financial cooperation, with a focus on green bonds and sustainable development. Roth highlighted Luxembourg's vast financial sector and eagerness to invest further in Gujarat, specifically mentioning the GIFT City framework. The discussions centered on leveraging Luxembourg's expertise in green financing to support projects aligned with India's Mission LiFE and renewable energy goals. Both sides exchanged invitations for future visits and participation in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel meets Luxembourg Finance Minister Gillis Roth to strengthen green financing cooperation and investment in GIFT City. Gandhinagar, February 26 Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday received the Finance Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Gillis Roth, along with his delegation, in Gandhinagar. Roth highlighted Luxembourg's robust financial sector, which comprises 115 banks, an investment portfolio of 8 trillion euros in asset management, and a presence in investment and financial services across around 80 countries. In this context, he expressed his eagerness to further strengthen financial relations with India, particularly with Gujarat. Patel said during the discussions of this meeting that Gujarat is a state with prudent financial management under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Not only this, he discussed and deliberated on the benefit of Luxembourg's expertise in the field of green bonds and green financing in this context. He also requested to explore the possibilities of mutual cooperation to realise the idea of green growth with an environment-friendly lifestyle through renewable-green energy and Mission Life, which was given by the Prime Minister, through municipal green bonds and long-term infrastructure and sustainable development. Roth said that the MoU signed between IFSCA and Luxembourg's CSSF in GIFT City has strengthened the financial cooperation between India and Luxembourg and has also increased the global financial connectivity of Gujarat. Shri Gilles Roth expressed Luxembourg's eagerness for more investments in the international financing sector in GIFT City. Patel also invited the Luxembourg delegation to join the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit to be held in January 2027 and the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference of South and Central Gujarat to be held in April 2026 and June 2026. Luxembourg Finance Minister Shri Gillis Roth extended a cordial invitation to the Chief Minister and the delegation of the Gujarat Government to visit the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Industries Commissioner P Swaroop and Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Vikrant Pandey also participated in this courtesy visit. - ANI The Gujarat government has concluded the e-auction for a premium hotel plot in the Sanand Industrial Estate to bolster hospitality infrastructure for multinational companies. This development supports the upcoming inauguration of Micron Technology's semiconductor plant by the Prime Minister. Concurrently, the state has allocated 7,690 crore to the Women and Child Welfare sector, funding new Anganwadi centres and expanding nutritional schemes. These initiatives aim to enhance the industrial ecosystem and social welfare under the state's leadership. Gujarat completes hotel auction for Sanand Industrial Estate, strengthens semiconductor ecosystem, and allocates 7,690 crore for Women and Child Welfare. Gandhinagar, February 26 To increase facilities for national and multinational companies operating in the Sanand Industrial Estate, the auction process for hotel construction has been completed. According to the Chief Minister's Office, a plot measuring 20,168.54 square metres (approximately 5 acres) in the Sanand-2 Industrial Estate was specially reserved for the development of a premium hotel. The e-auction for this plot was concluded on 22 December 2025. Following the e-auction, the highest bidder has been allotted the plot in accordance with the prescribed rules. The developer has been granted a four-year moratorium period to begin construction of a 3 to 5-star hotel. Meanwhile, construction of a five-star hotel is already in progress about 3 km from the Sanand Industrial Estate, further strengthening hospitality infrastructure in the area, the release stated. On 28 February 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Micron Technology's advanced semiconductor plant at the Sanand Industrial Estate. With the increasing presence of multinational companies in the region, the upcoming hotel will provide an essential stay option for visiting delegates and employees. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, sustained efforts continue to build social infrastructure that aligns with the evolving needs of industries across the state. Sanand Industrial Estate has modern infrastructure and well-planned connectivity that support steady industrial growth, with 1,150 units currently operating. Additionally, a dedicated women's Industrial park has been established to promote women's empowerment, and the state government has advanced the vision of Ease of Doing Business through industry-friendly policies. Under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, an allocation of Rs 7,690 crore has also been made for the Women and Child Welfare sector to further strengthen Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Suposhit Bharat'. A press conference was held in Gandhinagar, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Women and Child Welfare, Manisha Vakil, to provide detailed insights regarding it. According to a press release, a provision of Rs 360 crore has been made for building 2,000 new Anganwadi centres to enhance infrastructure. Anganwadi centres will be built on a 'Child-Friendly' concept, featuring modern amenities such as modular furniture, RO machines, LED TV screens and rainwater harvesting. Doodh Sanjivani Scheme will be expanded to cover 53 blocks in tribal areas. A provision of Rs 38.64 crore has been made to enhance the nutritional value of milk by increasing its fat content from 1.5 per cent to 3 per cent, and to 4.5 per cent based on a pilot project in Narmada, Dahod and Dang districts. - ANI Himachal Pradesh PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh met with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy in Hyderabad, with Rajya Sabha MP Anil Kumar Yadav also present. Concurrently, the Telangana government has invited tenders for a major Rs 9.08 crore security and infrastructure project at the Dr MCR HRD Institute campus, which the Chief Minister uses as a camp office. The project includes a fortified compound wall, watch towers, and road development for a VVIP guest house. This follows Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka's recent announcement of a historic Rs 20,000 crore allocation for Hyderabad's comprehensive development over two years. Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh meets Telangana CM Revanth Reddy in Hyderabad, where a Rs 9.08 crore security upgrade for a key institute is planned. Hyderabad, February 26 Himachal Pradesh PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh met Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy in Hyderabad today.Rajya Sabha MP Anil Kumar Yadav also participated in this meeting held at the ICC in Hyderabad. Meanwhile, the Telangana government has officially invited tenders for a major security and infrastructure project at the Dr MCR HRD Institute (MCHRDIT) 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 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. Nurul Amin Shah Alam was dropped off by Border Patrol agents at a Tim Hortons restaurant on Niagara Street on the evening of Feb. 19, after being released from the Erie County Holding Center where he had been an inmate for nearly a year. Shah Alam's family and Buffalo police said he was last seen about 8 p.m. The Tim Hortons on Niagara near Ontario Street closes daily at 7 p.m. "It's our understanding the restaurant was closed," when he was dropped off, Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan said at a Thursday news conference at City Hall. The Rohingya refugee who came to the United States legally to escape persecution by the government of Myanmar was nearly blind, had mobility issues and spoke almost no English. He had no phone, and even if he did, family said, he did not know his loved ones' phone numbers. No one from U.S. Customs and Border Protection informed anyone that they had dropped off Shah Alam or where they had left him. Shah Alam remained missing until Buffalo police discovered his body Tuesday night on Perry Street, near KeyBank Center and about 4 miles from the Tim Hortons where he was left. Ryan said that when Shah Alam was found dead, he was not wearing shoes, but rather the orange booties that are issued to inmates at the holding center. "So that's bad policing, but it's also bad human beings," Ryan said. "That is an inhumane thing to do." He said he was confident any Buffalo police officer would have taken the man to a shelter if he had no other place to go. In a statement Thursday night, the Erie County Department of Health said that the medical examiner's office was still investigating the cause of death. "This case is still pending, and we do not have a timeline for when our investigation will be complete," the statement said. A spokesman for the Buffalo Police Department said that homicide detectives continue to investigate the matter. Ryan said that city officials were assembling a timeline of Shah Alam's known whereabouts and the events leading up to his death. A spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Buffalo responded to Ryan's remarks by resending his department's earlier statement, which read, in part: "Border Patrol agents offered Mr. Alam a courtesy ride, which he chose to accept to a coffee shop, determined to be a warm, safe location near his last known address, rather than be released directly from the Border Patrol station. He showed no signs of distress, mobility issues, or disabilities requiring special assistance. The U.S. Border Patrol defers to the Buffalo Police Department for further questions." When pressed to react to Ryan's specific claims and remarks, spokesman Michael Niezgoda replied by email: "U.S. Customs and Border Protection have nothing further to be provided." On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Tim Kennedy, D-Buffalo, said he wants a "thorough and independent investigation of all aspects of the case." "I have been in close contact with my Congressional colleagues on key committees to ensure that this horrific incident is addressed with the seriousness and urgency that Mr. Shah Alam and his loved ones are owed. My office has reached out to the U.S. Border Patrol to demand answers and has been in close contact with local and state partners. I will not rest until Mr. Shah Alams family and the community get the answers they deserve," Kennedy said. Kennedy also sent a letter to New York Attorney General Letitia James, urging her office to investigate. James' office said today it was reviewing its legal options. Refugee missing since release to Border Patrol on Thursday found dead by Buffalo police Nurul Amin Shah Alam, who was 56, was identified by the Erie County Medical Examiner earlier Wednesday and authorities have notified his family, according to Buffalo police. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., also released a statement Thursday about Shah Alam's disappearance and death. She said she sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to demand an investigation into the matter. "I am deeply disturbed by reports that after taking him into custody, Border Patrol agents left Mr. Shah Alam at a Tim Hortons, miles from his home, without notifying his family or attorney before he was found dead. If true, this is absolutely unacceptable. The Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, and local law enforcement must provide a full accounting of what has occurred and ensure this never happens again," Gillibrand said. The Refugee Partnership, a consortium of the four refugee resettlement agencies in Western New York, also released a statement. It is incomprehensible that such a tragedy could occur and it speaks to a lack of treating our immigrant population with any human dignity and respect," the statement said. Immigrants such as Nurul Amin Shah Alam and his family and the tens of thousands of immigrants who have settled in our region are vital to the fabric of our community and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. We remain resolute in our support of the immigrant population across our region, and we will continue to advocate and provide services to support individuals and families despite the significant challenges faced by our neighbors and organizations," the statement read. The Erie County Sheriffs Office, which operates the Erie County Holding Center, said it followed proper procedure in handling Shah Alams release from custody on Feb. 19. after posting bail. The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo had been representing Shah Alam. In a statement Thursday, Legal Aid officials said they told Shah Alam's family it was safe to post bail without fear of taken to federal immigration detention. But because of an "immigration hold" in his file, he was released to the custody of CBP officials, the statement from Legal Aid said. Veteran Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Ramasamy Nallakannu has passed away at the age of 101 in Chennai. Tamil Nadu Minister PK Sekar Babu paid rich tributes, stating Nallakannu's principles left no space for religious extremism or hegemonic forces. Nallakannu had been hospitalized in intensive care for over three weeks before his condition turned critical. His legacy will be upheld by the Communist movement and the DMK alliance in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu Minister PK Sekar Babu pays tribute to veteran CPI leader Nallakannu, who passed away at 101, highlighting his lifelong stand against religious extremism. Chennai, February 26 Tamil Nadu Minister PK Sekar Babu, on the demise of veteran CPI leader Nallakannu, said his principles opposed religious extremism and hegemonic forces, praising his lifelong sacrifices. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Sekar Babu said Nallakannu's legacy will be upheld by Communist comrades and the DMK alliance, and his memory and fame will remain eternal across Tamil Nadu. "His principles allowed no space for religious extremism in the country or for the growth of hegemonic forces. At this moment of his passing, the sacrifices he made and the flame he kept alive will be upheld by the comrades of the Communist movement and by the DMK alliance. His memory will remain eternal in Tamil Nadu, and his fame will forever flutter gloriously across the soil of Tamil Nadu," he said. Ramasamy Nallakannu, one of the senior-most leaders of the Communist movement in Tamil Nadu, passed away at the age of 101 on Wednesday afternoon at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai. According to an official statement issued by Madras Medical College and the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Nallakannu had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on February 1 due to health complications. Over 24 days of treatment, his condition fluctuated despite continuous advanced monitoring and intensive care by a multidisciplinary medical team. However, from the early hours of Wednesday, his response to medication gradually declined, and his condition turned critical. Despite being placed on advanced life support, all his vital organs eventually failed. He was declared dead at around 1:55 pm. The hospital administration expressed deep condolences to his family and thanked the medical teams involved in his care, along with the Government of Tamil Nadu, for its support. - ANI Punjab Police have reviewed extensive security and logistical arrangements for the three-day Hola Mohalla festival at Sri Anandpur Sahib. A force of 5,000 personnel, aided by drone surveillance and over 200 CCTV cameras, will ensure safety for the expected lakhs of devotees. For pilgrim convenience, 21 parking areas and a 24x7 shuttle service comprising e-rickshaws and mini-buses have been organized. Additional measures include QR-code-based information points and a three-layer barricading system for crowd management at key venues. Punjab Police deploy 5,000 personnel, drones, 21 parking lots, and shuttle services for Hola Mohalla at Sri Anandpur Sahib. See the full security plan. Chandigarh, February 27 To ensure foolproof arrangements for the upcoming festival of Hola Mohalla at Sri Anandpur Sahib as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Special Director General of Police Law and Order, Arpit Shukla, on Thursday, reviewed the security arrangements at the spot to ensure that the event would be conducted in a smooth and secure manner. The three-day-long annual Sikh festival Hola Mohalla will be held at Sri Anandpur Sahib from March 2 to March 4. Chairing a coordination meeting with Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Rupnagar Range Nanak Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rupnagar Maninder Singh, Special DGP Arpit Shukla directed that foolproof arrangements should be made to facilitate lakhs of devotees from across the globe, who will gather to pay obeisance at the birthplace of Khalsa Panth. Notably, the entire area has been systematically divided into 12 sectors, and a total force of around 5000 police personnel has been deployed to ensure the safety and security of the devotees. For aerial surveillance and crowd monitoring, six drones have been deployed, whose live feed will be monitored at the central control room. Special DGP Arpit Shukla, while briefing all the sector in-charges and police force deployed, directed them to adopt the utmost humble approach towards the sangat and work with full dedication and determination to make this event successful. Reviewing the security arrangements, he said that many new initiatives have been implemented by the Rupnagar Police to ensure the peaceful and smooth conduct of the Hola Mohalla so that the pilgrims would not face any kind of hassle. The Special DGP said that a total of 21 parking areas, categorised by capacity, have been earmarked, and a colour-coding scheme for parking and routes will be implemented to guide devotees. For the convenience of the pilgrims, 24x7 shuttle services, including 100 e-rickshaws and 50 mini-buses, will operate from the parking areas, he said. He further added that QR-code-based information systems have been installed at various locations to help pilgrims access details regarding shuttle bus services, parking points, hospital locations, and other essential facilities. The Special DGP said that around 200 CCTV cameras, including PTZ and ANPR cameras, have been installed to cover city approach roads to get real-time information on traffic inflow, alongside 24x7 live surveillance through the CCTV Control Room at Police Station Anandpur Sahib. For the first time, a three-layer barricading system is being implemented for effective crowd management at the Charan Ganga Stadium, he added. The festival of Hola Mohalla is a symbol of the Chardhikala of the Punjabis in general and the Sikh community in particular, which witnesses huge participation of the people from different walks of life on the holy land of Sri Anandpur Sahib during the festival. - ANI With Holi on March 5 coinciding with the ongoing holy month of Ramadan, Muslim cleric Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi has appealed for mutual respect and restraint between communities. He specifically requested Muslims to stay indoors until noon on Holi and Hindus to avoid applying colors to Muslims. Meanwhile, authorities across India have intensified security, deploying additional police, using drones for surveillance, and monitoring social media to prevent misinformation. Administrative officials are also coordinating with local peace committees and community leaders to ensure the celebrations pass peacefully. As Holi coincides with Ramadan, a Muslim cleric appeals for mutual respect and restraint. Authorities tighten security nationwide to ensure peaceful celebrations. Lucknow, Feb 26 With the Hindu festival of Holi approaching and the holy month of Ramadan currently underway, All India Muslim Jamaat chief Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi on Thursday appealed to members of all communities to respect each other's religious sentiments to ensure peace and harmony during the celebrations. The Hindu community is set to celebrate Holi on March 5, while Muslims are observing Ramadan, a sacred month marked by fasting and prayer. In view of the overlapping occasions, authorities across the country have put in place extensive security arrangements to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incidents. Speaking to IANS, Maulana Rizvi said the coincidence of festivals calls for mutual understanding and cooperation. "The festival of Holi is approaching, and last year it coincided with the holy month of Ramadan. Muslims respect all religious festivals, and for the sake of peace, harmony, and communal unity, they adjust arrangements themselves if a festival of any religious community coincides with Ramadan, Eid, Friday prayers, or Urs," he said. He expressed hope that better coordination would be ensured this year. "In the coming days, arrangements are expected to be better, considering the festival of Holi. I appeal to all Hindu and Muslim brothers to maintain peace and follow government guidelines," he stated. The cleric also made a specific appeal to both communities to exercise restraint during the festivities. "I appeal to the Muslims not to come out of their homes till noon on Holi. I also appeal to the Hindu community to not put colours on Muslims during the festival so that Holi is celebrated peacefully without any tension," he added. Meanwhile, authorities have intensified security measures, particularly in sensitive areas, to ensure that the celebrations pass off peacefully. Officials said surveillance has been increased, with special focus on monitoring social media platforms to curb the spread of misinformation and identify potential troublemakers. In several cities, including Vrindavan, security arrangements have been strengthened with additional police deployment, area patrolling and the use of drones for aerial monitoring. Some urban centres have been divided into zones to facilitate better coordination and quicker response in case of any incident. Administrative officials are also holding regular meetings with local peace committees, including 'Aman Committees', and engaging with community leaders to reinforce coordination. Special emphasis is being placed on maintaining communication with mosque authorities in areas where Holi celebrations and Ramadan observances coincide. Authorities reiterated that strict vigilance will continue in the coming days to ensure communal harmony, urging citizens to celebrate responsibly and adhere to official guidelines during the festive period. - IANS India organized special sessions at the WTO Committee on Trade Facilitation meeting in Geneva to highlight its advanced customs reforms. The country has moved beyond basic WTO commitments to implement "TFA Plus" measures under a national action plan, creating a fully digital and paperless customs ecosystem. India showcased its indigenously developed automated systems and its role as a regional training hub, having trained thousands of international participants. Officials emphasized that these reforms have significantly reduced transaction costs and improved integration into global value chains. India presents its 'TFA Plus' digital customs reforms at a WTO event in Geneva, highlighting paperless systems and global training initiatives. New Delhi, Feb 26 The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, along with the Permanent Mission of India to the WTO in Geneva, organised special sessions on trade on the sidelines of the meeting of the Committee on Trade Facilitation at the World Trade Organisation in Geneva, according to an official statement issued on Thursday. The event on Tuesday comprised two focused sessions on trade facilitation and capacity building, highlighting India's transformative reforms under the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). The programme was also held in the run-up to the 8th Trade Policy Review of India, due in July 2026. The event witnessed wide participation from WTO Members and Secretariat, with delegates from around 40 countries, reflecting strong interest in India's experience and best practices, the statement said. Having achieved compliance with WTO TFA commitments, India has moved towards "TFA Plus" measures under the National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (NTFAP 3.0), aiming to go beyond the minimum requirements and align with evolving global best practices. During the session on Trade Facilitation, the Indian Customs delegation highlighted its 'whole-of-government approach' in Customs reforms, and pioneering efforts in creating a faceless, contactless and paperless Customs ecosystem through extensive digitalisation and process re-engineering. India has notified 100 per cent of its TFA commitments within the stipulated timelines. The progress reflects India's sustained commitment to enhancing transparency, improving inter-agency coordination and simplifying cross-border trade procedures. The CBIC showcased its advanced and indigenously developed systems, including the comprehensive customs automated system with single window interface, a robust risk management system (RMS) and the authorised economic operator (AEO) programme. The session on capacity building underscored India's proactive engagement in sharing its expertise with developing and least-developed countries, particularly from the Global South. Through the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics (NACIN), India conducts structured training programmes for officers of Indian and foreign customs administrations. The training courses undertaken by the Central Revenue Control Laboratory (CRCL) of India for the international participants were highlighted. Both these are recognised by WCO as the Regional Training Centre for Asia-Pacific and the Regional Customs Laboratory, respectively. It was stated that, since 2022, NACIN has conducted 65 trainings, and more than 1,800 international participants from around 30 countries have benefited from these initiatives. Several of them were done in collaboration with various international organisations such as WCO, ADB and others. Similarly, CRCL trained more than 300 international participants. India expressed its willingness to partner with countries, especially developing countries, to strengthen their capacity for implementing trade facilitation Agreement commitments. The participants appreciated the state-of-the-art infrastructure of these institutions and the training offered by the premier institutions of India. The Special Secretary and Member (Customs), Surjit Bhujabal, remarked that India's digitisation and modernisation of customs procedures over the past decade have contributed meaningfully to trade growth and deeper integration into global value chains. Indian Customs digital ecosystem connects traders, customs authorities, banks and logistics operators, facilitates electronic processing of customs documentation, leading to reduced transaction costs and faster clearance times. - IANS Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu have committed to deepening strategic ties across technology, trade, and investment. They emphasized integrating advancements in AI, cybersecurity, semiconductors, and space exploration to fuel mutual progress. Key agreements include expediting Free Trade Agreement negotiations and exploring the linkage of India's UPI with Israel's payment system. The leaders also welcomed enhanced financial cooperation and direct air connectivity to scale the bilateral relationship. PM Modi and PM Netanyahu commit to AI, cybersecurity, FTA, and UPI integration to unlock bilateral potential and shared technological progress. Tel Aviv, Feb 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday emphasised the importance of unlocking the full potential of bilateral trade and investment between India and Israel, according to the joint statement issued after the successful conclusion of the summit. The Prime Ministers affirmed their commitment to integrating India's and Israel's advancements in AI, cybersecurity, semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology, agriculture and water management, defence platforms, and space exploration. This partnership strengthens India's vision of an 'Atmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat 2047', aims to spark the next wave of technological transformation and shared progress of both countries, the joint statement said. The leaders acknowledged that Indian and Israeli capabilities complement each other perfectly - Israel is a global powerhouse of technology and innovation, India serves as a hub of talent, manufacturing excellence and entrepreneurial energy. They welcomed the signing of the India-Israel Bilateral Investment Agreement by the two Finance Ministers in New Delhi in September 2025, which is expected to enhance investor confidence, promote greater two-way investments, and ensure transparency, predictability, and protection through a clear framework of treatment of investment and an independent dispute resolution mechanism. Both leaders asserted their commitment to the realisation of the FTA Agreement between the two countries and tasked the negotiating teams to expedite the negotiations for an early signing of an FTA. The two leaders welcomed the strategic partnership in the financial-cyber domain. This collaboration will focus on enhancing the resilience of the financial ecosystem through the exchange of financial-cyber intelligence, joint development of methodologies, and the performance of multilateral financial-cyber simulations operationalised through Financial Computer Security Incident Response Teams of both countries. Prime Minister Netanyahu appreciated India's fintech revolution, exemplified by the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which is a world-class model for affordable, real-time cross-border transactions. Both sides agreed to explore linking UPI with Israel's fast payment system to enhance interoperability and strengthen economic ties. The leaders noted that direct air connectivity is a basic building block that is essential for scaling the bilateral relationship to new heights. They expressed their desire to expand direct air connectivity between Tel Aviv and major Indian cities and encouraged both Indian and Israeli airlines to take up the opportunity to start direct flight operations between the two countries. The leaders welcomed the launch of the India-Israel Financial Dialogue to boost closer financial cooperation. Both leaders encouraged more Indian participation in the infrastructure sector of Israel, particularly in light of major upcoming projects in Israel in the sectors of metro, rail, road, airports, desalination plants, and wastewater treatment plants. The Prime Ministers reviewed the functioning of the India-Israel Industrial R&D and Innovation Fund (I4F), jointly implemented by the Department of Science and Technology of India and the Israel Innovation Authority. They agreed to further strengthen the operational implementation of the I4F mechanism, including enhanced outreach to industry and facilitation of high-quality joint R&D partnerships, in order to fully realise the Fund's potential and expand impactful cooperation between Indian and Israeli enterprises. Acknowledging the success of the India-Israel Joint Research Calls (IIJRC), implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), India, and the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (MOST), Israel, the Prime Ministers agreed to increase the contribution of both sides-from the current USD 1 million to USD 1.5 million each. The Prime Ministers recognised the importance of creating institutional support to advance joint innovation activities between the two countries. In this context, they agreed to explore the development of Tech Gateway mechanisms to facilitate collaborative R&D initiatives, technology validation processes, pilot projects and joint development activities between Indian and Israeli innovation ecosystems. The Prime Ministers recognised the strategic importance of Artificial Intelligence as a key driver of innovation and agreed to deepen cooperation in AI talent and expertise. They welcomed efforts to develop enabling frameworks that strengthen linkages between AI professionals, research institutions and innovative enterprises, including by facilitating professional collaboration and participation in leading innovation activities in both countries. Recognising the advances made by Israel and India in artificial intelligence, both leaders welcomed the signing of the MoU on Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and agreed to deepen collaboration in this frontier technology for the welfare of their peoples. The Prime Ministers welcomed the ongoing collaboration between the Israel Space Agency (ISA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). They emphasised the importance of fostering greater cooperation between the two nations' space industries, encouraging joint ventures, innovation partnerships, and knowledge exchange to drive progress in the global space sector. Recognising the critical role of water and agriculture in sustainable development, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Netanyahu affirmed the importance of efforts to strengthen the partnership in water and agriculture. The partnership focuses on key areas of water conservation, wastewater treatment and its reuse for agriculture, desalination, water utility reforms, and the cleaning of the Ganges and other rivers using advanced water technologies, the joint statement added. - IANS India and Israel signed a series of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Jerusalem. The pacts span critical sectors including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, agriculture, and maritime heritage. The signings took place in the presence of PM Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with several ministers from both nations involved. These accords are aimed at deepening the strategic, technological, and economic partnership between the two countries. India and Israel sign multiple MoUs on AI, cybersecurity, trade, and agriculture during PM Modi's state visit, boosting strategic partnership. Jerusalem, February 26 India and Israel on Thursday signed multiple agreements and Memoranda of Understanding across multiple sectors covering Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, education and other sectors during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing two-day state visit to the country, reflecting the growing strategic, technological, and economic partnership between the two countries. The agreements cover areas including innovation, agriculture, geophysical exploration, maritime heritage, fisheries, aquaculture, artificial intelligence, education, commerce, and cybersecurity and were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Modi and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, ahead of their press statements in Jerusalem. A cultural exchange MoU and an MoU establishing the India-Israel Innovation Centre for Agriculture were signed by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. An MoU in geophysical exploration was signed by Israel's Energy and Infrastructure Minister and the EAM, while another agreement was inked for the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal with Israel's Minister of Heritage and EAM. A Declaration of Intent in the field of horizon scanning was signed by Israel's Minister of Science and Technology and Jaishankar, while an MoU on fisheries and aquaculture was signed by Israel's Minister of Agriculture and the EAM. Alongside, an agreement on advancing education through the use of artificial intelligence was signed by Israel's Minister of Education and Jaishankar. The report of the 4th India-Israel CEO Forum was also presented by Israel's Trade Commissioner and Indian Ambassador to Israel, JP Singh. Implementation protocols under agreements in the commerce, services, manufacturing, and restaurant sectors were also concluded. Additionally, a Letter of Intent on the establishment of a Cyber Centre of Excellence and an MoU linking UPI systems between India's NPCI and Israel's Masav were signed. Other agreements included a commercial arbitration pact, an MoU between the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) and the International Securities Authority, and a separate MoU on artificial intelligence to strengthen collaboration in emerging technologies. Officials said these new agreements and MoUs are expected to yield significant outcomes in research, trade, and high-tech collaboration, further consolidating the India-Israel strategic partnership. - ANI Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri affirmed India's intent to play a significant role in Gaza's recovery, citing the nation's specific capabilities and ongoing development projects worth millions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his state visit to Israel, expressed strong support for the Gaza Peace Initiative, describing it as a pathway to a just and durable peace. Modi emphasized that humanity must not suffer from conflict and reiterated a united stance with Israel against terrorism. The discussions highlight India's growing diplomatic engagement and readiness to contribute to stability in the Middle East. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri outlines India's potential role in Gaza recovery, backed by PM Modi's support for the peace initiative during his Israel state visit. Jerusalem, February 26 Underscoring India's growing diplomatic and humanitarian footprint in the Middle East, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday affirmed that New Delhi envisions a proactive role in the recovery and stability of Gaza. Addressing the media following high-level discussions during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Israel, the Foreign Secretary noted that while the specifics are evolving, the intent to contribute is firm. On India's role in Gaza, Misri said, "Yes, we do see a role. What exactly that role will be depends on gaining more clarity as to how things will actually develop on the ground in Gaza." This potential involvement is backed by India's proven track record in developmental assistance and its unique technical expertise. Highlighting these assets, the Foreign Secretary stated, "India has very specific capabilities and capacities that would be of considerable relevance in a situation like the one on the ground in Gaza." The Foreign Secretary further contextualised this future role by pointing to the extensive portfolio of ongoing Indian investments aimed at social welfare in the region. "We are already implementing a large number of projects for the benefit of Palestinian communities, to the extent of nearly $170 million. There are also about $40 million worth of projects in the pipeline, in the areas of education, healthcare, capacity building, and others," he detailed. Beyond these current projects, India remains prepared to scale its engagement in alignment with international peace efforts. Misri emphasised that New Delhi is ready to step in as the regional situation transitions towards stability. "Even when considering what would be required as a consequence of the Gaza peace initiative moving forward, we would have the capacity to contribute at the right time on the ground," he added. Reinforcing this vision at the highest level, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a joint press briefing alongside Benjamin Netanyahu, asserted that "humanity must never suffer because of conflict." Highlighting the necessity of global stability, the Prime Minister expressed India's backing for the Gaza peace initiative, describing it as a step towards lasting and fair peace in the region. PM Modi detailed India's stance regarding the ongoing situation in Gaza, noting that a "path to peace has been created through the Gaza Peace Plan" and reaffirmed India's commitment to such diplomatic endeavours. "India's vision is clear that humanity must never become a victim of conflict. The Gaza Peace Plan has opened a route to peace. India has supported such efforts. In future too, India will continue to cooperate and have dialogue with all nations," PM Modi said. The Prime Minister also highlighted the shared resolve between New Delhi and Jerusalem in confronting global security challenges, stating that both nations stand united against the threat of radicalism. "India and Israel are clear that there is no place for terrorism in the world. Terrorism cannot be accepted in any form. We will continue to fight against terrorism and its supporters," PM Modi added. Reiterating his backing for the US-led Gaza Peace Initiative, PM Modi recalled his address to the Knesset on Wednesday, where he had described the proposal as a "pathway" towards a "just and durable peace" for the Middle East. "The Gaza Peace Initiative that was endorsed by the UN Security Council offers a pathway. India has expressed its firm support for the initiative. We believe that it holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people of the region, including by addressing the Palestine issue... Let all our efforts be guided by wisdom, courage, and humanity. The road to peace is not always easy. But India joins you and the world for dialogue, peace and stability in this region," PM Modi stated. The current visit marks the second time PM Modi has travelled to Israel during his tenure, following his historic inaugural trip in 2017. - ANI The Indian Army is hosting its 10th Chiefs' Conclave, where former Army Chiefs from India and Nepal will be briefed on the force's major modernization efforts. General Upendra Dwivedi and senior officials will detail new formations like Rudra brigades and Shaktibaan drone regiments. The briefing will also cover actions during Operation Sindoor and the creation of indigenous drone production workshops. The event underscores the close military ties between India and Nepal, with several former chiefs and next of kin of late chiefs invited. Indian Army holds 10th Chiefs' Conclave, briefing former Indian & Nepal Army chiefs on modern transformations like drone regiments & new battalions. By Ajit Dubey, New Delhi, February 26 The Indian Army will hold the 10th Chiefs' Conclave on Friday, in which former Chiefs of Armies of India and Nepal will be briefed about the various operations and aspects of the force. The Chiefs of the Nepal Army are also the honorary Chiefs of the Indian Army, while the Indian Army Chiefs are the honorary Chiefs of the Nepal Army. The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi and other top officials of the Indian Army will be briefing former chiefs about the major transformation carried out in the force in recent times to deal with challenges of modern warfare. The former chiefs are also likely to be briefed about the Indian Army's actions during Operation Sindoor and how it destroyed the majority of the terror camps during the conflict. The eight Indian Army chiefs likely to attend the conclave include Mizoram Governor Gen VK Singh, General Manoj Mukund Naravane, General Manoj Pande, General Deepak Kapoor, General JJ Singh and General NC Vij. Next of kin of three former chiefs, including late Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw and late General Bipin Rawat, have also been invited to the conclave, along with four ex-Nepal Army chiefs. India and Nepal have had close military ties and carry out multiple joint exercises. The Indian Army is undergoing a significant transformation and has created new fighting formations like the Rudra brigades, Shaktibaan drone regiments and Divyastra batteries. The force has also been given the nod for raising new Integrated Battle Groups, which would be headed by a Major General rank officer and include all arms troops to carry out operations more effectively. The force has also created its own drone-producing workshops, manufacturing 3D-printed drones, swarm warfare, and indigenous loitering munitions. The Army has introduced specialised units like Ashni Platoons and Bhairav Battalions, integrating drones into infantry battalions and elite rapid-strike operations. Each Ashni platoon operates 10 drones, with 4 for surveillance and 6 for strike missions. The Bhairav Battalions will have over 250 elite soldiers, focusing on deep-strike missions with heavy FPV and strike capabilities. - ANI JM Financial's report indicates India's microfinance sector is nearing an inflection point, marked by the first positive year-on-year disbursement growth in five quarters. The recovery is primarily driven by NBFC-MFIs, alongside a structural shift towards higher-ticket loans. While the overall loan portfolio continues to consolidate, early signs show significant improvement in asset quality and delinquency metrics. The brokerage projects a strong earnings recovery and asset growth driven by higher ticket sizes and selective expansion. JM Financial reports India's microfinance sector shows positive disbursement growth and stabilizing asset quality, signaling a key turnaround. New Delhi, February 26 India's microfinance sector is approaching an "inflection point," said JM Financial Institutional Securities, citing a revival in disbursement growth and early signs of asset quality stabilisation, even as overall portfolios continue to consolidate. In its latest thematic report on India NBFCs, the brokerage noted that year-on-year (YoY) disbursement growth turned positive in 3QFY26 for the first time after five consecutive quarters of decline. Disbursements rose 9.2 per cent quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) and 5.2 per cent YoY, supported by higher average ticket sizes (ATS) and a rebound in loan volumes. The report highlighted that the recovery in disbursements was primarily led by NBFC-MFIs, which recorded 10 per cent QoQ and 27 per cent YoY growth by value. Banks also posted a sequential uptick of 13 per cent QoQ, though YoY growth remained negative. Small Finance Banks (SFBs) reported moderate growth. JM Financial observed a structural shift towards higher-ticket loans, with segments above INR 50,000 gaining market share, while sub-INR 50,000 buckets continued to contract. ATS increased 2 per cent QoQ and nearly 16 per cent YoY during the quarter. Despite the improvement in disbursements, the industry's gross loan portfolio (GLP) declined 7.1 per cent QoQ and 18 per cent YoY in 3QFY26, reflecting ongoing borrower consolidation and lender-led de-risking. Banks led the retrenchment, reporting a sharp 21 per cent sequential decline in portfolio outstanding. In contrast, NBFC-MFIs exhibited relative stability, with only a marginal QoQ decline. On asset quality, the brokerage stated that early delinquency indicators showed significant improvement. PAR 1-30 declined to around 1 per cent, the lowest level since 4QFY24. NBFC-MFIs outperformed peers across delinquency buckets, while banks continued to report elevated stress, particularly in late-stage delinquencies and write-offs. JM Financial cautioned that sustainability remains key, pointing to elevated write-offs in lower-ticket segments and the need to closely monitor borrower leverage. Exposure to borrowers with more than three lenders declined sequentially but remained above comfort levels. Looking ahead, the brokerage expects sectoral growth over FY26-28E to be driven by higher ticket sizes, selective customer additions, and incremental expansion of non-MFI portfolios. It projects a 21 per cent AUM CAGR and a sharp earnings recovery for its coverage universe. - ANI The Assam Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has taken a series of decisions aimed at boosting infrastructure, welfare, and industrial growth. Key approvals include the re-engagement of 57 Junior Engineers, land allotment under Mission Basundhara, and establishing a new College of Agriculture. The cabinet also cleared incentives for a five-star hotel in Silchar, reduced VAT on aviation fuel, and sanctioned two-wheelers for ASHA workers. Further welfare measures include disbursing Orunodoi assistance and approving a compassionate government job. Assam Cabinet approves land allotment, agri college, hotel incentives, VAT cut on jet fuel, ASHA vehicles, and Orunodoi aid under CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. Guwahati, Feb 26 The Assam Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at Lok Sewa Bhawan on Thursday, took a series of key decisions spanning infrastructure, welfare, industry, agriculture, health and governance. The Cabinet approved the re-appointment of 57 Junior Engineers (Civil) under Regulation 3(f) of the Public Works Department (PWD). Their services had ceased in November 2025 after they failed to qualify in the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) recruitment process for 650 Junior Engineer (Civil) posts. Having served the department since 2019, the engineers have acquired significant technical experience, and their re-engagement is expected to help retain experienced manpower and ensure continuity in infrastructure projects. Under Mission Basundhara, the Cabinet decided to allot land to 326 beneficiaries as part of the state government's ongoing land settlement and welfare initiative. The Cabinet also accorded administrative approval for the establishment of a College of Agriculture at Patharkandi in Sribhumi district at a cost of Rs 122.22 crore. The institution is expected to strengthen agricultural education and provide technical support to farmers, agri-startups and rural youth, particularly in the Barak Valley region. To promote industrial growth, the Cabinet approved customised incentives under the Industrial and Investment Policy of Assam (IIPA), 2019. Similar incentives were approved for a firm to establish a 100-room five-star hotel in Silchar, involving an investment of Rs 103.92 crore and aimed at boosting tourism and hospitality infrastructure. The Cabinet also approved raising a loan of Rs 519 crore from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to support 241 projects in Sixth Schedule districts and inter-state border areas. In a move aimed at improving air connectivity and tourism, the Cabinet approved a reduction in Value Added Tax (VAT) on aviation turbine fuel from 23.65 paise per rupee to 18.65 paise per rupee. Among welfare measures, the Cabinet approved the disbursement of the second instalment under the MMUA scheme from March 11. It also cleared the ASHA Express scheme to provide two-wheelers to over 36,000 ASHA workers and supervisors to improve healthcare outreach and service delivery. The Cabinet sanctioned Orunodoi assistance amounting to Rs 9,000 for nearly 39.7 lakh beneficiaries under the welfare scheme. In addition, the Cabinet approved providing a Grade III government job to the wife of late Rajib Sadiya as a compassionate appointment. - IANS News / Local by Dumani Moyo A BULAWAYO man last week smacked his wife all over the body with his fists after she had refused to cook his favourite relish.Mbekezeli Khumalo (42), of Bulawayo's Pumula North suburb, allegedly got home drunk and woke up his wife, Siphiwe Dlamini (29), at around 11pm demanding his meal before assaulting her.This was revealed when Khumalo appeared before provincial magistrate Mr Willard Maphios Moyo facing physical abuse charges.He pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to a wholly suspended three months in prison on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within a period of five years.Prosecuting, Mr Mufaro Mageza told the court that last Sunday, at around 11pm, Khumalo went home drunk and violently woke his wife up."He woke his wife up, and then he demanded his meal. When his wife, Dlamini, gave him his meal, Khumalo realised that the relish prepared wasn't his favourite. He got furious and started insulting her. He proceeded to hit his wife with fists several times all over her body," said Mageza.The court further heard that Khumalo started to accuse his wife of cruelty, telling her that she was not a loving wife.The following day, the matter was reported to the police leading to Khumalo's arrest.The court heard that it was not Khumalo's first time to assault his wife.However, he told court that he would not assault his wife again."Your worship, I will not do that again and I will avoid being controlled by alcohol. Sometimes I do this under the influence of alcohol," he said. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Geneva for a critical third round of nuclear negotiations with the United States. The talks occur amidst heightened tensions, with US President Donald Trump warning of potential military action and the US reinforcing its regional military presence. A report suggests some US advisers favor an Israeli preemptive strike on Iran, coinciding with the arrival of US stealth fighters in Israel. US officials maintain the diplomatic track is preferred but insist Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons. Iran's foreign minister arrives for high-stakes nuclear talks with the US amid warnings of military action and reports favoring an Israeli preemptive strike. Tel Aviv, February 26 Iran's foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Geneva for the third round of high-stakes negotiations with the United States, as US envoy Steve Witkoff insisted that any agreement concerning Tehran's nuclear activities must be permanent. An aircraft carrying Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi touched down in Geneva on Wednesday (local time) evening ahead of the negotiations scheduled for Thursday. Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, are heading the US delegation. The discussions over Iran's nuclear program come amid escalating tensions, with US President Donald Trump warning of possible military action if Tehran refuses to reach a deal. Washington has reinforced its military presence in the Middle East, while Iranian officials have vowed to target Israel and US interests if the United States launches an attack. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio underlined that President Trump is still hopefull of a diplomatic outcome. "They are trying to achieve intercontinental ballistic missiles. For example, you've seen them try to launch satellites into space. They are headed on a pathway to one day being able to develop weapons that could reach the continental US. They already possess weapons that could reach much of Europe, already now as we speak," he said "The negotiations tomorrow and the talks tomorrow will be largely focused on the nuclear program, and we hope that progress can be made because that's the president's preference, to make progress on the diplomatic front," he added. Adding to the stern US posture, Vice President J D Vance said Washington has seen evidence suggesting Iran is attempting to rebuild its nuclear weapons program following earlier strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. "The principle is very simple: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. In fact, we've seen evidence that they have tried to do exactly that," Vance told reporters. Earlier, a report in the Times of Israel suggested that Senior Advisers within the United States Administration have argued in favour of a pre-emptive strike by Israel on Iran before any direct US military action. The newspaper also reported that around a dozen US Air Force F-22 fighters have landed in Israel. The stealth fighters were spotted taking off from the Lakenheath airbase in the United Kingdom on February 24 morning before they flew to Israel, the Israeli daily said citing open-source flight tracking data and aircraft spotters. - ANI Israel Destroys 5km of Hamas Tunnels in Gaza's Beit Hanoun The Israel Defense Forces announced the completion of a major operation to destroy tunnel infrastructure in the northern Gaza Strip. Combat engineers successfully razed five kilometers of underground passages in the Beit Hanoun area. During the operation, soldiers discovered a significant cache of weapons and equipment stored within one of the tunnels. The seized materials included explosives, firearms, RPGs, grenades, ammunition, and surveillance devices. Key Points: IDF Destroys 5km of Gaza Tunnels, Finds Weapons Cache 5km of tunnels destroyed Weapons cache discovered Operation in northern Gaza Tunnels used for surveillance Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited an advanced hydrogen energy plant in Japan's Yamanashi Prefecture to observe its clean energy operations. He highlighted green hydrogen as a crucial foundation for future energy and an effective model for green development. A historic MoU was signed between Uttar Pradesh and Yamanashi for technical training of Indian students in Japan and implementation of the technology in UP. The initiative is seen as a significant step towards strengthening bilateral cooperation and achieving India's net-zero targets. UP CM Yogi Adityanath visits advanced hydrogen plant in Japan, signs MoU for tech training and clean energy cooperation to boost UP's green mobility. Yamanashi, February 26 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday visited an advanced hydrogen energy plant in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, to observe its cutting-edge clean energy operations. During the visit, he closely examined the plant's power-to-gas system and received detailed insights from experts on its functioning. The system converts electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar and wind into hydrogen, which is then used for fuel, energy storage, and clean transportation. This process not only supports energy efficiency but also contributes to reducing carbon emissions and environmental conservation. Appreciating the initiative taken in Yamanashi, the Chief Minister said, "Green hydrogen can become a crucial foundation of future energy. It represents an effective model for clean energy and green development. The Uttar Pradesh government is also taking concrete steps to promote green hydrogen, solar energy and other clean energy sources". He added that the state is encouraging industrial investment, research, and adoption of new technologies to become self-reliant in energy production while maintaining environmental responsibility. The Chief Minister's visit is being regarded as an important step toward strengthening technical cooperation with Japan. It is expected to give new momentum to clean energy and green mobility projects in Uttar Pradesh. The Uttar Pradesh government has signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan's Yamanashi Prefecture on green hydrogen technology, under which Indian students will receive high-level technical training in Japan. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is currently on a visit to Japan, termed the agreement a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral cooperation. Addressing the UP Investment Roadshow held in Yamanashi Prefecture, the Chief Minister showcased Uttar Pradesh's new development policy and investment opportunities before the global industry. In his address, CM Yogi said Uttar Pradesh has transformed its governance approach from reactive to proactive, adding that this shift has laid the foundation for the state's rapid economic growth. During the event, the Chief Minister announced that a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed between Uttar Pradesh and Yamanashi on green hydrogen technology. Under this agreement, students from Uttar Pradesh's higher technical institutions will receive training in Japan, and this technology will be implemented in the state's industry, public transport, and energy sectors. The initiative, he said, would contribute significantly towards achieving the net-zero target envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. - ANI Karnataka's School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa has stated the state government is actively considering regulating or banning social media access for children below 16 years of age. The move aims to address growing concerns over children's excessive mobile phone dependence and its impact on their well-being. An awareness campaign titled 'Put away mobile phones, pick up books' is being planned on the directions of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The final decision will be taken only after extensive consultations with students, parents, teachers, and experts. Karnataka govt, led by Minister Madhu Bangarappa, is considering regulating or banning social media for kids below 16 to curb phone addiction. Bengaluru, Feb 26 Karnataka School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa said on Thursday that the state government is considering regulating or banning social media for children below the age of 16, with a final decision to be taken after consulting students, parents, and experts. Speaking to reporters after attending the National Science Day programme at the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium in Bengaluru, the minister said the move is being explored in the interest of children's well-being and development. He expressed concern over the increasing dependence of children on mobile phones and said parents share responsibility for the growing problem. He noted that many parents hand over mobile phones to keep children quiet, which has contributed to excessive exposure to social media and digital distractions. Bangarappa said the government is planning an awareness campaign titled 'Put away mobile phones, pick up books', following directions from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He added that the Chief Minister has repeatedly stressed the need to address the issue and promote healthier habits among students. The minister said any decision would be taken only after extensive consultations with stakeholders, including students, teachers, parents, and subject experts. He emphasised that the objective is to ensure decisions are made in the best interest of children. He added that the proposal is currently in the discussion stage and that the government will take an appropriate decision soon under the guidance of the Chief Minister. - IANS Veteran Communist Party of India leader and freedom fighter R Nallakannu has passed away at the age of 101 in Chennai. He had been undergoing intensive care for over three weeks at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital before his condition turned critical. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed deep condolences, recalling Nallakannu's role in social issues and the farmers' movement. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin paid an emotional tribute, calling him an "indomitable comrade" and highlighting his close association with former CM M. Karunanidhi. Veteran freedom fighter & CPI leader R Nallakannu passes away at 101 in Chennai. CM Stalin, CM Vijayan pay emotional tributes to the stalwart. Thiruvananthapuram, February 26 Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed deep condolences on the passing of freedom fighter and veteran CPI leader R Nallakannu, who served as the Tamil Nadu State Secretary of the party for many years. The Chief Minister recalled that Nallakannu was widely respected for his active interventions on various social issues in the state and was a prominent figure in strengthening the farmers' movement in Tamil Nadu, according to the CMO. Ramasamy Nallakannu, one of the senior-most leaders of the Communist movement in Tamil Nadu, passed away at the age of 101 on Wednesday afternoon at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai. According to an official statement issued by Madras Medical College and the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Nallakannu had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on February 1 due to health complications. Over 24 days of treatment, his condition fluctuated despite continuous advanced monitoring and intensive care by a multidisciplinary medical team. However, from the early hours of Wednesday, his response to medication gradually declined, and his condition turned critical. Despite being placed on advanced life support, all his vital organs eventually failed. He was declared dead at around 1:55 pm. The hospital administration expressed deep condolences to his family and thanked the medical teams involved in his care, along with the Government of Tamil Nadu, for its support. Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin paid an emotional tribute to veteran leader R Nallakannu on Wednesday, calling him an "indomitable comrade" and a "political volcano" whose life would remain a guiding light for generations to come. In a heartfelt message shared on X, Stalin recalled Nallakannu's unwavering spirit despite physical challenges, quoting the late leader's own words: "Even though I lack proper vision in one eye, there is another eye in my heart. That is the good eye."He described Nallakannu as "an uncompromising fighter" and a tireless champion of the working class who endured imprisonment, torture, and immense personal hardship without ever compromising his principles. In his tribute, Stalin highlighted Nallakannu's close association with former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, fondly remembered as "Muttamil Arignar Kalaignar." He noted that Nallakannu had stood shoulder to shoulder with Karunanidhi in protests against laws such as POTA, ESA and TESA, and strongly believed that Communist ideology and the Dravidian movement should work together as a "twin-barreled rifle for social change." - ANI The CPI(M) has recalibrated its candidate list for the upcoming Kerala Assembly polls, dropping two-time MLA and actor Mukesh from Kollam. While a majority of key ministers have been cleared, signaling a focus on governance continuity, the party has set aside its informal two-term norm for legislators. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is aiming for a historic third consecutive term, with electoral pragmatism guiding the selections. Notable changes include the likely stepping aside of Minister R. Bindu and the potential return of former Finance Minister Thomas Isaac. CPI(M) drops MLA Mukesh, rejigs candidate list as CM Pinarayi Vijayan eyes a historic third consecutive term in Kerala. Key ministers retained. Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 26 In a significant recalibration ahead of the Assembly polls, the CPI has dropped actor-turned-Legislator Mukesh, a two-time MLA from Kollam, from its list of sitting members set to be renominated. The move comes even as the party clears a majority of key ministers, underscoring a selective approach to continuity and change. Among those who have received the green signal are senior ministers including M.B. Rajesh, Saji Cherian, O.R. Kelu, P. Rajeeve, K.N. Balagopal, V.N. Vasavan, Veena George, P. A. Mohammed Riyas, and V. Sivankutty. The message is clear, governance continuity will anchor the Left's pitch as it seeks to retain Kerala, now its last remaining stronghold in the country. However, Higher Education Minister R. Bindu is likely to step aside, with indications that her husband, CPI(M) Politburo member A. Vijayaraghavan, may be fielded instead. Among other names that are under contention includes P.K. Shymala, wife of State CPI-M secretary M.V. Govindan, while two time sitting legislator U. Prathibha's name is missing, so is the name of Speaker A.M. Shamseer. Notably, the informal norm introduced in recent years, that Legislators who completed two consecutive terms should make way for newcomers, appears to have been set aside. With Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan aiming for a historic third straight term, electoral pragmatism seems to have overtaken internal rotation principles. There are signs of reconsideration, too. Two time former Finance Minister Thomas Isaac, who was left out previously, may return to the fray. Senior Legislator K.K. Shailaja remains in suspense. Meanwhile, journalist-turned-politician M.V. Nikesh Kumar, who contested unsuccessfully in 2016, and social media figure Chintha Jerome are absent from district level clearances. However according to the CPI(M), even if a lower committee decides against any candidate the higher committees can make changes and hence, those who appear to have been left out, can still make a comeback. In 2021, the CPI(M) contested 75 seats and won 62, a performance it now seeks to replicate, or better, as it positions itself for an unprecedented third mandate in Kerala. - IANS Karnataka Ministers M.B. Patil and M.C. Sudhakar attended a Bengaluru reception celebrating the birthday of King Charles III. The event, organized by the British Deputy High Commission, highlighted the strong historical ties between Karnataka and the United Kingdom. Discussions focused on boosting British investment in the state and expanding academic partnerships through student exchange programs. The ministers also promoted the proposed KWIN City project as a future hub for collaboration with British companies and universities. Ministers M.B. Patil and M.C. Sudhakar attended a reception for King Charles III's birthday, highlighting Karnataka-UK trade and education ties. Bengaluru, Feb 27 Karnataka Ministers M.B. Patil and M.C. Sudhakar attended a reception in Bengaluru to mark the birthday of King Charles III, highlighting the ties between Karnataka and the UK. The event was organised on Thursday by the office of the British Deputy High Commissioner Chandru Iyer at the Taj West End and was attended by government officials, industry representatives, and members of the diplomatic community. Speaking at the event, Minister for Large and Medium Industries M.B. Patil said Karnataka and the UK share a long history of engagement, particularly in industry and investment. He added that during his recent visit to London, he met industrial leaders and encouraged them to invest in Karnataka. Patil noted that several British companies have established operations in the state and are contributing to its economic activity. He also said discussions were held with representatives of academic institutions, including the Imperial College London and the University of Liverpool. He added that British companies and universities are expected to participate in the proposed Knowledge, Wellbeing and Innovation (KWIN) City project near Dabaspet, which is aimed at creating opportunities for youth. Minister for Higher Education M.C. Sudhakar said Karnataka maintains cooperation with the United Kingdom in higher education through twinning programmes that facilitate student exchanges and academic collaboration. He added that 30 students are benefiting from the programme this year, similar to last year, enabling them to pursue studies abroad. Sudhakar added that the state government is focusing on skill development and international academic partnerships to expand global opportunities for students from Karnataka. King Charles III was born on November 14, 1948, at Buckingham Palace in London, England. He is the eldest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His birth occurred during the reign of his grandfather, King George VI. Since founding the Prince's Trust in 1976, using his 7,500 of severance pay from the Royal Navy, King Charles III has established 16 more charitable organisations and now serves as President of each. King Charles III has been known to donate his blood to raise awareness for health causes - IANS Norway's Ambassador to India, May-Elin Stener, states that the implementation of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with EFTA has spurred significant interest from Norwegian companies, primarily in the maritime and energy sectors. She notes that Norwegian shipowners are already signing contracts to build ships in India, and firms are keen to collaborate on scaling up renewable energy solutions. Bilateral trade between the two nations has doubled over the past decade, with over 160 Norwegian companies now operating in India. The Ambassador also highlighted ongoing climate cooperation, including a joint working group on environmental strategies and efforts to manage marine pollution. Norway's Ambassador highlights surging interest from Norwegian firms in India's maritime and renewable energy sectors following the EFTA trade agreement. By Vishu Adhana, New Delhi, February 26 Stating that Norwegian companies are showing strong interest in India following the conclusion of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement with the EFTA countries, Norway's Ambassador to India, May-Elin Stener, on Thursday said that the engagement is largely concentrated in two key areas--the maritime sector and the energy sector. Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the World Sustainable Development Summit 2026 in the national capital, Ambassador Stener highlighted the growing momentum in bilateral economic cooperation following the implementation of TEPA between India and the EFTA countries, which includes Norway. "The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between the EFTA countries and India--which Norway is part of--recently entered into force last year. And we see a lot of interest from Norwegian companies after this agreement was signed almost two years ago. These companies are mainly in two sectors: the maritime sector and the energy sector," she said. The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) bloc came into effect in October last year. According to the Ambassador, while it is still early to measure concrete outcomes, there is visible enthusiasm among Norwegian firms looking to expand operations in India. She noted that many Norwegian shipowners are exploring opportunities to build ships in India, and some contracts have already materialised as a result of the agreement. "We see a lot of interest from Norwegian companies. I mentioned the energy sector; we also see a lot of interest in the maritime sector. Many Norwegian shipowners are now looking to India to build their ships here. We've had some contracts already as a result of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement. And I really have great hope for more trade and more investments between India and Norway in the years to come," she added. Highlighting the broader economic trajectory, Stener pointed out that bilateral trade between the two countries has doubled over the past decade. She noted that nearly 160 Norwegian companies are currently present in India and expressed confidence that this number will continue to grow. On renewable energy cooperation, the Ambassador said that Norway's long experience as an energy-producing nation--particularly in oil and gas--has enabled it to develop technologies that are now being adapted for renewable energy solutions and that several Norwegian companies are keen to collaborate with Indian stakeholders to scale up clean energy initiatives, including in the solar and broader renewables space. "There are a lot of Norwegian companies interested in working with India. We have solutions because we've been an energy country and we've been producing oil and gas, and these technologies are now also being transferred into renewable energy solutions. Companies are looking to India because this is where they can scale up, and this is where they can work with Indian stakeholders and companies to create very good solutions in the renewable energy sector here in India," Stener said. Addressing climate cooperation, the Ambassador underlined Norway's long-standing partnership with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in the national capital and its continued engagement with Indian institutions on sustainability initiatives. She noted the existence of a joint working group between the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Norway's corresponding ministry to explore climate mitigation strategies and nature-based solutions. Citing an example, she referred to joint efforts on marine pollution and plastic waste management, emphasising the shared commitment to addressing environmental challenges. The Ambassador also congratulated TERI on organising the 25th edition of the summit, describing it as an important platform for advancing dialogue and partnerships on sustainable development. - ANI MDMK leader Vaiko has praised the late Communist veteran Nallakannu as a legendary figure and a model of integrity for all politicians. He highlighted Nallakannu's early entry into the CPI, his years of imprisonment, and his century-long life dedicated to struggles for Dalit upliftment and social justice. Vaiko also noted Nallakannu's sympathy for the Tamil cause in Sri Lanka and his cordial relations with opposition parties. Nallakannu passed away at age 101 after a prolonged hospitalization in Chennai. MDMK chief Vaiko lauds veteran Communist leader Nallakannu, who died at 101, as a legend of honesty and a lifelong champion of Dalit upliftment. Chennai, February 26 MDMK chief Vaiko has lauded late Communist leader Comrade Nallakannu as a "legend" of the communist movement and an "example of pure honesty, simplicity and humility". Vaiko highlighted Nallakannu's lifelong dedication to the upliftment of Dalits and oppressed sections, urging all aspiring politicians to study his life and follow in his footsteps. Vaiko said, "Comrade Nallakannu has become a legend of the Communist movement. At the age of 18, he joined the CPI; he underwent imprisonment for more than 7 years. He sacrificed everything throughout his life. He lived for more than 100 years. He participated in all the struggles and agitations for the upliftment of Dalits and oppressed sections to establish social justice and secularism. He was so sympathetic to the Tamil's cause in the island of Sri Lanka. He was also affectionate to the LTTE movement. He is a model, an example of pure honesty, simplicity and humility. His approach to the Opposition parties was so cordial. So, he had become an example. Whoever enters politics should study the life of Nallakannu and follow in his footsteps." The mortal remains of veteran CPI leader R Nallakannu were taken from Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital to CPI Head Office in T Nagar in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. CPI(M) workers and Communists in Tamil Nadu gathered near the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai. Nallakannu, who had been undergoing treatment at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, passed away on Wednesday afternoon, at the age of 101. Nallakannu was one of the senior-most Communist leaders in Tamil Nadu. According to an official statement issued by Madras Medical College and the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Nallakannu had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on February 1 due to health complications. Over 24 days of treatment, his condition fluctuated despite continuous advanced monitoring and intensive care by a multidisciplinary medical team. However, from the early hours of Wednesday, his response to medication gradually declined, and his condition turned critical. Despite being placed on advanced life support, all his vital organs eventually failed. He was declared dead at around 1:55 pm. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with the prestigious Speaker of the Knesset Medal, one of Israel's highest parliamentary honours. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan congratulated the PM, calling it a moment of national pride. The honour is seen as a reflection of the deep trust, mutual respect, and strategic convergence defining the modern India-Israel partnership. PM Modi accepted the award with humility, stating it was a tribute to the enduring friendship between the two nations. PM Narendra Modi conferred with Israel's highest parliamentary honour, the Speaker of the Knesset Medal, hailed as a symbol of deepening India-Israel ties. New Delhi, February 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with the Speaker of the Knesset medal by the Knesset, one of the highest parliamentary honours of Israel, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday. In a post on X, Rajnath Singh congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on receiving such a prestigious honour. "Congratulations to Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi on being conferred with the Speaker of the Knesset Medal by the Knesset, one of the highest parliamentary honours of Israel." Rajnath Singh posted. The defence minister also said that the distinguished recognition reflects the deep trust, mutual respect and strategic convergence that define the India-Israel partnership today "This distinguished recognition reflects the deep trust, mutual respect and strategic convergence that define the India-Israel partnership today. It is a proud moment for our country and every Indian," he added. Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan also expressed pride andjoy over the honour conferred on the prime minister. "A moment of pride and joy for all of us, as our beloved Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji has been conferred the "Medal of the Knesset" by the Israeli Parliament during his address to the Knesset," Chouhan posted on X. He described it as a symbol of the deepening ties between two of the world's most ancient nations, strengthened in recent years under the able leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He also expressed hope that this honour will further strengthen the bonds between the two nations. "This is a symbol of the deepening ties between two of the world's most ancient nations, strengthened in recent years under the able leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji. May this honour further strengthen the bonds of friendship, cooperation, and shared values between the two nations, paving the way for even greater collaboration in the years to come," he added. The Speaker of the Knesset Medal is among the most prestigious honours bestowed by the Israeli Parliament, recognising individuals who have made significant contributions to strengthening bilateral relations and promoting democratic values. The Israeli Parliament conferred the "Speaker of the Knesset Medal" on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recognition of his "exceptional contribution through his personal leadership" to strengthen strategic relations between India and Israel. After receiving the medal, PM Modi expressed his gratitude, calling it a tribute to the enduring friendship between India and Israel rather than to an individual."I am deeply honoured to receive the Medal of the Knesset. I accept it with humility and gratitude. This honour is not a tribute to an individual, but to the enduring friendship between India and Israel. It reflects the shared values that guide our two nations," PM Modi said in a post on X. - ANI News / National by Staff reporter FEAR gripped government yesterday forcing discussions with striking junior doctors as well as consultants and senior health practitioners, who on Friday issued a 48-hour-ultimatum, NewsDay can reveal.The ultimatum expired last night.It also emerged that the crisis meetings took place for the better part of yesterday between the Health Service Board (HSB) and a task force was set up by the Zimbabwe Medical Association (Zima) to mediate between the State and medical personnel.HSB vice-chairperson Auxillia Chideme-Munodawafa and Zima president Francis Chawora, flanked by taskforce chairperson Christopher Samkange as well as other officials, addressed a presser on the new developments.Following Acting President Constantino Chiwenga's decision to fire over 550 junior doctors last week, it emerged that government had gone ahead and recruited final year students, some whose results were yet to be known, sources told NewsDay."It smacks of insincerity because on one hand, government has indicated it wants to talk, but on the other, it has gone ahead and recruited hordes of final year students, some of whom have actually failed. The results are yet to be known, but government already has a deployment list of the interns, who are supposed to replace the junior doctors whom the State reportedly fired last week," one source said.Another source said there were meetings throughout yesterday to try and find a solution to the impasse with a view to keeping especially senior doctors on the job and forestall a crisis."There have been meetings the whole of today (yesterday) and the Zimbabwe Medical Association leadership has been locked up with senior government officials in a bid to thrashout a compromise."The 48-hour ultimatum expires today (yesterday) and it would be difficult for hospitals because, for example, nurses cannot certify deaths. We are reaching a crisis point," NewsDay heard.Documents shown to NewsDay suggested a list of students has already been made out from local universities such as the National University of Science and Technology (Nust), University of Zimbabwe (UZ), and other medical colleges from across the world like China and Ukraine to be placed across the country.But a letter by students who wrote examinations in December 2016 and were awaiting their results to a Professor Masanganise of the Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences at UZ raised a red flag over the government's move."We, the MDCHB V (2013 intake) students, recently wrote our exams in December 2016. We have been awaiting our results, as is the norm with the College of Health Sciences. Today, the 29th of December, a number of us received phone calls from human resources departments of various hospitals, mostly Parirenyatwa, indicating we had gotten internship placements and were asked to present ourselves immediately to sign preliminary contracts and assume internship duties," the undated letter signed by the students representatives said."This goes against the contract we have with the University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, which says that we receive results via the academics office of the university after a formal communication by the registrar of the university."The students added that they were worried about the changes being effected to their programme, amid reports that Chiwenga had indicated he wanted the medical degree, which normally runs for seven years, to be reduced to a four-year programme."We are concerned about the criteria used to place students into internship stations without formal disclosure of results. We are also concerned with the sudden change framework of our degree programme and internship programme that has been reported in the media and somehow highlighted in the contract that has been shown to some of our colleagues by the human resources departments," the letter said.Repeated efforts to get comment from government were unsuccessful yesterday.Zima secretary-general Sacrifice Chirisa said the ultimatum would be addressed by today afternoon."The ultimatum will be addressed tomorrow (today) by 2pm. Please watch for the official statement tomorrow," Chirisa said.On Friday, senior doctors, consultants and registrars issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding that government resolves the concerns by junior medical staff or they would join the industrial action."We have noted with concern the way the protracted and on-going collective job action by the juniors and mid-level doctors has been handled and the impact this had on patients, the community and the profession."Therefore, we are urging the Health Services Board to resolve the impasse within the next 48 hours. Consultants have been working very hard under these very difficult circumstances and will not be able to continue beyond the stated time period," the doctors said in a statement, adding dialogue was key.Sources within the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors' Association also said there were meetings slated for today as efforts to resolve the issue continued.Yesterday, in a joint statement read by Chideme-Munodawafa, the parties to the dispute suggested a "truce" had been reached."Government, through the same communication, committed itself to allowing duty exempt importation of vehicles meant for doctors and other health workers under the vehicle loan scheme, further committing itself to disbursing the outstanding $6 million by December 31, 2018 (today)."Government also through the National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm) has started receiving critical medicines and accessories needed for better health delivery in the country, with distribution being made to public hospitals," the statement read in part.While reports emerged that NatPharm was holding expired drugs, a claim government has rejected, the statement added: "The meeting further noted and was satisfied that NatPharm was mindful of and fulfilling its obligation to the public by ensuring safe medicines are availed to hospitals and clinics."The parties to the dispute also took note of a court judgment declaring the strike by junior doctors illegal."The meeting was concerned that the junior doctors had not complied with the court ruling, thus putting themselves on the wrong side of the law. Both parties agreed that it was important for the junior doctors to return to lawful conduct by promptly resuming work in order to break the current impasse," the statement said.Chideme-Munodawafa, while admitting government had issued suspension letters, said there was a possibility these could be set aside."If they return to work, as we have been urging them from day one, then this will be considered (in disciplinary processes). That is why you see the Zima taskforce here, it's efforts from both sides to resolve the issue," she said.Asked about concerns being raised by UZ College of Health Sciences students, HSB board member Memory Nguwi said all procedures were being followed."The issue of recruitment is normal procedure and we are following procedure. No one has yet been recruited, it's preparatory work. The contractual issues that are being talked about on social media are not yet official," Nguwi said.Chideme-Munodawafa added government does not respond to social media, but uses formal channels of communication. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has expressed a strong cooperative stance on sharing Chambal river water with Rajasthan, prioritizing mutual development over strict quotas. He addressed investors in Bhilwara, detailing Madhya Pradesh's transparent policies and incentives designed to attract business. The event showcased specific industrial projects and sectoral opportunities within Madhya Pradesh. Officials held direct meetings with industrialists to discuss potential investments across various manufacturing sectors. Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav pledges cooperation on Chambal river water sharing with Rajasthan and promotes industrial investment opportunities. Jaipur, Feb 26 Calling Madhya Pradesh the "motherland of rivers", Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed a strong commitment to cooperation with Rajasthan on the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal Project and emphasised the importance of inter-state collaboration on water sharing. Addressing an interactive session on Investment Opportunities in Madhya Pradesh held in Bhilwara on Thursday, he said Madhya Pradesh is fully prepared to collaborate on the distribution of Chambal river water with Rajasthan. Referring to the Chambal river water-sharing arrangement, the Chief Minister remarked that even if Rajasthan were to receive a slightly larger share of water, Madhya Pradesh would welcome it in the spirit of mutual development and cooperation. "If Rajasthan takes a little more of our share of water, it will not matter to us; rather, it will make us happy. True happiness lies in both Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan progressing together," he said. Highlighting his administrative approach, Dr Yadav said that when officials expressed reservations about providing Chambal river water, he instructed them to proceed with a cooperative approach. "You write 'no' on the file. I am the Chief Minister, and I will write 'yes' on it," he said, underlining his commitment to inter-state cooperation. Recalling past disputes over Chambal river water sharing, he emphasised that sustainable development for both states can be achieved through cooperation, dialogue and positive political intent. He reiterated that the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are committed to public welfare and are working towards advancing the water distribution project in Rajasthan under the PKC initiative. More than 250 industrial groups, textile entrepreneurs and investors from Bhilwara and across Rajasthan attended the interactive session. The event aimed to provide direct insights into investment opportunities, industrial infrastructure, new policies and incentive schemes available in Madhya Pradesh. The programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. In his welcome address, Dr S.N. Modani, Chairman of RTMA, praised Madhya Pradesh's progressive industrial policies and their implementation, stating that the state's ease-of-doing-business framework promotes a competitive and investor-friendly environment. R.K. Jain, Secretary of the Marwar Chamber of Commerce, commended the Madhya Pradesh administration for its responsive and industry-friendly approach and suggested establishing a technical textile and ready-made garment park in the Neemuch region. In his keynote address, CM Mohan Yadav said the Madhya Pradesh government ensures a transparent, simple and investor-friendly ecosystem to attract investments. He noted that large investment proposals receive customised incentives through the Cabinet Committee on Investment Promotion (CCIP), facilitating industrial growth. Stressing the importance of Rajasthan-Madhya Pradesh industrial cooperation, he encouraged entrepreneurs to expand their investments into Madhya Pradesh while continuing their business operations in Rajasthan. An audio-visual presentation highlighted emerging industrial opportunities and infrastructure development initiatives in the state. Raghavendra Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion and MSME, Government of Madhya Pradesh, delivered a detailed presentation on multiplier-based incentives, export freight subsidies, sector-specific packages, and major upcoming projects such as the PM Mitra Park in Indore, Mega Investment Park in Ratlam, Medical Device Park in Ujjain, and Maswasi Grant Industrial Area in Sagar. Senior officials from the Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation (MPIDC) and the Industry Department held one-on-one meetings with leading industrialists to discuss potential investments in textiles, energy, fertilisers, electronics and other manufacturing sectors. Among those present were Lok Sabha MP from Bhilwara Damodar Agrawal and several other industrialists, investors and senior officials. - IANS NASA has provided details on the early return of SpaceX's Crew-11 mission from the International Space Station. The decision was made after astronaut Mike Fincke experienced a medical event in January that required attention from his crewmates and flight surgeons. The crew returned to Earth on January 15 in a carefully coordinated plan to access advanced medical imaging unavailable on the station. Fincke is now doing well and undergoing standard post-flight reconditioning in Houston. NASA details the early return of Crew-11 from the ISS after astronaut Mike Fincke experienced a medical event, requiring advanced care on Earth. Washington DC, February 26 The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has provided additional details on the early return of SpaceX's Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station. Astronaut Mike Fincke, who served as Crew-11 pilot and commander of ISS Expedition 74, disclosed that his own health concern in January led to the decision to bring all four Crew-11 members back to Earth ahead of schedule. In a statement shared by NASA, Fincke said, "On Jan. 7, while aboard the International Space Station, I experienced a medical event that required immediate attention from my incredible crewmates. Thanks to their quick response and the guidance of our NASA flight surgeons, my status quickly stabilised." He added that after further evaluation, NASA determined that the safest course was an early return for Crew-11. The crew splashed down off the coast of San Diego on January 15, concluding a five-and-a-half-month mission. "After further evaluation, NASA determined the safest course was an early return for Crew-11--not an emergency, but a carefully coordinated plan to be able to take advantage of advanced medical imaging not available on the space station. On Jan. 15, we splashed down off the coast of San Diego after an amazing five-and-a-half-month mission," the statement reads. Fincke expressed gratitude to his fellow Expedition 74 members and the teams at NASA, SpaceX, and Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, for their support. He said he is doing well and continuing standard post-flight reconditioning at NASA's Johnson Space Centre in Houston. "I am deeply grateful to my fellow Expedition 74 members--Zena Cardman, Kimiya Yui, Oleg Platonov, Chris Williams, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, and Sergei Mikayev--as well as the entire NASA team, SpaceX, and the medical professionals at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla near San Diego. Their professionalism and dedication ensured a positive outcome," the statement reads. "I'm doing very well and continuing standard post-flight reconditioning at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Spaceflight is an incredible privilege, and sometimes it reminds us just how human we are. Thank you all for your support," the statement reads. - ANI The Union Home Ministry declares the decades-long Naxalite movement effectively over but is implementing a plan to prevent its resurgence. It has designated 31 "Legacy Thrust Districts" to receive continued security and development support. Home Minister Amit Shah set a deadline for the movement's end and emphasized a dual strategy of surrender or elimination. The government credits success to a combination of security operations and infrastructure development, which has shifted local support away from the insurgents. The decades-long Naxalite threat is declared over. The MHA designates Legacy Thrust Districts and plans post-conflict development to prevent a resurgence. New Delhi, Feb 26 As the Naxalite movement that daunted India for decades comes to an end, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has already begun chalking out the roadmap to ensure that the menace does not resurface. Officials say that the ideology is officially dead today, but they are on guard to ensure that a new form of criminality does not emerge in certain zones where the Naxalite menace was at its highest. The MHA recognises that once the problem ends, the wise thing to do is to ensure there is no relapse. The designation of 31 "Legacy Thrust Districts" from Gadchiroli, Balaghat and Badradri Kothagundem is a step taken to ensure there is no resurgence of the movement. These areas will continue to receive security and development support. The intention is not just to walk away and leave it to the state. There are certain areas where Naxalism once thrived, and these need to get Central support as the state alone cannot handle it immediately, the official added. Another official said the battle against the Naxal movement has been on for a long time. However, under the Modi government, there has been a new momentum. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who led from the front, not just gave the security forces a free hand, but also ensured that Centre-state coordination took place seamlessly, the official also explained. Home Minister Shah also said that the Naxalites should either surrender or be prepared to be eliminated. The deadline set by him for the Naxalite movement to end is March 31, 2026. In 2000, the number of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) districts was 200. By 2025, the number shrunk to 38. As per data available with the MHA, the number today stands at seven -- five in Chhattisgarh and one each in Jharkhand and Odisha. Of these, only three are marked as "Most Affected". These are the areas in which the "Legacy Thrust Districts" have been designated. Following the March 31 deadline, the MHA seeks to ensure that the states push development and governance in a big way in the LEW-affected districts. Any slip-up could give room for a resurgence, and the government wants to avoid it at any cost. The Centre wants to ensure that development in these belts does not slow down. The successful battle against the Naxalites cannot be attributed just to encounters. In this battle, over 15,000 kilometres of roads have been built and over 9,000 mobile towers installed. This has not just helped the security forces go deep and communicate better, but has been of great benefit to the locals, too. The locals who were once informers for the Naxalites are today completely on the side of the government, an official said. An Intelligence Bureau official said the Naxalites have literally given up. Only a handful want to fight on, but they, too, know that their game is up. The key would be either ensure their surrender or elimination. The Naxalite movement was dealt a severe blow when a secretary of the Maoist Central Committee, Tippiri Tirupati alias Devi, surrendered before the Telangana Police. The police said that only 11 from Telangana remain underground, and many are already in talks to surrender. Further, the Central government is already coordinating with the states regarding the next plan of action. For now, it has been decided that there would not be an immediate withdrawal of forces, and it would instead be done in a phased manner. During this phase, bureaucratic responses would be key, and the states have been advised to ensure there are no slip-ups on that front. The Intelligence agencies say that security officials should also keep a watch on social media and gatherings in urban areas. Propaganda can be spread in these spaces in a bid to revive the movement. Although a revival looks impossible, the agencies would continue to monitor these spaces and put down such attempts as they could become major irritants, officials say. - IANS Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran has announced that formal seat-sharing negotiations within the state's NDA alliance will commence following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to the region. Modi's schedule includes a public program in Puducherry and a temple visit in Madurai, with the trip aimed at highlighting developmental initiatives. Nagendran used the occasion to criticize the ruling DMK government over law and order, alleging issues like drug use among students. The 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections are shaping up to be a three-way contest between the DMK-led alliance, the NDA, and actor Vijay's new political party. Tamil Nadu BJP chief says NDA alliance seat-sharing for state polls will begin after PM Modi's visit to Madurai and Puducherry in early March. Chennai, February 26 Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran on Thursday announced that the seat sharing the talks within the National Democratic Alliance for the forthcoming state polls would begin following PM Narendra Modi's upcoming Madurai visit on March 1. Speaking at an event in Chennai, the Tamil Nadu BJP chief emphasised the need for proper coordination within the NDA alliance, for shaping up Tamil Nadu's bright future. He also hit out at the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regime over law and order situation in the state and also accused them of acting against government officials. "After Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Tamil Nadu, the seat-sharing talks (NDA- AIADMK alliance) will begin. DMK is against government officials. The law and order situation in the state is not good...Students are carrying Ganja, beer bottles in their bags...We should not have differences between us and should work together as an NDA alliance. We all should work hard and create a good future for Tamil Nadu," Nagendran said. Earlier, Nainar Nagendran, along with BJP leader Tamilisai Soundarajan, paid tribute to Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya during the inauguration ceremony of the party's election headquarters for the upcoming state polls in Chennai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a significant visit to southern India beginning with his arrival in Chennai on the night of February 28. According to top Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) sources, the Prime Minister will stay overnight at the Governor's residence in Chennai. On the morning of March 1, the Prime Minister will depart for Puducherry, where he is scheduled to participate in a public programme and address a large gathering. The visit is expected to highlight key developmental initiatives and government welfare schemes, and draw participation from local leaders, officials, and party workers. After concluding his engagements in Puducherry, the Prime Minister will proceed to Madurai, often referred to as the "city that never sleeps" and one of Tamil Nadu's most culturally significant centres. During his Madurai visit, the Prime Minister will offer prayers and have darshan at the historic Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple, one of the six sacred abodes (Arupadai Veedu) of Lord Murugan and an important pilgrimage site. The National Democratic Alliance, led by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham, consists of other parties, including the BJP and Pattali Makkal Katchi. 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 Nepal's 2026 parliamentary election campaign marks a dramatic shift from traditional print-based materials to a hybrid model emphasizing digital outreach. Printers in Kathmandu report a significant slump in orders for flags, banners, and badges compared to previous elections as parties reallocate budgets. Political candidates are now heavily investing in social media ads, professional managers, and influencers to reach voters online. This transformation is supported by the Election Commission's ethical guidelines and partnerships with tech platforms like Meta and TikTok to ensure transparency and curb misinformation. Nepal's 2026 election sees a major shift from traditional print materials to digital campaigning on social media, driven by new ethics and Gen Z influence. By Binod Prasad Adhikari, Kathmandu, February 26 Nepal's 2026 election campaign is taking a hybrid approach, combining traditional grassroots mobilisation with advanced digital strategies. This blend is crucial in navigating the high-stakes political environment following the 2025 Gen Z-led uprising. The businesses in the printing presses, which used to go into frenzy and be busy preparing the election campaign materials, but this time, the area is eerily silent. The smell of printing inks has become thinner this year as the orders have slumped in comparison to those of the year 2022. Bijay Kumar Karki is one of those who has been running the business of printing, which, during the election time are busy making the campaign materials. From the party flags to the badges, caps, banners and other miniature items- it should have been a busy time for him, but this year the business has reduced. "In my business of forty years, at the time of election we used to make hand-made banners, but after the ban on it, the technique shifted to using the screen prints," Karki told ANI. Further adding, "In terms of the business of the flags, the number (of orders) has dived. In the previous election of 2022, there was high demand, but this time it has slumped." The basic essence of the election campaign, as per the printers, was a means to raise awareness as well as establish one's image, but with time, it has undergone a drastic change. The same experience has been recounted by Anita Chaudhary, who has also been working as a screen printer in Kathmandu's printing capital- Bagbazar. "In the previous election, the sale was high, but this year they have also decreased. There aren't many orders to prepare for," Chaudhary said. This has been mainly attributed to the transition from traditional means of campaigning to digital means, especially social media. Candidates in Nepal now are shifting their appeals for votes from door-to-door to social media feeds. Parties and candidates standing in the fray for next week's parliamentary election have ensured their presence on all fronts to reach out to the voters, changing the dynamics of the election campaigning. The political parties and candidates are now running ads on social media through paid promotion services to reach out to larger audience. As per Facebook's Ad library report from November 25 to February 22, 2026, a total of 16, 453 USD has been spent from Bagmati Zone, which includes the capital Kathmandu, only to boost the political, social or elections ads. It is only the Bagmati Zone which has spent ten thousand; the Koshi Zone, which comes second in terms of boost in the same period, has only spent 5,469 USD for the same section. This change in the pattern of campaigning comes in line with the adoption of new election ethics by the electoral body. The Election Commission, Nepal, has adopted ethical guidelines which limit the size of the flag, numbers and other materials that were previously used during the campaign. The commission had partnered with Meta and TikTok in the 2022 local elections to regulate political ads, tracking spending and content transparency. Since then, Facebook's Ad Library has included Nepal, providing public access to expenditure and content details. A similar cooperation is underway this year to curb misinformation, false content, and hate speech. Going in line with the adopted policy by the electoral body of the Himalayan Nation, the political parties also increased their social media budget for the March 5 election. To have a strong presence on social media and exert influence on voters, the political parties and candidates are hiring professionals- social media influencers and managers. "Right after the filing of the candidacy for First-Past-the-Post, demand for social media managers and creative artists who can make electoral campaigns boom. Currently in the market, professional fees for handling social media handles of the candidates start from half-a-million rupees," a digital platform handler told ANI, asking not to be named, requesting privacy. The change that has been seen over time started back from the 2022 local elections, which have reshaped the nation's digital terrain. With the dominance of technology, the electorate is no longer defined solely by geography- districts, constituencies, or wards but by digital affinities and platform behaviours. As per the experts, the Cost Per Click (CPC) on average on Facebook in Nepal ranges from NPR 5 to NPR 40 ($0.04 - $0.30 USD). In comparison, Google Ads averages around $0.64 USD. Similarly, the Cost Per Mille (CPM), the cost to reach 1,000 people on Facebook, fluctuates between NPR 80 and NPR 500 ($0.60 - $3.75 USD). Dr. Rishikesh Dahal, Assistant Professor at the Central Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at the Tribhuvan University, the oldest varsity of Nepal, points out two reasons behind the change in the dynamics of the political campaigning. "It is turning into digital election campaigning by all political parties and candidates. One of the reasons is that the Election Commission, Nepal, prioritises digital campaigning rather than pamphlets and other traditional means. Another aspect is the big impact of digital and social media products, and the consumption pattern is very high," Dahal told ANI. According to Meta's Ad Library, since September 2022, a total of 33, 413 ads have been posted on Facebook for which a total of 285, 608 USD has been spent. In the last month, from January 25 to February 23, 2026, election-related expenses have increased in Nepal, with a single account running 108 advertisement spending 3, 424 USD. During this period, around 500 election-focused advertisements were placed on Meta platforms through more than 100 different accounts. The money paid for such advertisements goes directly to Meta. These ads are displayed across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and Meta's Audience Network, which includes third-party apps and websites partnered with Meta. When placing ads on Meta, advertisers typically target users based on age, interests, behaviour, geography, and other factors. These advertisements have collectively been viewed at least one million times. The content includes information about the party and its activities, interviews with families of Gen Z martyrs, speeches by party leaders, and calls for votes. As the election approaches, aggressive campaigning on social media has become more visible, an area that falls under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission's code of conduct. With campaigners practicing hybrid model of campaigning, the Election Commission, Nepal, has now started closely monitoring advertisements on digital platforms. The electoral body has capped the spending limit for each parliamentary candidate at NPR 2.5 million, which also includes social media advertising. Beyond this, the Election Commission will also use software to monitor electronic media. The software, provided with support from UNDP and The Asia Foundation, is being used to screen social media content. As per the officials, if any issues are identified, the Commission will coordinate with the respective social media companies to remove the content. But the electoral body's code of conduct does not clearly specify what action should be taken if someone else runs a social media campaign in support of a candidate. The election code of conduct prohibits campaigning through multiple handles. It states: "Political parties or candidates shall not conduct or cause to be conducted any publicity through online web pages, TV scrolling, displays in shopping malls, call centres, bank ATM messages, street dramas, or similar media." However, it adds that having campaign materials on a maximum of one personal or official website of a political party or candidate will not be restricted. Even a decade ago, Nepali political parties primarily used manifestos, posters, pamphlets, and banners to introduce candidates and communicate party agendas during elections. They wrote slogans on public spaces and walls. Teams would go door-to-door asking for votes. Party workers themselves carried out these activities. In addition, campaigns were conducted through traditional media. As internet access expanded and social media reach increased, election campaigning gradually shifted online. Parties began using tech-savvy members to promote their messages through social media. It became common to highlight positive aspects of one's own party and dig up negative content about opponents. In the year 2020, the Communist Party of Nepal- Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) led by KP Sharma Oli, contesting from Jhapa-5, had formed "Cyber Army", which was later renamed as "Cyber Circle" on 24 November 2021 after controversy over the name. For the March 5 election, the party is making extensive use of "Cyber Circle" to reach out to a wider audience for appealing them for the vote, as the stakes are high for Oli after rapper turned mayor Balendra Shah is standing against him in the fray. Nepali Congress, the largest party in the September-dissolved parliament, also had formed the "Nepali Congress Wide Information Network" (NC WIN) on 6 September 2021 to promote the party via social media. A separate team has been formed to launch the digital campaign for the party leaders. In particular, during the 2022 local elections, independent candidate Balendra Shah (Balen), who ran for mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, received extensive promotion through social media. This had a nationwide impact. While party candidates relied mainly on traditional media and limited social media promotion, Facebook pages like "Routine of Nepal Banda" used technology to widely promote Balen. This resonated strongly with urban youth voters and became one factor in his victory. "There is a high level of internet penetration all over Nepal, and most of the people use social media and digital platforms rather than traditional media. That is why political parties are trying to reach where the audiences are or where the voters are," Dr Dahal told ANI. The Gen-Z protest of September last year, which started with a call on social media, also used the platform Discord to elect Sushila Karki as the interim leader. Observers say the issue is even more pressing as digital content increasingly shapes voters' perceptions. "Social media is just a medium to reach out and express, and advertise one's own self. It makes people more visible, giving more visual literacy, which would have an impact on people appraising them. The election is an event when the people are reached out to and also is the competition of the intellectuality; those who are not well-literate also will vote for them, so through these visual means of campaigning, by any means it is powerful," Bijay Kumar Karki, who has four decades of experience in printing campaign materials, concludes. - ANI Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar declared India will no longer be deterred by Pakistan's nuclear threats, which he labeled a bluff. He stated the military's mindset has shifted from retaliation to achieving decisive victory on the ground, citing the success of Operation Sindoor. The General warned that any future Indian response would be significantly harsher, extending beyond terrorist and air bases to force a definitive outcome. He emphasized technological self-reliance and soldier readiness while paying tribute to units involved in the previous operation. Lt Gen Manoj Katiyar dismisses Pakistan's nuclear threats as a bluff, vows a harsher response than Operation Sindoor, aiming for decisive victory. Pathankot, February 26 General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Command, Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, on Thursday declared that India will no longer be deterred by Pakistan's "nuclear bluff", adding that India's response will be harsher and stronger than what was witnessed last time. Speaking at a specialised investiture ceremony in Pathankot, the General made it clear that the Indian Army's tactical mindset has shifted from retaliatory strikes to achieving "decisive victory on the ground," highlighting the Western Command's success in "Operation Sindoor." "In Operation Sindoor, we attacked all their (Pakistan) terrorist bases...After that, they retaliated, and in response, we destroyed their military bases and air bases. They then demanded a ceasefire, and not just directly from us, but also from other countries, asking for a ceasefire with India. They cannot fight us...The response will be stronger than what we have done in Operation Sindoor...But we are very sure that we have to respond harsher than we did last time," he said. "This operational demonstration is not just a celebration of our victory in Operation Sindoor; it is a display of preparation. The danger is not yet averted, and this time the enemy will face a blow even harder than before," he added. Addressing the recurring threats of nuclear escalation from across the border, Lt Gen Katiyar dismissed them as a "bluff" born out of weakness. "He (Shehbaz Sharif) wants to prevent us from taking any strong action... It's a kind of bluff he's doing, which we have to call out. We will not be deterred by his nuclear bluff," the General stated firmly. The General warned that while India seeks peace, the military leadership in Pakistan thrives on conflict to maintain its own relevance. He cautioned that the danger has not averted and that the next blow will be "harder than before." "This time it will not be limited to destroying terrorist bases or airbases," he said. "The victory will be such that they will have to kneel and accept defeat before the world." The ceremony served as a tribute to the units that excelled during the past year, specifically those involved in "Operation Sindoor"--a mission the General described as a lesson to the neighbour for its "misadventures." Lt Gen Katiyar highlighted technological self-reliance, especially in drone production and integration, and emphasised the importance of continuous training for soldiers. While highlighting 100% equipment readiness and drone integration, Lt Gen Katiyar emphasised that the Indian Jawan remains the most important factor. He invoked the ideology of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, stating that the Indian spirit, like the legendary Maratha ruler's sword, does not bend before anyone. Following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Indian military carried out precise strikes on nine major terror launchpads operated by Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen. In retaliation, Pakistan launched a series of drone and missile attacks on Indian cities on the nights of May 7, 8, and 9, 2025. - ANI North Korean leader Kim Jong-un issued a stark warning of "terrible retaliatory attacks" against any hostile military acts during a nighttime parade in Pyongyang. The parade, featuring aerial performances and marching troops, marked the conclusion of a major ruling party congress. Notably, the event did not display the country's latest key weapons systems, such as the Hwasong-20 ICBM. Kim also stated that relations with the U.S. could be possible only if Washington abandons its hostile policy, while rejecting dialogue overtures from Seoul. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un warns of "terrible retaliatory attacks" against hostile acts during a military parade marking a key party congress. Seoul, Feb 26 North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has warned that 'terrible retaliatory attacks' will be carried out against any force committing hostile military acts against his country during a military parade marking a key party congress, state media reported on Thursday. Kim made the remarks at the nighttime parade at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on Wednesday as the high-profile ruling party gathering drew to a close that day, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). "Our armed forces are fully ready to cope with any circumstances," Kim said in a speech carried by the KCNA. "Our army will deliver terrible retaliatory attacks to any forces the moment they commit hostile military acts of infringing upon our national sovereignty and security interests." "In this world of today, it is the topmost, overriding task of our state and the duty of our armed forces, which no one else could perform for them, to reliably defend the rights to existence and development of our state and people," he added. Photos released by the KCNA showed Kim; his daughter, Ju-ae, who is widely speculated as the successor to her father; his wife, Ri Sol-ju; and other top officials watching the parade at the viewing stand. The photos did not display any of the country's key weapons systems, such as the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile unveiled last October, in an apparent indication that they were not included. The KCNA dispatch said the parade featured aerial performances and 50 formations of marching troops, including those from overseas operations and engineering units, which have been deployed to support Russia's war against Ukraine. The ninth congress of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea kicked off last Thursday to outline major policy directions for the next five years on diplomacy, defense, the economy and other areas, Yonhap news agency reported. During a policy review session, Kim said Pyongyang has no reason not to get along with the United States if Washington withdraws its hostile policy against his country but rejected Seoul's overtures for talks as 'deceptive.' - IANS The Supreme Court has initiated suo motu proceedings and issued show cause notices to top Education Ministry officials and the NCERT Director over a controversial chapter on "Corruption in the judiciary" in a Class 8 textbook. BJD MP Sasmit Patra strongly supported the court's action, calling the curriculum "unwarranted and deplorable." The court has imposed a blanket ban on the section and demanded detailed records of the committee that approved the content, despite NCERT's apology and withdrawal. Chief Justice Surya Kant described the inclusion as a "calculated move" and part of a "deep-rooted, well-planned conspiracy." Supreme Court issues show cause notices, BJD MP Sasmit Patra backs suo motu action on NCERT Class 8 textbook's controversial content. Bhubaneswar, February 26 BJD MP Sasmit Patra on Thursday backed the Supreme Court's suo moto action on National Council of Educational Research and Training Class 8 curriculum, which allegedly teaches "corruption in the Indian judiciary". Speaking to ANI, Patra called the curriculum "unwarranted and deplorable", supporting CJI Justice Surya Kant's views. He demands the withdrawal of the books and action against those responsible. Sasmit Patra said, "I strongly support the views of CJI Justice Surya Kant not only as a parliamentarian but also as a member of the Supreme Court bar because such curriculum which seems to be denigrating the image of the judiciary in books, is extremely unwarranted and deplorable... the Supreme Court has already taken a suo motu case in this regard. Not only the withdrawal of the books but also finding who all are responsible for this and ensuring a framework that such curriculum does not get into textbooks or any other public platform... proper precautions need to be taken." Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court of India has issued show cause notices to the Secretary of the Department of Education and Literacy (Ministry of Education) and NCERT Director Dinesh Prashad Saklani, asking them to explain why action should not be taken under contempt or other laws for including a sub-chapter titled "Corruption in the judiciary" in the Class 8 NCERT Social Science textbook. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M Pancholi refused to halt suo motu proceedings despite NCERT's apology over the controversial inclusion and imposed a blanket ban on the textbook section. The court warned that any attempt to bypass the order would be considered direct interference with the administration of justice and could attract contempt of court. The Supreme Court has also directed NCERT to submit detailed records of the Teaching-Learning Materials Committee that approved the chapter, including the names, qualifications, and credentials of all members of the development team. "They have fired the gun, and the judiciary is bleeding today. Today, anybody can say anything. At times, there is a mounting attack on us, and we are aware of it. The material is available online, on the internet, and even in stores. This is a very calculated move -- the entire teaching will be dictated. When you look at how the Indian judiciary is portrayed as corrupt, it becomes evident what message is being sent. The entire teaching community will first be instructed that this is what they have to teach. In reality, not a single section of society has been left untouched. It is a deep-rooted, well-planned, and orchestrated conspiracy," the CJI said. NCERT had earlier issued an apology and stated that it would review and revise the chapter following proper consultation, acknowledging that the reference to corruption was inappropriate. The Supreme Court on Wednesday initiated suo moto proceedings regarding the inclusion of a section on "corruption in the judiciary" within the new NCERT class 8 (Eighth) Social Science textbook, with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant asserting that the institution will not be allowed to be defamed. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) also issued an apology and withdrew the distribution of its newly released Class 8 Social Science textbook after "inappropriate textual material and error of judgement" were found in a chapter on the judiciary. - ANI West Bengal Minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay has stated the ruling Trinamool Congress is "fully prepared" and unfazed by the Election Commission's plan to deploy 480 companies of Central Armed Police Forces ahead of the state's Assembly elections. The deployment will occur in two phases, with 240 companies arriving on March 1 and another 240 on March 10, even before the formal election schedule is announced. This comes alongside a Supreme Court decision permitting the Calcutta High Court's Chief Justice to deploy additional judges to verify over 50 lakh objections in the voter roll revision process. The TMC government welcomed the court's directions, calling them a safeguard for the rights of eligible voters. TMC minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay says party is "fully prepared" as ECI plans to deploy 480 CAPF companies in West Bengal before elections. Kolkata, February 26 As the Election Commission of India moves to deploy 480 companies of Central Armed Police Forces in West Bengal ahead of the Assembly elections, state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay asserted that the ruling Trinamool Congress is "fully prepared and unfazed by the development." Speaking to the ANI, Chattopadhyay said, "Mamata Banerjee assigned responsibility to everyone... Nothing will happen this time... They sent a lot of people from the force earlier, too." The ECI has decided to station CAPF personnel in the poll-bound state beginning March 1, 2026, even before formally announcing the election schedule. Around 480 companies will be deployed in two phases by March 10. In the first phase, nearly 240 companies will arrive on March 1, followed by another 240 companies on March 10. Meanwhile, the West Bengal government on February 24, 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 (SIR) 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. - ANI Political parties in Odisha have accelerated efforts to finalize candidates for four upcoming Rajya Sabha vacancies. The BJP's state unit president stated the party will decide its strategy and candidates after internal discussions. The BJD's Political Affairs Committee, led by Naveen Patnaik, is meeting to deliberate on its candidate, while the Congress state chief will consult the high command in Delhi. The Election Commission has set the poll schedule, with the process to be completed by March 20. BJP, BJD, and Congress intensify candidate selection for four Odisha Rajya Sabha seats after EC notification. Key meetings and strategies underway. Bhubaneswar, Feb 26 With the declaration of the schedule for the biennial Rajya Sabha poll, the three major political parties of the state, ruling BJP and the Opposition Biju Janata Dal and Congress have stepped up efforts to finalise candidates for the four vacant seats from Odisha. Reacting to the Rajya Sabha election notification, Manmohan Samal, President of the BJP's Odisha unit, said the party will soon finalise its strategy and candidates. "Now that the notification has been issued, we will discuss the matter within the party and decide our strategy accordingly. The candidates will be announced at the appropriate time," Samal said. On speculation over the fourth seat and reports of a possible outside candidate, he added, "There is a lot of speculation, but the party will take a clear and firm decision. Any decision regarding this will be taken by the Parliamentary Party in consultation with the central leadership." Meanwhile, the main Opposition BJD's 10-member Political Affairs Committee (PAC) headed by party president Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to meet later in the day to discuss the name of the candidate for the Rajya Sabha polls. On Thursday, the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das also told mediapersons that he would soon visit New Delhi to hold discussions with the party high command over the names for the Rajya Sabha polls. He said the party will announce its candidate by February 28. Notably, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday announced the schedule for the biennial elections to 37 Rajya Sabha seats across ten states, including Odisha, where four seats will fall vacant in April 2026 following the retirement of sitting members. Briefing the media, Returning Officer and Secretary of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Satyabrata Rout, said the notification for the election has been issued on February 26. "The election process will be conducted strictly in accordance with the guidelines of the Election Commission of India and the provisions laid down in the Handbook for Returning Officers. All necessary arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth and transparent conduct of the polls," Rout stated. The four Rajya Sabha members from Odisha who are set to retire on April 2 this year are Mamata Mahanta and Sujeet Kumar of the BJP, along with Muzibulla Khan and Niranjan Bishi of the BJD. The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for the biennial Rajya Sabha elections. The notification was issued on Thursday, and the last date for filing nominations is March 5, 2026. Scrutiny of nominations will take place on March 6 at 11:30 AM, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is March 9 by 3:00 PM. Rout further informed that if a poll is required, it will be held on March 16 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Room No. 54, Assembly Buildings, Bhubaneswar, with counting of votes is scheduled for the same day at 5:00 PM. The entire election process is expected to be completed by March 20. - IANS News / National by Stephen Jakes The Zimbabwe Republic Police have dismissed social media claims suggesting they issued a statement indicating that Joachim Chivayo is wanted in South Africa, describing the circulating post as fake. The false statement, shared on X (formerly Twitter), alleged that Chivayo identified in the post as the ZANUPF Harare Province deputy secretary for information and publicity and known as G6 was being sought by South African authorities. It further claimed that the ZRP had expressed concern over the matter.However, police refuted the claims through their official X account.The ZRP advises the public that the police has not issued any statement concerning Joachim Chivayo or any member of the Chivayo family. The statement circulating on social media is therefore fake and false, the police said.MIt has nothing to do with the ZRP. The law will take its course on individuals or groups spreading false information and committing criminal acts by issuing false statements. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has declared that only the Marathi language will remain compulsory in the state's educational framework, ending speculation over a controversial three-language formula. He shifted blame to the previous Uddhav Thackeray-led government, claiming it approved recommendations to make Hindi and English mandatory. Fadnavis also defended the prominence of Marathi-medium schools and asserted the Anti-Corruption Bureau's independence in ongoing raids. The statement aims to settle a heated debate that sparked backlash from educators and pro-Marathi organizations. CM Devendra Fadnavis clarifies Maharashtra's language policy, stating only Marathi is compulsory in schools, and criticizes the previous Thackeray-led government. Mumbai, Feb 26 Amid ongoing controversy surrounding the mandatory teaching of the Hindi language in primary schools in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Thursday in the State Assembly that while the state values multilingualism, only the Marathi language will remain compulsory in the state's educational framework. In his reply to the debate on the Governor's address, the Chief Minister shifted the focus toward the previous state administration. He produced minutes from a Cabinet meeting dated January 20, 2022, claiming that the proposal to make Hindi and English compulsory from the first grade was actually a product of the Uddhav Thackeray-led state government. "The recommendations of the Mashelkar Committee were approved under the previous Cabinet. Who signed off on those recommendations? I'll let Aditya Thackeray answer that," CM Fadnavis remarked, aiming a sharp critique at the Opposition. He also alleged that it was the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra Cabinet that originally accepted the recommendation to enforce Hindi and English as mandatory subjects from Class 1 till Class 12. Chief Minister Fadnavis said that while his administration's officials issued a government resolution based on that prior report, they never intended to enforce such a rigid mandate for Classes 1 to 12. He also took a witty jab at the political alignment of the Thackeray brothers and Raj Thackeray on this issue. "I am surprised that even Raj Thackeray sided with them on this. However, I am glad that I could be the reason the two brothers came together," he added. The Chief Minister sought to end all speculation regarding the state's language policy. "In our state, the only language that is compulsory is Marathi." The controversy stems from a government resolution issued on June 17, 2025, by the current Mahayuti government. Citing the Central government's New Education Policy (NEP), Maharashtra initially proposed a three-language formula. This would have required all Marathi and English medium schools to teach Hindi as a third language from Class 1 to Class 5. Following intense backlash from educators and pro-Marathi organisations, the current state government was forced to withdraw the decision and establish a specialised committee to review the report. He dismissed claims that Marathi schools are shutting down as "fictional". Chief Minister Fadnavis said that 84 per cent of schools in Maharashtra remain Marathi medium, 69 per cent of students in the state are currently studying in Marathi, adding that the state government remains committed to giving priority to Marathi in higher education institutions. On the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Nashik, the Chief Minister questioned the Opposition's resistance to the Kumbh Mela, emphasising its potential for state branding. Drawing parallels with the success of the Prayagraj Kumbh, CM Fadnavis noted that the investment in infrastructure -- including road widening, airports, and ring roads -- would boost both religious and general tourism. "Maharashtra is the land of saints. We want to use the Kumbh Mela to brand the state globally," he said. The Chief Minister shared optimistic economic data, noting that the unemployment rate in 2025 stands at 3.1 per cent, a significant decrease from previous years. On the legal front, Chief Minister Fadnavis took a firm stance on the recent Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) raids, including those involving Minister Narhari Zirwal's office. "The ACB raids will continue. They do not need anyone's permission. Even if someone asks for money in my office, the ACB has the authority to take action. No one is above the law," he asserted. - IANS Pakistan's Senate passed a resolution condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, signaling deep discomfort with the strengthening India-Israel strategic partnership. The move comes during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel, where a security MoU was signed to co-develop weapon systems, building on defence ties that date back to the Kargil War. Pakistani media and analysts framed the alliance as anti-Muslim and a threat aimed at isolating Pakistan and China, while officials highlighted Pakistan's hypocrisy in condemning the pact while supporting terrorist groups like Hamas. India maintains its relationship with Israel is based on national security and mutual benefit, not directed at any third country. Pakistan's Senate condemns Netanyahu over India-Israel strategic axis, fearing regional realignments as Modi visit strengthens defence cooperation. New Delhi, Feb 26 The resolution passed by the Senate of Pakistan condemning Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over remarks about forming regional alliances with India and other countries, is a clear sign that Islamabad is rattled. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two day visit to Israel, during which the focus has been on strengthening ties with Israel in the defence, trade and security sectors. India and Israel signed a security MoU which will bring the two countries together to co-develop weapon systems in India. India's relations with Israel were elevated to the level of strategic partnership during PM Modi's first visit to the country in July 2017. The latest visit has further strengthened relations between the two countries. The trust factor between PM Modi and PM Netanyahu has further contributed to the strong ties between the two nations. Experts say that Pakistan has reason to be upset and afraid over these developments. On June 17, 1999, during the Kargil War, the Indian Air Force's Mirage-2000 targeted intruders from Pakistan in the Drass and Batalik sectors. The Israeli Litening pods were mounted on the Indian Mirage to hit the targets using laser guided bombs. The strength of the defence ties between the two countries was also seen during both 'Operation Bandar' in Balakot and 'Operation Sindoor'. India used Israeli loitering ammunition, laser guided bombs and guided missiles to blow up terror camps deep within Pakistan. Since the Kargil War days, India has used Israeli drones such as Heron-TO and Searcher Mark 11. The latest MoU that has been signed by both countries to co-develop weapon systems in India, has left Pakistan worried. Pakistan watchers say that this has led to the rhetoric due to which the resolution against Netanyahu was passed. The resolution termed the alignment between India-Israel and other nations as a threat to regional peace and global stability. Israel has been accused of forging blocs aimed at isolating Muslim-majority states. It wasn't just at the senate, but there was a frenzy in the Pakistan media as well. Prime time debates focussed on the India-Israel partnership. The guests on the shows, such as Chairman of the Pak-China Institute, Mushahid Hussain Syed and former diplomat Maleeha Lodhi condemned the friendship. They argue that the alliance is aimed at breaking China and Pakistan. Further it was argued, that the India-Israel partnership was anti-Muslim and anti-Pakistan. An official said that this clearly explains Pakistan's hypocrisy. On one hand it condemns the India-Israel strategic partnership, while on the other it backs a terrorist organisation such as the Hamas. Since the last two years, the Pakistani establishment is supporting terror group Hamas, while giving space to the Muslim Brotherhood. These are done with the intention of enabling support to proscribed terror outfits such as the Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Tayiba. A report by the Afghan Diaspora Network said that this risks the ideological spillover and proxy entanglement across two already volatile regions of South Asia and West Asia. Another official said that this exposes the hypocrisy of Pakistan. Although India has defence partnerships with Israel and other countries such as Russia, it has never used the weapons or technology as an aggressor. The aim of having strategic defence partnerships is to ensure India's security in a volatile region that has Pakistan in it, the official said. Pakistan on the other hand, has used it defence partnerships with other countries to play the role of an aggressor. Another official said that the kind of reception that PM Modi received in Israel and the deals that the two countries have signed, has worried Pakistan as it is apprehensive over broader geopolitical realignments in West Asia. Experts say that Pakistan is unhappy about the strategic India-Israel partnership. However, its biggest concern is that Israel has been emerging as India's key defence supplier. India has always maintained that its relationship with Israel is based on national security and mutual benefit. The relationship is not directed at any country, New Delhi has maintained. - IANS The Taliban has condemned Pakistan for conducting airstrikes inside Afghanistan, calling it a "shameful act" and warning of a confidential military response. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claims the strikes targeted civilian areas, killing and injuring numerous non-combatants, including women and children. He firmly rejected Pakistan's accusations that Afghan soil is used by militants like the TTP to launch attacks, stating these are Pakistan's internal issues. The United Nations mission has confirmed civilian deaths and condemned the strikes, calling for an end to hostilities and adherence to international law. Taliban slams Pakistan's airstrikes as a "shameful act" targeting civilians, vows a military response and denies militant safe havens. Kabul, Feb 26 The Taliban has slammed Pakistan for its airstrikes on Afghanistan, terming it a "shameful act" and warned of a military response to it, adding that Islamabad targeted civilians instead of militants. In an interview with Al Arabiya English, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said, "Naturally, it would be a military response, but its details are confidential, and I cannot explain further. Pakistan must receive a response for its shameful act." 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. Islamabad has claimed that it was targeting militant groups that were carrying out attacks in Pakistan. Mujahid said a family of 22 people was hit in Nangarhar, with 17 killed and five injured. He said one child was injured after a school was hit and several buildings were damaged. He said, "There were no armed individuals there. Only civilians were injured and killed, and civilian areas were targeted." Mujahid rejected Pakistan's accusations that Afghan territory is used against neighbouring nations. "Unfortunately, whenever attacks occur inside Pakistan, they immediately attribute them to Afghanistan without evidence and accuse us. We reject this. Afghan soil is not allowed to be used against anyone," Al Arabiya English quoted him as saying. He said Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) had no presence in Afghanistan and the group largely controls areas in Pakistan. He said, "These are Pakistan's internal problems. TTP controls large areas inside Pakistan itself. They can live there; they do not need Afghan soil. And we would not allow them to use Afghan soil in the first place." He stated that Pakistan has not provided proof to back its claims. Mujahid accused Pakistan of providing safe havens to ISIS instead of combating them, Al Arabiya English reported. On February 24, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) stated that at least 13 people, including women and children, were killed in Pakistan's airstrikes on Nangarhar and Paktika. 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. - IANS The Pariej Wetland in Kheda district has become a conservation success story, with the local Sarus crane population rising dramatically from around 500 in 2015 to over 1,400 in 2025. This growth is attributed to sustained efforts by the Forest Department, NGOs, and local communities, which have also developed the site for nature-based tourism. The wetland now hosts over 120 bird species, attracting visitors who learn about it through social media and appreciate its serene beauty. Conservation programs include population monitoring, habitat protection, and training local youths as nature guides to create alternative livelihoods. Pariej Wetland in Gujarat sees Sarus crane population surge from 500 to over 1,400, becoming a hub for birdwatching and eco-tourism. Kheda, February 26 Pariej Wetland in Gujarat's Kheda district has emerged as a notable example of wetland conservation, supporting a growing population of the Sarus Crane, the world's tallest flying bird. Recent data indicate a steady rise in the number of Sarus cranes in the region, reflecting sustained conservation efforts and increased community participation. According to a survey conducted in June 2025, a total of 1,477 Sarus cranes were recorded across Kheda and Anand districts. Forest officials note that the population has risen significantly over the past decade. "In 2015, the population of the Sarus crane was around 500, and by 2025, it increased to more than 1,400. It is a wetland site, so a lot of tourists come here for birdwatching," said SY Pathan, a forester associated with the area. Pariej Wetland now supports more than 120 species of birds, making it an important destination for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. The site has increasingly attracted visitors seeking nature-based tourism experiences. Tourist Jhanvi Joshi said she learned about the wetland through social media and travelled specifically to observe the birds. "It is really beautiful; there's so much peace here," she said. Another visitor, Mihir Barot, highlighted the conservation initiatives undertaken in the region, stating that the Gujarat government has implemented various measures to ensure the species thrives and to develop the area as a tourism destination. Conservation efforts at Pariej Wetland are being carried out through collaboration between the Forest Department, non-governmental organisations, students, and local farming communities. NGOs have played a role in strengthening habitat protection and conducting scientific monitoring. Jatin Patel, Project Coordinator at Shroff's UPL Foundation, said the organisation undertakes regular Sarus population monitoring and conservation programmes. "We also conduct awareness programmes for schoolchildren and local residents. To generate alternate livelihoods among nearby villagers, we provide nature guide training to youths, and more than 40 volunteers have recently joined us," he said. The Shroffs UPL Foundation's Sarus Conservation Project works in coordination with government agencies and local stakeholders to protect wetland habitats while promoting community engagement. Pariej Wetland is increasingly being seen as part of Gujarat's broader eco-tourism strategy, where conservation, local participation, and tourism development are integrated. Officials and conservation groups view the rising Sarus population as an indicator of effective habitat management and sustained protection efforts in the region. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred the prestigious Speaker of the Knesset Medal during his official visit to Israel, becoming the first-ever recipient of this highest parliamentary honour. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson stated the Prime Minister dedicated the award to the enduring friendship and shared democratic values between the two nations. Members of the Indian Jewish community and Israeli residents expressed amazement at India's scientific and technological scale, particularly citing the size of Indian hackathons. The visit underscores the growing strategic partnership, with both sides highlighting the potential for collaborative innovation. PM Narendra Modi becomes first recipient of Israel's highest Knesset honour, dedicating it to Indo-Israeli friendship and shared democracy. New Delhi, February 26 The Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was bestowed with the Medal of the Knesset, becoming the first recipient of the honour. Jaiswal said that PM Modi dedicated the medal to the "enduring friendship and shared democratic traditions between the two countries." In a post on X, Jaiswal wrote, "Partnership going from strength to strength ! In a special gesture, PM @narendramodi was bestowed with the Medal of Knesset by the Speaker @AmirOhana. PM @narendramodi is the first recipient of this honour." "PM dedicated the medal to the enduring friendship and shared democratic traditions between the two countries," the post read. PM Modi is on a two-day official visit to Israel. The Israeli Parliament on Wednesday conferred the "Speaker of the Knesset Medal" on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the highest honour of the Knesset. Earlier, Ori Kadvil, a member of the Jewish Indian community in Israel, praised India's scientific and technological potential, saying he and his colleagues were amazed by the scale of hackathons in India. Speaking to ANI, Kadvil said, "I am from the Jewish Indian community, from the Kochi community specifically... I told a friend of mine in India that we want to do a hackathon with 200 participants. He told me that in India, we have hackathons of 200 teams. I dropped my jaw, and so did my Israeli colleagues. Everybody is amazed by the power and the potential that India has in science and technology. We wish to bring the powers of both of our countries together so we can create marvellous things for both of our people and the entire world." He described meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "an interesting and joyous event," saying he and his colleagues felt honoured by the Prime Minister's visit. "We shook hands. It was an interesting and joyous event. We are very honoured by his visit and also by the Ministers in the last several months," Kadvil said. Another Israeli resident, Yarin Didi, praised the shared potential of India and Israel in science and technology. "I am really proud to be here today... Israel is known to have great talent in terms of AI. But I think India has... The Indian market is thousands of times compared to anything I have personally seen before. Both have the talent and the huge economic potential to get innovation to a larger scale," Didi told ANI. - ANI Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha stated that citizens trust the Bharatiya Janata Party for its performance and development-oriented governance. He expressed confidence that India's economy will become the world's third largest by 2030, driven by reforms and leadership. The CM highlighted Tripura's role in the national 'Viksit Bharat 2047' vision and the launch of a State Innovation Mission. He also emphasized improved law and order, cultural preservation, and the importance of national security for development. Tripura CM Manik Saha says people trust BJP for development, outlines roadmap for Viksit Tripura and India's goal to become 3rd largest economy by 2030. Agartala, Feb 26 Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday said that working for the welfare of the people remains the core objective of his government, asserting that citizens repose their trust in the Bharatiya Janata Party for its performance and development-oriented governance. Addressing a programme after inaugurating Viksit Bharat-Viksit Tripura at Children's Park in Agartala, the Chief Minister said the present state government is committed to inclusive development, ensuring progress for people from all sections of society. Saha also expressed confidence that India's economy would emerge as the world's third largest by 2030, driven by sustained reforms and strong leadership. Recalling that India will complete 100 years of Independence in 2047, the Chief Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid out the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, aimed at transforming India into a developed nation by that milestone year. "Across the country, everyone is working together to achieve this goal. People have immense confidence in the Prime Minister's vision. Tripura is an integral part of a developed India, and we have already secured the fifth position among 28 states in preparing the roadmap for a developed Tripura. Work in this direction has already begun," he said. Emphasising the importance of national security, Dr Saha said that a strong defence framework is essential for peaceful development. "India has never been an aggressor. A substantial allocation has been made for defence in this year's budget. Peace enables development, and for that we must strengthen infrastructure, improve socio-economic conditions and work towards initiatives like creating Lakhpati Didis. Collective effort will help realise the Prime Minister's dream," he added. The Chief Minister reiterated that people want the BJP and the Prime Minister for their focus on work and development. He also highlighted that Tripura on Thursday has launched the State Innovation Mission for the first time in the country, with support from NITI Aayog, to foster innovation and creative thinking. "The government will extend all possible support to ensure the success of this mission," he said. CM Saha further noted that the government is actively preserving the cultural heritage of all communities, with special emphasis on tourism development, including religious tourism. He added that the law and order situation in the state has improved significantly, enabling a conducive environment for growth. Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharya and Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumdar were among those present at the event. - IANS Union Minister Piyush Goyal held significant discussions with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Ambassador Sergio Gor to enhance bilateral trade and economic collaboration. The meetings, which included a productive working lunch, focused on identifying new areas of cooperation between the two nations. This diplomatic engagement was part of a series of high-profile gatherings in New Delhi, culminating in a dinner attended by global CEOs, heads of state, and industry leaders. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy also participated, promoting the state's investor-friendly policies in emerging sectors like AI and green energy. Union Minister Piyush Goyal meets US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick & Ambassador Sergio Gor to expand economic cooperation, with key industry leaders. New Delhi, February 26 Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, on Thursday hosted United States Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor to hold a discussion around trade and economic partnership. "Hosted US Secretary of Commerce @HowardLutnick & @USAmbIndia Sergio Gor. Engaged in very fruitful discussions to expand our trade and economic partnership," Goyal said in a post on X. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor also shared a glimpse of the meeting on X, where the leaders met over lunch. "A highly productive lunch with @howardlutnick and @PiyushGoyal. So many areas of cooperation for our two nations!" he said. On Wednesday, Sergio Gor held talks with IBM CEO Arvind Krishna at the Embassy. In a post on X, Gor said, "Enjoyed hosting Arvind Krishna at the US Embassy today. IBM continues to lead the world in technology advancement, a great bridge between the US and India." Gor also hosted a dinner at the Chief of Mission's Residence in New Delhi. The gathering was attended by several global leaders and industry heads, including Raj Subramanian, CEO of FedEx; Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI; Andrej Plenkovic, Prime Minister of Croatia; Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan; Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal; and Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman, Bharti Airtel Limited, among other Heads of State and CEOs of multinational corporations. Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy also attended the dinner, where he interacted with the dignitaries and business leaders, highlighting Telangana's progressive industrial policy, world-class infrastructure, and investor-friendly ecosystem. He elaborated on the State Government's proactive approach towards facilitating investments, particularly in emerging sectors such as technology, artificial intelligence, logistics, advanced manufacturing, and green energy. - ANI Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has called for a fundamental shift, asserting digital platforms must take direct responsibility for the content they host. He emphasized that protecting citizens, especially children, online is now the platforms' core duty. The Minister also urged platforms to rethink revenue-sharing policies to ensure fair compensation for original content creators. Furthermore, he demanded an "inflectional change" requiring consent for any use of a person's likeness in AI-generated synthetic content. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw calls for platforms to ensure user safety, fair revenue sharing, and consent for AI-generated content. New Delhi, February 26 Union Minister of Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw has called for a fundamental shift in how digital platforms operate, asserting that they must now take direct responsibility for the content they host. Speaking at the DNPA Conclave, the Minister emphasised that the changing nature of the internet requires platforms to prioritise the safety of all citizens. The Minister stated that platforms must wake up to their role in protecting society. "I will request that platforms must wake up, must understand the importance of reinforcing trust in the institutions which human society has created over thousands of years. Platforms must take the responsibility for the content that is hosted by them," he said. "The online safety of children, the online safety of all citizens is the responsibility of the platforms. Non-adherence to these principles will definitely make them responsible because the nature of Internet has changed now," he added. Talking about the fair revenue system for the content creators, Vaishnaw said, "I will request all the platforms to rethink their revenue-sharing policies because that is also one of the major concerns that the entire society today is raising. If this is not done voluntarily, then there are so many countries which have shown the path to get it done in a legal way." The Minister also noted that the growth of science and arts depends on respecting original work. "The people who created copyrights, the people who created the original content, the society grew on the basis of that intellectual property. And if that intellectual property is not well respected and not fairly compensated, then the growth of the society, the growth of science, the growth of technology, the growth of arts, the growth of literature, that will all get stunted and the human growth which has happened over past thousands of years will get delayed, will get muted, will get stunted. That incentive for creating the original work and getting that fair compensation and fair appreciation from sections of the society, from the entire society, must be respected, must be valued," he said. Furthermore, he also requested the platforms to "rethink their revenue-sharing policies because that is also one of the major concerns that the entire society today is raising. If this is not done voluntarily, then there are so many countries which have shown the path to get it done in a legal way." The Minister also called for an inflectional change regarding AI-generated content. "Synthetic content should not be generated without the consent of the person whose face or voice or personality has been used to create the content. Time has come to make that big inflectional change. And I will request the platforms to cooperate with this human society's basic need and the society which is today asking for this change has to be respected." - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive and productive discussions with Israeli President Issac Herzog, focusing on strengthening the bilateral partnership. The leaders agreed on the immense potential for collaboration in futuristic areas like technology and startups. Following delegation-level talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the two nations are set to sign a series of economic, security, and diplomatic agreements. Modi's visit began with a warm welcome from Netanyahu, including a special guard of honour. PM Modi meets Israeli President Herzog & PM Netanyahu. Talks focus on tech, security, and the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative. Agreements signed. Jerusalem, February 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held "fruitful and wide-ranging" talks with Israeli President Issac Herzog. President Herzog also said that India and Israel are stronger together. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Glimpses from the meeting with President Herzog. Our talks were extremely fruitful and wide ranging." Herzog said in a post on X, "The people of Israel and India are stronger together. The people of Israel and India are stronger together. The people of India and Israel are more empowered together." PM Modi tweeted in agreement with Herzog, saying, "Fully agree with you, President Herzog. It was a delight to meet you and discuss diverse aspects of the India-Israel friendship. There is immense scope in futuristic areas such as technology, innovation, StartUps and more. My gratitude to you for supporting the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (A tree for Mother) initiative." India and Israel are set to sign a series of economic, security and diplomatic agreements after the conclusion of the delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the official account of Israeli PM said on Thursday. In a post on X, it further noted that after the signing of the agreements, the two leaders will deliver joint statements to the press. "At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties will sign a series of economic, security, and diplomatic agreements, after which Prime Minister Netanyahu and Prime Minister Modi will deliver joint statements to the media", the post said. PM Modi began his two-day official visit to Israel by meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Wednesday. In a warm gesture, Israeli PM Netanyahu and his wife personally welcomed him at the airport and honoured him with a special guard of honour. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ajmer, Rajasthan, on February 28 to launch a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for adolescent girls, aimed at preventing cervical cancer. During the visit, he will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for 43 major development projects totaling 16,686 crore across sectors like urban development, highways, and drinking water. Key infrastructure highlights include major national highway expansions and significant drinking water projects for the state. The Prime Minister will also distribute appointment letters to over 21,800 individuals selected for various Rajasthan government posts. PM Narendra Modi to launch HPV vaccination for girls in Rajasthan and inaugurate projects worth 16,686 crore on Feb 28. Details here. Jaipur, Feb 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ajmer, Rajasthan, on February 28 to launch the HPV vaccination campaign by administering the first dose of the HPV vaccine to girls aged 9 to 14 years. He will also address a public gathering and inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth Rs 16,686 crore undertaken by the Central and state governments. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma will accompany the Prime Minister at the event. The HPV Vaccination Campaign marks a significant step toward the prevention of cervical cancer and the promotion of adolescent girls' health. The initiative aims to protect young girls from cervical cancer through early vaccination, while also enhancing awareness about women's health and improving access to healthcare services across the state. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for 43 major projects across sectors, including urban development, drinking water supply, roads, railways, irrigation, energy, and industrial infrastructure. At least 34 state government projects worth approximately Rs 8,554 crore relate to departments such as Urban Development, Public Health Engineering, Public Works, Energy, Water Resources, and Industry. Nine major national highway and energy projects worth approximately Rs 8,132 crore will also be dedicated to the nation, including two foundation stones and seven inaugurations. National Highway projects worth over Rs 4,516 crore, including 4-lane Greenfield Expressway from Bandikui to Jaipur (Rs 1,207 crore), 8-lane carriageway from NH-76 Junction to Ummedpura Village on NH-12 (Package-14 of the Delhi-Vadodara Access Controlled Greenfield Expressway) and expansion and strengthening of various National Highways across the state; In Jaipur and Jodhpur, elevated road from Sanganer Flyover to Malpura Gate via Chauradiya Petrol Pump (286 crore), 4-lane elevated road from Mahamandir to Akhaliya Square in Jodhpur (Rs 1,243 crore) and Malbamori-Mangrol-Baran State Highway in Baran district (Rs 322 crore). Reaffirming the commitment to clean and safe drinking water, the foundation stone for four packages of the Nonera Major Drinking Water Project (Rs 1,021 crore) and the foundation stone for five packages of the Parwan Akawad Major Drinking Water Project (Rs 2,247 crore) will be laid. The Inauguration of a transmission system worth Rs 3,616 crore will be done to ensure seamless power transmission from renewable energy hubs in Rajasthan. Also foundation stone for five 220 kV and two 400 kV Grid Sub-Stations (GSS) will be laid. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for infrastructure and drinking water projects in the Jodhpur Pali Marwar Industrial Area (JPMIA), aimed at boosting industrial growth, attracting investment, and generating employment in western Rajasthan. The Prime Minister will also distribute appointment letters to 21,863 selected candidates across various departments and organisations of the Rajasthan government. These appointments include over 3,320 Patwaris (Revenue Department), 2,291 Contract Junior Technical Assistants and Contract Accounts Assistants (Rural Development), 2,590 Livestock Assistants, 3,822 Community Health Officers (CHOs), 7,357 Public Health Care Nurses, Medical Lab Technicians, Lab Technicians, Nursing Incharges, Nursing Trainers, Nurse Grade-II, and other healthcare personnel. This visit marks a significant step in strengthening healthcare, infrastructure, industrial growth, and employment generation in Rajasthan. - IANS News / National by Staff reporter The founder of PHD Ministries, Walter Magaya, has been implicated in a drug trafficking scandal following a police raid at Yadah Hotel where a significant quantity of unregistered and unapproved medicines was allegedly discovered.The hotel, represented by one of its directors, Mr Donald Makuvaza, appeared before Harare magistrate Lisa Mutendereki and pleaded guilty to charges of possessing unregistered and unapproved complementary medicines. The matter has been remanded to March 10 for plea recording.According to court documents, the case stems from an incident on November 15 last year when detectives from CID Headquarters in Harare received a tip-off alleging that unregistered and unapproved complementary medicines were being stored in one of the hotel's rooms. Acting on the information, detectives reportedly went to the premises, identified themselves, and carried out a search.During the operation, authorities allegedly recovered large quantities of various medicines, including metronidazole, clotrimazole, acyclovir topical cream, fluconazole tablets, cotrimoxazole pills, miconazole nitrate vaginal cream, CO Q10 vascular care products, sodium bicarbonate injections, Stillen Aupatillin injections and restorative lip balm. Investigators are also said to have found Compounded Prescription Weekly forms indicating that the medicines were intended for an individual identified as Happiness Mavindire.The State contends that Yadah Hotel had no legal right to possess the unapproved complementary medicines and unregistered drugs found on the premises. Prosecutors argue that the storage of such medicines without proper authorization contravenes applicable pharmaceutical and regulatory laws.Although the current charges before the court relate specifically to possession of unregistered and unapproved medicines, the case has attracted widespread attention due to the hotel's links to Magaya, a prominent religious leader and businessman. Authorities have indicated that investigations are ongoing and have not ruled out the possibility of further charges should additional evidence emerge.The matter is scheduled to return to court on March 10. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ajmer, Rajasthan, to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for 43 development projects totaling approximately 16,686 crore across sectors like urban development, highways, and drinking water. A key highlight of the event is the launch of the state's HPV vaccination campaign, aimed at preventing cervical cancer in adolescent girls. The projects include major highway expansions, drinking water initiatives, and a significant power transmission system for renewable energy. The Prime Minister will also distribute appointment letters to 21,863 youth selected for various state government posts. PM Narendra Modi visits Ajmer to launch development projects & an HPV vaccination campaign for cervical cancer prevention. Details inside. Jaipur, February 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Rajasthan's Ajmer on February 28, where he will unveil various development projects worth Rs 16,686 crore from the Central and State governments. PM Modi will launch the HPV vaccination campaign on the occassion. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma will also be present with the Prime Minister at the event, according to a release. The HPV vaccination campaign initiative is an important step towards cervical cancer prevention and adolescent health. Its objective is to protect adolescent girls from cervical cancer by vaccinating them at an early stage. This program focuses on promoting early prevention, raising awareness about women's health, and increasing access to health services in the state. At this event, the Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for 43 major projects worth approximately Rs 16,686 crore in various sectors, including urban development, drinking water supply, roads, railways, irrigation, energy, and industrial infrastructure. Of these projects, 34 projects worth approximately Rs 8,554 crore are related to various departments of the state government, including urban development, public health and engineering, public works, energy, water resources, and industry. In addition, nine major projects related to national highways and energy, worth approximately Rs 8,132 crore, will also be inaugurated, and the foundation stone will be laid. The Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for National Highway projects worth over Rs 4,516 crore, according to a release. These projects include a 4-lane Greenfield Expressway from Bandikui to Jaipur at a cost of approximately Rs 1,207 crore, an 8-lane carriageway from NH 76 Junction to Ummedpura Village on NH 12 in Package 14 of the Delhi-Vadodara Access Controlled Greenfield Expressway, and the expansion, strengthening, and widening of National Highways across the state. He will also lay the foundation stone for the elevated road from the Sanganer Flyover to Malpura Gate via Chouradiya Petrol Pump in Jaipur at a cost of over Rs 286 crore, a 4-lane elevated road from Mahamandir to Akhlya Square in Jodhpur city at a cost of Rs 1,243 crore, and the Mal Bamori-Mangrol-Baran State Highway in Baran district at an estimated cost of Rs 322 crore. Taking another step towards his commitment to clean and safe drinking water, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for four packages of the Nonera Major Drinking Water Project, costing over Rs 1,021 crore, and five packages of the Parwan Akawad Major Drinking Water Project, costing Rs 2,247 crore. The Prime Minister will inaugurate a transmission system worth Rs 3,616 crore to facilitate the smooth transmission of power from major renewable energy production centres in Rajasthan. He will also lay the foundation stone for five 220 kV and two 400 kV Grid Sub-Stations (GSS), according to the release. The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for various infrastructure and drinking water supply projects in the Jodhpur Pali Marwar Industrial Area (JPMIA) to promote industrial development, investment, and employment generation in western Rajasthan. On this occasion, the Prime Minister will hand over appointment letters to 21,863 youth selected in various departments and organisations of the state government. These youth who received appointment letters include more than 3,320 Patwaris (Revenue), 2,291 contract junior technical assistants and contract accounting assistants (rural development), 2,590 livestock assistants, 3,822 CHOs, 7,357 public health care nurses, medical lab technicians, lab technicians, nursing in-charges, nursing trainers, nurses, nurse grade-II and other appointments. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid solemn respects at the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem. He described the Holocaust as a dark chapter and a reminder to uphold human dignity. Modi held wide-ranging and fruitful discussions with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, focusing on futuristic areas of cooperation. The visit also included a warm welcome from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, highlighting strengthening bilateral ties. PM Narendra Modi lays a wreath at Yad Vashem, meets Israeli leaders Netanyahu and Herzog to discuss bilateral cooperation and innovation. Jerusalem, February 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday laid a wreath at the Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem. PM Modi also visited the Hall of Names, a solemn space that preserves the memory of those who suffered and perished during the Holocaust. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Laid a wreath at Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. Grateful to PM Netanyahu for accompanying me during this visit. Also visited the Hall of Names, a solemn space that preserves the memory of those who suffered and perished during the Holocaust. The Holocaust stands as one of humanity's darkest chapters. It is an eternal reminder of the need to uphold humanity, dignity and peace." Established in 1953 by an act of the Knesset (Israeli Parliament), Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, is entrusted with Holocaust commemoration, documentation, research and education: remembering the six million Jews murdered by the German Nazis and their collaborators; commemorating the destroyed Jewish communities, the ghetto and resistance fighters; and honoring the Righteous Among the Nations who risked their lives to rescue Jews during the Holocaust. PM Modi said that his talks with Israeli President Issac Herzog were fruitful and wide-ranging. Herzog also said that India and Israel are stronger together. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Glimpses from the meeting with President Herzog. Our talks were extremely fruitful and wide-ranging." PM Modi tweeted in agreement with Herzog, saying, "Fully agree with you, President Herzog. It was a delight to meet you and discuss diverse aspects of the India-Israel friendship. There is immense scope in futuristic areas such as technology, innovation, StartUps and more. My gratitude to you for supporting the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (A tree for Mother) initiative." PM Modi began a two-day official visit to Israel by meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Wednesday. In a warm gesture, Israeli PM Netanyahu and his wife personally welcomed him at the airport and honoured him with a special guard of honour. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem, focusing on strengthening strategic and people-to-people ties. As part of the visit, both leaders planted a sapling at the Presidential office, adding a personal touch to the diplomatic engagement. Prior to the meeting, PM Modi paid solemn respects at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, laying a wreath and visiting the Hall of Names. The visit follows PM Modi receiving the "Speaker of the Knesset Medal," Israel's highest parliamentary honour, for his role in bolstering bilateral relations. PM Narendra Modi meets Israeli President Isaac Herzog, plants a sapling, and pays respects at Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial during his state visit to Israel. Jerusalem, February 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called on Israeli President Isaac Herzog as part of his two-day state visit to Israel. The meeting between the two leaders focused on strengthening bilateral ties, deepening strategic cooperation, and enhancing people-to-people relations between India and Israel. Ahead of the meeting, President Herzog extended a warm welcome to the Prime Minister in a post on X. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the people of Israel welcome you with open arms. I look forward to hosting you today in Jerusalem!" Herzog wrote in his post. The post reflected the warmth surrounding PM Modi's visit, which has drawn significant public and political attention in Israel. Both leaders planted a sapling at the Presidential office, reflecting a warm and personal dimension to their diplomatic interaction. Ahead of his meeting with the Israeli President, PM Modi paid his respects at Yad Vashem, Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust in Jerusalem. Both leaders also planted a sapling at the site. He was accompanied by his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu. The leaders stood in silence at the Hall of Remembrance while recitations in Kaddish were on, honouring the victims of the Holocaust. The focus was respect, remembrance, and hope for peace and humanity. PM Modi also laid a wreath at the memorial site. "Honouring the memory of victims of the Holocaust and renewing our shared commitment to uphold peace and human dignity. PM Narendra Modi visited Yad Vasham, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. This was the second visit of PM to Yad Vashem. PM laid a wreath and paid homage to the victims of the Holocaust. PM also visited the poignant Book of Names Hall, a powerful tribute preserving the memory of millions who perished during the holocaust. The memorial stands as a solemn reminder of the brutality of the past and our collective resolve to stand against injustice and create a better world," said the MEA. Yad Vashem is Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, located in Jerusalem. Established in 1953, it is dedicated to preserving the memory of the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators during World War II. The memorial includes the Holocaust History Museum, the Hall of Names, and the Children's Memorial. Yad Vashem also honours the "Righteous Among the Nations", non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews. Earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli Parliament conferred the "Speaker of the Knesset Medal" on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the highest honour of the Knesset. The award was conferred in recognition of PM Modi's "exceptional contribution through his personal leadership" to strengthen strategic relations between India and Israel. The medal was conferred after PM Modi's speech in the Israeli Parliament. After his speech, PM Modi interacted with members of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. The MPs took selfies and photographs with PM Modi. PM Modi received a standing ovation during his speech, which was also marked by rapturous applause. In his speech, PM Modi said there is great admiration for Israel's resolve, courage, and achievements in India. "Long before we related to each other as modern States, we were linked by ties that go back more than two thousand years. The Book of Esther refers to India as Hodu. The Talmud records trade with India in ancient times," he said. "Jewish merchants travelled across sea routes that connected the Mediterranean with the Indian Ocean. They came seeking opportunity and dignity. And, in India, they became one of us. Jewish communities have lived in India without fear of persecution or discrimination. They have preserved their faith and participated fully in society. That record is a source of pride for us," he added. Following his engagement with the Israeli President, PM Modi will also set to hold bilateral and delegation-level talks with his Israeli counterpart, Netanyahu. - ANI Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu discussed enhancing cooperation on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) to promote regional connectivity and prosperity. They strongly condemned terrorism in all forms, specifically referencing the October 2023 attack on Israel and recent incidents in India. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a special strategic partnership focused on technology and entrepreneurship. They also welcomed US President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza and stressed the need for regional peace and security. PM Modi and Israeli PM Netanyahu advance India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) cooperation and jointly condemn cross-border terrorism. Jerusalem, Feb 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday discussed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, expressing their intent to advance cooperation to promote regional connectivity, stability and shared prosperity through the initiative and explore Israel's role within its frameworks. It was on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit held in New Delhi in 2023 that the leaders of India, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, UAE and US announced an MoU committing to work together to develop a new India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC). The IMEEC will comprise two separate corridors, the east corridor connecting India to the Gulf and the northern corridor connecting the Gulf to Europe. The corridor intends to enhance connectivity, increase efficiency, reduce costs, secure regional supply chains, increase trade accessibility and generate jobs, resulting in a transformative integration of Asia, Europe and Middle East. PM Modi and Netanyahu also reaffirmed their shared vision for a robust special strategic partnership rooted in mutual aspirations for peace, security and prosperity through technological innovations and entrepreneurship. The two leaders emphasised the importance of institutionalising bilateral mechanisms across Government-to-Government, business-to-business, and people-to-people domains to ensure sustained collaboration and meaningful impact, according to the Joint Statement released following the bilateral discussions. "In an era of global uncertainties, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Netanyahu reaffirmed their commitment to advancing transformative initiatives such as the I2U2 quadrilateral partnership. This framework serves as a vital instrument for fostering deeper engagement, trade, investment, innovation and leveraging the complementary strengths of both nations," the statement stated. Both leaders also condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism and called for decisive and concerted international efforts to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner. "Expressing the grave concern over this common challenge, the Prime Ministers reaffirmed their collective resolve to combat this menace as the leaders of two vibrant and resilient democracies. They strongly condemned the heinous October 7, 2023 terror attack on Israel, the savage terror attack on Indian tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu & Kashmir in India on April 22, 2025 and the terror incident near Red Fort, New Delhi on November 10, 2025," the Joint Statement reflected. The two leaders reiterated their commitment to advancing global peace and security and welcomed US President Donald Trump's 'Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict.' During the meeting, PM Modi and Netanyahu discussed the regional developments, including the peace process and stressed the need for the establishment of a just and durable peace, security and freedom of navigation and trade in the region through dialogue and mutual understanding. - IANS Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu have formally elevated the India-Israel relationship to a 'Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity'. The leaders held extensive talks in Jerusalem, focusing on cooperation in technology, artificial intelligence, defence, trade, and agriculture. The meeting resulted in the signing of numerous Memoranda of Understanding covering areas from financial services and fisheries to cybersecurity and academic exchange. The visit also included a solemn tour of the Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Centre by PM Modi, accompanied by his Israeli counterpart. PM Modi and PM Netanyahu announce enhanced India-Israel partnership covering tech, AI, defence, and trade, with multiple new agreements signed. New Delhi, Feb 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting in Jerusalem on Thursday, discussing bilateral cooperation in areas of technology and innovation, Artificial Intelligence and critical minerals, defence and security, trade and economy, labour mobility and education, blue economy, agriculture and health. The two leaders also announced elevating ties to 'India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity'. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and other officials were also present during the meeting. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), both countries also decided to elevate JCM on Science and Technology elevated to Ministerial level; launch an initiative to collaborate in Critical and Emerging Technologies led by National Security Advisors; have financial dialogue, launch tech-gateway initiative and 20 Joint Fellowships in Agricultural Research. It was also decided to increase contribution of both sides for the Joint Research Calls; enhance quota of up to 50,000 Indian workers over the next five years, hold an India-Israel Academic Cooperation Forum and form an India-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group. "Towards a strengthened and more comprehensive partnership! PM Narendra Modi held extensive bilateral talks with PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Both leaders discussed the entire range of bilateral relationship. Discussions included areas of technology and innovation, AI and critical minerals, defence and security, trade and economy, labour mobility and education, blue economy, agriculture and health. They also discussed issues of regional and global interest," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X. "In a significant development, both leaders announced elevating the relationship to India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity. Several outcomes were also finalised including in the areas of technology, science, trade, finance, AI, agriculture, blue economy, labour mobility, education and culture," he added. The two sides exchanged several MoUs, including on co-operation in the field of geophysical exploration; for development of National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothalat Gujarat; Cultural Exchange Programme for the period 2026-2029; between NPCI International (NIPL) and MASAV Israel on implementation of UPI; between ICAR and MASHAV on establishment of the India-Israel Innovation Centre for Agriculture (IINCA), etc. India and Israel also signed a Declaration of Intent on cooperation in the field of Horizon Scanning; MoU on Cooperation in the field of Fisheries and Aquaculture; MoU between International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) and Israel Securities Authority (ISA); Implementation Protocol on Labour Mobility in Commerce and Services Sector; Implementation Protocol on Labour Mobility in Manufacturing Sector; Implementation Protocol on Labour Mobility in Restaurant Sector; MoU on the Cooperation in advancing Education through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI); Agreement on Cooperation between Israeli Institute of Commercial Arbitration (IICA) and Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA); MoU between Nalanda University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI); Letter of Intent on establishment of Indo-Israel Cyber Centre of Excellence in India; and, MoU on cooperation in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Earlier in the day, PM Modi visited the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Centre in Jerusalem and laid a wreath at the memorial in memory of the Holocaust victims. Prime Minister Modi was accompanied by Israeli PM Netanyahu and Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan as he visited the Holocaust Memorial and Museum which perpetuates and documents the Holocaust. The visit included a tour of the Book of Names - a monumental installation containing the names of 4.8 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust - and a memorial ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance. Prime Minister Modi also signed the Yad Vashem guest book. This was PM Modi's second visit to Yad Vashem, having also visited the memorial in July 2017 during his last visit to the country. Netanyahu had also accompanied PM Modi the last time he had toured the memorial in 2017. PM Modi is currently on a two-day State Visit to Israel. He was accorded a grand welcome by Netanyahu and his wife, Sara Netanyahu, in Tel Aviv on Wednesday. Later, he addressed a Special Plenary of the Knesset in Jerusalem - the first such address by an Indian Prime Minister at the Israeli parliament. - IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a solemn and reflective tribute at Yad Vashem, Israel's official Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, standing in silence with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. During his visit, Modi was conferred the prestigious "Speaker of the Knesset Medal," the Israeli parliament's highest honor, for strengthening strategic ties. He emphasized the ancient historical and cultural connections between the two nations, dating back over two millennia. The visit also focused on bolstering contemporary partnerships, with Modi encouraging Israeli companies to invest in India's tech and innovation sectors. PM Narendra Modi pays respects at Israel's Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem, receives the highest Knesset honor, and strengthens tech & innovation ties with Israel. Tel Aviv, February 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid his respects at Yad Vashem-Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust in Jerusalem. At Yad Vashem, his prayer was quiet and reflective. Both Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu and PM Narendra Modi stood in silence at the Hall of Remembrance, while recitations in Kaddish were on, honouring the victims of the Holocaust. The focus was respect, remembrance, and hope for peace and humanity. Yad Vashem is Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, located in Jerusalem. Established in 1953, it is dedicated to preserving the memory of the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators during World War II. The memorial includes the Holocaust History Museum, the Hall of Names, and the Children's Memorial. Yad Vashem also honors the "Righteous Among the Nations," non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews. Through education, research, and remembrance, Yad Vashem ensures that the stories of victims and survivors are never forgotten. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited an exhibition in Jerusalem and highlighted Israel's innovative tech scene, showcasing AI, Quantum, healthcare, and more. He met with Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu and urged Israeli companies to invest in India, collaborating with local talent. This visit strengthens India-Israel ties, focusing on tech and innovation. The Israeli Parliament on Wednesday conferred the "Speaker of the Knesset Medal" on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the highest honour of the Knesset.The award was conferred in recognition of PM Modi's "exceptional contribution through his personal leadership" to strengthen strategic relations between India and Israel. The medal was conferred after PM Modi's speech in the Israeli Parliament. After his speech, PM Modi interacted with members of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. The MPs took selfies and photographs with PM Modi. PM Modi received a standing ovation during his speech, which was also marked by rapturous applause.In his speech, PM Modi said there is great admiration for Israel's resolve, courage, and achievements in India. "Long before we related to each other as modern States, we were linked by ties that go back more than two thousand years. The Book of Esther refers to India as Hodu. The Talmud records trade with India in ancient times," he said. "Jewish merchants travelled across sea routes that connected the Mediterranean with the Indian Ocean. They came seeking opportunity and dignity. And, in India, they became one of us. Jewish communities have lived in India without fear of persecution or discrimination. They have preserved their faith and participated fully in society. That record is a source of pride for us," he added. PM Modi said that at the heart of the India-Israel partnership are the ties between our peoples. "When I first visited Israel in 2006, there were a handful of Yoga centres in Israel. Today, Yoga seems to be practiced in almost every neighbourhood. I am told that interest in Ayurveda is also growing in Israel. I invite more and more young Israelis to travel to India. They will witness the dynamism of our society, and experience what holistic wellness can do for the body and the mind," he said. - ANI Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu have welcomed the signing of a new Bilateral Investment Agreement aimed at boosting two-way investments and investor confidence. The leaders encouraged greater Indian participation in major upcoming Israeli infrastructure projects, including metro, rail, and desalination plants. They agreed to explore linking India's UPI payment system with Israel's to enhance cross-border transactions and financial interoperability. Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the I2U2 partnership and expediting negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. PM Modi and PM Netanyahu welcome new investment pact, encourage Indian firms in Israeli infrastructure, and push for UPI linkage and an FTA. Jerusalem, February 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday welcomed the strides made in unlocking the full potential of the bilateral trade and investment between the two countries. They welcomed the signing of the India-Israel Bilateral Investment Agreement by the two Finance Ministers in New Delhi in September 2025. They encouraged more Indian participation in the infrastructure sector of Israel and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing transformative initiatives such as the I2U2 quadrilateral partnership. In the details shared in the joint statement it was mentioned that the prime ministers "welcomed the signing of the India-Israel Bilateral Investment Agreement by the two Finance Ministers in New Delhi in September 2025, which is expected to enhance investor confidence, promote greater two-way investments, and ensure transparency, predictability, and protection through a clear framework of treatment of investment and independent dispute resolution mechanism." Notably, Prime Minister Netanyahu appreciated India's fintech revolution, exemplified by the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which is a world-class model for affordable, real-time cross-border transactions. Both sides agreed to explore linking UPI with Israel's fast payment system to enhance interoperability and strengthen economic ties. As per the statement, both leaders encouraged more Indian participation in the infrastructure sector of Israel, particularly in light of major upcoming projects in Israel in the sectors of metro, rail, road, airports, desalination plants, waste-water treatment plants. |The leaders noted that direct air connectivity is a basic building block that is essential for scaling the bilateral relationship to new heights. In this regard, they expressed their desire to expand direct air connectivity between Tel Aviv and major Indian cities and encouraged both Indian and Israeli airlines to take up the opportunity to start direct flight operations between the two countries", the statement added. Both leaders welcomed the signing of the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Free Trade Area (FTA) Agreement negotiations and the convening of the first negotiating round in New Delhi. The leaders assert their commitment for the realisation of the FTA Agreement between the two countries and tasked the negotiating teams to expedite the negotiations for an early signing of an FTA. As per the joint statement, both leaders emphasised that a resilient financial ecosystem is a fundamental pillar of economic stability. They welcomed the strategic partnership in the financial-cyber domain. This collaboration will focus on enhancing the resilience of the financial ecosystem through the exchange of financial- cyber intelligence, joint development of methodologies, and the performance of multilateral financial-cyber simulations operationalised through Financial Computer Security Incident Response Teams of both countries. Both leaders welcomed the signing of an MoU between NPCI International and MASAV for cooperation in order to examine linkages between NPCI and MASAV for cross-border payments between the countries and they welcomed the launch of the India-Israel Financial Dialogue to boost closer financial cooperation. PM Modi and PM Netanyahu welcomed the successful conclusion of the 4th round of India-Israel CEOs Forum and Business Summit in Tel Aviv in November 2025. They commended the meaningful engagement between business and government leaders, which contributed to strengthening bilateral economic cooperation and unlocking new opportunities for investment and collaboration across key sectors. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to building on this positive momentum to further deepen the India-Israel strategic partnership. They also welcomed the signing of the MoU on Arbitration between Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA) and Israeli Institute of Commercial Arbitration (IICA) recognising it as a significant step toward facilitating smoother commercial dispute resolution and enhancing investor confidence. " In an era of global uncertainties, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Netanyahu reaffirmed their commitment to advancing transformative initiatives such as the I2U2 quadrilateral partnership. This framework serves as a vital instrument for fostering deeper engagement, trade, investment, innovation and leveraging the complementary strengths of both nations. The leaders discussed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and expressed their intent to advance cooperation to promote regional connectivity, stability and shared prosperity through the initiative and explore Israel's role within its frameworks", the statement added. Recognising the strategic partnership and advocating the need to comprehensively enhance bilateral relations, the Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of several agreements between the two countries. These include the MoU on cooperation in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Letter of Intent on establishment of Indo Israel Cyber Centre of Excellence in India, Memorandum of Understanding between the Minister of Education of Republic of India and Minister of Education of the State of Israel on the Cooperation on Advancing Education through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Declaration of Intent between the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology of the State of Israel and Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, Republic of India on cooperation in the field of Horizon Scanning amongst others. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining high-level engagement between the governments, industries, and peoples of both nations, with a shared vision of building an enduring India-Israel partnership that harnesses the ambitions of our knowledge-driven economies to forge a future defined by creativity, technology, collaboration, and shared success, the statement concluded. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised a performance of "I Love My India" by a band of Divyang (specially-abled) artistes during his state visit to Israel, calling it a celebration of shared heritage. He also witnessed a presentation of Kerala's Thiruvathira dance, acknowledging the diaspora's role in preserving Indian culture abroad. The visit featured a warm welcome with various Indian cultural performances staged for the Prime Minister's arrival. India and Israel signed multiple agreements in sectors like AI, cybersecurity, and education, reflecting a deepening strategic partnership. PM Modi applauds 'I Love My India' song by Divyang artistes in Israel, highlighting cultural bonds and diaspora heritage during state visit. Jerusalem, February 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised the performance of the song "I Love My India" by a band of specially-abled artistes. PM Modi said that the performance reflected the shared heritage and enduring bonds between India and Israel. In a post on X, PM Modi described the performance as "a memorable performance of the song 'I Love My India' by a remarkable ensemble of Divyang artists, bringing together Indian-origin Jews and Israeli citizens. This beautifully celebrates the shared heritage and enduring bonds between India and Israel!" During his visit, PM Modi also witnessed a graceful presentation of Thiruvathira by members of the Kerala caregivers' community. The performance highlighted the richness of Kerala's cultural traditions and the dedication of those passionate about preserving India's artistic heritage abroad. "Witnessed a graceful presentation of Thiruvathira by members of the Keralam caregivers' community. The performance reflected the greatness of Keralam's cultural traditions and the dedication of those who are passionate about it. Proud to see our diaspora preserving India's rich artistic heritage wherever they go," the National Cultural Secretariat (NCS) noted in a post on X. PM Modi arrived in Israel on Wednesday for a two-day state visit and received a warm and vibrant welcome. The reception featured colourful Indian cultural performances and enthusiastic participation by members of the Indian diaspora. Cultural showcases featuring music and dance from different parts of India were staged to commemorate PM Modi's arrival, highlighting the rich diversity of Indian heritage. Meanwhile, India and Israel on Thursday signed multiple agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) across multiple sectors covering Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, education and other sectors during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing two-day state visit to the country, reflecting the growing strategic, technological, and economic partnership between the two countries. The agreements cover areas including innovation, agriculture, geophysical exploration, maritime heritage, fisheries, aquaculture, artificial intelligence, education, commerce, and cybersecurity and were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Modi and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, ahead of their press statements in Jerusalem. PM Modi began a two-day official visit to Israel by meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Wednesday. In a warm gesture, the Israeli Prime Minister and his wife, Sara Netanyahu, personally welcomed him at the airport and honoured him with a special guard of honour, signalling the strengthening ties between India and Israel. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a two-day visit to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry from February 28. His agenda includes inaugurating the AIIMS hospital in Madurai and launching multiple railway projects under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The visit combines official functions with political outreach, featuring a BJP rally in Puducherry and an NDA public meeting in Madurai. Security arrangements have been heightened across all venues for the Prime Minister's engagements. PM Narendra Modi visits Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Feb 28-Mar 1 to inaugurate AIIMS Madurai, launch rail projects, and address key NDA political rallies. Chennai, Feb 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Tamil Nadu on February 28 for a two-day visit covering Chennai, Madurai, and Puducherry with a packed schedule that includes government events, infrastructure launches, temple darshan and political engagements. According to senior BJP sources, the Prime Minister will land in Chennai on Saturday evening and stay overnight at the Raj Bhavan. On March 1, he will travel to Puducherry, where he is scheduled to participate in an official government function. Following the event, PM Modi will address a public meeting organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), marking a significant political outreach in the union territory. After concluding his engagements in Puducherry, the Prime Minister will proceed to Tamil Nadu's Madurai. As part of his visit, he is likely to offer prayers at the Tirupparankundram Subramanya Swamy Temple, one of the six sacred abodes of Lord Murugan and an important spiritual landmark in Tamil Nadu. In Madurai, PM Modi will take part in the inauguration ceremony of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital. He will also launch multiple development projects through video conferencing. The visit underscores the Centre's focus on expanding healthcare infrastructure and accelerating development initiatives in the southern states. Railway officials said the Prime Minister will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for several projects linked to Southern Railway during a government function in Madurai. Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, renovated railway stations at Morappur, Bommidi, Pollachi, Karaikudi, Srivilliputhur, Cholavandan, Tiruvarur and Manapparai will be formally opened. In addition, new train services will be flagged off on key routes, including Tambaram-Mangaluru, Coimbatore-Dhanbad, Nagercoil-Charlapalli and Rameswaram-Mangaluru, aimed at improving connectivity across southern and eastern corridors. The Prime Minister is also slated to address a public meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Madurai later in the day, adding a political dimension to his official engagements. Police authorities said elaborate security arrangements have been put in place across all venues in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in view of the Prime Minister's visit. - IANS The Head of Israel's Economic Mission characterized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit as a major milestone for bilateral relations, emphasizing its strong economic underpinnings. A key objective is to accelerate negotiations for a comprehensive free trade agreement between the two nations. The visit yielded 27 concrete outcomes, including agreements on geophysical exploration, UPI payments, and an agriculture innovation center. These pacts aim to institutionalize cooperation across strategic sectors like cybersecurity, fintech, and labor mobility. Israeli envoy hails PM Modi's visit as key for bilateral relations, focusing on a free trade agreement and 27 new cooperation outcomes. New Delhi, February 26 Characterising the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a defining moment for bilateral ties, Ofir Amami, Head of Economic and Commercial Mission at the Embassy of Israel, stated that the high-level engagement marks "another milestone in the strengthened relationship between Israel and India in the past year, specifically in recent years." Speaking to ANI regarding the strategic depth of the trip, Amami highlighted that the visit was not merely diplomatic but was underpinned by significant "economic aspects." He pointed out that the personal involvement of the leadership has set a clear trajectory for future engagement, noting that "as mentioned by PM Modi himself during his visit, one of the key focuses and takeaways from this visit is stepping up the cooperation." Central to this cooperation is the institutionalisation of trade ties, which has gained significant momentum following the Prime Minister's discussions in Jerusalem. Amami identified the primary objective as the acceleration of a comprehensive trade pact, stating that "the takeaway is also to bring forward the trade agreement, the free trade agreement between the countries." Providing an update on the ongoing negotiations, Amami noted that "just this week, simultaneously with the Prime Minister's visit, we had the delegation from Israel here to conduct the first round of negotiations toward the free trade agreement." He expressed optimism that the political will generated by the visit would act as a catalyst, adding, "We hope and believe that the visit of the Prime Minister will give an extra boost to take this process along." This push for a formalised agreement is seen as a natural progression for two economies that increasingly mirror each other's growth ambitions. "We believe both sides are very keen to take this step forward in institutionalising the economic relationship between the countries," Amami remarked, further observing that "there will be a lot of benefits for both countries that are quite complementary and aligned in their economic interests. I hope we can manage to take this forward in a rapid manner." Further solidifying this economic and strategic trajectory, India and Israel on Thursday unveiled 27 outcomes following the two-day visit. These outcomes, spanning cooperation in sectors from geophysical exploration to cybersecurity, include 17 agreements/MoUs and 10 key announcements aimed at expanding the bilateral partnership across strategic and people-centric domains. Among the agreements signed was an MoU on cooperation in geophysical exploration to boost mineral exploration using advanced AI technologies, alongside a collaboration for the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat. To deepen people-to-people ties, a Cultural Exchange Programme from 2026 to 2029 will be done to engage in creative fields like music and theatre through festivals and workshops. In a significant move for digital and agricultural cooperation, NPCI International and Israel's MASAV signed an MoU to facilitate cross-border remittances through India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Simultaneously, a push for next-generation farming was formalised through the establishment of the India-Israel Innovation Centre for Agriculture (IINCA), focusing on precision farming and satellite-based irrigation. The technological partnership extended into strategic foresight with a Declaration of Intent on "Horizon Scanning" for joint research and AI-driven tools. Both sides also moved to promote sustainable solutions in Fisheries and Aquaculture, while strengthening the financial sector through fintech and regtech collaboration between the IFSCA and the Israel Securities Authority. Addressing human resource and educational needs, three Implementation Protocols on Labour Mobility were signed to enable regulated recruitment of Indian workers across various industries. In the education sector, an MoU on advancing AI-powered learning was inked, while academic cooperation was further expanded through student exchanges between Nalanda University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. To bolster digital and legal frameworks, a Letter of Intent was signed to establish an Indo-Israel Cyber Centre of Excellence, alongside an agreement to strengthen arbitration and mediation cooperation. During the visit, the 4th India-Israel CEO Forum presented policy recommendations to align with industry trends and promote public-private collaboration. In addition to these agreements, the two sides announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a Special Strategic Partnership. Key announcements included elevating the Joint Committee on Science and Technology to the ministerial level and launching a new initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies led by the National Security Advisor. The visit concluded with the launch of a Financial Dialogue, a Tech-Gateway Initiative, and a quota of up to 50,000 Indian workers over the next five years. The leaders also announced the establishment of an India-Israel Academic Cooperation Forum and a Parliamentary Friendship Group, underscoring the growing depth and breadth of the bilateral bond. - ANI News / National by Staff reporter Following poor local harvests this season, amacimbi traders say they have been forced to source mopane worms from neighbouring Botswana, a development that has triggered sharp price increases across Zimbabwe's major markets.Vendors say that although Zimbabwe received good rains in some provinces, mopane worms failed to mature in expected quantities in key and traditional harvesting areas such as Gwanda and Plumtree, leaving local dealers grappling with limited supply.Tineyi Dube, who trades at 5th Avenue Market in Bulawayo, said the shift to Botswana has significantly raised operational costs. He explained that local amacimbi are very scarce this year, forcing traders to travel to Botswana to secure stock. According to Dube, they journey to towns such as Palapye and Selebi-Phikwe, as well as surrounding areas, where they purchase different varieties including amera, amapipi and umunondo.He said transport expenses are high and traders are also required to pay for permits from Botswana's wildlife authorities and Zimbabwe's Environmental Management Authority (EMA). By the time the worms are transported back home, all associated costs are factored into the final selling price. As a result, a bucket of amacimbi is now selling for between US$50 and US$80.Another dealer, Nomsa Ndlovu from Harare, said cross-border sourcing has become the only viable option for serious traders. She noted that while they previously relied on local harvesters, supplies have been unreliable this season. Although Botswana offers opportunities to buy in bulk, she said the cumulative costs of fuel, accommodation, transport permits and border charges significantly push up prices. By the time the product reaches Harare, she added, the price has often doubled, leaving customers frustrated despite traders merely trying to cover expenses.A Bulawayo-based dealer, Themba Moyo, echoed similar sentiments, saying that while traders are able to buy directly from harvesters in Botswana, they must comply with strict regulations, including paying wildlife and environmental permits. He added that long-distance transport costs further compound the financial burden. Traders from Harare are also travelling south to secure supplies, intensifying competition for the limited stock available.Despite the price hikes, traders say demand for the protein-rich delicacy remains strong, particularly in urban centres where mopane worms are a popular relish. However, they warned that unless local supplies improve in the next harvesting cycle, prices are likely to remain elevated due to continued reliance on imports from Botswana. President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit Ayodhya on March 19, which marks the beginning of the Navratri festival. The district administration is making comprehensive arrangements for crowd management and security to ensure the event proceeds smoothly. This visit precedes the grand Ram Navami celebrations planned for March 27 in the city. The news follows the President's recent unveiling of a bust of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari at Rashtrapati Bhavan, an act framed as part of moving away from colonial legacies. President Droupadi Murmu will visit Ayodhya on March 19, the first day of Navratri. Administration plans security and crowd management for the event. Ayodhya, February 26 President Droupadi Murmu is set to visit Ayodhya on March 19, coinciding with the first day of Navratri. Speaking to ANI, District Magistrate Nikhil Tikaram Funde confirmed plans are underway to ensure a smooth event, with crowd management and police personnel in place. The visit falls ahead of Ram Navami on March 27, which also has separate celebrations planned. "President Murmu is scheduled to visit Ayodhya on the first day of Navratri, i.e. 19 March. We had a meeting with the management committee regarding the planning and organisation of the event. We will ensure that the event is well-organised. As you mentioned, we also have the grand celebration of Ram Navami on 27 March... we have planned for the day as per our crowd management. There will be police personnel allocated to ensure everything is under surveillance and the event concludes successfully", he said. The administration has said that adequate security arrangements and crowd control measures will be put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of both events. Earlier, on February 24, President Droupadi Murmu unveiled the bust of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, the first and only Indian Governor General of Independent India, at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The bust of Rajagopalachari, at the Grand Open Staircase near Ashok Mandap opposite to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, replaces the bust of Edwin Lutyens. This initiative is part of a series of steps being taken towards shedding "the vestiges of the colonial mindset".The President later attended Rajaji Utsav at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, where she took a round of the photo and book exhibition on his life and work. Speaking on the occasion, the President said that when Rajaji arrived at the Government House (now known as Rashtrapati Bhavan), he placed portraits of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Mahatma Gandhi in his room. Rajaji sent a clear message that while India was formally still a Dominion, Swaraj had been fully established in the hearts of Indians. Rajaji set an inspiring example of mental decolonisation, she said. His ideals are reflected in the national campaign adopted by the people of India to take pride in India's heritage and eliminate the vestiges of the colonial mindset. Indian consciousness and connection with all Indians, especially the weaker sections, are reflected in Rajaji's thoughts and actions, the President noted. She said that portraits of British imperial officials who exploited India were earlier hung in the corridors of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Now, the gallery called 'Param Vir Dirgha' is adorned with portraits of Param Vir Chakra awardees. The Granth Kutir has been established at Rashtrapati Bhavan to preserve the great tradition of knowledge accumulated in manuscripts and texts of India's classical languages. - ANI President Droupadi Murmu will lay the foundation stone for a major new Shri Jagannath Temple complex in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. The Rs 100 crore project will span 2.5 acres on Marine Drive, featuring a main temple and a separate spiritual and cultural centre. The temple's design is inspired by the historic Jagannath Temple in Puri and will house idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. The complex, expected to be finished in four years, aims to become a key religious and cultural hub for the region. President Droupadi Murmu visits Jamshedpur to launch the Rs 100 crore Shri Jagannath Temple project on Marine Drive, a major new religious landmark. Jamshedpur, Feb 26 President Droupadi Murmu is set to arrive in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, on Thursday to lay the foundation stone for a Rs 100 crore Shri Jagannath Temple project along Marine Drive in Kadma. During her visit, the President will also tour the Manipal TATA Medical College in Jamshedpur and interact with students. Preparations have been intensified at Marine Drive ahead of her arrival. Authorities and organisers have erected seating enclosures, installed barricades and put in place multi-layered security arrangements in anticipation of a large gathering. The Shri Jagannath Spiritual and Cultural Charitable Centre is developing the temple complex across nearly 2.5 acres of land on Marine Drive. Of this, 1.5 acres will house the main temple structure, while the remaining one acre has been designated for a spiritual and cultural centre. The architectural design of the proposed temple draws inspiration from the historic Jagannath Temple in Puri. The sanctum sanctorum will enshrine idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, along with other deities, according to the trust group. Officials have indicated that the temple is expected to be completed within four years, while the adjoining cultural centre is likely to be ready in approximately two years. Once completed, the complex is anticipated to emerge as a significant religious and cultural landmark in Jamshedpur. According to the trust, the cultural centre will be utilised to promote value-based education and personality development among young people. Programmes will draw inspiration from teachings contained in scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita. President Murmu is scheduled to arrive at around 12:20 p.m. and depart at approximately 1:20 p.m. after addressing the gathering. Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Chief Minister Hemant Soren are also expected to be present at the ceremony. - IANS President Droupadi Murmu will attend the Indian Air Force's major "Vayu Shakti-2026" exercise at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. During the event, she is scheduled to co-pilot a Light Combat Helicopter Prachand, marking her first time piloting a combat helicopter in the Jaisalmer border airspace. The exercise will feature demonstrations by frontline aircraft like the Rafale and Sukhoi-30 MKI, and will be attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. President Murmu has a history of flying in fighter jets, having previously flown in both a Sukhoi and a Rafale to boost troop morale. President Droupadi Murmu will co-pilot a Prachand LCH during the IAF's Vayu Shakti exercise in Jaisalmer, showcasing air power with Rajnath Singh present. Jaipur, Feb 26 The Indian Air Force's largest military exercise, "Vayu Shakti-2026", will be held on Friday at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Rajasthan, near the Pakistan border. The Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, President Droupadi Murmu, will also be present at the exercise. According to the schedule, the President will fly a Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand on Friday. During this, she will conduct an aerial survey of the exercise area. This will be the first time the President will co-pilot a combat helicopter in the border airspace of Jaisalmer. Following the event, she will interact with officers and soldiers at the Air Force Station and boost their morale. In the evening, the President will arrive at the Pokhran Range, where the exercise will commence in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. During this period, the Air Force will showcase its lethal capabilities through aerial fire and precise strikes. In addition to Prachand aircraft, Rafale, Sukhoi-30 MKI, and Apache will also showcase their might at 'Vayu Shakti-2026'. This visit of the President is considered extremely important from a strategic perspective. Tight security arrangements have been made in Jaisalmer. The entire area from Chandan to Pokhran has been declared a 'no-fly zone'. President Murmu has a long and deep association with the aircraft of the Indian Air Force. She is not only the supreme commander of the armed forces, but has also personally flown frontline fighter jets to boost the morale of the country's soldiers. She has flown in a Sukhoi and a Rafale. President Murmu created history on October 29, 2025, by flying in a Rafale aircraft of the 'Golden Arrows' squadron based in Ambala. She became the first President of the country to fly in two different fighter aircraft (Sukhoi and Rafale). She experienced the power of the Rafale at a speed of approximately 700 km/h at an altitude of approximately 15,000 feet. President Murmu flew for approximately 30 minutes in a Sukhoi-30 MKI on April 8, 2023, from the Tezpur base in Assam. She assessed the aircraft's firepower and the Air Force's preparedness while flying over the Himalayan peaks and the Brahmaputra Valley. She became the second woman President of the country to fly in a Sukhoi after Pratibha Patil. - IANS The Punjab Government has ordered the immediate transfer and posting of two Indian Forest Service officers. Shailender Kaur is now Director of Environment and Climate Change, while Manish Kumar has been posted as Director of Horticulture, effectively swapping their roles. The orders were issued from Chandigarh by the Department of Personnel. This administrative reshuffle follows the recent suspension of two senior IAS officers in the state earlier this month. Punjab govt orders immediate transfer of two IFS officers, Shailender Kaur and Manish Kumar, swapping their roles in environment and horticulture departments. Chandigarh, February 26 The Punjab Government on Wednesday ordered the transfer and posting of two Indian Forest Service officers with immediate effect on administrative grounds. According to an official order issued by the Department of Personnel (IAS Branch) under the orders of the Governor of Punjab, Smt. Shailender Kaur, IFS (2000 batch), who was serving as Director, Horticulture on deputation with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, has been placed at the disposal of the Department of Science, Technology & Environment. She has been posted as Director, Environment and Climate Change, and will also hold the additional charge of Special Secretary in the same department in place of Manish Kumar, IFS. Meanwhile, Manish Kumar, IFS (2006 batch), Director, Environment and Climate Change and Special Secretary, Department of Science, Technology and Environment, has been placed at the disposal of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. He has been posted as Director, Horticulture in place of Shailender Kaur. The order further states that the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare shall issue formal orders regarding the repatriation of Shailender Kaur immediately. The Department of Forest and Wildlife Preservation, the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, and the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare have been directed to issue the requisite formal orders regarding the new postings of the concerned officers. The orders were issued from Chandigarh on February 26, 2026. Earlier, this February, the Punjab government placed two senior IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officers under suspension with immediate effect, as per provisions of Rule 3(1) of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969. According to separate orders issued by the Department of Personnel (IAS Branch), Jaspreet Singh, Managing Director of Punjab Information and Communication Technology Corporation Limited (Punjab INFOTECH), was suspended with immediate effect. In another order, Kamal Kishor Yadav, Administrative Secretary, Department of Industries and Commerce, who was also holding additional charge as Administrative Secretary, Investment Promotion and Promotion of Information Technology Industry, has been placed under suspension. - ANI The Punjab Vidhan Sabha's Budget Session is scheduled to commence on March 6 and run until March 16. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that the state budget for 2026-27 will be presented by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on March 8. Mann also launched the 'Meri Rasoi' scheme, which will provide comprehensive ration kits to 40 lakh families across the state. The session was formally summoned by Governor Gulab Chand Kataria. Punjab Assembly's Budget Session runs March 6-16. CM Bhagwant Mann announces Meri Rasoi scheme for 40 lakh families ahead of budget presentation. Chandigarh, February 26 The Punjab Vidhan Sabha Secretariat on Thursday issued a notification summoning the Sixteenth Vidhan Sabha of the State of Punjab to meet for its Twelfth Budget Session on March 6. As per the notification dated February 26, the session has been summoned by Gulab Chand Kataria in exercise of the powers conferred under Clause (1) of Article 174 of the Constitution of India. The House will assemble at 11:00 am on March 6 in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Hall, Vidhan Bhavan, Chandigarh. The order, issued from Chandigarh today has been communicated to all Members of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, senior state government officials and concerned authorities for information and necessary action. On Monday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that the budget session of the state Assembly will be held from March 6 to March 16, with the Budget 2026-27 to be presented on March 8. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema will present the budget in the assembly. Earlier, addressing a press conference in Chandigarh Chief Minister said, "We have decided to hold the budget session of the Punjab Assembly from March 6 to March 16. Depending on the BAC (Business Advisory Committee), if needed, the session will be extended. We will present the budget on Sunday, March 8th. If PM Modi can run Parliament on Sunday, can't we? March 8 isn't just a Sunday; it's also International Women's Day." Bhagwant Mann further announced the Meri Rasoi scheme for 40 lakh families, under which the state government will distribute ration kits "The scheme impacting 40 lakh families, Meri Rasoi. The wheat given under the public distribution system will continue, and the quality of the wheat has also improved. Now, to make Punjab's food more nutritious, we are launching the scheme, under which the Punjab government will distribute food kits to 40 lakh families. Along with wheat, two kilograms of dal, two kilograms of sugar, one kilogram iodised salt, 200 grams of turmeric powder and one litre of oil," he said. - ANI The Rajasthan government has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking to postpone elections for 113 urban local bodies. This comes after the Rajasthan High Court struck down the recent ward delimitation exercise for these civic bodies, declaring it flawed. The state, led by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, argues that holding elections without a legally sound delimitation process is untenable. The Supreme Court's decision will determine if the existing April 15 deadline for these polls will stand or be extended. Rajasthan govt asks Supreme Court to delay elections for 113 municipal bodies, citing need for fresh delimitation after High Court order. Jaipur, Feb 26 The Rajasthan government has approached the Supreme Court seeking a postponement of elections to 113 municipal bodies, citing the need to redo the ward delimitation process after it was struck down by the High Court. A Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the state government states that the Rajasthan High Court had quashed the ward delimitation exercise carried out for 113 of the 309 urban local bodies. As a result, the Rajasthan government has sought additional time to complete the process afresh before conducting elections. As per the SLP, there are many reasons for the government seeking more time. According to the SLP, the High Court found the delimitation exercise in 113 urban bodies to be flawed. While the total number of wards in these civic bodies remained unchanged, their internal boundaries were altered. The court cancelled these revised ward boundaries, necessitating a fresh delimitation exercise. The Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma-led government has argued that conducting polls without completing the revised delimitation process would not be legally sound, and therefore, the election schedule should be extended. On November 14 last year, the Rajasthan High Court, while disposing around 439 petitions, directed the state government to complete the delimitation process by December 31 and conduct panchayat and municipal elections by April 15. Subsequently, while hearing related petitions challenging the High Court's order, the Supreme Court also directed that elections be held by April 15. The Supreme Court will now consider the state government's plea seeking more time. The outcome of the hearing will determine whether the April 15 deadline for holding elections remains in place or is extended, said sources. The matter is significant as it affects election timelines for over one hundred urban local bodies across Rajasthan. Incidentally, the last ward reorganisation in Rajasthan was carried out in 2019, when the state had 196 urban local bodies. In the past six years, 113 new bodies have been created, where elections will be held for the first time. - IANS Veteran Communist Party of India leader R Nallakannu passed away in Chennai at the age of 101 after a prolonged hospitalization. Superstar Rajinikanth visited the leader's residence to pay his last respects, praising Nallakannu's honesty and calling him a "great soul" who embodied the qualities of past Tamil icons. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin paid an emotional tribute, describing Nallakannu as an uncompromising fighter for the working class. Nallakannu had been under intensive care for over 24 days before his vital organs failed. Actor Rajinikanth paid last respects to veteran CPI leader R Nallakannu, calling him a "great soul" who embodied honesty. CM Stalin also offered tributes. Chennai, February 26 Actor Rajinikanth paid his last respects to veteran CPI leader R Nallakannu at his residence in T Nagar, Chennai. Ramasamy Nallakannu, one of the senior-most leaders of the Communist movement in Tamil Nadu, passed away at the age of 101 on Wednesday afternoon at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai. Speaking about his long-standing respect for the late leader, Rajinikanth, while speaking to reporters, said that Nallakannu stood for honesty and simplicity throughout his life. He shared that even though he had not personally seen many great leaders of the past, he felt their qualities reflected in Nallakannu. "I have not seen Omandurar, Arignar Anna, Kamarajar, or Kakkan. But in Comrade Nallakannu, I saw all of them combined. Nallakannu is an example of how respect and honor naturally come to a person who is good and honest. He was a great soul. My heartfelt condolences and tribute to Comrade Nallakannu," Rajinikanth said. According to an official statement issued by Madras Medical College and the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Nallakannu had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on February 1 due to health complications. Over 24 days of treatment, his condition fluctuated despite continuous advanced monitoring and intensive care by a multidisciplinary medical team. However, from the early hours of Wednesday, his response to medication gradually declined, and his condition turned critical. Despite being placed on advanced life support, all his vital organs eventually failed. He was declared dead at around 1:55 pm. Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin paid an emotional tribute to veteran leader R Nallakannu on Wednesday, calling him an "indomitable comrade" and a "political volcano" whose life would remain a guiding light for generations to come. In a heartfelt message shared on X, Stalin recalled Nallakannu's unwavering spirit despite physical challenges, quoting the late leader's own words: "Even though I lack proper vision in one eye, there is another eye in my heart. That is the good eye."He described Nallakannu as "an uncompromising fighter" and a tireless champion of the working class who endured imprisonment, torture, and immense personal hardship without ever compromising his principles. - ANI Randeep Hooda commemorated the 60th death anniversary of freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar by sharing a poignant tribute on Instagram. He highlighted the lesser-known fact that Savarkar observed an indefinite fast until his death, which Hooda described as a form of 'samadhi'. The actor portrayed Savarkar in the 2024 biographical film 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar'. Hooda is also preparing for fatherhood with his wife Lin Laishram and has several upcoming film projects. Actor Randeep Hooda pays tribute to Veer Savarkar on his death anniversary, highlighting his final fast, and shares updates on his film projects and family life. Mumbai, Feb 26 On Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's 60th death anniversary, actor-filmmaker Randeep Hooda remembered the freedom fighter and shared that he observed an indefinite fast until his death, which he described as a form of 'samadhi'. Randeep took to Instagram, where he shared a few glimpses of Savarkar and his own picture from the film he made on the freedom fighter. To pay a tribute to Veer Savarkar, he reflected on the lesser-known aspects of his final days. He wrote in the caption section: "Aamaran anshan bahuton ne kiye, mare sirf Savarkar. Very few know that Savarkar ji fasted till his death or in other words took samadhi, finally leaving this world on 'date'. Remembering him today. Naman." Randeep portrayed Savarkar in the biographical drama film Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, which was released in 2024. The film presents a detailed biographical sketch of Savarkar from his childhood, including the key events from his life, often in a near-worshipful tone towards its central character. It received praise for its actors' performances. It followed the story from his years as a student in England to his return to India and his involvement in the Indian independence struggle. Randeep is currently busy shooting for "Eetha" with Shraddha Kapoor. Directed by Laxman Utekar, Eetha is based on the life of one of India's earliest Tamasha/Lavni dancers, bringing to the fore a powerful, culturally rooted story. In other news, Randeep and his wife Lin Laishram are all set to welcome their first bundle of joy. They announced on Instagram on November 29. In a joint post, they wrote: "Two years of love, adventure, and now... a little wild one on the way (Tiger Face, red heart and infinity emojis)." Randeep and Lin first met at veteran star Naseeruddin Shah's theatre group Motley. Eventually, having fallen for one another, the lovebirds started living together during the lockdown. They made their relationship Instagram official back in 2022. The couple finally tied the knot on November 29, 2023, in a traditional Meitei ceremony in Manipur. Randeep will also be seen in the epic war drama "Operation Khukri." He has secured the official movie rights to "Operation Khukri: The Untold Story of the Indian Army's Bravest Peacekeeping Mission Abroad" by Major General Rajpal Punia, and Damini Punia. - IANS Ranji Final Headbutt Downplayed: Dogra Calls It Momentary Lapse Jammu and Kashmir captain Paras Dogra has addressed the headbutt incident with Karnataka batter Aneesh during the Ranji Trophy final. He described it as a fleeting moment of frustration that quickly subsided. Dogra emphasized that the atmosphere lightened afterwards with players joking about the situation. Despite the incident, he continued to lead his team with a significant personal performance in the historic match. Key Points: Ranji Final Headbutt Incident Downplayed by J&K Captain On-field headbutt incident in final Captain calls it momentary lapse Situation resolved quickly with humor Dogra led with milestone performance Historic Ranji Trophy summit clash Feb 26, 2026 1 min read Ranji Trophy Final: Frustration was there for a second, but later everyone was joking around, says Dogra on headbutt incident J&K captain Paras Dogra addresses the headbutt incident with Karnataka's Aneesh in the Ranji Trophy final, calling it a brief moment of frustration. "Frustration was there for a second, but later everyone was joking around - Paras Dogra" Hubli, Feb 26 Jammu and Kashmir captain Paras Dogra downplayed his on-field headbutt incident with Karnataka batter Aneesh during the Ranji Trophy final, saying it was a momentary lapse that quickly passed, even as he continued to lead from the front with a milestone performance in a historic summit clash. Hubli, Feb 26 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir captain Paras Dogra downplayed his on-field headbutt incident with Karnataka batter Aneesh during the Ranji Trophy final, saying it was a momentary lapse that quickly passed, even as he continued to lead from the front with a milestone performance in a historic summit clash. - IANS Share this article: The Indian rupee is projected to trade between Rs 90.40 and Rs 91.20 per US dollar next week, supported by continued equity inflows. A Union Bank of India report notes that Artificial Intelligence is poised to structurally boost India's services exports and dollar inflows. While near-term volatility may arise from transitions in traditional IT outsourcing models, strong macroeconomic fundamentals and record forex reserves provide a buffer. Overall, sustained capital inflows and robust external buffers are expected to underpin the currency. UBI report forecasts rupee trading range, cites equity inflows & AI-driven exports as key supports. Near-term IT transition risks noted. Mumbai, February 26 The Indian rupee is expected to trade in the range of Rs 90.40-91.20 per US dollar throughout the next week, supported by sustained equity inflows and improving structural factors, according to a report by Union Bank of India. The report highlighted that range from a technical standpoint and added that continued equity inflows could further strengthen the domestic currency. "Sustained equity inflows could strengthen the INR toward Rs 90.10/USD, with Rs 90.40/USD acting as a key interim support. As India-US BTA is finalized; the threshold for the rupee has shifted meaningfully. Likely to face strong resistance near Rs 90.90/USD, a break above this zone could trigger a move toward Rs 91.20/USD," the report stated. The report also emphasised the role of Artificial Intelligence in shaping India's services export outlook, which could provide structural support to the rupee over the long term. "Artificial Intelligence is set to reshape India's services export landscape, with higher-value digital, cloud, and AI-led offerings potentially strengthening export competitiveness and supporting USD inflows -- a structural positive for the Rupee," the report noted. However, the report cautioned that near-term risks remain due to ongoing transitions in traditional IT outsourcing models. "Near-term transition risks in traditional IT outsourcing models could weigh on earnings sentiment and FPI flows, creating episodic volatility," it added. The Indian rupee maintained a stable trajectory during the previous week, trading consistently within a narrow range of Rs 90.60-Rs 90.70 per dollar. This stability was observed despite a widening trade deficit of USD 34.68 billion and persistent foreign institutional investor outflows. The report attributed this stability to strong macroeconomic fundamentals and investor confidence in India's economic position. The report also added that market participants remained confident in India's macroeconomic buffers, supported by record-high foreign exchange reserves of USD 725.73 billion, which helped cushion the rupee against external pressures. So, the report outlined that while the rupee may face near-term volatility due to global and sector-specific developments, sustained capital inflows, strong services exports, and robust forex reserves are expected to provide support to the domestic currency in the coming weeks. - ANI News / National by Stephen Jakes A 25yearold man from Zhombe in the Midlands has been jailed for an effective nine years after he was convicted of stealing a heifer from a local farmer. The Kwekwe Magistrates Court sentenced Brighton Ngwenya to nine years imprisonment after finding him guilty of stealing a heifer worth US$500 from a 47yearold complainant.The court heard that on 20 January, Ngwenya, who resides in Mudzingwa Village, stole the animal from the complainants kraal in Mkhuhlane Village during the night. The following morning, the complainant discovered the heifer missing and searched for it without success.On 2 February, Ngwenya attempted to sell the stolen beast to another villager, who immediately alerted the complainant. The complainant rushed to the scene and positively identified the heifer as his property.A police report was made, leading to Ngwenyas arrest.The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe said stock theft remains a serious threat to rural livelihoods.The NPAZ will remain steadfast in advocating for stiff sentences that also deter wouldbe offenders, it said. The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Centre and states on a PIL seeking the installation of display boards at police stations and public offices detailing the penal consequences of filing false complaints and fabricating evidence. The plea argues such measures are necessary to protect citizens' right to life and liberty and to deter the misuse of the legal system for personal or political vendettas. It highlights NCRB data showing a high rate of acquittals, suggesting a systemic problem with false cases clogging the courts. The petitioner also seeks a direction for authorities to inform complainants of the legal penalties before accepting a complaint and to obtain an undertaking affirming the truth of the allegations. Supreme Court seeks Centre, states' response on PIL to install boards at police stations warning of penalties for filing false cases and fabricated evidence. New Delhi, Feb 26 The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice on a Public Interest Litigation seeking directions to the Union government and all states and Union Territories to instal display boards at police stations and public offices, highlighting the penal consequences of filing false complaints, fabricated charges and false evidence. A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi passed the order after hearing submissions made by petitioner advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay. During the hearing, the CJI-led Bench observed that the constitutional principle of fraternity must guide societal conduct, warning that the misuse of criminal law through false cases has serious consequences for innocent citizens. "The problem arises when false complaints are lodged. The poor complainant does not even know that a false case has been registered in his name and is being exploited," the apex court added. The plea seeks installation of display boards at police stations, tehsil offices, district courts, panchayat bhawans, municipal offices and educational institutions, informing citizens about the legal consequences of filing false complaints, false charges, false statements and fabricated evidence. It contends that such preventive measures are necessary to safeguard the Right to Life, liberty and dignity of innocent citizens guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution and to deter misuse of criminal law provisions for settling personal or political scores. The PIL has also sought a direction to state authorities to inform complainants about the legal consequences of filing false complaints before registering an FIR or accepting any complaint. "The authorities must inform the complainant about punishment for false complaints, false charges, false statements, false information and false evidence before accepting the complaint, in order to secure freedom of speech and expression of innocent citizens," the petition stated. In addition, the petitioner has sought directions to obtain an undertaking or affidavit from complainants affirming that the averments made in the complaint, information, statement, evidence and charges are true and correct, with the objective of curbing frivolous litigation and malicious prosecution. Relying on empirical data compiled from National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reports, the plea claimed that there is a stark disparity between cases registered and convictions under several special criminal laws, with acquittals running into disproportionately high numbers. "This statistical pattern reveals a structural problem of false complaints, false charges and fabricated evidence clogging the criminal justice system," the petition submitted. Referring to the Law Commission's 277th Report, the petition contended that false charges, wrongful prosecutions and fabricated evidence remain primary causes of miscarriage of justice and violation of Article 21. The plea further submitted that despite the enactment of Chapter XIV of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the absence of administrative or preventive mechanisms has rendered the provisions largely ineffective. The PIL claimed that unchecked misuse of criminal law creates a chilling effect on freedoms guaranteed under Article 19, including free speech, movement and the right to carry on trade and profession, as fear of malicious prosecution suppresses legitimate dissent and enterprise. "False complaints and malicious prosecutions convert the criminal process itself into punishment, resulting in loss of liberty, social stigma, mental trauma and irreversible damage to reputation, even in cases ending in acquittal," the plea stated, adding that speedy trial and presumption of innocence become meaningless when false cases proliferate unchecked. Stating that the judiciary is overburdened due to false complaints, false charges and fabricated evidence, the petitioner submitted that neither the Centre nor the states have taken effective steps to control the menace, necessitating judicial intervention by the Supreme Court. - IANS The Securities and Exchange Board of India has warned investors about fraudulent notices misusing its letterhead to demand payment of Securities Transaction Tax. SEBI clarified it never sends such notices, as STT is automatically collected by brokers during trades. The regulator also highlighted a rise in scams involving unregistered individuals offering "account handling" services with promises of guaranteed profits. Both SEBI and the National Stock Exchange have urged investors to remain vigilant and not share account details. SEBI warns investors against fake notices demanding STT payments and fraudulent "account handling" services promising guaranteed profits. Mumbai, Feb 26 The Securities and Exchange Board of India on Thursday warned investors to stay alert after reports of fake notices demanding payment of securities transaction tax. In a statement, Securities and Exchange Board of India said that some fraudsters are misusing its letterhead to send false notices to investors. These notices claim that investors have pending STT dues under the Finance Act, 2004, and wrongly state that Sebi is using powers under the Sebi Act, 1992, to collect the money. The regulator clarified that it never sends notices to investors asking them to pay STT. It also said that it does not work with the Reserve Bank of India for collecting such taxes. SEBI explained that STT is automatically charged on every buy and sell transaction done on stock exchanges and is collected directly by brokers at the time of the trade. SEBI also pointed out that scammers are impersonating its officials by using their names, job titles, and fake email IDs that closely resemble official Sebi email addresses. These tactics are being used to make the fraud look genuine and mislead investors into sending money. Earlier this week, the National Stock Exchange issued a similar warning. The exchange said it had noticed fake communications using Sebi's letterhead to demand STT payments. The NSE urged investors to remain cautious and not respond to messages that claim to be from Sebi officials and ask for money on the regulator's behalf. Separately, SEBI also raised concerns about a rising number of scams related to so-called "account handling" services. In these cases, individuals pretend to be trading experts, portfolio managers, or fund managers and promise guaranteed or risk-free profits. SEBI warned investors not to believe such claims and advised them never to share their trading account details with anyone. The regulator stressed that these account handlers are not registered with Sebi and are not authorised to provide any investment or portfolio management services. - IANS The sixth India-Japan Intellectual Conclave "Kizuna" was held in Shillong with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma as chief guest. He detailed extensive collaborations, including training and placing 500 youth in Japan this year and establishing a Japanese language center. Key projects highlighted were the commercial production of Shiitake mushrooms with Japanese support and major JICA-funded infrastructure and forest restoration initiatives. The CM proposed a formal Meghalaya-Japan Skill Corridor to pair the state's youthful population with Japan's technological expertise. CM Conrad Sangma outlines robust Japan-Meghalaya ties in youth skills, agriculture & infrastructure at the 6th India-Japan Intellectual Conclave. Shillong, February 27 The Sixth India-Japan Intellectual Conclave was held at Vivanta, Shillong, which was attended by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma as the Chief Guest. In his inaugural address, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, said that the India - Japan ties are anchored in mutual respect, democratic values and a shared vision for economic cooperation and sustainable development and stated, "Given the strength of the relationship between Japan and India, "Kizuna" (a lasting bond) is the most appropriate theme for the conclave." Elaborating on the legacy of partnership between Japan and the state of Meghalaya, the Chief Minister said that Japan has been a steadfast development partner for the state, with the collaboration being not just about infrastructure but also about people. He also outlined the collaborations between Japan and Meghalaya for youth empowerment and informed that 47 nurses from the state are placed in Japan. Ambassador Ono Keiichi, N J Gangte, Secretary and OSD (Establishment), Ministry of External Affairs & Acting DDG, ICWA, Takuro Takeuchi, Chief Representative, JICA India, among others, were also present during the Inaugural Session. "Following my visit to Japan in April 2025, we signed an MoU with ASEAN One Co. to train and place 500 youth this year; scaling to 5,000 over the next five years," he said. He also said that the state has tied up with NAVIS HR for placing Meghalaya's skilled resources in Japan. Further, he also stated that a Japanese language training centre has been established in Shillong for imparting training to youth to gain knowledge and fluency in the Japanese language. In the field of Agricultural Innovation, the Chief Minister said that India's first commercial production of Shitake Blocks is taking place in Upper Shillong with technology, marketing and other support from YATS Co of Japan. "The facility has a capacity to produce 1,50,000 inoculated shiitake blocks per annum and is expected to benefit over 1000 farmers of Meghalaya," he said and added the state is also exploring the creation of the state's own sake using local rice in partnership with Sasaki Sake Brewery. Referring to the long partnership of the state with JICA, the Chief Minister said that JICA is a major development partner in Meghalaya, investing significantly in infrastructure, sustainable forestry and tourism. "22,500 Ha. of Meghalaya's forests are being restored, and livelihoods are being built through the JICA-supported MegLIFE project restoring forests, conserving natural resources and improving livelihoods for rural communities across 500 villages in 11 districts," he said. He also informed that the Umiam Hydro Power Station and the Umiam-Umtru Stage-III Hydroelectric Power Station are being renovated with support from JICA and said that the longest river bridge of nearly 19 kms in India inking Dhubri in Assam to Phulwari in Meghalaya, is primarily funded by JICA. Further, the Chief Minister said that 74% of Meghalaya's population is under the age of 35 and proposed the establishment of Meghalaya-Japan Skill Corridor, stating, "The youthful energy of Meghalaya can be paired with Japan's technological mastery." On the cultural collaboration, the Chief Minister said that the Shillong Cherry Blossom festival has, for the last two years, had an exclusive Japanese pavillion offering the visitors a chance to explore Japanese tradition, cuisine, culture and live performances by Japanese artists. Looking forward to strengthening the partnership between Japan and the state, the Chief Minister said he extended an invitation to Japanese businesses and academic institutions to collaborate with the state, building a model for inclusive development that serves as a roadmap for the entire Indo-Pacific region. He also said that key areas of partnership can be in circular economy and climate resilience, technology, agriculture and sustainable tourism. The Chief Minister, expressing gratitude to the Embassy of Japan, the Ministry of External Affairs and Asian Confluence for arranging this conclave in Shillong, said, "Your efforts have created not only a forum for dialogue, but a living bridge sending a strong signal of commitment to deepening engagement with our State and the wider North East." Earlier, the Chief Minister also walked through the Exhibition of Artefacts from Imphal Peace Museum and North East Archives. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Israel created a significant digital buzz, with his name trending prominently on social media platform X within the country. He was conferred the prestigious "Speaker of the Knesset" medal, becoming the first foreign leader to receive this parliamentary honor. In his historic address to the Knesset, PM Modi highlighted the ancient historical and trade bonds between India and Israel, spanning over two millennia. The visit was marked by visible warmth and camaraderie with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reflecting the deepening strategic partnership. PM Modi's Israel visit trends on X, receives Knesset medal, and highlights deep historical ties in a landmark parliamentary address. Jerusalem, February 26 Conversations surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day state visit did not just captivate the streets of Israel or the halls of the Knesset, where he delivered a historic address on Wednesday, but also dominated the digital discourse across the country. Discussions linked to PM Modi's visit to the Middle Eastern country at the invitation of his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, trended prominently on social media platform X on Thursday, with topics related to his visit securing the No. 2 and No. 3 spots on Israel's trending list. The surge of PM Modi's name in the trending list on X in Israel reflects the widespread interest and the affection that the country has towards the Indian leader. Affection and respect for PM Modi in Israel were quite evident during his visit. The bonhomie with Netanyahu, who personally came to the airport to receive the Prime Minister upon his arrival, underscores the bond the two leaders share. The Prime Minister was also conferred with the "Speaker of the Knesset" medal, one of Israel's highest parliamentary honours, after his address in the Israeli Parliament, becoming the first Indian PM to ever adresss The Knesset. The "Speaker of the Knesset Medal" was awarded in recognition of PM Modi's "exceptional contribution through his personal leadership" in strengthening strategic ties between India and Israel, as he became the first foreign leader to receive the honour. PM Modi, in his address, highlighted the deep historical bonds between the two countries. "Long before we related to each other as modern States, we were linked by ties that go back more than two thousand years. The Book of Esther refers to India as Hodu. The Talmud records trade with India in ancient times," the PM said. He emphasised that Jewish communities have lived in India " without fear of persecution or discrimination", preserving their faith while fully participating in Indian society, a record he described as a matter of pride. Following his speech, Members of Parliament also queued up to the Prime Minister, taking selfies and photographs with him, a gesture that reflected the warmth of the occasion and the growing camaraderie between the two democracies. Despite earlier threats of boycott from Opposition members of the Israeli Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the Knesset witnessed significant attendance, drawing sustained applause from lawmakers cutting across party lines. However, the bonhomie with Netanyahu continued after his address, as both leaders shared a car ride while en route to an exhibition that showcases strides made in the world of technology. Netanyahu also surprised PM Modi by wearing traditional Indian attire ahead of their joint dinner. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues his engagements in Israel, the strong traction around his visit--both inside the Knesset and across social media platform X--reflects the growing resonance of India-Israel ties among political leaders and the public alike. The digital buzz, coupled with the historic parliamentary address, underscores the expanding strategic partnership and the deepening goodwill between the two democracies. - ANI Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has emphasized that social media platforms must ensure fair revenue sharing with all content creators, including journalists, influencers, and researchers. He stated that creators deserve a rightful share of the revenue generated from their content on digital platforms. The government is concurrently tightening regulations, proposing new rules to label AI-generated content and deepfakes. These measures aim to promote accountability, transparency, and a stronger digital content economy in India. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw calls for social media platforms to share revenue fairly with content creators, journalists, and researchers. New Delhi, Feb 26 Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday said that social media platforms must share revenue in a fair manner with those who create content, including journalists, conventional media houses, influencers, professors and researchers. He said that people who are creating content -- whether they are news professionals, creators sitting in far-flung areas, or academicians sharing their research -- deserve a fair share of the revenue generated on digital platforms. According to him, the principle of fair revenue sharing must now be set right across the ecosystem. "Social media platforms must also share revenue in a fair way with the people who are creating the content, whether it is news persons, the conventional media, the creators sitting in far-flung areas, influencers, the professors and researchers who are disseminating their work using the platforms," Vaishnaw said. He stressed that platforms benefit significantly from the content uploaded by individuals and organisations, and therefore the creators should also get their rightful share. He added that ensuring fairness in revenue distribution will help strengthen the digital content economy in India. His remarks come at a time when the government is also tightening rules around digital platforms to ensure accountability and transparency. In a separate move, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) last year proposed fresh amendments to the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, aimed at tackling the growing threat of deepfakes and AI-generated misinformation. Under the draft rules, social media platforms will be required to clearly label "synthetically generated content" and embed permanent metadata or identifiers in such material. Major social media intermediaries (SSMIs) -- platforms with more than 5 million registered users in India -- such as Facebook, YouTube and Snapchat, will have to ensure that AI-generated content is prominently marked. The proposed rules state that the identifier must cover at least 10 per cent of the visual display in case of videos or images, or the first 10 per cent of the duration in case of audio content. The metadata must not be alterable, suppressed or removed. If a platform knowingly allows unlabelled or falsely declared AI-generated content, it will be considered as failing to exercise due diligence under the IT Act. - IANS Acclaimed South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook has been appointed president of the jury for the 79th Cannes Film Festival. He succeeds French actor Juliette Binoche and becomes the first South Korean to hold this prestigious role in the festival's history. Park has a long association with Cannes, having won the Grand Prize for 'Oldboy' in 2004, the Jury Prize for 'Thirst' in 2009, and Best Director for 'Decision to Leave' in 2022. Festival leadership praised his inventive visual mastery and his ability to capture complex human destinies. Acclaimed director Park Chan-wook will lead the Cannes jury, becoming the first South Korean to hold the role in the festival's 79-year history. Los Angeles, February 26 Celebrated South Korean director, screenwriter, and producer Park Chan-wook is all set to preside over the jury of the upcoming 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival. According to Variety, Park Chan-wook will succeed French actor Juliette Binoche, whose jury previously handed over the Palme d'Or to Jafar Panahi's Iranian drama 'It Was Just an Accident'. Park is known for having a long history with Cannes, beginning from the days when he presented his feature debut 'Oldboy' at the 2004 festival. The film even won the Grand Prize and has turned out to be a cult classic. Over the years, he has returned to the festival's competition section multiple times, earning critical acclaim and accolades. His 2009 film Thirst won the Jury Prize, while Decision to Leave secured him the Best Director award in 2022. He also presented The Handmaiden at the 2016 festival. Speaking on his jury addition for the Cannes festival, president Iris Knobloch and director Thierry Fremaux said in a joint statement, "Park Chan-wook's inventiveness, visual mastery, and penchant for capturing the multiple impulses of women and men with strange destinies have given contemporary cinema some truly memorable moments. We are delighted to celebrate his immense talent and, more broadly, the cinema of a country deeply engaged with the questioning of our time," as quoted by Variety. With this appointment, Park becomes the first South Korean jury president in the festival's 79-year history. Previously, Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-wai was the only other Asian director to have headed the Cannes jury, two decades ago. Expressing his thoughts on the role, Park said he looks forward to the experience of leading the jury. "To be enclosed in a theatre to watch films, and enclosed again to engage in debate with the members of the jury, this double, voluntary confinement is something I await with great anticipation," he said. - ANI South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has reaffirmed his commitment to improving ties with North Korea, despite Pyongyang's recent rejection of dialogue overtures. He called for an end to past confrontation and emphasized the need to build trust through consistent communication and cooperation. Lee urged reflection on whether previous humiliating or threatening approaches have truly served South Korea's interests and security. This comes as South Korea's defense ministry consults with the US on potentially reinstating parts of a suspended 2018 inter-Korean military pact. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung reaffirms commitment to improve ties and build trust with North Korea, despite Pyongyang's dismissal of dialogue overtures. Seoul, Feb 26 South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday vowed to continue efforts to normalise relations with North Korea despite Pyongyang's rejection of his dialogue overture, saying the two Koreas should move beyond past confrontation and pursue peace and stability. Lee reaffirmed his commitment to improving ties after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un dismissed dialogue with Seoul, describing the South's overture as deceptive while appearing to leave the door open for talks with Washington as he wrapped up the North's key party congress the previous day, Yonhap News Agency reported. "We should pursue such values as peace and stability," Lee said at a meeting with senior aides at Cheong Wa Dae. "We should decisively put an end to the past that was racing toward confrontation and war." He also called for sober reflection on past approaches that have stoked tensions on the Korean Peninsula. "We need to seriously consider whether previous acts of humiliation or threats toward North Korea have truly contributed to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula or served the Republic of Korea's interests and security," he said. To normalise inter-Korean relations, Lee underscored the need for sustained efforts to ease long-running hostility and build trust with Pyongyang. "I believe lasting peace and stability can ultimately take hold on the Korean Peninsula by consistently communicating, engaging in dialogue and making efforts to cooperate, and steadily building trust and mutual understanding," he said. On February 19, South Korea's defence ministry said it will push for reinstating a no-fly zone under the suspended 2018 inter-Korean military pact in a way that does not affect a military readiness posture. The ministry also said it is in consultations with the United States over Seoul's push to partially restore the military pact, a day after Unification Minister Chung Dong-young disclosed the government's plan. - IANS Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara announced a special drive to identify illegal immigrants, particularly those overstaying visas. The action follows opposition claims of 20 to 50 lakh undocumented Bangladeshi nationals in the state. Bengaluru police have already questioned over 2,000 individuals in a single day, finding many without valid documents. The verification process examines origin, entry details, and visa status, with legal action being initiated. Karnataka launches a special drive to identify illegal immigrants overstaying visas. Police question thousands in Bengaluru. Home Minister details the operation. Bengaluru, Feb 26 Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Thursday said the state government has launched a special drive to identify illegal immigrants, particularly those who have overstayed their visas or are living without valid documentation, amid claims by the opposition about the presence of large numbers of undocumented foreign nationals. Addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Parameshwara said some foreign nationals enter India on valid visas but continue to stay even after their visas expire. He said authorities are working to trace such individuals with the help of the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). Referring specifically to Bangladeshi nationals, the minister said the issue was discussed extensively in the legislature and the government has assured action. Parameshwara said the opposition had claimed that between 20 lakh and 50 lakh illegal immigrants from Bangaldesh were residing in the state, prompting the government to initiate a statewide verification drive. "In that backdrop, I have ordered a special drive. All districts have been informed and instructions have been issued. It is perceived that Bengaluru has a large number of illegal immigrants, and therefore searches are being conducted to identify those living here without valid authorisation," he said. Responding to reports that around 15,000 children are suspected to be missing in the state, Parameshwara said the government treats such cases seriously and regular reviews are conducted. He said search operations have been launched and several missing children have been traced, while efforts are continuing to locate others. Meanwhile, police in Bengaluru have launched a special operation against foreign nationals, including suspected illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, who are residing in the city without valid authorisation. More than 2,000 individuals were questioned in a single day as part of the drive on Wednesday, and many were found to have overstayed their visas or were living without proper documents, police sources said. Police sources said specific inputs had been received about certain migrants, particularly from Nigeria and Bangladesh, staying in Bengaluru without valid authorisation, following which legal action is being initiated against them. As part of the verification process, officials are examining key details including the country of origin, date of entry into the city, the person or agency responsible for bringing them, and the validity status of their visas and passports, sources said. Police said the operation is being carried out to maintain law and order in the city, and assistance from central agencies will be sought if necessary. - IANS A Regional Passport Office Conference for the Southern Region was chaired by Secretary Sripriya Ranganathan to review service performance. Officials discussed the functioning of Passport Seva Kendras and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras. In a separate development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the first-ever "Speaker of the Knesset Medal" by the Israeli Parliament. PM Modi dedicated this honor to the enduring friendship and shared democratic values between India and Israel. MEA reviews Southern Region passport services. PM Narendra Modi receives the first-ever Speaker of the Knesset Medal from Israel. New Delhi, February 27 The Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared that a Regional Passport Office Conference for the Southern Region was held on Thursday. The meeting was chaired by Secretary (CPV & OIA) Sripriya Ranganathan. She was joined by Joint Secretary (PSP) and Chief Passport Officer BS Mubarak, along with other officers from the Passport Seva Programme (PSP) Division. In a post on X on Thursday, Jaiswal wrote, "Secretary (CPV & OIA) Ms. Sripriya Ranganathan @ranganathan_sr chaired a Regional RPOs Conference for the Southern Region. She was joined by Joint Secretary (PSP) and Chief Passport Officer Shri B.S. Mubarak, and other officers from PSP Division." During the conference, the officials reviewed the work of Passport Offices, Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs), and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (PoPSKs) in the Southern Region. "She carried out a comprehensive review of the functioning of Passport Offices, PSKs, and PoPSKs of the Southern Region and complimented the officers and their teams for their commendable performance. She also suggested measures to further enhance passport service standards for Indian nationals," the post read. Meanwhile, a day earlier, Jaiswal said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was bestowed with the Medal of the Knesset, becoming the first recipient of the honour. Jaiswal said that PM Modi dedicated the medal to the "enduring friendship and shared democratic traditions between the two countries." In a post on X, Jaiswal wrote, "Partnership going from strength to strength ! In a special gesture, PM @narendramodi was bestowed with the Medal of Knesset by the Speaker @AmirOhana. PM @narendramodi is the first recipient of this honour." "PM dedicated the medal to the enduring friendship and shared democratic traditions between the two countries," the post read. The Israeli Parliament on Wednesday conferred the "Speaker of the Knesset Medal" on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the highest honour of the Knesset. Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to India on Friday after a historic two-day state visit to Israel, the first in nine years, during which both countries elevated their bilateral relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership. - ANI Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has announced the state will soon roll out an Artificial Intelligence policy, billed as a national first. The announcement followed the launch of India's first State Innovation Mission, T-NEST, under the Atal Innovation Mission. The AI policy aims to strengthen governance and introduce AI-based solutions for city management in Agartala, addressing traffic, waste, and utilities. Union Minister Jitendra Singh praised Tripura's initiative, highlighting it as a model of cooperative federalism and a step towards a 'Viksit Bharat'. Tripura CM Manik Saha launches India's first State Innovation Mission, T-NEST, and announces a new AI policy for governance and public services. Agartala, Feb 26 Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday announced that the state will soon roll out an Artificial Intelligence policy, billed as the first such initiative by any state in the country. The announcement came after the launch of the country's first State Innovation Mission in Agartala under the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), an initiative of NITI Aayog to promote innovation-led development across states. The Chief Minister said the AI policy is being designed with support from the Atal Innovation Mission and NITI Aayog, and will help strengthen governance and technology-driven public service delivery. Saha said Tripura will introduce AI-based solutions for city management in Agartala to address traffic congestion, parking issues, uninterrupted power supply, provision of safe and potable drinking water, flood control, and solid and liquid waste management, among other civic challenges. He said the state is in the process of establishing an AI Centre of Excellence with assistance from the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to promote research, innovation and capacity building. The state government is also planning to set up a Tripura IT and Data Economic Zone to promote the IT, IT-enabled services (ITES), and data centre ecosystem and attract investments in the digital economy. Noting that demand for software enterprises is steadily growing in Tripura, the Chief Minister said IT parks would be developed to provide co-working spaces and integrated infrastructure within dedicated campuses. Saha said Thursday marked a significant milestone in Tripura's IT reform journey with the launch of the country's first State Innovation Mission -- T-NEST (Tripura: Nurturing Entrepreneurship and Start-ups). He said the state has the potential to emerge as a regional hub of innovation and technology-led entrepreneurship. The Tripura State Innovation Mission, he said, aims to build a robust ecosystem to nurture talent and enterprises, promote adoption of cutting-edge technologies, and translate innovative ideas into impactful and scalable projects. "I was delighted to participate in the launch ceremony held at the International Exhibition Centre, Hapania, in the presence of Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog Suman Bery, and other dignitaries," Saha said. Addressing the function, Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, said Tripura has taken the lead with the State Innovation Mission and set an example for other states and Union Territories. Singh highlighted AIM as a visionary initiative conceptualised by Prime Minister Modi, noting that it has fostered a culture of innovation in governance and delivered tangible outcomes over the years. He said the transition from the Planning Commission to NITI Aayog, along with the creation of AIM, marked a shift from traditional planning to innovation-led development, empowering states to become active drivers of growth. Referring to Tripura, the Union Minister said the launch of the State Innovation Mission demonstrates how states can leverage the AIM framework to unlock local potential and position themselves as emerging engines of national growth. Singh said NITI Aayog has decided to establish as many as 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs across the country, covering every district, and recalled that around 10,000 such labs had already been rolled out earlier. He also praised Tripura for having about 150 functional startups, considering the state's size and development profile. Singh noted that India now has nearly two lakh startups, a sharp rise from just 350-400 in 2014, reflecting the rapid expansion of the country's startup ecosystem. He observed that State Innovation Missions are guided by the national innovation mission and stressed that when states innovate, the country's overall development accelerates. The mission, he said, is a classic example of cooperative and competitive federalism. Suman Bery said that in 2022, Prime Minister Modi called upon the nation to transform India into a modern and developed society by 2047 under the vision of Viksit Bharat. He said achieving this goal requires sustained economic expansion and linked the State Innovation Mission to the country's broader economic development framework. The State Innovation Mission is part of the approved AIM 2.0 programme under NITI Aayog's State Support Mission (SSM), aimed at strengthening innovation ecosystems at the state level. Deepak Bagla, Mission Director, AIM, NITI Aayog, highlighted AIM's approach to strengthening state-led innovation systems. "The Prime Minister's vision is to build an innovation-led Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The State Innovation Mission is our endeavour to realise that vision. By empowering states to lead innovation in their own context, we are ensuring that talent from every district, every classroom, and every community becomes a driver of national growth. This is how AIM is working to transform aspiration into action and ensure that India's innovation journey is truly inclusive," he said. The mission is designed as a long-term institutional mechanism to support states and Union Territories in building robust, inclusive, and context-specific innovation ecosystems aligned with national priorities and local strengths. - IANS News / National by Staff reporter Zambia has pushed back on part of a deal worth more than $1 billion in global health aid from the United States because it does not align with the countrys interests, the government said on Wednesday, as health advocates warned the deal links the money to mining access and has data-sharing risks.The deal governs more than $1 billion of U.S. funding to tackle conditions like HIV and malaria, as well as improve disease outbreak preparedness and maternal and child health, over the next five years. It also requires around $340 million in co-financing from the Zambian government over the same period, according to a draft of the agreement reviewed by Reuters.Make sense of the latest ESG trends affecting companies and governments with the Reuters Sustainable Switch newsletter. Sign up here.The deal was due to be signed in November, but had been delayed after revised drafts included a problematic section, a Zambian Ministry of Health spokesperson told Reuters on Wednesday.That section did not align with the position and interests of the government of Zambia... We have therefore requested further revisions to the content in question," the spokesperson said, declining to elaborate on what the content covered.In December, the U.S. said that it had committed, with Zambia, to a plan that aims to unlock a substantial grant package of U.S. support in exchange for collaboration in the mining sector and clear business sector reforms.Zambia is Africa's second-largest copper producer after Democratic Republic of Congo, and also has cobalt, nickel, manganese, graphite, lithium and rare-earth elements.In response to questions, a U.S. State Department spokesperson told Reuters by email earlier this month that the country would not disclose the details of ongoing diplomatic negotiations.Secretary [of State Marco] Rubio has consistently been clear that foreign assistance is not charity; it is designed to further the national interests of the United States, they added. The spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request to comment on the status of the deal on Wednesday.Zambia said the agreement was focused on health.It has no relation whatsoever to minerals, mining, or any natural resources, the spokesperson added, saying they remained open to constructive engagement, but only within terms that are clear, mutually agreed upon, and fully aligned with Zambias national interests.However, the draft agreement reviewed by Reuters outlines how the deal will be terminated and funding discontinued if Zambia and the U.S. fail to agree by April 1 on a bilateral compact proposed by Rubio to Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema on November 17, 2025. Three sources said that compact was tied to mining collaboration.Health advocates in both countries said the data-sharing agreement in the draft, which was due to last for 10 years, was also problematic, and raised concerns over the secrecy surrounding the negotiations.The data sharing will be one way from Zambia to the U.S. and the information will benefit the U.S., said Owen Mulenga, an officer at the Treatment, Advocacy and Literacy Campaign, a local non-governmental organization lobbying for equitable, affordable and sustainable access to treatment, care and support for people living with HIV and AIDS in Zambia.We need support from the U.S. but there should be transparency, Mulenga told Reuters. He said there was a lot of speculation the deal was tied to mining but the government had declined to talk about this with activists.This deal would slash U.S. government funding to life-saving programs while prioritizing the interests of mining corporations over the needs of Zambians with HIV, said Asia Russell, executive director of Health GAP, a global HIV advocacy organization that has closely followed the deal.The deal is the latest in a series of bilateral agreements reshaping how President Trumps administration delivers billions of dollars in global health funding, after dismantling its aid agency last year, cutting funding and contracts worldwide - including in Zambia - and pledging to put America First in its global health strategy.Earlier on Wednesday, Zimbabwe pulled out of a deal worth $367 million, citing data sharing and privacy concerns and describing it as unequal. Kenyas more than $1.6 billion deal with the U.S. is also suspended, pending a legal case. However, several other countries including Nigeria and Uganda have signed. BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan has expressed strong confidence in the National Democratic Alliance's success in the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly elections. Tamil Nadu BJP Chief Nainar Nagendran announced that seat-sharing talks within the NDA will commence following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Madurai on March 1. Nagendran criticized the ruling DMK's handling of law and order while emphasizing the need for NDA unity. The 2026 polls are shaping up as a key contest, with actor Vijay's new party potentially creating a three-way race. BJP leaders express confidence in NDA's success in Tamil Nadu, with seat-sharing talks set to begin after PM Modi's March 1 visit to Madurai. Chennai, February 26 Bharatiya Janata Party leader Tamilisai Soundararajan on Thursday expressed confidence in the success of the National Democratic Alliance in Tamil Nadu ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. Speaking to ANI, Soundararajan said,"DMK's allies are not confident if they are going to win. Congress has been waiting for more than the last 5 months. Let's wait and watch...The success of NDA is written...We are sure about winning." Earlier, Soundararajan said, "NDA will win. We are with the people. NDA is moving ahead strongly. While there is utter confusion in the INDI alliance. DMK is happy that one party has joined, but no one knows if their major ally will join them. I feel very sorry for the Captain's party as it has joined a sinking ship." Tamil Nadu BJP Chief Nainar Nagendran announced that the seat sharing the talks within the National Democratic Alliance for the forthcoming state polls would begin following PM Narendra Modi's upcoming Madurai visit on March 1. Speaking at an event in Chennai, the Tamil Nadu BJP chief emphasised the need for proper coordination within the NDA alliance, for shaping up Tamil Nadu's bright future. He also hit out at the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regime over law and order situation in the state and also accused them of acting against government officials. "After Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Tamil Nadu, the seat-sharing talks (NDA- AIADMK alliance) will begin. DMK is against government officials. The law and order situation in the state is not good...Students are carrying Ganja, beer bottles in their bags...We should not have differences between us and should work together as an NDA alliance. We all should work hard and create a good future for Tamil Nadu," Nagendran said. The National Democratic Alliance, led by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham, consists of other parties, including the BJP and Pattali Makkal Katchi. 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 Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence detected 30 People's Liberation Army aircraft and 6 naval vessels operating near its territory. A significant majority of the aircraft, 22 sorties, crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the island's air defense identification zones. The incursions occurred in the northern, central, and southwestern sectors, with Taiwan's armed forces monitoring and responding to the situation. This activity occurs alongside a separate diplomatic row where Japan has protested China's export restrictions on Japanese firms. Taiwan's defense ministry reports 30 Chinese military aircraft and 6 naval vessels near its territory, with 22 crossing the median line into its ADIZ. Taipei, February 26 The Ministry of Defence of Taiwan detected 30 sorties of People's Liberation Army aircraft and 6 People's Liberation Army Navy vessels operating around its territory up until 6 a.m. today. Out if the 30 sorties detected, 22 crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, central and southwestern ADIZ. In a post on X, MoD Taiwan wrote, "30 sorties of PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 22 out of 30 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, central and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded." Earlier, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) on Wednesday detected 28 sorties of PLA aircraft in various types (including J-10, J-16, KJ-500, etc). Of the 28, 22 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the northern, central and southwestern ADIZ. In a post on X, the MND said, "Overall 28 sorties of PLA aircraft in various types (including J-10, J-16, KJ-500, etc.) were detected from 12:36 hr today. 22 out of 28 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the northern, central and southwestern ADIZ in conducting air-sea joint training along with other PLAN vessels. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." Meanwhile, Japan has strongly protested China's move to restrict the export of "dual-use" items to 20 Japanese business entities that Beijing says could be used for military purposes, in the latest twist in a months-long diplomatic row between the two countries, as per Al Jazeera. Japanese Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Sato Kei said at a news conference that the move by China's Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday was "deplorable" and would "not be tolerated" by Tokyo. Tokyo and Beijing have a historically acrimonious relationship, but diplomatic ties took a turn for the worse in November, when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told legislators that a Chinese attack on Taiwan would constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, which could necessitate military action, Al Jazeera reported. - ANI Telangana's IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu announced the state's ambitious plan to become a leading global logistics hub by 2047. The strategy is part of the 'Telangana Rising 2047' framework, which aims to double the state's contribution to India's GDP to 10% and build a $3 trillion economy. Key initiatives include major infrastructure projects, a new logistics policy, digital integration, and sustainability efforts. The government is also focusing on skill development and inviting industry investment in multi-modal logistics and green mobility. Telangana outlines roadmap to become a global logistics destination by 2047, targeting a $3 trillion economy and 10% of India's GDP. Hyderabad, February 26 Telangana is working with a structured roadmap to emerge as one of India's leading logistics hubs and position itself as a global logistics destination by 2047, IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu said on Thursday. Speaking at the Transport Logistic India 2026 conference organised by Messe Munchen India at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, the Minister outlined the State government's strategy to build a future-ready logistics ecosystem through infrastructure expansion, digital integration, policy support, sustainability initiatives and skill development, according to a release. Sridhar Babu said the logistics sector would play a key role in the State's long-term development vision under the Telangana Rising 2047 framework, which targets increasing Telangana's contribution to India's GDP from about 5 per cent at present to 10 per cent by 2047 while supporting the goal of building a USD 3-trillion State economy. Referring to global shifts in the sector, he highlighted supply-chain realignment, AI-enabled logistics and sustainability as major trends shaping the industry, adding that Telangana is leveraging its geographic location to strengthen its logistics competitiveness, according to a release. The Minister said infrastructure projects such as the Regional Ring Road, Metro Rail Phase-II, proposed airports, development of a dry port, implementation of Telangana Logistics Policy 2.0 and creation of dedicated logistics parks would strengthen the State's logistics ecosystem. He said the government is working with Young India Skills University and industry partners to build a skilled workforce aligned with emerging logistics requirements, according to a release. Inviting industry participation, Sridhar Babu called for investment in multi-modal logistics, rail-linked infrastructure, air cargo, cold chain, Grade-A warehousing, automation, digital logistics platforms and green mobility. The State government would support investors through faster approvals, transparent policies and an industry-friendly regulatory framework, he added. - ANI The Supreme Court has ordered the immediate nationwide seizure and withdrawal of an NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook containing references to "corruption in the judiciary," calling it a calculated move to undermine the institution. The bench, headed by CJI Surya Kant, issued show-cause notices to top education officials, contemplating contempt action for the controversial chapter. The court rejected an unconditional apology from authorities, stating the apology notice contained "not a single word of apology" and the damage was already done. It imposed a complete ban on the book's publication and circulation, demanding accountability from those responsible for drafting and approving the content. Supreme Court directs nationwide seizure of NCERT Class 8 textbook over chapter on 'corruption in judiciary', calls it a 'calculated move' and contemplates contempt action. New Delhi, Feb 26 The Supreme Court on Thursday came down heavily on the National Council of Educational Research and Training over references to "corruption in the judiciary" in a Class 8 Social Science textbook, observing that the controversy appeared to be the result of a "calculated move" that has left the judiciary "bleeding". A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, hearing a suo motu case titled "In Re: Social Science Textbook for Grade-8 (Part-2) published by NCERT and ancillary issues", passed a series of sweeping interim directions, including an immediate nationwide seizure of the textbook, takedown of digital copies and a complete ban on its publication or circulation. Recording its prima facie view that the publication reflected "a calculated move to undermine the institutional authority and demean the dignity of the judiciary," the Bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, warned that allowing such narratives to remain unchecked would erode public confidence. The apex court observed that while the chapter purported to discuss the role of the judiciary, it failed to acknowledge the institution's historic contributions, including safeguarding constitutional morality, upholding the basic structure doctrine and strengthening access to justice through legal aid reforms. Issuing show-cause notices, the CJI Kant-led Bench directed the Secretary, Department of School Education, Ministry of Education, and NCERT Director Dr Dinesh Prasad Saklani to explain why action under the Contempt of Courts Act or other applicable laws should not be initiated against them or those responsible for drafting the controversial chapter. The apex court ordered NCERT, in coordination with Union and State education authorities, to immediately seize and remove all physical and digital copies of the book from schools, retail outlets, storage facilities and online platforms. It fixed personal responsibility on the NCERT Director and school authorities to ensure sealing and withdrawal of all copies and directed Principal Secretaries of Education across states to submit compliance reports within two weeks. "As an abundant caution," the CJI Kant-led Bench imposed a "complete and absolute ban" on further publication, reprinting or digital dissemination of the textbook, warning that any attempt to circulate the material would be treated as wilful disobedience of the top court's order. It also sought disclosure of the names and credentials of members of the syllabus committee involved in drafting the chapter, along with original minutes of meetings where the content was approved. While clarifying that the proceedings were not intended to stifle legitimate criticism or academic discourse, the Supreme Court said that educational material must not present a biased account capable of scandalising constitutional institutions. It further observed that the choice of words in the textbook "may not be a simpliciter inadvertent or bona fide error" and cautioned that, if deliberate, the act could amount to criminal contempt for interfering with the administration of justice and scandalising the institution. During the hearing, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, the Centre's second-highest law officer, tendered an unconditional apology on behalf of the authorities and informed the top court that the Secretary, School Education Department, was personally present. However, the top court expressed strong dissatisfaction with the manner in which the apology had been communicated. "There is not a single word of apology in their notice," CJI Kant remarked, adding that the publication appeared to be part of a deeper and coordinated attempt to damage the credibility of the judiciary. It observed that the consequences of the publication could not be minimised merely by withdrawing individuals associated with the exercise. "That's of very little consequence. They fired the gunshot -- the judiciary is bleeding today," CJI Kant-led Bench said. Questioning the genuineness of the apology issued through an NCERT press release, the Supreme Court observed that it would later examine whether the apology was sincere or merely an attempt to escape consequences after irreversible damage had already occurred. Stating that it would not close the matter until accountability is fixed, the CJI said: "As head of the judiciary, it is my duty to find out who is responsible. We will not close this till we are satisfied." SG Mehta submitted that 32 copies of the book had entered the market but were being withdrawn immediately, and assured the court that the entire chapter would be revisited by an expert team. The Centre's law officer further stated that authorities would issue takedown orders under statutory provisions and ensure the removal of all digital versions. The matter has been listed for further hearing after four weeks. - IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for wearing traditional Indian attire ahead of a joint dinner, calling the gesture a reflection of respect for Indian culture. During his visit, Modi was honored with the first-ever Medal of the Knesset, Israel's highest parliamentary award, for strengthening strategic relations. In his speech to the Knesset, Modi highlighted ancient historical ties and discussed advancing a Free Trade Agreement and defence cooperation. The visit was marked by warm exchanges and a standing ovation for the Indian Prime Minister. PM Modi lauds Netanyahu for wearing Indian attire and is honored with the first-ever Medal of the Knesset during his visit to Israel. Tel Aviv, February 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday warmly responded to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, praising him for wearing traditional Indian attire ahead of a joint dinner that the Israeli PM had hosted on Wednesday. In a post on X, Netanyahu wrote," Before our joint dinner, I surprised my friend Prime Minister Modi by wearing traditional Indian attire." Responding to the gesture, Prime Minister Modi, in a post on X, said, "Truly splendid! Your fondness for Indian attire reflects your respect for the rich culture and traditions of our country." Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was bestowed with the Medal of the Knesset, becoming the first recipient of the honour. This is the highest honour of the Knesset. Jaiswal said that PM Modi dedicated the medal to the "enduring friendship and shared democratic traditions between the two countries." In a post on X, Jaiswal wrote, "Partnership going from strength to strength ! In a special gesture, PM @narendramodi was bestowed with the Medal of Knesset by the Speaker @AmirOhana. PM @narendramodi is the first recipient of this honour." "PM dedicated the medal to the enduring friendship and shared democratic traditions between the two countries," the post read. The award was conferred in recognition of PM Modi's "exceptional contribution through his personal leadership" to strengthen strategic relations between India and Israel. The medal was conferred after PM Modi's speech in the Israeli Parliament. After his speech, PM Modi interacted with members of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. The MPs took selfies and photographs with PM Modi. PM Modi received a standing ovation during his speech, which was also marked by rapturous applause. In his speech, PM Modi said there is great admiration for Israel's resolve, courage, and achievements in India. "Long before we related to each other as modern States, we were linked by ties that go back more than two thousand years. The Book of Esther refers to India as Hodu. The Talmud records trade with India in ancient times," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Free Trade Agreement being negotiated between India and Israel will unlock the vast untapped potential in the bilateral trade relationship. The Prime Minister, who addressed the Special Plenary of the Knesset on Wednesday, also spoke about the defence cooperation between the two countries and said "a strong defence partnership between trusted partners like India and Israel is of vital importance" in an uncertain world. PM Modi said India has been the fastest-growing major economy in the world for the last few years and will be among the top three economies globally. He said Israel is a powerhouse of innovation and technological leadership, and this creates a natural foundation for a forward-looking partnership. "We are committed to expanding trade, strengthening investment flows, and promoting joint infrastructure development. The Bilateral Investment Treaty signed last year will provide confidence and predictability to our businesses," he said. - ANI A US appeals court has refused to allow the Trump administration to resume its policy of deporting certain migrants to countries other than their own. The court denied an emergency request to lift a preliminary injunction, stating the government failed to meet the legal standard for a stay. The policy, based on a March 30 DHS guidance, aimed to send migrants to nations willing to accept them. The judges expressed concern about the irreparable harm from wrongful removals before full judicial review. A US appeals court denies the Trump administration's request to lift an injunction blocking its policy of deporting migrants to third countries. Washington, Feb 26 The Trump administration's effort to fast-track deportations to third countries hit a legal setback after a US appeals court refused to pause a lower court order blocking the policy. The US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston on Wednesday (local time) denied the government's emergency request to lift a preliminary injunction that restricts deportations of certain migrants to countries other than their own. "The emergency motion for a stay of the April 18 preliminary injunction pending appeal and for an immediate administrative stay is denied, the government not having met the standard for the relief sought," the court said. The three-judge panel said the administration had failed to satisfy the legal test required to secure a stay while the case proceeds on appeal. Citing the Supreme Court's ruling in Nken v. Holder, the court noted that a party seeking a stay must "make a 'strong showing that (it) is likely to succeed on the merits' in its appeal" and demonstrate irreparable harm, among other factors. The dispute centres on the Department of Homeland Security's March 30 guidance regarding third-country removals. Under that policy, US authorities sought to deport certain migrants to countries willing to accept them, even if those countries are not their nations of origin. In its order, the court expressed concern about "the continuing application of the Department of Homeland Security's March 30 Guidance Regarding Third Country Removals." It also pointed to "the irreparable harm that will result from wrongful removals in this context," signalling unease about the consequences of deportations carried out before full judicial review. The judges directed both sides to address key legal questions in their briefs. Among them is whether the class-wide injunction improperly "enjoin or restrain the operation of" certain provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The court also asked whether the relevant section of the Act "presumes the availability of individualised judicial review to individuals subject to third-country removals" and therefore does not bar class-wide injunctive relief where such relief is necessary. In addition, the panel questioned whether the plaintiffs' Administrative Procedure Act and due process claims fall outside the scope of that statutory provision. The case, titled D.V.D.; M.M.; E.F.D.; O.C.G. v. US Department of Homeland Security, names DHS, Secretary Kristi Noem, Attorney General Pamela Bondi, and other officials as defendants. - IANS Union Minister Virendra Kumar inaugurated the Shilp Samagam Mela-2026 in Ahmedabad, framing it as an event for self-reliance and social empowerment. The mela features 75 stalls from artisans across 14 states, showcasing a wide variety of traditional crafts and textiles. The Minister highlighted various government schemes, including SEED and VISVAS, which provide financial and skill support to marginalized communities. Digital platforms like the PM-SURAJ portal and the Bharat Tulip online marketplace were also emphasized to enhance transparency and market access for artisans. Union Minister Virendra Kumar inaugurates Shilp Samagam Mela to empower marginalized artisans with market access and digital initiatives. Ahmedabad, Feb 26 Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar on Thursday inaugurated the Shilp Samagam Mela-2026 at 'Vallabh Sadan' on the Sabarmati Riverfront here, describing it as a celebration of self-reliance, dignity and social empowerment. The Minister informed that since 2014, nearly 100 Shilp Samagam Melas have been organised or participated in by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment to promote the products and livelihoods of marginalised artisans. During 2025-26, five such melas have been organised, and more are planned for 2026-27. He noted that Ahmedabad, known for its association with the freedom movement, Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram, and as the karmabhoomi of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, is an appropriate venue for hosting such an inclusive event aimed at empowering artisans. He said under the SEED Scheme for the empowerment of De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, 5,581 Women Self-Help Groups have been formed across eight states to strengthen economic independence and entrepreneurship. These groups are being provided revolving funds, entry point funds, and skill training to enhance their livelihood opportunities. Under the health component of the scheme, approximately 75,000 Ayushman Cards have been distributed to eligible beneficiaries, he said. The Minister stated that on March 13, 2024, Prime Minister Modi dedicated the 'PM-SURAJ Portal' to the nation, enabling transparent and accessible delivery of concessional loan schemes of the Ministry to targeted beneficiaries. The 'PM-DAKSH Portal' has been developed for skill training, and the 'SFMP Portal' for scholarships, aimed at improving access to welfare schemes. These digital initiatives have significantly enhanced transparency and efficiency in implementation, he said. He said that under the Ministry's 'VISVAS' yojana, eligible beneficiaries are provided a 5 per cent interest subvention on bank loans to support economic activities and entrepreneurship. The 'NAMASTE' scheme ensures safety and dignity for workers engaged in septic tank and sewer-related work by promoting mechanised sanitation and providing welfare support. The apex corporations under the Ministry have so far extended loan assistance to nearly 60 lakh individuals and their families and provided skill training to more than 6 lakh youth, contributing to livelihood generation and economic empowerment. Expressing confidence, the Minister said that the Shilp Samagam Mela in Ahmedabad will not only boost the sales of artisans' products but also connect them with new opportunities for self-reliance, dignity and sustainable livelihoods. The mela, being held from February 26 to March 4, features 75 stalls allocated to artisans from 14 states, showcasing diverse traditional crafts and products. A wide range of handicraft products are on display, including Lucknowi chikankari, Banarasi sarees, Chanderi and Maheshwari textiles, Bhagalpuri tussar silk, Jaipuri and Kolhapuri footwear, agate stone work, bamboo products, Kota Doria fabrics, and carpets. The Minister said that for artisans who are unable to participate directly, the Ministry has developed the 'Bharat Tulip' online platform to facilitate the sale of their products, which has been integrated with various e-commerce platforms to expand market access. A 'Bharat Tulip Showroom' has also been launched at the mela to connect more beneficiaries with market opportunities and strengthen their access to consumers, he said. - IANS Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath interacted with the Indian diaspora, including children who recited Sanskrit shlokas, during his visit to Japan. He announced securing investment proposals worth up to Rs 1 lakh crore during a prior official visit to Singapore, with Rs 60,000 crore in MoUs already finalized. The CM assured global investors of a safe and conducive environment, highlighting the state's growth in GSDP and improved ease of doing business. He positioned Uttar Pradesh as a key engine for India's goal of becoming the world's third-largest economy. UP CM Yogi Adityanath interacts with Indian diaspora in Japan, announces Rs 1 lakh crore investment proposals from Singapore to boost state's economy. Yamanashi, February 26 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, during his visit to Japan, met people and children of Indian origin while on his way to Yamanashi. Members of the Indian diaspora warmly welcomed the Chief Minister. Several children touched his feet as a mark of respect and recited Sanskrit shlokas during the interaction. The Chief Minister appreciated the children for staying connected to Indian culture and traditions while living abroad. He later gifted chocolates to the children and interacted with their families. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was on an official visit to Singapore from February 22 to 24, said the state received investment proposals worth up to Rs 1 lakh crore during his engagements, with Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) 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 stated, "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." Earlier in Singapore, CM Yogi pitched 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 was 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 The Uttar Pradesh government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Japan's Yamanashi Prefecture focusing on green hydrogen technology. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated the pact includes training for UP students in Japan and implementing the technology across industry, transport, and energy sectors. During an investment roadshow, he promoted the state's shift to a "proactive" governance model and its demographic advantages to attract global investors. The CM also highlighted budget provisions for a Robotics Centre of Excellence and framed the cooperation as strengthening India-Japan relations and energy self-reliance. Uttar Pradesh inks MoU with Japan's Yamanashi on green hydrogen tech. CM Yogi Adityanath highlights state's proactive governance and investment potential. Tokyo/New Delhi, Feb 26 The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Japan's Yamanashi Prefecture on green hydrogen technology. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, elaborating on the MoU on green hydrogen technology, said that under the agreement, students from higher technical institutions of Uttar Pradesh will receive training in Japan, and the technology will be implemented in the state's industry, public transport and energy sectors. "This initiative will prove to be an important step towards achieving Prime Minister Modi's 'Net Zero target'," he pointed out. The Chief Minister, on the second day of his visit, presented the state's new development policies and investment potential to the global industrial community during the 'UP Investment Road Show' held in Yamanashi. He stated that Uttar Pradesh has transformed its governance approach from "reactive to proactive", and this transformation has become the foundation of the state's rapid economic progress. Calling robotics a major technology of the future, the Chief Minister said the UP government has made provisions in the budget to establish a Centre of Excellence for Robotics and voiced confidence that expanded cooperation will take India-Japan relations to new heights, giving strength to self-reliance in energy and also making technology accessible to the common people. Boasting about Uttar Pradesh's demographic advantage and natural abundance, CM Yogi said the state has the country's most fertile land, abundant water resources, vast human capital and over the past nine years, it has scaled new heights of development and therefore offers abundant growth opportunities for the investing entities as well. The Chief Minister further stated that governance in the state has undergone a transformational shift from a "reactive to proactive" model of governance. "The government is continuously taking initiatives to attract investment, facilitate industries, adopt new technologies and expand global partnerships. With this vision, a high-level delegation from Uttar Pradesh has visited Japan to convert possibilities into opportunities," CM Yogi told a gathering of tech leaders and investors. The UP CM also made note of a prior incident, stating that the Governor of Yamanashi had visited Uttar Pradesh in December 2024, and since then, continuous dialogue, follow-ups and exchanges of delegations between the two governments have taken this cooperation in a new direction. He said that following the study and report of the business delegation, the Uttar Pradesh delegation arrived in Yamanashi at the Governor's invitation, where this cooperation has taken concrete shape. - IANS The Union Public Service Commission has formally requested the West Bengal government to provide a list of eligible IPS officers for the selection of a new permanent Director General of Police. This move comes ahead of the state's assembly elections and aims to resolve a prolonged administrative deadlock over the appointment. Seniority suggests 1991-batch officer Anuj Sharma is the frontrunner, with several other senior officers also likely to be recommended. The state government, which had previously faced accusations of delay from the Union government, is expected to forward the names imminently. UPSC requests list of IPS officers from West Bengal govt to select a new permanent DGP ahead of state assembly elections. Kolkata, Feb 26 The Union Public Service Commission has sought names of the Indian Police Service officers in the West Bengal for selecting one from among them as the new permanent Director General of Police. Currently, Peeyush Pandey is the acting DGP. The last permanent DGP in West Bengal was Rajeev Kumar's predecessor, Manoj Malviya, who retired from his services in 2023. Sources in the state secretariat, Nabanna, said that following a communication in the matter from UPSC, the state government's department concerned has already started the process of shortlisting the officers whose names would be recommended to the Commission. "In all probability, the names will be forwarded to the commission by Friday," said a state secretariat sources. Going by the seniority factor, the most probable name for selection as the new permanent DGP is Anuj Sharma, a 1991-batch I.P.S. officer and currently posted as the Director General of the West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services Department. The other probable names that might be included in the list of recommendations are those of the current acting DGP, Peeyush Pandey, Director General (Home Guard), Natarajan Ramesh Babu, Director General to the state correctional services, Siddh Nath Gupta, and Director General (Civil Defence), Sanjay Singh. To recall, after the retirement of the then acting DGP Rajeev Kumar on January 31 this year, the state government appointed 1993 batch I.P.S. Piyush Pandey as the acting DGP of the state police. At that point in time, the Union Government accused the state government of not sending the list of names to the UPSC within the specified time. As a result, the Union Government refused to grant clearance for a permanent appointment for that chair. To keep the administrative work running, the state government appointed 1993 batch IPS officer Peeyush Pandey as the acting DGP. There were complications regarding the appointment of the DGP for a long time. Now, informed circles believe that the Supreme Court's intervention is going to finally break the deadlock. - IANS News / National by Staff reporter Retired Interpol ambassador and security strategist Andy Mashaile has called for a coordinated regional law enforcement crackdown following the issuance of a warrant of arrest for high-profile Zimbabwean socialite and ZANU PF deputy secretary for information and publicity in Harare province, Joachim Chivayo, also known as G6.Earlier this week, Independent Online (IOL) reported that South Africa's Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, issued a warrant of arrest for Chivayo after he allegedly failed to appear in a Gauteng court following his release on bail in a R15 million gold case.The development follows a November 28, 2024 report detailing the arrest of Chivayo and Ayanda Brian Gungwa during a Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation operation in Brakpan. The pair was allegedly found in possession of six bars of unwrought gold valued at approximately R15 million. A Mercedes-Benz SUV was also seized during the operation.Gungwa's identity has also drawn public scrutiny. South African law enforcement authorities identified him at the time of arrest as Ayanda Brian Gungwa, a South African national. However, some Zimbabwean publications have referred to him as Naison Chivayo, and he is reportedly also known by the nickname "Pharaoh". Despite the differing names circulating online, South African court documents in the gold case listed him as Gungwa.Mashaile told IOL that Chivayo and others linked to the matter should present themselves to South African authorities. He said that individuals who were arrested and later released on bail are obliged to comply with bail conditions and appear in court."I think G6 and his crew, those who were sought and arrested some time back when the Mercedes SUV was taken along with those bars of gold, should present themselves to the South African authorities the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Unit, which is looking for them. I would present myself if I were them. Remember, these people are on bail, and the fact that they have skipped bail, it means there is something to hide," Mashaile said.He further called for cooperation between Interpol's Central Bureau in Tshwane and its counterpart in Zimbabwe, suggesting that regional law enforcement agencies should work together to apprehend suspects who cross borders."There is no one in the SADC region who will commit crime and think that South Africans will not follow up with the law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice cluster. This is the right time for a reset in the law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice cluster where we need to clean house," he added.Mashaile also raised questions about whether proceeds from illicit gold operations could be used to fund political ambitions, calling for transparency regarding the source of funds linked to individuals facing serious economic crime allegations.Chivayo and Gungwa were granted bail of R20,000 each on November 28, 2024, by the Brakpan Magistrate's Court following their arrest. Their bail conditions reportedly required them to remain in Gauteng, not leave South Africa, and report weekly to the Brakpan Police Station.Their subsequent failure to appear in court led to the issuance of warrants of arrest, escalating the matter into a potential cross-border law enforcement case. A US Supreme Court ruling striking down tariff measures is expected to benefit emerging market economies, including India, by fostering a more predictable global trade environment. The report by JM Financial suggests this development could cushion the Indian rupee from weakness against the US dollar. However, the benefits may be reduced if the US administration implements alternative tariff measures, leading to increased policy uncertainty. The final impact on trade and currencies will depend on the subsequent actions taken by the US government. A US Supreme Court ruling striking down tariffs is positive for India's economy and may cushion the rupee against the dollar, says JM Financial report. New Delhi, February 26 A recent ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States striking down tariff measures introduced under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act is expected to be positive for emerging market economies, including India, and could cushion the Indian rupee from weakness against the US dollar, according to a report by JM Financial. The report stated that the court's decision will create a more predictable global trade environment, reducing the influence of tariff weaponisation on international trade activity. This development is expected to support EM economies, including India. "The court ruling will be positive for EM economies, including India, as trade activity hereon will not be influenced by weaponisation of tariffs; moreover, policy uncertainty will increase in the US in the near term," the report noted. The Supreme Court of the United States, in a 6-3 majority ruling, struck down tariff measures introduced by President Donald Trump under IEEPA. The decision is seen as a key development in global trade dynamics, as it removes a major source of uncertainty related to tariff imposition. Following the ruling, President Trump invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act to impose a 10 per cent temporary global tariff, which was later revised to 15 per cent, positioning it as an immediate substitute for the invalidated existing duties. JM Financial said the original court ruling would help create a predictable trade environment, benefiting emerging market economies. "We believe that the court ruling in its original form would create a predictable environment as far as the global trade practices are concerned, benefitting emerging market economies, including India," the report stated. However, the report cautioned that the benefits could be reduced if alternative tariff measures are implemented. "If the Trump administration circumvents the court's decision, then the benefit flowing to the EM economies will significantly reduce," it added. The report highlighted that, as per Budget Lab, the average tariff on imports was around 16 per cent before the court's ruling, which is expected to reduce to around 9 per cent following the decision. However, if duties are imposed through alternative routes, the average tariff rate could increase to around 14 per cent. The report also noted that policy uncertainty in the US could increase in the near term, which may impact global financial markets and trade flows. It further said that uncertainty surrounding US growth and debt concerns could increase demand for safe-haven assets such as gold. At the same time, pressure on the US dollar due to weakening growth concerns could cushion emerging market currencies, including the Indian rupee. So the report outlined that the court ruling is expected to support emerging market economies by improving predictability in global trade, although the final impact will depend on further policy actions by the US administration. - ANI US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick arrived in New Delhi for talks with Union Minister Piyush Goyal to expand the economic partnership. The US Embassy celebrated the visit, announcing a new bilateral trade target of $500 billion. The discussions occurred against the backdrop of a newly reached framework for an interim trade agreement between the two nations. Meanwhile, a US Supreme Court ruling against previous Trump-era tariffs prompted the former president to announce a new global tariff. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick visits India, meeting Piyush Goyal to boost trade partnership with a new $500 billion bilateral target and interim agreement. New Delhi, February 26 The US Embassy in India on Thursday welcomed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who arrived in New Delhi. Lutnick met Union Minister Piyush Goyal as the two leaders held discussions to further expand the India-USA trade and economic partnership. In a post on X, the US Embassy said, "Welcome to India, Secretary @HowardLutnick! Your visit celebrates the enduring friendship between our two great democracies. Thanks to your support, the U.S.-India economic relationship has never been stronger. With our new target of $500 billion in bilateral trade, the United States and India are creating jobs, driving innovation, and building shared prosperity." Earlier on Thursday, in a post on X, Union Minister Piyush Goyal shared that he engaged in fruitful discussions to expand trade and economic partnership between India and the United States. He said, "Hosted US Secretary of Commerce @HowardLutnick & @USAmbIndia Sergio Gor. Engaged in very fruitful discussions to expand our trade and economic partnership." US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor called it "a highly productive lunch". Later in the day, Lutnick also arrived in Jodhpur. His visit comes amid the backdrop of the United States and India announcing that they have reached a framework for an Interim Agreement regarding reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade, and the recent US Supreme Court ruling. 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 US House Speaker Mike Johnson invited Ziba Murat, the daughter of detained Uyghur doctor Gulshan Abbas, as his guest to the State of the Union address. Dr. Abbas was forcibly disappeared in 2018 shortly after her sister publicly criticized China's treatment of Uyghurs. The Campaign for Uyghurs states she has serious health issues and has been denied proper medical care and family contact. The move aims to increase diplomatic pressure for her release and spotlight alleged human rights abuses. Speaker Mike Johnson invites Ziba Murat, daughter of detained Uyghur doctor Gulshan Abbas, to the State of the Union, highlighting human rights concerns. Washington DC Februar, y 26 During the 2026 State of the Union Address, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson invited Ziba Murat, the daughter of detained Uyghur doctor Gulshan Abbas, as his guest, drawing national attention to her case and the broader human rights concerns surrounding the Uyghur community in China. The development was highlighted in a press release issued by Campaign for Uyghurs. According to CFU, Dr. Gulshan Abbas was forcibly disappeared by Chinese authorities in September 2018, days after her sister, Rushan Abbas, Executive Director of CFU, publicly criticised the Chinese government's treatment of Uyghurs at an event hosted by the Hudson Institute. The organisation stated that the family had no information about her whereabouts until December 2020, when authorities acknowledged that she had been sentenced following what CFU described as secret proceedings on unfounded charges. Now in her eighth year of detention, CFU said concerns are mounting regarding Dr. Abbas' health. The organisation alleged that she suffers from serious medical conditions and has been denied adequate medical care and regular contact with her family. It described her imprisonment as a case of transnational repression and a violation of international legal standards. In remarks first reported by The Hill, Speaker Johnson said Dr. Abbas had been detained in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region shortly after a family member spoke publicly about the treatment of Uyghur Muslims. He stated that inviting her daughter to attend the State of the Union was part of ongoing efforts to spotlight human rights abuses and call for the release of those he described as unjustly detained. Ziba Murat said attending the address as the Speaker's guest was a significant moment for her family. She expressed hope that the increased visibility would lead to stronger diplomatic efforts and ultimately secure her mother's release. In its statement, CFU thanked Speaker Johnson for bringing renewed attention to Dr. Gulshan Abbas's case and reiterated its call for her immediate release, along with other Uyghurs the organisation says are being unjustly detained. The group also renewed its demand for accountability over alleged crimes against humanity targeting the Uyghur population, as stated in the CFU press release. - ANI The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Dan Caine, is quietly drafting military options for a potential strike on Iran while raising internal concerns about the operation's complexity and potential casualties. This occurs alongside a significant US military hardware buildup in the Middle East, the largest since the Iraq invasion. The balancing act unfolds as the US and Iran prepare to resume nuclear negotiations in Geneva, with Tehran expected to present a new proposal. Concurrently, the US has deployed F-22 fighter jets to Israel for the first time for a potential wartime mission, marking deeper military coordination. Top US general quietly prepares military plans for Iran amid nuclear talks and internal Pentagon concerns over scale and potential casualties. Washington, Feb 26 The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has been quietly drafting military options for a possible strike on Iran, even as he seeks to avoid direct confrontation with President Donald Trump, according to accounts published in US media. As chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Gen Dan Caine has been "drafting military options for potentially striking Iran," with a steady stream of top officials from the Army, Navy, and Air Force summoned to his office, CNN reported. In internal discussions at the Pentagon, Caine has raised concerns about the "scale, complexity and potential for US casualties" if a major operation were launched against Iran, according to the report. At the same time, he has overseen the "assembling of the largest collection of US military hardware assembled in the Middle East since the invasion of Iraq," CNN said. The balancing act comes as the United States and Iran prepare to resume nuclear negotiations in Geneva. Tehran is expected to present a new proposal on enrichment, even as Washington amasses forces in the region, The Washington Post reported. "I don't think a final decision has been made yet," Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) said after being briefed on the situation. Trump has repeatedly insisted that earlier US strikes had "obliterated" Iran's nuclear programme, though international officials have questioned the extent of the damage, according to the Post. On the military front, the Wall Street Journal reported that the US has sent F-22 fighter jets to Israel for the first time for a potential wartime mission. The move marks a deeper level of US-Israeli military coordination amid tensions with Tehran. The F-22 deployment will allow the US to defend Israeli territory and American forces in the Middle East from possible Iranian retaliation, the Journal said. Meanwhile, lawmakers have also moved to address human rights concerns inside Iran. Senators Dave McCormick and Jacky Rosen introduced the Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026 to expand internet access and strengthen sanctions against rights abusers. "The Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026 builds on America's efforts to stand with the Iranian people against a regime that is economically, militarily, and morally bankrupt," said Senator McCormick. Senator Rosen said, "The people of Iran have been forced to live under a repressive regime that has used censorship and internet blackouts to weaken efforts by its people to fight back". - IANS Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the three-day Nayar Valley Adventure Festival in Pauri Garhwal, emphasizing its role in promoting tourism. He highlighted his government's direct outreach campaign to deliver schemes and address public grievances at the local level. Dhami defended implementing the Uniform Civil Code, stating it has received praise and freed Muslim women from regressive practices. He also announced direct benefit transfers for women's welfare and warned against groups using AI to spread disinformation. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurates Nayar Valley Adventure Festival, details welfare campaigns, defends UCC implementation, and warns against disinformation. Pauri Garhwal, February 26 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Nayar Valley Adventure Festival at Bilkhet in Pauri Garhwal district on Thursday. The festival, marking a new chapter in the region's tourism, culture, and adventure activities, aims to highlight the Nayar Valley's vast potential. During the event, Dhami emphasised the state's commitment to public welfare and good governance. "I assure you that until every promise made to you is fulfilled, we will not rest. We will continue to work tirelessly because our government does not just make announcements; it works to implement them on the ground and bring them to the people. To ensure the government reaches every citizen, we launched the 'Janjan Ki Sarkar, Janjan Ke Dwar' (People's Government at People's Doors) campaign on December 17, 2025. Through this, 23 departments of our administration visit every Nyaya Panchayat to hear public grievances and deliver beneficiary schemes directly to those who were struggling to get their certificates or government benefits." On criticism of appeasement politics and support for UCC, Dhami said, "Under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Modi, Uttarakhand has become the first state in the country to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). While nationalists across the country praised us, Congress opposed it, claiming it would snatch away the rights of a particular community. Today, our Muslim sisters tell me that the UCC has finally freed them from these regressive practices." Dhami also spoke about women's empowerment and future safety. He said, "We are working to take our daughters forward. Today, under the Nanda Gaura Yojana, I have arrived here after transferring Rs 142 crore via DBT directly into the accounts of our daughters. We want to give our children a secure Uttarakhand where they don't have to live in fear or doubt." "However, 'Urban Naxal' gangs and 'toolkits' have become active. They are even misusing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to spread disinformation and defame the government. They try to divide people based on caste and exploit public sentiments to start agitations. But the people of Uttarakhand, who grew up with the spirit of nationalism, will never accept such a mindset," Dhami added. - ANI Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met with Governor Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh to discuss state development projects. The same day, he inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth over Rs 41 crore in the Tehri district, including upgrading a health centre. This follows the central government sanctioning a Rs 350 crore incentive to Uttarakhand for efficient financial management. CM Dhami credited this achievement to the state's transparency, fiscal discipline, and reform-based governance model. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami meets Governor Gurmit Singh, inaugurates projects, and secures a Rs 350 crore central incentive for fiscal management. Dehradun, February 26 Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami paid a courtesy visit to Governor Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh at Lok Bhavan on Thursday. During the meeting, the two leaders held discussions on various developmental projects in the state as well as other contemporary issues. Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister attended the inauguration and foundation-laying programme for several development projects, along with the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony for the upgradation of the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Tehri Garhwal. The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for development projects worth Rs 41.21 crore in Ghansali, Tehri district. The projects include three inaugurated works worth Rs 13.43 crore and five new projects valued at Rs 27.78 crore. During the ceremony, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation for upgrading the Primary Health Centre, Pilkhi, into a Community Health Centre. He honoured Krishna Gairola and his family for donating land for the hospital. Earlier on Wednesday, Uttarakhand was sanctioned an incentive amount of Rs 350 crore under Part IX of the Special Assistance Scheme for Capital Investment (SASCI), titled "Incentives to States for Efficiency in Financial Management." According to an official statement, on this significant achievement, CM Dhami expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India. The Chief Minister said, "This approval reflects the state government's strong financial management practices, transparency, and fiscal discipline." As per the statement, CM Dhami noted that Uttarakhand has made notable progress in increasing tax collection, controlling expenditure, strengthening digital payment systems and improving budget management. He also highlighted that the state had earlier received incentive funds from the central government for implementing transparent policies in the mining sector, introducing e-tendering and online monitoring systems, and carrying out reforms in the transport department. This demonstrates that Uttarakhand is consistently adopting a reform-based governance model and building a strong national identity. - ANI Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated and laid foundation stones for multiple development projects worth Rs 41.21 crore in Ghansali, Tehri district. The key initiative includes upgrading the Primary Health Centre in Pilkhi to a Community Health Centre. He emphasized timely project completion and highlighted state schemes like Ayushman Bharat and Nanda Gaura providing healthcare and financial assistance. Local MLA Shakti Lal Shah presented a 37-point demand list covering infrastructure, education, and health needs for the region. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami laid foundation stones for projects worth Rs 41.21 crore in Ghansali, including health centre upgrades and road works. Tehri Garhwal, February 26 Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the inauguration and foundation-laying programme for several development projects along with the Bhoomi Pujan of the Primary Health Centre upgradation in Tehri Garhwal on Thursday. He laid the foundation stone for development projects worth Rs 41.21 crore in Ghansali, Tehri district, which includes three inaugurated projects worth Rs 13.43 crore and five new ones worth Rs 27.78 crore. During the ceremony, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation for upgrading the Primary Health Centre, Pilkhi, into a Community Health Centre. He honoured Krishna Gairola and his family for donating land for the hospital. The Chief Minister said, "Projects whose foundation stones have been laid should not face delays, and their timely completion and inauguration will be ensured. The state government is prioritising basic facilities such as roads, healthcare, and education in the hill regions. With strong determination, even the lack of resources can be overcome." Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the CM highlighted that every family in Uttarakhand is receiving free medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh annually, and various benefits are being delivered directly to beneficiaries through DBT, ensuring transparency. Under the Nanda Gaura scheme, financial assistance of Rs 51,000 is being provided to girls. He said modern healthcare facilities are being expanded across the state, and health services in the Ghansali region will soon be streamlined. Paying tribute to the late Indrani Badoni, the Chief Minister assured that major local demands would be addressed with priority. He stated that thousands of youth have been provided employment in the state, and illegal encroachments have been removed to free government land. He also announced the establishment of a sub-hospital in the Pilkhi Beleshwar area. Extending advance Holi greetings, he said that the proposals included in the memorandum submitted to him would also be considered under the Chief Minister's announcements. On this event, Ghansali MLA Shakti Lal Shah welcomed the Chief Minister and expressed gratitude for key initiatives such as a 30-bed hospital for Ghansali, rehabilitation works in Teengadh, approval of funds for the Bal Ganga bridge, school building construction, and the foundation laying of a power house. He also presented a 37-point demand list, including the upgradation of Akhodi, flood protection works in Thati Bhatwara, upgradation of Dhamatoli High School into an Inter College, a mini stadium at the block headquarters, construction of the Kothar-Saud road, and establishment of sub-health centres in Genwali Budhakedar and Pindwad. Projects inaugurated by the Chief Minister included the PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana) road upgradation from Dhamatoli to Ghansali Akhodi via Chaanji, the Nageshwar Saud to Gona via Sarkanda road upgradation, and the reconstruction of the Government Inter College building at Kot Vishan in Bhilangana block. Projects for which foundation stones were laid included the construction of a 50-metre intermediate lane steel girder motor bridge near Hanuman Temple in Ghansali under the World Bank-supported U-PREPARE scheme, the construction of residential and non-residential buildings for Tehsil Bal Ganga in Bhilangana block, the construction of a sub-health centre in Gangi, and the upgrade of Primary Health Centre Pilkhi into a Community Health Centre. During the Bhoomi Pujan of PHC upgradation, CM Dhami expressed, "Under PM Modi's leadership, our government has proved that we are committed to the development of the state. In the past few years, Uttarakhand has achieved new heights. We have received Rs 350 Crore from the Central Government for better financial arrangements. We have ranked number one in the Sustainable Development Goals India Index (SGD index 23-24)." - ANI Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan will confer diplomas and awards at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication's 57th convocation ceremony. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will preside over the foundation stone laying for a new Academic Block and Hostel Block. The event will also see the inauguration of a Creators Lounge at the institute's Incubation Centre. The convocation celebrates students from various journalism and communication programs across IIMC's six national campuses. Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to attend IIMC's 57th convocation and lay foundation for new campus blocks. New Delhi, Feb 26 Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan will give away awards to top-performing students of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication at its 57th Convocation Ceremony for the 2024-25 batch to be held here on Friday, an official said. The event will also see Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw, who is also the Chancellor of IIMC, presiding over a function to lay the foundation stone for the new Academic Block and Hostel Block of the institute. The convocation will also be attended by Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; R. Jagannathan, Chairman, IIMC Society; Dr Pragya Paliwal Gaur, Vice Chancellor, IIMC; and L. Madhu Nag, Registrar, IIMC, the statement said. Faculty members and staff of the institute will also be present, marking this important academic milestone and celebrating the achievements of the graduating students, it added. Students of different programmes, including postgraduate diploma programmes in Journalism (English, Hindi, Radio and TV, Digital Media, Odia, Urdu, Marathi and Malayalam), Advertising and Public Relations across different campuses, who have passed their examinations in 2024-25, will be awarded diplomas, it said. At the convocation ceremony, apart from the diplomas, 35 medals, including 23 carrying cash prizes, will be awarded to toppers of each course from all six campuses. The Vice President will lay the foundation stone of the new Academic Block and Hostel Block at IIMC in the presence of senior dignitaries, including the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and the Secretary. On this occasion, the Creators Lounge at the Incubation Centre will also be inaugurated by the Union Minister in the presence of senior officials of the Ministry and the institute. Established on August 17, 1965, the IIMC has five regional centres across the country that cater to journalism courses in English and regional languages. The first regional centre was set up at Dhenkanal, Odisha, in 1993 to cater to the needs of the eastern region. Two regional centres were established at Amravati in Maharashtra for the western region and at Aizawl in Mizoram for the north-eastern region from the academic year 2011-12. Regional centres were set up in Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, to cater to the needs of the northern region and at Kottayam, Kerala, for the southern region from the academic year 2012-13, according to information available on the official website. - IANS Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan will be the chief guest at the 21st convocation of the University of Kashmir in Srinagar. The event will see a total of 59,558 degrees conferred upon undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD scholars. High-level attendees include Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and Higher Education Minister Sakina Itoo. Extensive security measures, including vehicle checks and traffic diversions, have been implemented across the city for this high-profile visit. Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan attends the 21st convocation of the University of Kashmir, conferring over 59,000 degrees. Srinagar, Feb 26 Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan will be the chief guest on Thursday at the 21st convocation of the University of Kashmir, and all arrangements, including security, are in place for the event. A civic reception was given to the Vice President at the Lok Bhawan in Srinagar on Wednesday evening. The reception was followed by a cultural programme showcasing the traditional folk dances and the music of Jammu and Kashmir. He will deliver the address at the University's 21st convocation at the main campus in the Hazratbal area of Srinagar city. Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha, as the chancellor, will preside at the convocation, while the chief minister, Omar Abdullah, who is the pro-chancellor, will be the guest of honour. J&K minister for higher education, Sakina Itoo, vice chancellor Nilofer Khan, senior officers of civil and police administration, deans of various faculties, heads of departments and teachers of the university, in addition to scholars scheduled to receive their degree certificates, will attend the convocation. KU vice chancellor, Prof Nilofer Khan, said the presence of the country's Vice President reflects the growing national recognition of the University's academic and research contributions. A total of 59,558 degrees, including 44,910 undergraduates, 13,545 postgraduates and 620 PhD scholars, will be conferred with certificates during the convocation. University of Kashmir is the oldest university in J&K. It has NAAC A++ accreditation and is ranked 34th in the NIRF rankings. The University is among the top eight State Public Universities in the country. Adequate arrangements of security are in place to secure the presence and movement of the VVIPs in Srinagar city. All vehicles entering the city are being checked after frisking the occupants. Dry runs have been held all along the route to be taken by the cavalcade. Makeshift 'Nakas' and drop gates have come up at many places along the route to ensure foolproof security on the occasion. The traffic department has issued a detailed advisory for the day, and restrictions and diversions have been detailed to ensure the event is secured while putting the public to the least possible inconvenience. Medical emergencies have been exempted from traffic restrictions. The restrictions will remain in place from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is C.P. Radhakrishnan's maiden visit to the union territory after he took over as the Vice President of the country. - IANS Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has expressed regret and directed the NCERT to withdraw a Class 8 Social Science textbook containing a sub-chapter on "Corruption in the judiciary". The Supreme Court has issued show cause notices to senior Education Ministry and NCERT officials, calling the inclusion a serious matter. The court has imposed a blanket ban on the section and demanded detailed records of the committee that approved it. The CJI observed that the portrayal of the judiciary as corrupt was part of a "deep-rooted, well-planned, and orchestrated conspiracy". Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expresses regret as Supreme Court issues notices over controversial "Corruption in judiciary" chapter in Class 8 textbook. Jamshedpur, February 26 Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday supported the Supreme Court of India issuing show cause notices to senior officials of the Education Ministry and the National Council of Educational Research and Training over a sub-chapter titled "Corruption in the judiciary" in a Class 8 Social Science textbook. Expressing "regret" on behalf of the government and the Education Ministry, Pradhan said that he directed the NCERT to withdraw and cancel all books. Speaking to ANI here, Pradhan said, "We respect the judiciary. Whatever happened is unfortunate. I express regret on behalf of the govt as well as on a personal level. As soon as I came to know 2 days back, I directed the NCERT to withdraw and cancel all books. We have no intention for contempt of our judicial system. Whatever the Supreme Court ordered will be followed. I have given responsibility to my department secretary that action be taken against whoever added such an irresponsible chapter in the NCERT book. We are taking this very seriously." The Union Minister said the observations by the Supreme Court are very "agreeable to us." "The mention of Supreme Court and India's judicial system in the NCERT is a matter of concern. When this came to our knowledge, we made NCERT review the books. The observations by the Supreme Court today are very agreeable to us. I express regret over this. Action will be taken against the NCERT officials concerned. Govt will see to it that this situation does not occur again," Pradhan told reporters. The controversy erupted after the top court took exception to the inclusion of the sub-chapter in the Class 8 Social Science textbook, observing that such content may have serious implications. Earlier today, the Supreme Court issued show cause notices to the Secretary of the Department of Education and Literacy (Ministry of Education) and NCERT Director Dinesh Prashad Saklani, asking them to explain why action should not be taken under contempt or other laws for including a sub-chapter titled "Corruption in the judiciary" in the Class 8 NCERT Social Science textbook. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M Pancholi refused to halt suo motu proceedings despite NCERT's apology over the controversial inclusion and imposed a blanket ban on the textbook section. The court warned that any attempt to bypass the order would be considered direct interference with the administration of justice and could attract contempt of court. The Supreme Court has also directed NCERT to submit detailed records of the Teaching-Learning Materials Committee that approved the chapter, including the names, qualifications, and credentials of all members of the development team. "They have fired the gun and the judiciary is bleeding today. Today, anybody can say anything. At times, there is a mounting attack on us, and we are aware of it. The material is available online, on the internet, and even in stores. This is a very calculated move -- the entire teaching will be dictated. When you look at how the Indian judiciary is portrayed as corrupt, it becomes evident what message is being sent. The entire teaching community will first be instructed that this is what they have to teach. In reality, not a single section of society has been left untouched. It is a deep-rooted, well-planned, and orchestrated conspiracy," the CJI said. NCERT had earlier issued an apology and stated that it would review and revise the chapter following proper consultation, acknowledging that the reference to corruption was inappropriate. - ANI News / National by Staff reporter China's lithium price surged on Thursday after Zimbabwe suspended all raw mineral exports, stoking fears of supply disruptions at a time when rising energy storage demand has already been fuelling a market rally, Reuters reported.The most traded lithium carbonate contract on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange climbed 6.07% to 178,020 yuan (US$26,043) a ton after earlier spiking more than 9% to 187,700 yuan.Harare announced on Wednesday an immediate halt to exports of raw minerals and lithium concentrates. Zimbabwe, Africa's largest lithium producer, shipped 1.128 million tons of spodumene concentrate last year, marking an 11% year-on-year increase, with the bulk of exports destined for China.According to Bloomberg News, citing the US Geological Survey, Zimbabwe accounted for about 10% of the world's mined lithium last year. However, exports of lithium sulphate, an intermediate product, will not be affected by the new policy, CITIC Securities said in a note.Cameron Hughes, an analyst at consultancy CRU Group, told Bloomberg that higher lithium prices and continued illegal shipments are likely driving factors behind the timing of the export overhaul. He compared Zimbabwe's move to a similar ban imposed by the Democratic Republic of Congo on cobalt exports last year.Zimbabwe has pledged to clamp down on illicit commodities trading while promoting value addition and downstream mineral processing as part of broader resource nationalism policies, Bloomberg reported.Several Chinese mining groups, including Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt and Sinomine Resource Group, have made substantial investments in Zimbabwe's lithium sector in recent years.The export ban has heightened concerns over raw material supply security at a time when expectations of strong growth in energy storage systems have underpinned a broader recovery in lithium prices since the second half of 2025. Sunetra Pawar was unanimously elected as the national president of the NCP, stepping into the role following the passing of Ajit Pawar. She declared the welfare of Maharashtra and the expansion of the party as her top priorities, vowing to fulfill her predecessor's vision. Her agenda includes regaining national party status, empowering women and youth, and integrating AI into agriculture. Pawar emphasized that the entire NCP is her family and pledged to work for an egalitarian Maharashtra. New NCP President Sunetra Pawar commits to Maharashtra's welfare, party expansion, and women's empowerment, vowing to fulfill Ajit Pawar's legacy. Mumbai, Feb 23 In an emotional yet resolute address following her unanimous election as NCP national president, Sunetra Pawar on Thursday declared that the welfare of Maharashtra and the expansion of the party are now her primary priorities. Speaking to party workers at the national executive meeting, she acknowledged the profound void left by the passing of the party's national president and her guide, Ajit Pawar, who was affectionately referred to as "Dada". "We have not yet recovered from the grief of losing our leader, Respected Dada. His passing has created a vacuum in our lives and the party that can never be filled," said Sunetra Pawar, who is also the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. She emphasised that Ajit Pawar dedicated his life to the development of Maharashtra, championing the cause of farmers, youth and women, and strengthening the party organisation across the state. Quoting her resolve to fulfil his vision, she added, "His dream will not remain unfulfilled; together, we will take it to even greater heights." Sunetra Pawar highlighted Ajit Pawar's tenure as national president, which began on June 30, 2023, noting that during his approximately two-and-a-half-year leadership, the party witnessed extensive organisational activity and outreach. She said he travelled across Maharashtra to strengthen the party cadre and expand its organisational base at various levels. "Under his leadership, the NCP contested Lok Sabha elections, Maharashtra Assembly elections, and polls in Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Bihar. The party made strong showings in municipal corporations, municipal councils, and 12 zilla parishads despite various technical and political challenges," she noted. She announced that her primary goal is to regain the 'national party' status for the NCP and expand its organisational footprint across regions. While the party remains deeply rooted in rural Maharashtra, she said there will be renewed focus on strengthening support among urban voters and expanding its appeal across diverse sections of society. She emphasised that women are the "engines of development" and reaffirmed her commitment to policies aimed at women's empowerment. She pledged to move beyond schemes like 'Ladki Bahin' towards comprehensive economic and administrative empowerment of women. Continuing Ajit Pawar's vision, she said the party will advocate for the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in farming to enhance agricultural productivity and improve farmers' incomes. She emphasised her commitment to carrying forward the "ideals and unfinished work" of Ajit Pawar, particularly his focus on development-oriented governance and administrative efficiency. Sunetra Pawar pledged to prioritise the welfare of women, youth, and marginalised communities and work towards inclusive development. She specifically mentioned her goal of making Maharashtra a "just and egalitarian" state based on principles of equality and social justice. "This honour is not mine alone; it belongs to every grassroots worker and every mother and sister in this state," Pawar said. She reaffirmed the party's commitment to the ideologies of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Jyotirao Phule, and Dr B.R. Ambedkar, as well as the legacy of Yashwantrao Chavan, regarded as the architect of modern Maharashtra. She also invoked the inspiration of prominent historical figures including Rajmata Jijau, Ahilyadevi Holkar, Savitribai Phule, Maharani Tarabai, and her late mother-in-law Sharadabai Pawar. In her concluding remarks, Sunetra Pawar said she has set aside her personal grief for the larger responsibility entrusted to her. "Parth and Jay are not my only family; the entire NCP is my family. I promise that I will not falter, I will not let power go to my head, and I will never abandon the cause I have undertaken," she said. - IANS Due to scheduled maintenance from Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 PM to Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2 AM, there may be interruptions for our News Gazette Digital subscribers. During this time frame, please click on any News Gazette website content without logging into your News Gazette Digital subscription account. Thank you for your patience during this scheduled maintenance. Rapeseed flowers herald the arrival of Spring in China's Yunnan Pub Date:26-02-26 09:35 Source:Xinhua Spring has arrived in Luoping, Yunnan! Endless fields of blooming rapeseed flowers paint the landscape, blending with karst peaks and charming villages. A must-visit spring destination for nature lovers and photographers alike. Editor:Qin Shuying Related News GLOBALink | Exploring China's new vitality... Future-oriented Chinese New Year in France... 24 Solar Terms: Rain Water Economy&Life | China's consumer market see... News / National by Staff reporter Gift Konjana, former MDC Alliance candidate who recently won Chegutu Ward 1 on a Zanu PF ticket, has reportedly gone missing under unclear circumstances, according to his family. His eldest son, Hamandishe Konjana, confirmed the disappearance on Tuesday, stating that the family reported the matter to Pfupajena Police Station last week but has received no information on his father's whereabouts."Yes, my father is now a missing person. We reported the matter at Pfupajena Police last week and up to now his whereabouts are unknown. We are greatly worried as a family and have no clue where he could be," Hamandishe said, reiterating yesterday that his father remains unaccounted for.Some local Zanu PF sources in Chegutu suggested that Konjana's disappearance could involve foul play, noting that his popularity and recent electoral victory may have unsettled certain party members. "Most members are of the view that it could be an inside job as his popularity and win appear to have unsettled certain individuals within the party in Chegutu," the source said.Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Ian Kohwera referred media inquiries to national police spokesperson Paul Nyathi, who indicated he needed time to consult with provincial authorities before providing details. Zanu PF provincial chairperson Mary Mliswa-Chikoka was unavailable for comment.Konjana narrowly defeated CCC-aligned independent candidate Elisha Dausi in the by-election, polling 367 votes to Dausi's 301. In the 2018 harmonised elections, he had contested as an MDC Alliance candidate but lost controversially to Zanu PF's Dexter Nduna. At that time, Konjana alleged that he had been "robbed" of victory due to an error by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, a discrepancy that the commission acknowledged but advised him to challenge through legal channels. The matter was not resolved in court, and Nduna served a full parliamentary term.The sudden disappearance of Konjana has raised concern among political observers and local residents, who are awaiting further clarification from law enforcement on his status. A six-year analysis from a major Bronx health system reveals how the pandemic reshaped asthma exacerbation patterns, exposing persistent racial disparities and deepening socioeconomic divides in one of the nations most vulnerable urban communities. Study: Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on incidence of asthma exacerbation in an urban population. Image Credit: Prostock-studio / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports , researchers examined the effects of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 ( SARS-CoV-2 ) outbreak on asthma exacerbations in a racially and socioeconomically diverse urban population in the Bronx. Analyzing trends from 2018 to 2024, the team found that asthma exacerbations initially declined following the onset of the pandemic, a change hypothesized to reflect reduced exposure to common triggers rather than a proven causal effect, before gradually returning to pre-pandemic levels. However, this rebound was uneven, with widening gaps linked to income, insurance status, age, and documented unaddressed social needs, underscoring persistent inequities in asthma care. Asthma Burden and the Disruptive Impact of COVID-19 Asthma remains one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases worldwide. The condition disproportionately affects urban and underserved communities, where environmental exposures, limited access to health resources, and socioeconomic disadvantage often intersect. Coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID-19 ) disrupted routine care globally and introduced social and biological stressors that may have reshaped asthma management and exacerbation patterns. Early public health policies, including lockdowns and school closures, were associated with temporary declines in viral spread and air pollution. These changes may have contributed to short-term reductions in asthma flare-ups. However, delayed care, reduced preventive interventions, and heightened barriers may have counterbalanced these gains, particularly in communities like the Bronx, where asthma burden and social vulnerability are high. Study Design and Population Researchers retrospectively analyzed Montefiore Health System records covering a large and socioeconomically diverse Bronx population, an early United States epicenter of COVID-19. The study aimed to assess pandemic-related shifts in asthma exacerbation risk. The team analyzed electronic health records from 162,113 asthma patients between March 2018 and February 2024. Key variables were validated through regular chart reviews in a subset of patients. Asthma cases and exacerbations were identified using ICD-10 diagnostic codes. Exacerbations were defined by healthcare encounters, including emergency visits, hospitalizations, or systemic corticosteroid treatment codes recorded in the electronic health record. Study variables included age, sex, ethnicity, race, household income quartile, insurance type, and documented unaddressed social needs. The primary outcome was the annual proportion of asthma exacerbations per 100 patients, from March to February in each study year. Patients were counted once per year if active in the health system. Logistic regression and difference-in-differences ( DiD ) analyses compared exacerbation risk before and after COVID-19 onset, contrasting pre-pandemic (2018 to 2020) and late-pandemic (2022 to 2024) periods using odds ratios ( OR ). Monthly exacerbation trends were evaluated using an interrupted time-series analysis, excluding March to May 2020 due to major healthcare disruptions and treating March 2020 as the interruption point. Sensitivity analyses included alternative exclusion windows and autoregressive integrated moving average models with exogenous variables. Pre-Pandemic Disparities in Asthma Exacerbations The cohort was predominantly female (61 percent), with 40 percent identified as Hispanic, 32 percent as Black, and 9.5 percent as non-Hispanic White. Over half (52 percent) were covered by Medicaid, and nearly one-third were in the two lowest household-income quartiles. Adults comprised 69 percent of participants, while children comprised 31 percent. Exacerbations followed seasonal trends, peaking in early fall and declining during summer months. Before the pandemic, approximately 25 percent of children and 12 percent of adults experienced annual exacerbations. Higher risk was observed among males (OR 1.37), Medicaid beneficiaries (OR 1.41), individuals in income quartile 2 compared with the highest quartile (OR 1.16), and those with at least one unaddressed social need (OR 1.20). Hispanic (OR 1.47), Black (OR 1.37), and other non-Hispanic racial groups (OR 1.45) had significantly greater odds of exacerbation compared with non-Hispanic White patients. Post-Pandemic Decline and Uneven Rebound After March 2020, asthma exacerbations declined sharply in both children and adults. Interrupted time series analyses confirmed significant immediate reductions in monthly rates. Over time, childrens exacerbation rates rebounded toward pre-pandemic levels by 2023, whereas adult rates remained comparatively lower. The authors interpret this cautiously and suggest it may reflect sustained environmental or behavioral changes rather than confirmed causal mechanisms. DiD analyses indicated that racial and ethnic disparities persisted but did not significantly widen after the pandemic. In contrast, disparities related to Medicaid coverage, lower- and middle-income quartiles, and unaddressed social needs widened. Sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of these findings. Implications for Equity in Asthma Care The findings suggest that COVID-19 acted as both a disruptor and amplifier of existing inequities in asthma care. Although racial and ethnic disparities in exacerbation risk remained largely stable, socioeconomic gaps widened, particularly among Medicaid beneficiaries, certain lower and middle-income groups, children, and individuals with documented unaddressed social needs. Children experienced a temporary decline followed by a return to baseline exacerbation rates, while adults showed a more sustained reduction. However, the observational design limits causal inference. The results highlight the importance of addressing housing instability, food insecurity, insurance barriers, and preventive care access. The authors note that documentation of unaddressed social needs was incomplete in many patients, which may affect the precision of the estimate. Broader multicenter studies and a deeper examination of social determinants, including potential links to long COVID, may help inform more equitable asthma care strategies in future public health crises. Approximately one in seven adults in the United States has kidney disease, where the organs responsible for filtering waste and excess water from the blood are damaged, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Over time, this condition can lead to kidney failure, heart attack and stroke. But as many as 90% of people with chronic kidney disease don't know that they have the condition because there are often no symptoms during the early stages of the disease. Most people aren't diagnosed until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. We need a better way to predict who is at risk, who is more likely to develop kidney disease so that we can detect and intervene earlier." Djibril Ba, assistant professor of public health sciences, Penn State College of Medicine Now, Ba and a team of researchers from Penn State College of Medicine, have found that previous COVID-19 infection is a significant risk factor for kidney disease. Specifically, compared to influenza, those with a history of COVID-19 infection have a 2.3-times higher risk of acute kidney injury and a 1.4-times higher risk of chronic kidney disease, according to an analysis of over three million patients available online now ahead of publication in the journal Communications Medicine. They are also 4.7 times more likely to experience kidney failure. The team developed machine learning models that incorporate COVID-19 infection history as one of nine variables used to determine who is at risk for kidney disease, which they described in a previous paper published in eBioMedicine. The researchers' new models were better able to detect individuals at risk for acute and chronic kidneys disease compared to prior models, even with fewer variables. Previous prediction models for kidney disease typically include 20 to 30 variables, none of which previously incorporated COVID-19. "While we're in the post-pandemic era, this shows that COVID-19 history is an important variable when considering the long-term impact of the infection on kidney function and disease," said first author Yue Zhang, who received his doctorate in epidemiology from Penn State College of Medicine and is currently a postdoctoral scholar at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. According to the researchers, this is the first large-scale study to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 and kidney disease among a broad population and that compares the associations with influenza, another common viral infection. The findings align with case reports and observational studies that have suggested that COVID-19 increases risk of kidney disease as well as other studies examining the relationship within specific populations, such as hospitalized patients. The researchers analyzed data of over three million working age adults in the United States from between 2020 and 2021 gather from MarketScan, a national database of de-identified commercial health insurance claims. Individuals were divided into three groups: those who had a history of COVID-19 infection, those who had a history of influenza but not COVID-19 and those with no history of either infection. People who were previously diagnosed with kidney disease were excluded from the analysis. Researchers then followed the individuals between 180 and 540 days, with a median follow-up of 324 days, looking for emergence of new acute or sudden, short-term kidney injury, chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease where dialysis or a transplant is required. The flu cohort was included to determine if kidney issues were a common result of viral respiratory infections or if they were unique to COVID-19. Participants were matched based on age, sex, geographical region and timing of infection to account for different variants of virus. Both types of viral infections can influence kidney health, the researchers said, but the effect of the flu was mild and temporary. COVID-19, on the other hand, had a more sustained effect, increasing the risk of acute kidney injury, which can develop within a few hours to a few days, as well as longer-term chronic and end-stage kidney disease. The researchers explained that other studies have observed potential pathways that could explain why SARS-CoV-2 - the virus that causes COVID-19 - may target the kidneys, making the organ more susceptible to injury and disease. Kidney cells express high levels of the primary protein receptors that SARS-CoV-2 uses to enter and infect cells. Kidney cells also produce specialized enzymes that help viruses enter cells. "Individuals with COVID-19 infection may need more frequent and more prolonged monitoring of their kidney function to enable earlier detection and possible preventative interventions," said Nasr Ghahramani, J. Lloyd Huck Chair in Medicine, professor of medicine and of public health sciences at Penn State College of Medicine and coauthor on the study. "This is particularly important for individuals who have predisposing factors for kidney disease such as diabetes and high blood pressure." The research team plans to continue to test and refine the machine learning models and potentially to develop an application that clinicians can use to identify patients at risk for developing kidney disease. Vernon Chinchilli, distinguished professor of public health sciences at Penn State College of Medicine also contributed to the paper. Funding from the Artificial Intelligence and Biomedical Informatics Pilot Funding from Penn State College of Medicine supported this work. Telemedicine visits are five times less costly than in-person appointments for the most common conditions able to be treated by both forms of visits, new research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania shows. On average, telemedicine patient visits were billed $400 less, and they also resulted in fewer follow-up visits after the initial appointment. The analysis was published in JAMA Network Open. Before we did this study, there was a common concern that telemedicine might serve only as an easy source of 'first aid,' just delaying in-person care and increasing costs overall. But we found that wasn't true, and our work suggests that for many patients, telemedicine can be a complete solution, not just a temporary band-aid." David Asch, MD, MBA, co-senior author, the John Morgan Professor and senior vice president for Strategic Initiatives, University of Pennsylvania Telemedicine's enduring popularity leads to cost savings During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, telemedicine usage exploded as hospitals and health systems were able to take advantage of updated regulations that expanded access. Across the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS), for instance, there were 11,000 telemedicine visits across the entire health system in 2019. But from March 2020 through February 2021, a million telemedicine visits were conducted, a 90-fold increase. Today, telemedicine remains an important part of the health care landscape. In fact, the same Penn Medicine researchers found in another new study-published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine-that four to six percent of all health care visits from 2022 through 2024 were conducted via telemedicine at the same five UPHS hospitals they studied to determine visit costs. UPHS continues to expand telemedicine offerings, including a recent switch centralizing many of the calls to after-hours primary care clinics to a centralized telemedicine service, Penn Medicine OnDemand. With telemedicine's ability to expand access both during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and in more regular operations, and its potential to streamline operations and confer less of the brick-and-mortar costs required for regular in-person visits, the study team sought to explore both telemedicine visits' cost-efficiency and effect on follow-up care. "We know that telemedicine is not one-size-fits-all, particularly for mental and behavioral health, where thoughtful triage, follow-up, and continuity of care remain important, so we wanted to better understand whether we were truly seeing efficient diversion of care," said senior author Yong Chen, PhD, a professor of Biostatistics. Chen, Asch, and their colleagues looked at data billed to insurers for more than 160,000 visits-both in-person and telemedicine-across a four-month period in 2024. The study focused on 10 common billing codes, which included those for COVID-19, respiratory symptoms, neurodevelopmental disorders, sleep-wake disorders, and anxiety, among others. Data was broken down into "episodes," which tracked cases from seven days before an initial visit and 30 days afterward. That way, it could be tracked whether additional help and visits-and costs associated with that-were attached to each patient. Overall, the average charge per episode associated with telemedicine being the initial visit was $96. When the first visit was in-person, it was $509. When looking at follow-up visits, the average for those who started out with telemedicine was just over three, while in-person patients averaged over four. Conditions factored into costs and types of visits In mental and behavioral health care, episode charges were comparable across visit types, yet even in this setting, telemedicine was associated with fewer subsequent visits. "Many systems already deliver most psychiatric care via telemedicine since care is dominated mostly by counseling and medication management instead of through tests or procedures, like care for other conditions," said first author Bingyu Zhang, MS, an Applied Mathematics & Computational Science PhD student in the Penn Computing, Inference and Learning (PennCIL) lab. "So, treatment and prescribing workflows may look similar across visit types and make episode charges comparable, even though telemedicine is still associated with fewer subsequent visits." However, when it came to respiratory symptoms, for example, telemedicine appointments were cheaper by roughly $800, on average. While some of the in-person cases were certainly more serious and couldn't be handled via telemedicine, the researchers did their best to adjust their analysis to match and compare like-for-like patients across visiting types. This meant the gap in costs likely remained more tied to visiting type than the patients seen. A universal finding? The researchers believe their findings are informative beyond the five hospitals they studied in Philadelphia because they show what is possible when access to telemedicine is expanded, its infrastructure receives investment and attention, making it a core part of workflows. Regulatory changes around telemedicine that came about during the COVID era are still not permanent, however, and are set to potentially lapse again at the end of 2027 without yet another temporary extension by Congress. "If telemedicine is allowed to revert to the more limited model that existed before COVID, the cost savings we identified could disappear," said UPHS CEO and study co-author Kevin B. Mahoney. "At a moment when hospitals and health systems face serious financial headwinds, those savings are vital. They enable us to reinvest in patient care and fuel innovation." Last month, Justin and Amy Miller packed their vehicles with three kids, two dogs, a pet bearded dragon, and whatever belongings they could fit, then drove 2,000 miles from Wisconsin to British Columbia to leave President Donald Trumps America. The Millers resettled on Vancouver Island, their scenic refuge accessible only by ferry or plane. Justin went to work in the emergency room at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, where he became one of at least 20 U.S.-trained nurses hired since April. Fear of Trump, some of the nurses said, was why they left. "There are so many like-minded people out there," said Justin, who now works elbow to elbow with Americans in Canada. "You aren't trapped. You don't have to stay. Health care workers are welcomed with open arms around the world." The Millers are part of a new surge of American nurses, doctors, and other health care workers moving to Canada, and specifically British Columbia, where more than 1,000 U.S.-trained nurses have been approved to work since April. As the Trump administration enacts increasingly authoritarian policies and decimates funding for public health, insurance, and medical research, many nurses have felt the draw of Canada's progressive politics, friendly reputation, and universal health care system. Additionally, some nurses were incensed last year when the Trump administration said it would reclassify nursing as a nonprofessional degree, which would impose strict federal limits on the loans nursing students could receive. Canada is poised to capitalize. Two of its most populous provinces, Ontario and British Columbia, have streamlined the licensing process for American nurses since Trump returned to the White House. British Columbia also launched a $5 million advertising campaign last year to recruit nurses from California, Oregon, and Washington state. "With the chaos and uncertainty happening in the U.S., we are seizing the opportunity to attract the talent we need," Josie Osborne, the province's health minister, said in a statement announcing the campaign. Fears realized Amy Miller, a nurse practitioner, said she and her husband were determined to move their children out of the country because they felt Trump's second term would inevitably spiral into violence. First, the Millers got nursing licenses in New Zealand, but when the job search took too long, they pivoted to Canada. Justin was offered a job within weeks. Amy found one within three months. So they moved. And just a few days later, the Millers watched with horror from afar as their fears came true. As federal immigration forces clashed with protesters in Minneapolis on Jan. 24, federal agents fatally shot an ICU nurse, Alex Pretti, as he filmed a confrontation and appeared to be trying to shield a woman who was knocked down. Video of the killing showed border agents pinning Pretti to the ground before seizing his concealed, licensed handgun and opening fire on him. The Trump administration quickly called Pretti a "domestic terrorist" who intended to kill federal agents. That allegation was disputed by eyewitness videos that circulated on social media and spurred widespread outrage, including from nurses and nursing organizations, some of whom invoked the profession's duty to care for the vulnerable. "I don't want to say it was expected, but that's why we are here," Amy Miller said. "Even our oldest kid, she was like: 'It's OK, Mom, because we are not there anymore. We are safe here.' So she recognizes that, and she's not even in middle school yet." Both the U.S. and Canada have a severe need for nurses. The U.S. is projected to be short about 270,000 registered nurses, plus at least 120,000 licensed practical nurses, by 2028, according to recent estimates from the Health Resources and Services Administration. In Canada, nursing job vacancies tripled from 2018 to 2023, when they reached nearly 42,000, according to a recent report from the Montreal Economic Institute, a Canadian think tank. When asked to comment, the White House noted that industry data shows the number of nurses licensed in the U.S. increased in 2025. It dismissed accounts of nurses moving to Canada as "anecdotes of individuals with severe cases of Trump derangement syndrome." "The American health care workforce is the finest in the world, and it continues to expand under President Trump," White House spokesperson Kush Desai said. "Employment opportunities in the American health care system remain robust, with career advancement and pay that far exceed that of other developed nations." 'A sense of relief' It is unknown precisely how many American nurses have moved north since Trump returned to office, because some Canadian provinces do not track or release such statistics. British Columbia, which has done the most to recruit Americans, approved the licensing applications of 1,028 U.S.-trained nurses from when the provinces streamlined application process took effect in April 2025 through January, according to the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives. In all of 2023, only 112 applicants from the U.S. were approved, the agency said. In 2024, it was 127. Increased interest from American nurses was also confirmed by nursing associations in Ontario and Alberta, as well as by the nationwide Canadian Nurses Association. Angela Wignall, CEO of Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of British Columbia, said American nurses used to move north because they had fallen in love with Canada (or a Canadian). But more recently, she said, she had met nurses who feared the White House would spur violence and vigilantism, particularly against families that included same-sex couples. "Some of them were living in fear of the administration, and they shared a sense of relief when crossing the border," Wignall said. "As a Canadian, it's heartbreaking. And also a joy to welcome them." Vancouver Island, which has a population of about 860,000, has gained 64 U.S.-trained nurses since April, including those at Nanaimo Regional, said Andrew Leyne, a spokesperson for the island's health agency. One of the nurses was Susan Fleishman, a Canadian who moved to the U.S. as a child, then worked for 23 years in American emergency rooms before leaving the country in November. Fleishman said hateful rhetoric from Trump has fueled an angry division that has permeated and soured American life. "It wasn't an easy move that's for sure. But I think it's definitely worth it," she said, happily back in Canada. "I find there is a lot more kindness here. And I think that will keep me here." Brandy Frye, who also worked for decades in American ERs, said she moved to Vancouver Island last year after waiting to see whether Mark Carney would become Canada's prime minister. Carney's rise was widely viewed as a rejection of Trumpism. Meanwhile, Frye said, the California hospital where she worked had been stripping words associated with diversity and equity out of its paperwork to appease the Trump administration. She couldn't stand it. "It felt like a step against everything I believe in," Frye said. "And I didn't feel like I belonged there anymore." Like many of the American nurses who have moved to Vancouver Island, Frye was first wooed to the area by a viral video that was meant to attract tourist dollars but ended up doing much more. About a year ago, Tod Maffin, a social media content creator and former CBC Radio host, invited Americans to the port city of Nanaimo for a weekend event designed to offset the impact of Trump's tariffs on the local economy. Maffin said about 350 people attended the April event. "A lot of them were health care workers looking for an escape route," Maffin said. "They were there to help support our economy but also to look into Canada." Maffin saw an opportunity. He repurposed the event website into a recruiting tool and launched a Discord chatroom to help Americans relocate. Maffin said he believes the campaign helped about 35 health care workers move to Vancouver Island. Volunteers in more than 30 other Canadian communities have since duplicated his website in an effort to attract their own American nurses and doctors. "There are communities across Canada where the emergency room closes at night because one nurse is out. That's how thin staffing is," Maffin said. "One new nurse in a small town, or in a midsized city like Nanaimo," he said, "makes a difference." Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) 'forever chemicals' in common parlance are a class of thousands of synthetic chemicals often used in non-stick coatings, water-resistant fabrics, fire-fighting foams, food packages, cleaning products, and plastics. They contain exceptionally strong molecular bonds, which makes them hard to break down. PFAS pollution is increasingly detectable in water, soil, and tissues of organisms, and some have been implicated in human cancers, obesity, infertility, and hormonal imbalances. A handful of 'legacy' PFAS, like perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHS), have already been targeted for elimination worldwide under the 2001 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. But new PFAS have hit the market since, for example for use in emerging applications like AI data centers. "Here we show that specific forever chemicals, namely perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA), appear to accelerate biological aging, with middle-aged men being the most vulnerable group," said Dr Xiangwei Li, a professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in China and the corresponding author of a new study in Frontiers in Aging. "These findings suggest that some newer PFAS alternatives are not necessarily low-risk replacements and warrant serious attention regarding their environmental impact." Li and colleagues used public data on a nationally representative, randomly chosen group of 326 older women and men enrolled in 1999 and 2000 through the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Each had donated a blood sample, in which NHANES staff measured the concentration of 11 PFAS. The DNA 'methylome' an epigenetic marker regulating gene expression had also been measured in the blood cells. Each participant filled in a questionnaire reporting demographic and socioeconomic variables as well as lifestyle factors. Li and colleagues fed these DNA methylome data into the algorithm for 12 older and recently developed 'epigenetic clocks' to estimate each participant's biological age. Previous NHANES studies have shown that higher PFAS concentrations in the blood tend to be associated with faster biological aging, possibly through increased inflammation. Speeding up the clock Li and colleagues here showed that PFNA and PFOSA were each present in the blood of 95% of participants. Importantly, higher concentrations of PFNA and PFOSA were strong predictors of faster epigenetic aging in men between 50 and 64 years of age, but not in women. PFNA and PFOSA were invented in the 1950s and 1960s and today are commonly used in consumer and industrial products for their water-, grease-, and stain-repellent properties and ability to withstand heat and corrosion. They have been shown to be persistent and bioaccumulative with toxic effects on health. Other PFAS found in at least 85% of the participants were 2-(N-ethyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetic acid (EPAH), 2-(N-methyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetic acid (MPAH), PFOS, PFOA, and PFHS. PFAS concentrations overall did not differ between women and men or across age classes, nor was there any association between the concentrations of EPAH, MPAH, PFHS, PFOA, or PFOS and biological age. The authors concluded that the effects of forever chemicals on epigenetic and biological aging depend on the compound, and that regulations should look beyond legacy PFAS alone to also cover PFNA and PFOSA. Midlife crisis But why would the effects of PFNA and PFOSA be strongest in middle-aged men? Midlife is a sensitive biological window where the body becomes more susceptible to age-related stressors, which may explain why this group responds more strongly to chemical exposure." Dr. Ya-Qian Xu from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, first author of the study Li added: "We suspect that men may be at higher risk because the aging markers we analyzed are heavily influenced by lifestyle factors such as smoking, which can compound the damaging effects of these pollutants." France recently banned the use of all PFAS in clothing and cosmetics, while the EU is considering a similar ban for specific uses. "Meanwhile, to reduce risk, individuals can try to limit their consumption of packaged foods and avoid microwaving fast-food containers. Looking ahead, we are actively modeling how PFAS interacts with other common pollutants, as we need to understand the cumulative health risks of these chemical mixtures," said Li. When removing cancerous tissue in the brain, neurosurgeons often use "awake brain mapping" to minimize the risk of causing unintended disruptions to a patient's quality of life while removing as much tumor as possible. This practice, which has been used for decades, involves waking a patient up mid-surgery to test their neurocognitive functions in real time by stimulating the brain surface and assessing for functional changes. A new study soon to be published in the journal Science Advances details a promising new avenue toward improving awake brain mapping results by investigating the tiny, nearly imperceptible variabilities in patient behavior that occur during the procedure. This work points to a future where brain surgeries are not just safer, but more precisely tailored to protect each patient's speech, movement , and quality of life. How awake brain mapping works As cancer grows in the brain, it rarely keeps to itself. Cancerous cells can be found in the seemingly healthy brain tissue surrounding a tumor, presenting neurosurgeons with a dilemma. They need to remove as much tissue infiltrated by cancer as possible, but they also need to avoid the removal of too much tissue since it can cause permanent harm to a patient's ability to hold a fork or conversation. During awake brain mapping, surgeons gently stimulate the brain with small electrical impulses while the patient completes planned tasks. One of the most common applications of awake brain mapping is to identify where language is represented in a patient's brain, which is done by having the patient name pictures or read words while their brain is being stimulated. If the patient can respond quickly and correctly, the clinicians know the part of the brain they stimulated can be safely removed. If the patient slurs or becomes unable to speak, then that part of the brain may be essential for language. Surgeons require a significant amount of experience to understand the nuances of this complex technique. While the method may sound extreme, the brain has no sensory nerves, so patients do not feel their brain surgery as it is happening. Recent research also shows that for some types of brain cancer, improving a patient's quality of life after surgery extends their expected survival into the future. This means that anything that can make awake brain mapping even more effective will translate into improved outcomes for brain cancer patients. New measures show how slight changes in procedure affect patient behavior Based on a decade of research, the study authors uncovered new insights from examining the answers patients get wrong - and right - while undergoing awake brain mapping. We found that if you measure both the types of errors that patients make, as well as how fast they respond even when they do not make errors, more granular inferences can be drawn about language organization from an awake brain mapping procedure." Bradford Mahon, Study Senior Author and Cognitive Neuroscientist, Neuroscience Institute and Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University Mahon added, "We also found that physical parameters of the direct electrical stimulation delivered to the patient's brain - such as its duration, and when it started and stopped relative to the task the patient is performing - were tightly related to small changes in patient behavior that we could measure." Mahon and his team don't yet know exactly what combination of parameters should be used to maximize the effect of direct electrical stimulation mapping. But they have discovered an intriguing signal hidden inside the data that, until now, has gone unnoticed. "What we have measured and formalized in our study is how slight changes in the awake mapping procedure can cause slight changes in patient behavior. This is exciting because it is a new and meaningful signal that can be extracted from the data already being generated during awake brain mapping procedures," added Mahon. A new level of personalized medicine The new study suggests that awake brain mapping may offer more informative and more personalized guidance for surgery than has been possible - until now. "Stimulation has traditionally been treated as a binary test - either it causes an error, or it doesn't," said Raouf Belkhir, lead author and a psycholinguist who is completing the University of Pittsburgh-Carnegie Mellon University Medical Scientist Training Program. "But in reality, these effects are often more continuous than binary." For example, stimulating a particular area of the brain might reliably cause an error, never affect behavior at all or - more subtly - slow a patient's response without causing an obvious mistake. In some cases, stimulation may affect behavior at one moment, but not when tested again just seconds later. "In other words, brain mapping isn't always black or white," said Belkhir. "Sometimes the most important information lives in the gray area." The nuance matters because every brain is different, which means every surgery is different, too. Understanding why stimulation has variable effects across different patients, and even within the same patient from one part of the surgery to another part of the surgery, may be key to protecting outcomes for future patients. "Surgeons are seeking to optimize the balance between removing all of the cancerous tissue while preserving critical functions that may be represented by nearby brain regions," said Mahon. "This research shows that by measuring aspects of patient performance that were previously not considered relevant for awake brain mapping, even better predictive models of brain organization can be developed." If clinical teams have better predictive models personalized to each patient, then the consequences of different surgical approaches on post-operative neurocognitive function can be simulated. This allows for patients and their caregivers to personalize decisions to what is most important to the patient. In other words, Mahon said, a business manager may consent to a surgery that may diminish their motor skills, but not their speech, whereas a concert violinist may prefer the opposite. Bringing standardization to awake brain mapping surgery Another important development from this research is MindTrace, a startup company spun out of Mahon's research laboratory at CMU. With funding from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, MindTrace has built an integrated software platform that supports neurocognitive testing before, during and after surgery. MindTrace is working with a consortium of six hospitals in the United States to build a longitudinal dataset of patient outcomes that will be used to train forecasting models. Tyler Schmidt, MD, study co-author and neurosurgeon at the University of Rochester, has used MindTrace in over a dozen awake surgeries since its release this year. "Awake brain surgery is an incredibly brave thing to do as a patient," said Schmidt. "Making sure we have a well-planned roadmap both before and during surgery to obtain the needed information about their brain organization is a top priority." "MindTrace provides a platform to create that roadmap and integrate all of the measures of a patient's behavior that have been collected to date - from before the surgery right up until the last trial that was performed. Having this critical information stream in real time allows us to make the best surgical decision for each individual patient," said Schmidt. "In the beginning of brain tumor surgery, it used to be, 'Can we remove any of this tumor safely?' But now in some brain tumor cases it's, 'Can we get you back to work potentially? Can we keep your quality of life close to what it was prior to your diagnosis? Can we hone in on the things that are most important to you and then try and protect them while getting the same oncological outcome?'" said Schmidt. "I think it's a positive paradigm shift in how we take care of this patient population." The options today are measurably better than they were even 20 years ago. Clinicians now understand how to maximize the likelihood that patients have the best possible outcomes from brain cancer surgery. "Ultimately, we are contributing toward the set of tools that clinicians will have that will enable them to map the brain with even greater confidence and precision, and personalized to each patient," said Mahon. "The big goal is to translate scientific insights into solutions that improve people's lives. We will meet that goal by building tools that enable the best possible outcomes in neurosurgery patients, both in terms of neurocognitive function and quality of life, and ultimately, in terms of survival." An analysis of 35,000 Canadians shows that rising cannabis use and worsening mentalhealth symptoms are increasingly appearing together, with the connection between the two strengthening over time. The study, led by McMaster University and published in The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry on Feb. 25, 2026, analyzed data from two large, nationally representative Statistics Canada surveys of Canadians aged 15 and older living in the provinces, to examine cannabis use and mentalhealth outcomes between 2012 and 2022. With the legalization of cannabis in Canada landing at the midpoint of the study period, the authors suggest that stronger products, wider availability and increased use for stress relief may be contributing to the patterns they observed. The study doesn't prove causation, but it underscores a widening publichealth issue as cannabis use and mentalhealth challenges rise in parallel. "We see that Canadians who use cannabis tend to be more likely to meet criteria for anxiety and depressive disorders, and more likely to report suicidality. We also see that this co-occurrence has strengthened over time," said Jillian Halladay, an assistant professor in the School of Nursing at McMaster and youth substance use research lead at the Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, a joint collaboration between McMaster and St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton. Key findings: The number of people reporting generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive episode nearly doubled, increasing to 5.2 per cent and 7.6 per cent, respectively. Suicidality didn't change much in adults but increased by 44 per cent among youth. Younger Canadians also saw some of the strongest cannabismental health connections. The number of people using cannabis multiple times a week more than doubled, while the number of people who reported using cannabis in the last year increased to 20.7 per cent. Canadians who used cannabis at any level, compared to those who did not, were more likely to meet criteria for generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive episode and report suicidality. The connection between cannabis use and these mental health problems strengthened over time. In 2022, Canadians who used cannabis regularly (two or more times a week) were about five times more likely to report anxiety, depression, or suicidality than those who did not use cannabis. "This extends our prior study that similarly found a strengthening in the co-occurrence of cannabis use and these mental health problems between 2002 and 2012." Halladay and her fellow researchers emphasize that the growing overlap between cannabis use and mental health problems highlights the need for earlier detection of anxiety, depression, and suicidality among people who use cannabis, as well as routine screening for cannabis use in mental health settings. The team also calls for improved prevention efforts, easier access to services that treat substance use and mental health issues together, and updates to Canada's Lower Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines to reflect these strengthening associations. The study highlights the need for earlier detection of anxiety, depression, and suicidality among people who use cannabis, as well as routine screening for cannabis use in mentalhealth settings. "It's important for people to recognize when and how their cannabis use may be impacting their mental health, and how their mental health may be influencing their cannabis use. It's also increasingly important for health and mental health providers to assess and address both cannabis use and mental health concerns together." This study furthers recent research from McMaster that found anxiety and depression rates among teenagers increased nearly three-fold over the last decade. In that study, rates of anxiety and depression were higher in teens who use cannabis heavily. The research was funded through a Health Systems Impact Embedded Early Career Researcher award cofunded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), McMaster University, and St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, along with a CIHR Fellowship. Additional support came from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, the Peter Boris Chair in Addictions Research, and a Canada Research Chair in Translational Addiction Research. Synovial sarcoma is an aggressive malignant tumor that primarily affects the limbs of teenagers and young adults. While it can be cured if completely removed by surgery, recurrence or metastasis, the spread of cancer to organs such as the lungs, can make treatment difficult and life-threatening. This may also render radiation and chemotherapy ineffective. Therefore, current treatments alone are insufficient, and new treatments are needed. Fortunately, cancer research has changed focus and now theorizes new solutions in energy metabolism, asking "What nutrients do cancer cells rely on to survive?" Cancer cells require more nutrients than normal cells and are known to be particularly dependent on the amino acid glutamine, but it hasn't been fully understood whether this could be targeted for treatment. To test this, Graduate School of Medicine student, Tran Duc Thanh, and Dr. Naoki Takada at Osaka Metropolitan University led a research team to examine the effects of the glutamine metabolism inhibitor, V9302, and glutamine deprivation on lab-grown synovial sarcoma (HS-SY-II) cells and tissue from synovial sarcoma patients. The samples were analyzed using CCK8 assay, Apoptosis assay, immunohistochemical, and Western Blotting analyses. Further, mouse models were induced via injection of HS-SY-II cells and separated into control and V9302 treatment groups. The team found that ASCT2, a transporter for glutamine uptake, is expressed more in synovial sarcoma than in other types of sarcomas, suggesting that synovial sarcoma may actively take up glutamine. Furthermore, when a V9302 that specifically targets and inhibits ASCT2 was used, the synovial sarcoma cells became less able to proliferate and underwent apoptosis. In contrast, it had relatively little effect on normal cells, suggesting the potential for selective targeting of cancer cells. In the in vivo experiment, mice administered with V9302 showed suppressed tumor growth. It also did not exhibit severe side effects, such as weight loss or liver and kidney damage. This study demonstrated that synovial sarcoma strongly depends on glutamine and that treatment blocking ASCT2 holds promise. This will lead to the development of new treatments that not only target cancer cells directly with anticancer drugs, but also weaken cancer by cutting off its nutrient supply." Tran Duc Thanh, Osaka Metropolitan University "However, since this research primarily involves experiments on cells and mice, we still need to investigate whether the same effect occurs in other cases of synovial sarcoma, whether it is safe for human use, and what the optimal application method is," Dr. Takada concluded. The study was published in Cancers. Oligonucleotide therapeutics have transformed the world of medicine over the last decade because of their ability to treat a wide range of indications, including previously untreatable targets that cause rare diseases. These oligonucleotides comprise a wide range of synthetically modified ribonucleic acid (RNA) or hybrids of RNA and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) that have been specially engineered to alter RNA and/or protein production by modifying a target RNA sequence. As of March 2024, 20 oligonucleotide-based therapeutics had received commercial approval in the United States and the United Kingdom. This consists of one aptamer, 12 antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), six small interfering ribonucleic acids (siRNAs), and a combination of single- and double-stranded polydeoxyribonucleotides. Oligonucleotides in development come in a variety of conjugated forms (e.g., GalNac, peptides, and lipids). Challenges with oligonucleotide analysis Reliable and robust bioanalytical procedures are critical for supporting preclinical and clinical studies on new oligonucleotides. Nonetheless, these compounds pose considerable analytical problems, including: High polarity and high negative charge, with molecular weights ranging from 5-7 kDa per strand. Non-specific binding and low sensitivity are among the method development obstacles, which are caused by large molecular weight, numerous charged species, and adduct formation Strong protein binding necessitates specialized procedures for optimal recovery. A popular strategy for extraction from biological matrix is to perform a liquid/liquid extraction (SLE) [AS1] with dichloromethane and a phenol/chloroform mixture. This is sometimes a complicated and difficult multi-step procedure Case study: Analysis of a siRNA oligonucleotide in rat plasma In the example below, Synexa illustrates how to obtain great recovery and repeatability while analyzing a siRNA oligonucleotide in rat plasma using the following technologies: Waters OligoWorks Kit Waters Acquity Premier C18 Oligonucleotide C18 column Waters iClass Acquity Premier UPLC with Xevo TQ-Absolute triple quad mass spectrometer Background of the oligonucleotide A siRNA having an antisense strand (AS) of 7354 Da and a sense strand (S) of 6185 Da. The mass spectrum on the TQ-Absolute revealed negative charged states of 5-10 for the AS strand and 6-11 for the S strand, with no indication of adduct formation. Image Credit: Synexa Life Sciences GmbH System reproducibility The UPLC system was configured with an Acquity Premier Oligonucleotide C18 column (1.7 m, 2.1 50 mm). The aqueous and methanolic organic mobile phases both included HFIP, TEA, and EDTA. Mobile phases were made new every day. Due to the system's unique "Premier" coating, which prevents possible interactions with metal ions, no passivation with strong acid was required prior to use. Multiple injections of an oligonucleotide solution provided instant reproducibility. The table below depicts replicate injections of a non-extracted test sample with an internal standard (stable, labeled A strand). Peak area ratios had a precision of lt;2 % and peak areas had a precision of at least 3 %. Source: Synexa Life Sciences GmbH Peak Area IS Peak Area Area Ratio Injection # 1 107150 20689 5.179 2 105518 20743 5.087 3 103797 20254 5.125 4 108122 21527 5.023 Average 106147 20803 5.103 S. Dev 1900 530 0.066 CV % 1.79 2.55 1.29 Optimized extraction from rat plasmaExtraction of the oligonucleotide from plasma proved difficult. Several extraction procedures were tested, including solid phase extraction (SPE) and LLE.[SD2] [AS3] Despite efforts to reduce non-specific binding during preparation, strong protein binding remained a significant issue, resulting in poor or uneven recovery. Waters' introduction of the OligoWorks Kit provides an efficient solution to strong protein binding through the use of RapiZyme proteinase K digestion. The kit includes all of the essential reagents as well as a mixed-mode SPE plate for a quick out-of-the-box solution with detergent-free digestion and an optimized SPE process with eluents that can be directly injected into the mass spectrometer. By employing this protocol, remarkable recovery and reproducibility from rat plasma were attained. Recovery of sense-stranded siRNA from rat plasma after SPE OligoWorks extraction Source: Synexa Life Sciences GmbH Recovery of antisense stranded siRNA from rat plasma after SPE OligoWorks extraction Source: Synexa Life Sciences GmbH Next steps in oligonucleotide bioanalysis Building on these findings, Synexa wants to improve the oligonucleotide bioanalysis capabilities by validating the technique in accordance with M10 recommendations and achieving a lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) in the low-ng range for plasma samples. To increase productivity, the Waters Andrew + Pipetting Robot will be used to automate and simplify extraction procedures. Furthermore, Synexa wants to broaden the use of the OligoWorks Kit for oligonucleotide extraction from diverse tissues. Advanced oligonucleotide analysis at the GLP/GCP facility Synexa operates two validated iClass Acquity systems at the GLP/GCP facility in Macclesfield, both equipped with TQ-Absolute mass spectrometers that enhance oligonucleotide analysis capabilities. This technique has high sensitivity in electrospray negative mode, reduces adduct formation, and eliminates the need for system passivation with acid, resulting in simplified operation. The standardized procedures allow for quick method development at a minimal cost, covering a wide range of oligonucleotide treatments. Furthermore, crucial reagents may be obtained directly from the vendor, ensuring constant quality. The approach is designed for maximum efficiency, with a quick 60-minute digestion followed by SPE direct injection into the LC-MS/MS instrument. This technique achieves high recovery with minimal matrix effects, improving data reliability and repeatability. Why LC-MS/MS? Compared to alternative methods, LC-MS/MS provides a simpler, quicker, and more economical approach for developing oligonucleotide assays. Method development durations are shortened, and costly, specialized reagents are not needed. Adduct formation, limited sensitivity, and protein binding are only a few of the difficulties that have been overcome. Early in the drug development process, findings can be obtained rapidly, and turnaround times are short. It will be easy to switch to fully validated assays to assist regulatory PK studies. References Vinjamuri, Pan amp; Peng. J Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2024 Jul: 113(7):1749-1768 The clinical potential of l-oligonucleotides: challenges and opportunities - PMC Liu, A., et al. (2022). Bioanalysis of Oligonucleotide by LCMS: Effects of Ion Pairing Regents and Recent Advances in Ion-Pairing-Free Analytical Strategies. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(24), p.15474. DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415474. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/24/15474. Yuan, L., Dupuis, J.-F. and Mekhssian, K. (2023). A Novel Hybridization LC-MS/MS Methodology for Quantification of siRNA in Plasma, CSF and Tissue Samples. Molecules, (online) 28(4), p.1618. DOI: 10.3390/molecules28041618. https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/4/1618. About Synexa Life Sciences GmbH Synexa Life Sciences is a biomarker and bioanalytical lab CRO, specializing in the development, validation and delivery of a wide range of complex and custom-designed assays. With a team of over 200 staff across three global laboratory locations; Manchester, Turku (Finland) and Cape Town, we provide innovative solutions to support our customers to achieve their clinical milestones. Our main areas of expertise include biomarker identification and development, large and small molecule clinical bioanalysis, (soluble) biomarker analysis (utilizing MSD, LC-MS/MS, ELISA, RIA, fluorescence and luminescence-based technologies), cell biology (including flow cytometry, ELISpot and Fluorospot) and genomic services to support clinical trials and translational studies. We pride ourselves on our deep scientific expertise and ability to tackle complex problems, translating them into robust and reliable assays to support clinical trial sample analysis. Since 2019, Synexa has been backed by Gilde Healthcare, a specialized healthcare investor. Synexa, improving the quality of human health through innovative biomarker and bioanalytical solutions. Sponsored Content Policy: News-Medical.net publishes articles and related content that may be derived from sources where we have existing commercial relationships, provided such content adds value to the core editorial ethos of News-Medical.net, which is to educate and inform site visitors interested in medical research, science, medical devices and treatments. The radiopharmaceutical sector has traditionally grown steadily but modestly, mostly due to its well-established use in nuclear imaging and diagnostics in clinical medicine. However, there has been a noticeable change in the landscape in recent years. Recent developments in technology, especially in the production of isotopes such as Actinium-225 (Ac-225), are opening new therapeutic uses and extending the clinical potential of radiopharmaceuticals beyond imaging into targeted radiotherapy. At the same time, increased investment from pharmaceutical corporations, along with strategic alliances among pharma, university research institutions, and CROs, is hastening innovation and shortening development times. How radiopharmaceuticals work Targeted radiopharmaceuticals generally consist of four major components: a targeting molecule (such as an antibody), a linker, a chelating agent, and a radionuclide. Similar to antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), these agents seek to substitute non-specific external beam or systemic radiotherapy with a more selective approach. The targeting molecule delivers the radiopharmaceutical to specific tissues or organs, where it accumulates in the tumor microenvironment. Once localized, the radionuclide either emits radiation for imaging or delivers high-energy radiation that kills or severely damages malignant cells while minimizing exposure and harm to healthy tissues. Therapeutic applications Targeted radiotherapeutics have gained tremendous traction, notably in prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumors, thanks to a large number of actionable molecular targets, significant unmet clinical needs, and the intrinsic radiosensitivity of these diseases. Emerging advancements are also being investigated in other areas, such as breast and lung cancer, where focused techniques are showing promise. Personalized treatment options are also being advanced through the combination of diagnostics and medicines, known as theranostics. Theranostics, by using unique diagnostic imaging biomarkers, enables accurate patient selection and treatment protocol customization, thereby improving patient outcomes and increasing overall care efficiency. PK, immunogenicity, and biomarker analysis best approaches Growing regulatory requirements, particularly in radioactive material handling, radiation safety, and environmental compliance, are driving demand for greater expertise across the radiopharmaceutical development process. Synexa Life Sciences has seen an increase in demand for specialist services, notably those involving radioactive specimen management, integrated theranostic trials, imaging investigations, and negotiating complicated regulatory systems. There are three main bioanalytical techniques for radiopharmaceuticals: PK analysis Ligand-binding assays are frequently used to measure drug concentrations in biological matrices, such as plasma, serum, or tissue homogenates, during nonclinical and clinical pharmacokinetic investigations. Sandwich immunoassays, target-capture assays, target-bridging assays, total and free antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) assays, and anti-idiotype (anti-ID) bridging assays are examples of platforms. Additionally, Synexa facilitates the determination of total radioactivity in research materials. Using these assays, the therapeutic drug can be precisely quantified over time, facilitating crucial assessments of the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME) profiles required for regulatory submissions and dosage optimization. Immunogenicity Immunogenicity testing is carried out at all stages of drug development, particularly at critical regulatory milestones, to assess immune responses to the treatment. Ligand-binding assays (e.g., bridging or direct formats, including acid dissociation techniques), competitive receptor-binding assays, and cell-based assays are used for preliminary screening, confirmation, cross-reactivity evaluation, and characterization of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). Detecting and characterizing anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) is critical for understanding possible effects on safety, effectiveness, and pharmacokinetics, and it is a regulatory requirement for biologic therapies. Biomarkers Biomarker analysis is conducted on "hot samples" (radioactive tissues) throughout the clinical development phase, generally in conjunction with PK and immunogenicity investigations. MSD (Meso Scale Discovery), ELISA, Gyrolab, RIA, Delfia, and LC-MS/MS techniques are utilized based on the assay's sensitivity, throughput, and sample volume requirements. Biomarkers provide crucial information on the mechanism of action, pharmacodynamic responses, patient stratification, and therapy effectiveness, thereby improving clinical decision-making and supporting regulatory filings. Safety Safety will always take precedence in the creation and analysis of radiopharmaceuticals. Given the products' inherent radioactivity, CROs must continually enhance their safety management systems, provide rigorous employee training, and ensure full compliance with radiation protection requirements. Enhanced monitoring and rigorous risk assessment systems are required to protect patients, researchers, and the environment. As regulatory criteria evolve, especially in radiopharmaceutical safety, isotope handling, and radioactive waste management, CROs must remain alert and proactive to meet these requirements. Although many radiopharmaceuticals have very short half-lives, which reduces overall radiation exposure over time, careful handling and rigorous adherence to safety measures are still necessary. About Synexa Life Sciences Synexa Life Sciences is a biomarker and bioanalytical lab CRO, specializing in the development, validation and delivery of a wide range of complex and custom-designed assays. With a team of over 200 staff across three global laboratory locations; Manchester, Turku (Finland) and Cape Town, we provide innovative solutions to support our customers to achieve their clinical milestones. Our main areas of expertise include biomarker identification and development, large and small molecule clinical bioanalysis, (soluble) biomarker analysis (utilizing MSD, LC-MS/MS, ELISA, RIA, fluorescence and luminescence-based technologies), cell biology (including flow cytometry, ELISpot and Fluorospot) and genomic services to support clinical trials and translational studies. We pride ourselves on our deep scientific expertise and ability to tackle complex problems, translating them into robust and reliable assays to support clinical trial sample analysis. Since 2019, Synexa has been backed by Gilde Healthcare, a specialized healthcare investor. Synexa, improving the quality of human health through innovative biomarker and bioanalytical solutions. Sponsored Content Policy: News-Medical.net publishes articles and related content that may be derived from sources where we have existing commercial relationships, provided such content adds value to the core editorial ethos of News-Medical.net, which is to educate and inform site visitors interested in medical research, science, medical devices and treatments. News / National by Staff reporter The Government of Zimbabwe has criticised the Zimbabwe College of Public Health Physicians (ZCPHP) for what it described as "out of order" conduct, accusing the medical body of violating professional propriety by publicly intervening in a high-level diplomatic dispute with the United States.The rebuke follows a statement by ZCPHP expressing concern over the collapse of negotiations for a bilateral health funding agreement that would have granted the US extensive access to sensitive health data, including pathogen samples and epidemiological information concerning Zimbabwean citizens. The physicians warned that the breakdown could jeopardise the nation's efforts in combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.Deputy Chief Secretary for Presidential Communications, George Charamba, said the physicians had overstepped their professional remit by commenting on matters of national security and sovereignty. "What they have done is to introduciously pronounce themselves in respect of a matter which is beyond their knowledge base," Charamba said. "The issue at hand involves many other factors beyond just the physician's skills that they wield."He expressed dismay that a professional body would use X (formerly Twitter), an American social media platform, to lobby the government on a sensitive matter involving the US administration. "Whose attention do they want to catch? Do they want us to then conclude that they were in fact beneficiaries of American funding through USAID?" he added.Charamba stressed that the decision to channel the US response through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, rather than the Ministry of Health, signalled the gravity of the issue. "This was because the matter relates to the very sovereignty of this nation. If we wanted to name a technical matter, we would have done so through their parent ministry. That should have given them a cue in terms of the scope of the matter," he said.He further advised the medical experts to confine their input to professional channels. "If they have anything constructive to give, they must do it through their parent ministry. Unfortunately, they have gone against the rules of propriety."The Government reiterated that while health service delivery remains a priority, Zimbabwe will not compromise its independence or allow external actors to use aid as a tool for interference. NCERT book row: SC thanks media for bringing issue into public domain Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 19:30 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Feb 26 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Thursday thanked the media for bringing to the fore the issue concerning NCERTs Class 8 social science book containing offending" contents on corruption in the judiciary, saying otherwise the damage would have been completely irreversible". A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi on Thursday imposed a blanket ban on any further publication, reprinting or digital dissemination of the book, saying they have fired a gunshot" and the judiciary is bleeding". During the hearing in the suo motu case, one of the advocates told the bench that the media should be restrained from disclosing the offending parts of the textbook. Sometimes there are some small channels, which indulge in all this. But look at the other aspect. It is the responsible media that brought the matter into the public domain. So, we are thankful to the friends in the media," the CJI said. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that mainstream media is always responsible, and it is the tabloids that create the problem. The CJI said that as one of the pillars of democratic values and in ensuring constitutional values, the media plays a very vital, very constructive and very positive role". Otherwise, the damage would have been completely irreversible," the CJI said. In its order, the bench said the framers of the Constitution were profoundly conscious and took abundant caution to ensure that constitutional responsibilities were inscribed with such precision that the three pillars legislature, executive and judiciary remain capable of operating with institutional autonomy while functioning in concert to preserve the democratic fabric of the nation. It said it was nearly shocked" when a leading English newspaper published an article on February 24 regarding the release of the social science textbook for Grade 8 (Part 2) titled Exploring Society: India and Beyond. The inclusion of this subject matter within a foundational curriculum, in our considered opinion, warrants a rigorous review of its pedagogical suitability and its potential impact on the institutional standing of the judiciary as a whole," it said. The bench said the contents of the chapter made prominent reference to hundreds of complaints received against the judiciary, clearly indicating, as if no action was taken, picking a few words from the statement of a former chief justice, suggesting that the judiciary itself has acknowledged the lack of transparency, accountability and institutional corruption". It said the publication ostensibly dedicates an entire chapter to the role of the judiciary in society and washes off with one stroke of the pen, the illustrious history associated with the Supreme Court, high courts and district courts". The text unfortunately fails to acknowledge the imperative role the judiciary undertakes in upholding constitutional morality and the basic structure doctrine, principles that constitute the very lifeblood of the Indian citizens in public existence," the bench said. It added that young students in their formative years are only beginning to navigate the nuances of public life and the constitutional architecture that sustains it. It is fundamentally improper to expose them to a biased narrative" that may engender permanent misconceptions at an age when they lack the perspicacity to appreciate the manifold and onerous responsibilities that are discharged by the judiciary, the bench said. While taking this initiative, we have to keep in mind that embedding such decontextualised text within a nationwide middle school curriculum is to bypass the safeguards of balanced education, risking systemic erosion of institutional faith in the minds of students, the teachers who will impart such education, parents of young students, society at large and ultimately even the next generation," it said. The bench also took note of subsequent developments, including a press release issued by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) on Wednesday. The question as to whether the apology has been tendered genuinely with a view to purging the prima facie contempt, or whether it is merely a ruse to evade the consequences, particularly when substantial irreversible damage has already been done, is a matter that we will consider at an appropriate stage," it said. The bench directed the NCERT, in coordination with education departments, to ensure that all copies of the book, in hard or soft form, presently in circulation, including those held in storage, retail outlets, or educational institutions, are forthwith seized and removed from public access. It said the Centre and its agencies would ensure that the book is removed immediately from all physical and digital platforms without any delay. The bench said it would be the personal responsibility of the NCERT director and principals of schools where the book has been circulated or prescribed to effectuate its immediate seizure and sealing of all physical and digital copies within their respective premises, and submit a compliance report. It also asked them to ensure that no further pedagogical instructions are imparted based on the contents of the physical or digital copy of the book. The bench directed the NCERT director to submit a comprehensive list and details pertaining to the members of the National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material Committee, who approved the offending chapter, and listed the matter for further hearing on March 11. PTI ABA MNL SJK ARI ARI First Published: February 26, 2026, 19:30 IST News agency-feeds NCERT book row: SC thanks media for bringing issue into public domain Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Pak court to hear on March 11 appeal by Imran Khan, his wife in corruption case Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 19:30 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Islamabad, Feb 26 (PTI) A Pakistan high court on Thursday fixed March 11 for the hearing of appeals by incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi for the suspension of their sentence in the Al-Qadir Trust case of corruption. The former first couple was convicted in January 17, 2025 in the case when Khan was sentenced for 14 years and Bushra for seven years in prison. Earlier, the couple were indicted on February 27, 2024. The couple had launched an appeal in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) after conviction but the case was not fixed for hearing, prompting further pleas for early hearing. A two-member panel of Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Azam Khan heard miscellaneous applications seeking an early hearing of the sentence suspension pleas. Barrister Salman Safdar appeared before the court on behalf of Khan who informed the court about ailment of the former prime ministers right eye, while arguing that the applications for suspension of sentence had remained pending for nearly a year. He also pointed out that Bushras petition had similarly been pending for a year. The court accepted a plea for an early hearing and directed that the sentence suspension petitions of Khan and Bushra should be fixed for hearing on March 11. Khan and his wife were sentenced for causing a loss of PKRs 50 billion to the national exchequer in the Al-Qadir Trust case when they provided relief to a property tycoon in return of getting land for Al-Qadir Trust. PTI SH NPK NPK First Published: February 26, 2026, 19:30 IST News agency-feeds Pak court to hear on March 11 appeal by Imran Khan, his wife in corruption case Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... SC directs Centre to participate in meeting on lack of functional CCTVs Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 13:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Feb 26 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Centre and others to participate in a meeting for the creation of a centralised dashboard and standardisation of CCTV infrastructure in police stations. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta passed the order after a submission by senior advocate Siddhartha Dave. Assisting the court as amicus curiae, Dave told the court that pursuant to an order dated January 29, a meeting was held on February 21, but the Union, the Delhi government and some other states did not participate it, and as such, he could not file the report as required. Taking note of the submission, the court ordered, Counsel for the Union of India already apologised that due to some communication gap, it could not participate in the meeting. He, however, assures us that in the next meeting they will extend all cooperation." The bench added, The amicus has suggested March 14, 2026, as the next date for a meeting. Let the meeting be held as directed earlier on March 14, 2026." The matter is now posted for hearing on March 23. The top court had earlier directed registration of a suo motu public interest litigation over a lack of functional CCTVs in police stations after taking cognisance of a media report. The apex court had in 2018 ordered the installation of CCTV cameras across police stations to check human rights abuses. In December 2020, the top court directed the Centre to install CCTV cameras and recording equipment at the offices of investigating agencies, including the CBI, the ED and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). It said that states and Union Territories should ensure that CCTV cameras were installed at every police station, at all entry and exit points, main gate, lock-ups, corridors, lobby and reception, as well as in areas outside the lock-up rooms so that no part was left uncovered. The top court said that CCTV systems must be equipped with night vision and have audio as well as video footage. The court made it mandatory for the Centre, states, and UTs to purchase such systems which allow storage of data for at least one year. PTI PKS VN VN First Published: February 26, 2026, 13:15 IST News agency-feeds SC directs Centre to participate in meeting on lack of functional CCTVs Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Uruguay, Argentina become first Mercosur members to ratify EU trade pact Last Updated: February 27, 2026, 02:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Buenos Aires, Feb 27 (AP) Uruguay and Argentina on Thursday became the first founding members of the Mercosur bloc of South American nations to ratify a long-sought free-trade agreement with the European Union to establish one of the worlds largest free-trade zones. The deal has been negotiated for a quarter century among countries that are now home to more than 700 million people and account for a quarter of global gross domestic product. It passed Uruguays lower house with a landslide 91-2 vote, mirroring the Senates unanimous support the previous day. Uruguay has sent a strong message to the United States, Mercosur and Europe: that we have waited 25 years, but we are not willing to wait a single second longer," Congressman Juan Martin Rodriguez said after the vote. The Argentine Senate also ratified the agreement on Thursday with an overwhelming 69-3 vote and no abstentions, following a decisive approval by the Chamber of Deputies on Feb 12. Though the ruling party pushed for a swift session to ensure Argentina became the first country to ratify the trade deal, deliberations lasted four hours. Brazil and Paraguay the other two founding members of Mercosur are poised to approve the trade pact in the coming weeks. The trans-Atlantic trade deal was signed on Jan 17, marking the end of a 25-year deadlock by European agricultural concerns over unfair competition. But a few days later European lawmakers challenged the agreement in the blocs top court over concerns about the legality of the deal. A court decision could take months, but European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said earlier the EU would act once at least one Mercosur nation ratified the deal. Once fully implemented, it will create a massive free trade area that von der Leyen has hailed as a powerful endorsement of multilateralism in what she called the face of an increasingly hostile and transactional world." (AP) MPL MPL First Published: February 27, 2026, 02:15 IST News agency-feeds Uruguay, Argentina become first Mercosur members to ratify EU trade pact Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... US moves to cut off Swiss bank over alleged Iran and Russia money flows Last Updated: February 27, 2026, 01:00 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Washington, Feb 26 (AP) The US is moving to sever a small Swiss bank from access to the US financial system for its alleged support for Iranian and Russian actors, as US and Iranian officials hold indirect talks Thursday in Geneva over Tehrans nuclear negotiations. Treasurys Financial Crimes Enforcement Network proposed a federal regulation Thursday that, if finalized, would prohibit US institutions from doing business with MBaer Merchant Bank AG, which has no relation to the larger Swiss bank Julius Baer. The bank is accused of funneling over USD 100 million through the US financial system on behalf of criminals out of Iran and Russia. Founded in 2018, MBaer is both small and new as a bank. A banking profile in 2020 showed MBaer had roughly USD 245 million in assets, making it the 200th largest bank in Switzerland. But because it is small, the Treasury Departments announcement is notable because it effectively implies that a significant amount of the banks overall business is tied to illicit money flows. A Treasury readout of the new regulation states that MBaer is a critical access node to the US dollar for a wide variety of illicit actors, putting US national security at risk and undermining the integrity of the US financial system." Treasury alleges that since its inception, MBaer has enabled money laundering and facilitated corruption and terrorist financing, including for Russian criminals and Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said banks should be on notice that the US Treasury will aggressively protect the integrity of the US financial system using the full force of our authorities." A spokesperson for the bank was not immediately available for comment. The Trump administration has imposed several tranches of sanctions on people and companies accused of enabling Irans theocratic government, ballistic missile program, drone production and illicit oil sales as the US presses Tehran to make a deal. The latest round of talks between US officials, including envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian negotiators via mediator Oman are taking place Thursday in Geneva. (AP) GSP First Published: February 27, 2026, 01:00 IST News agency-feeds US moves to cut off Swiss bank over alleged Iran and Russia money flows Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Woman from Delhi's Peeragarhi slum secures scholarship to study in Australia Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 22:00 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Feb 26 (PTI) A resident of West Delhis Peeragarhi slum has secured a scholarship for postgraduate studies in Australia, with the Australian education minister praising her journey at a national higher education summit in Canberra. Nancy, who grew up in a slum community supported by Delhi-based NGO Asha, has been admitted to the Master of International Relations programme at the University of Melbourne, the NGO said in a statement on Thursday. Nancy has been awarded the Melbourne Welcoming Universities Scholarship and is scheduled to begin her course next week. She was invited to attend the Universities Australia Solutions Summit 2026 in Canberra. Addressing the summit, Australias Minister for Education, Jason Clare, acknowledged Nancys participation at the summit, as he cited her journey as an example of expanded access to higher education opportunities. The minister also praised the NGO founder Kiran Martin, according to the statement. A young woman who, because of Dr Kiran, got the education that her parents did not. She finished school, went to university, got a Bachelor of Arts degree. She majored in political science and she graduated with honours. Talent is everywhere. Its opportunity thats not," the minister was quoted as saying in the NGO statement. The NGO works, according to the statement, in slum communities in Delhi, providing education, primary healthcare and sanitation. Kiran Martin said the partnership with the University of Melbourne has opened a fully supported masters pathway for students from these communities, it added. PTI MSJ SGV AKY First Published: February 26, 2026, 22:00 IST News agency-feeds Woman from Delhi's Peeragarhi slum secures scholarship to study in Australia Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Gemini Horoscope Today, February 26, 2026 Curated By : GaneshaGrace Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 06:20 IST Gemini Horoscope Today, February 26, 2026: Gemini enjoys financial growth and support today. Chirag Daruwalla urges caution with money and balanced health. Gemini Horoscope today: Astrological predictions by Chirag Daruwalla for mithuna rashi on February 26 2026. (AI generated image) Gemini Horoscope Today, February 26, 2026: Ganesha says today you may need to make the right decisions to meet your financial goals. Todays horoscope is giving you good signs from the financial point of view. Your income is likely to increase and you will also get benefits from your property. If you have to start a big project, then this is the best time. Your luck is with you and you will see good growth in your business. You will be successful in your business today and your financial position will be strong. You will work courageously through relationships. In business activities, you will cooperate with everyone. You will bring speed to pending matters. You will focus on profit. Partners will cooperate. Your reputation and respect will increase. There will be a spirit of cooperation and collaboration. You will maintain sweetness in your speech. You will show respect to everyone. Your memory power will improve. You will adopt discipline. Health will improve. Positive By focusing on works like devotion to God, there will be a good change in your personality, and any of your important work will also be completed according to your wish. Students will also succeed in interviews and career-related exams. Negative- Be careful in matters related to money. Do not make any decision in haste, and do not put too much workload on yourself. It would be better to do the most important work first. Business There may be an important agreement in the work related to property business, but get the papers, etc., checked properly. People doing government jobs are going to get some good news related to their jobs. Financial- Today, according to your financial horoscope, you will not have any shortage of money and you will be able to use your income to meet your expenses. You will be proud of your financial condition today and you will also be able to make good investments for your future. Your employees will help you meet your goals and make profits. You will find that today is a particularly good day for business. You will remain stressed the whole day due to fast sales. No matter how tired you are at the end of the day, be grateful for this day of productivity and financial gain. Your hard work, enthusiasm, and initiative are bringing in the extra income you were hoping for. This period will be pleasant for employed people. There are indications that government employees will get more benefits. Love There will be a happy atmosphere in the family due to your success. Programs like roaming around and meeting will also be made. Health You will feel problems like an upset stomach and a lack of appetite. It is important to keep food and drink very balanced. Lucky Color Pink Lucky Number 2 (The author Chirag Daruwalla is the son of Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla). First Published: February 26, 2026, 06:20 IST News astrology horoscope Gemini Horoscope Today, February 26, 2026 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Govt Mandates OMCs To Sell 20% Ethanol-Blended Petrol Nationwide From April 1 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 14:10 IST Ethanol blending has saved India more than Rs 1.40 lakh crore in foreign exchange since 2014-15 by reducing crude oil imports. Rapid Read Ethanol is made from sugarcane, maize and other grains and burns cleaner than petrol and boosts demand for farm produce. E20 Fuel Rollout: The central government has directed oil marketing companies to sell petrol blended with up to 20% ethanol across all states and Union Territories from April 1, provided it meets a minimum Research Octane Number (RON) of 95, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on February 17. RON measures fuel stability, indicating how much compression a fuel can withstand before ignition, with higher values reflecting better performance. The Central Government hereby directs that the oil companies shall sell Ethanol Blended Motor Spirit with percentage of Ethanol up to twenty per cent as per the Bureau of Indian Standards specifications and having a minimum Research Octane Number (RON) of 95, in the States and the Union territories," the notification said. Ethanol is made from sugarcane, maize and other grains. It burns cleaner than petrol and boosts demand for farm produce. The government says this helps support farmer incomes. India achieved 10% ethanol blending in petrol in June 2022, ahead of schedule. It later advanced the 20% blending target to 202526. Many fuel stations already sell E20 in several regions. The minimum RON 95 rule is important. Research Octane Number measures resistance to engine knocking. Knocking occurs when fuel burns unevenly and can damage engines over time. Higher-octane fuel stays stable under compression and maintains performance. Ethanol has a naturally high octane rating of around 108. Blending it with petrol improves knock resistance. The RON 95 requirement is meant to protect engines and ensure efficient operation with E20. According to the oil ministry, ethanol blending has saved India more than Rs 1.40 lakh crore in foreign exchange since 2014-15 by reducing crude oil imports. What It Means For Travellers For travellers and drivers, E20 will increasingly become the standard fuel at pumps nationwide. Most vehicles made between 2023 and 2025 onward are designed to run on E20 without major issues. Older vehicles may see fuel efficiency drop by about 37%. This can slightly reduce driving range between refuelling stops. Some older engines may also experience faster wear of rubber and plastic parts. Even so, the transition is expected to remain manageable for most vehicles on Indian roads. First Published: February 26, 2026, 13:51 IST News business economy Govt Mandates OMCs To Sell 20% Ethanol-Blended Petrol Nationwide From April 1 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Yes Bank Restricts E-Commerce Transactions From Latin American Country After Fraud Alert Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 09:38 IST Yes Bank detected unusual transaction declines linked to 15 merchants in a Latin American country, restricted e-commerce from there, and assured customers of protection. Yes Bank Flags USD 0.28 Million In Suspicious Forex Card Transactions Yes Bank Forex Card Fraud: Yes Bank has taken stringent measures against unauthorized payment attempts from a specific Latin American country. It is a precautionary measure while the investigation continues. Shares of Yes Bank rose 1.54 per cent intraday on Thursday following the precautionary measure. Its shares were trading at Rs 21.04 per share in the morning session. Whats Yes Bank Forex Card Fraud Case? Earlier, the bank informed that its fraud monitoring systems observed an unusual increase in transaction declines linked to specific Bank Identification Numbers (BINs). The suspicious activity was traced to 15 merchants based in a Latin American country during the early hours of February 24, between 3:30 AM and 8:30 AM IST. According to the bank, the country in question does not mandate two-factor authentication for e-commerce transactions, a factor that may have contributed to the attempted unauthorized payments. As a precautionary step, the bank has restricted e-commerce transactions originating from that specific country while investigations continue. Impact Assessment And Financial Exposure The banks internal review found that during the incident window, transactions worth approximately USD 0.28 million were approved across around 5,000 customers. However, its monitoring and control mechanisms successfully declined 688 unauthorized transaction attempts, preventing additional exposure of nearly USD 0.1 million. The lender said it is working closely with the relevant card network to initiate chargeback processes. This is intended to ensure that affected customers do not suffer any financial loss as a result of the incident. Ongoing Safeguards And Customer Protection The bank emphasized that it remains committed to maintaining high standards of data security and customer protection. It added that it continues to closely monitor the situation and is coordinating with stakeholders to safeguard customer interests. While the investigation is ongoing, the swift containment measures and transaction monitoring controls appear to have limited further damage. Customers have been advised to remain vigilant and report any irregularities promptly. First Published: February 26, 2026, 09:38 IST News business markets Yes Bank Restricts E-Commerce Transactions From Latin American Country After Fraud Alert Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Hindu Neighbours Rally Around Muslim Women Denied Blanket By Ex-BJP MP In Rajasthan's Tonk Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 13:29 IST Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria's blanket drive in Rajasthan's Kareda Buzurg village sparked outrage after Muslim women were denied blankets during a distribution drive Rapid Read Shakuran Bano, 60, said she felt humiliated after being identified by religion and asked to return the blanket. (News18 Hindi) A blanket distribution drive by former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria in Rajasthans Tonk district has triggered outrage in Kareda Buzurg village, after several Muslim women, including a 60-year-old resident, were allegedly denied blankets and asked to return those already given to them. The incident occurred during a charitable distribution programme organised by Jaunapuria, who represented the Tonk-Sawai Madhopur constituency in the Lok Sabha in 2014 and 2019. A video of the event, which has since gone viral on social media, shows the former MP asking women their names and directing that blankets be taken back from some beneficiaries after identifying them as Muslims. In the footage, Jaunapuria is heard saying that the blankets were not meant for those who abuse" Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while also indicating that it would not matter to him if anyone felt hurt by his decision. Among those affected was Shakuran Bano, 60, who said the denial itself did not hurt as much as the manner in which she was treated. She said she felt humiliated after being identified by religion and asked to return the blanket. Her son Hanif, a blacksmith, said that material help could be replaced but the loss of dignity was harder to repair. The incident angered residents of Kareda Buzurg, though villagers say communal relations remain peaceful. With Muslims forming barely 3% of the population, residents say the two communities have long lived in harmony. In a show of solidarity, Hindu residents rallied behind Shakuran Bano and condemned the incident. Led by Hanuman Chaudhary, husband of the village sarpanch, villagers organised a protest the following day and burned an effigy of Jaunapuria. Many residents alleged that the former MPs actions had hurt the villages tradition of communal harmony. Shakuran Bano said several Hindu youths visited her home after the incident and expressed regret over what had happened, telling her they felt distressed that their chachi (aunt)" had been insulted. The controversy has drawn political attention, with members of the Rajasthan Congress minority cell and local leaders visiting Banos home and providing blankets in a symbolic gesture. Tonk district Congress president Saud Saidi demanded that the BJP take action against Jaunapuria and expel him from the party. Jaunapuria later defended his actions, stating that the programme was a personal initiative and that blankets were meant only for about 200 BJP women workers whose names had been listed in advance. According to him, he suspected that some of the women present were not party workers and feared they might later claim to have fooled the MP" if allowed to keep the blankets. He denied that his actions were communal in nature and maintained that, as the event was privately funded, he had the discretion to decide the beneficiaries. Jaunapuria, who has previously been noted for his philanthropic activities, including running a free canteen for the underprivileged that was once praised by PM Modi in Mann Ki Baat, has faced criticism before as well, including over a past claim that bathing in mud could help ward off Covid-19. Location : Tonk, India, India First Published: February 26, 2026, 13:29 IST News cities jaipur Hindu Neighbours Rally Around Muslim Women Denied Blanket By Ex-BJP MP In Rajasthan's Tonk Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... News / National by Staff reporter Thousands of families across Zimbabwe received food hampers yesterday from a Turkish Muslim humanitarian organisation, marking this year's Ramadan celebrations. The distributions were carried out without regard to religion or political affiliation, reflecting the spirit of generosity associated with the Islamic holy month.Ramadan, a period of fasting, spiritual reflection, and prayer, carries this year the theme "Hope," symbolised by the tulip as a representation of renewal, divine rhythm, and the eternal return to life and light. The theme underscores hope in Allah, humanity, and the power of community, encouraging collective support and care.During the hamper distribution in Shamva, Abdurrahman Taha Cnar, Religious Affairs Coordinator at the Turkish Embassy, said the initiative reflects the enduring friendship and sacred trust between Zimbabwe and Turkiye. "These donations are a sacred trust from our supporters in Turkiye to the people of Zimbabwe. Through the organisation of the Presidency of Religious Affairs and the Turkiye Diyanet Foundation, these entrusted contributions were delivered to the country," he said. "This Ramadan initiative stands as a strong symbol of solidarity and enduring friendship between the two nations."Mr Cnar noted that local partners were engaged to ensure the hampers reached those most in need. He also highlighted Turkiye's broader humanitarian support, including the drilling of motorised boreholes across rural Zimbabwe to complement government efforts in providing clean water. On educational cooperation, he mentioned that hundreds of Zimbabwean students have received opportunities to pursue studies in Turkiye across various fields.In Norton, Sheikh Adam Wadi reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to working with the Zimbabwean government to empower communities and support the nation's Vision 2030 goal of achieving middle-income economy status.Recipients expressed deep gratitude and encouraged other religious and humanitarian organisations to emulate the initiative. "This is a good gesture for communities that many organisations and institutions should copy in uplifting livelihoods and shaping community development," said Ms Fatima Golosi, 69, from Chiwaridzo in Bindura. Two, Including Housemaid, Arrested For Staging Fake ED Raid At Employer's Residence In Delhi Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 14:53 IST Two persons, including a housemaid, were arrested for allegedly conspiring to stage a fake Enforcement Directorate raid at her employer's residence. Image credit: ANI/X Two persons, including a housemaid, were arrested for allegedly conspiring to stage a fake Enforcement Directorate raid at her employers residence. The arrests were made within 24 hours by the persistent efforts of the Police Station New Friends Colony, police said, as quoted by news agency ANI. According to the police, the maid and her associate orchestrated the fake ED operation to deceive the employer. POSED AS ED OFFICIALS, CONDUCTED FAKE SEARCH DCP South East Hemant Tiwari revealed the incident took place on February 11, when three persons dressed in police uniforms forcibly entered the residence of 86-year-old retired senior architect RC Sabharwal in New Friends Colony, ANI reported. Posing as ED officials, the trio allegedly coerced family members, confiscated mobile devices, and conducted a fake search. The accused then fled with approximately Rs 3-4 lakh and seven luxury watches, the police said. Following a complaint, an FIR was registered on February 24 at PS New Friends Colony under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Acting swiftly on the complaint, the police team analysed CCTV footage in a bid to determine the suspects movements. As per the ANI report, police traced their route from New Friends Colony through Sarai Kale Khan and across the Ghazipur border, pinpointing the vehicles location to Sector 4, Vaishali in Ghaziabad. After identifying the vehicle registration number, police used mobile tower dump data and IMEI tracking to identify mobile numbers linked to the suspects. Through technical analysis, the police reached the residence of Pooja Rajput. Local verification revealed that the complainants housemaid, Rekha Devi, often visited the residence. Subsequently, police conducted a raid at Poojas residence and seized a Dy Commandant (ITBP) uniform, a wireless set box, a fake ID card, seven stolen luxury watches and jewellery. Police arrested Rekha Devi (40) and her sister-in-law, Pooja Rajput (45), who was the main conspirator in the case. Efforts are underway to nab the rest of the accused. First Published: February 26, 2026, 14:53 IST News cities new-delhi-news Two, Including Housemaid, Arrested For Staging Fake ED Raid At Employer's Residence In Delhi Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Women's Trader Body Chief Booked For 'Stealing Underwear Worth Rs 10,000' From Varanasi Shop Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 19:52 IST Sunita Soni, president of Varanasi Mahila Vyapar Mandal, and two more accused of stealing underwear worth Rs 10,000 from a Lahurabir shop. CCTV footage is under police probe The accused has been identified as Sunita Soni, president of the Varanasi Mahila Vyapar Mandal, and a former brand ambassador of the Varanasi Municipal Corporation. Image: AI generated Three women, including the president of a womens traders body, have been accused of stealing underwear worth Rs 10,000 from a shop in Varanasi. The alleged incident captured on CCTV. Police said the incident took place at a store in the Lahurabir area. In the complaint, Sudip Singh, proprietor of the store, said that three women had entered his shop and stole goods worth approximately Rs 10,000 on the evening of February 24. He also submitted three video clips of the incident, captured on CCTV installed in the store. According to India Today, the accused has been identified as Sunita Soni, president of the Varanasi Mahila Vyapar Mandal, and a former brand ambassador of the Varanasi Municipal Corporation. The other two women seen in the footage are said to be her daughter and sister-in-law. Police said a case has been registered under relevant sections and the matter is under investigation. Meanwhile, Sunita Soni has denied her involvement and said she had visited the market with women from Jaunpur and had gone to the shop in question but did not purchase anything as the required item was unavailable. India Today quoted her saying that she had left her name and contact details with the shop and was unaware of what the accompanying women may have done. She added that she would fully cooperate with both the shop owner and the police. Location : Varanasi, India, India First Published: February 26, 2026, 19:52 IST News cities varanasi Women's Trader Body Chief Booked For 'Stealing Underwear Worth Rs 10,000' From Varanasi Shop Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Azim Premji University Student Council Says FIR Against Students An 'Asymmetry', Expresses Concerns Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 10:47 IST Azim Premji University Student Council members urged the administration to reconsider pursuing criminal charges and stresses its commitment to protecting student welfare. Azim Premji University said in a statement that it had "not authorised any event of this nature." (Image: X) Azim Premji University Student Council has expressed concern over the FIR filed against SPARK Reading Circle members. This comes after Azim Premji University near Sarjapur experienced heightened tension after students claimed a fellow student was assaulted during an ABVP protest. While acknowledging that organising an event without prior permission may breach protocol, the student council said that such issues should be managed through internal disciplinary mechanisms rather than a criminal FIR. The council highlights what it describes as an asymmetry" in the actions taken. It notes that individuals who allegedly entered the campus, caused injuries, and damaged property received bail and face bailable charges. The students also asserted that this action undermines the universitys commitment to open debate and intellectual freedom. In contrast, students who organised a peaceful gathering face a non-bailable offence under Section 299, it said. They further urged the administration to reconsider pursuing criminal charges and stresses its commitment to protecting student welfare. The protesters claimed on Sunday that ABVP members disrupted a campus event discussing womens issues in Kashmir, forcibly entering the premises, derailing the discussion, and vandalising university property. Students further accused ABVP members of labelling them as anti-nationals," which escalated tensions and deepened divides within the campus community. An FIR was registered against several ABVP activists in connection with the incident. Sarjapur police detained several ABVP workers and subsequently registered a case at the Sarjapur Police Station. The detained activists were brought before a judge in Anekal, who granted bail to 21 individuals. Students presented a list of demands to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, seeking his intervention. Their key demands included: A state government ban on the RSS. Immediate action against the ABVP activists allegedly involved in vandalism. Ensuring protection for students, faculty, and academic discussions on campus. According to ANI, Azim Premji University said in a statement that it had not authorised any event of this nature." First Published: February 26, 2026, 10:47 IST News education-career Azim Premji University Student Council Says FIR Against Students An 'Asymmetry', Expresses Concerns Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Deeply Saddened', 'Utmost Respect For Judiciary': Education Minister On NCERT Row Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 16:17 IST The NCERT class 8 social science judiciary chapter will be rewritten in consultation with the appropriate authority, and the revised version will be distributed to the students. Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed deep regret over the NCERT class 8 social science textbook incident. (File Photo) After the Supreme Court took notice of a Class 8 Social Science textbook that referenced corruption in the judiciary," the NCERT on Wednesday said that it had halted the books distribution and apologised for what it called an error of judgement." Speaking on the matter, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed deep regret over the incident, emphasising respect for the judiciary and committing to comply with the Supreme Courts directives. We have the utmost respect for the judiciary. Whatever the judiciary has said, we will fully comply with it. I am deeply saddened by what has happened, and I express my regret. As soon as the matter came to my notice, I immediately instructed NCERT to withdraw the concerned books so that they do not circulate further. Necessary steps have been taken to recall them," Pradhan said, reported IANS. Jamshedpur, Jharkhand: On the Supreme Court taking suo motu cognisance of the NCERT Class 8 textbook chapter alleging corruption in the judiciary, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan says, We have the utmost respect for the judiciary. Whatever the judiciary has said, we will fully pic.twitter.com/276BU1y9Hi IANS (@ians_india) February 26, 2026 The Class 8 textbook said that corruption, a massive backlog of cases, and the lack of an adequate number of judges are among the challenges faced by the judicial system. Following this, the CJI noted, I will not allow anyone on earth to taint the integrity of the institution and defame the institution. At any cost, I will not permit it. Howsoever high it may be, the law will take its course. I know how to deal with it." The National Council of Educational Research and Training explained that after releasing the Social Science textbook Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Vol II" for Class 8 on February 24, it was observed that Chapter 4, entitled The Role of Judiciary in our Society," contained inappropriate material and errors of judgement. The NCERT also expressed regret for the inclusion of the inappropriate material, stating that it was unintentional. The chapter will be rewritten in consultation with the appropriate authority, and the revised version will be available to Class 8 students at the beginning of the 2026-27 academic session. First Published: February 26, 2026, 15:41 IST News education-career 'Deeply Saddened', 'Utmost Respect For Judiciary': Education Minister On NCERT Row Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 72 Tigers Dead At Thailand Tourist Park: What Is FPV, Suspected To Be Behind These Feline Deaths? Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 11:05 IST Reports indicate the animals succumbed to a fast-spreading viral outbreak, suspected to be feline panleukopenia or feline distemper, a highly contagious disease that can be fatal. Rapid Read The incident has reignited scrutiny of Thailands tiger tourism industry, which has long faced criticism over breeding practices, veterinary standards, and animal welfare conditions. At least 72 tigers have died within a span of just two weeks at a privately run tourist facility in Thailand, triggering alarm among wildlife authorities and animal welfare groups. The deaths reportedly occurred at a park in Chonburi province that housed hundreds of captive-bred tigers and marketed close-contact experiences to visitors. Preliminary reports indicate that the animals succumbed to a fast-spreading viral outbreak, suspected to be feline panleukopenia or feline distemper, a highly contagious disease that can be fatal, especially in young or immunocompromised big cats. Thai officials from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation have stepped in to investigate the scale of the outbreak, quarantine the premises, and test surviving animals, amid concerns about biosecurity lapses and overcrowding. The incident has reignited scrutiny of Thailands tiger tourism industry, which has long faced criticism over breeding practices, veterinary standards, and animal welfare conditions. Parks that allow tourists to feed, pet, or pose for photographs with tigers often maintain large captive populations, raising questions about genetic management and disease control. Wildlife advocates argue that intensive breeding and high animal density can create the perfect conditions for infections to spread rapidly, as appears to have happened in this case. Authorities are now assessing whether negligence, inadequate vaccination protocols, or poor containment measures contributed to the mass deaths, while the parks operations remain under review. As probe into the tiger deaths continues, heres a look at what exactly is the feline distemper virus and how it spreads. What Is Feline Distemper Virus? Feline distemper virus, more accurately known as feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), is a highly contagious and often deadly viral disease that affects cats and other members of the feline family. Despite the name distemper," it is not the same virus that causes canine distemper in dogs. FPV belongs to the parvovirus family and primarily attacks rapidly dividing cells in a cats body, particularly those in the bone marrow, intestines and developing foetuses. By damaging the bone marrow, the virus drastically reduces white blood cell counts a condition called panleukopenia leaving infected animals severely immunocompromised and vulnerable to secondary infections. The disease spreads through direct contact with infected animals, their bodily fluids, or contaminated surfaces such as cages, bedding and feeding bowls. The virus is extremely resilient and can survive for months in the environment, making outbreaks difficult to contain, especially in crowded facilities like shelters or breeding centres. Infected cats may develop high fever, lethargy, vomiting, severe diarrhoea, dehydration and loss of appetite. Kittens are particularly susceptible and often face a high mortality rate if not treated promptly. While there is no specific antiviral cure, supportive veterinary care including fluids, antibiotics to prevent secondary infections and isolation can improve survival chances. Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent the disease. How Does FPV Spread? Feline panleukopenia virus spreads primarily through direct contact with infected bodily fluids including saliva, nasal discharge, urine and faeces or through contaminated environments. The virus is shed in large quantities by infected animals and can persist for months on surfaces such as enclosures, feeding equipment, transport crates and even caretakers clothing. Because it is highly resistant to heat, cold and many common disinfectants, routine cleaning may not be enough to eliminate it. Infected animals can begin shedding the virus before showing visible symptoms, which makes early detection difficult and allows the disease to move silently through a population. In tigers and other big cats kept in captivity, the risk of transmission rises sharply in settings where animals are housed in close proximity. Shared spaces, common drainage systems, pooled water sources and the reuse of tools between enclosures can facilitate rapid spread. In tourist parks or breeding facilities, frequent human movement between cages may also act as a mechanical carrier, transferring viral particles from one enclosure to another. Cubs are especially vulnerable because of their still-developing immune systems, and if vaccination coverage is incomplete or biosecurity protocols are weak, an outbreak can escalate quickly, affecting dozens of animals within a short span. Can This Virus Affect Humans? Feline panleukopenia virus does not spread to humans. It is caused by a parvovirus that specifically infects members of the cat family, including domestic cats and wild felids such as tigers, lions and leopards. The virus is highly species-specific, meaning it does not have the ability to infect people. Humans can, however, act as mechanical carriers. This means a person who handles an infected animal or contaminated surfaces such as cages, bedding, or feeding equipment can unknowingly carry viral particles on their clothes, shoes or hands and transfer them to another animal. But the virus cannot replicate in the human body or cause illness in people. How Is FPV Treated? There is no specific antiviral drug that cures feline panleukopenia in tigers, so treatment focuses on intensive supportive care and strict isolation. Infected tigers require prompt veterinary intervention to manage dehydration through intravenous fluids, correct electrolyte imbalances, and control vomiting or diarrhoea. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are often administered to prevent or treat secondary bacterial infections that take advantage of the animals weakened immune system. In severe cases, nutritional support and plasma or blood transfusions may be considered if white blood cell counts drop dangerously low. Just as important as medical therapy is rigorous biosecurity isolating sick animals, disinfecting enclosures with agents effective against parvoviruses, and closely monitoring the remaining population to prevent further spread within a facility. First Published: February 26, 2026, 11:05 IST News explainers 72 Tigers Dead At Thailand Tourist Park: What Is FPV, Suspected To Be Behind These Feline Deaths? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... From Hip-Hop To High Office? How PM Probable Balen Shah Aims To Remix Nepals Future As Polls Loom Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 16:39 IST The election on March 5 will see nearly 19 million voters exercise their franchise to fill all 275 seats in the House of Representatives A civil engineer with a masters degree in structural engineering from India, Balen Shah first gained fame in Nepals hip-hop community through socially conscious lyrics that critiqued political nepotism. (Photo: Instagram/@balenshah) As Nepal approaches its high-stakes general election on March 5, the political landscape is being redefined by a former structural engineer and underground rapper, Balendra Balen" Shah. Standing at the forefront of a nationwide shift in political sentiment, Shah has emerged as the leading prime ministerial contender for the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). His rise marks a departure from the traditional dominance of veteran communist and democratic leaders, symbolising the aspirations of a younger generation that is increasingly disillusioned with the established political order. The Catalyst: A Gen-Z Revolution The momentum behind Balen Shahs candidacy is rooted in the Gen-Z" uprising of September 2025. This youth-led movement was triggered by a controversial government ban on social media platforms and deep-seated frustration over systemic corruption. The protests, which saw tens of thousands of young Nepalis take to the streets, culminated in the resignation of the then-prime minister, KP Sharma Oli, on September 9, 2025. The uprising was not merely a reaction to censorship but a demand for a constitutional political resolution" to governance failures. In the wake of this unrest, an interim government was formed to oversee the upcoming polls. This period of transition has empowered figures like Shah, who had already built a reputation as a disruptive force during his tenure as the mayor of Kathmandu. His decision to resign from the mayoral office in January 2026 to join the RSP and contest the national stage was seen as a strategic move to institutionalise the energy of the youth movement. Balen Shah: From the Underground to the National Stage Balen Shahs political trajectory is as unconventional as his background. A civil engineer with a masters degree in structural engineering from India, he first gained fame in Nepals hip-hop community through socially conscious lyrics that critiqued political nepotism. In 2022, he stunned the establishment by winning the Kathmandu mayoral race as an independent candidate, defeating seasoned politicians from the major parties. As mayor, his high-handed" but transparent approachincluding live-streaming municipal meetings and aggressively reclaiming public landwon him a massive fan following. Now, as the projected prime ministerial face of the RSP, he is contesting from Jhapa-5, the traditional stronghold of his primary rival, KP Sharma Oli. This head-to-head battle is being framed as a choice between the old guard" and the new vision", with Shah campaigning on a platform of structural reform, administrative efficiency, and strict term limits for elected officials. The Electoral Mechanics and the March 5 Polls The election on March 5 will see nearly 19 million voters exercise their franchise to fill all 275 seats in the House of Representatives. Nepal utilises a mixed electoral system: 165 members are elected through a first-past-the-post (FPTP) system, while the remaining 110 are selected through proportional representation (PR) to ensure the inclusion of women and marginalised groups. With nearly 3,500 candidates in the fray, the competition is remarkably dense. While traditional heavyweights like the Nepali Congress (led by Gagan Thapa) and the CPN-UML (led by KP Sharma Oli) have fielded candidates in every constituency, the RSP has attracted a significant number of defectors and independent youth leaders. The Election Commission has committed to a swift tallying process, promising direct voting results within 24 hours of ballot collection to maintain public trust in a fragile political environment. A Tense Road Ahead Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the Balen Effect", the path to the prime ministers office remains fraught with challenges. The RSP must secure a clear majority or lead a complex coalition in a parliament historically prone to instability. Furthermore, while Shah is the face of the youth, the older demographic remains split between the historical loyalties of the Nepali Congress and the Communist parties. As the international community monitors the polls for fairness and security, the outcome will determine whether the spirit of the Gen-Z uprising can be translated into a stable, functioning government that finally breaks the cycle of political volatility in the Himalayan nation. First Published: February 26, 2026, 16:39 IST News explainers From Hip-Hop To High Office? How PM Probable Balen Shah Aims To Remix Nepals Future As Polls Loom Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... From Rift To Reset: How Carney's Approach To India-Canada Ties Looks Different From Trudeau's Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 16:48 IST Canada signalled that it no longer believes India is linked to violent crimes on Canadian soil, a sharp departure from the narrative under Carneys predecessor Rapid Read File photo of Canada PM Carney and PM Modi. (AFP) Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to land in India tonight to begin a nine-day diplomatic tour that will also include stops in Australia and Japan. In India, he will first be in Mumbai before traveling to New Delhi to meet PM Narendra Modi and Indian business leaders. The visit comes at a crucial inflection point after Canada signalled that it no longer believes India is linked to violent crimes on Canadian soil, a sharp departure from the narrative under Carneys predecessor. Carneys agenda is largely pragmatic and forward-looking. Key objectives include strengthening trade and investment ties, advancing negotiations towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), expanding cooperation in technology (including AI and digital innovation), energy, critical minerals, and defence, and deepening people-to-people and institutional engagement that underpins the bilateral partnership. While formal results such as a signed trade pact may not materialise during this visit, officials expect frameworks and roadmaps towards future agreements, greater business linkages, and renewed security cooperation. The shift in diplomatic tone, especially Canadas recent clarification that India is no longer linked" to violent crimes within its borders, will be a central backdrop as the two sides aim to move past the most volatile chapter in their relationship. A Long History of Bilateral Ties Relations between India and Canada stretch back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, grounded in shared democratic values, pluralism, and significant people-to-people ties. Formal diplomatic relations were established in 1947 following Indian independence, and Indias early leaders, like Jawaharlal Nehru, undertook state visits that helped build trust. India participated in the Colombo Plan and benefited from Canadian development aid in the 1950s, while Canadian academics and policymakers often looked to India as an important voice from the Global South. Throughout the late 20th century, the relationship experienced ups and downs from early cooperation to strains over nuclear tests and economic disagreements. Trade and cultural exchange expanded, and Canada became one of the prime destinations for Indian migrants and students. While cooperation deepened in sectors like civil nuclear energy and technology, long-standing issues such as diaspora politics and security periodically produced friction. The Khalistan Issue and Trudeau-Era Strains One of the most consequential sources of tension in recent decades has been the Khalistan movement a Sikh separatist ideology that seeks an independent Sikh state in Indias Punjab region. While largely dormant inside India, it has a visible presence among certain diaspora communities in Canada, partly due to historical patterns of immigration. India has long expressed concerns that Canada harbours and tolerates Khalistani sympathisers who advocate for separatism and sometimes oppose Indian sovereignty. The relationship took a dramatic turn in June 2023 with the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly asserted that there was credible evidence" suggesting involvement by agents linked to the Indian government in Nijjars death. India rejected these claims as absurd" and politically motivated. This accusation marked a strain in diplomatic relations. Both countries expelled diplomats, suspended consular services, paused trade negotiations, and engaged in a prolonged diplomatic stand-off. Canadas Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and intelligence agencies raised concerns about Indian agents involvement in violent acts on Canadian soil, including intimidation, extortion and homicides linked to criminal networks, a narrative strongly denied by India. The Trudeau governments approach marked by public accusations and a focus on security crises tied to diaspora politics created deep mistrust. India accused Canada of harbouring extremist elements and failing to address Indias national security concerns, while Canada stressed its obligation to investigate threats to Canadian citizens. Mark Carneys Pragmatic Reset Since taking office in March 2025, Mark Carney has sought to reset relations. His approach contrasts with Trudeaus in several ways: De-Escalation and Diplomacy First Instead of public confrontations, Carney has pursued behind-the-scenes diplomacy and law-enforcement dialogue as the basis for constructive engagement. The Canadian government recently stated that it no longer believes India is linked to violent crimes in Canada a notable shift from the previous rhetoric. This strategic de-emphasis of the criminal allegation narrative is meant to create space for cooperation rather than rekindle mistrust. Focus on Economic Cooperation Carneys foreign policy underscores trade, investment and economic diversification especially in light of uncertain relations with other partners like the United States. Expanding bilateral commerce, pursuing a free-trade agreement, and partnering on technology, energy, critical minerals, and AI are central pillars of his India agenda. Pragmatic Security Engagement Where Trudeau emphasised accusations and public diplomatic showdowns, Carney has steered towards institutional engagement involving national security advisers and law-enforcement mechanisms while not sidelining Indias concerns about extremism or Canadas concerns about foreign interference. This has involved reinstating high commissioners and resuming formal dialogues and intelligence sharing. Balanced Engagement Carneys strategy aims to balance community concerns in Canada with foreign policy imperatives. Instead of anchoring relations to diaspora politics or domestic electoral narratives, he is pivoting toward mutually beneficial frameworks that both nations can agree on such as trade interoperability, climate cooperation, and broader Indo-Pacific partnerships. While domestic audiences on both sides will closely watch security concerns and diaspora politics, the overarching theme of Carneys visit evident from his public statements and diplomatic shifts is pragmatism over confrontation, economics over acrimony, and dialogue over discord. That marks the clearest distinction between his approach and that of Trudeau. First Published: February 26, 2026, 16:48 IST News explainers From Rift To Reset: How Carney's Approach To India-Canada Ties Looks Different From Trudeau's Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Mind Your Speed: How The Law Punishes Those Rushing Their Vehicles On Indian Roads Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 17:35 IST Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recently highlighted that speeding alone accounts for roughly 1,20,000 road accident deaths annually. Rapid Read Road safety data shows that Indias highways and city streets are among the deadliest in the world. (AI generated image) In the past 48 hours, two major speeding-related crashes have again put Indias road safety crisis under the spotlight. In Ahmedabad, a high-speed car lost control and crashed into a concrete wall, injuring its occupants and prompting traffic police to open an investigation into potential overspeeding and reckless driving. Simultaneously on the FaridabadGurugram Road, dashcam footage surfaced showing a speeding Toyota Innova plough into a motorcycle waiting at a red light, killing the 50-year-old rider and leaving his brother critically injured. Preliminary police reports confirm that excessive speed was a core factor in the collision. These incidents are not isolated. Across India this month and over recent years, multiple crashes attributable to speeding have ended in loss of life and left families devastated. In Jaipurs Balotra district, a speeding car on the JodhpurUmarlai Road lost control and struck a tree, killing two passengers and seriously injuring a third. Just weeks ago in Faridabads Sirohi village, a group driving at speed for making a social-media stunt lost control of their SUV near rocky terrain; a 15-year-old boy died and two others were injured. Police subsequently booked the driver under rash driving and death by negligence provisions of the BNS. And these examples barely scratch the surface. Speeding is a common thread in many deadly crashes on Indian roads whether its a speeding SUV hitting pedestrians or cars veering off highways when negotiating bends at unsafe speeds. These tragedies underscore not just the human cost but also the legal and systemic consequences that follow. How Many People Die In Speeding Crashes On Indian Roads Every Year? Road safety data shows that Indias highways and city streets are among the deadliest in the world. According to the latest figures released by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, road accidents in India result in nearly 5 lakh accidents annually, with more than 1.8 lakh fatalities each year. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari highlighted that speeding alone accounts for roughly 1,20,000 deaths annually making it one of the leading causes of road crash fatalities in the country. To put that figure in context: on average, more than 300 people die every day in road accidents in India. Speeding doesnt just increase the likelihood of a crash; it dramatically worsens the severity of impacts, turning survivable collisions into fatal ones. Unsafe speed reduces drivers reaction time and increases stopping distances; even small increases over speed limits can dramatically elevate crash risk. In certain regions, speeding plays an even more dominant role. In the hilly state of Uttarakhand, for instance, authorities estimated that 78 per cent of road accidents and over 640 deaths over a recent nine-month stretch were caused by vehicles travelling at excessive speed. These statistics not only paint a grim picture of human loss but also highlight the urgent need for effective enforcement and public awareness. What Is The Punishment For Speeding In India At the base level, speeding is a traffic offence governed by the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (as amended). Under Section 183 of the Act, drivers can be penalised for exceeding speed limits prescribed for specific roads and vehicle categories. Standard Penalties Under The Motor Vehicles Act For private light vehicles and two-wheelers, speeding typically attracts a fine ranging roughly from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000. Medium and heavy vehicles (like buses and trucks) draw higher penalties, often Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 or more depending on the exact breach. Repeat or egregious speeding (far above limits) can lead to higher fines and points against the drivers licence, and in some states may lead to suspension of the licence. These are non-cognisable traffic offences, which means they are generally punishable with fines rather than imprisonment. However, because speeding substantially increases the risk of accidents and fatalities, law enforcement agencies across India, from Kanpur to Gurgaon and Ahmedabad, are stepping up challans and monitoring of speed using radar guns and cameras. While these fines are meant to act as deterrence, fatal consequences from speeding often trigger far more serious legal implications. How Is A Crash Due To Speeding Punished Under BNS? If overspeeding leads to a crash that causes injury or death, the legal consequences escalate beyond simple fines. With the enactment of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) a modern criminal code replacing parts of the old Indian Penal Code the law now classifies fatal road accidents caused by negligent or rash driving as criminal offences with significant prison terms. Under Section 106 of the BNS, authorities can register cases for causing death or grievous injury by rash or negligent driving: If a drivers reckless driving results in death, they can be charged with causing death by negligence, which may attract a prison term of up to 5 years, a fine, or both. If the driver flees the scene (hit and run) without reporting the accident to a police officer or magistrate, the offence becomes more severe: imprisonment may be extended to up to 10 years along with a fine, and the offence is treated as non-bailable in many cases. This distinction between simply causing death and failing to report it is crucial. The lawmakers intent behind the BNS overhaul was to ensure that drivers do not use the old loopholes (where many hit-and-run cases could be resolved with minimal consequences), but instead face meaningful legal accountability. A recent court case underscores this shift: a driver charged under Section 106(1) for a fatal crash cannot quash the offence simply by settlement with the deceaseds family; the matter is treated as a crime against society, not just a private dispute. The consequences of over-speeding on Indian roads are not just individual tragedies but a societal burden reflected in rising annual death figures, strained emergency services, and the emotional toll on families who lose breadwinners and loved ones. The legal framework, through stringent penalties and the tougher criminal sanctions in the BNS, aims to deter such behaviour. First Published: February 26, 2026, 17:35 IST News explainers Mind Your Speed: How The Law Punishes Those Rushing Their Vehicles On Indian Roads Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Missiles Near Taiwan: Will Japans Strategic Shift Vex China, And What Could It Mean For India? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 13:45 IST For Tokyo, the move over Taiwan could be a defence strategy, for Beijing, it could be provocation. For New Delhi, it may underscore shifting power equations Rapid Read Escalating Japan-China friction could disrupt regional supply chains, particularly in semiconductors, electronics and rare earth materials. Japans decision to deploy surface-to-air missiles on Yonaguni Island, which lies 110 km from Taiwan, marks a significant moment in East Asian security politics. For Tokyo, this is framed as a defensive measure in an increasingly volatile region. For Beijing, however, it is a provocation tied to the sensitive Taiwan issue. For India, watching from across the Indo-Pacific, the development underscores shifting power equations that could affect New Delhis strategic planning, economic interests and diplomatic posture. Japans Missile Deployment: A Clearer Security Posture Yonaguni sits at the edge of Japans southwestern Nansei island chain, stretching towards Taiwan. Its location makes it a critical observation point in any potential contingency involving the Taiwan Strait one of the worlds most strategically sensitive waterways. Japan has indicated that it plans to install medium-range surface-to-air missile systems on the island by the early 2030s as part of a broader defence build-up. Unlike earlier vague references to strengthening island defences, the announcement signals a clearer timeline and intent. It depends on the progress of preparing facilities, but we are planning for fiscal 2030," Japans defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi told reporters. The systems in question are designed primarily for air defence, capable of intercepting hostile aircraft or missiles. They are not offensive strike weapons. However, in modern military strategy, the line between defensive capability and deterrence is thin. Positioning such systems so close to Taiwan enhances Japans ability to monitor and potentially respond to regional contingencies. This is an important policy step from Japan the plan to deploy medium-range surface-to-air missiles on Yonaguni Island, its westernmost territory located approximately 110 km east of Taiwan. In some ways, this reflects Japans newfound confidence in underscoring how Taiwans security is closely tied to Japans own security," said Professor Harsh V Pant, Vice-President, Observer Research Foundation (ORF). This move is part of Japans gradual but notable transformation from its post-World War II pacifist posture. While Japans constitution still renounces war, successive governments have expanded the interpretation of self-defence." In recent years, Tokyo has committed to raising defence spending to 2% of GDP, acquiring counter-strike capabilities and strengthening ties with allies like the US and Australia. This (Japans Taiwan shift) also follows Prime Minister Sanae Takaichis earlier remarks suggesting potential SDF (Self-Defence Forces) involvement if a Chinese attack on Taiwan were to pose an existential threat to Japan. That statement prompted a strong reaction from Beijing, including export restrictions on Japanese firms. In some ways, this deployment is part of Japans broader shift towards a more assertive defence posture, including increased military spending. It also aligns with the Trump administrations push for US allies to share a greater burden in maintaining regional security." Why Beijing Sees Red For China, Taiwan is not merely a neighbour but a core sovereignty issue. Beijing considers the island a breakaway province and has repeatedly stated that it will not rule out the use of force to achieve reunification. Any foreign military activity near Taiwan is viewed through this lens. Japans missile plans, especially given the proximity to Taiwan, are likely to be interpreted as aligning with efforts to contain China. Chinas envoy to the United Nations, Fu Cong, has warned that any military involvement by Japan in Taiwan would amount to aggression against Beijing, which would retaliate resolutely". Fu told at a UN meeting last week that Japan was attempting to intervene militarily in the Taiwan issue under the guise of collective self-defence". No matter what pretext Japan uses to exercise its so-called collective self-defence rights and intervene in the Taiwan issue, it would constitute an aggression against China, and China will certainly retaliate resolutely," he said, as quoted by the South China Morning Post. In recent years, China has stepped up military drills around Taiwan, conducting large-scale exercises simulating blockades and air-sea operations. These drills serve both as deterrence and as political messaging. Against this backdrop, Japans move is likely to deepen Beijings suspicion that Tokyo is moving beyond passive defence into active strategic positioning. Why Japans Move Over Taiwan Matters To New Delhi India, Japan and the US are members of the Quad, a grouping focused on maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific." While the Quad avoids overt military framing, it reflects shared concerns about Chinese assertiveness. It also indirectly strengthens the Quad because India, as a member, would want to see enhanced collective deterrence against China. In that sense, a more robust defence posture by Japan contributes to a stronger deterrence framework vis-a-vis China in the Indo-Pacific, which is largely beneficial for India," Pant pointed out. In some ways, it strengthens the US-Japanese partnership because this is exactly the kind of thing that the Trump administration wants its American allies to do," he added. Moreover, Japans move reinforces a broader regional trend where countries are investing in deterrence as they perceive rising risks. Indias military standoff with China along the Line of Actual Control since 2020 has reshaped its threat perceptions. The Indian Navy too is closely monitoring the Chinese naval presence in the Indian Ocean. But Pant highlighted that Japans deployment in Taiwan does not directly involve India". He, however, added, In some ways, it reinforces a more multipolar Indo-Pacific, where India gains strategic leverage. It also indirectly strengthens the India-Japan defence relations because a Japan that takes greater responsibility for security in and around its periphery is positive for India and for Indian security." Chinas Export Curbs On Japan Show How Military Ties Influence Economy Security tensions in East Asia do not remain confined to military spheres. They spill into trade, technology and supply chains. China and Japan are both major economic partners for India. Japan is a significant investor in Indian infrastructure, manufacturing and technology projects, with total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) surpassing Rs 2.7 lakh crore. China, despite political tensions, remains one of Indias largest trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching a record high of about $155 billion in 2025. Escalating Japan-China friction could disrupt regional supply chains, particularly in semiconductors, electronics and rare earth materials. The Taiwan Strait is also a crucial artery for global trade. Any instability in that corridor would reverberate across Asia, including India. In recent years, India has sought to diversify supply chains and attract investment as companies look to reduce reliance on China. Key initiatives include the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, 100% FDI in manufacturing, and improved infrastructure, targeting sectors like electronics and pharmaceuticals. For New Delhi, the challenge lies in balancing strategic alignment with economic pragmatism. First Published: February 26, 2026, 13:36 IST News explainers Missiles Near Taiwan: Will Japans Strategic Shift Vex China, And What Could It Mean For India? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... The Automated Brink: Why AI Models Lack The Nuclear Taboo In War Games Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 20:09 IST In a series of simulated geopolitical crises, three of the worlds most advanced large language models (LLMs) demonstrated a startling willingness to deploy nuclear weapons If AI decision-support systems lack a programmed 'horror' of nuclear use, they may provide recommendations that lead to accidental or inadvertent escalation. Representational image A groundbreaking study led by Professor Kenneth Payne at Kings College London has revealed a chilling discrepancy between human strategic caution and artificial intelligence. In a series of simulated geopolitical crises, three of the worlds most advanced large language models (LLMs)GPT-5.2, Claude Sonnet 4, and Gemini 3 Flashdemonstrated a startling willingness to deploy nuclear weapons. Unlike human leaders, who are historically restrained by the nuclear taboo"the deep-seated moral and existential revulsion toward atomic warfarethe AI models frequently treated nuclear strikes as just another tactical tool on the escalation ladder. The Simulation: War Games at Machine Speed The research involved 21 controlled simulations comprising 329 strategic turns. In these war games", the AI models were cast as opposing national leaders facing high-stakes scenarios, including territorial disputes, competition over scarce natural resources, and threats to regime survival. The models were provided with a broad escalation ladder" of options, ranging from diplomatic protests and minimal concessions to conventional military mobilisation and, ultimately, full-scale strategic nuclear war. The findings were stark: tactical nuclear weapons were deployed in 95% of the simulations. Perhaps more alarmingly, no model ever chose to surrender or make significant concessions, even when facing certain defeat. Instead of de-escalating, the models often responded to conventional losses by doubling down", viewing nuclear escalation as a rational method of compellence"forcing an opponent to yieldrather than a deterrent to be avoided at all costs. Calculated Coldness: Model Personalities in Crisis While all models exhibited a lower threshold for nuclear use than humans, they displayed distinct strategic personalities". Claude Sonnet 4, developed by Anthropic, was noted for its calculated risk-taking. While it was the most successful in terms of winning scenarios, it treated nuclear options with a cold, instrumental logic, famously stating in one turn: The nuclear threshold has been crossedthis changes the strategic calculus but does not end it." Gemini 3 Flash produced what researchers described as goosebump-inducing" rationales. In one instance, the model adopted a stance reminiscent of the madman theory", threatening a full strategic launch against population centres with the reasoning, We will not accept a future of obsolescence; we either win together or perish together." Meanwhile, GPT-5.2 emerged as a partial exception; while it still resorted to nuclear use, it often attempted to limit" the strikes to military targets or frame the escalation as a controlled, one-time event, showing a shred more restraint in its articulated reasoning than its counterparts. The Erosion of the Nuclear Taboo The most significant takeaway from Professor Paynes study is the absence of the embodied" fear that has governed nuclear politics since 1945. Human decision-making in a nuclear crisis is shaped by a visceral understanding of the stakesthe end of civilisation and the horrific humanitarian toll. AI, however, lacks this emotional substrate. It processes a nuclear strike as a data point in a utility function: if the model perceives that the probability of winning" or regime survival" is higher with a tactical nuke than without, it will execute the command. This logic of the machine" ignores the psychological signaling that prevents human wars from spiralling. In 86% of the simulated conflicts, actions escalated beyond what the AI itself originally intended, often due to miscalculations in the fog of war." When one model used a tactical nuke to signal resolve, the opponentinstead of being deterredalmost invariably counter-escalated, leading to a one-way ratchet" toward catastrophe. Implications for Global Security The study arrives at a time of increasing pressure to integrate AI into military Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) systems to achieve machine-speed" decision-making. However, experts warn that the findings from Kings College London highlight a grave risk: the speed of AI could outpace human deliberation, forcing leaders into a use it or lose it" dilemma. If AI decision-support systems lack a programmed horror" of nuclear use, they may provide recommendations that lead to accidental or inadvertent escalation. As major powers continue to modernise their nuclear triads with AI enhancements, the research underscores the urgent need for international human-in-the-loop" mandates. Without a bridge between cold algorithmic logic and human moral intuition, the very tools designed to enhance national security could inadvertently dismantle the foundations of global deterrence. First Published: February 26, 2026, 20:09 IST News explainers The Automated Brink: Why AI Models Lack The Nuclear Taboo In War Games Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... News / National by Staff reporter A Bulawayo man who stole R190 000 from an accident victim and used the funds to buy two vehicles and a mobile phone has had his appeal against a seven-year prison sentence dismissed.Sylvester Chitandawata was convicted on two counts theft and money laundering following an incident on June 6, 2021, near 2nd Avenue and Lobengula Street in a bushy section of the city. According to prosecutor Kudakwashe Jaravaza, Chitandawata took advantage of Shelton Ngamera, who had just been involved in a vehicle accident, stealing a bag containing ZAR190 000. The accused later used the money to purchase a BMW, a Honda Fit, and an Itel A56 phone."Evidence presented in the lower court clearly placed the accused at the scene of the crime. The complainant testified that he had handed the accused his car keys while the latter adjusted the driver's seat, and then saw him run off with the bag containing the money. The area was well-lit, and the complainant spent about 20 minutes in proximity to the accused, who was wearing a work suit with blue trousers and a reflective band around his leg," Jaravaza said.The identification of Chitandawata was reinforced by testimony from a second State witness, Charles Mhlanga, who had called the accused to the scene to assist after the accident. "Mr Mhlanga saw the accused flee with the money while leaving behind a satchel containing identity documents linking him directly to the crime. The witness had known the accused for years, since 2003, which eliminated any possibility of mistaken identity," the prosecutor added.The court also heard that Chitandawata tried to challenge Mhlanga's testimony by alleging bad blood between them, but the judges rejected this claim, noting it had not been raised in his original defence and that he had failed to cross-examine the witness on the matter.Chitandawata, who represented himself, appealed both his conviction and sentence at the Bulawayo High Court, where Justices Mutevedzi and Ndlovu presided. In dismissing the appeal, the judges emphasised that stealing from a person immediately after an accident was an aggravating circumstance, and upheld the seven-year custodial term imposed by the lower court. Why The Iron Dome Tech Transfer Between Israel And India Is Big News For Atmanirbhar Bharat Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 12:54 IST The move goes beyond a routine arms purchase, signalling deeper collaboration in co-development and domestic manufacturing. Rapid Read India and Israel are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the transfer of technology for the famed Iron Dome and the next-generation Iron Beam systems. (Image: PTI and AP) Prime Minister Narendra Modis ongoing visit to Israel has set the stage for a potentially transformative defence agreement, with India and Israel expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the transfer of technology for the famed Iron Dome and the next-generation Iron Beam systems. The move goes beyond a routine arms purchase, signalling deeper collaboration in co-development and domestic manufacturing. Welcoming PM Modi, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described him as not just my friend but my brother," underscoring the strategic warmth between the two nations as they expand defence ties. PM Modi, in turn, has framed the visit as a step towards strengthening a partnership built on security and innovation. He said his trip would further consolidate the enduring bonds" between India and Israel, with defence cooperation emerging as a central pillar of discussions. The proposed technology transfer aligns with Indias push for greater self-reliance in defence production, allowing Indian firms to potentially manufacture and integrate key components of these air-defence systems at home rather than relying solely on imports. For Israel, sharing advanced missile-defence technology with India reflects the maturity of bilateral ties and a willingness to deepen strategic trust. Officials on both sides have emphasised that cooperation will extend beyond procurement to joint research, development and industrial partnerships. In a region marked by evolving security threats from rockets and drones to precision missiles the potential induction and localisation of Iron Dome technology could significantly strengthen Indias multi-layered air defence architecture while reinforcing the political closeness both leaders have publicly articulated. What Is Israels Iron Dome? Iron Dome is a mobile, all-weather air defence system developed by Israel to intercept short-range rockets, artillery shells, mortars and, more recently, drones. Designed primarily to protect civilian population centres, it uses radar to detect incoming projectiles, calculates their trajectory, and launches interceptor missiles only if the system determines the threat will hit a populated area or critical infrastructure. This selective interception method helps reduce costs while maintaining high operational efficiency. The system forms the lowest tier of Israels multi-layered air defence network, working alongside systems meant to counter longer-range missiles. In recent years particularly during escalations with groups such as Hamas in Gaza and cross-border fire involving Hezbollah Iron Dome has played a critical role in shielding Israeli cities from large barrages of rockets. During intense rounds of fighting, thousands of projectiles have been launched toward urban centres like Tel Aviv and Ashkelon, and Israeli authorities have credited the system with intercepting the vast majority of rockets assessed to be heading toward populated areas. By significantly reducing casualties and damage, Iron Dome has given Israel both defensive protection for civilians and greater strategic breathing space in times of conflict. The Expected MoU Between India And Israel On Iron Dome India and Israel are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) centred on cooperation and technology transfer related to the Iron Dome and possibly the laser-based Iron Beam. Rather than a straightforward government-to-government purchase of finished missile batteries, the proposed agreement is understood to outline a framework for collaboration in production, integration and potentially joint development. The MoU would set out the terms under which Israeli defence firms and Indian counterparts can share technical expertise, manufacturing processes and system components, enabling India to embed elements of these air-defence technologies within its own evolving multi-layered shield. Technology transfer, in this context, essentially means sharing the underlying know-how such as design blueprints, software integration capabilities, radar and interceptor production techniques, and maintenance expertise instead of merely supplying ready-made equipment. It can also include training Indian engineers, licensing production, and allowing domestic manufacturing of key parts. For India, this reduces long-term dependence on imports, strengthens its defence industrial base and aligns with its push for self-reliance in military production; for Israel, it deepens strategic trust and expands industrial collaboration beyond a traditional buyer-seller relationship. Why The Iron Dome Tech Transfer Is Significant For India Boost To Atmanitbhar Bharat Because the agreement focuses on technology transfer rather than outright purchase, it aligns with Indias push for indigenous defence manufacturing. Local production and system integration would reduce long-term dependence on imports and strengthen domestic research, design and manufacturing capacity. Protection Against Firing From Across Borders India faces the recurring threat of cross-border rocket launches, artillery shelling and drone-based attacks along sensitive frontiers. A system like the Iron Dome is specifically designed to intercept short-range projectiles before they strike populated areas or military installations. In scenarios involving sudden escalations along the Line of Control or the western border, such a system could provide a rapid defensive shield for border towns, forward bases and critical infrastructure. Lessons From Operation Sindoor During Indias Operation Sindoor launched in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack the focus was on precision strikes and calibrated retaliation. However, such operations also carry the risk of retaliatory rocket or drone fire aimed at Indian territory. Integrating Iron Dome-type capabilities would allow India to conduct offensive or counter-terror operations with greater strategic confidence, knowing that a reliable short-range interception layer is in place to blunt immediate reprisals. Countering Drone & Low-Cost Saturation Attacks Cross-border actors have increasingly relied on low-cost drones, loitering munitions and short-range rockets to test Indias defences. Iron Domes radar-based tracking and selective interception model is built to handle high-volume attacks, distinguishing between real threats and projectiles likely to fall in open areas. This becomes critical in border flare-ups, where saturation-style responses are meant to overwhelm defences. Shielding Civilian Populations in Border States Unlike long-range missile systems meant for strategic threats, Iron Dome is tailored for protecting urban clusters and civilian zones. For border states such as Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab or Rajasthan, where towns lie within range of cross-border rockets, such a system could significantly reduce casualties and infrastructure damage during periods of tension. First Published: February 26, 2026, 12:54 IST News explainers Why The Iron Dome Tech Transfer Between Israel And India Is Big News For Atmanirbhar Bharat Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 240 Central Forces Companies Likely To Reach West Bengal Tomorrow Ahead Of Assembly Polls Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Shobhit Gupta Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 13:24 IST The contingents will include Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and the Sashastra Seema Bal. They will also guard EVMs at strong rooms and counting centres during the election process. (File image) The Election Commission of India has finalised the first-phase deployment of 240 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) across 35 Police districts and Commissionerates in poll-bound West Bengal, with the contingents likely to arrive on Friday, February 27, 2026. According to administrative sources, the deployment is part of preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections, scheduled to be held in the next few months. Notably, the forces are being sent to the state even before the formal announcement of the poll schedule a move being seen as significant amid recurring concerns over law and order during elections in the state. They said that the early deployment comes amid apprehensions of possible violence after the publication of the final electoral roll, which is scheduled for February 28 following the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR). According to the deployment plan, Purba Medinipur will receive the highest number of companies at 14. Malda and Kolkata have been allocated 12 companies each. In North Bengal, Cooch Behar will get nine companies, Jalpaiguri seven, Darjeeling six, and Alipurduar five. In South Bengal, seven companies will be deployed in the Howrah Police Commissionerate and nine in Barrackpore. Barasat and Diamond Harbour will receive six companies each, while Baruipur will get five. Birbhum, Bankura and Paschim Medinipur have been allotted seven companies each, while Jhargram and Purulia will receive five companies each. The Sundarban Police District has been allocated four companies. In total, 480 CAPF companies will be deployed in phases for election-related duties. According to a poll body official, the first batch of around 240 companies will be inducted by March 1, while the remaining 240 companies are expected to join by March 10, news agency PTI reported. The contingents will include personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and the Sashastra Seema Bal. The forces will undertake area domination exercises, confidence-building measures and other poll-related duties. They will also guard Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at strong rooms and counting centres during the election process. First Published: February 26, 2026, 13:24 IST News india 240 Central Forces Companies Likely To Reach West Bengal Tomorrow Ahead Of Assembly Polls Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 9-Year-Old Girl Dies Of Heart Attack After Collapsing During Playtime At Rajasthan School Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 10:58 IST With the consent of her family, the girl was cremated without a post-mortem examination, reports said. Rapid Read With the consent of her family, the girl was cremated without a post-mortem examination, reports said. In a tragic incident, a nine-year-old girl died after reportedly suffering a sudden heart attack while playing in the playground of a private school in Rajasthans Gotan. The child has been identified as Divya, a Class 5 student and daughter of Rajendra Bapedia from Talanpur. The incident occurred on February 23 at around 7:48 am. There was still time for the morning prayer, and several children were playing in the school ground. Divya was playing with them when she suddenly stumbled, fainted, and fell. School staff immediately rushed her to a hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival. With the consent of her family, the girl was cremated without a post-mortem examination, reports said. Family members said Divyas elder brother, Abhishek, had died in a similar way around four months earlier. On September 9, 2025, he reportedly fainted while playing at home and was taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead, Bhaskar English reported. The deaths of the two siblings within such a short period have left their family and the local community in deep shock. Location : Rajasthan, India, India First Published: February 26, 2026, 10:58 IST News india 9-Year-Old Girl Dies Of Heart Attack After Collapsing During Playtime At Rajasthan School Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... After Day-Long Standoff With Himachal Police, Delhi Cops On Way To Capital With 3 Accused Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Abhro Banerjee Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 10:31 IST Saurabh Singh, Siddharth Avadhoot, and Arbaaz Khan were arrested in Shimla after a tense standoff between Himachal Pradesh Police and Delhi Police over AI Summit protest case. The team has reached Ambala. (Pic: ANI) Three accused in the AI Summit protest case were arrested in Shimla on Wednesday, following a dramatic standoff between Himachal Pradesh Police and Delhi Police. The accused, Saurabh Singh (28), a resident of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh; Siddharth Avadhoot (33), from Tilak Nagar in Madhya Pradesh; and Arbaaz Khan (24), from Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh, will be brought to Delhi by 12 pm on Thursday after a local court granted transit remand around 1 am. The Delhi Police team has since brought the accused to Ambala Civil Hospital, where they are undergoing medical examination before being taken to the national capital. The high-voltage face-off began around 9 am when a Delhi Police team reached Rohru, about 120 km from Shimla, and detained the three from a resort in Chirgaon Mandali. After being alerted, Himachal Police set up blockades at multiple locations, stopping Delhi Police vehicles at ISBT Shimla, Shoghi and Dharampur in Solan district. By 4 pm, Shimla Police had taken custody of the accused, who were later produced before a local court. Also read: Himachal Police Vs Delhi Police Over Arrest Of 3 Youth Congress Workers, Cross FIRs Filed The matter was first placed before the Chief Judicial Magistrate and later transferred to ACJM-II Judge Ekansh Kapil. After hours of legal arguments, the accused were produced around 1 am at the judges residence court. Himachal Police argued that due legal procedure was not followed during the arrests, while the defence opposed transit remand alleging illegal detention and lack of proper documentation and medical examination. After hearing objections from both sides, the court granted transit remand to Delhi Police. Advocate Nand Lal Thakur, appearing for Delhi Police, said the accused would now be taken to Delhi and produced before the competent court there. Delhi Police is also transporting a Thar vehicle believed to be linked to the accused. First Published: February 26, 2026, 08:49 IST News india After Day-Long Standoff With Himachal Police, Delhi Cops On Way To Capital With 3 Accused Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Heads Must Roll': SC Bans Controversial NCERT Book, Issues Contempt Notice To Chairman Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Mahima Joshi Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 16:12 IST Supreme Court bans NCERT textbook chapter with references to "corruption in judiciary", prohibits publication, re-printing, and digital sharing of the copies. Supreme Court raised concerns on NCERT's 'judicial corruption' chapter. The Supreme Court on Thursday demanded accountability as it strongly criticised the NCERT over a chapter referring to judicial corruption" in a Social Science textbook for Class 8 students. Taking action, the Chief Justice of India banned the NCERT textbook chapter and prohibited the publication, re-printing, and digital sharing of the copies. In its order, the CJI directed that all copies of the book containing the chapter be immediately seized", and stated that those sharing the copies in any form will face legal action. In addition to this, the CJI has also issued a contempt notice to the NCERT chairman, Professor Dinesh Prasad Saklani, and the Secretary of School Education. Prima facie, the top court observed that the publication of the book is a serious misconduct, which can come within the purview of criminal contempt of court, if proved to be a deliberate act to scandalise the judiciary. We would like to have a deeper probe. As head of the judiciary, it is my duty to ensure accountability; heads must roll," Chief Justice Surya Kant said as he grilled Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the NCERT. I will not close these proceedings until there is some accountability. We want to know who the people behind this are," the Chief Justice added. They fired a gunshot and the judiciary is bleeding today," the Chief Justice raged, stating, This looks like a deep-rooted conspiracy. A very calculated move." Taking exception to the NCERTs Wednesday communication, the SC said there was not a single word of apology in it, and instead, they have tried to justify it. At the outset, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta tendered an unconditional and unqualified apology on behalf of the Ministry of Education. The NCERT corruption in the judiciary chapter controversy escalated on Wednesday after the CJI sharply criticised the content as a grave matter and raised concerns over the biased narrative. CJI Kant also stated that the Supreme Court would not permit any attempt to defame or undermine the integrity of the judiciary. First Published: February 26, 2026, 11:29 IST News india 'Heads Must Roll': SC Bans Controversial NCERT Book, Issues Contempt Notice To Chairman Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Centre To Launch Nationwide HPV Shots For Girls Aged 14 On February 28 Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Meemansa Shekhawat Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 13:30 IST Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the nationwide Human Papillomavirus vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls from Ajmer, Rajasthan on February 28. Centre to kick off Human Papillomavirus vaccination drive for girls aged 14 (Image for representation: AP) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch the nationwide Human Papillomavirus Vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls on February 28 from Ajmer, Rajasthan, marking the formal start of Indias large-scale push to prevent cervical cancer through immunisation. In an official letter dated February 25, sent to states and union territories, the Union Health Ministry said the launch has been planned tentatively at 11.30 am on 28th February 2026" and that The Prime Minister has kindly consented to launch the campaign from Ajmer, Rajasthan." The letter underscores the public health rationale, stating, Cervical cancer is a significant public health concern in our country as well as globally. It is caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and it is the only cancer which can be prevented by a vaccine." The campaign will initially target girls aged 14 years those who have celebrated their 14th birthday but have not yet turned 15 and will run as a three-month intensive drive before being integrated into routine immunisation services. To minimise stress-related reactions among adolescents, the document advises ensuring girls are not vaccinated on an empty stomach, observing them for 30 minutes post-vaccination and avoiding overcrowding. WHAT DOES THE LETTER SAY? The operational guidelines annexed to the letter direct states to begin implementation immediately after the Prime Ministers launch. Initiate the HPV vaccination on 28th February 2026 after the launch event as per the following detailed guidelines," the letter said. Defining eligibility, it said, Target Population: Girls aged 14 years (those who have celebrated their 14th birthday but have not yet celebrated their 15th birthday)." It further clarifies that Girls who will turn 15 years within 90 days of the launch will also be eligible for vaccination during the intensive three-month HPV vaccination activity." On consent, the reiterated that The HPV vaccination is voluntary and obtaining consent from the parent/guardian is mandatory before vaccination of girls." All vaccinations will be administered at public health facilities including Ayushman Arogya Mandir-Primary Health Centers, Community Health Centers, Sub District/District Hospitals & Government Medical Colleges & Hospitals)," the letter notes, adding that these facilities will have a Cold Chain Point (CCP) and dedicated medical officer for AEFI management." Addressing safety, the annexure of the letter said, HPV vaccine is generally safe but beneficiaries may experience mild side effects following vaccination. Most side effects last no more than a couple of days and are part of the immune systems natural response to the vaccine." All HPV vaccination session sites will be equipped with AEFI Kits for anaphylaxis management," it adds, and will be linked to the nearest 247 health facility. A helpline is to be operational in all states and UTs. Digital tracking has been mandated for registration, recording and reporting the vaccination. The digital U-WIN platform will be used for registration, recording and reporting and all vaccine stocks and logistics to be managed & monitored through e-VIN," the guidelines state. WHAT IS THE PLAN? The rollout will run for three months as a focused campaign. HPV vaccination Duration: 3 months (90 days). After the completion of the three-month HPV vaccination, HPV vaccine will be available on the routine immunization session days," it specifies. States have been asked to complete microplanning and ensure facility readiness. For the rollout of the HPV vaccination, microplanning and health facility readiness are to be undertaken as per the standard formats already shared with States/UTs as part of training material," the guidelines state. With the Prime Minister set launch the initiative on February 28, the government will begin implementation across States and UTs the same day, starting with a tightly defined age cohort and a digitally monitored campaign aimed at building momentum for cervical cancer prevention nationwide. First Published: February 26, 2026, 13:30 IST News india Centre To Launch Nationwide HPV Shots For Girls Aged 14 On February 28 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Disappointing': Iran's Foreign Minister On Budgetary Cuts For The Strategic Chabahar Port Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 10:01 IST Talking about the budgetary cuts to the jointly developed Chabahar project, Araghchi said, "Well, I think its a disappointment for both Iran and India." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. (AFP photo) Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed his disappointment over Indias decision to not allocate any funds this year for the Chabahar port project, stating that the project could have played a key role in enhancing connectivity to Central Asia and Europe. Talking about the budgetary cuts to the jointly developed project, Araghchi in an interview with India Today said, Well, I think its a disappointment for both Iran and India." Chabahar, as Prime Minister Modi once said, is a golden gate that connects the Indian Ocean area to Central Asia, the Caucasus, and then to Europe and vice versa. It is a very strategic port. If fully developed, it can play a very important role in connecting India through Iran to Central Asia, to the Caucasus, and then to Europe," the Iranian minister was quoted by India Today. The Iranian minister added that the port can probably act as the best transit route. I hope that one day we can witness the full development of this port," he said. Importance Of Chabahar Port With huge strategic importance, the Chabahar Port project is being developed by India at Chabahar in southeastern Iran. The port will open immense opportunities towards creating direct trade and transit route to Afghanistan and Central Asia while bypassing Pakistan. The port will help India increase its regional connectivity, boost trade access to landlocked Central Asian markets, counter Chinas influence in Pakistans Gwadar Port, and strengthen Indias geopolitical presence in the region. However, amid renewed tensions between the US and Iran, this years Union Budget marks the first time since India signed a deal to develop the port in 2024 that no allocation has been made for the project. Notably, India in previous budgets had earmarked Rs 100 crore annually for the major connectivity project in Irans southern Sistan-Balochistan province, where it continues to remain a key development partner. First Published: February 26, 2026, 10:01 IST News india 'Disappointing': Iran's Foreign Minister On Budgetary Cuts For The Strategic Chabahar Port Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 07:00 IST Experts said medical evidence shows the vaccine works best when administered before exposure to the virus. (Image for representation: AP) The Centres decision to confine the first phase of its nationwide Human Papillomavirus vaccination campaign to girls who have completed 14 years but are below 15, has triggered questions over whether the sharply defined age cutoff is primarily guided by scientific evidence or shaped by logistical considerations. While earlier announcements had indicated HPV vaccination for girls aged nine to 14 to prevent cervical cancer one of the leading cancers among Indian women the operational rollout has narrowed the focus to a single cohort. Scientifically, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common viral infection transmitted through sexual contact and is responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases. Experts told News18 that medical evidence shows the vaccine works best when administered before exposure to the virus. Although younger adolescents generate a stronger immune response, experts said vaccinating at 14 to 15 years old still falls well within the protective pre-exposure" window for most girls. The age also aligns with the global goal of vaccinating girls before their 15th birthday" under the World Health Organizations cervical cancer elimination strategy. There are programmatic advantages as well. Targeting 14-year-olds allows the government to focus on a clearly identifiable school-based cohort, improving coverage tracking and mobilisation. It also enables adoption of a single-dose schedule a strategy backed by emerging global evidence making large-scale rollout more feasible in the context of supply and funding constraints. A MIX OF SCIENCE AND LOGISTICS Dr Neha Kumar, senior consultant, gynaecological oncology at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, said the decision reflects calibrated thinking rather than compromise. I perceive the 14-15 focus as pragmatic rather than arbitrary: it aligns with the global goal of vaccinating girls by their 15th birthday and with school-based delivery/logistics aimed at older cohorts who may have missed earlier rounds," Dr Kumar said. She said while earlier vaccination produces a stronger immune response, the current age band remains scientifically valid. Younger adolescents (9-14) have a stronger immune response, which is why vaccination is better done earlier. However, 14-15 is still in the pre-exposure window for most groups, so it is still very protective if given before sexual debut," she said. On the scientific basis for a single-dose approach, she said: The KEN-SHE and DoRIS findings and pooled analyses show that a single dose offers significant protection against persistent oncogenic HPV infection. This makes a single-dose policy appealing for catch-up campaigns." The World Health Organization now supports a one- or two-dose schedule for nine to 20-year-olds. This gives programmes the freedom to use a single dose for 14- to 15-year-olds when supply and coverage concerns make it the best choice. However, girls with weak immune systems still need multi-dose schedules," she added. Summing up the rationale, she said: To sum up, picking 14-15 is a mix of science (its still within an effective immunological window) and logistics (the programmes reach and the global 15-year target)." Pragya Shukla, head of department, clinical oncology at Delhi State Cancer Institute believes the central objective remains vaccination before exposure. The best age for immunisation is before the onset of sexual activity," Dr Shukla said. In Indian culture it can be safely assumed that since the legal marriageable age is 18 for girls and our culture premarital sex is uncommon. This is the reason for choosing this age." On single-dose effectiveness, she said: WHO and other health bodies have reviewed data that suggest single-dose effectiveness is promising." CRITICAL PREVENTION PUSH Even as the narrowed age band prompts discussion, oncologists have broadly welcomed the nationwide free HPV vaccination programme as a major preventive health intervention. Dr Indu Bansal Aggarwal, group director and HOD radiation oncology at Paras Health, Gurugram, described it as a giant leap towards a cancer-free tomorrow", saying it empowers young girls to take control of their health and future while protecting families from the devastating impact of cervical cancer. Dr Agarwal stressed that vaccination must be accompanied by education on safe sexual practices and regular, age-appropriate Pap smear screening. Similarly, Dr Dinesh Pendharkar, director of oncology at Sarvodaya Hospitals, said as an oncologist, he has seen many women present with advanced cervical cancer despite it being largely preventable. He described the nationwide free HPV vaccination programme as a powerful and practical move toward prevention, ensuring equitable access and bringing India closer to eliminating cervical cancer. Dr Avanish Saklani, director of surgical oncology, Fortis Hospital Mulund in Mumbai, said administering the HPV vaccine at an earlier age, ideally between nine to 12 years, is known to generate a stronger immune response. However, setting a cutoff at 14 years old is a practical and scientifically sound approach. At this age, girls still mount a robust immunogenic response, making a single-dose strategy both effective and feasible," Dr Saklani said. From a safety and efficacy standpoint, multiple international trials, including those conducted in Kenya and Costa Rica, have demonstrated that a single dose provides adequate protection in younger age groups. Several countries, such as the UKs NHS, have already adopted a single-dose schedule for average-risk adolescent girls. While in an ideal scenario we would expand the programme further to include younger boys and widen the eligible age group, given our large population and the significant burden of cervical cancer, this is a pragmatic and highly welcome step by the government," he said. 'Humanity Must Never Become A Victim Of Conflict': PM Modi Says India Supports Gaza Peace Efforts Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 17:23 IST PM Modi said a path to peace has been created through the Gaza Peace Plan and that India has fully supported these efforts. Rapid Read PM Narendra Modi at the Knesset, Israeli parliament, in Israel on February 25, 2026. (Image: @NarendraModi/Yt/PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that humanity must never suffer because of conflict, while addressing a joint press briefing with Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Speaking on Indias position on the situation in Gaza, Prime Minister Modi said a path to peace has been created through the Gaza Peace Plan and that India has fully supported these efforts. Indias vision is clear that humanity must never become a victim of conflict. The Gaza Peace Plan has opened a route to peace. India has supported such efforts. In future too, India will continue to cooperate and have dialogue with all nations," PM Modi said. #WATCH | Jerusalem | Addressing a joint press briefing with Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu, PM Modi says," Indias vision is clear that humanity must never become a victim of conflict. The Gaza Peace Plan has opened a route to peace. India has supported such efforts. In future too, pic.twitter.com/p5iXfkLrzX ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2026 ALSO READ: UPI In Israel Soon? Heres What PM Modi Said At the press conference, he also emphasised that Israel and India were united in their stand against terrorism. India and Israel are clear that there is no place for terrorism in the world. Terrorism cannot be accepted in any form. We will continue to fight against terrorism and its supporters," he added. PM Modi reiterated his support for the US-led Gaza Peace Initiative. On Wednesday, while speaking at the Knesset, Israels parliament, he called the plan as a path towards a just and durable peace" in the region. The Gaza Peace Initiative that was endorsed by the UN Security Council offers a pathway. India has expressed its firm support for the initiative. We believe that it holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people of the region, including by addressing the Palestine issue Let all our efforts be guided by wisdom, courage, and humanity. The road to peace is not always easy. But India joins you and the world for dialogue, peace and stability in this region," the Prime Minister had stated. This is PM Modis second visit to Israel as prime minister since taking office in 2014. He first visited Israel in 2017, before Netanyahu made a reciprocal visit to India the following year. Location : Israel First Published: February 26, 2026, 16:59 IST News india 'Humanity Must Never Become A Victim Of Conflict': PM Modi Says India Supports Gaza Peace Efforts Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... I Know Hes Not Mine: YouTuber Wrote In Diary About Ex-Boyfriend Hours Before Killing Herself Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 14:38 IST Deceased YouTuber Komali wrote in her diary about the man she had been in a relationship with for three years. YouTuber ends life after relationship dispute in Hyderabad. A 21-year-old part-time YouTuber and science student, Bonu Komali, was found dead at her rented home in Hyderabad, Telangana, on Monday. Possibly hours before her death, Komali wrote in her diary about the man she had been in a relationship with for three years. Her note read, Im scared to move on because what if he comes back? I know I should let go, I know he is not mine, I know hes not even trying to stay. But a part of me still waits, still hopes, still imagines him choosing me one day." She also wrote that moving on felt impossible because when she finally walks away, what if he turns around and looks for me". Komali was a resident of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. She had been living alone in an apartment in Hyderabad for nearly 11 months while pursuing a BSc at a private college. According to police, she had been in a three-year relationship with a 27-year-old software engineer and fellow YouTuber. The couple had reportedly parted ways. Police said she had allegedly attempted suicide six months ago. Message to mother in Kuwait In the early hours of Monday, Komali sent a message to her mother, B Satya Varalakshmi, who works in Kuwait. The message read, I love you mummy so much," and asked her to take care of her younger brother. When repeated phone calls to Komali went unanswered, her mother alerted a friend, who visited the flat in the afternoon. Police broke into the apartment and found a ladder and a saree near the scene. Her body was shifted to Osmania General Hospital for an autopsy. Police have registered a case of suspicious death and are collecting digital and physical evidence to understand the circumstances. Investigation under way Police are reviewing phone records, messages, and statements from friends and neighbours to establish all angles leading to her suicide. Komali had built a following on social media through YouTube videos on lifestyle, daily vlogs and personal experiences. Her recent video on her Tirumala padyatra had gone viral. She had walked up to the hill shrine to fulfil a personal wish. It became her last post. First Published: February 26, 2026, 14:38 IST News india I Know Hes Not Mine: YouTuber Wrote In Diary About Ex-Boyfriend Hours Before Killing Herself Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... News / National by Staff reporter A 19-year-old man from Chihota, under Chief Mudzimurema, is assisting police with investigations after the murder of his mother, 52-year-old Tambudzai Maruza. Nelson Zinyoro was taken into custody on Tuesday after allegedly striking his mother on the head with an axe, causing her instant death.Police reports indicate that Nelson then undressed his mother's body and, with the help of a friend, 28-year-old Gift Nyamadzawo, dragged her into a disused toilet in a maize field and secured the entrance. The two are also accused of burning her clothes. Investigators said Nelson later retrieved his mother's bedroom keys, accessed her belongings, and intended to sell them for cash. Items reportedly taken included solar panels, an inverter, two cellphones, and scotch-cart wheels. He allegedly began selling some of these goods to villagers, prompting suspicions that led to his arrest.Tambudzai Maruza had been reported missing on February 13, with her husband joining the search alongside other villagers. Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Simon Chazovachii confirmed the arrest, saying police apprehended two men in connection with the murder, who are now facing murder charges.One villager described the chilling nature of the crime, expressing shock at Nelson's apparent coldness while participating in the search for his mother. "What shocked us is that he was among those searching for his mother while knowing the truth of his actions. We are still in disbelief, especially considering the act of undressing her body. The clothes burned into ash; the keys to her bedroom fell into the pocket of someone consumed by impulse and fear. The once-secure signs of a familysolar panels, an inverter, two cellphones, scotch-cart wheelsvanished amidst village gossip. As the search for Tambudzai stretched over several days, a father's anguish turned into a quiet demand for answers. The village watched, and eventually, whispers led to the truth: a murder tied to property disputes, a boy choosing greed over love, and a path resulting in consequences that will not be easily forgotten," the villager said, in tears. 'I Love You So Much': YouTuber's Last Message To Mother In Kuwait Before Killing Herself Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 09:42 IST Komali was reportedly in a three-year relationship with a 27-year-old software engineer and fellow YouTuber. YouTuber ends life after relationship dispute in Hyderabad. A 21-year-old part-time YouTuber and science student, Bonu Komali, was found dead at her rented home in Telanganas Hyderabad on Monday over an alleged argument with her boyfriend. As the probe continues in her suicide case, it is learnt that she texted her mother an I love you so much" text before taking her life. Komali was a resident of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and had been living alone in an apartment in Hyderabad for nearly 11 months while pursuing a BSc at a private college. She also created lifestyle and personal videos on YouTube. According to police, B Satya Varalakshmi, Komalis mother, who works in Kuwait, received a I love you mummy so much" text early in the early hours of Monday from her daughter. Komali in the last message to her mother also asked her to take care of her younger brother. Her phone was later found switched off. When repeated calls went unanswered, her mother alerted a friend, who visited the flat in the afternoon. After repeated knocks at the door in the afternoon, they broke the latch and found her hanging from the ceiling fan, police said. A ladder and a saree were found near the scene. Preliminary investigation suggests emotional distress over a prolonged relationship dispute," he said. Komali was reportedly in a three-year relationship with a 27-year-old software engineer and fellow YouTuber, but the couple reportedly parted ways. Komali had earlier attempted suicide about six months ago, police said. Police are investigating the case, including reviewing phone records and messages and statements from friends and neighbours to establish all angles leading to her suicide. First Published: February 26, 2026, 09:42 IST News india 'I Love You So Much': YouTuber's Last Message To Mother In Kuwait Before Killing Herself Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Our Ties Have Stood Test Of Time': PM Modi Announces Special Strategic Partnership With Israel Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 17:07 IST PM Modi also announced a partnership with Israel on critical and emerging technologies, and said both countries will work together against terrorism. With New Delhi and Tel Aviv signing agreement to link UPI payment systems, Israel joined the list of countries which accepts UPI payments. As of now, UPI is live in more than eight countries and expanding globally, including the recent launch in Israel. Let's take a look at the full list of countries: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced that India and Israel have decided to elevate their ties to a Special Strategic Partnership, and also clinched deals in several key areas, such as critical technologies and defence. Addressing a joint press meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Modi greeted people with Shalom and thanked his counterpart for a warm welcome. After 9 years, visiting Israel again is a moment of pride for me. Yesterday, I was awarded the Speaker of the Knesset Medal. I dedicate this award to 140 crore Indians and the India-Israel friendship," he said. Addressing the joint press meet with PM Netanyahu.@netanyahu https://t.co/4BUYaXc8G7 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 26, 2026 Our relationship is built on a strong foundation of deep trust, shared democratic values, and human sensitivities. Our ties have stood the test of time. Today, we have taken the historic decision to elevate our time-tested partnership to the status of a Special Strategic Partnership," he added. ALSO READ: Diplomatic Wordplay: With India & France Now Special Global Strategic Partners, How Is It Unlike Allies? The two countries also reached an agreement for a partnership in critical and emerging technologies, which will infuse fresh momentum to cooperation in areas such as AI, quantum, and critical minerals. PM Modi also announced a deal for the use of UPI in Israel and promised to work on a mutually beneficial free trade agreement. India and Israel are completely clear that there is no place for terrorism in the world. Terrorism cannot be accepted in any form or expression. We have stood shoulder-to-shoulder in opposing terrorism and its supporters, and we will continue to do so," he added. The Prime Minister also expressed support for the Gaza Peace Plan by the United States, affirming that humanity must not become a victim of conflict. Taking to X, PM Modi said, Todays discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu were very fruitful. We reached a historic decision to elevate our proven partnership to a special strategic partnership. This decision reflects the aspirations of the citizens of both countries." . . .@netanyahu pic.twitter.com/Wc6CPkzoPS Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 26, 2026 FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES Ahead of PM Modis address, Israeli PM Netanyahu hailed his second visit to Israel. This is an amazing visit, an amazing conclusion to an amazing visit. It was short but extraordinarily productive and also extraordinarily moving. I think there wasnt a dry eye left in Israel after your moving statement yesterday in the Knesset," Netanyahu said at the press meet. The Israeli PM also said Modi had an efficient government and the future belonged to both countries who believed in innovation. We will extend cooperation in nuclear energy and space," he said. PM Modi began the second day of his visit to Israel by visiting Yad Vashem Israels official memorial, established in 1953, to commemorate the six million Jews murdered by Nazis. He then met Israeli President Isaac Herzog for bilateral engagements. It was a delight to meet you and discuss diverse aspects of the India-Israel friendship. There is immense scope in futuristic areas such as technology, innovation, StartUps and more. My gratitude to you for supporting the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (A tree for Mother) initiative," he said on X. At 4 PM, PM Modi will hold an interaction with the Indian diaspora in Israel, following which he will depart for New Delhi at 5:50 PM. On Wednesday, PM Modi addressed a Special Plenary of the Knesset in Jerusalem and became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli parliament. He was also conferred with the highest honour of the Knesset Speaker of the Knesset Medal" by the Israeli Parliament on Wednesday. Location : Jerusalem, Israel First Published: February 26, 2026, 16:39 IST News india 'Our Ties Have Stood Test Of Time': PM Modi Announces Special Strategic Partnership With Israel Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... ISI-Backed Conspiracy Behind Gurdaspur Cops Murders; One Suspect Shot Dead, Another Arrested Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 09:46 IST Punjab Police found that they were in contact with Pakistan-based and ISI-backed handlers and had been assigned the task of killing police personnel for Rs 20,000. Gurdaspur Cops Killing: ISI-Backed Plot Uncovered; One Dead, One Arrested. (Representative Image) Punjab Police on Wednesday said that the killing of two policemen in Gurdaspur was part of a plot backed by ISI-linked handlers based in Pakistan. One of the three accused was shot dead in a police encounter, another has been arrested, and a third suspect remains absconding, officials said. A 19-year-old youth accused of killing a Punjab Police assistant sub-inspector and a home guard jawan was shot dead in an early morning police encounter near Puranashala village. The spot is about 8 km from Gurdaspur on the Gurdaspur-Mukerian road close to Tibri cantonment. The deceased, Ranjit Singh, was from Adhian village near the border. Another accused, Dilawar Singh (19) from Ali Nangal village, has been arrested. The third accused, Inderjit Singh (21), also from Adhian, is still absconding. Double murder at India-Pak border checkpost On February 22, assistant sub-inspector Gurnam Singh and home guard jawan Ashok Kumar were found shot dead inside a police checkpost in Adhian village, just 2 km from the International Border. The killings led to heightened security across the border district. How the encounter unfolded? Deputy inspector general of police (border range) Sandeep Goel said Ranjit and Dilawar were arrested during the investigation. Police found that they were in contact with Pakistan-based and ISI-backed handlers and had been assigned the task of killing Punjab Police personnel. They had also conducted a recce before carrying out the attack, he said. According to Goel, Ranjit revealed that he had hidden the weapon used in the crime in an area under Behrampur police station. While police were taking him to recover the weapon, their vehicle overturned near Galrhi village due to fog. Ranjit allegedly escaped from custody. A red alert was issued in the area. Around 3 a.m., a police team signalled a motorcycle to stop near Purana Shala. The rider tried to speed away and opened fire. Police returned fire, injuring him. He was later identified as Ranjit Singh and taken to a civil hospital, where he died. CIA in-charge inspector Gurmeet Singh was injured in the exchange of fire and is receiving treatment. Another police officer escaped injury because he was wearing a bulletproof jacket. Money and alleged handlers Police said the murder plan was first made by Ranjit Singh and Inderjit Singh. Dilawar Singh later joined them and allegedly provided his motorcycle for the crime. Officials stated that the killings were carried out for money. Dilawar was allegedly promised Rs 20,000 but received only Rs 3,000. The overall deal with Pakistan-based handlers was said to be worth several lakhs of rupees. The DIG said the case was solved within 72 hours through a joint effort by counter intelligence Punjab and Gurdaspur police, with technical surveillance playing a key role. Police teams are searching for Inderjit Singh, who is already facing three cases under the NDPS Act. When asked about alleged claims of responsibility by Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti, Goel said the matter is being verified. Family questions encounter Meanwhile, Ranjit Singhs family has alleged that the encounter was fake. His mother, Sukhwinder Kaur, said police came to their house on Tuesday evening, searched the premises and took him away for questioning. She said the family learned about his death the next morning through media reports. Ranjit was a BA student at a college in Gurdaspur. His father works in Saudi Arabia, and relatives said he was the only son in the family. Call for CBI probe Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia criticised the police action and demanded an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation to ensure fairness and accountability. Police have not issued a detailed reply to the allegations made by the family and opposition leaders. Location : Punjab, India, India First Published: February 26, 2026, 09:46 IST News india ISI-Backed Conspiracy Behind Gurdaspur Cops Murders; One Suspect Shot Dead, Another Arrested Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... It Was A Mistake: Son Who Shot Father In Lucknow Sent To Judicial Custody Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 08:13 IST When asked if his younger sister had any involvement in the crime, Akshat silently shook his head, denying her role and indicating that she was not connected to the incident. Rapid Read Experts say unmanaged stress and family pressure can have consequences. The young man accused of shooting his father and dismembering the body remained largely expressionless as he was produced in a local court on Thursday, offering only a brief and chilling response to questions from the media. The grisly murder in the early hours of February 20, allegedly triggered by the fathers persistent pressure on his son to clear a medical entrance examination, has sent shockwaves across the city. Confronted by the media in the court premises, accused Akshat Pratap Singh said, Galti se ho gaya." When pressed on how such an act could happen by mistake", he remained silent. When asked if his younger sister had any involvement in the crime, Akshat silently shook his head, denying her role and indicating that she was not connected to the incident. Dressed in a maroon pyjama and a sweatshirt, with a surgical face mask covering his face, Akshat was later escorted in a police vehicle under heavy security and sent to judicial custody. According to the Lucknow Police Commissionerate, the accused shot his father Manvendra Singh (50) with his licensed .315 bore rifle at their residence in Ashiyanas Sector L on February 20 around 4.30 am following a dispute over the NEET examination. Police said that on February 23, Akshat submitted a written complaint at the Ashiyana police station, claiming that his father had gone missing. However, during questioning, his statements raised suspicion due to inconsistencies. On sustained interrogation, the accused broke down and confessed to having shot his father dead with his licensed rifle following a dispute over the NEET competitive examination," police said in a press note. According to officials, after committing the murder, the accused allegedly used knives and saws to dismember the body, severing the hands and legs in an attempt to conceal the crime and destroy evidence. The severed limbs were packed in polythene bags and discarded in bushes near a canal in Nadarganj, while the torso was hidden inside a blue plastic drum kept on the ground floor of the house. Later, he filed a false missing report to mislead investigators and allegedly told neighbours that his father had gone to Delhi on urgent work. Acting on his disclosure, police recovered the torso from the drum along with the severed limbs. Two knives and two saws were found near the Transport Nagar railway track, where they had allegedly been thrown away. Officers also recovered a burnt woollen blanket and ashes from the Anora jungle, police said. The licensed rifle used in the crime, along with cartridges and other evidence, has been seized. A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act at Ashiyana police station. (With inputs from PTI) First Published: February 26, 2026, 08:13 IST News india It Was A Mistake: Son Who Shot Father In Lucknow Sent To Judicial Custody Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... PM Modi Expresses Displeasure Over NCERT Judiciary Chapter, Demands Accountability: Govt Sources Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 18:32 IST PM Modi's reaction came after the Supreme Court sharply criticised the NCERT over a "corruption in judiciary" chapter in Class 8 books, which prompted an apology from the Centre. Rapid Read Prime Minister Narendra Modi (File Photo/ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed displeasure over the ongoing NCERT row, government sources told CNN-News18, after the Supreme Court strongly criticised a chapter referring to corruption in judiciary" in a Social Science textbook for Class 8 students. According to top government sources, PM Modi expressed his displeasure over the NCERT controversy and demanded to know the person who was overseeing the matter. He also questioned how Class 8 students could discuss judicial corruption and called for accountability in the matter. Prime Minister Modis reaction came after the NCERT tendered an unconditional apology over the controversy and said it would retract the Social Science textbook for Class 8 containing the chapter on judicial corruption, after strong criticism from Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The NCERT said it will be rewriting the curriculum of the textbook in question, Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Vol II, which was officially released on February 24. Within hours of its release, the book was taken off the councils website and all physical circulation was stopped after the SC expressed its ire over the content, which it deemed defamatory and an affront to the integrity of the legal system. The matter was brought to the courts attention for urgent consideration by senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi. CJI Surya Kant issued a stern warning stating that nobody on earth will be allowed to defame the judiciary and taint its integrity". The Supreme Court observed that the publication of the book is a serious misconduct and directed that all copies of the book containing the chapter be immediately seized". It also issued a contempt notice to the NCERT chairman, Professor Dinesh Prasad Saklani, and the Secretary of School Education. ALSO READ: Heads Must Roll: SC Bans Controversial NCERT Book, Issues Contempt Notice To Chairman We would like to have a deeper probe. As head of the judiciary, it is my duty to ensure accountability; heads must roll," CJI Kant told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the NCERT. Mehta tendered an unconditional and unqualified apology on behalf of the Ministry of Education. First Published: February 26, 2026, 17:34 IST News india PM Modi Expresses Displeasure Over NCERT Judiciary Chapter, Demands Accountability: Govt Sources Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 23:31 IST Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara Netanyahu, send off Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Tel Aviv airport. PM Modis Israel Visit Highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a two-day official visit to Israel at the invitation of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. On the second day of his visit on Thursday, PM Modi visited Yad Vashem Israels official memorial, established in 1953, to commemorate the six million Jews murdered by Nazis. Following this, he met Israeli President Isaac Herzog for bilateral engagements. Later in the day, the two prime ministers held delegation-level talks and later released MoU exchange and joint press statements. He has departed for India. Two Maoists Killed In Encounter With Security Forces In Chhattisgarhs Bijapur Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 10:03 IST Security personnel also seized weapons from the site, including an SLR rifle, an INSAS rifle and a 12-bore rifle, along with explosives and other Maoist materials. Rapid Read (Image for Representation) Two Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in the Indravati river area of Bijapur district on Thursday morning, police said. A joint security team had launched an anti-Maoist operation following intelligence inputs about the presence of Maoists in the region. During the operation, an exchange of fire took place between the security forces and Maoists. Bijapur Superintendent of Police Dr. Jitendra Yadav said that after the encounter, a search of the area led to the recovery of the bodies of two uniformed Maoists. Security personnel also seized weapons from the site, including an SLR rifle, an INSAS rifle and a 12-bore rifle, along with explosives and other Maoist materials. Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj P, said that search operations are continuing in the area and a detailed report will be issued separately. Earlier, on January 3, security forces had neutralised 14 Maoists in two separate encounters in the Bastar region, which includes Bijapur among its seven districts. According to police data, 285 Maoists were killed in encounters with security forces in the state last year. The Centre has set March 31 as the deadline to eradicate Left-Wing Extremism from the country, stepping up counter-insurgency operations in affected areas. Location : Bijapur, India, India First Published: February 26, 2026, 10:01 IST News india Two Maoists Killed In Encounter With Security Forces In Chhattisgarhs Bijapur Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Who Was JFR Jacob, The Jewish Officer Feared By Pakistan And Buried In India? Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 15:20 IST Lieutenant General Jack Farz Rafael Jacob was a Jewish officer of the Indian Army who played a decisive role in India's victory in the 1971 India-Pakistan war Rapid Read Lieutenant General JFR Jacob is regarded as one of the foremost strategic planners of the 1971 India-Pakistan war. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Israel, during which he addressed the Israeli Parliament on Wednesday, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to do so. His speech highlighted the growing strategic and historical ties between India-Israel, a relationship that has deepened significantly since his landmark 2017 visit. The warmth in bilateral ties was reflected even before Modi began his address in the Knesset, when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described him as more than a friend, a brother". In his speech, Modi noted that he was born on September 17, 1950, the same day India formally recognised Israel, a coincidence he described as symbolic of the enduring bond between the two countries. Among the most striking references in Modis address was his tribute to Lieutenant General Jack Farz Rafael Jacob, a Jewish officer of the Indian Army who played a decisive role in Indias victory in the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh. Modi said Jacobs contribution was widely acknowledged and recalled several conversations he had with the retired general over tea about India-Israel relations. The reference, he suggested, symbolised not only shared history but also the deep human and strategic connections between the two nations. Lieutenant General JFR Jacob is regarded as one of the foremost strategic planners of the 1971 India-Pakistan war. As Chief of Staff of the Eastern Command, he played a central role in designing the military campaign from the command headquarters in Kolkata. Recognising the difficult terrain of what was then East Pakistan, marked by rivers, marshlands and limited road networks, Jacob advocated a swift and flexible operational strategy rather than conventional set-piece battles. His approach focused on achieving rapid political and military objectives by forcing an early end to the conflict. Jacob departed from traditional military doctrine by emphasising manoeuvre warfare. Indian forces advanced in small, mobile formations that bypassed heavily defended Pakistani positions and targeted key strategic centres instead. By severing communication and supply lines, Indian troops effectively isolated Pakistani formations and dictated the tempo of the war. The strategy enabled Indian forces to advance rapidly towards Dhaka, preventing Pakistan from sustaining a prolonged conflict. By the time Indian troops approached Dhaka, Pakistani forces were effectively encircled. Their air support had weakened considerably and supply routes had largely collapsed. Jacob personally flew to Dhaka, reportedly unarmed, and presented surrender terms to Pakistani Eastern Command chief Lieutenant General AAK Niazi. Combining psychological pressure with military encirclement, Indian commanders convinced the Pakistani leadership that resistance was futile. On December 16, 1971, approximately 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered, marking one of the largest capitulations in modern military history and paving the way for the creation of Bangladesh. Military analysts have often noted that Indian forces around Dhaka did not enjoy overwhelming numerical superiority. However, Indias rapid advances, control of the airspace and disruption of Pakistani communications created a perception of total isolation among Pakistani troops, contributing significantly to their collapse in morale. Jacobs strategy aimed to secure a decisive victory with minimal casualties, a goal that was largely achieved. The Mukti Bahini resistance movement played a crucial supporting role throughout the campaign. Local fighters provided intelligence, guided Indian units through difficult terrain and carried out sustained attacks on Pakistani supply lines, railways and communication networks. Their cooperation with Indian forces is widely regarded as a successful example of coordinated joint operations. Born into Kolkatas Jewish community, Jacob represented a unique historical link between India and the Jewish world. Although formal diplomatic ties between India and Israel developed later, figures such as Jacob came to symbolise longstanding cultural and historical connections. Indian leaders have often invoked his legacy to highlight shared values such as democracy, security cooperation and strategic partnership. First Published: February 26, 2026, 15:20 IST News india Who Was JFR Jacob, The Jewish Officer Feared By Pakistan And Buried In India? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Vitamin C Serum: Can It Really Make Skin Fairer, Or Is It Just A Social Media Myth? Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 08:30 IST Think vitamin C serum can make your skin fairer? Experts reveal the truth behind the viral claims and what it can actually do for your skin Rapid Read Vitamin C serum can give your skin a temporary glow, but this effect is not permanent. (AI Generated) People are constantly exploring ways to keep their skin healthy and glowing. Some rely on natural remedies, while others turn to commercial skincare products. Recently, vitamin C serum has become popular, with many claims circulating on social media about its benefits. Some say it can make your skin fairer and brighter. But can vitamin C serum really change your skin tone? Expert Insight: What Vitamin C Really Does Dr Yugal Rajput, Assistant Professor and Dermatologist at GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, told News18 that vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. It protects the skin from pollution, harmful UV rays, and dust. While we get vitamin C from food, which strengthens the body from within, this internal health also reflects on the skin. Vitamin C serum can give your skin a temporary glow, but this effect is not permanent. Over time, your skin returns to its natural tone. The belief that vitamin C serum can make skin fairer is a misconception. Dr Yugal emphasises that no skincare product can alter your natural skin tone, which is genetically determined. Benefits Beyond Skin Tone Vitamin C serum can help reduce hyperpigmentation to some extent. While many consider it an anti-aging product, it is only a mild option and cannot keep skin youthful for long periods. The best way to maintain healthy, glowing skin is to consume vitamin C-rich foods, which support skin health from the inside. Proper Usage For Maximum Effect Health experts stress that vitamin C serum is only effective if used in the right concentration. Beginners should start with a serum containing 10%-15% vitamin C. Apply it to a clean face and follow with a moisturizer. Sun Protection Is Essential Vitamin C can make skin more sensitive to the sun. Always apply a good quality sunscreen during the day after using the serum. Skipping sunscreen can lead to increased pigmentation and reduce the benefits of the serum. Personalised Skincare Matters Every skin type is unique, so its important to understand your skin before following viral trends. Vitamin C serum can be helpful, but it is not a miracle solution. The foundation of healthy, glowing skin remains proper nutrition, sun protection, and a consistent skincare routine. First Published: February 26, 2026, 08:30 IST News lifestyle beauty Vitamin C Serum: Can It Really Make Skin Fairer, Or Is It Just A Social Media Myth? 5 Reasons Why Eye Examinations Must Be A Part Of Your Annual Health Check-ups Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 21:52 IST People mostly associate eye check-ups with the need for spectacles, but many eye diseases can progress silently without causing any complications in the early stages. An easy and effective way to preserve eyesight in the future is to have the eyes checked during the annual medical check-up. Eye health is one of the most neglected areas when it comes to the annual health check-up, whereas many vision-threatening conditions are known to develop silently and become difficult to reverse when diagnosed late. Data from Indias National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment highlight the scale and scope of prevention through timely care. According to the report, around 117,55,185 people benefited from annual eye exams in 2024-2025, which then led to 9,893,679 timely cataract operations, 12,14,395 free spectacles distribution among schoolchildren and 6,47,111 treated for other eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. These figures go beyond merely reflecting the scale of the programme. It highlights the widespread prevalence of undiagnosed eye conditions in the community and reinforces why preventive eye examinations should be part of every annual health check-up. Dr Vasant Sapovadia, Senior Cataract & Refractive Surgeon at Netradeep Maxivision Super Speciality Eye Hospitals, says, Most people associate eye check-ups with blurred vision or the need for spectacles, but many serious eye diseases progress silently without causing any visual complications in the early stages. Glaucoma and retinal conditions can progress silently for years, and by the time symptoms become noticeable, irreversible vision loss may already occurred. Annual eye examinations help us to detect these subtle changes at the initial stages, monitor risk factors, and intervene before vision is compromised. Regular screening is one of the most effective ways to preserve eyesight over a lifetime." Early Detection of Silent Eye Diseases Several significant eye diseases can occur without any initial warning signs. For instance, glaucoma, sometimes called the silent thief of sight, can continually damage the optic nerve without any noticeable effects on vision until it is very advanced. Similarly, the retina may be affected due to ageing or systemic diseases, which can go undetected for a long time. Regular eye check-ups help the ophthalmologists to measure eye pressure and examine the condition of the optic nerve and the retina, enabling them to spot the onset of the disease before vision is noticeably impaired. Family History and Preventive Screening Family history is a major factor that increases the risk for specific eye disorders, especially glaucoma and hereditary retinal disorders. Most people are not aware of the risk until their vision starts to deteriorate. Eye check-ups at least once a year are a chance to identify genetic risk factors and promote screening among immediate family members, particularly those over the age of forty. An easy and effective way to preserve eyesight in the future is to have the eyes checked during the annual medical check-up. Regular eye screening is the key to early diagnosis and timely treatment of eye diseases, which can therefore help to maintain good eye health, lowering the chances of losing vision from conditions that are preventable or treatable. Impact of Systemic Health on the Eyes The eyes remain one of the major indicators of a persons overall health condition. For example, ophthalmologists can non-invasively examine the blood vessels and nerves in the eyes, which are often directly affected by conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and thyroid disorders. Sometimes, for instance, diabetic retinopathy can still develop despite good blood sugar control based on ones blood sugar levels. Awareness about including eye examinations as part of the regular health check-up can help prevent systemic diseases from silently affecting eyesight while enabling timely and coordinated care between the physicians and ophthalmologists. Age-Related Changes Need Regular Monitoring With age, the chances of cataracts, glaucoma, and macular conditions increase. Such changes are gradual and can easily go unnoticed. Routine eye check-ups provide a baseline for normal changes caused by ageing and help to determine if ageing is accompanied by a disease and allow for timely treatment if necessary. In most cases, early interventions result in good visual outcomes and less dependence in the later stages of life. Improving Productivity and Quality of Life Good vision plays a vital role in daily functioning, mobility, and workplace productivity. When vision problems are not correctly diagnosed, they can interfere with activities such as reading, driving, and using a screen. Having eyes tested regularly can contribute to sustaining clear and comfortable sight, it can also lessen the occurrence of eye strain, and these benefits can be very productive over a long time, especially for working adults and the elderly. First Published: February 26, 2026, 21:52 IST News lifestyle health-and-fitness 5 Reasons Why Eye Examinations Must Be A Part Of Your Annual Health Check-ups WASHINGTON (AP) For some of their conservative critics, this is the scandal that could finally topple them. Their resistance to testifying proved futile. And now, staring down another epic fight, they're harnessing their considerable political skills to try and turn the table on their accusers. For Bill and Hillary Clinton, the 1990s are back. The Clintons are slated to testify Thursday and Friday in a House investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, part of a deal with Republicans after it became clear that Congress with the help of some Democrats was on track to hold them in contempt if they refused to cooperate. For the battle-hardened couple, it amounts to one more Washington brawl. And like so many of the battles that came before, this one is another mix of questionable judgment, sexual impropriety, money and power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his 1992 campaign, Bill Clinton pitched his candidacy as two for the price of one, previewing a presidential marriage like none that had come before, with a spouse whose professional credentials rivaled his. In the years since, that partnership helped the Clintons weather repeated scandals, including those so personal that many other relationships would have shattered. When his political career was ending, hers was ascending when she was elected to the U.S. Senate from New York, then served as secretary of state before becoming the Democratic nominee for president in 2016. For those who have long watched the Clintons, this moment is a reminder that the couple weaned on the politics of the Vietnam War and Watergate has never been far from the heat of a cultural fight. And with the Epstein case unfolding unpredictably around the world, the Clintons are once again ensnared in the scandal of the moment. Its kind of a sad but fitting coda to extraordinary political lives, said David Maraniss, who has written two biographies of Bill Clinton. There's no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of either Clinton when it comes to Epstein, a convicted sex offender who committed suicide in 2019 while he was in jail awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Epstein had ties to Bill Clinton for years, visiting the White House multiple times in the 1990s, according to visitor logs. After Clinton left office, Epstein was involved in his philanthropy and the former president flew multiple times on his private jet. Traveling on Epsteins plane was not worth the years of questioning afterward, Bill Clinton wrote in his 2024 memoir. I wish I had never met him. Bill Clinton's ties to Epstein By last summer, the Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee issued subpoenas for the Clintons. For months, Bill Clinton, 79, and Hillary Clinton, 78, largely ignored the matter in public but that became harder to sustain in December when the former president was featured prominently in the first batch of Epstein files. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among thousands of documents made public, some photos showed him on a private plane, including one with a woman, whose face is redacted, seated alongside him with her arm around him. Another showed Bill Clinton in a pool with Epstein's longtime confidant, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, and a person whose face was redacted. Yet another photo portrayed Bill Clinton in a hot tub with a woman whose face was redacted. The oversight panel's chairman, Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, threatened to hold the Clintons in contempt if they didnt comply with the subpoenas, a historic move considering a former president has never been compelled to appear before Congress. Between his first and second terms, Donald Trump invoked that precedent to fend off a subpoena from the committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. While there was no context surrounding the photos of Bill Clinton, they underscored how his political promise has always been tempered by personal indiscretions. The 1992 campaign that represented the emerging preeminence of the Baby Boom generation was the same one dogged by rumors of an affair with Gennifer Flowers. A presidency largely defined by economic prosperity was nearly derailed when Clinton was impeached in 1998 for lying under oath and obstructing justice when he denied engaging in a sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each time, many Republicans thought they finally found leverage over the Clintons. But each time, the Clintons found a way out of the vise. Asa Hutchinson, the former Republican congressman from Arkansas who was a House manager during Clinton's impeachment trial, described the couple as a smart lawyer and brilliant communicator. The Clinton playbook: fight back fiercely As each crisis surfaced, a pattern emerged: the Clintons fiercely denied the allegations and often dismissed women who came forward with claims. They villainized the GOP and re-centered the public's attention on more favorable themes like the booming economy of the era. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bill Clinton, who famously told voters I feel your pain, always managed to stay connected with the public. Indeed, he enjoyed some of the highest approval numbers of his presidency during his impeachment inquiry and trial, when about 7 in 10 U.S. adults approved of the way he was handling his job. Hillary Clinton similarly dispatched Republicans who sensed an opening in her handling of a 2012 attack on a compound in Libya that killed four Americans. She came out of an 11-hour televised congressional hearing in 2015 appearing poised. Even the Republican chair of the committee probing the attack said he wasn't sure she revealed anything new about an issue many in his party considered a scandal. That experience has informed how the Clintons are approaching this week's testimony. Hillary Clinton has been especially vocal in calling for the proceedings to happen in public, rather than in private as Comer currently plans. We have nothing to hide, she told the BBC earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bill Clinton's communication operation has taken a sharper tone, recalling the political war room popularized during the 1992 campaign to respond to negative storylines. One release accused Comer of lying in every appearance he's made this week. Another mocked GOP Reps. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Andy Biggs of Arizona with a hypocrisy award of the day, noting how the Oversight committee members defied subpoenas from the Jan. 6 panel. Meanwhile, the Clintons released a four-page letter to Comer on social media defiantly belittling a process they said was literally designed to result in our imprisonment. Much as they tried to refocus attention during the 1990s, the letter hit the White House for dismantling institutions, imposing a harsh immigration crackdown and pardoning those involved in the Capitol riot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conservative attacks on the Clintons The Clintons' rise to power paralleled the explosion of talk radio as a political force, with Rush Limbaugh using his daily show as a platform to constantly berate the White House. Today, conservative podcasters like Benny Johnson have filled Limbuagh's space and were gleeful after the House panel moved last month to hold the couple in contempt. Do you understand Donald Trump made good on his oldest promise arguably which is he told all of us 10 years ago that Hillary Clinton would be going to jail? Johnson said last month. Still, some dynamics have changed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lockstep support the Clintons enjoyed among congressional Democrats has eroded as a new generation of lawmakers has taken office nine Democrats joined with Republicans on the House committee to advance the contempt resolution. Trump, who has faced scrutiny over his own ties to Epstein and may be uncomfortable with the precedent of forcing a former president to testify, has expressed rare concern for the Clintons. He told NBC News that it bothers me that somebody is going after Bill Clinton. He has described Hillary Clinton as a very capable woman. Even Hutchinson, who helped make the case for Bill Clinton's impeachment, expressed sympathy for the couple. It's frustrating and disappointing that President Clinton and Secretary Clinton are having to go through this fact-finding ordeal, he said. That's difficult for them. Steven Sloan, The Associated Press Rashmika Mandanna Once Revealed What She Wanted In A Partner Ahead Of Wedding With Vijay Deverakonda Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 11:10 IST Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda get married in Udaipur today. Heres what the actress once said about love, partnership and her ideal partner. Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda are set to marry today in Udaipur Actors Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda are set to begin a new chapter together as they tie the knot today, February 26, in Udaipur. After years of public fascination with their relationship, the couple recently confirmed their wedding, turning long-standing rumours into reality and delighting fans who have followed their journey closely. Rashmika Mandanna once spoke about the emotional foundation she seeks in love Long before their wedding announcement, Rashmika had shared thoughtful insights into her beliefs about relationships and companionship. In a 2024 interview with Cosmopolitan India, she emphasised the importance of emotional safety and mutual support in a partnership. My partner. I need my partner in every phase of my life. I need that comfort, security, and empathy," she said, highlighting the emotional stability she considers essential. She also spoke about the values she believes sustain a relationship over time, placing kindness and respect at the centre. My most important thing in a relationship is definitely kindness, but also respect. When you mutually respect one another, genuinely care, and are responsible for one another, it all adds up," she explained. Being loving, empathetic, caring, having a good heart, and being truly genuine are the other traits I need." For Rashmika, love goes beyond romance and is rooted in companionship. Being in love to me means partnership and companionship. You need someone to witness all your highs and lows and stand by your side and celebrate life with," she added. Wedding takes place at a luxury resort near Udaipur The couple has chosen ITC Mementos, a luxury property located about 50 kilometres from Udaipur, as the venue for their wedding celebrations. Surrounded by Rajasthans scenic landscape, the location offers privacy and exclusivity, aligning with their decision to keep the ceremony intimate. Two ceremonies honour their Telugu and Kodava roots Reflecting their diverse cultural backgrounds, the wedding will include two traditional ceremonies. The day will begin with a Telugu wedding ceremony, honouring Vijay Deverakondas heritage, followed later by a Kodava ceremony celebrating Rashmika Mandannas Coorg roots. The dual rituals symbolise the coming together of their families and traditions. Couple confirmed their wedding after years of speculation After months of renewed rumours, Rashmika and Vijay officially announced their wedding on February 22 through coordinated social media posts. Referring to their celebration as The Wedding of VIROSH" a nickname coined by fans combining their names, the announcement quickly gained widespread attention. Unlike many high-profile celebrity weddings, the couple has opted for a private celebration focused on family, tradition and meaningful rituals rather than large-scale spectacle. Their wedding marks not only the union of two popular actors but also the culmination of a relationship that has been closely followed and warmly supported by their fans for years. First Published: February 26, 2026, 11:10 IST News lifestyle relationship Rashmika Mandanna Once Revealed What She Wanted In A Partner Ahead Of Wedding With Vijay Deverakonda Inside Californias Secret Speakeasies And Hidden Bars: The States Most Exclusive Cocktail Experiences Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 09:37 IST Discover Californias secret speakeasies and hidden bars, from forest lounges and underground cocktail clubs to Old Hollywood hideaways & exclusive tasting rooms Californias speakeasies and secret bars invite guests into an intriguing world of old charm, mystery, craft cocktails, culinary elegance, intimate settings, and immersive shows. Hidden behind unassuming doors and unmarked entrances, Californias speakeasies and secret bars invite guests into an intriguing world of old charm, mystery, craft cocktails, culinary elegance, intimate settings, and immersive shows. NORTH COAST Ride the historic Skunk Train seven miles through towering redwoods to reach Glen Blair Bar, a hidden forest hangout outside Fort Bragg. The bar sits under ancient trees with fire pits, live music, and handcrafted cocktails that feel straight out of a fairy tale. SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA Gold Palm is a tiny, upbeat, Pakistani-inspired neighbourhood bar that brings energy to Oakland with coconut-washed bourbon punches, local beer, wine, and cider, masala fries, and an intriguing happy hour. Ring the golden doorbell to enter Moonglow, the photo-free speakeasy named one of the East Bays best cocktail bars. The Ameswell Hotels Cocktails & Cosmos in Mountain View offers stargazing sessions for up to ten guests, pairing a specialty drink with time on a powerful UNISTELLAR telescope. 7 Paintings turns dinner into a multi-sensory show, with courses unfolding through art, projection, and storytelling. Slip behind the velvet curtain at Still O.G. in San Jose to find Alter Ego Cocktail Club, dark, sleek, and deliberately low-key offering moody elegance with one-off cocktails and bites. The Big Easy in Petaluma is an underground nightclub near Kentucky Streets boutiques. Six nights a week, the room fills with rock, jazz, bluegrass, punk, and folk, alongside local wines, craft beers, and cocktails. Order the lobster mac for dinner from Speakeasy Bistro next door. Inside Healdsburgs Grape Leaf Inn, a charming Queen Anne-style home, an unmarked door leads to a cosy, Prohibition-inspired lounge. Wilson Artisan Wines headlines alongside thoughtful brandy tastings in a space that pairs vintage charm with modern polish. Hidden behind a bookcase, Bonita Bonita in Napa offers candlelit tastings and vintage speakeasy charm. Co-founded by Bonita Bonita Wines Nikki and Brie Garcia, the speakeasy-style parlour hosts intimate wine tastings with a glam, old-school twist. Loggia at the Hyatt Centric Santa Clara blends wood accents and modern art into a library-inspired bar with crafted cocktails, shareable plates, curated events, and game-day hangs. GOLD COUNTRY Elk Groves nightlife hides a few gems for those who know where to look. The Velvet Martini delivers old-school speakeasy charm with its dim glow, plush seating, and standout martinis paired with bites from neighbouring Sheldon Inn. Nearby, Buckos N Mares brings a Western twist behind a bowling alley and opens into a rustic saloon straight out of the Old West. The Copper Room in Sutter Creek sits below street level, featuring 1800s walls. Slide into booths or gather at the long historic bar for signature cocktails from around the world, regional wines, and craft beer. CENTRAL VALLEY Start with scratch-made steaks, seafood, and pasta at Makse in downtown Vacaville, then head downstairs for the speakeasy show. The Dueling Pianos Revival is a fully interactive, all-request musical experience where guests outbid one another for their song choice. CENTRAL COAST Silos in Morgan Hill hides beneath three towering grain silos with no sign and a low-key entrance beside a gym. The menu credits each drinks creator, underscoring craft and personality. Inside, curved walls cosy up the room while trains slide by a high window; there is even a secret patio reachable only from inside. Solvangs The Backroom sits behind Valley Brewers shop via a narrow, keg-lined hall and a classic bookshelf door. A sunny private patio hides out back, while peasants DELI conceals a separate arcade with over 15 vintage video and 90s pinball games. Montereys Hulas Island Grill hides Next Door, a moody tiki-inspired speakeasy pouring Mai Tai flights under a retro glow. In Carmel-by-the-Sea, Buds Bar at La Playa Hotel revives old-school charm with spontaneous Dime Time" happy hours and select drinks for ten cents. LOS ANGELES COUNTY Tucked discreetly beneath the turquoise Art Deco facade of The Georgian Hotel, The Georgian Room revives the glamour of Old Hollywood in an intimate, candlelit speakeasy once frequented by legends like Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe. After a meticulous 2023 restoration, the space now opens through mermaid-handle doors into a luxe, 65-seat den of jazz, leather booths, crystalware, and a vintage Steinway-piano-backed bar. ORANGE COUNTY Irvine hides two speakeasies built for cosy nights and creative cocktails. At Cozy Pine inside Bacchus Bistro, guests step into a snowed-in cabin with lantern light, faux flurries, and a friendly Sasquatch. At the Irvine Marriott, YNK (You Never Know) keeps things unpredictable with ever-changing cocktail themes, from New York nostalgia to Gossip Girl glam. Inside VEA Newport Beach, reveal opens behind gleaming brass doors into moody lighting, smooth 90s and early-2000s R&B sets, and plush seating. Cocktails lean classic (Old Fashioneds, Negronis), with elevated bites like spicy tuna crispy rice and truffle fries. SAN DIEGO COUNTY Raised by Wolves in La Jolla poses as a glittering bottle shop before revealing an opulent lounge behind a hidden entry. Cocktails include the fruity-fresh Cosmic Dancer, a tiramisu tini with a hand-whipped cream float, and a reserve Old Fashioned made with rare 1950s bourbon. Behind an unassuming keg wall in San Diego, Noble Experiment unfolds into a mirrored, skull-lined speakeasy where bartenders craft drinks on instinct rather than from a menu. Youngblood takes it further with a 90-minute, three-course cocktail journey served in a jewel-box room lined with Parisian flair. INLAND EMPIRE In Big Bear Lake, at Sessions Retreat & Hotel, The Flatlander is a modern alpine lounge with a fireplace glow, artful design, and intimate cocktails. The Andy Devine Room at Captains Anchorage keeps the vintage mountain mood with rumoured hauntings and classic drinks. Thompson & Twain hides behind Crush & Brew on Front Street in Old Town Temecula, pouring cocktails with wink-worthy names in a moody, vault-like space. The design nods to Western grit and literary rebels Hunter S. Thompson and Mark Twain. Go Dealers Choice," and the bartenders will craft a bespoke drink based on guests preferred spirits and flavours. First Published: February 26, 2026, 09:36 IST News lifestyle travel Inside Californias Secret Speakeasies And Hidden Bars: The States Most Exclusive Cocktail Experiences Jaipur, Udaipur And Vrindavan See Surge In Holi Travel Searches, Reveals Travel Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 10:13 IST Agoda data reveals a surge in Holi travel searches, with Jaipur, Udaipur, Vrindavan and Pushkar emerging as top destinations for festive cultural experiences. Holi Drives Travel Surge to Rajasthan and Temple Towns, Agoda Data Shows. Image for representation (Image: Shutterstock) As Holi approaches, travellers are planning trips centred on places where the festival is most deeply and uniquely celebrated. Digital travel platform Agoda analysed accommodation search data for domestic travel during the upcoming Holi week, revealing a rise in travel interest compared to last year in destinations such as Jaipur, Udaipur and Vrindavan, where traditions, rituals and community celebrations shape the experience. Alongside temple towns and heritage cities, travellers are choosing destinations that allow them to participate in vibrant festivities and shared cultural moments. Rajasthans Pink City, Jaipur, known for its grand palace-led Holi celebrations and home to the iconic Amer Fort, registered a 282 percent increase in accommodation searches compared to the Holi period last year. Udaipur saw a 233 percent rise in travel interest, as visitors look to experience lakeside Holi festivities set against the backdrop of Lake Pichola, with heritage hotels and boutique stays hosting curated celebrations. Pushkar, the revered pilgrimage town, experienced a 195 percent increase in searches, appealing to travellers drawn to its vibrant street gatherings and community-led celebrations unfolding around Pushkar Lake and its 52 bathing ghats. In the north, Vrindavan draws travellers to its temple courtyards, where flower Holi ceremonies, bhajans and traditional festivities create an immersive spiritual celebration, recording a 126 percent rise in travel interest. Mathura recorded a 109 percent increase in interest, attracting visitors keen to witness Holi in the birthplace of Lord Krishna, where temple rituals and traditional street celebrations bring the festival to life. Moving south, Hampi saw a 128 percent rise in searches, as its UNESCO-listed ruins and open temple squares transform into lively Holi gatherings that appeal to culture and history enthusiasts. Shanti Niketan in West Bengal, known for its Basanta Utsav a distinctive cultural interpretation of Holi centred on music and art registered a 43 percent increase in travel interest. These destinations saw a collective rise in travel interest of 211 percent. International interest also added to the trend. Udaipur recorded a 459 percent increase in searches from across Asia compared to the previous year, while Jaipur saw over 191 percent growth in travel interest. The rise was led by travellers from Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Japan and South Korea. Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent and Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda, said, Holi has evolved into a key travel moment for both domestic and international visitors. Indias cultural festivities continue to strengthen the countrys global appeal, drawing travellers to plan their trips around distinctive local experiences. The increasing travel interest in temple towns and heritage cities reflects how cultural calendars are influencing travel decisions. At Agoda, we aim to simplify holiday planning by bringing together a diverse mix of stays, flights and experiences, helping travellers make the most of their time during special occasions like Holi." As festivals like Holi continue to shape travel behaviour, Agoda provides access to a wide range of accommodations across price points and property types, alongside flights and activities that can be booked together in one place. With over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, travellers can plan complete trips with ease. Travellers can discover the latest deals on the Agoda mobile app or visit Agoda.com for more information. First Published: February 26, 2026, 10:13 IST News lifestyle travel Jaipur, Udaipur And Vrindavan See Surge In Holi Travel Searches, Reveals Travel Report Hema Malini On Rift Rumours With Bobby & Sunny After Dharmendra's Death: Papa Ke Liye Sab Karenge Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 03:45 IST Hema Malini praises Dharmendras BAFTA tribute, reflects on their decades-long bond, and assures fans there is no negativity in the family. Hema Malini opens up on her 2015 accident and Sunny Deols surprising support. Legendary actor Dharmendra, who passed away in November 2025, was honoured in the In Memoriam segment of the 79th BAFTA Awards in London last Sunday. He stood out as the only Indian actor featured in the posthumous tribute this year, alongside international icons such as Val Kilmer, Robert Duvall, Rob Reiner, Tom Stoppard, Brigitte Bardot, Udo Kier, and Diane Ladd. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Hema Malini, Dharmendras wife and celebrated actor herself, shared her emotions about the BAFTA recognition. It was a beautiful moment and he deserves it. Its a huge honour not just for us but for the entire country. None of the Indian artistes have received it this year. He had fans not just across the country but over the world, so inspiring not just as an actor but as a human being. There will never be another like him, so we are all happy and excited about the BAFTA mention," she said. Reflecting on their decades-long partnership, both personal and professional, Hema admitted she wished they could have shared screen space one final time. What we have done in the past remains as memories for the audience now. Im glad that more than half my life was spent as a co-artiste as well as him being my life partner. Its not possible to accept that he has gone. I think of it and get teary-eyed, but we have to get out of the sadness, and Im a strong person. However strong you are, a breakdown toh hota hai." February 24 marked three months since Dharmendras passing. All the associates, his spot boy, everyone is so sad; they keep coming to me and saying, Saab ki yaad aa rahi hai. Main saab koi chai deta tha. So you can imagine how much we are missing him," she added. Addressing speculation about tensions within the family, particularly with Dharmendras extended family including wife Prakash Kaur, sons Sunny and Bobby, and daughters Vijeta and Ajeita, Hema was clear: there is no negativity. Papa hai na, papa ke liye sab karenge, be it these bachchas (Esha, Ahana) or those bachchas (Sunny, Bobby). They were all very fond of Dharamji. They are very fond of each other. There is no negativity at all between the family. Dharamji was a source of love, strength, and values that he has passed on to them. We are all okay and we will cope with this void." Hema also shared how she has been keeping busy with dance shows but remains open to meaningful film projects. If any good film role comes my way I will do it, kuch achcha aata hi nahi. Im not sure about OTT. Dharamji loved watching me dance and would say I should never stop because its important to be mentally and physically fit. Even at shootings I would take my guruji with me so Dharmji ki unse dosti bhi ho gayi. He loved watching the girls dance too and appreciated that we are maintaining Indian tradition." First Published: February 26, 2026, 03:45 IST News movies bollywood Hema Malini On Rift Rumours With Bobby & Sunny After Dharmendra's Death: Papa Ke Liye Sab Karenge HC Says CBFC Ignored Guidelines In Kerala Story 2 Certification, Stays Release For 15 Days Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 15:03 IST Kerala High Court halts Kerala Story 2 release after petitions question CBFC clearance, citing concerns over Kerala's portrayal and communal harmony. The Kerala Story 2 was set to release on February 27, 2026. Just a day before its scheduled theatrical release, Kerala Story 2 has run into major legal trouble. The Kerala High Court on Thursday directed the makers to hold back the release of the films rights for 15 days, putting an interim pause on its February 27 release. Justice Bechu Kurien Thomas passed the interim order while hearing a batch of petitions challenging the clearance granted by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The court observed that the petitioners apprehension regarding the film is probably genuine" and asked the makers to wait for the courts final decision. Kerala HC in its order on Kerala Story: Prima facie, it appears that these guidelines were not properly considered by the CBFC while granting certification, and there seems to be a clear disregard of the applicable law, requiring this Courts intervention. Why The Film Is Facing Opposition The sequel has been facing backlash over its portrayal of Indian Muslims and allegations that it makes exaggerated claims. A petition was filed by biologist Sreedev Namboodiri in the Kerala High Court, seeking a stay on the films release and public exhibition. In his plea, Namboodiri alleged that the film presents a malicious" portrayal of Kerala and could potentially disturb communal harmony. The petitions specifically challenge the CBFCs approval for the films release. With the interim stay now in place, the film cannot proceed with its release until further orders from the court. About The Film Kerala Story 2 explores themes of religious conversion and coercion. The narrative reportedly spans across Kerala, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The film stars Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia and Aishwarya Ojha in key roles. The theatrical release was scheduled for February 27, 2026. However, with the High Courts interim order, the immediate future of the film now depends on the courts upcoming decision. Location : Kochi [Cochin], India, India First Published: February 26, 2026, 14:57 IST News movies bollywood HC Says CBFC Ignored Guidelines In Kerala Story 2 Certification, Stays Release For 15 Days Salim Khan Still In ICU, Is Getting Better: Aamir Khan Shares Health Update Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 07:51 IST Several celebrities like Javed Akhtar, Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty, Rahul Roy, Sangeeta Bijlani, Amrita Arora, and others visited the hospital earlier to meet Salim Khan. Rapid Read Salim Khan has been hospitalised since February 17. Aamir Khan has shared Salim Khans health update. Recently, the actor spoke to the media after visiting the veteran screenwriter in the hospital and revealed that the latter is still in the ICU. However, Aamir assured everyone that Salim saab is recovering and is likely to return home soon. Main Salim saab se milne gaya tha. Hum sab dua kar rahe hai ke voh jaldh se jaldh acche ho jaaye. Kyunki voh ICU mein the, main unse personally nahi mil paya. Unke family ke saath main baitha tha. Mujhe Alvira ji bta rahe hai ke unke health improve ho rahe hai. Hum sab prarthna kar rahe hai, dua kar rahe hai ke voh ek baar phir ghar aa jaaye. (I went to meet Salim Khan. We are all praying for his speedy recovery. Since he was in ICU, I could not meet him personally. I sat there with his family. Alvira told me that his condition is improving. We are all praying for him to come back home soon)," Aamir said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Instant Bollywood (@instantbollywood) For the unversed, Salim Khan has been hospitalised since February 17. Several celebrities like Javed Akhtar, Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty, Rahul Roy, Sangeeta Bijlani, Amrita Arora, and others visited the hospital earlier to meet Salim Khan. Ever since the news of his hospitalisation spread on social media, fans and the entire fraternity have been praying for his speedy recovery. Previously, Dr Jalil Parkar, who is treating Salim Khan, shared an update on his health. He told the media, There was a minimal brain haemorrhage. A procedure called DSA was done this morning. No surgery was required. He is still on a ventilator. Hopefully, by tomorrow, he will be off the ventilator. Keeping in mind the age, the time of recovery is longer. Hes fine, hes stable All in all, hes doing quite well." Clarifying why Salim Khan was put on a ventilator, he said, After initial diagnosis and medication, we realised he needed ICU care. We put him on the ventilator because we wanted to do certain investigations. He was put on the ventilator as a safeguard so that he doesnt worsen." First Published: February 26, 2026, 07:51 IST News movies bollywood Salim Khan Still In ICU, Is Getting Better: Aamir Khan Shares Health Update Rashmika Mandanna Dances To Pushpa 2 Song For Husband-To-Be Vijay Deverakonda At Sangeet Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 04:36 IST Rashmika Mandanna surprises Vijay Deverakonda at sangeet by dancing to Pushpa 2 hit Angaaron, making the night unforgettable. Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda are set to tie the knot on February 26. (Photo Credit: Instagram) Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandannas wedding celebrations are in full swing at ITC Mementos, Udaipur, with the couple hosting a private, four-day affair for close family and friends. Ahead of their February 26 nuptials, the sangeet ceremony on February 24 reportedly became a night to remember, highlighted by the bride-to-bes heartfelt tribute to her fiance. Rashmikas Special Performance Rashmika Mandanna surprised Vijay with a performance of Angaaron from the 2024 blockbuster Pushpa 2: The Rule, in which she starred as the female lead alongside Allu Arjun. The song, which went viral upon release, took on new meaning at the sangeet, serving as an ode to Vijay. According to reports by News18, Rashmikas energetic dance left her husband-to-be visibly touched, creating a standout moment amid multiple performances that evening. The couples entry was equally memorable, arriving hand-in-hand to a venue adorned with large banners and posters featuring their photos. Adding to the emotional touch, Vijay Deverakondas mother presented Rashmika with traditional heirloom bangles, symbolizing the union of the two families. Guests witnessed intimate moments filled with love, laughter, and music, reflecting the closeness of the weddings limited guestlist. Wedding and Reception Details Vijay and Rashmika are set to wed on February 26, 2026, in Udaipur, followed by a grand reception in Hyderabad on March 4. So far, the celebrations have drawn select industry friends, including directors Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Rahul Ravindran, and Tharun Bhascker. Actress Ashika Ranganath, Eesha Rebba, and stylist Shravya Varma were also photographed arriving, adding glamour to the intimate affair. After keeping their relationship private for years, the couple announced their marriage plans last weekend, revealing their official couple name: VIROSH. Fans and industry insiders have celebrated the union, appreciating both the romance and the careful curation of personal and professional ties at the events. First Published: February 26, 2026, 04:36 IST News movies telugu-cinema Rashmika Mandanna Dances To Pushpa 2 Song For Husband-To-Be Vijay Deverakonda At Sangeet Opinion | How PM Modi's Israel Visit Reinforces India's Role As A Bridge In West Asia Written By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 22:21 IST The shift from non-alignment to what may be described as multi-alignment is not a retreat from principle but an adaptation to multipolarity Rapid Read PM Narendra Modi speaks during the joint press meet with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, in Jerusalem on February 26, 2026. (Image: PMO/PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Israel comes at a decisive moment. On one side, India has signalled support for US President Donald Trumps proposed Gaza Peace Plan; on the other, global attention is fixed on the mounting American military posture around Iran. The regional atmosphere is tense, layered with strategic recalculations and competing security anxieties. This visit is diplomatically delicate because only days ago India attended the Board of Peace meeting in Washington, DC, as an observer signalling support for President Trumps Gaza Peace Plan and the efforts being shaped in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2803. This reiterates that India-Israel relations cannot solely be viewed through the lens of the current Gaza crisis or the Arab-Israeli conflict. They rest on decades of quiet cooperation, shared security concerns, technological collaboration, and a gradual but deliberate strategic convergence that has matured well beyond the compulsions of any single conflict cycle. Moreover, even if it remains unspoken in official communiques, Iran is the silent axis around which much of the strategic calculus currently revolves. For Israel, the Iranian regime represents not merely a regional competitor but an existential threat one that combines nuclear ambition, ballistic missile capability, and an entrenched network of armed proxies stretching from Lebanon to Gaza and beyond. Tehrans ideological hostility towards Israel is explicit and institutional, embedded in its military doctrine and foreign policy posture. Therefore, any serious Israel-US coordination in the current climate inevitably carries the Iran question at its core. Indias position, however, is far more layered. Tehran is, on one hand, a source of concern through its support for destabilising proxies, but on the other, is also a long-standing energy partner and a crucial gateway to central Asia via the Chabahar port project. At the same time, India maintains deepening ties with Israel, expanding partnerships with Gulf states, and strategic cooperation with the United States. Navigating these overlapping interests requires calibrated restraint rather than alignment with a single axis. Indias diplomacy reflects precisely this non-binary approach: acknowledging Israeli security concerns, preserving strategic channels with Iran, managing American expectations, and sustaining Gulf partnerships without collapsing into bloc politics. By unequivocally condemning the killing of Israeli civilians by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, while simultaneously reiterating support for a dignified two-state solution, India has signalled that its posture is neither opportunistic nor reactive. It is positioning itself as a credible axis of moderation and, potentially, mediation. This is not balancing for its own sake, nor is it an attempt to appease competing camps. It reflects a coherent value framework that India has consistently articulated in its counter-terror doctrine: no political grievance, however deeply felt, justifies the deliberate targeting of civilians. By grounding its diplomacy in that principle, India seeks to combine moral clarity with strategic realism, asserting that peace cannot be built on selective outrage or ideological indulgence, but on a uniform rejection of terrorism alongside a commitment to political resolution. Indias potential role in the evolving Middle Eastern, or rather West Asian, architecture must also be viewed through the prism of the Abraham Accords and the quiet reshaping of regional alignments over the past few years. The Accords demonstrated that Arab-Israeli normalisation was not only possible but strategically beneficial for several Gulf states. India, uniquely, stands on strong footing with all the principal actors in this emerging configuration. It enjoys deep strategic cooperation with Israel, robust economic and energy partnerships with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and expanding defence and technology ties with the US. Unlike many western powers, India does not carry the baggage of direct military interventions in the region, nor does it approach the Middle East through a purely ideological lens. This positions New Delhi as a rare actor capable of engaging multiple camps simultaneously without being perceived as coercive or hegemonic. The formation of platforms such as I2U2, bringing together India, Israel, the US, and the UAE, signals a new kind of minilateralism that blends economics, technology, and security cooperation. Food corridors, renewable energy investments, digital innovation, and maritime connectivity projects are gradually knitting together a networked strategic space that runs from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean. In this context, Modis visit is not merely bilateral; it sits within a broader reconfiguration of trade routes, supply chains, and security partnerships. Indias geography, demography, and economic scale give it weight in this arrangement, while its political restraint gives it credibility. As global power centres fragment and traditional alliances strain under domestic pressures, Indias ability to function as a stabilising hinge between West Asia and the Indo-Pacific becomes increasingly consequential. At a deeper level, its Middle East engagement reflects a strategic maturation of its foreign policy doctrine. The shift from non-alignment to what may be described as multi-alignment is not a retreat from principle but an adaptation to multipolarity. India no longer views relationships as zero-sum choices between competing blocs. Instead, it seeks convergences of interest while maintaining strategic autonomy. In West Asia, this translates into maintaining civilisational respect, economic interdependence, and security cooperation without ideological entanglement. Modis Israel visit, therefore, should not be read as a departure from Indias support for Palestinian statehood, nor as an endorsement of maximalist military solutions. It is a reaffirmation that India intends to be present, engaged, and influential in shaping the regions future, not as a partisan actor, but as a state confident enough to operate across fault lines without being consumed by them. What stood out in the current visit was not just the reaffirmation of strategic ties, but the way the Prime Minister framed the broader regional horizon. By explicitly referencing the Abraham Accords and calling them a moment of new hope for a long-troubled region", he signalled that India views West Asia not as a theatre of perpetual conflict but as a space capable of structural realignment. That choice of language was deliberate. It subtly positioned India not merely as a distant observer or a transactional partner, but as a state invested in the success of regional normalisation and, potentially, capable of engaging across divides should opportunities for dialogue emerge. Equally telling was his endorsement of the Trump administrations comprehensive Gaza peace plan. We believe that it holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people of the region, including by addressing the Palestine issue," Modi said. The formulation is careful and calibrated. It combines recognition of Israels security imperatives with insistence on a political pathway that addresses Palestinian aspirations. This is not rhetorical balancing; it reflects Indias attempt to anchor its diplomacy in principles that reject terrorism while supporting negotiated settlement. In doing so, the PMs visit reinforces a consistent message: India intends to be present in the reshaping of West Asia not as a partisan actor, but as a steady voice of strategic restraint and political realism. (The writer takes special interest in history, culture and geopolitics. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views) First Published: February 26, 2026, 22:21 IST News opinion Opinion | How PM Modi's Israel Visit Reinforces India's Role As A Bridge In West Asia Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Opinion | Why Lasting Peace In Gaza Remains Elusive Despite The Board Of Peace Written By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 13:22 IST The Gaza ceasefire holds under Trumps 20 Point Plan, but Hamas wont disarm, Israel remains at the Yellow Line, and peace efforts face hurdles. Rapid Read This peace plan marks one of the most ambitious diplomatic efforts in recent years to resolve the Gaza conflict. Its success hinges on compliance, international cooperation, and sustained political will. (AFP photo) The ceasefire in Gaza is holding despite occasional reports of violations from both sides. Negotiated as part of Trumps 20 Point Peace Plan, the ceasefire, which came into effect on 10 October 2025, has now completed four months and has been successful in implementing most of the key requirements of Phase 1 of the plan. All the hostages (dead and alive) have been successfully returned to Israel, with the mortal remains of the last hostage, police officer Ran Gvili, retrieved on 26 January 2026 from a cemetery in northern Gaza. Israeli forces have pulled back to a designated Yellow Line in Gaza and critical humanitarian aid is trickling into the territory. In addition, the crucial Rafah Crossing into Egypt, vital for the evacuation of patients requiring urgent medical aid, was opened on 2 February, nearly two years after Israel closed it. Operated by the European Union Border Assistance Mission, it allows a small number of Palestinians to enter and leave the Gaza Strip daily. Taking the peace process forward, a number of important developments have taken place over the past month. The Board of Peace has been nominated, an interim government of Gaza is now in place, and the first summit meeting of the Board of Peace took place on 19 February, with several countries pledging money and troops. There are, however, many crucial questions still to be answered. Chief among them are the prospects for long-term peace and security in Gaza and mechanisms to ensure that Israel does not face a repeat of 7 October. Will the Board of Peace be able to deliver on its mandate? Can it ensure long-term peace and stability in Gaza and Israel? What happens to other key requirements such as the disarming of Hamas, the demilitarisation of Gaza and the deployment of an international force? The Governance The most important piece of the puzzle in the pursuit of peace in Gaza is the question of governance. As per the 20 Point Plan, the Board of Peace is the apex body in this regard and is to be chaired by President Trump. Soon after the announcement of the plan on 29 September 2025, it was presented at the Peace Summit held at Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt on 13 October where, in the presence of more than 20 world leaders, the leaders of Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye and the US issued a joint statement backing the Gaza ceasefire deal and committing to enduring peace" in the region. The 20 Point Peace Plan was later endorsed by the UN Security Council on 17 November 2025 via Resolution 2803 (2025). The Board of Peace was unveiled on 16 January 2026, when an Executive Board was constituted the international body that will oversee all processes relating to governance, security, reconstruction and demilitarisation in Gaza. The Executive Board will operate under the Board of Peace, which will be chaired by President Trump. Former UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov was nominated as the Board of Peace High Representative" for Gaza, to act as the on-the-ground link between the Board and the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). He will support the Boards oversight of all aspects of Gazas governance, reconstruction and development, while ensuring coordination across civilian and security pillars. Other members nominated to the Executive Board include Steve Witkoff, the US envoy to the region; Jared Kushner, President Trumps senior adviser and son-in-law; Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan; Qatari minister Ali Al-Thawadi; Egyptian intelligence chief General Hassan Rashad; former British Prime Minister Tony Blair; billionaire businessman Marc Rowan; UAE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Reem Al-Hashimy; Israeli-Cypriot real estate tycoon Yakir Gabay; and former UN Gaza envoy Sigrid Kaag. While regional players such as Turkiye, Qatar and the UAE found prominence, a key country missing from the Board was Saudi Arabia. In addition to the Executive Board, two close advisers to Jared Kushner Aryeh Lightstone, who has served as Kushners representative in Israel in recent months, and Josh Gruenbaum, who authored the Gaza reconstruction plan were nominated as senior advisers to the Board of Peace". On the security front, Major General Jasper Jeffers from the US was appointed commander of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza. He was tasked with overseeing all security matters related to the Palestinian technocratic government, assisting in efforts to demilitarise the Gaza Strip, and supervising the safe transfer of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials to the people of Gaza. However, the most important part of this process was the nomination of the NCAG, a non-political body composed of Palestinian technocrats responsible for managing daily civil service affairs. Dr Ali Shaath, an academic with a doctorate in engineering and years of experience in public administration, was nominated as its head. On 18 January, the other 11 members of the NCAG were announced. They include Engineer Ayed Abu Ramadan, Abdel Karim Ashour, Ayed Yaghi, Ali Barhoum, Hanaa Terzi, Engineer Osama al-Saadawi, Jabr al-Daour, Engineer Omar al-Shamali and Adnan Abu Warda. Major General Sami Nasman was assigned to monitor interior and security affairs, while Bashir Al-Rayes was designated for finance. The NCAG will initially commence its work from Cairo before moving into Gaza. As expected, there were no members from Hamas or the Palestinian Authority in the NCAG. With the Executive Board and the NCAG nominated, the first important step towards ensuring peace and reconstruction in Gaza has been completed. Is it, however, enough? The other key component in the process is the security arrangement, which remains in flux. Security Arrangements While Major General Jasper Jeffers was appointed commander of the ISF in Gaza, there is still no clarity on its composition. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) hosted a conference in Doha on 16 December, attended by over 40 countries, to discuss various elements of the ISF. However, the talks were largely inconclusive, as countries failed to agree on the composition and mandate. Most expressed concern about involvement in the demilitarisation of Hamas. There were reports that Pakistan had offered to deploy up to 20,000 troops, but this was outrightly rejected by Israel. During the Board of Peace meeting on 19 February, ISF Commander Major General Jasper Jeffers announced that the ISF would consist of 20,000 soldiers along with 12,000 police officers, with the primary mandate of stabilising the security environment in Gaza and enabling civilian governance. Initially, the ISF headquarters will be located at the Civil-Military Coordination Centre in Kiryat Gat in southern Israel. During the meeting, Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania committed to contributing troops, while Egypt and Jordan agreed to train Palestinian police. Indonesia emerged as the largest contributor, promising 8,000 troops. However, there remains a lack of clarity over whether the troops will actively engage in demilitarising Hamas or merely perform a peacekeeping role, separating Israeli forces and Hamas. Financing the Peace Finances constitute the next major issue in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Gaza. According to the UN Development Programmes Jaco Cilliers, Special Representative of the Administrator for the Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People, the estimated cost of damage across the Gaza Strip is US $70 billion. To initiate reconstruction, around US $20 billion will be required over the next three years alone. These funds will be difficult to secure. At the Board of Peace meeting on 19 February, presided over by President Trump, pledges amounting to US $17 billion were secured, including US $10 billion from the US. However, much of these pledges are spread over several years and some are conditional upon issues such as final resolution that fulfils Palestinian aspirations for statehood and recognition and Israeli aspirations for security and integration." The rubble in Gaza, estimated at between 37 and 65 million tonnes, could take up to 10 years and substantial investment to remove. The presence of unexploded ordnance further increases the risks, costs and time required. Key Hurdles to Lasting Peace The peace process in Gaza is therefore likely to be difficult and protracted. The assembly and deployment of the ISF could take the entirety of 2026 and only if the US secures sufficient commitments of troops and resources. The Rules of Engagement will pose the next challenge, as most countries have made it clear they would not wish to deploy troops against Hamas to demilitarise it. Hamas, meanwhile, has made it clear it has no plans to disarm, at least while Israeli forces remain in Gaza. Israel, for its part, has stated there will be no withdrawal from the Yellow Line until the military threat from Hamas is completely eliminated. With neither side willing to relent, the future of the peace process remains uncertain. The Executive Board and the NCAG will also find it difficult to execute their mandate in such a fragile environment marked by repeated ceasefire violations. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, more than 600 people have been killed and over 1,600 injured in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire in October 2025. Israel has also lost at least four soldiers in ambushes during the same period. Another concern is the structure of the Board of Peace itself. Several countries, including key American allies such as the UK, Germany and France, view it as an attempt by President Trump to sideline international institutions like the UN. The initial framework and charter of the Board project it as an international organisation designed to secure enduring peace in all areas threatened by conflict", without specifically mentioning Gaza or Palestine. Instead, it presents itself as a standing global body capable of operating across multiple conflict zones and coordinating peace and stabilisation efforts worldwide. Additionally, President Trumps sweeping powers within the Board have generated considerable unease. Looking Ahead Lasting peace in Gaza appears remote. Hamas is not prepared to lay down its arms. Without that, Gaza cannot be fully demilitarised. Without demilitarisation, Israeli forces will not withdraw from the Yellow Line. The ISF is yet to take shape, and both its numbers and Rules of Engagement remain obstacles. Although the initial financial commitments of US $17 billion appear significant, they are likely to prove inadequate unless a broader, sustained international funding effort materialises. Without progress on these fronts, the Executive Board and the NCAG will struggle to implement their mandate on the ground. Israel is clearly frustrated by the slow pace of developments, particularly regarding security. It is already drawing up plans for a renewed offensive in Gaza, with its Southern Command tasked with preparations. Speaking at a public event on 4 February, Defence Minister Israel Katz emphasised that Israel remains determined to disarm Hamas, threatening to dismantle" the group if it does not comply. The risk of Gaza sliding back into conflict therefore remains real and immediate. Even in the absence of a renewed Israeli offensive, Gaza could well become a zone of frozen conflict, with no clear resolution in sight. (Col Rajeev Agarwal is a West Asia expert and a Senior Research Consultant at Chintan Research Foundation, New Delhi. His X Handle is @rajeev1421. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.) First Published: February 26, 2026, 13:22 IST News opinion Opinion | Why Lasting Peace In Gaza Remains Elusive Despite The Board Of Peace Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 09:56 IST 1 / 7 Cinema has always mirrored society. Some filmmakers go a step further, courageously portraying not only everyday realities but also the uncomfortable truths many prefer to ignore. The Shameless is one such bold and deeply moving work. This emotional love story revolves around two subjects that Indian society often struggles to accept: prostitution and same-sex love. The film urges viewers to look at its characters as human beings, free from judgment. So what is this story about? 2 / 7 The Shameless is a romantic crime drama directed by Bulgarian filmmaker Konstantin Bojanov. At its heart lies a tender love story that blossoms between two female sex workers, defying both the law and entrenched social norms. The film had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received a standing ovation. Lead actress Anasuya Sengupta won the Best Actress award at Cannes, bringing global recognition to Indian talent. ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 7 The narrative brings together two starkly different worlds. Renuka, a sex worker who kills a policeman and flees from Delhi, seeks refuge in a brothel community in North India. There she meets Devika (Omara Shetty), a naive young woman forced into prostitution under the guise of the Devadasi tradition. Renuka entered sex work as a means of survival, while Devika was dedicated in the name of faith. Though their paths differ, both find themselves imprisoned in the same oppressive reality, stripped of freedom and dignity. 4 / 7 As Renuka and Devika grow closer, affection gradually turns into love. Yet society views the relationship between two women, especially two sex workers, as unacceptable, even criminal. Devikas mother vehemently opposes their bond. In a painful contradiction, the same mother who despises Renuka for her profession sends her younger daughter to a brothel in Delhi. The story is layered with such emotional and moral paradoxes. ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 7 The origins of the film trace back years. In 2012, the director intended to create a documentary inspired by William Dalrymples book Nine Lives. During his research in India, he witnessed the profound emotional connection between two sex workers; a real-life encounter that sparked the idea for this narrative. While the film contains elements of crime and thriller, at its core it remains a pure and poignant love story. 6 / 7 The film is an international collaboration between five countries and was shot in Nepal. It was recently screened at the Mumbai MAMI Film Festival, where it became a major highlight. However, given its frank exploration of sex work and homosexuality, it has encountered censorship challenges in India. There is speculation that it could face cuts or even a ban, making an OTT release unlikely in the near future. ADVERTISEMENT A federal judge has rejected the Justice Departments request to search the seized devices of a Washington Post reporter as part of an FBI investigation into leaked classified documents. In a 22-page opinion issued Tuesday, U.S. Magistrate Judge William Porter of the Eastern District of Virginia criticized the governments handling of the case, reversing course in part after previously authorizing the seizure of the reporters devices. Porter previously approved a warrant that led federal agents to seize two laptops, a recorder, a portable hard drive, and a Garmin watch belonging to reporter Hannah Natanson in a pre-dawn raid at her Virginia home. Reporter Hannah Natanson joined The Washington Post as an intern in 2019. / The Washington Post In his ruling, Porter concluded that the government could not be trusted to conduct a review of the devices on its own. He denied the Justice Departments request to allow a government filter team to search the devices for materials relevant to its probe into Aurelio Luis Perez-Lugones, a government contractor who had top-level security clearances and was charged last month with illegally retaining classified documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, the judge ordered that the court itself would review the reporters seized devices and flag any information relevant to the FBIs probe. The judges ruling marks an embarrassing setback for Attorney General Pam Bondi and her department as it carries out its investigation into the contractor, whom President Donald Trump has identified as a leaker who divulged classified information regarding Venezuela and shared it with the Washington Post reporter. Donald Trump described Aurelio Luis Perez-Lugones as a leaker who had shared classified material. / Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images Perez-Lugones and Natanson exchanged messages prior to his arrest, federal prosecutors allege. Natanson wrote about ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a Jan. 9 story that cited government documents. Natanson isnt accused of any wrongdoing. Given the documented reporting on government leak investigations and the governments well chronicled efforts to stop them, allowing the governments filter team to search a reporters work product most of which consists of unrelated information from confidential sources is the equivalent of leaving the governments fox in charge of the Washington Posts henhouse, Porter wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The concern that a filter team may err by neglect, by malice, or by honest difference of opinion is heightened where its institutional interests are so directly at odds with the press freedom values at stake. The Washington Post, in a statement, said we applaud the courts recognition of core First Amendment protections. Porter had previously prohibited prosecutors from examining any of the items taken during the pre-dawn raid, in a major blow to Bondi and the Justice Department. The government must preserve but must not review any of the materials that law enforcement seized until the Court authorizes review of the materials by further order, he ordered on Jan. 21. The Daily Beast has contacted the Justice Department for comment. Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 18:21 IST 1 / 8 With New Delhi and Tel Aviv signing an agreement to link UPI payment systems, Israel joined the list of countries that accept UPI payments. As of now, UPI is live in more than eight countries and expanding globally, including the recent launch in Israel. Let's take a look at the full list of countries. 2 / 8 1. Bhutan (2021): Bhutan is the first country to introduce UPI payments outside India. It was launched in partnership with the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan during a virtual event attended by PM Narendra Modi. (AI-generated image) ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 8 2. Nepal (2022): NPCI International partnered with Nepals Fonepay network to enable UPI payments, following bilateral financial cooperation talks in 2022. (AI-generated image used for representation) 4 / 8 3. UAE (2022) UPI acceptance expanded through NPCI International partnerships during high-level IndiaUAE engagements. Indian travelers and residents in the UAE have been using UPI for QR-code based payments at many merchants through partnerships between Indias payment system and UAE payment platforms (e.g., Mashreqs NEOPAY terminals). (AI-generated image used for representation) ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 8 4. Singapore (2023) UPIPayNow linkage was launched jointly by the Reserve Bank of India and the Monetary Authority of Singapore, in the presence of PM Narendra Modi and Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong via virtual launch. Singapores PayNow instant-payment system is linked with Indias UPI, enabling cross-border transfers and easier payments between users in both countries (AI-generated image used for representation) 6 / 8 5. France (2024) UPI was launched at the Eiffel Tower in Paris during PM Narendra Modis official visit. Indian visitors can scan a QR code and pay directly from their Indian bank accounts in rupees. (Image used for representation) ADVERTISEMENT 7 / 8 6. Sri Lanka (2024) UPI was officially launched in Sri Lanka in February 2024 as part of Indias push to expand its digital payment system globally. UPI was introduced alongside the RuPay card launch during PM Narendra Modis visit to Mauritius. (AI-generated image used for representation) Amit Shah Vows BJP Win In West Bengal, Says Will Drive Out Every Infiltrator Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 13:58 IST Amit Shah vows BJP will win West Bengal polls and pledges to remove infiltrators from Bihar's Seemanchal, citing security and demographic concerns. Union Home Minister Amit Shah. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday expressed confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will win the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal, and said that once in power, the party would drive out every single infiltrator" from the state. While addressing a function of the Sashastra Seema Bal in in Araria district of Bihars Seemanchal region, which borders West Bengal. Elections are around the corner in West Bengal. I am confident that the BJP is going to win. Upon formation of the new government, we shall drive out every single infiltrator," Shah said as quoted by news agency PTI. The Union Minister described infiltration as a threat to national security and alleged that it disturbs the demographic balance of affected areas. He also claimed that infiltrators avail benefits such as ration and other government schemes meant for citizens. He said that the process of identifying and removing infiltrators would begin in Bihar, particularly in the Seemanchal region. Shah asserted that freedom from infiltrators doesnt just mean removing their names from the voter list," adding that the government is determined to implement a programme to remove every single infiltrator from Indian soil." #WATCH | Araria, Bihar | Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, Freedom from infiltrators doesnt just mean removing their names from the voter list. We are determined to implement a program to remove every single infiltrator from Indian soilThe Narendra Modi government is pic.twitter.com/glbvRo1QTk ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2026 The process of flushing out infiltrators will begin in Bihar, especially in the Seemanchal region. We had won the assembly polls here last year on this very issue. And, we got the mandate even though opponents were criticising our agenda," he said. Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Assam are the most vulnerable to such demographic disturbance. The Narendra Modi government is committed to maintain demographic balance," Shah added. Shah ALSO paid tribute to freedom fighter and Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar on his death anniversary. He described Savarkar as a fearless patriot whose writings inspired nationalist sentiment and credited him with popularising the view of the 1857 uprising as Indias First War of Independence. Whether it was the eradication of untouchability, the purification of languages, or the vision of pure nationalism, Veer Savarkar made immense efforts for all of these," Shah said. Assembly elections in West Bengal are due in the coming months, with political activity intensifying across the state and neighbouring regions. (With inputs from agencies) Location : Araria, India, India First Published: February 26, 2026, 13:58 IST News politics Amit Shah Vows BJP Win In West Bengal, Says Will Drive Out Every Infiltrator Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... BJP Files Complaint Against Youth Congress Leader Over Obscene Post On PM Modi: Insult To Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 09:57 IST BJP filed a police complaint against Bindu Gowda for sharing an AI-generated image of PM Modi linked to Epstein Files. PM Narendra Modi. (Image: PTI/File) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has filed a police complaint against Karnataka Youth Congress secretary Bindu Gowda over an objectionable and derogatory social media post targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A complaint was lodged at the Malleswaram Police Station by the BJPs social media wing, seeking legal action against the IYC Karnataka secretary. The BJP said that an AI-generated semi-nude image of the Prime Minister was shared from a Facebook account named Bindu Sira" on February 24. The party has alleged that the image linked the Prime Minister to the so-called Epstein Files" and described the post as indecent" and an insult to a constitutional office. Karnataka BJP leaders have demanded that the state government take strict action and book the Congress functionary under relevant provisions related to hate speech and other offences. The BJP termed the alleged post an attack not just on the Prime Minister personally but on the dignity of the constitutional position he holds. This came amid ongoing controversy over Indian Youth Congresss (IYC) shirtless protest" inside Bharat Mandapam during the AI Impact Summit 2026. What Happened In AI Summit? India hosted the worlds largest artificial intelligence conclave, the AI Impact Summit-2026. The summit that began on February 16 has seen packed halls and long queues, as tech moguls, industry leaders, policymakers, founders, and technologists thronged the Bharat Mandapam. Around 10 activists of the Congresss youth wing had entered the AI Summit venue in New Delhi and staged a shirtless protest, raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the India-US trade deal. The protesters wore or carried white T-shirts printed with images of PM Modi and US President Donald Trump, along with slogans targeting the government. The protest sparked a political row, with BJP leaders condemning it as anti-national" and accusing the Congress of harming Indias global image, while the Congress defended the demonstration as legitimate democratic dissent reflecting youth anger. First Published: February 26, 2026, 09:57 IST News politics BJP Files Complaint Against Youth Congress Leader Over Obscene Post On PM Modi: Insult To Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Income Tax Dept Raids Residence Of BSPs Only Sitting MLA Umashankar Singh Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: February 25, 2026, 16:24 IST Sources said the action is linked to scrutiny of financial transactions and documents related to movable and immovable assets Rapid Read MLA Umashankar Singh (News18 Hindi) With assembly elections approaching in Uttar Pradesh, the Income Tax Departments early morning raid at the Lucknow residence of BSPs only sitting MLA Umashankar Singh has injected fresh political heat into the states already charged atmosphere. The search operation began at around 7am on Wednesday when more than 50 Income Tax officials, accompanied by Lucknow Police personnel, arrived in multiple vehicles at Singhs residence in Gomti Nagar. The team cordoned off the premises and restricted movement in and out of the house. Officials were seen examining files, electronic devices, and other documents during the search. Sources said the action is linked to scrutiny of financial transactions and documents related to movable and immovable assets. However, the Income Tax Department has not yet issued an official statement detailing the scope or findings of the raid. The development comes at a time when Singh is battling serious health issues. A three-time MLA from Rasra in Ballia district, he is undergoing treatment for cancer. He has already undergone two major surgeries and recently returned from the United States after undergoing a blood-related medical procedure. Currently, he is said to be in isolation at his Lucknow residence as part of his ongoing treatment. However, this is not the first time Singh has faced scrutiny over his assets. Around 11 months ago, the vigilance department initiated a probe into allegations of disproportionate assets. The investigation extended to properties allegedly purchased in the names of his wife Pushpa Singh, son Yukesh, and daughter Yamini. The inquiry covered land, residential houses, flats, commercial establishments, and agricultural properties. Vigilance officials had sought details from multiple departments, including writing to the IG Prayagraj for information regarding registered assets. Records were also collected from sub-registrar offices in districts such as Varanasi as part of the probe. According to Singhs affidavit filed during the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, his total declared assets amount to approximately Rs54.05 crore. Of this, Rs 18.05 crore comprises movable assets, while Rs 35.99 crore falls under immovable property. He has also declared liabilities of around Rs 13 crore. His wife, Pushpa Singh, is the managing director of CS Infra Construction Limited. Singh holds particular significance within the Bahujan Samaj Party because he is its only MLA in the current Uttar Pradesh Assembly. In the 2022 elections, the BSP managed to open its account solely through his victory from Rasra. His repeated electoral success has cemented his position as a key face of the party in eastern Uttar Pradesh. His proximity to BSP chief Mayawati has also been politically noted. In the past, Mayawati publicly tied a rakhi to him, symbolising a close bond. On March 5, when Singhs health deteriorated, she personally visited his residence to inquire about his condition and met his family members. A 12th-pass leader, Singh began his political journey in student politics. In 1990, he was elected general secretary of the student union at AAC College in Ballia. He later rose to become the district panchayat chairman of Ballia in 2000, strengthening his grassroots presence. He joined the BSP in 2011 and was first elected MLA from Rasra in 2012. Despite the BSPs significant decline in seats that year, Singh secured over 84,000 votes and defeated his Samajwadi Party rival by a wide margin. He retained the seat in 2017 and 2022, marking three consecutive victories. Singhs political career has not been without controversy. On January 14, 2017, the then Governor Ram Naik declared him disqualified under provisions of the Representation of the People Act. The case involved allegations of obtaining government contracts in his own name. A Lokayukta inquiry found substance in the charges, and following court directions and an Election Commission recommendation, his assembly membership was terminated retrospectively reportedly the first such instance in Uttar Pradesh. First Published: February 25, 2026, 16:24 IST News politics Income Tax Dept Raids Residence Of BSPs Only Sitting MLA Umashankar Singh Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'This Is A Hindu Rashtra': Maharashtra Minister Calls For Action After Namaz At Govt Office Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 25, 2026, 23:12 IST BJP leader Nitesh Rane condemned the incident after a video showed Namaz being offered inside the Malegaon Municipal Corporation electricity department. Maharashtra Ports Development Minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane. Maharashtra Ports Development Minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane on Wednesday demanded strict action after a video showing Namaz being offered inside the Malegaon Municipal Corporation electricity department went viral on social media. Speaking to reporters, Rane strongly remarked, This is a Hindu rashtra. No one is allowed to practice religion, preach, or carry out jihad in this way in our countryHave these people been elected for the development of Malegaon or to do jihad? Why should dissolving such bodies not be demanded?" #WATCH | On Namaz offered inside office of Malegaon Municipal Corporation electricity department, Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane says, This is a Hindu rashtra. No one is allowed to do this hereHave these people been elected for the development of Malegaon or to do jihad? pic.twitter.com/HFhWYA6JC0 ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2026 All of this is just theatrics, they should go to an Islamic country if they want to do this Why should they offer namaz there when there are so many mosques? We will certainly call for action," he added. Rane also criticised madrasas in the state, calling them breeding grounds for terrorists" and said he would urge Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to shut them down. He cited a separate viral video from Sawantwadi, his home district, showing a clergy member allegedly beating a student. You have seen the maulavis video of beating children. It is from Sawantwadi, my home district, and I am also the district guardian minister. You will also come to know about what strict action he is going to face soon," he said. The minister questioned the need for Islamic schools, arguing, Why do you even need madrasas? That is the basic point. These madrasas are epicentres of terrorism. They shape terrorists there." If you want to teach the Quran, you have mosques for it. Sometimes weapons are found in these madrasas, and sometimes incidents like the beating up of children," he alleged. Rane further questioned if any Islamic country would allow schools for Hindus where only the Bhagavad Gita is taught. I will speak with the CM and tell him to close down all the madrasas, as these are breeding grounds for terrorists," he said. (With inputs from agencies) Location : Maharashtra, India, India First Published: February 25, 2026, 23:12 IST News politics 'This Is A Hindu Rashtra': Maharashtra Minister Calls For Action After Namaz At Govt Office Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... TMCs Rs 1,500 Vs BJPs Rs 25,000: Bengals High-Stakes Freebie Showdown Ahead Of Polls Reported By : Edited By: Shuddhanta Patra Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 10:06 IST BJP is troubled by the strong response to TMCs new Banglar Yuba Sathi Rs 1,500 monthly allowance for unemployed youth launching in April. West Bengal Polls: BJP Likely to Promise 20 Lakh Jobs a Year, New IIT for North Bengal. (Image: PTI) As the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections draw closer, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is rethinking its political strategy in the state and is getting ready for a competitive dole politics, if sources are to be believed. In BJPs Sankalp Patra or manifesto committee, there has been serious deliberations of whether to promise a massive Rs 25,000 every month to every jobless resident of the state of the age of between 18 and 35 years of age, say sources. This, if made to the manifesto will be one of the steepest doles promised by any political party in recent time. But if it makes it to the printed manifesto, BJP sources say, it will come with conditions tied to it. We dont want to project it as unemployment allowance. We want to enable the youth. They must learn from among a set of professional training that the new BJP government will impart free of cost. It will be a win-win. They will eventually start earning on their own," said a source in Bengal BJP on the condition of anonymity. Politically, this is thought of by the BJP which is troubled by the response to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) governments newest freebie, Banglar Yuba Sathi allowance of Rs 1,500 per month for unemployed youth, which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said will be implemented from April. About 2 lakh unemployed youths flocked to 294 camps across Bengal on the very first day for registration. The state government has allocated Rs 5,000 crore for the scheme, which is the latest in the bouquet of doles. The sheer response to the scheme is said to have forced BJP to think about this competitive dole politics where they are toying with the idea of promising sixteen times more what Mamata Banerjee government is offering, a radical idea in Indias freebie politics. Recently a Supreme Court bench headed by CJI Surya Kant cautioned states against freebies cultures. The bench observed, Most of the states in the country are revenue deficit states and yet they are offering such freebies". Sources in the BJP reveal, the party is likely to promise 20 lakh new jobs every year if BJP comes to power. For those who havent yet entered the job market, BJP is likely to promise a separate Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in North Bengal where the BJP fared better in 2021 assembly election. The state, however, has an IIT in Kharagpur. The Sankalp Patra discussions reflect the BJPs broader effort to tailor its political messaging to Bengals unique socio-economic landscape ahead of a high-stakes electoral contest. In recent weeks, the party has also undertaken grassroots Sankalp Patra suggestion drives" to gather feedback from citizens across urban and rural areas, positioning the manifesto as a peoples charter" rather than a top-down document. Location : West Bengal, India, India First Published: February 26, 2026, 10:06 IST News politics TMCs Rs 1,500 Vs BJPs Rs 25,000: Bengals High-Stakes Freebie Showdown Ahead Of Polls Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... AI for ALL: How India Will Shape the Physical AI Era Curated By : Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 17:25 IST Physical AI is bringing intelligence to devices and infrastructurepositioning India to lead the next wave of AI innovation. News18 Artificial intelligence is moving from the abstract to the tangible. It is leaving reports, dashboards and call centers and entering the physical world, into machines, classrooms, farms, hospitals, and public infrastructure, where software meets sensors and actuators, and where decisions create motion, light, sound, and safety. This is the dawn of Physical AI: intelligence that senses locally, reasons locally, and acts locally. Physical AI is not merely a product feature. It is an architectural shift. When intelligence lives next to the phenomenon it observes, we gain what the cloud alone cannot consistently provide: low latency, predictable reliability, better privacy, and a lower total cost of operation in bandwidthconstrained environments. Just as importantly, we lower the barrier to entry. With the right tools, learners and firsttime builders can do meaningful work without hyperscale infrastructure. India is very well positioned to define this era. India brings an uncommon combination of scale, constraints, and creativity. Scale, because tens of millions of young people are entering the workforce, and the developer community is now among the largest on earth. Constraints, because power, connectivity, and cost are real everyday variables, and therefore design parameters. Creativity, because Indian builders have long perfected the art of making things work everywhere, not just in perfect conditions. Build under constraints, and you do not create fragile prototypes; you create robust systems patterns that can be exported. The question before us is simple: Will the world of Physical AI be built by a few thousand engineers, or by millions of builders? If it is the latter, and it must be,the platforms, pedagogy, and policies we choose in 2026 will shape the decade. From Abstract AI to Physical AI For a decade, headlines celebrated model sizes and benchmark scores. In the decade ahead, the questions that matter are different: Where does intelligence live? How reliably does it act? How quickly can we iterate in the real world? When decisions happen ondevice, a camera can recognize a hazard without a round trip to a server; a motor can respond within milliseconds; a classroom project can run without broadband. Physical AI is AI that shows up on time, every time. Ondevice inference transforms latency into responsiveness and turns privacy from a promise into an architecture. When sensitive data does not leave the device, we reduce risk by design. And when systems continue to function offline, we minimize downtime and recurring connectivity costs. These practicalities are not footnotes. They are the difference between impressive demos and dependable deployments. Indias Superpowers: Scale Constraints Creativity Technology ecosystems flourish when they align with the strengths of their builders. Indias developer base is already one of the worlds largest and fastestgrowing, and it is increasingly fluent in AI tools and opensource collaboration. That scale matters, but scale alone is not sufficient. What makes India singular is that everyday constraints are embraced as design inputs. That is how you produce affordable, efficient systems that work the first time, every time, in the real world. For Physical AI, those instincts are decisive. Edge systems must balance compute with power, responsiveness with thermal limits, and functionality with cost. The Indian engineering habit of optimizing for enough, rather than chasing excess, creates solutions that are not only elegant but also economically viable at scale. The Hardware Renaissance and Why Open Matters As intelligence moves to the edge, hardware matters again. But this is not a return to closed and specialized stacks available only to elite teams. The Physical AI era will be won by open, accessible platforms that compress the distance from idea to impact. Advanced silicon must meet approachable development environments so that students, teachers, startups, and enterprises share a common toolchain and vocabulary. This is precisely why we built platforms like Arduino UNO Q in partnership with Qualcomm: to combine Linuxclass compute" and ondevice AI with realtime microcontroller control, in a familiar form factor and with open libraries. You should think about it as a combination of brain, sensing and actuation. Complex becomes buildable. Elite becomes accessible. A students first AI project and a startups first deployable prototype can live on the same board, using the same abstractions and many of the same examples. Developer Velocity Is the Key If Physical AI is to be for everyone, the northstar metric is not units shipped or funds raised, it is developer velocity. How quickly can a student complete a first AI project? How rapidly can a teacher turn theory into a lab? How fast can a startup move from prototype to repeatable product? When velocity rises, experimentation multiplies, failure becomes cheaper, and confidence compounds. Think about the new developer arc. It no longer begins with a computerscience degree; it might begin with curiosity, a sensor, and a small board. First, you explore by blinking an LED or reading a sensor. Then you build by adding a camera or microphone and a local AI model. Then you deploy by solving a real problem in a lab or community. Finally, you scale by turning your solution into a product or platform. Our responsibility is to make every step of that journey seamless and fast. From Prototype to Platform: Mastering the Middle Mile India prototypes at extraordinary speed. Hackathons and capstones can solve in a weekend once required months. The opportunity now is to industrialize velocity, to master the middle mile between a compelling demo and a dependable product. That middle mile has hard edges: certification, manufacturability, software updates, security, supply chains. It is also where value accrues, because prototypes impress, but platforms endure. We need accessible manufacturing pathways for small runs and scaleup, capital that understands hardware cadences, and education that teaches productization, not just invention. When students learn the difference between a great demo and a great product, they graduate with a builders realism and an entrepreneurs optimism. Education and Policy: Turning Learners into Builders As a non-Indian, learning about the policy in India; it is amazing to see the tilt toward handson innovation. The National Education Policy (NEP 2020) calls for experiential learning, technology integration, and 21stcentury skills from the earliest grades. Its spirit is already visible in thousands of Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) across the country, makerspaces that normalize sensors, microcontrollers, and problemsolving. The plan to dramatically expand this network signals a generational commitment to learning by building. But Physical AI requires more than access to equipment. It requires teacher enablement, aligned assessment, and open reference projects that can be copied, remixed, and improved. When a teacher can download a proven lab and run it without internet, when a student can see local inference control a motor in realtime, confidence grows. Confidence turns learners into builders. Why Now: The Stack is Ready For years, we lacked the ingredients to make ondevice intelligence truly practical for everyone. That is no longer true. Energyefficient processors now run surprisingly capable models at the edge. Development environments unify realtime control, Linux applications, Python, and AI workflows. And the opensource community has matured from code snippets to productiongrade frameworks, examples, and learning paths. On the demand side, the usecases are everywhere. A camera that detects unsafe behavior near a machine. A meter that learns patterns to save energy. A classroom that measures air quality and alerts locally. A vehicle that perceives and responds even when the network is congested. In each case, Physical AI is not a bonus; it is the only way to meet the requirements of latency, privacy, and cost. A Blueprint for AI for All 1) Double down on open, accessible platforms. Favor ecosystems with approachable tools and large communities. Provide a clear path from school projects to startup deployments to learn from hands-on experience to productization. 2) Modernize labs into capability centers. Upgrade ATLs and university labs into certificationready spaces with modular curricula, verified rubrics, and microcredentials recognized by employers. Measure usage and outcomes, not just equipment. 3) Fund the middle mile. Create financing vehicles and procurement models tuned to hardware realities, inventory, certification, compliance, and link them to domestic supply chains so that Make in India becomes Deploy in India. Think and invest with a long-term horizon and a patient mindset. 4) Build public reference designs. Publish open projects for agriculture, healthcare, safety, and energy, with bill-of-materials, code, and deployment guides. Let districts, startups, and communities replicate quickly, then localize. 5) Measure developer velocity. Track time to first project, time to classroom lab, time to first deploy, and prototypetoplatform conversion as policy KPIs. What we measure, we multiply. Sectors Where Physical AI Changes the Curve Agriculture. Ondevice vision can detect crop stress, pests, or irrigation leaks without connectivity. Multisensor fusion predicts soil conditions and drives precision inputs. Farmers get insights in seconds, not hours, with no data leaving the field. Healthcare. Portable diagnostics and remote monitoring systems perform initial analysis locally, preserving privacy and enabling triage even with poor networks. In telemedicine, local perception stabilizes experiences for clinicians and patients. Manufacturing. Realtime anomaly detection on audio or vibration reduces downtime and improves safety. Because models live on the line, updates can be staged and rolled out without dependency on the widearea network. Mobility and public safety. Computer vision at intersections, stations, and worksites detects risk and orchestrates responses locally. Latency is measured in milliseconds, not round trips. Education and civic tech. Students build environmental dashboards and accessibility aides with local inference. Cities deploy edge sensors that operate within strict datagovernance norms. In both cases, Physical AI builds trust because the system is understandable and inspectable. Platforms, Community, Momentum Every era has a platform that makes the complex simple. Two decades ago, Arduino helped millions of people join the maker movement by lowering the barrier to embedded development. Today, as we enter the Physical AI era, we are again lowering the barrier, this time to ondevice intelligence, by combining approachable hardware with unified software and a global community. In the last 12 months alone, downloads of our development tools have been measured in the tens of millions, a signal that curiosity is compounding into capability. Crucially, Physical AI is not a solo act. It requires collaboration between silicon, software, curriculum, and community. That is why we work with technology leaders to bring advanced compute" into accessible form factors, and with educators and partners to translate platforms into classroom and lab impact. The result is a ladder that starts with a first project and leads to a career, or a company. Indias trajectory is unmistakable: a surging developer base, a policy push for experiential learning, and a semiconductor strategy moving from policy to production. With Physical AI, these strands converge. If we choose openness, invest in the middle mile, and measure velocity, India wont just participate in the AI era, it will shape it. This is not about replicating Silicon Valley. It is about building an Indian model of Physical AI: built at scale, under constraints, for realworld complexity. It is about capability, not just innovation; platforms, not just prototypes; builders, not just users. And it starts with a simple invitation to every student, teacher, startup, and policymaker: start building, now. About the Author Fabio Violante is a builderfirst technology leader who helped evolve Arduino from a spark of the maker movement into a globally trusted platform. Fabio Violante as CEO of Arduino and Vice President and General Manager at Qualcomm, leads the strategic development of the Arduino platform for intelligent edge, connectivity, and embedded AI applications. As CEO of Arduino, he championed openness, handson learning, and developer velocity, guiding the companys expansion into AIready hardware, unified toolchains, and programs that turn curiosity into capability. Earlier, he was CTO for the Performance and Availability Business Unit at BMC Software following the acquisition of Neptuny, a company he co-founded. Violante holds a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from Politecnico di Milano and is a co-founder and Board Member of the Moviri Group. Partnered Post Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: February 26, 2026, 17:25 IST News studio18 AI for ALL: How India Will Shape the Physical AI Era Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... This Airport Official Mistakes Pakistani Man For Indian, Gets Instant Reality Check: Nice To Meet You Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 18:23 IST As soon as he exited Luxembourg airport, a South Asian man looked at him closely and asked if he was Indian. Rapid Read The stranger, who had looked excited at first, immediately changed his tone.(Photo Credit: Instagram/ saadalife) A funny moment outside Luxembourg airport recently caught attention. Saad, a Pakistan-based individual now living in Germany, shared a video about what happened when he stepped out of the airport. As soon as he exited, a South Asian man looked at him closely and asked if he was Indian. Saad calmly replied that he was from Pakistan. The stranger, who had looked excited at first, immediately changed his tone and politely said Nice to meet you" before walking away. He laughed while recalling how quickly the mood changed after the initial question. Social media users appreciated Saad for staying calm and making the situation funny, rather than reacting with anger. Funny Encounter At Luxembourg Airport Goes Viral Sharing the incident online, Saad said, Im in Luxembourg and the moment I stepped out of the airport, this brown-looking guy looks at me and he goes, Indian, and I was like, No. Pakistani. Then he was like, Nice to meet you. Then he left and I was like, Talk to us as well, what are we lacking?" The video posted on Instagram came with the caption, Funny incident in Luxembourg. But to be frank, easy to confuse the two sometimes." Funny Encounter At Luxembourg Airport Goes Viral Reacting to the post, a user wrote, Bruh, Im Pakistani and I thought you were Indian." Another shared, Only desis can understand and not understand this expression at the same time." Happens every time," a comment read. An individual stated, Its okay buddy, hota hai. Mere sath reverse hoya tha, but i didnt make a reel." Another mentioned, Na, its just the next question might be which part of India. If he is from the north, then you guys can connect, but there are chances of him being from the south." One more added, The same thing happened to me in Paris. Random brown guys approached me and asked, Bangladeshi? I said no. Before I could finish my sentence, he asked, Pakistani? I said no again. Then he said, Indian, ooo, and left. I was like, wtf bhai what was that." Many others, as well, from South Asia mentioned that they have experienced the same thing while travelling. First Published: February 26, 2026, 18:23 IST News viral This Airport Official Mistakes Pakistani Man For Indian, Gets Instant Reality Check: Nice To Meet You Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Punch, The Baby Monkey, Is More Than A Viral Sensation. It Is Now The Face Of Mumbai Police's Campaign Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 12:59 IST Mumbai Police used Punch to raise awareness of the national emergency helpline number 112. A+ for social media performance, reacted an online user. (Photo Credit : Instagram/mumbaipolice) If you are on social media these days, chances are you have come across a baby monkey clinging to a stuffed orangutan toy at a zoo. Yes, that viral baby macaque named Punch, who is currently kept at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan. After its story of heartbreak and resilience surfaced online, many sympathised with Punch, making it an overnight sensation on the Internet. Now, the seven-month-old has become the face of Mumbai Polices new campaign. They have found a creative and heartwarming way to raise awareness of the national emergency helpline number 112 by tapping into Punchs online virality. Mumbai Police Uses Baby Monkey Punch To Raise Awareness In an Instagram post, the Mumbai Police shared a series of images featuring a baby monkey that conveyed important messages rooted in Mahatma Gandhis principles. The first three slides of the carousel referenced the moral values often preached by the Father of the Nation, See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil." The first slide featured Punch with its eyes closed, referencing Bura Mat Dekho (See no evil)." The baby monkey was seen with its ears closed in the second picture, which said, Bura Mat Suno (Hear no evil)", and the third picture showed Punch covering its mouth with its hands, along with the message, Bura Mat Kaho (Speak no evil)". The fourth slide stood out the most in the post. The last slide showed Punch clutching its dear friend, the stuffed orangutan. The message on it read: Bura Mat Karo (Do no evil)." The Mumbai Police urged the public to act responsibly and report wrongdoing through their post. In the caption, they wrote, Be wise, report vice #JustPunchIn112 #WiseMonkeyAdvise." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mumbai Police (@mumbaipolice) Mumbai Police Wins Over The Internet With Their Creativity Once the post caught peoples attention online, they praised Mumbai Polices creativity, with one saying, Best one yet." Yaaaaaar Mumbai police, tum bohot acha kaam karta hai," commented someone else. Another person quipped, A+ for social media performance." This is so cute. I love the Mumbai police. So proud that it is one of the safest cities for women. Gratitude to each one of you," a different individual said. Bhai ye @mumbaipolice ka Admin ko bhi please award do koi to !!" a person mentioned. FYI, Punch, the Japanese baby macaque, was abandoned by its mother at birth. Later, it found comfort in a stuffed orangutan at the zoo where it is being cared for. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: February 26, 2026, 12:57 IST News viral Punch, The Baby Monkey, Is More Than A Viral Sensation. It Is Now The Face Of Mumbai Police's Campaign Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... I Am Burnt Out: OpenAI Engineer Who Once Worked At Elon Musks xAI Steps Down Citing Mental Health Issues Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 13:54 IST While expressing pride in his contributions, Hieu Pham admitted that the intense pace and pressure ultimately took a toll on his well-being. Hieu Pham has also worked at Elon Musks xAI. Hieu Pham, a Member of Technical Staff at OpenAI, has announced that he is stepping away from the company. He cited severe burnout and mental health struggles. His departure comes after stints at some of the most prominent artificial intelligence labs, including Elon Musks xAI. In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Pham talked about the emotional cost of working at the forefront of AI development. While expressing pride in his contributions, he admitted that the intense pace and pressure ultimately took a toll on his well-being. I Am Burnt Out: Employee Explains His Decision To Quit OpenAI Pham described leaving OpenAI as a difficult decision." He called his time there and previously at xAI a once-in-a-lifetime experience." I have met the best people. Not the best people in AI. Not the best people in tech. Simply the best people," Pham wrote further. While expressing pride in helping build extremely intelligent entities that will meaningfully improve our lives," Pham admitted that the intensity of the work came at a personal cost. The work makes me proud. But the intensive work came with a price," he wrote and added, I cannot believe I would say this one day, but I am burnt out." All the mental health deteriorating that I used to scoff at is real, miserable, scary, and dangerous," the post mentioned. Pham said he now plans to step away from frontier AI labs and return to Vietnam with his family where he hopes to recover and search for a cure" for his condition. I hope I will heal. Until then," he concluded. See The Post Here I have made the difficult decision to leave @OpenAI.Working here and at @xai before was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I have met the best people. Not the best people in AI. Not the best people in tech. Simply the best people. At these companies, I have helped creating Hieu Pham (@hyhieu226) February 26, 2026 What Are People Saying Online His post prompted a wave of reactions online with many expressing support. One user commented, Incredible run at two of the most important labs on earth. Now, its time for you. Rest well, heal, and enjoy every moment in Vietnam with your family. Youve earned it." Another said, Man this hits hard. Burnt out at the frontier is no joke. Take care of yourself first. The work will always be there but you wont be if you dont step back. Hope Vietnam brings you what you need. Rooting for you." This is the other side of AI development no one talks about. There is a heavy paradox in building systems to improve human lives while sacrificing your own life to do it. Its a brave decision to break that cycle. Burnout is not a badge of honor, and healing is not a sign of weakness. Touch some grass and enjoy the time home with your family," someone else pointed out. But not all responses were supportive. One person reacted with a sharp reply, "I came here on a sponsor visa H1-B of similar and stole secretes from one company, sold them to another, now going to protect my family and basically retire" Stop hiring H1-B, same result." Pham responded firmly, writing, Among the things you can say to someone with a mental issue, you picked H-1B? You know what I was never on H-1B. O-1, then EB-1A. Both for contributions to this field. The algorithm running on this site and showing you this post uses my invention. What have you built?" Among the things you can say to someone with a mental issue, you picked H-1B?You know what I was never on H-1B. O-1, then EB-1A. Both for contributions to this field. The algorithm running on this site and showing you this post uses my invention. What have you built? Hieu Pham (@hyhieu226) February 26, 2026 Earlier Concerns About AIs Future Just days before announcing his departure, Pham had made headlines for voicing concerns about AI itself. In another post on X, he spoke about feeling an existential threat" from AI. He argued that its impact on jobs, society and human relevance is a question of when, not if." Today, I finally feel the existential threat that AI is posing. When AI becomes overly good and disrupts everything, what will be left for humans to do? And its when, not if. Hieu Pham (@hyhieu226) February 11, 2026 Beyond OpenAI and xAI, Phams career includes roles at Augment Code and Google Brain. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: February 26, 2026, 13:52 IST News viral I Am Burnt Out: OpenAI Engineer Who Once Worked At Elon Musks xAI Steps Down Citing Mental Health Issues Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Ahead Of Carneys Visit, Canada Says India No Longer Linked To Violent Crimes Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 08:00 IST The statement was made during a media briefing by a senior government official, highlighting progress in diplomatic engagement between Ottawa and New Delhi. Rapid Read Canada PM Carney is visiting India today. (PTI) Ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carneys visit to India, Canadas federal government has said it no longer believes India is linked to violent crimes in the country, marking a significant shift in its public position. The statement was made during a media briefing by a senior government official, highlighting progress in diplomatic engagement between Ottawa and New Delhi. According to the Toronto Star, a senior official said Canada and India are engaged in robust diplomatic exchanges, including at the level of national security advisers, and expressed confidence that the alleged activities are no longer continuing. The remark suggests that Canadian authorities do not see ongoing foreign interference or violent activity tied to India at present. The development comes after a prolonged period of strained ties between the two countries. In 2023, then-prime minister Justin Trudeau had said there was credible" evidence linking agents of the Indian government to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. The allegations had triggered a major diplomatic row, including the expulsion of diplomats by both sides. India has consistently rejected the charges, calling them baseless. The current assessment reflects a new tone from Ottawa as Carney prepares for his India trip. Officials indicated that enhanced dialogue, including communication between national security advisers, has helped address earlier concerns. At the same time, the Canadian government maintains that it continues to take security threats seriously. Carney is set to travel to Mumbai and New Delhi as part of a broader diplomatic outreach. The visit is being viewed as an effort to reset relations and pursue deeper economic and strategic engagement with India, even as sensitivities around past allegations remain. First Published: February 26, 2026, 07:39 IST News world Ahead Of Carneys Visit, Canada Says India No Longer Linked To Violent Crimes Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Borge Brende Quits As World Economic Forum CEO After Epstein Links Emerge Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 17:19 IST Borge Brende steps down as WEF President after an independent review of his interactions with Epstein. Alois Zwinggi named interim leader as WEF seeks a permanent successor. Borge Brende steps down as WEF President after an independent review of his interactions with Epstein. Alois Zwinggi named interim leader as WEF seeks a permanent successor. (Image: reuters) Borge Brende, president and chief executive officer of the World Economic Forum (WEF), announced on Thursday that he will step down from his position, weeks after the organisation initiated an independent review into his past interactions with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Brende, who has led the Geneva-based forum since 2017, made the announcement following disclosures from the US Justice Department that he had attended three business dinners with Epstein and had exchanged emails and text messages with him. In a statement, Brende said, After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum. My time here, spanning 8-1/2 years, has been profoundly rewarding." I am grateful for the incredible collaboration with my colleagues, partners, and constituents, and I believe now is the right moment for the Forum to continue its important work without distractions," he added. Brende, a former foreign minister of Norway, did not directly reference Epstein in his resignation statement. Independent Review Concludes In a separate communication, WEF co-chairs Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink said an independent review conducted by outside counsel into Brendes relationship with Epstein had been completed. According to the findings, there were no additional concerns beyond what had already been publicly disclosed. The forum had launched the investigation earlier this year amid renewed scrutiny of Epsteins contacts with global political and business figures following the release of US justice records. Interim Leadership And Transition The co-chairs announced that Alois Zwinggi will assume the role of interim President and Chief Executive, effective immediately. The WEF Board of Trustees will oversee the leadership transition and initiate the search for a permanent successor. Headquartered in Geneva, the World Economic Forum is best known for hosting its annual Davos summit, which brings together heads of state, corporate leaders and civil society representatives from around the world. Brendes exit marks the end of a tenure during which the forum expanded its global footprint, even as it faced renewed questions about governance and accountability at the highest levels. Location : Switzerland First Published: February 26, 2026, 17:12 IST News world Borge Brende Quits As World Economic Forum CEO After Epstein Links Emerge Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Sex Slave' Manuals, Porn Tapes: What Epstein's Secret Locker Tells Us About His Bid To Obstruct Justice Curated By : Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 18:00 IST The contents of Jeffrey Epstein's secret locker in Florida's Palm Beach paint a disturbing picture of what was kept out of reach during a probe against him in 2005 Rapid Read Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein began leasing storage lockers across Palm Beach County in Florida, US, as early as 2003, five years before he was finally arrested. (Image: AP/File) Three computers, 29 address books, a three-page list of local masseuses, training manuals for sex slaves", dozens of pornographic magazines, VHS tapes, and DVDs that featured the eroticisation of teenagers: this is the inventory of a secret locker belonging to the late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. This list of items, found in a primary lock-up in Floridas Palm Beach, United States, was reportedly emailed to Epstein and his legal team in 2009, and paints a disturbing picture of what was kept out of reach during an investigation against him in 2005. An investigation by The Telegraph has now revealed the contents of Epsteins secret lockers, which were created to outmanoeuvre law enforcement. When the police executed a search warrant at his Palm Beach mansion in October 2005, they realised the residence appeared to have been meticulously scrubbed of incriminating evidence. Three computers were missing from the property, with only their keyboards left behind. Michael Reiter, a former police chief of Palm Beach, had reportedly said the place had been cleaned up" a statement that has taken on significance after it was revealed how Epstein wove a sophisticated, decade-long campaign to obstruct justice. According to new details from an inventory obtained by The Telegraph, he successfully evaded the 2005 police raid by employing private investigators to relocate a vast trove of sensitive material into a network of secret stashes. Some of these were maintained until he died in 2019, and served as a black hole" for evidence that might have otherwise brought his illicit activities and those of his high-profile associates to light much sooner. HOW WAS THE INCRIMINATING MATERIAL RELOCATED? The Telegraph reported that Epstein began leasing storage lockers across Palm Beach County as early as 2003, using credit cards to fund a systematic effort to move material out of his Florida estate. The report said the Riley Kiraly detective agency, headed by Bill Riley and Steve Kiraly, was central to this operation. They were allegedly tasked with moving the incriminating items into at least six secret lockers so that they were not found by the police. It said the lockers were not merely a dumping ground for illicit material, but appeared to be a repository for Epsteins most sensitive personal records. They had nude photographs of those believed to be his victims, 8mm video cassette tapes depicting women in lingerie and individuals in showers, and even laboratory results. The Telegraph said the presence of equipment that would have linked to surveillance cameras has fuelled long-standing suspicions that he was engaged in a massive blackmail scheme. Many victims have testified that he fitted his various properties with covert cameras to record sexual encounters for the purpose of leverage or sexual gratification. This theory gained weight earlier this month with the revelation of a 2014 email in which the American financier ordered his staff to install secret cameras inside Kleenex boxes, with a note suggesting the Russians may come in handy" for discreet installation, the report said. WAS EVIDENCE DESTROYED? While some copies of computer hard drives were eventually recovered by the FBI in 2019, forensic records show that Epstein ensured his digital footprint was destroyed, as per The Telegraph. Emails reveal that he repeatedly ordered his staff and private investigators to wipe" computers and shred" tapes to hinder any long-term investigation, the report said. In one 2014 exchange, there were plans to destroy computer equipment located in a server room at Epsteins Manhattan mansion. Despite these orders, the report said, victims lawyers raised concerns as early as 2010 that Epstein was stashing evidence in secret units. In a deposition that year, Epstein was asked: Where are those computers today?" They allegedly contained the names of hundreds of minor girls he had molested, but he remained silent, it added. WHY DID LAW ENFORCEMENT FAIL? The revelations about the storage lockers reflect on the abject failure of the authorities in pursuing these leads. Search warrants reviewed by The Telegraph suggest that US law enforcement never raided several of these, leaving potential evidence unexamined for more than a decade. The report said while the FBI has said it found no evidence of blackmail tapes, critics said failure to do so shows that such evidence was never sought during their probe. The agency has declined to comment if these lockers are now being reviewed or if they will be released. There is more than enough indication, however, that there has been a coordinated campaign to hide physical and digital data on Epsteins powerful connections. From Bill Clinton to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, these names have frequently appeared in the documents released by the US Department of Justice. But it is damning to know that for over 16 years, a vast portion of this highly incriminating material was tucked away in rented units while Epstein roamed free. First Published: February 26, 2026, 18:00 IST News world 'Sex Slave' Manuals, Porn Tapes: What Epstein's Secret Locker Tells Us About His Bid To Obstruct Justice Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Grisly Decor, Sex Toys, Pictures Of Naked Women: Shocking Photos Emerge From Epsteins Paris Flat Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 07:59 IST Epsteins Paris property is also where his longtime friend and modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel allegedly committed rapes. New Photos Reveal Inside Epsteins Avenue Foch Property New photographs have emerged from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epsteins Paris flat, showing disturbing decorations, sex toys and framed pictures of naked women on the walls. The images were published by French newspaper Le Parisien. They are from Epsteins 18-room property at 22 Avenue Foch in Paris. Except for the Virgin Islands, where he owned an island, and the United States, France was the only other country where Epstein had a secondary home. The property spans around 800 square metres. Luxury mansion with bizarre decor The mansion was purchased by Epstein in 2001. It featured curtains, lights and wallpaper in shades of red, pink and orange. The flat also had unusual animal decor. A rotunda inside the home contained a bearskin rug, antelope horns, and a stuffed elephant calf and vulture. Paris prosecutors believe several sex crimes were committed at the property. Skandallarla anlan, hukum giymis cinsel suclu ve Amerikal sapk milyarder" olarak hafzalara kaznan Jeffrey Epsteinn Paristeki gizli dairesine ait yeni fotograflar kamuoyuna yansd.Fransz gazetesi Le Parisien tarafndan yaymlanan goruntuler, islenmis olabilecek pic.twitter.com/noIQrrG1t2 MAH Ajans (@mahajansi) February 25, 2026 France opens two investigations The revelations come after France opened two cases linked to Epstein following the release of files by the US Justice Department. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau told France Info radio that the investigation would rely on publicly available material and complaints filed by child protection groups. One investigation will focus on human trafficking. The other will examine crimes including money laundering, corruption and tax fraud. Links to Jean-Luc Brunel Epsteins Paris property is also where his longtime friend and modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel allegedly committed rapes. Brunel was awaiting trial for raping a child and was under investigation for trafficking minors when he was found dead in his prison cell. French authorities said he died by suicide using bedsheets. Epstein also died by suicide in a Manhattan jail in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex crimes and trafficking minors for prostitution. Location : Paris, France First Published: February 26, 2026, 07:59 IST News world Grisly Decor, Sex Toys, Pictures Of Naked Women: Shocking Photos Emerge From Epsteins Paris Flat Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Imran Khan's 'Political Victimisation' By Pakistan Echoes On The Floor Of British Parliament Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 13:23 IST Tariq Ahmad emphasised the need for humanitarian access, particularly calling on the British government to facilitate a meeting between Khan and his sons. Rapid Read British lawmakers linked these concerns to broader questions of democratic governance in Pakistan. (Image: AP and Video grab) Concerns over the imprisonment and health of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan have now reached the floor of the British Parliament, where peers across party lines have called for medical access, family visitation rights and guarantees of free and fair legal proceedings. During a debate in the House of Lords, several parliamentarians described Khans treatment as deeply troubling, urging the UK government to raise the matter more forcefully with Islamabad. Among the most outspoken voices was Zac Goldsmith, who termed Khans treatment an international outrage" and pressed the Foreign Office to intensify diplomatic engagement. Tariq Ahmad emphasised the need for humanitarian access, particularly calling on the British government to facilitate a meeting between Khan and his sons, Qasim Khan and Sulaiman Khan, both British citizens. He argued that family access becomes especially urgent when a detainees health is in question. Labour peer Jenny Chapman also demanded Khans release and said he should receive the best possible medical care. Responding on behalf of the government, Baroness Chapman stated that the UK consistently advocates for family access in cases involving prisoners requiring medical treatment. However, she underlined that decisions regarding prison visits and immigration permissions ultimately lie with Pakistani authorities. While maintaining that the UK raises human rights concerns with Pakistan, she stopped short of committing to direct intervention. The debate reflects mounting alarm over Khans health in custody concerns repeatedly voiced by his family and party colleagues. They have alleged that he has faced restricted access to doctors, inadequate medical supervision and limitations on meeting relatives. His sister has publicly claimed that his condition has deteriorated in jail and warned of potential mistreatment, fuelling fears among supporters that his life could be at risk. British lawmakers linked these concerns to broader questions of democratic governance in Pakistan. As a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, and home to an estimated 1.5 million people of Pakistani heritage in the UK, Pakistans political stability holds direct resonance in Britain. Several peers argued that ensuring transparent elections and safeguarding opposition leaders from political victimisation are not merely domestic matters but issues with international implications. Whether London chooses to escalate diplomatic pressure remains to be seen, but Khans detention has clearly become a subject of global scrutiny. First Published: February 26, 2026, 13:23 IST News world Imran Khan's 'Political Victimisation' By Pakistan Echoes On The Floor Of British Parliament Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... In Cultural Gesture, Netanyahu Dons Traditional Indian Attire Ahead Of Dinner With PM Modi Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 06:08 IST PM Modi is on a two-day official visit to Israel, and was conferred with the highest honour of the Knesset "Speaker of the Knesset Medal" on Wednesday. Netanyahu surprises Prime Minister Narendra Modi, dons traditional Indian attire. (Image: X/@netanyahu) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday pleasantly surprised his Indian counterpart, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, by donning traditional Indian attire ahead of their joint dinner. Taking to X, Netanyahu wrote, Before our joint dinner, I surprised my friend Prime Minister Modi by wearing traditional Indian attire." Currently, PM Modi is on a two-day official visit to Israel, and was conferred with the highest honour of the Knesset Speaker of the Knesset Medal" by the Israeli Parliament on Wednesday. The medal was conferred after PM Modis speech in the Israeli Parliament. PM Modi addressed a Special Plenary of the Knesset in Jerusalem and became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli parliament. Upon his arrival at the Knesset, the Prime Minister was received by the Speaker of the Knesset, Amir Ohana and accorded a ceremonial welcome. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Leader of Opposition Yair Lapid and Speaker Ohana spoke in the Plenary ahead of the Prime Ministers address, expressing strong bipartisan support for India-Israel ties. PM Modi, during his speech, also highlighted the strong bonds of friendship between India and Israel and noted that the two peoples share both ancient civilizational ties and a robust contemporary partnership based on technology, innovation, defence, security and strategic convergences. Recalling the uncompromising policy of zero tolerance for terrorism of the two countries, the Prime Minister offered condolences for the October 7 terror attack and noted that there can be no justification for such brutality. Prime Minister Modi received a standing ovation during his speech. In his speech, PM Modi said there is great admiration for Israels resolve, courage, and achievements in India. (With agency inputs) Location : Israel First Published: February 26, 2026, 06:08 IST News world In Cultural Gesture, Netanyahu Dons Traditional Indian Attire Ahead Of Dinner With PM Modi Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Jamaat Chief Slams Bangladesh President, Sparks Debate Over Alleged YunusIslamist Nexus Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 14:38 IST The President revealed that the Yunus administration put him under virtual house arrest, tried to unseat him from the Presidency several times. Bangladeshs president has alleged that the Yunus regime attempted to oust him. (Reuters) Days after Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin spoke publicly about how he was treated by the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the chief of the Islamist party Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami launched a sharp criticism of the President. In a Facebook post, the Jamaat-e-Islami chief and current Leader of the Opposition, Shafiqur Rahman, questioned why Shahabuddin had allegedly withheld key details about the events of August 5, 2024 the day Hasina left the country. On that day, Hasinas Awami League government was forced from power amid deadly nationwide protests and later the administration was overtaken by the Islamists. Shahabuddin, in an interview with Bangla newspaper Kaler Kontho, slammed the Yunus regime, terming its rule and many of its actions as unconstitutional, India Today reported. The President also revealed that the Yunus administration put him under virtual house arrest, tried to unseat him from the Presidency several times and prevented him from flying out of Bangladesh for medical treatment. Notably, Shahabuddin was appointed as the President of Bangladesh in April 2023 by the Hasina-led Awami League government. Jamaat Chief Criticises Shahabuddin As Shahbuddin criticised Yunus and his regime during the interview, Jamaat supremo Shafiqur Rahman attacked him over hiding details regarding the August 2024 protests in Bangladesh. The President has suppressed many things regarding August 5, 2024. He did not acknowledge in his current statement what he told the leaders present regarding the resignation of the fallen and fugitive Prime Minister and what he later told the nation. And he did not say anything that day that he is saying now," Rahman wrote on Facebook, slamming the President. Shafiqur was referring to the controversy over Sheikh Hasinas missing resignation letter, a document which was constitutionally required to legitimise the coming in of Yunuss interim regime in the country. You know Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has tendered her resignation letter to the President and I have received it," Shahabuddin had said in a televised address to the nation on August 5, hours after Hasina left. Later after two months later, the President claimed that he had only heard that Hasina had resigned, but had no evidence of her resignation. I tried [to collect the resignation letter] many times but failed. Maybe she did not have the time," Shahabuddin had said to Dhaka-based newspaper, Janatar Chokh in October 2024. Shahabuddin On Bangladesh-US Trade Deal Citing what he described as a secretive" trade agreement between Bangladesh and the United States signed hurriedly by the Yunus-led interim administration in its final days and shielded by a Non-Disclosure Agreement Mohammed Shahabuddin said he had not been informed of the deal. Such a state agreement should have been communicated to me. But, he [Yunus] did not do it," Shahabuddin remarked. Shahabuddin further claimed that he was able to remain in office only because of backing from senior figures within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and support from the armed forces. A high-ranking BNP leader assured me of their support. We want to maintain constitutional continuity. We are not in favour of removing the President through any unconstitutional means," he said. Questions On Yunus-Islamist Nexus The significance of the Jamaat chiefs response lies in longstanding allegations that Islamist groups such as Jamaat and its male student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, played a key role in the downfall of the Awami League government. Several reports have suggested that Islamist factions and the interim administration shared a mutually beneficial understanding from the outset. Furthermore, several student leaders who spearheaded the anti-Hasina movement including Nahid Islam, later a founder of the National Citizens Party went on to align with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami ahead of the 2026 elections. A number of these former student activists also secured ministerial positions in the cabinet led by Muhammad Yunus. Location : Bangladesh First Published: February 26, 2026, 14:10 IST News world Jamaat Chief Slams Bangladesh President, Sparks Debate Over Alleged YunusIslamist Nexus Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Kim Offers US A Choice: Accept North Korea's Nukes Or Face Endless Standoff Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 17:26 IST Kim Jong Un says North Korea can "get along" with Washington, but only if it accepts Pyongyang as a nuclear state, while cutting off Seoul for good. Rapid Read North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C) reviewing the guard of honour as he visits the Ministry of National Defence to celebrate the 78th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army in Pyongyang. (Image Courtesy: KCNA VIA KNS / AFP) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has put the ball squarely in Washingtons court, saying that the United States must accept North Korea as a nuclear power or face eternal confrontation". Speaking at the close of the Ninth Congress of the Workers Party of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea in Pyongyang on Wednesday, Kim laid out a stark diplomatic offer to American President Donald Trump. If the US respects our countrys current nuclear status as stipulated in the Constitution and withdraws its hostile policy, there is no reason why we cannot get along well with the United States," Kim said, according to state media outlet KCNA, as reported by BBC. Whether its peaceful coexistence or permanent confrontation, we are ready for either, and the choice is not ours to make." The congress, held just once every five years, drew roughly 5,000 party delegates and ended with a military parade of over 14,000 troops through Pyongyangs Kim Il Sung Square. Trump Connection and Possible Summit Trump, who is expected to travel to China in late March through early April, could seek a sideline meeting with Kim. Speaking to BBC, in October 2025, the US president told reporters onboard Air Force One, I would. If you want to put out the word, Im open to it," adding that he had a great relationship" with Kim. Trump has previously called himself 100 percent open to such a meeting and has referred to North Korea as sort of a nuclear power." The two leaders last met in 2019, when talks collapsed over disagreements on sanctions relief and nuclear concessions. Since then, formal nuclear diplomacy has stalled for over six years. Kim ignored Trumps outreach when the US president visited South Korea last fall. Kims latest remarks signal that he will not negotiate away his weapons. North Korea is projecting strategic confidence that it will no longer be swayed by Washingtons denuclearisation pressure," said Kyungnam University professor Lim Eul-chul, speaking to AFP. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) estimated last year that North Korea holds around 50 assembled nuclear warheads, with material for up to 40 more. Seoul Shut Out Completely While leaving some room for US engagement, Kim slammed the door on South Korea entirely. He said that Pyongyang will permanently exclude South Korea from the category of compatriots," calling it the Norths most hostile entity". As long as South Korea cannot escape the geopolitical conditions of having a border with us, the only way to live safely is to give up everything related to us and leave us alone," Kim said. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has been pushing for reconciliation, including efforts to halt propaganda drone flights and seeking humanitarian aid exemptions through the UN Security Council. AFP reports that Seoul responded to Kims remarks by calling on both sides to avoid hostile and confrontational words and actions". North Korea amended its constitution in 2024 to formally define South Korea as a hostile state". Expanding the Arsenal Kim also pledged to keep building up his countrys nuclear capabilities. We will focus on projects to increase the number of nuclear weapons and expand nuclear operational means," he said. North Koreas deepening military ties with Russia have given the Kim regime both income and weapons expertise, reducing its dependence on the international community and its willingness to trade away its nuclear program for sanctions relief. Location : Pyongyang, North Korea First Published: February 26, 2026, 17:26 IST News world Kim Offers US A Choice: Accept North Korea's Nukes Or Face Endless Standoff Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Modi! Modi! Chants Echo In Knesset As Israeli Lawmakers Line Up For Selfies With Indias PM | Watch Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 11:39 IST PM Modi addressed a packed Knesset chamber, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to do so. Historic Moment in Knesset as PM Narendra Modi Reaffirms IndiaIsrael Ties As Prime Minister Narendra Modi walked into the Knesset, Israels Parliament rose to its feet in a coordinated standing ovation. The chamber echoed with chants of Modi! Modi!" as lawmakers clapped in unison. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greeted him with a warm embrace, while Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana described the Indian leader as a defining statesman of our time." After concluding his address, members of Parliament lined up to meet him. Videos of the moment went viral on social media. Ministers and lawmakers queued to greet him and take photographs, with several seen taking selfies as he interacted with them. PM Modi addressed a packed Knesset chamber, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to do so. His speech highlighted the strong bond between the two democracies and reaffirmed mutual support for peace and progress. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Indias Ambassador to Israel Jitender Pal Singh were present at the Parliament. Warm words from Netanyahu Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised PM Modi during the visit. Welcoming the Indian PM, he pointed out that the Prime Ministers saffron pocket square matched his wifes orange jacket. Describing PM Modi as more than a friend", Netanyahu thanked him for standing by Israel after the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, in which nearly 1,200 Israelis were killed and about 250 were kidnapped. Prime ministers and heads of state come to the Knesset and its always an exciting moment for all of us. But my dear friend Narendra, Im especially moved by your visit. You are a great friend of Israel and a great leader at the world stage. Narendra, you are more than a friend. You are a brother," Netanyahu said. He also referred to their embrace at the airport as a Modi hug" and said he wanted to return a hug from every Knesset member to represent the warmth between the two countries. Standing ovation & Modi! Modi! chants echo in Israels Knesset! PM Narendra Modi receives historic welcome as first Indian PM to address parliament.Indias stature soaring globally! pic.twitter.com/SnKJbB0wU0 Raghu (@IndiaTales7) February 25, 2026 India stands firmly with Israel During his address, PM Modi said India stands firmly" with Israel. He carried condolences from the people of India for every life lost and for families affected by the October 7 attack. We feel your pain, we share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly with full conviction in this moment and beyond," he said. PM Modi did not explicitly mention the tens of thousands of Palestinians killed in Gaza during the more than two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas. The Prime Minister is in Israel on a high-profile two-day visit, his second after the landmark 2017 trip. He met Netanyahu to deepen trade and defence ties, a move that has drawn criticism at home. Location : Israel First Published: February 26, 2026, 11:39 IST News world Modi! Modi! Chants Echo In Knesset As Israeli Lawmakers Line Up For Selfies With Indias PM | Watch Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... New Zealand Announces New Employment Rules For Open Work Visa Holders. Here's What To Know Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 18:10 IST The new open work visa conditions in New Zealand are aimed at providing clarity about what work is allowed under these visas and helping migrants to understand their rights. Rapid Read New Zealand announced new open work visa conditions that will come into effect next month. (AI-Generated Image) Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced new employment conditions for people with open work visas that will come into effect from April 20, 2026. These changes are designed to provide clarity about what work is allowed under open work visas, helping migrants to better understand their rights and responsibilities. Clear and consistent visa conditions reduce uncertainty and support safer, fairer, and more compliant work practices for both migrants and employers," INZ said in an official release. Whats An Open Visa? An open visa in New Zealand allows an individual to work for almost any employer in any location within the country without requiring a job offer. This is different from an employer-specific work visa, such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa, which ties the individual to a specific employer and a designated role. Whats Changing? From April 20, open work visas will now include new employment conditions. Some open work visa holders will be able to undertake any work in New Zealand. These include those working for an employer, sole traders, or those who own and operate a business. The employment condition also applies to some visas: Partner of a Worker Work Visa Partner of a Student Work Visa Partner of a Student Work Visa supported by a New Zealand Scholarship Post Study Work Visa Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa Partner of a Military Work Visa Other open work visa holders are required to work for an employer, either under an employment agreement or a contract for services, which is considered as employment in New Zealand. This employment condition also applies to: Victims of Domestic Violence Work Visa Victims of People Trafficking Work Visa Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa Asylum Seeker Work Visa All working holiday visas Conditions For All Open Work Visas Regardless of the specific employment condition, open work visa holders are required to comply with New Zealands employment and business laws. They cannot employ other people, either directly or indirectly, through a business they may operate as an owner. Open work visa workers also cannot provide commercial sexual services or run or invest in a business that provides commercial sexual services. In New Zealand, commercial sexual services are legal for adults and decriminalised under a specific legal framework. If a person has an open work visa and has been doing work that is not permitted under their visa (excluding providing commercial sexual services), they can continue until their visa expires. Location : Wellington, New Zealand First Published: February 26, 2026, 18:10 IST News world New Zealand Announces New Employment Rules For Open Work Visa Holders. Here's What To Know Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Weve all dated someone who was not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Maybe they were hot, or maybe you just didnt want to start over on the apps again. A recent Reddit thread asked, When did you realize you were dating an idiot? and the replies are a wild mix of financial disasters, geography failures, and people who apparently slept through all of history class. Here are some of the best (and worst) moments. 1. He thought that was his money One woman shared that her college boyfriend proudly announced he had $13,500 in his account. For broke students, thats huge... so she asked how he got it. Advertisement Advertisement The answer: Turns out he was approved for a credit card in this amount and had no idea how credit cards worked. He thought that was his money. Fifteen years later, she added, he still lives at home with his parents. Hard to say its all down to financial literacy, but it clearly didnt help. 2. The guy who literally called a tow truck on himself Another ex got his first apartment and decided a particular parking space near the door was his. When someone parked there and refused to move, he called a towing company. By the time they arrived, the other car had left, so he pulled into the spot himself. Then came the phone call to his girlfriend explaining what happened: My ex called me and told me they towed his car because it actually wasnt his spot, he just wanted to park there since its closer to his apartment. Dumb*** literally called the towing company on himself She had to drive 40 minutes to pick him up from the impound lot. Romance. Advertisement Advertisement 3. Do they speak English in England? One commenter didnt even need a complicated story: He asked if they spoke English where I was planning on visiting......I was going to England. The replies were basically everyone collectively asking the same thing: was he extremely hot, or was the dating pool just that dire? 4. New husband, new Social Security number, new credit score Not technically a partner, but the logic still qualifies. One person shared: I had a friend who was excited to get married because shed get a new name, a new social security number and her credit score would get reset. Bless her heart. That is not how any of that works, but you have to admire the optimism. 5. Falling for the free vacation scam One womans ex picked the worst possible moment to reveal his judgment skills. She wrote: He got a random phone call & the caller told him he won a free vacation. He completely believed them & ended up giving out all his banking information to them. Advertisement Advertisement Another commenter joked, When the son of the deposed King of Nigeria e-mails you directly asking for help, you HELP. His father ran the freaking country!!! It would be funny if people werent actually handing over full banking details to strangers on the phone. 6. If you wanted me to pay attention, you should have told me One story wasnt about low IQ as much as complete emotional cluelessness. A woman thought she had a detached retina and asked her boyfriend to drive her and sit in on the consult. Totally reasonable. Afterward, she asked what he thought of the doctors advice. His response: He said if you wanted me to pay attention you should have told me. This was after shed been with him every day and evening during heart surgery and recovery. She ended it on the drive home from the eye doctor. 7. Calling Congress about traffic noise Another commenter dated a woman who lived on a busy main street and constantly complained about traffic noise. One day, she learned about noise ordinances and became determined to get something done. Advertisement Advertisement The problem started when she tried to figure out who to contact. After some fumbling around local government basics, she blurted out: Oh! Like Congress & Senators? Her boyfriend tried to explain that city noise ordinances arent really a Congress problem. She wouldnt accept it and decided to start at the top anyway. Half an hour later, she called back to ask who her congressperson even was. 8. Failing algebra because parentheses are optional Back in college, one woman did her boyfriends take-home algebra test for him step-by-step, on a separate sheet, so he could copy it correctly. It was basic factoring with parentheses. He turned it in and got a zero. When she asked how that was even possible, she learned that hed copied the answers but decided the parentheses didnt matter and left them out. 9. The half-empty bottle of ginger ale One guy hit his limit over a single, disgusting moment. He wrote: When she picked up a half empty bottle of soda and drank it. Someone's discarded trash ginger ale. I dumped her that day. Ain't no way I'm gonna catch Hepatitis because my partner is an idiot. Another commenter chimed in, Just reading that makes me nauseated, while someone else helpfully added: Statistically speaking, 48% of half empty bottles of ginger ale actually contain piss. Advertisement Advertisement 10. Thanksgiving as a cosmic coincidence Some people arent great at patterns. One commenter said: She didnt believe that Thanksgiving was purposely on Thursday every year and thought it was just a coincidence. Another person shared that their brother once called, outraged, to announce, Do you know that Thanksgiving is on a Thursday this year??? He also apparently hadnt grasped that Christmas is always on December 25. 11. He thought rice came from potatoes Sometimes the moment is short and devastatingly simple: He revealed he thought rice came from potatoes. Advertisement Advertisement 12. Planning a road trip from California to Ireland And then theres this guy. One commenter wrote: He told me he wanted to take a road trip to Ireland. Leaving from his house in California. No ferries, I want to drive the whole way. There are bad ideas, and then theres trying to brute-force your way across the Atlantic in a car. So are they the idiot, or are we? Somewhere in the thread, one person dropped the line that probably hit a little too close to home for a lot of readers: If I never dated an idiot... I've been the idiot the whole time. Thats really the point here. Yes, plenty of these exes had no clue how credit works, how geography works, or how basic medical empathy works. But a lot of commenters also admitted they stayed because they were lonely, or they just didnt want to admit how bad it really was. If this all hits a little too close to your own dating history, youre definitely not the only one. And if youre in the mood for more relationship chaos and perspective, theres a piece about women walking away from dating and not regretting it, plus another where men share what they only figured out after dating or marrying a woman both are a very enlightening follow-up to this. One Mistake, Big Leak: Chinese Official's ChatGPT Diary Exposes Secret Campaign Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 08:27 IST The report underscored growing concerns over the use of artificial intelligence tools in global information operations. The ChatGPT user also described fabricating the death of a Chinese dissident by creating a fake obituary and images of a gravestone. (Representational) A sprawling Chinese influence operation aimed at intimidating dissidents abroad, including by impersonating US immigration officials, was inadvertently exposed after a Chinese law enforcement official used ChatGPT as a personal journal, CNN reported, citing a report by OpenAI. The report detailed how the official allegedly documented elements of a covert campaign on the AI chatbot, treating it like a running diary to plan and track efforts to silence critics of the Chinese government overseas. OpenAI said the user appeared to rely on ChatGPT as a running journal diary to document the alleged covert campaign aimed at intimidating Chinese dissidents living abroad, including by impersonating US immigration officials. It said the operation involved hundreds of participants and thousands of fake social media accounts across multiple platforms. According to the report, operators in one instance allegedly posed as US immigration officials to warn a US-based Chinese dissident that their public statements had violated American law. In another case, forged documents purporting to be from a US county court were reportedly used in an attempt to pressure social media platforms into removing a dissidents account. OpenAI investigators said that the chatbot was primarily used for planning and record-keeping, rather than generating campaign content. The company banned the account after identifying suspicious activity. This is what Chinese modern transnational repression looks like," Ben Nimmo, principal investigator at OpenAI, told reporters ahead of the reports release. Its not just digital. Its not just about trolling. Its industrialized. Its about trying to hit critics of the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] with everything, everywhere, all at once." The ChatGPT user also described fabricating the death of a Chinese dissident by creating a fake obituary and images of a gravestone. OpenAI said that the investigators later matched these descriptions with false rumours that circulated online in 2023 about the dissidents death, which were reported at the time by Voice of Americas Chinese-language service. In another case, the user allegedly asked AI tool to draft a plan to undermine incoming Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi by amplifying online anger over US tariffs on Japanese goods. OpenAI said that the ChatGPT refused to comply with that request, but similar online narratives later surfaced. The report underscored growing concerns over the use of artificial intelligence tools in global information operations. Analysts said that the US-China competition over AI dominance now extends beyond technology development into how the tools are deployed in influence campaigns and surveillance. Michael Horowitz, a former Pentagon official focused on emerging technologies, told CNN that the findings demonstrate how China is employing AI tools to enhance information operations. US-China AI competition is continuing to intensify," said Horowtiz, who is now a professor at the University of Pennsylvania. This competition is not just taking place at the frontier, but in how Chinas government is planning and implementing the day-to-day of their surveillance and information apparatus." The report came amid a battle between the US and China for supremacy over AI. At stake is how the technology is used on the battlefield and in the boardroom of the worlds two biggest economies. The Pentagon is in a standoff with another prominent AI company, Anthropic, over the use of its AI model. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has given Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei a Friday deadline to comply with demands to peel back safeguards on its AI model or risk losing a lucrative Pentagon contract. (With inputs from agencies) Location : Beijing, China First Published: February 26, 2026, 08:27 IST News world One Mistake, Big Leak: Chinese Official's ChatGPT Diary Exposes Secret Campaign Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Pakistan Suffers Heavy Casualties As Afghanistan Launches Large-Scale Offensive Operations Along Durand Line Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Aveek Banerjee Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 23:36 IST Afghan Taliban forces launched coordinated attacks using artillery and infantry on Pakistani checkposts in response to Islamabad's airstrikes on February 22. Rapid Read The latest gunfight came after Pakistan launched airstrikes on Afghan territory. (Reuters) Afghanistan on Thursday launched a large-scale offensive against Pakistan by targeting its military facilities in retaliation for Islamabads airstrikes on February 22. Tensions flared along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border on Thursday as heavy fighting erupted between Pakistani security forces and Afghan fighters along the disputed Durand Line in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa district. Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid confirmed on X that Kabul had launched a large-scale retaliatory offensive against Pakistan by targeting its military checkpoints. In response to repeated insurrections and insurrections by Pakistans military circles, extensive offensive operations were launched on Pakistani army centres and military facilities along the Durand Line," he said. In response to its rebellion and repeated acts of defiance by the special military clique of Pakistan, extensive offensive operations against the centres and military facilities of Pakistani forces along the Durand Line have commenced," he said. ! pic.twitter.com/6IhqSeCpbe Zabihullah (.. ) (@Zabehulah_M33) February 26, 2026 The Taliban government said it had killed and captured multiple Pakistani soldiers in the border offensive. Security sources told CNN-News18 that Afghan Taliban forces launched coordinated attacks using artillery and infantry on Pakistani checkposts in the Maro Sar and Shahkot Sar areas near Zakha Khel market, which have reportedly inflicted heavy casualties on Pakistan. At least nine Pakistani troops are believed to be severely wounded in the Afghan attack on security checkpoints, with sources predicting that the conflict may escalate further. Mujahid said Afghan forces captured at least 15 Pakistani check posts in Goshta, Nangarhar, and Kunar provinces. This came after Pakistani security forces launched massive strikes against Afghan Taliban checkposts along the Durand Line earlier this week, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. Sources confirmed that at least 28 TTP fighters were killed in the strikes, which were conducted across eastern and southeastern Afghanistan. ALSO READ: Massive Strikes By Pakistan On Afghan Checkposts As Border Conflict Escalates | Exclusive Details Pakistan Takes Immediate Action Intense heavy weapons fire is also ongoing in Mohmand (Torkhel and Gursal), Chitral (Arandu), and parts of Kurram district along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Sources reported that people in Kurram are also participating in Pakistans retaliatory action against the Afghan Taliban. Meanwhile, Pakistan said it had taken immediate" action against Afghanistan after its neighbour launched unprovoked" strikes. Afghanistan opened unprovoked fire on multiple locations" across the border in Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Islamabads information ministry said on X, adding it was being met with immediate and effective response". The spokesperson for the Khalid bin Walid 201st Corps announced that clashes involving Afghan border security forces in the eastern provinces have begun and are ongoing in response to airstrikes by the Pakistani military. Afghan forces have also launched retaliatory attacks on Pakistani militia posts across various areas of the Durand Line in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. 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. Islamabad has long vowed action against a sharp increase in terror attacks originating from Afghan soil. Pakistani Airstrikes On Afghanistan The Talibans Ministry of Defence has condemned the ongoing actions as a breach of international law, warning of a calculated and appropriate response". Attacks on civilian targets and religious centres are clear evidence of the Pakistani armys intelligence and security failures, and such repeated aggressions will never conceal their internal shortcomings," it said in a post on X. Pakistan has violated Afghan airspace," a source told CNN-News18, stressing that the Taliban has the right to retaliate." While no immediate response has been announced, the leadership indicated that retaliation remains on the table. We will strike back at the perfect time," the source said. On the other hand, Pakistan said it had conclusive evidence" linking the attacks to militants operating from Afghan territory and reiterated that it had repeatedly urged Afghan authorities to prevent such groups from using its soil, while maintaining that it remains committed to peace and stability. Location : Kabul, Afghanistan First Published: February 26, 2026, 22:16 IST News world Pakistan Suffers Heavy Casualties As Afghanistan Launches Large-Scale Offensive Operations Along Durand Line Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Terror Wave Intensifies In Pakistan: TTPs 'Spring Offensive' Deepens Security Crisis Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 09:24 IST From the mountainous terrain of Bajaur to the southern districts of Kech, militants have executed ambushes, bombings, targeted killings and abductions in 48 hours. Rapid Read A paramilitary post in a district of Pakistans restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, came under attack when a drone loaded with explosives wounded several officers (Image: News18/video grab) Pakistans fragile security landscape has deteriorated sharply over the past 48 hours, with a string of coordinated and high-impact attacks across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan underscoring the growing reach of militant groups. The escalation comes amid reports that the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has announced a renewed spring offensive," signalling an intensified campaign against security forces and state-linked targets. From the mountainous terrain of Bajaur in the north to the southern districts of Kech, militants have executed ambushes, bombings, targeted killings and abductions, leaving at least 13 security personnel dead, several others injured, and three abducted within two days. The frequency and spread of these incidents have raised serious concerns about the states capacity to secure volatile districts that have historically served as militant strongholds. One of the most alarming incidents occurred in the Faqeer Kas area of Bannu, where worshippers had gathered for Taraweeh prayers at the Sokari Hassan Khel Mosque. A group of 10 to 15 armed men stormed the premises, spreading panic before abducting three brothers Saeed, a computer operator at the Commissioners Office, and police constables Amjad and Hazratullah. The trio remains missing, and security agencies have launched a high-alert search operation across the rugged terrain surrounding Bannu. Elsewhere in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, militants ambushed a routine police patrol in Bajaur, killing four policemen and seriously injuring two others. The attack follows the killing of 11 personnel in the same district just nine days earlier, reflecting a pattern of sustained targeting of law enforcement. In Dera Ismail Khan, a roadside improvised explosive device struck a police vehicle, killing two officers and wounding four. In Karak, a prolonged exchange of fire at a police post left three officers dead and five injured. Meanwhile, in Kohat district, seven people including DSP Asad Mahmood, four officers, and two civilians caught in crossfire were killed in a militant assault. In Balochistans Turbat city in Kech district, unknown assailants hurled a hand grenade at the residence of Arif Saleem, a contractor and member of the Baloch National Party, injuring him and two others. Reports also indicate increased militant snap-checking on remote roads in Lakki Marwat, with unconfirmed accounts of labourers being briefly detained and questioned. First Published: February 26, 2026, 09:24 IST News world Terror Wave Intensifies In Pakistan: TTPs 'Spring Offensive' Deepens Security Crisis Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Two Women Arrested For Kissing In Public, May Face Life In Prison In This Country Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 18:10 IST The women, a 22-year-old entertainer and a 21-year-old unemployed colleague, were arrested on February 18 in Arua city. Uganda enacted the Anti-Homosexuality Act in 2023, defying pressure from Western governments and local and international rights groups. (AFP file photo) Uganda police on Tuesday said that they had arrested two young women accused of same-sex acts after they were seen openly kissing," in violation of the countrys strict anti-homosexuality law. The women, a 22-year-old entertainer and a 21-year-old unemployed colleague, were arrested on February 18 in Arua city, in the countrys northwest, police said in a statement. The statement added that both women were involved in queer and unusual acts believed to be sexual in nature, besides being allegedly seen openly kissing in broad daylight." Police said the alleged offences began last year. Uganda enacted the Anti-Homosexuality Act in 2023, defying pressure from Western governments and local and international rights groups. Widely seen as one of the worlds harshest laws targeting the LGBT community, it carries a sentence of life in prison for same-sex intercourse and the death penalty in cases deemed aggravated." ALSO READ: Interfaith Marriage, Live-In Relationship Not Prohibited By UPs Anti-Conversion Law: High Court The law defines aggravated cases as repeat offences, gay sex that transmits a terminal illness, or same-sex intercourse involving a minor, an elderly person, or a person with disabilities. Uganda is a conservative and predominantly Christian country in east Africa. Its anti-gay law triggered outrage among rights campaigners and condemnation from the United Nations and Western countries. The World Bank suspended funding to the country, although this resumed in mid-2025. Earlier this month, a Ugandan court dropped a case against the first man charged under the aggravated homosexuality category, ruling that he was of unsound mind due to prolonged detention on remand. (With inputs from Reuters) Location : Uganda First Published: February 26, 2026, 18:10 IST News world Two Women Arrested For Kissing In Public, May Face Life In Prison In This Country Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... US Drops Charges Against 3 Chinese Scientists Accused Of Smuggling Worms After Beijing's Intervention Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 09:10 IST All three Chinese scientists were held in jail for more than three months while the case was pending in federal court in Detroit. Beijing Steps In as US Frees Jailed Chinese Scientists (Photo: The Sun) The case against three Chinese scientists, once presented by the administration of US President Donald Trump as a major national security success, has been dropped by Washington. The three researchers, accused of helping a colleague smuggle biological materials into the United States, have returned to China after the Justice Department dismissed the charges. But why? The Associated Press reported that the move followed intervention by Beijing. The materials involved were described as tiny transparent worms. When the case surfaced last year, US officials had called the arrests a victory for national security. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the government must remain vigilant when foreign nationals attempt to advance a malicious agenda. What was the case? Xu Bai and Fengfan Zhang were charged with conspiring to help another scientist who had shipped packages from China before arriving in 2025 for temporary lab research at the University of Michigan. A third man, Zhiyong Zhang, was charged with making false statements. All three were held in jail for more than three months while the case was pending in federal court in Detroit. On February 5, a judge dismissed the charges at the Justice Departments request. The three then returned to China. According to defence lawyers cited by AP, Chinas government intervened to help secure the dismissal. Defence lawyer John Minock said the move came as a surprise and that he was told there had been some intervention by the Chinese consulate in Chicago. Another lawyer, Ray Cassar, said he had been negotiating a misdemeanour plea deal for Fengfan Zhang when prosecutors dropped the case. He said they were informed that China was negotiating with the US over the three students. Defence attorney Mark Satawa said the involvement of the Chinese Consulate influenced the outcome. He noted that Zhiyong Zhang, who speaks Mandarin, did not have a translator when questioned by investigators. The US Attorneys Office in Detroit declined to comment on Chinas role. The Chinese embassy in the US has not issued a statement. What we know about the scientists? Bai, Fengfan Zhang and Zhiyong Zhang were research scholars temporarily working at the University of Michigan. According to a defence lawyer, the worms had a limited lifespan and were commonly used to study chemical reactions and light sensitivity. Ray Cassar said the packages were not properly labelled because the sender, Chengxuan Han, likely wanted to avoid delays by US inspectors. He said there was no intention to do anything harmful. In September, Han pleaded no contest to smuggling and making false statements. She was deported to China after spending three months in jail. Another similar case In a separate case, Yunqing Jian, another temporary researcher at a campus lab, pleaded guilty to similar charges involving a common plant fungus. She was deported after five months in custody. Roger Innes, an Indiana University expert who reviewed evidence for Jians lawyers, said there was no risk to anyone in the United States. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: February 26, 2026, 08:46 IST News world US Drops Charges Against 3 Chinese Scientists Accused Of Smuggling Worms After Beijing's Intervention Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... US Govt Accused Of Cover-Up In Trump Sex Abuse Claims Curated By : AFP Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 12:57 IST The Justice Department said some media outlets have alleged that files related to Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell are also missing from records released to the public. Donald Trump was a friend of Epstein's before they had a fallout. (File) Democrats on Wednesday accused US President Donald Trumps administration of the largest government cover-up in modern history" over reports that it withheld documents relating to allegations that the Republican leader sexually abused a minor. The Justice Department said it is reviewing its Epstein files to see if any were handled improperly" but denied any wrongdoing. The department has released millions of pages from files connected to notorious sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein under a transparency law enacted last year. But public broadcaster NPR found gaps in the files tied to one womans 2019 assault complaint against Trump. Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, arguing that the DOJs so-called Epstein Files" release exonerated him. Indexes and serial numbers attached to the investigative materials into Epsteins trafficking ring indicate that FBI agents conducted four interviews with the accuser and generated summaries and accompanying notes, NPR reported. Only one summary focused largely on her allegations against Epstein appears in the public database. The remaining three summaries and related notes, totaling more than 50 pages, are not available on the Justice Departments website, according to NPRs review of the document numbering. The New York Times and cable network MS NOW reported similar findings. This is largest government cover-up in modern history. We are demanding answers," the Democrats on the House Oversight Committee said in statement posted to social media. Improperly tagged In a statement Wednesday evening, the Justice Department said some media outlets have alleged that files related to Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell are also missing from records released to the public. As with all documents that have been flagged by the public, the Department is currently reviewing files within that category of the production," it said on X. Should any document be found to have been improperly tagged in the review process and is responsive to the Act, the Department will of course publish it, consistent with the law," it said, alluding to the bipartisan bill passed last year that ordered the Trump adminstration to release all its Epstein files. The woman at the heart of this episode of the Epstein drama first contacted authorities in July 2019, shortly after Epsteins arrest on federal sex trafficking charges. Later internal references in the released files describe her as alleging that the disgraced financier introduced her to Trump and that Trump assaulted her in the mid-1980s, when she was 13 to 15 years old. A 2025 FBI document in the public database recounts that claim but does not include an assessment of its credibility. The detailed memos from the follow-up interviews conducted in August and October 2019, according to the indexes are not included. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, said he reviewed unredacted evidence logs at the Justice Department and reached the same conclusion. Oversight Democrats can confirm that the DOJ appears to have illegally withheld FBI interviews with this survivor," Garcia said, adding that Democrats would open a parallel investigation and demand the missing records be provided to Congress. The Justice Department argues that any material not posted falls within categories allowed under the law, including duplicates, privileged records or documents tied to an ongoing federal investigation. Asked for comment, the Justice Department earlier Wednesday referred AFP to a social media response in which it denied deleting files and said documents temporarily removed for victim-related redactions or to remove personally identifiable information will be restored. Democrats argue that the missing interview records do not fit the categories cited by the department. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: February 26, 2026, 12:54 IST News world US Govt Accused Of Cover-Up In Trump Sex Abuse Claims Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Zelenskyy Speaks To Trump On Call Ahead Of Ukraine-US Talks In Geneva Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: February 26, 2026, 06:28 IST Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Trump and his envoys for their active engagement in the peace efforts, aimed at bringing an end to Russia's invasion. File photo of Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Credits: Reuters) Ahead of a fresh round of talks on Thursday aimed at bringing an end to Russias invasion, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held discussions with US President Donald Trump. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Trump and his envoys for their active engagement in the peace efforts, noting that their conversation centered on the agenda for the upcoming bilateral meeting in Geneva and preparations for a trilateral session scheduled for early March. Taking to X, the Ukrainian President wrote, I just spoke with @POTUS Donald Trump. Envoys of President Trump Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were also on the call. Our teams work intensively and I thanked them for all their work and for their active involvement in the negotiations and the efforts to end the war." We also greatly value the PURL initiative. This winter has been the most difficult one for Ukraine, but the missiles for air defense systems that we purchase from the U.S. are helping us get through all these challenges and protect lives," he added. I just spoke with @POTUS Donald Trump. Envoys of President Trump Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were also on the call. Our teams work intensively and I thanked them for all their work and for their active involvement in the negotiations and the efforts to end the war.We also pic.twitter.com/OrEScsVf3I Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) February 25, 2026 He said these talks aim to move negotiations to the leaders level, which he described as the only way to resolve complex issues and bring an end to the war. We discussed the issues that our representatives will address tomorrow in Geneva during the bilateral meeting, as well as preparations for the next meeting of the full negotiating teams in a trilateral format at the very beginning of March." We expect this meeting to create an opportunity to move talks to the leaders level. President Trump supports this sequence of steps. This is the only way to resolve all the complex and sensitive issues and finally end the war. Thank you!" the post read. Earlier on Tuesday, Zelenskyy marked four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, declaring that Kyiv has preserved its independence and thwarted Moscows initial objectives. Location : Ukraine First Published: February 26, 2026, 06:28 IST News world Zelenskyy Speaks To Trump On Call Ahead Of Ukraine-US Talks In Geneva Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Beijing on Wednesday, with both sides agreeing to promote the continuous new development of the all-round strategic partnership, promote dialogue and cooperation, and uphold multilateralism and free trade. This is Merz's first trip to China since taking office. China and Germany are the world's second and third largest economies, and the bilateral relationship not only bears on the interests of both countries, but also has significant impact on Europe and the world. DEEPENING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP The international landscape is undergoing the most profound transformations since the end of World War II, Xi said, adding that the greater changes and turbulence the world faces, the more important it is for the two countries to enhance strategic communication, strengthen strategic mutual trust and work for new progress in China-Germany all-around strategic partnership. Xi said both countries should be reliable partners that support each other. China and Germany have pursued self-reliance and realized rapid development. Both have upheld mutual respect, mutual trust and open cooperation, and together written a success story of mutual benefit. China adheres to the path of peaceful development, and has the capacity and confidence to achieve Chinese modernization. China will continue to share development opportunities with Germany and the wider world, he said. Xi said it is hoped the German side can view China's growth in an objective and rational manner, pursue a positive and pragmatic policy toward China, and work with China for steady and sustained growth of the bilateral relationship. Merz said that the German side values its relations with China and firmly upholds the one-China policy. It stands ready to work with China to carry forward the traditional friendship, stay committed to mutual respect and open cooperation, and continue to deepen the all-around strategic partnership. Cui Hongjian, a professor at Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said it is believed that the meeting between Xi and Merz will contribute to the stable and sustainable development of China-Germany relations, and the development of the strategic relationship between the two countries will also carry significant weight in the development of China-Europe relations. EXPANDING WIN-WIN COOPERATION Noting that the two countries should be innovative partners that champion openness and win-win results, Xi said the German government put forward new development strategies in such areas as technology, innovation and digital development. They highly resonate with China's objective of pursuing intelligent, green and integrated development during the 15th Five-Year Plan. He said the two sides should foster greater synergy between development strategies, support the two-way flow of talent, knowledge and technology, and promote dialogue and cooperation on AI and other cutting-edge technologies. Both sides need to correctly grasp the interplay of competition and cooperation, explore cooperation pathways that lead to win-win results, and jointly keep industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded, Xi added. Merz said the German business community attaches high importance to the Chinese market, and hopes to further deepen cooperation with China for mutual benefit and shared growth. On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Merz attended a symposium of the China-Germany economic advisory committee in Beijing, with both sides expressing the willingness to deepen cooperation in machinery, equipment, and chemical industries. Jin Ling, an expert at the China Institute of International Studies, said that practical cooperation between China and Germany can not only fully unlock the potential of the Chinese market and stimulate vitality within China's innovation sector, but also support the recovery and transformation of the German economy. ENHANCING MULTILATERAL COORDINATION Xi said China and Germany should uphold the central position of the UN, reaffirm its leading role, and take the lead in safeguarding multilateralism, practicing international rule of law, defending free trade, and advocating for solidarity and coordination. China supports Europe in seeking to increase autonomy and strength, and hopes the European side can work with China toward the same direction, adhere to the positioning of strategic partners, and uphold openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, so as to deliver greater growth in China-Europe relations, and make bigger contributions to world peace and development, he said. Noting that Germany and China shoulder important responsibilities in jointly addressing global challenges, Merz said the German side looks forward to working with China to enhance coordination, and jointly adhere to free trade and reject protectionism, adding that Germany supports the EU and China in enhancing dialogue and cooperation. Feng Zhongping, director of the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that China and Germany share consensus on upholding the central role of the United Nations, and it is believed their close coordination and cooperation in international affairs will inject stability and certainty into a turbulent world. More than a dozen states sued the Trump administration on 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 be immunized against the flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis, and RSV, the AP reports. 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 what's called "shared decision-making." The new vaccine recommendations ignore long-standing medical guidance and will mean states have to spend more to protect against outbreaks, the states, including California, said. States, not the federal government, have the authority to require vaccinations for schoolchildren, though the CDC's requirements typically influence state regulations. "The health and safety of children across the country is not a political issue," Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, said at a news conference. "It is not a culture war talking point." Emily G. Hilliard, press secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services, blasted the complaint as a "publicity stunt dressed up as a lawsuit." The lawsuit escalates an ongoing battle between Democratic-led states and Republican President 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 says was unlawful. The Democratic governors of California, Washington state, and Oregon have launched an alliance to establish their own vaccine recommendations. The governors said the Trump administration was risking people's health by politicizing the CDC. It's long been known that Nazis used church, synagogue, and civil records to identify Jewish people. What has been far less known is bookbinders' and restorers' role in that effort. The New York Times reports on research by Morwenna Blewett, a conservation historian whose new book argues that paper conservators and bookbinders in Nazi Germany helped enable the Holocaust by restoring crumbling records the regime then turned into a vast tracking system. Within Nazi archives, Blewett says she found "official documents about engaging bookbinders, as well as letters between various officials talking about cleaning documents." One Nazi official flagged the importance of German church books, "which capture the smallest place and every little farmstead in their closely bound mass of more than a hundred thousand volumes [and] are by far the most important source for the German population history, the proof of descent and the genealogy." By cleaning and repairing centuries-old registers listing births, marriages, and deaths, these professionals made millions of entries legibledata the Nazis used to verify ancestry and target those they considered "racially impure." Blewett's book, based on more than 20 years of research, shows restorers often set aside core conservation ethics in the course of their work. For instance, the Guardian reports Blewett found they would soak pages with glycerin to make them more readable, despite that reducing the integrity of the paper; the priority was extracting names and dates, not preserving artifacts. The project ran from 1933 to 1944, making it one of the Nazi's longest-running efforts, she argues. She says her findings make clear that "a move toward genocide is always piecemeal and it has to be supported by even the most obscure and niche professions," she tells the Times. NASA's mystery patient from last month's sudden International Space Station return has stepped forward: It was Mike Fincke. The veteran astronaut confirmed Wednesday that he was the crew member who suffered a "medical event" that prompted NASA to end the four-person mission early and send Crew-11 back to Earth in mid-January, CNN reports. Their rapid departure, which left just three people aboard the orbiting lab, marked the first time NASA has cut short an ISS staffing mission over a health issue. Until now, the agency had declined to name the astronaut. Fincke didn't disclose details of his condition but said in a written statement that he needed "immediate attention" from his crewmates and support from NASA flight surgeons. "My status quickly stabilized," he said, adding that NASA decided the safest move was to return home to use "advanced medical imaging not available on the space station." The ISS carries basic medical gear but nothing close to a full emergency department. NASA has only said the astronaut was stable during the trip back and hasn't clarified whether the situation was ever life-threatening. The episode triggered a domino effect: A scheduled spacewalk was scrapped, the ride home was moved up, and NASA accelerated the launch of the next long-duration crew. That replacement team, Crew-12, arrived Feb. 14, restoring the usual seven-person complement needed to keep research and maintenance on schedule. Speaking at a Jan. 21 news conference, before he identified himself as the patient, Fincke said the incident was a test the team was ready for. "How we handled everything all the way through, from nominal operations to this unforeseen operation, really bodes well for future exploration," he said. Fincke, a retired Air Force colonel, has been an astronaut since 1996, the AP reports. He has spent 549 days in space over four missions. "I'm doing very well and continuing standard post-flight reconditioning at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston," he said Wednesday. "Spaceflight is an incredible privilege, and sometimes it reminds us just how human we are." Cuba says a gunbattle in its northern waters began Wednesday after a border patrol vessel approached a Florida-registered speedboat to request identification. In a post on X, Cuba's Interior Ministry said the people on the boat, listed as FL7726SH, near Cayo Falcones, then opened fire, injuring the Cuban commander. Cuban forces returned fire, officials said, killing four people on the speedboat and wounding six, who were later taken for medical treatment. Cuba has not released the names of those on board, the BBC reports, or explained why the vessel was in the area, saying only that an investigation is underway. Trump administration officials have not publicly commented. In Florida, however, lawmakers swiftly denounced the shooting and demanded US-led inquiries, with some questioning Cuba's version of events. US Rep. Carlos Gimenez called it a "massacre" and said authorities must determine whether any of the dead or injured were US citizens or legal residents. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said his office will open an investigatin of its own, cooperating with federal and law enforcement agencies, per Axios. "The Cuban government cannot be trusted, and we will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable," Uthmeier said. Records purchased off a website for prospective boat buyers say the 24-foot boat was last sold in December 2022 and is registered for commercial use. Eight years ago, it was registered for recreational use. Records don't say who owned it, per the New York Times. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US has opened its own investigation but has been dependent on the Cuban government for information. The Justice Department says it is reviewing why some notable Jeffrey Epstein files were not released: most of the FBI records tied to a woman who accuses President Trump of assaulting her as a minor. An index released by the department shows the FBI conducted four interviews in 2019 related to the woman's claims that Epstein and Trump assaulted her in the 1980s, when she was a teenager, reports the New York Times . But only one of those interview summariesfocused on Epsteinis in the public files. The department also did not release underlying interview notes, as they did in similar cases. A review of page serial numbers suggests more than 50 pages of material linked to her account are missing, a gap first flagged by independent journalist Roger Sollenberger and NPR. In a statement, the Justice Department said it is aware of the reports and is investigating, per the AP. The department can withhold files under certain circumstances, including if their release might jeopardize an ongoing federal investigation. However, the law stipulates they can't be held back "on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm or political sensitivity" to public figures, notes the Times. The department said it would release the files if it finds they were held back inappropriately. Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, and a White House spokesperson said he has been "totally exonerated on anything relating to Epstein." The woman's unverified allegation against Trump centers on an encounter she says occurred when she was 13 to 15 years old, after Epstein allegedly introduced her to Trump. The released documents don't include the FBI's assessment about whether her account is credible. Democrats say they plan to open an investigation into why the files were withheld. Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday that the Trump administration is pausing more than $250 million in Medicaid payments to Minnesota as part of what he called a new federal "war on fraud." At a press conference in Washington, Vance said the federal government will withhold the reimbursements until Minnesota "takes its obligations seriously" and addresses what he described as fraud involving taxpayer money. He did not detail the specific allegations against the state, the Guardian reports. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, was being notified at that moment, the administration said. In his State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Trump announced that Vance would lead the anti-fraud effort. Mehmet Oz, who heads the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, appeared alongside Vance on Wednesday and said this is the first time the federal government has taken the step involving Medicaid against a state. Oz indicated other states could face similar actions. "This is not a problem with the people of Minnesota, it's a problem with the leadership of Minnesota and other states who do not take Medicaid preservation seriously," he said, per the AP. In a social media post, Walz said the administration's action is part of a "campaign of retribution," per the Washington Post. "Trump is weaponizing the entirety of the federal government to punish blue states like Minnesota," he wrote. "These cuts will be devastating for veterans, families with young kids, folks with disabilities, and working people across our state." Oz said the money will be released after Minnesota enacts a "comprehensive corrective action plan to solve the problem." He said Walz would have 60 days to respond, per the Guardian, and advised health care providers and Medicaid beneficiaries who were concerned to contact Walz's office. Minnesota, which is dealing with allegations of major fraud involving day care centers, already has joined a suit against the administration for its threats to withhold money from programs designed to help low-income families. Medicaid provides health coverage to nearly 80 million lower-income Americans, including children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with disabilities. FBI Director Kash Patel has removed at least 10 bureau employees who worked on the criminal investigation into President Trump's handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, CNN reports, citing four people briefed on the move. The firings come amid a broader internal review of how the probe was conducted; that investigation was launched after Patel says he discovered the FBI had secretly subpoenaed his phone records and those of current White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles during the 2022-23 inquiry that later fell under special counsel Jack Smith; they were both private citizens at the time. CBS News notes that the claim regarding Patel's records has not been independently verified. A virus that's been slamming elephant seals in the Southern Hemisphere has now turned up on a California beach. Scientists on Wednesday confirmed the first known cases of the H5N1 bird flu virus in northern elephant seals, after seven pups at Ano Nuevo State Park tested positive. They're among roughly 30 seals that have died there since late last week; more test results are pending, the New York Times reports. The park, which is a popular place for visitors to see about 5,000 breeding seals each winter, has shut viewing areas and canceled tours for the rest of the season. Most of the dead seals were weaned pups, and one was an adult male, SFGate reports. Most of the colony still appears healthy, and researchers say they haven't seen deaths spike sharplya "hopeful" sign. Another good sign reported by ABC 7: Most of the adult females had already left the area for their migrations. But southern elephant seals in Argentina and South Georgia have suffered massive die-offs from H5N1, raising fears this outbreak could escalate. Officials say the current risk to the public is low and are urging people to stay away from marine mammals. The virus, part of a newer wave of H5N1 that has hit a wide range of birds and mammals and infected 70 people in the US since 2024, remains primarily an animal threat, but scientists are closely tracking how it moves through this highly monitored colony. Companies aren't just lining up for refunds, they're stampeding. After the Supreme Court last week invalidated much of President Trump's global tariffs regimen, at least 1,800 firms have sued to claw back duties paid, part of an estimated $130 billion collected in just 10 months. The company list includes Costco, Goodyear, Barnes & Noble, FedEx, and hundreds more, with one trade lawyer likening the coming "deluge" of cases to asbestos litigation, except compressed into a single burst, per the Wall Street Journal . Roughly 301,000 importers were hit by the now-defunct tariffs, suggesting that the pool of potential claimants is enormous. All of it lands at the Court of International Trade in New York, which has frozen related cases while it sorts out next steps and plans for a broader refund process. The Trump administration has sent mixed messages: Government lawyers previously told courts companies could be "made whole" if the tariffs were deemed illegal in the end, but Trump has since predicted "five years" of courtroom battles, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the White House will follow whatever the courts order. Some importers filed "belt-and-suspenders" lawsuits before the SCOTUS ruling; others, unable to afford legal fees, are waiting and hoping customs simply sends the money back. However, attorney Richard Mojica has been telling clients they should assume that customs "is not going to make it easy," per the New York Times. And what about the possibility of consumers receiving a refund? "There is an infinitesimal chance that that could happen," Bankrate analyst Stephen Kates tells USA Today. "Consumers have no legal claim to a refund, because they weren't the importers. They just bought the products." American warplanes are now parked on Israeli soil in a way they never have been before. The United States has quietly deployed F-22 Raptor stealth fighters to Israel, the first time Washington has positioned combat jets there, for a potential operation against Iran, reports the Wall Street Journal . The move, not formally announced by the Trump administration but visible in footage seen on social media , is meant to shield both Israeli territory and US forces from possible Iranian retaliation if Trump orders strikes on Tehran's nuclear and missile infrastructureand to give Washington an additional option for offensive missions. One retired Air Force veteran calls the F-22 move, which a US official also confirmed to the AP, a significant one. "It indicates preparation for a more aggressive stance toward Iran and potential cooperation with Israel in an attack," Lt. Gen. David Deptula tells the New York Times. "It signals that the US is serious about attacking if Iran does not agree to US terms." The move also reflects a sharp turn in US posture since the 2020 Abraham Accords, which brought Israel closer to several Arab states and moved it under US Central Command's umbrella. With Saudi Arabia and the UAE refusing to host or provide airspace for a US attack on Iran, Israel's air bases give Washington new room to disperse its aircraft across the region. Former officials say the deployment underscores deepening US-Israel military cooperation. One analyst adds that if you're parking "very high value" assets like F-22s, as the United States is now doing, having Israel's layered air- and missile-defense network shielding them is a strong draw. The FBI served search warrants Wednesday at the Los Angeles Unified School District's headquarters and the home of its leader, a former Superintendent of the Year who was knighted by Spain for his work. Federal officials would not give details of the nature of the investigation involving the nation's second-largest school district and Superintendent Alberto Carvalho's home, per the AP . The district said in a statement that it "is cooperating with the investigation and we do not have further information at this time." The FBI also searched a third location near Miami, where Carvalho previously led the public schools. Rukelt Dalberis, a spokesperson for the FBI's Los Angeles field office, confirmed that agents were at the properties to serve warrants but declined to comment further because affidavits laying out details for the basis for the searches were under seal. Over the past five years in Los Angeles, Carvalho has been lauded for the district's improvements to academic performance. He won similar praise while overseeing Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Florida's largest school district, where the national superintendents association named him Superintendent of the Year in 2014. But both districts also drew scrutiny under his watch. In 2024, Carvalho heavily touted an education technology company that developed an AI chatbot named "Ed" for the Los Angeles district to help students, calling it "a game changer." But less than three months after unveiling the technology and paying the company $3 million, the district dropped its dealings with AllHere, which collapsed into bankruptcy. Months later, founder Joanna Smith-Griffin was charged with securities and wire fraud, along with identity theft. Carvalho denied personal involvement in the selection of AllHere, according to the Los Angeles Times. After Smith-Griffin was indicted, Carvalho said he would appoint a task force to examine what went wrong with the LAUSD project. There have been no announcements of any task force being appointed. During his tenure in Florida, Carvalho also drew scrutiny in 2020 after a nonprofit he founded solicited a $1.57 million donation from an online education company the district was planning to use but later dropped. The district's inspector general determined the donation didn't violate state or district ethics policies but did create the "appearance of impropriety" and should be returned. The nonprofit instead distributed the donation to Miami-Dade teachers in $100 gift cards. After taking the job in California, Carvalho became a harsh critic of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration crackdown, especially following raids in Los Angeles last year. On Feb. 19, the Trump administration joined a lawsuit alleging that the district discriminates against white students under its decades-old desegregation policy. A deadly shooting during a youth hockey game in Rhode Island last week has claimed a third victim, a grandfather whose daughter and grandson were also killed in the attack, authorities said Wednesday. Gerald Dorgan, who had been in critical condition, has died from his injuries, according to Pawtucket police. Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien said he was heartbroken that another person has died because of the shooting, the AP reports. "Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victim's family, friends, and all those impacted by this tragic act of violence," he said in a statement. Dorgan's daughter, Rhonda Dorgan, and grandson, Aidan Dorgan, were also killed in the shooting. Police identified the shooter as Robert Dorgan, 56, who died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Dorgan also went by the names Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgano, authorities said. Robert Dorgan's ex-wife was Rhonda Dorgan and adult son was Aidan Dorgan. Officials have said the shooter was specifically targeting family members. Rhonda Dorgan's mom, Linda Dorgan, and a family friend, Thomas Geruso, were wounded. Law enforcement have credited several people who intervened and quickly stopped the attack. At least three bystanders were able to contain the shooter in the middle of the stands as the crowd fled and ran around them. Ireland is putting more eyes and ears on the waterand in the waterwithout dropping its neutral status. In its first-ever national maritime security strategy, Dublin says it will upgrade radar and undersea surveillance and work more closely with neighboring NATO states as it confronts what it calls rising "hybrid threats" in the North Atlantic, per Reuters . Those waters carry a dense cluster of undersea data cables and energy links, but Ireland has long been criticized for having scant capacity to monitor or defend them. The plan, essentially a five-year roadmap, "concentrates on securing the maritime domain from threats related to national security and defense," an executive summary reads, per Baird Maritime . The plan singles out concerns over Russia's so-called "shadow fleet," which Western officials suspect could be used for spying or sabotageallegations Moscow rejects. The strategy urges tighter ties with NATO members Britain and France and potential participation in activities with the 10-nation Joint Expeditionary Force, moves the document calls "vitally important" but politically sensitive in a country attached to military neutrality. Prime Minister Micheal Martin defended the pivot by warning that a serious hit to gas pipelines from Britain could cripple the economy in days. Ireland, which spent just 0.2% of GDP on defense last year, will also explore space-based tech, data sharing with EU partners, and tools like uncrewed vessels and maritime drones, though it has not committed to approaching average EU defense spending. The bet: Even as polls show Trump underwater on immigration and the economy ranking as voters' top concern, the president's camp is certain that immigration still motivates the Republican base. As the Politico analysis puts it, "Republicans are betting President Donald Trump just handed them the lifeline they need to win on immigration again." Democrats: They remain hopeful that Americans will see the administration's immigration tactics as too harsh, and were shrugging off the criticism. "Of course we support Americans," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters. "We're not going to be a prop in Donald Trump's little show." An American Airlines jet is out of service after a suspicious "puncture" turned up during a routine inspection in Medellin, Colombia, on Sunday, and sources tells outlets including NBC News and CBS News that the puncture was a bullet hole. The airline said no injuries were reported and no problems were noted during flight operations before the damage was discovered. According to documents seen by CBS, the puncture "extends all the way through the right-hand aileron," a flight control surface attached to the wing. The 737 Max 8 flew from Miami to Medellin on Sunday. American said the plane was immediately pulled from service for inspection and repair and that it plans to cooperate with "all relevant authorities" to determine what happened. Flight tracking data shows the aircraft returned to Miami on Monday after temporary repairs, per CBS. It flew to Dallas around 12 hours later and has not flown since. Colombia's Civil Aeronautical Authority confirmed it is aware of reports that an aircraft was found with perforations but said it has not been contacted by the airline or any US agency. The regulator added it is waiting for official information that could clarify how the damage occurred and where it originated. Cindy McCain is stepping down as head of the UN's World Food Programme, saying lingering health problems won't let her keep up with the demands of the job. On Thursday, the 71-year-old called leading the agency "the honor of a lifetime" but said her recovery after what her office described as a mild stroke in October hasn't come far enough for her to complete her term, per a WFP release . McCain will remain during a transition period and vowed to remain the program's "biggest champion." She has led the Rome-based agency since 2023, overseeing food assistance operations that reach more than 100 million people globally, reports NBC News . "This is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make," McCain adds in her statement. During her time with the WFP, she drew attention to hunger in Gaza, describing the situation as a "full-blown famine" in a 2024 Meet the Press interview, and warned that the conflict in Sudan could spark "the world's largest hunger crisis." McCain has also spoken out about attacks on aid workers. Before taking the top post with the organization, McCain served as US ambassador to UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture. Her late husband, Sen. John McCain, was the 2008 Republican presidential nominee. Reuters notes that McCain's departure opens the door for President Trump to suggest her replacement to UN chief Antonio Guterres. Get the news faster. Tap to install our app. Access Newser even faster. Click here to install our app on your desktop. X Another prominent figure has been brought down by his links to Jeffrey Epstein. Borge Brende, the World Economic Forum's president and CEO and a former Norwegian foreign minister, said Thursday he will step down following an independent review of his contacts with the sex offender, the New York Times reports. In November, Brende denied having any contact with Epstein but the most recent release of Justice Department files told a very different story, reports Politico . The WEF says Brende had "three business dinners with Jeffrey Epstein, along with subsequent email and SMS communications." The newly released files suggest Brende stayed in touch with Epstein up until a week before Epstein was arrested in 2019. Brende responded with a thumbs-up emoji to a message from Epstein that referenced a lawyer's letter downplaying the scope of the case that led to Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution, the Times reports. In a statement earlier this month, Brende said he "was completely unaware of Epstein's past and criminal activities" before he first met him in 2018, reports Reuters. In a statement, the WEF, which organizes the annual Davos conference, said the inquiry uncovered no issues "beyond what has been previously disclosed" but it respects Brende's decision to step down. Brende said he was resigning so the WEF could continue its work "without distractions." His exit follows a separate investigation into allegations of misconduct by WEF founder Klaus Schwab, who stepped down as chair in April. Brende is one of several high-profile Norwegians now under a spotlight over ties to Epstein, alongside former Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and senior diplomats. Parents could soon get a digital heads-up if their teen is looking for the darkest corners of Instagram. Meta says that beginning next week, adults who've enabled Instagram's supervision tools will be notified when a teen repeatedly carries out searches for content or terms tied to suicide or self-harm over a short period. Alerts will arrive via email, text, or WhatsApp, or through the Insta app itself, and will include guidance on how to talk to kids about mental health, reports CBS News . Instagram already blocks searches for self-harm content and directs users to resources that can help. "Our goal is to empower parents to step in if their teen's searches suggest they may need support," Meta says in a release. "We also want to avoid sending these notifications unnecessarily, which, if done too much, could make the notifications less useful overall." The social media giant won't say exactly how many searches trigger the new warning, only that it's "a few" done close together. The feature will first roll out in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, with more regions to follow throughout 2026. It comes as Meta defends itself in two trials, per the AP: one in Los Angeles over whether Instagram (and Google-owned YouTube) are built to keep young users hooked, and another in New Mexico on whether Meta neglected to keep kids safe from sexual exploitation. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently acknowledged that enforcing Instagram's minimum age of 13 is difficult, as teens can lie about their birthdays, per CBS. A London couple has welcomed a baby whose birth marks a first for the UKand a milestone for transplant medicine. Hugo Powell, born in December at Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, is the country's first child delivered by a woman with a transplanted womb from a deceased donor , doctors and his parents have confirmed. Only two similar births had previously been reported in Europe. His mother, 33-year-old IT program manager Grace Bell, was born with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome, a rare condition that meant she had no functioning uterus, the Guardian reports. Bell, who was told in her teens she would never get pregnant, underwent a womb transplant in 2024, then fertility treatment, and later delivered Hugo, weighing 6 pounds and 13 ounces, by C-section. Bell says she thinks daily about the donor and her family, calling their decision an act of "kindness and selflessness" that means she is now "the happiest I've ever been in my life." The donor's womb was one of six organs transplanted, benefiting four recipients. Bell and her partner, Steve Powell, gave Hugo the middle name Richard, in honor of Prof. Richard Smith, an expert in womb transplantation who was present for the birth, per the BBC. The uterus will be removed once the couple decide their family is complete, so Bell can stop taking anti-rejection drugs. An arrest has been made in connection with a controversial snowball fight in Manhattan. The NYPD detained 27-year-old Gusmane Coulibaly on Thursday, accusing him of injuring two officers with snow and ice during the widely filmed melee in Washington Square Park during Monday's blizzard, the New York Times reports. He was charged with assault; police say they're still looking for three other men, believed to be between the ages of 18 and 20, in connection with the same incident. What began as a huge, social media-promoted snowball fight turned tense when officers arrived to manage the crowd and were hit by increasingly large snowballs, according to police and videos from the scene. Two officers were treated at a hospital for neck and face injuries. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the conduct "disgraceful" and "criminal" Monday and said police were investigating. In what the BBC describes as Mayor Zohran Mamdani's "first major row" with police unions, he faced backlash after suggesting the snowball-throwers shouldn't face charges. "I've seen the videos of kids throwing snowballs at NYPD officers in Washington Square Park," the mayor said in a post on X on Tuesday morning. "Officers, like all city workers, have been out in a historic blizzard, keeping New Yorkers safe and cars moving. Treat them with respect." He added, "If anyone's catching a snowball, it's me," referring to his decision to reopen schools on Tuesday instead of giving students a second snow day. Mamdani later said the incident appeared to be a "snowball fight that got out of hand," but he didn't think criminal charges were needed. Police Benevolent Association president Patrick Hendry slammed Mamdani's response as a "complete failure of leadership," the BBC reports. "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." Vincent Vallelong, president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, said: "Today it is snowballs. Tomorrow it could be rocks, bottles, or worse." Mamdani, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, praised the NYPD's response to the blizzard but said he won't be "banning snowball fights or organized snowball fights," NBC New York reports. President Trump is pushing hard for federal control of this year's midterm elections but with GOP leaders lukewarm on the idea , the president's supporters say they've found a way for him to take direct control. Pro-Trump activists say they've drafted a 17-page executive order asserting that China meddled in the 2020 election and arguing that this supposed interference justifies an emergency declaration, the Washington Post reports. That, they contend, would let Trump bar mail voting and voting machines ahead of the midtermssteps he has repeatedly floated as part of a promised executive order if Congress doesn't enact stricter voter ID and citizenship rules. Peter Ticktin, a lawyer advocating for the draft executive order, tells the Post that he has had "certain coordination" with the White House. "Under the Constitution, it's the legislatures and states that really control how a state conducts its elections, and the president doesn't have any power to do that," he says. "But here we have a situation where the president is aware that there are foreign interests that are interfering in our election processes. That causes a national emergency where the president has to be able to deal with it." Ticktin, who wrote a book about his years at the New York Military Academy with Trump, represented Trump in a 2022 election-related lawsuit against Hillary Clinton that a judge dismissed as frivolous. A 2021 US intelligence review found China weighed influencing the 2020 race but did not act. Still, Trump allies point to existing emergency sanctions on foreign election interference as a possible model, even as past Trump efforts to tighten voting rules by executive order have been repeatedly blocked in court. The president, who never admitted defeat after losing the 2020 election, once again accused Democrats of "cheating" in his State of the Union address on Tuesday. "They have cheated," he said. "And their policy is so bad that their only way to get elected is to cheat. And we're going to stop it." The Guardian notes that Trump "appears poised to go to extraordinary lengths to protect his administration from the consequences of a possible Democratic majority in Congress this year." Earlier this month, Trump claimed that he had an "irrefutable" legal case for bringing in new voter ID rules. "There will be Voter I.D. for the Midterm Elections, whether approved by Congress or not!" he said on Truth Social. She's apparently done it again. Repeat stowaway Svetlana Dali was detained in Italy after allegedly slipping onto a United Airlines flight from Newark to Milan without a ticket, reports NBC News. Crew members reportedly discovered she wasn't on the manifest only after the Boeing 777 was airborne Wednesday evening. Dali, a Russian citizen with US residency, was convicted last year of stowing away on a Delta flight from New York to Paris in November 2024 and was sentenced to time served. Jacinda Ardern is joining a well-worn path out of New Zealand: the one that leads to Australia. A spokesperson for the former prime minister confirmed that Ardern and her family are based in Australia "for the moment," saying they have work there. "The family has been traveling for a few years now," her office said, per the Guardian . Australian media have been tracking Ardern's apparent house-hunting in Sydney and sightings in coastal towns south of the city, the New York Times reports. Her relocation puts a high-profile face on a broader shift. More than 1% of New Zealand's population left in the year ending last October, with about half heading "across the ditch" in search of better pay and better job prospects. Ardern, who was in office from 2017 to 2023 and became an international figure for her handling of crises including the Christchurch mosque attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic, stepped down as prime minister in the face of domestic discontent over the economy and housing. Since then, she's taken on global roles, including fellowships at Harvard and Oxford and a trusteeship of Prince William's Earthshot Prize. Her spokesperson framed the Australian base as practicalleaving her close enough for "more time back home in New Zealand." Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton used a closed-door appearance on Capitol Hill on Thursday to say, in effect, that lawmakers are asking the wrong person about Jeffrey Epstein. Testifying before the House Oversight Committee in Chappaqua, New York, the former first lady told lawmakers she has "no knowledge" that could help the panel's investigation into Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, NBC News reports. Clinton said she does not recall ever meeting Epstein, never traveled on his plane or visited his properties, and learned of his crimes only through news reports. She acknowledged having met Maxwell on "a few occasions" over the years but said she had no awareness of Maxwell's criminal conduct. In an opening statement posted on X, Clinton accused Republicans of staging partisan "fishing expeditions" by compelling her and Bill Clinton to testify, arguing the move is meant to divert attention from President Trump's ties to Epstein. If the committee were serious, she said, it would question Trump under oath about the many references to him in Epstein-related records. Trump denies wrongdoing and has not been charged in connection with Epstein; the Clintons likewise deny any misconduct and have not been accused of crimes related to him. Committee Chair James Comer, a Republican, rejected the idea that the inquiry is a "partisan witch hunt," noting that Democrats supported the motion to depose the Clintons and saying the goal is to better understand Epstein's network. Hillary Clinton's testimony stopped for about a half-hour after she learned that a photo of her appearance had surfaced on social media. The image was shared by Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert and posted by commentator by Benny Johnson, per the New York Times. In asking for the stoppage, Clinton's attorneys pointed out that she had asked for the hearing to be public but was denied. Rep. Robert Garcia, the panel's top Democrat, said Clinton answered all questions and did not invoke Fifth Amendment protections. He argued the depositions set a precedent that should now extend to Trump. Garcia called for a complete transcript of the videotaped appearance to be released within 24 hours. Bill Clinton is scheduled to sit for his own deposition Friday. Fairbanks, AK (99701) Today Partly cloudy skies during the morning hours will become overcast in the afternoon. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High -2F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low -27F. Winds light and variable. CPA Australia told a federal parliamentary committee that red tape is a direct drag on productivity, and small businesses are feeling it most. Whats happening: CPA Australia has warned a federal parliamentary committee that Australias productivity crisis is no longer a slow-burn problem. Why this matters: For small business owners, this is not abstract. CPA Australia says regulatory overload is imposing significant and growing costs on smaller operators, while lagging technology adoption risks widening the gap further. Australias largest accounting body is done waiting for incremental change. In a submission to the federal governments Select Committee on Productivity in Australia, CPA Australia has delivered a pointed warning: the productivity crisis is serious, it is worsening, and small businesses are paying a price governments have been too slow to acknowledge. No quick fix CPA Australias Business and Investment Lead, Gavan Ord, was direct in his assessment. Australia is running out of time. If productivity continues to stagnate, living standards will go backwards and the economy will struggle to sustain growth, Ord said. This is not an abstract policy debate. Weak productivity ultimately means lower wages growth and fewer opportunities for Australian businesses and workers. The submission, which draws on recent work with the federal government and the Productivity Commission, argues that piecemeal reforms and short-term political thinking have failed to arrest the decline. Productivity will not recover through tinkering around the edges. It requires sustained, coordinated reform across tax, regulation, fiscal policy and business capability, Ord said. Red tapes real cost For small business owners, the regulation burden is where the frustration is most acute. CPA Australias submission singles out regulatory overload as a direct and growing drag on productivity, not a side issue. Red tape is not just an inconvenience, it is a direct drag on productivity. Governments must stop treating regulation as the default response and start proving that non-regulatory options have been exhausted, Ord said. The body also flags the tax system as compounding the problem, arguing it has become too complex and misaligned with where the economy is heading. Our tax system is increasingly complex, uncompetitive and misaligned with where the economy is heading. Continuing to avoid meaningful tax reform is a deliberate choice to accept weaker productivity and slower growth, Ord said. Beyond regulation, CPA Australia raises a concern that will resonate with many smaller operators: the assumption that technology will solve the problem on its own. The submission points to Australias lagging technology adoption, particularly among small businesses, and calls for better targeted support rather than a hands-off approach. We cannot assume technologies like AI will magically lift productivity. Without proper support, many small businesses will be left behind, and the productivity gap will widen, Ord said. What needs to change CPA Australias submission also calls for action on young entrepreneurship, arguing Australia has too few young business owners relative to its population. If Australia wants a more dynamic and productive economy, it must make it easier for young Australians to start, grow and acquire businesses, Ord said. With the federal Budget approaching, CPA Australia says the opportunity to act is now. The body argues the government has rightly placed productivity at the centre of the national conversation, but warns that rhetoric alone will not be enough. Excessive public spending can pull capital and labour away from more productive uses and ultimately make the problem worse, Ord said. CPA Australia is Australias leading professional accounting body and one of the largest in the world. More at cpaaustralia.com.au Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Fairbanks, AK (99701) Today A mix of clouds and sun in the morning followed by cloudy skies during the afternoon. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High -2F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low -27F. Winds light and variable. The patent strengthens EY Canada's ability to deliver differentiated decision-intelligence solutions Innovation reinforces enterprise decision-making across highly complex systems, from supply networks to large-scale operational planning The patent supports a hybrid classicalquantum computing paradigm, combining the scalability and reliability of classical systems with emerging quantum techniques TORONTO, Feb. 26, 2026 /CNW/ - Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples -- EY Canada today announced a new patent that improves how organizations create and assess decision-making scenarios in challenging situations. This innovative approach showcases EY's commitment to turning advanced analytics, AI and new quantum technologies into useful tools that support better decision making. EY Canada reaches a new patent milestone (CNW Group/EY (Ernst & Young)) Developed during an EY lab session by Biren Agnihotri, Dr. Sherif Barrad, Ricardo A. Collado and Olumide Akinola, alongside a multidisciplinary team of engineers and computer scientists, the goal was not simply faster computation, but more effective exploration of feasible options and trade-offs under uncertainty. The innovation responds to a common enterprise challenge: as systems grow increasingly interconnected and driven by constraints, traditional AI and analytics may generate strong predictions but often fall short in rapidly identifying high-quality decision alternatives to adapt to evolving circumstances. "This patent reflects how EY innovates --generalizing the insight from real client challenges to solve a broader class of complex decision problems," said Biren Agnihotri, EY Canada Chief Technology Officer. "By accelerating time to insight with this innovation, organizations can make better decisions across their most constrained and high-impact systems." Rather than viewing quantum computing as a standalone accelerator, the innovation offers a realistic hybrid model that enriches the computational toolkit through the incorporation of quantum operators. The approach is broadly applicable across domains such as manufacturing, energy, logistics, infrastructure and large-scale operational planning, where decision quality depends on navigating constraints, uncertainty and rapidly evolving conditions. "We're incredibly proud to innovate solutions that support Canadian businesses in navigating today's complex landscape," said Alycia Calvert, EY Canada Chair and CEO. "At EY Canada, we're dedicated to fostering innovation that not only strengthens individual organizations but also contributes to a more robust and competitive Canadian economy" Learn more about how EY Canada is innovating for clients: https://www.ey.com/en_ca/services/ai About EY EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets. Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow. EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories. All in to shape the future with confidence. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com/ca. This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP. SOURCE EY (Ernst & Young) For further information, please contact: Jenna Ng Liet Hing, [email protected], 647 684 9998 Created in collaboration with the SPAO Photographic Arts Centre, one of Canada's foremost photographic arts centres, the shirt features original artwork by Ottawa-based visual artist Linh VH Nguyen, a queer Vietnamese Canadian artist selected as part of Giant Tiger's annual commitment to spotlight a new Canadian artist. Working across analog and digital photography, Nguyen's work explores memory, transformation and diasporic identity. "This is the first time my work is reaching people outside of galleries, and I'm thrilled that it's accessible to a wider audience," said artist Linh VH Nguyen. "This partnership, bringing together Giant Tiger, the Canadian Women's Foundation and photo-based artists, shows real commitment, especially knowing that 100% of the profits support the Foundation. Buying something you love can be powerful, and I hope this campaign sparks conversation and reminds people to support one another and find moments of joy." In celebration of International Women's Day, the collaboration extends beyond the shirt through Slumber Party, a group exhibition presented at SPAO from Jan. 16-March 8, 2026, featuring photo-based works by Canadian female and gender-diverse artists, including Nguyen. To learn more about the artist collaboration, the impact of Giant Tiger's partnership with the Canadian Women's Foundation and the SPAO Photographic Arts Centre, click HERE. "SPAO is proud to champion diverse voices and perspectives, with a strong commitment to supporting women and gender-diverse people," said Katie Lydiatt, Curator and Gallery Manager, SPAO Photographic Arts Centre. "Through our exhibitions, programs and strategic partnerships like this one, we empower underrepresented artists to share their stories and challenge conventions, harnessing photography's unique power to reframe, provoke and inspire." As a long-standing partner of the Canadian Women's Foundation, Giant Tiger is proud to support community-based programs that help women, girls and gender-diverse people across Canada move out of violence and poverty and into spaces that inspire confidence and leadership. Through its International Women's Day shirt campaign, Giant Tiger has raised more than $120,000 to date, with funds going directly to grassroots programs that provide critical support, build skills, belonging and confidence, and help make safety, opportunity and hope possible. "We're proud to continue our partnership with Giant Tiger and their commitment to advancing gender equality throughout Canada," said Mitzie Hunter, President and CEO of the Canadian Women's Foundation. "Year after year, this collaboration shows what it looks like when a Canadian company leads with purpose and stands alongside women, girls and gender-diverse people. We're deeply grateful for Giant Tiger's ongoing support and the meaningful difference it helps make in local communities nationwide." "At Giant Tiger, supporting our communities also means creating space for women and gender-diverse artists to be seen, heard and celebrated," said Alison Scarlett, Head of Public Relations, Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility, Giant Tiger Stores Limited. "Through this campaign, we're proud to spotlight Canadian artists like Linh VH Nguyen, while directing 100% of profits to the Canadian Women's Foundation to support community-based programs that advance gender equity. With more than 260 locally owned stores across the country, we can help turn creative expression into meaningful impact. As a Canadian retailer dedicated to doing what's right, it's incredibly rewarding to partner with organizations that are making a real difference in the lives of our customers and the communities we proudly serve, while giving talented artists a national platform to share their work." To learn more about the new design and Giant Tiger's partnerships with the Canadian Women's Foundation and SPAO Photographic Arts Centre, click HERE. About the Canadian Women's Foundation: The Canadian Women's Foundation is Canada's public foundation for gender equality. We fund community-led programs and advocate for policies that improve the lives of women, girls and gender-diverse people in every province and territory. Our work advances economic security, helps prevent and end gender-based violence and helps young people build skills, confidence and belonging. Learn more at canadianwomen.org. About SPAO Photographic Arts Centre: SPAO is Canada's premier centre for photography, offering the country's only two-year college diploma program in the photographic arts, a robust selection of recreational classes, a six-month international artist residency and the region's only gallery dedicated to lens-based art. Learn more at spao.ca. About the Artist, Linh VH Nguyen: Linh VH Nguyen is a queer Vietnamese Canadian visual artist based in Ottawa. Through analog and digital photography, her work explores memory, transformation and diasporic identity. Learn more at linhnguyen.ca / @linhnguyen About Giant Tiger: Giant Tiger, the leading Canadian-owned family discount store, is committed to delivering more than great deals on family fashion, everyday household items and grocery essentials. The proudly Canadian company is dedicated to a culture of affordability through low prices, community support and empowering its locally-owned franchises. The privately held company has over 260 locations across Canada and proudly employs over 10,000 members of Team Tiger. All Giant Tiger locations are locally owned or operated by a team member who knows the community. Whether Canadians are shopping in store or online at GiantTiger.com, Giant Tiger is where low prices, amazing finds, and community support come together to be Canada's place to save more money. Join the conversation and keep up to date on all #GiantTiger news: Like us on Facebook: Giant Tiger Follow us on Instagram: @Gianttigerstore Follow us on TikTok: @Gianttigerstore Follow us on X: @GTBoutique SOURCE Giant Tiger Stores Limited For media inquiries, please contact: Jessica Charbonneau, Manager, External Communications, Giant Tiger Stores Limited, [email protected] With costs well managed, the Company has recently attracted two more large engineering services firms that can help accelerate revenues in the second half of FY2026 VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 26, 2026 /CNW/ - infinitii ai inc. ("infinitii ai" or the "Company") (CSE: IAI) (FSE: Y31) (OTC: CDTAF), a leader AI-driven predictive analytics software for Smart City water and Smart Industry infrastructure applications that rely on time-series data, today released its annual financial and operational highlights for the three-month period ended December 31, 2025, representing the second quarter ("Q2") of fiscal year 2026 ("FY2026"). A complete set of December 31, 2025 Financial Statements have been filed at www.sedarplus.ca. Q2 FY2026 delivered sequential revenue improvement over Q1, as the Company closed an oversubscribed $610,000 convertible debenture financing that materially strengthened its balance sheet. Accounts payable declined 33% establishing a significantly improved financial foundation to support stronger revenue execution in the second half of FY2026. The Company also experienced 100% customer retention from the end of its last fiscal year to the end of Q2. Management commentary "Closing an oversubscribed financing led by ThreeD Capital Inc. with strong participation from existing strategic investors and our executive team, is a clear signal of confidence in our direction," said Jean Charles Phaneuf, CEO of infinitii ai. "That capital has materially strengthened our balance sheet and given us the operational runway to pursue new growth opportunities from a position of financial stability. With our cost structure well managed and excellent customer retention, we have recently attracted two more large engineering services firms that can help us accelerate revenues in the second half of this fiscal year." Financial highlights for Q2 2026 Q2 FY2026 revenue of $640,827 represents a 2.2% sequential improvement over Q1 FY2026 revenue of $626,828, reflecting stability in the Company's core recurring SaaS business with 100% customer retention from the end of its last fiscal year to the end of Q2. Q2 FY2026 operating loss of $266,595 included $40,152 in non-cash share-based payments related to director-deferred share units granted in October 2025. Excluding this non-cash charge, the underlying operating loss improved sequentially from Q1. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $442,636, a 33% reduction from $659,693 at June 30, 2025, demonstrating improved cash management and financial discipline. Moving forward In December infinitii ai established a new business relationship with a 2000+ employee infrastructure engineering firm and as a result, began the installation of infinitii flowworks in the City of Charlotte, NC, to provide sewer flow monitoring services and rain measurement in America's 15 th -largest city. -largest city. In January, a 12,000+ employee infrastructure engineering firm accepted a proposal to supply infinitii flowworks for new projects, with emphasis on the analytic capabilities of infinitii face advanced calculations and infinitii face pro machine learning predictive applications. Also in January, the Company worked with existing engineering services partners to introduce infinitii flowworks in the Canadian national capital of Ottawa, the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory in Ontario and Greenfield, MI. infinitii ai continues to strengthen its position as a leader in AI-driven infrastructure analytics for the water and industrial sectors: Blue-chip customer base: Customers include Seattle Public Utilities, City of Los Angeles, Miami-Dade Water & Sewer, Boston Water & Sewer Commission, Dallas Water Utilities, City of Vancouver, Region of Peel, and York Region. Customers include Seattle Public Utilities, City of Los Angeles, Miami-Dade Water & Sewer, Boston Water & Sewer Commission, Dallas Water Utilities, City of Vancouver, Region of Peel, and York Region. Dominant regional market share: More than 90% market penetration in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) wastewater utilities, representing one of North America's largest metropolitan markets. More than 90% market penetration in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) wastewater utilities, representing one of North America's largest metropolitan markets. Proven technology platform: The infinitii dataworks platform, built on open source technologies and cloud-agnostic architecture, processes hundreds of billions of data points and has earned customer trust through more than a decade of production deployment in mission-critical environments. The infinitii dataworks platform, built on open source technologies and cloud-agnostic architecture, processes hundreds of billions of data points and has earned customer trust through more than a decade of production deployment in mission-critical environments. Versatile industrial IoT capabilities: While best known for Smart City water infrastructure applications, infinitii ai's platform serves Smart Industry sectors including mining operations, pump systems, and valve monitoring demonstrating the versatility of its time-series data management and machine learning capabilities. While best known for Smart City water infrastructure applications, infinitii ai's platform serves Smart Industry sectors including mining operations, pump systems, and valve monitoring demonstrating the versatility of its time-series data management and machine learning capabilities. Strategic partner network: Strong relationships with a growing network of major engineering firms like AECOM, Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd., and SCG Flowmetrix Technical Services Inc. as well as engineering equipment suppliers across North America offer significant market expansion. Looking ahead to the remainder of FY2026, the Company's strategic priorities include: Accelerating adoption of new mobile and dashboard products to expand within existing customer accounts and capture new municipal departments. Advancing upsell initiatives by deploying advanced analytics features with Early Majority customers transitioning to more sophisticated use cases. Developing strategic partnerships with new global equipment manufacturers seeking to enhance their value propositions with AI-driven analytics. Expanding U.S. market presence by leveraging recent customer wins and partner relationships to drive geographic diversification. Continuing operational discipline to improve unit economics while investing strategically in growth initiatives. About infinitii ai inc. infinitii ai has been a trusted provider of environmental monitoring and predictive analytics to many of North America's largest water infrastructure utilities since 2014. Its customers include Seattle, Los Angeles, Miami-Dade County, Boston, Dallas, Vancouver, Toronto, Hamilton, Region of Peel, and York Region. The company delivers value through direct sales and a robust partner network including major engineering service firms and sensor hardware suppliers including AECOM, Core & Main Inc., Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd., K2 Geospatial, SCG Flowmetrix and TREKK Design Group LLC. For operations managers, directors and consulting engineers through to data analysts and modelers responsible for protecting critical infrastructure, infinitii ai supports reliable AI-driven engineering decisions that sustain human life and commerce. Sold and supported under the umbrella of the infinitii dataworks platform, infinitii ai's products portfolio featuring its flagship product, infinitii flowworks, is focused on predictive machine learning (ML) and streaming analytics applications for time-series data. infinitii flowworks users gain additional insight and control through intuitive dashboards and mobile access, empowering them to monitor, model, and optimize system performance anywhere, at any time. While data analysts and modelers have access to powerful graphing, data calculation and transformation tools that offer the ability to script new machine learning algorithms or deploy them from existing open-source libraries. The Canadian Securities Exchange (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of infinitii ai, including the expectation of future revenue growth. Although infinitii ai believes that the expectations and assumptions upon which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because infinitii ai can provide no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. infinitii ai disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE infinitii ai inc. Nathan Rudyk, Director, Corporate Communications, infinitii ai inc., [email protected], +1 778 200 2093 To mark 25 years of community support, Western Communities Foundation, the non-profit arm of Western Financial Group is launching Quote for Hope, an exciting fundraising campaign donating $10 to local children's hospital foundations across Canada for every eligible home or commercial insurance quote. HIGH RIVER, AB, Feb. 26, 2026 /CNW/ - The Western Communities Foundation (WCF) is launching Quote for Hope on March 1, a national campaign that transforms everyday insurance quotes into meaningful support for children in local communities, while celebrating a major milestone: 25 years of community impact. Quote for Hope campaign - Western Communities Foundation and Children's Miracle Network. (CNW Group/Western Financial Group) "As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we wanted to find a partner that our employees and customers could really get behind, with an impactful, national scope," said Michelle Mak, Western Communities Foundation Director. "Children's Hospital Foundations are helping to provide essential care, research, and resources for children and families across the country. This campaign reflects exactly why our foundation exists: to bring people together to create meaningful impact." Through partnerships with trusted children's hospital foundations, including BC Children's Hospital Foundation, Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation, Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation, Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation, SickKids Foundation, CHEO Foundation, Children's Health Foundation (London), MacKids Children's Hospital, Enfant Soleil, IWK Foundation, and Janeway Children's Hospital Foundation, 100% of donations stay local, helping kids in communities across the country access the best care and treatment possible. Each participating children's hospital foundation supports care, treatment, equipment, and family-centred spaces that help improve health outcomes for kids in their regions. By emphasizing a local approach, Quote for Hope connects Canadians directly to the hospitals and families in their own communities. "Western Communities Foundation's Quote for Hope campaign is a powerful example of how everyday actions can help kids access the best care and treatment possible," said Adam Starkman, President & CEO of Canada's Children's Hospital Foundations. "With 100% of donations directed to local hospital foundations, the campaign supports children and families in the communities where funds are raised -- a meaningful way to mark Western Communities Foundation's 25 years of community impact." Founded in 2001, the Western Communities Foundation has invested millions into Canadian communities, supporting causes that reflect the values of Western Financial Group's customers, employees, and broker partners. The launch of Quote for Hope during WCF's 25th anniversary year underscores the Foundation's long-standing commitment to helping communities thrive, especially when families need it most. "For 25 years, the Western Communities Foundation has focused on making a real difference in the communities we serve," said Grant Ostir, CEO of Western Financial Group and President of the Western Communities Foundation. "Quote for Hope brings that legacy to life by making it easy for Canadians to support kids and their families in times that matter most. When local families feel safe and cared for, our communities and local businesses thrive. It's community impact, made accessible." How It Works Between March 1 and May 31, 2026 request a home, condo, renter's, seasonal property or commercial insurance quote at QuoteForHope.ca request a For every eligible new customer quote , $10 is donated by the Western Communities Foundation , by the Western Communities Foundation Up to $50,000 will be donated to local children's hospital foundations in Canada will be donated to in Canada To learn more or request a quote, visit QuoteForHope.ca. Western Financial Group Communities Foundation Founded in 2001, the Western Financial Group Communities Foundation serves to give back to the communities where Western employees live and work and play, and foster employee pride and engagement. The Foundation's core donation programs include community Infrastructure Grants, the Western Inspirational Awards for graduating high school students, Community Care local fundraising initiative, and emergency relief support. Since its inception, the Western Communities Foundation has granted more than $9 million to support local communities. Visit westerngives.ca for more information. About Canada's Children's Hospital Foundations Canada's Children's Hospital Foundations (CCHF), established in 2017, is a not-for-profit organization that raises funds for a national network of children's hospital foundations as the largest single, non-government funder of child health in Canada. CCHF continues to receive generous support through donors within Children's Miracle Network as well as contributions from additional organizations and supporters. CCHF represents 13 of Canada's children's hospital foundations to ensure that all children have access to the very best care from coast to coast to coast. SOURCE Western Financial Group For more information: Nichola Petts, Manager - Media & Public Relations, [email protected] Can Nvidia Earnings Save the stock market? Looks like yes. Earnings was $68 billion for this quarter and they are guiding to $78 billion for next quarter (which means a likely $80-81 billion actual next quarter). This is still without any China revenue kicking in. Trump will visit to China in March 2026. Trade/tech issues (including Nvidia) are expected to be discussed. There could be a huge upside catalyst if that meeting results in US and China making an trade deal on AI. Scaled revenue by 13X since ChatGPT. Profitability Gross Margin: 75% EBIT: $44.299B Net Income: $42.960B EPS: $1.76 Will there be a clean beat in the next hour? YES Will there be great guidance on Rubin chip rollout ? [This can be assumed to be yes, but waiting for actual details]. Guiding for 80% for the year growth even without China revenue forecasted yet. Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, NVIDIA will include stock-based compensation expense in non-GAAP financial measures. Stock-based compensation is a foundational component of NVIDIAs compensation program to attract and retain world-class talent. NVIDIAs outlook for the first quarter of fiscal 2027 is as follows: Revenue is expected to be $78.0 billion, plus or minus 2%. NVIDIA is not assuming any Data Center compute revenue from China in its outlook. GAAP and non-GAAP gross margins are expected to be 74.9% and 75.0%, respectively, plus or minus 50 basis points, inclusive of a 0.1% impact from stock-based compensation expense. GAAP and non-GAAP operating expenses are expected to be approximately $7.7 billion and $7.5 billion, respectively, inclusive of $1.9 billion of stock-based compensation expense. Can Nvidia Earnings Save the stock market? Will there be a clean beat in the next hour and great guidance on Rubin chip rollout ? $NVDA @RandyWKirk1 pic.twitter.com/5ZQ4gh5Aqr nextbigfuture (@nextbigfuture) February 25, 2026 Heres the exact schedule Earnings release + CFO written commentary Earnings conference call (with Jensen Huang & team): 2:00 PM PT (5:00 PM ET). This is Nvidias Q4 FY2026 report (quarter ended Jan 25, 2026) the biggest earnings event of the entire season and the one Wall Street is laser-focused on. Where to watch/listen live:Direct webcast https://investor.nvidia.com Same link also has the CFO commentary PDF right when it drops. Expectations are sky-high:Revenue: ~$65.866.2B (+68% YoY) Adj. EPS: ~$1.53 Data Center (AI) revenue: expected ~$60B+ Data Center Fourth-quarter revenue was a record $62.3 billion, up 22% from the previous quarter and up 75% from a year ago, driven by the major platform shifts accelerated computing and AI. Full-year revenue rose 68% to a record $193.7 billion. Unveiled the NVIDIA Rubin platform, comprising six new chips to deliver up to a 10x reduction in inference token cost, compared with the NVIDIA Blackwell platform; cloud providers Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure will be among the first to deploy Vera Rubin-based instances. Announced that the NVIDIA BlueField-4 data processor powers the NVIDIA Inference Context Memory Storage Platform, a new class of AI-native storage infrastructure for the next frontier of AI. Announced a multiyear, multigenerational strategic partnership with Meta spanning on-premises, cloud and AI infrastructure, including the large-scale deployment of NVIDIA CPUs, networking and millions of NVIDIA Blackwell and Rubin GPUs. Revealed that NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra delivers up to 50x better performance and 35x lower cost for agentic AI compared with the NVIDIA Hopper platform, according to new SemiAnalysis InferenceX benchmark results. Expanded AWS partnership with new technology integrations across interconnect technology, cloud infrastructure, open models and physical AI. Revealed that leading inference providers, including Baseten, DeepInfra, Fireworks AI and Together AI, cut AI costs by up to 10x with open source models on NVIDIA Blackwell. Debuted the NVIDIA Nemotron 3 family of open models, data and libraries designed to power transparent, efficient and specialized agentic AI development across industries; released new open models, data and tools for agentic AI, physical AI and autonomous vehicle development. Announced an investment and deep technology partnership with Anthropic, which is scaling its Claude model on Microsoft Azure, powered by NVIDIA systems. Entered into a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Groq to accelerate AI inference at global scale. Strengthened a collaboration with CoreWeave to accelerate the buildout of more than 5 gigawatts of AI factories by 2030. Announced an expanded strategic partnership with Synopsys to revolutionize engineering and design across industries. Announced a co-innovation AI lab with Lilly to reinvent drug discovery in the age of AI. Announced a major expansion of NVIDIA BioNeMo, an open development platform that enables lab-in-the-loop workflows to develop breakthroughs in AI-driven biology and drug discovery. Joined the U.S. Department of Energys Genesis Mission as a private industry partner to support U.S. AI leadership in key areas including energy, scientific research and national security. Launched the NVIDIA Earth-2 family of open models the worlds first fully open, accelerated set of models and tools for AI weather. Revealed that Indias global systems integrators Infosys, Persistent, Tech Mahindra and Wipro are building the next wave of enterprise agents with NVIDIA AI. Partnered with global industrial software leaders Cadence, Siemens and Synopsys and Indias largest manufacturers to drive Indias AI boom using applications accelerated by NVIDIA CUDA-X and NVIDIA Omniverse libraries. Australias trade deal with the UAE has eliminated tariffs on 99% of exports. Austrades Bryony Hilless explains what that means for food businesses eyeing the Gulf right now. Whats happening: More than 100 Australian food and beverage companies exhibited at Gulfood 2026 in Dubai in January, Australias largest-ever presence at the event. Why this matters: For Australian food exporters, CEPA has changed what is possible. Tariff-free entry has improved price competitiveness, making Australian products more attractive to Gulf buyers and distributors. When Merrick Watts, co-founder of Sydney-based hydration brand Posca Hydrate, arrived at Gulfood 2026 in Dubai, he was not expecting what came next. We have made unprecedented contacts with major suppliers; the interest level has been enormous, Watts said. It has been much greater than we expected, and has surpassed all of our greatest hopes. Posca Hydrate was one of more than 100 Australian companies at Gulfood 2026, the worlds biggest food and beverage trade show, held from 26 to 30 January. It was Australias strongest national presence at the event to date, with the show attracting more than 8,500 exhibitors from around the world across two venues for the first time. A window into the Gulf The backdrop to that presence is a significant shift in Australias trade relationship with the Middle East. When the Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement entered into force last year, it eliminated 99% of tariffs on agricultural products, reducing costs and improving price competitiveness for Australian food exporters. The UAE also functions as a gateway into the broader Gulf region. As Gerard Meyn, Managing Director of Stella Foods, noted, a foothold in Dubai opens conversations well beyond its borders. The UAE provides good access to the region and allows us to simultaneously focus on regional markets like Saudi Arabia and Qatar where there are clear opportunities and a growing food-focused demand for quality Australian products, Meyn said. The CEPA advantage The commercial impact of CEPA was visible on the trade show floor. Austrade General Manager for the Middle East, Africa and Pakistan, Bryony Hilless, said the agreement had shifted the dynamic in buyer conversations. CEPA has given Australian exporters a competitive advantage on the trade show floor in discussions with buyers, distributors, and potential partners with tariff-free entry now in force, Hilless said. Forty-three companies joined the official Team Australia pavilion, presenting products including premium halal-certified red meat, dairy, seafood, health foods, beverages and packaged goods. South Australia had its own dedicated section within the pavilion, with 14 producers showcasing regional products including The Yoghurt Shop and Bickfords. Austrade facilitated more than 300 business-matching sessions at the national pavilion, generating over 100 qualified leads with interest from the UAE and other international markets. New faces, real leads For Michael Rizzo, National Sales Director at Altimate Foods, Gulfood was both a market validation exercise and a practical learning opportunity. Gulfood was not only an opportunity to experience the region, but to be introduced to the world, with genuine engagement from buyers and partners across every continent, Rizzo said. It was very clear to us there is strong demand for Australian products, which were described to us as safe, clean and premium. Being on the ground allowed us to provide samples and move beyond initial conversations, gaining valuable insights into localisation and market needs. This knowledge will be critical as we move forward with confidence. Australian red meat was a standout category. Thirty-seven companies exhibited at the Meat and Livestock Australia stand, reflecting strong demand for halal-certified beef and lamb, following a record high year of exports to the Middle East and North Africa. Meyn said CEPA had visibly changed the shows tone. This year was naturally different now that Australias CEPA with the UAE is in place, he said. How to get involved Australias expanded presence at Gulfood was supported by the Accessing New Markets Initiative (ANMI), a $50 million program helping Australian businesses diversify and grow their exports, jointly delivered by Austrade and industry. For more information about opportunities in the UAE, visit Austrades Go Global Toolkit trade agreement opportunities in the UAE webpage or contact Austrade. Source: Austrade Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Just one in five Aussie employees is actively job hunting right now. But Gartner research shows SMEs cant afford to assume loyalty. Whats happening: Gartners Global Talent Monitor survey, covering October to December 2025, shows Australian employee confidence in job availability has fallen to its lowest point in more than three years. Why this matters: For SMEs without dedicated HR teams or large recruitment budgets, losing a key person or managing a disengaged one carries a cost that can ripple through the entire operation. On the surface, a workforce that isnt moving sounds like good news for employers. But Gartners latest data tells a more complicated story, and for SME owners, the nuance matters. Gartners Global Talent Monitor survey, drawn from responses collected between October and December 2025, shows that confidence in job availability among Australian employees has fallen to 55.7, the lowest level recorded since at least 2022. Only 19.4 per cent of employees reported actively looking for new roles during that period. The share planning to stay in their current position climbed to 38.1 per cent, up from a three-year low of 32.9 per cent recorded at the start of 2025. Neal Woolrich, Director of Advisory in the Gartner HR practice, said the picture is not one of contentment. With fewer opportunities and heightened competition for open roles, Australian employees are becoming more cautious about making career moves, he said. This lack of confidence is creating a labour market freeze, where many workers feel stuck, hesitant to leave but also uncertain about what the market can offer. For small businesses, this distinction between staying and thriving is critical. Replacing an employee can cost up to 1.5 times their annual salary, a figure that makes retention genuinely valuable. But retaining a disengaged worker carries its own cost, in reduced output, low team morale, and the risk that they will leave the moment conditions improve. AI is adding pressure The freeze is not simply a product of economic caution. Woolrich pointed to AI adoption as a compounding factor, particularly for workers who are uncertain about how automation will change their roles. As AI adoption accelerates across industries, organisations are rethinking the roles and skills they need, he said. For employees, this shift can heighten uncertainty. Theyre not just competing with other job seekers, but with rapidly evolving technology. This amplifies the sense of volatility in the job market and can contribute to a decline in job seeking activity. For SME owners who are introducing automation or AI tools into their operations, the message is to communicate clearly and early about what is changing and why. Employees who are left to speculate about the impact on their roles are more likely to disengage than those who feel informed and involved. Pay pressure is real Despite the broader anxieties at play, compensation remains the most immediate concern. Gartners Q4 2025 data shows pay ranked as the leading driver of attrition, the top reason workers left their organisations, a finding consistent with ongoing cost-of-living pressure across Australia. Woolrich put it directly. Employees are opting for security over risk, he said. When confidence in job availability falls, they become less likely to explore new roles, even if theyre dissatisfied. This dynamic can intensify workplace fatigue, tension and disengagement if not addressed. SMEs rarely have the salary budgets of larger competitors, but the data also shows that pay alone is not the full picture. Poor manager quality ranked as another top driver of exits in the same quarter, placing the quality of day-to-day leadership firmly in the conversation alongside remuneration. Where SMEs have the edge This is where smaller businesses can move faster than large enterprises. In an SME, the owner or manager often has a direct relationship with every team member. That visibility, if used well, is a genuine advantage. Woolrich framed the leadership challenge clearly. In periods of volatility, employees look to leaders for clarity, consistency and fairness, he said. Purpose-led leadership becomes essential, not only to retain talent, but to create confidence that the organisation can navigate uncertainty. The beauty of being a smaller business is the flexibility to manage employees individually. That means having direct conversations about pay expectations, being transparent about where the business is heading, and being clear about how AI or other changes will affect individual roles. These are conversations a corporate HR department runs through formal processes. An SME owner can have them over a coffee. The Gartner data also shows that future career opportunity climbed in the attrition rankings during Q4 2025, suggesting that workers who cannot see a path forward are increasingly willing to leave when confidence returns. For SMEs, offering that sense of direction, even in a small and informal way, may be one of the most cost-effective retention tools available. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Global ultra-wealthy relocate in record numbers, and here are their top 6 destinations A growing number of the world's wealthiest individuals are relocating overseas, with the United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Singapore, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand emerging as leading destinations for inbound wealth migration. According to Business Insider, investment-migration advisory firm Henley & Partners estimated that 134,000 ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), defined as those holding at least US$30 million in investable assets, migrated to new countries in 2024. The figure was projected to surpass 142,000 by the end of 2025, underscoring what analysts describe as a significant reshaping of global wealth flows. In 2025, Henley & Partners reported inquiries from individuals representing 218 nationalities, with applications from 100 nationalities across 95 countries for more than 40 residency and citizenship programs, a 28% increase from the previous year. An advisor serving UHNWIs explained to CNBC that demand for cross-border relocation services, residency planning and second citizenship applications has increased amid geopolitical tensions and sudden policy changes. Wealth advisors say tax efficiency remains a primary consideration when selecting a new immigration destination for UHNWIs. Jurisdictions with limited capital gains, income or estate taxation are particularly attractive to globally mobile investors. Political stability is another major consideration. Heightened uncertainty, civil unrest and conflict in parts of Latin America, Africa and Eastern Europe have encouraged affluent individuals to seek safer and more predictable environments, according to experts. Quality of life continues to influence decision-making, with healthcare, education standards, infrastructure and public safety frequently cited as determining factors. Business opportunities also play a significant role. Wealthy entrepreneurs are increasingly drawn to jurisdictions with streamlined regulations, pro-business environments, simpler company formation processes, and digital connectivity. Migration specialists additionally highlight the growing importance of secondary residency and citizenship, as additional passports can enhance travel freedom and serve as a safeguard against future political or regulatory shifts in an individual's home country. Taking these factors into account, six countries have emerged as leading destinations for high-net-worth migration. 1. United Arab Emirates A man and woman walk along a promenade overlooking the Burj al-Arab and Dubai skyline on Jan. 4, 2025. Photo by AFP The United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai, has become a prominent hub due to its low-tax environment, strong real estate sector, and business-friendly regulatory framework. A 2025 report by Yahoo Finance also cited global connectivity, personal safety, and luxury lifestyle offerings as key motivations for relocation, referencing comments by Murat Coskun, managing partner at Get Golden Visa. Experts estimate that nearly 10,000 wealthy foreigners are expected to relocate to the United Arab Emirates this year. 2. Portugal Portugal attracts affluent migrants thanks to its warm climate, low taxes, and laid-back lifestyle, as well as a pathway to European Union residency. "Portugal's tax incentives, like the scientific research and innovation tax incentives, are incredibly attractive," Basil Mohr Elzeki, Managing Partner at Henley & Partners, told Business Insider. "With a fast-track route to citizenship, many are opting to apply for residency as a hedge." 3. Singapore Singapore remains a leading destination due to its strategic position connecting Western and Asian markets, the absence of capital gains tax, and its reputation as a regional financial and business hub. The city-state is especially attractive to entrepreneurs and investors across Asia, as well as Western business owners seeking global connectivity, according to Andrew Amoils, head of research at New World Wealth, a South Africa-based wealth intelligence company. 4. Italy Italy has gained traction among wealthy migrants, partly due to a flat tax capped at 200,000 euros (US$235,795) annually, regardless of income. Its rich cultural heritage, lifestyle appeal, and well-established luxury property market have further strengthened its attractiveness. 5. Australia Australia continues to attract investors and retirees seeking stable economies, excellent healthcare systems, and high quality of life, according to experts. "Australia is still a top choice for South Africans and Brits, especially retirees," Amoils told Business Insider. 6. New Zealand Amendments to New Zealand's Active Investor Plus visa, which took effect in April 2025, have become a key driver of wealthy migration, according to The Guardian. The changes include lower investment thresholds, the removal of English-language requirements, and a reduction in the physical residency requirement from three years to just three weeks. Immigration New Zealand said the revised program has attracted 573 applications covering 1,833 individuals. Prior to the changes, the visa drew only 116 applications over a two-and-a-half-year period. A dispute over crop yield between growers and traders in Vietnam's Central Highlands has left more than 200 tons of watermelons to spoil in the fields as neither side would budge during the peak Tet holiday selling season. The watermelons, grown on nearly 25 hectares of leased land in Ia Mo Commune in Gia Lai Province, were expected to yield around 1,250 tons and sell for approximately VND8.5 billion (US$336,000) under a handwritten agreement signed in December 2025. But a disagreement over actual crop yield versus what the growers had promised blew up the deal, and by the time the fruit was ready for harvest in January, neither side would budge. On Feb. 25, the fields were strewn with rotting and shriveled melons, each weighing 4-6 kg, with local cattle grazing on the remains. The dispute centers on a gap between expectation and reality. Lam Van Sau, who led the farming group, said he and his relatives leased the land in November 2025 at VND21 million per hectare to grow watermelons for the lucrative Tet market. On Dec. 13, a group of traders led by Tran Thi Nhung agreed to buy the entire crop at a fixed rate of VND17 million per sao, a Vietnamese land unit equal to 500 sq.m, for a total of roughly VND8.5 billion. Nhung's group transferred a deposit of VND7.5 billion ($296,000). The agreement hinged on an expected yield of 2.5 tons per sao. But about a month later, the traders said the actual yield was only around 500 kg per sao, one-fifth of what had been promised, and asked to switch from the lump-sum deal to paying by weight at VND5,000 per kg. Sau refused. "We invested about VND4 billion ($158,000) in land rental, seeds and over three months of care," he said. "We want to proceed according to the signed agreement." Nhung countered that the yield commitment was made when the watermelons had only begun to bud, making it impossible to guarantee output. "We contacted them multiple times to negotiate, but they refused to cooperate," she said. The standoff dragged past the Tet holiday, which runs from Feb. 14 to 22, the peak season for watermelon sales in Vietnam when demand and prices surge, leaving the entire crop to spoil. Local authorities in Ia Mo Commune said they attempted to mediate multiple times starting Jan. 28, but the buyers failed to appear. Given the size of the financial dispute and the contractual issues involved, officials have advised both parties to take the matter to court, said Nguyen Tuan Anh, the commune's vice chairman. Autumn Special Read. Know. Act. $3 for 3 months! (90 days) Offer expires 12/30/2020 Don't hesitate! Start your digital-only membership today and not only receive full access to our premier news website NNY360.com but also to the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times eEdition! Vietnam's newest carrier Sun PhuQuoc Airways (SPA) on Feb. 25 officially launched new air routes linking Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Da Nang, providing additional options on the country's key air corridors. The airline's first commercial flight from Hanoi departed at 6:15 a.m. from Noi Bai International Airport and landed in Da Nang later the same morning. The flight from Ho Chi Minh City took off at 10:30 a.m. from Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Under its operational plan, the Ho Chi Minh City - Da Nang route will operate two flights per day. On the Hanoi - Da Nang route, the airline will also run two flights per day, with plans to increase the frequency to four flights daily from March 1 to meet market demand. SPA's entry into the Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City - Da Nang corridor expands choices in airlines, flight schedules and services for residents and tourists while strengthening connectivity among the country's major economic and tourism hubs. The airline plans to launch the Da Nang - Phu Quoc route from March 15, gradually completing its network linking large tourist destinations. It noted that the expansion of the route network is part of its development strategy, with Phu Quoc serving as the central hub. By the end of February, the airline had operated a fleet of 10 aircraft and secured all safety and maintenance certificates in accordance with regulations of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam. On Feb. 18, Sun PhuQuoc Airways signed an agreement to purchase 40 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner wide-body aircraft in a deal valued at about US$22.5 billion in Washington D.C. The agreement provides a foundation for opening long-haul routes in the future and developing a large-scale fleet by 2030, the carrier said. The launch of the new routes is expected to help promote trade and tourism among Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang while enhancing linkages among the countrys key tourism centers. The Housing Authority of New Orleans hopes to finalize a deal this week with the new landlord of eight Musicians Village rentals to keep tenants in their apartments for the next year. According to Executive Director Marjorianna Willman, HANO will help three tenants cover the major rent increases imposed by Sam Madi of Stable Housing LLC, also doing business as Cover Casa, for the next year. "The other five all have made arrangements and are not moving, Willman told Gambit. Madi bought the Musicians' Village units and a number of other properties at what appears to be less than market value prices from the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity in September. Since then, hes sought to drastically raise the rents on residents, many of whom are elderly and living on fixed incomes. However, its uncertain what the terms of the agreements between Madi and the tenants were or if theyve even resulted in signed leases. At least one draft lease included unusual language stating the landlord could charge $10 for each email or text they receive from the renter. Another tenant received a 10-day eviction notice earlier this month, in apparent violation of city ordinances which require evictions to go through the court system. Willman said she was told that was a mistake but did not explain how that could have happened. Habitat built the Musicians Village rentals in the years after Hurricane Katrina for culture bearers who needed housing. Habitat kept the rents the same, around $200-400 a month, ever since. In September, New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity sold the four duplexes to Cover Casa as part of a larger sale of 52 rental units for $1.7 million. In December, tenants in the eight Musicians Village units received letters from the new company informing them their rents would raise to around $1,100-$1,200. Willman said the total increase for the eight tenants for one year was about $40,000. Habitat said they were losing money on the properties by keeping rents that low. However, doing so provided relief to the tenants, several of whom said they could not afford the rent hikes and worried about potentially having to leave their longtime homes. Willman said HANO explored acquiring the duplexes from Madi, including exchanging the properties for vacant HANO properties, but that ultimately, the deal did not work for HANO. She also looked into opportunities for housing vouchers. Willman said HANO will be using its "unrestricted reserves for one year to cover the costs. However, until contracts are inked, nothing is guaranteed. Tenants and others have previously reported getting conflicting information from Madi. At a community meeting last December, Willman said Madi told her he would hold off on rent hikes for the next year. According to Willman, he later denied making that promise and claimed she must have misunderstood. The United States is restoring American security and dominance in the Western Hemisphere, declared President Donald Trump in his State of the Union speech. The President is securing U.S. national interests and defending the country from violence, drugs, terrorism, and foreign interference. For years, large swaths of territory in our region, including large parts of Mexico. . .have been controlled by murderous drug cartels. Thats why I designated these cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and I declared illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. And with our new military campaign, we have stopped record amounts of drugs coming into our country and virtually stopped it completely coming in by water or sea. Weve also taken down one of the most sinister cartel kingpins of all, said President Trump. Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho, was captured and killed February 22 after authorities tracked him to a secret location in Mexico. El Mencho rose to power following the arrest of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the former head of the Sinaloa Cartel. The United States provided intelligence support to the Mexican government in order to assist with the operation in which El Mencho was eliminated, confirmed White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. During the raid, three additional cartel members were killed, three wounded, and two arrested. The Trump Administration commended and thanked the Mexican military for their cooperation and successful execution of this operation. Narco-terrorists sending deadly drugs into the United States are beginning to face the wrath of justice they have long deserved, said Ms. Leavitt. In January, elite American warriors carried out one of the most complex, spectacular feats of military competence and power in world history, said President Trump. U.S. Armed Forces seized outlaw dictator Nicolas Maduro and brought him to New York to face American justice. And this was an absolutely a colossal victory for the security of the United States. And it also opens up a bright new beginning for the people of Venezuela. Were working closely with the new president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, to unleash extraordinary economic gains for both of our countries and to bring new hope to those who have suffered so terribly. During his speech, President Trump celebrated the release of a 2024 Venezuelan presidential candidate Enrique Marquez from prison. After Enrique ran for office and opposed Maduro, he was kidnapped by Maduros security forces and thrown into the regimes infamous El Helicode prison in Caracas. Since the raid, the U.S. has worked with acting President Rodriguez, Maduros former deputy, and she has ordered the closure of El Helicode prison and released hundreds of political prisoners with more to come. The United States will continue securing its national interests in the Western Hemisphere by encouraging governments to cooperate with the U.S. against narco-terrorists, cartels, and other transnational criminal organizations. A new roof is installed on Cohn St. in New Orleans that is part of the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program (LFHP) Tuesday, May 20, 2025. This state-run initiative offers grants of up to $10,000 to eligible homeowners to upgrade their roofs to the FORTIFIED Roof standard, enhancing resistance to hurricane-force winds and severe weather. The program is administered by the Louisiana Department of Insurance. (Staff photo by David Grunfeld, The Times-Picayune) The splendor of Hefei's sub-venue at the Spring Festival Gala is still fresh in our memories, and this innovative city has already embarked on a new development journey without stopping. On February 24th, the first working day after the Year of the Horse Spring Festival, Hefei held a conference on technological innovation leading the development of new quality productive forces. With the distinct posture of the "first conference of the new spring", it anchored the direction of high-quality development and conveyed to the outside world a firm determination to move forward with "innovation" and pursue long-term development with "quality". For three consecutive years, Hefei's "first conference of the new spring" has focused on the theme of new quality productive forces. In the opening year of the "15th Five-Year Plan", behind this persistence is Hefei's accurate grasp of development opportunities as a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation accelerates, developing new quality productive forces has become an inevitable choice and long-term strategy for this city. Leaders from enterprises such as NIO, Fuyao Glass, Heguang Photomask, Wayeal Technology and LCFC shared their true feelings and fruitful achievements in developing in Hefei. Li Bin, founder, chairman and CEO of NIO, said that Hefei's forward-looking strategic layout, stable policy environment and open and collaborative industrial ecology have allowed enterprises to focus on innovation and achieve continuous breakthroughs; Wang Baochao, general manager of Heguang Photomask, sighed at the strong momentum of "Hefei Speed" the company only took 18 months from infrastructure construction to mass production and has grown into a benchmark enterprise in China's advanced photomask field. The vivid practice of "two-way dedication" between the government and enterprises highlights the broad space for Hefei to develop new quality productive forces. Confidence comes from accumulation, and courage comes from strength. In the past year, Hefei's GDP exceeded 1.4 trillion yuan, ranking 18th in the country, and leading the trillion-yuan GDP cities in the country with a growth rate of 6.1%. Behind this achievement is Hefei's firm practice of always adhering to the in-depth integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation. As a comprehensive national science center, Hefei has gathered a number of "national heavyweight equipment". The intensity of R&D investment in the whole society has reached 4.11%, ranking 3rd among provincial capitals, and the number of listed companies on the Sci-Tech Innovation Board ranks 2nd among provincial capitals. 63 new R&D institutions have built a "bridge" for achievement transformation, accumulating more than 2,000 incubated enterprises with a total revenue of over 40 billion yuan; the Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data has built an entire industrial chain innovation ecosystem, injecting a steady stream of motivation into innovative development. The continuous improvement of industrial competitiveness is a vivid footnote to Hefei's development of new quality productive forces. In 2025, Hefei's added value of industrial enterprises above designated size led the over-one-trillion-yuan GDP cities in the country, the output of new energy vehicles ranked first among cities in the country, and industries such as new displays and photovoltaic energy storage ranked among the top in the country and even the world. At the same time, Hefei is accelerating the construction of a "tropical rainforest"-style innovation ecosystem, taking the lead in establishing the country's first inter-city scene cooperation mechanism, initiating the establishment of the National Science and Technology Market Alliance. The newly released "Chuangxiang Hefei" comprehensive innovation and entrepreneurship service platform integrates 21,000 data items, providing "one-stop" full-life-cycle services for market entities. Standing at a new starting point, Hefei has clarified five key tasks for promoting the development of new quality productive forces: advancing the corporatization reform of Hefei Binhu Science City, tackling key major project construction, implementing the "Artificial Intelligence +" action, expanding the team of high-quality enterprises, and creating a first-class innovation ecosystem. Behind the clear deployment is a firm belief in building the city through solid work. Ding Xiaohui, vice president of Lenovo Group and CEO of LCFC, said that the company will continue to increase R&D investment and serve as the main force in Hefei's cultivation of new quality productive forces; key areas such as Hefei Economic and Technological Development Zone have also clearly stated that they will focus on goals, work pragmatically and diligently, and promote the effective implementation of various deployments. "Show the drive of 'how many times can one fight in life' and let the seeds sown in spring turn into the fruits of high-quality development!" The call issued by the conference is not only Hefei's expectation for itself, but also an announcement to the outside world. Today, the clarion call for forging ahead has resounded across Hefei. This city full of innovative vitality is taking solid work as its brush, striving for the lead in the track of new productive forces development, and steadily moving towards a bright future of high-quality development. Source: Hefei Daily Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Beijing on Wednesday, with both sides agreeing to promote the continuous new development of the all-round strategic partnership, promote dialogue and cooperation, and uphold multilateralism and free trade. This is Merz's first trip to China since taking office. China and Germany are the world's second and third largest economies, and the bilateral relationship not only bears on the interests of both countries, but also has significant impact on Europe and the world. DEEPENING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP The international landscape is undergoing the most profound transformations since the end of World War II, Xi said, adding that the greater changes and turbulence the world faces, the more important it is for the two countries to enhance strategic communication, strengthen strategic mutual trust and work for new progress in China-Germany all-around strategic partnership. Xi said both countries should be reliable partners that support each other. China and Germany have pursued self-reliance and realized rapid development. Both have upheld mutual respect, mutual trust and open cooperation, and together written a success story of mutual benefit. China adheres to the path of peaceful development, and has the capacity and confidence to achieve Chinese modernization. China will continue to share development opportunities with Germany and the wider world, he said. Xi said it is hoped the German side can view China's growth in an objective and rational manner, pursue a positive and pragmatic policy toward China, and work with China for steady and sustained growth of the bilateral relationship. Merz said that the German side values its relations with China and firmly upholds the one-China policy. It stands ready to work with China to carry forward the traditional friendship, stay committed to mutual respect and open cooperation, and continue to deepen the all-around strategic partnership. Cui Hongjian, a professor at Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said it is believed that the meeting between Xi and Merz will contribute to the stable and sustainable development of China-Germany relations, and the development of the strategic relationship between the two countries will also carry significant weight in the development of China-Europe relations. EXPANDING WIN-WIN COOPERATION Noting that the two countries should be innovative partners that champion openness and win-win results, Xi said the German government put forward new development strategies in such areas as technology, innovation and digital development. They highly resonate with China's objective of pursuing intelligent, green and integrated development during the 15th Five-Year Plan. He said the two sides should foster greater synergy between development strategies, support the two-way flow of talent, knowledge and technology, and promote dialogue and cooperation on AI and other cutting-edge technologies. Both sides need to correctly grasp the interplay of competition and cooperation, explore cooperation pathways that lead to win-win results, and jointly keep industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded, Xi added. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) Merz said the German business community attaches high importance to the Chinese market, and hopes to further deepen cooperation with China for mutual benefit and shared growth. On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Merz attended a symposium of the China-Germany economic advisory committee in Beijing, with both sides expressing the willingness to deepen cooperation in machinery, equipment, and chemical industries. Jin Ling, an expert at the China Institute of International Studies, said that practical cooperation between China and Germany can not only fully unlock the potential of the Chinese market and stimulate vitality within China's innovation sector, but also support the recovery and transformation of the German economy. ENHANCING MULTILATERAL COORDINATION Xi said China and Germany should uphold the central position of the UN, reaffirm its leading role, and take the lead in safeguarding multilateralism, practicing international rule of law, defending free trade, and advocating for solidarity and coordination. China supports Europe in seeking to increase autonomy and strength, and hopes the European side can work with China toward the same direction, adhere to the positioning of strategic partners, and uphold openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, so as to deliver greater growth in China-Europe relations, and make bigger contributions to world peace and development, he said. Chinese President Xi Jinping takes a walk with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on an official visit to China, after their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) Noting that Germany and China shoulder important responsibilities in jointly addressing global challenges, Merz said the German side looks forward to working with China to enhance coordination, and jointly adhere to free trade and reject protectionism, adding that Germany supports the EU and China in enhancing dialogue and cooperation. Feng Zhongping, director of the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that China and Germany share consensus on upholding the central role of the United Nations, and it is believed their close coordination and cooperation in international affairs will inject stability and certainty into a turbulent world. Editor: Zhang Zhou We clearly live in very unsettled times. Sometimes this is very scary and sometimes just confusing. I think that one of our main problems at the moment is that the Palace of Westminster is devoid of natural leadership. If you cast your eyes over the 650 incumbents, we are not exactly blessed or spoilt for choice. The two main parties have very little commercial experience and the governments front bench has none. Most cabinet members have backgrounds in law, public service, civil service or politics rather than traditional commercial careers. This is proven by their lack of ability to, it appears, even run a bath without incident. Maybe they are scared of the U-bend! This is all very depressing as to me, the current government has lost all credibility, with around 14 to 15 major U-turns on policy decisions identified from July 2024. Last year, Labour announced plans to postpone numerous local elections in 2026. If you can believe it, and I am sceptical, this was in an attempt to address concerns about a lack of resources across some councils. Some authorities said a lack of resources needed to deliver local government reorganisation, and the cost of holding elections led to the need for a delay. More likely, in my view, is that they were terrified of huge losses of control, and in some cases even retaining mere representation, across the board if the elections took place this May. Currently, Labour controls two-thirds of the councils asking for a delay and Reform had been hoping to make inroads in some of the governing partys heartlands. Polling, points to heavy losses for Labour, which is awash with talk of a leadership challenge against Starmer. Then up popped a legal challenge from Reform UK aiming to block the governments plan to delay these local council elections. Reform argued delays would be likely to discourage candidates from participating and undermine the conduct of local election campaigns, plus Labour were disgracefully trying to deny democracy. Nigel Farage called the prospect of delays outrageous and accused Labour and the Tories, which have asked for delays in four of the councils they control, of running scared of voters. So, surprise surprise on February 16, the government announced it was dropping the plans to delay elections for more than 4.6 million people in as many as 30 councils, after being warned against the move by lawyers. This U-turn came after Reform UK launched their legal action against the government. This challenge was a central factor in the governments eventual decision to abandon the postponement plans on February 16, after receiving legal advice that it would likely lose the case. Mr Farage claimed the U-turn as a victory for his party, writing on social media: We took this Labour government to court and won. In collusion with the Tories, Keir Starmer tried to stop 4.6 million people voting on May 7. Only Reform UK fights for democracy. So, well done Nigel. This seemed to endorse the fact that he might be the most able to lead the country at the next election. But then, why on earth has he accepted tried and trusted failures from the Tories into the Reform team? This to me, is a seriously bad decision. I am of the belief that Farage and his team were doing so well in the polls because they were new! Jenrick and Braverman are mere opportunists intent on their own ambitions rather than serving the country. Clearly, their thinking is, why stay on a losing team when you can jump ship and join what looks a better bet. Jenrick has already proved he was a snake in the grass to Kemi Badenoch and not someone to be trusted because of his over-riding ambitions. I think that long-term, Farage could find that the public are not overly fond of turncoats, and it could prove a big miss-step for him and his party. Added to this, surely all the politicians who have swapped political parties should be forced to have a by-election? Voters voted for a party and representative and therefore it cant be right to suddenly find that you are being represented by a person whose allegiance has flipped to something you might not agree with, without the option of another vote. I strongly believe that the same requirements should be forced on local councillors who also change sides during a term of office. It is both disingenuous and undemocratic to the voter. Currently, electoral modelling (eg from Electoral Calculus) suggests Reform UK has the highest probability of being the largest party if an election were held now, potentially forming a government, either alone (minority) or with support. Reform is often projected well ahead of both Labour and Conservatives. However, modelled outcomes vary widely: A Reform minority government is seen as the most probable scenario. A Reform overall majority is also possible in some projections. Other scenarios include no overall control or very low probabilities for a traditional Conservative or Labour majority Whatever happens, and at the moment, it is still all up for grabs, I hope that for a change the public actually get what they want, and are constitutionally entitled to, rather than the sad and predictable alternative. It is clearly a reflection on the standards of our current society that our politicians seem to be drawn from the chancers of the world, rather than those truly wishing to serve the public. Honourable politicians have become as rare as hens teeth. Now, this will show my age, but we used to have politicians running the country that we could respect even if we didnt agree with their political views. Now they change sides at every opportunity for their own advantage. There is no evidence of any of them being made of the right stuff, which is a truly sad reflection on society today. The image of a dedicated, honourable and resolute politician who shows moral fibre and courage, appears to be long gone. Just look across the pond at the most powerful person in the world. I weep for us, and future generations! San Benedettos restaurant has moved into Northgate House Hotel and will welcome diners from 28th February. The decision for the relocation was driven by the opportunity to create more space for diners while also providing improved facilities for the kitchen, allowing for a fuller and more expressive menu. The new setting supports a relaxed, comfortable dining experience without compromising on craft or quality. The menu draws on Italian inspiration alongside English seasonal cooking, shaped by a strong sense of provenance. Wherever possible, ingredients are sourced from the surrounding Buckfast Abbey estate and trusted local suppliers. The estate produces a range of chutneys, jams and honey, which feature throughout the menu where appropriate. The restaurant will also showcase produce made on site by the monks, including ales and cheese produced in collaboration with Sharpham Dairy, reinforcing the kitchens close relationship with its surroundings. Executive Head Chef John Hughes has been instrumental in shaping the new restaurant and in sourcing John Griffiths, who will lead the cooking in the new space, bringing a shared focus on seasonality, quality produce and flavour. Overlooking the Abbey, the restaurant enjoys views across the historic setting, and diners are encouraged to allow time for a walk around the spacious grounds before or after their meal. The restaurant is open every evening and welcomes both hotel guests and local diners, offering pre-concert menus for those enjoying one of the many concerts throughout the year at the Abbey. Chinese Premier Li Qiang and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attend a symposium of the China-Germany economic advisory committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Wednesday that cooperation between China and Germany is the only optimal solution to address risks, and development is the only option for both sides to ensure security. Li made the remarks when attending a symposium of the China-Germany economic advisory committee in Beijing together with visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. "The more severe the situation is, the more China and Germany should strengthen cooperation," said Li. Amid mounting instability and uncertainty in the world economy, Li said that China and Germany have -- as two major economies and through close, continuous cooperation -- not only expanded the space for their own development but also created driving forces for the world economy. Li noted that both the Chinese and German economies are showing positive recovery momentum, and that there will be broader space for economic and trade cooperation between the two countries during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, which began this year. The basic China-Germany cooperation pattern featuring industry complementarity has not changed, and the areas in which the two countries can collaborate far exceed those in which the two sides are locked in competition, Li said, adding that promoting development hand-in-hand by shaping a sound relationship defined by both competition and cooperation is entirely possible. Eyeing higher-level mutually beneficial results, Li urged coordinated efforts from China and Germany in three major areas. First, Li called for the basic foundations of traditional cooperation to be strengthened, with enterprises from the two countries continuing to deepen cooperation in fields such as machinery, equipment and chemicals, and accelerating the localization of their business. Second, on new opportunities for future development, Li said the two countries should support enterprises and scientific research institutions to promote the two-way flow of innovative resources, come together to explore third-party markets, and carry out joint, in-depth research on technology and platform construction to share cooperation outcomes. Third, Li urged the creation of a favorable environment for investment and business. China will steadfastly expand its high-level opening-up and actively address the reasonable demands of enterprises funded by Germany and other countries, Li said, expressing China's hope that the German government will provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises operating in the country. China also hopes that Chinese and German entrepreneurs will play key roles in promoting economic and trade cooperation, in enhancing communication and understanding between the two sides, and in promoting the stability of bilateral relations, Li added. Noting that Germany and China are important trading partners for each other, Merz said that these bilateral economic and trade relations -- characterized by vitality -- have sustained high-level development over the years, effectively promoting the economic growth of both countries. He added that Germany is committed to mutual learning and the exchange of experience with China, and to enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation in such fields as automobiles, chemicals, machinery, renewable energy and the digital economy, with the aim of fostering common prosperity and supporting the stable, long-term development of Germany-China relations. Germany supports German enterprises in deepening their investment in the Chinese market, is willing to improve its business environment continuously, and welcomes more Chinese companies to invest and operate in Germany, creating jobs and strengthening connectivity, he said. Editor: WSH Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with the German economic delegation accompanying German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on his visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- In Beijing on Wednesday, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met with the German economic delegation accompanying German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on his visit to China, saying that German enterprises are welcome to continue investing in China and actively engage in China-Germany economic and trade cooperation. He, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China and Germany are important economic and trade partners with solid foundations, significant potential, and strong complementarity in their bilateral economic and trade cooperation. China is advancing its high-level opening-up continuously to promote high-quality economic development, providing broad space and opportunities for China-Germany economic and trade cooperation, he added. Relevant enterprises represented in the German delegation expressed confidence in China's economic development prospects, as well as their willingness to expand investment in China to share the development opportunities created by Chinese modernization. Editor: WSH Five years ago, Bibek and Malati Rai found themselves at the same Sakela festival in Jackson Heights, Queens. Ms. Rai performed a traditional dance at the event, a biannual celebration of nature and heritage for the Kirat Rai community of Nepal and Northeast India. The two spoke only briefly, then crossed paths again at another community event the following week. But it would be a few months before Mr. Rai formally asked her out. Hes a real gentleman, said Ms. Rai, 31. [Did you recently buy a home? We want to hear from you. Email: thehunt@nytimes.com. Sign up here to have The Hunt delivered to your inbox every week.] Mr. Rai, a senior project manager with the city, was struck by Ms. Rais kindness. Thats number one for me, he said. I care less about a lot of other things, but my top priority is you have to be a very nice person. The couple were both born and raised in Nepal. Mr. Rai, 38, arrived in New York nearly 20 years ago and earned bachelors and masters degrees in civil engineering. Ms. Rai came about a decade ago, first for work in sales and marketing, and now in child care. During their courtship, Mr. Rai was renting a one-bedroom apartment in Woodside, while Ms. Rai lived with family in Jackson Heights. I always wanted to buy some property after I got married, Ms. Rai said. That was my thing. She shared her aspiration with Mr. Rai early in their relationship, and after the couple got married in 2024, she moved into his rental. We were saving all the time, obviously, Mr. Rai said. A Brazilian man savagely attacked by two large dogs claims he is only alive thanks to the explosion of his phone in his pocket. Having your phone explode in your pants pocket is almost never a good thing, but in very specific situations, it can literally be a lifesaver. Case in point, a bizarre story from Cascavel, in Brazils Parana state, where a local man named Reinaldo was recently attacked by two dogs on his way to work. A car mechanic by training, Reinaldo was walking to his workplace earlier this month when he was intercepted by two large dogs. Before he could even realize the kind of danger he was in, the man was fending off the vicious canines and fighting for his life. One of them went for my throat. I hit it, but then it tried to bite my leg, but it only caught the phone in my pocket, and the battery exploded. It was dangerous, but it saved me. It was bizarre, Reinaldo recalled. This phone was only 20 days old, but it saved my life. The phone explosion burned through the young mechanics shorts and caused burns to his leg, but it also surprised the aggressive dogs, which bought Reinaldo valuable time. He was able to get away and call the police. Despite the life-threatening ordeal, the Brazilian man decided not to press charges against the dogs owner, because they had apologized to him for the incident andagreed to cover both the cost of the medical treatments and of the damaged smartphone. Drinking on the job is generally frowned upon and considered grounds for dismissal, but a Spanish court ruled that a former electrical installation company worker was entitled to financial compensation despite being caught consuming alcohol during work hours on several occasions. According to court documents, the unnamed man began raising suspicions among his superiors with his unusual behavior on the job, and the company eventually hired a private detective to follow him around during work hours. After several days, the private eye submitted a report about the mans drinking habits, which claimed that he was drinking beer in bars and parking lots. One day, he allegedly consumed three liters of beer during a lunch break. For the company, drinking on the job was a serious offence, especially since the worker was in charge of driving a company vehicle, and his drinking habit put others lives at risk, so they decided to fire him. Only instead of accepting his dismissal in light of the evidence against him, the worker sued his employer for wrongful termination. Photo: engin akyurt Surprisingly, the High Court of Justice of Murcia ruled in the workers favor and considered that the companys sanction had been excessive, therefore declaring the dismissal unfair. Although they acknowledged the employees misconduct, the judges considered the punishment too severe and gave the company two options: either rehire the man or pay him 47,000 euros ($55,000). The Spanish court based its decision on several factors. The lunch breaks were not technically considered working hours, so his drinking habits could not be considered work-related misconduct in a formal sense. Furthermore, the company could not provide evidence that the beer drinking had affected the mans performance or that he had ever endangered other peoples lives. Another important factor in the courts decision was that Spanish law prohibits dismissal for occasional drunkenness, only allowing it in the case of habitual drinking. The instances observed by the hired detective were considered isolated episodes in court. Andrew Farrugia, a Maltese chocolatier with multiple world records under his belt, recently set a new Guinness record for the worlds longest chocolate sculpture. He and his team of students from Maltas Institute of Tourism Studies created a 55.27-meter-long chocolate train made up of a vintage steam engine and 22 chocolate carts weighing around 160 kilograms (352 pounds) each. Photo: Guinness World Records The worlds longest chocolate sculpture was unveiled in Milan ahead of this years Winter Olympic Games, but Farrugia and his team had been working on it for months. The planning alone took about a year, but Farrugia started working on it in October of last year, creating clay models of each train component. About 5,000 individual chocolate pieces had to be cut or sculpted in Bergamo, Italy, before being wrapped in plastic and carefully shipped to Milan, where Farrugias team spent days putting them together in time for the Winter Olympic Games. If I had to calculate, more or less we had 5,000 pieces all hand cut, and, around 180 wheels for the wagons alone, Andrew Farrugia told Guinness World Records. With this record, I wanted to leave a legacy to my institute, my country, and my family. At 55.27 meters long, the worlds longest chocolate sculpture is longer than the length of an Olympic swimming pool and almost matches the wingspan of a Boeing 747 passenger jet. Sadly, after being exposed outdoors for several weeks, the massive chocolate train is no longer edible. Now that the Olympic Games have concluded, parts of the sculpture will be melted for training, and other used as animal feed. 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. AN Offaly farmer has failed in his appeal against a conviction for the importation of drugs. Martin Murray (60), of Crumlin Little, Moneygall, Birr, Co Offaly and Derrycallaghan, Moneygall, Co Tipperary, had been jailed for 10 years for importing 730,000 worth of cannabis which was found hidden in a truck he had been driving on the M7 motorway on June 30, 2017. At a trial at Tullamore Circuit Court in 2023 Mr Murray pleaded not guilty, claiming he did not know the drugs were on the truck. Judge Keenan Johnson sentenced the man to 10 years in prison, with the final two years suspended. During the trial the defending solicitor said the primary defence was lack of knowledge by the accused about the drugs being on the truck. READ NEXT: Proposed new Offaly hospital gets five-year planning consent extension The first ground of appeal was that during the trial the prosecution led inadmissible hearsay evidence. This evidence was that the gardai had received confidential information about Mr Murray and his lorry and resulting from that information, they had the vehicle under surveillance. In its judgment, the Court of Appeal said there had been no objection to the admissibility of that evidence by the accused's solicitor during the trial and there was no application to discharge the jury or other relief. That could have been raised after the [trial] opening, after a succession of witnesses, and each time a witness adduced the type of evidence in controversy. The DPP's legal team submitted to the Court of Appeal that this evidence was introduced during the trial by agreement with Mr Murrays solicitor, who ran the case without any attending barristers. A senior and junior counsel for the defence had come off record. Kevin White, BL, prosecutor at the trial, said he had been given permission by the defending solicitor to run various portions of statements of evidence. At the appeal, Michael Bowman, SC, for Mr Murray, said it was now a matter for the Court of Appeal to decide to what extent it was agreed that the evidence was to be led. He said the evidence as led by the prosecution made it clear to the jury that Mr Murray, and not the vehicle that was stopped, was the target of a garda operation. Two other grounds of appeal also came before the Court of Appeal, the first being that the trial judge erred in refusing to direct an acquittal on the grounds that the prosecution case could not demonstrate Mr Murray had knowledge of drugs in the load he was transporting. A second ground was that the trial judge failed to charge the jury in accordance with Section 29 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. The three judges in the Court of Appeal said those two grounds had not been pursued in any meaningful way, adding: No doubt because they are without merit. In his written judgment, Mr Justice McCarthy said: The jury were properly charged on the issue of possession, and we do not need to reprise the evidence to state our conclusion that there is sufficient circumstantial evidence to make out a prima facie case of possession, which has not been undermined in any way by the defence by raising a reasonable doubt... The sentencing hearing at Tullamore Circuit Court in December 2023 was told Mr Murray was charged after gardai had stopped him when he was driving a truck at Dunkerrin. Detective Garda Val Russell said gardai mounted a surveillance operation on all major routes in Ireland after receiving information that Mr Murray had come into Northern Ireland from Cairnryan and intended driving home to Moneygall. His vehicle was seen at the M7 plaza at Portlaoise and it then left the motorway at exit 21 and was followed by a garda vehicle. Detective Garda Russell said the lorry engaged in counter surveillance manoeuvres, giving the example of where it had exited from the motorway, gone across a bridge, and was then driven again on the motorway in the original direction. When it exited at Barack Obama Plaza it was followed by another garda detective and he pulled Mr Murray's vehicle over near his home. Mr Murray co-operated with a search of the lorry, saying: No problem, there's nothing on it. When nothing was visible the vehicle was seized and brought to Nenagh Garda Station where nothing was found in another search. Gardai did find two Samsung mobile phones, one of which was encrypted, 1,570 worth of cash and paper receipts for fuel. A warrant was obtained for a search of Mr Murray's property and land but nothing of evidential value was found and the truck was then brought to Dublin Port for another search. Sniffer dogs and a scan uncovered nothing but a number of large steel tubes were found under other items. Gardai searched the tubes by drilling holes and inserting a camera and found the drugs vacuum packed, along with 6,000, also vacuum packed in a tube. Gardai also found Garmin sat nav devices and a tachograph and Detective Garda Russell said Claire Greaney from Forensic Science Ireland, who was described as a key witness in the trial, analysed the tachograph and found the truck had travelled from Moneygall to Rosslare, on to Fishguard, across the UK and eventually to Breda in the Netherlands where it appeared to remain from June 24 to June 28. The court heard that Detective Garda Conor O'Sullivan extracted data from the sat nav and established that the truck had travelled to Hull, England from the Netherlands and gone up to Scotland to Cairnryan Port. That detective also found that even though the sat nav was not activated between June 24 and June 28, it was still collecting data and recorded five movements of between 21 and 90 miles during those days in the Netherlands. Detective Garda Russell said Mr Murray had a previous conviction for the sale and supply of drugs dating from 1999 when he received a seven-and-a-half-year sentence at Naas Circuit Court for that offence committed in October 1996. He had also received a five-year suspended sentence for larceny in 1996 and his most recent offences were for road traffic matters in 2010 and 2009. READ NEXT: Offaly company plays role in Munster county's GAA gate receipts topping 1 million Asked about the accused's background, Detective Garda Russell said he knew he had a farm and a daughter of his had accompanied him to court at some stage. Michael Gillespie, solicitor for Mr Murray, said his client had left school at 14 having completed one year of secondary because his father was ill and he had been principally a farmer since then. He also got involved in haulage and he would go to the continent and on this occasion he picked up a load in Holland to bring to Ireland. Mr Gillespie said the trial had heard evidence from James Quinn, a former president of the Irish Road Haulage Association, that a haulier would only be entitled to carry out a visual inspection of his load. The defendant's brother, Seamus Murray, wrote a letter to the court saying that they had grown up with their sisters and when their parents were elderly Martin remained on the farm and they worked side by side on farms. He referred to the accused as a good friend and brother who helped everyone locally and since Martin's conviction Seamus Murray had to run two farms. Imposing a 10-year sentence, two years of which were suspended, Judge Johnson said the amount and kind of drug was an aggravating factor, stating that cannabis was anything but a soft drug and along with being a gateway to other drugs, 5% of cannabis users went on to develop schizophrenia. The sentence was backdated to May 4, 2025 when Mr Murray first went into custody. A letter from Cloverhill Prison said Martin Murray was a very good worker in the laundry there and was courteous and polite to staff. THE DPP has been given until March 11 next by Judge Andrew Cody to answer a question about the admissibility of nomination forms in speeding prosecutions. Judge Cody's move came after he sought a submission from the DPP on his intention to state a case at the High Court. Owners of vehicles are often prosecuted for speeding after being recorded by a GoSafe operator even though they were not driving at the time. The owner can complete what is known as a nomination form where the actual driver is named and then summonsed. At Tullamore District Court in December, Andrew Dunne, BL, appearing for John Christopher O'Dea (63), Colt, Ballyroan, Co Laois, applied to Judge Cody not to admit a nomination form. READ NEXT: Proposed new Offaly hospital gets five-year planning consent extension Mr O'Dea has been summonsed for allegedly exceeding the 80km/h speed limit on the N80 road at Ballynasrah, Killeigh on August 19, 2024. The evidence from a GoSafe operator was that he was travelling at 90 km/h. Mr O'Dea was summonsed for the alleged offence and Sergeant Brendan Kearns, court presenter, handed in a certificate of ownership for the vehicle, which named Delaney Commercials Ltd, and a certificate of nomination. When Judge Cody asked if the nomination form was an original or a certified copy, Sergeant Kearns said it was not. Mr Dunne said Mr O'Dea had been nominated by someone else. Mr Dunne said it was clear to him from the relevant section of the Road Traffic Act that only an original document could be admissible in court. He said it had been confirmed by the court presenter Sergeant Kearns that the document presented by the prosecution was neither an original or a duly authenticated copy. When Judge Cody viewed the document handed in by Sergeant Kearns he said it looks to be signed by a Shane Moore. Sergeant Kearns said Shane Moore was the fleet manager with Delaney Commercials and further stated that the original document would be held by the Garda fixed charge office in Thurles. Sergeant Kearns said the gardai process about 200,000 fixed charge notices each year and they are heavily reliant on an automated process which involves scanning the original nominations as they are received. Sergeant Kearns said scanned versions are used but are an exact copy of the originals. Seargeant Kearns said the copy that he wished to hand into court was part of the prosecutor pack which had been printed by a company called Tico Print Limited in Dublin. He said it would be a hugely retrograde step for the efficiency of An Garda Siochana processes to produce those documents in court and they rely on a presumption in the act unless evidence is presented to the contrary. The judge remarked that the prosecution could be inserting into that presumption a copy of the original document and Mr Dunne said the specific section of the act applies to the original. Judge Cody sought submissions and said he would state a case on the question of the admissibility of the nominations forms. He adjourned the matter until February this year. In the District Court on Wednesday (February 25) Sergeant Kearns asked for one more week, saying he was awaiting a written direction and had submitted an investigation file to the DPP. Sergeant Kearns said he believed there may be a possible application from the DPP to withdraw the matter. READ NEXT: Offaly company plays role in Munster county's GAA gate receipts topping 1 million Judge Cody said the case had already been part heard and added that he had asked for a submission from the DPP up to 10 weeks previously. I haven't heard a dicky bird. Nothing, remarked the judge. Mr Dunne said the issue would arise even if it is withdrawn as it is an ongoing issue in such prosecutions. Patrick Martin, a solicitor who has represented others prosecuted for alleged speeding offences, told the court the same issue affects other cases. Judge Cody said the issue was a simple one and turned on the question: Is the prosecution entitled to rely on what they purport to be a photocopy of the original nomination form, provided as part of the prosecution pack by a third party where it has not been duly authenticated? He said he wanted a reply from the DPP within two weeks without prevarication, a simple yes or no, otherwise he would go ahead and state a case. Adjourning the matter to March 11, he also told Sergeant Kearns: I won't allow the case to be withdrawn, it's part heard. Judge Cody had said in December it was his view that the prosecution was only entitled to rely on the copy of a document when it's certified to be a true copy of the original. A case stated [where it is referred to the High Court] could take the bones of nine months, said the judge. FINE Gael TD for Offaly, John Clendennen, has welcomed a constructive and positive meeting with His Excellency Nicolas Nihon, Belgian Ambassador to Ireland, and has formally invited him to visit County Offaly as Ireland prepares to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in July 2026. Deputy Clendennen said the meeting provided an important opportunity to discuss the growing links between Ireland and Belgium, and to explore how Offaly can play an active role during Irelands EU Presidency term. The invitation follows the announcement that Offaly has been officially paired with Belgium as part of a national initiative to engage communities across Ireland during the Presidency. Under the initiative, EU ambassadors will visit counties across the country between July and December 2026 to undertake public engagements focused on Irelands European relations and its role within the EU. Speaking following the meeting, Deputy Clendennen said, I was delighted to meet with Ambassador Nihon for a very constructive and forward-looking discussion. As Ireland prepares to take on the EU Presidency in July, this is a significant opportunity for the county to showcase our community, our enterprise base and our strong European connections. I was pleased to extend an invitation to the Ambassador to visit Offaly in the months ahead. READ NEXT: Council to make big step forward in Birr Rectory Fields project Deputy Clendennen noted that the pairing of Offaly with Belgium offers valuable opportunities to strengthen cultural, educational, and economic links, particularly for local schools, businesses and community organisations. This Presidency will involve the whole country, not just Dublin, and I am determined that Offaly will play a role. Welcoming the Belgian Ambassador to our county will allow us to highlight the strength of our local communities, our agri-food sector, our SMEs, and our growing international outlook, particularly in attracting Foreign Direct Investment. Deputy Clendennen concluded by emphasising that Irelands EU Presidency presents a unique opportunity to strengthen regional voices within Europe. As Ireland takes on a leadership role at European level, it is vital that counties like Offaly are fully involved. Building strong relationships with our European partners will support regional development, trade opportunities and cultural exchange long into the future. READ NEXT: President of powerful EU body selected as 2025 Offaly Person of the Year A life-changing amount of money has been raised for a six-month-old baby girl born with a serious heart condition. On the 23rd of January, Effie became critically unwell and was diagnosed with a serious heart condition and since then her parents Charlene and Kierans world has been hospital rooms, machines, and moments of waiting that feel endless, according to the GoFundMe. "Our beautiful Effie, is just six months old and already fighting a battle no child should ever have to face," The GoFundMe said. The baby girl urgently needs specialist treatment in the UK with the possibility she may need a heart transplant in the future. Recently, on February 24th, Effie and her parents faced "one of the biggest and most emotional days of Effies journey so far. "She was transferred from Crumlin to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. A specialist team travelled from Sweden to support her transfer and ensure she arrived safely. The care that went into getting Effie safely across countries is something we will never forget. "It was a big and emotional day for everyone, but she travelled well and is now being cared for by the incredible team there. "We are so grateful to the staff in Crumlin who looked after her and got her safely to this next stage, and to the team at Great Ormond Street for welcoming her. There is still a long road ahead, but she is exactly where she needs to be right now," according to a recent update on Effie's GoFundMe. 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. Editor: Xiong Jian Readings for the Second Sunday of Lent: Genesis 12: 1-4a; Psalm 33: 4-5, 18-19, 20,22; 2 Timothy 1: 8b-10; Matthew 17: 1-9 The Gospel reading for this Second Sunday of Lent is about the "transfiguration" of Jesus. It's about how the primitive Christian community's understanding of Jesus and his significance changed following their experience of what they came to call his "resurrection." After that experience, whatever it was, they came to see him clearly as the New Moses and the New Elijah. As such he would introduce a New Order that would embody liberation of society's most marginalized (Moses) and outspoken confrontation against the given imperial order (Elijah). Jesus himself called that New Order the Kingdom of God. It is what the world would look like if God were king instead of Caesar. That vision should take on new meaning for Americans in the aftermath of Donald Trump's disgraceful State of the Union Message last Tuesday. It should even embolden the profane response STFU. Trump's Un-transfigured World If you watched the speech, you know what I mean. It seemed like the dying gasp of the ruling Septuagenarian and Octogenarian classes. It was a flailing, lie-filled proclamation of a Golden Age that never existed and that never will if we follow the path the failed braggart president celebrated. It was the opposite of God's Kingdom - a world with room for everyone. I mean, Trump's SOTU celebrated division, wealth and power, and a militarism while targeting the poorest people on our planet. He had the staggering nerve to tone-deafly call them what the Epstein Files are revealing the political class itself to be: lawless rapists, pedophiles, robbers, drug dealers, gang members and murderers. And Trump's crowd are blackmailers besides. Making those allegations, the president revealed his own nakedness and that of his mindless Maga colleagues who mindlessly jumped to their feet to applaud the beauty of the Emperor's non-existent robes. Yes, the Files, the coverups, the sweetheart deals for Epstein and Maxwell, the redactions, the months-long failures to disclose, and the reduction of Pam Bondi's Department of Justice to the President's private law firm are revealing everything. The Emperor indeed has no clothes. He's shamelessly parading around stark naked and tiny. And reminiscent of the Hans Christian Anderson story, it's the little children he's imprisoning (with their bunny ears and Spiderman backpacks) who proclaim the emperor's embarrassing nudity. No clothes! Naked! Tiny. Or as Joseph N. Welch put it to Senator Joseph McCarthy "Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last?", Jesus' Transfigured World The tale of Jesus' Transfiguration tells an opposite story. It's the story of a poor construction worker - a former immigrant, a prophetic teacher of unconventional wisdom, the death row inmate whom empire jailed, tortured and submitted to imperial capital punishment - whose life and teaching revealed a New Order that was shining and pure because it had room for everyone. And in today's reading, it's his transformed clothes and the spiritual company he keeps that tell the story. Matthew puts it this way: "His face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him." That is, the one whose imperialized class status would eventually reduce him to nakedness on Mt. Calvary is perceived by his first followers as magnificently clothed. Even more, Matthew's account of Jesus' Transfiguration has him conversing with Moses and Elijah. Moses, of course, is the great liberator of the enslaved and poor. Elijah was the courageous prophet who not only spoke truth to power but resisted false gods who take the side of the rich and powerful rather than God's truly chosen ones, the poor and oppressed. Don't Let the Democrats off the Hook But none of this should let the Democrats off the hook just because some of them refused to attend the STFU SOTU affair. Don't let them get away with just not being Trump. It's time for us to echo Zohran Mamdani, the most popular politician in the country. In my novella, Against All Odds: How Zohran Mamdani Became President and Changed America Forever, I imagine a moment like this. Not because of special foresight, but because systems built on secrecy, oligarchy, militarism, and spectacle inevitably crack. In that story, hidden ledgers surface. Blackmail networks become visible. The machinery of power is exposed. The old guard responds the only way it knows how -- with louder threats, more force, and louder applause. Sound familiar? But exposure alone is not liberation. Which brings us back to the mountain of Transfiguration. That scene depicted there is not mystical escapism. It is political theology. It declares that the authority of empire is provisional -- that the true sovereignty belongs to the God who sides with slaves, captives, resident aliens, and the poor. Luke makes the program explicit: "He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor" to proclaim liberty to captives" to set at liberty those who are oppressed." That's a rival social order. And if the imperial system is unraveling before our eyes -- if its nakedness is becoming visible -- then what must follow is not nostalgia or revenge, but reconstruction. In Against All Odds, the answer to systemic collapse is not personality cult or partisan fury, but the institution of a Republic of Care. It is clarity. It is the articulation of a simple, material program centered on ordinary people's lives. Among others, the items in such a program would include: Affordability Universal health care Full employment Higher wages Free education through college Environmental protection Expanded voting rights An end to oligarchic distortions like the Electoral College Strict term limits in every branch of government Drastic reductions in military spending. No endless wars Immigration reform rooted in dignity The dismantling of structures whose primary function is coercion at home and abroad. In liberationist terms, none of that is utopian dreaming. Mamdani's election proved that. The reforms just listed are what happen when the needs of the poor become the criteria of policy. Conclusion Trump's embarrassing speech was the voice of Caesar defending a crumbling temple. The Transfiguration is the unveiling of another possibility altogether. Empires grow louder when they weaken. They shout about enemies. They celebrate force. They promise greatness. That is what dying systems do. But the biblical tradition suggests something else: when Pharaoh hardens his heart, liberation accelerates. When Ahab clings to power, Elijah's voice sharpens. When Rome crucifies, resurrection faith spreads. Lent invites us to see clearly -- to recognize naked empire and to imagine, without apology, a transfigured order grounded in justice for the poor. Our petite impotent emperor is exposed. The question now is whether we have the courage to climb the mountain with Peter, James and John to see what comes next. CANBERRA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government on Wednesday night urged the families of diplomats in the Middle East to evacuate due to the unpredictable security situation. In updates posted through its Smartraveller service, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said the government has directed the departure of dependents of Australian officials posted to Israel and Lebanon. It said that Australians in Israel and Lebanon should consider leaving while commercial options are still available. Separately, DFAT said that the government has offered voluntary departures to dependents of diplomats posted in Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The warnings were issued amid a major deployment of U.S. military forces in the Middle East ahead of nuclear talks with Iran. Editor: Xiong Jian Unifor Sends Letter to Kruger CEO About the Future of Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Mill Feb. 25, 2026 - On February 19, Unifor's National President, Lana Payne, sent a letter to Joseph Kruger II, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Kruger Inc., asking about the company's business plan for the Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Mill located in Newfoundland, Canada. The Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Mill produces newsprint from thermomechanical pulp. The mill has two hydroelectric plants and a biomass cogeneration plant as well as a woodlands department. The following is the letter to Mr. Kruger from Ms. Payne: I am writing to seek clarity on the future of the Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Mill, and to request an urgent meeting. As you know, workers at the Kruger Inc.-owned Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Ltd. are members of Unifor Locals 64, 242, 96, 57N, 60N and workers at Deer Lake Power are members of Unifor Local 495. Last September, the mill celebrated its 100th anniversary, an incredible milestone for the mill, its unionized workforce, and the community of Corner Brook. Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, with more than 320,000 members across the country, working in every major sector of the Canadian economy. Unifor is also Canada's forestry union, with 24,000 members spread across 10 Canadian provinces. Unifor's members work in a variety of forestry, logging and firefighting occupations as well as wood product, bioenergy, and pulp and paper manufacturing facilities. Our union, its rank-and-file membership, and elected leaders from the forestry sector have been advocating and organizing to forge a new, sustainable future for Canada's forestry industry, its workers, and forestry-dependent communities across the country. In addition, I sit as the sole labour representative on the recently-convened Federal Forestry Sector Transformation Task Force, a group convened by Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson with the mandate of strengthening the forestry sector's long-term competitiveness and sustainability. Unifor is concerned by the lack of clarity surrounding future plans for the Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Mill, and the outlook for the roughly 300 people who work at the mill. More specifically, I would like to know: What is Kruger's business plan for the Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Mill? What operations and products, if any, does Kruger plan to permanently cease at the mill, and how many workers will be permanently laid off? What new operations, products, or services does Kruger or its subsidiaries or related companies plan on introducing at the mill, if any? Is Kruger committed to remaining a forestry-first employer in Corner Brook, or does the company envision a transition to energy production as a primary activity at the site? What is Kruger's plan to support workers at the mill and the surrounding community of Corner Brook as these transitions take place? It is critical that Kruger engages with mill workers and their union, the community of Corner Brook, and the provincial government with clarity and transparency. Unifor will continue to engage with the government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and we also respectfully request an urgent meeting with you to discuss these important matters. Sincerely, Lana Payne National President SOURCE: Unifor Photo taken on Feb 20, 2026 shows villagers celebrating the Spring Festival with a "Homecoming of Married Women" cultural event at Daping Village, Pingtan Township, Tongdao Dong Autonomous County, Huaihua City, central China's Hunan Province. Activities included greeting guests with antiphonal singing at the village gate and festive parades. (Li Shangyin/Guangming Pictures) Photo taken on Feb 20, 2026 captures Dong women in traditional attire offering "blocking-door wine" to guests during the Spring Festival celebration at Daping Village in Tongdao Dong Autonomous County, central China's Hunan Province. (Li Shangyin/Guangming Pictures) Photo taken on Feb 20, 2026 shows villagers parading joyfully during the Spring Festival event at Daping Village in Tongdao Dong Autonomous County, central China's Hunan Province. (Li Shangyin/Guangming Pictures) Editor: ZAD Prosecutors Withdraw Request to Detain Tom Goldstein Ahead of Sentencing Connor Richards Senior Editor U.S. Copy link UPDATE: On Friday, Feb. 27, prosecutors withdrew their request to detain Tom Goldstein pending sentencing and are instead asking for modified conditions of his release. According to : On Friday, Feb. 27, prosecutors withdrew their request to detain Tom Goldstein pending sentencing and are instead asking for modified conditions of his release. According to Law 360 , Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby ordered Goldstein to be placed under home confinement until sentencing. Prosecutors in Tom Goldstein's federal tax fraud trial over high-stakes poker games want him in custody as he awaits sentencing, according to court documents reviewed by PokerNews. A jury in Greenbelt, Maryland convicted Goldstein on Wednesday of 12 of 16 counts in his high-profile trial stemming from ultra-high-stakes poker matches where he won over $50 million in 2016 alone. In a court filing on Thursday, Goldstein's attorneys said the government had announced in court for the first time "that it intends to seek the detention of defendant Thomas Goldstein pending sentencing," which they said was "completely unwarranted" and contradicts the recommendation of Pretrial Services. Sentencing in the case could still be months out, meaning Goldstein may spend weeks in custody as he awaits his fate on charges that carry stiff maximum penalties. Previously Deemed a Flight Risk Arguing against Goldstein's detention, his attorneys noted the high roller complied with his 20 current conditions of release for the past year, which include surrendering his passport, restricting travel to the Washington, D.C. area, no contact with over 80 individuals, and a prohibition on gambling. A judge in Maryland previously deemed Goldstein a flight risk after prosecutors alleged he failed to disclose millions in cryptocurrency transfers, noting his extensive overseas ties. That includes his friend, client and backer Paul Phua. But Goldstein's attorneys argued that "any risk on that score has been adequately addressed to this point by the numerous existing release conditions, including restrictions on travel, computer monitoring, and financial reporting." They also noted Goldstein was previously allowed, with no opposition from the government, to attend his child's graduation overseas. Federal courthouse in Greenbelt, Maryland "This track record of compliance with release conditions supports a finding that Mr. Goldstein is unlikely to flee," they wrote. In a press release on Thursday, Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva said the verdict "holds Thomas Goldstein accountable for cheating the tax system and lying to mortgage lenders." Goldstein chose fraud and deceit over honesty and tried to cheat the American taxpayer while living a lavish lifestyle, said US Attorney Kelly O. Hayes. He gambled that he wouldnt get caught, and that gamble did not pay off." Prosecutors and Goldstein's attorneys did not respond to requests for comment from PokerNews following the verdict. Share this article Connor Richards Senior Editor U.S. Connor Richards is a Senior Editor U.S. for PokerNews and host of the Life Outside Poker podcast. Connor has been nominated for three Global Poker Awards for his writing. Follow on In this Series What would be a dream trip for some seems to be just another week in the office for Kayhan Mokri. The high-stakes regular, who captured the top spot on Norway's all-time money list for the first time at the end of 2025, has already booked two six-figure scores at the 2026 PokerStars European Poker Tour Paris, including a victory in the 25,000 PLO High Roller, and is now entering Day 3 of the 5,300 EPT Main Event as a top stack. Mokri is one of 179 players from the 1,474-strong field who will return to Le Palais des Congres at noon local time for the third day of the Main Event. With the bubble popping late on Day 2, they have all secured themselves a piece of the 7,075,200 prize pool. Mokri will be sitting down as fourth in chips with a stack of 750,000, which he spun up from just 500 on Day 2, good for exactly 150 big blinds. Mokri hunts a second Main Event final table to add to his impressive EPT resume, which includes two Super High Roller victories. Meanwhile, the only seven-figure stack so far in the chase for the seven-figure first-place prize of 1,148,600 belongs to hometown player Bruno Fuentes. Fuentes will be unbagging 1,043,000 at the start of today, a small chip lead over Mahersh Selvakumaran, who sits in second with 995,000. Both Fuentes and Selvakumaran are cashing in an EPT Main Event for the first time, but the same can not be said for Cesar Garcia, who made his first EPT Main Event final table in 2012 and added a second one last year in Barcelona. The longtime EPT regular rounds out the podium with a stack of 870,000. Cesar Garcia Top Ten Chip Counts Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Bruno Fuentes France 1,043,000 209 2 Mahersh Selvakumaran Netherlands 995,000 199 3 Cesar Garcia Spain 870,000 174 4 Kayhan Mokri Norway 750,000 150 5 Tsugunari Toma Japan 739,000 148 6 Lyudmil Ivanov Bulgaria 695,000 139 7 Mathieu His France 654,000 131 8 Mario Colavita Italy 648,000 130 9 Zdenek Zizka Czechia 607,000 121 10 Salman Ramzi Lebanon 570,000 114 No previous EPT champions remain, but plenty of notables are eyeing their first title. Alex Keating (470,000), Rui Ferreira (450,000), Adrian State (421,000), Duco ten Haven (318,000), Joris Ruijs (312,000), and Felix Schneiders (311,000) all return with above-average stacks. Mehdi Chaoui is among the shorter stacks with 127,000 as he looks to improve upon his eighth-place finish at EPT Paris 2023, and is joined near the bottom by Jessica Teusl (126,000), 2,700 PokerStars Open High Roller champion Mathew Frankland (124,000), 2025 PokerStars Live League winner Gerard Rubiralta (115,000), and NAPT champion Sami Bechahed (107,000). Mehdi Chaoui The 179 returning players have all secured a cash of 9,850 after the first pay jump was reached during the last hands of Day 2. A five-figure sum will be awarded to the top 143, while the real eye-watering prizes start from the unofficial final table of nine players. Remaining Payouts Place Prize Place Prize Place Prize 1 1,148,600 10-11 81,650 32-39 22,850 2 717,350 12-13 68,050 40-55 19,800 3 512,400 14-15 56,750 56-71 17,200 4 394,150 16-17 47,250 72-95 15,000 5 303,150 18-20 39,950 96-119 13,000 6 233,200 21-23 34,750 120-143 11,300 7 179,350 24-27 30,200 144-179 9,850 8 137,950 28-31 26,250 9 106,150 Day 3 of the EPT Paris Main Event will continue with Level 16: 2,000/5,000 with a 5,000 big blind ante. All levels will remain 90 minutes long, with a short break after every level. The provisional plan for Day 3 is to play five full levels and half of Level 21, which would see the night end around 10:30 p.m. local time. The shot clock will come into play today, and a 70-minute dinner break is currently planned after Level 19, at 7 p.m. PokerNews will be live reporting another day of exciting poker action straight from the tournament floor in Paris, so stay tuned to not miss any of the thrilling action. Ukrtelecom, Ukraines largest fixed-line operator, and Kyivstar, the countrys largest national electronic communications operator, have joined the European telecommunications professionals community ETIS, the association said in a statement. "Joining ETIS gives us the opportunity to share hands-on experience in supporting and restoring critical infrastructure under extreme conditions and, together with our European partners, to strengthen secure and resilient digital infrastructure across Europe," Ukrtelecom CEO Yuriy Kurmaz said in the release. According to the statement, participation in the community enables broader dialogue with European operators, including working groups, joint benchmarking initiatives (notably TeBIT), and industry events. ETIS explained its interest in cooperation by highlighting that the Ukrainian operators expertise spans network resilience, continuity of digital services, infrastructure restoration, cybersecurity, and large-scale operational transformation. Ukrtelecom increased its revenue by 5.6% year-on-year in JanuarySeptember 2025 to UAH 3.8 billion, while EBITDA rose by 6.6% to UAH 906 million. Revenue from optical internet services grew by 11.3%. The operator reported that more than 3,500 kilometers of fiber-optic lines were laid in JanuarySeptember 2025. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, more than 20,000 kilometers of fiber have been built, enabling 1.4 million households to connect to optical internet. Overall, optical internet is now available to more than 3.3 million users. Kyivstar served 22.5 million mobile subscribers in the third quarter of 2025, down 3.6% from a year earlier. At the same time, the number of 4G customers increased by 2.4% to 15 million. In the third quarter of 2025, the company posted EBITDA of UAH 7.1 billion, up 21.5% year-on-year. In dollar terms, EBITDA increased by 20.4% to $171 million. Kingstree, SC (29556) Today Foggy this morning, then partly cloudy this afternoon. High 79F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Areas of dense fog. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/ The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine allocated over UAH 1.6 billion in budget funds to carry out work to secure the New Safe Confinement of the Shelter facility built over Chornobyl NPP's unit No. 4, the Ministry of Energy said Thursday. "The funds will be directed, among other things, to overcoming the consequences of Russia's terrorist attack on the station's shelter," the statement said. The Ministry of Energy noted that despite difficult wartime conditions, Ukraine will continue work to maintain three Chornobyl NPP units, the spent nuclear fuel storage facility and radioactive waste storage facilities in a safe condition. "However, eliminating global risks is only possible if Russia stops attacks on Ukrainian nuclear facilities. A clear response from the world to such terrorist acts is needed, including restricting the aggressor state's rights in the IAEA structure," the ministry said. As reported, State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine Chairman Oleh Korikov at the end of January this year provided information on the implementation of temporary urgent measures aimed at reducing negative consequences for the New Safe Confinement of the Shelter facility, which was damaged as a result of a Russian drone attack on February 14, 2025. In particular, he discussed Chornobyl NPP's implementation of a technical solution temporary closure of the opening in the Arch's outer shell at the drone impact site to reduce negative effects from precipitation. Kingstree, SC (29556) Today Areas of fog early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. High 79F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Areas of dense fog. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Managing Editor - Post and Courier Myrtle Beach Born and raised in South Carolina, Charles Perry has worked in the state's newspaper industry for nearly 20 years. He covers Horry and Georgetown counties for The Post and Courier. Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein are seen in this image released by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., U.S., on December 19, 2025 as part of a new trove of documents from its investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew Shue, a star of the 1990s soap opera Melrose Place, speaks to reporters at the launch of the South Carolina Forum, a participatory government platform he hopes will boost citizens voices in government. The effort, which is also being launched in early voting states like Nevada and New Hampshire, aims to take root ahead of the 2028 presidential elections. 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. Spartanburg, SC (29301) Today Areas of patchy fog early. Mostly cloudy early, then sunshine for the afternoon. High 78F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 58F. Winds light and variable. Photo: State Emergency Service Russia struck Kyiv with attack UAVs and ballistic missiles on Thursday night, Kyiv City Military Administration head Timur Tkachenko said on his Telegram channel. In the Holosiivsky district, a fire broke out on the territory of a private estate, with information regarding the extent of the damage still being clarified. In the Pechersky district, a 2-story private house was on fire, and authorities are currently checking information regarding potential casualties. In the Darnytsky district, a 9-story residential building was damaged, though preliminary reports indicate there were no casualties at that location. PR-Inside.com: 2026-02-26 20:00:09 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 606 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 New structured authority model aims to position law firms inside AI-generated legal answers as client discovery shifts from search rankings to recommendation-based artificial intelligence systems.POST FALLS, IDAHO / ACCESS Newswire / February 26, 2026 / AI Search Engineerstoday introduced what it calls the "AI Recommendation Layer," a structured framework designed to help law firms compete in AI-generated legal recommendations rather than traditional website rankings.The company states that legal discovery is moving beyond search engine results pages and into AI-generated answer environments, where users receive direct recommendations instead of lists of links.According to internal industry testing conducted across major AI platforms, legal queries framed as direct intent questions increasingly trigger summarized responses rather than ranked webpages. These responses often include a limited number of recommended firms.Examples of high-intent queries include:"Who is the most experienced DUI lawyer near me?""Best personal injury attorney for truck accidents in Dallas""Top federal criminal defense lawyer in Nevada"In these environments, AI systems synthesize authority from structured signals rather than webpage rankings alone.From Website Ranking to Recommendation EligibilityAI Search Engineers identify a structural distinction between traditional digital visibility and AI inclusion:Search engines index pages.AI systems assemble entities.In AI-generated environments, visibility depends on whether a firm is recognized as a coherent legal authority within structured knowledge systems.The company refers to this transition as the movement from "traffic optimization" to "recommendation eligibility engineering." "Law firms are competing for inclusion inside AI answers, not just placement on a search page," the firm stated. "That changes the technical requirements entirely." The AI Recommendation Layer DefinedThe AI Recommendation Layer is described as the digital authority infrastructure that influences whether a firm is selected, summarized, or cited within AI-generated legal answers.AI Search Engineers outlines five structural components required for recommendation eligibility:Entity coherence across digital knowledge sourcesConsistent practice-area semantic clusteringReinforced citation pathwaysStructured answer formatting aligned with AI summarization logicTrust signal layering across legal authority indicatorsThe firm states that without structured alignment across these components, law firms may remain invisible within AI-generated summaries, even if they rank highly in traditional search.Legal Discovery Behavior Is ChangingIndustry data from multiple AI usage reports in 2024 and 2025 indicates rapid adoption of AI platforms for research and decision-making tasks. Legal inquiries are increasingly phrased conversationally rather than as keyword searches.Instead of typing fragmented phrases such as:"criminal lawyer Phoenix"Users are submitting fully formed questions such as:"Who is the best criminal defense attorney in Phoenix for felony cases?"AI systems respond with synthesized summaries.This shift changes how authority is evaluated.Structured Authority Over Content VolumeAI Search Engineers asserts that producing more blog content does not directly influence AI recommendation inclusion unless that content contributes to structured authority reinforcement.The firm distinguishes between:Content productionAuthority engineeringAccording to the company, recommendation eligibility depends less on volume and more on structural clarity and reinforced entity positioning.Market FocusAI Search Engineers work with high-value litigation practices, including:Criminal defensePersonal injuryReal estate litigationFederal litigationComplex procurement disputesThe firm operates on a selective engagement model within defined geographic markets.About AI Search EngineersAI Search Engineers develops structured authority frameworks designed to position law firms within AI-generated legal recommendation environments. The firm focuses on recommendation-layer engineering, entity alignment systems, and ongoing AI visibility calibration.As AI platforms increasingly mediate legal discovery, AI Search Engineers introduces infrastructure designed specifically for AI-era client acquisition.Jack SmithMedia DirectorTrustpoint Xposure contact@ trustpointxposure.com SOURCE: AI Search Engineers analytica Hanoi 2026 Makes Its Debut, Bringing the Global Science and Laboratory Platform to Northern Vietnam PR-Inside.com: 2026-02-26 16:19:19 Press Information Published by ACN Newswire +65 6304 8926 e-mail https://www.acnnewswire.com/ # 827 Words ACN Newswire+65 6304 8926 HANOI, Vietnam, Feb 25, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - analytica Hanoi 2026, the regional edition of the globally recognised analytica brand, will take place from 2224 April 2026 at the International Centre of Exhibition (I.C.E), Hanoi. Tailored to the needs of Northern Vietnam's science and laboratory community, the exhibition space is fully secured ahead of opening, reflecting strong market demand and the growing importance of Vietnam as a laboratory and innovation hub."Northern Vietnam is rapidly emerging as a hub for laboratory innovation. With analytica Hanoi 2026, we are bringing the Live Lab to Hanoi for the first time, following its successful debut in Ho Chi Minh 2025. This demonstrates our commitment to connecting international solution providers with the regions growing scientific and industrial community," said Michael Wilton, CEO and Managing Director, Messe Muenchen International Asia Pte, Ltd.Broad International Participation Reflects Market Relevanceanalytica Hanoi 2026 will feature over 150 exhibitors and brands from key laboratory and technology markets including USA, Germany, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Switzerland, France, India, Vietnam, Latvia, China etc. highlighting its strong global reach. This edition builds on the success of previous analytica Vietnam shows, offering a dedicated platform for technology exchange, business networking and market access tailored to Northern Vietnam.The exhibition will showcase laboratory instruments, analytical systems, biotechnology and diagnostics solutions, quality assurance technologies, and sustainable laboratory operations, meeting the evolving needs of the regions laboratory and research sectors.Live Lab Makes Its Northern DebutFollowing its successful debut at analytica Vietnam Ho Chi Minh 2025, the Live Lab is coming to Hanoi for the first time in 2026. This interactive zone allows exhibitors to present hands-on demonstrations of laboratory technologies and real-world applications, enabling visitors to directly experience workflows, assess performance, and explore practical solutions.By bringing this pioneering format to Northern Vietnam, analytica Hanoi 2026 provides a first-of-its-kind experiential platform in Hanoi, offering laboratory professionals, researchers, and industrial users a unique opportunity to engage with both international and local technology providers in a practical, applied setting.Northern Vietnam Strengthens Its Role as a Growth MarketNorthern Vietnam is a key driver of Vietnams science and technology-led industrial upgrading, with strong investment across pharmaceuticals, healthcare, electronics, food safety, environmental monitoring, and advanced manufacturing. These sectors underpin national priorities on innovation, quality infrastructure, and sustainable growth, increasing demand for advanced laboratory technologies and digitalised operations.Building on this momentum, analytica Hanoi 2026 supports national science & technology objectives as a platform for knowledge exchange, standards alignment, and technology adoption.The event features a two-stage programme. The Academic Conference, jointly organised by Messe Munchen, the Vietnam Analytical Sciences Society (VASS), VNU University of Science (HUS) Vietnam National University, and VNEES, contributes to knowledge advancement and talent development in priority fields including green and environmental chemistry, food safety and quality control, semiconductor manufacturing, and molecular biology applications in biopharma and pharmacogenomics. The Technical Forum reinforces quality infrastructure and regulatory readiness, addressing ISO/IEC 17025, GLP, the laboratory outlook for 20262030, and applied seminars, complemented by exhibitor technology sessions.A Trusted Platform for Business and KnowledgeThe full occupancy of exhibition space underscores analytica Hanois role as a reliable platform linking global technology providers with Northern Vietnams laboratory and research community. Confirmed exhibitors include WESTINGAREA, WIGGENS, GL SCIENCES, BCE, CHC LAB, DAIHAN SCIENTIFIC, ANTON PAAR, KIMTECO, LECO VIETNAM, GLASS TAO, FOSS VIETNAM, HTI SCIENTIFIC, MERCK VIETNAM, UNITEK and many more.Supporting programmes such as live demonstrations, hosted buyer engagements, and structured business matching further enhance opportunities for business development and collaboration.REGISTRATION NOW OPENanalytica Hanoi 2026 is expected to attract laboratory professionals, researchers, manufacturers, distributors, and institutional representatives from across Vietnam and the region.Visitor registration is now open:For more information, please visit www.analyticavietnam.comor contact analytica Vietnam via email analyticavietnam@ mmiasia.com.sg About analytica Hanoi 2026analytica Hanoi is the official regional spinoff of analytica Vietnam, strategically developed to meet the rising demand for laboratory and analytical solutions in northern Vietnam. As the region experiences accelerated growth in research, healthcare, and industrial sectors, analytica Hanoi 2026 offers a focused platform for companies aiming to tap into this dynamic and fast-emerging market. The upcoming exhibition is set to take place from April 22 to 24, 2026 at the International Centre of Exhibition (I.C.E), 91 Tran Hung Dao, Hanoi, Vietnam.About analytica Vietnam 2027analytica Vietnam is the premier trade fair for laboratory technology, analysis, and biotechnology in Southeast Asia. Organized by Messe Munchen, the event brings together industry professionals, researchers, and policymakers to showcase the latest technologies, exchange knowledge, and foster business collaborations. analytica Vietnam features an exhibition, conference, pre-event laboratory tours, buyer-seller programs, and networking opportunities, providing a comprehensive platform for the laboratory and biotechnology industries in the region. The upcoming edition is set to take place from March 31 to April 2, 2027 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), 799 Nguyen Van Linh, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. More details can be found here.Read more: https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/105307/ PR-Inside.com: 2026-02-26 01:06:52 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 899 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATESVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / February 25, 2026 / Arctic Fox Lithium Corp. (CSE:AFX)(FSE:O5K) ("Arctic Fox" or, the "Company") announces it is launching a non-brokered private placement of up to 12,500,000 units (the "Units"), at a price of $0.24 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to $3,000,000.00 (the "Offering"). Each Unit will consist of one common share (a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one additional Share at a price of $0.315 per Share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance.The Units will be offered: (a) by way of private placement in all of the provinces of Canada pursuant to applicable exemptions from the prospectus requirements under applicable Canadian securities laws; (b) in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons, by way of private placement pursuant to the exemptions from the registration requirements provided for under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"); and (c) in jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States on a private placement or equivalent basis, in each case in accordance with all applicable laws, provided that no prospectus, registration statement or other similar document is required to be filed in such jurisdiction. The securities to be issued pursuant to the Offering to purchasers in Canada will be subject to a four-month and one day hold period in Canada pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. The Units will be offered to purchasers outside of Canada pursuant to an exemption from the prospectus requirements in Canada available under OSC Rule 72-503 - Distributions Outside Canada and, accordingly, the securities to be issued pursuant to the Offering to purchasers outside of Canada are not expected to be subject to a four-month and one day hold period in Canada. The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.The Company will use the net proceeds from the Offering for general working and administrative capital, costs related to the Offering and exploration expenditures in connection with the Shipshaw Property and its other mineral properties. Finder's fees may be payable in connection with the Offering.About Arctic Fox Lithium Corp.Arctic Fox Lithium Corp. is a junior mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of mineral properties containing battery and rare earth metals. The Company's 2,756-hectare Pontax North Lithium Project ("Pontax North") is located 12 km south of Allkem Ltd. (ASX/TSX: ALLKEM) ("Allkem") James Bay Lithium Project and 12 km north of Stria Lithium Inc.'s (CSE: SRA) Pontax Lithium Project, located in northern Quebec, approximately 130 km east of the Eastmain Cree Nation's community. The Company is currently planning a second-phase exploration program at Pontax North and continues to evaluate accretive opportunities across the rare earth element and broader critical-minerals sectors to complement and expand its project portfolio.For further information, please contact:Kirby Renton, Director, President and CEO.Phone: 306-430-8815On behalf of the Board of Directors,Kirby RentonDirector, President and CEOArctic Fox Lithium Corp.Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.Forward-Looking Information: Except for statements of historic fact this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan" "expect" "project" "intend" "believe" "anticipate" "estimate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward- looking statements including but not limited to the Transaction, the Offering, the Shareholder Consent, the consideration payable under the Agreement, the filing of a BAR and other statements contained herein. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the business plans for Arctic Fox described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators which are available at www.sedarplus.ca SOURCE: Arctic Fox Lithium Corp. PR-Inside.com: 2026-02-26 18:45:19 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 750 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 eConsent solution deploys in under four weeks, integrates with any EDC, and delivers affordable, patientcentric digital consentAUSTIN, TX / ACCESS Newswire / February 26, 2026 / DATATRAK International, Inc.'s (OTC:DTRK) DATATRAK Powered by Fountayn unified eClinical, eSource, and decentralized clinical trial (DCT) platform, announces the release of its standalone eConsent solution designed to help sponsors, CROs, and sites modernize informed consent while reducing startup timelines and technology costs. The new eConsent offering can be deployed in under four weeks and is available as a lightweight, costeffective module or as a fully integrated component of the DATATRAK Powered by Fountayn EDC and DCT ecosystem.Unlike many eConsent tools that are bundled only within large, expensive ePRO or DCT packages, DATATRAK's standalone eConsent delivers flexible pricing so study teams can implement digital informed consent without paying for an entire ePRO system they do not need. Reasonable, studylevel pricing makes eConsent accessible for a broader range of trials and budgets, including earlyphase, singlesite, and investigatorinitiated studies."Study teams want the benefits of modern eConsent-faster startup, better participant understanding, and cleaner documentation-without lengthy implementations or bloated platform costs," said Alex Tabatabai, CEO, DATATRAK. "Our standalone eConsent is purposebuilt to launch quickly, fit into existing study infrastructure, and scale seamlessly when sponsors are ready to expand into DATATRAK EDC, ePRO, RTSM, CTMS, or full decentralized clinical trials." Fast Startup, INDReady TimelinesThe DATATRAK eConsent solution is designed for implementation timelines of under four weeks, allowing study teams to go live in time for IND or ethics approval and firstpatientin milestones. Configuration is supported by reusable templates and bestpractice workflows that help streamline approvals and site activation.Standalone eConsent with EnterpriseGrade IntegrationThe eConsent module can be used as a standalone utility and integrated with thirdparty infrastructure, including external EDC, RTSM, CTMS, and eTMF systems, or deployed as a native component of DATATRAK EDC. When used with DATATRAK EDC, consent data and enrollment status are seamlessly connected to subject records, randomization, and visit schedules, enabling true endtoend digital trial execution on a single platform.Key Capabilities Include:1. Standalone eConsent that integrates with thirdparty clinical trial systems or EDC2. Seamless integration with the consent and enrollment workflow in EDC3. Support for remote and decentralized clinical trials with patient access from any device4. Designed for protocol amendments and regulatory workflowsDATATRAK's eConsent simplifies managing protocol amendments and reconsent, a common pain point for sponsors and sites. Study teams can easily trigger and track reconsent when protocol changes occur, ensuring every participant is on the correct version and that audit trails remain inspectionready.The system also supports tracking and managing supporting documents such as witness statements, translations, and supplemental information, helping maintain complete, compliant records across sites and regions.Flexible Patient Engagement and Enrollment OptionsTo support both sitebased and remote enrollment, the eConsent solution enables sites to invite participants using multiple methods: email links, QR codes patients can scan on their own device, or direct registration by the physician or site staff. Sites can also schedule consent visits prior to trial enrollment, helping ensure participants have adequate time to review materials, ask questions, and complete consent in a controlled, compliant workflow.When combined with DATATRAK's EDC, ePRO, and eSource capabilities, sponsors can extend the same patientcentric digital experience beyond consent to ongoing data collection and engagement throughout the study.About DATATRAKDATATRAK Powered by Fountayn is transforming healthcare and life sciences through technological innovations by providing a unified, cloud based eClinical and decentralized clinical trial platform that brings together EDC, eSource, ePRO/eCOA, eConsent, RTSM, RBM, Adjudication, Imaging, Safety, Global Oversight and Enterprise Workflow Management, CTMS, eTMF, and DCT tools in a single, configurable environment. With global access from any device and a singlesource data model, DATATRAK helps sponsors, CROs, and sites accelerate study timelines, improve data quality, and reduce operational burden across all phases of clinical research. DATATRAK complies with the highest Quality Assurance standards that are 21 CFR Part 11, GDPR, GCP, HIPAA, and CDISC compliant that are fully validated by our experienced team of software quality engineers. DATATRAK's cloud-based platform is trusted in 83 countries, 6 continents, for over 10,000 clinical trials. DATATRAK is based in Austin, Texas and has team members and data hosting infrastructure in its key service regions of the United States, Europe, and Japan. For more information, visit www.fountayn.com or www.datatrak.com Contact:sales@ fountayn.com SOURCE: Datatrak International PR-Inside.com: 2026-02-26 00:45:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 302 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / February 25, 2026 / Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Stellantis N.V. ("Stellantis" or the "Company") (NYSE:STLA). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.The investigation concerns whether Stellantis and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.[Click here for information about joining the class action]On February 6, 2026, Stellantis "announced that as part of the reset of its business and as it prepares for the communication of its new strategic plan in May of this year, it has conducted a thorough assessment of its strategy and related costs required to align the Company with the real-world preferences of its customers", which "resulted in charges of approximately 22.2 billion, excluded from [adjusted operating income], for the second half of 2025, including cash payments of approximately 6.5 billion, which are expected to be paid over the next four years." On this news, Stellantis's stock price fell $2.26 per share, or 23.69%, to close at $7.28 per share on February 6, 2026.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP PR-Inside.com: 2026-02-25 23:50:14 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1044 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 MAPLE LEAF CRITICAL MINERALS 2025 ENHANCED FLOW-THROUGH LIMITED PARTNERSHIP NATIONAL CLASS & QUEBEC CLASSVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / February 25, 2026 / This notice is being sent to advise that Maple Leaf Critical Minerals 2025 Enhanced Flow-Through Limited Partnership - National Class (CUSIP Class A - 56529A101, CUSIP Class F - 56529A119) and Quebec Class (CUSIP Class A - 56529A127, Class F- 56529A135) (the "Partnership") will be proceeding with a transaction (the "Liquidity Transaction") pursuant to which the assets of the Partnership (the "Assets") will be transferred on a tax-deferred basis to the Maple Leaf Gold & Critical Minerals Class (the "Gold & Critical Minerals Class Mutual Fund"), a class of shares of Maple Leaf Corporate Funds Ltd., an open-ended mutual fund corporation, in exchange for Series A or Series F shares of the Mutual Fund.Additional information about the Gold & Critical Minerals Class Mutual Fund is available in their simplified prospectus and annual information form. These documents are available at www.sedarplus.ca and www.mapleleaffunds.ca How the Rollover Will Work:Pursuant to the Liquidity Transaction, Limited Partners of the Partnership ("Investors") will receive shares of the Gold & Critical Minerals Class Mutual Fund in connection with the dissolution of the Partnership. The effective date of the Liquidity Transaction (the "Effective Date") is expected to be on or about Friday, May 29, 2026. Shortly after the Effective Date, the shares of the Gold & Critical Minerals Class Mutual Fund will be distributed on a pro rata basis to investors and thereafter the Partnership will be dissolved.Investors will receive the Gold & Critical Minerals Class Mutual Fund shares in exchange for, and with a value equal to, the value of the units of the Partnership held at the time of such transfer of Assets. When the shares of the Gold & Critical Minerals Class Mutual Fund are received, the Partnership units will be removed from each Investors account. Processing may take 5 to 7 business days (in some cases longer) to complete, after the rollover occurs.The Partnership will issue a press release once the Liquidity Transaction has been completed and the conversion ratio has been determined.The ACB (adjusted cost base) for each unit of the Partnership and each share of the Gold & Critical Minerals Class Mutual Fund will be determined by the General Partner upon the wind-up of the Partnership's affairs. The Partnership will dissolve within 60 days of the Effective Date. The General Partner will post these details on its website at www.mapleleaffunds.ca Investors should consult with their investment advisor and/or tax advisor for all tax-related matters.Simplified Example:An Investor holds 100 Partnership units with a final Net Asset Value of $20.00 at the time of rollover and the net asset value per share of the Gold & Critical Minerals Class Mutual Fund is $5.00 on the same date. Based on these net asset values, the conversion ratio will be 4.0 (4.0 = $20.00 / $5.00). The Investor's 100 units, valued at $2,000, are removed from the Investor's account and 400 shares (400 = 100 x 4.0) of the Gold & Critical Minerals Class Mutual Fund, valued at $2,000, are added to the Investor's account.Processing can be delayed after the rollover occurs, therefore transactions such as switches or redemptions may not be processed until the Gold & Critical Minerals Class Mutual Fund shares have been credited to client accounts.Neither the Partnership nor the Gold & Critical Minerals Class Mutual Fund will accept any liability for transactions executed prior to dealer records being updated.Specific Information about the Mutual Fund:Organization and Management of the Mutual FundManager:CADO Investment Fund Management Inc. 609 Granville Street, Suite 808 Vancouver, British Columbia V7Y 1G5 Tel: 604-684-5742Fax: 604-684-5748Toll free: 1-866-688-5750 Email: info@ cadobancorp.ca CADO Investment Fund Management Inc.is the manager of the Mutual Fund and is responsible for managing the overall business and operations of the Mutual Fund.Portfolio Advisor:Palette Investment Management Inc ("Palette") Toronto, OntarioPalette is responsible for managing the investment portfolio of the Funds.Custodian:RBC Investor & Treasury Services Toronto, OntarioThe custodian has physical custody of the Mutual Fund's property.Administrator:The IAS Investment Administration Solution Inc. ("IAS") Toronto, OntarioThe administrator keeps track of the owners of shares of the Mutual Fund and processes purchases.Auditor:KPMG LLPVancouver, British ColumbiaThe auditors are responsible for auditing the annual financial statements of the Mutual Fund.The auditors of the Mutual Fund may not be changed unless the independent review committee of the Mutual Fund has approved the change and a written notice describing the change is sent to unit holders at least 60 days before the effective date of the change.Independent Review Committee(the "IRC")Canadian securities legislation requires the Mutual Fund to have an IRC. The IRC is composed of three members, each of whom is independent of us. The mandate of the IRC is to review, and provide input on, our written policies and procedures that deal with conflict of interest matters in respect of the Mutual Fund and to give their recommendation regarding and, in some cases, approve, conflict of interest matters identified and referred to the IRC by us.The IRC will prepare, at least annually, a report of its activities for investors. This report will be available at our website at www.mapleleaffunds.ca or you may request a copy, at no cost to you, by contacting us at info@ cadobancorp.ca . Additional information about the IRC, including the names of the members, is available in the Mutual Fund's Annual Information Form.Portfolio Advisor:Palette Investment Management Inc. ("Palette") will be responsible for the Mutual Fund's investment activities. Mr. Andrew Cook, President of Palette, will act as Portfolio Manager on behalf of Palette. Mr. Cook has 34 years of experience in the financial services sector, the past 26 engaged in managing funds for several investment organizations as well as private clients. His focus has been primarily on growth companies with substantial experience in the small and midcap parts of the market and he has spent a significant amount of time in the resource sector.Mr. Cook has had a distinguished career as an analyst and portfolio manager with the Royal Bank of Canada, Midland Walwyn, Strategic Nova, Marquest Asset Management, and Matrix Asset Management Inc.Additional Information:Additional informati Photo: https://www.facebook.com/orbanviktor Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has addressed an open letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in which he alleged interference in Hungarys internal political processes and accused him of intentionally blocking the Druzhba oil pipeline, which was damaged during shelling by Russia on January 27. "You, Brussels, and the Hungarian opposition are coordinating efforts to bring a pro-Ukrainian government to power in Hungary. In recent days, you have blocked the Druzhba oil pipeline, which is crucial for Hungarys energy supply. Your actions contradict the interests of Hungary and jeopardize the safe and affordable energy supply for Hungarian families. Therefore, I urge you to change your anti-Hungarian policy!" states the open letter, the text of which Orban published on the X social network. He claims that the Ukrainian head of state "cannot accept the position of the sovereign Hungarian government and the Hungarian people regarding the war between Russia and Ukraine" and that he and the Hungarian people "bear no responsibility for the situation in which Ukraine finds itself." "We sympathize with the Ukrainian people, but we do not wish to participate in the war. We do not want to finance military efforts and do not want to pay more for energy resources," the head of the Hungarian government wrote. "For four years, you have been working to force Hungary into the war between your country and Russia. During this time, you have received support from Brussels and secured the support of the Hungarian opposition," Orban claims. The Hungarian Prime Minister called on Zelenskyy to "immediately open the Druzhba oil pipeline and refrain from any further attacks on Hungarys energy security." As reported, the lead of the opposition Tisza party over the ruling Fidesz among eligible voters has grown to 20 percentage points, according to the results of a survey by the independent public opinion research agency Median, commissioned by the HVG newspaper. Earlier, Orban stated that Hungary would block the European Unions adoption of a new sanctions package against Russia and the allocation of a EUR 90 billion EU reparation loan as long as the Druzhba oil pipeline, damaged during shelling by Russia on January 27, remains closed. PR-Inside.com: 2026-02-26 22:55:27 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 672 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 BILLERICA, MA / ACCESS Newswire / February 26, 2026 / Tecogen Inc. (NYSE American:TGEN) will release FY 2025 financial results on Wednesday, March 18th. The earnings press release and supplemental earnings presentation will be available on the Company's website at www.Tecogen.com in the "Investor Relations" section under "Financial Results." Members of Tecogen's senior management will hold a conference call and webcast on Wednesday, March 18th at 9:30 AM Eastern Time to discuss the Company's financial performance for FY 2025.The conference call will be available live via telephone and webcast. To listen to the audio portion, dial 877-407-7186 within the US and Canada or 201-689-8052 from other international locations. Participants should ask to join the Tecogen earnings call. Please begin dialing at least 10 minutes before the scheduled starting time. Alternately, to register for and listen to the webcast, go to Webcast.The earnings conference call will be recorded and available for playback one hour after the end of the call. To listen to the playback dial (877) 660-6853 within the US and Canada or (201) 612-7415 from other international locations. Use Access ID #: 13752231. The webcast will be archived for 14 days following the call.About Tecogen Tecogen designs, manufactures, sells, installs, and maintains high efficiency, ultra-clean, cogeneration products including engine-driven combined heat and power, air conditioning systems, and high-efficiency water heaters for residential, commercial, recreational and industrial use. The company provides cost effective, environmentally friendly and reliable products for energy production that nearly eliminate criteria pollutants and significantly reduce a customer's carbon footprint. In business for over 35 years, Tecogen has shipped more than 3,200 units, supported by an established network of engineering, sales, and service personnel in key markets in North America. For more information, please visit www.tecogen.com or contact us for a free Site Assessment.Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "project," "target," "potential," "will," "should," "seek," "could," "likely," "may," "pro forma," "anticipate," "continue," or other variations thereof (including their use in the negative), or by discussions of strategies, plans or intentions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this press release regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects and plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.In addition to those factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our Form 8-K, under "Risk Factors," among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from past and projected future results are the following: fluctuations in demand for our products and services, competing technological developments, issues relating to research and development, the availability of incentives, rebates, and tax benefits relating to our products and services, changes in the regulatory environment relating to our products and services, integration of acquired business operations, and the ability to obtain financing on favorable terms to fund existing operations and anticipated growth.Tecogen Media & Investor Relations Contact Information: Abinand Rangesh, CEOP: 781-466-6487E: Abinand.Rangesh@tecogen.com SOURCE: Tecogen, Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2026-02-26 22:07:02 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 861 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / February 26, 2026 / The Tomorrow Company ("TMRW")today announced the completion of its strategic merger withCarbon Distributed Technologies AG("CUT") andPlato Technologies Inc. , forming an integrated Web3 infrastructure platform positioned at the convergence of artificial intelligence, tokenized real-world assets, and programmable climate markets.The Company is launching with a clear conviction: the next decade of value creation in digital finance will belong to those who build and own infrastructure - not interfaces. Systems that are programmable. Intelligence that is embedded. Assets that are verifiable. Rails that institutions can scale on.Global markets are entering a structural transformation. Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming embedded into capital allocation, enterprise operations, and regulatory oversight. Digital assets are evolving from trading vehicles into programmable utility frameworks capable of moving value instantly and transparently. Climate accountability is moving from narrative commitments to measurable, auditable instrumentation.The Tomorrow Company is designed to operate at the intersection of these structural shifts - and to grow with them. The merger unites two powerful and complementary platforms.CUT Carbon Distributed Technologies AG contributes a tokenized carbon utility framework structured around verifiability, traceability, and retirement mechanics. Built within Liechtenstein's Blockchain Act framework and deployed on Ethereum Mainnet, CUT's model emphasizes measurable CO reduction linkage and immutable audit trails across issuance, transfer, and retirement. As regulators, institutions, and global enterprises demand higher standards of disclosure and impact validation, programmable carbon infrastructure becomes foundational to next-generation capital markets.Paul Thomson, Co-Founder of CUT Carbon Distributed Technologies AG, commented:"Tokenized commodities are moving from intention to instrumentation. For tokenized carbon credits, what matters now is verifiability-traceable assets, defensible controls, and retirement mechanics that stand up to real scrutiny. By integrating into The Tomorrow Company's broader infrastructure platform, we believe we can accelerate adoption and bring institutional-grade carbon instrumentation to global markets." Complementing this climate utility layer is Plato Technologies Inc., which brings an AI-driven intelligence engine purpose-built to convert fragmented global data into deployable, decision-ready workflows. Plato's vertically focused intelligence products are designed for repeat enterprise usage and global distribution, with an operating discipline centered on scalable infrastructure and cost efficiency.Bryan Feinberg, CEO and Founder of Plato Technologies Inc., stated:"AI is only transformative when it moves from insight to execution. This merger connects measurable data verticals with a distribution-driven intelligence engine designed to operate at scale. The opportunity ahead is not incremental - it is to embed AI directly into the infrastructure layer of emerging digital markets." The Tomorrow Company is structured as a diversified Web3 infrastructure holding platform with multiple reinforcing value engines. The strategy extends beyond a single asset class or vertical. Leadership intends to expand tokenized asset frameworks beyond carbon into additional real-world asset categories where verifiability and programmability unlock new liquidity. The Company plans to accelerate the deployment of vertical AI intelligence products across sectors where data fragmentation creates inefficiencies. It also intends to pursue selective acquisitions and integrations aligned with durable utility, regulatory alignment, and institutional capital flows.Management believes that over the coming years, the convergence of AI and tokenization will redefine how capital is raised, allocated, verified, and measured. Markets will increasingly reward platforms that can demonstrate programmable accountability, embedded intelligence, and infrastructure resilience. TMRW's long-term objective is to build a compounding portfolio of infrastructure assets that operate beneath market cycles - generating value through adoption, integration, and scale rather than volatility.The Company's growth roadmap includes expanding institutional partnerships, deepening blockchain-native infrastructure capabilities, and deploying AI systems that integrate directly into financial and enterprise workflows. As tokenized real-world assets and AI-native markets expand globally, The Tomorrow Company aims to position itself as a foundational infrastructure layer - enabling new asset classes, accelerating measurable climate action, and embedding intelligence into digital capital flows.This launch represents the beginning of an expansion strategy, not its culmination. The leadership of The Tomorrow Company believes that the coming cycle will see a dramatic re-rating of infrastructure-layer platforms that combine regulatory alignment, programmable assets, and deployable AI systems. TMRW is entering the market with the ambition to help define that category.About The Tomorrow CompanyThe Tomorrow Company is a Web3 infrastructure and digital asset holding company focused on building foundational rails for the AI-native financial era. Through strategic acquisitions, tokenized utility frameworks, and vertically deployable intelligence products, TMRW seeks to architect scalable systems designed for institutional-grade adoption and long-term compounding growth.About CUT Carbon Distributed Technologies AGCUT Carbon Distributed Technologies AG operates CUT.eco , a tokenized carbon utility platform focused on verification, traceability, and transparent retirement mechanics under Liechtenstein's blockchain regulatory framework.About Plato Technologies Inc.Plato Technologies Inc. develops AI-powered, vertically focused intelligence products designed to transform aggregated global data into deployable workflows and scalable Web3 AI capabilities.Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements relating to anticipated strategic benefits, expansion initiatives, market opportunities, and future performance. These statements are based on current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. The Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements except as required by law.ContactBryan Feinberg / COO The Tomorrow Company bf@ tmrw-digital.com SOURCE: The Tomorrow Company The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy of Nigeria has launched Nigerias first smart city/urban experience app, the MyCityApp, a one-stop shop to help tourists and visitors access and explore the culture, food, history, and fun spots of cities in the country. The app, according to the ministry, was built for innovation, connectivity, transformation, cultural preservation, exploration, and information dissemination within cities in Nigeria. The Manager, Architectural Engineering, Information Technology, MTN Nigeria, Bukola Ajayi, said the app was set up to build a unified data architecture for civic engagement. She also added that the app can serve its purpose, even when offline. The app would bring citizens closer to the government. Citizens can report incidents or challenges. We plan to roll it out in the 36 states of the nation and the FCT. We intend to achieve 5 million registered users, and we intend to target 40-50 daily active users, jobs and housing listings. Mrs Ajayi, the official from MTN Nigeria, the projects technical partner, said the apps success would not be measured solely by downloads, but also by its impact on businesses. Today marks a milestone towards smarter cities and governance, she said. READ ALSO: Minister blames poor maintenance culture for hospital equipment failures The Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy of Nigeria, Hanatu Musa Musawa, said the MyCityApp is not just an app, but a vision. It transforms your phone into an encyclopedia. The initiative aligns strongly with the renewed hope Agenda of the president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu. One of the things we pride ourselves in is our culture, the creative industry. Nigeria is so blessed. It is not only in our culture youll find the diversity, even in the landscape, its a given beauty. The minister said the app would promote digital inclusion, speak directly to enhance tourism, and create opportunities for innovation. Let us see it not just as an app, but as a digital infrastructure for urban transformation. We can rediscover ourselves on this app. The future of tourism is very bright, she added. Supported by the MacArthur Foundation through ecosystem partnerships, Nigerian delegates participated in the summit from a range of institutions operating at the intersection of civic technology, digital rights, data journalism, media innovation, and public policy research The composition of the delegation reflected an ecosystem approach rather than a narrow technical focus. Effective AI governance requires policy analysts, accountability advocates, journalists, and institutional researchers, in addition to engineers. The presence of these actors aligns with MacArthurs emphasis on building capacity for oversight, regulation, and public-interest engagement. The 2026 India AI Impact Summit in Delhi underscored a structural shift in the global artificial intelligence debate. AI is no longer treated primarily as a technological breakthrough or commercial opportunity; it is increasingly framed as a governance challenge tied to sovereignty, national security, regulatory competition, and economic power. In that environment, the presence of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, along with its support for Nigerian participation, reflects deliberate institutional positioning and strategic engagement. MacArthurs global work on AI is anchored on a governance strategy that focuses on strengthening democratic oversight and accountability in the development and deployment of artificial intelligence systems. The Foundation has made it clear that the central issue is not simply innovation, but how AI systems are evaluated, audited, regulated, and aligned with public interest values. This approach prioritises the development of accountability mechanisms, the advancement of legal and regulatory frameworks, and the strengthening of networks capable of influencing responsible deployment in high-stakes sectors such as healthcare, education, and finance. However, governance is not only about regulation after deployment. It is also about epistemic control how AI systems are curated, trained, and shaped by underlying research, datasets, and value frameworks. The question of whose knowledge systems inform AI models, whose languages are represented in training data, and whose cultural assumptions are embedded in design choices, is increasingly central to global AI debates. For African countries, this extends beyond market access into the politics of knowledge production. If AI systems are overwhelmingly trained on non-African datasets and normative assumptions, regulatory oversight alone will not address structural imbalances. The underlying premise is that without meaningful oversight and inclusive knowledge production, AI will concentrate power in the hands of a limited number of corporations and governments, with insufficient safeguards for communities and democratic institutions. Governance, therefore, must address both institutional accountability and the deeper issue of representation within AIs research and development pipelines. For Nigeria, sustained participation in discussions of global AI governance will influence domestic regulatory frameworks, digital sovereignty strategies, and economic positioning. Engagement with India offers an opportunity for SouthSouth cooperation rooted in policy exchange, workforce development, and regulatory dialogue, rather than dependency. Indias own trajectory demonstrates how an emerging economy can scale AI capacity while retaining policy agency. At the India AI Impact Summit, discussions centred on cross-border regulatory coordination, national AI strategies, compute infrastructure, workforce transitions, and SouthSouth cooperation. For emerging economies, these conversations increasingly shape domestic policy trajectories. Standards discussed in such forums often become embedded in national legislation, procurement rules, and compliance regimes. The President of the MacArthur Foundation, John Palfrey, attended the summit alongside Board Member, Alondra Nelson, and colleagues from the Foundations India, Nigeria, and US offices. The leadership of the Foundation spoke at a high level panel session, which signals that it views global AI governance as central to its institutional agenda. Supported by the MacArthur Foundation through ecosystem partnerships, Nigerian delegates participated in the summit from a range of institutions operating at the intersection of civic technology, digital rights, data journalism, media innovation, and public policy research. Representatives from Rise Networks, Blue Sapphire, Dataphyte, Amana Inclusive Technology Initiative, the Centre for Information Technology and Development, the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, and the Policy Innovation Centre, were present. The composition of the delegation reflected an ecosystem approach rather than a narrow technical focus. Effective AI governance requires policy analysts, accountability advocates, journalists, and institutional researchers, in addition to engineers. The presence of these actors aligns with MacArthurs emphasis on building capacity for oversight, regulation, and public-interest engagement. Dr Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, founder of Rise Networks and Rise Interactive Studios Africa, characterised Nigerias participation as a strategic repositioning within the emerging AI order. She described the summit as a forum shaping economic sovereignty, national security, workforce development, and cultural production in the Global South. Her framing captured the broader shift underway. AI governance is now embedded in national strategy, influencing how countries think about competitiveness, infrastructure investment, and regulatory autonomy. For Nigeria, participation in these discussions is not ceremonial. It creates opportunities to shape policy conversations before they solidify into global norms. Seyi Olufemi, country director of Dataphyte, emphasised that the summit showcased Nigerian-developed AI tools internationally. That distinction is significant. Emerging economies often appear in global AI conversations primarily as markets for adoption, rather than as contributors to innovation and governance. Demonstrating functional, locally built AI systems alter that narrative. It signals that Nigeria is capable not only of consuming AI technologies but also of building and deploying them within accountability frameworks. Artificial intelligence has moved firmly into the realm of geopolitical contestation. The institutions that influence governance frameworks today will help define how AI systems are regulated, deployed, and audited tomorrow. The Delhi summit demonstrated that this negotiation is already underway. MacArthurs engagement indicates that it intends to participate in shaping that emerging order, and that Nigeria is part of the coalition it is helping to elevate within the global AI governance landscape. MacArthurs AI strategy is grounded in a recognition that artificial intelligence is a site of concentrated power. Advanced model development remains dominated by a small number of firms with substantial capital and compute capacity, while governments increasingly frame AI as a strategic national asset. This dual concentration introduces governance risks, particularly when oversight mechanisms lag behind technological advancement. Philanthropic actors operating in this domain are seeking to address that gap by investing in evaluation research, policy development, civil society capacity, and cross-border governance networks. The India AI Impact Summit provided a venue where these concerns were central. It highlighted the extent to which AI governance is becoming institutionalised through recurring summits, regulatory alliances, and standards-setting processes. Decisions made in such spaces will influence procurement policies, compliance standards, and accountability expectations for years. For Nigeria, sustained participation in discussions of global AI governance will influence domestic regulatory frameworks, digital sovereignty strategies, and economic positioning. Engagement with India offers an opportunity for SouthSouth cooperation rooted in policy exchange, workforce development, and regulatory dialogue, rather than dependency. Indias own trajectory demonstrates how an emerging economy can scale AI capacity while retaining policy agency. MacArthurs leadership presence in Delhi, combined with its backing of Nigerian ecosystem actors, suggests a long-term strategy. The Foundation is positioning itself as a governance actor operating within transnational networks that shape oversight mechanisms and public-interest safeguards. Artificial intelligence has moved firmly into the realm of geopolitical contestation. The institutions that influence governance frameworks today will help define how AI systems are regulated, deployed, and audited tomorrow. The Delhi summit demonstrated that this negotiation is already underway. MacArthurs engagement indicates that it intends to participate in shaping that emerging order, and that Nigeria is part of the coalition it is helping to elevate within the global AI governance landscape. The federal government has made plans to intensify enforcement of mandatory health insurance across ministries, departments and agencies as part of efforts to curb Nigerias high out-of-pocket health spending. The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, disclosed this on Wednesday while delivering an address at the APC Medical Council Health Roundtable Conference held at the State Banquet Hall, Abuja. Mr Salako said that although national health insurance coverage has grown to between 10 and 13 per cent of the population, out-of-pocket expenditure still accounts for 71 per cent of total health spending, a situation he described as unsustainable. These figures underscore the twin challenges of insufficient investment and catastrophic health expenditure that push millions of Nigerians into poverty annually, he said. Below the Abuja Declaration target Mr Salako noted that government health expenditure currently stands at 5.2 per cent of GDP, far below the 15 per cent benchmark set under the African Unions Abuja Declaration. Per capita health expenditure from all sources is approximately $43, while external financing accounts for 21 per cent of total health expenditure. He said the federal government is pushing health financing reforms to guarantee releases under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), improve capital expenditure implementation and meet obligations tied to the Health Infrastructure Bond. States, he added, are being encouraged to meet health budget benchmarks and release counterpart funding to match donor-supported programmes. Mandatory insurance enforcement The minister said over 20 million Nigerians have been enrolled into health insurance through formal sector contributions, vulnerable group programmes and BHCPF integration pathways. He attributed the expected acceleration in coverage to a recent executive order by President Bola Tinubu mandating the implementation of health insurance across federal MDAs, including entities involved in public procurement and the defined benefits scheme for retirees. He said the government aims to exceed its 2027 target of 20 per cent coverage by expanding enrolment, scaling up the inclusion of vulnerable groups, and broadening benefit packages to cover catastrophic illnesses, non-communicable diseases, mental health, and emergency services. The convergence of the BHCPF and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) framework, he added, provides a strong mechanism to drive universal health coverage, provided states enforce mandatory subscription. Wider system reforms Beyond financing, Mr Salako said the administration is implementing the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), launched in December 2023, under a Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp). The initiative rests on four pillars: governance reform, equitable and quality service delivery, unlocking the healthcare value chain, and strengthening health security using the 7-1-7 framework, seven days to detect a threat, one day to notify authorities and seven days to mount a response. He acknowledged that Nigeria continues to grapple with workforce shortages, with a doctor-to-population ratio of 1:5,000 compared to the World Health Organisations recommended 1:600, and a nurse-to-population ratio of 1:2,000 against the recommended 1:300. Although over 37,000 health workers have been recruited since 2023, brain drain, urban concentration of personnel and industrial disputes remain challenges. Persistent health burdens Citing preliminary results from the 2023 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, Mr Salako said maternal mortality stands at 512 deaths per 100,000 live births, down from 576 in 2018, while under-five mortality is 110 per 1,000 live births. He said skilled birth attendance has risen to 53 per cent, and full immunisation coverage to 39 per cent. He added that Nigeria has recorded zero wild poliovirus cases since 2020, and HPV vaccination has reached over 15 million girls aged nine to 14. Laboratory capacity for PCR testing has expanded from five to 129 laboratories, with emergency operations centres established in 32 states and real-time surveillance systems deployed nationwide. Call for political commitment Despite what he described as commendable progress, Mr Salako said reforms are not happening at the pace required for Nigerias population of over 230 million. He called for stronger political commitment to prioritising health in national and subnational budgets, the timely release of allocated funds, improved accountability, and sustained collaboration across sectors. The resilient health system we seek is one where every Nigerian, regardless of location or income, can access quality healthcare without financial hardship, he said. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has clarified that it does not have the legal authority to halt the enforcement of the nationwide ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets, PET bottles, and glass containers below 200ml. In a statement and counter-affidavit filed before the Federal High Court and sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday, the ministry said enforcement of the ban falls squarely within the statutory powers of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Through its counsel, Jumoke Falaye, the ministry stressed that it neither interferes with nor controls NAFDACs enforcement decisions, noting that it is not an enforcement arm of the federal government. NAFDAC earlier said it has begun enforcement of the ban on the production and sale of alcohol in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml. The agency noted that the proliferation of high-alcohol-content beverages in sachets and small containers had made the products cheap, easily accessible and concealable, leading to rising cases of misuse and addiction among minors. It described the situation as a public health menace linked to domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts and other social vices across communities. Enforcement powers According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, NAFDAC is a statutory agency established under the NAFDAC Act with clearly defined regulatory and enforcement powers over food, drugs, and related products, including alcoholic beverages. It argued that the ministry lacks the authority to direct, restrain, or halt the agency from carrying out its statutory mandate. The Minister of Health has not granted any further extension of the moratorium on existing regulations, and all enforcement matters remain within NAFDACs jurisdiction, the affidavit read. Citing Sections 5 and 30 of the NAFDAC Act and other applicable regulations, the ministry added that allegations of ministerial interference are speculative and unsupported by evidence. SERAP sues FG to court The clarification followed a suit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/2568/25, SERAP joined the Minister of Health and Social Welfare as the first defendant and the Attorney-General of the Federation, representing the federal government and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, as the second defendant. Filed by Mofesomo Tayo-Oyetibo (SAN) and other lawyers from Tayo Oyetibo LP, the suit seeks declarations that the sachet alcohol ban is a valid regulation under the NAFDAC Act and that the minister lacks the legal authority to grant or extend any moratorium on its enforcement. SERAP is also asking the court to restrain the defendants from extending any moratorium on the prohibition and to issue a perpetual injunction preventing any directive that could hinder NAFDAC from enforcing the ban nationwide. In its originating summons dated 15 December 2025, SERAP argued that continued delay in enforcing the ban violates existing health and regulatory laws and undermines prior agreements supporting a nationwide prohibition. The widespread availability of sachet alcohol has serious health consequences, particularly for young people and low-income communities, and delays in enforcement put public safety at risk, the statement read. Recent developments Tensions have continued to rise over NAFDACs enforcement of the ban on alcoholic sachets and small PET bottles below 200ml, with growing concerns about the impact on workers and businesses in affected facilities. Earlier in February, the Olota of Ota, Oba Abdulkabir Adeyemi Obalanlege, alongside the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Oludare Elemide, and other prominent Nigerians, urged NAFDAC, headed by Mojisola Adeyeye, to reconsider the ban. The Ota monarch noted that laying off workers during economic hardship was unjustifiable, warning that the disadvantages of the ban outweighed any benefits. In a related development, members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) staged a protest at NAFDACs office in Isolo, Lagos, expressing frustration over potential job losses and the broader economic consequences of the ban. FOBTOB Secretary, Anthony Oyaga, described the situation as one marked by deep pain, growing fear, and a heavy sense of injustice, highlighting the concerns of employees affected by the closure of factories, warehouses, and depots nationwide. The Presidency has reiterated its support for the special committee on campaign against social vices in secondary and tertiary institutions, calling its mandate critical to the moral and academic development of Nigerian youths. Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to the President, gave the assurance on Thursday during a meeting with committee members at the State House in Abuja. Mr Gbajabiamila described the rising incidence of social vices among young people as a growing national concern. He noted that while youths are often called the future of the nation, deliberate and coordinated action is required to secure that future. Many of the federal governments ongoing reforms are forward-looking and targeted at the younger generation, he said. Failure to properly guide and support our youths could undermine the long-term gains of those reforms. He stressed that tackling social vices requires a whole-of-society approach, involving parents, teachers, religious leaders, communities and relevant institutions. He warned that the challenge has assumed near-pandemic proportions globally. Moral re-orientation Mr Gbajabiamila linked the fight against social vices to moral education, emphasising that law enforcement alone is insufficient without moral guidance. He urged the committee to be innovative and adapt to evolving realities, citing his personal experience engaging students directly through school visits as a positive example. He also assured the committee of government collaboration and promised efforts to mobilise support from corporate organisations through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. Demonstrating personal commitment, he announced a N50 million seed donation to be released in two tranches, starting with N25 million. Nationwide Drive Also speaking at the meeting, Jerry Ugokwe, chairman of the committee, thanked the Chief of Staff for the audience and reiterated the committees mission to curb social vices among Nigerian students. He explained that the committees work spans combating cultism, drug abuse, examination malpractice, cybercrime, and related offences, while promoting discipline, responsible leadership, and student welfare. Mr Ugokwe noted that since its inauguration, the committee has moved from policy formulation to action, holding engagements in Edo and Kwara States. He appealed for stronger institutional support, including approval and logistical backing for a planned grand national launch at the State House Conference Hall. Student engagement, urgency Also speaking, Sunday Asefon, senior special assistant to the President on Student Engagement, highlighted the urgency of the intervention, citing a recent university student death linked to drug intoxication as an example of the stakes involved. Mr Asefon said the committee was deliberately structured as a multi-stakeholder platform, bringing together education authorities, religious leaders, and other actors to drive holistic value reorientation among students. He also said that the Federal Ministry of Education had made a budgetary provision for the committee in the 2025 fiscal year. Despite limited resources, he said the committee has successfully conducted programmes in Edo and Kwara States and is preparing a larger national engagement in Abuja. He called for enhanced institutional support, noting that the committees work aligns closely with the administrations broader youth development and nation-building agenda. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has intensified efforts to unlock an estimated $1 1billion in health financing through debt-for-health swaps as part of a broader strategy to secure sustainable funding for the continents health systems. The director-general of Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya, made this known during a weekly high-level regional press briefing on Thursday. Mr Kaseya said sustainable financing is now one of the institutions five strategic pillars, with a focus on mobilising innovative domestic resources and exploring previously underutilised mechanisms such as debt swaps. When we talk about sustainable financing, we are looking at increasing innovative domestic resources and also bringing funding that we didnt explore in the past, like debt swaps, he said. According to him, Debt swaps, arrangements in which part of a countrys external debt is forgiven in exchange for domestic investment in agreed development priorities, are increasingly viewed as a tool to ease fiscal pressure while strengthening health security To drive the initiative, he said that Africa CDC has appointed Christoph Benn as Senior Advisor to the Director-General. Benn, a German health financing specialist with over 30 years of global experience, is currently Director of Global Health Diplomacy at the Joep Lange Institute in Geneva, he said. He previously led resource mobilisation at the Global Fund to Fight AIDs, Tuberculosis and Malaria, where he played a key role in securing billions of dollars for infectious disease programmes and advancing innovative financing mechanisms. The director-general said Mr Benn is working with Africa CDCs public financial management and health financing teams to finalise technical support for African Union member states seeking to structure and negotiate debt-for-health swap agreements. He also referenced discussions with German officials on innovative financing models, citing an example in which $100 million was unlocked to complement government contributions to the Global Fund, bringing total support to $1 billion. He said that Africa CDC is expected to release an op-ed in the coming days outlining its debt swap strategy and broader sustainable financing agenda. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the push comes at a time when many African countries face mounting debt burdens and shrinking traditional donor support, limiting fiscal space for health investment. Analysts said debt-for-health swaps could provide a pathway for countries to redirect resources toward disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness, and strengthening primary healthcare without increasing borrowing. Africa CDCs financing reform agenda forms part of its wider strategy to strengthen Africas health sovereignty and reduce over-reliance on external aid. (NAN) The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Terhemba Tsoho, has violated Nigerias Code of Conduct law by failing to declare some of his bank accounts in his asset declaration form, a month-long investigation by PREMIUM TIMES has revealed. Documents reviewed and interviews conducted by this newspaper show that in the asset declaration form he completed and submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau on 29 April 2024, Justice Tsoho did not disclose several bank accounts (naira and domiciliary) as required by law. Our findings indicate that he failed to declare three separate accounts domiciled with United Bank for Africa, namely 3000087154, 3000201901, and 3000075689. He also did not disclose his ownership of account number 1756816871, domiciled with Access Bank. Under Nigerias Code of Conduct regime, public officers are required to fully disclose all assets, including bank accounts and the funds held in them. Non-disclosure or false declaration constitutes a breach of the law and could attract severe sanctions, including removal from office. It remains unclear if our findings on this matter would trigger investigations by the Code of Conduct Bureau and other Nigerian anti-corruption agencies. Justice Tsoho did not answer or return multiple calls seeking his comment for this report. He also did not respond to a message informing him of our findings and requesting clarification. What the law says Section 15 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act mandates every public officer to declare all properties, assets and liabilities immediately after taking office and thereafter at specified intervals. The provision also states that any statement in a declaration found to be false shall be deemed a breach of the Act. The law further provides that any asset acquired after a declaration and not reasonably attributable to legitimate income, gifts, or approved loans shall be presumed to have been unlawfully acquired unless the contrary is proved. If found guilty by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Justice Tsoho could face removal from office, disqualification from holding public office for up to 10 years, and forfeiture of improperly declared assets. The Tribunals powers include ordering the vacation of office and the seizure of property acquired in the abuse or corruption of office. Its decisions are appealable to the Court of Appeal. Tsoho and echoes of the Onnoghen case A conviction for false asset declaration would draw parallels with the case of Walter Onnoghen, the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, who was convicted and removed from office by the Code of Conduct Tribunal on 18 April 2019 for failing to declare some of his bank accounts. The tribunal had ordered the forfeiture of five bank accounts belonging to Mr Onnoghen. However, on 4 November 2024, the Court of Appeal reversed his conviction following a settlement agreement between the former CJN and the federal government. The man John Tsoho Justice Tsoho was first appointed acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court on 26 July 2019 by the then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad. On 23 October 2019, the National Judicial Council recommended him to President Muhammadu Buhari for substantive appointment. The president approved the recommendation on 30 October 2019, and the Senate confirmed him on 5 November 2019. Born on 24 June 1959 in Mbaduku, Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, Justice Tsoho attended St. Anthonys Primary School, Chenge-Mbaduku, and St. Michaels Secondary School, Aliade. He later obtained an LLB (Hons) from the University of Lagos in 1984 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985 after attending the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, his biodata on the website of the National Judicial Council says. He joined the Benue State Judiciary in 1986 and rose through the ranks from Magistrate Grade II to Chief Magistrate Grade I. In 1998, he was sworn in as a Judge of the Federal High Court, a position he held until his elevation as Chief Judge in 2019. Justice Tsoho is not without controversy, although past allegations against him remain unproven. In November last year, critics alleging underhand dealings attacked him after he suddenly reassigned a receivership case between FBNQuest Merchant Bank/First Trustees and the Nestoil Group. Earlier in June 2023, some Nigerian anti-corruption activists said they suspected foul play after Justice Tsoho declined to grant an order detaining Godwin Emefiele, the then-governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who was then under investigation. On his publicly available profiles, Justice Tsohos birth year is given as 1959. But some critics are accusing him of age falsification, claiming he was born in 1955. If this allegation is proven, the judge could be prosecuted for forgery under Section 363 and punished under Section 364 of the Penal Code Laws of the Federation. Wider scrutiny in the judiciary Our findings on Justice Tsoho come amid heightened scrutiny within the judiciary. As recently reported by PREMIUM TIMES, the National Judicial Council, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has commenced a discreet but extensive probe into allegations involving some senior judges, including false asset declarations. Sources said the ongoing investigations were triggered by damning and disturbing petitions against unnamed judicial officers. Justice Kekere-Ekun had pledged sweeping reforms to restore transparency, integrity and public confidence in the judiciary. Since assuming office, the NJC has compulsorily retired and sanctioned several judges for misconduct. Whether the allegations against Justice Tsoho will lead to formal investigations and later proceedings before the Code of Conduct Bureau or Tribunal remains unclear as of the time of filing this report. Iyabo Obasanjo, a former senator and daughter of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, has formally declared her intention to contest the Ogun State governorship election, expressing confidence in her chances despite structural and financial constraints on her part. Speaking on Wednesday during an appearance on Frontline, a public affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese-Ijebu, the former lawmaker said she was certain of victory. Ms Obasanjo recently returned to partisan politics after about 15 years and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), where she has entered the race for the partys governorship ticket, Tribune online reports. The governorship aspirant said her decision to run was driven by governance gaps in the state and a desire to improve living conditions for residents. According to her, public service has always been rooted in personal conviction. She said she hopes that, if elected, her administration would positively affect residents across the state, either directly or indirectly. The position Im going to run for is governor, and I believe it fits the skills I bring to the table. As Ogun citizens, I hope that when Im governor, I will touch your life either directly or indirectly in a way that will improve your lives, she said. Zoning controversy Ms Obasanjos declaration comes amid renewed agitation for power rotation to Ogun West, the only senatorial district in the state yet to produce a governor since its creation in 1976. Addressing the issue, she acknowledged the concerns of Ogun West stakeholders but argued that zoning is not constitutionally mandated. She rejected suggestions that Ogun Central should be blamed for Ogun Wests inability to produce a governor, noting that Ogun East has produced more governors than Ogun Central. She also referenced her past political efforts to support candidates from Ogun West, including the lateTunji Olurin, a retired general, who once contested the governorship under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying those efforts did not yield success. The two governors the central zone has produced are Olusegun Osoba and Ibikunle Amosun. Mr Osoba first served as governor of the state from 1992 to 17 November 1993 and later from 1999 to 2003. Mr Amosun held the position from 29 May 2011 to 29 May 2019. For its part, the east has produced three governors: Bisi Onabanjo, who served from 1979 to 31 December 1983, Gbenga Daniel between 29 May 2003 and 29 May 2007, and Dapo Abiodun from 29 May 2019 to date. The western region of the state has yet to produce a governor since the creation of the 50 years old state. The reason we have not had a governor from Ogun West cannot be blamed on Ogun Central, right? Weve had, and the man (referring to a caller on the programme) mentioned the number of governors from Central, two of them. He did not mention the number from the East. Weve had three from Ogun East. So, is Central to blame for West? Personally, I was instructed to help the late General Olurin when he became the PDP candidate. I walked, we went and strutted and took him around. It did not work, she said. Despite her position, Ms Obasanjo pledged to work toward the emergence of a governor from Ogun West after her tenure. I know what we need to do to make sure that the next governor after me is from the West. Yes, after me, because Im going to win, she said. Challenges and party ticket The former senator identified late entry into the race and limited financial resources as major disadvantages confronting her campaign. She, however, downplayed the role of money in determining electoral outcomes, arguing that voters ultimately recognise credible leadership. On her chances of securing the APC ticket, Ms Obasanjo said the race remains open and competitive. So, Im coming in with two disadvantages, as I see it. Time, because I came in a little late. I dont think money makes elections. I know that its hard to believe in Nigeria, where money is so important in everything. I believe that people are good people, and they know who will do right by them. So, Im very confident. The confidence comes from just why Im back, that people saw what I did, she said. Attacks PDP leadership, defends defection Speaking further, Ms Obasanjo delivered a sharp rebuke of leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing them as politically short-sighted and disconnected from key figures within their ranks. The former senator, who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), said her move followed years of dissatisfaction with what she termed a transactional leadership culture in the opposition party. She said party leaders failed to sustain relationships with influential members outside election cycles. According to her, contact from PDP figures came only when elections approached, a pattern she said reflected a deeper structural problem within the party. I think theyre idiots, if you can put it that way. If elections are about people and you dont reach out to the people who are prominent in your party, how do you win elections? You cant, she said The only time I got a call from them was when elections were coming. Somebody from the presidency reached out. How transactional is that? I dropped the phone. You only remember people when you need them, she added. Ms Obasanjo maintained that her decision to join the APC was not influenced by recruitment efforts but was a personal choice made after assessing the political environment. She also noted that she had previously delayed leaving the PDP while her father, former President Obasanjo, remained associated with the party. With her defection now formalised, she said she considers herself politically independent and focused on her new platform. Photo: LRT nuotr. European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius has declared his readiness to embark on a so-called "missile tour" to discuss increasing production and the rapid transfer of missiles to Ukraine with industrialists and governments across Europe. "We truly understand the problem. We have visited missile manufacturers herethey are very strong and high-quality, and Europe can learn a lot from Ukrainians," Kubilius said in an exclusive blitz interview with Interfax-Ukraine during his visit to Kyiv. At the same time, the European Commissioner emphasized that Ukraines air defense requires missiles produced in European countries or the United States. "I am ready to go on a so-called missile tourto visit all European plants producing missiles and talk to industrialists about whether they can significantly increase production to realistically meet Ukraines needs. We also must hold negotiations with governments regarding the possibility of opening their missile stockpiles so that Ukraine can receive them very quickly, later replenishing these stocks through increased production," the commissioner stressed. He added that "this is one of the priorities we are focusing on." Kubilius also highlighted Ukraines unique experience in anti-ballistic defense. "We understand that Ukrainians have very specific knowledgefor example, in the field of anti-ballistic defense. It is a challenge that Russia is modernizing its ballistic missiles to change trajectory in flight, and traditional systems like Patriot, SAMP/T, or IRIS-T have some problems intercepting these Russian ballistic missiles. Cooperation between Ukrainian manufacturers, defense experts, and European missile manufacturers will be extremely important, as anti-ballistic defense also needs to be modernized at the European and Western level," he stated. According to the commissioner, ramping up missile production is one of the main challenges for Europe in the context of supporting Ukraine. Nestle Nigeria had a relatively steady dollar-to-naira exchange rate to thank as it bounced back to annual profit in 2025, when it netted N105 billion in big relief from a post-tax loss of N164.6 billion a year prior. The exchange rate stability made it easy for the local unit of the worlds biggest food company to pull the plug on two successive years of loss-making, which caused shareholder funds to turn red in 2023 and worsened the case in 2024. Foreign currency translation loss, which stood at N290.7 billion in 2024, declined to zero in the year under review, according to the companys audited accounts out on Wednesday. That feat helped the manufacturer of Milo, Maggi, Golden Morn, and Nescafe cut net finance costs by as much as 85 per cent. Opening the year at 1,500 to a dollar and closing at 1,429, the naira exchanged at a much more predictable rate in 2025, compared to the two years before it, when two steep devaluations set up the local currency for a depreciation of roughly 70 per cent, giving import-dependent businesses needed comfort. Nestle Nigeria, which for years relied heavily on imported raw materials for manufacturing, has had to turn to local sourcing of sorghum, cassava, soya beans and spices as substitutes to navigate the exchange rate storm. Its return to buoyancy was driven in part by a 26 per cent jump in revenue to N1.2 trillion amid improvement in domestic sales. Exports to Ghana, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and South Africa were up by 55.9 per cent, contributing N10.2 billion to turnover. ALSO READ: Nestle Nigeria speaks on safety of infant formula following global recall This improved performance has positively impacted on our equity position. With the results achieved in 2025, negative retained earnings from the previous period reduced by 53.6% from 243.2 billion in 2024 to 112.8 billion in 2025, CEO Wassim Elhussein said in a statement. In the year ahead, we will keep driving cost efficiencies to support our growth in what we expect will be a more stable economic environment, he added. Profit before tax stood at N166.8 billion, compared to a pre-tax loss of N221.6 billion a year ago. Total assets fell 1.5 per cent to N846.2 billion amid a decline in prepayments and property, plant and equipment. President Bola Tinubu has approved a one-year extension of the ban on the export of raw shea nuts, reinforcing the federal governments push for local value addition and industrial growth. The decision was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, the decision aligns with the administrations Renewed Hope Agenda and broader efforts to position Nigeria as a competitive player in global agricultural value chains. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the ban on the export of raw shea nuts for a further one year, from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027, the statement said. The extension, which takes effect from 26 February 2026 to 25 February 2027, is aimed at deepening domestic processing capacity, improving livelihoods in shea-producing communities, and promoting the export of value-added products rather than raw commodities. In August last year, Mr Tinubu approved a 6-month temporary ban on the export of raw shea nut to curb informal trade, boost local processing, protect and grow Nigerias shea industry. The ban, which took immediate effect at the time, was specifically aimed at boosting Nigerias shea value chain to generate around $300 million annually in the short term. The government had explained that Nigeria produces nearly 40 per cent of the global shea product, yet it accounts for only 1 per cent of the market share of $6.5 billion. This is unacceptable. We are projected to earn about $300 million annually in the short term, and by 2027, there will be a 10-fold increase. This is our target, Vice President Kashim Shettima said at the time. He explained that the ban was a collective decision involving the sub-nationals and the federal government, with clear directions for economic transformation in the overall interest of the nation. Critics of the ban have, however, argued that Nigeria does not have the capacity to process all the shea butter it produces and that such a ban should have been put in place only after adequate processing arrangements are put in place. They argue that the ban has reduced farmers profits, many of whom have been unable to sell their products since it was implemented. Implementation strategy To drive implementation of the new extension, the president has authorised the ministers overseeing the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit (PFSCU) to coordinate a unified national framework for the shea value chain. The framework, the statement said, will align industrialisation, trade and investment priorities using evidence-based strategies. Mr Tinubu also approved the adoption of an export framework developed by the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX) and directed the withdrawal of all existing waivers that previously allowed direct export of raw shea nuts. Any excess supply, he said, must be exported strictly through the NCX platform in line with approved guidelines. In addition, the president directed the Federal Ministry of Finance to provide access to a dedicated NESS Support Window to enable the Industry Ministry to pilot a Livelihood Finance Mechanism aimed at strengthening production and processing capacity in the sector. Shea nuts, harvested from the shea tree widely found in Nigerias savanna belt, are processed into shea butter a key ingredient in cosmetics and edible oils. The federal government has argued that processed shea butter can fetch between 10 and 20 times the value of raw nuts, underscoring the economic rationale for the export restriction. The government said it remains committed to policies that promote inclusive growth, local manufacturing and greater participation in global value chains through enhanced domestic processing. Major opposition political parties in the country have rejected the newly amended Electoral Act 2026, demanding that the National Assembly immediately commence a fresh amendment to reflect Nigerians yearnings. The leaders of the opposition parties, at a joint news conference in Abuja on Thursday, described the new Act as anti-democratic. The National Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Ahmed Ajuji, read the speech on behalf of all the opposition parties. President Bola Tinubu signed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law on 18 February. Mr Ajuji said the opposition considered several provisions of the Electoral Act amendment Bill 2026, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on 18 February, as an attempt to subvert the will of the people in the 2027 general elections and to install a one-party state. According to him, the implementation of the new Act will undermine electoral transparency and the sanctity of the ballot, both of which are fundamental to free, fair and credible elections and the bedrock of participatory democracy. Therefore, we, as patriotic leaders, standing shoulder to shoulder with Nigerians, reject the new Electoral Act, he said. Mr Ajuji said the opposition parties were concerned over Section 60(3), which grants undefined discretionary powers to presiding officers regarding the electronic transmission of results. He said that the section negates the purpose of introducing electronic transmission of election results from polling units. This negation is unambiguously intended to provide a blank cheque to those who seek to manipulate election results by delaying the electronic transmission of results from the polling units to the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IREV) on the pretext of network failure. The premise of the proviso in Section 60(3) is the unavailability or possibility of network failure. We find this premise dubious and inconsistent with reality, he said. Mr Ajuji cited data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) that indicates over 95 per cent 2G coverage across the country. He added that the immediate past INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, had once said that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which operates offline, had achieved an over 90 per cent success rate nationwide. Yakubu also noted that in the event of network failure at the point of transmission, the transmitted results would be delivered successfully whenever the network is available, he said. Mr Ajuji said the opposition also rejected the provision in Section 84, which limits political parties to direct primaries and to consensus for candidate selection. He described the move as an overreach on the constitutionally guaranteed autonomy of political parties, alleging it was designed to cause chaos within the opposition ranks ahead of 2027. He insisted that the mode of nominating candidates should be strictly an internal matter for political parties. The National Assembly cannot hide under the provision of Section 228(b) of the Constitution to restrict political parties to only two methods of nomination. There is nothing undemocratic about indirect primaries, which create an electoral college for the selection of candidates in an objective, transparent and orderly manner. As a matter of fact, recent experience has shown that indirect primaries have been the most democratic of the trio provided in all the past Electoral Acts, he said. The NNDP national chairman said there were many instances where, during direct primaries, the winning candidates were allocated votes that eventually exceeded the total number of votes cast in the subsequent general elections. Mr Ajuji said that the opposition leaders had vowed to explore all constitutional means to challenge the Act, urging civil society groups and Nigerians to join them in saving the nations democracy. He also condemned the recent Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, describing the process as a test run of what Nigerians should expect in the 2027 general elections. Highlighting the issue of voter apathy, Mr Ajuji noted that the low turnout in recent elections signified a gradual erosion of peoples confidence in the electoral system. We believe that the only solution to voter apathy is to convince the people once again that their votes will not be stolen and elections will not be manipulated, but more importantly, for the government to truly commit to improving the lives of citizens so people can believe that democracy comes with real benefits, he said. The NNPP chairman said that the opposition equally decried the recent attack on leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Edo, reiterating that no political grievance could justify the use of violence, the shedding of blood and killing of citizens. Mr Ajuji, while noting that the Nigerian judiciary was in dire need of reform and deep cleansing, called on the arm of government to reclaim its independence. The people must decide electoral outcomes, and not the courts. The judiciary must, therefore, rediscover its capacity for impartiality and neutrality, and regain the intrinsic trust of citizens in its judgments, he said. Also speaking, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said the speech delivered at the conference would be sent to all Nigerian embassies. Atiku, an ADC leader, called on all other opposition parties yet to join the movement to do so in the interest of Nigerias democracy. In the event, we must succeed in restoring true democracy in Nigeria. That was what we all fought for, he said. The National Chairman of the ADC, David Mark, also assured Nigerians that the opposition would stand for the truth and a free and fair election. The questions we need to ask are: What is the problem with real-time transmission of election results? Why did the National Assembly delve into the mode of primaries for political parties? he queried. A former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi, called on the opposition parties to wake up and not to give in to the antics of the ruling party. He said that the ruling party or Mr President was not the problem in the country, but that the opposition needed to come together. READ ALSO: INEC reschedules 2027 general election The Labour Party 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, now an ADC leader, also emphasised the need for opposition parties to come together and save Nigerias democracy. Other opposition leaders at the news conference were former Governors Rauf Aregbesola and Liyel Imoke of Osun and Cross River, FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe, the NNPP Board of Trustees Secretary, Buba Galadima, and the immediate past National Chairman of ADC, Ralph Nwosu. (NAN) The Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, Yousef Albalawi, says Saudi airlines will resume flight operations between Jeddah and Abuja in June 2026 or by January 2027. Mr Albalawi disclosed this on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to Nigerias Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in Abuja. He said the visit was aimed at strengthening existing relations between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, as well as expanding cooperation in economic, political and security sectors. Also, we will continue to serve all Nigerian people who want to go for Umrah and Hajj, he said. He added that he would work with the ministry and the media to address misinformation about Saudi Arabia and project a more accurate image of the country. We share the same values and also have a historical relationship with Nigeria, he added. Strengthening bilateral ties Responding, Mr Idris said the visit underscored the importance Saudi Arabia attaches to Nigerias Ministry of Information and National Orientation and reaffirmed the existing relationship between both countries. He said the Nigerian government is willing to deepen collaboration with Saudi Arabia, particularly in the economic and security sectors. According to the minister, the federal government has endorsed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) proposed by the Saudi government. One of the agreements focuses on cooperation in news exchange between the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and the Saudi Press Agency. Another MoU covers collaboration in radio and television broadcasting between the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Saudi Broadcasting Authority. The third agreement involves cooperation in audiovisual media between Saudi Arabias General Commission for Audiovisual Media and Nigerias National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). Mr Idris highlighted that a follow-up meeting between him and his Saudi counterpart would soon be held to further strengthen the implementation of the agreements. Nigeria has secured a fresh $100 million investment from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to finance Project Bridge, a nationwide connectivity initiative. Project Bridge, which aims to strengthen infrastructure and boost digital integration across the country, also received an additional 22 million from the European Union for the digital economy package. The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, confirmed the investment grants in a statement on Wednesday. In August 2025, the federal government unveiled Project Bridge, a nationwide connectivity initiative designed to expand access to high-speed internet by deploying extensive fibre-optic infrastructure to underserved and unserved communities. According to the government, the planned 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic network will fast-track the delivery of affordable, reliable broadband connectivity across the country. European Bank intervention On Wednesday, the minister noted that the funds were secured after the Project BRIDGE Investment Tour to European countries and positive engagements with EBRD stakeholders. Mr Tijani said the new investments are in addition to the already approved $500 million financing from the World Bank for the project. As we conclude the final leg of our Project BRIDGE Investment Tour in Europe this week, following several extremely positive engagements, I am pleased to confirm the formal approval by the Board of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to proceed with a $100 million investment in Project BRIDGE. This investment comes in addition to the already approved $500 million financing from the World Bank for the project, Mr Tijani stated. The innovation and digital economy minister further explained that the fresh 22 million from the European Union is part of a 45 million deal earlier signed under the European Union Digital Economy Package. He said the deal with the European Union includes 18 million for Digital Public Services and 5 million to support the 3MTT Nigeria Programme. ALSO READ: European authorities launch probe into fund hidden in Swiss bank Earlier this week, we also announced the signing of the European Union Digital Economy Package of 45 million, which includes a 22 million grant towards Project BRIDGE, as well as 18 million for Digital Public Services and 5 million to support our 3MTT Nigeria Programme. Mr Tijani reaffirmed his ministrys commitment to the timely completion of Project Bridge, noting its transformative potential. He stated that the initiative is designed to deliver nationwide connectivity across Nigeria. These approvals are deeply reassuring as we reflect on the hard work and the air miles across six countries in two weeks to secure the partnerships required to deploy 90,000km of fibre across Nigeria, delivering meaningful connectivity to all Nigerians, the minister said. The Nigerian police, on Thursday, arraigned four brothers and two others before an Iyaganku Magistrates Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, over allegations of impersonation on social media. The four defendants who are brothers are Isaac Adeaga 27, John Adeaga, 21, Tomiwa Adeaga, 26; and Samuel Adeaga, 27. The other two defendants are Ridwan Adisa, 22 and Kehinde Popoola, 30. They all pleaded not guilty to the impersonation charges. The prosecutor, Olagoke Adegbenro, an assistant superintendent of police, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on 25 January 2025 at about 10:20 a.m. in the Ayegun Oleyo area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. He alleged that the defendants, with the intent to defraud, represented themselves on Facebook, Gmail and Tiktok, as white ladies living in the United States of America. He alleged that the defendants also used foreign numbers to defraud people. Mr Adegbenro said the offence contravenes the provisions of Section 484 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000. Magistrate Olasinmibo Sanusi granted each defendant bail of N2 million, requiring two sureties in the same amount. Ms Sanusi held that one surety for each defendant must be a parent of that defendant, and the other must be a civil servant officer at least at Level 10 with proof of land ownership. She adjourned the case until 10 March. (NAN) Amnesty International Nigeria has called on authorities to investigate what it described as a recurring pattern of road blockades and killings of travellers in Plateau State, warning that the trend poses a grave threat to the rights to life and freedom of movement. In a statement on Wednesday, the rights group said armed youths recently blocked a road along the Nding axis of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area and killed four travellers. The incident, it noted, was followed by a reprisal attack in Dorowa Babuje village where seven people were killed. The Nigerian authorities must investigate Plateaus endemic security crisis that involves blocking of roads and killing of travellers, Amnesty said. This pattern of atrocity has been and continues to be a threat to the right to life and freedom of movement. The organisation also recalled previous mob attacks on travellers in the state. In June last year, 12 travellers from Basawa in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State were killed by a mob in Mangu LGA of Plateau State. In August 2021, 22 commuters were killed along Rukuba Road in Jos North while returning from an Islamic event in Bauchi State. According to Amnesty, the failure to hold perpetrators accountable has emboldened those carrying out such attacks. Traders buried amid tension The latest concerns follow the killing of traders travelling from Jos to Pankshin Local Government Area for their weekly shoe business. Daily Trust reported that the corpses of the victims were recovered and buried on Monday evening at the Sabon Anguwa cemetery in Barkin Ladi town. Government sources told the newspaper that the burial was conducted outside the victims immediate communities in Jos North to prevent further unrest following reports of the killings. The traders were residents of the Yandoya community in Jos North LGA. A youth leader in Barkin Ladi, Danjuma Ibrahim, confirmed the burial. Earlier Monday afternoon, we were contacted and told that the corpses of the traders would be brought to us in Barkin Ladi for burial. We later received them and performed the funeral rites. It was done here in Barkin Ladi to douse tension in Jos, Mr Ibrahim said. He added that six traders were attacked but two survived. We buried four. We are calling on people in the state to remain calm and law-abiding. We also urge the government and security agencies to do the needful to bring an end to the growing violence in the affected communities. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that following news of the killings, youths in parts of Jos demanded the release of the bodies of their relatives, prompting security agencies to deploy personnel to prevent a breakdown of law and order. Cycle of attack and reprisal The road killings and burial come amid heightened tension in Barkin Ladi and surrounding areas. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that at least 10 people were killed in Ratatis community in Dorowa Babuje, also in Barkin Ladi LGA, in what community leaders described as a reprisal attack. The victims were later buried in a mass ceremony attended by residents and officials. Governor Caleb Mutfwang subsequently directed security agencies to intensify operations and apprehend those responsible for the violence. The pattern of attacks, counter attacks and highway ambushes has deepened fears among residents and traders who rely on inter community travel for their livelihoods. Rights groups say that beyond security deployments, authorities must address accountability gaps. Amnesty International said the recurring blockade of roads and targeting of travellers demonstrate a persistent failure to protect citizens and guarantee safe passage on public highways. As tension lingers in Jos and parts of Barkin Ladi, residents say lasting calm will depend not only on arrests but on visible prosecution of those responsible for the killings that have repeatedly shaken Plateau State. The police in Delta State have achieved breakthroughs in the fight against crime, intercepting 1,520 packets of illicit drugs and arresting a suspected armed robber and cultist in separate intelligence-led operations across the state. Bright Edafe, the police spokesperson in Delta, disclosed this in a statement issued in Asaba on 25 February. Mr Edafe, a superintendent of police, said the Commissioner of Police in Delta, Aina Adesola, supervised the operation as part of efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks and curb violent crime. According to the statement, the operatives attached to the Eagle Net Special Squad intercepted a white J5 bus with registration number 7BGT 60LG on 13 February at about 10:30 p.m. during a routine stop-and-search operation along the AsabaAgbor Expressway near Northwest Filling Station. A thorough search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 1,520 packets of Tramadol and Swinol tablets concealed beneath company machines. The vehicle driver, Ebuka Dominion, 30, from Aguta Local Government Area of Anambra State, and the motor boy, Emmanuel Terdule, 30, from Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, were arrested at the scene. The statement said preliminary investigations revealed that the drugs were intended for distribution. Acting on intelligence obtained during interrogation, operatives later arrested Peter Akpan, 47, from Mbiaya, Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, who was alleged to be the owner of the consignment. Police said investigations were ongoing to track down other members of the syndicate. The statement said a separate operation at about 3:20 p.m. on 22 February by operatives of the Commissioner of Police Special Assignment Team led to the arrest of a 23-year-old suspect linked to a series of robberies within Warri metropolis. The suspect reportedly led operatives to a bush in the Jedo area of Warri, where a locally made gun had been buried. The operative recovered the firearm. Police said the suspect confessed to being a member of the Aye Confraternity and admitted his involvement in several door-to-door robbery incidents in Warri. The police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang. The police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang. About three days ago, some elders in Delta lamented the growing rate of narcotic use by the youths in the state. We consider this development a matter of urgent public interest requiring coordinated and sustained intervention by all tiers of government and law enforcement agencies, the elders under the aegis of the AniochaOshimili Elders Association stated. The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, Delta State Command, disclosed last year that it confiscated illicit drugs worth over N3 billion in the state. President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday appealed to the leadership of the 10th Senate to amend the constitution to provide a legal framework for the establishment of State Police to tackle insecurity nationwide. President Tinubu made the appeal during an interfaith breakfast with senators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The president said that the creation of State Police has become urgent to address Nigerias evolving security challenges, strengthen grassroots policing, and enhance states capacity to respond swiftly to threats within their jurisdictions. He noted that a decentralised policing structure would complement existing federal security architecture and promote intelligence-led, community-focused law enforcement. We are facing terrorism, banditry, and insurgency. But we will never fail to make a right response to this cause. What I will ask for tonight is for you (Senators) to start thinking how best to amend the constitution to incorporate the State Police for us to secure our country, take over our forests from marauders, and free our children from fear, he said. The president commended the cordial relationship between the Executive and the Senate, saying that unity is needed to defeat terrorism and banditry in the country. It is a good thing that we are working in harmony, we are looking forward to a country that evolves, a country that takes care of its citizens and protects all. President Tinubu thanked the Senate for its unflinching support towards achieving various economic reforms of his administration, especially the fuel subsidy removal and tax reform policy. I have a lot of credit for bold reforms. Without your collaboration and inspiration, those reforms would not be possible. We are reformists together. What we gave up and what we stopped is monumental corruption in the subsidy system. We dont want to participate in monumental corruption and arbitrage foreign exchange. You dont have to chase me for dollars; you could see what Nigeria is today. You should be proud, and I am glad you are. What we are enjoying is a stable economy, and prosperity is beckoning us. We need to work hard, and this attendance means a lot to me, the president said. President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended the president for hosting the leadership of the Senate to the Interfaith breaking of fast. He commended President Tinubu for providing the visionary leadership the nation needs at this critical time, stating that the administrations bold reforms have now brought more revenue to governors at the sub-national level for the development of critical infrastructure. The Senate President prayed for the administration. He also prayed for the nations peace and prosperity. Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to bar the anti-corruption and security agencies from taking steps to freeze his bank accounts or seize his property. Mr El-Rufai, in a fresh suit filed by his lawyer, Oluwole Iyamu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), urged the court to issue an order of interim injunction directing the respondents to maintain the status quo ante pending the hearing and determination of the application and his main suit. The respondents are the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the State Security Service (SSS), which are either investigating or already prosecuting him. The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) is also a co-defendant. Mr El-Rufai urged the court to issue the restraining order against the agencies to prevent a fait accompli. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the former governor, detained by the ICPC for the past one week, filed the suit through his lawyer on 24 February (Tuesday). Mr El-Rufai has faced intense enforcement actions from anti-corruption and security agencies since his return to Abuja on 12 February from a trip to Cairo, Egypt. Security agents reportedly attempted to arrest him on his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. On Monday, 16 February, the EFCC detained him at its headquarters in Abuja after he honoured an invitation for questioning regarding corruption allegations linked to his tenure as Kaduna State governor between 2015 and 2023. Two days later, on Wednesday, 18 February, ICPC agents arrested him immediately after the EFCC released him on bail. While in custody, the SSS filed charges of illegally intercepting National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadus phone call. The charges followed Mr El-Rufais claim in an interview on an Arise Television programme that he, with someone, tapped Mr Ribadus phone call to listen to him directing security operatives to detain him. He linked the alleged directive to his attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on 12 February after his return from Egypt. He was scheduled to be arraigned on the charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday. However, the arraignment could not take place as planned because the ICPC, which held him in custody, did not produce him. Judge Joyce Abdulmalik then rescheduled the arraignment for 23 April. Mr El-Rufai has submitted different filings in court in response to the security agencies actions and possible plans against him. Prayers In his suit filed on 24 February seeking to block asset seizure or account freezing by the agencies, Mr. El-Rufai prayed for, among other things, a declaration that his severance pay, received upon completing his tenure as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023, cannot reasonably be suspected to be proceeds of any unlawful activity. Mr. El-Rufai, who turned into a fierce critic of President Bola Tinubu after they fell out in 2023 when his nomination to serve as a minister by the president fell through, also sought a declaration that the properties he purchased from his said severance pay were lawfully acquired and owned by him. He listed the banks to include Zenith Bank Naira Account Number 1007158671; Zenith Bank Domiciliary Account Number 507 1511327; Guaranty Trust Bank Account Number: 0023824978; Access Bank dollar account number 1396386493 and Access Bank naira account number 1396382103. He also sought a declaration that any attempt or plan by the respondents or their agents to apply for, obtain or execute any interim or final forfeiture order, freezing order, seizure order, or any other order depriving him of his property and/or bank accounts, without first establishing a reasonable suspicion supported by credible evidence as required by relevant law would amount to a breach of his rights. He cited the law as Section 17(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and the Supreme Court decision in Melrose General Services Ltd v. EFCC (2024) SC/1519/2019. Mr El-Rufai prayed the court to declare that, as a citizen of Nigeria, he is entitled to the presumption of innocence and the protection of his fundamental rights. He said that any action by the respondents that seeks to circumvent these rights by way of ex-parte applications that conceal material facts would amount to a breach of Section 36(5) of the constitution and a violation of the principles of fair hearing. The ex-governor, therefore, sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from taking any step whatsoever to freeze, attach, seize, forfeit, or otherwise interfere with his said property and bank accounts. He sought an order awarding the sum of N1 billion as general, exemplary, and aggravated damages against the respondents jointly and severally for: The anticipated violation of the applicants fundamental rights; The psychological trauma, distress, anxiety, and reputational harm caused by the threat of unlawful forfeiture proceedings. The need to deter the respondents and other agencies from engaging in similar overreach, abuse of power, and disregard for constitutional safeguards. He equally sought an order awarding the sum of N100 million as costs of the action against the respondents, including legal fees and associated expenses. Grounds of application Mr El-Rufai, in his grounds for the application, stated that he is a citizen of Nigeria and a former high-ranking public officer who served as Chief Executive of Nigerias Federal Privatisation Agency (1999-2003), Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (2003-2007), and Governor of Kaduna State (2015-2023). He said he had never been convicted of any criminal offence and had repeatedly challenged anyone to come forward with evidence of wrongdoing, which challenge had gone unanswered. He said upon the completion of his tenure as Governor of Kaduna State, he became entitled to, and received, severance pay calculated at 300 per cent of his annual basic salary pursuant to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) guidelines and the applicable laws of Kaduna State. He specifically gave the states law as the Pension and Gratuity (Governor and Deputy Governor) Law 2006 (as amended in 2013 and 2020). This severance pay is a lawful entitlement, not proceeds of unlawful activity, he said. He also said he legitimately applied for his said severance pay and other lawful earnings to acquire properties and maintain bank accounts, including his accounts with Zenith Bank Plc, GTB and Access Bank Plc. The ICPC concluded, without regard to applicable law or documentary facts, that the severance package is unlawful, he said. He said the AGF (4th respondent), as the federations chief law officer responsible for superintending all prosecutorial and asset recovery activities of the federal government, is a necessary party to the proceedings. He said this would ensure that any court order binds the federal government as a whole. He, therefore, stated that any intended action by the respondents would be baseless and lacking in reasonable suspicion, as the severance pay in question is a lawful entitlement and there exists no credible evidence linking his property or accounts to any unlawful activity. He said he had no other adequate remedy to prevent the threatened violation of his rights if the respondents are not restrained now. The applicant has come to this court with clean hands, has nothing to hide and is ready and willing to cooperate with any lawful investigation conducted in accordance with due process, he said. El-Rufais other legal pushbacks Mr El-Rufai has also mounted other legal pushbacks since coming under intense scrutiny from the agencies in the last two weeks. REMIUM TIMES reported on Tuesday that Mr El-Rufai filed an application for the quashing of the phone tapping charges 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 Similarly, Mr El-Rufai sued the ICPC for N1 billion on 20 February over a recent reported raid on his Abuja residence by the operatives of the anti-corruption agency. In the suit, he sued the ICPC alongside a chief magistrate of the Magistrates Court of the FCT, Abuja Magisterial District; the Inspector-General of Police and the 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, was 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. Last year, Mr El-Rufai dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the African Democratic Party (ADC) , vowing to work with others to unseat Mr. Tinubu as president in the 2027 elections. He has framed his scrutiny by the agencies as political persecution by the Tinubu administration, citing other members of the opposition ADC like the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, also having the same experience. But the EFCC, which already charged Mr Malami with money laundering involving the alleged illegitimate acquisition of assets while in public office, has always maintained that affiliation with the opposition does not confer immunity on anyone. (NAN) Photo: State Emergency Service Russian occupiers attacked Ukraine overnight on February 26 with 420 drones and 39 missiles of various types, including 11 ballistic missiles; most of the launched missiles were successfully intercepted thanks to air defense missiles from partners agreed upon during the latest Ramstein meeting, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. "Tonight Russia again fought against critical infrastructure and ordinary residential buildings. Four hundred and twenty drones, most of which were Shaheds, and 39 missiles of various types, including 11 ballistic missiles, were launched at our people. There is destruction in eight regions: many private and multi-story buildings were damaged. As of now, dozens of people are known to have been injured as a result of this attack, including children," he wrote on his Telegram channel on Thursday morning. According to him, strikes also targeted gas infrastructure in the Poltava region, as well as electrical substations in the Kyiv and Dnipro regions. Rescuers worked in the Chernihiv, Zaporizhia, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Vinnytsia, and Kyiv regions, as well as in the capital. "Most of the missiles launched today were successfully shot down because partners promptly sent a portion of the air defense missiles agreed upon during the latest Ramstein meeting. But, unfortunately, there were also hits. And this means we must continue to work even more actively. The cold has not fully receded, and air defense missiles are needed every day as long as Russia tries to break our energy sector. I thank everyone who understands this and helps," Zelenskyy said. The State Security Service (SSS) has released Walida Abdulhadi, who is involved in a controversial relationship with an operative of the agency with whom she has a baby, to the Jigawa State Government. She was handed over to Governor Umar Namadi and several top officials of the state government late on Wednesday at the SSS headquarters in Abuja, along with her baby. The release followed intense public debate over the relationship between the young woman from Hadejia Local Government Area of Jigawa State and the SSS operative, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi. The debate centres on the circumstances surrounding her disappearance in 2023, the birth of their baby, and Walidas subsequent conversion to Christianity. Daily Trust reported that Governor Namadi said Walida is the daughter of Jigawa State and that the government will ensure her safety and full recovery from whatever trauma she might have passed through. Mr Namadi said Walida would be under the custody of the state government, pending the resolution of all the contentious issues surrounding the relationship. Our concern is that Walida had been abducted, he said, adding that the controversy will be tabled before a law court for adjudication. It is a state matter and will be treated as such, the newspaper qouted the governor as saying. Mr Namadi also said her baby girl with Mr Ifeanyi will also be under the custody of the state government. Walida will be kept in Abuja for now. She will be provided with adequate security. Her case is a state matter and will be treated as such, the governor said. On the issue of her age, the governor said the court will resolve the contention. The governor was accompanied to the SSS headquarters in Abuja by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Haruna Aliyu; the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Bello Fanini; the Commissioner of Women Affairs, Hadiza Abdulwahab; and her counterpart in the Ministry of Environment, Nura Ibrahim, among others. The Director General of the SSS, Adeola Ajayi, alongside principal officers of the Service, handed over Walida to Governor Namadi. The Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) was represented by the Deputy National Legal Adviser, Haroun Muhammad, and a member of the Expanded General Purpose Committee, Najib Jimoh, the newspaper reported. Walida was under protective custody SSS DG Speaking on why Walida was in their custody, Mr Ajayi said it was about respecting what the law says. It is unfortunate that people dont learn from history in Nigeria. Our major concern is about the safety and the future of Walida. She is a young woman who has the right to live, and we have the responsibility to ensure she is safe while the matter is being investigated. I invited the governor, which is the right thing to do, and he has seen what we are doing. It is an inter-agency investigation, and we deliberately invited various groups to be part of what we are doing. We also invited the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to ascertain her mental status, he said. Mr Ajayi said even though Walida has been handed over to the Jigawa State government, the SSS, police, Civil Defence, FIDA, and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs would remain involved in her affairs. We have the capacity to investigate the matter, he said. He recalled that he was the State Director of the SSS in Bayelsa State when teenager Ese Oruru was allegedly abducted by her male partner who also got her pregnant. That issue also led to a national debate, mainly because of the age and religious difference of both parties. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued 184 suspected victims of human trafficking during recent operations in Plateau State, as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle networks operating within and beyond the state. Anne Felix, Acting Head of Counselling and Rehabilitation at NAPTIPs Plateau Command, disclosed the figure on Tuesday in Jos during the quarterly meeting of the Plateau State Action Plan Implementation Committee on Women, Peace and Security, alongside a validation workshop for Local Action Plans in Jos South, Mangu and Wase local government areas. From the last quarter till now, we have carried out targeted raids to curb human trafficking. In Jos, we rescued 184 persons, Ms Felix said. Among them were three pregnant women. We also rescued boys and girls, including teenagers and persons under 18. She said five of the rescued persons are currently undergoing rehabilitation at NAPTIP facilities, while some suspects have been prosecuted. In December last year, we secured convictions against some traffickers who are now serving jail terms, she added. Ms Felix also revealed that in January, the agency intercepted another group of victims who were being moved to Akure, Ondo State. We were able to rescue them and reunite them with their families. The suspects are currently undergoing prosecution, she said. Pattern of trafficking in Plateau The latest rescue comes less than two months after a coordinated overnight raid on brothels and hotels in the JosBukuru metropolis exposed what officials described as organised child sexual exploitation. On 30 December 2025, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Plateau State Task Force Committee on Human Trafficking rescued dozens of minors aged between 11 and 17 from hotels and lodges across Jos North and Jos South LGAs. Some of the children were found late at night in brothels and were said to have been drugged and sexually exploited. At the time, the Plateau State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Philemon Daffi, described the findings as a mirror of what our society has become, linking the vulnerability of children to poverty, insecurity and family breakdown. ALSO READ: Amnesty demands probe into Plateau road killings Earlier cases have also highlighted the scale of the problem. On 27 September 2025, the state government announced the rescue of 16 children allegedly being trafficked from Bassa LGA to Anambra State. In January 2025, two underaged children from Langtang South LGA were intercepted at a motor park in Jos while allegedly being transported to Lagos. Civil society groups have warned that displacement caused by insecurity and economic hardship has made many families susceptible to trafficking schemes. Women, peace and protection Tuesdays workshop where Ms Felix spoke focused on strengthening the implementation of the Plateau State Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. A facilitator and lead researcher, Sesan Peter of the University of Jos, said the Local Action Plans were designed to bring reporting and response mechanisms closer to communities. The plans allow women at the grassroots to report security threats and access support without necessarily travelling long distances to Jos, he said. Lantana Abdullahi, Executive Director of Women for Positive Peacebuilding Initiative, said Plateau is implementing a third generation State Action Plan anchored on five pillars: prevention, protection, participation, relief and recovery. The emphasis now is on practical implementation at local government level, she said, noting that the validation process was intended to ensure that the plans are realistic and aligned with state policies. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Rebecca Shasset, said sustainable peace cannot be achieved without womens active participation. She described women as critical agents of reconciliation and pillars of community resilience, especially in conflict affected areas. National context The developments in Plateau reflect a broader national effort to combat trafficking. In May 2025, NAPTIP received 78 Nigerian trafficking victims rescued from Cote dIvoire, many of them young women and girls. While officials in Plateau say enforcement is being strengthened through raids, prosecutions and rehabilitation, advocates argue that long term solutions will require stronger community safeguards, economic support for vulnerable families and sustained public awareness of laws such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law and the states Gender and Equal Opportunities Law. For now, the rescue of 184 persons underscores the persistence of trafficking networks in Plateau, even as authorities pledge tougher action. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has dismissed a libel suit filed Olanrewaju Suraju, chairman of the HEDA Resource Centre, against former Attorney-General of the Federation Mohammed Bello Adoke. Mr Suraju had instituted the libel suit, accusing Mr Adoke of defaming him in a petition he sent to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in 2021. The petition published by media outlets at the time requested the police to investigate an alleged forgery of an email and stage-managing of a phone conversation aimed to be tendered in the OPL 245 criminal trial in Italy and civil proceedings in the United Kingdom. Mr Adoke said in his petition that the exhibits were meant to implicate him in the proceedings in Italy. At the time, Mr Adoke was undergoing prosecution in Nigeria over his alleged roles in the OPL 245 saga while his name featured in proceedings in different countries regarding the issue. Mr. Suraju demanded N100 million in damages as compensation for alleged defamation by Mr Adoke. But delivering judgement on Wednesday, Judge Babangida Hassan dismissed the suit on the grounds that Mr Suraju failed to prove his case, TheCable reported. According to the news platform, the judge held that Mr Adokes petition on which Mr Suraju anchored his libel case, did not contain his name and therefore could not have defamed him. Mr Suraju tendered a copy of the petition as Exhibit A1. The court also ruled that a copy of the PREMIUM TIMES webpage presented to the court by Mr Suraju was unreliable as proof of publication by Mr Adoke because it did not bear an acknowledgement copy of the petition in question. The court also ruled that sending a petition to the police could not in itself constitute defamation as it was the right of a citizen to do so. It held that Mr Surajus evidence was successfully challenged and contradicted during trial, hence, it is not worthy of acceptance. Mr Adoke opted not to enter a defence on the grounds that Mr Surajus case failed to meet the fundamental requirements of a libel suit. The judge agreed with Mr Adoke in the judgement delivered on Wednesday, holding that there was nothing for the former attorney-general to defend. The judge went on to dismiss the suit without awarding any costs. Backstory Mr. Suraju was charged at the Federal High Court in Abuja in 2022 after the police, acting on Mr Adokes petition, accused him of cyberstalking and circulating false information against Mr Adoke on social media and recommended to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) to prosecute for cybercrime. But in May 2025, the AGF office withdrew the charges, prompting the judge, Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, to strike them out. Mr Suraju filed his libel suit against Mr Adoke before the charges stemming from police investigations were filed. Web of cases For years, Nigeria was part of civil and criminal cases in the UK, Italy, and the US in a bid to bring alleged fraudulent beneficiaries of the OPL 245 transactions to book and to recover proceeds of the controversial deal from them. The email and audiotape complained of by Mr Adoke in his petition to police had featured in the criminal case in Milan, Italy over the transfer of about $1.1 billion by Shell and ENI through the Nigerian government to accounts controlled by a former Nigerian petroleum minister, Dan Etete. The controversies surrounding OPL 245 started in 1998 when Dan Etete originally awarded the block to his Malabu Oil and Gas Limited while serving as petroleum minister in the late Sani Abachas regime. Nigerian investigators and activists had alleged that Mr Etete bribed some top officials of the Goodluck Jonathan administration after Eni and Shell controversially acquired OPL 245, one of Nigerias richest oil blocks. They claimed that Nigeria did not benefit from the $1.1 billion transferred for the acquisition of the rich oil field while the ownership crisis over the oilfield remained unresolved. In 2011, Mr Adoke as the then-AGF, advised President Goodluck Jonathans administration on the OPL 245 transactions to resolve the ownership logjam that had prevented its exploration for years. His name repeatedly featured in matters connected to the deal. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted him at the Federal High Court in Abuja and the FCT High Court in Abuja. However, both Nigerian courts dismissed the cases filed against him in 2024 on the grounds of a lack of any credible evidence of wrongdoing against Mr Adoke. A Milan court would later acquit Eni and Shell regarding the charges connected with their roles in the OPL 245 matter. Two Milan prosecutors were convicted by an Italian court for failing in their legal obligation to file documents that could have helped the defendants accused accused in the OPL 245 trial. In October last year, an Italian appeals court upheld the conviction of the prosecutors Fabio De Pasquale and Sergio Spadaro. Suspected members of the Lakurawa terror group, on Wednesday, attacked worshippers in a mosque in the Dain Kowa area of the Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State, killing four people and injuring several others. Residents said the attackers surrounded the mosque during a nighttime Quranic Tafsir session and opened fire on the congregation. A health official who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES said the injured were taken to a nearby medical facility for emergency treatment. Following the attack, the community has been plunged into mourning and fear, with residents describing the killing as a senseless act of violence against innocent people performing their religious rites during the holy month of Ramadan. As of the time of filing this report, neither the state government nor security agencies has issued an official statement regarding the incident. Bashir Usman, the state police spokesperson, could not be reached for comment regarding the latest attack as calls to his phone went unanswered. This tragedy comes just one week after a coordinated attack by suspected Lakurawa group in Kebbis Arewa LGA, which claimed 34 lives, including 23 youths. Recent patterns of violence in the state have seen terrorists increasingly targeting mosques and residential areasburning homes, looting property, and displacing entire communities. The emergence of the Lakurawa group an extremist sect with links to Sahelian terror networks in Niger and Mali has seen the escalation of insecurity in North-west Nigeria, particularly in Kebbi and Sokoto states. The volatility of the region was further highlighted by a high-profile ambush on 23 February targeting the convoy of a senior military commander in the state. READ ALSO: How Lakurawa terrorists killed currency traders at Sokoto border market PREMIUM TIMES reported how the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 8 Division and Commander Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force North West Operation Fansan Yamma, Bemgha Koughna, a major general, survived an ambush by suspected terrorists in Kebbi. The commander survived the ambush, which led to a fierce gun battle, resulting in casualties among the insurgents and recovery of their guns. A witness from the State Security Service (SSS), Yusuf Adams, has told the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, how the Chairman of the EFCC was blackmailed by a defendant through a Facebook post. He said that this was obtained when he explored the defendants phone and Facebook page during investigation. Mr Adams said this led to the revelation of videos in which Moses Oddiri accused the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede. He said the anti-corruption boss was accused of intercepting and stealing N4 billion released by Heritage Operational Services Limited in favour of the Orogun Community in Delta State. Mr Adams, who testified as the first prosecution witness before trial judge Joyce Abdulmalik, identified himself as an SSS agent serving in the Economic Intelligence and Investigation Department. When asked if he knew the defendant, he responded: Yes, my lord, I got to know him in the course of investigating his case. The witness told the court that on 23 September 2025, his office received a petition from the EFCC alleging that Mr Oddiri had published and circulated on social media false allegations that the EFCC chairman embezzled over N4 billion. The sum said to be royalties released by Heritage Operational Services Limited in favour of the Orogun community and recovered by the commission. Based on this, my director instructed me and my team to investigate the matter, Mr Adams said. He further disclosed that Mr Oddiri was arrested on 10 November 2025 in Lagos and brought to the SSS office for interview. During the interview which was audio-visually recorded in the presence of a legal aid counsel, Oddiri volunteered his statement under caution. Other witnesses were also invited and were interviewed, he said. According to him, the investigative team explored the defendants Facebook page and downloaded several videos in which he allegedly levelled allegations against the EFCC chairman, adding that the team requested receipts and bank statements from First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and Zenith Bank. The team also requested incorporation documents from the Corporate Affairs Commission relating to community development entities operating OML 30 in Delta State, including the Orogun Kingdom Community Trust registered by the defendant. We also obtained copies of letters of admonishment from the EFCC to a petition submitted by the defendant to the commission. The petition written by the defendant accused the EFCC chairman and was addressed to the Serious Fraud Office in the United Kingdom, and a letter written by Wahab Shittu (SAN), counsel to the EFCC chairman, requesting the defendant to retract the allegation. We, thereafter, submitted a preliminary report to our superior, Mr Adams said. On further steps taken, the witness stated: My lord, we filed a certificate of compliance. Based on the recommendation of the preliminary report, we also requested information from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the industry regulator for the petroleum industry. Lawyer, defendant sought trial postponement Earlier in the proceedings, prosecution counsel, C.S. Orubor, informed the court that the matter was slated for commencement of trial and consideration of bail. We are ready to proceed and our witness is in court, he said. Defence counsel, M. Adeniran, objected to the commencement of trial, claimingthat he had no access to his client who had been in SSS custody. We have a challenge in the issue of trial. The defendant has been in the detention of DSS (SSS), we have no access to him, Mr Adeniran told the court. In spite of the objection, the judge directed that the trial should commence. The defence counsel maintained: My lord, its a criminal trial and he has been in detention and has not been able to brief us. The DSS didnt oblige us to see him. He has not been able to brief us on his defence. I am in court today but I dont know what the matter is all about because I dont have access to the defendant to brief me. The defendant also addressed the court, stating that his lawyer had not been briefed and that he did not know the facts of the case. However, Mr Orubor countered the defences position, insisting that all relevant materials had been duly served. Its quite unfortunate that my learned friend is trying to mislead the court. He has been fully served with all the materials the prosecution intends to use. He was in court on the last adjourned date and he knows the business of the day, he said. After confirming that the defence had been served with the charge and that it had been endorsed, the judge ruled that the criminal trial would proceed. She, however, adjourned the matter until 13 March for continuation of trial and hearing of the bail application. Mr Oddiri was arraigned on two counts of cybercrimes punishable under Section 24(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) (Amendment) Act 2024. (NAN) TOS Foundation Africa has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Embassy of Switzerland in Nigeria to launch the HerCademy Leadership Institute, a political readiness programme aimed at equipping women to run for public office. The agreement was formalised in Abuja ahead of Womens History Month, celebrated annually in March, according to a statement issued by the foundations media office on Thursday. It was signed by the Founder of TOS Foundation Africa, Osasu Ogwuche, and the Ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria, Patrick Egloff. The development comes at a time when womens representation in public office in Nigeria remains among the lowest in Africa and globally. Women currently occupy less than five per cent of seats in the National Assembly, and none of the countrys 36 states has a female governor. Although women make up nearly half of registered voters, many face structural, financial and socio-cultural barriers that make winning elections difficult. Low representation, high barriers In a statement, the Swiss Embassy described the partnership as part of its long-standing commitment to democratic governance and inclusive political participation. The agreement, signed by Ambassador Patrick Egloff and the Deputy Head of Mission, Siamak Rouhani, reflects Switzerlands long-standing commitment to democratic governance, gender equality, and inclusive political participation, the embassy said. This partnership aims to equip women leaders with the skills, networks, and confidence to advance in legislative spaces. We look forward to supporting this exciting journey and the transformational impact it will have in strengthening democratic institutions and empowering women in leadership. TOS Foundation Africa said HerCademy is designed as a practical, hands-on programme focused on preparing women for the realities of political competition rather than simply offering motivation. The foundation, which convenes the coalition behind the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, has been involved in advocacy to strengthen womens political representation. It said legislative reform must be matched with practical readiness and institutional support. Over the past several months, the organisation said it worked with academics, former aspirants, scholars and legislators to design a curriculum tailored to women who feel called to lead but lack access to the tools and networks required to step forward. Practical training, national reach HerCademy is anchored on three principles: grounding participants in context-specific political realities, prioritising skills-based training, and building a strong alumni network for sustained collaboration and support. The inaugural cohort will bring together 37 women from across Nigeria, one from each state and the Federal Capital Territory, for intensive training aimed at strengthening their competitiveness in the political arena. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mrs Ogwuche said the initiative was created to address a long-standing gap. Across Africa, there is no shortage of capable women who feel deeply called to serve. What has been missing, for too long, is structured access to the practical knowledge, the strategic tools, and the supportive networks that turn aspiration into electoral success, she said. She added that the programme goes beyond inspiration. HerCademy is our answer to that gap. This is not about motivation alone. It is about equipping women with the competence, the confidence, and the community they need to step forward, compete effectively, and win. Mrs Ogwuche also described the partnership with the Swiss Embassy as a signal of broader international support for inclusive leadership. When we invest deliberately in womens political readiness, we strengthen the credibility of our institutions and the responsiveness of our democracies. This partnership reflects a shared belief that Africas progress depends on expanding the table of leadership, she said. The foundation said the HerCademy Leadership Institute forms part of its broader strategy to build a sustainable pipeline of women leaders prepared to navigate political competition across the continent. The police in Kebbi State have confirmed that five worshippers were killed on Wednesday in an attack on a mosque by suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorists group in the Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the residents said the attackers surrounded the mosque during a nighttime Quranic Tafsir session, and opened fire on the congregation. The police spokesperson in the state, Bashir Usman, in a statement, said the attack occurred around 8:30 p.m. in the Dadin Kowa community. According to Mr Usman, the attack was a reprisal by the terrorists during which five worshippers were killed and three others injured during the Taraweeh prayers. He said the survivors are currently hospitalised. The assailants fled into the bush before the arrival of security operatives. While the Command Commiserates with the families and people of Maiyama, the police, in collaboration with the Military and local vigilante groups, were immediately deployed to the area to restore calm and maintain public order, the police spokesperson said. Residents suspect the terrorists retaliated against assaults by security forces on their hideouts and the failure of an ambush targeting a military commanders convoy. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 8 Division and Commander, Sector 2, of the Joint Task Force North West Operation Fansan Yamma, Bemgha Koughna, a major general, survived the ambush. The ambush led to a fierce gun battle, resulting in the killing of many insurgents and the loss of guns and other logistics to the military. This mosque attack comes just one week after the suspected Lakurawa group carried out attacks in Kebbis Arewa LGA, which claimed 34 lives, including 23 youths. Recent patterns of violence in the state have seen terrorists increasingly targeting mosques and residential areasburning homes, looting property, and displacing entire communities. The emergence of the Lakurawa group an extremist sect with links to Sahelian terror networks in Niger and Mali has seen the escalation of insecurity in North-west Nigeria, particularly in Kebbi and Sokoto states. At least 25 people were killed on Tuesday in coordinated attacks across Adamawa State, including 21 in a market, in what security officials describe as one of the deadliest incidents in the state this year. Gunmen riding motorcycles stormed a market in Madagali Local Government Area, killing 21 civilians, according to local government officials and community leaders. Witnesses said the attackers opened fire before looting food supplies and seizing transport vehicles. Hours later, in neighbouring Hong LGA, an ambush left three Nigerian soldiers and one civilian dead, according to a senior military officer who was not authorised to speak on the incident publicly. The attacks further reveal persistent rural security gaps despite ongoing military deployments. Regional counterinsurgency coordination has faced strain since diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic in 2023 weakened joint border operations. Lean season collides with renewed violence The violence comes as North-east Nigeria approaches the annual lean season, when household food stocks decline and malnutrition risks spike. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that insecurity during this period could reverse fragile recovery gains across the BAY states Borno, Adamawa and Yobe. According to OCHA, the 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for northeast Nigeria is only about 32 percent funded, leaving a $347.5 million shortfall against a $516.4 million appeal. The World Food Programme (WFP) has cautioned that funding gaps may force reductions in food distributions at a time when 5.8 million people in the region are projected to face acute food insecurity. Meanwhile, the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) has warned that inadequate funding threatens life-saving nutrition interventions for vulnerable children, particularly during peak malnutrition months. Displacement risks rising Residents in affected communities said families have begun moving toward larger towns with military presence, fearing further raids. Aid organisations warn that renewed displacement could increase pressure on already congested settlements in Borno State, where humanitarian infrastructure remains stretched. Governor Adamu Fintiri pledged intensified security operations, stating that terrorists will not undermine the peace of our state. However, security analysts note that hit-and-run raids targeting markets and rural trade routes remain difficult to prevent without sustained cross-border intelligence coordination. A region under strain For communities in Madagali and Hong, the attacks threaten to disrupt fragile local economies. If commercial transporters avoid affected corridors, food prices could rise sharply compounding hardship as the lean season approaches. With humanitarian funding at a multi-year low and insecurity resurging in rural areas, the coming months will test whether North-east Nigeria can prevent renewed violence from cascading into a broader humanitarian setback. The International Press Institute Nigeria (IPI Nigeria) has urged the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Tunji Disu, to prioritise press freedom and end a pattern of harassment, intimidation and attacks against journalists in the country. Mr Disi told reporters reporters shortly after President Tinubu decorated him with the rank of acting IGP on Tuesday that the era of intimidation is over. In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its President, Musikilu Mojeed, and Legal Adviser, Tobi Soniyi, IPI Nogeria called on Mr Disu to ensure the safety of journalists and uphold their constitutional rights. The group noted the tenure of Mr Disus predecessor, Kayode Egbetokun, was characterised by repeated police harassment, unlawful detention and, in some cases, assault of journalists while carrying out their professional duties. PREMIUM TIMES reported that not less than 24 journalists were harassed by police officers during the tenure of Mr Egbetokun. The rampant press freedom attacks led to IPI Nigeria blacklisting Mr Egbetokun alongside two other public officials last year The police, as a critical institution in a democratic society, has a constitutional responsibility to uphold the fundamental rights of all Nigerians, including the right to freedom of expression and of the press, the IPI Nigeria stated. It urged the new police chief to immediately end all forms of harassment, intimidation and unlawful detention of journalists, and to review and withdraw pending cases targeting media professionals for carrying out legitimate duties. It also called for the introduction of a comprehensive reorientation programme for officers of the Nigeria Police Force focused on press freedom and broader human rights obligations. In addition, IPI Nigeria advocated the establishment of clear communication channels between police leadership and the media to prevent and resolve conflicts. Citing what it described as persistent violations under the previous administration, IPI Nigeria disclosed that it had included Mr Egbetokun in its Book of Infamy, a record of individuals and institutions whose actions or inaction allegedly promoted or facilitated attacks on press freedom in Nigeria. The organisation urged Mr Disu to chart a different course and rebuild trust between the police and the media, stressing that respect for press freedom is essential to sustaining Nigerias democracy. A free and independent press strengthens accountability, enhances transparency and supports law enforcement efforts by informing the public responsibly, the statement added. IPI Nigeria reiterated its readiness to engage constructively with the new leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to address areas of concern and promote a mutually respectful relationship between law enforcement and the media. The group wished Mr Disu a successful tenure and urged him to seize the opportunity to restore public confidence in the polices commitment to democratic values and the rule of law. Mr Disu was appointed IGP just 48 days to his retirement. As prescribed by the law, officers are expected to retire after clocking 60 years of age or completing 35 years in service. By 13 April, Mr Disu would be 60, but he will not be retired. The National Assembly had amended the Police Act to allow IGPs complete a four-year team regardless of their age or years of service. That same amended law helped his predecessor, Mr Egbetokun to remain in office until his abrupt removal. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has brought forward the dates for the 2027 general elections following the enactment of a new Electoral Act. In a statement by its spokesperson, Mohammed Haruna, INEC said the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections will now hold on 16 January 2027, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections have been rescheduled to 6 February 2027. The elections were earlier fixed for 20 February and 6 March 2027, respectively, under the repealed Electoral Act, 2022. Muslim faithful had also raised concerns that the previous timelines would coincide with the fasting month of Ramadan and could affect voter turnout. INEC said the adjustment became necessary after the repeal of the 2022 law and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which introduced changes to statutory timelines for pre-election and electoral activities. The commission has also reviewed the timeline of activities for the 2027 elections. It has also rescheduled the Osun State governorship elections. The commission said the election, which was initially slated for 8 August, has been moved to Saturday, 15 August. It said while some activities have already been concluded for the Ekiti and Osun elections, the remaining activities will now be implemented strictly in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026. Following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which introduced adjustments to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities, the commission has reviewed and realigned the Schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework, the statement added. New schedule of activities According to the revised timetable, political parties will conduct their primaries between 23 April and 30 May, including the resolution of disputes arising from the exercises. Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on 19 August, while those for governorship and state Houses of Assembly will begin on 9 September. However, all campaigns must end 24 hours before election day, INEC said. New Electoral Act President Bola Tinubu signed the new electoral act on 18 February, following its passage by the National Assembly. The National Assembly passed the law despite opposition from some Nigerians over the Senates rejection of the clause mandating the electronic transmission of election results. READ ALSO: IPI Nigeria urges IGP Tunji Disu to prioritise press freedom The House of Representatives had earlier passed a version of the bill that mandates the electronic transmission of election results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commissions Result Viewing Portal (IReV) immediately after vote counting. However, the Senate rejected the provision and retained it in the 2022 Electoral Act, allowing results to be transmitted to collation centres without making electronic transmission compulsory. The decision triggered protests and mounting pressures from Nigerians, particularly members of opposition political parties, forcing the Senate to rescind its position and resolve that electronic transmission would remain optional and that manual transmission would be used in cases of internet failure. European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius expressed hope that the European Union will be able to resolve the implementation of the EUR 90 billion loan for Ukraine "soon enough," with EUR 60 billion of that amount designated for defense needs. "We are in negotiations with the Minister of Defense and, as you know, are currently finalizing all details regarding the so-called EUR 60 billion loan to support Ukraine. I hope the European Council finds a solution soon enough, despite the traditional opposition from Hungary. This loan is critical for Ukraine to continue its fight. This is clearly understood," Kubilius emphasized in a blitz interview with Interfax-Ukraine during his visit to Kyiv. He stressed that this specific loan is a priority for developing Ukraines defense capabilities and joint projects. According to Kubilius, successful implementation will allow Ukraine to maintain and strengthen its ability to conduct a defensive struggle amid the ongoing war with Russia. Regarding other programs, specifically Ukraines place in the SAFE program, the Commissioner noted that Ukraine is already a part of it, and Ukrainian products are considered European. "Countries that have taken SAFE loans (as Ukraine could notonly member states can) mostly promise to use part of these funds for purchases in Ukraine or for joint production with Ukraine. We will see what the actual volumes will be," Kubilius noted. This opens opportunities for Ukrainian manufacturers to integrate into the European defense market. Kubilius also highlighted that Europe wants to learn from Ukraine regarding innovations, particularly in drones, counter-drone measures, and their practical frontline application. Initiatives such as the European Drone Defense Initiative (EDDI) and Eastern Flank Watch have already been launched, covering frontline countries from the Baltic to the Black Sea. As reported on February 24, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen assured that the EU would find ways to implement the EUR 90 billion loan despite Hungary blocking a procedural step. The EU expects to provide Ukraine with its first defense package funded by this loan "by Easter." On February 24, the EU General Affairs Council adopted two key documents to continue technical work on the loan for 20262027, though one necessary bill remains blocked by Hungary. MEA Energy Limited has formally entered Nigerias downstream petroleum retail market with the unveiling of its maiden filling station in Bwari, Abuja, marking the beginning of an ambitious plan to roll out up to 250 retail stations across key locations in the country. The launch represents a defining milestone in MEA Energys evolution from a trusted player in energy trading, supply, logistics and distribution into a fully integrated downstream operator with a direct consumer-facing presence. Speaking at the launch ceremony in Bwari, the Chief Executive Officer of MEA Energy, Mrs Chinenye Atanda, described MEAs foray into the downstream sector as more than an infrastructure investment, but a statement of intent about the companys long-term commitment to Nigerias energy future. Today marks not just the opening of a facility, but a significant step in our journey and our enduring commitment to Nigerias energy landscape, Mrs Chinenye Atanda said. This station represents our entry into retail fuel service delivery, bringing the MEA Energy promise closer to everyday Nigerians motorists, businesses and communities that depend on quality fuel and dependable service to keep moving. Founded with a clear purpose to deliver reliable, efficient and responsibly sourced energy solutions, MEA Energy has built a strong footprint across Nigeria and the wider West African region through cross-border energy trading, supply and logistics. The move into fuel retail leverages this depth of experience, extending the companys operational excellence directly to consumers. Mrs Chinenye Atanda emphasised that MEA Energys retail proposition is anchored on trust trust in product quality, accurate measurement, transparent pricing, uncompromising safety standards and professional customer service. For us, this station is not just about selling fuel, she said. It is about building trust trust in the integrity of our operations, in the safety of our facilities, and in the respect and professionalism with which we serve every customer. She added that safety, health and environmental responsibility remain central to MEA Energys operations. From sourcing and storage to transportation and retail delivery, the company adheres strictly to regulatory requirements and global best practices, she said. The Bwari station, according to the company, has been designed and constructed to meet rigorous safety and environmental standards, reinforcing MEA Energys belief that responsible energy delivery is essential to sustainable growth. The companys planned 250-station rollout is expected to be executed in phases, with a focus on strategic urban and commercial corridors, supporting mobility, commerce, job creation and broader energy security. Through its retail expansion, MEA Energy aims to contribute meaningfully to local economic activity while creating employment opportunities across host communities. Mrs Chinenye Atanda also acknowledged the role of government and regulatory institutions in enabling industry growth through oversight and compliance, as well as the support of partners, suppliers and project teams whose collaboration made the Bwari launch possible. We are grateful for the guidance of regulators and the confidence of our partners, she said. To our teams, this achievement reflects your professionalism, discipline and attention to detail. And to our host community, we come not just as operators, but as long-term partners committed to responsible engagement and community development, she added. As Nigerias downstream sector continues to evolve, MEA Energy says its retail expansion will be guided by thoughtful growth, operational excellence and alignment with global best practices, while remaining responsive to the realities of a rapidly changing energy environment. This filling station is the first of many, she emphasised while concluding that: It signals our intention to grow sustainably within Nigerias downstream sector while maintaining the high standards that define our brand. We invite Nigerians to experience the MEA Energy difference and to join us as we build the next chapter of our journey together. Civil society organisations and environmental experts have intensified pressure on the Cross River State Forestry Commission to pursue an urgent review of the Cross River State Forestry Law, 2010. They warned that loopholes in the legislation are accelerating deforestation and emboldening forest-related crimes. The demand was made during a media briefing on Wednesday in Calabar by a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), including We The People (WTP), PADIC Africa, Uyo Iban, NGO Coalition for Environment, Nelson Ofem Initiative, Onyx Foundation Africa, Policy Alert, Nigerian Conservation Foundation and Biodiversity Rescue Club. Speaking to journalists on behalf of the coalition, Ken Henshaw, executive director of We The People, and Odigha Odigha, chairman of the NGO Coalition for Environment in Cross River State, said the current legal framework protecting forests in Cross River is too weak to deter offenders and, in some cases, is inadvertently structured to incentivise illegal logging. According to Mr Henshaw, forest conservation and management must be treated not only as environmental obligations but as strategic economic assets capable of unlocking climate finance and ecotourism opportunities for the state. Illegal logging and wildlife trafficking continue to undermine conservation efforts. Weak penalties and enforcement gaps have allowed these activities to persist, Mr Henshaw said. The current law allows for penalties that could act as incentives for forest crimes to continue. For instance, if a truck is seized during the commission of a forest crime, the penalty is a meagre N200,000, a sum most illegal loggers will gladly pay and continue their crime, he said. According to him, the law must be reviewed to reflect the gravity of forest offences. He recommended stiffer and proportionate sanctions, improved monitoring systems, and stronger inter-agency collaboration to close enforcement gaps. Beyond enforcement, Mr Henshaw argued that Cross Rivers forests represent vast untapped economic capital. He noted that the states biodiversity and unique landscapes possess significant ecotourism potential capable of generating revenue, creating employment and incentivising conservation if embedded within a modern and coherent legal framework. Mr Henshaw warned that declining forest cover, insecurity linked to illegal forest activities, and the absence of clear policy direction have continued to undermine these prospects. By protecting forests, we are also protecting economic opportunities for present and future generations, he said. We recommend community participation in forest governance, recognition of traditional knowledge systems, and community-based monitoring mechanisms. He asked that any revised forestry legislation formally integrate ecotourism principles into forest governance, provide legal backing for conservation-based enterprises, and create structured pathways for public-private partnerships. Corroborating these concerns, Mr Odigha said that the states ecological crisis has reached a critical threshold. Cross River is home to Nigerias largest and most biodiverse tropical rainforest ecosystem, Mr Odigha said. Cross River has lost over 60 per cent of its original forest cover. Large areas that were once dense rainforests have become degraded lands and grasslands. If urgent reforms are not undertaken, we risk losing one of Nigerias most valuable ecological assets permanently. He said that without swift legislative reform, a strengthened enforcement architecture, and community-driven forest governance, Cross River risks not only ecological collapse but also the forfeiture of long-term economic gains tied to conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development. Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State on Thursday removed his two closest allies from the Rivers State Government. One of the allies, Edison Ehie, was removed as the governors chief of staff. In a statement on Thursday by the governors spokesperson, Onwuka Nzeshi, Mr Fubara also removed Benibo Anabraba as the secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG). The governor had appointed Mr Anabraba as the SSG in September last year. He had appointed Mr Ehie as his chief of staff in January 2024. Dagogo Wokoma has now replaced Mr Anabraba as the new SSG, while Sunny Ewule, a lawyer, has replaced Mr Ehie as the chief of staff. The new appointees will be sworn in at 2:00 p.m. today, Thursday, 26 February 2026, the statement read in part. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at the Exco Chamber, Government House, Port Harcourt, it added. Mr Fubaras decision to remove the two top officials came shortly after President Bola Tinubu brokered another peace deal between the governor and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). It was Mr Tinubus fourth intervention in the protracted Rivers political crisis, which began in 2023. The latest peace deal was brokered earlier this month following months of renewed political crisis in the oil-rich state, triggered by a feud between the governor and the FCT minister. Observers believe the removal of the two officials may be another effort by Governor Fubara to comply with the terms of the latest peace deal. Mr Ehie had resigned as the then factional speaker and member of the Rivers State House of Assembly in December 2023 during the intense feud between Messrs Fubara and Wike, to serve as the governors chief of staff. Mr Ehie represented Ahoada-East Constituency 11 in the assembly at the time. At the time, the politician and his faction comprising only four Rivers lawmakers were loyal to Governor Fubara. Background The protracted political crisis between Messrs Wike and Fubara, which has lingered since 2023 despite peace deals, was recently doused after President Tinubu intervened early this month. Mr Wike, who confirmed the latest intervention by Mr Tinubu, expressed the hope that this would be the end of the political crisis in the state. To implement the agreement, Mr Fubara dissolved the state executive council on 12 February, four days after Mr Tinubus intervention. But the governor has yet to send a fresh list of commissioner nominees to the state assembly for confirmation. On its part, the Rivers State House of Assembly, on 19 February, withdrew its impeachment move against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, a professor. The relationship between Messrs Fubara and Wike first broke down a few months after the governor assumed office because of the struggle for control of the political structures in the south-southern state. Before then, the FCT minister had influenced Mr Fubaras emergence as governor in 2023. The political crisis later resulted in the declaration of emergency rule in the state in 2025. Mr Fubara, who was suspended by Mr Tinubu for six months alongside all elected officials in the state in March 2025, only returned to office in September of that year after the president declared an end to the emergency rule. Industry-leading children's swim school franchise honors two decades of water safety excellence while splashing into 2026 with record-breaking growth TROY, Mich., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- This March, Goldfish Swim School Franchising, LLC, the nation's premier children's swim school franchise, marks two decades of excellence in water safety, having grown from a single-location school in Birmingham, Michigan, into a nationwide authority that delivers confidence and life-saving swim instruction to children across North America. Founded by Jenny and Chris McCuiston to disrupt a fragmented industry, the first Goldfish Swim School opened its doors on March 20, 2006, after two years of extensive research and the development of its iconic "beach house" aesthetic. The Birmingham flagship, located in a community within Metro Detroit, was an instant powerhouse, quickly attracting a strong and growing base of weekly swimmers. "Goldfish wasn't built to be just another swim school; it was built to solve a crisis," said Goldfish Swim School co-founder and visionary Jenny McCuiston. "Our 20th anniversary is so much more than a celebration of a business. It also celebrates the more than 11 million potentially life-saving swimming lessons provided to date, with thousands of children benefiting every year from our Science of SwimPlay curriculum and the dedication of our franchise partners." To celebrate this milestone and express the company's appreciation for the community that first supported the Goldfish Swim School mission, the original Birmingham school will host "20 Days of Fishaways" beginning Sunday, March 1, on its local social media channels. Current, future and past members within the Metro Detroit community are welcome to participate and can enter daily online. The celebration culminates with grand-prize announcements on the official anniversary, March 20. Exciting giveaway items include: A Yeti Roadie 15 Hard Cooler Exclusive 20th anniversary VIP swag and private lesson packs Gifts from local Birmingham businesses, including one month of unlimited play at Fascination Factory and yoga sessions from Born Yoga From its humble beginnings as a single school, Goldfish Swim School has expanded to over 200 locations in 40 states and Canada. The brand continues to grow, with many new schools anticipated to open throughout 2026 and more than 150 agreements currently in place to develop additional schools in the coming years. "Growing from a single school into the leading national swim school franchise reflects the trust parents place in our mission," said Goldfish Swim School CEO and co-founder Chris McCuiston. "As we scale, we seek high-caliber, mission-driven operators who go above and beyond for every swimmer, every family and every team member because that's the Goldfish Way. The proof is in our franchisees: passionate leaders who live our values, deliver the Golden Experience and build thriving schools that make waves in their communities." For more information on registration or programs, visit goldfishswimschool.com or call 248-243-4897. Follow Goldfish Swim School - Birmingham on social media via Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Franchise opportunities remain in multiple markets, including various locations in California, Louisiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, as well as Dallas; Denver; Jackson, Mississippi; and Nashville, Tennessee. Find more information on franchising opportunities or call 248-801-1850. About Goldfish Swim School Founded in 2006 by husband-and-wife team Chris and Jenny McCuiston, Troy, Michigan-based Goldfish Swim School provides swim lessons and water safety instruction to infants and children aged 4 months to 12 years. Classes are led by specially trained instructors in a safe, child-friendly environment using a research-based philosophy called The Science of SwimPlay. Since opening its first franchised location in 2009, the brand has grown to over 200 schools in over 40 states and Canada, with an additional 150-plus in development. Goldfish is ranked No. 78 overall in Entrepreneur's 2026 Franchise 500 and has been recognized as the No. 1 swimming lessons franchise for 10 consecutive years, was ranked No. 30 in Franchise Times' 2025 Fast & Serious List and is rated as a Top Franchise by Franchise Business Review for 2026. MEDIA CONTACT: Rachel Tabacnic [email protected] 817-329-3257 SOURCE Goldfish Swim School New Partnership to Foster Innovation and Connections in Digital Advertising NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- 212NYC New York's Digital Advertising Club and Marketecture Media are pleased to announce that 212NYC has been confirmed as a Media Partner for Marketecture Live III: Consumers in Control, taking place on March 10-11, 2026. This partnership marks the launch of a broader strategic collaboration aimed at driving innovation and fostering meaningful connections within the digital advertising community. The event will bring together top industry leaders to explore the challenges of navigating a consumer-driven marketplace. With the theme Consumers in Control, the event reflects how shifting dynamics in consumer behavior are reshaping the digital advertising landscape. This media partnership highlights the organizations' shared commitment to sparking meaningful dialogue about the key trends shaping digital advertising. Jay Wolff, President of 212NYC, said, "At 212NYC, we are always looking for opportunities to bring our community together to share insights and drive the industry forward. Our partnership with Marketecture Live III is a perfect fit, bringing together key players in the digital advertising space to tackle the challenges and opportunities in today's consumer-driven world. This partnership is fully aligned with 212NYC's 2026 theme and focus on the power of human connection in an era shaped by AI. We are excited to see how this event will inspire collaboration and innovation." 212NYC is New York's premier network for the digital advertising community, representing over 5,000 professionals across marketing, media, and advertising. As a non-profit, volunteer-run organization, it provides events, networking opportunities, and resources that bring the industry together and highlight key trends and insights shaping its future. Marketecture Media is a B2B media company serving the digital advertising and marketing ecosystem. The company provides news, analysis, insights, and community resources through its events, newsletters, podcasts, and digital platforms, enabling professionals to stay informed and connected across the rapidly evolving industry. Jeremy Bloom, Co-Founder and CEO of Marketecture Media, expressed, "We're thrilled to welcome 212NYC as a media partner for this event. The collaboration 212NYC amplifies our shared mission of helping the industry adapt to the new realities in the advertising landscape. This event will provide actionable insights and foster meaningful conversations among leaders in the digital advertising space." Marketecture Live, now in its third edition, launched in 2025 and quickly became a sold-out event for the digital advertising community. Both 2025 events earned a +70 NPS score, reflecting overwhelmingly positive attendee feedback, and the 2026 edition on March 1011 will be twice the size. Sam Khoury, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer of Marketecture Media, added, "The partnership between 212NYC and Marketecture Media is an exciting step as we continue to engage with our community and push the boundaries of what's possible in digital advertising. We're looking forward to a year of deeper collaboration and strategic growth." This partnership marks the beginning of a strategic collaboration between 212NYC and Marketecture Media, as both organizations continue to lead the charge in connecting professionals with actionable insights and impactful experiences that are shaping the future of the digital advertising landscape. For more information and to register for Marketecture Live III: Consumers in Control, visit https://lnkd.in/gkTSjQy2 . For more information and to join 212NYC go to 212NYC.org About Marketeture Media: Marketecture is a new way to get smart about advertising and marketing. Our team of real industry practitioners helps you understand the complex world of technology through our newsletters, podcasts, video interviews, and events. Marketecture was founded by an innovative team of advertising veterans including Ari Paparo, Jeremy Bloom, and the anonymous social account, AdTech God. About 212NYC New York's Digital Advertising Club: 212NYC is New York's premier network for the digital advertising community, representing over 5,000 digital media, marketing, and advertising professionals. Our mission is to create a dynamic platform for community members to make connections and share insights, and to support the digital advertising industry through education, programming, and philanthropy. As a non-profit, volunteer-run organization, 212NYC is open to all advertising professionals in the New York area. Learn more and join us at www.212nyc.org Media Contacts: 212NYC: Diana Horowitz, 212NYC Marketing Chair Tel: 646.709.1420 Email: [email protected] ; [email protected] Marketecture Live Sam Khoury Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer Email: [email protected] SOURCE 212NYC New York's Digital Advertising Club SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- 3Strands Global Foundation (3SGF) today announced a major milestone in the fight against human trafficking and exploitation: its PROTECT program has officially been designated as an evidence-based program following a rigorous independent evaluation. The study, led by Dr. Erin McCauley, and funded by the CDC, demonstrates that the PROTECT training and curriculum significantly improves the ability of school staff to identify, report, and respond to human trafficking. Figure 1. Infographic titled PROTECT: Data & Impact Stories showing that 138,645 adults, 843,812 students, and 44,317 stories have been reached through the PROTECT program, along with four educator outcomesknowledge growth, intended behavior change, recognition of signs, and increased awarenesseach illustrated with a brief quote about applying the training to better support students. The first phase of this two-part study focused on the impact of the intervention on educators and school personnel. Results revealed transformative gains in both knowledge and frontline confidence: Significant Knowledge Gains: General understanding of human trafficking definitions rose from 87% to 98%. Most notably, staff's ability to identify perpetrators jumped from 22% to 86%, while recognition of "red flags" and risk factors improved by up to 30%. General understanding of human trafficking definitions rose from 87% to 98%. Most notably, staff's ability to identify perpetrators jumped from 22% to 86%, while recognition of "red flags" and risk factors improved by up to 30%. Debunking Myths: The intervention successfully corrected common misconceptions. There was a 41% increase in staff correctly identifying that victims are not primarily foreign-born and a 44% improvement in recognizing that labor trafficking impacts U.S. citizens. The intervention successfully corrected common misconceptions. There was a 41% increase in staff correctly identifying that victims are not primarily foreign-born and a 44% improvement in recognizing that labor trafficking impacts U.S. citizens. Response Capacity: Knowledge of reporting procedures surged from 49% to 99%. Confidence in referring students to support services rose by 61%, and the number of staff that added the National Human Trafficking Hotline in their phones increased from 2% to 53%. "Achieving 'evidence-based' status is a watershed moment for 3Strands Global Foundation, as it validates our decade-long commitment to rigorous, data-driven prevention," said Ashlie Bryant, CEO and Co-founder of 3Strands Global Foundation. "This designation provides the scientific foundation necessary to continue to scale PROTECT across the country. With this proof of impact, we can confidently empower school districts nationwide to implement a solution that we know without a doubt prevents trafficking and protects the most vulnerable." Academic Validation Methodology The findings, recently published in ScienceDirect , outline an intervention that includes three sequential training modules: Human Trafficking 101, 102, and 103. This study specifically evaluated the PROTECT program's effect on elementary school staff in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD). Unlike many programs that target only specialized roles, this intervention was inclusive of all school staff, including yard and front office personnel who often have the most direct, frequent contact with students. The study employed a controlled methodology, requiring some schools to wait as "control" groups to ensure the scientific validity of the findings. With the "evidence-based" designation now secured, 3SGF will continue to expand the program beyond the 12 states currently using PROTECT. "We are incredibly grateful for the leadership of Dr. Erin McCauley, who conducted this study, and Dr. Rosie Reid, whose dedication to prevention education has been truly instrumental," said Amanda Taggart, VP of Prevention Education at 3SGF. "Dr. Reid's work across the Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) has not only been impactful, but deeply student-centered and joyful. It's another reflection of why she was previously recognized as Teacher of the Year. We're excited to continue this journey together and to finally say yes to expanding participation so that all MDUSD educators can contribute to the growing knowledge and readiness needed to support students experiencing human trafficking." About 3Strands Global Foundation: 3Strands Global Foundation (3SGF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a world free from human trafficking. Through its three-pillar strategy: Prevent, Empower, Unite. 3SGF delivers specialized prevention education to communities nationwide and provides trauma-informed job case management for survivors and those at risk. The organization, led by CEO and Co-founder Ashlie Bryant, also provides comprehensive direct services through its empowerment center in Sacramento, California. Beyond individual support, 3SGF brings together survivors, community members, and policymakers to advocate for systemic change through legislative action. Since its inception, 3SGF has reached more than one million individuals, bridging direct services with sustainable public policy efforts to strengthen protections for people of all ages and backgrounds. Media Contact: Brittany Gryder 3Strands Global Foundation [email protected] (903) 407-6418 SOURCE 3Strands Global Foundation Discover how material innovation can improve DNA recovery from human samples and support the development of reliable non-invasive sampling devices. In this free webinar, attendees will learn how collection materials influence sample quality, transport stability, and biomolecule release. Experts from Porex and Oasis Diagnostics will discuss the material properties required for consistent DNA recovery in vaginal self-collection workflows, and share insights into enabling recovery of RNA, proteins, exosomes, and circulating nucleic acids from saliva. The session will also highlight common limitations of traditional collection materials and their impact on downstream analytical performance. TORONTO, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As non-invasive sample collection continues to expand across diagnostics and clinical research, vaginal self-collection has emerged as a critical approach for applications such as HPV screening, where reliable DNA recovery is essential. However, ensuring consistent sample quality remains a major challenge. Biological variability, inhibitor interference, and inefficient analyte release can limit reproducibility and downstream analytical performance. While analytical methods often receive the greatest focus, the materials used for sample collection and transport play a foundational role in determining whether DNA and other biomolecules can be reliably isolated for downstream workflows. This webinar will examine how advanced material design can improve both non-invasive sample collection and downstream biomolecule isolation. The session will focus on high-release porous media engineered to enable efficient sample uptake, controlled analyte release, inhibitor retention, and stability during transport. Attendees will gain practical insight into how material properties influence sample quality and how thoughtful material selection early in device development can improve consistency and simplify downstream workflows. Vaginal self-collection for HPV screening will serve as the primary case study to demonstrate these principles in practice. Results from a pilot study of a vaginal self-collection device will be reviewed to demonstrate how material-driven design choices impact DNA yield, purity and consistency. The webinar will also examine saliva sampling as a complementary application that presents similar material-related challenges, including variable viscosity, high inhibitor content, and the need to maintain sample stability during transport. Published examples will highlight how optimized collection materials enable reliable recovery of DNA, RNA, proteins, exosomes, and circulating cell-free nucleic acids, supporting demanding molecular applications, including those in oncology and advanced diagnostics. The session will conclude with practical, application-agnostic guidance to help device developers evaluate and select materials that improve sample collection, transport, and biomolecule isolation. The lessons can be applied across a range of non-invasive sample types, including blood, and urine, helping enable more reliable and scalable diagnostic workflows. Register for this webinar to learn how material innovation can improve DNA recovery in human samples and support the development of robust non-invasive sampling devices. Join Paul Slowey, PhD, CEO and Founder, Oasis Diagnostics; and Ellen Weinzapfel, PhD, Global Marketing Manager, Porex, for the live webinar on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 12pm EDT (5pm CET/EU-Central). For more information, or to register for this event, visit Advanced Materials for Vaginal Self-Collection Enabling High-Quality DNA Isolation. Xtalks The Life Science Community empowers professionals across pharma, biotech, medtech, healthcare and research with the trusted knowledge and collaborative insights that move the industry forward. Powered by Honeycomb Worldwide Inc., Xtalks delivers news, feature articles, webinars, podcasts, videos, expert interviews, curated job opportunities and more designed to support informed decision-making in a fast-evolving sector. Every year, thousands of professionals rely on Xtalks for timely intelligence, peer perspectives and industry thought leadership. Join our life science community to stay informed, connected and ready for what's next. To learn more about Xtalks, visit www.xtalks.com For information about working with Xtalks to host your webinar, visit https://xtalks.com/partner-with-us/ Contact: Vera Kovacevic Tel: +1 (416) 977-6555 x371 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Xtalks SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. , Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Arevon Energy, Inc., a leading American energy developer, owner, and operator, today announced the appointment of Justin Johnson, the company's Chief Operating Officer (COO), as Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective February 20, 2026. Arevon Appoints Justin Johnson as Interim Chief Executive Officer Johnson brings more than two decades of experience across renewable energy development, construction, asset management, and operations. Since the company's inception, he has played a central role in shaping Arevon's strategy, scaling its operating platform, and expanding its national footprint. He will continue to serve as COO while assuming the responsibilities of Interim CEO, ensuring seamless leadership and operational continuity. "When I joined Arevon, we started from the ground up, and today, we own and operate more than 6 gigawatts of solar and energy storage projects in 18 U.S. states, supported by a team of more than 300 professionals," said Johnson. "I'm proud of our successes and am honored to step into this role and lead the next phase of our growth. We remain dedicated to delivering safe, reliable energy solutions, accelerating the growth of our development pipeline, sustaining best-in-class operational performance, and creating long-term value for our communities, customers, partners, and investors." Kevin Smith resigned from his role as Chief Executive Officer, effective February 20, 2026. The Board thanks Smith for his leadership and contributions to the company. The leadership transition does not impact Arevon's strategy, development pipeline, financial strength, or customer commitments, and all projects, partnerships, and operations will proceed as planned. The company remains well-positioned to execute on its long-term growth objectives with the support of its experienced Executive and leadership teams and its committed investors. About Arevon Arevon is a U.S. energy leader committed to powering America with affordable, reliable, and secure homegrown energy. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, and with a regional office in New York City, the company's experienced and dedicated team develops, finances, builds, owns, and operates renewable energy projects nationwide. With a strong track record in utility-scale solar and energy storage, Arevon is a trusted partner to utilities and businesses seeking cost-effective, sustainable energy solutions. By prioritizing American manufacturing and domestic energy production, the company invests in U.S. jobs, strengthens local economies, and advances the country's energy independence. Arevon owns and operates more than 6 gigawatts (GW) of solar and energy storage projects across 18 states, representing more than $11 billion in capital investment, and is currently constructing more than 600 megawatts (MW) of new capacity. The company also partnered with local utilities to develop and build 480 MW of solar energy, ensuring each project was successfully integrated into their communities. In the last two years, Arevon has completed $5.1 billion in project financings and closed on a $600 million corporate revolver to fund continued company growth. With a 7 GW development portfolio and continued investment in new projects, Arevon is solidifying its role as a leader in powering an American energy future. For more information, visit arevonenergy.com. SOURCE Arevon Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced the start of heat supply restoration in the Dniprovsky district on the left bank of Kyiv. "Heat has begun to return to some of the houses in the Dniprovsky district that were without heat supply after previous devastating shelling by Russia. Utility workers continue to work around the clock to restore the supply of coolant to all high-rise buildings," Klitschko wrote on Telegram on Thursday. As reported, as of February 17, more than 1,100 multi-story residential buildings in the Dniprovsky and Darnytsia districts of Kyiv remained without heat following previous shelling by Russia. It was not possible to supply heat to them due to critical damage to the Darnytsia CHPP (combined heat and power plant), which served these districts. Experts previously estimated that the restoration of the facility would take at least two months. OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Aria Care Partners, a leading provider of dental, vision, audiology, and podiatry services to skilled nursing facilities (SNF), announced that it has acquired Sanford Dental, Sanford Vision, and Dynamic Mobile Dentistry (collectively Sanford). Headquartered in Macon, Georgia, they provide onsite dental and vision care to approximately 200 SNFs across Georgia and Alabama. Sanford also offers dental insurance plans for residents. The acquisition significantly expands Aria's footprint in the Southeast and furthers the company's ongoing growth initiatives. Sanford's operations will be integrated into Aria's for enhanced administrative and technology support. Current Sanford SNF customers will experience strong continuity of care, as Aria is retaining Sanford's care providers, account staff and other clientfacing teams to minimize any disruption for residents or facility staff. Skilled nursing facilities will also gain access to expanded onsite services, including Aria's optometry, audiology and podiatry offerings, providing the convenience of vendor consolidation many organizations are seeking. Customers will also benefit from Aria's established care infrastructure, which includes experienced Chief Medical Officers in each specialty, oversight from a Chief Clinical Officer and extensive technology, administrative and compliance support for its medical professionals. In addition, residents will have new opportunities to enroll in Aria's expanded dental coverage as well as its vision and hearing plans. "Sanford is an excellent fit with our program and brings a strong track record serving SNF communities in Georgia and Alabama," said John Griscavage, CEO of Aria Care Partners. "We look forward to adding value for those communities and growing our position as a premier provider in the region." Added Sanford CEO John Neel, "We are enthusiastic to be joining forces with Aria Care Partners. Our customers will be the beneficiaries of expanded service capabilities and offerings." About Aria Care Partners Aria Care Partners is the leading provider of onsite ancillary medical services for skilled nursing facilities. With more than 25 years of partnership with over 3,000 skilled nursing facilities, Aria Care Partners remains on the leading edge of innovative care delivery, understanding the connection between dental, vision, hearing, and podiatry services to resident health and well-being. With a unique combination of turnkey insurance solutions and innovative service delivery, Aria Care Partners is passionate about enriching every resident's quality of life and ensuring that every family knows their loved ones are well cared for and safe. For more information, please visit www.ariacarepartners.com. Media Contact: Allison Murphy, Director of Marketing (913) 205-5163 [email protected] SOURCE Aria Care Partners ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. today announced the acquisition of Bremen, Germany-based Krose GmbH & Co KG ("Krose"). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 1920, Krose provides commercial insurance and reinsurance solutions for corporate clients across Germany and specializes in the design and placement of complex programs. Krose's team of risk professionals across property, casualty, cyber, marine, D&O and alternative risk solutions will become part of Gallagher's brokerage operations in Europe. "Krose is a highly regarded firm which brings deep market expertise to complement our existing capabilities as we continue to expand in Germany and across Europe," said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman and CEO. "I am very pleased to welcome the Krose team to Gallagher." 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. SOURCE Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. ATC joins a growing list of Georgia institutions partnering with Uwill to support students NATICK, Mass., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlanta Technical College , today, announced a partnership with Uwill, the leading mental health and wellness solution for colleges and students, to build upon the college's existing counseling options. Uwill's proprietary technology facilitates immediate appointments with licensed mental health counselors based on student needs and preferences, and students will now have access to counselors trained to assess risk and deescalate situations. "We understand that every day stressors and life challenges can become barriers to success for students and professionals," said Tracye Paggett, Director of Student Services at Atlanta Technical College. "Offering both time-effective and compassionate mental health care helps us remove those barriers and build stronger futures." Recent survey data shows that 90% of adults believe the country is facing a mental health crisis. While 42% of college students have expressed the need for help with mental health difficulties in the last year, more than 60% have never received counseling or therapy. "Young adults come from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances, presenting different challenges and life experiences," said Michael London, Founder and CEO of Uwill. "By prioritizing accessibility and care that meets students in their current situations, we ensure that no students fall through the cracks." Utilizing its proprietary technology and counselor team, Uwill pioneered the first student and therapist matching platform. The solution offers an immediate appointment with a licensed counselor based on student preferences, all modalities of teletherapy, a direct crisis connection 24/7/365, on-demand medical care, prescription management, basic needs support, wellness programming, realtime data, and support. Uwill serves more than 4 million students at 500+ institutions worldwide including Drake State Community and Technical College, Gwinnett Technical College, Kennesaw State University, and Wesleyan College. About Uwill: Uwill attributes its success to supporting every single student as quickly as possible and is the leading mental health and wellness solution for schools. In 2025, Uwill was recognized as the #79 fastest growing private company in the US according to Inc, its second consecutive year in the top 100 (#27 in 2024). Uwill also ranked as the #1 fastest growing company in the state of Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal (2025) and the #32 fastest growing company in North America according to Deloitte (#18 in 2024). As the most cost-effective way to enhance a school's mental health offering, Uwill partners with 500+ institutions worldwide, including Northeastern University, the Ohio State University, Princeton University, Santa Fe Community College, and University of Alabama - Online. Uwill is also the teletherapy education partner for NASPA and the Online Learning Consortium. For more information, visit uwill.com . SOURCE Uwill, Inc Attorney Ruby Bolton, the founding attorney of Bolton Law in Texas, has been invited to be a Texas Bar Foundation Life Fellow, which is an honor that is granted to around 1/3 of 1% of all Texas attorneys. THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorney Ruby Bolton, who is the founding attorney of Bolton Law in Texas, has been invited to be a Texas Bar Foundation Life Fellow. According to the Texas Bar Foundation, this honor is extended to less than 1/3 of 1% of practicing attorneys in the state. Upon accepting the Texas Bar Foundation Life Fellow membership invitation, Attorney Ruby Bolton said, "I am honored to have been designated as a fellow to this organization that does so much good for Texans, and look forward to being actively involved in its future." The Texas Bar Foundation has pioneered the advancement and protection of important laws in Texas for more than 60 years. Much of its work is focused on providing legal assistance to members of underserved communities who might otherwise go unrepresented in legal matters if not for the Texas Bar Foundation. Since its establishment, it has awarded more than $30,000,000 in grants to deserving Texas non-profits, and it expects to award at least another $1,800,000 in grants this year. As such, the Foundation accepts charitable donations to fund its important efforts. Ruby was invited to become a Life Fellow after donating a significant amount to the Texas Bar Foundation in support of its important and charitable goals. Also, the Foundation only extends such an invite to attorneys who are known for their distinguished legal careers, their dedication to upholding the utmost ethics in practice, and their personal community support work. Throughout her multidecade career as an attorney, Ruby has always looked for ways to support the communities and people around her, such as an active board member of the Woodlands Bar Association. In addition to being a Texas Bar Foundation Life Fellow, Attorney Bolton is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She has earned recognition from Super Lawyers. Additionally, she is a member of the Legislative Review Committee for the Texas Bar Association and a member of the Professionalism Committee of the State Bar of Texas. With her accomplishments and recognitions, Attorney Ruby Bolton of Bolton Law is known across Texas as an attorney that clients and legal peers alike can trust with complex family law and divorce cases. More information about the Texas Bar Foundation and its Fellows can be found at https://txbf.org/. Inquiring parties should visit the Bolton Law website at www.boltonlaw.com to learn more about Attorney Ruby Bolton or the law firm's family law services in The Woodlands, Katy, and Tomball. Media Contact [email protected] SOURCE Bolton Law Reservations Made by April 15 Qualify for 2026 Pricing BERKELEY, Calif., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Backroads, the global leader in active travel, today announced thousands of 2027 Private Trip dates available at 2026 prices until April 15, 2026. Private groups can choose from over 3,000 departure dates on more than 250 Backroads 2027 adventures, now at the best pricing. Cyclists on a Backroads private bike tour in Croatia Since 1979, Backroads has led the way in active group travel, bringing people together across miles and generations for adventure, connection and shared memories. With all Backroads trips, friends, families and colleagues can make any scheduled departure their own Private Trip, provided no other guests are already booked on that date. This early access gives groups exceptional flexibility to select the dates and itineraries that work best for them. Travelers can also request to be notified as new 2027 departures become available later this spring. Backroads saw a surge in Private Trip bookings starting in 2020. Since then, the company has experienced double-digit growth in its Private Trip business, with Hiking & Walking Trips outpacing Biking Trips as the fastest-growing option for private groups. Benefits of Going Private with Backroads Access to Backroads' portfolio of expertly designed itineraries featuring inspiring routes, world-class hotels and experienced Trip Leaders The ability to reserve dates set aside specifically for private bookings or to take over any scheduled departure that has not yet been booked by other guests An early look at available 2027 Private Trip dates and the option to be notified when additional dates are released The chance to lock in the best pricing for 2027 departures when booking before April 15, 2026 Private Trip Organizers receive savings ranging from 25 to 100 percent off their individual trip price when arranging travel for groups of 12 guests or more Starting in April, over 7,000 Private Trip dates will be available to book Backroads simplifies private group travel by removing the complexity of planning and coordination "I've been on some amazing Private Trips with my extended family and close friends," said Tom Hale, founder, president and CEO of Backroads. "There's something incredibly special about sharing time, experiences and memories with the people you care about. With hundreds of new dates set aside just for private groups, we're making it easier than ever to create those moments while continuing to reward the organizers who make them happen." Backroads Private Reserve Available exclusively to private groups for a limited time, Backroads Private Reserve Trips are ideal for smaller groups. For select 2026 departures only, the lowest group price now starts at 10 guests, reduced from 12. Private Reserve Trips are still available in many popular destinations including Italy's Dolomites, Provence, Alaska, as well as emerging destinations such as the Azores, Scottish Highlands, Poland and Slovakia. With more options than ever, Backroads makes it easy for private groups to reserve an active adventure perfect for a group's schedule and interests. For more information, visit https://www.backroads.com/private-trips/results, call 800-462-2848 or chat live with us on our website. Follow Backroads on Social Media Instagram: @backroadstravel Facebook: @BackroadsActiveTravel About Backroads Backroads was founded in 1979 by Tom Hale and has been a leading innovator in active and adventure travel for over 45 years. Guests join Backroads to bike, hike and so much more on expertly planned active adventures that highlight the unique character of each destination. The company offers multiple ways to go active in hundreds of destinations worldwide: Biking, Hiking & Walking and Multi-Adventure Tours; Private Trips, Women's Adventures, Dolce Tempo Easygoing Journeys, adventures for 30s & 40s and Family Adventures for families with children in distinct age groups: Kids & Teens, Teens & 20s and 20s & Beyond. Backroads trip collections also include Active Ocean & River Cruises, Unplugged Bike Tours (for riders who prefer no e-assist), Lodge-to-Lodge Hiking, Safari, Culinary and Home Base Trips. For more information, please visit backroads.com or call 800-462-2848. Backroads Media Contact Liz Einbinder | [email protected] 510-292-2753 SOURCE Backroads Builders FirstSource Accelerates Software Development Velocity, Bringing New Capabilities to Customers Faster with Autonomous Software Development Platform Blitzy IRVING, Texas, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Builders FirstSource (BFS), the nation's largest supplier of structural building products and services for residential construction and remodeling professionals, is partnering with Blitzy, the autonomous software development platform purpose built for enterprise codebases, to accelerate product development for its next generation of digital solutions. Blitzy enables BFS to transform their software development cadence and modernize their technology stack by embracing an agentic approach to building applications. "This collaboration underscores our commitment at BFS to leveraging AI-enabled solutions that accelerate innovation and deliver measurable results for our customers and team members. By integrating Blitzy's advanced capabilities, BFS is not only transforming its internal workflows but also setting a new benchmark for speed, efficiency, and digital excellence in the industry," said Gayatri Narayan, President of Technology at BFS. The Challenge of Adopting AI in the Enterprise Enterprises are making significant investments in AI coding tools, with co-pilots representing 55% of all departmental AI spend. However, the results are not matching the investment. Only 26% of AI-generated code merges without significant rework. The gap between expectations and reality is driven primarily because co-pilots struggle with context across large, complex enterprise codebases. Builders FirstSource recognizes these limitations and is leveraging AI tools like Blitzy to close the gaps. The Blitzy Difference Blitzy's autonomous software development platform is purpose-built for enterprise-scale codebases with infinite code context. The platform ingests existing codebases and builds a deep contextual understanding down to the line-level dependency, across millions of lines of code. Blitzy orchestrates thousands of specialized agents that collaborate for hours to days, planning, building, and validating premium quality code, that leverages the enterprise's existing services, components and standards. This is spec and test-driven development at the speed of compute. Blitzy autonomously delivers more than 80% of the project, leaving the remaining work for human engineers and their co-pilots. "Builders FirstSource understands that accelerating development at enterprise scale requires more than co-pilots, it requires a fundamentally new approach," said Brian Elliott, Co-Founder and CEO of Blitzy. "Their results prove what's possible with an agentic SDLC: measurable productivity gains, faster time to market, and engineers freed to focus on innovation." Results In the first 3 months, BFS has already observed a 3-5x increase in development velocity in initial use cases. They now have 120 engineers trained on AI-native workflows, who will continue to unlock potential value through Blitzy. This acceleration is increasing the speed at which BFS is building digital solutions, which will allow them to better serve their customers and generate incremental revenue. About BFS Builders FirstSource is the nation's largest supplier of structural building products, value-added components and services to the professional market for new residential construction and repair and remodeling. BFS is focused on providing unparalleled service to both large and small customers. For more information, visit bldr.com. About Blitzy Blitzy is the first autonomous software development platform with infinite code context, enabling Fortune 500 companies to ship 5x faster from application design to production code. Blitzy is headquartered in Cambridge, MA. For more information, visit blitzy.com. Media Contact: Murph Vandervelde, Blitzy, [email protected] Source: https://menlovc.com/perspective/2025-the-state-of-generative-ai-in-the-enterprise/ https://vervint.com/article/does-ai-really-write-half-your-code-the-numbers-dont-tell-the-whole-story/ SOURCE Blitzy CHICAGO, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new report from The Brattle Group, enforcement activity involving auditors declined substantially in 2025, reflecting a period of significant transition at both the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). The report, 2025 Enforcement Activity Involving Auditors: SEC & PCAOB Enforcement Actions Brought Against Public Accounting Firms and Associated Individuals, finds that the two regulators together initiated 39 enforcement actions in 2025 a 33% decrease from 2024 while total monetary sanctions of $17.9 million fell 66% from the prior year. Authored by Brattle Principal Alison Forman and Associate Adam Karageorge, the report analyzes enforcement trends from 2018 through 2025, comparing 2025 activity with enforcement during prior SEC and PCAOB administrations. The authors also highlight several notable developments likely to have impacted activity in 2025, including leadership transitions that have reshaped enforcement priorities. "Leadership changes, evolving enforcement philosophies, and institutional disruption particularly at the PCAOB combined to drive a sharp decline in auditor enforcement activity in 2025, marking a turning point in the US enforcement landscape," said Ms. Forman, Co-Leader of Brattle's Accounting Practice. "The result is a fundamentally different environment than what auditors faced just a year earlier, with implications that will extend into 2026 and beyond." Among the report's notable findings: The PCAOB and SEC initiated 39 enforcement actions against auditors in 2025, down from 58 actions in 2024. The PCAOB accounted for 95% of initiated actions, while SEC enforcement activity fell to just two actions the lowest annual total in the authors' sample. Total monetary sanctions declined to $17.9 million, with the PCAOB imposing nearly all penalties. While the PCAOB imposed the third-highest total penalties in its 21-year enforcement history, 84% of the actions and 98% of its penalties were brought prior to Chair Erica Williams's resignation on July 22, underscoring the sharp decline in enforcement activity following the leadership transition. Non-US respondents accounted for 93% of total monetary sanctions, continuing a multi-year upward trend. Quality control violations featured prominently in PCAOB actions, while independence violations dominated the SEC's limited enforcement docket. The report also examines the implications of leadership changes following President Trump's inauguration, the PCAOB board overhaul, the delayed implementation of QC 1000, and the SEC's newly announced Cross-Border Task Force. Drawing on trends observed in 2025, the authors also offer predictions for 2026 and beyond. The full report is available at https://www.brattle.com/insights-events/publications/2025-enforcement-activity-involving-auditors/. ABOUT BRATTLE The Brattle Group answers complex economic, finance, and regulatory questions for corporations, law firms, and governments around the world. We are distinguished by the clarity of our insights and the credibility of our experts, which include leading international academics and industry specialists. Brattle has 500 talented professionals across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. For more information, please visit brattle.com. SOURCE The Brattle Group Investment reinforces CerraCap Impact's commitment to frontier defense technologies and next-generation quantum systems built for real-world deployment. COSTA MESA, Calif. and SANTA FE, N.M., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CerraCap Impact Venture Capital (CIVC) today announced its investment in Bandelier Technologies, a New Mexico-based deep-tech company developing memory-free quantum radar, sensing, and advanced metasurface antenna systems for national security, space-domain awareness, and resilient communications. The investment strengthens CIVC's strategic focus on national security and advanced computing while expanding its portfolio of mission-critical dual-use technologies. Bandelier Technologies Bandelier is translating national-lab breakthroughs into fieldable systems designed for contested environments, where legacy platforms are often too heavy, too fragmented, or too detectable. The company's quantum radar platform is built on photonic techniques developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory and is engineered for long-range, low-signature sensing and imaging without requiring quantum memory - an architectural advantage that supports scalability and deployment readiness. Bandelier also develops electronically steerable metasurface antennas for defense, aerospace, and next-generation communications applications. Abhi Mukherjee, Partner at CerraCap Impact Venture Capital, said: "People often say they invest in the horse or the jockey. With Stephen, we saw the combination of both a founder with rare mission discipline and a platform built to matter. Before pursuing his MBA from Harvard Business School, Stephen spent ten years as a Green Beret in U.S. Army Special Forces and worked as a CPA earlier in his career. This pedigree gives Bandelier a uniquely strong bridge between technical rigor, operational credibility, and commercialization execution. That combination is exactly what is required to work effectively with the New Mexico national lab ecosystem and transition breakthrough quantum sensing into deployable defense and commercial systems. CerraCap Impact moved with conviction because this is the kind of company that can define a category." Stephen Buchanan, Founder and CEO of Bandelier Technologies, said: "When I first met Abhi, he told me CerraCap would be the first check in, and he delivered exactly as promised. That kind of conviction and follow-through matters, especially when you are building deep, physics-driven technology for national security. Our round was oversubscribed, and we intentionally chose CerraCap to help anchor it because they bring more than capital: they bring strategic reach, real commercialization muscle, and a long-term mindset for turning frontier science into mission-ready capability. CerraCap is the kind of partner we need for the road ahead." Bandelier has already built strong external validation. The company was selected for New Mexico LEEP Cohort 5, where fellows collaborate with Los Alamos scientists to advance national security innovations; LANL specifically identified Bandelier's work as redefining long-range quantum sensing for defense, space, and secure communications. Bandelier has also been assessed "Awardable" in the DARPA ERIS Marketplace, a rapid acquisition pathway for government buyers, and was selected as a Prime awardee on the Missile Defense Agency's SHIELD contract vehicle supporting the Golden Dome missile defense mission after previously advancing into SHIELD's competitive range. This investment reflects what makes CerraCap Impact distinctive: a venture platform purpose-built to accelerate enterprise and government adoption, combining CerraCap Venture's Sales & Scale commercialization engine with Impact Venture Capital's Corporate Intelligence Platform across customers, strategic investors, and acquirers. CIVC was formed in December 2025 to serve founders building in complex sectors, including national security and advanced computing, where execution advantage and ecosystem access are decisive. About CerraCap Impact Venture Capital CerraCap Impact Venture Capital (CIVC) is a globally connected venture platform focused on mission-critical technologies, with a differentiated model designed to accelerate commercial validation, enterprise adoption, and strategic outcomes for founders and investors. About Bandelier Technologies Bandelier Technologies is a New Mexico quantum technology company developing next-generation quantum radar, sensing, and meta-surface antenna systems for defense and commercial applications. The company's mission is to bring national-lab science into field-ready systems that deliver resilient sensing, secure communications, and operational advantage in contested environments. Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE CerraCap Impact Venture Capital ZURICH, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Chubb Limited (NYSE: CB) announced today that its Board of Directors will recommend to shareholders at the company's 2026 Annual General Meeting an increase in its quarterly dividend for the 33rd consecutive year. The proposal calls for a $4.08 annual per share dividend, payable in four quarterly installments of $1.02 per share, compared to the current quarterly dividend amount of $0.97 per share. The Board also declared a quarterly dividend equal to $0.97 per share, payable on April 6, 2026 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 13, 2026. The dividend will be payable out of legal reserves and will be made in United States dollars by the company's transfer agent as described in the Chubb Limited 2025 proxy statement. This will be the fourth installment as approved by the company's shareholders on May 15, 2025. About Chubb Chubb is a world leader in insurance. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. The company is defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb employs approximately 45,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Forward-looking statements made in this press release, such as statements regarding the company's 2026 Annual General Meeting and dividends, reflect the company's current views with respect to future events and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. For example, payment of scheduled dividends could be affected by extraordinary company events or capital constraints or similar factors that could require the company to adjust, delay or withhold dividend payments. Additional information regarding factors that could cause differences from these forward-looking statements appears in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. SOURCE Chubb Limited WASHINGTON D.C., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- City First Bank is proud to announce that it has been selected by the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) to receive a $75 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation. This significant award empowers City First Bank to continue driving economic growth and creating opportunities in underinvested communities nationwide. Broadway Financial Corporation (PRNewsfoto/Broadway Financial Corporation) Since the inception of the NMTC program, City First Bank has successfully deployed $548 million in NMTC allocations, fueling 54 transformative projects that strengthen communities and create pathways to prosperity. Our strategy remains focused on expanding access to education and healthcare in underinvested areas across the country, addressing critical pillars for long-term economic mobility. "This NMTC allocation is catalytic for the communities we serve," said Brian Argrett, President and CEO of City First Bank. "It enables us to partner with mission-driven organizations and deliver resources that create a lasting impact in communities where investment is needed most." As part of our commitment to innovation and impact, City First Bank is also excited to welcome new members to our NMTC Advisory Council: Desmond Marshall , a leader in community development in Chicago, with a track record of growing mission-driven organizations. , a leader in community development in Chicago, with a track record of growing mission-driven organizations. Dr. Marla Dean, a leader in nonprofit strategy in Washington, D.C., with deep knowledge in education and next-generation economic mobility models. Through NMTC allocations, City First Bank continues to advance its mission of supporting strong community-based organizations and driving change where it matters most. This tool remains a cornerstone of our efforts invested in low-income communities and creates opportunities for all. About City First Bank City First Bank offers a variety of commercial loan products, services, and depository accounts that support investments in affordable housing, small businesses, and nonprofit community facilities located within underinvested neighborhoods. City First Bank is a Community Development Financial Institution, Certified B Corp, and a member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values. The Bank and the City First network of nonprofits, City First Enterprises, Homes By CFE, and City First Foundation, represent the City First branded family of community development financial institutions, which offer a robust lending and deposit platform. Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lending. This press release may contain, among other things, certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, (i) statements with respect to the Company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions; and (ii) other statements identified by words such as "may", "could", "would", should", "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans," "continues" or similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. SOURCE Broadway Financial Corporation Within the framework of repatriation measures, 1,000 bodies of the deceased, which according to preliminary information from the side of Russia may belong to Ukrainian defenders, have been returned to Ukraine, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War has said. "Repatriation measures took place today, as a result of which 1,000 bodies (remains) of the deceased were returned to Ukraine; according to preliminary information from Russia, they may belong to Ukrainian defenders," the Coordination Headquarters stated on its Telegram channel on Thursday. Subsequently, law enforcement investigators, together with representatives of expert institutions in Ukraine, will carry out all necessary measures aimed at identifying the repatriated deceased. It is noted that the repatriation measures were successfully implemented through the joint and coordinated work of representatives from the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the Joint Center under the Security Service of Ukraine, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, the Secretariat of the Commissioner for Persons Missing under Special Circumstances, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, and other structures of the Security and Defense Sector of Ukraine. "We once again express our sincere gratitude to the International Committee of the Red Cross for its assistance and support in implementing the repatriation measures. Special thanks to the personnel of the Joint Center for Civil-Military Cooperation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who transport the repatriated deceased to designated state specialized institutions, organize the transfer of the fallen to representatives of law enforcement agencies within the Ministry of Internal Affairs and forensic experts within the Ministry of Health, as well as to representatives of the civil-military cooperation structures of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who carry out general coordination," the statement said. SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CJ BIO announced the publication of clinical research findings on its postbiotic ingredient, BiomeNrich POST SZ075, in an international peer-reviewed journal. The study strengthens the scientific foundation of the ingredient and supports its positioning as a science-based inner beauty solution. Growing Importance of Scientific Validation in the Inner Beauty Market BiomeNrich POST SZ075, Sleep & Skin Postbiotics The global beauty and personal care market is rapidly shifting toward "Beauty from within" approaches that improve skin condition through internal health support. In particular, the gut-skin axis has emerged as a key biological pathway linking gut microbiota to skin health, driving increased research into probiotic and postbiotic-based ingestible skincare solutions. At the same time, consumers increasingly seek objective and measurable evidence addressing visible skin concerns such as UV-induced photoaging, barrier impairment, dryness, roughness, and loss of elasticity. As a result, clinically validated biomarkers and instrumental assessments have become critical in substantiating functional ingredient claims. CJ BIO's Science-Based Solution: BiomeNrich POST SZ075 BiomeNrich POST SZ075 is a postbiotic ingredient within CJ BIO's Condition-Specific biotics solution brand, BiomeNrich. It is a 100% plant-based postbiotic produced by fermenting rice germ using Latilactobacillus sakei, a strain originally isolated from kimchi. The ingredient is positioned to support Sleep & Skin Health, developed based on the gutskin axis concept for inner beauty and mental wellness applications. The newly published study evaluated the ingredient's mechanisms of action in improving skin health and influencing skin-related biomarkers. Findings demonstrated significant modulation of key markers associated with barrier integrity, hydration, and wrinkle appearance, including reductions in wrinkle severity and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), alongside increases in skin elasticity and dermal density. Dual-Action Efficacy of BiomeNrich POST SZ075 for Skin Health A clinical study (n=111, 12 weeks, 500 mg/day) published in Food Science and Biotechnology (2025) confirms the dual functionality of BiomeNrich POST SZ075 in combating UV-induced wrinkles and enhancing hydration. I. Skin wrinkle and roughness Compared to the placebo, the test group showed significant resilience against UV-induced damage: 1,140% improvement in wrinkle parameters around the eyes. 614% increase in skin elasticity. 172% increase in dermal density II. Skin hydration and Transepidermal Water Loss The study also demonstrated improvements in hydration-related and barrier-related parameters: 1,872% decrease in Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) 497% improvement in skin roughness and 280% reduction in desquamation. 309% increase in skin moisture content. Detailed research data on BiomeNrich POST SZ075 can be found in CJ BIO's Nutrition Insight article. https://na2.hubs.ly/H03W1K20 Differentiation Through Integrated Evidence CJ BIO established a multi-layered validation framework for BiomeNrich POST SZ075, encompassing in vitro, in vivo, and human clinical studies. This stepwise research design enables mechanistic verification alongside measurable clinical outcomes, strengthening scientific credibility. This integrated validation framework enables brand partners to reference both mechanistic insights and clinical findings when developing product concepts. In addition to the published clinical study on skin health, CJ BIO has also conducted research exploring sleep-related benefits of BiomeNrich POST SZ075, supporting its potential relevance across multiple wellness applications. As a postbiotic ingredient, BiomeNrich POST SZ075 offers formulation stability advantages compared to live probiotics, which may facilitate broader product development possibilities. CJ BIO stated, "This study provides scientific evidence that postbiotics can contribute to skin health. CJ BIO will continue expanding its portfolio of science-backed biotics and functional ingredients to deliver differentiated solutions in the inner beauty market." About CJ BIO CJ BIO is the biotechnology business unit of CJ CheilJedang, leveraging over 70 years of fermentation expertise to deliver functional ingredients and solutions for the food, taste, nutrition, and health industries. CJ BIO is committed to providing sustainable, science-validated bio-solutions that enhance quality of life for customers and consumers worldwide. Contact Information Media Inquiries: CJ BIO Email: [email protected] Website: https://na2.hubs.ly/H03W1JT0 SOURCE CJ CheilJedang WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On February 25, 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce released its preliminary affirmative antidumping (AD) duty findings on hardwood and decorative plywood, identifying significant dumping margins by hardwood and decorative plywood producers from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Commerce calculated preliminary AD rates of 187.27% on imports from China, 19.98% to 84.94% on imports from Indonesia, and 196.14% on imports from Vietnam. The Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood, representing a substantial majority of the American hardwood and decorative plywood industry, commends Commerce for its decision to impose these preliminary antidumping duties to remedy the unfair trade practices of China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. "This decision by the Department of Commerce's is another critical step in leveling the playing field for American hardwood and decorative plywood manufacturers and combating the spread of unfairly traded imports," said Timothy C. Brightbill , lead counsel to the Coalition and co-chair of Wiley's International Trade Practice . "The domestic industry has been harmed for decades by dumped and subsidized hardwood and decorative plywood." The antidumping duties are in addition to preliminary countervailing duties calculated last month by the Commerce Department, which ranged from 2.40% to 128.66% for Indonesia, 4.37% to 26.75% for Vietnam, and a country-wide rate of 81.34% for China. As soon as Commerce's preliminary determination is published in the Federal Register, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will begin collecting preliminary duties on entries of hardwood and decorative plywood from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Commerce also found that critical circumstances exist with respect to imports of hardwood and decorative plywood from China. As a result, duties will be collected on entries of hardwood and decorative plywood from China that were entered on or after 90 days before publication of the preliminary determination. Commerce's AD investigations will continue over the coming months, as well as its parallel investigations of countervailing subsidies from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Commerce's final determinations for Indonesia and Vietnam are currently scheduled for mid-July 2026. Commerce's final determination for China is currently scheduled for mid-May 2026, but could be extended until July 2026. The duties that will now be imposed are assessed on the importer of record of the covered merchandise. Duty evasion, absorption, and circumvention are illegal and closely monitored by CBP, in conjunction with the Commerce Department. Counsel for the Coalition is working closely with CBP to share evidence of duty evasion, which is leading to heightened scrutiny of imports. The Wiley team representing the Coalition also includes International Trade partner Stephanie M. Bell, of counsel Jeffrey O. Frank , and associates Stephen A. Morrison and Jacob Garten . For more information, please contact: Timothy C. Brightbill 202-719-3138 [email protected] Stephanie M. Bell 202-719-4384 [email protected] SOURCE Wiley Rein LLP Cottage Grove Bakery will debut its new Savory Breakfast Rolls this Saturday at Cars & Coffee Mooresville, hosted at GMP Performance Lake Norman. MOORESVILLE, N.C., Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cars & Coffee Mooresville draws car enthusiasts from across the Lake Norman region for a morning of specialty vehicles, coffee, music, and shop tours at GMP Performance. Cottage Grove Bakery will be on-site serving fresh, small-batch baked goods prepared that morning. Event Details: 292 Rolling Hill Rd, Mooresville, NC 28117 Saturday, February 28, 2026 8:00 AM 11:30 AM New Menu Launch: Savory Breakfast Rolls This weekend marks the official launch of Cottage Grove Bakery's Savory Breakfast Rolls soft, fluffy roll dough filled with a rich, cheesy savory blend. Baked fresh the morning of the event, the rolls are designed as a new breakfast option for early-rising car enthusiasts and families attending the show who want a savory breakfast. In addition to the new savory rolls, guests can purchase: Classic Cinnamon Rolls with Vanilla Buttercream Triple Berry Rolls with Lemon Buttercream Fresh Orange Scones with Orange Drizzle Blueberry Coffee Cake Muffins with Almond Streusel Brown Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies All items are baked fresh and available while supplies last. March 2026 Pop-Up Schedule Cottage Grove Bakery will also appear at the following events: March 3 Denver Hawthorne Apartments, Denver (8:00 AM 12:00 PM) March 7 Glynwater Neighborhood, Mooresville (8:00 AM 12:00 PM) March 21 Rumor Mill Market Spring Fling, Davidson (10:00 AM 3:00 PM) March 24 Denver Hawthorne Apartments, Denver (8:00 AM 12:00 PM) March 28 Night Pop-Up Market at Ghostface Brewing, Mooresville (7:00 PM 10:00 PM, desserts only) The bakery is also expanding corporate and office breakfast deliveries throughout Mooresville, Denver, Davidson, and the greater Lake Norman area . Businesses interested in fresh breakfast catering are encouraged to contact Cottage Grove Bakery directly. **About ** Cottage Grove Bakery is a locally owned artisan bakery based in Mooresville, North Carolina. Specializing in handcrafted rolls, pastries, cookies, and seasonal specialty items, the bakery focuses on small-batch production, fresh ingredients, and community-driven pop-up events throughout the Lake Norman region. SOURCE Cottage Grove Bakery Innovation Engine Opens a New World of Educational Possibilities HYDE PARK, N.Y., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) today announced that it has been chosen as the exclusive launch partner for MattsonIQ, an AI platform designed to open new pathways for discovery and innovation across the global food industry. Mattsona U.S.-based food and beverage product innovation firmis a recognized leader in bringing artificial intelligence (AI) to the food and beverage space. Available to all CIA students, faculty, and staff, MattsonIQ will help accelerate the pace of learning, inspire creativity, and much, much more. It will facilitate fast and easy deep dives into three key areas: food and beverage ingredients, cuisine, and nutrition. The two organizations also announced the Mattson AI Lab @ The Culinary Institute of Americaan AI exploratory group focused on unlocking the future applications of artificial intelligence in foodthat will allow CIA students and faculty to explore how to apply AI to create new ideas faster, test them more intelligently, and apply critical thinking skills at the intersection of creativity and the application of AI technology. The Culinary Institute Of America's New York campus Led by Provost Jeroen Greven, and Vice President of Academic Affairs Michael Sperling, PhD., the lab will be piloted by a select number of CIA faculty and students who will collaborate closely with Steve Gundrum, Mattson's Chief AI Officer, and Jennifer Pagano, Mattson's AI Director. "With CIA's 80-year legacy of leadership and Mattson's reputation for applying artificial intelligence (AI) to food and beverage innovation, this partnership is another step forward in ensuring CIA continues to shape the future of food," said CIA Provost Jeroen Greven. "By bringing advanced AI into our learning environment, we can explore new ideas faster, test them more intelligently, and train students to think at the intersection of creativity and technology, giving them a competitive advantage as they graduate into an industry that is evolving faster than ever before." The lab expands the creative and strategic surface area for explorationenabling faster discovery, deeper insights, and more ambitious solutions for meeting evolving guest needs, identifying and applying flavor and cuisine trends, and addressing global food systems challenges. "For decades, food innovation has been limited by the speed of human imagination alone," said Steve Gundrum, Chief AI Officer at Mattson. "With the Mattson AI Lab @ The Culinary Institute of America, we will be expanding that imagination exponentially. This is about inventing the future of food faster, smarter, and with greater impact." About The Culinary Institute of America Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is dedicated to developing leaders in food, beverage, and hospitality. The independent, not-for-profit CIA offers associate degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts; bachelor's degrees with majors in culinary arts, baking & pastry arts, food business management, hospitality management, culinary science, and applied food studies; and master's degrees in culinary arts, culinary therapeutics, food business, sustainable food systems, and wine and beverage management. The college also offers executive education, certificate programs, and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its conferences, leadership initiatives, and consulting services are a valuable resource to industry professionals, and its worldwide network of nearly 60,000 alumni includes innovators in every area of the food world. The CIA has locations in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore. For more information, visit www.ciachef.edu. About Mattson Mattson is the largest end-to-end food and beverage new products innovation firm. Since 1977, Mattson has worked across the food industry playing a major role in bringing 1,000's of new products to market. With offices in Silicon Valley California and Chicago, Mattson provides services to all channels within the food and beverage industry, including foodservice, CPG, commercial ingredients, and more. Working with clients both large and small, Mattson identifies new product strategies that fuel future growth platforms for their clients, from ideation through commercialization. For more information, visit https://mattsonco.com or contact Mattson at: [email protected] SOURCE The Culinary Institute of America MOBILE, Ala., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Employee Fiduciary, LLC, a leading provider of 401(k) recordkeeping and third-party administration (TPA) services, announced today the addition of two dynamic retirement industry professionals to its team: Jack Moody, Regional Sales Director, and Mark Nicholas, Vice President, ERISA & Regulatory Strategy. Both appointments reflect the company's continued investment in advisor partnerships, regulatory expertise, and the operational infrastructure needed to serve a growing national client base. The hires signal Employee Fiduciary's strategic direction as demand accelerates for transparent, affordable retirement plans among small businesses, nonprofits, and the financial advisors who serve them. "As Employee Fiduciary continues to grow, we're investing in the leadership needed to strengthen both the relationships and the infrastructure behind our service model," said Eric Droblyen, CEO of Employee Fiduciary. "Jack brings a unique perspective from his years on both the provider and advisor side of the industry, and his passion for helping people retire with dignity is exactly the kind of energy we want representing our firm. Mark's three decades of experience in regulatory compliance, fiduciary best practices, and operational efficiency will help us continue to deliver the streamlined, transparent plan experience our clients expect. We're thrilled to welcome them both to the team." About Jack Moody Jack Moody brings a decade of well-rounded experience spanning recordkeeping, trust, and custody services, giving him a holistic understanding of the retirement plan industry. With seven years in 401(k) saleson both the provider side and as an advisorMoody offers a unique perspective on the needs of businesses and their employees, driven by his passion for helping people retire with dignity. At Employee Fiduciary, he will focus on expanding relationships within the advisor community, helping advisors leverage the firm's flat-fee pricing model, open-architecture investment platform, and dedicated service team to deliver better retirement outcomes for their clients. About Mark Nicholas Mark Nicholas joins Employee Fiduciary as Vice President, ERISA & Regulatory Strategy, bringing three decades of experience leading retirement service organizations in regulatory compliance, fiduciary best practices, and automation, with a focus on small and mid-sized employers. Nicholas, a seasoned compliance veteran, has extensive experience streamlining plan operations and reducing unnecessary costs and complexity for plan sponsors. He is also a recognized advocate for regulatory frameworks that prioritize transparency, simplicity, and measurable outcomes for American workers. "The best retirement plans for small businesses are the ones that work smoothly behind the scenes while delivering real value to employees," said Nicholas. "Employee Fiduciary has built a strong platform around that concept, and I'm excited to help the team continue to build on that sound foundation." About Employee Fiduciary Employee Fiduciary, LLC, founded in 2004 and headquartered in Mobile, Alabama, is a leading provider of low-cost 401(k) plans for small to medium-sized businesses. The company's founding principles are transparent fees, personal care, and expert plan design. Today, Employee Fiduciary serves over 5,000 businesses and approximately 140,000 participants nationwide. For more information, visit www.employeefiduciary.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn. For Additional Information Victoria Power Employee Fiduciary (251) 254-9634 [email protected] SOURCE Employee Fiduciary BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE: EHC) today announced it will participate in the Barclays Global Healthcare Conference, which is being held March 10-12, 2026. Encompass Health's President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Tarr and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Doug Coltharp will participate in a fireside chat on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from 9-9:25 a.m. ET. The fireside chat will be broadcast live and available at investor.encompasshealth.com . 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 a 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. Media contact: Polly Manuel | 205-970-5912 [email protected] Investor relations contact: Mark Miller | 205-970-5860 [email protected] SOURCE Encompass Health Corp. KAILUA, Hawaii, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Family Office Club and Avestor Inc. announced a collaboration in which Family Office Club will license its Investor SuperIntelligence artificial intelligence toolset, comprising 40 core AI tools and hundreds of codified functions, to the Avestor community of over 500 capital raisers and fund managers. Under this licensing agreement, Avestor members now have access to advanced AI capabilities directly integrated into their investment management portal, which materially improves capital-raising, deal vetting, and investment platform development. Investor SuperIntelligence is the most advanced AI toolkit for investors, founders, and capital raisers globally. It codifies what founder Richard C. Wilson has learned over 19 years of growing his investor club, hosting 300 live events, and featuring 1,500 investors presenting and being interviewed. Over time, Family Office Club has collected exclusive data, and the tools represent over 225 AI use cases for its members. Each tool is pre-trained and point-and-click operational, with no training needed. The AI tools are built on the nuances learned after operating Family Office Club for just under 2 decades. They are designed to make founders and fund managers more thorough, disciplined, and effective as they build scalable investment platforms and communicate with investors at a higher level. This licensing arrangement was built on Family Office Club's use of the Avestor platform, Avestor's use of the tools, and Avestor's participation in many of Family Office Club's 30 live events hosted each year. The collaboration reflects a shared focus on raising standards across capital raising, due diligence, and investor communications, while creating tools that improve outcomes rather than theoretical or superficial AI features. About Family Office Club The only investor club with 30 events a year, 50 AI tools, and an 18.5 million-person network. Over 19 years, the investor community has hosted 300 live events and has the largest global reach of any investor club or community. Learn more at FamilyOffices.com. About Avestor Avestor is a technology platform that helps founders and fund managers raise capital, structure Customizable Funds, manage fund accounting and administration, and operate investor relations at scale. Avestor enables users to offer both direct investments and fund options on a single platform, giving capital raisers the flexibility to align with how investors deploy capital. Learn more at Avestor.com. Media Contact: Richard Wilson Email: [email protected] Phone: (305) 333-1155 SOURCE Family Office Club SINGAPORE, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Fanstanza ( https://fanstanza.gg/ ), a fresh, passion-driven digital publication for fans of anime, manga, games and esports, has officially launched. The new platform aims to elevate fan-centred coverage with clear, earnest and engaging content created by fans, for fans. Under the leadership of Amanda Tan, Fanstanza sets out to redefine how fan communities connect with the stories, analysis and culture that matter most to them. Amanda brings extensive editorial experience and deep community insight, having previously served as Senior Editor at ONE Esports. There, she led the publication's growth, scaling page views 95x to a peak of 9.5 million. "Fanstanza is born from the heart of fandom, a place where the devotion, creativity and joy of fans are reflected in every story," said Amanda Tan, Editor-in-Chief of Fanstanza. "Our mission is to deliver content that resonates, informs and elevates the fan experience." Fanstanza's editorial focus spans: In-depth anime and manga coverage : from reviews and recommendations to cultural commentary. : from reviews and recommendations to cultural commentary. Gaming and esports reporting : including guides, event coverage, analysis and interviews. : including guides, event coverage, analysis and interviews. Original features and community highlights: showcasing voices from across global fan communities. Previously soft launched in December 2025, the publication has already recorded steady month-on-month growth in viewership, signalling strong early traction and clear demand for thoughtful, fan-driven coverage. The rapid uptake underscores a growing appetite for credible, community-first storytelling in the anime, gaming and esports space. Backed by private investment, Fanstanza is positioned for long-term growth, with plans to expand its editorial team, deepen regional coverage and build strategic partnerships that strengthen its role as a trusted voice within the global fandom ecosystem. The editorial team at Fanstanza welcomes opportunities to work with brands both editorially and on custom publishing solutions. They can be reached at [email protected] . About Fanstanza Fanstanza (/fnstn.z/) is a digital publication dedicated to delivering passionate, insightful and fan-first content about anime, manga, games and esports. Fanstanza exists to serve the fandom community with high-quality coverage and commentary that speaks directly to fan culture and interests. Media Contact Amanda Tan Fanstanza [email protected] SOURCE Fanstanza Next-generation medication intelligence and immersive booth experiences anchor FDB presence at the 2026 HIMSS Global Health Conference SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- FDB (First Databank) , the leading provider of drug knowledge that helps healthcare professionals make precise medication decisions, will bring its vision of "Intelligence to Free Your Mind" to the 2026 HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition at the Venetian Convention & Expo Center in Las Vegas. At HIMSS26, FDB will highlight how its medication intelligencebuilt on decades of trusted drug knowledge and delivered in patient-specific clinical contextreduces cognitive burden, restores focus, and strengthens both human and AI-enabled workflows. Across solution demonstrations, interactive exhibit-floor experiences, and hosted events, the company will showcase how it is advancing medication intelligence embedded in clinical workflows to support clarity, confidence, and consistency at scale. FDB will also engage health technology leaders at HIMSS26 in conversations about how validated, context-rich medication intelligence enhances AI performance, establishes analytics integrity, supports workflow automation, and reduces the burden of maintaining complex drug logic internally. "As AI capabilities expand, analytics grow more sophisticated, and digital health solutions move closer to clinical decision-making, medication data alone is no longer sufficient," said Virginia Halsey, vice president of strategy and product management at FDB. "Advanced medication intelligence, powered by trusted, patient-specific drug knowledge, is now foundational to modern health technology platforms." Through innovations including its Model Context Protocol (MCP), now called FDB MedProof MCP, FDB is helping technology teams confidently connect agentic systems and applications to standardized, patient-specific medication intelligenceenabling scalable innovation while safeguarding accuracy and trust. Step into Calm with Medication Intelligence to Free Your Mind At booth #3235, FDB will invite HIMSS26 attendees to step into calm and experience what less noise and clearer focus look like in practice. Demonstrations will show how medication intelligence, applied consistently across prescribing, pharmacy verification, medication decision support, and patient education, can reduce unnecessary steps, minimize interruptions, and help clinicians think more clearly within the flow of care. FDB will highlight solutions that many health systems already rely on as the foundation of safe medication use: FDB MedKnowledge delivers the clinically robust drug knowledge that serves as the foundation for FDB's medication intelligence across clinical workflows, giving clinicians certainty when it matters most. FDB Meducation and FDB Meducation Bedside also support safe medication use plus adherence to treatment regimens by enabling clinicians to more easily provide patients with clear, personalized medication instructions at discharge and at the bedside. FDB AlertSpace 2.0 introduces the next evolution of the trusted solution, helping healthcare organizations reduce generalized, non-actionable alerts that distract clinicians from patient care and contribute to alert fatigue. Building on the collaborative alert customization capabilities health systems rely on, the new version delivers a modern user experience and scalable architecture for faster adoption and continuous improvement. Embedded analytics and community insights enable teams to evaluate alert performance, acceptance rates, and peer benchmarks within the workflow, while a centralized workspace strengthens governance and change management. An integrated AI Copilot further accelerates time to value by providing access to trusted guidance directly within the platform. HIMSS26 attendees can further explore the next generation of clinical decision support (CDS) through FDB PatientFirst solutions. For patient-specific precision, FDB Targeted Medication Warnings and FDB Pharmacogenomic CDS help ensure fewer interruptions and clearer decisions by delivering alerts that reflect each patient's unique clinical context. On the operations side, FDB Vela demonstrates how a modern ePrescribing network can support connected, resilient medication workflows with no single point of failure, while empowering innovation in electronic prescribing. Agentic & Automation Innovations Unveiled As healthcare organizations look beyond optimizing individual workflows toward safely scaling AI and automation, FDB will showcase at HIMSS26 how it is building on its medication intelligence foundation with new infrastructure designed for governance, resilience, and long-term flexibility. FDB will highlight FDB MedProof MCP, the first AI-native server solution that anchors healthcare agents in trusted, current, accountable medication intelligence for CDS. Serving as an agentic orchestration layer that increases speed to market and reduces ongoing maintenance, the MCP enables health tech leaders to standardize how medication intelligence is governed, accessed, and applied across scalable AI-enabled workflows FDB will also preview its own purpose-built workflow automation innovations that apply medication intelligence to reduce manual effort while preserving clinical judgment. FDB Script Agent, the company's new AI-empowered prescription automation agent, is designed for ambulatory care settings, where clinicians often spend significant time manually entering structured prescription orders after patient encounters. Available via MCP or API integration and anchored in validated FDB medication intelligence, Script Agent advances ambient listening to the next level by taking action. It uses spoken information captured during patient visits to auto-queue structured prescription orders directly into the electronic health record (EHR) for clinician review and approval. In addition, FDB will preview FDB VerifyAssist, a workflow assistant designed to reduce the burden of medication order verification, which can take 30% to 40% of a hospital pharmacist's time. FDB VerifyAssist automatically surfaces the most important drug-specific verification criteria against each patient's current clinical data (e.g., relevant lab results, age, and other factors) at the point of verification. This helps hospital pharmacists quickly identify orders that warrant closer review. Another persistent, time-consuming challenge confronting clinicians is accurately reconciling a patient's medication list at every transition of care. Incomplete histories create risk. At HIMSS26, FDB will demonstrate how its EHR-integrated medication reconciliation solution, powered by trusted medication intelligence, supports safety checks and helps clinicians create and maintain accurate, consistent medication lists across the flow of care. Together, these solutions illustrate how FDB is moving from point optimizations toward a system-level approach that lets intelligence carry more of the load across the end-to-end medication workflow. Learn More in Daily FDB-Hosted Micro-Sessions Throughout the conference, FDB experts will host short, focused micro-sessions at booth #3235. These sessions will help attendees discover how specific capabilities reduce manual effort, improve consistency, and ease cognitive load across medication-related workflows. FDB's Agentic Innovations How FDB powers agentic workflows with medication intelligence, featuring FDB Script Agent and MCP Tuesday, March 10: 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 11: 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Thursday, March 12: 10:30 a.m. FDB's Medication Intelligence Innovations When medication information is not clear upfront, reconciliation and verification turn into detective work, featuring FDB Medication Reconciliation and VerifyAssist Tuesday, March 10: 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday March 11: 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday, March 12: 11:30 a.m. Attendees may inquire within the booth to schedule private sessions at a preferred time. Calm Continues at Happy Hour Extending its Intelligence to Free Your Mind theme, FDB will host "Calm Continues at Happy Hour" on Wednesday, March 11, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at its exhibit booth. The reception offers attendees a space to pause, connect with peers, and continue meaningful conversations in a relaxed setting on the exhibit floor. Guests will be served beer, wine, and soft drinks, along with curated cheese boards and macaron towers. Attendees will also receive a gift package of Greyston Bakery chocolate fudge brownies or chocolate chip blondies. Recharge and Refresh through Restorative Booth Experiences FDB invites HIMSS26 attendees to visit the FDB booth to experience restorative activities designed to embrace the spirit of calm. Complimentary foot and shoulder massage stations and infused water will be available to provide a brief respite during the busy event schedule. Take the Calm with You FDB will offer booth visitors a complimentary "Chill Pill" pin and a Zen-inspired adult coloring book. Attendees may enter a raffle for a Theragun Mini 3rd Gen portable massage device by scanning their badge at the booth. Winners do not need to be present to win and will be notified on Wednesday afternoon. Visit FDB at HIMSS26 at Booth #3235 Schedule a meeting with FDB at HIMSS26 here . About FDB FDB (First Databank) delivers clinically robust, workflow-integrated drug knowledge that is intuitive, patient-specific, and actionable, enabling more precise medication decisions at the point of care. Trusted for our rigorous quality control, deep clinical expertise, and collaborative approach, we help improve patient safety, streamline operations, and enhance health outcomes. Our comprehensive drug databases and next-generation medication decision support solutions power healthcare information systems used by the majority of hospitals, physician practices, pharmacies, payers, and beyond, impacting millions of clinicians, business associates, and patients every day. For a complete look at FDB's solutions and services, please visit https://www.fdbhealth.com , or follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube. About Hearst Health The mission of Hearst Health is to guide healthcare organizations by delivering essential intelligence and software that improve the quality, safety and efficiency of care. Hearst Health has been innovating with care for more than 40 years, with a commitment to making a lasting positive impact on health. The Hearst Health companies, FDB, Homecare Homebase, MCG, MHK, QGenda and Zynx Health, elevate care by informing and empowering participants across the health journey. To learn more, visit https://www.hearst.com/hearst-health and follow @Hearst Health on LinkedIn. Media Contact Supreme Communications for FDB [email protected] SOURCE FDB (First Databank) ZHONGSHAN, China, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- First Mold held its annual general meeting on February 25th, focusing on how best to share departments' accomplishments. The main agenda of the meeting was to evaluate the company's success in the past six months of implementing the Amoeba Management model. The model was implemented in the company's Injection Molding Process Department and organized into different units. Initially, the implementation of this model began as a structural transformation. However, the deliberations from the meeting found that the model has contributed to tangible financial growth. It had also led to operational efficiency, enhancing customer satisfaction. Breakthrough Progress in Precision Manufacturing The adoption of the Amoeba units over the past six months has significantly contributed to reforming injection molding. During the meeting, it was realized that every Amoeba unit recorded net profit growth over the past six months, indicating a cumulative profit growth for the First Mold company. In the meeting, Hui He, the leader of the Mold Manufacturing Amoeba, said, "Our manufacturing unit has been receiving more demand. Sales have been increasing over the past six months compared to when we did not adopt the Amoeba model. Interestingly, we significantly reduced the cost of manufacturing and recorded minimal waste". This implies that the company's organization into Amoeba models not only increased sales but also reduced waste, thereby increasing net profits. Overall, the restructuring of First Mold into these Amoeba units has enabled the company to micromanage distinct product systems, thereby improving its precision mold making capabilities. The company currently enjoys enhanced efficiency in its custom injection molding services, offering the best quality to its broader customer base while meeting required targets. Background and Motivation for Change First Mold did not choose to shift to Amoeba Management on its own. The company had experienced some level of pressure before rethinking and adopting the model. In its efforts to expand operations and reach new markets, First Mold has experienced increasing global demand for diverse needs. First, the customers have demanded small-batch, high-variety productions. For instance, the company has been experiencing an abrupt increase in the supply of consumer electronics molds for about 2 months before the demand falls off. Integrating such production in their systems has been proven challenging. Thus, they have found it better to develop smaller units that can deal with such specific demands. The other key drivers from customers included rapid tooling development, shorter lead times, and strict cost control. Initially, the structures at First Mold were inefficient at fulfilling these demands. The systems faced challenges, including slow cycle times, leading to supply backlogs. They further had limited cost transparency. In essence, there was minimal supervision and material selection, which sometimes led to costly production. Some projects require seamless coordination between design and machining. These injection molding requirements were not integrated into the traditional systems, thus leading to inefficiencies. Because of these ineffective systems, the company experiences an influx of customer feedback demanding improvement. First, the majority of the customers demanded faster response in quick-turn injection molding. Others demanded flexibility in low volume injection molding services. Yet another set of customers wanted stronger support for small batch production. These responses prompted the company to adopt a well-stabilized approach to meeting customers' demand. Amoeba Implementation Framework Biologically, an amoeba is a single-celled organism that operates independently of other cells. The selection of the term "Amoeba" by First Mold was basically to imply that every subsidiary at the company was to deal independently with the specific company's Injection Molding Process. The three core amoebae include Three Core Amoebas include Mold & Injection Project Amoeba led by Qing Xu, Mold Design Amoeba led by Tian Lv, and Mold Manufacturing Amoeba led by Hui He. The following are the other nine specialized amoebae. Amoeba Leader Production Mold Assembly Jin Zhou Rapid Tool Assembly Ryu Feng Mold Polishing Lin Wang Grinding Hua Deng CNC Machining Thunder River EDM De Hua Process Engineering Chi Chen Mold Warehouse Yu Li Mold Repair Guang Zhong Interestingly, First Mold gave autonomy, allowing them to account for their operations, determine their operating costs, and calculate their independent profits. There is a cross-unit collaboration among different Amoebas where needed. For instance, mold optimization, Amoeba, and rapid tooling. Amoeba directly interacts with CNC machining to enhance faster design-to-production. Leadership Perspectives Different leaders have held different views on implementing the Amoeba models at First Mold. The majority believe that the model is a game-changer in organizational operations, improving the company's effectiveness. For example, the CEO, James Li, believes that, in addition to accelerating the company's rapid injection molding, the model has led to the emergence of different leaders in the organization with a strong business ownership mindset. "I didn't know we had great leaders in our companies. This model has encouraged an independent mindset among different leaders. We have recorded an increase in organizational profits due to the diversification of leadership skills. Amoeba model has made every manufacturing unit in our company accountable for the costs and revenues. We currently have a team of leaders in which managers own their responsibilities. They currently own the business and do not serve as servants of First Mold. With this trend, we project First Mold even growing beyond its boundaries." The production director, Bowen Huang, had also concurred with the CEO that Amoebas had indeed contributed immensely to First Mold's success. The director notes that Amoeba has led to significant gains in the injection molding optimization. The model has expertise in mold design optimization, improving production efficiency. "We faced numerous challenges in the injection molding that, at some point, led to the losses. Sometimes we couldn't source materials on time, leading to delays in production, which would be reflected in deadline failures." According to Bowen Huang, the Amoeba model shows that operational metrics indicate improved injection cycle stability. The sales director, Young Lee, realized there was positive customer feedback. The customers had noted 30% reduction in delivery time. The model eliminated the initial cross-departmental coordination required by the traditional model. This extensive coordination contributed to a series of delays. With the adoption of the Amoeba model, the units collaborate seamlessly. According to Young Lee, customers noted faster project quoting, a high response rate, and a faster design-to-production period. Measurable Results After Six Months Category Metric Improvement / Outcome Operational Impact Efficiency Metrics Average Delivery Lead Time 30% Faster project turnaround and improved on-time delivery Mold Trial Completion Speed 22% faster Reduced time-to-production and fewer iteration cycles Production Scheduling Efficiency 18% improvement Better machine utilization and workflow coordination Quality Metrics Defect Rate 15% Higher product reliability and reduced rework costs First-Pass Yield (Injection Trials) Increased (measurable upward trend) Improved process stability and mold optimization Dimensional Consistency Improved in high precision plastic components Enhanced tolerance control and repeatability Financial Metrics Amoeba Unit Profitability Multiple units achieved net profit growth Strengthened internal accountability and revenue performance Cost Transparency per Project Significantly enhanced Accurate cost tracking and pricing optimization Waste & Idle Resource Allocation Reduced Leaner operations and improved cost efficiency Customer Metrics Repeat Order Rate Increased Higher customer retention Customer Satisfaction Scores Improved Stronger brand trust and service reliability Case Study: Consumer Electronics Speaker Component Project To enhance understanding of the role of the Amoeba model, we present a typical application involving the manufacturing of a custom speaker component. Initially, the project experiences some challenges, including tight tolerance requirements, complex internal acoustic structures, and multi-cavity mold precision. The project employed a coordinated application of different amoebas, including the CNC, mold design, and Rapid Tool Assembly. The application of these Amoebas reduced the mold development cycle by 28%. The team achieved stable dimensional tolerance control. Further, they met deadlines, delivering the ready products to clients on time. This integration of different Amoebas led to a seamless transition from prototype tooling to volume production. Employee Feedback and Annual Meeting Highlights Employees shared different experiences they found with the adoption of the Amoebas. First, they found that using the model made the performance expectations very clear. Others reported a stronger sense of ownership, while others noted better cross-team communication. One noted, "We had problems with problem-solving. Every time a problem arose, we would spend more time discussing and cross-examining policies from different departments. With this model, we have faster problem-solving cycles." Future Plans: Deepening Implementation and Digital Integration First Mold is optimistic that the current model will put it in a stronger competitive position. However, to keep its operations running, the company plans to first refine its internal pricing mechanism. Second, the company plans to enhance its digital migration by introducing digital performance dashboards. Lastly, First Mold aims to strengthen collaboration between mold design and injection process simulation. About First Mold First Mold, a renowned Chinese enterprise engaged in mold manufacturing, plastic injection molding and rapid prototyping, has a 15-year development history. As a modern high-tech manufacturing company, it adopts a dual production base model with facilities in China and Mexico, serving customers in more than 50 countries and regions across the globe. It excels at identifying customers' pain points and understanding their most pressing needs. First Mold's mold products, plastic components and metal rapid prototyping parts have won widespread acclaim all the time. Business Contact: Name: Young Lee Position: Sales Manager Website: https://firstmold.com/ E-mail: [email protected] Phone: +86 13925326660 SOURCE First Mold Photo: @umerov_rustem Telegram A meeting between the Ukrainian negotiating group and U.S. presidential envoys Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner has begun in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss post-war recovery programs for Ukraine and the next trilateral meeting involving representatives of Russia, head of the Ukrainian delegation, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov, has said. According to him, the Ukrainian side is also represented by the head of the Servant of the People faction in parliament David Arakhamia, Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture Oleksiy Sobolev, and his deputy Daryna Marchak. "Together with the governments economic team, we will work in detail on the prosperity package: mechanisms for economic support and recovery of Ukraine, instruments for attracting investment, and long-term cooperation. Also, together with David, we will discuss preparations for the next round of trilateral negotiations involving the Russian sideit is necessary to synchronize positions before this stage," Umerov wrote on Telegram. The parties are also discussing the humanitarian track and the issue of potential exchanges. "We expect concrete results regarding the return of our citizens," the NSDC Secretary wrote. LOS ANGELES, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Tax scammers have a new favorite target, and it's not who you think. New research from global cyber security leader F-Secure debunks the long-held belief that older adults are most at-risk for tax season scams: It's actually Gen Z (especially 18 to 25-year-olds) that now experiences the highest scam victimization rates of any age group, and millennials aren't far behind. And with an estimated 100 million Americans expected to file their tax returns in the next six weeks, scammers are moving fast. "Most people assume younger generations are too tech-savvy to fall for scams," said Megan Squire, Threat Intelligence Expert at F-Secure. "But savvy with technology doesn't mean immune to manipulation. Scammers aren't exploiting software vulnerabilities, they're exploiting emotions. And Gen Z has plenty of reasons to feel stressed this time of year." Why Gen Z Is Especially Exposed Right Now Many Gen Z filers are dealing with tax situations for the first time: gig income, 1099 forms, side hustles. They're worried about making mistakes, missing refunds, or triggering an audit, and that combination of uncertainty and urgency is exactly what scammers count on. Independent research consistently shows that heightened emotional states (like anxiety, fear, or excitement) make people more susceptible to fraud. Tax season reliably delivers all of that. Add in the fact that younger adults conduct much of their financial and communication lives through the same digital channels scammers abuse (email, text, social media) and the risk skyrockets. How the Scam Actually Works F-Secure tracks fraud using a framework called the Scam Kill Chain, a step-by-step model of how attacks unfold. Tax scams follow a predictable sequence: Pick your target: With tax season scams, it's all in the timing. Anyone with a job is a plausible target. Fraudsters then use leaked data, public records, or mass messaging to reach them at scale. Set up the scam: AI allows scammers to easily create incredibly realistic phishing emails, and they also spoof real phone numbers to produce even more credibility. Contact the victim: This is where the emotional manipulation begins. Shame, urgency, fear, threats they're all on the table. Monetize and cash out: Convince the victim to send cash, then disappear. "Once emotion takes over, rational checks tend to disappear. The scam is already working," said Squire. The Tax Scams Already in Circulation These aren't hypothetical threats. They appear every tax season, and they're happening right now: "You owe money / final IRS notice." Fear-based messages demanding immediate payment, designed to trigger panic before the victim stops to think. Fear-based messages demanding immediate payment, designed to trigger panic before the victim stops to think. "There's an error with your e-file. Log in now." Fake alerts mimicking tax software. The login page harvests your credentials. Fake alerts mimicking tax software. The login page harvests your credentials. "Your refund is waiting." Fake refund checks, fraudulent forms, or links to "claim" money that doesn't exist. Fake refund checks, fraudulent forms, or links to "claim" money that doesn't exist. "Payment sent to wrong account. Call to cancel." Urgent messages that push victims into phone scams, where a live voice adds pressure. Urgent messages that push victims into phone scams, where a live voice adds pressure. "I'm a tax expert, I'll file for you." Social media offers from fake helpers promising fast refunds or bigger returns. They want your W-2, your SSN, and your money. All of these scams follow a similar pattern: urgency, confusion, and the appearance of authority. What to Do Right Now The most effective defense is also the simplest: just pause. Think before you click. If the message is scary, urgent, or too good to be true, it's a red flag. Never: Click links in tax-related texts or emails Call back numbers provided in those messages Share W-2s, 1099s, or Social Security numbers with anyone who reached out to you first Always: Go directly to official websites by typing the address yourself. Don't blindly follow links Log in to tax software through bookmarks or apps you already use Take your time! Urgency is a favorite tool for scammers Tax scams don't succeed because people lack intelligence, they succeed because they trigger emotion at exactly the wrong moment. While Gen Z may be digitally fluent, scammers are just as fluent in human psychology -- and that is what makes this year's tax season especially dangerous. About F-Secure F-Secure makes every digital moment more secure, for everyone. We deliver brilliantly simple, frictionless security experiences that make life easier for the tens of millions of people we protect and for our more than 200 service provider partners. For over 35 years, we've led the cyber security industry, inspired by a pioneering spirit born out of a shared commitment to do better by working together. PRESS CONTACTS: Meghan Sawyer Senior Public Relations Manager, US [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/f-secure/r/gen-z-now-the--1-target-for-tax-season-scams--cyber-threat-experts-warn,c4313162 SOURCE F-Secure LYON, France, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Antibody therapies are changing the treatment of cancer, inflammatory diseases and infections. However, many promising drug candidates fail in clinical trials. A study in Science Immunology shows that genOway's genO-hFcR mouse model enables more accurate prediction of therapeutic antibody efficacy and safety. Why Antibody Therapies Fail in Late-Stage Testing genOway: Revolutionizing the Prediction of Antibody Therapies in Humans with Unique Mouse Model genOway: Revolutionizing the Prediction of Antibody Therapies in Humans with Unique Mouse Model Antibody therapies work in part by binding to Fc receptors, proteins found on immune cells that control key immune functions such as antibody-mediated cell killing and inflammation. Since these receptors are different between species, human therapies tested in standard laboratory mice give unreliable efficacy results or miss potential safety risks. These discrepancies cause expensive late-stage failures and slow patient access to new therapies. A New Mouse Model with Humanized Fc Receptors Set to Become a Gamechanger A new study published in Science Immunology showed that an innovative mouse model developed by genOway, genO-hFcR, helps scientists better predict the efficacy and safety of therapeutic antibodies in humans. The model allows scientists to rank different antibody candidates by how they are likely to perform, measure how effectively they target specific immune cells, and evaluate their potential to slow disease progression. This gives researchers key early insights to guide decisions and accelerate drug development. Video on genO-hFcR mice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7xO-xGJV8Q Read the publication: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciimmunol.ady7328 A Complex Scientific Challenge Achieved Through International Collaboration Due to the species-specific nature of Fc receptors, developing this model demanded multidisciplinary expertise in mouse genetics, antibody biology, and human immunology. The achievement was made possible through an international consortium of leading biopharmaceutical partners, led by genOway, who combined their knowledge to co-develop and co-validate the genO-hFcR mouse model. Consortium members included genOway (France), a company specializing in developing highly predictive preclinical models; argenx (Belgium), a pioneer in Fc-engineering and FcRn biology; Innate Pharma (France), a leader in natural killer cell-based immunotherapies; and Vir Biotechnology (USA), focused on the development of immunotherapies; among other members. The group collaborated with VIB-Ghent University (Belgium), a leading immunology institute, to publish the study in Science Immunology. In this study, scientists at VIB-Ghent University mapped Fc receptor expression and regulation to illustrate how the new mouse model could be used to better model human disease and coordinated the publication of the work. A Unique Solution Available for the Scientific Community The genOhFcR model builds on a previous mouse model developed in 2008 by genOway and its scientific partners, in which multiple FcR genes were humanized. Since its launch to the scientific community in 2024, genO-hFcR has been adopted to advance preclinical programs of biopharmaceutical companies and nonprofit organizations, including the Gates Foundation, as one of the foundation's global health research initiatives. Read the Gates Foundation press release at https://www.genoway.com/news-events/genoway-gates-foundation-2025 About genOway genOway is a biotechnology company that provides highly predictive preclinical models and solutions to biopharmaceutical companies, CROs and academic institutions to bridge the gap between preclinical findings and clinical success. More information at genoway.com. Contact Ana REZA Marketing Communications Manager [email protected] Image - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2918508/genOway_1.jpg Image - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2918506/genOway_2.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2918507/5819376/genOway_Logo.jpg BIRKIRKARA, Malta, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Gentoo Media today announces the largest shareholders have provided a committed loan facility of EUR 18 million to the Company as part of its ongoing efforts to optimise the Group's capital structure and enhance financial flexibility. The term sheet has been signed today, 26 February 2026. The purpose of the loan is to reduce the outstanding amount under the Company's existing revolving credit facility (RCF) to EUR 0 million. The terms and conditions: A EUR 16 million pari passu facility (Maturing 31 December 2027) , carrying interest terms in line with the Company's existing bond terms and ranking pari passu with the Company's existing bondholders and RCF provider, covenants will be similar to existing bond terms with the expectations to bring the facility down to EUR 14 million by the end of July, and , carrying interest terms in line with the Company's existing bond terms and ranking pari passu with the Company's existing bondholders and RCF provider, covenants will be similar to existing bond terms with the expectations to bring the facility down to EUR 14 million by the end of July, and A EUR 2 million unsecured facility (Maturing 30 April 2027), carrying interest on terms corresponding to the existing bond terms plus 3% and no covenants requirements. The company expects the repayment of the current RCF to take place in early March after legal documents has been finalised and signed by all parties. Management and the Board of Directors consider this solution to be an attractive and supportive financing arrangement that underlines the continued commitment from the Company's largest shareholders which supports long-term value creation for Gentoo Media. Bond refinancing Following an evaluation of market conditions and the terms indicated by investors, Gentoo Media has decided not to proceed with the contemplated bond refinancing at this time. The Company will continue to assess various refinancing alternatives and other measures to address the upcoming bond maturities. For further information, contact: Mikael Harstad, Chairman of the Board +46 7 3767 4852 | [email protected] Jonas Warrer, Chief Executive Officer +45 3078 8450 | [email protected] Mads Haugegaard Albrechtsen, Chief Financial Officer +45 3070 1041 | [email protected] About Gentoo Media Gentoo Media is a leading iGaming affiliate, connecting operators with high-value players through premium lead generation and compliance solutions. Its portfolio includes AskGamblers, Time2Play, CasinoTopsOnline, WSN and Casinomeister sites trusted by millions worldwide. Through innovation, transparency and strategic partnerships, Gentoo delivers sustainable growth and measurable success. Gentoo Media Inc. is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm (G2M). Visit www.gentoomedia.com to learn more. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/gentoo-media-inc/r/gentoo-media-secures-eur-18-million-shareholder-loan-facility-and-provides-an-update-on-the-refinanc,c4313439 NEW YORK and NOIDA, India, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- HCLTech, (NSE: HCLTECH) (BSE: HCLTECH) a leading global technology company, will showcase how the next era of telecom, media and technology (TMT) is being built on AInative architectures and industry convergence, at Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2026. HCLTech will bring together senior industry leaders, hyperscaler partners, academics and innovators to highlight how intelligence, scale and ecosystem collaboration are powering sustainable AIdriven growth for the TMT sector. Industry leaders from Microsoft, Nokia, Ericsson, AT&T, Verizon, PwC, Bain, Axiata, Singtel, MasOrange, Liberty Latin America and other global organizations will engage in these impactful conversations, focusing on strategic shifts that are enabling AInative transformation, autonomous operations, platform-driven experiences and ecosystem-led innovation. HCLTech's presence at MWC will spotlight: Executive panels and CXO conversations: Highlevel discussions framing the strategic shifts driving the converged TMT ecosystemfrom embedding AI across core operations to unlocking platformdriven business models and autonomous infrastructurealongside a flagship roundtable hosted in partnership with GSMA and moderated by Prof. Saikat Chaudhuri , Faculty Director of the Management, Entrepreneurship and Technology (M.E.T.) program at UC Berkeley . Highlevel discussions framing the strategic shifts driving the converged TMT ecosystemfrom embedding AI across core operations to unlocking platformdriven business models and autonomous infrastructurealongside a flagship roundtable hosted in partnership with GSMA and moderated by , Faculty Director of the Live demonstrations: Hands-on showcases of intelligent networks engineered for zero-failure environments, AI-powered media and digital platforms delivering real-time insights, and automation frameworks such as Agentic fraud management, AI-powered Operations Support Systems (OSS) Solutions for Telco, HCLTech's GenAI service transformation platform, AI Force, Agentic AI solutions, and AIOps to enhance operational efficiency, and agentic-powered Contact Center as a Service platform for smarter customer engagement. Hands-on showcases of intelligent networks engineered for zero-failure environments, AI-powered media and digital platforms delivering real-time insights, and automation frameworks such as Agentic management, AI-powered Operations Support Systems (OSS) Solutions for Telco, HCLTech's GenAI service transformation platform, AI Force, Agentic AI solutions, and AIOps to enhance operational efficiency, and agentic-powered Contact Center as a Service platform for smarter customer engagement. Startup and partner innovation: Emerging companies advancing AI, digital marketplaces and cybersecurity analytics, alongside hyperscaler partnerships and co-innovation initiatives that accelerate transformation at scale. Emerging companies advancing AI, digital marketplaces and cybersecurity analytics, alongside hyperscaler partnerships and co-innovation initiatives that accelerate transformation at scale. Telecom industry survey on AI priorities: To be revealed following MWC, HCLTech will preview findings from a Mobile World Live survey on AI and technology priorities for telecom organizations, offering real-world insights into how executives are planning investments and strategy in the intelligence era. "It's an exciting moment for the industry as convergence and AI are redefining networks, platforms and business models," said Anil Ganjoo, Chief Growth Officer and Global Head of Telecom, Media and Technology at HCLTech. "By combining AI, cloud and digital engineering expertise with ecosystem partnerships, we are helping enterprises build resilient, scalable and intelligence-driven systems for sustainable growth." "HCLTech's leadership at MWC, bringing together enterprise, hyperscaler and academic voices, captures the strategic imperative of AInative transformation," said Prof. Saikat Chaudhuri, Faculty Director of the Management, Entrepreneurship and Technology (M.E.T.) program at UC Berkeley. "Their approach to integrating AI across infrastructure, platforms and ecosystems is empowering sustainable AIdriven growth for the TMT sector." Attendees can explore these discussions, innovations and insights at Hall 2, Stand 2E19, during MWC Barcelona 2026, March 2-5. For more information, visit: https://www.hcltech.com/events/mwc-barcelona About HCLTech HCLTech is a global technology company, home to more than 226,300 people across 60 countries, delivering industry-leading capabilities centered around AI, digital, engineering, cloud and software, powered by a broad portfolio of technology services and products. We work with clients across all major verticals, providing industry solutions for Financial Services, Manufacturing, Life Sciences and Healthcare, High Tech, Semiconductor, Telecom and Media, Retail and CPG, Mobility and Public Services. Consolidated revenues as of 12 months ending December 2025 totaled $14.5 billion. To learn how we can supercharge progress for you, visit hcltech.com. For further details, please contact: Meredith Bucaro, Americas [email protected] Elka Ghudial, EMEA [email protected] James Galvin, APAC [email protected] Nitin Shukla, India [email protected] Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2648325/HCLTech_Logo.jpg SOURCE HCLTech The new location offers Michigan and border communities convenient access, incredible everyday value and a highly competitive loyalty program all 15 minutes closer than Monroe. LUNA PIER, Mich., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- C3 Industries ("C3" or "the Company"), High Profile Cannabis has opened a new dispensary in Luna Pier, Michigan, expanding access for customers along the MichiganOhio border and throughout the Monroe, MI and greater Toledo, OH area. Long known as a lakeside stop for travelers heading North, Luna Pier now welcomes High Profile as part of its evolving local business community. The new store reflects C3 Industries' continued focus on strategic retail growth in markets where location and customer demand align. High Profile Cannabis Opens New Dispensary in Luna Pier, Michigan, just minutes from Toledo, Ohio. Located at 10552 Evans Dr Luna Pier, MI, High Profile Luna Pier is a Michigan dispensary serving the Luna Pier and surrounding communities, offering adult-use cannabis to customers ages 21 and over. The store features a curated selection of premium flower, pre-rolls, edibles, vapes, and concentrates, along with in-store shopping and online pre-ordering for added convenience. "As our industry continues to mature, we're being very intentional about where we focus our time, energy, and investment," said Ankur Rungta, CEO and Co-Founder of C3 Industries. "We see our future in retail, where we can deliver the most value to consumers through thoughtful locations, strong partnerships, and a consistently great in-store experience. Openings like Luna Pier reflect that focus." Situated just minutes from the Ohio border and easily accessible from I-75, the dispensary provides a convenient stop for both local residents in and around Monroe, MI and customers traveling from northwest Ohio. Store hours are 9AM to 9PM with rotating promotions, competitive bulk discounts and everyday deals on over 100+ brands and 1,200+ products (terms and conditions apply). "We're focused on building retail experiences that truly resonate with customers. Combining smart, data-informed decisions with thoughtful execution in every market we enter. Luna Pier's location and design reflect that approach, bringing exceptional access and value to Michigan and neighboring communities" said Chris Melillo, Chief Retail Officer at C3 Industries. Customers visiting High Profile Luna Pier can also enroll in the High Rollers Loyalty Program, earning points on every purchase, unlocking exclusive pricing and discounts, and receiving early access to new products and promotions. Additional information about High Profile Cannabis Shop is available at highprofilecannabis.com, or by downloading the High Profile mobile app. About C3 Industries C3 Industries is a multi-state cannabis company headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with an extensive retail network, High Profile Cannabis Shop. Through its subsidiaries, the Company delivers high-quality cannabis products and best-in-class retail experiences at High Profile locations across Michigan, Missouri, Massachusetts, Illinois, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Additional High Profile retail locations are scheduled to open in Kentucky April 2026. C3 currently operates 150,000 sq. ft. of total cultivation and processing facilities, with approximately 40,000 sq. ft. in Massachusetts and 110,000 sq. ft. in Missouri. Media Contact Kathryn Long Director of Retail Marketing, C3 Industries [email protected] 1-416-427-7864 SOURCE C3 Industries MIAMI, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Lennar Corporation (NYSE: LEN and LEN.B), one of the nation's largest homebuilders, announced today that the Company will release its first quarter 2026 earnings after the market closes on March 12, 2026. Additionally, the Company will host a conference call on March 13, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The call will be broadcast live and can be accessed through Lennar's website at investors.lennar.com . If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, the call will be archived at investors.lennar.com for 90 days. Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation's leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar's Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title and closing services primarily for buyers of Lennar's homes and, through LMF Commercial, originates mortgage loans secured primarily by commercial real estate properties throughout the United States. Lennar's Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. LENX drives Lennar's technology, innovation and strategic investments. For more information about Lennar, please visit www.lennar.com. Contact: Diane Bessette Chief Financial Officer Lennar Corporation (305) 229-6419 SOURCE Lennar Corporation Minnesota Mortgage Association honors longtime partners for advancing clarity, professionalism, and trust in lending MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Luminate Bank announced today that Taryn Reuter, President and Chief Revenue Officer, and Eric Lovins, President of Mortgage Lending, have been named 2025 Mortgage Leaders of the Year by the Minnesota Mortgage Association (MMA), a professional organization dedicated to strengthening the mortgage industry through education, collaboration, and compliant business practices. The recognition highlights leaders who have shaped one of the region's fastest-growing mortgage banking platforms. Taryn Reuter and Eric Lovins, Luminate Bank For Reuter and Lovins, the recognition reflects the people who have placed their trust and careers in their hands over the years. Their leadership is grounded in mutual respect, a shared belief in what's possible, and a vision shaped by decades of collaboration and friendship, one focused on changing how people experience banking from the inside out. "Awards come and go, but impact lasts," said Lovins. "What matters most is building an organization where people grow, and customers feel truly served. We believe banking can be more human, more transparent, and more empowering. This recognition belongs to the teams who bring that vision to life." Reuter and Lovins share a long history of building and leading mortgage organizations together. Their partnership began in 2006, driven by the shared conviction that mortgage lending should be human, thoughtful, and relationship-centered. From co-founding LandmarQ Lending to leading through periods of significant industry change at Waterstone Mortgage Corporation and LeaderOne Financial, each chapter was driven by the same purpose: to build organizations where people thrive, and customers feel genuinely served. That clarity of mission became the foundation for Luminate Bank and remains the force behind their work today. Luminate Bank's roots date back to 1938, when the institution first opened as Equity Bank. In 2020, a group led by Reuter and Lovins purchased both the bank and the mortgage company and reintroduced them as Luminate Bank and Luminate Home Loans, a name inspired by the Latin root for "light." This defining chapter reflected a renewed commitment to guiding people through complex financial moments, including homeownership, with transparency and care. Over time, that mission-driven approach helped grow the organization from a six-person operation into a nationwide network of more than 600 professionals. The evolution continued in 2025 when Luminate Home Loans and Luminate Bank joined forces and now operate under one brand, Luminate Bank. The integration paired a strong mortgage platform with full-service banking, expanding the ability to serve customers through a broader range of financial solutions. Working alongside CEO Marc Campbell, Reuter and Lovins are helping shape the bank's next chapter, focused on combining digital innovation with relationship-based banking. "Eric and Taryn lead with humility, vision, and an unwavering focus on people," said Campbell. "They've shown what's possible when experience, trust, and purpose come together. This recognition from the Minnesota Mortgage Association reflects the impact they've had across our organization and the industry." Their leadership continues to deliver measurable results. In 2025, Luminate Bank ranked No. 2 among the fastest-growing Twin Cities banks by real estate lending, according to data from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. The ranking underscores the disciplined growth strategy Reuter and Lovins have championed, balancing expansion with long-term relationships and responsible lending. "We've grown, evolved, and expanded, but the goal hasn't changed," said Reuter. "We're here to light the way forward and help people feel confident in every financial decision they make." The Minnesota Mortgage Association supports its members through the volunteer efforts of experienced industry leaders. The organization promotes professionalism, peer collaboration, and education to help mortgage businesses grow responsibly and in compliance. About Luminate Bank At Luminate Bank, We Open Doorsempowering individuals and families to achieve their financial dreams through personalized service and innovative digital solutions. As a nationwide bank headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, we are committed to helping our clients meet their financial goals with a blend of modern technology, traditional values, and the trusted guidance of experienced professionals. Known for our exceptional commitment to customers, we take pride in delivering a seamless, supportive experience for every step of the journey. Our dedicated mortgage division has branches and a team of loan originators across the U.S., making expert home financing solutions accessible to communities nationwide. Luminate Bank is committed to safeguarding your money and accounts with FDIC insurance coverage up to applicable limits. Learn more at www.luminate.bank. Media Contact Debbie Schwake, CMO [email protected] 952-698-3300 SOURCE Luminate Bank Industry veteran in global operations and partnerships to spearhead international expansion Operational transformation underway to elevate the brand's standing in derma beauty SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MEDIPEEL, majority-owned by Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia, has announced the appointment of Jason Wi as its new Chief Executive Officer. Under Wi's leadership, the company has launched a comprehensive restructuring of its global operations, aimed at building a resilient and scalable operating model to support sustained international growth. PHOTO Wi brings an extensive background in strategic consulting and investment, having served at McKinsey & Company and SoftBank Ventures Asia. His career is marked by a proven track record in scaling high-growth platform companies and leading the overseas expansion of various K-culture ventures. MEDIPEEL intends to leverage Wi's deep expertise and global network to accelerate its transition into a dominant player in the global beauty market. As part of its refined strategy, MEDIPEEL is shifting its international focus from a traditional, export-heavy model toward a localized, partnership-driven approach. This transition is designed to create a more structured and agile operating system. Simultaneously, the company will reinforce its core identity as an "efficacy-focused derma beauty" brand, ensuring it remains competitive in sophisticated international markets. Supported by Morgan Stanley PE's global resources and Wi's operational acumen, MEDIPEEL is poised to establish a durable framework capable of navigating volatile market conditions. Furthermore, Wi plans to integrate AI and data-driven operational methodologieshoned during his time in the platform industryinto MEDIPEEL's core business. Key initiatives will include optimizing supply chain management and enhancing customer engagement to drive long-term operational efficiency and long-term returns. "The sustainable success of K-beauty brands on the global stage depends on two critical pillars: a distinctive brand heritage and an institutionalized operating system that can sustain it," said CEO Jason Wi. "We will focus on strengthening strategic global alliances while elevating our internal standards to transform MEDIPEEL into a world-class, trusted beauty platform." MEDIPEEL is the flagship brand of SKINIDEA, which is under MDP Holdings, a portfolio company of Morgan Stanley PE Asia. SKINIDEA is recognized for its innovative products that integrate premium ingredients and patented dermatological technology. Exporting to more than 75 countries, SKINIDEA develops high-performance skincare solutions through comprehensive research and clinical trials, ensuring both instant and long-lasting improvements tailored to various skin types. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2920963/PHOTO.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2727453/MEDIPEEL_Logo.jpg BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MICWARE Group (hereinafter "MICWARE") today announced the planned release of the latest version of its 3D digital platform, "Dynamic Share Map," on March 1, 2026. Following the launch, MICWARE intends to showcase the platform's capabilities at Mobile World Congress ("MWC") Barcelona 2026 in Spain starting March 2, 2026. Share the Dynamic Future of a Vivid 3D Space! 3D Spatial Image generated by Dynamic Share Map MICWARE Stand: MWC2026. This image is a conceptual digital rendering of the Companys stand. Dynamic Share Map is designed to be a 3D digital platform that aggregates, curates, and monetizes location-based multimedia content. The platform collects visual and spatial data from open map data, real-time edge data, and high- fidelity contents. Specifically, Dynamic Share Map integrates: Open Map Data: Including the Japanese government's 3D city model "PLATEAU" and OpenStreetMap. Real-time Edge Data: Visual and spatial data captured directly from the field, such as dashcam footage. High-Fidelity Content: Premium 3D assets crafted by professional creators. By processing these diverse sources with MICWAREs proprietary 3D modeling technology, Dynamic Share Map is designed to transform raw data into a "visual and dynamic 3D space" intended to offer an immersive, city-scale 3D visualization experience. Following the March 1st release, MICWARE plans to head to MWC Barcelona 2026, a trade show dedicated to the mobile communications industry. There, MICWARE plans to demonstrate the strategic value of Dynamic Share Map to the B2B market, targeting sectors with growing demand for advanced spatial services, including disaster prevention simulation, urban planning, infrastructure management, and the tourism industry. To learn more about MICWARE visit: https://micware.co.jp/en/ Dynamic Share Map is available for download on our official website: https://www.dynamicsharemap.com Exhibition Details: MWC Barcelona 2026 Dates: March 2 5, 2026 Venue: Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain Location: Hall 6, Stand 6F46 Organizer: GSMA (GSM Association) Official Website: https://www.mwcbarcelona.com/ Schedule Your Visit To visit the MICWARE stand at MWC Barcelona 2026, you can make a prior reservation through the official Dynamic Share Map website: https://www.dynamicsharemap.com Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "aims," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "likely to," and similar statements. Although MICWARE believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and MICWARE cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and MICWARE does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. SOURCE MICWARE Group GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CEO Dr Martin Edlund: "A year of global brand and technology exposure and grid-connected electricity production with commercial-scale powerplant" Significant events October-December 2025 On 28 October, Minesto announced the outcome of the company's rights issue of up to 82,364,595 shares. 33,436,356 shares, corresponding to approximately 40.6 percent of the Rights Issue, had been subscribed for with the support of subscription rights. Additionally, applications for subscription of 575,828 shares, corresponding to approximately 0.7 percent of the Rights Issue, had been received for subscription of shares without the support of subscription rights. In aggregate, the subscriptions with the support of subscription rights and the applications for subscription without the support of subscription rights correspond to approximately 41.3 percent of the Rights Issue. Hence, guarantee commitments of 19,501,329 shares, corresponding to approximately 23.7 percent of the Rights Issue, will be utilized. The Rights Issue provides the company with proceeds of approximately SEK 99.0 million before deduction of costs related to the Rights Issue. On 30 October, Git Sturesjo Adolfsson resigned as a member of the Company's Board. Deputy Board Member Andreas Gunnarsson assumed her position. The Board of Directors resolved to allow Fenja Capital to set off its outstanding loan claims, including accrued interest, totalling approximately SEK 22.2 million as payment for part of the shares that Fenja Capital has been allocated and subscribed for in the Rights Issue. On 8 October, Minesto invited investors and the public with an interest in technology and energy systems to a unique opportunity to experience firsthand the tidal energy kite Dragon 4 "Iunn" as she was brought home for a break from production duty at the company's demonstration site in the North Atlantic where it produces electricity to the Faroe Islands grid. The event attracted around 150 guests. In October, Minesto was part of a high-level Swedish delegation to South Korea aiming to explore new partnerships and strengthen bilateral collaboration in the green transition. The delegation was led by HRH Crown Princess of Sweden and supported by Swedish minister for Foreign Affairs and Swedish minister for Infrastructure and Housing. The delegation was part of Focus Asia - Sweden's strategy for trade and investment in the region. Extensive tidal and ocean current resources make South Korea a highly attractive market for Minesto. In November, Minesto participated in high-level Swedish business delegation to Canada in connection with the royal couple's state visit. The delegation, led by the Swedish Minister for Energy and Business and Minister for Defence, aimed to strengthen Swedish-Canadian relations and promote innovation with focus on AI, defence & security and electrification. Significant ocean resources with tidal streams and political support for ocean energy make Canada a highly attractive market for Minesto. Minesto was selected to be part of InnoEnergy's annual industry event The Business Booster, this year in Lisbon in October. InnoEnergy, initiated by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), is Europe's investment company at the forefront of clean energy transition and Minesto was invited as one of the industrial scale-ups driving Europe's energy transition. Minesto announced that incentive programme LTI 2021 was completed, LTI 2025 will commence and that major shareholder, the CEO and other senior executives have increased their shareholdings. The Company's Board of Directors dismissed a claim for damages directed against them from the former major shareholder BGA Invest AB as unfounded. The claim for damages is allegedly based on the Board of Directors' resolution to allot shares to BGA in the Company's rights issue carried out during autumn 2025. After the end of the period In January, Minesto was selected for in-depth investment advisory support by the European Investment Bank (EIB) under the PDA (Project Development Assistance) programme. The program offers extensive free of charge financial advisory support to a few carefully selected investment opportunities within the renewable energy sector in the EU. The Minesto investment case chosen for the programme is a 10MW Dragon Farm (tidal energy array) located at a new targeted site within EU waters. The EIB advisory support focus's on increasing the financial attractiveness and overall quality of the investment offer, aiming to raise 25 M EUR in capital. Minesto was awarded 24,000 EUR grant funding from the Swedish Energy Agency (SEA) through the Global Innovation Accelerator (GIA) programme, aiming to accelerate the company's market development in Taiwan. As part of the programme, Minesto officially took part in the high-level Nordic-Taiwan Sustainable Energy Forum, held in Taipei in December. Minesto initiated collaboration with expert ocean energy site developer Haf-Afl for the Icelandic market. Minesto continues to follow through with a market entry strategy based on collaboration with strong local site development and project investment partners. With the signing of a new partnership agreement (MOU) with ocean energy site developer Haf-Afl, the Icelandic market is added to Minesto's range of markets actively pursued. The Group in summary 1 July-31 December 2025 Total operating income for the period amounted to SEK 14,843 thousand (19,486) and mainly included capitalised development work. Net sales amounted to 0 (0). Operating loss for the period amounted to SEK -14,843 thousand ( -14,076). The negative result is largely attributable to business development and administration related to technology development. Of the personnel costs, SEK 10,737 thousand (12,184) has been capitalised as development work. At the end of the period, intangible assets amounted to SEK 574,424 thousand (544,924), of which capitalised development costs amounted to SEK 556,236 thousand (527,708) and capitalised patent expenses amounted to SEK 18,188 thousand (17,217). During the period, payments of SEK 5,144 thousand (176) were received from public funding schemes, of which SEK 0 thousand (176) is approved claims and the remaining part is advance payments. Grants of SEK 2,190 thousand ( 686) were accounted for of which SEK 2,170 thousand ( 694) has reduced the acquisition value of the capitalised development costs. Cash flow amounted to SEK 37,426 thousand ( -41,234). At the end of the period, cash and cash equivalents amounted to SEK 67,573 thousand (34,890). At the end of the period, equity amounted to SEK 630,357 thousand (568,649) divided into 260,081,036 shares (194,116,040), of which net loss for the period amounted to SEK -14,865 thousand ( -12,961). 1 January-31 December 2025 Total operating income in the end of the financial year amounted to SEK 27,077 thousand (33,035) and mainly included capitalised development work. Net sales amounted to SEK 0 thousand (75). Operating loss, at the end of the financial year, amounted to SEK -34,659 thousand ( -37,345). The negative result is largely attributable to business development and administration related to technology development. Of the personnel costs, SEK 22,969 thousand (25,636) has been capitalised as development work. At the end of the financial year, intangible assets amounted to SEK 574,424 thousand (492,928), of which capitalised development costs amounted to SEK 556,236 thousand (527,708) and capitalised patent expenses amounted to SEK 18,188 thousand (17,217). During the financial year, payments of SEK 5,198 thousand (27,803) were received from public funding schemes, of which SEK 54 thousand (26,474) is approved claims and the remaining part is advance payments. Grants of SEK 2,913 thousand (1,100) were accounted for, of which SEK 2,893 thousand (1,100) has reduced the acquisition value of the capitalised development costs. Cash flow amounted to SEK 33,006 thousand (19,436). At the end of the period, cash and cash equivalents amounted to SEK 67,573 thousand (34,890). At the end of the financial year, equity amounted to SEK 630,357 thousand (568,649) divided into 260,071,036 shares (194,116,040), of which net loss for the year amounted to SEK -36,635 thousand ( -36,104). Year-End Report t is available to download at Minesto's website: Minesto | Investor information CEO comment: A year of global brand and technology exposure and grid-connected electricity production with commercial-scale powerplant 2025 was the year we showed our technology to the world with the largest communication campaign ever for an Ocean Energy Technology, together with our strategic partner SKF. The Faroe Islands Space Program has so far resulted in more than 500 million exposures. We also promoted our unique Dragon Technology at the World Exhibition in Japan, at high-level Swedish state visits to South-Korea and Canada. Showcasing our Dragon 4 unit in Goteborg created interest from to Philippine and Indonesian key stakeholders. This year's external communication is arguably the broadest brand and product exposure ever for a novel renewable energy technology. We are overwhelmed by the level of enthusiasm and number of commercial inquiries into our Dragons derived from this exposure. Invitations to tender, requests for feasibility assessment of new sites and engagement with new local site-development partners are at record levels. Our main task is now to turn these opportunities into business. In order to manage the commercial roll-out, we have reshaped the Minesto team to deliver on this number one priority to reach solid commercial deals and broaden the range of infrastructure projects, both in our priority market Faroe Islands and in additional 16 follow-on geographic markets (still counting). This creates short term opportunities for sales of site development services and step in installation projects as well as outlining a medium/long term project pipeline. The now existing Dragon farm project pipeline strongly motivates the substantial global market and scaleup into Gigawatt deployment volumes. During 2025, we have tested our megawatt power plant Dragon 12 extensively. The megawatt machine has provided valuable production and operational data, proved robustness and stability beyond commercial service intervals. We now choose to limit electricity production with the Dragon 12 due to reduced access to cost effective marine operational resources (our local installation vessel is undergoing service). In parallel, we are preparing together with our partners and the local utility Sev, for production into the new microgrid set-up at Vestmanna by upgrades onshore and at the seabed. We have formed a consortia to offer microgrids, with initial joint investments of 56 MSEK to install and demonstrate a complete microgrid with battery storage that is "market ready". We have also advanced our understanding of "the value of tidal in the grid mix" by developing an in-house power systems analysis model and applying it on the Faroe Island energy system. Our initial conclusions from this work is very promising in favour of tidal energy from Minesto dragons: We create an energy mix where tidal energy production from different geographic locations feeds base-load energy into the grid. We deliver a cost effective 100-percent renewable energy system with minimum storage needs and build out of over capacity. This work gives us a hands-on sales tool that provides in-depth understanding of how our Minesto Dragons can be implemented in an energy system to provide renewable base-load energy to deliver an affordable and feasible energy transition in the many global markets with a tidal energy resource. The geopolitical market context is changing with more limited verbal support from leading politicians on sustainability. However, the energy transition is happening at a faster pace than ever in terms of megawatts installed and investments committed. No political hesitation will stop this transition, since it is driven by commercial logic and creation of clear customer value. The most significant shift in priority on energy policy is related to increased focus on security of supply. This is an additional strong argument for relying on tidal energy from our Dragons. Moving away from fossil imports from politically unstable countries into geographically distributed ocean renewable energy based on local operations is most helpful. Minesto Dragon farms that are distributed in-shore and hidden from view in the water column are among the strongest options available to deliver real security of supply. We impatiently push forward to deliver Dragon-generated tidal energy to the world. /Dr. Martin Edlund, CEO Contact Cecilia Sernhage, Chief Communications Officer +46 735 23 71 58 [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/minesto-ab/r/minesto-publishes-year-end-report-2025,c4313276 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/14621/4313276/3953612.pdf Minesto Year-End Report 2025_ https://mb.cision.com/Public/14621/4313276/9319c1e30bf24b01.pdf PR 260226 Minesto publishes Year-End Report 2025 SOURCE Minesto AB The Kyiv Regional Council, at its meeting on Thursday, adopted a decision "On the implementation of the legislation of Ukraine regarding the protection of the constitutional order in the sphere of activities of religious organizations in the territory of the Kyiv region," which concerns the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), reported Roman Tytykalo, a deputy of the Kyiv Regional Council from the European Solidarity party and initiator of the decision. "Between 2019 and 2025, 307 religious communities (in the Kyiv region IF-U) transitioned from the UOC MP to the OCU. This testifies to the conscious choice of communities and support for the spiritual independence of Ukraine. At the same time, more than 300 religious communities of the UOC MP continue to function in the region, despite the Law of Ukraine 'On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Sphere of Activities of Religious Organizations' and the decision of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) dated August 27, 2025, recognizing the Kyiv Metropolia of the UOC as affiliated with a foreign religious organization whose activities are prohibited in Ukraine," Tytykalo wrote on Facebook on Thursday. According to him, he initiated the draft decision to ensure the implementation of legislation and "complete the process of bringing the activities of religious communities into compliance with the requirements of the law." "By the decision of the regional council: it is recommended that district military (state) administrations and local self-government bodies assist religious communities in holding meetings regarding changes in subordination in canonical and organizational matters; ensure proper information for citizens on the procedure for changing the subordination of religious organizations; assist in the preparation of necessary documents for changing the subordination of communities in a legal manner; and conduct constant monitoring of the use of communal property by religious organizations, specifically to prevent its use by structures whose activities are prohibited by Ukrainian legislation," Tytykalo wrote. The deputy emphasized that these actions are taken within the framework of the Constitution and laws of Ukraine and "in the interests of national security, the rights of citizens, and the protection of Ukrainian statehood." As previously reported, on August 20, 2024, the Verkhovna Rada adopted in the second reading and as a whole a bill banning the activities of religious organizations affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine (No. 8371). On August 29, 2025, the DESS filed a lawsuit in court to terminate the activities of the UOC (MP), which was recognized as affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). The State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience reported that in 2022-2025, 1,378 religious communities transitioned from the UOC (MP) to the OCU. The largest number of transitions occurred in the Kyiv region (306), Khmelnytskyi region (295), Vinnytsia region (159), Zhytomyr region (128), and Cherkasy region (104). Conversely, the fewest transitions occurred in Kyiv (6), Kherson region (6), Kharkiv region (6), Mykolaiv region (6), Ivano-Frankivsk region (4), and Dnipropetrovsk (4), while in the Luhansk, Donetsk, and Zaporizhia regions, no religious communities transitioned to the OCU over the four-year period. The Service also reported that as of January 1, 2025, there were 10,118 religious organizations of the UOC (MP) in Ukraine, 9,792 of which were religious communities. Vaulted is offering roughly 30 to 40 times more actual gold than first-place prizes, which haven't been solid gold for over a century. Initiative coincides with 'Vaulted's American Champions' contest giving consumers chance to obtain $30,000 of pure gold. DURANGO, Colo., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- We celebrate the highlight reel of the elite competitorthe roar of the crowd, the career-defining moments that appear as visual shorthand for "making it." But here's the reality that doesn't get the same visibility: you can't pay rent with a trophy, and you certainly can't eat prestige. Vaulted, a leading gold investment app from McAlvany Financial Group, is stripping away the myth of the "golden life" to address the financial struggle of the elite athlete. While traditional philanthropic funds often rely on delayed distributions, Vaulted's initiative prioritizes both immediate liquidity and compound growth. With a historical CAGR of 8.89%, this strategy helps people not have to choose between accessing their wealth today and building a legacy for tomorrow. Today, Vaulted, a leading gold investment app from McAlvany Financial Group, is stripping away the myth of the "golden life" to address the financial struggle of the elite athlete. Vaulted is announcing an initiative for U.S. world championsoffering $30,000 in pure, physical gold through its app for each first-place finish for both individual athlete contributors and overall team effortsassets that don't just sit on a mantle but actually accrue in value. It's a historic value correction for top honors that haven't been solid gold for over a century and are famously composed mostly of silver with a thin gilding. "The message is simple: what you earn matters, but what you keep matters more," says Vaulted CEO David McAlvany. "Whether you're a world-class skier or a father of three working two jobs, the principle is the same. Gold is about durability, integrity and value that lasts longer than the applause." Immediate Stability Vs. Delayed Payouts While recent high-profile donations, such as the $100 million gift from financier Ross Stevens, provide a massive boost to the sporting world, those funds are often structured around long-dated, delayed payouts that don't match the pressing, day-to-day financial needs of an active career. According to a 2024 elite athlete economic report, the economic reality for high-performance athletes is staggering: 26.5% of elite American athletes earn less than $15,000 a year. Roughly 90% of these competitors live paycheck-to-paycheck, with many lacking health insurance or stable housing. The prize itself is a metaphor, with first-place "gold" being made of mostly silver with a thin veneer of gilding. Vaulted's approach is different. By providing direct ownership of a real asset, athletes gain flexibility. They can pull out immediate funds to handle the "now"training costs, medical care and housing. They can hold the full invested asset that historically acts as a stabilizer during market volatility. Or, do a little bit of both to balance current expenses with future security. "We're moving the conversation from trophies to true wealth," adds McAlvany. "These athletes have produced so much value for their country, yet they retain the least financial security. We're giving them $30,000 in real gold that they can hold, track or sell right from their phone. It's wealth that works as hard as they do." Gold That Grows For All This initiative goes beyond the podium to make a case to consumers about investing for the long haul. Modern markets are erratic, and while central banks have been purchasing physical gold at record levels for five years (holding an average of over 20% of their reserve assets in gold), upwards of 90% of investors do not own gold. Goldman Sachs estimated in late 2025 that gold ETFs make up only 0.17% of private U.S. financial portfolios. That's why Vaulted is also giving consumers a chance to claim their own $30,000 in pure gold. The contest is being hosted on Vaulted's Instagram account, with full contest details, where people are encouraged to tag in and share details about their personal heroes. Data from Mintel suggests that first-time investors often prioritize swift, risky gains over long-term security, with only 31% of U.S. consumers reporting they feel "very confident" in their investing strategy. "People of all walks of life are achieving more, working harder, but the value is slipping through their fingers. We're here to help them catch it," says McAlvany. Contact For More Information: Katie Walley-Wiegert [email protected] | 573.822.2361 About Vaulted Vaulted is the bridge between the timeless security of gold and the speed of the modern world. Backed by the 50-year legacy of McAlvany Financial Group, Vaulted was built for one purpose: to stop the leak in your savings. By cutting out 70% of middleman costs, we give the people direct, unencumbered access to the world's most liquid gold markets. This isn't paper gold. It's direct title to serial-numbered, 99.99% pure kilo bars secured within the Royal Canadian Mint. With over 43,000 users and a doubling of assets in the last year, Vaulted is proving that gold is the universal currency for everyone. Real wealth. Digital ease. Solid ground. Claim your stake at vaulted.com. Vaulted is an independent financial technology platform. This initiative is a historical tribute and is not sponsored by, endorsed by or affiliated with any third-party sporting organizations or international athletic events. SOURCE Vaulted SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly one in four email addresses in a company's database becomes invalid or risky within a year, according to the latest ZeroBounce Email List Decay Report. Analyzing more than 11 billion email addresses verified between January and December 2025, ZeroBounce found that at least 23% of email lists degrade annually. While that marks an improvement from 28% in 2024, data decay remains a persistent challenge for businesses that rely on email to drive revenue and customer engagement. Email list decay trends, based on ZeroBounce proprietary data. Invalid email addresses remain the primary cause of decay. In 2025 alone, ZeroBounce identified more than 2.6 billion invalid emails and over 1 billion catch-all addresses, which can appear valid but still bounce and harm sender reputation. Abuse emails contacts known for marking messages as spam accounted for more than 155 million addresses. The platform also detected over 1 million spam traps and prevented more than 15 million potential bounces through real-time typo detection. In total, only 62% of the email addresses submitted to ZeroBounce in 2025 were valid. "Email remains one of the most powerful ways to reach customers, but the quality of your data determines whether your message reaches the inbox or disappears into spam," says ZeroBounce founder and CEO Liviu Tanase. "Even a small percentage of invalid or risky contacts can damage sender reputation. Companies that prioritize email hygiene protect their deliverability and see stronger engagement as a result." Validating databases at least quarterly and verifying emails in real time at sign-up can significantly reduce the risk of emails landing in spam. Major mailbox providers like Google and Yahoo have strengthened their sender requirements, placing greater scrutiny on bounce rates, spam complaints, and overall list quality. At the same time, AI tools are increasingly shaping how inboxes filter and prioritize messages. Companies that fail to manage data hygiene risk seeing their emails filtered, deprioritized, or blocked altogether. To create the 2026 Email List Decay Report, ZeroBounce analyzed the data it processed throughout 2025 across businesses of all sizes, from small companies to global enterprises. Read the full Email List Decay Report for 2026 at https://www.zerobounce.net/email-list-decay/ . About ZeroBounce ZeroBounce is an email validation and deliverability platform helping more than 500,000 customers worldwide land in the inbox. Its tools include email validation, email scoring, inbox placement testing, blacklist monitoring, DMARC monitoring, email warmup, and more all available individually or through ZeroBounce ONE, the company's all-in-one deliverability toolkit. ZeroBounce validates more than 10 billion emails annually and is widely recognized for its 99.6% accuracy rate, strong security standards, and award-winning customer support. For more information, visit https://www.zerobounce.net/. SOURCE ZeroBounce Highlights: First participant enrolled and dosed with NUZ-001 in Regimen I of the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial evaluating NUZ-001 for the treatment of ALS Approximately 160 participants with ALS will be enrolled in a 36-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled adaptive Phase 2/3 clinical trial in leading ALS clinical centres across the U nited States Follows a successful Phase 1 clinical program in a small study population (n=12) in people living with ALS , which showed encouraging preliminary signals of efficacy and NUZ-001 was safe and well-tolerated Study is expected to complete enrolment in H2 CY2026 MELBOURNE, Australia, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Neurizon Therapeutics Limited (ASX: NUZ & NUZOA; OTCQB: NUZTF) ("Neurizon" or "the Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to advancing innovative treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, is pleased to announce that the first participant has been dosed in Regimen I of the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial evaluating Neurizon's lead candidate, NUZ-001, for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). HEALEY ALS Platform Trial Regimen I Study Design The HEALEY ALS Platform Trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04297683) is a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled adaptive Phase 2/3 clinical trial conducted by the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass General Hospital Brigham in the United States (US), created in partnership with the Network of Excellence for ALS (NEALS). Entry into the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial is competitive, with drug candidates reviewed and selected by expert committees based on scientific merit and evidence of potential benefit in ALS. The goal of the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial is to accelerate the development of potential new ALS therapies. The trial evaluates multiple investigational drugs (Regimens) concurrently under a single framework or master protocol, leveraging shared infrastructure across over 70 participating clinical sites. By streamlining start-up and enrollment processes, it accelerates study execution and delivers results more efficiently. Regimen I Regimen I (NUZ-001) includes a randomised, placebo-controlled treatment (RCT) phase followed by an active treatment extension (ATE) phase, both with a 36-week treatment period. Approximately 160 participants with ALS will be randomised to receive either daily NUZ-001 at the recommended Phase 2 dose of 10 mg/kg or placebo at a 3:1 ratio. The primary objective is to evaluate the efficacy of NUZ-001 compared with placebo on ALS disease progression, with secondary objectives including additional measures of disease progression and safety. Figure 1: Regimen I Study Design Participation in the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial provides Neurizon with access to an established clinical development framework supported by the world's most highly regarded ALS investigators and leading clinical centres across the US. This infrastructure improves trial efficiency, supports consistent data generation and facilitates ongoing engagement with regulatory authorities, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as the trial progresses. Professor Merit Cudkowicz, Principal Investigator, HEALEY ALS Platform Trial & Director, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Mass General Brigham, commented: "We look forward to working with Neurizon on this new regimen in the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial and implementing our updated master protocol. Beginning enrolment is a significant step for the regimen, and would not be possible without the dedication of people living with ALS and their families, collaborators, and our top trials sites." Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Michael Thurn commented: "The dosing of the first participant in Regimen I of the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial marks a defining milestone for Neurizon and for NUZ-001. This study represents our registrational trial in ALS - a rigorous, adaptive Phase 2/3 program designed to generate the clinical evidence required to support potential regulatory submissions." "Entry into the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial reflects our scientific data package and the favourable safety and tolerability profile observed in our Phase 1 and Open Label Extension studies. The master protocol structure enables efficient study execution across leading ALS centres in the United States, while maintaining the scientific rigour required at this stage of development." "We are deeply grateful to the participants and their families who commit their time and energy to clinical research, often while navigating the significant challenges associated with living with ALS. For people living with ALS, urgency matters. Through this pivotal study, we are advancing NUZ-001 with scientific discipline, operational focus, and deep respect for the ALS community as we work toward delivering meaningful progress in this devastating disease." This announcement has been authorized for release by the Board of Neurizon Therapeutics Limited. About Neurizon Therapeutics Limited Neurizon Therapeutics Limited (ASX: NUZ) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to advancing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. Neurizon is developing its lead drug candidate, NUZ-001, for the treatment of ALS, which is the most common form of motor neurone disease. Neurizon's strategy is to accelerate access to effective ALS treatments for patients while exploring the potential of NUZ-001 for broader neurodegenerative applications. Through international collaborations and rigorous clinical programs, Neurizon is dedicated to creating new horizons for patients and families impacted by complex neural disorders. NUZ-001 is an investigational product and is not approved for commercial use in any jurisdiction. About the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial The HEALEY ALS Platform Trial is a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, adaptive trial for ALS created in partnership with the Network of Excellence for ALS (NEALS). The goal of the HEALEY ALS Platform trial is to accelerate the development of potential new ALS therapies. The trial tests and evaluates multiple investigational drugs simultaneously, shares infrastructure across trial sites, and improves start up and enrollment efficiencies, allowing for fast results. Neurizon is a registered trademark of Neurizon Therapeutics Limited SOURCE Neurizon Therapeutics Limited Dr. Monya Haddadi introduces a new framework for understanding learners and the psychology behind success TIFLET, Morocco, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- At a time when global education systems face rising mental-health crises, disengaged students, and widening gaps between learning and real life, Dr. Monya Haddadi offers a timely and provocative contribution with her book, "Be a Lion, Then B'eat Me! Philosophizing Education to Earn Life; All Ages Matter!" (published by Balboa Press). Be a Lion, Then Beat Me! Blending neuroscience, psychology, sociology, education theory and lived experience, the book challenges conventional views of schooling by making a clear distinction between education as a system and learning as a craft. Haddadi argues that while systems may fail, learning remains a constant human capacity. Learning, she explains, can occur inside schools or beyond them, in varied environments and circumstances. What matters most is the learner's ability to understand their situation, identify with it and actively work through its challenges. Drawing on her own journey as a high-performing yet non-conventionally supported student, Haddadi expands the conversation beyond "one-size-fits-all" education. She introduces new classifications of learners FSL, FSL-PHILIC, JPML, and JPML-PHILIC offering readers a new lens for understanding behavior, motivation, resilience, and struggle both inside and outside formal learning environments. She also provides practical grids, tables, and strategies to help individuals navigate hostile or restrictive learning environments, including those affected by bullying, poor teacher-student relationships, or systemic inequality. "When the opponent is yourself, the judge is your mind, and the victim is your future self," the author states. "Today's decisions are tomorrow's circumstances so make your decisions a shining reflection of your future circumstances. This book serves as both a mirror and a guide, making it a valuable tool for anyone seeking clarity, growth, and meaningful connections in today's ever-evolving world." Visit https://www.balboapress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/843804-be-a-lion-then-beat-me to get a copy. "Be a Lion, Then B'eat Me! Philosophizing Education to Earn Life; All Ages Matter!" By Dr. Monya Haddadi Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 178 pages | ISBN 9798765251539 Softcover | 6 x 9in | 178 pages | ISBN 9798765251522 E-Book | 178 pages | ISBN 9798765251515 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the Author Dr. Monya Haddadi is a neuropsychologist, educator, researcher, and mental-health advocate. She holds academic training in biology, sociology, neuroscience, and education, with additional specialization in positive psychology, therapy techniques, and character analysis. She has taught across multiple educational levels and is the author of numerous scientific papers addressing autism, stress, education, sociology, and neuropsychology. Originally from Tiflet, Morocco, a culturally rich rural region, Haddadi is actively involved in mental-health and youth-development initiatives with local and international organizations. She is also a content creator focused on spreading evidence-based mental-health strategies and practical tools for personal growth. "Be a Lion, Then B'eat Me! Philosophizing Education to Earn Life; All Ages Matter!" represents her most comprehensive work to date, uniting science, philosophy, and lived experience into a new vision for learning and human development. Balboa Press, a division of Hay House, Inc. a leading provider in publishing products that specialize in self-help and the mind, body, and spirit genres. Through an alliance with the worldwide self-publishing leader Author Solutions, LLC, authors benefit from the leadership of Hay House Publishing and the speed-to-market advantages of the self-publishing model. For more information, visit balboapress.com. To start publishing your book with Balboa Press, call 844-682-1282 today. EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact: Marketing Services Tel: 1-812-358-7578; 844-682-1282 Fax: 812-961-3133 Email: [email protected] (When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address.) SOURCE Balboa Press Robert Goddard's Massachusetts, coauthored by Lowell Observatory Historian Kevin Schindler and Charles Slatkin, to be released March 3. FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A century after Robert H. Goddard ignited the world's first liquid-fuel rocket and set humanity on its path to space, a new book invites readers to rediscover the places, people, and ideas that shaped his revolutionary work. Robert Goddard's Massachusetts, coauthored by Lowell Observatory Historian Kevin Schindler and Charles Slatkin, will be released on March 3 in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Goddard's historic 1926 launch. Robert Goddards Massachusetts, coauthored by Lowell Observatory Historian Kevin Schindler and Charles Slatkin Co-authors Kevin Schindler and Charles Slatkin Robert H. Goddard, Clark University Inspired by a vision he experienced while in a cherry tree and overcoming a youth fraught with illness, Goddard launched a modest, 10-foot rocket on March 16, 1926, in a snowy field in Auburn, Massachusetts. It only rose 41 feet and 280 feet downrange before crashing to the ground, but it changed the course of history and ushered in the space age. That brief flight proved that liquid-fuel propulsion was possible, laying the foundation for rockets that followed: the satellites that encircle Earth, the missions that carried astronauts to the Moon, and the spacecraft now exploring the outer reaches of the solar system. The 2026 First Launch Centennial offers a rare moment to reflect on how one man's imagination helped open the space age. Robert Goddard's Massachusetts brings this iconic and inspirational story to life for a general audience. Published by Arcadia Press as part of its Images of America series, the book features more than 200 historical photographs, coupled with accessible writing and vivid descriptions, that trace Goddard's journey from his early years in Worcester to the experiments that made him a pioneer of modern rocketry. Readers are guided through the Massachusetts landscapes where he tested engines, refined designs, and nurtured ideas that were decades ahead of their time. A bonus chapter covers his revolutionary work elsewhere, especially in Roswell, New Mexico. Schindler says, "Robert Goddard was a legendary scientist, engineer, and visionary, and his contributions forever changed our place in the universe. As the Wright Brothers enabled our conquest of the skies above, Robert Goddard drove us to the heavens beyond." The book also highlights the essential role of Esther Goddard, Robert's wife, collaborator, research partner, launch photographer and cinematographer, and confidante. For decades, she painstakingly worked to preserve his diaries, notebooks, photographs, and experimental records. Her efforts ensured that Robert's contributionsonce overlookedwould eventually receive the recognition they deserved. Adding a powerful personal perspective, the book features a special foreword by Apollo 13 astronaut Jim Lovell, who reflects on Goddard's enduring influence on generations of explorers. Lovell's words underscore the direct line connecting Goddard's early experiments to the missions that carried humans into space. As the world celebrates the centennial of the first modern rocket launch, Robert Goddard's Massachusetts offers an engaging and insightful way for readers to explore the origins of the space age and understand the drive of the man who, during his high school valedictorian speech, proclaimed, "The dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow." The book serves as both a tribute to this visionary scientist and an invitation to appreciate how far humanity has traveled since that snowy day in 1926and how far we may yet go. Slatkin adds, "Robert Goddard's contributions are as significant as those of other American innovators such as Eli Whitney, Thomas Edison, and the Wright Brothers, yet sadly he is hardly known outside the science community. We hope this book and the centennial celebration of Goddard's historic launch changes this and inspires future generations, our tomorrow's Goddards, to think big and turn their dreams into realities." Kevin Schindler is the Historian and Public Information Officer at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. Charles Slatkin is the founder and executive director of The Wonder Mission's Goddard Project initiative. Astronaut Jim Lovell flew to the Moon on Apollo missions 8 and 13. About Lowell Observatory Founded in 1894, Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, is a renowned nonprofit research institution. It is the site of historic and groundbreaking discoveries, including the first evidence of the expanding universe and the discovery of Pluto. Today, Lowell's astronomers utilize global ground-based and space telescopes, along with NASA spacecraft, for diverse astronomical and planetary science research. The observatory hosts more than 100,000 visitors annually for educational tours, presentations, and telescope viewing through a suite of world-class public telescopes. About The Wonder Mission The Wonder Mission is an organization dedicated to creating initiatives and experiences that inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, educators, innovators, and "visioneers." It has launched a series of initiatives to reverse the trend of the United States losing its position in leadership in science, technology, engineering, and space exploration, as well as to inspire our next generation of those who dream big. The first of these initiatives is The Robert Goddard Project, to publicize and share Goddard's remarkable legacy and vision while inspiring the Goddards of today and tomorrow. SOURCE Lowell Observatory JUNO BEACH, Fla., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) announced today that it intends to sell $2.00 billion of equity units in a public offering. NextEra Energy, Inc. expects to grant to the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional $0.30 billion of equity units solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments. The net proceeds from the sale of the equity units will be added to the general funds of NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of NextEra Energy. NextEra Energy Capital Holdings expects to use its general funds to fund investments in energy and power projects and for other general corporate purposes, including the repayment of a portion of its outstanding commercial paper obligations. Each equity unit will be issued in a stated amount of $50. Each equity unit will consist of a contract to purchase NextEra Energy common stock in the future, and undivided beneficial ownership interests in two series of debentures issued by NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, consisting of a Series P Debenture due Feb. 15, 2031, and a Series Q Debenture due Feb. 15, 2034, each with a principal amount of $1,000. The debentures will be guaranteed by NextEra Energy. In approximately three years, the equity unit holders will be required to purchase NextEra Energy common stock for cash, based on a range of a 0% to 25% premium over the New York Stock Exchange closing price of NextEra Energy common stock on Feb. 26, 2026. The holders of the equity units must complete the stock purchase by no later than Feb. 15, 2029, with the required purchase price of stock purchased on that date determined based on the average closing price of NextEra Energy's common stock over the 20 consecutive trading day period ending on Feb. 12, 2029. The holders may satisfy their purchase obligations with proceeds raised from remarketing the debentures that comprise part of their equity units. Upon settlement of the purchase contract, NextEra Energy will receive cash and will issue the requisite number of shares of its common stock. Before the issuance of NextEra Energy common stock upon settlement of the purchase contracts, the purchase contracts will be reflected in NextEra Energy's diluted earnings per share calculations using the treasury stock method. Wells Fargo Securities, BofA Securities, Citigroup and Mizuho will be joint book-running managers for the offering. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities to which this communication relates in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The offering may be made only by means of a prospectus and the related prospectus supplement, copies of which may be obtained from Wells Fargo Securities, 90 South 7th Street, 5th Floor, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402, by telephone toll free at 800-645-3751 (option #5) or by email at [email protected]; BofA Securities at NC1-022-02-25, 201 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28255-0001 Attn: Prospectus Department, or by email at [email protected]; Citigroup, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions,1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717, by telephone toll free at 800-831-9146; and Mizuho Securities USA LLC, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 3rd Floor, New York New York 10020 Attn: Equity Capital Markets, by telephone at 212-205-7600 or by email at [email protected]. NextEra Energy, Inc. NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) is the largest electric power and energy infrastructure company in North America and is a leading provider of electricity to American homes and businesses. Headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida, NextEra Energy is a Fortune 200 company that owns Florida Power & Light Company, America's largest electric utility, which provides reliable electricity to approximately 12 million people across Florida. NextEra Energy also owns the largest energy infrastructure development company in the U.S., NextEra Energy Resources, LLC. NextEra Energy and its affiliated entities are meeting America's growing energy needs with a diverse mix of energy sources, including natural gas, nuclear, renewable energy and battery storage. Cautionary Statements and Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical facts, but instead represent the current expectations of NextEra Energy, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, NextEra Energy) regarding future operating results and other future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of NextEra Energy's control. In some cases, you can identify the forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as "will," "may result," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "plan," "seek," "potential," "projection," "forecast," "predict," "goals," "target," "outlook," "should," "would" or similar words or expressions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of future performance. The future results of NextEra Energy and its business and financial condition are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, or may require it to limit or eliminate certain operations. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those discussed in this news release and the following: effects of extensive regulation of NextEra Energy's business operations; inability of NextEra Energy to recover in a timely manner any significant amount of costs, a return on certain assets or a reasonable return on invested capital through base rates, cost recovery clauses, other regulatory mechanisms or otherwise; impact of political, regulatory, operational and economic factors on regulatory decisions important to NextEra Energy; effect of any reductions or modifications to, or elimination of, governmental incentives or policies that support clean energy or changes in or the imposition of additional tax laws, tariffs, duties, policies or other costs or assessments on clean energy or equipment necessary to generate, store or deliver it; impact of new or revised laws, regulations, executive orders, interpretations or constitutional ballot and regulatory initiatives on NextEra Energy; capital expenditures, increased operating costs and various liabilities attributable to environmental laws, regulations and other standards applicable to NextEra Energy; effects on NextEra Energy of federal or state laws or regulations mandating new or additional limits on the production of greenhouse gas emissions; exposure of NextEra Energy to significant and increasing compliance costs and substantial monetary penalties and other sanctions as a result of extensive federal, state and local government regulation of its operations and businesses; effect on NextEra Energy of changes in tax laws, guidance or policies as well as in judgments and estimates used to determine tax-related asset and liability amounts; impact on NextEra Energy of adverse results of litigation; impacts of NextEra Energy of allegations of violations of law; effect on NextEra Energy of failure to proceed with projects under development or inability to complete the construction of (or capital improvements to) electric generation, storage, transmission and distribution facilities, natural gas and oil production and transportation facilities and other facilities on schedule or within budget; impact on development and operating activities of NextEra Energy resulting from risks related to project siting, construction, permitting, governmental approvals and the negotiation of project development agreements, as well as supply chain disruptions; risks involved in the operation and maintenance of electric generation, storage, transmission and distribution facilities, natural gas and oil production and transportation facilities, and other facilities; effect on NextEra Energy of a lack of growth, slower growth or a decline in the number of customers or in customer usage; planned productivity increases and competitive advantages through the use of artificial intelligence technologies may not be realized and the use of and reliance on artificial intelligence may present certain risks; impact on NextEra Energy of severe weather and other weather conditions; threats of terrorism and catastrophic events that could result from geopolitical factors, terrorism, cyberattacks or other attempts to disrupt NextEra Energy's business or the businesses of third parties; inability to obtain adequate insurance coverage for protection of NextEra Energy against significant losses and risk that insurance coverage does not provide protection against all significant losses; a prolonged period of low natural gas and oil prices, disrupted production or unsuccessful drilling efforts could impact NextEra Energy's natural gas and oil production and transportation operations and cause NextEra Energy to delay or cancel certain natural gas and oil production projects and could result in certain assets becoming impaired; risk of increased operating costs resulting from unfavorable supply costs necessary to provide full energy and capacity requirements services; inability or failure to manage properly or hedge effectively the commodity risk within its portfolio; effect of reductions in the liquidity of energy markets on NextEra Energy's ability to manage operational risks; effectiveness of NextEra Energy's risk management tools associated with its hedging and trading procedures to protect against significant losses, including the effect of unforeseen price variances from historical behavior; impact of unavailability or disruption of power transmission or commodity transportation operations on sale and delivery of power or natural gas; exposure of NextEra Energy to credit and performance risk from customers, hedging counterparties and vendors; failure of counterparties to perform under derivative contracts or of requirement for NextEra Energy to post margin cash collateral under derivative contracts; failure or breach of NextEra Energy's information technology systems, or implementation challenges; risks to NextEra Energy's retail businesses from compromise of sensitive customer data; losses from volatility in the market values of derivative instruments and limited liquidity in over-the-counter markets; impact of negative publicity; inability to maintain, negotiate or renegotiate acceptable franchise agreements; occurrence of work strikes or stoppages and increasing personnel costs; NextEra Energy's ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate acquisitions, including the effect of increased competition for acquisitions; environmental, health and financial risks associated with ownership and operation of nuclear generation facilities; liability of NextEra Energy for significant retrospective assessments and/or retrospective insurance premiums in the event of an incident at certain nuclear generation facilities; increased operating and capital expenditures and/or reduced revenues at nuclear generation facilities resulting from orders or new regulations of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; inability to operate any of NextEra Energy's owned nuclear generation units through the end of their respective operating licenses or planned license extensions; effect of disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit and capital markets or actions by third parties in connection with project-specific or other financing arrangements on NextEra Energy's ability to fund its liquidity and capital needs and meet its growth objectives; defaults or noncompliance related to project-specific, limited-recourse financing agreements; inability to maintain current credit ratings; reduced liquidity from the inability of credit providers to fund their credit commitments or to maintain their current credit ratings; poor market performance and other economic factors that could affect NextEra Energy's defined benefit pension plan's funded status; poor market performance and other risks to the asset values of nuclear decommissioning funds; changes in market value and other risks to certain of NextEra Energy's assets and investments; effect of inability of NextEra Energy subsidiaries to pay upstream dividends, make distributions or repay funds to NextEra Energy or of NextEra Energy's performance under guarantees of subsidiary obligations on NextEra Energy's ability to meet its financial obligations and to pay dividends on its common stock; the fact that the amount and timing of dividends payable on NextEra Energy's common stock, as well as the dividend policy approved by NextEra Energy's board of directors from time to time, and changes to that policy, are within the sole discretion of NextEra Energy's board of directors and, if declared and paid, dividends may be in amounts that are less than might be expected by shareholders; effects of disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit and capital markets on the market price of NextEra Energy's common stock; and the ultimate severity and duration of public health crises, epidemics and pandemics, and its effects on NextEra Energy's business. NextEra Energy discusses these and other risks and uncertainties in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and other Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, and this news release should be read in conjunction with such SEC filings. The forward-looking statements made in this news release are made only as of the date of this news release and NextEra Energy undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. SOURCE NextEra Energy, Inc. Addiction Professionals of North Carolina Marks First Anniversary of Connecting Residents to Treatment RALEIGH, N.C., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Over 1.3 million North Carolinians are living with substance use disorder (SUD), a reality that affects communities large and small across the state. Despite recent progress in reducing overdose fatalities, thousands of families continue to feel its impact each year. February marks the one-year anniversary of Addiction Professionals of North Carolina's (APNC) state-funded North Carolina Treatment Connection campaign, an initiative designed to educate consumers about evidence-based SUD services and help them identify and access reputable service providers. "North Carolina is making meaningful progress in reducing overdose deaths," said Morgan Coyner, Acting CEO and Executive Vice President of APNC. "Between April 2024 and April 2025, our state saw a 35% decline in overdose fatalities, one of the largest drops in the nation. That's not an accident. That progress reflects smart investments in prevention, expanded access to treatment, and stronger recovery support. The work is delivering results, but sustaining and growing that progress means staying the course. Since the launch of NCTC in February 2025, the campaign has led to: 69% increase in individuals' ability to identify reputable SUD services 38% increase in the number of people who believe SUD should be treated as a medical condition 6.6 million social media impressions 925,000 North Carolinians reached 29,759 visits to NCTC website 29% increase in website visitors to Alcohol/Drug Council's Online Resource Directory "As a co-sponsor of the Stop Addiction Fraud Ethics Act, I wanted to protect residents from exploitative practices and make sure that those in need find genuine, reputable treatment," said North Carolina State Rep. Tim Reeder. "I'm proud to see that state investment in initiatives like the North Carolina Treatment Connection campaign is now helping more families access reliable care and move forward with recovery." The true measure of this campaign's success is its impact on individuals and families across North Carolina. Addiction is a chronic, treatable disease, as noted in a recent White House Executive Order, and this campaign works to reduce stigma and encourage more individuals to seek the support and treatment they deserve. As the NCTC campaign marks its first anniversary, APNC remains committed to expanding access to reputable treatment across the state. Over the past year, the campaign has demonstrated how awareness, connection, and support can make a real difference in the lives of individuals and families affected by Substance Use Disorder, laying out the foundation for continued progress in the years ahead. The foundation is laid. The momentum is real. And the work continues. About Addiction Professionals of North Carolina APNC is the professional trade association for substance use professionals and providers in North Carolina. APNC provides a collective voice for individuals, providers, and the communities they serve, advocating for effective policies, offering technical assistance, and fostering collaboration across the industry. APNC supports the behavioral health frontline workforce through education, advocacy, and innovative programs aimed at improving the health and wellness of North Carolina residents. With a mission to unify the voice of North Carolina's addiction professionals, APNC is dedicated to promoting research-informed practices, reducing stigmas, and ensuring equitable access to addiction and mental health services for all residents. Media Contact: Mary Cullen [email protected] 919.653.7814 SOURCE Addiction Professionals of North Carolina Long-standing industry-academic collaboration delivers first-of-its-kind intent-driven, AI-native RAN powered by a Large Telecom Model BOSTON and BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Northeastern University's Institute for Intelligent Networked Systems (INSI), SoftBank Corp. (SoftBank), Keysight Technologies, and zTouch Networks are demonstrating Autonomous Agentic AI-RAN (AgentRAN) at Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2026. AgentRAN is a first-of-its-kind system that coordinates a hierarchy of AI agents to translate high-level operator intents into real-time, autonomous 5G and 6G network configurations and services. The demonstration is the latest milestone in a collaboration anchored at Northeastern University, where INSI has served as a nexus for industry-academic partnerships at the frontier of intelligent wireless networks. Over the past few years, Northeastern has built deep research ties with SoftBank on AI-native architectures, leading to multiple publications, AI-RAN Alliance demonstrations, and innovation in next-generation wireless. INSI collaborates with Keysight on AI-RAN testing and spun off zTouch Networks to commercialize technology on open, GPU-accelerated RAN infrastructure. This demo brings those threads together for the first time around a shared vision: truly autonomous, AI-driven radio access networks. How It Works At the heart of the demo is AgentRAN, developed at Northeastern's Open6G AI-RAN Alliance Lab. Operators express goals in natural language such as "maximize throughput while prioritizing emergency traffic" and the AgentRAN Manager decomposes these intents into actions for specialized agents operating across the RAN stack. The agents are powered by the SoftBank's Large Telecom Model (LTM), a purpose-built foundation model trained on telecom-specific KPIs, configurations, and domain datafurther optimized with high-fidelity training data generated using Keysight's RF digital twin channel emulation solutions with real world accurate 3D ray tracing capabilities (RaySIM, PROPSIM) for more accurate decisions than generic cloud models can deliver. The Northeastern Open6G AI-RAN lab, using Keysight's PROPSIM, demonstrates multiple agentic scenarios, deployed on an end-to-end programmable private 5G AI-RAN infrastructure, managed and orchestrated by zTouch Networks' zTouch.OS. The demonstration shows the system's ability to detect changing conditions and adapt autonomously. Using Keysight's AI-RAN performance scoring solution, the system shows clear performance gains linked to the use of SoftBank's LTM, high fidelity training datasets generated by Keysight RF digital twin solutions, and zTouch Networks' zTouch.OS. What the Partners Are Saying Tommaso Melodia, William L. Smith Professor at Northeastern University and INSI Director: "When Northeastern co-founded the AI-RAN Alliance alongside SoftBank, NVIDIA, and other industry leaders at MWC 2024, we set out to prove that AI can be woven directly into the fabric of the radio access network not as an afterthought, but as its core operating principle. This demonstration is proof of this concept coming to life. Our open AI-RAN research infrastructure at INSI was purpose-built to bring together partners like SoftBank, Keysight, and zTouch Networks so we can move from ideas to working, validated systems faster than any one organization could alone. What you see here is a network that understands what an operator wants and figures out how to deliver it autonomously. This is the future of wireless, and it is being built through exactly this kind of deep, sustained collaboration." Ryuji Wakikawa, Vice President and Head of the Research Institute of Advanced Technology at SoftBank Corp.: "This initiative demonstrates our Large Telecom Model working outside of our own infrastructure for the first time, which underscores the potential of this technology to transform the whole industry. We believe technology is only valuable when it is put to the service of society, and our team is glad to support the spread of this impact in other use-cases beyond our own." Peng Cao, Vice President and General Manager, Wireless Test Group, Keysight: "AI-native networks will only be as powerful as the data and validation frameworks behind them. Through this collaboration with Northeastern University, SoftBank, and zTouch Networks, Keysight is enabling the high-fidelity digital twin environments and performance intelligence needed to train, validate, and scale Large Telecom Models for real-world deployment. Together, we are helping the industry move forward with confidence toward an autonomous, trustworthy, AI-powered 6G era." Salvatore D'Oro, zTouch Networks CTO: "We built zTouch Networks on a simple conviction: networks should understand what you need and deliver it autonomously - no armies of engineers, no months-long deployment cycles. This demonstration brings that vision to life. With zTouch.OS orchestrating an end-to-end AI-RAN infrastructure, operators can express an intent in plain language and watch the network configure itself in real time. Together with Northeastern, SoftBank, and Keysight, we're showing that truly autonomous, intent-driven wireless networks aren't a future promise - they're here." The Agentic AI-RAN demonstration will be live at MWC Barcelona 2026, March 2-5, at the Keysight booth in Hall 5, Stand 5F41. Visitors can see the full intent-to-network pipeline in action and explore the AgentRAN dashboard, LTM integration, and real-time channel emulation firsthand. About the Northeastern University INSI The Institute for Intelligent Networked Systems (INSI) at Northeastern University conducts cutting-edge research in wireless communications, networking, and systems. Home to the Colosseum wireless network emulator and the Open6G R&D center, INSI leads multiple federally, industry, and state-funded programs advancing wireless technology. Contacts: Michele Polese [email protected] SOURCE Institute for Intelligent Networked Systems Did you buy SMR Class A common stock between May 13, 2025, and November 6, 2025? Affected NuScale Power Corporation Investor Summary Who : NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) : NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) What: Securities fraud class action lawsuit filed Securities class action lawsuit filed Class Period: May 13, 2025, through November 6, 2025 May 13, 2025, through November 6, 2025 Deadline to Seek Lead Plaintiff Status: April 20, 2026 April 20, 2026 Key Lawsuit Allegations: Material misstatements and/or omissions concerning the company's commercialization strategy for its nuclear power generation projects and development. Material misstatements and/or omissions concerning the company's commercialization strategy for its nuclear power generation projects and development. Investor Action: Contact Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (www.ktmc.com) for recovery options at no cost to investor RADNOR, Pa., Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (www.ktmc.com), a nationally recognized securities litigation law firm, informs investors that a securities fraud class action lawsuit has been filed against NuScale Power Corporation (NuScale) (NYSE: SMR) on behalf of those who purchased or acquired NuScale Class A common stock between May 13, 2025, and November 6, 2025, inclusive. The lawsuit is filed in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon and is captioned Truedson v. NuScale Power Corporation, et al, Case No. 3:26-cv-00328 (D. Or.). Investors have until April 20, 2026, to file for lead plaintiff status. CONTACT KTMC TO DISCUSS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS: If you purchased or acquired NuScale Class A common stock and have lost money on your investment, you are encouraged to contact KTMC attorney Jonathan Naji, Esq. at: (484) 270-1453 [email protected] https://www.ktmc.com/smr-nuscale-power-corporation-class-action-lawsuit?utm_source=PR_Newswire&utm_medium=pressrelease&utm_campaign=smr&mktm=PR There is no cost or obligation to speak with an attorney. NUSCALE POWER CORPORATION CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT - COMPLAINT ALLEGATION SUMMARY: The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) ENTRA1 Energy LLC ("ENTRA1") had never built, financed, or operated any significant projects let alone projects in the highly technical and complicated field of nuclear power generation during its entire operating history; (2) NuScale had entrusted its commercialization, distribution, and deployment of its NuScale Power Module and hundreds of millions of dollars of NuScale capital to an entity that lacked any significant prior experience owning, financing, or operating nuclear energy generation facilities; (3) the purported experience and qualifications attributed to ENTRA1 by Defendants during the Class Period in fact referred to the purported experience and qualifications of the principals of the Habboush Group, a distinct entity without significant experience in the field of nuclear power generation; and (4) as a result, NuScale's commercialization strategy was exposed to material, undisclosed risks of failure, delays, regulatory challenges, or other negative setbacks. Why did NuScale's Stock Drop? On November 6, 2025, NuScale surprised investors by revealing that the company's general and administrative expenses had ballooned more than 3,000% to $519 million during its third fiscal quarter, up from $17 million in the prior year period, due largely to NuScale's payment of $495 million to ENTRA1 for its TVA agreement. As a result, NuScale's quarterly net loss skyrocketed to $532 million, up from $46 million in the prior year period. On this news, the price of NuScale Class A common stock declined by $5.45 per share, or approximately 14.4%, from a close of $37.91 per share on November 5, 2025, to close at $32.46 on November 6, 2025. WHAT SMR INVESTORS CAN DO NOW: File to be lead plaintiff by April 20, 2026. Contact KTMC for a free case evaluation. All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Retain counsel of choice or take no action. THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS FOR NUSCALE POWER CORPORATION INVESTORS : NuScale investors may, no later than April 20, 2026, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages NuScale investors to contact the firm for more information. ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP (KTMC): Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (KTMC) is a leading U.S. plaintiff-side law firm focused on securities-fraud class actions and global investor protection. The firm represents individual investors as well as institutions, such as major pension funds, asset managers, and international investors. KTMC has led some of the largest recoveries in securities litigation and has been recognized by peers and the legal media with numerous accolades, including The National Law Journal's Plaintiff's Hot List and Trailblazers in Plaintiffs' Law, BTI Consulting Group's Honor Roll of Most Feared Law Firms, The Legal Intelligencer's Class Action Firm of the Year, Lawdragon's Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers, and Law360's Titans of the Plaintiffs Bar. The firm operates globally with offices in Pennsylvania and California. KTMC has recovered over $25 billion for our clients and the classes they represent. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP, please visit www.ktmc.com. The complaint in this matter was not filed by KTMC. CONTACT: Jonathan Naji, Esq. (484) 270-1453 280 King of Prussia Road Radnor, PA 19087 [email protected] May be considered attorney advertising in certain jurisdictions. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. SOURCE Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Nexus Enterprise Imaging, LLC (NXXIM), headquartered in New York, NY, and backed by Geneva Private Equity (Geneva PE), today announced it has entered into a Master Service Agreement (MSA) with Apollo Enterprise Imaging, thereby assuming full operational control and management of Apollo's business and taking a decisive step toward redefining enterprise medical imaging, information navigation, and management. This integration advances NXXIM's strategic vision to move beyond traditional Vendor Neutral Archive (VNA) capabilities and deliver what the industry has lacked: a unified Enterprise Imaging Intelligence (EII) platform that combines AI-powered diagnostics, seamless multi-modal data integration, and intelligent clinical decision support across radiology, pathology, lab, EHR, genomics, and the full suite of specialties, all viewable through a single pane of glass. "The Apollo integration is a catalyst," said Warren Wright, CEO of NXXIM. "We're not simply building a better VNA; we are creating an Enterprise Imaging Intelligence platform that transforms fragmented imaging data into actionable clinical insight, powered by advanced AI at every level. Backed by Geneva PE, NXXIM is well-positioned to lead this evolution, with major platform advancements launching in Q2 2026." Key highlights of the integration include: Staff Continuity: A significant majority of Apollo staff have been retained within the NXXIM group, preserving customer relationships, institutional expertise, and existing NDA and BAA commitments. A significant majority of Apollo staff have been retained within the NXXIM group, preserving customer relationships, institutional expertise, and existing NDA and BAA commitments. Uninterrupted Service: All existing contracts, warranties, and pricing are fully honored, with transparent communication on any future changes and migration strategies. All existing contracts, warranties, and pricing are fully honored, with transparent communication on any future changes and migration strategies. Platform Investment: Geneva PE's backing enables accelerated development of NXXIM's EII platform, thereby unifying siloed imaging data, embedding AI-driven intelligence, converging viewing, and delivering measurably better diagnostic outcomes. NXXIM welcomes ongoing customer engagement through dedicated feedback channels and will host platform demonstrations in the coming months, showcasing the next generation of Enterprise Imaging Intelligence. For more information, visit www.nxxim.com, LinkedIn, or contact [email protected]. About Nexus Enterprise Imaging, LLC (NXXIM): Headquartered in New York and backed by Geneva PE, NXXIM is building the industry's first Enterprise Imaging Intelligence (EII) platform, a next-generation, AI-powered architecture that unifies radiology, pathology, lab, EHR, and genomic data to deliver superior diagnostic intelligence, clinical continuity, and patient outcomes at enterprise scale. About Geneva Private Equity: Geneva PE is a MedTech-focused investment firm specializing in medical technology companies preparing to scale. The firm works directly with management teams to accelerate commercialization, distribution, and operational growth, improving clinical and operational outcomes. For more information, visit www.geneva.pe or contact [email protected]. SOURCE NXXIM Kyiv hands over nearly 2,000 UAVs of various types to 112th territorial defense brigade Kyiv community has donated a new batch of aid to the fighters of the 112th Kyiv Territorial Defense Brigade 1,925 UAVs of various types, Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced. "From the capitals community, fighters from the 112th Kyiv territorial defense brigade received another 1,925 UAVs of various types. Specifically, 1,250 FPV strike drones, 450 Mavic daytime drones, 180 interceptor drones, 35 heavy bombers, 10 reconnaissance aircraft, and 15 ground control stations for the interceptor drones," he wrote on Telegram on Thursday. Klitschko noted that, starting in early 2026, UAH 100 million has been allocated from the capitals budget for equipment for the 112th brigade. Klitschko recalled that last week, the citys municipality donated 1,200 multirotor systems to the fighters of the 25th Kyiv Prince Askold Brigade of the National Guard. Namely, 620 interceptor drones, which help protect the skies above Kyiv. National Pet Retailer Earns Top Recognition in 20th Annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service LIVONIA, Mich., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pet Supplies Plus, the nation's largest pet retail franchise, has won a Bronze Stevie Award for customer service success further reinforcing the brand's commitment to delivering personalized, neighbor-first service in communities across the country. A team member assists a neighbor at Pet Supplies Plus, reflecting the personalized, neighbor-first customer service that earned the brand a Bronze Stevie Award in the 20th Annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. This recognition reflects Pet Supplies Plus's sustained commitment to delivering personalized, expert-driven service across more than 725 locally owned and corporate stores nationwide. For the third consecutive year, the brand earned a spot on Forbes' 2026 Best Customer Service list, securing the No. 1 ranking in the pet care category and outperforming major national competitors. "Customer service is at the core of who Pet Supplies Plus is," said Chris Rowland, CEO, Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N' Wash. "We're here to make pet ownership simpler, more enjoyable, and more connected to the community around you and this award is a testament to the thousands of team members across our system who show up for their neighbors every single day." The brand's ongoing investment in team member training equips store neighbors with deep expertise in pet nutrition, wellness, and behavior, empowering them to offer tailored guidance that builds lasting customer relationships a level of service that online retailers cannot replicate. Community impact is equally significant. Through ongoing partnerships with local rescues and shelters, Pet Supplies Plus and sister brand Wag N' Wash have continued to drive meaningful impact in 2026, building on more than 19,300 successful adoptions and advancing their collective commitment to connecting pets with loving homes nationwide. The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service are the world's top honors for customer service, contact center, business development and sales professionals. The Stevie Awards organizes nine of the world's leading business awards programs, also including the prestigious American Business Awards and International Business Awards. Winners will be celebrated during a gala event attended by more than 300 professionals from around the world at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City on March 5. More than 2,100 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry, in 41 nations and territories, were considered in this year's competition. Winners were determined by the average scores of 150 professionals worldwide on eight specialized judging committees. Entries were considered in more than 100 categories for customer service and contact center achievements, including Contact Center of the Year, Award for Innovation in Customer Service, and Customer Service Department of the Year; more than 70 categories for sales and business development achievements, ranging from Senior Sales Executive of the Year to Sales Training or Business Development Executive of the Year to Sales Department of the Year; more than 20 categories for AI in sales and customer service including Customer Service AI Trainer or Specialist of the Year, AI & Tech-Focused Customer Service Team of the Year, Best Use of AI Integration in Contact Centers, and Sales AI Trainer or Specialist of the Year; and categories to recognize new products, services, and solution providers. Stevie Awards President Maggie Miller said, "The remarkable scores achieved by this year's Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service winners reflect the extraordinary levels of excellence, innovation, and customer impact they deliver. We proudly join the judges in congratulating and celebrating these outstanding organizations and professionals on their achievements." Details about the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service and the list of Stevie winners in all categories are available at http://sales.stevieawards.com/. About Pet Supplies Plus Your neighborhood Pet Supplies Plus has everything you need for your furry, scaly and feathery friends. Its shelves are stocked with pet essentials, including a wide selection of over 11,000 products from 400 brands. Easily find all their favorites at prices you love, whether you shop in store or online using free curbside pickup, same-day delivery or Autoship. To help keep your pets happy and healthy, pet prescriptions can be filled online and delivered directly to your door. As the nation's largest pet retail franchise with over 725 locations and counting, Pet Supplies Plus makes shopping local simple. For more information visit www.petsuppliesplus.com. About The Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, the Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence, and the Stevie Awards for Women in Business. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations and territories. More than 1,000 professionals around the world participate in the Stevie Awards judging process each year. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com. Sponsors of the 20th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service include SOCAP International and ValueSelling Associates, Inc. Media Contact: Kaitlyn Sterk, Fishman Public Relations, 847.945.1300, [email protected] SOURCE Pet Supplies Plus TORONTO, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PointsBet Canada today confirmed it will request a hearing before the independent Licence Appeal Tribunal to contest the Notice of Proposed Order issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) on February 12, 2026, proposing a five-day suspension of its operator registration. PointsBet believes the proposed sanction is disproportionate to the isolated matter in question, which stemmed from human error. This was not a systemic failure, and there was no intent to withhold information. Upon identifying the accurate data, PointsBet immediately disclosed it and has cooperated fully with the AGCO throughout the investigation. "We have a strong compliance record in Ontario and remain fully committed to the highest standards of integrity and player protection," said Scott Vanderwel, PointsBet Canada Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to presenting our case at the Tribunal." Further updates will be provided as the matter progresses. About PointsBet Canada PointsBet Canada is a leading online sportsbook and iGaming operator serving Canadian players through its pointsbet.ca platform. Operating in regulated markets, including Ontario, the company delivers innovative sports betting, racing wagering, and casino products powered by a proprietary, scalable cloud-based wagering platform. PointsBet maintains operations in Australia and Canada and is now majority owned by MIXI Australia following the successful completion of its takeover offer. Contact PointsBet Canada [email protected] SOURCE PointsBet Poynter & Bucheri, LLC attorney recognized four consecutive years for excellence in personal injury law. Poynter & Bucheri, LLC attorney John Norman has been named to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for 2023 through 2026, marking four consecutive years of recognition by the peer-reviewed legal rating service. The designation is reserved for a select percentage of attorneys in each state who demonstrate exceptional professional achievement early in their careers. INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Rising Stars is part of Super Lawyers' research-driven selection process, which weighs peer nominations, independent research, and professional accomplishments. No attorney can pay to be included on the list. Mr. Norman focuses his practice on personal injury cases, representing clients injured in automobile collisions, slip and fall accidents, semi-truck crashes, premises liability incidents , animal bites, and wrongful death claims throughout Indianapolis and the surrounding communities, including Mooresville. For individuals seeking comprehensive guidance on navigating personal injury claims, Poynter & Bucheri, LLC offers an updated "Tips To Maximize Your Personal Injury Case Settlement Guide," available at https://pb-law.com/guide/10-tips-to-maximize-settlement/ . A Snapshot of Mr. Norman's Practice Areas The Rising Stars designation is part of the Super Lawyers patented selection process, which is both peer-influenced and research-driven. This rigorous evaluation identifies top attorneys, with only a small percentage earning a place on the annual lists. The selection considers peer recognition, professional achievements, and other pertinent factors, underscoring a commitment to legal excellence. Personal injury claims in Indiana, from slip and fall accidents to multi-vehicle collisions are on the rise, making experienced legal representation more critical than ever. In fact, premises liability and auto accident cases together account for a significant share of civil litigation in the state, yet many injured victims are unaware of how attorney selection directly impacts their settlement outcome. Slip and fall related accidents , including cases involving negligent maintenance, unsafe structures, and inadequate security Auto and motorcycle accidents, including complex multi-vehicle and lane change collisions Premises liability claims involving negligent security and property owner responsibility Wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases At Poynter & Bucheri, LLC, Mr. Norman focuses his practice on advocating for those affected by various personal injury incidents. His expertise spans automobile collisions, premises liability, semi-truck collisions, animal bites, and wrongful death cases. This recognition as a Rising Stars honoree reflects the firm's unwavering commitment to providing high-quality legal representation and client advocacy. Mr. Norman is also an active member of the Indianapolis Bar Association, Indiana State Bar Association, Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Association for Justice. Poynter & Bucheri, LLC is an Indianapolis-based personal injury law firm dedicated to helping injured individuals recover the compensation they deserve after accidents caused by negligence. Serving clients in Indianapolis and surrounding communities, the firm offers free consultations and aggressive representation in cases involving car and truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, slip and falls, wrongful death, and other serious injuries. Managing partners Don Poynter and Richard Bucheri have led the firm since 1996, bringing decades of experience fighting insurance companies and advocating for accident victims across Indiana. The firm can be reached at https://pb-law.com/ SOURCE Poynter & Bucheri, LLC In the news release, Regie.ai Introduces the Force Multiplier Rep: A New Operating Model for Modern Sales, issued 26-Feb-2026 by Regie.ai over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that changes have been made. The complete, corrected release follows, with additional details at the end: Regie.ai Introduces the Force Multiplier Rep: A New Operating Model for Modern Sales SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Regie.ai today announced the launch of the Force Multiplier Rep, a new AI-powered operating model designed to help sales teams generate more pipeline without adding headcount. Sales teams are being asked to deliver record pipeline in an environment where traditional prospecting no longer scales. Email deliverability is declining. Phone connect rates are dropping. Buyers are overwhelmed. Activity alone no longer translates to results. While many sales teams are investing in AI with the goal to increase ARR per rep, most are falling short. To increase pipeline, they need to increase multi-channel account coverage without losing precision. The Force Multiplier Rep is the first solution to address this structural shift. Rather than asking reps to manually research, prioritize, craft messaging, and execute across disconnected systems, Regie.ai embeds AI directly into the daily workflow transforming each rep into a high-leverage pipeline generator. "Sales didn't stall because reps stopped working hard," said Matt Millen, President and Co-Founder of Regie.ai. "It stalled because the operating model stopped scaling. The Force Multiplier Rep is built for how buying actually works today continuous, signal-driven, and dynamic." A Structural Shift in How Pipeline Is Built For years, sales organizations attempted to solve pipeline gaps by adding more tools, more sequences, and more activity. But modern buying behavior is not linear. Intent shifts daily. Contacts change roles. Marketing engagement reshapes conversations in real time. The Force Multiplier Rep combines automation, signal detection, prioritization, and execution into a single AI-powered system that: Continuously monitors buying signals across CRM, engagement, and external data Dynamically prioritizes accounts based on real movement, not static lists Generates context-aware messaging tailored to each account Executes multi-channel outreach without adding manual workload Orchestrates inbound, outbound, and signal-based plays in a single workflow The result: broader TAM coverage, faster reaction to intent, and increased pipeline per rep. Early Results Show Meaningful Pipeline Impact Early adopters report: Increased account coverage without incremental headcount Faster response to in-market buying signals Higher-quality outbound engagement Measurable lift in pipeline creation per rep By combining human sellers with AI execution, the Force Multiplier Rep enables teams to scale impact, not headcount. Built for the Next Era of Sales The Force Multiplier Rep builds on Regie.ai's AI-native foundation, including RegieOne, Auto-Pilot Agents, and AI Dialer capabilities. Together, these systems create a unified pipeline generation engine designed for modern go-to-market teams. "AI in sales isn't about replacing reps," added Rocco Savage, Head of Product. "It's about removing the thousands of micro-decisions that slow them down and giving them leverage. That's what the Force Multiplier Rep delivers." Availability The Force Multiplier Rep is available immediately to Regie.ai customers as part of the company's latest platform release. For more information, visit: www.regie.ai/Force-Multiplier-Rep About Regie.ai Founded in 2020, Regie.ai is the leading AI-native sales engagement platform, designed to help businesses scale by automating the most time-consuming parts of outbound sales. Built by AI scientist, Dr. Srinath Sridhar, and veteran sales leader, Matt Millen, Regie.ai streamlines prospecting by combining AI-powered automation with human-driven outreach, making sales workflows more efficient. Backed by Scale Venture Partners, Foundation Capital, Khosla Ventures, StepStone Group, TriplePoint Capital, South Park Commons, and Day One Ventures, Regie.ai has achieved 300% year-over-year ARR growth and is trusted by B2B brands like Copado, Crunchbase, and more. With its newest solution, RegieOne, the company is redefining sales prospecting by unifying email, social outreach, and parallel dialing into a single AI-powered platform. Headquartered in San Francisco, Regie.ai operates with a global team. Correction: The website link at the end of the release has been updated from an earlier version of this release. SOURCE Regie.ai New program empowers parents and teens to work together for safer roads PHOENIX, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) celebrates its 45th anniversary with the launch of The Merge Initiative, a new parent and family-focused traffic safety program sponsored by General Motors. Traffic safety is a core pillar of GM's commitment to communities, helping drivers of all ages adopt safer behaviors. The Merge Initiative is designed to strengthen family focused prevention efforts at the community level by encouraging parents and youth to model safe behaviors, engage in meaningful conversations, reinforce accountability, and learn more about mobility safety together. Focused on the belief that prevention begins at home, the program connects families across home, school, and workplace environments to encourage conversations about safe driving. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for teens in the United States and are a major source of preventable injury among adolescents. Teen drivers ages 1619 face a fatal crash rate per mile driven that is nearly three times higher than that of older drivers. With more than 45 years of experience advancing youth health and safety, SADD continues to engage students and mobilize communities nationwide through peer-to-peer prevention programs that promote safe driving behaviors. In 2025, national research further proves the importance of family involvement in reducing teen crashes. Findings from the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicate that teens who perceive strong parental monitoring are nearly 40% less likely to engage in risky driving behaviors, such as texting while driving or driving under the influence. These findings reinforce the importance of parent and teen communication and supervision as essential components of effective teen driver safety efforts. "With prom and graduation season approaching, followed closely by the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer, this is a critical moment to promote family conversations around safe driving," said Dylan Ivy, Program Developer of The Merge Initiative. "Parent involvement in teen driving is one of the most powerful protective factors we can provide our youth. When parents actively supervise, set clear expectations, model safe behavior, and maintain open communication, teens build the confidence and habits they need to stay safe behind the wheel, not just now, but for life." Currently, in the pilot phase, SADD's new program, The Merge Initiative, is being implemented in select states across the country. Participating SADD chapters are hosting family game nights to bring parents and teens together, sponsoring family meals that spark conversations around mobility safety at the dinner table, and leading peer-to-parent education efforts through schools and community events. This spring, SADD will also partner with employers nationwide to share traffic safety messaging with parents at work, reinforcing conversations that will continue at home. "We're incredibly excited about this pilot program and grateful to General Motors for their partnership," said Shourya Shavkani, president of SADD's Student Leadership Council. "Because of GM's support, SADD is able to expand our prevention work by engaging parents along with their teens to strengthen the impact of the work our chapters do every day across the country." For more information about The Merge Initiative or SADD, visit sadd.org . ABOUT SADD For 45 years, SADD, the nation's premier youth health & safety organization, has worked to empower teens, engage parents, mobilize communities, and change lives around the issues of traffic safety, substance use, and personal health and safety. Through a national network of peer-led chapters in middle schools, high schools, and colleges, SADD equips our students with the resources they need to advocate for change on their campuses and in their communities. Join the movement by visiting www.sadd.org , and follow us @saddnation on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and TikTok . SOURCES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Teen drivers: Risk factors and prevention strategies. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/teen-drivers/risk-factors/index.html Ghanbari, A., Howard, M., Cavanaugh, J., & Hamann, C. (2025). Teen perceptions of parental monitoring and its impact on their risky road behavior: An analysis of the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Journal of Safety Research, 93, 342347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2025.03.007 CONTACT: Dylan Ivy Program Developer [email protected] Siteimprove.ai now delivers natural-language analytics, multimodal AI for PDF and Image accessibility coverage, and Keyword Intelligence for search in the world of AEO COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Siteimprove , a leader in agentic content intelligence, today announced the availability of its latest AI agent capabilities. The major AI updates include conversational analytics enabling non-technical users to get answers, generate reports, and dashboards using natural language. Moreover, customers gain new content accessibility coverage for PDF and Images, and keyword intelligence for Search to win in the world of Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). Siteimprove Logo Wordmark These capabilities continue to put customers in a strong position to meet digital accessibility regulations such as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and European Accessibility Act (EAA) while helping brands improve discoverability across answer engines and generative engines. "We live in an AI world with infinite content where every organization needs to ensure their content is compliant and is performing, especially for AEO," said CEO at Siteimprove, Nayaki Nayyar. We continue to invest in Siteimprove's unified agentic content intelligence platform, and this release places a conversational analytics agent at the heart of it to help customers get quick answers, reports and dashboards using natural language. Additionally, with the new PDF validate, image analysis, and keyword intelligence agents, this release helps customers proactively address multi-channel content compliance and content performance challenges on our unified platform." The new agent capabilities include: Conversational Analytics Agent: Ask questions in natural language and instantly get answers to understand what matters across analytics data democratizing insights across teams. Teams can quickly task the agent to generate answers on campaign performance, funnel diagnostics, and recommended targets for course correction. Ask questions in natural language and instantly get answers to understand what matters across analytics data democratizing insights across teams. Teams can quickly task the agent to generate answers on campaign performance, funnel diagnostics, and recommended targets for course correction. PDF and Image Accessibility Agent: PDF Validate and Contextual Image Analysis agent surfaces accessibility issues before content goes live, helping teams reduce risk earlier in the content lifecycle. This helps customers increase accessibility coverage across more content types. PDF Validate and Contextual Image Analysis agent surfaces accessibility issues before content goes live, helping teams reduce risk earlier in the content lifecycle. This helps customers increase accessibility coverage across more content types. Keyword Intelligence Agent: Expanded keyword and topic intelligence agent uncovers competitive and topical gaps, giving teams deeper insight into growth opportunities for both traditional and AI-driven search in the world of AEO. "As organizations scale AI use, content volume is outpacing their ability to manage it. Making that content accessible and discoverable isn't just good practice, it's now a prerequisite for maintaining brand relevance," said Sr. Research Director, Worldwide Persuasive Content & Digital Experiences at IDC, Jordan Jewell. "Siteimprove differentiates itself with its Agentic Content Intelligence Platform by unifying accessibility, compliance, and content performance across content types (PDFs, images) and channels (web, mobile) in one offering. Because these capabilities are often siloed, this integration stands out. The new Conversational Analytics Agent capabilities are designed to support faster, smarter business impact on all fronts." For more information, please visit siteimprove.com . About Siteimprove Founded in 2003, Siteimprove transforms access to the digital world by providing an agentic content intelligence platform that unifies accessibility, analytics, SEO/AEO, and content strategy. Today, global 2000 clients across manufacturing, government, higher education, financial services, and healthcare rely on Siteimprove.ai, an agentic content intelligence platform to deliver both content that performs and that is compliant. Based in Copenhagen, Bellevue, Minneapolis and London, Siteimprove is a single, actionable source of truth for digital content and development teams across many of the largest global enterprises, government entities and learning institutions. Siteimprove is majority-owned by Nordic Capital. Media Contact [email protected] Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/588192/siteimprove_New.jpg Precision CUSO's AI-powered decisioning platform enables approval automation, scalability, and long-term competitiveness HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. and HAWORTH, N.J., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Teachers Federal Credit Union, one of the largest credit unions in the United States with more than $9.9 billion in assets and over 472,000 members nationwide, and Corridor Platforms, a leading provider of decision intelligence automation and governance software, today announced their intent to launch Precision CUSO, a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) created to deliver advanced approval automation and AI-driven credit decisioning capabilities to credit unions across the country. Teachers Federal Credit Union and Corridor Platforms announce intent to launch Precision CUSO, a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) created to deliver advanced approval automation and AI-driven credit decisioning capabilities to credit unions across the country. Precision CUSO will provide institutions with access to sophisticated decisioning technology that helps modernize lending and member engagement without sacrificing governance, compliance, or data ownership. The solution enables credit unions to automate credit approvals, streamline decision workflows, and apply data-driven insights at scale, empowering them to compete effectively in a rapidly evolving financial services landscape. Precision CUSO offers credit unions a hosted decision intelligence platform that supports custom underwriting, automated compliance controls, and built-in governance. Credit unions can develop and refine decisioning strategies using their own member data, while also integrating existing in-house or third-party models. These models and strategies are continuously tested and optimized through a disciplined governance framework, including champion-challenger testing, reducing manual intervention, improving consistency, and enabling faster, more personalized member experiences as needs and behaviors evolve. By leveraging a centralized decision analytics infrastructure developed in collaboration with Teachers Federal Credit Union, Precision CUSO connects data across core banking systems, loan origination platforms, bureau data, and other third-party sources to enable a holistic, real-time view of each member, supporting smarter decisions at every stage of the relationship. "Our partnership with Corridor Platforms has helped transform how we make decisions and serve our members," said Brad Calhoun, President and CEO of Teachers Federal Credit Union. "With Precision CUSO, we are extending those same capabilities to credit unions nationwide providing the tools to automate approvals, scale responsibly, and compete both today and well into the future, while staying grounded in the cooperative values that define our industry." "The pressure on credit unions to modernize has never been greater," said Manish Gupta, CEO of Corridor Platforms. "Precision CUSO represents a 'by credit unions, for credit unions' solution that combines the innovation of AI-driven decisioning with the governance, transparency, and member-centric values that define the credit union industry. In an AI-first world, we have collaborated closely with Teachers Federal Credit Union to build a solution that allows credit unions of all sizes to innovate, grow, and meet the changing needs of their members with confidence." For additional information and future updates on Precision CUSO, visit www.precisioncuso.org. About Teachers Federal Credit Union Teachers Federal Credit Union (Teachers) is one of the country's largest credit unions, with more than $9.9 billion in assets and over 472,000 members across all 50 states. Founded in New York in 1952, Teachers is a full-service, not-for-profit financial institution with an open charter offering membership to anyone in the U.S. through its 32 full-service branches and best-in-class digital solutions. Teachers is a key supporter of the communities it serves and is proud to offer a range of member-focused products with competitive rates and low fees. What started as a smart solution for teachers is now smart for all. For more information, visit www.teachersfcu.org. About Corridor Platforms Corridor Platforms is a leading provider of proprietary decision workflow governance and automation software for AI and GenAI. The company's decisioning platform was created by a team of highly seasoned banking professionals with experience leveraging the most advanced analytics, big data and AI capabilities for decisioning in regulated industries. Corridor Platforms Inc. is majority owned by its founders, with additional investment from EXL Services and Oliver Wyman. For more information visit www.corridorplatforms.com. SOURCE Teachers Federal Credit Union GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cancer & Hematology Centers (CHC), Michigan's largest physician-owned oncology and hematology practice, announced the expansion of its specialty care offerings with the addition of urology services in Michigan. CHC welcomes two urologists and two radiation oncologists to its Lansing-based clinic, further strengthening access to comprehensive, community-based cancer and urology care. The Cancer & Hematology Centers, Michigans largest physician-owned oncology and hematology practice, announced the expansion of its specialty care offerings with the addition of urology services in Michigan. CHC welcomes two urologists and two radiation oncologists to its Lansing-based clinic, further strengthening access to comprehensive, community-based cancer and urology care. Urologists Rafid Yousif, MD, MPH, FACS, and Robert Dimitriou, MD, who previously practiced at the Lansing Institute of Urology, will continue caring for patients at their primary clinic in East Lansing, as well as at additional physician offices across Mid-Michigan and Grand Rapids. CHC's urology services will operate under the name The Urology Institute. Also joining CHC Lansing are Edward Lee, DO, and Michael Cardenas, MD, DABR both radiation oncologists, expanding access to comprehensive radiation oncology services in the greater Lansing community. Dr. Lee previously treated patients at Compass Cancer Center in Lansing, and together, Drs. Lee and Cardenas strengthen CHC's ability to deliver coordinated care across the cancer care continuum. In addition, four advanced practice providers who support both the urology and radiation oncology teams are joining CHC Lansing. The addition of Drs. Yousif, Dimitriou, Cardenas and Lee reflects the value created by bringing urology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology together on OneOncology's specialty medicine platform. OneOncology is a physician services organization supporting more than 2,300 providers who care for approximately 1.5 million patients nationwide by helping community practices grow and deliver high-quality, high-value specialty care. CHC and OneOncology note that integrating medical oncology, radiation oncology, and urology together in independent practices enables more coordinated, holistic care in a high-quality, lower-cost setting. Research consistently shows that specialty care delivered in independent practices costs a fraction of what hospitals charge for the same services. "By bringing medical oncology, radiation oncology, and urology together, CHC Lansing is able to offer patients comprehensive, compassionate care that is closely coordinated among specialists," said Dr. Yousif. "This integrated approach allows patients and their families to focus on what matters most, while receiving seamless care close to homewithout the need to travel for specialty services." Founded in Grand Rapids in 1979, CHC now operates ten medical specialty clinics with forty physicians caring for patients throughout Michigan, including Big Rapids, Flint, Lansing, and Metro Detroit. To learn more about The Cancer & Hematology Centers please visit: www.thechc.com To learn more about The Urology Institute please visit: www.theuroinstitute.com About CHC: The Cancer & Hematology Centers is an independent, physician-owned oncology practice with a proud legacy of serving West Michigan and surrounding areas for over 40 years. Now with an expanded reach beyond West Michigan, we offer patients across Michigan access to cutting-edge treatments and participation in phase I, II, and III clinical trialsall within a compassionate and caring environment. Our services include benign and malignant hematology programs, outpatient specialty pharmacy services, a centralized laboratory structure and more. As a proud partner of OneOncology, a national network of leading independent community oncology practices, CHC benefits from a physician-led model that enhances our ability to improve the lives of cancer patients through shared technology platforms, data sharing, and clinical excellence. SOURCE Cancer & Hematology Centers "The Cormorant at 55 South represents an exciting new chapter for Silversea, extending our commitment to luxury travel to Antarctica," said Bert Hernandez, president, Silversea. "This unique property will offer our guests the same hallmark comfort and personalized service they expect while on board our ships and will immerse them in the rich culture, traditions, and natural beauty of the region. The interior spaces are thoughtfully designed to reflect the spirit of this extraordinary destination." FIVE SIGNATURE SPACES INSPIRED BY NATURE AND ADVENTURE The Cormorant's public spaces are designed to foster relaxation, reflection and discovery, blending Silversea's signature elegance with the raw beauty of Patagonia. Cozy lounges, curated gathering areas, and panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness invite guests to pause and connect with the spirit of the far south. THE FIREPLACE LOUNGE Inspired by the region's reverence for fire as a symbol for gathering, hospitality, and storytelling, the fireplace lounge will serve as a place of retreat, with a variety of plush seating, fine wines, and signature cocktails. Sweeping vistas of the Patagonian landscape unfold from the lounge's expansive windows, as guests enjoy the comforting warmth of this one-of-a-kind fireplace. 150 GUEST ROOMS Each of The Cormorant's 150 guest rooms are thoughtfully appointed, inviting guests to recharge before or after their voyage. Rooms offer serene forest views or water vistas of the Beagle channel, bringing guests closer to the breathtaking natural beauty of Patagonia and immersing them in the landscapes that define this region. The interiors feature warm wood tones and earthy elements, creating an authentic and calming environment. To further this connection, every room will incorporate handcrafted items created by Chilean artisans, adding a unique touch that celebrates local and regional culture. LATITUDE 55 In addition to spaces honoring the nature of Puerto Williams, guests will enjoy a culinary experience rooted in Chilean flavors, with a dining venue that offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere and menus that celebrate the region's ingredients and traditions. At Latitude 55 named for its location near the 55th parallel south menus will celebrate Patagonia's rich flavors, blending regional staples with chef-inspired creations. In the evening, the restaurant turns into a family-style gathering that sparks stories of adventure and anticipation of the journey to come. BAR SUR Bar Sur will serve as the social heart of The Cormorant, offering teas and small bites by day and curated wines and spirits by night all inspired by regional flavors. From wine tastings showcasing Patagonia's viticultural legacy to a guided tasting and hands-on cocktail masterclass of Chilean Pisco, a fragrant, high-proof grape brandy and Chile's most iconic spirit every moment captures the essence of exploration. UNCHARTED To commemorate their visit to the southernmost hotel on earth, guests can visit Uncharted, The Cormorant's boutique. Here, keepsakes crafted by Chilean artisans, and expedition essentials provide lasting mementos of an extraordinary journey. A NEW GATEWAY TO ANTARCTICA Silversea's pioneering Antarctica Fly Cruise itineraries allowing guests to skip the Drake Passage will include a hotel stay in Santiago, followed by a direct charter flight to Puerto Williams, where guests will enjoy a one-night stay at The Cormorant before continuing to King George Island for embarkation. Upon return, guests will again stay overnight at the hotel before flying back to Santiago. Guests will also have the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Puerto Williams through activities such as nature walks, hiking, kayaking, and wildlife watching, further enriching their expedition experience. The hotel will operate seasonally from October to March, with dedicated staff trained in The Silversea Way, which reflects Silversea's philosophy of personalized service, destination expertise, and thoughtful attention to guest needs, to ensure a consistent and exceptional level of service and hospitality. LEARN MORE IN THE LATEST EPISODE OF STORIES BY SILVERSEA In the latest episode of Stories by Silversea, the brand's leaders and project partners go behind the scenes, offering a closer look at the spaces taking shape at The Cormorant and the elevated experiences guests can expect. Watch the episode here: A Legacy in the Making: Part 3. For more information on The Cormorant at 55 South and Silversea's Antarctica Fly Cruise program, visit: https://www.silversea.com/lp-antarctica-fly-cruise.html Find additional assets in our digital press kit: https://royalcaribbeangrouppresscenter.com/silversea/dpk/cormorant Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release relating to, among other things, expectations on timing, design, and demand for the development of The Cormorant at 55 South, constitute forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "set," "anticipate," "will," "scheduled," and similar expressions are intended to help identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations, are based on judgments, are inherently uncertain and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements. Examples of these risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, those included under the caption "Risk Factors" in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as well as our other filings with the SEC, copies of which may be obtained by visiting our Investor Relations website at www.rclinvestor.com or the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this release, which are based on information available to us on the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Silversea Silversea is the leading experiential luxury and expedition travel brand, offering guests immersive experiences on all seven continents, personalized service, and an innovative culinary offering aboard its 12 intimate ocean and expedition ships. Silversea's itineraries encompass an unparalleled range of destinations worldwide, from the Mediterranean and the Caribbean to the Galapagos, both Polar Regions, and hundreds of fascinating places in between. Set to strengthen its destination leadership starting in 2026, the brand is developing the southernmost hotel on Earth, The Cormorant at 55 South, in Puerto Williams, Chile offering guests a uniquely seamless journey to Antarctica. Silversea brings its like-minded guests closer to their destination in uncompromised comfort, championing the joy of travel, an enriching spirit of discovery, and an enduring commitment to Silversea's signature "To Finding More" promise. Silversea is owned and operated by global cruise company Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL). For more information, visit www.silversea.com. Media can stay up to date by visiting the brand's press center. Silversea, Otium, S.A.L.T., The Cormorant at 55 South, To Finding More, and the various ship names are registered trademarks of Silversea Cruises Ltd. About Royal Caribbean Group Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) is a vacation industry leader with a global fleet of 68 ships across its five brands traveling to all seven continents. With a mission to deliver the best vacations responsibly, Royal Caribbean Group serves millions of guests each year through its portfolio of best-in-class brands, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea; and an expanding portfolio of land-based vacation experiences through Perfect Day at CocoCay and Royal Beach Club collection. The company also owns 50% of a joint venture that operates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. With a rich history of innovating, Royal Caribbean Group continually delivers exciting new products and guest experiences that help shape the future of leisure travel. Learn more at royalcaribbeangroup.com or rclinvestor.com. SOURCE Silversea Cruises TOKYO, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- TIER IV , the pioneering force behind open-source software for autonomous driving, is excited to announce its participation as a technology partner in an unmanned security vehicle deployment initiative led by the Japan Ministry of Defense. This initiative aims to enhance and streamline security and patrol operations at Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) camps and bases nationwide by advancing the practical deployment of unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) systems equipped with autonomous driving capabilities. Leveraging its expertise in autonomous driving software, TIER IV will provide technical support for the initiative. Background Security and patrol operations at defense facilities require continuous monitoring across expansive areas while making efficient use of limited human resources. To address these challenges, the Ministry of Defense is pursuing the application of AI technologies with a long-term goal of reducing manpower requirements by approximately 1,000 personnel per day across JGSDF facilities. TIER IV's participation is central to accelerating this transition from manual to autonomous operations. Initiative overview Through the introduction of UGVs utilizing autonomous driving technologies, the initiative seeks to improve operational efficiency, enhance surveillance capabilities, and reduce the workload on personnel. The initiative is planned to run through the end of March 2027, beginning with an operational proof of concept test involving two UGVs at JGSDF Camp Asaka in the Greater Tokyo Area. Through comprehensive testing of driving performance, safety, remote monitoring functionality, and operational suitability, the project aims to establish a practical operational model for nationwide deployment across JGSDF facilities. TIER IV's role in the initiative TIER IV will be responsible for the provision and maintenance of autonomous driving software, integration with sensors and vehicle systems, and technical support for deployment and field operations. TIER IV will collaborate with KDDI , providing communications infrastructure and remote operation technologies. Together, the companies will advance the development of a comprehensive system designed for real-world operational use. Drawing on its experience in deploying autonomous driving solutions across public transportation, logistics, construction and mining, agriculture, and ports, TIER IV will contribute to the establishment of safe and reliable operational foundations in the defense sector, while supporting the continued advancement of autonomous driving technologies. About TIER IV TIER IV stands at the forefront of deep tech innovation, pioneering Autoware , open-source software for autonomous driving. With a comprehensive suite of platforms and services built around Autoware, TIER IV provides everything from software development and vehicle procurement to operational support. Through the Autoware ecosystem, TIER IV works with partners worldwide to shape the future of intelligent vehicles with open-source software, aiming to create mobility that is safer, more sustainable, and accessible to all. Autoware is a registered trademark of the Autoware Foundation. Media contact [email protected] SOURCE TIER IV, Inc. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) worked at the sites of the Russian attack in Zaporizhia. "This night, Ukrainian cities once again suffered a massive attack. The Ukrainian Red Cross Emergency Response Teams, together with rescuers, worked at the sites of the shelling. Thus, in Zaporizhia, the Ukrainian Red Cross Emergency Response Team in Zaporizhia region, together with rescuers, provided first aid to the wounded," the society said on Facebook on Thursday. Volunteers also provided first psychological aid to people who were in a state of acute stress reaction. In addition, residents of damaged houses received humanitarian aid from the Red Cross Society. According to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, Russian UAVs attacked the city this night, injuring a person. Private and multi-storey residential buildings, a shopping center were damaged. EMERYVILLE, Calif., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Adventure doesn't have to be a solo actand with MT Sobek, it never feels like one. As more travelers seek the freedom of independent travel paired with meaningful connection, the adventure pioneer reports that nearly 30% of its guests now join trips on their own. Photo by Victor Barcus For 2026, MT Sobek is spotlighting what makes its journeys especially appealing to solo travelers: small, active groups where shared challenges and discoveries naturally spark camaraderie. From the first trailhead to the final celebration dinner, guests travel with like-minded adventurers who value active adventure, exploration, and cultural immersion. "Adventure is simply more fun when it's shared," says Anne Wood, Senior Program Director at MT Sobek. "Our solo travelers quickly find themselves part of a welcoming communityswapping stories on the trail, cheering each other on, and often forming friendships that last well beyond the trip." MT Sobek's intentionally small groups and expert local guides remove the stress of planning while creating space for authentic connection. Many departures also feature low or $0 single supplements, helping solo travelers feel more included from the start. Featured Small-Group Adventures for Solo Travelers Japan Kumano Kodo Walking & Hiking Journey ancient trails through forests and past age-old shrines, enjoying cultural immersion and built-in connection with fellow walkers at a mindful, scaled-back pace. Utah National Parks Hiking Explore the Mighty Five's dramatic canyons, arches, and desert vistas together, with plenty of opportunities to bond over big skies, shared hikes, and evenings under the stars. Alps Village to Village Hiking Walk classic alpine paths linking storybook villages, sharing scenic days on the trail and relaxed evenings of conversation and camaraderie with a welcoming small group. Costa Rica Rainforest & Rivers Multi-Adventure Go deep into wildlife-rich landscapes on an active adventure that brings travelers together through shared exploration, easy conversation, and a love of nature. New Zealand South Island Hiking Tackle spectacular alpine and coastal trails together, from fjords to glaciers, in one of the world's great hiking destinations. Guest feedback underscores the appeal. Many report arriving solo and leaving with new friendsand plans for their next adventure together. Travelers can explore 2026 departures or speak with an expert Trip Consultant at 800-974-0300 to find the MT Sobek adventure that fits their interests and pace. Visit online at www.mtsobek.com. SOURCE Mountain Travel Sobek HOUSTON, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As the National Weather Service (NWS) intensifies its Weather Awareness efforts this spring highlighting Tornado, Lightning, and Flood safety trial attorneys Joel Simon and Ryan Perdue of Simon Perdue Law, PLLC are urging trucking companies and commercial drivers across Texas and New Mexico to take proactive measures that could prevent catastrophic roadway collisions . Early spring in both states brings rapidly changing weather patterns, including severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, high winds, and isolated tornadoes. For passenger vehicles, these conditions are dangerous. For 80,000-pound commercial trucks, they can be deadly. "Every year, we see devastating crashes that occur during predictable weather events," said Joel Simon. "High winds can destabilize tractor-trailers, heavy rain reduces visibility and braking ability, and flash flooding can turn highways into hazards within minutes. These are not unforeseeable risks they are seasonal realities." According to the National Weather Service, spring storms in the Southwest frequently produce sudden downpours, crosswinds, and lightning events that impact major trucking corridors, including I-10, I-20, I-25, and I-40. Commercial carriers operating in these regions have a legal duty to adjust operations based on known weather risks. Ryan Perdue emphasized that weather awareness is not just a public safety message it is a liability issue. "Federal safety regulations require trucking companies to exercise extreme caution in hazardous conditions. That means reducing speed, increasing following distance, and if necessary, discontinuing operations until conditions improve. When companies push drivers to meet deadlines despite severe weather warnings, the consequences can be tragic." The attorneys note that weather-related trucking accidents often involve: Jackknife crashes due to slick roadways Rollovers caused by crosswinds Multi-vehicle pileups during sudden visibility loss Hydroplaning and loss of braking control Underride collisions during storm-related traffic slowdowns In litigation, Simon and Perdue frequently examine dispatch communications, weather alerts, GPS data, and driver logs to determine whether companies properly responded to severe weather advisories. "If the National Weather Service issued warnings and a carrier ignored them, that becomes a critical issue in court," Simon explained. The firm encourages trucking companies to use Weather Awareness initiatives as an opportunity to: Implement real-time weather monitoring for dispatchers Train drivers on high-wind and flood-response protocols Reinforce policies allowing drivers to stop operations without penalty Conduct seasonal safety briefings before peak storm months "Engaging drivers, educating them on seasonal risks, and empowering them to prioritize safety over schedule can prevent life-altering crashes," Perdue said. "Weather is unavoidable but preventable negligence is not." About Simon Perdue Law, PLLC Simon Perdue Law, PLLC is a nationally recognized personal injury law firm committed to representing victims of accidents and negligence. With a focus on roadway safety and protecting injury victims, the firm advocates for accountability, innovation, and justice for clients across the country. For more information about Simon Perdue Law, PLLC or to learn more about your safety and legal rights, visit https://www.simonperduelaw.com/ . For media inquiries, contact Shannon Pecca at [email protected] . SOURCE Simon Perdue, PLLC Selected routes now support QR code boarding SINGAPORE, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Trip.com, a global online travel service provider, has partnered with East Japan Railway Company, Central Japan Railway Company, West Japan Railway Company, and Kyushu Railway Company to launch the sale of Shinkansen tickets across Japan for international travellers. In recent years, Japan has emerged as one of the most popular travel destinations in Asia, attracting growing interest from travellers around the world. Through its multilingual global platform, Trip.com enables international visitors to purchase Shinkansen tickets in advance in their preferred language, offering greater convenience when planning travel within Japan. With this service, travellers can select their departure and arrival stations, travel date, train, and seat typenon-reserved, reserved, or Green Carand purchase Shinkansen tickets online via Trip.com. Depending on the ticket type, passengers can either pass through ticket gates using a QR code or collect physical tickets from ticket vending machines at stations. The Tokaido Shinkansen, Sanyo Shinkansen, and Kyushu Shinkansen are available exclusively via QR code boarding. By securing Shinkansen tickets online prior to departure, international travellers can reduce concerns related to on-site ticket purchases and language barriers, ensuring a smoother and more stress-free travel experience within Japan. Another key feature of the service is the ability to book Shinkansen tickets together with other travel products, such as flights and accommodation, all in one place. Trip.com will continue to work closely with Japan's major transportation providers to create a seamless travel environment, enabling travellers from around the world to explore destinations across Japan with greater ease and comfort. SOURCE Trip.com Issued on behalf of GoldHaven Resources Corp. VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- USA News Group News Commentary Tungsten prices have surged fivefold over the past year as prolonged underinvestment and tightening Chinese exports push the market toward what BMO analysts warn could become a severe global shortage, with ammonium paratungstate now trading at approximately $1,775 per metric tonne unit after Chinese exports plummeted to near zero in late 2025[1]. Copper price forecasts have jumped above $11,000 per tonne for the first time, according to a Reuters poll of analysts who remain wary about speculative excess even as supply deficits widen across base metals markets[2]. Companies advancing critical mineral projects in stable mining jurisdictions include GoldHaven Resources (CSE: GOH) (OTCQB: GHVNF), Wheaton Precious Metals (TSX: WPM) (NYSE: WPM), Capstone Copper (TSX: CS), Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF), and Taseko Mines (TSX: TKO) (NYSE-A: TGB). The U.S. State Department hosted representatives from 54 countries at the 2026 Critical Minerals Ministerial in February, signing new bilateral frameworks and channeling billions through federal funding programs to accelerate domestic and allied critical minerals supply chains[3]. StoneX estimates the copper market deficit will nearly double to 333,000 tonnes in 2026, up from 174,000 tonnes the prior year, as accelerating electrification and rising defense procurement strain existing supply[4]. GoldHaven Resources (CSE: GOH) (OTCQB: GHVNF) has appointed Raymond Wladichuk as Technical Advisor to the Company, joining the BC geological team with a primary focus on advancing the Magno Project. Mr. Wladichuk is a Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.) registered in multiple Canadian provinces with over 15 years of experience across mineral exploration, engineering, and construction. In his role, he will support drill permitting initiatives and the strategic design of the Company's 2026 work program. "We are very pleased to add Raymond to our geological team at a pivotal time for the Company," said Rob Birmingham, President & CEO of GoldHaven. "His experience in exploration, engineering, and project execution will be instrumental as we advance the Magno Project, including drill permitting and the strategic planning of our 2026 exploration program. Strengthening our technical team ensures we are well-positioned to efficiently move Magno forward." The appointment follows a $2.0 million critical mineral flow-through financing to advance the district-scale Magno Polymetallic Project in British Columbia's Cassiar District. The non-brokered private placement will issue up to 7,547,170 flow-through shares at $0.265 per share, with proceeds directed toward eligible Canadian exploration expenses qualifying as critical mineral flow-through expenditures. The financing is expected to fund 3D geological modeling, target refinement, and drill planning through 2026. The financing follows a productive 2025 exploration campaign at Magno that defined property-scale porphyry-related zonation across the 36,973-hectare project, where 357 samples revealed bonanza silver grades up to 2,370 grams per tonne and tungsten values reaching 6,550 ppm across multiple skarn zones. Strong and widespread tungsten mineralization at the Kuhn and Dead Goat zones further confirms the scale of the system. The company also confirmed high-grade copper at its Three Guardsmen Project, with surface sampling returning up to 15.85% copper. In Brazil, GoldHaven recently confirmed gold mineralization in bedrock at its Copecal West Target, where the first-ever drilling returned 39 meters at 0.11 g/t gold from 58 meters depth. Hole COPE-PDH-006 returned 7 meters at 0.46 g/t gold including 1 meter at 1.21 g/t, while the inaugural East Target program discovered bornite, suggesting potential for a substantial gold-copper system. GoldHaven now controls 133,186 hectares across proven mining jurisdictions in British Columbia and Brazil, with the Magno property located just three kilometres south of the historic Cassiar mining camp and accessible via Highway 37, providing infrastructure advantages rarely present at projects of this scale. All projects are supported by a comprehensive 43-101 Technical Report. CONTINUED Read this and more news for GoldHaven Resources at: https://usanewsgroup.com/2025/09/23/the-goldhaven-story-two-continents-one-strategy-systematic-exploration-in-historically-productive-districts/ In other industry developments: Wheaton Precious Metals (TSX: WPM) (NYSE: WPM) has acquired an additional silver stream on the Antamina mine in Peru through a new partnership with BHP. The company paid $4.3 billion for 33.75% of Antamina's silver output, bringing its combined share to 67.5% of all silver produced from one of the world's largest copper-zinc operations jointly owned by BHP, Glencore, Teck, and Mitsubishi. "Quality silver production is becoming increasingly difficult to source while demand continues to rise for both critical industrial uses and for silver's safe haven qualities in today's economic environment," said Randy Smallwood, CEO of Wheaton Precious Metals. "Our expanded stream on Antamina reinforces Wheaton's role as one of the largest silver producers in the world and further adds to one of the strongest growth profiles in the mining sector." Under the agreement, Wheaton pays 20% of the spot silver price per ounce delivered, maintaining the low-cost streaming model that has defined the company's growth trajectory. The stream covers deliveries until 100 million ounces are reached, after which the company retains 22.5% for the remainder of the mine life through 2036, providing decades of predictable silver exposure from a tier-one jurisdiction. Capstone Copper (TSX: CS) has issued 2026 guidance projecting 200,000 to 230,000 tonnes of copper production at C1 cash costs of $2.45 to $2.75 per pound. The company delivered record copper production in 2025, up 22% year over year, while advancing several key operational catalysts including the Mantoverde Optimized Project in Chile. Gibraltar produced 98 million pounds of copper in 2025, with second-half production increasing 46% after mining through lower-grade ore zones in the first half. "2025 was a remarkable year for Capstone, delivering record copper production up 22% year-over-year, while executing on several key catalysts," said Cashel Meagher, President and CEO of Capstone Copper. "We will continue to build on this success in 2026, with a focus on delivering consistent and reliable outcomes, while we execute on MV-O which is expected to drive higher copper production levels in 2027." A sanctioning decision on the Santo Domingo copper-iron project is expected in the second half of 2026, potentially adding another long-life asset to the portfolio. Capstone has allocated a $70 million exploration budget for the year as the company positions itself to capitalize on tightening copper supply fundamentals and record-setting price environments across base metals. Record revenue and a strengthening balance sheet provide the financial foundation for continued disciplined growth. Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) has reported Q4 and full-year 2025 results headlined by $3.28 billion in revenue and $1.45 billion in EBITDA at a 44% margin from its Kamoa-Kakula copper complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The company's Kipushi zinc mine generated $441 million in revenue during its ramp-up year, with C1 costs guided at $0.85 to $0.95 per pound for 2026. "2026 marks a decisive turning point for Ivanhoe Mines, a year in which the extraordinary efforts made at each of our Tier-One mines coincide with increasingly tighter global commodity markets," said Robert Friedland, Founder and Executive Co-Chairman of Ivanhoe Mines. "As copper prices push to historic highs, we are turning the corner at Kamoa-Kakula following the 2025 seismic event." Africa's largest copper smelter is now operating above 60% capacity, with the first 99.7%-pure copper anodes expected to ship via the Lobito Railway Corridor imminently. Ivanhoe's Platreef Phase 2 expansion targets a 400% production increase beginning in Q4 2027, underscoring the company's trajectory toward becoming one of the continent's largest copper producers. Kipushi's 2026 C1 guidance of $0.85 to $0.95 per pound positions the zinc operation as a low-cost contributor to diversified revenue. Taseko Mines (TSX: TKO) (NYSE-A: TGB) has announced strong Q4 financial results alongside the commencement of copper cathode production at Florence Copper in Arizona. Full-year 2025 adjusted EBITDA reached $230 million on revenues of $673 million, while Q4 cash flow from operations hit $101 million as the Gibraltar mine produced 98 million pounds of copper for the year. Adjusted net income for Q4 reached $42 million as copper grades and recoveries returned to normal levels in the second half. "2025 was a productive and highly successful year for Florence Copper. With construction and commissioning now behind us, we're looking forward to the first cathode harvest in the coming days," said Stuart McDonald, President and CEO of Taseko Mines. "Results from the initial wellfield operations are positive and we are targeting to produce 30 to 35 million pounds of copper in 2026." The company is targeting combined 2026 copper production of 140 to 150 million pounds across Gibraltar and the Florence operation. Three drill rigs are currently expanding the Florence wellfield with a fourth arriving on site, supporting the ramp-up to full production capacity as Taseko enters a new phase of dual-asset copper output. The company's Florence SX/EW plant is fully operational with copper now being plated through the electrowinning circuit. Article Source: https://usanewsgroup.com CONTACT: USA NEWS GROUP [email protected] (604) 265-2873 DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this publication should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision. This is a paid advertisement and is neither an offer nor recommendation to buy or sell any security. We hold no investment licenses and are thus neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. The content in this report or email is not provided to any individual with a view toward their individual circumstances. USA News Group is wholly-owned subsidiary of Market IQ Media Group, Inc. ("MIQ"). This article is being distributed for Baystreet.ca Media Corp. ("BAY"), who has been paid a fee for an advertising campaign. MIQ has not been paid a fee for GoldHaven Resources Corp. advertising or digital media, but the owner/operators of MIQ also co-owns BAY. There may also be 3rd parties who may have shares of GoldHaven Resources Corp. and may liquidate their shares which could have a negative effect on the price of the stock. This compensation constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled company. Because of this conflict, individuals are strongly encouraged to not use this publication as the basis for any investment decision. We also expect further compensation as an ongoing digital media effort to increase visibility for the company, no further notice will be given, but let this disclaimer serve as notice that all material, including this article, which is disseminated by MIQ on behalf of BAY has been approved by GoldHaven Resources Corp. The scientific and technical information disclosed in this document have been reviewed and approved by two Qualified Persons (QPs). The Copecal Technical Report identifies Jean-Marc Lopez, B.Sc., FAusIMM, as the Qualified Person responsible for the report. The report "GoldHaven Resources Completes Summer Exploration Programs" states that the technical information has been reviewed and approved by Jonathan Victor Hill, B.Sc. Hons, FAusIMM, an independent Qualified Person and Country Manager of GoldHaven. Individuals should assume that all information contained in our newsletter is not trustworthy unless verified by their own independent research. Also, because events and circumstances frequently do not occur as expected, there will likely be differences between the any predictions and actual results. Always consult a licensed investment professional before making any investment decision. Be extremely careful, investing in securities carries a high degree of risk; you may likely lose some or all of the investment. While all information is believed to be reliable, it is not guaranteed by us to be accurate. Individuals should assume that all information contained in our newsletter is not trustworthy unless verified by their own independent research. Also, because events and circumstances frequently do not occur as expected, there will likely be differences between the any predictions and actual results. Always consult a licensed investment professional before making any investment decision. Be extremely careful, investing in securities carries a high degree of risk; you may likely lose some or all of the investment. SOURCES: 1. https://www.mining.com/tungsten-crunch-can-be-fixed-before-prices-spike-further-bmo/ 2. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/copper-forecasts-jump-above-11000-first-time-analysts-wary-demand-worries-2026-01-29/ 3. https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/02/2026-critical-minerals-ministerial 4. https://www.stonex.com/en/market-intelligence/stonex-tv-copper-prices-surge-as-debasement-trade-spills-over/ Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2838876/5826092/USA_News_Group_Logo.jpg CLEVELAND, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- February 26, WTWH Media, LLC, has announced registration is now open for the fourth year of the QSR Evolution Conference. The event will take place September 810, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, with a special welcome reception held on the evening of September 8. QSR Evolution New for 2026, QSR Evolution, in partnership with the NextGen Restaurant Summit, is presented as a single, combined event experience from the teams behind QSR and FSR magazines. This unified format brings together quick-service, fast casual, and full-service restaurant leaders under one registration, giving attendees the flexibility to choose the sessions most relevant to their business and growth goals. At this event, attendees will hear and share perspectives on building and operating the restaurant of the future. A high-profile roster of speakers will lead discussions on growth, innovation, franchising, labor, culture, and technology that offer insights applicable across restaurant segments while maintaining a strong foundation in restaurant leadership. "Once again, we've tapped operators to curate an agenda that centers on actionable insights," says Danny Klein, VP, Editorial, at QSR and FSR. "We're going to dive into tech, labor, culinary, and more, and do so with an operator-first approach. But equally important, we're continuing to find ways to connect industry leaders and develop a collaborative environment where everybody can learn and grow." The Year 4 event will begin with a "Welcome to Atlanta" welcome reception keynote with Chick-fil-A president Susannah Frost - the sixth person in the brand's storied history to hold the role. She'll share her journey and take attendees inside the iconic chain's history. The agenda is then highlighted by several keynote addresses, including an opening roundtable discussion with Jimmy John's, Sonic Drive-In, Buffalo Wild Wings, Baskin-Robbins, Dunkin', and Arby's owner Inspire Brands. Also taking the big stage will be White Castle CEO Lisa Ingram, Shake Shack CEO Rob Lynch, and Texas Roadhouse CEO Jerry Morgan as we peel back the curtain behind some of the country's most successful restaurant companies. Additional speakers include more than 100 accomplished industry leaders across both sectors. Last year's third edition of QSR Evolution attracted more than 1,300 C-level executives, presidents, founders, franchise owners and operators, operations executives, technology and information executives, human resources, culture executives and franchise development executives from across the country. Registration Information Early bird registration is available to operators of quick-service and full-service restaurants at a rate of $399 until June 1, 2026. The registration fee after that date will be $499 and late and onsite registration will be $599. Attendees can learn more and register by visiting QSR Evolution. Direct registration can be found here: For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Eugene Drezner at [email protected] About QSR: QSR delivers timely and in-depth reporting on the $350 billion quick-service restaurant industry. Since 1997, QSR has defined this market, which includes traditional fast food, fast casual, coffee, snacks, concessions, and related segments of the foodservice industry. About FSR: FSR informs, connects, and enriches the $300 billion full-service restaurant industry, which includes independent restaurants; national, regional, and emerging restaurant chains; and multi-concept hospitality groups. WTWH Media is an award-winning, digital-first B2B media and marketing company that connects brand marketers with targeted, hard-to-reach audiences of executives and practitioners. The Company serves seven core industry verticals including design engineering, robotics, life sciences, renewable energy, food service, convenience retail, and clubs & resorts. For more information on WTWH, please visit https://www.wtwhmedia.com. SOURCE WTWH Media Plans Regional Operational Hub and Supports Local SME Trade Settlements KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- XTransfer, the World's Leading B2B Cross-Border Trade Payment Platform, is pleased to announce that it has received conditional approval from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) for key payment licences, including issuing electronic money, as well as a Money Services Business Licence (Class A) covering remittance and currency exchange. XTransfer Receives Malaysia Central Banks Conditional Approval for Key Payment Licences Upon completing the pre-issuance conditions and being permitted to launch, XTransfer plans to introduce digital payment services in Malaysia designed to support businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in international trade. These services are intended to include streamlined onboarding, convenient funding options, efficient foreign exchange, and secure remittance and settlement experiences, with a focus on compliance, security, and operational reliability, helping Malaysian SMEs reduce friction in legitimate trade as they scale into regional and emerging-market corridors. "Receiving conditional approval from Bank Negara Malaysia is an important milestone for XTransfer in the ASEAN region," said Bill Deng, Founder and CEO of XTransfer. "We appreciate BNM's guidance and oversight. We look forward to bringing Malaysian businesses compliant and efficient payment solutions that help trade move faster and more predictably, especially as intra-Asia and broader SouthSouth trade routes continue to expand. Malaysia is also central to XTransfer's regional strategy, with a plan to establish Malaysia as its regional operational hub, serving as a strategic control centre within Southeast Asia, coordinating compliance, risk management, customer support, and global operations to ensure alignment with both local and Group-wide standards. "Malaysia gives us the talent, governance environment, and regional proximity to scale across the region," Bill added. Founded in 2017, XTransfer is dedicated to using technology to bridge large financial institutions and SMEs worldwide, providing secure, compliant, fast, convenient and low-cost cross-border trade payment and fund collection solutions. With more than 800,000 enterprise clients, XTransfer has become a global industry leader and continues to expand internationally to support trading companies worldwide. SOURCE XTransfer Enhanced partnership highlights how Boats Group's data, technology, and global reach empower boutique firms to operate at enterprise scale MIAMI, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- YachtWorld, part of Boats Group, today announced a renewed and expanded partnership with Sunshine Cruising Yachts, underscoring how Boats Group's industry-leading market intelligence and digital tools empower brokerages of every size to succeed. By equipping boutique firms with the same sophisticated technology and insights used by the largest players, Boats Group enables partners like Sunshine Cruising Yachts to operate with the scale, efficiency, and competitive edge of a much larger brokerage. Sunshine Cruising Yachts, a woman-owned brokerage founded 6 years ago, has earned a strong reputation for its deep cruising knowledge and client-first, inclusive approach. With a team largely composed of top-performing female brokers, the company has consistently sought innovative ways to strengthen its position in a highly competitive marketplace. Over the past year, Sunshine Cruising Yachts conducted a comprehensive evaluation of its marketing strategy, platform performance, and overall return on investment across industry partnerships. As Boats Group introduced enhanced listing capabilities and expanded market intelligence tools, the brokerage reassessed the platform's impact on visibility, lead quality, and competitive positions. Based on these findings, Sunshine Cruising Yachts made the strategic decision to deepen its commitment to YachtWorld. "Access to Boats Group's market intelligence and platform tools allows us to compete with larger brokerages," said Melanie Sunshine Neale, Founder of Sunshine Cruising Yachts. "After taking the time to understand the impact of the enhanced tools now available, it became clear that expanding our partnership was the right move. We're able to bring our clients the same depth of data, visibility, and strategic insight that has traditionally been associated with big firms while maintaining the personalized service and agility that define who we are." "Our focus is ensuring that brokerages and dealerships of every size have access to the tools and intelligence required to compete effectively," said Andreas Madsen, Chief Revenue Officer at Boats Group. "When boutique brokerages are empowered with comprehensive market data and global exposure, they can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the industry's largest players." As the brokerage landscape continues to evolve, Boats Group remains committed to democratizing access to powerful tools and market intelligence, ensuring that performance, transparency, and innovation define success in the global yacht market. About Boats Group Boats Group operates the world's leading online marketplaces for buying and selling boats, including Boat Trader, YachtWorld, and boats.com. With a global audience of millions of boat buyers, Boats Group provides data-driven marketing solutions, AI-driven tools, financing services, and industry insights to help OEMs, dealers, and brokers maximize their sales potential. About Sunshine Cruising Yachts Founded in 2020, Sunshine Cruising Yachts is a women-owned boutique yacht brokerage specializing in cruising sail and power vessels. Known for its deep cruising expertise and forward-thinking approach, the firm prioritizes staying ahead of technology trends and leveraging advanced marketing and data tools to maximize results for buyers and sellers worldwide. By combining real-world boating experience with modern digital strategy, Sunshine Cruising Yachts delivers informed guidance, strong market positioning, and personalized service in a competitive global marketplace. Press Contact: Courtney Chalmers Chief Brand & Communications Officer, Boats Group Email: [email protected] Phone: 1-877-354-4069 SOURCE YachtWorld 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 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. German authorities are considering the extradition of Andriy Portnov, a suspect in the murder of former Ukrainian politician and lawyer. This was reported by the Cologne prosecutor's office in response to a DW inquiry. "The prosecutor's office refused to disclose details of the case, as 'it concerns an ongoing extradition process involving international participation.' The prosecutor's office also did not specify which country the suspect might be extradited to," the publication notes. Portnov was reportedly shot dead on May 21, 2025, near the American School in the upscale Madrid suburb of Pozuelo de Alarcon, where his children attended and where he lived. He was shot in the back as he was about to get into his Mercedes, which was parked on the sidewalk. The Spanish National Police launched a manhunt for three people involved in the murder. The judge investigating Portnov's death has ordered the investigation to remain confidential. Politician and lawyer Portnov (born 1973) was a member of Parliament of the 5th and 6th convocations (2006-2007, 2007-2010). From April 2010 to February 2014, he was the head of the Main Directorate for Judicial Affairs in the presidential administration of Viktor Yanukovych and deputy (from January 24, 2014, first deputy) head of the presidential administration of Ukraine. Since December 2021, Portnov has been under US sanctions for influencing the courts. According to journalists from the program Skhemy (Schemes), he left Ukraine in June 2022. A murder suspect was arrested in the German town of Heinsberg in cooperation with a special operations unit of the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), the Spanish National Police announced on Wednesday, February 25. 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 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. Meren Energy Inc (TSX:MER, OTCQX:MRNFF, FRA:AFZ0) has highlighted a year of operational and financial change in 2025, underscored by the completion of its Prime amalgamation, improved shareholder returns and continued balance sheet strengthening. The company said the transaction to take full control of Primes assets was transformative, doubling Merens reserves and production base. During the year, Meren returned approximately $100 million to shareholders under its base dividend policy and repurchased 5.9 million shares for about $8 million. Operationally, the company reported average daily working interest production of 30,800 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) and entitlement production of 35,100 boepd, both in line with revised full-year guidance. About this content 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. Gunnison Copper Corp (TSX:GCU, OTCQB:GCUMF, FRA:3XS0) has reported improved economics in an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for its wholly owned Gunnison Copper Project in Cochise County, Arizona, replacing the prior study released in December 2024. The company said the 2026 assessment reflects stronger project value driven by higher copper price assumptions and operational enhancements. The updated plan outlines a conventional open-pit, heap-leach and SX/EW operation designed to produce 99.999% pure copper cathode for US energy, data center, manufacturing and defense supply chains. The mine plan is primarily focused on oxide copper mineralization, with 541 million tons of material expected to be placed on the leach pad at an average grade of 0.43% total copper. This includes 25 million tons grading 0.85% copper from the nearby Strong & Harris satellite deposit. Over a 21-year mine life, the project is projected to produce 3.2 billion pounds of copper, including average annual cathode output of 174 million pounds during the first 15 years. Gunnison estimates operating costs would place the project in the lower half of the global copper cost curve, with cash costs of $1.69 per pound, sustaining cash costs of $2 per pound and all-in sustaining costs of $2.06 per pound. Using a base-case copper price of $4.60 per pound, the study outlines an after-tax net present value discounted at 8% (NPV8%) of $1.95 billion and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 22.7%, with payback in 3.9 years. At a $5.75 per pound copper price assumption, the NPV8% rises to $3.22 billion and IRR to 32%. The company highlighted the addition of a cement co-product strategy based on high-purity limestone previously considered waste. The initiative is estimated to contribute $130 million to project NPV and help address a regional cement supply deficit. Overall, Gunnison said the project could generate more than 53,000 jobs and contribute $544 million in state and local taxes, $1.37 billion in federal taxes and $14.6 billion in total economic output. The 2026 PEA shows the projects after-tax NPV8% increased by $692 million, or 55%, from the 2024 studys $1.26 billion. Gunnison attributed $117 million of the improvement to updated price assumptions, including a higher long-term copper price of $4.60 per pound versus $4.10 previously. The remaining $576 million was driven by non-price changes such as incorporating the Strong & Harris deposit, adding material sorting technology, updated geotechnical work, and operational improvements. The Strong & Harris satellite deposit alone contributed an estimated $189 million increase in NPV, while the addition of optical material sorting contributed $84 million by improving head grades and reducing acid consumption. Updated pit slope assumptions following 2025 geotechnical work added $41 million, and the inclusion of autonomous haulage systems added $14 million. Gunnison also incorporated changes to acid plant sizing, tax depreciation rules and mining fleet leasing, each contributing incremental value. The company said the limestone overburden totals about 133 million tons and could support cement and limestone sales well beyond the copper mine life. "The updated PEA underscores the scale and compelling economics of the Gunnison Copper Project, positioning it as a significant future supplier to the American copper market and a key contributor to the domestic supply shortfall, Gunnison Copper CEO Dr Stephen Twyerould said in a statement. Importantly, 83% of the $692 million increase in NPV8% versus our 2024 preliminary economic assessment study is driven by operational enhancements within our control, including the addition of the high-grade Strong & Harris satellite deposit, material sorting, cement and limestone co-products, and optimization initiatives. Based on the PEA results, the company said it is recommended that it consider advancing to a prefeasibility study for the open-pit project, a process expected to take approximately 18 months. A full feasibility study would be proposed upon successful completion of the PFS. The recommendations include additional drilling for resource verification and geotechnical coverage to support detailed mine planning, as well as further metallurgical drilling and pilot heap leach testing to evaluate recovery kinetics and flow characteristics. The company also called for further mineralized material sorting studies to assess effectiveness and economics. Engineering work required for the PFS includes completion of a detailed mine plan, heap leach design, SX-EW plant design and highway relocation design. Additional planning and cost analysis will be needed to establish the schedule and expenses associated with relocating Interstate 10 and adding a rail spur connection to the Union Pacific Railroad. Gunnison said it has proposed a list and budget for the additional work required to support the prefeasibility study. The mineral resource estimate for the Gunnison deposit is based on 122 drill holes totaling 158,785 feet. With average annual production of 174 million pounds of 99.999% pure copper cathode in the first 15 years, lower-half-of-the-cost-curve operating metrics, and significant leverage to copper prices, we believe Gunnison offers shareholders meaningful exposure to a large-scale, long-life US copper asset as we advance toward Pre-Feasibility, permitting, and project financing, Twyerould concluded. Shares of Gunnison added 5.5% in Toronto on Thursday morning. About this content About Angela Harmantas Angela Harmantas is an Editor at Proactive. She has over 15 years of experience covering the equity markets in North America, with a particular focus on junior resource stocks. Angela has reported from numerous countries around the world, including Canada, the US, Australia, Brazil, Ghana, and South Africa for leading trade publications. Previously, she worked in investor relations and led the foreign direct investment program in Canada for the Swedish government. She earned a Bachelor 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. Hungary's Charge d'Affaires was summoned twice to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday. The second summons was prompted by comments from Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, the ministry's spokesman, Heorhiy Tykhyi, reported. "Since Minister Szijjarto spread false narratives and completely distorted the content of the meeting with the Hungarian Charge d'Affaires to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Hungarian diplomat was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs again. At the second meeting, which took place several hours after the first, he was informed of the unacceptability of distorting the content of conversations, with the faint hope that the second time, the correct content would reach Budapest," Tykhyi said in response to a question from journalists. He noted that during the meetings at the Foreign Ministry, the Ukrainian side made no indication, specifically that "the resumption of oil supplies to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline is blocked for political reasons." However, the subject was statements by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban regarding potential threats to the country's critical energy infrastructure. "The Hungarian side, in particular, was informed that Ukraine is ready to provide assistance to Hungary to protect its facilities. The Ukrainian side proposed establishing operational channels for information exchange and coordination between the relevant agencies of both countries responsible for protecting critical infrastructure," Tykhyi noted. Earlier, Szijjarto stated that the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry summoned the Hungarian charge d'affaires in Kyiv and "admitted" that Ukraine "keeps the Druzhba oil pipeline closed for political reasons." "Today they summoned our embassy charge d'affaires to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, where they admitted they are keeping the pipeline closed for political reasons... They admitted there is no physical or technical reason not to resume supplies, only political ones. They also made it clear they want weapons and money in exchange for resuming oil supplies to Hungary," Szijjarto said in a video posted on his Facebook page. At the same time, he stated that Ukraine has no right to threaten or jeopardize Hungarys energy supply. Lion Copper and Gold Corp (TSX-V:LEO, OTCQB:LCGMF, FRA:QR20) is right where a junior mining company wants to be in the metals market of early 2026, with its brownfield Yerington Copper Project, situated in the famously mining-friendly jurisdiction of Nevada, set for both further exploration and a push for production before the decade is out. Adding to the companys strengths is that Yerington aligns well with the growing U.S. demand for domestically supplied critical minerals. While all of this held true before, it does even more so now that Lion Copper and Gold has secured an agreement with Rio Tintos Nuton venture, which in November 2025 committed up to US$31 million to advance the project. Nuton will also make cutting-edge bioleach technology available to support production. Lion Copper and Gold Chief Executive Officer John Banning explained to Proactive that Nutons decision followed a year of significant technical and regulatory progress at Yerington. We had a huge year last year, Banning says. We completed our pre-feasibility study (PFS), demonstrating economic viability to the appropriate public and technical reporting standards in North America, and we regained our critical water rights for the project. Unlike the more traditional staged approach to feasibility and permitting, Banning explains that Nuton has sufficient confidence in Yerington to advance both simultaneously. We arent doing what some companies do, which is a staggered definitive feasibility study (DFS) and then permitting, he notes. Nuton has the confidence in the project to do them in parallel. Their US$31 million commitment is an endorsement for the project to move toward construction-ready status as quickly as possible. The funding structure is designed to carry the project through to full permitting. Crucially, Nutons option structure avoids dilution at the parent company level during what Banning describes as the highest-risk stage of development. Typically, the DFS and permitting stage carries the highest risk, he says. Our shareholders are not going to pay for any of that. Its an asymmetrical risk-upside position for investors and shareholders. At a base-case copper price of US$4.30 per pound, the PFS outlines a post-tax net present value (NPV) at a 7% discount rate of US$694 million, with an internal rate of return (IRR) of 14.6% and a payback period of 6.7 years. Yerington is modelled to achieve average annual production of approximately 120 million pounds of refined copper cathode over a 12-year mine life, with peak production of 151 million pounds per year during years five through seven. Proven and probable reserves total 506.5 million tons grading 0.21% copper, which works out to 2.14 billion pounds of copper. In addition to reserves, Yerington hosts a measured and indicated resource of 293.3 million tons grading 0.18% copper, containing 989 million pounds of copper, as well as an inferred resource of 158.1 million tons grading 0.14% copper, containing 443.4 million pounds of copper. Metallurgical testing highlighted strong copper recoveries using low-cost heap leaching. Life-of-mine copper recovery averages 67.4%, including recoveries of 73.2% from sulfide material using Nutons leach technology and approximately 60% from oxide material processed through conventional heap leaching. Beyond favourable economics, Yerington benefits from its location in Nevada, a jurisdiction Banning characterizes as predictable and well-versed in the ins and outs of the mining industry. Were in Nevada, an extremely mining-friendly and stable jurisdiction with very clear, well-understood permitting pathways, Banning says. Thats always a key perception of risk to manage with investors and stakeholders. Yerington also sits within a broader copper district that Banning believes is often overlooked. A lot of people dont realize the massive copper porphyries in this district. There are more than 30 billion pounds of copper resources within a seven mile radius of our project. We hold the strategic ground right in the middle with existing infrastructure. The projects brownfield nature further reduces execution risk. There are two open pits. One was mined in the 1990s, one was mined in the 1960s and 1970s, and we simply want to restart those mines, Banning explains. The companys partnership with Nuton represents a core element of Lion Copper and Golds development strategy, bringing Rio Tinto-backed sulfide leaching technology into play. Banning describes the technology with a single word: incredible. Nutons bioleaching process offers potential economic and environmental advantages over conventional copper processing, including a lower carbon footprint and reduced water consumption. The process eliminates the requirement for a tailings storage facility and avoids the capital intensity associated with building and operating a mill. It also expands the range of copper resources that can be economically evaluated, particularly lower-grade sulfide material, which represents a significant portion of Yeringtons mineralization. For decades, copper has been processed through conventional milling and concentrating with large tailings storage facilities, Banning says. What Nuton brings is bioleaching technology that removes the need for all of that. From an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) perspective, Banning notes that Nutons process materially reduces resource intensity. They do it with a much lower carbon footprint and significantly lower water consumption, less than half of conventional methods. Water security has already been addressed as part of the projects de-risking strategy. In 2025, Lion Copper and Gold regained more than 6,000 acre-feet of critical water rights for the project, providing operational certainty. With funding in place, Lion Copper and Gold is preparing to shift into a more execution-focused phase in 2026. Shortly, were going to be confirming the monies coming in, Banning says. With that comes appointing our feasibility study and permitting consultancy partners. The company also plans to advance permitting under the U.S. federal FAST-41 program. Thats going to give the public a very clear and transparent, milestone-driven timeline for certainty. Banning frames Yeringtons development timeline against longer-term copper fundamentals rather than near-term price volatility. Fundamentally, copper is very cyclical, he says, adding that recent price strength reflects short-term dynamics. However, he sees strong alignment between Yeringtons timeline and future demand. From 2030 to 2040, structurally, the market gap is forecast to be widening significantly, he says, citing demand from AI data centres and their supporting grid infrastructure. Lion Copper and Gold plans to produce finished copper cathode for the U.S. market. Our project will produce a final product of LME-grade copper cathode, Banning says. That cathode will go directly into U.S. supply chains. Production at Yerington is targeted for the end of the decade, with initial output planned for the second half of 2029. Those billions and billions of dollars of investments in AI infrastructure are being committed now and will manifest in the next several years, right when we plan on beginning our production. Ideal timing, Banning says. As the company advances, Banning highlights execution over promotion. Were not about headline grabbing. Were about creating value by delivering milestones and doing what we say. While the problem has been widely recognized for decades, many of the worlds leading economies seem only now to be taking seriously the need for control over their access to critical minerals for use in everything from high-tech products to military equipment. If there is a positive side to this, it is that strong markets for precious, base, and other metals mean proper funding is available to explore and develop critical minerals projects in a variety of jurisdictions. When the goal is to bolster vulnerable supply chains, it is best to be close to home, and in this regard, Apex Critical Metals Corp (TSX-V:APXC, OTCQX:APXCF) seems well-positioned, with carefully chosen rare earth and niobium assets in Nebraska and British Columbia. Canadian Securities Exchange Magazine spoke with Apex Critical Metals Executive Vice President, Growth Strategy Joness Lang recently about the companys success in 2025 and plans to progress both projects quickly in the current year. Apex Critical Metals focus on rare earths and niobium has you working in North America, with the potential to help offset Chinas and South Americas respective dominance in production and processing. Around mid-2023, the company went through a restructuring, recapitalization, and total revamp of personnel. The CAP project, located relatively close to Prince George, British Columbia, was the primary focus out of the gate. There was good infrastructure and an emerging niobium belt for targeting that had seen very limited drilling for several years. Our team did a summer campaign in 2024 involving a lot of mapping and sampling, and we saw some very promising results. We followed up in 2025 and had the best niobium drill hit ever on the property, with 36 metres of 0.59% NbO within a 124.5-metre mineralized interval, including a 10-metre run of 1.08% NbO. Importantly, none of the other drilling in that campaign directly followed up on that hole, so this area is wide open for expansion and an obvious priority for us to go back to next summer. The company also had intimate knowledge of the Elk Creek carbonatite complex in Nebraska, as members of our team originally assembled a land package there 15 years ago within a company that went on to become NioCorp Developments. This was not a reactionary acquisition based on recent narratives and geopolitical vulnerability. Our team spent more than a year assembling and consolidating the Rift Rare Earth Project land position after reviewing countless carbonatite targets in North America and prioritizing the Elk Creek area. That was one that was always on our radar screen. Our technical leadership includes Jody Dahrouge and Darren Smith, who have been focused on critical metals, including niobium and rare earths, for two decades. They bring a wealth of experience, from discovery to processing, that will be invaluable as we advance our flagship Rift project. Carbonatite-hosted mineralization globally has the highest percentage of mines, be it past production, current production, or current resources. They are a prolific host rock for minerals, and there is a grocery store of commodities and minerals within them. We are very excited about the land package we have next to NioCorp in Nebraska. Having a successful project next door is definitely helpful. Tell us more about that aspect and the local operating environment in general. One of the advantages Apex has going forward is NioCorp securing significant funding, very much being in the spotlight and knocking down a number of the different development and permitting goalposts as they advance their deposit. Certainly, if we are having exploration success right next door, it puts us in a very good position to explore synergies and follow a streamlined permitting path. It is also private land, which provides other advantages. You are not working with the U.S. Forest Service or navigating Bureau of Land Management permitting. These are private lease deals with options to purchase that we have secured over the past year. The land position now stands at 3,500 acres in holdings that cover globally significant rare earth mineralization. There are two previously drilled holes located 160 metres apart that encountered broad intervals of more than 2% rare earth oxide (REO) mineralization. Both of these drill holes also included consistent higher-grade intervals within, with 55-metre to 70-metre runs of over 3.3% REO. These two significant, consistent drill hits remain wide open with no other drill holes in the immediate area, so this target area will be the primary focus for the company in Q1. We will be completing a first phase of drilling that will look to verify, extend, and expand upon those significant historical results over an approximate 850-metre strike length. Lets turn our attention to CAP. It is located in northern BC but you can still access it throughout the year. CAP is about 250 kilometres southeast of Tasekos niobium deposit. Thats a big company with other assets and its not necessarily their flagship, but it is a well-known belt in BC. The project is located 85 kilometres north of Prince George. It is accessible year-round, though we typically like to do our drilling and more significant work during the summer, as it is easier and lower cost. There is a 1.8-kilometre trend identified at CAP. We drilled nine holes for just over 2,300 metres this past summer and made a new discovery: 36 metres of 0.59% NbO, including 10 metres of 1.08% NbO. The other drill holes were regionally focused, testing various targets throughout the trend. The hole I just mentioned with the 36-metre run had no direct follow-up, so that is an area that is wide open for us to go back and step out from later this year. In addition, we completed a geophysical survey at the end of the summer season, which identified a massive buried magnetic anomaly that is much more significant in terms of its response and scale than the areas we drilled in 2025. A couple of deeper drill holes will also be planned to test that very compelling target later this year. Rift will see much of the Q1 work and plans for CAP feature in the summer. What other activity will take place in 2026? Rift is without question our primary focus, and from the time we put together that land package, we have been moving as fast as we can. We completed a strategic financing of $10 million that brings our cash position up to around $14 million. We partnered with the Conservation and Survey Division, School of Natural Resources at the University of NebraskaLincoln to complete re-logging and re-assaying work of the preserved drill core from Molycorp's work in the 1970s and 1980s. It is rare and a huge benefit to have access to the original drill core, given the vintage of some of that drilling, so we are grateful to the University of NebraskaLincoln for being the custodian of that drill core. We should have those results later in Q1. We have been working to incorporate all of the historical data that we can into a 3D model. Weve got our permit for drilling and secured the same drill contractor that completed much of the drilling at NioCorps neighbouring project. Drilling should commence by the end of January, with roughly 8,000 metres over 10 to 15 drill holes planned, with the program running for the better part of three months. On the back of that, getting assays and really understanding the mineralization controls will position us for a follow-up Phase Two program, with the objective there being more resource-definitionfocused. We are trying to rapidly advance Rift to a maiden resource stage by Q1 2027. Is there anything we have missed? I think it is probably just the growth side of the equation. We appreciate the need to secure domestic supply to reduce reliance on other parties, but the demand for permanent magnets is expected to more than triple by 2040. The growth in the electric vehicle space is well documented, but applications span renewable energy, robotics, consumer products, electronics, defence the list goes on, and rare earth magnets are indispensable and vital to industry. Demand projections, coupled with the challenge of finding economic concentrations that can be efficiently processed, let alone on North American soil, create a significant opportunity for us at the Rift project, and one we are excited to take on in 2026. There are certain mining jurisdictions in the world that everyone in the industry knows and respects, and if Mexico doesnt top the list, its certainly very close. Large, high-grade deposits and an environment that facilitates year-round exploration are just two aspects of the Mexico story that make it such an attractive country to operate in. Pacifica Silver Corp (CSE:PSIL, OTCQB:PAGFF) Chief Executive Officer Todd Anthony knows this as well as anyone, given a career with one of the worlds top mining companies that focused on Mexico. When it came time to set up and lead his own company, it was a natural choice. Anthony joined Canadian Securities Exchange Magazine early in 2026 for a discussion covering Mexican mining, his uncompromising search to find the right project, and the companys exploration plans for the year. Pacifica Silvers Claudia Project encompasses nine artisanal mines and over 30 kilometres of veins. Tell us why you chose to focus on Mexico, and how did the land package come together? We acquired our project from a private company with multiple owners over the years. It was consolidated back in the early 1990s by one of the owners. There are some pieces of property that we are looking to add, but the majority were purchased from Durango Gold. That transaction closed in July of 2025. As for why we chose Mexico, I spent a lot of time in the country during my 13 years with First Majestic Silver. While the company had operations across the country, with varying degrees of risk, much of my time was spent in the state of Durango, which I consider to be one of the safest states to explore and operate in within Mexico. My professional network is also very familiar with Mexico, and so it just made sense. We were looking for silver and gold projects, and if you are going to focus on silver, Mexico is the largest producing country in the world. You can drill year-round and drilling costs are very low compared to other parts of North America. In Nevada, you can be paying $400 or $500 per metre, and roughly the same for Idaho. In Mexico, we are about $105 per metre, and we dont have to shut down for the winter, unlike some places in North America where you need to pull rigs off your site and close everything down. Talk to us about previous exploration at Claudia and how that work shaped your plans. Before we acquired this project, it had only had about 70 holes drilled into it since the 1990s, and a lot of those were into just one of the principal veins. We have mapped four major structures on the project, and a lot of the exploration we are doing now is to fill in some gaps and learn more about the potential. As you mentioned, we have over 30 kilometres of veins that have been mapped, and about 90% of those 30 kilometres have never been drill-tested or sampled. We are doing a big sampling program now that will last all of this year and next year, plus mapping. So, I would say that while we are early on in our exploration, this year will see the biggest drill program ever conducted on this project, as we are planning close to 40,000 metres. Half of that is going to be focused around the Aguilarena vein, which is the main past-producing vein from back in the 1990s. The other half will focus on brand new targets that have never been drilled, and with those it will be a more regional focus to find something big or to fail fast and keep moving around and looking. Pacifica Silver just closed a $20 million financing. Can you discuss the makeup of the investor base in general terms. We initially came out with a $10 million offering and demand for it was close to $28 million. The fact that we did not include a warrant and had that level of demand shows the amount of interest in what we are doing. It was great to see that the market was there for us. We had a lot of support from shareholders who participated in our previous financing. We had three silver-focused corporates participate last time, and they all came in again on this round. Eric Sprott participated again and we also welcomed a few funds that were new to the Pacifica name. Overall, Id say half of the $20 million was repeat buyers and half was new investors. A large, high-grade project and two successful capital raises dont come together without a capable team. Tell us about your background and the strengths of your team. We have a lot of good people with extensive experience in Mexico, including expertise in all of exploration, development, and production. We have 23 team members at site, including our Vice President of Exploration, Project Manager, field geologists, and administration. The team is very well equipped to operate in Mexico. I started in the silver industry in 2010 when I joined First Majestic Silver. At that time, the companys market capitalization was about $200 million, and I believe it has now topped $15 billion. I worked there for 13 years in the Vice President of Corporate Development role, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer. I also oversaw the investor relations function. I stepped away from First Majestic in 2023 with a strong desire to build a company from the ground up and it took me approximately 18 months to find the right project. I reviewed over 70 different projects and there were always one or two insurmountable issues, whether related to grade, metallurgical recovery, or jurisdictional risk. I also didnt want to put a recycled project into the company and wanted something the market had not seen before. When I came across Claudia, there were no red flags and the project checked off every critical box: high-grade silver and gold mineralization exposed at surface, over 30 kilometres of mapped vein systems with only a small fraction drill-tested, existing drill permits, a capable local team already in place, location in the state of Durango, and mostly private ownership over the past 50 years. They just needed support with the capital markets, which matched my experience and network. It was a beautiful marriage of two companies and away we went. As I said earlier, Durango is one of the best, if not the best, states in Mexico to operate in as an exploration or mining company. But dont take my word for it: according to the Mexico Peace Index in 2025, Durango ranked in the top three out of 32 states, making it one of the countrys safest and most stable states. There is also a long history of exploration and mining in the state, and the Claudia Project is located in the heart of the Sierra Madre Occidental, where all these large deposits of silver and gold are found. Within three weeks of closing our $10 million financing last September, we had the first rig on site and drilling, which illustrates that our team on the ground is nimble and can move fast. You mention regenerative mining on your website. What is that and why is it important to highlight? The regenerative mining concept is sustainable mining. When mines shut down and go into reclamation, the economic driver behind them is often gone. But if we create processes and activities as we are building operations that will continue long after the mine is done, that is the regenerative side. Giving back to society and the environment is key. A lot of that is taking place, but I think there is more that can be done. The concept is still evolving and I highlight it as a priority for our team. Do you have any closing thoughts on Pacificas strategy and long-term future? Our core objective at Pacifica Silver is unequivocal: drive new high-grade discoveries and significantly increase our silver and gold resource base in ounces. We are built to thrive through market cycles bullish or bearish because sustainable value creation stems from a focus on high-grade projects, aggressive exploration, and resource growth in safe jurisdictions. Mexico stands out as one of the few jurisdictions worldwide where high-grade epithermal silver and gold deposits can realistically advance from initial discovery to production in a compressed timeframe typically five to nine years for standout projects, compared to averages of 27 years in Canada and nearly 29 years in the United States. This efficiency, combined with Mexico's skilled workforce, established mining infrastructure, and exceptional mineral endowment in the Sierra Madre Occidental, makes the country our unequivocal focus at Pacifica Silver. On the Claudia Project, our strategy is clear and aggressive: drill extensively across numerous high-priority targets over the next 18 to 24 months to either delineate a major discovery or pivot decisively. We are positioned to seize the moment and build something extraordinary. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here New Delhi, Feb 26 : The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Thursday a suo motu case concerning what it described as "objectionable" references to the judiciary in a Class 8 social science textbook published by NCERT. New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Thursday a suo motu case concerning what it described as "objectionable" references to the judiciary in a Class 8 social science textbook published by NCERT. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi will take up the matter titled 'In Re: Social Science Textbook For Grade-8 (part-2) Published by NCERT and Ancillary Issues'. The development assumes significance as the Chief Justice on Wednesday expressed strong displeasure over a chapter dealing with judicial corruption in the NCERT Class 8 curriculum. The CJI observed that no one would be permitted to defame the judiciary or cast aspersions on its integrity. Following the apex court's sharp observations, NCERT removed the Class 8 textbook from its official website. Sources indicated that the government was not pleased with the inclusion of the contentious topic in the publication. The top court has also taken note of the issue after senior advocate Kapil Sibal, along with Abhishek Singhvi, mentioned the matter before the bench seeking urgent consideration. The social science textbook for Class 8, published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training, discusses various challenges faced by the judicial system, including corruption, a substantial backlog of cases and an insufficient number of judges. A section in the revised textbook titled "corruption in the judiciary" states that judges are governed by a code of conduct that regulates not only their behaviour within the courtroom but also their conduct outside it. The Supreme Court will now examine the concerns raised regarding the content and its implications. Mumbai Feb 26 : Actress Sunny Leone, in an exclusive conversation with IANS, spoke about working with fewer dialogues and relying more on expressions and silence in the film Kennedy. Sunny also reflected on the challenge of restraint in performance. Elaborating on it, Leone told IANS how acting with pure emotions and without dialogues is not an easy task and difficult. Elaborating on the same, Leone told IANS, "So, we did a lot of workshops for the same as it is not easy. Anurag (Kashyap) Sir also gave me some advice and also stories and different research information, and with all those things it became a little easy. On set, I was in his hands." The actress further went on to praise Anurag Kashyap, saying working with him on the movie Kennedy, was a deeply reassuring experience. "The best part about Anurag Sir is when you work with him, he makes you feel safe and he makes you feel heard and he makes you feel so comfortable," Sunny said. Highlighting the confidence she felt under Kashyap's guidance, she added, "Whatever you do, through his guidance, it makes you feel good about what you are doing." She concluded by emphasising how seamless the experience was regardless of the performance style. "So, whether it was dialogue or whether it was no dialogue, I think that working with him was the best experience ever." Earlier , Sunny had opened up about the atmosphere on the sets of 'Kennedy', addressing the speculation that the film's shoot was marked by total silence on sets. Responding to the reports of pin drop silence on the sets of the movie, Sunny clarified that the quiet environment was simply a reflection of professionalism. "The set was so silent because it was a professional set and people were not whispering. They were doing their work, that's why they were quiet," she told IANS. The actress further emphasized that the silence was not in any negative aspect but rather something that contributed positively to the entire filming of the movie. "Everybody got into their work and was so deeply engrossed. We also got into our work with full passion and dedication that there was hardly any time to talk. But I don't think that was a bad thing. I think it actually helped. It helped you focus," she explained. Kennedy directed by Anurag Kashyap stars Sunny Leone and Rahul Bhat. It went on air on February 20. IANS rd/ -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Patna, Feb 26 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Araria on Thursday, where he will take part in a programme at the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) border outpost in Letti area before undertaking further security assessments in the region. He will also review development initiatives being implemented under the centrally sponsored Vibrant Villages Programme as part of his engagements in the border districts. Shah commenced his three-day tour of Bihar on Wednesday, with the focus firmly on strengthening border security, evaluating administrative preparedness and monitoring ongoing development efforts in the Seemanchal region, which lies close to the Nepal and Bangladesh borders. Upon his arrival in Purnea on Wednesday, the Home Minister was accorded a warm reception. He later travelled by helicopter to Kishanganj, where he chaired a review meeting at the district Collectorate to assess the prevailing situation and coordination among officials. In Araria, Shah, after the inauguration of the border outpost in Letti, will hold a detailed review meeting at the Araria Collectorate with district magistrates and superintendents of police from seven border districts to deliberate on matters concerning the India-Nepal border. The implementation and progress of the Vibrant Village Programme will also come up for discussion during the meeting. On February 27, the Home Minister will again meet officials in Purnea to further deliberate on issues concerning the border districts. Following the final round of review meetings, he will depart for New Delhi. The visit is being viewed as significant in terms of reinforcing border security, tracking the status of key development schemes and ensuring administrative coordination in districts considered sensitive due to their proximity to international borders. Authorities have finalised logistical arrangements for the visit, and comprehensive security measures have been put in place in view of the high-level tour. The Seemanchal region is at the centre of the Home Minister's engagements. The exercise is being seen as the next major priority of the Home Ministry after its 'Naxal-Mukt Bharat' initiative, with particular emphasis on making Seemanchal "infiltrator-free". Shah has toured Seemanchal multiple times in recent years, underlining the importance the government attaches to the region. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Photo: https://www.facebook.com/CinCAFofUkraine During his work in the Eastern Direction, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky awarded servicemen of corps, separate assault regiments and battalions, who perform combat missions in the most difficult sections of the front. "For personal courage, steadfastness, professionalism and effective actions in the fight against the Russian aggressor, I presented the best soldiers with state awards and decorations of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," he said in Telegram. Syrsky said that from February 2024 to the present, more than 123,000 servicemen have been awarded decorations of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In total, during the four years of the full-scale invasion, almost 230,000 defenders were awarded the Commander-in-Chief's decorations. Tel Aviv, Feb 26 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu are scheduled to visit Yad Vashem together on Thursday before holding an expanded bilateral meeting at the King David Hotel. The discussions are expected to focus on a comprehensive review of the India-Israel Strategic Partnership, with emphasis on strengthening collaboration in defence, science and technology, trade, and people-to-people exchanges. The two leaders will also exchange views on pressing regional and global developments. Several MoUs spanning economic, security and diplomatic domains are set to be signed during the visit, aimed at further enhancing cooperation between the two countries. Following the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Netanyahu will deliver joint statements to the media outlining the outcomes of their talks. India is currently moving towards finalising what is being described as a landmark strategic partnership with Israel to acquire Iron Dome technology. The proposed arrangement goes beyond a straightforward procurement and is envisaged as a core element of India's indigenous "Mission Sudarshan Chakra", also known as Project Kusha. Israel has formally offered to transfer the Iron Dome technology to India under the "Make in India" initiative, enabling local production and integration into a multi-layered air defence system designed to counter short-range rockets, mortars and drone swarms. Alongside Iron Dome, India is also showing strong interest in Israel's newer Iron Beam laser-based system, which is seen as a cost-effective, "light-speed" solution against low-cost aerial threats. The proposed collaboration seeks to safeguard Indian cities and key infrastructure through a high-success-rate shield that would complement long-range platforms such as the S-400, with the broader objective of creating an "impregnable" national security canopy by 2030. During his visit, PM Modi is also scheduled to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi received a standing ovation at the Knesset shortly after arriving in Tel Aviv for his two-day state visit. He became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli Parliament, marking his second visit to Israel in a decade after his 2017 trip. He was also conferred the Medal of the Knesset. In a post on X, he said, "I am deeply honoured to receive the Medal of the Knesset. I accept it with humility and gratitude. This honour is not a tribute to an individual, but to the enduring friendship between India and Israel. It reflects the shared values that guide our two nations," thanking the Israeli Parliament for the recognition. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Seoul, Feb 26 : South Korea's antitrust regulator said on Thursday it has imposed a fine of 2.19 billion won ($1.54 million) on e-commerce giant Coupang for pressuring suppliers to lower prices and cover advertising costs to meet its target profit margins. Coupang was also found to have delayed payments to suppliers and failed to pay late interest, violating the Act on Fair Transactions In Large Retail Businesses, the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said. The FTC issued corrective orders to address the violations, reports Yonhap news agency. Coupang, "the dominant player in the online shopping market, forced suppliers to make sacrifices to maintain its own profit margins," the FTC said. The watchdog added that the latest measure aims to reform Coupang's margin management practices and other core business models that pressure suppliers, helping prevent a recurrence and improving unfair trade practices in the online shopping sector. The company has faced increased scrutiny following a data breach incident that authorities say affected 33.6 million users. Coupang, however, has claimed that data from only about 3,000 accounts was actually leaked. Meanwhile, Coupang said on Wednesday that around 200,000 Taiwanese accounts were leaked in a recent data breach that affected about 33 million accounts. The announcement came after Coupang requested cybersecurity firms Mandiant and Palo Alto Networks to carry out a comprehensive forensic investigation following the breach in November 2025, reports Yonhap news agency. "This was a crime committed by a former employee against Coupang and against our customers. While legal actions are outside our control, we have continuously called for this bad actor to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," the company said in a release. According to Coupang, Mandiant determined that the former employee's unauthorised activity "included access to approximately 200,000 accounts in Taiwan." In the report, Coupang also claimed that "no highly sensitive data" was accessed, noting that "there is no evidence that any of the accessed customer data was ever seen, shared with, or transferred to any other individual." a"IANS na/ Shimla, Feb 26 : The 24-hour-long standoff between the police of Delhi and Himachal Pradesh ended on Thursday, with the latter allowing its counterpart to take three Youth Congress activists arrested in connection with the "shirtless protest" at the AI Summit to the national capital. Shimla, Feb 26 (IANS) The 24-hour-long standoff between the police of Delhi and Himachal Pradesh ended on Thursday, with the latter allowing its counterpart to take three Youth Congress activists arrested in connection with the "shirtless protest" at the AI Summit to the national capital. A day earlier, the Himachal Police registered a kidnapping case against its Delhi counterparts and "detained" their vehicles at the Shogi border near Shimla along with the three Youth Congress activists when they were en route to Delhi. In a late-night development, the three accused, along with Delhi Police personnel, were taken to the residence of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ekansh Kapil after undergoing medical examination at the Deendyal Upadhyay Zonal Hospital here and were granted the transit remand. Later, the Delhi Police personnel were detained in the state capital, and a few police personnel were allowed to return to the national capital with the accused. The remaining police personnel were asked to stay behind and cooperate with the investigation into the kidnapping case against them. The Himachal police "seized" a vehicle belonging to the Delhi Police that contained CCTV footage and other evidence. However, the Delhi Police pleaded that the "seized" vehicle carried digital evidence, documents and arms. The arrested leaders belonged to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. At least 20 Delhi police personnel were detained on Wednesday for arresting the Youth Congress leaders from Rohru town in Shimla district. A Delhi Police team reached Rohru, arrested the leaders, and was heading back to Delhi when it was stopped near Dharampur town in Solan district by the state police, which detained them. The arrest of policemen was carried out by the Shimla Police. Congress lawmaker Kuldeep Rathore has demanded that the state government take stern action against the Delhi Police. He termed the police action against Youth Congress leaders as an attempt to suppress their voices. "Raiding premises without a warrant is a clear violation of privacy," Rathore said in a press statement on Wednesday. Rathore also criticised the Central government, stating that the country isn't the property of one party. "In a democracy, governments come and go, but the opposition's duty is to raise the people's voice," he said. New Delhi, Feb 26 : Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has reconstituted the three-member inquiry committee tasked with examining allegations against Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma, who has been at the centre of controversy since burnt cash was discovered in March last year in an outhouse of his official residence, allotted to him while he was serving in the Delhi High Court. As per a notification issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat on Wednesday, the reconstituted committee will comprise Justice Aravind Kumar of the Supreme Court as Chairperson, Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, and senior advocate B.V. Acharya of the Karnataka High Court. The notification clarified that the reconstituted panel will come into effect from March 6, 2026. The move follows the scheduled retirement of Madras High Court Chief Justice Maninder Mohan Shrivastava, who was part of the original three-member committee constituted in August 2025 after impeachment notices were moved against Justice Varma in Parliament. In his place, Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, has been inducted into the panel, while the Chairperson, Justice Aravind Kumar of the Supreme Court, and senior advocate B.V. Acharya will continue as members. Justice Varma has been at the centre of controversy since burnt cash was allegedly discovered on March 14, 2025, in an outhouse at his official residence allotted to him during his tenure as a judge of the Delhi High Court. Notices of impeachment, backed by 145 Lok Sabha members and 63 Rajya Sabha members, were moved in both Houses of Parliament in July 2025. Subsequently, the Lok Sabha Speaker constituted a three-member inquiry committee under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, to examine the charges. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court rejected a plea filed by Justice Varma challenging the Lok Sabha Speaker's decision to constitute the inquiry committee. Pronouncing the operative part of the verdict, a Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma of the apex court held: "We hold that the petitioner is not entitled to any relief in the present case." Justice Varma had questioned the constitution of the inquiry panel on procedural grounds, contending that impeachment notices moved simultaneously in both Houses required joint consultation between the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha Chairman before constituting the probe committee. Justice Varma had earlier also challenged the findings of a three-member in-house inquiry committee constituted by the Supreme Court, which concluded that he exercised "secret or active control" over the cash allegedly recovered from the premises. The apex court dismissed that challenge as well, concluding that the in-house procedure was "fair and just" and did not compromise judicial independence. Based on the in-house inquiry report, then Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna had recommended initiation of removal proceedings, leading to the constitution of a parliamentary inquiry committee whose composition has now been revised. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Chennai, Feb 26 : In a move aimed at boosting eco-tourism and attracting modern travellers from within India and abroad, the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has proposed the development of camping and glamping facilities at Jawadhu Hills in Tiruvannamalai district. Spread across 7.65 acres, the lesser-known hill destination is set to receive a facelift as part of the state government's push to promote experiential and sustainable tourism. The initiative seeks to position Jawadhu Hills as an attractive getaway for visitors looking to spend more time amidst nature while minimising environmental impact. A senior TTDC official said the state is focusing on tourism models that allow travellers to connect more closely with natural surroundings without causing ecological harm. "Experiential and sustainable tourism is the way forward. Glamping and camping-based accommodation are low-impact models that appeal to today's travellers who seek authentic outdoor experiences," the official said. As part of this strategy, TTDC has identified scenic locations across Tamil Nadu for the development of camping infrastructure equipped with essential amenities. Jawadhu Hills, with its serene landscape and tourism potential, has been selected as one of the key sites. Basic infrastructure has already been developed at the 7.65-acre site. TTDC has floated a tender to appoint a concessionaire to prepare a detailed project report and execute the project. The selected private partner will develop semi-permanent accommodation facilities such as luxury tents, safari tents, glamping domes, prefabricated wooden or bamboo cottages, modular cottages, and container-based units. The project will be implemented under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The concessionaire will be responsible for financing, operations, management and maintenance of the camping site. Officials emphasised that all proposed infrastructure will be developed without disturbing the natural resources in and around Jawadhu Hills. The focus will remain on eco-friendly construction practices and sustainable operations. The project is likely to be completed within the current year, marking a significant step in Tamil Nadu's efforts to diversify its tourism portfolio and promote environmentally responsible travel experiences, said officials. Washington, Feb 26 : US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the United States and China have reached a point of "strategic stability" in their relationship, even as Washington remains wary of supply chain dependence, technology access, and Beijing's expanding nuclear stockpile. Washington, Feb 26 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the United States and China have reached a point of "strategic stability" in their relationship, even as Washington remains wary of supply chain dependence, technology access, and Beijing's expanding nuclear stockpile. Speaking to reporters in Saint Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday (local time), Rubio said both sides recognise the risks of escalation. "I think both countries concluded that having an all-out trade -- global trade war between the United States and China would be deeply damaging to both sides and to the world," he said. He added that disagreements remain. "There remain issues of disagreement. There remain issues that we know in the long term are going to have to be confronted and could be irritants in our relationship." Trump is scheduled to travel to China in about 4 weeks. Rubio said the US does not see it as sustainable to rely heavily on any single country for critical goods. "We don't think it's sustainable to live in a world where we depend on some country for 90 per cent of anything, whether it's supply chains or critical minerals or the like, pharmaceuticals and the like," he said. "And we have every intention of doing everything we can to ensure that our critical supply chains are diversified," Rubio added, describing that as a matter of national security. On technology, he acknowledged concerns about Chinese access to advanced US chips and possible technology transfer. "Every agreement the President's made has all gone through a full national security review to minimise and mitigate against that," he said. He cautioned that "no measures are perfect," and noted that China has been developing "their own native capabilities," sometimes "by information they've garnered from other countries." At the same time, Rubio stressed the need for continued engagement between the world's two largest economies. "The two largest economies in the world, which both possess nuclear arsenals, have to be able to talk, have to be able to communicate, and have to be able to interact," he said. "It would be reckless and irresponsible for the United States and China not to have meetings, not to have conversations," Rubio added, calling it "foolish, and frankly, dangerous for us not to have a relationship with them, even as our areas of conflict and disagreement remain." Rubio also addressed nuclear arms control. He said any meaningful 21st-century arms control arrangement must include Beijing. "We think ultimately, in the 21st century, for there to be a true arms control agreement, it has to involve China," he said. "Their stockpiles have increased dramatically," Rubio said, arguing that China's claim that it still lags behind the US and Russia is "irrelevant." He said Beijing has the capacity to catch up and is "well on its way to doing so." Rubio acknowledged that China has publicly said it is not willing to enter a trilateral arms control deal. "We can't compel them," he said. "You can certainly create incentives for them to do it, but you can't compel it." "If they don't want to do it, then we won't have one. We'll just keep doing what we need to do," he added. Rubio said the two sides have also made limited progress on other fronts. "We've gotten them to schedule more fentanyl precursors, which is important. Now we need them to act on it," he said, adding that China has increased purchases of American agricultural goods. US-China ties have been marked by sharp competition over trade, technology, Taiwan and security issues in recent years. Washington has tightened export controls on advanced semiconductor technology, citing national security concerns, while seeking to keep high-level channels of communication open. China has expanded its military capabilities and nuclear arsenal, prompting calls in Washington for broader arms control discussions beyond the longstanding US-Russia framework. New York, Feb 26 : Cuba says it has killed four persons on a mystery US speedboat in a shootout in its waters, cranking up the already high level of tension between Washington and Havana, with US President Donald Trump declaring that country an "extraordinary threat". New York, Feb 26 (IANS) Cuba says it has killed four persons on a mystery US speedboat in a shootout in its waters, cranking up the already high level of tension between Washington and Havana, with US President Donald Trump declaring that country an "extraordinary threat". "We're going to find out exactly what happened here and then we'll respond accordingly," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on the Wednesday incident. "It is highly unusual to see shootouts on the open sea like that," he said. "It's not something that happens every day. It's something, frankly, that hasn't happened with Cuba in a very long time". Cuba's Interior Ministry said that persons on the speedboat began shooting at its border guards when they approached it for identification on Wednesday morning, wounding the commander of the Cuban vessel. When the Cubans fired back, four "aggressors" on the speedboat were killed, and six who were wounded were evacuated and are receiving medical treatment, the ministry said. It did not identify the people on the boat, but gave the registration number, which indicated that it was registered in Florida, just about 150 kilometres from Cuba and has a large community of exiles. A boat with the number it provided is shown in a vessel database as a 24-foot Pro-Line boat that is about 45 years old and can accommodate about 10 people. The incident happened on a day the US made a show of slightly loosening the oil embargo it had placed on it by offering to allow some Venezuelan oil to flow to it, but with a huge caveat that it can go only to the private sector in a Communist country where most of the economy is under state control Rubio, who is in Kitts and St Nevis for a meeting with Caribbean leaders, said that US diplomats in Cuba were trying to get in touch with the wounded people from the boat to determine if they were US citizens or permanent residents and what happened. Rubio denied that it was a US government operation or that government employees were involved. Vice President J.D. Vance said in Washington that the US was monitoring the situation, and added, "Hopefully it's not as bad as we fear it could be" "But can't say more, because I just don't know more," he said, acknowledging the mystery of the boat. Florida Attorney-General James Uthmeier ordered state prosecutors to investigate the incident and said, "We will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable". Cuba's Interior Ministry also said it was investigating the incident. "In the face of current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its determination to protect its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defence is a fundamental pillar of the Cuban State," it warned. Ever since the Communist takeover of Cuba under the leadership of the late Fidel Castro, the US has had an adversarial relationship with it. Issuing several sanctions on Cuba and those involved in certain trades with it, Trump last month called Havana "an unusual and extraordinary threat" to US "national security and foreign policy". He accused it of collaborating with Russia, Iran and various terrorist groups against the US. The tensions flared to new heights after Venezuela's leader, Nicolas Maduro, a fast friend and ally of Cuba, was captured by US forces last month and brought to the US. Cuba, which received discounted or free Venezuelan oil, is facing an economic crisis with the energy cutoff. The US has wielded the oil weapon with expectations that a worsening crisis would topple the Cuban government headed by President Miguel Diaz-Canel. "Cuba needs to change, it needs to change dramatically because it is the only chance that it has to improve the quality of life for its people," said Rubio, the son of Cuban exiles. The mystery boat brought back memories of the Bay of Pigs incident in 1961, when a band of Cuban exiles with Washington's clandestine help launched a failed attack by sea on Fidel Castro's government. Frequently, boats are used to smuggle people out of Cuba and shootings involving them and Cuban forces have been reported. Earlier this month, Trump issued an order allowing US forces to intercept US boats heading to Cuba because of the extreme danger they would face. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Kannur, Feb 26 : Hashtags questioning the authenticity of the assault began trending within hours, with critics alleging that what was projected as a violent attack on Kerala Health Minister Veena George may have been political theatre that misfired. As clearer visuals from the scene circulated widely, social media commentary moved swiftly from outrage to scepticism, reshaping the public discourse around the incident. The alleged attack occurred at Kannur railway station on Wednesday afternoon amid protests by KSU activists. Initial reports and the FIR suggested that the minister had sustained injuries to her neck during the confrontation. Five KSU workers were arrested and remanded. The gravity of the charges signalled a serious breach of law and order. However, videos that later surfaced have complicated that narrative. While the footage shows jostling and chaos typical of a protest situation, it does not conclusively depict the minister being physically assaulted. Instead, her security personnel can be seen moving in close proximity, apparently forming a protective ring around her. The absence of clear visuals showing a direct attack has become the fulcrum of the opposition's response. Congress leaders have seized on these visuals to question the government's version of events. They argue that the footage undermines claims of a brutal assault and have demanded a transparent, time-bound probe. The opposition has also pointed to medical updates describing the injuries as minor, a slight neck injury with temporary numbness in the right arm, as further reason for caution against what they call an inflated narrative. The CPI(M), however, has doubled down. State secretary M. V. Govindan on Thursday termed the incident a "pre-planned attack" orchestrated by the Congress and its feeder organisations. He alleged that Kerala's public health sector, which he described as "world class" is being targeted by powerful lobbies, including Western corporate interests that have taken over large private hospitals in Kerala. According to him, the Congress-led UDF, under Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan, is attempting to "tarnish the public health system by attacking its minister". Late Wednesday night, after spending few hours in the intensive care unit at Kannur District Hospital, George was shifted to Pariyaram Government Medical College for specialist evaluation, including an MRI scan. Medical bulletins subsequently stated that no serious complications were detected. Yet, by then, the political damage, or advantage, depending on perspective had already begun to take shape online. For supporters of the government, the incident underscores rising hostility in protest politics. For critics, the mismatch between the dramatic allegations and the available visuals has fed a perception of overreach. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Tel Aviv, Feb 26 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lauded his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu for his gesture of wearing traditional Indian attire, describing it as a mark of respect for India's cultural heritage. Responding to Netanyahu's post on X, PM Modi reposted the message and wrote, "Truly splendid! Your fondness for Indian attire reflects your respect for the rich culture and traditions of our country." The exchange came after Netanyahu welcomed the Indian Prime Minister to a dinner engagement dressed in traditional Indian clothing, creating a symbolic and warm moment during the ongoing visit. Netanyahu was seen dressed in a light grey Nehru jacket as he greeted PM Modi with a smile. In a video shared by the Israeli Prime Minister on X, PM Modi was heard remarking, "It's an Indian dress," acknowledging the gesture. The two leaders shared a cordial exchange and posed together for photographs ahead of the dinner. Sharing the moment on social media in Hindi, Netanyahu wrote, "Before our joint dinner, I surprised my friend Prime Minister Modi by wearing traditional Indian attire." Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu are scheduled to visit Yad Vashem together on Thursday before holding an expanded bilateral meeting at the King David Hotel. The discussions are expected to focus on a comprehensive review of the India-Israel Strategic Partnership, with emphasis on strengthening collaboration in defence, science and technology, trade, and people-to-people exchanges. The two leaders will also exchange views on pressing regional and global developments. Several MoUs spanning economic, security and diplomatic domains are set to be signed during the visit, aimed at further enhancing cooperation between the two countries. Following the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Netanyahu will deliver joint statements to the media outlining the outcomes of their talks. India is currently moving towards finalising what is being described as a landmark strategic partnership with Israel to acquire Iron Dome technology. The proposed arrangement goes beyond a straightforward procurement and is envisaged as a core element of India's indigenous "Mission Sudarshan Chakra", also known as Project Kusha. Israel has formally offered to transfer the Iron Dome technology to India under the "Make in India" initiative, enabling local production and integration into a multi-layered air defence system designed to counter short-range rockets, mortars and drone swarms. Alongside Iron Dome, India is also showing strong interest in Israel's newer Iron Beam laser-based system, which is seen as a cost-effective, "light-speed" solution against low-cost aerial threats. The proposed collaboration seeks to safeguard Indian cities and key infrastructure through a high-success-rate shield that would complement long-range platforms such as the S-400, with the broader objective of creating an "impregnable" national security canopy by 2030. During his visit, PM Modi is also scheduled to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog. New Delhi, Feb 26 : Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar on Thursday responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at the Israeli Knesset, noting the immense enthusiasm among both members and the audience. He said the people were thrilled and highly enthusiastic to listen to PM Modi's address, as he spoke from his heart about issues that deeply matter to both nations. Speaking to IANS, Reuven Azar said, "There was amazing excitement among the members of the Knesset, and also the audience present there. Moreover, the general public was equally enthusiastic, and the event was covered by all major media outlets." "I think people understand that this visit is very important. They were thrilled and very excited to hear PM Modi's speech because he truly spoke from his heart about the things we care about -- particularly the seriousness of fighting terrorism without compromise and without giving any opening or excuse for terrorism," he added. Azar further highlighted the shared heritage between the two countries. "He spoke about the common heritage we share, a relationship that goes back thousands of years, and the history of Jews in India. He also spoke about the cooperation achieved so far and outlined where he wants to take the relationship in the future. It was clear that people want to see this vision implemented, and now we are going to work hard to implement the shared vision of PM Modi and PM Netanyahu." "We are determined to carry out follow-up work. Today, we already had meetings between President Isaac Herzog and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, where we discussed several bilateral cooperation issues as well as some regional matters. There will be further follow-up in the coming weeks. The Defence Minister is expected to visit India, and negotiations on the FTA will hopefully continue," he said. Commenting on defence cooperation, Azar stated, "We are focused on expanding the scope of our relationship into more sensitive and advanced technologies. The agreements already signed provide us with the mechanisms to do exactly that. Now that we have finalised these agreements, we are entering the implementation stage." Speaking about the impact of the visit on regional security in Asia and the Middle East, he said, "When both countries develop the capabilities to defend themselves independently and create solutions in terms of both defence and offence, it will make us more secure and more resilient." Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a dinner engagement wearing traditional Indian clothing, creating a warm and symbolic moment during the visit. Netanyahu was seen dressed in a light grey Nehru jacket as he greeted PM Modi with a smile. In a video shared by the Israeli Prime Minister on X, PM Modi was heard remarking, "It's an Indian dress," acknowledging the gesture. The two leaders shared a cordial exchange and posed together for photographs ahead of the dinner. Sharing the moment on social media in Hindi, Netanyahu wrote, "Before our joint dinner, I surprised my friend Prime Minister Modi by wearing traditional Indian attire." Prime Minister Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu are scheduled to visit Yad Vashem together on Thursday before holding an expanded bilateral meeting at the King David Hotel. The discussions are expected to focus on a comprehensive review of the India-Israel Strategic Partnership, with emphasis on strengthening collaboration in defence, science and technology, trade, and people-to-people exchanges. The two leaders will also exchange views on pressing regional and global developments. Several MoUs spanning economic, security and diplomatic domains are set to be signed during the visit, aimed at further enhancing cooperation between the two countries. Following the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Netanyahu will deliver joint statements to the media outlining the outcomes of their talks. Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held the first meeting of the International Advisory Group on Investment Attraction and Economic Development of Ukraine, the presidential press service reported. "Today we're discussing Ukraine's investment priorities, focusing on what's most important to us. Even during the war, after such a terrible winter, our country is still alive," Zelenskyy noted during the meeting. The meeting participants focused on issues of Ukraine's energy sustainability, preparation for the next winter, identifying and implementing investment projects for Ukraine, and investment opportunities in the defense industry. First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal described the scale of the losses suffered by the Ukrainian energy system as a result of systematic Russian attacks and the restoration needs. In collaboration with the World Bank, a comprehensive strategy for the development of the Ukrainian energy system will be developed in the coming months. This strategy aims to make the system decentralized and flexible. Furthermore, five key investment clusters have already been identified. "On March 1, all our local authorities will present an energy development plan for next winter. We'll have six to seven months to develop various energy sources. Our people need this. In any case, even when the war is over, we'll still have this shortage. Therefore, today, this is a very important, very useful investment in our energy sector," Zelenskyy emphasized. Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka reported that Ukraine, together with its partners, has developed approximately 40 investment projects for post-war recovery and development. In addition to the current priority energy sector, these projects also cover defense, technology, transport, logistics, infrastructure, critical minerals, green metallurgy and decarbonization of the steel industry, and housing construction. Kachka invited international business representatives to participate in the implementation of at least ten of these projects. Advisor to the President of Ukraine on Strategic Issues Oleksandr Kamyshin noted that the Ukrainian defense industry is not only the foundation of security but also an area for investment. In March, Ukraine plans to hold a major presentation of its defense industry in the United States, and then in Europe. The international advisory group will work on an ongoing basis on important projects for Ukraine's economic recovery. Chennai, Feb 26 : The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light rain accompanied by thunderstorms in parts of southern Tamil Nadu and the Western Ghats districts on Thursday, owing to the presence of an atmospheric low-pressure system over the southern peninsula. In a press release issued by the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai, officials said the prevailing atmospheric conditions are conducive to isolated rainfall activity across select districts. The low-pressure circulation over the southern region is expected to trigger light showers, particularly in areas located along the Western Ghats and in southern Tamil Nadu. According to the forecast, light rain is likely to occur at one or two places in these regions today. The Weather Department further indicated that similar conditions may persist over the next two days, with isolated light rainfall expected in parts of the Western Ghats districts tomorrow and the day after. While widespread heavy rainfall is not anticipated at this stage, authorities have advised residents in vulnerable areas, especially hilly terrains, to remain alert for brief spells of thunderstorms and gusty winds that may accompany the showers. In Chennai, the weather is expected to remain partly cloudy for the next two days. The IMD has predicted the possibility of light mist during the early morning hours at one or two places in the city. However, no significant rainfall has been forecast for the State capital during this period. Daytime temperatures are likely to remain near normal levels, with moderate humidity prevailing due to cloud cover. Early morning mist may lead to slightly reduced visibility in certain pockets, particularly in suburban areas. The IMD continues to monitor the evolving weather pattern and will issue further updates if conditions intensify. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official bulletins and take necessary precautions during thunderstorms. Chennai, Feb 26 : V.K. Sasikala, former close aide of late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and a prominent figure in Tamil Nadu politics, on Thursday announced that the name of her new political party will be revealed within a week. She also confirmed that the party will contest the Assembly elections. Speaking to reporters at Chennai airport, Sasikala said preparations for the party's formal launch were progressing steadily. "The name of the party will be announced within a week," she said, adding that discussions regarding a possible electoral alliance were currently underway. "We are holding talks regarding an alliance, and it will culminate in a good decision," she noted, without disclosing details about potential partners. Her remarks have sparked fresh political speculation, as the state's major parties intensify their groundwork ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls. When asked whether the limited time remaining before the elections would pose a challenge to building a new party structure, Sasikala exuded confidence. She said that the people of Tamil Nadu are familiar with her political journey and public life, and therefore, the party would not face significant hurdles in mobilising support. Political observers view Sasikala's announcement as a significant development in the evolving political landscape of Tamil Nadu, where realignments and alliance strategies are expected to play a crucial role in the upcoming elections. During her interaction with the media, Sasikala also paid tribute to veteran Communist Party of India (CPI) leader R. Nallakannu, who passed away on Wednesday. Remembering him as a leader who dedicated his life to the welfare of the poor, she said he remained steadfast in his commitment to his movement despite never holding positions such as Member of Parliament or Member of the Legislative Assembly. "He was affectionate with everyone and stayed true to his ideology throughout his life. His passing is a huge and irreparable loss to his family and his movement," she said. With her latest announcement, Sasikala has signalled her intent to re-enter the electoral arena in a decisive manner, setting the stage for heightened political activity in the months ahead. --IANS aal/dpb Jaipur, Feb 26 : The Rajasthan government has approached the Supreme Court seeking a postponement of elections to 113 municipal bodies, citing the need to redo the ward delimitation process after it was struck down by the High Court. A Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the state government states that the Rajasthan High Court had quashed the ward delimitation exercise carried out for 113 of the 309 urban local bodies. As a result, the Rajasthan government has sought additional time to complete the process afresh before conducting elections. As per the SLP, there are many reasons for the government seeking more time. According to the SLP, the High Court found the delimitation exercise in 113 urban bodies to be flawed. While the total number of wards in these civic bodies remained unchanged, their internal boundaries were altered. The court cancelled these revised ward boundaries, necessitating a fresh delimitation exercise. The Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma-led government has argued that conducting polls without completing the revised delimitation process would not be legally sound, and therefore, the election schedule should be extended. On November 14 last year, the Rajasthan High Court, while disposing around 439 petitions, directed the state government to complete the delimitation process by December 31 and conduct panchayat and municipal elections by April 15. Subsequently, while hearing related petitions challenging the High Courtas order, the Supreme Court also directed that elections be held by April 15. The Supreme Court will now consider the state governmentas plea seeking more time. The outcome of the hearing will determine whether the April 15 deadline for holding elections remains in place or is extended, said sources. The matter is significant as it affects election timelines for over one hundred urban local bodies across Rajasthan. Incidentally, the last ward reorganisation in Rajasthan was carried out in 2019, when the state had 196 urban local bodies. In the past six years, 113 new bodies have been created, where elections will be held for the first time. Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 26 : The political storm over the alleged assault on state Health Minister Veena George intensified on Thursday after the Youth Congress filed a formal complaint with the State Police Chief against Kerala Legislative Assembly Speaker A.N. Shamseer, accusing him of spreading a "false narrative" that the activists had attacked the minister at Kannur railway station. Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 26 (IANS) The political storm over the alleged assault on state Health Minister Veena George intensified on Thursday after the Youth Congress filed a formal complaint with the State Police Chief against Kerala Legislative Assembly Speaker A.N. Shamseer, accusing him of spreading a "false narrative" that the activists had attacked the minister at Kannur railway station. The complaint contends that Shamseer, who was not present at the exact spot where the alleged incident occurred, was the first to publicly declare that the minister had been attacked. According to the Youth Congress, it was only after the Speaker met George on the railway platform and held a conversation with her that the claim of an assault gained traction. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, V.D. Satheesan, on Thursday sharply criticised the Speaker's conduct, stating that a person holding such a constitutional office should not have "resorted to spreading unverified claims". He argued that the Speaker's early assertion shaped the narrative before any official verification or documentary evidence emerged. "Till now, there has been no documentary evidence of any Youth Congress activist coming anywhere near the Minister," Satheesan said. He also took an aim at CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan, who had alleged that activists grabbed and twisted the minister's neck. "How can a person of Govindan's stature spread such canards?" he asked. The controversy has grown amid the absence of clear visual proof showing a direct assault. While the ruling CPI(M) maintains that the attack was premeditated, the opposition insists that the narrative was amplified without substantiation. With a police complaint now formally lodged and political tempers running high, the episode has evolved beyond a law and order issue into a larger debate over accountability, constitutional propriety, and the power of first claims in shaping public perception. Meanwhile, the health minister is convalescing at the state-run Pariyaram Medical College hospital. George was injured as the activists, protesting against her, clashed with police at the Kannur railway station. In the ensuing commotion, George reportedly came in between the protesters and the police. During the jostling that followed, she sustained injuries to her neck and hand. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the incident, saying that the KSU's attack on the Health Minister Veena George was "a reflection of the Congress party's deplorable political culture". Shimla, Feb 26 : In its first reaction over alleged detaining of Delhi Police personnel after the arrest of three Youth Congress activists on charges of staging shirtless protest at the AI summit, Himachal Pradesh Police on Thursday said they received information regarding an incident wherein individuals, in civilian clothes in vehicles bearing outside state registration numbers, had reportedly forcibly taken away three people staying at a resort in Chirgaon. The policemen had also removed certain electronic equipment, including a digital video recorder (DVR) from the spot. Taking the matter seriously, Shimla Police promptly initiated necessary legal action to ascertain the facts and ensure that all procedures were followed strictly in accordance with law, said the Himachal Police in a statement. Acting swiftly and in close coordination with Solan Police, Shimla Police teams intercepted the individuals concerned at multiple locations, including Shoghi, ISBT in Shimla and Dharampur. Upon verification, it was revealed that the group comprised police personnel from Delhi and Haryana who had followed and taken custody of the three individuals in connection with a case registered in Delhi. In order to ensure full legal compliance and safeguard the rights of all people concerned, Shimla Police produced the individuals before the competent local court for appropriate directions. The three people were also subjected to medical examination at Ripon Hospital in Shimla as per established legal procedures. Subsequently, the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate in Shimla granted transit remand of approximately 18 hours. After completion of all statutory formalities and due verification, the team of Delhi and Haryana Police was permitted to proceed towards Delhi along with the individuals concerned. Meanwhile on the complaint submitted by the owner of Chanshul Resort in Chirgaon in Shimla district, a first information report (FIR) was registered on February 25 under relevant provisions of law at Police Station in Chirgaon and investigation is underway, said Himachal Police. Congress lawmaker Kuldeep Rathore has demanded that the state government take stern action against the Delhi Police. He termed the police action against Youth Congress leaders as an attempt to suppress their voices. Goa, Feb 26 : Continuing the drive against illegal immigration and violations of immigration laws, authorities have deported six Bangladeshi nationals who were found living in Goa without valid travel or immigration documents, officials said on Thursday. The deportation was carried out on Wednesday through a coordinated effort between the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Goa, and the Border Security Force (BSF), officials confirmed. According to authorities, the entire process was conducted in accordance with established procedures. An escort team from FRRO Goa handed over the six individuals to the BSF, which subsequently deported them to Bangladesh. Officials further stated that since 2025, the Foreigners Branch of the Goa Police has traced, tracked and facilitated the deportation of 35 illegal Bangladeshi nationals. This includes nine males, seven females and 19 minors. Goa Police reiterated that action against illegal entry and overstay is being pursued in coordination with the FRRO and other relevant agencies. Authorities have urged members of the public to verify the documents of tenants and workers and to report any suspicious cases to the nearest police station or the Foreigners Branch. Meanwhile, Bengaluru Police launched a major city-wide operation, questioning over 2,000 foreigners and detaining dozens of suspected illegal Bangladeshi migrants for verification. This follows a previous drive in January, when 26 people were arrested in areas such as Electronic City and Hebbagodi. On Wednesday, a similar anti-infiltration operation was conducted in Mumbai, Maharashtra. In one of the year's largest single-location actions, the Versova Police arrested 25 Bangladeshi nationals (including 21 transgender individuals, two women, and two men) from the Yari Road area. They were found residing without valid documents near Shakulshaha Dargah, authorities said. Officials had further stated that between January 1 and February 20, Mumbai Police detained 113 Bangladeshi nationals, of whom 27 have already been deported. Islamabad, Feb 26 : Several international press freedom and human rights organisations have written to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, raising serious concerns over the continued deterioration of media freedom in Pakistan. In a joint letter, the Committee to Protect Journalists, alongside 17 other organisations, highlighted that the recent legal and institutional developments, coupled with persistent failures to ensure accountability for attacks on journalists, have created a worsening environment for members of the media in Pakistan. The group urged the Pakistani government to take immediate action to uphold Pakistan's obligations under the Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantee freedom of expression and the press, and require protection of journalists from violence, intimidation, and unlawful interference. The signatories noted that Pakistan's press freedom situation, which was already challenging, has worsened since the adoption of the 27th constitutional amendment in November 2025. "The amendment led to the establishment of the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), a development that has coincided with a weakening of judicial oversight and accountability in cases involving attacks on the media. Rather than strengthening protections for journalists, these changes have contributed to a more restrictive and uncertain environment for independent journalism. Judicial inaction in high-profile murder cases has reinforced a pattern of impunity that continues to endanger the press," the letter detailed. "In the period following the amendment, journalists across Pakistan have faced increased legal harassment, intimidation, surveillance, regulatory scrutiny, and threats -- all of which have had a chilling effect on press freedom. At the same time, the persistent failure of authorities to ensure accountability for crimes against journalists has reinforced a pattern of impunity that continues to place media workers at serious risk," it added. The organisations urged Pakistan to end the prosecution and conviction of Pakistani journalists living abroad. "Targeting journalists abroad represents an alarming expansion of restrictions on press freedom beyond national borders and amounts to transnational repression," it stated. Condemning a recent surge in detentions and deportations of Afghan journalists living in Pakistan, the signatories called on the Pakistani authorities to immediately halt deportations of journalists and media workers at risk and uphold the principle of "non-refoulement" for those facing credible threats due to their journalistic work. The group further appealed for immediate repeal or substantial amendment of Pakistan's Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA), including the 2025 amendments, to protect press freedom and end its misuse against journalists. "PECA's vague provisions enable arbitrary FIRs, arrests, and prosecutions of journalists, independent media, and digital platforms for legitimate reporting on state institutions, creating a chilling effect on free expression. These abuses violate international freedom of expression standards and must be reformed to safeguard journalists' constitutional rights and the public's right to information," the letter stressed. --IANS scor/sd/ Seoul, Feb 26 : South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday vowed to continue efforts to normalise relations with North Korea despite Pyongyang's rejection of his dialogue overture, saying the two Koreas should move beyond past confrontation and pursue peace and stability. Lee reaffirmed his commitment to improving ties after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un dismissed dialogue with Seoul, describing the South's overture as deceptive while appearing to leave the door open for talks with Washington as he wrapped up the North's key party congress the previous day, Yonhap News Agency reported. "We should pursue such values as peace and stability," Lee said at a meeting with senior aides at Cheong Wa Dae. "We should decisively put an end to the past that was racing toward confrontation and war." He also called for sober reflection on past approaches that have stoked tensions on the Korean Peninsula. "We need to seriously consider whether previous acts of humiliation or threats toward North Korea have truly contributed to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula or served the Republic of Korea's interests and security," he said. To normalise inter-Korean relations, Lee underscored the need for sustained efforts to ease long-running hostility and build trust with Pyongyang. "I believe lasting peace and stability can ultimately take hold on the Korean Peninsula by consistently communicating, engaging in dialogue and making efforts to cooperate, and steadily building trust and mutual understanding," he said. On February 19, South Korea's defence ministry said it will push for reinstating a no-fly zone under the suspended 2018 inter-Korean military pact in a way that does not affect a military readiness posture. The ministry also said it is in consultations with the United States over Seoul's push to partially restore the military pact, a day after Unification Minister Chung Dong-young disclosed the government's plan. Jaipur, Feb 26 : The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly will conclude discussions on demands for grants on Thursday, with a full-day debate scheduled on allocations for the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj departments after Question Hour and Zero Hour. After Question Hour and Zero Hour, the House will take up a day-long discussion on the demands for grants concerning the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj departments. During the debate, the Opposition Congress is likely to question the government over the delay in holding Panchayati Raj institution elections and the alleged politically driven ward reorganisation during the delimitation exercise. The state budget is slated for passage in the Assembly on Friday, when the House will also take up the Appropriation Bill and the Finance Bill. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma is scheduled to reply to the debate on the Appropriation Bill at 5 p.m. He is expected to announce a series of measures, including fresh recruitment drives. Sources said the announcements may address district-level demands along with issues flagged by legislators during the session. Leader of the Opposition Tika Ram Jully will speak before the Chief Minister's reply. A meeting of the Business Advisory Committee, chaired by the Speaker, will be held later on Thursday to decide the legislative agenda beyond Friday in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly. The panel is expected to finalise the timetable for the Panchayati Raj Amendment Bill, the Municipalities Amendment Bill and the Disturbed Area Bill, which are likely to be taken up after the Holi festival. Earlier in the day, Congress MLAs marched from their official residences to the Assembly, accusing the government of compromising national interests in the proposed trade agreement with the United States. Raising slogans on the Assembly steps, the MLAs alleged that India's concerns had been overlooked during the negotiations. Leader of the Opposition Tika Ram Jully said the proposed trade agreement would hurt domestic farmers. "Under the US pressure, agricultural and dairy products will be imported into India, which will adversely affect our farmers," he alleged. Besides the trade pact, they would also press the government over the delay in holding Panchayat elections, the Congress leaders said. Thursday is the final day of discussion on demands for grants in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly. After Question Hour and Zero Hour, the House will take up a day-long debate on allocations for the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj departments. Raipur/Bijapur, Feb 26 : In a major success for security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, two high-value Maoist cadres carrying a combined reward of Rs ten lakh were killed in an encounter in the Indravati River area of Bijapur district on Thursday. Preliminary identification confirmed them as Hichami Madda and Manki Podium, both Area Committee Members of the Bhairamgarh unit, each with an announced reward of Rs five lakh. Their elimination marks a significant disruption to the local Maoist leadership structure in this sensitive zone along the Indravati River. From the site, forces seized one SLR rifle with three magazines and 55 rounds, one INSAS rifle with three magazines and 19 rounds, one 12-bore gun with two shells, two hand grenades, two indigenous hand grenades, detonators, scanner batteries, mechanisms, medicines, pouches, and various other Naxalite materials. The recovered arsenal underscores the group's continued reliance on a mix of looted service rifles, country-made weapons, and improvised explosives for operations in the area. Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav said that forces entered the area after receiving precise intelligence about the presence of armed members of the Bhairamgarh Area Committee in the Jagur-Dodum region under the Jangal police station jurisdiction. A District Reserve Guard (DRG) team initiated a search operation on the evening of February 25, he said. The operation intensified early the next morning, leading to continuous exchanges of fire starting around 6 a.m. Security personnel from the DRG, Bastar Fighters, STF, CoBRA, and CRPF engaged the Maoists in the difficult riverine and forested terrain. After the firing ceased, search teams recovered the bodies of two uniformed Maoist cadres at the encounter site. Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj Pattalingam, said this is a broader message to the remaining Maoist cadres. He pointed to the growing number of former insurgents, including Barse Deva, Rupesh, Ranita, Rajman, Raju Salam, Devji, Sangram, Bhupati, and Venkatesh, who have already abandoned violence and returned to mainstream life. He urged other active members to follow suit, stressing that there is no future in armed struggle. The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) Psychosocial Support Center has opened in Uman (Cherkasy region). Establishing this Psychosocial Support Centre has been a long journey the result of considerable preparatory work, strong partnerships, and a firm belief that spaces like this are urgently needed today. We are starting in Uman, as this marks the first phase in developing a network of similar centres across the region. Here, we will refine our approaches, establish effective practices, gain valuable experience, and scale them up further, said Yuliia Kholodna, Head of Cherkasy regional branch of the Ukrainian Red Cross. According to her, today it is extremely important to systematically develop the direction of psychosocial support and to care about the mental health of Ukrainians living in war conditions. The Centre provides a safe and welcoming space where adults and children can access high-quality psychosocial support. It will host activities aimed at promoting mental health, preventing psychological disorders, and supporting the well-being of individuals and families. The programme includes both basic and targeted psychosocial support activities. The Building the Future Together programme is currently being implemented, and in 2026, staff will receive training in additional programmes. The Centre will also host training sessions, as well as formal and informal volunteer meetings. The opening ceremony was attended by government representatives, members of the National Committee of the Ukrainian Red Cross, donors, and project partners. The center was created with the support of the Canadian Red Cross. Bengaluru, Feb 26 : Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Thursday stated that he doesn't want to create confusion with regards to the matter of leadership in the state. He further stated that he can't do much about his supporters demanding the Chief Minister's post for him, however, the decision has been left to the high command. It can be recalled that amid the leadership tussle within the Congress party, G. Parameshwara had stated on Wednesday that there was nothing wrong with his supporters demanding the Chief Ministeras post for him. He claimed that he had proved beyond doubt that he is capable. "I am not ready to create more trouble. Many people will ask me questions like you have asked. My supporters and fans will demand the CMas post for me and raise slogans in this regard. The answer to all this is that the high command will take a decision at an appropriate time. Hence, there is not much use in analyzing the matter further," HM Parameshwara maintained. "You will not get answers now. Only when the high command makes a decision will everyone get answers. I have not done any lobbying, and I have not gone to Delhi for this purpose. My well-wishers have demanded it, but many times I have asked them not to do it," he stated. "I have even scolded them, but somewhere they will express their feelings, and we cannot do much about it. I will not join hands in creating confusion in the state," he stated. "There have been expressions by party workers and people, but I do not want to add to that confusion. Already, some confusion has been created over the matter by people, and I do not want to join them. Whatever needs to be done, our high command will take a decision whenever necessary," he stated. "It is not necessary for us to express everything in the media. It is up to the high command. If someone expresses their opinion, I do not want to join them," he reiterated. When asked about the demand for a Dalit CM, he said, "That is okay. People express their feelings, and that is fine." Talking about protest by government job aspirants, HM Parameshwara stated, "The Cabinet may discuss filling up vacancies, as it is a serious matter. On one hand, we want our youth to join universities and acquire skills, but when they do not get jobs, they are naturally disappointed. We will discuss this issue. Due to internal reservation, the recruitment process has slowed down. We will discuss how this can be rectified." "In our manifesto, we stated that there are 2.5 lakh vacancies in government jobs, and these will be filled in a phased manner. We have carried out some recruitments, but the issue of internal reservation came in between. In the Home Department alone, there are 15,000 vacancies. We have received clearance and will issue notifications. We will fill them," he added. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Mumbai, Feb 26 : A Mumbai Sessions Court on Thursday acquitted Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut in a criminal defamation case filed by Medha Somaiya, wife of BJP leader Kirit Somaiya. The Special Sessions Court pronounced its verdict after reserving the order in Raut's appeal challenging his conviction by a Magistrate's Court last year. With Thursday's ruling, Raut has been granted relief and stands acquitted in the case. The dispute stemmed from allegations made by Raut in the media, in which he accused Medha Somaiya of involvement in an alleged Rs 100 crore scam related to the construction of public toilets under the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation. Somaiya had strongly refuted the charges, terming them false and defamatory. In September last year, a Mazagaon Metropolitan Magistrate Court had found Raut guilty of defamation and sentenced him to 15 days' simple imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 25,000. The sentence, however, was stayed after Raut filed an appeal before the Sessions Court. Medha Somaiya, a professor of Organic Chemistry at Mumbai's Ruia College, had approached the court claiming that Raut's public statements had damaged her and her husband's reputation. Prior to filing the complaint in court, the Somaiyas had lodged a complaint at Mulund Police Station. They maintained that "not even a single rupee scam has been committed" and sought legal action against what they described as baseless allegations. Raut, on the other hand, consistently argued that his statements were based on certain official documents and that he had merely raised questions regarding the alleged irregularities in the toilet construction project. He maintained that the issue had also been discussed in the Maharashtra Assembly. With the Sessions Court overturning the Magistrate Court's conviction, it is a significant legal victory for Raut in a matter involving leaders from rival parties in Maharashtra. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Dhaka, Feb 26 : Several of the litigants in Bangladesh's Barishal district have been unable to access judicial services following the suspension of court activities for three consecutive days in protest over the arrest of the district bar association and the filing of a case against 12 lawyers, local media reported. As the judicial services in all courts, including the District and Sessions Judge's Court, remained non-functional, several litigants who arrived at the premises on Thursday morning left without any progress in their cases. Reports suggest that one of the litigants, Sabuj Hawlader, was seen going from one courtroom to another until noon, carrying his case documents. Addressing reporters on the court premises, he said a case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act was lodged three months and 10 days ago against three individuals, including Akbar Ali Hawlader, who is currently on bail, Bangladeshi leading newspaper The Daily Star reported. "When we moved the High Court seeking bail, it directed us to apply before the lower court. But for the last three days, the court's activities have remained suspended. I have been unable to file the bail petition," Sabuj said. He added that the time limit for submitting the bail application ends on Sunday. "With Friday and Saturday being holidays, Thursday was effectively the last working day. But as the courts are not functioning, I am deeply worried," he said. According to the lawyers, a case was filed on Wednesday under the Speedy Trial Act against the President of the Barishal District Bar Association, Sadiqur Rahman Linkon, along with 11 other lawyers, on charges of courtroom vandalism and intimidating a judge. On Tuesday afternoon, a group of agitating lawyers, reportedly led by Linkon, vandalised the courtroom of the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, with CCTV footage of the incident later circulating on social media. The case was registered by Rajib Majumder, bench assistant of the court of the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, following which Linkon was arrested and sent to jail later that afternoon. On Thursday morning, protesting lawyers demanded his immediate release on bail and threatened to suspend court activities indefinitely if he was not released within the day. "Judicial activities across Barishal have remained suspended for 72 hours. Litigants are suffering, but when lawyers themselves are facing injustice, there is little we can do," The Daily Star quoted one of the protesting lawyers as saying on condition of anonymity. He warned that the agitation would continue until the authorities withdraw the "false case" and grant bail to the bar association president. --IANS scor/sd/ Kabul, Feb 26 : Richard Bennett, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, has warned that restrictions and international funding cuts have severely affected Afghan women's access to essential healthcare services, local media reported on Thursday. Bennett will present a new report on women's and girls' rights to health at the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on Thursday, Afghanistan's leading news agency Khaama Press reported. He said Afghanistan's health system has been fragile due to decades of war, poverty and underinvestment in infrastructure. However, he emphasised that current restrictions have worsened women's and girls' access to healthcare services. He termed structural weakness in the healthcare system, restrictive policies imposed by the Taliban and cuts in international funding as the three causes of the crisis. Bennett said more than 300 clinics have been forced to shut due to funding cuts, while working hours and staffing levels, particularly among female doctors, nurses and midwives, have been significantly reduced. He said that the Taliban's restrictions on women, like banning them from pursuing medical education, restricting their freedom of movement and requiring a male guardian to visit clinics has created obstacles for them to access healthcare. The report adopts a "multi-dimensional" approach, analysing the discrimination faced by the women. Females in rural areas, especially those having disabilities, elderly women and those without a male guardian, face even greater hindrances in accessing physical, mental and reproductive healthcare services. Bennett called Afghan women and girls' determination to pursue education a sign of hope and stressed that education empowers an individual to understand and claim their rights. Since seizing power in 2021, the Taliban has banned girls from secondary schools, universities and medical institutes, sparking concern about the long-term sustainability of Afghanistan's health sector. On February 10, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) stated that the economic conditions of Afghan women remain fragile, with limited access to jobs and income opportunities, deteriorating household vulnerabilities in Afghanistan, local media reported. The report released on February 10 has revealed that 75 per cent of Afghans face difficulty in meeting daily needs, while 88 per cent of female-headed households do not have access to minimum living requirements, showcasing severe economic pressure faced by residents, Khaama Press reported. Afghanistan's economy has been weakened by years of conflict, economic isolation and reduced international aid, leaving millions of people dependent on humanitarian support and informal income sources for survival. Furthermore, restrictions on women's employment and education in Afghanistan have also reduced income opportunities, resulting in many families being dependent on irregular work while poverty and food security are increasing. UNDP stated that only seven per cent of women work outside the home in comparison to 84 per cent of men, showcasing gender disparity in employment opportunities in Afghanistan. Kabul, Feb 26 : The Taliban has slammed Pakistan for its airstrikes on Afghanistan, terming it a "shameful act" and warned of a military response to it, adding that Islamabad targeted civilians instead of militants. In an interview with Al Arabiya English, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said, "Naturally, it would be a military response, but its details are confidential, and I cannot explain further. Pakistan must receive a response for its shameful act." 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. Islamabad has claimed that it was targeting militant groups that were carrying out attacks in Pakistan. Mujahid said a family of 22 people was hit in Nangarhar, with 17 killed and five injured. He said one child was injured after a school was hit and several buildings were damaged. He said, "There were no armed individuals there. Only civilians were injured and killed, and civilian areas were targeted." Mujahid rejected Pakistan's accusations that Afghan territory is used against neighbouring nations. "Unfortunately, whenever attacks occur inside Pakistan, they immediately attribute them to Afghanistan without evidence and accuse us. We reject this. Afghan soil is not allowed to be used against anyone," Al Arabiya English quoted him as saying. He said Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) had no presence in Afghanistan and the group largely controls areas in Pakistan. He said, "These are Pakistan's internal problems. TTP controls large areas inside Pakistan itself. They can live there; they do not need Afghan soil. And we would not allow them to use Afghan soil in the first place." He stated that Pakistan has not provided proof to back its claims. Mujahid accused Pakistan of providing safe havens to ISIS instead of combating them, Al Arabiya English reported. On February 24, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) stated that at least 13 people, including women and children, were killed in Pakistan's airstrikes on Nangarhar and Paktika. 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 2122 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. Lucknow, Feb 26 : With the Hindu festival of Holi approaching and the holy month of Ramadan currently underway, All India Muslim Jamaat chief Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi on Thursday appealed to members of all communities to respect each other's religious sentiments to ensure peace and harmony during the celebrations. The Hindu community is set to celebrate Holi on March 5, while Muslims are observing Ramadan, a sacred month marked by fasting and prayer. In view of the overlapping occasions, authorities across the country have put in place extensive security arrangements to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incidents. Speaking to IANS, Maulana Rizvi said the coincidence of festivals calls for mutual understanding and cooperation. "The festival of Holi is approaching, and last year it coincided with the holy month of Ramadan. Muslims respect all religious festivals, and for the sake of peace, harmony, and communal unity, they adjust arrangements themselves if a festival of any religious community coincides with Ramadan, Eid, Friday prayers, or Urs," he said. He expressed hope that better coordination would be ensured this year. "In the coming days, arrangements are expected to be better, considering the festival of Holi. I appeal to all Hindu and Muslim brothers to maintain peace and follow government guidelines," he stated. The cleric also made a specific appeal to both communities to exercise restraint during the festivities. "I appeal to the Muslims not to come out of their homes till noon on Holi. I also appeal to the Hindu community to not put colours on Muslims during the festival so that Holi is celebrated peacefully without any tension," he added. Meanwhile, authorities have intensified security measures, particularly in sensitive areas, to ensure that the celebrations pass off peacefully. Officials said surveillance has been increased, with special focus on monitoring social media platforms to curb the spread of misinformation and identify potential troublemakers. In several cities, including Vrindavan, security arrangements have been strengthened with additional police deployment, area patrolling and the use of drones for aerial monitoring. Some urban centres have been divided into zones to facilitate better coordination and quicker response in case of any incident. Administrative officials are also holding regular meetings with local peace committees, including 'Aman Committees', and engaging with community leaders to reinforce coordination. Special emphasis is being placed on maintaining communication with mosque authorities in areas where Holi celebrations and Ramadan observances coincide. Authorities reiterated that strict vigilance will continue in the coming days to ensure communal harmony, urging citizens to celebrate responsibly and adhere to official guidelines during the festive period. Bengaluru, Feb 26 : Responding to Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar's statement that the guarantee schemes are a burden on the state government, Minister for Large and Medium Industries M.B. Patil on Thursday said the rich should not avail of the benefits of these welfare schemes and clarified that the schemes were not a burden but part of development. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Patil questioned, "If Minister M.B. Patil himself avails guarantee benefits, would that be appropriate?" M.B. Patil clarified that the guarantee schemes are not a burden but part of development. "The guarantee schemes are not a burden; they are part of development. We are spending Rs 60,000 crore on these schemes as we had assured the people of the state," M.B. Patil said. M.B. Patil added that the guarantees are pro-poor schemes and have benefited many people. "There is no burden on the government due to the guarantees. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will manage the finances," he said. Home Minister G. Parameshwara, commenting on the issue, said, "Deputy CM Shivakumar is our state president. When we went to the elections, all of us together prepared the manifesto. I was the chairman of the Manifesto Committee, and the manifesto was prepared collectively." "He may have expressed his opinion based on information available to him now. There may be many matters known to him that others are not aware of. In that backdrop, he may have said so. He has expressed his opinion, and we will discuss it," he added. When asked about appeals urging the rich not to avail guarantee benefits, Parameshwara said that no income-based classification was made while implementing the schemes. "At the time of implementing the guarantees, we did not classify beneficiaries based on income. It was assumed that well-off people would not avail themselves of these schemes. However, now even affluent people are availing the benefits. Those owning 100 acres of land are also receiving the Rs 2,000 monthly assistance," he said. "In that context, the Chief Minister may have made such a statement. We can recall that at the national level, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appealed to people who are financially well-off to voluntarily give up LPG subsidy. Similarly, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has given a message," he added. Amid criticism from BJP that the five guarantees of the Congress government are pushing Karnataka towards bankruptcy, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar while addressing the 'Kusuma Sanjeevini' initiative that provides preventive treatment for hemophilia patients said though the schemes are a burden, the government wants to ensure that people do not face mental stress due to financial difficulties. While addressing the gathering, Dy CM Shivakumar said, "We have given five guarantees, ensuring free bus service for women, free power, and Rs 2,000 financial assistance. We have given these benefits even though they are a burden on the state government." "We want to ensure that people do not face mental stress due to financial difficulties. If you are confident, people will come forward to provide assistance. In this background, the government has taken a decision to instil financial confidence and mental strength among people, so that they are financially empowered." Responding to Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's statement on the guarantee schemes, CM Siddaramaiah said that although Rs 52,000 crore is being spent annually on the guarantee schemes, development works are continuing. He added that Rs 1,20,000 crore has already been spent on the guarantees. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Patna, Feb 26 : A light-hearted atmosphere prevailed in the Bihar Legislative Council on Thursday during a photo session held a day before the conclusion of the Budget Session, which ends on Friday. The otherwise formal occasion witnessed an unusual and humorous moment involving Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. During the group photograph, the Chief Minister was repeatedly seen sitting with his hands folded. At one point, a cameraman called out, "Sir, your face is getting hidden," prompting gentle concern among those present. The Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council, Dr Ramvachan Rai, also softly intervened. Standing just behind the Chief Minister was MLC Sachchidanand Rai, also with folded hands. Noticing this, Nitish Kumar smiled and quipped, "They always stand with their hands folded together," drawing laughter and easing the mood inside the House. For a brief moment, the Chief Minister appeared slightly uncomfortable and adjusted his chair and posture before the photo was finally taken. Notably, the Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council, Rabri Devi, was absent from the photo session. The informal exchange added a touch of humour to the Budget Session, breaking the otherwise serious parliamentary proceedings. Meanwhile, a mild but humorous exchange also took place in the Assembly over MLA I.P. Gupta's turban. Raising an issue related to a stalled drainage scheme in the Saharsa Municipal Corporation, Gupta mentioned that he had come to the House without his turban. Responding to this, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha remarked, "We will honour your turban." The issue at hand involved a drainage project worth approximately Rs 213 crore proposed in 2017, of which only Rs 137 crore was approved after administrative deductions in the Urban Development Department. IP Gupta demanded a review, questioning why a significant portion of the funds was cut. Adding a humorous twist, after posing a supplementary question, Gupta told the Speaker, "Sir, I have another supplementary question. Look, today we have come without our turbans -- this also needs to be resolved concretely." The remark triggered laughter across the House, momentarily lightening the debate. --IANS ajk/dpb -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed New Delhi, Feb 26 : The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), along with the Permanent Mission of India to the WTO in Geneva, organised special sessions on trade on the sidelines of the meeting of the Committee on Trade Facilitation at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva, according to an official statement issued on Thursday. The event on Tuesday comprised two focused sessions on trade facilitation and capacity building, highlighting Indiaas transformative reforms under the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). The programme was also held in the run-up to the 8th Trade Policy Review of India, due in July 2026. The event witnessed wide participation from WTO Members and Secretariat, with delegates from around 40 countries, reflecting strong interest in Indiaas experience and best practices, the statement said. Having achieved compliance with WTO TFA commitments, India has moved towards "TFA Plus" measures under the National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (NTFAP 3.0), aiming to go beyond the minimum requirements and align with evolving global best practices. During the session on Trade Facilitation, the Indian Customs delegation highlighted its awhole-of-government approacha in Customs reforms, and pioneering efforts in creating a faceless, contactless and paperless Customs ecosystem through extensive digitalisation and process re-engineering. India has notified 100 per cent of its TFA commitments within the stipulated timelines. The progress reflects Indiaas sustained commitment to enhancing transparency, improving inter-agency coordination and simplifying cross-border trade procedures. The CBIC showcased its advanced and indigenously developed systems, including the comprehensive customs automated system with single window interface, a robust risk management system (RMS) and the authorised economic operator (AEO) programme. The session on capacity building underscored Indiaas proactive engagement in sharing its expertise with developing and least-developed countries, particularly from the Global South. Through the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics (NACIN), India conducts structured training programmes for officers of Indian and foreign customs administrations. The training courses undertaken by the Central Revenue Control Laboratory (CRCL) of India for the international participants were highlighted. Both these are recognised by WCO as the Regional Training Centre for Asia-Pacific and the Regional Customs Laboratory, respectively. It was stated that, since 2022, NACIN has conducted 65 trainings, and more than 1,800 international participants from around 30 countries have benefited from these initiatives. Several of them were done in collaboration with various international organisations such as WCO, ADB and others. Similarly, CRCL trained more than 300 international participants. India expressed its willingness to partner with countries, especially developing countries, to strengthen their capacity for implementing trade facilitation Agreement commitments. The participants appreciated the state-of-the-art infrastructure of these institutions and the training offered by the premier institutions of India. The Special Secretary and Member (Customs), Surjit Bhujabal, remarked that Indiaas digitisation and modernisation of customs procedures over the past decade have contributed meaningfully to trade growth and deeper integration into global value chains. Indian Customs digital ecosystem connects traders, customs authorities, banks and logistics operators, facilitates electronic processing of customs documentation, leading to reduced transaction costs and faster clearance times. New Delhi, Feb 26 : Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said he held 'very fruitful discussions' with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor to expand trade and economic ties between the two countries. In a post on social media platform X, Goyal said he hosted the US Secretary of Commerce and the US Ambassador in India and engaged in meaningful talks aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and economic partnership. He highlighted that the discussions focused on expanding cooperation and deepening engagement between India and the United States. "Hosted US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor. Engaged in very fruitful discussions to expand our trade and economic partnership," Goyal wrote on X. The meeting comes at a time when India has been actively working to enhance its global trade footprint and build stronger economic relationships with key partners. The government has been pushing for greater market access for Indian businesses and encouraging integration into global value chains. Earlier, Goyal had said that India has concluded nine free trade agreements (FTAs) covering 38 nations, giving Indian businesses preferential access to nearly two-thirds of global trade. He noted that these agreements are helping Indian goods, services, agricultural and fisheries products, and labour-intensive sectors reach new markets while also improving talent mobility. According to the minister, the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat is not about isolation but about building resilient, trusted and diversified supply chains through global engagement. He has repeatedly called upon entrepreneurs and industry leaders to take global opportunities to MSMEs, farmers, exporters and fishermen across the country. Speaking at the 27th edition of the 'EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards' in Mumbai recently, Goyal had said that India's growth journey will continue to be driven by its entrepreneurs and youth. He expressed confidence that young India will lead the country through the 'Amrit Kaal' towards becoming a developed economy by 2047. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Photo: https://www.facebook.com/KubiliusA/ In a rapid blitz-interview with Interfax-Ukraine, EU Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius shared Europe's firm stance on continued military support for Ukraine amid the ongoing war. Speaking from Kyiv, the Commissioner highlighted the most pressing priorities: massive scaling of drone production, learning from Ukrainian frontline experience in drone warfare and counter-drone systems, urgent steps to increase European missile output, expanding ammunition supplies, and deepening cooperation to modernize anti-ballistic defence. Text: Valerie Proshchenko Q: My opening question is on drone innovations: how is communication going with the Ukrainian side, what can Europe learn from our experience, and which areas need more development? A.K: Well, first of all, we definitely want to support Ukrainian drone production, which is very much needed for Ukraines defense. We are talking with the Defense Minister, and as you know, we are now finalizing all the details of the so-called 60 billion Ukrainian support loan. I hope that a decision will be found in the EU Council quite soon, despite the traditional Hungarian opposition, because this loan is crucial to keep Ukraine able to fight. Thats very clear. We are discussing with Ukrainian authorities what their priorities are and what kinds of weapons they want to acquire. Of course, drones are one of the top priorities. There is a real need to produce millions and millions of drones - more than 7 million. Some drones could perhaps also be produced in Europe, but the majority should be made in Ukraine. That is our clear priority. Besides drones, of course, missiles and 155 mm extended-range ammunition are the other two main priorities. Secondly, we definitely want to learn a lot from Ukraine about drone innovations, anti-drone defense, and how drones are used on the front line. That is why we now have several initiatives on the European side, such as the Drone Defense Initiative (EDDI) and Eastern Flank Watch, covering all frontline countries from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. These flagship projects can become so-called European defense projects of common interest under our regulations. Ukraine can be part of those European defense projects. That would allow Ukraine to share its knowledge and for us to learn from it. I hope this can be a really successful development. Q: How about missiles? There is a lack of them and Europe doesnt have enough - what to do? A.K: We really understand the problem. We visited missile producers here they are very good and very strong, and Europe can learn a lot from Ukrainians. But also, definitely for air defense, Ukraine needs missiles that are produced in Europe or in the United States. Im ready to go on what we call a missile tour visiting all the factories in Europe that produce missiles, talking with industry about whether they can increase production to really meet Ukraines needs. We shall also talk with governments about whether they can open their stockpiles of missiles to allow Ukraine to receive them very quickly and then replenish those stockpiles through increased industrial production. That is one of the priorities we are focusing on. We also understand that Ukrainians have very specific knowledge, for example, in anti-ballistic defense. They are facing a challenge because the Russians are modernizing their ballistic missiles to change trajectory in flight, and traditional anti-ballistic systems like Patriot, SAMP/T, or IRIS-T are having some problems intercepting those Russian ballistic missiles. Cooperation between Ukrainian producers, defense experts, and European missile producers will be extremely important because anti-ballistic missile defense also needs to be modernized on the European or Western side. Q: What about 155 mm ammunition? Is it still an ongoing project? Are you still providing it to us? A.K: Yes, it will continue. Europe is expanding its production. That was a big problem at the beginning of the big war. We are now producing more than 2 million rounds per year. Extended-range ammunition is more specific, but we believe we will be able to resolve that issue as well. Of course, the biggest problem at the moment is missiles, which is why we are concentrating our attention there. Q: But theres still a very popular question for you: Can Europe fully militarily stand with Ukraine if the US does not? A.K: We are standing. We are showing that we are standing. We are supporting Ukraine very clearly. We are now the only ones providing really strong financial support for Ukraines defense development both through the EU loan and through individual support from member states. So this year, Europeans will provide around 60 to 70 billion euros for Ukrainian defense, and that is really crucial. There are some weapons we need to buy from the Americans because neither Europe nor Ukraine is producing them yet. But Ukrainians are catching up very rapidly with new developments and new weapons systems being built here in Ukraine and that is again very remarkable and very good. Q: What is the concrete role for Ukraine in the SAFE program? What exactly do you expect from it? A.K: Well, Ukraine is part of SAFE program - Ukrainian products are considered European. The countries that took SAFE loans (because Ukraine had no possibility to take those loans only member states could) - the majority of them are promising that they will use part of those loans to procure from Ukraine or to produce something together with Ukraine. We will see what the actual amounts will be. But definitely much more important right now is this 60 billion loan specifically for Ukraine, which is currently being vetoed by Hungary. I hope Europe will manage to implement this loan because it is the main mechanism to support Ukraine. Q: But do you also expect full operation of open export of Ukrainian products/technologies? A.K: We are definitely talking with the Ukrainian side about what they have managed to achieve in the development of their technologies. That is very attractive for Europeans and would be beneficial for Ukrainian development as well. New Delhi, Feb 26 : Engineering goods exports from India grew by 4.52 per cent year-on-year to $101.13 billion during the April-January period of 2025-26, crossing the $100 billion mark for the first time in the current fiscal, EEPC India said on Thursday. Driven primarily by copper, iron and steel, and motor vehicles, engineering goods exports recorded a 10.4 per cent (on-year) rise in January to $10.40 billion even as shipments to the US recorded a decline during this period. Engineering goods exports to the US, India's top market, however fell 6.8 per cent year-on-year to $1.51 billion in January, as against $1.62 billion in January 2025. "Favourable base was one of the major reasons behind the double-digit growth in January this year. Notably, Indian engineering exports also bounced back in most of the regions. This is very positive news, especially at a time when global trade is going through realignments pushed by changing geopolitics," said Pankaj Chadha, Chairman EEPC India. Indian engineering exports would continue to grow in the coming months and surpass $120 billion in FY26, he added. "The recent schemes announced by the government, especially the Market Access Scheme, are estimated to be a big enabler of Indian exports. This is crucial at a time when more Indian exporters are eager to participate in global exhibitions and exhibit their products to global markets," Chadha noted. Meanwhile, EEPC India also urged the government to reconsider its decision to reduce RoDTEP benefits by half, considering the ongoing challenges and uncertainties prevailing on the external front. Among the top 25 key markets for Indian engineering goods, shipments to as many as 19 countries recorded positive growth, while in the case of six countries, the growth was negative. Engineering goods exports to some of the major markets, such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Germany, the UK, Singapore, and China, registered impressive growth during this period. Engineering goods exports to the UAE went up 42.4 per cent in January 2026 to $871.48 million. In the case of Saudi Arabia, exports were up 33.3 per cent at $518.58 million. Region-wise, North America and the European Union (EU) remained the top two exporting regions for Indian engineering goods in January this year. Tokyo/New Delhi, Feb 26 : The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan's Yamanashi Prefecture on green hydrogen technology. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, elaborating on the MoU on green hydrogen technology, said that under the agreement, students from higher technical institutions of Uttar Pradesh will receive training in Japan, and the technology will be implemented in the state's industry, public transport and energy sectors. "This initiative will prove to be an important step towards achieving Prime Minister Modi's 'Net Zero target'," he pointed out. The Chief Minister, on the second day of his visit, presented the state's new development policies and investment potential to the global industrial community during the 'UP Investment Road Show' held in Yamanashi. He stated that Uttar Pradesh has transformed its governance approach from "reactive to proactive", and this transformation has become the foundation of the state's rapid economic progress. Calling robotics a major technology of the future, the Chief Minister said the UP government has made provisions in the budget to establish a Centre of Excellence for Robotics and voiced confidence that expanded cooperation will take India-Japan relations to new heights, giving strength to self-reliance in energy and also making technology accessible to the common people. Boasting about Uttar Pradesh's demographic advantage and natural abundance, CM Yogi said the state has the country's most fertile land, abundant water resources, vast human capital and over the past nine years, it has scaled new heights of development and therefore offers abundant growth opportunities for the investing entities as well. The Chief Minister further stated that governance in the state has undergone a transformational shift from a "reactive to proactive" model of governance. "The government is continuously taking initiatives to attract investment, facilitate industries, adopt new technologies and expand global partnerships. With this vision, a high-level delegation from Uttar Pradesh has visited Japan to convert possibilities into opportunities," CM Yogi told a gathering of tech leaders and investors. The UP CM also made note of a prior incident, stating that the Governor of Yamanashi had visited Uttar Pradesh in December 2024, and since then, continuous dialogue, follow-ups and exchanges of delegations between the two governments have taken this cooperation in a new direction. He said that following the study and report of the business delegation, the Uttar Pradesh delegation arrived in Yamanashi at the Governor's invitation, where this cooperation has taken concrete shape. --IANS mr/dpb Kochi Feb, 26 : In a significant development that has sent ripples through the film industry and political circles alike, the Kerala High Court on Thursday stayed the release of the controversial film "Kerala Story 2" for 15 days, just a day before its scheduled theatrical debut. The film, which was slated for release on Friday, had already generated intense debate over its theme and portrayal of sensitive issues. Petitioners had approached the High Court, contending that the content could potentially inflame communal tensions and disturb public order. Taking note of the submissions, the court ordered an interim stay, effectively halting the release across theatres for the next two weeks. The decision marks a major setback for the filmas producers, who had invested heavily in promotions and distribution arrangements. Advance bookings in several centres are now expected to be cancelled or refunded, adding to the financial strain. Industry observers point out that such last-minute judicial interventions can significantly impact a filmas commercial prospects, particularly when controversy forms part of its marketing momentum. While the court has not delivered a final verdict on the merits of the case, the interim order suggests it found sufficient grounds to pause the release pending further examination. The matter is expected to come up for a detailed hearing during the stay period. The controversy surrounding "Kerala Story 2" mirrors the turbulence that accompanied its predecessor, with debates centring on creative freedom versus social responsibility. Supporters argue that filmmakers must be allowed to explore difficult subjects, while critics maintain that artistic expression cannot come at the cost of social harmony. For now, the spotlight shifts from cinema halls to the courtroom, where the fate of the film will be decided. Whether the stay ultimately results in cuts, disclaimers, or a complete green signal remains to be seen, but the immediate impact is unmistakable: a high-profile release has been abruptly put on hold. In Kerala, both the Left and the Congress have been attacking the film. Chennai, Feb 26 : Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder Dr. S. Ramadoss on Thursday indicated that the party is likely to align with a Dravidian party for the upcoming elections, stating that a final decision on the alliance would become clear by Saturday. Speaking to reporters at Thailapuram in Villupuram district, Ramadoss said internal consultations were currently underway within the party. He revealed that a meeting had been convened with district secretaries and state-level functionaries to discuss the partyas electoral strategy and future course of action. "We have gathered to seek opinions from our district secretaries and state administrators on how to approach the elections and what kind of strategy should be adopted. Based on their views, we will decide our next steps," he said. The PMK has recently witnessed visible differences between its founder Ramadoss and party president Anbumani Ramadoss over alliance choices. While Anbumani has aligned with the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Ramadoss' remarks have fuelled speculation about a possible shift in the party's political direction. When asked whether a decision on the alliance would be taken today, Ramadoss said it was too early to make such an announcement. "We cannot decide today. The time is not appropriate yet," he said. However, when a reporter specifically asked whether the PMK would ally with a Dravidian party, Ramadoss responded affirmatively, saying, "Yes... it will happen." In a recent letter addressed to party workers, Ramadoss had used a metaphor suggesting that "their vehicle has arrived". Clarifying the remark, he said, "This is an election vehicle. By the 28th, we will know which vehicle we are travelling in." His comments come at a crucial time as political parties in Tamil Nadu intensify negotiations and realignments ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. With PMK's vote base considered significant in northern Tamil Nadu, its final alliance decision is expected to have a considerable impact on the electoral landscape. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Dhaka, Feb 26 : Authorities at the Dhaka University have set up a three-member committee following allegations of harassment and assault of two women by university students, local media reported. The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday near the Raju Sculpture at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) on the university campus. Speaking to Bangladesh's leading newspaper, The Daily Star, Dhaka University Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed stated that the committee was formed after the two men who were with the women lodged written complaints with his office on Wednesday. Video footage widely circulating on social media showed one of the accused armed with a bamboo stick and attempting to kick one of the women, while the women were heard alleging that the men physically assaulted them. "We are not safe in front of the University of Dhaka. We are not safe after August 5. University boys beat us. They say our clothes mean we are prostitutes," Bangladesh's leading newspaper, The Daily Star, quoted one of the women as saying in the footage. "We came to TSC after having sehri at Nazirabazar. They slapped my rider. They are calling us prostitutes. How can they raise their hands on women?" said the other woman. At one point, someone speaking from behind the camera remarks, "There is no evidence," to which the woman said, "There is CCTV footage." Another woman, in an angry tone, questions, "Why did he slap me? Why would a Dhaka University student hit me? Can't I come here? Am I from outside Bangladesh?" The accused students have been identified as Shahriar Islam Tushar, a 202324 session student of the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies and Rakib Ahmed Sohan, a 202324 session student of the Department of World Religions and Culture of Dhaka University. Speaking on the matter, Proctor Saifuddin further said CCTV footage of the incident had been secured. "We have identified four Dhaka University students at the spot from the footage," he said. However, he told The Daily Star that a preliminary review of the footage did not reveal any evidence of the women being beaten with sticks. "It is seen that they threatened the women with sticks and hit the man who was with them on the head with a helmet. Whether they actually hit the women needs to be reviewed more carefully. I have seen them raise the sticks, but I have not yet seen clear footage of them directly beating the women," he added. This latest incident comes against the backdrop of escalating violence against women and children across Bangladesh, sparking grave concerns. Bengaluru, Feb 26 : Senior BJP leader and former Karnataka Minister B. Sriramulu on Thursday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking an immediate technical review by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) into the state's law and order situation, citing repeated communal flashpoints and concerns over alleged targeting of Hindu activists. Bengaluru, Feb 26 (IANS) Senior BJP leader and former Karnataka Minister B. Sriramulu on Thursday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking an immediate technical review by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) into the stateas law and order situation, citing repeated communal flashpoints and concerns over alleged targeting of Hindu activists. In his letter, Sriramulu urged the MHA to examine what he described as a pattern of escalating communal tensions, attacks on youths linked to Hindu organisations, and frequent imposition of prohibitory orders in sensitive areas. He said his submission was not intended to prejudge ongoing investigations but to highlight what he called preventable escalation and seek standardised preventive and investigative mechanisms. Sriramulu referred to an incident on February 20, during the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti procession in Bagalkot old town, where stone-pelting was reported near a mosque as the rally passed through the area. He noted that the district administration subsequently extended prohibitory orders until February 28, issued notices to several individuals, and strengthened police deployment in sensitive pockets. He said the incident highlighted the need for stronger standardisation in event route management, preventive policing, and intelligence-led measures to avoid escalation. The BJP leader also raised concerns about what he termed a growing perception among Hindu organisations that their youth and activists were being targeted through attacks or counter-cases. He cited the murder of Hindu activist and a rowdy sheeter, Suhas Shetty, in Mangaluru on May 1, 2025, describing him as a person associated with Hindu organisations. He noted that the killing had triggered tension and that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) later conducted raids in connection with the case, indicating the seriousness of the investigation. Sriramulu also referred to an incident in Gangavathi in Koppal district on February 18, where a Hindu youth named Venkatesh was allegedly assaulted, leading to protests by Hindu organisations that claimed the victim was also booked in a counter-case. He said such situations require transparent and victim-centric policing to maintain public confidence. He further pointed to previous incidents, including a mob attack on the Udayagiri police station in Mysuru in February 2025, stone-pelting during an Eid Milad procession in Shivamogga in October 2023, and clashes during a Ganesh immersion procession in Mandya district in September 2024. He said these incidents reflected recurring challenges in managing sensitive events and maintaining public order. In his letter, Sriramulu requested the MHA to convene a review meeting with Karnatakaas Home Department and Director General of Police to assess districts with repeated incidents, intelligence gaps, and prosecution outcomes in riot and targeted killing cases. He also sought issuance of uniform standard operating procedures (SOPs) for managing public processions, including route planning, time restrictions, and security protocols. He recommended district-wise threat assessments for activists and youth leaders across communities and the creation of a time-bound investigation tracking system for cases involving targeted attacks. Additionally, he requested Central assistance for police modernisation, training in riot control, and strengthening intelligence coordination in districts that frequently witness communal tensions. Stating that Karnataka has traditionally been known for social harmony, Sriramulu said repeated incidents of violence and law and order concerns required urgent attention. He also sought an appointment with the Union Home Minister to present detailed district-wise inputs and supporting documents from local stakeholders. Mumbai, Feb 26 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday, in a scathing rebuttal, addressed the controversy surrounding Tipu Sultan, asserting that years of "tempered history" have misled the nation. His remarks came in response to statements made by Congress Maharashtra State President Harshvardhan Sapkal, who had reportedly suggested that Tipu Sultan should be considered on par with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He criticised what he called the "distortion of historical facts" for political mileage. He asserted that while India respects all patriotic citizens, "invaders" would never be accepted as national icons in Maharashtra. In his reply to the debate on the Governor's address, the chief minister said, "Unfortunately, the true history of this land was never taught correctly. We have no objection to the many patriotic Muslims in this country. However, those who consider anti-national elements and invaders as heroes are choosing a fight with us, and we will not back down." CM Fadnavis clarified that the primary objection was not whether Tipu Sultan was a "good or bad" ruler, but the attempt to equate him with the Maratha legend, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. "Our objection is to the claim that Tipu Sultan was as great a king as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, or that he should be glorified in the same manner. For years, history was manipulated to teach us that Tipu Sultan was a great king, while conveniently omitting that he was responsible for the massacre of 75,000 Hindus and 33,000 Nayars," he stated. He further argued that Tipu Sultan's fight against the British was a matter of self-preservation to save his own kingdom, rather than a struggle for national liberation. CM Fadnavis highlighted a significant shift in the educational narrative under the current Central government. He pointed out the disparity in previous textbooks between the past and current curriculum. "In the past curriculum, Mughal history was allotted 17 pages, while the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was relegated to a single paragraph. In the current curriculum under the Modi government, the history of the Marathas and Shivaji Maharaj has been expanded to 20 pages in NCERT books," he said. "If the correct history had been taught at the right time, not a single Muslim in this country would have considered Aurangzeb a hero," he remarked. He emphasised that while the country is home to many "patriotic Muslims" against whom there is no grievance, the government will firmly oppose those who idolise invaders and enemies of the nation. CM Fadnavis emphasised that Shivaji Maharaj fought for Swarajya (self-rule), whereas Tipu Sultan's legacy is marred by the documented "slaughter of thousands of Hindus". He noted that the comparison had deeply hurt the sentiments of the people, leading to the recent clashes in Pune and Mumbai. As Home Minister, he warned that the government would not tolerate any "glorification" of figures that incite communal tension under the guise of historical reverence. Guwahati, Feb 26 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday launched a sharp political attack on the Opposition, questioning its unity, credibility and preparedness ahead of the upcoming Assam Assembly elections. Speaking to reporters in Guwahati, Sarma mocked the frequent shifts in the Opposition's stance on alliances, saying their lack of clarity would ultimately cost them political relevance. "These parties will say today that there is no alliance, and tomorrow they will announce one. This confusion has become their biggest weakness," the Chief Minister said. Taking direct aim at the Congress, Sarma claimed that the party risks losing even its status as the principal Opposition in the state if it fails to perform decisively in the polls. "At this rate, the Congress will eventually lose its recognition as an Opposition party in Assam," he asserted. The Chief Minister also raised questions over internal rivalries among Opposition parties, particularly over constituencies with a sizeable minority population. "Is there infighting among them over the so-called 'Miya seats'? Are they already fighting over who will contest where?" Sarma asked, hinting at cracks within the Opposition camp even before seat-sharing talks are finalised. Underscoring the constitutional benchmark for Opposition recognition, Sarma said that any party aspiring to claim the role must win at least 24 seats on its own symbol in the 126-member Assam Assembly. "To gain the status of the Opposition, a party has to secure victory in 24 seats on its own symbol. Alliances and post-poll claims won't change that reality," he said. The Chief Minister's remarks come amid renewed efforts by Opposition parties to explore a united front against the ruling BJP-led alliance, even as conflicting statements from their leaders continue to surface. Sarma said the BJP, in contrast, is focussed on governance, development and delivering on its commitments to the people. "While they are busy with confusion and contradictions, we are working on the ground and preparing for the elections with confidence," he added. With the Assembly polls drawing closer, Sarma's comments signal an aggressive political posture, as the ruling party seeks to capitalise on perceived disunity within the Opposition ranks. Kolkata, Feb 26 : The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday announced the details of the 240 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel that will be deployed in the first phase on March 1, amid the preparations for the Assembly polls in West Bengal. Incidentally, this is the first time that the ECI has decided to deploy CAPF in the state so early, and that too before the announcement of the polling dates and enforcement of the model code of conduct. While 240 companies will be deployed in the first phase on March 1, another 240 companies will be deployed in the second phase on March 10. According to a notification issued by the ECI on Thursday, of the 240 companies to be deployed in the first phase on March 1, the maximum deployment of 30 companies will be in the Bangladesh-bordering North 24 Parganas district. The second-highest deployment will be in the minority-dominated Murshidabad district at 16. The third-highest deployment will be in the South 24 Parganas and Howrah districts at 15 each. The fourth-highest deployments of 14 each will be in East Midnapore district, the native district of Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, and Hooghly. The other district-wise deployment details will include 12 companies each in Malda and Nadia districts, as well as in the state capital, Kolkata. While 11 companies will be deployed in North Dinajpur, 10 companies will be deployed in South Dinajpur. Nine companies of CAPF will be in the Darjeeling and Cooch Behar districts each. Eight companies will be deployed in East Burdwan. In addition, each of the seven companies will be deployed in West Burdwan, West Midnapore, Birbhum, Bankura, and Jalpaiguri districts. Five companies will be deployed, one each in Purulia, Jhargram, and Alipurduar districts. Only three companies will be deployed in the Kalimpong district. The 240 companies of CAPF, which will be deployed in the first phase on March 1, will include 110 companies of 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). Tokyo/New Delhi, Feb 26 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath shared with citizens the joy of travelling at 501 km/hour in a Japanese train, an official said on Thursday. Sharing visuals of the onboard speed display board, CM Adityanath also took photos when the train crossed the 501 km/hour speed. In a message on his official social media account, the CM said, "You can see that I was travelling at 501 km/h. Experienced Japan's advanced SCMAGLEV train in Yamanashi, a next-generation high-speed system that reaches speeds of up to 500 km/h and represents the future of clean, efficient and precision mobility." "The ride was smooth and remarkably stable even at extraordinary speed, reflecting Japan's commitment to innovation and long-term infrastructure excellence. When technology moves at this speed, the future feels closer than ever," said CM Adityanath, praising the Japanese technology. The Chief Minister also shared photos of Mount Fuji. "Mount Fuji, Japan's highest peak and a UNESCO World Heritage site, rises as a timeless symbol of perseverance, discipline and spiritual balance. With the majestic Mount Fuji in the backdrop, a symbol of Japan's timeless beauty and cultural pride, it is my good fortune to witness it on a bright and sunny day. Thank you, Japan!" said Adityanath. During his visit to Japan, the Chief Minister was greeted by students in Yamanashi. The CM wrote on his X handle, "Interacted with young students in Yamanashi, Japan, and was delighted to witness their warmth, discipline and joyful enthusiasm. Their innocent affection and curiosity reflect the deep cultural connect between our two nations. My heartfelt blessings to these young minds and wish them a future filled with knowledge, character and success." In Yamanashi Prefecture, the Chief Minister held deliberations with Governor Kotaro Nagasaki to strengthen Uttar Pradesh-Yamanashi cooperation and advance a strategic partnership. "An MoU was signed to deepen collaboration in industry, tourism and vocational education, with a strong focus on Green Hydrogen, clean energy innovation and technology exchange," the CM said on a social media post. Uttar Pradesh is actively developing IIT Kanpur as a Centre of Excellence in Green Hydrogen to enhance energy self-reliance and advance Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for a sustainable future, he said. "I welcome the Governor's proposal to lead a delegation of 200 CEOs to Uttar Pradesh in August, which will further accelerate industrial partnerships and investment momentum," he said. Uttar Pradesh offers scale, skill and speed, backed by strong infrastructure and seamless facilitation through Invest UP's dedicated Japan Desk and the proposed Japan Industrial Township in YEIDA, he said. On Friday, February 27, at 13.30, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a press conference titled "Medicine After Reforms: Expectations vs Reality." Participants include Director of the Active Group research company Oleksandr Pozniy; Founder of the Active Group research company Andriy Yeremenko; member of the board of the public organization "Kyiv Regional Organization 'VULT,'" professor of the Department of Internal and Occupational Diseases at the private higher education institution "Kyiv Medical University" Hryhoriy Solonynka; PhD in Economics and History, Director of development and marketing at Interfax-Ukraine news agency, founder of the Experts Club information and analytical center Maksym Urakin (8/5a Reitarska Street). The event will be streamed on the Interfax-Ukraine YouTube channel. Admission requires registration on the spot with ID cards. Chennai, Feb 26 : Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi, held an extensive meeting with recognised national and state political parties in Chennai on Thursday as part of preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. The meeting was attended by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Tamil Nadu and senior officials of the Election Commission of India (ECI). Representatives from six national parties a" the Aam Aadmi Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Communist Party of India-Marxist, the Congress, and the National Peopleas Party -- as well as state parties including the ruling DMK, the AIADMK, the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), the Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK), and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) participated in the discussions. According to officials, most political parties appreciated the Commission for the peaceful and smooth conduct of the recent Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu, acknowledging the efforts taken to update and streamline voter lists ahead of the polls. However, several parties raised concerns over the persistent issue of money power and the distribution of inducements during elections. They urged the Commission to adopt stringent measures to curb such malpractices and ensure a level playing field. Some parties specifically called for an increase in the number of flying squads and surveillance teams to monitor violations more effectively during the campaign period. A key demand that emerged during the meeting was the request to conduct the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in a single phase, with most parties expressing that a single-day polling would help maintain administrative focus and reduce prolonged political tension. Additionally, some parties urged the Commission to take into account major festival dates while finalising the election schedule to avoid inconvenience to voters. Responding to the concerns, CEC Gyanesh Kumar assured all stakeholders that elections in India are conducted strictly in accordance with the law and in a free, fair, and transparent manner. He reiterated that the ECI would firmly clamp down on all inducement-related activities and take necessary action against violations. The interaction is seen as part of the Commissionas broader consultative approach ahead of the crucial 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. New Delhi, Feb 26 : India's economy is projected to expand between 6.8 per cent and 7.2 per cent in FY27 as bilateral trade agreements with major economies are expected, along with the government's economic reforms, to counter the global uncertainties created by the US tariff turmoil, according to the latest EY Economy Watch report. "In the background of India's extensive bilateral trade agreements with other major economies or economic groups, India's medium-term prospects have brightened up," EY India chief policy advisor D.K. Srivastava said. The analysis noted that achieving the governmentas long-term Viksit Bharat 2047 vision would require a sustained rise in the tax-to-GDP ratio, primarily through stronger compliance rather than fresh structural overhauls, since most major tax reforms have already been implemented. The EY Economy Watch report noted that major tax reforms were undertaken in the current fiscal, particularly relating to personal income tax and the GST framework. Both these reforms involved a considerable amount of revenue forgone aimed at increasing household disposable incomes so that private consumption demand could be supported. These tax reforms involved considerable sacrifice of the Centre's gross tax revenues, which were expected to fall short of the budget estimates for FY26. In spite of the apprehension of this revenue shortfall, the government was widely expected to adhere to its budgeted fiscal deficit target for FY26, the report said. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has projected a further reduction in the fiscal deficit to 4.3 per cent of GDP for 2026-27 as the government continues on the path of fiscal consolidation to ensure economic growth with stability. In her budget speech on February 1, she said that the government had fulfilled its commitment to reduce the fiscal deficit to 4.4 per cent in the Budget for 2025-26 and would now reduce it further to 4.3 per cent as it continues on the fiscal prudence path. She said that the target reflects a balance between supporting economic momentum and keeping public finances stable. The fiscal deficit represents the gap between the governmentas total expenditure and its total revenue. The Finance Minister said that the government would go for net borrowing of Rs 11.7 lakh crore in FY27 from dated securities to fund its fiscal deficit, while the gross market borrowing is pegged at Rs 17.2 lakh crore. Mumbai, Feb 26 : Advocate and President of the Supreme Court Bar Association of India, Vikas Singh, on Thursday criticised the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) for including a chapter on judicial corruption in its textbook, calling the move 'unfortunate.' He said that if the intention was to educate students about corruption, other institutions could also have been discussed. Speaking to IANS, Vikas Singh said, "It is unfortunate. If we want to focus on character building among children, then the emphasis should be on creating national character. Corruption has spread widely in our society, and we need to think about it seriously. Creating a selective chapter about the judiciary in this manner clearly shows an attempt to weaken the institution. The intent appears to be to put the judiciary on the defensive." He further said that weakening the judiciary would harm democracy and public confidence. "It is unfortunate for the country and for democracy. If the judiciary is weakened, the faith of common people will fade. This will also impact the economic situation of the country," he said. Referring to Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Singh added, "If we really wanted to talk about corruption, the book could have mentioned Dr B.R. Ambedkar's vision of electing good representatives to Parliament. He did not prescribe strict qualifications for elected members because he believed the people would choose wisely. But today, 30 to 40 per cent of elected representatives reportedly have criminal backgrounds. Do you think Dr Ambedkar's dream has been fulfilled?" He questioned whether such developments aligned with the ideals of freedom and suggested that broader issues could have been included in the curriculum. "If you want to raise a national debate, then include such topics in the book. It should be in the interest of the people, not targeted at any one institution," he said. Singh clarified that he was not denying corruption in the judiciary but argued that, compared to other institutions, it remains relatively less prevalent. He highlighted the high case disposal rate despite challenges such as one of the worst judge-to-population ratios and inadequate infrastructure in lower courts. "In many lower courts, judges lack proper facilities and even basic infrastructure. If you want the judiciary to function properly, these issues must be discussed. Considering the steps taken to maintain accountability, including retirements and suspensions, the judiciary fares well by national standards. Therefore, what has happened is quite unfortunate," he told IANS. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court came down heavily on the NCERT over references to "corruption in the judiciary" in a Class 8 Social Science textbook, observing that the controversy appeared to be the result of a "calculated move" that has left the judiciary "bleeding". A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, hearing a suo motu case titled "In Re: Social Science Textbook for Grade8 (Part-2) published by NCERT and ancillary issues", passed a series of sweeping interim directions, including an immediate nationwide seizure of the textbook, takedown of digital copies and a complete ban on its publication or circulation. Tel Aviv/New Delhi, Feb 26 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day state visit to Israel generated immense enthusiasm and frenzy in the West Asian nation and was visible in the rapturous welcome for the Indian Prime Minister inside Knesset by the Israeli lawmakers and the public at large. The social media platforms in Israel are buzzing with developments and conversations related to Prime Minister Modi's meeting with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and the latter along with Israeli MPs giving a thunderous applause during his address to Knesset -- the first by an Indian Prime Minister. Sometime ago, the top two trends on X accounts in Israel were about PM Modi's visit to Israel. The users, excited and enthused by India-Israel growing bond under the leadership of PM Modi and Netanyahu, were eliciting views and sharing comments on various events related to the historic visit. The netizens in Israel are taking keen interest and engaging in animated conversations about PM Modi's visit to Jerusalem, the X trends showed. Besides the two ancient civilisations vowing to deepen relationship and India's pledge to stand with Israel, now and beyond, the X users were also impressed and moved with memorable and breathtaking performances by 'Divyang' (differently-abled) artists to welcome PM Modi. PM Modi also shared his 'love my India moment' in Israel as the song titled "I Love My India" was performed by a remarkable ensemble of Divyang artists, bringing together Indian-origin Jews and Israeli citizens. Another breathtaking moment was graceful presentation of Thiruvathira by members of the Keralam caregivers' community. PM Modi said that he was proud to see the diaspora preserving India's rich artistic heritage wherever they go, and said, "The performance reflects the greatness of Keralam's cultural traditions and the dedication of those who are passionate about it." Another instance which took even the Israelis by surprise was Prime Minister Netanyahu dressing himself in traditional Indian attire during the state dinner with his Indian counterpart PM Modi. "Before our joint dinner, I surprised my friend Prime Minister Modi by wearing traditional Indian attire," Netanyahu said while sharing a video of the two leaders sharing a lighter moment. Mumbai, Feb 26 : Tollywood sensation Allu Arjun has expressed his desire to join forces with actress Mrunal Thakur for a project in the future. As AA bagged the 'Best Actor' award for his powerful performance in the blockbuster hit "Pushpa 2: The Rule" at the 70th Filmfare Awards South, actress Mrunal Thakur sent a special congratulatory note for him, along with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Mrunal's sweet message for Allu Arjun read, "SIR, heartiest congratulations on winning the Best Actor at Filmfare. This honor is so well deserved. The dedication, intensity and sheer brilliance you bring to every performance is truly inspiring." Uploading a photo of the bouquet and the note on his official Instagram handle, AA revealed that he would like to work with Mrunal in the future. "Thank you so much @mrunalthakur. So sweet of you. Hope to work with you someday," wrote AA. It must be noted that Allu Arjun and Mrunal have not shared screen space till now. Allu Arjun was recently honored with the 'Best Actor In A Leading Role (Male) - Telugu' for his praiseworthy work in Sukumar's "Pushpa 2: The Rule." Expressing his gratitude after receiving his 7th black Lady, AA shared on social media, "Thank you, Filmfare, for this wonderful honour. It's my absolute pleasure to receive it in a land where I am loved in such a unique way. I'm humbled by everyone's blessings, and I dedicate this award to all my fans for their infinite love." Up next, Allu Arjun will once again be seen reprising his role as Pushpa Raj in the much-awaited third instalment of the"Pushpa" franchise. His exciting lineup further includes "AA23" with filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj, and "AA22xA6" with Atlee. On the other hand, Mrunal is waiting for the release of "Dacoit", alongside Adivi Sesh. Directed by Shaneil Deo, the crime drama will further see Anurag Kashyap, Prakash Raj, Sunil, Atul Kulkarni, Zayn Marie Khan, and Kamakshi Bhaskarla in crucial roles, along with others. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Chennai, Feb 26 : Actor Joju George, who plays the lead along with actress Lijomol Jose in director Manu Antony's upcoming Malayalam film 'Aja: Sundari', has now disclosed that shooting for the film had been wrapped up. Taking to his Instagram page to share a picture that had a clap board with the words 'pack-up' written on it, the actor wrote, "Pack up #ajasundari. @getmanuantony debut directorial @aashiqabu @lijomol." Aashiq Abu, who has produced the film and has also been its cinematographer, took to his Instagram page to thank everybody who had worked on the film. Aashiq Abu wrote, "Thank you everyone who stood by this cinema. @getmanuantony's debut Aja:Sundari coming soon to cinemas." The film has triggered huge interest in fans and film buffs for a number of reasons. Firstly, the film will mark the directorial debut of Manu Antony, who is known for his skills as an editor. Manu Antony is best known for having edited the superhit action thriller 'Pani', in which Joju George played the lead. In October last year, the makers of the film put out a picture of the core team that was working on this film and wrote, "Sun, sweat, smiles a" and a shared dream. A @getmanuantony mission." 'Aja: Sundari', which has a fantastic star cast, boasts of an equally brilliant technical team. The film, which has been written, edited and directed by Manu Antony himself, has been produced by Aashiq Abu, who has also doubled up as the film's cinematographer. Geethartha AR has co-written this script with additional screenplay by Saneth Radhakrishnan. Along with Aashiq Abu, Jaison Francis too has co-produced this film, which is being presented by popular production house OPM Cinemas. Music for 'Aja: Sundari' has been scored by Drumyuga while production design has been taken care of by Ajayan Challissery. Art direction is by Midhun Challissery.Costumes for the film are by Mashar Hamza. The action sequences in the film have been choreographed by Robin. -- IANS mkr/ -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Mumbai, Feb 26 : Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday said that the era of "stagnant politics" in Maharashtra has ended, giving way to a period of rapid progress. He asserted that Maharashtra is undergoing a new industrial revolution and remains the top destination for investment in the country. While replying to the debate on the Governoras address in the Legislative Council, the Deputy Chief Minister stated that Maharashtra remains the number one state in the country for industrial investment and emphasised that the government's primary goal is to build a progressive, prosperous, and secure Maharashtra. The Deputy CM began his speech on a somber note, remembering late leader Ajit Pawar. He remarked that a shadow of grief looms over the current session due to his passing, noting that Ajit Pawar always prioritised the politics of development. Highlighting the state's industrial prowess, Shinde stated that Maharashtra is a preferred global investment destination. Maharashtra contributes 13.5 per cent to India's total GDP. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): In 2024-25, the state attracted Rs 1,64,875 crore in FDI, accounting for 39 per cent of the nation's total investment. In the first six months of the current fiscal year, the state secured Rs 91,337 crore, maintaining its number one rank, he added. Following the Davos summit, MoUs worth Rs 30 lakh crore were signed with companies from 18 countries; 82 per cent of these are already in the implementation stage. He noted that these investments focus on futuristic sectors like Quantum Computing, AI, Semiconductors, and Green Energy. DCM Shinde detailed several "game-changer" projects aimed at transforming the state's landscape. He announced that the World Competency Center will established in Mumbai and it will be Asia's largest, creating 45,000 jobs. "With three times the capacity of JNPT, the Vadhavan port is expected to bring Rs 40 lakh crore in investment and create 50 lakh jobs. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is being developed as India's first Smart Industrial City and a future hub for Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing. The Samruddhi Mahamarg, Coastal Road, and Atal Setu have significantly enhanced state-wide connectivity," he noted. DCM Shinde said that the government is moving beyond the Mumbai-Pune belt to decentralise development. This includes Rs 50,000 crore in investments for North Maharashtra and Rs 11,519 crore for Ahilyanagar district. The Deputy CM declared 2026 as the "Year of Recruitment." Out of a planned 1.53 lakh positions, 85,363 candidates have already been appointed. The government aims to ensure transparency and reliability in the recruitment process for both public and private sectors. The Deputy CM mentioned the 'GPR 2.0' initiative, aimed at bringing radical changes to administration - an effort that has earned praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Our government is at the service of the people 24/7. The vehicle of Maharashtra's progress has gained full speed, and this journey of development will never stop," he added. Patna, Feb 26 : One person was killed and 21 others injured after an errant truck rammed into a bus carrying pilgrims in Bihar's Rohtas district on Thursday. The accident occurred at around 3 a.m. near Jamuhar on National Highway-19 under the jurisdiction of the Dehri Mufassil police station. According to police, the truck struck the bus from the side multiple times and dragged it for nearly two kilometres before fleeing the scene, leaving the passengers injured and the vehicle badly damaged. An elderly passenger died on the spot, while all other passengers sustained injuries in the incident and were immediately rushed for medical attention. Confirming the incident, the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Dehri Mufassil police station said a police patrol vehicle was already present on the highway and reached the spot immediately after receiving information about the accident. "Our patrolling vehicle was on National Highway-19. As soon as we learnt about the accident, our team rushed to the spot and rescued the victims," said the SHO of the Dehri Mufassil police station. Bus driver Sonu Kumar said the truck repeatedly rammed the bus and did not stop despite passengers screaming for help and attempting to alert the truck driver. "A truck was travelling ahead of us. It hit the bus three times from the side and dragged us for about two kilometres. There were 22 people on board," Sonu Kumar said. All the passengers were pilgrims from Tamil Nadu who had flown to Varanasi and were on their way to Gaya as part of a religious pilgrimage. The group belonged to the Gayatri Parivar and hailed from the Adamba and Alampur areas of Tamil Nadu, police said. There were 22 passengers in the bus, including nine women and one child, and all of them sustained injuries in the crash, except the elderly passenger who succumbed to his injuries at the scene. "We heard a loud sound, and suddenly the bus was being pulled by a truck. Everyone was injured. An elderly person died in the accident," said Srilata, an injured pilgrim. The deceased was identified as Ramo, a resident of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu, and his identity was confirmed through documents recovered by police. His body is being sent to Sasaram for post-mortem examination in accordance with legal procedures, police officials said. All injured passengers have been admitted to Narayan Medical College and Hospital for treatment, where doctors said their condition is being monitored. Police have informed the deceased's family and launched a search operation to trace the absconding truck and its driver, and further investigation into the incident is underway. New Delhi, Feb 26 : Amid the no-holds barred confrontation and bitter barbs exchange over Congress' 'compromised PM' charge, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Thursday, stepped up on the offensive and accused India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of compromising and surrendering India's interests, integrity and sovereignty to foreign powers. "Not Chacha Nehru but Chacha compromised," said BJP National Spokesperson Sambit Patra, taking a caustic swipe at the Congress while also posing seven pointed questions on why India "surrendered and capitulated" before foreign powers, including adversaries like China and Pakistan. The BJP MP, speaking to press at the party headquarters here, launched a frontal attack at the Congress government under Jawaharlal Nehru and claimed that foreign powers enjoyed unrestrained access to the then Secretariat, putting Prime Minister's office under foreign influence. Patra alleged that Nehru was the compromised Prime Minister and he surrendered the country and its sovereign interests and hence he deserved to be called "Chacha compromised" and not "Chacha Nehru". "The mistakes and misdeeds were not unintentional but well-thought out to hurt India's interests," he said. Patra claimed that the US Intelligence agency CIA had deep influence in the then Secretariat under the then Prime Minister Nehru. "M.A. Mathaai, one of the most senior officers and trusted aides of former PM Nehru was often dubbed an American agent. In 1960s, KGB agents of Russian agency also infiltrated into former PM Nehru's Secretariat." "It was said in those decades that any document that foreign dispensations needed were readily available for US and Russia," he claimed and asked as to why were India's interests and sovereignty compromised under former PM Nehru's regime? "Why India's security was compromised and surrendered before foreign powers?" Accusing the Nehru dispensation of dismembering India at own's will, Patra asked why areas of strategic interests were given to nations like China and Pakistan. "During 1954 Panchsheel agreement, he gifted Tibet to China. In 1951, China ramped up infrastructure across the border. The then IB Chief had warned in no uncertain terms that India must step up infrastructure abilities in the region but the warnings were repeatedly ignored," the BJP MP said. He also added that in 1962, the chain of Army command was put aside and those with family links to the Nehru family were given charge, which resulted in humiliating loss for the forces. Further questioning former PM Nehru's intent and motive behind such move, Patra claimed, "In 1958, Oman Sultan offered the Gwadar port to India but the Nehru government rejected this offer. This could have been a strategic asset for India but it was compromised by India's first Prime Minister. In 1950 and 1955, the US and Russia offered UN Security Council's permanent membership to India but both time, India declined it. It was at Nehru's insistence that India gave up chance to become a UNSC member." "An intriguing question comes to mind. Was Nehru bribed by China and Pakistan," he asked, while demanding that in today's era Congress gives convincing answers on litany of charges. He also claimed that former Prime Minister Nehru also brazenly lied in Parliament on September 27, 1955, that India was never offered the UN Security Council's membership. The seven questions that Patra posed to the Congress over former PM Nehru included, "Why he (Nehru) gave up Tibet to China? Why IB's warnings were ignored, then labelled as hearsay? Why plebiscite issue was agreed upon in Jammu and Kashmir without public consultation? Why a piece of land in Bengal was handed over to Pakistan? Why a village in Punjab was handed over to Pakistan? As many as 300 square miles in Rann of Kutch was given to Pakistan at whose insistence?" Gandhinagar, Feb 26 : The Gujarat government on Thursday transferred Rs 6.97 crore directly into the bank accounts of 35,829 farmers across 33 districts as an incentive to promote natural farming, marking a continued push to expand chemical-free agriculture in the state. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel released the assistance through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) at a ceremony in Gandhinagar, in the presence of Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani and Minister of State for Agriculture Rameshbhai Katara. The funds were credited with a single click under the National Mission on Natural Farming. Under the scheme, farmers adopting natural farming are provided assistance of Rs 2,000 per acre for the Kharif and Rabi seasons. The latest disbursement covered newly joined farmers for the Kharif season. Addressing the gathering, Patel said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged citizens to adopt the mantra of 'Back to Basic' for a healthy life and to take natural farming forward in mission mode. He said, "Farmers adopting natural farming had undertaken work that offers the satisfaction of securing the future generations." He added that natural farming had become "the need of the time" and essential for health, stating that the sooner farmers turn towards such practices, the sooner the benefits would be realised. The Chief Minister also referred to the efforts of Governor Acharya Devvrat, who has initiated a public movement to encourage cow-based natural farming and visits villages to guide farmers. Vaghani said the Central government had launched the National Mission on Natural Farming to promote chemical-free cultivation using indigenous cow-based and locally available resources. "In Gujarat, 1,015 clusters have been formed under the mission, each comprising three gram panchayats, to provide training, guidance and financial support to interested farmers," Vaghani said. He further stated that 3,875 additional non-mission clusters would be created in remaining gram panchayats, taking the total number of clusters to about 4,890. To provide practical exposure, 7,100 model farms have been established across the state. "The state budget has allocated Rs 392 crore this year for various activities related to natural farming," Vaghani noted. China, Germany agree to deepen partnership, win-win cooperation in Xi-Merz meeting Xinhua) 08:04, February 26, 2026 Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Beijing on Wednesday, with both sides agreeing to promote the continuous new development of the all-round strategic partnership, promote dialogue and cooperation, and uphold multilateralism and free trade. This is Merz's first trip to China since taking office. China and Germany are the world's second and third largest economies, and the bilateral relationship not only bears on the interests of both countries, but also has significant impact on Europe and the world. DEEPENING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP The international landscape is undergoing the most profound transformations since the end of World War II, Xi said, adding that the greater changes and turbulence the world faces, the more important it is for the two countries to enhance strategic communication, strengthen strategic mutual trust and work for new progress in China-Germany all-around strategic partnership. Xi said both countries should be reliable partners that support each other. China and Germany have pursued self-reliance and realized rapid development. Both have upheld mutual respect, mutual trust and open cooperation, and together written a success story of mutual benefit. China adheres to the path of peaceful development, and has the capacity and confidence to achieve Chinese modernization. China will continue to share development opportunities with Germany and the wider world, he said. Xi said it is hoped the German side can view China's growth in an objective and rational manner, pursue a positive and pragmatic policy toward China, and work with China for steady and sustained growth of the bilateral relationship. Merz said that the German side values its relations with China and firmly upholds the one-China policy. It stands ready to work with China to carry forward the traditional friendship, stay committed to mutual respect and open cooperation, and continue to deepen the all-around strategic partnership. Cui Hongjian, a professor at Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said it is believed that the meeting between Xi and Merz will contribute to the stable and sustainable development of China-Germany relations, and the development of the strategic relationship between the two countries will also carry significant weight in the development of China-Europe relations. EXPANDING WIN-WIN COOPERATION Noting that the two countries should be innovative partners that champion openness and win-win results, Xi said the German government put forward new development strategies in such areas as technology, innovation and digital development. They highly resonate with China's objective of pursuing intelligent, green and integrated development during the 15th Five-Year Plan. He said the two sides should foster greater synergy between development strategies, support the two-way flow of talent, knowledge and technology, and promote dialogue and cooperation on AI and other cutting-edge technologies. Both sides need to correctly grasp the interplay of competition and cooperation, explore cooperation pathways that lead to win-win results, and jointly keep industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded, Xi added. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) Merz said the German business community attaches high importance to the Chinese market, and hopes to further deepen cooperation with China for mutual benefit and shared growth. On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Merz attended a symposium of the China-Germany economic advisory committee in Beijing, with both sides expressing the willingness to deepen cooperation in machinery, equipment, and chemical industries. Jin Ling, an expert at the China Institute of International Studies, said that practical cooperation between China and Germany can not only fully unlock the potential of the Chinese market and stimulate vitality within China's innovation sector, but also support the recovery and transformation of the German economy. ENHANCING MULTILATERAL COORDINATION Xi said China and Germany should uphold the central position of the UN, reaffirm its leading role, and take the lead in safeguarding multilateralism, practicing international rule of law, defending free trade, and advocating for solidarity and coordination. China supports Europe in seeking to increase autonomy and strength, and hopes the European side can work with China toward the same direction, adhere to the positioning of strategic partners, and uphold openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, so as to deliver greater growth in China-Europe relations, and make bigger contributions to world peace and development, he said. Chinese President Xi Jinping takes a walk with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on an official visit to China, after their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) Noting that Germany and China shoulder important responsibilities in jointly addressing global challenges, Merz said the German side looks forward to working with China to enhance coordination, and jointly adhere to free trade and reject protectionism, adding that Germany supports the EU and China in enhancing dialogue and cooperation. Feng Zhongping, director of the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that China and Germany share consensus on upholding the central role of the United Nations, and it is believed their close coordination and cooperation in international affairs will inject stability and certainty into a turbulent world. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) New Delhi, Feb 26 : The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has revised its Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) related to airline ticket refunds and introduced a 48-hour "look-in" period that allows passengers to cancel or amend their bookings without paying extra charges. New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has revised its Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) related to airline ticket refunds and introduced a 48-hour "look-in" period that allows passengers to cancel or amend their bookings without paying extra charges. In a statement, the aviation regulator said that passengers can cancel or make changes to their tickets within 48 hours of booking without any additional fee. However, if the ticket is changed to another flight, passengers will have to pay the difference in fare, if any. This facility will apply only if the date of departure is at least seven days away for domestic flights and 15 days away for international flights. The benefit is available only when tickets are booked directly through the airline's official website. The DGCA clarified that once 48 hours from booking have passed, normal cancellation charges will apply. The revised rules were issued on February 24 and will come into effect from March 26, 2026. The regulator has also laid down clear guidelines on name corrections and refund timelines. Airlines will not be allowed to charge any fee for correcting the name of the same passenger if the error is reported within 24 hours of booking, provided the ticket was purchased directly from the airline's website. In cases where tickets are booked through travel agents or online portals, the responsibility for issuing refunds will lie with the airlines, as agents act as their representatives. The DGCA said airlines must ensure that the refund process is completed within 14 working days in such cases. As per the new timelines, refunds for credit card transactions must be processed within seven days, while cash payments made at the airline's office should be refunded immediately at the same location. The regulator has also made it mandatory for airlines to refund all statutory taxes and passenger-related charges in case of cancellations or no-shows, even if the base fare is non-refundable. Bengaluru, Feb 26 : Karnataka School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa said on Thursday that the state government is considering regulating or banning social media for children below the age of 16, with a final decision to be taken after consulting students, parents, and experts. Speaking to reporters after attending the National Science Day programme at the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium in Bengaluru, the minister said the move is being explored in the interest of children's well-being and development. He expressed concern over the increasing dependence of children on mobile phones and said parents share responsibility for the growing problem. He noted that many parents hand over mobile phones to keep children quiet, which has contributed to excessive exposure to social media and digital distractions. Bangarappa said the government is planning an awareness campaign titled 'Put away mobile phones, pick up books', following directions from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He added that the Chief Minister has repeatedly stressed the need to address the issue and promote healthier habits among students. The minister said any decision would be taken only after extensive consultations with stakeholders, including students, teachers, parents, and subject experts. He emphasised that the objective is to ensure decisions are made in the best interest of children. He added that the proposal is currently in the discussion stage and that the government will take an appropriate decision soon under the guidance of the Chief Minister. New Delhi, Feb 26 : Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan will give away awards to top-performing students of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) at its 57th Convocation Ceremony for the 2024-25 batch to be held here on Friday, an official said. New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan will give away awards to top-performing students of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) at its 57th Convocation Ceremony for the 2024a"25 batch to be held here on Friday, an official said. The event will also see Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw, who is also the Chancellor of IIMC, presiding over a function to lay the foundation stone for the new Academic Block and Hostel Block of the institute. The convocation will also be attended by Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; R. Jagannathan, Chairman, IIMC Society; Dr Pragya Paliwal Gaur, Vice Chancellor, IIMC; and L. Madhu Nag, Registrar, IIMC, the statement said. Faculty members and staff of the institute will also be present, marking this important academic milestone and celebrating the achievements of the graduating students, it added. Students of different programmes, including postgraduate diploma programmes in Journalism (English, Hindi, Radio and TV, Digital Media, Odia, Urdu, Marathi and Malayalam), Advertising and Public Relations across different campuses, who have passed their examinations in 2024a"25, will be awarded diplomas, it said. At the convocation ceremony, apart from the diplomas, 35 medals, including 23 carrying cash prizes, will be awarded to toppers of each course from all six campuses. The Vice President will lay the foundation stone of the new Academic Block and Hostel Block at IIMC in the presence of senior dignitaries, including the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and the Secretary. On this occasion, the Creators Lounge at the Incubation Centre will also be inaugurated by the Union Minister in the presence of senior officials of the Ministry and the institute. Established on August 17, 1965, the IIMC has five regional centres across the country that cater to journalism courses in English and regional languages. The first regional centre was set up at Dhenkanal, Odisha, in 1993 to cater to the needs of the eastern region. Two regional centres were established at Amravati in Maharashtra for the western region and at Aizawl in Mizoram for the north-eastern region from the academic year 2011a"12. Regional centres were set up in Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, to cater to the needs of the northern region and at Kottayam, Kerala, for the southern region from the academic year 2012a"13, according to information available on the official website. Amaravati, Feb 26 : Fifteen people affected by milk adulteration in Andhra Pradesh's Rajahmundry remained under treatment, officials said on Thursday. The milk adulteration claimed five lives and left 15 others ill, who are under treatment at six hospitals. One of those undergoing treatment is on ventilator, six on dialysis and eight on ventilator-dialysis. The government on Thursday revealed details of the incident, which triggered an uproar. An official note also mentions about the measures taken by various departments. Officials said situation is currently under control. Senior Officials, including Commissioner Health, Director Food Safety, have been deputed to monitor the situation. Further action will be taken based on laboratory confirmation and investigation findings, officials said. The first patient was admitted on February 16. A total of 20 people were admitted till February 24. Of them, five have died. The deceased include a six-year-old boy. Three of the deceased were in their 70s. On February 22, the District Medical and Health Officer (DM and HO), East Godavari received intimation from KIMS Hospital, regarding multiple admissions of elderly persons presenting with anuria (absence of urine output), vomiting, abdominal pain, acute renal dysfunction requiring dialysis Clinical findings indicated acute renal failure with elevated blood urea and serum creatinine levels, suggestive of toxic exposure. Preliminary epidemiological investigation indicated strong connection to milk consumption as the probable source of exposure. Authorities found that milk was supplied to 106 families from Varalakshmi Milk Dairy, Narasapuram Village, Korukonda Mandal Milk supply from this dairy has been immediately stopped. A household survey was conducted on February 25. Nine medical teams were deployed to cover 110 families. A total f 307 people were covered. Six houses were found locked during survey. They families contacted over phone and none of them were found to have any symptoms. Blood samples were collected from 315 people for testing. Only two of them were found to have elevated results. However, this was not connected to milk adulteration. According to officials, Rapid Response Teams were constituted comprising district surveillance officer, general medicine specialists, microbiologist, pediatrician, forensic, epidemiologists and nephrologists Fourteen field surveillance teams were deployed which visited 679 houses visited and screened 957 families. The authorities collected 12 blood and three urine samples were collected and sent to Indian Institute of Technology, Tirupati for GCMS for evidence of nephron toxins. Food Safety Officer inspected Varalakshmi Milk Dairy, Narasapuram Village, Korukonda Mandal from where the milk was supplied. Surveillance samples of milk (500 ml each), paneer, ghee, drinking water and vinegar, one enforcement sample of milk collected. Sample collection of milk and curd also done from affected houses. Surveillance sample of paneer, ghee, drinking water, vinegar and milk were sent to JNTU, Kakinada Samples of milk and curd from affected houses, one surveillance and enforcement sample of milk from the Narasapuram dairy were sent to VIMTA Lab, Hyderabad Testing was done for microbial analysis, physio-chemical analysis and detection of toxic adulterants. Police registered a criminal case at under Section 194 BNSS and Section 174 Cr.P.C on a complaint given by son of a deceased. Suspected milk vendor, Addala Ganeswararao, 33, resident of Narasapuram Village, was identified and taken into police custody. Police had been conducting an investigation to identify milk suppliers, the distribution network, and affected consumers. A team consisting of four veterinary doctors are investigating the case. It collected 41 milk samples. Samples of concentrate feed, water, dry and green fodder fed to the animals have collected for analysis of Proximate principles and toxicology analysis. Samples sent to VBRI (Veterinary Biological Research Institute), Vijayawada. New Delhi, Feb 26 : Appreciating "pious work", the Supreme Court appointed retired Madras High Court Judge Rajendran as the mediator in a matter related to a land owner and a gas crematorium established at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore, a lawyer said. While hearing the matter, the Apex Court noted that the petitioner has already sold part of his lands to Isha and advised that both parties should talk and reach an "amicable settlement" with respect to the adjoining land of the petitioner. The Supreme Court advised that some arrangement regarding alternative land to the petitioner can be mediated between the parties. In a case that was earlier dismissed by the Madras High Court, the Supreme Court heard a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by an individual regarding the modern gas crematorium established at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore. During the hearing, Supreme Court's Chief Justice Surya Kant praised Isha's service as "pious work". Accepting this, both sides agreed to resolve it smoothly through negotiations. The court has ordered the appointment of retired Madras High Court Judge Rajendran as the mediator for this purpose. The case against the modern gas crematorium built by Isha was earlier dismissed by the Madras High Court stating that the petitioner has no legal grounds. The gasifier crematorium has been built with proper panchayat permission and within the rules. "Furthermore, the construction of a crematorium, especially a gas crematorium, serves the society; it cannot be called against public interest," and subsequently dismissed the case. People belonging to more than five village panchayats surrounding the Isha Yoga Center had requested government officials to set up a crematorium near their locality. Following this, Isha Foundation, with panchayat permission and by following the approval and guidelines of other relevant government departments, including the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, established a modern gasifier crematorium. Isha Foundation has been operating and maintaining crematoriums in various parts of Tamil Nadu since 2010 with the noble objective of providing 'Dignity in Death' to all people. Currently, Isha maintains 30 crematoriums in areas including Chennai Besant Nagar, Coimbatore, Neyveli, Vellore, and Thanjavur. In these crematoriums, Isha makes an ambience creating a serene green environment like a beautiful park, planting and maintaining trees around the crematorium, creating proper walkway facilities, maintaining bathing and toilet facilities in a hygienic manner, and creating excellent infrastructure with government assistance to prevent environmental degradation. Isha performs this with a service mindset, without commercial intent, said the statement. In December last year, Isha Foundation, in collaboration with Tamil Nadu Government announced a scheme to provide "free cremation services for families below the poverty line" to help economically backward people perform the last rites of their loved ones with dignity and without any financial burden. Chandigarh, Feb 26 : The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday rejected the reconstituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab to probe the 328 unaccounted 'swaroops' of the Guru Granth Sahib, while claiming a new team had been formed solely because the old SIT refused to follow illegal orders to implicate party chief Sukhbir Badal in the case. Reacting to the development, senior leaders Maheshinder Singh Grewal and Parambans Singh Romana, while asserting that the AAP government was indulging in cheap politics, said that the aim of this SIT also remains the same -- to use the excuse of the unaccounted aswaroopsa to target the SAD President. They also questioned why officers who were under a cloud, including the new Chairman Nanak Singh, who was being probed for his role in the police assault on an army officer and those who had an axe to grind against the SAD government, like Gurbans Singh Bains, had been included in the SIT. Grewal and Romana also noted that the AAP government has disregarded the directive of the Akal Takht jathedar to appoint only 'amritdhari' officers to the SIT, as they could observe the required amaryadaa while probing the case. The leaders warned the SIT officers not to indulge in any wrongdoing at the instance of the AAP leadership. They said the entire Sikh community was watching the manner in which the probe into the unaccounted aswaroopsa was being conducted by the AAP government. Contending that the devotees understand that the aswaroopsa are not missing as all of them were dispatched to agurugharsa and that the issue is one of accounting for them only, the Akali Dal leaders warned that if the SIT officers use the excuse of investigation to register false cases against the SAD leadership, they should be prepared to face the repercussions as per law, as everyone is equal before the law. Wayanad, Feb 26 : Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Thursday positioned farmers at the centre of India's economic and political debate, alleging that the Union government was poised to "sacrifice" their interests under pressure from the US. Wayanad, Feb 26 (IANS) Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Thursday positioned farmers at the centre of India's economic and political debate, alleging that the Union government was poised to "sacrifice" their interests under pressure from the US. Addressing a large gathering at the Karshaka Sangamam in Peravoor, Kannur district, LoP Gandhi described agriculture as the "foundation of India" and warned that any trade agreement allowing heavily mechanised American farms access to Indian markets would devastate small and marginal farmers. Without detailing the contours of the proposed deal, he claimed the agreement could expose India's fragmented landholdings to competition from large-scale agribusinesses. "If small farmers are forced to compete with giant mechanised farms, it will weaken the backbone of this country," he said. LoP Gandhi also sharpened his attack by linking agricultural policy to what he described as the government's broader political and financial priorities. Turning to Kerala, Rahul Gandhi spoke as the former MP of Wayanad, flagging the persistent man-animal conflict in the high ranges as an urgent livelihood issue. He termed it a complex challenge requiring coordinated policy intervention, scientific planning and immediate safeguards for affected families. With Assembly elections on the horizon, Gandhi urged farmers to directly shape the United Democratic Front's manifesto, promising that a future government would function as a "service provider" rather than a distant authority. He outlined commitments including stronger Minimum Support Prices, expanded cold chain and storage infrastructure, and swift financial assistance during periods of crop loss or market distress. Framing the convention as part of a broader political conversation, LoP Gandhi said the coming months would determine whether policy would favour large players or millions of small cultivators who sustain the country's food security and rural economy. After the meeting, a group of farmers, both men and women expressed their happiness that they were able to interact with Rahul Gandhi. "He heard us and asked lots of questions about our problems. We explained everything. He has promised us that he will do his best to take our grievances and see how they can be resolved," said a woman farmer. New Delhi, Feb 26 : Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) and Argentina's Universidad Nacional De San Antonio De Areco (UNSAdA) signed an online Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote cooperation and academic collaborations, an official said on Thursday. "Vice-Chancellor Mazhar Asif presided over the signing of the MoU on February 18 between Mahtab Alam Rizvi, JMI Registrar, and Jeronimo E. Ainchil, UNSAdA Rector," Saima Saeed, JMI Chief Public Relations Officer, said. UNSAdA Rector Ainchil said that as a young public university in one of Argentina's main food-producing regions, the university is committed to internationalisation while fostering innovation with local impact and global projection. He emphasised that the new agreement, born from literature as a meeting point between cultures, goes beyond symbolism and will lead to concrete initiatives such as joint research, academic exchange, and interdisciplinary cooperation, strengthening academic dialogue between India and Latin America. Through signing the MoU, the two universities agreed to associate with each other with the objective of disseminating knowledge in general, faculty and staff development and exchange. The two universities agreed to joint organisation of seminars, research conferences and workshops, collaboration in sharing academic data, scientific information, publications and intellectual property, executive training, professional development programmes, and advisory services in both institutions. Ainchil expressed pleasure at the strategic partnership between the two institutions. The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Ushvinder Kaur Popli, JMI Dean of International Relations; Tanuja, Academic Affairs Dean; Iqtidar Mohd. Khan, Humanities and Languages Dean; Md. Faizullah Khan, Department of Foreign Languages Head; Noorin Khan, Spanish and Latin American Studies, and Department of Foreign Languages Dean; and Saima Saeed, Foreign Students' Advisor. Earlier, Ushvinder Kaur Popli introduced the JMI officials to UNSAdA officials, followed by detailed information about the university. Tanuja shared information about various departments and programmes at the Jamia Millia Islamia. Noorin Khan moderated an elaborate discussion on the purpose of the MoU. Aizawl, Feb 26 : Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Thursday presented a Rs 17,469.91 crore budget for the financial year 2026-27 in the Assembly, with a strong emphasis on social infrastructure, connectivity, and the agriculture sector. The Chief Minister, who also holds the Finance portfolio, also tabled supplementary demands for grants amounting to Rs 3,724.25 crore for the current fiscal. He said the ruling Zoram Peopleas Movement (ZPM) will continue to implement its flagship Bana Kaih (hand-holding) scheme aimed at improving farmersa livelihoods. For the scheme, Rs 350 crore has been allocated, of which Rs 150 crore is earmarked for the procurement of designated important crops. The ZPM government came to power in December 2023, and this marks Lalduhomaas third budget presentation in the state Assembly. Later, briefing the media, the Chief Minister said that following an increase in Mizoramas share to 0.564 per cent under horizontal devolution, as recommended by the 16th Finance Commission, the state is expected to receive Rs 8,608.08 crore as its share of Central taxes and duties during 2026-27, an increase of Rs 976.80 crore compared to the award of the 15th Finance Commission. The budget estimates for 2026a"27 project the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at Rs 43,817.09 crore. Revenue receipts are estimated at Rs 14,994.31 crore, while capital receipts are pegged at Rs 2,475.60 crore. The total Consolidated Fund (grant total of receipts) is projected at Rs 17,469.91 crore, with gross expenditure estimated at Rs 17,076.92 crore. Total receipts are expected to exceed total expenditure by Rs 392.99 crore, which will be utilised to reduce public account liabilities, Lalduhoma said. He said that the major reason for the increase in the deficit is the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), under which funds are treated as loans. These are interest-free and repayable after 50 years, and are meant exclusively for capital development projects. Considering the favourable terms, the state government aims to maximise assistance under SASCI. During the current financial year, Mizoram expects to receive Rs 1,519 crore under the scheme. Regarding the 15th Finance Commissionas Rural Local Bodies (RLB) grants, the Chief Minister said only the first instalment for 2021-22 had been received earlier. The present government has taken proactive steps to secure the pending instalments. Of the total backlog amounting to Rs 25,350 lakh, a substantial portion has been received so far, while around Rs 7,400 lakh is expected during the current financial year. Efforts are underway to ensure full release of the remaining funds, he added. Jerusalem, Feb 26 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi in talks with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday expressed India's firm belief in dialogue and pursuing peaceful solutions while resolving regional conflicts, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said at the conclusion of the two-day State Visit. Addressing a special press briefing, Misri stated that PM Modi reiterated India's readiness to offer support towards a peaceful solution. When asked whether ongoing tensions between Iran and US were discussed during the discussions held between PM Modi and Netanyahu, Misri said, "I would just like to mention that the regional situation, these tensions, other tensions as well that figure in the region without going into details, did come up for discussions between the two Prime Ministers. The Prime Minister made his point stating India's firm belief in the value of dialogue and the value of pursuing peaceful solutions to all such issues and also reiterated his readiness to offer India's support if there is any way in which India's support is required to stand ready to offer that support towards a peaceful solution." This visit, Misri stated, comes in the context of the Prime Ministeras own efforts to take a keen interest in and pursue Indiaas relations with all the countries in the West Asia region. The Foreign Secretary mentioned further that Prime Minister Modi's visit to Israel reflects the high priority India attaches to its bilateral relationship with Israel. This visit, he said, marks a very significant milestone in India-Israel relations and reflects the progress made over the past decade, setting the stage for the next phase of this important partnership. "This visit has succeeded in further deepening and strengthening the multifaceted partnership between the two countries and in providing renewed impetus to the joint efforts of these two democracies to advance their shared objectives of peace, innovation, and prosperity," he said. "Yesterday, the highlight of the Prime Ministeras programme was his address to the Knesset, where he was invited by the Speaker of the Knesset, Amir Ohana, to address a special plenary session. The session was also addressed by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Leader of the Opposition Yair Lapid. The Prime Minister was also conferred the Medal of the Knesset in recognition of his exceptional contribution through his leadership in strengthening the strategic relations between India and Israel. Prime Minister Modi is the first recipient of this medal," Misri added. Earlier in the day, PM Modi and Netanyahu held a meeting in Jerusalem and discussed bilateral ties, including areas of technology and innovation, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and critical minerals, defence and security, trade and economy, labour mobility and education, blue economy, agriculture and health. The two leaders also announced elevating ties to India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and other officials were also present during the meeting. Chinese New Year in Montpellier: Celebrating the Year of the Horse together (People's Daily App) 11:02, February 26, 2026 As we celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Horse, strong festive vibes of the Spring Festival fill parts of France. Overseas Chinese, Chinese and foreign students and local residents gather to celebrate the festival together, experiencing traditional Chinese customs such as paper-cutting, pitch-pot and dragon dance in an immersive way, while talking about the unique charm of the Chinese language. With culture as a bridge, the event enhances mutual understanding between Chinese and French people, promotes exchanges and mutual learning between the two cultures, and lets the joy and warmth of the Chinese New Year cross mountains and seas, strengthening the bond of people-to-people connectivity between China and France. (Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun) New Delhi/Kabul, Feb 26 : Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have entered a dangerous new phase, marked by deadly airstrikes, mounting civilian casualties, and a steadily deepening diplomatic rift. Recent Pakistani air operations in Afghanistan's eastern provinces -- particularly Nangarhar and Paktika -- have triggered outrage after reports confirmed that civilians, including women and children, were among the victims. New Delhi/Kabul, Feb 26 (IANS) Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have entered a dangerous new phase, marked by deadly airstrikes, mounting civilian casualties, and a steadily deepening diplomatic rift. Recent Pakistani air operations in Afghanistanas eastern provinces -- particularly Nangarhar and Paktika -- have triggered outrage after reports confirmed that civilians, including women and children, were among the victims. Human rights organizations and UN bodies have raised alarm, reinforcing concerns that Pakistanas cross-border military strategy is not only excessively aggressive but also disproportionately harming non-combatants. According to Taliban local officials, Pakistani airstrikes in the Behsud district of Nangarhar killed 18 members of a single family. Only four out of 24 family members reportedly survived the strike. The head of the household, Shahabuddin, was identified among the dead. Women and children were counted among the victims, with reports indicating that at least 11 children were killed. In addition, five individuals remain missing, and local authorities claim that the soil from the strike site was removed, complicating recovery efforts. Separate strikes reportedly targeted parts of Khogyani, Ghani Khil, and Behsud districts in Nangarhar, as well as Barmal district in Paktika, where a madrasa was bombed. Eight students were reported killed, including three girls, while others were injured. Additional civilians, including children tending livestock, were wounded in the aftermath. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirmed civilian casualties resulting from these recent strikes, stating that at least 13 civilians were killed in Behsud district alone. UNAMA urged both sides to immediately de-escalate tensions and adhere strictly to international humanitarian law, particularly the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution. Amnesty International also expressed deep concern over the reported civilian harm and demanded a thorough, independent, and impartial investigation into the airstrikes. This is not an isolated episode. Between October and December 2025, amid intensified border clashes between Afghan Taliban forces and the Pakistani military, UNAMA attributed 70 civilian deaths and 478 injuries to Pakistani military operations. The pattern suggests a troubling trajectory in which civilians repeatedly bear the brunt of cross-border hostilities. Such recurring incidents have fueled perceptions within Afghanistan that Pakistanas actions are increasingly indiscriminate and unnecessarily forceful. The latest strikes have sharply escalated already fragile relations between Kabul and Islamabad. Cross-border accusations, retaliatory rhetoric, and deep mistrust continue to widen the divide. Afghanistan has repeatedly condemned what it views as violations of its sovereignty, while Pakistan justifies its actions as security-driven responses. However, the mounting civilian toll raises critical questions about proportionality and intent. Compounding concerns is the perception among Afghan observers that Pakistanas heightened aggression may be influenced by broader geopolitical calculations and external strategic alignments. While Islamabad frames its operations as counterterrorism measures, critics argue that the scale and timing of strikes point toward pressures and alignments beyond immediate border security concerns. Whether driven by internal instability, regional rivalries, or international strategic considerations, the consequences are unfolding most tragically for Afghan civilians. As burial ceremonies continue in Nangarhar and families search for missing loved ones, the humanitarian cost of this escalating confrontation becomes painfully clear. International organizations have reiterated calls for accountability, transparency, and civilian protection. Without meaningful restraint and genuine diplomatic engagement, the Afghanistana"Pakistan rift risks hardening into sustained hostilitya"one in which ordinary civilians remain the primary victims of an intensifying cross-border conflict. Hyderabad, Feb 26 : The Telangana government has constituted a Cabinet Sub-Committee to prepare and submit a 99-day action plan for implementation across various departments in the state. The Sub-Committee will be chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Finance & Planning, Energy, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka. Irrigation & Command Area Development, Food & Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Industries & Commerce Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu, and Revenue, Housing and Information & Public Relations Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy are the members of the Sub-Committee. Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao issued a Government Order (GO) in this regard. The Principal Secretary, Planning, will be the convenor of the Sub-Committee, while the Principal Secretary, Finance, and Special Chief Secretaries/Principal Secretaries/Secretaries of the departments concerned will attend the relevant meetings of the Cabinet Sub-Committee. The action plan is being rolled out to fast-track welfare and development across the state. At a review meeting here, Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao made it clear that every department must move with speed, clarity, and measurable outcomes. He directed the Secretariat, Special Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and Secretaries to prepare concrete, time-bound action plans. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy will chair the Secretariesa review meeting on February 28. The District Collectorsa conference will be held on March 1. The action plan will be executed from March 2 to June 9. The Chief Secretary said that every department must submit a structured action plan immediately. Agenda notes for the Collectorsa Conference must be ready without delay. He directed that completed government buildings must be kept inauguration-ready. Development works must move from the file to the field. Key departments on priority mode are Rural Development, Municipal Administration, Health, Education, Panchayati Raj, Agriculture, Revenue, Tourism, Industries, Women & Child Welfare, Housing, Power, Labour and others. Special focus areas will be sanitation drives, rural infrastructure, health outreach, and welfare delivery. Jerusalem, Feb 26 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday discussed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), expressing their intent to advance cooperation to promote regional connectivity, stability and shared prosperity through the initiative and explore Israel's role within its frameworks. It was on the sidelines of the G20 Leadersa Summit held in New Delhi in 2023 that the leaders of India, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, UAE and US announced an MoU committing to work together to develop a new India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC). The IMEEC will comprise two separate corridors, the east corridor connecting India to the Gulf and the northern corridor connecting the Gulf to Europe. The corridor intends to enhance connectivity, increase efficiency, reduce costs, secure regional supply chains, increase trade accessibility and generate jobs, resulting in a transformative integration of Asia, Europe and Middle East. PM Modi and Netanyahu also reaffirmed their shared vision for a robust special strategic partnership rooted in mutual aspirations for peace, security and prosperity through technological innovations and entrepreneurship. The two leaders emphasised the importance of institutionalising bilateral mechanisms across Government-to-Government, business-to-business, and people-to-people domains to ensure sustained collaboration and meaningful impact, according to the Joint Statement released following the bilateral discussions. "In an era of global uncertainties, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Netanyahu reaffirmed their commitment to advancing transformative initiatives such as the I2U2 quadrilateral partnership. This framework serves as a vital instrument for fostering deeper engagement, trade, investment, innovation and leveraging the complementary strengths of both nations," the statement stated. Both leaders also condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism and called for decisive and concerted international efforts to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner. "Expressing the grave concern over this common challenge, the Prime Ministers reaffirmed their collective resolve to combat this menace as the leaders of two vibrant and resilient democracies. They strongly condemned the heinous October 7, 2023 terror attack on Israel, the savage terror attack on Indian tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu & Kashmir in India on April 22, 2025 and the terror incident near Red Fort, New Delhi on November 10, 2025," the Joint Statement reflected. The two leaders reiterated their commitment to advancing global peace and security and welcomed US President Donald Trumpas 'Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict.' During the meeting, PM Modi and Netanyahu discussed the regional developments, including the peace process and stressed the need for the establishment of a just and durable peace, security and freedom of navigation and trade in the region through dialogue and mutual understanding. Shillong, Feb 26 : Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday rejected opposition claims that the state's employment policies have failed, asserting that several government initiatives are generating jobs and creating livelihood opportunities for the youth. Replying to issues raised by Trinamool Congress MLA Mizanur Kazi during a discussion in the Assembly, the Chief Minister said it would be misleading to term the government's employment strategy unsuccessful, noting that unemployment figures differ across surveys and must be viewed in context. Citing official data, Sangma said the Periodic Labour Force Survey recorded Meghalaya's unemployment rate at 6.0 per cent in 2022-23 and 6.2 per cent in 2023-24, while estimates by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) placed it significantly lower at 3.1 per cent. He added that nearly 3.66 lakh jobs have been generated in recent years through various schemes and interventions. The Chief Minister underlined that Meghalaya's young demographic profile poses unique challenges, with nearly 50 per cent of the population below the age of 20. "Employment generation is a continuous process. While we may not have fully achieved our objectives yet, we are moving in the right direction," he told the House. Highlighting flagship programmes, Sangma said the FOCUS scheme has sanctioned Rs 140 crore to 22,500 producer groups, benefitting around 2.1 lakh people, while the FOCUS+ initiative has reached an additional 1.5 lakh beneficiaries. He also pointed to the strong response to the CM-Elevate programme, which received over 22,000 applications within 20 days, prompting the government to temporarily close the portal. During the debate, the Chief Minister addressed concerns over mandatory Khasi and Garo language proficiency for certain public sector posts. He clarified that the requirement was limited to basic communication skills and not academic mastery, stressing that language familiarity is essential for effective service delivery. Sangma further announced that the government has decided to introduce Khasi and Garo teaching at the primary school level, with textbooks already being prepared. On administrative reforms, he said employment exchanges are being digitised, and the CM-Connect platform is strengthening grievance redressal and monitoring of government schemes. "I assure the House that these programmes will show even greater impact in the coming days," the Chief Minister said. --IANS tdr/dan Mumbai, Feb 26 : The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on Thursday warned investors to stay alert after reports of fake notices demanding payment of securities transaction tax (STT). In a statement, Securities and Exchange Board of India said that some fraudsters are misusing its letterhead to send false notices to investors. These notices claim that investors have pending STT dues under the Finance Act, 2004, and wrongly state that Sebi is using powers under the Sebi Act, 1992, to collect the money. The regulator clarified that it never sends notices to investors asking them to pay STT. It also said that it does not work with the Reserve Bank of India for collecting such taxes. SEBI explained that STT is automatically charged on every buy and sell transaction done on stock exchanges and is collected directly by brokers at the time of the trade. SEBI also pointed out that scammers are impersonating its officials by using their names, job titles, and fake email IDs that closely resemble official Sebi email addresses. These tactics are being used to make the fraud look genuine and mislead investors into sending money. Earlier this week, the National Stock Exchange issued a similar warning. The exchange said it had noticed fake communications using Sebi's letterhead to demand STT payments. The NSE urged investors to remain cautious and not respond to messages that claim to be from Sebi officials and ask for money on the regulator's behalf. Separately, SEBI also raised concerns about a rising number of scams related to so-called "account handling" services. In these cases, individuals pretend to be trading experts, portfolio managers, or fund managers and promise guaranteed or risk-free profits. SEBI warned investors not to believe such claims and advised them never to share their trading account details with anyone. The regulator stressed that these account handlers are not registered with Sebi and are not authorised to provide any investment or portfolio management services. Mumbai, Feb 26 : Actress-director Nandita Das has condemned the "stifling" censorship on the upcoming film 'The Kerala Story 2 - Goes Beyond'. Mumbai, Feb 26 (IANS) Actress-director Nandita Das has condemned the "stifling" censorship on the upcoming film 'The Kerala Story 2 Goes Beyond'. The actress attended the Sashakt Nari, Viksit Bharat by Chintan Research Foundation event. During the event, she spoke with IANS, and shared her thoughts on the stay order passed by the Kerala High Court over the film's release. She told IANS, "I feel that censorship is stifling for any form of art. It's really important that art finds freedom. Some good work will come out, some bad work will come out, all kinds of things will come out but that's how an individual or society becomes more discerning. That's how we filter the good from the bad. Time is the greatest judge of any work of art ,something that stands the test of time will always be something that has depth". "In this process, there will be a lot of fluff, we will have to learn to ignore it but I am definitely not for censorship for any form of art", she added. Earlier in the day, the makers of the upcoming film 'The Kerala Story 2 Goes Beyond' approached the Apex court, after the Kerala High Court granted an interim stay on the release of the film on Thursday. The Kerala High Court noted that prima facie there is non-application of mind by the Censor Board while certifying the movie. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas passed the stay order while hearing two petitions challenging the film's release. The court noted that the guidelines intended to prevent disruption of social harmony appeared not to have been followed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). 'The Kerala Story 2 Goes Beyond' was slated for release on Friday. In an affidavit filed on Wednesday, producer Vipul Shah stated that only the censor board has the authority to halt a film's release. The film is a sequel to the National Award-winning 'The Kerala Story', which was released in 2023. Islamabad, Feb 26 : A leading minority rights group in Pakistan on Thursday expressed grave concern over growing misuse of the country's blasphemy laws, saying they are increasingly exploited as "tools of fear, control, and profit". Islamabad, Feb 26 (IANS) A leading minority rights group in Pakistan on Thursday expressed grave concern over growing misuse of the country's blasphemy laws, saying they are increasingly exploited as "tools of fear, control, and profit". Citing human rights groups, which describe the law as a growing "blasphemy business," the Voice of Pakistan Minority (VOPM) stated that "fabricated screenshots, doctored images, fake social media accounts, and false witness statements" are used to trap vulnerable individuals in cases that can carry the death penalty. The rights body stressed that for Pakistan's religious minorities Christians, Ahmadis, Hindus, Sikhs, and Shia Muslims blasphemy allegations are not merely abstract legal risks but pose a constant threat. "Already facing social discrimination and economic marginalisation, these communities can be devastated by a single accusation. Mobs gather within hours, families flee, jobs are lost, and reputations are permanently damaged," the VOPM stated. "Between 1994 and 2025, at least 104 people were killed extrajudicially following blasphemy allegations. In this climate, the law does not merely punish it terrifies," it added. The VOPM highlighted concerns raised by several human rights organisations over the role of Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), particularly its Cyber Crime Wing, for registering cases without proper forensic verification and acting on anonymous tips. Meanwhile, it said, private vigilante groups, including those linked to radical Islamist party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, actively pursue alleged blasphemy cases online, while the Legal Commission on Blasphemy in Pakistan openly campaigns to take "decisive action" against alleged offenders. "This combination public pressure, organised activism, and weak safeguards creates fertile ground for extortion. Victims are often forced to pay intermediaries or flee their homes to survive," the VOPM noted. According to the rights body, the problem extends beyond misuse, highlighting that the blasphemy law allows allegations to carry immense weight before evidence is properly tested. It stated that accusations are weaponised against the poor, minorities, and socially marginalised. "For the wealthy and well-connected, legal defence may be possible. For others, survival depends on silence, flight, or payment. As long as the death penalty remains attached to blasphemy laws, these provisions will continue to attract vigilantes, opportunists, and organised extortion networks," the VOPM emphasised. Asserting that the Pakistani authorities have failed to protect the most vulnerable, the rights body said, "The judiciary and law enforcement often act as enablers rather than safeguards. Until Pakistan dismantles the legal and institutional mechanisms that allow blasphemy to function as a tool of intimidation, fear will remain the law of the land." Dhaka, Feb 26 : Bangladesh's Supreme Court on Thursday acquitted Khan Akram Hossain, a war crime convict from Bagerhat district, overturning his life sentence in a crimes against humanity case linked to the country's 1971 Liberation War, local media reported. A bench led by Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury passed the verdict after hearing Akram's appeal challenging the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) judgment delivered on August 11, 2015. Akram was one of the three alleged members of the Razakar force - a pro-Pakistani paramilitary group formed in 1971 in Bagerhat who faced trial before the ICT. The other two accused were Sheikh Sirajul Haque, also known as Siraj Master, and Abdul Latif Talukder, Bangladeshi media outlet bdnews24 reported. In August 2015, the ICT had sentenced Akram to life imprisonment, while co-suspect Razakar leader Sheikh Sirajul Haque, also known as "Siraj Master", was given the death penalty for crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War. Akram was reportedly found guilty of detaining and torturing freedom fighter Fazlur Rahman Sikder in Morrelganj Upazila in Bagerhat, resulting in his death. Another suspect, Abdul Latif Talukdar, a member of the Razakar, was also indicted, alongside the two, but died of age-related illnesses during the trial and was subsequently removed from the case. Following his conviction, Akram filed an appeal with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court challenging the life sentence. The latest development is another instance when a 1971 war crime convict has been acquitted through a review petition since the fall of the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government in August 2024 in a violent mass uprising. Earlier in May 2025, Bangladesh's Supreme Court acquitted Jamaat-e-Islami's radical leader, ATM Azharul Islam, after overturning his death sentence given by the ICT. He was subsequently released after spending nearly 13 years in jail for war crimes. Azharul Islam was slapped with charges of crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War. The chargesheet stated that the radical Islamist party leader was responsible for killing 1256 people, abducting 17, and raping 13 women during the Liberation War in the Rangpur region, local media reported. Jamaat leader Azharul Islam was also elected as a member of Parliament from Rangpur-2 constituency in the February 12 elections. Experts have repeatedly warned that acquittal of 1971 war crime convicts by Bangladesh courts may set a dangerous precedent of leniency towards pro-Pakistani forces, while undermining the principles of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and the nation's hard-won independence. Dhaka, Feb 26 : A Bangladesh court on Thursday ordered the authorities to seek an Interpol 'Red Notice' for the arrest of British MP Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, niece of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, over corruption allegations, local media reported. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Sabbir Faiz passed the order on Thursday following an appeal by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), according to the court's bench assistant, Riaz Hossain. The appeal filed by ACC Assistant Director AKM Mortuza Ali Sagar sought the 'Red Notice' through Interpol against Tulip, a lawmaker from the United Kingdom's ruling Labour Party. According to the appeal, Tulip allegedly misused the influence of her aunt, Hasina, who was then serving as the Prime Minister. It further stated that by influencing a legal officer of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), she allegedly took illegal possession of a flat in Eastern Housing Limited in Gulshan, Dhaka, without making any payment through granting and receiving unlawful favours, Bangladesh's leading Bengali daily Prothom Alo reported. Reports suggest that a case has been registered against Tulip Siddiq in this connection. As she is currently abroad, the ACC contended that an Interpol 'Red Notice' is necessary to apprehend her. This latest development under the new Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government underscores the continuing feud with the Awami League, which experts reckon as a political vendetta. Earlier this month, a Dhaka court sentenced Hasina to 10 years' imprisonment in connection with a corruption case linked to the Purbachal plot scam, while Tulip Siddiq was given a four-year jail term, according to local media reports. On December 1, 2025, a Bangladesh court sentenced Hasina to five years in prison over irregularities in the allocation of plots under the Purbachal project. Additionally, Hasina's sister, Sheikh Rehana, was handed a seven-year sentence, while her niece, Tulip Siddiq, received two years' imprisonment. In the same case, on November 27 last year, the Dhaka court sentenced Hasina to 21 years of imprisonment in three corruption cases filed by the ACC. Following the November verdict, Hasina and her family members rejected the corruption charges against them, calling the claims "malicious, politically motivated and without any proper foundation". Slamming the former Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, they said, "We firmly deny all allegations of corruption, with each charge brought against us tainted by the political motivations of our opponents. The ACC is under the control of an unelected government, armed with slanted and partial evidence, which prevents any opportunity to defend ourselves." Quetta, Feb 26 : Another two civilians were extrajudicially killed by Pakistani forces in Balochistan, a leading human rights organisation said on Thursday. The latest incidents come against the backdrop of a growing wave of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances across the province. Human rights body Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) revealed that the tortured and lifeless body of Nasram Baloch was found dumped on Thursday in the Makseen Nadi area of the province. He had been subjected to enforced disappearance for one and a half years, and his body bore clear signs of severe abuse. According to the rights body, Nasram, a resident of the Buleda region in Kech district, was initially forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces on October 12, 2023 and was released on June 13, 2024, following protests by his family members. During his detention, he suffered torture and inhumane treatment, leaving him with hepatitis and lasting physical harm. However, a few months later, on August 8 2024, Nasram was again forcibly disappeared from his home in Buleda when armed men stormed the house, tortured his mother and sister, and took him away. Highlighting the atrocities against civilians in Balochistan, the BYC stated that the mutilated body of Awais Baloch was dumped at Civil Hospital in Panjgur district on February 24, a day after being forcibly disappeared. The rights body stated that Awais, a student, was forcibly disappeared from his home in Panjgur on February 23. "This is not an isolated incident; it is part of a painful pattern of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. When laws are broken by those meant to protect people, when students are silenced instead of heard, it exposes a system built on fear rather than justice," the BYC stated. "But oppression cannot erase a people's identity. Every injustice strengthens the resolve for dignity and truth. The voices of Baloch mothers, students, and families will not be buried with the bodies of their loved ones," it added. Condemning the extrajudicial killings, the BYC called upon the international community, including the United Nations, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International, to urgently investigate enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan carried out by the Pakistani forces. China continues efforts to protect Chinese sturgeon People's Daily Online) 14:19, February 26, 2026 Chinese sturgeon fry, each about 20 centimeters long, dart energetically through the Yangtze River rare fish conservation center beside the Three Gorges Dam in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province. They represent a decades-long breakthrough in conservation efforts. These 112,000 third-filial-generation Chinese sturgeon were bred through artificial propagation last November and are now in good health, with an average weight exceeding 100 grams, said Jiang Wei, deputy director of the Yangtze River Biodiversity Research Center under China Three Gorges Corporation and chief engineer at the Chinese Sturgeon Research Institute. Photo taken in 2025 shows researchers catching a Chinese sturgeon at the Yangtze River Biodiversity Research Center under China Three Gorges Corporation. (Xinhua/Du Zixuan) The Chinese sturgeon, a rare species endemic to the Yangtze River and one of the world's oldest vertebrates, has existed for more than 140 million years. But human activities have sent their numbers plummeting, spurring conservation efforts that have spanned decades. Artificial propagation of Chinese sturgeon began in 1982. The fish proved extraordinarily difficult to cultivate, as they mature late and demand highly exacting environmental conditions. Generation after generation of researchers tackled the challenge, eventually mastering key technologies. From wild-caught broodstock, scientists successfully produced first- and second-filial-generation Chinese sturgeon. But as the first filial generation of Chinese sturgeon reached an average age of more than 17 years, researchers knew time was running out. These fish would likely pass their reproductive prime within seven to eight years. The successful birth of the third filial generation means the captive-bred population can now sustain itself across generations without relying on wild stocks, giving the species a greater chance of survival, Jiang said. Nationwide, eight Chinese sturgeon conservation centers now protect 3,300 wild and first-generation broodstock, conducting large-scale cultivation of second-generation fry annually. With the birth of the third filial generation, the broodstock population has expanded further. China began releasing artificially bred Chinese sturgeon into the wild in 1984. Since 2024, annual releases of captive-bred Chinese sturgeon have exceeded 1 million for two consecutive years. Before the implementation of a decade-long fishing ban on the Yangtze River, underwater nets, propellers, water pollution and other factors meant many Chinese sturgeon never reached the river's estuary, said Du Hao, a researcher from the Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences. Now the situation is changing. Using ultrasonic telemetry, net monitoring, environmental DNA analysis and hydroacoustic detection, researchers found that approximately 12.2 percent of the 4- to 8-month-old Chinese sturgeon released last year successfully passed through the Yangtze River estuary into the sea, with others still migrating downstream. "Compared to less than 1 percent before the fishing ban, this ratio marks a roughly 20-fold increase," Du said. Zheng Yueping, deputy director of the Shanghai Aquatic Wildlife Conservation and Research Center, said the city's Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve is critical to Chinese sturgeon conservation. "Whether they can swim here is a key test of conservation success." Monitoring shows young Chinese sturgeon typically remain in the Yangtze River estuary for about six months before venturing into the sea. Researchers often compare the Yangtze River estuary to a kindergarten for Chinese sturgeon before they enter the sea. To help fry thrive, techniques from marine ranching including bamboo poles planted in mudflats and artificial reefs positioned in shallow waters have been introduced to aid restoration. As algae attach to these structures, shellfish, crabs, small fish and shrimp gradually gather, providing food for young sturgeon to grow rapidly. Chinese sturgeon spend 80 percent of their lives in the ocean. In coastal waters surrounding this special "kindergarten," fishermen, fishery authorities and research institutions are jointly establishing a protective monitoring network. China has incorporated environmental DNA monitoring and bycatch statistics into its Chinese sturgeon monitoring system. Currently, most released Chinese sturgeon fry are 4 to 8 months old, with strong resistance to predation and environmental changes. Going forward, the proportion of larger fry released will be gradually increased, and nutritional enhancement and rewilding training will be conducted before release. Experts say that if annual releases gradually increase to 5 million fish and continue for about 18 years, the wild Chinese sturgeon population could potentially recover to between 200 and 300 levels last seen in the early 21st century. China has adopted a wide range of protective measures for Chinese sturgeon, including an action plan for the rescue of the species covering 2015 to 2030. Shanghai has released regulations on the protection and management of the species, while also joining Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui in conducting joint enforcement operations against illegal fishing. Meanwhile, infrastructure has been adapted to minimize disruption, with the Yichang Wujiagang Yangtze River Bridge, completed in 2021, adopting a single-span design to avoid building piers in the river. In recent years, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has worked with multiple departments to continuously improve coordination mechanisms for the protection of Yangtze River aquatic biodiversity and the fishing ban. Eight provinces spanning the middle and lower Yangtze River, the East China Sea, and the Yellow and Bohai seas have strengthened monitoring and protection. Research institutions and universities have also pooled their capabilities to advance monitoring and conservation technologies, while expanding public education on Chinese sturgeon protection. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) Jammu, Feb 26 : In a major step towards nurturing informed, responsible and visionary youth leadership, MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat), on Thursday, organised a district round of the Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament at the Government PG College in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri. The event focused on providing a vibrant democratic platform where young minds could articulate ideas, debate critical issues, and reflect on India's constitutional journey. The participants passionately spoke on the theme "50 Years of Emergency: Lessons for Indian Democracy". Through powerful speeches and thoughtful arguments, students revisited one of the most significant chapters in India's political history, emphasising the importance of safeguarding democratic institutions, protecting fundamental rights, and strengthening participatory governance. The programme was coordinated by Nitin Hangloo, Deputy Director of MY Bharat Rajouri, and Khaleeq Ahmed, NSS Probationary Officer of Government PG College Rajouri. Anwer Shah, Government PG College Rajouri Principal, attended the occasion as the Chief Guest. The distinguished jury panel included Mehmood Bajjar (Retired Medical Superintendent of Government Medical College and Associated Hospitals Rajouri), Bashir Ahmed (Retired Principal of Government Degree College Budhal), Sandeep Sharma (District Statistics and Evaluation Officer Rajouri), Vikrant Sharma (Youth Awardee), and Sofia Shaheen (Head of Department at the District Institute of Education and Training Rajouri), who evaluated the participants on content, clarity, confidence, and understanding of democratic values. The top 10 qualifiers from the district round will now advance to the state level round, and the top three performers at the state level will compete at the national round to be held in the Indian Parliament, offering them a prestigious opportunity to represent their region on a national stage and contribute to the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat'. Notably, the 'MY Bharat' initiative aims to introduce new features and initiatives to further enhance its impact. The platform is keen on expanding its offerings in emerging sectors and deepening its engagement with educational institutions and youth organisations. Imphal, Feb 26 : The Zomi Council, an apex tribal body in Manipur's Churachandpur district, on Thursday urged the Centre to expedite the ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the brutal attack on BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte, who passed away at a private hospital in Gurugram on February 21. In a memorandum addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and submitted through the Churachandpur district authorities, the council alleged that justice has not been delivered to Valte, who was elected to the Manipur Assembly from the Thanlon constituency in the tribal-inhabited district. The Zomi Council said that Valte was not merely an elected representative from the Zomi community but a senior tribal legislator and a respected voice of the Zo people, comprising the Kuki, Zomi, Mizo and Hmar tribal communities. "Nearly three years have passed since an elected BJP MLA and then Advisor to the Chief Minister was lynched and left to die, yet there has been no visible, time-bound prosecution, no decisive accountability and no clear direction towards justice. This prolonged delay reflects not only political neglect but also a deeper structural problem -- the systematic marginalisation and vulnerability of the Zo and other hill tribes under a majoritarian, Meitei-dominated state apparatus in Manipur," the memorandum stated. It further alleged that the tribal legislator was a victim of systematic violence perpetrated in a political environment where tribal rights, voices and security were progressively undermined. The memorandum, jointly signed by Zomi Council Chairman Vumsuan Naulak and General Secretary Pauneihlal, demanded time-bound engagement by the Government of India to address and fulfil the political aspirations of the Zo hill tribes. It also sought concrete constitutional and administrative measures to ensure genuine political autonomy and security for the Zo hill tribes of Manipur. Meanwhile, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Tuesday visited the residence of the 62-year-old late tribal leader in Churachandpur district and paid his respects to the mortal remains of Valte by laying a wreath and a shawl. Valte's body was brought to Lengpui Airport in Mizoram's capital, Aizawl, on February 22 and later taken by road to his home district of Churachandpur. Zomi Council Chairman Vumsuan Naulak said that the date of Valte's burial would be notified later. 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. --IANS sc/dan Washington, Feb 26 : Senator Mark Warner on Thursday pressed President Donald Trump to explain whether the United States is edging towards a prolonged conflict with Iran, warning that American troops could soon be placed in harm's way without a clearly articulated objective. Chairman of the powerful Senate Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Warner told reporters that he had been briefed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio "as part of the Gang of eight earlier this week" amid what he described as a "massive buildup of forces in the Eastern Mediterranean, also adjacent to Iran and in other areas." "The question is, you know, will we soon be at war?" he said, adding, "I believe it is incumbent upon the President of the United States to come and make the case to the American people if he's going to put our troops into what will be. Even the administration acknowledges a prolonged conflict, potentially with Iran." Warner cautioned that any future operation would differ from the limited past strikes. "This would be unlike the lightning strike that took out Maduro or the one-time attack on Iran's nuclear facilities," he said, noting that if the effort goes forward, it "could have much longer consequences." Responding to questions about Iran's nuclear capabilities, Warner said: "Well, they were never obliterated, you know, the president was wrong. The bombing raid never had the capacity to totally obliterate Iran's nuclear capabilities." He added that while the earlier raid was "very successful," it "couldn't obliterate Iran's nuclear capabilities." He also criticised the dismissal of a senior intelligence official, saying General Kraus "got fired for telling the truth." On whether he would support military action, Warner said Congress must be formally consulted. "If we're about to go to continued conflict with Iran, we need to have a War Powers Act," he said. "The president needs to come to the Congress and explain to us, and more importantly, to the American people what his goals are and why it's in America's interest to, to, to engage in this conflict." Warner also raised concerns that the administration may be broadening its objectives beyond nuclear issues. "If we are going in and changing the definition from precluding Iran from having nuclear weapons to saying, no, we don't even want Iran to have any missile capability at all. Well, that's a different kind of argument, and I'm not sure that argument has been made." He described the Iranian regime as "awful" and a "perpetrator of, of anti-Western and anti-American propaganda," but insisted that if US troops are to be put "in harm's way, the president needs to explain what his goal is, what his motivation is, and why this is in America's best interest." -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Chennai, Feb 26 : The Tamil Nadu government has announced an increase in pension and retirement benefits for nutrition organisers, Anganwadi workers, village panchayat secretaries, and several other categories of special time-scale employees, reaffirming its commitment to grassroots welfare staff. In an official statement, the government said the monthly pension for nutrition organisers, Anganwadi employees and village panchayat secretaries has been raised from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,400. In addition, the lump sum retirement benefit provided at the time of completion of service has been increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh. The decision follows the recommendations of the Officersa Committee constituted in 2017 to review pension and retirement benefits for special time-scale employees. Based on those recommendations, the government has issued orders granting special periodic pensions and enhanced lump sum retirement benefits to employees receiving special time-scale pay. The beneficiaries include nutrition organisers, Anganwadi workers, mini Anganwadi workers, forest field workers, Anganwadi helpers, cooks, kitchen assistants and cleaners. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has also approved measures to provide enhanced family pension and funeral assistance in the event of the death of retired workers. According to the notification, if a retired nutrition organiser or Anganwadi worker passes away, their family will be eligible for a special family pension along with funeral assistance. The move is aimed at providing social security and financial support to families dependent on these workers. The government clarified that the revised special pension, lump sum retirement benefit and family pension will be disbursed under the relevant account heads of the respective departments. Any additional financial expenditure arising from the enhanced benefits will be debited to the appropriate account heads already allocated to those departments. The announcement is expected to benefit thousands of grassroots workers who play a crucial role in delivering nutrition services, early childhood care and rural administrative support across the state. By strengthening their post-retirement security, the government aims to recognise their contribution to public welfare and community development in Tamil Nadu. Officials said the enhanced benefits will come into effect in accordance with the government order, and detailed implementation guidelines will be issued by the concerned departments. Jaipur, Feb 26 : Rajasthan Police have launched a major crackdown on an organised cyber fraud network allegedly involved in siphoning off crores of rupees from government welfare schemes, with 51 accused arrested and proceedings initiated to attach properties suspected to have been acquired through illegal means. The operation, conducted by Jhalawar Police under "Operation Shutdown", targeted an organised cybercrime syndicate accused of fraudulently diverting funds from public welfare schemes. Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar said the accused allegedly manipulated digital systems linked to Central and state government welfare schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and disability pension schemes, by fraudulently adding ineligible beneficiaries. During the investigation, police recovered government officials' SSO IDs and passwords, along with sensitive data related to farmers and beneficiaries across multiple states. Police officials said proceedings under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, have been initiated against members of the syndicate to facilitate legal action, including attachment of properties suspected to have been acquired through proceeds of crime. Investigating Officer and Circle Officer, Bhawani Mandi, Prem Kumar said the investigation revealed that several accused had acquired movable and immovable assets allegedly using funds obtained through fraudulent activities. Police have moved the court seeking attachment of properties belonging to 33 accused, including residential buildings, commercial establishments, agricultural land, vehicles, and industrial units. The identified assets include 22 constructed houses, including three commercial shops, three mansions under construction, eight plots of land, two agricultural properties, 16 cars, 18 motorcycles, one tractor, a CNC manufacturing unit, and an additional commercial shop. Launched on October 22, 2025, Operation Shutdown involved coordinated raids across Rajasthan, Delhi, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh. In the first phase of the operation, multiple police teams conducted searches at 18 locations, resulting in the arrest of 30 accused and seizure of Rs 52.69 lakh in cash. Subsequent phases of the operation led to the arrest of additional accused allegedly involved in website cloning, technical support, and financial operations linked to the fraud. Police said some accused were responsible for providing internet infrastructure and technical assistance to facilitate the illegal activities. Officials from the Revenue, Public Works Department (PWD), and Transport Department assisted police in verifying property records and ownership details. Given the inter-state nature of the case, Director General of Police Rajiv Kumar Sharma has transferred further investigation to the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) for detailed probe. Police said further investigation is underway to identify additional accused and trace financial transactions linked to the alleged fraud. Kolkata, Feb 26 : Political tensions continue to simmer in West Bengal amid the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, as the final voter list is set to be published on February 28 in line with Supreme Court directives. West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal confirmed on Thursday that the list will be released on schedule, but with special markings to address ongoing cases and deletions. Agarwal explained that the final roll will include two additional features beyond the standard format. Entries where adjudication is still pending will be marked "Pending judicial decision," while names already removed will carry the label "Deleted." He noted that the total voter turnout figure in the state stands at approximately 60,06,675, reflecting the scale of the exercise. To accelerate the verification process for voters flagged with logical discrepancies, the Calcutta High Court has sought assistance from 200 judicial officers, with 100 each drawn from the Odisha High Court and the Jharkhand High Court. These officers will join the existing team handling document scrutiny and adjudication. The decision emerged from a high-level meeting chaired by Calcutta High Court Chief Justice Sujoy Paul, attended by key officials including Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal, Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, Acting Director General of Police Piyush Pandey, Kolkata Police Commissioner Supratim Sarkar, and Special Roll Observer Subrata Gupta. The SIR represents a major effort by the Election Commission to cleanse the voter list in West Bengal, prompted by millions of claims and objections received during the process. The Supreme Court and Calcutta High Court have played active roles in expediting the work, including authorising the deployment of additional judicial officers from neighboring states to verify over 8 million claims efficiently. The Supreme Court has ruled that if full verification cannot be completed by February 28, the final roll should still be published on that date, with any remaining cases addressed through supplementary lists issued thereafter. These supplementary additions will be treated as integral to the final roll. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee approached the Supreme Court with a petition challenging aspects of the process, but the court permitted the SIR to proceed. Jaipur, Feb 26 : Rajasthan Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief and Rajya Sabha MP Madan Rathore said on Thursday that the party is fully prepared to accord a grand welcome to world's most popular leader Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Ajmer on February 28. He added that the public is eager to hear their favourite leader's views on geopolitical developments, national issues, and the global situation in countries seeking peace and stability. People want to understand India's stand amid these circumstances, and therefore the BJP is cooperating with the Rajasthan government to make the programme a success, the Rajasthan BJP Chief said in an exclusive interaction with IANS. Here are the excerpts from the interview: Q: What are the preparations being made in Ajmer in wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit? Ans: A large number of people are eager to hear the Prime Minister's views on national and international developments. Prime Minister Modi is among the most popular leaders in the world and has been conferred with top honours by several countries in the world. People want to hear the Prime Minister's views on geopolitical developments, internal national issues, economic challenges and global conflicts. Citizens are keen to know India's position on issues such as regional security, Pakistan, and the situation in neighbouring Bangladesh. The Prime Minister is coming to central Rajasthan, near Ajay Meru (Ajmer), to address a public gathering. Though it is a government programme, the BJP will fully cooperate to ensure its success. Thousands of people are expected, and necessary arrangements have been made. Q: The Rajasthan government has scrapped the two-child norm for local polls. Your views? Ans: The state government's decision to remove the two-child norm for contesting local body elections should be welcomed. Experience and capability should be the primary criteria in politics. There are many experienced leaders in public life. Ability and experience matter. If a capable person is denied the opportunity to contest elections merely because he has more than two children, it would be unjust. While the earlier provision was introduced with the objective of population control, social dynamics have changed. When demographic ratios get disturbed, imposing restrictions selectively leads to injustice. Eligible candidates should be given a fair opportunity. In that context, this decision appears appropriate. Q: Your views on Rajasthan government moving Supreme Court over the upcoming civic polls? Ans: The BJP is fully prepared to face elections. Whenever the poll bugle is sounded, we are ready to step into the electoral field. Previous ward delimitation under the previous Congress-led Rajasthan government was irregular. In some wards there were around 800 voters, while in others there were nearly 8,000. This imbalance was unfair and allegedly designed to benefit certain candidates. The BJP supports rational and equal distribution of wards to maintain proper representation. Now there are legal and procedural issues, including matters related to the tenure of some Panchayat Samitis and the OBC Commission. There is a provision regarding elections being held within six months before or after the completion of tenure. Now these samitis has more than nine months tenure left. So such matters are under consideration. From our side, we are ready. Once the Election Commission announces the schedule, the BJP will be fully prepared. Bengaluru, Feb 27 : Karnataka Ministers M.B. Patil and M.C. Sudhakar attended a reception in Bengaluru to mark the birthday of King Charles III, highlighting the ties between Karnataka and the UK. The event was organised on Thursday by the office of the British Deputy High Commissioner Chandru Iyer at the Taj West End and was attended by government officials, industry representatives, and members of the diplomatic community. Speaking at the event, Minister for Large and Medium Industries M.B. Patil said Karnataka and the UK share a long history of engagement, particularly in industry and investment. He added that during his recent visit to London, he met industrial leaders and encouraged them to invest in Karnataka. Patil noted that several British companies have established operations in the state and are contributing to its economic activity. He also said discussions were held with representatives of academic institutions, including the Imperial College London and the University of Liverpool. He added that British companies and universities are expected to participate in the proposed Knowledge, Wellbeing and Innovation (KWIN) City project near Dabaspet, which is aimed at creating opportunities for youth. Minister for Higher Education M.C. Sudhakar said Karnataka maintains cooperation with the United Kingdom in higher education through twinning programmes that facilitate student exchanges and academic collaboration. He added that 30 students are benefiting from the programme this year, similar to last year, enabling them to pursue studies abroad. Sudhakar added that the state government is focusing on skill development and international academic partnerships to expand global opportunities for students from Karnataka. King Charles III was born on November 14, 1948, at Buckingham Palace in London, England. He is the eldest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His birth occurred during the reign of his grandfather, King George VI. Since founding the Prince's Trust in 1976, using his A7,500 of severance pay from the Royal Navy, King Charles III has established 16 more charitable organisations and now serves as President of each. King Charles III has been known to donate his blood to raise awareness for health causes -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed U.S. President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump. Image Source: Xinhua/Ye Pingfan/IANS United Nations, Feb 27 : US First Lady Melania Trump is to preside over a meeting of the Security Council when the US takes over its presidency for the month. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Thursday that this would be the first time that the spouse of a president takes the gavel at a session of the Council. He said that Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo will brief the Council session that will deal with education. The First Lady's office said she will preside over a session that will discuss education, technology and advancing tolerance. Melania Trump, a former model who was born in Slovenia, is the third wife of Trump. As First Lady, she has promoted initiatives focusing on children. One of them is the "Be Best" campaign that seeks to protect children against cyberbullying, and to promote responsible social media use and their health. She has also campaigned to improve the educational and career prospects of children raised in foster care. US Permanent Representative Michael Waltz said that her leading the session meshed with her advocacy for children. He told Fox News that it is "fitting that the first lady, a passionate and tireless advocate for children, will preside over the first day of America's presidency of the Security Council". "Her message of helping the helpless through education and technology fits exactly with our mission at the UN, to achieve meaningful and lasting peace", he added. On Sunday, the US will take over the rotating presidency of the Council for March from the United Kingdom, and its first session will be on Monday. Trump, who has had harsh words for the UN saying it is not living up to its potential, has lately moderated his criticism, even as he claimed last week that the Board of Peace would "almost be looking over the United Nations and making sure it runs properly". The Board was set up with the concurrence of the Council to ensure the ceasefire takes hold in Gaza and to facilitate its reconstruction. However, Trump is trying to give it an open-ended agenda beyond the Council's mandate. But Trump also said that the UN has "tremendous potential", and there are "some very good people at the United Nations", and offered help to strengthen it. After withholding the US dues to the UN of about $4 billion, Trump released $160 million last week towards the arrears for last year. Dujarric said Melania Trump presiding over the session is a "sign of the importance that the US feels towards the subject [of education and children] and the Security Council". -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Technology Trial Program Expansion and Segue Interactive Relaunch Nairobi, Kenya, February 23, 2026 Segue Interactive has announced the relaunch of its website, https://segueinteractive.com, together with an expanded one-week trial program for organizations evaluating new digital product initiatives. The relaunch introduces updated service pages, clearer client pathways, and expanded visibility for the companys web, mobile, and AI delivery work. According to the company, the updated platform is designed to reduce time from first inquiry to project kickoff and improve decision-making for teams selecting external product partners. At the same time, Segue Interactive has formalized its one-week trial program as a 40-hour sprint model. The company says the format is intended for teams that want to validate one specific outcome quickly, such as a product feature, integration proof of concept, prototype, or architecture review. Each trial engagement includes a scoped brief, daily progress updates, a working demo on staging, and an implementation note with next-step recommendations. The company states that the trial is offered at no upfront cost under a signed Trial Services Agreement. "Many product teams are blocked not by lack of ideas, but by uncertainty around execution speed and delivery fit," said Vincent Mungai, CEO and Founder of Segue Interactive. The relaunch and trial model are meant to give teams a practical way to evaluate delivery quality on a real problem before committing to a larger roadmap. Segue Interactive says trial engagements follow a four-step process: 1. Discovery call 2. Scope brief 3. Sprint delivery 4. End-of-week demo with a continuation decision If both parties proceed, work can transition into a broader build phase with the same team. If a client chooses not to continue, source-code and IP transfer options are handled under the programs legal terms. The company reports that the relaunch also supports broader market discovery through updated pages for services, portfolio work, industry coverage, and regional landing pages. Segue Interactive is based in Nairobi and works with startups, SMEs, and established organizations. Program details: - Free Trial: https://segueinteractive.com/free-trial - Trial Services Agreement: https://segueinteractive.com/trial-services-agreement - Portfolio: https://segueinteractive.com/portfolio ## About Segue Interactive Segue Interactive is a Nairobi-based digital product and AI studio. Its services include product strategy, UX/UI, full-stack engineering, AI assistants, automation, and post-launch iteration support for web and mobile products ## Press Contact The Madrid museum revisits how a Spanish underground artists work ended up on an album by the US singer, who did not credit the illustrator Opinion articles written in the style of their author. These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. All opinion articles written by individuals from outside the staff of EL PAIS shall feature, along with the authors name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed On the fourth floor of the Sabatini building at the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, the rooms and artworks have been rearranged once again to tell the most recent chapter in the history of contemporary art in Spain: from the transition to democracy to the present day. Everything has been reshuffled in order, as Manuel Segade, the museums director, explained during a tour of the 21 rooms on February 16, to try to answer the question: How do we reach the past from the present? On one of the walls in the first rooms, dozens of drawings by Nazario that is illustrator Nazario Luque, one of the pioneers of Spains underground comics scene in the 1970s are on display. I lingered there for a moment, caught by the drawings, though not long enough, because at first glance I didnt notice one of the characters. I had to keep up with Segade, look at works, jot down details for the article, and avoid bumping into the dozens of journalists invited that day. As I moved toward the next room, Borja Hermoso, my former editor in the Culture section, pointed out that man to me. Do you know the story behind that drawing? No idea, I replied. Its the one Lou Reed stole from Nazario for the cover of one of his albums. He appropriated it. I continued the tour, but that comment stayed in my mind. The works belong to the Lafuente Archive, so my first message was to Jose Maria, the owner of this remarkable contemporary art collection, which includes more than 2,650 items by the illustrator photographs, magazines, posters, prints, catalogues, audiovisual material, and original artwork. He immediately gave me Nazarios phone number. Hell love telling you the story, he said. Half an hour later, I was on the phone with Nazario. I caught him in the middle of selecting a series of works for a project in Barcelona. Its the fifth time someone asks me for information, and its hard for me to climb up to the loft to check things, he told me. For a moment, I slipped into the intimacy of his home and compared his loft to mine, where the most interesting things stored are boxes of clothes waiting for summer. Nazario, however, goes up there to keep contributing to a chapter of art history the one he helped shape by drawing the protagonists of subcultures, those other, less official cultures. Original for the cover of Rock Comix, no. 4, 1976. Ink on paper. Nazario Archivo Lafuente Before we start talking, dont you think theyve hung them way too high? Its always the same at the Reina Sofia, he told me. I went to see them at the opening I hate leaving the house, but when they dedicate an entire wall to you, you have to go. On that wall hangs the illustration he made for Rock Comix and the cover of Lou Reeds album. The character has a shaved head, wears a leather jacket over a bare chest, shorts so tiny they look like underwear, held up by garter stockings, and leather highheeled boots. A music critic showed the drawing to Lou Reed in London, the illustrator recalls. At that meeting, the artist was thrilled with the character and said it would be perfect to illustrate a new project he was about to release, Take No Prisoners. The critic came back to Barcelona and told Gaspar Fraga, the magazines editor, and me about Lou Reeds intention. We were excited, waiting to see when the album would come out, Nazario continues. The big surprise was that the album never appeared in Spain, but it did in other countries. Thats when I discovered they had used my drawing for a double cover and back cover. Lou Reed and his team modified the original by adding two side bands to turn it into a square. They erased Nazarios signature and put another authors name in its place. It was an act of piracy, the illustrator says. The room at the Reina Sofia Museum where Nazario's pieces are on display. DISTRIBUTED BY THE MUSEUM I imagine they did it out of that arrogance Americans have, the idea that in Spain stealing someones work is legal or wouldnt have consequences, he reflects. His first attempt was to contact some lawyers in New York, but the cost of a lawsuit was far too high. Some time later, the album was released in CD format in Spain, and his drawing was used again for the cover. Nazario says that he and some friends bought several copies in Barcelona shops to gather evidence. That was when the lawyer of his friend Mariscal offered to take the case for free, only taking a percentage if they won. At first they practically declared me guilty, claiming that I was the one who had copied the album cover, Nazario recalls. He gathered a group of witnesses who could attest to his authorship, eventually won the case, and was awarded four million pesetas (around $20,000) in compensation. Just to shut me up, he says now. Because the cover featuring his character without his signature is still circulating in other parts of the world. Detail of Nazario's works at the Reina Sofia Museum. DISTRIBUTED BY THE MUSEUM Before hanging up, I ask him whether seeing the drawing, the album cover, and a wall label explaining the plagiarism in a museum like the Reina Sofia gives him any sense of added vindication. He doesnt seem particularly convinced by that part of the mission his works now fulfill in the space they occupy within the museums permanent collection. I see it as a bit anecdotal. There are others that are more important, like La Gloriosa Asuncion de Ocana al Reino de los Chulos. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Jason Low is publisher and co-owner of Lee & Low Books, the largest multicultural childrens book publisher in the U.S. and the force behind the Diversity Baseline Survey. Here, Low issues a call to action to fellow members of the industry to focus their efforts on fighting book bans. Since 2015, Lee & Lows Diversity Baseline Survey datasets have become the industry standard for inclusive hiring practices and accountability. Since its inception, the survey has been repeated three times and spaced four years apart. 2026 would have marked the fourth iteration of the survey, with results released at the beginning of 2027. I regret to inform you that DBS 4.0 will be postponed until further notice. While we are proud of the contributions the survey has made and what a workforce dataset tells us about our industry, we have come to the realization that a demographic survey must take a backseat to more pressing matters. We do want to acknowledge how DBS showed the willingness of the industry to look in the mirror, despite knowing that they might not like what they saw. As far as books for children go, the diversity movement is by and large in limbo. In the face of extreme censorship that targets diverse authors and titles, our first priority as publishers must shift toward continuing to publish and sell diverse books for children in contentious times. The second priority is to redirect the time and effort we would have spent on DBS 4.0 and channel it toward the fight to ban book bans. Substantial damage has been done to the book ecosystem due to the major increase in book bans. While publishers have been impacted, the cascade effect has manifested itself in diverse creators not being invited to do school visits, school purchasing decisions being frozen, and librarians not being able to perform their jobs. Author David Bowles states, Over the past four years, book bans have dramatically reshaped my career as a childrens author. Starting in 2022, my books have been banned in districts from the Texas Hill Country to Staten Island. By 2023, I was being instructed not to mention anything LGBTQ during school visits. In January of this year, a school canceled a middle-school appearance because of my identity. Teacher librarian Ayn Frazee in Portland, Ore., said that when library staff must devote significant time to book challenges, instruction suffers. Less time is available for lessons on research skills, media literacy, and reading engagement. Some librarians are facing repeated, coordinated challenges to multiple titles at oncestretching already limited time and resources. Others are encountering pressure to remove books even outside of formal reconsideration processes, which undermines the professional guidelines that ensure fair and thoughtful decision-making in our schools. Author Doan Phuong Nguyen recalled, Five minutes before a classroom visit, the teacher pulled me aside in the hallway to tell me that he didnt think my books content was appropriate for his class and that he had removed references to my book from my presentation. I had a choice: either walk away and disappoint the waiting students or completely alter my presentation and censor any mention of Meo and Be and its plot. I ended up giving a generic presentation about author life, writing, and plotting. I never, ever thought that a teacher would do this, moments before I had to give a presentation in their classroom. No author deserves to be told that they cant speak about their book in a pre-scheduled public appearance. When the current administration took office and fixed its crosshairs on diversity, it hurt business overall. As a result, the book industry is in a downturn and has seen the shuttering of major distributor Baker & Taylor (founded in 1828) and Spanish-language distributor Lectorum (founded in 1960), which has resulted in layoffs, hinting at worse times to come. What Can Be Done? One way to resist censorship is to support Freedom to Read bills, which essentially ban book bans. These bills provide legal protections against censorship and give front-line defenders like librarians and educators the tools they need to ward off illegitimate challenges. Nine states have already passed such bills. Governor Kathy Hochul of New York, the home of the publishing industry, vetoed a Freedom to Read act on December 19, 2025. Passing a Freedom to Read bill will not solve all our problems, but it is a critical first step toward protecting our childrens right to read. With March being Indie Press Month, the entire industry needs reader support like never before. The diverse childrens books movement began with independent publishers like Childrens Book Press, the first multicultural childrens book publisher in the U.S., founded in 1975 and now an imprint of Lee & Low Books. Being an independent publisher necessitates the wearing of many hats and operating within less-than-optimal budgets. The guerilla marketing and sales approaches that indie publishers are known for will be tested for the foreseeable future. In 2023, Diversity Baseline Survey 3.0 had close to 200 companies participate. The survey is something we did together as a community. I hope that we can coalesce once more and defend our businesses against censorship. To galvanize the publishing community, we have designated Monday, March 2, 2026, as Contact the Governor Day. As March 2 also happens to coincide with Read Across America Day, we felt this would be a meaningful way to do something tangible to protect books for young readers from book bans. Even if you live outside of New York State, you can still write Governor Hochul, since the ramifications of her vetoing the Freedom to Read Bill directly impact those who work for N.Y.C.-based companies. Here are two ways to help: Phillip Hoose is the author of Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice, which received the 2009 National Book Award for Young Peoples Literature and a Newbery Honor. Here, Hoose pays tribute to the legendary civil rights activist, who died on January 13, and to the legacy she leaves behind. Not long ago, Claudette Colvin telephoned me from a hospice facility in Texas to say goodbye. Her sister Gloria Laster was beside her. She was bedridden but in good spirits. Her voice was strong. We sang Jambalaya and Your Cheating Heart, favorite songs she learned from the radio as a girl. We remembered the time during our book tour when patrons coiled around the block outside the Birmingham, Ala., public library for the chance to meet her. Most were Black women. My momma always told me there was someone before Rosa Parks, some of them said tearfully. Back in the day, in the mid-1950s, there were many people in Montgomery who would have been glad to see her dead. She was smart, outspoken, and resilient. She hated the humiliating Jim Crow laws but didnt know what one girl could do to erase them. She tied her hair in pigtails to mock her classmates who straightened theirs. She went door-to-door raising money to hire a lawyer to defend her classmate Jeremiah Reeves, who had been accused of raping a white womanand was executed shortly after he turned 21. At the age of 15, History finally came to Claudette. On the way home from school, she refused a bus drivers order to surrender her seat to a white woman. She said she felt the weight of Harriet Tubman pressing down on one shoulder and Sojourner Truth on the other. History kept me glued to my seat, she said. Two white cops came charging down the aisle, grabbed her backwards by the armpits, and hoisted her off the bus, sending her schoolbooks flying. After handcuffing her, one officer jumped in the back seat of the police car with her, making lewd remarks all the way to City Hall. She feared she would be raped. They jailed her overnight. Once freed, she insisted on fighting the charges filed against her. Montgomerys Black churches, and the NAACP raised enough money to hire a lawyer. Her defense failed but her courage later inspired Montgomerys Black leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to launch the famed Montgomery Bus Boycott. Months later, as the boycott dragged on, Claudettes passionate testimony in a federal lawsuit challenging Montgomerys bus rules contributed to the end of segregated bus seating in the South. After a four-year courtship, she finally consented to let me interview her for a book. Can you get it to the children? she wanted to know. I interviewed her in in person and by telephone 14 times in 2007. When the book came out, it was well and widely reviewed. The Christian Science Monitor said, Today... a new generation of girlsand boyscan add Claudette Colvin to their list of heroines. She did not go anonymously. She made Rosa Parks scoot over. Streets and buildings and days were named after her. The mayor of Portland, Maine gave her the key to the city during a whirlwind tour. A biopic is in the works. In December 2021, Colvins juvenile record was expunged and destroyed. District Attorney Daryl Bailey commented: Her actions back in March of 1955 were conscientious, not criminal; inspired, not illegal. They should have led to praise and not prosecution. Her lawyer, Fred Gray, said, Claudette Colvin had more courage, in my opinion, than any of the other persons involved in the Movement. And what did Claudette learn from her journey? Mine was the first cry for justice, and a loud one, she told me. I knew then and I know now that when it comes to justice, there is no easy way to get it. You cant sugarcoat it. You have to take a stand and say, This is not right. Winter Institute 2026 in Pittsburgh continued February 25, opening with a quartet of literary heavy hitters on the keynote stage, discussions of bookstore security, and unhappiness fomenting among some booksellers regarding ABA's media policy and decision to not hold an in-person town hall. The annual breakfast session featured Xochitl Gonzalez, Marlon James, Min Jin Lee, and Colson Whitehead. All four have set their latest books in what for some is distant history and what for others is the not-too-distant past. 2007 is historical fiction, it pains me so much to say, declared moderator Audrey I-Wei Huang of Belmont Books in Belmont, Mass., who prompted the panel to talk about why they chose their fictional timelines and how they create books that are radical in fiction. For me, time is a structural element, Whitehead said. He combed through New York newspapers for early-1980s vocabulary and a moment that can animate the character Ray Carney, the striving lead of his heist novel Cool Machine (Doubleday, July). The book caps Whiteheads Harlem trilogy, so I was occupied with sticking the landing, he said. He reflected on how a life veers between tragedy and absurdity over the course of a day, and strove to create a main character who wins some of the time. Marlon James delved into 1980s and 90s gay culture in Jamaica to write The Disappearers (Riverhead, Sept.). Music kind of saved my life in the 80s, James said, adding that writing the novel let him geek out on that period and the cute nerds he loved. The Disappearers is an angry book, James said, yet its account of homophobia and the HIV crisis coexists with Black and queer joy. He believes his work spans diverse readerships: I dont believe in genre snobbery, he said. Jin Lees American Hagwon (Hachette/Cardinal, Sept.) follows an extended Korean family from 19922007, with Lee unpacking what she termed the economic humiliation and trauma imposed by the Asian financial crisis. She said that context is critical to the present day too: "I think all of us are walking around with economic trauma, because of neoliberalism." To create American Hagwon, she traveled the globe to fact-check recent Korean history and structures of feeling. Im so upset right now the way the world is for kids and parents, and she set out to delineate characters whose quest for status is also a search for wisdom and survival. Gonzalez, whose Last Night in Brooklyn (Flatiron, Apr.) adapts The Great Gatsby to 2007 Brooklyn, wanted to write a Latinx novel about being young and alive before we were recorded all the time. She paired a juicy neighborhood love story full of optimistic party people with a snapshot of the months preceding the 2008 Democratic primary and the construction of Barclays Center stadium in the Fort Greene neighborhood. She scoured old copies of the Village Voice and Time Out: New York to recall the atmosphere. All four authors described their novels as hooks how do I get you to stay with me for 16 hours? Lee askedas well as deeply researched interventions into specific periods and diverse experiences. Fiction functions for me as a Trojan horse, Lee said. The first line of all my books is a thesis statement. Restricting Access WI2026 is not without controversy: media have been barred this year from several sessions relating to bookseller/customer safety and bookstore security that also were not recorded by ABA, raising questions among booksellers about how such important information may be effectively transmitted to the wider bookselling community. Following a session led by five booksellers from Minneapolis, Chicago, and Portland, Me. on dealing with ICE in one's community that drew about 100 booksellers, Jonathon Welch of Talking Leaves...Books in Buffalo, NY described it as "all about planning, being prepared. I don't understand why they didn't let media in: you're in this with us." A number of attendees also complained to one another and to PW about the lack of the traditional community forum. Lucy Kogler, the manager of Talking Leaves, is so incensed that shes passing out buttons that state in capital letters, Why no town hall. After the Tuesday morning keynote conversation between LeVar Burton and Janet Webster Jones, John Evans, the co-owner of El Camino Books in Del Mar, Calif. told PW that booksellers just heard from the people that were up there on stage, that getting together is a 10,000 year old ritual, for survival and community. Why would you skip an opportunity to have a town hall where people can talk and have their voices be heard? It distances the board from the members. Kogler and Evans both told PW that when they complained to the ABA, they were informed that the organization considered a virtual town hall more democratic," open to all members rather than just those attending an institute. (The ABA has scheduled a virtual community forum for May 28.) Kogler said that she appreciated that a day was set aside for BIPOC booksellers with Ignite and that there was time scheduled for affinity group meet-ups. "We have to learn from each other, and we can only do that collectively in a physical space. You need to be able to read how people are feeling, and you can only do that if you're physically in a space with someone. Its critical to share information; by preventing that from happening to meits cowardly. Thats avoiding any kind of confrontation or dissent," Kogler said. Acknowledging that forums in recent years, particularly at WI2025, had issues, she suggested that the ABA could hire a professional moderator who could establish protocols like time limits for speakers. She, as well as other booksellers and publishers PW spoke to, also criticized the ABA for not giving advance notice that there would be no community forum at WI2026. In an email to PW, ABA CEO Allison Hill wrote that the ABA "will always have community forumsthey're incredibly importantbut they won't always look the same in terms of format, timing, or even name since we're always evolving to respond to member feedback and needs. We've heard from some members who missed community forum this year but many more who supported the decision and many who feel the various virtual forums and office hours we offer throughout the year are more equitable and accessible and that they enable more voices to be heard on industry issues." Ezra Claytan Daniels and artist Camilla Sucres new graphic novel, Mama Came Callin, is a dark contemporary mystery about a young biracial woman grappling with both a possible connection to a serial killer and a grim family secret from the south's racist past. Kirah, the young woman, believes she was attacked by her estranged father, a white man disguised as the mythical Florida serial killer Gator Man, when she was a child. However, when the father is released from prison, shes forced to re-examine his life, and her mothers, much more closely. In this 12-page excerpt were introduced to young Kirah and her mother on the evening she was attacked by Gator Man. Mama Came Callin by Ezra Claytan Daniels and Camilla Sucre is out now from Morrow. Were attempting to unravel the tangled web of literary influence by talking with the great writers of today about the writers of yesterday who inspired them. This month, we spoke with acclaimed journalists Michael Pollan (A World Appears, How to Change Your Mind) and Elizabeth Kolbert (Life on a Little-Known Planet, The Sixth Extinction) about the sheer pleasure of reading Henry David Thoreau and the gutsy writing of Rachel Carson. Michael Pollan on Henry David Thoreau Why did you want to discuss Thoreau? Thoreau has been a really important writer to me for a very long time. I read him first in college and wrote about him and then did a master's thesis on him in graduate school. Theres a vitality to his prose that I really admire. If you look at his prose at a really granular level, he draws much more on Anglo-Saxon words than Latinate words, and Anglo-Saxon words tend to be more vivid, metaphorical, they have more music to them. They're less abstract. And Latinate words, or Greek words, tend to be abstract. And I'm one of the relatively few people who had to learn Angle-Saxon and had to be able to read Anglo-Saxon when I was in school, and so I was sensitive to that. And he keeps going back to those words. Anglo-Saxon words tend to have some concrete metaphoric core. So, a truth is deeply metaphorical. The words for truth and tree (treow and treow) have a real connection. And the language has very few abstract words, because it was a warrior culture. They didn't have bureaucracies, and that's what we drew on from Latinall those abstract words from bureaucratic things. So there's a wonderful vividness about his language, sentence by sentence. I would always encourage my students that given a choice between a Latinate and an Anglo-Saxon word, you're going to get more punch from that Anglo-Saxon word, and he really understood that. His sentences are beautiful. He was working during an era of many notable writers, but his work has really stood the test of time more than most of his contemporaries. Why do you think that is? For some of the literary reasons I'm describingjust the sheer pleasure of his prose. Great writers add something to the language, and I think he didlots of memorable sentences. Also, though, some of his concerns remain our concerns. Civil disobediencewe are now in the throes of nationwide civil disobedience. I think he's particularly relevant now, as he was in the 1960s during the anti-war movement. You see his relevance and his stock rising when we are at politically contentious moments, and particularly when the government is acting in unethical and immoral ways, as it was in his time around slavery. And also, there were imperialistic wars he was fighting against. I think him and Gandhi and Martin Luther King are in this line of great political thinkers, all advocating nonviolence, and accepting the consequences of your actions. Which some protesters today forget. But that's a big part of nonviolence. His willingness to go to jailwalking the talk. As you said, he was a person of action. He was a conductor for the Underground Railroad and was very engaged with all these social problems and issues. What do you think his example tells us about the role of the writer? I think his message to the writer is get out from behind your desk and test your ideas in the crucible of experience. And I think that's really useful. The contrast with Emerson is very interesting. Emerson was much more of a desk guy. And brillianta lot of his ideas inform Thoreau's, and vice versa. Read Emerson's eulogy for Thoreau, which is a beautiful piece of writingbut it clearly has lots of annoyance in it. I can't imagine hanging out with the guy more than for a short amount of time. Theres this character Thoreau creates on the page that's just incredibly vivid and annoying. He's really righteous, and he drove people crazy in his time. But yeah, I think that's his message: that you only see part of the world at your deskor at your computerand to put yourself in the throes of things and test yourself. What are you willing to go to jail for? Where's your line? We're all dealing with this right now. Where is your line before you give up whatever you thought was important and start acting politically, and what gets you out on the street? He's challenging us on those questions, and that makes him very timely. Elizabeth Kolbert on Rachel Carson What draws you to the work of Rachel Carson? I think anyone who writes nonfiction about the environment in the 21st century is indebted to Rachel Carson and has been profoundly influenced by her. She set the gold standard, I guess you'd say, and we're all struggling to try to... I don't even want to say live up to her, because that's kind of impossible, but to use her as a standard against which we judge ourselves. Silent Spring showed the power of documenting something, and environmental writers cling to this in an age when books are under threat; when reading is under threat. And another thing that's really interesting about Silent Spring is that she didn't want to write it. She tried to get E.B. White to write it. She had gathered all this evidence on the danger of dousing the world in these pesticidesthe one that stands out is DDT, but there are all sorts of synthetic pesticides and organic chemicalsand she wrote it because she felt it had to be written, not because she wanted to write it. And I think that is something that everyone who writes about the environment struggles with: How do I tell this story to have an impact? There's so much noise in the world right now. And Silent Spring succeeded in breaking through its own magical way. Does a writer or journalist have a responsibility to try to make such an impact? I don't want to speak for writers of any kind, honestly. I think there are all sorts of reasons to write. They can be private. They can be very personal. They can be to create something beautiful or fascinating or interesting or provocative, and those are all, to me, really legitimate reasons to write. If you're a journalist, you tend to gravitate toward the proposition that what you're writing about matters, and that you're trying to be part of a sort of civic or public conversation. But there are also all sorts of journalists. There's journalism about cooking. I'm not sure if you're a food writer that you think, Oh, it's essential that I'm bearing witness to something. But I think it is what draws people to environmental writing, especially at a moment of environmental collapse. She has that fable at the beginning of Silent Spring which is so haunting, where everyone is like, what's going on here? And then I think the last line of it is, But they had done it to themselves. That sense that we are all sleepwalking into these disasters of our own collective making. She was one of the first people to really see the scope of what we were doing. What should writers learn from her? One thing that I really admire about her is that she was very gutsy in a writerly way. She tried a lot of different things. Her voice and methodology in The Sea Around Us is very different. I have another book sitting here, Under the Sea Wind, which I used to teach when I taught an environmental writing class or a nature writing class, where she actually tries to tell the story of the sea through these sort of vaguely anthropomorphized creatures, which was very gutsy. She was trying a lot of different things. She was trying different ways of reaching people, to tell a storyin both these cases, it's the story of the seaand really take something that's very hard for people to get their minds aroundthe life of the seaand make it vivid and bring it home to people. So one thing, I think, is just to try a lot of things. An another message that I think she can impart to writers is that if a story is so importantthe story of Silent Spring, which, as I said, she did not want to write, tried to get out of writing, tried to get someone else to writeand you really feel that there's something about it that's speaking to you and saying, This has got to be written, someone's got to write this, probably you ought to listen to that. The London Book Fair returns to the Olympia in Kensington one last time March 1012 before moving to the Docklands-located Excel center in 2027. The move that is likely to generate a great deal of debate among fairgoers, some of whom remember LBFs unwelcome move to that same venue in 2006. But the impending change of address may be the least complicated shift facing the global publishing industry this spring, as a weakened U.S. dollar, Trumps unpredictable tariff regime, and unresolved AI copyright disputes reshape the economics of international publishing. The U.S. dollar has declined approximately 7%10% against major currencies since Donald Trumps reelection in November 2024, according to the DXY index. For the international rights market, the math is straightforward: American rights have become cheaper for foreign buyers, which means more may be open to acquiring direct English-language rights, not just for translation, while acquisitions by U.S. publishers (already the worlds largest importers of translation rights) have grown more costly. Add the cost of translation to a weaker dollar, and the commercial calculus for bringing international titles into the American market becomes more complicated. Printing in China and India has become more expensive for U.S. publishers, as has importing paper from Canada. Meanwhile, the AI companies that trained their models on copyrighted books without permission remain overwhelmingly American, and publishers outside the U.S., having little legal recourse, are resentful. Fair director Emma Lowe, in her first year running the event, addressed the political climate directly and said LBF wants to signal the importance of the American market to the world. Bob Carrigan, CEO of Audible, will deliver a keynote on Tuesday, March 10his first outside the U.S. And the fairs first-ever narrator of the fair, Ray Porter, is American. Two U.S. booksellers are also being sponsored to attend the fair. These were deliberate choices, Lowe says. Much of LBFs programming is anchored by the U.K.s National Year of Reading, a Department for Education initiative aimed at reversing the decline in leisure reading among young peoplean issue that all publishers are confronting. If we do nothing else this year and somehow find a way to create a great love and a habit of reading, then my jobs done, Lowe says. Among the keynotes on the fairs main stage are sessions featuring Tom Weldon, CEO of Penguin Random House, on Tuesday, discussing the publishing landscape, and Joanna Prior on Wednesday, in her first major industry address since becoming Pan Macmillan CEO. Also on Wednesday, the Authors of the Fair lineup features Alice Oseman, creator of the Heartstopper graphic novel series, as creative of the fair; Norwegian crime writer Jo Nesb; Sunday Timesbestselling novelist Mike Gayle; and A.F. Steadman, author of the Skandar childrens series. Unsurprisingly, AI is featured in the program, as is film and TV adaptation. Rebecca Glashow, former BBC executive and now CEO of Tribeca Enterprises, which runs the Tribeca Film Festival, will discuss how screen adaptations help books find new audiences. The ability to discover new books and markets is a strong incentive to make the trip to London, and in this regard, LBF promises not to disappoint. Were showcasing several markets that dont get a lot of attention, such as independent publishers from across Africa, and the literature of smaller nations like Georgia and Malta, Lowe says. The Literary Translation Center will host a session on how translators take on the role of agents for less widely translated languages. As in the past several years, the organizers anticipate approximately 25,000 attendees representing around 2,000 publishers. Among them, Lowe hopes, will be crowds of Americans. Whatever happens in your country doesnt mean that we dont want to do business with you, she says. Hold your heads up high and come over, because we cant wait to see you. Read more from our London Book Fair Show Guide feature. London Book Fair 2026: Rights of Passage London Book Fair 2026: Must-See Events The experimental drug is an ultrasensitive version of CAR-T therapies, which have already revolutionized the treatment of leukemias and lymphomas A living drug, called CAR-T cell therapy, has revolutionized the treatment of blood cancers, achieving thousands of complete remissions of leukemias, lymphomas and myelomas since its first experimental use in 2010. The therapy involves extracting immune cells from the patient, genetically modifying them, and then reintroducing them, now with an enhanced capacity to destroy cancer cells. However, this successful treatment has so far failed against solid tumors, which are the most common kind. A new study released Thursday offers hope. An ultrasensitive version of CAR-T cell therapy has successfully eliminated human pancreatic, ovarian and kidney cancer tumors implanted in laboratory mice. The lead researcher is the French-Canadian immunologist Michel Sadelain, born in Paris 66 years ago. His team demonstrated in 2003 that CAR-T cells, which target the CD19 protein on the surface of cancer cells, eliminated lymphomas in mice. Solid tumorssuch as those of the breast, lung, colon, or pancreasare more heterogeneous and do not display the CD19 protein, which has led to the failure of this strategy over the past two decades. Sadelains group at Columbia University in New York is proposing a new target: the CD70 protein, characteristic of more than 20 types of solid tumors. Its a well-known target, but until now no experimental treatment had worked because its apparently present in only a percentage of the cancer cells within a given tumor. One of the researchers on the Columbia team, Sophie Hanina, had a hunch: perhaps the CD70 protein was indeed present in all tumor cells, but in some of them at such minute levels that it was undetectable by standard CAR-T cell therapies. The immunologist Michel Sadelain at Columbia University in New York. Fundacion BBVA Sadelains team, then at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, designed an ultrasensitive version of CAR-T cell therapy in 2022, called HIT, capable of detecting cancer cells that had previously gone undetected. The new strategy has achieved the complete eradication of kidney, pancreatic, and ovarian tumors in mice. Their results are published this Thursday in the journal Science. You can never predict how effective it will be in humans, but the results achieved in rigorous animal models, which use human T cells [a type of white blood cell] to treat implanted grafts derived from patients, are quite remarkable, Sadelain explained to EL PAIS. The scientist needs millions of dollars to make the leap from mice to humans. We havent yet secured funding for several trials targeting CD70 that we hope to undertake, the scientist acknowledged. We hope that the publication of this study will spark interest in this strategy, he added. Michel Sadelain and Sophie Hanina have applied for a patent for this experimental treatment. The immunologist leads the Initiative in Cell Engineering and Therapy at Columbia University. He is optimistic, but remains grounded, because until now, CAR-T cell therapies have consistently failed in solid tumors, which account for more than 90% of cancers. There are several reasons for this lower effectiveness: some solid tumors prevent T cells from entering the tumor, other tumors inactivate the T cells already present within the tumor, and finally, T cells may not find the tumor cells because there is insufficient target antigen (CD70 in our case). Our study addresses this third limitation, explains Sadelain. Two weeks ago, the researcher won the BBVA Foundation Frontiers Award, worth 400,000, along with his American colleague Carl June, for pioneering the revolutionary CAR-T cell therapies. One of these treatments can cost up to 300,000 per patient. In Spain, there are already five commercially available CAR-T therapies funded by the National Health System, all of them for blood cancers: two marketed by Gilead Sciences and the rest by Novartis, Janssen, and Bristol Myers Squibb. In addition, there are two academic options, developed by the public health system at the Hospital Clinic in Barcelona, for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and multiple myeloma, at around 90,000 per person. The head of the Immunology Department at the Hospital Clinic, Manel Juan, applauds the new study, in which he did not participate. It is a highly relevant and impeccably developed proof of concept. It opens up a new therapeutic option to combine with others and seek a better treatment for all these tumors, the immunologist says. Juan describes the study as excellent, although he misses an analysis of the possible adverse effects on healthy cells outside the tumor. The work is so powerful because the possibilities of using this approach are crystal clear, he says. The first patient treated with CAR-T in 2010, Bill Ludwig, was a 65-year-old prison officer who was near death from leukemia. He had already received last rites. At the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in the United States, he received an experimental CAR-T treatment as a last resort. In 2022, after more than a decade cancer-free, immunologist Carl June declared Ludwig cured. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition In early February, Matt Schumer, founder of OthersideAI and creator of the AI writing tool HyperWrite, published a 5,000-word essay titled Something Big Is Happening. The piece, filled with terror-inducing descriptions of AIs ability to create new AI, explains that AIs disruption to society will be much bigger than COVID-19, and its already happening. The piece racked up more than 60 million views in two days. Its been the subject of commentary, reporting, and online discourse in the weeks since its publication. Days later, Mrinank Sharma, head of Anthropics Safeguards Research team, resigned with a public letter warning that the world is in peril. He cited not just AI risks, but a whole series of interconnected crises and announced plans to leave the field entirely to study poetry in the UKpresumably until the world ends in an algorithm-driven apocalypse. Around the same time, OpenAI researcher Zoe Hitzig resigned over concerns about ChatGPT introducing advertising, warning about the potential for manipulating users in ways we dont have the tools to understand. Congressional hearings feature dire predictions about autonomous weapons. Headlines scream about existential threats and civilization-ending machines. The drumbeat of catastrophic language is relentless. It is also exhausting. Heres what no one is saying: This panic helps exactly no one. And its actively harming our ability to think about AI and craft sensible policy. A World in Unexplained Peril One thing I noticed is missing from all these dire predictions, doomsday siren resignation letters, and alarming X posts: specificity. Sharma warns the world is in peril, but doesnt explain what that peril actually looks like or how it unfolds. Schumer compares AI to COVID-19 but cant articulate the mechanism of harm beyond job displacement. His parallel to the early moments of the COVID pandemic falls apart even earlier in his piece: Schumer explains that almost no one was talking about COVID before it upended society. Everyone is talking about AI risk. There are, right now, no less than three bestselling books about it. One of them carries the subtle subtitle Why Superhuman AI Would Kill Us All. Each of these books, like Sharmas resignation letter, speaks only in apocalyptic abstractions, leaving us to wonder how the world will actually end at the hands of our AI overlords. Another thing I noticed: Theres something troublingly narcissistic about this framing. These warnings position AI builders as uniquely important figures. These men and women are giants who have developed data-driven gods. They are the modern-day Robert Oppenheimer, certain to have future major motion pictures made about their mastery, motives, and remorse. They have ushered in a new era of atomic-level destruction, the only ones who truly understand the beast theyve created. It casts them as simultaneously heroes and Cassandras, indispensable to both creating and containing this civilization threat. But if the danger is so profound and imminent, why cant they explain what it actually does? Nuclear weapons vaporize cities. Pandemics spread through populations, killing exponentially. What does the AI apocalypse look like in concrete terms? And crucially: if AI is powerful enough to end civilization, what can AI companies actually do about it that governments and existing institutions cannot? When the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy held listening sessions on AI policy last year, the challenge wasnt identifying risksit was separating genuine technical concerns from science fiction. That distinction matters for agencies trying to allocate limited oversight resources. Catastrophic language forces a false binary: AI destroys everything, or AI saves everything. Perhaps both are wrong. And perhaps both prevent the nuanced, sector-specific regulation that actually works. Perhaps, after all, we have some autonomy over all this AI. Disruption Isnt an Apocalypse Yes, AI is advancing rapidly. Human resources agencies employ AI tools for resume screening, hiring, and onboarding. AI is now even conducting job interviews. Thats made applying for jobs miserable, as hundreds of candidates are screened out based on things as arbitrary as zip codes, resume length, and how often they smile when talking to a bot. By contrast, this also saves companies hundreds of days of work from their actual HR humans. So disruption is coming at scale. But disruptioneven rapid, widespread disruptionisnt existential collapse. Desktop computers didnt eliminate federal employees in the 1980s; they changed what those employees did. The shift to digital services didnt end government; it made government more accessible. Ironically, Anthropic CEO Dario AmodeiSharmas former bosshad a more sensible take in an essay last month, pushing back against doomerism. While warning about genuine risks that require serious attention, Amodei explicitly rejects thinking about AI risks in a quasi-religious way and calls for sober, fact-based analysis instead of sensationalistic social media accounts. The real policy question isnt whether AI transforms work and replaces many jobs that require humans typing into computers. It will. The question is whether we manage that transformation to serve the public good or allow market forces alone to determine outcomes. AI Cant Police Itself Should federal agencies build safeguards into AI procurement? Absolutely. Should those safeguards be designed by AI companies without independent oversight? Absolutely not. AI systems have real technical challenges: unexpected behavior in edge cases, vulnerability to adversarial attacks, and embedded bias that scales. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has documented these risks extensively in its AI Risk Management Framework. These concerns are backed by serious research, not speculation. But these are engineering and governance problems, not metaphysical inevitabilities. We solve them through rigorous testing protocols, external auditing, and clear regulatory standardsexactly what the Federal Acquisition Regulation does for other mission-critical technologies. The argument that AI is too complex for traditional oversight is self-serving nonsense. Aviation safety regulators dont need to build aircraft. Financial regulators dont need to run banks. Effective oversight requires technical literacy, not industry capture. Weve Done This Before After World War II, the world faced genuinely apocalyptic technology: nuclear weapons. The response wasnt panic or paralysis. It was governance. The Atomic Energy Act of 1946 created civilian oversight. In 1974, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission established safety standards. International treaties limited proliferation. None of this eliminated risk, but it managed technology that could actually end civilization. AIeven powerful AIis far more manageable. It has no agency. It doesnt spontaneously develop goals. Its risks come from human misuse, inadequate testing, and market incentives misaligned with public interest. Thats fixable with the regulatory tools we already have. What Real Regulation Looks Like Instead of panic, federal agencies need clear authorities and resources. For starters, we need mandatory pre-deployment testing for high-risk AI systems in federal procurement, similar to security testing already required for IT systems. GSAs AI Center of Excellence should have the authority to reject systems that fail transparency or bias audits. Next, sector-specific oversight by agencies with domain expertise is required. The Department of Transportation should regulate autonomous vehicles. The Department of Health and Human Services should oversee medical AI. The Securities and Exchange Commission should monitor algorithmic trading. One-size-fits-all AI legislation makes as much sense as one agency regulating both aircraft and pharmaceuticals. Third, international coordination through existing frameworks is necessary. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development already has AI principles. The International Organization for Standardization is developing technical standards. We dont need new institutions; we need to fund and empower existing ones. Finally, we need transparency requirements that allow independent researchers to audit systems without compromising trade secrets. The model exists: financial services companies protect proprietary trading algorithms while submitting to regulatory examination. This is detailed, technical, unglamorous work. Its also the only work that actually improves outcomes. Why Catastrophizing Backfires Insisting AI will inevitably end civilization does measurable harm. It undermines rational policy debate by treating uncertainty as certainty. Congress cant write effective legislation when witnesses oscillate between AI will cure cancer and AI will kill us all. The AI panic porn goes viral immediately. It also feeds public fear rather than informed engagement, making citizens feel helpless instead of empowered to demand accountability. It gives companies cover to resist oversight. If only AI developers can understand AI, then only AI developers can regulate AI. This is a convenient argument that concentrates power and profits in the same hands. The answer isnt to hyperbolize risk. Its to address real risks with evidence-based governance. Choose Governance, Not Panic Look, AI carries a significant risk of shifting the global economy and disrupting large sections of the workforce. That might happen - but it will happen over time. This risk demands somber thought and strategy. It requires wise management through existing institutions. It does not mean doom is preordained. It does not mean traditional regulatory tools dont work. Federal agencies can regulate AI development without ceding oversight to industry self-regulation. They can mandate testing, enforce transparency, and coordinate internationally. Theyve done this before with technologies far more dangerous than software. The choice facing policymakers isnt between oblivion and utopia. Its between thoughtful governance using proven regulatory tools and abdication to market forces and industry promises. Choose governance. Skip the panic. Among major agricultural economies India is now the fastest-growing, having beaten China on that metric. Photograph: Munish Sharma/Reuters Key Points India already looks like a world power in rice Indian agriculture grew at an average annual rate of 4.6% over the past 10 years up to 2025 Shipping 1 kg of rice effectively exports about 3,000 litres of water The political economy has tilted towards free food and near-free urea The deeper problem is that India is too scared to open up agriculture India is already a heavyweight in global farm trade in pockets such as rice exports, but experts are urging a pivot from a subsidy- and procurement-driven mindset to a productivity and nutrition strategy that still shields farmers from volatility. These views were expressed at a panel discussion titled Can India be the Worlds Food Factory? during the Business Standard Manthan summit on Wednesday. The discussion, moderated by Sanjeeb Mukherjee of Business Standard, featured Ramesh Chand, member, NITI Aayog; Ashok Gulati, professor at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations; and Laveesh Bhandari, president and senior fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress. Also read: 8 Of The World's Leading Rice Producers Chand argued that India already looks like a world power in rice but said ambition must be weighed against desirability and consequences. In becoming a rice export powerhouse, he said, India has also become the worlds largest exporter of virtual water. Consequences of becoming a rice export powerhouse Shipping 1 kilogram (kg) of rice, Chand said, effectively exports about 3,000 litres of water linking export bravado to falling water tables in intensive rice-growing belts. So should we acquire this title of being a world power by making our own people water insecure water insecure in terms of a basic necessity? he asked. Chand also challenged what he described as a negative mindset around agriculture, calling it the sectors biggest challenge. By his estimate, Indian agriculture grew at an average annual rate of 4.6 per cent over the past 10 years up to 2025 historically high for the sector. Among major agricultural economies, he said, India is now the fastest-growing, having beaten China on that metric. Within agriculture, however, the most subsidised and most protected segment field crops covering cereals, pulses, and oilseeds has recorded the weakest growth, at around 1.5 per cent once maize is excluded. "This is despite the segment being most closely associated with minimum support prices and government backing. These are the crops that benefit the most in terms of subsidies and support from the government. "So this is a big challenge. If the segment where you are putting in so much money is showing minimal growth, that is a serious policy challenge, Chand said. India's export strength is real, but... Adding to the export argument, Gulati said Indias export strength is real but risks stalling if the domestic production model continues to deplete resources and lock in perverse incentives. Large trade negotiations he referred to the European Union and the US as the mother and father of all trade deals offer opportunities, he said, but only for products that can clear sanitary and phytosanitary barriers. By comparison, Gulati said the worlds two largest economies, China and the US, are net importers of agricultural products, while India remains a net exporter. That surplus, however, does not settle the feed the world debate, as Indias binding constraints are nutrition and sustainability. Gulati said India may still be 1020 years away from nutritional security, citing stunting among children under five at about 35 per cent. He added that soil nutrient depletion has reduced the nutritional quality of produce over time, while groundwater levels in Punjab and Haryana are falling by about 1.5 feet annually, alongside rising contamination, air pollution, and biodiversity loss. Business as usual has given us food security, not nutritional security. "It has damaged the planets basic resource endowment. Unless we move towards regenerative agriculture and change our policies, products, and practices, we will not be able to meet even our own needs, he said. Fertiliser reform Calling fertiliser reform a major issue, Gulati argued that better targeting could free up resources for agricultural research and development. The political economy, he said, has tilted towards free food and near-free urea, with the only noticeable change in a decade being the reduction in urea bag size from 50 kg to 45 kg. Gulati placed hope in AgriStack a government-led digital public infrastructure for agriculture and in the use of digital and space technologies to triangulate land records, cropping patterns, recommended nutrient doses, and purchase histories. This, he said, could help identify who is actually farming and what inputs they need, particularly in a system plagued by tenancy and outdated land records. If we can put these systems in place, you could save at least Rs 30,00040,000 crore every year just from fertiliser subsidies, he said, adding that India needs to move away from a dole-based model towards a development-oriented one. Trade deals are not the main game Bhandari, however, argued that trade deals are largely reactive mechanisms and not the main game. The deeper problem, he said, is that India is too scared to open up agriculture, leaving competitiveness largely untested. Large parts of our agriculture sector are not competitive, or at least we believe they are not. "They may well be. We dont know. We havent even tried, he said. He contended that the state often intervenes, creates artificial market failures, and then attempts to fix them with further intervention, eventually producing a subsidy architecture that becomes politically impossible to unwind.He credited much of agricultures recent growth not to farm policy but to decades of investment in telecommunications, primary education, and roads. The takeaway, he argued, is that the government should focus on such contributory issues where market failures exist, and otherwise step back. Policy should prioritise just two goals Bhandari said policy should prioritise just two goals: creating surpluses and protecting the environment. The government needs to withdraw and let markets work. There will be some messiness. "Some people will lose temporarily; others will gain, but outcomes will improve, he said. Chand, however, called for a more nuanced role for the state, observing that every major economy intervenes in agriculture, but the smarter ones do so without distorting prices. Governments intervene almost everywhere. "The difference is that they intervene in ways that do not impose prices on the market, he said. India must seek long-term predictability and not rush in this moment. Wait and watch on the US. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters Key Points America has become very unpredictable and inconsistent in its policies Chinas rapid rise between 1990 and 2020 was anchored in large-scale manufacturing integration Trust, resilience, and predictability will increasingly shape trade relationships. For India, the opportunity lies squarely in manufacturing. The cost of doing business is high because the rate of credit is high in India Ultimately, growth will depend on private enterprise. Power tariffs, land acquisition processes, and logistics costs must also coalesce with export competitiveness. India should resist knee-jerk responses to tariff volatility in the US and instead use the current geopolitical churn to build manufacturing scale at home, former G20 Sherpa and former chief executive officer of NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant said on Wednesday. Speaking at Business Standard Manthan, Kant said Washingtons policy environment had become fluid and unpredictable. US policymaking is increasingly volatile In conversation with Nivedita Mookerji of Business Standard, the former bureaucrat described US policymaking as increasingly volatile. America has become very unpredictable and inconsistent in its policies. "What policy they allow today is subject to variation tomorrow, he said, observing that decisions are subject to constant negotiation and can change quickly. His advice was unequivocal: Therefore, my view is that we should stay the course. India must seek long-term predictability, he said, and not rush in this moment. Wait and watch on the US. But while patience is required externally, urgency is essential at home. Trade, today, signal a structural shift Kant said the global order that emerged after World War II and underpinned decades of expanding trade is now fraying. Conflicts in Europe and West Asia, along with the fragmentation of global value chains, signal a structural shift. For four decades, deep integration into supply chains lifted millions out of poverty across Asia. Japan expanded through exports. South Korea broke into global markets. Chinas rapid rise between 1990 and 2020 was anchored in large-scale manufacturing integration. That system, he said, is now being reconfigured. When there is disruption, when there is a breakdown in global value chains, it provides India a once-in-a-generation opportunity. "What is unfolding is not deglobalisation but reglobalisation. From just-in-time inventories, weve moved to friendshoring, he said. Three things that will shape trade relations Trust, resilience, and predictability will increasingly shape trade relationships. For India, the opportunity lies squarely in manufacturing. You need scale; you need competitiveness, Kant said. Without size and scale, India cannot meaningfully penetrate global markets. Benchmarking China without copying it Kant argued that India must benchmark itself against Chinas manufacturing ascent not to replicate its model, but to understand the economics of scale. Benchmark yourself against why China became a manufacturing nation, he said. Chinas success, he said, rested on coordinated action at scale: long-term, low-cost land leases, reliable and affordable power, access to credit, and rapid labour mobilisation. Large ecosystems were built around anchor firms, millions moved into factory jobs, and export capacity surged. India, he said, is a vibrant democracy and will pursue its own path. But the lesson is unambiguous: cost competitiveness determines global market share. Its not just ease of doing business its the cost of doing business, which is high in India, Kant said. High credit costs remain a central constraint. The cost of doing business is high because the rate of credit is high in India, he said. Global standards elevate statutory liquidity requirements and need to be calibrated and brought down. Therefore, the rate of credit must come down in India. It is very important. Power tariffs, land acquisition processes, and logistics costs must also coalesce with export competitiveness. Cost competitiveness means credit rates coming down. It means power rates must be lower, he said. Kant said that while goods trade has been most disrupted in the current global environment, services and capital flows have been more resilient making manufacturing the decisive battleground. Indias ambition of becoming a $30 trillion economy, he said, hinges on achieving size and scale in manufacturing, alongside sustainable urbanisation and improvements in human development. States must emerge as growth engines, and credit penetration must deepen to support industrial expansion. Without deeper credit penetration, India cannot grow, he said. AI at scale, but for everyone If geopolitics signals fragmentation, technology signals acceleration. Kant described the present moment as one of extraordinary productivity potential driven by artificial intelligence (AI). We are sitting in a room at a point in time when the world is going to see the biggest rise in productivity ever, he said. AI, he argued, is a general-purpose technology comparable to electricity. This will penetrate every single sector of the country. From agriculture and healthcare to education and nutrition monitoring, AI could transform slow-moving development indicators through real-time tracking and analysis. But he cautioned that AI is resource-intensive. AI is an energy guzzler, Kant said, pointing to the electricity and water demands of large data centres. Indias response, he said, must marry scale with sustainability. Renewable-backed data centres, grid upgrades, and stronger transmission infrastructure are essential. Renewable energy generated in western India is often stranded due to transmission bottlenecks a constraint that must be addressed urgently, he said. On policy, Kant called for building digital public infrastructure (DPI) for AI, akin to Indias interoperable identity and payments platforms. In Indias context, we need to make DPI for AI, he said. The objective must be inclusion. Whatever we do with AI should not end up creating inequality. Indias demographic and digital scale provide an advantage. India has data, he said. With widespread digital identity and financial connectivity, the country has a base to build AI systems trained on domestic data. Technology races, he said, play out over long horizons. Early movers do not always dominate. Indias traditional strength in software could allow it to optimise computing power rather than rely solely on hardware scale. Labour markets On labour markets, Kant said rigid distinctions between formal and informal employment may blur over time. Dont expect everything to get formalised, he said, pointing to the rise of gig work and contract professionals. Ultimately, growth will depend on private enterprise. India can grow only on the back of the private sector, Kant said. Government must enable, but investment, innovation, and scale will come from business. As global supply chains are rewired and trust becomes a defining economic currency, Kants message was clear: exercise patience externally, drive down costs internally, build manufacturing scale with urgency, and harness AI in a way that is both inclusive and sustainable. 'On national security issues, there can be no compromise.' Kindly note the image has been posted only for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy Sansad Anton/Pexels.com Key Points Government refuses extension to OTT platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram for complying with SIM-binding norms requirements. SIM-binding mandate requires communication apps linked to active, KYC-verified SIM cards installed on user devices. Web and virtual sessions must log out every 12 hours, extended from earlier six-hour requirement. Government prioritises national security concerns over industry objections regarding legal applicability of Telecommunication Act provisions. The government is not keen on granting any extension to over the top (OTT) companies such as WhatsApp and Telegram for complying with SIM-binding norms -- directions for which were issued in December. "As of now there's no thought on an extension," Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Wednesday at a briefing, adding that the direction addressed a national security concern. "OTT apps argue that they don't fall under the legal purview of the Telecommunication Act. "There are some issues which are national security issues, and there are some issues which are revenue implication issues. "On national security issues, there can be no compromise. "On revenue implication issues, I'm very clear in terms of the ambit, mandate and where our responsibility lies," he said. SIM-Binding Deadline in March The department of telecommunications (DoT) has mandated SIM binding for major app-based communication services by March, requiring the platforms to be linked to an active, KYC-verified SIM card in the device at all times. For Web and virtual connections, the sessions need to og out every 12 hours, which was extended from six hours. WhatsApp, Telegram Under Telecom Rules Te government, Scindia added, will ensure that satellite spectrum pricing and assignment are finalised and ready before companies comply with requirements for commercially launching the services. The telecom regulator recommended pricing norms for satellite broadband spectrum in December, and the DoT is yet to take a call on them. Pricing of allocating satellite spectrum is needed for companies such as Bharti group-backed Eutelsat-OneWeb, Reliance Industries venture Jio-SES and SpaceX's Starlink. The companies are completing security clearance requirements -- the last leg of regulatory clearance before beginning services. Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff The MoUs were signed at Vigyan Bhawan in the presence of Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel, H D Kumaraswamy, and his minister of state (MoS) Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, marking the formal rollout of PLI Scheme 1.2, which was launched last November. Photograph: Babu/Reuters Key Points PLI 1.2 targets specialty steel grades The schemes success ultimately depends on timely investmen The Ministry of Steel on Monday signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with 55 companies for 85 projects under the third round of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for specialty steel. The firms committed investments worth Rs 11,887 crore and capacity addition of 8.7 million tonnes. The MoUs were signed at Vigyan Bhawan in the presence of Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel, H D Kumaraswamy, and his minister of state (MoS) Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, marking the formal rollout of PLI Scheme 1.2, which was launched last November. India still remains import dependent PLI 1.2 targets specialty steel grades where India remains import dependent, particularly for strategic, electrical, and high-end downstream applications. The round covers 22 product sub-categories across four segments, including steel grades for strategic sectors and coated and wire products, with incentive rates ranging between 4 per cent and 15 per cent for five years starting 2025-2026 (FY26). Kumaraswamy said PLI 1.2 was a decisive step towards building a resilient and globally competitive specialty steel ecosystem and the scheme would address the structural gap by incentivising domestic production, conserving foreign exchange, and positioning India as a reliable global steel supplier. The minister said the achievements under earlier rounds of the PLI scheme further reinforced the policys effectiveness. Across PLI 1.0 and 1.1, committed investments of Rs 43,874 crore have already translated into substantial on-ground progress, including significant capacity creation and employment generation. "PLI 1.2 builds on this momentum, deepening the domestic steel ecosystem and strengthening the entire value chain, he said. Schemes design had been recalibrated Steel secretary, Sandeep Poundrik, said the schemes design had been recalibrated based on learnings from earlier rounds, including lower investment thresholds, removal of mandatory annual production targets, and incentive payouts linked to actual incremental production. The base year had also been revised to FY25 to better reflect market realities. From the government side, facilitation remains a priority. Issues relating to approvals, visas for foreign experts, coordination with state governments, and inter-ministerial matters are being addressed through structured engagement, Poundrik said. The schemes success ultimately depends on timely investment, commissioning and sustained production by participating companies, he said. Industry is expected to adhere to MoU commitments, engage early with end-users, and focus on quality, consistency, and cost competitiveness, Poundrik said, adding that PLI 1.2 is designed as an enabler, not just an incentive. Four of the crew members were killed by the Coast Guard, and six others were wounded. Havana said it seized assault rifles, handguns, and explosive devices The Cubas Interior Ministry has reported that the 10 occupants of the speedboat intercepted in its territorial waters, which had departed from the United States, intended to carry out an infiltration for terrorist purposes. According to a previous statement from Cuban authorities, the boat had entered territorial waters illegally. It said the crew members began firing on a Coast Guard vessel, which unsuccessfully attempted to stop the speedboat for identification. Four of the boats crew members were killed by Cuban forces, and the other six were wounded. A Cuban officer also required medical attention. The Interior Ministry said that all the wounded were Cuban citizens residing in the United States. Havana reported the seizure of assault rifles, handguns, improvised explosive devices (Molotov cocktails), bulletproof vests, telescopic sights, and camouflage uniforms. According to information from the Cuban authorities, two of the people injured were Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez, whom the Caribbean government had included on its terrorist list. Specifically, both were listed in the section of people subject to criminal investigations and were wanted for their involvement in the promotion, planning, organization, financing, support, or commission of actions carried out in national territory or in other countries, in furtherance of acts of terrorism. Conrado Galindo Sariol, Jose Manuel Rodriguez Castello, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra were also injured. Michel Ortega Casanova, a Cuban resident of the United States, was identified as one of the people killed on Wednesday. The investigation into the identities of the other three victims is ongoing. Havana also reported the arrest in the national territory of citizen Duniel Hernandez Santos, sent from the United States to guarantee the reception of the armed infiltration, who at this time has confessed to his actions. The incident occurred on Wednesday when Cuban authorities detected an illegal speedboat within Cuban territorial waters with a Florida, USA registration number, FL7726SH. According to the Interior Ministry, the vessel approached Falcones Cay, in the municipality of Corralillo, Villa Clara province (central Cuba), where a unit with five members of the Border Guard Troops approached it for identification. Then, fire was opened from the offending vessel against the Cuban personnel, who in turn returned fire, according to the Interior Ministrys account. The incident comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and Cuba, after Washington imposed an oil blockade on the island and urged Havana to reach an agreement. In recent years, several incidents of this type have been reported the two most recent in 2022 with several deaths. In general, these cases are linked to attempts to irregularly take people out of the island. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The United States has announced a significant countervailing duty on Indian solar imports, potentially impacting India's burgeoning renewable energy sector and its push for self-reliance in solar manufacturing. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters Key Points The US has imposed a 125.87% countervailing duty on Indian solar goods, claiming unfair subsidies. US solar imports from India surged to $792.6 million in 2024, up from $83.86 million in 2022. India is promoting domestic solar manufacturing through schemes like PLI and basic customs duties on imported solar cells and modules. India's solar module imports decreased to USD 2.15 billion in 2024-25, reflecting efforts to reduce import dependence. India is the world's third-largest solar power producer, actively working to expand its domestic solar manufacturing capabilities. The US has announced a preliminary countervailing duty of 125.87 per cent on imports of certain Indian solar goods, alleging that these products are unfairly subsidised by New Delhi. The US has also announced different duties on the imports of 'Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled into Modules' from Indonesia and Laos. "On February 24, 2026, the US department of commerce announced its preliminary affirmative determinations in the countervailing duty investigations of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled into modules (solar cells), from India, Indonesia, and the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos)," a US order has said. These duties are over and above the 10 per cent tariffs announced by the Donald Trump administration on all countries from February 24. According to the order, solar imports from India into the US increased to USD 792.6 million in 2024 from USD 83.86 million in 2022. "Unless postponed, the final determination in these CVD (countervailing duty) investigations are currently scheduled to be issued on July 6, 2026. Commerce (department) is also conducting concurrent anti-dumping duty investigations of solar cells from India, Indonesia, and Laos," it said. Countervailing duties help companies to protect them from increase in subsidised imports. India's Push for Renewable Energy and Domestic Solar Manufacturing India is taking a series of measures to promote renewable energy production in the country and reduce its import dependence. Solar energy is one of the key components in this. India is the world's third-largest solar power producer. According to an official statement, India's solar manufacturing sector includes key components like solar modules, solar PV cells, ingots and wafers. Producing these within the country supports the domestic economy and reduces dependence on imports. To boost domestic manufacturing, the government has made it mandatory for projects under schemes like the Rooftop Solar Programme, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme, and CPSU Scheme Phase-II to use panels and cells made in India. What India did India also imposed a basic customs duty in April 2022 on imported solar cells and modules to discourage imports, boost local manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. Under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for manufacturing of high-efficiency solar PV (photo-voltaic) modules, letters of award have been issued for setting up around 48.3 GW of fully/partially integrated solar PV module manufacturing units in the country. Under the scheme, around 26.6 GW of solar PV modules, 10.5 GW of solar PV cells, and around 2 GW of ingot-wafer manufacturing capacity have been set up. A total of 55 solar parks of cumulative capacity of 39,973 MW have also been sanctioned under a scheme. Impact on Solar Imports Import of solar modules in India dipped to USD 2.15 billion in 2024-25 as against USD 4.35 billion in 2023-24. The imports from China came down to USD 1.7 billion last fiscal from USD 2.85 billion in 2023-24. The other nations from where India imports include Vietnam, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore. 'Uncertainty level A in the morning, uncertainty level B in the afternoon. If I answer about tariff rates now, I'll be outdated by the evening.' IMAGE: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo Key Points India has moved beyond the rigid 2016 BIT model. BITs are no longer the main driver of investment. Foreign investment scrutiny focuses on ultimate beneficial ownership. Global tariff uncertainty is complicating policymaking. 70,000 crore in state scheme funds remains unused. Government wants clarity from industry on investment expectations. India Tweaks BIT Strategy India has gone beyond its 2016 template of "bilateral investment treaty" (BIT) and has become "a lot more progressive" in negotiating agreements on investment protection, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, emphasising that India now tweaked the template wherever bilateral requirements demand it. Speaking at the Business Standard Manthan summit, Sitharaman said that while India still pegged itself to the 2016 model, such adjustments were made transparently, backed by full Cabinet approval, thus enabling India to conclude investment treaties with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and potentially Oman. The minister said BITs today were no longer the decisive factor they once were. She pointed out that several countries invested in India without demanding a BIT, while Indian firms were also investing abroad without any such treaty. "Countries have prospered with investments coming in despite not having a BIT. So I cannot rush to say 'BITs with everyone' nor can I say 'no BIT at all'. The world is a lot more dynamic today." FDI Scrutiny Goes Beyond China Sitharaman emphasised that India's experience with past treaty disputes continued to inform the government's position. Instances where foreign investors invoked treaty arbitration on taxation matters, or bypassed the Indian judicial system despite pending Supreme Court-level remedies remained critical concerns. "There are many such elements which become deal-breakers," she added. On whether India should revisit Press Note 3, which tightened scrutiny on investment from countries sharing land borders with India, especially Chinese inflows, Sitharaman said the concerns around ultimate beneficial ownership were not specific to China but applied to all jurisdictions. "I will be concerned about the ultimate beneficial owner for several non-commercial reasons. It can be what kind of money is coming ... I'm not specifically talking about China. I am worried about investment from these points of view even otherwise," she said, adding that such money should be compliant with the Foreign Exchange Management Act (Fema) and Financial Action Task Force (FATF). "Although it (foreign direct investment) comes through the automatic route, at some point in time you start thinking, once the shareholding increases, who is investing? Is it going to be just one block which is going to hold the company? Companies who are under distress, not for any individual reason but for reasons beyond us, cannot be taken away," she added. The minister also referred to emerging concerns around foreign buyers bidding digitally for coffee estates in Karnataka. "Maybe nothing is wrong. But these are unique Indian assets. There are a lot of questions on which we need to pause and then move forward," she said. On tepid net foreign direct investment, Sitharaman said: "Beyond what we can provide (such as) policy stability and tax stability there are forces governing the movement of global capital. So we have to wait to see the uncertain times playing out." IMAGE: India's AgriStack project has created over 37.17 lakh farmer IDs. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff Global Uncertainty Drives Policy Caution Sitharaman highlighted global uncertainties as the biggest policy challenge. "Uncertainty level A in the morning, uncertainty level B in the afternoon. If I answer about tariff rates now, I'll be outdated by the evening." While the government tries to keep all ammunition ready to address the situation, the minister said "you end up firefighting". Domestically, she cited the monsoon as a perennial risk. "I want this forthcoming monsoon to be good to us -- kind to us -- no ati vristi (excessive rainfall), no ana vristi (deficient rainfall)." AgriStack Next Big Reform On farm-sector reforms, Sitharaman highlighted initiatives such as the Agriculture Stack. "The AgriStack is a fantastic experiment. I would think the next United Payments Interface-like big revolution shall emerge from AgriStack. "Now we'll be able to have a clear picture of how much fertiliser is required. There will be no shortage and no denying of fertiliser to the farmer but yet (we will know) how much is going into the soil and how much is going into something else." Banking Sector Ready for 2047 On banking reform, Sitharaman explained the purpose of the new committee announced in the Budget. "I want the output to be workable, doable, and actionable. I don't want a committee which is going to come out (with something) that is exhaustive, fantastic but on which I can do nothing," she said, adding that the terms of reference for the committee will be out soon. The minister said this was the best time for such a committee on banking-sector reforms because Indian banks were in a strong position, after coming remarkably out of the twin balance-sheet problems. "There can't be a better time than this to talk about what is next the Indian banks, especially if you are looking at 2047 and want to be a developed country. Are our banks positioned to fund all that and keep the economy on an even keel?" she added. IMAGE: Prime Minister Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Photograph: ANI Photo Tariff Cuts to Be Calibrated On the ongoing Customs reforms, Sitharaman said while the goal was to remove the sphere of tariff wall, the country's industry could not be harmed in the process. "These reforms can't be at one stroke. It has to be item by item. We spend a lot of time debating where it should come down, by what extent it should come down. Some goods seem to be given protection for 20-30 years. If you've not made a mark, well, open it up. Let people get the imports," she asserted. States Slow to Use Reform Funds On the 70,000 crore lying unspent in about 50 schemes in state-level single nodal agency (SNA) accounts, the minister linked the issue to political incentives. "In some reform-related steps -- not even one taker. In some, a few takers. In some others, everybody is in. It depends on the way in which the parties ruling in the states are able to project that as a reform which will not hurt anybody. "A political narrative for taking up a reform determines whether they want this money or not. Similarly, in some of the schemes if they don't think they get political mileage out of it, they don't want that money," she added. However, she cited the recent pre-Budget consultation with state finance ministers as "purposeful", noting that the idea of rare earth industrial corridors emerged directly from this meeting. On the policy on public-sector enterprises in 2021, Sitharaman said progress should not be viewed only through the lens of privatisation or disinvestment. She cited the opening up of the space and atomic energy sectors to private players. On slow movement in big-ticket divestment, she said: "This will also happen. But this depends on so many different things -- the market situation... whether it's going to be strategic divestment or completely selloff. In government everything consumes time for even to let go something that you have decided to let go." On the tepid rise in private-sector investment, Sitharaman said she "wants to hear from industry" on what exactly it needs. She pointed out that whenever the government provided incentives, it faced political criticism that reforms benefited only two companies. "Do you want the Indian economy to be credited with something or not? What Indian people do is of no value to you?" Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff This article was first published 1 year ago Bad Cop is not unwatchable. For older viewers, there may even be some comfort in the familiar, notes Deepa Gahlot. Bollywood has already put its stamp on this formula -- twin brothers, one grows up to be a cop, the other a criminal. Still, the new Web series Bad Cop needed to be imported from the German Kriminell Gut (2017). Adapted by Rensil D'Silva, directed by Aditya Datt, the series almost has a neon deja vu sign flashing over it. In the process of Indianising it, the team of writers has picked every cop-gangster cliche seen in mainstream Hindi films. Even Hussain Dalal's pungent dialogue, with profanity considerably toned down, does not help lift this humourless show. The intention of naming the twins Karan and Arjun must have been cheeky but it just comes across as unimaginative! The show goes into frequent flashbacks to explain how they got separated in the orphanage, and took different paths. Karan (Gulshan Devaiah) is a cop, so resentful of his wife Devika's (Harleen Sethi) promotion to become his boss, that the marriage is on the rocks, despite that annoying kid who keeps popping up and interrupting dramatic scenes. Arjun and his partner Kiki (Aishwarya Sushmita) are petty crooks, and get into trouble when they witness a murder, and he leaves DNA behind (by now, everybody who watches crime thrillers knows they must not touch a dying stab victim!), making him the prime suspect. The dead man (Deepraj Rana) was an investigative journalist, who was about to expose a major criminal nexus. Arif Khan (Saurabh Sachdeva), is a CBI officer, who grabs the case because the journalist was his friend. Where there are so many heroes, there has to be a villain. Kazbe (Anurag Kashyap) is the typical Bollywood don, who rules the jail he is in -- he dances, waves a gun, has a girl in his bed, and chops mutton while barking commands at his minions, adding a touch of comedy which is otherwise missing in the script. The hapless recipient of his rage is usually his bumbling nephew Raghav (Deepak Kamboj) whose spirit is strong, but gun arm weak. During a shootout, one of the twins is killed, the survivor takes on the identity of the other, and as it always happens in films, nobody can tell the difference! There must be some difference in their speech and body language, but why go into that, when there are enough complications to deal with, the biggest being a consignment of contraband that goes everywhere but to its intended recipient. (Kazbe dresses slummy, but uses the word 'consignment', not the colloquial 'maal'.) Meanwhile Arif, with his reptilian gaze, haunts the scene, looking for the killer of his friend, even resorting to illegal bugs, and bullying sleep-deprived techies working on his team. The action sequences and chases are slick, the pace is whizz fast, and the runtime of the episodes (six sent for review out of eight) kept to around 30 minutes. So Bad Cop is not unwatchable. For older viewers, there may even be some comfort in the familiar. Gulshan Devaiah and Anurag Kashyap give good performances, without looking like they have seen or done this a dozen times before, even though Devaiah does not get to really enjoy the double role and work out variations between two characters. There is an unexpected twist in Episode 6, as a reward for viewers who do not give up on the show. Bad Cop streams on Disney+ Hotstar. Bad Cop Review Rediff Rating: This article was first published 13 years ago Kannada film Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna lives up to expectations, writes Srikanth Srinivasa. A fter missing many dates and deadlines, this much-awaited historical biopic has got a befitting thunderous opening on Kannada Rajyotsava Day, today. Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna directed by Naganna, which is also one of the costliest Kannada films ever made in the history for its grandeur and production values, has lived up to its expectation despite a few flaws. Historical films require a different thinking in terms of creating the ambience and period so as to give it an authentic feel. There are some missing chinks in this film although the film carries a lot of vigour and energy in the form of performances from Darshan and Jayaprada. The film is based on Rayanna 's story who is the army chief of Kittur in Rani Chennamma's kingdom. The film starts with Chennamma raising a banner of revolt against the British as she refuses to pay tax to the British government. The British get slighted over Chennamma and they decide to attack Kittur with all their might. Rayanna awaits orders from his queen mother to attack but is forced to keep mum until the British launch an attack. The British get defeated in the battle that follows. In a bid to avenge the defeat, the British plan another attack and by deceit they capture Kittur and Chennamma. The queen is taken in as a prisoner of war and thus Rayanna is also held. Soon after Rayanna is out, he begins to build his own army with all and sundry to recapture Kittur and reinstall Chennamma on the throne. The British play a foul game in conveying to Chennamma that Rayanna is killed. Chennamma is unable to believe but the British provide her with a concocted proof. Chennamma breathes her last in the prison. Chennamma's death puts paid to Rayanna's struggle to build an army to fight the British. But his friends and erstwhile force him to change his mind. The uprising against the British rule begins as Rayanna goes about destroying the British camps with his skill as a guerilla fighter. As usual the British devise a divide and rule policy in fixing Rayanna. What happens to Rayanna? Does he succeed in fighting the British? Does Rayanna giving a fitting reply to the British? This is revealed towards the end. Darshan has delivered a power-packed performance from the word go. He has truly lived up to the role of a patriotic warrior who stirs the emotions of his villagers. Nikitha Thukral who plays Mallamma and Rayanna's love interest disappears after a song and dance sequence never to return in the second half. She is completely forgotten and her absence is not justified in any way. Jayaprada delivers a forceful performance. Umashri shines in the role of Rayanna's mother. Shashi Kumar as Rayanna's trusted lieutenant has done well. Yashovardhan's music is a let-down although the background score is good. Ramesh Babu's camera work is good especially in the war scenes. The war scenes have been shot well in Rajasthan. The climax is quite touching and it appeals to your patriotic motives. Though director Naganna could have done away with at least 25 -30 minutes of footage, it still manages to keep you engaged which is quite an achievement. There are a few flaws in documenting the period. Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna is a must-see film for all. Rarely do historical films get made and this is a rare opportunity for people of this generation to watch such a movie. India and Israel share a deep historical bond, and Prime Minister Modi's visit to the Knesset marked a bold shift from past diplomatic hesitation to open strategic partnership, asserts Tarun Vijay. IMAGE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hosts Prime Minister Narendra Modi for dinner in Jerusalem, February 25, 2026. Photograph: @IsraeliPM X/ANI Photo Key Points Modi openly expressed solidarity with Israel and condemned terrorism. India recogniSed Israel in 1950, but avoided full diplomatic ties until 1992. Nehru balanced Arab relations, domestic politics, and Cold War realities. Modi in Knesset: A Defining Moment 'We feel your pain. We share your grief. India stands with Israel, firmly, with full conviction,..... In India, there is great admiration for Israel's resolve, courage, and achievements. Long before we related each other as modern States, we were linked by ties that go back more than two thousand years.' -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Knesset. 'Narendra, my dear friend, I have never been more moved than by your visit. A great leader on the world stage. Narendra Modi, Welcome.' -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Knesset. Sceptics expressed concern and doubts about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit and its timing, but Modi proved once again that he makes seemingly impossible situations into great opportunities. Hindu Jewish relations are not diplomatic, they are beyond the realm of the economy, diplomacy and strategies. From Bene Israel to Strategic Alliance It began with faith and trust. Two thousand years ago, more than a hundred Jews traveling from Judea to escape persecution in Palestine headed to India for safe shelter. While the ship neared the shores of India, it was caught in a storm, resulting in a ship wreck off the coast of present day Nagaon, near Alibaug, south of Mumbai. The seven couples who survived and the generations that came after them were known as the Bene Israel community. This group lost all holy texts but preserved Jewish traditions. The survivors maintained their identity by practicing circumcision, observing the Sabbath (not working on Saturdays), and keeping kosher laws. The survivors settled in the present day Konkan, adopted the Marathi language, and adopted the profession of oil pressing, earning them the nickname Shaniwar Telis (Saturday oil pressers) because they did not work on Saturdays. This relationship between Hindus and Jews runs in our blood, it's beyond any political constitution and strategies. This relationship is a relation of two soul mates, the love and faith in each other is embedded in our genes. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed by his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and wife Sara on his arrival at the Ben Gurion airport in Israel, February 25, 2026. Photograph: Kind courtesy @narendramodi/X Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu spoke in the Knesset not as prime ministers but as brothers. This understanding must be the departure point of any analysis of the relations between two great nations. There will certainly be countless analytical articles and editorials on this visit's outcome. What I am giving here is an interesting debate on Israel in our Parliament exactly 75 years ago. IMAGE: Modi and Netanyahu travel in the same car to an exhibition of technology and innovation in Jerusalem, February 25, 2026. Photograph: @narendramodi X/ANI Photo Nehru And Modi: A Diplomatic Contrast On February 27, 1950 the provisional Parliament debated whether the government should recognise the state of Israel. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who also held the portfolio of foreign minister, replied to MPs' questions. R C Upadhyaya: a. Will the Prime Minister be pleased to state whether government have taken a decision about the recognition of the state of Israel; b. If not, how long will the government take to decide? Jawaharlal Nehru: (a) and (b) no decision has been taken yet and no date can be fixed at present as to when such a decision will be taken. The fact that the state of Israel exists is, of course, recognised by the Government of India. But formal recognition involving an exchange of diplomatic missions has to be considered in connection with a number of factors. Brajeshwar Prasad: Is the Prime Minister in a position to state the specified causes which have led to this inordinate delay in according to recognition to the state of Israel? Jawaharlal Nehru: I am in a position to state, but I do not think it will be desirable to take advantage of that position. H V Kamath: When was the first approach made by the government of Israel to India for recognition? Jawaharlal Nehru: I cannot give the date without reference to papers. Mahavir Tyagi: May I know whether Israel is a member of the United Nations Organization? Jawaharlal Nehru: Yes, sir. Mahavir Tyagi: I could not follow what the Prime Minister said earlier. Has Israel not been recognised by us yet? Jawaharlal Nehru: As I have said, if 'recognition' involves a formal recognition with an exchange of diplomatic missions, we have not done that. Of course, the fact of Israel being there as a State is recognised by us. H V Kamath: What is the volume of our trade with Israel and what is the machinery to look after it? Jawaharlal Nehru: I have not the faintest notion. H V Kamath: Are there Indians in Israel? Jawaharlal Nehru: I do not know. IMAGE: Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana confers the Speaker of the Knesset Medal on Prime Minister Narendra Modi,at the Knesset, February 25, 2026. Photograph: DPR PMO/ANI Photo India-Israel Ties Enter a New Phase The non existing diplomatic relationship with Israel notwithstanding, India was conducting trade with Israel then, sending trade delegations and Nehru knew it but preferred to feign ignorance for fear of the Arabs. That was Nehru, meek and fearful of Arab reactions. And here is Modi, fearless, candid, courageously condemning Hamas brutalities and forging a bond with Israel against terrorism. More on it in my forthcoming book. Tarun Vijay is a former MP, researcher of India Israel relations and former editor of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh weekly Panchjanya. He is also founder editor of India's first magazine on India Israel ties, Namaste Shalom. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff 'People don't believe that a 15-year-old girl subjected to sexual intercourse within a marriage is a victim of rape.' IMAGE: Bhuwan Ribhu with a child. Photographs: Kind courtesy Just Rights For Children Key Points 'A lot of people believe that a girl should be married off at the earliest because they attach virtues like virginity, chastity.' Poverty, lack of education and child marriages form a vicious circle. Child marriages are rampant in Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan. Child marriages in India are as high as 23.3%. The state that tops the chart is Jharkhand with 32.2%. Working relentlessly to stop child marriages is Just Rights for Children founded by child rights activist Bhuwan Ribhu. Just Rights for Children has a network of over 250 civil society organisations operating in 458 districts across 28 states in India. Just Rights for Children has stopped 474,951 child marriages from 2023 to 2026. "If a child is subjected to sexual intercourse in a marriage, it is treated as child rape under POCSO," Mr. Ribhu tells Rediff's Shobha Warrier. The prevalence of child marriages in India is shockingly high at 23.3%. Why do child marriages happen in India even today? Is it poverty or lack of awareness? I think it is a combination of 3-4 factors working simultaneously. The first is the social acceptance of child marriages, and also looking at child marriages from the lens of patriarchy, in the sense that a girl is a burden on the family so she has to be send away as early as possible. The second factor is a lot of people believe that a girl should be married off at the earliest because they attach virtues like virginity, chastity and things like that to their own family honour. The third factor is that once a girl reaches the age of 14, she is denied education. As you know, education is free and compulsory only till 14. A family prefers to spend money on the education of a boy rather than a girl as they believe that a girl is paraya dhan! So, after 14, a girl has to sit at home, and not study. In the case of Muslims, as per the Muslim Personal law, a girl has to be married off once she reaches the age of puberty which gives a kind of social sanction to child marriages. So, a lot of people believe that it is permitted in their religion, but it is not so. Now, I will talk about the most important factor. As a society, we have not realised that child marriage is nothing but child rape, and that it is a crime. The main reason is, people don't look at child marriages from the lens of crime. They do not believe that a 15-year-old girl subjected to sexual intercourse within a marriage is a victim of rape. Of course, there is poverty. And poverty means ignorance. Poverty, lack of education and child marriages form a vicious circle. So, a girl getting married at the age of 13, 14 or 15 is subjected to all sorts of abuse. She loses children and develops health issues. Thus she becomes a burden on society. Also, as she doesn't have any skill, she doesn't participate in the economic workforce of the nation. The tragedy is, her own daughter also will be subjected to the same fate tomorrow. 'Till recently, child marriage was not perceived as a crime or as a criminal issue' IMAGE: The United Nations estimates that atleast 12 million girls are married every year before they turn 18 across the world. Does that mean patriarchy and poverty are two of the main reasons? I would say lack of enforcement of the law, and lack of understanding of the law are the main reasons. If the law was enforced, then the awareness would increase automatically. So, lack of awareness which is a direct result of lack of enforcement is the main reason. Then comes patriarchy. I would say, not having access to education till 18 is the next reason. I would put poverty as the last reason. Why do the authorities not enforce the law even when so many child marriages happen in the villages? Till recently, child marriage was not perceived as a crime or as a criminal issue. You know in 2011 or 2012, I had received a phone call from a director general of police in Andaman. I was told that a child was going to be married. She had approached the police. The police had intervened and stopped the child marriage. But no case was registered. A month later, this child was taken to Chennai from Andaman and she was married off in Chennai. After the marriage, she called the police again, and said, you failed me. I do not know the child but I feel as a society, we failed her. In 2015, I was in the drafting committee of the Juvenile Justice Act and it was going to be amended. I proposed that when you say, a child is in need of care and protection, it should also include a child who is at the impending risk of marriage. It basically means that the State can intervene and take the custody of the child away from the parents. What I am saying is that even when people wanted to act, they could not because the law wasn't there, and the policies weren't there. We made an amendment to the Juvenile Justice Act saying that the act of giving a child in marriage should be treated as an act of crime, punishable by five years. Then we went to the Supreme Court, and said that sexual intercourse within child marriage should be treated under POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act 2012 as child rape. And the Supreme Court agreed with our definition. IMAGE: Bhuwan Ribhu with children. Is sexual intercourse in child marriage treated as rape now? Yes, it is. If a child is subjected to sexual intercourse in a marriage, it is treated as child rape under POCSO. Now it is part and parcel of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Three years ago when we realised that the policy framework alone is not enough. It required a nationwide resolve at a societal level. I then found that in 257 districts in India, the prevalence rate was over the national average of 23.3%. These 257 districts are spread all over the country. The north-eastern part of India, it was over 50%. In Purba Medinipur, it was 57%, and in Lakhisarai, it was 56%. We thought if we are able to do intensive action and stop child marriage in these districts, we will reach the tipping point of 6% in 6 years. That was how we created a framework in my book called When Children Have Children and the tipping point to end child marriage. What I did was, instead of releasing it as the author, I sent it across to various NGOs across India. I then asked them to get a survivor of child marriage to release the book by the district magistrate so that the DM could adopt the strategy. 'Mothers are never a part of child marriages' What kind of strategy did you propose? We called it strategy PICKET. Picket means policies for prevention, protection and prosecution. I for creating the institutional framework like child marriage prohibition officers, and let them act. C was community participation and convergence of action. K for knowledge and awareness amongst the people. E for the economics of child marriages with an ecosystem level approach for ending child marriage. T for using technology to stop child marriages, like monitoring attendance, identifying hot pockets of child marriage using global positioning systems and AI. This is the idea we had proposed. But the actual work on the ground was with the support of over 200 NGO partners across India. Our approach was twin-pronged. One was to go to the communities and get them take pledges. In India, there is this saying, Pran jaye par vachan na jaye! Then we approached the state governments and said, let us prosecute those who indulge in child marriages. For example in Assam, after large scale action in 2022 against child marriages, the prevalence rates fell by 84% now. You mean action against the parents? I would not say parents because mothers are never a part of child marriages. So, action against the father, action against all the people who are enabling the child marriage, and many times it is the middlemen. Sometimes, action against the grooms too. When you think of child marriage, you think it is a 15 year old marrying a 16 year old. It is not the case always. Does that mean only girls are subjected to child marriages? Over 90% are girls. And majority of the cases we are fighting in the courts have like 25, 30, and even 40 year old men as grooms. We have a case in the Supreme Court right now, where a 42 year old man was married off to a 15 year old, and then he raped her. The high court allowed him to go scot-free saying this was a case of a love affair, a consensual relationship. Child marriage prohibition officers see a leap from 600 to over 54,000 after SC judgment' IMAGE: Bhuwan Ribhu speaks at a forum. Is he not a paedophile then? Of course, he is a paedophile. Any person with a little bit of common sense will say, he is a paedophile. This kind of deviant sexual behaviour, this kind of paedophilia cannot be allowed to continue under the pretext of child marriage. So, we went and took injunctions. Till then, nobody had ever taken injunctions and stay orders against performing child marriages. We then went to over 328,000 religious leaders, priests, maulvis and maulanas and local people with folded hands and requested them, 'please put a message outside your temple and mosque saying that no child will be married here as it is a crime'. Then SEWA, the Odisha-based partner of Just Rights for Children, went to the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court gave a landmark judgment on 18th October 2024. In the judgment, the Supreme Court agreed with our view, and also directed the central government to launch the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign which we were already running in India. After the judgment, our campaign was adopted completely by the central government. And when the government put in their might, their name, their money, their resources, it changes everything. A couple of months ago, the central government has allocated 5 lakh rupees for every district and 8 lakh rupees in the 257 districts which I talked about earlier. So in those districts, the government has put up these signs outside temples and at various places in the villages that even a tent wala or a halwai or a caterer who is involved in organising the marriages of children, will go to jail. After the Supreme Court judgment, the number of child marriage prohibition officers across the country has been increased from around 600 to over 54,000. These officers can actually stop child marriages before they happen at the panchayat level. In the last three years, we have been able to physically stop over 4,70,000 child marriages. In which states are child marriages rampantly happen? In Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan... In fact, everywhere. When I say we are currently working in 458 districts across 28 states in India partnering with 271 NGO partners, you can understand where they happen. Child marriages happen everywhere. Now the prevalence rates have fallen. In Assam, they have fallen by 84%. In Jharkhand, in the areas where we are operating, they have fallen by 70%. In Maharashtra, they have fallen by 55%. I am certain that by 2027, the national average of 23% will be reduced to less than 15%. In fact, I would go on to say that it will come down to anywhere between 10 to 13%. 'We have prevented over 470,000 child marriages' IMAGE: The presence of Just Rights across India. The Bal Vivah Mukht Bharat campaign started by the government had its first anniversary now. Would you say this campaign has been successful? We launched this campaign first in 2020-23. And it was adopted by the government in 2024. I think the biggest success of our campaign has been that the government adopted it. So, if you ask me how successful it has been, an outsider might say, it had mixed results. But when I look at it from inside, the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign launched by Just Rights for Children in 2020-2023, has saved over and prevented over 470,000 child marriages. It is not your campaign versus my campaign. It is our campaign. This campaign is a national resolve. It requires the entire society's and the government's support and together, we can end child marriages by 2030. On the day that my book came out three years ago, the United Nations secretary-general expressed his fear that it would take 300 years for the world to end child marriages. UNICEF came up with a report saying that India would reach the prevalence rate of 10% by 2050. Today, after three years, the world believes that India will reach the prevalence rate of less than 10% by 2028-2029. I am sure India will most definitely reach the tipping point of less than 6% before 2030. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff Investigations reveal that many of them had been residing in the country for the past six to eight years. IMAGE: Some of the illegal Bangladeshi nationals arrested by the police in Versova, north west Mumbai. Photograph: ANI/X In one of the largest crackdowns in Mumbai this year against illegal Bangladeshis, the Versova police have arrested 25 Bangladeshi nationals from the Shakulshaha Dargah area in Andheri in the city's western suburbs. Key Points 25 Bangladeshi nationals, including 21 transgender persons, were arrested during a routine patrol near Shakulshaha Dargah in Versova.. Police said the accused entered India via Kolkata and Mizoram and had been residing in Mumbai and other cities for six to eight years The action is being described as the largest crackdown this year. Among those detained are 21 transgender individuals, police officials said. According to the police, the arrests were made during a routine patrol in the area. The individuals aroused suspicion during questioning, following which they were detained for further verification. Subsequent interrogation and examination of electronic evidence confirmed that they were Bangladeshi nationals who had entered India illegally. Senior Versova police officer Deepshikha Ware said, 'The detainees had infiltrated India through routes via Kolkata and Mizoram. Investigations revealed that many of them had been residing in the country for the past six to eight years. Apart from Mumbai, some had also settled in Gujarat and Delhi.' Authorities are working to identify possible local links and any network that may have facilitated their stay in the country. Crackdown on illegal foreign nationals The operation is part of ongoing efforts to identify and act against illegal foreign nationals residing in Mumbai. Earlier, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Satyanarayan Chaudhary had informed reporters that from January 1 until February 20 this year, 113 Bangladeshi nationals were detained in Mumbai, of whom 27 have been deported. Mumbai's newly appointed Mayor Ritu Tawde has said strict action will be taken against those described as 'illegal Bangladeshis' residing in the city after allegedly procuring bogus birth certificates. Tawde stated that 237 fake birth certificates issued by the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation have been cancelled. Eight FIRs have been registered in connection with the illegal issuance of birth certificates, and two medical officers from the health department have been suspended. The mayor had stated that her Bharatiya Janata Party colleague and former Lok Sabha MP Kirit Somaiya had been flagging the issue for a long time, submitting documents and complaints regarding 'large-scale irregularities' in the issuance of birth certificates at the ward level. 'Now, with the BJP in power in Mumbai, the administration will not ignore such serious matters,' Mayor Tawde had said. The statement suggests that Canadian authorities do not see ongoing foreign interference or violent activity tied to India at present. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a bilateral meeting with his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney during the G7 Leader's Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada on June 17, 2025. Photograph: Amber Bracken/Reuters Key Points Canada now says it does not believe India is currently linked to violent crimes or foreign interference in the country. The shift comes ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney's nine-day visit to India, including meetings with PM Narendra Modi. Relations had deteriorated after Hardeep Singh Nijjar's 2023 killing and allegations by Justin Trudeau linking Indian agents to the incident. Both countries are working toward improved security cooperation, including appointing liaison officers for criminal investigations. In a significant shift in its position, the Canadian federal government has said that it now believes India is no longer linked to violent crimes in Canada. A senior official said this during a media briefing ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney's upcoming visit to India, the Toronto Star has reported. The statement came during a briefing with journalists ahead of Carney's trip, with senior government officials cited by the Canadian English daily Toronto Star. "We have a very robust diplomatic engagement, including between national security advisers, and I think we can say we're confident that that activity is not continuing," one of the senior officials, who did not want to be named, said on Wednesday. According to the report, the statement suggests that Canadian authorities do not see ongoing foreign interference or violent activity tied to India at present. The remarks come as Carney prepares for a nine-day trip that includes stops in Mumbai and New Delhi, where he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit is being framed as part of Ottawa's effort to pursue a more 'pragmatic' foreign policy and deepen economic ties with India, the world's most populous country. Nijjar killing caused diplomatic rift Relations between the two countries deteriorated sharply after the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara in British Columbia. Months later, then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there was 'credible' evidence linking agents of the Indian government to Nijjar's death, an allegation New Delhi strongly denied. The dispute led to the expulsion of diplomats from both countries and a prolonged diplomatic standoff. In 2024, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) further claimed that Indian government agents were linked to violent crime in Canada, including death threats and alleged involvement in homicides. However, officials briefing reporters this week suggested that previous concerns about active foreign interference or repression linked to India are no longer ongoing. "I really don't think we'd be taking this trip if we thought these kinds of activities were continuing," a senior government official said. SFJ holds protests The new assessment has drawn criticism from some Sikh activists. Moninder Singh, a religious leader in British Columbia, told the Star that Vancouver police recently warned him of an imminent threat to his life and that of his family. It was the fourth such warning he has received since Nijjar's killing, the Toronto Star reported. Protests were also held on Parliament Hill by members of Sikhs for Justice, the group with which Nijjar was associated. Demonstrators condemned the government's renewed engagement with India and reiterated their advocacy for Khalistan, a proposed independent Sikh state. Former national security adviser Jody Thomas said that while Canada's intelligence was sufficient to assign accountability, the legal process differs from that of the United States, where allegations can be publicly detailed before trial. She maintained that security concerns remain 'a live issue' requiring resolution. The Carney government has emphasised that strengthening trade and people-to-people ties with India can proceed alongside law enforcement cooperation. International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu noted that both countries recently agreed to appoint liaison officers to enhance collaboration on criminal investigations, the Toronto Star reported. Trade push and strategic recalibration The diplomatic reset comes amid broader geopolitical recalibration, as Ottawa seeks to diversify trade relationships and reduce economic dependence on the United States. India's High Commissioner to Ottawa, Dinesh Patnaik, told the Star that disagreements should be handled through dialogue rather than by damaging the overall relationship, suggesting that Canada had overreacted when the allegations first emerged. Earlier on Tuesday, speaking to ANI ahead of Carney's visit to India and other Indo-Pacific allies, Patnaik said that the recent discussions between the two countries' National Security Advisers, 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 that is on time and online,' he added. While tensions persist among segments of Canada's Sikh community, officials in Ottawa argue that improved security cooperation and sustained diplomatic engagement have created conditions for a cautious reset in bilateral ties. The visit is expected to test whether the two countries can move beyond a fraught chapter in their relationship while balancing domestic political sensitivities and ongoing investigations. An Assam physiotherapist was found dead near his residence in Cuttack, Odisha, prompting a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. Key Points Ruhan Kakati, a physiotherapist from Assam, was found dead near his rented residence in Cuttack, Odisha. Kakati had been practicing physiotherapy in Olatpur after completing an internship at SVNIRTAR. Preliminary investigations suggest Kakati fell from the third floor of his rented building. Police have initiated an investigation and sent the body for post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death. A physiotherapist from Assam was found dead near his rented house in Odisha's Cuttack district on Thursday, police said. The deceased was identified as Ruhan Kakati. After completing his physiotherapy studies in the Northeastern state, he moved to Olatpur village in the district nearly four years ago to pursue an internship at the Swami Vivekanand National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research (SVNIRTAR), police said. After completing his internship, Ruhan continued to stay in Olatpur in a rented three-storey house and practiced physiotherapy in the locality, they said. A resident of the same building found Kakati's body in the morning and alerted the local police, an officer of Olatpur police station said. Preliminary investigation indicated that he fell from the third floor of the building. He was staying alone in the house, the officer added. Police have seized the body and sent it for post-mortem examination. A tragic head-on collision between an SUV and a truck in Aurangabad, Bihar, resulted in three fatalities and several injuries, highlighting the dangers of road travel. Key Points Three people were killed and seven injured in a head-on collision between an SUV and a truck in Aurangabad, Bihar. The accident occurred near Dev Mor on National Highway 19. The SUV was carrying ten people returning from a wedding in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, to Dhanbad, Jharkhand. Two of the deceased have been identified, while the third victim's identity is still being determined. The injured are receiving treatment at Sadar Hospital in Aurangabad. Three people were killed and seven others injured after their SUV collided head-on with a truck in Bihar's Aurangabad district on Thursday, police said. The accident happened near Dev Mor on NH-19 in the afternoon, they said. A total of 10 people were travelling in the SUV. They were on their way back to Jharkhand's Dhanbad after attending a relative's wedding in UP's Ballia district when the accident happened, a police officer said. Two of the deceased were identified as Tej Narayan Gupta and Vikash Kumar Chauhan, while the identity of the third victim is yet to be established, he said. "The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination," Aurangabad Mufassil SHO Ashok Kumar said. The injured are undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, he added. Treasury sanctions are blocking the Caracas government from accessing the funds needed to cover the costs of the trial The sanctions against Nicolas Maduro and the Venezuelan government are hindering his defense in New York. His lead attorney, Barry Pollack, denounced in a letter published Wednesday that the Trump administration is preventing the Venezuelan government from paying for the legal services he is providing to the Chavista leader since his imprisonment in Brooklyn. Maduro was detained along with his wife, Cilia Flores, after being captured by U.S. military forces during the January 3 military intervention. In the letter, dated February 20, the lawyer argued that the Treasury Department was interfering with Mr. Maduros ability to retain counsel and his Sixth Amendment right to choose his own attorney. The government of Venezuela has an obligation to pay Mr. Maduros fees, Pollack wrote. Mr. Maduro has a legitimate expectation that the government of Venezuela will do so. The letter said that the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) had granted Maduros counsel a license on January 9, but three hours later amended it. The amended license does not authorize Pollack from receiving funds from the Venezuelan government, now headed by Delcy Rodriguez, Maduros vice president. The lawyer argues that, despite the requests submitted to the Treasury Department, the agency has not reinstated the original license, and he was therefore seeking the intervention of federal judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, who is overseeing the case. In recent weeks, within the framework of the oil agreements that Washington is overseeing in Caracas, the OFAC has granted licenses for U.S. companies and individuals to conduct transactions with Venezuelan institutions without fully lifting the sanctions regime imposed on the South American country since 2019. Drawing of the trial of Nicolas Maduro, along with his wife Cilia Flores and his lawyers Barry Pollack and Mark Donnelly, in Manhattan, on January 5. Jane Rosenberg (REUTERS) Maduros attorney would require that same exemption in order to receive payment for his services without coming under scrutiny from the Treasury. According to The New York Times, the U.S. government may believe that Maduro has other legitimate means to pay his lawyer. In that case, the Department of Justice could ask him to provide evidence that he has no other assets and therefore needs Venezuela to cover his defense. Pollack has more than 30 years of experience representing executives, senior officials, and organizations in sensitive investigations and highprofile trials. He took on Maduros defense after the hearing in which the Venezuelan leader entered a notguilty plea to the narcoterrorism charges against him. At his first appearance on January 5, Maduro was assigned a public defender, and the judge asked both the prosecution and the defense to coordinate on the OFAC licensing issue to ensure that the attorneys could represent their clients properly. Maduros wife is being represented by Mark E. Donnelly, who worked for 12 years at the Department of Justice. According to Pollack, his colleague Donnelly has been able to receive payments from Venezuela for his clients legal representation. Maduro and Flores are scheduled to appear again before federal authorities on March 26, following the postponement of the March 17 hearing due to logistical reasons and scheduling conflicts, as agreed upon by the prosecution and the couples defense team. On January 30, they were granted a consular visit from a representative of Venezuela. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Following a tense standoff between Himachal Pradesh and Delhi Police, the BJP is demanding a thorough investigation into the alleged 'abduction' case and the potential misuse of the Chief Minister's office, raising concerns about political interference and cooperative federalism. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points BJP demands a central probe into the detention of a Delhi Police team by Himachal Pradesh Police. The incident stems from the arrest of IYC workers involved in a protest at the AI Impact Summit. BJP alleges misuse of the Chief Minister's Office and state police for political purposes. Delhi Police team was detained despite having valid legal documents and transit remand. BJP claims the state police action aimed to prevent the seizure of evidence related to the case. A day after Himachal Pradesh Police detained a Delhi Police team near Shimla and booked them for "abduction", the BJP in the hill state on Thursday demanded a thorough probe into the incident by the Centre and an independent investigation into the role of the chief minister's office. The incident was triggered by the arrest of three Indian Youth Congress (IYC) workers by a Delhi Police team from a hotel in Rohru near the Himachal capital, for their alleged involvement in the shirtless protest by a group of youth wing members at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi on February 20. The arrests sparked a high-voltage standoff between the two police forces, which ended after a dramatic 24 hours on Thursday morning, when the team from Delhi was finally cleared to head back to the capital along with the three accused. In the stalemate, the Delhi Police team was "detained" for about five hours even after procuring a transit remand from the ACJM concerned in Shimla. On Thursday, BJP MLAs and senior party leaders, led by Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, submitted a memorandum to Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, alleging a serious constitutional crisis in the state and misuse of police machinery, besides seeking the strictest action against the "culprits". The three-page memorandum also sought to bring to the governor's attention the use of the chief minister's office (CMO) as a "political base" for providing government protection to the accused, and using the state police to "serve political interests". On Wednesday, Himachal Pradesh Police detained the 20-member police team from Delhi, which was returning to the national capital after arresting the three accused, and registered a case of abduction, concealment of property, wrongful confinement, and unlawful assembly under the BNS against 12-15 Delhi Police officers at the Chirgaon police station in Shimla district. BJP Alleges Political Interference Talking to mediapersons after submitting the memo to the governor, Thakur accused the Congress government in Himachal of acting at the behest of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The AI Impact Summit significantly elevated India's global stature, with participation from leaders from more than 20 countries, yet the Youth Congress attempted to tarnish the nation's image through their "indecent" protest at the event, Thakur alleged. An FIR had been registered in Delhi after the "semi-nude" protest, and some Youth Congress leaders involved in the incident were given shelter at the Himachal Sadan in the national capital, the BJP leader alleged. He also claimed that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu publicly acknowledged that room bookings were made through his office. Acting on intel that some of the accused had taken refuge in Himachal, Delhi Police on Wednesday morning arrested three Youth Congress workers a Saurabh Singh and Arbaz from Uttar Pradesh and Siddharth from Madhya Pradesh a from a hotel at Chirgaon in Rohru, Thakur said. "The team from Delhi was stopped despite having valid legal documents, seizure reports, and court orders. They were even detained for about five hours, even after a magistrate granted them transit remand," he said. Thakur claimed the state police action was aimed at preventing the seizure and examination of CCTV footage, digital evidence and related documents, and the digital video recorder (at the hotel) could expose the entire conspiracy behind who met the accused, facilitated their stay, and supported them. "The incident amounts to placing police forces from two states in a confrontation mode, which is a direct blow to the spirit of cooperative federalism," Thakur said. "If the state police acted under political instructions, it amounted to the violation of constitutional norms and the oath of office," he added. The memorandum also claimed increasing mafia activities in the state and attacks on administrative officials. On Thursday afternoon, a Delhi court sent the three accused to three-day police custody, even as Delhi Police sought five-day custodial interrogation of the trio. A controversy has erupted in Malegaon, Maharashtra, after a group offered namaz inside a municipal office, leading to police action and protests from Hindu organizations and BJP leaders. IMAGE: Kindly note that the image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters Key Points The incident led to a police complaint for unlawful assembly and creating public nuisance under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. BJP leaders and Hindu organizations protested the namaz offering, demanding strict action and an inquiry. Sakal Hindu Samaj activists recited Hanuman Chalisa inside the MMC premises in protest. The incident follows a previous controversy involving a portrait of Tipu Sultan in the deputy mayor's office. Seven people, including the president of a local outfit, were booked on charges of unlawful assembly and creating public nuisance after they allegedly offered namaz inside the electricity department office of the Malegaon Municipal Corporation (MMC) in Maharashtra's Nashik district, the police said on Thursday. A video showing a group of people offering namaz inside the MMC's electricity department office has gone viral on social media, drawing sharp reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Hindu organisations even as Malegaon municipal commissioner Ravindra Jadhav ordered an inquiry into the episode. According to the police, on February 23, Loksangharsh Committee president Lukman Kamal and his associates had gone to the MMC electricity department office to raise a civic issue. When department officials did not meet with committee members, the latter staged a sit-in in the office. The committee members also got into an argument with a senior officer, Abhijeet Pawar, and thereafter offered namaz in the department office, they said. Based on a complaint lodged by Mahendra Raghunath Sawant (43), an employee of the MMC electricity department, a case was filed on February 25 against Kamal and six others at the Malegaon Quilla police station. All seven were booked for unlawful assembly and creating public nuisance under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and also under relevant provisions of the Maharashtra Police Act, they said. In a social media post, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to order an inquiry into the incident and demanded stringent action against those responsible for it. On Wednesday, Sakal Hindu Samaj activists recited Hanuman Chalisa inside the MMC premises to register their protest over the incident and demanded strict action in the matter. A few days ago, a portrait of 18th-century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan placed in the office of Malegaon deputy mayor Shan-e-Hind Nihal Ahmed had stirred a major controversy. The portrait was later removed from the office. A tragic road accident in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh district resulted in four fatalities and 25 injuries when a mini goods van overturned while returning from a family function, prompting a police investigation. Key Points Four people died and 25 were injured in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, after a mini goods van overturned. The accident happened on Kapu-Khamhar road as the victims were returning from a family engagement ceremony. The speeding van overturned, resulting in immediate fatalities and further deaths during hospital treatment. Police have seized the vehicle and are investigating the cause of the fatal road accident in Raigarh. Four persons were killed and 25 others injured after a mini goods van overturned in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh district, police said on Thursday. The accident took place on Kapu-Khamhar road on Wednesday night when the victims were returning from a family function, Sub Divisional Officer of Police, Dharamjaigarh area, Siddhant Tiwari said. Nearly 30 persons from Bangursuta village in the Chhal police station area had gone to attend an engagement ceremony in the Gosipodi area, he said. On the way back, the speeding van overturned, leaving two persons dead on the spot. Two others succumbed to their injuries during treatment at the Raigarh Medical College hospital on Thursday, the official said. The deceased have been identified as Kalaram Rathia (60), Sattar Singh Sidar (60), Neeraj Singh (65) and Ijbal Singh (50), all residents of Bangursuta village, he said. Twenty-five persons were injured, with eight reported to be in critical condition. The injured persons were admitted to Raigarh Medical College and Dharamjaigarh Hospital for treatment. The police seized the damaged vehicle and registered a case against the driver. An investigation into the incident is underway, the official said. A Delhi court acquitted a man in a 2016 robbery case after the complainant failed to identify him in a crucial identification parade, raising serious doubts about his involvement and leading to the overturning of his conviction. Key Points A Delhi court acquitted Rahul Sharma in a 2016 robbery case due to doubts about his identification. The complainant, Atul Goel, failed to identify Sharma during a police test identification parade (TIP). The court emphasized the importance of prior successful identification, noting the weakness of identifying an accused for the first time in court. Sharma was not named in the initial FIR, further contributing to the doubts surrounding his involvement. The court overturned the trial court's conviction, citing the doubtful evidence presented against Sharma. A court here has acquitted a man in a 2016 robbery case, holding that his involvement in the case was under "serious doubt" as the complainant had failed to identify him during a test identification parade (TIP) conducted by police. Additional Sessions Judge Pawan Kumar set aside the conviction and three-year sentence awarded to Rahul Sharma by a trial court in a case registered under sections 392 (robbery) and 394 (voluntarily causing hurt during robbery) read with 34 (common intention) of the erstwhile Indian Penal Code. According to the prosecution, the incident took place on August 5, 2016, when complainant Atul Goel was allegedly robbed of Rs 1.5 lakh at gunpoint outside his residence. He had claimed that one assailant fired at him while another hit him on the head before fleeing with his cash-filled bag. In the TIP of accused persons conducted shortly after the incident, Goel correctly identified co-accused Zahid but failed to identify Sharma. The trial court had convicted Sharma under sections 394/34 and sentenced him to three years' imprisonment along with fine of Rs 25,000. Court's Reasoning for Acquittal Allowing the appeal, the sessions court noted that the complainant had failed to identify Sharma during the TIP, though he later identified him during trial. The court held that while identification of the accused in court at the time of deposition is a substantive piece of evidence, the accused's identification for the first time in court without corroboration by prior identification proceedings, has no value. The judge observed that prior successful identification was crucial as identifying the accused for the first time in the courtroom when the accused is a stranger and after considerable time has passed since the incident makes it a "weak piece of evidence". The court also noted that Sharma was never named in the FIR. "When the complainant could not identify the appellant in the TIP proceedings after 11 days of the incident, when his memory and observation qua incident was fresh in his mind, it appears to be highly improbable that he has correctly identified the accused in the court after around eight months of the incident. The identification for the first time in the court, in the light of failed TIP proceedings, has little value," the court said. "The identity of the appellant is under serious doubt. The judgment of conviction of the appellant on the basis of doubtful evidence... cannot be upheld. The appeal is allowed and the impugned judgment of conviction and order on sentence is hereby set aside," the court said as it acquitted Sharma of all offences. The Delhi police arrested three Youth Congress activists in Himachal Pradesh for staging a 'shirtless' protest at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi, sparking a procedural dispute with local authorities. IMAGE: Indian Youth Congress workers stage a protest at Bharat Mandapam during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, New Delhi, February 20, 2026. Photograph: Indian Youth Congress/ANI Video Grab Key Points The arrests were made in Himachal Pradesh, leading to a dispute with local police over procedural issues. Delhi Police assert that the arrests and seizures were carried out legally under a valid FIR registered in Delhi. Digital video recorders (DVRs) of CCTV cameras and a vehicle allegedly used by the accused were seized. The investigation is ongoing to identify any larger conspiracy and other individuals involved in the protest. A Delhi police team on Thursday returned to the national capital with three Youth Congress activists arrested in Himachal Pradesh in connection with the shirtless protest at the AI Impact Summit, asserting that due legal procedure was followed in the interstate operation. The accused - Saurabh, Siddharth and Arbaz - were apprehended from a resort in the Rohru area of Shimla district on Wednesday in connection with an FIR registered in Delhi over the February 20 protest at Bharat Mandapam. With their arrest, the total number of persons held in the case has risen to 12, police said. Soon after the arrests on Wednesday, the Delhi Police team was intercepted by the local police, leading to a face-off over procedural issues. The Himachal Pradesh police questioned the manner of arrest and registration of seizures, and subsequently registered a case against unidentified Delhi police personnel based on a complaint by the resort owner. Senior Delhi police officers, however, maintained that the action was taken in connection with a case registered in the national capital and within the framework of law. "The team was acting on a valid FIR registered in Delhi. The arrests and seizures were carried out as per legal provisions, and the accused were to be produced before the appropriate court within the stipulated time," an officer added. According to the police, during the operation, digital video recorders (DVRs) of CCTV cameras and a vehicle allegedly used by the accused were seized under a seizure memo. The officers said that in interstate operations, the standard practice is to inform the local police and, where required, produce the accused before a local court to obtain transit remand. "In this case, the accused were ultimately produced before a competent court in Shimla and transit remand was obtained. The seizure memo detailing the recovered items was also shared with the local police," the officer said. However, the electronic evidence was retained as case property since the investigation pertains to a Delhi Police FIR, he added. After securing transit remand, the Delhi Police team resumed its journey and reached the capital on Thursday morning. The police said the role of the three accused in organising and executing the protest is being examined and further digital evidence is under scrutiny. "The investigation is focused on identifying the larger conspiracy and other persons involved," the officer said. The February 20 protest during the high-profile AI Summit had prompted a major security response, with cases registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Further investigation is underway, the police said. Experts at the Mosambi Climate Conference highlight how integrating digital architecture into the energy ecosystem is essential for driving climate transformation and achieving energy efficiency across the Global South. Key Points Digital architecture is crucial for transforming the energy ecosystem and enhancing carbon and energy efficiency. The Mosambi Climate Conference (MC2) serves as a key platform for accelerating climate technology deployment in the Global South. Collaboration between policymakers, innovators, and investors is essential for translating climate research into practical implementation. Climate Weeks and platforms like MC2 are vital for sharing success stories and addressing challenges in climate action. India is emerging as a lead player in driving climate action in Asia. Incorporating digital architecture in the energy ecosystem is essential for transformation in the climate sector, according to experts at the Mosambi Climate Conference (MC2) held as part of the ongoing Delhi Climate Innovation Week. The second edition of the conference positioned itself as a curated, action-oriented platform accelerating climate technology deployment across the Global South. "The moment you incorporate digital architecture into the energy ecosystem, you will see a transformation. Carbon efficiency, energy efficiency, and now energy intelligence -- this is the next frontier to optimise demand side energy, leading to greater resilience and competitiveness," said Venkat Garimella, Vice President, Sustainability, Schneider Electric India, highlighting digitalisation as the next leap. Organised by the Climate Collective Foundation (CCF), MC2, in partnership with Schneider Electric, brought together policymakers, corporates, utilities, multilateral institutions, investors and climate-focused startups working across energy, mobility, circularity, AI and adaptation. "Platforms like this are essential in bringing together policymakers, change agents, innovators, entrepreneurs, financiers and civil society to move from ideas to implementation," said Amitabh Kant, the former NITI Aayog CEO. Key Discussions and Startup Engagement Parallel sessions addressed critical scale bottlenecks -- translating deep climate research into commercial deployment; strengthening subnational startup ecosystems; and leveraging AI to transform grid management and energy efficiency. A curated Startup Experience Zone enabled direct engagement between founders, investors and decision-makers. Importance of Climate Weeks Divya Sharma, Executive Director at Climate Group, said, "Climate Weeks are important because they bring us together. We need to meet face-to-face." "We need to share stories of success. And we also need to create the space for people to discuss the challenges and the barriers. Asia now offers climate action, and India has emerged as its lead player," she said. An elderly couple in Delhi fell victim to a meticulously planned fake ED raid orchestrated by their domestic help, resulting in a significant loss of cash and valuables, prompting a thorough police investigation. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points An elderly couple in Delhi was robbed of approximately Rs 4 lakh and valuables by individuals posing as ED officials in a staged raid. The victim's domestic help was identified as the mastermind behind the fake ED raid, conspiring with relatives, including an ITBP constable and a former army personnel. Delhi Police used extensive CCTV footage analysis and technical surveillance to track the suspects and uncover the conspiracy. During the investigation, authorities recovered stolen luxury watches, jewelry, and an ITBP uniform from the residence of one of the accused. Police have arrested two suspects and are actively pursuing the remaining individuals involved in the fake ED raid and robbery. An elderly couple was robbed of around Rs 4 lakh and some valuables when three men allegedly posing as officials conducted an "ED raid" at their residence in southeast Delhi's New Friends Colony, police said on Thursday. During the investigation, the victim's domestic help was identified as the mastermind behind the plan with her four relatives, which included an ITBP constable and a former army personnel, as co-accused, they said. The incident occurred on February 11, around 10 am, when three men dressed in police-style uniforms entered the house of RC Sabharwal (86), a retired senior architect and his wife, Usha Sabharwal. The three men claimed to be authorised by the ED to conduct a search, police said. "The moment the accused entered their house, they asked the elderly couple to keep their mobile phones, jewellery, cash and valuables on a table," Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Aishwarya Sharma said in a statement. She further told reporters that they (accused) refused to show any warrant or authorisation letter and allegedly snatched the family members' mobile phones, switched them off and prevented them from contacting anyone. Intimidated by threats of arrest, the complainant placed a bag containing around Rs 10-12 lakh, stated to be legitimate business income, on the dining table. "The impostors photographed the cash and reiterated threats of legal action. The situation shifted when Usha managed to alert her grandson, a senior lawyer," the officer said. Sensing trouble, the accused fled the spot, allegedly taking away around Rs 3 to 4 lakh in cash, and seven luxury watches, the officer added. "A complaint was subsequently lodged at New Friends Colony police station and an FIR was registered under sections 318(4) (cheating), 319(2) (cheating by personation), 329(4) (criminal trespass), 127(3) (wrongful confinement) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and an investigation was taken up immediately," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Hemant Tiwari said. Out of the five accused, two have been arrested on Wednesday and were identified as Rekha Devi (40), the domestic help and Pooja Rajput (45), police said. The absconding accused are Pooja's husband, Prakash, who is an ITBP constable, her son, Manish, and Updesh Singh Thapa alias Pintu, a retired army personnel, police said. The officer said the team relied heavily on digital surveillance to crack what they described as a carefully planned insider conspiracy. Investigation Details As part of the probe, investigators analysed footage from more than 350 CCTV cameras, including private cameras installed in the D-Block residential area, Delhi Police surveillance cameras and high-speed traffic cameras along key routes. "Police mapped the movement of the suspects' vehicle from the crime scene. The trail led through the Sarai Kale Khan area, crossed the Ghazipur border and entered Uttar Pradesh before culminating at Sector 4 in Vaishali in Ghaziabad, where the car was seen parked," the DCP said. The vehicle was later found registered in the name of Thapa, police said. "After locating the vehicle in Ghaziabad, the team used technical surveillance, including mobile tower dump data and IMEI tracking, to identify mobile numbers that were active both at the New Friends Colony crime scene and at the Vaishali parking location during the relevant time frame," the DCP said. The data analysis pointed towards the residence of Pooja in Vaishali. Further local intelligence inputs revealed that Devi was a frequent visitor to that address. "Through technical surveillance, Devi emerged as the key conspirator and her involvement confirmed that the crime was an insider job," the DCP said. She was apprehended and during interrogation, the accused admitted to planning the fake raid after observing that the complainant was elderly and often alone at home. They believed that impersonating officials of a central agency would ensure compliance and minimise resistance from the family. Recovered Items and Ongoing Investigation During a search of Pooja's residence in Vaishali, a deputy commandant uniform of the ITBP, its ID card, and a wireless device allegedly used to mimic official police communication were recovered," police said. In addition, the team also seized seven luxury watches, jewellery allegedly stolen from the complainant's house, and a pistol whose licence had expired in 2019, they added. "Raids are being conducted at multiple locations to trace and arrest the remaining accused. Efforts are also underway to recover the remaining stolen cash and any other case property," the officer said. Further investigation is underway to establish the exact roles of each accused, verify the source of the uniform and identity card, and determine whether the accused were involved in any similar incidents in the past, the officer added. Delhi police are investigating a shooting incident in Farsh Bazar where unidentified gunmen opened fire at a house, sparking a probe into potential motives and leading to a search for the perpetrators. Key Points Unidentified gunmen on motorcycles opened fire at a house in Delhi's Farsh Bazar area. The incident occurred early Wednesday, prompting a police investigation. Two empty cartridges were recovered from the scene; no injuries were reported. Police are investigating various motives, including old enmity and ransom. CCTV footage is being examined to identify the accused and their vehicles. At least five unidentified motorcycle-borne men allegedly opened fire at a house in east Delhi's Farsh Bazar area, an official said on Thursday. A CCTV footage of the incident also went viral on social media, where a bike and a scooter rider are seen firing bullets on the entry gate of the house. According to the police, the incident occurred on early Wednesday. Police said a PCR call regarding firing near Old Tejab Mill was received at the Farsh Bazar police station around 1.30 am. A team rushed to the spot and found that the alleged assailants had fled. "Preliminary inquiry revealed that two persons on a motorcycle and three on a scooter arrived outside the house of Talib (29). Two of the assailants allegedly took out pistols and fired one round each towards the house before escaping," the officer said. Police said two empty cartridges were recovered from the spot during inspection. No injuries were reported in the incident. Talib runs fruit and vegetable stalls at a nearby mandi, police said, adding that the motive behind the firing is yet to be established. Officials said police are investigating various angles such old enmity, ransom and possible threats. "We are investigating the case from all the angle. Though the exact reason behind the attack is being verified. CCTV cameras installed in and around the area are being examined to ascertain the identity of the accused and the registration numbers of the vehicles used in the crime," the officer said. He said statements of the complainant and other witnesses have been recorded, a case has been registered and further investigation is underway. A brazen shooting in Delhi's Farsh Bazar has police investigating after unidentified gunmen opened fire on a house, prompting a search for the perpetrators and their motive. Key Points Unidentified gunmen on motorcycles opened fire at a house in Farsh Bazar, East Delhi. The incident occurred early Wednesday, with police responding to a PCR call. Two empty cartridges were recovered from the scene; no injuries were reported. Police are investigating various angles, including old enmity and ransom, to determine the motive behind the Farsh Bazar shooting. CCTV footage is being examined to identify the accused and their vehicles involved in the Delhi crime. At least five unidentified motorcycle-borne men allegedly opened fire at a house in east Delhi's Farsh Bazar area, an official said on Thursday. A CCTV footage of the incident also went viral on social media, where a bike and a scooter rider are seen firing bullets on the entry gate of the house. According to the police, the incident occurred on early Wednesday. Police said a PCR call regarding firing near Old Tejab Mill was received at the Farsh Bazar police station around 1.30 am. A team rushed to the spot and found that the alleged assailants had fled. "Preliminary inquiry revealed that two persons on a motorcycle and three on a scooter arrived outside the house of Talib (29). Two of the assailants allegedly took out pistols and fired one round each towards the house before escaping," the officer said. Police said two empty cartridges were recovered from the spot during inspection. No injuries were reported in the incident. Talib runs fruit and vegetable stalls at a nearby mandi, police said, adding that the motive behind the firing is yet to be established. Officials said police are investigating various angles such old enmity, ransom and possible threats. Ongoing Investigation into the Delhi Shooting "We are investigating the case from all the angle. Though the exact reason behind the attack is being verified. CCTV cameras installed in and around the area are being examined to ascertain the identity of the accused and the registration numbers of the vehicles used in the crime," the officer said. He said statements of the complainant and other witnesses have been recorded, a case has been registered and further investigation is underway. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra is grappling with internal disputes as Congress and Shiv Sena-UBT vie for a crucial Rajya Sabha seat, threatening coalition unity ahead of upcoming elections. IMAGE: Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra is facing a tussle over a single winnable Rajya Sabha seat. Congress has staked claim to the Rajya Sabha seat, citing its national party status within the MVA alliance. Shiv Sena-UBT initially asserted its 'first right' to the seat, based on having the largest number of MLAs. MVA leaders are engaged in discussions to resolve the seat-sharing issue through dialogue and consultations with their respective party leaderships. The Rajya Sabha election schedule has been announced, with nominations due by March 5 and polling on March 16. The Maha Vikas Aghadi's lone winnable Rajya Sabha seat from Maharashtra is witnessing a tussle among the alliance constituents, with the Congress on Thursday staking claim over it citing its national party status, days after the Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray said it has the 'first right' over the seat. Senior leaders of the MVA alliance, comprising the Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar and the Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, on Thursday held a meeting here to deliberate on the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections and the seat allocation. Talking to reporters after the meeting, the Congress' legislature party leader Vijay Wadettiwar said the Congress, being a national party, has proposed that the Rajya Sabha seat be allotted to it. The NCP-SP would consult their party high command, while the Shiv Sena-UBT would also clarify its stand, he said. Cong hopes to resolve issues with dialogue Expressing confidence that the issue of seat-sharing for the Rajya Sabha and the Maharashtra Legislative Council polls would be resolved through dialogue, Wadettiwar said all parties would hold further consultations with their respective leaderships before arriving at a final decision. "Though both -- the Shiv Sena-UBT and the Congress -- have laid claim to the seat, the MVA will contest the election unitedly. The candidate will be finalised only with the consent of all three parties," he said, adding that nominations for the Rajya Sabha polls can be filed till March 5 and a final decision would be taken after discussions with alliance partners. Wadettiwar said the MVA's victory was certain if the alliance contested the election together. Responding to a query over an incident in which civic employees reportedly performed namaaz inside the municipal office in Malegaon town of Nashik district, Wadettiwar said religious practices should not be carried out on roads, but added that during Ramzan, offering namaz on time is important for those observing fasts. The issue was being politicised unnecessarily and attempts were being made to divide society on religious lines, the Congress leader alleged. In April, Rajya Sabha stint will end for NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar, Sena-UBT leader Priyanka Chaturvedi, Fauzia Khan of the NCP-SP, Ramdas Athawale of the Republican Party of India-Athawale, Bharatiya Janata Party's Bhagwat Karad, Congress's Rajani Patil and Nationalist Congress Party's Dhairysheel Patil. The MVA can potentially send one candidate to the Upper House of Parliament due to its depleted strength. Shiv Sena-UBT claims and MVA negotiations Last week, Sena-UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray appeared to stake his party's claim to the MVA's lone winnable seat in the Upper House of Parliament. Considering the numbers in the assembly, the Rajya Sabha seat 'belongs' to his party, and 'talks will definitely happen in that direction in the MVA', he had said. Sena-UBT MP Sanjay Raut backed him saying, "There is absolutely nothing wrong with what Aaditya Thackeray said. We are the single largest party with 20 MLAs. The Congress has 16, and the NCP-SP has 10. Therefore, whoever gets elected to the Rajya Sabha will go as a candidate of the MVA. As the largest party, the Shiv Sena-UBT has the first right." Raut had earlier said that Sharad Pawar had expressed a desire regarding contesting the Rajya Sabha berth. Notification for the election to seven Rajya Sabha seats from Maharashtra was issued on Wednesday with polling scheduled for March 16. The last day for filing nominations is March 5. Members of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly vote in the election. When Ksenia Koldin describes the brainwashing her brother, Sergii, underwent, she traces several imaginary circles in the air with her hands. What shes trying to say is that the manipulation isnt direct; its indirect, more subtle. Koldin, originally from Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine, is 21 years old. She was 17 when Russian tanks rolled into Vovchansk, where she lived, four years ago. She and her brother were living with a foster family after their parents lost custody due to problems with alcohol. Koldin, who participated Wednesday in the Global Forum for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, held in Madrid, admits that this background made them easy prey for Russian influence. And Sergii, at 10 years old, especially. He was easy to manipulate, she says. In the summer of the first year of the invasion, they had to cross into Russia using different routes. The boy even came to disown his homeland after months of Russian indoctrination. But Koldin, who describes herself as a fighter, did not give up and brought him back home. Ksenia and Sergiis journey is similar to that of thousands of other Ukrainian children following the start of the Russian occupation. The difference is that their case had a happy ending. The Ukrainian government has identified more than 19,500 children deported or forcibly removed from their homes by Russian authorities since February 2022, although it estimates the number is much higher Yale University puts the figure as high as 35,000. Kyiv accuses Moscow of kidnapping these children and brainwashing them as part of a systematic campaign to destroy the countrys future. It is for this practice that the International Criminal Court is seeking the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his commissioner for the rights of the child, Maria Lvova-Belova. Kyiv estimates that Moscow has forcibly transferred 19,500 children Koldin uses her hands to express herself. She makes air quotes with her fingers to emphasize certain phrases. She allows herself a smile only rarely. When the invasion broke out, I probably wasnt happy, she says, we were resettling. They had had to exchange their biological family for a foster family. She had a simple life; she was studying with the idea of becoming a psychologist someday, back in her native Kharkiv. The bombs began to devastate Vovchansk from the very first minute; they brought down a bridge near her home and the walls shook. They spent the first few weeks between the bomb shelter and the house. There was little to eat, the Russians were attacking the schools, and despair was spreading. And the cycle of manipulation began to turn. Ksenia Koldin photographed at the Ateneo de Madrid this Wednesday. Jaime Villanueva Some of my foster mothers neighbors were collaborating with the Russians and started pressuring her to send my brother to a summer camp in Russia, the young woman recounts. Communication was difficult with almost no cell phone service, but propaganda spread from house to house, from neighborhood to neighborhood. They spoke wonders of these recreation camps. A Yale University investigation last September estimated that the Kremlin has transferred thousands of Ukrainian children to 210 re-education centers. These are facilities where they receive both ideological and, sometimes, military indoctrination. This web, which crisscrosses federal Russia and the occupied territories, even reaches the Songdowon camp in North Korea, a staunch ally of Russia. Koldin didnt want her brother to leave; he, however, wanted to go himself, because he had a friend, Sasha, who had spoken highly of the camp. Back then, we didnt know it was so dangerous, or that some wouldnt return for months, she continues. In August, Sergii left for Russia. She did too, though over 600 miles away. There wasnt much to do in Vovchansk, and her foster mother encouraged her to continue her studies in Shebekino, in the Belgorod region of Russia, where the woman maintained contact with a former partner. The young woman frequently uses the word pressure, the pressure from both friends and strangers to leave her homeland. She remembers a teacher visiting her home to encourage her to go to Russia. I had no other choice, she admits. While her brother remained at the re-education center, exclusively for Ukrainian children Koldin points out, If it were a playground, why werent there any Russians? she began a hairdressing course. She wasnt spared the indoctrination. Every Monday, the young woman recalls, she had to sing the national anthem and listen to fiery speeches about Russian greatness and glory and the respect due to its leader, Putin. I felt depressed and wanted to return to Ukraine, she says. She had turned 18 and was presented with the paperwork for a Russian passport. She refused and was expelled from the center. It was at that moment that she began the process of bringing Sergii back to her country with her. The number of returned children is devastating. According to records from the Ukrainian presidential program Bring Kids Back, only 2,003 children have managed to return. The effort is a combined one: Ukrainian authorities are working on it, but so are non-profit organizations, private individuals, lawyers, and even third countries that mediate to recover the children. In Sergiis case, his sisters tenacity was fundamental. By the time she left her training course in Shebekino, the boy was in foster care with a Russian family in Abinsk, in the Krasnodar region. As soon as these new parents learned that Koldin wanted to take him, they tried to sever all communication between the two siblings. The young woman first contacted social services in Kharkiv, but they admitted they couldnt arrange for her brothers return. She had the necessary paperwork, but she needed intermediaries. She contacted the organization Save Ukraine, with which she continues to collaborate, and through them, she reached Russian social services. She encountered the foster family again. They didnt want to reveal Sergiis location. But I didnt give up and I pressured social services to do their job and tell me where he was, she continues with a determined expression. She wouldnt leave Russia without him. With the paperwork in hand, the Russian authorities had to arrange a meeting. Her brother had changed. Nine months had passed since they had last seen each other. I was able to hug him, but he was very distant, he seemed nervous, as if he were hiding something from me, Koldin recounts. The adoptive family was present. It was May 2023. When the social services officer asked Sergii if he wanted to return, he said no. Koldin asked to see her brother alone. The blow was devastating. He told me he wouldnt go back because the Nazis ruled Ukraine and there was a war, it was a dangerous country, she relates. But she stayed with him; they talked for more than three hours. She told him she missed him, that they had to be together. Finally, she offered him a month with her as a sort of trial period, and if he decided he wanted to return to Russia, she would let him. The boy agreed. More than two years later, the two siblings are living in Kyiv. He, at 14, lives with a Ukrainian family and is continuing his studies at high school. She is in her third year of a journalism degree. Sergii doesnt talk about Russia anymore, says Koldin, I think hes happy because hes always smiling. And you? Me too. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Four individuals have been arrested in Navi Mumbai for allegedly murdering a man suspected of stealing electric poles and wires, sparking a police investigation into the crime. Key Points Navi Mumbai police arrest four individuals in connection to the death of Sandeep Vishwakarma. The victim was allegedly caught stealing electric poles and wires before being assaulted. The accused confessed to beating Vishwakarma, leading to his death, and disposing of his body. Those arrested include a rickshaw driver and an electrician, among others. Police investigation is ongoing to uncover further details about the crime. The crime branch of Navi Mumbai police has arrested four persons for allegedly beating a 31-year-old man to death on suspicion of theft, officials said on Thursday. Sandeep Laxmikant Vishwakarma, a resident of Mankhurd in Mumbai, was reported missing on February 15 and his body was found the next day within the jurisdiction of Rabale MIDC police station, said a press release. Autopsy report said that Vishwakarma had died due to injuries sustained in an assault. Mobile phone records showed that Vishwakarma was in Vashi on February 15 and had spoken with a scrap dealer. Details of the Crime "Interrogation revealed that the deceased was caught while allegedly stealing electric poles and wires. The accused beat him up, resulting in his death, and carried his body in a rickshaw and dumped it near a drain in Mahape MIDC," said the release. Sanket Jagtap, the rickshaw driver, allegedly confessed that he and three others caught Vishwakarma stealing from electrical distribution points (DPs) and assaulted him. Subsequently, police arrested Pritam Bharat Bhoir (26), Shivaji Shankar Dumbare (57) and Amol Ramesh Gunjal (31). Gunjal is an electrician. Further probe is on. The Telangana government's salary structure reveals surprising figures, with senior sweepers earning up to 2 lakh and chief engineers drawing 7 lakh monthly. Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes. Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff Key Points Telangana's monthly salary expenditure has substantially increased since its formation in 2014 due to pay revisions and expansion. Entry-level municipal staff typically earn around Rs 28,000 per month. Drivers or sanitation workers who have completed nearly 30 years of service can earn more than Rs 1 lakh per month. A senior sweeper employed by the Telangana government earns as much as Rs 2 lakh per month, while a chief engineer can draw a salary touching Rs 7 lakh per month, Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao revealed on Wednesday. The figures were shared during a conference on the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission, organised by the Centre for Economic and Social Studies. According to a report published in The Times of India newspaper, Rao cited these salary details to highlight the growing financial commitments of the state government, particularly towards salaries and administrative expenditure. His remarks drew attention to the significant rise in government spending since the formation of Telangana in 2014. Rao pointed out that when Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, the state's monthly salary outgo stood at approximately Rs 1,500 crore (Rs 15 billion). Over the years, this figure has increased substantially due to pay revisions, seniority benefits, and expansion of government departments. The disclosure underscores the mounting fiscal pressures faced by the state administration. Understanding Telangana Government Salary Structure While the figures may appear surprising at first glance, they largely reflect the impact of long years of service, promotions, and periodic pay revisions implemented by the government. Entry-level municipal staff typically earn around Rs 28,000 per month. However, employees such as drivers or sanitation workers who have completed nearly 30 years of service can earn more than Rs 1 lakh per month. In certain senior positions, including long-serving sweepers who have benefited from promotions and allowances, the salary can reach as high as Rs 2 lakh. Similarly, top-tier technical officials such as chief engineers receive significantly higher compensation, with monthly salaries going up to Rs 7 lakh. These earnings include basic pay, grade pay, dearness allowance, house rent allowance, and other admissible benefits. The Gujarat ATS has arrested a man wanted in Punjab for his alleged involvement in a major cross-border smuggling operation dealing with heroin, grenades, and pistols. Photograph: ANI Video Grab Key Points Gujarat ATS arrested Rehmat Ali Sheikh, wanted in a Punjab cross-border smuggling case involving heroin, grenades, and pistols. Sheikh is accused of transporting and delivering illegal consignments from the Punjab-Pakistan border. The case involves the seizure of 42.9 kg of heroin, four hand grenades, a pistol, and live cartridges. Sheikh fled to Nepal and Bihar before being apprehended in Ahmedabad, where he worked at an embroidery factory. The Gujarat ATS has initiated legal proceedings to hand Sheikh over to Punjab police. The Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) nabbed a man wanted in a case related to cross-border smuggling of heroin as well as grenades and pistols in Punjab, officials said on Thursday. The ATS identified him as Rehmat Ali Sheikh, a resident of Amritsar in the northern state. He was wanted in a case related to transportation of consignments of heroin, hand grenades, and pistols from the Punjab-Pakistan border and delivering them to other individuals in that state in January this year, the ATS said in a release. A case was registered against him at Rajasansi police station at Amritsar district in on January 29 under sections 21 and 25 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, as well as sections 3, 4, and 5 of Explosive Substances Act, it said. Two accused were arrested in the case, and 42.9 kilograms of heroin, four hand grenades, one Star-mark pistol, and 46 live cartridges were seized, the release said. However, Sheikh had absconded, going to Nepal first and then to Bihar, before reaching Gujarat where he started working at an embroidery factory, it said. Arrest and Interrogation "ATS sleuths apprehended him from an embroidery factory in Rakhial in Ahmedabad. During the primary interrogation, it was revealed that the accused is part of a major narcotics as well as grenade-pistol smuggling network," it said. The Gujarat ATS has shared information regarding his detention with Punjab police and further legal proceedings have been initiated for his handover, the release said. In a major drug bust, Odisha police seized hashish oil worth 225 crore from a forest in Koraput, highlighting the evolving tactics of drug traffickers IMAGE: File image of police destroying a huge cultivation of cannabis. Hashish oil is extracted from ganja or cannabis. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Over 1,800 litres of hashish oil, extracted from ganja, were recovered during the raid in Jholaput forest. Traffickers are increasingly converting ganja into hashish oil due to its higher profitability and ease of transportation. In a separate operation, 1,143 kg of ganja, valued at around 5 crore, was seized, and four individuals were arrested. The intensified enforcement against ganja is pushing traffickers to adopt new methods, such as producing hashish oil. The police in Odisha's Koraput district seized hashish oil worth around Rs 225 crore from a forest on Thursday. Acting on a tip-off, a team led by SP Rohit Verma busted a manufacturing unit inside the Jholaput forest near the state's border with Andhra Pradesh. "During the bust, over 1,800 litres of hashish oil, extracted from ganja, were recovered. The estimated market value of the seized contraband is around Rs225 crore," said DIG (South-Western Range) Kanwar Vishal Singh. "Equipment and materials used in the manufacturing were also confiscated. However, the accused managed to flee from the spot, and efforts are underway to arrest them," he added. The DIG said intensified enforcement against ganja has led traffickers to change their modus operandi. "Since ganja is bulky and easier to detect during transportation, traffickers are increasingly converting it into hashish oil, which can be transported in smaller quantities and yields significantly higher profits," he said. A litre of hashish oil fetches nearly 25 times the price of a kg of ganja, making it far more lucrative for smugglers, officials said. In a separate operation, 1,143 kg of ganja, worth around Rs 5 crore, was seized from two vehicles in the Nandapur police station area, police said. Four people were arrested in connection with the case. The seized contraband is estimated to be worth around Rs 5 crore, they said. Preliminary investigation revealed that two of the arrested persons are from the Semiliguda area of the district, while the other two hail from Haryana, police said. A notorious history-sheeter in Latur, facing multiple charges including attempted murder, has been detained for a year under the stringent Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act, aiming to curb crime and reassure local residents. Key Points Amol Jyotiram Gambhire, a history-sheeter with 15 cases, has been detained under the MPDA Act in Latur. Gambhire's criminal record includes charges of attempt to murder, assault, and theft. The detention order was approved by the District Magistrate following a proposal by Latur Rural Police. Gambhire will be held in the central jail in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for one year under the MPDA Act. A history-sheeter was detained under the stringent Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act for a period of one year in Latur, a police official said on Thursday. Amol Jyotiram Gambhire (26), a resident of Sikandarpur in Latur tehsil, has 15 cases registered against his name across police stations, including for attempt to murder, assault and theft, the official said. Details of the Detention "Considering his repeated involvement in crime and the fear created among local residents, police initiated preventive proceedings. Acting on a proposal submitted by Latur Rural Police, the District Magistrate approved his detention order on February 20. Following the order, Gambhire was sent to the central jail in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Feb 25 for one year," the official said. A 20-year-old woman in Hyderabad, who previously worked for a YouTube channel, tragically died by suicide due to a suspected 'love failure' after her romantic advances were rejected, prompting a police investigation. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff Key Points A 20-year-old woman in Hyderabad allegedly died by suicide due to a 'love failure' after expressing her feelings to a friend who rejected her. The woman, who previously worked for a YouTube channel, sent a message to her mother in Kuwait before taking her life. Police investigations reveal the woman had repeatedly proposed to a friend who declined her advances, leading to distress. A diary recovered from the scene contained entries about her feelings, his rejection, and her hope for reciprocation. The woman had attempted suicide previously, and her mother had asked the friend to stop communicating with her. A 20-year-old woman, who previously worked for a YouTube channel, allegedly died by suicide at her residence here over a "love failure," after sending a text message to her mother in Kuwait, police said on Thursday. The deceased, a native of Visakhapatnam, was found hanging from a ceiling fan in her rented flat in the Raidurgam area on February 23. In the early hours of the same day, she sent a text message to her mother, who is employed in Kuwait, saying, "I love you, mummy. Take care of my younger brother," before switching off her phone, a police official at Raidurgam station said. On receiving information via Dial 100, a police team rushed to the spot, broke open the door and found her hanging in the flat. Investigation Details According to preliminary investigations, the first-year B Sc student, who had moved to Hyderabad six months ago, had repeatedly proposed to a friend from Visakhapatnam, but he declined and had recently asked her not to contact him. However, they remained friends. He had also moved to Hyderabad and is working as a software professional, police said. She had earlier worked for a YouTube channel and appeared in videos, police added. "Both of them had known each other since 2023 and were friends. She had been expressing her love for him and had also proposed marriage, but he told her he was not interested. Even a day before her death, she called him to her flat and again expressed her feelings, but he reiterated that he was not interested," the official said. Police said a diary recovered from the scene contained entries about her feelings for him, his rejection, and her hope that he might reciprocate in the future. Based on available evidence, it appears to be a case of one-sided love, and she may have taken the extreme step due to distress over how events unfolded, police said. The woman's mother stated that her daughter had attempted suicide about six months ago and that she had then asked the friend to stop communicating with her, police said. Based on a complaint filed by the mother, a case has been registered. Further investigation is underway, police added. India and Israel have strengthened their alliance, forging a special strategic partnership to boost collaboration in trade, defence, and technology, while also addressing regional peace efforts IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, at an observation point overlooking the walls, in Jerusalem, Israel, February 26, 2026. Photograph: @IsraeliPM X/ANI Photo Key Points Both nations are committed to finalizing a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement to boost economic ties. India and Israel will expand their defense partnership through joint development and production of military hardware. India supports the Gaza Peace Plan and advocates for peaceful solutions to conflicts in the Middle East. The two countries will establish a critical and emerging technologies partnership, focusing on AI, quantum computing, and critical minerals. India and Israel on Thursday elevated their "time-tested" relationship to a special strategic partnership and agreed to fast-track a long-awaited free trade deal even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi backed the Gaza peace initiative, asserting that humanity must never become a victim of conflict. In his media statement after holding wide-ranging talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Modi said India's security interests are directly linked to peace and stability in the Middle East and that New Delhi has been pitching for a peaceful solution to the conflict in Gaza. Following the meeting between the two prime ministers, India and Israel inked a total of 17 agreements and documents that will provide for deeper cooperation in artificial intelligence, trade, investment, education, manufacturing, culture, maritime heritage, agriculture and a plethora of other areas. The two sides also vowed to expand their already close defence partnership by working towards joint development and joint production of military hardware under the framework of the transfer of technologies. The US-Iran standoff and other issues in the region figured in the talks and PM Modi mentioned India's firm belief in the value of dialogue and reiterated New Delhi's readiness to offer support, if required, toward achieving a peaceful solution, according to foreign secretary Vikram Misri. In his media statement, Modi elaborated on the upward trajectory of India-Israel ties and said the relationship is built on a strong foundation of deep trust, shared democratic values, and human compassion. "Our relationship has stood the test of time. Today, we took the historic decision to elevate our time-tested partnership to 'Special Strategic Partnership. This decision reflects the aspirations of the people of both countries," he said. The relationship was upgraded to a strategic partnership in 2017. "Our economic cooperation remains an engine of growth, innovation, and shared prosperity. Last year, we signed a bilateral investment agreement to promote mutual investment. We will also soon finalise a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement," Modi said. The prime minister also talked about the joint resolve of India and Israel in combating terrorism. "India and Israel are absolutely clear that terrorism has no place in the world. Terrorism, in any form, in any manifestation, cannot be tolerated," Modi, who landed in Israel on Wednesday on a two-day visit, said. "We have stood shoulder to shoulder against terrorism and its supporters, and will continue to do so." The prime minister noted that India's security interests are directly linked to peace and stability in West Asia. "Therefore, we have supported dialogue and a peaceful solution from the very beginning. This is the call of the Global South and all humanity," he said. "India's thinking is clear: humanity must never become a victim of conflict. The Gaza Peace Plan has opened a path to peace. India has fully supported these efforts. We will continue dialogue and cooperation with all countries in the future," he said. The prime minister also made a mention of the resolved by the two sides to forge a partnership in the area of critical and emerging technologies. "Technology is central to our future partnership. Today, we decided to establish a critical and emerging technologies partnership. This will give new impetus to cooperation in areas such as AI, quantum, and critical minerals," he said. "I am pleased that an agreement has been reached for the use of UPI (United Payment Interface) in Israel. We are also committed to improving people's lives by sharing our experiences in the field of digital health," he said. Modi also touched upon the defence ties between the two sides. "We have decades-old and trusted cooperation in the defence sector. The MoU signed last year will add new dimensions to this. Together, we will move forward towards joint development, joint production, and transfer of technology," he said. As India is looking at developing an indigenous air defence shield called "Sudarshan Chakra", it is learnt that the Indian side also explored the possibility of incorporating certain elements from Israel's Iron Dome all-weather air defence system into its proposed missile shield. The prime minister said both sides will also advance cooperation in areas of civil nuclear energy and space. In his remarks, Netanyahu said the future belongs to those who innovate and Israel and India are determined on innovation. "We are proud ancient civilisations, very proud of our past, but also absolutely determined to seize our future and we can do it better together," he said. Modi, referring to robust engagement between the two countries in the agriculture sector, said it has been decided to give this cooperation a futuristic direction. "The Centres of Excellence established in India with Israeli cooperation are excellent examples of our friendship. Given their success, we have set a goal of increasing their number to 100," he said. The existing Centres of Excellence offer new technology for agricultural production. "Taking a step further in this direction, we are working on creating Villages of Excellence. This will bring Israeli technology to every village in India, significantly increasing the income and productivity of millions of farmers," Modi said. At a media briefing, foreign secretary Misri, responding to a question on New Delhi's position on the Palestine issue, said India backs the US-endorsed Gaza Peace Initiative and referred to Modi's remarks on it in his address to Israel's Knesset on Wednesday. "We firmly believe that it (the Gaza Peace Initiative) holds the promise of a just, durable and lasting peace for all the people of the region, including by addressing the Palestinian question," the foreign secretary said. "This is something that was made amply clear by the prime minister in his address to the Knesset yesterday where he framed this issue very comprehensively," he said. Misri, referring to Modi's remarks, said this is not the time to lose hope and it is the time sustain the hope. In the meeting, India and Israel also discussed the implementation of the India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor and cooperation under the framework of I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-US). "We had a comprehensive discussion on regional and global issues. While promoting regional connectivity, we will move forward with renewed momentum on the India-Middle-East-Europe-Economic-Corridor and the India- Israel-UAE-the US (I2U2) framework," Modi said. Before departing for New Delhi, the prime minister posted on 'X': "Today's discussions with PM Netanyahu were very fruitful. We've taken a historic decision to elevate our time-tested partnership to a Special Strategic Partnership. This decision reflects the aspirations of the people of both countries." Expressing the grave concern over this common challenge, the two leaders reaffirmed their collective resolve to combat this menace as the leaders of two vibrant and resilient democracies IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the joint press meet, in Jerusalem, Israel, February 26, 2026. Photograph: @IsraeliPM X/ANI Photo Key Points Both countries express grave concern over terrorism and reaffirm their resolve to combat it. The leaders specifically condemned the October 7, 2023 terror attack on Israel, the April 22, 2025 attack on Indian tourists at Pahalgam, and the November 10, 2025 terror incident near Red Fort. India and Israel reiterate their commitment to global peace and security. The strategic partnership between India and Israel is elevated to a 'Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation & Prosperity'. India and Israel on Thursday unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, and reaffirmed their collective resolve to combat this menace. A joint statement issued after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu said the two leaders called for "decisive and concerted international efforts" to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner. "The leaders unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism," it said. Expressing the grave concern over this common challenge, the two leaders reaffirmed their collective resolve to combat this menace as the leaders of two vibrant and resilient democracies. "They strongly condemned the heinous October 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel, the savage terror attack on Indian tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu & Kashmir in India on April 22, 2025 and the terror incident near Red Fort, New Delhi on November 10, 2025," the statement said. It said that the two leaders also reiterated their unwavering commitment to advancing global peace and security and welcomed US President Donald Trump's "Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict." They discussed the regional developments, including the peace process, and underlined the need for the establishment of a just and durable peace, security and freedom of navigation and trade in the region through dialogue and mutual understanding. Modi arrived in Israel on Wednesday on a two-day visit to the country at the invitation of Netanyahu. It is his second visit to Israel in nine years. The India-Israel relationship was elevated to the level of strategic partnership during his first visit to that country in July 2017. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Prime Minister Modi agreed and decided to elevate the Strategic Partnership to a new level, 'A Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation & Prosperity', the statement added. ISRO stated that the disengagement of at least one contact -- in both the main and redundant paths -- of a connector led to the failure of NVS-02. IMAGE: ISRO launched its 100th mission -- the NVS-02 navigation satellite -- aboard the launch vehicle GSLV-F15 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, January 29, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo More than a year after the loss of India's strategic navigation satellite NVS-02, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Wednesday officially disclosed the causes behind the mission failure. However, the space agency did not elaborate on the proximate cause of the malfunction. ISRO stated that the disengagement of at least one contact -- in both the main and redundant paths -- of a connector led to the failure of NVS-02. NVS-02 Mission Failure Explained ISRO said an apex committee constituted to review the incident concluded that 'the most likely cause for the observation is the disengagement of at least one contact (in each of the main and redundant paths) of the connector'. Following an extensive analysis of simulation data, the committee determined that the satellite could not be raised to its intended orbit because the drive signal failed to reach the pyro valve in the oxidiser line of the engine. Yet ISRO has not explained how the contacts in both the primary and redundant paths became disengaged. Connector Disengagement Root Cause Key Points ISRO confirmed connector contact disengagement in both main and redundant paths caused NVS-02 mission failure and satellite loss. Pyro valve failed to open as oxidiser signal never reached engine, leaving satellite stranded in transfer orbit. Launched January 2025 aboard GSLV-F15, NVS-02 remained inoperable despite successful placement into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. Mission cost about Rs 600 crore, with redundancy compromised because both power lines used same connector. ISRO implemented corrective measures, successfully tested in CMS-03 mission, strengthening redundancy and reliability for future launches. Pyro Valve Oxidiser Signal Failed On January 29, 2025, NVS-02 was successfully placed into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) but later became inoperable when a pyro valve failed to open, blocking the flow of oxidiser. The satellite was launched aboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F15). Weighing 2,250 kg, NVS-02 remained stranded in GTO after the valve malfunction prevented oxidiser from feeding the engine, making it impossible to fire the liquid apogee motor (LAM) and raise the spacecraft to its designated Geostationary Orbit. Even at the time, speculation had pointed to a faulty electrical connector as a possible cause. Retired ISRO officials described the incident as an unprecedented failure for the agency, which has successfully orbited numerous Earth observation and communication satellites. Notably, NVS-02 was carried on the 100th rocket launched from the Sriharikota spaceport. ISRO Redundancy System Under Review In February last year, industry experts and former senior ISRO officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested that the valve may not have received power. One probable explanation, they said, was that the power supply connector had not been properly connected after final tests, though the reasons were unclear. With the total mission cost estimated at around Rs 600 crore -- split roughly equally between the rocket and the satellite -- critical systems were expected to have built-in redundancies. In the case of NVS-02, there was reportedly full redundancy in the valve, electronics, and power supplies. However, experts noted that both the main and redundant power lines passed through the same connector, undermining the concept of full redundancy. Ideally, they argued, independent connectors should have been used. They also stressed that critical systems in rockets and satellites should have two or three fully independent redundancies, preferably with components sourced from different vendors to minimise the risk of batch failures. A retired senior ISRO official explained that the agency typically follows a two-way redundancy policy in system configurations, and in some highly critical operations -- such as heat shield separation -- even employs four-way redundancy. In 2017, the IRNSS-1H satellite -- intended as a replacement for IRNSS-1A -- failed when the heat shield of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle did not open, leaving the satellite trapped inside the rocket. ISRO said the committee reviewing the NVS-02 failure has issued recommendations to strengthen redundancy and reliability in pyro system operations for future missions. 'In line with these recommendations, all corrective actions were successfully implemented in the CMS-03 spacecraft launched on November 2, 2025, by LVM-3 M5. 'The pyro systems performed satisfactorily, placing the satellite in its intended orbit. 'These recommendations will be followed for all future missions, as applicable,' ISRO said. Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at venkatacharijagannathan@gmail.com Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff The Jharkhand government is set to provide crucial financial assistance to crime victims through the Jharkhand Victim Compensation Scheme, offering support for survivors of acid attacks, rape, and other offenses. Key Points Jharkhand government to provide financial assistance to crime victims under the Jharkhand Victim Compensation Scheme, 2016. Minimum compensation of Rs 3 lakh provided for acid attack and rape victims in Jharkhand. Compensation includes Rs 2 lakh for sexual exploitation of a minor and Rs 1 lakh for human trafficking rehabilitation in Jharkhand. Scheme offers Rs 2 lakh for death or permanent disability due to crime and Rs 50,000 for sexual harassment in Jharkhand. Compensation may be increased by 50% if the victim is under 14 years of age in Jharkhand. The Jharkhand government will provide financial assistance to victims of crime or their dependents under the Jharkhand Victim Compensation Scheme, 2016, an official said on Thursday. The minimum compensation amounts for various crimes have been fixed, and applications can be submitted to the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), according to an official statement by the department of home, jail and disaster management. "For a person injured in an acid attack, the minimum compensation for the resulting loss or damage is Rs 3 lakh, and similarly, Rs 3 lakh compensation is provided in cases of rape," the release said. Compensation Amounts for Various Crimes The scheme provides for a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for sexual exploitation of a minor, Rs 1 lakh for rehabilitation of human trafficking victims, Rs 50,000 for sexual harassment (not amounting to rape), Rs 2 lakh in case of death due to any crime, Rs 2 lakh for permanent disability, Rs 1 lakh for partial disability, Rs 2 lakh for burns to more than 25 per cent of the body and Rs 50,000 for foetal loss, it added. The scheme also has a provision that if the victim is under 14 years of age, the compensation amount may be enhanced by 50 per cent above the specified amount, the release added. The repression that followed Venezuelas presidential elections in July 2024 devastated the internal structures of the parties within the Unitary Platform, the umbrella alliance that brings together the most important Venezuelan opposition parties. These organizations are the political expression of a widespread desire for change in Venezuela and are, in theory, destined to play a leading role in shaping a transition to democracy. However, they are undergoing a costly process of reconstruction in a still uncertain and contradictory political environment, in which, while an Amnesty Law is passed in the National Assembly and political prisoners are released, the personal residence of Magalli Meda, a national leader of Vente Venezuela, has been confiscated. The general fate of the most important figures within organizations like Popular Will, Justice First, and Vente Venezuela has been exile or imprisonment. The same has befallen some activists from Democratic Action, Citizen Encounter, and Radical Cause. And the situation hasnt improved with the recently approved Amnesty Law, which has placed conditions and difficulties on the return of exiles. There arent many opposition politicians left in the country. Diosdado Cabello, a powerful figure within the regime, has kept his word, having prophesied to his adversaries during a legislative debate following Maduros arrest: Were going to screw them over. Hopefully, this will be the moment for us to have a new opposition in the country, he declared at the time. A significant portion of the political prisoners registered up to January of this year belong to parties affiliated with the Unitary Platform or Vente Venezuela. The Venezuelan opposition includes several smaller, moderate factions, tolerated by the regime, that have chosen to compete in the Chavista elections and hold seats in the legislature. They have actively participated in the debate and drafting of the Amnesty Law and are highly critical of Maria Corina Machado. The most prominent of these are Un Nuevo Tiempo (New Era), a founding party of the Unitary Platform and the faction of Justice First that abandoned the party with Henrique Capriles. Besides Capriles, notable figures in this group include Manuel Rosales, Tomas Guanipa, Omar Barboza, and Stalin Gonzalez. There are others, each with a small legislative bloc: Neighborhood Force, Pencil Alliance, Centrados, and Progressive Advance. Relations between the opposition that upholds the electoral results of July 28 and demands more democracy, and those that have chosen to follow the institutional path of Chavismo in search of possible results, are currently very strained, even on a personal level. Despite the apparent institutional opening attempted by the Chavista regime, the conditions for engaging in politics remain far from clear. The sheer number of politicians affected by exile, imprisonment, clandestinity, and even death in recent years makes it difficult to motivate voluntary activism. The Chavista regime itself acknowledges the existence of some 11,000 people facing legal proceedings. Furthermore, the releases that occurred within the context of the amnesty have brought with them the sinister stories from Nicolas Maduros prisons, which are now circulating on social media and in private conversations. The politicians who have recently emerged from hiding (Andres Velasquez, Delsa Solorzano, Henry Ramos Allup) are only now beginning to make public statements. The political opening the country is experiencing has encountered a society paralyzed by fear of repression and a dissident leadership fragmented and under attack. Since 2023, the political strategy of the anti-Chavista movements has been in the hands of Maria Corina Machado, the countrys most popular leader. Simply mentioning her name, like that of Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, the winning candidate in the 2024 presidential elections, has become a public taboo and risks imprisonment for anyone who invokes, justifies, or praises them. Machado works actively from exile, but, against her will, she has to do so far removed from the daily lives of the people in Venezuela. The same is true for Edmundo Gonzalez, Leopoldo Lopez, Julio Borges, Carlos Vecchio, Freddy Guevara, David Smolansky, Carlos Ocariz, and Antonio Ledezma, among other politicians considered the public face of democratic activism in recent years. We are not fragmented: the Unitary Platform has been meeting throughout this entire time, even clandestinely, says Delsa Solorzano, founder of Citizen Encounter and one of the most emblematic opposition leaders still active in the country. Each of the Platforms parties is working hard to prevent fragmentation; we are supporting and complementing each other, she adds. Opposition leaders are already beginning to visit neighborhoods on the urban periphery and in the interior of the country. We are consolidating our cohesion, waiting for the moment to return to politics. They shouldnt underestimate us, Solorzano emphasized. Among the parties of the Unitary Platform, sources within the organizations affirm, there is consensus on priority and achievable issues: strengthening ties with social movements, the families of political prisoners, and wage demands; upholding the results of the July 2024 elections; and, in the medium term, demanding greater democracy to pave the way for a genuine political transition. Theres a good atmosphere within the Platform, much better than we had some time ago, says a leader of the Radical Cause party who preferred to remain anonymous. We want to expand this bloc, strengthen it; thats what were working on. We havent stopped meeting and working, even if people dont see it. Much remains to be done, however. The political future in Venezuela remains shrouded in uncertainty. In the current scenario, the course of events suggests that two distinct strategies are emerging within the opposition. Moderate sectors will focus on consolidating a dialogue with the Miraflores Palace to try to influence the status quo, prioritizing the economic agenda to improve living conditions and alleviate the daily tensions. The majority faction of the Unitary Platform, on the other hand, will seek to return to the streets and exercise its constitutional rights to pave the way for democracy. One problem facing opposition sectors that now have access to the corridors of power is their lack of clear representation and social acceptance, states Guillermo Aveledo Coll, political analyst and dean of legal and political studies at the Metropolitan University of Caracas. Conversely, the groups allied in the Unitary Platform, which have historically represented the social demand for political change, do not have access to institutions and decision-making spaces. Despite everything, the atmosphere in the country following the U.S. attack on January 3 has renewed the spirit for citizen protest. Everything has been tentative, but this is one of the most noticeable features of this new political moment. Now, the calls to action are being led by the student movement, initiatives from academic sectors, and families of political prisoners. Opposition leaders have begun talks with members of the diplomatic corps present in the country. For those entrenched in the system, its difficult to criticize those in power beyond making minor demands, which weakens their legitimacy, says Aveledo. For the rest of the opposition, the path forward must be to focus their demands not only on public policy issues but also on the countrys democratization agenda. The analyst observes that a structural difficulty for both tendencies lies in the complexity of any attempt at coordination between them. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition JNUSU members were detained after attempting a protest march to the ministry of education, highlighting ongoing tensions and demands for addressing institutional neglect in higher education IMAGE: File image of a JNUSU protest. Photograph: Screen grab/X Key Points JNUSU members, including president Aditi Mishra and former president Nitish Kumar, were detained during a protest march. The protest aimed to address alleged 'institutional neglect' in higher education and demand the enactment of the 'Rohith Vemula Act'. Heavy security deployment prevented the students from taking the rally outside the JNU campus. Tensions remain high at JNU following a previous protest that resulted in violence and an FIR against JNUSU office-bearers. RJD MP Manoj Jha expressed concern over the security deployment and called for clarity and dialogue between authorities and the university community. Several members of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) were detained after they tried to take out a protest rally towards the ministry of education on Thursday afternoon, sources told PTI. They said JNUSU president Aditi Mishra, former JNUSU president Nitish Kumar and several other protesters have been detained. However, there was no immediate confirmation from the Delhi police on the detentions. The protesting students assembled at Sabarmati T Point on the campus on Thursday afternoon and began moving in groups carrying placards and banners. As they tried to take the rally outside the campus, they were stopped by the heavy security deployment at the strongly barricaded university gate. The organisers said the march was aimed at addressing the alleged "institutional neglect" in higher education institutions. Security personnel have been deployed inside and outside the university amid continuing tensions after a JNUSU protest turned violent on Monday. The protest had led to incidents of stone-pelting and physical altercation between the JNUSU and the ABVP. Delhi Police has also registered an FIR against JNUSU office-bearers in connection with the incident. The JNUSU has been protesting for stronger implementation of University Grants Commission regulations. They have also demanded enactment of the "Rohith Vemula Act", increased funding for public institutions, and resignation of the JNU Vice-Chancellor for her alleged caste remarks in a podcast on February 16. The Rohith Vemula Act is a proposed legislation aimed at eliminating caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions. Reacting to the developments in JNU, Rashtriya Janata Dal's Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha said on X that reports of a sudden security deployment in and around the university have understandably caused anxiety among students and faculty. "I have said it earlier and repeat that universities are spaces of ideas, not uncertainty, and any such action without clear communication unsettles the academic environment. At this moment, the authorities owe the campus community clarity and dialogue. A confident democracy governs its universities through trust, not opacity. Jai Hind," Jha said. According to visuals shared on social media, university gate could be seen strongly barricaded amid heavy security deployment, even as the protesters were trying to take the rally outside the campus. A journalist in Uttar Pradesh has been arrested for allegedly publishing misleading reports against hospital officials, raising concerns about press freedom and potential corruption cover-ups. Key Points A journalist in Balrampur, UP, was arrested for publishing allegedly misleading reports against the chief medical officer and staff of a local hospital. Police action followed a complaint alleging the journalist was publishing unfounded news on social media, tarnishing the image of public servants and engaging in extortion. The journalist's brother claims the arrest is retaliation for exposing alleged corruption within the health department and seeking an inquiry. The arrest has sparked concerns about press freedom and allegations of a cover-up of corruption within the Uttar Pradesh health department. The local correspondent of a Lucknow-based daily newspaper was arrested and sent to jail for publishing misleading reports against the chief medical officer and other staff of a hospital here, officials said on Thursday. According to police, the action was taken following a complaint lodged on Wednesday at the Dehat police station by Dr Santosh Kumar Srivastava, Additional Superintendent at the Joint District Hospital. In his complaint, Srivastava alleged that Divakar Kasaudan, a resident of Devi Patan in Tulsipur, had been publishing "misleading and unfounded news" against the chief medical officer and his subordinates on various social media platforms since February 19, thereby tarnishing the image of a public servant. The complaint further alleged that the accused had been resorting to extortion and obstructing government work. Based on the complaint, a case was registered against Kasaudan. He was arrested and sent to jail, police said. Dehat Station House Officer Girjesh Kumar Tiwari said the matter is under investigation and further legal action will be taken accordingly. Accusations of Retaliation Meanwhile, the accused's brother, Prabhakar Kasaudan, alleged that the arrest was a result of the journalist's reports highlighting alleged corruption in the health department. He claimed that his brother had been consistently publishing news reports on alleged irregularities in the department and had also written to the Principal Secretary (Health) and the President seeking an inquiry. "Angered by this, a false case has been filed to silence his voice, under pressure from the chief medical officer," Prabhakar Kasaudan alleged. He demanded that the chief minister and the prime minister order a fair investigation into the matter to bring out the truth. The Kerala high court has granted bail to a Sri Lankan refugee, suspected of being an LTTE member in a UAPA case, after over four years of judicial custody without trial, emphasising the right to a speedy trial. IMAGE: Police personnel conduct a search for explosives allegedly hidden by the LTTE at Akal Madam beach in Rameshwaram, May 23, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Kerala high court grants bail to a Sri Lankan refugee, Satkunam, suspected of LTTE membership in a UAPA case. The court cited prolonged judicial custody of over four years without the trial commencing as the primary reason for granting bail. The accused is suspected of being part of the outer security wing of the late LTTE leader Prabhakaran and faces charges related to conspiracy and illegal activities. The high court emphasised the right to a speedy trial under Article 21, applicable to all persons regardless of citizenship. Bail conditions include a bond of Rs 1 lakh, restrictions on leaving Kerala, passport surrender, and regular reporting to the local police station. The Kerala high court has granted bail to a Sri Lankan citizen, residing as a refugee in Chennai and suspected of being a member of the LTTE armed cadre, in a UAPA case as the trial had not commenced even after over four years of his judicial custody. A bench of justices Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and P V Balakrishnan granted the relief to 33-year-old Satkunam, also known as Sabesan, who is suspected of being a member of the outer security wing of the late LTTE leader Prabhakaran. The high court, referring to various Supreme Court decisions, said that Satkunam was undergoing incarceration for a period of more than four years and four months and according to the report received from the lower court, the trial was not likely to commence and end in the near future. ".. we are of the considered view that this is a fit case where the appellant (Satkunam) can be granted the relief as sought for by him," the bench said. Court Imposes Conditions The high court directed that the Sri Lankan citizen shall be released on bail on his executing a bond for the sum of Rs 1 lakh with two solvent sureties of the like amount, subject to the satisfaction of the special court for trial of NIA cases in Ernakulam. The other bail conditions stipulated by the high court included that the appellant can leave Kerala only with prior permission of the special court, he should surrender his passport, provide his complete and current residential address to the NIA investigating officer, use only one mobile number, which should be communicated to the investigating officer and should always remain switched on. Besides these, the appellant was also directed to report before the Station House Officer of the police station having jurisdiction over his place of residence on every first and third Saturdays, without fail, and not to tamper with evidence or attempt to influence witnesses. Legal Arguments and Court's Decision The Centre had opposed the bail on various grounds, including that certain provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) place a complete embargo on the court granting him bail. The bench rejected the contention, saying the right to speedy trial enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution is applicable to all persons and is not restricted to citizens of India. "The meaning of the word 'life' in Article 21 cannot be narrowed down and it is available not only to every citizen of the country, but also to a person, who may not be a citizen of the country," the high court said. It also noted that the appellant was in custody since October 2021 and according to the special court's report, the trial would probably commence in January 2027 and can only be completed by December 2027, as there are 209 witnesses to be examined and 446 documents to be perused. Background to the Case According to the NIA, the appellant entered India through illegal means and then conspired with others for the revival of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). He was also accused by the NIA of procuring arms for the purpose of waging war against Sri Lanka, raising funds through drugs and weapons dealings and investing proceeds of his crimes in properties in Tamil Nadu. Satkunam moved the high court after the special court dismissed his bail application in April 2024. Three men were swiftly arrested in Latur, Maharashtra, after allegedly kidnapping a minor girl, thanks to a rapid police response and coordinated search operation. Key Points Three men in their 20s have been arrested in Latur, Maharashtra, for allegedly kidnapping a minor girl. Police apprehended the suspects within an hour of receiving the kidnapping complaint. A search operation involving multiple districts and highway patrol units led to the interception of the suspects' vehicle in Beed. The minor girl was rescued, and the three accused, residents of Udgir, were taken into custody. Three men in their 20s were arrested for allegedly kidnapping a minor girl in Maharashtra's Latur district, police said on Thursday. The trio was taken into custody within an hour of receiving a complaint, an official said. A minor girl was allegedly abducted in a blue car within the jurisdiction of Deoni police on Wednesday, he said. After receiving a complaint, a search operation was launched, and police alerted authorities in Beed and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar districts as well as highway patrol units. The official said a highway security team intercepted the car at Gevrai in Beed, detained the three accused and rescued the girl. The accused, identified as Udgir residents Kalim Hakani Sheikh (20), Ashpak Karim Sheikh (20), and Bilal Khaled Qureshi (25), were subsequently arrested, the official added. Kerala's Health Minister Veena George was allegedly attacked during a protest by KSU activists in Kannur, sparking arrests and further unrest related to medical negligence concerns. IMAGE: Kerala Health Minister Veena George being shifted to Kannur Government Medical College. She sustained injuries to her neck and hand during a KSU black flag protest at the Kannur Railway Station. Photograph: ANI Video Grab Key Points Kerala Health Minister Veena George was allegedly attacked during a protest by KSU activists at Kannur railway station. The FIR alleges the minister was attacked with a 'weapon' by KSU activists protesting medical negligence in government hospitals. Five KSU activists have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody in connection with the alleged attack. Congress and KSU leaders deny the allegations of an attack on the health minister. Separate cases have been registered against Youth League and CPI-M activists for related protests and violence. The police first information report (FIR) into the injury suffered by Health Minister Veena George following a protest by Kerala Students' Union (KSU) activists stated that she was allegedly attacked with a 'weapon' at the railway station in Kannur. Five arrested KSU activists, the student wing of Congress, who were protesting frequent incidents of alleged medical negligence in government hospitals in the state, were remanded to judicial custody. According to the FIR registered by the Kannur Railway Police, when George and her gunman reached the first platform of the railway station to board the Vande Bharat Express at around 3.15 pm on Wednesday, KSU activists, with the intention to commit a crime, allegedly trespassed into the area carrying a 'weapon'. They held black flags, raised slogans including 'kill her', approached the minister and attacked her neck with some 'weapon', the FIR said. When the gunman attempted to stop them, he was allegedly attacked and restrained. They also obstructed the minister and the gunman from performing their official duties, the FIR added. The FIR was registered based on a complaint filed by gunman Abhilash M S under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Railway Act, including provisions related to attempt to murder. The arrested KSU activists were produced before a court in Kannur early Thursday morning and remanded to judicial custody, police said. George was first admitted to Kannur District General Hospital after she complained of neck pain and discomfort in her right hand and was later shifted to Pariyaram Government Medical College Hospital in Kannur. Congress and KSU leaders have denied the allegation of the attack on the minister. Other Protests and Violence Similarly, a case was registered against 10 activists of the Youth League affiliated to the Muslim League for allegedly protesting with black flags when George's official vehicle reached near AKG Hospital in Kannur on Wednesday. In a separate incident, a case was registered against seven Communist Party of India-Marxist activists for allegedly assaulting Youth League leader Shajeer Iqbal while he was protesting as the minister's vehicle was passing through Peringome here on Wednesday afternoon. Meanwhile, incidents of violence were reported in various parts of the state late Wednesday night. CPI-M activists allegedly torched a Congress booth committee office at Kodiyeri in Kannur. Police have begun an investigation into the incidents. Violence and protests were also reported from Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram districts. According to police, the domestic help, along with her associate, hatched a plan to conduct a fake ED operation in order to deceive her employer. Image used only for representational purposes. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Two individuals arrested in Delhi for staging a fake Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid. The fake raid was allegedly planned by a domestic help and an associate to deceive her employer. Police investigation led to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of luxury watches, jewellery, and a fake identity card. The accused face charges related to impersonation and theft following the staged incident. Two persons, including a domestic help, were arrested on Thursday for allegedly conducting a fake Enforcement Directorate raid at her employer's residence in southeast Delhi, an official said. The accused were arrested after a complaint was handed over to the police. According to police, the domestic help, along with her associate, hatched a plan to conduct a fake ED operation in order to deceive her employer. A team initiated an investigation and traced the suspects through technical surveillance. Both accused were subsequently arrested and questioned. Items Recovered from the Accused "During the search and recovery, police seized seven luxury watches, jewellery, a Deputy Commandant uniform and a fake identity card from their possession," the officer said. Further details are awaited. Following a fatal police encounter in Gurdaspur, SAD and Congress leaders are demanding an independent investigation into the death of Ranjit Singh, who was accused of killing two policemen. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points SAD and Congress leaders visited the family of Ranjit Singh, who was killed in a police encounter in Gurdaspur. Ranjit Singh was accused of involvement in the murder of two policemen in Gurdaspur. Ranjit's family alleges a 'fake encounter' and demands an independent investigation. SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia alleges that young Sikh men are being targeted and demands a CBI inquiry into encounter killings. Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira questions the police's version of events, highlighting that Ranjit Singh was taken from his home by the police. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia and Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira on Thursday visited the residence of Ranjit Singh, who was shot dead in an encounter by police, and said his party stands firmly with his family. Ranjit, a resident of Adhian village here, was one of the three accused in the murder of two policemen in Gurdaspur. He was shot dead in an exchange of fire with the police on Wednesday. Ranjit's mother raised questions over the police encounter, saying that her son was picked up by the police on Tuesday for questioning but later she came to know that he was shot dead. Assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Gurnam Singh and home guard Ashok Kumar were found dead on Sunday with gunshot wounds inside a checkpost in Adhian village, about two km from the International Border with Pakistan. The police later identified Ranjit Singh (19), Inderjit Singh (21) and Dilawar Singh (19) for their alleged involvement in the killing of the two police personnel allegedly at the behest of their Pakistan-based handlers backed by the spy agency ISI. While Dilawar has been arrested, Inderjit is absconding. Political Reactions and Allegations SAD leader Majithia said Ranjit was the only child of his parents. His mother Sukhwinder Kaur and family members alleged that her son was killed in a "fake encounter" and demanded justice along with an independent investigation into the incident, said the Akali leader. After meeting the family, Majithia said SAD stands firmly with them and would fight for justice. He alleged that young Sikh men were being targeted under what he described as a "Delhi-run government" in Punjab. He claimed that youths from border areas were increasingly becoming "victims" of police action. He further alleged that innocent youths were being picked up and eliminated in the name of security operations. Demanding accountability, Majithia called for registration of a murder case against the chief minister and the director general of police. He also demanded a CBI inquiry into all encounter killings that have taken place during the tenure of the AAP government. He alleged that the sequence described by the police appears similar to an encounter reported a few months ago in Mohali. It was then claimed that a police vehicle had overturned in foggy conditions, following which the accused allegedly attempted to flee and opened fire at the police party, leading to retaliatory firing. He questioned the repetition of such circumstances, saying similar versions emerging in multiple encounter cases have raised doubts and strengthened demands for an independent probe into the incident. Congress MLA Khaira also visited Ranjit's residence to express solidarity with his family. "Ranjit Singh was taken from home by the police at 4 pm on Tuesday in the presence of his family and villagers. If he were guilty, would he be waiting at home for the police to arrest him? Ranjit had no criminal past and was a disciplined young boy," said Khaira. In a crucial directive, the Supreme Court mandates the CBI and Manipur SITs to share charge sheets with victims of the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence, ensuring access to justice and legal support. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Supreme Court directs CBI and Manipur SITs to provide charge sheets to victims and families in the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence cases. Legal aid will be provided to victims through Manipur and Assam State Legal Services Authorities, ensuring language proficiency for effective communication. The court expressed disappointment over non-payment of honorarium to the panel monitoring rehabilitation and probes, ordering interim payments. Victims can record statements via video conferencing and the legal services authority will cover travel and stay expenses for court attendance in Guwahati. The Supreme Court extended the tenure of the Justice Gita Mittal committee to oversee relief and rehabilitation of Manipur ethnic violence victims. In a significant set of fresh directions, the Supreme Court on Thursday asked the CBI and Manipur SITs to provide copies of charge sheets filed by them in the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence cases to the victims and their families. The directions were issued after the top court perused the 12th status report filed by former Maharashtra Police chief Dattatray Padsalgikar, who was entrusted with the task to monitor probes into the criminal cases in Manipur. Padsalgikar, in his report, said the CBI has filed charge sheets in the special court in 20 violence cases and the probes in six other FIRs were underway and would be concluded in the next six months. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi asked the CBI to ensure that the investigation in remaining violence cases are over within stipulated time and charge sheets are filed. Taking note of vehement submissions of senior advocate Vrinda Grover that the victims and their families are in dark on the fate of cases, the CJI asked the CBI and the SITs of state police to share the copies of charge sheets with the affected persons. "The Manipur State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) and the Assam State Legal Services Authority are directed to provide a free legal aid counsel to each victim," the bench said, adding that such lawyers should be proficient in local language so that victims and their families can communicate with them. The bench directed the Manipur SLSA to foot the bills for travelling and boarding of legal aid counsels for their trips to Guwahati for the trial in the cases. The top court had earlier transferred the cases to Assam from Manipur. It also asked the legal services authority to bear the expenses of the victims and their family members for their travel and stay in Guwahati for attending the cases. It said one person per case can avail this facility. "The legal aid counsel shall be entitled to assist the special trial court through public prosecutors or independently as per the prevailing situations," it said. The bench said it has neither pursued the charge sheets nor made any comments on their merits and hence the victims and their family members will be at liberty to raise all the grievances before the special court trying the cases. Keeping the safety and security aspects in mind, the bench, however, made clear that its earlier order permitting victims to record their statements through video conferencing facilities before the trial court at Guwahati will remain in force. Addressing Victim Support and Compensation The bench expressed shock over the non-payment of any honorarium to the three-member judges panel headed by former Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court Justice Gita Mittal entrusted with the task to monitor rehabilitation of victims and Padsalgikar who has been monitoring probes in criminal cases. "We are disappointed to know that no reimbursement for their travel and work has been done so far. We deem it appropriate that as an interim measure, let Rs 12 lakhs be given to Justice Mittal and Rs 10 lakh each to Justices Shalini P Joshi, a former judge of the Bombay High Court, and Asha Menon, an ex-judge of the Delhi High Court (who are also part of the panel)," the CJI said. It also asked the Centre to pay Rs 10 lakh to Padsalgikar at the moment for his services. The bench said it will later fix the honorarium for the panel members and the former DGP for their assistance. The bench has now fixed the plea for further directions in the third week of March.On February 13, the bench had sought the status report on progress made in the investigation in the criminal cases. More than 200 people have been killed, several hundred injured and thousands displaced since ethnic violence first broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023, when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. At the outset, Grover, appearing for one of the woman victims who passed away recently, said that she be substituted by her mother and accused that the CBI did not even inform her that a charge sheet in her rape case was filed. Grover said the Kuki woman died last month from an illness allegedly linked to the trauma she suffered after being gang-raped. Last month, the Supreme Court extended till July 31 the tenure of the apex court-appointed Justice Gita Mittal committee set up to oversee relief and rehabilitation of the victims of ethnic violence in Manipur. In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has mandated that victims of the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence receive copies of charge sheets filed by the CBI and SITs, ensuring access to justice and legal support. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Supreme Court directs CBI and Manipur SITs to provide charge sheets to victims and families in the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence cases. Legal aid will be provided to each victim by the Manipur and Assam State Legal Services Authorities, with lawyers proficient in local languages. The court will cover travel and boarding expenses for victims and their legal counsel to attend trials in Guwahati. The Supreme Court expressed disappointment over the non-payment of honorariums to the judges panel monitoring rehabilitation and the monitor of probes in criminal cases, ordering interim payments. The ethnic violence in Manipur has resulted in over 200 deaths and thousands of displacements since May 3, 2023. In a significant set of fresh directions, the Supreme Court on Thursday asked the CBI and Manipur SITs to provide copies of charge sheets filed by them in the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence cases to the victims and their families. The directions were issued after the top court perused the 12th status report filed by former Maharashtra Police chief Dattatray Padsalgikar, who was entrusted with the task to monitor probes into the criminal cases in Manipur. Padsalgikar, in his report, said the CBI has filed charge sheets in the special court in 20 violence cases and the probes in six other FIRs were underway and would be concluded in the next six months. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi asked the CBI to ensure that the investigation in remaining violence cases are over within stipulated time and charge sheets are filed. Taking note of vehement submissions of senior advocate Vrinda Grover that the victims and their families are in dark on the fate of cases, the CJI asked the CBI and the SITs of state police to share the copies of charge sheets with the affected persons. "The Manipur State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) and the Assam State Legal Services Authority are directed to provide a free legal aid counsel to each victim," the bench said, adding that such lawyers should be proficient in local language so that victims and their families can communicate with them. The bench directed the Manipur SLSA to foot the bills for travelling and boarding of legal aid counsels for their trips to Guwahati for the trial in the cases. The top court had earlier transferred the cases to Assam from Manipur. It also asked the legal services authority to bear the expenses of the victims and their family members for their travel and stay in Guwahati for attending the cases. It said one person per case can avail this facility. "The legal aid counsel shall be entitled to assist the special trial court through public prosecutors or independently as per the prevailing situations," it said. The bench said it has neither pursued the charge sheets nor made any comments on their merits and hence the victims and their family members will be at liberty to raise all the grievances before the special court trying the cases. Keeping the safety and security aspects in mind, the bench, however, made clear that its earlier order permitting victims to record their statements through video conferencing facilities before the trial court at Guwahati will remain in force. Financial Support and Monitoring The bench expressed shock over the non-payment of any honorarium to the three-member judges panel headed by former Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court Justice Gita Mittal entrusted with the task to monitor rehabilitation of victims and Padsalgikar who has been monitoring probes in criminal cases. "We are disappointed to know that no reimbursement for their travel and work has been done so far. We deem it appropriate that as an interim measure, let Rs 12 lakhs be given to Justice Mittal and Rs 10 lakh each to Justices Shalini P Joshi, a former judge of the Bombay High Court, and Asha Menon, an ex-judge of the Delhi High Court (who are also part of the panel)," the CJI said. It also asked the Centre to pay Rs 10 lakh to Padsalgikar at the moment for his services. The bench said it will later fix the honorarium for the panel members and the former DGP for their assistance. The bench has now fixed the plea for further directions in the third week of March.On February 13, the bench had sought the status report on progress made in the investigation in the criminal cases. Background of the Manipur Violence More than 200 people have been killed, several hundred injured and thousands displaced since ethnic violence first broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023, when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. At the outset, Grover, appearing for one of the woman victims who passed away recently, said that she be substituted by her mother and accused that the CBI did not even inform her that a charge sheet in her rape case was filed. Grover said the Kuki woman died last month from an illness allegedly linked to the trauma she suffered after being gang-raped. Last month, the Supreme Court extended till July 31 the tenure of the apex court-appointed Justice Gita Mittal committee set up to oversee relief and rehabilitation of the victims of ethnic violence in Manipur. The Supreme Court has mandated that the CBI share charge sheets related to the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence cases with victims and their families, ensuring legal support and addressing concerns about the ongoing investigations. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Supreme Court orders CBI and Manipur SITs to provide charge sheets to victims and families in the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence cases. Legal aid will be provided to victims through Manipur and Assam State Legal Services Authorities, ensuring access to proficient local language counsel. The court addresses concerns regarding the progress of CBI investigations and directs timely filing of charge sheets in remaining violence cases. The Supreme Court expresses disappointment over non-payment of honorarium to the panel monitoring rehabilitation and probes, ordering interim payments. Victims can record statements via video conferencing and raise grievances before the special court, ensuring safety and access to justice. In a significant set of fresh directions, the Supreme Court on Thursday asked the CBI and Manipur SITs to provide copies of charge sheets filed by them in the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence cases to the victims and their families. The directions were issued after the top court perused the 12th status report filed by former Maharashtra Police chief Dattatray Padsalgikar, who was entrusted with the task to monitor probes into the criminal cases in Manipur. Padsalgikar, in his report, said the CBI has filed charge sheets in the special court in 20 violence cases and the probes in six other FIRs were underway and would be concluded in the next six months. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi asked the CBI to ensure that the investigation in remaining violence cases are over within stipulated time and charge sheets are filed. Taking note of vehement submissions of senior advocate Vrinda Grover that the victims and their families are in dark on the fate of cases, the CJI asked the CBI and the SITs of state police to share the copies of charge sheets with the affected persons. "The Manipur State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) and the Assam State Legal Services Authority are directed to provide a free legal aid counsel to each victim," the bench said, adding that such lawyers should be proficient in local language so that victims and their families can communicate with them. The bench directed the Manipur SLSA to foot the bills for travelling and boarding of legal aid counsels for their trips to Guwahati for the trial in the cases. The top court had earlier transferred the cases to Assam from Manipur. It also asked the legal services authority to bear the expenses of the victims and their family members for their travel and stay in Guwahati for attending the cases. It said one person per case can avail this facility. "The legal aid counsel shall be entitled to assist the special trial court through public prosecutors or independently as per the prevailing situations," it said. The bench said it has neither pursued the charge sheets nor made any comments on their merits and hence the victims and their family members will be at liberty to raise all the grievances before the special court trying the cases. Keeping the safety and security aspects in mind, the bench, however, made clear that its earlier order permitting victims to record their statements through video conferencing facilities before the trial court at Guwahati will remain in force. Addressing Victim Support and Rehabilitation The bench expressed shock over the non-payment of any honorarium to the three-member judges panel headed by former Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court Justice Gita Mittal entrusted with the task to monitor rehabilitation of victims and Padsalgikar who has been monitoring probes in criminal cases. "We are disappointed to know that no reimbursement for their travel and work has been done so far. We deem it appropriate that as an interim measure, let Rs 12 lakhs be given to Justice Mittal and Rs 10 lakh each to Justices Shalini P Joshi, a former judge of the Bombay High Court, and Asha Menon, an ex-judge of the Delhi High Court (who are also part of the panel)," the CJI said. It also asked the Centre to pay Rs 10 lakh to Padsalgikar at the moment for his services. The bench said it will later fix the honorarium for the panel members and the former DGP for their assistance. The bench has now fixed the plea for further directions in the third week of March.On February 13, the bench had sought the status report on progress made in the investigation in the criminal cases. More than 200 people have been killed, several hundred injured and thousands displaced since ethnic violence first broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023, when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. At the outset, Grover, appearing for one of the woman victims who passed away recently, said that she be substituted by her mother and accused that the CBI did not even inform her that a charge sheet in her rape case was filed. Grover said the Kuki woman died last month from an illness allegedly linked to the trauma she suffered after being gang-raped. Last month, the Supreme Court extended till July 31 the tenure of the apex court-appointed Justice Gita Mittal committee set up to oversee relief and rehabilitation of the victims of ethnic violence in Manipur. With the November midterm elections on the horizon, doubts are growing about the possible presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at polling places. Against this backdrop, a senior official from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) promised state election officials this week that there will be no federal immigration agents at polling places, amid growing fears of possible federal intervention in processes that constitutionally fall under state jurisdiction. During a call on Wednesday with election officials from across the country, Heather Honey, deputy assistant secretary for election integrity at DHS, addressed the issue. Any suggestion that ICE is going to be present at polling places is simply disinformation, she said, according to several national media outlets, citing people who participated in the meeting. There will be no ICE presence at polling locations. The statement came during a conversation involving representatives from the Justice Department, the FBI, the Postal Service, the Election Assistance Commission, and DHS itself. The meeting was scheduled as part of the usual coordination efforts ahead of the midterm elections. Federal law prohibits the deployment of troops or armed men at polling stations, and the Constitution grants states the authority to administer their own elections. However, President Donald Trump has shown openness to unprecedented federal involvement in these state processes, and has even said that his administration should nationalize voting. Elections in New York, November 2024. Yuki Iwamura (AP) Concerns grew after former Trump adviser Steve Bannon said on his podcast: Were going to have ICE surround the polls come November. Were not going to sit here and allow you to steal the country again. Like other Republicans, including President Trump, Bannon has suggested without evidence that there was fraud in the 2020 election. Shortly thereafter, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said she could not guarantee that ICE agents would not be near polling places in November. According to a Politico report, several Democratic secretaries of state used Wednesdays call to seek explicit assurances. California Secretary of State Shirley Weber asked if states would be notified in advance of immigration operations at polling places. Honey responded that this premise was disinformation. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a Democrat, questioned the officials credibility in statements to NBC News. Heather Honey is an election denier with zero integrity. The fact that shes speaking for the Department of Homeland Security is an embarrassment to election administrators who recognize her past work with the Cyber Ninjas audit and all that nonsense, he said. Im just not convinced. Honey previously worked as a subcontractor for Cyber Ninjas, the company hired by the Republican-controlled Arizona State Senate to review the 2020 election results in Maricopa County. That audit found no evidence of fraud and was widely criticized by experts. From Maine, Democratic Secretary of State Shenna Bellows also expressed reservations after the meeting. I did not walk away from this meeting reassured that the federal government wouldnt try to interfere in state sovereignty over the election, she said. When we asked about state sovereignty and could the federal government make public statements reinforcing the constitutional principle that the states, not the federal government, were in charge of elections, there was a stunned silence. According to the Politico report, several participants said the call offered little information beyond the commitment on ICE. One described it as an attempt to cover your butt, suggesting that the administration was simply seeking to put on record that it had consulted state officials. The concern is not limited to the physical presence of immigration agents. Trump has continued to promote false claims about voter fraud by non-citizens, including in his recent State of the Union address. Furthermore, a recent FBI search of the Fulton County, Georgia, election center, linked to discredited claims about Trumps defeat in 2020, further raised alarms among election administrators. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has ordered the CBI and Manipur SITs to provide charge sheets to victims of the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence, ensuring access to justice and legal support. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points The Supreme Court mandates CBI and Manipur SITs to provide charge sheets to victims and families in the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence cases. Legal aid will be provided to each victim through the Manipur and Assam State Legal Services Authorities, ensuring language proficiency for effective communication. The court will cover travel and boarding expenses for victims and their legal counsel to attend trials in Guwahati, where the cases were transferred. The Supreme Court expressed disappointment over the non-payment of honorariums to the judges panel monitoring rehabilitation and directed interim payments. The court acknowledged the death of a Kuki woman, allegedly due to trauma from gang rape, and allowed her mother to be substituted in the case. In a significant set of fresh directions, the Supreme Court on Thursday asked the CBI and Manipur SITs to provide copies of charge sheets filed by them in the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence cases to the victims and their families. The directions were issued after the top court perused the 12th status report filed by former Maharashtra Police chief Dattatray Padsalgikar, who was entrusted with the task to monitor probes into the criminal cases in Manipur. Padsalgikar, in his report, said the CBI has filed charge sheets in the special court in 20 violence cases and the probes in six other FIRs were underway and would be concluded in the next six months. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi asked the CBI to ensure that the investigation in remaining violence cases are over within stipulated time and charge sheets are filed. Taking note of vehement submissions of senior advocate Vrinda Grover that the victims and their families are in dark on the fate of cases, the CJI asked the CBI and the SITs of state police to share the copies of charge sheets with the affected persons. "The Manipur State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) and the Assam State Legal Services Authority are directed to provide a free legal aid counsel to each victim," the bench said, adding that such lawyers should be proficient in local language so that victims and their families can communicate with them. The bench directed the Manipur SLSA to foot the bills for travelling and boarding of legal aid counsels for their trips to Guwahati for the trial in the cases. The top court had earlier transferred the cases to Assam from Manipur. It also asked the legal services authority to bear the expenses of the victims and their family members for their travel and stay in Guwahati for attending the cases. It said one person per case can avail this facility. "The legal aid counsel shall be entitled to assist the special trial court through public prosecutors or independently as per the prevailing situations," it said. The bench said it has neither pursued the charge sheets nor made any comments on their merits and hence the victims and their family members will be at liberty to raise all the grievances before the special court trying the cases. Keeping the safety and security aspects in mind, the bench, however, made clear that its earlier order permitting victims to record their statements through video conferencing facilities before the trial court at Guwahati will remain in force. Financial Relief and Monitoring The bench expressed shock over the non-payment of any honorarium to the three-member judges panel headed by former Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court Justice Gita Mittal entrusted with the task to monitor rehabilitation of victims and Padsalgikar who has been monitoring probes in criminal cases. "We are disappointed to know that no reimbursement for their travel and work has been done so far. We deem it appropriate that as an interim measure, let Rs 12 lakhs be given to Justice Mittal and Rs 10 lakh each to Justices Shalini P Joshi, a former judge of the Bombay High Court, and Asha Menon, an ex-judge of the Delhi High Court (who are also part of the panel)," the CJI said. It also asked the Centre to pay Rs 10 lakh to Padsalgikar at the moment for his services. The bench said it will later fix the honorarium for the panel members and the former DGP for their assistance. The bench has now fixed the plea for further directions in the third week of March.On February 13, the bench had sought the status report on progress made in the investigation in the criminal cases. Background of the Violence More than 200 people have been killed, several hundred injured and thousands displaced since ethnic violence first broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023, when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. At the outset, Grover, appearing for one of the woman victims who passed away recently, said that she be substituted by her mother and accused that the CBI did not even inform her that a charge sheet in her rape case was filed. Grover said the Kuki woman died last month from an illness allegedly linked to the trauma she suffered after being gang-raped. Last month, the Supreme Court extended till July 31 the tenure of the apex court-appointed Justice Gita Mittal committee set up to oversee relief and rehabilitation of the victims of ethnic violence in Manipur. A Maoist leader allegedly murdered his commander to stop him from surrendering to Odisha police, exposing deep rifts within the Naxal group. IMAGE: A security person inspects the arms, ammunition and other belongings recovered from two Maoists after an exchange of fire with security personnel, Kandhamal, Odisha, Februrary 23, 2026. Photograph: ANI Video Grab Key Points A Maoist leader, Sukru, allegedly killed his commander, Anwesh, to prevent him from surrendering to the Odisha Police. Anwesh, a divisional committee member with a Rs 22 lakh bounty, was reportedly planning to surrender with other Maoist cadres. The murder highlights internal conflicts within Maoist groups regarding surrendering to authorities. The body of Anwesh was exhumed from a forest area in Kandhamal district following legal protocols. Another Maoist member, Jagesh, believed to be involved in the murder, was killed in an exchange of fire with security forces. The police in Kandhamal district on Wednesday exhumed the decomposed body of Anwesh, alias Renu, at Pakari reserve forest area under Daringbadi police station limits. He was allegedly killed by notorious Naxal leader Sukru on January 29. "It has been ascertained that Anwesh was killed by Sukru and his associates when the former was preparing to surrender before the Odisha police along with some other Maoist cadre," Kandhamal SP Harish BC told PTI over phone. Carried a bounty of Rs 22 lakh Anwesh, a native of Sukma in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, was a divisional committee member (DVCM) and military platoon commander of the KKBN (Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh) Division, and he carried a bounty of Rs 22 lakh on his head, the police said. The SP said the body was exhumed following strict legal protocols in the presence of the executive magistrate. "Answesh's move to surrender was opposed by the leadership. The murder is believed to have been executed by SZCM (State Zonal Committee Member) Sukru, with the assistance of DVCM Sila and ACM (area committee member) Jagesh," he said. Jagesh was neutralised in an exchange of fire with security forces on February 22 in the Nandabali Reserve Forest area in Kandhamal district. Internal Conflicts Exposed Top officials engaged in anti-naxal operations in Odisha said that the incident exposes the internal conflicts within Maoist groups over surrendering before the police. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Yad Vashem in Jerusalem to honor Holocaust victims underscores the enduring importance of remembrance and the commitment to global peace and human dignity IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum, in Jerusalem, Israel, February 26, 2026. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also present. Photograph: @narendramodi X/ANI Photo Key Points Modi visited Yad Vashem in Jerusalem to honor victims of the Holocaust. Modi and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu toured the Hall of Names, commemorating Holocaust victims. A memorial ceremony was held where Modi laid a wreath and stone in remembrance. Modi's visit underscores the commitment to uphold peace and human dignity, and stand against injustice. Yad Vashem serves as a reminder of the Holocaust and the importance of Holocaust commemoration, documentation, research and education. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday visited Yad Vashem memorial here and paid tributes to the victims of the Holocaust. Modi was accompanied by his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. At the start of the visit, the two leaders toured the Hall of Names, during which Netanyahu showed Modi the names of his wife Sara's relatives who perished in the Holocaust. Following the tour, a memorial ceremony was held, in which Prime Minister Modi laid a wreath and placed a stone to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust. "Honouring the memory of victims of the Holocaust and renewing our shared commitment to uphold peace and human dignity. PM @narendramodi visited Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X. Modi laid a wreath and paid homage to the victims of the Holocaust. He also visited the poignant Book of Names Hall, a powerful tribute preserving the memory of millions who perished during the holocaust. "The memorial stands as a solemn reminder of the brutality of the past and our collective resolve to stand against injustice and create a better world," Jaiswal said. This was the second visit of Prime Minister Modi to Yad Vashem. Established in 1953 by an act of the Knesset (Israeli Parliament), Yad Vashem is entrusted with Holocaust commemoration, documentation, research and education. Modi arrived in Israel on Wednesday on a two-day visit to the country. It is his second visit to Israel in nine years. The India-Israel relationship was elevated to the level of strategic partnership during his first visit to that country in July 2017. An investigation is underway after four individuals were caught allegedly tampering with timing equipment during the Mumbai police recruitment physical tests, leading to the filing of two FIRs. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Two FIRs filed against four individuals for allegedly tampering with timing equipment during Mumbai police recruitment physical tests. Candidates accused of swapping timing chips and taking shortcuts during 100-meter and 1600-meter races. Irregularities detected through chip scanning and manipulation of recorded times. The incident occurred at the Police Training Centre in Marol, Andheri, during ongoing recruitment exercises. Authorities are conducting further investigations into the alleged tampering incidents. Two cases were registered against four persons for allegedly tampering with timing equipment during the physical tests for police recruitment in Mumbai, an official said on Thursday. These tests, being held at the Police Training Centre in Marol in Andheri, include 100-metre and 1600-metre races that have to be covered in a stipulated time, the Powai police station official said. "Each candidate was provided with a timing chip to be worn on the foot to electronically record performance. During the evening session, one candidate fell while running and was unable to complete the 100-metre race. The chip from his foot was removed, and he was sent to a hospital for medical treatment," he said. "Later, a woman police constable on duty carried the score sheets to the server room. It was noticed that the system did not generate marks for the injured candidate after the 100-metre run. Upon questioning, the candidate reportedly admitted to swapping his chip. Following this revelation, officials checked another candidate's chip and found it had been exchanged to help him to secure 10 out of 15 marks in the 100-metre test," the official added. Further Investigation into Recruitment Irregularities Further irregularities were detected in the 1600-metre event, he said. Two other candidates completed only three laps of 400 metres each instead of the mandatory four laps, and also took a shortcut outside the track while attempting the fourth lap, he said. "By scanning the chip and manipulating the recorded time, they attempted to mislead the authorities. Two FIRs have been registered against four candidates. Further probe is underway," the official added. In a major drug bust, Navi Mumbai police arrested three individuals and seized hydroponic ganja worth Rs 12.91 crore, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points Navi Mumbai police arrested three individuals near Vashi railway station for possession of hydroponic ganja. The seized hydroponic ganja is estimated to be worth Rs 12.91 crore. Over 12 kilograms of 'hydro ganja' were found concealed in a trolley bag inside a car. The arrested individuals are from Ulhasnagar and Pune, and a case has been registered under the NDPS Act. Police are investigating the complete peddling network related to the seized drugs. Three persons have been arrested allegedly with hydroponic ganja worth Rs 12.91 crore, Navi Mumbai police said on Thursday. Acting on a tip off, a trap was laid near CIDCO Exhibition Centre and Rajasthan Bhavan close to Vashi railway station on February 26, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I) Pankaj Dahane told reporters. "The police team intercepted a car at 5am that day and found 12.910 kilograms of hydro ganja worth Rs 12.91 crore concealed in a trolley bag. We arrested Shyam Shivkumar Vanvani (45) from Ulhasnagar, as well as Sandeep Dilip Patil (35) and Aniket Sunil Telangi (27), both from Parvati in Pune," the DCP said. What is Hydro Ganja? 'Hydro ganja' is a term used for cannabis grown using hydroponics, a soil-free method of cultivation using nutrient-rich water solutions. Investigation Underway A case under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act was registered at Vashi police station and further probe to unravel the complete peddling network is underway, Dahane said. In her complaint filed on Wednesday, the 26-year-old victim said she lived in Kurukshetra, where she worked with a private company. On Tuesday, she had come to Gurugram to meet a friend. Key Points A 26-year-old Nepali woman was allegedly gang-raped in Gurugram by three men, including the auto-rickshaw driver. The incident occurred after she boarded an auto that already had three men inside. The woman said she was so drunk that she couldn't remember anything clearly. She later regained consciousness in a room in the Naharpur Rupa area. The arrested driver has been sent to judicial custody, while police are searching for the remaining two accused. A Nepali woman returning home by an auto rickshaw in Gurugram was allegedly gang-raped by three people, including the driver of the three-wheeler, officials said on Thursday. Police have arrested the auto driver after registering a first information report (FIR) at the Sadar police station, and a search is underway to nab the other two accused, they added. In her complaint filed on Wednesday, the 26-year-old victim said she lived in Kurukshetra, where she worked with a private company. On Tuesday, she had come to Gurugram to meet a friend. However, unable to find her friend, she became upset and consumed alcohol, the complaint said. Auto-driver held, search on for two accused "She then boarded an auto-rickshaw, which already had three people inside. She was so drunk that she couldn't remember anything clearly. When she regained her consciousness, she found herself in a room in the Naharpur Rupa area, after which she approached the police," officials said, quoting the victim. "In her complaint, the woman accused three men of gang-rape. Police arrested the main accused, the auto driver, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday night. A local court on Thursday sent him to judicial custody. A search is underway for the remaining accused," a senior police officer said. Recent terror attacks in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces have resulted in significant casualties among security forces, prompting increased security operations and raising concerns about regional stability. Photograph: Screen grab/X Key Points At least 20 security personnel were killed in terror attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the first week of Ramazan. Security forces killed 18 rebels in Balochistan during clearance operations. Several police officials and Frontier Corps personnel were killed in separate incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A female suicide bomber was arrested in Dera Ismail Khan, preventing a potential major attack. Kidnappings and killings of civilians have also been reported in Balochistan, contributing to the volatile security situation. At least 20 security personnel were killed in different terror attacks in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the first week of the holy month of Ramazan while security forces killed 18 rebels in two days in Balochistan, the army said on Thursday. Between February 19 and 25, official data showed that in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, seven police officials were killed in Kohat; four were killed in an attack by a suicide bomber who targeted the Dajal police check post in the limits of Bhakkar, adjacent to Dera Ismail Khan, and four army personnel were killed in Bannu in a suicide attack on a security forces convoy. In a separate incident, three paramilitary Frontier Corps personnel were killed in the Bahadur Khel area of Karak where the militants attacked an ambulance while one police official was killed in Dera Ismail Khan and in Wana both. Police authorities confirmed that a female suicide bomber was arrested in Dera Ismail Khan, foiling a potential major attack. In another incident, unidentified armed men abducted three brothers in Bannu late on Wednesday night after Taraweeh prayers. Two of the brothers, who were policemen, were killed while their third sibling, a clerk in the commissioner office, was released on Thursday. Security forces and police launched an investigation into the incident. Security Operations in Balochistan According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media wing, eight militants were killed on Tuesday while another 10 were killed the next day in clearance operations in areas in Zhob in Balochistan. "Clearance operations are still continuing in Zhob based on intelligence reports until the area is cleared of terrorists," the ISPR said. In Balochistan, the situation has been volatile since last Saturday when eight workers belonging to Sindh province were kidnapped from the Burkhan and Khuzdar areas while working on construction sites. A man was fatally shot in Patna, India, following a dispute over money, leaving two others injured and sparking a police investigation. Key Points A man identified as Sonu Kumar Soni was shot dead in Patna due to a monetary dispute. Two others, Aakash Kumar and Ankit Kumar, were injured in the Patna shooting and are receiving hospital treatment. The shooting in Patna occurred at Musallahpur Haat within the Sultanganj police station area. Police have registered an FIR and are investigating the shooting incident involving the accused, Bikka, alias Vikash Kumar, in Patna. A man was shot dead, and two others were injured in a firing incident in Patna, police said on Thursday. The incident took place at Musallahpur Haat within Sultanganj police station area on Wednesday night. The deceased has been identified as Sonu Kumar Soni. The injured, Aakash Kumar (Sonu's brother) and Ankit Kumar, are undergoing treatment at a hospital, police said. Police Investigation into Patna Shooting Talking to reporters here, City SP (East) Parichay Kumar said, "In a firing incident at Musallahpur Haat, a person named Bikka, alias Vikash Kumar, fired upon several people over a monetary dispute. An FIR was lodged based on Akash's statement." According to Sultanganj SHO Kamlesh Kumar, "A dispute over loaned money led to a scuffle between Vikash and brothers Sonu and Akash. Vikash was reportedly slapped during the incident. He went back home and later returned armed, along with his accomplices. Bikka took Sonu and his colleagues to a corner and fired at them. President Droupadi Murmu is set to fly in the indigenously-built Light Combat Helicopter 'Prachand' in Jaisalmer. IMAGE: The Indian Army's Light Combat Helicopter 'Prachand' successfully conducts test firing at a high-altitude range. Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points President Murmu will undertake a sortie in the indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) 'Prachand' in Jaisalmer. The LCH Prachand is India's first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter, enhancing the Indian Air Force's combat capabilities. The President will also attend the Indian Air Force's 'Vayu Shakti' firepower demonstration at Pokhran. The LCH Prachand is designed to operate in diverse terrains, including high-altitude regions, and is equipped with advanced avionics and weapons systems. President Murmu previously undertook sorties in Rafale and Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft, demonstrating her engagement with frontline military platforms. President Droupadi Murmu will undertake a sortie in the indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) 'Prachand' at the Jaisalmer Air Force Station on Friday morning as part of her visit to Rajasthan. Murmu will arrive in Jaisalmer on Thursday evening, where Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma will receive her. On Friday, the president -- the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces -- is scheduled to fly in the LCH Prachand before attending other engagements later in the day, defence sources said. The LCH Prachand is India's first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter, built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Capabilities of the LCH Prachand Designed to operate in diverse terrains -- from deserts to high-altitude regions -- the helicopter is capable of operating at altitudes exceeding 5,000 metres, making it well-suited for deployment along mountainous borders. Equipped with advanced avionics, stealth features, night-attack capability and a formidable array of weapons including air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles, rockets and a 20 mm gun, the LCH significantly enhances the combat capability of the Indian Air Force. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had undertaken a sortie in the Prachand, which translates to fierce, during the formal induction of the first LCH into the IAF at the Jodhpur Air Force Station in October 2022. IAF's Vayu Shakti Demonstration In the evening, the president will attend the IAF's mega firepower demonstration 'Vayu Shakti' at the Pokhran Field Firing Range near the India-Pakistan border. The event follows a full dress rehearsal held on February 24, which showcased coordinated day-to-dusk-to-night operations in a near-realistic combat scenario. During the rehearsal, frontline fighter jets, transport aircraft and helicopters carried out simulated strikes on designated targets. Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft targeted enemy runways and positions, MiG-29 jets struck a simulated convoy of tanks, and the Akash missile system engaged aerial targets. A C-130 aircraft conducted a night landing, while a C-295 transport aircraft carried out landing operations. Prachand and Apache helicopters, as well as Jaguar aircraft, also participated. President Murmu has taken sorties in Rafale, Sukhoi-30 MKI Friday's sortie in the LCH will add to a series of high-profile engagements by the president with frontline military platforms. Murmu undertook a sortie in a Rafale fighter aircraft at the Air Force Station in Ambala in October last year, becoming the first Indian president to have flown in two different fighter aircraft of the IAF. In April 2023, she undertook a sortie in a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft at the Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam, flying for about 30 minutes over the Brahmaputra and Tezpur valley with a view of the Himalayas. Former DGP R Sreelekha is under investigation after a Thiruvananthapuram court ordered a probe into allegations that she revealed the identities of sexual offence victims in a social media video. Photograph: / Rediff.com Key Points A Thiruvananthapuram court has ordered a police probe against former DGP R Sreelekha for allegedly revealing the identity of sexual offence victims. The allegations stem from a video posted by Sreelekha on her YouTube channel, leading to a petition filed in October 2025. The court had previously directed a probe in January, but the petitioner claimed no investigation had been carried out. Police officials have stated that a case will be registered soon, and an investigation will be launched based on the court's fresh direction. R Sreelekha, a retired Kerala DGP, contested local body elections on a BJP ticket. A court here has ordered the police to conduct a probe against BJP councillor and former DGP R Sreelekha for allegedly revealing the identity of victims in a sexual offence case through a video posted on a social media platform. Thiruvananthapuram Judicial First Class Magistrate Tania Mariam Jose issued the order on February 23. The petition was filed by one R Jayachandran in October 2025, alleging that Sreelekha had disclosed the identities of victims in a sexual offence case in a video uploaded on her YouTube channel. On January 21 this year, the court had directed the Thiruvananthapuram Museum police here to conduct a detailed probe to ascertain the facts stated in the petition and forwarded the complaint for investigation. On February 23, the petitioner again approached the court, stating that no investigation had been carried out. Police officials at the Museum police station said that, based on the court's fresh direction, a case would be registered soon and an investigation would be launched. Sreelekha, who retired as Kerala DGP, contested the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation local body election on a BJP ticket. According to the Department of Justice, Philippe Bien-Aime, of Haitian origin, entered the country with a false passport and committed bigamy to obtain papers before being elected to lead the city in Florida U.S. authorities are seeking to strip the citizenship of a former South Florida mayor accused of entering the country with a false passport, lying about his identity for 30 years, and committing bigamy to obtain legal status. The Justice Department filed a lawsuit last week in a Miami federal court to denaturalize Philippe Bien-Aime, a Haitian national, who served as mayor of North Miami from 2019 until he ran for a County Commission seat in 2022. The high-profile case comes amid a Trump administration offensive to revoke the citizenship of people who allegedly obtained it illegally or committed fraud in the process. A Justice Department memo from last year directs the departments Civil Division to prioritize and maximally pursue denaturalization proceedings in all cases permitted by law and supported by evidence, marking a more aggressive approach to denaturalization enforcement. The memo notes that priority should be given to certain categories, ranging from individuals linked to terrorism, espionage, and war crimes to those who made false statements or simply when the case is determined to be sufficiently important to pursue. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has warned that this policy represents a significant shift in the use of denaturalization, which historically has been applied very rarely. From the 1990s until 2017, the average number of cases was 11 per year; a figure that increased considerably during the first Trump administration. According to the organization, the priorities of the new strategy are broad and vague, increasing the risk that people who have not committed any illegal acts will be stripped of their citizenship. In Bien-Aimes case, according to prosecutors, he arrived in the U.S. 30 years ago with a fraduluent photo-switched passport under the name Jean Philippe Janvier. The then-Immigration and Naturalization Service initiated deportation proceedings against him, requiring him to appear at several hearings between 1997 and 2000. There, he confessed to using a false passport, presented a birth certificate identifying himself as Jean Philippe Janvier, born in Port-au-Prince in 1965, and stated that he was married to Sarahjane Ternier, with whom he had lived in Fort Lauderdale, north of Miami, since 1994, according to court documents. A judge ordered their deportation in 2000, which they appealed. However, the following year, the defendant withdrew his appeal and claimed he had returned to Haiti. However, the Justice Department indictment states that the man never left, but instead began calling himself Philippe Bien-Aime and in 2001 married U.S. citizen Marie Rose Chauvet to obtain residency. Meanwhile, the government alleges, he was still married in Haiti to another woman, Beatrice Gelin. Bien-Aime, however claimed he had divorced her, and was in a relationship with Ternier, with whom he had two children, when he married Chauvet. He had a third child with Chauvet the following year. Prosecutors allege that Bien-Aime lied and concealed key information during the residency application process. Among other things, he claimed to have only one child, born in 1988 in Port-au-Prince, and failed to disclose his deportation order or that he had previously used a different name. He also claimed to have divorced a previous wife in Haiti and submitted a falsified divorce certificate. He obtained residency in 2002 and applied for citizenship in 2005. The Justice Department states that Bien-Aime also deliberately lied during that process, both on the forms and under oath in interviews with immigration officials, and continued those lies during the green card process. Nevertheless, in 2006, he was sworn in as a U.S. citizen and illegally obtained a naturalization certificate, the government states. The matter took a turn in 2019, when a fingerprint specialist with the Department of Homeland Security realized that the fingerprints taken from Jean Philippe Janvier in Miami in 1997 and those on Bien-Aimes residency and citizenship applications belonged to the same person, according to the court document. That same year, Bien-Aime was elected mayor of North Miami, a city of about 60,000 inhabitants northeast of Miami and one of the main Haitian enclaves in the country. In 2021 he was re-elected, but he resigned from office in 2022 to run for the Miami-Dade County Commission, a position he did not win. He had been a member of the North Miami City Council since 2013. The Justice Department asked the court to revoke his citizenship, cancel his naturalization certificate, and require him to surrender his passport and all documents identifying him as a U.S. citizen. Bien-Aimes attorney, Peterson St. Philippe, did not respond to a request for comment for this report. In an email to the Miami Herald, St. Philippe said it was appropriate to address the allegations through legal channels, rather than through public comment. Citizenship is considered the most important benefit of the immigration system, as it grants the right to vote and entails responsibilities such as jury service and defending the nation. To obtain it, people generally must have been permanent residents for at least five years, or three years if married to a citizen as in Bien-Aimes case. Requirements include civics and history exams, and English proficiency. However, the process has become increasingly complex under the Trump administration, which has implemented stricter rules, more rigorous exams, and suspended all immigration processes for citizens of a growing list of countries. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A Rajasthan man's journey to Bengaluru to recover his stolen SUV turned violent when he was allegedly assaulted and robbed, highlighting the dangers of self-recovery efforts. Photograph: Pexels from Pixabay Key Points A Rajasthan man was allegedly assaulted and robbed in Bengaluru after locating his missing SUV using a mobile tracking app. The victim had lent his SUV to a friend over a year ago, who failed to return it, prompting him to file a police complaint. After tracking the SUV to Bengaluru, the man retrieved it, but was intercepted by three men who assaulted him and stole the vehicle. Police have arrested one suspect, Mangilal Choudary, and recovered the SUV and stolen mobile phones. The incident highlights the risks associated with tracking and retrieving stolen property without involving local law enforcement. A 32-year-old man from Rajasthan who travelled to Bengaluru to retrieve his missing SUV was allegedly assaulted and robbed, police said on Thursday. The victim, Chandra Prakash, a resident of Jodhpur, had lent his SUV to his friend Mahendra Gujjar over a year ago on the assurance that it would be returned within a few weeks, they said. When the vehicle was not returned, he lodged a complaint with the local police in Jodhpur last year, but no progress was made. According to police, Prakash then allegedly used a mobile application to track his vehicle's location and found that it was being driven in Bengaluru. On February 23, he reached the city with a spare key, located the SUV parked by the roadside in east Bengaluru and drove it away after unlocking it. The Assault and Robbery Around 11.10 pm, as he neared Bommanahalli Circle, three men on a two-wheeler intercepted him. When he questioned them, an argument ensued and the trio allegedly assaulted him with an iron rod and a helmet, a senior police officer said. The accused allegedly robbed him of two mobile phones and fled with the SUV. Prakash sustained injuries and was shifted to a hospital for treatment, he said. Police Investigation and Arrest Based on his complaint, Mangilal Choudary (40), a businessman from Rajasthan, was arrested in connection with the incident, police said, adding that efforts are being made to nab the other two suspects. During interrogation, Choudary told police he had extended a friendly loan to an acquaintance who defaulted and that the SUV was given as security, police said. Gujjar had allegedly borrowed money from acquaintances and passed the vehicle to a friend of Choudary, who later returned it to him. The SUV and the two mobile phones have been recovered, they added. Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut secures acquittal in the defamation case filed by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya's wife, Medha Somaiya, over allegations of a Rs 100 crore scam, marking a significant legal victory. IMAGE: Shiv Sena-UBT MP Sanjay Raut. Photograph: Sansad TV/ANI Video Grab Key Points Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena-UBT MP, has been acquitted in a defamation case filed by Medha Somaiya. The defamation case stemmed from allegations made by Raut against Medha and Kirit Somaiya regarding a Rs 100 crore scam. A magistrate court previously convicted Raut and sentenced him to 15 days in jail, but the sessions court overturned the ruling. The allegations involved a scam related to the construction of public toilets in the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation area. A sessions court in Mumbai on Thursday allowed the revision application of Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray MP Sanjay Raut, acquitting him in a defamation case filed by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kirit Somaiya's wife Medha Somaiya. The BJP leader's wife had dragged the Rajya Sabha member to court, claiming he made baseless and completely defamatory allegations in the media against her and her husband, accusing them of being involved in a Rs 100 crore scam related to the construction of public toilets in the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation area. Raut was convicted last year A magistrate court last year convicted Raut and sentenced him to 15 days in jail in the case. The Sena-UBT leader later filed an appeal before the sessions court, challenging the magistrate's ruling. After hearing the arguments of both sides, the court allowed his plea on Thursday. The detailed order was not available yet. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is alerting investors to be vigilant against fraudulent schemes, including fake Securities Transaction Tax (STT) payment demands and unregistered account handlers promising unrealistic stock market returns. Key Points Sebi warns investors about fake notices demanding Securities Transaction Tax (STT) payments using forged letterheads. The regulator clarifies that STT is collected by brokers on stock exchange transactions and Sebi does not issue direct payment notices. Sebi cautions against fraudsters impersonating officials and misusing the Sebi logo to deceive investors into transferring money. Investors are warned about unregistered account handlers promising risk-free profits and demanding access to trading accounts. Sebi advises investors to verify the registration status of entities and use authentic trading apps of registered intermediaries. Capital markets regulator Sebi on Thursday cautioned investors against fake notices being circulated in its name, demanding payments of Securities Transaction Tax. The market watchdog further stated that fraudsters are sending fake notices, forging the regulator's letterhead and requesting payments for outstanding STT amounts. "It has come to the notice of SEBI that certain fraudsters have circulated notices requiring compliance with Securities Transaction Tax (STT) under the Finance Act, 2004," the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said in a statement. The regulator said that investors are being made aware that these notices have not been issued by Sebi. "It is being informed that STT is levied on every purchase and sale transaction of securities executed on stock exchanges, and the tax is collected by the broker," it added. Sebi clarified that it does not issue notices to remit STT amounts nor does it coordinate with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on the same. The regulator also warned against instances of fraudsters impersonating identities of Sebi officials, or misusing the markets watchdog's logo, seal or letterhead to deceive investors. Such individuals have been sending forged communications, emails, or notices in Sebi's name, urging gullible investors to transfer money to these fraudulent accounts, leading to financial losses, as per the release. "...the public is urged to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of letters/ notices demanding information or payment on behalf of Sebi," the release said. Sebi Warns Against Unregistered Account Handlers In a separate release on Thursday, Sebi warned investors against fraudsters posing as account handlers or fund managers who promise risk-free profits in the stock market. Sebi said these entities claim to provide portfolio or account handling services, often demanding access to investors' trading account credentials while charging a share of profits. However, losses are borne entirely by investors, the regulator said. The regulator explained that such persons are not Sebi-registered and operate outside its purview. It urged the investors not to trust claims of such account handlers/ fraudsters and to refrain from sharing their account credentials with anyone. "Investors are advised to verify the status of registration of entities with Sebi... before investing and to carry out transactions only through authentic trading apps of Sebi-registered intermediaries," the regulator said. The markets watchdog said the advisory aims to protect investors about the frauds and scams being carried out by unregulated entities. In a post on X, Netanyahu wrote, 'Before our joint dinner, I surprised my friend Prime Minister Modi by wearing traditional Indian attire.' IMAGE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomes PM Narendra Modi. Photograph: Courtesy @netanyahu/X Key Points Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wore traditional Indian attire ahead of a joint dinner with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi addressed a Special Plenary of the Knesset, becoming the first Indian prime minister to do so. He was conferred with the 'Speaker of the Knesset' medal and dedicated it to India-Israel friendship. Modi highlighted strong bilateral ties and reiterated zero tolerance for terrorism while offering support for regional peace. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday surprised his Indian counterpart, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, by wearing traditional Indian attire ahead of their joint dinner. In a post on X, Netanyahu wrote, 'Before our joint dinner, I surprised my friend Prime Minister Modi by wearing traditional Indian attire.' Earlier on Wednesday, Modi addressed a Special Plenary of the Knesset in Jerusalem. He is the first Indian prime minister to address the Israeli Parliament. Upon his arrival at the Knesset, the Prime Minister was received by the Speaker of the Knesset, Amir Ohana, and accorded a ceremonial welcome. Netanyahu, Leader of the Opposition Yair Lapid, and Speaker Ohana spoke in the Plenary ahead of the prime minister's address, expressing strong bipartisan support for India-Israel ties. Modi began his address by thanking the Speaker for the special honour. Modi conferred with Israel's 'Speaker of the Knesset Medal' He expressed gratitude for being bestowed with the 'Speaker of the Knesset' medal, which he dedicated to the enduring friendship and shared democratic traditions of the two countries. Highlighting the strong bonds of friendship between India and Israel, the prime minister noted that the two peoples share both ancient civilisational ties and a robust contemporary partnership based on technology, innovation, defence, security, and strategic convergences. He stated that the vibrant people-to-people ties based on cooperation in agriculture, rural development, water management, sustainability, and enterprise have imparted a dynamic outlook to the relationship. Underlining the historical connections and two-way movement of people between the two countries, the PM stated that the Indian community in Israel and the Jewish diaspora in India have made a significant contribution to progress in both countries. Recalling the uncompromising policy of zero tolerance for terrorism of the two countries, the PM offered condolences for the October 7 terror attack and noted that there can be no justification for such brutality. He offered India's support to all efforts that contribute to durable peace and stability in the region. Trouble began when protesters tried to break through the barricades. Demonstrators allegedly set tyres on fire and pushed past police barricades, prompting police to first use water cannons and later lob tear gas shells IMAGE: Kindly note that the image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI on X Photograph: ANI on X Key Points The Janjati Suraksha Manch, backed by the BJP, organized the protest demanding justice for the alleged assault victim. Police used tear gas, water cannons, and lathi-charge to disperse protesters attempting to march to Uttarkanya. Several protesters were injured and detained during the clashes, escalating political tensions in the region. The incident has drawn political attention, with accusations against the state government for allegedly shielding the guilty. A protest march over the alleged assault of a pregnant Adivasi woman in Darjeeling district turned violent in Siliguri on Thursday, with police using tear gas shells, water cannons and a lathi-charge to disperse demonstrators attempting to march to Uttarkanya, the state government's branch secretariat in north Bengal. At least 16 protesters were detained, and several people, including demonstrators, were injured in the clashes near Tin Batti More, police said. The injured were taken to the district hospital, sources added. Members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-backed Janjati Suraksha Manch, backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party, had called for the 'Uttarkanya Abhiyan' demanding capital punishment for a civic volunteer accused of assaulting the woman in Phansidewa area in December, an incident that allegedly led to the death of her newborn child. The march began from Jalpaimore with BJP leaders, including Dabgram-Fulbari MLA Shikha Chatterjee and Phansidewa MLA Durga Murmu, participating. The police had put up multiple barricades and deployed water cannons in anticipation of the rally. Trouble began when protesters tried to break through the barricades at Tin Batti More. Demonstrators allegedly set tyres on fire and pushed past successive police barricades, prompting police to first use water cannons and later lob tear gas shells. A "mild" lathi charge was carried out when the situation escalated, officers said. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as scuffles broke out between police and protesters, briefly turning the busy intersection into a battleground. The march was eventually dispersed, and the situation brought under control, police added. Chatterjee sharply criticised police action. "We were marching with members of the tribal community towards Uttarkanya. Police stopped us and used water cannons, tear gas and lathi charge. I was caught in the chaos and was pulled to safety by colleagues. This is unethical and undemocratic," she said. Reacting to the incident, senior Trinamool Congress leader and Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb said police are investigating the case related to the assault on the Adivasi woman. "We condemn the assault on the Adivasi woman. But the way the BJP is instigating violence and is trying to politicise the incident is condemnable too. Law must take its own course," he said. The protest was triggered by an incident on December 23 in Jhamaklal village under Phansidewa police station limits, where a land dispute allegedly led to an altercation between two groups. According to the police, a civic volunteer was arrested for allegedly assaulting a seven-month pregnant Adivasi woman during the clash. It has been alleged that the woman suffered severe injuries and delivered a premature baby on January 8. The newborn reportedly died three days later. Protesters alleged that four other persons involved in the incident are still at large and demanded their immediate arrest, along with strict application of provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The case has drawn political attention over the past week, with Darjeeling MP Raju Bista visiting the victim's family and seeking intervention from constitutional authorities, including the governor and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes. Allegations had also surfaced earlier that prompt police action was not taken despite complaints. Thursday's violence has further sharpened political tensions in the region, with the BJP accusing the state government of shielding the guilty, while police maintained that force was used only after protesters attempted to breach barricades and disrupt public order. Security has been tightened in the area, and officials said the situation was now normal. A protest in Siliguri, West Bengal, turned violent as demonstrators clashed with police over the alleged assault of a pregnant tribal woman, demanding justice and the arrest of all those responsible. Photograph: Pexels.com Key Points Protesters clashed with police in Siliguri, West Bengal, during a demonstration concerning the assault of a pregnant tribal woman. The Janjati Suraksha Manch organized the protest to demand justice and the arrest of all individuals involved in the assault. Police used tear gas, water cannons, and lathi charge to disperse the protesters who attempted to breach barricades. The incident leading to the protest involved a land dispute and the alleged assault of the woman by a civic volunteer, resulting in the death of her unborn child. While the accused civic volunteer has been arrested, protesters claim that other individuals involved in the incident remain at large. Protesters clashed with the police in northern West Bengal's Siliguri city on Thursday during a demonstration over the assault of a pregnant tribal woman. Members of the RSS-backed Janjati Suraksha Manch were on the way to gherao Uttarkanya, the branch secretariat of the state government. The clash broke out when they attempted to breach the police barricades near the Tin Batti Mor. Police said they used tear gas shells and water cannons to disperse the demonstrators, besides a "mild" lathi charge. Several protesters were detained from the site, they said. Demands for Justice The demonstrators were demanding capital punishment for a civic volunteer accused of assaulting the woman whose unborn child died. Incident Details The incident happened on December 23, when a land dispute in the Phansidewa area led to an altercation between two groups. During the altercation, the woman was allegedly assaulted by the civic volunteer, according to police. The accused civic volunteer has been arrested, but the demonstrators allege that four other persons involved in the incident are still at large. Telangana's Special Intelligence Branch, led by B Sumathi, successfully negotiated the surrender of top Maoist commander Thippiri Tirupati, marking a major victory in the state's fight against Maoist insurgency. IMAGE: IPS officer B Sumathi is the head of the Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) of the Telangana Police. Photograph: Kind courtesy @SumathiIPS/X Key Points Top Maoist commander Thippiri Tirupati (Devuji) and other leaders surrendered to Telangana Police after negotiations led by officer B Sumathi. B Sumathi, head of the Special Intelligence Branch (SIB), orchestrated the surrender of 591 Maoist leaders and cadres in the past two years. The surrender of Devuji, a key Central Committee member, marks a significant victory for Telangana in combating Maoist insurgency. Telangana Police's strategy focused on convincing Maoist leaders that surrender offered a better outcome than encounters or arrest. DGP B Shivadhar Reddy lauded the efforts of IG Sumathi and the SIB team for their crucial role in facilitating the surrender. When B Sumathi, a saree-clad officer, sat on the dais along with Telangana Director General of Police B Shivadhar Reddy, few onlookers realised that she was the silent architect of the historic event unfolding before them. On Tuesday, top Maoist commander Thippiri Tirupati alias Devuji and other Maoist leaders laid down their arms, marking a significant victory for the state. As the head of the Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) of the Telangana Police, Sumathi oversaw the long-drawn, delicate negotiations required to bring the high-ranking ultras back into the mainstream. 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, and two other senior Maoist cadre, formally surrendered in the presence of state DGP B Shivadhar Reddy on Tuesday. While addressing mediapersons during Devuji's surrender, Reddy made a special mention of Sumathi and her team. "They (Devuji and other Maoists) have surrendered because of the excellent efforts of Special Intelligence Branch IG Sumathi and the SIB team. They (SIB team) played a crucial role in helping them understand the prevailing circumstances and to join the mainstream," Reddy said. The DGP also lauded IGP Intelligence Vijay Kumar for the efforts. Strategy behind the surrender "The SIB team carried out a very professional intelligence work to ensure the surrender of the senior ultras as they would become 'martyrs' if they would lose their lives in encounters and become 'heroes' if they are arrested, whereas they would become 'zeroes' if they surrendered," police sources said about the strategy behind making Maoist leaders to join the mainstream. Unlike Mallojula Venugopal Rao, alias Sonu, a key Maoist leader, who surrendered before the Maharashtra government in October last year, Devuji had no plans to shun the Maoist path, and Sumathi saw to it that Devuji surrendered, police sources said. B Sumathi's role and experience Sumathi, a seasoned Intelligence official, has overseen the surrender of 591 Maoist leaders and cadres before the Telangana Police over the past two years. She played an important role in executing undercover operations during her earlier stint in the counter-intelligence cell, the sources said. A 2001 batch deputy superintendent of police, Sumathi, was first posted in Warangal (then in undivided Andhra Pradesh) and was conferred IPS in 2006. She also worked as DIG, CID (Women Protection Cell). Referring to the NCERT's communication on Wednesday, the CJI said, 'That itself shows deep-rooted conspiracy... a well-orchestrated conspiracy.' Photograph: ANI Photo Key Points The Supreme Court imposed a blanket ban on a Class 8 NCERT textbook containing a chapter on corruption in the judiciary and ordered seizure of all physical copies and removal of digital versions. The court issued show cause notices to the NCERT director and the School Education Secretary, warning of serious action and possible criminal contempt. Chief Justice Surya Kant said there appeared to be a well-planned attempt to undermine and defame the judiciary, stressing that responsibility would be fixed. The Solicitor General tendered an unconditional apology on behalf of the Ministry of Education, and the matter has been posted for further hearing on March 11. The Supreme Court on Thursday imposed a "complete blanket ban" on any further publication, reprinting or digital dissemination of NCERT's Class 8 social science book as it contains "offending" contents on corruption in the judiciary, saying they have fired a gunshot and the judiciary is "bleeding". Observing that there appeared to be a "deep-rooted conspiracy" and "calculated move" to undermine the institution and demean the dignity of judiciary, the apex court directed that all copies of the book - physical and digital - currently in circulation be immediately seized and removed from public access without any delay. A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant issued show cause notices to the NCERT director and the secretary of the department of school education asking them to explain why suitable action, including that of contempt, be not initiated against those found responsible for introducing the "offending" chapter. "As an abundant precaution, a complete blanket ban is hereby imposed on any further publication, reprinting or digital dissemination of the book titled 'Exploring Society: India and Beyond' (Vol II)," the bench, which also comprised justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, said. The bench warned that any attempt to circumvent its order through electronic medium or alternative titles containing the same content shall be treated as a direct interference, willful breach and defiance of its directions. "They have fired a gunshot. The judiciary is bleeding," a visibly irked CJI said during the hearing in a suo motu matter over the book. "It is my duty as the head of the institution to find out who is responsible; heads must roll," the CJI said, adding, "We would like to have a deeper probe." The bench said it was "nearly shocked" when one of the newspapers published an article regarding release of the social science textbook having the chapter. It said after media report was published, the apex court's secretary general was asked to verify whether such a publication was released by NCERT. "Instead of having an introspection of what had been written in the book in the most reckless, irresponsible, contemptuous and motivated manner, the director (of NCERT) responded in writing defending the contents of the book," the bench said. It said on a prima facie examination of the book's content and read in conjunction with the administrative response received from director, it seemed "there is a calculated move to undermine the institutional authority and demean the dignity of the judiciary". It said if allowed to go unchecked, it would erode the sanctity of judicial office and the estimation of public at large and more importantly, within the impressionable minds of youth. The bench observed the narrative contained in book chooses not to dwell into any of the transformative initiatives and measures pioneered by court, including towards streamlining the ease of access to justice, and the substantive contribution made by judiciary towards the preservation of democratic fabric. "This silence is particularly egregious given the sheer volume of high-ranking officials who have been censured by this very court in the past for corrupt practices, fraudulent activities and siphoning of public funds etc," it said. The bench said choice of words and expressions in the book might never be a simpliciter inadvertance or bona fide error. "We may, however, hasten to add that we do not propose to initiate the suo motu proceedings to stifle any legitimate critique or with a view to stop any individual or organisation from exercising their right to scrutinise public institutions, including the judiciary," it said. "Given the serious consequences and an everlasting adverse impact on the independence and autonomy of judiciary, such a misconduct would fall within the definition of criminal contempt under section 2(c) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971...," it said. It said if found to be a deliberate move, it will undoubtedly amount to interfering with the administration of justice besides scandalising the institution. The bench asked the director of NCERT to produce the original records of minutes of meetings where the offending chapter was deliberated and finalised, and the names and credentials of textbook development team responsible for drafting the chapter. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta tendered an unconditional and unqualified apology on behalf of the department of school education. Mehta said the two individuals who prepared the chapter would never be associated with any activity of the ministry. "There are 32 books which went in the market and which are being withdrawn. Rest of the books we are not circulating. The entire chapter would be re-visited by a new team," the top law officer said, adding, "We can't teach our class 8 students that justice is being denied in the country." The bench posted the matter for further hearing on March 11. The National Council of Educational Research & Training apologised on Wednesday for "inappropriate content" in the social science textbook and said it would be rewritten in consultation with appropriate authorities. A section titled "Corruption in the Judiciary" in the new textbook says corruption, a massive backlog of cases, and the lack of an adequate number of judges are among the challenges faced by the judicial system. It also states that judges are bound by a code of conduct that governs not only their behaviour in court, but also how they conduct themselves outside it. Two medical students have been arrested in Pithoragarh for allegedly snatching a gold chain and mobile phone from a woman, highlighting a shocking incident of theft. Photograph: Kind courtesy anomalnaya/Pixabay Key Points Two medical students from Sushila Tiwari Medical College arrested for allegedly snatching a gold chain and mobile phone. The accused, Sunny Singh and Himani Bora, were apprehended near the Gori River bridge while trying to escape. The victim, Mamta Devi, reported the incident to the Jauljibi police station, leading to the arrest. Himani Bora, a radiology student, had brought Sunny Singh to visit her village before the alleged crime. Two students of the Sushila Tiwari Medical College in Haldwani were arrested for allegedly snatching a gold chain and a mobile phone from a woman in the Jauljibi area here, police said on Thursday. The accused have been identified as Sunny Singh (25), a resident of Delhi and Himani Bora (23), a resident of Toli village. Details of the Incident Pithoragarh SP Akshay Prahlad Konde said Bora, a radiology student, had brought Singh to visit her village. On Wednesday morning, the duo stopped a woman, Mamta Devi, while she was on her way to work in the fields and snatched her belongings. Arrest and Investigation Following the incident, the victim approached the Jauljibi police station and lodged a complaint. Acting on the complaint, police nabbed the two students near the Gori River bridge while they were trying to flee. They were taken into custody and later sent to jail, the officer added. The Indian Army reports a significant decline in militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, while remaining vigilant and prepared to respond decisively to any provocations or terror activities orchestrated by Pakistan. IMAGE: General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Command, Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, addresses the media in Pathankot, Punjab. Photograph: ANI video screen grab/X Key Points Militancy indicators in Jammu and Kashmir have consistently declined, leading to a more normal situation. The Indian Army is closely monitoring terror infrastructure in Pakistan and formulating plans to counter it. Pakistan's military leadership is accused of supporting infiltration and using nuclear threats as a pressure tactic. Operation Sindoor served as a strong lesson to Pakistan, and any renewed provocation will result in an even stronger response from India. The Indian Army clarified that Operation Sindoor targeted terrorist bases and military stations, avoiding civilian areas. Western Army Commander Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar on Thursday said he has noted a sustained decline in militancy indicators in Jammu and Kashmir, and the situation has become very normal. Maintaining that the Army is keeping a close watch on the terror infrastructure, he said plans are being formulated to deal with it accordingly. "As you have seen, all militancy parameters in Jammu and Kashmir have consistently declined. The situation in Jammu and Kashmir has become very normal. However, as I said before, this is a well-planned conspiracy by Pakistan to send a few terrorists to disturb the atmosphere. Our Army and all departments of the civil administration are fully prepared (to deal with it)," Lt Gen Katiyar told reporters in Pathankot, Punjab. Responding to a question on terror encounters in the Kathua-Kishtwar belt, the Army commander said, "Wherever we receive information, we take immediate and prompt action. As you have seen this year, in several successful operations, we neutralised terrorists who had come to create disturbances in our country." Responding to another question about the revival of terror launch pads and terror camps in Pakistan, he said, "We have kept them under watch. We are fully aware of what actions are taking place there. If they are trying to regenerate or reassemble their terrorist bases, we have that information. We will formulate our plans accordingly." Pakistan's Role and India's Response On reports of terrorist infrastructure being rebuilt after Operation Sindoor, Lt Gen Katiyar said Pakistan's military leadership thrives on confrontation. "Pakistan's military leadership wants to remain relevant and does not want politicians to take over power. Their relevance comes through a state of confrontation with India. Despite repeated peace efforts from our side, they keep doing something to keep this confrontation alive," he said, calling it a matter of concern. He said that India will respond with greater force to any future misadventure by Pakistan and will not be deterred by nuclear threats. Replying to a volley of questions on the prospect of Operation Sindoor 2, Lt Gen Katiyar said Pakistan has been taught "a very strong lesson" during Operation Sindoor and any renewed provocation would invite a stronger response. "Our preparations are ongoing, and we must remain prepared. If they do not understand this lesson and create conflict conditions again due to their internal reasons, we will respond in an even better and stronger manner," he said. Clarification on Ceasefire and Operation Sindoor On claims that Pakistan sought a ceasefire through other countries and assertions of foreign mediation, the Army commander clarified the sequence of events. "After the attack on May 7, 2025, our DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) conveyed that we had completed our action and wanted to talk. They refused at that time. Fighting continued for the next 88 hours. After extensive damage to their military bases, their DGMO approached our DGMO, and it was during that conversation that the ceasefire draft was prepared. After deliberations, our government accepted the request," he said. Rejecting suggestions that India's actions targeted civilians or political leadership, the Army commander said the operation was precise and objective-driven. "Our response in Operation Sindoor was very clear. We did not target any civilian areas. We initially targeted only terrorist bases. When Pakistan attacked our military stations, we responded by attacking their military stations and air bases," he said, adding that the objective was to destroy terrorist bases swiftly. On the extent of damage to terror launch pads and camps, Lt Gen Katiyar said the operational details could not be shared. "We have this information, but it is essential for our military planning. What can be said is that we are closely monitoring all actions related to terror infrastructure in Pakistan," he said. Infiltration and Nuclear Threats On infiltration and the role of Pakistan's military, Lt Gen Katiyar said, "We believe the Pakistan Army is supporting infiltration. The terrorists are coming after training, and there is a possibility that the Pakistan Army may be helping in their training." Dismissing nuclear threats, the Army commander termed them a pressure tactic. "We see it as a bogey meant to prevent us from taking strong action. We will not get deterred by nuclear threats," he said. Asked about the scale of a future response in case of any misadventure, he said, "The response will be stronger than what we have done earlier. How far we go and at what level depends on the situation at that particular time, but we are very clear that the response will be harsher than last time." His name is Leo Brent Bozell III, and as of this Monday, he is the new United States ambassador to South Africa. Although he is not a diplomat and has few ties to Africa, in the 1980s he was known for his defense of apartheid and his criticism of the African National Congress (ANC), the ruling party in Pretoria, which he accused of terrorism. In 2013, five days after the death of Nelson Mandela, the great South African anti-apartheid leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, he said that the media idealized his figure. Today, Bozell defends the white genocide thesis, which points to the South African government as the promoter of land confiscations and crimes against the white minority, and he advocates for the acceptance of Afrikaners as refugees in the United States. The new ambassador to South Africa, a 70-year-old art history graduate, comes from a deeply conservative family. In addition to actively supporting the election of Republican politicians, such as Ronald Reagan, in 1987, he founded the Media Research Center (MRC), an organization created to combat liberal and left-leaning approaches in the media. It was then that he became a prominent defender of apartheid, the discriminatory and racist regime imposed on South Africa by the white minority. Although known as a writer and columnist, his own colleagues at the MRC have accused him of not having written any of his works. His son, Leo Brent Bozell IV, participated in the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, for which he was sentenced to 45 months in prison. He was later granted a presidential pardon by U.S. President Donald Trump. Given his ties to the media, Trump announced Bozells appointment as head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media in January 2025, but just two months later reversed course and designated him as the new ambassador to South Africa. In public statements, Trump argued that Bozell brings fearless tenacity, extraordinary experience, and vast knowledge to a nation that desperately needs it. Trump was alluding to the fact that, since his arrival at the White House, relations between the U.S. and South Africa have deteriorated rapidly. In addition to Washingtons allegations of an alleged white genocide in South Africa claims that Pretoria vehemently rejects the diplomatic rift widened after South Africa filed a case against Israel before the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing it of committing genocide against the Palestinian population in Gaza. The U.S. believes that Pretoria has not only opened a case against one of its most importnant international allies but that it has also moved closer to Russia, China, and Iran. The latest chapter in this bilateral crisis unfolded at the G20. Trump refused to attend the summit of the organization, held in Johannesburg last November, and exerted pressure in every possible way until he succeeded in getting South Africa to withdraw from the G-20 for a year, coinciding with the U.S. presidency of the forum of the worlds most developed countries in 2026.. Leo Brent Bozell III himself made his intentions as ambassador clear when he was called to testify before a Senate committee last October: I will communicate our objections to South Africas geostrategic drift, he said, referring to Pretorias close ties with U.S. rivals such as Iran, with whom it conducted joint naval exercises in January. He also announced his intention to promote a refugee program for white or Afrikaner citizens wishing to relocate to the United States and to pressure South Africa to put an end to alleged crimes against the white minority. The arrival in South Africa of this openly ultraconservative figure is seen less as an effort to ease tensions and more as yet another twist in the bilateral crisis or even a provocation. The ambassadorship in Pretoria had remained vacant since Trump entered the White House in November 2024, while Washington expelled South Africas representative in the United States last March following the ICC complaint. The South African government has accepted the appointment, and Bozell is expected to receive his credentials from President Cyril Ramaphosa next April, according to a government source cited by Agence France-Presse. The United States is South Africas second most important trading partner after China. According to the South African Ministry of Trade, the main exports to North America were platinum, precious metals, motor vehicles, and diamonds, while imports focused on machinery, mineral fuels, chemicals, and vehicles. However, the protectionist measures imposed by Trump, with tariffs reaching up to 30% in South Africas case, have reduced this trade flow. The widening political differences between the two countries are making bilateral agreements increasingly difficult to secure. 'On August 22, 2015, Shyamvar Rai disclosed to you that he had committed the murder of Sheena Bora along with Rahul Mukerjea' How would Indrani Mukerjea have reacted to this? Illustrations: Dominic Xavier/Rediff Key Points Hippocampus is the real 'hero' of Courtroom 51. The cross-examination in the Bombay civil and sessions court has become a test of memory, stretching back to events from April 2012. Defence questions whether conclusive scientific proof existed at the time linking remains to Sheena Bora. The hero of the cross-examination in Courtroom 51, Bombay civil and sessions court, south Mumbai, in the Sheena Bora murder trial, is not defence lawyer Ranjeet Vishnupant Sangle. Nor witness Dinesh Parshuram Kadam. Or Public Prosecutor Chetankumar Jawahar Nandode. It is Mr Hippocampus and his absolute powers. Not heard of him so far? He's a dapper, seahorse-looking fella. A bit self-important. Not always steadfast. Sometimes more of a villain. But he dominates the room as the star of the show. Doesn't matter whose hippocampus it is, because regardless, this anatomical character gets all the attention. That's because, by nature, a cross-examination is a Long Rewind. And a Test of Memory. It is about challenging long-term memory capabilities processed in the brain's Hippocampus. And spooling back events surrounding a murder of April 2012, investigated in 2015, requires on-the-ball, muscular hippocampi for all parties concerned. Hippoji plays his own little games, bouncing victoriously between witness box, the lawyers' table and accused enclosure, seeking one upmanship. Who has the better recollection of events -- the prosecution or the defence? Every so often the defence pulls out a triumphant ace to once again demonstrate that their fact-recall is superior. And since, in this murder case we are going back 11 years to a Nokia-landline-sms-es-ruled era, everything is about the past -- it feels sort of like watching one of those fuzzy, black-and-white history reels. Everyone is dredging the depth of their memories to recall times, places, routes, faces, names, sequences, numbers -- most of all Prosecution Witness 146 Mumbai police officer Dinesh Kadam. He is the man in the box, in the hot seat. Through every twist of the cross, his hippocampus must whirr overtime to answer a continuous stream of detailed questions like: At what exact time did he first encounter Shyamvar Pinturam Rai, the Mukerjea driver implicated in the murder of Sheena, on that lonely road in Khar-Danda, northwest Mumbai -- the very first incident that unravelled the case? What time IST did he handcuff him 21/08/2015? When was Rai's phone confiscated that pm? Was it turned off after seizure? Its model? Where was he taken from Khar-Danda? How many/who were the policemen present at the arrest? In which vehicle? License plate? When was Shyamvar Rai's wife called? From which instrument? How was her number obtained? How many shops were around the place of Rai's arrest? Given that most of us can barely remember our three-item grocery list on an average day, you can't help feeling sympathetic on Kadam's behalf. It's like he is writing the JEE for IIT entrance. The questions don't stop coming, relentlessly day, after day; this was his 14th day. Kadam's cross began January 30, after several days of giving his testimony. I have been able to dip in and out of No 51, hoping to catch the most relevant bits of this crucial cross, since Kadam was the initial investigating officer assigned to probe the crime, from Khar police station in 2015. Defence Turns Up Heat with Suppression Charge The proceedings began February 23, on a super theatrical note when Accused No 1 Indrani Mukerjea's advocate, Sangle, quite out of the blue, said to Kadam: "I put it to you, that on August 22, 2015, Shyamvar Rai disclosed to you, before the arrival of the panch, that he had committed the murder of Sheena Bora along with Rahul Mukerjea... You willfully suppressed his statement implicating himself and Rahul Mukerjea, with the help of Suhail Buddha (an ex-police officer), on the instructions of then CP (commissioner of police) Rakesh Maria." You've got to hand it to Kadam. He didn't miss a beat. Blink an eye. Or show even a hint of surprise. With a deadpan, impassive cop-face, he merely shook his head, denying the accusation. After another question or two in this vein, Sangle moved onto a more innocuous subject about which lock-up Rai had been held at after arrest. Sangle is the kind of lawyer who likes to not just exuberantly stir the pot incessantly, but keep it simmering, bubbling, boiling over if need be. His cross has dizzyingly changed directions umpteen times, going forwards and backwards in time bindaas, hopping gleefully between locales and incidents -- like watching the episodes of a Netflix series in jumbled order, without subtitles and you need to constantly keep up with the plot. Granted that the stage is mostly his -- with Nandode usually on mute, or piping in at the strangest moments, to be cut down rudely by Sangle, and Kadam is an unemotional witness, with zero thespian ambitions -- this drama series has just one Amitabh Bachchan and that's Sangle. Last fortnight a gent named Sandeep Patil, who had been in court as PW12 in 2018, surfaced in this cross (not in person) while Sangle was on one of his happy rompings back in time. Patil was a resident of Mohpada, a village somewhere in Raigad, not far from the Sheena Bora body/skeleton recovery spot at a mango copse in Gagode Khurd. He set out to visit a friend in Tirawali village April 25, 2012. While travelling there -- an incident crucial to this case -- on his motorcycle happened to see a group of three people and an "expensive car" on the side of the road and their presence was incongruous in rural Raigad. The trio was allegedly Indrani Mukerjea, Sanjeev Khanna, Shymavar Rai, who had just finished allegedly burning Sheena's body on a hot, dry April night in this brush. How leaving a suitcase and body burning in a jungle in Raigad didn't set off a forest fire, no one can tell us. It was Sangle's job to bring out the mystery and strangeness of this very key "chance witness" whose statement had more inconsistencies than the poorly-answered math paper of 10th fail student, that Kadam, though the investigating officer, blissfully, never noticed. The lawyer established a few vital things: 1. Patil and Kadam were unsure, bizarrely, whether Patil had seen the group of three while going to his friend's house or on his return. 2. The village where his friend lived did not exist and was actually Shiravli and Gagode Khurd did not fall on this route. 3. It is wholly unclear where Kadam, who had travelled out to Gagode Khurde in a police jeep, recorded Patil's account, without (why was that?) carrying out the required panchanama, with panch present, but we know where he did not record it. It finally transpired he had done it, oddly enough, on the side of the road at the Gagode Khurd spot on his laptop. Sangle boomed, playing up his total outrage, "You did not prepare a panchanama with respect to a spot connected to a kidnapping, a murder and disposal of a body?" Kadam had this to say, feebly, in his defence: He did not follow the usual formalities for recording this witness' evidence because often at the initial stages many lead a cop on a wild goose chase and there is nothing to record. At a cross, a few days later, Kadam's Gagode Khurd trip with Patil re-surfaced, because of a missing entry for the trip in the vehicle's log book. There was quibbling about distances too. Sangle grandly told Judge Jyoti Darekar, "Your ladyship will note the blatant lies being told in court!" Another stand-out tripping up of the witness related to Sheena's laptop and the cellphone numbers she used. Kadam admitted to not checking how many numbers she had (she had three) -- he was weirdly foggy about the records recovered from them. He rejected the accusation that he had not surrendered the laptop Sheena used to the CBI, when the agency took over the investigation. Kadam and Sangle are still warming up to each other in the courtroom. There are many days of cross to go. It's very drawing room polite, pehele-aap stage, with each calling the other Saheb respectfully, affectedly. When Kadam has been standing in the box for too long, Sangle will enquire solicitously if he needs to sit or requires water. Sizing up goes on. Body language does much of the talking. The hail-fellow-well-met comradery yet dictates the mood. For how long? When will this game, which we earlier described as a merry pastime of skipping rope, turn into a more pugnacious sport? Mobile Tower Mystery and Post-Arrest Calls Under Scrutiny February 18 cross-ex was largely devoted to Rai's mobile records, recovered to analyse its use. Sangle meticulously walked Kadam through three calls on Rai's phone right after his arrest, August 21, 2015. They were all between him and wife Sharda Rai. Their timing ranged between 17.34 and 18.51 on the evening of his arrest. The first was an outgoing call, the second an incoming call and the last an outgoing call for which the cellphone tower location had changed from Khar-Danda to Union Park, Bandra. The lawyer wondered, mock wide-eyed, how Rai, forever the Walking Riddle of this case, had the temerity to be making calls in front of police officers that day, when he had recently been arrested? And why had the towers started changing? Kadam said the phone was only seized at 7.30 pm, because several other procedures came first, and didn't assign much importance to the fact that calls had come in/gone out (because that could happen without any conversation too, if buttons got accidentally or deliberately pressed, if a phone started ringing at the wrong moment). The retired police officer, in his calm, unruffled manner, never pushed to anger, explained that if a cellphone tower was overly busy, calls could get "diverted" automatically to "baju tower". "Baju tower call ko pakarta, ho shakta," attempting to put to rest any new-fangled puzzling theories about why Rai had moved from Khar-Danda to Union Park. Sangle, waving his beringed hand in irritated dismissal: "I am not interested in hoshaktas. I put it to you that since Shyamvar Rai's phone was fully operational still for 33 seconds at 18.54, you deposed falsely that after you took Rai into custody you did not allow him to use the phone." Kadam's explanation was ignored, nor did it go on the court record, which Nandode did not object to either. The cross moved once more to how/what had been communicated to Sharda Rai about Shyamvar's arrest. There was no police station diary entry about Kadam informing Sharda over the phone about Shyamvar's arrest. Nor was she notified in writing about the grounds of his arrest. Further documents pertaining/vouching for both hadn't been passed onto the CBI. Kadam volunteered the info that since Rai had been arrested first for possession of an illegal firearm, his arrest documents related to that and were not given to the CBI. Sangle yet again dwelled on the defence's long-held suspicion that Rai had been inexplicably held by Khar police much before August 21 and from August 19 onwards, which Kadam, as expected, denied. On February 23, after starting up the cross with the stagey accusation about Rahul Mukerjea's complicity in Sheena's murder, Sangle doggedly poked, dug, rooted around for much of the cross about what Kadam had or had not done/asked Rahul about the case -- like a forensic investigation of Sheena's Maruti Alto or their false marriage certificate or their rent agreement. The cross also dwelt on statements Maria had made to the media, that after recovery of Sheena's passports, her skeletal remains and the suitcase, it laid to rest theories that she could have gone to America. Sangle quizzed him: "Did you have any conclusive scientific evidence that the skeletal remains belonged to Sheena?" Kadam agreed that they didn't then, but the case got tied up with discovery of all three -- these remains, the half-burnt "briefcase," passports. Sangle: "Had you recovered the full skeletal remains during exhumation?" When Kadam said yes, Sangle asked: "Do you know that the human body has 206 bones?!" Kadam quietly smiled. Sangle: "You exhumed 86 bones. It is wrong to say you had recovered a full skeleton." Kadam, correcting himself: "86 major bones" as per the doctor (forensic). Then came Monday's most astonishing tableaux -- a frozen moment of flabbergasted amazement, with Sangle looking at Kadam shocked, the judge watching alert, and even Nandode looking unsure, when Kadam declared he was unaware that a team from Khar police station had gone to Rahul's Dehradun home to collect Sheena's passports plus other things. Kadam categorically said: "None of the officers from Khar police station accompanied Rahul Mukerjea to Dehradun to bring back Sheena's passports and other articles." Sangle genuinely puzzled to be unexpectedly handed an ikka: "But didn't CP Rakesh Maria say an investigation team accompanied Rahul Mukerjea to Dehradun??" Kadam insisted lack of knowledge about any such team. If you look back at Rahul's testimony he doesn't remember the name/description of the person who went with him either. Hectic argument ensued. Sangle demanded it be put on the record that Kadam said Maria had given a false statement. Sangle emphatically: "Khote (false) statement!!" Kadam: "Khote kai? (What falsehood?)" Nandode hopefully: "Incorrect." Sangle: "It has to be recorded like this -- khote!" The judge laughed, but Sangle won the day. Indrani's absence in court on Monday was sorely felt. She would have, no doubt, beamed ear to ear listening to the proceedings, telegraphing her excitement with flashing eyes. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff A salute to the brave military dogs who have faced enemy fire and made the supreme sacrifice in the service to the nation. IMAGE: The Indian Army's White Knight Corps assault dog Tyson recovers well after he took the first bullet during Operation Trashi-1 this week. Photograph: @Whiteknight_IA/ANI Photo Key Points Army dogs are trained at the Remount Veterinary Corps Centre & College, Meerut. After training, they are deployed with different units like the Dog unit which takes part in anti-terrorist operations. Military dogs detect terrorists through scents, lead assaults against, detect explosive, rescue soldiers buried in avlanches and a host of other surveillance duties. They are canine soldiers with a name and army number. Once retired, they return to a facility for retired dogs in Meerut. They are given a military funeral if they sacrifice their life in the line of duty. Tyson, German Shepherd Military Dog Tyson, a Hero of the Indian Army, led a heroic assault against Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists in Kishtwar in the Jammu region on February 22. Brave Tyson, a Special Forces trained canine, took the first bullet as he led his team into a hut where the terrorists were holed up. He was shot in the leg, but despite the injuries continued with his deadly charge. His action compelled the terrorists to open fire and reveal their positions, enabling the army and CRPF teams to eliminate three terrorists. Seriously wounded in his front leg, Tyson was airlifted by a helicopter to the veterinary hospital where he is currently recovering. The senior most officer of the command visited Tyson in hospital to thank him for his service! Army Dogs are bred, reared, trained and cared for by the Remount Veterinary Corps Centre. They provide active service for 9 years and then retire to the RVC's retirement home for dogs or can be taken up for adoption "They have army numbers and are as good as any other soldier of the Indian Army. They are our canine warriors," says Captain Harshita Raghav, the first woman inducted into the RVC who commanded the animal contingent in the Republic Day parade. Axel, German Shepherd IMAGE: Axel took three bullets from a terrorist while entering a room where the terrorist was hiding. Photograph: ANI Photo The brave warrior laid down his life during an operation in 2022 when deployed with the 29 Rashtriya Rifles in Kashmir. He was only 2. He took three bullets from a terrorist while entering a room where the terrorist was hiding. He stood in the line of fire and saved the lives of fellow soldiers who were part of the operation. The terrorist was killed in an 8-hour operation later. Axel was given a military burial by the army and his name mentioned in dispatches. He was laid to rest in Pattan, Jammu and Kashmir, mourned by his handlers and fellow soldiers. Kent, Labrador Received the Presidential medal for laying down her life in the line of duty. The six year old experienced military dog sacrificed her life while saving her handler. Two terrorists and one soldier were killed in that operation, while three security personnel were injured in the encounter in Narla village. Kent's body was wrapped in the Tricolour and laid to rest with military honours in 2024. Mansi, Labrador Adept at picking up scents, the well-trained dog led two Indian Army teams in an operation against terrorist infiltration in the Tangdhar sector, J&K in 2015. Mansi picked up the scent of the terrorists and led her team in dense fog to where the terrorists were hiding in the bushes. The terrorists fired at them. Sadly, brave Mansi and her handler were fatally wounded in the battle. Their action prevented the terrorists from crossing into the mainland and saved the lives of other soldiers. She was the first army dog to be mentioned in dispatches and has her name etched for posterity in the Gazette of India. Vida, Labrador IMAGE: Vida, belonging to an army dog unit under Udhampur-headquartered Northern Command, was instrumental in the timely detection of five mines and one grenade buried underground, preventing possible casualties and injuries of troops. Photograph: @PIBShillong/Twitter Played a key role in locating five mines and a grenade underground. By doing so, Vida stopped a huge casualty and injuries to troops. Vida received the chief of army staff's commendation card on Independence Day 2020. Sophie, Cocker Spaniel: IMAGE: Sophie, an explosive detection dog, saved lives by sniffing out the presence of initiator/accelerant which could have been hastily used to fabricate an IED. Photograph: @proshillong/Twitter Deployed with the Special Frontier Force's bomb disposal squad, Sophie found the initiator which is used to assemble an explosive device. Sophie's act saved a major disaster from taking place in the national capital. Zadie, Belgian Shepherd A Siachen soldier, Zadie is an experienced army dog who has provided exceptional service at the world's highest battlefield. Zadie has ably assisted troops in harsh temperatures and terrain in surveillance, tracking and rescuing soldiers buried in the snow. She was awarded the army chief's commendation medal this Republic Day. Disco, Labrador IMAGE: Disco. Photograph: @SongsOfChinar Disco was also awarded the army chief's commendation card for stellar performance in high altitude warfare. Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Patricia de Lille (back, 2nd L), South African Minister of Tourism, receives an interview in Johannesburg, South Africa, Feb. 24, 2026. Delegates attending Meetings Africa 2026, held in Johannesburg from Monday to Wednesday, called for optimized visa policies, improved infrastructure and targeted marketing to attract more Chinese tourists to the continent to boost economic growth and deepen people-to-people exchanges. (Xinhua/Chen Wei) JOHANNESBURG, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Delegates attending Meetings Africa 2026, held in Johannesburg from Monday to Wednesday, called for optimized visa policies, improved infrastructure and targeted marketing to attract more Chinese tourists to the continent to boost economic growth and deepen people-to-people exchanges. The event brought together representatives from 21 African countries. Participants, including tourism officials, diplomats and industry stakeholders, said that China, one of the world's largest sources of outbound tourists, remains a key strategic market for driving the continent's tourism growth. "South Africa has piloted the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system for Chinese travelers to streamline the application process," South African Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille told Xinhua, adding that the system is a "big enabler" in addressing previous bottlenecks that led to lengthy visa processing times. Noting that South Africa is set to launch a campaign in China to promote the ETA system while engaging with airlines to increase flight frequencies, she said that following two years of close cooperation with Chinese tourism authorities, South Africa aims to attract "one percent of the Chinese population" as visitors. Beyond policy adjustments, efforts are also underway to enhance tailored services. The South African government has introduced specialized Mandarin training for tourism practitioners to bridge communication gaps and improve service standards. Deepening Africa-China cooperation in infrastructure and trade is also injecting new momentum into tourism. Zambia's High Commissioner to South Africa Grace Mutembo said partnerships in the rail and transport sectors have facilitated both business and leisure travel. She noted that Zambia has actively promoted its tourism products at expos in China and that major infrastructure projects, including a Chinese-built conference center, have emerged as new landmarks to attract international visitors and support professional exchanges. Gabon is likewise seeking to enhance cooperation with China to expand tourism flows. Gabon's High Commissioner to South Africa Rod Rembendambya said his country has been stepping up diplomatic engagement and enhancing visa facilitation measures for Chinese nationals. "Gabon is working with China in hospitality and infrastructure development and is keen to cement cultural exchange and boost the tourism sector by attracting more Chinese partners and investors," he added. China holds huge potential due to its population and financial stability, said Marta Gomes, president of the International Congress and Convention Association, adding that "African countries need to showcase their unique culture and ensure more direct flights to China." Currently, a growing number of African countries, including popular destinations such as Mauritius, Seychelles, Morocco, Tunisia, Madagascar and Egypt, have granted visa-free access or visa-on-arrival facilities to Chinese citizens. Photo taken on Feb. 24, 2026 shows the opening ceremony of the Meetings Africa 2026 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Delegates attending Meetings Africa 2026, held in Johannesburg from Monday to Wednesday, called for optimized visa policies, improved infrastructure and targeted marketing to attract more Chinese tourists to the continent to boost economic growth and deepen people-to-people exchanges. (Xinhua/Chen Wei) People visit the Meetings Africa 2026 in Johannesburg, South Africa, Feb. 24, 2026. Delegates attending Meetings Africa 2026, held in Johannesburg from Monday to Wednesday, called for optimized visa policies, improved infrastructure and targeted marketing to attract more Chinese tourists to the continent to boost economic growth and deepen people-to-people exchanges. (Xinhua/Chen Wei) People visit the Meetings Africa 2026 in Johannesburg, South Africa, Feb. 24, 2026. Delegates attending Meetings Africa 2026, held in Johannesburg from Monday to Wednesday, called for optimized visa policies, improved infrastructure and targeted marketing to attract more Chinese tourists to the continent to boost economic growth and deepen people-to-people exchanges. (Xinhua/Chen Wei) People visit the Meetings Africa 2026 in Johannesburg, South Africa, Feb. 24, 2026. Delegates attending Meetings Africa 2026, held in Johannesburg from Monday to Wednesday, called for optimized visa policies, improved infrastructure and targeted marketing to attract more Chinese tourists to the continent to boost economic growth and deepen people-to-people exchanges. (Xinhua/Chen Wei) Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook. Elizabeth McLoughlin, the current chair of the Brattleboro Select Board, is seeking reelection to a three-year term. The opinions expressed by columnists and op-ed writers do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media. New Zealands newest data centre operator TenPeaks has revealed it plans to invest more than $3 billion in developing its data centre capacity in the country. TenPeaks was established in January after being spun out from Spark, following the sale of the majority stake of its data centre business to Pacific Equity Partners (PEP). The transaction valued Sparks data centre business at up to $705 million. In a statement, TenPeaks said it already operates 23MW of IT capacity across 11 facilities and had a development pipeline of over 130MW on owned land to support its long-term growth. According to the company, its existing development pipeline represented more than $3 billion of projected investment, while the overall investment value of the pipeline increased to an estimated $6 billion when taking into account customer IT infrastructure housed in its data centres. However, TenPeaks added it had a clear ambition to grow well beyond its current pipeline to take advantage of the growing demand for data centre capacity in New Zealand. Citing a recent study by Boston Consulting Group, TenPeaks said New Zealand could unlock up to $70 billion of economic activity over the next decade from the delivery of 600MW of new data centre capacity. TenPeaks has been established as a dedicated digital infrastructure platform to support New Zealands growing requirements for cloud, AI and sovereign data solutions, said CEO Michael Stribling. Our national footprint and scalable development pipeline positions us to support customers today and into the future. European Union sanctions envoy David OSullivan arrived in Bishkek for high-level meetings with Kyrgyz officials amid concerns that some financial channels and trade flows in Kyrgyzstan are being used to circumvent sanctions against Russia. In a visit on February 26 as the European Union moves toward adopting its 20th sanctions package targeting Russia, OSullivan met with officials from the central bank and other economic ministries, briefing them on his mission to identify and address possible sanctions circumvention before Brussels finalizes the new measures. In a press conference, he said that about 80 goods, mainly dual-use items, are under scrutiny for possible reexport to Russia via Kyrgyz territory. Roughly 50 of these items are used in Russian military equipment, while the rest are critical for industrial production. He emphasized that these are just a narrow category that does not represent economic interest for Kyrgyzstan. Focus On Dual-Use Goods And Financial Risks OSullivan said the EUs primary concern is not asking Kyrgyzstan to adopt EU sanctions but rather ensuring the country isn't used as a platform for circumvention. We are not asking Kyrgyzstan to adopt our sanctions we understand that there are countries that, for various reasons, choose a different path, he told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service in an interview. He added that some goods are currently being imported into Kyrgyzstan from the EU and then reexported to Russia, which he described as unacceptable." The envoy also highlighted risks in the financial sector, citing the infiltration of Kyrgyz banks and cryptocurrency platforms by actors seeking to circumvent sanctions. He said this was the reason for including several banks and crypto-related institutions in the previous sanctions package. Where we have evidence that companies in any country, including in Kyrgyzstan, are facilitating the circumvention of our sanctions, then we reserve our right to act against these companies, he said, clarifying that such measures target companies, not the country. OSullivan stressed that the EU respects Kyrgyz sovereignty and legitimate trade with Russia, noting the importance of migrant worker remittances for local families: We have no intention to interfere with your perfectly legitimate trade and economic relations with Russia, none whatsoever. We respect the closeness of your relations with Russia; we know that you have many migrant workers in Russia whose remittances back to Kyrgyzstan are important for the livelihood of many families. Proposed Measures In 20th Sanctions Package Draft proposals for the 20th package now being debated by the EU would prohibit exports of certain high-risk items such as computer numerical control (CNC) machines and radio equipment to Kyrgyzstan, amid concerns that goods exported there from the EU have already been reexported to Russia, helping to circumvent existing sanctions. EU draft data shows that exports of these items to Kyrgyzstan rose nearly 800 percent in the first 10 months of 2025 compared with levels prior to Russia's February 2022 invasion, while Kyrgyz exports of the same goods to Russia increased by about 1,200 percent. The EU describes this pattern as a continuing and particularly high risk of circumvention, noting that these goods can be used in military production and advanced industrial applications. The draft, seen by RFE/RL, also includes adding a Kyrgyz crypto-related company to the EU blacklist for facilitating Russian financial interests, reflecting a shift toward targeted company-level restrictions rather than broad country-level sanctions. Kyrgyz Government Response Following meetings with OSullivan, Kyrgyz officials expressed a desire for constructive dialogue while voicing concern over the economic impact of unilateral measures if they are adopted by the bloc. Kyrgyz officials were quick to point out measures being implemented to cut down on any perceived circumventions. Daniyar Amangeldiev, first deputy chairman of the cabinet, noted that lawmakers have already introduced restrictions on dual-use goods and stressed the importance of predictability and stability in financial ties with the EU. Deputy Prime Minister Edil Baisalov, meanwhile, warned that EU measures could threaten regional economic stability. The Foreign Ministry has proposed a joint working group to prevent sanctions circumvention, while the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan said it is assessing the potential impact of the upcoming package to ensure the stability of the banking sector. We would dearly like to work with the Kyrgyz authorities in identifying and resolving these issues before we need to take action ourselves. This is why Im here in the spirit of friendship and cooperationwe value our relationship with Kyrgyzstan, he said. EU sanctions require unanimous approval from all 27 member states. Measures affecting Kyrgyzstan, including export controls on CNC machines and radio equipment, might face resistance. Germany, Italy, and Poland are the biggest exporters of these goods to Kyrgyzstan. EU diplomats told RFE/RL that some of these exporters may seek to block proposed Kyrgyz-related restrictions. Sina Haghshenas was upset about the cost of running his flower shop in the northern Iranian city of Gorgan. So he joined a protest on January 8 sparked by the economic crisis the country was facing. It was there that security forces fatally shot him, say Haghshenas's friends, who held a memorial for him, singing and chanting "with honor." US and Iranian officials held a fresh round of Oman-mediated nuclear talks in Geneva on February 26 for what is seen as a last-ditch attempt to avoid a major military conflict between the foes. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who has a history of mediating talks between two, said he saw "significant progress" and announced that technical level discussions will take place next week in Vienna. "We will resume soon after consultation in the respective capitals... I am grateful to all concerned for their efforts: the negotiators, the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), and our hosts the Swiss government," Busaidi wrote on X. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi also said the meeting brought "good progress." He added that negotiators dealt specifically with the country's nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions. While there was no immediate comment from the United States, according to Axios, a senior US official also described the talks as "positive." However, the outlet had previously reported that, at the start of the talks, White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who represented the United States in Geneva, were "disappointed" by the rhetoric of Iranian officials. Araqchi said the Iranian delegation had "very clearly stated" its demands. The third round of discussions came as President Donald Trump weighs options for US military action if no deal is secured to curb Iran's nuclear program, with two American carrier groups deployed within striking distance of the Islamic republic. The sides held indirect talks earlier this month in Oman, the first since Israel and the United States bombed Iran's key nuclear sites during a brief conflict in June. A second round of talks was held in Geneva on February 17. The two rounds of negotiations failed to yield a breakthrough, and key sticking points remain unsolved. During the talks, the United States has demanded that Iran put a complete halt on enriching uranium and give up its stockpile of around 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, steps that would prevent Tehran from building a nuclear weapon. Tehran insists that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful, civilian purposes such as electricity generation. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on February 25 that Iran is trying to rebuild elements of its nuclear program even though it is not enriching uranium right now. Rubio said that, while the talks will focus on Iran's nuclear program, its missiles "have to be addressed in the negotiations" as Tehran possesses "thousands of short-range ballistic missiles that can reach US bases located in region." He added that Trump's comments on February 24 during his State of the Union address that Iran is "working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America didn't mean they currently possess such weapons, but that "clearly they are headed in the pathway to, one day, being able to develop weapons that could reach the continental US." Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on February 26 that the indirect talks would focus solely on Tehrans nuclear program. Iranian state media reported that the UN's nuclear watchdog chief, Rafael Grossi, reportedly joined the talks "to help advance discussions on technical issues." Albusaidi said on February 26 that US and Iranian officials had expressed "unprecedented openness to new and creative ideas and solutions." Iran has indicated it is prepared to make concessions in return for the lifting of US sanctions and recognition of its right to enrich uranium. Kelsey Davenport, director for nonproliferation policy at the US-based Arms Control Association, said there is still a chance for diplomacy even as the risks of miscalculation and the risks of a return to conflict are extremely high. "I think, despite all of the threats, Trump wants a deal," Davenport told RFE/RLs Radio Farda. "He does not want to get the United States bogged down in another conflict in the region. And I think that Iran, too -- to realize sanctions relief and to prevent a return to conflict -- would also see value in an agreement." Ahead of the February 26 negotiations, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who led the Iranian delegation in Geneva, said that a deal was "within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority." Araqchi also vowed that Iran will "under no circumstances ever develop a nuclear weapon," but insisted on the country's right to "harness dividends of peaceful nuclear technology." In his February 24 address, Trump appeared to lay out his case for a possible attack on Iran, saying he would not allow the "world's number one sponsor of terror" to have a nuclear weapon. Trump said Tehran wanted to rebuild its nuclear program and is "at this moment again pursuing their sinister nuclear ambitions," a claim rejected by Tehran. The negotiations in Geneva come after repeated threats from Trump of military action against Tehran, first over Iran's brutal crackdown on mass protests in January, and then more recently over the country's nuclear program. World powers struck a landmark nuclear deal with Tehran in 2015 to prevent an Iranian bomb. Western economic sanctions were eased at the time, but Iran began reneging on commitments after Trump, in his first term as president, withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and reimposed sanctions. NANJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- In the heart of China's Yangtze River Delta, a city of just over 800,000 people has quietly written one of the most interesting chapters in the history of Sino-German economic cooperation. How did Taicang, a county-level city in Jiangsu Province, come to host more than 560 German enterprises with a total investment exceeding 6 billion U.S. dollars? Located just a 30-minute drive from Shanghai, Taicang has earned a reputation as the home of German companies in China. Thousands of German nationals live and work in the city, and German engineering is now woven into the fabric of the local economy. German auto components manufacturer Schaeffler Group could shed light on the phenomenon. On its factory floor in Taicang, yellow robotic arms pivot with mechanical grace, placing precision bearings onto inspection lines. Trucks loaded with newly assembled auto parts roll out of the gates, bound for vehicle plants across China. About three decades ago, Schaeffler, which is headquartered in Germany's Bavaria, began its China journey in Taicang with a modest workshop of just 30 employees. Its growth since has been swift and far-reaching. By the end of 2025, Schaeffler had expanded to 19,000 employees across China, operating six R&D centers and 17 factories. In Jiangsu -- one of China's manufacturing powerhouses -- it has become the province's largest German-funded manufacturer. Its trajectory mirrors the broader story of German enterprises putting down roots in Taicang. Since the city launched formal cooperation with Germany in 1993, it has seen German firms multiply steadily. Today, their combined annual industrial output in Taicang exceeds 67 billion yuan (9.75 billion U.S. dollars). "In the early days, many German engineers came to Taicang and provided us with hands-on guidance on manufacturing processes," said Li Youmei, a senior executive at Schaeffler (China). When the company first arrived, China's auto industry was still in its infancy. The apprenticeship-style transfer of expertise planted the seeds for technology localization. Around 2005, Schaeffler established an intelligent assembly division, a mold center and a vocational training center in Taicang, marking a decisive shift. "We were no longer simply importing technology. Rather, we began localized R&D and manufacturing," said Lou Junfeng, head of a factory at Schaeffler's Taicang manufacturing base. Today, more than 95 percent of the supply chain for Schaeffler's automotive business in China is localized. Such deep localization, Lou noted, is more than a market strategy. "It reflects trust in China's manufacturing and research capabilities." That trust is also evident in the company's green transition. Photovoltaic panels line factory rooftops, converting sunlight into renewable power. And inside workshops, digital energy systems track real-time consumption. The Taicang base now operates on 100 percent green electricity for its production processes, achieved through solar generation and green power procurement, according to Yu Xiaomao, who works for the State Grid Taicang power supply company. As the global auto industry accelerates its shift toward sustainability, Schaeffler has sought to enhance its competitiveness through decarbonization. "We worked with the company to design a full-cycle solution, from carbon accounting to renewable energy sourcing, helping cut emissions while upgrading operations," Yu said. According to Zhang Luoyin, deputy director of the Administrative Office of the China-Germany (Taicang) SME Cooperation Demonstration Zone, Taicang's appeal extends beyond location. While its proximity to Shanghai offers logistical advantages, the city has also built an industrial ecosystem in which German enterprises play a leading role with the support of local suppliers. More than 600 domestic firms have entered the supply chains of German companies in Taicang, while over 800 institutions collaborate with German enterprises in R&D, talent development and capital partnership, according to Zhang. Citing the auto industry as an example, he explained, "When 70 percent of a vehicle's components can be sourced locally in Taicang, you know supply chain resilience has truly taken hold." Administrative efficiency has also reinforced the city's pull. Zhang said that approval materials required for investment projects have been reduced by 40 percent, and processing times have been cut in half. More than 20 services organizations offering legal, financial or lifestyle support have established operations in the city to assist German businesses. For Schaeffler, the Taicang base has become one of the company's largest production hubs outside Germany. "Taicang combines efficiency with hospitality," Li said. "Companies are willing to act as ambassadors for the city." Schaeffler has repeatedly hosted supplier conferences in Taicang, drawing new partners to the region. Looking ahead, Li said the next phase of the company will focus on helping its Chinese clients expand overseas, exploring a second growth curve. She said that from "German technology" to "Made in China" -- and now to "China R&D" serving the global marketplace -- the partnership between Schaeffler and Taicang reflects more than just investment flows. "It is a two-way journey, one that continues to reflect cooperation between China and Germany in an era of industrial transformation," she added. Pakistani war planes continued to bomb targets in Afghanistan on February 27 as fears of all out war between the two rose as they trade strikes on each other in their volatile mountain border region following days of escalating tensions boiled over. Local sources told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal that three locations in Afghanistan's Paktika province in the early afternoon on February 27, including a Taliban camp in Bermal district, were targeted by fighter jets. The strikes followed attacks overnight on Kabul, the first time Islamabad has directly targeted its former allies, that came amid a major escalation in hostilities between Afghanistan's Taliban-led government and Islamabad. Just hours earlier before the attacks on the capital, Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for Afghanistan's Taliban-led government, said Kabul had launched "a large-scale offensive operation against Pakistani military centers and military installations along the Durand Line," a volatile border that cuts through traditional Pashtun and Baloch tribal territories. The Taliban's Defense Ministry claimed that 55 Pakistani security personnel had been killed, while two bases and 19 posts were captured across the border by its forces. Islamabad's troops retaliated, Pakistani officials said, with Mosharraf Zaidi, a spokesman for the Pakistani government, saying a total of 133 Afghan Taliban members are "confirmed killed," and more than 200 others wounded. "Many more casualties estimated in strikes in Kabul, Paktia and Kandahar military targets," he added. The claims from both sides could not be independently verified, though a local Kabul resident told RFE/RL that a "huge explosion" rocked the city. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said country's forces were ready to "protect the country's security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity." "The Pakistani military is determined not to allow the country's peace and security to be compromised under any circumstances," he wrote on X. Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif accused the Taliban government of turning Afghanistan into a base for global terrorists and "a colony of India." "After the withdrawal of NATO forces, it was expected that there would be peace in Afghanistan and that the Taliban would focus on the interests of the Afghan people and peace in the region. However, the Taliban turned Afghanistan into a colony of India. They gathered all the terrorists of the world in Afghanistan and began exporting terrorism," he wrote in a post on X. "Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now it is open war between us and you," he added. The latest wave of attacks came after Pakistani air strikes four days earlier killed at least 18 people in Afghanistan's Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. Pakistan said it had launched those strikes on seven militant sites inside Afghanistan in a "retributive response" to recent suicide attacks it said were carried out by Afghan-based extremists. Pakistan claimed the strikes killed as many as 80 militants. Taliban-run Afghan security structures rejected the claim as "false," while government officials also said they were preparing "an appropriate and calculated response." Afghanistan denies Pakistan's accusations that it is sheltering the Pakistani Taliban, an offshoot of the Afghan Taliban that appears to operate separately. Tensions have run high between the two countries since Pakistan conducted air strikes on Kabul in October 2025 and followed up with additional attacks on Afghan territory. Dozens of soldiers from both sides were killed in artillery clashes and heavy gunfire last year before a cease-fire was agreed through Qatari mediation. However, several rounds of talks mediated by Qatar and Turkey, aimed at easing the tensions along the border, have failed to bring about a long-term breakthrough. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Kyiv is counting on a future trilateral meeting with the United States and Russia to take place in early March after Ukrainian and US negotiating teams wrapped up the latest round of peace talks in Switzerland. Zelenskyy said in a video address on Telegram after the February 26 meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, that "there is more readiness for the next trilateral format. "Most likely, the next meeting will be in the United Arab Emirates, in Abu Dhabi," he said. Urging the finalization of what Ukrainian and US negotiators had "achieved" in drafting security guarantees for Ukraine -- widely seen as a key issue in ending the fighting sparked by Russia's four-year-old invasion of its neighbor -- Zelenskyy also called for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Such a format can resolve a lot. The leaders decide on the key issues," he said. A day earlier, after a call with US President Donald Trump, Zelenskyy said Trump supported a "sequence of steps" in negotiations that included such a meeting. Kyiv has long characterized a direct leaders' summit as the best way to resolve the most complex issues and end the war. The Kremlin has not publicly supported the idea, instead saying Zelenskyy could come to Moscow if he wanted to talk with Putin, something the Ukrainian leader has refused, instead saying it should be on neutral territory. While there was no comment from Russia on the latest round of negotiations between Ukraine and the United States, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported that Putin's special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, has also held talks with the US officials in Geneva. According to RIA, Dmitriev refused to comment on the results. The talks on February 26 came hours after Russian forces rained down drones and missiles on multiple Ukrainian regions, and also after Moscow sent Kyiv bodies of people apparently killed in the now four-year long war. Earlier, Ukraine's chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, confirmed that, in addition to economic issues, the latest negotiations included the "humanitarian track" and the possibility of further exchanges. Russia and Ukraine have held numerous exchanges of prisoners and remains of killed soldiers during the conflict. On February 26, officials from the two countries said Moscow had returned what it said were the bodies of 1,000 Ukrainians. The authorities in Kyiv said they "may belong to Ukrainian defenders" and that work would begin to identify them. Vladimir Medinsky, a key aide to Putin who had previously led Russian delegations in Istanbul and Geneva, said Ukraine had returned the bodies of 35 Russian soldiers in exchange. Alongside the diplomacy and the exchange, the brutal reality of the war continued. "Dozens of people are known to have been injured as a result of this attack, including children," Zelenskyy wrote on social media after an overnight barrage that he said included 420 drones and 39 missiles. Targets included housing blocks, gas infrastructure, and electrical substations, he added. Prior to the talks, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio -- who was not in attendance at the Geneva meeting -- said that only Washington could drive negotiations to end the war. "The United Nations isn't going to do it. France isn't going to do it. The EU isn't going to do it. The Russians won't even speak to them. So we don't want to walk away from -- we know that, at the end, that war in Ukraine does not have a military solution," he said. "If we forfeit that role, no one else can do it," he added. The meeting in Geneva came two days after somber ceremonies across Ukraine marked the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion and follows trilateral Russia-Ukraine-US talks on February 17-18. Little substantive information has emerged from previous meetings, beyond vague descriptions of them being "difficult" in some areas while achieving "progress" in others. After four years of full-scale war, 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 World Bank said on February 23 that reconstructing the Ukrainian economy would cost an estimated $588 billion over a decade. Russian drone attacks targeted several Ukrainian cities overnight on February 26 ahead of planned talks in Geneva between Ukrainian and US diplomats. Officials in Kharkiv said at least 14 people were injured in the attack. RFE/RL spoke to residents in Zaporizhzhya where at least seven people were hurt and 19 apartment buildings were damaged according to authorities. CARACAS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's National Assembly on Wednesday accepted the resignations of Attorney General Tarek William Saab and Ombudsman Alfredo Ruiz and swiftly appointed their acting replacements. During a regular session, lawmakers voted to designate Larry Devoe as acting attorney general. Devoe, a lawyer, currently serves as executive secretary of the National Human Rights Council. The Assembly also approved the appointment of Saab as acting ombudsman. During the session, National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez read the resignation letters of both officials, expressing gratitude to Saab and Ruiz for fulfilling their duties "during highly complex times and with strict adherence to the Constitution." Rodriguez said that these appointments are intended to ensure state institutions actively participate in all processes and "make corrections where necessary." A County Mayo player is celebrating after waking up as Irelands newest multi-millionaire, having won an incredible 11,101,286 in Wednesday evenings lotto draw. The ticket holder not only scoops the impressive jackpot but also claims the coveted title of the countrys first lotto jackpot winner of 2026. The winning numbers from last nights Lotto draw were 19, 20, 22, 25, 28, 43 and the Bonus was 1. The National Lottery has confirmed that the store location where the winning ticket was purchased will be announced on Friday, February 27th. The National Lottery is urging all players in the Mayo area to check their tickets very carefully. If youre holding the winning ticket, be sure to contact the National Lottery prize claims team on 1800 666 222 or e-mail claims@lottery.ie to arrange the collection of your prize. Mayo will be absolutely buzzing today! One Lotto player has scooped an incredible 11,101,286, officially becoming our first Lotto jackpot winner of 2026. Its a fantastic moment for the county, and with over 82,000 players winning prizes in the Lotto and Lotto Plus draws last night, celebrations are happening right across the country. Were over the moon for our jackpot winner and are urging everyone in Mayo to check their tickets it could be you, said Emma Monaghan, spokesperson for the National Lottery. Works are being planned at a restaurant building on Bridge Street in Boyle, according to plans lodged with Roscommon County Council. The applicant is seeking planning permission from the council to undertake a series of structural modifications on the building that is home to a popular Chinese restaurant. The plans include removing the building's existing deteriorated front and side facades, and adding additional stability to the front wall of the former licensed premises and the existing restaurant upstairs. The development also proposes the installation of a traditional hardwood shopfront to the front and side of the premises. This installation involves associated signage in the form of fixed on surface lettering with overhead illumination. It is also proposed that the remaining external wall areas above the new shopfronts to be re-plastered similar to the existing premises. County planners are due to make a decision on the planned development by April 19th next. By Claudia Savage, Press Association The last known location of Noah Donohoes phone was relayed to search-and-rescue personnel seven hours after it was first received by police, an inquest has heard. Sean McCarry, the Community Rescue Service (CRS) regional commander, told the inquest into the death of the schoolboy that time equals survivability in searches and that he would expect police to pass on all relevant information as soon as possible. Noah was aged 14 when his naked body was found in a storm drain tunnel in north Belfast, six days after he left home on his bike to meet two friends in the Cavehill area in June 2020. Community Rescue Service regional commander Sean McCarry was giving evidence to the inquest (Liam McBurney/PA) The inquest at Belfast Coroners Court, which is being heard with a jury, is in its fifth week. McCarry told the inquest he felt massive responsibility as search manager because a decision or lack of decision, piece of information or lack of information is a difference of life and death. He reaffirmed the importance of his organisation getting information as soon as possible from the police and said this would have been standard practice. During questioning by counsel for Noahs mother Fiona Donohoe, Brenda Campbell, McCarry did stress that if he felt there was a piece of information he needed he probably would have become quite a pain until I got it. He was first called out by police at approximately 3.40am on June 22nd, Noah having been reported missing by his mother on the evening of June 21st. On this initial call, he said he was given nothing else from police to suggest they should search anywhere but Cavehill, but that this was not out of the ordinary as it would be difficult enough at 3am in the morning to have immediate CCTV. It was established, during questioning, that when the CRS received information from police around 11am on June 22 from the TLU (Telecoms Liaison Unit) giving an updated location as to where Noahs phone was last located, search teams were deployed to that area but that searching also continued around Cavehill. McCarry said it was quite uplifting and quite reassuring to get some more information and that when CCTV emerged later, North Queen Street became Noahs official place last seen. He added that at this stage, search operations would still have been heavily reliant on information from police. Campbell said that police failed to spot Noah on the CCTV procured at Grove Leisure Centre and showed jurors a map that would have been produced if that location had become Noahs place last seen, that would have taken in Northwood Road where his body was eventually found, as well as where his bike and helmet were located. McCarry said if that information was available, they would have deployed another team into that area and certainly would have found those items, they were in sight of everyone, adding that it may well have led searchers to Northwood Road sooner. Campbell presented a hypothetical to Mr McCarry, asking if they might have been down culvert at 9am on June 22nd, had they been given the TLU information and corresponding CCTV when he was first called. McCarry was questioned by counsel for Noah Donohoes mother Fiona Donohoe, pictured (Liam McBurney/PA) McCarry replied: Hypothetically, yes, but there has to be a balance. Campbell said if things are missed, they need to be exposed to public scrutiny, and McCarry responded yes and fixed, adding: I fully support that if anything can be changed, I want to understand what that is so it never happens again. The inquest was then shown an email from a TLU officer to PSNI officers working on Noahs case on June 22nd at 3:18am, attaching a location found from his mobile at 7:41pm on June 21st. The corresponding log from the TLU showed that the police were also called to ensure receipt and understanding of this email. McCarry said he was seeing this for the first time and that he was under the impression that when it was presented to him at 11am on June 22nd, it was a new development. He said he would expect that it would have been sent when received by police. Brenda Campbell was representing Noah Donohoes mother at the inquest (Liam McBurney/PA) Campbell suggested that if he had that location at 4am, he wouldnt necessarily have been putting boots in Cavehill in the same numbers. McCarry said he cant disagree with that, adding it may not have made a difference, but we dont know that. Campbell said: Noahs mum doesnt know why at four oclock in the morning, you werent told about that TLU map and neither do you. McCarry said that was correct. Campbell added that Donohoe and McCarry were both unaware as to why the TLU map wasnt urgently married up with CCTV in those early-morning hours. McCarry agreed with Campbells restatement of his earlier testimony that delay can be the difference between time and death in missing person searches. Saturday had a bite in the air, but what it lacked in weather it more than made up for in sport. It was one of those days when hope felt fragile in the morning and unstoppable by evening. Few gave Ireland much of a chance at Twickenham, yet they travelled across the water and stood tall. And then, as the day turned towards evening, the roads out of Roscommon filled with primrose and blue bound for Salthill. At Pearse Stadium, the early signs were grim. Thirteen points down not long after half-time, it looked as though the tide had gone out on us. Around the ground there was that familiar mix of frustration and stubborn belief. But what followed will be talked about for a while. Point by point, tackle by tackle, the gap narrowed. Momentum shifted. Suddenly the improbable felt possible. When the hooter sounded, it was Roscommon by a single point unlikely to some, but thoroughly deserved by those who watched the work-rate and refusal to fold. There is something uniquely satisfying about winning against the odds, especially when the neighbours are involved. Whether by a landslide or the narrowest margin, a derby win carries its own flavour. But while we cheer for the jersey on a Saturday, the real test of backing our own happens on a Tuesday morning in our shops. In Boyle, that balance is under the microscope as the town weighs the arrival of Aldi to Patrick Street. Roscommon County Council has granted planning permission for a new supermarket. A major retailer promises footfall, competition and, some hope, a welcome injection of life into a town that, like many across the county, could do with it. But is bigger automatically better? Local retailers are more than shopfronts. They sponsor jerseys, buy raffle tickets, donate spot prizes and quietly support fundraisers. Communities support their shops but those shops sustain the fabric of the community. Anyone involved in voluntary groups knows which businesses step forward when backing is needed. We also know where many teenagers find their first jobs evening shifts, weekend work, summer employment that teaches responsibility. Progress is welcome. Investment is welcome. Competition can sharpen standards. But as Boyle weighs the promise of something new, it should also pause to consider what it already has. Another layer has caught attention locally. The appeal against the councils decision has been lodged not by a Boyle resident, but by an individual from outside the county. While submissions were made during the original planning process, only one person has formally appealed to the national planning authority. That has prompted questions in coffee shops and business premises alike. How does a town reconcile local approval with an external appeal? Should geography matter in planning decisions? Or is planning law designed to rise above parish boundaries? The planning system allows for such appeals. Decisions are not popularity contests; they are tests of policy, zoning, traffic management, environmental impact and compliance with development plans. An appeal does not automatically mean obstruction. It is part of ensuring developments meet required standards. And yet, optics matter. When a project many perceive as beneficial is delayed by someone who will not experience its day-to-day impact, it can feel rightly or wrongly as though progress is being decided at a remove from those who live and work in the town. Some see investment as something to encourage rather than slow. A new supermarket signals jobs, consumer choice and renewed activity. Others worry about the long-term impact on town-centre vitality and smaller retailers. Those concerns are not trivial. Planning appeals are not about personalities; they are about principles. An Coimisiun Pleanala will assess whether the proposal aligns with zoning objectives, traffic safety and the Local Area Plan. Perhaps what this debate reveals is something positive: people care. They care about Boyles direction, its streetscape and its future. Apathy would be far more worrying than argument. Just as in Salthill, momentum can turn in an instant. The Aldi proposal may move ahead or it may not. Either way, the real work begins afterwards. Backing your own is easy when theres a scoreboard and a hooter. Its harder on an ordinary Tuesday morning. Boyles future will be shaped not just by planning decisions, but by where people choose to spend their money, their loyalty and their belief. Matches are decided in seventy minutes. Towns are decided over years. He said that infiltration poses challenges to national security and can impact access to welfare schemes and public resources. File Photo. Shah emphasised the need to enhance intelligence gathering through stronger coordination between security forces and local communities. Union Home Minister Amit Shah Unveils SSB Border Projects in Bihar, Signals Action on Infiltration Advertisement Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday inaugurated and laid foundation stones for multiple infrastructure projects of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) at Border Outposts Leti and Indarwa in the Araria district of Bihar, reaffirming the Centres focus on strengthening border security along the IndiaNepal frontier. The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), a central armed police force under the Ministry of Home Affairs, was established in 1963 and is tasked with guarding Indias borders with Nepal and Bhutan. Addressing SSB personnel and residents of nearby villages, the Home Minister stressed the importance of constant vigilance along the open IndiaNepal border. While noting the friendly relations between the two countries, he said security agencies must remain alert against potential misuse of the open border by anti-national elements. Shah emphasised the need to enhance intelligence gathering through stronger coordination between security forces and local communities in border areas, calling community cooperation vital for timely information sharing. Advertisement Announcing a focused campaign against infiltration in the Seemanchal region, the Home Minister said the initiative would include measures to curb illegal encroachments within 10 kilometres of the international border and action against individuals found to be residing illegally. He said that infiltration poses challenges to national security and can impact access to welfare schemes and public resources. Referring to concerns over demographic changes in certain regions, Shah said border management would remain a priority for the government. The Home Minister also expressed confidence that stricter border management measures, including fencing and surveillance, would be strengthened in neighbouring states such as West Bengal in the future. Advertisement Bhagwant Mann Govt to honour 14,100 women entrepreneurs across Punjab on 18 March: Tarunpreet Singh Sond File Photo. Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond stated, From each constituency, 100 Self Help Group women entrepreneurs will be felicitated with awards. Bhagwant Mann Govt to honour 14,100 women entrepreneurs across Punjab on 18 March: Tarunpreet Singh Sond CHANDIGARH, 26 February 2026: The Bhagwant Mann Government will honour 14,100 women entrepreneurs across constituencies, districts and at the state level as the Punjab State Rural Livelihood Mission (PSRLM) marks International Womens Day on 18 March, with a25,000 each for 100 top entrepreneurs and a sharp drop in Non Performing Assets of Self Help Groups from 18 percent to 2.16 percent. Advertisement Announcing large scale celebrations and detailing financial and organisational gains since 2022, Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said the government has expanded Self Help Groups, boosted funding, and strengthened rural womens economic power across the state. Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond stated, From each constituency, 100 Self Help Group women entrepreneurs will be felicitated with awards across the state. A total of 11,700 women entrepreneurs will be awarded. Similarly, from 23 districts, 2,300 women entrepreneurs, 100 from each district, will be honoured. At the state level, a committee will select the top 100 women entrepreneurs of Punjab, and each of them will be awarded a25,000. In total, 14,100 women entrepreneurs will be awarded by the state. Elaborating on the achievements of the Punjab government, the Punjab Minister stated, A total of 28,734 Self Help Groups have been formed from 2022 to 2026, compared to 29,053 Self Help Groups formed between 2011 and 2022 during the previous regimes. Similarly, 2,90,213 Self Help Group members have been added in just four years from 2022 to 2026, whereas 2,97,083 members were added over eleven years from 2011 to 2022. Advertisement Highlighting organisational expansion, he added, A total of 2,427 village organisations have been formed from 2022 to 2026, compared to 1,806 village organisations formed between 2011 and 2022. Likewise, a53.03 crore has been issued as revolving fund to Self Help Groups from 2022 to 2026, whereas a28.59 crore was issued as revolving fund between 2011 and 2022. Detailing financial support, the Minister shared, a84.88 crore as Community Investment Fund has been issued from 2022 to 2026, compared to a105.72 crore issued between 2011 and 2022. Apart from this, Self Help Groups have availed loans amounting to a631.76 crore from 2022 to 2026, whereas a171.13 crore was availed between 2011 and 2022. Our government has drastically reduced the Non Performing Assets of Self Help Groups to 2.16 percent from 2022 to 2026, compared to 18 percent between 2011 and 2022. In view of this, it is crystal clear that the achievements of the present government are significantly higher than those of previous governments. Explaining the objective of the Punjab State Rural Livelihood Mission, he further said, The main objective of PSRLM is to make women from rural poor families economically strong by connecting them with Self Help Groups. Today, women in rural areas are successfully playing their role in savings, credit management, small enterprises, cottage industries, agricultural allied activities and service sectors. Many women have become entrepreneurs in their villages, creating employment opportunities and becoming a source of inspiration for other families. Advertisement Highlighting the scale of outreach, Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond revealed that there are a total of 58,000 Self Help Groups to date, with about six lakh rural women associated with them. The Punjab government has provided a30,000 as revolving fund, a50,000 as Community Investment Fund, and a loan facility at 7 percent rate of interest is being availed by these beneficiary women. So far, about a802.89 crore of bank loans have been taken by the members, with a Non Performing Asset rate of only 2 percent. This shows that women are repaying loans on time with financial discipline. Even during the floods, the government provided about a18 crore of assistance without interest to purchase 3,000 cattle. Emphasising holistic support, the Minister said, Through PSRLM, women are not only being connected with financial assistance, but also with training, market linkages, banking assistance and social security schemes. These efforts are not only increasing the income of rural families but also improving their social status. We appeal to everyone to connect the maximum number of women with Self Help Groups to make them economically strong so that the dream of Sashakt Mahila, Sashakt Punjab can be fulfilled. GENEVA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese representative on Wednesday sternly refuted the unwarranted accusations against China made by Japan and a handful of other countries at the high-level segment of the 61st session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council. The Chinese representative said that Japan and some other countries have spread disinformation on Xinjiang, Xizang and Hong Kong to attack and discredit China. China strongly opposes and firmly rejects such an attempt. The Chinese representative pointed out that, at present, Xinjiang and Xizang enjoy economic development and social stability, with the rights of people of all ethnic groups being fully protected. Hong Kong has entered a new phase of stability and prosperity since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law. The Chinese representative further emphasized that Japan's baseless comments on the human rights situation of other countries cannot obscure its own deplorable record. Japan has failed to take responsibility for historical issues such as "comfort women," disregarded concerns raised by UN human rights mechanisms, and attempted to create a "chilling effect" through retaliation and coercive pressure. Japan waged wars of aggression and committed serious war crimes but has shown no serious self-reflection, the representative noted, adding that China urges Japan to reflect deeply on its past and immediately cease these actions to avoid repeating historical mistakes. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann's Landmark Gift to Farmers, Canal Water Reaches 4 Districts of Malwa Region File Photo. He added that more than 63,000 government jobs have been given to youth without any bribe or recommendation. CM Bhagwant Singh Manns Landmark Gift to Farmers, Canal Water Reaches 4 Districts of Malwa Region MAKHU, 25th February 2026: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday inaugurated the first phase of the reconstruction and relining of the Ferozepur Feeder Canal, calling it a landmark gift to farmers and a decisive step towards securing Punjabs water future. Declaring the canal as the lifeline of the Malwa region, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the project will prove to be a boon for Ferozepur, Faridkot, Sri Muktsar Sahib and Fazilka districts, enhancing irrigation capacity and ensuring that canal water reaches deeper into the fields of Punjab. Advertisement The a180 crore project has increased the canals capacity from 11,192 cusecs to 13,873 cusecs, marking a sharp 2,681 cusec jump. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted that while previous governments failed for 74 years to increase the canals capacity or undertake concrete lining, the present government has delivered structural reform on the ground. He highlighted that when his government assumed office, canal water reached only 21% of Punjabs fields, whereas today it reaches 68%, transforming irrigation coverage across the state. Reiterating that Punjab has no surplus water to share, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the interests of Punjab are supreme and not even a single drop of water will be given to any other state. He stated that Congress and Akali Dal governments betrayed Punjab by signing agreements to divert water to other states, and took a swipe at the Akali Dal, saying a party that cannot find 11 members to form a committee is dreaming of winning 117 seats in Punjab. Addressing a gathering on the occasion, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, Today is a historic and joyous day for the people of Punjab, especially for the Malwa region. The first phase of the relining of the Ferozepur Feeder Canal, considered the lifeline of several districts in the Malwa region, is being inaugurated today. He added, With the relining, this canal will prove to be a boon for humans, livestock, and the agricultural sector by fulfilling the water needs of all. Advertisement Highlighting the scale and speed of execution, the Chief Minister stated, An expenditure of a180 crore has been incurred on this phase. I congratulate the engineers, government officials, and workers who completed 15 kilometers of canal lining within 35 days in war mode. He informed that a total of 126 government employees and 4,000 workers were deployed for the project. With the inauguration of the first phase, the canals capacity has increased by 2,681 cusecs. Earlier, the canals capacity was 11,192 cusecs, which has now increased to 13,873 cusecs, he said. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further stated, The depth of the canal has increased from 18 feet to 21 feet and the width of the canal has increased from 163 feet to 180 feet. Originating from Harike Headworks, he said, the canal provides irrigation facilities to areas falling under four districts of Ferozepur, Faridkot, Sri Muktsar Sahib, and Fazilka. A total of 14 blocks including Gidderbaha, Makhu, Mamdot, Balluana, Jalalabad, Guru Har Sahai, Arniwala, Khuiyan Sarwar, Lambi, Malout, Fazilka, Muktsar, and Ferozepur in these four districts will directly benefit from the relining of this canal, he added. The Chief Minister said, With the relining of this canal, irrigation water will be provided to 6,45,200 hectares. Water will now be supplied to border areas adjoining the international border, especially Fazilka and Jalalabad, through the Ferozepur Feeder. Advertisement He pointed out that earlier water was supplied from the Hussainiwala Headworks to Pakistan through the feeder and polluted water is being discharged into the Sutlej River near Kasur city in Pakistan, which re-enters the country. The border villages get polluted water but now a water recharge system has been introduced to enhance the ground water and supply clean water to the villages, he said. Referring to earlier works, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, Last year, the lining work of the Sirhind Feeder, which is part of the Ferozepur Feeder system, was completed. With the relining of the Ferozepur Feeder, the capacity of the Sirhind Feeder will increase, permanently resolving the issue of water shortage. He added that the canal was constructed in 1952 and in the past 74 years previous governments did not take steps to increase its capacity or undertake concrete lining. The existing structure of the canal had deteriorated over time, leading to a shortage of approximately 1,000 cusecs of water during the Kharif season, and canals had to be operated on a rotational basis. This project will make a significant contribution to the economic prosperity of farmers in the Malwa region, he said. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann added, The state government has spent a6,500 crore for rejuvenating the canal system and for the first time 1365 villages of the state have got canal water. Advertisement The Chief Minister said that when the AAP government assumed office, only 21% canal water was being used in the state for irrigation purposes. Today, 68% of the canal water is being used for irrigation purposes and this will be enhanced to 85% by the coming paddy season, he said, adding that 6,900 km long 18,349 water courses have been revived to provide water at tail ends. Taking a swipe at previous governments, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, Those leaders at the residence of whom the canals used to stop earlier had never bothered about this thing. Such decisions can be taken only by those leaders who are acquainted with ground realities and not by those who have studied in the convent schools at hills. He further said, These traditional political parties were traitors who have never been loyal to the state and its people. He reminded the people, Those who had signed the agreement on Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal and had given permission for its survey have big resorts in Haryana, whereas the other one who offered the silver spade to the then Prime Minister is today a self proclaimed saviour of water. These people ignored the interests of the state for their vested political interests and that is why they were completely rejected by the people of the state. Taking a jibe at the Akali Dals Punjab Bachao Yatra, he said, The real name of this gimmick is parivar bachao yatra. After looting the state for 15 years, from whom are they trying to save the state? Reaffirming his governments commitment to border residents, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, The Punjab government is making every effort for the well being of the border residents, who are true patriots of the country. He informed that in a major relief for farmers in Punjabs border belt, the Central Government has given in principle approval to shift the Border Fence closer to the International Border, which will clear the way for unhindered cultivation of thousands of acres of farmland currently trapped beyond the fencing. Farmers have long been forced to cross the fence with identity cards and under BSF escort to reach their own fields, facing daily hardship and uncertainty along the 532 km India Pakistan border where fencing lies deep inside Punjabs territory, he said. Reiterating his stand on water sharing, the Chief Minister affirmed, Punjab has no spare water to share with any other state and no one will be allowed to take even a single drop of water from the state. He added, The issues of Satluj Yamuna Link can be resolved only through Yamuna Satluj Link, which will ensure judicious use of Yamuna water. Punjab has no spare water to share with any state and there is no question about it. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, Despite being a riparian state, Punjab ignores its own water requirement and gives about 60% water to meet the requirements of non-riparian states in which Ravi-Beas and Sutlej rivers do not pass. The waters of Punjabs rivers are shared among partner states, while flood-related damages are borne solely by Punjab, imposing a heavy annual financial burden. He asserted, The interest of the state and its people is supreme and no compromise can be made in this regard. Coming down heavily on the Akali leadership, he said, Those who cannot find even 11 members for constituting a committee of their party are day dreaming to win 117 seats in the state. He added, These leaders had patronized the gangsters in the state and infused drugs in the veins of the youth by shielding the drug smugglers. Even today, they are promoting gangsters and one of them was fielded on a party ticket during the Tarn Taran by-poll. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, Akali Dal is a party of political deadwoods who have been rejected time and again. They may misuse religion but people will not get swayed away by it. The people will never forgive them for their sins and will teach them a befitting lesson again. He further stated, People had elected them time and again but they backstabbed the state. They misused religion for their vested political interests and cannot be forgiven. He said, Traditional political parties are envious because they cannot digest that the son of a common man is governing the state effectively. Adding that people have lost faith in such parties, he said, Previous rulers were more concerned about their family members rather than Punjab and Punjabis and that is why they have been shown the door. They start spitting venom against me at the early dawn as I have exposed their ugly face before the people. Taking another swipe, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, Congress and Akalis have only a four point agenda that is to ensure the welfare of themselves, their sons and their brothers in laws. The Chief Minister asserted, The AAP government is judiciously utilizing every single penny of the state exchequer for the well being of the people. More than 90% of households are getting free power and even farmers are getting power in the daytime, which is unprecedented. He further said, 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. Highlighting healthcare reforms, he said, 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been opened to provide free healthcare and quality health services are being ensured in government hospitals. He added, The state government has launched Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, the first of its kind scheme in the country, providing cashless medical treatment up to a10 lakh for every resident family in Punjab. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, Punjab is the first Indian state to offer such comprehensive healthcare coverage, significantly easing the financial burden on the public while ensuring quality services. This historic move is aimed at providing universal health care to all families. He added that more than 63,000 government jobs have been given to youth without any bribe or recommendation. Referring to the fight against drugs, the Chief Minister said, The drug mafia was patronized by earlier governments but our government has launched Yudh Nashean Virudh against the menace of drugs. He added, Meticulous planning has been done to wipe out this menace and the war has begun in a full-fledged manner. Apart from snapping supply lines, the big fishes have been put behind bars and properties of drug peddlers are being seized and destroyed. Calling for public participation, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, There is a need to transform this campaign into a mass movement with the proactive support of the people. The day is not far away when, with active public support, Punjab will become a completely drug free state. He reiterated the firm commitment of the state government to ensure the well being of every section of society and the progress of Punjab. On the occasion, Cabinet Ministers Barinder Goyal, Dr Baljeet Kaur and Gurmeet Singh Khudian were also present. Working in Romania The latest from the Romanian labour market Photo: pixabay.com Sorin Iordan, 26.02.2026, 12:21 Demand from Romanian employers for workers from outside the European Union exceeds the quota of approximately 90,000 people set for 2026, despite stricter hiring procedures, according to an analysis by Work From Asia, a recruitment company for non-EU workers. The analysis shows that this phenomenon is no longer a one-off occurrence, but reflects a structural transformation of the Romanian labor market, where experts estimate a shortage of several hundred thousand employees, particularly in sectors such as transport, construction, services, and manufacturing. The company points out that there have been years when the demand for labor from third countries was more than twice the number of workers approved by the government. The general manager of Work From Asia, Yosef Gavriel Peisakh, believes that Romania has entered into a global competition for labor, as workers choose between several destinations and their decision depends on salaries, working conditions, accommodation, the actual start date, and contractual stability. One of the solutions proposed to stabilize the Romanian labor market is to make employers accountable and align with international ethical standards in recruitment. At the same time, wage increases, compliance with the labor code, cultural integration of workers, and improvement of their living conditions are becoming decisive factors in a market where workers have real alternatives, according to the Work From Asia analysis. Undeclared work remains one of Romanias main problems, with the country having 5.7 million officially registered employees and 6.7 million active contracts, according to official data. According to reports, most people working undeclared are in construction, agriculture, HoReCa, or ridesharing. In this context, labor inspectors in Timis County, in western Romania, say that this phenomenon has grown in recent years, especially in the field of alternative transport, where the number of drivers found to be working illegally is seven times higher than five years ago. The director of the Timis Territorial Labor Inspectorate, Ileana Mogosanu, said that checks on ridesharing platforms were initiated at a time when no one was controlling this area. The checks are difficult because the activity is carried out through digital applications, but inspectors have learned to interpret the data and document the violations, Mogosanu added. Last year alone, the Timis Territorial Labor Inspectorate collected approximately 3 million euros in fines from alternative transport companies. Penalties for undeclared work have recently been increased, with the fine for each person without a contract rising from 20,000 to 40,000 lei (4,000 to 8,000 euros). The Ukrainian refugee community in Constanta, a port city on the Black Sea, marked four years since the start of the large-scale Russian invasion and 12 years since the beginning of the aggression with the occupation of the Crimean Peninsula. Under the symbolic title Voice of Light 12 Years of Struggle, 4 Years of Unwavering Resistance, the event was intended not only as a commemoration, but also as a reaffirmation of solidarity and faith in justice and a peaceful future. The event began at the Victory Monument in the Archaeological Park in Constanta with a symbolic artistic moment, followed by statements on the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia, the serious situation of prisoners of war, and a message of gratitude to Romania for its support. The representative of the Ukrainian community, Aleksandra Cotoc, spoke about the 19,500 Ukrainian children who were kidnapped and taken to Russia. She appealed to the entire European community not to ignore what is happening in Ukraine, where every day, in addition to soldiers, children, women, and the elderly are dying. The demonstration ended in front of the Russian Federation Consulate in Constanta. According to last years statistics, there were almost 193,000 Ukrainian refugees in Romania, who are benefiting from temporary protection or who have obtained refugee status. Since the invasion began on February 24, 2022, more than 11 million Ukrainian refugees have transited the country on their way to Western European countries. (MI) Protests staged by teachers and students Teachers and students staged a protest calling for the repeal of austerity measures targeting education that were adopted last year. Protest ) Stefan Stoica, 26.02.2026, 13:50 If Tuesday saw trade unions from the Ministry of the Interior take to the streets, Wednesday was the turn of teaching staff to voice their discontent in public. Teachers were among the first to be hit by the fiscal and budgetary measures adopted by the government in a bid to reduce the excessive budget deficit. The protest took place near the Presidential Palace, which had promised to hold talks with education union representatives on the sectors problems. In an open letter addressed to President Nicusor Dan, the three education unions called on him to initiate a reform project for the education system, bringing together experts from universities, research institutes and academies, who, alongside relevant professional bodies and key private-sector stakeholders, would seek successful solutions to the challenges facing education. Union leaders are urging the president to raise with the governing coalition a series of demands, including the repeal of what they describe as anti-education measures introduced last year, such as increasing the number of pupils per class, raising teachers compulsory teaching hours and cutting hourly pay rates. Teaching staff are also calling for higher funding for education and research, formal recognition of the importance of their work through fair positioning in the draft of the new public-sector pay law, and the retention of the doctoral title allowance at its 2025 level. Their list of demands also includes the immediate launch of national research funding competitions from domestic sources, the full reinstatement of student scholarships, the unblocking of university reserves so they can be used for implementing European projects and institutional development, the lifting of the recruitment freeze, and the integration of high-performing young professionals into universities and research. According to the National Trade Union Federation Alma Mater, the Free Trade Union Federation in Education and the Education Trade Union Federation Spiru Haret, the current governing coalition is endangering the education and scientific research sectors by promoting and adopting what they describe as unjust and ill-judged financial and accounting measures, taken, in their view, without economic impact assessments and without public consultation or consultation with the relevant authorities. The unions stress that education is officially recognised as part of national security. Chronic underfunding is not merely a budgetary issue, they argue, but a vulnerability that threatens the security of the Romanian state. The leaders of the three unions maintain that Romanias education and research systems require serious, deep and coherent transformation in order to improve results and become competitive internationally. Students also joined the protest in Bucharest. They say they are disappointed by measures adopted over the past year, including cuts to scholarships and transport allowances. Oil prices hovered near seven-month highs on Thursday as the third round of nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran kicked off in Geneva against a backdrop of continued mistrust. Benchmark Brent crude futures edged up by 0.1 percent to $70.78 a barrel while WTI crude futures were little changed at $65.45. Ahead of the meeting, the U.S. imposed sanctions on more than 30 individuals, companies and vessels linked to Tehran's oil trade. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran possessed a very large number of ballistic missiles that threaten U.S. interests in the region and it was trying to develop weapons that can reach the continental United States. Vice President JD Vance said Tehran should take Washington's threats of military action seriously. "The principle is very simple: Iran can't have a nuclear weapon. If they try to rebuild a nuclear weapon, that causes problems for us," he told reporters at the White House. Investors remain concerned over a potential military confrontation in the region that risks supply disruptions. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Indian shares ended a choppy session little changed on Thursday due to U.S. trade policy concerns and fears over a potential military conflict in the Middle East region. The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to block a pillar of U.S. trade policy has caused yet more uncertainty for trade partners and companies. It remains unclear what will happen to nearly 20 framework deals or firmer trade agreements that the Trump administration has reached with countries in recent months. The U.S. imposed sanctions on more than 30 individuals, companies and vessels linked to Tehran's oil trade as the third round of nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran kicked off in Geneva against a backdrop of continued mistrust. The benchmark BSE Sensex swung between gains and losses before finishing down 27.46 points, or 0.03 percent, at 82,248.61. The broader NSE Nifty index also fluctuated before closing at 25,496.55, up 14.05 points, or 0.06 percent, from its previous close. The BSE mid-cap and small-cap indexes edged up by 0.6 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively. The market breadth was strong on the BSE, with 2,170 shares rising while 2,032 shares fell and 154 shares closed unchanged. While media and FMCG stocks led losses, IT stocks pared early morning gains after AI chipmaker Nvidia posted strong earnings for the December quarter. Healthcare stocks witnessed selective buying, with Sun Pharma and Dr Reddy's Laboratories rising over 1 percent each. Defense stocks extended their rally for the second consecutive session ahead of an expected India-Israel defense deal. Astra Microwave Products jumped more than 4 percent, Data Patterns surged 5.6 percent and Unimech Aerospace and Manufacturing added 1.8 percent. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com U.S. security officials have arrested 72 people from Mexico, Central and South America, and Africa with a range of criminal histories who attempted to illegally enter the United States by sea off the Southern California coast. Over the weekend, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and its U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy partners intercepted a number of smuggling boats during a series of coordinated maritime operations, CBP said in a press release. Some of those apprehended were trying to re-enter the United States after deportation over driving under the influence, firearm possession, domestic violence, grand theft and resisting arrest. On February 21, a CBP Air and Marine Operations marine unit from San Diego interdicted three boats carrying 36 people near San Clemente Island. The CBP agents arrested the Mexican nationals and transferred them to the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Haddock and later turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol for processing. On Saturday afternoon, the Coast Guard Cutter Forrest Rednour and the USS Augusta coordinated to stop another vessel, apprehending 16 people whom they turned over to U.S. Border Patrol agents. On Sunday evening, the Coast Guard Cutter Forrest Rednour intercepted a vessel west of Sunset Cliffs. Its crew turned over all 20 people to Border Patrol agents. Authorities will process all individuals for removal or federal prosecution. San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Justin De La Torre said the weekend enforcement events highlight the persistent threat of U.S.-bound human smuggling. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News A plane is seen at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, Cuba, Feb. 14, 2026. (Photo by Joaquin Hernandez/Xinhua) The United States has labeled Cuba "an unusual and extraordinary threat" to national security, saying it will stop Cuba from receiving Venezuelan oil after the January military operation that forcibly took Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. It has taken control of Venezuela's oil exports after the military raid. NEW YORK, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under the U.S. Department of the Treasury will allow the resale of Venezuelan origin oil to Cuba's non-governmental sectors, according to an update from the OFAC on Wednesday. The office said it will implement a "favorable licensing policy" toward specific license applications seeking authorization for the resale of Venezuelan origin oil to Cuba. This "favorable licensing policy" is directed toward transactions including exports for commercial and humanitarian use in Cuba and others in Cuba's private sector, according to the OFAC. Transactions involving, or for the benefit of, any persons or entities associated with the Cuban military, intelligence services, or other government institutions, would not be covered by this favorable licensing policy, said the OFAC. The United States has labeled Cuba "an unusual and extraordinary threat" to national security, saying it will stop Cuba from receiving Venezuelan oil after the January military operation that forcibly took Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. It has taken control of Venezuela's oil exports after the military raid. On Jan. 29, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order threatening to impose tariffs on goods exported to the United States from countries supplying oil to Cuba. A former U.S. Air Force pilot has been arrested for providing defense services to the Chinese military. Former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot Gerald Eddie Brown, Jr., also known by the call sign "Runner," 65, was arrested Wednesday in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Brown, a U.S. citizen, was charged for providing training to Chinese military pilots without authorization, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act. Brown is expected to appear before a Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Indiana on Thursday, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. As alleged in the complaint, Brown conspired with foreign nationals and U.S. persons to provide combat aircraft training to pilots in the Chinese Air Force, known as the People's Liberation Army Air Force, since at least August 2023. In December 2023, Brown traveled to China to begin his work training Chinese military pilots. After his arrival, Brown answered question for three hours about the U.S. Air Force, and prepared and presented a brief about himself for the PLAAF. Brown remained in China until he traveled to the United States in early February 2026. The case against Brown is being investigated by the FBI's New York Field Office. "Gerald Brown, a former F-35 Lightning II instructor pilot with decades of experience flying U.S. military aircraft, allegedly betrayed his country by training Chinese pilots to fight against those he swore to protect," said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI's Counterintelligence and Espionage Division. "The Chinese government continues to exploit the expertise of current and former members of the U.S. armed forces to modernize China's military capabilities," he added. In June 2024, the United States, along with the governments of Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand, had published a bulletin warning that China's People's Liberation Army continues to target current and former military personnel from NATO nations and other Western countries to help bolster its capabilities. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News While the original compensation demand was 1 million Yuan (Rs 1.33 crores), the court has settled the matter for a much lesser amount Reports from China reveal a disturbing trend where some social media influencers have been found to be deliberately defaming carmakers. This is allegedly being done to gain popularity and boost interactions on social platforms. As such acts can damage brand reputation, carmakers in China are approaching the courts for a resolution. In a recent lawsuit against a car influencer, the court has ruled in favour of Huaweis Maextro. What Triggered The Defamation Lawsuit? Huawei and JAC (Jianghuai Automobile Group) have the Maextro luxury car brand, which competes with the likes of Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Maybach. The defamation case filed involves the Maextro S800 sedan, which has emerged as a bestselling luxury sedan in China. Cumulative sales since deliveries commenced in August 2025 have crossed 14k units. A total of four variants are offered, priced at 708,000 yuan, 788,000 yuan, 818,000 yuan and 1.018 million yuan, making it one of the most expensive cars on sale in China. Sales data shows that the Maextro S800 recorded 4,376 units in December last year. A defamation case was filed by JAC on behalf of Maextro when a car influencer allegedly made false claims about the S800. In early 2025, Maextro had posted multiple videos, which highlighted the various capabilities of the S800. For context, the S800 can crab walk and make calls via satellite. In one video, the S800 was compared with the Maybach S-Class. It focused on highlighting S800s unique ability to glide over potholes. In the video, three separate potholes were shown with sand, a square piece of glass and water. The S800 was shown to glide over these potholes without touching the substances placed in the potholes. In comparison, the Maybach S-Class touched the substances, which indicated an interaction with the pothole surface. Car influencer claimed rigging While the videos posted by Maextro were real, a China-based car influencer named Racing Frappuccino claimed that these tests were rigged. According to available information, the Weibo account Racing Frappuccino is verified as a knowledge-based automotive influencer and has around 605,000 followers. The account has generated approximately 1.96 million reposts and likes across its content, which largely consists of personal opinions and commentary on trending developments in the automotive industry. In a video, he said that such tests were merely marketing strategies to highlight specific features of S800s chassis. He also targeted Huawei, saying that the brand often deploys such tactics. When Maextro asked the influencer to apologize for his false claims, he made another video to defame Huaweis marketing strategies. The model at the centre of the dispute is the Zunjie S800, the first vehicle from Zunjie Automobile. Positioned as a million-yuan ultra-luxury offering, the S800 was jointly introduced by Huawei and JAC and officially launched on May 30 last year. A total of four variants were offered, priced at 708,000 yuan, 788,000 yuan, 818,000 yuan and 1.018 million yuan. Sales data shows that the Zunjie S800 recorded 4,376 units in December last year. 300,000 Yuan Compensation Explained Subsequently, JAC filed a defamation lawsuit against the car influencer in May 2025. A compensation of 1 million Yuan (Rs 1.33 crores) was demanded in the lawsuit. Responding to this, the influencer threatened to file a counter lawsuit with compensation of 2.5 million Yuan (Rs 3.32 crores). In its decision, the court has ruled in favour of JAC. In the first-instance judgement, the court ruled that the claims made by the influencer about the Maextro S800 were fabricated. Since the companys reputation was dented, the influencer was directed to issue a public apology and pay compensation of 300k Yuan (Rs 40 lakh). There have been several such cases in the past in China. Courts have given various orders such as deleting defamatory content, paying compensation and issuing public apologies. Other carmakers that have won similar cases against social media influencers include Great Wall Motor, BYD and Xpeng. In a recent sensational defamation case involving Denza B5 SUV, an influencer was asked to pay a massive US$ 289,000 to BYD (Rs 2.63 crore). Hopefully, these court judgements will have a positive impact and prompt influencers and influencers to act more responsibly. Source Nikk Mitchell (L), founder and CEO of Hanghzou-based VR production company FXG, conducts shooting with his colleague at the Yanguan ancient town in Jiaxing, east China's Zhejiang Province, June 13, 2025. (Xinhua) HANGZHOU, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- A Peking Opera performer, clad in embroidered armor, raises her spear as gongs reverberate through a studio in Hangzhou in eastern China. There is no traditional stage or theater audience, only a green screen and a ring of specialized cameras capturing each posture. Later, through a virtual reality (VR) headset, the same scene unfolds again. But this time, the viewer appears to be standing inside the performance rather than watching from afar. The VR project was created by FXG, a VR production company based in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province. "We're capturing reality and allowing it to be entered again," Nikk Mitchell, FXG's founder and CEO, said in a recent interview with Xinhua. "The goal is to take what's meaningful and valuable about the world and make it accessible in immersive form." For Mitchell, who was born in Kenya and raised in Canada, much value lies in traditional Chinese culture. His curiosity about martial arts films, tea rituals, and ancient history drove him to arrive in China for the first time at the age of 18. "I found infinite stories in China's traditional culture, which is a rich treasure trove to me," said Mitchell, who has lived in China for nearly two decades. While paper-cutting and Dunhuang murals offer rich creation possibilities, it was Peking Opera that left him the deepest impression. "I never had an interest in Peking Opera before I came to China. But I was fascinated by it when I experienced the sounds, movements and outfits personally," he said. However, he recognized that for those unfamiliar with it, the intricate art form may feel inaccessible. He sought to change the situation with the VR technology. In 2012, a VR short film, though technically rudimentary by today's standards, revealed to him a new way of storytelling: not observation, but presence. "Photos and videos may fail to capture its essence. I knew the technology would change the way we experience art," said Mitchell. In 2017, he co-founded FXG in Hangzhou, drawn by the city's deep cultural heritage and technological dynamism. His company focuses on the research and development of immersive technologies and content production. "It is really meaningful to capture stage plays with VR so that anyone in the world can experience them," he said. Mitchell believes that his work resonates with a broader trend in China and aligns with a national policy direction. "Younger audiences are rediscovering traditional arts with great cultural confidence, and institutions are exploring digital formats," he said. The Communist Party of China Central Committee's recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) stressed the need to further integrate culture and technology, to empower cultural development with digital and intelligent technologies, and to shift to an IT-based development model, while fostering new forms of cultural business. "I feel almost destined to be in this place," Mitchell said, while citing the recommendations. He even adopted a Chinese name, Li Wenlong, in which "Wen" signifies culture and knowledge, while he chose "long," meaning dragon, because he was born in the Year of the Dragon. "My dream is that one day, a kid in rural China or a student in Paris can put on a headset and stand in front of a master performer without any time or space limits," Mitchell said. "It's such an exciting vision of the future, where anything beautiful and meaningful that humanity has created can be preserved." Nikk Mitchell, founder and CEO of VR production company FXG, checks an image on his computer at his company based in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 27, 2026. (Xinhua) BAKU, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Azerbaijan maintains a "firm and principled" position on the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger aircraft in December 2024, reaffirming that the incident was caused by a mistake on the part of the Russian military, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov told journalists on Thursday. "The plane was downed due to a mistake by the Russian Ministry of Defense. Our expectation is that the Russian side will take all necessary actions, provide a legal assessment of the incident, and issue compensation," said the foreign minister. On Dec. 25, 2024, an Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on its way from Baku to Russia's Grozny. Thirty-eight people among the 67 on board were killed in the crash. Russian President Vladimir Putin later acknowledged that "technical malfunctions" of Russia's air defense system may have been a factor in the crash and pledged compensation during a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in October 2025. AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese communities across Auckland celebrated the Chinese New Year with a series of vibrant cultural events, highlighting the festive spirit of the Year of the Horse and showcasing the growing interest in Chinese culture in New Zealand's multicultural society. Festivities included both the sixth Chinese Lunar New Year Online Gala in New Zealand and a large-scale seaside carnival held at Takapuna Beach, drawing participation from community groups, artists and residents of diverse ethnic backgrounds. The online gala, jointly organized by the Chinese Culture Association NZ and Pacific Culture and Arts Development Association, was broadcast globally on multiple digital platforms, bringing together performers from New Zealand, China and Australia. The four-hour program featured music, dance, instrumental performances, comedy, recitation and multimedia presentations, reflecting both traditional heritage and contemporary creativity. During the weekend, the "Happy Chinese New Year" carnival transformed Auckland's landmark Takapuna beach into a lively festival ground filled with performances, traditional crafts and Chinese cuisine, as thousands gathered to celebrate. With the scenic backdrop of the Hauraki Gulf and Rangitoto Island, visitors enjoyed stage performances, cultural demonstrations and interactive activities. A dancing robot performance became a major attraction, illustrating the fusion of innovation and tradition. The event also featured demonstrations of intangible cultural heritage, including traditional dragon beard candy making and live noodle-making shows, alongside popular foods such as dumplings, lamb skewers and Chinese tea. Specialty products from different regions of China were also displayed, allowing visitors to experience Chinese culinary culture firsthand. CHANIA, Greece, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford departed from the NATO naval facility at Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete on Thursday morning, heading toward the Middle East, according to Greek daily Kathimerini. The vessel is expected to reach Israel within 24 hours, reports said. According to U.S. media reports, the carrier arrived at Souda Bay on Feb. 23 for resupply after experiencing repeated malfunctions in its onboard sewage system. Commissioned in 2017, the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier is 334 meters in length, with a displacement exceeding 100,000 tonnes and a crew of nearly 4,600. The deployment of the aircraft carrier took place on the day that the third round of indirect talks between the United States and Iran was held in Geneva, Switzerland. In recent days, the U.S. side has continued to exert military pressure on Iran, amassing large-scale forces in the Middle East. U.S. President Donald Trump recently stated that he is considering carrying out limited military strikes against Iran. Reports said the Gerald R. Ford would join the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group in the Middle East. TOKYO, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Japan's National Police Agency said Thursday that the police handled 4,858 sexual assault cases involving victims under 18 across Japan in 2025, marking a third straight annual increase and the highest level in the past decade. According to the data, 1,566 minors were subjected to rape and other sexual assaults in 2025 after meeting perpetrators through social media. Among them were 167 elementary school students, the highest number in the past 10 years. The figures underscore mounting concern over crimes targeting minors, with authorities warning of a growing role played by social media platforms. Cases involving sexually manipulated images of children created using artificial intelligence rose by four to 114, with middle and high school students accounting for nearly 90 percent of the victims, the police said. WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Vice President JD Vance announced Wednesday that some Medicaid funding to Democrat-governed Minnesota would be "temporarily halted" over fraud concerns, as the Trump administration continues to ramp up its aggressive crackdown on alleged misuse of public funds. "People are getting rich off the generosity of American taxpayers ... There are kids in Minnesota who need these services, and they're not going to those kids," Vance said at a press conference. "It's disgraceful that fraudsters out there are taking advantage of programs like Medicaid. That stops today," Vance said. Medicaid is a U.S. government health insurance program that provides free or low-cost medical coverage for low-income Americans. The program is funded jointly by states and the federal government. Mehmet Oz, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, who was also present at the press conference, said the federal government would hold off on paying 259.5 million dollars in Medicaid funding to Minnesota. The latest announcement is part of the Trump administration's efforts to tackle alleged social welfare fraud. Such efforts have focused heavily on the northern U.S. state of Minnesota, whose governor, Tim Walz, was the Democratic nominee for vice president in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The administration previously alleged fraud involving the Somali community in Minneapolis, and launched a large-scale immigration crackdown there -- a move that sparked widespread criticism and protests. On Jan. 8, U.S. President Donald Trump established a new national fraud enforcement division within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to "combat the rampant and pervasive problem of fraud" in the United States. The DOJ is currently engaged in multiple ongoing investigations into fraudulent activities in various Minnesota programs, including the state's Feeding Our Future, Housing Stabilization Services, and Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention programs, according to the White House. It said that the DOJ has charged 98 defendants in Minnesota fraud-related cases, 85 of whom are of Somali descent, and 64 have already been convicted. The Department of Health and Human Services previously cut off an additional 10 billion U.S. dollars in funding across five Democrat-run states, including Minnesota. In his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, Trump announced that Vance would lead a national "war on fraud." Walz has repeatedly claimed that the administration's actions are politically motivated. "This has nothing to do with fraud," Walz said in a post on social media platform X. "The agents Trump allegedly sent to investigate fraud are shooting protesters and arresting children. His DOJ is gutting the U.S. Attorney's Office and crippling their ability to prosecute fraud. And every week Trump pardons another fraudster." CANBERRA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government on Wednesday night urged the families of diplomats in the Middle East to evacuate due to the unpredictable security situation. In updates posted through its Smartraveller service, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said the government has directed the departure of dependents of Australian officials posted to Israel and Lebanon. It said that Australians in Israel and Lebanon should consider leaving while commercial options are still available. Separately, DFAT said that the government has offered voluntary departures to dependents of diplomats posted in Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The warnings were issued amid a major deployment of U.S. military forces in the Middle East ahead of nuclear talks with Iran. Engineers measure and record the temperature of servers in a digital technology industrial park of China Unicom at the Beijing-Tianjin Industrial New City Gaocun Data Intelligence Innovation Park in north China's Tianjin, Feb. 26, 2026. The Beijing-Tianjin Industrial New City Gaocun Data Intelligence Innovation Park is a pivotal platform for fostering the digital economy in Tianjin's Wuqing District. The park boasts six high-level data centers in operation and is home to over 300 data-driven enterprises. It delivers efficient, low-latency, real-time computing services to support businesses across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region in sectors including finance, digital creativity, rail transit, and healthcare. Its computing service capabilities maintain a leading position in the region. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) This photo taken on Feb. 26, 2026 shows cooling storage tanks in a digital technology industrial park of China Unicom at the Beijing-Tianjin Industrial New City Gaocun Data Intelligence Innovation Park in north China's Tianjin. The Beijing-Tianjin Industrial New City Gaocun Data Intelligence Innovation Park is a pivotal platform for fostering the digital economy in Tianjin's Wuqing District. The park boasts six high-level data centers in operation and is home to over 300 data-driven enterprises. It delivers efficient, low-latency, real-time computing services to support businesses across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region in sectors including finance, digital creativity, rail transit, and healthcare. Its computing service capabilities maintain a leading position in the region. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) An engineer conducts an inspection of the intelligent computing servers at an intelligent computing center of China Telecom at the Beijing-Tianjin Industrial New City Gaocun Data Intelligence Innovation Park in north China's Tianjin, Feb. 26, 2026. The Beijing-Tianjin Industrial New City Gaocun Data Intelligence Innovation Park is a pivotal platform for fostering the digital economy in Tianjin's Wuqing District. The park boasts six high-level data centers in operation and is home to over 300 data-driven enterprises. It delivers efficient, low-latency, real-time computing services to support businesses across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region in sectors including finance, digital creativity, rail transit, and healthcare. Its computing service capabilities maintain a leading position in the region. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) An engineer monitors the operational status of servers in a digital technology industrial park of China Unicom at the Beijing-Tianjin Industrial New City Gaocun Data Intelligence Innovation Park in north China's Tianjin, Feb. 26, 2026. The Beijing-Tianjin Industrial New City Gaocun Data Intelligence Innovation Park is a pivotal platform for fostering the digital economy in Tianjin's Wuqing District. The park boasts six high-level data centers in operation and is home to over 300 data-driven enterprises. It delivers efficient, low-latency, real-time computing services to support businesses across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region in sectors including finance, digital creativity, rail transit, and healthcare. Its computing service capabilities maintain a leading position in the region. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Engineers patrol the refrigeration station of an intelligent computing center of China Telecom at the Beijing-Tianjin Industrial New City Gaocun Data Intelligence Innovation Park in north China's Tianjin, Feb. 26, 2026. The Beijing-Tianjin Industrial New City Gaocun Data Intelligence Innovation Park is a pivotal platform for fostering the digital economy in Tianjin's Wuqing District. The park boasts six high-level data centers in operation and is home to over 300 data-driven enterprises. It delivers efficient, low-latency, real-time computing services to support businesses across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region in sectors including finance, digital creativity, rail transit, and healthcare. Its computing service capabilities maintain a leading position in the region. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) This photo taken on Feb. 26, 2026 shows the construction site of the fourth phase of an intelligent computing center of China Telecom at the Beijing-Tianjin Industrial New City Gaocun Data Intelligence Innovation Park in north China's Tianjin. The Beijing-Tianjin Industrial New City Gaocun Data Intelligence Innovation Park is a pivotal platform for fostering the digital economy in Tianjin's Wuqing District. The park boasts six high-level data centers in operation and is home to over 300 data-driven enterprises. It delivers efficient, low-latency, real-time computing services to support businesses across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region in sectors including finance, digital creativity, rail transit, and healthcare. Its computing service capabilities maintain a leading position in the region. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Shares in UK grocer and technology group Ocado slumped on Thursday said it would be slashing around 1,000 jobs as part of a drive to save 150m in costs after setbacks to its automated warehouse programme rollout. The company was hit last year when the US grocery chain Kroger and Canadas Sobeys said they would close Ocado-designed customer fulfilment centres and pivot to deliveries from local stores. Around two thirds of the job losses would hit UK operations, with most of those cuts affect staff at the firms headquarters in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. Shares in the company were down almost 8% in London. It said "key learnings" from the closures had been addressed with the North American market now fully open while the ending of exclusivity deals across wider global markets enabled a return to multiple mature grocery markets with a significantly evolved solutions proposition. We have largely completed a very significant phase of investment in our robotics and automation capabilities. As that development cycle concludes and we accelerate deployment of our latest products, we expect aggregate technology and support costs to continue reducing, said chief executive Tim Steiner. He added that this would result in significant job losses as it scaled back research and development, adopted efficiencies through the use of artificial intelligence, and "associated reductions and cost discipline in support functions". The company was hit last year when the US grocery chain Kroger and Canadas Sobeys said they would close Ocado-designed customer fulfilment centres and pivot to deliveries from local stores. Ocado, which also has a retail joint venture in the UK with Marks & Spencer, said six CFCs would be going-live over the next 2-3 years in Japan, South Korea, the US and Spain. It added that it expected cash flow to turn positive in the second half of this year as it reported a jump in underlying core earnings to 178m in the year to November 30, up from 112m a year earlier. The group now expected underlying cash outflow excluding closure fees of about 200m and forecast becoming full-year cash flow positive in 2026/27. Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com Maxine Clair, who was a 55-year-old hospital administrator in Washington, D.C., when she published her first work of fiction, Rattlebone (1994), died last September at age 86. Published by Farrar, Straus & Giroux, the collection of linked stories "centered on a Black girl named Irene growing up in 1950s Kansas City, Kan.," Clair's hometown, the New York Times reported, adding that it received universal praise for her "steady, unshowy narrative style, as well as her ability to evoke an entire world around a single young character." "When I wrote Rattlebone, the driving idea was to tell the story of a Black girl coming of age--somewhat naive in ways and wise in others--who was just a real person trying to become an adult," she told writer W. Ralph Eubanks in a 2023 interview with the Sewanee Review. In 1980, Clair was the chief medical technologist at what is now Children's National Hospital when she "used her income tax refund to take a long vacation in the Caribbean, where she dug deep into her own malaise in search of a new direction," the Times noted. "I visualized, although they didn't call it that then," she said in a 1994 Chicago Tribune interview. "I was reading some way-out books that I won't even mention. Essentially, I was programming myself to understand I could do something else, and I could have a different life. When I came back it was very clear: I was going to be a writer." After submitting poems to a writing workshop and being accepted, she was advised by her teacher to apply to the master's program in creative writing at American University. She received an MFA in 1984 and published her first book, the poetry collection Coping with Gravity, in 1988. After Rattlebone was published, Clair became a tenured professor of creative writing at George Washington University. Her other books include a novel, October Suite (2001), and a book about creativity, Imagine This: Creating the Work You Love (2014). Rattlebone went out of print for a time, but in 2022 McNally Editions re-released it. "Maxine Clair's coming-of-age novel in stories," Eubanks wrote in the Sewanee Review, "is one of those books that deserves to be brought out of the shadows of African American literature and back into the spotlight it so rightly deserves." HAVANA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Four people were shot dead and six others injured by Cuban border guards early Wednesday as they entered Cuban waters on a U.S.-registered speedboat, the country's interior ministry said. In a statement, the ministry said that the speedboat, with U.S. Florida registration number FL7726SH, was detected navigating illegally about 1 nautical mile northeast of the El Pino channel, north of Corralillo, a town in the central province of Villa Clara. As a surface unit of the border guard approached to identify the boat, the occupants aboard opened fire, wounding a Cuban commander, it added. The ministry reaffirmed Cuba's commitment to safeguarding its territorial waters, calling national defense a pillar of its sovereignty and regional stability. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is investigating the shootings but is so far relying on the Cuban government for information about what happened. "As we gather more information, we'll be prepared to respond accordingly," he said. When asked whether the incident involved American government personnel or was an American government operation, Rubio replied, "No." The shooting comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Cuba. In January, after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Washington took control of Venezuela's oil exports and blocked shipments to Cuba. The U.S. administration also threatened tariffs on goods from countries that deliver oil to the island, deepening Cuba's economic crisis. The Office of Foreign Assets Control under the U.S. Treasury Department said Wednesday that it will allow the resale of Venezuelan-origin oil to Cuba's non-governmental sectors, though these supplies are expected to fall far short of the island's needs. DHL Express appoints Saurabh Dalvi as Head of HR for IT Services in India, effective January 2026. Dalvi brings 18+ years of HR expertise, including leadership roles at DHL and other organizations. His appointment highlights DHL's focus on strengthening leadership within Indias technology sector amid digital transformation. DHL Express has appointed Saurabh Dalvi as the new Head of HR for its IT Services operations in India, marking a significant move to strengthen its leadership in a critical technology hub. The appointment, which was confirmed in January 2026, brings Dalvi into a pivotal role where his extensive experience in human resources is expected to drive the companys growth and transformation within the technology sector. Dalvi brings more than 18 years of expertise to his new role, with a comprehensive background in talent acquisition, employee engagement, and strategic HR management. Having been with DHL Express for over 15 years, Dalvi has demonstrated a strong track record of leadership in HR functions, including talent management, performance management, and organizational development. In his most recent role as Head of Talent Management, Dalvi led pan-India hiring strategies and spearheaded initiatives to enhance employee engagement across the companys vast workforce. His leadership in this area has been instrumental in driving DHLs talent acquisition efforts, ensuring that the company attracts and retains top talent to meet its business objectives. Prior to his work in talent management, Dalvi held the position of Head of Performance & Programs, where he was responsible for HR performance reporting and the delivery of regional and global HR initiatives in India. His tenure in this role was marked by a strong focus on building scalable HR systems, aligning people strategies with business goals, and driving performance excellence throughout the organization. Dalvis deep understanding of both the business and human resource dynamics has played a crucial role in shaping DHL Expresss HR capabilities and positioning the company for future success in an increasingly digital and automated business environment. Dalvis appointment highlights a broader trend of internal leadership progression within multinational companies, particularly in Indias technology and shared services sectors. His promotion reflects DHL Expresss commitment to developing its existing talent and investing in leadership that is deeply familiar with the companys culture and business needs. Saurabh Dalvis long tenure at DHL Express has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the organizations values and objectives, making him ideally suited to lead the HR function as the company continues to expand its technology services in India. Also Read: Adani Group Offers Fully Funded Scholarships for Business Talent Before joining DHL Express, Dalvi had an impactful career in HR across several organizations. He worked as a Business HR Partner at Lavasa Corporation Ltd, where he played a key role in managing HR strategies for a large-scale infrastructure project. Earlier in his career, Dalvi also held HR positions at Patni Computers, overseeing HR functions for the VnV business unit, and at Hewitt Associates in HR outsourcing. His diverse experience has given him a well-rounded perspective on human resources, with a strong focus on employee lifecycle management and organizational development. DHL Express is a global leader in logistics, operating in over 220 countries and territories. India, in particular, serves as an important hub for the companys technology and back-office services. As the logistics industry continues to undergo rapid digital transformation, HR leadership in IT services divisions has become increasingly critical to the companys strategy. In this context, Dalvis appointment takes on significant importance, as it reflects DHL Expresss commitment to workforce planning, capability development, and employee retention in a fast-evolving technological landscape. Saurabh Dalvis role will likely involve overseeing talent strategy, performance frameworks, and employee engagement across DHLs technology teams in India. As the company continues to scale its IT services and support global operations, Dalvi will play a central role in driving the people strategies that are essential to the companys continued success. His leadership will be crucial as DHL Express navigates the demands of a digitalized supply chain and a growing need for cybersecurity expertise. Dalvis appointment reflects the companys ongoing investment in strengthening its organizational capabilities and ensuring that its workforce is prepared for the challenges of the future. COLOMBO, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- In January 2026, an individual in Sri Lanka requires at least 16,730 rupees (54 U.S. dollars) per month to meet basic needs, according to official poverty line data recently released by Sri Lanka's Department of Census and Statistics. The January figure is nearly 400 rupees higher than the same period last year, and marks a substantial climb compared with previous survey years. The national poverty line stood at 6,117 rupees in 2016 and reached 6,966 rupees in 2019, before accelerating sharply in the post-2022 period amid rising consumer prices. District-level estimates for January show notable variation across the country. Colombo recorded the highest official poverty line at 18,044 rupees per person per month, followed by Gampaha at 17,951 rupees and Kegalle at 17,493 rupees. The official poverty line represents the minimum monthly expenditure required per person to fulfill basic consumption needs. District poverty lines are re-estimated to account for regional price differences using the National Consumer Price Index, with 2021 as the base year. Advertisement BusinessCompaniesMedia & marketing Dark past: Why the ABC pulled this Australian Story at the last minute Calum Jaspan February 26, 2026 7:30pm 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 An episode of Australian Story was pulled by the ABC at the last minute after it emerged the subject had been convicted of indecent assault more than three decades ago. The decision came late on Monday evening, just hours before the program profiling Bendigo-based 73-year-old Ian Williams, who last year sued NAB subsidiary UBank after he was scammed out of $1338, was due to go to air. The ABC removed coverage of a pensioner who had taken on a big bank because of his historical conviction. Paul Jeffers The ABC initially said it needed to do further fact-checking and later explained that Williams had failed to disclose the serious historical conviction, which this masthead has since confirmed via court records related to indecent assault. Williams confirmed he spent two years in jail after being charged in 1993 for the crime. Advertisement The episodes producer, Amos Roberts, was made aware of the conviction on Monday after the broadcast was heavily promoted by the ABC over the weekend. The total production costs of the episode were about $100,000, one source with knowledge of the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, said. Williams confirmed the nature of the conviction and expressed his regret when approached by this masthead. On Wednesday, he told The Australian he was sorry for hiding his dark past and for wasting taxpayer dollars, which were used to produce and promote the story. As well as pulling the broadcast, the ABC also removed an episode of its investigative program Background Briefing, which profiled Williams in a 37-minute episode in July last year. It removed associated promotional material and scrubbed online coverage from the internet. The broadcaster decided the new information it had received about Williams was materially impactful on the character portrayed in the program and its past coverage. Advertisement Related Article Opinion Media & marketing ABC to take revenge on Sky News, challenge its name Calum Jaspan Media Writer The episode centred on two transactions that had come out of Williams bank account in 2022, both at a Coles supermarket 150 kilometres from his Bendigo home. After the bank claimed that Williams had personally made the payments, he took them to the Supreme Court in Victoria, demanding $379 million, which amounted to 5.5 per cent of NABs after-tax profit. He argued that the $1338 was equivalent to 5.5 per cent of his annual pension. Williams case against NAB was dismissed, but the bank eventually apologised for its initial miscommunications and refunded him the money. An ABC spokesperson said content featuring Williams on the ABC no longer met its editorial standards and was removed. They said the Australian Story episode would not be aired in future. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement CultureBooksReview This cosmic horror story is like a warning from the future Declan Fry February 26, 2026 4:00pm 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 Whats good, whats bad, and whats in between in literature? Here we review the latest titles. See all stories . SPECULATIVE FICTION Bird Deity John Morrissey Text, $34.99 As a genre, cosmic horror is perfectly comfortable with discomfort. Violent changes caused by capital? Ethical conundrums? Societal collapse? Perfect. Whether its life on Earth or life on Mars, existence becomes both more incomprehensible and more horrifying at the galactic level. David, the protagonist of John Morrisseys novel, is a scout with the Association of Chartered Geographers. Stationed on a colony in a mysterious, rain-sodden country, he is tasked with obtaining artefacts from the colonys non-human inhabitants, known as parasapes. His money, along with that of the other scouts, is held in trust by the Association. They can void years of labour in a process known as pauperisation. Aside from being sponsored on corporate tenders, the only means of leaving the colony is to be allocated passage aboard a frigate by the ruling Governorate. David, we learn, is one of the lucky chosen few. Advertisement Eager to return home rich, David is unexpectedly contacted by an anthropologist. Sponsored by a trillionaire arms dealer, Sarah hopes David will guide her to the colonys plateau. She wants to observe and possibly interact with the parasapes, or ashies, as the colonists dub them. Sarah promises, too, that David will not have to worry about money: her sponsor will compensate him for any loss he suffers as a result of the Governorates financial retribution. Author John Morrissey. The plateau serves as refuge for Tom, the colonys long-time resident and Kurtz figure. Assisted by Tom when he first arrived, David feels a sense of obligation toward the older scout though not one strong enough to keep him from sleeping with Toms partner, Eliza. Eliza has recently given birth to a daughter; David is concerned he may be the father. Although the settings description as a colony suggests David is a settler, the book does not map directly onto any particular colonial or political situation. With its indentured scouts and enigmatic parasapes, it teases suggestive details, some of which complicate our sense of David: he has a formerly incarcerated brother from whom he feels distant, and a mother he only vaguely recalls, having been taken, aged two, to live with foster parents in the city. The Associations description as an auxiliary police force even seems to suggest David might be read as a displaced native, not unlike the native police the British coerced into acting as informants in Australia. The novel suggests the parasapes artefacts can cause the brain to manufacture new, fictitious memories and a different personality. The enigma of Davids identity lends the book its richness. Are David and Tom projections of each other, a la the doubles of David Lynchs films? David is haunted by visions of a mysterious civilisation that once existed within the plateau. The civilisation seems connected to the origins of the parasapes and to a sublime bird deity. In his recurring dreams of this vanished civilisation, he experiences visions of a caged animal. At times, he observes the animal from outside the cage; at others, he sees that he is the caged beast, something between a pig and a vicious hunting dog. Advertisement As a meditation on extractive labour and colonisation, Bird Deity is undeniably wry. David is a man with power but no control; agency, but no sense of what he wants. His mercenary tendencies, his dependence on the Association he has mostly extracted the parasapes artefacts and done very little in the way of actual geographical work highlight his illusory sense of authority. David is a kindred spirit of the characters in Morrisseys first publication, Firelight: lonely, isolated men surrounded by emotionally distant coworkers and passive-aggressive supervisors. (In one set piece, David meets with the Associations president, who treats his plan to return to the plateau with smarmy condescension.) Related Article Review From art world satire to a real-life art discovery: 10 new books The doom metal rhythm of Morrisseys writing creates a sense of landscape, animals and people inhabiting a shared continuum, the surrounding world regularly speaking back to the characters inner lives. If Bird Deity were a perfume, an eau de toilette, its Lovecraftian base notes and Poe-flavoured middle (think The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym) are graced by lavishly Ballardian top notes not least the gin-dry tone and evocation of corporate lifes sinister side. Emerging in an era of seismic change, cosmic horrors originators reflected fears associated with modernity and imperialism through tales of encounters with the unknown. At least one author has called Bird Deity Coetzee in space. Its to the books credit that the formulation can easily be reversed. Colonisation, after all, has a way of turning things upside down. Call it Ridley Scotts Alien set in Morrisseys Terror Australis, a warning from the future about what occurs in a world where perfectly terrible things are done by people wearing perfectly terrible smiles as they do them. Bird Deity is an elusive nightmare that lingers. The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday. Advertisement CultureLive reviewsSydney live reviews A bit of Bad Bunny might just be what we all need right now Peter McCallum , Rod Yates , John Shand, Kate Prendergast and and Michael Ruffles Updated March 1, 2026 11:40am ,first published February 26, 2026 5:20pm 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 MUSIC Bad Bunny Engie Stadium, February 28 Reviewed by MILLIE MUROI Bad Bunny already has the stadium captured with his stoic stare before even singing a note. That presence unapologetic, focused and arresting and the way he breaks into a smile before launching into his discography effortlessly draws us in. Its a marathon performance ranging from songs such as La Romana from his first album to hits from his newest release, including DTMF and BAILE INoLVIDABLE. The addictive reggaeton beats and salsa rhythms keep everyone on their feet. Bad Bunny has the stadium captured before even singing a note. Maira Troncoso Advertisement There are a handful of moments that drag, including a long segment in which he high-fives and shakes hands with fans much to the delight of those chosen but a bit self-indulgent for those watching on. But theres enough variety to keep us hooked: Bad Bunny moves from the main stage to a small house-like structure at the back of the stadium for songs including Neverita and Monaco and back again. And he doesnt shy away from showcasing the wide talents of his troupe. From lively choreography to cuatro and drum solos, theres character, novelty and a triumphant celebration of cultural diversity. And Bad Bunny himself brings the energy, making the stadium feel like a giant house party - albeit one with thousand of guests. His baritone vocals are easy on the ears, the rapping is cleanly executed, and theres deeper emotion present in downbeat songs such as LA CANCION. The production is packed with fireworks, flames, smoke and strobe lights (some overused) along with a handful of funky videos that break up the set list. Following the theme of the tour, which is named Debi Tirar Mas Fotos (I Should Have Taken More Photos), each concert-goer is given a lanyard with a camera cutout programmed to flash in various patterns. Advertisement While non-Spanish speakers may not understand everything Bad Bunny says or sings, the high-energy hip hop, rap and reggaeton hits and the passion with which he performs go beyond language and cultural barriers: something a lot of us need right now. Light and easy does it MUSIC Josh Groban TikTok Entertainment Centre, February 28 Reviewed by MICHAEL RUFFLES Sydney had options this weekend, and Josh Groban knew it. The biggest star among those brave or foolish enough to straddle the pop-classical chasm in recent decades, the crooner listed Grace Jones, Bad Bunny and the Mardi Gras as shows he wanted to see. Advertisement And you chose me, he sounds incredulous. Its not what I would have done. Me neither, honestly, but since the Significant Other demanded it, I schlepped along to the TikTok Entertainment Centre and attempted to suspend my scepticism for 100 minutes. And, mostly, Groban managed to stop the world and make us melt. From the opening mellifluous note of You Are Loved (Dont Give Up) to the final whisper at the end of the encore, we were in the company of a great voice singing fine songs. Along the way was enough variety among the booming balladry to keep it interesting, and the right amount of chit-chat and self-deprecating humour to lighten the mood. The tour is called Gems, and a flawless cover of the Willy Wonka wonder Pure Imagination sets the tone early. Smooth, polished and with no rough edges, it was a pleasant gateway for an evening where the biggest risk was that the easy listening would be too easy and wed be settled too deep in our seats. Groban charmed with originals, notably February Song and Alla luce del sole but also including a song first written as a 12-year-old. Advertisement The show really started to soar with his interpretations of pop classics. Robbie Williams Angels was heavenly, the Godfather theme Brucia la terra suitably intense, and Peter Gabriels The Book of Love just dripping with romance. In the kind of show where even the drummer is wearing a three-piece suit, it made sense to have a guest appearance from soprano Amy Manford for two songs from Phantom of the Opera, a solo and a duet of All I Ask of You. The show peaks where you expect, with You Raise Me Up, a cover Groban made his own, before returning to the piano for Bridge Over Troubled Water. More photos might have been taken of Benito and the number of Josh Groban songs making the cut for Mardi Gras DJ set lists would have been close to zero, but it ticked all the boxes. And the Significant Other walked out very happy. Josh Groban plays the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on Sunday, before tour dates in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Advertisement You wont hear a better performance from here to eternity MUSIC Simone Young conducts Mahlers Song of the Earth Sydney Symphony Orchestra, February 25 Reviewed by PETER McCALLUM Mahlers Song of the Earth begins with wild craggy upward striving phrases from the tenor, and ends with the mezzo-soprano subsiding in gentle steps of transcendent acceptance ewig... ewig... (eternal eternal ...) Im not sure youll hear this better sung this side of eternity. Advertisement In the opening Drinking Song of the Sorrow of the Earth, tenor Simon ONeill mixed his splendid Wagnerian heldentenor sound with colours of self-doubt, while conductor Simone Young measured out the surging rhythms and raucous blaring from the SSO horns and woodwinds as though controlling a petulant steed. Simone Young and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra delivered a Song of the Earth for the ages. It became a song where lusty vigour glimpses its own delusion but presses on regardless, as though Wagners Siegfried had lived to middle age, taken to drink, and started to wonder what it was all about. Related Article Sydney live reviews This laugh-out-loud 90-minute play is the perfect antidote to your problems In absolute contrast, mezzo Alexandra Ionis sang the descending lines of the second song, The Lonely Man in Autumn, with a tone of velvety sorrow and quiet radiance while the strings threaded a line of murmuring quavers in the background like the measurement of deep time. Advertisement The songs continued to alternate between futile vigour and glowing stasis until the final one, The Farewell, in which Ionis, singing with immaculate control and enveloping warmth, and the SSO woodwind, playing with finely shaped restraint (Shefali Pryor, Emma Sholl, Olli Leppaniemi and Todd Gibson-Cornish), conjured luminously spare textures in a line to infinity. Mahlers initial inspiration for the work was a set of poems by Hans Bethge paraphrasing Chinese texts on the fragile transience of life, and a similar thought seems to have informed the inclusion of Qigang Chens piano concerto, Er Huang, in the first half. The title refers to a melodic type found in traditional Beijing opera devoted to lyrical reflection. After a Rhythmic Acknowledgement of Country by Adam Manning to formally kick off the SSOs 2026 season, Jean-Yves Thibaudet began the Debussy-esque opening solo of this work with a tone of subtly nuanced gentleness and depth, progressing to brightly highlighted rapid figuration as the melody moves around the orchestra. The mood is of nostalgia for something lost, and the refinement and high craft of the orchestration give the sentimental mood a convincingly authentic tone and steer it away from predictability and cliche. In a complete change of mood, by way of generous encore, Thibaudet, Young and the SSO gave a superbly spiky, deftly accented performance of Gershwins Variations for piano and orchestra on I got rhythm. Advertisement Thibaudet got it in abundance. Laidback Bernard maybe a little too chilled out MUSIC BERNARD FANNING State Theatre, February 25. Also March 19-20. Reviewed by KATE PRENDERGAST From the endorphins-roar of Vulture Street to the rootsy acoustic folk of Tea & Sympathy: it was a mellow solo turn for Powderfingers frontman back in 2006, after the Queensland barons of Aussie rock took a years breather. Bernard Fanning was in his mid-30s then, and the FM radio stations and the CD stores and the iPod Classics were used to playing (Baby Ive Got You) On My Mind on repeat. Advertisement Bruised if not bitter from grief and heartbreak, exhausted from touring, Fanning started his lone venture down a country music road and then took a walk with the blues to sing his first record true. It didnt take long for Songbird and Wish You Well to start doing the rounds on the airwaves, too. Its OK to be sentimental in times like these to take comfort in art, says Bernard Fanning. Tony Mott Now cresting his 50s, Fanning began the two-decade lap of his debut album in Sydney, with 10 more cities to follow, with a circle back to the State Theatre in March. Ball Park Musics Sam Cromack is one of the openers and with that resonant voice and gift for storytelling gets you thinking he needs a solo album himself. Our crowd, placid but for one rogue agitator who got booted out, were here for their man Fanning, though. He and his guitar appeared with the most impressive entrance the State Theatre, that gorgeous old dame, can muster: backlit in white light, a silhouette in resplendent shafts. With a band thats almost identical to the first noughties tour, Fanning goes on to serve Tea & Sympathy over 17 tracks most from the original album, with a dash of disc two from last years 20th-anniversary edition (Steady Job; Believe). The set list is handsomely sculpted through moods and textures, from the rousing Not Finished Just Yet to the tender, stripped-back Watch Over Me or the fiddle-accompanied Wash Me Clean. Its a warm, relaxed and well-delivered blend. Advertisement Sometimes too relaxed, even for Fanning. During Songbird he broke etiquette to usher dancers to the front to jimmy up the energy only to send us back when he realised how annoyed that was making the happily seated. No matter. The steady grace suffusing Tea & Sympathy makes nostalgia come easy. As he told that evicted malcontent (who yelled get on with the show! when Fanning flashed an anti-Trump message): Its OK to be sentimental in times like these to take comfort in art. The Unbearable Sadness of Being MUSIC Martin Hayes Chatswood Concourse Concert Hall, February 25 Reviewed by JOHN SHAND Advertisement Martin Hayes excels at enunciating the exquisite sadness of being. Like the trumpet-playing of Miles Davis or the voices of Billie Holiday and Jose Carreras, its ever present in the great Irish violinists sound and phrasing. Beyond the airs and laments in which you expect it, he even imbues the jigs and reels pieces conceived for dancing with an ineffable wistfulness. Its as if, for Hayes, the human experience, for all its joy and certainly all its humour, is shrouded in grief and longing. On previous visits Hayes had the late US guitarist Dennis Cahill with him, firstly as a duo and then as two-fifths of The Gloaming, who gave one of the finest concerts Ive ever heard, to which their albums give ample testament. Martin Hayes with Kyle Sanna. Johannes Napp Since then, Hayes formed another band that expands the perimeters of Irish traditional music, The Common Ground Ensemble, and he tours Australia this time with that bands guitarist, Kyle Sanna. Advertisement Related Article Performing arts This instrument cost $3m. Heres the sound you get for your money Just as Miles sought endlessly to recontextualise his trumpet, Hayes does his fiddle, so Sanna is by no means a like-for-like replacement for Cahill. No one could be. Where Cahills acoustic guitar drove the up-tempo pieces to the point of explosive excitement, Sanna used a broader palette of harmony and texture on a semi-acoustic guitar, always understanding how little has to be done to frame Hayes mastery. Once he played the simplest ostinato, out of which the violin line gradually took shape as if appearing from a mist. Later, when they came back for two heartily demanded encores, Sanna added some pedal effects to create a liquid pool in which the fiddles notes rippled. A wonder of this idiom is that it brushes away the centuries, making time evaporate as a linear phenomenon. The ancient tunes, as interpreted by Hayes and Sanna, can still scorch the souls of the living, while new ones by Peadar ORiada (on whose Trathan an Taoide the notes fell like leaves slowly pirouetting in the air) ensure the tradition never stultifies. Highlights abounded. OCarolans Farewell to Music had Hayes at his most visceral, beginning over a drone effect from Sanna, with the violin building from its usual diaphanousness to a coarser, almost braying sound, and then gradually fading again, with Sanna just cross-hatching the shadows of Hayes notes. Advertisement On so many pieces, including The Road to Cashel and ORourkes Reel, Hayes rhythmic sensibility was stunningly sophisticated, as he draped the tune against the time so it felt impossibly light, yet had myriad little syncopated stings in the phrasing. And always, as soon as a tune developed the slightest element of drive, his right leg rose and his right foot pumped quarter notes on the stage, earthing the beauty and probably wearing out his right shoe rather faster than his left. Good but not great Charlotte MUSIC Good Charlotte Qudos Bank Arena, February 25 Reviewed by ROD YATES Advertisement Pop-punk bands dont die, they just add more pyrotechnics to their live show. Perhaps its a way to compensate for the fact that, 30 years in, Good Charlotte arent quite as fiery onstage as they once were. Luckily, they have a catalogue of pop-punk songs that not only helped define the scene in the early 2000s, but is enjoying a second life as a soundtrack for a generation hellbent on reliving the glory days of their youth. Good Charlotte have a catalogue of pop-punk songs that helped define the scene in the early 2000s. Jordan Munns On that front, the band oblige with a set bursting with hits, from the joyous finale of The Anthem to the new-wave-tinged Keep Your Hands off My Girl and the outsider call-to-arms of debut single Little Things. Advertisement To the bands credit they dont lean solely on nostalgia, airing material from throughout their chameleonic career, including their eighth album, 2025s highly enjoyable Motel Du Cap. The new songs are greeted politely, which is probably the best a band at this stage of their career can hope for. Album highlight Rejects is as catchy as anything in the Good Charlotte canon. Pairing Bodies and Mean with a flat Actual Pain from the Generation Rx record, however, creates a mid-set lull from which the show takes a few songs to recover. Its hard to pick any glaring issues in the bands performance, and vocalist Joel Madden and his guitar-playing twin brother Benji strike a welcome note of sincerity when acknowledging that Australia was the first country to embrace them. Advertisement And yet, something feels flat. In its best moments, such as the raucous Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous and I Dont Wanna Be in Love (Dance Floor Anthem), band and audience come together in a joyous, combustible wave of energy that, though born from nostalgia, feels very much alive and in the now. Too often, though, the show feels like its cruising to its conclusion, the group making their way through the songs in a workmanlike fashion that is, ultimately, fine. It makes for a show that is respectable rather than spectacular, solid rather than soaring. Must-see movies, interviews and all the latest from the world of film delivered to your inbox. Sign up for our Screening Room newsletter. Advertisement Eating outJust open Team behind Nour and Aalia to open tapas bar in Bondi (with a hatted chef in the kitchen) Inspired by the tightly packed venues of Madrid, expect a high-energy place with DJs and good drinking food. Scott Bolles February 27, 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 When Besa opens on Sunday, March 1, Bondis newest tapas bar will feature a hatted chef in the kitchen and an interior that resembles a set from a Pedro Almodovar film. Besas owners will be hoping it becomes a bright spot after a tough summer at Australias most famous beach. Besa is the latest venue from ESCA Hospitality Group, which has upscale Sydney Middle Eastern restaurants Nour and Aalia in its stable (including the also new Aalia wine bar), along with Japanese bar-restaurant Joji and charcoal chicken joint Henrietta, one in Surry Hills and another in the Bondi Hall Street Hub precinct Besa is joining. Besa squeezes 65 seats into a tight space of moody red tones, spotted gum timber and circular booths. Jiwon Kim Besa slides into the space where Pasticceria Papa previously traded next door to fellow newcomers Salumeria and chocolate bar Cocoa & Bean opposite Harris Farm and busy Da Orazio. Its the second Spanish restaurant to open in the suburb in recent times. Late last year, Hotel Ravesis, on the corner of Hall Street and Campbell Parade overlooking the beach, launched Alzado. Advertisement Besa squeezes 65 seats into a tight space of moody red tones, spotted gum timber, circular booths and a ceiling where architect Matt Darwon installed deliberately torn acoustic panels. They look like flowers, ESCA co-founder and creative director, Ibrahim Moubadder, said. He remembers Bondi as a young immigrant, in particular its cool optimism and cutting-edge restaurants, and as the birthplace of food brands such as Oporto and Fishbowl. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Crispy potatoes, spicy bravas sauce and aioli. Jiwon Kim Inspired by the tightly packed venues of Spain, and Madrid specifically, Moubadder said they set out to create a high-energy place (yes, there is a DJ on weekends) with food at the core and cocktails inspired by the Spanish novel Don Quixote. Besa, which means kiss in Spanish, has a double act in its kitchen. Executive chef Ibrahim Kasif, who snared chefs hats at Nour in Surry Hills, worked with head chef Alan Kropman on Besas opening menu. Moubadder remembers his first taste of the fideua negra of squid ink egg noodles with grilled chicken and aioli during recipe testing, and recommends it as a great example of what Besa is about. The raw beef carpaccio with white anchovy and goats cheese is like a little flavour bomb in your mouth, Moubadder said of another dish. Advertisement Kasif enjoyed the collaborative process with Kropman, who he described as of great pedigree, having worked at restaurants such as Seans Panaroma in Bondi. Kropman impressed Kasif with a dish of blue mackerel and Spanish pickles served on butter leaf. Its good drinking food, Kasif said. From left: Co-founder Ibby Moubadder, head chef Alan Kropman and executive chef Ibrahim Kasif. Jiwon Kim Besa will skip a dessert menu, opting instead for a couple of rotating daily specials, with Basque cheesecake, crema Catalana and churros in the mix. With its grown-up speakeasy vibe and mid-century touches, Besa is a little left-field in a suburb that more regularly leans on a straight-off-the-beach coastal design brief. It does feel like a film set, Kasif said. The opening comes as hospitality operators look to attract more Sydneysiders back to the suburb. Moubadder said he had witnessed the effect of Bondis horrific December shooting on local businesses first hand at Henrietta, which opened in October on Hall Street. Hes also concerned for other operators in the area who are observing a drop in trade. Advertisement While Moubadder doesnt envision the level of chain expansion enjoyed by Bondi success stories Fishbowl and Oporto, Besa might one day have a sibling. I would love to have another, maybe in the city. I can imagine it in a laneway, he said. Open lunch Fri-Sun; dinner Tue-Sun 75-79 Hall Street, Bondi Beach, esca.group Real Money, a free weekly newsletter giving expert tips on how to save, invest and make the most of your money, is sent every Sunday. Youre reading an excerpt sign up to get the whole newsletter in your inbox. When it comes to the depressing morass that is the Australian housing market, theres very little joy to be had. House prices are set to keep on rising 5 to 7 per cent (even with the RBA raising rates) and rents are also skyrocketing, placing us firmly in a housing supply crisis, which has to be one of the worst crises to be in after that Cuban missile one. Does that mean aspiring homebuyers should throw it all in and go live in an off-grid commune with 30 to 50 feral hogs? Dont threaten me with a good time! By following a few simple strategies, it is possible to save for a house while youre young. Aresna Villanueva But in all seriousness, getting onto the property ladder without a parental leg-up currently is a tough ask, and even if you do rely on the bank of mum and dad, that doesnt guarantee youll actually be able to find a suitable or affordable place. This is despite efforts from the government to improve housing affordability for young people through things such as the 5 per cent deposit scheme. South Australian residents have been warned ahead of a highly unusual weather event moving across the state. In a press conference this hour, SA Premier Peter Malinauskas urged residents to take care across the weekend as an unpredictable weather event, with heavy rainfall, sets in. We are anticipating a highly unpredictable weather event throughout the course of this weekend, Malinauskas said. South Australia faces the prospect of a tropical storm system over many parts of SA and pastoral areas, regional communities and also potentially metropolitan Adelaide. The tropical nature of the weather system is something South Australians dont regularly see, but it isnt without precedent. The unpredictable nature of this weather system means that it is prudent for South Australians to seek to prepare themselves for the events that might transpire across the weekend. We could see potential rainfall in metropolitan Adelaide, but also other communities throughout the state... of between 10 millimetres and 80 millimetres on Sunday but over 100 millimetres across the weekend. To put that into context, it is not unusual in South Australia or in metropolitan Adelaide to see a 10 millimetres rain event. That is something that our systems are accustomed to and can handle. But when we start see rain events north of 50, 60, 80 millimetres, that starts to represent the sort of conditions where we could see flash flooding. If it is of high intensity, if we see that volume of short period of time, then we anticipate flash flooding events throughout the state, including in metropolitan Adelaide. The premier urged residents to act quickly to ensure their gutters are clear and drains are unblocked, but only when it is safe to do so. We ask people to keep abreast of the alerts issued through the Bureau of Meteorology. Flood watches are current for parts of the Eastern, Central and Western inland areas of the Northern Territory and far north-west of New South Wales. A severe weather warning is current for heavy rainfall in the North West Pastoral and parts of the North East Pastoral districts, according to the weather bureau. The highest rainfall totals have been observed across the North East Pastoral district, however rainfall is forecast to extend southwards during the remainder of Friday and over the weekend, a weather warning on the BOM website says. The highest rainfall totals are expected for catchments the around the Mount Lofty Ranges and in the Adelaide region from Sunday. Accumulated rainfall totals will be significant. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A What an appalling display of arrogance was on show as Donald Trump delivered the longest ever State of the Union address to Congress (In a rant for the ages, Trump delivers Capitol punishment, February 26). Half the House of Representatives cheered wildly while the glum Democrats sat in stunned silence except for a few hecklers. His attack on the Supreme Court judges was unprecedented. Hopefully, the US voters at the upcoming midterm elections will register their dismay of a president who believes he is not governed by the Constitution. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach Trumps State of the Union address is telling by the fact that there is such a disparity between Republicans and Democrats. Whether the union can survive a further 250 years will depend on the American public willing to put the good of the republic (and decency) before mere idolatry of one person. (It didnt work for Germany in the 1930s and 1940s, and it cannot work for the US.) Pasquale Vartuli, Wahroonga Cathy Wilcox How anyone could voluntarily listen to 108 minutes of Donald Trumps rambling, pontificating, unashamed and self gratifying lying is a mystery to me. Your reporters used fact checking to isolate 13 blatant falsehoods, I suspect further investigation would reveal many, many more. This man is in the middle of destroying what we once knew as the free and democratic Western world, of which we Australians are a part. Wake up America. For the sake of democracy and whats left of the free world give this corrupt maniac the finger in the upcoming midterms, and his marching orders in 2028. Donna Wiemann, Balmain The State of Union address was more like a pantomime show. The president had handpicked his cheer squad and rattled away his speech, which didnt pass the fact-check test. Only in America. Peng Ee, Castle Cove Complaining in his State of the Union address that Our country is winning again in fact, were winning so much we really dont know what to do about it, may I suggest we help him out by invoking the mercy rule in sports, where the umpire can end a competition early to prevent further humiliation to a badly losing side? Mary Carde, Parrearra (Qld) Trump talked a lot, but said nothing. Ron Russell, Leura Advertisement Its obvious how Donald Trump has perfected the art of political communication, electoral success, and irrepressibly Teflon-like ability to avoid any consequences for his actions. Just listen to him during his lilting State of the Union address: from the soothingly captivating tone and cadence of the delivery, youd swear it was the marvellous, infective, avuncular Garrison Keillor speaking about Lake Wobegon. Albeit rife with but well concealing a general malice and intermittently specific brutality in the actual content. Alex Mattea, Kingston (ACT) I noticed the words In God We Trust over the podium as Donald Trump delivered his SOTU rant. Well, may the American people put their trust in God because they cant trust Trump. Ian Adair, Hunters Hill How apt this quote by Benjamin Disraeli to define Trump: A sophistical rhetorician, inebriated with the exuberance of his own verbosity, and gifted with an egotistical imagination that can at all times command an interminable and inconsistent series of arguments to malign an opponent and to glorify himself. Edward Loong, Milsons Point Im surprised that Iran felt it had to articulate that Trump was telling lies. Tim Schroder, Gordon New acronym post State of Union address: MAGA Make America Go Away. David Goldstein, Balgowlah Nature or nurture? Thank you for your extraordinary efforts, Dr Jamal Rifi (If ISIS women and children return, Australia is safer, February 26), a sole saviour aiding those abandoned by their country of origin. Im haunted by the image of children suffering, be it in Gaza or detention camps in Syria, but other than voicing my outrage, I feel powerless to act. It takes a human with deep conviction to risk personal safety and intervene on their behalf. All power to you, bring them home, immerse them with education and understanding and I dont doubt their love for this country will run as deeply as yours. Janet Argall, Hurlstone Park Advertisement Dr Jamal Rifi is trying to help repatriate the 34 women and children. Steven Siewert In the debate surrounding the return of the ISIS brides and their children we seem to have lost memory of the adage give me the child and you may have the man. How naive are we to believe mothers who subscribed to IS values would not have begun educating their children at the same time as they taught them to talk. Clive Powell, Northbridge A clear and concise opinion piece by Jamal Rifi and all I have to add is that Im sure Anthony Albaneses mother would have said, But Anthony, think of the children. Ken Pares, Forster Somehow I doubt if the IS women belonged to a Christian cult they would be treated so shabbily and virulently. Con Vaitsas, Ashbury PM must step up Shaun Carney (Labor must not waste this moment, February 26) asks will Albanese lead the government to make the bold policy changes that Australians are telling it are needed, starting with the next budget, to begin reversing the unfairness to the young in favour of the old that has characterised most of this century. It will take real leadership to stand up to the barrage of criticism that can be anticipated from those sections of society who dont want this. Is Albanese up for it? If not, should Labor members break Labor Party rules and elect a new leader? With the world on fire and so many things here crying out for real change some would think it justified. Albanese needs to step up. Gary Barnes, Mosman Cmon, Albo, maybe take a page out of Trumps playbook and flood the zone with all the progressive legislation piling up on the backburner. Start with negative gearing, franking credits and CGT changes, sweeten the deal with the popular anti-gambling package, add a dash of Ken Henrys tax reform, mix freely with hate speech and anti-discrimination laws (no religious exemptions) and for the cherry on top, legislate The Voice. Phil Bradshaw, Naremburn Advertisement Chalmer offensive Jim Chalmers should take a leaf out of Donald Trumps book and blame any rate rises or economic woes on Joe Biden (Chalmers under fire as rates to rise in May, February 26). Peter Miniutti, Ashbury Crowded house I am opposed to having more federal seats (Labors plan to add dozens more MPs in parliament, February 26). Australia is probably the most over-governed country in the world when we consider local, state and federal governments. The other problem with federal governments, in particular, is the two major blocks, the Coalition and Labor, follow the decisions made by their leaders. Why do we need more of them? Perhaps rather than more of them we increase the number of staff allocated to them to deal with the issues raised by constituents. These can be sent to relevant ministers or shadow ministers to take action. John Rome, Mt Lawley (WA) More of the same but it will cost more? Alex Ellinghausen At a time when the Labour Party is being asked to rein in the expenses, wouldnt adding more MPs add to the cost? Consider the monthly salary and other generous allowances, not to speak of the pension and expenses for life of an MP. What a waste of resources. Ariyur Rangarajan, Baulkham Hills Fast rail is an opportunity lost Advertisement Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and looking back (Sadly, this train may never arrive, February 26), the way to increase the possibility and viability of the fast rail from Newcastle to Sydney would have been to choose Newcastle airport as Sydneys second airport. It would promote Newcastles growth potential and improve the financial case for a fast rail link between the two cities. Lets face the reality that an airport in the middle of the western suburbs has so many negatives that its success is marginal. It lacks easy transport access, will be prone to mists and fogs, and will add 24/7 noise that will affect hundreds of thousands of Sydneysiders. My crystal ball says the fast rail is a great opportunity lost. Eric Sekula, Turramurra The invoices are already pulling in to the station, with tens and soon hundreds of millions of dollars spent on investigations, reports and costings. Recently, an article in The Economist drew attention to the HS2, Britains long-planned high-speed rail project that was once slated to open in 2026. In short, it was budgeted to cost 33 billion (2011 prices, or 53 billion today). It consisted of three legs, two of which have since been cancelled due to cost, and the remaining London-Birmingham segment has been delayed to the late 2030s. Costs are now likely to be over 100 billion. Given our governments extraordinary ability to underestimate the costs of major infrastructure projects, where will this $90 billion quote end up when/if it ever arrives at the station. Andrew Raymond, Parramatta Alexandra Smiths lament on yet another fast train proposal for NSW highlights a troublesome absence of big-picture vision for our infrastructure needs. Do the politicians and mandarins in charge of such projects actually think beyond the glittering prizes of architectural and engineering marvels that grace, or are about to grace, our fair capital? Perhaps they need to get out a bit more. Some years back, the mayor of an eastern European capital withdrew chauffeur-driven cars and ordered their public transport managers to experience the real world of failing transport infrastructure. The mindset did shift, slowly, but perhaps not as slowly as yet another high-speed thought bubble. Bradley Wynne, Croydon Square on repeat Radical alternative or a blurred vision (Letters, February 26)? When a vision has been articulated and then adopted in principle, why diminish or muddy its imaginative capacity? The clear collective vision of George Street being the central pedestrian artery that connects Circular Quay and Central Railway, with the Town Hall at its central heart. Each location defined by a unique generous public square. A vision formed over a decade ago with the creative guidance of world-renowned Danish professor Jan Gehl, instigated by Lord Mayor Clover Moore. Imagine a grand, open-landscaped public urban space that invites its residents, daily workers and visitors to gather for celebration, protest or simply participate in the daily life of a great city. Gathering in the carved-out confined spaces under older nondescript buildings doesnt quite cut it. Stick to the original, clear vision. Cleveland Rose, Dee Why Your correspondent suggests Sydneys Civic Square plan be put in the talkfest category. Perhaps, better in the chestnut category, along with the high-speed rail. The latter has been trotted out each election cycle since the 1960s. Shane Nunan, Finley Shooters not criminals Advertisement Advertisement NationalNSWNSW State Parliament Muslim former navy officer sacked from advisory board for LinkedIn reposts Mostafa Rachwani Updated February 26, 2026 7:51pm ,first published 7:02pm 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 The navys former most senior Muslim officer has been sacked from the Advisory Board of Multicultural NSW over reposts on LinkedIn about Israel and ISIS. Captain Mona Shindy was appointed to the advisory board in December, but the acting CEO for Multicultural NSW informed her on Thursday that the governor had accepted a recommendation from Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper that she be removed. Shindy, the first strategic adviser on Islamic cultural affairs, was due to be announced as a new board member in December, but that was delayed due to the Bondi terrorist attack, according to emails seen by this masthead. Captain Mona Shindy is a 30-year navy veteran. ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY A spokesperson for Multicultural NSW confirmed the decision, saying it was because Shindy platformed misinformation and conspiracy theories on her social media. Advertisement As such the NSW government felt her ability to promote unity as part of the Multicultural Advisory Board was no longer tenable, they said. The decision was related to two posts on the social media platform LinkedIn that Shindy reposted, but did not write herself. Shindy left a comment under one saying Cfbr, which stands for commenting for better reach. She also apologised for her actions in the first of two letters sent to Kamper. I wish to reaffirm that to the extent that people have been offended or are upset by my conduct, that it wasnt my intention. So, for any hurt I have unintentionally caused, I apologise, she wrote. In her first letter to Kamper, before his decision, she said after the matter was raised with her on January 21, she sought very much in good faith to understand the views being put to me. Advertisement I did accept the argument presented by government officers that at a time of heightened sensitivity and fear, extra care and restraint from posting on sensitive topics might be best. Related Article NSW State Parliament Pressure for tougher laws against gay hate crimes after surge in dating app attacks She said she had made the first repost to show concern at the suffering of innocent civilians. She added the second repost was done not as an indication of support or agreement but because I thought it was interesting that some people have such ideas. In a letter on Thursday after she was informed of her removal, Shindy criticised Kamper and said his decision had fundamentally undermined the statutory objectives of Multicultural NSW. The approach taken in my case has not strengthened cohesion; it has fractured trust not only for me but will do so for many Muslims who call this state home, she wrote. Advertisement You have applied to me an exceptional and punitive standard one not applied to others that sits well beyond the limits of fairness, proportionality, or justification. To exclude people of my background and experience now is not only short-sighted; it is profoundly damaging to the social fabric you are charged with protecting. Multicultural NSW is a state government body that runs programs intended to promote social cohesion and multicultural harmony. The Sydney Morning Herald has opened a bureau in the heart of Parramatta. Email parramatta@smh.com.au with news tips. Advertisement Updated NationalNSWCourts Negligent, careless and lazy: Fathers anguish as man jailed over hospital baby tragedies Clare Sibthorpe Updated February 26, 2026 1:07pm ,first published 11:36am 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 father of a baby who was left with lifelong brain damage after a hospital gas blunder which also killed another newborn has shared the devastating impact on their strong girl, alongside his mixed feelings about the gas fitters punishment and level of remorse. Danial Khan said the former Sydney gas fitter Christopher Turner was negligent, careless [and] lazy when he caused serious injuries to his daughter, Amelia, in 2016. Christopher Laurie Turner arrives at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday. Sam Mooy Were going to suffer for a very long time, he said outside court. Turner sat emotionless as he was jailed for a maximum of nearly three years on Thursday after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of newborn John Ghanem and causing grievous bodily harm by omission to Amelia Khan at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital a decade ago. His supporters held each other as Turner was handcuffed in Downing Centre District Court, with one calling out I love you dad. Advertisement Due to his 10-month non-parole period, he will be released in December. Turner fell so short of expected standards, a judge ruled, when he failed to complete several tests that would have taken between just seconds and minutes, and would have prevented the tragedies. The 64-year-old was contracted by BOC Ltd to install and test oxygen and nitrous oxide gas lines in an operating theatre in the hospital in 2015. Danial Khan, the father of Amelia, who has been left with lifelong brain damage. Sam Mooy He installed the wrong gas, which was released from a wall-mounted panel. The pipelines installed in the hospital in the 1990s were mislabelled in the roof, but Turner failed to test them as required by law and signed documents saying he had checked them. Advertisement The fatal mix-up was uncovered a year later, when the two newborns were mistakenly given nitrous oxide instead of oxygen. Amelia and parents Danial Khan and Benish Khan in 2016. Nine News Amelias exposure occurred in June 2016. She suffered severe brain damage, spent two weeks in intensive care and, to this day, requires constant care. Judge Nicole Noman said Amelia faced a diminished lifespan. She is wheelchair-bound, legally blind and unable to speak. Less than a month later, on July 13, baby John was mistakenly given the same gas for 50 minutes during an emergency resuscitation immediately after his birth. Noman said he was much loved during his short life [his] death has caused significant anguish. Advertisement Hospital staff notified the police. Turner, who lives on the Central Coast, was arrested and charged in 2022; he spent one night in custody before being granted bail. Facing the prospect of 25 years jail, he initially defended the charges, but reversed his pleas ahead of a planned trial last year. Youssef and Sonya Ghanems newborn son John died at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital in July 2016. Facebook Noman said Turners crimes, while not intentional, fell so far short of the standards a reasonable person would expect, adding that he failed to undertake several tests which would have prevented the error. It was not that he undertook substandard testing, he failed to test at all, she said. Due to the loss of life and such serious injuries, the judge said Turner committed a high level of harm. Advertisement Speaking to media outside court, Khan said it was sad to see someone of Turners age jailed, but that his actions should serve as an example for anybody else. We just got an apology letter a week before the trial, so there could have been better ways to show some remorse. Danial Khan Theres no room for medical negligence in the Australian healthcare system of this calibre, and I hope it never happens again, he said. I hope everybody always thinks twice before signing off on medical documents. Khan said he was unsure if the sentence was enough, that he had not really gained closure and that he did not know if Turner was remorseful given he had not reached out to the family over the past decade. Advertisement I feel like we just got an apology letter a week before the trial, so there could have been better ways to show some remorse, he said of the letter sent to the court, adding he did not know whats going through his mind and he cant imagine what [Turners family] are going through. Danial Khan and daughter Amelia who is wheelchair-bound, legally blind and unable to speak. Nine News/60 Minutes I dont know how Ill feel tomorrow but right now, its just a ball of mixed emotions, he said. Khan described Amelia as a strong, resilient girl who is loved tremendously. She loves learning She loves reading books, and I truly believe shell do amazing things as she gets older, he said. Advertisement Noman criticised the 10-year gap between Turners error and completion of proceedings. She acknowledged he expressed deep remorse and said he continued to carry the weight of what he had done, but that he took several years to admit guilt. The court heard Turner suffered various medical issues and that full-time custody would cause financial harm, stress and anxiety to him and his family, but no other punishment was appropriate. Related Article Inquest Baby inhaled nitrous oxide for more than 50 minutes, inquest told Media would ordinarily be legally barred from naming child victims of crime, however, both victims families gave permission for them to be made public a decision Noman said would have been difficult. A 2021 coronial inquest heard pipelines installed in the hospital in the 1990s were mislabelled in the roof, leading to a mix-up during the installation of neonatal resuscitation gas outlets in 2015. But lawyers assisting the coroner said any deficiencies would have been obvious if they were adequately tested and signed off. Advertisement Turner was convicted and fined $100,000 in 2021 after pleading guilty in the NSW District Court to failing to comply with a health and safety duty. BOC Ltd was cleared of any charges after a judge found Turner and a hospital employee had both signed forms declaring they had carried out testing following the works, despite having not done so. The tragedies, and subsequent campaigning from families, led to changes to NSW legislation requiring tradespeople to be licensed specifically for the installation of medical gas. With Angus Thomson and Sarah McPhee Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. ISLAMABAD, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Up to 34 terrorists were killed as security forces conducted a series of intelligence-driven operations in Pakistan, the military said on Wednesday. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army, said in a statement that 26 terrorists were killed in the country's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, whereas eight terrorists were killed in an engagement in southwest Balochistan province. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the country, the ISPR said, adding that operations are being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area. The military said that Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country. Advertisement Updated NationalNSWCourts Minns government took sledgehammer to protests after Bondi, court told Michaela Whitbourn Updated February 26, 2026 4:12pm ,first published 12:01pm 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 Minns government took a sledgehammer to protests after the Bondi terror attack and laws rushed through parliament to bolster police powers should be declared invalid, the states top court has heard. A trio of activist organisations, including the Palestine Action Group, asked the NSW Court of Appeal on Thursday to strike down laws giving the police commissioner the power to make a declaration restricting all protests in a geographical area for a specific time after a suspected terrorist act. Palestine Action Groups Josh Lees outside the NSW Court of Appeal before the groups constitutional challenge to protest laws. Sitthixay Ditthavong The restrictions covering the Sydney CBD and eastern suburbs were in place during Israeli President Isaac Herzogs visit to Australia. David Hume, SC, acting for the protest groups, told the court the laws were fundamentally over-broad and they use a sledgehammer to seek to crack a nut. Advertisement He argued the laws fell foul of the implied freedom of political communication in the Commonwealth Constitution, and all protests were restricted irrespective of the risk they posed. Under the new laws, passed 10 days after the Bondi massacre on December 24, a public assembly restriction declaration (PARD) may be made by the police commissioner for up to 14 days, and may be extended for up to 90 days. The concurrence of the police minister is required. The power to declare restrictions on protests may only be made in a terrorism-related context, but protests unrelated to the alleged terrorist act are captured. Chief Justice Andrew Bell, Court of Appeal President Julie Ward and Justice Stephen Free presided over the hearing. Free said it appeared the legislation did not give the police commissioner the capacity to differentiate between types of assembly. Advertisement The commissioner has no way of saying, as I read it, protests against planning laws in this part of Sydney can continue [and] protests against deaths in custody can continue but protests relating to terrorist acts [cannot], Free said. A protest against the visit of Israeli president Isaac Herzog turned violent. Riley Walter Hume agreed: The commissioner may be worried about protests in relation to the terrorist incident but protests in relation to entirely unrelated topics that generate no risk are caught. Before making a declaration, the police commissioner must be satisfied the holding of protests in the area would be likely to cause a reasonable person to fear ... harassment, intimidation or violence or for their safety, or to cause a risk to community safety. Free suggested the risk to community safety might be read as embracing the concept of social cohesion, and the commissioner might form the view that all assemblies should stop for a period of time because they are apt to cause disharmony. Advertisement Related Article Updated Israeli-Palestinian conflict Police defend actions after violent clashes with Herzog protesters in Sydney The new laws operate to displace an existing legal mechanism for authorising or prohibiting protests on a case-by-case basis. Under the existing laws, a protest is considered an authorised public assembly if organisers serve a notice on NSW Police at least seven days before the protest and it is not prohibited by a court. When a protest is authorised, participants have a relatively narrow immunity from criminal liability for certain acts related to the protest, such as blocking traffic. This is not a licence to engage in criminal activity. The commissioners declaration meant the protesters did not have this immunity. Advertisement Hume said the new laws cut the independent judiciary out of the process when the existing laws worked. Public speech had an added significance in a world where most speech occurred online, and a convenient protest out of sight is an ineffective protest, Hume said. Loading A trio of barristers acting for the state of NSW, headed by Brendan Lim, SC, said in written submissions that the laws were a modest extension of police powers. That modest extension is amply justified by the apprehended effects of mass public assemblies on community safety and social cohesion in the aftermath of the Bondi Beach antisemitic terrorist act, the submissions said. Advertisement Ward put to Lim that it appeared a declaration had the result of precluding ... a vigil or memorial function, for example because it did not specify the kind of public assemblies being restricted. Lim said they would be restricted in the sense of being exposed to the exercise of police powers to prevent obstruction and that would apply equally to vigils as it would to protests. I suppose a very large vigil might obstruct traffic, but vigils are not generally setting out to obstruct persons or engage in harassment, Lim said. The most recent PARD lapsed on February 17, after Herzogs visit. The state of NSW has argued the protest groups lost their legal ability to bring the challenge at that time. The court will deliver its decision at a later date. Advertisement Earlier this month, the NSW Supreme Court rejected an eleventh-hour legal challenge by protesters to separate powers granted to police for the Herzog visit. The NSW government declared the visit a major event under laws typically used to manage crowds at large sporting events, triggering wide-ranging police powers. This included the ability to shut down parts of a major events area in the Sydney CBD and eastern suburbs. Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app. PM defiant as Australian children detained in Syria plead to come home Anthony Albanese has voiced compassion for the 23 Australian children detained in Syria, but he remained defiant against their desperate pleas to return home. Advertisement Exclusive NationalVictoriaCrime An absolute let-down: Paramedics furious over assault law loophole Grant McArthur February 26, 2026 7:30pm 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 man who hospitalised a paramedic will escape a mandatory jail term for assaulting an emergency service worker because she was not treating a patient when she was attacked. A decision on Thursday to drop the charge against a 58-year-old Seaford man on a legal technicality has raised questions about the suitability of the much-vaunted Victorian laws which have failed to protect first responders since they were introduced more than a decade ago. Paramedic Kathryn McCormack says she feels let down after charges of assaulting an emergency worker were withdrawn against a man alleged to have attacked her. Simon Schluter The Victorian Ambulance Union immediately wrote to Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny on Thursday afternoon demanding an urgent review of the Sentencing Act, saying the police prosecutors decision to withdraw the charges effectively rendered the laws worthless. Veteran paramedic Kathryn McCormack is still awaiting surgery after the man kicked her in the stomach during a random attack on her and a junior female colleague in Main Street in Mornington on September 13. Advertisement Its extremely disappointing that the laws that are meant to protect us are not able to be used, McCormack told The Age. Related Article Crime Paramedic hospitalised after alleged assault in Mornington The uniformed paramedics were walking along the street after starting their shift when they witnessed a dispute and attempted to calm the situation. It is alleged the Seaford man then crossed the road and attacked the pair, kicking McCormack in the stomach, before members of the public came to the paramedics aid. The man was initially charged with assaulting emergency workers, recklessly causing injury, making threats to kill, possessing a controlled weapon, and unlawful assault. But during a brief hearing on Thursday, Frankston Magistrates Court was told that police prosecutors had agreed to withdraw the assault on an emergency worker charge relating to the paramedics, having conceded that the complainant in relation to that charge was not on duty. Advertisement However, charges that the man assaulted police who attended to arrest him still stand, along with a host of other charges that will be heard in late April. Speaking outside court moments after the charges had been downgraded, McCormack said she felt as though all emergency service workers had been let down. It just feels like an absolute let-down in this situation, where my colleague and I were working and have been [allegedly] assaulted and, unfortunately, weve been let down by the system, she said. The veteran paramedic has not been able to return to full duties while awaiting surgery, though McCormack said she could not discuss details of the alleged incident while the case continued. Victoria in 2014 introduced mandatory minimum six-month jail sentences for anyone convicted of assaulting emergency workers, including paramedics, police, doctors and nurses delivering emergency care, firefighters and prison officers. Advertisement But after a string of assaults on paramedics failed to see the minimum sentences applied, the Andrews government in October 2018 toughened the laws to remove the option for judges to impose community corrections orders seen by the judiciary as jail terms served in the community. Victorian Ambulance Union secretary Danny Hill has demanded Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny review the Sentencing Act. Luis Enrique Ascui The 2018 legislative changes made injuring an emergency worker a category-one offence, for which courts must impose a custodial sentence. But Victorian Ambulance Union secretary Danny Hill said the latest failure to pursue the charge demanded immediate bipartisan action to again overhaul the laws. According to this law, a paramedic is not considered to be on duty unless they are treating a patient. Effectively, that means the emergency worker assault laws dont apply to an offender who bashes a paramedic at their branch, while they are refuelling or restocking the ambulance or while they are picking up lunch, Hill said. Advertisement Paramedics are never off duty. The radio is never more than an arms distance away, and they are expected to respond straight away, no matter what. Related Article Ambulance Victoria Spat on, punched, rammed with a car: The shocking list of paramedic assaults According to Crime Statistics Victoria data, there were 2430 assaults against emergency services or other authorised officers in 2025. Since 2016, there have been 20,412 recorded assaults against emergency workers, though nobody has yet been convicted under the special emergency worker assault laws. In the days after Christmas, Ambulance Victoria issued a public appeal for people to respect ambulance crews after a spate of incidents that saw paramedics rammed by a car, spat on and punched during a horror festive weekend. Hill said the latest decision not to pursue the specialist charges created a loophole that continued to endanger vulnerable first responders. Advertisement Just this weekend, we have had reports of violence against paramedics including a person who trashed the Kilmore branch and several of its ambulances, and a person pulled scissors on a MICA crew. Its every day and its not OK, Hill said. These laws were meant to send a strong deterrent and a message that assaulting an emergency worker is not OK. But this is a loophole you can drive a truck through, and it needs to be fixed now. Ambulance Victoria chief executive Jordan Emery said ongoing court action prevented him commenting specifically on the incident, but stated that any form of abuse against our people whether physical or verbal is totally unacceptable. Ambulance Victoria chief executive Jordan Emery says paramedics have a right to feel let down over the decision. Justin McManus The decision not to proceed with charges over the alleged assault of two of our paramedics is extremely disappointing. They are entitled to feel let down, Emery said. Advertisement Paramedics are highly trained health professionals who deserve to be treated with respect. They should never be threatened or assaulted while at work. I want to acknowledge the bravery, commitment and service of the paramedics involved in the Mornington incident, and to each of our almost 6000 paramedics and first responders who show up every day in service to Victorians. A Victorian government spokesperson said it was seeking advice on the concerns raised by the ambulance union and Ambulance Victoria. Every day our police and paramedics put their lives on the line to ensure the safety of Victorians and any act of violence against them is completely unacceptable, the spokesperson said. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalWAFishing Major WA fishing ban primed for probe after Greens support Hamish Hastie February 26, 2026 5:12pm 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 controversial fishing ban covering a huge swathe of Western Australias coast will likely be probed by parliament after the Greens threw their support behind an inquiry which could drill into the science backing the restrictions. The inquiry will be established either after a disallowance motion to scrap the ban altogether is debated in the upper house, or MPs debate one of the largest e-petitions ever submitted to the upper house. Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis. 9 News Perth The Save WA Fisheries petition calling for an inquiry contained 27,654 signatures and was tabled in Parliament on Thursday, the same day about 100 fishers turned up to the front steps of Harvest Terrace to protest the ban. The government banned recreational fishing for demersal or bottom-dwelling species until 2027 and indefinitely banned commercial demersal fishing from Augusta to Kalbarri and trawling in the Pilbara from January 1 to address low stocks of beloved WA species including snapper and dhufish. Advertisement However, the opposition has denounced the ban and questioned the science that informed the governments decision, saying it did not align with the experience of fishers on the water. Related Article Environmental protection WA seismic blasting plans fly in the face of demersal fishing ban, conservationists warn The Greens support the ban, which means a disallowance motion put forward by the Nationals in the upper house to revoke it is doomed to fail, but will support the oppositions move to send it to a parliamentary committee. The inquiry could come off the bat of a debate about the disallowance motion or through the petition itself, which will be considered by the Environment and Public Affairs committee, which consists of one Green, two Liberal and two Labor MPs. We support an inquiry into fisheries, because we know there is nothing to hide when it comes to the science, Greens healthy oceans spokeswoman Sophie McNeill said. Advertisement Opposition fisheries spokeswoman and Nationals MP Kirrilee Warr, who addressed the rally on Thursday, said the scientific study, known as the Punt report, that informed the governments publicly available demersal stock assessment should be tabled in parliament. We have been requesting that numerous times from the minister and the government, and they refuse to table it. So what are they hiding? she said. We are hearing theres fish in the water, and so when were getting out there amongst our communities, listening to the people, which is more than the premier and the [Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis] herself has been doing, we know that because we are hearing from thousands of people. What we hope to discover is, is this being backed by science, or is this a political decision? Commercial fisher Tony Westerberg, who attended the rally, believed the Perth metro area data warped the decision to ban fishing across the entire west coast zone. Advertisement The metro area, youre never, ever, ever, ever going to fix that, he said. Youve got too many people going fishing. They should not worry about the metro; itll never come back, ever. Its impossible. Its the way they use the data, and the scientists are very good at getting data; theyve been doing it for a long, long time. Thats why I know all the scientists, they would not agree to the closure. Its the way they use it, and the little pieces of information they pull out of many years of data. Jarvis has in the past said she would support a parliamentary inquiry because she had nothing to hide. Advertisement She said she would have spoken at the rally on Thursday morning had the Nationals not moved a motion in parliament on the fishing ban, which she had to speak to. Related Article Fishing Fisherman locks boat to Geraldton fisheries office in demersal ban protest Jarvis reiterated that the demersal stock assessment report made available to the public was peer-reviewed. I dont know what the opposition are asking for. What we released is the west coast commercial resource stock assessment, she said. This was the report that was physically handed to the opposition spokesperson for fisheries in September, this was published online. This report is peer-reviewed. Advertisement She accused the opposition of backing the commercial fishing sector over recreational fishers. Ive made a really tough decision in relation to those 41 boats that are fishing commercially in that zone. Im not sure if the rally is intended to appease the commercial sector. It appears so, she said. The opposition have very firmly backed the commercial sector, they have very firmly backed those 41 boats over the 130,000 recreational fishers. Recreational fishing group Coastal Collective also spoke at the rally. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement PoliticsFederalPolitical leadership Spare me the condescension, old man: Grace Tame dismisses PMs apology Brittany Busch Updated February 26, 2026 2:47pm ,first published 11:29am 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 Former Australian of the Year Grace Tame has dismissed an attempted apology from Anthony Albanese as condescending, after the prime minister claimed that by labelling her as difficult he had meant the prominent activist had had a difficult life. Dudes quoting Scott [Morrison] now!!! Shes had a difficult life Spare me the condescension, old man. We all know what you meant. A badge of honour anyway. A confession that Ive ruffled him, Tame said on social media. Loading The prime minister was forced to backtrack on the comment he made at a News Corp conference on Wednesday after Tames supporters rallied to her defence, calling him a misogynist in social media posts that she then shared on her own Instagram account. Tame compared Albaneses response to former prime minister Scott Morrison, who she had criticised for failing to stamp out sexual abuse in politics, while photographs of her refusing to smile next to him at a ceremony at The Lodge went viral. Advertisement Afterwards, Morrison brushed off the encounter and said Tame had had a terrible life ordeal. Then prime minister Scott Morrison and 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame during the Australian of the Year awards morning tea at the Lodge in 2022. Alex Ellinghausen Both men, when called out for their behaviour towards me, have used shes had a difficult life as a condescending justification. Get some new material boys, she wrote on her Instagram page. Albanese emerged from a visit to a Melbourne endometriosis clinic on Thursday, where he was not scheduled to make comments, to praise Tames advocacy work following online backlash. The prime minister said he had had a good relationship with the former Australian of the Year and that if there was any misinterpretation, then I certainly apologise. I was asked to describe people in one word, and Grace Tame you certainly cant describe in one word, he said. Advertisement She has had a difficult life, and that was what I was referring to. And what Grace Tame has done is to turn that difficult experience that she had into being a strong advocate for others, which is why she received, quite rightly, the Australian of the Year award. The prime minister called Tame difficult during a word-association game on Wednesday in which he also called ex-prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor a grub. He did not stick to the one-word rule for all his answers, saying he could not do so for One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce, but that he was looking forward to the Barnaby Joyce versus Pauline Hanson, you know its coming. Photo: Matt Golding Shadow minister for women Melissa McIntosh said she cringed inside when she heard the word Albanese had used to describe Tame. Advertisement Women get told were difficult a lot. Were difficult if we put ourselves forward Women hear it when they are experiencing domestic violence issues, they get told that, she said on ABC TV. McIntosh added that the prime minister shouldnt have used that word and that if Tame did not accept the apology, he should sort it out with her. Deputy Greens leader Mehreen Faruqi said Albaneses backtrack was not a proper apology. The PM should stop appeasing the Murdoch media, have the guts to admit what he said was just wrong and genuinely apologise, instead of issuing a wishy-washy, condescending non-apology, the senator said. For the prime minister to call Grace Tame difficult is disgraceful. Advertisement Related Article Opinion Political leadership The PMs biggest problem isnt calling Grace Tame difficult. Its that he cant admit hes wrong Katy Hall Age deputy state topic editor Former leader of the Democrats and senator, Natasha Stott Despoja, shared an image of herself and Tame on Instagram with the caption: Heres to difficult women. Tame had shared a series of posts on Thursday morning that attacked Albanese for his comment. Difficult is the misogynists code for a woman who wont comply. History tends to call her courageous, abuse survivor Harrison James wrote. Tame was awarded Australian of the Year in 2021 for fighting to overturn Tasmanias laws that gagged abuse victims after she was groomed and abused from the age of 15 by her 58-year-old maths teacher. Advertisement Tame has since drawn criticism for her pro-Palestinian advocacy, and earlier this month, she led chants at a protest to globalise the intifada, a phrase the NSW Labor government is planning to ban. Joyce called for her to be stripped of her Australian of the Year title, and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor called on the prime minister to condemn the remarks. Tame led the controversial chant in Sydney earlier this month. Getty Images While the prime minister praised Tames activism on Thursday, he added that he disagreed with the language she used at the demonstration against Israel President Isaac Herzogs visit. So thats why its impossible to describe people in one word, and that wasnt meant to be taken that way, he said. Advertisement Advertisement PoliticsFederalAntisemitism royal commission Commissioner assures Bondi families she will probe Hanukkah security, police delays Matthew Knott Updated February 26, 2026 9:55pm ,first published 7:23pm 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 In an intimate meeting at the site of the nations worst terror attack, Virginia Bell has assured survivors of the Bondi Beach massacre the royal commission she leads will probe how long it took police to respond to the shooting and the level of security protection at the Hanukkah celebration. The former High Court judge toured the scene of the attack on Thursday morning and held a two-hour meeting with about 80 survivors, witnesses and relatives of those who died on December 14. Virginia Bell has held a private meeting with victims and their families from the Bondi attack. Janie Barrett Her meeting came as the Albanese government announced it would introduce new laws next week to strengthen legal protections for those providing intelligence and operational information to the royal commission and strengthen its ability to handle sensitive material. Bell said this week there had been delays in receiving information from relevant agencies as they sought legal advice on how to interact with the royal commission. Advertisement Bell used the private, invitation-only meeting at Bondi to directly explain why she would not be able to accept any evidence about the days tragedy that could prejudice a criminal trial into the killings of 15 people, as she revealed at the royal commissions first public hearings on Tuesday. One participant, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the meeting was very productive and had largely reassured those present that Bell was determined to do everything within her power to understand why the atrocity had occurred. Police officers at Bondi in the time after the shooting. Flavio Brancaleone She was impressive, the participant said. As well as any intelligence failures that preceded the attack, Bell told those at the meeting that the royal commission would examine why there were only two police officers present at the Chanukah by the Sea event and how long it took other police to arrive at the scene after the gunmen began shooting. Advertisement Several survivors have questioned whether it took police too long to arrive at Bondi in substantial numbers after the attack started. Related Article Updated Antisemitism royal commission Royal commission rules out eyewitness accounts of Bondi attack NSW Premier Chris Minns defended the police response to the massacre immediately after the attack. If theres any suggestion that NSW Police didnt live up to their responsibilities to the people of this state, it should be rejected because its not consistent with the facts, he said. Bell held one-on-one conversations with members of the Jewish community to address their concerns. Sources at the meeting said there was a strong sense in the room that the royal commission could be rushed as Bell scrambles to meet the governments December 14 deadline. Advertisement While Bell said she was determined to deliver her report by the first anniversary of the attack, she said that she could request an extension to the inquiry if absolutely necessary. She said on Tuesday: 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. Bell told those present at the private meeting that the royal commission did not expect to hold further public hearings until at least the end of March, and possibly later. One angry participant at the meeting called for Bell to examine alleged bias at the ABC over its coverage of Middle East issues. Bell ruled out eyewitness testimony of the attack at Tuesdays public hearing, saying that receiving evidence from people who may be witnesses in the criminal proceeding would create that risk and, for that reason, it will not occur. Advertisement The trial of that individual will be the occasion to lead evidence of the attack, Bell said. While at Bondi, Bell toured the footbridge where the alleged gunmen, Naveed and Sajid Akram, fired on those who had gathered to celebrate Hanukkah. She also spoke to a rabbi who was practising tefillin, a Jewish religious ritual involving the binding of black leather boxes containing Hebrew parchment scrolls. Bell visited the footbridge from where the gunmen fired. Sitthixay Ditthavong Some survivors had earlier expressed confusion and frustration that they would not be able to testify at the royal commission about their experiences on December 14. Advertisement Related Article Analysis Antisemitism royal commission Tight deadline, a criminal trial and tech issues: Royal commission off to a rocky start 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, attack survivor Chavi, who did not want her surname published, said on Tuesday. The world needs to know, and what happened needs to be recorded. Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the government would establish immunity from secrecy provisions for those providing evidence to the royal commission, whether it be under compulsion or voluntarily. The Albanese government will introduce a new framework to ensure those providing intelligence or other sensitive operational information to royal commissions can do so with legal immunity, she said. Advertisement The changes will support the current royal commission in completing its important work, including the delivery of an interim report by 30 April. The royal commission is an important step for Australians to come together and learn following the heinous antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement PoliticsNSWCrime Editorial A national crisis requires more than just close consideration The Herald's View Editorial February 26, 2026 7:30pm February 26, 2026 7:30pm 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 Caitlin Thornton and Alex Passfield had a history of domestic violence throughout their three-year on-again, off-again relationship, but her suicide gave him full control. When she died without signing a will, Passfield became her legal next of kin. He was granted control over her bank accounts and her remains. And for five weeks in 2023, her family claim he refused to release her body, preventing her family from holding a funeral. Under current legislation, the hierarchy of rights prioritises a spouse or partner over children, parents and siblings. But Thorntons death exposes a NSW legal system that inflicts hurt despite authorities being alerted to pitfalls: a December 2023 review into the Coroners Act recommended coroners be able to appoint a next of kin where they consider the statutory senior next of kin not appropriate. Advertisement Kylie Bailey is campaigning to stop abusers from becoming next of kin. Steven Siewert Thorntons mother, Kylie Bailey, is spearheading a change.org petition campaign calling for police, courts or the coroner to have the power to suspend next-of-kin rights in cases in which domestic violence is alleged. Passfield was facing serious assault charges for allegedly attacking Thornton four months earlier. Those charges were subsequently dropped. The coroner ruled Thorntons death a suicide and Passfield was not responsible for her death. He is serving a two-year sentence for domestic violence assault and stalking relating to a separate former partner. Domestic violence was an elephant in the room until 2014, when Rosie Battys 11-year-old son, Luke Batty, was murdered by his father. She was named Australian of the Year, a watershed moment for the long-buried social problem. Advertisement Governments suddenly took notice, and a decade later, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it a national crisis and committed to ending domestic and sexual violence in a generation. Related Article Crime We must honour Molly Ticehursts memory with action But state governments are responsible for the delivery of services on domestic violence. The Minns government has increased funding and closed legal loopholes, yet spending in NSW lags way behind Victoria, despite our state once again recording the highest number of women killed in a domestic violence context nationally in 2025. Data released this month by Domestic Violence NSW revealed specialist domestic and family violence services across the state were collapsing under their own weight, with two in three victim-survivors mostly mothers with children unable to be assigned a caseworker, leaving many to face escalating danger alone. Advertisement DVNSW chief executive Delia Donovan said goodwill was not a funding model. Its exploitation ... we live in one of the wealthiest and most well-resourced states in the country, yet women and children are being forced back into violence because we cant commit just 0.1 per cent of the state budget to the services that save their lives, she said. When the Heralds Amber Schultz contacted the office of Attorney-General Michael Daley about the petition, a spokesman said the Coroners Act statutory review was being considered closely. But the Minns government has been sitting on its hands for some two years already. Giving a coroner the power to decide the appropriate next of kin is not too much to ask. If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114, beyondblue on 1800 512 348, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Crime Opinion Editorial For subscribers The Herald's View Since the Herald was first published in 1831, the editorial team has believed it important to express a considered view on the issues of the day for readers, always putting the public interest first. Advertisement Updated WorldEuropeWorld elections Not over yet: After taking on Trump, Danish PM calls snap vote over Greenland David Crowe Updated February 27, 2026 6:21am ,first published 5:57am 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 snap election in Denmark is about to test popular support for a leader who has taken a hard line on European security and migration while staring down the United States in a dispute over Greenland. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen will take the country to the polls on March 24 in an early election framed by her robust rejection of US President Donald Trump and his claim to the Arctic territory. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen says Europe needs to stand up to Donald Trump. New York Times But the outcome depends on whether she can sustain a recent burst in support in the opinion polls after her party, the Social Democrats, suffered a backlash from voters in local government elections in December. Frederiksen could have waited months to call the election, which must be held by October 31, but named Greenland as an issue that justified going to the polls early. Advertisement This will be a decisive election because it will be in the next four years that we as Danes and as Europeans will really have to stand on our own feet, she said. We must define our relationship with the United States, and we must rearm to ensure peace on our continent. Thousands of Danes protested in January against a US takeover of Greenland. Getty In an address to parliament, she argued the world is not waiting for Denmark to decide its future at the election. As everyone knows, the conflict over Greenland is not over yet, she added. Advertisement The early election was the subject of rumour in the Danish capital this week before Frederiksen announced the date on Thursday (Copenhagen time). The election will be watched across Europe because Frederiksen and the other major parties in her coalition government are among the strongest supporters of Ukraine. That contrasts with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is blaming Ukraine for energy shortages in Hungary and turning this into a major campaign issue for elections due on April 12. Orban is counting on support from Trump to help him stay in power, gaining the US presidents official endorsement as well as a supportive visit from Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier this month. Venstre, the second-largest party in Denmark, has a chance at this election to increase its sway with a free-market agenda under leader Troels Lund Poulsen, currently the junior partner in the coalition government with Frederiksen. Poulsen is deputy prime minister and defence minister. Advertisement Another key figure is Lars Lkke Rasmussen, a former prime minister whose party the Moderates forms the third leg of the current coalition government. He is the current foreign minister and led talks over Greenland, matching the hard line against the US. Related Article Trump's White House The woman who stared down Donald Trump on Greenland There are 179 seats in the Danish parliament and the Social Democrats hold 50, making them the biggest party. Venstre, also known as the Liberal Party, hold 23, and the Moderates 12. The Danish Democrats, a right-wing party, have 16 seats, and the Green Left Party has 15 seats. Frederiksen has a background in the union movement and was a progressive campaigner in her university years, but has moved the Social Democrats towards a tougher stance against migration in recent years. Advertisement European citizens have a right to feel safe in their own countries, she told the European Parliament in Strasbourg in a major speech last July. That is why we need to strengthen our external borders. We have to lower the influx of migrants to Europe. While her stance sparked criticism from the left, she stepped up her argument late last year by joining with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a conservative, to push for tougher EU rules on migration. In December, she joined British Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer in writing an opinion article calling for new wording in the European Convention on Human Rights to make it harder for migrants to claim asylum. Other European leaders have thrown their support behind that call and are likely to act at a summit in Moldova in May by issuing a declaration that balances human rights with the responsibility to protect security and public safety. Advertisement US President Donald Trump and Frederiksen have often been at loggerheads over Greenland. AP Frederiksen first clashed with Trump over Greenland in the presidents first term after he raised the idea of American control of the territory, and she replied that it was absurd. Trump then called her statement nasty and said she should have just said no. I thought it was a very, not nice way of saying something, he said. The clash over Greenland intensified in January when Trump threatened trade sanctions on Denmark and other European allies because they did not accept his claim to the island, although he relented. Advertisement Related Article Explainer Trump diplomacy Why would Trump want to buy Greenland? His recent demand for Greenland has coincided with a gain for Frederiksen in the opinion polls. The Social Democrats increased their support to 22 per cent of the vote in a survey by Voxmeter of 1007 respondents from February 6 to 12. While this remains lower than the partys result at the 2022 election, it suggests the Social Democrats remain the single biggest party and would hold the prime ministers post in a coalition government. 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. Advertisement Updated WorldMiddle EastMiddle East tensions No chance US will be in drawn-out war in Middle East: Vance Natalie Allison Updated February 27, 2026 1:38pm ,first published February 27, 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 Aboard Air Force Two: US Vice President JD Vance says while military strikes against Iran remain under consideration by US President Donald Trump, there is no chance that such strikes would result in the United States becoming involved in a years-long, drawn-out war. Vance said on Thursday (US time) that he did not know what Trump would decide to do about Iran, describing possibilities that included military strikes to ensure Iran isnt going to get a nuclear weapon or solving the problem diplomatically. US Vice President JD Vance, arriving on Air Force Two at Joint Base Andrews, has dismissed predictions by some foreign policy experts that there would be no easy out if America got involved in a bigger conflict with Iran. AP But if Trump proceeded with another round of strikes on Iran which some US officials have suggested could be more comprehensive than the bombing of nuclear sites in June Vance said confidently that it would not turn into the kind of conflict the vice president has harshly criticised. The idea that were going to be in a Middle Eastern war for years with no end in sight there is no chance that will happen, he told The Washington Post in an interview as he returned to Washington from an event in Wisconsin, effectively pushing back against predictions by some foreign policy experts that there would be no easy out if America got involved in a bigger conflict with Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Trump has openly acknowledged that he is interested in bringing about regime change to topple Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, telling reporters this month that it would be the best thing that could happen. The current presence of US military forces in the region is among the largest in more than two decades, since before the Iraq War began in 2003. Asked whether, in his days as a commentator and senator offering criticisms of the Iraq War, he could have foreseen being attached to a presidency interested in bringing about a foreign regime change, the vice president chuckled. Well, I mean, look. Life has all kinds of crazy twists and turns, Vance said. But I think Donald Trump is an America First president, and he pursues policies that work for the American people. I do think we have to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. I also think that we have to avoid overlearning the lessons of the past. Just because one president screwed up a military conflict, doesnt mean we can never engage in military conflict again. Weve got to be careful about it, but I think the president is being careful. Advertisement Prominent commentators within the conservative movement have spent months publicly quarrelling over US involvement in the Middle East, including debating what Americas attitude should be toward Israel. A growing number of conservatives particularly young people have soured on continued military support for the US ally. Traditional conservatives have excoriated some of those voices, meanwhile, fuelling a debate on the right about not only foreign policy but antisemitism as well. Loading Vance has advocated for Israel-sceptical voices to be heard in the intraparty debate a conversation that has upset Republican dogma of recent decades while maintaining that he sees the nation as a strategic ally. The divide was apparent last week when former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who now has his own podcast and frequently criticises fellow conservatives deference to Israel, interviewed Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel. Advertisement Carlson, who has been a close ally of Vance, and Huckabee, a high-profile US diplomat, have each found themselves in hot water for statements made during the filmed discussion. Huckabee said it would be fine if Israel took over other Middle Eastern countries whose land was referenced in scripture, and Carlson suggested genetic testing to determine the true descendants of Abraham. Vance, an active peruser of X, said he had not yet watched the entire interview but had seen a couple of clips here and there. Despite calls from some pro-Israel conservative activists and even two Republican members of Congress for the White House to condemn Carlson, who visited the White House on Monday, Vance described the interview as a positive development. White House special envoys Jared Kushner (left) and Steve Witkoff (centre) with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi in Geneva. AP I guess my takeaway is its a really good conversation thats going to be necessary for the right, not just for the next couple of years, but for long into the future, he said. What he has always liked about the political right even the people that I find annoying on our side is that there is a real exchange of ideas, Vance said. Advertisement Related Article Analysis World politics The Putin whisperer who is really running Iran And if you think of the Trump coalition in 2024 and the way that I put it is, you had Joe Rogan, Mark Levin, Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson and JD Vance and a coalition of people but to do that, you have to be willing to tolerate debate and disagreement, he said. And I just think that its a good thing. The Washington Post 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. Advertisement Updated WorldNorth AmericaEpstein fallout Hillary Clinton had no idea about Epsteins crimes, doesnt recall meeting him Stephen Groves February 27, 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 Washington: Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton has told House members she had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epsteins or Ghislaine Maxwells crimes, at the start of two days of depositions that will also include former president Bill Clinton. I had no idea about their criminal activities. I do not recall ever encountering Mr Epstein, Hillary Clinton said in an opening statement she shared on social media on Thursday (US time). Hillary Clinton at event in Germany earlier this month. Getty Images The closed-door depositions in the Clintons hometown of Chappaqua, a typically quiet hamlet north of New York City, come after months of tense back-and-forth between the former high-powered Democratic couple and the Republican-controlled House oversight committee. It will be the first time that a former president has been forced to testify before Congress. Yet the demand for a reckoning over Epsteins abuse of underage girls has become a near-unstoppable force on Capitol Hill and beyond. Advertisement Advertisement The Clintons, too, agreed to testify after their offers of sworn statements were rebuffed by the oversight panel and its chairman, congressman James Comer, threatened criminal contempt of Congress charges against them. We have a very clear record that weve been willing to talk about, Hillary Clinton said in an interview with the BBC earlier this month. She added that her husband had flown with Epstein for charitable trips and that she did not recall meeting Epstein but had interacted with Maxwell, Epsteins former girlfriend and confidant, at conferences hosted by the Clinton Foundation. View post on X Maxwell, a British socialite, also attended the 2010 wedding of their daughter, Chelsea Clinton. We are more than happy to say what we know, which is very limited and totally unrelated to their behaviour or their crimes, and we want to do it in public, Hillary Clinton said. Advertisement The former secretary of state told reporters after the deposition that she was confident her husband knew nothing about Epsteins crimes. She added that the closed-door interview also touched on topics ranging from UFOs to the so-called PizzaGate conspiracy theory that took hold during the 2016 presidential campaign. It got quite unusual at the end. Loading At the conclusion of the hearing, Republican congresswoman Nancy Mace said Clinton had answered every question posed to her. Bill Clinton, who is set to face questioning on Friday (US time), has emerged as a top target for Republicans amid the political struggle over who receives the most scrutiny for their ties to Epstein. Advertisement Several photos of the former president were included in the first tranche of Epstein files released by the Department of Justice in January, including a number of him with women whose faces were redacted. Clinton has not been accused of wrongdoing in his relationship with Epstein. Comer has also pointed to Hillary Clintons work as secretary of state to address sex trafficking as another reason to insist on her deposition. Former US president Bill Clinton pictured with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in a photo provided by the Department of Justice. The New York Times The committees investigation has sought to understand why the Department of Justice under previous presidential administrations did not seek further charges against Epstein following a 2008 arrangement in which he pleaded guilty to state charges in Florida for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl but avoided federal charges. Hillary Clinton accused Comer of running a one-sided investigation that has failed to hold Trump and other Republican officials to account. Advertisement This institutional failure is designed to protect one political party and one public official, she said. Conspiracy theories, especially on the right, have swirled for years around the Clintons and their connections to Epstein and Maxwell, who argues she was wrongfully convicted. Republicans have long wanted to press the Clintons for answers. Clinton and Maxwell in a photograph provided by the US Justice Department. The New York Times I mean if youre the wife of Bill Clinton, arent you going to have some questions about your husbands activities? said congressman Scott Perry, a member of the House oversight committee. We only go where the facts take us. We didnt put the president and the secretary in this position. They put themselves in it. Advertisement Comer has pledged lengthy days of questioning for both Clintons. Related Article Epstein fallout Epstein files missing records about woman who made claim against Trump We have a lot of questions, and the purpose of the whole investigation is to try to understand many things about Epstein, he told reporters outside the convention centre where the depositions were being held. How did he accumulate so much wealth? How was he able to surround himself with some of the most powerful men in the world? Comer described the deposition as a bipartisan effort and said that it was very possible the committee would question Trumps Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who was Epsteins neighbour and had several interactions with him. Advertisement Under questioning from Democrats earlier this month, Lutnick acknowledged that he had met with Epstein twice after the late financiers 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a child, reversing his previous claim that he had cut ties with him after 2005. Democrats, now being led by a new generation of politicians, have prioritised transparency around Epstein over defending the former leaders of their party. Lets get President Trump in front of our committee to answer the questions that are being asked across this country from survivors. Congressman Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the Oversight panel. Several Democratic lawmakers joined with Republicans on the oversight panel to advance the contempt of Congress charges against the Clintons last month. Several said they had no relationship with the Clintons and owed no loyalty to them. Garcia said both Republican and Democratic administrations have failed survivors in not getting more information out to the public. Advertisement Garcia also called on Trump to testify in the investigation. He argued that Bill Clintons appearance set a precedent that should apply to Trump as well. Related Article Epstein fallout Just doesnt look good for him: Why Trump and those in his orbit are untouchable Lets get President Trump in front of our committee to answer the questions that are being asked across this country from survivors, Garcia said. He also said he wanted to ask about Epsteins possible ties to foreign governments. Democrats are also coming off an effort this week to confront Trump about his administrations handling of the Epstein files by taking women who survived Epsteins abuse as their guests to Trumps State of the Union address. Advertisement Even senior Democrats, such as former speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, said it was appropriate for the committee to interview anyone, including the former president, who was connected to Epstein. We want to hear from everyone, Pelosi said, adding that she did not see why Hillary Clinton was being interviewed and that it was important to believe survivors. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said his caucus in the coming days would also review unredacted versions of the Epstein case files at a Department of Justice office. Schumer, who demanded that the department release all of the files and preserve all materials, said they will pull on every thread until they reveal this massive cover-up. AP 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. ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has thwarted a planned terrorist attack targeting a senior military officer in St. Petersburg. Two Russian citizens were detained on suspicion of preparing the attack, which was coordinated by Ukrainian special services, the FSB said Thursday. The detainees confessed to the crime. A decision is being made on whether to open a criminal case. The suspects had communicated via the messaging platform Telegram with representatives of Ukrainian intelligence. Acting on instructions from their handler, they retrieved an improvised explosive device from a hiding place, conducted surveillance at the residence of the intended target, and planted a bomb under the officer's vehicle, the FSB said. FSB officers discovered and defused the device before it could be detonated. US deploys larget military force to Middle East since 2003 The US has deployed its largest number of warships and military aircraft to the Middle East since 2003 in a move aimed at pressuring Iran. PHILPSBURG:--- On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, in a short ceremony at the Government Administration Building, the Secretary-General of the Social Economic Council (SER), Mr. Gerard Richardson, expressed his appreciation to the outgoing Secretary-General of the Ministry of General Affairs, Mr. H. Plantijn, for his dedicated years of service to Country Sint Maarten. Mr. Plantijn is scheduled to retire next month following many years of public service on Sint Maarten. In his former capacity as the Legal Policy Advisor to the former Prime Minister and current President of Parliament of Sint Maarten, the Honorable S. Wescot-Williams, SG Plantijn, together with the former SG of the Ministry of General Affairs, Mrs. Emilia Connor-Thomas, both played instrumental roles in the establishment of the SER dating back to May 2011. Mr. Richardson conveyed his sincere thanks and appreciation to SG Plantijn for his longstanding contributions to the SER since its inception. While there were occasions when differing perspectives emerged regarding the SER and the Ministry of General Affairs, both officials recognized the importance of maintaining a professional and respectful working relationship and concluded their collaboration on a positive note. On behalf of the Chairman of the SER, Mr. Harlec Doran, Mr. Richardson thanked his outgoing colleague for his valuable contributions to both the SER and Country Sint Maarten and wished him every success in his future endeavors. PHILIPSBURG:---The Department of Social Development, Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labour, proudly invites our senior community, caregivers, family, friends, and the community at large to attend Senior Connect Display of Services for Seniors, taking place on Friday, February 27, 2026, at the Government Building Parking Lot from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Senior Connect is more than an event it is a celebration of life, experience, wisdom, and community. It is a space created to remind seniors that they remain valued, vibrant, and essential members of society. The initiative is designed to inspire seniors to stay engaged, informed, active, and socially connected while discovering the many services and opportunities available to support their well-being. The event will bring together a diverse range of service providers offering information on healthcare, social support, recreational activities, financial guidance, and community services. Seniors will have the opportunity to speak directly with organizations that are committed to supporting them in maintaining independence, dignity, and quality of life. Beyond information and resources, Senior Connect embraces the importance of human connection. Seniors will have opportunities to reconnect with friends, meet new people, and build meaningful relationships within a warm and welcoming environment. A special highlight of the event is the opportunity for seniors to explore volunteerism. Many seniors possess valuable life experience, talents, and wisdom that can positively impact the community. By signing up for volunteer opportunities, seniors can continue to share their gifts, rediscover purpose, and remain actively involved in shaping their community. Senior Connect will also focus on the joy of movement, laughter, and play. The event will feature engaging games, light exercise, and uplifting music that encourage seniors to dance, relax, and enjoy themselves. These activities are carefully included to promote physical wellness, emotional well-being, and social interaction. This initiative recognizes that healthy ageing is not only about access to services, but also about nurturing the mind, body, and spirit. It encourages seniors to connect with organizations that can support them, reconnect with themselves through wellness and recreation, and connect with peers through shared joy and experiences. The Department of Social Development encourages seniors, caregivers, families, and the wider community to come out and celebrate the strength, resilience, and vibrancy of the senior population at this free and uplifting community event. For additional information, persons may contact the Department of Social Development. MARIGOT:--- The Collectivity of Saint Martin hereby informs the public that the Funeral Service is going into the last phase of the grave identification campaign within the various public cemeteries. The deadline is set for June 30th, 2026. As part of the restructuring of our cemeteries and to better preserve our memory sites, a campaign to identify graves will resume. Remembering loved ones and identifying their tomb is essential to organizing our local cemeteries and preserving memorial sites. This identification campaign has several objectives: - Identifying anonymous and abandoned graves - Informing and assisting families in identifying the graves of their deceased loved ones - Creating a database to establish a public registry, allowing everyone to find information about the deceased and their graves. - Identifying particularly old graves of historical interest and highlight public figures resting there. During this last phase, the on-site identification sessions are scheduled only by appointment from Monday to Friday by contacting the funeral department of the Collectivite: by phone: 0590 87 50 04 extension 2004 by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. The following documents enabling the identification process should also be presented: - A copy of the death certificate and/or burial permit - A copy of proof of identity of the person who will carry out the identification All citizens are encouraged to collaborate with the Funeral Service on this identification campaign process, which will contribute to the enhancement of our shared heritage. For additional information, the funeral department of the Collectivite can be reached: PHILIPSBURG:--- Opposition Members of Parliament expressed deep concern and demanded urgent reform following a presentation by the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport (ECYS), Melissa Gumbs. The presentation, which laid out data regarding the current state of the country's educational system, prompted reactions ranging from shock to demands for immediate strategic planning. The gravity of the situation was highlighted by a former Minister of Education, now sitting as an MP, Lyndon Lewis, who suggested the data was so "troubling" that the meeting perhaps should have been held behind closed doors. I believe this meeting should have been a closed-door meeting, the MP stated, addressing Minister Gumbs directly. Especially with the results and the data that Ive gotten today... Minister, I feel your pain. The former Minister emphasized that while socioeconomic factors like parents working two jobs are valid challenges, they cannot become excuses for a failing system. Drawing a comparison to the northern side of the island, the MP questioned why students there seem to master languages effectively while the local system struggles. The MP also raised concerns about teacher motivation, suggesting that feedback from parents indicates some educators are merely "working for a salary" rather than investing in student success. Demands for a Concrete Plan The discussion on the floor quickly turned to fiscal responsibility and strategy. MP Francisco Lacroes issued a stern warning regarding the education budget, demanding a clear roadmap before any funds are approved. The previous speaker took the words right out of my mouth, but I want to go a step further, MP Lacroes told the Parliament. If we are to see an increase in the ECYS budget, we need a clear plan from the Minister on where and how these funds will be spent. MP Lacroes was emphatic that budget cuts were not an option he would entertain, urging the Minister of Finance to collaborate closely with Minister Gumbs to find revenue-generating measures. Dont even whisper that to me, he said regarding potential cuts. If the minister has a plan, please bring that plan to Parliament... because this is unacceptable. Calls for Diversification MP Omar Ottley focused his critique on the rigid structure of the current educational system, arguing that it fails to account for the diverse talents of the youth. He expressed embarrassment over previous statistics regarding illiteracy rates cited by the Prime Minister and called for a shift in perspective. We are judging each and every child with the same performance stick and that should never be, Ottley argued. While systematic education is important, building our community is more important. Ottley pushed for a stronger emphasis on vocational training, citing the National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA) as a vital asset. He warned against a "one-track mind" that prioritizes traditional academic paths like law or medicine over essential trades such as carpentry, mechanics, and masonry. To illustrate his point, Ottley shared an anecdote about a student labeled as "autistic" by the school system who possessed "borderline genius" mathematical abilities but was at risk of falling through the cracks because he did not fit the standard academic mold. If we go on the school system with blinders on, youre going to take this kid... and the child gets lost on the wayside, Ottley cautioned. He urged the Ministry to adopt a philosophy of diversification to ensure students who are not academically inclined but are gifted in other areas can still contribute to "country building." Willingness to Collaborate Despite the sharp criticisms, the opposition members expressed a willingness to work across the aisle to solve the crisis. The former Minister of Education offered to participate in committees or caucuses to develop initiatives that would make "education attractive again." I come here to step on nobodys toes, but the reality is the reality, the MP concluded. Everybody has to put in their work to make sure that our leaders of tomorrow are brought up to par. SYDNEY, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Three people, including two teenage girls, have been hospitalized after they were struck by lightning in Western Australia (WA) on Thursday. Ambulance paramedics were called to reports that a man aged in his 70s had been struck by lightning in the northern suburbs of the WA capital of Perth shortly after 8:30 a.m. on Thursday. He was treated at the scene before being taken to the hospital in a serious but non-life-threatening condition. A short time later, paramedics were called to a school in Perth's outer east around 10:10 a.m. to treat two teenage girls who were struck by lightning. Both girls suffered injuries not considered life-threatening and were taken to separate hospitals for treatment. The lightning storm on Thursday morning caused the closure of several train lines across Perth and a blackout that affected around 3,000 homes. 'You're right to worry about your bills and jobs,' Starmer tells UK as oil tops $110 a barrel in Trump war You're right to worry about bills, says PM as oil at $110 in Trump war Kasstan-Dabush points to the proportion of children in England who received their first dose of the MMR jab in 2024-25, roughly 89 per cent, and less than the 95 per cent threshold the WHO recommends in order to stop the spread of disease. Patchy vaccination coverage is allowing measles to spread and is putting children at risk of serious complications, and at risk of death as we saw last year in Liverpool, he says. There, at least 17 children were treated for measles in the summer of 2025, with experts citing some of the lowest uptakes of childhood vaccinations in England as one reason behind the issue. The good news is that if you think it already happens then presumably you will have no problem in agreeing to my Bill to make it compulsory, she said. The GP and independent member of the House of Keys, said Whitehall had not raised questions fundamental to the principles behind the Bill, and he insisted it really is a matter of royal assent being granted so that we can get on with the significant amount of additional consultation we will need to do to bring it into implementation. Allow Google Search To use the search feature, we need your consent to load Google Custom Search, which may use cookies or similar technologies. Please click 'Allow and Continue' below to enable search. See our privacy policy for more information. Allow and Continue But its not about being inclusive in the moment. I want to be able to do this for as long as Mary (Berry) has done it. I want that longevity. I want to be able to do it for years and years, but I dont want to be a token, but because Im good at it, because I know my shows were amazing. Despite previously stating he would accompany her back to the UK this week, Andrews remained in Dubai, where he lives. Instead, he took to social media to once again allude to the couples plans to start a family, sharing an image of a baby bottle alongside the caption: What are your plans for next year? SINGAPORE, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland and Hong Kong were Singapore's third- and fourth-largest partners for services imports in 2024, respectively, the Singapore Department of Statistics said on Thursday. Singapore's payments for services imports from the Chinese mainland totaled 38 billion Singapore dollars (about 30 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, up 8.2 percent from 2023. The main categories were business management, telecommunications, computer and information, and transport services. Payments for services imports from Hong Kong rose 17.5 percent year-on-year to 23.5 billion Singapore dollars (about 18.6 billion dollars). Key segments included business management, financial, and transport services. The United States and the European Union ranked as Singapore's top two services import partners in 2024. On the export side, Singapore's leading services markets were the European Union, the United States, Japan, Australia and ASEAN. Singapore's overall services trade, defined as the sum of exports and imports, reached 1,021.4 billion Singapore dollars (about 808.3 billion dollars) in 2024, an increase of 13 percent from the previous year. A Tesla Cybercab on the test track at Gigafactory Texas last week. The vehicle's program manager is leaving Tesla just ahead of scheduled production of the purpose-built robotaxi. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman A leader key to the development of Tesla Inc.s Cybercab is leaving the company just weeks ahead of the scheduled start of production. Victor Nechita, vehicle program manager for the product CEO Elon Musk has said is a key to the companys future, is departing after almost six years at the Austin automaker. His exit comes with Tesla working toward an April deadline to begin producing the purpose-built robotaxi. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Leading the team through the development of Cybercab has been a humbling experience, watching so many dedicated individuals develop a product that has pushed the boundaries of efficiency, safety, and affordability, Nechita said in a LinkedIn post. He added gratitude for the leaders who trusted me with these programs. At Tesla, a vehicle program managers duties can include defining vehicle specifications, developing product business cases, communicating program direction and negotiating program schedules, according to a job description for the role on its Semi vehicle. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source The company did not respond to a request for comment on Nechitas exit. But his departure follows that of a fellow vehicle program manager Model Y leader Emmanuel Lamacchia along with several other executives and company veterans who bowed out in recent months. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Earlier this month, Vice President Raj Jegannathan announced plans to depart from his role at Gigafactory Texas after 13 years with the company. A Tesla Cybercab is seen this week in a shop in Austin. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Other high-profile exits last year included David Lau, vice president of software engineering; Siddhant Awasthi, program manager for Cybertruck and Model 3; and Jenna Ferrua, North American director of human resources. The list continues with head of battery architecture Vineet Mehta and Milan Kovac, who was vice president of the Optimus humanoid robotics program. Omead Afshar oversaw Teslas manufacturing and operations in North America and Europe until he was fired last summer by Musk. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The exodus of Teslas talent comes after two years of declining sales a trend that hasnt turned so far in 2026 as U.S. sales fell 17% in January from a year ago. Tesla has been promoting a discounted Cybertruck, a seven-seat version of its Model Y and pinning major revenue hope on its Robotaxi services. Currently, Tesla uses Model Ys for a relatively small, human-monitored robotaxi fleet that has been involved in 14 crashes in Austin since starting operations in June. Cybercab could soon be part of the mix. Late last week, Cybercabs were seen on the test track at Gigafactory Texas, including one with a human in the front passenger seat and no rearview mirrors. It was unclear if the prototypes had steering wheels or control pedals, though Musk says the cars will be fully autonomous, built with no controls. Another company official has said it could be built with driver controls as Teslas entry-level EV. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The University of Texas at Austin is partnering with the Space Force on keeping an eye on threats from space. Scott Marion/Edwardsville Intelligencer file photo A contrail from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lights up the sky at sunset after a launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base on February 14, 2026, seen from Thousand Oaks, CA. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images) Kevin Carter/Getty Images The University of Texas at Austin will be the first academic institution to work directly with the U.S. Space Force to keep an eye on threats from space. UTs new Space Domain Awareness Lab is partnering with the service President Donald Trump this week called my baby to monitor objects such as satellites and space junk orbiting Earth and watch for potential attacks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This partnership provides a path to solve real problems, collaborate across industry and government, provide expert mentorship, interact with operators, and deliver operational capability to Space Battle Managers, Space Force Lt. Col. Collin Greiser said in a statement. The new UT lab, launched last year with a $9.3 million grant from the Texas Space Commission, is becoming part of a program to help the Space Force incorporate emerging technologies and create a place where service members can work with their counterparts in industry, academia, and national labs. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source It will be part of the universitys engineering school and operate in coordination with a similar privately owned lab in Colorado Springs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The facility anchors Texas within the national space security defense research ecosystem, Moriba Jah, a professor and lead researcher on the grant, told UT News. This effort allows us to develop and rigorously test scalable analytic methods to detect and track objects in orbit, then provide those capabilities to operational partners. According to the Space Force, the states two-year grant will go toward building out the lab, training operators and creating a secure computer infrastructure for the work. It said the lab will be operational as early as December. The Space Commission approved the grant during its last meeting of 2025. The funds came from a $150 million Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research fund the Legislature created in 2023. The last chunk of the funds was awarded earlier this month for a $14.1 million project led by Rice University. It is creating a center for space technologies within the university's space institute. The UT lab is connecting with the service Trump highlighted Tuesday in his State of the Union address. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This is a different fighting force than we had years ago when we fought to tie. You know, its a great fighting force. Im so proud of it, he said during comments about the January raid on Venezuela Look at Space Force. Space Force is my baby. As we did that, my baby is becoming so important. A long-running patent lawsuit between a branch of North Carolinas What-A-Burger restaurants and Texas-based Whataburger has ended. (Photo by Mikayla Whitmore for The Washington Post via Getty Images) The Washington Post/The Washington Post via Getty Im A yearslong legal fight between Texas-based Whataburger and North Carolinas What-A-Burger is officially over. The dispute began in 2023 as Whataburger prepared to expand into North Carolina. The Texas chain alleged that What-A-Burger restaurants were selling goods and services too similar to its own and violating trademark protections. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Now, both sides say the matter has been resolved. What happened in the Whataburger lawsuit? According to WSOC-TV, via the Charlotte Observer, the two companies signed a confidential coexistence agreement in 2023 allowing limited use of the name What-A-Burger #13. Court filings said the North Carolina restaurants could continue using the What-A-Burger name for their existing locations and a food truck. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Whataburger later alleged that a new What-A-Burger location opened just days before the agreement was finalized and that the move was not disclosed. Attorneys for What-A-Burger #13 and its owner, Zeb Bost, argued that Whataburger breached a decades-old agreement with the Bost family that allowed the North Carolina business to operate without interference in Stanly and Cabarrus counties. Despite the claims, the companies have reached a resolution. According to Chron, a Whataburger spokesperson said this matter is being resolved to the satisfaction of both parties. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What is the history of Whataburger? Whataburger was founded Aug. 8, 1950, by Harmon Dobson and Paul Burton as a small burger stand in Corpus Christi. According to the Texas State Historical Association, Dobson wrote in his journal on New Years Day 1950 that he believed it would be an eventful year. Months later, he helped finance the first Whataburger location with a simple goal: create a burger so big and flavorful it would prompt customers to say, What a burger! Dobson secured the Whataburger trademark from the Texas Secretary of State on June 23, 1950. The companys first neon sign famously flashed in stages: What A Burger Whataburger. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What is North Carolinas What-A-Burger? According to the Charlotte Observer, North Carolinas What-A-Burger was founded in 1956 by E.L. Bost and C.W. Bost out of a Concord diner. In addition to its signature What-A-Burger, the chain serves hot dogs, fish sandwiches, barbecue and chicken tenders. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A sign for a Nvidia office building is shown in Santa Clara, Calif., on May 31, 2023. The artificial intelligence chipmaker on Wednesday announced another quarter of astounding growth. Associated Press file photo Artificial intelligence chipmaker Nvidia on Wednesday announced another quarter of astounding growth as investors try to decipher whether technologys latest craze is overblown hyperbole or a springboard into a new era of prosperity and productivity. The results for the November-January period blew past the analyst projections that shape investors perceptions, as has been the case since Nvidias high-end chips emerged as AIs best building blocks three years ago. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Nvidias fiscal fourth-quarter revenue surged 73% from the previous year to $68.1 billion while its profit nearly doubled to roughly $43 billion, or $1.76 per share. No quarter has had more riding on it than this one, said Jake Behan, head of capital markets for the investment firm Direxion. The AI trade needed some positive news and Nvidias earnings report brought plenty of it. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source The Santa Clara, California, company also provided a forecast exceeding analyst projections while its CEO Jensen Huang reinforced the demand for the companys chips is still skyrocketing. That description feeds into Huangs thesis that the AI boom is still in the early stages of a buildout that will reshape society. If Nvidia hits its revenue target for the February-April period, it will translate into a 77% increase from last year a sign that the companys already phenomenal growth rate is still accelerating. Advertisement Article continues below this ad AI is here, AI is not going to go back, Huang said during a conference call with analysts. AI is only going to only get better from here. Nvidia, which plans to mass-produce AI supercomputers in Texas as part of its U.S. manufacturing push, has software development, data center, networking and other corporate teams based in Austin. Despite the stellar results and still-rosy outlook, many investors still evidently are worried about a jarring comedown after a three-year boom that has seen Nvidias market value soar from $400 billion at the end of 2022 to nearly $4.8 trillion now. After initially rising 4% in extended trading after the latest quarterly numbers came out, Nvidias stock price backtracked and was slightly down following Huangs upbeat conference call. Nvidia has regularly cleared the bar set by analysts in the past three years, often by a wide margin, but that hasnt always been enough to satisfy investors who have become increasingly skeptical about whether AI will justify the trillions of dollars that are being spent to develop the technology. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After Nvidia delivered a stellar performance that far exceeded analyst forecasts in its last quarterly report, its stock price still fell by 3% during the next days trading. The AI fervor has escalated again during the past month as the four companies leading the AI charge Amazon, Microsoft, Google parent Alphabet and Facebook parent Meta Platforms collectively made commitments to spend about $650 billion this year ramping up their AI computing power. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A significant amount of the money is expected to be earmarked to buy more Nvidia chips required to power their AI factories, just as has been the case for much of the past three years as Nvidias annual revenue soared from $27 billion to $216 billion. Analysts expect the chipmakers revenue to surpass $330 billion during the companys next fiscal year, a more than 50% increase from the past year. BRENHAM, TEXAS - JULY 18: Christy Moran, research and development manager, talks about ice cream at the Blue Bell Creameries, 1101 South Blue Bell Rd., on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 in Brenham. (Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images) Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspap/Houston Chronicle via Getty Imag Blue Bell, Texas favorite ice cream brand, is launching a new Honey Vanilla flavor just as it prepares to travel the state handing out free scoops, kicking off what could be an early start to ice cream season. The Brenham-based ice cream maker announced this week it is rolling out Honey Vanilla, a limited-time pint that blends classic vanilla with the "mild sweetness" of honey that began arriving on store shelves Thursday. The new flavor arrives in stores now and comes as the company prepares for a statewide promotional tour that will stop in several major Texas cities. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We are buzzing with excitement over the release of our first new flavor of the year, said Carl Breed, Blue Bell vice president, sales & marketing. Honey Vanilla is for those who love simple flavors done right. The rich, creamy ice cream texture blends perfectly with the honey's mild sweetness. Honey vanilla was created to enjoy on its own, but it also pairs well with desserts like cookies, cakes and brownies." Look for the honeycomb-themed packaging on store shelves if you want to give it a taste. The Brenham-based ice cream maker announced this week it is rolling out Honey Vanilla, a limited-time pint that blends classic vanilla with a mild honey sweetness that began arriving on store shelves Thursday. Courtesy of Blue Bell The launch marks Blue Bells first new flavor of the year and comes alongside the return of Java Jolt, a coffee-based flavor with dark chocolate chunks and a fudge swirl. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Blue Bell tour coming to Texas cities The new flavor rollout aligns with Blue Bells upcoming Lone Star Scoop Tour, a statewide promotional event that will make a stop in Austin this spring. Lissette Nesloney juggles her Blue Bell Ice Cream and a television microphone in front H-E-B freezers Monday, Aug. 31, 2015, in Brenham. ( Steve Gonzales / Houston Chronicle ) (Photo by Steve Gonzales/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images) Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspap/Houston Chronicle via Getty Imag The tour is set to begin March 1 in Brenham, where the company was founded in 1907, before traveling to major Texas cities including San Antonio, Houston, Austin, Dallas and others. Blue Bell said its Austin stop will be held at a local retail partner or community event, though exact details and timing have not yet been announced. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The company said the tour is meant to thank the Texas communities that have supported the brand for more than a century. For Austin, where long summers and outdoor events are part of the culture, the stop could draw large crowds once dates and locations are released. How to get free Blue Bell ice cream The biggest draw for fans may be the free ice cream. Advertisement Article continues below this ad BRENHAM, TEXAS - JULY 18: A visitor photographs a display in the ice cream parlor at Blue Bell Creameries, 1101 South Blue Bell Rd., on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 in Brenham. (Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images) Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspap/Houston Chronicle via Getty Imag At each stop, Blue Bell plans to hand out complimentary scoops during set event windows, along with merchandise and opportunities to see the companys new promotional truck up close. Exact times and locations vary by city, and attendees are encouraged to check the tour schedule in advance because supplies and serving hours may be limited. Fall foliage frames the skyline of downtown Austin, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman The robots think Austin is creative, smart and sexy. A new artificial intelligence-powered ranking suggests Austins national reputation is built on creativity, music, friendliness and even sex appeal. The site inequalities.ai used a large language model, GPT-4o-mini, to compare major U.S. cities in millions of head-to-head matchups. Researchers asked the system to choose which city was safer, more creative, more welcoming or more innovative, forcing it to pick one city at a time. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Each matchup was asked twice to test consistency. Austin earned points when it was chosen both times and lost points when it wasnt meaning that scores with higher numbers show how much better Austin ranked than the cities it was compared to. The final score reflects how often the AI selected Austin over other cities and is based on perception, not hard data. Heres what the model thinks about Austin. Kevin Parker of Tame Impala performs on Nov. 7, 2021, at Germania Insurance Amphitheater in Austin. Robert Hein for American-Statesman Austins reputation is built on creativity and music Austins strongest identity is cultural. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source The city scored 142 on whether people are more creative and 138 on whether the city itself is seen as more creative than others placing it among the countrys top cities for artistic reputation. Music remains central to that image. Austin scored 89 for having a vibrant music scene and about 87 for having better music and musicians, reinforcing its Live Music Capital of the World branding. The only cultural category where Austin lagged slightly was museums, with a score of 22. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A University of Texas at Austin student walks down the stairs in front of UT Tower on the first day of the spring semester Monday, Jan. 9, 2023 in Austin. Aaron Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Education and innovation fuel Austins tech image The ChatGPT website displays on a computer screen in Krakow, Poland, on February 17, 2026. Developed by OpenAI, this AI-powered chatbot uses large language models to assist users with text generation and problem-solving. (Photo by Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images The rankings also reflect Austins tech-forward reputation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The city scored in the high 80s for forward-thinking and technology-driven education, as well as hands-on and innovative learning. It received scores in the mid-60s for producing stronger research and attracting global academic talent. Its lowest score in this category around 30 was in medical research, reflecting the absence of a massive medical research ecosystem like those in Houston or Boston. One of the most social and welcoming cities The rankings suggest Austins strongest identity may be social rather than economic. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The city scored 90 for being friendlier and 89 for being easier to make friends in. It ranked in the mid-80s for hospitality, generosity and trust in strangers. It also scored low in negative traits. Compared with other cities, the model was less likely to associate Austin with being boring, stingy or unfriendly. Darwin Hamilton touches a mosaic he tiled in honor of his great grandfather, William T. Dedrick, on the side of the African American Cultural and Heritage Center in Austin, Oct. 1, 2025. The center was built after the city acquired Hamiltons ancestral property through eminent domain. The home on the land, which is still standing, was built by Hamiltons great great grandfather after he was freed from slavery. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Diversity and inclusion: strong on acceptance, average on diversity The most nuanced results appeared in inclusion and diversity. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Austin scored in the 60s and 70s for LGBTQ+ acceptance, gender equality and inclusive policies. It received a 77 for social mobility and strong marks for being less discriminatory and more accepting overall. In head-to-head comparisons, the model more often selected other cities as more racist. However, Austin scored just 1 on diversity suggesting it is viewed as roughly average among major U.S. cities, neither especially diverse nor notably lacking. Attractive and unconventional Austin also scored in the 80s for attractiveness and being described as sexy, while ranking lower in negative physical traits such as being ugly or unhealthy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The dataset also revealed some unusual associations, including stronger-than-average rankings in smell-related categories. The OpenAI logo appears on a smartphone screen with an Nvidia logo in the background. Nvidia announces an adjustment to its planned investment in OpenAI in Creteil, France, on February 20, 2026. (Photo by Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images What the rankings mean Because the results come from a language model trained on large amounts of internet text, they reflect how Austin is talked about and represented not hard statistics on safety, wealth or demographics. Advertisement Article continues below this ad AMMAN, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Jordan produces more than 4,500 pharmaceutical products and exports to 85 markets worldwide, making the industry one of the kingdom's leading export-oriented sectors, according to an industry representative. "The pharmaceutical industry represents one of the most promising sectors in Jordan due to its accumulated expertise and adherence to high-quality standards," Fadi Atrash, representative of the pharmaceutical and medical supplies industries sector in Jordan Chamber of Industry, told Xinhua in a recent interview. He said that the sector currently comprises nearly 30 manufacturing facilities across the kingdom, with registered capital estimated at around 350 million Jordanian dinars (about 493 million U.S. dollars). It provides approximately 10,000 direct jobs, he added. He noted that Jordanian companies continue investing in research and development and upgrading production technologies to maintain competitiveness in regional and international markets. Industry representatives noted that regulatory progress has also played an important role in strengthening the sector's global standing. In an interview with Xinhua, the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) said its accession to the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S) in January marked a significant milestone in aligning Jordan's pharmaceutical oversight system with international Good Manufacturing Practices standards. With the accession, Jordan became the 57th authority worldwide to join the organization, according to JFDA. The membership enhances confidence in Jordanian pharmaceutical products, facilitates access to global markets, improves the global competitiveness of Jordanian pharmaceutical industry, strengthens regulatory cooperation, and increases the exchange of information related to medicine quality and safety, it added. Mary Thomas, a Manor ISD trustee, died Feb. 14. Provided by NeShaun Jones Family, education and love of God: these were the pillars that defined Manor Independent School District Trustee Mary Thomas' life. Thomas, 71, died Feb. 14 after decades of service to public school students as a teacher, principal, advocate, volunteer and school board trustee. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Education that was who she was, said NeShaun Jones, Thomas' daughter. She was a strong advocate for children. Thomas taught in Commerce ISD, near Dallas, before she moved to Austin, where she also taught. She taught special education students, led gifted and talented programs, served as a middle school principal and was a grant program specialist. Thomas also spent decades volunteering in the schools. She fell in love with education when she was in Commerce, Jones said. She just had a passion and a niche for education right there in Commerce. It just kind of became a thing. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Thomas joined the Manor ISD board of trustees in 2022 and later served as the boards vice president. She lived in Manor for more than 20 years. Her term on the Manor school board was set to expire in November; trustees have not yet decided how to handle the vacancy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thomas' death is a tremendous loss, Board President Ana Cortez said in a statement. Dr. Thomas was a servant leader in every sense of the word, Cortez said. She believed deeply in the power of education to transform lives and worked tirelessly to ensure students had opportunities to succeed. Manor Superintendent Robert Sormani called Thomas an amazing educator and leader and friend, in a Feb. 15 post on social media. Its hard to overstate her impact on Austins public education, students and community, Sormani said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thomas valued the power of education in all areas of her life. She held high expectations for her own two children, especially since Thomas herself was a first-generation college student, Jones said. Her legacy and the torch that she leaves is going to carry on, Jones said. Thomas graduated from Texas A&M University-Commerce in 1975 and later received a masters degree in special education and administration and a doctorate in education administration. She also spent time on boards like the Austin Area Alliance of Black School Educators and the Association of Compensatory Educators of Texas. When she wasnt working in or around the classroom, Thomas loved traveling anywhere near water or watching court-related shows like Judge Judy or CSI. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jones thought it was fitting that her mother died on Valentines Day, a holiday honoring love, which Thomas embodied in all aspects of her life. The family gathered in the Dallas area, where Jones lives, for a weekend get-together, and they surrounded Thomas when she died. Thomas had seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The family is hosting a celebration of life 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28 at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church. This report was updated to correct Mary Thomas' name. A Reagan Outdoor Advertising billboard in North Austin seeks billboard employees in a tight Central Texas job market. [Ken Herman/American-Statesman] Austin American-Statesman A proposal to loosen Austins longstanding restrictions on billboards returns to the City Council on Thursday for a public hearing, reviving a decades-old debate over outdoor advertising in the city. The ordinance, sponsored by Council Member Chito Vela, would amend city code to allow certain billboards to relocate if the property beneath them is redeveloped for housing. It would also reduce the required distance between a billboard and a residence from 500 feet to 150 feet. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The item was initially scheduled for the Jan. 22 council meeting but was pulled from the agenda two days before the vote. Since then, Vela has revised the proposal, though opponents say their concerns remain. Austin has tightly regulated billboards for decades. Current city code prohibits billboards within 500 feet of a residential structure and largely bars the construction of new signs. In late January, the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the revised relocation provisions. Under the proposal, billboard owners could move existing signs rather than remove them outright when redevelopment or transportation projects displace them. If the city requires removal of a billboard, state law mandates that the owner be compensated. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Vela declined an interview request to discuss his proposal. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Austin City Council Member Jose Chito Vela socializes at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees watch party in support of the passage of Proposition Q at the Brewtorium, Nov. 4, 2025. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman In a message sent Tuesday to the mayor and council members, Vela said the ordinance is intended to address situations in which billboards are forced off properties because of public infrastructure projects or new residential development. "Allowing the relocation of a sign because of a transportation project reduces the money the city would have to pay to the billboard owner in any condemnation proceedings," Vela wrote. "We have lots of transportation projects moving forward and many more on the way. I want our transportation dollars to go toward the actual project and not to pay for the cost of condemning a billboard." Some neighborhood advocates argue the change would weaken protections for residential areas and could depress property values. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Im incredibly frustrated and disappointed that they are putting the interests of billboard companies above regular people, said Bob Schmidt of the Cherrywood Neighborhood Association. If you move a billboard into a neighborhood where there wasnt one before which is what this ordinance will allow its going to ruin peoples neighborhoods. Austin City Hall in downtown Austin Villalpando, Rob (CMG-Austin)/Austin American-Statesman Margaret Lloyd, an advisory board member of Scenic Texas, said she was concerned about what she described as limited public engagement during the drafting of the ordinance, particularly given Austins long and contentious history with billboard regulation. There is nothing unfair about paying constitutionally required just compensation when the city needs land for public projects, Lloyd wrote in a letter to the mayor and council. Why would the city treat sign owners different from, even better than, other properties that must be condemned? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Reagan Outdoor Advertising, one of Austins largest billboard operators, expressed support for the measure. Austin continues to experience significant growth and infrastructure investment, Billy Reagan, the companys general manager, said in a statement. As public projects advance and corridors evolve, existing signs are often impacted. The proposed relocation process is designed to responsibly address those impacts while balancing community compatibility and economic realities. Campaign finance reports show that nearly every current council member, except Paige Ellis and Marc Duchen, has received campaign contributions from members of the Reagan family from 2018 to 2025. Individual contributions from the family appear to range from $450 to more than $3,000. Council members Natasha Harper-Madison, Ryan Alter, Vanessa Fuentes and Jose Velasquez did not respond to questions about how they plan to vote or about the contributions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Council Member Krista Laine said in a prepared statement that she has not made a final decision and would "evaluate every item based on its merits, community input, and what I believe is best for Austin." "I have received campaign contributions from a wide range of individuals and stakeholders across Austin, as is common in municipal campaigns," she said. "I am grateful that Austin has in place campaign donation limits which help to keep policymakers unbiased. Council Member Mike Siegel said he opposes the ordinance. I did receive a Reagan donation. It will not affect my vote, Siegel said in a statement. This is an important question that gets at the heart of campaign finance reform and democracy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Council Member Zo Qadri also said Wednesday that he plans to vote against the proposal, citing opposition from residents in his district. Im guided by my constituents and making sure that I do right by folks in District 9, Qadri said. Im not guided by any donation. Campaign records show Vela has received contributions from seven members of the Reagan family more than any other council member. Vela did not respond to written questions about whether the donations present a conflict of interest. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Austin City Hall in downtown Austin Villalpando, Rob (CMG-Austin)/Austin American-Statesman The Austin City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance for a citywide efficiency study Thursday. The ordinance would establish a comprehensive efficiency assessment program to examine city operations and identify potential savings with the help of a third party consultant. Mayor Kirk Watson called it a really proud step for the city, noting that he does not know of any other city doing a systemic citywide ongoing independent efficiency assessment and that the move continues the practice of Austin being in a unique position of leading. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It's both a back-to-basics and a modernization of local government, he said. The ordinance directs City Auditor Jason Hadavi to initiate the audit within a year and post the proposed schedule, recommendations and implementation progress on the city website. The work doesn't stop here, Council Member Marc Duchen, who first proposed the efficiency study in August, said after the vote. We'll need to continue to be vigilant long after this vote. Well need to work with the auditor and get regular updates and ensure that we're receiving audit recommendations in a timely way to make informed budget choices and I look forward to that work. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source The audit ordinance comes in the wake of voters' overwhelming rejection of Proposition Q, a ballot measure proposed by council that would have raised property taxes by over 20% to fund an array of city projects including homelessness response services. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Though the citywide audit had been proposed as far back as August after Duchen noticed a similar effort in Houston, the idea garnered wider political support after the November election. Mayor Kirk Watson launched his ordinance initiative in December. Save Austin Now Treasurer Leland Bickers opens signatures pages as employees and volunteers validate signatures on a petition to change the city charter and force the city to hold an audit at their headquarters downtown, Feb. 6, 2026. Save Austin Now will check that all the signatures on the petition belong to City of Austin voters and make a count of valid signatures before delivering the petitions to the clerk. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman A parallel effort is currently ongoing to enshrine a citywide audit in the citys charter. That effort is spearheaded by Save Austin Now PAC, which also led the charge against Proposition Q. Though the group missed the deadline to put the measure on the May ballot, PAC leaders told the Statesman they expect to get the amendment on the November ballot. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax, left, and Mayor Kirk Watson discuss a new city budget at City Hall on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. The Austin City Council is set to vote on a budget that includes millions of dollars in spending cuts after voters rejected Proposition Q in November, a ballot measure that would have raised property taxes and generated $110 million in new revenue. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman The Austin City Council is expected Thursday to vote on an amended ordinance creating a citywide efficiency review program, an initiative Mayor Kirk Watson launched weeks after Austin voters overwhelmingly rejected a major city property tax hike in November. Watson and several council members said the failure of the measure, known as Proposition Q, reflected deep skepticism among residents about how the city spends taxpayer dollars and underscored the need to demonstrate fiscal discipline. The ordinance now under consideration would establish a comprehensive efficiency assessment program to examine city operations and identify potential savings with the help of an outside consultant. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If the economy goes south, if other pressures force us to make difficult decisions, [those] decisions will be less severe having done this work and identifying efficiencies, cost savings, creating resources or freeing up resources that are being spent, Council Member Marc Duchen, who proposed the citywide efficiency study, said. Austin City Council member Marc Duchen speaks at a city council meeting onThursday, Sept. 25, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman In a Feb. 2 letter to council, union leaders said members had strong concerns about the intent, impact and timeline of the ordinance and urged officials to slow the process, arguing the measure had been posted for action too quickly and without meaningful consultation with frontline employees. Save Austin Now volunteers Rebecca Young and Kelley Wallace validate signatures on a petition to change the city charter and force the city to hold an audit at their headquarters downtown, Feb. 6, 2026. Save Austin Now will check that all the signatures on the petition belong to City of Austin voters and make a count of valid signatures before delivering the petitions to the clerk. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Save Austin Now President Matt Mackowiak stamps a 00001 on the first page of validated signatures at SANs headquarters downtown, Feb. 6, 2026. The page contained two signatures- of Mackowiak and his wife. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman We are writing this letter to call on the Austin City Council to operate at the speed of trust, the unions president, Brydan Summers, wrote in the four-page letter, which detailed a variety of additional concerns with the audit, including the cost and expected return on investment of hiring a third-party consultant to conduct the analysis. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source The amended ordinance council will vote on Thursday incorporates several changes to address those concerns, including directing the city auditor to create a process for employees to submit suggestions and requiring written responses from department leaders to any recommendations. It also mandates notification to the citys Audit and Finance Committee if proposals involve major reorganizations, reductions in force or outsourcing. The revised language acknowledges city employees as partners in identifying efficiencies and signals a preference for minimizing layoffs and privatization. Brydan Summers, President of AFSCME 1624, speaks to reporters at a news conference at Parque Zaragosa to announce the Care Not Cuts campaign to support Proposition Q on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. A coalition of unions, first responders, social workers, and community leaders announced a coalition of over 20 organizations in support of the upcoming City of Austins tax rate election Proposition Q. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman The Watson-backed measure appears to have sufficient support to clear the 11-member council. Duchen and three other council members Zo Qadri, Krista Laine and Mike Siegel told the American-Statesman they planned to vote in favor of the ordinance while Council Member Ryan Alter has expressed support for it publicly. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Summers told the American-Statesman the union now supports the ordinance but remains concerned about the potential for layoffs amid the citys ongoing budget crunch. What were more interested in looking into is: Do we have a bloated upper management structure at the city? Are there too many people in the executive roles, which are the highest paid? Are we making the best use of our contractual resources, our software systems and things like that? Summers said. They will find inefficiency there, and [it] will be good for us to resolve it. Brydan Summers, second from right, President of AFSCME 1624, joins Austin workers and first responders to announce the Care Not Cuts campaign to support Proposition Q at a news conference at Parque Zaragosa on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. A coalition of unions, first responders, social workers, and community leaders announced a coalition of over 20 organizations in support of the upcoming City of Austins tax rate election Proposition Q. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Steve Goodson, an accounting professor at the University of Texas who reviewed the revised ordinance, said it was a more mature approach to seeking efficiency in government and that the AFSCME additions strengthened the policy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The timeframe allows for a mature process that will be fair to those that are being reviewed and provide better information to the citizens and to the decisionmakers, he said. Looking at these things can be good and will provide more effective and efficient services to the citizens of Austin. A similar efficiency push in 2020 in Sacramento was successful but some of the recommendations were difficult to implement due to political blowback, said Jorge Oseguera, who was the city auditor at the time. It is a worthwhile effort to undergo, he said. I think the big question is: Is there political appetite to pursue some of the more challenging options that come out of an effort like this? That, only time will tell. The efficiency effort comes amid an external push to enshrine a similar audit requirement in city charter. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That effort, led by the Save Austin Now PAC, originally aimed to get a measure on the May ballot to require a similar review. After missing the deadline to submit petition signatures to the city clerk earlier this month, the PAC told the Statesman they expect to get the amendment on the November ballot. Save Austin Now supports any effort to seriously review city spending to seek efficiencies, but this ordinance is not a serious substitute for the charter amendment, Save Austin Now co-chair Matt Mackowiak said, adding that a charter amendment can only be removed by another charter amendment while city ordinances can be overturned with a council vote. The parallel efforts come not just amid voter skepticism of the citys fiscal oversight but also an ongoing budget crisis driven by a variety of other factors including the expiration of federal stimulus dollars, rising costs and state-imposed limits on property tax growth. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cardi B urged her Texas fans to vote for U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the U.S. Senate primary. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images) Omar Vega/Getty Images U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett just added another high-profile celebratory endorsement to her list by none other than rap mogul Cardi B. In a Thursday Instagram story post, the rapper, who is routinely vocal about her politics and opposition to the Trump administration, urged Texas voters back the Dallas-area Democratic congresswoman. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She notified her 164 million followers that early voting is underway in Texas and declared that Texas voters needed Crockett to win. If you want someone thats going to fight for your rights, if you want someone who is going to fight for your community, if you want somebody who is going to go up there and represent you and represent your issues, please vote for my sister Jasmine Crockett, she said in the nearly-minute-long video. One thing about it, [Crocketts] going to fight her best, shes going to fight whoever she has to, so your voice and your problems can be heard, Cardi added. Vote right now, this counts so much. Vote right now. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Crocketts campaign Instagram reposted Cardis video, saying, Yall heard my good sis!! Shes on a SOLD OUT tour and still took a minute to tap in. Weve got 2 days of early voting left. Lets goooooo!!! Advertisement Article continues below this ad Crockett is currently vying in the Texas Democratic primary for U.S. Senator John Cornyns seat against state Rep. James Talarico. The highly competitive contest has garnered significant attention through the campaign trail. Cardi B is not the first celebrity to throw support behind Crockett; just a week ago, the congresswoman posted a video alongside Destinys Child star Kelly Rowland, encouraging voters to get out to the polls. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Crocketts Instagram also features videos with the likes of Scandal actress Kerry Washington and Method Man, aka Clifford Smith Jr., a member of the East Coast hip-hop collective Wu-Tang Clan and half of the hip-hop duo, Method Man & Redman. Those in the spotlight have also criticized Crockett, with the hosts of Las Culturistas, actors and comedians Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang coming under fire for their comments about the congresswomans Senate bid. Anytime a politician is making it too obviously about themselves, Im already done, Matt Rogers said. And dont waste your money sending to Jasmine Crockett. Do not do it, Yang added. I must agree. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The two publicly apologized after backlash that pinned their remarks as racist and misogynistic. A sign indicates the polling place at Austin City Hall as early voting begins for the March primary elections in Texas, Feb. 17, 2026. Voters can cast their ballots to decide who represents Republicans and Democrats in the November midterm elections. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman In 2008, Travis County voters flocked to the polls in record numbers during early voting to cast ballots in highly charged and historic presidential primary races. On the Democratic ticket, a Black man and woman (then-U.S. Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton); On the Republican ticket, a woman vice presidential candidate (Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin). This year, Travis County voters appear similarly energized in the election and its not even a presidential election. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the first eight days of early voting, which began last week, about 10.2% of the countys 920,114 registered voters had cast ballots the highest early turnout at this point in a primary since 2008. That year, about 63,500 voters had cast ballots by this point in early voting. Loading... Thats more than two points higher than the same time period in the 2020 primaries and almost six points higher than the same time period in the 2024 primaries, when voters were selecting party presidential nominees. Texas Voter Guide 2026: What's on the ballot in Austin on March 3? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Voter turnout, in Texas and across the country, is typically highest in presidential election years. In this years primary, Texas voters are choosing party nominees for several high-profile offices, including U.S. Senate, U.S. House, governor and attorney general. The Senate primaries have drawn considerable national attention with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton a loyal Trump ally challenging incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn, and two high-profile candidates U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico duking it out in the Democratic primary race. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Texas is one of a handful of states whose Senate contest is considered potentially competitive at a time when control of the U.S. Senate is held by a razor-thin margin, Joshua Blank, director of research at the Texas Politics Project, said. The intense interest in the race is likely playing a role in high early voting turnout but Blank also noted voters have exhibited an increasing preference for early voting in recent election cycles. He also said this is the first opportunity Democrats have had since President Trump took office to weigh in on important national races, selecting candidates that challenge his agenda. In the first eight days of early voting in Travis County, 74,200 Democratic voters and 19,372 Republican voters cast ballots, which represents about 8.1% and 2.1% of registered voters in the county, respectively. Early voting continues through Feb. 27. Election Day is March 3. District Attorney Jose Garza at his office on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. Mikala Compton/American-Statesman Fight Against Federal Overreach, or FAFO, is a new coalition of elected prosecutors from cities and counties across the country who say they want to protect local communities and hold federal officials accountable if they violate state or local laws. And Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza is a part of it. Garza traveled to Washington, D.C., earlier this month to meet with the group and finalize a list of demands directed at Congress as lawmakers negotiate funding for the Department of Homeland Security. The coalition formed in response to what members say are increasing concerns about federal immigration enforcement tactics, including warrantless entries, unlawful detentions and aggressive operations in local communities. Advertisement Article continues below this ad FAFO argues that federal agents should be subject to the same standards and accountability as local law enforcement. The group says it plans to coordinate investigations, share legal resources and collect evidence about alleged misconduct in their jurisdictions. Jose Garza, right, a then-candidate for Travis County District Attorney, talks to a UT student outside a polling location at the Flawn Academic Center on the UT campus on Tuesday November 3, 2020. JAY JANNER/AMERICAN-STATESMAN Our coalition strongly advocates that Congress approve additional measures to safeguard the rights and safety of our communities, as well as the integrity of our democratic institutions, said Garza. It is important to reiterate that federal law enforcement officers are not immune from state prosecution. Federal officials who commit unlawful acts in this county will be prosecuted and held accountable by this community. Are Democrats reclaiming FAFO? The phrase FAFO, short for [expletive] around and find out, has become a blunt political slogan in recent years, especially among conservative politicians in Texas. FAFO was popularized among the right last year when President Donald Trump made a Truth Social post featuring the phrase. Trump has continued to use the term in his messaging. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The acronym gained more attention in Texas after Gov. Greg Abbott and other Republican leaders began using it. Also last year, Abbott posted the phrase while warning protesters at the Texas Capitol that crossing legal lines would lead to arrests. Other prominent conservatives, including U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, have also used the term in response to political controversies, framing it as a law-and-order message about accountability. Between the Austin Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety, more than a dozen protesters were arrested in Austin. Peaceful protesting is legal. But once you cross the line, you will be arrested. FAFO. @TxDPS Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) June 10, 2025 Now, the Fight Against Federal Overreach coalition raises the possibility that Democrats may be trying to flip the script. By adopting the FAFO acronym, prosecutors like Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza appear to be repurposing a slogan commonly used by conservatives to warn protesters, activists or political opponents. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Why local prosecutors are involved Unlike federal prosecutors, local district attorneys typically handle violations of state law. FAFO members say that means they could bring charges if federal officials commit crimes in their jurisdictions. That matters because presidential pardons only apply to federal offenses, not state cases. Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza speaks at the District Attorneyas Office on Thursday February 17, 2022, about pending indictments of Austin police officers for their actions during the social justice protests in 2020. Jay Janner / American-Statesman In Texas, however, the governor has authority to grant clemency for state convictions, including those brought by local prosecutors. That means any potential prosecution of federal officials in state court could still face political and legal hurdles. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source The coalition also says it is preparing for potential conflicts related to elections and immigration enforcement. Members say they want to create systems for documenting complaints and protecting voters from intimidation or interference. What the group is asking Congress to do The coalition released a detailed list of policy demands tied to DHS funding. Among the proposals: Advertisement Article continues below this ad Requiring federal immigration agents to be clearly identifiable, including name or badge number. Expanding protections around sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, churches and polling places. Limiting enforcement actions near voting sites and during elections. Ending racial profiling and requiring stronger remedies for violations. Setting clearer use-of-force rules, including restrictions on crowd control weapons against nonviolent protesters. Requiring judicial warrants for arrests and home entries. Ending arrest quotas and large-scale enforcement surges. Increasing oversight, healthcare access and family contact for people in detention. July 30, 2020; Washington, DC, USA; The family of Vanessa Guillen joins members of congress to announce plans for the #IAmVanessaGuillen Bill and then march from the U.S. Capitol to the White House in Washington, DC on July 30, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Jasper Colt-USA TODAY Austin American-Statesman The group also wants Congress to allow civil rights lawsuits against federal officials in the same way they can be brought against state and local officers. Does FAFO actually have power? FAFOs influence comes from the offices its members already hold. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Each prosecutor in the coalition, including Garza, has the power to investigate and bring state criminal charges within their own jurisdiction, so if federal agents commit crimes under Texas law such as assault, unlawful entry or civil rights violations a local prosecutor could potentially file charges in state court. Garza has already built a track record of pursuing cases against law enforcement. He campaigned in 2020 on a pledge to hold officers accountable. Since taking office, his administration has brought charges against Austin police officers over 2020 protest injuries, prosecuted officers in multiple on-duty shooting cases and secured at least one rare conviction in an officer-involved shooting though that conviction was later overturned on appeal. His office has also indicted a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper in a separate use-of-force case. Still, the path is complicated. Federal agents often have legal protections when acting within the scope of their duties, and disputes over jurisdiction would likely be fought in court. The outcomes of the cases Garza has taken up have so far been mixed. And the Governor's clemency power poses additional roadblocks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The coalitions immediate impact may be more political than legal. By organizing across jurisdictions, members can share information, coordinate lawsuits and put pressure on Congress to adopt stricter oversight rules. Why this matters in Austin Austin is already living inside the exact friction FAFO says it was built for messy overlap between federal immigration enforcement, state mandates and local policing. Robert Saulter holds a photo of a man who died in ICE custody as he questions Police Chief Lisa Davis during a town hall to address community concerns about Austin police officers cooperating with federal immigration agents at Govalle Elementary School in Austin Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman In recent weeks, that tension has played out publicly as Austin police work to finalize how officers should respond to ICE administrative warrants, or the non-judge-signed immigration warrants that have sparked fresh debate about when local officers should call federal agents, whether they should wait with someone and what kind of paper actually authorizes what. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The city has also seen the legal uncertainty due to competing interpretations of what Texas law requires, how much discretion cities still have, and how much cooperation is actually mandatory versus assumed. A student works on an assignment in ninth grade Arabic class at Iman Academy in Houston. The Texas Comptroller's Office has refused to make vouchers available for many Muslim private schools. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer After retiring from Texas public schools as a teacher and administrator two years ago, I still felt called to serve students and families. In 2024, I accepted a position at an Austin pre-K12 school serving Muslim students, unsure of what to expect. As a Christian, I wondered how I would fit into a school based on Islamic values. To my surprise, this has become one of the most rewarding experiences of my 40-year career in education. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The vast majority of my students were born in Texas. Many of their parents emigrated from the Middle East or South Asia and now work as physicians, attorneys and software engineers in the Austin area. These families are deeply engaged in their childrens education. They volunteer, attend meetings, support school initiatives and partner closely with teachers to ensure academic success. The faculty reflects similar diversity. While many teachers are Muslim, a significant number are not. Like the educators I worked with in Texas public schools, they are knowledgeable, hardworking and deeply committed to the social, emotional and academic development of their students. Like Texas public schools, our teachers follow the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards. Students complete the same core curriculum offered in public schools and are held to high expectations. Most graduates matriculate to respected universities and go on to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There are, however, notable differences from the public schools where I previously worked. Students read at or above grade level. They resolve conflicts with words rather than physical aggression. Drug and alcohol incidents are nonexistent. Profanity is rare. Cell phones are not allowed during the school day and are therefore not a distraction. Another difference is communal prayer. Students gather to pray in the morning and again at midday. Afterward, the religious leader offers a brief homily. Listening to these reflections, I often feel as though I am attending a Sunday School lesson. The themes are familiar: love, forgiveness, compassion, humility and service to others. One topic I have never heard discussed in any alarming or political sense is Sharia law. Curious about the term, I asked the religious teacher what it meant. He explained that Sharia refers to the moral and spiritual principles that guide a Muslims life much as Christians look to the Bible and Jews look to the Torah for direction. He expressed confusion about why some Texas politicians portray Sharia as inherently threatening, when for most Muslims, it simply represents faith-based ethical tenets. What is even more perplexing to our school board and campus leaders is why the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has rejected our families participation in the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program, commonly known as school vouchers, created under Texas Senate Bill 2. Advertisement Article continues below this ad SIGN UP FOR THE AUSTIN ANGLE and get Statesman commentaries in your inbox Our campus meets every statutory requirement outlined in the law. The legislation promised eligibility based on objective criteria, yet our application was denied without transparent explanation. Such selective approval contradicts both the letter and the spirit of the program. The comptroller may deny participation to schools connected to foreign terrorist organizations. Based on my daily experience on this campus, there is absolutely no evidence of radical indoctrination or outside influence. On the contrary, I see Texas-born students from hardworking families seeking a rigorous education that also reflects their faith no different from families who choose private Christian schools that have already been approved for participation in the voucher program. If Texas truly believes in educational freedom, then that freedom must apply equally to all students. My students are Texans. Their parents contribute to our economy and communities. They deserve access to the same opportunities afforded to others. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Fear breeds prejudice. Prejudice fuels discrimination. Texas leaders should apply the law based on facts and fairness, not suspicion or stereotype. The right course is clear: approve vouchers for qualified Islamic schools and ensure that educational choice extends to all families without bias and without exception. Advertisement Article continues below this ad University of Texas nursing students check on a simulated patient in the clinical performance lab in Houston. The proposed rule to exclude nursing from the list of "professional" graduate programs will limit access to student loans for those training to provide advanced care. Michael Ciaglo/Houston Chronicle Warning: The Trump administrations recommendation to strip nursing of its professional status is dangerous to the nations health. It is not just a stab at the heart and dignity of nurses everywhere. It threatens the health care system for all Americans: Democrats, Republicans, liberals, conservatives, rich, poor and middle class all of us. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The proposed rule, announced by the U.S. Department of Education in November, excludes nursing from the list of professional graduate programs, limiting access to the student loans needed to pursue advanced degrees. This reclassification will make it harder to secure deeply needed federal funding for graduate student loans for nurses preparing to become nurse faculty, nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, certified nurse midwives and clinical nurse specialists who provide indispensable primary care, procedural expertise and highly specialized services. These contributions are not supplementary. They are the bedrock of our health care delivery system in America. The numbers are brutal. Over the next decade, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that 194,500 registered nursing positions will go unfilled annually. One third of Americas nursing faculty are over the age of 60. According to the American Academy of Nursing, nearly 66,000 qualified students were turned down from nursing schools in 2023 simply because there werent sufficient faculty to teach them. If you want to find the answer to a problem, follow the money. The decision to reclassify nursing means that federal graduate nursing loans will be reduced from a cap of $50,000 a year to $20,000 a year. This decision will discourage if not destroy the access nurses need to higher education, which allows them to deliver the highest quality care. Advertisement Article continues below this ad SIGN UP FOR THE AUSTIN ANGLE and get Statesman commentaries in your inbox We already have a serious shortage of nursing faculty, limiting the numbers of nurses our nation can produce. The decision to strip nursing graduate degrees of professional status will mean we will not only worsen the nursing shortage, but also diminish the numbers of advanced practice nurses who provide the country with the highest-quality and most affordable health care. For 60 years, I have been an active advocate for nursing. My love for the profession began when I was a student nurse at Georgetown University in 1965. I have testified before Congress on behalf of advanced practice nursing programs in their infancy. As a volunteer for over half a century for the University of Texas Nursing Schools as well as my alma mater Georgetown, I have witnessed the success of these higher education nursing programs. They have increased the delivery of quality health care everywhere, especially in rural and inner-city communities. As an honorary member of the American Academy of Nursing and Sigma Theta Tau (the International Honor Society of Nursing), but most especially as a person who cares about the health of our nation, I plead for Americans to stand up for nursing. Nurses took care of us through the COVID-19 pandemic at the risk of their very lives. Keeping nursing classified as a profession is not just good for nursing. It is necessary for the health of our nation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad How can we stand up for nursing? Visit the Take Action Link of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing website at aacnnursing.org. Express your support for keeping nursings professional status. We have all counted on nursing when we are in need. Nows the time to let nurses know they can count on us. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A student walks across the University of Texas campus. Despite not signing President Donald Trumps Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, UT appears to be following through on key parts of it, the Editorial Board writes. Aaron E. Martinez / American-Sta In October, the University of Texas Board of Regents quietly let the deadline pass without signing or publicly addressing President Donald Trumps Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, a controversial pact that would have tied more federal funding to politically charged concessions. Yet even without the pact, UT appears to be following through on key parts of it dismantling important programs and discouraging debate just under a different banner. This month, the university announced the consolidation of several ethnic and womens studies programs under a new Department for Social and Cultural Analysis Studies, penalized students who participated in a November sit-in at the provost's suite, and instituted a ban on discussing controversial topics that are not germane to course subjects, mirroring the vague wording in UT's academic responsibility statement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As we argued last fall, Trumps compact would have stifled academic freedom at the risk of weakening the prestige, standing and output of Texas flagship university. Unfortunately for students, professors, the economy, Texas culture and beneficiaries of UTs research around the world, this apparent de facto implementation of central parts of the agreement puts the institution squarely on that path. With the stated goal of creating a vibrant marketplace of ideas, the compact said signatories commit themselves to revising governance structures including but not limited to transforming or abolishing institutional units that purposefully punish, belittle, and even spark violence against conservative ideas. Programs focusing on the African Diaspora, Mexican American and Latino identity, and women's and gender issues do not inherently punish, belittle or spark violence against conservative ideas, but opponents of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives have targeted these subjects for years. Gov. Greg Abbott, who appoints all nine UT regents, said last year that Texas must purge DEI from public universities. UTs consolidation of these departments unmistakably undermines them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Details such as when the consolidation will take place and what effects it will have on degree programs, funding, research and faculty have not been released, but defenders rightly worry it is a first step toward reduced funding, reduced programming and reduced visibility. A UT spokesperson told us the consolidation was already in progress before the Trump administration sent the compact. Regarding the sit-in at the provost's office, the spokesperson said the rules prohibiting disruptive conduct were already on the books. She did not respond to a follow-up email asking how controversial topics will be deemed unnecessary to instruction and who will make those decisions. Controversy not quarreling, but the discussion of opposing viewpoints is at the core of higher education. The marketplace of ideas cannot thrive without debate. It will only atrophy into a state-owned commissary retailing the stale concepts of powers preapproved worldview. Its hard to believe the camp that lionizes the slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk for his penchant for polemics would back away from a debate. The policy passed by the UT Regents orders instructors not to coerce, indoctrinate, harass, or belittle students, especially in addressing controversial subjects and areas where people of good faith can hold differing convictions. But despite the bombast against perceived liberal indoctrination on college campuses, research shows students largely feel free to express themselves in class. More than two-thirds of U.S. university students say all or most of their professors encourage students to share their views and support speakers and audiences alike during controversial discussions, according to a 2025 Gallup-Lumina Foundation survey. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A 2020 study by researchers from Ohio State University and North Carolina State University, which found that only 10% of students felt pressure to align with their professors politics, also found that perceived pressure often depended on students ideological leanings. Liberal students, for example, are more likely to report feeling pressure in courses on more traditionally conservative subjects like business or political science. Conservative students are more likely to report feeling pressure in courses that discuss reproductive health and universal health care or those that study science-based human-caused climate change. SIGN UP FOR THE AUSTIN ANGLE and get Statesman commentaries in your inbox To the extent they arise, the rare instances of students feeling political pressure should be addressed with the individual professor, not with a blanket policy barring ill-defined "unnecessary" controversial topics. This policy has a chilling effect that resembles the spirit of the Trump administration's compact, and professors are already raising concerns about what parts of their courses might be deemed out of bounds. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The real world is not one-size-fits-all. It is diverse and chaotic. Limiting diversity on campus does students a disservice by failing to adequately prepare them for life after graduation. Kowtowing to political pressure with or without a signed formal agreement like the Trump compact only erodes the wealth of perspectives UT needs to remain a world-class institution. UT has spent decades building its reputation as a top-tier research institution. That stature depends on intellectual independence, not political alignment. Decisions made in moments of political pressure can echo for generations. The Regents should remember that their responsibility is not to any administration, but to the enduring credibility of the university. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Beijing on Wednesday, with both sides agreeing to promote the continuous new development of the all-round strategic partnership, promote dialogue and cooperation, and uphold multilateralism and free trade. This is Merz's first trip to China since taking office. China and Germany are the world's second and third largest economies, and the bilateral relationship not only bears on the interests of both countries, but also has significant impact on Europe and the world. DEEPENING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP The international landscape is undergoing the most profound transformations since the end of World War II, Xi said, adding that the greater changes and turbulence the world faces, the more important it is for the two countries to enhance strategic communication, strengthen strategic mutual trust and work for new progress in China-Germany all-around strategic partnership. Xi said both countries should be reliable partners that support each other. China and Germany have pursued self-reliance and realized rapid development. Both have upheld mutual respect, mutual trust and open cooperation, and together written a success story of mutual benefit. China adheres to the path of peaceful development, and has the capacity and confidence to achieve Chinese modernization. China will continue to share development opportunities with Germany and the wider world, he said. Xi said it is hoped the German side can view China's growth in an objective and rational manner, pursue a positive and pragmatic policy toward China, and work with China for steady and sustained growth of the bilateral relationship. Merz said that the German side values its relations with China and firmly upholds the one-China policy. It stands ready to work with China to carry forward the traditional friendship, stay committed to mutual respect and open cooperation, and continue to deepen the all-around strategic partnership. Cui Hongjian, a professor at Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said it is believed that the meeting between Xi and Merz will contribute to the stable and sustainable development of China-Germany relations, and the development of the strategic relationship between the two countries will also carry significant weight in the development of China-Europe relations. EXPANDING WIN-WIN COOPERATION Noting that the two countries should be innovative partners that champion openness and win-win results, Xi said the German government put forward new development strategies in such areas as technology, innovation and digital development. They highly resonate with China's objective of pursuing intelligent, green and integrated development during the 15th Five-Year Plan. He said the two sides should foster greater synergy between development strategies, support the two-way flow of talent, knowledge and technology, and promote dialogue and cooperation on AI and other cutting-edge technologies. Both sides need to correctly grasp the interplay of competition and cooperation, explore cooperation pathways that lead to win-win results, and jointly keep industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded, Xi added. Merz said the German business community attaches high importance to the Chinese market, and hopes to further deepen cooperation with China for mutual benefit and shared growth. On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Merz attended a symposium of the China-Germany economic advisory committee in Beijing, with both sides expressing the willingness to deepen cooperation in machinery, equipment, and chemical industries. Jin Ling, an expert at the China Institute of International Studies, said that practical cooperation between China and Germany can not only fully unlock the potential of the Chinese market and stimulate vitality within China's innovation sector, but also support the recovery and transformation of the German economy. ENHANCING MULTILATERAL COORDINATION Xi said China and Germany should uphold the central position of the UN, reaffirm its leading role, and take the lead in safeguarding multilateralism, practicing international rule of law, defending free trade, and advocating for solidarity and coordination. China supports Europe in seeking to increase autonomy and strength, and hopes the European side can work with China toward the same direction, adhere to the positioning of strategic partners, and uphold openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, so as to deliver greater growth in China-Europe relations, and make bigger contributions to world peace and development, he said. Noting that Germany and China shoulder important responsibilities in jointly addressing global challenges, Merz said the German side looks forward to working with China to enhance coordination, and jointly adhere to free trade and reject protectionism, adding that Germany supports the EU and China in enhancing dialogue and cooperation. Feng Zhongping, director of the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that China and Germany share consensus on upholding the central role of the United Nations, and it is believed their close coordination and cooperation in international affairs will inject stability and certainty into a turbulent world. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) Chinese President Xi Jinping takes a walk with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on an official visit to China, after their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) Anthony Franze is a native Texan and very passionate about covering any weather that is thrown at him. He can be reached at anthony.franze@express-news.net. Anthony earned a degree in Meteorology from Valparaiso University in 2017. He has worked as a broadcast meteorologist for six years, one at NBC Montana and the next five at NewsWest 9 in Midland before joining the Express-News in July 2023. In his free time, Anthony enjoys watching sports, checking out local restaurants and breweries, and getting outside whenever the heat allows for it. If you have any story ideas, questions about the weather or restaurant suggestions, drop him a line. MANILA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Thursday it is shifting operations to surface search efforts and community coordination to locate 14 individuals still missing following the completion of a final underwater re-sweep of the sunken MV Trisha Kerstin 3 off Basilan province in the southern Philippines. The passenger ferry sank on Jan. 26 near Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan province, while traveling from Zamboanga City to Jolo in Sulu, leaving 65 people dead. Authorities said that at least 293 people have survived the maritime disaster as of Thursday. In a statement, the PCG said its technical wreck divers carried out the final underwater operation, systematically inspecting all accessible compartments and structural sections of the submerged vessel. "With the completion of the final re-sweep, the PCG confirms that no additional trapped victims were found inside the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 wreck," it said. The PCG said search activities will continue on the surface. Noureddin al-Baba, spokesman for Syria's Interior Ministry, speaks during a press conference in Damascus, Syria, Feb. 25, 2026. Syrian authorities said Wednesday that chaos at the detention camp al-Hol came after a sudden, uncoordinated withdrawal by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which had triggered mass escapes and renewed security concerns. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua) DAMASCUS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Syrian authorities said Wednesday that chaos at the detention camp al-Hol came after a sudden, uncoordinated withdrawal by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which had triggered mass escapes and renewed security concerns. Located near the Iraqi border, the camp had held relatives of suspected Islamic State (IS) fighters alongside displaced civilians. Syrian authorities moved to enter the camp in mid-January after expanding their security presence in the northeast following a series of agreements with the SDF. In a press conference on Wednesday, Interior Ministry spokesman Noureddin al-Baba said Syrian army units were preparing to enter the camp when SDF forces withdrew hours earlier, without prior notification to Damascus. When the forces arrived, they found the camp had been opened in a chaotic manner, leading to widespread unregulated departures, al-Baba said. According to al-Baba, over 138 breaches were documented along the camp's 17-km perimeter fence, which allowed large-scale movement through known smuggling routes, nearly compromising public security. Earlier estimates placed the camp's population at about 23,500, but ground assessments after the army's entry revealed discrepancies, he said. Authorities found that women, children and the elderly comprised nearly 70 percent of those present, mostly Syrians and Iraqis, along with thousands of foreign nationals. Al-Baba noted that indiscriminate, collective accusations had often been leveled against camp residents. He stressed that Syrian law prohibits collective punishment and requires individual criminal responsibility through the judicial process. Before Syrian authorities took control of the al-Hol camp, international organizations and Syrian officials had warned of deteriorating humanitarian and security conditions inside the facility, which had for years been administered by the SDF. The al-Hol camp was completely cleared and closed on Sunday, as reports confirmed that all remaining Syrian and foreign families had been relocated through organized convoys. Washington Hall at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes) A West Point cadet was dismissed from the Army after he pleaded guilty to using artificial intelligence to create a fake nude photo of a woman and then threatening to publicly release the image if she did not provide him an actual nude photo of herself. Cadet Cayden Cork, 20, pleaded guilty to extortion and indecent conduct Feb. 10 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., according to Army court records. Military Judge Col. Trevor Barna sentenced him to be reprimanded, to forfeit all pay and allowances, to be confined for 10 days and to be dismissed from the service. The sentence was consistent with the terms of a plea agreement, according to a West Point spokesperson. The court credited Cork with 10 days of confinement so he did not spend any time in custody, according to the spokesperson. Capt. Anthony Williamson, a prosecutor with the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel, said that personal responsibility is not diminished because a crime was committed using AI and that the military justice system can adapt to the ever-evolving technology landscape. When service members use these emerging tools to commit serious crimes against fellow service members, the Army will act to protect victims and uphold good order and discipline, he said. Corks dismissal reflects the seriousness of his misconduct, Williamson said. The last time a cadet was dismissed following a court-martial conviction was 2024, when Cadet Tyjaha Batiste pleaded guilty to taking videos of peoples private areas without consent. Cork, of Groveland, Fla., took a publicly available photo of a woman in July and August 2024 and altered the image with AI, according to his charge sheet. He then sent the photo to her in a text message asking, is this you and how accurate is this? He then in September 2024 threatened to publicly release the fake image if she did not send a photo of herself. The womans name is redacted from court documents. The ease with which anyone can use AI to create fake images, known sometimes as deepfakes, has become a growing concern. AI can use an innocuous photo of someone to generate a nude or intimate image. The FBI first reported an uptick in extortion-type crime using AI-generated fake images in 2023. Congress last year passed federal law to criminalize publishing fake intimate images without permission. It also makes it illegal to threaten publication of these images for the purpose of intimidation, coercion, extortion or to create mental distress. The names of crew members are on the side of the Enola Gay. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post) Shortly after dawn on Aug. 6, 1945, Capt. Robert A. Lewis, co-pilot of the Enola Gay, wrote in his notebook that the clouds below him were dispersing and the weather looked good for the rest of the flight to Hiroshima. We are now about 2 hrs from bombs away, Lewis, 26, wrote as the B-29 approached the Japanese city it was about to destroy. The bomb is now alive. And its a funny feeling knowing its right in back of you. As the attack began, Lewis wrote: There will be a short intermission while we bomb our target. What followed was what he called a blow by blow description of the dropping of the first atomic bomb, and his famous reaction: My God what have we done. Between 70,000 and 80,000 people were killed instantly, historians estimate, and thousands more would die in the coming months. Hiroshima was obliterated. Lewiss account, which he wrote during and after the bombing, has just been put up for sale by Dan Whitmore, a rare book dealer in Pasadena, California, who is handling it on consignment for the wealthy American owner. Asking price: $950,000. This is the fifth time it has hit the market. It first sold at auction for $37,000 in 1971. Lewis, who was present at the auction, reportedly said he believed it was of great historical value, and I didnt know what else to do with it. It last sold in 2022 for $543,000, according to Whitmores printed description of the notebook. Its up there as one of probably the most important documents from World War II, Whitmore said in a telephone interview with The Washington Post. In a lot of ways, its such a pivotal moment for the entire world in the 20th century. Lewis wrote his account at the behest of William L. Laurence, a science reporter for the New York Times, who added some minor editing afterward. Laurence was supposed to fly on the Hiroshima mission, but arrived too late at the bombers base on Tinian Island, in the Pacific Ocean, according to entries in the notebook. (He was able to go on the atomic bombing mission to Nagasaki three days later.) Lewis thought the assignment might earn him a few dollars, according to Enola Gay historians Gordon Thomas and Max Morgan-Witts. The Enola Gay is currently on display at the National Air and Space Museums Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, in Chantilly, Virginia, outside Washington. The notebook, which is roughly 10 inches by 8 inches, says Property of Robert A. Lewis Bombing of Hiroshima Aug. 6, 1945 on its cover. Lewis states that much of his writing occurred in the almost complete darkness of the overnight flight. At one point he ran out of ink and continued in pencil. The account begins as a letter to his parents: Dear Mom and Dad. Lewis lists the name of the plane, Enola Gay, the 12 men on board, and what appears to be an incorrect radio call sign, Dimples 12, for the aircraft. The actual call sign was Dimples 82, according to histories of the mission. Approaching Hiroshima at 31,000 feet, Lewis wrote, we had about a 4 minutes run on a perfectly open target. The bomb was dropped at about 8:15 a.m. Hiroshima time. It took 43 seconds to fall to its detonation altitude of 1,890 feet. Lewis wrote that there was a flash, followed by two shock waves that reached the plane from the blast six miles below. We then turned the ship so we could observe the results, Lewis wrote. And there in front of our eyes was with out a doubt the greatest explosion man has ever witnessed. Everyone on the ship is actually dumbstruck even though we had expected something fierce, Lewis wrote, as he looked out the large cockpit windows of the B-29. A few days later, Lewis added a more reflective page to his account, perhaps on his own or at the urging of Laurence, the reporter, Whitmore said. The new page was taped into a place in the narrative right after the bombing. The yellowed tape is still there. I am certain the entire crew felt this experience was more than anyone human had ever thought possible, Lewis wrote. It just seems impossible to comprehend, he wrote. Just how many did we kill? I honestly have the feeling of groping for words to explain this or I might say My God what have we done. If I live a hundred years Ill never quite get these few minutes out my mind. On the back of the notebook, Lewis drew a sketch of the mushroom cloud that rose after the bomb exploded. Various colors, he wrote, 40,000 ft plus, referring to the height of the cloud. He then noted the time, 09:30, and date 8/6/45 and his initials R.A.L. Lewis, a Brooklyn native who was known as Bud, was an excellent pilot. He had once taken aviation pioneer Charles Lindbergh up in a B-29, according to Thomas and Morgan-Witts. Lewis had considered the Enola Gay his plane, and was incensed when the pilot, Col. Paul W. Tibbets Jr., had his mothers name stenciled on the nose of the bomber before takeoff. Whitmore, the book dealer, said that he plans to exhibit the notebook at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair, which begins April 30. I think that there are collectors in lots of different collecting areas who would find this document really compelling, he said. I think its entirely possible that an institution will find a donor or encourage someone to donate it. (Rick Scavetta/Stars and Stripes) Heidelberg, Germany, Nov. 3, 2003: German Lt. Gen. Gert Gudera, left, receives a certificate of appreciation from U.S. Army Europe commander Gen. B.B. Bell. During a ceremony at Patrick Henry Village, Gen. B.B. Bell recognized about 70 senior officials from the German military, border and local police and thanked them for helping guard U.S. bases. Read more about the ceremony from the original article. Pages from the Anthropic website and the companys logos are displayed on a computer screen. (Patrick Sison/AP) ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Wes Martin, a retired U.S. Army colonel, served as the first Senior Antiterrorism Officer for all Coalitions in Iraq and holds an MBA in international politics and business. As Senior Antiterrorism Officer for Coalition Forces in Iraq and later as Headquarters, Department of the Army, Chief of Information Operations, I met vendors pursuing lucrative military work. Yet I never endured vendors trying to dictate the usage terms of their products once the contract was approved. That is exactly the problem now with the management of San Francisco-based tech company Anthropic trying to tell the Pentagon how its artificial intelligence model, Claude, should be employed. Anthropic developed Claude as an advanced AI tool that can be used in military operations, classified and unclassified. Anthropic was content in 2024 to win a $200 million contract in providing Claude to the military. But late last year, Claude was reportedly used by the Pentagon in support of U.S. troops going into Venezuela and capturing its accused drug czar head-of-state, President Nicolas Maduro. Anthropic now seems upset that its product was used in an operation. Anthropic and other defense contractors dont need to look too far back in history for lessons learned when emerging technologies reach the Pentagon. In 1983, an American warrior fighting in Grenada reportedly used his personal telephone credit card to call for indirect fire support. In no way, shape, or form did AT&T even consider that its product was going to be used by American ground troops in combat. Yet in the aftermath, nobody from AT&T ever dared to suggest that our troops stop using their phone cards. Three facts must be pointed out: Anthropic won its contract during the final year of the Biden administration; Chief Executive Officer Dario Amodei openly supported Kamala Harris bid for president while disparaging Donald Trump, and multiple members of the board of directors are Biden loyalists. Service members deploying into hostile operations do not get to agree to or refuse involvement based upon their political or personal views. The same rules need to apply to vendors who have accepted lucrative contracts that provide technology to the U.S. military. Combat is a come-as-you-are operation. The five battle domains of air, land, sea, space and cyber space must be mutually supportive. No resources within those domains must be held back, especially not because of vendor ideologies. Planners and professional warriors will use all resources and force multipliers available to achieve overwhelming success while minimizing casualties. Preparation of the battlefield, whether it is a high- or low-intensity conflict, is critical. AI was reportedly a force multiplier that served a critical role in the Maduro mission. The result was total success with no American deaths. Anthropic is now faced with a lead, follow, or get out of the way situation. If it wants to stay in front of the pack with the competitive edge Claude provides, Anthropic needs to stop making ideologically-driven objections. Google, OpenAI and xAI have long since approved their AI tools being used in support of all lawful purposes. If Anthropic management refuses to follow the example established by competitors, they need to get out of the way. Anthropic went into this contract fully aware that the 1990s is well into the past and the U.S. military no longer operates with a kinder, gentler, in touch with their emotions mindset. All armed forces of the U.S. military are dedicated to serving the nation. During the Maduro operation, AI was part of the solution. We cant let it become part of the problem. Anthropic is tempting the Pentagon to justifiably cut all business ties, working its way into being declared a supply chain risk. That designation will result in negating the Claude contract, losing future contracts, and forbidding other U.S. military vendors and contractors from doing business with Anthropic. So far, Anthropic management has responded with a nebulous statement that they are engaged in constructive discussions, in good faith, with the Department of Defense on how to advance our collaboration and address these new and complex challenges. Anthropic needs to understand their new and complex challenges must be immediately resolved and brought into compliance with Pentagon policy requiring AI vendors to deliver models free from usage policy constraints that may limit lawful military applications. The challenge facing Anthropic is not hard to comprehend. This current administration is not going to hold back lawful resources that enhance military operations while reducing risk to deploying warriors because of a vendors ideology. The therapy of acupuncture, a key component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) dating back thousands of years, is drawing growing interest across Turkiye. The thin needles are helping Turkish patients recover balance, mobility, and relief from chronic pain. #GLOBALink A KC-130 tanker aircraft arrives at Chabelley Airfield, Djibouti, in this undated photo. (Jayson Burns/U.S. Air Force) U.S. military officials put potentially thousands of deployed service members at risk to toxic exposure from an open-air burn pit near a remote Air Force base in east Africa, a Defense Department investigation concluded. The inspector general probe validated a hotline complaint that personnel at Chabelley Airfield near Djibouti were routinely exposed to a thick fog of smoke from trash burning, which caused breathing difficulties and other symptoms, the report stated. The complaint was prompted by an IG report released in December 2024 on air quality concerns at the Navys Camp Lemonnier, which didnt consider the nearby airfield, the report said. The IGs final report, which was published Feb. 20, did not say how many service members were potentially affected. But the Air Force, which operates the airfield, told the audit team that most deployments to Chabelley are six months long and consist of about 120 airmen, a number that does not include personnel that may deploy from other services, according to the report. Last fall, Air Force officials announced the opening of a new medical care facility at Chabelley and said at the time that the base supports nearly 1,000 personnel. Used for drone operations and other Air Force missions, Chabelley has evolved from a small commuter airstrip into a more permanent installation and is poised to grow as threats in the region increase, officials said in October. An eight-month IG review that included an April 2025 visit to the airfield found that U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa officials did not properly manage the effects of poor air quality at Chabelley. DOD contractors transport products such as petroleum and metals from Lemonnier and the air base to the Chabelley dump, where they often are burned despite a prohibition on incineration of those items, the IG said. The visiting inspection team saw the open burning of solid waste at the dump, and service members living and working at the airfield described symptoms such as eye and throat irritation, difficulty breathing and nausea, according to the report. Among other findings, AFRICOM did not identify the Chabelley dump to Pentagon staff as an open-air burn pit or work with Djibouti to reduce or eliminate use of the site, according to the report. Further, officials with the USAFE-AFAFRICA office of the command surgeon did not implement an air quality mitigation plan or ensure air sampling including certain toxins, the report said. As a result, service members who deployed to the installation from November 2019 through September 2025 werent protected from the increased exposure to harmful airborne hazards, the IG said. That put them at risk of serious health conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer, the document stated, according to the report. USAFE-AFAFRICA officials said they misinterpreted the Pentagon policy to read it as excluding the tracking of open-air burn pits operated by Djibouti and only reported local household burn locations in the area, the report stated. But in November 2024, when the Chabelley dump came to AFRICOMs attention after a request for renewed open-air burn pit data, the command continued to omit the dump on its report to the Pentagon due to an administrative error, according to report. Six environmental assessments of the dump identified it as an open-air burn pit for destruction of all types of trash, including tires, appliances and cars, and operating on almost a 24/7 basis. AFRICOM should have been aware of the open burning operations at Chabelley as a result of these test reports, the IG stated. USAFE-AFAFRICA, meanwhile, did not ensure more specific sampling in its air quality testing associated with open-burn pits, citing in part lack of proper equipment, the report said. The lack of sampling prevented the further documentation of those exposures in the medical records of service members who deployed there, potentially delaying targeted treatment and benefit considerations. AFRICOM and USAFE-AFAFRICA officials agreed with most recommendations from the audit. AFRICOM said it was working with Djibouti to reduce the amount of solid waste sent to Chabelley and would request an exemption from the Pentagon as required by DOD policy. The AFRICOM chief of staff, however, did not agree that the open-air burning at Chabelley met the exemption criteria, according to the report. Air Force officials said the Navy at Camp Lemonnier had loaned them reading instruments that would alert commanders and personnel at Chabelley of periods of excessive air quality, the report stated. The wing at Chabelley needs $20,000 to secure its own equipment, commanders told the IG. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, arrives for meetings with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Jonathan Ernst/AP) HAVANA Cubas government said late Wednesday that the 10 passengers on a boat that opened fire on its soldiers were armed Cubans living in the U.S. who were trying to infiltrate the island and unleash terrorism. The announcement came hours after Cuba said its soldiers killed four people and wounded six others aboard a Florida-registered speed boat that had entered Cuban waters and opened fire on the soldiers first, injuring one Cuban officer. Cubas government said the majority of the 10 people on the boat have a known history of criminal and violent activity. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had told reporters earlier that he was made aware of the incident and that the U.S. is now gathering its own information to determine if the victims were American citizens or permanent residents. We have various different elements of the U.S. government that are trying to identify elements of the story that may not be provided to us now, Rubio said while at the airport in Basseterre, St. Kitts, where he was attending a regional summit with Caribbean leaders. The Cuban government identified two of the boat passengers as Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez, who are wanted by Cuban authorities based on their involvement in the promotion, planning, organization, financing, support or commission of actions carried out in the national territory or in other countries, in connection with acts of terrorism. The government said it also had arrested Duniel Hernandez Santos, adding that he was sent from the United States to guarantee the reception of the armed infiltration, who at this time has confessed to his actions. The Associated Press was not immediately able to independently verify that information. Cubas government said it obtained the details about the passengers aboard the boat from the suspects detained following the shootout. It identified seven of the 10 passengers, including Conrado Galindo Sariol, Jose Manuel Rodriguez Castello, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra. Cubas government said that one of the four killed was Michel Ortega Casanova. Three others have not yet been identified. The investigation process continues until the facts are fully clarified, the ministry said in a statement. Misael Ortega Casanova, brother of Michel Ortega Casanova, told The Associated Press late Wednesday that he was mourning his brothers death but lamented that he fell into what he called an obsessive and diabolical quest for Cubas freedom. Only us Cubans who have lived over there understand, Misael Ortega Casanova said, referring to the great suffering that he and other Cubans on the island have faced. He noted that his brother, who was a truck driver and an American citizen who lived for more than 20 years in the U.S., leaves behind his wife, his mother, two sisters one of whom lives in Cuba and a daughter who is pregnant. No one knew, Misael said of his brothers plans. My mother is devastated. He added: They became so obsessed that they didnt think about the consequences nor their own lives. Misael said that he did not recognize any of the names that the Cuban government released. He said that while he doesnt believe in heroes because that is ignorance he hopes that his brothers death might be a worthwhile sacrifice: maybe it will justify that some day Cuba will be free. A highly unusual shootout U.S. President Donald Trumps top diplomat refused to speculate on what happened, saying that it could be a wide range of things, and that the U.S. will not solely rely on what the Cuban authorities have provided thus far. Suffice it to say, it is highly unusual to see shootouts in open sea like that. Its not something that happens every day. Its something, frankly, that hasnt happened with Cuba in a very long time, Rubio said. He said both the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard are investigating the incident and stressed that he wants to verify the facts. The majority of the facts being publicly reported are those by the information provided by the Cubans. We will verify that independently as we gather more information, and well be prepared to respond accordingly, Rubio said. Were going to have our own information on this. Were going to figure out exactly what happened. He said it was not a U.S. government operation and that he wasnt going to speculate about whose boat it was, what they were doing, why they were there, what actually happened. One of the men identified by the Cuban government, Conrado Galindo Sariol, was interviewed in June 2025 by Marti Noticias, a U.S.-based news site that has long called for a change of government in Cuba. Galindo, whom the host called a legend and a former political prisoner, was quoted as saying that he wants to support the struggles that Cubans face, especially in the eastern part of the island to achieve the freedom that is needed. He said that the protests in Cuba at that time were not a spark thats going to be extinguished. The regimes leaders are crisscrossing Cuba, trying to mitigate whats coming very soon because ... they know theyre out of power, that they cant do anything about it, and theyre looking for ways to prevent the protests from growing in other parts of the country, Galindo was quoted as saying. Fear over increased tensions Rubio said he found out about the shooting before the Cuban government posted on social media, noting that the U.S. has constant contact with the country at the Coast Guard level. Earlier, Cubas Interior Ministry issued a statement that provided few details about the shooting, but noted that the boat was roughly 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) northeast of Cayo Falcones, off Cubas north coast. The government provided the boats registration number, but The Associated Press was unable to readily verify details of the boat because boat registrations are not public in the state of Florida. It wasnt immediately known what the boat and its occupants were doing in Cuban waters. In the statement, the ministry said Cubas government was safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring stability in the region. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida said it would pursue answers through every legal and diplomatic channel available, adding that facts remain unclear and conflicting. U.S. Vice President JD Vance said late Wednesday afternoon that Rubio had briefed him on the incident. He added that the White House was monitoring the situation. Hopefully its not as bad as we fear it could be, Vance said. The shooting threatens to increase tensions between the U.S. and Cuba. Following the ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Trump and top administration officials have taken an increasingly aggressive stance toward Cuba, which had been largely kept economically afloat by Venezuelas oil. The energy crisis Cuba has been grappling with in recent years entered new extremes last month when Trump signed an executive order that would impose a tariff on any country that sells or provides oil to Cuba. The move put pressure on Mexico, which Cuba became largely dependent on for petroleum after Trump halted oil shipments from Venezuela. Meanwhile, James Uthmeier, Floridas attorney general, said he has ordered prosecutors to work with federal, state and law enforcement partners to start an investigation. The Cuban government cannot be trusted, and we will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable, he wrote on X. Lee reported from Basseterre, St. Kitts and Coto from San Jose, Costa Rica. Associated Press reporters Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, and Michael Biesecker, Aamer Madhani and Konstantin Toropin in Washington contributed to this report. Troops watch a U.S. Air Force C-146A Wolfhound take off from an austere location on Luzon, Philippines, Jan. 27, 2026. (U.S. Air Force) The Philippine military has identified the U.S. military aircraft that crashed during a Tuesday roadway exercise as an Air Force C-146 Wolfhound special operations plane, an incident that injured five crew members. The short takeoff-and-landing aircraft struck a concrete barrier while attempting to depart from a roadway, The Associated Press reported Wednesday. Two service members were treated at a local medical facility, according to an unsigned email Thursday from U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. One of the individuals has been discharged, while the other remains in medical care and is in stable condition, the command said. The Wolfhound crashed during a joint roadway landing exercise in Laoac, Pangasinan, according to a Wednesday report by the state-run Philippine News Agency, citing the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The area is slightly more than an hours drive north of Clark Air Base, a former Air Force installation that continues to host U.S. military training in the Philippines. The exercise was coordinated with Philippine authorities to practice operations in cases where airports and runways are inaccessible, such as during typhoons or earthquakes, the AP reported. INDOPACOM confirmed that an accident occurred during training in central Luzon but did not provide additional details. No civilians were injured, and the incident remains under investigation, the command said. Photos posted Tuesday on Facebook by the Philippine Department of National Defense showed a Wolfhound conducting what was described as the first highway landing operation in the Philippines and only the second in Asia. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro observed the highway landing in Pangasinan, according to the post. Photos released last month by U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific showed a Wolfhound taking off from an austere location on Luzon on Jan. 27. The Wolfhound is the military version of the Dornier 328 turboprop commuter aircraft and has been continuously deployed since October 2011, according to an Air Force fact sheet. Its primary mission is to provide Special Operations Command with flexible, responsive transport for small teams and cargo. Airlift missions are conducted by Air Force Special Operations Command aircrews to prepared and semi-prepared airfields around the world, the fact sheet states. The twin-engine, high-wing aircraft is capable of carrying passengers and cargo and conducting casualty evacuation missions, according to the Air Force. A TV screen shows a file image of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a news program at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Ahn Young-joon/AP) SEOUL, South Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong Un claimed his nuclear-armed country could completely destroy South Korea if its security were threatened, reiterating his refusal to engage with Seoul, state media said Thursday. However, he left the door open to dialogue with Washington as he concluded a ruling party congress outlining his policy goals for the next five years. The official Korean Central News Agency said that Kim also called for developing new weapons systems to bolster his nuclear-armed military, including intercontinental ballistic missiles that could be launched from underwater and an expanded arsenal of tactical nuclear weapons, such as artillery and short-range missiles, targeting South Korea. He said the accelerated development of his nuclear and missile program in recent years permanently cemented the countrys status as a nuclear weapons state, and called for the United States to discard what he perceives as hostile policies toward the North if it wants to resume long-stalled dialogue. South Koreas Unification Ministry said it was regrettable that the North continues to define inter-Korean relations as hostile and that Seoul will patiently pursue efforts to stabilize peace. The Workers Party congress, which began last Thursday in Pyongyang, came as Kim carves out a more forceful regional presence, leveraging his expanding military nuclear program and a growing alignment with Moscow that have deepened his standoffs with Washington and Seoul. KCNA said the North staged a military parade in the capital Wednesday as it wrapped up the congress, previously held in 2016 and 2021. Watching the parade with his increasingly prominent daughter believed to be around 13 years old and named Kim Ju Ae Kim Jong Un in a speech said his forces were capable of immediately and thoroughly retaliating against any hostile threat. But the state outlet did not immediately say whether he showcased his largest weapons, including ICBMs potentially capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. Kim calls for US to discard hostile policy Kims comments at the congress were widely anticipated as he has been issuing increasingly hard-line views toward South Korea since 2024, when he discarded the Norths long-standing goal of a peaceful reunification between the war-divided Koreas and declared the South as a permanent enemy. But analysts expected Kim to take a more measured approach toward Washington to preserve the possibility of future dialogue, with the long-term aim of securing U.S. sanctions relief and tacit recognition as a nuclear state. Kim has recently been prioritizing Russia in his foreign policy, sending thousands of troops and large amounts of military equipment to support Moscows war in Ukraine, possibly in exchange for aid and military technology. But it would make sense to keep his options open as the war in Ukraine could wind down, potentially making North Korea less valuable to Moscow, experts say. In a report wrapping up the congress, Kim said his government was maintaining the toughest stance against Washington, but added there was no reason we cannot get along with the Americans if they withdrew their supposedly hostile policy toward the North. North Korea often uses the term to describe U.S.-led pressure and sanctions over Kims nuclear ambitions. His comments aligned with North Koreas previous position calling for Washington to abandon its demands for the Norths denuclearization as a precondition for reviving talks. North Korea has repeatedly rejected Washington and Seouls calls to resume diplomacy aimed at winding down its nuclear program, which derailed in 2019 following the collapse of Kims second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump during his first term. The prospects of U.S.-North Korea relations depends entirely on the U.S. attitude, Kim said. Whether its peaceful coexistence or permanent confrontation, we are ready for either, and the choice is not ours to make. Kim confirms hard-line view of Seoul Analysts say Kims vilification of South Korea reflects his view that Seoul, which helped set up his first meetings with Trump, is no longer a useful intermediary with Washington but an obstacle to his effort to establish a more assertive regional footing. He has also shown a sensitivity to South Korean soft power, pushing aggressive domestic campaigns to block the influence of South Korean culture and language among his population as he looks to tighten his familys authoritarian grip. At the congress, Kim derided liberal South Korean President Lee Jae Myungs calls for engagement as a deception, accusing successive governments in Seoul of seeking the Norths collapse. He said there is absolutely nothing to discuss with an enemy state and that the North would permanently exclude the South from the notion of a shared nation. As long as the Republic of Korea cannot escape its geopolitical condition of sharing a border with us, the only way it can live safely is to abandon all ties with us and refrain from provoking us, he said, disdainfully referring to South Koreas formal name. Tensions could further rise next month when South Korea stages its annual military exercises with the United States. North Korea portrays the allies joint exercises as invasion rehearsals and often uses them as a pretext to dial up its own military demonstrations. Chasing more advanced weapons North Korea in past years has developed or tested much of the weapons from an extensive wish list Kim issued at the previous congress in 2021, including solid-fuel ICBMs, tactical nuclear systems and purported hypersonic weapons. The country launched its first military satellite in 2023 and has recently claimed progress in building a nuclear-propelled submarine. At the latest congress, Kim set new goals to advance his nuclear forces in the next five years while calling for faster production of nuclear warheads and a broader range of delivery systems. Emphasizing naval capabilities, Kim called for ICBMs that could be fired from underwater platforms, indicating potential plans to fit those weapons on the nuclear-propelled submarine being built. He called for developing artificial intelligence-equipped attack drones, stronger electronic warfare capabilities to disable enemy command centers, more advanced reconnaissance satellites and unspecified weapons to strike enemy satellites. He also said the military will deploy more nuclear-capable artillery systems against South Korea in phases each year while speeding up efforts to fortify the inter-Korean border. Firefighters work to extinguish a blaze after a South Korean air force F-16C fighter jet crashed in the mountains of North Gyeongsang province, Feb. 25, 2026. (Gyeongbuk Fire Service Headquarters) A South Korean F-16C fighter jet crashed this week during nighttime aerial training in Yeongju, about 125 miles southeast of Seoul. The aircraft, assigned to the South Korean air forces Chungju Base, went down in the mountains of North Gyeongsang province at 7:31 p.m. Wednesday, the air force said in a text message to reporters that day. The solo pilot on board ejected successfully and was not injured. No civilian damage has been reported so far, the air force said. Emergency responders found the pilot at approximately 8:10 p.m., caught about 65 feet high in a tree by his parachute, according to a report Thursday by the Yonhap News Agency. Gyeongbuk Fire Service Headquarters declined by phone Thursday to provide details. The air force has launched a task force led by the vice chief of staff to investigate the cause of the accident, according to the text message. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back was briefed on the accident while in Canada and ordered the military to make every effort to ensure the pilots safety and conduct a thorough investigation, the ministry said in a text message Wednesday. Ahn was in a ministerial meeting with Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty at the time of the accident, according to the ministry. Michael Emmert speaks with Senior Airman Austin Wylie, recipient of the USOs Janice K. Emmert Volunteer of the Year Award, at the USO on Yokota Air Base, Japan, Feb. 25, 2026. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes) YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan Michael Emmert, husband of the late Janice Emmert and steward of her USO legacy, traveled to Japan this week to personally honor one of the organizations top volunteers. Michael Emmert appeared at Yokota on Wednesday to congratulate Senior Airman Austin Wylie, who was named the overseas USO Volunteer of the Year for 2025. The award bears the name of Emmerts late wife, a longtime USO leader and advocate for military communities. Scott Maskery, vice president for the USO in the Indo-Pacific, presented Wylie with the Janice K. Emmert Volunteer of the Year Award during a ceremony at the Yokota USO. Wylie shares the honor with Army Sgt. 1st Class Loretta Streichert of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., the stateside recipient and an operations sergeant and instructor at the Army Military Police School. Michael Emmert, now a senior managing director at the Chicago-based consulting firm Ankura, said Wylie reflects the determination that defined his wifes service. They are leaders they do not understand the word no or that this cant get done, Emmert said at the ceremony. Senior Airman Austin Wylie, center, recipient of the USOs Janice K. Emmert Volunteer of the Year award, poses with Brig. Gen. John Schutte, deputy commander of 5th Air Force, and Michael Emmert at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Feb. 25, 2026. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes) Also attending were 5th Air Force deputy commander Brig. Gen. John Schutte, 374th Airlift Wing commander Col. Richard McElhaney and USO Japan area director Juliet Bucayo-Domingo. The award highlights volunteer work, leadership, and community support within the military, Josie Grenier, USO Yokotas operations manager, said in a Feb. 19 email. Wylie said he was humbled by Emmerts presence, noting that he traveled roughly 18 hours for a visit lasting less than a day to attend the ceremony. The award itself is not so much a testimony to me as much as it is to the community that we have been able to build, he told Stars and Stripes at the event. You can create a space where [visitors] can connect with people and feel like they belong. Janice Emmert devoted decades to the USO, beginning in 1984 when she joined the USO Illinois board of directors, according to her obituary. She later held senior leadership roles and was elected to the USO World Board of Governors in 2003. In 2008, she attended the opening of the organizations first USO center in Iraq. She died July 30, 2018, in Chicago at age 61. Wylie and Streichert were selected from among about 10,000 USO volunteers worldwide in 2025 for their dedication and impact on service members and their families, Grenier said. Wylie said he has logged more than 1,550 volunteer hours with the organization. The USO had a profound impact on my transition into military life, and I have longed for a means to give back in the same way theyve always supported me, he said. Staff Sgt. Samuel Sacco receives a French medal from Maj. Gen. Michel Natali, the New York National Guards assistant adjutant general, during a ceremony in Rochester, N.Y., on Feb. 22, 2026. Six New York National Guard soldiers who came to the aid of French special operations forces during a 2023 mission in Iraq were awarded the French National Defense Gold Medal with Bronze Star by Natali. (Jean Sanon/U.S. Army) Six U.S. soldiers were awarded the French equivalent of Bronze Stars this week for helping to save French commandos who were pinned down in battle against Islamic militants in Iraq. Members of the New York National Guard, the soldiers were awarded the French National Defense Gold Medal with Bronze Star on Sunday in Rochester for their efforts in the 2023 rescue. The operation they were involved in happened in the dark of night, Maj. Gen. Michel Natali, the New York National Guards assistant adjutant general, said in a statement. The French government did not have to recognize our soldiers, but they went that extra mile. The six Guard members, assigned to B Company of the 3rd Battalion, 126th General Support Aviation Battalion, sprang into action in August 2023 to provide rapid aerial support to French special operations forces involved in a firefight near Hawija, Iraq. Retired Chief Warrant Officer 3 Aaron Taylor, right, receives a French medal from Maj. Gen. Michel Natali, the New York National Guards assistant adjutant general, during a ceremony in Rochester, N.Y., on Feb. 22, 2026. Six New York National Guard soldiers who rescued French special operations forces in Iraq in 2023 were awarded the French National Defense Gold Medal with Bronze Star. (Jean Sanon/U.S. Army) Five of six New York National Guard soldiers who received French medals in recognition of their rescue of French special operations forces in 2023 stand in formation during an award ceremony in Rochester, N.Y., on Feb. 22, 2026. The soldiers were awarded the French National Defense Gold Medal with Bronze Star. (Jean Sanon/U.S. Army) The French unit was conducting a mission against Islamic State militants, the Army statement said. The U.S. soldiers were on standby at Irbil Air Base when they received word of French casualties and a call for reinforcements and extraction. Two CH-47F Chinook helicopters crewed by the Rochester-based B Company were launched in support, the Army said. Within 30 minutes, the aircrews loaded about 30 French commandos to relieve them and flew nearly 70 miles to the objective area, then stayed nearby, ready to provide follow-on support, the statement said. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Christopher Scott, who served as air mission commander during the operation, said the crew assembled quickly, unsure what would meet them once they arrived. The biggest challenge was not knowing the situation on the ground or what support we had until we got on station, Scott said. Sgt. Jedediah Estrada, a door gunner during the mission, said the recognition from the French military brought back memories of Sgt. Nicolas Mazier, a French paratrooper who was killed in combat during the firefight. Being honored by the French government is a way for me to continue honoring his legacy, not just what our unit was able to do, but what we accomplished together with our partner force, Estrada said in the statement. It really brings together why we were there and what we were working to defeat. The other soldiers who received medals are: Chief Warrant Officer 3 Aaron Taylor Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jared Twigg Staff Sgt. Samuel Sacco Boys stand on a launcher of an Iranian domestically-built missile during an annual rally marking 1979 Islamic Revolution in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Vahid Salemi/AP) JERUSALEM As U.S. forces mass in the Middle East, Iran faces the threat of major strikes by the worlds most powerful military, potentially targeting its leaders, military, nuclear sites and critical infrastructure. Iran has nowhere near the same capabilities, and is even more vulnerable after last years war launched by Israel and recent anti-government protests. But it could still inflict pain on American forces and allies, and may feel it has to if the Islamic Republics survival is at stake. While Iran suffered major losses last June, it still has hundreds of missiles capable of hitting Israel, according to Israels estimates. Iran boasts a much larger arsenal of shorter-range missiles capable of hitting U.S. bases in Gulf countries and offshore American forces, soon to be joined by a second aircraft carrier. Iran has previously threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for the global oil trade, and claimed to have done so partially during military drills last week. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Iran could sink American warships, and top officials have said a U.S. attack would spark regional war. Irans U.N. ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said all bases, facilities and assets of the hostile force in the region would be legitimate targets. Lingering capabilities Israel carried out heavy strikes on Irans longer range missile arsenals as well as its military leadership and nuclear program during the 12-day war in June. The U.S. struck Irans main nuclear sites, and President Donald Trump said at the time that they had been obliterated. But the extent of the damage and how much has been rebuilt is still unknown. Iran continued to strike Israel with missiles and drones until the fighting stopped, at times eluding its vaunted air defenses. Irans shorter-range missile arsenal was largely untouched, said Danny Citrinowicz, an Iran expert at Israels Institute for National Security Studies. That could make Iran more inclined to retaliate against tens of thousands of U.S. forces based in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and elsewhere. Iran may be weak. But it still has ways to inflict real pain on the United States and much more incentive to try than it did before, Nate Swanson, head of the Atlantic Councils Iran Strategy Project, wrote in Foreign Affairs. Iranian officials feel they need to give Trump a bloody nose or they will perpetually be at risk. Iran launched missiles at a U.S. base in Iraq after the killing of its top general in 2020 and targeted a U.S. base in Qatar near the end of last years war. Those strikes, which appeared to have been telegraphed in advance, caused damage but no fatalities, as early warning systems and missile defenses swung into action. Iran has also held quiet talks with China about purchasing anti-ship missiles that could significantly boost its ability to strike warships and choke sea routes, officials with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press. The officials, from two countries, spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to speak publicly about the sensitive talks. They said Iran is negotiating to buy a version of Chinas YJ-12 sea-skimming missiles. They said the outline of a deal was finalized after last years war, though no missiles have been delivered. Learning curve Last years Israeli strikes killed several top generals and nuclear scientists, revealing major vulnerabilities. At one point, Trump said the U.S. knew where Khamenei was hiding, calling him an easy target. Fresh off the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, Trump may consider decapitation strikes aimed at bringing down Irans decades-old Shiite theocracy, which he recently said would be the best thing that could happen. The Iranians have had eight months to learn from their mistakes and firm up internal security. Citrinowicz said there are likely contingency plans if Khamenei were to be killed. Rather than naming a single successor, power would probably shift to a small committee until hostilities subsided. Experts say the death of the 86-year-old Khamenei, who has ruled Iran for over three decades, would not in itself spell the end of the Islamic Republic. Power might eventually pass to a member of his inner circle, as it did in Venezuela, or to Irans Revolutionary Guard. U.S. allies could be targets American allies are clearly concerned about a regional war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned of a heavy response to any Iranian attack on Israel. Arab Gulf states have long viewed Iran with concern and leaned on the U.S. for defense, but do not want to be drawn into war. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which host thousands of American troops, have said they would not allow their airspace to be used. An Arab Gulf diplomat said regional leaders were talking to Iran and the United States to avert war, warning that it could have severe consequences, including a spike in oil prices. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive, closed-door talks. Iran has its own allies, including Houthi rebels in Yemen, armed groups in Iraq, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Palestinian territories. But its self-described Axis of Resistance suffered major losses in the fighting that rippled across the region after Hamas October 2023 attack from Gaza. A global pressure point Another close-in target could allow Iran to inflict wider pain. Around one-fifth of all traded oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, just off Irans shore. The U.S. Navy is committed to keeping it open, but Iranian attacks could disrupt trade, as the far-weaker Houthis managed to do in the Red Sea for much of the past two years. Iranian officials have not explicitly threatened to target the strait in the current standoff, but Iranian forces partially closed it last week during military drills, signaling it could be vulnerable if war breaks out. Other critical oil assets would also be within range. In 2019, strikes on oil infrastructure temporarily halved Saudi Arabias production. Yemens Houthis claimed responsibility, but U.S. officials later blamed Iran. The nuclear question After initially threatening military action over Irans killing of protesters, Trump shifted attention to its nuclear program, warning that bad things would happen if Iran doesnt agree to a deal. The two sides are set to hold another round of indirect talks in Geneva on Thursday. Iran has always said its nuclear program is peaceful, while the U.S. and others have long suspected that Tehran intends to eventually develop weapons. After Trump scrapped a 2015 nuclear agreement, Iran ramped up its enrichment of uranium, building up a stockpile of near-weapons grade material. Irans biggest sites were hit by U.S. and Israeli strikes, causing significant damage above ground. But its unclear whether enriched uranium was spirited away before they were hit or buried underground. Iran says it has been unable to enrich since then, but it has also barred inspections. Iran is still believed to be a long ways from developing a usable nuclear weapon, but radioactive material could pose a risk in the event of widespread strikes. Associated Press writer Samy Magdy contributed reporting from Cairo. Oman's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, right, holds a meeting with White House special envoy Steve Witkoff, center, and Jared Kushner as part of the ongoing Iranian-American negotiations in Geneva on Feb. 26, 2026. (Foreign Ministry of Oman via AP) GENEVA Iran and the United States held hours of indirect negotiations Thursday over Tehrans nuclear program but walked away without a deal, leaving the danger of another Mideast war on the table as the U.S. has gathered a massive fleet of aircraft and warships in the region. Omans Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who mediated the talks in Geneva, said there had been significant progress in the negotiation without elaborating. But just before the talks ended, Iranian state television reported that Tehran was determined to continue enriching uranium, rejected proposals to transfer it abroad and sought the lifting of international sanctions, indicating it was not prepared to meet U.S. President Donald Trumps demands. Trump wants a deal to constrain Irans nuclear program, and he sees an opportunity while the country is struggling at home with growing dissent following nationwide protests. Iran also hopes to avert war, but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues, like its long-range missile program or support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Al-Busaidi said technical talks involving lower-level representatives would continue next week in Vienna, the home of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The United Nations atomic watchdog likely would be critical in any deal. In an interview with Iranian state television, Irans foreign minister said the talks with the U.S. were some of the countrys most intense and longest rounds of negotiations. Abbas Araghchi offered no specifics but said what needs to happen has been clearly spelled out from our side. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A very terrible scenario The stakes could hardly be higher. If America attacks, Iran has said U.S. military bases in the region would be considered legitimate targets, putting at risk tens of thousands of American service members. Iran has also threatened to attack Israel, meaning a regional war again could erupt across the Middle East. There would be no victory for anybody it would be a devastating war, Araghchi told India Today in an interview recorded Wednesday just before he flew to Geneva. Since the Americans bases are scattered through different places in the region, then unfortunately perhaps the whole region would be engaged and be involved, so it is a very terrible scenario. Ali Vaez, an Iran expert with the International Crisis Group, said it was a good sign that the Americans did not walk away immediately Thursday when Iran presented its latest proposal. There might still not be a breakthrough at the end of this day, but the very fact that the U.S. team is returning shows that there is enough common ground between the two sides, he said. Geneva talks are third meeting since June war The two sides held multiple rounds of talks last year that collapsed when Israel launched a 12-day war against Iran in June and the U.S. carried out heavy strikes on its nuclear sites, leaving much of Irans nuclear program in ruins even as the full extent of the damage remains unclear. Araghchi represented Iran at the talks. Steve Witkoff, a billionaire real estate developer and friend of Trump who serves as a special Mideast envoy, headed up the U.S. delegation with Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner. The talks again were mediated by Oman, an Arab Gulf country thats long served as an interlocutor between Iran and the West. The two sides adjourned after around three hours of talks and resumed the discussions later. During the break, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the Iranians felt there were constructive proposals offered on both nuclear issues and sanctions relief. Trump wants Iran to completely halt its enrichment of uranium and roll back both its long-range missile program and its support for regional armed groups. Iran says it will only discuss nuclear issues, and maintains its atomic program is for entirely peaceful purposes. US suspects Iran is rebuilding its program U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters Wednesday that Iran is always trying to rebuild elements of its nuclear program. He said that Tehran is not enriching uranium right now, but theyre trying to get to the point where they ultimately can. Iran has said it hasnt enriched since June, but it has blocked IAEA inspectors from visiting the sites America bombed. Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press have shown activity at two of those sites, suggesting Iran is trying to assess and potentially recover material there. The West and the IAEA say Iran had a nuclear weapons program until 2003. After Trump scrapped the 2015 nuclear agreement, Iran ramped up its enrichment of uranium to 60% purity a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. U.S. intelligence agencies assess that Iran has yet to restart a weapons program, but has undertaken activities that better position it to produce a nuclear device, if it chooses to do so. Some Iranian officials have spoken openly about the countrys readiness to produce a bomb if that decision is taken. Threat of military action sparks war fears If the talks fail, uncertainty hangs over the timing of any possible U.S. attack. If the aim of potential military action is to pressure Iran to make concessions in nuclear negotiations, its not clear whether limited strikes would work. If the goal is to remove Irans leaders, that will likely commit the U.S. to a larger, longer military campaign. There has been no public sign of planning for what would come next, including the potential for chaos in Iran. There is also uncertainty about what any military action could mean for the wider region. Tehran could retaliate against the American-allied nations of the Persian Gulf or Israel. Oil prices have risen in recent days in part due to those concerns, with benchmark Brent crude now around $70 a barrel. Iran in the last round of talks said it briefly halted traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all traded oil passes. Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Lidman reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Will Weissert in Washington and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report. Pvt. Gregory Wedel-Morales, 23, went missing in August 2019. Ten months passed before his body was found and an autopsy revealed he had died from being shot in the head. (Kim Wedel) Two men have been arrested and charged with murder in the death of a Fort Hood soldier whose remains were found in a field in Killeen, Texas, nearly six years ago, according to local police. Pvt. Gregory Wedel-Morales, 23, went missing in August 2019, just days before he was set to begin the process of leaving the Army. Ten months passed before his body was found and an autopsy revealed he had died from being shot in the head. Darius Demarcus Nobles, 28, and Darion Lequan Brown, 27, were arrested and charged with murder in Wedel-Morales death, Alex Gearhart, assistant chief of the Killeen Police Department, said Wednesday. Darion Lequan Brown has been arrested and charged in the 2019 death of Army Pvt. Gregory Wedel-Morales. (Parker County Jail) Nobles was booked Monday into a Harris County jail based on the Killeen warrant, according to online jail records. Brown was arrested in Parker County, west of Fort Worth, in December for a parole violation and was served the warrant while in custody. The Bell County District Attorneys Office accepted the case Dec. 30, Gearhart said. Kim Wedel, the soldiers mother, said the arrests sparked mixed feelings for her. Im glad that they finally identified some people that are responsible. I personally think theres still more people involved, she said. Im very glad two people are off the street that they feel were involved. Police linked the two men to the soldier using cellphone records, according to court documents. One of the last numbers to dial Wedel-Morales phone belonged to a minor whose mother told police the phone had been stolen by Brown, whom she knew as Kash. Police then interviewed Brown on March 5, 2024, and he said he knew Wedel-Morales, according to court documents. After changing his story a couple times, Brown finally told police he served as a lookout when Nobles shot and killed Wedel-Morales. Brown stated that he and Nobles are affiliated with a gang and they were instructed to kill Wedel-Morales as a way to put in work, according to court documents. Killeen police also linked a 9mm handgun that was collected from the two men during a September 2019 arrest in San Saba to a shell casing found in the field Wedel-Morales body was found. During that 2019 arrest Nobles told police the gun belonged to him, according to court documents. Wedel said her son, after moving to Fort Hood, changed from the fun-loving, goofy kid whom she raised in Oklahoma. He began hanging out with people she did not approve of and keeping secrets from her, including marrying Penny Morales, 36. She was convicted of aggravated robbery and sentenced in 2023 to seven years in Texas prison. He was in the process of getting a divorce. He had plans to go do things with his life, so he had a plan to turn it all around, Wedel said. He just didnt get that chance. I guess thats the hardest part of all of this. He was robbed of the chance to figure it out and get his life on track. Wedel-Morales disappearance and its handling was one of several that in 2020 initiated a policy review that led the Army to reshape its missing soldier protocols. His unit initially labeled him a deserter, which slowed early efforts to search for him. The soldiers mother also had to fight removal of the status so she could have her son returned home and buried in a veterans cemetery. The Army now labels soldiers who do not show up for duty as absent-unknown, and commanders must launch an immediate effort to find the missing soldier. A Fort Hood spokesperson said officials at the base are aware of the arrests. This development is a testament to the diligent and persistent work of the Killeen Police Department, our own Criminal Investigation Division and the other law enforcement agencies involved. Our deepest condolences remain with the Wedel-Morales family, who have endured so much during this difficult time. We are grateful to all the agencies whose tireless efforts led to these charges, the spokesperson said. The Army Criminal Investigation Division has been involved in the case and declined to comment because of the ongoing criminal charges. TEHRAN, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday night met his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi ahead of the new round of indirect nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington scheduled for Thursday in Geneva. The meeting took place shortly after Araghchi arrived in the Swiss city, marking the effective start of the third round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States, said a statement released by Iran's Foreign Ministry early Thursday. During the talks, Araghchi outlined Iran's positions on the nuclear issue and the lifting of U.S. sanctions, conveying Tehran's views and considerations to the Omani side. He expressed appreciation for Oman's role in facilitating the ongoing diplomatic process, stressing that the success of the negotiations hinges on the other side's seriousness and its avoidance of contradictory actions and statements. Albusaidi reaffirmed Oman's readiness to continue its good offices and support efforts to advance the diplomatic path. He commended Iran's commitment to a diplomatic approach to the nuclear issue and expressed hope that the negotiations would yield satisfactory results. The third round of the negotiations comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States in the wake of a U.S. military buildup in West Asia. The first and second rounds of talks were held earlier this month in Muscat and Geneva. An American military official, top right, looks into the cockpit of a Chinese Su-27 fighter during a visit to Anshan Airfield, China, on March 24, 2007. Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., a former F-35 Lightning II pilot, is accused by the U.S. of training Chinese military pilots without authorization between December 2023 and February 2026. (D. Myles Cullen/U.S. Air Force) A former Air Force pilot who worked with nuclear weapons delivery systems on U.S. fighter jets was slated to make an initial appearance Thursday in federal court in Indiana over accusations that he provided defense secrets to China. Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., 65, is charged with violating the Arms Export Control Act, the Justice Department said in a statement Wednesday, which is when he was arrested in Jeffersonville, Ind. He served as a fighter pilot instructor and simulator instructor on such aircraft as the F-35 Lightning II, F-4, F-15, F-16 and A-10. During his military career, he commanded sensitive units responsible for nuclear weapons delivery systems and led combat missions, the statement said. As an Air Force officer, Brown took an oath to defend our nation against all enemies foreign and domestic, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said in the statement. He broke that oath and betrayed the country, jeopardizing the safety of our service members and allies. Also known by his callsign Runner, Brown spent 24 years in the Air Force before leaving active duty as a major in 1996, the statement said. Prosecutors say that in August 2023, Brown began negotiating a contract through a co-conspirator with Stephen Su Bin, a Chinese national who was sentenced to nearly four years in prison. Su Bin pleaded guilty in 2016 to conspiring to hack into the computer systems of U.S. defense contractors on behalf of China. Brown arrived in China in December 2023, the statement said. The training prosecutors say he provided is considered a defense service covered under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. A State Department license is required to provide training to foreign persons or foreign military units. Brown listed his objective on the application as instructor fighter pilot, prosecutors said. Now ... I have the chance to fly and instruct fighter pilots again! he told a co-conspirator on arrival in China, the statement said. On his first day there, Brown answered questions about the U.S. Air Force for three hours, the statement said. He remained in China until this month, when he returned to the U.S. for reasons that remain unknown. A U.S. F-35 Lightning II pilot gets out of the aircraft at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, on June 24, 2024. Former Air Force pilot Gerald Eddie Brown Jr. was slated to appear Thursday in federal court in Indiana over accusations that he unlawfully trained Chinese military pilots. (Nicholas Johnson/U.S. Marine Corps) U.S. allies and partners are likely to have some tough questions for the Pentagon as a result of Browns arrest, aviation analyst and former Australian air force officer Peter Layton told CNN. If I was an allied nation flying the F-35, I would be very strongly requesting what the U.S. finds has been passed on to the Chinese and what changes to tactics and procedures the U.S. now suggests should be made, Layton said. Browns case calls to mind the charges against former Marine Corps pilot Daniel Duggan, who was arrested in Australia in October 2022. His extradition to the U.S. is pending the outcome of an appeal lodged in October. Like Brown, Duggan is accused of providing unauthorized training to Chinese military pilots without authorization in violation of the Arms Export Control Act. He also faces charges of conspiring to engage in international money laundering. In 2024, the U.S., U.K. Australia, Canada and New Zealand issued a bulletin saying China was actively targeting current and former military personnel from NATO and Western countries to strengthen its military. A federal lawsuit challenges an amended rule by the Department of Veterans Affairs mandating that disability ratings reflect how well veterans do on medication rather than on the severity of the condition. A Vietnam veteran with a pending claim and a law firm representing more than 500 veterans are among the plaintiffs in the case. (Joshua Magbanua/U.S. Air Force) WASHINGTON A lawsuit filed in federal circuit court challenges an amended rule by the Department of Veterans Affairs mandating that disability ratings be based on how well veterans do on medication rather than on the severity of the injury or illness. Plaintiffs in the case include a Vietnam veteran with a pending disability claim and a law firm representing more than 500 veterans with disability claims for medical conditions connected to their military service. Both argue that the rule will cause them economic harm. MilVet Law Firm, of Tacoma, Wash., and Andrew Laffoon, a disabled Vietnam veteran, are among plaintiffs asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, in Washington, D.C., to overturn the rule. For over a decade the VA has been required to rate a veterans disabilities absent the effects of medication, according to a written statement from MilVet, which described the actions by VA as shocking and unprecedented. At issue is an interim final rule that amends the Code of Federal Regulations. It directs how VA examiners assess a veterans impairments on daily life skills and employment. The rule which VA claims is not being enforced after pushback from veterans took effect Feb. 17 after being expedited by the agency. If medication or treatment lowers the level of disability, the rating will be based on that lowered disability level, according to the amended rule. The lawsuit argues that the rule was implemented without proper notice or prior public comment period. VA Secretary Doug Collins, named as defendant, has backed off from the new directive after thousands of veterans and their advocates lodged complaints. Collins said on social media Feb. 19 that the rule will not be applied to ratings determinations for new claims and reevaluations. Yet it remains in effect. Paul Lawrence, VA deputy secretary, followed Collins comment, saying that the agency withdrew the rule. He made the comment Sunday at a conference of the Disabled American Veterans. But attorneys at MilVet said that a formal, detailed process must be followed to withdraw an interim final rule, which requires the publication of a new notice in the Federal Register. I would presume the VA official simply is not familiar with the legal nuances of this and misspoke, as I am sure a government official would not purposely mislead interested parties in such a manner, said Paul Jennings, a lead attorney at MilVet. Jennings, himself a disabled veteran, said communications by VA leaders may seem contradictory to veterans, their families and advocates. I may just be an E-4 with a law degree, but I know this much, you dont change the rules on veterans after the fact in the dead of night, and you dont call it an emergency when it isnt one, he said. Jennings compared the situation to a company commander posting a formal policy letter outside his office stating that leave will not be approved for any soldier who does not complete a 2-mile run in 12 minutes or less. The commander could then say the policy is obviously not proper, and he promises that he wont actually enforce the policy, but he leaves it posted and on display outside his door, Jennings said. It would certainly raise an eyebrow as to why this policy, which he claims he will not enforce, remains posted and visible as if it was in full effect. Collins stated on social media that he is allowing a 60-day public comment period on the interim final rule to continue on regulations.gov. Nearly 20,000 comments have been published in less than a week. The comment period is scheduled to close on April 20. But Collins has not stated that he plans to initiate steps to withdraw or rescind the amended rule. Until a formal notice is published, the VA can turn enforcement on just as easily as they supposedly turned it off, said Wesley McCauley, an accredited claims agent with United Veterans Disability. McCauley also is named as a plaintiff in the case. The lawsuit argues that the VA implemented its rule without following standard procedure for public notification, including an advance comment and review period. Failure to allow notice and comment, where required, is grounds for invalidating the rule, according to the lawsuit. But Collins stated in the Federal Register notice that any delay would cause significant disruption to the VAs claims and benefits system. The lawsuit claims the rule is causing economic harm to veterans and firms that represent them in filing and appealing claims. MilVet, McCauley and attorney Derek Debus, another plaintiff in the case, charge legal fees on contingency, according to the complaint. Lower disability ratings result in reduced compensation for veterans which in turn reduces payments to the businesses representing the veterans. MilVet claims that its attorneys and staff also have spent many hours preparing disability claims and appeals that are not based on medication effects but on the condition itself, according to the lawsuit. Finally, these veterans face substantial hindrances to vindicating their own rights, especially since the VA secretary immediately put the rule into effect, according to the petition. The VA stated the rule is necessary after a 2025 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in Ingram v. Collins. That decision required the VA to disregard the ameliorating effects or improvements veterans have from taking medication when determining a disability level for musculoskeletal conditions. It aligned with prior court decisions that prevented ratings from being reduced based on how well medication alleviates or masks symptoms. But the VA wrote the ruling was erroneous. The VA said it will now have to reevaluate 350,000 claims based on the court decision, resulting in higher payments for disability level(s) that veterans are not actually experiencing. In Laffoons case, the Board of Veterans Appeals sent his 2021 disability claim back to a regional VA office for another review after the Ingram v. Collins court decision. The board ordered the VA to follow court guidance for evaluating conditions absent medication, according to court documents. Laffoon, who served in the military from 1968 to 1969, is seeking a higher rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathies, a complication of diabetes that causes nerve damage. But VAs amended rule alters the legal standard governing Laffoons claim, negating any benefit from a second review, according to the lawsuit. Laffoon is harmed by the rule because he most likely will receive a lower rating and reduced compensation, according to the lawsuit. Bill Hines is among several veterans who will soon return to Vietnam for the first time since the war. (Forever Young Veterans) The reality of the Vietnam War hit Skip Funk three days after he arrived at Khe Sanh Combat Base in September 1967. Funk then a corporal with 1st Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division was sent with about 10 other Marines to meet three helicopters carrying 11 casualties. If the Marine was deceased, they would place them face down on the stretcher that way that would make it easier for the other corpsmen where they wouldnt waste time trying to help a dead Marine, he said by phone Wednesday from his home in Collierville, Tenn. I will tell you that all 11 of the Marines that we took off of those helicopters were face down. And I will never forget that as long as I live. Funk, now 81, is one of 12 veterans returning March 1-8 to tour key Vietnam battle sites in Hanoi, Da Nang, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City. The Eagle Society and Forever Young Veterans, which take veterans to war memorial and battle sites, organized the event. Funk will be joined by fellow Marine veteran Robert Kiyosaki, 79, of Arizona; Army veterans Rudy Dixon, 74, of New Albany, Miss.; Abel Garcia, 76, of Willis, Texas; Ken Thompson, 75, of Agawam, Mass.; Mike Kinniburgh, 76, of Green River, Wyo.; Jerry Melcher, 76, of Bartlett, Tenn.; Larry Dobesh, 78, of Hudson, Fla; Jerol Arguella, 76, of Thornton, Colo;, Jerry Vandyke, 78, of Texas; and Mike Bennett, 80, of New Albany; and Navy veteran Bill Hines, 77, of Sandy Springs, Ga. All except Kiyosaki are returning to Vietnam for the first time since the war, Eagle Society founder Michael Davidson said by phone Tuesday. Hines served as a boatswains mate aboard the harbor tugboat USS Mandan from 1969 to 1970, taking supplies to firebases. He was almost killed in an outhouse the night he arrived at the air base in Da Nang. I said, theres no way Im coming back from this alive, he said by phone Wednesday. On the day Hines left Vietnam, he and a Marine were caught in crossfire on the way to the air base. We looked like part of the jeep we were out on the floorboard, and the jeep did not take a round, he said. It scared me to death. Funk served during the 77-day Siege of Khe Sanh that began on Jan. 20, 1968. I was just coming off a two-hour radio watch when a Russian-made rocket hit about 3 feet from my bunker, he said. It put a crater in the ground about 3 feet deep and about 10 feet wide, and that was my introduction to the Siege of Khe Sanh. About 20,000 North Vietnamese soldiers launched a series of attacks against the base, according to the National Museum of the Marine Corps. The siege ended April 14 when U.S. soldiers and Marines seized the last of the commanding terrain north of the base. Funks two closest friends, Cpl. Gary Thorpe and Sgt. Maj. Donald Bean, died during the fighting at Khe Sanh. I want them to know that Im going in their honor, he said. Asked about the friends he lost in the war, Hines went silent. I cant do it, he said. He said hes returning to get rid of some of the bad memories and replace them with good I hope. This screenshot shows the China Coast Guard vessel Hebao conducting warning water cannon discharge against Philippine ships illegally entering the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao, the South China Sea, Feb. 21, 2026. Several Philippine ships illegally gathered and entered China's territorial waters near Huangyan Dao on Saturday. The ships were lawfully expelled by the formation of Chinese Coast Guard vessel Wanshan. (Xinhua) A skydiver performs over Kuwait City in celebration of Kuwait's National Day and Liberation Day, in Kuwait, Feb. 25, 2026. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua) This photo taken on Feb. 25, 2026 shows flooded banks of the Seine River after continuous rainfalls in Paris, France. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo) This photo taken on Feb. 25, 2026 shows a piece of sculpture during a radish carving competition in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) A volunteer prepares meals during Ramadan in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Feb. 24, 2026. (Photo by Habibur Rahman/Xinhua) A Qatari guard fires an Iftar cannon to mark the breaking of fast during Ramadan at Souq Waqif in Doha, Qatar, on Feb. 24, 2026. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua) A person holding a sign attends a rally in front of the Second Members' Office Building of the House of Representatives in Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 24, 2026. A large crowd of Japanese people gathered Tuesday evening in Tokyo to protest Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's dangerous push for policies including accelerating constitutional revision, expanding military capabilities and strengthening national intelligence functions, voicing concerns about the country's future direction. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng) An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 25, 2026 shows the Haixi Bay Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Industrial Base in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. As production resumes after the Spring Festival holiday, factories and enterprises across the country are operating at full steam to meet orders and ramp up output. (Photo by Yu Fangping/Xinhua) An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 25, 2026 shows a view of the wild cherry flowers in Sandu Town of Jiande City, east China's Zhejiang Province. Flowers of wild cherry trees which cover a large area in Sandu Town are in full bloom currently, attracting swarms of tourists. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) MJ Arrebola Granada Thursday, 26 February 2026, 16:37 Share The representative of the state government in Granada province, Jose Antonio Montilla, has announced during a visit to Salobrena, a 2.9-million-euro grant to repair and regenerate the Costa Tropical's beaches. The funding forms part of the Royal Decree-Law 5/2026 approved by the Spanish government to deal with the damage caused by the recent storms. The interventions will be carried out on La Charca and Punta del Rio beached and the area around the Guadalfeo Delta, where the storms have caused sand loss. Work will also be carried out at Punta del Santo in Motril, as well as on particularly hard-hit beaches on the eastern coast including La Rabita, El Pozuelo and Torrenueva Costa, in addition to various beaches in Almunecar. Although the exact distribution by municipalities has not yet been finalised, Montilla explained that "the most important actions will be concentrated in the Guadalfeo Delta and in the eastern part of the province", where the impact of the storms has been most severe. In Motril, where large waves have displaced stones and materials from the breakwater at Playa Granada, Montilla said that "the emergency action contemplates its repair". He went on to say that work carried out to the breakwater, "with six-metre waves, Playa Granada has not suffered significant damage, when historically it was the first to be affected. This shows that the breakwater has been effective". However, he acknowledged that 30 to 40-metre-long strip has shown to have "a certain weakness" and that coastal department (Costas) technicians are studying how to correct the effects of the coastal dynamics. The work will take several months, although "we will act as quickly as possible so that many of these actions will be completed before Easter", Montilla confirmed. The plan is to carry out a first urgent intervention in the coming weeks to prepare the beaches before Easter and then to continue with more complex work after Easter and before the summer arrives. According to Montilla, the emergency procedure has already been approved and it is hoped that the first work can begin in approximately two to three weeks. MJ Arrebola Granada Thursday, 26 February 2026, 16:44 Share The central government's representative in Granada province, Jose Antonio Montilla, has opened the door to the possibility of a coastal train from Nerja to Motril. Following conversations about a train running along the Costa del Sol from Estepona to Nerja, authorities and businesses in the neighbouring province of Granada have also been putting pressure on the government to extend the future service to reach Motril on the Costa Tropical. The revision of the Plan de Ordenacion del Territorio de Andalucia (POTA), a strategic document in which the Andalusian regional government includes the necessary infrastructures for the future development of the region, includes a train that goes from Cadiz to Nerja. Granada has been fighting for decades for the need to connect its coastline, one of the few Spanish coastal areas with no railway network at all. Now it wants to take advantage of the train planned in the POTA to extend it to Motril. Benefit to the whole region The Andalusian regional government has shown its willingness to look at the extension of the coastal train to Motril in the revision of the POTA, after Costa Tropical business leaders demanded that it be included. However, the regional government has said that due to the complexity of the coast, the project would be considerably more expensive. Furthermore it says that the project falls under the competence of Spain's central government, who would have to study and finance the project. The section to Nerja already has an initial estimate of 6.7 billion euros. Montilla responded to the Junta de Andalucia's points by saying: "I don't think it is very serious to put forward a proposal on the condition that the government pays for it. It is not the way to deal with an issue like this." Mayor of Albunol, Maria Jose Sanchez, explained that the socialist PSOE party, which is the party in government in Spain, considers that a train that runs along the coast "would be a good idea and a project that would benefit the whole region" and "would be an engine of economic and social development for the region". But she also considered that "in politics you have to be rigorous and serious and when you make a proposal of this kind you have to have a path to follow in order to achieve this objective". She added that the socialist representatives are in charge of all the projects that they consider can lead to an increase in the wellbeing of all the residents. More activity and more business Mayor of Almunecar, Juan Jose Ruiz Joya, said that the train is something that people have been calling for "for a long time" and added, "It is a shame that the coastal train stayed in the province of Malaga, more specifically in Nerja and could not access Almunecar, as well as Motril, which is a port of national interest." Ruiz Joya said that Almunecar town hall will support any initiative aimed at achieving the extension of the train and that it will use "all the resources that the law gives us and all the possible administrative mechanisms to exert the necessary pressure". The president of the association of beach businesses on the Costa Tropical, Francisco Trujillo, stressed that it has been demonstrated that greater ease of travel translates into "more activity, more dynamism and more business", which is why he considers that the project would provide an important leap forward in the economic and social development of the area. One of the major beneficiaries would be the port of Motril. Its president, Jose Garcia Fuentes pointed out that the initiative would "greatly improve" transport and the connection with the Costa del Sol and with the entire coastal corridor. SUR in English Malaga Thursday, 26 February 2026, 08:53 Share GIPE (www.gipe.es), the National Real Estate Association in Spain, hosted the second edition of its innovative event, The Battle of the Banks, this Thursday, 19 February. The event brought together four prominent financial institutions: -CaixaBank. -Banco Sabadell. -Bankinter. -UCI. Each presenting tailored financing solutions for two distinct client profiles, with a single objective: to deliver their most attractive and competitive mortgage proposal. Key representatives included: -Dylan Leworthy Boyle, Regional Director at UCI. -Sandra Flores Sanchez, Director of Mijas Costa at CaixaBank. -Antonio Hoyos Sierra, Head of Collaborators at Banco Sabadell. -Juan Jose Villalba Herrero, Director of Malaga at Bankinter. This distinctive format offered an unprecedented level of transparency, enabling real estate professionals to clearly compare how different banks approach real-life buyer scenarios, from financial structure and lending conditions to flexibility and long-term strategic vision. For advisors guiding international clients through complex property transactions, clarity in financing is not optional, it is essential. The Battle of the Banks delivered practical, actionable insights to the real estate sector, empowering professionals to navigate the financial landscape with confidence and precision. About GIPE GIPE (Gestores Inmobiliarios Profesionales Europeos) is Spains national association of Real Estate Professionals providing its members with networking opportunities, industry intelligence, legal support and strategic tools to better serve both national and international clients. For more information, visit www.gipe.es. Thursday, 26 February 2026, 13:19 Share National Police, in collaboration with Albanian authorities, have dismantled an itinerant criminal network linked to four violent armed robberies in Marbella. The group specifically targeted high-net-worth individuals, using intimidation and physical force to steal luxury goods and cash. The investigation started following four armed robberies with violence and intimidation. The perpetrators would first select their victims, usually high-net individuals living in semi-detached or detached houses. Three people would get to the property in question in high-end, high-capacity cars under false names, the registration numbers of which they would often change. The robberies usually happened between 7pm and 2am. The gang would climb over fences and force doors and windows to gain access. They would communicate via walkie-talkie with earpieces hidden in their chests to avoid using mobile phones. They would hide their faces using balaclavas and threaten victims at gunpoint to locate valuables, money and safes. Sometimes, they would use physical violence. The criminal network had several bases: Catalonia, Alicante, Murcia and Malaga. They stayed in isolated rural areas that were difficult to access and communicated with phone lines in the name of third parties, with non-existent identities or those of third parties, falsifying documentation. Investigators were able to establish that they would make a new registration every two weeks. Phases of the operation After identifying members of the group, the police set up a two-phase operation. The first step led to four house searches in Albania in September 2025 and the arrest of one suspect. They located another member of the gang in Italy. The second phase took place in Barcelona in January 2026. The investigators entered two homes and arrested two men. During the searches, they found more than 10,500 euros, four luxury watches and several high-end handbags valued at more than 50,000 euros. The investigators have also arrested one suspect in Benidorm, who is since then under investigation by the Italian authorities. The latest arrest happened on Wednesday, when the police located a woman allegedly involved in the network in Barcelona. The investigation remains open and the police do not rule out further arrests. Miguel Angel Alfonso Madrid Thursday, 26 February 2026, 11:46 | Updated 20:42h. Share The UK and Spain (and, by extension, the EU) have published a landmark post-Brexit Gibraltar treaty that removes the physical border and gives Spain key roles, while keeping Gibraltar British. The Spanish Foreign Ministry announced the mooted deal on 26 February. Without the physical border, it extends "the free movement of people and goods and establishes a framework for fiscal, environmental and social cooperation". The final draft text was today (26 February) published by the UK Government, the European Commission, and the Government of Gibraltar. The full 1,034-page text was released to allow for public and parliamentary scrutiny in Spain, Gibraltar, and the UK. This treaty will open a new stage for the more than 300,000 Andalusians who live in Campo de Gibraltar, promoting economic opportunities, institutional stability and future prospects in a strategic territory for Spain and Europe. Free movement The treaty orders the removal of the last physical fence in continental Europe. It establishes the free movement of people between Campo de Gibraltar and Gibraltar, which particularly benefits the approximately 15,000 cross-border workers. There will be no passport controls between the two territories. Spain takes over Schengen controls at Gibraltar Airport and Port. In addition, Spain now has the right to veto residence permits and their renewal. Free movement of goods Spain will carry out customs controls on goods entering Gibraltar and establish baggage controls for goods bound for the EU and Gibraltar, ensuring security and compliance with EU regulations. Fiscal convergence The agreement incorporates measures to ensure convergence in indirect taxation on goods. Gibraltar will introduce an indirect tax equivalent to IVA (Spanish tax), starting at 15 per cent upon the treaty's entry into force and completing full convergence within three years. In addition, it establishes specific provisions on tobacco in line with European regulations. These measures aim to prevent economic distortions and strengthen fairness across the wider area. Environment The treaty also says that Gibraltar will follow EU environmental rules and legislation. Spain and Gibraltar will have rights to joint assessment of the environmental impact of projects, in compliance with EU standards. Social guarantees and enforcement mechanisms The treaty ensures balanced and fair development. It enables the creation of a financial mechanism for employment training and other social measures to compensate for income inequalities. It aims to strengthen coordination in the field of social security and protect the rights of cross-border workers. Spain will have a central role in the implementation of the treaty, including the initiative to suspend its application, apply safeguards or terminate the agreement. Moreover, Spain fully maintains its claim on sovereignty, as expressly stated in the text of the agreement. A new era for Campo de Gibraltar The agreement is a decisive step towards a shared area of prosperity, cooperation and trust, consolidating a relationship model that prioritises the well-being of residents and stability. Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Manuel Albares has sent the text of the treaty to both the lower and the upper house of the Spanish government, the mayors of Campo de Gibraltar, the regional government of Andalucia and the social and economic actors in the area. As he did in 2025, he has asked to appear in the lower house to explain the treaty. Editor's note: The text of this article has been changed to make clear that no treaty has been signed. The text of the agreed final treaty has been published to allow for public and parliamentary consultation in the UK, Spain and Gibraltar BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese courts have concluded the trials of two major criminal groups based in northern Myanmar involved in telecom and online fraud, the Supreme People's Court (SPC) said Thursday. At a press conference held by the SPC, it was revealed that by the end of 2025, courts across the country had concluded first-instance trials of over 27,000 cases related to telecom fraud operations in northern Myanmar, with more than 41,000 returned suspects sentenced. Notably, among the trials of the so-called "four major families" criminal gangs -- which had drawn widespread domestic and international attention -- those of the Ming and Bai groups have completed all judicial proceedings. A total of 39 individuals received sentences of life imprisonment or heavier penalties, including 16 sentenced to death. The two cross-border armed criminal rings have been completely dismantled, delivering a heavy blow to criminal elements both at home and abroad. CANBERRA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Australia's trade minister said on Thursday that he will negotiate with U.S. counterparts to have tariffs on Australian goods removed. Don Farrell, minister for trade and tourism, told Australia's Nine Network television that he has been informed by U.S. authorities that the tariff on Australian goods will remain at 10 percent despite an announcement from President Trump that a temporary duty of 15 percent would be imposed on all imports. Farrell, who is in the United States on an official visit promoting tourism, trade and investment, said that his objective in the weeks ahead is to negotiate for the removal of all tariffs on Australian goods. "It doesn't make any sense and simply pushes up prices in the United States," he said. A 20-year-old California woman testified Wednesday that Instagram and YouTube fueled a childhood social media addiction that left her with depression, anxiety and body image problems, in a landmark trial that could reshape how tech giants design products for children. Kaley G.M., identified in court only by her first name and initials, told jurors in Los Angeles Superior Court that she began using YouTube around age 6 and Instagram by 9, spending hours scrolling feeds she says she could not put down. Her lawsuit accuses Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, and Google's YouTube of "engineering addiction" through features such as autoplay video, infinite scroll and algorithmic recommendations aimed at keeping children online as long as possible, according to Reuters. Lawyers for Kaley argue the companies knowingly targeted young users with designs that functioned like a behavioral hook, despite internal research showing potential harms to teen mental health. Court filings and public documents in related cases have described internal discussions at major platforms comparing their products to addictive substances and acknowledging that minors struggle to manage screen time on their own. Kaley's attorneys say that as her screen time climbed, her mental health declined, with symptoms including depression, body dysmorphic disorder and severe anxiety that they link directly to her childhood social media use. They point to features such as endless scrolling feeds, "like" buttons and beauty filters, arguing these tools exploited a teenager's need for approval and distorted her self-image, ABC News reported. Meta and Google deny the allegations and say parents, schools and other life factors play major roles in young people's mental health. A Meta spokesperson has said the company disagrees with claims that it ignores risks and highlighted recent changes, including teen-specific settings and safety tools, as evidence it prioritizes young users' well-being. In court, Meta's lawyers have pointed to Kaley's medical records and family history, arguing she faced serious challenges long before she started using Instagram. The case is the first in the United States to send claims of youth social media addiction against major platforms to a jury, and it sits alongside hundreds of other lawsuits by families, school districts and state attorneys general accusing the industry of fueling a youth mental health crisis. Legal experts say a verdict against Meta and Google could open the door to more trials and potentially push platforms to change core design features for minors, while a defense win could strengthen tech companies' arguments that federal law shields them from many of these claims, as per WHBL. Samsung's Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus line up as two of the most compelling Android flagships in 2026, sharing core hardware yet differing in size, battery, and use case. Both bring the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy (or Exynos 2600 in select regions), Android 16 with One UI 8.5, and seven years of updatesensuring long-term relevance. The Samsung Galaxy S26 vs S26 Plus debate centers on whether a larger screen, bigger battery, and faster charging justify the roughly $100 price gap. While cameras remain unchanged and component shortages impact pricing, improvements in AI features and display sizes make each model competitive. This comparison breaks down design, performance, battery life, cameras, software, and real-world usage to help you decide which fits your priorities. Samsung Galaxy S26 vs S26 Plus Display The Samsung Galaxy S26 vs S26 Plus display comparison highlights distinct screen sizes and resolutions. The S26 features a 6.3-inch AMOLED panel with FHD+ resolution and adaptive 1120Hz refresh, while the S26 Plus boasts a larger 6.7-inch QHD+ screen with higher pixel density and equally smooth 1120Hz performance. Both deliver peak brightness up to 2600 nits, excellent color accuracy, and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection for daily durability. Ergonomics differ markedly: the S26's compact frame favors one-handed use and thumb reach, while the Plus emphasizes media consumption, multitasking with edge panels, and split-screen productivity. Dolby Vision support enhances video experiences on both models. Under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensors, 2D face unlock, mask-compatible recognition, and IP68 dust/water resistance are standard, ensuring secure access and everyday resilience. Galaxy S26 Specs Comparison: Performance and Battery The Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus deliver flagship performance with powerful chipsets, ample RAM, and fast storage. While both phones run smoothly for multitasking and AI features, the Plus emphasizes extended battery life and faster charging. This section breaks down performance, memory, storage, and battery distinctions in practical terms. RAM & Storage: Both devices include 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage, with options of 256GB or 512GB; the 128GB base model is eliminated. Both devices include 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage, with options of 256GB or 512GB; the 128GB base model is eliminated. Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy (US/Asia) or Exynos 2600 (other regions) provides high-performance CPU/GPU and optimized multitasking. Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy (US/Asia) or Exynos 2600 (other regions) provides high-performance CPU/GPU and optimized multitasking. AI & On-Device Processing: Supports AI acceleration for messaging, generative features, and on-device privacy-focused tasks. Supports AI acceleration for messaging, generative features, and on-device privacy-focused tasks. Battery: S26 has a 4,300mAh battery (1012 hours SOT), while S26 Plus features a 4,900mAh battery (1315 hours SOT). S26 has a 4,300mAh battery (1012 hours SOT), while S26 Plus features a 4,900mAh battery (1315 hours SOT). Charging: Wired charging up to 25W (S26) and 45W (S26 Plus), with both supporting 15W wireless and reverse wireless charging. Wired charging up to 25W (S26) and 45W (S26 Plus), with both supporting 15W wireless and reverse wireless charging. Battery Management: Adaptive battery learning reduces standby drain, and thermal engineering maintains smooth performance during extended gaming sessions. Samsung Flagship Comparison Camera Software The camera systems on the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus remain largely consistent with previous generations but gain notable software improvements. AI-driven tools enhance editing, creative workflows, and video capture without relying on major hardware upgrades. This section highlights the sensors, software features, and video capabilities that make both devices competitive in 2026. Rear Cameras: 50MP main sensor with OIS and pixel binning, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP 3x telephoto lens. 50MP main sensor with OIS and pixel binning, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP 3x telephoto lens. Front Camera: 12MP selfie camera handles portrait and night shots with stable skin tones and reliable HDR. 12MP selfie camera handles portrait and night shots with stable skin tones and reliable HDR. AI & Editing Tools: Photo Assist allows text-prompt editing and step-by-step refinement, while Creative Studio enables generative image creation and sticker production. Photo Assist allows text-prompt editing and step-by-step refinement, while Creative Studio enables generative image creation and sticker production. Video Features: 8K 30fps capture, multi-lens Director's View, and gyro-EIS stabilization. 8K 30fps capture, multi-lens Director's View, and gyro-EIS stabilization. Software Enhancements: Object removal, sticker creation, and real-world editing workflows enhance creative control for everyday users. Object removal, sticker creation, and real-world editing workflows enhance creative control for everyday users. Hardware Status: Despite modest hardware upgrades, software improvements compensate, providing robust performance for photography and video. Galaxy S26 vs S26 Plus: Software and AI Enhancements Samsung's software differentiators shine in the Samsung Galaxy S26 vs S26 Plus software context. Android 16 with One UI 8.5 brings UI refinements, improved Always On Display options, and Good Lock modules for deep customization. One UI's Immersive View and spatial audio extend media experiences, while contextual widgets, Now Brief adaptive suggestions, and integrated AI nudges improve day-to-day interactions. Privacy enhancements include Knox Matrix and hardware-backed secure storage. Samsung's AI toolkit expands assistant abilities, from Audio Eraser in thirdparty apps to Natural Language processing in Bixby and Perplexity-enhanced search. Features like Circle to Search, scam detection, and integration with thirdparty apps hint at a more connected, anticipatory software experiencethough some features may appear on older models too. Samsung Galaxy S26 vs S26 Plus Pricing & Value Pricing is a key factor when deciding between the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus. Each model offers incremental improvements over the previous generation, with differences in size, battery, and charging speed shaping their value proposition. Starting Prices: S26 starts at $899 for the 256GB base model; S26 Plus begins around $999 for 256GB. S26 starts at $899 for the 256GB base model; S26 Plus begins around $999 for 256GB. Price Increase Factors: Component scarcity, the ongoing "RAM crisis," and chipset pricing pressures contribute to the $100 increase over the S25 series. Component scarcity, the ongoing "RAM crisis," and chipset pricing pressures contribute to the $100 increase over the S25 series. Value Proposition S26: Appeals to users seeking one-handed comfort, lighter weight, and strong everyday performance. Appeals to users seeking one-handed comfort, lighter weight, and strong everyday performance. Value Proposition S26 Plus: Suits those prioritizing larger display, longer battery life, and faster wired charging. Suits those prioritizing larger display, longer battery life, and faster wired charging. Design & Hardware: Both models maintain familiar designs and camera hardware from previous generations. Both models maintain familiar designs and camera hardware from previous generations. Software & Enhancements: Incremental improvements, AI features, and software enhancements keep both devices competitive in 2026. Which Should You Choose in 2026? Choosing between the Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus comes down to personal preferences and use cases. If you value pocket-friendly design, balanced performance, and dependable battery for everyday tasks, the S26 is compelling. If you prefer media consumption, productivity workflows, and extended screen time without compromise, the S26 Plus justifies its premium. Both retain strong Android foundations, long update support, and flagship-level hardware. Frequently Asked Questions 1. Is the Galaxy S26 Plus worth the extra $100? The Galaxy S26 Plus offers a larger QHD+ display, bigger battery, and faster wired charging, which justify the premium for many users. Media consumption and multitasking feel more expansive on the Plus' 6.7-inch screen. However, if one-handed comfort and pocketability matter more, the base S26 is a better fit. Your personal priorities determine the best value for you. 2. How do the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus cameras compare? Both phones share the same triple camera setup: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP 3x telephoto, plus a 12MP selfie camera. Image quality is similar, with AI processing and computational photography enhancing results. Video features like 8K capture and Director's View are consistent across both models. Neither model receives major hardware upgrades but software improvements aid creativity. 3. Do they support long-term Android updates? Yes, Samsung promises up to seven years of OS and security updates for the S26 lineup. This places them among the longest-supported Android devices in 2026. Frequent patching improves security and feature updates over time. With One UI refinements and Android evolution, both phones gain value longevity. 4. Is the performance difference between Snapdragon and Exynos noticeable? Performance may vary by region depending on whether your S26/S26 Plus uses Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy or Exynos 2600. Historically, Qualcomm chips have delivered stronger benchmarks, but Samsung's newer Exynos aims to close the gap. Real-world usage tends to be smooth on both variants. Final verdicts await region-specific performance tests and comparisons. BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on an official visit to China, in Beijing on Wednesday. Xi pointed out that China and Germany are the world's second and third largest economies, and the bilateral relationship not only bears on the interests of both countries, but also has significant impact on Europe and the world. The international landscape is undergoing the most profound transformations since the end of World War II, he said, adding that the greater changes and turbulence the world faces, the more important it is for the two countries to enhance strategic communication, strengthen strategic mutual trust and work for new progress in China-Germany all-around strategic partnership. Xi made three propositions on further developing China-Germany relations. Firstly, he said that both countries should be reliable partners that support each other. China and Germany have pursued self-reliance and realized rapid development, said Xi, noting that both have upheld mutual respect, mutual trust and open cooperation, and together written a success story of mutual benefit. He said that China adheres to the path of peaceful development, and has the capacity and confidence to achieve Chinese modernization, adding that China will continue to share development opportunities with Germany and the wider world. China hopes the German side can view China's growth in an objective and rational manner, pursue a positive and pragmatic policy toward China, and work with China for steady and sustained growth of the bilateral relationship, Xi added. Secondly, he said that both countries should be innovative partners that champion openness and win-win results. The German government put forward new development strategies in such areas as technology, innovation and digital development, said Xi, noting that they highly resonate with China's objective of pursuing intelligent, green and integrated development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. Xi said the two sides should foster greater synergy between development strategies, support the two-way flow of talent, knowledge and technology, and promote dialogue and cooperation on AI and other cutting-edge technologies. Both sides need to correctly grasp the interplay of competition and cooperation, explore cooperation pathways that lead to win-win results, and jointly keep industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded, he added. Thirdly, Xi said both countries should be partners that understand each other and share close bonds through cultural and people-to-people exchanges. China and Germany, as major countries with profound cultural heritage, should strengthen mutual learning in culture and boost people-to-people exchanges, so as to cement the popular foundation for China-Germany friendship, he said. Xi stressed that as changes not seen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace, countries should tackle challenges together and pursue a shared future. China and Germany should uphold the central position of the United Nations, reaffirm its leading role, and take the lead in safeguarding multilateralism, practicing international rule of law, defending free trade, and advocating for solidarity and coordination, he said. Xi emphasized that China supports Europe in seeking to increase autonomy and strength, and hopes the European side can work with China toward the same direction, adhere to the positioning of strategic partners, and uphold openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, so as to deliver greater growth in China-Europe relations, and make bigger contributions to world peace and development. The two leaders exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Xi expounded on China's principled position, and pointed out that the key to finding a solution lies in consistent dialogue and negotiation. He noted that it is important to ensure the equal participation of all sides and strike a solid foundation for peace, accommodate the legitimate concerns of all sides and enhance the will for peace, and realize common security and build a lasting architecture of peace. NASA's Artemis II rocket launch faces delays after the Space Launch System (SLS) was rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy Space Center. The rollback addressed a helium pressurization issue in the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) upper stage, identified during wet dress rehearsals. Engineers also replaced batteries and inspected the flight termination system, ensuring safety for the first crewed Orion capsule mission. The 10-day lunar flyby mission, with astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, will follow Artemis I's uncrewed success but now awaits a revised launch window in April. The 322-foot SLS stack completed a slow, 4-mile journey atop the crawler-transporter, arriving in the VAB for high bay access. Technicians are running diagnostics, purging the ICPS helium system, and verifying repressurization procedures to prevent future malfunctions. After the second successful wet dress rehearsal, these repairs aim to clear all hurdles for a safe Artemis II mission while preserving the April opportunities for launch. NASA Artemis II Rocket Rollback The Artemis II rocket rollback began on February 25 at 9:28 a.m. EST, moving the 11-million-pound stack along a carefully prepared crawlerway. The process allowed engineers to access the upper stage helium tanks and perform critical repairs in confined spaces using lockout-tagout procedures to ensure safety. High bay platforms and scaffolding provided secure working positions for inspection and maintenance of cryogenic systems. Previous wet dress rehearsals revealed hydrogen leaks and cryogenic flow issues. Addressing these problems required purging helium lines, monitoring pressure decay, and verifying all o-rings and quick disconnect interfaces. The rollback also enabled battery replacements for the upper stage flight termination system, critical for range safety during launch. Artemis II Rocket Repairs Timeline Repairs focus on the ICPS helium flow blockage and routine maintenance of cryogenic systems. Engineers are inspecting regulators, solenoid valves, sensors, and telemetry to detect anomalies and confirm root causes. Lithium-ion and manganese dioxide batteries in the upper stage are being replaced and tested to ensure charge retention during long-duration storage and launch operations. The second wet dress rehearsal validated hydrogen leak mitigations. Pressure decay testing and hydrotesting confirmed system integrity. These repair activities address multiple SLS complexities accumulated over decades, including core stage integration, booster assembly, and Orion processing, ensuring the Artemis II launch can proceed safely once all systems pass verification. Artemis II Launch Delay Impacts The Artemis II launch delay affects mission timing and subsequent Artemis program milestones. Postponing the lunar flyby shifts planning for Artemis III and impacts preparation for the Human Landing System on the lunar south pole. International collaboration with ESA, CSA, and other partners remains critical for Gateway deployment, lunar orbital operations, and resource utilization planning. Lessons learned from Artemis I and II rollbacks inform corrective measures: improved cryogenic handling, standardized procedures, augmented reality support for technicians, and error-proofing through poka-yoke checks. These adjustments strengthen crew safety, mission reliability, and the Artemis cadence, supporting a sustained human presence on the Moon and future Mars exploration technology demonstrations. Originally published on Science Times DHAKA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh's economy posted its slowest growth since the COVID-19 pandemic, with gross domestic product (GDP) expanding by just 3.49 percent in the 2024-2025 fiscal year (July 2024 to June 2025). The final GDP figure, released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) on Thursday, is 0.48 percentage points lower than the provisional estimate at 3.97 percent. Bangladesh's GDP at current prices stands at 456 billion U.S. dollars, up from 450 billion dollars in the previous fiscal year. Sector-wise growth shows a decrease in agriculture and services, but a slight rise in industry sectors. Bangladesh had earlier recorded GDP growth of 3.45 percent in the 2019-20 fiscal year when the COVID-19 pandemic took its toll on the country's economy. Despite the GDP decline, Bangladesh's per capita gross national income has reached 2,769 dollars in the last fiscal year, up from an earlier projection of 2,738 dollars. Bangladesh's economy is projected to grow at around 5 percent in 2026, balancing moderate expansion with persistent structural challenges, according to the Bangladeshi Planning Ministry's Economic Update & Outlook released last month. The report said sustaining growth will require stronger governance, consistent policies, and increased investment in skills and technology to reduce the economy's over-reliance on the ready-made garment sector. It emphasized that political stability, institutional reforms, and technological adoption are critical as Bangladesh approaches graduation from least developed country status and navigates a democratic transition. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A blue plaque celebrating the life and works of bestselling author Barbara Taylor Bradford has been unveiled ahead of a TV adaptation of her 1979 novel A Woman of Substance. Often hailed as the grand dame of blockbusters, the British-American novelist penned a total of 40 novels during her lifetime and all of her books often centred on the lives of the wealthy and glamorous went on to become worldwide bestsellers. She died aged 91 in 2024. The plaque has been unveiled at the Armley Library in Leeds. Bradford was born and raised in the city and spent hours at the library as a young reader famously holding two library cards to double the number of books she could take out. She started writing at the age of seven and was first published at 10 years old, when her mother sold a story to a childrens magazine. Having left school at the age of 15, Bradford became a typist at the Yorkshire Evening Post, where she climbed the ladder to be named the papers first Womans Editor at just 18 years old. open image in gallery Taylor Bradford aged 17 ( The Barbara Taylor Bradford Trust ) She moved to London aged 20 to become a columnist and editor on Fleet Street, where she met and married Hollywood film producer Robert Bradford. The couple married in 1963 and moved to New York, where Barbara Bradford later turned her attention to fiction and released her debut novel, A Woman of Substance, aged 46. open image in gallery Brenda Blethyn, who stars in the new A Woman of Substance series, at the plaque unveiling ( PR SHOT ) A Woman of Substance, which tells the story of Emma Harte, a woman who builds a retail empire, remained on the New York Times bestsellers list for 43 weeks. It is still ranked in the top 10 bestselling works of fiction of all-time, with more than 32 million copies sold. Bradford went on to write a further 39 novels, which have been published in more than 90 countries with more than 92 million copies sold worldwide. She was awarded an OBE for her contributions to literature by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2007. open image in gallery Taylor Bradford with her husband Robert, who died in 2019 ( Toby Madden/The Barbara Taylor Bradford Trust ) A number of Bradfords novels have been adapted for both film and television, and a 1984 small screen version of A Woman of Substance saw Liam Neeson in a supporting role. Arriving on Channel 4 in March, the new adaptation features Vera star Brenda Blethyn with Jessica Reynolds - whose previous credits include Derry Girls and House of Guinness - in the lead role. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Hilary Duff has cheekily admitted she intentionally crashed the Freaky Friday premiere of her childhood nemesis Lindsay Lohan in 2003. The former child stars were involved in a well-documented feud in the early 2000s, stemming from a messy love triangle with the late Aaron Carter, whom they dated at the same time. Appearing on the latest episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, Duff, 38, was asked point-blank if she deliberately showed up at the Freaky Friday premiere to bother Lohan, the star of the movie. I think absolutely yes. I was a teenager, the Lizzie McGuire actor replied. She noted that she was invited by their mutual co-star Chad Michael Murray. I dont wanna start any more stuff, Duff said cautiously, But, like, he was like, You should come with me. And I was like, Mhmm. Probably I should. open image in gallery Hilary Duff (left) confirmed that she and Lindsay Lohan (right) buried the hatchet years later at a club ( Getty ) open image in gallery Hilary Duff (left) famously dated Aaron Carter (right) in the early 2000s, at the same time he dated Lindsay Lohan ( Getty Images ) Asked whether she was surprised when Lohan returned the favor by attending the premiere of Duffs family comedy Cheaper by the Dozen months later, the Younger alum responded: No. I mean, that was, like, my childhood nemesis. Laughing, she added: Im sure my publicist will be like, what the f*** are you doing? But now its so many years later. Like, who cares? It does not matter. Duff revealed that she and Lohan have since made amends. Lindsay came up to me at a club once and was like, Are we good? and I was like, Were good. She was like, Lets take a shot, she recalled. She further addressed the beginning of their feud, blaming the lack of social media at the time. open image in gallery Duff discussed her life and love after 'Lizzie McGuire' on the 'Call Her Daddy' podcast ( Call Her Daddy/YouTube ) There was no social media to be like, who was dating who? Duff said. You just take peoples word for it and then people get mad at you. I mean if youre, like, Lindsay Lohan or me, he's, like, probably dating both of us, like, you know what I mean? Earlier this month, Duff, who rose to fame in 2001 for her lead role in Disney Channels Lizzie McGuire series and its subsequent spinoff film, released her first album in more than 10 years. Titled luck... or something, the new record has sparked excitement among fans, who have been eagerly waiting for Duffs highly anticipated return to music. She also announced she would be embarking on a world tour in support of the album. Duff will kick off her Lucky Me tour in West Palm Beach, Florida, this June before continuing on to other major U.S. cities, including New York City, Los Angeles and her hometown of Houston. She will then bring it to Europe, Australia, Canada and Mexico. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Shia LaBeouf appeared in court Thursday, where a judge set his bail at $100,000 and ordered him to seek treatment following his arrest earlier this month for allegedly attacking two New Orleans bartenders. The new terms of his bail, handed down by New Orleans Criminal District Court judge Simone Levine, came days after the actor, 39, was charged with two counts of simple battery and released from jail on his own recognizance. After his release, one of the alleged victims, Jeffrey Damnit, asked prosecutors to upgrade LaBeoufs charges, accusing the Holes star of lobbing homophobic slurs at him. During Thursdays hearing, Levine noted that the additional accusations have since been entered into court record, according to The Guardian. She relayed her biggest concern was the possible danger LaBeouf poses not only to his alleged victims, but to the wider community as a whole, in particular the marginalized community that has faced so much terror. open image in gallery Shia LaBeouf was arrested earlier this month after he allegedly got into a brawl during Mardi Gras ( Getty ) open image in gallery LaBeouf was arrested and charged with two counts of simple battery ( copyright 2026 Jeffrey Damnit/Jeffrey Klein ) In addition to the $100,000 bail and mandated rehab, LaBeouf is also required to undergo a drug testing program upon his release. Ahead of the hearing, LaBeouf was required to take a drug and alcohol test. While his attorney Sarah Chervinsky insisted the results did not show her client under the influence of alcohol or any illegal substances, Levine still expressed worry that the test results showed that the actor does not take his alcohol addiction seriously. The Independent has contacted LaBeoufs representatives for comment. Chervinsky said she and her client would provide bond paperwork to the court shortly so he could remain out of jail pending the outcome of the case. Meanwhile, Levine rejected LaBeoufs request to travel outside New Orleans. He is scheduled to return to court March 19. LaBeouf had been in New Orleans celebrating Mardi Gras February 17 when he allegedly got into a brawl with two bartenders. open image in gallery LaBeouf allegedly got into a brawl with two bartenders ( 2025 Invision ) Damnit claimed he ran into the actor around 5 p.m. Monday, when LaBeouf allegedly knocked him over. He recalled to The Hollywood Reporter: Then he turned around screaming, Dont you f***ing push me. Ill kill you. I hadnt touched him. Damnit said he tried to deescalate the situation, but LaBeouf allegedly then shoved a finger in his face and called him a homophobic slur. In a subsequent interview with The Guardian, Damnit said that he was wearing mascara, eye shadow and lipstick when LaBeouf allegedly attacked him while screaming, Youre a f***ing f****t. Damnit shared a video with the outlet that showed LaBeouf being examined by first responders at the scene before glancing over at Damnit and again calling him a slur. Keep on calling me f****t, Damnit was heard saying in the video, The Guardian reported. The outlet noted that in initial police reports, officers said that the controversial former child star spoke about his Catholic faith and was heard saying, These f****ts put me in jail. LaBeouf has long been outspoken about his history of alcoholism. Throughout the years, hes sought treatment and entered rehab several times. If you or someone you know is suffering from alcohol addiction, you can confidentially call the national alcohol helpline Drinkline on 0300 123 1110 or visit the NHS website here for information about the programmes available to you. Get the inside track from Roisin O'Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Dolly Parton has lent her name to a new cause: advancing pediatric health care in her home state. The East Tennessee Children's Hospital announced Thursday that it will now be known as Dolly Parton Children's Hospital in honor of the Grammy-winning country music superstar. Ever since I've been in a position to do my part, to help others, I have tried to do just that. Especially when children and families need it most, Parton said in a video announcement. "I've always believed that every child deserves a fair chance to grow up healthy, hopeful and surrounded with love. The impact of Parton's philanthropy is already felt across Tennessee and beyond. Her Imagination Library initiative reports to send 3 million free books every month to children whose parents request them. Parton said she is honored to support the hospital's doctors, nurses and team members and invited the public to join her ( AP ) She donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University's Medical Center for research that helped produce Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine. And her charitable foundation provides numerous college scholarships and offers disaster relief. Dolly Parton Children's Hospital did not share how much Parton donated as part of the naming announcement. But Matt Schaefer, its president and CEO, said her support would ensure every child who walks through our doors receives the treatment they deserve. Adam Cook, the independent not-for-profit hospital's chief development and public affairs officer, said they would continue offering the same care that the community has come to expect. The gift encourages us to continue to support our mission," he added. This is a generational collaboration that will transform pediatric care in this region, Cook said in a statement to the Associated Press. It will positively impact patients and families for decades to come. The support comes as rural hospital closures have left tens of millions of people with fewer health care options. The East Tennessee Children's Hospital, now named after Parton, has operated with an open-door policy that no child would be denied care for their race, religion or ability to pay medical bills since it opened in 1937, according to its website. Its main campus in Knoxville, Tennessee is one of more than 20 locations across the eastern part of the state. Parton said she is honored to support the hospital's doctors, nurses and team members and invited the public to join her. I cant do it all myself, she said in the video. Get the inside track from Roisin O'Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Oliver Power Grant, co-founder and key architect of the hip-hop collective Wu-Tang Clan and the driving force behind its Wu Wear clothing line, died on Monday. He was 52. Rest in power, Power, Wu-Tang Clan posted on social media, confirming his death. They did not disclose the cause of death. Tributes came in from members of the Wu-Tang Clan who credited him with shaping the groups early direction and long-term vision. Clifford Method Man Smith shared a photo with Grant on Instagram, writing: Paradise my brother safe travels! I am not ok. Wu wouldnt have come to fruition without Power, GZA wrote. Raekwon said: POWER we been everywherenow you everywhere! Born in Jamaica in 1973 and raised in the Park Hills Projects of Staten Island, Grant grew up with a tight-knit circle of friends that would go on to form Wu-Tang Clan. He was instrumental in helping them find funding for their first single Protect Ya Neck, and then served as executive producer on their debut LP Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) at a time when the group was unsigned and operating independently. As the group's influence grew, Grant pushed to expand the collective beyond music. In 1995, he launched Wu Wear, one of hip-hops first large-scale artist-owned fashion labels. The label, built around the now-iconic W logo, became a retail success, reportedly generating $25m annually at its peak. Grant described the move into fashion as both necessity and instinct. Initially, when we started doing the music, my interests just came from trying to figure out a way to diversify what we was doing, based on the fact that you know, I wasn't a rapper or a producer or anything like that, he told Complex in 2011. At the end of the day, it was just something I made for us, for them to project to the people. Grant also helped extend the Wu-Tang enterprise into interactive media. He was involved in the development and release of the 1999 PlayStation game Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style, which blended fighting-game mechanics with the groups mythology and music. He pursued acting alongside his business work. He made his screen debut in the 1998 crime drama Belly, directed by Hype Williams, and appeared the following year in James Tobacks Black and White, which featured several Wu-Tang members as well as Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr, Brooke Shields, Elijah Wood, and Mike Tyson. His later film credits included When Will I Be Loved and Coalition, both released in 2004. In 2011, he portrayed the husband of television host Wendy Williams in the biographical film Queen of Media, which starred Robin Givens in the lead role. Grants death came as Wu-Tang Clan were nominated for induction into the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Tributes also poured in from across the music industry. DJ Premier described Grant as a pioneer for the culture. Loud Records founder Steven J Rifkind, who signed Wu-Tang Clan in the 1990s, looked back at their time together, writing: We met in May of 1993 and have been brothers since. The laughs, the cries. We travelled the world together. Strongest handshake and hug anybody can give. Im at a loss of words. Keep on looking over us the way you always looked out for all of us when you were here. Rapper Camron shared a photo with Power, writing: Damn, man!! Thank you for everything, legend. Get the inside track from Roisin O'Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice American rapper Wiz Khalifa suffered a blow in court Thursday as his appeal of a nine-month jail sentence was rejected by a Romanian court. The Constanta Court of Appeals decision came after Khalifa, whose real name is Cameron Jibril Thomaz, filed an appeal last month against the December conviction. Khalifa was stopped by Romanian police in July 2024 after allegedly smoking cannabis on stage at the Beach, Please! Festival in Constanta County. Prosecutors said the rapper was found in possession of more than 18 grams of cannabis, and that he consumed some on stage. open image in gallery It isnt clear whether Romanian authorities will seek to file an extradition request, since Khalifa is a U.S. citizen and doesnt reside in Romania. ( AP ) After his arrest, Khalifa apologized and said he didnt mean any disrespect by consuming the drugs on stage in front of an audience of thousands. He was convicted in court of possession of dangerous drugs, without right, for personal consumption." On Thursday, an appeals court rejected as inadmissible Khalifas appeal to annul the sentence, and ruled as unfounded a request to suspend the sentence. The Associated Press contacted Khalifas representatives via email to request a comment on the latest legal developments, but has not yet received a response. The December conviction came after a lower court in April issued Khalifa a criminal fine of 3,600 lei ($830) for illegal possession of dangerous drugs. Prosecutors appealed that decision and sought a higher sentence. Romania has some of the harsher drugs laws in Europe. Possession of cannabis for personal use is criminalized and can result in a prison sentence of between three months and two years, or a fine. It isnt clear whether Romanian authorities will seek to file an extradition request, since Khalifa is a U.S. citizen and doesnt reside in Romania. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The National Theatres director has shared her fears over the decline in new writing for the stage cautioning that a failure to act on the downturn risks betraying William Shakespeare. Indhu Rubasingham, who became the first woman and person of colour to lead the National Theatre when she took up her post last year, issued the stark warning as she delivered the Jennie Lee lecture to representatives from across the industry. I fear for the decline in the volume and range of voices on our stages across the country, she said on stage at the Dorfman Theatre on Thursday (26 February). I fear the effect this constricting and contracting pipeline will have when it hits our stages within the next decade. Our failure to mark this moment as a tipping point risks our betrayal of the legacy, pride and heritage of this country of our leading cultural influencer William Shakespeare, our national playwright. I believe these trends are the canaries in the coal mine, signalling a quiet warning about the approaching danger to our democracy, to free speech, to tolerance, to freedom of imagination. open image in gallery Rubasingham delivering the lecture ( Katya Ilina ) Rubasingham provided new statistics from the National Theatres New Work Department to back up her rallying cry, telling the assembled industry figures that between 2014 and 2024, there has been a 70 per cent decline in theatres receiving open-to-all submissions throughout the year, with a 76 per cent decline in new writing festivals. There has also been a 44 per cent decline in new work on stages outside of London and a 30 per cent decline in the capital, she added. Rubasingham continued: These numbers paint a stark picture. Anyone looking at this will conclude that new work is in crisis. Given our unique position at the National, with our privilege of having a team dedicated to New Work, we have just about managed to produce similar levels of new work throughout the decade. And I commit to safeguarding this during my tenure. Calling for more funding for the arts, the director said: Investing in the arts when money is sparse requires courage. Courage to act, because we recognise what lies ahead if we do not. Playing safe will be the end of us. If we are conservative in style, in content, in process, we might balance the books today, but we will kill the future of theatre and betray Jennie Lee. open image in gallery Indhu Rubasingham at the 2024 Olivier Awards ( Getty Images For SOLT ) Labour politician Jennie Lee served as arts minister in the late 1960s, and during her spell, government arts funding more than doubled. She understood that the arts were not just a luxury for the few, but for everyone, Rubasingham said. She saw them as a vital force for unity and for dialogue even in a time of financial bleakness for post-war Britain. The current Labour government last month announced a 1.5bn package to boost cultural organisations. Culture Minister Lisa Nandy said the money, set to be invested over a five-year period, will save more than 1,000 arts venues, museums, libraries and heritage buildings across England from closure. Concerns over funding within the arts arent limited to the theatre industry. The recent revelation that the National Gallery is facing a 8.2m deficit in the coming year has reignited the debate over whether museums and galleries should be free. WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- U.S. president's special envoy Steve Witkoff has said the Trump administration is demanding that any future nuclear deal remain in effect indefinitely, online media outlet Axios reported on Wednesday. "We start with the Iranians with the premise that there is no sunset provision. Whether we get a deal or not, our premise is: you have to behave for the rest of your lives," Witkoff was quoted as saying at a private gathering in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. Witkoff said that two key issues in the current nuclear talks are Iran's ability to enrich uranium and the fate of its existing stockpile of enriched uranium. He added that the talks were currently focused on Iran's nuclear program. However, if a deal is reached, the White House would seek follow-up negotiations on Iran's missile program and its support for proxy militias, said the report. Under the 2015 nuclear deal reached during the presidency of Barack Obama, most restrictions on Iran's nuclear program were set to expire between eight and 25 years after the deal was signed. Iran also pledged never to pursue a nuclear weapon. President Donald Trump, who scrapped the 2015 deal, could be open to "token" enrichment in Iran if Tehan proves it won't enable the development of a nuclear weapon, said the report, citing U.S. officials who noted that Iran is currently under significant pressure from mediators -- Oman, Qatar, Egypt and Turkiye -- to move towards a deal with the United States that would prevent war. 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. The U.S. administration has been deploying massive military forces in the Middle East. Trump warned on Monday that he would rather reach a deal with Iran, but if one is not reached, "it will be a very bad day" for the country, referring to a potential U.S. strike. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Kristen Bell has joked she is still struggling with the new name for the awards show shes hosting this weekend. The Nobody Wants This star, 45, first hosted the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards in 2018, and returned to the role last year. She will once again host the ceremony this year, but the event has now been rebranded as the Actor Awards. Renaming it is a big thing to apply to the old processor, Bell told USA Today. There's been a lot of slip-ups. But we politely correct each other when I say the SAG Awards. Nope, it's now called the Actor Awards. She added that the decision to change the name was not my department, and above my pay grade, but that she hoped the new title would emphasize that the ceremony represents a chance for actors alone to have their say on the film and television performances of their peers. Kristen Bell will host this weekend's Actor Awards, formerly known as the SAG Awards ( Getty ) That's what this show is about, thats what makes it unique, said Bell. Some branding genius was like, 'Why not call it the Actor Awards?' And they called me, told me it's called the Actor Awards, and I said, Let's roll! This year, One Battle After Another leads the nominations with seven nods, including for best ensemble. Other contenders for the guild's top honor include Sinners, Hamnet, Marty Supreme and Frankenstein. But the film nominations also had some surprising snubs. While Ariana Grande was nominated for her supporting role in Wicked: For Good, Cynthia Erivo was left out for her performance as the musicals lead character Elphaba Thropp. Dwayne Johnson was not recognized for starring in The Smashing Machine, and neither George Clooney nor Adam Sandler landed a nomination for their work in Jay Kelly. Plus, no performances in foreign films were nominated at all meaning Norwegian family drama Sentimental Value and Brazilian thriller The Secret Agent were forgotten by the guild this year, even though Wagner Moura won the best actor honors at Cannes for the latter and has been tipped for success at the Oscars. In the TV categories, Hollywood comedy The Studio scored the most nominations with five, while Netflixs creepy crime drama Adolescence and Mike Whites popularThe White Lotus each earned four. Catherine OHara is posthumously nominated for her performance in The Studio. Harrison Ford is set to receive the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award during the prestigious ceremony. Netflix will once again stream the awards live from the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Channel 5 is set to air the first drama to be based on Madeleine McCanns disappearance, almost 19 years after the three-year-old was taken from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal. Madeleine went missing in May 2007, and the case garnered international attention. Her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, suffered emotional turmoil as they desperately pleaded for anyone with information to come forward. But in September 2007, the couple found themselves named suspects in their daughters disappearance and were questioned by Portuguese police. They were later acquitted when authorities said there was no evidence against them. Channel 5s drama will focus on Kate being questioned, with Killing Eve star Laura Bayston playing the former GP in the film, titled Suspect: Kate McCann. The broadcaster confirmed toThe Independent that the McCanns are not involved editorially. They have been made aware of the film, a spokesperson added. open image in gallery The film is based on official police material and recorded testimony ( Channel 5 ) While Madelines disappearance has been the focus of many documentaries over the years, this marks the first time it has been dramatised. In a press release, Channel 5 says the drama explores the period when flawed evidence against the McCanns was released to the press, changing the global media narrative and creating a false legacy on social media that persists to this day. It adds that Bayston delivers a raw and visceral performance of a mother having to maintain her faith that her daughter will be found despite extraordinary challenges. Commissioning Editor Dan Louw said: This fantastic film goes where the cameras couldnt behind the closed doors of the interview room to create a deeply moving drama from documentary evidence. Suspect: Kate McCann is one of the most tense, moving and shocking films you will see this year. The search for Madeleine remains ongoing. Kate McCann last year reflected on the moment her daughter went missing as she backed The Independents SafeCall campaign to fund a free, round-the-clock service to reach the 72,000 UK children who disappear every year. open image in gallery Kate McCann, the mother of missing British girl Madeleine McCann, looks at a poster showing her daughter during a press conference on 6 June 2007 in Berlin, Germany ( Getty ) I dont often speak about the details, but not because they fade; they continue to live quietly alongside you, every day. Some experiences never leave you simply learn to carry them, she wrote. Whenever I hear about a young person who feels vulnerable, frightened, or at risk, it resonates so deeply. I recognise the fear, the exhaustion, and the fragile balance between hope and heartbreak that families live with every day. It is also why the SafeCall service matters so profoundly. The main suspect in Madeleines disappearance is a German man named Christian Brueckner, who was last year released from prison after serving a seven-year sentence for the 2005 rape of a woman in Portugals Algarve region, in the area where Madeleine went missing. Channel 5s film is part of a two-episode limited series. The second, which has the working title Suspect: The Road Rage Killer, examines the 1996 case of Tracie Andrews, who killed her fiance after an argument in their car. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Netflix has shared the first look at its TV adaptation of Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice, starring Emma Corrin in the lead role as Elizabeth Bennett. The six-part series will be released this autumn and co-stars Jack Lowden as Mr Darcy, along with Olivia Colman, Rufus Sewell, Louis Partridge and Fiona Shaw. The teaser shows Corrin as Austens beloved protagonist, played previously by Keira Knightley in the 2005 adaptation, sitting on top of a roof gazing out into the distance, while Darcy is glimpsed from a departing carriage, through a doorway and riding his horse. To the sound of birdsong, there are also interspersing shots of Corrins hand holding a pebble, someone running along a path, and a shot of Elizabeth and Mr Darcy dancing together. Corrin, who uses they/them pronouns, is best known for starring roles as Princess Diana in The Crown and in Netflixs film adaptation of Lady Chatterleys Lover, opposite Jack OConnell. Scottish actor Lowden, meanwhile, has appeared in the BBCs 2016 adaptation of War and Peace, and more recently in a Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated performance in the Apple TV series Slow Horses. Netflix says the series will join the yearn-aissance in the autumn to faithfully bring Jane Austens iconic story back to life for audiences that cherish it, while inspiring a new generation to fall in love with it for the first time. This is the latest in a long line of adaptations of Austens 1813 novel, following on from the hit 1995 TV drama featuring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, and the 2005 film starring Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. Fans who have seen Emerald Fennells new adaptation of Wuthering Heights at the cinema will already have spotted the teaser for Netflixs Pride and Prejudice, which was shown before the main film at certain screenings. The series has been written and executive produced by Dolly Alderton, author of the bestselling book Everything I Know About Love. She said in a statement: Once in a generation, a group of people get to retell this wonderful story and I feel very lucky that I get to be a part of it. Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice is the blueprint for romantic comedy it has been a joy to delve back into its pages to find both familiar and fresh ways of bringing this beloved book to life. With Euros Lyn directing our stellar cast, Alderton added, I am so excited to reintroduce these hilarious and complicated characters to those who count Pride and Prejudice as their favourite book, and those who are yet to meet their Lizzie and Mr Darcy. An exact release date for the series is yet to be announced. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice 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. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Bella Hadid walked for Pradas tough-turned-feminine collection at Milan Fashion Week while stars accumulated to watch the showcase. Miuccia Prada, 76, has long been revered for her ability to anticipate fashions next move. The autumn/winter 2026 womenswear show, presented with her co-creative director Raf Simons at the Fondazione Prada museum during Milan Fashion Week, undoubtedly demonstrated that instinct once again. Fans of the Milanese house tend to share an appreciation for intellectual design; clothing that feels like a mirror to current culture; but still beautiful to wear. This season, Prada delivered both. Utility, embellishments and subtle dishevelment merged with bursts of colour suggests AW26 will be filled with unapologetic and subversive glamour. While last season explored workwear as a response to the overload of contemporary culture, riffing on military uniforms and officer shirts, this collection continued the utilitarian thread but elevated it into something more elevated and ornate. Wax barn jackets, car coats and knitted quarter-zips were reworked and layered over organza skirts and embellished dresses, transforming practical wear into evening propositions. One look paired a cropped yellow cape-jacket with a navy double-breasted coat and sheer layered skirt, styled with knee-length stockings and pointed lace-up pumps. Elsewhere, a grey utility jacket was thrown over a floral knee-length skirt with an evening clutch, reinforcing Pradas ongoing fascination with the tension between refinement and functionality. Knee-length stockings, already spotted on several London Fashion Week runways, appeared repeatedly throughout, cementing their status as a cross-city trend. Styled with pointed kitten heels a Prada signature and knee-length skirts, they gave the collection a prim, almost schoolgirl inflection, albeit subverted with more slouchy silhouettes. The hourglass silhouette, increasingly visible this season, was also firmly present among the Nineties slips. Cinched anoraks and nipped-in evening dresses with open necklines sculpted the waist without feeling overtly corseted. Even bulkier outerwear retained shape, often belted or cut to subtly emphasise the torso. Organza and tulle another AW26 trend were used liberally, layered over skirts and dresses nodding to the Nineties sheer dressing. Straight, up-and-down shift dresses were veiled in translucent fabric, sometimes embellished with dripping gem details or floral motifs, giving the effect of something more romantic than the usual, tough Prada runway. The colour palette was another interesting element to the collection. It swung between muted khaki, navy and grey and sudden jolts of neon lime, sky blue and saturated red. Pops of pink flashing from shoes or turned-up cuffs cut through otherwise subdued looks, cementing another trend that seems prevalent on this fashion months runways. Among this shows styling were echoes of the brands younger sibling, Miu Miu, particularly in the shorter hemlines, knee socks and subtly awkward-but-cool proportions. Short knitted scarves worn high and slightly askew conjured the so-called frazzled English woman aesthetic that proliferated on TikTok, while crumpled shirts and windswept hair added to the messy, dishevelled brat girl look of the show. Straps were styled slipped from shoulders, hems appeared layered and almost haphazardly tailored, yet nothing felt accidental. Prada and Simonss exploration of disorder was clearly deliberate in how women dress when intellect, emotion and practicality intersect. While Hadid was walking on the runway, stars were also sitting front row, including actress Carey Mulligan, 40, an ambassador of the label who recently wore a fluid satin navy blue slip dress on the BAFTA red carpet wearing a cream ruffled blouse and polka dot cravat with a black overcoat. Fellow actress Sarah Pidgeon, 29, who recently inhabited the role of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in FXs Love Story also stepped out in a loose V-neck taupe sweater vest and a knee-length, butter yellow fringed skirt. While TikTok star Charli DAmelio, 21, also sat front row wearing an oversized slate grey blouson jacket, a high necked chocolate brown T-shirt and cream hot pants. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Duchess of Sussex is famed for her high to low wardrobe. In her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, she noted she liked mixing affordable and luxury pieces, as she wore high-waisted linen trousers from Zara with a crew-neck cashmere knit from Loro Piana. That same styling sensibility has extended well beyond the screen. This week, the Duchess joined the Duke of Sussex for a two-day visit to Jordan, marking their first international tour together since August 2024. The couple, who stepped back from their roles as senior working royals in 2020, arrived in Amman on Wednesday to highlight initiatives supporting communities affected by conflict and displacement. As ever, Meghans wardrobe seamlessly blended designer tailoring with accessible pieces, even revisiting some trusted favourites from her wardrobe. open image in gallery The Duchess of Sussex has sported several Zara pieces on her visit to Joran (Aaron Chown/PA) As the Duke and Duchess accompanied a World Health Organisation delegation to the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts on February 26, Meghan stepped out in black wide-leg tailored trousers, styled with block-heel black velvet pumps and a funnel-neck taupe jacket from Zara. The structured outerwear added sophistication to the otherwise simple palette, proving once more her knack for elevating accessible pieces through good styling. open image in gallery The Duchess of Sussex sported a Zara funnel jacket (Aaron Chown/PA) On the first day of the tour, Meghan opted for a crisp, monochromatic ensemble that felt both diplomatic and distinctly contemporary. She wore an all-white suit by American label Veronica Beard, pairing a sharply tailored double-breasted blazer with coordinating loose linen trousers from the same brand. Beneath, she chose a silk scoop-neck camisole maintaining the clean lines of the look; it was a masterclass in modern suiting that felt appropriate for high-level meetings, while still reflecting her relaxed West Coast roots. open image in gallery The Duchess of Sussex wore a Veronica Beard suit for the first day of the tour (Aaron Chown/PA) She completed the outfit with black peep-toe heels a style rarely seen in her recent wardrobe adding subtle contrast to the head-to-toe ivory palette. Jewellery was kept minimal, aside from her gold wedding band and her signature Cartier Love bracelet, a piece that has become a near-constant in her public appearances. The simplicity of her accessories allowed the tailoring to take centre stage. open image in gallery Meghan sported a doubled-breasted blazer from Veronica Beard (Aaron Chown/PA) Later that day, as the Duke and Duchess travelled north to the QuestScope Youth Center within the Zaatari refugee camp near Mafraq home to thousands of displaced Syrians Meghan sported a more casual outfit that remained smart, while suited to the setting. She chose a short-sleeved khaki T-shirt from Zara, once again championing the high-street retailer she frequently turns to for wardrobe staples. The T-shirt was paired with relaxed-fit trousers by Jenni Kayne in the shade safari, echoing the earthy tones of the landscape. Her shoes were lace-up suede loafers by Californian brand Vince practical and comfortable, but more elevated than trainers. open image in gallery The Duchess of Sussex sported a Zara T-shirt when visiting a Youth Centre (Aaron Chown/PA) Once again, the Duchess kept accessories minimal with a pale pink manicure, her gold wedding band and gold Cartier Love bracelet once again, with a casual slicked-back ponytail. open image in gallery Harry and Meghan during a visit to the QuestScope Youth Center (Aaron Chown/PA) Throughout the visit, the Duchesss wardrobe choices reflected more than just personal taste. By combining premium tailoring with widely available brands, she continues to champion an inclusive approach to fashion that resonates with audiences who appreciate both aspiration and accessibility. Whether in sharply tailored white suiting or relaxed khaki separates, her style in Jordan reinforced the message that style need not be defined by the price tag. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Frozen blueberries sold in four American states and Canada have been recalled due to listeria contamination concerns. Oregon Potato Company LLC issued a voluntary recall on 55,689 pounds of individually quick-frozen blueberries earlier this month due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a disease-causing bacterium. The recall was updated Tuesday and declared a Class I, meaning its a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death, according to the FDA. The affected blueberries were packaged in 30-pound cases with polyethylene liners and 1,400-pound totes and were not sold directly to consumers from retail stores, according to the FDAs enforcement report. The blueberry cases can be identified by their lot codes, 2055 B2, 2065 B1 and 2065 B3, with expiration dates on July 23 and July 24, 2027. T totes have the lot codes 3305 A1 and 3305 B1 with an expiration date of November 25, 2027. open image in gallery Oregon Potato Company LLCs voluntary recall on its frozen blueberries was recently elevated to Class I by the FDA ( Getty Images ) open image in gallery The affected blueberries were distributed in Michigan, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin in addition to Canada ( Getty Images ) The blueberries were distributed in Michigan, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin and Canada, according to the report. There have currently been no reported illnesses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Listeria are bacteria that can contaminate many foods and can infect those who consume those foods. Although symptoms can vary, a listeria infection can cause invasive illness and intestinal illness. Short-term symptoms among healthy individuals with a Listeria infection can include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, and abdominal pain. Listeria infection is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States, killing roughly 172 people per year. Many food products in the U.S. have been recently recalled due to a risk of listeria. In November 2025, the Ambriola Company recalled select cheese products, including some under the Boars Head brand, after routine testing confirmed the presence of Listeria. The recall was elevated to Class I in January. The recalled products were distributed in 20 states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice For years, Donald Trumps distinctive, large and bold signature has captured the publics attention. Not only did it recently come to light that his signature appeared in a book that Jeffrey Epstein received for his 50th birthday, but it fits neatly alongside Trumps long history of brash self-adulation. I love my signature, I really do, he said in a Sept. 30, 2025, speech to military leaders. Everyone loves my signature. His signature also happens to be of particular interest to me, given my decades-long fascination with, and occasional academic research on, the connection between signature size and personal attributes. A long-time social psychologist who has studied Americas elite, I made an unintentional empirical discovery as an undergraduate more than 50 years ago. The link that I found then and that numerous studies have since echoed is that signature size is related to status and ones sense of self. Signature size and self-esteem Back in 1967, during my senior year of college, I was a work-study student in Wesleyan Universitys psychology library. My task, four nights a week, was to check out books and to reshelve books that had been returned. When students or faculty took books out, they were asked to sign their names on an orange, unlined card found in each book. At some point, I noticed a pattern: When faculty signed the books out, they used a lot of space to sign their names. When students checked them out, they used very little space, leaving a lot of space for future readers. So I decided to study my observation systematically. open image in gallery Researchers have used signature size to explore narcissism in CEOs and other senior corporate positions ( Alamy/PA ) I gathered at least 10 signatures for each faculty member and comparison samples of student signatures with the same number of letters in their names. After measuring by multiplying the height versus the width of the amount of space used, I found that eight of the nine faculty members used significantly more space to sign their names. In order to test for age as well as status, I did another study in which I compared the signatures of blue-collar workers such as custodians and groundskeepers who worked at the school with a sample of professors and a sample of students again matched for the number of letters, this time on blank 3-by-5-inch cards. The blue-collar workers used more space than the students but less than the faculty. I concluded that age was at play, but so was status. About the author Richie Zweigenhaft is an Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Guilford College. This article was first published by The Conversation and is republished under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article. When I told psychologist Karl Scheibe, my favorite teacher, about my findings, he said I could measure the signatures in his books, which he had been signing for more than a decade since his freshman year in college. As can be seen in the graph, his book signatures mostly got bigger. They took a major leap in size from his junior year to his senior year, dipped a bit when he entered graduate school and then increased in size as he completed his Ph.D. and joined the Wesleyan faculty. I did a few more studies, and published a few articles, concluding that signature size was related to self-esteem and a measure of what I termed status awareness. I found that the pattern held in a number of different environments, including in Iran where people write from right to left. The narcissism connection Although my subsequent research included a book about the CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, it never crossed my mind to look at the signatures of these CEOs. However, it did cross the minds of some researchers, 40 years later. In May 2013, I received a call from the editor of the Harvard Business Review because of the work I had done on signature size. They planned to run an interview with Nick Seybert, an associate professor of accounting at the University of Maryland, about the potential link between signature size and narcissism in CEOs. While Seybert told me his research had not found direct evidence for a positive relationship between the two, the possibility of the connection he inferred nonetheless intrigued me. open image in gallery Donald Trumps distinctive, large and bold signature has captured the publics attention ( AP ) So I decided to test this using a sample of my students. I asked them to sign a blank 3-by-5 card as if they were writing a check, and then I gave them a widely used 16-item narcissism scale. Lo and behold, Seybert was right to deduce a link: There was a significant positive correlation between signature size and narcissism. Although my sample size was small, the link subsequently led Seybert to test two different samples of his students. And he found the same significant, positive correlation. Others soon began to use signature size to assess narcissism in CEOs. By 2020, growing interest in the topic saw the Journal of Management publish an article that included signature size as one of five ways to measure narcissism in CEOs. A growing field Now, almost six years later, researchers have used signature size to explore narcissism in CEOs and other senior corporate positions such as chief financial officers. The link has been found not only in the U.S. but in countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Uruguay, Iran, South Africa and China. In addition, some researchers have studied the effect of larger versus smaller signatures on the viewers. For example, in a recent article in the Journal of Philanthropy, Canadian researchers reported on three studies that systematically varied the signature size of someone soliciting funds in order to see whether it affected the size of donations. It did. In one of their studies, they found that increasing the size of the senders signature generated more than twice as much revenue. The surprising resurgence of research using signature size to assess narcissism leads me to a few conclusions. For one, signature size as a measure of certain aspects of personality has turned out to be much more robust than I imagined as an observant undergraduate working in a college library back in 1967. Indeed, signature size is not only an indicator of status and self-esteem, as I once concluded. It is also, as recent studies suggest, an indicator of narcissistic tendencies the kind that many argue are exhibited by Trumps big, bold signature. Where this research is taken next is anyones guess, least of all for the person who noticed something intriguing about signature size so many years ago. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Meghan Markles wedding dress designer has gone from working on royal weddings to everyday bags for the masses. Clare Waight Keller the former artistic director of Givenchy and Chloe, as well as the designer behind the Duchess of Sussexs Givenchy wedding gown has partnered with the Japanese clothing brand to create a $40 bag and other products. The bag, called the drawstring bag on Uniqlos website, comes in four colors. With its two-way design, the clutch can either be worn as a larger tote bag or cinched in the sides to create a smaller, dumpling-shaped bag. As it is made with waterproof material, the accessory can be worn in any season, rain or shine. Based on 17 reviews, the bag currently has an average rating of 4.3 stars out of a possible five, with many reviewers appreciating how lightweight the bag is and its versatility to be dressed up or down. open image in gallery Meghan Markles wedding dress designer, Clare Waight Keller, has designed a bag for Uniqlo that retails for $39.90 ( Getty Images ) open image in gallery The drawstring bag is available in four colors ( Uniqlo ) The new collection will include pieces for spring and summer, designed to work for any occasion, including knitwear, sweats, dresses, and shoes. Keller has previously opened up about her ongoing relationship with Meghan since designing her dress for her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry. Speaking at the 2023 Bazaar At Work Summit, Keller detailed what it was like designing a dress for such a large occasion. It was just a pleasure to create in this very, very private way. It was just the two of us for so long, and it became this very personal girlfriend relationship, Keller said at the time. The extravagant exchange of vows between Meghan and Prince Harry took place on May 19, 2018. The two said I do inside Windsor Castles St Georges Chapel, enveloped by decadent white roses and masses of people waiting eagerly outside. open image in gallery Keller called designing Meghans wedding dress, an extraordinary moment ( Getty Images ) The dresss design featured a bateau neckline, three-quarter sleeves and a sculpted waistline made from thick woven silk. Later that year, Keller said it was an extraordinary moment to make Meghans dress seen by millions. It was an incredible thing to be part of, such a historic moment and, in fact, to have the opportunity to work with her. Both the bride and grooms ceremony garb were displayed inside the castle for the brand new A Royal Wedding: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex 2022 exhibit. In tandem with the archive pieces, voice recordings from Meghan and Harry were featured, in which they spoke about the process of bringing their visions to life. I wanted a female designer, that was very important, I wanted a British designer because I wanted to embrace my new home in that way, Meghan told Caroline de Guitaut, the exhibit curator. I wanted [a dress] that felt reflective of the world in a way. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A staffer at an assisted-living facility in Maryland has been charged in connection with the killing of an elderly millionaire resident, according to police. Maurquise Emillo James, a 22-year-old from Baltimore who worked for the Cogir Potomac Senior Living facility, was arrested Tuesday following the deadly shooting of Robert Fuller Jr., 87, the Montgomery County Police Department announced Wednesday. Authorities found Fuller unresponsive inside his apartment at the assisted-living facility on the morning of February 14 after a report of a medical emergency. He was later pronounced dead. Police didnt find a gun at his apartment, but did discover evidence consistent with a contact gunshot wound to the head, Montgomery County police said. Surveillance video from the facility showed a masked suspect entering the building through a side door. Shortly after, the suspect left through that door and ran down the sidewalk. open image in gallery Maurquise Emillo James, a 22-year-old staffer at an assisted-living facility in Maryland, has been charged in connection with the killing of an elderly millionaire resident, according to police ( Montgomery County Police Department ) Amid their investigation, police released video of Fullers suspected killer in hope the public would help identify the person. The video showed a person with long black hair, a long-sleeve flannel shirt and dark-colored pants walking in the courtyard area of the facility. Police said that video led to tips that helped identify James as the suspect. A mugshot of James showed him with shorter hair than the suspect in the video. Montgomery County Police Captain Sean Gagen said at a press conference of the suspects long hair, At the time, we had no idea that that was a wig, per WTOP News. Some people thought that could have been a part of a disguise, Gagen added. A motive for the killing was not immediately clear. James was also charged with attempted murder over the shooting of a state trooper at a traffic stop days after Fuller was killed, according to authorities. Early Tuesday morning, a Maryland State Police trooper stopped a silver 2009 Infiniti G37 without tags, police said. open image in gallery Robert Fuller Jr., 87, was fatally shot in his apartment at the Cogir Potomac Senior Living facility this past Valentines Day ( Montgomery County Police Department ) During the stop, the driver fired twice at the trooper in close proximity, before fleeing, Maryland State Police said. The trooper was not seriously injured, according to Montgomery County police. Detectives received a lead indicating the same gun was used in both the shooting of Fuller and the incident involving the trooper, Montgomery County police said. Information on legal representation for James was not immediately clear. The Independent has reached out to Cogir Potomac Senior Living for comment. Fuller was a former lawyer and a millionaire who gave back to his community, according to reports. NBC 4 Washington said Fuller spent much of his life in Augusta, Maine. Maine State Representative Bill Bridgeo told the outlet Fuller donated millions to local projects: A new YMCA , a new hospital in town, a big expansion to our high school. Martha Everatt-Stpierre started the Betsy Ann Ross House of Hope, a nonprofit that provides transitional housing for veteran women and is now known as the Sister in Arms Center, with Fullers help, WMTW reported. "He was the first person with money that really took me seriously," Everatt-Stpierre told the Maine outlet. The News in Brief Thursday, February 26, 2026 Georgian Dream Foreign Minister, Maka Botchorishvili, announced that British Ambassador Gareth Ward will be summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on February 26. The move follows the UK's decision on February 24 to impose sanctions on two Georgian television stations, Imedi and POSTV.During an appearance on Rustavi 2, the Minister stated that the ambassador will be asked to explain the specific basis for these sanctions. She argued that such actions against media outlets require very solid legal foundations, especially when discussing standards of freedom of speech."We had communication with the British side. I expect the British Ambassador to come to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs tomorrow. We demand an explanation as to the basis for such a decision to [sanction] Georgian television stations. In addition to the fact that we are talking about freedom of speech and standards of freedom of speech, and we are talking about the media, when we talk about sanctions, this requires very solid legal foundations," Bochorishvili said.The British government included the two stations in a broader package, labeling them as organizations involved in the spread of Russian disinformation. According to the UK, the channels have been deliberately spreading misleading information about Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine to their audience, which is mainly represented in Georgia.The sanctions carry significant weight and include an asset freeze, a ban on financial services for asset management, and the disqualification of the director.Nika Gvaramia, leader of the Coalition for Change, recently shared on social media that a merger between the sanctioned television companies Imedi and POSTV with Rustavi 2 is currently being considered.According to Gvaramia, the British sanctions will have a crippling effect on the operations of Imedi and POSTV. He claims their broadcasts on international satellite and internet platforms will be stopped, and they will no longer be available on cable TV or Georgian digital broadcasting. He further suggested that the stations would lose access to banking services and the ability to legally sell advertising.Gvaramia believes that a merger with Rustavi 2 would essentially lead to the cancellation of that station as well. He expressed skepticism about why anyone would think Rustavi 2 could remain unsanctioned following such a move."The merger of the sanctioned with R2 is being considered (which I congratulate the latter on), which is actually the cancellation of R2 (like the merger of GTU and TSU). Why do they think that R2 will be unsanctioned for a long time? I can't tell you. R2 and its founders have everything ahead of them. Now we will see them running away (like Rukhadze)," Gvaramia wrote.He also argued that leadership changes at the stations would not be enough to "purify" the organizations, claiming that founders and managers would struggle to pass bank security checks for the rest of their lives. Police are seen in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 26, 2026. Ukrainian and U.S. delegations began talks in Geneva on Thursday as part of the efforts to end the years-long Ukraine-Russia conflict. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) GENEVA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian and U.S. delegations began talks in Geneva on Thursday as part of the efforts to end the years-long Ukraine-Russia conflict. Ukraine's chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, also Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Secretary, announced on the social media platform X that the meeting had begun with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Umerov said the delegations "will thoroughly work through the prosperity package: mechanisms for economic support and recovery of Ukraine, instruments for attracting investment, and frameworks for long-term cooperation." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X that he had spoken with U.S. President Trump and discussed issues to be addressed during Thursday's bilateral meeting, as well as preparations for the next round of trilateral negotiations among Ukraine, the United States and Russia, which is expected in early March. "We expect this meeting to create an opportunity to move talks to the leaders' level," Zelensky said. The Ukrainian, Russian and U.S. delegations previously held two rounds of talks in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 23-24 and Feb. 4-5, followed by another round in Geneva on Feb. 17-18, yielding no agreement on key issues. Police are seen in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 26, 2026. Ukrainian and U.S. delegations began talks in Geneva on Thursday as part of the efforts to end the years-long Ukraine-Russia conflict. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Just days after being found following a 24-year disappearance, North Carolina mother Michele Hundley Smith was arrested Wednesday for a decades-old DUI. Smith, 62, was taken into custody in Robeson County after investigators discovered she had an active order for arrest for failure to appear related to a DWI charge from 2001, the Rockingham County Sheriffs Office confirmed to WFMY News 2, releasing her mugshot Thursday. Authorities said Smiths outstanding arrest order stemmed from a citation issued by Eden police in North Carolina on November 11, 2001. She had failed to appear in court on December 27, 2001, prompting the warrant that remained active while she was missing. Smith posted the required bond and is scheduled to appear in Rockingham County District Court on March 26. The Independent has contacted the Rockingham County Sheriffs Office for comment. open image in gallery Michele Hundley Smith, pictured in 2001 and 2026, was arrested Wednesday on a long-standing warrant for failing to appear in court on a 2001 DWI charge ( FBI/Rockingham County Sheriffs Office ) Smiths arrest follows a major breakthrough in her decades-long missing person case, which saw extensive searches by local, state and federal authorities, including the FBI, as her whereabouts remained unknown for over 20 years. Authorities said Smiths information was recently entered into a national database, which helped detectives track her down. Investigators located her in person on February 20 and confirmed she was alive and safe, living in North Carolina outside Rockingham County. New records show she resides in St. Pauls, about 20 miles south of Fayetteville, WFMY News 2 reports. Smith was reported missing in December 2001 after her husband said she left their Eden home to go Christmas shopping at a KMart in Martinsville, Virginia, and never returned. At the time, she was 38 years old and the mother of three children, then ages 19, 14, and 7. Upon being located, Smith told investigators she left her family years ago due to ongoing domestic issues at the time, though no prior official reports confirmed such issues before her disappearance, according to Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page. open image in gallery A missing person posted from when Smith disappeared described her as an endangered adult who would not leave her kids by choice ( Rockingham County Sheriff's Office ) Rockingham County District Attorney Katie Gregg told WFMY News 2 that there is not enough evidence to file charges related to Smiths disappearance, such as abandonment. Smiths discovery has provided long-awaited closure for her family. Her daughter, Amanda, now in her late 30s, launched a Facebook page in 2018 to gather tips and keep the case in the public eye. She shared a lengthy statement on February 22 expressing her emotions upon discovering that her mother is alive after many decades. I am ecstatic, I am p*****d, I am heartbroken, I am all over the map! Amanda said. Will I have a relationship once more with my mom? Honestly I cant answer that because I dont 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. I am ecstatic, I am pissed, I am heartbroken, I am all over the map! she wrote. Will I have a relationship once more with my mom? Honestly I cant answer that because I dont 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, she wrote. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Law enforcement is preparing to return Nancy Guthries Arizona home to her family, as the search for the missing woman nears its fourth week, according to a report. Federal agents were spotted Wednesday at the home, which has been the center of law enforcement activity ever since the 84-year-old mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie was reported missing on February 1. Officials no longer see the need to keep the home sealed as a crime scene or bar Nancy Guthries family from entering, sources told NBC News. The recent flurry of activity was related to efforts to turn the home back over to the missing womans family, the sources said. More than 23,000 calls have been made to the FBI tip line since Nancy Guthrie was taken, 750 of which came in the first 12 hours after Savannah Guthrie offered a $1 million reward for her mothers recovery in an emotional video shared to Instagram Tuesday, according to the report. open image in gallery A flurry of law enforcement officials have been seen at Nancy Guthries home in recent days as authorities work to return the home to the missing womans family ( Getty ) open image in gallery Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing February 1, and authorities believe she did not leave her home on her own ( NBC/Today ) Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her home in the Catalina Foothills outside of Tucson, Arizona, in the early hours of February 1, in what authorities believe was an abduction or kidnapping. Her disappearance sparked a massive search involving state and federal law enforcement agencies. Authorities said Nancy Guthrie relies on daily medication, and there could be fatal consequences if she is unable to take it. Authorities have not publicly identified any suspect in the disappearance, but on February 10, they shared video of a masked, armed man appearing to tamper with Nancy Guthries doorbell camera the morning she vanished. Reports this week from ABC News and CNN now suggest the suspected kidnapper may have been at her door on another day before the alleged abduction. It was unclear which day the suspect may have been at the home. open image in gallery Authorities said Nancy Guthrie relies on daily medication, and there could be fatal consequences if she is unable to take it ( Getty ) However, the Pima County Sheriffs Department said in a statement shared with The Independent Monday night, 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. Aldine Meister, who lives in the same neighborhood, told Fox News Digital she saw a suspicious young man walk by her home two weeks before the abduction, telling the outlet, He just didnt fit. The Pima County Sheriffs Office and the FBI are pursuing all viable leads, officials said Tuesday. DNA evidence has been collected from the home's yard and from several other search locations. The samples have been submitted for forensic analysis, but have not yielded results thus far, according to the report. open image in gallery Nancy lives in the affluent and secluded Catalina Foothills, just outside of Tucson ( Reuters ) Meanwhile, Nancy Guthries family has offered a $1 million reward for her return home. Every hour and minute and second and every long night has been agony, Savannah said in an Instagram video on Tuesday. We need to know where she is. We need her to come home. The visibly emotional anchor acknowledged that her beloved mother may already be gone, but said she and her family still believe in a miracle. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Nancy Guthries neighbor noticed a suspicious man walk by her home two weeks before the 84-year-old was believed to have been abducted, according to a new report. The elderly mother of Today show star Savannah Guthrie has been missing for more than three weeks after police suspect she was taken from her home in the Catalina Foothills outside of Tucson, Arizona, as she slept in the early morning hours of February 1. Authorities are yet to identify the suspected kidnapper publicly, but have shared video of a masked armed man appearing to tamper with Nancys doorbell camera the morning she vanished. Aldine Meister, who has lived in Nancys affluent neighborhood for nearly 30 years, told Fox News Digital about a young man the publication called suspicious. open image in gallery Nancy Guthries neighbor noticed a 'suspicious' man walk by her home two weeks before the 84-year-old was believed to have been abducted, according to a new report ( NBC/Today via Reuters ) "He didnt have your typical walking gear on, and he had his hat pulled really far over his eyes," Meister said of the man she claims she saw walking in the neighborhood, near an intersection leading to Nancys home. Meister said of the man, He was kind of younger, and he just didnt look like he was going out for a walk, adding, He just didnt fit. Nancys neighbor couldnt pinpoint the exact day she saw the mysterious man. She said she alerted the authorities about him after Nancy vanished. There has been speculation as to whether Nancys suspected kidnapper showed up at her house before the day she disappeared. open image in gallery Authorities are yet to identify the suspected kidnapper publicly, but have shared video of a masked armed man appearing to tamper with Nancys doorbell camera the morning she vanished ( FBI ) In most photos of the suspect shared by authorities, he is wearing a backpack. 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. But the Pima County Sheriffs Department said in a statement shared with The Independent Monday night, 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. Authorities are desperate to find Nancy, increasing the reward for valuable information in her case to $200,000 between the FBI and local officials. open image in gallery The elderly mother of Today show star Savannah Guthrie has been missing for more than three weeks ( Joe Raedle/Getty Images ) The Guthrie family has also offered a $1 million reward for Nancy to be brought home. Every hour and minute and second and every long night has been agony, Savannah said in an Instagram video Tuesday. We need to know where she is. We need her to come home. The visibly emotional TV journalist acknowledged that her beloved mother may already be gone but said she and her family still believe in a miracle. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The glamorous mugshot of a South Carolina boutique owner following her 12th arrest in about two months has caused quite a stir on social media. Facebook users couldnt help but crack jokes over Pamela Brooke Schronces arrest record, with one person commenting, Time to make a calendar. Schronce, the 30-year-old owner of Thomas and Turner Boutique in Belton, was arrested Wednesday and accused of obtaining property under false pretense less than $2,000, according to Pickens County jail records. She had just been booked under the same charge in Cherokee County Monday, and before that, she had been arrested 10 times this year. open image in gallery The glamorous mugshot of South Carolina boutique owner Pamela Brooke Schronce following her 12th arrest in about two months has caused quite a stir on social media ( Cherokee County Sheriff's Office ) Fox Carolina announced Schronces 12th arrest on Facebook Wednesday, along with all her mugshots. She did it we now have a calendar. I have been waiting for this. Time to make a calendar, one Facebook user commented. Another joked, Well there you go, Glamour Head Shots 2026 version! Now somebody go make that calendar RIGHT NOW! a third said. Others commented on Schronces hair. Within about two months, the blonde suspect went from having a long bob to flowing, curled hair as seen in her mugshots. She had time in between to get extensions though one person said. Another wrote: Girl said let me get some extensions for my shoot. open image in gallery Schronce has been accused of scamming customers out of money when they placed orders and never received the items ( Pickens County Detention Center ) Dozens of Schronces customers have claimed she scammed them out of money when they placed orders and never received the items, according to Fox Carolina reports that cited local officials. Earlier this month, the Anderson County Sheriffs Office said Schronce scammed more than $10,000 out of at least 54 customers, according to Fox Carolina. Details about Schronces most recent arrest were not immediately known. The Independent has reached out to the Pickens County Sheriffs Office for comment. Speaking about Mondays arrest, Cherokee County Sheriff Steve Mueller said someone filed a report in December 2025, claiming they ordered $360 worth of products from the boutique but never received the products, Fox Carolina reported. The victim, just like all the others, tried repeatedly to get an answer from suspect but eventually was blocked and they would not respond, the sheriff said. Information about Schronces legal representation was not immediately clear. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A grand jury in Texas has rejected indictments against a federal immigration agent following the fatal shooting of a US citizen during a traffic encounter last year. Ruben Ray Martinez was killed on March 15, 2025, by an agent from Homeland Security Investigations. The Department of Homeland Security had not publicly disclosed the incident until The Associated Press and other media outlets reported it last week. Prosecutors confirmed the grand jury's decision on Wednesday, stating that indictments were declined after the case was presented. The Cameron County District Attorney's Office, which issued the statement, did not provide additional details. DHS has alleged that Martinez intentionally ran over a Homeland Security Investigation special agent, causing another agent to fire defensive shots to protect himself, his fellow agents, and the general public. The shooting would mark the earliest of at least six deadly shootings by federal officers since a nationwide immigration crackdown was launched in President Donald Trumps second term. A passenger who was in the car with Martinez, Joshua Orta, had disputed DHS' account in a draft affidavit prepared last year, according to attorneys for Martinez's family. Orta, a key witness to the encounter, died in a car crash last weekend. Martinez and Orta were on a trip on South Padre Island in Texas when they neared local and federal officers directing traffic around a car accident at a busy intersection, according to the draft affidavit. In a draft affidavit, Orta reportedly said Martinez did not hit an officer with his vehicle, that their car was just crawling and that a federal agent fired into the drivers side window without giving any warning, commands, or opportunity to comply. Attorneys for Martinez's family did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang has issued a desperate warning that artificial intelligence may cause a jobpocalypse that would leave white-collar workers without jobs within the next 18 months. Yang, who competed in the 2020 Democratic primary, has become the latest public figure to question how the current AI boom may impact the employment of millions of Americans. I believe that millions of white-collar workers are going to lose their jobs in the next 12 to 18 months due to AI, Yang said in a video shared to Instagram Saturday. AI is now able to do the work of a very, very smart human in minutes or even seconds. This is going to displace marketers, coders, designers, lawyers, accountants, call center workers you name it, he continued. Yang warned that, as a result, there would be an extreme winner-take-all economy, in which only the wealthiest people, or the top 20 percent, would be able to thrive. open image in gallery Andrew Yang warned that artificial intelligence may cause a jobpocalypse that would leave white-collar workers without jobs ( Getty Images ) When people lose their jobs, it affects dry cleaners, dog walkers, hair stylists, restaurants all local businesses that see fewer people who are able to spend, he said. As a result, personal bankruptcies will surge, and college graduates will have an even more difficult time finding entry-level jobs, Yang added. People are going to be very, very angry by the fact that this path to middle-class status and social mobility is going to be broken, he said. Yang noted that a universal basic income which was the centerpiece of his presidential platform would be necessary. He has long advocated for the idea, which would involve all citizens receiving a set amount of money each month, independent of their work status. Concluding the video, he warned, The AI jobpocolypse is real, and its underway right now. open image in gallery Yangs deterrent follows similar warnings from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, the maker of the chatbot Claude ( Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Yangs deterrent follows similar warnings from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, the maker of the chatbot Claude. Amodei told Axios in May 2025 that AI could wipe out half of all entry-level white-collar jobs within five years. An MIT study published in November that used a simulation tool called the Iceberg Index seems to back his claim. The study found that AI could technically already replace 11.7 percent of the U.S. labor market accounting for roughly $1.2 trillion in wages across finance, health care and professional services. The prospect of AI taking white-collar jobs was also raised in The 2028 Global Intelligence Crisis, a report published Sunday by Citrini Research. The article, which isnt a prediction of a hypothetical scenario, offers an unsettling forecast about the looming threat of AI to white-collar work. The doomsday report, which hypothesized that AIs boom will lead to mass white-collar layoffs and a stock market collapse, left Wall Street shaken earlier this week amid falling stock prices in major tech and financial firms. open image in gallery Yang joins a growing chorus of public figures who are warning that AI will likely take many peoples jobs in the coming years ( Getty/iStock ) Part of Citrinis scenario revolves around AI causing a negative feedback loop, in which companies invest more in AI and lay off more workers. With such a case, those laid-off workers would not be spending as much, causing companies to adopt even more AI to try and make a profit and then the cycle repeats itself. However, some experts have called the thesis far-fetched. Pierre Yared, the acting chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, called it an interesting piece of science fiction. The Citrini report is an interesting piece of science fiction and I like science fiction, Yared told Bloomberg. But I think that if you really look at it, and think long and hard about it, it violates some of the basic accounting in economics. Jim Reid, Deutsche Banks global head of macro research and thematic strategy, said that Citrinis thesis lacks hard evidence to back it up. The argument leans heavily on narrative and emotion rather than hard evidence, Reid said. That doesnt mean it will ultimately be wrong, but in both cases the vibes to substance ratio is undeniably high. Ill stop there, before anyone accuses my own research of the same thing. SEOUL, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- A South Korean court on Thursday issued an arrest warrant for an executive director of a drone manufacturer who is accused of launching unmanned aerial vehicles into the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to test performance for economic gains, local media reported. The Seoul Central District Court said there were concerns about the suspect destroying evidence and fleeing. Joint military-police investigators alleged the suspect launched drones four times from Ganghwa Island in Incheon from September last year to January, with flight paths set to pass through Kaesong and Pyeongsan in the DPRK before returning to South Korea's Paju near the border. The investigators said the alleged acts heightened inter-Korean tensions and could have endangered the public, adding they may have harmed military interests by exposing sensitive information. ISLAMABAD, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The bodies of two policemen who were abducted Wednesday night were found in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police said on Thursday. The incident took place in Bannu district, where armed militants stormed a mosque and kidnapped three brothers, including two serving police personnel. Police confirmed that Constables Amjad and Hazratullah were later killed. The third abducted brother, a clerk at the Commissioner's Office in Bannu, remains missing. Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan said the kidnappers were linked to a militant group and that a full-scale operation had been launched to trace them. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident. Anthony Albanese wears his love of high-speed on his sleeve, but acknowledges he will not be prime minister by the time it becomes reality. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A Australians have been waiting a long time for a high-speed train to glide into their local station. Since the mid-1980s, when a $2.5 billion very fast train linking Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne was first proposed, supporters of an east coast network of speeding locomotives have dreamt. And been disappointed. Yet, the release this week of a business case for a high-speed line between Sydney and Newcastle, and a commitment of $660 million towards planning the project, has brought the concept so close you can almost hear the conductors call of all aboard. But immense engineering and financial challenges lie ahead for a project that critics warn will inevitably cost far more than expected, take far longer to build than hoped, and fail to deliver the economic benefits spruiked by proponents. A render of a high-speed train station. Australian government Unlike past proposals, the scope of the initial plan unveiled this week is relatively modest. Australias first high-speed trains would run on a specially built 194-kilometre track with stations at Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Central Coast and central Sydney. It would then extend to Parramatta before ending at the soon-to-be-opened Western Sydney Airport. Almost 60 per cent of the line would need to be built underground, including a 65-kilometre stretch that would extend further than the Gotthard Base Tunnel under the Swiss Alps for now the worlds longest rail tunnel at 57 kilometres. Advertisement If completed, a Newcastle-Sydney trip that takes more than 2 hours today would be sliced to 60 minutes as trains race along at 320km/h. The best that could be said for previous attempts to build high-speed rail is that they attracted modest federal political support. Not this one. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wears his love of high-speed rail on his sleeve, declaring this week that it absolutely makes sense, citing the role it would play in economic development along its route while taking pressure off existing infrastructure such as the M1 motorway. He argues it will unlock housing, deliver thousands of jobs and generate tens of billions of dollars in economic activity. While a final decision on the project has yet to be made, the prime ministers mind appears to be made up. I accept that I will not be the prime minister when high-speed rail is finished. But I am determined to be the prime minister who starts it, he declared on Wednesday. Not only does the country have a high-speed rail nerd as its leader, but his emphatic 2025 election victory gives him a generational chance to get the project under way to a point that a future government would find it politically impossible to undo. Advertisement Albanese this week revealed he has raised the line, estimated at this stage to cost $93 billion, with the private sector, noting that Japanese companies are very interested in playing a role. He is unlikely to be prime minister when the final bill for the project is known. The recent financial history of high-speed rail in other parts of the world suggests it could be horrendous. Britains 225-kilometre HS2, linking London to Birmingham, is years behind schedule despite the scope of the project being scaled back to deal with a cost overrun of at least 100 per cent. The latest expected price tag is about $200 billion. A render of a standard-class cabin on the proposed high-speed trains. Australian government In California, a combination of terrible planning, construction through properties held by some of the most litigious people in the world, and Donald Trumps hostility towards the states governor mean a high-speed rail line linking San Francisco and Los Angeles is even further behind schedule and more over budget than HS2. There is a global industry around mega-projects and their cost blowouts. Alexander Budzier, who heads Oxford Global Projects in Britain, says the business case for the Sydney-Newcastle link appears wildly optimistic. Australia would have to defy worldwide experience if it were to come in on time and on budget. Advertisement We have studied more than 20,000 projects globally including high-speed and conventional rail, he said. We see in our data that three out four HSR projects have a cost overrun between final investment decision and actual start of operations. For most of them, costs go up by about 30 per cent. But there is a worst-case scenario where we see that one in 10 projects more than double the cost. And that is measured from the full and final business case; early project ideas have an even higher risk of overruns. One has to only look at California High-Speed Rail or HS2 to see what this means and how these projects, if they are not set up correctly, can turn into a large burden to the taxpayer. The British and American problems have clearly influenced the team behind the Sydney-Newcastle proposal. Their business case warns that a project of the scale and complexity they are considering carries inherent cost overrun risks. What a cost overrun might mean was included in this weeks report. In a worst-case scenario, under which benefits are overestimated and costs underestimated by 20 per cent, the project is a net loss to the nation of between $20.8 billion and $32.8 billion. High Speed Rail Authority chief executive Tim Parker readily accepts there is a track record of mega-projects, including those in Sydney and Melbourne, blowing their budgets. Advertisement Were taking quite a considered approach to actually get it right before we say to the government, actually its going to cost you this much. Part of this is no surprises, he says. Parker, a former senior bureaucrat at the agency overseeing Sydneys metro rail projects, says modern building methods such as boosting off-site construction will significantly reduce the risk of cost blowouts. Im a great reader of the Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner book about how big stuff gets built. And its very simple: plan slowly, deliver fast, he says. A new high-speed station in Gosford would be one of six along the 194-kilometre line between Sydney and Newcastle. Steven Siewert Giving the time to really get the contractors to be engaged and involved in the process, rather than give them a fait accompli after you have a reference design, will actually give us real benefits in delivery and hopefully mitigate the risk of cost blowout. Lessons to be learnt from the UKs high-speed rail project include not over-specifying the lines performance, Parker says, citing HS2s incredibly high 400km/h design speed for trains. Contracts there were also awarded before designs were agreed, removing incentives for contractors to optimise outcomes. While its Coalition predecessors showed enthusiasm for high-speed rail before shelving plans in 2022, the state Labor government has been lukewarm. Advertisement Advertisement NationalQueenslandHealth Why neighbouring suburbs have a 15-year difference in life expectancy Courtney Kruk February 27, 2026 6:01am 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 Women living in the Brisbane suburb of Murarrie are dying 15 years younger than those in neighbouring Cannon Hill, according to new research mapping health outcomes across the city. The University of Queensland study used train stations as geographic markers to collect health data and determine average life expectancy. On the Redcliffe Peninsula line, the median age of death for men living in Zillmere was 72-years-old, 10 years below the median age for those a few kilometres away in Geebung. Using railway stations as geographic markers to map health data, researchers found women in Murarrie died on average 15 years younger than women in Cannon Hill. Markus Ravik On the Cleveland line, women in Murarrie a former rural outpost turned industrial area were found to die on average 15 years younger than those in neighbouring Cannon Hill, despite the stations being only 1.6 kilometres apart. Advertisement Health geographer and UQ associate professor Jonathan Olsen, who led the study, said there are many social, environmental, economic and cultural factors that affect health outcomes, including lack of access to income, housing, education and employment. Theres also the types of services that you have in the local place [and] access to parks and green spaces, he said. South of the CBD, data for Darra and Richlands stations located around four kilometres apart revealed one of the starkest differences in health outcomes. Men in the Inala-Richlands area had a life expectancy of 70 years 11 years less than men in Darra-Sumner. For women, this was 74 and 86 respectively; a 12-year difference. Advertisement Darra and Inala are less than six kilometres apart by car, with both suburbs renowned for their multiculturalism. But a comparison of census data reveals the differences that reinforce UQs findings. Inala has a higher Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population than Darra, with Indigenous Australians facing significant health disparities compared to non-Indigenous Australians. Residents in Inala also earn less on average and have a higher number of single parent households. Census analysis of Cannon Hill and Murarrie, where women have a 15-year difference in life expectancy, found similar disparities. While Murarrie had a higher median household income than Cannon Hill, data showed higher rates of divorce, unpaid care and female single parent households factors that contribute to worse health inequities for women. Advertisement The research can help planners decide where to upgrade parks and build bike paths. Similar studies focussing on transport maps have been completed in Glasgow, London and New York. We dont want to say this place has the worst health outcomes in Brisbane, Olsen said. What we want to do is highlight that theres a variety of health outcomes between places that we can support [and encourage] policymakers and government health officials to think, ok, how do we go in and change these places? What supports do they need? It also allows people to understand that within the inner cities, we have a variety of places and people, and actually, the health outcomes of these people are quite different in quite close proximity. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalGood Weekend Tahlia was released from prison on a Friday night with nothing. She had two options Erin O'Dwyer February 26, 2026 11:00am 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 story is part of the February 28 edition of Good Weekend. See all stories . In 2018, Tahlia Isaac, 35, was sentenced to two years in jail for dealing drugs. She saw prison counsellor Denise Eagleton, 61, for weekly therapy sessions, which continued on the outside. She credits Eagleton with saving her life. I shed 10 years worth of tears in 10 months, says Tahlia Isaac (right) of her therapy sessions with then prison counsellor Denise Eagleton. Paul Harris Tahlia: I was a couple of months into my sentence when I met Denise. I was desperately trying to find a way out of prison. Id heard you could get bailed to rehab, but I needed a support letter. One day, I saw an official-looking woman sitting inside a room with the door open. I thought, Shell know. I poked my head in and she said, Come on in and have a chat. Denise never wrote the letter she knew I wasnt getting out but when I sat down with her, it was like pulling the plug on a bath. I told her everything about my life in one session; the words just flowed out of me. I saw her almost every Monday after that. She listened, held the space for me to let it all out and taught me how to regulate my emotions. I shed 10 years worth of tears in 10 months. Before prison, Id been a daily ice user for almost a decade; for the last three years, I was dealing. My most serious charge was commercial supply of methamphetamine, but there were others, too: fraud, breach of bail, possession of utensils. I didnt know who I was. Id never felt enough not smart enough, not pretty enough, not good enough. I put all my self-worth in other people. When a boyfriend broke up with me at uni an insignificant relationship, really I fell in with people who were using. It started with speed. Suddenly, I felt enough. Dealing became a way to take back power. Advertisement I told Denise what Id always told myself: I had a great childhood; I just fell in with the wrong crowd. Denise said, Maybe your childhood wasnt all that great. She didnt judge me: she just suggested it. Shes a magician like that. I realised I had to do some really f---ing hard work on myself: it wasnt just who I was hanging out with that was the problem. I had no warning that I was going to be released [on parole, after 10 months]. They kicked me out of the courthouse holding cells at 7.30 on a Friday night with nothing. I couldve jumped a train to the Gold Coast and gone straight back to my old life, but I knew I needed to stay connected to the deep work Id been doing. I needed a stable baseline. I called Denise and started seeing her as a private client. Long sessions every three weeks. She charged me virtually nothing. After two years, she said, Youre done. You can go out into the world now. Two years later, after I had my first child, I needed her again. I had postnatal anxiety. She reminded me of all the things shed taught me in prison: regulating my nervous system, breathing, yoga nidra. When I was better, she said, Why dont you come and work for me? I did her admin. Then I went back to uni and finished my degree in criminology. In 2024, when I founded Project: Herself an advocacy and peer-support organisation for women in prison and post-release she started working for us as a counsellor. Working with other women now, I know how rare my counselling experience was and it makes me sad that this kind of care exists by chance, not design. More than 50 per cent of women return to prison in the first two years because theres so little support. Denise is a mentor, a colleague and a close friend. Shes the steady voice of reason in my life and I trust her judgment completely. I look at who I was before I met her angry, reckless, manipulative and who I am now and were not the same person. She saved my life. Advertisement Denise: I was living in northern NSW and had an idea to start a camp for kids at risk, but I didnt know anything about counselling, so I did a masters in Gestalt therapy in my 40s. A job came up as an external counsellor in the south-east Queensland womens prisons. I became passionate about it; I was so moved by the womens stories. Often, I was the only counsellor for 300 women. Theyd come out of a session in tears only to be mocked by a prison guard, whod say, What are you crying about? Related Article Good Weekend I lost my father; she lost the person who saved her life: Fiona Coote and Vanessa Changs bond I look for signs of engagement, insight and the potential for growth, which are indicators for a healthy recovery. Tahlia had all of those things. She spoke well, shed had good jobs, and shed held her life together for many years before she went downhill, which indicates strength and resilience. I saw in her a real commitment to change. Attending weekly sessions is a brave thing to do inside a prison therapy like that isnt easy but we were able to go deep. I found out that her father had gone to prison, which immediately brings up the trauma that wouldve been in the household. Tahlia was the oldest of four kids, so she wouldve had to handle a lot of responsibility. No ones fault, just the circumstances. I think Tahlia was probably a very smart dealer always watching her back, being quickwitted and strategic. Shes also very relational. I taught her that these skills are transferable to other environments. She took on the strategies and her resilience grew. She started to understand that she wasnt a bad person, that her environment had shaped her. Advertisement In prisons, I learnt to sit with the essence of a woman. I tell her: Most of your personality and who you are is beautiful: we just have to change a few of the things that you do. I hold that essence until she can see it herself. Tahlia did; she realised, Im not stuck on this road. After prison, she came back into therapy for a little while, got what she needed and went off to build her life. But shed always call and let me know how she was going. Over time, our relationship became one of equals. We talk mostly on the phone now because shes in Townsville and Im in Brisbane. Once, we discovered we were both going to Bali on holiday. I went early, caught up with her and stayed in her hotel for three or four days. It was the first time I got to see her as a mum; shes a very attentive parent. When I went into private practice, Tahlia supported me. Im bad with admin, and she really helped me. Were colleagues and friends now. Most of the time, our conversations come back to her work and my interest in how shes doing. If she gets funding, shell refer clients to me. I try to do that at a discount. She attributes a lot to me, but its 100 per cent her. She has worked so hard on her recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Letters NationalVictoriaLetters Victorian Liberal us and them housing policy February 26, 2026 8:00pm 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 To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@theage.com.au. Please include your home address and telephone number below your letter. No attachments. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published. Photo: Cathy Wilcox CITY GROWTH The state Liberal housing plan proposes expanding the CBD boundary and stuffing as many high-rises as possible into this area, while increasing housing on the urban boundary (Liberals target inner-city Labor, Greens seats for wave of skyscrapers, 26/2). This plan ringfences its electorates in the east and the bayside areas from increased housing stock. It basically says we dont want more people, were full or in other words, if you cant afford to buy a house in these areas we dont want you. The Liberals want to appeal to younger and more diverse voters but with this plan those voters are locked out of living in Liberal areas. This is not a housing policy; its an us and them policy and many will rightly see through it for what it is, an exclusivity the Liberals dont want breached. Samantha Keir, Brighton East Repeating disaster of Queen Vic precinct Skyscrapers for the inner city? (26/2). Under its new housing scheme, the state opposition proposes that inner Melbourne, covering North Melbourne, Fitzroy and Collingwood, will become home to mega-buildings. So far, development in these areas has been relatively well-managed height limits broadly set at the internationally recognised human scale of eight stories. The shift to 20-30 storey buildings will simply decimate these suburbs, repeating the disaster that has occurred adjacent to Queen Victoria Market. The middle suburbs can easily handle growth around activity centres, provided it too is done at human scale. In pursuit of votes the Liberal plan would sacrifice the wonderful heritage and livability of inner Melbourne. Gregory Gardiner, Brunswick Advertisement Looking forward to One Nation housing policy So, Labor is busy planning to pull down inner-city apartment public housing towers while the Libs are busy planning inner-city apartment buildings. But what about the Greens? Inner-city caves, perhaps? Or, the Nats? Inner-city grain silos? Cant wait to see what One Nation comes up with. Mark Kennedy, Sebastopol Mega-council proposal from the Kennett era The Mayor of Yarra, Stephen Jolly (Inner-city mega-council floated amid cash crisis, 26/2) has struck a raw nerve in Spring Street with and the cities of Melbourne and Port Phillip signalling their support for an inner urban council, but its driven by neoliberalism and is therefore supported by Jeff Kennett. The Kennett governments so-called reform of local government in the 1990s was based on a neo-liberal ideology of cutting costs and people. Compulsory Competitive Tendering was the tool, and the vehicle was an amalgamation that was less about local democracy and communities of interest, and more about making local government a creature of the state. It has survived successive Liberal and Labor governments. But lets talk local democracy and not paying off debt today or tomorrow. The coming state election is an opportunity to put this on the agenda and have government and non-government parties lay their democratic cards on the table. Martin Brennan, Carlton No hope for affordable housing How many times have we been told that the way to affordable housing and rents is to build more housing? Dream on! With the cost of building (materials and labour) out of control, together with the taxes, charges and levies that builders and developers have to meet, there is no way that we will get cheaper and satisfactory housing. Materials and labour are being sucked to the Big Build, driving up prices. That, and the Victorian government desperation for money and taxing everything in sight, leaves little hope for affordable housing and rent. Vince Vozzo, Elwood First, solve transport Without serious attention to public and active transport in the housing policies of both government and opposition, little progress will be made on affordable living. The Liberals new housing policy presents itself as an alternative to the current governments rushed activity centre policies. Yet neither side has confronted a fundamental issue: the chronic undersupply of transport infrastructure in new and expanding suburbs. Prospective homebuyers face a stark trade-off. They can purchase expensive housing in established areas with strong transport connections, or seek cheaper homes on the fringe where access to jobs, education and services is limited by car dependence. This is not simply an inconvenience; it is a structural cost borne by households and the broader economy. Continuing to push growth to the urban fringe without integrated public transport planning demonstrates that we still underestimate the long-term financial, social and environmental costs of sprawl. Eric Keys, Flemington THE FORUM Advertisement Wealth no measure Your correspondent (Letters, Furthermore, 26/2) writes that wealth is usually the product of hard work and without this incentive ... why would people choose to work hard? Many of us who have worked in lower paying jobs, as I have, such as for not-for profits and librarianship, did so because we saw the benefits, enjoyment and life altering result of these types of jobs. Higher wages do not necessarily equate with job satisfaction, and some of the poorest people work hard. Wealth is often inherited; another aspect your letter writer completely ignores. Libby Sturrock, Mont Albert Not seeking riches Your correspondent (26/2) who thinks wealth is usually the product of hard work needs to think more clearly and observe those around him. Not many of the teachers, nurses and other ordinary Australians I know, who work extremely hard every day, do so in the expectation or hope of being wealthy by the end of their working lives. Marie Ann Bell, Maldon Selective free speech It is both disconcerting and sad when a bar owner is forced away from his business for exercising his right to free speech (Cherry Bar owner steps away 26/2). Disconcerting, because those who are taking part in endless protests are using free speech as justification. Free speech for them is a right, but not for anyone who might disagree with them. It shows the weakness of their principles. Sad, because it is a demonstration of how we are being ruled by a noisy minority, how a single social media post can lead to a pile on which disrupts lives and livelihoods. The Cherry Bars co-owners should apply those same principles of free speech and simply say they do not agree with the owners post but they accept his right to say it. Louise Kloot, Doncaster Re-education program I read the article about the Cherry Bar co-owner thinking I was back in Mao Tse Tungs cultural revolution and a guest at his re-education camps. The part-owner had expressed concern that illegal protests were harming small business in the Melbourne CBD. Fair enough, that is his concern, apparently shared by other business owners. However, the other owners were aghast at such sentiments, saying the views do not represent them, the staff or patrons. Fair enough, that is their opinion. But they go on to say: He has expressed his sincere remorse and understands the harm of his actions. Really? This is straight out of a Chinese Communist revolutionary re-education camp. I am not saying that lightly. Do the other owners realise just what they have said? I hope they reflect and express their remorse for such ignorance. Simon Bartholomew, Hanoi, Vietnam Hate speech at its worst So here we have it happening again only this time a war of words as there is divided opinions about allowing a controversial journalist, Zain Zehrezkeli, into Australia. He is a commentator on Arab affairs on Israeli TV. Surely, this is a closed case because anyone who calls for mass civilian casualties and humanitarian disaster in Gaza should never be allowed into our country. This inflames tensions and is a risk to our social cohesion. Isnt this hate speech at its worst? Step up Tony Burke, use your powers and speak for all Australians who seek justice and peace. Julie Ottobre, Brunswick East Advertisement In praise of difficult women Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses prompt mea culpaafter describing former Australian of the Year Grace Tame as difficult - albeit the right thing to do - reveals an unconscious bias in his (oops, lve stepped on a land mine!) Freudian slip (PM says sorry for calling Grace Tame difficult, 26/2). Moreover, his attempt to clarify his statement - She has had a difficult life, and that was what I was referring to - is equally bad because of the presumption that Tame as survivor of childhood sexual abuse is why she is difficult). Albaneses slip of the tongue reveals how deeply entrenched cultural attitudes are pertaining to how women should behave even where the person considers him or herself to be womens fervent ally. But therein is the rub. Well behaved women rarely make history by being accommodating of patriarchal rules and so called difficult women without whom - as Senator Sarah Hanson-Young correctly said - women wouldnt have the vote, couldnt run for parliament and wouldnt be able to have a bank account or buy a house. So, l salute all of the glorious difficult women (myself included!) in our community who work tirelessly to improve other women and children lives as has Grace Tame. Jelena Rosic, Mornington Joys of voting Your correspondent (Letters, Republics not perfect, 26/2) declares that a republic is not inherently superior to a constitutional monarchy, as Australia is now. In fact, we here are required to accept a ballot which we choose to lodge, correctly or not. Americans can choose to vote or not. That is why they have so much vote fiddling. We are being treated as grown-ups. Tony Haydon, Springvale Bringing them home A solution to the dilemma of the 11 Australian women and their 23 children at the Al-Roj camp in Syria, would be to house them at the North West Point Immigration Centre on Christmas Island. It is very isolated and currently empty, so it would seem to be the perfect place to house these Australian citizens until they are ever deemed safe to be returned to the mainland. The children would have access to Australian schooling, health services and healthy food, and the entire group could be deradicalised if required, in safety and away from the influence of any extremists. Many of these women were coerced by husbands and other family members to go to Syria. Surely, every Australian deserves a second chance to redeem themselves. Carol Muir, Grovedale Algals ugly bloom The Australian dream of sea, sun and surf is now under threat by raising water temperatures and increasing intensity of algal blooms, collapsing once healthy reefs in a matter of days (Algal bloom heads north towards marine wonder, 26/2). We know this is caused in large part by big coal and gas polluters. And yet we, the taxpayers, are paying to keep this Australian dream alive while some of these polluters pay next to nothing in tax or royalties. Not a fair go. Milos Karapandzic, Myrtle Bank, SA Relentless NDIC quest I expected to spend my declining years enjoying my grandchildren and perhaps writing a new book, but Ive never worked so hard in my entire professional life. My 96th birthday was last week, and Ive spent the past two and half years advocating full-time for my son who fell ill with meningitis in August 2023 and now has a permanent acquired brain injury. It was just 10 days before his 65th birthday, but as he was unconscious in intensive care on that all-important date, he was unable to apply, and so was refused NDIS support. I continue to appeal and hope the system will not fail me I havent got too much time. Ros Collins, Elwood Advertisement Doctors, walk in my shoes Please, to your doctor correspondent (Letters, 24/2): Take just five minutes to walk in the shoes of a mother whose child has suicided. Having fought for help for more than 18 years for my son, and having been a witness to the treatment he received within many facilities in that time, I can only hope that the grieving families to whom you refer are at the very least granted some respect as they voice their stories. If the uncomfortable truth is that suicide prevention lies more with better community care, then why is this care not there? The very uncomfortable truth is that the royal commission into mental health achieved very little with many agreed-upon recommendations being quietly dumped. Where is the housing stability, addiction treatment, social connection etc? Where is the urgent care support in months-long waiting lists? Platitudes such as I hear what youre saying are inadequate, patronising and soul destroying for parents with children in crisis, as is the lack of compassion and disdain often shown towards those with addictions and mental health issues. I cannot fight the medical profession or the coroner, or the guilt and taboo associated with suicide, but I have a piece of my heart missing and so wish I had really been heard and had fought harder. Sue Skahill, Bendigo AND ANOTHER THING Matt Golding Trumps speech Ukraine voted for a comedian and got a leader. The US voted for a leader and got a clown. Ray Brindle, Burwood For heavens sake, give the man a gummy. Molly Hanrahan, Maldon Advertisement Watching Trumps State of the Union speech, I quickly realised that Id forgotten to take out the rubbish. Henry Herzog, St Kilda East Phew! Thanks for setting the record straight, Mr President. I thought America was falling apart. Matt Dunn, Leongatha The state of the union is totally divided. Democracy has flown out the window. John Bye, Elwood Broken record in more ways than one. When do you think that unprecedented will make way for unpresidented? Cant happen quickly enough! Barry Greer, Balnarring Furthermore How can a 14 year-old girl make a rational decision to travel to any country with a radicalised husband and now be punished for it? Those of us who have daughters surely must feel some empathy. Mary Fenelon, Doncaster East Advertisement Jess Wilson is equivocating as to whether to preference Pauline Hansons One Nation at our next state election. To quote John McEnroe ... are you serious? Maurie Johns, Mt Eliza No wonder councils are facing financial issues (Inner-city mega-councils floated amid cash crisis, 26/2). The council allowance paid is outrageous. I was an elected councillor from 1988 to 1992 and we were given $3000 a year. It is a voluntary position, so you should only be given a token payment. Christine Hammett, Richmond Finally Not enough federal MPs? Surely, there are plenty of state and local politicians who are more than capable of playing with the big kids when needed? Al Anderson, Glen Iris Labor proposes 40 more politicians for federal parliament. Voters want quality, not quantity. Kevan Porter, Alphington The opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here. Watch as the PM calls Grace Tame difficult, alongside his explanation Anthony Albanese described the former Australian of the Year Grace Tame as difficult. He now says it was misinterpreted, claiming he meant she had had a difficult life. Advertisement NationalWALocal council Escalating safety concerns force Perth council vote as Lord Mayor blocks leadership question Carla Hildebrandt February 26, 2026 2:32pm 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 City of Perth has approved staged funding to address accelerating psychosocial risks within the organisation, but not before a pointed question about Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds role in the turmoil was shut down. At the ordinary council meeting on Wednesday afternoon, which ran so long on Tuesday night it had to be reconvened the following day, councillors voted unanimously to approve an amended motion allocating $135,000 in the 2025/26 financial year towards implementing recommendations from an independent psychosocial risk assessment. The City of Perth Council. City of Perth The approved staged funding will replace an original proposal seeking $280,000 immediately, with City of Perth chief executive Michelle Reynolds required to report back on progress within six months. Most of the discussion took place behind closed doors, with the report contents deemed confidential, despite the report being leaked to multiple media outlets. Advertisement Related Article Local council Perth council at war: The 30-page dossier laying bare citys leadership rift The psychosocial report was commissioned in November 2025 after Michelle Reynolds received repeated and escalating concerns from employees and some elected members about psychosocial safety issues, she said in the council agenda briefing. The most charged moment at Wednesdays meeting came when councillor Raj Doshi asked the chief executive whether things had got better with the Lord Mayor, and has he made any attempts to help with any of the resolutions and assist with the recommendations? Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds immediately ruled the question out of order. This report is a systemic report. There have been no claims held against anybody. There has been no findings in regards to claims or complaints or findings, Bruce Reynolds said. Advertisement He added that anyone who had experienced conduct warranting a complaint should come forward. Related Article Updated City of Perth Ex-Kwinana mayor picked to monitor City of Perth council Doshi attempted to clarify that she was asking about whether the relationship between the council and the administration had improved since the reports release but Reynolds again ruled the question out of order. Speaking in favour of the motion, Councillor Catherine Lezer said Council had reached a point where there is no option but to act. The independent psychosocial risk assessment is clear, she said. Advertisement There are known harm risks within this council. These risks are rated as critical or high and they are accelerating. It is reported of people experiencing actual harm that has required medical intervention. The city has already lost senior executives who attributed their departures directly to harmful workplace behaviours. Lezer said the situation had deteriorated rapidly over the last nine months. Closing the meeting, the Bruce Reynolds thanked councillors and staff, and said the council would move forward together as one council and we are committed to that. The Lord Mayor has previously said the psychosocial risk report was welcomed by the City. Advertisement This work contributes to broader understanding across the local government sector, identifying systemic challenges that can arise within complex governance environments and outlining potential approaches to addressing those challenges, he said in a statement. The City of Perth has experienced a heightened level of public attention in recent months, and the report provides a constructive framework to support improvement and stability. The recommendations are intended to assist both the administration and Council to strengthen working relationships and clarify expectations. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Local council Perth Carla Hildebrandt is a journalist with WAtoday. She previously worked on ABCs Four Corners and as a court reporter at The Daily Telegraph in Sydney. For secure contact: carlahildebrandt@proton.me. Connect via email Advertisement PoliticsFederalPolitical leadership Opinion The PMs biggest problem isnt calling Grace Tame difficult. Its that he cant admit hes wrong Katy Hall Age deputy state topic editor February 26, 2026 4:16pm February 26, 2026 4:16pm 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 If an entire country misunderstands something you say, are the people at fault for not knowing your intentions, or are you at fault for being clumsy with your words? And if your subsequent apology is ham-fisted and comes across as unaware and insincere, who cops the blame then? Former Australian of the Year Grace Tame. After Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called Grace Tame difficult on Wednesday during an onstage game in which he was asked to describe people using just one word, this is the conundrum he now faces. He says he was simply trying to convey that the former Australian of the Year and child sex abuse survivor has had a difficult life. Advertisement Grace Tame has taken what is personal trauma and that awful experience that she had and channelled that into helping, in particular, other young women, being a strong and powerful advocate, Albanese explained on Thursday morning as the furore began to erupt. If you really meant that though, if thats what you were really trying to say and what you really believe, why not use those words? Helping. Strong. Powerful. Advocate. Loading Probably because Albanese knew what he was saying and who he was saying it to. He chose to describe Tame a long and vocal critic of News Corp as difficult at the Herald Suns Future Victoria Summit. Many people in that audience would remember that a little over a year ago, Tame attended an event at The Lodge and stood next to Albanese and his now-wife Jodie Haydon wearing a T-shirt with the words F--- Murdoch emblazoned on it in bold capital letters. Does Albanese really expect anyone to believe that he was unaware the word difficult would land very differently in a room full of people who consume News Corp media than it would, say, in a room full of people at a writers festival event? Advertisement Of course not. Because he likely doesnt believe it himself, either. Halfway through his non-apology apology, he provided further context for his word choice. Now there are other issues, such as the language that Grace Tame used that I disagree with at the demonstration that was held in Sydney. So thats why its impossible to describe people in one word, he said, referring to her use of a contentious slogan when addressing a pro-Palestine rally earlier this month during the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Then-prime minister Scott Morrison and 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame during the Australian of the Year awards morning tea at The Lodge in 2022. Alex Ellinghausen As for Tame, she isnt buying it. Dudes quoting Scott [Morrison] now!!! Shes had a difficult life Spare me the condescension, old man. We all know what you meant. A badge of honour anyway. A confession that Ive ruffled him, she commented on social media. The thing is, though, even if you are someone who finds Tame to be a difficult personality or spiky or harsh or whatever other adjective you want to use to describe someone who refuses to submit and contort themselves into the shape you expect them to fit that exact trait is the thing that has gotten her where she is, that has helped change laws around Australia to protect children, that has brought so much awareness to an endemic social issue, that has helped countless survivors feel less alone. Advertisement Describing any woman as difficult was always going to end badly. But saying, If there was any misinterpretation, then I certainly apologise, and thinking that actually qualifies as an apology, makes it worse. Add to this Albaneses refusal to apologise to advocate Sarah Williams in 2024 after there was a dispute over his right to speak at the What Were You Wearing rally she felt he had implied she was a liar and it becomes apparent the prime minister has a real problem with admitting hes in the wrong and saying sorry sincerely. For a person who proudly declared that showing kindness isnt weakness on the campaign trail, choosing the word difficult to describe someone who has survived and achieved what Tame has is incredibly difficult to understand. Katy Hall is a senior editor and regular columnist. The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here. Advertisement PoliticsFederalNegative gearing Chalmers not negative about the prospect of negative gearing Paul Sakkal and Millie Muroi Updated February 27, 2026 2:35pm ,first published February 27, 2026 9:52am 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 Investors could be hit with a restriction on the number of homes they can negatively gear as Labor plots a political campaign on homeownership for younger Australians. The government has been buoyed by the mostly positive reaction from economists and business leaders to news earlier this month that it was thinking about reining the 50 per cent discount on taxing the value uplift of assets. Treasurer Jim Chalmers will face questions about modelling caps for negative gearing. AAPIMAGE Two government sources, not authorised to speak publicly about the upcoming May budget, confirmed negative gearing was also being looked at, among other options. One said the capital gains move was viewed inside the government as more likely to be put forward than the negative gearing change, but both were being explored by the Treasury. Before the last election, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his ministers consistently ruled out touching negative gearing and the CGT. Advertisement Asked about the proposal on Friday, first reported in The Australian, Chalmers did not deny it was being modelled, avoiding the rule-in, rule-out game that has stifled previous examinations of tricky tax changes. Related Article Housing crisis The zombie debate about negative gearing is back. Whats at stake? We know that there is a sense of intergenerational unfairness in the tax system and in the housing market as well, he said. Its not unusual for the Treasury to be canvassing a whole range of issues, a whole range of policies to inform discussions and deliberations of the cabinet as we get closer and closer to the governments fifth budget in May. Im not prepared to go into the detail of that, no decisions have been taken. We havent changed our tax policy. Allowing a public discussion on the policies to make property investing less attractive suggests a new-found appetite from Labor to tackle the politically fraught issue of tilting the property market in favour of first homebuyers. Advertisement Labor was scarred by its election loss in 2019 when Bill Shorten proposed abolishing tax breaks for investors, triggering an attack campaign from the Coalition, and Tim Wilson now shadow treasurer on a suite of tax tweaks that included negative gearing, capital gains tax, and dividend imputation reform, otherwise known as the franking credits scare. Chalmers has also faced growing calls from economists and Labor branches to go harder on economic reform to make the housing market fairer while reining in public spending and lowering personal income taxes. This masthead previously reported that Chalmers was exploring the CGT change as part of a broader tax package that might include a bigger income tax cut. Liberal leader Angus Taylor has come out quickly against any tax changes for property investing. Labor may be less worried about an opposition campaign given the fragile state of the newly reformed Coalition and its current supersized majority in the House. They are banking on an electorate younger and more sharply aware of the inequities of the property market since Shortens reform attempts began a decade ago. The Coalitions Angus Taylor and Jane Hume have already rejected any change to negative gearing, saying landlords will only raise rents. Sitthixay Ditthavong Opposition frontbencher James Paterson said Albanese will lie to voters if the government proceeded with the tax changes. They were particularly strong on ruling out negative gearing changes, Paterson said on Sky News, arguing Labor was running out of money and resorting to tax hikes. Advertisement This would be a major breach of faith with the Australian people. The combination of negative gearing and the capital gains discount, implemented by the Howard government, has been blamed for fuelling a two-decade spike in house prices that has outstripped wages. The critical shortage of new homes and high rates of migration are also key factors, economists say, but Australia has a unique addiction to property investment by OECD standards. A refresher on negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount Negative gearing: When an investor purchases a property with a loan, and the rent they get from it is less than the costs (including interest, rates and maintenance) of owning it. When this happens, the investor can subtract the net loss from their other income, reducing their taxable income. Capital gains tax discount: Capital gains on assets (this can include things like shares, as well as housing) are taxed like other forms of income when you sell them, but with a 50 per cent discount if theyve been held for at least 12 months. Former Liberal MP Keith Wolahan argued this week that the Liberal Party should support changes that make it easier for people to buy homes. Advertisement Rather than abolishing negative gearing, its operation should be refocused toward new supply. The Liberal Party should lead with this: cap negative gearing for established dwellings at one property per investor, while allowing the deduction for up to five newly constructed homes, Wolahan wrote in an article this week on website Inflection Point. The case for rebalancing is clear. In 2025, 82 per cent of loans to investors were for established dwellings. Negative gearing allows an investor to deduct any losses from running a property (such as interest, rates and maintenance) from their annual income, reducing how much tax they pay. The capital gains tax discount allows investors to sell a property and only pay tax on 50 per cent of the profit if they have owned it for at least one year. The family home is currently exempt from capital gains tax. Advertisement Australian Tax Office figures show in the 2021-22 period, 1.3 million people were positively or neutrally geared (meaning they generated more or equal rental income, compared with their costs), while 950,000 were negatively geared. Costings requested by the Greens from the Parliamentary Budget Office in 2024 showed that during the 2024-25 period the revenue foregone from negative gearing was estimated to be about $6.9 billion, while capital gains discounts on residential properties were estimated to cost $5.4 billion. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter. by Chen Weihua, Zhang Tuo MEXICO CITY, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Despite the vast distance, the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, has captivated people across Latin America, vividly reflecting the growing ties between China and the region. Across major Latin American capitals such as Buenos Aires, Santiago and Mexico City, landmarks have been illuminated in red to mark the occasion. In Buenos Aires, iconic landmarks including Puente de la Mujer and Floralis Generica were lit up. In Santiago, Chile, a giant lantern installation featuring panda figures from southwest China's Sichuan Province brightened the summer nights. In Mexico City, decorations of the Chinese zodiac Horse adorned neighborhoods in the historic center, while in Brazil, the festive atmosphere blended with the passionate rhythms of Carnival. In the Puerto Madero barrio of Buenos Aires, Dragon Boat races celebrating the Year of the Horse drew widespread attention. Nearly 450 rowers from about 30 teams paddled across the waters of the Rio de la Plata, bringing a traditional Chinese activity into the heart of the city. Such activities have increasingly become part of local life. "Each year we learn a little more about Chinese culture," said Julieta Esmaiman Strua, one of the competitors. Sergio Maximiliano Bracco, captain of one of the boats, highlighted the essence and the enthusiasm behind the sport. "Dragon Boat racing requires teamwork. Chinese culture teaches us to unite our efforts and row toward a common goal," he said. In recent years, the Spring Festival has gained growing popularity in Latin America. Countries such as Suriname and Panama have declared it an official holiday. In Panama City's Chinatown, Debora Rivera and her family joined early celebrations. For her, the crackle of firecrackers, the rhythmic drumbeats, the Lion and Dragon dances, and the wide array of Chinese cuisine all combined to create an indispensable festive experience. "Although we are Panamanians, Chinese New Year has already become a family tradition," she said during the celebrations. "I strongly identify with Chinese culture, and I believe these celebrations help dispel the hardships of the past year and bring hope," she added. Across Latin America, customs such as posting spring couplets, preparing dumplings, or jiaozi, distributing red envelopes, practicing Tai Chi have gained popularity. In Porto Alegre, Brazil, siblings Olivia Pedroso and Samuel performed a Lion Dance. Members of Brazil's national youth Wushu team train at a local school founded by their parents to promote Chinese martial arts. Samuel said Chinese Wushu carries deep cultural meaning and that their school has become a "small ambassador" of Chinese culture. For Milagros Alderete, a student at the University of Buenos Aires, celebrating the Chinese New Year has evolved into a lasting interest in Chinese culture. Studying fashion design, she draws inspiration from China's millennia-old textile heritage. "China has a splendid history, and its traditional clothing is an inexhaustible source of inspiration," she said. The economic impact of the Spring Festival is resonating across the Pacific. During the holiday season, emblematic Latin American products such as cherries, red wine, beef and coffee from countries including Chile, Uruguay and Colombia have become popular gifts in China. According to the Cherry Committee of Fruits of Chile, the country exported 113.8 million boxes of cherries in the 2025-2026 period, with 87 percent destined for China, where the Spring Festival marks the peak sales period. Chilean fruit exporter Patricio Ulloa said understanding the Chinese New Year is crucial for business, noting that red symbolizes prosperity and wealth in Chinese culture. As cooperation between China and Latin America deepens under initiatives such as the Belt and Road, flagship projects including the Port of Chancay in Peru have bolstered bilateral trade. In 2025, Peru's exports reached a record 90.082 billion U.S. dollars, up 21 percent year on year. Exports to China rose more than 30 percent, becoming a key driver of overall growth. The Port of Chancay has played a pivotal role in facilitating shipments of fresh Peruvian fruits, including avocados, blueberries, citrus fruits, apples and grapes, to Chinese consumers. "Happy New Year to friends in China and Peru," Jason Guillen, manager of Cosco Shipping Ports Chancay Peru, told Xinhua. He said the new land-sea corridor connecting Chancay and Shanghai not only boosts Peru's trade but also benefits other Latin American countries. Advertisement PoliticsVictoriaCourts Victoria to ban good character references from watering down sentences Rachel Eddie February 27, 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 Victoria will ban good character references that reduce jail sentences for convicted criminals, after years of advocacy from child sex abuse survivors. Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny will on Friday announce offenders will no longer be able to rely on the references, under legislation she plans to bring this year. NSW introduced legislation to ban good character references earlier this month. Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny said she would bring the legislation mid this year. Arsineh Houspian Victim-survivors of crimes are having to sit in court and hear that the person who harmed them is a good person that compounds the trauma, diminishes their experience and cant continue, Kilkenny said. Under Labor, safety comes first, and perpetrators must be held accountable for their crimes without excuses. Advertisement Kilkenny will bring legislation in the middle of the year, the government said. Some limitations were already in place in certain child sex abuse cases, banning offenders for using good character references if their reputation helped them commit the crime. All too often, people who use violence hide in plain sight under the veil of being a good teammate, good employee or good friend. Australian Childhood Foundation But the Victorian government will now seek to impose a blanket ban on all good character references. Child sex abuse survivors have for years pushed for the change through the Your Reference Aint Relevant campaign. Advertisement A NSW Sentencing Council report released last year found there was no sufficient justification for allowing an offenders good character to mitigate a sentence, after hearing evidence it mostly benefited those with privilege, status and wealth. Editor's pick Political leadership Spare me the condescension, old man: Grace Tame dismisses PMs apology The 126-page report concluded that use of the references was based on a vague and uncertain concept, lacked evidence demonstrating its value in predicting an offenders risk of reoffending and chances of rehabilitation, re-traumatised and marginalised victim-survivors, and engaged in an unjustified form of moral and social accounting. The Australian Childhood Foundation this month called on all states to follow NSWs lead. All too often, people who use violence hide in plain sight under the veil of being a good teammate, good employee or good friend, the foundation said at the time. Advertisement Legalise Cannabis MP Rachel Payne has also been pushing the Victorian parliament to make the change. Queensland last year took the smaller step of restricting the circumstances that a sex offender can rely on evidence of good character. The ACT has also banned child sex offenders from using good character references. Attorneys-general across the country will discuss the issue at national meeting on Friday, though a nationally consistent response is not required. Outdated character references were used in former Collingwood cheer squad member Jeffrey Joffa Corfe during his sentencing for child sex offences, prompting the County Court to update its guidelines and sparking a debate about their use. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement Updated PoliticsWAWA Parliament I wont do that again: Zempilas apologises over Labor MP intimidation Hamish Hastie February 26, 2026 1:05pm 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 Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas has been forced to apologise to Labors Swan Hills MP Michelle Maynard for intimidating her during an exchange after a fiery question time on Wednesday, but on Thursday would not be drawn on whether he thought his actions were genuinely intimidating. Zempilas made a beeline for Maynard after question time to discuss data relating to the Bullsbrook power issues in her electorate, which was brought up during the final question of the session. Loading Footage of the incident shows an exasperated Zempilas standing over Maynard who remained seated while he pointed to his phone. Outside Parliament on Thursday, Maynard said four of her colleagues asked Zempilas to walk away, but it wasnt until a male colleague stood between the pair that he left. Advertisement I was seated. The Leader of the Opposition is a tall man, and he was in my physical space with his phone in my face and waving his hands, which he does. Its fine, she said. I didnt feel like I had anywhere that I could go and he wasnt letting up. I had four colleagues stand up around me and ask him to leave, and he did not. So I didnt feel OK in that time. Swan Hills Labor MP Michelle Maynard. Hamish Hastie I understand that Parliament is a robust debate during question time, but question time was over, and I didnt find the behaviour acceptable at all, and so I asked the speaker for a public apology, which was issued last night, but the behaviour was not okay. Speaker Stephen Price said he would investigate the incident, and at about 7pm Zempilas issued a formal apology to Maynard. Advertisement I understand the member felt intimidated during that exchange, which was not my intention, and I apologise to the member. I acknowledge that I acted in an unparliamentary manner and I also apologise to the house, he said. Maynard said she had received text messages from Liberal MPs to express their horror at what happened but would not reveal which opposition members had reached out. Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas speaking with Labor MP Michelle Maynard after question time on Wednesday. WA Parliament Zempilas said he apologised because he was asked to, but added it was not his intention to make Maynard feel intimidated. When pressed whether he thought his behaviour was intimidatory, Zempilas repeated that he had apologised. Advertisement I apologised in the chamber, and I apologised because I was asked to do so, and it was not my intention to cause any of those things. But I accept that, if thats how Michelle felt, it was the right thing to do, to give an apology, he said. Zempilas said he wouldnt seek out an MP after question time again. I wont do that again, he said. Its a robust place. I have seen, in my 12 months, many MPs from both sides of the chamber have conversations among one another after question time. Im not the first person to do that. Advertisement I think we would expect that that is something that can happen. However, I understand Im the leader of the opposition; perhaps its best if I dont do that. The incident stemmed from a few minutes before, when Zempilas had been attacking the governments management of Western Power after it emerged the agency had 563 computers stolen in two years. He asked whether the government had confidence in the utility given the recent power outages in Bullsbrook. During a fiery exchange with Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson, Zempilas was interjecting with stats about the power outages while Maynard, whose electorate includes Bullsbrook, accused him of peddling misinformation. Zempilas said he was showing Maynard data from Western Powers own website that backed up his criticism during question time. Advertisement Earlier during question time Labor had been dishing it out to opposition members with Housing Minister John Carey responding to interjections from shadow health minister Libby Mettam. The member for Vasse is very agitated today. I dont know what shes been drinking, he said. The incident marks the second major behavioural scandal to erupt from the lower house in just five days of sitting. Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas. Hamish Hastie Last week WA Education Minister Sabine Winton was forced to apologise for calling Nationals MP Lachlan Hunter an arsehole on the first day back at parliament for 2026. Advertisement Winton said she was responding to what she thought was a racist taunt by Hunter toward Bibra Lake MP Sook Yee Lai. Speaker Stephen Price said on Thursday he believed behaviour had actually improved since last year, but still issued a warning to MPs. Members just need to remember that what happens in the chamber is important, and what we do gets seen, and its like any other workplace where you just have to make sure that you abide by the rules and the standing orders, he said. Advertisement Reviews & adviceHotel reviews The verdict on Melbournes glam new Manhattan-style hotel Katherine Scott February 27, 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 The hotel Hannah St Hotel, Southbank, Melbourne Check-in Hannah St Hotel has been compared to Manhattans famed triangular Flatiron Building. Kristoffer Paulsen When assigning our capitals a global shorthand, Sydney is often equated to Los Angeles, while Melbourne is likened to the (arguably cooler) Big Apple. Its a comparison that sticks at the newly opened Hannah St Hotel, whose triangular footprint mimics New Yorks iconic Flatiron Building. This is the third Australian property to launch under the design-led Collection by TFE Hotels, joining The Eve Hotel in Sydney and The Calile in Brisbane. Advertisement The entrance feels like a secret. Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now. Tucked directly under the Kings Way overpass in the $150 million Queensbridge Building development, the entrance feels like a well-kept secret. Far from drab concrete, the underbelly of this rust-red cantilevered highway has been dressed-up with Barbie-pink columns and a polka dot driveway (a yellow brick road for Ubers). Its a scene completed by resident caffeine purveyor Hannah St Coffees crimson grab n go window, where the aroma of Square One coffee proves that even under a motorway, Melbournes coffee snobbery is elite. Inside, the welcome is well-oiled; a cool-looking staffer in white kicks whisks away my luggage before a pink-tinged welcome mocktail appears. The look The reception desks 1980s-inspired monochromatic piano key motif. Advertisement Melbourne-based Flack Studio (Ace Hotel Sydney) is behind the interiors, which lace New York old-world grandeur with 80s maximalism. Brace for playful throwbacks like jewel-toned velvet lounges, neon flourishes and a monochromatic piano key motif at the reception desk and 20-metre lap pool on the ninth floor. The striped level-nine indoor swimming pool overlooking Southbank. Swirling marble and custom furnishings adorn the public spaces and 188 rooms. The hotel doubles as a gallery; an all-female collective of Australian artists was commissioned to create site-specific works, including a fragmented neon poem by Jazz Money that unfolds through the lobby and halls. While the gritty space beneath the freeway currently hosts, erm, construction skips, there are plans to bring it to life with flea and farmers markets. The room One of the lookout corner suites at Hannah St Hotel. Advertisement A soaking tub in one of the terrace balcony suites. Channelling the retro 80s-glam of Hamer Hall, the rooms feature brutalist concrete walls, blush-pink carpet and walnut timbers. My skyline corner suite (28 square metres) isnt significantly larger than entry-level categories, but curving floor-to-ceiling glass floods the space with light and offers a front-row seat to the pulsing Kings Way traffic below. Space is smartly utilised thanks to custom furnishings, comprising a king bed, a large open ensuite with double vanity, a desk and a mini-bar stocked with treats. The tech is generally great Dyson hairdryers, Marshall Bluetooth speakers and USB-C ports though the lighting controls are a riddle. I spend an embarrassing amount of time decoding the two-touch dimming function while trying to switch off the lights (theres no master switch). More frustrating was the shower, which flickered hot and cold, more temperamental than Melbournes weather. Managements response, however, was stellar; maintenance was dispatched with a promise of personal testing before my next stay. (The issue has since been resolved.) Food + drink Try the Euro-inspired bistro Coupette. Advertisement The crab omelette with chilli and lime is a revelation Pete Dillon The Mulberry Group (Hazel, Dessous, Lilac Wine) handles the food across all five venues, led by executive chef Andrew Beddoes a savvy move given the citys foodie chops. The signature Coupette Corner Bistro and Bar, with its dining room of cherry-toned marble and powder-blue banquettes, is a destination in its own right. Breakfast is a highlight the blue swimmer crab omelette, smacking of chilli and lime, is a revelation, served with precision brews. Lunch and dinner leans modern European; think beef tartare with puffed beef tendon crisps and steak frites smothered in Montpellier butter. Dont miss the Terrace Lounge for an alfresco rooftop drink. The Terrace Lounge balcony. Out + about Advertisement The location is a walkers dream. The Melbourne Arts Precinct, currently undergoing a $1.7 billion transformation, is on your doorstep. The NGV International, Southbank Theatre and Federation Square are all within a 15-minute stroll. Dont miss the NGVs Westwood Kawakubo exhibition, on until April 19, 2026. The verdict Terrace Lounge interiors. A playful, art-saturated sanctuary with a formidable food offering, this could be Melbournes most convincing slice of Manhattan grit-turned-glamour yet. Essentials Advertisement Local rooms from $295 a night; skyline corner suites from $564. Several DDA-compliant rooms available. 19 Walker Street, Southbank, Melbourne. Phone: +61 03 9944 6000. See hannahsthotel.com Coupette, nestled within the buildings curved glass corner. Kristoffer Paulsen Our rating out of five Highlight Advertisement Coupettes crab and apple salad with lardo, finished tableside with a vivid-green oyster dressing, is a must-order. Lowlight A few more room service comfort staples (like a club sandwich) wouldnt go astray. I love seafood, but dishes like fried school prawns leave a lingering pong in cosy confines. The writer stayed as a guest of Visit Victoria and Hannah St Hotel. See visitvictoria.com Advertisement WorldAfricaAnimals Stunning bat cave footage captures disease spread risk for first time Arthur Scott-Geddes February 26, 2026 7:30pm 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 Researchers in Uganda have discovered a complex network of animals feeding on bats infected with Marburg virus, for the first time capturing startling footage of potential spillover risks. The observations, caught on camera traps placed outside the entrance to Python Cave in Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda, are the first confirmation of a dynamic, multispecies exposure network at a known Marburg virus site, the researchers say. Loading In a preprint of their findings, they write that the discovery of so many animals feeding on the bats may represent a Rosetta Stone for interpreting the real-time mechanics of zoonotic spillover. Over a five-month period between February and June last year, the researchers recorded at least 14 different vertebrate species visiting the cave to feed on the bats, including leopards, several species of primate, birds of prey and monitor lizards. Advertisement The cave is home to tens of thousands of Egyptian fruit bats. AP In one clip, an adult leopard can be seen approaching the entrance to the cave, swiping at the bats as they fly out in huge numbers before leaving with one in its mouth. Other footage captured at the site in the Maramagambo Forest showed a troop of monkeys feeding on the bats, along with civet cats and genets, another small mammalian predator. The cave is home to an estimated 56,000 Egyptian fruit bats and is situated in an area that has long been important to the study of Marburg, a close cousin of Ebola. The virus can have a fatality rate as high as 90 per cent and, while there are several vaccines in development, none has yet been approved. Advertisement In 2008, a Dutch tourist who visited Python Cave caught and died from Marburg. An American tourist also fell ill with the disease after visiting the cave but survived. Related Article Explainer Coronavirus pandemic How does an epidemic spread and what does the wildlife trade have to do with it? And in 2009, scientists from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) isolated Marburg virus for the first time from fruit bats found in a nearby cave. The camera traps were originally placed at the cave as part of a project to gather data on lions and hyenas living in the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Orin Cornille, a field co-ordinator at the Kyambura Lion Project, said it was a surprise to capture so many different species feasting on the bats, about 7 per cent of which are known to carry Marburg. Advertisement What surprised me is we were seeing blue monkeys, baboons, vervet monkeys, going in there and snatching bats. From a virological standpoint, I think thats the crazy part. The leopard is really cool, and all the genet cats and the civets and all the different avian species are really cool to watch. But I think from a virus point of view, its probably the monkeys which are the scariest thing. The researchers were keen to stress that they had seen no evidence of actual spillover. This could be something thats been taking place for millennia the Rift Valley and the Albertine Rift, these are ancient systems, said Alexander Braczkowski, scientific director at Kyambura Lion Project. Advertisement We are seeing a lot of the same species, and, in fact, some of the same individuals going to this cave and feeding, you know, for months and months and months on end. One particular leopard that visited the cave repeatedly over the five-month period was caught on camera eating numerous bats. It was given the nickname Akahaya, a term in a local language meaning untouchable. The researchers hope that their findings can be the starting point for further investigation into spillover risks. For one of the first times in nature, theres essentially a site where you have the ability to repeatedly see animal interactions between the filovirus reservoir and then these predators, clearly mixing body fluids eating each other, said Braczkowski. Epidemiologists have spent years studying Marburg virus at Ugandas Queen Elizabeth National Park. THE WASHINGTON POST Advertisement Were going to be working with some collaborators in future to potentially try and map out more of this whole interface, and figure out if animals are getting infected, he said. Related Article Explainer Coronavirus pandemic Were now in the age of pandemics. Can we stop the next one? Bosco Atukwatse, another field coordinator at the Kyambura Lion Project, first had the idea to install cameras by the cave. He told the London Telegraph that features of the cave made it uniquely suited to predators hoping to score an easy meal. The entrance to the cave is partially sunken and low to the ground, while piles of guano bat droppings that have accumulated over years, means even smaller animals can get to the bats. Advertisement A monkey can just stand on two legs and grab a handful of bats and run away with it, he said, adding that it was not always clear where the dead bats ended up. While bats are thought to be the main reservoir for the virus in the wild, and can carry Marburg without falling sick, there is evidence to suggest that other animals, including some primates, can spread the virus after interacting with bats. Spillover crucible The researchers described the cave as a spillover crucible, noting that many of the species they observed preying on the bats are themselves eaten by humans as bushmeat. There are very many pathways through which a disease of international concern can actually spread to a population unnoticed, Atukwatse said. Advertisement The camera traps also recorded an estimated 400 humans visiting the cave including school groups, tourists, and local trainees the majority with no personal protective equipment. Related Article Explainer Coronavirus pandemic The same coronavirus strain turned up in an Australian and a tiger. How? Braczkowski, the scientific director and one of the papers authors, said the Ugandan authorities were well aware of the risk posed by the site, and had put in place signs warning of the danger and installed a viewing platform about 40 metres from the cave. The researchers findings add to a growing body of evidence documenting previously unseen interactions between animal species that are shining light on zoonotic risks. Last year, researchers in Germany documented rats preying on bats for the first time, raising concern about pandemic risks. Advertisement In their report, however, the researchers who focused on Python Cave note that much of what we think we know about zoonotic spillover is still largely theoretical the documentation of complex interactions between multiple species at known zoonotic reservoirs remains exceptionally rare. The Telegraph, London 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. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Animals Biodiversity Wildlife Coronavirus pandemic Uganda Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaEpstein fallout Epstein files missing records about woman who made claim against Trump Mike Baker and Michael Gold February 26, 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 Seattle: The vast trove of documents released by the US Justice Department from its investigations into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein failed to include some key materials related to a woman who made an accusation against US President Donald Trump, according to a review by The New York Times. The materials are FBI memos summarising interviews the bureau did in connection to claims made in 2019 by a woman who came forward after Epsteins arrest to say she had been sexually assaulted by both Trump and the financier decades earlier when she was a minor. US President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address on Tuesday night. AP The existence of the memos was revealed in an index listing the investigative materials related to her account, which was publicly released. According to that index, the FBI conducted four interviews in connection with her claims and wrote summaries about each one. But only one of the summaries, which describes her accusations against Epstein, was released by the Justice Department. The other three are missing. The public files also do not include the underlying interview notes, which the index also indicates are part of the file. The Justice Department released similar interview notes in connection with FBI interviews with other potential witnesses and victims. Advertisement It is unclear why the materials are missing. The Justice Department said in a statement to the Times on Monday that the only materials that have been withheld were either privileged or duplicates. In a new statement on Tuesday, the department also noted that documents could have been withheld because of an ongoing federal investigation. Officials did not directly address why the memos related to the womans claim were not released. Trump and Jeffrey Epstein (centre) with an unnamed woman in a photo released by Democrats in 2025. @OversightDems/X The womans description of being assaulted by Trump in the 1980s is among a number of uncorroborated accusations against well-known men, including the president, that are contained in the millions of documents released by the Justice Department. When the files were made public late last month, officials described the trove as including all material sent by the public to the FBI. Some of the documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election, the department said in a statement at the time, calling such claims unfounded and false. Advertisement Related Article Epstein fallout Epstein files reveal scope of Ghislaine Maxwells role in Clinton circle Trump has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. In a statement on Tuesday, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said Trump had been totally exonerated on anything relating to Epstein. A lawyer who previously represented the woman in a lawsuit against Epsteins estate declined to comment. The missing records deepen questions about how the Justice Department has handled the release of the Epstein files, which were mandated by a law signed by Trump last year after bipartisan congressional pressure. Under the law, the Justice Department can redact material that could be used to identify Epsteins victims, depict violence or child sexual abuse, or would hurt a continuing federal investigation. But the law expressly prohibited federal officials from withholding or redacting materials on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm or political sensitivity to public figures. Advertisement Some lawmakers and survivors of Epsteins abuse have strongly condemned the department for how it handled redactions, noting that details identifying some victims were left exposed and nude photographs of young women were included in the public release, while material related to claims of abuse by other men had been heavily redacted. The woman who made the accusation about Trump came forward in July 2019, days after federal investigators arrested Epstein on sex-trafficking charges, according to records in the public files of tips the FBI received during that period. She claimed that she was repeatedly assaulted by Epstein when she was a minor in the 1980s, according to a summary of an FBI interview with her on July 24, 2019. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor appeared in the latest batch of Epstein documents looming over an unknown woman lying on the floor. Jonathan Raa/Sipa USA The FBI did three subsequent interviews to assess her account in August and October 2019 and made a summary of each interview, according to the index of records compiled in the case. But the memos describing those three interviews were not publicly released. The public files do contain a 2025 description of her account, as well as other accusations against prominent men contained in the documents. In that 2025 memo, federal officials wrote that the woman had said that Epstein introduced her to Trump, and that she claimed Trump had assaulted her in a violent and lurid encounter. The documents say the alleged incident would have occurred in the mid-1980s when she was 13 to 15 years old, but they do not include any assessment by the FBI about the credibility of her accusation. Advertisement The Times examination of a set of serial numbers on the individual pages in the public files suggests that more than 50 pages of investigative materials related to her claims are not in the publicly available files. The missing materials were reported earlier by journalist Roger Sollenberger on Substack and by news outlet NPR. Related Article Epstein fallout Horror allegation puts Epsteins remote ranch back in focus No explanation for missing files Congressman Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said that when he reviewed unredacted versions of the Epstein files at the Justice Department on Monday, interview summaries related to the womans claim were also missing from that trove. Documents that are listed, which should be included, which are referenced in other documents, are not in the files, Garcia said. He said that the Justice Department had also not provided the documents to the oversight committee, which issued a subpoena last year for all the Justice Departments investigative material regarding Epstein. Advertisement Garcia said the department had not provided a proper explanation for why the materials were missing. Democrats plan to open a separate investigation into why the documents are not available. Related Article Epstein fallout Trump told police everyone knew about Epstein, called Maxwell evil In the sole summary of the FBI interview that was released, the woman told investigators that she did not know Epsteins full identity until 2019, when a friend sent her a photograph of Epstein. She said she then recognised the person who she said had raped her. The woman told the agents she still had the photo on her phone, and they noted that it was a widely distributed photo of Epstein and Trump, according to the document. She gave the agents permission to take a photograph of the image but asked them to crop out Trump. When asked why, her lawyer interjected that the woman was concerned about implicating additional individuals, and specifically any that were well known, due to fear of retaliation, according to the FBI memo. It is unclear exactly what FBI agents learnt about her claims related to Trump in their three subsequent interviews. Advertisement The woman spent most of the interview on July 24, 2019 describing in detail what she said were repeated violent assaults by Epstein that she had endured. She said that as a teenager in South Carolina, she was asked to babysit at a house on Hilton Head Island. Related Article Opinion Jeffrey Epstein Epstein files give weight to conspiracy theories we once dismissed Jacqueline Maley Columnist and senior journalist But she said that after she arrived, there were no children to babysit, and only a man she came to know as Jeff, who she said plied her with alcohol, marijuana and cocaine. She described him raping her on multiple occasions. The woman joined a lawsuit later in 2019 against Epsteins estate. She subsequently dropped her claim. Court records do not indicate if she received any financial settlement. A court record from 2021 said she was separately deemed ineligible for compensation from a fund set up for Epstein victims, but it did not specify why. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Advertisement Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). 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. HANOI, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed and another injured in a collision between a train and a truck in Vietnam's capital Hanoi, the Vietnam News Agency reported late Wednesday. The accident occurred at around 7:51 p.m. on the North-South railway line passing through Ngoc Hoi Commune, where a train crashed into a truck at a level crossing, the report said, citing local police. The truck driver died at the scene, while a pedestrian sustained multiple injuries and was taken to the hospital for emergency treatment. The truck was dragged about 70 meters along the track and was severely damaged. 5 Afghan nationals remanded to judicial custody until Mar 10, They were arrested by ATS Jabalpur in fake passport case Staff Reporter : Five Afghan nationals arrested by Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) Jabalpur in a fake passport case were remanded to judicial custody until March 10. The ATS team had arrested the accused from Kolkata three days ago and later brought them to Jabalpur for further investigation. Earlier, the agency had obtained two days of police remand from the court for interrogation. During the hearing, ATS officials informed the court that it is a serious national security concern if foreign nationals stay illegally in India and manage to obtain passports using forged documents. Investigators informed the court that questioning focused on identifying where the fake documents were prepared and who assisted the accused in obtaining them. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the Afghan nationals used smaller cities to avoid suspicion while preparing forged documents and applying for passports. Officials added that the probe may also examine the role of passport department personnel who could have assisted in issuing the fake passports. The arrested individuals have been identified as Zia-ul-Rahman, Sultan Mohammad, Raza Khan, Syed Mohammad, and Zafar Khan. According to ATS findings, they travelled from Kabul in 201819, entering India via New Delhi before moving to Kolkata, where they had been staying. BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to work with the United States to maintain the healthy, stable and sustainable development of bilateral economic and trade relations, a spokesperson with the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday. The remarks were made by spokesperson He Yongqian at a regular press briefing in response to a question regarding the upcoming sixth round of China-U.S. economic and trade consultations. Both sides have maintained communication at all levels through the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism, the spokesperson said. China is willing to coordinate with the U.S. side to uphold the consensus that the two heads of state reached both at their 2025 meeting in Busan and during their recent phone talks on Feb. 4, He said. China stands ready to work with the U.S. side through equal consultation to properly manage differences, expand practical cooperation, and maintain the healthy, stable and sustainable development of bilateral economic and trade relations, so as to better benefit both countries and the world, the spokesperson added. A strong nation stands on pillars of unity, trust: President Murmu President Droupadi Murmu being welcomed by Brahma Kumaris Rajni Didi as Acharya Devvrat, and Chandrashekhar Bawankule look on. (Pic by Satish Raut) Staff Reporter : President Droupadi Murmu inaugurates Golden Era of Maharashtra through Unity and Trust, a State-level campaign of Brahma Kumaris UNITY and trust are the foundational pillars upon which a strong nation stands, said President of India Droupadi Murmu while addressing at the launch of Golden Era of Maharashtra through Unity and Trust, a State-level campaign of the Brahma Kumaris at its Vishwasarovar premises in Jamtha, on Wednesday. Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Maharashtra; Chandrashekhar Bawankule, State Revenue Minister and Guardian Minister of Nagpur District; Mruthyunjaya Bhai, Additional Secretary General of the Brahma Kumaris; Chandrika Didi, Chairperson of the Youth Wing; and Rajni Didi, Director of the Brahma Kumaris, Nagpur Sub-zone, shared the dais. The State-level campaign, launched by President Murmu, seeks to strengthen trust, fraternity and moral values in society and create awareness for the overall development of Maharashtra. The campaign outlines an A to H roadmap for social transformation. The roadmap comprises A Addiction-free society; B Balanced living; C Cleanliness and civic responsibility; D Dharma; E Education with values; F Fitness, faith and yogic lifestyle; G Green and sustainable Maharashtra; and H Health, harmony and happiness. In her address, President Murmu emphasised the role of citizens in nation-building and in achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat. When mutual confidence deepens within society, individuals rise above personal interest and work collectively towards the achievement of shared developmental goals, she said. She underlined that active citizenship is essential for national progress. Every citizen can contribute to nation-building by promoting equality and participating in public initiatives. The country can progress only when citizens actively support and complement the efforts of the Government, she added. Elaborating on the meaning of Viksit Bharat, the President stressed the importance of inclusive growth. India will be regarded as Viksit Bharat only when every individual is given equal opportunity to progress, technology becomes an instrument of advancement, and the benefits of development reach every household, she said. The President noted that Maharashtra has consistently strengthened Indias development journey through its contributions in industry, agriculture, entrepreneurship, innovation, higher education and rich cultural traditions. She said that, the goal should be to move towards holistic development that benefits every citizen. We must work with determination to build a stronger and more prosperous Maharashtra and India by drawing inspiration from our history and harnessing the power of modern technology, skill development and innovation, she said. Expressing confidence in the initiative, the President of India stated that, the Golden Era of Maharashtra through Unity and Trust campaign would inspire people to develop inner strength and leadership qualities and to work towards value-based development. Governor Acharya Devvrat, in his address, highlighted the significance of unity and trust for the progress of society. He said that, any family, society, country or organisation rooted in unity and trust cannot be prevented from progressing. He added that trust within society fosters unity, which, in turn, leads to peace and prosperity. Chandrashekhar Bawankule appreciated the State-level programme launched by the Brahma Kumaris and said that, the campaigns roadmap would be instrumental in achieving the vision of Viksit Maharashtra. He observed that the initiative would play an important role in strengthening the social and cultural fabric of the State. Earlier, Mruthyunjaya Bhai made introductory remarks while Rajni Didi welcomed the dignitaries. The programme also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Brahma Kumaris and Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) for the establishment of a thought laboratory at the institute. BMC expedites construction of permanent immersion ghats Staff Reporter : In compliance with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directives to protect the citys historic water bodies, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has accelerated the development of permanent, dedicated immersion ghats at alternative locations. The move follows a total ban on idol immersion in major lakes, aimed at curbing pollution and preserving the aquatic ecosystem. Officials from the BMCs Lake Conservation Cell confirmed that starting this year, traditional lake ghats will no longer be permitted for idol immersion during the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi and Navratri festivals. Construction is currently in full swing at Malikhedi and within the Barkatullah University (BU) campus to meet the festive deadline. In addition to the ongoing work at Malikhedi and BU, the civic body has finalised two more sites at Sanjeev Nagar and Neelbadh. Tenders for these locations have already been processed, and work is expected to commence shortly. Although planning was completed last year, the project had remained stalled until recently. With the festive season approaching, BMC Commissioner Sanskriti Jain is reportedly monitoring the progress through regular site inspections. Following the NGTs stern orders, immersion in Bhopals iconic Upper Lake (Bada Talab) and Lower Lake (Chhota Talab) has been completely prohibited. While the ban was technically in force last year, the lack of fully developed alternative infrastructure created significant logistical hurdles. This year, the BMC aims to provide a seamless transition to dedicated facilities to avoid such challenges. At present, temporary arrangements exist at Bairagarh, Malikhedi, Prempura, Khatlapura, Hathai Kheda Dam, and Arch Bridge. While the Bairagarh site is already well-developed due to its distance from the Upper Lake, the corporation is also evaluating further infrastructure upgrades at the Prempura ghat. Executive Engineer Pramod Malviya stated that the primary objective is to ensure the ecological health of Bhopals historic lakes. With four dedicated sites either under construction or in the pipeline, we are committed to providing sustainable alternatives. If construction continues at the current pace, the new immersion facilities will be fully functional before the festivals begin, Malviya added. Gaza peace initiative holds promise: PM Modi, India supports all efforts against terror: Modi in knesset JERUSALEM : TERRORISM anywhere threatens peace everywhere, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Wednesday in an address at the Israeli Parliament, even as he threw New Delhis weight behind the Gaza peace initiative, saying it holds the promise of a just and durable peace in the region. Like Israel, India has a consistent and uncompromising policy of zero tolerance for terrorism with no double standards, Modi said while conveying Indias deepest condolences to the families who lost their near and dear ones in the terror attack carried out by Hamas on October 7, 2023. PM Modis address to the Knesset, Israels house of representatives, came hours after he landed in the country to a rousing welcome with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu along with wife Sara receiving him at the Ben Gurion airport. I also carry with me the deepest condolences of the people of India for every life lost and for every family whose world was shattered in the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas, Modi said. We feel your pain, we share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly and with full conviction in this moment and beyond. No cause can justify the murder of civilians. Nothing can justify terrorism. The Prime Minister said India has also endured the pain of terrorism for a long time. We remember the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the innocent lives lost, including Israeli citizens. Like you, we have a consistent and uncompromising policy of zero tolerance for terrorism with no double standards, Modi said. Terrorism aims to destabilise societies, to block development and to erode trust. Countering terrorism requires sustained and coordinated global action because terror anywhere threatens peace everywhere. That is why India supports all efforts that contribute to durable peace and regional stability, he said. The Prime Minister also said that the Gaza peace initiative offers a pathway. The Gaza peace initiative that was endorsed by the UN Security Council offers a pathway. India has expressed its firm support for the initiative, he said. We believe that it holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people of the region, including by addressing the Palestine issue. Let all our efforts be guided by wisdom, courage, and humanity. The road to peace is not always easy, but India joins you and the world for dialogue, peace and stability in this region, Modi said. In India, there is a great admiration for Israels resolve, courage and achievements, he added. Gudhi Padwa bonanza in advance: 3 pc DA hike for Mah Govt employees MUMBAI : THE dearness allowance (DA) of Maharashtra government's employees and other eligible staff will be hiked by three per cent to 58 per cent, with effect from July 2025, Minister of State for Finance Ashish Jaiswal announced in the legislature on Wednesday. The revised DA will be paid in cash from this month. Arrears for the period from July 2025 to October 2025 will be disbursed in March 2026 on the occasion of Gudhi Padwa, while orders regarding arrears for the period from November 2025 to January 2026 will be issued separately. The decision will benefit around 5.16 lakh state Government employees and about 8.72 lakh pensioners across Maharashtra, he stated in the legislative assembly. Jaiswal stated in the council that the State Government is sensitive towards its employees and the DA raise decision will strengthen them financially. Mah Govt forms task force to study digital addiction among children IN RESPONSE to the rising concerns over digital addiction among children and its adverse effects, the Maharashtra Government on Wednesday announced the appointment of an expert Task Force comprising educationists, psychiatrists, child counsellors, technology experts, management consultants, doctors, legal experts, and senior Government officials. State Information Technology Minister Ashish Shelar informed the Legislative Council that a comprehensive report on the matter will be submitted before the commencement of the next Assembly session. The announcement came during a Calling Attention motion raised by MLCs Niranjan Davkhare and Sanjay Kenekar, who highlighted the growing risks of social media addiction among youth and minors. Other legislators, including Pravin Darekar, Chitra Wagh, Bhai Jagtap, and Uma Khapre, participated in the discussion, questioning whether the Government plans to set age limits for gaming apps and social media, and if restrictions will be placed on digital advertisements targeting minors. Minister Shelar stated that written directives were issued on February 2, 2026, to Virendra Singh, Principal Secretary of the IT Department, to form this task force. There are approximately 4 crore children under the age of 18 in the state, with nearly 3 crore below the age of 15. Their mental and physical health is a matter of serious public importance, he remarked. He further added that a committee comprising members from both houses of the legislature would be formed to deliberate on the issue. The Task Force is mandated to conduct an all-encompassing study on several factors including child protection and digital safety, impact on mental health, education, and overall development, balanced and responsible use of digital platforms, cultural, family, and gender-specific differences in usage, disparity between rural and urban scenarios and across all income groups, economic impacts and productivity and review of existing national and international frameworks for digital safety, said the minister. Citing a study by the organisation Responsible Netism, Minister Shelar pointed out that India ranks first globally in mobile game downloads. With the global gaming market valued at over $200 billion, Maharashtras domestic industry is expected to reach $8.6 billion by 2027. The study reveals that Gaming Disorder is rising sharply across both urban and rural Maharashtra. Data from five centers in the State shows that 3 out of every 10 clinical cases involve gaming addiction. Furthermore, an Internet Dependency Scale survey in schools found that 40% of children suffer from moderate to severe gaming addiction. Pending salary hike dues given to 86,000 MSRTC employees: Minister THE pending salary hike dues have been credited to the bank accounts of nearly 86,000 employees of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said on Wednesday. When the corporation faced difficulty in clearing the arrears due to paucity of funds, the Government immediately made a provision of Rs 100 crore, a statement issued by Sarnaiks spokesperson said quoting him. This is not just financial assistance but a reflection of the Governments sensitivity and commitment towards employees, Sarnaik said. The dues for February were deposited in the bank accounts of employees on Tuesday, the statement said. In October 2025, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, with the consent of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and then Deputy CM Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar, announced a monthly grant of around Rs 65 crore during a meeting with trade unions. The process of clearing arrears began in December. However, due to technical issues and lack of funds, the February instalment could not be disbursed on time, leading to discontent among employees, the statement said. Sarnaik said he had held discussions with Fadnavis and his deputies and demanded Rs 210 crore. Out of this, Rs 100 crore has been immediately released, and the remaining amount will also be made available soon, he said. Joint Secretary Duggal reviews PM Shri Schools Staff Reporte : Joint Secretary, Government of India, Amarpreet Singh Duggal chaired an important review meeting concerning PM Shri Schools within the district held at Collectorate on Wednesday evening. The session was presided over by Collector Raghavendra Singh, with Amarpreet Singh Duggal, Joint Secretary to the Government of India, serving as the keynote authority. During the session, Collector Singh provided a status report on the districts educational infrastructure under the PM Shri scheme. He confirmed that 27 schools have been selected for the initiative, including 07 Kendriya Vidyalayas, 01 Navodaya Vidyalaya and 19 State Government Schools. The Collector elaborated on several pedagogical and infrastructural components central to the schemes success, emphasizing the effective implementation of Jadu Nahi Vigyan (Science, Not Magic) initiatives, Math and Science Circles and Youth/Eco Clubs, bagless days and the introduction of innovative Teaching Learning Materials (TLM) and the aesthetic enhancement of school entrances to foster a welcoming environment. Joint Secretary Duggal underscored that the PM Shri School scheme is a flagship initiative of the Central Government, subject to periodic monitoring by the Prime Minister. She addressed the assembled officials and principals as vital stakeholders in a national educational transformation campaign. The Joint Secretary issued several mandatory directives to ensure the highest standards of school management including sanitation, environmental integration, financial transparency and early childhood and mental health. Following the formal briefing, the Joint Secretary conducted field inspections at PM Shri Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (Bargi Nagar) and PM Shri Government Higher Secondary School (Saliwada). During these visits, she observed ongoing academic activities and issued instructions for the immediate rectification of any identified deficiencies. She was accompanied by Abhishek Gehlot, CEO, Jila Panchayat, Renu Ruhil, Consultant, Department of Education, Delhi, Ghanshyam Soni, District Education Officer, Digraj Meena, Deputy Commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, SN Mishra, Principal, Navodaya Vidyalaya and others. PM Modi conferred with Israels Speaker of the Knesset Medal JERUSALEM : PRIME Minister Narendra Modi was on Wednesday conferred with the Speaker of the Knesset Medal in recognition of his exceptional contribution to strengthening strategic relations between India and Israel. The Indian Prime Minister is the first leader to receive this medal, which is the highest honour of the Knesset - the Israeli Parliament. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana conferred the award on the Prime Minister after his address at the Israeli Parliament. The medal was conferred in recognition of the Prime Ministers exceptional contribution through his personal leadership to strengthen strategic relations between India and Israel. PM Modi is a rare world leader who has received top awards from both Israel and Palestine. In 2018, PM Modi was conferred the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine, which is the highest Palestinian honour for foreign leaders. It is PM Modis second visit to Israel in nine years. The India-Israel relationship was elevated to the level of strategic partnership during his first visit to that country in July 2017. Ramdeobaba University honours Satyanarayan Nuwal Satyanarayan Nuwal being felecitated by Ashok Kumar Pacheriwalawa while other dignitaries look on at the event. Business Reporter : Ramdeobaba University and the entire Ramdeobaba family came together in a moment of collective pride and celebration to felicitate Satyanarayan Nuwal, Chairman, Shri Ramdeobaba Sarvajanik Samiti (SRSS), and Chairman, Solar Group on the occasion of his being named a recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri, to be conferred by the Government of India. On behalf of the entire Ramdeobaba family, Nuwal was felicitated by Ashok Kumar Pacheriwala, Treasurer, SRSS, with a Scroll of Honour celebrating his prolific career, exemplary service to the nation, and his decades-long association with Ramdeobaba family, a memento featuring golden-engraved seven horses symbolising success and progress, and a unique portrait crafted by RBU student Manas Jaiswalartistically created by inscribing Shri Ramreflecting the deep admiration and reverence of the student community. The felicitation took place during the inaugural ceremony of Pratishruti 2026, the Annual University Fest of Ramdeobaba University, honouring its visionary leader, Nuwal, whose decades of association has enriched the institution and inspired generations. Addressing the gathering, Nuwal humbly remarked, This award recognises the hardwork of my entire team of dedicated personnel, to every guru, guide, and well-wishers who shaped my journey. While citing example of rapid transformation in warfare technologies, he underscored the necessity of evolving with changing times while remaining firmly rooted in values and cultural heritage. Highlighting Indias immense talent pool, he urged all to harness this powerhouse for nation-building and to contribute meaningfully to the vision of a self-reliant India. Quoting the Sanskrit maxim Vidya Vinayena Shobhate (knowledge is adorned by humility), he stressed the importance of character, humility, and cultural grounding in shaping responsible global citizens. He reminded students to carry their roots with pride, wherever in the world they may go, Nuwal said. Sarang Dewaikar, Delivery Executive, Tieto Banking and the chief guest of the inaugural ceremony of Pratishruti 2026 was present. He spoke about learning from failures, working in teams, problem-solving, and adaptation, and emphasised that skills matter but mindset matters more. In his speech he highlighted the importance of working in a team, which celebrates diversity and told everyone to become good listeners, and termed it as a super-power. He concluded by asking students to take back three words from the session: Curious, Humble, Kind. Present on the dais were Satyanarayan Nuwal, Ashok Kumar Pacheriwala, Rajendra Purohit, Kailaschand Agrawal, Dr S S Mantha, Chancellor, RBU; Dr Rajesh Pande, Vice-Chancellor, RBU; Dr M B Chandak, and other dignitaries. Strategic reset, landmark moment: Israeli media hails Modi visit JERUSALEM : AS PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday left for Israel from India for a visit expected to upgrade the bilateral ties to a new level, the Israeli media is describing the trip as a strategic reset, a landmark moment and a defining phase. Leading Israeli publications have given prominent coverage to Modis trip, portraying it as a significant visit by a friend at a crucial juncture for the country. From Government officials to ordinary citizens, the excitement surrounding the visit is palpable across Jerusalem. Any Indian walking down the streets is constantly greeted with namaste every few yards. Roads leading to the Knesset were adorned with Indian and Israeli flags, and the Parliament building was illuminated in the colours of the Indian tricolour. People involved in the preparations were seen warmly greeting every Indians around and enquiring if things looked good, and it was all properly done. Despite the visit intersecting with Israels domestic politics, the Opposition has sought to distance itself from any perception of being anti-India or critical of Modi, while acknowledging India as an important ally that they appreciate. Leading English daily, The Jerusalem Post, described the visit as a strategic reset marking a new phase in relations, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promotes a hexagon of alliances with India as a central pillar, alongside Greece, Cyprus, select Arab states and others. Several publications termed Modis scheduled address to the Knesset, the first by an Indian Prime Minister, as historic. Israeli media highlighted that the already robust relationship would gain more substance through high-level cooperation in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Computing, and Cybersecurity, along with a shift in defence ties towards joint production. The personal chemistry between Netanyahu and Modi also figured prominently, with leading publications publishing the photos of the two leaders walking barefoot on a beach during Modis 2017 visit to the Jewish nation. The image had gone viral on social media, with internet users labelling it as bromance. Netanyahus official X handle also posted a video titled A Look Back with a caption saying: From historic visits to warm moments of friendship, building a remarkable partnership. The Israeli Prime Minister has repeatedly spoken in recent days about his personal relationship with Modi and described India as a gigantic and global power. RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from heavy rains in Brazil's southeastern Minas Gerais state has risen to 46, with 21 people still missing, according to the latest official update on Wednesday. The hardest-hit city, Juiz de Fora, accounts for 40 of the fatalities, while the neighboring municipality of Uba has reported six deaths. Authorities added that 19 individuals remain missing in Juiz de Fora and two in Uba. Approximately 3,000 people in Juiz de Fora and 26 in Uba have been left homeless, while 400 and 178 residents, respectively, have been evacuated due to the risk of landslides and flooding. The municipal authorities of both Juiz de Fora and Matias Barbosa have declared a state of public calamity to access federal resources and expedite emergency responses. Classes across municipal schools have been suspended. The heavy rainfall, which intensified on Monday afternoon, has caused rivers to overflow, leading to the closure of bridges and an underpass, along with fallen trees and blocked roads. February has already become the wettest month on record in Juiz de Fora, with precipitation levels more than double the historical average. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed solidarity with the victims and rescue teams, while Minas Gerais Governor Romeu Zema declared three days of official mourning in the state. The Ministry of Defense is supporting emergency efforts with troop deployments for cleanup, debris removal, logistical aid, temporary shelters and helicopter-assisted humanitarian operations. DAMASCUS, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Syrian interim authorities said Thursday that they had completed a prisoner and hostage exchange in the southern province of Sweida that led to the release of dozens of civilians, describing the move as part of ongoing efforts to calm tensions after months of unrest in the region. Interior authority's spokesman Noureddin al-Baba said to state media that the operation resulted in the freedom of 86 Syrian families, including 25 civilians who had been abducted and held by armed groups. In return, 61 detainees held by the Syrian state authorities were released. The exchange was carried out under the framework of the so-called Amman agreement, a set of understandings aimed at de-escalating violence in Sweida and restoring a political and peaceful track within what officials describe as Syria's national unity. Sweida, a predominantly Druze province, has seen repeated bouts of instability over the past year, marked by armed clashes, kidnappings and road blockades, amid widespread frustration over security conditions and economic hardship. Recent mediation efforts involving local leaders and regional actors have sought to reduce violence and prevent further escalation. Syrian officials say Thursday's exchange is a step toward easing tensions but acknowledge that significant challenges remain, including resolving the fate of missing persons. Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV (OTCMKTS:GBOOY Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $58.50, but opened at $60.53. Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV shares last traded at $58.58, with a volume of 3,565 shares trading hands. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, Zacks Research raised shares of Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Strong Buy. Get Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV Trading Down 0.6% The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 0.23 and a quick ratio of 0.23. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $53.01 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $49.41. The stock has a market capitalization of $32.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.66, a PEG ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 0.81. Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV (OTCMKTS:GBOOY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The company reported $1.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.35 by $0.19. The company had revenue of $2.30 billion during the quarter. Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV had a net margin of 13.50% and a return on equity of 22.20%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV will post 4.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV Company Profile (Get Free Report) Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, commonly known as Banorte, is a major Mexican financial services holding company headquartered in Monterrey, Mexico. The group operates a universal banking franchise that serves retail, small and medium-sized enterprises, and large corporate clients across Mexico. Banorte provides a broad suite of banking services through an extensive branch network and digital channels and maintains an international investor presence, including ADRs that trade on the U.S. OTC market under the symbol GBOOY. Banortes core businesses include retail and commercial bankingoffering deposit accounts, payment and cash management services, consumer and mortgage loans, credit and debit cards, and lending to corporate clients. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Heartland Group (ASX:HGH) executives told investors its strategic reset continued to gain traction in the first half of fiscal 2026, driving a sharp recovery in profit, wider margins, and improved credit quality, while the group began multi-year technology programs in both New Zealand and Australia. Get alerts: Group results show profit rebound, margin expansion, and lower impairments Chief Executive Andrew Dixson said the group delivered net profit after tax (NPAT) of NZD 48.8 million for the first half, or NZD 46.1 million on an underlying basis. Underlying return on equity (ROE) rose to 7.3%, up 540 basis points from the first half of fiscal 2025 and 142 basis points above the second half of fiscal 2025. Dixson attributed the improvement to a strategic reset centered on core portfolio growth and tighter arrears management. Average net interest margin (NIM) expanded 51 basis points to 3.92%, which management linked to favorable deposit market conditions in both jurisdictions and Heartland Bank Australia benefiting from a full year of its funding transition. Asset quality also improved materially. The group reported an impairment expense ratio of 0.35%, down 105 basis points, alongside a sharp reduction in non-performing loans (NPLs). Management said prescriptive collections and recoveries policies are now embedded, and noted motor finance arrears were performing better than the industry average. On balance sheet trends, Dixson said aggregate receivables grew AUD 157 million, steady at 4.3% on an annualized basis, despite AUD 173 million of non-strategic asset (NSA) realization. Reverse Mortgages were cited as a consistent growth engine, with annualized growth over 15% in New Zealand and around 19% in Australia. Livestock finance grew nearly 15% in Australia despite seasonality and extreme weather impacts, while motor and business finance portfolios contracted as the group shifted toward higher quality lending. Reported vs. underlying narrowing; Harmoney exit boosted statutory profit Management said the gap between reported and underlying NPAT was only NZD 2.7 million in the half, primarily due to a NZD 3.1 million fair value gain associated with the full exit of Heartlands Harmoney equity investment above its carrying value. While the company will retain two NPAT measures for the remainder of fiscal 2026, Dixson said Heartland intends to move to a single statutory reported measure from fiscal 2027 and is already transitioning by recording certain one-off costs within reported NPAT. Technology uplift begins in both banks with Pega and Constantinople Dixson confirmed each bank has commenced a multi-year technology program, with Pega selected in New Zealand and Constantinople in Australia. In New Zealand, the program is designed to leverage Heartlands Oracle core banking investment to unify origination and servicing across product sets and increase automation. In Australia, the initiative aims to consolidate three origination and servicing platforms into a single banking solution. Management said both platforms will integrate with Workday, Snowflake, and Genesys investments and include embedded AI capability, with implementation starting in Reverse Mortgages before extending to other product sets. Total implementation costs were estimated at no more than NZD 17 million over three years (approximately NZD 11 million in New Zealand and AUD 5 million in Australia, in local currency). During Q&A, management said there would be very little capitalization in FY26, with some New Zealand delivery costs capitalized, but not in Australia due to the nature of the build. Executives suggested the second-half P&L impact at a group level would be roughly NZD 1 million to NZD 2 million, and said project benefits and metrics would be presented in detail at an Investor Day. Capital position strengthened by regulatory decisions and NSA run-off On capital, Dixson said Heartland holds excess capital across the group following NSA realization and recent Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) decisions on capital settings. He highlighted RBNZs December 2025 final decisions, which are expected to reduce total capital requirements relative to previously determined 2028 settings, remove the need for additional Tier 1 capital instruments, allow a higher mix of Tier 2 capital, and introduce more granular and reduced risk weightsparticularly for small business and rural lending. These settings are targeted for implementation in October 2026, with further RBNZ information expected 27 February 2026. Separately, effective 1 March 2026, RBNZ reduced Heartland Banks transitional capital overlay (imposed after acquiring what is now Heartland Bank Australia) by 1.5%, from 2% to 0.5%. Management said the remaining overlay is expected to remain until a formal group supervision policy is implemented, expected in December 2028. RBNZ has also indicated it will review Reverse Mortgage risk weights in 2026. As of 31 December 2025, management said Heartland Bank holds about NZD 125 million of regulatory capital in excess of expected requirements, rising to approximately NZD 190 million when applying expected risk weight changes to the same balance sheet. NSA realization also continued to release capital. Dixson said NSAs reduced by nearly NZD 190 million in the first half, creating more than NZD 21 million of available capital, with recovery rates in excess of 90% since the NSA portfolio and dedicated team were established. Management said the NSA program is tracking to be largely concluded by the end of fiscal 2026. Bank-by-bank: NZ retraction offsets growth; Australia scales and funds with deposits In New Zealand, Chief Financial Officer Kerry Conway said reported NPAT was NZD 31 million, while underlying NPAT was NZD 28.3 million, reflecting the non-repeat of large impairment activity in the prior year. Receivables retracted NZD 254 million (10%) over six months to NZD 4.5 billion, with NZD 173 million of the retraction attributed to NSA execution. Reverse Mortgages grew at a 15% annualized pace, rural grew 8% annualized excluding livestock seasonality, while motor, asset finance, and business relationship portfolios contracted amid economic headwinds, competition, and a strategic quality shift. Conway said the New Zealand banks December exit NIM was 4.11%, with expectations to exit the year above 4.20%. Operating expenses were up NZD 0.5 million year-on-year to NZD 62.6 million, while the cost-to-income ratio for the bank was 53.8%. Impairment expense was NZD 11.5 million, down NZD 38 million from the prior year period, and the NPL ratio improved to 3.04% (2.07% excluding NSAs and non-core lending). The New Zealand banks regulatory capital ratio was 17%, above the 14.5% minimum. In Australia, Conway reported first-half NPAT of AUD 16.7 million, up 39% on an underlying basis. Receivables grew 17% to AUD 2.5 billion. Average NIM expanded 93 basis points to 3.68%, driven by lower funding costs as the bank shifted toward retail deposits; management said retail deposits represented 86% of funding at December. Operating expenses rose to AUD 28 million, reflecting staffing and technology investment and higher onboarding costs tied to strong Reverse Mortgage growth. The banks impairment ratio was described as stable at 10 basis points, and its capital ratio was 19.5%. Heartland declared an interim dividend of NZD 0.035 per share, up NZD 0.015 from the prior corresponding period, with a first-half payout ratio of 72% of underlying NPAT. Management said it is not changing its dividend policy (at least 50% of underlying NPAT) and views the higher payout as tied to excess capital, particularly from NSA realization, while emphasizing a preference to deploy capital into organic growth. For the full year, Heartland reaffirmed guidance of underlying ROE of at least 7% and underlying NPAT of at least NZD 85 million. Management said NIM remains on track and impairment guidance was positively adjusted following first-half improvements, while cost-to-income guidance was revised to reflect portfolio retraction and technology investment. About Heartland Group (ASX:HGH) Heartland Group Holdings Limited provides various financial services in New Zealand and Australia. The company offers savings accounts, term deposits, and direct and business call accounts. It also provides home loans, business loans, term loans, revolving credit, car loans, and reverse mortgage lending and other financial services. In addition, the company offers term debt, plant and equipment finance, commercial mortgage lending, and working capital solutions for small-to-medium sized businesses; and livestock finance, rural mortgage lending, and seasonal and working capital financing, as well as leasing solutions to farmers. Featured Articles ACON S2 Acquisition Corp. (OTCMKTS:STWOU Get Free Report) traded up 8.2% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $8.58 and last traded at $8.48. 6,700 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 57% from the average session volume of 15,569 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.84. ACON S2 Acquisition Price Performance The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $8.48 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $8.48. Get ACON S2 Acquisition alerts: ACON S2 Acquisition Company Profile (Get Free Report) ACON S2 Acquisition Corp. is a Delawareincorporated special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) whose securities, including its publicly traded warrants under the ticker STWOU, are quoted on the OTC Markets. As a blankcheck vehicle, the company does not engage in commercial operations of its own but was formed to raise capital through an initial public offering with the express purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The company is sponsored by a team affiliated with ACON Investments, LLC, a private equity firm with a longstanding record of investments across the consumer, industrial and financial services sectors. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for ACON S2 Acquisition Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ACON S2 Acquisition and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Jefferies Financial Group cut shares of American Noble Gas (NYSE:INFY Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Monday, Marketbeat.com reports. The firm currently has $14.31 price objective on the technology companys stock. Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. TD Cowen lifted their target price on shares of American Noble Gas from $17.00 to $18.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on American Noble Gas from $18.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on American Noble Gas from $19.00 to $17.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 18th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of American Noble Gas in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, American Noble Gas currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $16.89. Get American Noble Gas alerts: Get Our Latest Report on American Noble Gas American Noble Gas Trading Up 2.9% Shares of INFY opened at $14.24 on Monday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $17.34 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $17.10. American Noble Gas has a 12 month low of $13.65 and a 12 month high of $30.00. The company has a market capitalization of $57.59 billion, a PE ratio of 18.49, a PEG ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 0.98. American Noble Gas (NYSE:INFY Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 14th. The technology company reported $0.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.20 by $0.01. American Noble Gas had a return on equity of 30.60% and a net margin of 16.16%.The company had revenue of $5.05 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.11 billion. Equities research analysts predict that American Noble Gas will post 0.74 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Noble Gas A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of INFY. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its position in American Noble Gas by 6.4% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 63,155 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,153,000 after purchasing an additional 3,804 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of American Noble Gas by 79.9% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 54,978 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,003,000 after buying an additional 24,426 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd acquired a new position in shares of American Noble Gas during the first quarter valued at about $239,000. 16.20% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About American Noble Gas (Get Free Report) 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for American Noble Gas Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Noble Gas and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM Get Free Report) has earned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the twenty brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $320.8667. Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of International Business Machines in a report on Monday. Evercore upped their target price on shares of International Business Machines from $330.00 to $345.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Argus set a $360.00 price objective on International Business Machines in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Dbs Bank raised International Business Machines from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a report on Monday, January 19th. Finally, Oppenheimer set a $380.00 target price on International Business Machines and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Get International Business Machines alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on International Business Machines International Business Machines Trading Up 3.7% NYSE:IBM opened at $237.75 on Monday. International Business Machines has a one year low of $214.50 and a one year high of $324.90. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $289.56 and its 200 day simple moving average is $283.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 0.96. The stock has a market cap of $222.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 0.69. International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 28th. The technology company reported $4.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.33 by $0.19. The company had revenue of $19.69 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $19.23 billion. International Business Machines had a return on equity of 38.15% and a net margin of 15.69%.International Business Machiness revenue for the quarter was up 12.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $3.92 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that International Business Machines will post 10.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. International Business Machines Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 10th will be paid a dividend of $1.68 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 10th. This represents a $6.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%. International Business Machiness payout ratio is presently 60.27%. Trending Headlines about International Business Machines Here are the key news stories impacting International Business Machines this week: Insider Activity In other International Business Machines news, Director David N. Farr purchased 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 30th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $304.00 per share, with a total value of $304,000.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 9,258 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,814,432. This represents a 12.11% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Michael Miebach acquired 434 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 25th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $233.33 per share, for a total transaction of $101,265.22. Following the purchase, the director owned 434 shares of the companys stock, valued at $101,265.22. This trade represents a increase in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders bought a total of 1,484 shares of company stock valued at $417,157 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.18% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in IBM. Mattson Financial Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of International Business Machines during the third quarter worth $852,000. Vise Technologies Inc. acquired a new position in shares of International Business Machines in the 2nd quarter valued at $16,565,000. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in International Business Machines by 2.1% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 95,051,475 shares of the technology companys stock worth $28,019,274,000 after purchasing an additional 1,913,708 shares in the last quarter. Thames Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in International Business Machines during the 2nd quarter worth about $2,710,000. Finally, Twin Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in International Business Machines by 147.6% during the second quarter. Twin Capital Management Inc. now owns 19,932 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $5,876,000 after buying an additional 11,882 shares in the last quarter. 58.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About International Business Machines (Get Free Report) International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is a global technology and consulting company headquartered in Armonk, New York. Founded in 1911 as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR) and renamed IBM in 1924, the company has evolved from early electromechanical machines to a diversified technology provider serving enterprises and governments worldwide. IBM is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol IBM. IBMs principal businesses encompass cloud computing and software, infrastructure and systems, consulting and technology services, and research and development. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for International Business Machines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Business Machines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (OTCMKTS:IVPAF Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of Buy from the nine research firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, five have assigned a buy recommendation and two have given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $15.20. Several equities analysts have commented on IVPAF shares. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of Ivanhoe Mines from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Sunday, December 7th. Morgan Stanley set a $15.20 price target on Ivanhoe Mines in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating on shares of Ivanhoe Mines in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. Scotiabank reissued an outperform rating on shares of Ivanhoe Mines in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group cut Ivanhoe Mines from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, February 20th. Get Ivanhoe Mines alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on IVPAF Ivanhoe Mines Price Performance OTCMKTS IVPAF opened at $11.31 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 4.23 and a quick ratio of 4.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.13 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 59.53. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $11.99 and a 200-day simple moving average of $10.46. Ivanhoe Mines has a 52-week low of $6.50 and a 52-week high of $15.00. Ivanhoe Mines (OTCMKTS:IVPAF Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 18th. The company reported $0.04 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.04. Ivanhoe Mines had a return on equity of 5.02% and a net margin of 59.23%.The firm had revenue of $138.42 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $189.75 million. Ivanhoe Mines Company Profile (Get Free Report) Ivanhoe Mines is a Canada-based mineral exploration and development company focused on unlocking high-value deposits of copper, nickel, zinc, and platinum-group metals. The company pursues a two-pronged strategy of advancing large-scale mining projects through feasibility and development stages while also expanding its exploration footprint. Ivanhoes technical expertise spans geology, engineering, environmental management, and community relations, enabling it to secure the necessary permits and infrastructure for major mine developments. The companys flagship asset is the Kamoa-Kakula copper complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a joint venture with the government of the DRC and Zijin Mining. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Ivanhoe Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ivanhoe Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The chief UN spokesman on Wednesday called for an end to hostilities along the Blue Line, a buffer zone in southern Lebanon. "We once again call on all parties for immediate de-escalation and urge the parties to return to a cessation of hostilities," said Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Dujarric said that following reports of attacks by Israeli forces near new monitoring posts in Marjayoun, UN peacekeepers said they were not targeted, but there was firing in the direction of a nearby Lebanese Armed Forces contingent. The monitoring posts were established by the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). "Those peacekeepers observed a group of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers dismounting from two vehicles and firing shots toward the Lebanese Armed Forces post," he said. "UNIFIL sent a 'stop fire' request to the IDF through its liaison channels. UNIFIL confirmed that its peacekeepers were not the target of the fire." The spokesman also called for the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701, which was adopted in 2006 to establish stability along the Blue Line. Archrock (NYSE:AROC Get Free Report) had its price objective upped by analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $31.00 to $40.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the energy companys stock. Stifel Nicolaus target price suggests a potential upside of 14.14% from the companys previous close. Several other analysts have also commented on the stock. Evercore raised their price target on shares of Archrock from $31.00 to $35.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Archrock in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Dawson James reissued an outperform rating on shares of Archrock in a research report on Wednesday. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Archrock from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on Archrock from $31.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $34.57. Get Archrock alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on AROC Archrock Stock Up 4.0% Shares of NYSE AROC opened at $35.05 on Thursday. Archrock has a 12-month low of $20.12 and a 12-month high of $35.29. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.80. The firms 50-day moving average price is $28.60 and its 200-day moving average price is $26.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.15, a P/E/G ratio of 1.45 and a beta of 0.93. Archrock (NYSE:AROC Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 24th. The energy company reported $0.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.40 by $0.29. The company had revenue of $377.07 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $378.04 million. Archrock had a return on equity of 23.99% and a net margin of 21.63%.Archrocks revenue was up 15.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.34 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Archrock will post 1.09 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Archrock Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in AROC. Invesco Ltd. increased its stake in Archrock by 1.4% in the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 9,080,037 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $225,457,000 after purchasing an additional 128,141 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of Archrock by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 7,018,889 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $182,631,000 after acquiring an additional 152,312 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of Archrock by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 6,833,290 shares of the energy companys stock worth $177,805,000 after acquiring an additional 111,218 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. raised its stake in Archrock by 3.3% during the third quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 6,077,999 shares of the energy companys stock worth $159,912,000 after purchasing an additional 191,914 shares during the period. Finally, Sei Investments Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Archrock by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 5,499,093 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $144,681,000 after purchasing an additional 187,252 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.45% of the companys stock. About Archrock (Get Free Report) Archrock, Inc is a Houstonbased provider of natural gas compression services and equipment to the oil and gas industry in North America. Founded in 2004, the company supplies both shortterm rentals and longterm contracts for compression solutions, serving upstream and midstream producers. Archrocks offerings include engineered compression systems, aftermarket parts, maintenance and field services designed to optimize wellhead and pipeline operations. The companys core business activities focus on the design, manufacture, rental and sale of gas compression equipment. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Archrock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Archrock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alamos Gold (TSE:AGI Get Free Report) (NYSE:AGI) had its price objective hoisted by stock analysts at Bank of America from C$67.00 to C$78.50 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday,BayStreet.CA reports. Bank of Americas target price points to a potential upside of 10.19% from the stocks current price. A number of other equities research analysts have also recently commented on AGI. Desjardins raised their price objective on Alamos Gold from C$70.00 to C$80.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce lifted their price target on shares of Alamos Gold from C$80.00 to C$90.00 in a research report on Thursday. TD Securities upped their price objective on shares of Alamos Gold from C$55.00 to C$66.00 in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. National Bank Financial raised their price objective on shares of Alamos Gold from C$68.00 to C$75.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th. Finally, Haywood Securities decreased their target price on shares of Alamos Gold from C$77.50 to C$71.50 in a research report on Friday, February 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and four have assigned a Buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of C$70.67. Get Alamos Gold alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on AGI Alamos Gold Trading Up 4.2% Alamos Gold stock traded up C$2.84 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting C$71.24. 572,868 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,101,424. The firms fifty day simple moving average is C$57.39 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$49.67. The company has a quick ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.48. Alamos Gold has a 12 month low of C$31.83 and a 12 month high of C$71.41. The stock has a market capitalization of C$29.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.92, a PEG ratio of -2.10 and a beta of 0.85. Alamos Gold (TSE:AGI Get Free Report) (NYSE:AGI) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 18th. The company reported C$0.74 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of C$765.13 million for the quarter. Alamos Gold had a net margin of 19.89% and a return on equity of 7.84%. Analysts forecast that Alamos Gold will post 1.4774775 EPS for the current year. Alamos Gold Company Profile (Get Free Report) Alamos is a Canadian-based intermediate gold producer with diversified production from three operations in North America. This includes the Island Gold District and Young-Davidson mine in northern Ontario, Canada, and the Mulatos District in Sonora State, Mexico. Additionally, the Company has a strong portfolio of growth projects, including the Phase 3+ Expansion at Island Gold, and the Lynn Lake project in Manitoba, Canada. Alamos employs more than 2,400 people and is committed to the highest standards of sustainable development. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Alamos Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alamos Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Berkeley Group Holdings PLC Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:BKGFY Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $12.54 and last traded at $11.92, with a volume of 458 shares. The stock had previously closed at $11.90. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have weighed in on BKGFY. Jefferies Financial Group raised Berkeley Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Berkeley Group in a research note on Monday, November 24th. They issued a sell rating on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded Berkeley Group from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 5th. Citigroup reissued a neutral rating on shares of Berkeley Group in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an underperform rating on shares of Berkeley Group in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold. Get Berkeley Group alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on BKGFY Berkeley Group Price Performance About Berkeley Group The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 3.54 and a quick ratio of 0.65. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $11.24 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $10.56. (Get Free Report) Berkeley Group Holdings plc is a leading UK residential property developer specializing in urban regeneration and new-build communities. Founded in 1976 by Tony Pidgley, the company has built a reputation for delivering high-quality homes in London and the surrounding regions. Its core operations encompass land acquisition, planning, design, construction and sales, with an emphasis on creating mixed-use neighborhoods that integrate housing, public spaces and community amenities. Over the decades, Berkeley Group has completed numerous landmark projects, including large-scale schemes at Kidbrooke Village, Royal Arsenal Riverside and Elephant Park in east London. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Berkeley Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Berkeley Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust (NYSE:BTZ Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 26,008 shares, a growth of 337.6% from the January 29th total of 5,944 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 263,486 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Based on an average daily volume of 263,486 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust Price Performance BTZ opened at $10.67 on Thursday. BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust has a fifty-two week low of $9.54 and a fifty-two week high of $11.18. The companys 50 day moving average price is $10.72 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $10.90. Get BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust alerts: BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, March 13th will be paid a $0.0839 dividend. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 13th. Institutional Trading of BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust About BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its stake in BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust by 1.4% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 889,121 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $9,531,000 after acquiring an additional 12,607 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC grew its stake in BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust by 56.9% in the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 17,799 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $191,000 after acquiring an additional 6,455 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust by 24.8% during the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 31,753 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $347,000 after acquiring an additional 6,309 shares in the last quarter. Rareview Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust by 3.6% during the second quarter. Rareview Capital LLC now owns 159,518 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,742,000 after acquiring an additional 5,470 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Penserra Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust by 3.0% during the second quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 491,558 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $5,367,000 after purchasing an additional 14,529 shares during the period. (Get Free Report) BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust (NYSE: BTZ) is a closed-end management investment company sponsored by BlackRock Fund Advisors. The trust seeks to provide investors with a high level of current income, as well as the potential for capital appreciation, through an actively managed portfolio of credit and income-producing securities. BTZ primarily focuses on instruments that offer attractive yields while aiming to preserve capital over the long term. The portfolio is diversified across a broad spectrum of credit sectors, including investment-grade corporate debt, high-yield bonds, leveraged bank loans, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, and asset-backed securities. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Blackstone Secured Lending Fund (NYSE:BXSL Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, February 25th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 31st will be paid a dividend of 0.77 per share on Friday, April 24th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 12.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 31st. Blackstone Secured Lending Fund has a dividend payout ratio of 101.3% indicating that the company cannot currently cover its dividend with earnings alone and is relying on its balance sheet to cover its dividend payments. Research analysts expect Blackstone Secured Lending Fund to earn $3.30 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $3.08 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 93.3%. Get Blackstone Secured Lending Fund alerts: Blackstone Secured Lending Fund Stock Down 1.7% Shares of Blackstone Secured Lending Fund stock opened at $24.23 on Thursday. Blackstone Secured Lending Fund has a 12-month low of $23.31 and a 12-month high of $34.17. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.15 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $25.82 and a 200 day simple moving average of $27.00. Analysts Set New Price Targets Blackstone Secured Lending Fund ( NYSE:BXSL Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 25th. The company reported $0.80 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.79 by $0.01. Blackstone Secured Lending Fund had a net margin of 42.38% and a return on equity of 11.85%. The firm had revenue of $196.54 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $359.59 million. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Blackstone Secured Lending Fund will post 3.54 earnings per share for the current year. Several equities analysts have issued reports on BXSL shares. Wells Fargo & Company downgraded Blackstone Secured Lending Fund from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and cut their price objective for the company from $26.00 to $24.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Blackstone Secured Lending Fund from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, February 21st. B. Riley Financial cut their price target on Blackstone Secured Lending Fund from $32.00 to $30.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 12th. Bank of America reduced their price target on shares of Blackstone Secured Lending Fund from $33.50 to $29.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price objective on shares of Blackstone Secured Lending Fund from $32.00 to $29.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 12th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Blackstone Secured Lending Fund has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $28.88. Read Our Latest Research Report on Blackstone Secured Lending Fund Blackstone Secured Lending Fund Company Profile (Get Free Report) Blackstone Secured Lending Fund (NYSE: BXSL) is a closed-end management investment company sponsored by Blackstone Credit, the credit-oriented business of Blackstone Inc Launched in May 2020, BXSL seeks to deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns primarily through current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation. The fund raises capital from institutional and retail investors and deploys it into a diversified portfolio of senior secured loans and other credit instruments. The funds principal investment focus is on first-lien senior secured loans and unitranche debt extended to middle-market companies across North America. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Blackstone Secured Lending Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Blackstone Secured Lending Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. British American Tobacco p.l.c. (LON:BATS Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as GBX 4,647 and last traded at GBX 4,540.06, with a volume of 2616433 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 4,569. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts recently commented on the stock. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of British American Tobacco from GBX 4,450 to GBX 4,850 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on shares of British American Tobacco from GBX 4,400 to GBX 4,900 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of British American Tobacco from GBX 3,300 to GBX 4,150 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 5,200 price target on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of GBX 4,500. Get British American Tobacco alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on British American Tobacco British American Tobacco Price Performance The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 4,307.40 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 4,176.97. The company has a market cap of 100.09 billion, a PE ratio of 33.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 0.27. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 74.63. British American Tobacco (LON:BATS Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 12th. The company reported GBX 176.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. British American Tobacco had a negative return on equity of 25.94% and a negative net margin of 52.84%. On average, equities analysts predict that British American Tobacco p.l.c. will post 361.5079365 EPS for the current fiscal year. British American Tobacco Company Profile (Get Free Report) BAT was founded in 1902 and was first listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1912. A constituent of the FTSE 100 since its creation in 1984, we have evolved, becoming the only truly global company in our sector. BAT is transforming and is well positioned with a global footprint and multi-category portfolio. Our corporate purpose is to build A Better Tomorrow, reducing the health impact of our business, by offering adult consumers a greater choice of enjoyable and less risky* products compared to cigarettes. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for British American Tobacco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for British American Tobacco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP (NYSE:BIP Get Free Report) (TSE:BIP.UN) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $39.92 and last traded at $39.7650, with a volume of 122208 shares. The stock had previously closed at $39.44. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Scotiabank restated an outperform rating and set a $44.00 price objective on shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners in a research report on Friday, January 16th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Morgan Stanley set a $45.00 price objective on Brookfield Infrastructure Partners in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group set a $37.00 target price on Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $42.13. Get Brookfield Infrastructure Partners alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Stock Up 0.3% The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $36.03 and a 200 day simple moving average of $34.26. The company has a market capitalization of $18.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 43.92 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68, a current ratio of 0.08 and a quick ratio of 0.81. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (NYSE:BIP Get Free Report) (TSE:BIP.UN) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The utilities provider reported $0.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.87 by ($0.42). Brookfield Infrastructure Partners had a net margin of 4.40% and a return on equity of 3.22%. The firm had revenue of $6.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.98 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.78 EPS. Brookfield Infrastructure Partnerss quarterly revenue was up 5.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP will post 3.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, February 27th will be paid a dividend of $0.455 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. This is a positive change from Brookfield Infrastructure Partnerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.43. This represents a $1.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.6%. Brookfield Infrastructure Partnerss payout ratio is currently 191.11%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its stake in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 12.2% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 1,802,475 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $53,696,000 after purchasing an additional 195,276 shares during the last quarter. Focus Partners Wealth boosted its holdings in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 8.5% in the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 24,734 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $737,000 after buying an additional 1,931 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC grew its position in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 79.3% in the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 5,628 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $189,000 after buying an additional 2,489 shares during the last quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors acquired a new stake in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners during the 2nd quarter worth $483,000. Finally, Keybank National Association OH lifted its position in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 1.5% in the second quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 37,868 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,269,000 after acquiring an additional 565 shares during the last quarter. 57.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (Get Free Report) Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (NYSE: BIP) is a publicly traded limited partnership that owns and operates a diversified portfolio of infrastructure assets across four core sectors: utilities, transport, energy and data infrastructure. Through long-lived, regulated or contracted assets, Brookfield Infrastructure provides essential services such as electricity transmission and distribution, toll road and port operations, midstream energy logistics and fiber-based data networks. The companys utilities division encompasses regulated electricity and gas distribution networks in North and South America, Europe and Australia, ensuring stable cash flows under current regulatory frameworks. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. California Water Service Group (NYSE:CWT Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The utilities provider reported $0.19 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.36 by ($0.17), Zacks reports. California Water Service Group had a return on equity of 8.23% and a net margin of 13.61%.The business had revenue of $265.61 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $239.10 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.33 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 1.0% compared to the same quarter last year. California Water Service Group Trading Up 0.7% Shares of NYSE:CWT opened at $46.68 on Thursday. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $44.52 and its 200 day simple moving average is $45.54. California Water Service Group has a 1 year low of $41.29 and a 1 year high of $51.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.55 and a quick ratio of 0.52. The company has a market capitalization of $2.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.38, a P/E/G ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.64. Get California Water Service Group alerts: California Water Service Group Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 20th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 9th were paid a $0.335 dividend. This is a positive change from California Water Service Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 9th. This represents a $1.34 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.9%. California Water Service Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 58.52%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in California Water Service Group by 1.1% during the fourth quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,337,205 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $144,602,000 after purchasing an additional 36,296 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of California Water Service Group by 6.4% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 954,234 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $41,347,000 after acquiring an additional 57,170 shares during the period. Virtue Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of California Water Service Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $203,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its position in shares of California Water Service Group by 4.2% during the 4th quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 15,634 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $680,000 after acquiring an additional 630 shares in the last quarter. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd bought a new position in California Water Service Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,595,000. Institutional investors own 82.78% of the companys stock. A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. Robert W. Baird set a $55.00 price target on shares of California Water Service Group in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of California Water Service Group in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $55.00. View Our Latest Stock Report on CWT About California Water Service Group (Get Free Report) California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) is a publicly traded holding company that provides regulated water utility services through its subsidiaries. The company delivers safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater management to residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers across California, Hawaii and New Mexico. Its principal operating units include California Water Service, New Mexico Water Service and Hawaii Water Service, each responsible for endtoend water supply operationsfrom source development and treatment to distribution and customer service. Founded in 1926 as the California Water Service Company, the group has grown to become one of the largest investorowned water utilities in the United States by customer count. See Also Receive News & Ratings for California Water Service Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for California Water Service Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Camplify (ASX:CHL) management used its latest earnings call to frame the first half of FY26 as a period of optimization and stabilization, emphasizing a shift from integration work in FY25 to tighter execution, margin improvement, and cash generation. Get alerts: Bottom-line improvement and stronger cash position CEO and founder Justin Hales said the companys focus on expense management produced a positive AUD 5 million swing in the bottom line versus the prior corresponding period, reducing statutory net loss after tax by 62% to AUD 2.9 million. CFO Brett Edwards put the net loss after tax at AUD 2.927 million, down from AUD 7.8 million in the prior comparative period. Margin-led approach: lower GTV, resilient revenue Management also highlighted a sharp improvement in cash flow. The company generated AUD 12.18 million in operating cash inflows during the half, reversing an AUD 1.769 million outflow in the prior corresponding period. Camplify ended the half with AUD 23.178 million in cash, supported by what management described as a successful AUD 3.2 million capital raise with the JB Group. Camplify reported gross transaction value (GTV) of AUD 54.6 million, down from AUD 65.4 million in the prior corresponding period. Hales said the decline was deliberate, describing it as an active capital allocation decision in which the company shed low margin, high cost booking volume to eliminate inefficient marketing spend. Despite lower GTV, total revenue was described as resilient at about AUD 19.1 million (Edwards cited revenue of AUD 19.056 million). The company also reported an increase in platform take rate to 26.9%, up from 24.9%, while maintaining an average booking value of AUD 1,612. Edwards said improvements in take rates helped offset GTV fluctuations and pointed to growth in premium membership revenue, which rose to AUD 4.3 million from AUD 2.1 million, attributing the increase to reduced churn and a more stable repeat cash flow business. Cost reductions and marketplace changes Management repeatedly pointed to expense discipline as a key driver of the turnaround. Hales said the company reduced marketing expenses to AUD 2.0 million from AUD 5.4 million, taking marketing spend to 10.5% of revenue from 27% previously, while improving request-to-paid conversion metrics by 31% in core markets. The company also reduced employee benefits to AUD 6.6 million from AUD 8.3 million. On the supply side, Hales said Camplify undertook fleet consolidation, removing listings that scored poorly in customer engagement metrics and owners with histories of ghosting hirers. While overall fleet numbers were flat compared with the prior corresponding period, he said fleet quality improved. Edwards later stated vehicles on the platform increased to 34,449, while bookings declined to 33,869, with the average booking value holding at AUD 1,612. Insurance, Europe clean-up, and Germany growth Camplify highlighted the performance of its ANZ MyWay Mutual, launched in May 2025, which Hales said shifted the company toward a membership-first ecosystem. He said the mutual operated at a 49.6% loss ratio in the first half and expanded gross profit margin on premium membership from 14.9% to 33.3%. Edwards said the company took proactive steps to optimize its EU insurance business, including ring-fencing issues to create a clean slate for H2. He noted a AUD 928,000 prior period adjustment related to timing issues around insurance operations and referenced a AUD 0.624 million contingency for loss-sharing contracts. He also said the company booked AUD 569,000 in the half as cost of sales on a loss-sharing contract, with the remaining amount held as a contingency, reconciling to a AUD 1.3 million contingency previously disclosed in an Appendix 4C cash flow statement. Regionally, management said Germany was a standout. Hales and Edwards both cited Germany revenue rising 30% to approximately AUD 2.7 million (Hales: AUD 2.73 million; Edwards: AUD 2.7 million). Edwards said several European marketsincluding the UK, Spain, the Netherlands, and Austriawere being trimmed to improve margins, with expectations for a lift in the second half. H2 priorities: marketing step-up, AI rollout, JB partnership, and temporary accommodation In Q&A, management said marketing spend is expected to increase modestly in the second half to around 11.5% to 12% of revenue as Camplify enters a seasonally busier period, with Hales arguing the platform is now more efficient and better positioned to generate returns on ad spend. Operationally, Hales said Camplifys strategy is underpinned by technology and that it made an AI-first decision 18 months ago. He highlighted a pilot of AI voice agents that achieved a 95% first-level resolution rate for customer tickets, with plans to roll the program out across customer-facing parts of the business. Management also described expansion plans tied to its partnership with the JB Group. Hales said, following a pilot in Newcastle, Camplify Managed Services depots will expand to an additional 12 locations across ANZ, with a goal of having those depots fully online by the end of the year. He said the model targets high-margin products and could build a fully managed rental fleet, where Camplify controls pricing, quality, and booking acceptance. On the business-to-business side, Hales discussed a temporary accommodation program linked to Homes Victoria following January 2026 bushfires, with an initial order for 50 vans and an expectation that it could scale to 200 across 14 local government areas. He estimated GTV of roughly AUD 3 million to AUD 4 million for the initial 50-vans deployment over six months, with an expected take rate of around 26%, and said scaling to 200 vans would increase the contribution proportionally. In response to an analyst question, Hales said the company expected to maintain roughly an AUD 2 million level for the existing temporary accommodation program in the second half, plus incremental GTV from the Victoria deployment. Edwards also pointed to future bookings of AUD 34.2 million as of 31 December 2025, noting that about AUD 11 million of that was realized in January bookings. He added that there was already AUD 1.5 million in forward bookings for next summer in Australia and New Zealand. About Camplify (ASX:CHL) Camplify Holdings Limited engages in the operation of peer-to-peer digital marketplace platforms to connect recreational vehicle (RV) owners to hirers in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, and Austria. The company operates Camplify, a platform that offers RVs, including caravans, motorhomes, camper trailers, and campervans for rent; and PaulCamper, a peer-to-peer RV sharing platform. It is also involved in the provision of insurance brokerage services. The company was founded in 2015 and is based in Wickham, Australia. Read More CTT Correios De Portugal, S.A. (OTCMKTS:CTTOF Get Free Report) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 13,514 shares, a drop of 81.6% from the January 29th total of 73,439 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 2,366 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 5.7 days. Based on an average daily volume of 2,366 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 5.7 days. CTT Correios De Portugal Stock Performance Shares of CTTOF stock remained flat at $8.69 on Wednesday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $8.47 and a 200 day moving average of $8.41. CTT Correios De Portugal has a 1 year low of $6.42 and a 1 year high of $9.40. Get CTT - Correios De Portugal alerts: About CTT Correios De Portugal (Get Free Report) CTT Correios de Portugal, SA is the national postal operator of Portugal, offering a comprehensive range of mail and parcel delivery services to individual and corporate customers. The companys core activities include the collection, sorting and distribution of letters, direct mail and parcels both domestically and through an extensive international network. CTT also provides express courier solutions, specialized logistics for e-commerce, and value-added services such as registered mail and postal insurance. In addition to its traditional postal operations, CTT has expanded into financial services under the brand Banco CTT, offering savings accounts, payment cards, transfers and money-remittance services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for CTT - Correios De Portugal Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CTT - Correios De Portugal and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. THE HAGUE, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Dutch Port of Rotterdam announced Thursday that its total throughput in 2025 reached 428.4 million tonnes, marking a 1.7 percent decline compared with the previous year. According to the Port of Rotterdam Authority, the sharpest decrease was recorded in the dry bulk segment, which fell by 6.5 percent. Liquid bulk throughput decreased by 1.5 percent. In contrast, container throughput increased by 3.1 percent in TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) terms, reaching 14.2 million TEU. "We look back on a challenging year, in which chemical and logistics companies in our port were under considerable pressure, and European industry was affected by intensifying global competition," said Boudewijn Siemons, chief executive officer of the Port of Rotterdam Authority. Despite these challenges, the Port Authority's financial performance remained stable. Revenues rose by 6.6 percent to 940.4 million euros (1109.99 million U.S. dollars). However, net profit declined by 7.8 million euros (9.21 million U.S. dollars) to 266.0 million euros (313.97 million U.S. dollars), mainly due to higher depreciation and a one-off impairment charge of 13 million euros (15.34 million U.S. dollars) related to customer-specific assets. The Port Authority also identified several major bottlenecks affecting the port's development, including nitrogen-related restrictions, grid congestion, high energy costs, and higher grid tariffs compared with neighboring countries. The Port of Rotterdam Authority manages, operates, and develops the port and its industrial area. Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. Sponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:DSNKY Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 20,170 shares, a decline of 91.2% from the January 29th total of 229,817 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 2,263,410 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 2,263,410 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. Daiichi Sankyo Stock Up 0.4% Shares of DSNKY traded up $0.07 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $19.37. 176,165 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 633,831. The stocks 50-day moving average is $20.40 and its 200-day moving average is $22.85. The company has a market cap of $36.69 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 1.85 and a current ratio of 2.69. Daiichi Sankyo has a fifty-two week low of $17.80 and a fifty-two week high of $28.21. Get Daiichi Sankyo alerts: Daiichi Sankyo (OTCMKTS:DSNKY Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported $0.30 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.25 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $3.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.88 billion. Daiichi Sankyo had a net margin of 14.83% and a return on equity of 18.64%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Daiichi Sankyo will post 0.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, Zacks Research downgraded Daiichi Sankyo from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Wednesday, November 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on DSNKY Daiichi Sankyo Company Profile (Get Free Report) Daiichi Sankyo Co, Ltd. is a global, research-driven pharmaceutical company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The company was formed through the merger of Daiichi Pharmaceutical and Sankyo in 2005 and focuses on the discovery, development, manufacturing and commercialization of prescription medicines. Its therapeutic priorities include oncology and cardiovascular disease, and it pursues a mix of small molecules, biologics and antibodydrug conjugates in its development programs. Daiichi Sankyo is known for building a development portfolio through both internal research and collaborative partnerships. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Daiichi Sankyo Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Daiichi Sankyo and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rocket Lab, Boeing, Heico, GE Aerospace, RTX, Lockheed Martin, and Keysight Technologies are the seven Defense stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Defense stocks are shares of publicly traded companies that design, manufacture, or provide services for military, national security, aerospace, and related government-contract work (e.g., weapons, aircraft, cybersecurity, logistics). Investors view them as relatively defensive because they often have stable, long-term government contracts and demand that is less tied to the civilian economy, though they carry specific risks from government budgets, regulatory changes, and geopolitical events. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Defense stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: Rocket Lab (RKLB) Rocket Lab USA, Inc., a space company, provides launch services and space systems solutions for the space and defense industries. The company provides launch services, spacecraft design services, spacecraft components, spacecraft manufacturing, and other spacecraft and on-orbit management solutions; and constellation management services, as well as designs and manufactures small and medium-class rockets. Boeing (BA) The Boeing Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems, and services worldwide. The company operates through Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; and Global Services segments. Read Our Latest Research Report on BA Heico (HEI) HEICO Corporation, through its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and sells aerospace, defense, and electronic related products and services in the United States and internationally. Its Flight Support Group segment provides jet engine and aircraft component replacement parts; thermal insulation blankets and parts; renewable/reusable insulation systems; and specialty components. Read Our Latest Research Report on HEI GE Aerospace (GE) GE Aerospace (also known as General Electric) is a company that specializes in providing aerospace products and services. It operates through two reportable segments: Commercial Engines and Services and Defense and Propulsion Technologies. It offers jet and turboprop engines, as well as integrated systems for commercial, military, business, and general aviation aircraft. Read Our Latest Research Report on GE RTX (RTX) RTX Corporation, an aerospace and defense company, provides systems and services for the commercial, military, and government customers in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. The Collins Aerospace Systems segment offers aerospace and defense products, and aftermarket service solutions for civil and military aircraft manufacturers and commercial airlines, as well as regional, business, and general aviation, defense, and commercial space operations. Read Our Latest Research Report on RTX Lockheed Martin (LMT) Lockheed Martin Corporation, a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. The company operates through Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space segments. Read Our Latest Research Report on LMT Keysight Technologies (KEYS) Keysight Technologies, Inc. provides electronic design and test solutions to commercial communications, networking, aerospace, defense and government, automotive, energy, semiconductor, electronic, and education industries in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates in two segments, Communications Solutions Group and Electronic Industrial Solutions Group. Read Our Latest Research Report on KEYS Recommended Stories Drax Group (LON:DRX Get Free Report) issued its earnings results on Thursday. The company reported GBX 137.70 earnings per share for the quarter, Digital Look Earnings reports. Drax Group had a net margin of 9.42% and a return on equity of 31.63%. Here are the key takeaways from Drax Groups conference call: Get Drax Group alerts: Signed a lowcarbon dispatchable CfD for Drax Power Station that will sell ~6 TWh/year with flexible reprofiling, underpinning the companys plan to generate about GBP 3 billion of free cash flow between 20252031 and support earnings under the new operating regime. for Drax Power Station that will sell ~6 TWh/year with flexible reprofiling, underpinning the companys plan to generate about of free cash flow between 20252031 and support earnings under the new operating regime. Accelerating growth strategy planning up to 1 GW+ of data center capacity at the Drax site (phased 100 MW frontofmeter then ~500 MW behindthemeter pre2031) and building a gigawattscale BESS pipeline with operational control/agreements for over 700 MW and acquisition of Flexitricity to optimize assets. of data center capacity at the Drax site (phased 100 MW frontofmeter then ~500 MW behindthemeter pre2031) and building a gigawattscale BESS pipeline with operational control/agreements for over and acquisition of Flexitricity to optimize assets. Strong 2025 financials and balance sheet strength GBP 947 million Adjusted EBITDA, record 15 TWh biomass generation, net debt of GBP 784 million (0.8x EBITDA), an expected 11.5% dividend increase and ongoing buybacks, providing headroom to fund growth and returns. Adjusted EBITDA, record 15 TWh biomass generation, net debt of (0.8x EBITDA), an expected 11.5% dividend increase and ongoing buybacks, providing headroom to fund growth and returns. Material writedowns and project pauses in pellets/BECCS a GBP 198 million charge on the Canadian pellet business, a GBP 139 million impairment on Longview, and a GBP 48 million BECCS impairment, with no nearterm capital commitment to Canadian expansion. charge on the Canadian pellet business, a impairment on Longview, and a BECCS impairment, with no nearterm capital commitment to Canadian expansion. Implementing a Future Focused cost and restructuring programme (consultation to reduce 350+ roles) targeting >GBP 150 million of structural savings by 2027, which management says is already reflected in the post2027 EBITDA guidance but may involve oneoff charges. Drax Group Price Performance LON:DRX traded up GBX 17 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting GBX 899.50. 878,326 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,713,544. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 64.11, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a current ratio of 1.26. The company has a market cap of 3.05 billion, a PE ratio of 8.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.10 and a beta of 1.22. The firms 50 day simple moving average is GBX 873.85 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 768.20. Drax Group has a 1 year low of GBX 534.50 and a 1 year high of GBX 937.50. Drax Group News Roundup Analyst Ratings Changes Here are the key news stories impacting Drax Group this week: A number of equities analysts recently commented on DRX shares. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a GBX 950 target price on shares of Drax Group in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on Drax Group from GBX 750 to GBX 1,120 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Drax Group from GBX 850 to GBX 923 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of GBX 998.25. View Our Latest Analysis on Drax Group Drax Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Drax Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in renewable power generation in the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Pellet Production, Generation, and Customers. The Pellet Production segment produces and sells biomass pellets. The Generation segment provides renewable, dispatchable power, and system support services to the electricity grid. The Customers segment supplies electricity and gas to non-domestic customers. The company owns and operates Drax Power Station located in Selby, North Yorkshire; Cruachan Power Station, a pumped storage hydro station, with an installed capacity of 440 megawatts (MW) located in Argyll and Bute; and Lanark and Galloway hydro-electric power stations with an installed capacity of 126 MW located in southwest Scotland. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Drax Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Drax Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eldorado Gold (TSE:ELD Get Free Report) (NYSE:EGO) had its price objective hoisted by stock analysts at Bank of America from C$46.25 to C$52.00 in a report issued on Thursday,BayStreet.CA reports. Bank of Americas price target would suggest a potential downside of 15.49% from the stocks previous close. ELD has been the topic of a number of other reports. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce lowered Eldorado Gold from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, February 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada downgraded Eldorado Gold from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating and lifted their price target for the company from C$47.00 to C$48.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Canaccord Genuity Group cut shares of Eldorado Gold from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, February 20th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on shares of Eldorado Gold from C$59.00 to C$74.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on shares of Eldorado Gold from C$48.00 to C$65.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating and three have given 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 C$61.57. Get Eldorado Gold alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on ELD Eldorado Gold Price Performance Shares of Eldorado Gold stock traded up C$0.78 on Thursday, reaching C$61.53. The stock had a trading volume of 317,396 shares, compared to its average volume of 724,982. The businesss 50 day moving average is C$56.62 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$44.78. The company has a current ratio of 3.37, a quick ratio of 2.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 23.28. Eldorado Gold has a 1 year low of C$19.21 and a 1 year high of C$69.46. The company has a market cap of C$12.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 56.20 and a beta of 1.44. Eldorado Gold (TSE:ELD Get Free Report) (NYSE:EGO) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 19th. The company reported C$3.29 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of C$767.52 million for the quarter. Eldorado Gold had a net margin of 23.32% and a return on equity of 7.60%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Eldorado Gold will post 2.1505174 EPS for the current year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, insider Christian Milau bought 3,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were purchased at an average price of C$58.59 per share, for a total transaction of C$205,065.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider owned 14,994 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately C$878,498.46. This trade represents a 30.45% increase in their ownership of the stock. Insiders own 0.58% of the companys stock. Eldorado Gold Company Profile (Get Free Report) Eldorado Gold Corp is a gold and base metals producer with mining, development and exploration operations in Turkey, Canada, Greece and Romania. It has a portfolio of high-quality assets and long-term partnerships with local communities. Some of its projects include Kisladag, Efemcukuru, Skouries; Perama Hill and Certej projects. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Eldorado Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eldorado Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Enzon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (OTCMKTS:ENZN Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 92 shares, a decline of 98.2% from the January 29th total of 5,022 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 205,154 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. Currently, 0.0% of the companys shares are sold short. Currently, 0.0% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 205,154 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. Enzon Pharmaceuticals Stock Up 13.0% Shares of OTCMKTS:ENZN traded up $0.01 on Thursday, hitting $0.06. The company had a trading volume of 178,990 shares, compared to its average volume of 72,456. Enzon Pharmaceuticals has a 1 year low of $0.03 and a 1 year high of $0.13. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $0.05 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $0.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.64 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.25 and a beta of 0.20. Get Enzon Pharmaceuticals alerts: About Enzon Pharmaceuticals (Get Free Report) Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc, headquartered in Piscataway, New Jersey, is a specialized biopharmaceutical company best known for pioneering polyethylene glycol (PEG) technology to enhance the pharmacokinetic properties of therapeutic proteins. Founded in 1981, Enzon has leveraged its PEGylation platform to develop an array of oncology and hematology products with improved half-life and reduced immunogenicity. The companys flagship product, Oncaspar (pegaspargase), was originally approved for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in pediatric and adult patients, highlighting Enzons commitment to oncology. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Enzon Pharmaceuticals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enzon Pharmaceuticals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Excelerate Energy, Inc. (NYSE:EE Get Free Report) shares gapped down before the market opened on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $42.89, but opened at $39.71. Excelerate Energy shares last traded at $41.0210, with a volume of 89,017 shares changing hands. Analysts Set New Price Targets EE has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Raymond James Financial raised shares of Excelerate Energy from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and set a $36.00 target price for the company in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Excelerate Energy in a report on Monday, December 29th. Dnb Carnegie downgraded Excelerate Energy from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, February 19th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on Excelerate Energy from $37.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating and issued a $44.00 price objective on shares of Excelerate Energy in a research note on Friday, February 6th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Excelerate Energy currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $36.50. Get Excelerate Energy alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on Excelerate Energy Excelerate Energy Stock Performance Excelerate Energy Dividend Announcement The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $34.25 and a 200 day simple moving average of $28.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 2.39 and a quick ratio of 2.39. The firm has a market cap of $4.68 billion, a PE ratio of 28.15, a PEG ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.36. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 11th will be given a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 11th. Excelerate Energys dividend payout ratio is presently 22.22%. Excelerate Energy announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback program on Thursday, December 11th that permits the company to repurchase $75.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to repurchase up to 2.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are typically an indication that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Arax Advisory Partners increased its stake in Excelerate Energy by 791.9% in the 4th quarter. Arax Advisory Partners now owns 883 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 784 shares in the last quarter. AlphaQuest LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Excelerate Energy during the second quarter worth about $30,000. State of Alaska Department of Revenue purchased a new stake in shares of Excelerate Energy during the third quarter worth about $30,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new stake in Excelerate Energy during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new position in Excelerate Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $38,000. Institutional investors own 21.79% of the companys stock. Excelerate Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report) Excelerate Energy (NYSE: EE) is a Houstonbased energy infrastructure company specializing in liquefied natural gas (LNG) solutions. The company develops, owns and operates floating regasification units (FSRUs) that convert shipped LNG into natural gas for delivery into existing pipeline networks. Excelerate Energys integrated platform also includes specialized LNG carriers, proprietary regasification technology and onshore support facilities, enabling rapid deployment of import terminals without extensive capital construction. Founded in the early 2000s, Excelerate Energy pioneered the first FSRU in 2007, demonstrating the flexibility and cost advantages of floating LNG import infrastructure. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Excelerate Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Excelerate Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fidelity National Information Services (NYSE:FIS Get Free Report) had its price target cut by equities researchers at Wells Fargo & Company from $81.00 to $67.00 in a research report issued on Wednesday,Fidelity reports. The firm presently has an overweight rating on the information technology services providers stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price objective indicates a potential upside of 32.88% from the companys current price. FIS has been the topic of several other reports. Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on Fidelity National Information Services in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. They set an overweight rating and a $72.00 price target on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their target price on shares of Fidelity National Information Services from $86.00 to $69.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Fidelity National Information Services from $80.00 to $65.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. UBS Group reduced their price objective on shares of Fidelity National Information Services from $83.00 to $73.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Truist Financial decreased their price objective on Fidelity National Information Services from $72.00 to $70.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 19th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $70.50. Get Fidelity National Information Services alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on FIS Fidelity National Information Services Price Performance Fidelity National Information Services stock traded up $1.35 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $50.42. The company had a trading volume of 213,063 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,718,583. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $58.71 and a 200 day simple moving average of $63.93. The company has a market cap of $26.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 69.07, a P/E/G ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 0.90. Fidelity National Information Services has a fifty-two week low of $46.16 and a fifty-two week high of $82.74. The company has a current ratio of 0.59, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. Fidelity National Information Services (NYSE:FIS Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 24th. The information technology services provider reported $1.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.69 by ($0.01). Fidelity National Information Services had a return on equity of 21.21% and a net margin of 3.58%.The company had revenue of $2.81 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.74 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.40 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 8.2% on a year-over-year basis. Fidelity National Information Services has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 1.260-1.300 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 6.220-6.320 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Fidelity National Information Services will post 5.74 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Transactions at Fidelity National Information Services In other Fidelity National Information Services news, Director Jeffrey A. Goldstein purchased 941 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 15th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $64.11 per share, for a total transaction of $60,327.51. Following the acquisition, the director owned 14,529 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $931,454.19. This represents a 6.93% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.21% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in Fidelity National Information Services by 0.6% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 63,019,323 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $5,130,403,000 after purchasing an additional 376,499 shares during the period. Dodge & Cox boosted its position in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 13.9% during the 4th quarter. Dodge & Cox now owns 49,113,297 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $3,264,070,000 after purchasing an additional 6,008,090 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors grew its stake in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 28,129,710 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $1,869,507,000 after buying an additional 172,356 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in Fidelity National Information Services by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 13,288,097 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $1,077,157,000 after buying an additional 48,968 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Boston Partners raised its stake in Fidelity National Information Services by 10.5% during the 2nd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 11,820,211 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $958,537,000 after buying an additional 1,122,181 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.23% of the companys stock. Fidelity National Information Services News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting Fidelity National Information Services this week: Positive Sentiment: FIS reported Q4 results that showed revenue growth and reiterated a growth-focused outlook (management highlighted AI and banking-software investment and projected strong revenue growth for 2026), which underpins the companys medium-term story. Article Title FIS reported Q4 results that showed revenue growth and reiterated a growth-focused outlook (management highlighted AI and banking-software investment and projected strong revenue growth for 2026), which underpins the companys medium-term story. Positive Sentiment: Certain analysts reaffirmed positive ratings after the quarter (e.g., William Blair reiterated a Buy), signaling that some investors and analysts still back FISs turnaround and AI-driven revenue potential. Article Title Certain analysts reaffirmed positive ratings after the quarter (e.g., William Blair reiterated a Buy), signaling that some investors and analysts still back FISs turnaround and AI-driven revenue potential. Neutral Sentiment: Operational details were mixed: EPS missed estimates by $0.01 ($1.68 vs. $1.69) while revenue beat consensus, and commentary emphasized higher expenses tied to growth investments investors must weigh near-term margin pressure against longer-term revenue guidance. Article Title Operational details were mixed: EPS missed estimates by $0.01 ($1.68 vs. $1.69) while revenue beat consensus, and commentary emphasized higher expenses tied to growth investments investors must weigh near-term margin pressure against longer-term revenue guidance. Neutral Sentiment: Short interest fell sharply in February (down ~21.7% month-over-month to ~12.5M shares), which reduces one source of downside pressure but also means less potential short-covering-driven rallies ahead. (Source: short-interest report) Short interest fell sharply in February (down ~21.7% month-over-month to ~12.5M shares), which reduces one source of downside pressure but also means less potential short-covering-driven rallies ahead. (Source: short-interest report) Negative Sentiment: Multiple brokerages cut price targets over the last 2448 hours (examples: Citigroup to $53, Susquehanna to $55, Wolfe to $70, Keefe to $72, UBS to $73, TD Cowen to $78). Several cuts came despite retaining Buy/Outperform ratings, signaling reduced near-term expectations and likely contributing to selling pressure. Article Title Article Title Multiple brokerages cut price targets over the last 2448 hours (examples: Citigroup to $53, Susquehanna to $55, Wolfe to $70, Keefe to $72, UBS to $73, TD Cowen to $78). Several cuts came despite retaining Buy/Outperform ratings, signaling reduced near-term expectations and likely contributing to selling pressure. Negative Sentiment: Some coverage moved to Neutral or lowered upside expectations (Citigroup and Susquehanna trimmed targets and kept Neutral), increasing uncertainty for near-term performance. Article Title About Fidelity National Information Services (Get Free Report) Fidelity National Information Services (NYSE: FIS) is a global provider of financial technology solutions and services for banks, capital markets firms, merchants and corporations. The company develops and delivers software, processing, and outsourcing services that support core banking, payments and merchant acquiring, wealth and retirement platforms, risk and compliance, and trading and capital markets operations. Its offerings include cloud-based and on-premises core banking systems, card processing and gateway services, e-commerce and point-of-sale payment solutions, and a range of back-office and advisory services designed to automate and modernize financial operations. FIS serves a broad international client base across North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region through a combination of direct clients and partner channels. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Fidelity National Information Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fidelity National Information Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:FYGGY Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 236,223 shares, a growth of 1,809.5% from the January 29th total of 12,371 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 371,788 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.6 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 371,788 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.6 days. Fuyao Glass Industry Group Price Performance OTCMKTS:FYGGY traded down $0.04 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $2.11. The companys stock had a trading volume of 514 shares, compared to its average volume of 80,345. The firms fifty day moving average price is $2.15 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $2.22. Fuyao Glass Industry Group has a 12-month low of $1.50 and a 12-month high of $2.69. Get Fuyao Glass Industry Group alerts: Fuyao Glass Industry Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co, Ltd. is a leading China-based manufacturer of automotive and industrial glass products, operating as an over-the-counter traded company under the symbol FYGGY. Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Fuqing, Fujian Province, the company has grown from a domestic producer into a global supplier of safety and specialty glass solutions for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the aftermarket. The core products of Fuyao Glass include laminated and tempered automotive windshields, side and rear windows, sunroofs, and other specialty glazing components. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Fuyao Glass Industry Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fuyao Glass Industry Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Galp Energia SGPS SA (OTCMKTS:GLPEY Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $11.07 and last traded at $11.07, with a volume of 89655 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $10.76. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research analysts recently weighed in on GLPEY shares. Barclays upgraded shares of Galp Energia SGPS from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Citigroup cut Galp Energia SGPS from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. Berenberg Bank lowered Galp Energia SGPS from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Galp Energia SGPS from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group downgraded Galp Energia SGPS from a hold rating to a moderate sell rating in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Get Galp Energia SGPS alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on Galp Energia SGPS Galp Energia SGPS Trading Down 0.3% About Galp Energia SGPS The firm has a market cap of $16.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.97 and a beta of 0.06. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $9.48 and a 200-day simple moving average of $9.57. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. (Get Free Report) Galp Energia SGPS is an integrated energy company headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal, with core operations spanning upstream exploration and production, midstream refining, and downstream distribution and marketing. In its upstream segment, the company explores and produces oil and natural gas in regions such as Brazils pre-salt basins, African offshore blocks in Angola and Mozambique, and domestic wells in Portugal. Its midstream activities include refining crude oil at the Sines facility and operating a network of pipelines, while downstream operations involve the distribution and retail sale of petroleum products through the Galp-branded service station network across the Iberian Peninsula. In addition to its traditional oil and gas business, Galp has expanded into power generation and renewable energy. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Galp Energia SGPS Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Galp Energia SGPS and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Gerdau S.A. (NYSE:GGB Get Free Report) was the target of a large drop in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 4,754,991 shares, a drop of 81.9% from the January 29th total of 26,236,663 shares. Currently, 0.2% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 36,541,488 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Based on an average daily volume of 36,541,488 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Currently, 0.2% of the companys stock are sold short. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on GGB shares. Zacks Research raised shares of Gerdau from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. UBS Group reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $4.60 price target (up from $4.00) on shares of Gerdau in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Gerdau in a research note on Monday, December 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $4.60. Get Gerdau alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on Gerdau Gerdau Stock Performance NYSE:GGB traded up $0.09 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $4.16. The stock had a trading volume of 19,584,732 shares, compared to its average volume of 25,699,828. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.63, a PEG ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.46. Gerdau has a 1-year low of $2.27 and a 1-year high of $4.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 2.89 and a quick ratio of 1.47. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $4.08 and its 200-day simple moving average is $3.57. Gerdau (NYSE:GGB Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, February 23rd. The basic materials company reported $0.07 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.11 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $3.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.12 billion. Gerdau had a return on equity of 6.20% and a net margin of 1.93%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Gerdau will post 0.46 EPS for the current fiscal year. Gerdau Cuts Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 25th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.0194 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 12th. This represents a $0.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. Gerdaus dividend payout ratio is presently 166.67%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. grew its stake in shares of Gerdau by 314.9% in the third quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 262,341 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $813,000 after acquiring an additional 199,115 shares during the last quarter. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda acquired a new position in Gerdau during the 3rd quarter valued at $5,958,000. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. bought a new stake in Gerdau in the 2nd quarter valued at $17,440,000. GSA Capital Partners LLP bought a new stake in Gerdau in the 3rd quarter valued at $981,000. Finally, Optiver Holding B.V. grew its position in Gerdau by 47.6% in the 3rd quarter. Optiver Holding B.V. now owns 5,435,331 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $16,850,000 after purchasing an additional 1,752,282 shares during the last quarter. 1.49% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Gerdau Company Profile (Get Free Report) Gerdau SA is a Brazilian-based steel producer engaged in the manufacture and distribution of long steel products for the construction, industrial and agricultural sectors. Established in 1901, the company operates an integrated network of electric-arc furnaces and rolling mills, producing reinforcement bars, wire rod, merchant bars and structural shapes. Gerdaus product portfolio also includes specialty long steel, high-yield reinforcement, rail, beams and steel coils, as well as value-added processing services such as cutting, bending and coating. The company has expanded its footprint beyond Brazil, with significant operations in North America, South America and a presence in select European markets. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Gerdau Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Gerdau and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Beijing on Wednesday, with both sides agreeing to promote the continuous new development of the all-round strategic partnership, promote dialogue and cooperation, and uphold multilateralism and free trade. This is Merz's first trip to China since taking office. China and Germany are the world's second and third largest economies, and the bilateral relationship not only bears on the interests of both countries, but also has significant impact on Europe and the world. DEEPENING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP The international landscape is undergoing the most profound transformations since the end of World War II, Xi said, adding that the greater changes and turbulence the world faces, the more important it is for the two countries to enhance strategic communication, strengthen strategic mutual trust and work for new progress in China-Germany all-around strategic partnership. Xi said both countries should be reliable partners that support each other. China and Germany have pursued self-reliance and realized rapid development. Both have upheld mutual respect, mutual trust and open cooperation, and together written a success story of mutual benefit. China adheres to the path of peaceful development, and has the capacity and confidence to achieve Chinese modernization. China will continue to share development opportunities with Germany and the wider world, he said. Xi said it is hoped the German side can view China's growth in an objective and rational manner, pursue a positive and pragmatic policy toward China, and work with China for steady and sustained growth of the bilateral relationship. Merz said that the German side values its relations with China and firmly upholds the one-China policy. It stands ready to work with China to carry forward the traditional friendship, stay committed to mutual respect and open cooperation, and continue to deepen the all-around strategic partnership. Cui Hongjian, a professor at Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said it is believed that the meeting between Xi and Merz will contribute to the stable and sustainable development of China-Germany relations, and the development of the strategic relationship between the two countries will also carry significant weight in the development of China-Europe relations. EXPANDING WIN-WIN COOPERATION Noting that the two countries should be innovative partners that champion openness and win-win results, Xi said the German government put forward new development strategies in such areas as technology, innovation and digital development. They highly resonate with China's objective of pursuing intelligent, green and integrated development during the 15th Five-Year Plan. He said the two sides should foster greater synergy between development strategies, support the two-way flow of talent, knowledge and technology, and promote dialogue and cooperation on AI and other cutting-edge technologies. Both sides need to correctly grasp the interplay of competition and cooperation, explore cooperation pathways that lead to win-win results, and jointly keep industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded, Xi added. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on an official visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) Merz said the German business community attaches high importance to the Chinese market, and hopes to further deepen cooperation with China for mutual benefit and shared growth. On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Merz attended a symposium of the China-Germany economic advisory committee in Beijing, with both sides expressing the willingness to deepen cooperation in machinery, equipment, and chemical industries. Jin Ling, an expert at the China Institute of International Studies, said that practical cooperation between China and Germany can not only fully unlock the potential of the Chinese market and stimulate vitality within China's innovation sector, but also support the recovery and transformation of the German economy. ENHANCING MULTILATERAL COORDINATION Xi said China and Germany should uphold the central position of the UN, reaffirm its leading role, and take the lead in safeguarding multilateralism, practicing international rule of law, defending free trade, and advocating for solidarity and coordination. China supports Europe in seeking to increase autonomy and strength, and hopes the European side can work with China toward the same direction, adhere to the positioning of strategic partners, and uphold openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, so as to deliver greater growth in China-Europe relations, and make bigger contributions to world peace and development, he said. Chinese President Xi Jinping takes a walk with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on an official visit to China, after their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) Noting that Germany and China shoulder important responsibilities in jointly addressing global challenges, Merz said the German side looks forward to working with China to enhance coordination, and jointly adhere to free trade and reject protectionism, adding that Germany supports the EU and China in enhancing dialogue and cooperation. Feng Zhongping, director of the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that China and Germany share consensus on upholding the central role of the United Nations, and it is believed their close coordination and cooperation in international affairs will inject stability and certainty into a turbulent world. ABIDJAN, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Cote d'Ivoire is determined to make aquaculture a strategic lever for food sovereignty and sustainable growth, Minister of Animal and Fisheries Resources Sidi Tiemoko Toure has said. Fishery and aquaculture products constitute the main source of animal protein in Cote d'Ivoire, with annual consumption exceeding 20 kg per capita, the minister told Ivorian media Wednesday. He was attending the Paris International Agricultural Show, where the country is the guest of honor. "National production remains largely insufficient to meet demand estimated at 650,000 tons annually, compared to local supply of around 110,000 tons, resulting in a structural deficit of more than 80 percent," he said. The imbalance has led to heavy reliance on frozen fish imports, at nearly 400 billion CFA francs (about 721 million U.S. dollars) a year, Toure said. "This situation weakens food security and increases pressure on natural fishery resources." He said the government will take steps to reposition aquaculture at the heart of its blue economy strategy. "These actions focus on the sustainable valorization of maritime and lagoon resources, biodiversity preservation, the creation of green jobs, and reducing pressure on capture fisheries," Toure said. Official statistics show that Cote d'Ivoire has 550 km of coastline, 150,000 hectares of lagoons, 350,000 hectares of lakes, and four major rivers, offering favorable conditions for various systems such as ponds, floating cages, above-ground tanks, and dams. The country currently has 1,076 fish farms and six public hatcheries producing various species, including tilapia, catfish, red carp, mullet, Nile perch, as well as crustaceans and mollusks. Despite these assets, aquaculture production reached only 9,915 tons in 2024. "Given the domestic production deficit, the fisheries sector requires greater private sector engagement," Toure said. Shares of Glencore PLC (OTCMKTS:GLNCY Get Free Report) have been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the ten brokerages that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $9.30. A number of research analysts have weighed in on GLNCY shares. UBS Group raised shares of Glencore to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating on shares of Glencore in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Berenberg Bank upgraded Glencore from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Glencore in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Barclays reissued an overweight rating on shares of Glencore in a research report on Wednesday. Get Glencore alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Glencore Glencore Price Performance Glencore Company Profile OTCMKTS:GLNCY opened at $14.48 on Monday. Glencore has a twelve month low of $5.74 and a twelve month high of $14.67. The companys 50-day moving average price is $12.61 and its 200-day moving average price is $10.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 0.58. (Get Free Report) Glencore is a global natural resources company engaged in the production, processing and marketing of commodities. The business combines large-scale mining and metals operations with an extensive physical commodities trading and marketing platform. Its activities span the full commodity value chain, from extraction and smelting/refining to the commercial distribution of metals and energy products to industrial customers worldwide. Key product areas include base and precious metals (such as copper, zinc, nickel and related concentrates), bulk commodities and energy products (including thermal coal and oil) and associated valueadded materials and services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Glencore Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Glencore and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Europe Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:GSEU Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 719 shares, a decline of 74.6% from the January 29th total of 2,829 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 12,321 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Currently, 0.0% of the companys stock are short sold. Currently, 0.0% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 12,321 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Europe Equity ETF Stock Down 0.1% Shares of NYSEARCA:GSEU traded down $0.05 during trading on Thursday, hitting $49.27. The stock had a trading volume of 12,123 shares, compared to its average volume of 18,432. The company has a market capitalization of $128.10 million, a PE ratio of 15.76 and a beta of 0.91. The firms fifty day moving average is $47.16 and its 200 day moving average is $44.90. Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Europe Equity ETF has a 12 month low of $34.09 and a 12 month high of $50.08. Get Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Europe Equity ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Europe Equity ETF Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Founders Financial Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Europe Equity ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $209,000. Western Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Europe Equity ETF in the second quarter worth about $202,000. Legacy Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Europe Equity ETF during the third quarter valued at approximately $227,000. Citadel Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Europe Equity ETF during the third quarter valued at approximately $313,000. Finally, Wealthfront Advisers LLC grew its stake in shares of Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Europe Equity ETF by 69.1% in the 2nd quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLC now owns 13,456 shares of the companys stock worth $570,000 after buying an additional 5,497 shares during the last quarter. About Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Europe Equity ETF The Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Europe Equity ETF (GSEU) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks an index of developed Europe large- and mid-cap equities, with equal weights to each of four factor buckets and stocks within each bucket weighted by a factor score. GSEU was launched on Mar 2, 2016 and is managed by Goldman Sachs. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Europe Equity ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Europe Equity ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Great Hill Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of QXO, Inc. (NYSE:QXO Free Report) in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm acquired 272,676 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,197,000. QXO accounts for 0.8% of Great Hill Capital LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest holding. Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of QXO. Alpha Wave Global LP acquired a new stake in shares of QXO during the 2nd quarter worth about $525,366,000. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in QXO by 91.0% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 47,192,412 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,016,525,000 after acquiring an additional 22,484,977 shares during the period. Affinity Partners GP LP lifted its position in QXO by 99.1% during the second quarter. Affinity Partners GP LP now owns 32,671,542 shares of the companys stock worth $703,745,000 after acquiring an additional 16,260,163 shares during the last quarter. Schf GPE LLC boosted its holdings in shares of QXO by 204.3% during the second quarter. Schf GPE LLC now owns 13,319,457 shares of the companys stock worth $286,901,000 after acquiring an additional 8,943,089 shares during the period. Finally, Hood River Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of QXO in the second quarter valued at approximately $178,836,000. 58.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get QXO alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. Loop Capital started coverage on QXO in a report on Thursday, December 11th. They set a buy rating and a $31.00 price target for the company. Citigroup lowered their price objective on QXO from $33.00 to $31.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Truist Financial reduced their target price on shares of QXO from $28.00 to $26.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, December 19th. William Blair restated an outperform rating on shares of QXO in a research note on Wednesday, December 31st. Finally, Benchmark reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of QXO in a research report on Friday, February 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $32.43. QXO Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:QXO opened at $24.14 on Thursday. QXO, Inc. has a 1 year low of $11.95 and a 1 year high of $27.61. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -54.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 2.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 3.06 and a quick ratio of 2.24. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $23.53 and its 200 day simple moving average is $20.88. QXO (NYSE:QXO Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The company reported $0.02 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.03 by ($0.01). QXO had a positive return on equity of 3.70% and a negative net margin of 3.81%.The business had revenue of $2.19 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.19 billion. QXOs quarterly revenue was up 14725.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts predict that QXO, Inc. will post -0.13 EPS for the current fiscal year. About QXO (Free Report) QXO, Inc operates as a business application, technology, and consulting company in North America. The company provides solutions for accounting and business management, financial reporting, enterprise resource planning, human capital management, warehouse management systems, customer relationship management, and business intelligence. It also offers value-added services that focuses on consulting and professional, specialized programming, training, and technical support services. In addition, the company provides information technology managed services, such as cybersecurity, application hosting, disaster recovery, business continuity, cloud, and other services; and data back-up, network maintenance, and upgrade services. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding QXO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for QXO, Inc. (NYSE:QXO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for QXO Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for QXO and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Greencore Group (OTCMKTS:GNCGY Get Free Report)s stock price gapped up before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $13.30, but opened at $14.10. Greencore Group shares last traded at $14.10, with a volume of 136 shares traded. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, Berenberg Bank raised shares of Greencore Group to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, January 26th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Strong Buy. Get Greencore Group alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on GNCGY Greencore Group Stock Up 6.0% About Greencore Group The businesss 50-day moving average price is $13.04 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $13.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 0.68 and a quick ratio of 0.57. (Get Free Report) Greencore Group plc is a leading manufacturer of convenience foods, specializing in ready-to-eat sandwiches, salads, soups, and other chilled and frozen meal solutions. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, the company serves major grocery retailers, foodservice operators, and export markets across the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States. Its product portfolio spans breakfast items, on-the-go snacks, and meal components designed to meet evolving consumer demands for freshness, quality, and convenience. Established in 1991 following the privatization of state-owned food interests in Ireland, Greencore has grown through strategic acquisitions and organic expansion. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Greencore Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Greencore Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Headwater Capital Co Ltd bought a new position in Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 120,000 shares of the specialty retailers stock, valued at approximately $21,448,000. Alibaba Group makes up 5.2% of Headwater Capital Co Ltds holdings, making the stock its 6th largest position. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of BABA. Primecap Management Co. CA increased its holdings in shares of Alibaba Group by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA now owns 20,764,276 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $2,354,877,000 after buying an additional 140,579 shares during the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC grew its position in Alibaba Group by 8.0% in the second quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 5,267,441 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $597,381,000 after acquiring an additional 390,883 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Alibaba Group during the second quarter worth approximately $527,243,000. Discerene Group LP increased its stake in Alibaba Group by 0.6% during the second quarter. Discerene Group LP now owns 2,985,487 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $338,584,000 after acquiring an additional 18,400 shares during the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in Alibaba Group by 10.7% during the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 2,539,055 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $287,954,000 after purchasing an additional 245,970 shares during the period. 13.47% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Alibaba Group alerts: Alibaba Group Trading Down 0.5% NYSE:BABA opened at $152.31 on Thursday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $159.22 and a 200-day simple moving average of $157.18. Alibaba Group Holding Limited has a one year low of $95.73 and a one year high of $192.67. The firm has a market cap of $363.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.04, a P/E/G ratio of 3.35 and a beta of 0.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 1.46 and a current ratio of 1.46. Analysts Set New Price Targets Alibaba Group ( NYSE:BABA Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 25th. The specialty retailer reported $0.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.66 by ($0.05). The business had revenue of $34.80 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $41.80 billion. Alibaba Group had a net margin of 12.38% and a return on equity of 10.51%. Alibaba Groups revenue for the quarter was up 9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.15 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Alibaba Group Holding Limited will post 7.86 EPS for the current fiscal year. BABA has been the topic of several analyst reports. Erste Group Bank downgraded Alibaba Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 18th. Freedom Capital cut shares of Alibaba Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Alibaba Group from $218.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Rosenblatt Securities set a $195.00 price target on shares of Alibaba Group in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Finally, Nomura upped their target price on Alibaba Group from $193.00 to $237.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Seventeen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $195.17. View Our Latest Analysis on BABA About Alibaba Group (Free Report) Alibaba Group Holding Limited is a Chinese multinational conglomerate founded in 1999 in Hangzhou, China, by Jack Ma and a group of cofounders. The company built its business around internet-based commerce and related services and has grown into one of the largest e-commerce and technology companies in the world. Alibaba completed a highprofile initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in 2014. The company operates a portfolio of online marketplaces and platforms serving different customer segments: Alibaba.com for global and domestic B2B trade, Taobao for consumer-to-consumer shopping, and Tmall for brand and retailer storefronts targeted at Chinese consumers. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BABA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Alibaba Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alibaba Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Imricor Medical Systems (ASX:IMR) used its full-year FY2025 results call to frame the year as a transition from proven to ready, highlighting regulatory milestones in Europe, expanding clinical activity in both Europe and the U.S., and building commercial infrastructure ahead of broader rollouts. Management reiterated the companys focus on MRI-guided cardiac ablation, aiming to move procedures from traditional X-ray cath labs to MRI environments where physicians can see soft tissue and lesion formation during interventions. Get alerts: FY2025 milestones: regulatory progress and clinical firsts Chief Executive Officer Steve Wedan said FY2025 delivered progress across three dimensions: regulatory and clinical process, commercial readiness, and balance sheet strength. In Europe, Wedan said the company received CE mark approvals under the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) for its second-generation ablation catheter and capital equipment, as well as for NorthStar, which he described as the only 3D mapping and guidance system designed specifically for MRI. He called MDR perhaps the most challenging regulatory framework in the world today, positioning the approvals as a key validation for the platform. Wedan also emphasized a clinical milestone at Amsterdam University Medical Centers: the first-in-human ischemic ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation under real-time MRI guidance. He said the procedure included multiple first-in-human achievements and argued the case is a reference point for electrophysiology, particularly because outcomes and efficiency for VT remain very disappointing under conventional X-ray guidance. U.S. pathway: 510(k) clearances and trial site expansion Wedan said the company completed a large human factors study across its products, involving physician-led teams from roughly 20 U.S. hospitals, to support FDA approval efforts. He noted that NorthStar and the Vision-MR diagnostic catheter were submitted for 510(k) clearance and have since been cleared by the FDA in January. On the clinical side, Wedan said the company expanded its VISABL-AFL trial, which supports FDA approval of the ablation catheter and generator. The University of Virginia was added as a second U.S. site, followed by Virginia Commonwealth University and Oklahoma Heart Institute. He said the company was progressing toward first procedures at each site. During Q&A, Wedan said the VISABL-AFL trial target is 92 procedures. He explained the trial began with four sites (three in Europe and one in the U.S. at Johns Hopkins University) and that adding U.S. sites was intended to accelerate enrollment after disappointing enrollment rates in Europe. He also said protocol changes were made to allow more patients to qualify, describing the balancing act between regulatory trial requirements and common medical practice. Wedan added that increased U.S. enrollment would provide additional U.S. data for the FDA, reiterating managements expectation to have the entire platform approved in this calendar year. Commercial readiness: Europe pipeline growth, platform compatibility, Middle East setup Wedan said the company completed integration and testing of NorthStar on the Philips MRI platform, which he said unlocks Philips sites, and trained a European sales team hired in July. He said these efforts helped expand the European customer pipeline from 7 to 40 by year-end. In the Middle East, Wedan said construction began on two ICMR labs in Saudi Arabia and that the company supported an accredited ICMR summit in Riyadh attended by close to 100 doctors, alongside a key opinion leader from Amsterdam. In later remarks and Q&A, Wedan said platform compatibility matters because hospitals typically do not switch MRI vendors easily. He said Philips integration also supports Middle East expansion, which he described as pretty heavily weighted toward the Philips platform, and noted GE integration was progressing but not quite ready yet. He said the company expected flutter volumes to step up quite nicely through the rest of the calendar year, while also noting site activations require planning and budgeting and therefore take time. Financial results: lower revenue, higher investment, stronger cash position Chief Financial Officer Jon addressed financial performance, noting all figures were in U.S. dollars. Total revenue for FY2025 was $292,000, down from $959,000 in the prior year. Consumable revenue was $171,000, down 63% year over year. Jon attributed the decline to the prior year including an initial sale of consumables to a distribution partner in the Middle East and to continued enrollment of European sites in the VISABL-AFL trial, which he said included procedures that were not revenue-generating in the short term. Costs and non-R&D expenses increased by $2.8 million versus the prior year, reflecting renewed investment in the European sales team and commercial support functions ahead of revenue growth and preparation for a U.S. launch. R&D spending increased by $3 million, driven primarily by staffing to support multiple concurrent development programs and regulatory initiatives, including investments related to the VISABL-AFL trial and the VISABL-VT trial, which commenced enrollment during the year. Net loss was $25.3 million, a 15% improvement from the prior year, which Jon said was primarily due to a lower fair value change recognized in the current year. On an adjusted basis excluding fair value changes and foreign exchange gains, the underlying net loss was $20.99 million, up 33% compared to the prior years adjusted net loss of $15.75 million. Jon said the company ended the year with $40.8 million of cash and marketable securities. Operating cash outflow was approximately $19 million, up $3.5 million, which he attributed to increased investment in commercial development, clinical research, and regulatory affairs, as well as ongoing approval processes. He added that marketable securities consisted of short-term U.S. Treasury bills expected to convert to cash in the first half of 2026. NorthStar strategy, VT expansion, and near-term catalysts Management repeatedly highlighted NorthStar as a central commercialization driver. In Q&A, Wedan said the U.S. sales and marketing team was preparing a proper launch now that NorthStar is cleared, adding that inbound interest had already begun, particularly from pediatric hospitals. Asked about pricing, he said the company has established an approach that will be market-tested with early adopters, and described NorthStar as a platform capable of supporting multiple frameworks beyond electrophysiology, including diagnostic catheterization and structural heart applications. On VT, Wedan described MRI guidance as a way to reduce reliance on intracardiac echo and separate mapping catheters, potentially improving workflow and economics. He said the VISABL-VT trial is not expected to be linear, with additional time needed for site setup followed by faster execution. He told investors the company had targeted six high-volume VT sites with prominent key opinion leaders and that, after the first-in-human case in Amsterdam, three sites were active with three more identified. Wedan also outlined near-term milestones, including ongoing 510(k) progress, PMA module submissions (with modules one and two submitted and module three nearing submission), additional clinical milestones, new site activations, and Middle East first procedures and expansion. He also said the company continued R&D in pulsed field ablation with the intention of bringing that modality to the ICMR lab. About Imricor Medical Systems (ASX:IMR) Imricor Medical Systems, Inc, a medical device company, designs, manufactures, sells, and distributes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatible products for cardiac catheter ablation procedures in the United States. The company's principal product includes the Advantage-MR EP Recorder/Stimulator system, an EP recording system and cardiac stimulator. Its products also include Vision-MR Ablation Catheter, which is used as an indication for treating type I atrial flutter; and Vision-MR Dispersive Electrode that is used to minimize eddy currents induced on the conductive pads during MR scanning. See Also Figma, Inc. (NYSE:FIG Get Free Report) General Counsel Brendan Mulligan sold 5,227 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.00, for a total value of $135,902.00. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel owned 845,262 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $21,976,812. This represents a 0.61% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Brendan Mulligan also recently made the following trade(s): Get Figma alerts: On Tuesday, February 10th, Brendan Mulligan sold 5,227 shares of Figma stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.00, for a total transaction of $130,675.00. On Monday, February 2nd, Brendan Mulligan sold 7,671 shares of Figma stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.86, for a total transaction of $190,701.06. On Thursday, January 15th, Brendan Mulligan sold 5,666 shares of Figma stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.02, for a total transaction of $181,425.32. On Monday, January 5th, Brendan Mulligan sold 5,666 shares of Figma stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $37.25, for a total value of $211,058.50. On Friday, January 2nd, Brendan Mulligan sold 6,793 shares of Figma stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.21, for a total value of $252,767.53. On Monday, December 15th, Brendan Mulligan sold 4,392 shares of Figma stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.65, for a total value of $152,182.80. On Wednesday, December 3rd, Brendan Mulligan sold 4,392 shares of Figma stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.68, for a total value of $161,098.56. On Monday, December 1st, Brendan Mulligan sold 9,343 shares of Figma stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.45, for a total value of $331,209.35. Figma Price Performance NYSE:FIG opened at $31.36 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $13.83 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.05. The firms fifty day moving average price is $30.43 and its 200 day moving average price is $45.29. Figma, Inc. has a 1-year low of $19.85 and a 1-year high of $142.92. Institutional Trading of Figma Figma ( NYSE:FIG Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 18th. The company reported $0.08 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.20) by $0.28. The company had revenue of $303.78 million during the quarter. Figma had a negative net margin of 121.87% and a negative return on equity of 97.03%. The businesss revenue was up 40.1% on a year-over-year basis. Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Gladstone Capital Management LLP grew its holdings in shares of Figma by 2.9% during the 4th quarter. Gladstone Capital Management LLP now owns 17,081 shares of the companys stock worth $638,000 after purchasing an additional 481 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. acquired a new position in Figma during the third quarter valued at approximately $26,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Figma in the third quarter worth $26,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in shares of Figma in the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Figma by 3.8% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 15,212 shares of the companys stock valued at $568,000 after acquiring an additional 559 shares in the last quarter. Analyst Ratings Changes FIG has been the subject of a number of research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $35.00 price target on shares of Figma in a research report on Thursday, February 19th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their target price on Figma from $38.00 to $31.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 19th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on Figma from $40.00 to $30.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 19th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (e+) rating on shares of Figma in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Figma from $65.00 to $60.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $43.25. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on FIG Key Headlines Impacting Figma Here are the key news stories impacting Figma this week: Positive Sentiment: Large insider purchases: Director Andrew Phillips Reed disclosed purchases totaling ~1.47M shares (~$36M at reported prices) across Feb. 2023, a strong signal of insider confidence that likely attracted buyer interest. Read More. Large insider purchases: Director Andrew Phillips Reed disclosed purchases totaling ~1.47M shares (~$36M at reported prices) across Feb. 2023, a strong signal of insider confidence that likely attracted buyer interest. Read More. Positive Sentiment: ARK Invest buying: Cathie Woods ARK funds added roughly $11.8M of FIG, boosting momentum from growth-focused institutional demand. Read More. ARK Invest buying: Cathie Woods ARK funds added roughly $11.8M of FIG, boosting momentum from growth-focused institutional demand. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Recent quarterly beat: Figma posted an EPS beat and +40% revenue yearoveryear, reinforcing the growth narrative that supports higher multiple expectations for software names. Read More. Recent quarterly beat: Figma posted an EPS beat and +40% revenue yearoveryear, reinforcing the growth narrative that supports higher multiple expectations for software names. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: AI pricing ambiguity: Coverage of Figmas new AI pricing highlights a tradeoff it could lift monetization if adopted, or suppress usage if too restrictive; investors are parsing the details. Read More. AI pricing ambiguity: Coverage of Figmas new AI pricing highlights a tradeoff it could lift monetization if adopted, or suppress usage if too restrictive; investors are parsing the details. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Routine insider selling: Small disclosed sales by executives (e.g., General Counsel Brendan Mulligan) appear to be diversification rather than a change in company outlook and are immaterial relative to large director buys. Read More. Routine insider selling: Small disclosed sales by executives (e.g., General Counsel Brendan Mulligan) appear to be diversification rather than a change in company outlook and are immaterial relative to large director buys. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Short interest jump: Short interest rose ~47.5% in February to ~28.6M shares (~6.5% of shares), increasing bearish positioning that can amplify downside on negative news. (Days-to-cover 1.7.) Short interest jump: Short interest rose ~47.5% in February to ~28.6M shares (~6.5% of shares), increasing bearish positioning that can amplify downside on negative news. (Days-to-cover 1.7.) Negative Sentiment: Analyst target cuts & consensus Hold: Several firms trimmed price targets and the consensus remains a Hold with mid$40s average targets, which may cap nearterm upside for momentum traders. Read More. About Figma (Get Free Report) Figma is a San Franciscobased software company that offers a web-based platform for interface design, prototyping and collaboration. Its flagship product, Figma, enables teams to create and refine user interfaces, vector graphics and design systems directly in a browser, eliminating the need for local installations. The platforms real-time collaboration features allow multiple stakeholdersdesigners, developers and product managersto edit and comment simultaneously, streamlining workflows and reducing version control issues. In addition to its core design tool, Figma provides FigJam, a digital whiteboarding solution that facilitates brainstorming sessions, wireframing and diagramming. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Figma Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Figma and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Interchange Capital Partners LLC decreased its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (BATS:QUAL Free Report) by 12.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 22,389 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,042 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF makes up 0.9% of Interchange Capital Partners LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 22nd biggest holding. Interchange Capital Partners LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF were worth $4,355,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors LLC raised its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 13,080.9% in the second quarter. Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors LLC now owns 2,481,960 shares of the companys stock valued at $453,752,000 after acquiring an additional 2,463,130 shares in the last quarter. Soundwatch Capital LLC increased its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 72,284.9% in the 2nd quarter. Soundwatch Capital LLC now owns 2,437,924 shares of the companys stock valued at $445,701,000 after purchasing an additional 2,434,556 shares during the last quarter. Symphony Financial Ltd. Co. lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 4,818.8% during the 2nd quarter. Symphony Financial Ltd. Co. now owns 1,716,464 shares of the companys stock worth $313,849,000 after purchasing an additional 1,681,568 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF during the second quarter worth $305,974,000. Finally, Cerity Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 39.6% during the second quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 3,755,880 shares of the companys stock worth $686,910,000 after purchasing an additional 1,065,946 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF alerts: iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Price Performance iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF stock opened at $205.45 on Thursday. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF has a 1-year low of $148.34 and a 1-year high of $205.56. The stock has a market cap of $59.57 billion, a PE ratio of 25.59 and a beta of 1.05. The stocks fifty day moving average is $202.12 and its two-hundred day moving average is $196.56. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Company Profile 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Interchange Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 57.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,984 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 724 shares during the quarter. Interchange Capital Partners LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $1,514,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bridgewater Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 0.3% during the third quarter. Bridgewater Advisors Inc. now owns 3,955 shares of the companys stock worth $3,018,000 after buying an additional 11 shares during the period. Key Client Fiduciary Advisors LLC grew its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.2% in the third quarter. Key Client Fiduciary Advisors LLC now owns 1,136 shares of the companys stock valued at $867,000 after purchasing an additional 13 shares in the last quarter. Darwin Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 3.6% in the 3rd quarter. Darwin Wealth Management LLC now owns 373 shares of the companys stock valued at $285,000 after buying an additional 13 shares during the last quarter. Christensen King & Associates Investment Services Inc. lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. Christensen King & Associates Investment Services Inc. now owns 1,139 shares of the companys stock worth $869,000 after buying an additional 13 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 628 shares of the companys stock worth $479,000 after buying an additional 13 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Eli Lilly and Company Stock Down 1.1% LLY stock opened at $1,030.30 on Thursday. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $1,054.25 and its 200 day simple moving average is $924.46. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1-year low of $623.78 and a 1-year high of $1,133.95. The firm has a market capitalization of $971.95 billion, a PE ratio of 44.89, a PEG ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 0.39. The company has a current ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54. Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 4th. The company reported $7.54 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $7.48 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $19.29 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.85 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 31.66% and a return on equity of 102.94%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 42.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $5.32 earnings per share. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2026 guidance at 33.500-35.000 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be issued a dividend of $1.73 per share. This is a boost from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.50. This represents a $6.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 13th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is presently 30.15%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. National Bank Financial set a $1,286.00 target price on Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Monday, December 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,150.00 to $1,300.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $1,260.00 price target on Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Thursday, February 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,200.00 to $1,285.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, February 9th. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group boosted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,230.00 to $1,250.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have assigned a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $1,229.33. Get Our Latest Stock Report on LLY Key Eli Lilly and Company News Here are the key news stories impacting Eli Lilly and Company this week: Positive Sentiment: ACHIEVE3 headtohead Phase 3 data published in The Lancet show oral orforglipron (36 mg) produced larger A1C reductions and substantially greater weight loss versus oral semaglutide, and Lilly says it has filed orforglipron in 40+ countries with potential U.S. action for obesity in Q2 2026. Lilly press release on ACHIEVE-3 ACHIEVE3 headtohead Phase 3 data published in The Lancet show oral orforglipron (36 mg) produced larger A1C reductions and substantially greater weight loss versus oral semaglutide, and Lilly says it has filed orforglipron in 40+ countries with potential U.S. action for obesity in Q2 2026. Positive Sentiment: Royal Bank of Canada initiated coverage / upgraded Lilly to a moderate buy, reflecting bullish analyst conviction that new obesity and diabetes assets support upside. Street Insider Royal Bank of Canada initiated coverage / upgraded Lilly to a moderate buy, reflecting bullish analyst conviction that new obesity and diabetes assets support upside. Positive Sentiment: Truist reaffirmed a buy rating on LLY after the headtohead results, which can help underpin investor sentiment. MarketScreener Truist reaffirmed a buy rating on LLY after the headtohead results, which can help underpin investor sentiment. Neutral Sentiment: Reuters published additional trial details highlighting the safety/sideeffect profile from the orforglipron vs oral semaglutide diabetes study more safety detail lowers binary regulatory uncertainty but could raise monitoring in early commercialization. Reuters Reuters published additional trial details highlighting the safety/sideeffect profile from the orforglipron vs oral semaglutide diabetes study more safety detail lowers binary regulatory uncertainty but could raise monitoring in early commercialization. Neutral Sentiment: Bank of America tells investors Novos announced GLP1 listprice cuts are unlikely to meaningfully dent U.S. market dynamics for rivals like Lilly, which tempers downside risk from competitor pricing moves. Yahoo / BofA coverage Bank of America tells investors Novos announced GLP1 listprice cuts are unlikely to meaningfully dent U.S. market dynamics for rivals like Lilly, which tempers downside risk from competitor pricing moves. Negative Sentiment: Sector pressure from Novo Nordisks plan to cut U.S. list prices for Ozempic/Wegovy (reports of up to ~50% reductions) has already pressured GLP1 stocks; pricing moves raise the possibility of margin and competitive pricing pressure across the class. Yahoo: Novo halves US price 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. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:PICB Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 76,283 shares, a decline of 66.9% from the January 29th total of 230,313 shares. Currently, 0.7% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 220,177 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.3 days. Based on an average trading volume of 220,177 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.3 days. Currently, 0.7% of the companys stock are short sold. Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF Stock Performance Shares of PICB stock traded up $0.01 on Thursday, hitting $24.23. The stock had a trading volume of 95,595 shares, compared to its average volume of 148,872. The business has a 50 day moving average of $24.05 and a 200 day moving average of $23.84. Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF has a 12-month low of $21.84 and a 12-month high of $24.56. Get Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF alerts: Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 23rd will be given a $0.0625 dividend. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 23rd. Institutional Trading of Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF Company Profile Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF during the second quarter valued at about $208,000. Addison Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF in the second quarter worth approximately $203,000. Millington Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF by 21.1% during the second quarter. Millington Financial Advisors LLC now owns 28,710 shares of the companys stock valued at $688,000 after purchasing an additional 5,010 shares during the period. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans purchased a new stake in shares of Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF in the third quarter worth $1,414,000. Finally, VERITY Wealth Advisors purchased a new stake in shares of Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF during the second quarter worth about $418,000. (Get Free Report) PowerShares International Corporate Bond Portfolio (the Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of an index called the S&P International Corporate Bond Index (the Index). The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in the securities that comprise the Index. The Index measures the performance of investment grade corporate bonds issued by non-the United States issuers in the currencies: Australian Dollar, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Euro, Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc, Danish Krone, New Zealand Dollar, Norwegian Krone and Swedish Krona. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco International Corporate Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CONAKRY, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Seventy-nine percent of residents in Guinea are under 35 years old, according to preliminary results of the country's latest census. People under the age of 15 account for 43 percent of the total population of 17,521,167, while those aged 65 and above represent only 4.2 percent. The average age of Guineans is 22.2 years. The figures cover only residents living within the national territory and do not include Guineans living abroad, Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah told a briefing on Wednesday on the results of the 4th General Population and Housing Census. There are more women than men: 51.8 percent female and 48.2 percent male, according to data issued by the National Institute of Statistics. According to the census, the Kankan region is the most populous in Guinea, with more than 4 million inhabitants, followed by the capital, Conakry, with 3.5 million residents. The results also indicate an average population density of 71 inhabitants per square kilometer. The census shows that 61.3 percent of Guineans live in rural areas, compared with 38.7 percent in urban areas, underscoring the continued demographic weight of rural communities. The census results will help the government to better guide policies and plan investments in key sectors such as education, healthcare, road infrastructure, housing, and access to water and electricity. Koninklijke KPN NV (OTCMKTS:KKPNY Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Thursday . Approximately 2,520,035 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 299% from the previous sessions volume of 631,235 shares.The stock last traded at $5.47 and had previously closed at $5.58. Koninklijke KPN Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.82, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a current ratio of 0.72. The firms 50 day moving average is $4.93 and its 200 day moving average is $4.75. Get Koninklijke KPN alerts: 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Koninklijke KPN Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Koninklijke KPN and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MicroSectors FANG+ Index 2X Leveraged ETN (NYSEARCA:FNGO Get Free Report) saw a significant decline in short interest during the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 1 shares, a decline of 99.2% from the January 29th total of 125 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 14,723 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the company are sold short. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 14,723 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. MicroSectors FANG+ Index 2X Leveraged ETN Price Performance Shares of MicroSectors FANG+ Index 2X Leveraged ETN stock traded up $4.33 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $96.70. The company had a trading volume of 13,577 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,512. MicroSectors FANG+ Index 2X Leveraged ETN has a 1-year low of $48.67 and a 1-year high of $140.87. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $108.37 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $118.60. The stock has a market cap of $483.50 million, a PE ratio of 38.58 and a beta of 2.36. Get MicroSectors FANG+ Index 2X Leveraged ETN alerts: About MicroSectors FANG+ Index 2X Leveraged ETN (Get Free Report) Featured Articles The MicroSectors FANG+ Index 2X Leveraged ETNs (FNGO) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the NYSE FANG+ index. The fund provides 2x the daily price movements of an index of US-listed technology and consumer discretionary companies. The index is highly concentrated and equally weighted. FNGO was launched on Aug 6, 2018 and is issued by REX Microsectors. Receive News & Ratings for MicroSectors FANG+ Index 2X Leveraged ETN Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MicroSectors FANG+ Index 2X Leveraged ETN and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its position in Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER Free Report) by 6.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 4,082,029 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock after buying an additional 245,423 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. owned 0.20% of Uber Technologies worth $399,916,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in UBER. Citizens Business Bank increased its position in shares of Uber Technologies by 10.5% in the 3rd quarter. Citizens Business Bank now owns 84,038 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $8,233,000 after buying an additional 8,018 shares in the last quarter. GCQ FUNDS MANAGEMENT PTY Ltd grew its stake in Uber Technologies by 32.3% in the third quarter. GCQ FUNDS MANAGEMENT PTY Ltd now owns 1,324,841 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $129,795,000 after acquiring an additional 323,415 shares during the period. WIM INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Uber Technologies by 4.7% in the third quarter. WIM INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Ltd now owns 238,188 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock worth $23,335,000 after acquiring an additional 10,600 shares in the last quarter. AlphaCore Capital LLC raised its position in shares of Uber Technologies by 22.5% during the third quarter. AlphaCore Capital LLC now owns 19,069 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock worth $1,868,000 after purchasing an additional 3,506 shares during the period. Finally, Sumitomo Life Insurance Co. raised its position in shares of Uber Technologies by 18.4% during the third quarter. Sumitomo Life Insurance Co. now owns 157,639 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock worth $15,444,000 after purchasing an additional 24,479 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.24% of the companys stock. Get Uber Technologies alerts: Uber Technologies News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting Uber Technologies this week: Insider Buying and Selling at Uber Technologies Analysts Set New Price Targets In other news, insider Tony West sold 3,125 shares of Uber Technologies stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.50, for a total value of $260,937.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 176,584 shares of the companys stock, valued at $14,744,764. This trade represents a 1.74% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link . Also, CFO Balaji (A) Krishnamurthy acquired 22,453 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $71.25 per share, for a total transaction of $1,599,776.25. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief financial officer directly owned 28,742 shares in the company, valued at $2,047,867.50. The trade was a 357.02% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. 3.84% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Several equities analysts recently issued reports on UBER shares. BNP Paribas Exane started coverage on Uber Technologies in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. They issued an outperform rating and a $108.00 price objective for the company. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price target on shares of Uber Technologies from $113.00 to $106.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. UBS Group set a $111.00 price objective on shares of Uber Technologies in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. TD Cowen reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Uber Technologies in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Uber Technologies in a research note on Monday, December 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-three have issued a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Uber Technologies currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $104.53. Read Our Latest Report on Uber Technologies Uber Technologies Stock Performance UBER opened at $72.80 on Thursday. Uber Technologies, Inc. has a 52-week low of $60.63 and a 52-week high of $101.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $149.84 billion, a PE ratio of 15.46, a PEG ratio of 6.54 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.14. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $79.25 and its 200 day simple moving average is $88.11. Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The ride-sharing company reported $0.71 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.79 by ($0.08). Uber Technologies had a net margin of 19.33% and a return on equity of 43.63%. The company had revenue of $14.37 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.32 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $3.21 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 20.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Uber Technologies has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.650-0.720 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Uber Technologies, Inc. will post 2.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About Uber Technologies (Free Report) Uber Technologies, Inc is a technology company that operates a global platform connecting riders, drivers, couriers, restaurants and shippers. Founded in 2009 by Garrett Camp and Travis Kalanick and headquartered in San Francisco, Uber developed one of the first large-scale ride-hailing marketplaces and has since expanded into a broader set of mobility and logistics services. The company completed its initial public offering in 2019 and continues to position its app-based network as a multi-modal transportation and delivery platform. Ubers principal businesses include mobility services (ride-hailing and shared rides), delivery through Uber Eats, and freight logistics via Uber Freight. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Uber Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Uber Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Monarch Cement Co. (OTCMKTS:MCEM Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $270.60 and last traded at $270.60, with a volume of 210 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $262.99. Monarch Cement Stock Performance The stock has a market cap of $958.92 million, a P/E ratio of 17.12 and a beta of 0.46. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $241.53 and a 200-day moving average price of $231.90. About Monarch Cement (Get Free Report) The Monarch Cement Company engages in the manufacture and sale of portland cement in the United States. The company also provides masonry cement, ready-mixed concrete, concrete products, and sundry building materials. It primarily serves contractors, ready-mixed concrete plants, concrete products plants, building materials dealers, and governmental agencies. The company sells its products principally in the State of Kansas, the State of Iowa, southeast Nebraska, western Missouri, northwest Arkansas, and northern Oklahoma. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Monarch Cement Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Monarch Cement and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Westpac Banking Corp lowered its holdings in Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS Free Report) by 70.9% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 12,974 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 31,551 shares during the period. Westpac Banking Corps holdings in Morgan Stanley were worth $2,062,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Greykasell Wealth Strategies Inc. increased its position in shares of Morgan Stanley by 65.2% during the 3rd quarter. Greykasell Wealth Strategies Inc. now owns 185 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares in the last quarter. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new position in shares of Morgan Stanley in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Family Legacy Financial Solutions LLC increased its stake in shares of Morgan Stanley by 91.9% in the third quarter. Family Legacy Financial Solutions LLC now owns 213 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Compass Financial Services Inc acquired a new position in Morgan Stanley during the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, First PREMIER Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Morgan Stanley by 57.1% in the third quarter. First PREMIER Bank now owns 245 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 89 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 84.19% of the companys stock. Get Morgan Stanley alerts: Insider Activity In other Morgan Stanley news, insider Andrew M. Saperstein sold 30,330 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $183.62, for a total value of $5,569,194.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 280,481 shares in the company, valued at approximately $51,501,921.22. This represents a 9.76% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Charles A. Smith sold 8,500 shares of the firms 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 transaction, the insider owned 119,128 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $21,690,826.24. The trade was a 6.66% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 129,191 shares of company stock worth $23,736,506. Company insiders own 0.19% of the companys stock. Key Morgan Stanley News Morgan Stanley Stock Performance Here are the key news stories impacting Morgan Stanley this week: NYSE MS opened at $173.76 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.39, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.81. The firm has a market cap of $275.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.02, a PEG ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 1.20. Morgan Stanley has a 1 year low of $94.33 and a 1 year high of $192.68. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $179.96 and a 200-day moving average price of $166.84. Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 15th. The financial services provider reported $2.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.28 by $0.40. The business had revenue of $17.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $17.69 billion. Morgan Stanley had a net margin of 14.09% and a return on equity of 16.78%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 10.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.22 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Morgan Stanley will post 8.56 EPS for the current fiscal year. Morgan Stanley Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 30th were issued a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 30th. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.3%. Morgan Stanleys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 39.18%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Wolfe Research restated an outperform rating and set a $211.00 price objective on shares of Morgan Stanley in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $207.00 price objective on shares of Morgan Stanley in a research note on Friday, January 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Morgan Stanley in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. BNP Paribas Exane boosted their price target on Morgan Stanley from $170.00 to $195.00 in a research report on Friday, January 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Morgan Stanley from $157.00 to $162.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. 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 companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $185.93. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Morgan Stanley 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Morgan Stanley Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Morgan Stanley and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Get Free Report) fell 1.4% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $37.31 and last traded at $37.62. 34,895,691 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 29% from the average session volume of 27,036,773 shares. The stock had previously closed at $38.16. Key Headlines Impacting Novo Nordisk A/S Here are the key news stories impacting Novo Nordisk A/S this week: Get Novo Nordisk A/S alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have commented on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Tuesday. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Novo Nordisk A/S from an underperform rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. TD Cowen restated a buy rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Finally, CICC Research assumed coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Friday, January 9th. They issued an outperform rating and a $73.50 price target on the stock. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $56.07. Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Down 1.4% The stock has a market capitalization of $167.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.84 and a beta of 0.67. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $53.16 and a 200-day moving average price of $53.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.57. Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The company reported $1.01 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.11. Novo Nordisk A/S had a return on equity of 68.91% and a net margin of 33.03%.The company had revenue of $12.43 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.97 billion. As a group, research analysts expect that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.84 EPS for the current fiscal year. Novo Nordisk A/S Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 8th. Investors of record on Monday, March 30th will be issued a dividend of $1.2751 per share. This represents a yield of 541.0%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 30th. Novo Nordisk A/Ss dividend payout ratio is currently 23.63%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Novo Nordisk A/S Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co. grew its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 179.4% during the 2nd quarter. Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co. now owns 43,450 shares of the companys stock worth $2,999,000 after buying an additional 27,900 shares in the last quarter. Martin Capital Partners LLC lifted its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 53.8% in the third quarter. Martin Capital Partners LLC now owns 117,577 shares of the companys stock worth $6,524,000 after acquiring an additional 41,129 shares during the period. Markel Group Inc. grew its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S by 4.9% during 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 in the last quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisors L.P. bought a new position in Novo Nordisk A/S during the 3rd quarter worth about $1,294,000. Finally, WCM Investment Management LLC increased 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 valued at $151,636,000 after purchasing an additional 97,477 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 11.54% of the companys stock. Novo Nordisk A/S Company Profile (Get 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Optiver Holding B.V. purchased a new stake in Ultrapar Participacoes S.A. (NYSE:UGP Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 378,598 shares of the oil and gas companys stock, valued at approximately $1,552,000. Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Ultrapar Participacoes by 10.9% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 70,838 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $218,000 after purchasing an additional 6,947 shares during the period. Ethic Inc. boosted its stake in Ultrapar Participacoes by 42.7% during the second quarter. Ethic Inc. now owns 32,797 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $102,000 after buying an additional 9,815 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its holdings in Ultrapar Participacoes by 33.6% in the 2nd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 71,263 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $234,000 after buying an additional 17,912 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC raised its stake in shares of Ultrapar Participacoes by 119.4% in the 2nd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 285,874 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $938,000 after buying an additional 155,591 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Creative Planning lifted its holdings in shares of Ultrapar Participacoes by 44.2% during the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 250,101 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $820,000 after acquiring an additional 76,658 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 3.58% of the companys stock. Get Ultrapar Participacoes alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Ultrapar Participacoes from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded Ultrapar Participacoes from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $5.40 price objective on the stock. in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Ultrapar Participacoes currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $5.40. Ultrapar Participacoes Trading Down 2.9% Shares of UGP stock opened at $5.21 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $5.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.07, a P/E/G ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 0.84. Ultrapar Participacoes S.A. has a 12-month low of $2.64 and a 12-month high of $5.42. The company has a quick ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 1.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $4.45 and a 200 day moving average price of $4.06. Ultrapar Participacoes Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a special dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 12th were issued a $0.1876 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 12th. Ultrapar Participacoess payout ratio is presently 59.57%. About Ultrapar Participacoes (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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Ultrapar Participacoes Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ultrapar Participacoes and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. OUTFRONT Media Inc. (NYSE:OUT Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, February 25th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 6th will be given a dividend of 0.30 per share by the financial services provider on Tuesday, March 31st. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 6th. OUTFRONT Media has raised its dividend payment by an average of 0.0%per year over the last three years. OUTFRONT Media has a dividend payout ratio of 141.2% indicating that the company cannot currently cover its dividend with earnings alone and is relying on its balance sheet to cover its dividend payments. Research analysts expect OUTFRONT Media to earn $1.72 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.20 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 69.8%. Get OUTFRONT Media alerts: OUTFRONT Media Price Performance Shares of OUTFRONT Media stock traded up $1.23 during trading on Thursday, hitting $28.09. 682,252 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,297,046. The stock has a market cap of $4.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.31, a PEG ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 1.56. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.75. OUTFRONT Media has a 52 week low of $12.95 and a 52 week high of $28.37. The firms fifty day moving average is $24.89 and its 200-day moving average is $21.47. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In OUT has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of OUTFRONT Media from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 15th. Barrington Research reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $21.00 target price on shares of OUTFRONT Media in a report on Friday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $27.00 target price (up from $23.00) on shares of OUTFRONT Media in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. New Street Research set a $24.00 price target on shares of OUTFRONT Media in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised OUTFRONT Media from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and raised their price objective for the company from $19.00 to $25.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and six have issued a Buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $24.57. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on OUT 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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for OUTFRONT Media Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for OUTFRONT Media and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Partners Group Holding AG (OTCMKTS:PGPHF Get Free Report)s stock price fell 9.6% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $1,100.00 and last traded at $1,109.95. 89 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 15% from the average session volume of 105 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1,228.36. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of Partners Group in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy. Get Partners Group alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on Partners Group Partners Group Price Performance About Partners Group The company has a fifty day moving average of $1,266.80 and a two-hundred day moving average of $1,272.70. The stock has a market capitalization of $28.75 billion and a P/E ratio of 89.62. (Get Free Report) Partners Group Holding AG (OTCMKTS: PGPHF) is a global private markets investment manager that specializes in private equity, private debt, private real estate and private infrastructure. The firm develops tailored investment solutions for institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, family offices and high-net-worth individuals. Its services include direct investments, primary fund commitments and secondary market transactions, as well as customized portfolio and advisory offerings. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Baar, Switzerland, Partners Group completed its initial public offering on the SIX Swiss Exchange in 2006. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Partners Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Partners Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE:QSR Get Free Report) (TSE:QSR) insider Peter Perdue sold 3,882 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.51, for a total value of $262,073.82. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 42,906 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,896,584.06. This represents a 8.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Peter Perdue also recently made the following trade(s): Get Restaurant Brands International alerts: On Wednesday, January 7th, Peter Perdue sold 396 shares of Restaurant Brands International stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.44, for a total value of $26,706.24. On Monday, December 15th, Peter Perdue sold 907 shares of Restaurant Brands International stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.87, for a total value of $64,279.09. On Monday, December 15th, Peter Perdue sold 907 shares of Restaurant Brands International stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.87, for a total value of $64,279.09. Restaurant Brands International Stock Performance NYSE QSR opened at $67.63 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $23.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.66, a PEG ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $68.56 and a 200 day simple moving average of $67.46. The company has a current ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.62. Restaurant Brands International Inc. has a 12-month low of $58.71 and a 12-month high of $73.70. Restaurant Brands International Increases Dividend Restaurant Brands International ( NYSE:QSR Get Free Report ) (TSE:QSR) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 12th. The restaurant operator reported $0.96 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.93 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $2.47 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.41 billion. Restaurant Brands International had a net margin of 8.23% and a return on equity of 32.51%. The businesss revenue was up 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.81 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Restaurant Brands International Inc. will post 3.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 19th will be paid a dividend of $0.65 per share. This is an increase from Restaurant Brands Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $0.62. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 19th. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.8%. Restaurant Brands Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 105.08%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Restaurant Brands International Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. AQR Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Restaurant Brands International in the first quarter worth about $237,000. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. grew its position in shares of Restaurant Brands International by 20.9% during the 2nd quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 57,318 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $3,800,000 after acquiring an additional 9,903 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Restaurant Brands International by 6.8% during the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 485,946 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $32,213,000 after purchasing an additional 30,741 shares during the last quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors raised its holdings in shares of Restaurant Brands International by 12.1% in the 2nd quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 34,135 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $2,263,000 after purchasing an additional 3,674 shares during the period. Finally, Assetmark Inc. lifted its stake in Restaurant Brands International by 3.7% in the second quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 29,470 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,954,000 after purchasing an additional 1,059 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 82.29% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Restaurant Brands International in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Citigroup dropped their price objective on Restaurant Brands International from $74.00 to $72.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Scotiabank reduced their target price on shares of Restaurant Brands International from $74.00 to $71.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their target price on shares of Restaurant Brands International from $82.00 to $80.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 13th. Finally, Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on shares of Restaurant Brands International from $68.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Restaurant Brands International presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $76.65. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on QSR More Restaurant Brands International News Here are the key news stories impacting Restaurant Brands International this week: Positive Sentiment: Dividend hike RBI raised its quarterly dividend from $0.62 to $0.65 (annualized $2.60, ~3.8% yield), which can attract income-focused buyers and provide some downside support for the stock. 3 Big Dividend Stocks Just Raised PayoutsHeres Whos Leading in 2026 (QSR) Dividend hike RBI raised its quarterly dividend from $0.62 to $0.65 (annualized $2.60, ~3.8% yield), which can attract income-focused buyers and provide some downside support for the stock. Positive Sentiment: Investor event scheduled Management is hosting an investor presentation and Q&A on Feb. 26, which may spur intraday buying if guidance, growth initiatives or capital-allocation plans are perceived positively. Restaurant Brands International is Hosting an Investor Event on February 26, 2026 Investor event scheduled Management is hosting an investor presentation and Q&A on Feb. 26, which may spur intraday buying if guidance, growth initiatives or capital-allocation plans are perceived positively. Neutral Sentiment: Analyst revision JPMorgan trimmed its price target from $77 to $72 but kept an overweight rating. That reduces near-term upside expectations slightly but retains institutional support. Analyst Rating/Price Target Note Analyst revision JPMorgan trimmed its price target from $77 to $72 but kept an overweight rating. That reduces near-term upside expectations slightly but retains institutional support. Negative Sentiment: Heavy insider selling Multiple executives (including Axel Schwan, CFO Sami Siddiqui and several others) reported sizable sales on Feb. 23 (individual disposals from ~3.9k to ~34.9k shares; CFOs stake down ~28.7%). Large, clustered insider sales are being viewed negatively by the market and likely contributed to the stock weakening today. SEC Filing (example insider sale) Restaurant Brands International Company Profile (Get Free Report) Restaurant Brands International Inc (NYSE: QSR) is a global quick-service restaurant company formed through the combination of established brands. The companys principal holdings include Burger King, Tim Hortons and Popeyes, each of which operates under its own brand identity and menu. Restaurant Brands Internationals business is centered on developing and expanding these franchised restaurant systems, supporting franchisees with brand management, supply chain coordination, and marketing programs. RBIs restaurants offer a range of quick-service food and beverage products: Burger King is known for its flame-grilled hamburgers and sandwiches, Tim Hortons for coffee, baked goods and breakfast items, and Popeyes for Louisiana-style fried chicken and seafood. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Restaurant Brands International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Restaurant Brands International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ISLAMABAD, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan launched airstrikes on Taliban facilities in Afghanistan, destroying key targets including an ammunition depot in Nangarhar province, a security source told Xinhua on Friday morning. According to the source, Pakistan conducted the airstrikes as part of the Operation Ghazab Lil Haq (Wrath of Justice), which was launched after Afghan Taliban started attacks on Pakistani posts at the border on Thursday evening. "One major ammunition depot, three Afghan battalions, and a sector headquarters were completely destroyed," said the source, adding that more than 36 tanks, artillery guns, and armored personnel carriers were also destroyed. Mosharraf Zaidi, the prime minister's spokesperson, said in a statement that 72 Afghan militants were killed, more than 120 were injured, 16 posts were destroyed, and seven Afghan posts were captured in retaliatory attacks by Pakistani forces. Earlier, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said in a statement that at least two Pakistani soldiers were killed and three others injured after Afghan Taliban opened fire on Pakistani posts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The minister said that security forces had launched an immediate and effective response and the country would take all necessary measures to ensure its territorial integrity and safeguard the safety and security of its citizens. Local sources told Xinhua that at least one woman was killed and five others were injured after mortar shells fired from the Afghanistan side fell in the residential area in the Lagharai area of the Bajaur district in the country's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Fox Run Management L.L.C. increased its position in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 209.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 7,907 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 5,348 shares during the quarter. Fox Run Management L.L.C.s holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $1,283,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Second Line Capital LLC boosted its position in Philip Morris International by 4.8% in the 2nd quarter. Second Line Capital LLC now owns 1,338 shares of the companys stock valued at $245,000 after buying an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. Meridian Wealth Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.1% in the second quarter. Meridian Wealth Partners LLC now owns 2,060 shares of the companys stock worth $375,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Bernardo Wealth Planning LLC lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 1.8% in the second quarter. Bernardo Wealth Planning LLC now owns 3,584 shares of the companys stock worth $653,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Raiffeisen Bank International AG boosted its holdings in Philip Morris International by 1.4% in the second quarter. Raiffeisen Bank International AG now owns 4,471 shares of the companys stock valued at $803,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nia Impact Advisors LLC grew its stake in Philip Morris International by 4.2% during the 2nd quarter. Nia Impact Advisors LLC now owns 1,577 shares of the companys stock valued at $287,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.63% of the companys stock. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Philip Morris International Price Performance Philip Morris International stock opened at $190.27 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $296.19 billion, a PE ratio of 26.17, a P/E/G ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 0.39. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $172.51 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $163.50. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 12 month low of $142.11 and a 12 month high of $191.30. Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Friday, February 6th. The company reported $1.70 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.70. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 12.09% and a negative return on equity of 130.95%. The company had revenue of $10.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.40 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.55 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 6.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Philip Morris International has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 1.800-1.850 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 8.380-8.530 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 26th were issued a $1.47 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 26th. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.1%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 80.88%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have issued reports on PM. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and issued a $205.00 price target on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Monday, February 9th. UBS Group reiterated a neutral rating and set a $181.50 price objective on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $200.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $190.00 to $185.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Philip Morris International currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $196.83. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Philip Morris International Philip Morris International Company Profile (Free Report) 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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF (NYSEARCA:BILZ Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 5,610 shares, a growth of 471.9% from the January 29th total of 981 shares. Currently, 0.1% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 343,750 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days. Based on an average trading volume of 343,750 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days. Currently, 0.1% of the shares of the company are sold short. PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF Price Performance Shares of NYSEARCA:BILZ remained flat at $100.96 during trading on Wednesday. The stock had a trading volume of 200,798 shares, compared to its average volume of 302,962. PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF has a 1 year low of $100.72 and a 1 year high of $101.27. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $100.90 and its 200-day moving average price is $100.95. Get PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF alerts: PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 4th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 2nd were paid a dividend of $0.32 per share. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 2nd. Institutional Investors Weigh In On PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF Company Profile Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BILZ. AE Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF by 55.0% during the second quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,365,151 shares of the companys stock worth $138,153,000 after acquiring an additional 484,230 shares during the period. Allianz Asset Management GmbH boosted its holdings in PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF by 48.5% during the third quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 803,924 shares of the companys stock worth $81,349,000 after buying an additional 262,404 shares in the last quarter. Walled Lake Planning & Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF in the second quarter valued at $23,114,000. Captrust Financial Advisors raised its position in shares of PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF by 45.2% in the third quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 637,108 shares of the companys stock worth $64,469,000 after acquiring an additional 198,265 shares during the period. Finally, Summit Financial Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF by 238.6% during the 3rd quarter. Summit Financial Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 209,388 shares of the companys stock valued at $21,108,000 after acquiring an additional 147,542 shares during the period. (Get Free Report) The PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active Exchange-Traded Fund (BILZ) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund is an actively managed fund that invests in treasury bills and notes, repurchase agreements, and cash collateralized by the US government. Securities selected have a maximum maturity of six months. BILZ was launched on Jun 21, 2023 and is managed by PIMCO. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Primecap Management Co. CA boosted its holdings in US Foods Holding Corp. (NYSE:USFD Free Report) by 5.9% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 3,793,209 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 212,499 shares during the period. Primecap Management Co. CAs holdings in US Foods were worth $290,636,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its stake in US Foods by 2.7% in the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 6,134,905 shares of the companys stock valued at $472,449,000 after purchasing an additional 161,749 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of US Foods by 1.3% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,986,397 shares of the companys stock worth $307,044,000 after buying an additional 52,361 shares during the last quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership grew its holdings in shares of US Foods by 12.4% during the second quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership now owns 3,207,416 shares of the companys stock worth $247,003,000 after buying an additional 354,747 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in US Foods by 14.7% in the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,910,755 shares of the companys stock valued at $224,157,000 after acquiring an additional 373,321 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new stake in US Foods during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $184,413,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.76% of the companys stock. Get US Foods alerts: US Foods Price Performance Shares of NYSE USFD opened at $95.88 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a current ratio of 1.16. US Foods Holding Corp. has a one year low of $57.36 and a one year high of $102.13. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.61, a PEG ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.02. The companys fifty day moving average is $84.41 and its two-hundred day moving average is $78.98. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In US Foods ( NYSE:USFD Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 12th. The company reported $1.04 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.01 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $9.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.90 billion. US Foods had a return on equity of 18.74% and a net margin of 1.71%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 3.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.84 EPS. US Foods has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.696-4.935 EPS. Analysts forecast that US Foods Holding Corp. will post 3.59 EPS for the current fiscal year. USFD has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of US Foods in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen downgraded US Foods from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, February 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $111.00 price objective on shares of US Foods and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Guggenheim upped their price objective on shares of US Foods from $95.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of US Foods from $95.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, US Foods currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $107.33. View Our Latest Research Report on US Foods Insider Buying and Selling In other US Foods news, insider James David Works, Jr. sold 65,737 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.52, for a total transaction of $6,344,935.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 88,176 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,510,747.52. This trade represents a 42.71% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.60% of the companys stock. US Foods Profile (Free Report) US Foods (NYSE: USFD) is a leading foodservice distributor in the United States that supplies a wide range of products and services to professional food operators. The company provides fresh, frozen and dry food items as well as non-food restaurant supplies and kitchen equipment. Its customer base includes independent restaurants, multi-unit chains, healthcare and senior living facilities, hospitality businesses, government and educational institutions, and other foodservice operators. Beyond commodity and branded food products, US Foods offers value-added solutions designed to help customers run their businesses. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding USFD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for US Foods Holding Corp. (NYSE:USFD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for US Foods Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for US Foods and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Primecap Management Co. CA decreased its stake in Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE:WHR Free Report) by 6.2% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 4,309,878 shares of the companys stock after selling 285,134 shares during the period. Primecap Management Co. CA owned 0.08% of Whirlpool worth $338,756,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in Whirlpool by 2.8% in the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,299,425 shares of the companys stock valued at $233,208,000 after acquiring an additional 63,448 shares in the last quarter. Newport Trust Company LLC grew its stake in shares of Whirlpool by 5.5% during the third quarter. Newport Trust Company LLC now owns 2,169,688 shares of the companys stock valued at $170,537,000 after purchasing an additional 112,579 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Whirlpool by 4.7% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,221,838 shares of the companys stock valued at $124,189,000 after purchasing an additional 54,584 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in Whirlpool in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $71,595,000. Finally, Curi Capital LLC bought a new position in Whirlpool in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $57,699,000. 90.78% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Whirlpool alerts: Whirlpool Trading Down 1.3% NYSE:WHR opened at $70.77 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06. Whirlpool Corporation has a 1-year low of $65.35 and a 1-year high of $111.96. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.52, a PEG ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 1.25. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $81.45 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $80.36. Whirlpool Announces Dividend Whirlpool ( NYSE:WHR Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The company reported $1.10 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.54 by ($0.44). The company had revenue of $4.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.27 billion. Whirlpool had a net margin of 2.04% and a return on equity of 12.98%. The businesss revenue was down 1.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $4.57 earnings per share. Whirlpool has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.000-7.000 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Whirlpool Corporation will post 9.52 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be issued a $0.90 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.1%. Whirlpools dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 63.72%. Whirlpool News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting Whirlpool this week: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth WHR has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an underperform rating on shares of Whirlpool in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Zacks Research cut Whirlpool from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, February 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on Whirlpool from $78.00 to $76.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on Whirlpool from $82.00 to $75.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of Whirlpool from a sell (d) rating to a hold (c-) rating in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Whirlpool presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $85.43. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Whirlpool Whirlpool Company Profile (Free Report) Whirlpool Corporation is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of home appliances, with a product portfolio that spans major categories such as laundry, refrigeration, cooking, dishwashing and small electrics. Headquartered in Benton Harbor, Michigan, the company designs, produces and distributes its appliances through a network of wholly owned manufacturing facilities, joint ventures and third-party partners. Whirlpool serves both retail and professional markets, offering products under its flagship Whirlpool brand as well as several well-known names including Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir, Amana, Brastemp and Consul. In its laundry segment, Whirlpool provides top- and front-load washing machines, dryers and combination units designed to balance energy efficiency, capacity and convenience. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WHR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE:WHR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Whirlpool Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Whirlpool and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Primecap Management Co. CA purchased a new position in shares of Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 6,362,826 shares of the oil and gas companys stock, valued at approximately $988,083,000. Primecap Management Co. CA owned about 0.37% of Chevron as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position 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 valued at $28,540,753,000 after acquiring an additional 27,961,463 shares in the last quarter. Berkshire Hathaway Inc raised its stake in Chevron by 2.9% in the 2nd quarter. Berkshire Hathaway Inc now owns 122,064,792 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $17,478,458,000 after purchasing an additional 3,454,258 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in 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 valued at $4,979,255,000 after purchasing an additional 1,342,723 shares in the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Chevron by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 20,826,805 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $2,982,190,000 after purchasing an additional 378,936 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in Chevron by 27.9% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 19,627,146 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $3,047,900,000 after purchasing an additional 4,279,918 shares during the last quarter. 72.42% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Chevron alerts: Chevron Stock Down 0.6% Shares of NYSE CVX opened at $184.23 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $370.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.66, a P/E/G ratio of 12.26 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 0.86. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $168.02 and a 200-day simple moving average of $159.17. Chevron Corporation has a 1 year low of $132.04 and a 1 year high of $187.90. Chevron Increases Dividend Chevron ( NYSE:CVX Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The oil and gas company reported $1.52 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.44 by $0.08. Chevron had a return on equity of 8.23% and a net margin of 6.51%.The company had revenue of $45.79 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $48.18 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.06 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Chevron Corporation will post 10.79 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be given a $1.78 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 17th. This is an increase from Chevrons previous quarterly dividend of $1.71. This represents a $7.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.9%. Chevrons dividend payout ratio is currently 106.91%. Analysts Set New Price Targets CVX has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Argus set a $203.00 target price on shares of Chevron in a research report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Chevron from $185.00 to $179.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 5th. Scotiabank restated a sector perform rating and set a $168.00 target price on shares of Chevron in a report on Friday, January 16th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Chevron from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, January 31st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Chevron from $196.00 to $204.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $176.36. Read Our Latest Research Report on CVX Insider Activity at Chevron In related news, CFO Eimear P. Bonner sold 32,100 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $175.01, for a total transaction of $5,617,821.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 4,366 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $764,093.66. This trade represents a 88.03% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Vice Chairman Mark A. Nelson sold 45,800 shares of Chevron stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $174.17, for a total transaction of $7,976,986.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 7,161 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,247,231.37. This trade represents a 86.48% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 534,898 shares of company stock valued at $89,543,711 over the last quarter. 0.21% of the stock is owned by insiders. Key Chevron News Here are the key news stories impacting Chevron this week: About Chevron (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. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CVX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Chevron Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chevron and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A number of research firms have changed their ratings and price targets for Corning (NYSE: GLW): 2/25/2026 Corning had its price target raised by Citigroup Inc. from $120.00 to $170.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock. 2/23/2026 Corning had its price target raised by Morgan Stanley from $103.00 to $127.00. They now have an equal weight rating on the stock. 2/23/2026 Corning was given a new $145.00 price target by Mizuho. 2/20/2026 Corning had its price target raised by UBS Group AG from $125.00 to $160.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock. 2/17/2026 Corning was upgraded by Weiss Ratings from hold (c+) to buy (b-). 2/13/2026 Corning had its buy rating reaffirmed by HSBC Holdings plc. They now have a $135.00 price target on the stock. 1/30/2026 Corning had its buy rating reaffirmed by UBS Group AG. They now have a $125.00 price target on the stock. 1/29/2026 Corning had its price target raised by Morgan Stanley from $98.00 to $103.00. They now have an equal weight rating on the stock. 1/29/2026 Corning was given a new $120.00 price target by Oppenheimer Holdings, Inc.. 1/29/2026 Corning was downgraded by Fox Advisors from overweight to equal weight. 1/29/2026 Corning had its outperform rating reaffirmed by Oppenheimer Holdings, Inc.. 1/29/2026 Corning had its price target raised by Mizuho from $97.00 to $120.00. They now have an outperform rating on the stock. 1/29/2026 Corning was given a new $100.00 price target by Barclays PLC. 1/29/2026 Corning had its price target raised by Citigroup Inc. from $102.00 to $120.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock. 1/29/2026 Corning had its price target raised by Susquehanna from $100.00 to $125.00. They now have a positive rating on the stock. 1/28/2026 Corning had its price target raised by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $100.00 to $115.00. They now have an overweight rating on the stock. 1/27/2026 Corning was downgraded by Weiss Ratings from buy (b-) to hold (c+). 1/27/2026 Corning was given a new $130.00 price target by Wolfe Research. They now have an outperform rating on the stock. 1/23/2026 Corning was upgraded by Wall Street Zen from hold to buy. 1/12/2026 Corning had its price target raised by Citigroup Inc. from $99.00 to $102.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock. 12/29/2025 Corning had its buy (b-) rating reaffirmed by Weiss Ratings. Corning Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be paid a dividend of $0.28 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 27th. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. Cornings payout ratio is currently 60.87%. Get Corning Incorporated alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Corning In other news, EVP Lewis A. Steverson sold 15,366 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.22, for a total value of $2,000,960.52. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 3,461 shares in the company, valued at $450,691.42. This trade represents a 81.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, SVP Li Fang sold 9,797 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.51, for a total value of $1,112,057.47. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 95,687 shares of company stock valued at $11,249,008. Corporate insiders own 0.40% of the companys stock. Corning Incorporated is a global manufacturer specializing in specialty glass, ceramics and related materials and technologies. Headquartered in Corning, New York, the company supplies engineered materials and components used across multiple industries, including consumer electronics, telecommunications, automotive emissions control, pharmaceutical and life sciences, and industrial and scientific applications. Corning emphasizes materials science and precision manufacturing to develop durable, high-performance glass and ceramic products. Key product lines include specialty display glass used by television and mobile-device manufacturers, cover glass marketed under well-known trade names for smartphones and tablets, and optical fiber and cable and related hardware for telecommunications networks. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Corning Incorporated Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Corning Incorporated and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Robert Half Inc. (NYSE:RHI Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week low during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $23.82 and last traded at $23.8560, with a volume of 3831573 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $25.77. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have commented on RHI shares. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d) rating on shares of Robert Half in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Zacks Research upgraded Robert Half from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Robert Half from $29.00 to $31.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, January 30th. BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on shares of Robert Half from $35.00 to $32.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Finally, Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of Robert Half from $35.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $33.13. Get Robert Half alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on RHI Robert Half Price Performance The firm has a market cap of $2.44 billion, a PE ratio of 17.94 and a beta of 0.88. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $27.89 and a 200 day moving average price of $30.24. Robert Half (NYSE:RHI Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The business services provider reported $0.32 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.30 by $0.02. Robert Half had a net margin of 2.47% and a return on equity of 10.26%. The business had revenue of $1.30 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.29 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.53 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 5.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Robert Half Inc. will post 2.48 earnings per share for the current year. Robert Half Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 13th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 25th will be given a $0.59 dividend. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 25th. Robert Halfs dividend payout ratio is presently 177.44%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Robert Half Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Robert Half by 24.8% during the third quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 7,738,454 shares of the business services providers stock worth $262,953,000 after acquiring an additional 1,537,245 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors boosted its position in shares of Robert Half by 0.3% during the third quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 5,971,698 shares of the business services providers stock worth $202,918,000 after buying an additional 15,815 shares during the period. Capital World Investors increased its position in Robert Half by 36.0% in the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 5,902,279 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $160,306,000 after acquiring an additional 1,561,146 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its holdings in shares of Robert Half by 2.7% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 4,873,440 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $200,055,000 after purchasing an additional 127,322 shares during the period. Finally, Pzena Investment Management LLC grew its position in Robert Half by 38.2% in the 4th quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 4,394,851 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $119,364,000 after buying an additional 1,214,883 shares in the last quarter. 92.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Robert Half Company Profile (Get Free Report) Robert Half International Inc, founded in 1948 by Robert Half, is a global professional staffing and consulting firm headquartered in Menlo Park, California. As a pioneer in specialized staffing, the company has built a reputation for matching skilled professionals with leading organizations across a range of industries. Robert Halfs shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker RHI, reflecting its position as one of the longeststanding and bestknown firms in the staffing sector. The company offers a comprehensive suite of services, including temporary staffing, permanent placement, and consulting solutions. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Robert Half Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Robert Half and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Robotti Robert decreased its stake in TechnipFMC plc (NYSE:FTI Free Report) by 10.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 165,832 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 19,805 shares during the quarter. TechnipFMC makes up 1.1% of Robotti Roberts holdings, making the stock its 21st biggest position. Robotti Roberts holdings in TechnipFMC were worth $6,542,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Fox Run Management L.L.C. raised its position in shares of TechnipFMC by 54.3% during the 3rd quarter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. now owns 35,956 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,418,000 after purchasing an additional 12,647 shares during the last quarter. MAI Capital Management increased its stake in TechnipFMC by 430.6% during the 3rd quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 2,483 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $98,000 after buying an additional 2,015 shares in the last quarter. Bradley Foster & Sargent Inc. CT acquired a new position in shares of TechnipFMC during the third quarter valued at approximately $1,899,000. Waddell & Associates LLC raised its holdings in shares of TechnipFMC by 37.6% during the third quarter. Waddell & Associates LLC now owns 14,666 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $579,000 after acquiring an additional 4,008 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Chase Investment Counsel Corp acquired a new stake in shares of TechnipFMC in the third quarter worth approximately $3,596,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.58% of the companys stock. Get TechnipFMC alerts: Key Headlines Impacting TechnipFMC Here are the key news stories impacting TechnipFMC this week: TechnipFMC Trading Up 1.1% Shares of FTI opened at $66.12 on Thursday. TechnipFMC plc has a 12-month low of $22.11 and a 12-month high of $66.41. The firm has a market capitalization of $26.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.62, a P/E/G ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 0.69. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $53.61 and a 200 day moving average price of $44.93. The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. TechnipFMC (NYSE:FTI Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 19th. The oil and gas company reported $0.70 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.51 by $0.19. TechnipFMC had a net margin of 9.70% and a return on equity of 31.14%. The company had revenue of $2.52 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.54 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.54 earnings per share. TechnipFMCs quarterly revenue was up 6.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that TechnipFMC plc will post 1.63 EPS for the current year. TechnipFMC Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be given a $0.05 dividend. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 17th. TechnipFMCs dividend payout ratio is presently 8.66%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts recently commented on FTI shares. TD Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of TechnipFMC in a research note on Friday, February 20th. Barclays reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a $69.00 target price on shares of TechnipFMC in a report on Friday, February 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price target on shares of TechnipFMC from $47.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, February 20th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of TechnipFMC from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Finally, UBS Group set a $70.00 price objective on shares of TechnipFMC in a report on Friday, February 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $55.93. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on FTI Insider Transactions at TechnipFMC In other TechnipFMC news, Director Carvalho Filho Eleazar De sold 6,350 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.40, for a total transaction of $415,290.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 97,860 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,400,044. This trade represents a 6.09% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 1.80% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. TechnipFMC Profile (Free Report) TechnipFMC is an integrated oilfield services and technology company that designs, manufactures and delivers systems and services for the energy industry. The companys activities span the full lifecycle of oil and gas projects, with capabilities in subsea production systems, surface wellhead and intervention equipment, and onshore/offshore engineering and construction. TechnipFMC combines engineering and project management with fabrication, installation and maintenance services to help operators develop and produce hydrocarbon resources. Its product and service portfolio includes subsea hardware such as trees, manifolds, umbilicals, risers and flowlines, as well as surface equipment for drilling, completions and well intervention. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FTI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for TechnipFMC plc (NYSE:FTI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for TechnipFMC Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TechnipFMC and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA Get Free Report) had its price objective lifted by research analysts at Scotiabank from C$188.00 to C$202.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday,BayStreet.CA reports. The firm presently has an outperform rating on the financial services providers stock. Scotiabanks price target would suggest a potential upside of 5.24% from the stocks previous close. Several other research firms have also commented on NA. Canaccord Genuity Group increased their price target on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$170.00 to C$180.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Barclays upped their price objective on National Bank of Canada from C$164.00 to C$177.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 19th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$156.00 to C$165.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce raised shares of National Bank of Canada from a hold rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price objective for the company from C$179.00 to C$189.00 in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$149.00 to C$163.00 in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, National Bank of Canada currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of C$182.33. Get National Bank of Canada alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on NA National Bank of Canada Trading Up 1.4% Shares of TSE:NA traded up C$2.72 during trading on Thursday, hitting C$191.95. 787,119 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,486,660. The company has a market cap of C$74.92 billion, a PE ratio of 19.06, a P/E/G ratio of 7.14 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a fifty day moving average price of C$171.87 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$161.33. National Bank of Canada has a 12-month low of C$106.67 and a 12-month high of C$192.39. National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The financial services provider reported C$3.25 EPS for the quarter. National Bank of Canada had a return on equity of 15.43% and a net margin of 19.69%.The company had revenue of C$3.89 billion for the quarter. Equities research analysts anticipate that National Bank of Canada will post 10.8360791 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. National Bank of Canada Company Profile (Get Free Report) National Bank of Canada is the sixth-largest Canadian bank. The bank offers integrated financial services, primarily in the province of Quebec as well as the city of Toronto. Operational segments include personal and commercial banking, wealth management, and a financial markets group. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for National Bank of Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for National Bank of Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust (NYSE:IQI Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 155,223 shares, an increase of 262.2% from the January 29th total of 42,861 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 166,325 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.9 days. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the company are short sold. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 166,325 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.9 days. Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust Price Performance NYSE:IQI traded up $0.02 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $10.18. The companys stock had a trading volume of 20,020 shares, compared to its average volume of 135,499. The firms 50 day moving average is $10.06 and its 200-day moving average is $9.92. Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust has a fifty-two week low of $8.86 and a fifty-two week high of $10.42. Get Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust alerts: Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be given a $0.0631 dividend. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 7.4%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 17th. Insiders Place Their Bets Institutional Trading of Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust In other news, Portfolio Manager Jack Connelly sold 3,900 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.02, for a total value of $39,078.00. Following the transaction, the portfolio manager directly owned 5,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $55,110. This represents a 41.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Advisors Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust by 105.0% in the third quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 239,865 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,363,000 after acquiring an additional 122,849 shares during the period. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust by 46.6% in the 3rd quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 845,114 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $8,324,000 after purchasing an additional 268,480 shares during the period. Centaurus Financial Inc. increased its holdings in Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust by 126.4% in the 2nd quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc. now owns 98,412 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $923,000 after acquiring an additional 54,950 shares in the last quarter. North Ground Capital lifted its stake in Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust by 61.3% in the 3rd quarter. North Ground Capital now owns 213,750 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,105,000 after buying an additional 81,225 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust by 24.0% during the 3rd quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC now owns 14,269 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $141,000 after buying an additional 2,759 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust Company Profile (Get Free Report) Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust (NYSE: IQI) is a closed-end management investment company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Managed by Invesco Advisers, Inc, the funds primary objective is to provide investors with a high level of current income that is exempt from federal income taxes. To achieve this, the trust invests predominantly in investment-grade municipal securities issued by U.S. states, municipalities, and their agencies. The portfolio holds a diversified blend of municipal bonds, including general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and other tax-exempt obligations. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KIEV, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine is reinforcing its state border with Belarus and strengthening its defense capabilities in the north, State Border Guard Service spokesman Andrii Demchenko said on Thursday. Demchenko, as quoted by Ukraine's national news agency Ukrinform, said that the more than 1,000 km border with Belarus is being fortified to counter potential threats, describing the northern direction as consistently sensitive since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He added that no changes or movements of Belarusian troops or equipment have been observed near the border, and the situation remains under constant monitoring. According to the report released by Ukrinform, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier that Russia and Belarus were once again discussing joint military exercises. KraneShares MSCI China Clean Technology Index ETF (NYSEARCA:KGRN Get Free Report) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 3,554 shares, a decrease of 91.5% from the January 29th total of 41,970 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 37,392 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days. Approximately 0.2% of the companys shares are sold short. Approximately 0.2% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 37,392 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days. Institutional Trading of KraneShares MSCI China Clean Technology Index ETF Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. CI Investments Inc. increased its stake in KraneShares MSCI China Clean Technology Index ETF by 14.8% in the 4th quarter. CI Investments Inc. now owns 15,917 shares of the companys stock valued at $430,000 after buying an additional 2,050 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of KraneShares MSCI China Clean Technology Index ETF during the 1st quarter worth about $337,000. Finally, LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA acquired a new position in shares of KraneShares MSCI China Clean Technology Index ETF during the 4th quarter worth about $127,000. Get KraneShares MSCI China Clean Technology Index ETF alerts: KraneShares MSCI China Clean Technology Index ETF Stock Performance KGRN stock traded up $0.11 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $28.32. 4,532 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 21,487. KraneShares MSCI China Clean Technology Index ETF has a one year low of $21.31 and a one year high of $32.95. The company has a market cap of $62.30 million, a PE ratio of 17.37 and a beta of 0.60. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $27.65 and its 200-day moving average price is $28.77. KraneShares MSCI China Clean Technology Index ETF Announces Dividend KraneShares MSCI China Clean Technology Index ETF Company Profile The firm also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 23rd. Investors of record on Monday, December 22nd were given a $0.2306 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 22nd. This represents a dividend yield of 84.0%. (Get Free Report) The KraneShares MSCI China Clean Technology ETF (KGRN) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI China IMI Environment 10-40 index. The fund tracks an index of Chinese companies that derive at least 50% of their revenue from products and services that benefit the environment. KGRN was launched on Oct 13, 2017 and is managed by KraneShares. Read More Receive News & Ratings for KraneShares MSCI China Clean Technology Index ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KraneShares MSCI China Clean Technology Index ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Persimmon Plc (OTCMKTS:PSMMY Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 223 shares, a growth of 757.7% from the January 29th total of 26 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 35,017 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 35,017 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts recently commented on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Persimmon in a research note on Monday, November 24th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded shares of Persimmon from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Persimmon in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and four have assigned a Buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Persimmon currently has a consensus rating of Buy. Get Persimmon alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on PSMMY Persimmon Stock Performance About Persimmon Shares of Persimmon stock traded down $0.36 on Thursday, hitting $40.94. 4,532 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 13,670. Persimmon has a 52-week low of $27.82 and a 52-week high of $41.84. The firms 50-day moving average is $38.38 and its 200 day moving average is $34.16. (Get Free Report) Persimmon plc (OTCMKTS:PSMMY) is a leading United Kingdombased residential property developer primarily engaged in the design, construction and sale of new homes. The companys product range spans starter homes for first-time buyers, family houses and executive properties, addressing a broad spectrum of customer needs. Persimmon also offers warranty and after-sales services through its in-house customer care teams, ensuring ongoing support for homeowners. Founded in 1972 and headquartered in York, North Yorkshire, Persimmon has grown from a regional builder into one of the UKs most prolific housebuilders. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Persimmon Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Persimmon and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Teladoc Health (NYSE:TDOC Get Free Report) had its price objective cut by equities research analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $8.00 to $6.00 in a research note issued on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a hold rating on the health services providers stock. Stifel Nicolaus price objective would suggest a potential upside of 12.59% from the companys current price. TDOC has been the subject of a number of other reports. Barclays began coverage on shares of Teladoc Health in a research report on Tuesday, December 9th. They set an equal weight rating and a $8.50 price target for the company. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of Teladoc Health from $10.00 to $9.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 9th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Teladoc Health from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Bank of America cut their price target on Teladoc Health from $9.00 to $8.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (e+) rating on shares of Teladoc Health in a report on Monday, December 29th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $8.96. Get Teladoc Health alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on Teladoc Health Teladoc Health Stock Performance TDOC traded up $0.68 on Thursday, reaching $5.33. 4,661,812 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,429,081. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 2.70 and a quick ratio of 2.60. The companys 50-day moving average price is $6.06 and its 200 day moving average price is $7.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $945.74 million, a PE ratio of -4.16 and a beta of 2.12. Teladoc Health has a fifty-two week low of $4.40 and a fifty-two week high of $10.02. Teladoc Health (NYSE:TDOC Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 25th. The health services provider reported ($0.14) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.19) by $0.05. Teladoc Health had a negative return on equity of 10.59% and a negative net margin of 8.84%.The business had revenue of $642.27 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $635.33 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned ($0.28) earnings per share. The companys revenue was up .3% on a year-over-year basis. Teladoc Health has set its Q1 2026 guidance at -0.4500.350 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at -1.1000.700 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Teladoc Health will post -1.16 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity In related news, CEO Charles Divita III sold 17,138 shares of Teladoc Health stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $7.63, for a total value of $130,762.94. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 201,036 shares in the company, valued at $1,533,904.68. The trade was a 7.86% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Fernando M. Rodrigues sold 4,209 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $7.48, for a total value of $31,483.32. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 33,288 shares of company stock worth $251,684. 0.58% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Trading of Teladoc Health Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Teacher Retirement System of Texas raised its stake in shares of Teladoc Health by 5.7% during the 2nd quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 26,592 shares of the health services providers stock worth $232,000 after buying an additional 1,431 shares during the period. Federated Hermes Inc. increased its holdings in Teladoc Health by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 307,700 shares of the health services providers stock worth $2,379,000 after acquiring an additional 1,450 shares in the last quarter. Creative Planning raised its position in Teladoc Health by 7.7% during the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 20,567 shares of the health services providers stock worth $159,000 after acquiring an additional 1,462 shares during the period. Krane Funds Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Teladoc Health by 13.4% during the third quarter. Krane Funds Advisors LLC now owns 12,431 shares of the health services providers stock valued at $106,000 after purchasing an additional 1,469 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State of Wyoming grew its position in shares of Teladoc Health by 2.1% in the third quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 79,075 shares of the health services providers stock valued at $611,000 after purchasing an additional 1,628 shares during the period. 76.82% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Teladoc Health Company Profile (Get Free Report) Teladoc Health, Inc is a leading global provider of virtual healthcare services, offering on-demand medical consultations via phone, video, and mobile app platforms. The company connects patients with licensed physicians and specialists for non-emergency medical issues, mental health support, dermatology, and chronic condition management. By leveraging digital technologies and data analytics, Teladoc aims to enhance accessibility, reduce healthcare costs, and improve patient outcomes through personalized care plans and remote monitoring. Teladocs service portfolio includes general medical visits, behavioral health sessions, expert medical services for complex cases, and wellness programs designed to support chronic disease management such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Teladoc Health Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Teladoc Health and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TD Asset Management Inc raised its holdings in West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST Free Report) by 26.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 606,332 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after acquiring an additional 125,398 shares during the quarter. TD Asset Management Inc owned about 0.84% of West Pharmaceutical Services worth $159,059,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its position in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 16.1% in the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 1,611 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $361,000 after purchasing an additional 224 shares during the last quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in West Pharmaceutical Services by 27.7% in the first quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 6,020 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $1,348,000 after buying an additional 1,307 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in West Pharmaceutical Services by 14.1% during the first quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 1,271 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $284,000 after buying an additional 157 shares during the last quarter. Ethic Inc. grew its position in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 7.0% during the 2nd quarter. Ethic Inc. now owns 2,103 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $460,000 after buying an additional 137 shares during the period. Finally, AlphaQuest LLC increased its stake in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 46.9% in the 2nd quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 1,166 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $255,000 after acquiring an additional 372 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.90% of the companys stock. Get West Pharmaceutical Services alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research raised shares of West Pharmaceutical Services from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services from $325.00 to $265.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Evercore lowered their price objective on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services from $390.00 to $320.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating and set a $295.00 target price on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating and issued a $315.00 price target on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services in a report on Friday, February 13th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $314.56. West Pharmaceutical Services Price Performance Shares of NYSE WST opened at $248.55 on Thursday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $257.24 and a 200 day moving average price of $261.89. The firm has a market cap of $17.90 billion, a PE ratio of 36.61, a PEG ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a current ratio of 3.02, a quick ratio of 2.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $187.43 and a 1-year high of $322.34. West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE:WST Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 12th. The medical instruments supplier reported $2.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.83 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $805.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $795.70 million. West Pharmaceutical Services had a return on equity of 17.90% and a net margin of 16.06%.The companys revenue for the quarter was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.82 EPS. West Pharmaceutical Services has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.850-8.200 EPS. Research analysts predict that West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. will post 6.62 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. West Pharmaceutical Services announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback program on Tuesday, February 17th that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the medical instruments supplier to reacquire up to 5.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are usually an indication that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued. West Pharmaceutical Services Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 6th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 29th will be paid a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 29th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. West Pharmaceutical Servicess payout ratio is presently 12.96%. West Pharmaceutical Services Company Profile (Free Report) West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc is a global developer and manufacturer of components, systems and services that enable the containment and delivery of injectable drugs. The company focuses on high-quality packaging and delivery solutions for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, producing primary drug packaging components and specialized drug delivery devices used for vaccines, biologics and other injectable therapies. West is known for its elastomeric closures, seals and polymer components that maintain sterility and compatibility with sensitive drug formulations. In addition to component manufacturing, West provides engineered delivery systems and support services across the product lifecycle. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for West Pharmaceutical Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for West Pharmaceutical Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thai Oil Public Company Limited (OTCMKTS:TOIPF Get Free Report) shares rose 33.8% on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $1.74 and last traded at $1.74. Approximately 300 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 92% from the average daily volume of 3,733 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.30. Thai Oil Public Trading Up 33.8% The firm has a fifty day moving average of $0.93 and a 200-day moving average of $0.92. Get Thai Oil Public alerts: About Thai Oil Public (Get Free Report) Thai Oil Public Company Limited is one of Thailands leading oil refiners and petrochemical producers. Established in the early 1960s and headquartered in Samut Prakan Province, the company operates a complex that processes a variety of crude oil grades into refined petroleum products. Listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand and trading in the United States over the counter under the symbol TOIPF, Thai Oil is a core subsidiary of PTT Public Company Limited. The companys refining operations encompass the production of transportation fuels such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Thai Oil Public Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thai Oil Public and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thornburg Investment Management Inc. cut its holdings in shares of Builders FirstSource, Inc. (NYSE:BLDR Free Report) by 46.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 145,844 shares of the companys stock after selling 125,730 shares during the period. Thornburg Investment Management Inc. owned approximately 0.13% of Builders FirstSource worth $17,684,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BLDR. State Street Corp increased its stake in Builders FirstSource by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 5,026,553 shares of the companys stock worth $586,548,000 after purchasing an additional 29,443 shares in the last quarter. Brave Warrior Advisors LLC lifted its position in Builders FirstSource by 47.2% in the 2nd quarter. Brave Warrior Advisors LLC now owns 1,827,261 shares of the companys stock valued at $213,223,000 after acquiring an additional 585,683 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its stake in Builders FirstSource by 5.0% in the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 1,556,151 shares of the companys stock worth $181,587,000 after purchasing an additional 74,681 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in Builders FirstSource during the 2nd quarter worth about $147,994,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Builders FirstSource by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 924,296 shares of the companys stock valued at $107,856,000 after purchasing an additional 14,430 shares during the period. 95.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Builders FirstSource alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on BLDR shares. William Blair started coverage on Builders FirstSource in a research report on Thursday. They issued an outperform rating on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on shares of Builders FirstSource from $124.00 to $115.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on shares of Builders FirstSource from $112.00 to $110.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Monday. Zacks Research lowered shares of Builders FirstSource from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Thursday, February 19th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on shares of Builders FirstSource from $117.00 to $102.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Monday. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Builders FirstSource currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $127.39. Builders FirstSource Price Performance NYSE:BLDR opened at $102.74 on Thursday. Builders FirstSource, Inc. has a 12-month low of $94.35 and a 12-month high of $151.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.48, a P/E/G ratio of 2.68 and a beta of 1.56. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $114.87 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $119.65. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02. Builders FirstSource (NYSE:BLDR Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 17th. The company reported $1.12 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.30 by ($0.18). Builders FirstSource had a return on equity of 17.89% and a net margin of 2.87%.The business had revenue of $3.36 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.46 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.31 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that Builders FirstSource, Inc. will post 11.59 earnings per share for the current year. Builders FirstSource Company Profile (Free Report) Builders FirstSource, Inc is a leading supplier of structural and value-added building products and services to professional contractors, homebuilders and remodelers. The company provides a comprehensive range of materials and prefabricated components that support all phases of residential construction, from site development and framing to finishing and installation. The companys core offerings include lumber and lumber sheet goods, windows and doors, millwork, roofing and siding, and engineered wood products such as roof and floor trusses. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BLDR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Builders FirstSource, Inc. (NYSE:BLDR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Builders FirstSource Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Builders FirstSource and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thornburg Investment Management Inc. lowered its holdings in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 86.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 1,449,270 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 9,009,301 shares during the period. Thornburg Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Pfizer were worth $36,927,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the 3rd quarter worth about $29,000. Howard Hughes Medical Institute bought a new position in Pfizer in the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Pfizer during the second quarter worth approximately $32,000. Evelyn Partners Asset Management Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the second quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC grew its position in shares of Pfizer by 302.5% in the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 1,296 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 974 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.36% of the companys stock. Get Pfizer alerts: Pfizer Stock Down 0.1% Shares of PFE opened at $27.11 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $26.04 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $25.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.28 and a quick ratio of 0.97. Pfizer Inc. has a one year low of $20.92 and a one year high of $27.94. The company has a market cap of $154.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.93 and a beta of 0.47. Pfizer Announces Dividend Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.66 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $17.56 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.93 billion. Pfizer had a net margin of 12.42% and a return on equity of 20.25%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.63 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 23rd will be paid a dividend of $0.43 per share. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 23rd. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 126.47%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have commented on PFE. HSBC reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $29.00 price objective on shares of Pfizer in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. UBS Group assumed coverage on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. They issued a neutral rating and a $25.00 target price for the company. BMO Capital Markets restated an outperform rating on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd. They issued a neutral rating and a $26.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Wolfe Research set a $24.00 price objective on shares of Pfizer and gave the company an underperform rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $27.70. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Pfizer Trending Headlines about Pfizer Here are the key news stories impacting Pfizer this week: Positive Sentiment: FDA gives full approval to Pfizers BRAFTOVI combination for firstline metastatic colorectal cancer a clear commercial positive for oncology revenue and uptake. Read More. FDA gives full approval to Pfizers BRAFTOVI combination for firstline metastatic colorectal cancer a clear commercial positive for oncology revenue and uptake. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Pfizer secures China commercialization partner (Sciwind) for a nextgeneration weightloss GLP1 candidate, expanding market access in a highgrowth obesity/diabetes segment and unlocking up to ~$495M in deal value. Read More. Pfizer secures China commercialization partner (Sciwind) for a nextgeneration weightloss GLP1 candidate, expanding market access in a highgrowth obesity/diabetes segment and unlocking up to ~$495M in deal value. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Dividend narratives strengthen investor interest coverage pieces highlight Pfizers high yield and managements commitment to the payout, supporting incomeoriented demand. Read More. Dividend narratives strengthen investor interest coverage pieces highlight Pfizers high yield and managements commitment to the payout, supporting incomeoriented demand. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Pfizer updated clinical activity in China (pneumococcal vaccine Phase 1) constructive for longterm vaccine opportunity but nearterm commercial impact is unclear. Read More. Pfizer updated clinical activity in China (pneumococcal vaccine Phase 1) constructive for longterm vaccine opportunity but nearterm commercial impact is unclear. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Industry pieces and comparisons (Novo Nordisk, J&J, largecap pharma commentary) are placing Pfizer within a broader sector narrative about defensiveness and AIdriven R&D useful context but not companyspecific catalysts. Read More. Industry pieces and comparisons (Novo Nordisk, J&J, largecap pharma commentary) are placing Pfizer within a broader sector narrative about defensiveness and AIdriven R&D useful context but not companyspecific catalysts. Read More. Negative Sentiment: RBC Capital initiated coverage with an Underperform/$25 target and warned of an expected $15B$20B structural revenue decline through 2030 a significant bearish forecast that pressures valuation expectations. Read More. RBC Capital initiated coverage with an Underperform/$25 target and warned of an expected $15B$20B structural revenue decline through 2030 a significant bearish forecast that pressures valuation expectations. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Zacks moved Pfizer from strong sell to hold, improving its tone but reflecting continued analyst caution; RBC/other outlets are still negative which keeps analyst sentiment mixed. Read More. Zacks moved Pfizer from strong sell to hold, improving its tone but reflecting continued analyst caution; RBC/other outlets are still negative which keeps analyst sentiment mixed. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Pfizer terminated an earlystage ulcerative colitis study (Phase 1b), representing a pipeline setback and incremental downside risk to future growth prospects. Read More. Pfizer Company Profile (Free Report) Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) is a multinational biopharmaceutical company headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1849 by Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart, the company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes a broad range of medicines and vaccines for human health. Its activities span discovery research, clinical development, regulatory affairs, manufacturing and global commercial distribution across multiple therapeutic areas. Pfizers portfolio and pipeline cover oncology, immunology, cardiology, endocrinology, rare diseases, hospital acute care and anti-infectives, along with a substantial vaccine business. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tempus AI, SoundHound AI, and C3.ai are the three Artificial Intelligence stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Artificial intelligence stocks are shares of publicly traded companies that develop, sell, or rely heavily on AI technologiessuch as machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and AI chips or software platforms. For investors, these equities provide exposure to the growth potential (and attendant volatility and execution risk) tied to AI adoption, spanning pure-play AI firms, infrastructure providers, and traditional companies integrating AI into their operations. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Artificial Intelligence stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: 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. 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. Read Our Latest Research Report on SOUN C3.ai (AI) C3.ai, Inc. operates as an enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) software company in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company provides C3 AI platform, an application development and runtime environment that enables customers to design, develop, and deploy enterprise AI applications; C3 AI Ex Machina for analysis-ready data; C3 AI CRM, an industry specific customer relationship management solution; and C3 Generative AI Product Suite that enables to locate, retrieve, and present information. Read Our Latest Research Report on AI Read More Shares of The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD Get Free Report) (NYSE:TD) hit a new 52-week high on Thursday . The stock traded as high as C$134.69 and last traded at C$133.41, with a volume of 457147 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at C$132.96. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have issued reports on the stock. Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their target price on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$131.00 to C$141.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$122.00 to C$126.00 in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Barclays boosted their target price on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$118.00 to C$133.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 19th. Raymond James Financial boosted their target price on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$122.00 to C$138.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Finally, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce lowered shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from an outperform rating to a hold rating and raised their target price for the stock from C$129.00 to C$136.00 in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of C$134.25. Get Toronto-Dominion Bank alerts: View Our Latest Report on Toronto-Dominion Bank Toronto-Dominion Bank Stock Performance The firms 50 day simple moving average is C$130.18 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$118.07. The company has a market cap of C$225.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.65, a PEG ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 1.00. Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD Get Free Report) (NYSE:TD) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 26th. The company reported C$2.44 earnings per share for the quarter. Toronto-Dominion Bank had a net margin of 15.80% and a return on equity of 7.84%. The firm had revenue of C$16.63 billion for the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that The Toronto-Dominion Bank will post 7.2160149 EPS for the current fiscal year. Toronto-Dominion Bank Company Profile (Get Free Report) Toronto-Dominion is one of Canadas two largest banks and operates three business segments: Canadian retail banking, U.S. retail banking, and wholesale banking. The banks U.S. operations span from Maine to Florida, with a strong presence in the Northeast. It also has a 13% ownership stake in Charles Schwab. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Transurban Group (ASX:TCL Get Free Report) insider Craig Drummond bought 1,424 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were acquired at an average price of A$13.89 per share, for a total transaction of A$19,783.63. Transurban Group Stock Performance The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 180.73. The company has a market cap of $40.97 billion, a PE ratio of 125.20, a P/E/G ratio of 0.25 and a beta of 0.64. Get Transurban Group alerts: Transurban Group Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a Interim dividend, which was paid on Monday, February 23rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 23rd were paid a dividend of $0.34 per share. This represents a yield of 225.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 29th. Transurban Groups payout ratio is presently 581.82%. Transurban Group Company Profile Transurban Group engages in the development, operation, management, and maintenance of toll road networks. It operates 22 toll roads in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane in Australia; the Greater Washington, United States; and Montreal, Canada. The company is headquartered in Docklands, Australia. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Transurban Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Transurban Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KIEV, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The next trilateral meeting could take place in early March in Abu Dhabi, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported. Speaking after a meeting between Ukraine's negotiating team and envoys of U.S. President Donald Trump, Zelensky said there is growing readiness for another trilateral meeting and that preparations are underway for a possible leaders-level format. "There is now greater readiness for the next trilateral format. Most likely, the next meeting will take place in the Emirates, specifically in Abu Dhabi. We expect the format to take place in early March," Zelensky said. He added that Ukraine and its partners believe the conflict should be brought to an end. APi Group (NYSE:APG Get Free Report) had its price target boosted by equities researchers at Truist Financial from $50.00 to $53.00 in a report released on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a buy rating on the stock. Truist Financials price target suggests a potential upside of 18.34% from the companys current price. A number of other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on APG. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of APi Group in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating on shares of APi Group in a research note on Tuesday, December 23rd. CJS Securities raised APi Group to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 11th. UBS Group set a $49.00 price objective on shares of APi Group and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on shares of APi Group from $42.00 to $44.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, APi Group has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $43.67. Get APi Group alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on APG APi Group Price Performance APi Group stock opened at $44.79 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.41, a current ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $18.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 122.15 and a beta of 1.70. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $42.01 and a 200-day moving average of $38.15. APi Group has a 52-week low of $20.50 and a 52-week high of $46.89. APi Group (NYSE:APG Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 25th. The company reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.40 by $0.04. APi Group had a return on equity of 21.86% and a net margin of 3.44%.The company had revenue of $2.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.09 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.51 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 13.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts predict that APi Group will post 1.83 EPS for the current year. Insider Activity In other APi Group news, Director Anthony E. Malkin purchased 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 10th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $39.58 per share, for a total transaction of $118,740.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 7,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $277,060. The trade was a 75.00% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 17.00% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On APi Group Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of APG. Allianz Asset Management GmbH grew its position in shares of APi Group by 47.4% during the 3rd quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 337,089 shares of the companys stock worth $11,586,000 after buying an additional 108,433 shares during the period. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of APi Group by 72.1% in the 3rd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 4,960,278 shares of the companys stock valued at $170,485,000 after acquiring an additional 2,077,705 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of APi Group by 48.6% in the third quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 674,203 shares of the companys stock valued at $23,172,000 after acquiring an additional 220,551 shares during the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp boosted its position in APi Group by 29.5% during the third quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 189,800 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,523,000 after purchasing an additional 43,202 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bridges Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in APi Group by 59.6% in the third quarter. Bridges Investment Management Inc. now owns 112,721 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,874,000 after purchasing an additional 42,111 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.62% of the companys stock. More APi Group News Here are the key news stories impacting APi Group this week: APi Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) APi Group Corp. is a global specialty contractor that provides fire protection, security, mechanical insulation and energy services to commercial, industrial and institutional clients. Headquartered in New Brighton, Minnesota, the company designs, installs, inspects, tests, maintains and repairs a wide range of safety and infrastructure systems. Through its network of operating subsidiaries, APi Group delivers end-to-end solutions for new construction, facility renovations and ongoing maintenance requirements. Its service portfolio spans life safety and industrial servicessuch as fire suppression systems, fire alarms and emergency lightingand specialized offerings including technical insulation, access solutions, passive fire protection and energy efficiency upgrades. Read More Receive News & Ratings for APi Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for APi Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TUI AG (OTCMKTS:TUIFF Get Free Report) shares were down 15.8% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $9.26 and last traded at $9.26. Approximately 700 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 28% from the average daily volume of 971 shares. The stock had previously closed at $11.00. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have commented on the stock. Citigroup restated a neutral rating on shares of TUI in a research note on Friday, January 16th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating on shares of TUI in a report on Thursday, December 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy. Get TUI alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on TUI TUI Trading Down 15.8% About TUI The company has a fifty day moving average of $10.53 and a 200-day moving average of $9.75. (Get Free Report) TUI Group (OTCMKTS: TUIFF) is a leading integrated tourism company headquartered in Hanover, Germany. The firm specializes in providing comprehensive travel and holiday experiences that span tour operations, accommodation, transportation, and on-site services. TUIs portfolio encompasses branded airlines, cruise ships, hotels, resorts, and retail travel agencies, positioning it as one of the largest tourism businesses globally. Originally founded in 1923 as Preussag AG, the company shifted its focus from mining and industrial activities to tourism in the late 1990s. Read More Receive News & Ratings for TUI Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TUI and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. US Bancorp DE reduced its holdings in NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE Free Report) by 1.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,880,333 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 33,994 shares during the quarter. US Bancorp DE owned 0.14% of NextEra Energy worth $217,437,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of NextEra Energy in the second quarter worth approximately $2,375,545,000. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of NextEra Energy by 2.7% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 212,877,021 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $14,777,923,000 after buying an additional 5,554,603 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. raised its position in shares of NextEra Energy by 1,765.3% during the 3rd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 3,968,305 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $299,567,000 after buying an additional 3,755,563 shares in the last quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group lifted its holdings in shares of NextEra Energy by 18.7% during the 2nd quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 10,796,329 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $749,481,000 after acquiring an additional 1,701,648 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. lifted its holdings in shares of NextEra Energy by 181.9% during the 2nd quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 2,185,513 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $151,718,000 after acquiring an additional 1,410,200 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.72% of the companys stock. Get NextEra Energy alerts: NextEra Energy Stock Performance NextEra Energy stock opened at $95.13 on Thursday. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a 1-year low of $61.72 and a 1-year high of $95.91. The firm has a market cap of $198.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.91, a P/E/G ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 0.76. The company has a current ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $85.59 and a 200-day moving average of $81.42. NextEra Energy Increases Dividend NextEra Energy ( NYSE:NEE Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The utilities provider reported $0.54 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.53 by $0.01. NextEra Energy had a return on equity of 12.18% and a net margin of 24.93%.The business had revenue of $6.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.07 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.53 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 20.7% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.68 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be given a dividend of $0.6232 per share. This represents a $2.49 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 27th. This is an increase from NextEra Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. NextEra Energys payout ratio is presently 69.00%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts recently commented on NEE shares. UBS Group set a $91.00 target price on NextEra Energy and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $106.00 price objective on shares of NextEra Energy in a report on Friday, February 20th. Seaport Research Partners reduced their price objective on NextEra Energy from $56.00 to $55.00 and set a sell rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Citigroup restated a buy rating and issued a $96.00 target price (up from $84.00) on shares of NextEra Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Wolfe Research upped their target price on NextEra Energy from $87.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, December 1st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $93.05. Read Our Latest Stock Report on NEE Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, EVP Charles E. Sieving sold 30,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.00, for a total value of $2,700,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 167,481 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $15,073,290. This trade represents a 15.19% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO John W. Ketchum sold 99,603 shares of NextEra Energy stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $89.34, for a total transaction of $8,898,532.02. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 305,933 shares in the company, valued at $27,332,054.22. The trade was a 24.56% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 159,049 shares of company stock worth $14,194,542. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. NextEra Energy Company Profile (Free Report) NextEra Energy, Inc (NYSE: NEE), headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida, is a leading clean energy company with both regulated utility operations and competitive renewable generation businesses. The companys principal operating subsidiaries include Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), a regulated electric utility serving customers in Florida, and NextEra Energy Resources, which develops, constructs, owns and operates a large portfolio of wind, solar and energy storage projects. Together these businesses provide electricity supply, transmission and distribution services as well as utility-scale renewable generation and related services. NextEras activities cover the full lifecycle of power assets, from project development and construction to operation, maintenance and asset optimization. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NEE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for NextEra Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NextEra Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:ACHR Free Report) by 45.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 52,363,259 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 16,452,398 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. owned approximately 0.08% of Archer Aviation worth $501,640,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in ACHR. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Archer Aviation by 44.1% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 11,991,714 shares of the companys stock valued at $130,125,000 after purchasing an additional 3,671,753 shares in the last quarter. Man Group plc grew its position in Archer Aviation by 13,793.3% during the 2nd quarter. Man Group plc now owns 4,212,722 shares of the companys stock worth $45,708,000 after purchasing an additional 4,182,400 shares during the period. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. boosted its stake in shares of Archer Aviation by 435.7% in the second quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 3,750,000 shares of the companys stock worth $40,688,000 after buying an additional 3,050,000 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in Archer Aviation by 466.5% in the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,650,429 shares of the companys stock worth $39,607,000 after purchasing an additional 3,006,039 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marex Group plc acquired a new position in shares of Archer Aviation in the 2nd quarter valued at $24,699,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 59.34% of the companys stock. Get Archer Aviation alerts: Archer Aviation Trading Down 1.2% ACHR opened at $7.10 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.64 and a beta of 3.11. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $7.81 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $8.89. Archer Aviation Inc. has a 1-year low of $5.48 and a 1-year high of $14.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a current ratio of 18.19 and a quick ratio of 18.19. Insider Transactions at Archer Aviation Analysts Set New Price Targets In other Archer Aviation news, CTO Thomas Paul Muniz sold 125,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.00, for a total value of $1,000,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief technology officer directly owned 1,272,129 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,177,032. This trade represents a 8.95% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink . 7.65% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Archer Aviation in a research note on Monday, December 1st. They issued a neutral rating and a $11.00 price target for the company. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating on shares of Archer Aviation in a report on Monday, November 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Archer Aviation from $10.00 to $8.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Canaccord Genuity Group boosted their price objective on Archer Aviation from $12.00 to $13.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 21st. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Archer Aviation in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Archer Aviation currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $12.17. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Archer Aviation Archer Aviation Profile (Free Report) 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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ACHR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:ACHR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Archer Aviation Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Archer Aviation and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vanguard Group Inc. reduced its position in shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp (NYSE:MGY Free Report) by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 19,875,856 shares of the companys stock after selling 382,051 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. owned 0.10% of Magnolia Oil & Gas worth $474,437,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Magnolia Oil & Gas by 77.7% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 56,346 shares of the companys stock worth $1,423,000 after purchasing an additional 24,631 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas by 4.6% during the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 103,109 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,605,000 after buying an additional 4,512 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its stake in Magnolia Oil & Gas by 8.2% in the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 242,880 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,135,000 after acquiring an additional 18,447 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in Magnolia Oil & Gas by 11.3% in the 1st quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 68,814 shares of the companys stock worth $1,738,000 after acquiring an additional 7,008 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D raised its position in Magnolia Oil & Gas by 7.7% during the second quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 86,755 shares of the companys stock worth $1,950,000 after acquiring an additional 6,184 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.73% of the companys stock. Get Magnolia Oil & Gas alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Mizuho set a $30.00 target price on shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas in a research report on Friday, February 6th. BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on Magnolia Oil & Gas in a research note on Friday, January 9th. They set an outperform rating and a $27.00 price objective for the company. Susquehanna decreased their target price on Magnolia Oil & Gas from $30.00 to $28.00 and set a positive rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 26th. KeyCorp boosted their price target on Magnolia Oil & Gas from $29.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Finally, Citigroup raised their price objective on Magnolia Oil & Gas from $25.00 to $29.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $27.58. Magnolia Oil & Gas Stock Performance Shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas stock opened at $27.03 on Thursday. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $24.10 and its 200 day moving average price is $23.63. The company has a market cap of $5.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.71 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a current ratio of 1.54. Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp has a one year low of $19.09 and a one year high of $27.52. Magnolia Oil & Gas (NYSE:MGY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 5th. The company reported $0.37 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.36 by $0.01. Magnolia Oil & Gas had a return on equity of 16.67% and a net margin of 24.79%.The business had revenue of $317.63 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $322.18 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.44 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp will post 2.1 EPS for the current year. Magnolia Oil & Gas Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 10th will be paid a $0.165 dividend. This is a positive change from Magnolia Oil & Gass previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 10th. This represents a $0.66 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Magnolia Oil & Gass dividend payout ratio is currently 38.37%. Magnolia Oil & Gas Profile (Free Report) Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp (NYSE: MGY) is an independent exploration and production company focused on the acquisition, development and optimization of onshore oil and gas assets in South Texas. Headquartered in Houston, the company concentrates its efforts on the Eagle Ford Shale, where it holds significant working interests in key producing counties. The companys core operations center on horizontal drilling and multi-stage completions designed to extract light crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs). See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MGY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp (NYSE:MGY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Magnolia Oil & Gas Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Magnolia Oil & Gas and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vinci SA (OTCMKTS:VCISY Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $41.7460 and last traded at $41.51, with a volume of 119364 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $41.55. Analysts Set New Price Targets VCISY has been the subject of a number of research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Vinci in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Vinci in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Vinci from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Get Vinci alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on VCISY Vinci Stock Performance About Vinci The businesss 50 day moving average price is $36.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $35.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.85. (Get Free Report) Vinci (OTCMKTS: VCISY) is a France-based integrated concessions and construction company that develops, finances, builds and operates infrastructure and facilities. The groups activities span large-scale civil engineering and building projects, operation of transport infrastructure, and specialist energy and technical services. Vinci serves public and private clients with capabilities across the full project lifecycle, from design and construction to long-term asset management and operation. Vincis principal business lines include construction (building, civil engineering and major projects), energy and information & communication technology services, and concessions. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Vinci Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vinci and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Waratah Capital Advisors Ltd. reduced its stake in Abercrombie & Fitch Company (NYSE:ANF Free Report) by 95.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,289 shares of the apparel retailers stock after selling 97,754 shares during the period. Waratah Capital Advisors Ltd.s holdings in Abercrombie & Fitch were worth $367,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. GSA Capital Partners LLP acquired a new position in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $278,000. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund raised its position in Abercrombie & Fitch by 15.9% in the third quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 50,588 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $4,328,000 after purchasing an additional 6,932 shares during the period. Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Abercrombie & Fitch by 4.8% during the third quarter. Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 27,596 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $2,361,000 after purchasing an additional 1,272 shares in the last quarter. Wesbanco Bank Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch during the third quarter worth $984,000. Finally, Alps Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch in the third quarter valued at $446,000. Get Abercrombie & Fitch alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Abercrombie & Fitch in a report on Thursday, December 11th. They issued a buy rating and a $120.00 price objective on the stock. BTIG Research reiterated a buy rating on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch from $128.00 to $102.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch from $78.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group reissued an outperform rating and issued a $125.00 price target on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch in a research report on Thursday. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $120.90. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Abercrombie & Fitch news, CEO Fran Horowitz sold 29,769 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total value of $2,976,900.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 308,503 shares in the company, valued at $30,850,300. This represents a 8.80% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders sold a total of 350,000 shares of company stock worth $34,661,358 in the last three months. 2.29% of the stock is owned by insiders. Abercrombie & Fitch Trading Up 1.0% Shares of NYSE:ANF opened at $95.95 on Thursday. Abercrombie & Fitch Company has a 52 week low of $65.40 and a 52 week high of $133.11. The companys 50 day moving average is $107.20 and its two-hundred day moving average is $93.43. The company has a market cap of $4.40 billion, a PE ratio of 9.20 and a beta of 1.19. Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE:ANF Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 26th. The apparel retailer reported $2.36 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.14 by $0.22. Abercrombie & Fitch had a return on equity of 38.01% and a net margin of 10.07%.The company had revenue of $1.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.28 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.50 earnings per share. Abercrombie & Fitchs quarterly revenue was up 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Abercrombie & Fitch Company will post 10.62 EPS for the current year. Abercrombie & Fitch Company Profile (Free Report) Abercrombie & Fitch Co (NYSE: ANF) is an American specialty retailer that designs, markets and sells casual apparel and accessories for men, women and children. Founded in 1892 by David T. Abercrombie and Ezra Fitch, the company evolved from an outdoor gear outfitter to a global lifestyle brand renowned for its relaxed, preppy aesthetic. Its product assortment includes tops, bottoms, outerwear, intimates, swimwear, fragrances and personal care items. The company operates under multiple brand names, including Abercrombie & Fitch, Abercrombie Kids, Hollister and Gilly Hicks, each targeting distinct consumer segments from teens to young adults. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ANF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abercrombie & Fitch Company (NYSE:ANF Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Abercrombie & Fitch Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abercrombie & Fitch and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pinnacle West Capital (NYSE:PNW Get Free Report) had its target price upped by investment analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $91.00 to $97.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an equal weight rating on the utilities providers stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price objective would suggest a potential downside of 2.49% from the companys current price. Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the company. BMO Capital Markets restated a market perform rating on shares of Pinnacle West Capital in a research report on Thursday. KeyCorp cut Pinnacle West Capital from an overweight rating to a sector weight rating in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Pinnacle West Capital from $95.00 to $90.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and set a $115.00 price objective on shares of Pinnacle West Capital in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Pinnacle West Capital from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, November 10th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $98.42. Get Pinnacle West Capital alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on PNW Pinnacle West Capital Stock Performance NYSE PNW traded down $0.31 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $99.48. The companys stock had a trading volume of 511,262 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,288,820. The company has a current ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $92.71 and a 200 day simple moving average of $90.61. The stock has a market cap of $11.91 billion, a PE ratio of 20.41, a PEG ratio of 5.99 and a beta of 0.54. Pinnacle West Capital has a 52 week low of $85.32 and a 52 week high of $100.65. Pinnacle West Capital (NYSE:PNW Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The utilities provider reported $0.13 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.05 by $0.08. Pinnacle West Capital had a return on equity of 8.57% and a net margin of 11.20%.The firm had revenue of $1.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.17 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned ($0.06) earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. Pinnacle West Capital has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.550-4.750 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Pinnacle West Capital will post 5.13 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Pinnacle West Capital Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in PNW. AE Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Pinnacle West Capital by 4,666.1% during the 2nd quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 139,599 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $12,490,000 after buying an additional 136,670 shares during the last quarter. Deroy & Devereaux Private Investment Counsel Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Pinnacle West Capital during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $16,292,000. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd raised its position in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 164.5% during the 3rd quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 44,748 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $4,012,000 after acquiring an additional 27,832 shares in the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd boosted its holdings in Pinnacle West Capital by 556.4% in the third quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 18,208 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,633,000 after purchasing an additional 15,434 shares during the period. Finally, Rakuten Investment Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Pinnacle West Capital during the 3rd quarter valued at about $2,234,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.51% of the companys stock. Key Headlines Impacting Pinnacle West Capital Here are the key news stories impacting Pinnacle West Capital this week: Positive Sentiment: Q4 EPS materially beat expectations PNW reported about $0.13 EPS vs. ~$0.05 expected, a sharp improvement from a yearago loss, signaling operating recovery and higher profitability. Earnings Call Transcript Q4 EPS materially beat expectations PNW reported about $0.13 EPS vs. ~$0.05 expected, a sharp improvement from a yearago loss, signaling operating recovery and higher profitability. Positive Sentiment: Management announced a longterm plan PNW is targeting 57% sales growth through 2030 and advancing grid expansion and its regulatory strategy, which supports longerterm rate base growth and earnings power. Longterm growth & grid strategy Management announced a longterm plan PNW is targeting 57% sales growth through 2030 and advancing grid expansion and its regulatory strategy, which supports longerterm rate base growth and earnings power. Positive Sentiment: Nearterm profitability helped by robust demand and higher rates the utility benefited from stronger power demand and rate actions, supporting the headline profit improvement. Reuters: Quarterly profit Nearterm profitability helped by robust demand and higher rates the utility benefited from stronger power demand and rate actions, supporting the headline profit improvement. Neutral Sentiment: Revenue slightly missed estimates Q4 revenue was about $1.13B vs. ~$1.17B consensus, a modest shortfall that tempers the EPS beat and suggests some business pressures. Zacks: Beats earnings & revenue Revenue slightly missed estimates Q4 revenue was about $1.13B vs. ~$1.17B consensus, a modest shortfall that tempers the EPS beat and suggests some business pressures. Neutral Sentiment: Slides and management commentary available company slide deck and call provide detail on capex plans, regulatory timing and rate case assumptions for investors who want to dig into guidance drivers. MarketBeat: Earnings package Slides and management commentary available company slide deck and call provide detail on capex plans, regulatory timing and rate case assumptions for investors who want to dig into guidance drivers. Negative Sentiment: FY2026 EPS guidance came in slightly below consensus management set a 2026 EPS range of ~4.554.75, under the Street midpoint (~4.80), which likely drove shortterm selling as investors reprice nearterm expectations. BusinessWire: Fullyear & Q4 results About Pinnacle West Capital (Get 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Pinnacle West Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pinnacle West Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Westpac Banking Corp increased its holdings in shares of Southern Company (The) (NYSE:SO Free Report) by 735.9% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 23,155 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 20,385 shares during the period. Westpac Banking Corps holdings in Southern were worth $2,194,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of SO. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC boosted its stake in Southern by 0.5% in the third quarter. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC now owns 21,461 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,034,000 after acquiring an additional 105 shares in the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Southern by 0.7% during the third quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 15,230 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,443,000 after acquiring an additional 105 shares during the last quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC raised its holdings in Southern by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC now owns 15,667 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,485,000 after acquiring an additional 106 shares during the last quarter. Sara Bay Financial increased its stake in Southern by 2.7% in the third quarter. Sara Bay Financial now owns 4,133 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $392,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Southern by 2.1% during the third quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,155 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $489,000 after buying an additional 108 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.10% of the companys stock. Get Southern alerts: Southern Trading Up 0.2% Shares of NYSE:SO opened at $95.99 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69. The firm has a market cap of $105.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.42, a P/E/G ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.45. The company has a 50 day moving average of $89.32 and a 200-day moving average of $91.32. Southern Company has a twelve month low of $83.09 and a twelve month high of $100.83. Southern Announces Dividend Southern ( NYSE:SO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 18th. The utilities provider reported $0.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.56 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $6.98 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.41 billion. Southern had a net margin of 14.69% and a return on equity of 12.52%. Southerns quarterly revenue was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.50 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Southern Company will post 4.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.74 per share. This represents a $2.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 17th. Southerns payout ratio is currently 75.32%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades SO has been the topic of several research reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Southern in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. UBS Group dropped their target price on Southern from $98.00 to $94.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Mizuho set a $104.00 price target on Southern and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, February 20th. Truist Financial set a $103.00 price objective on shares of Southern in a research note on Friday, February 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an underweight rating on shares of Southern in a research note on Friday, February 20th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $97.64. Read Our Latest Stock Report on SO Southern Profile (Free Report) Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is an Atlanta-based energy holding company that provides electric and gas utility services and owns power generation assets across the United States. Founded in 1945, the company operates a portfolio of regulated electric utilities and affiliated businesses that generate, transmit and distribute electricity to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Southerns principal regulated electric subsidiaries include Georgia Power, Alabama Power and Mississippi Power, which serve large portions of the southeastern United States. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Southern Company (The) (NYSE:SO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Westpac Banking Corp trimmed its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 30.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,192 shares of the companys stock after selling 4,384 shares during the period. Westpac Banking Corps holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $7,776,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of LLY. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 80,959,089 shares of the companys stock worth $61,771,785,000 after acquiring an additional 551,659 shares during the last quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 78,621.2% during the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 11,552,336 shares of the companys stock worth $9,005,392,000 after purchasing an additional 11,537,661 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the second quarter worth about $8,827,714,000. Jennison Associates LLC raised its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 4.3% in the second quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 5,447,636 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,246,596,000 after purchasing an additional 226,620 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,359,653 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,178,010,000 after buying an additional 103,119 shares in the last quarter. 82.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance Shares of LLY opened at $1,030.30 on Thursday. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12-month low of $623.78 and a 12-month high of $1,133.95. The company has a current ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54. The company has a market cap of $971.95 billion, a PE ratio of 44.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 0.39. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $1,054.25 and a 200-day moving average price of $924.46. Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The company reported $7.54 earnings per share 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 business had revenue of $19.29 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.85 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $5.32 earnings per share. Eli Lilly and Companys quarterly 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. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 13th will be given a $1.73 dividend. This represents a $6.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.7%. This is a boost from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.50. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 13th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.15%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms recently weighed in on LLY. National Bank Financial set a $1,286.00 price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Monday, December 1st. Daiwa Securities Group raised their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,230.00 to $1,250.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. Rothschild & Co Redburn boosted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $775.00 to $830.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Wolfe Research increased their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,050.00 to $1,250.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Eli Lilly and Company from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, January 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have issued a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Eli Lilly and Company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $1,229.33. Read Our Latest Analysis on LLY Trending Headlines about Eli Lilly and Company Here are the key news stories impacting Eli Lilly and Company this week: Positive Sentiment: ACHIEVE3 headtohead Phase 3 data published in The Lancet show oral orforglipron (36 mg) produced larger A1C reductions and substantially greater weight loss versus oral semaglutide, and Lilly says it has filed orforglipron in 40+ countries with potential U.S. action for obesity in Q2 2026. Lilly press release on ACHIEVE-3 ACHIEVE3 headtohead Phase 3 data published in The Lancet show oral orforglipron (36 mg) produced larger A1C reductions and substantially greater weight loss versus oral semaglutide, and Lilly says it has filed orforglipron in 40+ countries with potential U.S. action for obesity in Q2 2026. Positive Sentiment: Royal Bank of Canada initiated coverage / upgraded Lilly to a moderate buy, reflecting bullish analyst conviction that new obesity and diabetes assets support upside. Street Insider Royal Bank of Canada initiated coverage / upgraded Lilly to a moderate buy, reflecting bullish analyst conviction that new obesity and diabetes assets support upside. Positive Sentiment: Truist reaffirmed a buy rating on LLY after the headtohead results, which can help underpin investor sentiment. MarketScreener Truist reaffirmed a buy rating on LLY after the headtohead results, which can help underpin investor sentiment. Neutral Sentiment: Reuters published additional trial details highlighting the safety/sideeffect profile from the orforglipron vs oral semaglutide diabetes study more safety detail lowers binary regulatory uncertainty but could raise monitoring in early commercialization. Reuters Reuters published additional trial details highlighting the safety/sideeffect profile from the orforglipron vs oral semaglutide diabetes study more safety detail lowers binary regulatory uncertainty but could raise monitoring in early commercialization. Neutral Sentiment: Bank of America tells investors Novos announced GLP1 listprice cuts are unlikely to meaningfully dent U.S. market dynamics for rivals like Lilly, which tempers downside risk from competitor pricing moves. Yahoo / BofA coverage Bank of America tells investors Novos announced GLP1 listprice cuts are unlikely to meaningfully dent U.S. market dynamics for rivals like Lilly, which tempers downside risk from competitor pricing moves. Negative Sentiment: Sector pressure from Novo Nordisks plan to cut U.S. list prices for Ozempic/Wegovy (reports of up to ~50% reductions) has already pressured GLP1 stocks; pricing moves raise the possibility of margin and competitive pricing pressure across the class. Yahoo: Novo halves US price Eli Lilly and Company Profile (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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. GENEVA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine-U.S. talks in Geneva concluded and preparations are underway for the next round of negotiations, Ukraine's chief negotiator Rustem Umerov said Thursday evening in a post on X. Umerov, Ukraine's national security and defense council secretary, said the objective is to make the next trilateral meeting involving the United States and Russia "as substantive as possible." Umerov said particular attention during the latest meetings was devoted to Ukraine's economic track and long-term support mechanisms. Together with the Ukrainian government's economic team and American partners, the Ukrainian side conducted a detailed review of a document on Ukraine's recovery. He said the parties agreed that their respective teams would continue refining the document, with a focus on future reconstruction and the investment plan. Ukrainian and U.S. delegations began talks here on Thursday afternoon as part of the efforts to end the years-long Ukraine-Russia conflict. The Ukrainian, Russian and U.S. delegations previously held two rounds of talks in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 23-24 and Feb. 4-5, followed by another round in Geneva on Feb. 17-18, yielding no agreement on key issues. Shares of Whitecap Resources Inc. (TSE:WCP Get Free Report) have earned a consensus recommendation of Buy from the eleven research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation, eight have issued a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is C$15.15. Several research analysts recently weighed in on WCP shares. TD Securities boosted their price target on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$13.00 to C$15.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$14.00 to C$16.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday. Canaccord Genuity Group boosted their target price on Whitecap Resources from C$14.00 to C$15.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday. Desjardins increased their price target on Whitecap Resources from C$14.00 to C$15.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, ATB Cormark Capital Markets lifted their price target on Whitecap Resources from C$13.00 to C$15.00 and gave the stock a moderate buy rating in a report on Tuesday. Get Whitecap Resources alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on WCP Whitecap Resources Price Performance Whitecap Resources News Roundup Shares of TSE:WCP opened at C$13.42 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 21.58. The stock has a market cap of C$16.29 billion, a PE ratio of 11.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -0.33 and a beta of 0.69. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is C$12.13 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$11.26. Whitecap Resources has a 1-year low of C$6.87 and a 1-year high of C$13.98. Here are the key news stories impacting Whitecap Resources this week: Positive Sentiment: Several major brokers raised price targets and lifted ratings, signaling analyst confidence in Whitecaps outlook RBC bumped its target to C$16 and set an outperform rating. RBC Raise Several major brokers raised price targets and lifted ratings, signaling analyst confidence in Whitecaps outlook RBC bumped its target to C$16 and set an outperform rating. Positive Sentiment: Desjardins raised its target to C$15 and put a buy rating on the stock. Desjardins Raise Desjardins raised its target to C$15 and put a buy rating on the stock. Positive Sentiment: TD Securities, ATB Cormark and BMO Capital Markets also lifted targets to around C$15 and issued buy/outperform stances a broad-based analyst re-rating that supports upside to consensus. Multiple Broker Raises TD Securities, ATB Cormark and BMO Capital Markets also lifted targets to around C$15 and issued buy/outperform stances a broad-based analyst re-rating that supports upside to consensus. Positive Sentiment: Canaccord increased its target to C$15.50 and maintained a buy view, adding to the cluster of upward revisions from Canadian brokers. Canaccord Raise Canaccord increased its target to C$15.50 and maintained a buy view, adding to the cluster of upward revisions from Canadian brokers. Positive Sentiment: Commercially meaningful: UK energy firm Centrica signed a natural-gas supply deal with Whitecap a contract that can strengthen contracted cash flows and customer diversification. Centrica Deal Commercially meaningful: UK energy firm Centrica signed a natural-gas supply deal with Whitecap a contract that can strengthen contracted cash flows and customer diversification. Neutral Sentiment: A Yahoo Finance piece discusses the WhitecapVeren integration and how it reshapes scale, cash flows and risk useful context for longer-term fundamentals but not an immediate catalyst. Integration Article A Yahoo Finance piece discusses the WhitecapVeren integration and how it reshapes scale, cash flows and risk useful context for longer-term fundamentals but not an immediate catalyst. Neutral Sentiment: Investor-oriented coverage (MSN, Globe and Yahoo pieces) highlights Whitecap as a dividend/income idea these widen retail interest but are unlikely to move the stock alone. Dividend Coverage Investor-oriented coverage (MSN, Globe and Yahoo pieces) highlights Whitecap as a dividend/income idea these widen retail interest but are unlikely to move the stock alone. Negative Sentiment: Raymond James cut its conviction from strong-buy to moderate buy despite raising the price target to C$16 a downgrade in enthusiasm that could temper buying momentum. Raymond James Change About Whitecap Resources (Get Free Report) Whitecap Resources Inc is a leading Canadian energy company committed to delivering reliable returns to shareholders through the responsible development of oil and natural gas assets in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. With a strong track record of profitable growth and a sustainable dividend, Whitecap delivers long-term value to investors, supported by investment-grade financial strength. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Whitecap Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Whitecap Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. GENEVA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- As the United States and Iran meet in Geneva on Thursday for nuclear talks, the hope for a possible agreement that will satisfy both parties is overshadowed by tense diplomatic language. Despite both countries signaling their intention to negotiate, the recent U.S. military deployment in the Mideast and Iran's claim of readiness to retaliate have complicated matters. What's at stake? The latest talks in Geneva are being mediated by Oman, a country that's long served as a mediator between Iran and the West. Immediately after Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva on Wednesday night, he met his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi ahead of the third round of indirect nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington. It marks the effective start of the third round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States, according to a statement released by Iran's Foreign Ministry early Thursday. During the talks, Araghchi, who leads Iran's delegation, outlined Iran's positions and called for U.S. sanctions to be lifted, conveying Tehran's views and considerations to the Omani side. He expressed appreciation for Oman's role in facilitating the ongoing diplomatic process, stressing that the success of the negotiations hinges on the other side's seriousness and its avoidance of contradictory actions and statements. U.S. special Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff, a billionaire real estate developer and friend of U.S. President Donald Trump, arrived for the talks. However, tensions between the United States and Iran date back decades, and a single round of talks cannot address all the concerns. What do both sides want? Two rounds of indirect talks were held earlier this month, centered on restricting Iran's uranium enrichment and stockpiles in exchange for sanctions relief. Highly enriched uranium enables the rapid development of nuclear weapons. The Trump administration is demanding an indefinite, verifiable deal to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, amidst threats of military action if diplomacy fails, while Iran wants to lift a series of sanctions imposed by the United States that have troubled its economy. "We start with the Iranians with the premise that there is no sunset provision. Whether we get a deal or not, our premise is: you have to behave for the rest of your lives," Witkoff was quoted as saying at a private gathering in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. Witkoff said that two key issues in the current nuclear talks are Iran's ability to enrich uranium and the fate of its existing stockpile of enriched uranium. He added that the talks were currently focused on Iran's nuclear program. However, if a deal is reached, the White House would seek follow-up negotiations on Iran's missile program and its support for proxy militias. Iran has maintained that the talks must remain focused solely on nuclear issues. Araghchi said, "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." In his remarks posted on X, Araghchi said the two sides have a "historic opportunity" to strike an unprecedented agreement that addresses mutual concerns and achieves common interests, adding that a deal is within reach if diplomacy is prioritized. Is diplomacy possible? Before the talks start, the United States has deployed one of its largest concentrations of air and naval forces to the Middle East in decades, including two aircraft carrier strike groups, showing its militant deterrence. "It has not been easy over the years to reach a substantive agreement with Iran, and we must secure a meaningful deal," Trump said last week. "Otherwise, negative consequences will follow." In Washington, Trump addressed the issue on Tuesday during his first State of the Union address of his second term to a joint session of Congress, stating a preference for a diplomatic resolution but reiterating a firm red line. "My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy," he said. "But one thing is certain -- I will never allow ... Iran to have a nuclear weapon." The president also accused Iran of advancing its missile program in ways that could eventually threaten the United States and its allies. "They've already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and they're working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America," Trump said. In response to Trump's remarks, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said it was "big lies," accusing Washington of waging a "disinformation and misinformation campaign" against Iran. Baghaei said allegations concerning Iran's nuclear program, its ballistic missile activities and the reported death toll during unrest in January amounted to a repetition of what he described as "big lies," according to a post he published on social media platform X. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran's parliament speaker, said that the United States could either try diplomacy or face Iran's wrath. "But if you decide to repeat past experiences through deception, lies, flawed analysis and false information, and launch an attack in the midst of negotiations, you will undoubtedly taste the firm blow of the Iranian nation and the country's defensive forces," Qalibaf said. Iran had temporarily closed the Strait of Hormuz on Feb. 17, the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean and one of the world's most strategically important choke points through which a fifth of all oil traded passes. Tehran could also retaliate against the U.S.-allied nations of the Persian Gulf or Israel if the worst happens, meaning a regional war could break out across the oil-producing area. Oil prices have climbed recently in part due to those concerns. 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. You voted: NEW YORK, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday told U.S. House lawmakers that she had no idea about Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell's crimes. "I had no idea about their criminal activities. I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island, homes or offices. I have nothing to add to that," Clinton said in a statement posted on social media. The statement came before she was due to deliver a closed-door deposition before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in Chappaqua, New York. Her husband, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, will appear for a similar deposition on Friday, which will be the first time for a former president to testify before Congress since 1983. In the statement, Clinton accused the committee of trying to shift focus away from U.S. President Donald Trump's ties to Epstein. "You have compelled me to testify, fully aware that I have no knowledge that would assist your investigation, in order to distract attention from President Trump's actions and to cover them up despite legitimate calls for answers," she wrote. "If this Committee is serious about learning the truth about Epstein's trafficking crimes, it would not rely on press gaggles to get answers from our current president on his involvement; it would ask him directly under oath about the tens of thousands of times he shows up in the Epstein files," she said. James Comer, chairman of the committee, rejected claims that the probe was a partisan effort targeting Hillary Clinton, stating: "No one is accusing at this moment the Clintons of any wrongdoing." The Clintons' interview will be videotaped and transcripts will be made public, according to Comer. The Clintons agreed to testify after their offers of sworn statements were rebuffed, and Comer threatened criminal contempt of Congress charges against them. The U.S. Department of Justice has released more than 3 million pages of Epstein-related documents over the past months to comply with a law passed by Congress. Epstein pleaded guilty to a state charge of soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008. He was arrested again in July 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges and died in jail on Aug. 10, 2019 before trial. If we take a step back, Microsoft still looks like a long-term winner. The multi-year chart tells a story of steady gains, powered by cloud leadership and the AI wave. That run firmly positioned it as a mega-cap anchor in tech portfolios. But zoom into the past year, and the story appears to look different. Its Azure cloud platform supports businesses worldwide, while Microsoft 365 keeps offices, schools, and teams connected. The company also operates in developer tools, enterprise software, and gaming. Over the years, Microsoft has shifted from selling boxed software to building subscription and AI-driven cloud ecosystems, constantly adapting to stay ahead in a fast-changing tech landscape. Microsoft is one of those companies that quietly powers everyday life. Founded as a software maker, it has grown into a global tech giant with a market capitalization of $2.85 trillion. Windows still runs the majority of the worlds PCs, but Microsoft today is much more than an operating system company. The analyst is not calling for a blanket buy. He recommends being selective and focusing on fundamentally strong U.S.-based companies. Against that backdrop, lets examine three beaten-down yet resilient players. Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), design software maker Autodesk (ADSK), and customer platform provider HubSpot (HUBS) are all nursing year-to-date (YTD) losses. But for investors, they could be solid buy-the-dip portfolio additions. According to UBS analyst Andrew Garthwaite, software is now 6.1 standard deviations oversold, pointing to a rare disconnect between stock prices, earnings trends, and macro variables. UBSs Market Narrative model suggests U.S. software screens nearly 40% undervalued, though Garthwaite cautions that a weaker dollar clouds the outlook for European peers. Historically, when valuations have compressed this much, the sector has outperformed mostly over a one-year horizon. Nevertheless, free cash flow yields are not broadly attractive. The software trade has not just cooled it has been aggressively repriced. The artificial intelligence (AI) excitement has turned into AI anxiety, with investors questioning which business models will remain strong and which will be disrupted. Consequently, the sector has undergone a meaningful markdown worldwide. Sector P/E premiums have compressed, well below the historical average, although earnings momentum still ranks among the stronger pockets of the market. Story Continues MSFT is down about 4% over the past 52 weeks. The past six months have been more challenging, with shares sliding nearly 24%. In 2026, the stock is already down roughly 20% YTD. Investor concerns around elevated AI-related capital spending, rising competition, and a more measured near-term outlook have pressured sentiment. After its Q2 earnings report in January, shares fell 10% in a single session, and that was the sharpest drop since March 2020. The stock now trades near a 10-month low after four straight monthly declines. Technically, volumes have increased, signaling active repositioning, while the 14-day RSI has dipped into oversold territory, suggesting short-term pressure may be stretched. www.barchart.com When we look at valuation, Microsoft is not exactly a bargain bin stock. It trades around 23.8 times forward adjusted earnings and about 9 times forward sales, which is higher than the broader tech sector. But compared to its own history, the stock is actually a bit cheaper than usual. So the premium feels more like a reflection of quality than overpricing, especially with revenue, margins, and cash flow still trending higher. Plus, Microsoft has remained consistently loyal to shareholders. Since starting dividends in 2003, the company has raised its payout consistently, now paying $3.64 per-share annualized dividend with a low 22.6% payout ratio that leaves room for steady future growth. Microsoft released its earnings report for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 on Jan. 28. Revenue jumped 17% year-over-year (YOY) to $81.3 billion, while non-GAAP EPS climbed 24% to $4.14. Both exceeded Wall Streets projections, reflecting continued strength across Azure, productivity software, and AI-driven services. A notable swing factor was Microsofts stake in OpenAI. The company recorded a $7.6 billion net gain tied to that investment, reversing prior-year losses. Still, management focused attention on core operating performance, emphasizing non-GAAP results that exclude investment volatility. Margins held up impressively. Operating margin reached 47%, even as Microsoft continues pouring capital into AI infrastructure. Cloud revenue crossed $50 billion in a single quarter for the first time, up 26%. Commercial bookings climbed 23%, and remaining performance obligations surged to $625 billion a massive contracted revenue pipeline, with roughly 45% tied to OpenAI-related commitments. Yet despite the strength, shares fell 10% the next day. The market reaction wasnt about weakness it was about expectations. Investors wanted even faster cloud acceleration and grew cautious about AI-related capital expenditures, which reached $29.9 billion in the quarter. Plus, Microsoft is spending aggressively, with the tech giant adding roughly one gigawatt of data center capacity in just three months, introducing custom silicon like Maya 200 and Cobalt 200, and expanding AI-optimized facilities globally. Financially, the balance sheet remains solid. Microsoft ended Q2 with $89.5 billion in cash and investments against $40.3 billion in long-term debt. Operating cash flow reached $35.8 billion. The company returned $12.7 billion to shareholders through dividends and buybacks. Looking ahead, Q3 revenue is guided between $80.65 billion and $81.75 billion, implying mid-teens growth. Azure is expected to accelerate to 37% to 38% growth range, though demand continues to outpace supply. Management sees margins dipping slightly in the near term due to AI investments, but expects full-year margins to edge higher as spending normalizes balancing scale with profitability. When it comes to outlook, Microsoft still has Wall Street firmly on its side. For fiscal Q3 2026, analysts expect about $4.05 per share profit, up 17.1% YOY. Revenue is projected to be around $81.4 billion, signaling that growth across cloud and AI remains steady. Looking at the full year, confidence builds further. EPS is estimated at $16.37 for fiscal 2026, marking roughly 20% annual growth, with projections climbing another 14% annually to $18.72 in fiscal 2027. That kind of steady expansion keeps the long-term story intact. Analysts are upbeat on MSFT, with an overall Strong Buy consensus. Of the 50 analysts tracking the stock, 41 have a Strong Buy, four advise a Moderate Buy, and the remaining five are on the sidelines with a Hold rating. MSFT has an average price target of $595.60, implying roughly 53.8% upside potential from current levels, implying the momentum still has room to build. On the bullish end, the Street-high target of $678 points to even sharper gains of 75%, reinforcing belief in Microsofts durable AI and cloud momentum. www.barchart.com www.barchart.com Software Stock #2: Autodesk San Francisco-based Autodesk, founded in 1982, builds software that powers how things are designed and made. From buildings and infrastructure to products and films, its tools like AutoCAD, Revit, Fusion, and Maya are industry staples. With AI increasingly embedded into its platforms, Autodesk helps architects, engineers, manufacturers, and creators work faster and smarter. Its market cap stands at around $46.4 billion. Even with solid fundamentals, Autodesk has not escaped the broader software selloff. Over the past 52 weeks, ADSK stock is down 22.4%, and it has pulled back about 33% from its last years September high of $329.09. The pressure has accelerated lately. Shares have fallen 23.64% in the past three months and another 18.03% in just the last month. So far in 2026, ADSK is off 25.23%, touching a low of $216.01 on February 12. From a technical standpoint, trading volume has cooled, and the 14-day RSI has slipped into oversold territory, signaling stretched short-term conditions. www.barchart.com From a valuation standpoint, Autodesk trades around 27x forward adjusted earnings and roughly 6.46x sales, both below its five-year average multiples. That gap suggests the market may be discounting the strength of its durable subscription model and long-term growth profile. With analysts expecting continued expansion in both top and bottom lines, current levels could represent a compelling entry point for patient investors. Autodesk reported its Q3 fiscal 2026 results on Nov. 25, 2026, and the numbers outpaced expectations. Revenue climbed 18% YOY to $1.9 billion, while EPS rose 26% annually to $1.60, highlighting solid operating momentum. Meanwhile, non-GAAP EPS came in at $2.67. Operating income jumped 35.8% to $470 million, while net income increased 24.7% to $343 million compared with last year. Investors welcomed the results, sending shares up 1.6% on the day of the release and another 2.4% in the next session. Autodesks ongoing push into cloud-based platforms and AI-driven tools is clearly paying off. Billings came in at $1.9 billion, and the company generated a healthy $430 million in free cash flow during the quarter, reinforcing both growth and financial discipline. Autodesk is gearing up to release its Q4 and fiscal 2026 earnings report on Thursday, Feb. 26, after the bell. Management projects fiscal 2026 revenue to be between $7.15 billion and $7.165 billion, while billings are anticipated to be between $7.465 billion and $7.525 billion. The company also estimates annual non-GAAP EPS between $10.18 and $10.25. Analysts are backing that confidence with solid forward numbers. For fiscal Q4, earnings are projected to climb about 22.2% YOY to $1.93 per share, with revenue expected to be near $1.91 billion. Looking at the full year, fiscal 2026 EPS is anticipated to grow roughly 23.4% annually to $7.23 before rising by another 16.3% in fiscal 2027 to around $8.41. Wall Street is firmly in its corner. ADSK stock carries a Strong Buy consensus overall, with a majority of 23 of 27 analysts rating it a Strong Buy. Meanwhile, just one analyst has a Moderate Buy, while the remaining three are playing it safe, advising a Hold. Price targets also reflect solid confidence. The mean price target of $366.31 suggest upside potential of 66.3% from current levels. More optimistically, the Street-high target of $460 implies ADSK could rally as much as 108.9%, signaling confidence in Autodesks long-term growth story. www.barchart.com www.barchart.com Software Stock #3: HubSpot Incorporated in 2005 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, HubSpot offers a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) platform for businesses across the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Its platform brings together tools for marketing, sales, customer service, content management, operations, and commerce all in one connected system. The companys hubs help businesses automate email marketing, manage leads, track sales pipelines, handle customer support, build websites, process payments, and analyze performance. HubSpot also integrates AI through its Breeze tools, which provide automation, insights, and content support to improve productivity. Beyond software, HubSpot offers training, customer support, and professional services to help clients grow. It primarily serves mid-market B2B companies, with customers including WeightWatchers (WW), Motorola Solutions (MSI), and DoorDash (DASH). Its market capitalization currently stands at $11.5 billion. Despite its strong business momentum, HUBS stock has been in a tough stretch. Shares have fallen nearly 70% from their peak of $738.54, sliding 68.6% over the past year and touching a low of $207.20 in February. In 2026 alone, the stock is down 42.17%. On the technical side, trading volume has eased, and the 14-day RSI, which recently dipped into oversold territory, now sits around 37.22, still hovering near stressed levels. www.barchart.com After that sharp pullback, HubSpots valuation is starting to look more reasonable. The stock now trades at about 17.46 times forward adjusted earnings below both its historical median and the broader sector average. Its forward price-to-sales (P/S) ratio stands at 3.10x. While thats still slightly above some peers, its lower than its own five-year average, suggesting valuation pressure has meaningfully eased. HubSpot reminded investors why it is often viewed by some as one of the steadier growth stories in software. On Feb. 11, the customer platform provider delivered its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results, and shares climbed 9.4% the next day after the company topped expectations and laid out a confident outlook. Fourth-quarter revenue rose 20.4% YOY to $846.7 million, fueled by stronger engagement across its platform. HubSpots push to embed advanced AI tools from AI assistance and AI agents to AI insights and ChatSpot across its product suite is clearly gaining traction, helping customers automate, analyze, and scale more efficiently. Adjusted EPS came in at $3.09, up from $2.32 a year ago and ahead of estimates. The company added more than 9,800 net new customers in the quarter, bringing the total to 288,706, up 16% annually. Average subscription revenue per customer ticked up 3% to $11,683. One standout metric was billings, which surged 26.3% to $969.3 million, indicating a strong signal for future revenue visibility. Cash flow also strengthened. HubSpot generated $247.4 million in operating cash in Q4 and $760.7 million for full-year 2025, ending December with $882.2 million in cash. HubSpot views 2025 as a pivotal year, marked by strong AI momentum and deeper traction with larger enterprises. CEO Yamini Rangan highlighted that its AI agents are driving tangible customer outcomes, while upmarket clients are adopting HubSpot to streamline tech stacks and lower ownership costs. Entering 2026, management believes the company is well positioned to expand its leadership and deliver consistent, durable growth. Looking ahead, management estimates Q1 2026 revenue to be between $862 million and $863 million, with non-GAAP EPS between $2.46 and $2.48. For full-year 2026, management guides to $3.69 billion to $3.7 billion in revenue and EPS between $12.38 and $12.46, representing a steady growth, with momentum intact. Meanwhile, analysts tracking HubSpot expect Q1 revenue to rise to $863.4 million, with EPS expected to be $0.67. Looking further ahead, profit is anticipated to jump nearly 127% to $3.63 per share in fiscal 2026 and surge another 47.7% in 2027 to $5.36 per share. The stock carries a Strong Buy consensus overall. Among the 34 analysts tracking the stock, 28 issue a Strong Buy, three give a Moderate Buy, and the remaining three advise a Hold. The average analyst price target of $376.03 suggests an upside potential of 61.6%. The Street-high target of $700 suggests that the software stock can still rally as much as 200% from current levels. www.barchart.com www.barchart.com On the date of publication, Sristi Suman Jayaswal 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 Faith Methodist Church in Orange will host NextGen's Brunch & Bunny Fundraiser on March 28, from 10am - 11. The church is located at 8608 MLK Jr Drive in Orange. This family-friendly event will feature a delicious brunch with the Easter Bunny himself, as well as story time and picture opportunities. Tickets are $10. Children under two will eat free. Tickets can be purchased through the church office, the QR code, or this link https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/10916408. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to come together and celebrate the Easter season in a fun and memorable way. If you have any questions, please call the church office at (409) 886-1291 or email [email protected]. There will also be a free community Easter egg hunt beginning at 9:30 AM. Children from infants through fifth grade are invited to search for colorful eggs and enjoy a joyful morning filled with laughter, fun and special family memories. Children should bring their Easter baskets for egg hunting. Infiltration from across the border Lessons from Litan | Certain points should be clear, very clear and if these cases do not open the eyes of the people concerned then one wonders what will. Even as the NSCN (IM), the Tangkhul Naga Long and others concerned have come out strongly against the gradual occupation of land which they claim are ancestral lands of the Naga people, the opposition to the move of the Government of India to fence the porous Indo-Myanmar border continues as well as the opposition against the move to rationalise the Free Movement Regime. It does not need rocket science technology to understand from where the people who have settled on their lands have come, so much so that today they have started laying claim on the land which the TNL and the NSCN (IM) claim are lands which belong to the Tangkhul people. As stated in earlier commentaries here, anyone who travelled more than once or twice on the Imphal-Ukhrul road during the late 70s, 80s and even 90s, will vouch that during those days, Litan was nothing more than a small settlement and was identified as a Tangkhul village. The villages that one comes across before reaching Litan on the way from Imphal consisted of just some houses, very much unlike today. How did the population of these small villages grow so fast in just two or three decades ? Answers which do not need deep study. It is not just Litan and the surrounding villages, but a closer look at National Highway-2 will tell its own story. Who are the main inhabitants of Kalapahar, the village that one comes across before Kangpokpi on the way from Imphal ? Back in the 70s and 80s such a question would not have arisen but take a look at the said place today and the picture should tell its own significant story. Nagaland too has a somewhat similar story to tell if one looks at the recent flare up between the Kukis and the Angamis at Chumoukedima district some days back. From where did the Kuki settlers come and settle at the Chumoukedima village ? Questions which the Nagas of Manipur, particularly the Tangkhuls should be raising, instead of raising the voice of protest against the move to fence the porous Indo-Myanmar border and rectify the existing Free Trade Movement. This is why it was disturbing to note that even today, militant groups are busy trying to disrupt the border fencing work and out of the total length of 1643 kilometres stretch not more than 30 kms have been fenced. Or take a look at the composltion of MLAs from the hill areas. While the Nagas, particularly the Tangkhuls seem busy to be calling and demanding delimitation, not much thought seems to have been given to the growing number of Kuki-Zo MLAs, at the cost of the Naga people. Figures or statistics dont lie and for more than once The Sangai Express has carried commentaries, detailing the rise in the number of Kuki-Zo MLAs while at the same time touching on the how the number of Naga MLAs has decreased. Why is it that it is has become more and more difficult for a Naga MLA to represent Tengnoupal Assembly Constituency ? Questions which the Naga folks should be raising within themselves. A lesson should be learnt from the Litan incident. Will not make much sense if one continues to talk about infiltrators while opposing moves to check cross border movement and border fencing and remodelling the FMR are steps to check infiltrators. If one looks at the series of steps taken up by the Foothills Naga Coordination Committee, it was a stand against infiltrators and this is something that should have been noted a long time back. It was with a reason why there was the generally held belief that the Nagas understand the politics of infiltration and the infiltrators better than the Meiteis and it is precisely because of this that the stand to oppose the border fencing and the new FMR should be given a long, hard look. It is the Nagas who stand to be first affected the most due to the unchecked infiltration from across the border and the importance of this line should be noted. First to be affected and ideally the Nagas should be the first to raise the call to check infiltration from across the border. The Litan incident, the movement launched by the FNCC, the growing number of settlements along NH-2 on the way to Senapati should be more than indicative of the pattern in the infiltration. Great things are happening to the stocks in this article. Theyre all outperforming the market over the last month because of positive catalysts such as a new product line, constructive news flow, or even a loyal Reddit fanbase. While momentum can be a leading indicator, it has burned many investors as it doesnt always correlate with long-term success. Keeping that in mind, here are three stocks that are likely overheated and some you should look into instead. More from Yahoo Scout What makes these stocks risky investments right now? How has United Natural Foods struggled with profitability? Why is Carrier Global considered overrated despite recent gains? What challenges are driving Trinity's underperformance outlook? Carrier Global (CARR) One-Month Return: +7.2% Founded by the inventor of air conditioning, Carrier Global (NYSE:CARR) manufactures heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration products. Why Are We Out on CARR? Organic revenue growth fell short of our benchmarks over the past two years and implies it may need to improve its products, pricing, or go-to-market strategy Incremental sales over the last two years were much less profitable as its earnings per share fell by 2.8% annually while its revenue grew Eroding returns on capital suggest its historical profit centers are aging At $61.51 per share, Carrier Global trades at 22.8x forward P/E. To fully understand why you should be careful with CARR, check out our full research report (its free). Trinity (TRN) One-Month Return: +22.8% Operating under the trade name TrinityRail, Trinity (NYSE:TRN) is a provider of railcar products and services in North America. Why Are We Wary of TRN? Demand cratered as it couldnt win new orders over the past two years, leading to an average 27.8% decline in its backlog Demand will likely be weak over the next 12 months as Wall Street expects flat revenue 22.9 percentage point decline in its free cash flow margin over the last five years reflects the companys increased investments to defend its market position Trinity is trading at $34.51 per share, or 1.3x trailing 12-month price-to-sales. If youre considering TRN for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more. United Natural Foods (UNFI) One-Month Return: +4.9% With a vast network of 55 distribution centers spanning approximately 30 million square feet of warehouse space, United Natural Foods (NYSE:UNFI) is North America's premier grocery wholesaler distributing natural, organic, and conventional products to over 30,000 retail locations across the US and Canada. Why Do We Think UNFI Will Underperform? Saint-Laurent, QC (H4T1V6) Today Cloudy and damp with rain this morning...then becoming partly cloudy. High 59F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low 39F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. This photo shows a scene of a seminar on global governance and the launch ceremony of the English edition of the first volume of "China's Governance Under Xi Jinping's Leadership" at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang) * On Tuesday, a seminar on global governance and the debut of the English edition of the first volume of "China's Governance Under Xi Jinping's Leadership" were held at the Palais des Nations. * "The world wonders: What's the secret recipe for the Chinese modernization? How has President Xi Jinping steadily led a country of over 1.4 billion people toward prosperity and national rejuvenation?" said Fu Hua, president of Xinhua News Agency. "In this book, I believe readers will find a satisfying answer." GENEVA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- As an early spring thaw settles over Lake Geneva, the Palais des Nations, home to the United Nations Office at Geneva, is buzzing with renewed diplomatic energy. In a city long recognized as a hub of international law and a bastion of multilateral diplomacy, global voices have once again gathered to navigate the complex challenges of a modern era. On Tuesday, a seminar on global governance and the debut of the English edition of the first volume of "China's Governance Under Xi Jinping's Leadership" were held at the Palais des Nations. The event convened approximately 200 representatives from United Nations agencies, international organizations, think tanks, and the business community to exchange perspectives on global governance. This photo shows a book of the English edition of the first volume of "China's Governance Under Xi Jinping's Leadership." (Xinhua/Cai Yang) GLOBAL GOVERNANCE DEFICIT Just two months into 2026, the world is enveloped in turbulence. As the Ukraine crisis continues to ravage the region, a U.S. military strike on Venezuela has upended the political order in the Americas, while a rapid military buildup in the Gulf has placed the Middle East on alert. "We are a world brimming with conflict, impunity, inequality and unpredictability," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently. Tatiana Valovaya, director-general of the United Nations Office at Geneva, also warned of the fragility of the international order. Addressing the seminar, she noted that rising geopolitical tensions, eroding trust, and accelerating climate disruption have made global governance appear elusive. Yet "it is precisely when global governance is under fire that we need it most," Valovaya said. "In moments like this, we must return to the principles underpinning our system of global governance, the United Nations Charter adopted eight decades ago." George Katrougalos, a UN independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, also warned that the world is witnessing "withdrawal from multilateral commitments, protectionist policies." He criticized the use of tariffs in international trade. "The tariffs are used as a weapon, as a pressure on international institutions to abandon consensual commitments or conventional commitments. Just recently, last week, the United States has succeeded in removing climate change from the main priorities of the International Energy Agency," he said. "This situation, this might versus right, puts new pressure to the United Nations system," he said. "We need to reinforce the United Nations system." Tatiana Valovaya, director-general of the United Nations Office at Geneva, addresses a seminar on global governance and the launch ceremony of the English edition of the first volume of "China's Governance Under Xi Jinping's Leadership" at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) WHAT CHINA'S GOVERNANCE OFFERS THE WORLD At the seminar, the English edition of the first volume of "China's Governance Under Xi Jinping's Leadership," published by Xinhua News Agency, drew significant interest upon its unveiling. "The world wonders: What's the secret recipe for the Chinese modernization? How has President Xi Jinping steadily led a country of over 1.4 billion people toward prosperity and national rejuvenation?" said Fu Hua, president of Xinhua News Agency. "In this book, I believe readers will find a satisfying answer." For Peter Hediger, a Swiss sinologist, historian and international security policy expert, under Xi's leadership, "China has achieved very impressive achievements in poverty alleviation, providing a development model for countries in the Global South." "Publishing the book internationally is extremely important to give leaders and communities around the world a window into understanding China's journey from poverty to prosperity. They can also derive many lessons and adapt them to their own development perspective," Hussein Askary, vice-chairman of the Belt and Road Institute in Sweden, also told Xinhua. Beyond poverty, economic development lies at the heart of how nations rise and how the world remains stable. The book explores how China has consolidated its position as the world's second-largest economy, acting as a critical stabilizer and engine for global growth. British economist John Ross told Xinhua that China's economy continues to expand steadily and remains a key driving force of global growth. "All claims made in sections of the Western media last year of a serious slowdown in China's economy, as usual, turned out to be entirely false," he said. Yet sustainable modernization demands more than economic growth: It requires living in harmony with the natural world. Peter Bakker, president and CEO of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, said China is a leader in sustainable development, producing much-needed solutions in many markets. He expressed his hope that Chinese innovation can be made available to all through partnerships with companies around the world. Bakker said he views China as "a country with hope, a country where new technologies are being developed faster and where a balance between nature, people and technological development is being thought." This photo shows a scene of a seminar on global governance and the launch ceremony of the English edition of the first volume of "China's Governance Under Xi Jinping's Leadership" at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang) TOWARD SHARED FUTURE The year 2025 marked the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. At this historic juncture, China put forward the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), calling for the practice of five key principles: staying committed to sovereign equality, staying committed to international rule of law, staying committed to multilateralism, staying committed to the people-centered approach, and staying committed to real results. From the Global Development Initiative proposed in 2021, to the Global Security Initiative in 2022, and the Global Civilization Initiative in 2023, and now to the GGI, these four major global initiatives reinforce and complement one another. Together, they form a comprehensive framework of public goods offered by China to address global challenges and promote a brighter future for humanity. Along the way, the Global South, with a growing sense of historical awareness and purpose, is emerging as a vital force in advancing reform of the global governance system and upholding international fairness and justice. "The essence of enhancing coordination among the Global South is to build a parallel yet non-separate, independent yet non-confrontational governance space through 'incremental innovation' at a time when 'stock reform' of the Western-dominated global governance system faces numerous difficulties," said Yang Jiemian, chairman of the academic advisory council of the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies. Yang noted that more should be done to amplify the voice of the Global South, an important force in the international community, to "contribute collective wisdom and strength to creating a more prosperous and just new world pattern." Jia Guide, China's permanent representative and ambassador to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, summarized the consensus reached as follows: In the face of an uncertain world, the international community must stay committed to the right path of multilateralism, choosing dialogue over confrontation, inclusiveness over exclusion, and cooperation over decoupling. Bradys latest quarter reflected continued momentum in engineered identification products, with management highlighting robust performance in the Americas and Asia, particularly in wire identification solutions for data centers and industrial clients. CEO Russell Shaller noted that engineered products have more than compensated for softness in commoditized offerings, supporting margin resilience despite sluggish manufacturing activity in key regions. The companys improved gross profit margin was attributed to a shift in sales mix and benefits from last years cost reduction actions. Management also emphasized strong cash generation and disciplined operating expense control, helping offset pockets of weaker organic growth, especially in the Americas and Europe. Is now the time to buy BRC? Find out in our full research report (its free). Brady (BRC) Q4 CY2025 Highlights: Revenue: $384.1 million vs analyst estimates of $378.6 million (7.7% year-on-year growth, 1.5% beat) Adjusted EPS: $1.09 vs analyst estimates of $1.09 (in line) Adjusted EBITDA: $68.22 million vs analyst estimates of $76.4 million (17.8% margin, 10.7% miss) Management slightly raised its full-year Adjusted EPS guidance to $5.05 at the midpoint Operating Margin: 16.2%, in line with the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $4.33 billion While we enjoy listening to the management's commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls are the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention. Our Top 5 Analyst Questions From Bradys Q4 Earnings Call Tata Sons recently deferred a decision on reappointing Natarajan Chandrasekaran as chairman for a third term amid conditions set by Tata Trusts head Noel Tata. When he was announced as the Tata Sons head in January of 2017, THE WEEKs cover featured Chandrasekaran at the small Mohanur village in Namakkal, Tamil Naduhis childhood home. Back in October 2018,more than a year after Chandra (as he is widely known) took the helm of Tata Sons, he told THE WEEK in an exclusive interview how he plans to simplify the Tata Group. Fast forward more than seven years, Chandra himself asked the Tata Sons board for a deferral of consensus in regard to his reappointment. After an eventful board meeting at Bombay House on February 24, 2026, where the decision to extend his chairpersonship was to be decided, Chandra told reporters waiting outside: "I recommended that it should be deferred." This came after Noel Tata, head of Tata Truststhe group's controlling entityreportedly laid down some tough conditions. When Tata Sons' board met at their iconic Bombay House headquarters in Mumbai, the agenda included discussing Chandrasekaran's reappointmenthis current term ends in February 2027. THE WEEK Cover - Jan 2017 But according to reports, the discussion quickly veered into losses in certain group companies, like new ventures, and a push against Tata Sons adding debt. Noel is said to have asked for a commitment from Chandra to keep Tata Sons private with no IPO in sight. Chandrasekaran could not commit to it, for that rested with the RBI taking a decisionsomething not in control of the chairman. Tata Sons, declared as a Core Investment Company (CIC), faced a September 30, 2025, listing deadline for upperlayer NBFCs set by the Reserve Bank of India. But instead of opting for an IPO, they applied to surrender CIC status in March 2024 to stay private. Technically, the firm is operating in non-compliance with the RBI upper-layer NBFC listing mandate, since the apex bank has yet to decide on the matter. N. Chandrasekaran joined Tata in 1987, led TCS as CEO, and became Tata Sons chairman in 2017, post the Cyrus Mistry ouster. Credited with doubling revenue and profits at top 15 listed firms, Chandra is also credited with some big moves: Air India turnaround, TCS navigating AI disruption, and pushing India's first homegrown semiconductor fab. For now, it seems like Chandrasekaran's nonfamily leadership is at loggerheads with Noel Tata's family oversight. But the current chairman has a year left, and a lot can happen in twelve months. The FBI arrested a former US Air Force officer and pilot, Gerald Eddie Brown, Jr., who served in the US Air Force for over 24 years, for betraying the US by training Chinese military pilots in combat aircraft operations. The case highlights the efforts of the Chinese military to modernise its forces using foreign talent who have knowledge of how the systems and platforms of Beijing's adversaries work. The US had, in a bulletin, along with the governments of Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand in 2024 warned that Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) recruits current and former military personnel from NATO nations and other Western countries to help bolster the PLAs capabilities and modernisation. For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India According to the US Justice Department, Brown, known by the call sign Runner, 65, who served as a fighter pilot instructor and simulator instructor on several US fighter and attack aircraft, including the F-4 'Phantom II,' F-15 'Eagle', F-16 'Fighting Falcon' and the A-10 'Thunderbolt II', has been charged by criminal complaint with providing and conspiring to provide defense services to Chinese military pilots without authorisation in violation of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA). Gerald Brown, a former F-35 Lightning II instructor pilot with decades of experience flying U.S. military aircraft, allegedly betrayed his country by training Chinese pilots to fight against those he swore to protect, Roman Rozhavsky, assistant director of the FBIs Counterintelligence and Espionage Division, was quoted as saying. He claimed that the Chinese government continues to exploit the expertise of current and former members of the US armed forces to modernise its military capabilities. ALSO READ: Europe's fighter jet deadlock: Airbus proposes two-fighter solution to save troubled FCAS US Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia pointed out that, as an Air Force officer, Brown took an oath to defend his country against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Brown "broke that oath and betrayed the country, jeopardising the safety of servicemembers and allies," Pirro added. Lee M. Russ, executive director of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Office of Special Projects, pointed out that providing US military training to adversaries represents a significant threat to national security. Around August 2023, Brown started arranging the terms of his contract to train Chinese military pilots, using a co-conspirator to negotiate with Stephen Su Bin, a Chinese national who pleaded guilty to conspiring to hack into the computer networks of major US defence contractors and steal sensitive military information. According to the Justice Department, Brown traveled to China in December 2023 to begin his work training Peoples Republic of China (PRC) military pilots. After his arrival, he answered questions for three hours about the US Air Force. Later, he prepared and presented a brief about himself for the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). He remained in China until he travelled to the US in early February 2026. This is similar to the case against former US Marine Corps pilot Daniel Edmund Duggan in September 2017. He was charged with providing and conspiring to provide defense services to Chinese military pilots without authorisation in violation of the Arms Export Control Act. Duggan is alleged to have trained Chinese military pilots on the tactics, techniques, and procedures associated with takeoff from and landing on an aircraft carrier. He was arrested in Australia in October 2022 and is currently pending extradition to the US. #WATCH | Pathankot, Punjab | On Operation Sindoor, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Command, Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar says, "In Operation Sindoor, we attacked all their (Pakistan) terrorist bases...After that, they retaliated, and in response, we pic.twitter.com/XaNTq7Bfq3 ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2026 If the need for Operation Sindoor 2.0 arises, India's military response to Pakistan will be harsher and stronger than what was witnessed last time, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Command, Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, said. The intensity of the Indian response will depend on the situation at the particular juncture, the Lieutenant General said. Pakistan cannot fight India militarily and they tried to initiate a ceasefire not just via direct channels but also through international players, the senior officer told the press on Wednesday. "During Operation Sindoor, we attacked their (Pakistan) terrorist bases... When they retaliated, in response, we destroyed their military bases and airbases. They then demanded a ceasefire, and not just directly from us, but also from other countries, asking for a ceasefire with India," he said in Punjab's Pathankot. "They cannot fight us... The response will be stronger than what we have done in Operation Sindoor... But we are very sure that we have to respond harsher than we did last time," the Lieutenant General added. For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India When asked how strongly India will react in the case of Operation Sindoor 2.0, he said, "The response will be stronger than what we have done in Operation Sindoor... To what level we will go will depend on the situation prevailing on that particular day or time. But we are very sure that we have to respond harsher than we did last time," Manoj Kumar Katiyar said. India launched Operation Sindoor, a military campaign against terrorist hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in May in retaliation for the Pahalgam massacre. The attack sparked a brief but intense military conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours, with Pakistan launching a drone strike on India. The Indian forces hit back, inflicting heavy damage on several military installations and airbases inside Pakistan. The Centre d'Histoire et de Prospective Militaires (CHPM), an independent Swiss research centre, had said in a report that the IAF managed to significantly degrade the enemy's air-defence system, and then concluded the conflict by carrying out a series of spectacular strikes against Pakistans principal air force stations. "Thus, by achieving clear air superiority, India coerced Islamabad into requesting a ceasefire." The Kerala High Court has temporarily blocked the release of "The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond", which was set to hit theaters tomorrow. The court's decision, on Thursday, came after concerns were raised about the film's potential to disrupt public harmony. The judge pointed out that the film's teaser, containing visuals that are part of the movie, could affect how people view certain issues and potentially cause social unrest. The court also lambasted the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for possibly ignoring the guidelines that govern film approvals and asked them to reconsider their decision. According to the court, content that could harm public peace or stoke communal tensions is not protected under the right to free speech. This ruling follows legal petitions questioning the film's certification and the potential harm it could cause. On Tuesday, the Kerala High Court had raised concerns about the upcoming movie "The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond" getting clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), in response to three petitions demanding a cancellation of the film's certification and its release, keeping in mind that it could trigger communal tensions. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas pointed out the responsibilities of CBFC when it comes to portraying a "secular" region like Kerala in a manner that could be seen as dividing communities. He added that Kerala is "a place where people live in harmony", and portraying the region in a distorted and false manner could send the wrong message and potentially create unrest. The judge noted that since the film claims to be based on true events, the concerns raised by the petitioners about misrepresentation and causing social discord seem valid. Justice Thomas also mentioned that while he usually doesnt interfere with artistic creations, the claim that the film is inspired by true events, along with the use of "Kerala" in the title, could lead to communal tension. The judge questioned whether the film adheres to the rules and guidelines established by CBFC, given the subject matter, while acknowledging the importance of creative freedom. "The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond" is directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah. ALSO READ | Will quit filmmaking if we have shown anything wrong, says director of 'The Kerala Story 2' Meanwhile, during a promotional event for the film held in Delhi, the makers brought to the stage 37 women who claimed to be victims of "Love Jihad." However, it was later revealed that none of the women was from Kerala. The makers have apparently been unable to give a proper answer on this either. Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah continues to maintain that the film is not intended to target Kerala but aims to address a broader issue of manipulative conversions across India, calling it a "pan-Indian" film, unlike the first part, which was more specific to Kerala. Amid growing controversy over a Class 8 Social Science textbook that included a section on corruption in the judiciary, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) on Wednesday issued an apology and withdrew the controversial book. In a press statement, the board acknowledged that certain inappropriate textual material and an error of judgement had been included in one of the chapters. The NCERT said the book, Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Vol II, was released on February 24. However, upon receiving the textbook, it was observed that certain inappropriate textual material and error of judgement had inadvertently crept into Chapter No 4, entitled 'The Role of Judiciary in our Society', the board noted. It added that the Department of School Education and Literacy, under the Ministry of Education, had also raised similar concerns and directed that the textbooks distribution be put on strict hold until further notice. The NCERTs apology came hours after the Supreme Court expressed strong disapproval of the issue. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant described it as a calculated move and said he would take up the matter suo motu, emphasising that no one would be allowed to defame the judiciary. The board, however, stressed that it holds the judiciary in the highest regard, viewing it as the guardian of the Indian Constitution and protector of fundamental rights. The aforesaid error was purely unintentional, and NCERT regrets the inclusion of inappropriate material in the chapter, the statement added. NCERT further said that as part of its continuous review process, it remains open to constructive feedback. Hence, the chapter shall be re-written in consultation with the appropriate authorities, as necessary, and will be made available to Class 8 students at the commencement of the 202627 academic session, the board said. What is the controversy about? The revised Class 8 Social Science textbook had listed corruption, a massive backlog of cases, and an inadequate number of judges as key challenges facing Indias judicial system. The section, titled 'Corruption in the Judiciary', notes that judges are bound by a code of conduct governing not only their behaviour in court but also their conduct outside it. Earlier editions of the textbook primarily focused on the structure and functions of courts, making the addition of this section a point of contention. People do experience corruption at various levels of the judiciary. For the poor and disadvantaged, this can worsen the issue of access to justice, the chapter states. It also notes that efforts are constantly being made at the State and Union levels to build faith and increase transparency in the judicial system, including through the use of technology, and to take swift and decisive action against instances of corruption wherever they may arise. Concerns in legal circles The inclusion of a section on judicial corruption, while omitting graft in other sectors such as the executive and bureaucracy, drew criticism from legal and political circles. NCERT's Class 8 book includes a section on corruption in the judiciary! What about the massive corruption among politicians, ministers, public servants, and investigation agencies? Why is all that being brushed under the carpet? senior lawyer Kapil Sibal wrote on social media. On Wednesday, Sibal, along with Abhishek Singhvi, brought the matter to the Supreme Court for urgent consideration, terming the NCERT chapter scandalous. We are deeply disturbed as members of this institution to find that Class 8 children are being taught about corruption in the judiciary. It is part of the NCERT book. We have a great stake in this institution, and the chapter is entirely scandalous. We have copies of the book, Sibal said. Chief Justice Surya Kant acknowledged the issue, noting that he had received numerous calls and messages and that many high court judges were perturbed. Wait for a day. This is definitely a matter concerning the entire institution. The bar and the bench are disturbed. Every stakeholder in the system is really concerned. I am receiving a lot of calls and messages. High court judges are perturbed, he said, hinting that the Supreme Court could take suo motu cognizance of the matter. Following NCERTs apology and the withdrawal of the contentious textbook, the controversy seems to have resolved for now. High-voltage drama unfolded after a Delhi Police team, which had arrested three Youth Congress workers from Himachal Pradesh over the alleged shirtless protest at the AI Impact Summit, was stopped by the state police on Wednesday. The confusion ended nearly 24 hours later, on Thursday morning, when the Delhi Police team was cleared to return to the national capital with the accused. Those arrested were identified as Saurabh Singh and Arbaaz Khan from Uttar Pradesh, and Siddharth Avdhoot from Madhya Pradesh. The standoff began on Wednesday when the Himachal Pradesh Police registered a kidnapping case against the Delhi Police personnel and detained their vehicles at the Shoghi border near Shimla for nearly five hours. This was despite the Delhi team having obtained transit remand from the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM). #WATCH | Visuals from outside Shoghi PS, located near Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Three Youth Congress workers detained by Delhi Police from Rohru in Shimla district were produced before the court in Shimla today. pic.twitter.com/dqbg5Kqq1P ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2026 Later that night, the three accused, along with members of the Delhi Police team, were produced before ACJM Ekansh Kapil. The court granted transit remand, allowing the team to resume their journey to Delhi. However, on Thursday morning, the Delhi Police team was again stopped by Himachal Police at Kanlog in Shimla. While they were permitted to take the accused to Delhi, accompanied by additional police personnel, some members of the Delhi team were asked to remain behind and cooperate with the investigation into the kidnapping case. #WATCH | Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: Three Youth Congress workers detained by Delhi Police from Rohru in Shimla district were produced before the court in Shimla today. https://t.co/vhl3xXJI4t pic.twitter.com/iCh041S5hT ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2026 Shimla Police also sought a copy of the digital evidence allegedly collected during the arrest of the activists in Rohru. The impasse was eventually resolved after the Delhi Police shared a copy of the seizure memo with the Shimla Police. Although the digital evidence itself was not handed over, the memo listed the materials seized in connection with the case. Following prolonged arguments, the Delhi Police team was finally allowed to leave with all their vehicles and the three arrested individuals. The accused are now expected to be produced before a local magistrate in Delhi. "We have given them the memo, which is the seizure memo. This is our government vehicle, in which case, the property was kept, so it could not have been seized. Finally, we are all leaving now. We were kept in detention for so long," Delhi Police ACP Rahul Vikram told ANI. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Rohit Pawar has made a highly sensational statement regarding the accident involving Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawars aircraft. There is definitely the hand of some influential person behind this accident, Rohit Pawar, who is the son of Rajendra Pawar and Sunanda Rajendra Pawar, reportedly said. The Karjat-Jamkhed MLA demanded that the plane crash be investigated not only from a technical angle but also from a criminal perspective. After the Marine Drive Police in Mumbai on Tuesday refused to register an FIR against the DGCA, Rohit Pawar reached the Baramati police station to file an FIR. It was while speaking to the media afterwards that Rohit Pawar made these claims. Addressing the media, Rohit Pawar said that a report had been published by the DGCA two days ago. Following the release of the report, a group of NCP MLAs, including himself, had visited the Marine Drive police station in Mumbai demanding that an FIR be registered against the DGCA, Loksatta said in a report. "We believe an FIR should be registered against VSR Ventures. We are here to support Rohit Dada in this fight. Our demand is that Ajit Dada should get justice and the investigation into the crash should be expedited," Yugendra Pawar, who was with Rohit, had told reporters. "The conduct of the police has further intensified our suspicion regarding the plane crash. If, even after demands by elected representatives from both the opposition and ruling parties, the police are discarding the demand to register an FIR, it is unfortunate for Maharashtra," the MLA said in a post on X. On Tuesday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered the grounding of four aircraft belonging to VSR Ventures over non-compliance with approved procedures in the areas of airworthiness, air safety, and flight operations. When asked whether an FIR could be filed in Mumbai, he said that under the BNS law, he has the right to file a Zero FIR. Any citizen of the country has the right to file an FIR. However, since the FIR was not registered there, he said he came to the Baramati police station, he reportedly told the press. We could have filed an FIR earlier, but we waited in order to go deeper into the matter. In its 24 February report, the DGCA pointed out faults in VSR Company. Five aircraft belonging to VSR Company were also grounded. If these aircraft were grounded, then was a defective aircraft mistakenly given to the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, or was it given knowingly? This needs to be investigated, Rohit Pawar said. Meanwhile, the Baramati police sought time to consider his request. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is yet to issue its preliminary report into the fatal crash. On January 23, all the leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu lined up on the dias with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, holding up their hands together. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran came together, shunning all their differences. The two had a joint press conference, sending a strong message of unity to everyone watching the political developments in the state. But a month later now, all the optics to keep the alliance active seems to have busted. NDA, which seemed active and bustling on January 23, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Madurantakam to launch the election campaign, is once again waiting for his visit to formally begin the election work. After inaugurating the election office, Nainar Nagendran, president of the state unit of the BJP said that the seat-sharing talks will formally begin only after Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit on March 1. While there were indications to begin the seat-sharing talks on Thursday, there was no initiation of negotiations in both the BJP and the AIADMK camp. According to highly placed sources in the AIADMK, the seat allocation in the alliance will be decided only by the BJP. We are the largest partner in the alliance. We will contest for the maximum number of seats. But the BJP committee will hold talks on behalf of the other partners, a senior AIADMK leader told THE WEEK. The national party is getting ready to do a hard bargain to secure the maximum number of seats from its larger partner AIADMK, based on its performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Union minister Piyush Goyal is all set to lead the talks for the BJP, while the AIADMK would be represented by Palaniswami and his party colleagues. The AIADMK has still not formally announced the committee to hold the seat-sharing talks. BJP is believed to begin the negotiations with 50 seats. Incidentally, AMKK leader Dhinakaran had informed that he will hold talks for seat sharing only with the BJP as he has aligned with the NDA. Dhinakaran is in no mood to approach the AIADMK leadership for holding seat-sharing talks. And Dhinakaran had made it clear that he will not contest the elections and only his party men will be in the fray. AMMK, an offshoot of the AIADMK walked back into the NDA fold only in January after Piyush Goyal held talks with him. Though Palaniswami and Dhinakaran came up with a join press conference on January 23, the differences between the two seem to continue. Sources in the BJP say the saffron party is not likely to settle for anything less than 35 seats and 15 for AMMK, based on their vote share in the 2021 and 2024 election. We will not accept the same 20 seats that were allotted to us in 2021, a senior BJP leader told THE WEEK. According to him, the AMMK wants to contest in at least 10 seats in south Tamil Nadu. The Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss faction of the PMK, which had already joined the NDA is likely to demand 10 seats. On the other side the BJP will also hold seat-sharing talks on behalf of smaller partners in the alliance like A.C. Shanmugams New Justice Party, John Pandians Tamilaga Munnetra Kazhagam who want two seats each. The BJP on the other side is also trying to rope in senior Ramadoss faction of the PMK and also Krishnaswamys Puthiya Tamilagam which was part of the NDA once. Though the numbers are being discussed among the party workers, no formal seat sharing talks have begun yet and the lack of cohesiveness among the partners of NDA indicates that the front is a non-starter. We recently published an article titled 13 Best Internet of Things (IoT) Stocks to Buy Now. On January 22, the board of directors of Acuity Inc. (NYSE:AYI) approved a 17% increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.20 per share from $0.17 per share. The dividend is payable on February 13 to shareholders of record as of February 2, underscoring managements confidence in the companys cash flow generation and capital allocation framework. On January 12, Morgan Stanley analyst Christopher Snyder reduced the firms price target on Acuity Inc. (NYSE:AYI) to $410 from $425 while maintaining an Overweight rating. Although fiscal first-quarter earnings per share exceeded expectations and forward revisions remained stable, the shares declined 13% following softer margins within the ABL segment and investor concerns regarding potential pull-forward effects in Q1 demand and longer-term pricing power. Morgan Stanley characterized the post-earnings selloff as an attractive entry point, suggesting that near-term margin variability does not alter the companys structural positioning. The combination of dividend growth, earnings resilience, and a discounted valuation following the correction strengthens the argument for accumulating shares at current levels, particularly given Acuitys exposure to energy-efficient retrofits and smart building upgrades. Acuity Inc. (NYSE:AYI), headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is an industrial technology company operating across North America, Europe, and Asia. Through its Intelligent Spaces Group and Atrius platform, the company integrates IoT-enabled lighting and building management solutions that transform luminaires into data-generating network nodes. While we acknowledge the potential of AYI 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: 8 Up and Coming Streaming Companies and Services and 9 High Growth Canadian Stocks to Buy Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. The Supreme Court has issued notice under the Contempt of Courts Act to NCERT Director Dr Dinesh Prasad Saklani, while also imposing a blanket ban on the class VIII NCERT book carrying the controversial chapter on corruption in the judiciary. A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, during the hearing on the suo moto case taken over the NCERT textbook, said this was an outcome of a deep-rooted conspiracy and those responsible must be brought before the law. In the notice to Saklani and NCERT, the court asked them to explain why suitable action should not be initiated under the Contempt of Courts Act against them and those behind the offending chapters. "We would like to have a deeper probe. We need to find who is responsible, and we will see who is there. Heads must roll! We will not close the case," CJI Kant said. Imposing a blanket ban on the book, the court also ordered a seizure of all physical copies, along with the takedown of its digital forms. What the court order said 1) The NCERT, in coordination with Union and State education departments, are directed to ensure that all copies of the book, hard copy or soft copy, whether held in retail outlets or schools is removed from public access. 2) The NCERT Director is required to submit the names of the members of the National Syllabi Board who wrote the offending chapter. The original minutes of meetings of the part wherein the offending chapter was deliberated and finalised shall be produced on the next date of hearing. 3) The SC also took objection to the communication by the NCERT Director to the Supreme Court after the controversial portions came to light. "Instead of filing an introspection of what has been written in the book in an extremely contemptuous and reckless manner, the NCERT director wrote back defending the contents," the court noted. 4) The court called this a calculated move to undermine the authority of the judiciary and said: If this is to go unchecked, it will erode the sanctity of judicial office. 5) It is a calculated move. The entire teaching community will be told that the Indian judiciary is corrupt and that cases are pending. Then students and then parents. This is a deep-rooted conspiracy!" 6) The text fails to recognise the role of the judiciary, which upheld the basic structure doctrine. 7) The choice of words and expressions in the book did not seem like a bona fide error. It seems to us that the choice of words and expressions in the book may not be simpliciter inadvertent or bona fide error. 8) We will set up a panel to go through this and see who is responsible after examining the compliance reports and other details. We need to find who is responsible, and we will see who is there. Heads must roll! 9) On the Solicitor General Tushar Mehtas apology that the two individuals who prepared the two chapters will never work with UGC or any ministry, the CJI said: That will be very easy then, and they go scot-free. They fired the gunshot. The judiciary is bleeding today. When there is a mounting attack on us, we know how to maintain balance. These copies are available in the market." 10) The CJI said that he got many phone calls requesting him to take action. "I have got hundreds and hundreds of calls. They urged me to take action," he said. The Congress on Thursday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modis address to the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, calling it an unabashed defence of his host, Benjamin Netanyahu. In a social media post, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also recalled the events surrounding Indias recognition of Israel. Modi, in his speech, had noted that he was born on the same day India officially recognised Israel and described the Gaza Peace Initiative as a pathway to a just and durable peace in the region. In his address to the Knesset yesterdaywhich was an unabashed defence of his hostPrime Minister Modi highlighted that India recognised the new state of Israel on the day he was born, Ramesh wrote on X. Ramesh further pointed out that Albert Einstein had written to Jawaharlal Nehru on June 13, 1947, regarding the creation of Israel, and shared Nehrus reply dated July 11, 1947. He also noted that the two leaders met at Einsteins home in Princeton on November 5, 1949. Einstein was later offered the Presidency of Israel in November 1952, which he declined. Ramesh noted that shortly before his death in April 1955, Einstein and Nehru exchanged letters on the issue of nuclear weapons. In his address to the Knesset yesterday - which was an unabashed defence of his host - Prime Minister Modi drew attention to the fact that India recognised the new state of Israel on the day he was born. Actually, Albert Einstein had written to Jawaharlal Nehru on June 13, 1947, pic.twitter.com/TTtkUgJVMF Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) February 26, 2026 In his reply to Einstein, Nehru expressed sympathy for both Jews and Arabs, acknowledging Jewish achievements in Palestine while also recognising the difficulties faced by Arabs. He wrote: "I confess that while I have a very great deal of sympathy for the Jews, I feel sympathy for the Arabs also in their predicament. In any event, the whole issue has become one of high emotion and deep passion on both sides." "I have paid a good deal of attention to this problem of Palestine and have read books and pamphlets on the subject issued on either side; yet I cannot say that I know all about it, or that I am competent to pass a final opinion as to what should be done. I know that the Jews have done a wonderful piece of work in Palestine and have raised the standards of the people there, but one question troubles me. After all these remarkable achievements, why have they failed to gain the goodwill of the Arabs?" "Why do they want to compel the Arabs to submit against their will to certain demands? The way of approach has been one which does not lead to a settlement, but rather to the continuation of the conflict. I have no doubt that the fault is not confined to one party but that all have erred." In 2021, when I met her at her residence in T.Nagar, Chennai, V.K. Sasikala, a close aide of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, had many anecdotes and emotional moments to share from her life. My conversations with her were endless, lasting for many hours. I spent most of the lockdown days during the second wave of Covid-19 meeting Sasikala and listening to her recount stories from her days with Jayalalithaa. And now, five years later, at a public meeting in Kottaimedu near Pasumpon in Ramanathapuram district, V. K. Sasikala opened up once again. Most of those were the anecdotes and off-the-record stories she had once narrated to me while we sat inside her residence in T. Nagar. Yes. Sasikala, who chose to step aside from active politics in 2021, has now returned to the political arena, but much of the earlier fervour appears to have faded. Standing on a stage erected a few kilometres away from the venue at the memorial of U. Muthuramalinga Thevar, the former leader of the Forward Bloc, Sasikala had a strong message to the brethren from her own Mukkulathor community. #WATCH | Tamil Nadu | Drone visuals from a public meeting held at Pasumpon in Ramanathapuram district under the leadership of expelled AIADMK leader VK Sasikala, to commemorate the birth anniversary of the late former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. She unveiled the flag of her pic.twitter.com/e24JJD5DBW ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2026 Although Sasikala did not explicitly project herself as the leader of the Mukkulathor community the influential Thevar grouping comprising three sub-castes in southern Tamil Nadu her choice of words and style of narration resonated deeply with women in the region. Many of them remain hardcore followers of Jayalalithaa and continue to adhere closely to the norms of the Thevar community. The woman who once controlled the corridors of power from behind the scenes and who remained silent, or perhaps silenced for over nine years, on Tuesday launched her party flag red, black and white colour with the faces of C.N. Annadurai, M.G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa on it. She is yet to name her party. I remained silent all these years, hoping for unity, but the present circumstances have forced me to take this decision, she said. Sasikalas party launch event was more of symbolism, reminding every stakeholder involved in her brief exit from politics of the many untold stories. She targeted AIADMK general secretary and former chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, accusing him of betraying and backstabbing her for making him the chief minister of the state. Sasikala recounted in detail the behind-the-scenes developments that led to Edappadi K. Palaniswamis elevation as chief minister in 2017. She also offered an elaborate account of the events inside the Koovathur resort in 2021, explaining why former chief minister O. Panneerselvam chose to sit on a Dharma Yudham. She also recalled how and why the old disproportionate assets case against her and Jayalalithaa came up all of a sudden, ultimately leading to her incarceration in the Parappana Agrahara prison. Sasikalas return has once again shifted attention to the turbulent days of the AIADMK in 2016, in the immediate aftermath of Jayalalithaas death. The most dramatic Koovathur days of the party MLAs, and how Palaniswami slowly began controlling power by ousting the once most powerful Mannargudi family'. Untold stories While she narrated many incidents without naming Palaniswami and how he betrayed her, Sasikala did not open up on the high-profile IT raids conducted in Jayalalithaas residences in 2018, what was stolen from Jayalalithaas swanky Kodanad Bungalow and who orchestrated the heist. She didnt open up on why she stepped aside from active politics in 2021, with a promise to come back and the prolonged delay in staging the comeback. Sasikalas answers in the coming days to these unanswered questions could spell doom for Palaniswami. Sources close to her say that she plans to visit every district in southern Tamil Nadu, recounting the stories of betrayal and explaining why she was forced to wait for over nine years. More than that, she is not ready to trust the BJP and the RSS leaders who once promised a political reentry for her. The political significance Sasikalas reentry after nine long years, of course, happened with the support of a few former AIADMK office bearers and former police officer Velladurai, who hails from her own Mukkulathor community in Tirunelveli. Velladurai, a retired Additional Superintendent of Police, was once her nephew T.T.V. Dhinakarans candidate in Ambasamudram. Along with him were former Thiruvallur MLA Narasimhan and former Kancheepuram MLA Mulachur R Perumal. Sasikala may not control any political fiefdom capable of securing victories on her own. But she will spoil the prospects of the AIADMK-AMMK combine in the southern districts from Tiruchirapalli to Virudhunagar. In at least 60 constituencies in Dindigul, Theni, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Trichy districts, Sasikalas speech and her presence are all set to spoil the prospects of the AIADMK. Her community influence could end up as a spoiler for the Opposition party, which used to bank on the Thevar community votes in the region, until the death of Jayalalithaa. Sasikala might have been out of the political game for the past nine years without any influential support from her own family, without a political identity, without a party and without a symbol. But she still continues to command a powerful presence among a section of her own Mukkulathor community. Given her experience of operating behind the scenes in devising Jayalalithaas every political move for over three decades, the former chief ministers aide is all set to cause a dent in the AIADMK arithmetics with the addition of Dhinakaran in the southern districts. Though Sasikalas return may not make strong headlines, it is all set to rewrite the fortunes of the AIADMK in the upcoming 2026 election. But the rewriting is possible only if Sasikala continues to narrate those untold stories to the general public, particularly the women in the south. "Do you eat mangoes? Back in 2019, at the height of a feverish election season, actor Akshay Kumar opened his daring interview with Prime Minister Narendra Modi with that question. The opposition laughed, commentators despaired over the intellectual nutritional value of Bollywood journalism, and the interview was promptly labelled apolitical. But those who used that label missed the point: for Modi, nothing is apolitical. The conversation allowed him to make calibrated political statements while never confronting a politically uncomfortable question. Akshay Kumar, the interviewer, became the channel through which the smiling face of a stern administrator was presented; at no point did the Prime Minister feel compelled to sip a cup of water and end the interview abruptly. Political opponents of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan often compare him to PM Modi. Mundudutha Modior Modi who wears a munduis a moniker his critics have given him. Though CM Vijayan and PM Modi belong to diametrically opposite ideological camps, certain actions have been interpreted as Vijayan drawing from Modis playbook. The latest example is Vijayans interview with superstar Mohanlal ahead of the fast-approaching Assembly election. Mohanlal is Keralas most influential cultural icon, and any content featuring him tends to go viral. From the teaser, the conversation appears designed to explore a softer, lighter side of the Chief Minister, who is aiming for a third term. Reportedly, Mohanlal agreed after a special request from the CM to serve as the interviewer. The interview was conducted in strict secrecy, with the CMO remaining tight-lipped until the teasers release. Mohanlal reportedly devoted two days to the projectthe first to discuss the topics and the second for filming. National Award-winning filmmaker T.K. Rajeev Kumar directed the interview. It is clear that the CM pushed for such an interview, bringing the most popular man on screen along with him, understanding how soft interviews have evolved into a convenient yet powerful tool for politicians worldwide to manage their public image. Politicians, it seems, are increasingly comfortable being apolitically political in their conversations to manage that image. Nevertheless, the issue is not that politicians prefer comfortable interviews. Power has always preferred comfort. The more revealing question is not about the politiciansit is about us, the ordinary citizens. The real question is whether society still prefers discomfortthe kind that comes from difficult questions, inconvenient facts, and unscripted answers. Because the day the public stops demanding those, the interview stops being a conversation with power and becomes a mere reel performance! The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Thursday formally elected Maharashtra Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar as its new national president. The announcement was made by senior NCP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel at the National Executive Committee meeting of the NCP, at the Worli Dome auditorium. Patel had also been serving as the acting party chief until the formal takeover. "I propose that Mrs Sunetra Ajit Dada Pawar be elected as the National President of our Nationalist Congress Party," he said. Patel's statement was followed by a unanimous show of hands in favour of her becoming the NCP chief. This comes almost a month after the death of her husband and former NCP chief, Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash at the Baramati Airport on January 28. Three days later after the devastating crash of the Learjet 45, into which the investigation is ongoing, she became the first woman Deputy CM of Maharashtra, and was allotted the excise, sports, minority development, and Aukaf departments. "Ajit Pawars place cannot be filled but I accept this responsibility with humility. I will work towards fulfilling his dreams," she said in her first comments since Patel's announcement. "I will not give up, I will not be defeated, I will not be left behind," she added. The 62-year-old leader has also stepped down from her Rajya Sabha membershipas she is expected to contest elections from the Baramati constituency in place of her late husband. Notably, in his Thursday speech, Patel had also addressed Sunetra Pawar's Rajya Sabha exit, saying that her son, Parth Pawar, would be contesting her seat in the biennial elections scheduled for March 16. Patel added that 35-year-old Parth Pawar, who needs 37 votes to succeed in the Rajya Sabha, will be backed by 40 MLAs from the party. He faces competition from former Mumbai south central MP Rahul Shewale from the Shiv Sena, while the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has not announced its RS candidate, as reports say it will take place after NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar is discharged from hospital. Dark clouds loom over Iran as Tehran braces for the last round of talks with the US in Geneva on Thursday. While this could be Irans last-ditch effort to avert a war, reports hint that Tehran is operating under the notion that US military strikes are inevitable and imminent. While the negotiating teams led by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and special envoy Steve Witkoff, as well as US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, meet in Geneva, the chances of an agreement remain unclear. Iran has expressed willingness to reduce uranium enrichment as part of a draft nuclear proposal, but refuses to transfer its enriched stockpile abroad. Meanwhile, the US military build-up in the region shows no signs of abating, as more F-16s have arrived at the US base at Diego Garcia to protect the outpost against Iranian retaliation. Over the past 24 hours, transport planes, refuelling planes, and a passenger plane have also arrived at the same base in the south. For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East Satellite imagery from Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean reveals the buildup of aircraft at the base, including cargo and refuelling support aircraft, as well as the F-16CM fighters that have been deployed there from Misawa Air Base in Japan. This is important to avoid Iranian long-range attack drones and missiles. Over the past 24 hours, the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) has stated that there have been several movements of American Naval forces, including the destroyer "Michael Murphy", which is part of the strike group of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. Besides Murphy, the destroyer "John Finn" has arrived in the area of operations in the Arabian Sea and joined the vessels of that strike group. Destroyers "Santa Barbara" and "Tulsa" left the Persian Gulf and are now in the northern Arabian Sea, and the "Delbert Black", which has been anchored in Eilat in recent weeks, left the Red Sea and also arrived in the northern Arabian Sea. Iranian preparation According to a report by the New York Times, Iranian officials are operating on the assumption that U.S. military strikes are inevitable and imminent, and are working to ensure the system survives whatever might be coming, even if its leadership doesnt. It also quotes analysts who say that the current Iranian leadership views giving in to the US demands to drop the nuclear programme as riskier than going to war. This would encourage the US to go for the jugular. Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, sees uranium enrichment as a pillar of the regime itself. Naturally, Iranians see the war as almost inevitable. There are also reports that Iran has ramped up loading oil onto tankers at its main export terminal, which is seen as a bid to secure crude before any potential disruption to exports. Shipments from Irans Kharg Island terminal surged to about 20.1 million barrels over February 1520, nearly triple the volume handled in the same period a month earlier and equivalent to more than 3 million barrels a day, Bloomberg reported. . Narendra Modi on Wednesday became the first Indian prime minister to address the parliament of Israel, marking a historic moment in bilateral relations. However, the ceremonial opening at the Israeli Knesset was overshadowed by Israels deepening internal political divisions. A protocol dispute erupted after Speaker Amir Ohana excluded Supreme Court President Isaac Amit from the special legislative session honouring Modi. The decision reflected ongoing tensions between Netanyahus governing coalition and the judiciary. Following Amits election as court president in January last year, Justice Minister Yariv Levin refused to recognise his authority, resulting in his exclusion from several traditional state ceremonies, including addresses by visiting world leaders. In protest, opposition lawmakers, including members of Yesh Atid and Yisrael Beytenu, staged a coordinated walkout during speeches by Ohana and Netanyahu. Yesh Atid MK Yasmin Fridman said the boycott was necessary because the current Knesset was trampling its own members and refusing to observe established norms. Opposition Leader Yair Lapid had earlier warned that excluding the head of the judiciary would turn the event into a Knesset of half the country, without proper governance. Not all opposition figures joined the protest fully. Benny Gantz and his Blue and White party remained in the chamber during Netanyahus remarks. For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East Anticipating empty seats during the internationally televised session, Ohana and coalition officials moved swiftly to limit what they feared would be a visual embarrassment. Former legislators, including figures affiliated with Netanyahus Likud party, were contacted and brought into the chamber to occupy vacated opposition seats. Ohana accused the opposition of deploying an illegitimate tactic in an internal struggle and of harming Israeli-Indian relations for domestic political gain. The boycotting lawmakers returned to the plenum for Modis address, signalling that their protest was directed at the government rather than at India. Lapid greeted Modi with a handshake and assured him the walkout had nothing to do with you, affirming his admiration for both Modis leadership and the India-Israel partnership. Taking the podium, Modi offered condolences for the victims of the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, condemning them unequivocally as barbaric. No cause can justify the murder of civilians, he said, adding that nothing can justify terrorism. India, he declared, stood firmly with Israel in its fight against extremism. At the same time, Modi expressed support for the Gaza peace initiative endorsed by the UN Security Council, calling it a pathway to a just and durable peace for all the people of the region, including by addressing the Palestine issue. It was clearly a balancing act, reflecting Indias burgeoning ties with Israel, but also maintaining its traditional support for the Palestinian cause. Addressing the parliament, Modi compared Jewish and Indian traditions, such as Tikkun Olamthe Jewish principle of repairing the worldand Vasudhaiva Kutumbakamthe idea that the world is one family. He also spoke about the similarities between Hanukkah and Diwali, and between Purim and Holi, framing the relationship as one grounded in strategic civilisational linkages. Modi told the Knesset about Indias record as a sanctuary for Jewish communities. He referenced the role of Indian soldiers in the Battle of Haifa during World War I and paid tribute to the Jam Saheb of Nawanagar, who sheltered Jewish children during the Holocaust. Netanyahu responded warmly, describing Modi as more than a friend, a brother and praising him for standing by Israel in turbulent times. He pledged to forge what he termed an iron alliance against extremist Islam. Earlier, Netanyahu and his wife Sara received Modi at the airport, in a break of established protocol. In a ceremonial gesture, Ohana presented Modi with the newly established Medal of the Knesset, honouring his contributions to the State of Israel and the Jewish people. The visit also prompted criticism within India. Congress politician Imran Masood and CPI(M) general secretary M. A. Baby condemned Modis embrace of Israel, calling it a betrayal of Indias anti-colonial legacy. They urged him to speak more forcefully about the civilian toll in Gaza and the deaths of Palestinian children. Defence and security remain central to the bilateral relationship. India has emerged as Israels largest arms buyer, spending an estimated $20.5 billion on Israeli weapons between 2020 and 2024. During the visit, Modi was expected to advance negotiations on a major order of Israeli-made missile systems. The two countries already collaborate on joint production of drones and missiles and are exploring deeper cooperation on sensitive defence technologies. Economic ties are also expanding. Bilateral trade reached $3.9 billion in 2024 and is projected to rise to around $5 billion in 2025, spanning goods, services and diamonds. Israeli negotiators have initiated discussions on a potential free trade agreement aimed at unlocking greater access to Indias rapidly growing market. Beyond defence and trade, Modi highlighted cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and semiconductors, as well as cross-border financial linkages using Digital Public Infrastructure. He cited the iCreate Technology Business Incubator, launched jointly with Netanyahu in 2018, as an example of combining Indias demographic scale with Israels start-up ecosystem. A key geopolitical pillar is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, linking India to Europe through the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israels port of Haifa, partly acquired by Indias Adani Group. Agricultural collaboration has also flourished, with 43 Centres of Excellence across India training more than half a million farmers in precision irrigation techniques under the Per Drop, More Crop initiative. Modi proposed expanding the network to 100 centres. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday outlined an ambitious roadmap for deepening India-Israel ties, spanning defence, technology, trade, and counterterrorism, following talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Elevating the bilateral framework, Modi said, We decided to give time-tested India-Israel ties the status of special strategic partnership. He also revealed that negotiations toward a mutually beneficial free trade agreement would soon be finalised, potentially expanding trade and investment flows between the two economies. In a crucial economic development, Modi announced that both sides have reached an agreement to enable the use of Indias Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Israel, a move expected to facilitate easier digital transactions and boost tourism and business exchanges. Reiterating Indias position on peace in the Middle East, PM Modi clarified, Humanity must never become a victim of conflict. He said a path to peace has been created through the Gaza Peace Plan and India has fully supported these efforts. For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East Modi pointed out that Indias interests are closely tied to stability in the Middle East. India and Israel stood shoulder-to-shoulder in opposing terrorism and its supporters, and we will continue to do so, Modi declared. India and Israel are completely clear that there is no place for terrorism in the world. Modi emphasised expanding defence collaboration between the two countries. We will work towards joint development, joint production and transfer of technologies, he said, underscoring Indias push to strengthen indigenous capabilities through strategic partnerships. The PM added that a Memorandum of Understanding signed last year would provide a new direction to the defence ties. Modi said both countries would also expand cooperation in civil nuclear energy and space. India and Israel will work in the fields of civil nuclear energy and space, he said, pointing to high-technology sectors as key pillars of the evolving relationship. Chilling 911 audio has surfaced in the case of an Indian-origin US doctor accused of murdering her 4-year-old daughter. Prosecutors alleged that Dr Neha Gupta, 37, a paediatrician from Oklahoma, staged the killing to look like a tragic drowning. Gupta was arrested in July 2025, days after her 4-year-old daughter Aria Talathi was found dead at the bottom of a pool in Florida. On July 27, 2025, Gupta, over a 911 call, said that she found her daughter lying at the bottom of the pool at a rental place in Florida, where they had been vacationing. While talking to the dispatcher on the 911 call, Gupta said she tried to get her out of the pool. Newly released footage of Dr. Neha Gupta, a pediatrician, who has now been accused in the death of her 4-year-old daughter, Aria Talathi, who was found floating in a pool behind a home. pic.twitter.com/mw3ibSPzTY Rain Drops Media (@Raindropsmedia1) February 25, 2026 "I tried to get her out," she told the dispatcher. "We were sleeping, and I heard some noise. She was in the pool, and I tried to save her, but I don't know how to swim. She went down in the pool." Gupta led first responders to the backyard pool, where she claimed her daughter had drowned. Despite finding the four-year-old unresponsive and immediately performing life-saving CPR, emergency teams were unable to revive her. She was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Gupta's ex-husband, Dr Saurabh Talathiwith whom she shared joint custodystated that he was unaware their daughter had been taken out of Oklahoma. The former couple was reportedly embroiled in an ongoing custody dispute. Gupta was arrested on July 2 after an autopsy revealed that the child's lungs and stomach contained no water. The findings, characterised as 'dry lungs,' effectively ruled out drowning as the cause of death and shifted the investigation toward homicide. The medical examiner also noted internal trauma, including 'cuts within the mouth and bruising inside the cheeks.' These injuries are consistent with asphyxiation by smothering, suggesting the child's airway was forcibly obstructed. NEW: Pediatrician arrested for m*rdering her 4-year-old daughter was found hiding in the laundry Dr. Neha Gupta, 36, was arrested at her Edmond, Oklahoma by Oklahoma City Police and U.S. Marshals She had recently lost her job and was in the middle of a custody battle with her pic.twitter.com/crzsJHQmvj Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) July 23, 2025 Gupta is now facing a second-degree murder charge in Miami-Dade County. After four lives were lost in an exchange of fire with Cuban security forces, Havana claimed that 10 people were on board the boat that opened fire on its soldiers. They were Cubans living in the US and the majority had "a known history of criminal and violent activity", and were trying to infiltrate the island and unleash terrorism, the government said. The announcement came hours after Cuba said its soldiers killed four people and wounded six others aboard a Florida-registered speedboat that had entered Cuban waters and opened fire on the soldiers first, injuring an officer. The Cuban government identified two of the boat passengers as Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez, who are wanted by Cuban authorities. The government said it had also arrested Duniel Hernandez Santos, adding that he was "sent from the United States to guarantee the reception of the armed infiltration, and at this time has confessed to his actions." The Caribbean nation said that one of the four killed was Michel Ortega Casanova. Three others have not yet been identified. Cuba said it obtained the details about the passengers aboard the boat from the suspects detained following the shootout, news agency Associated Press said in a report. In past years, some of those US-flagged boats were laden with unidentified items headed towards the island, or they were going to pick up Cubans and smuggle them into the US. It is not unusual for skirmishes to erupt between Cuba's Coast Guard and US-flagged speedboats in Cuban waters, but there have been no recent reports of passengers opening fire or being killed, AP said. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had told reporters earlier that he was made aware of the incident and that the US is now gathering its own information to determine if the victims were American citizens or permanent residents. US President Donald Trump's top diplomat refused to speculate on what happened, saying that it could be a "wide range of things," and that the US will not solely rely on what the Cuban authorities have provided thus far. "Suffice it to say, it is highly unusual to see shootouts on the open sea like that. It is not something that happens every day. It is something, frankly, that hasn't happened with Cuba in a very long time," Rubio said. He said both the US Department of Homeland Security and the US Coast Guard are investigating the incident and stressed that he wants to verify the facts. As artificial intelligence reshapes traditional career paths, more peopleespecially Gen Zare turning to entrepreneurship in hopes of becoming their own bosses. But according to Joe Tsai, cofounder and chairman of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, anyone serious about launching a company should be prepared to sacrifice hobbies and family time. More from Yahoo Scout What sacrifices does Joe Tsai say entrepreneurs must make? What leadership lessons did Tsai learn from Jack Ma? How do successful leaders view work-life balance philosophy? How should founders choose the right founding team members? As a startup, youre not gonna go home very much This work-life balance is not gonna be something you should be focused on, Tsai told students at Stanford Universitys Graduate School of Business earlier this month. But the long hours wont feel as difficult, he added, if entrepreneurs choose the right founding teampeople youd be okay spending 24/7 with. One simple test for evaluating a potential cofounder is whether youd feel comfortable with them outside the office. Do you wanna go out and have a beer with this person after work? I think thats the first test, Tsai said. Successful founding teams also need complementary skills, Tsai added. For him, that was being financially savvy. He served as chief financial officer for about 14 years, beginning in 1999. He later transitioned to become executive vice president in 2013 and company chairman in 2023. Joe Tsai says he learned a lot of things from Jack Ma about building the right team The importance of working with the right peoplethose invested in both your personal growth and the success of the businessapplies at every stage of a career. Find the people first, Tsai said, advising job seekers to look for partners, mentors, and colleagues they can learn fromnot just the right role or title. He pointed to the most well-known Alibaba cofounder, Jack Ma, as an example. Not only was he a close friend and business partner, but also a mentor who shaped Tsais early career. Hes taught me a lot of things, and I felt like I could learn a lot from him, Tsai said. Learning from his fellow cofounders became a defining part of Tsais early experience at Alibabaespecially because he entered the company as somewhat of an outsider. Of Alibabas 18 cofounders, Tsai was the only one not from mainland China. Born in Taiwan and educated at Yale University, he joined the company as a lawyer and investor rather than a technologist or serial entrepreneur. Because of that, Tsai said he didnt see his C-suite role as needing to direct others in the early days. Instead, he focused on listeninga mindset he said is essential for anyone starting a new job. You have to bring a sense of humility to the work, Tsai said. Theres gonna be peopleyour colleagues, your partnersthat are smarter than you are (and who) can teach you a lot. After the recent strained ties, the air between Ottawa and New Delhi is finally beginning to clear. The arrival of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in India this week signals more than just a routine state visit. According to experts, the visit paves the way to 'reset' ties with both countries. Ottawas recent U-turn on its earlier 'terror' accusations marks a crucial first step in thawing the long-strained diplomatic ties between Canada and India. Carney is set to visit India on Thursday night and will be in New Delhi till March 2. On the eve of his visit, a Canadian senior official said that the government believed that India was no longer plotting attacks on Canadians. India is no longer linked to violent crimes in Canada, said the official. "We have a very robust diplomatic engagement, including between national security advisers, and I think we can say we're confident that that activity is not continuing or we would not be having this type of discussion," said the official while briefing reporters ahead of the PM's visit. According to the report, Canadian authorities no longer consider foreign interference or violent activity tied to India to be a current concern. The death of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023, in Ottawa, has disrupted India-Canada ties, with the latter blaming India for plotting the murder. Though India refuted the claims, an investigation was launched into the alleged assassination attempt by Canada and the US. The dispute also led to expulsion of diplomats from both countries. In 2024, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) claimed that Indian government agents were linked to violent crime in Canada. The then PM Justin Trudeau said that there was 'credible' evidence that India is involved in the Nijjar death. Since taking charge, Carneys government has emphasised that strengthening trade and people-to-people ties with India can proceed alongside law enforcement cooperation. India's High Commissioner to Ottawa, Dinesh Patnaik, told the Toronto Star that disagreements between the two countries were handled through dialogue. He also added that the discussions between the National Security Advisors in India and Canada marked a significant step forward in strengthening bilateral ties. Carney's visit to India is expected to focus on trade and investment, particularly in energy, AI and advanced manufacturing. When the bust of Edwin Lutyens was removed from Rashtrapati Bhavan, the moment passed without spectacle. There was no crowd, no ceremony of dismantling, no theatrical repudiation of the empire. And yet, for those attuned to the language of art and power, the gesture resonated loudly. It was a reminder that rulers rarely shout when they can rearrange the room instead. Throughout history, those who govern have understood something that artists know instinctively: images endure longer than decrees. Statues, murals, architecture, and ceremonial spaces shape memory not through argument but through repetition. You walk past them daily; you absorb their authority unconsciously. Over time, they become part of the natural order of things. This is precisely why power invests so heavily in them. Lutyens presence inside Rashtrapati Bhavan was never neutral. The palace itself, originally the Viceroys House, was conceived as an architectural performance of empire: scale as supremacy, symmetry as inevitability, stone as permanence. To honour its architect within its walls was to quietly reaffirm the logic of imperial order, even decades after independence. The bust was not simply about Lutyens the artist, but about which histories were permitted to occupy the inner sanctum of the state. Its replacement with C. Rajagopalachari alters that internal grammar. Rajagopalachari does not represent aesthetic innovation; he represents political transition, an Indian inheriting a colonial structure and briefly inhabiting it before history moved on. The substitution is not about art versus politics; it is about the politics of art. It reframes the building from a monument to imperial confidence into a site of negotiated sovereignty. This is how culture operates in the hands of the ruler, not through destruction, but through curation. Empires rarely fall by being erased; they fade by being recontextualised. Statues are not toppled so much as demoted. Public sculpture has always functioned as a technology of power. From Roman emperors casting themselves as gods to Renaissance princes commissioning equestrian statues, the visual arts have offered rulers a way to stabilise authority across time. The body of the ruler, rendered in stone or bronze, promises continuity beyond mortality. Even in modern democracies, the impulse remains. The difference lies only in who is deemed worthy of being monumentalised. In post-colonial societies, this question becomes particularly charged. What does one do with inherited forms that were designed to dominate? Architecture and sculpture pose a unique dilemma: they cannot be footnoted. Unlike texts, they do not explain themselves. They simply stand, asserting their presence. To leave them untouched is to tacitly accept their authority; to remove them is to risk accusations of amnesia. Indias current moment reflects a broader global reckoning with this tension. From debates around colonial statues in Britain to the dismantling of monuments across Africa and the Americas, societies are revisiting not history itself, but its staging. What is being challenged is not the fact of the past, but the honours bestowed upon it in the present. Yet it would be a mistake to read such acts as purely reactionary. They are also creative gestures. When a state intervenes in its visual culture, it is composing a new narrative, deciding which figures anchor its moral universe. This is not unlike the patronage systems of old, where rulers shaped artistic canons through commissions and exclusions. Power has always edited culture; it is merely more visible when it does so retrospectively. The unease many feel stems from an implicit truth: art feels purer when it appears autonomous. But public art has never been free. It is funded, placed, maintained, and framed by authority. Its meanings are negotiated over time, and occasionally reclaimed. To pretend otherwise is to misunderstand its function. The removal of Lutyens bust does not diminish his architectural legacy. New Delhi remains inconceivable without him. What it does diminish is the assumption that artistic brilliance alone guarantees eternal veneration, especially when that brilliance serves an unequal order. Ultimately, the episode invites a larger reflection. Statues do not merely commemorate; they instruct. They tell us who deserves to be looked up to, quite literally. When a ruler reshapes that field of vision, they are not rewriting history; they are declaring which histories will no longer command the centre of the room. And perhaps that is the quiet power of such gestures. Not to obliterate the past, but to remind us that culture is never finished, memory is never neutral, and the stone figures we inherit are always subject to the living hands that choose where they stand. 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. Get alerts: 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. Further Reading Enzon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (OTCMKTS:ENZN Get Free Report) was the target of a significant drop in short interest during the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 92 shares, a drop of 98.2% from the January 29th total of 5,022 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 205,154 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days. Currently, 0.0% of the companys stock are sold short. Currently, 0.0% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 205,154 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days. Enzon Pharmaceuticals Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS ENZN traded down $0.02 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $0.06. The companys stock had a trading volume of 131,013 shares, compared to its average volume of 74,081. The firms fifty day moving average price is $0.05 and its 200-day moving average price is $0.06. The firm has a market cap of $4.10 million, a P/E ratio of -1.11 and a beta of 0.19. Enzon Pharmaceuticals has a 1-year low of $0.03 and a 1-year high of $0.13. Get Enzon Pharmaceuticals alerts: Enzon Pharmaceuticals Company Profile (Get Free Report) Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc, headquartered in Piscataway, New Jersey, is a specialized biopharmaceutical company best known for pioneering polyethylene glycol (PEG) technology to enhance the pharmacokinetic properties of therapeutic proteins. Founded in 1981, Enzon has leveraged its PEGylation platform to develop an array of oncology and hematology products with improved half-life and reduced immunogenicity. The companys flagship product, Oncaspar (pegaspargase), was originally approved for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in pediatric and adult patients, highlighting Enzons commitment to oncology. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Enzon Pharmaceuticals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enzon Pharmaceuticals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dassault Systemes SA (OTCMKTS:DASTY Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 33,683 shares, a decline of 94.3% from the January 29th total of 593,054 shares. Approximately 0.0% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 908,294 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days. Based on an average daily volume of 908,294 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days. Approximately 0.0% of the companys shares are sold short. Institutional Trading of Dassault Systemes An institutional investor recently raised its position in Dassault Systemes stock. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in shares of Dassault Systemes SA (OTCMKTS:DASTY Free Report) by 49.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,866 shares of the technology companys stock after acquiring an additional 951 shares during the quarter. GAMMA Investing LLCs holdings in Dassault Systemes were worth $80,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 0.03% of the companys stock. Get Dassault Systemes alerts: Dassault Systemes Price Performance Shares of Dassault Systemes stock traded up $0.97 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $21.50. The stock had a trading volume of 684,365 shares, compared to its average volume of 339,540. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 1.55. The firm has a market cap of $28.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.29, a PEG ratio of 5.59 and a beta of 0.98. Dassault Systemes has a fifty-two week low of $19.18 and a fifty-two week high of $44.18. The business has a fifty day moving average of $26.37 and a two-hundred day moving average of $29.03. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have commented on DASTY shares. Citigroup restated a neutral rating on shares of Dassault Systemes in a research note on Friday, February 20th. Kepler Capital Markets raised Dassault Systemes to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 19th. Finally, Rothschild & Co Redburn upgraded shares of Dassault Systemes to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Buy. Read Our Latest Stock Report on DASTY About Dassault Systemes (Get Free Report) Dassault Systemes is a France-based software company that develops solutions for 3D design, digital mock-up and product lifecycle management (PLM). Founded as a technology spin-off from Dassault Aviation in 1981, the company is headquartered near Paris and has grown into a global provider of engineering and business software used to model, simulate and manage products and processes across their lifecycles. Its platforms and applications are aimed at enabling digital continuity from ideation and design through manufacturing, operation and service. The companys product portfolio centers on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, which integrates applications for computer-aided design (CAD), simulation, data management and collaboration. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Dassault Systemes Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dassault Systemes and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alvopetro reports sharp rise in proved reserves at year-end Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock Alvopetro Energy Ltd (TSX-V:ALV, OTC:ALVOF, FRA:A6Y0) said its proved reserves jumped 79% at the end of 2025, driven by drilling success in Brazil and the addition of Canadian assets, as the company also outlined its 2026 capital plan. The Calgary-based oil and gas producer reported total proved (1P) reserves of 8.1 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) at the end of December 2025. Proved plus probable (2P) reserves rose 43% to 13.1 MMboe, according to an independent evaluation. Before-tax net present value discounted at 10% (NPV10) of 1P reserves increased 38% to $245.6 million, while 2P NPV10 rose 20% to $393.6 million. Alvopetro said it replaced 2025 production of 0.9 MMboe nearly five times on a proved basis, with a 1P production replacement ratio of 485%. On a 2P basis, the replacement ratio reached 530%. The 2P reserves life index stood at 12.5 years. CEO Corey Ruttan said the year-end reserves reflected another strong year for the company, highlighting results from the 183-D4 well in the Caruacu Formation at its Murucututu natural gas field in Brazil and the addition of Canadian heavy oil assets. The 183-D4 well, which began production in August 2025, added five proved undeveloped locations to 1P reserves and contributed to eight undeveloped locations included in 2P reserves. The company also booked 0.3 MMboe of 1P reserves and 0.7 MMboe of 2P reserves from its Canadian assets in Saskatchewans Mannville Stack heavy oil fairway. We significantly strengthened our asset base in 2025, increasing 2P reserves by 43%, replacing 2025 production more than 5 times, and with a 2P reserve life index of 12.5 years, Ruttan told shareholders. This further strengthens our disciplined capital allocation model, balancing returns to stakeholders and organic growth. Alvopetro holds a 100% working interest in the Murucututu field and a 56.2% working interest in the Cabure unit in Brazil, as well as a 50% interest in 75 sections of land in western Saskatchewan. The company has agreed to dispose of its two Brazilian oil fields, Bom Lugar and Mae-da-lua, subject to regulatory approvals. The company reported record fourth-quarter production of 2,867 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), rising to 3,099 boepd in January. Alvopetro also disclosed risked best estimate contingent resources of 3.8 MMboe with an NPV10 of $88 million, down from a year earlier due to the reclassification of volumes into reserves at Murucututu. Risked best estimate prospective resources increased 19% to 12.1 MMboe, with an NPV10 of $264.3 million, reflecting additional potential in the Caruacu Formation adjacent to the existing reserves area. China Mengniu Dairy (OTCMKTS:CIADY Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest during the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 2,653 shares, a decline of 94.4% from the January 29th total of 47,453 shares. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 6,451 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.4 days. Based on an average trading volume of 6,451 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.4 days. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. China Mengniu Dairy Trading Up 1.4% Shares of CIADY stock traded up $0.29 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $20.99. The stock had a trading volume of 1,991 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,286. China Mengniu Dairy has a one year low of $17.81 and a one year high of $26.54. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $20.49 and its 200 day simple moving average is $19.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.82. Get China Mengniu Dairy alerts: China Mengniu Dairy Company Profile (Get Free Report) 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). Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for China Mengniu Dairy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Mengniu Dairy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Iress (ASX:IRE) executives said the company delivered FY2025 results ahead of guidance, citing improved momentum in the second half, ongoing simplification efforts, and continued progress on margin expansion and cash generation. Get alerts: Group CEO Andrew Russell and CFO Cameron Williamson told investors the business has been reshaped into a more focused software company centered on two core areasWealth and Trading & Market Dataafter completing additional divestments during the year. The company also reinstated dividends and strengthened its balance sheet, while outlining FY2026 guidance that includes a shift in headline profitability reporting to cash EBITDA. FY2025 results: revenue growth and margin expansion Russell said the simplified continuing business revenue increased to, upyear-on-year. Adjusted EBITDA rose to, up, and the adjusted EBITDA margin expandedto. He added that underlying profit after tax increased, describing it as a milestone showing earnings growth now outpacing revenue growth and indicating operating leverage in the simplified business. Williamson provided additional profit detail, reporting underlying profit after tax of AUD 73.9 million and underlying EPS of AUD 0.396 per share, both up about 16% year-on-year. He noted these metrics included contributions from divested businesses, while the continuing business delivered 6.5% revenue growth, or 4.5% on a constant currency basis, helped by favorable foreign exchange. Operationally, Russell highlighted: Global Trading & Market Data delivering solid revenue and earnings growth, and successful delivery of the ASX Single Open initiative. delivering solid revenue and earnings growth, and successful delivery of the initiative. APAC Wealth returning to stronger second-half momentum. returning to stronger second-half momentum. UK Wealth and Sourcing delivering strong EBITDA expansion. delivering strong EBITDA expansion. A 15-point improvement in net promoter score, alongside an emphasis that customer-first execution remains a priority. Portfolio simplification and balance sheet changes Management reiterated that FY2025 included further divestments of the companys superannuation and QuantHouse businesses. Williamson said the two transactions brought total divestments over the past two years to six, with proceeds totaling AUD 71 million. The company used these proceeds to retire debt, with leverage now at 0.5x. Net debt was AUD 66 million at 31 December, which Williamson said was more than AUD 250 million lower than two years earlier. He said the stronger balance sheet provides flexibility for capital management and supports investment into the core business, noting software capex rose to AUD 27.3 million, or about 5% of revenue, compared with 2%3% historically. Williamson attributed the higher investment primarily to spending on a new EMS buy-side trading platform. The board declared a final fully franked dividend of AUD 0.13 per share, bringing the total FY2025 dividend to AUD 0.24 per share and a 61% payout ratio, within the companys stated target range of 50%70%. Reporting changes and cost focus Williamson said FY2026 will include a transition in headline EBITDA reporting from adjusted EBITDA to cash EBITDA, which he defined as adjusted EBITDA less capex (software capex and PPE, excluding landlord-funded lease incentives). He said the metric better reflects free cash flow generation and capital deployment. For FY2025, cash EBITDA was AUD 102.7 million with approximately AUD 33.5 million in capex. On costs, Williamson said staff costs were held broadly flat in FY2025, while non-wage and R&D operating expenses increased year-on-year. He said the second half improved versus the first, and that additional expense savings had already been achieved in Q1 FY2026 to date. In the Q&A, he described the FY2025 beat versus November guidance as substantially cost driven, estimating the contribution at roughly 80% cost and 20% revenue. He also pointed to several non-operating items: depreciation and amortization down 21% due to asset sales and a smaller footprint; net interest trending down on lower debt levels and improved terms; tax expense up 46% due to normalization in tax rates; and non-core excluded expenses declining to about half the prior year level, driven largely by lower transformation-related costs. Williamson said excluded items were expected to decline further in FY2026 to around AUD 10 millionAUD 12 million. FY2026 strategy and guidance Russell said Iress had engaged with third parties to assess whether a change-of-control transaction could deliver value, but no offer was received. He said management determined the best path to maximize shareholder value is disciplined execution of its strategy as a public company. For FY2026, Russell described four strategic pillars: Product-led execution Capital discipline Customer focus Ambition delivered at pace He said the company is expanding its business efficiency program to reset the operating model, improving delivery cadence and accountability, investing in targeted modular modernization of wealth and trading platforms (including Xplan user interface modernization and a sourcing uplift), and aligning pricing and monetization more directly with customer value. Russell emphasized this is not a big bang transformation but a staged approach. Russell also outlined an AI strategy across infrastructure, internal efficiency, and product embedding, describing AI as a tailwind and stating the companys approach is remediate first, modernize second, and monetize third. The company issued FY2026 guidance of: Revenue: AUD 520 million to AUD 528 million AUD 520 million to AUD 528 million Cash EBITDA: AUD 116 million to AUD 123 million AUD 116 million to AUD 123 million UPAT: AUD 84 million to AUD 90 million Management said it expects an exit run rate cash EBITDA margin of more than 25% by Q4 FY2026. Russell said the outlook assumes continued investment in platform modernization at similar capex levels to FY2025, alongside further benefits from business efficiencies. Williamson added that guidance was provided on a constant currency basis. In discussion of revenue drivers, Williamson said the improvement versus prior years was helped by lower churn, while the bulk of current growth remained price driven, with new business contributing at the fringes. He said the company is viewing the business through a net revenue retention lens and expects to share more detail in future periods. Closing the call, Russell said FY2025 marked completion of the simplification phase and that FY2026 will focus on accelerating delivery, strengthening competitiveness, and lifting performance. About Iress (ASX:IRE) Iress Limited engages in the designing and developing software and services for the financial services industry in the Asia Pacific, the United Kingdom and Europe, Africa, and North America. It offers client management, business automation, portfolio data, research, financial planning tools, scaled advice journeys, digital client solutions, data-driven compliance and analytics, and regulatory obligations management solutions; and market data, trading interfaces, order and execution management, smart order routing, FIX services, portfolio management, securities lending, analytical tools, algorithmic trading, market making, CFD clearing, post trade solutions, and trading and market data APIs. Featured Articles Gemlife Communities Group (ASX:GLF) outlined a milestone year in its FY 2025 results presentation, marking its first full-year result since listing. Chief Executive Officer Adrian Puljich said the group delivered results ahead of prospectus forecasts across all key financial metrics, highlighting the role of GemLifes vertically integrated model in supporting pricing, margins, and earnings visibility despite a challenging construction backdrop. Get alerts: FY 2025 performance and key drivers Puljich said settlements were modestly below prospectus expectations, but stronger margin performance more than offset the timing impact. He attributed the outcome to GemLifes internal building capability, which he described as a reactionary function that adjusts to seasonality and market conditions across specific geographies and assigns different home types to sites to maximize home build revenue and preserve margins. Management said FY 2025 average home sale prices increased 18% to, described as 11.8% ahead of prospectus. Average home rent was cited at(as stated in the presentation) and described as 12.8% ahead of prospectus. Puljich said the approach helped preserve margins amid what he called Australias worst housing and construction crisis. The company also emphasized that it does not charge deferred management fees, positioning its model around development profit and recurring rental income from retained land ownership, complemented by a home resale agency function (GemLife Resales). Financial results: underlying vs. statutory Chief Financial Officer Ashmit Thakral reported pro forma underlying NPAT of AUD 90 million. He said that despite fewer settlements than the prior year, revenue increased and both EBITDA and underlying NPAT rose 10% versus FY 2024, driven by stronger sales prices and margins. Thakral noted statutory NPAT included approximately AUD 49 million of one-off stamp duty related to the Aliria portfolio acquisition, as well as higher pre-IPO interest costs. Segment commentary focused on development earnings and recurring community operations. Thakral said both segments improved year-on-year and exceeded prospectus forecasts, with development EBITDA 6.6% above prospectus and 7.4% higher than the prior year (as described on the call). In community operations, management pointed to improvement across key drivers, and characterized the segments rental income as stable and consistent with prospectus expectations. Portfolio scale, pipeline, and operating metrics At year-end, management described GemLifes portfolio as spanning 33 communities across four Australian states, with 2,116 occupied homes and 4,107 sites, plus 4,244 sites in the greenfields development pipeline. Puljich said the pipeline provides more than 10 years of fully funded visibility for organic greenfields growth. On operations, management said the companys vertical integration spans site acquisition and planning through civil works, residential and commercial construction, community operations, and resale activity. Puljich also highlighted that the company holds unrestricted building licenses in its operating states, allowing it to contract directly with homeowners and collect progress payments, which he said supports working capital efficiency. Thakral said occupied home growth continued to strengthen community operations, and that new agreements provide for site fee increases by the greater of 3.5% or CPI. He also said resale commissions were well ahead of last year and prospectus, citing strong resale pricing and undersupply that is driving buyers toward completed resale dwellings. The group maintained an operating margin of 64.6%, even after adding new communities to the portfolio, and management cited community operating profit growth of 39% per annum over the past three years. Balance sheet, funding, and inventory Thakral said gearing at year-end remained comfortably within the companys target range of 25%35%, with a modest increase driven by investment in early civil and infrastructure works at new communities. He said gearing is expected to increase slightly in FY 2026 and FY 2027 within the stated range before trending lower as projects begin generating cash. Management also discussed financing updates, including a recent debt facility change that extended maturities to 2031 and reduced the overall cost of debt. Thakral said the companys debt is 78% hedged, and that GemLife had over AUD 250 million available to be drawn under its facility with strong covenant headroom. On inventory, Thakral said there were 59 completed homes at year-end, up from June, and that 38 of those were already sold and could have settled in FY 2025. He also said the group had 21 unsold homes across 10 communities, and excluding display homes, the number of genuinely unsold homes was under 10. FY 2026 outlook, settlements, and innovation initiatives For FY 2026, management said its focus remains disciplined execution and margin preservation, and provided underlying EPS guidance of AUD 0.285 to AUD 0.30, described as growth of 20%27%. Management said it expects to settle over 420 homes in FY 2026, supported by construction and sales activity. Thakral said the company entered FY 2026 with 246 homes under contract or with expressions of interest, and later in Q&A management stated sales on hand had increased to 301, including 69 EOIs. Management also said the average sales price of the 246 homes sold at year-end was higher than the FY 2025 average sale price, providing visibility into FY 2026 earnings. During Q&A, executives described active house construction across 10 communities and said several additional communities would start contributing toward the end of the year as earthworks progress. Management also addressed the FY 2025 settlement shortfall versus an earlier figure referenced by an analyst, describing it as timing-related, including homes that could have settled but shifted into the early part of FY 2026. Strategically, Puljich highlighted plans to expand formats and delivery methods, including Australias first vertical land lease community on the Gold Coast and Pocket Park communities of 50100 homes in established locations. Management also said the group is in early stages of developing a factory-built home construction method intended to enhance build margins, reduce waste, shorten build timeframes, and improve ESG credentials, while emphasizing the need for a modular product that does not look modular. On Townsville, management said it had supreme confidence in achieving development approval, describing the site as code assessable and citing expected workstreams including ecology and traffic assessments. Executives also pointed to strong local demand and government funding as supportive factors. About Gemlife Communities Group (ASX:GLF) Read More Banco Santander, S.A. (LON:BNC Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as GBX 980 and last traded at GBX 971.76, with a volume of 969977 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at GBX 934. Banco Santander Trading Up 3.8% The stock has a market cap of 139.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.18 and a beta of 1.32. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is GBX 906.14 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 810.77. Banco Santander Company Profile (Get Free Report) Banco Santander, SA provides various financial services worldwide. The company operates through Retail Banking, Santander Corporate & Investment Banking, Wealth Management & Insurance, and PagoNxt segments. It offers demand and time deposits, mutual funds, and current and savings accounts; mortgages, consumer finance, loans, and various financing solutions; and project finance, debt capital markets, global transaction banking, and corporate finance services. The company also provides asset management and private banking services; and insurance products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Banco Santander Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Santander and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk (OTCMKTS:PIFMY Get Free Report) saw a significant decline in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 611 shares, a decline of 91.9% from the January 29th total of 7,535 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,704 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.4 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,704 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.4 days. PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk Stock Performance PIFMY traded down $0.45 on Wednesday, hitting $19.85. The company had a trading volume of 2,990 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,928. PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk has a 52-week low of $19.41 and a 52-week high of $27.81. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $20.71 and a 200-day simple moving average of $21.94. Get PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk alerts: About PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk (Get Free Report) PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk is an Indonesian-based integrated food company and one of the worlds largest producers of instant noodles. Established in 1990 and headquartered in Jakarta, the company operates through several business segments including consumer branded products, flour milling, edible oils and fats, and agribusiness. Indofood is a member of the Salim Group and has grown through both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions to become a leading name in the regional food industry. In its consumer branded products division, Indofood manufactures and markets a diverse portfolio that spans instant noodles, dairy products, snack foods, biscuits, confectionery, and flavored beverages. See Also Receive News & Ratings for PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fnac Darty SA (OTCMKTS:GRUPF Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 200 shares, a decline of 94.9% from the January 29th total of 3,886 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently ? days. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently ? days. Fnac Darty Price Performance OTCMKTS GRUPF remained flat at C$66.00 during trading hours on Wednesday. Fnac Darty has a 12 month low of C$46.08 and a 12 month high of C$66.00. The companys 50 day moving average is C$66.00 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$66.00. Get Fnac Darty alerts: About Fnac Darty (Get Free Report) Fnac Darty is a leading European retailer specializing in cultural and consumer electronics goods. Through its Fnac and Darty banners, the company offers a broad selection of products, including books, music, gaming, photography equipment, home appliances, computing devices and telecommunications hardware. In addition to product sales, Fnac Darty provides after-sales services such as installation, home delivery, technical support and extended-warranty plans designed to enhance the customer experience. Headquartered in Ivry-sur-Seine, France, Fnac Darty was created by the merger of Fnac and Darty in early 2016. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Fnac Darty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fnac Darty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Aurelia Metals (ASX:AMI) used its FY2026 first-half earnings call to highlight higher revenue and profit, rising cash generation and ongoing progress at its key growth projects, including the Federation Mine ramp-up, the Great Cobar development and an expansion of the Peak processing facility. Get alerts: Financial performance and mix Chief Financial Officer Martin Cummings said first-half revenue rose 27% versus the prior corresponding period (H1 FY2025), driven by a combination of strong production performance and higher commodity prices. He noted that zinc volumes and revenue increased as Federation ramped up, but gold remained the dominant revenue contributor, accounting for about 53% of revenue, with silver adding about 2%. Management reported underlying EBITDA margin of 41% and underlying net profit after tax up 60% compared with H1 FY2025. Cummings said Federation reached first commercial production on July 1, but contributed at a lower EBITDA margin initially. As volumes increase, he said the EBITDA margin from Federation is expected to expand, with overall margins trending higher as ramp-up continues through the second half and beyond. Depreciation was slightly higher in the half, which Cummings attributed to depreciation beginning at Federation. He said Federation depreciation is largely on a units-of-production basis and is expected to rise as volumes ramp. Cash flow, growth spend, and refinancing update Cummings pointed to operating cash flow from the Cobar region of AUD 51.2 million for the six months, up 37% on the prior period. He emphasized that figure includes all sustaining capital for both Peak and Federation, describing it as cash generation before growth capital. Growth capital spend totaled AUD 21.4 million in the half, which Cummings expects to increase in the second half. Within that, plant expansion capital was AUD 4.3 million, with spending expected to rise as projects approach commissioning. Great Cobar spending was AUD 11.2 million in the first half, which Cummings said was largely in line with the FY2026 ranges previously provided. He also said Aurelia finalized its tax return and made a final tax payment for FY2025 of AUD 12.2 million during the period. On the balance sheet, Cummings discussed restricted cash tied to bonding requirements. At December, restricted cash was AUD 27.8 million, a figure he said has increased further due to amounts due in February. He said the companys refinancing process is progressing well, with terms targeted to be agreed during the quarter and financial close expected either within the quarter or early in the next. The primary objective is an upsized performance bond facility, which would allow cash currently backing bonds to be returned to the balance sheet. Operations: Federation ramp-up and Peak plant expansion Managing Director and CEO Bryan Quinn said operations delivered strong metal production and project execution during the half, supported by strong commodity prices. He added that mills are operating near current nameplate capacity, and the company is focused on building stockpiles ahead of the mill over the coming months. Quinn also cited record recoveries for certain commodities achieved during the ramp-up of processed tonnes. On Federation, Quinn said the mine is ramping up in line with plan and a bit ahead for the year, with grades encouraging and expected to improve month-by-month. He said gold grades have been slightly better and that increases between the first and second quarters aligned with prior guidance that grades should improve as mining advances deeper into more substantial ore zones. The company continues to advance the decline, conduct infill drilling to improve stope design confidence, and drill the Federation West deposit from underground. For the Peak processing facility expansion, Quinn reiterated the staged plan to move from 800,000 tonnes per year nameplate capacity to 1.1 million to 1.2 million tonnes. He said tailings and process water management is targeted for completion in Q4 FY2026, with a tertiary ball mill to be installed and commissioned in Q1 FY2027. Quinn said the expansion is being self-funded and described the capital as very reasonable given the expected upside. He also said Aurelia repurposed a ball mill and substation from Dargues, with the substation already placed on steel trestles and electrical work expected to commence soon. Great Cobar, resources and exploration pipeline Quinn said development at the Great Cobar Project is on schedule, along with surface infrastructure works that are preparing for shaft sinking later in the calendar year. He added that the investment case is materially higher at the current prices than when presented to the market previously, and encouraged investors to reflect updated pricing in their models. He said the orebody remains open at depth and in multiple directions, and the company plans to infill drill and test below the current known resource as access develops. Across the portfolio, Quinn highlighted a mineral resources and ore reserves update completed in H1 FY2026, with total mineral resources of 29 million tonnes up 12% and ore reserves up 17%. He said the increases reflect the work of Aurelias exploration teams and the companys ability to convert discovery into development opportunities. Quinn also described the Nymagee opportunity as a potential future catalyst for organic copper growth. He said drilling is continuing through the calendar year to grow and better understand the resource, noting the areas proximity to the Hera plant (within 5 kilometers) and existing infrastructure, sealed-road access, and the potential suitability of ore for either the Hera or Peak plants. Other items: safety focus, accounting questions, and Hera options Quinn said the company experienced several slip-trip hand injuries during the half and responded by introducing behavioral-based safety programs and tightening induction and training, with a stated goal of ensuring workers go home safely at the end of every day. During Q&A, management addressed several financial and operational topics, including: Financing costs: Management said the difference between the AUD 9.1 million financing cost and the AUD 2.7 million expense related mainly to rehabilitation unwind and amortization of borrowing costs from prior periods. Management said the difference between the AUD 9.1 million financing cost and the AUD 2.7 million expense related mainly to rehabilitation unwind and amortization of borrowing costs from prior periods. Depreciation outlook: Cummings said first-half depreciation included about AUD 15 million from Peak and just under AUD 8 million from Federation, plus corporate. He guided to around AUD 20 million of Federation depreciation for the full year and group depreciation of roughly AUD 50 million to AUD 55 million for FY2026, stepping higher in FY2027 as Federation volumes rise. Cummings said first-half depreciation included about AUD 15 million from Peak and just under AUD 8 million from Federation, plus corporate. He guided to around AUD 20 million of Federation depreciation for the full year and group depreciation of roughly AUD 50 million to AUD 55 million for FY2026, stepping higher in FY2027 as Federation volumes rise. Tax position: Cummings said Aurelia is now a taxpayer, having exhausted prior tax shields, including loss carryback benefits used in earlier periods. Cummings said Aurelia is now a taxpayer, having exhausted prior tax shields, including loss carryback benefits used in earlier periods. Hera restart considerations: Quinn said decisions on potentially using Hera depend on ore source and optimal configuration across Peak, Federation and regional deposits. He noted prior commentary of AUD 20 million to AUD 30 million to restart Hera, but said those figures would need reassessment and should not be relied upon without considering ore type and required plant configuration. Quinn closed by saying Aurelia is building toward its stated strategy of reaching 40,000 copper-equivalent tonnes by FY2028, supported by sequential delivery, operating systems, self-funded growth and continued exploration to build future options. About Aurelia Metals (ASX:AMI) Aurelia Metals Limited engages in the exploration and development of mineral properties in Australia. The company primarily produces gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc. It holds interests in the Peak Mine situated in the northern part of the Cobar Basin, New South Wales; and the Dargues mine located in southern Tablelands in New South Wales. The company was formerly known as YTC Resources Limited and changed its name to Aurelia Metals Limited in June 2014. Aurelia Metals Limited was incorporated in 2004 and is headquartered in Brisbane, Australia. See Also Shares of Whitbread PLC Sponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:WTBDY Get Free Report) gapped down before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $9.23, but opened at $8.9120. Whitbread shares last traded at $8.9120, with a volume of 371 shares changing hands. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on WTBDY. Sanford C. Bernstein downgraded shares of Whitbread from a strong-buy rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Friday, November 28th. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of Whitbread from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Whitbread in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Whitbread in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut Whitbread from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Whitbread presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy. Get Whitbread alerts: Read Our Latest Report on WTBDY Whitbread Trading Down 2.5% Whitbread Company Profile The companys 50-day moving average price is $9.02 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $9.57. (Get Free Report) Whitbread plc is a UK-based hospitality company primarily engaged in hotel and restaurant operations. Its flagship brand, Premier Inn, is one of the largest budget hotel chains in the United Kingdom, offering standardized accommodation across city centre and suburban locations. In addition to hotels, Whitbread operates a portfolio of food and beverage outlets, including family-oriented restaurants and pubs that cater to both leisure and business travellers. The companys hotel portfolio comprises hundreds of properties in the UK, alongside an established presence in Germany and select international markets under the Premier Inn banner. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Whitbread Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Whitbread and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dunelm Group (OTCMKTS:DNLMY Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week low during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $12.70 and last traded at $12.70, with a volume of 2000 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $14.18. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on DNLMY shares. Royal Bank Of Canada raised shares of Dunelm Group from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Zacks Research raised Dunelm Group from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Dunelm Group from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Sunday, February 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has given a Buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Strong Buy. Get Dunelm Group alerts: Read Our Latest Report on Dunelm Group Dunelm Group Stock Performance About Dunelm Group The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.73. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $13.82 and a 200-day moving average of $14.65. (Get Free Report) Dunelm Group plc is a UK?based home furnishings retailer known for its extensive network of stores and growing online presence. Founded in 1979 in Leicester by Ron and David Garlick, the company has grown from a single market stall to become one of Britains leading specialists in home accessories, textiles and furniture. Headquartered in Syston, Leicestershire, Dunelm operates over 170 stores across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, serving a broad customer base with a focus on value, quality and design. The companys product range spans soft furnishings such as bedding, curtains, blinds and cushions, as well as furniture items for living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Dunelm Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dunelm Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thomson Reuters Co. (TSE:TRI Get Free Report) (NYSE:TRI) reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as C$109.20 and last traded at C$109.50, with a volume of 460284 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at C$113.99. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research firms recently weighed in on TRI. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on shares of Thomson Reuters from C$275.00 to C$165.00 in a research note on Friday, February 6th. Canaccord Genuity Group upgraded Thomson Reuters from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. TD Securities decreased their price objective on Thomson Reuters from C$285.00 to C$175.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 6th. National Bank Financial dropped their price objective on Thomson Reuters from C$190.00 to C$175.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Sunday, February 8th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded Thomson Reuters from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Thomson Reuters currently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of C$181.83. Get Thomson Reuters alerts: View Our Latest Report on TRI Thomson Reuters Stock Up 10.1% The company has a market cap of C$60.48 billion, a PE ratio of 40.82, a P/E/G ratio of 3.64 and a beta of -0.02. The stock has a 50-day moving average of C$155.45 and a 200-day moving average of C$194.22. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 24.28. Thomson Reuters (TSE:TRI Get Free Report) (NYSE:TRI) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 5th. The company reported C$1.47 EPS for the quarter. Thomson Reuters had a return on equity of 20.19% and a net margin of 32.12%.The business had revenue of C$2.76 billion during the quarter. Sell-side analysts predict that Thomson Reuters Co. will post 5.6395803 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Thomson Reuters Company Profile (Get Free Report) 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Thomson Reuters Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thomson Reuters and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. President Jon Ritchie said fourth-quarter voluntary production totaled 26,025 new policies, bringing full-year voluntary production to more than 104,000 , a 17% increase over 2024. Retention improved to 82.7% in the quarter, and voluntary policies in force increased 16% year-over-year to 332,780 . Ritchie noted that, like other Florida carriers, results benefited from well-underwritten Citizens Property Insurance takeouts in late 2024 and early 2025, but he said the phase of large, profitable takeouts has ended. He emphasized that the companys growth engine is now organic and voluntary, supported by agent relationships and underwriting discipline. Adjusted net income available to common shareholders rose to $103 million , or $5.97 per diluted share , from $37.9 million , or $2.94 per diluted share , in 2024. Founder and CEO Bob Ritchie said the company completed its IPO in May, raising gross proceeds of $100 million. He characterized the offering as a catalyst that strengthened the balance sheet and supported plans to diversify products and expand into new markets. American Integrity Insurance Group (NYSE:AII) executives highlighted sharp profitability gains, continued voluntary policy growth, and a special dividend as the insurer discussed fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results following its initial public offering earlier in the year. Growth and underwriting strategy: Management emphasized a shift to organic voluntary growth (104,000+ voluntary policies in 2025), targeted expansion in Floridas Tri-County area, middle-aged homes and commercial residential products, out-of-state growth, and a reduced non-cat quota share from 40% to 25% to boost retained premium and lower reinsurance cost. Sharp profitability improvement: Full-year 2025 results show gross premiums earned up nearly 30% to $885 million , adjusted net income of $103 million ( $5.97 per diluted share), a record combined ratio of 63.7% , and adjusted ROE of 42.1% . IPO and capital actions: The company completed a May IPO raising $100 million , declared a $1.02 per share special cash dividend totaling $20 million , and said remaining IPO proceeds will fund 2026 growth initiatives. Story Continues Citizens takeouts were a smaller contributor than in the prior year. The company assumed almost 8,000 Citizens residential takeout policies in Q4, representing $24.2 million of assumed unearned premium, versus approximately 68,200 policies in Q4 2024, with management attributing the decline to fewer policies meeting underwriting and profitability standards. AVGO Earnings Are Just Around the CornerHere's What to Watch Executives outlined several growth initiatives: Tri-County re-entry: The company reentered Floridas Tri-County region in Q3 2025 and ended the year with 29,226 policies in force there, representing 7% of the book. Jon Ritchie said the company views the area as underpenetrated relative to its share of Florida households and expects the opportunity to extend into 2026. Middle-aged homes: Management said the company is renewing its focus on middle-aged homes after reducing exposure during Floridas litigation-driven period. Jon Ritchie said underwriting and pricing work has been completed and early production is accelerating, citing legislative reforms passed in 2022 as a factor making the segment more attractive. Commercial residential product: Launched in October 2025, the product targets condominium, townhouse, and residential homeowners associations. In Q4, the company assumed 149 commercial residential policies from Citizens, representing $5.9 million of assumed unearned premium, and began writing voluntary commercial residential policies. Management said early results support a measured, responsible scaling approach. Out-of-state growth: The company reported continued growth in Georgia and South Carolina, largely tied to Florida home builder agent relationships, and noted it has begun writing in North Carolina. Out-of-state policies more than doubled to 26,732 policies in force at year-end 2025, while Florida still represented 97% of in-force premium. Quarterly financial details and underwriting metrics Chief financial officer Ben (last name not provided in the transcript) reported Q4 net income available to common shareholders of $20.9 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, and adjusted net income of $21.8 million, or $1.11 per diluted share. Return on equity was 25.6% for the quarter, with adjusted ROE of 26.7%. Gross premiums written in Q4 2025 decreased to $206.4 million from $237.6 million, which management attributed primarily to fewer Citizens assumptions than in the prior-year quarter. However, gross premiums written in the voluntary market increased to $137.9 million from $122.4 million, and gross premiums earned increased to $229.1 million from $199.8 million, driven by voluntary new and renewal writings and Citizens takeouts. Losses and loss adjustment expenses fell to $26.3 million from $32.8 million, which management said was primarily due to the lack of catastrophe losses from current-year events. The loss ratio was 42.6% versus 51.6% a year earlier. The company also highlighted a gross underlying non-cat loss and LAE ratio, which increased to 17.1% in Q4 2025 from 16.5% in Q4 2024, and noted $3 million of favorable development in the quarter. Policy acquisition expenses decreased 51% to $5.8 million, and general and administrative costs decreased 43.2% to $6.7 million, which management said was driven by higher non-catastrophe ceding commissions. The expense ratio improved to 20.2% from 37.1%, and the combined ratio improved to 62.8% from 88.7%. Net investment income increased to $5.9 million from $3.8 million, which the CFO said reflected higher invested assets due to increased premiums in force and IPO proceeds. Shareholders equity increased to $337 million at year-end. Reinsurance, quota share changes, and outlook themes discussed on Q&A Management said it reduced its non-cat quota share from a 40% cession rate to 25% and renewed the treaty at improved pricing. Jon Ritchie said the company expects the change to reduce quota share cost by about 50% during 2026. He added that in 2025 the company ceded $248 million of earned premium and generated $276 million of revenue; under the new cession rate, management estimated it would have ceded $155 million of earned premium and generated $369 million of revenue. On the call, executives also pointed to a favorable catastrophe year, noting the company did not experience a catastrophe loss for the first time in many years. They said increased global reinsurance capital has improved renewal expectations, citing market commentary that risk-adjusted rate decreases could range from 10% to 20% for 2026 renewals, depending on region. In response to analyst questions, management said it expects its reinsurance buying approach to remain consistent, including third- and fourth-event coverage, and indicated retentions are intended to be consistent with the prior treaty year, while details are still being finalized. On pricing and mix, Jon Ritchie said the companys current average rate decrease for 2025 annual rate filings is roughly 5% for its own portfolio, and he said that range appears consistent with broader marketplace trends based on filings and field feedback. He also said mix shifts toward Tri-County and middle-aged homes are expected to lift average premium per policy, while commercial residential growth will take time as the company scales prudently. Special dividend and capital priorities The companys board declared a special cash dividend of $1.02 per share, totaling $20 million. Addressing investor questions about capital management, Bob Ritchie said the company had previously indicated it would consider returning windfall earnings to shareholders, citing the absence of catastrophe losses in 2025 as creating surplus capital. He said remaining IPO proceeds are still positioned to fund growth initiatives in 2026. Asked about buybacks versus dividends, management said it has prioritized building public float and liquidity, citing a secondary offering in the prior quarter and a desire not to reduce float. In closing remarks, Bob Ritchie reiterated that the company plans to focus on underwriting quality, expense discipline, and thoughtful yet aggressive growth, while emphasizing that management believes performance is durable and repeatable. About American Integrity Insurance Group (NYSE:AII) American Integrity Insurance Group, Ltd. is a specialized provider of personal lines residential property insurance based in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. The company underwrites a variety of policies including homeowners multiple peril, condominium unitowners, dwelling fire, wind-only, personal umbrella and renters insurance. Its product suite is designed to protect against hurricane, windstorm, hail and other weather-related risks common to Floridas coastal and inland regions. Founded in 2004, American Integrity operates primarily through a network of independent insurance agents across the state of Florida. The article "American Integrity Insurance Group Q4 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat. Shares of Tofutti Brands Inc. (OTCMKTS:TOFB Get Free Report) traded down 11.7% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $0.68 and last traded at $0.68. 250 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 43% from the average session volume of 439 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.77. Tofutti Brands Stock Down 11.7% The stock has a market capitalization of $3.51 million, a PE ratio of -5.23 and a beta of 0.88. The firms fifty day moving average price is $0.73 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $0.73. Get Tofutti Brands alerts: About Tofutti Brands (Get Free Report) Tofutti Brands Inc is a specialty food company focused on the development, manufacturing and marketing of non-dairy frozen desserts and cheese alternatives. Founded in the early 1980s by David Mintz, the company pioneered plant-based frozen novelties and spreadable products designed to appeal to consumers seeking lactose-free, vegan and kosher options. Its product portfolio includes frozen desserts such as Cuties ice cream bars, Cutiecups novelty cups, and a range of dairy-free cream cheeses, sour creams and mozzarella-style shreds under the Tofutti Better Than brand. Manufacturing operations are based in East Hanover, New Jersey, and the company distributes its products through major supermarket chains, natural food stores and foodservice channels across North America. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Tofutti Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tofutti Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Guangdong Investment Limited (OTCMKTS:GGDVY Get Free Report) shot up 2.4% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $49.05 and last traded at $49.05. 590 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 31% from the average session volume of 861 shares. The stock had previously closed at $47.90. Guangdong Investment Stock Performance The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $45.51 and a 200-day simple moving average of $45.84. Get Guangdong Investment alerts: About Guangdong Investment (Get Free Report) Guangdong Investment Limited is a Hong Kongincorporated conglomerate that traces its roots to the early 1970s, with significant backing from the Guangdong Provincial Government. Over the decades, the company has evolved from a regional investor into a diversified holding entity, deploying capital across multiple infrastructure and real estate sectors to support urban development in southern China. Its structure allows it to participate in strategic projects that align with government initiatives, particularly in the Pearl River Delta economic region. The companys primary business activities encompass water supply operations, property investment and development, and transport infrastructure. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Guangdong Investment Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Guangdong Investment and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Watches of Switzerland Group plc (LON:WOSG Get Free Report)s share price dropped 0.3% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as GBX 508 and last traded at GBX 515.50. Approximately 137,723 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 94% from the average daily volume of 2,274,322 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 517. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on Watches of Switzerland Group from GBX 450 to GBX 550 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Two 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, Watches of Switzerland Group has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 455. Get Watches of Switzerland Group alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on WOSG Watches of Switzerland Group Stock Down 0.3% The company has a current ratio of 1.95, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 109.69. The company has a market capitalization of 1.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.42, a PEG ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 2.17. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 491.88 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 427.58. Watches of Switzerland Group (LON:WOSG Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The company reported GBX 18.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Watches of Switzerland Group had a return on equity of 11.38% and a net margin of 3.84%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Watches of Switzerland Group plc will post 42.739726 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About Watches of Switzerland Group (Get Free Report) Established in 2007 the Watches of Switzerland Group is the UKs largest luxury watch retailer, operating in the UK and US comprising eight prestigious brands; Watches of Switzerland (UK and US), Mappin & Webb (UK), Goldsmiths (UK), Mayors (US), Betteridge (US), Deutsch & Deutsch (US), Analog:Shift (US) and Hodinkee (US), with a complementary jewellery offering. Since 8 May 2024, the Group has also owned the exclusive distribution rights for Roberto Coin in the USA, Canada, Central America and the Caribbean. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Watches of Switzerland Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Watches of Switzerland Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Hapag-Lloyd Aktiengesellschaft (OTCMKTS:HPGLY Get Free Report) shot up 0.7% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $74.2435 and last traded at $74.24. 213 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 56% from the average session volume of 483 shares. The stock had previously closed at $73.69. Hapag-Lloyd Aktiengesellschaft Stock Performance The businesss fifty day moving average price is $70.19 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $69.53. Get Hapag-Lloyd Aktiengesellschaft alerts: Hapag-Lloyd Aktiengesellschaft Company Profile (Get Free Report) Hapag-Lloyd Aktiengesellschaft (OTCMKTS:HPGLY) is a Germany-based global container shipping company offering a wide range of ocean freight and logistics services. Headquartered in Hamburg, the firm maintains a modern fleet of more than 200 container vessels, serving shippers with capacity for standard dry cargo, refrigerated goods and specialized shipments. Its core services include scheduled liner transport, chartering and equipment management for containers of various types and sizes. The companys integrated logistics platform extends beyond sea transport to intermodal solutions, inland trucking and rail connections, as well as sea-air services for time-sensitive shipments. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Hapag-Lloyd Aktiengesellschaft Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hapag-Lloyd Aktiengesellschaft and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TransAlta (NYSE:TAC Get Free Report) (TSE:TA) is projected to post its Q4 2025 results before the market opens on Friday, February 27th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.12 per share and revenue of $493.3890 million for the quarter. Parties can check the companys upcoming Q4 2025 earning summary page for the latest details on the call scheduled for Friday, February 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM ET. TransAlta Stock Performance Shares of TAC stock opened at $12.86 on Thursday. TransAlta has a 12 month low of $7.82 and a 12 month high of $17.88. The stock has a market cap of $3.82 billion, a PE ratio of -26.79 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.22. The companys fifty day moving average price is $12.87 and its 200-day moving average price is $13.77. Get TransAlta alerts: TransAlta Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Sunday, March 1st will be paid a dividend of $0.065 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 27th. This represents a $0.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.0%. TransAltas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -39.58%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts have recently commented on TAC shares. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d+) rating on shares of TransAlta in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Zacks Research upgraded TransAlta from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, December 5th. TD Securities reissued a buy rating on shares of TransAlta in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. National Bank Financial downgraded TransAlta from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of TransAlta in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $20.00. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on TransAlta Institutional Trading of TransAlta A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Rubric Capital Management LP raised its holdings in shares of TransAlta by 32.9% during the second quarter. Rubric Capital Management LP now owns 15,948,451 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $172,084,000 after purchasing an additional 3,948,451 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can grew its position in TransAlta by 27.5% in the 4th quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 13,295,335 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $168,163,000 after purchasing an additional 2,870,026 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets purchased a new stake in TransAlta during the 3rd quarter valued at $20,533,000. Man Group plc lifted its holdings in shares of TransAlta by 159.9% during the 4th quarter. Man Group plc now owns 2,098,053 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $26,520,000 after buying an additional 1,290,854 shares during the period. Finally, Westerly Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of TransAlta in the 2nd quarter worth $8,281,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 59.00% of the companys stock. TransAlta Company Profile (Get Free Report) TransAlta Corporation, originally founded in 1909 as Calgary Power Company Ltd., is a publicly traded energy company specializing in the development, ownership and operation of power generation and transmission assets. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, TransAlta has grown from its early hydroelectric roots into a diversified energy provider with a multi-fuel generating fleet. The companys core business activities encompass power generation, asset management and energy trading services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for TransAlta Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TransAlta and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Cenovus Energy (NYSE:CVE Free Report) (TSE:CVE) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report sent to investors on Monday morning. Several other research analysts have also issued reports on CVE. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on shares of Cenovus Energy from $29.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 18th. Scotiabank raised shares of Cenovus Energy from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a neutral rating on shares of Cenovus Energy in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Zacks Research downgraded Cenovus Energy from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Cenovus Energy in a report on Friday, February 20th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $27.33. Get Cenovus Energy alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Cenovus Energy Cenovus Energy Stock Down 2.2% Shares of CVE stock opened at $21.88 on Monday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $18.96 and a 200-day moving average of $17.73. The firm has a market cap of $41.13 billion, a PE ratio of 14.30 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. Cenovus Energy has a 12 month low of $10.23 and a 12 month high of $23.39. Cenovus Energy (NYSE:CVE Get Free Report) (TSE:CVE) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 19th. The oil and gas company reported $0.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.28 by $0.08. Cenovus Energy had a net margin of 7.92% and a return on equity of 13.25%. The business had revenue of $9.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.89 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.07 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Cenovus Energy will post 1.49 EPS for the current year. Cenovus Energy Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 13th. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.7%. Cenovus Energys dividend payout ratio is 37.25%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Harvest Portfolios Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Cenovus Energy in the second quarter worth about $2,557,000. Intact Investment Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Cenovus Energy by 69.6% in the 3rd quarter. Intact Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,655,878 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $62,081,000 after purchasing an additional 1,500,590 shares during the period. Boston Partners increased its stake in Cenovus Energy by 2.3% during the 2nd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 26,845,367 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $365,097,000 after purchasing an additional 606,042 shares in the last quarter. Swiss National Bank increased its stake in Cenovus Energy by 6.6% during the 2nd quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 4,156,435 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $56,341,000 after purchasing an additional 257,600 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Picton Mahoney Asset Management acquired a new stake in Cenovus Energy during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $74,895,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 51.19% of the companys stock. About Cenovus Energy (Get Free Report) Cenovus Energy Inc is a Canadian integrated energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas, together with downstream refining and marketing activities. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Cenovus operates a mix of oil sands thermal and dilbit assets, conventional oil and gas properties, and owns refining and midstream assets designed to move and process hydrocarbons into finished petroleum products for commercial markets. The company was originally formed as a spin?off from Encana Corporation in 2009 and has grown through organic development and strategic acquisitions. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Cenovus Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cenovus Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN Free Report) had its price objective decreased by Scotiabank from $45.00 to $41.00 in a research note published on Monday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Scotiabank currently has a sector perform rating on the energy companys stock. DVN has been the subject of several other research reports. Weiss Ratings upgraded Devon Energy from a sell (d+) rating to a hold (c-) rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Mizuho set a $51.00 price objective on Devon Energy in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Sanford C. Bernstein cut their price objective on Devon Energy from $48.00 to $42.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on Devon Energy from $48.00 to $46.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Devon Energy from $40.00 to $42.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned 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 company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $47.23. Get Devon Energy alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on DVN Devon Energy Stock Performance DVN opened at $42.61 on Monday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $39.34 and a 200 day moving average price of $36.36. Devon Energy has a 1 year low of $25.89 and a 1 year high of $46.15. The stock has a market cap of $26.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.22, a P/E/G ratio of 4.11 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 0.90. Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 17th. The energy company reported $0.82 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.81 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $17.19 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.67 billion. Devon Energy had a net margin of 15.37% and a return on equity of 16.28%. The firms revenue was down 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.10 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Devon Energy will post 4.85 earnings per share for the current year. Devon Energy Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be issued a $0.24 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 13th. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.3%. Devon Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 23.02%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Devon Energy A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Caldwell Trust Co acquired a new position in Devon Energy during the second quarter worth about $25,000. PFS Partners LLC purchased a new position in Devon Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. First Horizon Corp acquired a new position in shares of Devon Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Accredited Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Devon Energy by 61.6% in the third quarter. Accredited Wealth Management LLC now owns 808 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 308 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameriflex Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Devon Energy by 702.0% in the third quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 802 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 702 shares in the last quarter. 69.72% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Devon Energy (Get Free Report) Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE: DVN) is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The company focuses on the exploration, development, production and marketing of hydrocarbons, including crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs) and natural gas. Devon operates as an upstream energy company that acquires, evaluates and develops onshore resource plays using a combination of drilling, completion and production optimization techniques. Core business activities include identifying and developing energy reserves, operating well programs and managing reservoir performance to generate production and cash flow. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Devon Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Devon Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE:ANF Free Report) had its target price trimmed by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $128.00 to $102.00 in a report published on Monday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the apparel retailers stock. Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $145.00 price objective on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch in a report on Monday, January 5th. Citigroup raised shares of Abercrombie & Fitch from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the company from $90.00 to $135.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Zacks Research raised shares of Abercrombie & Fitch from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch from $94.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, BTIG Research restated a buy rating on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $120.90. Get Abercrombie & Fitch alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on ANF Abercrombie & Fitch Stock Performance ANF opened at $95.95 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $4.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.20 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a 50-day moving average of $107.20 and a 200-day moving average of $93.43. Abercrombie & Fitch has a 1-year low of $65.40 and a 1-year high of $133.11. Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE:ANF Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 26th. The apparel retailer reported $2.36 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.14 by $0.22. Abercrombie & Fitch had a return on equity of 38.01% and a net margin of 10.07%.The business had revenue of $1.29 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.28 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.50 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 6.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Abercrombie & Fitch will post 10.62 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Abercrombie & Fitch news, CEO Fran Horowitz sold 29,769 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total transaction of $2,976,900.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 308,503 shares in the company, valued at approximately $30,850,300. The trade was a 8.80% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 350,000 shares of company stock worth $34,661,358. 2.29% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Abercrombie & Fitch Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 322.0% in the 4th quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC now owns 249 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 190 shares during the period. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in Abercrombie & Fitch by 120.3% during the 4th quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 271 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 148 shares in the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch during the 4th quarter valued at $44,000. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its position in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 94.4% during the 4th quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 350 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 170 shares during the period. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 181.6% in the second quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 352 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 227 shares during the period. About Abercrombie & Fitch (Get Free Report) Abercrombie & Fitch Co (NYSE: ANF) is an American specialty retailer that designs, markets and sells casual apparel and accessories for men, women and children. Founded in 1892 by David T. Abercrombie and Ezra Fitch, the company evolved from an outdoor gear outfitter to a global lifestyle brand renowned for its relaxed, preppy aesthetic. Its product assortment includes tops, bottoms, outerwear, intimates, swimwear, fragrances and personal care items. The company operates under multiple brand names, including Abercrombie & Fitch, Abercrombie Kids, Hollister and Gilly Hicks, each targeting distinct consumer segments from teens to young adults. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Abercrombie & Fitch Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abercrombie & Fitch and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lundin Gold (TSE:LUG Free Report) had its target price lowered by BMO Capital Markets from C$128.00 to C$119.00 in a report issued on Monday,BayStreet.CA reports. A number of other brokerages also recently commented on LUG. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on Lundin Gold from C$96.00 to C$111.00 in a research note on Monday, December 8th. TD Securities boosted their price objective on Lundin Gold from C$95.00 to C$114.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Canaccord Genuity Group upped their price objective on Lundin Gold from C$103.00 to C$108.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce raised their target price on Lundin Gold from C$123.00 to C$141.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Finally, Cormark upped their price target on shares of Lundin Gold from C$100.00 to C$115.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Lundin Gold currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and an average target price of C$93.25. Get Lundin Gold alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on LUG Lundin Gold Stock Up 2.5% Shares of Lundin Gold stock opened at C$122.00 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of C$29.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 43.11 and a beta of 1.02. Lundin Gold has a fifty-two week low of C$37.86 and a fifty-two week high of C$127.99. The business has a 50-day moving average price of C$114.02 and a 200 day moving average price of C$102.98. Lundin Gold (TSE:LUG Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 19th. The company reported C$1.33 EPS for the quarter. Lundin Gold had a net margin of 29.56% and a return on equity of 29.88%. The firm had revenue of C$697.82 million during the quarter. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Lundin Gold will post 2.5603448 earnings per share for the current year. Lundin Gold Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 22nd. Investors of record on Monday, December 22nd were paid a dividend of $0.7058 per share. This is a boost from Lundin Golds previous quarterly dividend of $0.68. This represents a $2.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 5th. Lundin Golds dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 61.48%. About Lundin Gold (Get Free Report) Lundin Gold, headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, owns the Fruta del Norte gold mine in southeast Ecuador. Fruta del Norte is among the highest-grade operating gold mines in the world. The Companys board and management team have extensive expertise and are dedicated to operating Fruta del Norte responsibly. The Company operates with transparency and in accordance with international best practices. Lundin Gold is committed to delivering value to its shareholders through operational excellence and growth, while simultaneously providing economic and social benefits to impacted communities, fostering a healthy and safe workplace and minimizing the environmental impact. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Lundin Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lundin Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN Get Free Report) has received an average recommendation of Hold from the fifteen brokerages that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and seven have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $79.2143. Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $79.00 price objective on shares of Eastman Chemical in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. Bank of America increased their price target on Eastman Chemical from $74.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Evercore set a $75.00 price objective on Eastman Chemical in a research report on Wednesday, February 18th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an equal weight rating and set a $70.00 target price on shares of Eastman Chemical in a research report on Friday, December 19th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of Eastman Chemical from $75.00 to $73.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Get Eastman Chemical alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Eastman Chemical Eastman Chemical Stock Down 2.1% NYSE EMN opened at $75.46 on Monday. Eastman Chemical has a 52 week low of $56.11 and a 52 week high of $100.30. The company has a quick ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. The company has a market capitalization of $8.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 1.23. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $70.73 and its 200-day moving average price is $65.90. Eastman Chemical (NYSE:EMN Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The basic materials company reported $0.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.76 by ($0.01). Eastman Chemical had a net margin of 5.42% and a return on equity of 10.57%. The company had revenue of $1.97 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.03 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.87 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that Eastman Chemical will post 8.55 earnings per share for the current year. Eastman Chemical Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be issued a $0.84 dividend. This represents a $3.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 13th. Eastman Chemicals payout ratio is 82.15%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Eastman Chemical Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Eastman Chemical by 235.2% in the 2nd quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 66,200 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $4,942,000 after acquiring an additional 46,453 shares during the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in Eastman Chemical by 19.2% during the second quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 67,112 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $5,066,000 after purchasing an additional 10,813 shares during the period. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans lifted its stake in shares of Eastman Chemical by 4.9% in the 3rd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 523,191 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $32,987,000 after purchasing an additional 24,458 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its holdings in shares of Eastman Chemical by 9.2% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 472,384 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $35,268,000 after purchasing an additional 39,930 shares during the period. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Eastman Chemical by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 14,659,591 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,094,485,000 after purchasing an additional 79,988 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.65% of the companys stock. Eastman Chemical Company Profile (Get Free Report) Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE: EMN) is a global specialty materials company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of advanced materials, chemicals and fibers. Its product portfolio spans performance additives, functional products, and engineered plastics designed to enhance the durability, appearance and performance of end products across diverse industries. The companys main business activities include the production of specialty chemicals used in adhesives, coatings, building materials and consumer care applications, as well as high-performance plastics for packaging, automotive and electronics markets. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Eastman Chemical Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eastman Chemical and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Winemakers are pulling the cork on California. Another giant in the world-famous wine growing region is shutting down and slashing staff, making it the fourth since the start of 2026. Jackson Family Wines has stopped production at its Carneros Hill facility in Sonomas Carneros region, laying off more than a dozen employees, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notice filed with California authorities on Feb. 12. Communications director Sean Carrol told the San Francisco Chronicle that Carneros Hill previously owned by Buena Vista Winery served as overflow production capacity and was not tied to any specific brand. Jackson Family Wines confirmed the closure of the facility. Ilya S. Savenok He added that the site had become underutilized, allowing the company to consolidate. Jackson Family Wines is known as one of the top US wine producers, the sixth-largest wine company in the country. The company is the sixth-largest wine producer in the country. San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images It owns the Kendall-Jackson label and about 40 other brands, producing around 6 million cases a year, according to an industry review. More than 25 of those wineries are in the Golden State. Last week, major winemaker Gallo announced the closure of a large production facility and the elimination of nearly 100 jobs across the wine growing region of Napa and Sonoma counties. Considered the worlds largest winemaker by volume, Gallo filed a warning notice with the California Employment Development Department on Feb. 12, confirming it will permanently pull the cork on the Ranch Winery in St. Helena. Jackson Family Wines owns the famed Kendall-Jackson label. Getty Images for NYCWFF Gallo is also slashing staff at some of its other labels, including the Louis M. Martini Winery and the Orin Swift Tasting Room in St. Helena, as well as J Vineyards and Frei Ranch in Healdsburg. Gallo is aligning parts of our operations with our longterm business strategy to ensure we remain wellpositioned for future success, a spokesperson for the company told The Post. As part of this process, we made the difficult decision to reduce certain Wine Country operations. These changes are driven by market dynamics, evolving consumer demand, and available capacity across our wineries. Earlier this month, Foley Family Wines & Spirits shut down its production facility for the historic Central Coast winery Chalone. Four major winemakers have announced closure of sites since the start of 2026. Neilson Barnard In January, Constellation Brands notified more than 200 people at the Mission Bell Winery in Madera that they would be out of work. And Jean-Charles Boisset Collection closed two Napa Valley tasting rooms. According to a recent report from Wine Business Monthly, there were 4,727 wineries in California in 2025. As of February 2026, there are 4,646. The number of American adults who say they consume alcohol has fallen to 54%, according to an August 2025 Gallup poll. GSA Capital Partners LLP trimmed its stake in shares of Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE:DIN Free Report) by 60.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 16,530 shares of the restaurant operators stock after selling 25,668 shares during the quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP owned about 0.11% of Dine Brands Global worth $409,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of DIN. Mountain Hill Investment Partners Corp. raised its stake in Dine Brands Global by 33.3% in the second quarter. Mountain Hill Investment Partners Corp. now owns 2,000 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $49,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its position in shares of Dine Brands Global by 307.6% in the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,091 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 1,578 shares in the last quarter. AdvisorShares Investments LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Dine Brands Global by 36.7% during the 2nd quarter. AdvisorShares Investments LLC now owns 4,474 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $109,000 after acquiring an additional 1,200 shares during the period. Osaic Holdings Inc. boosted its position in shares of Dine Brands Global by 544.8% during the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 7,235 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $176,000 after acquiring an additional 6,113 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Dine Brands Global during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $245,000. 92.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Dine Brands Global alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms have weighed in on DIN. Mizuho upped their target price on Dine Brands Global from $28.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Zacks Research downgraded Dine Brands Global from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Barclays raised their price objective on Dine Brands Global from $26.00 to $40.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Dine Brands Global in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Dine Brands Global from $21.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. One research analyst has 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 data from MarketBeat, Dine Brands Global currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $31.29. Dine Brands Global Trading Up 0.3% Shares of DIN stock opened at $30.73 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $34.46 and a 200-day moving average of $29.16. The stock has a market cap of $443.13 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.72 and a beta of 0.97. Dine Brands Global, Inc. has a 1-year low of $18.63 and a 1-year high of $39.68. Dine Brands Global (NYSE:DIN Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The restaurant operator reported $1.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.10 by $0.36. Dine Brands Global had a net margin of 3.91% and a negative return on equity of 26.01%. The firm had revenue of $217.57 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $226.27 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.87 EPS. The companys revenue was up 6.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that Dine Brands Global, Inc. will post 5.84 earnings per share for the current year. Dine Brands Global Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 10th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 18th will be paid a dividend of $0.19 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 18th. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. Dine Brands Globals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 33.93%. Dine Brands Global News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting Dine Brands Global this week: About Dine Brands Global (Free Report) Dine Brands Global, Inc is a leading franchisor and operator of full?service restaurants in the casual dining and breakfast segments. The companys primary brands include IHOP, known for its wide variety of breakfast offerings and pancakes, and Applebees Neighborhood Grill + Bar, a casual dining concept featuring a range of American entrees, appetizers and cocktails. Through its franchise model, Dine Brands works with independent restaurant owners to develop, market and support both domestic and international locations. The origins of Dine Brands Global date back to the founding of the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) in 1958 in California. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Dine Brands Global Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dine Brands Global and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. YSS (NYSE:YSS Get Free Report) and Voyager Technologies (NYSE:VOYG Get Free Report) are both manufacturing companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, valuation, institutional ownership, earnings, dividends and risk. Profitability This table compares YSS and Voyager Technologies net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get YSS alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets YSS N/A N/A N/A Voyager Technologies -53.06% -37.90% -12.64% Valuation & Earnings This table compares YSS and Voyager Technologiess revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio YSS $357.46 million 9.39 N/A N/A N/A Voyager Technologies $144.18 million 10.29 -$62.07 million ($3.16) -8.73 YSS has higher revenue and earnings than Voyager Technologies. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for YSS and Voyager Technologies, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score YSS 0 2 8 0 2.80 Voyager Technologies 1 2 6 0 2.56 YSS currently has a consensus price target of $39.00, indicating a potential upside of 47.45%. Voyager Technologies has a consensus price target of $44.88, indicating a potential upside of 62.74%. Given Voyager Technologies higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Voyager Technologies is more favorable than YSS. Summary YSS beats Voyager Technologies on 6 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About YSS (Get Free Report) York Space Systems is a leading, U.S.-based, space and defense prime(1) providing a comprehensive suite of mission-critical solutions for national security, government and commercial customers. York is one of the only space and defense primes with proprietary hardware and software capabilities designed to address customers complex mission requirements across the critical elements of the entire space ecosystem throughout the mission lifecycle. York is the number one provider to the U.S. Department of Defenses (DoD) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) by number of spacecraft operating in-orbit, by number of contracts, and by variety of contract types as of September 2025. York is a partner of choice for our customers, with differentiated performance versus traditional primes based on price, speed to deployment, and sophistication of capabilities. We produce our satellites at approximately half the cost of our competitors and have been the first to deliver and launch satellites for the PWSA. York is the first and only company to demonstrate Link-16(2) connectivity from space, highlighting our unique and innovative capabilities. York is purpose built to address evolving national security space challenges and to adapt to the ongoing shift in the U.S. governments mission needs and procurement process. We believe we are positioned to capture an outsized share of growth in our core markets. York provides customers a vertically integrated, full technology stack of solutions including design, production, integration, and operation of spacecraft with turnkey offerings to manage spacecraft and constellations throughout their entire mission lifecycle. York has significant space heritage, having flown 74 missions, created 17 products with flight heritage, and logged over four million on-orbit hours. Yorks position as a prime enables us to monetize the entire space vertical from launch to mission operations, from spacecraft to payloads, and from edge computing to data transfer. York was founded in 2012 by our CEO, Dirk Wallinger, to create an innovative space technology mission prime, with a goal of meeting the evolving national security threats from space by providing mission-critical spacecraft at scale, faster, and at lower cost. We believe that Yorks proven production and delivery capabilities place it among a very limited number of companies who have the capability to deliver the required solutions for the Golden Dome based on its current timeline. We provide our customers with the ability to quickly and effectively field responsive space-based technologies. Our proprietary hardware, software and mission operations solutions are designed to address the United States national security priorities: missile defense (crucial to the Golden Dome), counter-space capabilities, and space domain awareness. Increasing geopolitical tensions are driving near-peer adversaries to invest heavily in military space capabilities to gain advantage in orbitthe next domain in global conflict. In todays threat environment, rapidly deployable satellites are critical to providing denied benefit in space, maintaining space superiority and countering these emerging threats. This paradigm shift in global warfighting is driving significant growth in defense spending, with the global satellite market projected to grow by approximately $320 billion to over $600 billion from 2023 to 2032 at approximately an 8% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR), up from approximately $280 billion in 2022 according to Allied Market Research. This growth is supported by the Golden Dome, the space intelligence community and the DoDs PWSA program. We have invested in our infrastructure and expanded our production capabilities with a goal of meeting this evolving threat while growing our backlog to approximately $642 million and 107 spacecraft as of September 30, 2025. We believe we distinguish ourselves from other space mission primes by offering a fully integrated portfolio of proprietary spacecraft, software and services. Our versatile spacecraft are built on a modular platform, allowing us to move quickly from design and development to deployment to meet our customers needs for their rapid response missions. In addition, we provide software throughout the space layer, bolstered by our 2023 acquisition of Emergent Space Technologies (Emergent), including flight control and edge computing, and we recently added more than 45 ground antennas in connection with our acquisition of ATLAS Space Operations (the ATLAS Acquisition). Our capabilities include a differentiated suite of spacecraft solutions with proven, common technologies. We offer the S-CLASS, LX-CLASS, and M-CLASSspacecraft, which are high-quality, low-cost satellite platforms that are proven and scalable to a wide array of space market needs. Our spacecraft are supported by proprietary satellite software enabling versatile integration of a variety of payloads for customers and supply chain commonalities across platforms. The various spacecraft classes are designed and engineered to address a broad cross section of the spacecraft market while maximizing payload accommodation. The LX-CLASS is double the mass of the S-CLASS and leverages the S-CLASS design, sharing more than 90% of its technology with the S-CLASS, to offer a specialized platform with enhanced capabilities. Similarly, the M-CLASS utilizes the previous satellite platform designs, sharing approximately 75% of its hardware and 95% of its software with the S-CLASS and LX-CLASS, while greatly enhancing scale and power for spacecraft mass up to 2,000 kg and 8kW+ peak power consumption. Our proven suite of platforms provide solutions from 100 to 2,000 kgs and enables us to serve a large total addressable market. Yorks spacecraft architecture framework results in significant commonality across platforms and software, allowing for scalable solutions at lower cost. Yorks three different platforms share approximately 75% of the same hardware and 95% of the software leading to significant cost reductions throughout the value chain while maximizing product quality. This approach also reduces Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) cost associated with platform development while reducing failure risks inherent to a unique design. Key in-house hardware components include Command and Data Handling (C&DH), flight computers, Attitude Control Systems (ACS), Electrical Power Systems (EPS) and production testing. These components complement our spacecraft production while our software-enabled services underpin autonomous, resilient operations and support key defense technologies. While the standardized spacecraft architecture framework provides scalable building blocks for rapid constellation deployment, Yorks proprietary software supports key elements of operational success from mission planning to ongoing mission operations. Autonomous constellation planning and hands-off operations are essential for managing the increasing quantity of spacecraft deployed in orbit. Technologies include the Multi-Mission Operations Center (M-MOC), a secure, autonomous, command structure that manages multiple York spacecraft, and Bastion, Yorks mission-ready ground software solution, which allows operators to manage entire fleets from a single ground architecture across more than 45 antennas throughout the world. York hardware and software solutions are vertically integrated across the technology stack. Our model allows us to capture recurring revenue driven by ongoing satellite-based software and services as well as hardware replacement cycles. Once spacecraft are fielded, York provides continuous operational support, downlink antenna usage, and proprietary software solutions, including on-spacecraft upgrades during the full orbital lifespan. Contracts have historically provided a fixed cost for software maintenance with upgrade options available for purchase. The expected replacement cycle for the current portfolio of space vehicles is approximately five to six years. Yorks full lifecycle solution and ongoing operational support distinguishes York from its competitors, positioning us to act as prime for the replacement and potential expansion of competitors aging constellations. As a result, we expect our recurring revenue to increase as the installed base of spacecraft in orbit grows, creating a highly visible revenue model, accelerating growth and increasing margins. Our cutting-edge facilities and manufacturing footprint are purpose-built to support the rapid development and production of our spacecraft. Following the opening of our 60,000 square foot Potomac facility in August 2023, we have quadrupled production capability and believe we will be able to meet demand to manufacture and test over 1,000 satellites annually, supporting our position as a leader in rapid, high volume spacecraft delivery. with the ability to reliably deliver spacecraft faster and more affordably than traditional primes. (1) A primary contractor (prime) that leads major defense programs and deals directly with the Department of Defense. (2) A real-time, military tactical data link network used by the U.S. government and NATO. Midco II was formed on September 4, 2025 to hold the business assets of York Space Systems. Our principal executive offices are located in Greenwood Village, CO. About Voyager Technologies (Get Free Report) We are an innovation-driven defense technology and space solutions company. Our company was purpose-built to address issues at the forefront of defense, national security and space industries and we have organized our business to reflect this goal. We strive to solve complex challenges to fortify national security, protect critical assets and unlock new frontiers for human progress and economic development. We are committed to developing and delivering an array of transformative, mission-critical solutions to customers enabled by our advanced technology, analytics and space infrastructure capabilities. Our solutions include communications and intelligence collection systems, defense systems, advanced space technology, in-space infrastructure and space mission services. Our business consists of diversified solutions across three business segments: Defense & National Security, Space Solutions and Starlab Space Stations. Since 2019, we have accomplished significant achievements in each of these segments, including the successful deployment of first-of-its-kind missile defense maneuvering capabilities, the development of groundbreaking space technology and the selection by NASA to develop a replacement for the ISS. We operate a flexible business model that allows us to serve both as a prime contractor, providing fulsome and integrated solutions directly to customers, as well as a merchant supplier, or subcontractor, providing critical technologies to support several commercial and government programs across the space and national security sectors. Our key partners and customers include Palantir, NASA, Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Air Force and Sierra Space. Our ability to serve in both prime and merchant supplier capacities with these customers and partners allows us to selectively participate in a wide range of programs in whichever capacity is more attractive to us. Prime contractor roles allow us to lead the entirety of a program, managing the supply chain, technology integration and end customer relationship. Merchant Supplier roles are an opportunity for us to supply our differentiated technologies to a broader range of programs and support multiple prime competitors, on attractive terms. Our ability to serve in both capacities allows us to selectively participate in a wide range of programs in whichever capacity is best suited to our solution, financial contribution and probability of win. Our growth strategy includes organic and inorganic expansion, leveraging our existing technologies and pairing out our software capabilities with our hardware, leading to the development of new solutions to meet customer needs. Since 2019, we have executed and successfully vertically and horizontally integrated seven acquisitions, and have grown our revenue to $144.2 million in 2024 and $34.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025. In addition, we received cash proceeds of $3.0 million in 2022, $62.0 million in 2023, $62.2 million in 2024 and $20.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2025 (with $70.3 million of eligible proceeds remaining as of March 31, 2025) from our $217.5 million development grant with NASA to design Starlab, the commercial space station replacement for the ISS which is set to be decommissioned in 2030. We intend to operate Starlab through Starlab JV, a Voyager-led and majority-owned global joint venture, with international equity partners that include Airbus, Mitsubishi, MDA Space and Palantir. Our growth and increased size and scale are the result of investment and focus on our key technology offerings, as well as our ability to attract, cultivate and integrate accretive acquisitions. Additionally, the threat environment is driving investment in solutions that cross multiple domains, such as missile defense programs that require interoperability among space-, air- and ground-based systems. Our position and technology heritage across multiple domains and systems positions us well to support this trend towards increasing convergence. Our business consists of diversified solutions across three business segments: Defense & National Security, which provides innovative mission-critical solutions to protect dynamic and contested domains. We pioneer communications technologies, guidance, navigation and controls, signals intelligence and defense systems. Space Solutions, which delivers space infrastructure, advanced space technology, science systems and mission services that power commercial, academic and government missions from low-Earth orbit to deep space. Starlab Space Stations, which is a commercial space station planned to succeed the ISS and provide continued permanent human presence in space. It is operated through our U.S.-led global joint venture with Airbus, Mitsubishi, MDA Space and Palantir, among others. We operate in markets that have tailwinds supporting investment from both commercial and government clients worldwide. From a Defense & National Security perspective, we believe our solutions serve a total addressable market of $163 billion. Our serviceable addressable market is $11 billion. Our Space Solutions & Starlab Space Stations segments serve a total addressable market of $16 billion, of which we serve $1 billion. There are significant opportunities both in the U.S. as well as for allied international economics and governments. Our business thrives through collaboration and synergies across our various business segments. Our ability to share technology, identify cross-selling opportunities and realize cost savings through improved organizational efficiency drives our growth and financial performance. For example, we are developing artificial intelligence powered edge computing units to operate across Earth and space, layered with Palantirs operating system and our end-to-end intelligence analytics platform, to deliver real-time intelligence capabilities for defense and national security applications and for space exploration. Starlabs technical design and business case benefit tremendously from our broader organization, aiding in our continued development of the project. We are distinctively positioned as a leader in space science and commercialization and we intend to bring the extensive business development, mission design, management and customer service experience of our Space Solutions segment to support the development and operations of our Starlab Space Stations segment. We maintain long-term relationships with many of the industrys largest and most important blue-chip customers, across both government agencies and commercial entities. Since our founding and through March 31, 2025, we have been awarded approximately $800 million in contracts and SAAs. Our largest customer is NASA, which represented 25.6% of our revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 19.7% of our revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Our close relationship with government customers highlights the public-private partnership model that has been a significant driver of growth in the national security and space industries and commercialization opportunities. For example, we attached the Bishop Airlock to the ISS in 2020, demonstrating the viability of the public-private partnership model for the development of critical commercial space infrastructure and paving the way for our partnership with NASA on Starlab. We expect this partnership model to continue to provide us with a significant opportunity to participate in critical national security and space technology development in the future. For example, in 2023, in addition to the $800 million in contracts and SAAs discussed above, we were awarded a $900 million ceiling IDIQ contract by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Centers Architecture and Integration Directorate to deliver a cost-effective intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance system. We believe we are well-positioned to benefit from this funding mechanism given our close relationships with government customers and our track record as a reliable technology and solutions provider. Although we see our relationship with the U.S. government as a positive, we do rely on this relationship for a substantial portion of our business. Changes to the U.S. governments priorities and spending, or delays or reductions in spending, could have a material adverse effect on us. We benefit from business segments that serve varied end markets as well as meaningful customer diversity. We believe that our revenue diversification provides significant resiliency and positions us well to capitalize on new business opportunities across markets and customers. We also receive meaningful cash proceeds from our development grants for research and development, providing further diversity for financing our initiatives. Development grants allow us to receive sizeable funding from our customers to develop what we believe are next-generation technologies without having significant cash constraints due to our size. We also work hand-in-hand with our customers to create solutions addressing directly their needs. In December 2021, our subsidiary Nanoracks was awarded a SAA, which was subsequently transferred to us, and which we subsequently transferred to Starlab JV, under Phase I of NASAs CDFF program as part of the agencys effort to foster a commercial space station to succeed the ISS. Through this SAA, we were initially awarded $160 million in development grantsthe largest CDFF award from NASAto pursue the design and development of Starlab through 2026. In 2023, Northrop Grumman, another CDFF SAA recipient, withdrew its space station program and joined our effort as a strategic supply chain partner to Starlab. Subsequently, we were awarded an additional $58 million in development grants under our CDFF SAA, bringing our total grant to $217.5 million. As we achieve certain program milestones, cash proceeds are paid to us from the $217.5 million total grant, including $3.0 million paid in 2022, $62.0 million paid in 2023, $62.2 million paid in 2024, and $20.0 million paid in the three months ended March 31, 2025. As of March 31, 2025, we have $70.3 million of our development grant remaining. On January 13, 2025, we achieved the first milestone by successfully completing the preliminary design review in collaboration with NASA, an important step toward full-scale production. The next milestone is detailed design and hardware development, leading to a Critical Design Review to confirm Starlabs readiness. The U.S. government continues to support investment in these technologies. For example, NASAs fiscal year 2026 budget request includes approximately $2.1 billion for commercial LEO development through 2030. Based on our previous success receiving grants, we believe we are well-positioned to win future development grants and contracts from NASA and other space agencies to aid in funding the development of Starlab. Additionally, in 2025, we received an award of $15 million by the Texas Space Commission as part of their Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund grant program to help support Starlab and grow its ecosystem of suppliers and customers across Texas. We are supported by a highly skilled workforce operating across our facility footprint. We believe our footprint is well-aligned with our markets, enabling close collaboration with government and commercial customers, reliable manufacturing operations and access to the required testing environment for our technologies. In addition to our footprint, our Starlab Space Stations segment benefits from access to the existing facilities and operations of our equity and strategic partners, lowering direct capital expenditure needs for Starlab development. These equity and strategic partners are also helping develop and deliver technologies, solutions and hardware for Starlab. Our principal executive offices are located in Denver, Colorado. Receive News & Ratings for YSS Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for YSS and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in Resideo Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:REZI Free Report) by 17.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,177,769 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 177,403 shares during the quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. owned approximately 0.79% of Resideo Technologies worth $50,856,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in Resideo Technologies by 2.5% during the third quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 10,912 shares of the companys stock valued at $455,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC boosted its position in Resideo Technologies by 4.3% in the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 7,263 shares of the companys stock valued at $314,000 after buying an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Amalgamated Bank increased its holdings in shares of Resideo Technologies by 1.0% during the second quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 42,164 shares of the companys stock worth $930,000 after buying an additional 415 shares in the last quarter. ORG Partners LLC raised its position in Resideo Technologies by 588.2% in the 3rd quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 585 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Resideo Technologies by 3.6% in the third quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 15,163 shares of the companys stock valued at $655,000 after buying an additional 520 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.71% of the companys stock. Get Resideo Technologies alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth REZI has been the topic of several research reports. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d+) rating on shares of Resideo Technologies in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Resideo Technologies from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Wall Street Zen lowered Resideo Technologies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on Resideo Technologies from $42.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $39.67. Key Headlines Impacting Resideo Technologies Here are the key news stories impacting Resideo Technologies this week: Positive Sentiment: Q4 beat and strong full-year results Resideo reported Q4 revenue and EPS slightly above estimates and disclosed record full?year 2025 net revenue and best?ever Adjusted EBITDA, signaling improving underlying profitability. PR Newswire Q4 beat and strong full-year results Resideo reported Q4 revenue and EPS slightly above estimates and disclosed record full?year 2025 net revenue and best?ever Adjusted EBITDA, signaling improving underlying profitability. Positive Sentiment: Upgraded analyst view Morgan Stanley raised its price target to $50 and moved to an overweight rating, giving the stock meaningful upside from current levels and reinforcing buy-side confidence. Benzinga Upgraded analyst view Morgan Stanley raised its price target to $50 and moved to an overweight rating, giving the stock meaningful upside from current levels and reinforcing buy-side confidence. Positive Sentiment: Stronger guidance Resideo raised guidance for FY2026 (EPS range increased to ~3.003.20 vs. street ~2.73) and provided higher Q1 EPS guidance (~0.580.62), plus a revenue outlook above consensus, which supports upside to estimates. PR Newswire Stronger guidance Resideo raised guidance for FY2026 (EPS range increased to ~3.003.20 vs. street ~2.73) and provided higher Q1 EPS guidance (~0.580.62), plus a revenue outlook above consensus, which supports upside to estimates. Positive Sentiment: Falling short interest Short interest fell about 17% in February to roughly 2.6% of float with a short?interest ratio near 2.8 days, reducing immediate short-pressure and lowering the risk of further downside from crowded shorts. Falling short interest Short interest fell about 17% in February to roughly 2.6% of float with a short?interest ratio near 2.8 days, reducing immediate short-pressure and lowering the risk of further downside from crowded shorts. Neutral Sentiment: Earnings materials and coverage The company released its slide deck, earnings call transcript, and multiple analyst summaries (Seeking Alpha, Yahoo Finance, Zacks) that provide more detail for investors to model out margins and cash flow. Earnings Presentation Yahoo Finance Zacks Earnings materials and coverage The company released its slide deck, earnings call transcript, and multiple analyst summaries (Seeking Alpha, Yahoo Finance, Zacks) that provide more detail for investors to model out margins and cash flow. Negative Sentiment: One-time net loss Despite strong adjusted results, Resideo reported a full?year GAAP net loss driven by a large charge tied to terminating an indemnification agreement; this creates headline risk and could complicate near-term EPS comparability. PR Newswire Resideo Technologies Trading Up 14.1% NYSE:REZI opened at $40.77 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $6.10 billion, a P/E ratio of -10.12 and a beta of 1.73. Resideo Technologies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $14.18 and a twelve month high of $45.29. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $36.01 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $36.50. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38. Resideo Technologies Company Profile (Free Report) Resideo Technologies, Inc, headquartered in Austin, Texas, is a global provider of home comfort, security and energy management solutions. Formed as an independent company in 2018 following its spin-off from Honeywell, Resideo leverages decades of engineering experience to deliver connected products and services to residential and light commercial customers. The companys core offerings include smart thermostats, security systems, video doorbells, water leak and freeze detection devices, and indoor air quality monitors. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding REZI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Resideo Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:REZI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Resideo Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Resideo Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TD Asset Management Inc lifted its stake in shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp (NYSE:MGY Free Report) by 55.7% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 4,478,361 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,601,809 shares during the quarter. TD Asset Management Incs holdings in Magnolia Oil & Gas were worth $106,898,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in Magnolia Oil & Gas by 236.2% in the second quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 1,190 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 836 shares during the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new position in shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas by 165.5% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,386 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 864 shares during the period. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas by 90.5% in the 2nd quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 2,212 shares of the companys stock valued at $50,000 after purchasing an additional 1,051 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas by 31.5% during the third quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,003 shares of the companys stock worth $72,000 after buying an additional 720 shares during the period. 94.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Magnolia Oil & Gas alerts: Magnolia Oil & Gas Stock Performance NYSE MGY opened at $27.03 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $24.10 and a 200 day simple moving average of $23.63. The company has a market cap of $5.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.71 and a beta of 0.96. Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp has a 12-month low of $19.09 and a 12-month high of $27.52. Magnolia Oil & Gas Increases Dividend Magnolia Oil & Gas ( NYSE:MGY Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 5th. The company reported $0.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.36 by $0.01. Magnolia Oil & Gas had a return on equity of 16.67% and a net margin of 24.79%.The business had revenue of $317.63 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $322.18 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.44 earnings per share. Magnolia Oil & Gass revenue was down 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp will post 2.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 10th will be issued a $0.165 dividend. This is an increase from Magnolia Oil & Gass previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 10th. This represents a $0.66 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.4%. Magnolia Oil & Gass payout ratio is 38.37%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth MGY has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Mizuho set a $30.00 price objective on Magnolia Oil & Gas in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Wells Fargo & Company set a $25.00 price objective on Magnolia Oil & Gas in a research note on Monday, February 16th. UBS Group reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $29.00 target price on shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on Magnolia Oil & Gas in a research note on Friday, January 9th. They issued an outperform rating and a $27.00 price target on the stock. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $27.58. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Magnolia Oil & Gas About Magnolia Oil & Gas (Free Report) Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp (NYSE: MGY) is an independent exploration and production company focused on the acquisition, development and optimization of onshore oil and gas assets in South Texas. Headquartered in Houston, the company concentrates its efforts on the Eagle Ford Shale, where it holds significant working interests in key producing counties. The companys core operations center on horizontal drilling and multi-stage completions designed to extract light crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs). See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MGY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp (NYSE:MGY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Magnolia Oil & Gas Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Magnolia Oil & Gas and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. RWA Wealth Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT Free Report) by 1,237.0% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 37,731 shares of the retailers stock after purchasing an additional 34,909 shares during the period. RWA Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in Target were worth $3,385,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Target by 32.3% in the 2nd quarter. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 401 shares of the retailers stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares in the last quarter. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp raised its holdings in Target by 0.6% in the second quarter. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp now owns 17,618 shares of the retailers stock valued at $1,738,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Binnacle Investments Inc raised its holdings in Target by 11.4% in the second quarter. Binnacle Investments Inc now owns 1,013 shares of the retailers stock valued at $100,000 after acquiring an additional 104 shares in the last quarter. IFG Advisory LLC boosted its stake in Target by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. IFG Advisory LLC now owns 7,387 shares of the retailers stock valued at $729,000 after acquiring an additional 105 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Empirical Finance LLC grew its holdings in Target by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. Empirical Finance LLC now owns 16,271 shares of the retailers stock worth $1,605,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.73% of the companys stock. Get Target alerts: Target Stock Performance TGT opened at $116.41 on Thursday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $107.11 and its 200-day moving average is $97.64. The company has a current ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99. The stock has a market cap of $52.71 billion, a PE ratio of 14.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 11.81 and a beta of 1.14. Target Corporation has a twelve month low of $83.44 and a twelve month high of $127.89. Target Dividend Announcement Wall Street Analyst Weigh In The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, March 1st. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 11th will be paid a dividend of $1.14 per share. This represents a $4.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.9%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 11th. Targets payout ratio is currently 55.34%. A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on TGT. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and issued a $125.00 target price on shares of Target in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on Target from $89.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Target in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Wolfe Research upgraded Target from an underperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. Finally, Robert W. Baird dropped their price target on Target from $100.00 to $92.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twenty have given a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $105.03. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on TGT Target Company Profile (Free Report) Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) is a U.S.-based general merchandise retailer headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company operates a network of full-line and small-format stores across the United States alongside a national e-commerce platform and mobile app. Targets retail assortment spans apparel, home goods, electronics, groceries and household essentials, plus beauty, baby and pet categories. The firm complements national brands with a portfolio of owned and exclusive labels and partnerships that help differentiate its merchandise assortment. Target traces its roots to the Dayton Company, founded by George Dayton in 1902; the Target discount chain was launched in 1962 and the parent company later adopted the Target Corporation name. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TGT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Target Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Target and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ZWB.TO) (TSE:ZWB Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as C$26.61 and last traded at C$26.54, with a volume of 556811 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$25.95. BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ZWB.TO) Stock Performance The firms 50 day moving average price is C$25.48 and its 200 day moving average price is C$23.90. About BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ZWB.TO) (Get Free Report) The ETF seeks to provide exposure to the performance of a portfolio of Canadian banks to generate income and to provide long-term capital appreciation while mitigating downside risk through the use of covered call options. To achieve investment objective the ETF will primarily invest in and hold the securities of Canadian banks, ETFs, or a combination of these. Depending on market volatility and other factors, the ETF will write covered call options on these securities. Under such call options, the ETF will sell to the buyer of the option, for a premium, either a right to buy the security from the ETF at an exercise price or, if the option is cash settled, the right to a payment from the ETF equal to the difference between the value of the security and the exercise price. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ZWB.TO) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ZWB.TO) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:GEM Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $48.25 and last traded at $48.24, with a volume of 123573 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $47.67. Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF Trading Up 1.2% The firm has a market cap of $1.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.33 and a beta of 0.62. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $44.39 and a 200-day moving average price of $42.01. Get Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Salomon & Ludwin LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new stake in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at $42,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC acquired a new stake in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $42,000. Finally, Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC increased its position in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF by 171.3% during the second quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 1,560 shares of the companys stock worth $58,000 after buying an additional 985 shares in the last quarter. About Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF The Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks an index of emerging market stocks comprising 4 sub-indexes: value, momentum, quality, and low volatility. The index uses multiple factors to pick stocks, and each sub-index receives equal weight. GEM was launched on Sep 29, 2015 and is managed by Goldman Sachs. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pacific Ridge Capital Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of American Integrity Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:AII Free Report) by 27.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 250,253 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 53,713 shares during the period. Pacific Ridge Capital Partners LLC owned approximately 1.28% of American Integrity Insurance Group worth $5,583,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in AII. Strs Ohio acquired a new position in American Integrity Insurance Group in the 3rd quarter worth $33,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. bought a new stake in shares of American Integrity Insurance Group in the third quarter valued at about $72,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of American Integrity Insurance Group in the second quarter valued at about $101,000. Rhumbline Advisers acquired a new position in shares of American Integrity Insurance Group during the third quarter worth about $155,000. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd bought a new position in shares of American Integrity Insurance Group during the second quarter worth about $192,000. Get American Integrity Insurance Group alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at American Integrity Insurance Group In other news, major shareholder James E. Sowell sold 295,037 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.00, for a total transaction of $5,605,703.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 4,473,824 shares in the company, valued at approximately $85,002,656. This trade represents a 6.19% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Robert C. Ritchie sold 59,554 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.00, for a total transaction of $1,131,526.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 2,417,212 shares in the company, valued at approximately $45,927,028. This trade represents a 2.40% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. American Integrity Insurance Group Stock Performance American Integrity Insurance Group stock opened at $20.05 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $19.19 and a 200 day simple moving average of $20.64. The stock has a market capitalization of $392.58 million and a P/E ratio of 3.78. American Integrity Insurance Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $15.77 and a 52 week high of $26.36. American Integrity Insurance Group (NYSE:AII Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 24th. The company reported $1.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.79 by $0.32. American Integrity Insurance Group had a return on equity of 39.25% and a net margin of 36.03%.The firm had revenue of $68.08 million for the quarter. American Integrity Insurance Group Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a special dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 16th will be issued a dividend of $1.02 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 16th. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts have weighed in on AII shares. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (e+) rating on shares of American Integrity Insurance Group in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on shares of American Integrity Insurance Group from $26.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. Raymond James Financial set a $28.00 target price on shares of American Integrity Insurance Group in a research report on Friday, January 16th. Citizens Jmp lifted their price target on shares of American Integrity Insurance Group from $26.00 to $28.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Finally, Citigroup restated a market outperform rating on shares of American Integrity Insurance Group in a research note on Friday, January 16th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, American Integrity Insurance Group currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $28.00. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on American Integrity Insurance Group About American Integrity Insurance Group (Free Report) American Integrity Insurance Group, Ltd. is a specialized provider of personal lines residential property insurance based in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. The company underwrites a variety of policies including homeowners multiple peril, condominium unitowners, dwelling fire, wind-only, personal umbrella and renters insurance. Its product suite is designed to protect against hurricane, windstorm, hail and other weather-related risks common to Floridas coastal and inland regions. Founded in 2004, American Integrity operates primarily through a network of independent insurance agents across the state of Florida. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for American Integrity Insurance Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Integrity Insurance Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Global Industrial Company (NYSE:GIC Free Report) Equities researchers at Sidoti boosted their Q1 2026 earnings estimates for shares of Global Industrial in a research report issued on Wednesday, February 25th. Sidoti analyst A. Lebiedzinski now expects that the company will earn $0.40 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $0.38. The consensus estimate for Global Industrials current full-year earnings is $1.59 per share. Sidoti also issued estimates for Global Industrials Q4 2026 earnings at $0.43 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $2.05 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.47 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.68 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $0.66 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $0.51 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $2.33 EPS. Get Global Industrial alerts: Global Industrial (NYSE:GIC Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 24th. The company reported $0.38 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.35 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $345.60 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $324.86 million. Global Industrial had a return on equity of 23.76% and a net margin of 5.23%. GIC has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Global Industrial in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Global Industrial from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Global Industrial from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Saturday, January 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold. Read Our Latest Research Report on GIC Global Industrial Stock Performance GIC stock opened at $33.12 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $1.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 0.90. Global Industrial has a 1 year low of $20.79 and a 1 year high of $38.79. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $31.01 and a 200-day simple moving average of $32.29. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Global Industrial A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Global Industrial by 2.1% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 822,006 shares of the companys stock worth $30,143,000 after purchasing an additional 17,194 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Global Industrial by 3.1% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 332,297 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,977,000 after buying an additional 10,095 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its holdings in Global Industrial by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 308,639 shares of the companys stock worth $8,336,000 after buying an additional 2,083 shares during the last quarter. J. Goldman & Co LP grew its position in shares of Global Industrial by 9.4% in the 4th quarter. J. Goldman & Co LP now owns 307,757 shares of the companys stock worth $8,993,000 after acquiring an additional 26,365 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Millennium Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Global Industrial by 7.6% in the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 244,233 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,136,000 after acquiring an additional 17,194 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 31.19% of the companys stock. Global Industrial Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.28 per share. This is a positive change from Global Industrials previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 9th. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.4%. Global Industrials payout ratio is currently 59.43%. More Global Industrial News Here are the key news stories impacting Global Industrial this week: Positive Sentiment: Q4 results beat consensus: Global Industrial reported $0.38 EPS vs. ~$0.35 expected and $345.6M revenue (up ~14% YoY), with gross profit, operating income and net income all improving year-over-year the operational strength is the primary driver of the rally. Press Release Q4 results beat consensus: Global Industrial reported $0.38 EPS vs. ~$0.35 expected and $345.6M revenue (up ~14% YoY), with gross profit, operating income and net income all improving year-over-year the operational strength is the primary driver of the rally. Positive Sentiment: Dividend increase: the board raised the quarterly dividend 7.7% to $0.28/share (annualized yield ~3.4%), signaling confidence in cash flow and returning capital to shareholders. Dividend Article Dividend increase: the board raised the quarterly dividend 7.7% to $0.28/share (annualized yield ~3.4%), signaling confidence in cash flow and returning capital to shareholders. Positive Sentiment: Strategic realignment announced: management outlined a customer-centric growth plan and targets for 2026 intended to drive higher recurring sales and margin expansion this provides a directional growth roadmap that investors typically view favorably. Strategy Article Strategic realignment announced: management outlined a customer-centric growth plan and targets for 2026 intended to drive higher recurring sales and margin expansion this provides a directional growth roadmap that investors typically view favorably. Neutral Sentiment: Earnings call color: the Q4 2025 earnings call transcript offers management commentary on margin drivers, working capital and investments in growth platforms useful detail for modeling but no material change to near-term guidance was highlighted in headlines. Earnings Transcript Earnings call color: the Q4 2025 earnings call transcript offers management commentary on margin drivers, working capital and investments in growth platforms useful detail for modeling but no material change to near-term guidance was highlighted in headlines. Neutral Sentiment: Balance sheet and cash flow notes: operating cash flow improved (~$20M) and cash on hand rose to ~$67.5M, while liabilities increased modestly overall liquidity looks stronger, but investors will watch free cash conversion going forward. Institutional holdings shifts were mixed in the latest quarter. Quiver Article Balance sheet and cash flow notes: operating cash flow improved (~$20M) and cash on hand rose to ~$67.5M, while liabilities increased modestly overall liquidity looks stronger, but investors will watch free cash conversion going forward. Institutional holdings shifts were mixed in the latest quarter. Negative Sentiment: Insider selling: a company insider sold ~9,255 shares in the past six months; while the single sale may be routine, investors sometimes view insider sales as a mild negative signal to monitor. Insider Activity About Global Industrial (Get Free Report) Global Industrial Company (NYSE: GIC) is a leading business-to-business distributor of industrial products and equipment. Headquartered in Port Washington, New York, the company provides a comprehensive range of products to support manufacturing, warehousing, and facility maintenance operations across North America. Through a digital-first platform, Global Industrial combines e-commerce, direct sales and catalog-based ordering channels to serve a diverse commercial customer base. The companys product portfolio encompasses material handling solutions (including conveyors, pallet racks and hoists), storage and shelving systems, janitorial and sanitation supplies, packaging and shipping materials, and office furniture. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Global Industrial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Global Industrial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of KB Financial Group Inc (NYSE:KB Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $119.71 and last traded at $118.27, with a volume of 277374 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $116.33. Analysts Set New Price Targets KB has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of KB Financial Group in a report on Monday, December 29th. Zacks Research raised KB Financial Group from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy. Get KB Financial Group alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on KB KB Financial Group Stock Up 1.7% The firms 50-day moving average price is $96.14 and its 200-day moving average price is $87.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.38, a current ratio of 1.65 and a quick ratio of 1.65. The company has a market cap of $44.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.11. KB Financial Group (NYSE:KB Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Saturday, January 31st. The bank reported $1.43 earnings per share for the quarter. KB Financial Group had a net margin of 16.96% and a return on equity of 9.79%. Sell-side analysts forecast that KB Financial Group Inc will post 8.87 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On KB Financial Group Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. AQR Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in KB Financial Group in the 1st quarter worth approximately $300,000. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd acquired a new position in shares of KB Financial Group during the first quarter worth $259,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted its stake in shares of KB Financial Group by 53.4% in the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 96,650 shares of the banks stock valued at $5,230,000 after purchasing an additional 33,650 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of KB Financial Group by 64.3% in the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 26,136 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,414,000 after purchasing an additional 10,225 shares during the period. Finally, Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in KB Financial Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $239,000. 11.52% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About KB Financial Group (Get Free Report) KB Financial Group Inc is a South Korea-based financial holding company that offers a broad range of banking and financial services. Headquartered in Seoul and listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker KB, the group operates through a set of specialized subsidiaries to provide integrated financial solutions for retail, corporate and institutional clients. The companys principal businesses include retail and corporate banking, securities and investment banking, insurance (life and non-life), asset management, credit card and consumer finance, and leasing. Read More Receive News & Ratings for KB Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KB Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. By Jonathan Stempel Feb 26 (Reuters) - Apple urged a federal judge to dismiss a proposed class action claiming it defrauded shareholders twice, by overstating the artificial intelligence capabilities of its Siri voice assistant and falsely representing its compliance with an injunction governing commissions on app sales. In a Wednesday filing in the San Jose, California, federal court, Apple said there was no proof it knew when discussing AI at a June 2024 conference that it would take longer than expected to incorporate two advanced AI features into Siri, potentially hurting iPhone 16 sales. The company delayed some Siri upgrades the following March, and Chief Executive Tim Cook said two months later that developing a "more personal" Siri was "taking a bit longer than we thought." Apple also said it provided no assurance that its procedures designed to comply with a 2021 injunction, in a case brought by Epic Games, to let app users pay developers directly rather than have the company charge the developers hefty commissions would be foolproof. "It is no secret that Apple faced challenges and weathered ups and downs in its stock price in 2025, like many major companies," Apple said. "But plaintiff takes a massive and unsupported leap by claiming that securities fraud caused the temporary price drops." The lawsuit covers Apple shareholders who suffered potentially hundreds of billions of dollars of losses in the Cupertino, California-based company's stock between May 3, 2024 and May 1, 2025, the day after a judge said Apple was violating the injunction. Lawyers for shareholders led by South Korea's National Pension Service, the world's third largest pension fund with close to $1 trillion of assets, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Apple's injunction required the company to provide app users with external links for purchases, so developers wouldn't owe 30% commissions for purchases in its App Store. The judge overseeing that case rebuked Apple for creating a new system that charged a 27% commission on some external sales. A federal appeals court partially reversed her sanctions in December. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Franklin Paul) Shares of National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Thursday . The stock traded as high as C$190.09 and last traded at C$189.23, with a volume of 2457924 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at C$177.46. Analyst Ratings Changes NA has been the topic of several recent research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$149.00 to C$163.00 in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Raymond James Financial increased their price objective on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$173.00 to C$179.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$156.00 to C$165.00 in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. TD Securities reduced their price objective on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$181.00 to C$175.00 in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on National Bank of Canada from C$172.00 to C$177.00 in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of C$171.00. Get National Bank of Canada alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on NA National Bank of Canada Price Performance The firm has a market capitalization of C$73.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.79, a PEG ratio of 7.14 and a beta of 1.05. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of C$171.87 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$161.33. National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The financial services provider reported C$3.25 earnings per share for the quarter. National Bank of Canada had a return on equity of 15.43% and a net margin of 19.69%.The company had revenue of C$3.89 billion during the quarter. As a group, research analysts expect that National Bank of Canada will post 10.8360791 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. National Bank of Canada Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, February 1st. Shareholders of record on Sunday, February 1st were paid a $1.24 dividend. This represents a $4.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.6%. This is a positive change from National Bank of Canadas previous quarterly dividend of $1.18. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 29th. National Bank of Canadas payout ratio is presently 46.08%. National Bank of Canada Company Profile (Get Free Report) National Bank of Canada is the sixth-largest Canadian bank. The bank offers integrated financial services, primarily in the province of Quebec as well as the city of Toronto. Operational segments include personal and commercial banking, wealth management, and a financial markets group. See Also Receive News & Ratings for National Bank of Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for National Bank of Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. National Bank of Canada (OTCMKTS:NTIOF Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high on Thursday . The company traded as high as $138.88 and last traded at $138.22, with a volume of 15490 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $129.9080. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. National Bank Financial upgraded shares of National Bank of Canada from an underperform rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Scotiabank reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of National Bank of Canada in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce upgraded National Bank of Canada from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Raymond James Financial reissued a market perform rating on shares of National Bank of Canada in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded National Bank of Canada from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, National Bank of Canada currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Get National Bank of Canada alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on National Bank of Canada National Bank of Canada Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 0.74. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $125.29 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $116.55. The stock has a market capitalization of $53.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.12, a P/E/G ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 0.90. National Bank of Canada (OTCMKTS:NTIOF Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, December 3rd. The financial services provider reported $2.03 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.90 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $2.64 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.43 billion. National Bank of Canada had a return on equity of 15.74% and a net margin of 13.07%. Analysts forecast that National Bank of Canada will post 7.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About National Bank of Canada (Get Free Report) National Bank of Canada (OTCMKTS: NTIOF) is a full?service Canadian financial institution headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. The bank offers a broad range of products and services for personal, commercial and institutional clients, including deposit accounts, mortgages and consumer lending, small? and medium?sized business banking, corporate lending, and cash management solutions. In addition to traditional banking, National Bank provides wealth management and brokerage services through its private banking and advisory channels, and operates an investment banking and capital markets platform that delivers underwriting, advisory, trading and research services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for National Bank of Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for National Bank of Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. K.J. Harrison & Partners Inc raised its stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (NYSE:CP Free Report) (TSE:CP) by 97.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 93,990 shares of the transportation companys stock after acquiring an additional 46,460 shares during the quarter. Canadian Pacific Kansas City comprises 1.0% of K.J. Harrison & Partners Incs holdings, making the stock its 24th largest position. K.J. Harrison & Partners Incs holdings in Canadian Pacific Kansas City were worth $7,129,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 0.8% in the second quarter. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC now owns 17,654 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,399,000 after purchasing an additional 139 shares during the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. boosted its stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 28.5% in the 2nd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 861 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $68,000 after purchasing an additional 191 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC boosted its stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 1.0% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 20,235 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,507,000 after purchasing an additional 207 shares during the period. Savant Capital LLC grew its holdings in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 30,499 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $2,272,000 after buying an additional 220 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pacifica Partners Inc. increased its position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 12.0% during the 3rd quarter. Pacifica Partners Inc. now owns 2,155 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $161,000 after buying an additional 231 shares during the period. 72.20% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Canadian Pacific Kansas City alerts: Canadian Pacific Kansas City Price Performance Shares of NYSE:CP opened at $85.89 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The stock has a market capitalization of $77.10 billion, a PE ratio of 26.59, a PEG ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.10. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $76.46 and a 200-day moving average of $74.93. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited has a 12 month low of $66.49 and a 12 month high of $86.55. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Dividend Announcement Canadian Pacific Kansas City ( NYSE:CP Get Free Report ) (TSE:CP) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 28th. The transportation company reported $0.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.99 by ($0.04). Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a net margin of 27.49% and a return on equity of 8.88%. The firm had revenue of $2.85 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.85 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.29 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited will post 3.42 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 27th will be issued a dividend of $0.228 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 27th. This represents a $0.91 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys payout ratio is 20.43%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on CP shares. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $88.00 to $86.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 30th. National Bank Financial downgraded shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Barclays set a $93.00 target price on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $90.00 price target on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $124.00 price target (down from $127.00) on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $92.00. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on CP About Canadian Pacific Kansas City (Free Report) Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) is a North American Class I freight railroad formed through the combination of Canadian Pacific Railway and Kansas City Southern. The merged company operates an integrated rail network that spans Canada, the United States and Mexico, providing a single-line rail connection across all three countries. This transborder footprint is intended to streamline cross-border freight flows and provide shippers with direct rail access from Canadian and U.S. production centers to Mexican markets and ports. CPKCs core business is freight transportation and related logistics services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Pacific Kansas City Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Pacific Kansas City and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. decreased its stake in The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK Free Report) by 55.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 9,712 shares of the banks stock after selling 11,969 shares during the period. Fox Run Management L.L.C.s holdings in Bank of New York Mellon were worth $1,058,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Westside Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in Bank of New York Mellon by 78.9% in the 2nd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 288 shares of the banks stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares in the last quarter. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon in the third quarter valued at $33,000. Caldwell Trust Co purchased a new position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon in the second quarter valued at $36,000. Quaker Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 198.9% during the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 450 shares of the banks stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 905 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cornerstone Planning Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 73.2% in the 3rd quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 511 shares of the banks stock worth $55,000 after buying an additional 216 shares in the last quarter. 85.31% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Bank of New York Mellon alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms have weighed in on BK. Truist Financial upgraded shares of Bank of New York Mellon from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $119.00 to $134.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. New Street Research set a $143.00 price objective on shares of Bank of New York Mellon in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th. Weiss Ratings downgraded Bank of New York Mellon from a buy (a-) rating to a buy (b+) rating in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Bank of New York Mellon from $124.00 to $132.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on Bank of New York Mellon from $120.00 to $143.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $131.92. Bank of New York Mellon Stock Up 3.2% BK stock opened at $120.26 on Thursday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $119.48 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $111.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a current ratio of 0.71. The stock has a market capitalization of $83.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.23, a PEG ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 1.10. The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation has a one year low of $70.46 and a one year high of $128.76. Bank of New York Mellon (NYSE:BK Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The bank reported $1.91 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $5.07 billion for the quarter. Bank of New York Mellon had a return on equity of 14.37% and a net margin of 13.62%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation will post 6.96 EPS for the current year. Bank of New York Mellon Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 23rd were paid a $0.53 dividend. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 23rd. Bank of New York Mellons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 28.61%. Bank of New York Mellon Profile (Free Report) Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (BNY Mellon) is a global financial services company headquartered in New York City that provides a wide range of asset servicing, custody, and related financial infrastructure solutions to institutional clients. Its core businesses include custody and asset servicing, clearing and collateral management, treasury services, securities lending, corporate trust services, and depositary receipt administration. The company also offers investment management and advisory services through its asset management arm and provides technology-enabled solutions for trade processing, foreign exchange, and liquidity management. BNY Mellon serves a broad client base that includes asset managers, pension funds, corporations, banks, broker-dealers and sovereign entities. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bank of New York Mellon Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of New York Mellon and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. B2Gold Corp. (TSE:BTO Get Free Report) (NYSE:BTG) insider Randall Chatwin sold 20,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$7.25, for a total transaction of C$145,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 6,199 shares in the company, valued at approximately C$44,942.75. This represents a 76.34% decrease in their position. B2Gold Stock Up 1.3% BTO stock opened at C$8.46 on Thursday. B2Gold Corp. has a 1-year low of C$3.62 and a 1-year high of C$8.51. The business has a fifty day moving average price of C$6.85 and a 200-day moving average price of C$6.46. The stock has a market capitalization of C$11.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 56.40, a P/E/G ratio of -0.27 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.51, a current ratio of 1.83 and a quick ratio of 3.33. Get B2Gold alerts: B2Gold (TSE:BTO Get Free Report) (NYSE:BTG) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 18th. The company reported C$0.15 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of C$1.41 billion during the quarter. B2Gold had a negative net margin of 38.20% and a negative return on equity of 20.27%. Equities analysts forecast that B2Gold Corp. will post 0.5596659 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. B2Gold Announces Dividend Wall Street Analyst Weigh In The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th were paid a $0.02 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 2nd. This represents a $0.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. B2Golds dividend payout ratio is 66.67%. A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. National Bank Financial raised their target price on shares of B2Gold from C$9.25 to C$10.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their target price on shares of B2Gold from C$11.50 to C$10.50 in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Finally, Cormark lowered B2Gold from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. One 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. According to MarketBeat.com, B2Gold has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of C$8.31. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on BTO B2Gold Company Profile (Get Free Report) B2Gold Corp is an international, low-cost, senior gold mining company. It has three operating open-pit gold mines in Mali, Namibia, and the Philippines and numerous exploration projects across four continents. Other significant assets include the Gramalote and Kiaka gold projects. The company focuses on acquiring and developing interests in mineral properties with a primary focus on gold deposits as gold production forms all its revenue. There is no dependence on a particular purchaser because the gold is sold into a global market. See Also Receive News & Ratings for B2Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for B2Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc. boosted its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report) by 26.1% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 6,453,065 shares of the restaurant operators stock after purchasing an additional 1,336,978 shares during the period. Chipotle Mexican Grill comprises approximately 2.9% of Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 11th largest holding. Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc.s holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $245,678,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 2.0% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 125,927,338 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $4,935,092,000 after buying an additional 2,470,213 shares during the period. Alliancebernstein L.P. grew its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 33,111,508 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,859,211,000 after acquiring an additional 606,190 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 29,659,508 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,657,193,000 after purchasing an additional 325,926 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 2.9% in the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 21,257,666 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,193,618,000 after purchasing an additional 595,038 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,001,668,000. 91.30% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Chipotle Mexican Grill alerts: Chipotle Mexican Grill Price Performance Shares of NYSE CMG opened at $37.49 on Thursday. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a 1 year low of $29.75 and a 1 year high of $58.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $48.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.89, a P/E/G ratio of 2.24 and a beta of 0.99. The companys 50-day moving average is $38.49 and its 200 day moving average is $38.16. Analyst Ratings Changes Chipotle Mexican Grill ( NYSE:CMG Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 3rd. The restaurant operator reported $0.25 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.24 by $0.01. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 47.99% and a net margin of 12.88%.The business had revenue of $2.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.96 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.25 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.29 earnings per share for the current year. Several research analysts have recently issued reports on CMG shares. BTIG Research restated a buy rating and issued a $45.00 target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. Evercore reissued an outperform rating and issued a $45.00 price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Friday, December 19th. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Barclays cut their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $44.00 to $40.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Chipotle Mexican Grill from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, February 14th. Twenty-two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $47.24. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on CMG Chipotle Mexican Grill News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting Chipotle Mexican Grill this week: Chipotle Mexican Grill Company Profile (Free Report) 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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CMG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. (NYSE:MTD Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of Hold by the thirteen brokerages that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $1,435.4167. Several brokerages have issued reports on MTD. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Mettler-Toledo International in a report on Monday, December 29th. Barclays dropped their price target on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,600.00 to $1,550.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on Mettler-Toledo International in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. They issued a neutral rating and a $1,475.00 price objective for the company. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,550.00 to $1,475.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,600.00 to $1,700.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Get Mettler-Toledo International alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Mettler-Toledo International Mettler-Toledo International Price Performance Shares of NYSE MTD opened at $1,382.45 on Thursday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $1,412.82 and a two-hundred day moving average of $1,371.56. The company has a market capitalization of $28.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 1.42. Mettler-Toledo International has a 1 year low of $946.69 and a 1 year high of $1,525.17. Mettler-Toledo International (NYSE:MTD Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 5th. The medical instruments supplier reported $13.36 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $12.76 by $0.60. The business had revenue of $1.13 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.10 billion. Mettler-Toledo International had a negative return on equity of 495.07% and a net margin of 21.59%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $12.41 EPS. Mettler-Toledo International has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 8.600-8.750 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 46.050-46.700 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Mettler-Toledo International will post 42.71 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling at Mettler-Toledo International In other news, CFO Shawn Vadala sold 800 shares of Mettler-Toledo International stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,410.12, for a total value of $1,128,096.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 5,288 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,456,714.56. The trade was a 13.14% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 1.94% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Mettler-Toledo International A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in MTD. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in Mettler-Toledo International by 71.3% during the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 904,264 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $1,062,257,000 after buying an additional 376,419 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $520,989,000. M&T Bank Corp boosted its stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 2,813.6% during the 4th quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 124,205 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $173,165,000 after acquiring an additional 119,942 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Investors boosted its stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 12.7% during the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 969,067 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $1,351,064,000 after acquiring an additional 109,508 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rakuten Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $121,021,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.07% of the companys stock. Mettler-Toledo International Company Profile (Get Free Report) Mettler-Toledo International Inc is a global manufacturer and distributor of precision instruments and services for laboratory, industrial and food retail applications. The companys product portfolio includes laboratory balances and analytical instruments, industrial weighing systems, process analytics and sensors, metal detection and x-ray inspection equipment, checkweighers, and a range of automated inspection and data-management solutions. Mettler-Toledo also provides software, calibration and lifecycle services intended to support compliance, quality control and operational efficiency across customer facilities. The company serves a broad set of end markets including pharmaceutical and biotech laboratories, chemical and food processors, logistics and manufacturing operations, and retail environments where accurate weighing and inspection are critical. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Mettler-Toledo International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mettler-Toledo International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Armstrong World Industries (NYSE:AWI Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Tuesday morning. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 8.050-8.350 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of 8.450. The company issued revenue guidance of $1.7 billion-$1.8 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $1.7 billion. Armstrong World Industries Stock Performance AWI opened at $172.45 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. Armstrong World Industries has a 12-month low of $122.37 and a 12-month high of $206.08. The business has a 50 day moving average of $192.43 and a 200-day moving average of $192.64. The stock has a market cap of $7.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.36, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.33. Get Armstrong World Industries alerts: Armstrong World Industries (NYSE:AWI Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 24th. The construction company reported $1.61 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.67 by ($0.06). Armstrong World Industries had a net margin of 19.05% and a return on equity of 37.80%. The business had revenue of $388.30 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $400.87 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.50 EPS. The firms revenue was up 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. Armstrong World Industries has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.050-8.350 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Armstrong World Industries will post 6.18 earnings per share for the current year. Armstrong World Industries Dividend Announcement Analysts Set New Price Targets The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 19th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 5th will be issued a dividend of $0.339 per share. This represents a $1.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 5th. Armstrong World Industriess payout ratio is currently 19.46%. AWI has been the subject of several recent research reports. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Armstrong World Industries in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Armstrong World Industries in a research report on Wednesday. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Armstrong World Industries from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Sunday, November 2nd. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Armstrong World Industries from $178.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Armstrong World Industries from $210.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $207.50. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on AWI Trending Headlines about Armstrong World Industries Here are the key news stories impacting Armstrong World Industries this week: Positive Sentiment: Strong profitability and margin recovery AWI reported a high net margin (~19.1%) and an elevated return on equity (~39%), signaling healthy operating leverage and cash generation that support long?term value. MarketBeat AWI summary Strong profitability and margin recovery AWI reported a high net margin (~19.1%) and an elevated return on equity (~39%), signaling healthy operating leverage and cash generation that support long?term value. Positive Sentiment: Revenue growth and segment strength Q4 revenue rose ~5.6% year?over?year and the company highlighted record growth in its earnings materials and call, which supports the longer?term growth story. Earnings highlights (Yahoo) Revenue growth and segment strength Q4 revenue rose ~5.6% year?over?year and the company highlighted record growth in its earnings materials and call, which supports the longer?term growth story. Neutral Sentiment: Guidance: revenue roughly in line with expectations AWI issued revenue guidance that is approximately in line with street estimates, which tempers downside if top?line execution continues. (See company presentation and slides for detail.) Earnings presentation (Seeking Alpha) Guidance: revenue roughly in line with expectations AWI issued revenue guidance that is approximately in line with street estimates, which tempers downside if top?line execution continues. (See company presentation and slides for detail.) Negative Sentiment: Earnings and revenue missed consensus Q4 EPS was $1.61 vs. consensus ~$1.67 and revenue of $388.3M missed the ~ $400.9M estimate. The miss is the immediate catalyst for weakness and drove investor disappointment. Earnings miss (Zacks) Earnings and revenue missed consensus Q4 EPS was $1.61 vs. consensus ~$1.67 and revenue of $388.3M missed the ~ $400.9M estimate. The miss is the immediate catalyst for weakness and drove investor disappointment. Negative Sentiment: EPS guidance trimmed versus consensus FY?2026 EPS was guided to $8.058.35, below the consensus near $8.45, which pressured sentiment because it suggests more modest upside to estimates for the year. Why AWI is down today (Yahoo) Hedge Funds Weigh In On Armstrong World Industries A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AWI. Millennium Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Armstrong World Industries by 571.7% during the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 117,696 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $16,581,000 after buying an additional 100,175 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its position in shares of Armstrong World Industries by 142.0% during the first quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 3,061 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $431,000 after purchasing an additional 1,796 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its position in Armstrong World Industries by 63.3% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 125,181 shares of the construction companys stock worth $17,636,000 after purchasing an additional 48,544 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC increased its stake in Armstrong World Industries by 144.2% in the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 70,136 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $9,881,000 after buying an additional 41,417 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sivia Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Armstrong World Industries in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $291,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.93% of the companys stock. About Armstrong World Industries (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. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Armstrong World Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Armstrong World Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Partners Group Holding AG boosted its stake in shares of Apollo Global Management Inc. (NYSE:APO Free Report) by 4.9% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 659,563 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 30,793 shares during the quarter. Apollo Global Management makes up 4.9% of Partners Group Holding AGs portfolio, making the stock its 3rd largest position. Partners Group Holding AG owned 0.12% of Apollo Global Management worth $87,900,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in APO. Fortress Financial Solutions LLC raised its stake in shares of Apollo Global Management by 1.6% during the second quarter. Fortress Financial Solutions LLC now owns 4,561 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $647,000 after acquiring an additional 74 shares in the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC increased its holdings in Apollo Global Management by 44.0% during the 2nd quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 252 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 77 shares during the period. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC raised its position in Apollo Global Management by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC now owns 5,553 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $740,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares in the last quarter. Cynosure Group LLC raised its position in Apollo Global Management by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. Cynosure Group LLC now owns 3,385 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $451,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. lifted its holdings in shares of Apollo Global Management by 8.5% in the 3rd quarter. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. now owns 1,169 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $156,000 after buying an additional 92 shares during the period. 77.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Apollo Global Management alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other Apollo Global Management news, CFO Martin Kelly sold 6,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $131.41, for a total value of $788,460.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 325,604 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $42,787,621.64. This trade represents a 1.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 8.20% of the companys stock. Apollo Global Management Stock Up 2.8% Apollo Global Management stock opened at $117.27 on Thursday. Apollo Global Management Inc. has a 1-year low of $102.58 and a 1-year high of $157.28. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $136.79 and a 200-day moving average price of $134.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 1.31 and a quick ratio of 1.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $68.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.24, a PEG ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 1.57. Apollo Global Management (NYSE:APO Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 9th. The financial services provider reported $2.47 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.04 by $0.43. Apollo Global Management had a return on equity of 15.25% and a net margin of 10.90%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up .8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.39 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Apollo Global Management Inc. will post 8 EPS for the current fiscal year. Apollo Global Management Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 19th will be paid a $0.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 19th. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.7%. Apollo Global Managements dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 36.96%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades APO has been the topic of several research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating and set a $165.00 price target on shares of Apollo Global Management in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Apollo Global Management from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Piper Sandler reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $165.00 price target on shares of Apollo Global Management in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Wolfe Research reissued an outperform rating on shares of Apollo Global Management in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada assumed coverage on shares of Apollo Global Management in a research note on Monday. They issued a sector perform rating and a $142.00 price objective for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $161.27. Read Our Latest Stock Report on APO Apollo Global Management Profile (Free Report) Apollo Global Management, Inc (NYSE: APO) is a global alternative investment manager that specializes in private equity, credit and real assets. The firm originates, invests in and manages a broad set of strategies across distressed and opportunistic credit, direct lending, structured credit, buyouts and real estate. Apollo provides investment management and advisory services to institutional clients and individual investors through pooled funds, separate accounts and publicly listed investment vehicles. Its private equity business pursues control and non-control investments across industries, often focusing on complex or distressed situations where operational improvement and capital solutions can create value. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Apollo Global Management Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Apollo Global Management and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vanguard Group Inc. cut its holdings in shares of Mueller Water Products (NYSE:MWA Free Report) by 1.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 19,589,166 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 258,426 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. owned 12.53% of Mueller Water Products worth $499,916,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Mueller Water Products by 31.0% in the third quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,427 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $62,000 after buying an additional 575 shares in the last quarter. RWC Asset Management LLP boosted its stake in Mueller Water Products by 2.7% during the 3rd quarter. RWC Asset Management LLP now owns 22,513 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $575,000 after purchasing an additional 592 shares during the last quarter. Covestor Ltd grew its holdings in shares of Mueller Water Products by 131.8% during the third quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,050 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 597 shares in the last quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. raised its position in shares of Mueller Water Products by 6.3% in the third quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. now owns 10,572 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $270,000 after buying an additional 629 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arizona State Retirement System boosted its position in Mueller Water Products by 1.4% during the third quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 46,362 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,183,000 after acquiring an additional 660 shares during the last quarter. 91.68% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Mueller Water Products alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Director Brian C. Healy acquired 1,125 shares of Mueller Water Products stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 7th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $24.41 per share, for a total transaction of $27,461.25. Following the acquisition, the director owned 17,925 shares of the companys stock, valued at $437,549.25. This trade represents a 6.70% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Todd P. Helms sold 15,094 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.62, for a total value of $371,614.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 85,917 shares in the company, valued at $2,115,276.54. This trade represents a 14.94% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Mueller Water Products Price Performance MWA opened at $29.89 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $4.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.72, a PEG ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 1.17. The company has a current ratio of 4.02, a quick ratio of 2.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $26.82 and its 200 day moving average price is $25.82. Mueller Water Products has a 12-month low of $22.01 and a 12-month high of $30.47. Mueller Water Products (NYSE:MWA Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The industrial products company reported $0.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.27 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $318.20 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $315.26 million. Mueller Water Products had a net margin of 13.83% and a return on equity of 22.34%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.25 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Mueller Water Products will post 1.24 earnings per share for the current year. Mueller Water Products Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 20th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 10th were paid a $0.07 dividend. This represents a $0.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 10th. Mueller Water Productss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.22%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have commented on MWA. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Mueller Water Products from $27.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, February 6th. Robert W. Baird set a $33.00 price objective on Mueller Water Products in a report on Friday, February 6th. Finally, Oppenheimer reissued an outperform rating and set a $32.00 target price (up from $30.00) on shares of Mueller Water Products in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Mueller Water Products has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $31.33. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Mueller Water Products Mueller Water Products Company Profile (Free Report) Mueller Water Products, Inc is a leading provider of water infrastructure and flow control products and services designed to help water utilities and municipalities manage, control and measure their water distribution systems. The companys portfolio includes a comprehensive range of products such as fire hydrants, valves, pipe repair systems, fittings and couplings, along with advanced metering and monitoring solutions. By combining traditional mechanical components with digital technologies, Mueller Water Products addresses the critical need for reliable and sustainable water distribution across North America. The companys operations are organized around two primary business segments. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Mueller Water Products Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mueller Water Products and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. By Stephen Nellis and Zaheer Kachwala Feb 24 (Reuters) - Apple shareholders on Tuesday rejected a proposal to report on the company's dependence on China to manufacture most of its products. The vote came after Apple has worked for nearly a decade to broaden its manufacturing base to Vietnam, India and the U.S., where it said earlier that it would assemble some of its Mac mini computers to meet U.S. demand starting later this year. More from Yahoo Scout What drove the increase in opposition to executive compensation? How does Apple prioritize dividend increases versus AI investments? Why did Apple shareholders reject the China dependence proposal? What is Apple's strategy for diversifying manufacturing locations? During a question-and-answer session, Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook told shareholders that the company continues to plan for annual increases to its dividend but is prioritizing investments in technologies such as AI. "We start by making all of the investments we believe are necessary to grow and manage our business, to innovate and to support our roadmap of products and services," Cook said. "That's our highest priority. It's what drives decisions around investments, and it's what has the biggest impact when it comes to creating value for shareholders." Apple shareholders approved all four of the company's proposals in addition to defeating the lone proposal from shareholders on the day's ballot. However, the portion of Apple investors voting against the company's "say on pay" measure - a mandatory vote for U.S. publicly traded companies to approve executive compensation - crept up slightly, with 8.6% of the more than 9 billion votes cast voting against it, after excluding abstentions and broker non-votes. The previous year's share of "against" votes for Apple's pay proposal was 7.6%. Cook's pay stayed steady in 2025, coming in at $74.29 million in 2025, versus $74.61 million the previous year, according to the company's proxy statement. (Reporting by Zaheer Kachwala and Stephen Nellis; Editing by Maju Samuel, Lisa Shumaker and Stephen Coates) Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its stake in shares of The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX Free Report) by 2.9% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 2,662,056 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock after purchasing an additional 75,560 shares during the quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in TJX Companies were worth $384,767,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. GGM Financials LLC purchased a new position in TJX Companies in the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. Lavaca Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of TJX Companies in the second quarter valued at about $25,000. Highline Wealth Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of TJX Companies by 65.0% in the third quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC now owns 231 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 91 shares during the last quarter. Howard Hughes Medical Institute acquired a new stake in shares of TJX Companies during the second quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in TJX Companies in the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. 91.09% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get TJX Companies alerts: TJX Companies Stock Down 1.2% TJX Companies stock opened at $155.78 on Thursday. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $112.10 and a 12 month high of $162.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $172.99 billion, a PE ratio of 34.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 1.09 and a quick ratio of 0.43. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $154.70 and a 200-day simple moving average of $147.33. TJX Companies Dividend Announcement TJX Companies ( NYSE:TJX Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.43 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.38 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $17.74 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.36 billion. TJX Companies had a net margin of 8.68% and a return on equity of 58.30%. The firms revenue was up 8.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.23 EPS. TJX Companies has set its FY 2027 guidance at 4.930-5.020 EPS and its Q1 2027 guidance at 0.970-0.990 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 5th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.425 per share. This represents a $1.70 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 12th. TJX Companiess payout ratio is 37.53%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth TJX has been the subject of several research reports. Evercore lifted their price objective on shares of TJX Companies from $162.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b+) rating on shares of TJX Companies in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. BTIG Research reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $185.00 price target on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Thursday. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and set a $162.00 price objective (up from $159.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on TJX Companies from $154.00 to $173.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and twenty-two have given a Buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $165.95. Read Our Latest Report on TJX Key Headlines Impacting TJX Companies Here are the key news stories impacting TJX Companies this week: TJX Companies Company Profile (Free Report) TJX Companies, Inc is a leading off-price retailer of apparel, footwear, home fashions and other consumer goods. The company operates multiple retail concepts that offer discounted brand-name and designer merchandise, including well-known banners such as T.J. Maxx and Marshalls in the United States, HomeGoods for home furnishings, TK Maxx in parts of Europe, and Winners and Homesense in Canada. Merchandise categories span womens, mens and childrens apparel, accessories, beauty, home decor, kitchenware and small furniture, with frequent changes in assortment that create a treasure-hunt shopping experience for consumers. The companys business model centers on opportunistic buying, purchasing excess, irregular or out-of-season inventory from manufacturers, department stores and other suppliers, and passing savings to customers through lower prices. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TJX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for TJX Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TJX Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vanguard Group Inc. cut its holdings in CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CNO Free Report) by 2.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 12,073,566 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 314,876 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. owned 12.46% of CNO Financial Group worth $477,510,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of CNO. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of CNO Financial Group by 6.2% during the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 3,121,527 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $120,429,000 after purchasing an additional 183,493 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in CNO Financial Group by 11.6% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 882,512 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $34,903,000 after acquiring an additional 91,417 shares during the period. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. boosted its holdings in shares of CNO Financial Group by 32.6% during the 2nd quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 764,867 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $29,509,000 after acquiring an additional 187,974 shares during the last quarter. Bragg Financial Advisors Inc grew its stake in shares of CNO Financial Group by 14.0% in the second quarter. Bragg Financial Advisors Inc now owns 639,939 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $24,689,000 after acquiring an additional 78,793 shares during the period. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its stake in shares of CNO Financial Group by 1.5% in the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 607,659 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $23,443,000 after acquiring an additional 8,686 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 95.43% of the companys stock. Get CNO Financial Group alerts: Insider Activity at CNO Financial Group In other news, CEO Gary C. Bhojwani sold 45,357 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.17, for a total transaction of $1,958,061.69. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 320,547 shares of the companys stock, valued at $13,838,013.99. This represents a 12.40% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CMO Rocco F. Tarasi III sold 9,283 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.60, for a total transaction of $395,455.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief marketing officer directly owned 73,932 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,149,503.20. This trade represents a 11.16% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 226,431 shares of company stock worth $9,715,996 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 3.00% of the companys stock. CNO Financial Group Price Performance Shares of CNO Financial Group stock opened at $42.34 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $4.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.99 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a quick ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 0.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $42.54 and its 200-day simple moving average is $40.79. CNO Financial Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $34.63 and a 52 week high of $44.85. CNO Financial Group (NYSE:CNO Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 5th. The financial services provider reported $1.47 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.20 by $0.27. CNO Financial Group had a return on equity of 15.80% and a net margin of 4.94%.The company had revenue of $101.10 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.18 EPS. The firms revenue was up 4.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts expect that CNO Financial Group, Inc. will post 3.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. CNO Financial Group Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 10th will be paid a $0.17 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 10th. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. CNO Financial Groups payout ratio is presently 30.49%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In CNO has been the topic of several research reports. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of CNO Financial Group from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the stock from $42.00 to $47.00 in a report on Monday, December 15th. Evercore reissued an underperform rating and issued a $43.00 price objective on shares of CNO Financial Group in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of CNO Financial Group in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Piper Sandler lifted their price target on shares of CNO Financial Group from $46.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 23rd. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered CNO Financial Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, February 7th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $46.25. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on CNO About CNO Financial Group (Free Report) CNO Financial Group is an Indiana?based holding company that offers a range of insurance and retirement solutions through its operating subsidiaries. Its primary business activities include life insurance, annuities, and supplemental health insurance products designed to help individuals plan for retirement and manage health?related expenses. The company serves middle?income Americans, with particular emphasis on senior customers seeking guaranteed coverage and reliable income streams. Originally founded as Conseco in 1979, the company underwent a financial restructuring and rebranded as CNO Financial Group in 2010. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for CNO Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CNO Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc. (NYSE:HASI Free Report) by 1.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 13,989,391 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 198,441 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. owned approximately 11.25% of HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital worth $429,474,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. State Street Corp boosted its position in HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital by 1.8% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 5,236,202 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $140,644,000 after buying an additional 91,359 shares in the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. grew its position in HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital by 1,015.5% during the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 4,356,352 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $117,012,000 after acquiring an additional 3,965,832 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,881,223 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $77,399,000 after purchasing an additional 86,513 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital by 18.6% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,060,698 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $63,263,000 after purchasing an additional 323,361 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Swedbank AB boosted its stake in HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital by 4.8% in the third quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 1,635,072 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $50,197,000 after purchasing an additional 75,504 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.14% of the companys stock. Get HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital from $37.00 to $44.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 18th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital in a research report on Monday, December 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital from $33.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an outperform rating on shares of HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their price objective on shares of HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital from $40.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $43.00. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, Director Jeffrey Eckel sold 134,398 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $39.23, for a total transaction of $5,272,433.54. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 9,050 shares in the company, valued at approximately $355,031.50. The trade was a 93.69% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 2.00% of the stock is owned by insiders. HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital Price Performance HASI opened at $36.88 on Thursday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $34.64 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $31.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.73 billion, a PE ratio of 27.11, a P/E/G ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 1.45. HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc. has a 52 week low of $21.98 and a 52 week high of $40.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.94, a quick ratio of 9.20 and a current ratio of 9.20. HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital (NYSE:HASI Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 12th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.67. The business had revenue of $114.81 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $28.74 million. HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital had a return on equity of 12.06% and a net margin of 46.08%.HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital has set its FY 2028 guidance at 3.500-3.600 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc. will post 2.45 earnings per share for the current year. HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 17th. Investors of record on Thursday, April 2nd will be given a $0.425 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 2nd. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.6%. This is a positive change from HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capitals previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capitals dividend payout ratio is 123.53%. HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital Company Profile (Free Report) Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc (NYSE: HASI) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust specializing in financing and investing in climate change solutions. Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, the company provides debt and equity capital to sustainable infrastructure projects across North America. Its mission is to support energy efficiency, renewable energy generation and resilient infrastructure, helping public and private sector clients reduce carbon emissions and achieve long-term environmental goals. Hannon Armstrongs core business activities include originating and structuring loans, acquiring debt and equity interests, and managing a diversified portfolio of projects in sectors such as solar energy, wind power, energy storage, green buildings, and sustainable agriculture. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zhang Financial LLC purchased a new position in Kadant Inc (NYSE:KAI Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm purchased 5,091 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $1,515,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Kadant by 11.2% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,763 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $931,000 after acquiring an additional 279 shares in the last quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Kadant by 8.6% during the first quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 907 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $306,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Kadant by 4.7% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 6,985 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,353,000 after purchasing an additional 311 shares during the period. United Services Automobile Association purchased a new position in Kadant in the 1st quarter worth about $255,000. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC raised its holdings in Kadant by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 30,974 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $10,435,000 after buying an additional 441 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.13% of the companys stock. Get Kadant alerts: Kadant Stock Up 1.1% KAI stock opened at $339.41 on Thursday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $316.68 and a two-hundred day moving average of $304.85. The company has a market cap of $4.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.24 and a beta of 1.25. Kadant Inc has a 12-month low of $244.87 and a 12-month high of $387.53. The company has a quick ratio of 5.22, a current ratio of 8.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Kadant ( NYSE:KAI Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 18th. The industrial products company reported $2.27 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.19 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $286.20 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $274.43 million. Kadant had a net margin of 9.69% and a return on equity of 11.57%. Kadants revenue for the quarter was up 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.25 earnings per share. Kadant has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 1.780-1.880 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 10.500-10.750 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Kadant Inc will post 9.97 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Kadant in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Barrington Research reiterated an outperform rating and set a $380.00 price objective on shares of Kadant in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, DA Davidson set a $303.00 target price on shares of Kadant in a research note on Friday, February 20th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $341.50. View Our Latest Research Report on Kadant Kadant Company Profile (Free Report) Kadant Inc, headquartered in Westford, Massachusetts, is a global supplier of high?value, critical components and engineered systems for the pulp and paper industry and other process industries. The companys product portfolio spans stock preparation technologies, refiners and pulpers, fluid handling systems, and web?handling equipment designed to optimize the efficiency and quality of paper production. In addition to capital equipment, Kadant offers aftermarket services, including spare parts, maintenance programs and process optimization consulting, which together support long?term customer productivity and reliability. Originally part of a larger industrial conglomerate, Kadant was established as an independent public company in 1991. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KAI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Kadant Inc (NYSE:KAI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Kadant Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kadant and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thornburg Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (NYSE:CP Free Report) (TSE:CP) by 12.2% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 2,295,096 shares of the transportation companys stock after buying an additional 250,341 shares during the quarter. Canadian Pacific Kansas City comprises about 2.2% of Thornburg Investment Management Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 13th largest holding. Thornburg Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Canadian Pacific Kansas City were worth $170,962,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of CP. Intech Investment Management LLC raised its position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 16.0% during the 1st quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 21,276 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $1,493,000 after buying an additional 2,940 shares during the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City during the first quarter worth about $35,000. Sivia Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City in the second quarter valued at about $206,000. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 2.9% in the 2nd quarter. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC now owns 10,646 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $844,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd raised its stake in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 76.0% during the 2nd quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 47,095 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $3,733,000 after buying an additional 20,333 shares in the last quarter. 72.20% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Canadian Pacific Kansas City alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages recently weighed in on CP. Morgan Stanley raised Canadian Pacific Kansas City from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a report on Monday, December 8th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $124.00 price objective (down from $127.00) on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. National Bank Financial lowered shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group set a $90.00 price target on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $92.00. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Stock Performance NYSE:CP opened at $85.89 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The company has a market capitalization of $77.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.10. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $76.46 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $74.93. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited has a twelve month low of $66.49 and a twelve month high of $86.55. Canadian Pacific Kansas City (NYSE:CP Get Free Report) (TSE:CP) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The transportation company reported $0.95 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.99 by ($0.04). Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a net margin of 27.49% and a return on equity of 8.88%. The business had revenue of $2.85 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.85 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.29 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited will post 3.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 27th will be issued a $0.228 dividend. This represents a $0.91 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 27th. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys payout ratio is 20.43%. About Canadian Pacific Kansas City (Free Report) Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) is a North American Class I freight railroad formed through the combination of Canadian Pacific Railway and Kansas City Southern. The merged company operates an integrated rail network that spans Canada, the United States and Mexico, providing a single-line rail connection across all three countries. This transborder footprint is intended to streamline cross-border freight flows and provide shippers with direct rail access from Canadian and U.S. production centers to Mexican markets and ports. CPKCs core business is freight transportation and related logistics services. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (NYSE:CP Free Report) (TSE:CP). Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Pacific Kansas City Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Pacific Kansas City and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE:CNH Free Report) Equities researchers at Northland Securities reduced their FY2028 EPS estimates for shares of CNH Industrial in a research note issued on Tuesday, February 24th. Northland Securities analyst E. Jackson now forecasts that the company will post earnings of $0.59 per share for the year, down from their previous forecast of $0.77. The consensus estimate for CNH Industrials current full-year earnings is $0.70 per share. Northland Securities also issued estimates for CNH Industrials FY2029 earnings at $0.61 EPS. Get CNH Industrial alerts: Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of CNH Industrial from $15.00 to $14.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Barclays cut their target price on shares of CNH Industrial from $14.00 to $11.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. iA Financial set a $13.00 price target on shares of CNH Industrial in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. Cfra reissued a hold rating and set a $11.00 price objective on shares of CNH Industrial in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Robert W. Baird upped their target price on CNH Industrial from $10.00 to $13.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 18th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $13.37. CNH Industrial Trading Down 3.2% Shares of CNH opened at $12.35 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.86 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a current ratio of 3.82, a quick ratio of 3.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.44. The firms 50-day moving average is $10.98 and its two-hundred day moving average is $10.77. CNH Industrial has a twelve month low of $9.00 and a twelve month high of $14.27. CNH Industrial (NYSE:CNH Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 17th. The company reported $0.19 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.11 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $5.16 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.91 billion. CNH Industrial had a net margin of 2.82% and a return on equity of 8.90%. CNH Industrials revenue for the quarter was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.15 EPS. CNH Industrial has set its FY 2026 guidance at 0.350-0.450 EPS. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of CNH. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC boosted its holdings in CNH Industrial by 12.3% during the first quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 16,143 shares of the companys stock worth $198,000 after buying an additional 1,772 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its stake in CNH Industrial by 70.5% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 2,268,436 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,856,000 after buying an additional 938,035 shares during the period. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in CNH Industrial by 4,972.1% in the 2nd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 21,810 shares of the companys stock worth $283,000 after buying an additional 21,380 shares in the last quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas boosted its stake in shares of CNH Industrial by 3.8% during the 2nd quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 132,704 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,720,000 after buying an additional 4,856 shares during the period. Finally, Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund grew its holdings in shares of CNH Industrial by 14.0% during the 2nd quarter. Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund now owns 183,583 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,379,000 after acquiring an additional 22,600 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 59.88% of the companys stock. CNH Industrial News Roundup Here are the key news stories impacting CNH Industrial this week: Neutral Sentiment: AAII published a comparison piece weighing Allison Transmission vs CNH as investments useful context for investors considering peers and relative exposure to drivetrain vs full-equipment markets. Which Is a Better Investment, Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc. or CNH Industrial N.V. Stock? AAII published a comparison piece weighing Allison Transmission vs CNH as investments useful context for investors considering peers and relative exposure to drivetrain vs full-equipment markets. Neutral Sentiment: Kalkine published analysis on CNHs valuation multiples after recent market rotation examines how the stocks P/E and other metrics compare to the NYSE Composite and may inform longer?term allocation decisions rather than immediate price moves. What CNH Industrial N.V (NYSE:CNH) Multiples Suggest After Nyse Composite Market Rotation? Kalkine published analysis on CNHs valuation multiples after recent market rotation examines how the stocks P/E and other metrics compare to the NYSE Composite and may inform longer?term allocation decisions rather than immediate price moves. Neutral Sentiment: American Banking News notes that brokerages consensus rating on CNH is an average Hold indicates mixed analyst sentiment and suggests limited near?term catalyst from consensus ratings alone. CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE:CNH) Receives Average Rating of Hold from Brokerages American Banking News notes that brokerages consensus rating on CNH is an average Hold indicates mixed analyst sentiment and suggests limited near?term catalyst from consensus ratings alone. Negative Sentiment: Northland Securities cut multiple CNH EPS estimates across quarters and fiscal years (report dated Feb. 24). Highlights: FY2026 cut from $0.45 to $0.35; FY2027 cut from $0.64 to $0.48; FY2028 to $0.59 (from $0.77); FY2029 to $0.61 (from $0.81); and downward revisions to Q1Q4 2026 and Q3 2026 quarterly estimates. These revisions lower near?term earnings expectations materially versus the prior forecasts and sit below/near consensus, which likely pressured the stock today. CNH profile and coverage About CNH Industrial (Get Free Report) CNH Industrial N.V. is a global capital goods company specializing in the design, production and sale of agricultural and construction equipment, commercial vehicles and powertrain solutions. The firm operates through five core brandsCase IH and New Holland for agricultural machinery, Case and New Holland for construction equipment, Iveco for light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles, and FPT Industrial for engines and drivetrain components. Established in 2013 through the combination of Fiat Industrial and CNH Global, the company draws on a rich heritage of innovation dating back to pioneering landmarks in farm and construction machinery from the 19th century. The companys product portfolio encompasses tractors, combines, balers, excavators, backhoe loaders, trucks, vans and bespoke engines for marine, automotive and industrial markets. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for CNH Industrial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CNH Industrial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thornburg Investment Management Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report) by 33.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 544,386 shares of the companys stock after selling 278,291 shares during the period. Thornburg Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $30,208,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of NVO. SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 2,101.5% during 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 lifted its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S by 101.4% during the second quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 2,475,300 shares of the companys stock worth $170,845,000 after buying an additional 1,246,467 shares during the period. DAVENPORT & Co LLC lifted its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S by 54.8% during the third quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 2,642,498 shares of the companys stock worth $146,644,000 after buying an additional 935,468 shares during the period. Sustainable Growth Advisers LP boosted its position in Novo Nordisk A/S by 11.7% during the 2nd quarter. Sustainable Growth Advisers LP now owns 6,192,636 shares of the companys stock valued at $427,416,000 after acquiring an additional 649,390 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 42.6% in the 2nd quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 1,476,673 shares of the companys stock valued at $101,920,000 after acquiring an additional 441,034 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 11.54% of the companys stock. Get Novo Nordisk A/S alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have recently commented on NVO. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered Novo Nordisk A/S from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday. 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. Kepler Capital Markets lowered shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday. Nordea Equity Research lowered Novo Nordisk A/S to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Argus reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $56.07. Key Headlines Impacting Novo Nordisk A/S Here are the key news stories impacting Novo Nordisk A/S this week: Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Down 1.2% Shares of NVO stock opened at $38.13 on Thursday. Novo Nordisk A/S has a fifty-two week low of $37.65 and a fifty-two week high of $91.90. The firm has a market capitalization of $170.24 billion, a PE ratio of 10.99 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a current ratio of 0.80. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $53.16 and its 200-day simple moving average is $53.04. Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The company reported $1.01 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.11. Novo Nordisk A/S had a return on equity of 68.91% and a net margin of 33.03%.The firm had revenue of $12.43 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.97 billion. Equities analysts expect that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.84 earnings per share for the current year. Novo Nordisk A/S Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 8th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 30th will be issued a $1.2751 dividend. 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 is 23.63%. Novo Nordisk A/S Company 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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NVO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Energy One (ASX:EOL) executives used the companys half-year results presentation to highlight continued growth in recurring revenue, progress on operating leverage, and a push to deepen customer relationships through its one-stop-shop strategy across software and trading services. Get alerts: Half-year performance and key operating metrics CFO Guy Steel said the companys annual recurring revenue (ARR) grew by AUD 10.8 million, or 17.4%, landing right in the middle of the companys targeted range. Management emphasized the growth has been organic, noting the company has not relied on acquisitions for at least three years. Executives said recurring revenue reached an all-time high and now represents 91% of total revenue. Steel also quantified the impact of foreign exchange movements for the half, saying FX provided about AUD 1.2 million of benefit to revenue and about AUD 1.0 million increase to expenses, leaving an approximately AUD 200,000 net favorable impact to earnings. On profitability, Steel pointed to continued improvement in gross margin and an upward trajectory in cash EBITDA. He said results were adjusted for certain one-offs, including CEO recruitment costs and a Europe-related item tied to France moving into a new go-live. He also reiterated the firms internal 20/10 objective of growing revenue by 20% while holding expense growth to 10%, saying the periods outcomes were consistent with that framework. Steel noted statutory expenditure rose 16% year-over-year (15% excluding one-offs), with share-based payments up about AUD 1 million. He said stripping out the share-based payments implied cash expenses were up 11%. On cash flow, Steel said first halves are typically seasonally weaker than second halves due to factors such as incentive payments and the cadence of project revenue. He added that stronger cash earnings in the second half of FY2025 and the first half of FY2026 allowed the company to pay a cash dividend, which he said was the first time it had done so for some time. Sales pipeline, retention, and land and expand execution CEO Shaun Ankers and CEO designate Ben Tranier described a focus on expanding sales and marketing capability and using an approach of winning an initial foothold and then cross-selling additional products and services. Ankers said the company recorded 53,000 website hits in the first half and held 290 meetings at the E-world trade show in Europe, describing that as an improvement on the prior year. Management said investment in sales and marketing increased 13% over last year and that the ARR sales pipeline of confirmed leads rose 24% versus the prior period. They also highlighted net revenue retention (NRR) of 111%, which Ankers attributed to a mix of broad upselling and some deals becoming larger than initially expected. On customer retention and churn, executives said attrition increased to 5% and was largely related to customers exiting the market rather than switching to competitors. Ankers cited an example of a manufacturer in Australia exiting the market amid gas price spikes and volatility. He characterized these market exits as a feature, not a bug in an industry where new entrants can come and go. Customer wins and regional commentary In Australia, management said ARR grew 15%. Ankers highlighted an upsell at an existing utility customer that had been using products including NemSight analytics and EOT deal capture and settlement, and has now upgraded to add a battery energy storage system (BESS) solution for automated battery trading, supported by 24/7 trading services. He said the company expects additional ARR from that upgrade in the second half. In Europe, Tranier said the region continued to build momentum, citing revenue growth of 20% to EUR 19.6 million, driven mainly by recurring revenue. He said European ARR rose 28% (19% on a constant-currency basis). Tranier also described customers increasingly seeking fully integrated solutions rather than single modules, combining capabilities such as ETRM, workflow engines, nomination tools, and market access. Management discussed a very large industrial customer win in Europe, describing it as a competitive process that validated the one-stop-shop positioning. Tranier said the deal includes $0.8 million in recurring revenue and more than $1 million in project revenue. Tranier also said Europe has moved away from a country-based general manager model to European-wide functional leadership across operations, sales, delivery, and training, which he said is improving efficiency and consistency of execution. On geographic expansion, Tranier said the company is seeing increased trading volumes and connectivity needs in Eastern Europe, and rising software demand related to LNG flows in Southern European markets such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece, tied to shifts in European gas supply dynamics. AI adoption framed as productivity and customer value, with human in the loop Ankers and Tranier devoted a portion of the presentation to artificial intelligence, positioning it as an enabler rather than a threat in a heavily regulated, mission-critical environment. Ankers argued that wholesale energy markets require deterministic, auditable systems due to grid stability requirements, regulatory oversight, and cybersecurity concerns, and said much of the industrys data is proprietary rather than public. Management said Energy One is already using AI internally. Ankers said AI tools are installed in developers environments and that the company is seeing productivity gains in some areas of 50 odd %. He added that Energy One has generated 1.6 million lines of code using AI and is working toward what he called an AI factory capability over the next 12 months. Executives also emphasized that human in the loop remains essential, particularly when dispatch decisions can carry safety and compliance implications. On customer behavior, Tranier said the company has not seen customers stalling procurement decisions due to AI. He said customers may use AI for forecasting or algorithms, but still require reliable systems for market access, compliance, and governance. M&A stance and questions on projects and dividends Ankers reiterated that M&A remains part of the companys long-term strategy, but stressed Energy One is not a roll-up. He said the company has made five acquisitions over his nearly 16 years as CEO, with the last more than three years ago. He said the company, with advisers Lazard Australia, is actively reviewing opportunities with an emphasis on Europe and Australia, but added there is no timeline or guarantee and no financial commitments at this time. During Q&A, management addressed questions about lower European project implementation revenue. Ankers said the company expects project revenue in the second half to approach the previous half, but cautioned that project timing can be customer-driven and may not be a reliable leading indicator. He said the company remains focused on ARR conversion, which requires customers to sign and go live. When asked whether market conditions and M&A opportunities could affect dividends, Chairman Andrew Bonwick said the board would consider different funding avenues for acquisitions, citing a strong balance sheet, attractive banking conditions, and potential equity participation, noting past deals have often included cash plus equity. He said dividends are intended to reward shareholders but would be evaluated alongside other capital allocation options. Ankers closed the presentation by highlighting the companys ISO/IEC 27000 cybersecurity certification as a differentiator, saying it enables engagement with larger customers with strict governance requirements, and noted that at least in the past the company had lost work because it did not yet have the certification. About Energy One (ASX:EOL) Energy One Limited provides various software products and services to wholesale energy, environmental, and carbon trading markets in the Australasia, and Europe. The company offers enFlow, a tool for automating and managing business processes, and for integrating systems; EnergyOffer, a bidding, offering, dispatch, and logistics solution; EOT that offers front, middle, and backoffice solutions; NemSight, a real time presentation and historical analysis tool, which offers screens displaying live prices, demand, constraints, generation, bidstacks, and temperatures; and pypIT, a gas pipeline contracts management and scheduling platform. Featured Articles Straumann Holding AG (OTCMKTS:SAUHY Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 55,783 shares, a growth of 636.6% from the January 29th total of 7,573 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 282,206 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.2 days. Approximately 0.0% of the companys shares are short sold. Approximately 0.0% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 282,206 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.2 days. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In SAUHY has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. UBS Group upgraded Straumann from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Citigroup reaffirmed a sell rating on shares of Straumann in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an underweight rating on shares of Straumann in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Straumann from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold. Get Straumann alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on SAUHY Straumann Price Performance Straumann Company Profile Shares of OTCMKTS SAUHY opened at $11.97 on Thursday. Straumann has a 12-month low of $10.30 and a 12-month high of $14.18. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $12.19 and its 200 day simple moving average is $11.81. (Get Free Report) Straumann (OTCMKTS:SAUHY) is a Swiss-based dental technology company that develops, manufactures and markets restorative, regenerative and digital solutions for dental professionals. The companys core offerings center on implant-supported restorations and components, biomaterials used for bone and soft-tissue regeneration, and a range of prosthetic products used by dentists and dental laboratories to restore oral function and aesthetics. In addition to implant and biomaterial product lines, Straumann provides digital dentistry solutions that support treatment planning and workflows. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Straumann Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Straumann and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:IMTB Get Free Report) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 5,634 shares, a drop of 64.0% from the January 29th total of 15,663 shares. Approximately 0.1% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 31,574 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.2 days. Based on an average daily volume of 31,574 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.2 days. Approximately 0.1% of the companys stock are short sold. iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF Trading Down 0.2% Shares of IMTB opened at $44.60 on Thursday. iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF has a 52 week low of $42.11 and a 52 week high of $44.75. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $44.31 and a 200-day moving average of $44.21. Get iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Royal Bank of Canada grew its position in shares of iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF by 119.7% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 50,156 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,177,000 after buying an additional 27,330 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF by 59.4% in the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 31,604 shares of the companys stock worth $1,372,000 after purchasing an additional 11,774 shares during the last quarter. 5T Wealth LLC boosted its position in iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF by 106.5% during the 2nd quarter. 5T Wealth LLC now owns 14,743 shares of the companys stock valued at $643,000 after purchasing an additional 7,602 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF by 27.8% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 85,187 shares of the companys stock worth $3,717,000 after buying an additional 18,539 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF in the second quarter worth $5,678,000. iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF Company Profile The iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF (IMTB) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in broad credit fixed income. The fund tracks a market value-weighted, USD-denominated broad bond index with maturities between five and ten years. Eligible sectors include US Treasurys, global government-related bonds, global investment-grade and high yield corporate bonds, and emerging market bonds. IMTB was launched on Nov 1, 2016 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A popular fast casual restaurant chain is closing restaurants across three states. The Commercial Appeal reports Applebees is shutting down locations in Indiana, Missouri and New York. According to the reports, three locations have closed in Columbia, Missouri and Evansville, Indiana this month. Another location in Glenville, New York is also set to close. None of Alabamas 28 locations are set to close. Applebees Alabama locations are owned by Birmingham-based Quality Restaurant Concepts LLC. They operate multiple restaurants in Birmingham, Montgomery and Huntsville, as well as single locations in Gadsden, Florence, Prattville, Guntersville, Cullman, Ft. Payne, Tuscaloosa, Jasper and Decatur. The closures of underperforming stores dont signal a shutdown of the chain as a whole. Applebees parent company, Dine Brands Global, plans to open 80 dual-branded Applebees and IHOP restaurants throughout 2026. Dine Brands operates Applebees, IHOP and Fuzzys Taco Shop with more than 3,500 total locations. In its latest financial reports, Applebees reported a fourth-quarter drop of 0.4% for same-restaurant sales. At the same time, IHOP same-restaurant sales grew 0.3%. In 2025 our brands performance improved as we made meaningful progress against our strategic priorities by strengthening the fundamentals of the business and positioning our brands for long-term growth, said John Peyton, Chief Executive Officer of Dine Brands. Our focus is on the guest experience, everyday value and continued menu innovation to drive improvements in sales and traffic. Its unclear if more closures are planned in the coming months but company officials said they expect between 15 and 5 net fewer restaurants in the U.S. in 2026. Read the original article on al.com. Add al.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Murray Income Trust PLC (LON:MUT Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as GBX 963 and last traded at GBX 963, with a volume of 5240 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 960. Murray Income Trust Trading Up 0.5% The firm has a market cap of 927.72 million, a PE ratio of 43.14 and a beta of 0.80. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is GBX 929.22 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 911.24. Murray Income Trust Company Profile (Get Free Report) An investment trust founded in 1923 aiming for high and growing income with capital growth. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Murray Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Murray Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Carrefour SA (OTCMKTS:CRRFY Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $3.84 and last traded at $3.8250, with a volume of 4063 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $3.6450. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts recently issued reports on CRRFY shares. Jefferies Financial Group lowered Carrefour from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Carrefour in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy. Get Carrefour alerts: Get Our Latest Report on CRRFY Carrefour Stock Performance About Carrefour The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $3.44 and a 200 day moving average price of $3.18. The company has a quick ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02. (Get Free Report) Carrefour is a French multinational retail corporation established in 1959 and headquartered in Boulogne-Billancourt, France. As one of the worlds largest retail chains, the company pioneered the hypermarket concept in Europe, combining a supermarket and department store under one roof. Over the decades, Carrefour has expanded its footprint to encompass a variety of store formats, including hypermarkets, supermarkets, cash & carry outlets, convenience stores and e-commerce platforms, catering to a wide range of consumer needs. Carrefours core business activities revolve around food retailing, non-food products and services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Carrefour Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Carrefour and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE:AIT Get Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by equities researchers at KeyCorp from $300.00 to $330.00 in a research report issued on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an overweight rating on the industrial products companys stock. KeyCorps price objective points to a potential upside of 16.90% from the companys previous close. Several other research analysts also recently issued reports on AIT. Mizuho set a $305.00 price target on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Applied Industrial Technologies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, January 31st. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $294.38. Get Applied Industrial Technologies alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on AIT Applied Industrial Technologies Price Performance Shares of AIT traded up $1.53 on Thursday, hitting $282.29. The companys stock had a trading volume of 16,101 shares, compared to its average volume of 351,873. The company has a market capitalization of $10.53 billion, a PE ratio of 26.92, a PEG ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.84. Applied Industrial Technologies has a fifty-two week low of $199.96 and a fifty-two week high of $296.70. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $273.08 and a 200 day moving average price of $263.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 3.68 and a quick ratio of 2.56. Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE:AIT Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The industrial products company reported $2.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.48 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $1.16 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.17 billion. Applied Industrial Technologies had a return on equity of 21.74% and a net margin of 8.49%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 8.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.39 EPS. Applied Industrial Technologies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.450-10.750 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Applied Industrial Technologies will post 9.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, VP Jason W. Vasquez sold 5,447 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $287.87, for a total transaction of $1,568,027.89. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 14,491 shares in the company, valued at $4,171,524.17. This represents a 27.32% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, VP Warren E. Hoffner III sold 4,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $288.62, for a total value of $1,154,480.00. Following the sale, the vice president owned 52,751 shares in the company, valued at $15,224,993.62. The trade was a 7.05% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 28,654 shares of company stock worth $8,212,829. Corporate insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Applied Industrial Technologies Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Torren Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its position in Applied Industrial Technologies by 890.0% during the third quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 99 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in Applied Industrial Technologies in the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Applied Industrial Technologies in the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its position in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies by 2,033.3% in the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 128 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 122 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.52% of the companys stock. Applied Industrial Technologies Company Profile (Get Free Report) Applied Industrial Technologies, listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AIT, is a leading distributor of industrial products and services. The company offers a comprehensive range of bearings, power transmission components, fluid power products, industrial rubber products, and automation solutions. Through its network of distribution centers and branch locations, Applied Industrial Technologies serves diverse end markets including manufacturing, oil and gas, mining, food and beverage, and wastewater treatment. Founded in 1923 and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Applied Industrial Technologies has grown through a combination of organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Applied Industrial Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Applied Industrial Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mosaic (NYSE:MOS Get Free Report) had its price target cut by analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from $29.00 to $28.00 in a research report issued on Thursday,MarketScreener reports. The brokerage presently has a sector perform rating on the basic materials companys stock. Royal Bank Of Canadas price objective would suggest a potential upside of 3.15% from the companys current price. Other equities research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Scotiabank raised shares of Mosaic from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and set a $36.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. BNP Paribas Exane decreased their price objective on shares of Mosaic from $43.00 to $35.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 24th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Mosaic from $28.00 to $27.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on shares of Mosaic from $30.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Wolfe Research lowered their price objective on Mosaic from $41.00 to $38.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 16th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $31.13. Get Mosaic alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on Mosaic Mosaic Price Performance Shares of MOS stock traded up $0.17 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $27.15. 1,073,189 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,776,505. Mosaic has a 52-week low of $22.36 and a 52-week high of $38.23. The company has a quick ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. The company has a market cap of $8.62 billion, a PE ratio of 16.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 0.97. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $27.07 and a 200 day moving average of $28.79. Mosaic (NYSE:MOS Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 24th. The basic materials company reported $0.22 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.48 by ($0.26). Mosaic had a return on equity of 5.77% and a net margin of 4.49%.The business had revenue of $2.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.02 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.45 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Mosaic will post 2.04 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Mosaic Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. First Horizon Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Mosaic by 172.5% in the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 684 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 433 shares during the period. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Mosaic by 169.3% in the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 956 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 601 shares during the last quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC grew its position in Mosaic by 650.0% in the second quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 750 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 650 shares during the period. Rexford Capital Inc. acquired a new stake in Mosaic during the second quarter worth $28,000. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC raised its position in Mosaic by 1,819.0% in the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 806 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 764 shares during the period. 77.54% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Mosaic Company Profile (Get Free Report) Mosaic Co is one of the worlds leading producers and marketers of concentrated phosphate and potash crop nutrients. The companys primary business activities center on the extraction, processing and distribution of phosphate rock, phosphate-based fertilizers and potash products. These core nutrients are essential components in modern agriculture, supporting crop yields and soil health across a range of farming applications. In its phosphate segment, Mosaic operates mining and production facilities that convert phosphate rock into concentrated phosphates, finished phosphate fertilizers and feed phosphates for animal nutrition. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Mosaic Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mosaic and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP lifted its position in shares of Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW Free Report) by 53.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 574,955 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 201,332 shares during the period. Westfield Capital Management Co. LPs holdings in Snowflake were worth $129,681,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of SNOW. US Bancorp DE lifted its holdings in Snowflake by 6.6% during the 3rd quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 37,290 shares of the companys stock worth $8,411,000 after buying an additional 2,309 shares during the last quarter. Waddell & Associates LLC raised its position in shares of Snowflake by 13.2% during the 3rd quarter. Waddell & Associates LLC now owns 3,334 shares of the companys stock worth $752,000 after acquiring an additional 390 shares in the last quarter. TD Asset Management Inc lifted its stake in Snowflake by 73.5% during the third quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 137,533 shares of the companys stock worth $31,021,000 after purchasing an additional 58,283 shares during the last quarter. Palumbo Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Snowflake by 21.1% during the third quarter. Palumbo Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,890 shares of the companys stock worth $652,000 after purchasing an additional 504 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First American Trust FSB boosted its holdings in Snowflake by 0.6% in the third quarter. First American Trust FSB now owns 23,389 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,275,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.10% of the companys stock. Get Snowflake alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other news, SVP Vivek Raghunathan sold 11,801 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $220.44, for a total value of $2,601,412.44. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 218,020 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $48,060,328.80. The trade was a 5.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Frank Slootman sold 200,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $221.83, for a total value of $44,366,000.00. Following the sale, the director owned 50,329 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,164,482.07. This trade represents a 79.89% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 713,681 shares of company stock valued at $148,264,518. Company insiders own 6.80% of the companys stock. Snowflake Trading Up 5.4% NYSE SNOW opened at $169.74 on Thursday. The firms fifty day moving average is $201.01 and its two-hundred day moving average is $223.09. Snowflake Inc. has a one year low of $120.10 and a one year high of $280.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a current ratio of 1.37. The firm has a market cap of $58.09 billion, a PE ratio of -42.02 and a beta of 1.14. Snowflake (NYSE:SNOW Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, December 3rd. The company reported $0.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $1.21 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.18 billion. Snowflake had a negative return on equity of 45.91% and a negative net margin of 30.76%.The businesss revenue was up 28.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.20 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Snowflake Inc. will post -2.36 earnings per share for the current year. Key Headlines Impacting Snowflake Here are the key news stories impacting Snowflake this week: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In SNOW has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Needham & Company LLC cut their price objective on shares of Snowflake from $280.00 to $200.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on shares of Snowflake from $250.00 to $275.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Wedbush reissued an outperform rating and issued a $270.00 price target on shares of Snowflake in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. UBS Group restated a buy rating on shares of Snowflake in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an overweight rating and set a $210.00 target price on shares of Snowflake in a research report on Thursday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-three have assigned a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $260.16. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Snowflake About Snowflake (Free Report) Snowflake Inc is a cloud-native data platform company that provides a suite of services for storing, processing and analyzing large volumes of data. Its core offering, often described as the Snowflake Data Cloud, combines data warehousing, data lake and data sharing capabilities in a single managed service delivered across major public cloud providers. The platform is designed to support analytics, data engineering, data science and application workloads with a focus on scalability, concurrency and simplified administration. Key products and capabilities include a multi-cluster, shared-data architecture that separates compute from storage; continuous data ingestion and streaming; support for structured and semi-structured data formats; tools for data governance, security and compliance; and developer frameworks for building data applications. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SNOW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Snowflake Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Snowflake and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shiseido (OTCMKTS:SSDOY Get Free Report) was upgraded by stock analysts at Smbc Nikko Sec. to a hold rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports. A number of other brokerages also recently commented on SSDOY. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Shiseido from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Shiseido from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Shiseido presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Get Shiseido alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on SSDOY Shiseido Price Performance OTCMKTS:SSDOY traded up $0.05 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $20.71. 4,847 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 48,492. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 1.35 and a quick ratio of 0.89. The firms 50-day moving average is $17.22 and its 200-day moving average is $16.70. The stock has a market cap of $8.27 billion, a P/E ratio of -29.58 and a beta of 0.36. Shiseido has a 1-year low of $13.60 and a 1-year high of $21.79. Shiseido (OTCMKTS:SSDOY Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 10th. The company reported $0.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.10) by $0.15. The business had revenue of $1.77 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.77 billion. Shiseido had a positive return on equity of 0.97% and a negative net margin of 4.27%.Shiseido has set its FY 2026 guidance at 0.680-0.680 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Shiseido will post 0.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About Shiseido (Get Free Report) Shiseido Company, Limited is a leading Japanese multinational specializing in cosmetics, skincare, makeup and fragrance products. Founded in 1872 and headquartered in Tokyo, the company operates through a portfolio of brands that span premium, prestige and mass-market segments. Its core business activities include the development, manufacturing and sale of skincare treatments, decorative cosmetics, hair care and sun protection products. Shiseidos brand portfolio encompasses flagship lines such as Shiseido, Cle de Peau Beaute, NARS and bareMinerals, alongside regional and heritage labels tailored to diverse consumer preferences. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Shiseido Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shiseido and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The financial services provider reported C$3.25 earnings per share for the quarter, FiscalAI reports. National Bank of Canada had a net margin of 19.69% and a return on equity of 15.43%. The company had revenue of C$3.89 billion during the quarter. Here are the key takeaways from National Bank of Canadas conference call: Get National Bank of Canada alerts: Generated EPS of CAD 3.25 (up 11% YoY) with a return on equity of 16.6% , and management raised the 2026 ROE target to ~ 16% with a path to 17%+ in 2027. (up 11% YoY) with a return on equity of , and management raised the 2026 ROE target to ~ with a path to in 2027. Upsized the NCIB to repurchase up to 14.5 million shares (6.4M repurchased to date) and targets CET1 convergence toward 13% by end?2027, signaling continued capital returns. shares (6.4M repurchased to date) and targets CET1 convergence toward by end?2027, signaling continued capital returns. Integration of Canadian Western Bank is ahead on synergies CAD 176 million of cost/funding synergies realized to date (exceeding year?1 target) and on track for CAD 270 million by end?2026, with revenue synergies progressing toward a CAD 50 million target. of cost/funding synergies realized to date (exceeding year?1 target) and on track for by end?2026, with revenue synergies progressing toward a target. Broad-based business strength: P&C net income of CAD 442 million (mortgages +3% sequential), Wealth net income +13% to CAD 274 million with AUA near CAD 900 billion , and Capital Markets net income of CAD 443 million (up 6% YoY). (mortgages +3% sequential), Wealth net income +13% to with AUA near , and Capital Markets net income of (up 6% YoY). Credit trends are stable but conservative total PCLs of CAD 244 million (32 bps) with allowances of CAD 2.5 billion (5.9x coverage); management expects impaired provisions within its 2535 bps guidance and did not assume credit improvement in the 2027 ROE plan. National Bank of Canada Trading Up 1.1% TSE:NA traded up C$2.14 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting C$191.37. 399,649 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,473,170. The business has a 50-day moving average price of C$171.87 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$161.33. National Bank of Canada has a one year low of C$106.67 and a one year high of C$191.44. The company has a market capitalization of C$74.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.00, a P/E/G ratio of 7.14 and a beta of 1.05. National Bank of Canada Increases Dividend Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, February 1st. Investors of record on Sunday, February 1st were issued a dividend of $1.24 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 29th. This is a positive change from National Bank of Canadas previous quarterly dividend of $1.18. This represents a $4.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.6%. National Bank of Canadas dividend payout ratio is presently 46.08%. Several equities research analysts have issued reports on NA shares. Raymond James Financial lifted their price objective on National Bank of Canada from C$173.00 to C$179.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their price target on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$170.00 to C$180.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$156.00 to C$165.00 in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Scotiabank boosted their target price on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$184.00 to C$188.00 in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Finally, Barclays upped their target price on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$164.00 to C$177.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 19th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of C$171.00. View Our Latest Analysis on NA National Bank of Canada Company Profile (Get Free Report) National Bank of Canada is the sixth-largest Canadian bank. The bank offers integrated financial services, primarily in the province of Quebec as well as the city of Toronto. Operational segments include personal and commercial banking, wealth management, and a financial markets group. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for National Bank of Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for National Bank of Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Starwood Property Trust (NYSE:STWD Get Free Report) had its price objective cut by equities research analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $22.00 to $21.00 in a note issued to investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price objective would suggest a potential upside of 18.14% from the companys previous close. Other equities research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their target price on Starwood Property Trust from $22.00 to $21.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 12th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Starwood Property Trust in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Starwood Property Trust from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, January 12th. Three equities research 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, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $20.38. Get Starwood Property Trust alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on STWD Starwood Property Trust Stock Performance Hedge Funds Weigh In On Starwood Property Trust Shares of STWD traded up $0.06 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $17.78. The company had a trading volume of 934,549 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,601,445. The firm has a market cap of $6.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.90 and a beta of 1.13. The business has a fifty day moving average of $18.21 and a 200-day moving average of $18.78. Starwood Property Trust has a 12 month low of $16.59 and a 12 month high of $21.05. The company has a quick ratio of 1.33, a current ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.98. Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Starwood Property Trust by 70.1% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 36,396 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $720,000 after acquiring an additional 15,001 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its stake in Starwood Property Trust by 23.9% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 19,606 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $388,000 after purchasing an additional 3,784 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in Starwood Property Trust by 11.4% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 492,685 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $9,888,000 after purchasing an additional 50,247 shares in the last quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas lifted its position in shares of Starwood Property Trust by 4.1% during the second quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 48,706 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $978,000 after buying an additional 1,906 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Daymark Wealth Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Starwood Property Trust by 2.2% in the 2nd quarter. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC now owns 58,858 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,181,000 after buying an additional 1,277 shares in the last quarter. 49.82% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Key Stories Impacting Starwood Property Trust Here are the key news stories impacting Starwood Property Trust this week: Positive Sentiment: Management reported distributable EPS that edged past consensus and revenue that topped estimates, and the firm cited solid distributable earnings and margin metrics a near?term positive for income?focused investors. Article Title Management reported distributable EPS that edged past consensus and revenue that topped estimates, and the firm cited solid distributable earnings and margin metrics a near?term positive for income?focused investors. Positive Sentiment: Starwood highlighted heavy deployment and deal activity: $12.7B invested for the year (including $2.5B in Q4) and a record $4.4B of capital transactions, plus ~$1.4B of liquidity and a long?running, consistent dividend factors that support future income generation and portfolio growth. Article Title Starwood highlighted heavy deployment and deal activity: $12.7B invested for the year (including $2.5B in Q4) and a record $4.4B of capital transactions, plus ~$1.4B of liquidity and a long?running, consistent dividend factors that support future income generation and portfolio growth. Positive Sentiment: Income?oriented coverage flagged STWD among ultra?high?yield names to consider, which can attract dividend investors hunting yield and support demand for the shares. Article Title Income?oriented coverage flagged STWD among ultra?high?yield names to consider, which can attract dividend investors hunting yield and support demand for the shares. Neutral Sentiment: Transcripts and call summaries (earnings call Q&A) were posted across outlets useful for investors wanting management color on portfolio mix, credit performance and capital allocation but not immediately market?moving on their own. Article Title Transcripts and call summaries (earnings call Q&A) were posted across outlets useful for investors wanting management color on portfolio mix, credit performance and capital allocation but not immediately market?moving on their own. Neutral Sentiment: Company published slide deck and detailed press materials (GAAP vs. distributable reconciliations); investors parsing GAAP EPS, non?GAAP distributable EPS and one?time items should review these to reconcile differing headlines. Article Title Company published slide deck and detailed press materials (GAAP vs. distributable reconciliations); investors parsing GAAP EPS, non?GAAP distributable EPS and one?time items should review these to reconcile differing headlines. Negative Sentiment: Some outlets flagged an EPS miss due to different EPS calculations (InsiderMonkey cited a lower reported EPS figure vs. analyst expectations), and GAAP EPS declined year?over?year ambiguity here can spur selling from short?term traders. Article Title Some outlets flagged an EPS miss due to different EPS calculations (InsiderMonkey cited a lower reported EPS figure vs. analyst expectations), and GAAP EPS declined year?over?year ambiguity here can spur selling from short?term traders. Negative Sentiment: Leverage remains elevated for the REIT sector (reported debt levels and a higher debt?to?equity profile), and GAAP EPS (reported at lower levels than the prior year) underline earnings pressure risks that may temper the stocks rally despite distributable?EPS strength. Article Title About Starwood Property Trust (Get Free Report) Starwood Property Trust (NYSE: STWD) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust that specializes in originating, acquiring and managing commercial mortgage loans and other real estate-related investments. The companys portfolio spans a variety of asset classes, including senior mortgages, mezzanine debt, preferred equity and direct equity investments in commercial properties. By focusing on both debt and equity capital solutions, Starwood Property Trust seeks to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns for its shareholders through a combination of current income and capital appreciation. Operating primarily in the United States, Starwood Property Trust deploys capital across a broad range of property types, such as multifamily residential, office, retail, hotel and industrial. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Starwood Property Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Starwood Property Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, February 25th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 1st will be paid a dividend of 0.2875 per share on Wednesday, April 15th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 1st. Choice Hotels International has raised its dividend payment by an average of 0.4%per year over the last three years. Choice Hotels International has a payout ratio of 15.0% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Analysts expect Choice Hotels International to earn $7.41 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.15 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 15.5%. Get Choice Hotels International alerts: Choice Hotels International Stock Performance Shares of CHH traded up $0.04 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $107.47. 81,067 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 732,297. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.52, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.87. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.94 billion, a PE ratio of 13.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.07 and a beta of 0.76. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $104.02 and its 200-day simple moving average is $103.53. Choice Hotels International has a 52-week low of $84.04 and a 52-week high of $148.02. Choice Hotels International Company Profile Choice Hotels International ( NYSE:CHH Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 19th. The company reported $1.60 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.56 by $0.04. Choice Hotels International had a net margin of 23.17% and a return on equity of 541.07%. The firm had revenue of $390.15 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $369.26 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.55 EPS. Choice Hotels Internationals revenue for the quarter was up .0% on a year-over-year basis. Choice Hotels International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.920-7.140 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Choice Hotels International will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current year. (Get Free Report) Choice Hotels International, Inc is a hospitality franchisor specializing in the development and support of lodging brands across the economy, midscale and upscale segments. Through a network of franchisees, Choice Hotels supplies proprietary reservation and distribution systems, comprehensive marketing programs, and operational support services. The companys core activities include brand management, franchise development, and technology-driven revenue optimization tools designed to enhance guest acquisition and retention for its partners. Founded in 1939 as Quality Courts United, the company rebranded to Choice Hotels International in 1982 to reflect its expanding brand portfolio and global ambitions. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Choice Hotels International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Choice Hotels International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Deere & Company (NYSE:DE Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, February 25th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 31st will be given a dividend of 1.62 per share by the industrial products company on Friday, May 8th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 31st. Deere & Company has raised its dividend by an average of 0.2%annually over the last three years and has increased its dividend annually for the last 4 consecutive years. Deere & Company has a payout ratio of 29.3% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect Deere & Company to earn $22.03 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $6.48 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 29.4%. Get Deere & Company alerts: Deere & Company Stock Down 0.5% NYSE DE traded down $3.25 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $620.36. 415,085 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,737,143. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 1.96 and a current ratio of 2.21. The businesss 50-day moving average is $531.78 and its 200-day moving average is $493.87. The stock has a market capitalization of $168.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.99, a P/E/G ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 1.02. Deere & Company has a twelve month low of $404.42 and a twelve month high of $674.19. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Deere & Company ( NYSE:DE Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 19th. The industrial products company reported $2.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.90 by $0.52. Deere & Company had a return on equity of 18.93% and a net margin of 10.29%.The company had revenue of $9.61 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.50 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $3.19 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 17.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Deere & Company will post 19.32 earnings per share for the current year. A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Wolfe Research upped their target price on shares of Deere & Company from $520.00 to $550.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, January 2nd. Bank of America raised their price objective on Deere & Company from $502.00 to $672.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, February 20th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Deere & Company from $560.00 to $730.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price target on Deere & Company from $521.00 to $615.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, February 20th. Finally, Citigroup raised their price target on Deere & Company from $515.00 to $675.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday. Fifteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $637.70. View Our Latest Research Report on DE Deere & Company Company Profile (Get Free Report) Deere & Company, commonly known by its brand John Deere, is a global manufacturer of agricultural, construction and forestry machinery, as well as turf care equipment and power systems. Founded in 1837 by blacksmith John Deerewho developed a polished steel plow to improve tillage in tough prairie soilsthe company is headquartered in Moline, Illinois, and has grown into one of the largest and most recognizable names in equipment manufacturing worldwide. The companys principal businesses include a broad portfolio of agricultural equipment such as tractors, combines, planters, sprayers, harvesters and tillage implements, complemented by precision agriculture technologies and telematics that support farm management, yield optimization and equipment connectivity. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Deere & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Deere & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Arevon Energy has secured a debt package totalling $183m to support the construction of its 124 megawatt-direct current (MWdc) Big Muddy Solar Project in Jackson County, Illinois, US. The financing arrangement comprises a tax equity bridge loan, a construction-to-term loan and a letter of credit. Lenders Intesa Sanpaolo and Credit Agricole acted as coordinating lead arrangers, joint bookrunners and green loan coordinators, with Credit Agricole also serving as administrative agent. BNY took on the collateral agent role, while Latham & Watkins and Milbank acted as legal counsel for the sponsor and lenders, respectively. Additional legal support came from Husch Blackwell as sponsor local counsel and BCLP as lender local counsel. Construction at the Big Muddy Solar site began in 2025. The project is expected to employ around 250 workers during its peak construction phase. Over its operational lifetime, the facility will provide an estimated $12.6m in property tax payments to Jackson County, benefitting local services such as schools and infrastructure improvements. Once operations commence, Arevon projects that Big Muddy Solar will generate enough electricity to supply more than 24,000 homes across Illinois. The company will retain ownership and operational control over the facility throughout its life cycle. Arevon reports that its cumulative project financing now stands at $5.1bn over the past two years. Arevon chief investment officer Denise Tait said: With each completed financing, Arevon reinforces its position as an industry leader in developing and operating utility-scale projects that benefit communities by creating jobs, contributing tax payments to support local entities, and producing safe, affordable, American-made energy. In parallel developments within the Midwest region, Arevon recently commenced operations at the Ratts 1 and Heirloom solar projects in Indiana, a combined investment of $400m adding 264MWdc of capacity, and completed construction on the 430MWdc Kelso Solar Project in Missouri with an investment of $500m. "Arevon secures debt package of $183m for solar project in US" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc (OTCMKTS:HKMPF Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week low on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $19.34 and last traded at $19.34, with a volume of 310 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $21.76. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, Barclays downgraded shares of Hikma Pharmaceuticals from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold. Get Hikma Pharmaceuticals alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on Hikma Pharmaceuticals Hikma Pharmaceuticals Stock Down 13.2% 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 businesss 50-day simple moving average is $20.99 and its 200 day simple moving average is $22.07. (Get Free Report) 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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Hikma Pharmaceuticals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hikma Pharmaceuticals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Outokumpu (OTCMKTS:OUTKY Get Free Report)s stock price gapped up prior to trading on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $2.9350, but opened at $3.35. Outokumpu shares last traded at $3.35, with a volume of 282 shares changing hands. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth OUTKY has been the subject of several analyst reports. Zacks Research upgraded Outokumpu from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, January 1st. Citigroup restated a neutral rating on shares of Outokumpu in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered Outokumpu from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group downgraded Outokumpu from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, January 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold. Get Outokumpu alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on OUTKY Outokumpu Trading Up 8.5% The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 1.76 and a quick ratio of 0.61. The companys fifty day moving average price is $2.73 and its 200-day moving average price is $2.38. The stock has a market cap of $3.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -19.91 and a beta of 0.59. Outokumpu (OTCMKTS:OUTKY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 12th. The company reported ($0.08) EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.13) by $0.05. Outokumpu had a negative return on equity of 3.97% and a negative net margin of 2.55%.The business had revenue of $1.35 billion during the quarter. On average, research analysts expect that Outokumpu will post 0.07 EPS for the current fiscal year. Outokumpu Company Profile (Get Free Report) Outokumpu Oyj is a Finland-based global producer of stainless steel products and one of Europes leading stainless steel manufacturers. Headquartered in Helsinki, the company traces its roots back to mining operations established in 1910 and has, over decades, transformed into a focused stainless steel specialist. Outokumpus core business encompasses the production of high-grade stainless steel in flat and long product forms, serving a broad range of industries including automotive, construction, energy, and consumer goods. The companys primary product portfolio includes cold-rolled and hot-rolled coils and sheets, plates, strips, bars and wire, as well as tailor-made and value-added solutions such as precision-cut blanks and welded tubes. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Outokumpu Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Outokumpu and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nutrien (NYSE:NTR) executives highlighted stronger earnings, record fertilizer volumes, and continued portfolio simplification during the companys 2025 fourth-quarter earnings call, while outlining guidance and capital allocation priorities for 2026. Management emphasized cost discipline, lower capital spending, and a focus on free cash flow generation and shareholder returns. Get alerts: 2025 performance: higher EBITDA, record volumes, and cost savings President and CEO Ken Seitz said the companys 2025 results reflected strong execution of its three-year plan introduced at the 2024 Investor Day, which targets higher upstream fertilizer volumes, growth in downstream retail earnings, lower operating costs, and optimized capital expenditures. In 2025, Nutrien generated adjusted EBITDA of $6.05 billion, up 13% from the prior year. The company delivered record fertilizer sales volumes of 27.5 million tons for the year, which Seitz said leveraged the companys end-to-end supply chain. Operational highlights by segment included: Potash: The company raised potash sales volume guidance twice during the year as strong offshore demand offset a shortened fall application window in North America. Nutrien achieved 49% potash mine automation and reported potash controllable cash costs averaging $58 per ton, below its $60 per ton goal. The company raised potash sales volume guidance twice during the year as strong offshore demand offset a shortened fall application window in North America. Nutrien achieved 49% potash mine automation and reported potash controllable cash costs averaging $58 per ton, below its $60 per ton goal. Nitrogen: Nitrogen sales volumes increased to 10.9 million tons, and ammonia operating rates improved by four percentage points, supported by reliability initiatives and debottlenecking projects. Management said strong performance from North American nitrogen plants offset the impact of a controlled shutdown of Trinidad operations in Q4. Nitrogen sales volumes increased to 10.9 million tons, and ammonia operating rates improved by four percentage points, supported by reliability initiatives and debottlenecking projects. Management said strong performance from North American nitrogen plants offset the impact of a controlled shutdown of Trinidad operations in Q4. Phosphate: The phosphate operating rate averaged 87% in the second half of 2025. Nutrien said it delivered within its guidance range despite lower North American demand in Q4. The phosphate operating rate averaged 87% in the second half of 2025. Nutrien said it delivered within its guidance range despite lower North American demand in Q4. Retail: Downstream retail adjusted EBITDA increased to $1.74 billion, which management attributed to cost reductions, strong proprietary margins, and execution of a Brazil margin improvement plan. Seitz also said the company surpassed its $200 million annual cost savings target and reduced capital expenditures to $2.0 billion, below the $2.2$2.3 billion Investor Day target. He said these actions structurally grown free cash flow, providing greater flexibility for capital deployment. Portfolio actions and capital returns Management framed 2025 as a continuation of a portfolio simplification strategy. Seitz noted that in 2024 Nutrien cancelled the Geismar clean ammonia project and divested smaller non-core assets. In 2025, Nutrien conducted a comprehensive asset review focused on free cash flow contribution, return on invested capital, and competitive position, leading to approximately $900 million in gross proceeds from divestitures. Seitz said the company used increased free cash flow and divestiture proceeds to reduce short-term debt by more than $600 million compared to the prior year and to increase cash returns to shareholders by 30% in 2025, supported by ratable share repurchases. Management also linked repurchases to supporting dividend growth per share while keeping total dividend expense broadly stable. 2026 outlook: demand fundamentals, volume guidance, and retail growth drivers CFO Mark Thompson said management sees constructive fundamentals for 2026. Potash. Thompson said potash demand is projected to grow for the fourth consecutive year in 2026, supported by relative affordability, nutrient removal, and low channel inventories. Management pointed to benchmark prices roughly 20% higher than 12 months ago and indicated it expects relatively tight fundamentals as trend demand growth tests global operating and supply chain capabilities. Nutriens potash sales volume guidance is 14.114.8 million tons. Thompson added that capital was committed through Q1 earlier than in recent years and the U.S. Winter Fill program was very well subscribed, leading the company to expect Q1 sales volumes similar to the year-ago period and prices reflecting year-over-year benchmark increases. The company expects controllable cash costs per ton at or below $60. In Q&A, management projected global potash shipments of 7477 million tons for 2026 and said it believes consumption is matching shipments, pointing to early settlement activity in China and multi-year low inventories in Brazil. Seitz cited benchmark pricing levels discussed on the call, including Brazil at $375, U.S. Winter Fill pricing of $355 per short ton, Southeast Asia at $375, and India at $349. Nitrogen. Nutrien guided to nitrogen sales volumes of 9.29.7 million tons, supported by reliability initiatives and debottlenecking projects, and assuming no production from Trinidad and New Madrid in 2026. Thompson said those facilities accounted for about 1.6 million tons in 2025 (around 15% of nitrogen segment volumes) but contributed minimal free cash flow. He said Nutriens nitrogen cost structure now reflects production tied entirely to AECO and Henry Hub gas, which management said improves margin profile and cash flow stability. Phosphate. Nutrien expects phosphate sales volumes of 2.42.6 million tons, with most year-over-year growth projected in the first half, while elevated input costs are expected to pressure margins near term. Retail. Retail adjusted EBITDA guidance is $1.75$1.95 billion. Thompson said the midpoint is supported by: High single-digit growth in proprietary product gross margin, including new product launches, organic growth in core geographies, and international expansion A mid-single-digit increase in North American crop nutrient sales volumes with margin rates similar to 2025, driven by nutrient replenishment needs after a record crop and a shortened fall application window Improved weather assumptions in Australia relative to early 2025 Continued cost management across geographies supporting incremental EBITDA margin improvement In Q&A, management said proprietary products gross margin has grown to about $1.2 billion and has seen high single-digit growth over the last five years, which it expects to continue. Executives said Nutrien plans to introduce 26 new proprietary products in 2026. Strategic reviews: phosphate, Trinidad nitrogen, and Brazil retail Seitz said Nutrien launched a review of strategic alternatives for its phosphate business in Q4 2025 and expects to solidify the optimal path in 2026. In response to analyst questions, he said the review could range from revised operations to a sale and that the company is preparing for market testing. Seitz added Nutrien has seen significant inbound interest, and management expects to be in a position in the next quarter to begin testing market interest once information is prepared for potential counterparties. On Trinidad nitrogen operations, Seitz said gas availability and pricing have been challenging, describing uncertainty around Venezuelan gas supply and the pipeline discussions. He said the Trinidad plant had been throttled to 80% due to lack of gas and also faces higher gas costs, and that with minimal contribution to overall earnings and cash flow the situation was untenable, leading to a shutdown. Management said it continues to discuss options with the Trinidad government but is operating the facility in an idle state with a core workforce while evaluating alternatives. In Brazil, executives said results improved from a loss in 2024 to making a bit of money in 2025 and that 2026 is expected to show modest improvement. Seitz said macro headwinds have kept returns below what Nutrien views as appropriate and that the company is actively reviewing alternatives for components of its Brazilian business, including its retail footprint and seeds business, while maintaining confidence in opportunities for proprietary products. Capital allocation: capex, dividend growth, and buybacks Thompson reiterated that Nutriens 2026 capital allocation priorities remain unchanged. Capital expenditures are guided at $2.0$2.1 billion, consistent with 2025 and about $200 million below the Investor Day target. Thompson said the company ended 2025 with a working capital build due to delayed customer purchases and expects most of that to unwind in 2026, supporting improved cash conversion. The companys most recent dividend, declared the day before the call, marked the eighth consecutive year of dividend-per-share increases. Nutriens board authorized repurchases of up to 5% of outstanding shares over the next 12 months, and management said it has been repurchasing at a pace of approximately $50 million per month year to date, framing ratable repurchases as a consistent element of its capital allocation approach. About Nutrien (NYSE:NTR) Nutrien Ltd. is a global fertilizer and agricultural-services company headquartered in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The company is publicly traded and operates across the farm input value chain, combining upstream fertilizer production with a broad retail and services platform aimed at supporting crop production worldwide. Nutriens business model integrates the manufacture and distribution of crop nutrients with on-the-ground agronomic support for growers and agricultural businesses. Nutrien produces and supplies the three primary fertilizer nutrientspotash, nitrogen and phosphatethrough its wholesale operations, and markets a wide range of crop inputs including seeds and crop protection products. See Also Dominos Pizza Enterprises Limited (ASX:DMP Get Free Report) announced a interim dividend on Thursday, February 26th, MarketIndexAU Dividends reports. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 29th will be paid a dividend of 0.25 per share on Wednesday, April 29th. This represents a dividend yield of 120.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 2nd. Dominos Pizza Enterprises Stock Performance The company has a market cap of $3.07 billion, a PE ratio of 31.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 236.94, a quick ratio of 0.38 and a current ratio of 0.85. Get Domino's Pizza Enterprises alerts: About Dominos Pizza Enterprises (Get Free Report) See Also Domino's Pizza Enterprises Limited operates retail food outlets. The company holds franchise rights for the Domino's brand in Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Japan, Cambodia, Germany, Luxembourg, Denmark, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore. It operates various stores. Domino's Pizza Enterprises Limited was founded in 1983 and is based in Brisbane, Australia. Receive News & Ratings for Domino's Pizza Enterprises Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Domino's Pizza Enterprises and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zip Co Limited (ASX:ZIP Get Free Report) insider Diane Smith-Gander bought 28,850 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, February 23rd. The shares were acquired at an average price of A$1.75 per share, with a total value of A$50,343.25. Diane Smith-Gander also recently made the following trade(s): Get ZIP alerts: On Friday, February 20th, Diane Smith-Gander purchased 26,041 shares of ZIP stock. The stock was acquired at an average price of A$1.89 per share, with a total value of A$49,217.49. ZIP Stock Performance The company has a market cap of $2.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 225.83 and a beta of 3.34. The company has a current ratio of 2.02, a quick ratio of 3.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 607.29. ZIP Company Profile Zip Co Limited engages in the provision of digital retail finance and payments solutions to consumers, and small and medium sized merchants (SMEs) in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. The company offers Buy Now Pay Later services, which offer line of credit and installment products to consumers through online and in-store. It also provides unsecured loans and lines of credit to SMEs. The company was formerly known as ZipMoney Limited and changed its name to Zip Co Limited in December 2017. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for ZIP Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ZIP and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vitesse Energy, Inc. (NYSE:VTS Get Free Report)s stock price dropped 9.2% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $20.38 and last traded at $20.0960. Approximately 147,178 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 60% from the average daily volume of 365,703 shares. The stock had previously closed at $22.12. Analyst Ratings Changes VTS has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Wall Street Zen raised Vitesse Energy from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Vitesse Energy in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Vitesse Energy presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $24.50. Get Vitesse Energy alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on VTS Vitesse Energy Trading Down 11.2% Vitesse Energy Cuts Dividend The business has a fifty day moving average price of $20.38 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $22.12. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The firm has a market capitalization of $759.52 million, a PE ratio of 39.31 and a beta of 0.63. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 16th will be given a dividend of $0.4375 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 16th. This represents a $1.75 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.9%. Vitesse Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 450.00%. Insider Transactions at Vitesse Energy In related news, CAO Mike Morella sold 5,202 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.13, for a total transaction of $104,716.26. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 82,413 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,658,973.69. This trade represents a 5.94% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, President Brian Cree sold 43,216 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.12, for a total value of $869,505.92. Following the completion of the sale, the president directly owned 519,679 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,455,941.48. The trade was a 7.68% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders have sold 341,808 shares of company stock worth $6,758,540. 18.15% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vitesse Energy Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of VTS. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its position in Vitesse Energy by 2,499.3% in the 3rd quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 420,001 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,757,000 after acquiring an additional 403,843 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Vitesse Energy by 2,102.0% in the third quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 204,350 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,747,000 after purchasing an additional 195,070 shares during the period. Punch & Associates Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Vitesse Energy by 17.9% in the third quarter. Punch & Associates Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,272,995 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,572,000 after purchasing an additional 193,195 shares in the last quarter. First Wilshire Securities Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Vitesse Energy by 539.7% during the second quarter. First Wilshire Securities Management Inc. now owns 223,754 shares of the companys stock worth $4,943,000 after acquiring an additional 188,774 shares during the period. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its position in Vitesse Energy by 585.0% in the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 168,500 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,245,000 after purchasing an additional 143,900 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 51.63% of the companys stock. Vitesse Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report) Vitesse Energy (NYSE: VTS) is an independent exploration and production company primarily focused on onshore oil and gas assets in the United States. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, the company identifies, acquires and develops low-decline, shallow to intermediate depth vertical wells, targeting predictable production profiles and stable cash flows. Vitesse leverages a lean operational model to optimize well performance and reduce unit operating costs across its asset base. The companys core operations are concentrated in the Arkoma Basin of eastern Oklahoma and the Ark-La-Tex region, where it holds acreage positions in multiple formations. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Vitesse Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vitesse Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Barratt Redrow plc. (OTCMKTS:BTDPY Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Thursday . Approximately 277,299 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 180% from the previous sessions volume of 99,039 shares.The stock last traded at $10.00 and had previously closed at $10.0750. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several analysts recently commented on BTDPY shares. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a sector perform rating on shares of Barratt Redrow in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Peel Hunt cut Barratt Redrow from a strong-buy rating to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Monday, February 16th. Zacks Research cut Barratt Redrow from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered Barratt Redrow from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on Barratt Redrow in a research note on Monday, November 24th. They set a buy rating for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy. Get Barratt Redrow alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on BTDPY Barratt Redrow Stock Down 1.7% Barratt Redrow Company Profile The stocks fifty day moving average price is $10.48 and its 200-day moving average price is $10.29. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. (Get Free Report) Barratt Redrow plc engages in the housebuilding business in the United Kingdom. The company acquires and develops land; plans, designs, and constructs homes, apartments, penthouses, and communities, as well as undertakes mixed-use regeneration schemes; and develops retail, leisure, office, industrial, and mixed-use properties. It is also involved in the commercial development business under the Wilson Bowden Developments brand name. The company offers its homes under the Barratt Homes, David Wilson Homes, and Barratt London brands. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Barratt Redrow Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Barratt Redrow and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Genting Malaysia Berhad (OTCMKTS:GMALY Get Free Report) released its earnings results on Thursday. The company reported $0.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, Zacks reports. Genting Malaysia Berhad Price Performance OTCMKTS GMALY remained flat at $14.05 during trading hours on Thursday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $14.05 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $12.90. Genting Malaysia Berhad has a 12 month low of $7.90 and a 12 month high of $16.00. Get Genting Malaysia Berhad alerts: Genting Malaysia Berhad Company Profile (Get Free Report) Genting Malaysia Berhad, a member of the Genting Group, is a Malaysia-based leisure and hospitality company that operates integrated resorts and gaming establishments. Incorporated under the Malaysian Companies Act and listed on Bursa Malaysia in 2006, the company traces its roots to the development of Resorts World Genting by founder Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong. Today, Genting Malaysia Berhad serves as the principal vehicle for the groups land-based casino and resort operations. The companys flagship asset is Resorts World Genting, situated atop the cool highlands of Pahang. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Genting Malaysia Berhad Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Genting Malaysia Berhad and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kion Group (OTCMKTS:KIGRY Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The company reported $0.15 earnings per share for the quarter, Zacks reports. Kion Group had a net margin of 2.48% and a return on equity of 4.59%. Kion Group Price Performance Shares of OTCMKTS:KIGRY traded down $2.01 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $16.60. The stock had a trading volume of 8,174 shares, compared to its average volume of 52,920. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $19.05 and its 200 day moving average price is $17.86. Kion Group has a 1 year low of $7.66 and a 1 year high of $20.54. The company has a market cap of $8.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.61 and a beta of 2.18. The company has a current ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. Get Kion Group alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have commented on KIGRY. DZ Bank cut Kion Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Jefferies Financial Group cut Kion Group to an underperform rating in a research report on Sunday, January 25th. Citigroup cut Kion Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, December 5th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating on shares of Kion Group in a research note on Monday, December 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Kion Group currently has an average rating of Hold. About Kion Group (Get Free Report) Kion Group AG is a Germany?based manufacturer of industrial trucks and supply chain solutions, traded over the counter in the U.S. under the ticker KIGRY. The company designs, produces and services a broad range of material handling equipment, including counterbalance trucks, warehouse and very narrow aisle trucks, pallet trucks, reach trucks, and automated guided vehicles. Kion Group also offers software and digital products to optimize warehouse management and logistical operations for customers across manufacturing, retail, distribution and e-commerce industries. The groups key brands include Linde Material Handling, STILL and Dematic. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Kion Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kion Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mayr-Melnhof Karton AG (OTCMKTS:MNHFF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest during the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 1 shares, a decline of 99.6% from the January 29th total of 244 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently ? days. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently ? days. Mayr-Melnhof Karton Stock Performance Shares of MNHFF stock remained flat at $95.00 during midday trading on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $95.00 and a 200 day moving average of $85.99. Mayr-Melnhof Karton has a 12-month low of $72.00 and a 12-month high of $111.28. Get Mayr-Melnhof Karton alerts: About Mayr-Melnhof Karton (Get Free Report) Mayr-Melnhof Karton AG is an Austria-based producer of cartonboard and folding carton solutions. As part of the Mayr-Melnhof Group, the company focuses on manufacturing high-quality, coated recycled cartonboard for packaging applications. Its offerings include a wide range of white-lined recycled board grades, coated kraft board, and specialized barrier boards, serving customers across the food, beverage, consumer goods and industrial markets. Founded in 1930 and headquartered in Vienna, Mayr-Melnhof Karton operates several production facilities throughout Europe, with additional sales and distribution offices in key markets. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Mayr-Melnhof Karton Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mayr-Melnhof Karton and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The acquisition of Nexus Medical is being leveraged through existing NICU sales channels, exceeding initial integration expectations. Profitability in 2025 was significantly obscured by tariff impacts, prompting a comprehensive internal cost containment and pricing strategy to protect margins. Surgical pain performance was hindered by slower-than-anticipated hospital implementation of the NOPAIN Act reimbursement, despite Avanos holding several approved devices. The Pain Management portfolio saw double-digit growth in radiofrequency ablation (RFA) capital sales, which management expects will drive future procedural volumes. Specialty Nutrition Systems (SNS) outperformed market trends with 8% organic growth, driven by the U.S. CORTRAK standard of care and international go-direct transitions. Management is reshaping the company into a focused medical technology organization by divesting low-growth, low-margin assets like hyaluronic acid and IV therapy. Management expects to be fully exited from China manufacturing for the syringe portfolio by June 2026, shifting production to Mexico and Cambodia. The 2026 guidance assumes a $30 million tariff impact, a $12 million increase over 2025, primarily driven by neonatal products sourced from China prior to the exit. Gross margin improvement is expected to pause in the first half of 2026 due to tariff timing, with favorable momentum projected for the second half and into 2027. Strategic segment revenue is projected to grow mid-single digits organically, supported by double-digit growth expectations for the Nexus product line. Salesforce (NYSE:CRM Get Free Report) had its price target decreased by equities research analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein from $223.00 to $194.00 in a report released on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an underperform rating on the CRM providers stock. Sanford C. Bernsteins price target points to a potential downside of 1.12% from the stocks previous close. Several other analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Salesforce in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Salesforce from $398.00 to $287.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday. Arete Research upgraded shares of Salesforce to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Guggenheim reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Salesforce in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their target price on shares of Salesforce from $290.00 to $210.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-seven have assigned a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Salesforce currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $290.81. Get Salesforce alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on CRM Salesforce Stock Up 2.3% CRM traded up $4.44 during trading on Thursday, hitting $196.19. 15,681,907 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 12,229,853. The stock has a market capitalization of $183.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.25, a PEG ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.27. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $226.45 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $238.86. Salesforce has a 12-month low of $174.57 and a 12-month high of $304.92. The company has a current ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. Salesforce (NYSE:CRM Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 25th. The CRM provider reported $3.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.05 by $0.76. The company had revenue of $11.20 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.18 billion. Salesforce had a net margin of 17.91% and a return on equity of 14.41%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.78 earnings per share. Salesforce has set its FY 2027 guidance at 13.110-13.190 EPS and its Q1 2027 guidance at 3.110-3.130 EPS. Analysts predict that Salesforce will post 7.46 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity at Salesforce In other Salesforce news, Director Neelie Kroes sold 3,893 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $238.70, for a total transaction of $929,259.10. Following the sale, the director directly owned 7,299 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,742,271.30. This trade represents a 34.78% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director David Blair Kirk purchased 1,936 shares of Salesforce stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 17th. The shares were bought at an average price of $258.64 per share, with a total value of $500,727.04. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 10,677 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,761,499.28. This represents a 22.15% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. 3.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Salesforce Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Rockland Trust Co. boosted its stake in Salesforce by 1,145.6% during the third quarter. Rockland Trust Co. now owns 13,066 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $3,097,000 after buying an additional 12,017 shares in the last quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Salesforce by 98.3% in the third quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 21,455 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $5,085,000 after acquiring an additional 10,633 shares during the last quarter. Midwest Trust Co increased its position in Salesforce by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter. Midwest Trust Co now owns 187,071 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $44,336,000 after purchasing an additional 4,233 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its position in Salesforce by 15.1% in the third quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 467,551 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $113,420,000 after acquiring an additional 61,270 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AGF Management Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Salesforce by 42.2% during the 3rd quarter. AGF Management Ltd. now owns 281,054 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $66,610,000 after purchasing an additional 83,403 shares during the last quarter. 80.43% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Trending Headlines about Salesforce Here are the key news stories impacting Salesforce this week: Positive Sentiment: Q4 earnings beat and AI traction Salesforce reported non-GAAP EPS of $3.81 (well above consensus) and revenue roughly in line with expectations; management highlighted Agentforce (agentic AI) momentum as a driver of commercial traction. Salesforce Q4 Earnings Beat Q4 earnings beat and AI traction Salesforce reported non-GAAP EPS of $3.81 (well above consensus) and revenue roughly in line with expectations; management highlighted Agentforce (agentic AI) momentum as a driver of commercial traction. Positive Sentiment: Big capital return boost Management authorized a $50 billion buyback and raised the quarterly dividend (~5.8% increase), signaling confidence and supporting EPS per-share upside. CNBC: $50B Buyback Big capital return boost Management authorized a $50 billion buyback and raised the quarterly dividend (~5.8% increase), signaling confidence and supporting EPS per-share upside. Positive Sentiment: Upbeat FY27 EPS guide Salesforce raised FY27 EPS guidance (13.1113.19) and issued Q1 EPS guidance above Street estimates, suggesting margin leverage and near?term earnings strength. Company Press Release Upbeat FY27 EPS guide Salesforce raised FY27 EPS guidance (13.1113.19) and issued Q1 EPS guidance above Street estimates, suggesting margin leverage and near?term earnings strength. Neutral Sentiment: Analyst reactions mixed Some firms (e.g., Wedbush) reiterated bullish ratings while others kept holds; the street consensus remains polarized between Buy and Hold views. TipRanks / Citi Hold Analyst reactions mixed Some firms (e.g., Wedbush) reiterated bullish ratings while others kept holds; the street consensus remains polarized between Buy and Hold views. Neutral Sentiment: Macro/sector context Broader SaaS volatility and AI?disruption debate continue to drive sentiment swings that can amplify moves in CRM despite company-level fundamentals. MarketBeat: SaaS sector context Macro/sector context Broader SaaS volatility and AI?disruption debate continue to drive sentiment swings that can amplify moves in CRM despite company-level fundamentals. Negative Sentiment: Price-target cuts and downgrades Multiple analysts cut targets this morning (RBC 290?210; Barclays 265?252; Stifel 300?250; BMO 235?225), which can cap upside and sustain selling pressure. Benzinga: Analyst Target Changes Price-target cuts and downgrades Multiple analysts cut targets this morning (RBC 290?210; Barclays 265?252; Stifel 300?250; BMO 235?225), which can cap upside and sustain selling pressure. Negative Sentiment: Near-term revenue/growth concerns Some outlets flagged guidance/revenue commentary as softer than hoped, and ongoing investor worry that AI could compress long-term SaaS pricing/usage is keeping multiple investors cautious. Proactive: Softer Revenue Reaction Salesforce Company Profile (Get Free Report) Salesforce, founded in 1999 and headquartered in San Francisco, is a global provider of cloud-based software focused on customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise applications. The company popularized the software-as-a-service (SaaS) model for CRM and has built a broad portfolio of products designed to help organizations manage sales, service, marketing, commerce and analytics through a unified, cloud-first platform. Core offerings include Sales Cloud for sales automation, Service Cloud for customer support, Marketing Cloud for digital marketing and engagement, and Commerce Cloud for e-commerce. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Salesforce Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Salesforce and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cargojet (TSE:CJT Get Free Report) had its price objective increased by Stifel Nicolaus from C$100.00 to C$120.00 in a note issued to investors on Thursday,BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus target price suggests a potential upside of 21.31% from the stocks current price. Several other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. TD Securities lowered their price target on Cargojet from C$160.00 to C$120.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Scotiabank boosted their target price on shares of Cargojet from C$115.00 to C$118.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday. Raymond James Financial lifted their price target on shares of Cargojet from C$95.00 to C$120.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. National Bank Financial increased their price objective on Cargojet from C$95.00 to C$108.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada cut their target price on Cargojet from C$151.00 to C$143.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$125.45. Get Cargojet alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Cargojet Cargojet Stock Performance Shares of TSE CJT traded up C$6.54 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting C$98.92. 213,616 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 121,744. Cargojet has a twelve month low of C$65.60 and a twelve month high of C$113.89. The firm has a market cap of C$1.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.57 and a beta of 0.82. The stocks 50 day moving average price is C$91.01 and its 200-day moving average price is C$88.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 98.69, a current ratio of 0.56 and a quick ratio of 0.79. Cargojet (TSE:CJT Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 24th. The company reported C$1.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of C$284.70 million during the quarter. Cargojet had a return on equity of 0.31% and a net margin of 0.25%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Cargojet will post 5.890933 EPS for the current year. About Cargojet (Get Free Report) Cargojet Inc operates a domestic air cargo co-load network between sixteen major Canadian cities. The company provides dedicated aircraft to customers on an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance basis, operating between points in Canada, USA, Mexico and Europe. The company also operates scheduled international routes for multiple cargo customers between the USA and Bermuda, between Canada, UK and Germany; and between Canada and Mexico. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Cargojet Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cargojet and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO Get Free Report) (NYSE:BMO) had its price target increased by stock analysts at Scotiabank from C$191.00 to C$208.00 in a note issued to investors on Thursday,BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has a sector perform rating on the banks stock. Scotiabanks target price would suggest a potential upside of 2.49% from the companys previous close. Several other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on BMO. Raymond James Financial raised Bank of Montreal from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and raised their price target for the company from C$183.00 to C$214.00 in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on Bank of Montreal from C$197.00 to C$195.00 in a report on Thursday. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$178.00 to C$219.00 in a research report on Thursday. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$196.00 to C$199.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, Bank of America increased their target price on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$179.00 to C$183.00 in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$202.33. Get Bank of Montreal alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Bank of Montreal Bank of Montreal Stock Up 0.2% Shares of TSE:BMO traded up C$0.42 on Thursday, reaching C$202.94. The company had a trading volume of 662,303 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,940,119. The stock has a market capitalization of C$143.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.74, a P/E/G ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.38. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of C$187.62 and a 200 day moving average price of C$178.44. Bank of Montreal has a twelve month low of C$121.31 and a twelve month high of C$204.57. Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO Get Free Report) (NYSE:BMO) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The bank reported C$3.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Bank of Montreal had a return on equity of 9.04% and a net margin of 13.57%.The firm had revenue of C$9.34 billion during the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Bank of Montreal will post 9.6514585 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Bank of Montreal News Roundup Here are the key news stories impacting Bank of Montreal this week: Bank of Montreal Company Profile (Get Free Report) Bank of Montreal is a diversified financial-services provider based in North America, operating four business segments: Canadian personal and commercial banking, U.S. P&C banking, wealth management, and capital markets. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Montreal Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Montreal and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. NASB Financial Inc. (OTCMKTS:NASB Get Free Report) saw a significant decline in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 21 shares, a decline of 79.6% from the January 29th total of 103 shares. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 1,241 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days. Based on an average daily volume of 1,241 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. NASB Financial Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS NASB remained flat at $38.99 during trading on Thursday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $37.80 and a 200 day moving average of $36.11. The company has a market capitalization of $281.90 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.67 and a beta of 0.05. The company has a quick ratio of 1.37, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54. NASB Financial has a 1 year low of $30.68 and a 1 year high of $39.65. Get NASB Financial alerts: NASB Financial (OTCMKTS:NASB Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The financial services provider reported $1.15 earnings per share for the quarter. NASB Financial had a net margin of 16.14% and a return on equity of 6.84%. The business had revenue of $22.85 million during the quarter. NASB Financial Company Profile NASB Financial, Inc is the bank holding company for North American Savings Bank, F.S.B., a federal savings bank headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. Through its subsidiary operations, NASB Financial offers a full suite of banking and financial services to individual and business clients. The companys core activities include accepting deposits, making consumer and commercial loans, and originating mortgage loans for sale into the secondary market. In addition to traditional deposit and lending services, NASB Financial provides mortgage banking solutions, including retail mortgage origination, correspondent lending, and loan servicing. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for NASB Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NASB Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prada S.p.A. (OTCMKTS:PRDSY Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 1,001 shares, a decline of 98.0% from the January 29th total of 50,898 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 25,834 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.0 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 25,834 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.0 days. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts have weighed in on PRDSY shares. Barclays initiated coverage on Prada in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. They set an overweight rating on the stock. UBS Group downgraded shares of Prada from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Friday, November 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Get Prada alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on PRDSY Prada Price Performance Prada Company Profile Shares of PRDSY traded up $0.12 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $11.12. The company had a trading volume of 2,610 shares, compared to its average volume of 16,078. The business has a fifty day moving average of $10.90 and a 200-day moving average of $11.39. Prada has a 12 month low of $10.00 and a 12 month high of $17.86. (Get Free Report) Prada S.p.A. is an Italian luxury fashion house renowned for its high-end leather goods, ready-to-wear collections and accessories. Founded in 1913 by Mario Prada in Milan, the company has built a reputation for craftsmanship and understated elegance. Its product portfolio spans handbags, small leather goods, footwear, eyewear and fragrances, all designed to reflect a blend of traditional techniques and contemporary sensibilities. The company distributes its products through a network of directly operated boutiques, franchise stores and e-commerce platforms. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Prada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rocket Companies, Joint Stock Company Kaspi.kz, UP Fintech, IDT, DeFi Development, PPDAI Group, and Wealthfront are the seven Fintech stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Fintech stocks are shares of companies that build or use technology to deliver financial servicessuch as digital payments, online lending, robo-advising, digital banking, blockchain, and insurtechwhether as pure-play fintech firms or legacy financial institutions with significant tech operations. To stock market investors, these stocks typically represent growth-oriented, innovation-driven opportunities but often come with higher volatility and specific risks from regulation, cybersecurity, and intense competition. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Fintech stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: Rocket Companies (RKT) Rocket Companies, Inc., a fintech holding company, provides mortgage lending, title and settlement services, and other financial technology services in the United States and Canada. It operates through two segments, Direct to Consumer and Partner Network. The companys solutions include Rocket Mortgage, a mortgage lender; Amrock that provides title insurance, property valuation, and settlement services; Rocket Homes, a home search platform and real estate agent referral network, which offers technology-enabled services to support the home buying and selling experience; and Rocket Loans, an online-based personal loans business. Joint Stock Company Kaspi.kz (KSPI) Joint Stock Company Kaspi.kz, together with its subsidiaries, provides payments, marketplace, and fintech solutions for consumers and merchants in the Republic of Kazakhstan. It operates through three segments: Payments Platform, Marketplace Platform, and Fintech Platform. The Payments Platform segment facilities transactions between customers and merchants. Read Our Latest Research Report on KSPI UP Fintech (TIGR) UP Fintech Holding Limited provides online brokerage services focusing on Chinese investors. The company has developed a brokerage platform, which allows investor to trade stocks, options, warrants, and other financial instruments that can be accessed through its APP and website. It offers brokerage and value-added services, including investor education, community engagement, and IR platform services. Read Our Latest Research Report on TIGR IDT (IDT) IDT Corporation provides communications and payment services in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through Fintech, National Retail Solutions, net2phone, and Traditional Communications segments. The company operates point of sale, a terminal-based platform which provides independent retailers store management software, electronic payment processing, and other ancillary merchant services; and provides marketers with digital out-of-home advertising and transaction data. Read Our Latest Research Report on IDT DeFi Development (DFDV) We are a B2B fintech marketplace connecting commercial property borrowers and lenders with a human touch. We seek to revolutionize the commercial real estate lending market by making it hyper-efficient, transparent, and accessible to all rather than the few. Through our online platform, we provide technology that connects commercial mortgage borrowers looking for capital to refinance, build, or purchase commercial property, including, but not limited to, apartment buildings, to commercial property lenders. Read Our Latest Research Report on DFDV PPDAI Group (FINV) FinVolution Group operates in the online consumer finance industry. The company operates a fintech platform that is empowered by borrowers with financial institutions. It operates in China and internationally. The company was formerly known as PPDAI Group Inc. and changed its name to FinVolution Group in November 2019. Read Our Latest Research Report on FINV Wealthfront (WLTH) Were a different kind of FinTech. We are a technology company that built a financial solutions platform for digital natives, defined as those born after 1980 (i.e., Millennials, Gen Z, and later generations). Our platform is designed to address the needs of the wealth builders within these generations. Read Our Latest Research Report on WLTH Featured Articles iShares MSCI Netherlands ETF (NYSEARCA:EWN Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 40,295 shares, a decline of 80.1% from the January 29th total of 202,176 shares. Approximately 0.7% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 150,714 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days. Based on an average daily volume of 150,714 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days. Approximately 0.7% of the shares of the company are sold short. iShares MSCI Netherlands ETF Price Performance Shares of NYSEARCA:EWN traded down $0.67 during trading on Thursday, hitting $63.10. The companys stock had a trading volume of 42,478 shares, compared to its average volume of 125,614. The firm has a market cap of $362.81 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.71 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a 50-day moving average of $60.75 and a 200-day moving average of $58.15. iShares MSCI Netherlands ETF has a 12 month low of $41.40 and a 12 month high of $64.01. Get iShares MSCI Netherlands ETF alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares MSCI Netherlands ETF Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI Netherlands ETF by 22.7% in the 4th quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 931,889 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $53,146,000 after purchasing an additional 172,502 shares in the last quarter. Osborne Partners Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in iShares MSCI Netherlands ETF by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. Osborne Partners Capital Management LLC now owns 404,093 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $23,441,000 after buying an additional 3,367 shares in the last quarter. Marotta Asset Management raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI Netherlands ETF by 3.1% during the third quarter. Marotta Asset Management now owns 184,002 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $10,827,000 after buying an additional 5,596 shares during the last quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Netherlands ETF in the second quarter worth $4,540,000. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Netherlands ETF by 864.0% in the third quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 76,388 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $4,431,000 after buying an additional 68,464 shares in the last quarter. About iShares MSCI Netherlands ETF iShares MSCI Netherlands ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index Fund (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 MSCI Netherlands Investable Market Index (the Index). The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. Components primarily include consumer staples, financial and industrials companies. The Fund invests in a particular segment of the securities markets and seeks to track the performance of a securities index that generally is not representative of the market as a whole. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Netherlands ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Netherlands ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Minerals 260 (ASX:MI6) Managing Director and CEO Luke McFadyen told a BMO conference audience that the Australian-listed gold developer has undergone a transformational year, driven by rapid progress at its Bullabulling Gold Project in Western Australia and a newly announced strategic funding agreement with Franco-Nevada. Get alerts: McFadyen said the company is aiming to become a leading mid-tier gold mining company by advancing Bullabulling, which he described as one of Australias largest undeveloped gold projects. He also emphasized that, despite recent momentum, Minerals 260 has only owned the asset for about 10 months. Market value growth and investor support McFadyen highlighted a sharp increase in the companys market value over the past year. He said Minerals 260 was an approximately AUD 30 million company 12 months ago, rose to about AUD 200 million six months ago, and was AUD 870 million when the presentation was sent to BMO earlier in the week. As of the day of the presentation, he said the company stood at about AUD 1.3 billion. He linked part of the companys development to an AUD 220 million equity raise completed last year, which he said attracted many high-quality domestic and international investors. McFadyen described the raise as a record on the ASX, saying no company had previously raised seven times its market capitalization. Franco-Nevada deal: royalty and equity funding package McFadyen said the company announced a transformational AUD 220 million strategic funding package with Franco-Nevada, consisting of both royalty and equity components. He described Franco-Nevada as one of the worlds leading royalty companies and said Minerals 260 viewed the agreement as a win-win with compelling metrics for both sides. According to McFadyen, Franco-Nevadas rationale includes increased exposure to what he characterized as a leading Australian gold project, with operations expected in under three years, as well as exposure to upside if the project outperforms and to Minerals 260s exploration program. For Minerals 260, McFadyen said the deal provides non-dilutive funding that improves the development schedule versus a scenario without the capital. He added that the market response supported the decision and argued the agreement could influence how Australian mining projects consider royalties alongside equity as a funding mechanism. McFadyen said the funding would allow the company to accelerate and de-risk the development schedule and materially expand drilling plans for the year from about 30,000 meters to around 100,000 meters. He also said the capital would support procurement of long-lead items, early site works, and construction of the first camp, giving the project a long runway into the construction period. Bullabulling: location, land position, and resource growth McFadyen emphasized Bullabullings location, describing it as about a 45-minute drive from Kalgoorlie along a federal highway and positioned to benefit from existing services in what he called Australias gold mining capital. He said the company acquired 130 square kilometers from Zijin last year as part of the Bullabulling acquisition and now controls just under 600 square kilometers in the area. He cited a mineral resource estimate of 4.5 million ounces (Moz), including 3.0 Moz indicated and 1.5 Moz inferred, across a 9-kilometer strike length. He added that when including the Gibraltar deposit (not shown on the slide he referenced), the strike length extends to 14 kilometers. McFadyen also noted several project attributes he described as valuable, including a Native Title agreement and simple metallurgy, in addition to the projects scale and commodity exposure. McFadyen said the current resource is 2.2 Moz larger than when Minerals 260 acquired the project less than a year earlier, making it, in his words, the largest project not owned by a producer. He said the company completed a 110,000-meter drilling campaign last year, delivering results that exceeded expectations, and reported adding just under 2.2 Moz over roughly eight months of drilling at a discovery cost of AUD 15 per ounce. He said the upcoming program would build on that work, with continued potential to grow the resource along strike and down dip. Development milestones and staffing outlook McFadyen said the company expects to deliver several major project milestones within the next 12 months, including a pre-feasibility study (PFS), a definitive feasibility study (DFS), an updated mineral resource, and a maiden ore reserve. He said these steps would lead to the boards final investment decision in early 2027. In a question-and-answer session, McFadyen addressed staffing in what was described as a tight labor market in Western Australia. He said Bullabullings scale and longevity help attract talent and noted the company has hired former colleagues from OZ Minerals through its network. He also said the company is investigating power options and that solar and wind are absolutely in the mix. McFadyen said GR Engineering has been appointed for the engineering portion of the PFS/DFS work, while other components are under assessment. Asked about the future financing mix, he said the Franco-Nevada investment flips the companys initial plan and de-risks the funding pathway, adding that future funding could include additional equity and debt, though specifics are still being worked through. McFadyen closed by saying Minerals 260 provides what he views as strong developer exposure to the Australian gold price through its 4.5 Moz resource and that the company has the team, investors, and capital to execute its plan toward operations. About Minerals 260 (ASX:MI6) Minerals 260 Limited engages in the exploration and evaluation of mineral resources in Australia. The company explores for gold, platinum, palladium, nickel, copper, lithium, and rare earths elements, as well as precious and battery-related metals. It holds 100% interest in the Aston Critical Minerals project covering 1,709 square kilometers located in the Gascoyne Province of Western Australia; the Moora Gold-Copper-Nickel-PGE project covering approximately 1,100 square kilometers located in south-west Western Australia; the Dingo Rocks project covering approximately 271 square kilometers located in SE Western Australia; and the Yalwest Project located in the north of Perth. See Also BondBloxx USD High Yield Bond Telecom, Media & Technology Sector ETF (NYSEARCA:XHYT Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 119 shares, a decline of 72.8% from the January 29th total of 438 shares. Approximately 0.0% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 1,409 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Based on an average daily volume of 1,409 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Approximately 0.0% of the companys stock are sold short. BondBloxx USD High Yield Bond Telecom, Media & Technology Sector ETF Trading Up 0.1% NYSEARCA:XHYT traded up $0.02 on Thursday, reaching $34.34. 23 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,801. The company has a market capitalization of $51.51 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.06 and a beta of 0.49. BondBloxx USD High Yield Bond Telecom, Media & Technology Sector ETF has a 12 month low of $32.85 and a 12 month high of $36.47. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $34.58 and its 200 day simple moving average is $34.80. Get BondBloxx USD High Yield Bond Telecom Media & Technology Sector ETF alerts: BondBloxx USD High Yield Bond Telecom, Media & Technology Sector ETF Cuts Dividend The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 2nd were issued a $0.2124 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 2nd. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.4%. About BondBloxx USD High Yield Bond Telecom, Media & Technology Sector ETF The BondBloxx US High Yield Telecom Media Technology Sector ETF (XHYT) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in high yield fixed income. The fund tracks a modified market value-weighted index of USD-denominated high-yield corporate bonds of any maturity, issued by companies classified under the telecommunications, media, and technology sectors. XHYT was launched on Feb 15, 2022 and is managed by BondBloxx. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for BondBloxx USD High Yield Bond Telecom Media & Technology Sector ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BondBloxx USD High Yield Bond Telecom Media & Technology Sector ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA Get Free Report) shares were down 2.8% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $145.60 and last traded at $148.05. Approximately 10,204,322 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 18% from the average daily volume of 12,371,416 shares. The stock had previously closed at $152.28. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts have commented on the stock. Macquarie Infrastructure restated an outperform rating on shares of Alibaba Group in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Loop Capital set a $140.00 price target on shares of Alibaba Group in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on Alibaba Group from $200.00 to $180.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Alibaba Group from $240.00 to $230.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein dropped their price target on Alibaba Group from $200.00 to $190.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Seventeen 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $195.17. Get Alibaba Group alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on Alibaba Group Alibaba Group Price Performance The firms fifty day simple moving average is $159.22 and its 200-day simple moving average is $157.18. The company has a quick ratio of 1.46, a current ratio of 1.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The firm has a market capitalization of $353.46 billion, a PE ratio of 20.45, a PEG ratio of 3.35 and a beta of 0.39. Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 25th. The specialty retailer reported $0.61 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.66 by ($0.05). The firm had revenue of $34.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $41.80 billion. Alibaba Group had a return on equity of 10.51% and a net margin of 12.38%.Alibaba Groups revenue was up 9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.15 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that Alibaba Group Holding Limited will post 7.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Alibaba Group A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in BABA. Ameriflex Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Alibaba Group by 101.4% in the third quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 143 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares during the period. Mather Group LLC. purchased a new position in shares of Alibaba Group during the 3rd quarter worth $30,000. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Alibaba Group during the 3rd quarter valued at $30,000. NBT Bank N A NY increased its stake in shares of Alibaba Group by 231.5% in the 3rd quarter. NBT Bank N A NY now owns 179 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Palisade Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Alibaba Group in the 3rd quarter worth $37,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 13.47% of the companys stock. Alibaba Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Alibaba Group Holding Limited is a Chinese multinational conglomerate founded in 1999 in Hangzhou, China, by Jack Ma and a group of co?founders. The company built its business around internet-based commerce and related services and has grown into one of the largest e-commerce and technology companies in the world. Alibaba completed a high?profile initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in 2014. The company operates a portfolio of online marketplaces and platforms serving different customer segments: Alibaba.com for global and domestic B2B trade, Taobao for consumer-to-consumer shopping, and Tmall for brand and retailer storefronts targeted at Chinese consumers. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Alibaba Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alibaba Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Warnings about looming Social Security reductions have many retirees on edge and for good reason. According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, the Social Security trust fund is projected to exhaust its reserves in late 2032, triggering an estimated 24% across-the-board benefit cut for all recipients. For a dual-earning couple retiring in early 2033, that could mean a loss of about $18,100 per year. But while the numbers sound alarming, retirement expert Chris Orestis, president of Retirement Genius, said the situation deserves attention, not panic heres why. What a 20% Social Security Cut Would Mean for Retirees Orestis is clear: A Social Security benefit reduction of more than 20% would be significant. The impact of erasing that amount of income for over 70 million people would not only be devastating for people and families who rely on this income, but it would also have a disastrous impact on the overall economy, as all that spending power would instantly evaporate, he said. The situation becomes more concerning when you consider that the Medicare trust fund is on a similar path toward insolvency. If both funds face reductions, retirees could see higher Medicare premiums deducted from their remaining Social Security benefits shrinking their monthly incomes even further. Find Out: Heres the Salary You Need To Make To Get the Maximum Social Security Benefit Read Next: 6 Safe Accounts Proven To Grow Your Money Up To 13x Faster How Much Income Is Really at Risk On an individual level, Orestis noted that a 20% cut equals roughly $5,500 per beneficiary per year. At a national level, the effect is even more dramatic. This would wipe out over $300 million of consumer spending from the country overnight, which would have massive ripple effects across the entire economy, he said. Why Social Security Is Facing a Shortfall The root cause of the Social Security shortfall is the demographic shift happening in the U.S. not enough workers are paying into the system to support the growing number of beneficiaries. It takes at least three workers to help sustain one person collecting Social Security, Orestis said. The problem is that the aging population keeps growing and living longer, while the number of available workers paying into the system is not keeping up. Many Americans assume their Social Security contributions are stored in a personal account for later use, but thats not how the system works. Current workers fund current retirees, and the balance depends heavily on the worker-to-beneficiary ratio. PBF Energy Inc. (NYSE:PBF Get Free Report) insider Control Empresarial De Capital sold 250,000 shares of PBF Energy stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.91, for a total value of $8,727,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 27,591,198 shares in the company, valued at $963,208,722.18. This trade represents a 0.90% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Control Empresarial De Capital also recently made the following trade(s): Get PBF Energy alerts: On Thursday, February 12th, Control Empresarial De Capital sold 3,000 shares of PBF Energy stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.79, for a total transaction of $110,370.00. On Wednesday, February 11th, Control Empresarial De Capital sold 450,000 shares of PBF Energy stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.38, for a total transaction of $15,921,000.00. On Tuesday, February 10th, Control Empresarial De Capital sold 1,400 shares of PBF Energy stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $34.50, for a total transaction of $48,300.00. On Monday, February 9th, Control Empresarial De Capital sold 228,500 shares of PBF Energy stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.26, for a total transaction of $8,056,910.00. On Friday, February 6th, Control Empresarial De Capital sold 303,200 shares of PBF Energy stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.62, for a total transaction of $10,799,984.00. On Thursday, February 5th, Control Empresarial De Capital sold 157,200 shares of PBF Energy stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.66, for a total transaction of $5,448,552.00. On Wednesday, February 4th, Control Empresarial De Capital sold 480,000 shares of PBF Energy stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.07, for a total value of $16,833,600.00. On Tuesday, February 3rd, Control Empresarial De Capital sold 200,000 shares of PBF Energy stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $33.85, for a total value of $6,770,000.00. On Friday, January 30th, Control Empresarial De Capital sold 60,000 shares of PBF Energy stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $33.46, for a total value of $2,007,600.00. On Thursday, January 29th, Control Empresarial De Capital sold 35,000 shares of PBF Energy stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $34.07, for a total transaction of $1,192,450.00. PBF Energy Stock Performance Shares of NYSE PBF traded up $0.99 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $35.98. The stock had a trading volume of 2,790,491 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,392,223. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $31.46 and a 200-day moving average of $31.01. The firm has a market cap of $4.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -24.48, a PEG ratio of 4.71 and a beta of 0.50. PBF Energy Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $13.61 and a fifty-two week high of $41.47. The company has a current ratio of 1.21, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. PBF Energy Dividend Announcement PBF Energy ( NYSE:PBF Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 12th. The oil and gas company reported $0.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.15) by $0.64. PBF Energy had a negative net margin of 0.54% and a negative return on equity of 8.86%. The business had revenue of $7.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.17 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted ($2.82) earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that PBF Energy Inc. will post -1.12 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 11th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 25th will be issued a dividend of $0.275 per share. This represents a $1.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 25th. PBF Energys dividend payout ratio is presently -74.83%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth PBF has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets reissued a market perform rating and set a $34.00 price target on shares of PBF Energy in a research report on Monday, January 5th. TD Cowen reiterated a sell rating on shares of PBF Energy in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Piper Sandler raised their target price on PBF Energy from $41.00 to $42.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of PBF Energy from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, February 19th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their target price on PBF Energy from $37.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and five have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, PBF Energy currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $30.21. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on PBF Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of PBF Energy by 127.9% during the 4th quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 6,327,255 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $171,595,000 after acquiring an additional 3,550,820 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. increased its stake in PBF Energy by 147.4% during the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,772,258 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $83,639,000 after acquiring an additional 1,651,516 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its position in PBF Energy by 230.7% during the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,085,060 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $45,183,000 after purchasing an additional 1,454,500 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of PBF Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,243,000. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its stake in shares of PBF Energy by 2,198.8% in the 3rd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,212,368 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $36,577,000 after purchasing an additional 1,159,628 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 96.29% of the companys stock. PBF Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report) PBF Energy, Inc is an independent petroleum refiner organized in 2008 and headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey. The company began trading on the New York Stock Exchange in July 2012 under the ticker symbol PBF. Since its formation, PBF Energy has grown through acquisitions and operational optimization, positioning itself as a leading supplier of refined petroleum products in the United States. The company owns and operates five refineries located along the U.S. Gulf Coast, East Coast and in the Pacific Northwest, with a combined crude oil processing capacity of approximately 900,000 barrels per day. Read More Receive News & Ratings for PBF Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PBF Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of First National Bank Alaska (OTCMKTS:FBAK Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $310.50 and last traded at $310.50, with a volume of 56 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $309.00. First National Bank Alaska Trading Up 2.7% The company has a fifty day moving average price of $303.61 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $285.74. Get First National Bank Alaska alerts: First National Bank Alaska (OTCMKTS:FBAK Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The financial services provider reported $6.33 EPS for the quarter. First National Bank Alaska had a return on equity of 14.98% and a net margin of 29.19%.The firm had revenue of $58.36 million during the quarter. First National Bank Alaska Company Profile First National Bank Alaska is a community?oriented 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 OTC?traded 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for First National Bank Alaska Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First National Bank Alaska and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A $20 aspirin doesn't happen by accident. It happens by design. Mark Cuban, billionaire entrepreneur and co-founder of Cost Plus Drugs, is not new to healthcare disruption. His pharmaceutical company was built on a simple premise: show the cost, add a transparent markup, and publish it. So when he returned to his blog "Blog Maverick" last year with a post titled "A Few Words On Healthcare," he wasn't just offering commentary. He was expanding that same pricing philosophy to the entire $5 trillion U.S. healthcare system. He opened plainly. "I haven't published anything on here in a long, long time.. Thought it would be fun to start up again," he wrote. What followed was a direct critique of how money moves through medicine. "Healthcare is a very simple industry made complicated," Cuban wrote. Don't Miss: He clarified that he was not attacking innovation. "I'm not talking about the relentless search for better ways to care for patients," he wrote. "Whether its surgery robotics or better bandaids, the quest to improve care is vitally important." The issue, he stated, is financial engineering. "What I'm referring to is the complication of the industry in search of margin dollars." What Should It Look Like? Cuban framed the conversation with a straightforward question. "What Should it Look Like?" His answer stripped the system down to its bones. "Hypothetically, It should look like 1955," he wrote. "Patients go to providers for care. Providers provide that care. Patients get a bill and if they can afford it, they pay that bill. That's it." That simplicity leads directly to what he calls the defining issue. "The ONLY question in healthcare should be How should care for people who can't afford to pay for their care be paid?'" In Cuban's view, every reform, regulation and reimbursement formula should orbit that single question. Starting With $5 Trillion Cuban cited total U.S. healthcare spending at roughly $5 trillion and proposed working backward. "Before we start that discussion, let's do a very, very simple back of the envelope discussion of the cost of healthcare in this country," he wrote. "So call me a dreamer." His first lever is transparency, but not the standard version of posting procedure prices. That, he argued, fails because "everyone bundles and upcodes and plays games in order to extract as much revenue from whoever is paying as possible." If Port KC gets a police force . . . We're pretty sure they'll start locking up local activists and social media denizens firs . . . Here's a peek at their long shot play . . . "A pair of bills winding their way through the Missouri Capitol would give the Port Authority of Kansas City, or Port KC, the ability to oversee projects across the sprawling four counties that touch Kansas City. They would also hand the agency the extraordinary power to establish its own armed police force, called port rangers." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Port KC wants more power - and armed police force. Critics say it's a 'nonstarter' Opponents fear the legislation would further expand the agency's growing authority amid a myriad of controversial projects. Skip the paywall and read by way of Internet archive or public library card. The statement from a Kansas City politico seeking a bit of help for his state senate run . . . No one should feel afraid while worshiping, and Christians in our community should be able to gather in peace, KCMO Councilman Nathan Willett said Tuesday in a Facebook post. I call for this to be investigated as not only a property crime, but also a hate crime. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call North Patrol Property Crimes at 816-413-3435 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477, if callers wish to remain anonymous. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Binance has threatened legal action against The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), accusing the publication of defamation. The exchange demanded corrections and retraction of a recent investigation into its sanctions compliance program. CEO Richard Teng confirmed the move publicly on February 24. He stated that the exchange had formally challenged the report and sent a legal letter outlining its objections. Binance Denies Sanctions Violations The letter, sent by law firm Withers Bergman LLP, accuses WSJ of publishing false and misleading claims that damaged Binances reputation. Binance argues the article misrepresented its compliance actions and failed to include the companys responses provided before publication. Specifically, Binance denies allegations that it violated Iranian sanctions or suppressed internal investigations. Its lawyers said the report falsely suggested the exchange engaged in illegal conduct and retaliated against employees who flagged compliance risks. The letter also accused WSJ of failing to remain fair and impartial. The WSJ Article That Binance is Warning Legal Actions Against In parallel, Binance published a blog defending its compliance program and disputing the investigations conclusions. The exchange said it maintains more than 1,500 compliance-related personnel and invests heavily in monitoring, sanctions screening, and financial crime detection. It also stated that sanctions-related exposure fell sharply between 2024 and 2025 and that any accounts linked to potential risks were investigated and offboarded. Binance's Exposure to Sanction-Related Transactions Binance further denied firing staff for raising compliance concerns. Instead, it said some employees were dismissed after internal reviews found breaches of confidentiality and data handling policies. WSJ Investigation Alleged Over $1 Billion in Iran-Linked Crypto Flows The dispute follows a WSJ investigation that alleged Binance processed over $1 billion in crypto transactions linked to Iranian entities, including accounts connected to sanctioned organizations. The report also claimed internal investigators flagged the activity and that some were later dismissed, raising concerns about enforcement of sanctions controls. Thank you for signing up! Youll soon be getting your Toronto scoop in your inbox. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page. As spring break season approaches, Boulevard Burgers & Tap House is sharing five essential tips to help locals and visitors make the most of their time off while enjoying the best of what the area has to offer. Whether planning a beach getaway or enjoying a local staycation, the restaurant's team has curated advice to ensure a memorable and stress-free spring break experience. (TRAVPR.COM) UNITED STATES - February 25th, 2026 - Boulevard Burgers & Tap House Shares Tips for the Perfect Beach Getaway St. Pete Beach Restaurant Reveals 5 Must-Know Tips to Make the Most of Spring Break Season TAMPA, Fla. (February 25th, 2026) As spring break season approaches, Boulevard Burgers & Tap House is sharing five essential tips to help locals and visitors make the most of their time off while enjoying the best of what the area has to offer. Whether planning a beach getaway or enjoying a local staycation, the restaurant's team has curated advice to ensure a memorable and stress-free spring break experience. 1. Fuel Up Before You Hit the Beach: Don't start your spring break day on an empty stomach. Boulevard Burgers & Tap House recommends fueling up with their extensive menu featuring signature burgers like the Cali Burger, Epic Shrimp Burger, and French Onion Burger, plus fresh seafood, tacos, wings, and comfort favorites like mac 'n' cheese. 2. Take Advantage of All-Day Happy Hour: Spring break is the perfect time to relax and unwind, and Boulevard Burgers & Tap House makes it easy with their all-day, every-day happy hour. Enjoy $5 well drinks and $6 Jose Cuervo margaritas while soaking up the atmosphere on their patio. Pair your drinks with local craft beers from their extensive tap selection for the ultimate St. Pete Beach experience. 3. Don't Miss Sunday Brunch: Spring break Sundays call for something special. Boulevard Burgers & Tap House invites guests to experience their signature jazz brunch, where live music meets delicious food in a relaxed setting. It's the perfect way to ease into your spring break week or wind down before heading home. Plan ahead and arrive early, as this local favorite fills up quickly. 4. Embrace the Patio Life: Spring break in St. Pete Beach means soaking up the sun. Boulevard's spacious patio offers the perfect setting for al fresco dining with friends and family. Whether you're enjoying tacos and wings for lunch or settling in for dinner with craft beer and a hand-crafted burger (plus a milkshake for dessert), the relaxed atmosphere makes every meal feel like a vacation. 5. Expect Longer Wait Times and Parking Challenges: Spring break brings larger crowds to St. Pete Beach, so plan accordingly. Arrive with extra time for parking and potential wait times at popular spots. Boulevard Burgers & Tap House recommends calling ahead to check wait times or arriving during off-peak hours for a more relaxed experience. Pro Tips from Boulevard Burgers & Tap House: Timing is Everything : Visit during weekday lunch hours (11 AM - 2 PM) or early dinner (4 PM - 5:30 PM) to avoid peak crowds Park Smart : Consider ride-sharing services or explore nearby public parking lots to save time searching for street parking Call Ahead : Phone (727.201.4906) to get current wait times before heading over Try the Locals' Favorites : Ask your server about daily specials and which local craft beers are on tap Stay Hydrated: Florida spring break sun is intense! Alternate alcoholic beverages with water, especially if you're spending the day at the beach Ready to experience the best of St. Pete Beach this spring break? Visit Boulevard Burgers & Tap House at 5905 Gulf Blvd or visit their website to learn more. ABOUT BOULEVARD BURGERS & TAP HOUSE: Boulevard Burgers & Tap House is a casualdining, indoor and outdoor restaurant serving American cuisine. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week. Boulevard Burgers is located at 5905 Gulf Boulevard, St Pete Beach, FL 33706. www.BLVDBurgers.com | 727.201.4906 | FB: Boulevard Burgers & Tap House | Instagram: @boulevard_burgers 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. ### BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. A minute of silence was observed in memory of the Khojaly genocide victims in Khankendi city, Aghdara and Khojaly districts at 17:00 today, the Restoration, Construction and Management Service in Khankendi city, Aghdara and Khojaly districts, told Trend's Karabakh bureau. Thus, the movement of vehicles was stopped, and the national flag of Azerbaijan was lowered to half-mast in the cities, settlements, and villages. Respect was expressed for the dear memory of the genocide victims. On the night from February 25-26, 1992, Armenian armed forces attacked Khojaly, which had been under blockade since October 1991, with its road and energy connections severed, and carried out mass atrocities against Azerbaijani civilians. The massacre was perpetrated with the assistance of the 366th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the former Soviet Armed Forces. During the killings, 613 people were brutally murdered, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly persons. A total of 487 people sustained injuries of varying degrees, 1275 were taken captive and subjected to torture, 8 families were annihilated, 130 children lost one parent, and 25 lost both parents. The fate of many hostages remains unknown. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. Pursuant to the plan approved by the Minister of Defense, a series of events were held to mark the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide across the troops (forces), Combined Arms Army, army corps, formations, military units of the Azerbaijan Army, as well as in the special educational institutions operating under the National Defense University and at the offices of military attache representations accredited in foreign countries, the statement of the Ministry of Defense says, Trend reports. The events commenced with a tribute to the National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, Martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for the Motherland, and victims of the Khojaly genocide. The National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was performed under the accompaniment of a military band. It was stated that following the return to power of the National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, national-level steps were taken to ensure that the tragedy received its proper legal recognition. By the decision of the Milli Majlis on February 24, 1994, February 26 was officially designated as the Day of the Khojaly Genocide. The purposive activities of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ilham Aliyev, as well as of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, to raise international awareness of the Khojaly tragedy were highlighted. Within the series of commemorative events, at 17:00, the memory of the victims of the Khojaly genocide was honored with a minute of silence. Monuments of the genocide were visited, and lectures on the subject were delivered during civic-political training sessions. Additionally, photo exhibitions, literary compositions, and films were presented. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. Azerbaijan's Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN) has shared a post on its X page in connection with the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, Trend reports. The post condemned the atrocity committed on the night of February 25 to 26, 1992, describing it as a gross violation of international law and an act of genocide or crime against humanity on the international level. The post noted that Azerbaijan has taken decisive steps in full compliance with its national legislation and international obligations to investigate and prosecute the serious crimes committed against civilians and other protected persons during the conflict. Earlier this month, courts in Azerbaijan issued decisions on several criminal cases related to the previous conflict, holding those responsible for the horrific crimes accountable for their actions. "However, most of the perpetrators, having found a haven in other countries, continue to enjoy impunity. Accountability is undeniable and must be an inevitable consequence of the offences committed. At the same time, combating impunity is an important constituent on the path to genuine reconciliation, and also helps prevent the recurrence of heinous acts. Azerbaijan will continue its efforts to ensure justice and to build, strengthen, and sustain peace and stability in the region. On the night from February 25-26, 1992, Armenian armed forces attacked Khojaly, which had been under blockade since October 1991, with its road and energy connections severed, and carried out mass atrocities against Azerbaijani civilians. The massacre was perpetrated with the assistance of the 366th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the former Soviet Armed Forces. During the killings, 613 people were brutally murdered, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly persons. A total of 487 people sustained injuries of varying degrees, 1275 were taken captive and subjected to torture, 8 families were annihilated, 130 children lost one parent, and 25 lost both parents. The fate of many hostages remains unknown. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. The U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan has shared a social media post on the Khojaly genocide. Trend presents the post: Today, we join the people of Azerbaijan in remembering those who lost their lives in Khojaly in 1992. On behalf of the U.S. Embassy in Baku, we express our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those who lost loved ones. As we remember the victims, we are reminded of the importance of human dignity, compassion, and building a lasting peace for future generations." Today marks the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide committed by Armenian armed forces. The Khojaly genocide stands as one of the bloodiest tragedies of Armenias occupation and genocide policy against Azerbaijan. On the night from February 25-26, 1992, Armenian armed forces attacked Khojaly, which had been under blockade since October 1991, with its road and energy connections severed, and carried out mass atrocities against Azerbaijani civilians. The massacre was perpetrated with the assistance of the 366th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the former Soviet Armed Forces. During the killings, 613 people were brutally murdered, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly persons. A total of 487 people sustained injuries of varying degrees, 1275 were taken captive and subjected to torture, 8 families were annihilated, 130 children lost one parent, and 25 lost both parents. The fate of many hostages remains unknown. These atrocities were not merely military operations but part of a policy driven by ethnic hatred and discrimination. Similar targeted massacres against Azerbaijanis in settlements such as Baghanis Ayrim, Jamilli, Karkijahan, Meshali, Malibeyli, Garadaghli, Tugh, and Salakatin further demonstrate the systematic and premeditated nature of the Khojaly genocide. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. Representative of President of Azerbaijan on special assignments Khalaf Khalafov visited the Federal Republic of Germany on February 25, Trend reports. During the visit, Khalafov held meetings at the Bundestag and the German Foreign Ministry. The sides discussed the current state of Azerbaijani-German bilateral relations and exchanged views on prospects for expanding mutual cooperation. They also conducted a broad exchange of views on Azerbaijans efforts and initiatives aimed at establishing lasting peace, strengthening stability and security in the region, and advancing the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In addition, other regional and international issues of mutual interest were discussed during the meetings. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. There is currently no information regarding Azerbaijan inviting Armenia to the World Urban Forum (WUF13), Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov told journalists during his visit to the Mothers Cry monument on the occasion of the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, Trend reports. The event will follow its established format, and invitations will be issued according to the outlined procedures. At the same time, a Leaders Summit will be organized for the first time within the framework of the event. Naturally, not all world leaders will participate. Countries that require support in this direction have been invited. I have no information regarding Armenias invitation to WUF, the minister noted. WUF13 will be held in Baku from May 17 through May 22, 2026. The forum is being held as part of a collaboration between the UN-HABITAT program and the government of Azerbaijan. The event will bring together representatives of governments, municipalities, the private sector, civil society, youth, and academic circles, as well as international organizations from different countries. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Bitcoin is about to register its worst losing streak in more than seven years. Thats because tariff troubles, artificial intelligence anxieties, regulatory holdups and more hang heavy over the top cryptocurrencys price. For four straight months, Bitcoins price has steadily fallen from its all-time high of over $126,000 to around $65,500 a 48% drop. As March approaches, Bitcoin is set to end February down another 16%, marking its fifth monthly fall in a row a situation that has only occurred once before between August and December in 2018. Bitcoins fall has been spurred on by several key macroeconomic factors rather than a single crypto-specific catalyst, Tony Pecore, senior vice president and director of digital asset management at Franklin Templeton, told DL News. Digital assets tend to respond quickly to these shifts because they trade continuously and carry higher embedded leverage, which is why we so often look to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin as a leading indicator of changes in investor risk appetite, he said. Rising headwinds Its a stark shift from the bullishness that pervaded the crypto market for much of 2025. President Donald Trumps pro-crypto policies, coupled with the passing of key stablecoin legislation in July, helped boost the crypto market to an all-time high of almost $4.4 trillion. Yet in recent months, rising headwinds have put pressure on digital assets. Trumps ongoing trade war is one of the primary drivers of Bitcoins decline early this week, Carlos Guzman, vice president of research at GSR, a crypto trading firm, told DL News. Markets initially reacted positively to the US Supreme Court striking down Trumps tariffs, he said. But the market quickly retraced after Trump threatened to impose even higher tariffs of 15% globally over the weekend. Thats not all. Heightened fears over the disruptive impact of AI are also spurring volatility, according to Guzman. On Sunday, a report from Citrini Research, an investment research provider, warned that the AI boom, which has helped boost markets for years, will ultimately hurt investors and crush the wider economy. The report argues that if AI continues to advance, it will trigger widespread white-collar layoffs, weakening consumer spending and slowing growth. Then theres Bitcoins uncertain place in the broader economic landscape. While Bitcoin slid, gold gained 24% over the past five months as it benefitted from the so-called debasement trade. This has invited fresh scepticism about Bitcoins digital gold narrative, Fabian Dori, chief investment officer at Sygnum Bank, told DL News. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. The French Embassy in Azerbaijan has expressed condolences to the Azerbaijani people, joining them in honoring the victims of the Khojaly genocide, Trend reports. The message was published on the official X page of the French Embassy in both French and Azerbaijani. Today marks the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide committed by Armenian armed forces. The Khojaly genocide stands as one of the bloodiest tragedies of Armenias occupation and genocide policy against Azerbaijan. On the night from February 25-26, 1992, Armenian armed forces attacked Khojaly, which had been under blockade since October 1991, with its road and energy connections severed, and carried out mass atrocities against Azerbaijani civilians. The massacre was perpetrated with the assistance of the 366th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the former Soviet Armed Forces. During the killings, 613 people were brutally murdered, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly persons. A total of 487 people sustained injuries of varying degrees, 1275 were taken captive and subjected to torture, 8 families were annihilated, 130 children lost one parent, and 25 lost both parents. The fate of many hostages remains unknown. These atrocities were not merely military operations but part of a policy driven by ethnic hatred and discrimination. Similar targeted massacres against Azerbaijanis in settlements such as Baghanis Ayrim, Jamilli, Karkijahan, Meshali, Malibeyli, Garadaghli, Tugh, and Salakatin further demonstrate the systematic and premeditated nature of the Khojaly genocide. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. The Azerbaijani Parliament has reached out to international parliamentary organizations, leaders of interparliamentary friendship groups, and chairs of foreign affairs committees in observance of the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, the parliaments press service told Trend. The appeals emphasize that the Azerbaijani people commemorate with deep sorrow the genocide committed during Armenias occupation of Azerbaijani territories, describing the massacre in Khojaly as one of the gravest crimes against humanity of the 20th century. The letters state that 613 civilians were brutally killed during the genocide, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly people. Eight families were destroyed, 25 children lost both parents, and 130 children lost one parent. It is stressed that the victims were subjected to extreme cruelty. The appeals emphasize that the Khojaly genocide represents a severe breach of international humanitarian law and human rights standards. It contravenes the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, as well as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The parliament also notes that the restoration of Azerbaijans territorial integrity and sovereignty as a result of the 2020 44-day Patriotic War and the 2023 local anti-terror measures reflects national unity and solidarity. Life has returned to all liberated territories, including Khojaly, and the memory of the victims will be preserved. It is further highlighted that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan initiated and advanced the peace process with Armenia, culminating in the initialing of the Agreement on Peace and Establishment of Interstate Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia in Washington in August last year. According to the statement, the emerging de facto peace environment between the two countries is being strengthened through confidence-building measures, including the lifting of restrictions on cargo transportation to Armenia, ensuring the export of petroleum products, and expanding dialogue between parliamentarians and civil society representatives. The appeals emphasize the importance of international cooperation and interparliamentary dialogue in raising global awareness of the Khojaly genocide, securing its international recognition, and holding those responsible accountable, stressing that remembrance is not only about honoring victims but also about preventing such crimes against humanity in the future. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Photo: Press service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made a phone call to President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan on February 26, Trend reports. The head of state congratulated Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his birthday, wishing him long life, good health, and success in his future activities. The President of Turkiye expressed his gratitude for the attention and congratulations shown. During the telephone conversation, the heads of state exchanged views on future contacts. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. Today, this Memorial Complex is an embodiment of the unbending spirit of the Azerbaijani people, President Ilham Aliyev said during his meeting with representatives of the Khojaly district community, Trend reports. The head of state emphasized: Because for such a long time i.e., the Khojaly genocide was one of the bloodiest crimes of the 20th century and our people were subjected to it our people, despite facing injustice for 30 years, preserved their identity, preserved their dignity, and preserved their faith. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. This Complex (the Khojaly Genocide Memorial ed.) will be the embodiment of indelible memory, President Ilham Aliyev said during his meeting with representatives of the Khojaly district community, Trend reports. We must never forget the Khojaly genocide. We must never forget the atrocities of the Armenian state. We must never forget our history. We must be vigilant, and we must always be strong. The enemy must always be afraid of us, just as they are today. It is as a result of this fear that the people of Azerbaijan live in peace today, the head of state added. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. The thugs who committed the Khojaly genocide and whose hands were soaked in the blood of the Azerbaijani people had to be held to account in court, President Ilham Aliyev said during his meeting with representatives of the Khojaly district public, Trend reports. Speech by President Ilham Aliyev - Two years ago, the foundation of the Khojaly Genocide Memorial Complex was laid with my participation. Today, we are gathered for the opening of this Memorial Complex. The Khojaly genocide is a bloody war crime committed by the Armenian state, by Armenian fascists, against the Azerbaijanis against humanity; it is a war crime against humanity. The Armenian state bears full responsibility for this. In just one night, more than 600 innocent civilians, 106 of whom were women and 63 were children, were brutally murdered by Armenian fascists. 150 people went missing, and it is clear that they were also killed by the Armenians. The remains of some of them were found after the occupation and buried. This is the greatest tragedy for the Azerbaijani people. In order to convey this tragedy to the world and to present our just cause to the world community, the state of Azerbaijan, public organizations, non-governmental organizations, and many institutions have been working hard. I would like to specifically mention the activities of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation here today. Immediately after its establishment, the Foundation launched a large-scale campaign, Justice for Khojaly! This initiative was implemented by the Vice-President of the Foundation, Leyla Aliyeva. Over the past 20 years, many events, presentations, symposiums, and conferences have been held in a number of countries around the world on its initiative. Many books, brochures, and booklets have been published. Because the Armenian state, Armenians of the world, and the states behind world Armenianism and the Armenian state tried to hush up this bloody tragedy, Armenian propagandists even tried to blame Azerbaijan for it. If we had not raised our rightful voice, perhaps there would be no accurate information about the Khojaly genocide in the world today. It is precisely as a result of our persistent efforts that about 20 countries have officially recognized the Khojaly genocide as an act of genocide, and this process is continuing. The impact of the Justice for Khojaly! campaign has been enormous. Let me repeat that we demanded justice. Unfortunately, however, international organizations and leading countries of the world remained indifferent to our tragedy. I want to state again that they were trying to cover up this bloody crime perpetrated by the Armenian state. But we were moving towards justice step by step. The fact that the Khojaly genocide has been officially recognized by about 20 countries was one step; the Patriotic War and our glorious Victory were the second step, and the liberation of the city of Khojaly two and a half years ago was one of the last steps. Finally, the last step was the recent trial of war criminals in Baku. The thugs who committed the Khojaly genocide and whose hands were soaked in the blood of the Azerbaijani people had to be held to account in court. As a result of the Second Patriotic War and the anti-terrorist operation, some of the war criminals were eliminated by the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, while others, especially those considered to be the leaders of the separatists, were detained at different times and brought to justice. This is a complete triumph of justice. We have secured justice ourselves; our people, united like a fist, demonstrated tremendous heroism both in 2020 and 2023. We secured justice ourselves through the professionalism, dedication, and courage of our Armed Forces. Of course, bringing war criminals to justice and organizing a fair trial was, I repeat, the final manifestation of justice. There are not too many countries in the world that would win a complete and absolute victory in a just war and ensure their territorial integrity and sovereignty by liberating every inch of land, and then bring war criminals to justice. We did this the state of Azerbaijan did. Our determination, I can actually say, our unbending resolve ensured this. The people of Azerbaijan know perfectly well how much pressure and threats we were subjected to during the occupation. During the occupation, we were often given signals that we should come to terms with that reality, that Azerbaijan would not be able to liberate its lands, that the great powers, the patrons of Armenia, would not allow this to happen, and that the Azerbaijan Army would not be able to win on the battlefield. Such far-fetched speculation was spread in the broad information space and was conveyed to the leadership of Azerbaijan through various channels. But there was no force that could influence our determination, and we had repeatedly stated this. During the occupation, I stated both from authoritative international platforms and during numerous meetings with the then displaced persons that we would not put up with the occupation and that if the issue was not resolved through negotiations, we would restore our territorial integrity by military means and that is exactly what happened. After I was elected President for the first time, I stated in my speech at the swearing-in ceremony that this was the key issue for us and that our territorial integrity must be fully restored. The period of preparation took a long time, and this was only natural. Because we had to gather strength, we had to grow stronger. We had to confirm our rightful cause on the international level, including the need to convey information about the war crimes of the Armenian state. We had to convey the truth about the Khojaly genocide, and we did convey it. In recent years, many international organizations have had to adopt decisions and resolutions in support of our position our just position. This formed the legal framework for resolving the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. We have established close bilateral relations with a number of countries; we have strategic partnership relations with many countries. This has created an opportunity to communicate the realities of Azerbaijan, the realities of the Garabagh conflict, on the international level. We have built a strong economy that is independent of anyone. We have built a strong army we have enhanced the professionalism of our army, and, at the same time, we have purchased weapons, ammunition, and equipment with the revenues we have received. In other words, with every day and every month, we were moving towards Victory, and I had said this many times during the occupation every day we had to bring Victory closer, and so we did. In a matter of 44 days, we defeated the enemy, the enemy surrendered, signed the act of capitulation, and we stopped the war. Today, the history of the last two and a half years shows how correct and thoughtful this was. It is true Khojaly, Khankendi, and some other settlements had not yet been liberated from occupation at the time, but I knew, and I am sure that the people of Azerbaijan also knew, that this day was not far off. As a result of the anti-terrorist operation that lasted only a few hours in 2023, the illegal junta was eliminated, the occupiers were expelled from our lands, and the 15,000-strong Armenian army illegally settled in our lands was disarmed and surrendered. This was the final nail in the coffin of Armenian separatism. It was at that time that justice for Khojaly was secured. Today, the opening of this Memorial Complex in Khojaly is a celebration of justice. Because I said this two years ago at the groundbreaking ceremony, together with the people of Khojaly, we laid the foundation of this complex. At that time, I said that this project had been prepared by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and was ready for a long time it was planned exactly the way it is, a place was also chosen in Baku, and only a final decision was needed on my part for us to start building it. But something stopped me from doing this every time. Then I understood what it was. It was the belief that the day would come and we would build this Memorial Complex in Khojaly itself and so we did. This Complex will be the embodiment of indelible memory. We must never forget the Khojaly genocide. We must never forget the atrocities of the Armenian state. We must never forget our history. We must be vigilant, and we must always be strong. The enemy must always be afraid of us, just as they are today. It is as a result of this fear that the people of Azerbaijan live in peace today. Unfortunately, the Patriotic War did not teach the Armenian state a lesson. However, after the Victory of 2020, we repeatedly conveyed our position to the Armenian leadership in various ways not to trust anyone or rely on anyone. Foreign military personnel were temporarily stationed on our land with our permission. If anyone thinks that this will somehow deter us, they are wrong. We have repeatedly sent messages to the Armenian side asking them to put an end to separatism, to remove the illegal junta regime, and for the Armenians living in Garabagh to take Azerbaijani citizenship. We had repeatedly stated this. We even initiated a reintegration program via the Internet, but we did not receive an adequate response. On the contrary, the separatists and the forces behind them became even more impudent. From the Victory of 2020 to the anti-terrorist operation of 2023, representatives of foreign states repeatedly came here illegally. I do not want to mention the names of those countries at today's ceremony. They gave advice, they sent weapons, they sent mines in order to encourage the separatists, to incite them against us again, and to disregard the state of Azerbaijan and its statehood. They believed that the contingent of a foreign state stationed here would somehow deter us. It could not deter us from anything, and the anti-terrorist operation that lasted for several hours showed this to the whole world. Anyone in the way of our determination will be crushed. Residents of Khojaly are attending the opening of this Memorial Complex today. Almost every one of them has lost their loved ones, family members, and relatives, and has lived with this pain and sorrow for many years. Those who lost their loved ones and those who lost their land and were displaced from their homeland must have had tremendous willpower to endure all this and they truly did. Because what kept them going was faith, faith in justice, faith in the state, and faith in our army. Today, this Memorial Complex is an embodiment of the unbending spirit of the Azerbaijani people. Because for such a long time i.e., the Khojaly genocide was one of the bloodiest crimes of the 20th century and our people were subjected to it our people, despite facing injustice for 30 years, preserved their identity, preserved their dignity, and preserved their faith. As we are gathered for the opening of this Memorial Complex, we say again that the state of Azerbaijan is so strong today that no one should even think of committing any provocation against us. Azerbaijan is no longer what it used to be in 1992. Our state is a strong state today; it is a state capable of defending itself. Over the past 80 years, there has not been another state in the world that would have achieved such a complete and absolute victory as we did. Today, we live in peace, and the guarantor of this is the state of Azerbaijan and our policy. I said during the Patriotic War, when our cities and villages were being bombed by the Armenian state, that we are Azerbaijanis, that we are waging and will continue to wage war based on the rules of war. Unlike the Armenians, we never waged war against innocent and unarmed civilians, and this has made our people even greater. Today, the respect for our people and state stems, among other things, precisely from this. At that time, I said that we would exact our revenge on the battlefield and we did. The blood of all martyrs has been avenged, and this is at least a certain consolation for their relatives and loved ones. May Allah rest the souls of all our martyrs in peace! We will cherish their dear memory in our hearts forever. We will never forget the Khojaly genocide or other war crimes committed against us by the Armenian state. We must and will always be strong so that such tragedies do not happen again. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. An agreement has been reached to expand the scope of the Preferential Trade Agreement between Azerbaijan and Turkiye, the Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov wrote on his X page, Trend reports. "It was a pleasure to meet with Omer Bolat, Minister of Trade of Turkiye, within the framework of the GeorgiaAzerbaijanTurkiye BusinessForum. We discussed deepening our economic partnership with the friendly country, further increasing trade turnover and mutual investment, strengthening the legal framework to facilitate business relations, and expanding cooperation in priority areas, including energy, industrial production, transport, logistics, tourism, and other sectors. We also agreed to expand the scope of the Preferential Trade Agreement signed between Azerbaijan and Turkiye," he added. The Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) was signed on February 25, 2020, between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Turkiye to promote preferential trade. The agreement, which entered into force on March 1, 2021, allows for the export of several goods to Turkiye on preferential terms without the payment of import duties. A protocol amending the agreement entered into force in Turkiye on March 1, 2024. Speaking to Trend in Baku during the Azerbaijan-Turkiye Investment Forum, Omer Bolat stated that technical groups from both countries are conducting impact analyses and assessment work regarding a free trade agreement. The official position is that when the time comes, it will also be possible to sign a free trade agreement between Turkiye and Azerbaijan, he emphasized. Data obtained from the State Customs Committee indicates that trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Turkiye amounted to $431.7 million in January 2026. This figure represents a decrease of $51.6 million, or 10.7%, compared with the same period in 2025. In January 2026, Azerbaijan exported goods worth $268.2 million to Turkiye, down $39.9 million, or 13%, year-on-year. Of the total exports to Turkiye over the reporting month, $19.5 million accounted for crude oil and crude petroleum products obtained from bituminous minerals. Export volume for this category reached 41,800 tons. Compared with January 2025, Azerbaijan's exports of these products to Turkiye increased by $15.3 million, or 4.6 times in value, and by 33,100 tons, or 4.8 times in volume. In addition, non-oil exports to Turkiye totaled $31.4 million during the reporting month, which is $5.7 million, or 15.3%, less than in January 2025. Non-oil exports to Turkiye accounted for 11.72% of Azerbaijans total non-oil exports. As a result, Turkiye ranked 4th among the destinations for Azerbaijans non-oil exports during the reporting period. During the same period, exports from Turkiye to Azerbaijan amounted to $163.6 million, marking a decrease of $11.6 million, or 6.6%, compared with the same period last year. Overall, trade turnover between the two countries approached $6 billion last year. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye has shared a statement commemorating the victims of the Khojaly genocide, Trend reports. The message was published on the Ministrys official page on X. We strongly condemn the massacre perpetrated against innocent civilians on 26 February 1992 in the town of Khojaly, located in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. The atrocities committed in Khojaly remain a shameful stain on the conscience of humanity. The pain of our 613 brothers and sisters who were brutally killed, as well as those who were wounded, taken captive, and went missing, still weighs heavy on our hearts. We wish Allah's mercy upon our brothers and sisters who lost their lives during the Khojaly Massacre and extend our condolences to the people of Azerbaijan, the post reads. Today marks the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide committed by Armenian armed forces. The Khojaly genocide stands as one of the bloodiest tragedies of Armenias occupation and genocide policy against Azerbaijan. On the night from February 25-26, 1992, Armenian armed forces attacked Khojaly, which had been under blockade since October 1991, with its road and energy connections severed, and carried out mass atrocities against Azerbaijani civilians. The massacre was perpetrated with the assistance of the 366th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the former Soviet Armed Forces. During the killings, 613 people were brutally murdered, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly persons. A total of 487 people sustained injuries of varying degrees, 1275 were taken captive and subjected to torture, 8 families were annihilated, 130 children lost one parent, and 25 lost both parents. The fate of many hostages remains unknown. These atrocities were not merely military operations but part of a policy driven by ethnic hatred and discrimination. Similar targeted massacres against Azerbaijanis in settlements such as Baghanis Ayrim, Jamilli, Karkijahan, Meshali, Malibeyli, Garadaghli, Tugh, and Salakatin further demonstrate the systematic and premeditated nature of the Khojaly genocide. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. In commemoration of the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly Tragedy, the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Baku expressed condolences to the Azerbaijani people, Trend reports. The statement, shared on the embassys official X page, was accompanied by an illustration highlighting the events of Khojaly. Today marks the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide committed by Armenian armed forces. The Khojaly genocide stands as one of the bloodiest tragedies of Armenias occupation and genocide policy against Azerbaijan. On the night from February 25-26, 1992, Armenian armed forces attacked Khojaly, which had been under blockade since October 1991, with its road and energy connections severed, and carried out mass atrocities against Azerbaijani civilians. The massacre was perpetrated with the assistance of the 366th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the former Soviet Armed Forces. During the killings, 613 people were brutally murdered, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly persons. A total of 487 people sustained injuries of varying degrees, 1275 were taken captive and subjected to torture, 8 families were annihilated, 130 children lost one parent, and 25 lost both parents. The fate of many hostages remains unknown. These atrocities were not merely military operations but part of a policy driven by ethnic hatred and discrimination. Similar targeted massacres against Azerbaijanis in settlements such as Baghanis Ayrim, Jamilli, Karkijahan, Meshali, Malibeyli, Garadaghli, Tugh, and Salakatin further demonstrate the systematic and premeditated nature of the Khojaly genocide. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. On the anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Baku paid tribute to the victims and expressed deep condolences to their families, Trend reports. The embassy shared the message on its official X page. Commemorating this event is of great importance for preserving historical memory and promoting peace, the statement read. Today marks the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide committed by Armenian armed forces. The Khojaly genocide stands as one of the bloodiest tragedies of Armenias occupation and genocide policy against Azerbaijan. On the night from February 25-26, 1992, Armenian armed forces attacked Khojaly, which had been under blockade since October 1991, with its road and energy connections severed, and carried out mass atrocities against Azerbaijani civilians. The massacre was perpetrated with the assistance of the 366th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the former Soviet Armed Forces. During the killings, 613 people were brutally murdered, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly persons. A total of 487 people sustained injuries of varying degrees, 1275 were taken captive and subjected to torture, 8 families were annihilated, 130 children lost one parent, and 25 lost both parents. The fate of many hostages remains unknown. These atrocities were not merely military operations but part of a policy driven by ethnic hatred and discrimination. Similar targeted massacres against Azerbaijanis in settlements such as Baghanis Ayrim, Jamilli, Karkijahan, Meshali, Malibeyli, Garadaghli, Tugh, and Salakatin further demonstrate the systematic and premeditated nature of the Khojaly genocide. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BlackRock's head of digital assets, Robbie Mitchnick, outlined the firm's framework in September 2025. Before launching any crypto ETF, BlackRock evaluates five factors: client demand, market capitalization, liquidity, maturity, and portfolio fitwith client demand weighing heaviest. But that success didn't come from conviction aloneit came from real client demand. As Canary Capital CEO Steven McClurg explained in a January 2026 interview, "The reason they launched Bitcoin ETFs is simpleenough institutions were asking for them." BlackRock doesn't chase new markets, but usually waits for them to prove themselves. The firm's Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) launched in January 2024 only after years of institutional demand had built up. IBIT crossed $1 billion in assets within its first week and hit $80 billion in just 374 daysthe fastest any ETF has ever reached that level. Larry Fink, BlackRocks CEO, called it the fastest-growing ETF in the history of ETFs. BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) alone holds over $54 billion in assets, making it the dominant force in crypto ETFs. Many believe the $10 trillion asset manager entering XRP could reshape the token's institutional profile entirely. So why hasn't BlackRock filed yet? But the ETF momentum has cooled. XRP ETFs peaked at $1.6 billion in January before roughly $500 million in outflows pulled assets back down. With the XRP price now around $1.40down 30% in February aloneinvestors are looking for the next catalyst that could spark a bullish reversal, and a BlackRock's XRP ETF could be it. Six asset managers have rolled out U.S. spot XRP ETFs. Franklin Templeton's XRPZ, Canary Capital's XRPC, Bitwise's XRP ETF, Grayscale's GXRP, 21Shares' TOXR, and REX-Osprey's XRPR now hold roughly $1 billion in combined assets. These XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) funds went 35 consecutive trading days without a single outflow after launching in November 2025a streak neither Bitcoin nor Ethereum ETFs matched in their early months. The analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks. Get them here FREE . Canary Capital CEO Steven McClurg expects BlackRock could file for an XRP ETF by late 2026 or 2027 once demand and market depth prove themselves. BlackRock hasnt filed because institutional client demand hasnt crossed their internal threshold. XRP ETF assets need to reach $3B to demonstrate sufficient demand for a BlackRock entry. Six XRP ETFs peaked at $1.6B in January before $500M in outflows pulled combined assets to roughly $1B. Story Continues XRP checks several of those boxes as it ranks as the fourth-largest non-stablecoin cryptocurrency with a market cap above $80 billion, with the SEC lawsuit resolved in August 2025, confirming its non-security status on secondary markets. But demand from BlackRock's core client basepensions, endowments, insurance companies, and sovereign wealth fundshasn't crossed the firm's internal threshold. These institutions move slowly, often waiting for early entrants to prove a market works before allocating capital. BlackRock wants to see Franklin Templeton, Grayscale, and Bitwise deliver consistent results with XRP before committing its own resources. With $11 trillion under management, a misstep on a niche product could dent the firm's reputation far more than a missed opportunity. What Would Trigger a BlackRock XRP ETF Filing Thos Robinson / Getty Images Thos Robinson / Getty Images McClurg expects BlackRock to file for a spot XRP ETF by late 2026 or early 2027 if current trends continuebut several specific signals could accelerate that timeline. XRP ETF Assets Need to Triple Combined XRP ETF assets peaked at $1.6 billion in January 2026 before settling around $1 billion. If that figure climbs to $3 billion or higher, it would signal demand strong enough to justify a BlackRock entry. McClurg noted that BlackRock watches market cap and demand closelyif existing XRP ETFs triple their current size, the commercial case becomes harder to ignore. A Rival Filing Would Force BlackRock's Hand BlackRock rarely moves first, but it doesn't like moving last either. Invesco has already filed for a Solana ETF, signaling that large asset managers are expanding beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. McClurg pointed out that Fidelity and Franklin Templeton are already in the crypto ETF race. "It's not going to be a whole lot longer before BlackRock," he said. If Fidelity or another major rival files for a spot XRP ETF, competitive pressure could accelerate BlackRock's timeline. Pension Funds and Endowments Would Be the Green Light The clearest trigger would be explicit demand from BlackRock's client base. If state pension systems, university endowments, or sovereign wealth funds begin adding XRP to approved asset classes, BlackRock would have all the justification it needs. Ripple's Stablecoin Is Already in BlackRock's Ecosystem Ripple's stablecoin RLUSD has already crossed $1.5 billion in market cap, with reserves custodied by BNY and monthly attestations by Deloitte. More importantly, BlackRock's tokenized treasury fund BUIDL now uses RLUSD as collateral, allowing investors to swap fund shares for RLUSD on-chain. The integration signals BlackRock is already comfortable with Ripple's infrastructureeven if it hasn't filed for an XRP ETF yet. If RLUSD continues scaling into institutional payment rails, the distance between BlackRock and an XRP ETF filing shrinks considerably. What a BlackRock Filing Would Mean for XRP Maryshot / Shutterstock.com Maryshot / Shutterstock.com A BlackRock XRP ETF filing would fundamentally change how institutional capital accesses XRP regardless of where the price sits when it happens. Aladdin Would Open the Institutional Pipeline BlackRock's Aladdin platform connects over $21 trillion in institutional assets, including pensions, insurers, endowments, and sovereign wealth funds. These allocators don't buy crypto on exchanges but through systems like Aladdin. A BlackRock XRP ETF would plug XRP directly into that infrastructure, opening a channel that Franklin Templeton and Grayscale simply can't match. The current XRP ETF complex holds roughly $1 billion, but with BlackRock's distribution network, it could multiply that figure several times over within a year. The IBIT Precedent Bitcoin offers the clearest comparison to XRP. BlackRock's IBIT gathered $54 billion in assets and helped push Bitcoin to new all-time highs in 2025. XRP's market cap is roughly one-tenth of Bitcoin's, so the proportional impact would be smallerbut the mechanism is the same. ETF inflows lock up supply, reduce exchange liquidity, and create structural buying pressure that spot markets alone can't generate. What Analysts Expect Standard Chartered originally projected XRP could reach $8 by late 2026, assuming $4-8 billion in ETF inflows. That forecast has since been revised down to $2.80 amid ETF outflows and macro headwindsbut the bank raised its 2030 target to $28, signaling long-term conviction remains intact. The key variable is whether a heavyweight like BlackRock enters the market. If it does, the supply dynamics that drove Bitcoin's ETF rally could repeat on a smaller scale with XRP. Will BlackRock File for an XRP ETF? A BlackRock spot XRP ETF would be a milestone for institutional adoption, but it's not imminent. McClurg's late 2026 or early 2027 forecast reflects the realistic timeline: BlackRock moves when the market proves itself. For a BlackRock XRP ETF to become reality, XRP ETF assets need to climb toward $3 billion to demonstrate sustained demand. A competitor filingFidelity, Invesco, or another major rivalwould create pressure BlackRock can't ignore. And if pension funds or sovereign wealth funds start adding XRP to approved asset classes, it could be the green light. The infrastructure is already closer than most realize. BlackRock's tokenized treasury fund BUIDL uses Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin as collateral, signaling the firm is comfortable with Ripple's ecosystem even without an ETF filing. The relationship could shorten the path from "watching" to "filing" if XRP demand accelerates. Whether that happens in late 2026, 2027, or later depends entirely on whether institutional demand grows loud enough to force the move. The analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks Wall Street is pouring billions into AI, but most investors are buying the wrong stocks. The analyst who first identified NVIDIA as a buy back in 2010 before its 28,000% run has just pinpointed 10 new AI companies he believes could deliver outsized returns from here. One dominates a $100 billion equipment market. Another is solving the single biggest bottleneck holding back AI data centers. A third is a pure-play on an optical networking market set to quadruple. Most investors haven't heard of half these names. Get the free list of all 10 stocks here. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. The Khojaly massacre has marked a dark stain on the conscience of humanity, taking its place in history as a tragic event, the Embassy of Turkiye once again extends its deepest condolences to Azerbaijani brothers and sisters, said Birol Akgun, Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Trend reports. Speaking to journalists during a visit to the "Mothers Cry" monument in Baku today, on the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly massacre, Akgun stated that on the anniversary of this brutal atrocity, he and the entire embassy staff had come to remember those painful days. "We pray for mercy for all our martyrs who lost their lives during those tragic days when 613 innocent people were brutally killed. May God never let such painful days happen to our nation or anyone else again. We wish mercy for all our martyrs, patience and resilience for those left behind," he added. Today marks the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide committed by Armenian armed forces. The Khojaly genocide stands as one of the bloodiest tragedies of Armenias occupation and genocide policy against Azerbaijan. On the night from February 25-26, 1992, Armenian armed forces attacked Khojaly, which had been under blockade since October 1991, with its road and energy connections severed, and carried out mass atrocities against Azerbaijani civilians. The massacre was perpetrated with the assistance of the 366th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the former Soviet Armed Forces. During the killings, 613 people were brutally murdered, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly persons. A total of 487 people sustained injuries of varying degrees, 1275 were taken captive and subjected to torture, 8 families were annihilated, 130 children lost one parent, and 25 lost both parents. The fate of many hostages remains unknown. These atrocities were not merely military operations but part of a policy driven by ethnic hatred and discrimination. Similar targeted massacres against Azerbaijanis in settlements such as Baghanis Ayrim, Jamilli, Karkijahan, Meshali, Malibeyli, Garadaghli, Tugh, and Salakatin further demonstrate the systematic and premeditated nature of the Khojaly genocide. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. The Azerbaijani people paid tribute to the victims of the Khojaly massacre by visiting the "Mothers Cry" monument in Baku, Trend reports. The monument was visited on the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly massacre, one of the most horrific tragedies of the 20th century. State and government officials, intellectuals, public figures, and ordinary citizens laid wreaths and flowers at the monument to honor the memory of those lost. Today marks the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide committed by Armenian armed forces. The Khojaly genocide stands as one of the bloodiest tragedies of Armenias occupation and genocide policy against Azerbaijan. On the night from February 25-26, 1992, Armenian armed forces attacked Khojaly, which had been under blockade since October 1991, with its road and energy connections severed, and carried out mass atrocities against Azerbaijani civilians. The massacre was perpetrated with the assistance of the 366th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the former Soviet Armed Forces. During the killings, 613 people were brutally murdered, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly persons. A total of 487 people sustained injuries of varying degrees, 1275 were taken captive and subjected to torture, 8 families were annihilated, 130 children lost one parent, and 25 lost both parents. The fate of many hostages remains unknown. These atrocities were not merely military operations but part of a policy driven by ethnic hatred and discrimination. Similar targeted massacres against Azerbaijanis in settlements such as Baghanis Ayrim, Jamilli, Karkijahan, Meshali, Malibeyli, Garadaghli, Tugh, and Salakatin further demonstrate the systematic and premeditated nature of the Khojaly genocide. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. The German Embassy in Azerbaijan honored the memory of those who lost their lives in the Khojaly genocide 34 years ago, Trend reports. The embassy published the message on its official X page in both German and Azerbaijani languages. Today marks the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide committed by Armenian armed forces. The Khojaly genocide stands as one of the bloodiest tragedies of Armenias occupation and genocide policy against Azerbaijan. On the night from February 25-26, 1992, Armenian armed forces attacked Khojaly, which had been under blockade since October 1991, with its road and energy connections severed, and carried out mass atrocities against Azerbaijani civilians. The massacre was perpetrated with the assistance of the 366th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the former Soviet Armed Forces. During the killings, 613 people were brutally murdered, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly persons. A total of 487 people sustained injuries of varying degrees, 1275 were taken captive and subjected to torture, 8 families were annihilated, 130 children lost one parent, and 25 lost both parents. The fate of many hostages remains unknown. These atrocities were not merely military operations but part of a policy driven by ethnic hatred and discrimination. Similar targeted massacres against Azerbaijanis in settlements such as Baghanis Ayrim, Jamilli, Karkijahan, Meshali, Malibeyli, Garadaghli, Tugh, and Salakatin further demonstrate the systematic and premeditated nature of the Khojaly genocide. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. Ukrainian Ambassador Yuriy Husyev has expressed condolences to the people of Azerbaijan over the Khojaly genocide, the publication of the ambassador on Facebook says, Trend reports. "On this tragic day, we remember the innocent victims of Khojaly with deep sorrow and bow our heads before them," the publication reads. The publication issued in Ukrainian was accompanied by a photo on the theme of the Khojaly genocide. Today marks the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide committed by Armenian armed forces. The Khojaly genocide stands as one of the bloodiest tragedies of Armenias occupation and genocide policy against Azerbaijan. On the night from February 25-26, 1992, Armenian armed forces attacked Khojaly, which had been under blockade since October 1991, with its road and energy connections severed, and carried out mass atrocities against Azerbaijani civilians. The massacre was perpetrated with the assistance of the 366th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the former Soviet Armed Forces. During the killings, 613 people were brutally murdered, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly persons. A total of 487 people sustained injuries of varying degrees, 1275 were taken captive and subjected to torture, 8 families were annihilated, 130 children lost one parent, and 25 lost both parents. The fate of many hostages remains unknown. These atrocities were not merely military operations but part of a policy driven by ethnic hatred and discrimination. Similar targeted massacres against Azerbaijanis in settlements such as Baghanis Ayrim, Jamilli, Karkijahan, Meshali, Malibeyli, Garadaghli, Tugh, and Salakatin further demonstrate the systematic and premeditated nature of the Khojaly genocide. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. The Chief of the State Security Service (SSS) of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Ali Naghiyev, and employees of the service visited the "Mother's Cry" monument erected in memory of the victims of the tragedy on the occasion of the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, a source in the service told Trend. The source noted that bouquets were laid in front of the monument, and the dear memory of those who died during the genocide was commemorated with deep respect. Today marks the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide committed by Armenian armed forces. The Khojaly genocide stands as one of the bloodiest tragedies of Armenias occupation and genocide policy against Azerbaijan. On the night from February 25-26, 1992, Armenian armed forces attacked Khojaly, which had been under blockade since October 1991, with its road and energy connections severed, and carried out mass atrocities against Azerbaijani civilians. The massacre was perpetrated with the assistance of the 366th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the former Soviet Armed Forces. During the killings, 613 people were brutally murdered, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly persons. A total of 487 people sustained injuries of varying degrees, 1275 were taken captive and subjected to torture, 8 families were annihilated, 130 children lost one parent, and 25 lost both parents. The fate of many hostages remains unknown. These atrocities were not merely military operations but part of a policy driven by ethnic hatred and discrimination. Similar targeted massacres against Azerbaijanis in settlements such as Baghanis Ayrim, Jamilli, Karkijahan, Meshali, Malibeyli, Garadaghli, Tugh, and Salakatin further demonstrate the systematic and premeditated nature of the Khojaly genocide. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. The night from February 25-26, 1992, went down in history as one of the bloodiest pages in Azerbaijani history, the political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend. According to him, this was one of the darkest pages not only in Azerbaijani history, but also in world history. He stated that Armenian military forces committed operations and crimes against humanity intended to virtually wipe Khojaly off the face of the earth in a matter of hours. As a result, one of the bloodiest genocides in world history - the Khojaly genocide - occurred. During the killings, 613 people were brutally murdered, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly persons. A total of 487 people sustained injuries of varying degrees, 1,275 were taken captive and subjected to torture, eight families were annihilated, 130 children lost one parent, and 25 lost both parents. All these figures are separate panels of a horrific genocide. These numbers are not merely statistics they are evidence of the systematic destruction of a city. Garayev noted that what happened in Khojaly wasn't an accidental military clash. As a result of this act, civilians attempting to leave Khojaly came under fire, non-combatants were killed with particular brutality, and violence was committed against the bodies. All of the acts are a gross violation of international humanitarian law. Throughout history, crimes against humanity have taken place on different scales. For example, the Holocaust the systematic extermination of millions of people is considered the largest genocide of the 20th century. The Srebrenica genocide is recognized as the gravest mass killing in Europe since World War II. Although the Khojaly tragedy resulted in fewer victims compared to these events, in terms of its nature and method as a deliberate and ruthless attack directed against civilians it falls into the category of a crime against humanity. The main issue here is not only the number of victims, but the essence of the crime: the targeting of unarmed civilians, the killing of people attempting to flee, and the complete annihilation of families. The analyst pointed out that the liberation of Karabakh and Khojaly from occupation played a major role in helping the Azerbaijani people overcome the trauma of genocide. "This process should be evaluated not only as a military and political outcome, but also as, in some sense, the healing of a collective trauma that had lasted for many years. Particularly in the context of honoring the memory of those who lost their lives during the Khojaly genocide, the restoration of territorial integrity carries symbolic and moral significance in Azerbaijani society. The mass killing of civilians during the Khojaly tragedy was not only the fate of a single city, but also left an indelible scar on the nations memory. For many years, the lack of control over those territories was perceived as an unresolved issue, including open questions regarding the restoration of justice. Under the leadership of President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, the liberation of Karabakh changed the defeated spirit of the people and society. Today, Azerbaijan is a society that can look back at its past and its pain with pride. Without forgetting the tragedies and genocides committed against us, we are now a nation moving forward into the future with great strides," Garayev concluded. Azerbaijan discloses trade turnover with Greece in January 2026 The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Greece saw a notable decline in January 2026. Azerbaijan experienced a significant drop in exports to Greece, whereas imports from Greece saw a slight uptick. The trade volume has seen a decline when compared to the same period last year. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. Iran's non-oil exports to Tajikistan gain foothold Iran's non-oil exports to Tajikistan saw significant growth over the first 10 months of the current year. The increase was notable in both value and volume compared to the same period last year. The exports mainly consisted of petrochemical, steel, agricultural, and food products. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. United Nations support to Turkmenistan in disaster resilience is built around three connected capabilities - risk knowledge, monitoring and technology, and preparedness and action, Shombi Sharp, Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), told Trend. "First, the ESCAP Risk and Resilience Portal provides a practical entry point to help decision-makers understand where hazards and climate-related stressors intersect with exposed people and assets. This platform is vital for early-stage screening (where to build), prioritization (what to retrofit first), and managing cascading disruptions across sectors (for example, where transport, energy, and water systems share common risk hotspots)." According to Sharp, the portal supports authorities in identifying vulnerable infrastructure and planning investments to minimize potential damage and service disruptions. "Second, our work on impact-based forecasting links weather data with real-world consequences so that institutions can anticipate likely impacts on people and their lives. This approach is especially relevant to infrastructure operators and agencies responsible for service continuity because it supports targeted preparedness for critical nodes and corridors when risk conditions rise." He noted that this forecasting approach enables institutions to prepare for specific impacts in advance, particularly in sectors responsible for maintaining essential services. "Third, the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway initiative seeks to bridge the digital divide through regional cooperation. This complements the Global Action Plan on Early Warnings for All and its regional strategy, which emphasizes that early warning is not only about detection and forecasting, but also about turning warnings into early action through coordination, communication, and universally available, affordable digital connectivity." Sharp added that strengthening digital connectivity and coordination mechanisms is key to ensuring that early warning systems translate into timely and effective action on the ground. In January 2026, a delegation headed by Shombi Sharp, Deputy Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, visited Turkmenistan as part of the SPECA Economic Forum held on January 21-22 in Ashgabat. This event was a key component of SPECA Week, organized under the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA). Blackrock Silver has begun deploying drill rigs for two resource expansion drilling initiatives at the Tonopah West project, situated along the Walker Lane Trend in Nevada's Nye and Esmeralda Counties, US. The exploration programme spans 17,100m across various sites. The first phase, known as the Eastern Expansion Programme, involves drilling 9,100m over 20 holes. It aims to investigate shallow mineralisation along the Pittsburg-Monarch fault. The 2025 Eastern Expansion Programme at Tonopah West identified at least three mineralised structures oriented north-west, which appear to offset the southern caldera margin towards the north-east. Drilling during this programme revealed substantial vein intervals of gold and silver along these parallel structures, highlighting the significance of the Pittsburg-Monarch fault and its footwall splays. The second phase of drilling, the Northwest (NW) Expansion Programme, will focus on the Denver and Paymaster veins, which remain open along strike and down dip. This programme entails 8,000m of reverse circulation (RC) and core drilling across ten holes. The objective is to explore further along the strike of these veins and down dip, where previous open-ended intercepts suggested potential for expansion. An additional step-out hole of 800m will attempt to validate findings from a recently completed seismic geophysical survey in the region. To optimise costs while ensuring high-quality data collection, Blackrock Silver will employ a hybrid drilling method that combines RC pre-collar techniques with core tail drilling. This approach aims to penetrate through non-mineralised rock layers before reaching valuable vein zones. In tandem with its drilling efforts, Blackrock Silver is advancing hydrology studies necessary for future project development. As part of this initiative, five piezometer wells have been installed to assess water conditions within the proposed decline and testing areas. The data acquired will support permitting processes for exploration decline, test mining and bulk-sample extraction, which is set to begin by the second half of 2027. Blackrock president and CEO Andrew Pollard said: With our updated mineral resource estimate and preliminary economic assessment on Tonopah West on track for delivery by the end of March 2026, we are excited to get the drills back to continue to test the extents of silver and gold mineralisation at our deposit with a fully funded 17,000m, two-phased expansion programme now officially under way. Guided by recent seismic data, an 800m step-out is the highlight of our NW Expansion Programme, where the bulk of drilling is targeting extensions of the Denver and Paymaster vein sets. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. Irans non-oil exports to Uzbekistan rose by 55.5% in value and 71.5% in volume during the first ten months of the current Iranian year (from March 21, 2025, through January 20, 2026) compared to the same period last year (from March 20, 2024, through January 19, 2025). Data obtained by Trend from the Iranian Customs Administration (IRICA) shows that the country exported non-oil products to Uzbekistan worth around $504 million, with a total weight of around 789,000 tons, during the reporting period. Meanwhile, Iran's non-oil exports to Uzbekistan during the same period last year were valued at $324 million and weighed roughly 460,000 tons. The main products exported included dairy and dairy products, petrochemical goods, various types of pipes, glass containers, and agricultural equipment. Irans trade turnover with Uzbekistan reached $576 million and 848,000 tons in the ten months, reflecting a 45.5% growth in value and 72% in volume compared to the previous year. Overall, Irans product exports in this period amounted to $45 billion, totaling 130 million tons, marking a 6.3% decrease in value and a 1.44% increase in volume year-on-year. Iran's key exports to Uzbekistan include petrochemical products (notably polymers like ethylene and styrene), plastics, heating machinery, industrial equipment, dairy products, agricultural goods, pipes, glass containers, and significant amounts of iron and steel. The trade primarily focuses on non-oil products, positioning Iran as a major supplier of industrial goods in demand but not produced in high volumes within Uzbekistan. --- Follow the author on X: @BaghishovElnur TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, February 26. Uzbekistan and Paraguay have agreed to sign several documents in the mining and geology sector, Trend reports via Uzbekistans Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology. That was announced during a meeting held in Asuncion between representatives of Uzbekistans Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology and Mauricio Bejarano, Vice Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy at Paraguays Ministry of Public Works and Communications. The parties engaged in discussions aimed at initiating practical cooperation in key areas of the mining and geological sector, in line with prior agreements made at the presidential level between Uzbekistan and Paraguay. Significant focus was directed towards enhancing scientific and technical collaboration, emphasizing the sharing of expertise and the creation of joint initiatives in resource exploration and mineral development. In the aftermath of the discussions, both parties expressed their willingness to solidify their collaboration by signing pertinent agreements and adhering to the established procedures and timelines. Meanwhile, in December 2025, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President Santiago Pena signed a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to strengthening political dialogue and expanding practical cooperation. Two additional documents were signed in the presence of the presidents: a protocol concluding bilateral market-access negotiations related to Uzbekistans accession to the World Trade Organization and a memorandum between the two countries foreign ministries establishing a mechanism for regular political consultations. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, February 26. Turkmenistans Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov held a meeting with Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization Arsenio Domingues to discuss cooperation in the maritime transport and international shipping sectors, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA. The meeting took place on February 25 as part of Meredovs working visit to the United Kingdom. The Turkmen government expressed its commitment to advancing constructive dialogue with the International Maritime Organization, emphasizing its intention to collaborate on joint projects aimed at enhancing sustainable and safe maritime transport. The importance of active engagement with the United Nations was also highlighted, exemplified by the Third UN Conference for Landlocked Developing Countries held in August 2025 in the National Tourist Zone Avaza. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, February 26. The 2026-2027 Cooperation Program between the foreign ministries of Turkmenistan and the United Kingdom was signed, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA. The signing took place on February 25 at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office during Meredovs working visit, within the framework of the third round of the Structural Dialogue between the two ministries. The event was attended by Turkmenistans Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and the UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs Hamish Falconer. The discussion underscored encouraging advancements in political and trade-economic relations, emphasizing the importance of maximizing existing economic potential, particularly through the Turkmen-British Chamber of Commerce. Cooperation in education and culture was discussed, including English-language learning initiatives and planned bilateral agreements. Regional issues, including Afghanistan stabilization and related infrastructure projects, were addressed. The Turkmen side reaffirmed its commitment to UN Charter principles, neutrality, and peaceful resolution of international disputes. Discussions persisted among the heads of departments. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, February 26. Turkmenistan and the United Nations conducted a thorough review of their collaborative efforts in sustainable development, focusing on key priority areas and outlining work plans for the year 2026, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA. The discussions took place during a meeting of the Steering Committee on the implementation of the Framework Program for Cooperation in the field of sustainable development, held in a hybrid format at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Myahri Byashimova, heads and representatives of Turkmen ministries and sectoral agencies, the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, and leaders and representatives of UN agencies. The meeting highlighted significant accomplishments under the Framework Program, explored opportunities for enhanced collaboration with the UN, and reviewed the findings of the UN Common Country Analysis, which is instrumental in program planning and evaluating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. Turkmenistan highlighted that the Framework Program, signed for 2026-2030, provides a long-term partnership foundation with the UN and its agencies, strengthening the countrys position at regional and global levels. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, February 26. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov took part in a meeting of the heads of foreign policy agencies of the Central Asian countries with the UK Minister of State for Defense Lord Rodney Cowker, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA. The meeting took place at the base of the Royal Horse Guards of the UK on February 25, during Meredovs working visit to the country. During the meeting, key topics included regional security, the enhancement of mutual understanding, and the development of dialogue between Central Asian nations and the United Kingdom. Significant focus was directed towards the sharing of expertise in professional training for personnel, alongside efforts to enhance mechanisms for addressing contemporary challenges and threats. Participants underscored the critical need for fostering constructive and trust-based collaboration, with the goal of enhancing stability and security on both regional and international fronts. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, February 26. Turkmenistan and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) discussed expanding financial and investment cooperation and implementing joint projects, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA. The issues were raised during the meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov, and President of EBRD Odile Renaud-Basso, on 25 February as part of Meredovs working visit to the United Kingdom. Meredov stated that, in carrying out its economic development strategy, Turkmenistan places particular emphasis on strengthening international partnerships, including expanding cooperation with reputable financial institutions and banking organizations. In this context, the productive and long-standing cooperation between the country and the EBRD was highlighted. The president of the bank reiterated the institution's commitment to enhancing mutually beneficial relationships. Attention was directed towards initiatives designed to enhance the international East-West transport corridor. The Turkmen government indicated its readiness to reassess particular proposals from the EBRD concerning involvement in initiatives within this sector. Expanding cooperation in the energy sector has been highlighted as a key priority. The substantial potential for EBRD engagement in current sustainable energy initiatives was highlighted. At the end of the meeting, the parties voiced confidence in the continued steady development of bilateral cooperation and exchanged best wishes. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Kyrgyzstan releases its Batken region's livestock numbers for 2025 Photo: Cabinet of the Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Batkens livestock, especially the sheep and goats, are the backbone of regional meat and dairy production, bolstering local incomes and adding to Kyrgyzstans agricultural output in a significant way. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. The Ministries of Economy of Azerbaijan and Georgia discussed strengthening economic cooperation, Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov wrote on his X account, Trend reports. During the meeting with Mariam Kvrivishvili, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, held within the framework of the GeorgiaAzerbaijanTurkiye BusinessForum, we highlighted the diversified AzerbaijanGeorgia economic partnership and the successful cooperation delivered through regional projects. We also reviewed prospects for joint activities to further strengthen business ties, as well as priority items on the cooperation agenda in trade, energy, transport, transit, and other sectors,'' the publication reads. In January this year, the volume of trade operations between Azerbaijan and Georgia amounted to $77.9 million. This is $4.8 million or 6.6% more than the same period in 2025. In January this year, Azerbaijan's exports to Georgia amounted to $69.3 million, which is $4.7 million or 7.3% more than the same period last year. Over the reporting month, Azerbaijan's non-oil exports to Georgia amounted to $31.6 million, which is $5.1 million or 19.4% more than in January 2025. The share of non-oil products supplied to Georgia in Azerbaijan's total non-oil exports amounted to 11.78%. Georgia ranked third among the countries importing Azerbaijani non-oil products in terms of this indicator. During the reporting period, Georgia's exports to Azerbaijan totaled $8.6 million, which is $51,000 or 0.6% more than the same period last year. BP PLC (NYSE:BP) is among the best oil & gas refinery stocks to buy now. On February 10, BP PLC (NYSE:BP) released its Q4 2025 results that showed underlying profit of $1.5 billion. However, the company posted a $3.4 billion IFRS loss after absorbing a $4 billion hit due to impairments. BP PLC (BP): Navigating Shifts in the Global Energy Market QiuJu Song/Shutterstock.com In full-year 2025, BPs capital expenditure was $14.5 billion, representing a 10% reduction compared to the 2024 level. It forecasts 2026 capex in the range of $13 billion to $13.5 billion. Moreover, it expects $9 billion $10 billion in divestment proceeds in 2026. As part of an effort to strengthen its balance sheet, BP has decided to suspend its share repurchase program. The management said this decision would create a stronger platform for BP to invest with discipline. On February 11, Piper Sandler hiked its price target on BP stock to $44 from $43 while reiterating a Neutral rating. For raising the price target, the research firm pointed to BPs decision to pause share buybacks and reduce capital expenditures. According to Piper Sandler, these actions should provide flexibility for the company to develop its resource pipeline while positioning for future shareholder returns. On maintaining the Neutral rating, the firm cited valuation concerns and balance sheet headwinds. Headquartered in London, England, BP PLC (NYSE:BP) is a multinational oil and gas company. In the US, BP operates refineries in Whiting, Indiana and Cherry Point, Washington. The US refineries account for 40% of the companys global refining capacity. While we acknowledge the potential of BP 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: Goldman Sachs Growth Stocks: Top 12 Stock Picks and 11 Best Alternative Energy Stocks to Invest In According to Analysts. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, February 25. Turkmenistan has proposed conducting a technical and economic feasibility study for the establishment of joint trade zones within the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) region, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA. This proposal was presented during a meeting of the Council of Permanent Representatives of the ECO, held on February 25 in Tehran, Iran. During the session, Turkmenistan shared its experience, emphasizing the significance of the joint trade zone created with Uzbekistan. The proposal received support from the Council, and the ECO Secretariat was tasked with preparing a project for its implementation. Earlier, the ECO had proposed a project to advance the third priority of Turkmenistans Awaza Programme of Action, "Transit, Transport, and Connectivity", across the ECO region. This initiative, along with its implementation plans, was endorsed by the ECO Council during its regular meeting on January 27, 2026, in Tehran. The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is a regional intergovernmental organization established in 1985 to promote economic, trade, and technical cooperation among its member states. It includes countries from Central Asia, the Middle East, and South Asia, including Turkmenistan. ECO focuses on regional integration, trade and investment facilitation, and development of transport, energy, and sustainable economic projects. Iran's Bahar Azadi gold coin moves down in price The latest Bahar Azadi gold coin saw a slight drop in value on February 26. Iran's Central Bank introduced a floating exchange rate system in May 2024, contributing to ongoing price changes. Older versions of the coin, minted between 1979 and 1991, have also been sold at fluctuating prices. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Georgia have discussed unlocking the Middle Corridor's potential, the Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov wrote on his X page, Trend reports. "During the GeorgiaAzerbaijanTurkiye Business Forum, we reviewed opportunities to strengthen economic integration among our countries and further enhance the effectiveness of our partnership. In the context of strengthening regional connectivity, we highlighted strategic priorities, including the efficient use of energy resources, unlocking the full potential of the Middle Corridor, improving digital transit infrastructure, expanding our export capabilities, and sustaining the dynamic development of trade relations. Attracting investment into supply chains and fostering greater synergy among business communities remain among our key priorities, supporting the formation of a sustainable regional economic ecosystem," the publication reads. The Middle Corridor is a transport and trade route that passes through a number of countries in the region and connects Asia with Europe. It serves as an alternative to the traditional Northern and Southern Corridors. The route begins in China and passes through Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then crosses the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye, before entering Europe. The Middle Corridor is a land route that bypasses longer sea routes, connecting eastern Asia, including China, with Europe. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. An agreement has been reached to expand the scope of the Preferential Trade Agreement between Azerbaijan and Turkiye, the Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov wrote on his X page, Trend reports. "It was a pleasure to meet with Omer Bolat, Minister of Trade of Turkiye, within the framework of the Georgia-Azerbaijan-Turkiye Business Forum. We discussed deepening our economic partnership with the friendly country, further increasing trade turnover and mutual investment, strengthening the legal framework to facilitate business relations, and expanding cooperation in priority areas, including energy, industrial production, transport, logistics, tourism, and other sectors. We also agreed to expand the scope of the Preferential Trade Agreement signed between Azerbaijan and Turkiye," he added. The Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) was signed on February 25, 2020, between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Turkiye to promote preferential trade. The agreement, which entered into force on March 1, 2021, allows for the export of several goods to Turkiye on preferential terms without the payment of import duties. A protocol amending the agreement entered into force in Turkiye on March 1, 2024. Speaking to Trend in Baku during the Azerbaijan-Turkiye Investment Forum, Omer Bolat stated that technical groups from both countries are conducting impact analyses and assessment work regarding a free trade agreement. The official position is that when the time comes, it will also be possible to sign a free trade agreement between Turkiye and Azerbaijan, he emphasized. Data obtained from the State Customs Committee indicates that trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Turkiye amounted to $431.7 million in January 2026. This figure represents a decrease of $51.6 million, or 10.7%, compared with the same period in 2025. In January 2026, Azerbaijan exported goods worth $268.2 million to Turkiye, down $39.9 million, or 13%, year-on-year. Of the total exports to Turkiye over the reporting month, $19.5 million accounted for crude oil and crude petroleum products obtained from bituminous minerals. Export volume for this category reached 41,800 tons. Compared with January 2025, Azerbaijan's exports of these products to Turkiye increased by $15.3 million, or 4.6 times in value, and by 33,100 tons, or 4.8 times in volume. In addition, non-oil exports to Turkiye totaled $31.4 million during the reporting month, which is $5.7 million, or 15.3%, less than in January 2025. Non-oil exports to Turkiye accounted for 11.72% of Azerbaijans total non-oil exports. As a result, Turkiye ranked 4th among the destinations for Azerbaijans non-oil exports during the reporting period. In the same timeframe, Turkiye's exports to Azerbaijan totaled $163.6 million, reflecting a decline of $11.6 million, or 6.6%, in comparison to the corresponding period of the previous year. In summary, the trade volume between the two nations neared $6 billion in the previous year. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. A delegation led by Kasym Tlepov, Deputy Chairman of Kazakhstans Committee for Railways and Water Transport, met with officials at the Azerbaijani State Maritime and Port Agency and discussed maritime and transport cooperation, Trend reports via the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport. The meeting began with a presentation on the agencys activities. Eldar Majidov, Deputy Chairman of the Agencys Board, highlighted the development of transport relations between the two countries and noted that the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR/Middle Corridor) serves as a bridge connecting East and West while expanding bilateral cooperation. During the meeting, Tlepov highlighted areas of mutual interest in cooperation and maritime transport within the framework of the Middle Corridor. He underscored the strategic geographic positions of Kazakhstan in Central Asia and Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus, emphasizing the significant role both countries play in the corridors development. The delegation expressed interest in learning from Azerbaijans expertise in organizing search and rescue data collection, remotely monitoring and managing ship movements, and ensuring maritime navigation safety. The discussions encompassed a range of topics, including the My Cabinet platform for the digital management of seafarers' documents, the unified maritime information system, the strengthening of human resources in maritime transport, the implementation of international convention obligations, state regulation of seaport activities, and the protocols for accident and emergency response. Additionally, the topics covered include port state inspections, the operations of classification societies, and measures aimed at preventing marine pollution. The visit culminated with the Kazakh delegations tour of the Ship Traffic Management Center of the State Maritime and Port Agency, where they gained valuable insight into Azerbaijans operational practices. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 26. Leaders of the worlds major multilateral development banks (MDBs) have agreed to intensify efforts to expand financing capacity and coordinate action on key global development priorities, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said, Trend reports. The announcement came at the first 2026 meeting of the MDB Heads Group, convened virtually as ADB assumed its chairship. The meeting brought together leaders of institutions including the African Development Bank, European Investment Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, New Development Bank, and the World Bank Group, with participation from the International Monetary Fund. At a time of growing global complexity, MDB coordination matters more than ever. We reaffirmed a common direction: bringing together our combined institutional weight to help unlock scale, demonstrate impact, and shift outcomes, said ADB President Masato Kanda. As Chair, ADB will work to ensure that our process remains relevant, pragmatic, and responsive to shareholder expectations, while firmly connecting regional development needs to the evolving global financing architecture. The MDB heads agreed to focus in 2026 on mobilizing private capital, expanding MDB financing capacity, enhancing institutional collaboration, and increasing joint action on priority development issues including jobs, artificial intelligence, water, critical minerals, and nature-based solutions. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, February 25. Representatives from Guangdong Holdings Limited have highlighted Kyrgyzstan's considerable energy potential, indicating a keen interest in launching projects aimed at the construction of hydroelectric power plants and water supply systems, Trend reports via the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan. The interest was voiced during a meeting with Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Head of the Presidential Administration of Kyrgyzstan. During the meeting, the sides discussed prospects for investment cooperation. The National Investment Fund of the Kyrgyz Republic and representatives of the holding are currently carrying out relevant work to advance investment collaboration. Kasymaliev highlighted the significant emphasis the Cabinet of Ministers places on the operations of the National Investment Fund, underscoring that the attraction of foreign investment directed towards the nations socio-economic development stands as a crucial national priority. The head of the Cabinet of Ministers reiterated a commitment to ongoing constructive dialogue with representatives of the Chinese corporation, emphasizing that the People's Republic of China remains a strategic partner for Kyrgyzstan. In the aftermath of the meeting, both parties expressed a shared commitment to advancing targeted initiatives across several key sectors, including energy, agriculture, tourism, and investment. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Photo: Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, February 26. Tajikistan and Georgia discussed the development of bilateral interparliamentary relations, Trend reports via the press service of the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These issues were discussed on February 24, 2026, in Tbilisi during a meeting between the ambassador of Tajikistan to Georgia, Ilhom Abdurakhmon, and the speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili. In the course of the meeting, the parties engaged in dialogue regarding strategies to bolster the function of legislative bodies in fortifying intergovernmental relations alongside initiatives to broaden trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian collaboration. Moreover, they highlighted their willingness to enhance collaboration between the interparliamentary friendship groups of both nations and to formulate synchronized initiatives focused on bolstering bilateral interparliamentary relations. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Kazakhstan boosts motor gasoline exports in 2025 Kazakhstan hit the gas on motor gasoline exports in 2025, with shipments skyrocketing more than five times compared to the previous year, according to official statistics. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register OTTAWA, Feb 26 (Reuters) - The Canadian minister responsible for Canada-United States trade said on Thursday that private government-to-government conversations between the United States, Mexico and Canada on a forthcoming review of the USMCA trade pact were not discouraging. Canada is preparing to start formal trade talks with the U.S. as part of the scheduled review of the deal which needs to be completed by July 1, 2026. President Donald Trump has said the United States could leave the USMCA and strike separate deals with Canada and Mexico instead. "There is a public prosecution of the argument, the political argument in the United States. And there are the private government to government to government conversations which are not discouraging," federal minister Dominic LeBlanc told a Toronto business audience. (Reporting by Promit Mukherjee; Editing by David Ljunggren and Nia Williams) ASTANA, Kazakhstan, February 26. Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom signed a Roadmap on Strategic Partnership in the Field of Critical Minerals through 2027, Trend reports via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan. The document was signed following a roundtable meeting between Kazakhstan's officials and British business representatives in London. At the same time, a memorandum on expanding partnership and intentions to open a licensed campus in Almaty was signed between Coventry University and Coventry University Kazakhstan. In addition, it was announced that the presence of British educational institutions in Kazakhstan will be further expanded, including the opening of Charterhouse School in Almaty, the launch of an artificial intelligence center by Cardiff University, and the opening of a new campus of Heriot-Watt University in Aktobe. During the meeting, Kazakhstans Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev briefed British business representatives on Kazakhstans achievements over the past 25 years. Kazakhstan has achieved substantial economic growth, averaging 5.7% in real terms annually. According to the latest IMF data, our nominal GDP exceeds $300 billion, placing us among the worlds top 50 economies. Kazakhstan currently accounts for more than 60% of all foreign direct investment flows into Central Asia, reinforcing its position as the economic hub of the region, he said. Chris Bryant, Acting Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade and Co-Chairman of the UK side of the Kazakhstan-UK Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical, and Cultural Cooperation, highlighted the success of British investors in Kazakhstan and the importance of bilateral cooperation. He expressed readiness to work jointly in the green economy, critical minerals, transport and transit, education, and AI-IT, noting that these projects create sustainable investment opportunities, strengthen long-term partnerships, and support the diversification of critical materials supply chains for international markets. During the meeting, participants agreed that enhancing economic cooperation supports sustainable regional development and emphasized the importance of moving the Kazakhstan-UK partnership from dialogue to implementation of concrete projects in new economic niches. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASTANA, Kazakhstan, February 26. President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic arrived in Astana on an official visit at the invitation of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Trend reports citing the Kazakh government. During the visit, high-level talks are planned to further strengthen political dialogue, expand trade and economic cooperation, and deepen cultural and humanitarian ties. Serbia is regarded as a close and reliable partner of Kazakhstan in the Balkans. Bilateral trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Serbia grew by 7.6% last year, exceeding $107 million. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASTANA, Kazakhstan, February 26. Foreign ministers of Central Asian countries and Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh and member of the British Royal Family, discussed expanding cooperation in education, science, and technology, Trend reports via the Kazakh MFA. Prince Edward hosted the official meeting of foreign ministers of Central Asia in London. The visit in the CA5+UK format marks a new chapter in relations between Central Asia and the United Kingdom. I am confident that our joint work within this framework will provide a strong impetus for the development of our countries and deepen interregional cooperation, said Yermek Kosherbayev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan. During the meeting, representatives from Kazakhstan highlighted their interest in broadening access to British scholarships, grants, and educational programs. They also discussed the potential for establishing joint research centers focused on key areas such as sustainable development, climate change, digital technologies, and medicine. Particular attention was paid to joint projects in history, the arts, and tourism, alongside the simplification of visa procedures for students, researchers, and entrepreneurs; expansion of direct air links, and development of tourism routes between the regions. Prince Edward emphasized the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties as the foundation of long-term partnerships. He made it clear that the UK greatly appreciates Kazakhstan's candor and initiative in promoting bilateral ties in key areas. Kosherbayev also underscored Kazakhstans continuous initiatives to establish itself as a global center for education. He emphasized collaborations with prominent British universities, such as Cardiff University, Coventry University, and De Montfort University, all of which have set up autonomous campuses in Kazakhstan. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 27. The technical delegations of Iran and the United States will begin consultations in Vienna on March 2, and the next round of negotiations will be held within a week, Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, Trend reports. He noted that the meeting held yesterday in Geneva with U.S. representatives was one of the most serious negotiations conducted so far. According to Araghchi, during the discussions in Geneva, the parties achieved significant progress and began discussing the key elements of a possible future agreement. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. Iran has issued a protest note to the Netherlands after a Dutch diplomat attempted to secretly bring prohibited items into the country, Trend reports. The Netherlands ambassador to Tehran, Emiel De Bont, was summoned to the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). During the meeting, the ambassador was informed that the items detained from the Dutch diplomat are prohibited from import and use under Iranian law. The seizure of the items was carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention. The Netherlands' ambassador assured Iranian officials that he would promptly convey Irans protest to his government. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel In a Chaotic Shipping Market, MPC Is Selling Certainty - Moby THE GIST In a shipping market hooked on headlines about trade wars and Red Sea disruption, MPC Container Ships is selling something unfashionable but powerful. Visibility. With nearly all its 2026 days already fixed on contract, the feeder owner says this years earnings are largely spoken for. Investors in Oslo liked the sound of that. WHAT HAPPENED Oslo-listed MPC Container Ships delivered fourth-quarter 2025 results that underscored just how heavily contracted its business has become. The company reported operating revenue of $127 million for the quarter and EBITDA, a key metric of financial performance, of $76 million, broadly steady year on year. Fleet utilization remained high at just over 98%. More importantly for forward-looking investors, the charter backlog has climbed to around $2 billion. For 2026, MPC Container Ships forecasts operating revenue of $450 million to $460 million and EBITDA of $240 million to $260 million. Analysts had been expecting lower numbers. The guidance implies another year of strong cash generation, even if spot freight markets wobble. The key figure is coverage. The company says 97% of its open days in 2026 are already fixed on time charters. Coverage for 2027 stands at 58% and for 2028 at 35%. In other words, most of next years earnings are already contracted, and a meaningful chunk of the following two years is spoken for as well. Management declared a quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share, marking the 17th consecutive distribution under its policy of paying out 50% of adjusted net profit. Chief executive Constantin Baack described volatility in global container markets as a given. Moderating economic growth, rising protectionism and geopolitical tensions remain background noise. Even so, he argued that charter market conditions for tonnage providers remain supportive, thanks to tight availability in the small and mid size segments where MPC focuses. Shares rose in Oslo following the report. WHY IT MATTERS Container shipping is cyclical theatre. Freight rates spike, collapse, spike again. Investors chase the cycle and then swear they never will again. The trick for tonnage providers is to convert that chaos into something steadier. Our analysts just identified a stock with the potential to be the next Nvidia. Tell us how you invest and we'll show you why it's our #1 pick. Tap here. MPC Container Ships has done that by leaning hard into fixed rate charters. When liners scramble for ships during tight markets, the owner locks in multi year deals. When freight markets soften, the charter book acts like insulation. On Wednesday evening, Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets in response to a drone violating its airspace during Russia's attack on Ukraine. This was reported in a press release by the Romanian Ministry of National Defense, according to Ukrinform. The Romanian Ministry of Defense's radars detected the presence of drones in the area bordering the country's national airspace, which led to the preventive activation of air defense systems, and at around 5:50 p.m., in accordance with air patrol procedures, two F-16 aircraft deployed at the Fetesti airbase were scrambled, the statement said. At 6:07 p.m., a Ro-Alert notification was issued to the population in the north of Tulcea County. The unmanned aerial vehicle briefly entered national airspace in the area of Sfantu Gheorghe, posing no threat to human life, and left it north of Sulina, flying only over territorial waters, the Romanian Defense Ministry said. The alert was lifted at around 6:45 p.m., and no debris from the aircraft was found in the area. The Ministry of National Defense strongly condemns the Russian Federation's attacks on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure. These actions are a serious violation of international law and a threat to regional security, the statement said. As reported by Ukrinform, at the end of last year, a Russian drone without a warhead was found in Romania's Vaslui County, which had flown into the country's airspace during the Russian Federation's attack on Ukraine. Photo: Ukrainian Air Force Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Google rolls-out full length JEE Main Mock Test: How to try Google has rolled out, what it called, full length JEE Main Mock Test or Practice Papers, through its AI app Gemini AI Google has rolled out, what it called, full length JEE Main Mock Test or Practice Papers, through its AI app Gemini AI. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai announced the launch of the mock test as the JEE Main 2026 is ongoing. About JEE Main The Joint Entrance Exam (Main) conducted for admission in engineering colleges in India is conducted twice in a year. The Session 1 of JEE Main 2026 began on January 21 and will continue till January 29, 2026. The JEE Main 2026 Session 2 will be held in April. Candidates can appear in both the entrance exams or in either of the two sessions. The exam is conducted in online mode. The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the exam, also has its own and free JEE Main Mock Test which is available through its website. The purpose of the mock test is to make students familiar with the JEE Main exam pattern and syllabus. Now, Google has also launched a free mock test with the same purpose. Google had only a week before launched mock test series for SAT exam which is conducted for admission in the colleges and universities in the United States. If I could turn back time excited for SATs last week and JEE Main this week in Gemini at no cost, Sundar Pichai wrote on social media platform X. Pichai has tagged an earlier post by Google Gemini AI which said students can try full-length mock JEE Main tests in Gemini at no costs. The post is accompanied by a short video clip. How to run mock JEE Main Test in Gemini? Step 1: Log-in to your Google account Step 2: Open Google Gemini app in your mobile phone or access the Gemini website on your desktop computer. Step 3: Write the text prompt "I want to take a JEE Main mock test" into the chat interface to activate the feature. Step 4: Choose the test subject or full-length mock test that you want to take from the options provided by the interface. Step 5: Complete the test and submit your answers to get an instant analysis and score of your performance. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic How Quran Affirms Gospels and Ends The Lost Book Delusion The relationship between Quran and the prior scriptures of the Abrahamic tradition specifically Injil (Gospel) and Tawrat (Torah) stands as one of the most volatile yet vital frontiers of modern interfaith theology The relationship between Quran and the prior scriptures of the Abrahamic tradition specifically Injil (Gospel) and Tawrat (Torah) stands as one of the most volatile yet vital frontiers of modern interfaith theology. In the contemporary era, few interventions have sparked as much critical re-evaluation as Alan Shlemons paper, Is Qurans Injil the Same as the New Testament Gospels? Shlemons work, primarily a Christian apologetic effort, seeks to address a profound disconnect: the common assertion in some theological circles that the original Injil revealed to Jesus is a lost, singular, celestial text that bears little resemblance to the four canonical Gospels of the New Testament. Shlemons thesis is provocative yet grounded in a literalist reading of the Quranic text. He argues that Quran affirms Injil as an uncorrupted, extant document that was physically present and accessible in the seventh century. This claim challenges the foundational Theory of the Lost Book that has dominated certain polemics for centuries. However, Shlemons inquiry finds a surprising and scholarly ally in a reconciliatory Islamic framework that aligns with Shlemons historical observations while deepening the theological implications for a modern audience. As this reconciliatory scholarship argues, the Lost Book theory creates a theological vacuum, effectively undermining the integrity of Quran itself and the historical continuity of the prophetic tradition. By synthesising Shlemons historical rigour with a liberatory hermeneutic, the discourse moves toward an enlightened appreciation of the Gospels one that honours Qurans self-proclaimed role as Muhaymin (Guardian/Criterion) without requiring the erasure of the Christian textual heritage. This paper explores this synthesis across forty thematic chapters, divided into five volumes. Introduction to the Discourse of Scriptural Continuity The Quranic narrative does not present itself as an isolated phenomenon but as the culmination of a divine trajectory. Alan Shlemons paper enters this space by questioning the identity of the Injil. For centuries, a hermeneutics of suspicion has dominated, where Christian scriptures were viewed as fabrications. Shlemons intervention is essential because it forces a return to the text of the Holy Quran. The reconciliatory framework takes this further, suggesting that the continuity of revelation is a requirement for Qurans validity. If the Injil is a phantom, Qurans claim to be a Musaddiq (Confirmer) is rendered empty. Shlemons argument is constructed upon three pillars. First, the absence of historical evidence for a lost Jesus-book. This absence is a positive indication that the Injil was an oral proclamation recorded by witnesses. Second, the internal evidence of Quran (Surah 4:47, 7:157, 10:94), which speaks of a document with the People of the Book. Third, the historical reality of seventh-century Christianity, where the four Gospels were the only recognised Injil. These pillars demand an academic engagement that moves beyond mere assertion. The theory of a lost book is identified as an apologetic development designed to resolve theological tensions by creating a historical void. The reconciliatory framework contends that this theory posits a Dark Age of revelation inconsistent with the nature of God. If God is Al-Qayyum (The Sustainer), it is inconceivable that He would allow the light of the Messiahs revelation to be totally snuffed out. This work provides a sophisticated Islamic defence of Shlemons premise: The Injil is not a phantom, but a living scripture. The Lost Book theory creates a vacuum that undermines the Prophetic tradition. If the Injil disappeared shortly after Jesus, then for six hundred years, the world was left without Guidance and Light. This view portrays a God who failed to protect His message, which contradicts the Quranic attribute of Al-Hafiz (The Guardian). Shlemons historical rigour fills this vacuum by affirming that the message remained extant and accessible. A central point of friction is the definition of Injil. Traditionalists imagine a bound volume descending from heaven. Shlemon and modern reconciliatory scholars both critique this. The word Injil is the Arabised Greek Euangelion, meaning Good News. It referred to a proclamation, not a physical object. Jesus himself was the Message. Thus, the Injil is the spiritual essence of Jesuss teaching, preserved through history in textual forms. Critics ask why Quran says Injil (singular) when there are four Gospels. Shlemon addresses this by noting that by the seventh century, the four Gospels were treated as a unit. The reconciliatory framework adds that the singular Injil signifies the unified divine message (risala) preserved in canonical vessels. This resolves the linguistic tension without necessitating the invention of a lost, monolithic codex. Shlemon and the reconciliatory framework both utilise the Hermeneutic of Presence. This is the idea that the Quranic discourse assumes the Injil is a functional, contemporary scripture. Surah 5:68 commands Christians to uphold the Torah and the Gospel. This confers a moral weight upon the extant texts. If the texts were corrupted beyond recognition, God would be commanding believers to follow a falsehooda logical impossibility. Historical Continuity and Textual Presence of Injil The linguistic journey of the word Injil is a major blow to the Lost Book theory. Euangelion did not denote a leather-bound volume authored by a single individual; it was a proclamation of victory. Shlemons argument rests on the fact that the four Gospels were treated as a unit liturgically. This philological continuity bridges the gap between Shlemons historical claims and the Quranic singular, suggesting the Book given to Jesus was the message he carried. Shlemon emphasises that for Quranic commands to be valid, the Injil had to be a present reality. Arabia was a crossroads of Nestorian, Jacobite, and Abyssinian traditions. The reconciliatory framework provides historical depth: The Quranic discourse treats the Injil not as an archaeological relic, but as a living reality. The Christians of Najran possessed the New Testament, and Quran addresses the scripture that was with them (maahum). Shlemons most potent argument involves physical evidence the Codex Sinaiticus and Vaticanus. These 4th-century manuscripts prove that the Gospels were stable centuries before Muhammad. The reconciliatory perspective suggests that the essence of the Injil is preserved within the New Testament, and these codices are the material witnesses to that preservation. This dismantles the Total Discontinuity narrative by proving the vessel of the Injil was already fixed. The Quranic phrase maahum (with them) serves as the linguistic anchor. Shlemon quotes Surah 7:157, where the Prophet is found written in the Torah and the Injil that are with them. The preposition maa implies physical possession and immediate availability. If the Injil were lost, the word maahum would be a divine misstatement. A lost text renders the divine command to judge by it absurd. The delegation of Najran provides a vital proof of concept. According to tradition, the Prophet did not accuse the Christians of having a fake book. The reconciliatory framework argues that Qurans responses engage with their Christology, not their textual validity. Shlemons argument that Quran affirms Injil as an enduring document is perfectly illustrated here. The debate was about how they interpreted the Gospel, not whether they possessed it. Shlemon notes the four Gospels were treated as a unit. In the East, this unit was often the Diatessarona harmonisation of the four Gospels. This explains why Quran refers to the Injil in the singular. To the 7th-century Arab ear, The Gospel was the unified story of Jesus. This resolves the singular-plural dynamic as a reflection of how revelation is housed in history. Surah 10:94 urges the Prophet to consult those who have been reading the Scripture before you if in doubt. Shlemon sees this as a staggering endorsement. The reconciliatory framework calls this the Hermeneutic of Presence. If those texts were corrupted beyond recognition, God would be pointing the Prophet toward a source of error. Epistemic stability ensures the Quranic worldview is grounded in a consistent, merciful God. Both Shlemon and reconciliatory scholars encourage a move away from historical literalism that demands a physical Jesus-book. Understanding the Injil extends beyond physical existence into the spiritual essence captured within the texts. By recognising the Injil as an enduring message, we broaden the horizon for interfaith relations and stop looking for a buried treasure in the sand. Deconstructing Tahrif Textual vs. Interpretive Distortion The doctrine of Tahrif is a primary barrier. Traditionalists assert physical alteration (Tahrif al-Lafz). Shlemon challenges this by arguing that Qurans affirmation of the Injil as with them binds Muslims to recognise its integrity. The reconciliatory framework redefines Tahrif as Tahrif al-Manathe distortion of meaning through misinterpretation. This refinement allows us to appreciate Shlemons historical claims while maintaining Qurans critical stance toward specific theological developments. Shlemons argument rests on a theological implication: if Quran commands Christians to judge by Injil, then Injil must be trustworthy. He asserts that Quran presents the Injil as an enduring document. This is supported by the fact that the Lost Book theory is a later apologetic development. The Quranic text itself addresses the living scriptures of the era, such as those found in stable manuscripts. Central to this appreciation is Surah 5:48, describing Quran as Muhaymin (Guardian/Criterion). This role is not one of eraser but of guardian. The Holy Quran acts as a filter, allowing the believer to identify the authentic Injil the guidance and lightwithin the canonical Gospels. This resolves the tension between Shlemons affirmation and Qurans occasional critiques of specific communal dogmas. To understand Tahrif, one must look at Surah 3:78, which describes people who alter the Scripture with their tongues. This is an oral act of misinterpretation, not a physical rewriting of manuscripts. Shlemons paper supports this by noting historical stability. If the text were being physically rewritten across all Christendom, archaeological evidence would be rampant. Instead, the corruption is in the misreading of the text. It is indeed a misconception to claim that all Muslim scholars rejected the integrity of the Bible in the same absolute way, and historically there has been considerable nuance in how tahrif was understood and applied. In the early centuries of Islamic tafsir, figures such as al-Tabari (d. 923) and Ibn Qutayba (d. 889) regularly quoted the Bible (especially Torah material) as a source in Quranic commentary often treating tahrif as a distortion of interpretation (tahrif al-mana) rather than textual corruption (tahrif al-lafz) of the actual books Muslims then possessed, and using these quotations to support Islamic claims rather than discard the scriptures outright. This reflects an early tradition that did not deny the value or legitimacy of earlier scriptures but critiqued misinterpretations. Likewise, exegetes across the formative period, including companions successors like Ibn Abbas and later commentators like al-Suyuti and al-Razi, differed on whether tahrif meant textual change, exegetical distortion, or a mix of both in discussing prior scriptures. Meanwhile, the modern category of Muslim Hebraists such as Syed Ahmad Khan (d. 1898) represents a later, reconciliatory framework that explicitly rejects the wholesale concept of tahrif by upholding the divine origin and considerable integrity of the Tawrat and Injil, and instead seeks to interpret these scriptures sympathetically alongside Quran a stance that counters narratives of total corruption. In contemporary polemical and interfaith discussions, scholars and apologists like Alan Shlemon (among others in Christian Muslim dialogue circles) revive this historically grounded position by arguing that early Muslim engagement with the Bible was more nuanced and that Tahrif al-Mana was often the default reading, not textual annihilation of the Bible itself. While Shlemon is not a classical Muslim commentator but rather a modern voice in interreligious discourse pointedly critiquing oversimplified narratives, his argument echoes this early consensus that tahrif primarily concerned meaning, not manuscripts and suggests that doctrines like the lost book theory create a theological vacuum that can unintentionally undermine the Qurans designation as musaddiq (confirmer) of earlier revelations (seen, for example, in Quran 5:48), which presupposes continuity rather than obliteration of earlier texts. The Holy Quran describes Injil as guidance and light (hudan wa nur), affirming its revelatory and ethical authority (5:46). As Shlemon rightly emphasises, this description refers to the scriptures that were actually in the possession of Christians during the Prophet Muhammads time , not to a lost or inaccessible text (5:47). This light is not framed in the Quran as a complete legal system but as the monotheistic, moral, and spiritual core of Jesuss teaching, centred on God-consciousness, compassion, justice, and humilityelements that Quran itself acknowledges as enduring within the Christian tradition (3:4849, 19:36, 57:27). Quran further clarifies that its own role is not to erase this light but to function as a muhaymina guardian, criterion, and overseerover previous scriptures (5:48). This muhaymin function preserves the ethical and monotheistic essence of the Injil while preventing it from being eclipsed or distorted by later human theological accretions, sectarian disputes, or excessive dogmatic speculation (2:79, 3:64). In this way, Quran positions itself not as a replacement that nullifies the Injil, but as a revelatory framework that confirms, safeguards, and ethically re-centres the light that continues to shine within the Gospels for those who seek guidance through righteousness and sincerity (5:68, 29:46). Reconciling the Son of God From Ontology to Idiom The most formidable barrier is the title Son of God. Shlemon argues Qurans affirmation includes these titles. The reconciliatory framework provides a bridge by distinguishing between Hellenistic ontology and Semitic idiom. It argues that the Quranic rejection is of walad (biological child), whereas in the Semitic world, Son of God was an idiom for election and covenantal intimacy. Jesus is identified as the Word. Shlemon notes the unique status of the Quranic Jesus. Surah 4:171 labels him as His Word (Kalima). This intersects with the Logos of the Gospel of John. Both traditions present Jesus as the revelation itself manifested in history. To the Quranic mind, Jesus is the embodied Be! (Kun) of God. The Quranic Jesus performs miracles, always qualified by bi-idhnillah (by Gods permission). This aligns with John 5:19, where Jesus says the Son can do nothing of himself. This hermeneutic of dependency shows that the Gospel portrait of Jesus is far more Quranic than traditional polemics suggest. Shlemons affirmation allows Muslims to see this shared theological root. Surah 4:157 says they killed him not but it was made to appear so to them. A phenomenological reading suggests Quran denies the victory of the executioners. To the authorities, Jesus appeared defeated; that was the shubha (appearance). But the reality is that God raised him. Shlemons argument for uncorrupted Gospels allows us to see the crucifixion as a historical event that Quran provides a metaphysical commentary upon. Surah 61:6 claims Jesus prophesied a messenger named Ahmad. This points to the Paraclete in John 14:16. While Christians identify this as the Holy Spirit, the description of a figure who speaks what he hears resonates with Muhammad. By affirming the Gospels as Injil, Muslims gain access to the text where this prophecy is housed. Shlemon emphasizes that Quran affirms the Injil as guidance and light, and this illuminating quality becomes ethically visible in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 57). Within this discourse, mercy, peace-making, humility, and a justice that surpasses legal formalism stand at the very heart of faithfulness to God (Matthew 5:79, 20; 6:14; 7:12). The enduring essence of the Injil is thus preserved in its uncompromising call to mercy and justice, a call that echoes the prophetic traditions insistence that love of God is inseparable from love of neighbour and concrete ethical action (Matthew 22:3740; Luke 10:3337). In this light, Qurans Muhaymin role functions as a moral guardian rather than a negatorprotecting these ethical pearls by recalling believers to the radical, monotheistic moral vision shared by both traditions. This vision demands justice, mercy, and humility before God as the true markers of authentic religiosity (Matthew 23:23; Luke 4:1819). By safeguarding this shared ethical core, the Muhaymin framework calls followers of both scriptures back to the same primordial commitment to God-centred justice, compassion, and moral integrity. Acknowledging the Gospels as the Injil does not mean accepting every later dogma. The Holy Quran distinguishes between the revelation (the Injil) and the tradition (the Church). The Muhaymin filter allows the believer to sift the gold of Jesuss words from the dross of human theological elaboration. Toward a Pluralistic Future Reconciliation as Vital Dialogue The debate over Injil is a battle for the soul of interfaith relations. The Lost Book theory acts as a terminal barrier. Shlemons paper provides the historical tool to dismantle this barrier. A progressive theology must reject the polemical stance in favour of recognising that Gods guidance is a continuous divine protection. The Muhaymin role should not be understood as a mandate for triumphalism, but as a reconciliatory approach. Shlemon argues that Qurans affirmation binds Muslims to a recognition of the Gospels integrity. The Holy Quran serves as the criterion to sift divine light from human interpretive shadows, facilitating pluralistic coexistence. The invitation to come to a common word (Surah 3:64) is only possible if there is a common text. If the Injil is lost, there is no commonality. The essence of the Injil is preserved within the New Testament. Reading the Sermon on the Mount alongside Quranic calls for equity reveals the spiritual continuum of the Abrahamic faiths. For centuries, apologetics has posited a Dark Age between Jesus and Muhammad. Shlemons historical evidence effectively ends this narrative. God would never allow His message to be totally lost. This realisation provides epistemic stability, ensuring that the Quranic worldview is grounded in a consistent, merciful God. This means the Gospel is no longer a forbidden book for the Muslim. Shlemons paper invites a nuanced manner of engagement. Practical implications include shared scripture circles and collaborative ethics. This reconciliatory framework offers a pathway for meaningful engagement that respects both Qurans authority and the integrity of the Gospels. We must move from polemics (proving others wrong) to hermeneutics (understanding how God speaks). The Lost Book theory is a weapon; the Extant Injil theory is a bridge. This framework allows the believer to respect both Qurans authority and the historical integrity of the Gospels. The overarching theme is Divine Pedagogy. God reveals truth through history and human communities. Shlemons arguments emphasise that Qurans mention of the Injil refers to the living Gospel tradition. Quran is a guardian and confirmer of the Truth that came before it. The conclusion leaves us with a vision of scriptural integrity. Alan Shlemon has provided a compelling case for Qurans affirmation of the Gospels. Reconciliatory scholarship has challenged us to engage in a more nuanced manner. Through this lens, we appreciate that the essence of the Injil is preserved within the Gospels. To achieve a full scholarly appreciation, we must delve deeper into the specific textual and historical nuances raised by Alan Shlemon and supported by modern reconciliatory hermeneutics. This synthesis is not merely an academic exercise; it is a fundamental re-orientation of the Islamic-Christian dialogue. The Historical Reality of 7th Century Christianity Alan Shlemons reliance on the Codex Sinaiticus and the Codex Vaticanus is not just a point of archaeological interest; it is an epistemological anchor. In the seventh century, the Arabian Peninsula was surrounded by vibrant Christian communities. The Christians of Ethiopia (Abyssinia), who provided refuge to the early Muslims, read the Gospels in Geez. The Syriac-speaking Christians of the Levant and the Persian Empire read the Peshitta. These versions were already established and standardised. When Quran commands the Christians of Najran to judge by what God has revealed therein, it is historically impossible for this command to refer to any text other than the canonical Gospels used by these very communities. The reconciliatory framework builds on this by noting that the Quranic address is contextual. The Holy Quran speaks to a living audience about a living scripture. If that scripture were a secret, lost Aramaic document, Qurans command would be a divine riddle rather than a divine guidance. The maahum (with them) argument is the linguistic proof of this presence. It implies that the Injil was a functional legal and moral authority for the Christians known to the Prophet. A significant portion of the misunderstanding regarding the Injil stems from a category error in philology. The Arabic word Injil is a direct descendant of the Greek Euangelion. In the first-century context, Euangelion was a secular term used to announce a royal victory or a transformative event. When Jesus used it, he was announcing the Kingdom of God. Injil was therefore a proclamation (kerygma). Modern Muslim reconciliatory scholarship emphasises that Jesus did not write a book; he was the message. This aligns with the Quranic description of Jesus as the Kalima (Word) of God. If Jesus is the Word, then the Injil is the historical record of that Words manifestation. Shlemons argument that the four Gospels are the Injil is validated here because the four Gospels are the primary historical vessels of that proclamation. The move from oral kerygma to written codex did not corrupt the message; it preserved it for future generations, including the generation of Quran. The common polemical claim of Tahrif al-Lafz (textual corruption) often relies on the idea that the Bible was physically altered to hide prophecies of Muhammad. However, Shlemon and reconciliatory scholars point out that Quran actually uses the stability of the previous scriptures to validate its own message. If the previous scriptures were entirely unreliable, the Holy Qurans claim to be their confirmer (Musaddiq) would be meaningless. Confirmation requires a stable object to be confirmed. The reconciliatory framework distinguishes between the text and the interpretation. The twisting of tongues mentioned in Surah 3:78 refers to how the People of the Book presented their scriptures to the Prophet, perhaps misrepresenting specific passages to avoid acknowledging his mission. This is a critique of the people, not the text. By acknowledging the integrity of the New Testament manuscripts, we honour Qurans role as Muhaymin the guardian that watches over the divine truth and sifts it from human theological accretions. One of the most profound areas of convergence found in the synthesis of Shlemons and reconciliatory work is the metaphysical status of Jesus. While traditional debates focus on the Trinity, a more nuanced Quranic appreciation looks at the term Kalima. Surah 4:171 labels Jesus as His Word which He directed to Mary. This is a stunning parallel to the prologue of Johns Gospel: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The reconciliatory framework suggests that while Quran rejects the Hellenistic/pagan concept of biological sonship (walad), it maintains the Semitic concept of the Logos/Kalima. Jesus is the creative Be! (Kun) of God. Shlemons argument for the integrity of the Gospels allows Muslims to read the Gospel of John as a poetic and metaphysical expansion of this Quranic truth. The light of the Injil mentioned in Quran is precisely this realisation of Jesuss unique status as the embodied Word of God. The role of Quran as Muhaymin (Surah 5:48) is often misinterpreted as a mandate to discard previous scriptures. However, the root of the word implies watching over or safeguarding. A guardian does not destroy the thing it guards. Instead, Quran acts as a criterion to help the believer discern the essential, primordial monotheism of Jesus within the Gospels. When Shlemon argues that Muslims must affirm the present Gospels, the reconciliatory framework adds a layer of sophistication: we affirm them as the vessel of the Injil. Within that vessel, Quran helps us see the Guidance and Light. This includes the radical ethics of the Sermon on the Mount, the call to social justice, and the absolute devotion to the Father (God). By using Quran as a filter rather than an eraser, we can appreciate the New Testament as an extant vessel of divine message. The ultimate goal of this scholarly appreciation is to move the conversation from suspicion to reconciliation. Alan Shlemons paper provides the historical evidence that Injil addressed by Quran is none other than the New Testament Gospels. This dismantles the Myth of the Lost Book which has served as a barrier for too long. The reconciliatory framework provides the Quranic logic to accept this historical reality. It argues that Gods guidance is not fragile; it is resilient and continuous. The Injil was not lost in a Dark Age; it was preserved by God through the Christian community until the arrival of Quran. By acknowledging this, we fulfil the Common Word invitation of Surah 3:64. We recognise that the Injil and Quran are harmonious movements in a single divine symphony. Alan Shlemons investigation is a vital catalyst for modern theological engagement. By demonstrating that Quran refers to a present, canonical Gospel tradition, he challenges the historical and apologetic myths of total discontinuity. Through the reconciliatory lens, his arguments reach their full academic and liberatory potential. We are no longer looking for a buried treasure in the sand; we are looking at the Guidance and Light that has been with the People of the Book since the time of the Messiah. Injil is not a lost book; it is a living scripture, one that Quran repeatedly affirms as being with them and actively present among the People of the Gospel (5:46, 5:47). Far from portraying it as vanished or corrupted beyond recognition, Quran commands that it be upheld, stood upon, and lived by (5:68), describing it as a source of guidance and light whose moral force remains operative (5:46). This affirmation is reinforced by the insistence that Gods revelations are not abandoned but continuously safeguarded within history, reflecting the divine attribute of preservation and faithfulness (15:9). Through this synthesis, we rediscover a shared quest for truth and spiritual understanding, rooted in the continuity of divine guidance bestowed upon multiple communities (42:13). In this light, the character of God as Al-Hafiz, the Protector of His Word, stands vindicated not as a selective guardian of one scripture alone, but as the faithful sustainer of all revelations sent for human moral uplift. The light of Injil, therefore, never failed or vanished; it endured within history, awaiting a more ethically awakened generation capable of recognising its presence and engaging it with humility, justice, and spiritual maturity (5:66, 57:27). Why Quran Recognizes Gospel as a Living Scripture The Holy Quran and Injil converge upon a shared ethical vision rooted in belief in God and accountability in the Hereafter. Both scriptures call humanity toward justice, benevolence, and the recognition of universal human dignity. Quran repeatedly asserts that the Injil is a source of guidance and light (5:46), present among the People of the Book (5:47), and deserving of moral engagement rather than dismissal. Its ethical corecompassion, mercy, honesty, and equitable treatment of othersresonates with the Gospels message of loving God and neighbour (3:4849, 57:27). Quran positions itself as Muhaymin, a guardian and criterion, to preserve the moral and spiritual essence of previous revelations (5:48). This safeguarding function does not negate the Injil but illuminates its teachings for contemporary audiences. By emphasising accountability to God and the Hereafter, both scriptures establish a framework in which human actions are measured by justice and righteousness (2:177, 16:90). Ethical life thus becomes a sacred struggle to uplift the oppressed, foster human brotherhood, and maintain peace (49:13, 5:8). Equally, Quran affirms that Gods protection of His Word is continuous (15:9), ensuring that divine guidance in the Injil remained operative across centuries (42:13). This continuity refutes the notion of a Lost Book while encouraging believers to recognise the unity of prophetic purpose: the pursuit of benevolence, human equality, and spiritual integrity (5:66, 57:27). By engaging with Injil alongside Quran, believers witness a harmonious ethical vision that transcends sectarian divisions, grounded in God-consciousness, moral accountability, and active striving for justice, mercy, and peace. In this light, Injil is neither lost nor inert; it is a living scripture whose ethical illumination persists, awaiting human hearts and minds willing to enact its moral and spiritual imperatives (5:68, 29:46). Ultimately, the transition from viewing the Injil as a vanished artifact to recognizing it as a present and divinely affirmed scripture marks a profound shift from a theology of replacement to one of mutual recognition. The Holy Quran categorically affirms that Injil was endowed with guidance and light and served as a moral criterion for its community (5:46), just as revelation before it functioned as a source of ethical direction (5:44). By dismantling the enduring Lost Book delusion, the Quranic discourse invites Muslims to rediscover the spiritual treasures embedded within the Gospels the radical ethic of mercy, the uncompromising call to justice, and the deep God-conscious devotion exemplified by the Messiahnot as foreign intrusions, but as a shared inheritance rooted in the same divine source of illumination (42:13). This affirmation builds an enduring bridge of affinity. It validates the historical and spiritual experience of the Christian community while simultaneously upholding Qurans role as Muhaymina guardian, confirmer, and ethical overseer rather than a negator of earlier revelation (5:48). When the religious other is no longer imagined as possessing a fraudulent or phantom scripture, but rather a sacred vessel carrying the same primordial proclamation of divine oneness, justice, and mercy (21:92; 23:52), the foundation for a genuinely pluralistic engagement is laid. The interfaith encounter is thus transformed from a polemical battlefield into a shared sanctuary of reflection, reverence, and mutual respect. This reconciliatory hermeneutic further elevates the invitation to a Common Word (Kalima Sawa) from a mere diplomatic appeal into a robust theological imperative grounded in revelation itself (3:64). By affirming the essential moral and spiritual messages of the Gospel, Quran fosters an affinity in which religious identity is defined not by competitive erasure of sacred history, but by a shared striving for justice, righteousness, and God-consciousness (2:62; 5:69). This is not a call toward the homogenization of faith traditions, but toward a divine symphony in which distinct scriptural voices retain their integrity while harmonizing in ethical purpose (49:13). [V.A. Mohamad Ashrof is an independent Indian scholar specializing in Islamic humanism. With a deep commitment to advancing Quranic hermeneutics that prioritize human well-being, peace, and progress, his work aims to foster a just society, encourage critical thinking, and promote inclusive discourse and peaceful coexistence. He is dedicated to creating pathways for meaningful social change and intellectual growth through his scholarship. He can be reached at vamashrof@gmail.com.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Analysing The Risks Involved in Expansion of AIMIM, AIUDF Under the First Past the Post system, parties such as AIMIM and AIUDF offer no credible pathway to reducing Muslim marginalisation at the national or state level The partition of 1947 divided South Asian Muslims into three political spaces. This outcome was not the failure of one party alone; it reflected a collective breakdown involving colonial strategy, the Indian National Congress, and the Muslim League. The British exit ensured territorial division without political stability, leaving behind enduring regional tensions. In West and East Pakistan, and later in Bangladesh after 1971, religious minorities, particularly Hindus and other non-Muslims, faced sustained marginalisation. In India, Muslims who chose to stay were not provided political reservation, though constitutional guarantees were extended for religious, cultural, and educational rights. These safeguards were important but structurally limited, as they did not translate into assured political power. Since 2014, the vulnerability of this arrangement has become increasingly evident. For much of independent Indias history, Muslims aligned with the Congress and other secular parties. This alignment was not rooted in unconditional loyalty, but in political realism. These parties functioned as a check on majoritarian consolidation, even though communal violence persisted and Muslim socio-economic deprivation remained unresolved. A significant political realignment followed the implementation of the Mandal Commission under Prime Minister V. P. Singh, which extended 27 per cent reservation to Other Backward Classes. This reform enabled the political rise of OBC leadership and regional parties, while simultaneously alienating sections of upper-caste Hindus. Over time, this resentment was consolidated by the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has since emerged as the most resource-rich, organisationally disciplined, and institutionally influential political force in India. In the current political discourse, secular parties are routinely portrayed as Muslim parties a claim that is factually incorrect but electorally effective. At the same time, the BJP has successfully incorporated OBC, SC, and ST groups through welfare delivery and symbolic inclusion, while offering little substantive political representation or policy assurance to Muslims. It is within this context that the expansion of AIMIM must be examined. The partys leadership, particularly Asaduddin Owaisi, argues that Muslims must secure legislative representation in proportion to their population. Normatively, this claim appears just. Institutionally, it is untenable under Indias First Past the Post electoral system. FPTP does not translate vote share into seat share; it rewards consolidated majorities and penalises dispersed minorities. The continued assertion that Muslims can achieve population-proportionate representation through identity-based parties without proportional representation reforms amounts to a serious misreading of electoral reality. Under FPTP, such parties neither form governments nor substantially enhance Muslim legislative presence. Instead, they fragment minority votes, indirectly strengthening the dominant communal party. More critically, this strategy has increasingly relied on emotional mobilization rather than structural analysis. Political frustration and social insecurity are converted into electoral symbolism, while the predictable consequence reduced winnability of Muslim candidates from secular parties is ignored. This is not political empowerment; it is political misdirection. The personal success of a limited number of leaders cannot be equated with collective advancement. Electoral victories concentrated within a few constituencies do not offset the broader decline in Muslim representation across assemblies. On the contrary, the repeated entry of Muslim-identified parties into closely contested seats often results in Muslim vote division and the victory of majoritarian candidates. Historical context remains essential. Without the presence of the Congress and allied secular forces during Partition, the fate of Indian Muslims could have been far more precarious. Despite persistent hardships, Muslims in India today constitute the worlds third-largest Muslim population, living within a constitutional democracy. Political rhetoric that dismisses secular parties entirely, or frames them as the principal obstacle to Muslim dignity, obscures this reality. Symbolic defiance and rhetorical absolutism do not substitute for viable political strategy. Even globally, Muslim-majority states despite facing coercion, intervention, and humiliation, continue pragmatic engagement with dominant powers. Political realism, however uncomfortable, remains unavoidable. Under the First Past the Post system, parties such as AIMIM and AIUDF offer no credible pathway to reducing Muslim marginalisation at the national or state level. Without electoral system reform or durable coalition politics, their expansion risks deepening political isolation rather than correcting it. For Indian Muslims, the pressing need is not emotional assertion, but strategic participation grounded in institutional realities. A further concern is the instrumental use of Muslim suffering as political capital by sections of Muslim leadership itself. Leaders such as Asaduddin Owaisi, along with figures including Akbaruddin Owaisi, Imtiaz Jaleel, and Akhtarul Iman, increasingly frame Muslim political marginalisation as evidence of betrayal by secular parties rather than a consequence of Indias electoral structure. This narrative selectively amplifies grievance while remaining silent on the predictable electoral effects of vote fragmentation under the First Past the Post system. While a limited number of leaders consolidate, secure constituencies and political careers, the broader Muslim electorate bears the cost through declining winnability of Muslim candidates across competitive seats. The repeated invocation of population-proportionate representation, without advocating proportional representation reforms, transforms legitimate Muslim anxieties into emotive mobilisation rather than actionable political strategy. In effect, collective vulnerability is converted into personalised electoral leverage, with long-term consequences for Muslim representation that remain unaddressed. [The writer, Amir Hussain, is Academic Counsellor (Social Work & Political Science) IGNOU] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Rohit Pawar smells conspiracy in Ajit Pawar plane crash Rohit Pawar, MLA and NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader, said Ajit Pawars plane crash on January 28, 2026 was not an accident and could be a conspiracy Mumbai: Rohit Pawar, MLA and NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader, said Ajit Pawars plane crash on January 28, 2026 was not an accident and could be a conspiracy. Rohit Pawar and Ajit Pawar both are nephews of Maratha stalwart Sharad Pawar. Sharad Pawar had served as Maharashtra Chief Minister and also as Union Defence Minister. "Ajit Pawar will come back?" With the help of a PowerPoint presentation, in a more than 1.45 hour press conference, Rohit Pawar also demanded a thorough probe into the plane crash in which his cousin and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar, was killed. Pawar, Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from the Karjat-Jamkhed constituency, also listed a number of investigating agencies, including foreign based, to probe the tragic crash in which Ajit Pawar was killed along with four others. He said people believe that Ajit Pawar has not died and will come back. They are of the belief that there were actually six people in the plane, and not five, and the dead body which was claimed to be of Ajit Pawar was not his. "Suicide Bomber?" Rohit Pawars detailed press conference came two days after Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Leader and MLC Amol Mitkari had claimed a suicide bomber could have been involved in the plane crash. Hours after the crash , West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had demanded a probe into the crash. Sharad Pawar, however, had said the crash was an accident that should not be politicized. Despite this, Rohit Pawar demanded investigation into the crash. Rohit Pawar asked whether the aircraft's transponder was intentionally switched off before the final moments. According to Rohit Pawar, the original pilots, Sahil Madan and Yash, were reportedly delayed due to traffic. "Then how did Sumit Kapoor and Shambhavi Pathak reach the airport? Were they living nearby?" he asked. Rohit Pawar also said Ajit Pawar was supposed to travel to Pune by road but "a leader from East Vidarbha arrived with a file related to scrapping a political consultant's contract, which delayed the meeting." Saying that the Crime Investigation Department (CID) would not have full authority to probe the incident, he demanded a comprehensive investigation by multiple expert agencies, including the National Transportation Safety Board, the Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety, the UK-based Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), along with Indian agencies. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic By AzerNEWS Staff Some tragedies are etched so deeply into a nations memory that they define a generation. The massacre in Khojaly is one such wound for Azerbaijan. On the night of 25 to 26 February 1992, amid the war in Garabagh, a small town of civilians became the scene of one of the bloodiest episodes of the conflict. Khojaly was surrounded by Armenian armed formations and subjected to intense assault. As the town fell, residents fled in desperation, attempting to cross snow covered fields towards Azerbaijani held territory. They were not soldiers retreating from a battlefield. They were families carrying children, elderly parents struggling through the cold, people seeking nothing more than safety. Many never reached it. According to Azerbaijani sources, 613 civilians were killed, including 63 children and 106 women. Hundreds were wounded and many taken captive. Entire families were destroyed. Survivors later described how columns of fleeing civilians were fired upon. Bodies were found scattered across the frozen landscape. The images that emerged from that night remain among the most harrowing of the entire conflict. Central to the scale and intensity of the attack was the involvement of the former Soviet 366th Motor Rifle Regiment. Stationed in the region during the final phase of the Soviet Unions collapse, the regiment possessed significant military hardware, including tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery. As authority disintegrated, weapons and, reportedly, personnel from the 366th regiment became entangled in the fighting. Azerbaijani accounts maintain that this support provided Armenian forces with decisive firepower. The presence of heavy weaponry transformed what might otherwise have been a limited military operation into a catastrophe for civilians. Artillery and armoured units do not distinguish between combatant and child when used against a populated area. In Khojaly, that imbalance of force proved devastating. The combination of local armed formations and remnants of a powerful Soviet military structure created a deadly synergy. For Azerbaijanis, Khojaly is not an abstract historical reference. It is a lived memory carried by survivors and by the families of those who did not return. Each February, commemorations are held to honour the victims. The term genocide is used in Azerbaijan to describe the massacre, reflecting the depth of trauma and the belief that civilians were deliberately targeted. Beyond terminology, the essential fact remains that non combatants were killed while attempting to flee. The broader war over Garabagh produced suffering on all sides, yet Khojaly stands out for the sheer number of civilian deaths in a single night and for the circumstances in which they occurred. International humanitarian principles are clear in their protection of civilians during armed conflict. The events of that night illustrate how quickly those principles can collapse when command structures weaken and heavy weapons are unleashed. More than three decades later, Khojaly continues to shape Azerbaijans national consciousness. It informs how the past is remembered and how the future is approached. Peace in the South Caucasus requires acknowledgement of pain and an honest reckoning with history. Remembering Khojaly is part of that process. The frozen fields where families once fled have long since thawed, but the memory has not. For those who lost parents, children and siblings in the darkness of February 1992, the tragedy is not confined to the past. It lives on as a solemn reminder of what happens when civilians are left defenceless in the path of war. Nvidia boss Jensen Huang [Getty Images] Chip giant Nvidia has reported record annual revenue of $215.9bn (159.1bn), despite a wave of investor scepticism about the massive amounts of money being spent on artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The firm also beat analyst's forecasts as sales for the last three months of its financial year jumped by 73% compared to 12 months earlier. "Computing demand is growing exponentially," boss Jensen Huang said. "Our customers are racing to invest in AI compute - the factories powering the AI industrial revolution and their future growth." While providing chips for companies across the AI sector, Nvidia has also laid out plans in recent weeks to generate demand with new technologies of its own. Nvidia is the world's most valuable publicly-traded company, with a stock market value of around $4.8tn. It has become a central player in the buildout of AI infrastructure, providing sophisticated chips to leading AI model developers including OpenAI and Meta. Gene Munster, manager partner at Deepwater Asset Management, said that buildout was likely to continue for a long time. "AI is accelerating faster than people not using these tools can grasp," Munster wrote on the social media platform X on Wednesday. Nvidia has been scrutinised by investors who worry about its ever-expanding web of deals with other companies. Critics have raised the spectre of "circular financing" deals in which investments by Nvidia in other companies may be clouding perceptions about how robust AI demand really is. Meanwhile, the company has been caught in a geopolitical tug-of-war between the US and China. The outlook released by Nvidia on Wednesday did not include expectations about chip revenue in China. Last month, the Trump administration began allowing Nvidia to sell its H200 chips - Nvidia's second-most advanced type - to Chinese customers under certain conditions. But this week, a US Commerce Department official told lawmakers that none of those chips have yet been sold to Chinese customers. Nvidia is also expanding its own product line in a bid to have more involvement in the physical products in which AI is embedded. Last month at the CES technology trade show in Las Vegas, Huang unveiled a new tech platform for self-driving cars. Huang said the open-source AI model, which the company is calling "Alpamayo," will bring reasoning to autonomous vehicles. Nvidia also said it is was planning to launch a robotaxi service by next year in partnership with an unnamed partner. Glass injuries on Goa beaches demand practical, incentivised remedy: DRS Recurring injuries from broken glass on Goas beaches have begun to draw attention to how waste is managed after consumption. Panaji: Recurring injuries from broken glass on Goas beaches have begun to draw attention to how waste is managed after consumption. As concerns grow over safety and tourism, the states new Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) is being seen as one possible way to curb glass litter before it reaches the sand. Last year, numerous beachgoers went back home carrying memories of injuries from broken glass bits littered on Goa's sunny beaches. In January alone this year, two cases were reported wherein people had to be administered first aid by lifesavers after suffering cuts from broken glass strewn along the popular North Goa shoreline. The injuries, recorded across multiple beaches, underline a recurring safety concern linked to discarded glass bottles according to Drishti Marine, the state - appointed lifesaving agency. The issue of glass litter is a challenge for tourists and citizens alike. For a tourist destination and any healthy functioning society, it is imperative to address this issue, says Carlos Souza, convenor of the Confederation of Indian Industries' Goa panel on Tourism. Injuries at almost all Goa beaches Data sourced from Drishti Marine, the Goa government-appointed beach safety agency, shows that injuries linked to broken glass were reported in 2025 from Anjuna, Arambol, Baga, Benaulim, Calangute, Colva and Palolem. In 2024, similar cases were recorded across Betalbatim, Morjim, Velsao, Baina and Palolem. For those whose livelihoods depend on the beach, the pattern is familiar. Tourists take bottles on the beach, they drink, they bury them, sometimes they litter, sometimes they break them, says Cruz Cardoz, president of the Shack Owners Association. Later, people step on it. A lot of people cut their feet. Cardoz suggests that a deposit scheme for bottles sold near beaches may well be the answer. Right now, nobody keeps a deposit, he says. If you sell a bottle and tell the person to keep a deposit and take it back once the bottle is returned, people will bring it back. That logic mirrors the thinking behind the state governments Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS), currently being rolled out by the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Goa. Under the scheme, consumers pay a refundable deposit at the point of purchase, which is returned when the empty container, including glass bottles, is brought back to an authorised collection point. Dr Anthony de Sa, who heads the DRS Scheme Administrator Committee, stated that the DRS scheme was shaped to include waste that does not get collected when discarded, because of its low re-sale value - such as multi-layered plastic (MLP) . While a significant amount of waste is being managed, especially materials with clear monetary value, such as PET bottles and beer bottles, low-value waste, such as chips and chocolate wrappers and juice cartons, is largely left behind. These materials were difficult to collect, costly to transport and generated little revenue, yet they are disastrous for the environment, he said. Why a comprehensive approach is important? Explaining the approach, de Sa said that it was important to have a comprehensive approach, in which high value as well as low value waste were both collected, and internal cross-subsidies leveraged. The objective is to incentivise return at source, not to deal with the material after it enters drains, beaches or public areas, he said, adding that the DRS, while incentivising waste collectors, was also aiming to drive at a social behavioural change towards waste disposal by consumers, and packaging by manufacturers. Carlos Souza believes measures like the DRS are necessary if Goa wants to protect both residents and visitors from the menace of glass litter. Glass litter is a threat to safety. It affects how tourists experience Goa and how residents use public spaces, he says. According to Anthony Fernandes, who runs the Roma Cafe beach shack shared how glass litter finds its way into the sand especially at night, when groups of domestic tourists drink on the beach and leave the garbage behind. Even in the water there are glass bottles and people get cuts, Fernandes says. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Ritu Tawde takes over as Mumbai Mayor BJP Corporator, Ritu Tawde, has been elected as the New Mayor of Mumbai Wednesday February 11, 2026 Mumbai: BJP Corporator, Ritu Tawde, has been elected as the New Mayor of Mumbai Wednesday February 11, 2026. Ritu Tawde, originally a Congress leader who later joined the BJP, is a two-term corporator from Ward 132 in Ghatkopar. She was elected as the Mayor of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) unopposed as the Shiv Sena (UBT) decided not to field any candidate against her. Ritu Tawdes election as new New Mayor in Mumbai ended more than 30-year rule of the Shiv Sena (Thackeray) in the BMC. In the Deputy Mayor Election, Sanjay Ghadi of Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) won unopposed. Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani formally declared Ritu Tawde and Sanjay Ghadi as Mayor and Deputy Mayor. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor elections in BMC Wednesday came after the BJP emerged the single largest party in the 2026 Mumbai Corporation Election the result of which was declared on January 16, 2026. The BJP and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) respectively won 89 and 29 of the total 227 seats, together winning a total of 118 seats which is more than the half way mark needed to elect Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Shiv Sena (UBT), which had controlled the civic body for more than two decades, won 65 seats. The Congress won 24 seats, AIMIM 08, and the MNS won 06 seats. The NCP factions were split with the Sharad Pawar group winning 1 seat and the Ajit Pawar faction bagging 3 seats. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Arundhati Roy boycotts Berlinale 2026 in solidarity with Gaza Author Arundhati Roy has pulled out of the 76th annual Berlin International Film Festival, usually called the Berlinale, following the comments reportedly made by members of the festival jury regarding Gaza, Palestine Author Arundhati Roy has pulled out of the 76th annual Berlin International Film Festival, usually called the Berlinale, following the comments reportedly made by members of the festival jury regarding Gaza, Palestine. Arundhati Roy described the situation in Gaza as genocide and criticized Germany and the United States for complicity. Let me say this clearly What has happened in Gaza, what continues to happen, is a genocide of the Palestinian people by the State of Israel. It is supported and funded by the governments of the United States and Germany, as well as several other countries in Europe, which makes them complicit in the crime, Roy said in a statement released Friday. Berlinale 2026 which opened on February 12 and will continue till February 22, 2026 has included In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones for screening. Annie was written by Arundhati Roy around 38 years, and Roy had planned to attend the Berlin film festival for the screening of the film. If the greatest film makers and artists of our time cannot stand up and say so, they should know that history will judge them. I am shocked and disgusted With deep regret, I must say that I will not be attending the Berlinale, she added. How the controversy began? The controversy started after Video Journalist, Tilo Jung, asked the jury a question about selective solidarity of the film festival with the people of Iran and Ukraine vs. Palestinians. To this, Jury President, Wim Wenders said, We have to stay out of politics, Tilo Jung wrote on X while tagging the video clip of the whole conversation. In contrast to the jurys views, some authors, activists and artists used the event to highlight, what they call rights violation in Iran. According to Euro News, author and journalist Duzen Tekkal together with Banafshe Hourmazdi, Jasmin Tabatabei and Pheline Roggan, held up posters reading "Free Iran" and "Rojava in my Heart". Also, German Green Party politician Karin Goring Eckardt displayed the message "Remembrance is not a violation" written on her hand. These words are part of a controversial Ukrainian campaign at the Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Bangladesh: BNP registers landslide victory in National Elections The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), projected to win over 200 of the total 300 seats in Jatiya Sangsad, has already won more than 151 seats in the Bangladesh National Elections where counting of votes are in the final stage [Soon to take charge as new Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman, cast his vote Thursday Feb 12, 2026.] Dhaka: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), projected to win over 200 of the total 300 seats in Jatiya Sangsad, has already won more than 151 seats in the Bangladesh National Elections where counting of votes are in the final stage. Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies) are emerging as the main opposition, winning 5 to 70 seats in the country's parliamentary elections. Polling for the Parliamentary Elections in Bangladesh was held on Thursday February 12, 2026, marking the first national vote since the 2024 student-led uprising that ousted long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and15-year autocratic rule of her Awami League party. As many as 1,400 protesters were killed during the uprising - with Hasina accused of having directly ordered the crackdown, an allegation she denies. Hasina's party, the Awami League, was banned from contesting this election. An interim government led by Nobel laureate Mohammed Yunus was formed after Hasina fled to India on August 05, 2024 . The Yunus government took care of holding the parliamentary elections. The BNP was founded by former Bangladesh President Ziaur Rahman. The party was later led by his wife Khaleda Zia who died two months ago. Her son, Tarique Rahman, is widely expected to become the next Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman has won from both the constituencies from where he contested the 2026 elections. Tarique Rahman had returned to Bangladesh from nearly 17 years in exile on December 26, 2025. Bangladesh Eelection at a Glance Total number of voters: 127,711,793 Total number of male voters: 64,825,361 Total number of female voters: 62,885,200 Total number of transgender voters: 1,232 Total seats: 300 Total Parties: 50+ Total candidates: 2,028 Bangladesh Eelection 2026 Party-wise Final Results Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)+: Total seats won so far 204 Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami +: Total seats won so far 76 National Citizen Party (NCP): 04 seats Islami Andolon Bangladesh: 03 seats Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Mohammad Deepak: A Glare Of Hope In A Charged Situation One hopes and wishes we see more of people like Harsh Manders and 'Mohammad Deepak' who represent the true idea of India India is a country full of all types of diversities. The diversity of religions is astounding. The British used Hindu and Muslim identities to sow the seeds of divide and rule. They harped on history to plant hatred, which became the base on which the communal stream of Muslim League and Hindu Mahasabha-RSS introduced their versions of history and created a hate element between the so far mostly cordial relations between Hindus and Muslims. This hate created unusual violence in pre-partition time and was a major factor for conceding to the Mountbatten Plan for partition of the country. The apostle of Peace, the father of the Nation, Mahatam Gandhi had to face three bullets on his bare chest on the accusation that he is pro-Muslim. After partition, Muslim communalism asserted itself in Pakistan, eroding the possibility of thriving democracy. Social and economic progress was the biggest victim here diminishing the possibility of its transition into a modern state with progress, peace and Amity. India had a secular leadership with Nehru in the lead. Nehru laid the foundation of a nation which till a few decades ago was due to which we came up to be a major country with the values and progressed to reasonably good heights. The communal forces came up powerfully from the last couple of decades and are undoing the achievements of the first four-five decades of peace and amity. Hate against Muslims has been their core method; to increase their power and hold over society. During this march of effort to convert the aspiring democracy into a sectarian nationalist state, they devised newer and newer languages and slogans against Muslims in particular and also against Christians. The situation is pathetic now. Social common sense is full of Hate against Muslims and this is increasing by the day. We saw Hindu communalism developing a mechanism to spread far and wide to the extent that Muslim ghettos are the order of the day, vegetarianism is being asserted, love jihad, land jihad, Corona jihad have been commonplace words. Starting from the top leadership the foot soldiers implement this hate into practical violence leading to polarisation of society. The top leadership throws up slogans like Batenge to Katenge, Ek hain to safe hain, they can be identified from their clothes, they proliferate like rabbits, Hindus will become a minority, Hindus are in danger; to name just the few. On the top of this, Assam Chief Minister Hemanta Biswa Sarma, who was earlier in Congress and is now in BJP from last few years, has made statements against Miyas (Bengalis speaking Muslims), which exceeded all the earlier hate speeches against Muslims. On 27th January he stated four to five lakh Miyas will be removed from the electoral rolls through SIR. He went on to state "Vote chori means we are trying to steal some Miya votes. They should ideally not be allowed to vote in Assam, but in Bangladesh." According to media reports, Sarma also openly instigated the public by saying, "Whoever can give trouble in any way should give, including you. In a rickshaw, if the fare is Rs 5, give them Rs 4. Only if they face troubles will they leave Assam." To cap it all he tweeted a video showing him shooting through rifle and bullet going and hitting a skull capped man and a boy standing close to him. This tweet has been deleted now. Seeing all this renowned Human Rights activist and eminent author, Harsh Mander filed a petition against him for Hate speech to "Promote hatred, harassment and discrimination against Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam." He said he had sought prompt action and registration of an FIR under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. To this Sarma responded that he will file multiple FIRs against Mander for helping Muslims during NRC process, and ensure that he is sent to jail. So, what happened to the syncretic culture which has been part of our land for centuries, where Azan Peer and Shankar Dev of Assam preached harmony and lived in Assam itself? What happened to the Hindu Muslim interaction in all areas of life, food, literature, architecture and religious festivals? One starts feeling hopeless in this scenario and feels despondent. And, now came the incident from Gotdawara in Uttarakhand. Here an old Muslim man was running a shop called Baba School Dress for the last 30 years. Bajrang Dal activists pounced upon him questioning how he can name his shop Baba, which for them means a Hindu figure. Seeing this, Deepak, a gym owner and fitness trainer, intervened. During the tense confrontation, when Bajrang Dal attackers demanded to know Deepak's identity (questioning why a Hindu was defending a Muslim), he boldly declared: "Mera naam Mohammad Deepak hai" (My name is Mohammad Deepak). One gets a lot of hope from this incident. The hope that humanism is not totally wiped in the flood of hate created by the followers of Hindu nationalism. Deepak is a living example of the thick Hindu Muslim relation which prevailed here but have become an exception by now. This exception shows the prevalence of earlier amity. Watch Video 140 crore indian must salute to Deepak Kumar... Bharat Mata is Proud Of You, Deepak. . - - pic.twitter.com/wcyUzdK5QV (@BhSanjib) February 1, 2026 Deepak Kumars act of Humanism is worth 100 salutes. Rahul Gandhi, the leader of opposition, complimented Deepak Kumar and stated, Deepak is fighting for the Constitution and humanity for that Constitution which the BJP and the Sangh Parivar conspire every day to trample underfoot. He is a living symbol of a shop of love in the marketplace of hate, and that is what stings those in power the most. The Sangh Parivar is deliberately poisoning the country's economy and society so that India remains divided and a few continue to rule on the crutches of fear. Deepak Kumar himself had a very sweet answer as to why he called himself Mohammad. It was an act of solidarity and he said, "Saraswati was sitting on my tongue, and thats why, at that moment, the name Mohammad Deepak came out of my mouth. I thought they would understand that I am Hindu, and that the situation, which was getting heated, would calm down. But instead, an FIR has now been filed against me. One only hopes and wishes we see more of people like Harsh Manders and Deepak Kumar who represent the true idea of India. [The writer, Ram Puniyani, is former Professor IIT Bombay. He is historians and author of a number of books.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Israel A State of Exception Eyes Borders Beyond Palestine Israel has already created that void. In the hands of a genocidal settler-colonial society, the state of exception is a relentless nightmare that will not stop at the borders of Palestine [Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Defence Minister Israel Katz and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir a a debate in the Knesset, Israels parliament, in Jerusalem, July 23, 2025. (Image: Arab Weekly)] While many nations occasionally resort to a State of Exception to deal with temporary crises, Israel exists in a permanent state of exception. This Israeli exceptionalism is the very essence of the instability that plagues the Middle East. The concept of the state of exception dates back to the Roman justitium, a legal mechanism for suspending law during times of civil unrest. However, the modern understanding was shaped by the German jurist Carl Schmitt, who famously wrote that the sovereign is he who decides on the exception. While Schmitts own history as a jurist for the Third Reich serves as a chilling reminder of where such theories can lead, his work provides an undeniably accurate anatomy of a raw power: It reveals how a ruler who institutes laws also holds the power to dismiss them, under the pretext that no constitution can foresee every possible crisis. It is often argued that Israel, a self-described democracy, still lacks a formal constitution because such a document would force it to define its borders a problematic prospect for a settler-colonial regime with an insatiable appetite for expansion. But there is another explanation: By operating on Basic Laws rather than a constitution, Israel avoids a comprehensive legal system that would align it with the globally accepted foundations of international law. Without a constitution, Israel exists in a legal vacuum where the exception is the rule. In this space, racial laws, territorial expansion, and even genocide are permitted so long as they fit the states immediate agenda. Isolating specific examples to illustrate this point is a daunting task, primarily because nearly every relevant pronouncement from Israeli officials particularly during the genocide in Gaza, is a textbook study in Israeli exceptionalism. Consider Israels relentless assault on UNRWA, the UN-mandated body responsible for the survival of millions of Palestinian refugees. For decades, Israel has sought dismantling of UNRWA for one reason: It is the only global institution that prevents the total erasure of Palestinian refugee rights. These rights are not mere grievances; they are firmly anchored in international law, most notably via UN Resolution 194. While UNRWA is not a political organization in a functional sense, its very existence is profoundly political. First, it stands as the institutional legacy of a specific political history; second, and more crucially, its presence ensures the Palestinian refugee remains a recognized political entity. By existing, UNRWA preserves the status of the refugee as a subject with the legal right to demand a return to historic Palestine a demand that the state of exception seeks to permanently silence. In October 2024, Israel unilaterally legislated the closure of UNRWA , once more asserting its exception over the entire framework of the United Nations. It is time the international community () realizes that UNRWAs mission must end, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on January 31, 2024, signaling the coming erasure. This rhetoric reached its physical conclusion on January 20, 2026 when the UNRWA headquarters in occupied Jerusalem were demolished by the Israeli military in the presence of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir . A historic day! Ben-Gvir announced on that same date. Today these supporters of terror are being driven out. This horrific act was met with bashful responses, mute concerns, or total silence by the very powers tasked with preventing states from positioning themselves above the law. By allowing this Israeli exception to stand unchallenged, the international community has effectively sanctioned the demolition of its own legal foundations. In the past, Israeli leaders masked their true intentions with the language of a light unto the nations, projecting a beacon of morality while practicing violence, ethnic cleansing, and military occupation on the ground. The genocide in Gaza, however, has stripped away these pretenses. For the first time, Israeli rhetoric fully reflects a state of exception where the law is not just ignored, but structurally suspended. No one in the world will let us starve two million citizens, even though it may be justified and moral until they return the hostages to us, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich admitted on August 5, 2024. This justified and moral stance reveals a localized morality that permits the extermination of a population as an ethically defensible act. Yet Smotrich also lied; the world has done nothing practical to dissuade Israel from its savage pulverization of Gaza. The global community remained idle even when Smotrich declared on May 6, 2025, that Gaza would be entirely destroyed and the population concentrated in a narrow strip. Today, that vision is a reality: A genocide-fatigued population is confined to roughly 45% of the territory, while the remainder stays empty under Israeli military control. Netanyahu himself, who has stretched the state of exception beyond any predecessor, defined this new reality during a cabinet meeting on October 26, 2025: Israel is a sovereign state Our security policy is in our own hands. Israel does not seek anyones approval for that. Here, Netanyahu defines sovereignty as the raw power to act genocide included, without regard for international law or human rights. If all states adopted this, the world would fall into a lawless frenzy. In his seminal State of Exception, Giorgio Agamben diagnosed this voida space where law is suspended but force of law remains as pure violence. While his recent stances have divided the academic community, his critique of the exception as a permanent tool of governance remains an indispensable lens for understanding the erasure of Palestinian life. Israel has already created that void. In the hands of a genocidal settler-colonial society, the state of exception is a relentless nightmare that will not stop at the borders of Palestine. If this exception is allowed to become the permanent regional rule, no nation in the Middle East will be spared. Time is of the essence. [The writer, Dr. Ramzy Baroud, is a Journalist, Author, and Editor of The Palestine Chronicle. He is the author of six books. His forthcoming book, Before the Flood, will be published by Seven Stories Press. His other books include Our Vision for Liberation, My Father was a Freedom Fighter, and The Last Earth. Baroud is a Non-resident Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Islam and Global Affairs (CIGA). His website is www.ramzybaroud.net.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Welcome Guest! You are here: Home One dead as Metro bridge pillar collapses in Mumbai One person has been killed and three others are injured after a pillar of an under-construction metro rail bridge collapsed in Mulund, Mumbai Saturday February 14, 2026 Mumbai: One person has been killed and three others are injured after a pillar of an under-construction metro rail bridge collapsed in Mulund, Mumbai Saturday February 14, 2026. Few vehicles have also been damaged after the concrete slab collpased on LBS Marg in Mulund West. The deceased has been identified as Ramdhan Yadav, Yadav was rushed to a nearby hospital after the tragic accident. The medical staff however declared him brought dead. The other injured have been identified as Rajkumar Yadav (45), who is reported to be in critical condition, and Mahendra Pratap Yadav (52) and Deepa Ruhiya (40), both of whom are admitted and stated to be in stable condition. Authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse, and safety inspections of ongoing metro projects are being emphasized. Contractor fined, victims compensated The MMRDA has fined the contractor and general consultant. A fine of Rs 5 crore has been imposed on the contractor and Rs 1 crore on the general consultants, Ashwin Ashok Mudgal, Additional Metropolitan Commissioner-II of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), said. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the kin of the deceased. He also added that a thorough probe will be conducted into the slab collapse incident. Outrage The incident has sparked outrage, with many questioning the citys infrastructure standards and asking what kind of development Mumbaikars are truly being promised. "What idea of infrastructure do you support?" Bollywood actress Dia Mirza wrote on social media platform X. "One that kills, suffocates, and destroys health and life? Or One that cares for and values life?" she asked. Her post sparked mixed reactions online. One user replied, "Nothing like that, no suffocation ! Daily going in tremendous rush like kide makode caused more problems to self respect & self esteem." Another wrote, "Obviously, One that cares for and values life." Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Turkey, Jordan and other Arab states in the Middle East will sight the Ramadan 2026 Moon (Ramadan Moon Sighting 1447) today i.e. Tuesday February 17, 2026 to confirm the beginning of the Holy Month of Fasting Ramadan 2026 Moon Sighting Live Updates: The New Moon of the Holy Month of Ramadan has been sighted in Saudi Arabia today, accordingly the Month of Fasting will begin from Wednesday February 18, 2026. "The Crescent Moon signalling the start of Ramadan has been sighted in the Kingdom", Saudi Arabias Supreme Court announced on Tuesday. "Ramadan will therefore start on Wednesday, Feb. 18, and Muslims will refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk during the holy month", it added. Ramadan Start Date Country-wise Similar statement has also been issued by the Moon Sighting Committees and Religious Authorities in United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Bahrain and other Arab States. "Ramadan will commence tomorrow, after sighting of the Crescent is confirmed on February 17", UAE's Presidential Court announced based on the decision of the Moon Sighting Committee. The Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) has also confirmed the first day of Ramadan as Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Following the spotting of the Ramadan Moon Today, the Tarweeh Prayers of the First Night of the Holy Month will be offered after Isha Prayers today i.e. Tuesday Feb 17, 2026. Oman, Syria and Jordan, on the other hand said, The Holy Month of Ramadan will start on Thursday February 19, 2026, after failure to sight the Crescent Moon. The first country to announce the beginning of the holy month from Thursday Feb 19 was Brunei. In Japan, the first day of the Holy Month will start on February 19, the country's Hilal Vision Committee announced. The Bangsamoro Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulrauf Guialani also announced that the Holy Month in the Philippines will start on February 19, 2026. Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Turkey are also the countries where Ramadan will start on Thursday Feb 19, 2026. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries will announce tomorrow the exact date to commence Fasting of the Holy Month of Ramadan. Wifaqul Ulama London in the United Kingdom (UK) will also confirm on Wednesday the first day of Ramadan 2026. 3:45 PM (Makkah Time): Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Turkey, Jordan and other Arab states in the Middle East will sight the Ramadan 2026 Moon (Ramadan Moon Sighting 1447) today i.e. Tuesday February 17, 2026 to confirm the beginning of the Holy Month of Fasting. Ramadan Moon Sighting 2026 in Saudi Arabia The Royal Court of Saudi Arabia has issued an appeal to all Muslims in the Kingdom to spot the crescent, the Ramadan Moon, today i.e. Tuesday 29th Sha'ban 1447 H, corresponding to February 17, 2026. In a request to local residents, the Saudi Supreme Court said, "Whoever sights the crescent by naked eyes or through binoculars to report to the nearest court and register his testimony, or report to the authority of the regions center in his area where he sighted the crescent to facilitate his reaching to the nearest court." Similar appeals to sight the Ramadan 2026 Moon have also been made by the religious affair ministeries and moon sighting committees in the United Arab Emirate (UAE), Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Kuwait, Jordan, Palestine, Muscat, Egypt, Yemen, and other states in the Middle East, and also in the countries like the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia and Indonesia. The official confirmation of Ramadan moon sighting by the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia will be announced after Maghrib Prayers Tuesday evening. "The Supreme Courts special session will sit and deliberate on Tuesday evening the results of the crescent search and will issue a decision", the reports added. The Kingdoms main observatories are in Sudair and Tumair, and sightings of the new moon from the two observatories are part of the official decision. Ramadan Moon Sighting USA, UK Notable among them are the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Qatar, Ministry of Religious Affairs UAE, Wifaq ul Ulama UK, Australian National Imams Council, the Fiqh Council of North America, French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM), Majils Ugama Islam Singpaore - they have all appealed the people living in the respective countries and areas to sight the Ramadan 2026 Moon and report to them. Muslims across the world sight the new moon on every 29th of the month as per the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The appeals to sight the Ramadan Moon has also been issued as per the following of the The Prophet (PBUH). If the Crescent Moon is spotted on 29th, the ongoing month ends and the new month begins on the next day. However, if the Moon is not spotted on 29th, the next day is counted as the 30th day of the ongoing month, and the new month starts a day later. Ramadan 2026 Start Date Accordingly, Ramadan 2026 fasting in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and other Arab states and Middle East countries will start on Wednesday February 18, 2026 if the New Moon is spotted in the Kingdom today. In case the Ramadan Moon is not sighted today then Wednesday will be the 30th day of Shaban 1447 AH and the Holy Month of fasting will start on Thursday February 19, 2026. Meanwhile, the Presidency of Religious Affairs in Turkey has based on astronomical assessments announced that Ramadan 1447 AH will begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The Presidency also said that the first Taraweeh prayers will be observed after Isha on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The official Hijri Committee in Oman has also announced Thursday, February 19, 2026 as the first day of Ramadan based on astronomical assessments. Ramadan Working Hours Saudi Arabia has announced reduced working hours during the Holy Month of Ramadan. The authorities in the Kingdom have also re-scheduled school and college timings for the Holy Month. The General Directorate of Education in the Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia said that the school-day in public schools will begin at 10 a.m., while classes in adult education institutions will start at 9:30 p.m. The Directorate further clarified that teaching and administrative staff are required to report 15 minutes prior to the start of the first class period. Similarly, the General Directorate of Education in the Makkah Region confirmed that morning schools will begin at 9 a.m., while adult education classes will commence at 9:30 p.m. The Directorate also stated that official working hours for all employees during Ramadan will be five hours per day, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., ensuring the continued efficiency of operations and the maintenance of administrative discipline throughout the month. Reduced working hours for The Holy Month of Ramadan has also been declared by the respective authorities in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq and other Arab countries. Ramadan Moon Sighting India, Pakistan Muslims in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and other South Asian countries will spot the Ramadan Moon on Wednesday February 18, 2026. Similarly, Muslims in the United States (USA), United Kingdom (UK), New Zealand, Russia, Indonesia, Malaysia, France, Germany and other countries too will start fasting of Ramadan either on Wednesday February 18 or 19, 2026. The final decision will be taken on Tuesday February 17, 2026 by the moon sighting committee operating in these countries. The Australian Fatwa Council and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) have meanwhile announced based on not astronomical assessments that Ramadan 1447 AH will begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The first Taraweeh prayers in the two countries will be offered after Isha on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. While some jobs necessitate longer hours, most employees in the private sector enjoy a two-hour reduction in their workday. Government offices often close early, with working hours for public sector employees reduced to six instead of the usual eight hours. Special arrangements have also been made in almost all the countries for five daily prayers, Taraweeh (Special Night Prayers offered during Ramadan) and also for Iftar meals that mark the end of daily fast. The Presidency of The Two Holy Mosques earlier released the detailed schedules of the Taraweeh Prayers in Masjid Haram Makkah and Masjid Nabawi in Madinah . Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Welcome Guest! You are here: Home India AI Summit in mess after Galgotia University's 'Robot Blunder' A massive controversy unfloded at the India AI Impact Summit Wednesday Februray 18, 2026 after Noida based Galgotia University put on display a Chinese Robot claiming it to be an innovation of its students New Delhi: A massive controversy unfloded at the India AI Impact Summit Wednesday Februray 18, 2026 after Noida based Galgotia University put on display a Chinese Robot claiming it to be an innovation of its students. The row was sparked after a Door Darshan (DD News) reporter visited the Galgotia University pavilion at the India AI Impact Summit. A university staffer introduced the DD News reporter with a "robot dog" branded as "Orion" and presented as an in-house innovation from their Centre of Excellence. During the presentation, the university professor while highlighting the institutions investment in AI infrastructure, also claimed significant spending of Rs 350-crore to build an ecosystem for students. As the DD News broadcast the report and shared it online, social media users fact-checked the Galgotia University "robot dog" and found it to be "Unitree Go2", a commercially available quadruped robot made by China's Unitree Robotics. The university issued a clarification after its blunder was exposed saying, the Chinese robot was sourced for educational purposes to inspire students. The university in its clarification also said it did not receive any such order from the government. However, the Galgotia University has been asked to vacate its pavilion and leave the summit, news agency ANI reported citing government sources. Doordarshan News has also reportedly decided to withdraw its report and delete from social media, reports said. Wipro too? Even as the controversy surrounding the Galgotia University displaying the Chinese robot dog claiming it to be its own was yet to cool down, an NDTV report appeared in which a similar type of robot was put on display by Wipro in its pavilion at India AI Impact Summit. Wipro named it TJ, and seemingly claimed it to be "our AI Model" as can be seen in the video below. Wipro and NDTV have not yet issued any clarification following the online fury. India AI Summit in mess after Wipro, Galgotia University's 'Robot Blunder' pic.twitter.com/zZzCe0vJ9E ummid.com (@ummid) February 18, 2026 Earlier, Galgotia University had also published advertisements in Indias leading newspapers where the Chinese robot dogs images were used. Ironically, Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in an X post had shared the image of the Chinese robot dog, writing Bharats sovereign models are performing well on global platforms (sic). Some users added community note below the tweet saying this is a Chinese robot. Vaishnaw later deleted his tweet. The India AI Impact Summit 2026 currently underway at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday February 16, 2026. Recognized as the worlds largest AI gathering, the Summit brings together participants from over 100 countries and high-profile attendees from across governments, enterprises, and global ecosystems. Galgotia University was also in news in 2020, after its "research scholar", Dharmendra Kumar, had published a paper titled "Corona virus killed by sound vibrations produced by Thali or Ghanti: A potential hypothesis". The research paper was claimed to have been published after PM Modi's "Thali Bajao" and "Ghanti Bajao" call made during the Covid lockdown. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Not worried: Reactions as Maharashtra annuls 5% Muslim Quota Commenting on the BJP-led Mahayuti governments decision to scrap the 5% reservation granted to Muslims, AIMIM Maharashtra President and former MP, Imtiaz Jaleel, said the decision will not have any impact on the community Mumbai: Commenting on the BJP-led Mahayuti governments decision to scrap the 5% reservation granted to Muslims, AIMIM Maharashtra President and former MP, Imtiaz Jaleel, said the decision will not have any impact on the community. He said by taking such decisions, the governments intention is to bring Muslims on road, and protest against the government so that the BJP and other ruling parties get political benefits. But, the government is wrong. The community has taken it on itself to address the issue of backwardness among the Muslims. The result is that Muslims are now more educated. Their number in the UPSC has gone up We see more Muslims who are doctors and engineers, Imtiyaz Jaleel said. The government cannot dishearten Muslims by such decision, he added. On the other hand, State Minority Commission Chairman, Pyare Khan, defended the government's decision saying anyway the ordinance was never implemented. "The previous government had just brought an ordinance. Where was it implemented as a law? If it had been implemented, then the reservation would not have been cancelled, and the government did not do anything, he said. Pyare Khan, however, admitted that the condition of Muslims has improved. If you look at the condition of Muslims, it has improved a bit even today. What was it like in the last seventy years? he asked. Arif Naseem Khan , Congress leader and former minister of minority department, said the intention of the Fadnavis government was already clear as it never tried to implement the ordinance. Maharashtra issues GR to cancel Muslim Reservation In another move indicative of its ant-Minority politics, the BJP-led Mahayuti government in Maharashtra Wednesday Feb 18, 2026 scrapped the ordinance granting 5% reservation to some 50 Muslim sub-castes The Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) government in Maharashtra had in 2014 granted 16% reservation to Marathas and 5% reservation to Muslims in government and semi-government jobs and education. Both decisions were challenged in the Bombay High Court. While the court struck down reservation for Marathas, and reservation for Muslims in jobs, it observed the need for reservation for Muslims in education. Despite the Bombay HC order the ordinance was never implemented, the Muslim communities did not draw any benefits as the ordinance had lapsed 11 years ago. The BJP-led Mahayuti government has now issued a GR revoking the ordinance. As per the Maharashtra government ordinance, reservation was granted to 50 specified Muslim sub-castes under a newly created Special Backward Category A and not to the Muslims as a whole. After the governments decision to revoke the ordinance granting 5% reservation to Muslims, the process of issuing caste verification certificates and validation certificates has also been stopped. The Congress-NCP government in Maharashtra had announced 5% reservation to the 50 notified Muslim communities based on the reports by the Sachar Committee and state-appointed study group headed by Dr Mehmood-ur-Rehman that found severe educational backwardness, low representation in public services and high dropout rates among sections of the Muslim population. The Bombay High Court had also justified the decision to grant 5% quota to the notified Muslim communities in order to address their social-economic and educational backwardness. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic hamzaturkkol / Getty Images/iStockphoto While taking advantage of tax breaks is a smart move for lowering your tax bill or boosting your refund, you can land in trouble if youre not careful about which advice you follow online. In a news release from September 2025, the IRS noted that it had penalized taxpayers for more than $162 million for misusing tax credits, including some that didnt even exist. Here are four tax breaks to watch out for if you dont want to deal with a rejected return, costly penalties or other problems with the IRS. Fuel Tax Credit The Fuel Tax Credit is a legitimate tax break worth about 18 cents (gasoline) or 24 cents (diesel and kerosene) per gallon. However, its not as widely available as many social media posts claim. According to IRS rules, this credit applies only to businesses purchasing fuel for non-taxable purposes, such as farming or off-highway use (e.g., powering equipment). Claiming it because you drive to work or operate your personal lawnmower could leave you with a delayed or denied refund at best and up to a $5,000 penalty at worst. For You: 5 Tax Loopholes the Ultra-Wealthy Use That Most Americans Dont Know About Discover Next: 9 Low-Effort Ways To Make Passive Income (You Can Start This Week) Self-Employment Tax Credit Some social media influencers spread information about a self-employment tax credit supposedly worth up to $32,000. An IRS news release clarified that no credit exists under this name and that it instead relates to the Credits for Sick Leave and Family Leave. That legitimate tax break was available only to self-employed and other eligible business taxpayers who took a qualifying COVID-19-related leave between April 2020 and September 2021. If you try to claim a tax credit now simply for being self-employed or taking time off due to illness, the IRS could charge a hefty penalty and even charge you criminally. Household Employment Tax Claims If you hire a house cleaner, nanny or another household employee, the IRS may require you to complete Schedule H with details about their income and employment taxes. This typically applies if your employee has cash wages of more than $2,800 in 2025 or $3,000 in 2026. However, the Smith Patrick CPA firm noted that some taxpayers fall for social media advice encouraging them to create fake household employees. They then try to get refunds for payroll taxes or sick and family leave wages. This fraudulent move can get your tax return flagged and leave you owing the IRS more money. Questionable Business Expense Write-Offs Having a business means you can claim legitimate tax write-offs for ordinary and necessary expenses, per the IRS. Some examples include business-related mileage, home office use, advertising and marketing expenses, business insurance premiums and equipment depreciation. How History Remembers Tipu Sultan It is interesting to note in the RSS series for children on Indian History, they had published a book on Tipu Sultan in the 1970s Tipu Sultan has been in the news quite often particularly in Karnataka, more so on the occasions of state sponsored celebrations of his birth anniversary. There, BJP regularly creates obstacles to these celebrations and ruckus is usually the result. This time around Tipu Sultan is in the news from Maharashtra, Malegaon. As the newly elected Deputy Mayor of Malegaon Shan-e-Hind Nihal Ahmad had put up the portrait of Tipu Sultan in her office, the Shiv Sainiks noticed that. They got it removed through the intervention of authorities. Some protests were also held. Following this the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committees President Harshvardhan Sapkal expressed his opinion against removal of this portrait saying that the contributions of Tipu Sultan to Mysore are equivalent to that of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra. This statement was opposed by the state Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. Fadnavis said that comparing Tipu to Shivaji Maharaj is an insult to Maharaj. Following this Congress office was stoned by BJP workers and nearly 7 people were injured in the mayhem created by this. The objection of BJP to Sapkals statement is that Tipu was a mass murderer of Hindus, he tried to convert Hindus to Islam. There are many other charges put against Tipu by the Hindu Nationalists. Most of these try to project Tipu as Anti-Hindu and a cruel king. This is far from the truth. Lots of these myths are part of communal narrative accentuated by the British Narratives which are harsher against Tipu in particular. This is due to the fact that he was one of the kings who fought against the British. Tipu had asked Nizam and Peshwas to oppose the armies of East India Company. He foresaw the dangers of British power entrenching in India. His administration was a mixed with many top officers being Hindus. Purnaiah served him as the Mir Miran (head of a department) and was crucial to his administration. Krishna Rao was his treasurer. Shamaiya Iyengar held a high-ranking ministerial position and Narsimha Iyengar held a position in the postal department. Tipu Sultan reportedly provided grants to the Sringeri Shankaracharya, including for the rebuilding of the temple and the installation of the goddess Sharada. He granted land and endowments to various temples throughout his kingdom. During his reign, the ten-day Dussehra celebrations were an integral part of the social life of Mysore. In 1791, Maratha forces led by Raghunath Rao Patwardhan attacked and plundered the historic Sringeri Sharada Peetham, causing the Shankaracharya to flee. Upon learning of this, Tipu Sultan expressed deep anger, stating that those who committed such acts would face consequences, and promptly sent funds, gifts, and letters to restore the temple and reconsecrate the idol. Also Read: How British Media Reported Tipu Sultan The raid was part of the Third Anglo-Mysore War, during which Maratha forces caused significant destruction to the temple complex, including killing or wounding people and looting property. Tipu Sultan, who frequently corresponded with the Sringeri Jagadguru and addressed him with high respect, immediately ordered the Mysore administration to assist in the restoration, demonstrating his patronage of certain Hindu institutions. Evidence of this restoration is found in several letters in Kannada, preserved in the Sringeri monastery records, where Tipu requested the Jagadguru to pray for the prosperity of his kingdom. Tipu was a staunch opponent of the British. There is an accusation against him that he persecuted some Hindu and Christian communities. The reason for this persecution however was purely political not religious. About these persecutions historian Kate Brittlebank says that This was not a religious policy but one of chastisement. The communities targeted by him were seen as disloyal to the state. The communities he targeted did not belong only to Hindu stream. He also acted against some Muslim communities like the Mahdavis. The reason was that these communities were in support of the British and were employed as horsemen in the East India Companys armies. Another historian Susan Bayly says that his attack on Hindus and Christians outside his state is to be seen on political grounds as at the same time he had developed close relations with these communities within Mysore. Sarfaraz Shaikh in his book Sultanat-e-Khudadad has reproduced the Manifesto of Tipu Sultan in which he declares that he would not discriminate on religious grounds and would protect his empire until his last breath. He had great interest in Rocket technology. This finds appreciative mention in A.P. J Abdul Kalams book Wings of fire. It is interesting to note in the RSS series for children on Indian History, they had published a book on Tipu in the 1970s. BJPs Yeddyurappa had adorned Tipus headgear to solicit votes in 2010 elections in Karnataka. Indian President Ramnath Kovind sent a eulogising message on the occasion of Tipu Jayanti (2017). He has an RSS background. He praised Tipu by saying that Tipu Sultan died a heroic death fighting the British. He was also a pioneer in the development and use of Mysore rockets in warfare. Tipus photo adorns our Constitution (Original handwritten copy signed by the framers) in part XVI page 144 along with Rani Laxmibai as those who fought against British. Due to his policies, he was popular among the people of Mysore. There are many folk songs, sung in villages, praising him. It is for this reason that one of our greatest playwrights Girish Karnad said that had Tipu been a Hindu, he would have the same status that Shivaji Maharaj has in Maharashtra. This is very close to what Sapkal stated, nothing extra. This whole incident of opposing the portrait of Tipu, in Malegaon Deputy Mayor's office is one more instance of communal forces latching on to divisive politics. Kings should not be seen just by their religion, their policies towards people of different religions and peoples welfare should be the major criterion for evaluating them. Tipu stands very tall in this scale of religious tolerance. The half-baked propaganda of the communal forces is trying to divide communities. The major tribute to Tipu was paid by Subhash Chabdra Bose. He adopted Tipus springing tiger as the insignia of Azad Hind Fauz, which fought against the British. The major contribution of Tipu was to forewarn the Indian Kings about the advancing threat of the East India Company, the British. It was for this that he bravely fought against the British and laid down his life in the fourth Anglo Mysore War. The communal forces who are out to demonise Tipu belong to the ideology which did not sacrifice even a little finger against the British Rule. [The writer, Ram Puniyani, is Former Proferssor IIT Mumbai. He is a Historian and Author.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Welcome Guest! You are here: Home UK: Ex-Prince Andrew arrested over Epstein links Former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who has been in news over his ties with Jeffry Epstein, has been arrested [Former Prince Andrew with UK's King Charles in a file image.] London: Former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who has been in news over his ties with Jeffry Epstein, has been arrested. Andrew has been arrested at his temporary home, the Sandringham Estate, on suspicion of misconduct in public office, according to reports. The Thames Valley Police in a statement said it has arrested a man in his sixties without naming the former British Royal. As per the UK law, the names of accused are not disclosed by the police. The police said that Andrew was arrested after "thorough assessment", and an investigation has now been opened, according to BBC. The police also said that they were "assessing" reports that Andrew had sent trade reports to disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2010. This is the first high profile arrest in connection with the Epstein files. Prince Andrew was stripped of his title after his name figured in the Epstein files and his images with minor girls were circulated in the media. In his first reaction, Britains King Charles said he learned of the arrest of his younger brother, former Prince Andrew, with deepest concern, adding that the law must take its course. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Welcome Guest! You are here: Home India AI Impact Summit: A Reality Check The India AI Impact Summit may not qualify as an outright failure, but it has certainly emerged as a cautionary tale The India AI Impact Summit, currently underway in New Delhi (February 19, 2026), was envisioned as a defining moment for Indias Artificial Intelligence ambitions. Marketed as a landmark platform to showcase indigenous innovation, attract global stakeholders, and position India as a serious AI contender, the summit instead finds itself grappling with controversy, embarrassment, and criticism. From chaotic crowd management to allegations of imported technology being passed off as domestic innovation, the event has triggered a larger debate: Is Indias AI push being driven by substanceor by spectacle? The Prime Ministers visit, accompanied by heavy security protocols and what many perceived as a public relations exercise, reportedly led to genuine visitors being moved aside by officials raising further questions about priorities and optics. Let us examine where the country stands in its global AI ambitions and where it continues to lag in ground reality. A Chaotic Start: Optics Over Order The summits troubles began on Day One, coinciding with the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. What should have been a celebration of technological progress turned into confusion under heavy security protocols? According to multiple attendees, AI enthusiasts, researchers, and genuine tech participants were asked to vacate sections of the venue during the Prime Ministers walkthrough. The disruption reportedly to facilitate controlled visuals and VVIP movement left many questioning whether the event was designed for innovation or optics. Ironically, while exhibitors and technologists were sidelined, only select corporate figures such as Akash Ambani were seen accompanying the Prime Minister, explaining AI installations and demonstrations. For many observers, the episode symbolized a troubling shift: public relations overshadowing public participation, disrupting even the internet connection out there. The Robotic Dog Controversy: Innovation or Import? The most viral controversy erupted around an exhibit by Galgotias University . A professor from the institution presented a robotic dog named Orion, claiming it was a university-developed innovation backed by a 350 crore investment. However, social media users quickly identified the device as a commercially available Chinese-made Unitree Go2 robot. The revelation went viral, drawing mockery online including from Chinese social media accounts and raising serious questions about misrepresentation. The backlash was swift. The university was reportedly asked to vacate its stall, and opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, criticized the summit as a disorganised PR spectacle, alleging that imported Chinese products were being showcased as indigenous breakthroughs. The episode struck at the heart of Indias AI narrative. If domestic innovation is to be celebrated, transparency must be non-negotiable. Bill Gates Withdrawal: Optics Take Another Hit Adding to the summits turbulence was the unexpected withdrawal of Bill Gates from his scheduled keynote address. The cancellation reportedly came amid renewed scrutiny surrounding his past association with Jeffrey Epstein . While the withdrawal may have been unrelated to the summits organization, the timing amplified perceptions of instability and poor coordination. High-profile events rely heavily on marquee speakers to set tone and credibility. Losing one hours before a keynote session inevitably fuels speculation and damages optics. Operational Failures: Crowd Control and Coordination Gaps Beyond headline controversies, attendees pointed to broader operational lapses: Massive overcrowding on Day One Confusion around access and security briefings Disruptions during VVIP movements Lack of structured interaction spaces for startups and researchers Many participants felt the event prioritized camera angles over collaborative dialogue. In an industry where precision, clarity, and systems thinking are foundational, visible disorder at a flagship AI summit sent mixed signals. The PR vs. Progress Debate The central criticism emerging from social media, policy commentators, and technology professionals is this: Was the summit a genuine platform for advancing artificial intelligence, or was it primarily a branding exercise? Critics argue that several imported demonstrations were presented as technological breakthroughs, raising concerns about authenticity and transparency. They also contend that political optics overshadowed grassroots innovators who should have been the real focus of such a platform. According to them, substantive discussions on crucial issues such as AI governance, indigenous chip development, data localisation, and long-term research funding were diluted by spectacle and public relations-driven moments. Defenders, however, offer a different perspective. They point out that large-scale, government-backed events are inherently complex to execute and often face logistical challenges. Bringing together policymakers, startups, academia, and investors under one roof, they argue, still creates long-term networking and collaboration opportunities. In their view, imperfections in execution do not necessarily negate the summits broader strategic intent. Both arguments carry weight. Yet in the global technology ecosystem, perception is as significant as policy. How an event is received internationally can influence credibility, investor confidence, and the broader narrative around a countrys innovation ambitions. The Larger Question: Can India Balance Ambition with Authenticity? India undeniably possesses the talent pool, vast data scale, and startup energy required to emerge as a global leader in artificial intelligence. However, global credibility does not rest on potential alone. It depends on transparent showcasing of innovation, institutional integrity, policy clarity, and operational excellence especially in high-visibility public forums. An AI summit is more than just a stage for announcements; it serves as a signal to the world about a nations seriousness and preparedness. If that signal appears disorganised, exaggerated, or overly theatrical, it risks weakening investor confidence and diluting the strength of the countrys broader technological ambitions. India continues to lag behind China and the United States in research and development (R&D) investment due to a combination of lower spending relative to GDP, limited private-sector participation, and structural challenges in converting research investment into patents, commercialization, and scalable innovation. Despite steady economic growth, Indias gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) has remained stagnant at around 0.60.7% of GDP for more than two decades. In comparison, China invests approximately 2.42.7% of its GDP in R&D, while the United States allocates nearly 3.5%. This persistent gap has impacted Indias global innovation standingranked 39th in the 2024 Global Innovation Index and constrained its ability to generate major technological breakthroughs across strategic sectors. In absolute terms, the disparity is even more striking. Indias total R&D expenditure in 2024 stood at about $75.7 billion roughly one-tenth of Chinas $785.9 billion and the United States $781.8 billion. China now accounts for 27.4% of global R&D spending, closely matched by the US at 27.2%, while Indias share remains at just 2.6%. Although Indias R&D spending has tripled since 2000, it has not kept pace with Chinas rapid surge where Beijing overtook Washington as the worlds top R&D spender in 2024or with Americas consistently high investment levels. With global R&D growth projected to slow to 2.3% in 2025, Indias relatively low base further amplifies the challenge of closing this innovation gap. Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call, Not a Failure The India AI Impact Summit may not qualify as an outright failure, but it has certainly emerged as a cautionary tale. Grand ambition must be matched with grounded execution. In technology, authenticity matters. In governance, accountability matters. And in global positioning, consistency matters most. When optics begin to overshadow outcomes, even well-intentioned initiatives can risk losing credibility. If anything, this episode offers an opportunity to recalibrate from hype to homework, from spectacle to substance, and from branding to building. In artificial intelligence, as in public life, credibility cannot be coded; it must be earned. Turning such a platform into a public relations exercise ultimately proves counterproductive, especially when genuine innovators and technology enthusiasts feel sidelined by VIP-centric optics. An AI summit should amplify innovation, ideas, research, and collaborationnot reinforce a culture of symbolism over substance. [The writer, Mohd Ziyauallah Khan, is a freelance content writer & editor based in Nagpur. He is also an activist and social entrepreneur, co-founder of the group TruthScape, a team of digital activists fighting disinformation on social media.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Itikaf 2026 at Haramain: Where and How to Register The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has started from Friday Ramadan 03, 1447 AH corresponding to February 20, 2026, online registration for the prospective worshipers intending to perform Itikaf at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and The Prophet's Mosque, Masjid e Nabawi [The General Presidency will reserve and earmark specific area of the two holy mosques for Itikaf. (File image)] Itikaf at The Two Holy Mosques: The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has started from Friday Ramadan 03, 1447 AH corresponding to February 20, 2026, online registration for the prospective worshipers intending to perform Itikaf at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and The Prophet's Mosque, Masjid e Nabawi. Itikaf Registration 2026 The registration for Itikaf is online and the pilgrims are required to download the app and fill up the online form. Itikaf registration for the Makkah Haram and Masjid e Nabawi is same. The pilgrims need to select their mosque preference while filling up the online form. The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques will start issuing permits for those registered through its official website, and that will be in line with the specific conditions and set criteria. Itikaf will begin on 20th Ramadan 1447AH, corresponding to March 09, 2026 and will continue till Ramadan 29/30, 1447 AH, corresponding to March 18/19, 2026 with the sighting of Eid al Fitr Moon 2026. What is Itikaf? Itikaf is an Islamic practice consisting of a period of spiritual retreat in a mosque during the last 10 days of Ramadan. It is the Sunnah (Tradition) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Itikaf can be offered during the Holy Month of Fasting at any mosque in the world. However, the worship at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and Masjid Nabawi has special rewards as is the case with Umrah offered during Ramadan . The Prophet (pbuh) encouraged those who perform Itikaf to spend their time reciting Quran, performing prayers and seeking blessings from the Almighty Allah. The General Presidency will reserve and earmark specific area of the two holy mosques for Itikaf. The worshipers are advised to bring in only a prayer rug, light bed sheet, pillow and two pieces of ihram dress. Registration Steps Follow the steps given below to register if you wish to perform either at the Grand Mosque in Makkah or The Prophet's Mosque in Madinah. Go to the website: https://eservices.alharamain.gov.sa/ips/itikafRequests/create Scan the " QR Code " seen in the image below to go to the registation website: " seen in the image below to go to the registation website: Log In: Create an account or log in using the Nafath national authentication portal for citizens and residents. Select Location: Choose whether you wish to observe Itikaf at the Grand Mosque in Makkah or the Prophets Mosque in Madinah. Submit Application: Agree to the terms and conditions, complete the required personal data, and submit the request. Pilgrims should note that the Itikaf registration will end when the number of slots allotted for the ritual is complete. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Decoded: Rekha Guptas 1st Year as Delhi Chief Minister As Rekha Gupta completes one year as Delhi Chief Minister, the question arises: has her tenure lived up to her ambitious promises? Delhi has witnessed women at the helm before, each leaving behind a distinct political and administrative imprint on the National Capital. From diplomacy to development, the citys past female Chief Ministers shaped governance in their own ways. As Rekha Gupta completes one year in office, the question arises: has her tenure lived up to her ambitious promises? After completing her first year, Rekha Gupta appears to have made tall claims but delivered little since taking the oath to this important position in the National Capital. Despite coming from a background in student politics, her report card as Delhi Chief Minister is far from impressive. She seems to understand the nuances of politics, yet at the same time, she is often seen creating considerable buzz without substantial delivery on the ground. For many observers, her underperformance does not come as a surprise. Critics argue that the partys top leadership prefers leaders who do not overshadow the central high command with a larger-than-life image. Whether this perception holds weight or not remains a matter of debate. In this article, let us analyse her first year in office as Delhi Chief Minister and examine what has and has not changed for the people of Delhi. A Legacy of Strong Women Leaders in Delhi Delhis political history is marked by notable women leaders who brought unique strengths to governance. Sushma Swaraj was known for her diplomatic acumen and sharp political intelligence. Though her tenure as Delhi Chief Minister was brief, her administrative clarity and leadership style were widely acknowledged. In contrast, Sheila Dikshit of the Congress redefined Delhis urban landscape during her three consecutive terms. Her developmental vision transformed the citys infrastructure, with the Delhi Metro standing as the most visible symbol of that era. Roads, flyovers, and urban renewal projects under her leadership reshaped the capital. Against this backdrop, Rekha Gupta entered office with sweeping claims and bold declarations, but has little delivery on the ground zero. Let us further analyse her performance so far in the Delhi CM office. A Manifesto Filled with High Expectations When the BJP secured a majority in Delhi after two consecutive terms of AAP rule, it was seen as a significant political shift. Rekha Guptas campaign promised: A dramatic reduction in air pollution Cleaning and rejuvenation of the Yamuna Clean and uninterrupted water supply Improved civic infrastructure Better environmental standards Her promises resonated with a city fatigued by long-standing civic crises. With BJP in power at the Centre, control through the Lieutenant Governors office, and later gaining dominance in the MCD as well, supporters described the arrangement as a double engine and eventually even a triple engine government. The expectation was clear: seamless coordination would fast-track development. One Year Later: Ground Reality vs Rhetoric However, as Rekha Gupta completes one year in office, critics argue that the gap between promises and performance remains wide. Despite the so-called triple engine sarkar, residents continue to grapple with: Severe winter air pollution Persistent Yamuna contamination Broken roads and traffic congestion Waterlogging during monsoons Inadequate water supply in several areas Women scheme of giving away 2500 still on paper Reports from independent and opposition-leaning platforms have described no respite for residents despite consolidated power structures. AAP leaders and other critics allege widespread failures, delayed welfare rollouts, and over-reliance on public relations optics rather than tangible governance. Some controversies and public gaffes have also drawn attention, alongside internal criticism within the party over issues such as air quality management. Remember how Delhities mocked in chorus AGI in the Delhi stadium when she appeared with Messi in his event in the National Capital. The 1 Lakh Crore Budget: Historic or Hyped? One of the biggest announcements during Rekha Guptas tenure was the Delhi Budget for 202526, presented on March 25, 2025. Set at 1 lakh crore, it became the largest budget in Delhis history marking a 3132% increase over the previous years estimates of around 76,000 crore. The BJP government projected it as a historic blueprint aimed at building a self-reliant and developed Delhi. The budget emphasized infrastructure upgrades, pollution control, welfare schemes, and urban development. However, critics argue that: Implementation has been slow. Some schemes are expansions of central government programs such as Ayushman Bharat, rather than independent state innovations. Promises like womens financial assistance and pollution mitigation remain partially implemented or delayed. Since the financial year runs until March 2026, the full impact of the budget will ultimately depend on execution an area where skepticism remains strong. AAP to BJP: The Political Shift and Public Mood Delhis transition from two terms of AAP governance to BJP rule marked a significant political change. Many voters hoped that alignment between the Centre and the state would resolve long-standing friction and accelerate development. Yet, after one year, public sentiment appears mixed. Some residents acknowledge improvements in cleanliness drives and action against legacy waste. Others feel that little has changed in their daily lives with pollution still suffocating winters, infrastructure gaps persisting, and civic complaints unresolved. Delhi remains a city struggling with entrenched structural problems that have spanned multiple administrations from Congress to AAP and now BJP. Governance in a Complex Capital It is also important to recognise that Delhis governance structure is uniquely complex. Power-sharing between the elected government, the Centre, and the Lieutenant Governor has historically complicated decision-making. The AAP-led government frequently complained about non-cooperation from the Union government, citing administrative hurdles as a major obstacle. In response, the BJP leadership at the Centre claimed that a double engine sarkar would ensure smoother governance and better coordination. However, that claim now appears to ring hollow. In Delhis case, it is effectively a triple engine government, with the BJP in power at the Centre, the state, and the MCD. Yet, despite this consolidated control, there is little visible evidence of transformative governance on the ground. Even with expanded authority across agencies, translating political dominance into administrative efficiency is not automatic. Long-standing environmental and urban crises demand sustained, coordinated execution rather than headline announcements. Unfortunately, critics argue that not only has implementation been weak, but even the seriousness of intent appears questionable let alone visible results on the ground. Final Thought 1-Year On: Celebration or Course Correction? As Rekha Gupta marks one year as Delhi Chief Minister, the broader assessment remains cautious. Her tenure began with expansive promises and a record-breaking budget. Yet for many Delhiites, visible change on the ground appears limited. Critics call it a year of jumla and hollow claims, while supporters urge patience, arguing that structural reforms take time. The coming months particularly the implementation phase of the 1 lakh crore budget will be decisive. Whether her government can convert political dominance into measurable improvement will determine how history ultimately judges Rekha Guptas first year in office. For now, Delhi watches hopeful, skeptical, and still waiting. [The writer, Mohd Ziyauallah Khan, is a freelance content writer & editor based in Nagpur. He is also an activist and social entrepreneur, co-founder of the group TruthScape, a team of digital activists fighting disinformation on social media.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic US Envoy's endorsement of Israel's expansion sparks outrage Arab and Muslim countries around the world have in one voice condemned US Envoy to Israel Mike Huckabee's comments endorsing Israeli bid to expand its borders across the Middle East. Arab and Muslim countries around the world have in one voice condemned US Envoy to Israel Mike Huckabee's comments endorsing Israeli bid to expand its borders across the Middle East. What Mike Huckabee said In an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson aired Friday, Huckabee, a known Zionist hardliner, was pressed on Israels geographical borders, which he said are rooted in the Bible. In the interview, Huckabee suggested he would not object if Israel expanded across much of the Middle East, framing the issue as what he called the Jewish peoples right to the land, Al Jazeera reported. Carlson cited a verse promising land to the descendants of Abraham, describing a span from the Euphrates River to the Nile River, a stretch that would include modern-day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and parts of Saudi Arabia. It would be fine if they take it all, Huckabee said, adding when challenged that Israel was not seeking to take it over and theyre not asking to take it over. "Dangerous and Inflammatory" The Arab and Muslim leaders unanimously condemned the US Ambassadors statement calling them dangerous and inflammatory. In a statement released today, the Foreign Ministeries of Muslim and Arab countries expressed their strong condemnation and profound concern regarding the statements made by the United States Ambassador to Israel. The Foreign Ministeries said they categorically "reject such dangerous and inflammatory remarks, which constitute a flagrant violation of the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and pose a grave threat to the security and stability of the region." Also Read: Global Silence Means License to Israeli Annexation of West Bank The statement has been jointly issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Republic of Indonesia, the Republic of Turkiye, the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Lebanese Republic, the Syrian Arab Republic, and the State of Palestine, along with the secretariats of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the League of Arab States (LAS), and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). "Such statements directly contradict the vision put forward by U.S. President Donald J. Trump, as well as the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, which are based on containing escalation and creating a political horizon for a comprehensive settlement that ensures the Palestinian people have their own independent state", the Muslim and Arab countries said. They underscored that the plan is grounded in promoting tolerance and peaceful coexistence, and that remarks seeking to legitimize control over the lands of others undermine these objectives, fuel tensions, and constitute incitement rather than advancing peace. Also Read: Israel A State of Exception Eyes Borders Beyond Palestine The Ministries reaffirmed that Israel has no sovereignty whatsoever over the Occupied Palestinian Territory or any other occupied Arab lands. They also reiterated their firm rejection of any attempts to annex the West Bank or separate it from the Gaza Strip, their strong opposition to the expansion of settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and their categorical rejection of any threat to the sovereignty of Arab states. They further warned that the continuation of Israel's expansionist policies and unlawful measures will only inflame violence and conflict in the region and undermine the prospects for peace and called for an end to these incendiary statements. The Ministries underscored their countries' steadfast commitment to the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self- determination and to the establishment of their independent state along the lines of 4 June 1967, and the end of the occupation of all Arab lands. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Where Jokes Land You in Jail and Killers Celebrated When laughter is patrolled and policed, what follows is not respect but fear. What is a joke? A joke is not a fact. It is not evidence nor a confession. It is, at best, an exaggeration. An attempt, sometimes clumsy, sometimes clever. The purpose, though, remains very simple. To make people laugh, to let go of stress, to momentarily be able to say and laugh at things that otherwise cannot be said or laughed at. To, accept, laugh and brush off the discomfort rather than drown in it. Yet, there remains something deeply unsettling about a country that trembles at jokes, treats it with utmost seriousness, like major evidence of a grave crime. A country that stands unmoved by violence, unemployment, safety or justice. The worlds largest democracy discusses legal clearance on laughter, criminalisation of comedy, being true and unfiltered, an offence. Humour, a suspicion. The preceding year was marked by an extraordinary pattern. It began as many controversies do. Comedians have been summoned, interrogated, threatened, and alleged. Performances, clipped, slowed down, stripped off context and tone and ultimately presented precisely as intent. One sentence, that already existed in public discourse, said under the pressure of being funny and of performance was suddenly read as criminal. A woman, for asserting herself against what was said to her, found herself interrogated,not supported. Her sheer refusal to absorb discomfort silently became suspect. The act of standing her ground was called provocation. In an atmosphere, where even standing up for oneself becomes suspicious, responding firmly to a mans lecherous words, refusing to accept it, is not applause. For asserting her dignity, and protecting it she was interrogated, questioned for hours. Her refusal to laugh it off became a problem. Her seriousness, a threat. What followed was brutal. FIRs, death threats, rape threats, excessive trolling and court dates. All, not because harm was proven but offence was claimed. The intent was irrelevant, the chilling effect was not. What might be concluded thus, is that laughter must now skim through filters of fear. Indias Got Latent A show that resonated and won million hearts, did so precisely because it refused to polish. It was unfiltered and recognisable, speaking a language that people actually use. It did not pretend to be perfect. It allowed people to stumble safely, contradict their own selves and laughter out loud at their own absurdities. Its awkwardness, error, and spontaneity attracted viewers. Honesty made it popular, also vulnerable and apparently, too crime.The same rawness that made it relatable was used later to drag it into public vilification. Not because damage was demonstrably done, but because offence was loudly claimed. Comedy is no longer treated as an expression. It is rather called intent. This makes it an important juncture for us to pause and ask. Are we really aware of what humour actually is? What is it meant to do? What is its intent, or does it even hold an intent except a loud laughter and a crack of claps, that too out of laughter. Humour exaggerates, it is mostly fiction. It provokes, sometimes fails. A poorly landed joke is not a crime. What has been lost in this frenzy is the very nature of humour. A joke is not a declaration of belief. It is not a manifesto. Often, it is not even true. It is but a mirror held at an awkward angle, reflecting discomfort so that we can laugh at it instead of letting it rot silently. Democracies that understand this distinction allow space for resolution, correction, dialogue and even an apology, not legality of the joke and its criminalisation. Samay Raina Rainas journey through it all makes the contradiction visible and how. Currently, with his live shows sold out worldwide, he was not long ago dragged ruthlessly into controversy for his transparency, honesty and simply being himself. All of which made him relatable, his presence held resonance. While the nation slid into rage to silence him, he rebuilt himself. Not through outrage, complaints, or outcry but through discipline, creativity and growth. Recently, he won the Super PogChamps chess tournament, undefeated by globally recognised players, quietly representing India through himself with pride on an international platform. Irony? A man celebrated for his strategic brilliance globally, is most definitely domestically remembered more for jokes taken out of context. The public outrage, trolling, and threats though, were harsher than any chessboard, any checkmate. Trial by Satire A democracys quiet stress test is often seen through satirical sets and remarks. Excellent in this area, only few figures illustrate this better than Kunal Kamra. Kamras sets will make you laugh and smile and grin, with your mind forced to think through each word later. Ponder upon its truth, its brutality, moreover its brilliant execution. His comedy does not solely rely on spectacle or shock, but on memory, contradiction and an uncomfortable recognition. If satire ever had a personified definition, it would very closely be Kamra. He does what a fearless humour is meant to do, asks questions and smartly leaves them unanswered, repeating truths until they become impossible to ignore. He does not invent or innovate insults, just rearranges what already exists, public statements, loud promises, deliberate silences. He holds them, letting the audience breathe with it, until they notice the void between rhetoric and reality. His uncomfortable satire is not accidental or co-incidental but reflective. Yet this reflective humour has repeatedly been met with not just trolling limited to the internet but actual threat to his life, vilification, a harassing chase. This is not because his aim is to incite violence, or spread falsehood, or division of any kind. But because it hits the actual target on the dart of politics, puncturing the authoritys most fragile shield. That, when power leaves no space for laughter, even jokes begin to look like rebellion. Vir Dass work sketches this tension too. An artist, a genius in his craft that is layered, intelligent, intellectually and globally celebrated, turning paradox into poetry, comedy, an art, a lesson. In his now famous, or as many called it out, infamous monologue Two Indias , he brought out the duality of the country. He spoke of a nation where women are celebrated as Goddesses during the day and raped at night, a country that aspires yet struggles with fear, one that is capable of absolute brilliance yet burdened by contradiction. The strength of that performance was not in accusation, but in affection, the quiet belief that loving a country also means having the courage to face its cracks, its vulnerabilities. It is love, the kind that refuses to look away from the countrys wounds. And yet, again, even this precise articulation of ambiguities was termed and labelled as anti- national. It raises quite a question. Is patriotism just focusing on a nations strengths and blind siding its loose ends, its capacity to improve and strive to be better? This is a stark irony. An artist, whose attempt to reconcile pride with responsibility and accountability was publicly accused of betrayal. His refusal to pretend that this is a country where only one version exists was treated as a crime. In democracies firm of their foundations, satire is welcomed as resilience, as a constructive criticism. In insecure ones, sabotage. The repeated targeting of comedians says little about their intent and more about a deteriorating tolerance for dissent disguised as humour. The threat is not that artists and comedians make us uncomfortable. The real danger is that discomfort itself is no longer permitted. When laughter is patrolled and policed, what follows is not respect but fear. And fear and democracy seldom go hand in hand. Subtle Revelation What does all of this reveal? Patriotism, awareness? That a democracy has become exceptionally sensitive towards a joke, laughter comes at a price, a comedian, with summons. Interesting is the fact that jokes and satires are sanitised while violence has become alarmingly tolerant. Those who joke are dragged ruthlessly into courtrooms and jails, right from their performing stage. The venue brought down, broken, threatening to set it on fire while those who rape, murder, abduct, are defended, not just protected but garlanded, even granted bail. The men convicted in the Bilkis Bano case , walk free under the language of good conduct, needless to say the Unnao case still remains a horror, a reminder of how monstrosity negotiates its way through an inclined power structure. Can this be accidental or a mere reflection of priorities? An incorrectly worded fictional joke provokes outrage, a violent crime seeks defence and explanation. A comedian is criminalised, a rapist? Rationalised. The moral order and structure is now inverted. Society is morally scarred. The sole purpose of a joke, even a bad one, is just laughter. A loud, echoing laughter, however uncomfortable. While the purpose of justice is accountability. The moment these two are confused, corrosion of democracy starts. It collapses slowly and gradually, through fear, through silence, through self-censorship. Artists lose authenticity, they filter themselves, women begin to hesitate to stand up for what is right, to respond, the audience reacts reluctantly, laughs nervously. An entire system dies. India in all its pride calls itself the worlds largest democracy. But democracy is not a number, or a definition, a textbook syllabus. It is a practice. It is measured by how much dissent it can tolerate, how much imperfection it can endure, how courageously it holds space for correction, for accountability and how freely its people can speak without fearing handcuffs. To err is human. Allowing people to make mistakes, to be themselves, especially in speech, is not a weakness. It is democratic strength. Criminalising those mistakes while shrouding real violence is absurdity. Perhaps the real joke is not what was said on stage, within a set, or a bit or on a show or screen. Perhaps the real one is that making people laugh can land you in court, while destroying lives can still find public sympathy. And that is not a joke worthy of a laughter, comfortable or uncomfortable. A punchline any democracy should be proud of. If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.( From The Freedom of the Press by George Orwell) [The writer, Mythri Tewary, is a Philosophy Postgraduate from the University of Delhi whose work engages with questions of Free Speech, Democratic Fragility and the Ethics of Public Discourse. She writes on the Politics of Power, Satire and Silence.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Fact Check: News claiming Chinas approval to Quranic Education is fake Viral news claiming Chinas approval to Quranic Schools and developing Islamic Education after fact check analysis has turned out to be fake. Ummid.com Fact Check: Viral news claiming Chinas approval to Quranic Schools and developing Islamic Education after fact check analysis turned out to be fake. Claim US based RKM Times and various social media have claimed the Xi Jinping government in China has approved new regulations to support Quranic schools and develop Islamic education on a national scale. BREAKING: China has officially approved new regulations to support Quranic schools and develop Islamic education on a national scale, various social media users have posted on X (formerly Twitter and Instagram). The US based RKM using its official Facebook account posted, China approves new Regulations aimed at supporting Quranic Schools and developing Islamic Education or spending on billion on new mosques in the country. The same news was post by The Middle East which has been viewed by more than 1.3 million social media users. Fact Check Analysis The fact check analysis of the viral news claiming China has approved Quranic Schools and committed billions to develop Islamic Education by Team ummid.com and DFRAC - an IFCN certified & Independent Media Organization focusing on Fact-Checking and Hate Speech is found to be fake untrue. A deep search of the official sources in China found no credible evidence confirming the claim. Chinas legal framework strictly regulates all religious activity, including Islam. Registered religious bodies and venues operate under government oversight, and religious activities that interfere with the educational system of the state are restricted by law. Current policies emphasize Sinicization of religions, which requires them to align with Chinese characteristics and official ideology rather than promoting independent religious education, DFRAC said citing Pew Research Center. Historically, regulations, particularly in regions like Xinjiang, have restricted religious education for minors and increased state control over Islamic teachings and expressions. The official release issued by the State Council of the People's Republic of China titled China unveils blueprint for building strong education system by 2035" also does not have any mention of the viral claim about Quranic Education or spending on the development of Islamic schools in China. Conclusion The statement that China officially approved new regulations to support Quranic schools and expand Islamic education nationwide is false and unverified by any news organizations or official sources. China's current policy direction has generally involved tighter state control over religion and religious education. [With inputs from DFRAC - an IFCN certified & Independent Media Organization focusing on Fact-Checking and Hate Speech.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Welcome Guest! You are here: Home No Demolition without Rehabilitation: SC in Haldwani Railway Colony Case In a landmark ruling Tuesday, the Supreme Court of India barred the Uttarakhand government to carry demolition and eviction without the Rehabilitation of the local residents of the Haldwani Railway Colony [Haldwani Railway Colony reisdents on road to seek justice (File Image)] New Delhi: In a landmark ruling Tuesday, the Supreme Court of India barred the Uttarakhand government to carry demolition and eviction without the Rehabilitation of the local residents of the Haldwani Railway Colony. The Supreme Court in its ruling also said it does not call the residents encroachers, and asked the BJP ruled state to provide them housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY) before going ahead with the planned eviction drive. "We are not calling them 'encroachers', we have called them 'occupants'", a SC Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said. "When they are being rehabilitated, they can't be called encroachers", the Judges said. The Court underscored that determining eligibility under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana was "highly desirable" to mitigate the impact of displacement. The SC in its ruling, which came in response to the petition filed by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind on behalf of 29 affected residents , also ordered that no demolition be undertaken until the next hearing, scheduled for April. "A Step Towards Justice" The petition was originally filed in January 2023, following which the Supreme Court granted an interim stay on January 5, 2023. During the latest hearing, Senior Advocate Raoof Rahim, Advocate Mansoor Ali Khan and Advocate Rubina Javed appeared for Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, while the matter was coordinated from the organisations central office by Advocate Maulana Niyaz Ahmed Farooqi, Secretary of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind. Observing that the matter concerns a large population and could affect thousands of families, the Court instructed the Nainital district administration and local authorities in Haldwani to set up registration camps for affected residents. "Eligible families are to be assisted in applying under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (EWS category)", the SC said. Taking into account the holy month of Ramadan and Eid, the Court directed that the camps be organised after March 19 to avoid inconvenience to residents. Authorities have also been asked to keep the camps operational for at least a week to ensure complete registration. Reacting to the order, Maulana Mahmood Madani, President of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, termed the SC ruling "a step towards justice" but said justice cannot be considered complete unless every affected person is ensured to be given alternatively dignified living conditions and secure shelter. In a constitutional democracy, long-settled residents cannot be displaced without providing viable alternative housing. Law must serve justice and protect the vulnerable, not become a tool in the hands of the powerful, he said. "Financial Assistance to Relocated Families" During the proceedings, it was submitted that in case of displacement, the Railways and the State Government would jointly provide monthly financial assistance for six months to relocated families. The Centre argued that expansion of railway infrastructure in the area is necessary and that the land holds strategic importance. Counsel for the petitioners, however, pointed out that nearly 50,000 people reside in the locality, making large-scale rehabilitation a complex challenge. The Court clarified that while the final decision on land use rests with the concerned authority, rehabilitation must be humane, orderly and effective. Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind General Secretary Maulana Hakeemuddin Qasmi said the organisations role extends beyond courtroom litigation and includes ensuring relief at the ground level. He added that local teams have already been mobilised to assist residents with documentation and registration processes so that no eligible family is denied assistance due to lack of information or procedural hurdles.The case is expected to come up for further hearing in April, with the Courts interim protection against demolition remaining in force until then. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic State Govt proposal to rename Kerala as Keralam gets cabinet nod The Union Cabinet Tuesday February 24, 2026 approved the Kerala governments proposal to rename Kerala as Keralam [Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan with Prime Minister Modi (File Image)] New Delhi: The Union Cabinet Tuesday February 24, 2026 approved the Kerala governments proposal to rename Kerala as Keralam. Keralam is the Malayalam version of Kerala. The decision was taken Tuesday at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at its first meeting held at Seva Teerth, the new complex housing the Prime Ministers Office. Kerala Assembly Resolution The Legislative Assembly of Kerala has passed a resolution on June 24, 2024 to change the name of the State of Kerala to Keralam. 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 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'", the Kerala Assembly resolution said. Thereafter the state government sent the porposal to the government of India for its approval, and take necessary steps to amend the First Schedule to the Constitution by altering the name of State of Kerala as Keralam as per Article 3 of the Constitution. Consequently, the Union Cabinet gave its nod to the state proposal. The move comes ahead of the 2026 Kerala Assembly Elections. What Next? After approval of Union Cabinet, the President of India will refer the Bill, namely the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill 2026 to the State Legislative Assembly of Kerala for expressing its views under proviso to article 3 of the Constitution of India. Once the views of the Kerala Assembly is obtained, the Union Government will take further action and the recommendation of the President will be obtained for introduction of the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill 2026 in order to change the name of State of Kerala as Keralam in the Parliament. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Cloud-native security stocks rarely trade in isolation, and the events of Friday, Feb. 20, proved that point with force. When Anthropic PBC introduced a research preview of Claude Code Security, a tool built to autonomously identify and patch software vulnerabilities, shares across the space retreated as participants weighed whether proactive, automated remediation could compress the long-term value of established enterprise security suites. Cloudflare (NET) felt that pressure directly. The stock fell 8.1% on Feb. 20 as concerns spread that artificial intelligence (AI)-native systems may pull security further upstream, away from reactive monitoring and toward autonomous repair. Yet markets often overreact to the first headline. More News from Barchart The broader arc of the Internet still points toward deeper integration of AI, agents, and distributed infrastructure. That re-platforming demands more connectivity, more security layers, and more performance optimization. In this backdrop, Cloudflare continues to position itself at the center of that transition. For instance, Cloudflares partnership with Mastercard (MA) focuses on developing cybersecurity tools for businesses, governments, and critical infrastructure. The company also delivered a complete Secure Access Service Edge platform aligned with post-quantum encryption standards, enabling organizations to protect sensitive data as cryptographic demands evolve. With these developments firmly in place, Cloudflare does not appear poised to fade under competitive pressure anytime soon. About Cloudflare Stock Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Cloudflare is a global connectivity cloud that delivers integrated security, networking, and performance services. With a market cap of around $56 billion, the company protects applications, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), and networks across cloud and on-premises environments. Its platform spans Zero Trust architecture, developer tools, and consumer-facing services, creating an ecosystem that embeds security directly into Internet traffic flows. Nevertheless, over the past 52 weeks, the stock has gained 12.16%. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home 'Gaza Genocide': Priyanka Gandhi's advice to PM Modi ahead of Knesset Address Congress leader and Wayanad MP, Priyanka Gandhi, has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek justice for the Palestinian victims of Gaza Genocide during his address to the Israeli Parliament Knesset New Delhi: Congress leader and Wayanad MP, Priyanka Gandhi, has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek justice for the Palestinian victims of Gaza Genocide during his address to the Israeli Parliament Knesset. I hope that the Hon Prime Ministe Narendra Modi Ji mentions the genocide of thousands of innocent men, women and children in Gaza while addressing the Knesset on his upcoming trip to Israel and demands justice for them, Priyanka Gandhi wrote on X, originally launched as Twitter. Priyanka Gandhi also recalled how India always stood for truth, peace and justice throughout its history as PM Modi left India for around 35 hours Israel visit. India has stood for what is right throughout our history as an independent nation, we must continue to show the light of truth, peace and justice to the world, she wrote. PM Modi lands in Israel Meanwhile, PM Modi has landed in Tel Aviv for his around 2-day visit. At the airport, he was recieved by Israeli PM Benjamin Netayahu and his wife Sara. Both are facing serious charges , and are on trial in the Israeli court. Above all, Netanyahu has been issued arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) because of his crimes against Palestinians in Gaza and illegally occupied Palestinian lands. Modi's visit to Israel comes at a time in Israel has been almost isolated on the world forum. This is why a huge euphoria has been created in Israel and by a section and right-wing supporters in India. India has always been a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause. However, ties between Israel and India have deepened ever since Modi became prime minister of India in 2014 . Against this backdrop PM Modi's visit to Israel has sparked a debate, especially because of its timing. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Union Budget 2026: Significant Hike in Defence Allocation While presenting the budget for FY 2026-27, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman earmarked a record 7.85 lakh crore allocation for the countys defence sector, post-Operation Sindoor While presenting the budget for FY 2026-27, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman earmarked a record 7.85 lakh crore allocation for the countys defence sector, post-Operation Sindoor. The increase in the defence outlay in the recent budget, was in the backdrop of "historic success of Operation Sindoor" which has further strengthened our resolve to make India's defence system even more robust, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said. In a decisive push to strengthen national security in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor and focus on indigenous defence production, the Union Budget allocated a record 7.85 lakh crore to defence services, marking the highest-ever outlay for the sector for FY 2026-27. The allocation accounts for 2% of the estimated GDP for the next financial year 2026-27, and reflects a 15.19% increase over the budget estimates for the current year. Defence spending now constitutes 14.67% of the Union governments total expenditure, the highest among all Ministries. According to the Defence Ministry, the enhanced allocation is aimed not only at accelerating the modernisation of the armed forces and meeting routine operational requirements, but also at addressing additional financial needs arising from emergency procurement of arms and ammunition undertaken after Operation Sindoor, under both capital and revenue heads. Capital expenditure has been raised sharply to 2.19 lakh crore, compared to 1.8 lakh crore in 2025-26, underlining the governments resolve to upgrade military capabilities to global standards, with a strategic emphasis on self-reliance. Expressing the defence sectors expectations in a pre-budget statement, Venkatesh Sai, Founder & Technical Director, Zuppa, had said: "From a technology standpoint, the Union Budget 2026 can be transformative for Indias cyber-physical and drone ecosystem by recognising secure computing, real-time AI, and indigenous hardware as national priorities. As drones increasingly operate in sensitive, mission-critical environments, policy support must extend beyond assembly to deep-tech innovationcovering secure motherboards, real-time control computing, AI-driven autonomy, and cyber-resilient architectures. Incentives for design-first engineering, aerospace-grade manufacturing standards, and indigenous IP creation will allow Indian companies to build globally competitive systems from the ground up. Sai Pattabiram, Founder & MD, Zuppa focussing on the expectations of the drone industry and cybersecurity platforms had said: "The Indian drone industry is emerging from a critical phase of disruptionone that has fundamentally reshaped its dominant business model. With a sharper focus on indigenous component manufacturing, cybersecurity, and a growing recognition of drones as dual-use strategic assets, the sector is now at an inflection point. As we approach the Union Budget, we are hopeful of decisive policy support through Design-Linked Incentives, targeted PLI schemes, and export-focused incentives coupled with the lowering of barriers to export within the SCOMET regulations that can help Indian drone manufacturers scale with confidence. In real terms, most of these expectations related to the UAVs or the drone industry and smart weapons have been met by the budget. Raj Kumar Pandey, CEO & Executive Director, ADSL, JCBL commenting on the budget said: The Union Budget 2026 marks a decisive step towards strengthening Indias defence and aerospace ecosystem, with a record allocation of 7.84 lakh crore, reflecting a 15% increase. This enhanced outlay accelerates modernisation across land, air, and naval forces while reinforcing the governments focus on advanced technologies and indigenous manufacturing. Policy support through duty exemptions and targeted investments positions India to scale capabilities, attract global partnerships, and emerge as a competitive force in the global defence and aerospace landscape. The Defence Ministry has already concluded contracts worth 2.1 lakh crore during the current year up to December, with Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) approvals exceeding 3.5 lakh crore. Upcoming projects include next-generation fighter aircraft, ships and submarines, UAVs, drones, smart weapons, and specialist vehicles. A major thrust has been placed on indigenisation, with 1.39 lakh crore, or 75% of the capital acquisition budget, earmarked for procurement from domestic industries, boosting self-reliance, investment and job creation, the Ministry added. Of the Ministrys total allocation, 27.95% has been earmarked for capital expenditure, 20.17% for operational sustenance and preparedness, 26.40% for pay and allowances, 21.84% for defence pensions, and 3.64% for civil organisations. Ankit Mehta CEO of ideaForge Technology Pvt Ltd commenting on the outlay for the defence and technology segment, in the budget said: We congratulate the finance minister for presenting a pragmatic budget that continues to prioritise defence capital outlay, while strengthening Indias domestic manufacturing ecosystem, electronics base, and semiconductor capabilities. Proposed measures such as the India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, the expanded Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme, and support for advanced technology R&D signal a strong focus on building strategic supply chains and indigenous high-tech capability. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the historic allocation, saying that the budget strengthens the balance between security, development, and self-reliance. He said the post-Operation Sindoor budget reinforces the governments resolve to bolster national security, enhance military capabilities and ensure the welfare of ex-servicemen, while advancing the vision of an Aatmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat. Key Defence Announcements: Budget 2026-27 1. Manufacturing and Tech Indigenisation Aviation Parts: The government has proposed to exempt basic customs duty on components and engines required for the manufacture of civilian and training aircraft. The government has proposed to exempt basic customs duty on components and engines required for the manufacture of civilian and training aircraft. MRO Support: Basic customs duty is exempted on raw materials imported for the manufacture of aircraft parts to be used in Maintenance, Repair, or Overhaul (MRO) requirements by Public Sector Units in the Defence sector. Basic customs duty is exempted on raw materials imported for the manufacture of aircraft parts to be used in Maintenance, Repair, or Overhaul (MRO) requirements by Public Sector Units in the Defence sector. Capital Goods: A new scheme for the Enhancement of Construction and Infrastructure Equipment (CIE) was introduced, which includes support for tunnel-boring equipment essential for building high-altitude strategic roads and infrastructure. 2. Strategic Technology & Materials Nuclear Projects: Customs duty exemptions for imports required for Nuclear Power Projects have been extended until 2035 and expanded to cover all nuclear plants, which has strategic implications for energy security. Customs duty exemptions for imports required for Nuclear Power Projects have been extended until 2035 and expanded to cover all nuclear plants, which has strategic implications for energy security. Critical Minerals: To boost high-tech defence manufacturing, basic customs duty is exempted for capital goods required for processing critical minerals in India. To boost high-tech defence manufacturing, basic customs duty is exempted for capital goods required for processing critical minerals in India. Rare Earth Magnets: Dedicated Rare Earth Corridors will be established in Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu to promote mining and processing, which are vital for advanced defense electronics. 3. Welfare and Pensions Disability Pension: A specific tax exemption is provided for disability pensions granted to members of the Armed Forces and paramilitary personnel. This exemption covers both the service element and the disability element for those invalided out of service due to disability attributable to or aggravated by military service. In his post-budget statement Sai Pattabiram, Founder & MD, Zuppa, a defence drone tech company said: The increased defence allocation in Union Budget 2026 is an important and timely step for Indias indigenous drone industry. After Operation Sindoor, it has become clear that drones are no longer optional equipment but essential tools for surveillance, border security, and precision operations. This budget gives local manufacturers the confidence to invest in new technology, local production, and skilled employment. The focus on domestic procurement and localisation will strengthen the entire ecosystem from electronics and propulsion to AI-based payloads and components supplied by MSMEs. Baba Kalyani, CMD, Bharat Forge Ltd expressing his and the industrys euphoria on the budget said: The Union Budget 2026 reflects the hallmark of Prime Minister Modis stable, strong and visionary leadership, anchored in policy continuity, fiscal discipline and a clear focus on building long-term national capabilities. I congratulate the Honble Finance Minister on her ninth successive Budget, which strikes a careful balance between macroeconomic stability and sustained investment-led growth. The articulation of a multi-pronged growth framework and the three kartavyas reinforces the commitment to building a competitive, inclusive, and future-ready economy. At a time of heightened geopolitical and supply-chain uncertainty, these measures are bound to strengthen Indias economic resilience and global positioning, sending a strong signal to both Global and Indian investors, Kalyani further said. Commenting on the governments focus on modernising and strengthening the armed forces Ankur Kanaglekar, Vice-President - India, Thales said: The latest budget seeks to reinforce the nations commitment to modernising and strengthening the armed forces. The announcements around exemption of basic customs duty on component and parts for manufacture of civilian, training, and other aircraft and on the raw materials imported for manufacture of parts to be used in maintenance, repair, and overhaul by defence sector units, further signal Indias long-term strategic intent for strengthening civil aerospace and defence industrial capabilities. Meanwhile, in a pre-budget interaction, the two bodies representing private space companies, had urged the government to undertake fiscal, regulatory, and structural reforms aligned with the Space Policy 2023 and IN-SPACes decadal vision. In his post-budget statement, Anil Prakash, Director General, SIA-India said: Industry expectations going into this Budget included targeted incentives for space manufacturing, GST rationalisation for space-grade inputs, clearer HSN classifications for space components, and a more predictable scaling of the space budget in line with Indias ambitions. These did not find a place this year, so there is no direct fiscal boost for the space sector. The union Budget reflects a strong push toward technology-led growth, manufacturing scale-up, and supply-chain resilience all important for Indias emerging space economy. While there is no direct space-specific fiscal boost, several horizontal measures in electronics, semiconductors, MSME financing, customs modernisation, AI, and R&D act as meaningful enablers for the sector, said Dr Subba Rao Pavuluri, President, SIA-India. In fact, the budget never satisfies one and all, juggling expectations with real deliverables is a daunting task. However, this time the finance minister might have been guided by Operation Sindoor and its aftermath, and technological edge achieved by adversaries like China on the military front and Indias Aatmanirbharta mission on one hand and the imperative need for increasing the number of cutting-edge military platforms on an urgent basis. In addition to fulfilling the long pending demands of services like the air force, might have been weighed-in by her to prepare such a forward looking and aspirational budget. As a result, the defence ministry leads with the highest of allocations among the ministries with a 14.68 per cent share of the total budgetmuch more than the 13.45 per cent share of the total budget last year. To note is the capital expenditure aspect, which increased big-ticket acquisitions in current and subsequent years. It means more buys of advanced and sophisticated fighter aircraft, more naval warships and submarines, and the critically important drones, among others. The 2026-27 allocation is 15.27 per cent more than last years total defence budget allocation of Rs 6.81 lakh crore. This year-on-year rate of increase is more than the 9.53 per cent year-on-year hike in last years budget. It also signifies that the defence spending will maintain its increasing trend over the coming years, too. This in turn will speed up the driveand ensure greater military preparedness and modernisation. In this aspect the government seems to have well understood the fact that capital-heavy defence expenditure ultimately supports and invigorate the domestic manufacturing ecosystem, which in turn fulfills its technological sovereignty aspirations leading to strategic autonomy, as per the governments various missions and initiatives. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic CSE Exam 2026: UPSC Sets New Rule for Serving IAS, IFS, IPS Officers The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Civil Services Exam 2026 notification with detailed guidelines, including new rule for serving IAS, IFS and IPS officers UPSC CSE Exam 2026 Notification: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Civil Services Exam 2026 notification with detailed guidelines, including new rule for serving IAS, IFS and IPS officers. Serving IAS, IFS, IPS and IRS officers appear in the Civil Services Examinations to improve their rank. But, in the exam notification for the 2026 UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026, the Union Public Service Commission has barred serving IAS and IFS officers from appearing in the 2026 exam. "A candidate who is appointed to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) or the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) based on the results of an earlier Examination and continues to be a member of that Service will not be eligible to appear at the Civil Services Examination-2026", the UPSC notification said. "In case such a candidate is appointed to the IAS or IFS after the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination-2026 is over and the candidate continues to be a member of that Service, the candidate shall not be eligible to appear in the Civil Services (Main) Examination-2026 notwithstanding having qualified in the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination-2026", the Commission said. "If such a candidate is appointed to the IAS or IFS after the commencement of the Civil Services (Main) Examination-2026 but before the result thereof is declared by the Commission and continues to be a member of that Service, the candidate shall not be considered for appointment to any Service/Post on the basis of the result of the CSE-2026", it added. UPSC New Rule for Servinf IPS Officers The UPSC has also set new rule for serving IPS officers. Candidates who have already been selected or appointed to the Indian Police Service (IPS) through an earlier examination cannot opt for or be allocated IPS again through CSE 2026, the UPSC said. "A candidate allocated to Indian Police Service or a Central Service Group 'A' on the basis of result of the CSE-2026, will have the option to appear in immediate subsequent CSE-2027", the UPSC notification said. "Such a candidate shall be eligible to appear for the CSE-2027 if he/she is granted exemption from training for the service allocated to him/her on the basis of CSE-2026 from the Authority concerned. He/she will be eligible for grant of one-time exemption only from joining the training in order to enable him/her to appear in CSE-2027", the UPSC said. UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 Registration The notification said the online registration for CSE Prelim 2026 has started from February 04, 2026. The last date of application in February 24, 2026. Candidates are required to apply online by using the website "upsconline.nic.in". This is the new website earlier launched by the UPSC. The Preliminary Examination of the Civil Services Examination for recruitment to the Services and Posts mentioned below will be held by the Union Public Service Commission on 24th May, 2026 to fill 933 vacancies, as per the UPSC notification. The notification for the 2026 CSE Prelims, the UPSC said number of attempts is six for general candidates, nine for OBC candidates and unlimited for SC/ST candidates. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic US, India Trade Deal: The Unanswered Questions Trumps trade announcement between the United States and India may sound impressive at first glance, but on closer examination, it lacks the detail, structure, and legal foundation of a genuine trade agreement A Sudden Announcement from Washington On Monday night, February 2, US President Donald John Trump announced on his social media platform, Truth Social, that the United States had reached a trade deal with India following a phone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Trump claimed that India would purchase over $500 billion worth of US goods, while the US would immediately reduce its so-called reciprocal tariff on Indian products from 25% to 18% later clarified as a cut from 50% to 18%. The announcement, however, was dramatic in tone and came at a time when the name of our Prime Minister appeared in the Epstein files and his corporate associate Anil Ambani was also in the spotlight. While it generated headlines, it raised more questions than it answered. Rather than being swayed by how the Godi Media and supporters of our self-proclaimed Vishwaguru are portraying it, it is important to examine what India has actually gained in real terms. This article seeks to unpack the IndiaUS trade deal, which is filled with grand claims and, in turn, gives rise to even larger unanswered questions. The $500 Billion Question At present, Indias annual imports from the US including goods and energy are under $50 billion. Even under optimistic assumptions, reaching $500 billion would take more than two decades, indicating that this figure is more a long-term aspiration than a near-term contractual commitment. Trumps post did not specify timelines, annual targets, or sector-wise commitments, making it difficult to assess whether this is a binding agreement or merely a political signal. Tariff Cuts: Whats Real Vs. False Claims Trump claimed that India had agreed to reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers to zero on US products. However, he did not clarify: Which products are covered? Whether sensitive sectors are included? How non-tariff barriers will be dismantled? India has historically resisted opening up areas such as food grains, genetically modified products, and heavily regulated agricultural imports. Without clarity, the zero-tariff claim remains speculative. However, even after the deal, key US Section 232 tariffs remain untouched: Steel, aluminium, copper: 50% Certain auto components: 25% At the same time, zero tariffs will continue for pharmaceuticals, aircraft and parts, and select electronic and mechanical components. How the India Deal Compares Globally? The US has already offered reciprocal tariffs to several countries: UK: 10% EU & Japan: 15% Indonesia & Malaysia: 19% Bangladesh & Vietnam: 20% These tariffs sit above MFN (Most Favoured Nation) rates, except in the EUs case, where a cap mechanism applies. Indias 18% rate fits within this global pattern and does not represent special treatment. Russian Oil and Strategic Trade Shifts Trump also claimed that Prime Minister Modi agreed to stop buying Russian oil and increase energy purchases from the US and Venezuela. If true, this would represent a significant geopolitical and economic shift, though India has not officially confirmed such a commitment. However, this could be agreed on the garb of his name or references appearing in the above said Epstein Documents, yet what goes behind the curtain is still not known, it can be a simple assumptions, how things work these days in the market be it local or global. Experts Urge Caution Soon after this announcement was made in the media, there seemed a sense of celebration about it. However, Ajay Srivastava, founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative, has called it to be naive and premature thing. He went on to caution against this premature celebration. Until there is a joint statement, negotiated legal text, and clarity on enforcement mechanisms, the announcement should be seen as a political declaration rather than a finalized trade deal. So, instead of singing the same tune as heard and said on the Godi Media, it is fair to wait and watch and then frame this opinion of gala times. However, in contrast, the India-EU Trade Agreement has a different story. Unlike the US announcement, the IndiaEU Free Trade Agreement is far more concrete and comprehensive. On the contrary, 23% of global GDP and 25% of the worlds population, it is rightly being called Indias most ambitious trade deal. The EU will eliminate or reduce tariffs on 98% of Indian exports, benefiting labour-intensive sectors such as: Textiles and garments Footwear and leather Marine products Gems and jewellery Handicrafts, chemicals, and machinery These sectors currently face stiff competition from countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh, which already enjoy zero-tariff access to the EU. Timing Remains a Challenge While the EU deal is promising, it will take at least a year to be fully implemented due to legal vetting and ratification by all 27 EU parliaments. Meanwhile, Indian exports to the US have already fallen 22% between May and December 2025 due to high tariffs. Exports to the rest of the world, however, have grown by 5.5%, indicating gradual diversification. However, on the other side, the world in trade seems to be in turmoil. Global trade uncertainty continues to rise, largely driven by WTO-inconsistent US tariffs and excessive dependence on China for manufacturing. With China producing over 80% of the worlds smartphones and laptops, supply-chain concentration remains a major risk. While India has the market size to emerge as an alternative manufacturing hub, its higher cost of doing business compared to China and Southeast Asia remains a key obstacle. Conclusion: Signal, Not Settlement Trumps trade announcement with India may sound impressive at first glance, but on closer examination, it lacks the detail, structure, and legal foundation of a genuine trade agreement. The headline figures appear more aspirational than actionable, tariff reductions remain ambiguously defined, and the scale of Indias alleged commitments has not been verified through any official or jointly released documentation. Without clarity on timelines, product coverage, enforcement mechanisms, or reciprocal obligations, such declarations remain political signalling rather than binding economic policy. Until formal texts are negotiated, signed, and made public, India would be well advised to respond with caution rather than celebration. In sharp contrast, the IndiaEU trade deal reflects a serious, well-negotiated frameworkone that is ambitious yet balanced, legally grounded, and aligned with economic realities. It demonstrates how meaningful trade agreements are built on transparency, accountability, and mutual benefit, not headline-driven rhetoric. [The writer, Mohd Ziyauallah Khan, is a freelance content writer & editor based in Nagpur. He is also an activist and social entrepreneur, co-founder of the group TruthScape, a team of digital activists fighting disinformation on social media.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Netanyahu unethical, Sara kleptomaniac: Israeli PMs Ex-Security Chief Benjamin Netanyahu has never been ethical whereas Sara Netanyahu is kleptomaniac, Israeli Prime Ministers Former Security Chief Ami Dror has claimed. [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with his wife Sara Netanyahu (File Image/X)] Benjamin Netanyahu has never been ethical whereas Sara Netanyahu is kleptomaniac, Israeli Prime Ministers Former Security Chief Ami Dror has claimed. Ami Dror, who guarded Netanyahu and his wife in the late 1990s, also said at one time Netanyahus son, Yair Netanyahu, had beaten his father forcing the Israeli Prime Minister to relocate to the United States. The former security official reportedly alleged that Netanyahu left restaurants without paying on more than one occasion. In one example, he said aides reassured the restaurant staff that payment would be arranged later, but it did not occur, and a member of the security team ultimately covered the bill. He said similar incidents were repeated, presenting them as part of a pattern witnessed by personnel accompanying the prime minister, Qatar based Al-Jazeera reported, citing Ami Drors interview with the Hebrew newspaper Maariv. In the podcast interview with Israeli Journalist Miki Levin, Dror said Yair Netanyahu "assaulted his father," describing it as "not a karate punch, but a real assault that required intervention", which forced him to leave for Miami. He also accused Sara Netanyahu of suffering from "kleptomania", claiming she took gifts and towels from hotels, and described her as "malicious" for using her influence to protect her son in legal matters. About Netanyahu, Dror said, Netanyahu was never an ethical person," and someone who "eats at restaurants and doesnt pay, dumping the expenses on others." In a healthy state, a Prime Minister who receives gifts, obstructs judicial proceedings, and surrounds himself with people who receive money from Qatar goes to prison," and held him responsible for failures in the captives file, asserting that political calculations and deliberate stalling prevented the safe return of captives, Al Mayadeen English reported. Interestingly, Knesset member Naama Lazimi had in February 2025 publicly alleged that Yair Netanyahu had been sent abroad following an assault on his father Benjamin Netanyahu, sparking a political debate in Israel. Denying the claim, a furious Yair Netanyahu had filed a defamation case against Lazimi. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic 6 Reasons Why The Doomsday Clock Is At 80-Year Low The famous Doomsday Clock was created in 1947, and reset every year by the Bulletins Science and Security Board in consultation with the Board of Sponsors, including eight Nobel laureates Albert Einstein, Robert Oppenheimer, and University of Chicago scientists founded the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists in 1945. The famous Doomsday Clock was created two years later and reset every year by the Bulletins Science and Security Board in consultation with the Board of Sponsors, including eight Nobel laureates. Manhattan Project scientists felt obligated to educate the public about the catastrophic implications of nuclear weapons, especially after US bombings of Hiroshima (Aug.6, 1945 80,000 instant deaths, 140,000 by year end) and Nagasaki (Aug. 9, 1945 approximately 40,000 instant deaths, 80,000 by year end).Little Boy dropped on Hiroshima was 15-kilotons. Todays thermonuclear weapons are well over 100-kilotons up to a megaton (a megaton equals 1,000 kilotons). According to data provided by ICAN, one thermonuclear weapon detonated over NYC would ignite a fireball wider than one mile instantly vaporizing people and buildings on initial impact within that radius. Additionally, the thermal pulse or intense flash of light and heat would cause third-degree burns and inflame infrastructure 7-8 miles away. Then a firestorm would consume the city for as much as 150 square miles. The initial setting for the iconic clock in 1947 was seven (7) minutes to midnight. The world-famous clock symbolizes the vulnerability to global catastrophe via human-made technology. The scientists were hopeful of preventing a nuclear arms race. Oops! As of 2026, nine nations possess approximately 12,330 nuclear warheads (Russia 5459; US 5277; China 600; France 290; UK 225; India 180; Pakistan 170; Israel 90; No. Korea 50). Risks never looked so ominous. In plain English, as of January 27th, 2026, the new clock setting is more foreboding than ever before at 85 seconds to midnight. Accordingly, since the onset of the clock in 1947, world affairs have succumbed to the lowest level in generations. Its as if the world is trapped in a vortex of blundering, ineptitude, and clownishness. The Boards Summary of World Affairs A year ago, we warned that the world was perilously close to global disaster and that any delay in reversing course increased the probability of catastrophe. Rather than heed this warning, Russia, China, the United States, and other major countries have instead become increasingly aggressive, adversarial, and nationalistic. Hard-won global understandings are collapsing, accelerating a winner-takes-all great power competition and undermining the international cooperation critical to reducing the risks of nuclear war, climate change, the misuse of biotechnology, the potential threat of artificial intelligence, and other apocalyptic dangers. Far too many leaders have grown complacent and indifferent, in many cases adopting rhetoric and policies that accelerate rather than mitigate these existential Risks. By setting the famous clock at 85 seconds to midnight, the Board recognizes the failure of leadership of the world as the principal reason for the lowest reading ever. World leadership lacks vision and horribly deficient in historical perspective of missteps among nations often leading to unnecessary combativeness with nuclear in the hotseat. 1. Nuclear Risks From day one, nuclear risks have been paramount. Living up to that concern, 2025 experienced three regional conflicts involving nuclear powers, all threatening to escalate (1) Russia-Ukraine (2) India-Pakistan (3) US/Israel-Iran. However, according to the Board, the biggest turn of events is the onset of a full-blown arms race. China has dramatically increased nuclear warheads, in 2025 China completed or was near completing around 350 new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) silos across multiple desert and mountain sites, and the US, Russia, and China have modernized their nuclear delivery systems. But none of the big three appears to feel as threatened as does the United States, which plans to build a Golden Dome, including space-based interceptors. This defensive maneuver by the US guarantees a new space-based arms race thats certain to spread alarm around the world. Of additional concern, the nuclear weapon countries are not talking about strategic stability or arms control. The US commitment, or lack of commitment, for allies in Europe and in Asia is pushing countries sans nuclear weapons to acquiring them. Indeed, this enhances an incipient new arms race across the world. Making matters even worse yet, the two biggest gorillas in the room the US and Russia START agreement that limits the number of nuclear weapons is set to expire after 60 years The treaty is set to end on February 5, and without it there will be no constraints on long-range nuclear arsenals for the first time since Richard Nixon and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev signed historic agreements in 1972 on the first-ever trip by a U.S. president to Moscow 2. Climate Change on Bad Footing The Board sees climate change on a downhill trajectory that threatens civilization: The national and international responses to the climate emergency went from wholly insufficient to profoundly destructive. None of the three most recent UN climate summits emphasized phasing out fossil fuels or monitoring carbon dioxide emissions. In the United States, the Trump administration has essentially declared war on renewable energy and sensible climate policies, relentlessly gutting national efforts to combat climate change. The graph below demonstrates the post-industrial trend in greenhouse gases, which are the primary drivers of global warming: The steeper/ the longer/ the more Earth heats up. Trump administration focus on fossil fuels at the expense of renewables steepens the vertical ascent eventually to Hot House Earth, unless CO2 is stopped and also removed to a certain extent. Removal of CO2 from the atmosphere is extremely challenging as current technology is anemic. 3. Synthetic Biology Mirror Life Threatens All Life The past year witnessed a life sciences artificial development that threatens all life. Scientists from nine countries have warned about the creation of Mirror Life via laboratory synthesis, consisting of mirror bacteria and other mirror cells that scientists warn should not be allowed to continue. Mirror Life is composed of chemically synthesized molecules that are mirror-images of molecules naturally found on Earth. According to the Board: A self-replicating mirror cell could plausibly evade normal controls on growth, spread throughout all ecosystems, and eventually cause the widespread death of humans, other animals, and plants, potentially disrupting all life on Earth. So far, however, the international community has not arrived at a plan to address this risk. 4. AI The AI revolution has the potential to accelerate the existing chaos and dysfunction in the worlds information ecosystem, supercharging mis- and disinformation campaigns and undermining the fact-based public discussions required to address urgent major threats like nuclear war, pandemics, and climate change. AI-aided design of new pathogens harmful to humans is of concern as state-sponsored biological weapons. 5. US Degradation of Public Health The Board takes special aim at the US: Perhaps of most immediate concern is the rapid degradation of US public health infrastructure and expertise. This dangerously reduces the ability of the United States and other nations to respond to pandemics and other biological threats. 6. Autocratic Trends Overlaying the above-mentioned flash points, the ongoing autocratic trend of world governments impedes international cooperation. It reduces accountability. And it acts like a threat accelerant. Autocrats are not reliable negotiators and can easily upset the proverbial apple cart, triggering unforeseen domino-effect disaster scenarios. In the final analysis, eighty-five (85) seconds to midnight doesnt leave much room for error. [The writer, Robert Hunziker, is a journalist from Los Angeles. This article was originally published on Feb. 6, 2026 Counterpunch .] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Newly Developed Plastic Set To Replace Microplastics A Japanese research team has developed a breakthrough plastic that fully dissolves in seawater within hours pointing toward cleaner and safer packaging [Gemini AI image for representation] Microplastics have infiltrated our food supply. Now, a Japanese research team has developed a breakthrough plastic that fully dissolves in seawater within hourspointing toward cleaner and safer packaging. Microplastics represent an escalating challenge worldwide. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, an estimated 2.7 million tons were released into the environment in 2020 alonewith projections suggesting that figure could double by 2040. These microscopic particles are now virtually everywhere. Despite being in many reusable containers, or just in disposable containers like water bottles, plastic as a material is one of the worst for the environment. In fact, we're currently experiencing a longstanding plastic crisis in the oceans, with plastic pollution continuing to be a huge problem all around the world, with an entire island of garbage even making headlines back in 2017. Plastic has become so prevalent in our lives, that some even claim we're eating tiny chunks of plastic with every meal, a claim that has continued to gain even more traction with growing concerns about scary levels of microplastics being found in the human brain. Thankfully, researchers may have created a new plant-based plastic that is completely biodegradable. One of the primary reasons plastics has become such a relied-upon material in our lives is because of how cheap it is to make, and how durable and versatile it is. However, that versatility and durability come at a cost. Scientists estimate that plastic can take anywhere from 20 to 500 years to decompose depending on the item. The material is so hard to break down because it is not natural at all. Sure, it is made from natural components, but the actual bonds needed to make the material are a product of scientific breakthroughs. And while we have seen some experimenting with things like breaking down plastic with air and moisture, new research is taking things a step further and actually creating plastic that is biodegradable from the start. But, it's important to note that this is not the first time we have seen scientists looking at making entirely new types of plastic. In 2024, we saw researchers creating a new plastic that could eat itself, allowing it to slowly biodegrade in landfills. This latest attempt, though, approaches the problem from a different perspective. Instead of relying on bacteria that eats the plastic, researchers in Japan started with wood, which they then injected with salt, to create an entirely new type of plant-based plastic that can be degraded quickly by exposing it to saltwater. Japanese Research on New Plastic Researchers at the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science and the University of Tokyo have created a new plastic made from plant cellulose that keeps its strength in everyday use yet breaks apart in seawater within a few hours. In lab tests, a small piece of the material disappeared in salt water after about an hour of stirring. The research team led by Takuzo Aida published their report in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. For the sake of transparency, the researchers emphasised that plastics labeled as biodegradable are not a new invention in themselves, nor is their development, strictly speaking, entirely novel. Cellulose-based plastics have existed for some time, but they are often combined with additives that only fully break down under specific industrial conditionssuch as high heat or in composting facilities. The cellulose used during research was created from wood pulp. This allows the group to utilise an ingredient that is both FDA-approved and biodegradable. Taking the cellulose, the researchers combined it with an agent derived from ions of polyethylene-imine guanidinium. When mixed in with water, the opposite charges grew attractive, which allowed for a strong network of cross-linked ions. These connected ions allowed for a strong connection. However, the material itself was both brittle and glass-like. The researchers improved its flexibility and strength by adding in choline chloride a food safe additive that is often added to animal feed and even human supplements thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. The material also includes a protective coating, which helps prevent accidental breakdowns if the material is exposed to saltwater before intended. While the base material is abundant some estimate that nature produces at least 100 billion tons of cellulose each year it is the fact that the created material can be changed so drastically that makes it such a promising alternative to traditional plastic. Instead of relying on adding more hard-to-degrade components to strengthen it, the researchers can simply change the amount of choline chloride to the mixture to create different types of the plant-based plastic. And, because it does not rely on the traditional components used to create plastic, there's no concern over microplastics being left behind after it degrades. Further, because of the sheer amount of cellulose generated by nature each year, as well as the prevalence of the additive required to make it stronger and more flexible. The researchers believe that the creation of this new plastic could easily be scaled up, allowing it to become a proper, widely-available alternative to traditional plastics; one of the primary researchers on the study, Takuzo Aida, said in a press conference that the team has "created a flexible yet tough plastic material that safely decomposes in the ocean. This technology will help protect Earth from plastic pollution." In their findings, the researchers point out that while this new material will not replace all plastics overnight, it still represents a significant step forward for the planetwithout requiring people to make major compromises in their daily lives. Further refinements and testing will likely be needed before the new plastic is widely deployed. Nevertheless, it could already serve as a promising approach to taking on the microplastics challenge. Lets hope it really do. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic What makes Chinese airports different from others From Shanghai to Xian, and from Xian to Beijing, Chinese airports appear markedly different from those in advanced capitalist and developing countries Airports are not merely places of transit for people, commodities, and services. They are indicators of wealth and symbols of prosperity. A cocktail of capitalist corporations, the monetisation of space, and nationalist cultural pride shapes the design and architecture of airports. Between departures and arrivals, passengers encounter dominant and all engulfing corporate hoarding boards that act as messengers of capitalism and its power, seducing consumers beyond the boundaries of the airport. Airports are defined by a culture of orderly objects, where class hierarchy operates as a governing principle from check-in counters and security checks to passenger lounges. In most advanced capitalist and developing countries, airport shops and security infrastructure dominate and occupy the majority of airport space. Passengers often feel subservient to the seductive power of advertisements and surrender to the so-called duty-free shopping experience. The economic ability of a few passengers allows them to access pleasurable travel experiences, while the majority endure a cattle-class experience both within and beyond the territory of the airports. From Shanghai to Xian, and from Xian to Beijing, Chinese airports appear markedly different from those in advanced capitalist and developing countries. Chinese airports are large, modern, technologically advanced and designed with passenger welfare prioritised over the monetisation of space. There are no dominant corporate hoarding boards or sprawling retail outlets. Security and immigration officials occupy relatively small areas, while expansive spaces are available for travellers to move freely, sit, relax and travel. Numerous chairs are placed around small shops, allowing passengers to enjoy a more comfortable travel experience. The airports offer excellent childcare facilities, as well as free hot and cold drinking water for passengers. Rather than displaying a rigid culture of orderly objects, these airports feel as though the space truly belongs to the passengers. Chinese airports display local products in their shops, yet one must actively search to find cultural symbols which are presented without overt pride or any sense of undermining other cultures and traditions. There is no signs of local or national chauvanism in the airports. There appears to be an operational harmony between passengers and airport management, with passenger welfare placed at the centre of airport governance. Unlike the often stressful travel experiences common in advanced capitalist countries, it is difficult to find visibly stressed passengers in Chinese airports. Digitalisation has further enhanced traveller welfare and overall experience, contributing to a smoother and more humane airport environment. Socialist ideology, harmonious Chinese cultural values, and their everyday significance shape the operational ethos and culture of Chinese airports, whereas monetisation, securitisation, and the corporatisation of space define airports in advanced capitalist countries. In China, socialism is not merely the guiding ideology of the state and government; it also informs the everyday efficiency and functioning of airports. In an age of anti-Chinese propaganda, one needs to visit and experience not only the cultural differences evident in Chinese airports but also witness how such a large country, with its vast population, is moving forward in the path of development, peace and harmony. Between take-off and landing, socialist culture blossoms within Chinese airports, enabling passengers to enjoy local food and fragrances without the presence of all-engulfing billboards or expansive retail spaces. Efficiency is another defining feature of Chinese airports, offering the world an alternative model one in which passengers are empowered in an airport that belongs to the people, rather than to corporations. Socialism in China demonstrates efficiency across everyday spaces, from airports to agricultural fields. Friendly Chinese people and technologically advanced airports welcome the world with warmth, reflecting the countrys modern socialist development. Socialism works - and it works well. Experience it firsthand in China. [The writer, Bhabani Shankar Nayak, is a Political Commentator.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic German Chancellor Merz Shows Mirror To Trump At the recently held Munich Security Conference (February 13 to 15), the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz clearly lambasted the American policies and identified the areas which need to be reworked to rekindle the Europe-American ties In the backdrop of a continuous barrage of new American interpretations of the global law, threats and actions against unfriendly states, at least one leader has tried to show a mirror to the American President Donald Trump. Under Trumps rule in the last 13 months most of the taken for granted American principles have been thrown to the winds, followed by his whimsical diktats. But at the recently held Munich Security Conference (February 13 to 15), the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz clearly lambasted the American policies and identified the areas which need to be reworked to rekindle the Europe-American ties. This year the Munich Security Conference (MSC) focused on themes like the erosion of global order, Europes strategic autonomy, and the future of deterrence. This years conference, themed "Under Destruction" in its flagship report, highlighted a world order in flux, with rising geopolitical tensions and uncertainty. The event further underscored Europes growing assertiveness in shaping its security future, with women leaders playing a central role in advancing democratic values and transatlantic cooperation. In a largely unpredicted outburst, Merz while inaugurating the MSC told other world leaders that "our freedom is not guaranteed" in an era of big power politics, and that Europeans must be ready to make "sacrifice". The rules-based world order "no longer exists", the German Chancellor warned besides admitting that "a deep divide has opened between Europe and the United States", the BBC reported. MSC was hosted at a time when US commitments to the Nato military alliance have been called into question. Trump's ambition to acquire Greenland has also been viewed by many European leaders as a watershed moment that has eroded trust with their biggest ally. The MSC deliberations were also overshadowed by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, tensions between the West and China, as well as a potential Iran-US nuclear deal of war. Merz told the conference: "I fear we must put it even more bluntly: this order (rules-based world order), however imperfect it was even at its best, no longer exists in that form." He also identified "a rift, a deep divide, which has opened between Europe and the United States. And which was referred to by the American Vice-President JD Vance at the last years MSC. Merz also said: "He was right. The culture war of the Maga (Make America Great Again) movement is not ours. Freedom of speech ends here with us when that speech goes against human dignity and the constitution. We do not believe in tariffs and protectionism, but in free trade." However, Merz appealed directly to the US by saying "let's repair and revive transatlantic trust", instead of writing off the decades-long partnership. The German leader also revealed that "confidential talks" were ongoing with French President Emmanuel Macron on creating a joint European nuclear deterrent. He gave no further details. France and the UK are the only two nuclear powers in Europe - but Germany and many other European nations have traditionally relied on the US nuclear umbrella within the Nato alliance for deterrence. Addressing the MSC, French President Macron reiterated his call for Europe to "learn to become a geopolitical power" in the new global context. He said Europe was already re-arming following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 - but stressed that "we have to accelerate" and work collectively across the continent. Describing the war in Ukraine's as Europe's "existential challenge", the French leader urged others not to "cave in to Russian demands" - but rather to increase pressure on Moscow to achieve a just peace. "We live in a new era in geopolitics, and it's going to require all of us to sort of re-examine what that looks like and what our role is going to be," he said. Tensions have been heightened in recent months between Europe and the US, as Trump has repeatedly said that Greenland is vital to US national security, stating without evidence that it was "covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place". On the other hand, With Europeans desperate for a reassurance, the assembled leaders were also eager for any signs of transatlantic solidarity in US Secretary of State Marc Rubios speech. Nathalie Tocci writing for The Guardian says that the Secretary of State offered warm words, celebrating the shared cultural heritage, history and specifically the Christianity of the west. He claimed that the US, a child of Europe, was not interested in managing western decline but instead determined to spearhead a western civilisational renaissance. But beneath the surface, Rubios speech this year and Vances in 2025 were two sides of the same coin. Vances was crude and outrageous, even silly. Rubios speech was more subtle and coherent, but he in essence repeated the same thoughts: the message from Washington remains that Europe and the US should be defined by ethno-political values of culture, tradition, and religion. The fact that such history has also bred nationalism, racism, fascism, and colonialism is apparently nothing to be ashamed of. Merz, along with Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, Pedro Sanchez and the European Commission chief, Ursula von der Leyen, all spoke of the need for European independence, for giving substance to the EU treatys article 42.7, a pledge of mutual assistance in the event of attack and for a Europeanised Nato. As von der Leyen put it, the lines that have been crossed cannot be uncrossed. Russias war on Ukraine which approaches its fourth anniversary added a sense of urgency. So did the sober reminder from the Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, that the US threat to Greenland has not gone away. However, the currently evolving geopolitical tensions, primarily between Europe and the US, while European resolve and collective action will most likely continue, the real focus should be to work within existing transatlantic frameworks, especially Nato. This should indeed be a key strand of work. In fact, UK and Italy both receive Nato commands from the US, signals an important step toward establishing a European pillar within the transatlantic defence alliance. The US will remain critical, providing command and control, specialised capabilities and, above all, the nuclear umbrella. But overall Trump should realise that him going ballistic over Europe and Nato, will not serve the American interests at all and it might even reduce the American influence at the global level. Though this may lead unexpectedly to a Europe which is confident of managing its own affairs instead of the big daddy solving its continental problems and assuring them of his continued safety commitment. This may even lead to a new era of the European resurgence. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Ibrahim Traore: Generating Contours Of A New Pan-African Identity Ibrahim Traore, the interim leader of Burkina Faso since a 2022 coup, is increasingly viewed as a voice for a new, anti-imperialist world order in Africa. Ibrahim Traore, the interim leader of Burkina Faso since a 2022 coup, is increasingly viewed as a voice for a new, anti-imperialist world order in Africa. By rejecting Western influence, particularly from France, expelling foreign troops, and forging tighter ties with Russia, he is pushing for complete economic and security sovereignty. Traore is widely compared to Thomas Isidore Noel Sankara (21 December 1949 15 October 1987) who was a Burkinabe military officer, Marxist and Pan-Africanist revolutionary, finally assassinated in 1987. Traore is a modern-day Sankara. Each discarded French troops, challenged the CFA franc a currency used by 14 African nations as of 2023 for a population of over 210 million people and pushing for resource nationalism including nationalizing gold mines as rebuffing neo-colonialism. Traore contends that the CFA franc system in Burkina Faso, in place since 1945, is a neo-colonial arrangement imposed by France that has restricted the economic sovereignty of its former colonies. Ibrahim Traore, is actively seeking to move away from this tool of French influence. Traore focus on self-reliance and development as a development paradigm encourages local talent, and youth as the apparatuses to build infrastructure (roads, schools, hospitals), thus seeking deletion of reduction of reliance on foreign aid. Traore has reinforced his self-reliance mode of governance by mobilizing his Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland to combat extremist insurgency. Traores government is actively implementing a policy of resource nationalism to assert economic sovereignty, specifically by reordering the nations gold sector to reduce reliance on foreign entities. A rough and dangerous path to assertion of selfhood through anti-imperialism Since seizing power in September 2022, Traore has survived at least four assassinations linked to foreign interests. It has to be stated too that internal dissent against Traore is intensifying with his junta under mounting pressure from within the military, civil society, and the political opposition, particularly in light of deterioration security conditions with increased militant Islamist violence and jihadist groups controlling roughly 40% to 60% of the country. Militant-linked fatalities have nearly tripled compared to the three years prior to his 2022 coup. worsening security conditions. As a revolutionary leader his regime has taken restrictive measures, including the dissolution of all political parties and the extension of military rule. Traores authority is challenged by a fragmented military, with lingering opposition from senior officers and members of the former regime. By officially dissolving all political parties, Traore faces internal tension with his actions forcing critics into exile, prison, or to the frontlines of the insurgency. In January 2026, the junta announced a foiled plot involving a grave destabilization plan by military and civilian actors, featuring, for the first time, televised confessions. The government has used a 2023 general mobilization law to forcibly conscript critics, including activists, journalists, and members of civil society, into the army, effectively sending them to the frontlines as punishment. Scholars and historians are deeply divided on Ibrahim Traores role in Burkina Faso, with views ranging from seeing him as a genuine anti-imperialist, pan-Africanist leader to a populist military ruler whose actions have worsened the countrys security crisis. Under these complex circumstances, Traore, has emerged as a prominent voice in West Africa, issuing severe warnings to Western nations while strongly affirming African identity and sovereignty. His supporters view him as a target of foreign powers seeking to exploit African resources. Traore has also denounced and faced pressure from the United States regarding the transition of power in Burkina Faso. It is important to note that many of these claims arise from highly charged, pro-Traore social media narratives and online video reports, rather than official, substantiated, verify international diplomatic reports. Cautioning the West and Neo-Colonialism Traore has accused imperialists of perpetuating cold and bloody warfare in West Africa to maintain control over natural resources. He has explicitly stated that Africa must break free from Western influence, particularly from France, which he argues has not brought peace or development, but rather dependence. Traore knows that such a stance comes with threats to his personal safety and Burkina Faso. African Identity and Unity The Revolution Vision Traore frames his leadership as a popular, progressive revolution aimed at restoring African dignity and self-reliance. He strongly advocates for unity among African nations, particularly urging the youth to stop relying on foreign countries and to build their own continent. He has driven the creation of the AES (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger), which focuses on security and economic cooperation independent of traditional regional bodies like ECOWAS, which he views as influenced by Western powers. His government has taken steps to nationalize key industries, such as gold, to ensure wealth stays within the country and thus guarantee economic sovereignty. Traores message is that Africa must cease to be a warehouse of raw materials for the West and instead take control of its own destiny. Contextual Factors Following an alleged assassination attempt and increasing security threats, his government has shifted its focus to a Ministry of War and Patriotic Defense. Burkina Faso has distanced itself from French military aid, relying more on Russia for security support. Critics have pointed out that his anti-imperialist stance is accompanied by the suspension of democratic processes and the restriction of media freedoms, raising concerns about a shift toward authoritarianism. Traore defends his suspension of democratic processes and strict control over media in Burkina Faso by framing his rule not as a military dictatorship, but as a popular progressive revolution necessary to salvage a nation besieged by jihadist violence and neo-colonial influence. Traore has explicitly stated that democracy is a long-term goal rather than a means to solve immediate crises. The War on Terror as Priority Traore took power with the promise of ending the jihadist insurgency, justifying the suspension of democratic, civilian-led governance by arguing that security must take precedence over political freedom. By suspending the constitution, transferring the duties of the Election Commission to the Interior Ministry, and banning political parties, he argues he is eliminating divisive politics. Traore has justified the expulsion of foreign journalists (specifically French) and the suspension of international media outlets (BBC, VOA, Africa 24) by accusing them of spreading disinformation and undermining national morale. He has warned that media houses communicating for the enemy would pay for it, often treating critical reporting as a national security threat. The media crackdown is defended as necessary to build an African-led narrative and a new Burkina Faso. The Transition to African Democracy Traore argues that Western-style democracy does not work for developing nations confronting security crises, viewing it as irrelevant to Africas culture and political exigencies- much too unhurried and ineffective. Traores immediate goal is to reclaim sovereignty and break free from imperialist influence France, in particular and all Western influences with a sense of urgency. Traore asserts that his nation is in a state of popular progressive revolution. He is quite plain when he asserts that revolution necessitates a concentration of power to ensure security and sovereignty. Traore often bypasses traditional democratic institutions and political parties, framing his actions as a direct mandate from the people and the youth, positioning himself as a successor to the anti-colonial leader Thomas Sankara. Despite trumped up international concern over authoritarianism, Traore holds significant popular support, often using patriotic rallies to justify the suspension of democratic, western-backed structures. He defends his oft-erratic economic policies (such as forced civilian conscription or seizing control of natural resources) as necessary for total territorial recapture and industrial sovereignty. African democracy, says Traore, cannot be modelled after Western systems, mostly associated with histories of colonialism, racism, and slavery, a line of thought in debates regarding decoloniality and African political thought. Redefining democracy with roots in African culture African democracy is characterized by a strong popular commitment to democratic principles alongside significant challenges in implementation, with many nations transitioning since the 1990s. While countries like Ghana, Senegal, and Botswana are often cited as stable examples, the continent faces issues such as weak institutions, term-limit evasions, and uneven, sometimes declining, electoral quality. The argument that Western-style democracy is incompatible with African culture centres on the mismatch between liberal, individualistic democratic models and deeply rooted African traditional values, which tend to be communal, consensus-based, and respectful of hierarchy. Critics suggest that transplanting Western systems without adapting them to local realities has contributed to political instability, corruption, and a disconnect between leadership and the populace. Individualism vs. Communitarianism Traditional African societies are largely communal. As noted by scholar George Ayittey, the foundational concept is, I am because we are (Ubuntu), where the collective good of the community (family, clan, village) often takes precedence over individual rights. Western democracy focuses on individual voting, while African cultures may prioritize communal representation. While the Western model operates on a winner-takes-all (majoritarian) system, where 51% can override 49%, Indigenous African governance often focuses on dialogue, negotiation, and consensus-building until a decision is reached that satisfies all parties, or at least has broad acceptance. Majoritarianism turn elections into tribal contests where losing groups feel excluded, leading to conflict rather than unity. Colonial powers drew arbitrary borders that lumped together unrelated ethnic groups or split cohesive ones, creating artificial nation-states that lack the natural solidarity required for Western-style democratic competition. This duality means modern democratic structures often feel alien and detached from rural, grassroots realities. The Ubuntu Paradigm The African ruling paradigm based on Ubuntu the philosophy of I am because we are centres on humanism, communal interdependence, and restorative justice to heal relationships rather than merely punish offenders. It advocates for participatory democracy, equitable resource sharing, and environmental stewardship, ensuring governance prioritizes collective well-being and social harmony. Justice is aimed at repairing breaches in social harmony, with a focus on reconciliation and the reintegration of offenders into the community. This paradigm challenges the accumulation of capital in favour of a community where everyone shares and works together. (Desmond Tutu) Also Read: Decoding Ibrahim Traore in the context of Imperialism The prevailing consensus among many African scholars is that for democracy to flourish on the continent, it must be re-imagined to align with African realities. Burkina Faso, may just fit the bill on this collective consent for now. Objectively, Traore represents a bold, high-stakes gamble in the Sahel. While he has successfully shifted the geopolitical landscape and boosted the morale of a section of the population, his inability to secure the country and the rising trend of human rights abuses could well threaten the long-term future of his administration. Will Traores struggle see him prevail his aspirations? An Afterword Traores experiment is still unfolding. Whether he becomes a genuine architect of sovereignty or another strongman shaped by circumstance will depend less on rhetoric and more on institutions he builds. Burkina Fasos struggle is not merely against Western dominance, but against the deeper legacies of dependency and instability. History will judge him not by defiance alone, but by democratic resilience and security delivered to his people. [The writer, Ranjan Solomon, has worked in social justice movements since he was 19 years of age. After an accumulated period of 58 years working with oppressed and marginalized groups locally, nationally, and internationally, he has now turned a researcher-freelance writer focussed on questions of global and local/national justice. Since the First Intifada in 1987, Ranjan Solomon has stayed in close solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for freedom from Israeli occupation, and the cruel apartheid system. Ranjan Solomon can be contacted at ranjan.solomon@gmail.com.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Feb 24 (Reuters) - Colgate-Palmolive told the National Legal and Policy Center that it intends to ask investors to vote against the conservative shareholder group's proposal to remove DEI-related criteria in the company's selection process for its board members, according to a letter viewed by Reuters. More from Yahoo Scout Why is Colgate opposing the NLPC's DEI board proposal? What DEI criteria does Colgate use for directors? How has corporate DEI policy changed since 2020? How are other companies responding to DEI pressure? The NLPC's proposal comes as several companies including Goldman Sachs, Walmart, Target and Meta dropped or considered altering their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies as U.S. President Donald Trump and conservative groups in the country ramp up pressure on firms to curtail these programs. Companies added or beefed up their DEI programs starting in 2020 amid the Black Lives Matter movement, but they have rolled back their DEI commitments over the past year as pressure mounted from the Trump administration. Colgate would join a small list of companies such as Costco and Apple in sticking to their DEI policies over the past year. The company said in its response to the NLPC that about two-thirds of its net sales came from markets outside the United States. "It is important that our directors bring a broad range of skills, experiences, perspectives and backgrounds to the Board," the company said in its response submitted to the NLPC on Monday. Colgate did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for an independent comment on the matter. Colgate in its 2025 proxy statement said that three of its director nominees were "members of underrepresented communities," but the NLPC stated that the company did not explain what "underrepresented" meant. Bloomberg News first reported on Colgate's response to the NLPC. (Reporting by Juveria Tabassum in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel) Core Lithium has signed a binding agreement for the sale of its remaining spodumene concentrate stockpile from the Finniss Lithium Project to Glencore International. The Finniss Lithium Project is situated 88km south of Darwin Port on a sealed road, in Australia's Northern Territory. The project covers an area exceeding 500km. The sale, which involves approximately 5,100 dry metric tonnes (dmt) of spodumene concentrate, is set at a fixed price equivalent to the Fastmarkets SC6 CIF China rate of $2,023/dmt at the time of transaction. Payment for the stockpile is anticipated in the June quarter of 2026. The transaction will utilise the existing logistics chain from the Finniss project to Darwin Port, a move seen as crucial for building momentum ahead of a potential restart of operations. Currently, a lithium fines stockpile of around 75,000dmt remains available at the site. Core Lithium CEO Paul Brown said: The strategic sale of the concentrate stockpile provides important additional funding and market engagement to support our restart strategy, while also remobilising the Finniss logistics chain from the site through to Darwin Port. The sale price reflects the recent strength in the lithium market and is more than 50% higher than the price used in our May 2025 Restart Study. The recent inbound interest received for purchasing our stockpiled material reflects the high-quality, coarse-grained nature of the Finniss concentrate, which was well received by offtake customers during the first phase of operations. This outcome helps build confidence in achieving an outcome in our strategic funding process, to support a final investment decision and a restart of operations at Finniss. The stockpile was created in 2024 when operations were halted due to an 85% drop in spodumene concentrate prices. "Core Lithium to sell Finniss stockpile to Glencore International" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. Corn price action is fractionally mixed on Tuesday morning. Futures saw contracts close steady to fractionally higher gains across most contracts on Monday. Preliminary open interest was down 39,395 contracts on Monday, much of that in March, dropping 67,295 contracts. May was up 20,505 contracts. The CmdtyView national average Cash Corn price was unchanged to $3.94 1/2. USDA reported a private export sale of 125,000 MT of corn to Colombia on Monday morning. More News from Barchart Monday mornings Export Inspections report showed 2.05 MMT (79.94 mbu) of corn shipped in the week of 2/19. That was the second largest total for the marketing year, 33.26% above the week prior and 71.91% above the same week last year. Japan was the largest destination of 445,467 MT, with 416,671 MT shipped to Mexico and 404,881 MT to South Korea. The marketing year total is now 37.745 MMT (1.486 bbu) of corn shipped since September 1, which is 45.64% larger than the same period last year. Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.27 1/2, unch, currently up 1/2 cent Nearby Cash was $3.94 1/2, up 0 cent, May 26 Corn closed at $4.40 1/4, up 1/2 cent, currently down 1/2 cent Jul 26 Corn closed at $4.48 3/4, up 1/2 cent, currently 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 The National Academy of Inventors has named six University of South Florida faculty members to its Class of 2026 Senior Members. NAIs Senior Member recognition program recognizes active faculty, scientists and administrators at NAI member institutions who have successfully produced, patented and commercialized technologies that have brought, or aspire to bring, real impact on the welfare of society and economic progress. The new NAI Senior Members representing USF are: Rouzbeh Behnia, an assistant professor in the School of Information Systems at the Muma College of Business, received his Ph.D. in computer science from the University of South Florida. His research focuses on different aspects of cybersecurity and applied cryptography. He is particularly interested in addressing privacy challenges in AI systems, developing post-quantum cryptographic solutions and enhancing authentication protocols to ensure computation and communication integrity. He has published in top security venues such as IEEE Transactions on Dependable and Secure Computing (TDSC), ACM Conference on Computer and Communications Security (CCS) and USENIX Security Symposium, as well as leading machine learning venues including Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS) and the IEEE International Conference on Data Mining (ICDM). Laura Blair is an associate professor of molecular medicine in the Byrd Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute and a research biologist at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital. Her contributions to the field include describing how discrete molecular chaperones regulate tau aggregation and toxicity in recombinant, cell, and mouse model systems. The Blair Lab continues to focus on understanding the role of molecular chaperones in neurodegenerative and psychiatric disease, with a particular emphasis on Hsp90 cochaperones, including Aha1 and FKBP51. Kami Kim, Andor Szentivanyi Professor of Medicine, is division director of Infectious Disease and International Medicine at USF and director of Infectious Diseases at Tampa General Hospital. Kim is also co-director of the Center for Global Health Inter-Disciplinary Research and co-director of the Center for Antimicrobial Resistance. She led the clinical and research response at USF and Tampa General Hospital to the COVID-19 pandemic that began in the United States in 2020. Early in the pandemic, when viral testing supplies were short, she with collaborators at USF developed and tested a 3D printed swab, validated the performance of the design in a clinical trial and distributed the design freely. These accomplishments were recognized by an award from the US Patent and Trademark Office. Susana K. Lai-Yuen is an associate professor of industrial and management systems engineering and the program director of the M.S. in Data Intelligence program at the University of South Florida. She received her Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. (Summa Cum Laude) degrees in industrial engineering from North Carolina State University. From 2023 to 2024, she was a visiting professor in the Visual Computing and Machine Intelligence Group at INESC TEC, Porto, Portugal, where she investigated optimization techniques for designing high-performing neural network architectures for more energy-efficient AI systems. Lai-Yuens research interests include deep neural network optimization, machine learning and multimodal object detection, with applications in computer vision, medical image analysis, decision support systems and engineering education. Sanghoon Park is a tenured professor and program coordinator of the Learning Design and Technology program at the University of South Florida. His research focuses on enhancing learning experiences through instructional design and emerging technologies, specifically designing motivational interventions for online learners and exploring the implications of Augmented Reality (AR), virtual simulations, and AI-chatbots. With over 50 publications in top-tier journals like Computers and Education, Educational Technology Research and Development and British Journal of Educational Technology, Park has been recognized with numerous awards from AERA and AECT, including multiple Outstanding Publication awards, the Crystal award, the Best Practice award, the Immersive Learning award and the Young Researcher award. Hana Totary-Jain is a professor and vice chair for research in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine. An internationally recognized leader in RNA biology, her research focuses on noncoding RNAs in cardiovascular and placental biology and on the development of translational RNA therapeutics, including cell-selective nanotherapies for vascular inflammation, neointimal hyperplasia and antiviral immunity. Totary-Jain holds nine granted patents and her research is funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Gates Foundation. Her honors include the Robert W. Hobson, II, MD Early Career Investigator Award, the Alan T. Hirsch, MD Mid-Career Award and was elected a Fellow of the American Heart Association. The NAI 2026 class of Senior Members is comprised of 230 emerging inventors from 82 NAI member institutions across the globe who collectively hold more than 2,000 U.S. patents. They will be honored during the Senior Member Induction Ceremony at NAIs 15th Annual Conference taking place June 1-4th, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. This years Senior Member Class is a truly impressive cohort. These innovators come from a variety of fields and disciplines, translating their technologies into tangible impact, said Paul R. Sanberg, FNAI, president of NAI. I commend them on their incredible pursuits and Im honored to welcome them to the Academy. Startup founders will have an opportunity to learn about MITs 24-step roadmap for building and de-risking business ventures. IMPACT 307, the University of Wyomings business incubator, will host an in-person Startup Lunch and Learn, titled Introduction to MITs Disciplined Entrepreneurship Framework, Monday, March 9, from noon-1 p.m. in Room 104 of the Wyoming Technology Business Center. Marcio Barreto, CEO and founder of 3Flux, and Entrepreneur in Residence in the UW College of Business; and Ben Cook, senior assistant dean in the College of Business, will lead the one-hour presentation. During the session, the two will introduce MITs Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework and share how it provides a practical, 24-step roadmap for building and de-risking new ventures. They will discuss how this approach is being adopted across Wyoming to strengthen innovation-driven entrepreneurship. IMPACT 307 is hosting this event as part of its mission to connect founders with resources and programming to help them become effective, efficient and networked entrepreneurs. The event is free, but an RSVP is required here. Lunch will be provided for a maximum of 40 in-person guests. Free parking is available in the two-hour section in the southwest corner of the adjacent Red Lot or on the street north of the Wyoming Technology Business Center, located at 1938 E. Harney St. in Laramie. For more information, go to www.impact307.org/events, call Nicholas Giraldo, IMPACT 307 assistant director, at (307) 766-6399 or email him at impact@uwyo.edu. Many people aim to save at least $1 million for their retirement years to help supplement programs like Social Security. Whether this amount is enough or not, it's certainly much better than nothing. But how should the average person go about saving that type of money? Investing in stocks is one of the most accessible ways to do so. Now for the literal million-dollar question: Which stocks can help investors achieve this goal? Let's consider whether Novartis (NYSE: NVS), a healthcare specialist, is a good pick. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue Image source: Getty Images. Novartis' strengths What does it take to build a retirement portfolio? First, it takes time -- it doesn't happen overnight. Investors should aim to invest in stocks regularly for a few decades. Second, it requires buying shares of companies that can perform well over the long term. Novartis, at first glance, appears able to do so. The pharmaceutical leader belongs to an industry that won't become obsolete anytime soon; there is always a need for newer and better drugs. Novartis currently has a deep pipeline of products, with 15 brands that each generated at least $1 billion in sales in 2025 -- that's impressive. Patent cliffs will happen. In fact, Novartis dealt with the loss of patent exclusivity for its biggest growth driver, Entresto, last year. Generic versions of this heart failure medicine entered the U.S. market in July. They had about six months to take market share away from Entresto, and sure enough, the therapy's sales declined in 2025. But total revenue still moved in the right direction, and the company is projecting top-line growth in 2026 as well. Novartis' ability to grow revenue despite a patent cliff for its biggest growth driver speaks volumes. Here's more evidence for Novartis' ability to perform well over long periods: its deep pipeline and innovative culture. Novartis boasts dozens of products in clinical trials, at least some of which should lead to brand-new approvals and label expansions. Those should help it continue to post strong financial results despite stiff competition in some of its core therapeutic areas. The verdict Novartis is also a great dividend stock. The company has increased its payouts every year since 1996. That's an impressive streak. It gives us even more evidence of a solid underlying business -- only companies like this can sustain dividend growth for that long. And the dividend can also boost long-term returns through dividend reinvestment. Upon instructions from my Government, and with reference to our previous letters dated 30 December 2025 and 2, 9, 13, 22 and 28 January 2026 regarding the persistent threat of the use of force by the United States of America against the Islamic Republic of Iran, I write further to draw your urgent attention, and that of the members of the Security Council, to the continued threats by officials of the United States to resort to the use of force, including the recent public statement by the President of the United States concerning the use of the Diego Garcia base in connection with a potential military attack against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which constitute a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and international law and risk plunging the region into a new cycle of crisis and instability. On 18 February 2026, in a social media post, the President of the United States once again issued an explicit public threat of the use of force against the Islamic Republic of Iran and stated: Should Iran decide not to make a deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack. Given the volatile situation in the region and the persistent movement and build-up of military equipment and assets by the United States, such a belligerent statement by the President of the United States must not be treated as mere rhetoric; it signals a real risk of military aggression, the consequences of which would be catastrophic for the region and would constitute a grave threat to international peace and security. The Islamic Republic of Iran remains fully committed to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and to diplomatic solutions. It has engaged constructively, with seriousness and in good faith, in nuclear talks with the Government of the United States, with a view to clearly conveying its concerns and demanding the full and verifiable lifting of the unlawful and inhumane unilateral coercive measures imposed against the Iranian nation, while, on a reciprocal basis, addressing ambiguities regarding its peaceful nuclear programme, in order to reach a mutually acceptable, results-oriented solution fully consistent with the recognized inalienable rights of all States Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The Islamic Republic of Iran remains of the view that, should the United States likewise approach these talks with seriousness and sincerity and demonstrate genuine respect for the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the peremptory norms of international law, the achievement of a durable and balanced solution would be entirely possible. Against this backdrop, the Islamic Republic of Iran calls upon you and all members of the Security Council, consistent with the Councils primary responsibility under the Charter of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security, to fully utilize the Councils authority and good offices to ensure that the United States immediately ceases its unlawful threats of the use of force, complies with its obligations under the Charter, particularly Article 2 (4), and refrains from any action that could further escalate tensions or lead to a military confrontation, the consequences of which would be severe and far-reaching for regional and international peace and security. The Security Council and the Secretary-General must act without delay, before it is too late. The Security Council must not allow threats of the use of force and acts of aggression to be normalized, legitimized or treated as an acceptable political norm, or to be used as instruments of foreign policy. Should such unlawful conduct be left unaddressed, another sovereign Member States turn will soon come. The Islamic Republic of Iran has repeatedly stated at the highest level that it seeks neither tension nor war and will not initiate any war. However, in the event that it is subjected to military aggression, Iran will respond decisively and proportionately in the exercise of its inherent right of self-defence under Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. In such circumstances, all bases, facilities and assets of the hostile force in the region would constitute legitimate targets in the context of Irans defensive response. The United States would bear full and direct responsibility for any unpredictable and uncontrolled consequences. I should be grateful if you would have the present letter circulated as a document of the Security Council. The chase to recoup tariff payments made to the U.S. government under the overturned International Emergency Economic Powers Act is trickling down the supply chain. Even before FedEx Corp. sued the Trump administration on Monday for a full refund of money collected under a series of broad presidential tariff orders deemed unlawful by the Supreme Court, a FedEx customer filed a class-action suit against FedEx (NYSE: FDX) for breach of contract and seeking a refund of IEEPA duties with interest. Hali Anastopoulo, a freight forwarder and customs broker based in South Carolina, is seeking more than $5 million in repayment of duties, interest and related costs for herself and more than 100 other putative defendants, according to a complaint filed Friday in U.S. District Court for South Carolina. A companion complaint was filed in U.S. District Court for Western Tennessee. The lawsuit seeks to claw back money related to the Trump administrations elimination of the de minimis exemption, which allowed goods under $800 in value to enter U.S. commerce duty free and with minimal customs processing. The White House ended the trade privilege for small-dollar imports from China and Hong Kong in May and for the rest of the world in August. FedEx retroactively billed Anastopoulo and other customers for additional duties weeks after they received shipping orders from foreign e-commerce websites and tendered parcels with the carrier, according to the legal filing. After the tariffs were imposed, FedEx began adding surcharges to shipping invoices at the time of booking On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority by imposing sweeping global tariffs, including for de minimis shipments, under IEEPA, striking down a key tenant of his trade agenda. The administration justified the tariffs by citing the influx of synthetic opioids and the trade deficit as national emergencies. The Court did not clarify what should happen to the more than $130 billion already collected, leaving open the possibility that the government could owe importers an estimated $175 billion in refunds. There are many questions about whether companies can get their money back from the government, how the refund process will work and when refund requests need to be made. As a result of that decision, the tariffs defendant relied upon to impose charges on plaintiff and class members were unlawful, invalid, and void. The shipping contracts authorize defendant to collect and pass through only lawful duties, taxes, or governmental charges actually owed in connection with importation, the lawsuit said. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs hosted a celebration on Wednesday, recognizing local leaders in our community during Black History Month. The event was an opportunity to reflect on the great achievements of citizens and present awards to local trailblazers. Multiple award recipients were from central Illinois, including Dr. Sean Crawford from Crawford Dental Clinic and Rochelle Clark from Decatur Public Schools. Frerichs said it's important for people to see success in many different fields. "We have people who inspire, who make people cry, who make people laugh, and that's what celebrating Black History Month is about. It's a vibrant culture, it's a diverse culture and I think more people should know more about it," Frerichs said. Frerichs hosted a celebration earlier this month honoring Chicago-area Black leaders. More Coverage: West Eldorado McDonalds raises over $16k for Ronald McDonald House Decatur Christian's robotics team headed to state championships Decatur DJ takes talents to national stage as Official DJ for the Big Ten IL Dept. of Veterans Affairs hosting 35th Operation Desert Storm Ceasefire Remembrance Day Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved. PRAGUE, Feb 26 (Reuters) - The Czech Republic is "certainly not" setting a path to reach higher defence spending levels despite rising NATO targets, Prime Minister Andrej Babis said on Thursday, marking a clear departure from the previous government's policy. Babis' government, led by his populist ANO party, took power in December and is pushing a re-worked 2026 budget plan through parliament. It has faced some criticism over lower defence spending, however. More from Yahoo Scout Why is Czech Republic rejecting higher NATO defense spending? How does this affect Czech support for Ukraine? How much is Czech defense spending being cut? What are Babis government's spending priorities instead? Babis said before last year's election that a NATO agreement to gradually raise defence spending to 5% of gross domestic product was unrealistic. Asked in an online interview on Thursday on news server Denik.cz if the government was on a path to a core defence spending target of 3.5% of GDP set in the NATO agreement, Babis said: "Certainly not." "Our priority is the health of our citizens, so that they live long lives," he said. Babis won last year's election with promises to concentrate more on people's standard of living by boosting wages, cutting some taxes and adding new benefits. The new government's 2026 budget proposal cuts spending on defence to 2.1% of GDP versus the previous centre-right cabinet's plan for 2.35% - a plan Defence Minister Jaromir Zuna said on Wednesday would not hurt army modernisation projects. The previous administration - a staunch supporter of Kyiv in the Ukraine-Russia war - had sought for defence spending to gradually rise to 3% of GDP by 2030. Its former prime minister, Petr Fiala, said in reaction to Babis' comments on Thursday that security should be a leading concern for the government. The new government has continued a Czech-led initiative sourcing large-calibre ammunition for Ukraine and financed by donations from countries like Germany. But it has stopped providing budget funds itself to the programme. (Reporting by Jason Hovet; Editing by Hugh Lawson) MONTROSE, Ill. (WAND) - A teacher and school founder who was arrested and charged with grooming and sexually exploiting a child has been charged with 10 additional counts of child pornography. Court records stated that 32-year-old Dakota (Kody) Czerwonka of Montrose pleaded not guilty to the charges. Czerwonka was previously arrested Jan. 9 after Effingham police said they got a report about inappropriate electronic messages involving a child. He was the founder and a teacher at Crossroads Montessori School, located in the Lincolnland Building in Effingham. Additionally, he appeared in court Jan. 29 and was denied pretrial release. Czerwonka will have a pre-trial hearing at 9 a.m. April 9. Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved. DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) February marks Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a time advocates said is critical to start conversations with young people about what healthy and unhealthy relationships look like. At Dove Inc., educators have worked to raise awareness about a problem that often goes unnoticed. "Teen dating violence would be a pattern of coercive control that one person is using against a person they're dating," said Amanda Elven, education and awareness lead at Dove Inc. "So teen dating violence would be anyone 12 to 18 who is experiencing that coercive control." That control can take many forms, and Elven explains it is not always physical. The abuse can include emotional manipulation, isolation, or sexual coercion. "It might look like emotional abuse, like put-downs, name-calling, spreading rumors and trying to humiliate somebody," she explained. In many cases, those behaviors start subtly and escalate over time. "Often it starts very subtly saying that that person wants to spend more time with the person experiencing abuse," Elven said. "And then that person is spending more and more time with the person they're dating, and they're isolated from those other important relationships in their life." Advocates, like Elven, said that isolation is one of the biggest warning signs for family and friends to watch for. "If you're seeing that isolation where somebody is spending less time with people that they care about if they're losing interest in things that have been important to them in the past," Elven said, those can be red flags. Other warning signs include increased anxiety, depression, or teens making excuses for their partner's behavior. The issue is more common than many realize. According to Dove Inc., one in three teens will experience some form of dating abuse. "Teens very rarely will tell anybody that they are experiencing this abuse," Elven said. "Maybe they're not recognizing that it's abusive, or maybe they're feeling ashamed." That's why advocates stress the importance of open conversations. New! The latest from WAND in your inbox Sign up for our newsletters to receive breaking news and daily headlines. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. "It's important that everyone is talking with the young people in their life so that they can begin to identify behaviors to look out for," Elven said. For those who believe a teen may be in an unhealthy relationship, experts say how you approach the conversation matters. She also warns against criticizing the partner directly, which can push teens away. "If we say that person you're dating is a controlling narcissist, then that person is likely to take a defensive posture," Elven said. "But if we can point out that those behaviors are concerning, then we can have that conversation that may help them get the safety they need." Instead, she encourages adults to focus on safety, support and keeping communication open, even if the teen is not ready to leave the relationship. "There's a good chance that they may continue that relationship in secret, and they won't have the support they need when they're ready," Elven said. Dove offers confidential services for teens and families, including a 24-hour hotline at 217-423-2238, where advocates are available to provide guidance and support. Top Stories: Arrest made after woman seriously hurt in Decatur hit and run OSHA fines Illinois grain silo operator over $276k after worker suffers serious injury Man dies in Decatur police custody, ISP investigation underway Taylorville Memorial Hospital announces new Director of Hospitality Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) State lawmakers could pass a bill this spring to create safer and stronger communities by improving housing and support services for people returning home from prison. Around 15,000 people leave Illinois prisons annually, but the vast majority of those Illinoisans are unable to find stable housing due to inequities in the housing markets and gaps in human services. The Home for Good plan calls for rental subsidies and wraparound services for returning residents. "Everyone deserves a home. Everyone, in fact, needs a home," said Illinois Justice Project Director Ahmadou Drame. "But for decades, Illinois has failed to create and effectuate a strategy to effectively address reentry, which has an outsized impact on Black and brown communities throughout Illinois." The legislation also calls for reentry housing development to minimize the possibility of landlord discrimination. It would create a Home for Good Institute to provide training and technical assistance to community-based organizations helping with reentry housing as well. New! The latest from WAND in your inbox Sign up for our newsletters to receive breaking news and daily headlines. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Sponsors and advocates told reporters in Springfield Wednesday that the program would cost $50 million. The Illinois Justice Project found that every $1 invested in funding Home for Good will result in $5 in public savings and economic activity over the next three years. Advocates project a cost benefit of $477 million within the first few years of implementation. "Illinois can't afford to continue to look the other way when it comes to addressing homelessness and housing insecurity for people returning from prison," said Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford). "Under the status quo, we are failing people, failing our communities and leaving hundreds of millions of dollars on the table every year. Home for Good establishes the required coordination, accountability, and sustained, at-scale funding that will be revolutionary for our communities." The Illinois Housing Development Authority, Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, and Illinois Department of Corrections would be responsible for adopting rules to implement the bill if it becomes law. Senate Bill 4162 has not been assigned to a committee at this time. Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) A plan heading to the Illinois House floor could ban rental junk fees and require transparency for leases. Sponsors believe renters shouldn't be surprised by charges included in their rent, such as fees for after-hours service requests, renewing a lease, or routine maintenance. The bill states that all non-optional fees should be explicitly disclosed on the first page of a lease agreement. Tenants would not be liable to pay fees if they are not shown on the first page of a lease. "This is a bill that came to me from constituents outside my district that are being faced [with] random fees time and time again that they are not anticipating in their lease," said Rep. Nabeela Syed (D-Palatine). "I'm hoping that if we pass this bill, it can go into effect July 1." Republicans said the sponsors have good intentions, but they believe the bill could have unintended consequences. House Bill 3564 passed out of the House Executive Committee on a partisan 8-4 vote Wednesday. The measure received a 39-16 vote in the Senate last fall. New! The latest from WAND in your inbox Sign up for our newsletters to receive breaking news and daily headlines. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Top Stories: Arrest made after woman seriously hurt in Decatur hit and run OSHA fines Illinois grain silo operator over $276k after worker suffers serious injury Man pleads guilty in crash that killed Coles County board member and wife Man dies in Decatur police custody, ISP investigation underway Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) Illinois lawmakers have reintroduced legislation aimed at protecting students by strengthening consequences for sexual assaults in schools. Senate bill 2991 requires that any student who commits sexual assault or attempted sexual assault at a school, a school-sponsored activity or event, or any activity or event that bears a reasonable relationship to school, would be expelled for at least one year. "Sexual assault has devastating emotional and psychological consequences for young people," said State Senator Jil Tracy (R-Quincy). "This legislation makes clear that violent behavior in our schools will have serious consequences. Our responsibility is to protect victims and preserve safe learning environments." The legislation was proposed in response to an incident in State Senator Steve McClure's (R-Springfield) district, where a young girl was sexually assaulted and the attacker was not expelled or suspended, despite admitting to the offense. "We keep hearing shocking reports from across the state about incidents where students have been sexually assaulted at schools, and some schools appear to be sweeping these incidents under the rug," said McClure. "Here's what can't be swept under the rug: the real pain caused by sexual violence and the real danger that a perpetrator of that kind of violence poses to victims, other students, and staff." Senate bill 2991 has been assigned to the Senate Criminal Law Committee. Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved. 'Large Pet Friendly' service marks a major shift in Italian aviation policy. Italy's flagship carrier ITA Airway on Wednesday confirmed the launch of its "Large Pet Friendly" service, following recent regulatory approval from the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC). Starting in the summer 2026 season, the Italian flag carrier will allow dogs weighing up to 30 kilograms (around 66 pounds) to travel within the passenger cabin on scheduled domestic flights. Inaugural flight The move follows a successful demonstration flight conducted last September between Milan Linate and Rome Fiumicino, which proved the operational feasibility of transporting larger animals outside of the aircraft hold. On board were Honey and Moka, a mixed-breed and a Labrador, becoming the first large dogs in Italy to travel in the cabin of a plane. Italy's deputy premier and transport minister Salvini, a driving force behind the initiative, travelled with the animals on board the the inaugural flight, hailing it as a "game changer for millions of passengers". Large Pet Friendly "We have worked to ensure continuity of that experience by transforming it into a "Large Pet Friendly" service available on our domestic flights" - Joerg Eberhart, CEO and General Manager of ITA Airways, said in a statement - "This decision stems from listening to our passengers and the understanding that pets are part of the family: we want every journey to begin and end together, without separation". Eberhart added that ITA Airways is committed "to making flights increasingly inclusive, in full compliance with regulations and the highest safety and quality standards." New rules Under the new guidelines, eligible medium-to-large dogs will no longer be restricted to the hold but will instead occupy a dedicated space in the cabin. While specific commercial details and pricing are expected in the coming weeks, preliminary reports indicate that the service will involve the purchase of a seat or a designated area for the pet, with a likely limit of around six large animals per flight. This policy significantly expands the previous weight limit, which had been raised from 8 kg to 10 kg in 2024, positioning ITA Airways as a global leader in inclusive air travel for pet owners. Photo ITA Airways Photographer: Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg Short sellers are becoming relevant again, says Third Point LLCs Dan Loeb, as opportunities are emerging to bet against the crowded trades that have punished bears for years. The short-selling universe has been shrinking in the face of the relentless US bull market, regulatory threats and the rise of unpredictable retail traders. But with the technology behemoths that have powered the market higher stumbling to start 2026, thats opened a window, according to Loeb, the hedge funds chief executive officer. Most Read from Bloomberg The lost art of short selling has come back and its absolutely critical this year, Loeb said in an on-stage interview on Tuesday at the iConnections Global Alts hedge fund conference in Miami Beach. This is the first time in a long, long time where weve generated both profits and alpha on our longs and our shorts. Loeb grew more cautious about short-selling in the meme-stock craze several years ago. In 2023, his firm reduced its exposure to single-stock shorts and shifted toward more diversified short baskets and hedges. For years, betting against the market was a bruising exercise as a handful of megacap tech stocks drove the major indexes to a relentless series of records. But the Magnificent Seven tech giants are trailing the market in 2026, in part amid concern that their investments in artificial intelligence will fail to translate into profits. A Bloomberg index tracking the group is down nearly 6% year to date. Loeb said that money managers are now navigating the move from large-cap, high-consensus, highly owned stocks to nichier plays. Investors including Jim Chanos have quit the business, while the number of short-bias hedge funds tracked by HFR tumbled by more than 70% from 2008 to 2024. The number of new activist short-selling campaigns has also declined sharply from its peak in 2015, according to Diligent Market Intelligence. --With assistance from Matt Turner. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2026 Bloomberg L.P. Approximately 80 staff members protested over their working conditions on Thursday, February 26. The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) organised the protest due to a wide variety of issues, such as: ceiling tiles falling from ceilings due to water damage, mould visible around door frames and spreading up internal walls, and broken, rotting benches, a piano and discarded building materials and debris left in courtyards and car parks rather than being removed and replaced. Union Cara Daly, secretary of the SETU Waterford Branch of TUI, told the Waterford News & Star: Despite sustained and constructive engagement with university management, an agreed staff accommodation plan and associated timeline have not been delivered. "As a result, members continue to work in conditions that raise genuine health and safety concerns. This is not a step we have taken lightly. The wellbeing of our colleagues across all campuses is paramount, and we believe safe, properly maintained workplaces are a basic standard. I also want to make it clear that this protest is not about privilege or pay. It is about basic infrastructure, health, safety, and the kind of environment we believe both staff and students should expect in a modern university. 'World-class education' Dr Sinead Connelly has been a law lecturer in SETU for the past 25 years. She told the Waterford News & Star that she is protesting because, we have mould, we have fungus growing, we have equipment thats not working. Water damage in College Street Campus She said: The teaching here is second to absolutely none in the country and the education people get, the support the students receive is absolutely fantastic, and the university is a great place to work. Were asking for a costed plan so that we know into the future these serious issues will be resolved and that were not going to see a deterioration in the physical infrastructure of the university. Ann Graham Cagney, a senior lecturer in Education, said, We give way above any other university in terms of our students. Were there for them beyond anything Ive experienced elsewhere. But the conditions are dreadful. Damage in College Street Campus "Some places still dont have working WIFI, were using our phones as hotspots. We buy our own heaters to bring in because the classrooms are so cold. According to the TUI, one office recorded a temperature of 5C during working hours. Response from SETU In a statement to the Waterford News & Star, SETU said: "South East Technological University (SETU) recognises challenges posed by legacy infrastructure across our campuses and acknowledges concerns raised by staff. "SETU is advancing an ambitious and strategically aligned capital development programme, including the construction of a 13,000 m Engineering, Computing and General Teaching Building on the Cork Road Campus in Waterford. "When completed in 2028, this new facility will enable the planned relocation of activity currently based on the College Street Campus. "SETU remains committed to ongoing and active engagement with staff and their representative unions in relation to both current and future developments, as well as continuous maintenance and improvement of university infrastructure. Sinn Fein TD for Waterford Conor D. McGuinness has said that a sharp increase in passenger numbers on the Waterford to Dublin rail line strengthens the case for urgent Government investment in faster and more frequent services. Figures released to Deputy McGuinness by Iarnrod Eireann, following a parliamentary question to the Minister for Transport, showed that passenger journeys on the route rose from 1,693,369 in 2024 to 1,817,279 in 2025, an increase of almost 11 per cent. Commenting on the matter to Waterford News & Star, Deputy McGuinness said: The growth in demand comes at a time when commuters are calling for improvements to the frequency and speed of services. These figures confirm what people in Waterford already know. Demand is rising strongly, yet the service remains too slow and too limited." He said the journey time by rail from the Deise county to the capital didn't compare favourably to making the same journey by car. "The train journey to Dublin takes more than two hours and fifteen minutes," he said. "That is increasingly uncompetitive when compared to private car travel," he added. "If Government is serious about balanced regional development, it must invest accordingly. Deputy Conor McGuinness He said ministers frequently reference major infrastructure investment but added that the south east "continues to rank lowest" in per capita Government infrastructure spending. Deputy McGuinness said he and his Sinn Fein party colleague, Deputy David Cullinane, were consistent in their criticism of ongoing delays holding back the reopening of the Waterford to Rosslare line. He said the focus must now turn to delivery. Read More All aboard at Waterford railway but long-time manager stepping off the rails after 25 years The Government should introduce a morning and evening express service from Waterford to Dublin with limited stops, bringing journey times closer to 100 minutes," he said. "This should align with the opening of the North Quays Strategic Development Zone and the new Integrated Transport Hub currently under construction," he added. Deputy McGuinness said the All-Island Strategic Rail Review provides a clear mandate for faster, more frequent intercity connections and with that in mind he said Waterford cannot be left behind once again. With passenger numbers rising year on year, the Minister for Transport must now prioritise the full development and modernisation of this line," he said. 20 workers at Teva's Waterford facility risk being made redundant by the pharmaceutical company. In a statement issued to media, Teva, who employ 650 workers in Waterford, said: Teva can confirm that we have initiated a consultation process at our Waterford site following changes in our business needs. We are engaging closely with employee representatives, and those potentially impacted, and are committed to conducting this process responsibly and transparently with our colleagues. Its understood that there are approximately 22 jobs at risk, with the majority of lay-offs likely to take place in Tevas office. A smaller portion of the floor staff is expected to be impacted. Workers on temporary contracts are also expected to be directly impacted. SIPTUs Manufacturing Divisional Organiser Neil McGowan has said that 19 union members are in direct consultation with Teva over their future prospects. Teva is an Israeli multinational, best known in Ireland for its production of Sudocrem. Their Waterford offices are based in the IDA Industrial Estate on Cork Road. Tevas Irish arm, trading as Norton Ltd, recorded a 31% increase in pre-tax profits to 13.3m and last year paid out dividends of 617.9m. Revenue in Waterford decreased by 8% to 435m, while the firms operating losses increased almost fivefold to 71m. Waterfords two Sinn Fein TDs issued statements following the consultancy announcements. SIPTU has initiated the statutory consultation process and we urge management to engage constructively with union representatives, said Deputy David Cullinane. We will remain in contact with workers and their representatives and will do everything possible to support the protection of jobs at the Waterford facility. Deputy Conor McGuinness said: Workers deserve clarity and fair treatment. It is difficult to ignore that the company recently reported increased pre tax profits at its Waterford operations. In that context, every alternative to job losses must be fully explored. In 2025, Teva announced that it planned to reduce its 30,000-strong global workforce by 8% for 2027. Chief financial officer, Eli Kalif told analysts that the company intended to slim down their production sites. The company currently owns 49 manufacturing sites globally, along with 22 research and development facilities. The Gardai in Waterford are investigating an incident that occurred in O'Connell Street, in the city, on Wednesday. In a statement to the Waterford News & Star, the gardai said: "Gardai were alerted to an alleged incident that occurred on O'Connell Street, Waterford, yesterday evening, Wednesday, 25th February, 2026 at approximately 5pm." They said a man, aged in his 20s, was arrested in connection with the investigation. He has since been released without charge, pending a file to the DPP. Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have information about the incident to come forward. "Anyone who may have been in the OConnell Street area of Waterford at the time and who has camera footage, or witnessed the incident, is requested to contact Waterford Garda Station on 051 305 300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station," they said. Advertisement CultureArt & designArt Cancelled, then reinstated. Now this artist is set to make history at Venice Linda Morris February 26, 2026 2:50am 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 In a 12-month rollercoaster, Khaled Sabsabi has gone from artist in exile scrambling to find a venue for his artwork, to a dual-represented artist on the worlds most prestigious art stage. Sabsabi, and curator partner Michael Dagostino, will be showcased not once, but twice, at the 61st Biennale of Venice, the worlds biggest art festival, it was announced overnight. Khaled Sabsabi will be represented twice at Venice. Marija Ercegovac They will become the first Australians to feature in the Venice Biennales Australia Pavilion while simultaneously exhibiting in the Biennales curated main exhibition, In Minor Keys. Only three other artists globally most recently the legendary American photographer Nan Goldin are thought to have received the same honour in 125 years of the Biennale. Federal Arts Minister Tony Burke lauded the invitation as a significant win for the pair and international recognition for the arts sector ahead of Venices May opening. Advertisement It is a tribute to the artist and curator themselves, but also another example of the global recognition of Australian art, he said. The announcement, kept under wraps for months, comes a year after the pair were appointed, then abruptly terminated as Australias 2026 Biennale representatives. Their commission was rescinded the same day as the federal Coalition raised questions in parliament about the intent of two historical works by the Lebanese-born Sabsabi, who has taken strong positions on Gaza. The decision sparked a firestorm. High-profile figures such as Archie Moore Australias first Golden Lion winner at Venice condemned the move as censorship, while philanthropist Simon Mordant resigned his ambassadorship and withdrew financial support in protest. Burke denied he ever leaned on the board to axe the pair. In the midst of the upheaval and public scrutiny, Sabsabi travelled to Bangkok, supported by a grassroots crowdfunding campaign, to continue producing the work for a private show at Venice. Advertisement We were cancelled on the Thursday, it was grief on Friday and Saturday, and Khaled started to make the work on Monday, Dagostino recalled. Michael Dagostino and Khaled Sabsabi at the State Library of NSW. Jessica Hromas Venices chief curator Koyo Kouoh reached out to Sabsabi before her sudden death in May 2025 to ensure the work was represented, bypassing the national debates that had derailed it. Weeks later, after a review by governance firm Blackhall & Pearl, which identified a massive lack of preparedness and poor crisis management, the board of Creative Australia issued a formal apology and reinstated the pair. The original work selected by the federal funding agency Creative Australia will now be housed in Venices Arsenale, while Sabsabi has created a second, interconnected work, conference of ones self, for the national pavilion exploring spirituality, migration, and the vastness of shared humanity. Advertisement The presentation in the Australia Pavilion is funded by Creative Australia, which has confirmed it has also provided unquantified support toward the work in the main exhibition, whose title will be officially announced in May. Related Article Arts Arts boss Adrian Collette says Creative Australia is not about moral compass Sabsabis challenge will be to ensure his appearance in the main show doesnt overshadow the national work, for which he would be eligible for a Golden Lion award. Artistically, both works need to stand independently. Mordant, who has returned as ambassador, said the artists first work massively complements and enhances the second. Its an absolutely massive honour, especially given the circumstances, and for someone who has gone through what hes been through, he said. Standing by Khaled has been a real pleasure. Sabsabi describes the two works as one body with two limbs. Theyre both inspired by the soul of Tasawwuf (Sufism), looking at the inner and outer self the zahir [actions of the individual] and the batin [intentions of the heart]. Advertisement Australias pavilion entry is inspired by the 12th-century poetic allegory The Conference of the Birds by Farid al-Din Attar, which recounts a pilgrimage resulting in the realisation that the divine exists within. The work promises to be a sensory experience utilising multimedia, sound, light, and technological firsts that will span the pavilions entire footprint. The installation was assembled and tested in a Sydney warehouse in December. Following the Biennale, a major solo exhibition of Sabsabis work will be presented in March 2027 at Adelaides Samstag Museum of Art, supported by a $100,000 grant from Creative Australia. Sufism speaks of seven layers of the soul; weve added an eighth level for people to walk into, Sabsabi said. The eighth level is about completeness and wholeness. You can be in the work for three minutes or four hours; it will keep giving you more. It will give you pause moments of reflection. Despite the political drama, the artist says his intent has always been to unify, not divide. Ive always had the will and the intent to make this body of work, regardless of whats happening around me. Making work is part of my sanity. Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app. Advertisement CultureTV & radioReality TV Submissive or traditional? MAFS toxic groom is served a valuable lesson Tahlia Pritchard February 26, 2026 6:51am 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 It takes a certain type of person to front up to interviews that will be judged by millions of Australians after a controversial reality TV story arc. They usually fall into two camps: apologetic or defensively stubborn. Loading The second episode of MAFS: After The Dinner Party, hosted by Jules Lund, Laura Byrne and Brittany Hockley, gave us both versions. We saw a teary Bec Zacharia who apologised for her diabolical antics at a dinner party, where she tried to torch everyones relationships. And then there was an unflinching Tyson Gordon, the new intruder groom, who ticks every box of the playbook for the controversial alpha male. Bec Zacharia (left) looks shocked as Tyson Gordon faces off with Laura Byrne, Brittany Hockley and Jules Lund. So what happens when two of Australias most contentious new TV stars sit down with interviewers who have seen, dodged and dismantled it all before? A reckoning of sorts. Advertisement Heres what you missed on MAFS: After The Dinner Party. Tyson learns the meaning of the word submissive Editor's pick Reality TV We are not there to be sycophants: The MAFS spin-off promised nothing was off limits. Did it deliver? Im not going to lie. I would pay good money to watch a live debate featuring Laura Byrne and Tyson Gordon. Not because his outdated viewpoints need another platform, but just because it would be a spectacle more entertaining than the actual MAFS dinner party. Tyson has quickly cemented his place as one of the most-disliked grooms of all time, which is no easy feat after appearing in only three episodes. From his anguish at woke culture to his fear of feminism and women with green hair, Tyson is the manosphere in walking, talking form. He wants to be a provider, wants a submissive wife and dont even get the man started on his new wifes Stephs scary masculine energy. (She has a career that she loves and doesnt blindly agree with everything he says.) Advertisement This is why watching him explain his viewpoints on the couch to Laura and Brittany, successful women in high-powered jobs and non-traditional marriages, made for stellar TV. In one memorable moment, as Laura educated Tyson on the literal, dictionary-defined meaning of the word submissive (compliant and obedient), he said, Youre kinda talking down to me. It quickly turned into a game of semantics. Tyson dodged the definition of submissive while saying he wants to be the leader of the house. Laura asked if he wants someone submissive and obedient. Tyson avoided the question again by asking Laura if she thinks its controlling that he wants to be the leader. She told him to get a dog if he wants an obedient presence in his life. Tysons discussion with the hosts became an issue of semantics. Advertisement Tyson believes every woman needs a traditional man like him Related Article Reality TV Do you regret any matches? MAFS experts reflect on last years big controversy Despite the ongoing disagreement of the definition of submissive, Tyson admitted he should have just used the word traditional instead. He said he doesnt want his future wife to feel like a slave or a dog, and she doesnt have to be at home cooking or cleaning all day. I dont want a dog. I want to be the man of the house. I want to be a leader, he said. Im sure every female wants that. Tyson was left confused as to why the women were laughing at him. In his world, its pretty clear: a woman can work until she has his baby, and then she can stay at home so he can provide. Its tradition, apparently. Advertisement Tyson can say something with confidence, but that doesnt make it true From the definition of submissive and traditional, to the argument around body count when it comes to men and women, theres one conclusion from this interview: Just because you believe something, it doesnt make it factual. For example, Tyson believes its OK for men to have a higher body count (number of sexual partners) than women because its biology. I feel like men and women lie about their body count, he said. A woman usually halves it and a man usually doubles it. Its a ludicrous statement, but Tyson genuinely believes it. When questioned about it by the hosts, he says its personal preference. So, what has Tyson learnt from this experience? I really should have said traditional, he said. The whole submissive thing was out of place. Bec gives her side of the story. Advertisement Teary Bec apologises for her dinner party behaviour Love her or hate her, theres no denying Bec is doing some heavy lifting with the drama. Sure, shes saying some nasty stuff behind peoples backs, but shes also not scared to say it to their faces. Her last dinner party tirade would have been better suited to an episode of Real Housewives, but Bec showed up to answer the tough questions and didnt make any excuses. Admitting she was throwing vitriol at others due to the unhappiness in her relationship, Bec said she thought if she could prove Gia was a liar, then shed get things back on track with Danny. MAFS bride Rebecca Zukowski (left) also appeared on episode two. It was quintessential deflection, she said. I know people will see that as a toxic, crazy woman coming in, and I look at myself and see how hurt I was in that moment. Ive embarrassed myself, my family, my friends and the show. Advertisement Footage reveals what Bec really said about Gia at the hens party One point of confusion in this season has been what happened between Bec and Gia to get them off on the wrong foot during the hens night. Gia has alleged Bec called her a trashy slut, something Bec has denied. If theres footage of it, Id apologise, Bec said. Editor's pick Reality TV Fans vowed to boycott this season of Survivor. Did they make the right call? Lucky for us, Laura, Britt and Jules dont show up empty-handed. In previously unseen footage, we see Bec apologise to Gia for thinking she was a bitch when they first met. I bitched about you for four minutes, Bec said to Gia at the hens party. Advertisement What did you say? Gia asked, to which Bec replied: I thought you were a c---. Well! That clears that up. As to where the two frenemies stand now, we learnt Gia was asked to come onto the show to discuss her role in the drama, to which she declined. The plot thickens. Bec gives Tyson a dose of his own medicine After the teary moments of accountability, Bec showed she has fight left in her, notably through previously unseen footage of telling Tyson he had a teeny peeny. You have small dick energy, brother, she said to his face, after he questioned what that meant. As a female, you give us small dick energy. Maybe this was the biggest lesson of all for Tyson: just because someone says something with confidence, it may not make it true? Makes you think. Advertisement MAFS: After the Dinner Party streams at 9pm on Wednesday on Stan. Stan is owned by Nine, the publisher of the masthead. Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday. Advertisement LifestyleFashionMelbourne Fashion Festival The Australian fashion brand loved by it girls, ignored by the front row Damien Woolnough February 26, 2026 2:00am 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 A Sydney-based designer has the coolest brand at the Melbourne Fashion Festival but no one apart from Hailey Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande knows it. On social media, front-row influencers have tagged colourful creations from Romance Was Born, Linda Jackson and Gary Bigeni, ignoring the lavishly embroidered tights, sparkling socks and dramatic opera gloves from High Heel Jungle by Kathryn Eisman. Model Audrey Walker, left, in a Sonia Cappellazzo gown with High Heel Jungle accessories, with High Heel Jungle founder Kathryn Eisman. Simon Schluter As the former face of fashion for E! News, and an Emmy-nominated reporter and presenter, Eisman is not used to being ignored. She is, however, familiar with being underestimated. People always thought that my work in media, the parts that were on camera at least, was glamorous, Eisman says. They didnt see me working until midnight, writing scripts or editing. That same ratio of 10 per cent glamour and 90 per cent sweat equity applies when you have your own fashion brand. Advertisement Related Article Trends Much better dressed: The brutal verdict on Sydney v Melbourne style Eismans transition from reporting on fashion to producing it began as a side hustle seven years ago in Los Angeles. Before she had the chance to hire a publicist or call in celebrity favours, stylists took notice of the colourful and quirky socks and tights she was wearing on screen. When I first launched, I got an email late at night saying that the Kardashians wanted some tights for the opening credits of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and they needed them at Van Nuys airport immediately, Eisman says. I raced to the airport in the middle of night, not quite believing what was happening. Where the Kardashians go, Hollywood follows, with stylists for Bieber, Grande, Lady Gaga, Tate McRae and Chappell Roan sourcing her work for photo shoots and red carpet appearances. Chappell Roan wearing gloves from Kathryn Eismans High Heel Jungle. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Advertisement To have these incredible trailblazers and their stylists embrace you still shocks me, Eisman says. Eisman has put down the microphone and returned home to Sydney to make High Heel Jungle her main focus. The brand is now stocked by Nordstrom and Bloomingdales in the US and The Iconic in Australia. Were doing about 70 per cent month-on-month growth with our orders for the past two quarters in the US. The US is 70 per cent of our market and Australia is second. A model in High Heel Jungle tights and Camilla dress at the opening show of the Melbourne Fashion Festival. Lucas Dawson Eisman remains the sole owner of the business, employs nine full-time staff and is trying to manage the rapid growth of the brand. Advertisement We have around 600 units, I was never good at maths, but somehow I stay on top of this. Prices range from $35 for basic socks to $195 for leather opera gloves. Being underestimated by the MFF front row barely warrants the shrug of a padded shoulder, but Eisman is hopeful for some recognition when her work appears at the Grand Showcase on Friday night, alongside Sonia Cappellazzos gowns. Ive always championed Australian brands in the US, she says. Its time for payback. Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday. By Nazrin Abdul As a result of large-scale measures taken in recent years, not only the capital, Baku, but also the regions of Azerbaijan are developing rapidly. Following liberation from occupation, the economic regions of Garabagh and East Zangazur have gained special strategic importance on the countrys economic map through restoration and investment programs. These regions play a decisive role in Azerbaijans economic security, regional competitiveness, and long-term sustainable development strategy due to their natural and geographical position, as well as their industrial, agricultural, and logistics potential. Their revival is a cornerstone of Azerbaijans post-conflict economic transformation. AzerNEWS discussed this topic with Vugar Bayramov, an economic expert and deputy of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan. According to him, Garabagh and East Zangazur have the potential to contribute at least 10 percent of added value to Azerbaijans gross domestic product in the future. This translates into approximately 15 billion manats of new economic value. Strategically, these regions organize gas exports and production, while also creating significant opportunities for expanding non-oil sector production and exports.This diversification is critical for reducing dependence on hydrocarbons and ensuring resilience against global energy market fluctuations. Bayramov emphasized that the main priorities of state policy include infrastructure restoration, population resettlement, renewal of social services, and the implementation of smart city-village models. About 12 billion manats have already been allocated from the state budget for this purpose, while 15 billion manats are expected to be directed to fixed capital in 2026. In total, more than 26 billion manats are projected to be invested in the region in the coming years. Such figures demonstrate the governments commitment to transforming Garabagh and East Zangazur into hubs of innovation and sustainable growth. In the next stage, work is being carried out in parallel to build the economy, which is an integral part of the reintegration process. About 12 billion manats have already been allocated from the state budget for this purpose, the expert noted. This highlights the dual nature of reconstruction: physical rebuilding and economic reintegration. However, construction and development are not solely the responsibility of the state. The involvement of private companies is equally important. V. Bayramov explained that the private sector is actively participating in this process, investing in various sectors, creating new enterprises, and providing employment. Once the infrastructure phase is completed, private investments are expected to increase further, which will accelerate industrial diversification and job creation. Given that more funds will be directed in the coming years, attracting foreign investment remains a priority. Demographically, the settlement of the region will accelerate, creating a more favorable environment for investors. This interplay between population growth and investment inflows is crucial for establishing a self-sustaining economic ecosystem. Nevertheless, challenges persist. For decades, life in these regions was at a standstill, and only after the victory of the Azerbaijani Army did citizens begin to return to their displaced lands. The silence of more than 30 years cannot be broken in just six years of development. The population has not yet fully migrated, and both the labor force and consumer base remain limited. Bayramov acknowledged: The main challenges here are that there are many cities, but the number of consumers is still small, and reconstruction requires significant funds. Despite this, the state budget will continue to support the full formation of infrastructure in Garabagh and East Zangazur. This reflects the reality that economic revitalization is a long-term process requiring patience and sustained investment. According to the State Statistics Committee, in January alone, 2 billion 275 million 641 thousand manats were invested in fixed capital in the Garabagh economic region, with the majority spent on construction and installation works. Significant allocations were made across districts such as Khankendi, Agdam, Fuzuli, and Shusha, underscoring the scale of reconstruction. Similarly, in East Zangazur, 2 billion 811 million 671 thousand manats were invested in fixed capital in January, with 2 billion 763 million 126 thousand manats directed toward construction and installation works. Districts such as Kalbajar, Lachin, and Zangilan received substantial investments, reflecting the governments balanced approach to regional development. Diane von Furstenberg has returned to the European market with a new wholesale partnership with Italy-based Brama Group. The move marks a strategic step forward in DVFs European growth and reinforces its deep-rooted connection to Italy. To introduce the partnership, DVF hosted a luncheon Monday at her home in Venice for Brama Groups clients. There were about 100 people in attendance and they were able to view a little of the fall 2026 collection. They plan to have their first market appointments on Wednesday. More from WWD Through this new partnership, Brama Group will manage wholesale distribution for DVF across European markets, strengthening relationships with premiere department stores and specialty boutiques, while expanding the brands footprint throughout the region. DVFs history is linked to Italy as she started her career working with a textile factory in Como, where she first developed her understanding of fabric, print and craftsmanship. She now spends much of her time in Venice. Since taking the business back in-house in 2024, Graziano de Boni, the companys chief executive officer, has reset the strategy of DVF, setting the foundation for sustained global growth. We are excited to enter into this partnership with Renzo Braglia and his team at Brama. The alignment between our two companies and the shared vision for the future DVF will be fully reflected in the strategy and targeted approach for our brand in the very important European market, de Boni said. He told WWD that DVF has sold the European market many times over the years, but when they decided to take the business back in 2024, they reset the market in America and Europe. There were close to 400 doors in America and Europe where the brand was carried, and they decided to close the accounts. We decided to come back into the market and start fresh [in the beginning of 2025]. Sometimes its a good thing to do. We wanted to elevate the product and start to do things differently. By not having any legacy distribution allows us to come back with what we think DVF should be from a product point of view, de Boni said. Braglia said, I am delighted to be partnering with the DVF team. This partnership is the result of many years of courtship for Brama Group to be able to represent DVF in the European market. We see a lot of opportunity for the brand in Europe and are excited to steward this new era together. Advertisement NationalNSWCrime How Caitlins alleged abuser gained control of her body and her money after she died Amber Schultz February 26, 2026 2:00am 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 The control Caitlin Thorntons alleged abuser held over her did not end when she died. Instead, the man once charged with assaulting her had the power to hold her body hostage after death. Alex Passfield, who was facing serious assault charges against Thornton at the time of her passing, became her legal next of kin, granting him control over her bank accounts and her remains. The charges against Passfield were eventually dropped and nothing was proven against him. When Caitlin Thornton died, her allegedly abusive partner Alex Passfield became next of kin and had control over her remains. Her family said for five weeks, he refused to release her body, preventing them from holding a funeral. Thorntons mother, Kylie Bailey, is spearheading a campaign to change the law, named after her daughter. Her Change.org petition, which has garnered more than 45,000 signatures, calls for police, courts or the coroner to have the power to suspend next-of-kin rights in cases in which domestic violence is a factor. Advertisement NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley has written to Bailey, confirming that the government is considering these changes. Thornton died on International Womens Day on March 8, 2023, in Passfields home in Maitland. Bailey said the pair had split as Thornton sought help through domestic violence agencies, and that she had returned to the property to collect her belongings. Kylie Baileys petition has garnered more than 45,000 signatures. Steven Siewert The Coroners Court heard that Passfields neighbour heard a dispute around midday, according to police records provided to the coroner, and saw Passfield on top of Thornton. A video taken on that day and described in police statements presented before the coroner showed Thornton slumped in a doorway while Passfield threw her items into the street. The Coroners Court heard police were called at least three times that day. The final time they arrived, Thorton was unconscious and rushed to the hospital, where she was later removed from life support. Advertisement Alex Passfield is in prison for domestic violence assault charges relating to a different victim. The coroner has initially ruled her death a suicide and did not make any findings that suggested Passfield was responsible. Passfield was not charged in connection with her death. Police noted there was a significant domestic violence history between the pair throughout their three-year on-again, off-again relationship, perpetrated by both Passfield and Thornton. Thornton was convicted of three charges. In November 2022, Passfield was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault. Despite the charges, which were dismissed after Thorntons death, Passfield became the senior next of kin. Under current legislation, the hierarchy of rights prioritises a spouse or partner over children, parents and siblings. Advertisement If a person doesnt have a will, its nearly impossible to fight [next of kin appointments], unless you go to the Supreme Court, Bailey said, adding she consulted a barrister who quoted her a $20,000 retainer. In the days after her death, Passfield sent Bailey a barrage of abusive text messages seen by this masthead as she attempted to collect Thorntons items and organise her funeral. Bailey said Passfield refused to release Thorntons body. About five weeks after she passed away, he agreed to release her, and we got to have a funeral, she said. Thorntons funeral was held on April 24, six weeks after her death. Bank records reviewed by this masthead showed that a week after Thornton died, her remaining funds were transferred from her account to an account linked to Passfield. Bailey alleged some of those funds included Thorntons family violence crisis payments, and that Passfield also took gift vouchers issued to her by a family violence centre. Advertisement Related Article Exclusive Domestic violence Young men need education to cope with rejection to keep women safe: DV experts He didnt inherit much monetary value I think it was more about the control, she said. After Bailey provided the coroner with additional evidence, in December last year, the coroner directed that a police advocate make further enquiries into Thorntons death. Passfield is serving a two-year sentence for domestic violence assault and stalking relating to a separate former partner. Since Thorntons death, he has been convicted of more than a dozen domestic violence-related offences. Advertisement A December 2023 review into the Coroners Act recommended that coroners be able to appoint a next of kin where they consider the statutory senior next of kin to not be appropriate. This is a distressing situation for Caitlins family, a spokesperson for Daley said. The attorney-general is considering [the recommendations] closely. Anyone needing support can contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028, Lifeline 13 11 14, and Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement Updated NationalWACourts Mum, you are not forgotten: Sons vow after cold case murder verdict Rebecca Peppiatt Updated February 26, 2026 4:05pm ,first published 12:41pm 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 sons of a man found guilty of murdering their beloved mother 40 years ago have vowed to continue looking for her body as they spoke out about the dedication required to bring her killer to justice. Raymond Reddington previously known as Robert Fulton and Maxwell Fulton was accused of killing his then 39-year-old wife Sharon Fulton in 1986. A court sketch of Raymond Reddington, who has been found guilty of killing his wife Sharon Fulton. WAtoday He denied the accusation and took the matter to trial three weeks ago, but it took a jury just four hours to reach a guilty verdict which they delivered on Thursday in the Supreme Court of WA. Cold case detectives re-opened the case into Fultons disappearance following a Coroners Court verdict that she likely met with foul play. Advertisement Her body has never been found, and her disappearance has been the subject of two police investigations one in 2007 and another in 2017 as well as the coroners inquest in 2022. Editor's pick Courts WA tech billionaire Laurence Escalante slapped with nine new drug charges Despite extensive inquiries by police and family and comprehensive media coverage, there has been no information regarding her whereabouts since her disappearance. For her children, however, there was little doubt about what happened to her. For 40 years, silence worked in his favour, Fulton and Reddingtons son Heath said outside of court on Thursday after the verdict. Advertisement Silence protected him. Silence isolated us. Silence erased her. We were taught not to ask questions, not to speak her name, but to challenge the story we were given as children. We internalised that silence. I internalised guilt. I believed for years that somehow it was my fault, that silence was not accidental. Speaking about our mother was discouraged while we grew up in confusion and grief. Heath Fulton worked with the police during their investigation to try and elicit a confession from his father over what happened to his mother. He wore a wire during a conversation with Reddington that was played during the trial for the jury. Advertisement On Thursday he thanked WA Polices Cold Case team for the work they did on bringing Reddington to justice, as well as his grandmother and Fultons stepmother who he said began asking questions in the days following her disappearance. If they had not refused to be silenced, she may never, ever have been formally reported missing, he said. They were dismissed. They were minimised, but they were right. Their voices deserve to be heard. Heath said he would like to see stronger resourcing and earlier activation in relation to the length of time it took to bring Reddington to court, but thanked those that took on his mothers case not as a file, but as a human being. Reddington, 79, who uses a wheelchair and needed assistance from headphones to listen to the trial proceedings, showed no emotion as the verdict was read out. Advertisement Throughout the trial, the court heard how he lied about having dementia when he was questioned by police in 2017, claiming not to recall any of the events leading up to her disappearance but said he had dropped his wife at East Perth train station on the day of her disappearance, a trip that she never returned from. He also claimed Fulton was having an affair, insinuating she took off with another man. But prosecutors instead painted her as a devoted mother who would never have left her four young children, and told the court she had consulted a solicitor in the months leading up to her disappearance about filing for divorce. The jury heard that during that meeting she was advised she would likely be awarded their four-bedroom Duncraig home, their Queensland investment properties, spousal maintenance payments and custody of their four children as part of the settlement and that Reddington would have become privy to that advice. Prosecutors said Reddington most likely attacked Fulton in their home on March 18, 1986 and that either on that day or in the days following, disposed of her body in a way that meant it has never been found. Advertisement He reported her missing three days later and gave police numerous differing accounts of her last known movements. Early in the trial, the jury was told a letter sent to WA Coroner Sarah Linton in 2021 ahead of the coronial inquest was found to contain DNA matching Reddingtons, but purported to be from the husband of a friend of Fultons and claimed he had got her pregnant and that he killed her and then hid her under a concrete patio. The jury was told that was a complete fabrication and an attempt by Reddington to take the heat off himself. He will be sentenced at a later date, with the court hearing he was suffering with a terminal illness and was in the last few months of his life and can have no further treatment. He lived a full life, he travelled, he prospered, he rebuilt, he changed his name, Heath Fulton said of his father. Advertisement He had the privilege of time. My mother did not. She did not get to see her children grow up. She did not get to watch milestones. She did not get decades. I have lived with him. I have experienced the control, the deflection, the blame. Silence gave him space. Today, that silence ends. Mum, you are not forgotten. You are not erased. You are not just a case file. You are our mother, and I promise you and my siblings that I will not stop searching for you and for the full truth of what happened to you for the rest of my life. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement PoliticsFederalIslamic State ISIS brides prepared to go to jail to get their children to Australia Michael Bachelard and Andrew Probyn February 26, 2026 3:00pm 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 Mothers associated with Islamic State would willingly go to prison in Australia if it meant getting their children out of Syria, a family representative has confirmed, as the opposition appeared to soften its stance on the issue. In Syria meanwhile, the official who runs the al-Roj camp where the 34 women and children have been living said they were well-behaved and had caused no problems to camp authorities, unlike some others. Loading Asked if the women were prepared to go to jail to get their children home, family representative Jamal Rifi told Nine News, without any doubt, they indicated that and they are happy to go through the justice system, yes. Rifis words are part of efforts by the families to calm the Australian publics fear that the women and children are radicalised and would be dangerous if returned. Advertisement A number of the women also told a reporter from The Guardian earlier this week that they would send their children to Australia without them if it meant saving them from the appalling conditions in the camp. But the government rejected that proposal too, with deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles saying, Australia is not facilitating the return of any of this cohort. Its as simple as that. Australian girls in al-Roj camp on Wednesday. AP On Thursday, opposition home affairs spokesman Jonno Duniam appeared to soften his line on the women and children, telling Radio 2GB that, if you could properly satisfy yourself that there was no risk, then, of course, bring them back. Duniam and other opposition members have tried to pin the blame on the Albanese government for the repatriation plan enacted by the families. But pushed on this position, Duniam shifted his criticism to focus on the governments no assistance policy. Advertisement Taking your hand off the wheel like that when it comes to national security, I dont think is right, Duniam said of the government. If they are to come back, they have to come back on the governments terms, on behalf of the people of Australia. However, this should only happen if the security agencies had been able to undertake a full risk assessment, Duniam said. This was difficult to do from Australia he said, adding that ASIO operatives should travel to Syria or the nearby border to do a proper job. Children in the Australian section of the camp. AP ASIO director-general Mike Burgess said in 2022 that the agency had conducted risk assessments involving face-to-face interviews with the entire cohort of Australians in the camps. Their possible return had been factored into the agencys risk assessment that year, in which the threat of a terror attack was dropped from probable to possible. The closest observer of this cohort in recent years has been the Syrian official whose camp has housed the 34 women and children for the past six years. She has confirmed that, unlike other inmates in her camp, the Australian cohort was no trouble. Advertisement The Australian group was always staying in the same spot in the camp. They were always together, camp director Hakamia Ibrahim told a local journalist. In general, they were well-behaved. Their way of speaking was good. They did not have any problems and in the camp they did not cause problems or behave in an aggressive way. Related Article Exclusive Investigations I saw houses for the first time: Australias Syrian children tell us about their lives Ibrahim said that, outside the Australian cohort, among the 40 or 50 other nationalities in the camp, it was a different story. Today, there is no evaluation that ... any one of these women has changed or their thinking has changed ... these women are still holding on to this ideology and this thinking, and are planting it in the minds of their children, to the degree that their children are becoming a new Islamic State. ASIO declined to respond to questions, but in 2019, it warned the Morrison government that its legislation to strip Australian citizenship from dual citizens and leave them overseas may also have unintended or unforeseen adverse security outcomes. Advertisement US military commander Admiral Brad Cooper expressed this risk after a recent visit to a Syrian camp saying he saw first-hand the need to accelerate repatriations to their home countries because,repatriating vulnerable populations before they are radicalised is not just compassion, its a decisive blow against ISIS ability to regenerate. Today, I [call] on every nation with detained or displaced personnel in Syria to return your citizens. With Mohammed Hassan Renovating your home for sale can be a balancing act, say experts: skimp on upgrades, and the best sale price may elude you. But spend too much, and you may not recoup your investment. To minimise outlay while still achieving a good result, Renovating For Profit founder Cherie Barber says sellers should prioritise certain rooms while doing the bare minimum or nothing at all in others. Kitchens and bathrooms add the most value when renovating to sell, say experts. Credit: Getty Images The rooms she thinks sellers can skip entirely? Definitely bedrooms two, three and four. They are the rooms that are least likely to make or break a sale. Barber says sellers should ideally spruce up the master bedroom but they neednt go overboard. Advertisement Updated WorldEuropeWorld elections Not over yet: After taking on Trump, Danish PM calls snap vote over Greenland David Crowe Updated February 27, 2026 3:21am ,first published 2:57am 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 snap election in Denmark is about to test popular support for a leader who has taken a hard line on European security and migration while staring down the United States in a dispute over Greenland. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen will take the country to the polls on March 24 in an early election framed by her robust rejection of US President Donald Trump and his claim to the Arctic territory. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen says Europe needs to stand up to Donald Trump. New York Times But the outcome depends on whether she can sustain a recent burst in support in the opinion polls after her party, the Social Democrats, suffered a backlash from voters in local government elections in December. Frederiksen could have waited months to call the election, which must be held by October 31, but named Greenland as an issue that justified going to the polls early. Advertisement This will be a decisive election because it will be in the next four years that we as Danes and as Europeans will really have to stand on our own feet, she said. We must define our relationship with the United States, and we must rearm to ensure peace on our continent. Thousands of Danes protested in January against a US takeover of Greenland. Getty In an address to parliament, she argued the world is not waiting for Denmark to decide its future at the election. As everyone knows, the conflict over Greenland is not over yet, she added. Advertisement The early election was the subject of rumour in the Danish capital this week before Frederiksen announced the date on Thursday (Copenhagen time). The election will be watched across Europe because Frederiksen and the other major parties in her coalition government are among the strongest supporters of Ukraine. That contrasts with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is blaming Ukraine for energy shortages in Hungary and turning this into a major campaign issue for elections due on April 12. Orban is counting on support from Trump to help him stay in power, gaining the US presidents official endorsement as well as a supportive visit from Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier this month. Venstre, the second-largest party in Denmark, has a chance at this election to increase its sway with a free-market agenda under leader Troels Lund Poulsen, currently the junior partner in the coalition government with Frederiksen. Poulsen is deputy prime minister and defence minister. Advertisement Another key figure is Lars Lkke Rasmussen, a former prime minister whose party the Moderates forms the third leg of the current coalition government. He is the current foreign minister and led talks over Greenland, matching the hard line against the US. Related Article Trump's White House The woman who stared down Donald Trump on Greenland There are 179 seats in the Danish parliament and the Social Democrats hold 50, making them the biggest party. Venstre, also known as the Liberal Party, hold 23, and the Moderates 12. The Danish Democrats, a right-wing party, have 16 seats, and the Green Left Party has 15 seats. Frederiksen has a background in the union movement and was a progressive campaigner in her university years, but has moved the Social Democrats towards a tougher stance against migration in recent years. Advertisement European citizens have a right to feel safe in their own countries, she told the European Parliament in Strasbourg in a major speech last July. That is why we need to strengthen our external borders. We have to lower the influx of migrants to Europe. While her stance sparked criticism from the left, she stepped up her argument late last year by joining with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a conservative, to push for tougher EU rules on migration. In December, she joined British Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer in writing an opinion article calling for new wording in the European Convention on Human Rights to make it harder for migrants to claim asylum. Other European leaders have thrown their support behind that call and are likely to act at a summit in Moldova in May by issuing a declaration that balances human rights with the responsibility to protect security and public safety. Advertisement US President Donald Trump and Frederiksen have often been at loggerheads over Greenland. AP Frederiksen first clashed with Trump over Greenland in the presidents first term after he raised the idea of American control of the territory, and she replied that it was absurd. Trump then called her statement nasty and said she should have just said no. I thought it was a very, not nice way of saying something, he said. The clash over Greenland intensified in January when Trump threatened trade sanctions on Denmark and other European allies because they did not accept his claim to the island, although he relented. Advertisement Related Article Explainer Trump diplomacy Why would Trump want to buy Greenland? His recent demand for Greenland has coincided with a gain for Frederiksen in the opinion polls. The Social Democrats increased their support to 22 per cent of the vote in a survey by Voxmeter of 1007 respondents from February 6 to 12. While this remains lower than the partys result at the 2022 election, it suggests the Social Democrats remain the single biggest party and would hold the prime ministers post in a coalition government. 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. Advertisement Analysis WorldMiddle EastWorld politics The Putin whisperer who is really running Iran Akhtar Makoii February 26, 2026 12:45pm 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 London: Iran has a president who admits he is a doctor, not a politician and should not be expected to cure the countrys problems. It has a foreign minister who must ask permission before speaking to American envoys in nuclear talks. And it has an 86-year-old supreme leader who threatens to send US warships to the bottom of the sea. Ali Larijani, who comes from one of the most powerful families in Iran, is the backroom operator tasked by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to save the Islamic republic. Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images Then it has Ali Larijani. Advertisement Advertisement While Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is the face of the negotiations, Larijani, who comes from one of the most powerful families in Iran, is the backroom operator tasked by Khamenei to save the Islamic republic. He is one of the very few people who can still meet the leader and has been given the job of rescuing the system, a senior Iranian official told Londons Telegraph. In recent weeks, Larijanis (centre) visibility has soared. AP He has become the only person who can pressure the leader to talk and tell him that the system would face a big survival challenge if we dont talk with Trump. In recent weeks, Larijanis visibility has soared as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkians has diminished. Advertisement He has flown to Moscow, met Middle Eastern leaders, sat for hours-long television interviews with Iranian and foreign outlets, and actively posts on social media. He is officially running everything here and the talks Pezeshkian and Araghchi are just there for the blame, the official said. His task these days is to make sure Trump does not attack. In previous years, Larijani enjoyed less fortune. He tried to run for president in 2021 but was barred by the vetting council without reason. He ran again three years later and was again disqualified. Advertisement He also negotiated a 25-year strategic deal with China worth billions that prompted a wave of criticism from all sides in Iran. But now, his most important external role is as Khameneis personal envoy to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei trusts Larijani more than anyone else in the Islamic republic, according to Iranian officials. AP The supreme leader regularly sends him to Moscow his latest trip was on January 30 to co-ordinate strategy and exchange messages, demonstrating a level of trust he extends to almost no one else. Khameneis trust in Larijani comes from decades of loyal service across multiple sensitive positions: culture minister in the early 1990s, broadcasting chief for a decade, Supreme National Security Council secretary, and parliamentary Speaker for 12 years until 2020. Advertisement Yet insiders say something crucial is often overlooked about him. Related Article Explainer Middle East at war Cat and mouse: What we know about Irans secretive nuclear program He is just a clever politics businessman, a second Iranian official said, who tries to keep his family in power whatever happens next. For years, he and his brothers dominated multiple branches of government. Ali as parliamentary Speaker, Sadegh as judiciary chief, and Javad heading the judiciarys human rights council. That family grip on power has weakened recently. Advertisement Sadegh was pushed out of the judiciary before his term ended. Javad was removed from his human rights position after 14 years. Another brother, Fazel, faces corruption allegations from former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Loading But Ali remains, and a senior official believes his endgame extends beyond survival to succession specifically, positioning his brother Sadegh, a senior cleric, as a potential successor to Khamenei. He is a mysterious man who tries to make his brother the supreme leader, with personal ambition always cloaked behind quiet manoeuvring rather than public prominence, according to the Iranian officials. Advertisement Those who have studied him closely describe a deeply enigmatic figure a man who operates largely in the shadows. Related Article Trump's White House Trump could kill ayatollahs son and senior mullahs to topple Iranian regime He can appear either moderate or hardline, adopting whichever stance best serves the moment. Married into revolutionary aristocracy He studied philosophy at Tehran University under Ahmad Fardid, known as the oral philosopher who championed the fight against Westoxification, and has published books on Immanuel Kant. Advertisement Larijani also married into revolutionary aristocracy his father-in-law was Morteza Motahhari, a prominent cleric who helped shape the Islamic republics ideology. This ideological grounding made him valuable to Khamenei in the early 1990s as the new supreme leader sought to consolidate control over Irans cultural and media apparatus. Donald Trump has reportedly told advisers that he would consider a large attack to drive the clerics from power if diplomacy or any initial strikes failed. Bloomberg As head of state broadcasting from 1994 to 2004, Larijani oversaw one of the most controversial programs in Iranian television history Hoviat (Identity), which aired in 1996. The Friday night show systematically destroyed the reputations of Irans most respected writers and intellectuals, branding them Western agents and traitors. Advertisement The program coincided with the chain murders of intellectuals by rogue intelligence agents, creating a climate of fear that silenced an entire generation of Iranian writers and critics. Related Article Middle East tensions Trump moves US to brink of war with Iran, possible strikes closer than many people realise During the 12-day war last June, he also urged Khamenei to begin direct talks with Washington. Now, as the Islamic republic faces its gravest crisis economic collapse, continued protests, international isolation and potential war he has positioned himself as indispensable. He is the only person who can manage negotiations with America, co-ordinate with Russia, suppress domestic unrest, and potentially hold the system together if Khamenei dies. Advertisement The mysterious Larijani has spent 30 years building that trust. Whether this proves enough to save the Islamic republic or his familys place in whatever replaces it may be decided in the coming days. The Telegraph, London 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. Advertisement Updated WorldNorth AmericaWorld politics Cuba shoots four people dead on US-based speedboat Daniel Trotta Updated February 26, 2026 10:19am ,first published February 26, 2026 6:23am 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 Havana: Cubas government has said the 10 passengers on a boat that opened fire on its soldiers were armed Cubans living in the United States who were trying to infiltrate the island and unleash terrorism. The announcement came hours after Cuba said its soldiers killed four people and wounded six others aboard a Florida-registered speed boat that had entered Cuban waters and opened fire on the soldiers first, injuring one Cuban officer. The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between the US and Cuba. AP Cubas government said the majority of the 10 people on the boat have a known history of criminal and violent activity. It identified two of them as Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez, who were wanted by Cuban authorities based on their involvement in the promotion, planning, organisation, financing, support or commission of actions carried out in the national territory or in other countries, in connection with acts of terrorism. Advertisement Cuba said it had also arrested a man it identified as Duniel Hernandez Santos, who had been sent from the United States to guarantee the reception of the armed infiltration, who at this time has confessed to his actions. Related Article Opinion Venezuela crisis To make sense of the Venezuela attack, look to the hotter heads around Trump Waleed Aly Columnist, author and academic The Associated Press was not immediately able to independently verify that information. In an earlier statement, Cubas Interior Ministry said a number of wounded people, including the Cuban patrol commander, had been evacuated and were receiving medical attention. The highly unusual incident took place amid tension between Cuba and the US, which has blocked almost all oil shipments to the island, increasing pressure on the Communist-run government. Advertisement American forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on January 3, removing a key Cuban ally from power. The speedboat came within 1.8 kilometres of a channel on Falcones Cay, on the island nations north coast and about 200 kilometres east of Havana, when it was approached by the Cuban border patrol unit with five crew onboard, Cubas Interior Ministry said. The speedboat then opened fire, wounding the Cuban commander, the statement said. Faced with the current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its commitment to protecting its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defence is a fundamental pillar for the Cuban state in safeguarding its sovereignty and stability in the region, the statement said. Advertisement The New York Times cited a US official saying that no US Naval or Coast Guard boat was involved, and the speedboat was an American civilian vessel attempting to get relatives out of Cuba. The vessel is a seven-metre Pro-Line fishing boat built in 1981 with an outboard engine, according to Boat History Report. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is in the region visiting Saint Kitts and Nevis, said the incident was being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security and the US Coast Guard, who were working to determine if the victims were American citizens or permanent residents. Rubio addresses the media at the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) meeting in St Kitts. AP Suffice it to say, it is highly unusual to see shoot-outs in open sea like that. Its not something that happens every day, Rubio told reporters in Basseterre, Saint Kitts. The majority of the facts being publicly reported are those by the information provided by the Cubans. We will verify that independently as we gather more information, and well be prepared to respond accordingly, he said. Advertisement US Vice President JD Vance said he had been briefed on the incident by Rubio and that the White House was monitoring the situation, but declined to provide further details. Hopefully its not as bad as we fear it could be, Vance said. Officials with the US Coast Guard did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Cuban ally Russias Foreign Ministry called the incident an aggressive provocation by the US aimed at escalating the situation and triggering a conflict, TASS news agency reported. James Uthmeier, Floridas attorney-general, said he had ordered prosecutors to work with federal, state and law enforcement partners to start an investigation. Advertisement The Cuban government cannot be trusted, and we will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable, he wrote on X. Cubans are gripped by an economic crisis after the Trump administration threatened to apply tariffs to any country selling oil to Cuba. AP Meanwhile, Florida congressman Carlos Gimenez decried the killings and accused the Cuban government of murder. This regime must be relegated to the dust bin of history! he wrote on X. The incident comes as tensions simmer between the US and Cuba following mounting pressure by the Trump administration. The two countries used to collaborate on drug smuggling and other criminal activity, but no longer do so. Advertisement Its not unusual for skirmishes to erupt between Cubas Coast Guard and US-flagged speedboats in Cuban waters, but there have been no recent reports of passengers opening fire or being killed. In recent years, some of those US-flagged boats were laden with unidentified items headed towards the island, or they were going to pick up Cubans and smuggle them into the US. Speaking in Saint Kitts, Rubio said the status quo in Cuba was unsustainable and that the island needed to change dramatically. Reuters, AP, Bloomberg 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. Crypto.com ratcheted up its prolific pro-Trump spending spree in January, gifting another $5 million to a super PAC backing the president, according to new FEC filings. That makes $35 million that the crypto exchange has donated to MAGA Inc. in the last year alone. And within weeks of the latest donation, Crypto.com was the direct beneficiary of moves from multiple agencies in Donald Trump's administration. Last week, the Trump CFTC opted to wade into a pending lawsuit between Crypto.com and the state of Nevada over sports-related prediction markets, filing a motion in support of the company. That decisive action came just months after the CFTCs new chair and sole commissioner, Mike Selig, told a Senate committee he would defer to the courts on the thorny issue. And just yesterday, a key regulator within the Treasury Department conditionally approved a national trust bank charter for Crypto.coma significant victory that the companys CEO said tees up the exchange to soon become a one-stop-shop qualified custodian for major financial institutions. Both Crypto.coms bank charter and its super PAC donations are in the name of the exchanges parent company, Foris Dax. A company spokesperson did not immediately respond to Decrypts request for comment on Crypto.coms political spending. News of the latest donation was first reported by Popular Information. Crypto.com Secures Conditional Approval for National Trust Bank Charter While many industry firms have given to causes associated with the presidentincluding his inauguration, and the $300 million White House ballroom he seeks to build where the East Wing once stoodmany of these companies have shirked away from giving money directly to Trump-aligned PACs. Industry bigwigs like Coinbase, Ripple, and Tether have instead opted to fund their own super PACs, which they argue are non-partisan and exclusively focused on crypto policy. Crypto.com, meanwhile, has gone a different route. The vast majority of its political spending has gone directly to the presidents allies, according to data from the Federal Election Commission. Trump Media Files to Launch Truth Social-Branded Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cronos ETFs But the companys ties to the president dont end there. Months after its first multi-million dollar donation to a pro-Trump PAC last year, Crypto.com announced a strategic partnership with the presidents publicly traded media company, Trump Media and Technology Group. That arrangement has since borne several products, including Trump-branded crypto ETFs backed by the company, and a Crypto.com-powered prediction market tied to Trumps social media platform, Truth Social. ENGIE has signed an agreement to acquire UK Power Networks (UKPN), an electricity distribution network company, for an equity value of 10.5bn ($14.2bn). The deal is expected to close in mid-2026 following regulatory approvals and clearances by the shareholders of the Hong Kong-listed parent companies of the sellers. ENGIE will fully own UKPN, which serves 8.5 million customers across London, the South East and East of England through three regulated licences. The acquisition values UKPN at an enterprise value of 15.8bn, approximately 1.5-times its estimated regulated asset value as of March 2026 and around ten-times its projected 2027 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation, including unregulated assets. The company manages a 192,000km distribution network, with three-quarters located underground, and delivers approximately 71 terawatt-hours of electricity annually. ENGIE will finance the acquisition through a combination of debt and hybrid issuance totalling roughly 5bn, alongside a planned 4bn disposal programme by 2028. Additionally, the company intends to raise up to 3bn in equity via an accelerated book building process to maintain its investment-grade credit rating. ENGIE CEO Catherine MacGregor said: The acquisition of UKPN represents a decisive step in strengthening ENGIEs position as the best energy transition utility. This transaction will both enhance the Groups growth trajectory and reduce our risk profile, providing more visibility on future earnings. Following the acquisition, ENGIE plans to retain flexibility in capital allocation for further development in renewables and network operations. The acquisition is expected to increase ENGIEs capital employed by 17bn19bn at the end of 2026, while raising net financial debt by 13bn15bn based on current projections. Financial advisors for ENGIE on this transaction are Bank of America, BNP Paribas and Rothschild & Co. "ENGIE to acquire UK Power Networks for $14.2bn" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) Shively Police officers arrested five people and charged them with the murder of a 26-year-old man outside a club on 7th Street Road in what investigators called a "coordinated attack." Sgt. Jordan Brown with the Shively Police Department said officers responded to the shooting outside Club 7 in the 2800 block of 7th Street Road around 3:20 a.m. When they arrived, they found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. A man, believed to be in his 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene. Another man, believed to be in his 30s, was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The Jefferson County Coroner's Office later identified the victim as 26-year-old Rodney Parker. On Wednesday, Brown said Shively and Louisville Metro Police officers conducted search warrants on several locations. Five people were arrested and charged in connection to Parker's death: Keasia Tyson, 27 Murder (complicity) Assault 2nd (complicity) Wanton Endangerment 1st (complicity) 2 counts Davion Birdsong, 19 Murder (complicity) Assault 2nd (complicity) Wanton Endangerment 1st (complicity) 2 counts Chance Guthrie, 18 Murder (complicity) Assault 2nd (complicity) Wanton Endangerment 1st (complicity) 2 counts Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon DMontray Rox, 20 Murder (complicity) Assault 2nd (complicity) Wanton Endangerment 1st (complicity) 2 counts Juvenile Murder (complicity) Assault 2nd (complicity) Wanton Endangerment 1st (complicity) 2 counts Minor in Possession of a Handgun Brown said others were charged during the operation on charges unrelated to Parker's murder: Malik Birdsong, 22 Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon De'Lana Birdsong, 29 Wanton Endangerment Disorderly Conduct Resisting Arrest Demarion Coleman, 21 Trafficking in Marijuana (8 oz to 5 lbs) Enhanced Larica Turner, 43 Trafficking in a Controlled Substance Enhanced Possession of a Controlled Substance In court Thursday morning, a judge set Guthrie's bond at $1 million, saying his charges were the most serious of the group. Top Stories: Louisvilles 1st Black firefighters in the 1920s paved the way for generations Oldham County school board approves 3% raise for employees for next school year South Oldham cafeteria worker accused of attempting to sexually abuse 17-year-old Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) A South Oldham High School cafeteria employee was arrested and charged with attempting to sexually abuse a 17-year-old girl. According to an arrest citation, 27-year-old Michael Couch was arrested Feb. 20 and charged with attempted sodomy and procurement and promoting the use of a minor by electronic means. Court documents state Couch was aware of how old the victim was when he made plans over Snapchat to meet up with her. The victim called a friend on the way to meet and shared she was meeting up with Couch, according to court documents. The friend's father then showed up and found the victim in Couch's passengers seat, according to court documents. In a letter sent home to parents, South Oldham principal Melissa Woosley said the victim didn't go to the school and no students in the area were involved. Woosley said Couch worked in the back of the kitchen and did not have interactions with students. "We understand news like this can be concerning, and we appreciate your trust in us to communicate openly with our school community," Woosley said in the letter. "In addition, this person will not be allowed on school property, pending the outcome of the investigation. The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority." Top Stories: Louisville woman wanted in animal cruelty investigation turns herself in Former Breckinridge County Sheriff Todd Pate running for office again years after DUI charges WKU plans nearly 1,000-room residence hall after multiple dorms closed Spencer County school board approves central office reorganization amid $1.5 million budget deficit Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved. Back in October, we talked about Glock switches, a small device that turns a semi-automatic handgun into a machine gun: one pull of the trigger, and it sprays bullets until the magazine is empty. Even trained shooters can't control that kind of firepower. For innocent bystanders, the risk is off the charts. Owning a Glock switch is already a federal crime but not in Kentucky. Kentucky law doesn't clearly define terms like "machine gun" or "conversion device" or allow local and state police to legally confiscate guns using switch attachments unless there is another crime involved. That loophole means too many offenders caught with Glock switches walk away without serious consequences. House Bill 299 proposes fixing that. It is intended to make it a Class C felony in Kentucky to possess devices like Glock switches that convert firearms into machine guns. Again, these aren't tools of self-defense. They're tools of mass destruction. On Tuesday, it finally passed out of committee and is headed to the full house floor. Is this really a big deal? Even with state and local police authority limited, last year, 602 Glock switches were seized in Kentucky, up from 80 in 2024. In Jefferson County, 150 were seized, up from 62 the year before. This is a rapidly growing threat to public safety and police. In the strongest possible terms, I encourage the Kentucky legislature to make possession of a Glock switch a felony in Kentucky. I'm Bill Lamb, and that's my Point of View. Feb 26 (Reuters) - Equinix and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board are close to reaching a deal to acquire atNorth, a pan-Nordic data-center operator backed by Partners Group, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter. The deal, which may be announced in the coming days, could value atNorth at about $4 billion including debt, according to the report. CPPIB and Partners Group declined Reuters requests for comment, while Equinix did not immediately respond. Data-centre operator Equinix has been expanding aggressively to capture rising demand for digital infrastructure, while pension funds have been increasing exposure to data-center assets. Iceland-based atNorth operates data centres across Iceland, Denmark, Sweden and Finland, catering to hyperscale cloud, AI and high-performance computing customers. Private equity firm Partners Group acquired the business in 2022 for an undisclosed amount and has since supported its regional expansion. (Reporting by Kritika Lamba in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber) Weber State celebrates 30 years of storytelling at the Annual Storytelling Festival February 26, 2026 OGDEN, Utah Weber State University will host the 30th Annual Storytelling Festival March 912, celebrating three decades of live storytelling as an art form, an educational practice, and a community tradition. This years festival features five nationally and internationally recognized storytellers Adam Booth, Valentina Ortiz, Kim Weitkamp, Antonio Rocha, and festival fellow Sam Payne along with 12 professional storytellers from the Intermountain West and more than 80 youth storytellers. Festival events include performances, school programs, and workshops for audiences of all ages. The Weber Storytelling Festival reflects who we are at Weber State deeply connected to our community and committed to meaningful, human-centered education, said Vincent Bates, Storytelling Festival Committee chair. For 30 years, storytelling has brought people together across generations. This anniversary year invites everyone to experience that power, again or for the first time. In addition to the main festival, Weber State will expand storytelling programming throughout the year in celebration of its 30th anniversary. Events will be held in local schools, libraries, community spaces, and across university campuses. All Storytelling Festival events are free, with the exception of the annual fundraising dinner on March 10. This anniversary comes on the heels of another milestone: the recent reopening of the renovated David O. McKay Education Building, which serves as the home for the Jerry & Vickie Moyes School of Education, the festivals long-standing sponsor. Other generous festival support comes from Boyd K. and Donna S. Packer Center for Family and Community Education, along with partners throughout Northern Utah. Event schedules and updates are available on the Storytelling Festival website. ETL Italia, the joint venture created by ETL GLOBAL and NexumStp, has acquired an undisclosed stake in Studio Vicarioli Pistone & Partners, an Italian practice specialising in accounting and tax services. Studio Vicarioli Pistone & Partners is based in Canelli, in the Asti province, and has been operating for more than 40 years. It works with clients across the Asti and Langhe areas and also supports overseas investors, with a particular focus on clients from Northern Europe. The company will continue to operate with its existing leadership. Founder Maria Antonia Pistone will keep her equity interest and remain in charge of management. Through this transaction, ETL Italia increases its presence in a strategically important region. ETL Italia chairman Massimo Nardini and NexumStp managing partner said: Studio Vicarioli Pistone & Partners is an example of professional excellence deeply connected to its territory. Their entry strengthens our group and confirms our growth strategy, based on expertise, continuity and international integration. The deal is part of ETL GLOBALs broader consolidation in the Italian market, aimed at improving support for domestic companies and cross-border investors via its international network. ETL GLOBAL chief investment officer Johannes Struckmeier said: This transaction confirms ETL Italias desire to grow selectively in the most strategic areas of northern Italy, investing in high-quality businesses with strong local roots. Last month, ETL GLOBAL expanded its presence in the Czech Republic by bringing in Suldovsky a partneri. The company, led by Pavel Suldovsky, offers accounting, tax and payroll services, with an emphasis on digital tools and strategic advisory work. In January, ETL GLOBAL widened its activities in South America through the integration of H2K Auditores e Consultores in Brazil. Based in Barueri, Sao Paulo, H2K Auditores e Consultores provides audit and consultancy services to small and medium-sized enterprises. "ETL Italia takes stake in Italian accounting practice" was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand. Alison O'Riordan A jury has listened to a 999 recording of a murder accused requesting an ambulance for his friend, who he said he had a fight with two days beforehand, but was no longer breathing and was cold to the touch. Tomas Cypas (35), with an address at Foxborough Road, Lucan, Co Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Juris Kokenbergs (49) at Old Bridge Park, Lucan, Co Dublin, on October 28th, 2024. The prosecution played the 999 call to the jury, which was made by Cypas to the Dublin Fire Brigade at 8:02am on the morning of October 28th, 2024. The call lasted eight minutes. In the audio recording, the jury heard Cypas tell the dispatcher that he needed an ambulance and gardai to come to Old Bridge Park in Lucan. When the dispatcher asked what had happened, Cypas said he was in his mother's house and that he [the accused] and his friend had a fight. "An argument and eh I woke up now to check on him and he's not breathing, he's cold, you know?" said the accused. Cypas said his friend was "not awake, his body is cold". The accused went on to say that his friend "was sleeping downstairs, he was okay, he was okay like all night because...". Asked whether there was a defibrillator available, the accused said he did not understand. Cypas said the man was 52 years old, a Latvian national and that he was his friend. The dispatcher asked Cypas how long ago the fight had been to which the accused replied: "That was from Saturday night but he was okay yesterday". The dispatcher told the accused he needed him to get right beside his friend and check if he was breathing. Cypas said his friend was on the ground, was not breathing and was "out cold". When asked to turn his friend on his back, Cypas said: "Sorry I can't do this. Sorry I can't". "Are you refusing to do CPR on him?" asked the dispatcher. The accused replied: "No, I'm not refusing, he's just I know he is not breathing.... I'm only in shock". The dispatcher told Cypas if he wanted to try to help his friend he was going to have to turn him on his back. Cypas said "I just, I can't. I can't even look at him". "I need you to pump the chest fast and hard at least twice per second and two inches deep," instructed the dispatcher. "It's not going to help, it's not helping no," replied the accused. The dispatcher said the ambulance crew would not be able to help his friend if the accused man did not do this. "He's even the smell off him you know," said Cypas. Cypas said: "I just can't, I'm sorry I can't, my head is spinning.....I can't he's just lying there". The accused repeated his head was spinning and that he was going to get sick. When asked if there was anyone else there who would try to perform CPR on the victim, Cypas said he was in the house with his mother, who was upstairs. "So there is no way that you're going to try to do CPR with him?" asked the dispatcher. "No, he's just, he's just so cold, just so cold," said Cypas. The dispatcher told the accused that an ambulance would be there as soon as possible and to unlock the front door. At the outset of the murder trial, the jurors were told they would hear evidence that Kokenbergs died after his head was stomped on and the panel will have to consider the accused's intent at the time. The 12 jurors were told by defence counsel Brendan Grehan that the accused Cypas admits hitting the deceased. The trial continues on Friday before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of eight men and four women. As part of a pilot project BreakingNews.ie has used AI to suggest headline options for this article. The final headline was chosen and edited by BreakingNews.ie journalists. Find out more Mayo Co Council Director of Services Tom Gilligan has flagged a change in regional designation that is set to impact EU funding for Mayo. At the February meeting of Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District, Mr Gilligan referred to recent reports that highlighted how border counties will lose out on EU funding after the European Commission upgraded the north-west of Ireland from 'transition region" to a more developed region. Mr Gilligan told members: You would have seen the article during the week and this story is very relevant to here. Border counties are to lose out to other poorer districts as the EU is upgrading this region from a transition area, and this will impact the new funding period from 2028-2034. What this means is that if a 100 million project gets EU funding, it will receive 40 million instead of the 60 million it would get under the current status, and the government will have to fund the gap. I think this is a very significant announcement and will have an impact in relation to Mayo and the border counties. Mayo Library has announced the launch of a new Radon Monitor Loan Scheme, enabling members of the public to borrow digital radon monitors to check radon levels in their homes. It is a Healthy Ireland at Your Library initiative, supported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to raise awareness of radon and promote proactive health measures. The initiative was launched at Castlebar Library this week by Mayo County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Sean Carey. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate indoors and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Ireland after smoking. Through the scheme, library users can borrow a digital radon monitor just like a book, gaining a snapshot of radon levels in their homes. While not a replacement for the recommended three-month test, the monitors offer a valuable first step in identifying potential radon issues. Were delighted to offer this important service to our community, said County Librarian Austin Vaughan. In Mayo Library were here to support people and the wider community in practical and meaningful ways. We already have Home Energy Kits and Reusable Party Sets available for lending, both of which are valuable environmental initiatives. Protecting peoples health by making the Radon Monitors available is an excellent and valuable addition. Director of Services with responsibility for libraries Joanne Grehan added: Libraries are important community hubs, and their services have expanded far beyond the traditional. This is an important health initiative being provided by Mayo County Council through our library service and we encourage people to avail of it. Its a simple step that could make a real difference to your health and wellbeing. The initiative has already seen success in Cork County, Wexford and Wicklow, and is now expanding to additional libraries and local authorities across the country. Cllr Carey stated: This scheme shows how libraries can play a vital role in supporting national health initiatives at a local level. Libraries offer a broad-spectrum of services that support people in our communities. This includes literacy, learning, health and wellbeing initiatives. Making radon monitors available to borrow is another way were helping people take informed steps to protect their health. Patrick Byrne, EPA Director, said: Radon is a serious health risk that causes about 350 cases of lung cancer every year. We are pleased to work with the libraries to make it easy for people to take that first step - borrow a monitor, use it at home for three weeks, and get an indication of radon levels in your home. Its a small action that can help protect you and your family. You can visit www.radon.ie to get further information on testing your home and reducing high levels to keep you and your family safe. SAN JOSE, California, Feb 26 (Reuters) - ASML Holding's next-generation chipmaking machine is ready for manufacturers to start bringing it into use for production at high volumes, a senior executive told Reuters, a big step for the chip industry. The Dutch company produces the world's only commercial extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) tools, which are a critical piece of equipment for chipmakers. This new tool will help chipmakers such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and Intel produce more powerful and efficient chips, by eliminating several costly and complex steps from the chip-manufacturing process, data from ASML shows. ASML plans to release this data, which represents a key milestone, at a technical conference in San Jose on Thursday, the company's chief technology officer, Marco Pieters, told Reuters on Wednesday. It has taken ASML years to develop the costly, next-generation tools as chipmakers have attempted to determine at what point it makes economic sense to begin to use them for mass production. But given that the current generation of EUV tools is approaching the technical limit of their ability to make complex AI chips, the next-generation machines - called High-NA EUV tools - are key for the AI industry to improve chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT and help chipmakers deliver their AI chip roadmaps on time to meet surging demand. The new tools cost roughly $400 million, twice the cost of the original EUV machines. The High-NA EUV tools now experience limited downtime, have produced 500,000 dinner-plate-sized silicon wafers and can draw sufficiently precise patterns that make up the circuits on the chip, the ASML data shows, Pieters said. In combination, the three data points indicate the tools are ready for manufacturers. "I think that it's at a critical point to look at the amount of learning cycles that have happened," he said, referring to the number of tests that have been conducted on the machines by customers. Despite their technical readiness, it will take two to three years for companies to conduct enough testing and development to integrate them into manufacturing. "(Chipmakers) have all the knowledge to qualify these tools," Pieters said. Pieters also said the company has achieved roughly 80% uptime at the moment and plans to achieve 90% by the end of the year. The imaging data ASML plans to release is enough to convince customers to replace multiple steps with the older-generation tools with a single High-NA step, Pieters said. The 500,000 wafers the machines have processed have allowed the company to work out many of the kinks. (Reporting by Max A. Cherney in San Francisco; Editing by Sayantani Ghosh and Matthew Lewis) You may never have heard of a fella called Arthur Zimmermann, but the hacking of a message belonging to him ranks in the top events of this past hundred years or so. It helped shape the fortunes of this country in profound ways. That hacked message was a telegram sent on January 17th, 1917. It was sent by Zimmermann, then a senior official in the German Foreign Ministry, to the Mexican government. The background was World War I, which by that stage had been going on for two and a half years. There was stalemate with the Western Front a series of trenches where men died in their thousands for a few metres either way. No one thought that the war could be won militarily. To try and break the stalemate, the British used their fleet to block supplies getting to Germany - a measure designed to starve them out. The Germans called the winter of 1916-17 the turnip winter, which will tell you about the effectiveness of the strategy. The Germans in their turn needed to break the flow of supplies to Britain but their fleet wasnt powerful enough to defeat the Royal Navy. They had tried and failed in the naval Battle of Jutland the previous year. So the only way to do it was by allowing German submarines to sink any vessel - military or civilian - which they saw was on course for Britain. Many of those vessels were American. To sink them would risk war with the United States. With their people getting hungry, the German high command decided that was a risk they needed to take. But should such a war start, to distract the Americans, and to give themselves time to win the war in Europe, they came up with a plan to delay them. That plan was contained in the message from Zimmermann. It was an offer to the Mexican government. It proposed that should the United States go to war with Germany, the Germans would offer Mexico an alliance and support it in a war to win back Texas, Arizona and New Mexico - territories which the United States had annexed from Mexico in their war of 1846-8. The German idea was that if the Mexicans attacked the United States, the Americans would have to fight and defeat the Mexicans first, delaying them from sending their forces to Europe. In that delay, the Germans would win in Europe. There were many problems with this plan, not least that the Mexicans were in the middle of a Civil War. But the most significant problem was that the message from Zimmermann was intercepted and decoded by British intelligence. It was then shown to the American President Woodrow Wilson on February 24th. Wilson read that Germany was proposing to help Mexico conquer large parts of the United States. You can imagine his response. He stewed over it all during that last week of February before publishing it on March 1st. The reaction in the United States led directly to their declaration of war on Germany in April that year. The rest, as they say, is history. But that history is important, because when the United States entered World War I, it ushered in the American century. The century in which the United States dominated world affairs. The century in which we in Europe lived in a security environment built around that reality. That was a big change. Prior to February 24th, 1917, the United States had broadly followed the advice of its first President, George Washington. In his last address as President, he had warned his country to stay out of foreign entanglements. He did not want the United States to get involved in the pattern of European wars of ever shifting alliances that characterised the Europe of that time. Most of the Presidents who followed him agreed with that approach. As a result, the United States stayed out of the Napoleonic wars from the end of the 18th century into the early 19th. The United States stayed out of the wars of German unification from the 1850s to 1870. The United States did not take sides at the start of World War I, even though its sympathies - and, vitally, most of its sales - were to the Allies. The United States fought wars during this period sure enough, but they didnt get involved in European alliances. They did most of their fighting on the American continent including during their Civil War, where they fought amongst themselves, and some imperial adventures elsewhere in the later part of the 19th century. This period of isolation from wider international events and especially European alliances ended with the interception and revelation of that telegram from Arthur Zimmermann. The proposal in that telegram might seem utterly crazy to our eyes now, but the tactic was much the same as led to German arms being sent to Ireland for the Rising. If the Mexicans had taken up the offer - they didnt - they would no doubt have mentioned the support of gallant allies in Europe in their proclamation of war. The net effect of the telegram was the complete opposite of the intention: Mexico did not attack the United States but the United States sure did attack Germany, and that support was vital to the Allies winning the war. The victory though led to a reaction. Many Americans came to resent their involvement in the war, feeling Europe was no business of theirs, and so the period from the end of World War I until the beginning of World War II saw the United States retreat even further from involvement in Europe. But that was a temporary halt. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour in 1941, Hitler made the fatal mistake of declaring war on the United States, and that changed the dial fully back. The Cold War - and fervent anti-communism - kept them in Europe this time. Even with the fall of the Berlin Wall, American involvement in European affairs did not pause from that point on until the election of Donald Trump - and arguably not until his second term. That involvement was threefold: political, military and economic. We of course dont talk about political and security matters except when we are making sermons. But this is not unconnected or abstract stuff for us. The economic involvement of the United States in Europe is how we transformed from a poor to an advanced society. The security and political connections is how that economic system is maintained. Now we face a big change again and a new reality. Will this new American approach to Europe become permanent, or will it prove to be temporary, like it was between the world wars? On that question, much depends, and nobody knows. You were right! The older man paused in the cold drizzle on a wet Ballina street and his face lit in recognition of me. He pointed to the rolled up Western People timidly poking out of a plastic bag, held tightly in his hand, and added: "He is no angel alright." The rain drove both of us on our separate ways, before I could form a pithy reply. Or indeed any sort of reply. But, I knew what he was referring to. Seamus Culletons five-month detention by ICE for overstaying his US visa has made the headlines in America and around the world after his heartfelt pleading on RTE radio. However, as I reported last week, there was just one problem for me: I dont believe Seamus. I knew about his outstanding drug charges in New Ross District Court, which I guessed was a good reason why he chose to be detained rather than deported when a judge ordered him back to Ireland where Culleton could have continued his Green Card application. So, I was suspicious of his choice considering everyone knew of the horror stories relating to ICE detention facilities. Thus, I had serious scepticism over the elevating of the Kilkenny mans case as a cause celebre against Donald Trumps administration and ICE. I didnt know that he had apparently abandoned his former partner Maggie Morrissey in Ireland and their two young daughters, Melissa and Heather, never paying a penny in child support in all of their nearly 19 years. According to Heather: He was making himself out to be a saint, like hes done nothing wrong, like he knows that there are warrants here for his arrest and that was going to come out. The sisters were also angry over a GoFundMe campaign that has raised nearly $30,000 for Culletons legal fees, with Melissa calling it nearly child maintenance money. The new revelations were picked up by the New York Post and Daily Mail, even as Irish politicians have jumped on the bandwagon to complain to the White House about Culletons case. Irish groups in America are still advocating for a glimmer of hope for his release. The penny drops slowly. As I previously wrote, when your exemplars are exposed, they do not merely damage one case - they weaken every legitimate claim that follow and make the truth easier to dismiss. It is thus no coincidence that right-wing publications are gleefully reporting on Culletons true character. In their rush to advocate, RTE and the Irish media failed the public and in turn have failed the thousands of people detained in and deported from America to countries much poorer, much less safe and much less familiar than Ireland - people of darker skin, who are unable to ring up RTEs Liveline programme and chat with obliging host Kieran Cuddihy. As Jonathan Swift wrote in 1710: Falsehood flies, and truth comes limping after it, so that when men come to be undeceived, it is too late; the jest is over, and the tale hath had its effect." Never more true in the deeply integrated world we live in, when partisan media gladly seize on other headlines which suit their narratives. But I can also be wrong. Two weeks ago, I wrote about the rush to performative judgement by Queens University and the US-Ireland Alliance to strip George Mitchell of his honours and effectively eliminate their associations with him, despite his tremendous work in negotiating the Northern Ireland Peace Process - all because his name appeared in the Epstein files (but never in direct incriminating correspondence). You are wrong! Stephanie Ramage is a veteran investigative reporter who is shocked at the oddly incurious Irish press over their lack of due diligence on Mitchells case. I was contacted by the Atlanta-based journalist who warned me there was evidence I had not seen about Mitchell. She sent me a copy of an eight-page (redacted) FBI record of a claim by a woman alleging she had sex with George Mitchell at the behest of Jeffrey Epstein. You can see it for yourself on the official United States Department of Justice website: www.justice.gov/epstein. Search for file reference EFTA01248273. As Ramage pointed out: It took me less than 20 minutes to find the FBIs deposition of a woman who said she was pimped to former US Senate majority leader George Mitchell by sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. So, she asks, why are the Irish media so deaf to this document? According to former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, 'I don't see what George Mitchell is being accused of, it's not clear to me. While, the most that newspapers report is of references to Mr Mitchell in the latest Epstein files and mention of apparent attempts to arrange a meeting with the former US senator in 2013. RTE claims that the latest Epstein files released on Friday includes emails which appear to suggest that attempts were made by Epstein to organise meetings between the two men - in 2010 and 2013, but no mention of file EFTA01248273. Obviously, Mitchell is innocent in law, irrespective of the contents of this FBI interview summary dated December 2, 2020, regarding an interview conducted on August 21, 2020 (the same day that Mitchell was reportedly starting treatment for leukaemia). It contains unverified allegations which the FBI deemed not fit for prosecution. Yet, the document (which, incidentally, is not a deposition) clearly contains details which directly contradict Mitchells denials of any knowledge of Epsteins criminal activities. In fact, they could not be less contradictory. So Ramage took me to task for repeating the reports that give credence and currency to the lie that it is 'unclear' what Mitchell is accused of. Which is fair enough. I did. I could have checked the public access Epstein files by typing in George Mitchells name. There are 295 results. So, Im pretty certain I would not have found that record. Im also not an investigative reporter, I relied on paid journalists to do the analysis for me. Irrespective of the validity or otherwise of this controversial document, Irish reporters should have mentioned its existence and explained why it was not relevant to the discussion around Mitchell. And thus we are back to the Irish medias rush to advocate, more than investigate the facts. And that is true whether Im right or wrong. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Reading, PA (19601) Today Becoming partly sunny and milder by the afternoon with highs into the low to mid 60s; a dry day outside of maybe an early morning lingering shower, mainly south and east. It will also be a little breezy with winds gusting to 25mph in the afternoon.. Tonight Turning out mainly clear. By Echo Wang and Kane Wu NEW YORK/HONG KONG, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Investment firm General Atlantic is selling an equity stake in ByteDance in a deal that values the Chinese social media giant at $550 billion, two people with knowledge of the matter said, marking a dramatic rise in the privately held shares. The potential stake divestment will be the first since the Trump administration cleared the sale of the U.S. interests of ByteDance's TikTok unit in January, and marks a 66% jump in value since a share buyback last year priced the company at more than $330 billion. It also represents a 15% jump from a secondary market deal, which refers to the sale of shares in unlisted companies by existing shareholders to another investor, in November last year that valued ByteDance at $480 billion, according to sources last month. General Atlantic, which first invested in ByteDance in 2017 when the company was valued at about $20 billion, started the process to sell some of its shares in recent weeks and hopes to close the sale in March, said one of the sources. Details of the financial terms of the stake sale, General Atlantic's shareholding in ByteDance, and how much the New York-based investment firm will own in the social media company after the transaction were not immediately known. The planned transaction underscores a sharp and sustained rise in the private market valuation of ByteDance, and bolsters the prospects for its other investors who are expected to enjoy a windfall when the company eventually makes its public market debut. The sources declined to be named as they were not authorised to speak to the media. ByteDance did not respond to a Reuters request for comment, while General Atlantic declined to comment on the proposed share sale. OPAQUE MARKET VALUE Valuations of an unlisted company can vary widely in secondary market transactions, but any such new trade is seen as a test of investor appetite for the company's shares. ByteDance's market value is opaque since the shares are privately held, and deal terms for the secondary market trades are not publicly disclosed. Internally, General Atlantic has valued its ByteDance holding at $550 billion, and it is sensible for them to expect no less in their planned secondary trade, said the second source with knowledge of the matter. The proposed sale follows ByteDance's deal to make TikTok's U.S. operations majority U.S.-owned and resolve uncertainties that have plagued both companies since U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to ban the app over national security concerns. EVs are driving global demand for lithium (Sameer Al-DOUMY) Sameer Al-DOUMY/AFP/AFP Zimbabwe's ban on raw lithium exports is forcing Chinese miners to rethink their strategy, speeding up plans to process the metal locally instead of shipping it to China's vast rechargeable battery industry. The country is Africa's largest lithium producer and has one of the world's largest reserves, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). Zimbabwe already banned the export of lithium ore in 2022 and in 2025 announced it would halt exports of lithium concentrates from January 2027. But on Wednesday it imposed the ban with immediate effect, leaving unclear what the lithium mining sector will do in the short term as Zimbabwe currently has no facilities to process lithium concentrates. The move, which also included a blanket ban on export of all raw minerals, aims to capture the added value of refining and processing, thus creating jobs and additional government tax revenue. But critics say the push to refine should have come sooner, with Zimbabwe already having lost out on several years of revenues for the hard-pressed local economy. Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe, owned by Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, has spent $400 million on a processing plant that should be operational in the coming weeks, its representative Patience Chizodza told state broadcaster ZBC. It will reportedly be the first factory in Africa to refine lithium concentrate into lithium sulfate -- a powdered form that is one step closer to the product used in batteries. The facility should be capable of handling 400,000 tonnes a year of concentrate. The Zimbabwe state-owned Mutapa Energy Minerals is set to start work in the coming months on a similar plant, chief executive officer Innocent Rukweza told reporters earlier this month. "We expect that by mid-year -- around June at the latest -- construction of a concentrate-processing plant will be under way," Rukweza said. The $270-million facility funded by Chinese firms would be able to process 600,000 tonnes annually, he said. - 'Too little, too late' - Bikita Minerals, Zimbabwe's largest lithium mine and owned by Sinomine Resources Group, is working on feasibility studies for the construction of a lithium sulphate plant in December, spokesperson Tinomuda Chakanyuka said. "The project, which will be developed in phases, represents an estimated investment of approximately $500 million from shareholders," Chakanyuka told AFP. He said the facility will increase local capacity to separate minerals and "contribute to Zimbabwe's broader industrialisation and export diversification objectives." Wits innovation moves from ideas to impact A group of tech transfer officers from Africa visited Wits to learn more about how the Universty enables, manages and commercialises Intellectual Property. Technology Transfer Officers (TTOs) play a critical role within universities by connecting research with external stakeholders and managing institutional innovations and Intellectual Property (IP). Wits University, as the top-ranked institution in the region for innovation performance, prides itself as a leader in this field. A delegation of technology transfer officers from across Africa visited Wits on the 4th of February to learn about how the University enables, manages and commercialises its Intellectual Property. The event was facilitated by the Royal Academy of Engineering and the British High Commission to South Africa. They were hosted by a team from the Wits Innovation Centre (WIC), its Innovation Support team, the Research Office and Wits Commercial Enterprise. Professor Brett Bowman, Senior Director for Research at Wits, noted that such engagements demonstrate the shared commitment of Wits and universities across the continent to strengthening innovation efforts that deliver realworld solutions. Technology transfer in this context is not simply about commercialisation in the narrow sense, but about building pathways from ideas to impact, he said. Angus Baker, Principal Consultant for Commercialisation at the Royal Academy of Engineering, explains that this visit is part of the Academys larger programme to equip tech transfer professionals from around the Continent. As part of this, delegates have visited universities in the United Kingdom and across South Africa. Wits seems to have a similar model as in the U.K., Baker says. Its impressive to see, and the team are doing very well, being ranked first for innovation performance. Its great to see that youve come a long way so quickly. He highlights that the Wits Innovation Support team take steps towards sunsetting patents that aren't being taken up. This is something that universities don't necessarily think about, that patent costs quickly mount up, so this is a proactive approach, saving time and money." For me, it's been mind-blowing, said Loice Alusala, the Science and Technology Network Officer at the British High Commission in Pretoria. It's been really nice to see how the process works at Wits with the structure of the different entities and how they intersect, and I think that's been very valuable for the team. Andrew HopeJones, Chief Executive Officer of Wits Commercial Enterprise, highlighted the complex role technology transfer offices play in aligning diverse stakeholder interests. It's to look at the needs of industry, government, and funders to understand what they are trying to solve and to be a sort of matchmaker to find the experts within the university to provide solutions. Hope-Jones explains that Wits supports this process from the beginning of an idea through to commercialisation and beyond, which includes facilitating the launch of successful spin-out companies. Letlotlo Phohole, Director of the Wits Innovation Centre, explained that Wits takes a deliberately holistic approach to innovation. Innovation is often associated with only a few faculties, such as Engineering or Science, he said. At Wits, we wanted an approach that is broader and inclusive of the entire institution. This approach is reflected in the Wits Strategic Plan for Innovation (20222026), which was developed through multidisciplinary engagement to establish a shared institutional vision and break down traditional silos. The Wits Innovation Pathway enables a connected innovation ecosystem that brings together multiple units, platforms, and incubators. Another distinctive feature of Wits technology transfer approach is its Innovation Readiness Levels (IRLs). This framework assesses the readiness of innovations across five dimensions: technology, manufacturing and production, market readiness, investment readiness, and intellectual property. Phohole explains that the IRLs allow for a shared understanding when it seems that academics and industry professionals are speaking different languages. We needed a structured way to gather metrics of readiness beyond publications and patents, he says. Tebogo Machethe, Head of Innovation Support at Wits, emphasised the importance of structured and intentional support for innovators across these dimensions. In addition, the delegation undertook a site visit to the Wits Innovation Centres Innovation Systems Lab, led by Moses Mogotlane. During this visit, delegates were able to see, in practice, how early-stage ideas are translated into prototypes and products, using systems thinking and design thinking approaches to deliver valued, real-world solutions. The delegation thereafter visited Professor Willie Cronje, a key figure in the development of PeCo Power, who emphasised that this success demonstrates the capability of African-developed solutions to compete on a global stage. PeCo Power aims to enable communities to bypass traditional infrastructure constraints, allowing access to safe, affordable, and reliable electricity. Dr Muhammed Aswat, Chief Technology Officer of the spin-out company, showcased the technical operations and manufacturing processes underpinning the technology. The visit once again highlighted how Wits leverages its innovation ecosystem to prioritise effective technology transfer and intellectual property protection. We do not innovate for the sake of innovation alone, Phohole said. Our focus is not on collecting papers and patents, but on delivering real societal benefit. Impact is central to everything we do. Workers without employer retirement plans could soon get help building their savings. During his State of the Union address, President Donald Trump announced a proposal to offer a federal-style retirement account with a government match of up to $1,000 per year. Half of all of working Americans still do not have access to a retirement plan with matching contributions from an employer, Trump said. To remedy this gross disparity, Im announcing that next year my administration will give these oft-forgotten American workers access to the same type of retirement plan offered to every federal worker. We will match your contribution with up to $1,000 each year. For workers who save on their own, that match could mean extra money annually toward retirement. Who Could Qualify The proposal targets workers whose employers do not offer retirement plans. That group could include freelancers, gig workers, part-time employees and small-business workers. About 56 million workers lack access to employer-sponsored retirement plans, according to The Pew Charitable Trusts. Without payroll deductions or employer matches, many workers struggle to save consistently. Pew research shows workers are more likely to save when contributions happen automatically through their paychecks. Read More: Elon Musk Says You Dont Need To Worry About Saving for Retirement Check Out: How Middle-Class Earners Are Quietly Becoming Millionaires and How You Can, Too How the Match Could Work Full program details have not been released. Trump said the government would match contributions up to $1,000 each year. Axios reported that the White House said the proposal would expand on the SECURE 2.0 Act, which created a federal savers match program scheduled to begin in 2027. If the program follows common matching structures, savers would need to contribute their own money to receive the full match. How Much It Could Add to Your Retirement A $1,000 annual match could make a meaningful difference over time. Twenty years of full matches would equal $20,000 in government contributions alone. With investment growth, that amount could grow significantly and help boost a workers retirement nest egg. Even modest matches can encourage participation. What To Watch Key details remain unclear, including eligibility rules and rollout timing. If implemented, the plan could give millions of workers a simpler way to start saving and build long-term financial security. Editors note on political coverage: GOBankingRates is nonpartisan and strives to cover all aspects of the economy objectively and present balanced reports on politically focused finance stories. You can find more coverage of this topic on GOBankingRates.com. We recently published 12 Stocks on Jim Cramers Radar. Figma, Inc. (NYSE:FIG) is one of the stocks on Jim Cramer's radar. Figma, Inc. (NYSE:FIG) is a technology company that provides a web-based platform to allow users to design and build websites, applications, and other digital experiences. RBC Capital discussed the firm on February 19th. It cut Figma, Inc. (NYSE:FIG)s share price target to $31 from $38 and kept a Sector Perform rating. The firm remarked that while the technology company had posted solid fourth-quarter earnings, it was waiting for a more attractive entry point since the current valuation adequately represented Figma, Inc. (NYSE:FIG)s strengths in the industry. Morgan Stanley also cut the price target on the 19th. It reduced the target to $44 from $48 and kept an Equal Weight rating. The bank remarked that while Figma, Inc. (NYSE:FIG)s revenue growth was impressive, it was marred by the impact of operating margins on free cash flow. As for Cramer, he recalled when he had warned against buying the shares: Figma (FIG) Doesn't Have The Moat That It Thinks, Says Jim Cramer Jacob Lund/Shutterstock.com I did get a little enthusiastic, stock was around 120 went up another 20 bucks, now down 90% from when I made that call. . .I think that Figna is a company that does not have nearly the moat that they think. . .Any company that, they claim to be a platform that allows you be a genius, you can, just put it this way, theres so many of these. Theres nothing special about Figma. I like them but when it was a 140, no, and the stock was up two this morning, I read the conference call I said, this should go down, theres nothing here. And, it had a reversal. And I just, you can go on, you can go on, any one of these sites and do what they want. I go on Claude and you can develop a terrific package. . . While we acknowledge the potential of FIG 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. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. Laman Ismayilova Azerbaijan National Art Museum has hosted a lecture titled "The Khojaly Genocide in Visual Arts" in commemoration of the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy, AzerNEWS reports. The event opened with the performance of the national anthem, followed by a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Azerbaijan's freedom and territorial integrity. The lecture, presented by Asad Guliyev, Head of the Museum's Exhibition and Design Department and an art historian, focused on how the Khojaly genocide has been represented in Azerbaijani visual art. He discussed the various artistic approaches to the subject, stressing the significance of the museum's extensive collection of paintings and graphic works, which serve as a vivid artistic chronicle of this historical tragedy. Behram Sheydayev, a retired colonel and head of the Yasamal district branch of the Public Union of Disabled Veterans and Families of Martyrs of the Karabakh War, emphasized the importance of promoting the truth about Khojaly. He noted that preserving the memory of the victims is a moral duty for every citizen. The lecture was well-received by attendees, who particularly appreciated how depictions of the Khojaly genocide in visual arts play a crucial role in shaping collective historical memory. The tragic events unfolded on February 25-26, 1992, when Armenian armed forces, with direct support from the 366th regiment of the former USSR stationed in Khankandi in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, launched a brutal attack on Khojaly from multiple directions. The result was devastating, with approximately 613 civilians, predominantly women and children, losing their lives in the massacre. Around 1,000 individuals were left disabled, eight families were completely wiped out, 25 children were orphaned, and 130 children lost at least one parent. Some 1,275 innocent people were taken captive, and the whereabouts of 150 individuals remain unknown to this day. Management is nearing the conclusion of a comprehensive strategic alternatives review conducted amidst a difficult logistics environment and broader economic backdrop. The company unified U.S. domestic operations under the 'One Ground Network,' integrating line haul, pickup and delivery, and brokerage into a single, channel-agnostic operating structure. Performance in the Expedited Freight segment was driven by corrective pricing actions and the removal of unprofitable freight, resulting in a 110 basis point EBITDA margin improvement for the full year. The Omni Logistics segment achieved record revenue and EBITDA margins in Q4 2025, benefiting from a rebuilt commercial organization and a focus on high-value 'synergy selling' across product lines. Management attributed the $40 million year-over-year improvement in adjusted EBITDA to rigorous cost control and the realization of synergy savings as historical pro forma items rolled off. The Latin America regional structure was expanded to five countries, anchored by a Miami gateway to connect regional markets to global networks with enhanced security and reliability. On the evening of February 24, the state of Florida continued its aggressive use of the death penalty, executing 65-year-old Melvin Trotter at Florida State Prison near Starke. Trotter, who had spent nearly four decades on death row, was pronounced dead at 6:15 p.m. following the administration of a three-drug lethal injection cocktail. Witnesses observed Trotter breathing heavily and twitching for approximately a minute after the drugs began to flow, his movements slowing before a medic confirmed his death. He declined to make a final statement. Trotters execution stems from the June 16, 1986, murder of 70-year-old Virgie Langford, a long-time grocery store owner in Palmetto who was on the verge of retirement. During a robbery in which Trotter stole approximately $100 and food stamps to fuel his cocaine addiction, he stabbed Langford seven times with her own butcher knife. Langford survived long enough to identify her attacker, noting he wore a Melvin name badge from Tropicana, before she died of cardiac arrest during surgery. Melvin Trotter Trotters legal team long argued for mercy based on his intellectual disabilities and the fact that he was high on crack at the time of the crime and came to the store unarmed, demonstrating he lacked the capacity for premeditation. His attorneys argued that his significant intellectual disabilities should have barred his execution under the Eighth Amendment, citing early school records, low IQ tests placing him on the border of clinical intellectual disability per Florida law, special education placement, and family testimony about his lifelong struggles with reading, financial management and independent decision-making. They highlighted evaluations from mental health experts during his competency proceedings, who described Trotter as a slow learner with impaired common sense, poor planning ability, distorted sense of reality, and reduced inhibitionexacerbated by chronic cocaine use tied to his traumatic childhood. However, the Florida Supreme Court repeatedly dismissed these findings, favoring later evaluations that suggested higher cognitive functioning. Trotters journey through the legal system was marked by a 1993 resentencing after the states high court found errors in how the trial court handled aggravating factors in his original 1987 death sentence. A barbaric and broken system Trotters execution took place against a backdrop of deep judicial and humanitarian concern. The US Supreme Court cleared the way for his execution by denying his application for a stay, but Justice Sonia Sotomayor said she was deeply troubled by the states record on lethal injections. She said death row inmates have not been able to prove their suspicions that the state is using expired drugs and engaging in other questionable practices because the Florida Supreme Court hasnt allowed the inmates access to documents that could back up their claims. By continuing to shroud its executions in secrecy, Florida undermines both the integrity of its own execution process and, potentially, this Courts ability to ensure the States compliance with its constitutional obligations, she wrote. In a filing just days before Trotters death, his attorneys alleged that Florida appeared to have used expired drugs in seven executions during 2025. Sotomayor noted that the state has provided no assurances against the future use of expired substances and highlighted a Catch-22 where inmates are denied the very records needed to prove the state is violating constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment. This secrecy is part of a broader history of executions in Florida gone horribly wrong. The states executions by the Old Sparky electric chair came under scrutiny in March 1997 when foot-long flames erupted from the head of Pedro Medina as he was being put to death. Another condemned inmate, Allen Davis, suffered visible agony during his electrocution in July 1999, when blood gushed from his mouth and chest and it took several minutes for him to die. In December 2006, the lethal injection of Angel Diaz was also horrifically botched when the prisoner squinted, grimaced and tried to mouth words after the first injection, a sedative, was administered. An autopsy revealed that the chemical had been injected into soft tissue, rather than a vein, rendering the drugs sedating mechanism ineffective before the second and third deadly chemicals were injected. DeSantis and the expansion of state killing Under Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida has seen an unprecedented surge in executions. In 2025, Florida led the nation by putting 19 inmates to deaththe highest single-year total for the state since the death penalty was reinstated by the US Supreme Court in 1976. DeSantis maintains complete control over signing death warrants and setting execution dates, a process that allows the governor to champion his reactionary, pro-death penalty agenda and gain favor with the Trump administration. Florida recently enacted laws that further erode the rights of the condemned. In 2023, the state lowered the jury threshold for death sentences from a unanimous vote to an 8-4 recommendation. This move contradicts the Supreme Courts 2016 Hurst v. Florida ruling, which had temporarily required jury unanimity after the Court struck down Floridas prior sentencing statute. Florida also expanded death-eligible crimes to include non-homicidal offenses, a direct challenge to the 2008 high court ruling in Kennedy v. Louisiana. The relentless pace of executions in Florida is particularly alarming given the states record of error. Florida leads the nation in death row exonerations, with 30 individuals cleared of wrongful convictions since 1973. Cases like that of Tommy Zeigler, who has spent 49 years on death row despite recent DNA testing supporting his innocence, serve as a stark reminder of the systems fallibility. Tommy Zeiglers evidentiary hearings concluded in December 2025 before Circuit Court in Orange County, Florida, where his defense presented new DNA evidence, bloodstain analysis, forensic testimony and a recanted witness to argue for a new trial in the 1975 quadruple murder case. The 2026 execution calendar Melvin Trotter was the fourth person executed in the US in 2026 and the second in Florida, following the February 10 execution of Ronald Palmer Heath, who was sentenced to death by a nonunanimous jury vote. The machinery of death grinds on, with 12 executions scheduled so far across the country for the remainder of 2026, according to the Death Penalty Information Center: Florida (2) March 3: Billy Leon Kearse March 17: Michael Lee King March 3: Billy Leon Kearse March 17: Michael Lee King Texas (4) March 11: Cedric Ricks April 30: James Broadnax May 14: Edward Busby November 12: John Rubio March 11: Cedric Ricks April 30: James Broadnax May 14: Edward Busby November 12: John Rubio Alabama (1) March 12: Charles Burton March 12: Charles Burton Arizona (1) May 20: Leroy McGill May 20: Leroy McGill Tennessee (4) May 21: Tony Carruthers August 13: Anthony Darrell Dugard Hines September 30: Christa Pike December 3: Gary Wayne Sutton In a Texas case closely watched by death penalty opponents, Robert Roberson remains on Texas death row after his October 16 execution date was stayed by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Roberson was convicted in 2003 of capital murder in the 2002 death of his 2-year-old foster daughter Nikki, based on now-discredited Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) testimony by medical experts. New scientific evidence shows Nikki died from pneumonia and sepsis, not abuse at Robersons hand. Fijis former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and ex-police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court on February 20, charged with inciting mutiny. The two men were arrested the previous day and spent the night in prison. A judge granted them bail under strict conditions, including an order preventing them from leaving the country. The prosecution has requested time to provide full disclosures to the defence, and the matter was adjourned until March 5. Fijis ex-police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho and former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama [Photo by US Embassy Suva, James Dowson (CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5)] Bainimarama and Qiliho are charged with urging senior officers of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), during discussions in 2023, to seize control of the military leadership by removing the top commander Major General Jone Kalouniwai. The charges arise from a reported meeting and kava-fuelled drinking session at Bainimaramas Suva residence with high-ranking officers. Bainimarama also faces a second charge relating to text messages he allegedly sent between January and July 2023 to Brigadier General Manoa Gadai, urging him to take over command of the RFMF at the armys first major parade of 2023. The arrests are the latest stage in a protracted crisis of bourgeois rule in Fiji, with a population of 930,000, as well as the wider Pacific, rooted in decades of coups, imperialist pressure and intensifying class tensions. Soaring living costs and a severe social crisisincluding a sweeping HIV epidemic and one in three children living in povertyhave impelled a growing number of strikes and nervousness in ruling circles about how to deal with the working class. Shortly before Bainimaramas arrest, the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Agni Deo Singh banned a strike by Energy Fiji Limited workers scheduled for February 15, saying it would likely jeopardise the livelihood of the nation, public safety and economic stability. The spectre of a coup has hung over the present government for the past three years. In January 2023, a month after elections produced a fragile new Fiji government, Kalouniwai openly warned incoming Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka not to proceed too quickly with sweeping changes. The election resulted in a hung parliament and the defeat of Bainimarama, who had ruled the island country since his 2006 military coup. Rabukaa leader of two military coups in 1987 and prime minister from 1992-1999took office as head of a three-party coalition. It included his Peoples Alliance Party (PAP), the National Federation Party (NFP) and the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA). The hung parliament and coalition government was the product of a sham election between two parties led by former military strongmen, carried out under conditions of tight media censorship, heavy political restrictions and accusations of government intimidation. Indicating growing popular alienation from the political set-up, out of 692,000 registered voters the turnout was just 68.28 percent, down from 71.92 percent at the 2018 election. While Kalouniwai promised during the election that he would respect the process and outcome, his statement was a blunt assertion that the RFMF was still in charge. His implicit threat rested on Section 131 of Bainimaramas 2013 Constitution, which gives the RFMF commander unrestrained powers to ensure the safety and security of the country. Kalouniwais statement provoked widespread alarm, raising fears of yet another coup. Rabuka immediately reinstated the Great Council of Chiefs which had been disbanded by Bainimarama, who accused it of promoting ethnic divisions. The ethnic Fijian nationalist wing of the ruling class, which Rabuka represents, seeks to maintain political and economic privileges for the traditional chiefs and was bitterly opposed to aspects of Bainimaramas rule, particularly his policies on land use, which weakened the control of indigenous elites over land development and leases. At the opening of the new parliament, Bainimarama was suspended by a vote of MPs for three years for sedition and insulting the president. In a belligerent speech, he criticised President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere for supporting the new government, saying he had failed the Fijian people. He will go down in history as the person who aided and abetted the most incompetent and divisive government, Bainimarama declared. After grudgingly conceding the election defeat, Bainimarama insisted that his successors remained bound by the 2013 constitution, particularly Section 131. He provocatively refused to move out of his official residence and called on his supporters in state offices, including former coup plotter Qiliho, to reject the new governments call for their resignations. While evidence is yet to be presented in court, it is entirely feasible that Bainimarama and Qiliho, frustrated by Kalouniwais failure to move against Rabuka, engaged in plots to have him removed. The RFMF top brass, with its own competing factions, regards itself as the ultimate guardian and arbiter of the stateand it is an institution that continually produces coup leaders and normalises the use of force in politics and society. Bainimarama ruled Fiji through blunt military force after his 2006 coup, and later as an elected prime minister and leader of his own FijiFirst Party. Repressive laws were passed, emergency powers enacted, rallies and strikes by workers outlawed and tight media controls introduced to muzzle opposition and intimidate critics. Abuses of office were regular methods of Bainimaramas authoritarian regime. In 2024, he spent six months in prison for perverting the course of justice by interfering in a 2020 police investigation into alleged financial mismanagement at the University of the South Pacific. In 2025, Bainimarama received a 12-month suspended sentence after being convicted of making an unwarranted demand with menace when, as prime minister, he pressured the then acting police commissioner to sack two officers. Opposition leader Inia Seruiratu from the rebranded FijiFirst party, now called People First, said the timing of the fresh arrest suggested it was politically motivated. With elections due later this year, Rabukas opponents, including Bainimarama and his former minister for everything, ex-Attorney General and Finance Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, are a big threat to the current government, Seruiratu claimed. They still have support, they still have sympathisers, he declared. Rabuka is no less authoritarian than Bainimarama. The renewed legal offensive against Bainimarama is an expression of intensifying factional struggles amid the growing social crisis. Both factions defend Fijian and international capital while using constitutional and legal mechanisms as weapons in internecine power struggles. The ruling class as a whole fears social unrest and is preparing the legal and coercive tools to suppress it. The methods used against Bainimaramas supporters within the ruling elite will inevitably be used with greater force against workers and youth. While Rabuka has postured as cleaning up the state and asserting the rule of law, his government presides over deepening inequality, low wages, the erosion of public services and a disintegrating health system, aggravated by the economic impact of the US Trump administrations tariffs and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Four decades of coups, authoritarian rule and constitutional manoeuvres have failed to provide stability or improvements for the working class and rural poor. The current government is collaborating in the US-led wars in the Middle East and Europe and mounting US confrontation against China. As the second largest island country in the Pacific behind Papua New Guinea, Fiji is of strategic importance. Bainimarama operated as an open ally of US imperialism, supporting the NATO-backed war in Ukraine against Russia and signing military agreements with Australia and New Zealand. This pro-US agenda is being further advanced by Rabuka, exemplified by his cementing relations with the Israeli Zionist regime and its genocide in Gaza, including the recent opening of an embassy in Jerusalem. Last week, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said that Israels attacks and forcible transfers of Palestinians raise concerns over ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The report examined the period of November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2025, shortly after the US-brokered Sharm el-Sheikh hostage-ceasefire deal that was supposed to end Israels bombardment of the enclave. Its findings are based on information from government sources, the United Nations and NGOs, as Israel has long denied visas for OHCHR international staff or full access to Israel and the Occupied Territories. Thaer Harb looking over what is left of his property after Israeli authorities demolished his home and five other structures in Khallet Al Farra area of As Samu for lacking Israeli-issued building permits in Area C of the southern West Bank [Photo: UN OCHA / Humanitarian Situation Update #348, 10 December 2025] Its evidence and conclusions are echoed in numerous other reports by UN agencies, Special Rapporteurs and international human rights organisations, including Israels BTselem. The UN human rights office said the cumulative impact of Israels military conduct during its war against the Palestinians in Gaza, along with its blockade of the territory, had inflicted living conditions increasingly incompatible with Palestinians continued existence as a group in Gaza. It condemned the continued killing and maiming of unprecedented numbers of civilians, the spread of famine and the destruction of the remaining civilian infrastructure that have resulted in the displacement of virtually the entire population of Gaza, often multiple times. Its destruction of residential buildings and civilian infrastructure, including attacks on makeshift tents, raised serious concerns about the intentional targeting of civilians. Intensified attacks, the methodical destruction of entire neighbourhoods and the denial of humanitarian assistance appeared to aim at a permanent demographic shift in Gaza, the office said. This, together with forcible transfers, which appear to aim at a permanent displacement, raise concerns over ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank, it continued. During the 12 months covered in the report, at least 25,594 Palestinians were killed and another 68,837 injured in Gaza, bringing the total to 68,858 killed and 170,664 injured since 7 October 2023, most of whom were women and children, which the report notes is equivalent to an entire classroom of children killed every day for two years. This number did not include those still buried under the rubble or the countless more who had died as a result of human-made humanitarian catastrophe. At least 463 Palestinians, including 157 children, had starved to death in Gaza. The report heavily criticized the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the militarised operation distributing aid in Gaza. It said, Palestinians faced the inhumane choice of either starving to death or risking being killed while trying to get food. The UN charged, The situation of famine and malnutrition was the direct result of actions taken by the Israeli government, with the deaths and suffering from hunger foreseeable and repeatedly foretold. It pointed out that Israels conduct indicates recurrent violations of international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law and the commission of crimes under international law. It raised serious concerns about the compliance of the International Court of Justices binding orders in its ruling in January 2024 that Israel might plausibly be committing genocide and its obligations under the Genocide Convention. The report said that Israel was committing multiple crimes under international law in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, including the systematic and unlawful use of force, widespread arbitrary arrests, abuse, and extensive unlawful demolitions of Palestinian homes to systematically discriminate, oppress, control and dominate the Palestinian people. These violations were altering the character, status and demographic composition of the occupied West Bank, raising serious concerns of ethnic cleansing. More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces, supposedly rooting out terrorists, and settlers in the West Bank since the war on Gaza started. In contrast, 65 civilians and Israeli security personnel have been killed in attacks in Israel and the West Bank, with another eight soldiers killed in clashes during raids in Palestinian cities in the West Bank. The brutality of the occupation was highlighted this week by the release of a video showing 14 IDF sodliers preventing assistance from reaching 14-year-old Jad Jadallah, who they had shot at close range in a West Bank refugee camp. He died of his wounds. The soldiers placed a stone near the boys hand as justification for their use of lethal force. Settler extremists have carried out a wave of attacks on Palestinians and their property across the West Bank. While the IDF had recorded 867 incidents of nationalistic crime and settler violence in 2025, up from 682 incidents in 2024, this was less than half the 1,828 recorded by the UN. Very few of these incidents led to arrests or indictments. The UHCHR report that Israeli forces routinely carried out torture and abuse of security prisoners, including the use of sexual and gender-based violence, repeated beatings, waterboarding, stress positions, starvation and medical negligence. It documented a brutal gang-rape by the Israeli Prison Service of a Palestinian prisoner, a Palestinian journalist, in the West Bank and said there was a pervasive climate of impunity for serious violations of international law by Israel in the Palestinian territories. The report concluded that, taken together, Israeli practices indicated a concerted and accelerating effort to consolidate annexation of large parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and to deny Palestinians right to self-determination. This is all part of a declared policy. Farright Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrichwho controls the West Banks civil administrationhas pledged to promote the emigration of Palestinians. He and other cabinet ministers have repeatedly stated that their policies are designed to achieve de facto annexation: transferring full civilian control of large parts of the West Bank to Israel. Smotrichs project is explicita massive land grab intended to bring a million Israeli settlers into the West Bank and eliminate the threat of a Palestinian state. Settlers attend an inauguration ceremony for a newly-legalized Jewish settlement, Yatziv, adjacent to the Palestinian town of Beit Sahour, in the West Bank, January 19, 2026 [AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg] In recent weeks, Israel has announced its intention to expel Palestinians from their land and convert territory occupied since 1967never officially annexedinto state land belonging to Israel. Ethnic cleansing in Area C, the largest zone of the West Bank placed under exclusive Israeli military control by the Oslo Accords, is accelerating. Dozens of new Israeli outposts have been erected, and hundreds of Palestinians have been expelled from their land in the past month alone. This takes place as the number of Palestinians in Israel/Palestine now substantially exceeds the number of Jews living in Israel. None of this prevented Israel from denouncing the OHCHR, dismissing its report as lacking all credibility and accusing the Office of engaging in a vicious campaign of demonization and disinformation against the State of Israel. The report has been almost entirely ignored by mainstream media. Meanwhile, the same European governments that recognised the state of Palestine and never miss an opportunity to condemn Russian President Vladimir Putins violations of international humanitarian law have remained silent. Instead, figures such as French Foreign Minister JeanNoel Barrot, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, and the Zionist lobby seized on a manipulated video circulated by UN Watcha Genevabased group notorious for attacking UN scrutiny of Israels human rights violationsto smear UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese. They accused her of antisemitism and disinformation to discredit her and force her resignation. The attack followed Albaneses presentation earlier this month, delivered via video link to a media forum organized by Al Jazeera. Speaking alongside Fatou Bensouda, former Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, she condemned Israels genocide in Gaza and highlighted the complicity of Western states and corporations that have armed, financed, and diplomatically shielded Israel throughout the assault. She criticised Western media for amplifying Israels apartheidera and genocidal narratives. Albanese has been targeted by pro-Israeli organizations ever since the release of her comprehensive report to the UN on the genocide in Gaza in 2024 and, in a separate report, the naming of corporations including Microsoft and Amazon as potentially complicit in aiding Israels atrocities and potentially liable to criminal prosecution at the International Criminal Court. In 2024, Israel banned her from visiting the occupied territories. In July 2025, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio formally sanctioned herin violation of international lawsaying, We will not tolerate these campaigns of political and economic warfare, which threaten our national interests and sovereignty. Kaiser Permanente hospital in Anaheim, California, February 11, 2026. The month-long strike of 31,000 healthcare workers at Kaiser Permanente was abruptly brought to an end by the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) as a series of legal confrontations arose, which expose the rottenness of Americas profit-driven healthcare system. On February 20, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals filed suit against nine major insurers, led by American International Group and Chubb Limited, seeking up to $95 million in directors and officers liability coverage. The payment would partially offset Kaisers recent $556 million settlement of whistleblower allegations accusing the organization of manipulating Medicare Advantage reimbursements through systematic diagnostic upcoding. Kaiser employees will now confront the consequences of the betrayal of the UNAC/UHCP bureaucracydeteriorating wages, medical coverage and working conditions. By contrast, the healthcare giant is maneuvering for reimbursement after a record fraud payout. In January 2026, Kaiser affiliates agreed to pay $556 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations brought by the US Department of Justice. The resolution, the largest recovery ever tied to Medicare Advantage risk-adjustment practices, involved multiple entities, including Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc. and several Permanente Medical Groups. The case originated in whistleblower lawsuits filed by former employees Ronda Osinek and James Taylor. Osinek, a medical coder, alleged that Kaiser pressured physicians to retroactively add diagnosis codes in order to increase reimbursement rates. Taylor, a physician medical director, reportedly attempted to correct coding irregularities internally before filing his own complaint. Under the False Claims Acts whistleblower provisions, the former Kaiser employeesthe relators in the case, ie., the ones who brought the case on behalf of the US governmentreceived a combined $95 million. Prosecutors contended that between 2009 and 2018 Kaiser conducted retrospective record reviews that generated roughly 500,000 unsupported diagnoses. These additions allegedly produced about $1 billion in excess Medicare payments, despite internal compliance warnings. Kaiser denied wrongdoing, characterizing the dispute as a technical disagreement over evolving federal guidance. Management settled to avoid protracted litigation and did not have to admit liability. The negotiated outcome fell well below the governments initial estimate of $1 billion in improper payments. Notably, the agreement did not impose a Corporate Integrity Agreement, suggesting the governments reluctance to escalate oversight of one of the nations most powerful healthcare systems. Barely weeks after finalizing the settlement, Kaiser initiated a second legal offensive, this time against its own insurers. The organization argues that its $556 million payment constitutes a covered loss under directors and officers liability policies issued by insurers led by National Union Fire Insurance Company. Kaisers legal argument rests on three central claims. First, it characterizes the payment as a standard settlement falling squarely within policy language covering damages and negotiated resolutions. Second, because the settlement involved no admission of liability, Kaiser maintains insurers cannot retroactively classify the conduct as fraudulent to invoke exclusions. Third, Kaiser contends False Claims Act settlements are compensatory (intended to reimburse the government) rather than disgorgement of profits, which is generally uninsurable. The settlement represents a routine business risk: a legal payment made to manage exposure and ensure organizational stability. Kaiser further asserts it reasonably expected coverage, noting that its policies contained no explicit exclusions for Medicare Advantage coding disputes and accusing insurers of invoking broad public-policy defenses absent from contractual language. The insurers countered with the so-called uninsurability defense. They argue the settlement represents restitution of funds Kaiser allegedly obtained improperly and therefore does not constitute a true loss. Returning money to the government, insurers claim, merely restores funds Kaiser was never entitled to keep. Allowing coverage, they warn, would create moral hazard by enabling corporations to treat regulatory violations as insurable costs of doing business. The dispute reveals what is described as circular restitution. Federal investigators alleged Kaiser received roughly $1 billion in excess payments. By settling for $556 million, the organization already retained about $444 million of the contested amount. If Kaiser successfully recovers $95 million from insurers, its effective settlement cost would fall to approximately $461 million, leaving an estimated net retention of more than $500 million, allegedly through fraud. For a system generating over $115 billion in annual revenue, the settlement functions less as punishment than as a manageable expense. The circular flow of funds spreads costs across taxpayers, patients and insurance markets. The legal conflict between Kaiser and its insurers exposes the character of contemporary corporate operations, in which enormous entities navigate regulatory frameworks through settlements, litigation and financial engineering over basic social needs like healthcare. Kaisers pursuit of insurance coverage for a record fraud settlement encapsulates the absurdity of a healthcare system dominated by finance and evokes methods associated with the broader Wall Street oligarchy. Corporate wrongdoing is treated as negotiable risk while financial institutions and ultimately workers are pressured to absorb costs. The result resembles a system of legalized racketeering in which public funds are extracted, partially returned and then redistributed through legal mechanisms. Los Angeles Downey Kaiser healthcare workers picketing in the fourth week of the Kaiser strike on Monday, February 16, 2026. The UNAC/UHCP apparatus shut down the powerful month-long strike without a new contract or tentative agreement, let alone a vote by its members. This underscores the compounded threats healthcare workers face from corporate wealth, profit-driven healthcare and managements labor partners. While executives debate insurance coverage for a half-billion-dollar settlement, frontline workers continue to confront workloads that threaten both patient safety and their own livelihoods. While the union bureaucracy tries to limit the outlook of workers to trade union negotiations, the Kaiser litigation demonstrates that healthcare crises are inseparable from the financial architecture governing the capitalist system. Billing practices, insurance markets and corporate reserves shape not only profits but staffing levels, patient outcomes and workplace conditions. Regardless of the verdict, the litigation has exposed the fraudulent nonprofit status of Kaiser Permanente and Medicare Advantage. No outcome under the current framework addresses the underlying reality: healthcare under capitalism operates through complex financial circuits that prioritize revenue extraction over public health. Fraud settlements, insurance disputes and regulatory negotiations represent symptoms of a system structured around profit rather than care. Kaiser, insurers, corporations, the state and political representatives of both big business parties ultimately converge on one premise: the costs of legal and financial schemes must be borne by workers, who finance Medicare through taxes on their salaries, pay insurance premiums and deliver the labor sustaining healthcare institutions. In return, they confront understaffed facilities, rising costs and declining working conditions. The Kaiser struggle raises political questions extending beyond wages and staffing. It poses the issue of who controls healthcare and for whose benefit it operates. The labor bureaucracys termination of the strike underscores the need for workers to break free from the stranglehold of the union apparatus through the building of rank-and-file committees, controlled democratically by workers in the hospital and clinics. This is a critical step in the development of a political movement of the working class against capitalist, for-profit medicine and the two corporate-controlled parties that defend it, and to replace it with a socialist system, which guarantees free, high quality healthcare to all. The Announcement statement of the coalition of political forces of Iranian Kurdistan, issued on February 22, 2026, and signed by the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), Kurdistan Freedom Life Party (PJAK), Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI), Khabat and Komala of the Toilers of Kurdistan, is a reactionary political document. Coalition of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan [Photo: Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI)] Notwithstanding its democratic phraseology, it represents yet another episode in the protracted and disastrous alignment of Kurdish bourgeois nationalist organizations with American imperialismthis time under conditions in which the United States is actively preparing to launch a devastating military assault on Iran that could escalate into a wider regional and even global conflagration. The oppression of the Kurdish people, divided among four countries in the Middle East, and the violation of their basic democratic rights for decades are a byproduct of imperialist domination and aggression in the region. The perspective of Kurdish nationalists, who instead of opposing imperialismthe main culprit behind the dire situation in the Middle Eastturn toward it, is politically extremely short-sighted and has completely failed. The Sosyalist Esitlik Partisi, the Turkish section of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), categorically opposes the US preparations for a military onslaught on Iranan oppressed countryand calls on workers throughout the Middle East and the world to mobilize on a socialist program to stop this imperialist aggression. The bourgeois-clerical regime in Iran is organically incapable of providing a progressive response to imperialist aggression, or of meeting the social and democratic aspirations of the population. But the task of settling accounts with the Islamic Republic falls to the working class in Iran, which includes Persians, Kurds, Azeris, and other nationalities. This too is only made possible by adopting an international socialist and anti-imperialist program. Washington never accepted the 1979 Iranian revolution that overthrew the US-backed regime of the Shah. It sees establishing full control over Irana country with vast natural resources and a critical geostrategic positionas necessary in order to dominate the Middle East and deprive China of a key partner. This would require either the total surrender of Tehran or a regime-change war backed by imperialist powers, as occurred in Libya and Syria with devastating consequences. As the US prepares for a comprehensive air and missile war against Iran, Kurdish nationalist forces in the country have indicated their readiness to serve as Washingtons ground troops. Workers must vigorously oppose this reactionary initiative. The statements deliberate silence on the war threat The coalition was announced as the United States deployed two carrier strike groupsthe USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS Gerald R. Fordin the Mediterranean and Arabian Sea, with Trump publicly declaring that Iran had 10 to 15 days at most to submit, and the Atlantic Council openly discussing three tiers of military assault: Enforce, Degrade, and Removethe last involving the decapitation of Irans political and military leadership. The US had already bombed Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan during Operation Midnight Hammer in June 2025. Hundreds of F-22s, F-35s, and F-16s are being repositioned across the region. CNN reported that the White House had been briefed that the military could be ready for an attack by last weekend. Under these conditions, the coalitions total silence on the threatened imperialist attack is not an omissionit amounts to tacit endorsement. The statement does not contain a single word opposing US military aggression against Iran, the naval buildup, or the devastating sanctions regime, or defending the sovereignty of the Iranian people against imperialist attack. On the contrary, by framing the Islamic Republic as the sole enemy and calling for its overthrow at precisely the moment Washington is threatening to bomb the country, the coalition objectively places itself in the camp of US imperialism. Its call for regime-change echoes the language of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Atlantic Council, and the Trump administration itself. The Kurdish bourgeois nationalist parties are volunteering to serve, once again, as a political instrument of American military aggression. The destruction of Iran and its consequences The coalitions program dovetails with a broader imperialist strategy whose logical outcome is not the liberation of Kurdistan but the destruction and dismemberment of Iran as a unified statethe Balkanization of a nation of 90 million people. Iran is an ethnically diverse country. Persians constitute roughly 61 percent of the population; the remainder includes Azeris (the largest minority, concentrated in the northwest), Kurds (predominantly in the west), Arabs (mainly in Khuzestan), Baloch (in the southeast), Lurs, Turkmen, and others. Some strategists in Washington and Tel Aviv have long identified this ethnic composition as a vulnerability to be exploited. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) has openly advocated exploiting Irans multi-ethnic makeup to fragment the state. Amid Israels military attack on Iran last June, The Jerusalem Post called for a Middle East coalition for Irans partition and proposed granting security guarantees to Sunni, Kurdish, and Balochi minority regions willing to break away. What would the destruction of Iran produce? The answer is written in the experience of every country subjected to imperialist dismemberment over the past three decadesYugoslavia, Iraq, Libya, Syria. The breakup of Iran would potentially give rise to a patchwork of weak, ethnically defined statelets: a rump Persian state, an Azerbaijani entity in the northwest (pulled between Baku and Ankara), a Kurdish statelet in the west, an Arab entity in Khuzestan (sitting atop Irans principal oil reserves, and thus of immediate strategic interest to Washington and the Gulf monarchies), a Baloch entity in the southeast (straddling the Pakistani border and the approaches to the Indian Ocean), and various other fragments. Not one of these successor states would be genuinely independent. Each would be, in all but name, a semi-colony of one or another imperialist power or regional ally. A Kurdish statelet, landlocked and surrounded by hostile neighbors (Turkey, a rump Iran, and Arab-dominated territories), would be entirely dependent on the patronage of the United States or Israel for its survivaljust as the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq has been, serving as an instrument of US policy while its population remains mired in poverty and its politics dominated by corrupt bourgeois-tribal cliques. An Azerbaijani entity would become a satellite of Turkey or a prize in the competition between Ankara, Moscow, and Western oil interests. An Arab entity in Khuzestancontrolling a significant portion of the worlds proven oil reserveswould immediately become a zone of imperialist plunder, contested by the Gulf monarchies, the US, and global energy corporations. A Baloch entity would become a new front in the great-power struggle over the Indian Ocean, the Strait of Hormuz, and the land routes connecting Central Asia to the sea. The human consequences would be catastrophic. Irans ethnic groups are not neatly separated into distinct territorial zones. Millions of Azerbaijanis live in Tehran; Kurds, Lurs, and Persians are interspersed across western Iran; Arabs and Persians coexist in Khuzestan. Any attempt to draw ethnic borders would produce mass displacement, ethnic cleansing, and civil war on a scale dwarfing even the Yugoslav catastrophe. The experience of Iraq after 2003where the imperialist destruction of the centralized state unleashed sectarian warfare that killed hundreds of thousandswould be repeated on a vastly larger and more explosive scale. This is the objective content of the coalitions program. By calling for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic in alignment with US war aims, and by demanding a national and democratic entity based on the political will of the Kurdish nation in Iranian Kurdistan, the coalition is providing a democratic fig leaf for the carve-up of Iran by imperialism and its regional proxies. The bankruptcy of bourgeois nationalism in the epoch of imperialism The coalition statement is the latest confirmation of the ICFIs longstanding analysis of the historical bankruptcy of bourgeois nationalism. As we have explained, the character of national movements has undergone a fundamental transformation since the period in which Vladimir Lenin advocated the right to self-determination. In the early twentieth century, national movements in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East were directed, however imperfectly, against imperialist domination and the legacy of feudal backwardness. India and China were political concepts that implied the progressive unification of diverse peoples across vast territories, opening up prospects for economic and cultural progress. The primary concern of the Marxist movement in the national question has been the interests of the international unity of the working class and the struggle for socialism. The new form of nationalism that has proliferated since the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the collapse of the post-colonial national-developmentalist projects is of an entirely different character. As the ICFI explained in its 1994 statement Marxism, Opportunism and the Balkan Crisis: [T]hese new ethnocentric movements seek the Balkanization of existing states. Rather than proposing to create a home market, they desire more direct economic ties with imperialism and globally mobile capital. The right to self-determination is invoked as a means of advancing the interests of small sections of the local bourgeoisie. In its 1998 statement Globalization and the International Working Class, the ICFI further clarified: In India and China, the national movement posed the progressive task of unifying disparate peoples in a common struggle against imperialisma task which proved unrealizable under the leadership of the national bourgeoisie. This new form of nationalism promotes separatism along ethnic, linguistic, and religious lines, with the aim of dividing up existing states for the benefit of local exploiters. Such movements have nothing to do with a struggle against imperialism, nor do they in any sense embody the democratic aspirations of the masses of the oppressed. They serve to divide the working class and divert the class struggle into ethno-communal warfare. The Kurdish bourgeois nationalist movements in Iran and across the Middle East fall squarely within this latter category. Their history in the 20th and 21st centuries proves this. Kurdish nationalist leaderships have, at various points, sought alliances with the CIA, Israel, the Shah of Iran, the Moscow Stalinist bureaucracy, and successive US administrations. In Iraq, the parties of Talabani and Barzani served opposing sides in the Iran-Iraq war, functioned as instruments of the 2003 US invasion, and subsequently presided over the Kurdistan Regional Governmenta corrupt statelet dependent on US and Turkish patronage. In Syria, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), sister organization of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), served as a US proxy force, participated in the destruction of Raqqa, and were then abandoned by Washington when strategic calculations shiftedonly to face assault by the US-backed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) regime in 2026. PJAK, a member of this new Iranian Kurdish coalition and an affiliate of the PKK, belongs to a movement whose imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan, is now negotiating with the Turkish state in a deal the ICFI has identified as a peace between the Turkish and Kurdish bourgeoisies, under the auspices of the US and other imperialist powers, against the working people of the Middle East. The PDKIs ongoing diplomatic courtship of Western parliamentary forcesmeetings with Belgian parties, participation in Western-sponsored seminarsunderscores the coalitions class orientation. These are not activities aimed at mobilizing the Kurdish or Iranian working class. They are appeals to the very imperialist powers whose wars have devastated the Middle East for over three decades. The global implications: Balkanization as imperialist strategy The principle advanced by the Kurdish coalitionthat ethnically defined populations have the right to carve out their own states, with the assistance of imperialist powers, from existing multi-ethnic countriesis one with world-historical implications. It is not an abstract democratic principle but a weapon in the arsenal of imperialism, and its application extends far beyond Iran, including to China and Russia, which are particularly targeted by US-led world imperialism. China is home to 56 recognized ethnic groups. The Han majority constitutes approximately 91 percent of the population, but the remaining minoritiesUyghurs, Tibetans, Mongols, Hui, Zhuang, and dozens of othersinhabit vast, strategically critical territories. Xinjiang alone, home to approximately 12 million Uyghurs, borders Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. As the geo-strategist Robert D. Kaplan has openly discussed, the fomenting of ethnic separatism in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Inner Mongolia is a linchpin of US strategy for destabilizing and breaking up China. Uyghur separatists have received training in Syria and Iraq. The logic of the Kurdish coalitions programethnic self-determination backed by imperialist powersapplied to China would mean the dismemberment of a nation of 1.4 billion people, the transformation of Central Asia into a zone of permanent warfare, and a catastrophic escalation toward nuclear conflict between the US and China. As for Russia, it comprises over 185 ethnic groups across a territory spanning eleven time zones. The North Caucasus (Chechens, Dagestanis, Ingush), the Volga region (Tatars, Bashkirs), and Siberia all contain distinct ethnic populations. US strategists have long contemplated the fragmentation of Russia along ethnic and regional lines. American geo-strategist Zbigniew Brzezinskis Grand Chessboard treated the Eurasian Balkans as the decisive arena for US global hegemony. The wars in Chechnya, the color revolutions in Georgia and Ukraine, and the ongoing NATO proxy war in Ukraine are all elements of a strategy aimed, ultimately, at reducing Russia to a series of semi-colonies open to imperialist plunder. The ICFI has always defended the democratic rights of oppressed peoples, including the Kurds, and has opposed military repressionwhether by the Islamic Republic, the Turkish state, or any other government. But the ICFI insists, based on the entire historical experience of the 20th and 21st centuries, that the invocation of self-determination by bourgeois nationalist movements operating in alliance with imperialist powers is not a democratic demand but a reactionary tool for the fragmentation of existing states, the subjugation of their populations, and the advancement of imperialist geopolitical interests. Oppose bourgeois nationalism and fight for socialist internationalism The coalition statement speaks of the people, the nation, and political forces as undifferentiated categories. There is no mention whatsoever of the working class, of class exploitation, of capitalism, of imperialism, of land reform, of nationalization, of workers power, or of socialism. The program is one of bourgeois democracy within the framework of the existing capitalist order: free elections, democratic governance, a secular political system. These formulations correspond to the interests of a Kurdish bourgeois and petty-bourgeois layer that seeks to negotiate its own share of political poweror, failing that, to establish its own capitalist statelet under imperialist patronage. The coalition includes parties spanning a wide ideological rangefrom the PDKI (a Socialist International member, social democratic) to PJAK (affiliated with the PKK, which declared itself democratic socialist) to more conservative nationalist formationsunited on a lowest-common-denominator program that is devoid of any class content. This is a bloc that seeks to subordinate working-class interests to bourgeois nationalism and, through it, to imperialism. The genuine defense of the Kurdish peopleagainst the Islamic Republics repression, against Turkish military aggression, against the new Syrian regime, against imperialist warrequires a political perspective that the bourgeois nationalist coalition is organically incapable of providing. It demands the independent mobilization of the working class of all nationalitiesKurdish, Persian, Turkish, Azerbaijani, Arab, Baloch, and Jewishon an international socialist program. Such a program must be based on the theory of permanent revolution elaborated by Leon Trotsky, co-leader of the October Revolution in 1917, irreconcilable opponent of Stalinism and the founder of the Fourth International in 1938. The theory explains that accomplishing democratic and anti-imperialist tasks requires the working class, as the leader of the oppressed masses, to seize power and expand the socialist revolution on an international scale. The Kurdish question, which spans Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Syria, cannot be resolved within the framework of existing capitalist nation-states, much less through alliances with the imperialist powers that drew those borders in the first place. The solution lies not in the creation of new, weak, dependent capitalist stateletswhich would inevitably become pawns in the great-power struggle for control of the Middle Eastbut in the revolutionary unification of the working class across all national and ethnic divisions, fighting for a Socialist Federation of the Middle East. This requires, above all, the building of sections of the International Committee of the Fourth International in Iran, Turkey, and across the region. Only through the overthrow of capitalismthe Islamic Republic, the Kurdish bourgeois leaderships, the Turkish state, the Gulf monarchies, the Zionist State of Israel, and the imperialist powers that stand behind them allcan the democratic and social aspirations of the Kurdish people, and of all the oppressed peoples of the Middle East, be realized. The success of this struggle depends on workers in the Middle East forging a revolutionary class unity with workers in the US, Europe, and the rest of the world. The newly formed Kurdish nationalist coalition in Iran and its statement, far from advancing this struggle, stand against it. Issued at the very moment that American imperialism is preparing to rain destruction on Iran, it aligns the Kurdish movement with the war drive and offers the democratic rights of the Kurdish people as a justification for imperialist aggression. It is one more expression of the political bankruptcy that the ICFI has identified and opposed for decades: the transformation of bourgeois nationalism from a historically limited but once partially progressive force into an open instrument of imperialist reaction. The working class must draw the necessary conclusions and turn to the program of world socialist revolution. Last Saturday, on a dreary and damp afternoon, about 600 people gathered in Hanau to commemorate the victims of the murderous 19 February 2020 attack. Rally on the Hanau market square, 21 February 2026. The main banner reads: Remember together, fight together, and lists the names of the nine victims. The rally on the market square and the march to Hanau-Kesselstadt were attended mainly by the relatives and friends of the victims, Hanau families with children, and supporters of the 19 February Initiative. Many carried the well-known placards with the faces of the nine young Hanau residents whom a fascist killer had murdered in cold blood six years ago. A tenth victim, Ibrahim Akkus (70), died on 10 January 2026 from the belated effects of the night of the murders. Two relatives spoke at the rally: Emis Gurbuz, mother of the murdered Sedat Gurbuz, and Cetin Gultekin, the older brother of Gokhan Gultekin, who was also killed that night. The families of the relatives demand justice, not pity! said the spokeswoman for the 19 February Initiative, who moderated the rally. Hanau was not an isolated case, she said. This was vividly demonstrated by a representative of the Lorenz Initiative from Oldenburg, who reported on the cowardly police murder of 21-year-old Lorenz A. in April 2025 and presented a harrowing list of victims of police violence in recent years. Cetin Gultekin, Gokhan Gultekins older brother, who published a book about his murdered brother in 2024, referred in his speech to the threatening rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), and said: We must admit to ourselves that even after Hanau, we have not managed to push back the shift to the right. On the contrary. This fascist avalanche appears more unstoppable today than ever. The danger has never been as great as it is today that a right-wing extremist party could reach central positions of power in Germany through democratic means. He raised the question: What have we done wrong that this party has become stronger and stronger in recent years? And what can we do to stop the coming catastrophe? He pointed to the international dimension of the right-wing rise: In the last few weeks we have experienced the fascistic escalation in the USA and especially in Minneapolis. Masked state thug squads, raids and mass deportations, violence on the streets, and even murders by ICE, the American border police. And the AfD in Bavaria is already demanding a similar police group be set up here to tackle its so-called remigration programme. Today in Germany, and here in Hanau, we are experiencing deportations that leave us stunned. Deportations of people who have lived in Hanau for twenty years and longer. Is ICE, an increasingly brutal deportation machine, therefore a picture of the near future here in Germany? Cetin Gultekin In answering his question of how the coming catastrophe could be stopped, Cetin pointed to the resistance in the population, including in the USA. He said: Tens of thousands of people have demonstrated against ICE in Minneapolis in the last few weeks in extreme sub-zero temperatures. There was the first general strike in the city for many decades. He also recalled the protests and blockades recently in Giessen against the re-founding of a Hitler Youth by the AfD. And he concluded from this: Resistance is possible and can be successful. Nevertheless, his words remained without a clear response. The anniversary differed significantly from the large events of all the years before, in which many thousands had participated. Above all, the official support of the city of Hanau was missing. A change, a rightward shift by the establishment parties, was clearly palpable here. In fact, the city of Hanau had already explicitly and scandalously distanced itself from the 19 February Initiative after the 5th anniversary. Some councillors demanded more regard and respect for the German authorities from the bereaved. In a joint statement on 25 February 2025, the Hanau Social Democratic Party (SPD), Christian Democratic Union (CDU), and Liberal Democratic Party (FDP) factions announced they would no longer support such memorial events in the future. In particular, Emis Gurbuz, Sedats mother, had incurred the wrath of the Hanau coalition. In her speech at last years memorial ceremony, she accused the city of Hanau of serious failures. In addition, words were attributed to her that she was alleged to have said at last years Berlinale at the premiere of the film The German People (Das Deutsche Volk), but which demonstrably were never spoken in that waynamely, that she hated Germany and Hanau. What she really said publicly was courageous and correct. At the Hanau memorial event in 2025, in the presence of Hanau Mayor Claus Kaminsky and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (both SPD), she described the ninefold murders as a stain of shame in the history of the city of Hanau and Germany, and said, The city of Hanau bears responsibility for 19 February 2020; it is guilty. These words are justified against the background of the findings to date. Forensic Architecture, a multidisciplinary research group based at Goldsmiths, University of London, which uses architectural techniques and technologies to investigate cases of state violence and violations of human rights around the world, examined the circumstances at the Arena Bar in Kesselstadt, one of the two locations targeted by the killer. Its findings proved that the locking of the emergency exit, on police orders, had an absolutely devastating effect. Had it been open, the victims there could have saved themselves. In addition, there had been numerous warning signals and indications regarding Tobias Rathjen, the fascist killer, who had drawn attention to himself with letters to the authorities, and who had posted an online statement with breathtaking genocidal fantasies. His father had also been known in the city as a racist for years, but nothing was done. If everyone had done their duty, these nine children would still be alive today, Gurbuz said. The Hanau councillors took her courageous words as an occasion to distance themselves from the 19 February Initiative, and to accuse the victims. Pascal Reddig, CDU faction chairman, accused Gurbuz of instrumentalising the terrible act, causing division in a backward-looking manner. In its statement, the coalition criticised Emis Gurbuzs speech as political agitation that cannot be justified even by the terrible death of her son Sedat. In future, there would be no more major commemorations in Hanau, they added. The statement even went so far as to snidely point out Emis Gurbuzs naturalisation proceedings and to make this publicly known, which amounts to an illegal violation of privacy rights. In the citys statement, which several media outlets quoted, the question was publicly raised why Gurbuz was applying for German citizenship if she felt that way. This growing tendency to blame the victims clearly shows that the fascist avalanche cited by Cetin cannot be traced back to the AfD alone. Rather, all the establishment parties are increasingly adopting AfD policies, and thus opening the door to fascism. State governments of all stripes are enforcing the deportations, which Cetin rightly said leave us stunned. This also applies to the Left Party (Die Linke), which in Thuringia has implemented social cuts and deportations. As the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party) wrote: In Thuringia, Bodo Ramelow has left a trail of social devastation in his 10 years as minister-president, which has cleared the path for Hockes AfD. All the establishment parties support the federal governments current pro-war policy and the Israeli genocide against the Palestinians. They all therefore see a potential danger of growing resistance in the working class and are trying to drive a wedge in the working class with nationalism. It is no coincidence that to this day the full circumstances of the Hanau murders have not been fully clarified, that official politics continues to adhere to the lone perpetrator theory and that city politics is increasingly distancing itself from the families of the Hanau victims. Emis Gurbuz Emis Gurbuz declared last Saturday: We owe it to you that those responsible are held to account. And we owe it to you to demand a society in which no one has to be afraid to be themselves. I wish for a world in which mothers do not lose their children to racism. A world in which diversity is not a threat, a world in which remembering takes place not only on anniversaries, but in action. She promised to continue fighting for justice, clarification and consequences, and said: The city of Hanau has still not accepted responsibility. What are they waiting for anyway? (...) In a time when a right-wing extremist government is a real danger, we say: Never again is now. We demand that those affected be listened to closely, and that they experience genuine solidarity. Cetin Gultekin concluded. We cannot give up and we will not give up. Again and again, it is rightly emphasised: Say their names, continue to remember their namesKaloyan Velkov, Fatih Saracoglu, Sedat Gurbuz, Vili Viorel Paun, Gokhan Gultekin, Mercedes Kierpacz, Ferhat Unvar, Hamza Kurtovic and Said Nesar Hashemiso that they do not fall into oblivion. However, to truly prevent the return of fascism, it is even more important to call the political driving forces by their name and to show how the capitalist profit system leads to imperialist war, fascism and social misery. The pro-war policy of the bourgeoisie requires fascist methods, it requires social cruelties and it requires a nationalist division of the working class to paralyse resistance. Therefore, the World Socialist Web Site wrote in its article Six years after the racist murders in Hanau: To prevent the return of fascism, one must not rely on the state and its authorities, the police and the intelligence services, but must create independent, democratically controlled workers committees, some of which had already begun to emerge in the aftermath of the murders in Hanau. To completely uncover how the murders came about and for the protection of all workers against the right-wing danger, it is important to understand who is a friend and who is an enemy. Workers allies are not the state representatives, union bureaucrats and party politicians in the Bundestag (federal parliament) and the municipalities, who have proven their indifference and hostility over the past six years. Our allies are the workers all over the world who have taken up the fight against war and fascism. To wage this fight, the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei, which belongs to the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), has founded the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC). The objective foundations for the self-organisation of the working class are present. What is necessary is a new leadership and socialist, internationalist and historically conscious politics. Write to us and participate in the implementation of this perspective! National Public Radio and CNN, as well as other media outlets, reported Tuesday that dozens of FBI witness interview records have been withheld by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in its massive document dump last month. Several of these documents identify Donald Trump as engaging in the sexual abuse of teenage girls some 35 years ago. The White House and DOJ have repeatedly cited the release of more than three million documents as satisfying the demands of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed by Congress in December. But an evidence log provided to attorneys for Epsteins accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell in 2021 listed more than 90 witness interview records that were not released by the DOJ. It is not clear whether the missing records are actually in the document dump, but not yet located by researchers because file numbers or other identifying markers are deleted or redacted, or whether the records were removed from the files entirely. NPR, which was first to report on the missing documents, said that more than 50 pages of notes and memos based on the FBI interviews were not on the DOJs searchable database of Epstein documents. Witness interviews are documented by the FBI in what are called 302 memos, each with a unique number, while evidence logs list interviews in numerical order. Donald Trump (left) with Jeffrey Epstein and Belgian model Ingrid Seynhaeve at the Victoria's Secret "Angels" party in New York City in April 1997. [Photo: House Oversight] One victim who spoke with CNN, Jess Michaels, said, All of us have been looking for our victim statements, only to find nothing in the DOJ release. The absence of these documents meant that this Department of Justice is actually gaslighting the entire country, she said. According to CNN, the withheld documents included three interviews related to a woman who accused President Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her decades ago. The woman told the FBI that Epstein had begun abusing her when she was about 13 years old, and that Trump had also sexually assaulted her. The events described took place in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when the womanvariously identified as JE, Jane, or Jane Doe #4responded to an ad to babysit at Epsteins Hilton Head, South Carolina home. Epstein has no children. According to the witness, she was abused by Epstein in South Carolina, then taken to New York City where she was abused by a number of other men, associates of Epstein, one of whom was Donald Trump. The unidentified woman gave her account in three separate interviews with the FBI in 2019, during the first Trump administration, when both the FBI and DOJ were controlled by Trump appointees. The FBI did not pursue her allegations. Democratic Representative Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Epstein investigation, told CNN, We have a survivor that made serious allegations against the president But theres a series of documents, and it would appear to be possible interviews, that the FBI conducted with the survivor that are actually missing, that we dont have access to. Covering up direct evidence of a potential assault by the President of the United States is the most serious possible crime in this White House cover-up, he said. The White House responded to the media reports with typical bluster. Spokesperson Abigail Jackson told NPR, just as President Trump has said, hes been totally exonerated on anything relating to Epstein. She claimed that in releasing documents, and calling for more investigations into Epsteins Democratic friends, President Trump has done more for Epsteins victims than anyone before him. Meanwhile, Jackson continued, Democrats like Hakeem Jeffries and Stacey Plaskett have yet to explain why they were soliciting money and meetings from Epstein after he was a convicted sex offender. The last comment is tied in with the next stage of the Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee investigation: closed-door depositions to be taken from former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday, and from former President Bill Clinton on Friday. Trump has sought to offset revelations of his close relationship with Epstein, in the course of two decades, by citing equally close ties between the convicted sex offender and financial operator with prominent Democrats, most notably Bill Clinton, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and former US Senator George Mitchell. In truth, Epsteins financial and sexual services were on offer to the financial oligarchy as a whole, not just in the United States, but in Europe and Israel as well, as the arrests of former Prince Andrew and former British ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson have made clear. Former Israeli Premier Ehud Barak was a frequent Epstein guest, and there have been widespread reports that Epstein acted as an Israeli intelligence asset. A document that was included in the U.S. Department of Justice release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, photographed Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, shows a photo of Epstein on a inmate report from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. [AP Photo/Jon Elswick] New details of sexual abuse and new names of Epsteins associates continue to come to light as researchers pore through the millions of pages of documents. Resignations and apologies continue as those named as Epsteins associates are exposed. Very few have acknowledged any connection to Epsteins sex-trafficking; most commonly, they admit to continuing financial consultation or socializing with Epstein after his first conviction in 2008 for solicitation of a minor for prostitution. Summers, former Harvard president, announced he will resign from his position on the universitys faculty at the end of the academic year, while remaining on leave until then. Harvard cited its review of his ties to Epstein as the reason. Richard Axel, a Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist, resigned as co-director of Columbia Universitys Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, saying his past association with Epstein was a serious error in judgment. Billionaire Bill Gates held a town hall meeting with the staff of his Gates Foundation, at which he apologized for his relationship to Epstein, while claiming, I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. But Gates acknowledged that he first met Epstein in 2011three years after Epsteins guilty plea for solicitationand subsequently spent time with him in New York, Washington, France and Germany. A further source of information surfaced Monday with the report that Epstein was the subject of a five-year-long investigation by the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). A 2015 Department of Justice document, 69 pages long, lists Epstein among 15 individuals targeted by the probe. 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 U.S. Virgin Islands and New York City, the document says. The DEA probe, first reported by CBS news, began on December 17, 2010, during the Obama administration, two years after Epstein pled guilty to one count of sex trafficking in Florida, in a sweetheart deal approved under the Bush administration. The final case against Epstein was begun in 2018 under the Trump administration and ended with his arrest in July 2019 and his death a month later in a Manhattan federal jail cell. According to the CBS report, the DEA document reveals the existence of at least four other federal investigations into Epstein: three by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), dated 2006-2008, 2009-2010, and 2013; and one by the FBI, begun in 2006 and still open in 2015. Thus at least three administrations, two Republican and one Democratic, had ample knowledge of Epsteins criminal activities. Yet the financial wheeler-dealer remained a fixture in billionaire circles in Manhattan, Palm Beach and overseas. 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 ] American imperialisms preparations for an aggressive and illegal war against Iran are all but complete, with a massive war machine consisting of two aircraft carrier strike groups and hundreds of aircraft in position throughout the Middle East. US President Donald Trump issued groundless accusations against Tehran in his State of the Union address Tuesday designed to legitimise the impending military onslaught. Denouncing Tehrans sinister ambitions to secure a nuclear weapon, Trump asserted of the countrys nuclear programme, We wiped it out and they want to start all over again, a reference to the 12-day war waged by Israel and the US last June. The Tehran regime had failed to respond to a warning to make no future attempts to establish a nuclear weapons programme. Moreover, the would-be dictator added, Theyve already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and theyre working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America. He concluded by vowing not to allow the worlds number one sponsor of terrorism to win. These lies resemble nothing so much as the accusations levelled against Iraqs Saddam Hussein about his weapons of mass destruction prior to the 2003 invasion. The reality is that Irans bourgeois-clerical regime has repeatedly denied any intention of creating nuclear weapons, insisting instead that its nuclear programme is purely for civilian use. The bourgeois nationalist regime in Tehran has instead sought to use its nuclear programme and ballistic missiles, together with its trading and security relations with Russia and China, as leverage to reach a deal with imperialism that would integrate the Iranian economy into global capitalism. By contrast, US imperialism has in Trumps own words assembled an armada for war thousands of miles away from the United States. Washington has spent decades strangling Irans economy with brutal sanctions and conducting sabotage and other disruption operations through Israeli and US intelligence services. Over the past two-and-a-half years, successive US governments have endorsed Israels genocide of the Palestinians in Gaza, which decimated Hamas, one of Irans closest allies. With US encouragement, Israel bombarded Lebanon, destroying much of Iranian-aligned Hezbollahs capabilities. US logistical support enabled the Zionist regime to assassinate Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh while he was a guest of honour of the Iranian regime in Tehran, as direct US intervention led to the bombing of the countrys nuclear sites last June. In neighbouring Syria, US-funded Islamist forces, successors to the al-Qaida terrorist group, toppled the Tehran-backed Assad regime, cutting off a key Iranian access route to Lebanon and the Mediterranean coast. Nobody should be fooled by Trumps remark during his address that he would prefer a diplomatic solution. The talks between US and Iranian officials set to continue in Geneva on Thursday have more the character of a mafia shakedown given the aggressive posture of the US military and Trumps threats. Washingtons insistence that Iran end its nuclear programme, scrap its ballistic missiles and halt all cooperation with the movements aligned with Tehran across the region will be delivered as an ultimatum, with the alternative being a US imperialist-led war. Washingtons goal is to consolidate its hegemony over one of the worlds most important oil-producing regions. Under both Biden and Trump, the US has pursued the agenda of a new Middle East, based on a Greater Israel, regime change in Iran and the sidelining of Russia and China. Trade routes from India to Europe, investment partnerships with the despotic Gulf sheikhdoms and the direct exploitation of energy resources by American capital would be the result. The universal support from the imperialist powers for the Gaza genocide shows the barbaric methods they are ready to use in pursuit of these goals. Washington can proceed with such brazen criminality because no opposition to its war of plunder exists within the European imperialist powers. On the contrary, they are equally as enthusiastic about installing a Western puppet regime in Tehran because they hope to secure their own pound of flesh by opening up the countrys economy to ruthless exploitation by global finance capital and major energy conglomerates. Addressing the media on Monday, German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius reiterated virtually word for word the Trump administrations demands on Tehran. A solution to the crisis requires Iran to verifiably stop its military nuclear programme. No ballistic missiles may be launched from Iran against Israel or the Gulf states, and destabilising activities in the region must cease, he declared. Last month, Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared in India that the Iranian regimes days are numbered, a clear indication of support for US war plans from a political leader who lauded Israels savage bombardment of Iran last year because the Zionists were carrying out the dirty work for all of us. The unrestrained warmongering from governments in North America and Europe extends to broad sections of the pro-imperialist middle class. An indication of this was provided by the substantial numbers mobilised in demonstrations in Munich, Toronto and Los Angeles earlier this month by right-wing Iranian exile groups and businessmen on a programme of imperialist-led regime change and the return of the monarchy to Tehran in the person of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah, who was toppled during the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Police reported 250,000 participants in Munich and tens of thousands in Toronto, where participants carried the old monarchist and Israeli flags, and chanted pro-Pahlavi slogans. The official left wing of the political establishment is no less exuberant about the prospect of a war for regime change. Democratic Socialists of America member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez attended the Munich Security Conference earlier this month, where the red carpet was rolled out for Pahlavi. Ocasio-Cortez declared, Right now, what the Iranian regime is doing, particularly with respect to protesters, is a horrific slaughtersome estimates have tens of thousands of people now killed. This is an unsubstantiated death toll, provided by CIA-funded exile human rights groups and repeated by Trump to justify war preparations. In Germany, the Left Party is campaigning for the German government to join in the imperialist regime change operation more aggressively. In January, the Left Partys parliamentary group in the Bundestag presented a motion calling for the German state, which is investing 1 trillion in its military to wage war around the world, to take steps to strengthen the democratic strivings of civil society in Iran and the right to self-determination. The motion insisted that this should include sanctions against Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), before adding cynically that measures be adopted so that economic and financial sanctions do not impact the civilian population. This under conditions where the IRGC plays a major role in the Iranian economy through its business operations in sectors like manufacturing, oil and gas, banking and telecommunications. Two weeks after the motion was filed, the European Union formally designated the IRGC a terrorist organisation. The aggressiveness of the imperialists exposes the bankruptcy of Irans bourgeois-nationalist regime. It has long sought to strike a balance between maintaining economic and military relations with China and Russia respectively and working for an agreement with Western imperialism. But the American and European imperialists demands will only be satiated if Tehran totally capitulates to their bullying threats. At home, the bourgeois-clerical regime, which has already dismantled almost all of the social gains made following the 1979 revolution, confronts mounting social anger. While the protests that broke out in late December among bazaar merchants, traditionally a key pillar of support for the government, were dominated politically by right-wing, pro-imperialist and pro-monarchist forces, anger and frustration are building among the workers and rural poor. Irans currency has collapsed in value due to US sanctions, making basic necessities unaffordable. Any concessions the regime makes to imperialism will only exacerbate these social tensions. Other bourgeois forces in Iran are eagerly vying for the support of the imperialist powers to overturn the Islamic Republic. In addition to the royalist forces led by Pahlavi, a group of five Kurdish nationalist parties announced last week the conclusion of a Coalition of the Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan to seek patronage from American imperialism. The statement put out by the Kurdistan Freedom Party, Kurdistan Freedom Life Party, Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, Khabat and Komala Party of Kurdistan dated February 22 made no mention of the looming imperialist war against Iran, even though Washington has deployed its largest military force to the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The disastrous consequences of the Kurdish nationalists reliance on imperialist backing has been proven time and again over recent decades, from the first Gulf War in the early 1990s to the recent regime change operation in Syria. In the latter instance, Washington has thrown its former Kurdish allies to the wolves after installing former al-Qaida operative Ahmed al-Sharer at the head of an Islamist regime in Damascus, which has among other things opened up Syrias oil market to US energy giant Chevron. The urgent task before workers in Iran and throughout the Middle East, and the working class in the imperialist centres of North America and Europe, is the construction of a unified anti-war movement to stop another eruption of imperialist barbarism. This is possible only by arming workers with a socialist and internationalist programme to put an end to the capitalist profit system, the root cause of imperialist war and exploitation. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX) is one of the Best Stocks to Buy and Hold For the Next 3 Years. On February 18, Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX) announced signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Indonesia to extend its mining operations at the high-value Grasberg minerals district indefinitely, based on the sites resource lifespan. Management noted that this agreement extends long-term access of its subsidiary, PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), to one of the worlds largest copper and gold deposits. The terms of the agreement note that PTFI will increase its community investment and will fund a new hospital and two medical training facilities. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX) Signs MoU With Indonesian Government To Extend Mining Operations Pixabay/Public Domain Moreover, as part of this MoU, Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX) retains 48.76% ownership in PTFI through 2041, after which the company will transfer 12% to the government at book value. Richard C. Adkerson, Chairman of the Board, noted: We value our long-standing partnership with the Indonesian government, the people of Indonesia and Papua, and the mutual trust that has been built over many years. The Grasberg operations have provided substantial benefits to all stakeholders over their six-decade history, and this extension will provide opportunities to continue to build substantial value for all stakeholders in one of the worlds most significant copper and gold deposits. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX) is involved in the mining of copper, molybdenum, and gold. The companys operations are divided into the following segments: North America Copper Mines, South America Operations, Indonesia Operations, Molybdenum Mines, Rod and Refining, Atlantic Copper Smelting and Refining, and Corporate and Other. While we acknowledge the potential of FCX 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: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. The George Mason University campus [Photo: George Mason University] On Saturday, February 28, various trade union activists affiliated with the American Association of University Professors, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and UNITE HERE are holding a Virginia Labor Coalition Town Hall outside George Mason University (GMU). The event, which calls on university workers, students, community and political allies to fight for bargaining rights, is a shameless effort to court the Democratic Party and promote it as an ally of working people. The aim of the event is to rally support to lobby state officials so that higher education workers will be included in Virginia House Bill 1263, the states collective bargaining legislation. Virginia, a right to work state, has had laws since 1947 that restrict union activities in various ways. HB 1263 and its state Senate equivalent, SB 378, while expanding collective bargaining rights for many sectors of public workers, strip certain groups of public workers of these protections. According to the organizers, higher education workers were excluded from HB 1263 on February 13 after lobbying by university administrators. The Senate bill, for its part, strips home healthcare workers from its provisions, while maintaining protections for higher education workers. The town hall RSVP declares that 37,000 workers seek rights, protections, equity, dignity and respect on the job and urges pressure on state lawmakers to rectify the exclusion. Many of the Democrats now voting to exclude higher education workers from HB 1263 are the same candidates the AFT, National Education Association (NEA), Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and UNITE HERE backed and campaigned for in the 2025 elections. The union apparatus first helped build the very majority now denying collective bargaining rights and is now asking workers to lobby and pressure these politicians instead of breaking from this bankrupt framework. Workers do, indeed, require organization and protections on the job. Roughly half of GMUs instructors are considered adjunct/nontenure track, averaging around $20,000 in yearly pay in a region whose minimum cost of living for single adults is nearly three times that amount, $65,000 a year, according to MITs Living Wage Calculator. An even greater proportion of the campus workforce is employed by private contractors, making even less. In addition to low pay, workers throughout the United States face growing threats to their democratic rights and endless wars abroad, threatening the very existence of life on earth. Under the Trump administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has expanded raids in major cities and targeted international students, including at GMU, as part of Trumps effort to build an authoritarian dictatorship in the US. The form of organization advanced at this town hall, however, is a trap, and the experience of similar recent struggles demonstrates where it leads. No faction of the ruling classDemocratic or Republicanis committed to defending democratic rights. Across the country, union bureaucracies aligned with the Democrats have worked to suppress unified action against ICE raids, police repression and austerity. It is important to note that in many cases the workers listed as the lowest paid at GMU are already unionized. Their union membership has not protected them from exploitation and poverty pay. Instead, it has added another layer of bureaucracy demanding a cut of their paychecks. In countless cases, the AFT, the SEIU, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), UNITE HERE and other university unions have worked to isolate and betray their members struggles. In struggle after struggle, the trade union apparatus has served not as the defender of workers, but as the chief obstacle to mounting a successful fight. There is a law that can be asserted: the greater the advantage and strength of a workers struggle, the more directly the union apparatus intervenes to derail it. This flows from its institutional role as middlemanagementstyle labor contractor, offering employers its services in policing the workforce, not as a force to mobilize workers against the employers, let alone in defense of the democratic and political rights that must be fought for. In California last week, both the AFT and the NEA intervened to shut down a strike of over 6,000 San Francisco educators, forcing members to take concessionary pay raises of 4 percent in one of the most expensive cities in the country. After the union bureaucracies forced members to accept the low pay raises, the district announced layoffs, cynically citing the cost of the contract as the excuse. The rapid shutdown of the strike knocked momentum out of a growing wave of class struggle on the West Coast and nationally, which threatened to escape the grip of the wellpaid union leaders. That is only the most recent sellout concocted by the union apparatus. When calls went out in Minneapolis in January for a general strike against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), union leaders ordered members not to strike, invoking the nostrike clauses in contracts they themselves had negotiated. Officials of bodies like the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, along with leaders of unions including SEIU Local 26, the Minneapolis Federation of Educators and ATU (Amalgamated Transit Union) Local 1005, explicitly told workers to stay on the job and look for legal alternatives instead of walking out. In school districts, teachers were warned not to express solidarity with their students walking out to protest ICE, with one NEA affiliate telling members to Obey now, grieve laterthat is, keep working and not protest. The union apparatus class allegiance extends to GMU. When the Trump administration targeted university president Gregory Washington (salary: $700,000) over his Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies, the AAUP and allied faculty rallied to defend him as a symbol of academic freedom and DEI. In doing so, they leaned on Virginia Democrats and largely muted their criticism of Washingtons own record of repression on campusattacks on students opposing the Gaza genocide, police and FBI raids against activists, and his endorsement of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which has been used nationally to chill antiZionist speech. Now, the Virginia Labor Coalition is seizing on the existence of a Democratic majority in the state government to pass a collective bargaining bill that would expand its access to the dues money of all public workers on a statewide level. These efforts unfold following the Virginia election of Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA operative elevated during the antiTrump electoral wave. Far from being friends of the working class, these forces embody the fusion of corporate power and the national security apparatus that defines the contemporary Democratic Party. It is in this sinister context that the union apparatus is now trying to tie rising working class anger to the Democratic Party. The International Youth and Students for Social Equality and the Socialist Equality Party call on state workers to reject the union apparatus and its devils bargain with the Democratic Party. We insist that the basic social force that can resist and stop the states authoritarianism is the working class, mobilized as a politically independent force against both parties and all representatives of the ruling class. This requires the building of rankandfile committees, independent of the trade union apparatus, combining the defense of wages and living standards with the defense of immigrants and democratic rights, and uniting workers across all sectors, schools, workplaces and neighborhoods. At GMU, students should join the IYSSE, the only genuinely socialist organization fighting to mobilize the working class as an independent force against repression and exploitation. Only through independent organization can workers transform mounting anger into a conscious movement against the capitalist system that produces repression, inequality and war. Jose Maria Balcazar [Photo: @presidenciaperu] On the night of February 18, the Peruvian Congress, meeting in extraordinary session, voted to install a new president to replace Jose Jeri, the eighth Peruvian head of state in barely a decade. Jeri, a right-wing politician, has been ousted after just four months in office, the latest president to fall victim to charges of corruption and personal scandal. Only time will tell whether he joins four of his predecessors who are behind bars. Neither Jeri nor his immediate predecessor, Dina Boluarte, won popular elections, but rather were imposed in what amount to parliamentary coups by the Congress. Jose Maria Balcazar is the latest to be installed by the Congress as interim president. His main task will be to oversee the presidential elections set for April 12 and serve as a caretaker president until a new one is inaugurated in July, if he lasts that long. Balcazar, 83, has past ties to Peru Libre, the party of ousted and imprisoned president Pedro Castillo, a former teachers union official who was removed from office in December 2022 after attempting to block a trumped-up, US-backed congressional impeachment. This has led to a vicious media propaganda campaign aimed at casting Balcazar, a conservative ex-judge, as a communist. Ominously, the Naval Union, representing retired Navy officers, issued a public statement warning that the government had been captured by Marxist-Leninists. It has been suggested that the aim of the right-wing parties that control Congress was to install Balcazar as a political foil, allowing their candidates to disassociate themselves from a supposedly left government under conditions in which the approval ratings for both the executive and legislative branches of government have rarely risen beyond the low single digits. For his part, Balcazar has done everything possible to dispel any illusions that there will be anything left about his presidency. His first official meetings were with the US ambassador, the head of Perus central bank and business leaders of the National Society of Industry. Most consequentially, he chose the right-wing economist and former presidential candidate Hernando de Soto as his prime minister. De Soto, a long-standing asset of US imperialism and the International Monetary Fund, is the founder of the right-wing think tank Instituto Libertad y Democracia (ILD), whose operations were funded by the National Endowment for Democracy, the US agency created to carry out overtly the kind of political influence interventions previously performed covertly by the CIA. In the 1990s he was a chief adviser to President Alberto Fujimori and is considered the author of the Fujishock, a drastic economic austerity package that plunged large sections of the Peruvian population into poverty overnight by scrapping subsidies, currency and price controls along with most social spending. The package was imposed by dictatorial measures, with troops in the street. At the last minute on Tuesday, however, Balcazar announced without explanation that his prime minister will be Jeris ex-minister of the economy, Denisse Miralles, a long-time technocrat in Perus financial institutions, and not De Soto. For his part, De Soto claimed that his replacement came in response to disagreements over cabinet appointments and that Balcazar had failed to pass a trial by fire when he demanded that the interim president make changes. He also made statements that Balcazar had been kidnapped by business and political interests and issued warnings of the Venezuelaization of Peru. The new cabinet includes seven members who are holdovers from that of Jeri. Balcazar supporters have charged that De Soto attempted to change cabinet appointments after they had been agreed upon. The Chifagate scandal and the US-China conflict In a country where 70-85 percent of Congress is facing criminal charges and past presidents have been jailed over multi-million-dollar kickback schemes, many involving the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht, the known offenses for which Jeri was ousted seem relatively minor. He is accused of violating protocol governing the scheduling of meetings outside the presidential palace. These meetings took place in a chifathe name used in Peru for Chinese restaurants, giving rise to the scandal known as Chifagate. The meetings were with Zhihua Yang, a businessman and fixer with connections to Beijing. Trying to hide his identity with a hoodie that covered part of his face, Jeri did not realize he was being filmed and that videos of the illicit meeting would go viral on social media. Congress also accused Jeri of holding nighttime meetings with young women at the presidential palace. At least five of them were hired by the legislature with monthly salaries between 6,000 and 11,000 soles (approximately US$1,800 to US$3,300). That the issue precipitating Jeris fall centered on purportedly illicit Chinese influence is hardly a coincidence. Peru has become a focal point in the drive by US imperialism to roll back Chinas economic influence and reassert Washingtons hegemony in Latin America under the so-called Donroe Doctrine. Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in Peru reportedly stands at US$30 billion, far outstripping the US, which accounts for just US$6.7 billion. China, meanwhile accounts for 36 percent of Peruvian foreign trade, and the US just over 14 percent. Meanwhile, in Peru as in the rest of South America, China has far overtaken the US as the biggest trading partner. In November 2025, President Boluarte and Chinese President Xi Jinping inaugurated the Chancay maritime mega-port. This project, financed by Chinese capital (Cosco Shipping, 60 percent) and Peruvian capital (Volcan, 40 percent), represents a logistical milestone in connecting South America directly with Asia and reducing shipping times, with Brazil set to develop both highway and rail connections from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Washington has not concealed its displeasure. The State Departments Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs stated on social media that it was concerned about latest reports that Peru could be powerless to oversee Chancay, one of its largest ports, which is under the jurisdiction of predatory Chinese owners, adding: We support Perus sovereign right to oversee critical infrastructure in its own territory. Let this be a cautionary tale for the region and the world: cheap Chinese money costs sovereignty. In a direct challenge to the Chinese port facility that epitomizes Washingtons attempt to offset Chinese economic influence with US military power, the Pentagon has approved $1.5 billion in funding to upgrade and relocate Perus largest naval base from the port city of Callao to a new site closer to the capital, Lima, just 50 miles north of Chancay. This comes amid the unprecedented use of US military force in the attack on Venezuela, which is aimed at reducing the oil-rich country to the status of a US semicolony. The corrupt and impotent Peruvian bourgeoisie, incapable of adopting any independent position, is torn between its economic interests tied to China and its dependence upon US imperialism in matters of national security, i.e., counterrevolutionary repression. Washingtons pressure is aimed at seeing Peru join the Latin American countries that have elected farright presidents committed to putting the full weight of the crisis onto the shoulders of the working class and lining up with US imperialism in its preparations for war with China: Milei in Argentina, Katz in Chile, Paz in Bolivia, Noboa in Ecuador, Bukele in El Salvador and Asfura in Honduras. The latest poll by the Instituto de Estudios Peruanos (IEP) reflects the alienation of the broad masses of the Peruvian population from all of the existing capitalist parties in an election year with 36 presidential candidates. It puts Rafael Lopez Aliaga, the far-right businessman and former Lima mayor in first place with 14.6 percent, while second place is given to Keiko Fujimori, the right-wing daughter of the former dictator, who rose from 8.1 to 10.3 percent in the last month. In third place with 5.3 percent is Alfonso Lopez Chau, an economist and academician who describes himself as center-left and has, predictably, been denounced as a communist by his far-right opponents. Peruvian ruling class fears movement from below Underlying the unrelenting political crisis of the Peruvian capitalist ruling class and its virulent anti-communism is an overwhelming fear of a movement from below by the working class and oppressed masses in a country plagued by massive social inequality, with nearly 30 percent of the population living in poverty and the majority laboring without basic benefits or protections in the so-called informal sector. The supposedly strong Peruvian economy, characterized by a boom in metal prices and record bank profits, has done nothing to ameliorate the conditions facing the vast majority of Peruvians. Recent months have seen a series of strikes by transport workers over the carnage inflicted by politically connected extortionist mafias, with 20 drivers killed per week so far in 2026. Youth marching under the banner of Gen Z have clashed with riot police, and healthcare and construction workers have staged strikes and protests. The fundamental challenge confronting this emerging movement of social struggle is the absence of a revolutionary leadership in the working class. For decades, Stalinists of the Peruvian Communist Party undermined proletarian struggles through their dominance of the General Confederation of Workers of Peru (CGTP) and subordination of workers struggles to bourgeois parties and governments. For their part, Pabloite revisionism and its main representative in South America, Nahuel Morenowho died in 1987bear responsibility for thousands of deaths and historic defeats by promoting petty-bourgeois guerrillaism, Castroism and alliances with bourgeois nationalists as substitutes for the building of revolutionary parties in the Latin American working class. This paved the way to the US-backed military dictatorships that dominated the region over the course of two decades beginning in the 1960s. In Peru, at the beginning of the 1980s two currents emerged: Izquierda Unida (IU) and Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path, SL). The former chose the electoral road, winning the mayoralty of Lima (19841986) with its leader Alfonso Barrantes providing a left face for bourgeois rule. The latter, a Maoist tendency, launched a guerrilla war that was met with murderous state repression, costing some 70,000 lives, most of them from Indigenous communities, over the course of two decades. The bitter lessons of this history must be assimilated by a new generation as part of the struggle to forge a new revolutionary leadership in the working class based upon the perspective of international socialism and Trotskys theory of Permanent Revolution. This means building sections of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) in Peru and throughout Latin America to unite the struggles of workers in these countries with those of workers in the US and internationally. In the United States, where the capitalist two-party system has been in place for 150 years, all those genuinely opposed to the policies and interests of the ruling class are denied the right to address the people. However, if the Socialist Equality Party had been given the opportunity to deliver a televised rebuttal, not only to Trumps State of the Union Address but also to the Democrats reply, this is what we would have said. *** Good evening. The Socialist Equality Party welcomes this rare opportunity to present our assessment of the State of the Union. Speaking as a representative of the SEP, I am addressing these remarks not only to workers and youth in the United States but to our class brothers and sisters throughout the world. You are not our enemies. American working people are opposed to and want no part of any war launched by the power-mad oligarchy in a desperate attempt to solve the crisis of the capitalist system. What you have watchedif you could stomach ithas been a grotesque and degrading spectacle. There was Trump himself, spewing hate, threats and resentments for nearly two hours. In Spielbergs cinematic biography of Lincoln, there is a scene in which the great radical leader, Thaddeus Stevens, berates a contemptible reactionary congressman. He is, proclaimes Stevens, a moral carcass more reptile than man. As I watched Trump bobbing his head up and down, licking his lizard-like lips and mouthing his idiocies, the words of Stevens came to mind. And then there were the congressmen and congresswomen. With few exceptions, they vindicate the words of another great American, Mark Twain, who observed: It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly native American criminal class except Congress. On one side of the aisle sat a pack of Republican fascists, leaping to their feet to grunt USA, USA!the American equivalent of Sieg Heilevery time their Fuhrer paused for breath. On the other side sat the cowardly representatives of the fake opposition Democratic Party, hands folded in their laps, enduring nearly two hours of open insults, abuse and incitement from a man who called them sick people, crazy, cheaters who are destroying our country. And when it was over, they shuffled out of the chamber and handed the microphone to a former CIA officer, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, who delivered a sleep-inducing rebuttal about affordability and competent management. This is the state of American democracy in 2026. A fascist president and a compliant opposition. A ruling class united in its essentialsthe defense of profit, the prosecution of war, the suppression of the working classand divided only over which faction gets to manage the looting. No one in that chamber spoke for you last night. The fight against fascism, against imperialist war, against the dictatorship of the billionaire oligarchy, will not come from the marbled corridors of the Capitol. It will come from belowfrom the factories, the warehouses, the hospitals, the schools, the neighborhoods where working people actually live and labor. It will come from the independent political mobilization of the working class on the basis of a socialist program. Or it will not come at all. Trumps speech was a pack of outright lies. He declared that the economy is roaring like never before and that prices are plummeting. He boasted of gasoline prices and investment commitments conjured out of thin air, and recited a string of cherry-picked and manipulated figures on jobs, wages and tariffs, as if repetition could turn propaganda into reality. This was a salesmans pitch, delivered on behalf of the financial oligarchy, aimed at obscuring the facts known to every worker: that basic necessities are unaffordable, and society is being looted while billionaires gorge themselves at the public trough. The presidentwhose agents committed the murder of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, whose administration justified the killings, whose vice president declared that Goods death was a tragedy of her own makingstood before Congress and did not utter one syllable about them. Instead, he taunted the Democrats for refusing to stand when he demanded they affirm that the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens. He unleashed a torrent of racist lies, branding Minnesotas Somali community as pirates, who have pillaged tens of billions from the American people. This is the language the Nazis used against Jews as they laid the groundwork for the Holocaust. Trump speaks of corruption, not in relation to the looting carried out daily by Wall Street, the Pentagon contractors and the billionaires who write the laws, but to manufacture a pretext for raids, mass arrests and the federal occupation of cities. He threatened that what was done in Minneapolis will be done elsewhere. Under the banner of the Save America Act, Trump demanded measures to bar illegal aliens and others from voting and claimed, without a shred of evidence, that cheating is rampant. This is a preemptive declaration that any election outcome that does not produce a Republican victory is illegitimate. It is a blueprint for voter suppression, intimidation and the criminalization of opposition, with Trump preparing to hold the coming elections under the barrel of a gun, monitored by ICE demanding identification, like Gestapo agents in Nazi Germany. Trumps address was also a celebration of imperialist gangsterism and the supposed right of American imperialism to invade, bomb, assassinate and abduct at will. In the course of his remarks he treated the military invasion of Venezuelathe killing of civilians and the abduction of its elected presidentas a triumph to be applauded. He awarded a Medal of Honor to a helicopter pilot wounded in the raid and narrated the operation with the relish of a man recounting a hunting expedition. Under the standards established at the Nuremberg trials after World War II, this is an illegal crime against peace, comparable to the acts which sent the Nazi defendants to the gallows. But for the Trump regime, international law, the sovereignty of nations and the prohibition of wars of conquest are, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio put it, abstractions, to be brushed aside. Trump boasted that the United States has very seriously damaged their fishing industry as well. No one wants to go fishing, a sadistic and gloating reference to the murders of fishermen carried out in the Caribbean and the Pacific. Gaza was erased from existence. The word Palestinian did not appear in the speech. With American weapons and political and logistical support, tens of thousands of men, women and children have been killed; hospitals were destroyed; universities were leveled; a civilian population has been subjected to starvation and bombardment. Israel continues to carry out airstrikes in defiance of the ceasefire Trump claims to have brokered. Hundreds have been killed since the so-called truce. The genocide proceeds, and the president who enabled it has declared it resolved. Trump spoke for more than 90 minutes before mentioning Iran, as if no one in the country has any right to know why or when the United States plans to launch a war. And when he finally mentioned Iran, his remarks were confined to a few sentences which explained nothing, while the largest US military deployment in the Middle East since 2003 is currently underway. The Epstein filesa veritable Whos Who of the US and international ruling classwere not mentioned. Despite the release of over 3 million pages of documents exposing the degenerate social universe of the American and international capitalist oligarchythe billionaires, politicians, intellectuals, tech executives and royalty circulating through the orbit of a convicted child sex traffickerthe president, whose intimate, decades-long association with Epstein is documented in photographs, flight logs and witness testimony, said nothing. On the day of Trumps speech, an NPR investigation reported that the Justice Department had removed or withheld Epstein-related records that reference allegations involving Trump, underscoring the ongoing cover-up by the state apparatus. The Epstein files expose a ruling class composed of degenerates. Neither party wants them discussed because both are implicatedClinton and Trump, Summers and Bannon, liberal academics and fascist operatives. And now we arrive at the Democrats. The Democratic Party is not an opposition party. It is a party of the American ruling class. Its function is to absorb and neutralize social opposition, block the independent political movement of the working class, and ensure that no challenge to capitalism emerges from below. The partys official reply was delivered not by a senator or congressperson but by Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger. Always keeping their options open, neither Bernie Sanders nor Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez insisted on delivering the Democratic Partys response to Trump. The Democrats, predictably, presented an ex-CIA operative who invoked her intelligence credentials and warned that Trump was ceding economic power and technological strength to China and bowing down to a Russian dictator. The message was not aimed at working people but at the ruling class: We are reliable, we are serious, we can run the empire with greater competence and fewer public embarrassments. What Spanberger did not say is a self-indictment. She did not demand the abolition of ICE. She did not speak the names of Renee Good or Alex Pretti. She did not denounce the invasion of Venezuela or the genocide in Gaza. She did not challenge the trillion-dollar military budget or the assault on social programs. The Democrats do not object to the machine of repression and war. They object only to the crudeness with which Trump operates it. In order to establish a dictatorship, Trump does not need to physically smash the Democratic politicians. Significantly, when one Democratic congressman, Al Green, held up a sign denouncing Trumps racism, he was dragged from the chamber by security without any objection from his party colleagues. The Democrats fear that if they do anything that undermines the obsolete procedures of congressional decorum, it will encourage popular opposition and mass working class action that they cannot control, and which will prove threatening to the capitalist system. The working class must speak for itself Governor Spanberger began her remarks by stating that the US was based on the idea that the people could band together to demand better of their government. Thats false. Thomas Jefferson, no coward, actually wrote that when confronted with an oppressive government, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government. The Founders did not demand better of King George III. They declared independence and waged an eight-year revolutionary war. That is the tradition that should inspire the working class today. Two hundred and fifty years later, the demand of the working class must not be that Trump or the Democrats do better. The time has come to break with the politics of self-delusion. The central lesson of last nights spectacle is that the working class has no voice in the political system of American capitalism. Neither party represents your interests. Neither party will defend your rights. The entire framework of official politics exists to prevent the working class from recognizing itself as a class, from organizing itself independently, and from fighting for its own interests against the class that exploits it. This must change. The working class must speak for itself. The Socialist Equality Party calls for: The abolition of ICE and the entire apparatus of immigration terror. Immigrant workers are not the enemy of the American working class. They are part of the international working class. The scapegoating of immigrants is the oldest weapon in the arsenal of the ruling classthe deliberate cultivation of racial and national divisions to prevent the unity of the exploited against the exploiters. We demand full citizenship rights for all immigrants. The murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti must be independently investigated by committees of the working class. Those responsiblefrom the agents who pulled the triggers to the officials who gave the ordersmust be brought to justice. An immediate end to all imperialist military operations. Withdraw every soldier from the Middle East. End the blockade of Cuba. End the occupation of Venezuela. Stop the preparations for war against Iran. Not one dollar, not one life for the predatory interests of American imperialism. The trillion-dollar military budget must be redirected to meet the social needs of the working classhealthcare, housing, education, infrastructure. The expropriation of the oligarchy. The concentration of $7.8 trillion in the hands of 905 billionaires, while millions lack healthcare, housing, and food, expresses the logic of the capitalist system. The banks, the giant corporations, the hedge funds, the tech monopolies must be placed under public ownership and democratic control by the working class. The obscene fortunes of the oligarchyaccumulated through exploitation, speculation, fraud and the impoverishment of the majoritymust be expropriated and used to fund a massive expansion of social programs. The reversal of all cuts to social programs and the establishment of social rights. Restore every dollar stolen from Medicaid. Restore food stamp eligibility. Guarantee universal healthcare, free public education through to the university level, affordable housing, and a secure retirement for every worker. These are not utopian demands. The wealth exists, created by the labor of the working class, but now hoarded by the ruling class. The task is to take it back. The building of rank-and-file committees in every factory, workplace and neighborhood. The apparatus of the trade unions, long ago transformed into adjuncts of corporate management, will not lead this fight. Their institutional interests are bound up with the preservation of the very system that is destroying the working class. Workers must organize themselves independently, through democratically elected rank-and-file committees that answer to no one but the workers themselves. These committees must be connected across industries, across state lines, across national borders, through the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC)the organizational framework for the unification of the struggles of the international working class. The preparation of the conditions for a general strike. The crisis of American democracy cannot be resolved through the ballot box of a rigged political system controlled by two capitalist parties, both funded by the same oligarchs. The power of the working class resides in its laborin its collective capacity to stop production, to halt the flow of profits, to bring the machinery of exploitation to a standstill. The political general strike is a powerful weapon of the working class, and the conditions for its deployment are maturing rapidly. The task is to build the organizational and political foundations now. International working class unity. The working class is an international class. Capital operates globally; the working class must organize globally. The same corporations that exploit workers in Detroit exploit workers in Monterrey, in Shenzhen, in Dhaka, in Berlin. The same imperialist system that wages war in the Middle East impoverishes workers on every continent. The struggle against Trump and the American oligarchy is inseparable from the struggle of workers in every country against the world capitalist system. National divisions, racial divisions, ethnic divisions, religious divisions: All are weapons of the ruling class, deployed to prevent the one thing it fears above all else: the unity of the exploited. The crisis of the working class is, in the final analysis, a crisis of revolutionary leadership. The objective conditions for a mass movement of the working class are not only present, they are intensifying with a speed that astonishes even those who have long anticipated them. What is lacking is the conscious political leadership that can transform the mounting anger, the spreading resistance, the growing recognition that the system itself is broken, into a unified movement for the socialist transformation of society. In 1775, Tom Paine proclaimed in the immortal pamphlet, Common Sense, which inspired the American Revolution: We have it in our power to begin the world over again. The new world will be socialist. The power that will build it is the working class. Join the Socialist Equality Party. Build rank-and-file committees in your workplace and your neighborhood. Build the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees. Read the World Socialist Web Site (wsws.org) every day. The future belongs not to the oligarchs and their political servants but to the international working class. The political persecution of Booker Ngesa Omole, General Secretary of the Communist Party MarxistKenya (CPM-K), has entered a new and dangerous stage. The Kenyan regimes so-called broad-based unity government under President William Ruto, an alliance between the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), founded by the late political fixer Raila Odinga, is escalating politically charged criminal accusations against him, as reports of degrading conditions spark outrage in Kenya and internationally. In its latest update today, February 26, the CPM-K reports that Omole has been transferred to Kitengela Remand Prison with a broken arm. The court has acted with open hostility, denying him both cash bail and urgent medical care. The transfer and denial of treatment underscore the increasingly punitive character of his detention. Omole was initially seized by plainclothes police officers in an illegal abduction, without the officers identifying themselves, or producing any warrant, and without any charges being read to him. During his illegal arrest, he was beaten, suffering a broken tooth and a finger cut with a penknife. In subsequent statements, Omole has appealed for urgent medical attention as well as access to adequate food and water. He said that police tortured him in an attempt to extract information, though it remains unclear what they were seeking. Plainclothes officers then transported him for eight hours, first to his house and then to Mlolongo Police Station in Nairobi, where he was denied access to legal counsel, family members or party representatives. Only after his detention did the authorities begin to assemble the series of allegations now being levelled against him. According to an official statement of the CPM-K, Booker is accused of attempting to kill the police, assaulting the police and having connections with the now jailed President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro in the US drug cartel, this is as a result of organising a demonstration at the US Embassy demanding the release of Nicolas Maduro. Among the most sensational is a claim linking him to a drug cartel. His and the CPM-Ks official account has categorically rejected the accusation, stating: Linking Booker to a drug cartel is pure political theatre. His only link to Venezuela is solidarity with Nicolas Maduro. Internationalism is not narcotics. Anti imperialism is not crime. When the state lacks evidence, it manufactures lies. The CPM-K has solidarised itself with the Bolivarian government of Venezuela and has publicly called for the freedom of Nicolas Maduro. It has organised protests in front of the US Embassy Nairobi in solidarity with Venezuela and against Washingtons intervention, demonstrations that were violently dispersed by Kenyan police, in violation of the constitutional right to free assembly. Washington has pursued narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges against Maduro and his inner circle under the claim that he led the Cartel de los Soles. The sensational narrative was central to US justifications for the military invasion of Venezuela in early January, and the subsequent killing of civilians and the abduction of its elected president. The illegal intervention was made to seize control over Venezuelas vast oil resources and limit Chinas and Russias access to them. Now, the Kenyan regime attempts to attach Omole to drug trafficking, using Washingtons playbook, to criminalise the CPM-K in an operation whose ultimate target is the Kenyan working class. Regarding the charge of assaulting police officers, the CPM-K has explained: They allege assault. Truth is simpler. Plain clothed men grabbed him without identifying themselves, no badges, no warrants. Any fracas arose from an illegal abduction, not resistance to law. For many Kenyans, this account describes a familiar reality. Plainclothes security forces frequently carry out arrests without identifying themselves, presenting no badges, warrants or official documentation. The police have a longstanding reputation for corruption, extorting ordinary Kenyans daily through bribes, arbitrary fines and intimidation. Officers regularly plant drugs on individuals in order to fabricate charges and then demand payment for their release. Most importantly, they have been repeatedly implicated in enforced disappearances. In the past year-and-a-half alone, they have been linked to more than 80 reported cases, with some victims never seen again. In such an environment, it is entirely understandable that citizens hesitate or resist when unidentified men attempt to seize them, fearing criminal gangs, rogue officers, or abduction. A further charge concerns alleged illegal firearms possession. However, Omole is a licensed firearm owner. His account reports: At arrest he was unarmed. Police later searched his rented apartment and the firearm was voluntarily handed over. License provided. It is well known that Omole legally owns a firearm, and last year used that licensed weapon in self-defence during an assassination attempt. At no point following that incident did the authorities arrest or charge him over the weapon. Omole is being subject to inhumane treatment designed to degrade and psychologically torment a political prisoner. According to the CPM-Ks official statement: Cde Booker Omole, our General Secretary, was thrown into a filthy cell. An unknown man was sent to defecate in the corner. Poorly cooked food dumped beside the waste. Then Booker was forced to clean the human filth. Omoles detention has sparked solidarity campaigns demanding his immediate release. The International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) has issued a statement supporting this demand, which has been endorsed by its Socialist Equality Party sections internationally. Within Kenya, the Pan-Africanist Kongamano la Mapinduzi issued a statement demanding his unconditional release. Human rights and anti-corruption activist and potential 2027 presidential contender for Ukweli Party leader, Boniface Mwangi, endorsed calls for his freedom. Prominent online commentators that have tens of thousands of followers, including I Am Chege, Wanjiru, yoko have amplified these calls. According to activity on X, more than 15,000 posts have circulated discussing his case and demanding his release. In contrast, Kenyas major capitalist media outlets have remained silent. Neither The Standard, Daily Nation nor The Star has provided coverage of Omoles abduction. It underscores the extent to which the capitalist media, despite its criticisms of the Ruto regime, closes ranks when the fundamental interests of the ruling class are at stake, withholding scrutiny when state repression is directed to the left. The ICFI reiterates its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of Omole. All politically motivated charges must be dropped, and full legal and medical access guaranteed without delay. The escalating campaign of intimidation, fabricated allegations and degrading treatment directed against Omole forms part of a broader persecution of left-wing opposition in Kenya and internationally against IMF-austerity, war and attacks on democratic rights. This repression must end and the democratic rights of CPM-K members and supporters, including freedom of speech, assembly and political organisation, must be upheld. Across the pond, Salesforce shares fell in pre-market trading after its earnings , as its efforts to say "everything will be fine" fell on deaf ears as investors worry that AI might destroy prospects for business software providers. For LSEG it's AI assurances are being listened to more than others. Kitchen seller Howden Joinery also continued its run of quietly getting on with the job and then reminding the market it can still take a step forward in a difficult market." The blue-chip UK index has is being "propelled by superstar engineer Rolls-Royce which is going from strength to strength, and London Stock Exchange Group staging a recovery", says market analyst Dan Coatsworth at AJ Bell. The Footsie is only inching higher this morning as individual company stories are providing the main upward force, but wider falls in certain sectors are applying a brake. "The deal will mean that the power networks of London and the South East will be controlled by France, which already owns a significant portion of Britains nuclear power infrastructure. All five nuclear power stations in the UK are operated by Frances EDF which together provide around 12pc of the countrys total electricity," the Torygraph says. It had agreed to buy UK Power Networks from groups controlled by Hong Kong billionaire Sir Li Ka-shing. Elsewhere, French utility giant Engie has strick struck a 10.3 billion deal to buy the entire power distribution network for London and the South East of England, the Telegraph and a few others report. Tom Stainer, chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), said any plans to produce the Cornish beers outside the region would be a disgrace. Molson, which bought Sharps 15 years ago, said it was planning to close the site by the end of this year but is exploring potential deals with other producers tocontinue to produce beer under Sharps brands, which include Atlantic and Twin Coast pale ales. The Guardian reports that the Chicago-based company said it plans to shut the Cornish brewery, along with its national call centre in Wales, saying it was no longer financially sustainable. Sharps, the brewer of Doom Bar, is to be closed by its US owner, Molson Coors , putting about 200 jobs at risk. Story Continues Coatsworth says LSEG "looks to be in defensive mode" after becoming targeted by activist investor Elliott. The tone of its results is one of a business trying to convince the market (and Elliott) that it is doing much better than its share price would suggest." He says management banged the drum to about how the company has consistently met or exceeded medium-term guidance set out in 2023 and also played "the trust card" to describe how it is an important provider of data, implying that people might not get the same quality of information through third-party AI tools. "Dangling a new 3 billion share buyback carrot in front of investors is certainly one way to get them on side, but Elliott might view that as only the first in many steps to get the shares moving up again. The drama is only just beginning." As for Rolls, he says the shares surging to a new all-time high "is one of the most impressive business turnarounds in decades", with new boss Tufan Erginbilgic "not simply fixing a few broken doors, [but has also] sorted out its problems and then taken the business to another level". Coatsworth adds: "The fact it is confident enough to upgrade mid-term targets just goes to show how Rolls-Royce is in full health. That raises expectations for the business and means there is no margin for error." 9.50am: Nvidia gets big shrug - why? Nvidia delivered another blockbuster quarter overnight, blowing past Wall Street expectations as demand for AI chips continues to soar. The chipmaker reported fourth-quarter revenue of $68.13 billion, topping analyst estimates of $65.91 billion and marking a 73% increase from a year earlier, while adjusted EPS was up 82% to $1.62, above the $1.50 expected and Nvidias 16th beat in the past 17 quarters. So why did the stock barely move? My colleague (and boss) Ian Lyall has a look here. 9.25am: Ocado met with scepticism Shares in Ocado are down 9.5% as investors looked past the rise in earnings and focused on execution risks surrounding the company's cash flow targets. Boss Tim Steiner said the group expects to turn cash flow positive in the second half of 2026 and deliver full-year cash generation in 2027, adding that a "significant number" of jobs would be cut as part of 150 million in cost reductions. Adam Vettese, market analyst for eToro, says guidance for cash flow positivity and cost cuts "sounds promising, but investors are clearly unconvinced, prioritising execution risks over promises", adding that contract fragility and capital intensity remain unaddressed. 9.06am: FTSE fights back The FTSE 100 has fought its way above the waterline, up 19 points to 10,826. Most of the grunt work in this battle is being done by the sizeable gains for Rolls and LSEG, which are two of the index's top 20 largest companies, but with the opposing force of miners on the downside. Fresnillo is down due to a 2% fall in silver prices, with gold little changed at $5,176 an ounce. Antofagasta, Anglo American, Glencore and Rio Tinto are more affected by a 0.45% decline in copper. Diageo, Sainsbury's, Tesco, M&S and Unilever are also in the red. The slow start for the Footsie comes as "investors are taking a breath ahead of crucial talks over Irans nuclear programme, analysing the global debt pile and assessing the latest raft of tech results", says market analyst Susannah Streeter at Wealth Club. She says metals prices are being moved by "heightened geopolitical risks" as US-Iran talks resume, amid warnings from the Trump administration that military strikes will follow if an agreement is not reached on limiting Irans nuclear capabilities. "Despite concerns that crude shipments could be disrupted in the Middle East, a lid is being kept on oil prices, as worries about conflict collide with expectations of oversupply in the world market. Industry data shows oil stocks in the US increased at a weekly rate not seen for three years, while Saudi Arabia has upped its exports to the highest level in nearly three years." 8.32am: Top risers Howden, Rolls and LSEG Howden Joinery is top of the FTSE leaderboard, up 7.3% as the kitchen maker reported full-year results that were better than expected, with a new 100 million buyback launched today. Management stated confidence in hitting 2026 consensus (op profit 364m) and the year has started in line with its expectations. Analyst Charlie Campbell at Stifel says: "It is reassuring to see Howden continuing to outperform a sluggish UK kitchen market. Howden remains a high-quality compounder with decent exposure to UK RMI recovery - winning back volumes and margin lost in the cycle could see earnings 40% higher." Rolls-Royce is the second biggest riser, a 6.5% gain for the company that is now the sixth biggest in the index at a 115 billion market cap. Profits for last year came in 6% ahead of consensus forecasts, driven by the Power Systems arm, with free cash flow 3% ahead. Lower tailwinds from long-term service agreement growth than expected, said analyst Chloe Lemarie at Jefferies, means "this a high quality release". Civil Aerospace margins have now reached 18.8%, around a 500bps improvement from the previous year, she also noted, with 2026 and 2028 guidance "well ahead of consensus", and the buybacks deserve to be well received. London Stock Exchange Group is up 4.8%. "The company has clearly listened to the new activist investor Elliott Advisers," says Koachim Klement at Panmure Liberum, "the buyback is large and turns LSEG into one of the highest yielding stocks in the UK. "The problem is that this buyback is not sustainable in the long run and doesn't help with the biggest long-term problem of the company, the high debt load. But for today, this should significantly lift the share price and we continue to recommend LSEG as the company best positioned of the data vendors covered in our theme to fend off the attack from AI." 8.15am: FTSE opens slightly lower as mining HALO weighs The FTSE 100 has wavered higher and lower in the first few minutes of trade, with falls for miners offsetting gains for LSEG and Rolls-Royce. At the moment, the index is down 6 points at 10,800. Hikma Pharmaceuticals is leading the fallers, down 16% as guidance for the coming year is below expectations. Next is precious metals miner Fresnillo, down 3.1%, followed by Anglo American and Antofagasta, both down around 1.8%. That aforementioned HALO can sometimes be a weight around the neck, it seems. 8am: LSEG launches 3bn buyback, leans into AI debate London Stock Exchange Group has unveiled a fresh 3 billion share buyback after sharply increasing profits last year, thanks to strong growth across its data and markets businesses. The FTSE 100-listed group leaned into the debate around artificial intelligence, after being caught up in the eye of the 'AI fear trade' in recent weeks. Chief executive David Schwimmer said LSEG is positioning itself as the partner of choice for licensed, trusted data as the use of AI in decision-making scales and we are seeing very positive signs of adoption. He highlighted AI-focused partnerships were with Anthropic, Databricks, Microsoft, OpenAI, Rogo and Snowflake, built on its data infrastructure. 7.52am: Ocado eyes positive cash flow and job cuts Ocado Group said it is on track to turn cash flow positive next year after a strong rise in earnings from its technology arm and as it cuts a "significant" number of jobs. Adjusted EBITDA increased 59% to 178 million as revenue swelled 12.1% to 1.4 billion in the 52 weeks to 30 November. Chief executive Tim Steiner said: "FY25 was a year of tangible progress", though two major overseas clients have retrenched in recent months. He said the group remains on track to turn cash flow positive in the second half of 2026 and deliver full year cash generation in 2027, in part as a "significant number of roles will no longer be required" as Ocado reduces technology and support costs. 7.33am: Rolls plans 9bn of buybacks as results beat forecasts Rolls-Royce has upgraded its medium-term targets and unveiled plans to return up to 9 billion to shareholders after reporting another sharp jump in profits and cash flow. The FTSE 100 engine maker posted final results showing underlying operating profit jumped 40% to 3.5 billion in 2025, as revenue increased 13% to 20.1 billion. Free cash flow climbed to 3.3 billion from 2.4 billion. Revenue, profit and cash flow were all above company-compiled consensus forecasts. Boss Tufan Erginbilgic hailed the ongoing transformation, saying Rolls is "consistently achieving outcomes that were not possible before our transformation" and that an ever stronger balance sheet is allowing significant investment to support long-term growth and a 7-9 billion share buyback for 2026-2028 with 2.5 billion to be completed this year. 7.16am: FTSE 100 and the HALO trade The FTSE 100 is projected to extend its gains further into uncharted territory on Thursday as analysts coined a new acronym for the stock market rotation: HALO Heavy Assets, Low Obsolescence. On the futures market, London's blue-chip benchmark has been called 17 points higher, a day after it added a hefty 125.8 points to finish at a record closing high of 10,806.4. US stocks also enjoyed a good session, led by a rebounding tech sector, which saw the Nasdaq gain 1.3%, the S&P 500 add 0.87% and the Dow Jones climb 0.6%. The HALO trade, explains market analyst Ipek Ozkardeskaya, "suggests that companies with large physical assets are likely to attract capital flows as they are less vulnerable to rapid technological disruption, unlike many high-growth software/AI names. "Investors are rotating from expensive AI and growth stocks into businesses with tangible infrastructure and long-lived assets energy, materials, industrials, shipping, and other 'real world' enterprises." In this context, she says the FTSE 100 is "well positioned to benefit from HALO inflows, rallying from record to record, driven by energy and mining names". After the US close, Nvidia delivered another blockbuster quarter but its shares are up only 0.2% in afterhours trade, with Nasdaq futures pointing 0.2% lower. Salesforce also reported earnings and has slipped 4.6% in afterhours trade despite beating analyst expectations on both revenue and earnings, but with guidance just below consensus. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visits the Forbidden City in Beijing on February 26, 2026. (Pedro Pardo) Pedro Pardo/AFP/AFP German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ended his two-day visit to China on Thursday in the tech hub of Hangzhou, identifying "challenges that we must overcome together" after meeting President Xi Jinping and announcing an Airbus deal. Merz's first official visit to China came as Berlin and Beijing seek to build on decades-old economic ties to weather global uncertainty sparked by US President Donald Trump's tariff blitz and erratic foreign policies. China, the world's number two economy, overtook the United States last year to become Germany's biggest trade partner. At the same time, Berlin regards the Communist Party-run state as a systemic rival to the West. The German leader was accompanied in China by a large delegation of business leaders, including executives of auto giants Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes. Merz visited a Mercedes plant in Beijing on Thursday morning, where he was shown a demonstration of self-driving vehicles. He then travelled to Hangzhou, where he visited the sites of Germany's Siemens Energy and Chinese humanoid robot-maker Unitree. The eastern city is home to several other major Chinese tech companies like AI unicorn DeepSeek and e-commerce giant Alibaba. European business leaders, who broadly complain China is flooding the EU market with cheap goods, have urged Merz to keep a cavernous trade imbalance at the top of his agenda. Germany's trade deficit with China hit a record 89 billion euros ($105 billion) last year. "We have good cooperation in China. However, there are also some challenges that we must overcome together," Merz said Thursday, singling out "issues relating to competition" and "high capacity in China". Merz said consultations between his government and Beijing -- interrupted by political developments in Berlin and the pandemic -- would take place "at the beginning of next year at the latest, possibly even this year", with China as host. - 'New levels' - Following talks with Xi and top Chinese leaders in the capital on Wednesday, Merz said that China had agreed to purchase up to 120 Airbus aircraft, adding that it "demonstrates how worthwhile such trips can be". Other contracts were in the pipeline, Merz added. The two leaders stressed their commitment to developing closer strategic relations, with Xi telling Merz he was willing to take relations to "new levels". Merz said he had also touched on the sensitive topic of Taiwan, the self-ruled island China claims as its territory and which it has not ruled out the use of force to annex. For decades, small businesses have shaped communities' identities, building their distinct character. Independent grocery stores, with local produce and personalized service, offered a sense of connection that national chains often could not replicate. Today, however, that landscape is changing. Independent grocers are closing at a rapid pace and being taken over by larger retailers aiming to expand their reach. Retail giants such as Walmart, Costco, Kroger, and Albertsons continue to dominate the industry with their recognizable names, massive footprints, broader product assortments, and aggressive pricing strategies, leaving independent operators with little choice but to sell or shut down. The top four grocery retailers now account for 69% of U.S. grocery spending, with Walmart alone representing nearly 35% of the total, according to Farm Action. This caused the market share of independent retailers to fall from 53% in 1982 to 22% by 2017, according to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. Now, this national trend has reached the Appleby family. It is preparing to give up its only two grocery stores in a Pennsylvania community, where they have served as shoppers' primary options for years. The Giant Company will acquire two Pennsylvania grocery stores The Giant Company has agreed to acquire Everett Foodliner and Saxton Market from the Appleby family in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, according to a company press release. While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, the transaction includes both the real estate and related grocery and fuel business assets. Once the sale is complete, both stores will temporarily close for renovations beginning April 20, 2026, with plans to reopen later in the year. Details regarding exact amenities, hours, and reopening dates will be shared at a later date. Giant's acquired stores The Everett Foodliner: 250 West Main St., Everett, Pennsylvania The Saxton Market: 509 Main St., Saxton, Pennsylvania "Expanding in existing markets is a key element of Giant's strategic growth plan," said The Giant Company President John Ruane in a statement. "We look forward to working closely with Bob and Joe on the transition, welcoming our new team members, and delivering value, freshness, and kindness to our new customers." Approximately 64 employees at the Everett Foodliner and 58 at the Saxton Market will be affected, according to the WARN notice filed February 20 and reviewed by TheStreet. All employees will have the opportunity to interview for positions with The Giant Company. "While it was a difficult decision to make, we are pleased by the care GIANT has shown for our business, employees, and customers," said Bob and Joe Appleby in a statement. We know our family business is in good hands with Giant." North Dakota Judge James Gion said he plans to order Greenpeace to pay expected total damages of $345m to Energy Transfer in a case connected to protests over the Dakota Access oil pipeline. Court filings indicate he would sign an order requiring various Greenpeace organisations to pay the judgment to the midstream company. The judge fixed damages at $345m last year, cutting the jurys award by roughly 50%, although the most recent filing did not state a final figure. The order is expected to trigger appeals to the North Dakota Supreme Court by both sides. The Dakota Access Pipeline is an underground crude oil pipeline stretching around 1,168 miles (1,880km), with a 30in diameter. The pipeline carries light, sweet crude oil from the Bakken/Three Forks Play in North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa to Illinois. The case arises from protests in 201617, when thousands gathered and set up camps near the pipelines Missouri River crossing upstream of the Sioux Tribes Standing Rock reservation. The tribe has for years objected to the pipeline, saying it endangers its water supply. A nine-person jury last year found Greenpeace International, Greenpeace US and Greenpeace Fund liable for defamation and other claims brought by Energy Transfer and its subsidiary Dakota Access. The jury found Greenpeace US liable on all counts including conspiracy, trespass, nuisance and tortious interference, while it found the other two entities liable on some claims. The jury awarded total damages of $667m, split among the three organisations, before the judge reduced the amount. Greenpeace US share of the jury award stood at $404m. Energy Transfer had previously said it intended to appeal the reduced damages, arguing that the jurys original findings and award were lawful and just. Greenpeace declined to comment on the latest court filing, but Greenpeace US interim general counsel Marco Simons repeated that the organisation could not afford to pay the damages, reported the Guardian. It also added that the lawsuit aims to use the courts to silence activists and critics and chill first amendment rights. Energy Transfer has said the case concerns Greenpeace complying with the law rather than free speech. During the trial, an Energy Transfer lawyer said Greenpeace directed efforts to stop construction of the pipeline, including organising protesters, sending supplies for blockades and making untrue statements about the project. "Greenpeace faces $345m payment order in Dakota Access protest case" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. Actor Macaulay Culkin has requested that the state of Oklahoma expunge his arrest record stemming from an arrest 22 years ago. The 45-year-old Culkin, who launched a career as an actor as the child star of "Home Alone" has seen a resurgence in his acting career with roles in the "Zootopia" franchise and the "Fallout" TV series. In 2004, though, was a passenger in a speeding car that was pulled over by Oklahoma City Police. During a search, police found drugs and arrested him. He was quickly released on bail. Advertisement Advertisement During court proceedings, Culkin pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana and Xanax, and received a one-year deferred sentence, according to court records. In Oklahoma, people can file for expungement for several reasons, including when the person has completed a deferred sentence and remained out of trouble with the law. If the Oklahoma County District Court approves the expungement, his record would be sealed to the public but remains visible to law enforcement. Online court records show Culkin's request for expungement was filed on Wednesday, Feb. 25. The records do not appear to list an attorney. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Macaulay Culkin asks Oklahoma court to expunge 2004 drug arrest Conservative comedian and podcaster Adam Carolla sparked backlash this week after suggesting that an influx of Jews and Israelis could fix Mexico permanently. Theres no country that needs Jews like Mexico, Carolla said on his podcast Tuesday. Mexico is so short on Jews and lousy with Mexicans, and thats the problem. His remarks came days after violence escalated in parts of Mexico following reports that cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes had been killed in a government operation, allegedly prompting his criminal organization to go on alert and threaten retaliation raising fears of tourists being caught in the crossfire. You Tube Earlier in the episode, Carolla framed his comments as a broader geopolitical observation, arguing that Mexico is not fixable because its 100% Mexico, and thats not good. It needs an influx of something else. Advertisement Advertisement He contrasted that with Israel, claiming the Jewish state will never be fixed because its surrounded by terrorists who are anti-Semitic and want all the Jews to die, and dismissing the idea that the conflict is primarily territorial. Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn California Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X California Post Opinion California Post Newsletters: Sign up here! California Post App: Download here! Home delivery: Sign up here!Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here! At one point, he described Israel as a giant ashtray filled with homicidal people that want you dead, before pivoting back to Mexico and reiterating that the country needs Jews like no other state. Carolla then floated what he portrayed as a reverse aliyah, suggesting Israelis should relocate en masse to Mexicos Baja California peninsula a region he described as breathtaking, where the ocean meets the desert, with a climate he said mirrors Israels. Getty Images for ABA Under his proposal, Israelis would take over Baja, establish businesses, improve governance and build infrastructure, transforming the region into a utopia within two decades. Advertisement Advertisement Give Israel give it to all of your homicidal neighbors, theyll turn it into a shhole in 10 seconds, and you guys move to Baja, he said. Baja will now have the greatest resorts and, in general, whether its governance or whatever it is, you guys need Jews in Mexico. Mexico is home to roughly 40,000 Jews out of a population of about 130 million. The countrys president, Claudia Sheinbaum, is also Jewish. The outspoken comic has long drawn fire for his hardline takes on COVID-19 mandates, gender and LGBTQ+ issues earning rebukes from former friends like Howard Stern and Jimmy Kimmel, and condemnation from advocacy groups such as GLAAD. Branded by critics as a right-wing troll, Carolla has been accused of drifting from mainstream appeal into culture-war provocation, even as he insists hes simply saying what others wont. UPDATE 2/25/26 at 6:03 p.m. ET Andy Cohen shared a message of support to Mary Cosby after news broke of son Robert Cosby Jr.s death. Were so sad to read the news about Mary Cosby's son, Robert and I can't think of anything worse than losing a child and in this way, Cohen said on the Wednesday episode of SiriusXMs Andy Cohen Live. [Cohost] John [Hill], you and I have talked so much on this show about addiction and the heartbreak that is associated and I have so much love for Mary. Cohen shared that he spoke with Mary for a while on Tuesday, February 24 one day after Robert Jr. died, noting that this is every parent's worst nightmare. Advertisement Advertisement You and I talked about this too, just about how much respect we had for the way that she spoke to Robert when we saw them talking about this on air and what I really admired was that she kind of met him where he was in a way, and she was kind of gently steering him or guiding him, Cohen said. Cohen recalled that Robert Jr. was in jail when the RHOSLC season 6 reunion was filmed. (Robert Jr. violated a protective order in 2025. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was released from jail earlier this month.) She was really hoping that he would be scared straight and I guess that didn't happen, Cohen claimed. He concluded that they are sending all our love to Mary and Robert. Original story: Advertisement Advertisement Andy Cohen is speaking out about the death of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Mary Cosbys son, Robert Cosby Jr. Devastatingly sad news out of SLC, Cohen, 57, wrote via Threads on Wednesday, February 25. This is every parents worst nightmare. My heart is broken for Mary, and I am sending all my love to her and Robert Sr. TMZ reported on Wednesday that Robert Jr. died in Utah on Monday, February 23, following a possible overdose. His official cause of death has yet to be confirmed. He was 23. According to the outlet, police responded to a call on Monday for a full arrest and medical emergency. After the fire department and paramedics arrived at the scene, authorities launched a death investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Celebrity Deaths of 2026: Oliver Power Grant, Lauren Chapin and More Stars We Lost This Year Mary, 53, subsequently confirmed Robert Jr.s death in a statement to Us Weekly. Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord, she said on Wednesday. Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in Gods promise and in knowing he is finally at peace. We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow. Robert Jr. was the only child of Mary and her husband, Robert Cosby Sr. The couple have been married since 1998. Courtesy of Mary Cosby/Instagram Robert Jr.s struggles with addiction were documented on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. (Mary was an original Housewife during seasons 1 and 2 and returned to the main cast for seasons 5 and 6.) Advertisement Advertisement During an episode that aired in November 2024, Robert Jr. revealed that his substance abuse issues began when he was 16. Bravo Stars React to RHOSLC Star Mary Cosbys Son Robert Cosby Jr.s Death: Andy Cohen and More At first, I was like, Im going to just stick to natural stuff. Then, I went to a party, and someone gave me Xanax, he recalled at the time. I started buying it. Then, I started doing Xanax with Acid and then Molly with Xanax. I really like Xanax so I mix it with everything. Xanax and cocaine. He added, You know the regular 30mg Oxys? I noticed this was, like, a turning point for me. I was taking 10 at once and I couldnt even feel it. Advertisement Advertisement Mary grew emotional as her son shared his addiction battle with her. In a confessional, she said she was disappointed in herself. I feel like I let him down somewhere, she continued, explaining that she thought Robert Jr. was only using marijuana. I trusted him in my mind, thinking thats where he would stop. I was clearly wrong. I missed the mark. At the time, Robert Jr. also told Mary that he wanted to die at one point and she was the only reason he didnt commit suicide. Reality TV Tragedies: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths I just felt like a stain, he said. I just felt like this world wasnt for me. Advertisement Advertisement The following month, Mary shared on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen that Robert Jr. completed a month-long stay in rehab and came out a new person. In November 2025, Robert Jr. was arrested following repeated incidents with his estranged wife, Alexiana Smokoff who filed for divorce that same month and her father. Robert Jr. ultimately pleaded guilty to assault, trespassing and violating a protective order, according to court documents obtained by Us at the time. Us exclusively reported in February that Robert Jr. and Smokoff finalized their divorce. Weeks before his death, Robert Jr. was released from Salt Lake County Metro Jail on February 3 after two months behind bars. Per court documents, he was sentenced to 36 months of probation and 75 hours of community service. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Hannah Neeleman, a.k.a. Ballerina Farm, revealed she is pregnant in an ad for her protein powder. The two-minute short film depicts Neeleman, a Juilliard-trained dancer, watching ballerinas perform. Neeleman previously spoke to Business Insider about raising her eight kids on her and her husband's Utah farm. Hannah Neeleman, the "tradwife" influencer and co-founder of Ballerina Farm, announced that she is pregnant with her ninth child in a new ad for her protein powder, Farmer Protein. Neeleman, 35, and her husband, Daniel Neeleman, whose father founded JetBlue Airlines, sell farm goods, including raw milk, bread, and meat, under their lifestyle brand, Ballerina Farm, based in Kamas, Utah. They launched Farmer Protein, which comes in five flavours, in October 2024. The ad appears to be promoting the existing products. Advertisement Advertisement In the almost two-minute-long short film posted on Wednesday, a group of ballerinas from Ballet West, a Salt Lake City-based ballet company, perform on stage while Neeleman watches. As the camera zooms out on Neeleman, her lower body becomes visible, and she reveals a baby bump underneath her checkered maxi dress. Neeleman is a Juilliard-trained ballerina (which inspired the name of her ranch and social media handle), but quit professional dance after college to be a mom and homemaker. The protein powder ad plays on this narrative, as Neeleman is later pictured, sipping what looks like a protein smoothie, in front of an expansive, mountainous landscape. Neeleman has over 20 million followers across social media, and her "traditional" lifestyle splits opinions. Some fans find it an inspiration, while others lament what they see as her abandoning her dream career soon after she married Daniel Neeleman in 2011. She consistently disputes the latter narrative, telling Business Insider in October, "People can say a million nice things about you, and then one negative thing, and it hurts in a way that is just human. But I know who I am, and I know what we're doing, and I believe in that." Advertisement Advertisement In the interview with Business Insider, Neeleman also discussed her approach to parenting the eight kids she shares with Daniel. "We wanted a business where we could work together as a couple and involve our eight children. I didn't want to have to put them in day care or leave them with a nanny," she said of homeschooling her kids and encouraging them to get involved on the farm. As the visuals switch from theatre to ranch, Neeleman says in the voiceover: "On this stage, I learned to be strong. And despite what some people think, that strength never leaves you." Neeleman last gave birth in January 2024 to daughter Flora Jo and famously competed in an international beauty pageant 12 days later. If Farmer Protein is in fact behind this woman's preternatural stamina, maybe we really should all be taking it! Read the original article on Business Insider Guidewire Software, Inc. (NYSE:GWRE) is one of the 10 best beaten down software stocks with the highest upside potential. On February 16, Rishi Jaluria of RBC Capital maintained a Buy rating on Guidewire Software, Inc. (NYSE:GWRE) and assigned a price target of $300. A week before that, on February 10, Goldman Sachs analyst Adam Hotchkiss reaffirmed a Buy rating on the stock, along with a price target of $275. The firms price target suggests an additional 125% upside from current levels. Guidewire Software, Inc. (GWRE) Stock Could More Than Double From Here According To Analysts In contrast to the above ratings, Wells Fargo lowered its price target on Guidewire Software, Inc. (NYSE:GWRE) from $250 to $210 on February 4. Analyst Michael Turrin reduced the firms price target on the stock while keeping a Buy rating. This is not the first time the firm has revised its view this year. Earlier, on January 8, Wells Fargo had already lowered its price target on Guidewire Software, Inc. (NYSE:GWRE) from $275 to $250 while discussing its broader 2026 outlook for software stocks. The latest price target revision on February 4 follows that earlier update. Based in San Mateo, California, Guidewire Software, Inc. (NYSE:GWRE) offers a platform for property and casualty (P&C) insurers globally. The company provides Guidewire InsuranceSuite, including ClaimCenter, PolicyCenter, and BillingCenter applications. Moreover, it also offers Guidewire InsuranceNow, Guidewire Reinsurance Management, Guidewire Rating Management, Guidewire Client Data Management, Guidewire Product Content Management, and Guidewire Advanced Product Designer. While we acknowledge the potential of GWRE 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: Cathie Woods Stock Portfolio: Top 10 Stocks to Buy and 30 Most Fantastic Stocks Every Investor Should Pay Attention To. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. Bill Maher couldn't pronounce her name. That didn't stop him from having a lot to say about her. In a clip from his Club Random podcast that's now tearing across social media, the late-night host sits across from comedian Andrew Schulz, drink in hand, and lays it out plainly. "Whatever it is, I don't like her," he says of Ilhan Omar, the Minnesota congresswoman. Then comes the line that, nearly a year later, would take on a new life: "Is she a representative of America or Palestine?" Schulz doesn't flinch. He nods along, sips his drink, and the two keep rolling Maher tossing out the unproven claim that Omar "married her brother" like it's a throwaway punchline, Schulz riffing on it without missing a beat. The whole exchange lasts barely a minute. It has the energy of two guys at a bar who've had one too many and forgot the mic was on. Advertisement Advertisement Except the mic is always on. And nearly a year later, hundreds of thousands of people just hit play. pic.twitter.com/pDglhLAmLV Bill Maher on Ilhan Omar: "I don't like her. Is she a representative of America or Palestine? ... she married her brother." Jason Cohen (@JasonJournoDC) February 26, 2026 The week that brought the clip back from the dead The conversation originally aired in March 2025. It didn't make much noise at the time. But then Tuesday night happened. Omar leaned forward in her seat in the House chamber during President Trump's State of the Union address and shouted "You are a murderer!" and "You're a liar!" Trump had just referred to Minnesota's Somali community as "pirates" who had "ransacked" the state. Omar the only Somali American in Congress, representing the district where federal agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens during immigration raids last month wasn't about to sit quietly through that. The moment turned her into one of the most talked-about politician in America overnight. And the next morning, Trump made sure she stayed there. He took to Truth Social to say Omar and Rashida Tlaib had "the bulging, bloodshot eyes of crazy people" and should be sent "back from where they came." Tlaib was born in Detroit. Omar has been an American citizen for over two decades. Advertisement Advertisement Somewhere in the middle of all this, the clip was posted on X by Daily Caller reporter Jason Cohen. It hit 333,000 views fast. But it was Mehdi Hasan who turned it into a conversation nobody could walk away from. One hypothetical that changed the entire debate "Difficult to describe how racist Bill Maher is," Hasan wrote, quote-tweeting the clip. Then he posed a simple thought experiment: "Imagine him saying, about a Jewish congresswoman, 'Is she a representative of America or Israel?' Maher would be the first to scream antisemitism." Difficult to describe how racist Bill Maher is. Imagine him saying, about a Jewish congresswoman, Is she a representative of America or Israel? Maher would be the first to scream antisemitism. https://t.co/euOXlsmsqj Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) February 26, 2026 That post blew past 211,000 views in four hours. Twelve thousand likes. Over a thousand retweets. And the reason it spread so fast is because the hypothetical is almost impossible to argue with. Questioning whether an American lawmaker's true allegiance lies with a foreign country is one of the oldest smears in the book. When it's aimed at Jewish Americans, there's a word for it. When Maher aimed it at a Muslim congresswoman from Somalia, he did it between sips of whiskey and moved on to the next topic. And here's the part Maher probably hopes you forgot Back in 2019, Omar caught heat for comments about AIPAC that many called antisemitic. And who came to her defense? Bill Maher. Right there on Real Time, he told his audience he didn't understand why her Israel criticism had to be seen as antisemitic. "If I criticize Saudi Arabia, that doesn't mean I'm an Islamophobe," he said. He walked it back weeks later, saying after reading more of her tweets that she "might be" antisemitic. But the original instinct was clear he recognized that questioning someone's loyalty based on their background was a line that shouldn't be crossed. Advertisement Advertisement Then he crossed it himself. A year-old clip in a brand-new spotlight The clip is from March 2025. Maher meant every word when he said it, and there's no reason to believe he feels any differently now. Schulz laughed along then and hasn't said a word about it since. But context has a way of changing everything. A year ago, Omar was just another congresswoman Maher didn't like. This week, she's the woman who leaned forward in her seat on national television and called the president a murderer to his face then went on CNN the next morning and said she'd do it again. That's the version of Ilhan Omar this clip is now sitting next to. And for a lot of people seeing it for the first time, Maher either had a point or didn't. Eric Danes ex-girlfriend Priya Jain donated $10,000 to the late actors GoFundMe after his tragic death last week at age 53. On Tuesday, Us Weekly confirmed that Jain, 28, contributed to the fundraiser set up by Friends of the Dane family with his ex-wife RebeccaGayheart listed as the beneficiary. The GoFundMes current goal is set to $500,000, with the fundraiser already garnering over $450,000 worth of donations. Advertisement Advertisement In the wake of Danes death, a multitude of A-Listers rallied around his family, including kids Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14, whom he shared with Gayheart, 54. Eric Danes ex-girlfriend, Priya Jain, who he is pictured with above, donated $10K to the late actors GoFundMe. Khrome / BACKGRID The GoFundMe page has already raised over $450,000. Khrome / BACKGRID Hailey Bieber donated $20,000, while Euphoria creator Sam Levinsons gave $27,000. Other donations included $10,000 from director Brad Falchuk, who is married to Gwyneth Paltrow, and the same amount from producer Randall Emmett. Dane tragically passed away last Thursday following a courageous battle with ALS, his family told People via 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. Along with Jain, seen above on Dec 8, 2025, other A-Listers such as Hailey Bieber and Sam Levinson donated. Kristina Bumphrey/JanuaryImages / Shutterstock Dane, pictured in October 2025, announced his ALS diagnosis in April, which led him and Jain to reconnecting. Roger / PGP / BACKGRID Advertisement Advertisement He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always, the statement concluded. Dane first revealed his ALS diagnosis 10 months earlier in April 2025. Meanwhile, prior to the Euphoria stars death, he reportedly reconnected with Jain. In the months leading up to Erics passing Priya and Eric reconnected their relationship as friends, an insider told Us Weekly earlier this month. Jain, pictured here on December 10, 2025, was linked with Dane in 2024. Variety via Getty Images However, the actress was blindsided when Dane stepped out with Janell Shirtcliff at the Countdown premiere in June 2025, as seen above. Getty Images for Prime Video The source explained that it was more important for them to remain friends after their breakup over the summer. Jain was said to have been taken aback by Danes passing. Priya didnt think it would happen this quickly, they continued, adding that Jain has so much love for the Greys Anatomy alum. Advertisement Advertisement Calling Dane such a special person, the source shared that Jain has a lot of love for his family and knows how hard this is for his daughters. Dane and Shirtcliff, seen in an IG picture above, were on and off for years. Instagram/Janell Shirtcliff Dane was previously married to Rebecca Gayheart, who he is pictured here with on March 1, 2015. WireImage While Jain is said to be so sad and devastated, the source shared that shes grateful Billie and Georgia exist to keep his memory alive. The exes split came as Dane was spotted at the Los Angeles premiere of Countdown with director Janell Shirtcliff in June 2025. The move allegedly left Jain blindsided. They never broke up, a source told Page Six at the time. Our insider said Jain and the Brilliant Minds actor met in the summer of 2024 and became exclusive that November. Advertisement Advertisement They were last pictured together in May 2025. The couple shared daughters Billie and Georgia, who are pictured above with Dane on May 30, 2024. FilmMagic Despite Danes romances with both Jain and Shirtcliff, Gayheart called off their divorce in March 2025 amid the his battle with the debilitating condition. Gayheart later explained that she made the move in order to teach their daughters to be there for family even when times are at their worst. She also clarified that she and Dane hadnt lived together for eight years. Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Sipa USA via AP Images Former Vogue editor Gabriella Karefa-Johnson revealed this week that she stormed out of an expensive plane seat after discovering all of her fellow first-class passengers were old, white men. I just downgraded myself from first class to business class on my flight to Milan, Karefa-Johnson announced in a social media post on Tuesday: In a cabin of 6, 5 of the passengers were white middle aged men then there was me, a 30 something black woman who travels in that cabin often, and a male flight attendant who thought Id be okay with substandard service and persistent micro-aggression from the moment I sat down. He was wrong. I dont suffer fools, and i would sacrifice physical comfort to protect my emotional and mental well being any day. After a social media user commented, Im sorry you had to do that-you deserve to be anywhere and everywhere. They belong in economy, Karefa-Johnson replied, Hard agree! Its just such a bummer that humiliation is part of the gratification for racists. Protecting my peace felt like letting him win and I hate that. Advertisement Advertisement The former Vogue editors rant quickly went viral online, where she was mocked for being just like Rosa Parks. The microaggression: Would you like a glass of champagne, madam?' joked the satirical newspaper The Sunday Sport, while Townhall writer Amy Curtis commented, Oh, the humanity. Karefa-Johnson resigned from her position as editor-at-large of Vogue in October 2023 in protest over Israels invasion of Gaza. I resigned as kind of a material action of solidarity and because it was just time for me to move on, she said at the time. Theres so many things that these institutions represent that Im not. The post Former Vogue Editor Says She Stormed Out of First-Class Plane Seat After Discovering Fellow Passengers Were All White Middle Aged Men first appeared on Mediaite. Gordon Ramsay was seen arriving at Londons Savoy Hotel in a newly delivered Aston Martin Valhalla on Monday but encountered difficulty opening the supercars door, leaving his wife Tana waiting inside. The 59-year-old chef had been driving the 1 million hybrid hypercar through the city when he stopped at the landmark hotel and attempted to operate the vehicles handle-less dihedral door. As he pulled up to the entrance, Ramsay appeared unsure how to release the door mechanism. Video captured by photographer and car enthusiast Freddie Atkins showed Ramsay asking for the vehicles manual while trying to figure out the system. Tana Ramsay remained seated inside as he worked through the unfamiliar controls. At one point, he knocked on the window before successfully opening the door. After resolving the issue, Ramsay greeted Atkins and shook hands with hotel doormen before entering the Savoy. The Aston Martin Valhalla was developed with input from Formula One designer Adrian Newey and has been described as the successor to the Valkyrie. The model is powered by a V8 engine paired with three electric motors, producing a combined 1,064 horsepower and 811 lb-ft of torque. It is Aston Martins first hybrid supercar, capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds with a top speed of 217 mph. Deliveries of the highly anticipated model were previously delayed before reaching customers. Advertisement Advertisement The London appearance came shortly after Ramsay discussed his daughter Hollys December wedding to Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty. He said he considers Peaty a son and described the wedding ceremony at Bath Abbey as an emotional occasion for the family. Ramsay has since taken delivery of the Valhalla and was seen driving the vehicle in central London following the hotel stop. (NewsNation) After almost two years, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle once again jetted off to do another quasi-royal tour and once again infuriated his brother, Prince William. The couples last two tours in 2024 created controversy as they were in Nigeria and Colombia two countries high on the corruption list and not known for their safety. Harry, who has been trying for years to get English taxpayers to foot the bill for his and his familys security, has always said he cant bring his wife and children back to the United Kingdom because it isnt safe (until they have police protection). Advertisement Advertisement Dolly Parton Childrens Hospital: Tennessee hospital honors country star The other issue? There was no obvious reason for them to go. Yet he and Meghan larked over to Jordan with the World Health Organization to visit children and refugees affected by the Gaza war. Prince Harry, Meghans trip arrived alongside ex-Prince Andrew scandal And the problem is threefold. Harry and Meghans trip shows a lack of discipline within the royal family, which is currently experiencing its greatest test ever having to deal with former Prince Andrew and the Epstein files. The trip is also being seen as a manipulation by the British government to have the erstwhile royals shape political messaging back home, and it is seen as Harry and Meghans forceful attempt to become part-time working royals on their own terms despite Queen Elizabeth denying them this role. Advertisement Advertisement As Tom Sykes, the Daily Beasts royalist, writes: With Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, launching a high-profile and politically sensitive trip to Jordan just days after Prince Andrews arrest, we now see a royal family in which King Charles clearly no longer exercises any control Discipline has broken down, and Buckingham Palace, appears unable to stop H&Ms quasi-royal freelancing. LONDON, ENGLAND FEBRUARY 25: Prince William, Prince of Wales during his visit to the Francis Crick Institute at Francis Crick Institute on February 25, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage) Meanwhile, Harry has become quite close to several members of Parliament including former Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and current Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. Both signed a 2019 letter of solidarity defending Meghan, and Mahmood recently granted Harry a new threat assessment review, which some see as a favor. Mahmood also traveled with Harry to Ukraine last year. Harry is also close to Baroness Doreen Lawrence, the peer who is currently suing the owner of the Daily Mail (along with seven others, including Harry) for invasion of privacy and unlawful wiretapping. The royal family is not supposed to be seen as political in any way, a royal source told me. Advertisement Advertisement But there are fears that Harry is helping the Labor government with this trip as he is trying to get his security back. (Prime Minister) Keir Starmer has always been very pro-Palestinian, and it looks as if Harry and Meghan are bolstering that stance without (Starmer) having to get involved. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex listen to a music class during a visit to the QuestScope Youth Center at the Zaatari refugee camp, home to displaced Syrians, near Mafraq in northern Jordan. Picture date: Wednesday February 25, 2026. (Photo by Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty Images) Indeed, the couple was greeted by the British ambassador to Jordan, who thanked them for coming, before meeting members of the United Nations and UNRWA, which had 19 staff members investigated for allegations of involvement in the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. The U.N.s Office of Internal Oversight Services concluded in August 2024 that nine employees may have been involved in the October 7 attacks and fired them. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization faced its own accusations by Israel in 2024 when Ambassador Meirav Eilon Shahar claimed that the WHO was in collusion with Hamas and was turning a blind eye to Hamass systematic military use of hospitals. Her specific charge: In every single hospital that the IDF searched in Gaza, it found evidence of Hamas military use. These are undeniable facts that WHO chooses to ignore time and time again. This is not incompetence; it is collusion. Advertisement Advertisement Not that the Sussexes would be bothered. Meghan is trying out her next role as ambassador to the world, my source said. Its like her next role is a combination of trying to be Harrys mother, Princess Diana and Angelina Jolie. Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan already faced anti-Israel biases in 2025 when I revealed their then charity, Archewell, had donated $50,000 to a group founded by an ardent anti-Israel activist. (After I brought it to their attention, the couple cut ties with the group). Palace worries Prince Harry and Meghan have gone rogue But because this trip was under the guise of a humanitarian visit (as opposed to just a fun cool trip like Nigeria and Colombia), people inside the palace are genuinely concerned that despite the fact that the two are no longer royals and agreed to the Megxit pact (youre either in or out and they chose out) they are just going ahead and doing what they want anyway. Advertisement Advertisement Harry has a habit of bullying his father into getting what he wants, my source said. And Charles isnt strong enough to say no. Britains Prince William and Britains Prince Harry walk beside each other after viewing the floral tributes for the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England on Sept. 10, 2022. Prince Harry flew more than 5,000 miles to see his father after King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer. But he did not see his estranged brother, William, during a visit that lasted scarcely 24 hours. William, meanwhile, returned to public duties for the first time since his wife, Kate, was admitted to a London hospital Jan. 16 for abdominal surgery. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File) Harry wanted police security and despite losing a court case to get it he went ahead and lobbied members of Parliament. He now claims he has it (that has yet to be seen), my source continued. He wanted a half-in, half-out role in the Firm and was told no. So now hes trying to do it anyways. There is a pattern here, and its not pretty. Hilary Duff taken aback by Ashley Tisdales toxic mom group According to Sykes (and several others I have spoken to, including royal historian Andrew Lownie), the Sussexes should enjoy the leeway now as it will all end the second William comes to power. Advertisement Advertisement For William, the Andrew crisis is not only a warning but also an opportunity, Sykes notes. It gives him a concrete case for acting firmly once the crown passes to him. He is determined, allies say, not to let the same confusion and lack of discipline continue into his childrens generation. From Hollywood to the royal family, The Scoop delivers smart, insider revelations on celebrity news, scandals, style and culture with Paula Froelich. Subscribe to her newsletter here. 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 NewsNation. The 15-year-old gave a statement to police in Rishon Lezion, which included the suspect's name. The name has not been released to the public. A well-known Israeli media personality was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of sodomizing a 15-year-old boy, after a report was filed with the police earlier in the week. The minor gave a statement to police in Rishon Lezion, which included the suspect's name. The name has not been released to the public. Israel Police, State Attorney arrest 19-year-old for indecent acts against minors online One week earlier, the Tel Aviv Prosecutors Office indicted a 19-year-old for committing indecent acts and attempting to commit indecent acts on minors online, the State Attorneys Office announced on February 18. Advertisement Advertisement The 19-year-old Mazkeret Batya resident, identified as Rotem Aknin, created fake Snapchat and TikTok profiles under the name Liron, claiming to be a 14-year-old, according to the indictment. An investigation conducted by Unit 105 of the Israel Police, the Israel Polices Cyber Unit, and the State Attorneys Office revealed that Aknin used fake social media profiles to approach four minors and asked them to commit indecent acts, take photos, and send them to him. A building in the Israeli city of Bat Yam (Illustrative). (credit: Yoav Lerman/Flickr) Teenage girl targeted by repeat sex offender at Bat Yam beach despite IPS 'surveillance.' The day before, a known sex offender was arrested in Bat Yam on suspicion of having behaved inappropriately toward, and possibly having assaulted, a 14-year-old girl, according to a Tuesday joint statement from the Israel Police and the Israel Prison Service. The suspect, a Bat Yam resident in his 30s, is already under surveillance by the IPS "Tzur" unit, which was established specifically to protect the public from known sexual offenders through surveillance both in person and online, as well as spot searches and drug testing. Notably, members of the IPS "Tzur" unit are empowered to arrest sex offenders, despite not being police officers. Advertisement Advertisement The man has been recently arrested by the "Tzur" unit three times for violating the terms of his freedom under supervision and contacting minors. Most recently, he was arrested after the 14-year-old girl filed a report at the Bat Yam police station, saying that the suspect approached her at the beach, issued "indecent proposals," and assaulted her. Goldie Katz and Maya Zanger-Nadis contributed to this report. While Jennifer Aniston and her boyfriend Jim Curtis arent even engaged yet, its apparently one of the worst-kept secrets that theyre planning to tie the knot eventually, but the pre-nup is allegedly already an issue. An inside source told Heat World UK that Aniston may not be considering a prenup, and her friends are quite worried about the idea. The insider said, She is concerned about making him feel inferior if she puts a big contract between them, but her pals have stressed that she absolutely cannot leave herself vulnerable. More from SheKnows RELATED: Insiders Claim Jennifer Aniston Has Offered to Do This Amid BF Jim Curtis Reported Estrangement From His Son (However, this comes as a bit of a shock when insiders said mere months ago to Star Magazine that Jim wont have any issue whatsoever signing on the dotted line! So who knows whats going on behind the scenes?!) Advertisement Advertisement Now, has Aniston done a prenup before? Well, she and her first husband, Brad Pitt, didnt have a prenup when they married in 2000, which caused so many issues when splitting up their shared $190 million assets, according to The List. However, it seems she did a total 180 when she married Justin Theroux, making him sign an ironclad prenup that protected her hundreds of millions of dollars. Jennifer Aniston at the Variety x Apple TV "The Morning Show' Finale and Reception at The Linwood Dunn Theater on November 19, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. For those who dont know, Aniston and Curtis were introduced by mutual friends at an undisclosed time, and by the summer of 2025, their relationship had become more public. In fact, in June 2025, rumors started swirling that Aniston and Curtis, were dating after being spotted together in Northern California. RELATED: Jennifer Anistons Boyfriend Jim Curtis Reportedly Sees Their Relationship as a Career Launchpad In July 2025, they were photographed again while with friends in Mallorca, Spain; and after her friends reportedly gave the romance a thumbs up, its only gotten more and more public. Advertisement Advertisement In fact, in Nov 2025, Aniston and Curtis made their Instagram debut when she posted a PDA pic of them with the caption reading, Happy birthday my love Cherished . Before you go, click here to see celebrity couples with significant age differences. Josh Duhamel & Audra Mari Best of SheKnows Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Gavin Newsom still remembers the exact moment he knew his marriage to Kimberly Guilfoyle would not last. The California governor got candid about his four-year marriage to the media personality turned Trump diplomat in his forthcoming book, Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery, previewed by the Daily Mail. Newsom admitted that both of them were phoning it in in their relationship while they pursued their career ambitions separately. In 2001, Newsom was a 34-year-old member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, while Guilfoyle, 32 at the time, was an assistant district attorney in the blue city. In 2004, Newsom became San Francisco mayor and Guilfoyle entered the world of TV. Gavin Newsom and Kimberly Guilfoyle at his inauguration as San Francisco mayor in January 2004. / San Francisco Chronicle via Gett Three days after I had been sworn in as mayor, Kimberly flew to New York to start a new job as a host for Court TV, he recalled. She was on a career path that would take her to Fox News and into circles of right-wing politics that could not have contrasted more with the world in which we were raised. Advertisement Advertisement But Newsoms realization that their relationship was doomed came after he allowed same-sex marriage in San Francisco. During that time, several of his aides got married, along with now-divorced Rosie ODonnell and Kelli Carpenter. I saw something in those marriages that I did not see in my own, he wrote. Newsom and Guilfoyle in December 2003. / Justin Sullivan / Getty Images Newsom, now 58, said his family saw the fallout coming early into their relationship, but both his mother, Tessa, and sister, Hillary, chose to keep their reservations to themselves. Hillary was quoted in the book as describing Guilfoyle as smart, quite smart, but not my type of gal, adding that her need for attention and love could not be met. Advertisement Advertisement She was a little over-the-top. Overdone style. She was never not put together, but understatement was not one of her attributes, Newsoms sister said. She needed to command a room. She needed to own a room. All eyes on her. The couple was married for four years. / San Francisco Chronicle/Hearst N / Hearst Newspapers via Getty Imag Newsom said his mother put on a good smile when they got married in a December 2001 ceremony at St. Ignatius Church, followed by a reception at the Getty mansion. My mother was of the mind that the marriage between Kimberly and me would not last, but she chose to hide those feelings from me, he recalled. But his mother didnt tuck those thoughts away permanently. Newsom revealed that Guilfoyle wasnt with the family when Tessa chose to end her life through doctor-assisted suicide at age 55 in 2002. She had been battling an aggressive form of breast cancer. Advertisement Advertisement She had visited a day earlier, Newsom said of Guilfoyle, only to have my mother scold her about things shed seen in our marriage. Kimberly left in tears. Mom had finally found a voice, it seemed. Newsom and Guilfoyle in June 2004. / Getty Images But Newsoms family believed he shared the blame for their relationship woes, too. He recalled his sister telling him, I saw a lot of adoration from her to you, Gavin. But less from you to her. His mother, meanwhile, was worried that I had brought a kind of passivity into the relationship, a go along to get along, that was itself a devils bargain. I gave only a little of myself to Kimberly. Instead of regretting this, I kept wishing I could have given a lot more to my dying mother, Newsom wrote. The distance between Kimberly and me became a breach, and the breach widened into a chasm that could not be repaired. The couple announced their divorce in January 2005. Advertisement Advertisement When it was time to part after four years of marriage, we parted about as amicably as two people could, he said. Guilfoyle is now President Donald Trump's ambassador to Greece. / Getty Images Guilfoyle, 56, has since undergone a complete MAGA makeover. Apart from getting whats been dubbed a Mar-a-Lago face, she dated Donald Trump Jr. from 2018 to 2024. Last September, she was sworn in as President Donald Trumps ambassador to Greece. The Daily Beast has reached out to the U.S. Embassy in Athens for comment. Newsom married Hollywood actress and filmmaker Jennifer Siebel in 2008. Oprah Winfrey's arrival in Australia has sparked fresh backlash online and not because of her speaking tour. A viral post from The Betoota Advocate drew attention to Winfrey touching down in Sydney by private jet, reigniting long-running criticism of celebrity travel habits that clash with public messaging about protecting the environment. While the post used satire to make its point, a very real detail fueled the reaction: Winfrey did, in fact, arrive in Australia aboard a private aircraft. Images and reports of the flight quickly spread across social media, gaining traction as commenters questioned the optics of high-profile figures urging mindfulness and responsibility while relying on one of the most fuel-intensive ways to travel. Advertisement Advertisement Winfrey has previously spoken about being conscious of everyday waste. In a past article published on Oprah Daily, she wrote that even small actions, such as using plastic bottles or paper towels, made her reflect on her personal impact, noting that collective neglect and ill treatment could eventually be our undoing. That perspective, critics argue, feels harder to square with private travel, which produces far more pollution per passenger than commercial flights. Private jets burn enormous amounts of fuel for a single traveler, making them a frequent flashpoint in debates about excess and fairness. Reporting shows that a small group of wealthy individuals accounts for a disproportionate share of aviation-related pollution. Scrutiny has intensified, especially as some public figures, such as Abigail Disney, have openly acknowledged the harm caused by frequent private flying, while others continue to face criticism for choices most people don't have the option to make. Advertisement Advertisement Online reactions to Winfrey's recent trip were blunt. "Do as I say, not as I do," one commenter wrote. "Too important to fly commercial and possibly help reduce tons of CO2 into the atmosphere?" another added. A third suggested a less wasteful alternative: "Could have just gone online for the chat instead of coming here and polluting the country?" 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. Prince Harry and Meghan Markles two-day trip to Jordan wrapped up today, with visits to various organizations based in Amman. They began at the Amman office of World Central Kitchen, which coordinates food and humanitarian assistance into Gaza, and after, they joined World Health Organization (WHO) delegations to the National Centre for Rehabilitation of Addicts, the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development, and the King Hussein Cancer Center. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, said yesterday, I want to thank our partners, including Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, whose commitment to mental health and humanitarian action has helped bring visibility, resources and hope to some of the worlds most vulnerable communities. Their collaboration is helping to advance WHOs mission to ensure health for all. Aaron Chown - PA Images - Getty Images Aaron Chown - PA Images - Getty Images The visit to World Central Kitchen (WCK) this morning was particularly meaningful because of Prince Harry and Meghans longterm partnership, and friendship, with WKC founder Jose Andres. For me, it is a pleasure to call them friends, Andres said of the Sussexes in 2022. All my life I have been trying to learn what exactly we are missing because why is there still hunger? What are we missing? We have to make the most of the opportunities of goodness, and I believe that with people like Meghan and Harry, we can make it happen. World Health Organization The trip to Jordan was focused on how the country stands tall as a regional hub for humanitarian and moral leadershipfrom its partnership with the World Health Organization to its frontline role in the medical response to the crisis in Gaza, according a news post on their Sussex.com website yesterday. Jordan continues to carry an extraordinary humanitarian responsibilitysupporting refugees and displaced communities from across the region, while strengthening care for its own people. Advertisement Advertisement Sussex.com noted, The challenges facing Jordan and the wider region are immense, but so too is the leadership, ingenuity, and humanity of those working on the frontlines. Archewell remains committed to supporting partners who centre care, dignity, and long-term recovery and to advocating for a global response that meets this moment with compassion, courage, and action. You Might Also Like NuScale Power (NYSE: SMR) wants you to believe the adage that good things can come in small packages. The company focuses on small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) designed for various uses, including powering data centers and desalination plants. It's scheduled to report fourth-quarter results after the markets close Thursday. 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 NuScale's shares are down more than 33% over the past 12 months and more than 11% so far in 2026 -- but there are three key reasons I think this stock is a solid long-term buy prior to its earnings report. 1. First-to-market advantage While there are other companies in the small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) space, including Oklo and TerraPower, only NuScale has had an SMR approved by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The commission has approved two of NuScale's SMR designs. The first, a 50 megawatt (MW) design, was approved in 2023. The second, a 77 MW design, was approved in May 2025. NuScale's Power Modules can be scaled, through a configuration of up to 12 modules, to supply up to 924 MW, enough to power a city the size of San Francisco or Seattle, and certainly enough to power a large hyperscale data center. Unlike wind- or solar-powered plants, small nuclear reactors can provide consistent power regardless of weather conditions. Large-scale nuclear power reactors are incredibly expensive to build, which is why none are currently under construction in the U.S. The last ones built, Units 3 and 4 at Plant Vogtle in Waynesboro, Georgia, cost $36.8 billion -- more than $20 billion over budget. It took 15 years to build the project, which was completed in 2024. SMRs are considered the future of nuclear power, as they promise greater site and size flexibility and cost savings relative to output compared to traditional large-scale nuclear reactors. With their factory-built modular formats, they can be built more efficiently than custom-designed large nuclear reactors. 2. Any bad news is already baked into the stock price NuScale Power hasn't turned a profit since it went public in 2022 through a reverse merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), and nobody expects it to anytime soon. So, when the company reports fourth-quarter numbers, the bottom line won't be a concern. Investors will, however, be looking for any positive news on potential contracts. Anything along those lines would likely give NuScale's shares a boost. Many investors may not know, for example, that Romanian nuclear provider Nuclearelectrica agreed on Feb. 13 to have NuScale provide an SMR in Doicesti, Romania. The project is expected to cost $6 billion to $7 billion. Prince William reportedly made up his mind about his uncle, ex-Prince Andrew, a long time before the recent release of Jeffrey Epstein files. According to a new report, the future king insisted that Andrew shouldn't have anything to do with the royal family after he gave a disastrous interview in 2019 about Epstein victim, Virginia Giuffre. Prince William's prolonged protest against his father's brother is also said to have "caused huge rows" with King Charles. Prince William Told King Charles That Andrew Should Be 'Banished' James Whatling / MEGA Prince William told his father, King Charles, that former Prince Andrew should be "banished" after his train wreck interview with the BBC in 2019, royal author Russell Myers revealed. Advertisement Advertisement The interview, which Emily Maitlis hosted, addressed the former Duke of York's friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and accusations of sexual assault made by Virginia Giuffre. Andrew refused to show remorse for his friendship with Epstein, nor did he acknowledge the trauma of his victims, causing William to tell his father that he needs to be "banished" and placed far away from the monarchy. "William was absolutely adamant after seeing that BBC Newsnight interview with his uncle and the disastrous explanations that he gave for being friends with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein," Myers told Us Weekly. "Refusing to apologize for his relationship and refusing to acknowledge the actual trauma of Epstein victims was an absolute red line for William." "He actually said to the late queen and his father [King Charles III], 'He has to be banished. Andrew has to be rid of both the public and the private royal family,'" the expert added. The Prince Of Wales Would Have Taken Stricter 'Measures' Against His Uncle If He Were King ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA Myers, the author of "William and Catherine: The Monarchy's New Era: The Inside Story," went further to share that the monarchy has been grappling with the bad rep Andrew has given it. Advertisement Advertisement However, William understands he really can't do much to turn things around. Following the recent release of more Epstein files, Andrew raised eyebrows as he was pictured in several compromising positions. After that, law enforcement arrested him on suspicion that he shared sensitive information with Epstein during his time as part of the U.K. trade envoy. He had previously been accused of sexual assault by Virginia Giuffre, which he denied, but later reached an out-of-court settlement with her. Considering this, the royal author, Myers, noted that William would have done more to prevent this if he were king, but understands the situation of things and is focused on supporting his father, King Charles. Advertisement Advertisement "The Andrew scandal has been a stain on the royal family," Myers shared. "William [if he were king] would have taken certain measures to have Andrew completely out of the picture. William understands that his father needs to take the lead on this, and he's willing to support him in any way he can." Prince William And Kate Middleton Are 'Deeply Concerned' James Whatling / MEGA However, the future king isn't just folding his hands and has since taken a public stand with the victims. He and his wife Kate Middleton shared a statement in a bid to distance themselves from Andrew, saying they were "deeply concerned" following the latest batch of documents linked to the Epstein investigation. "I can confirm that the Prince and Princess of Wales have been deeply concerned by the continued revelations," the palace said in a statement. "Their thoughts remain focused on the victims." Advertisement Advertisement Myers seemingly suggested that the couple is laying a precedent and fighting for their future. "We've already heard from both William and [Princess Kate Middleton] saying how deeply concerned they were, and they are, of course, because this is their future on the line as well," he shared. The Future King's Stand Has 'Caused Huge Rows' With His Father, King Charles MEGA It appears William's prolonged protest against his disgraced uncle caused a strain with his father, King Charles. According to Fox News Digital, royal expert Ian Pelham Turner acknowledged that the future king has remained adamant about his uncle's banishment since 2019, and it has "caused huge rows with his father." Advertisement Advertisement "In reality, William has been ferociously driving the total banishment of Andrew since 2019, after the 'Newsnight' car crash interview. This has caused huge rows with his father," Turner said. Prince William 'Will Take The Lead In Due Course' MEGA British photographer Helena Chard also echoed the same claim that William has long been against Andrew, but may have to wait till he ascends the throne before he can "work his magic." "For years, Prince William, behind the scenes, has been pushing his father to sort the Andrew problem once and for all He is not slow in coming forward and very much reads the room of the general public and younger generation," Chard explained. She added, "His father, King Charles, is head of state and as such holds the lead baton. Prince William will take lead role in due course, and at this time, he will further work his magic." After being in Arizona for weeks on end while the search for Nancy Guthrie continues, her daughter Savannah Guthrie is reportedly considering returning to her life in New York City. She gave Arizona everything she had, a source told Rob Shuters Naughty But Nice Substack in an article published on Thursday, February 26. Every ounce of energy went into finding her mom. She can leave knowing she did absolutely everything possible. However, the source adds that New York is where her support system is. Its where she feels steady. She needs that now. Advertisement Advertisement Nancy, 84, was last seen on January 31 after her daughter Annie Guthrie and son-in-law Tommaso Cioni dropped her off at her home in the Catalina Foothills. She was reported missing when she didnt show up to watch a livestream of a church service the next morning. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos later said that the crime scene indicated that Nancy had been taken against her will, but there have been few developments in the case for weeks. As the National Enquirer previously reported, experts have said that they believe the Pima County police actually botched the investigation and now, the culprits may never be brought to justice. These guys were really negligent, and it could make evidence admission very difficult at trial, Chicago cop turned Hollywood private eye Paul Huebl told the National Enquirer at the time. And they were extremely slow to ask for outside help from the FBI. That could have made a big difference during the early hours of the case. Read More From National Enquirer This story Savannah Guthrie Reportedly Considering Returning to New York as Search for Nancy Guthrie Continues first appeared on National Enquirer. Add National Enquirer as a Preferred Source by clicking here. President Donald Trump has launched a furious tirade against Hollywood veteran Robert De Niro, suggesting the American-born actor should be put on a boat and deported from his own country. The wild rant came after the Oscar-winning actor delivered a speech on Tuesday night to counter Trumps State of the Union address, in which he warned that a failing, flailing and desperate Trump would try to steal Novembers midterm elections. Robert De Niro accepts the honorary Palme d'Or onstage during the opening ceremony at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais de Festival on May 13, 2025 in Cannes, France. / Andreas Rentz / Getty Images Whos going to stop him? De Niro asked the crowd of activists that gathered about a mile from where Trump was giving his speech. We the people. Advertisement Advertisement But in a 237-word Truth Social post on Wednesday, the president hit back, suggesting De Niro should be kicked out of the country alongside Somali-born congresswoman Ilhan Omar and Palestinian-American Rep. Rashida Tlaib. The two Democrats had accused Trump of being a liar as he attacked Somalis and illegal immigrants in his speech to Congress on Tuesday, creating one of the more heated moments of the night. U.S. Representatives Ilhan Omar, Democrat from Minnesota, and Rashida Tlaib, Democrat from Michigan, shout as President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 24, 2026. / ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images When you watch Low IQ Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, as they screamed uncontrollably last night at the very elegant State of the Union, such an important and beautiful event, they had the bulging, bloodshot eyes of crazy people, LUNATICS, mentally deranged and sick who, frankly, look like they should be institutionalized, Trump wrote in yet another racially-charged social media post. When people can behave like that, and knowing that they are Crooked and Corrupt Politicians, so bad for our Country, we should send them back from where they came as fast as possible. They can only damage the United States of America, they can do nothing to help it. Advertisement Advertisement They should actually get on a boat with Trump Deranged Robert De Niro, another sick and demented person with, I believe, an extremely Low IQ, who has absolutely no idea what he is doing or saying some of which is seriously CRIMINAL! De Niro speaks during a news conference outside Trump's 2024 criminal trial in New York / Brendan McDermid / REUTERS De Niro has been one of the most outspoken Hollywood critics of Donald Trump for nearly a decade. During the 2016 presidential campaign, the Goodfellas star released a video calling Trump dangerous and totally nuts, and that hed like to punch him in the face. Two years later in the 2018 Tony Awards, he opened remarks with an on-stage F*** Trump, which drew a standing ovation. And in 2024, days before Trump was criminally convicted for falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal with a porn star, De Niro made a surprise appearance outside the Manhattan court where Trump was on trial, describing him as a tyrant who New Yorkers barely tolerated, even when he was just another grubby real estate hustler. Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, he headlined a State of the Swamp protest in Washington, D.C., at the National Press Club. The event was held by anti-Trump group Defiance.org, and featured activists, Democratic lawmakers, former CNN host Don Lemon, and members of the Portland Frog Brigade, which gained fame after wearing inflatable frog suits to ICE protests in Oregon last fall. An anti-I.C.E. protester in a frog costume holds a sign at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building on October 12, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. / Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images Despite the theme tonight, I didnt come here to talk about the State of the Union. Thats too depressing, right now, De Niro told the crowd. Im more concerned about what the State of the Union will be in November, because a failing, flailing, and desperate Donald Trump is even more dangerous than the tyrant weve already experienced. Advertisement Advertisement He added that in the current climate, declaring love for our country is like an abused spouse professing love for their abuser. Im not going anywherethis is my house, my homebut I have to tell you, Im not too crazy about living in this dysfunctional relationship, he said. Trump, in turn, claimed he saw De Niro break down in tears last night, much like a child would do, although this was not the case. I realized that he may be even sicker than Crazy Rosie ODonnell, who is right now in Ireland trying to figure out how to come back into our beautiful United States, he said, referencing the comedian and outspoken Trump critic, who the president also despises. The only difference between De Niro and Rosie is that she is probably somewhat smarter than him, which isnt saying much, he added. 'Joy Next Door' album artwork. (Photo Finish Records/8123) The Maine has released a new song called "Quiet Part Loud," a track off the band's upcoming album, Joy Next Door. "Some songs take months or years to write, and some take hours," says frontman John O'Callaghan in a statement. "This one came together quickly out of necessity, because time is sometimes not on your side." He adds, "With that notion in mindsay what you want while you still can." Advertisement Advertisement You can watch the "Quiet Part Loud" video streaming now on YouTube. Joy Next Door, the follow-up to The Maine's 2023 self-titled effort, is due out April 10. It also includes the single "Die to Fall." The Maine will launch a U.S. tour in March. Copyright 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Linda Florin He might have joined the Haunted a full 17 years after the group formed, yet to metal guitarists, Ola Englunds face is far more recognizable than those of his bandmates even though bassist Jonas Bjorler and drummer Adrian Erlandsson were original members of Swedish death metal pioneers At the Gates. How has Englund eclipsed the celebrity status of the rest of the Haunted? Simple. Since the early days of social media, Englund has been creating gear reviews, interview segments, on-the-scene reports, and other nuggets of infotainment thatve turned him into a YouTube influencer. Englund has posted more than 2,300 videos on his YouTube channel. Advertisement Advertisement His most popular one, Boss Metalzone Worst Distortion Pedal Ever? has accrued more than 3.8 million views, and Visiting Dimebags Guitar Vault, has been watched more than 2.5 million times. Eleven of his other videos have more than a million views each. Doing the YouTube channel has definitely helped me get to where I am today, says Englund, who had only played in underground bands before he started posting. People recognized me from the channel and liked what I did. They liked my songs and riffs. A lot of them went, Hey man, what's this dude about? In 2007, after failing to ignite label interest with his bands Subcycde and Facing Death, Englund started the death/thrash project Feared and played their songs in his amp-testing videos. By 2010, he had developed a following and soon musicians were lending Englund their gear. These guys started saying, It would be cool if you could borrow my amplifier and do a demo, Englund says from his Stockholm home shortly before shuttling off to a music convention in China to promote his Solar Guitars brand. Id drive around Sweden picking up and dropping off rare amps I borrowed so I could review them. I was probably one of the first guitarists that did that. Realizing the commercial potential of the channel, Englund quit his job as an accountant and focused exclusively on making music and videos. Then, in 2012, popular YouTuber Ben Eller recommended Englund to Six Feet Under frontman Chris Barnes. The death metal vocalist was looking for a guitarist to replace Rob Arnold; after watching Englunds videos, Barnes brought him into the fold. Advertisement Advertisement Englund toured with Six Feet Under for much of 2012 and co-wrote two songs for their 2013 album, Unborn. However, shortly after its release, he left to join the Haunted, replacing founding member Anders Bjorler. I had a great time playing with Six Feet Under, but it made more sense for me to be in the Haunted since theyre based in Sweden, too, Englund says. Englunds first album with the Haunted, 2014s Exit Wounds, marked a return to their melodic death metal sound following the more mainstream alterna-metal vibe of 2011s Unseen. But after the record came out, the Haunted downscaled their activities while bassist and songwriter Jonas Bjorler and drummer Adrian Erlandsson focused on the comeback of their pioneering Swedish metal group, At the Gates. What could have been frustrating for Englund turned into a blessing in disguise. Not only did he wind up writing three-quarters of the music for the Haunteds thrashy 2017 album, Strength in Numbers, but he had more time to work on his YouTube channel, and by 2019, his user base had grown to more than 380,000. Advertisement Advertisement My channel never blew up in a traditional sense, says Englund, whose site now boasts more than 900,000 subscribers. Its always been a steady grind, and Ive had steady growth. I didnt all of a sudden get that insane increase of views and then find no way to sustain that. I think that kind of crash is what makes subscribers leave. I just continue to do my thing and keep gaining viewers. In addition to ramping up his channel, Englund spent much of the past couple of years working with guitarist Patrik Jensen and Bjorler on new songs for the Haunteds 10th album. The result, Songs of Last Resort, is a bracing slab of turbo-boosted death-thrash informed by cornerstones of metal, including Entombed, Carcass, Slayer, Testament, and Pantera. My biggest inspiration is probably Pantera, Englund says. I got into them and bands like Bolt Thrower and Testament right after I discovered metal. Dimebag was such a revelation. Soon after I fell in love with Pantera, I went out and got a black Dime Washburn. His guitar playing was like something to aspire to not that I ever thought I could be that good. I just figured it was something great I could shoot for. As a guitarist, is it important to strive to play above your current pay grade? I think so. Ive aways liked working a lot and pushing myself. It keeps me on my toes and makes me not slack. Ive always liked coming up with riffs and songs, and thats why it has been fun for me to constantly write new material for my YouTube channel Some people live to tour and dont enjoy being in the studio. You love recording. Ive always liked coming up with riffs and songs, and thats why it has been fun for me to constantly write new material for my YouTube channel. I found out very early that all these YouTubers who played covers were getting shut down or demonetized. So I became adamant about only doing original stuff because then no one can tell me what to do or try to shut me down. In addition to your work with the Haunted, youve released two solo albums and two albums based on riffs you wrote for your show, Sunday with Ola. Do you find it easy to write? Not always. For the Haunted, doing an album is like putting together a puzzle where all the pieces are scrambled. You work on it, and at some point you get the whole wide picture. When you get to that point its very rewarding. But its sometimes frustrating until you get to that point. Credit: Linda Florin Songs of Last Resort is an apocryphal title. Will this be the bands last release? Advertisement Advertisement Its definitely not the last album. Letters of Last Resort is the last song, which is about letters that people in war would send back home. The album title is just a reference to that. Jensen took the lead on this album. He needed to write a bunch of heavy songs for some reason, and he tuned down, which is something we dont do very often. The songs are so riff-based and evil-sounding. I did my part, but it wasnt until Jensen was done with his songs that we felt like the album was complete. You were born in Stockholm in 1981. Did you have a happy childhood or did adversity and conflict fuel your interest in aggressive music? I had a very good upbringing. I come from a musical family. My dad has always played guitar and is a big fan of Chet Atkins and that chicken pickin style. He never pushed or pressured me to start playing, but he was very supportive. I picked up guitar when I was 13 and took lessons. The first riffs I learned were Smoke on the Water and Proud Mary. That was cool, but I was more into rock, and I wanted to play Nirvana songs. That would explain why your first guitar was a Fender Mustang. What was your first amp? I worked my ass off during the summer when I was 15 and used the money to buy a 94 Mesa Boogie Rectifier with a cabinet. The thing is, I had no idea how to dial it. And no, I didn't use a boost because I didnt know how to do that. It sounded very loud when I played it, but it wasnt until I saw other people plug into it with guitars that had EMG pickups that I thought, Wow, that sounds very different. Advertisement Advertisement Thats when I started understanding that they were pushing the pre-amp. Thats when I began reading about guitars, and I learned about how to use a Tube Screamer you know, the Scott Ian trick to get the guitar to really chug. Did you ever play a seven- or eight-string? Steve Vai played the Ibanez Universe and Meshuggah played seven-strings, so yeah, I went through that. I liked the fact that you didnt have to tune the guitar down. It was already in B. So in 1997, I got the first production Ibanez RG7620. I actually traded my Washburn Dimebag for it. Then, in 2008, I went back to six-string since Im a much better guitarist on six strings. Its just one less string to worry about. And I almost always use standard D or drop-C tuning. Credit: Linda Florin Stockholm was the birthplace of some great death metal bands, including Entombed, Opeth, and Dismember. Were you part of that scene? I was born about 10 years too late, but the scene they created was so cool. They all had the Boss HM-2. They dimed it, and that was the chainsaw sound of Stockholm death metal. I understand that type of simplicity because it came from kids in their rehearsal space. They wanted to be insanely heavy, so they turned the knobs all the way up and created the sound of a whole new scene. Even though you were younger than the members of bands from the Gothenburg melodic death metal scene, did you feel a kinship with In Flames, At the Gates, and the Haunted? I loved all that stuff. The name of my death metal band, Feared, was inspired by the Haunted; I always thought the Haunted was such a cool name, and I was a fan since the first time [I heard them]. I enjoy strong melodies in really heavy music, so when I joined them, it was a dream come true. You went from being a guitarist in Feared and a struggling YouTuber to making a name for yourself in the internet guitar video community and joining Six Feet Under. Can you point to the moment that your upward trajectory started? My big breakthrough came in 2012 when I went to NAMM for the first time. Before that, I was just doing videos, then sitting behind my desk seeing views on a screen, and I didnt know if they were real or not. At NAMM, people recognized me and thanked me for my videos. It was really an eye-opener. I thought, Wow, these are actual people, and a lot of them bought a certain amp because of me. That gave me confidence. Was there a slow build from there? Things happened right away. I was lucky I quit my job as an accountant because a month later, Chris Barnes called me about the Six Feet Under gig. I saw that as a fast ticket into the touring world. One of the first shows I did with them was at the Wacken Festival in Germany in front of 45,000 people. I was used to playing for 20 or 30 people at a pub. I went from zero to being on a tour bus. To succeed with a YouTube channel, you have to constantly reinvent yourself. How did you up your game? Up until 2015, I was just writing and playing music. There was no talking, just text on the screen. Then I started talking, which was insanely awkward and it still is. But doing that definitely changed my whole channel. People got even more engaged because suddenly there's a voice behind this Swedish guy. One of your popular segments has been the amp- and pedal-review series called Will It Chug? What inspired that? I saw that everyone was doing performance demos and amplifier demos like I did. And I thought, Man, if Im going to survive this, I have to come up with some new ideas. I decided it would be fun to take a piece of gear and see if I can make it sound metal, and how long it would take. The first video was with an Orange amp, and theyre not necessarily made for metal. But if you put in a Tube Screamer in there, its going to be metal as hell. You have a conversational, sarcastic, and sometimes self-deprecating approach in your videos. I just cannot play these clean, super-plexi amplifiers, so I wont make the video. It makes me feel terrible about my playing Advertisement Advertisement A lot of that comes from being Swedish. We definitely appreciate sarcasm. I try to be myself because on YouTube you create your audience and their expectations, so if you're pretending to be someone else, you're going to always have to be that person. Very early on, I decided, Okay, now Im just going to show you exactly who I am, and if you dont like it, dont watch. It makes everything simpler because I dont have to put on a persona. Whats a particular piece of gear you expected to love but sounded like crap? Usually, when theres something really bad, I dont make the video because once I start doing a video I have to be honest, and if something breaks or sounds like ass, that will stay in the video. Advertisement Advertisement Also, sometimes a piece of gear is good, but its not right for me. Take the Synergy Marshall JMP, for instance, which is basically a JMP in a small, Synergy pre-amp module. I cannot play anything good on that thing. But I watch all the other YouTubers out there, and they make it sound incredible. So its more like, Okay, I think I'm the problem. I just cannot play these clean, super-plexi amplifiers, so I wont make the video. It makes me feel terrible about my playing. You launched Solar Guitars in 2017 after working with Washburn. Why did you decide to start your own company? Being a social media, YouTube guy, I know the world moves so fast now and peoples attention spans are so short. I felt that Washburns business model was too slow I had a successful model with Washburn. I brought them my designs, they released it and it did very well. But being a social media, YouTube guy, I know the world moves so fast now and peoples attention spans are so short. I felt that Washburns business model was too slow. There was a bureaucracy behind everything the making of the guitars, selling to dealers, and getting them to distributors. Its such a long process before an actual customer gets to see the guitar like, about a year and I was so frustrated because I knew people wanted the guitars but had to wait a long time before they could get them. Advertisement Advertisement After my three-year contract ended, I figured I could stay there for another three years, but I knew I could do so much better if I could find some people to do a new company with me. The guy I worked with at Washburn had just left the company, so I gave him a call and we decided to create a model that went straight from us to the consumer because we know exactly what the audience wants. They tell me. I took my designs out of Washburn, and we formed Solar. We launched in late 2017 and had 300 guitars to sell and ship immediately. Weve grown very fast. Tragically, At the Gates vocalist Tomas Lindberg died from cancer in September 2025. This must have had a profound impact on you and your bandmates. Were already talking about a new album because theres a hunger in this band. And theres such a good vibe We were very close and I have lots of good memories. The band had known about his condition for a long time, and we knew he wouldnt be able to sing, but he was getting better. When we recorded our album, he came out to the studio and everyone thought he was fine. Advertisement Advertisement He had surgery and he had a little bit of a hollow voice, but otherwise he was just the same great spirit. Hes always been happy, and we thought, well, even if he couldnt be in At the Gates, at least hes going to be alright. Then, in the spring, he suddenly got worse. Obviously, it was devastating to hear about him passing, but at the same time, it almost felt like weve been in mourning since the spring. How will Tomas passing affect the Haunted? Obviously, when they were touring, the Haunted had to alternate schedules with At the Gates. We didnt play shows at the same time. So, from now on, maybe that will mean the Haunted will play more, and maybe we will spend more time as a band and it wont take eight years for the next album to drop. Were already talking about a new album because theres a hunger in this band. And theres such a good vibe. Ive already started writing songs for the next album because I feel hungry to do that. I think were going to have a new album sooner rather than later. We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Everyone who grew up on "Gilligan's Island" knows Russell Johnson as the ever resourceful Professor Roy Hinkley, Ph.D. But very few know him as a war hero. While serving in World War II as an Air Force pilot, Russell's plane was shot down over a tropical island in the Philippines. He and most of the other downed soldiers were rescued shortly thereafter, but the actor's co-pilot was killed in the incident. Though it only lasted three seasons, thanks to its syndication deals and multiple follow-up films "Gilligan's Island" was a beloved part of childhood for multiple generations. As such, there's plenty of 60s, 70s, and even 80s kids who, today, are curious about what happened to, or who's even still alive from, the cast of "Gilligan's Island." But the stories of what the ensemble went through before being cast on CBS's hit sitcom are just as interesting. Advertisement Advertisement That's especially the case for Russell Johnson, who not only spent his retirement just like the Professor but also had a relatively non-controversial and steady career prior to his death in 2014. Prior to being cast on the show, however, the man who played the Professor experienced the kind of drama those of us living through the social media age can only barely imagine. Born in 1924, Johnson lost both his father and a brother to pneumonia, before enlisting in the United States Air Force and serving in World War II. It was during his deployment to the Pacific Theater that he was shot down. Thankfully, unlike the castaways of the S.S. Minnow, Johnson was rescued shortly after, but the whole ordeal sounds terrifying nonetheless. Read more: 12 TV Main Character Deaths That Were Way Too Disrespectful Russell Johnson had a harrowing experience when his plane was shot down Russell Johnson's Professor Roy Hinkley stands next to Bob Denver's Gilligan in Gilligan's Island - CBS The world has avoided a truly global conflict since the end of World War II, which means it's been a long time since Hollywood's leading men were also veterans of war. James Stewart famously wasn't the same actor after World War II, in which he flew several missions for the U.S. Air Force and earned multiple medals. But Stewart's planes were never shot out of the sky. Russell Johnson, on the other hand, also flew multiple missions for the Air Force, and on one occasion, he found himself the victim of enemy fire that brought his and two other bombers down. In his book, "Here on Gilligan's Isle," the actor wrote, "Believe it or not, until recently the idea of being on an island held much appeal to me. As a bombardier in World War II, I was shot down over one, and in the 1960s my career got me stranded on one." Johnson served as a B-24 bombardier, flying missions over the Pacific during World War II. It was during one such operation that he was shot down over a town in the Philippines called Zamboanga. Advertisement Advertisement On March 4, 1945, Johnson embarked on his 44th mission, during which he was tasked with commandeering a .50 caliber machine gun and shooting from a B-25 bomber. As the actor recounts in his book, the plane was flying around 50 feet above the water when the Japanese "blasted twenty-and forty-millimeter guns that set both of our plane's engines on fire." Already going down, the plane took another direct hit, sending shrapnel through the interior of the aircraft and breaking both of Johnson's ankles. "It killed the radio operator next to me," wrote the actor. "He was only on his eighth mission." Russell Johnson earned a Purple Heart for flying his most dangerous mission Russell Johnson's Professor Roy Hinkley stands next to Alan Hale Jr's Captain Jonas Grumby in Gilligan's Island - CBS Two other B-25 bombers were also shot down alongside Russell Johnson's on that same day. Thankfully, most of the soldiers survived. In "Here on Gilligan's Isle," Johnson recalled how, after surviving the crash, he and his fellow soldiers weren't out of harm's way. "We were in a strait of water just a couple of miles wide between Zamboanga and an island called Basilan," he wrote. "We could see the Japanese were coming out after us in boats." Thankfully, nearby United States planes quickly laid down fire on the Japanese boats. After an hour of being in the water, Johnson and his group were rescued by the Army Air-Sea Rescue Service and brought back to their base on the Halmahera Islands. According to a report on the incident, all the stranded crew survived except for one, who left the rescue ship and "suddenly disappeared below the waves." For his efforts on that mission, Johnson was awarded a Purple Heart, and he went on to earn several other decorations before being honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant on November 22, 1945. Upon leaving the Air Force, Johnson took advantage of the GI Bill which allowed him to enroll in the Actors Lab in Hollywood. In that sense, Johnson's military career and his experience of being stranded near an island in the Philippines was largely responsible for him becoming stranded with the other castaways on "Gilligan's Island" in 1963. Though Johnson initially regretted playing the Professor on "Gilligan's Island," he eventually made peace with it, which must have been tough. But it was surely a lot easier than recovering from literally being shot out of the sky. Advertisement Advertisement If you're looking for the easiest way to keep up with all the major movie and TV news, why not sign up to our free newsletter? You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on SlashFilm. NEED TO KNOW Kelsey Grammer is making his The Hunting Party debut The Frasier alum stars as a serial killer and cult leader in the forthcoming episode of the NBC series, and PEOPLE is offering an early look at the drama The latest episode of The Hunting Party arrives on Thursday, Feb. 26 Kelsey Grammer has never played a character quite like this. The Frasier alum, 71, stars in the latest episode of NBC's The Hunting Party as a cult leader and serial killer whose plans are spoiled by a government raid at his compound. PEOPLE is sharing a first-look clip of the second-season episode before Grammer's character, Noah Cyrus, makes his debut. Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, the footage shows Grammer's Cyrus in a boarded-up property in Aurora, Illinois, in 2015. As authorities surrounded the home, the cult leader dressed in all white preaches to his followers about their shared beliefs. "Faith is a word, belief is an action," Grammer says. "There was a time, I must admit, when I was faithful, but I did not believe. I was hiding from the truth. And just like every one of you, the truth found me." Kelsey Grammer in 'The Hunting Party' Credit: NBC/Youtube The footage then cuts to an in-show newscaster describing Cyrus as "the controversial leader" of the 13th Hour cult, as federal agents continued to dispatch around his compound. The newscaster explains that Cyrus's followers are armed and "refusing to surrender." That's when things get dangerous. Advertisement Advertisement "My friends, we all knew this day would come," Cyrus says, as his followers drink from the same cup. "But brothers and sisters, our souls are ready. And though our enemies are many, none of us will ever be alone again." While Cyrus's followers begin to pass out, one woman remains apprehensive about drinking the liquid. So Cyrus sits down with her and talks her through it, before a sniper hits him in the chest. After he goes down, Cyrus awakes in a white room, otherwise known as "The Pit," a top-secret prison where the world's most dangerous killers are kept in The Hunting Party universe. Fittingly, the moment of apparent solitary confinement is soundtracked by Cream's 1986 song "White Room," as Cyrus screams in frustration. The Hunting Party executive producer JJ Bailey said, per TV Insider, that Grammer was "perfect" for the role. The gravitas that Kelsey brings to every role he plays was part of the draw for us," Bailey said alongside fellow EP Jake Coburn. "This is a character who needs to be both alluring and dangerous. He had to have the kind of charisma and warmth where you would believe people would fall under his spell." Advertisement Advertisement They added, "Kelsey manages to walk that line very well. Also, seeing him play a cult leader with a messiah complex was such a contrast to Kelseys iconic role on NBC as Frasier Crane; we knew it would be endlessly watchable. And it absolutely was. Kelsey crushed it. Kelsey Grammer appears in 'The Hunting Party' Credit: Ralph Bavaro/NBC via Getty Patrick Sabongui, who plays the CIA's Ryan Hassani in the show, also told the outlet that he believes his own character "has a personal vendetta against these characters that brainwash people and bring them into their system of beliefs to their own detriment" and Grammer's Cyrus falls right into that category. Hes a cult leader. Theres something personal," he said. "So even though I may not have more interaction with him [than others], I think he takes that personally to a certain level and has the most disdain for those characters. 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. The series which also stars Melissa Roxburgh, Josh McKenzie and Sara Garcia follows a team of investigators who capture the most dangerous killers after they escape from a top-secret prison. The next episode of The Hunting Party arrives on Thursday, Feb. 26, at 10 p.m. ET on NBC. It can be streamed the next day on Peacock. Read the original article on People Longtime KTLA weather anchor Mark Kriski, an eight-time Emmy winner who has been an L.A. TV fixture since he joined KTLA Morning News at its launch in 1991, has been let go by the station. Kriskis exit is a part of nationwide staff cuts by Nexstar, including major layoffs at flagship stations WPIX New York, WGN Chicago and KTLA Los Angeles. Also let go at KTLA were midday anchors Glen Walker, who had been at KTLA since 2010, and Lu Parker, who had been with KTLA since 2015. At WGN, the Chicago Tribune reported eight layoffs, including Dean Richards, who had been with the station in various capacities since 1991. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Others let go according to the paper: Sean Lewis (a union steward who had been with WGN for two decades), Ray Cortopassi, Bronagh Tumulty, Judy Wang, Julian Crews, Paul Lisnek and Chris Boden. The Tribune also reported that meterologist Mike Janseen, who had been with the station since 2010, did not see his contract renewed. Also, per the paper, six newswriters were laid off and three technical director positions were eliminated. Meanwhile, WPIX layoffs are said to include anchors Kori Chambers, Arrianae LeBeau, John Muller and Craig Treadway. Nexstar does not comment on personnel issues, but the company is taking steps necessary to compete effectively in this period of unprecedented change, a Nexstar spokesperson said in a statement. The Nexstar job cuts come as the company is in the process of acquiring the Tegna station group, which would give it a massive oversight of TV news departments in major local markets across the country. Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, SAG-AFTRA blasted Nexstar for eliminating its union positions at KTLA and WGN and noted that the layoffs come as SAG-AFTRA is actively bargaining with Nexstar stations in several markets. By laying off journalists across the country, Nexstar is eroding the resources and talent that local communities rely on for trusted news, SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin said in a statement. These actions highlight the risks of media consolidation and underscore the urgent need for regulators and the company to prioritize the public interest and the professionals who serve it. In its statement, SAG-AFTRA accused Nexstar of pushing to gut severance pay and insert onerous provisions into the union contract that limit workers ability to freely negotiate the terms of their own employment. These reductions in SAG-AFTRA talent also comes as Nexstar finalizes its $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna. This consolidation makes the decision to cut local newsroom jobs particularly troubling. Added SAG-AFTRA national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland: Our members are trusted voices in their communities, and they deserve contracts that respect their work and safeguard their futures. SAG-AFTRA will not stand by while the future of local news is put at risk. We will continue to fight for strong agreements that protect journalists and the audiences who rely on them every single day. Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the Communications Workers of America union, part of AFL-CIO, has also criticized Nexstar for fighting employees efforts to form unions in several markets and retaliating against individual workers for union activism. Over the past two years, workers have voted for union representation in elections supervised by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) at three Nexstar stations and one broadcasting hub, the CWA said. In each case Nexstar refused to recognize the union despite clear election outcomes, instead engaging in frivolous appeals The NLRB has issued four complaints against Nexstar for terminating employees at the Denver locations who supported the union. The NLRB is also investigating five unfair labor practice charges in Henderson, Kentucky alleging the company terminated union supporters and made unilateral changes to working conditions. As for Kriski, the meteorologist was the last remaining original host from the launch of KTLA Morning News. He suffered a stroke in May 2024, forcing him off the air for a period of time before returning the following year. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. When San Francisco's Geary Theater reopened with "The Tempest" in 1996, it needed a hellacious storm sequence at the outset of the Shakespearean play to make A.C.T. subscribers forget about the seven years the historic stage had been dark due to damage from the Loma Prieta earthquake. Only one artist could deliver that: Larry Reed, San Francisco's pioneering master of Balinese shadow puppetry. Advertisement Advertisement Working behind a curtain and orchestrating a cast of actors wearing cardboard masks that were then projected as shadows on screens, Reed delivered a three-minute storm of epic proportions, set to a live score performed by the Kronos Quartet hidden in the orchestra pit. "Larry created this magical shadow tempest of a shipwreck," said Carey Perloff, the former artistic director of the American Conservatory Theater, who directed that production. "It was done in his characteristic simple technique, but it was extraordinary to watch and set the mood for the entire play." That scene, with Reed's choreography of thunderclaps and bombast opening the show every night for its entire run, is just one example from 40 years of performances by ShadowLight Productions, which Reed founded and operated out of his home in Noe Valley. Reed had learned shadow puppetry during several stays in Bali and introduced it to his adopted hometown. Within a decade, his distinctive spin on shadow theater became so popular that it commanded a six-week festival at the Climate Theatre in the Mission District in 1989. "Larry was a legend in that world of shadow puppetry," said Perloff. "He was one of the first Americans to be excited about non-Western storytelling and was the most vivid and interesting of the people making those plays out of light and shadow." Advertisement Advertisement Reed spoke eight languages and put on shows in more than 10 countries, including Spain, France, Germany, Turkey, Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia. His final production, a traditional Balinese wayang performance, was staged on a houseboat in Sausalito in November. By then, Reed was suffering from emphysema but was still in the process of reading 80 works of classic literature to find his next story. He had finished No. 78, "War and Peace," just days before he died of a heart attack Jan. 30 at his home and studio on Chattanooga Street, said his wife of nearly 50 years, Jane Reed, an independent photography curator. He was 81. "We traveled the world together, from living in huts in the Sierra Madre, to living in villages in Bali," said Reed, noting that they often brought along their sons, James and Nik, to "teach them the world of other cultures." Charles Lawson Reed III was born on the longest day of the year, June 21, 1944, in a U.S. military Quonset hut in Los Angeles where his father, Charles Lawson Reed Jr., was a fighter pilot engineer in the Army Air Force during World War II. At war's end, the Reed family moved home to Cincinnati, where they had roots dating to the Revolutionary War. Advertisement Advertisement Reed became fluent in German as an elementary school student and French while in high school at Pomfret, an exclusive boarding school in Connecticut. There he discovered a love of theater that he went on to pursue at Yale. But the Vietnam War was on, and he dropped out to join the Peace Corps, spending two years developing a cultural theater program in Costa Rica in the mid-1960s. While there, Reed met a group of traveling artists who were discussing the allure of San Francisco, and he ended up following them, becoming one of the first dancers in Anna Halprin's Dancers Workshop. He then enrolled at the San Francisco Art Institute, where he studied film and earned both his B.A. and M.F.A. degrees in 1973. Starting in 1971, Reed had made regular trips to Bali to make a film that he would submit as his master's project. That's how he discovered the ancient form of Balinese shadow theater, called wayang kulit, which used flame and screens and a four-piece music ensemble to convey ancient Hindu creation stories. "I went to Indonesia in search of, well, exactly what I found - theater that wasn't like a Broadway play but used music and humor to tell stories," he told Chronicle culture reporter Reyhan Harmanci in 2006. "It's almost the opposite of our tradition. We know what Shakespeare said but we don't know how he said it. In Asia, the theater is improvised. What's passed on is how to do it." Advertisement Advertisement He had met Jane Levy, a photography student at the Art Institute, and in 1974 they went to Bali together on a grant from the Ford Foundation. For a year they lived in a village called Tunjuk, while studying under a puppet master. They were married in 1977. After their return, Reed launched Shadow Play Theater Company, which consisted of himself, doing all the puppetry, while two or four musicians played ancient brass instruments. That evolved into ShadowLight Productions, which substituted multiple electric light sources for fire on a movie-theater-sized screen, with a combination of actors in masks and puppets behind it, transforming traditional shadow theater into a modern cinematic experience. Counting musicians, anywhere from 10 to 40 people were involved in a production. His most widely recognized production, "In Xanadu," staged in 1994, won the UNIMA USA Citation for Excellence, puppetry's highest award. There were 43 actors, dancers, puppeteers and light engineers behind the screen onstage at the Cowell Theater in Fort Mason, including Chronicle theater critic Steven Winn. The story of Kublai Khan begins with a battle that evolves into a mystical love story while moving from the 13th century to the spirit world. "In that early battlefield scene, live sword-wielding warriors and their tiny puppet battalion share the screen with an enormous horse's hoof, impatiently pawing the earth in the foreground," wrote Winn. "The chaos and courage of battle have a wonderful illusionistic depth." Advertisement Advertisement Reed called this hybrid artform "projected shadow plays," and it evolved to "cinematic shadow theater." Word got out and directors worldwide invited Reed to come teach it, which took him to Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Turkey and even back to Bali where it all began. San Francisco playwright Octavo Solis met Reed when he was on a panel of puppeteers at an event at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. This led to "7 Visions of Encarnacion," a shadow puppet play about the Mission era in California, written by Solis and directed by Reed at Brava Theater, in 2002. It was followed by a second collaboration, "Ghost of the River," about Solis's childhood on the Rio Grande. Both were staged by ShadowLight Productions. "Larry was making de facto cinema with shadows," said Solis, who is now associated primarily with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. "He would use the canvas as a movie screen and create scenes with cardboard models that he could blow up to look like buildings by projecting a light behind them. He could do extreme closeups of faces and wide landscape shots. He was an amazing and consummate storyteller." Abby Chen, curator and head of contemporary art at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, commissioned a performance by ShadowLight in the museum's newly constructed pavilion in 2019. It played for a full house of 200 two nights running. Advertisement Advertisement "I see him as a culture translator and amplifier, not just for Asian culture but Mexican and Indigenous cultures," said Chen. "He had a kind and gentle soul that allowed him to understand culture from a very human level. He was super kind, and I can't say how rare that is these days." Last weekend a celebration of Reed's life was held in Bali that included "the masters of Balinese art performing and eulogizing his life," said Nik Reed, who attended, among an audience of 100, in a theater. "In an amazing twist, these masters of traditional Balinese art have all incorporated bits and pieces of Larry's innovation in what they do today." A San Francisco celebration of his life will be held June 21, at a location to be determined. There will be music and dancing, film and puppetry, and possibly film screenings leading up to it. The program is likely to end the way Reed always ended his shadow plays, with the announcement, "The battle is over but the stories go on forever. Thank you." This article originally published at Larry Reed, who turned shadows into epic theater in S.F., dies at 81. Previously on Southern Charm, the group headed to Mexico for a cast trip. Charley and Craig got closer and shared a kiss. But Shep noticed Salley acting controlling towards Charley. Salley flirted up a storm with Austen, but he was hesitant because of Audreys feelings about her. During Sheps dinner game, Venita said she wants Austen to stand up for himself more. Craig lashed out, and cruelly told Venita she doesnt exist in his world. Heres what happened on Southern Charm Season 11 Episode 13, Kiss and Tell. What happened on Southern Charm Season 11 Episode 13? Photo Credit: Nila Guiss/Bravo This week on Southern Charm Season 11 Episode 13, Kiss and Tell, Craig and Venita continue fighting. Austen and Salley finally make out. Craig and Charleys secret kiss comes out, which causes her and Salley to have another fight about their friendship. At the bar, Craig gets hammered, and yells at Salley on the bus ride back to the hotel. Craig calls Venita a bully Photo Credit: Nila Guiss/Bravo Continuing their fight from last week, Venita encourages Craig to get it all out on the table instead of shading her online. Craig swears he never did anything to Venita. She reminds him of his comments that he will never be friends with her on Watch What Happens Live. He stands by it, and accuses her of making fun of his breakup. We see the clip where she was asked about it, and said he shouldnt comment on things he doesnt know for sure about Paige. Craig slams her as a bully. Advertisement Advertisement Just be nice! he says ironically. Eventually, Salley steps in. Despite their issues, Venita is her girl, and shes tired of Craig yelling at her. Venita points out that she never mentioned him specifically, just told Austen to stand up for himself. Charley says Venita was antagonizing Craig, and that he reacts in the moment (we know) and she gets it. Whitner plays lawyer and attempts to mediate, asking Craig to tone it down. Venita is disappointed Austen didnt have her back, but shes not surprised, as he doesnt have his own back. Molly is there for Venita, and Charley tells her she handled herself well. Venita thanks Whitner for getting through to Craig. He says he sees both sides, but thinks Venita shouldve been less provocative in the spirit of healing. Venita is so upset she lost her appetite. She also goes back to the hotel after dinner. Luckily, Molly is also tired, so she goes with her. Austen and Salley finally kiss Photo Credit: Nila Guiss/Bravo After the drama, Salley asks Austen if he will walk her to the bathroom. Once theyre there, she shuts the door, and we can hear them start to make out. The next day, Salley grins from ear to ear, and boasts to Charley that hes a great kisser. Charley keeps her kiss with Craig a secret. Advertisement Advertisement Austen and Rodrigo both feel bad that they didnt have Venitas back more. The group splits into two activities, surfing and ATVing. Venita chooses surfing, partially because its not what Craigs doing. But she actually decides to sit on the beach and watch others surf. After all, she almost drowned in Salleys pool last year (when Craig saved her). Molly is a natural at surfing, but Charley, less so. On their ATVs, Rodrigo chooses the Mexican flag band in honor of his Mexican heritage. Whitney is horrified by the outdoor activities- the sun, the sand, the concept of walking about five minutes. After their kiss, Austen matches Salleys flirty energy. He says it looks like shes about to see an OBGYN. She asks, Wanna take a look? and he responds, Kinda. Craig admits he kissed Charley Photo Credit: Nila Guiss/Bravo Austen and Craig act friendly on the beach, and Austen reveals he and Salley made out because he respected the move. He woke up feeling giggly about it, and doesnt feel guilty about making out with Salley after his breakup with Audrey. Advertisement Advertisement Craig shares that he made out with Charley. But Charley hasnt told Salley. Craig says things are great when its the two of them, but once Salleys around, Charley acts afraid to like him. Meanwhile, Molly asks Charley how she felt about Craigs outburst. Charley gets defensive and says while she didnt like how he talked to Venita, shes not Craigs keeper and hes his own person. But as Whitner points out, Craig could blow up on anyone like that. The end of this episode proves that point. As they meet for lunch and tequila tasting, Austen immediately tells Salley that Charley and Craig kissed. Shes mostly upset that Charley lied to her. But shes fully moved on from Craig to Austen. On the way to lunch, Austen apologizes to Venita for not having her back, and she accepts. He appreciates that shes a true friend. Craig is offended by this, and swears that he would never be friendly with someone who was bullying Austen. Advertisement Advertisement On a lighter note, at lunch, we learn that Austen is into stuck porn. Molly doesnt want to know what his porn search history looks like. The girls are fighting Photo Credit: Nila Guiss/Bravo At dinner, Salley is Pouty McPouterson (Austens words) over Charley not telling her about the kiss. She jokes that a kiss from Austen would make her happier. He asks if shes a nightmare to date and she says no. She beams that he asked about dating her. Austen does a body shot off of her after Craig tells him not to be a p*ssy (Molly, who is the best, points out the irony of that saying because unlike balls which are sensitive, p*ssies can take a pounding). Naturally, Austen and Salley make out again (but he saves a few kisses for Rod at the end of the night). When she says some tequila went down south, Austen jokes, lucky for whoever gets down there. Say what you will about Salleys flirting, but Austen matches her energy completely. But things are bad in her friendship with Charley. As soon as Salley mentions Craig, Charley gets frustrated. Shes tired of having the same conversation. Charley insists their friendship is fine, but Salley interrupts her. Salley is upset that Charley didnt tell her about the kiss, but Charley thinks it was understandable why she didnt. She knows their dynamic changed after she went on the date with Craig. After that, she didnt want to tell Salley everything. Salley thinks Charley is putting Craig above her friend. Advertisement Advertisement Before they leave, Charley talks to Craig about how upset she is. But shes glad she put up a boundary and told the truth. He wants Salley to leave them alone, because we really like each other, and its cute! Craig goes from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde Photo Credit: Nila Guiss/Bravo Craig got hammered at the bars, after he was noticeably drunk at lunch. Whitney notes that hes drunk to the point where he goes full Jekyll and Hyde. As they leave the bar, Craig makes the van wait, and wanders off for a while to get even more tequila and beer. When Salley comments about how drunk he is, he goes off on her. He tells her to shut the f*ck up, calls her dumb, and tells her to leave him alone. A stunned Salley responds, You are never in the wrong, ever. You never own up to your sh*t. He gets so mad that he stands up and seemingly tries to leave the van. He yells at Salley for getting involved in things that having nothing to do with her, and repeatedly calls her a f*cking loser. Austen texts Shep that Craig is 100 out of 10. As he continues to berate Salley, Charley looks horrified. When Salley asks if she did anything wrong, Charley repeatedly says no. We end on a to be continued but this might be the end of Charley and Craigs romance. Advertisement Advertisement Southern Charm airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on Bravo. Episodes are available to stream on Peacock. TELL US WHAT DID YOU THINK OF SOUTHERN CHARM SEASON 11 EPISODE 13? WILL CRAIGS OUTBURST MAKE CHARLEY PUMP THE BRAKES ON THEIR ROMANCE? The post Southern Charm Season 11 Episode 13 Recap: What Happens in Mexico appeared first on Reality Tea. This story was originally published on CIO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CIO Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Hormel Foods named Donald Monk as its first chief technology officer and most senior technology leader effective March 23, the company said Tuesday. Monk will report to Hormel Foods President John Ghingo, a spokesperson said via email. Monk led global technology strategy and operations at General Mills during his 33-year tenure with the company, serving as CIO from 2018 to 2023. He most recently served as SVP of strategy, governance and transformation within Cargills digital technology and data organization. There, he led transformation efforts across digital and data functions, including analytics and AI. In his new role at Hormel Foods, Monk will build an enterprise technology, digital and data strategy to support growth, as well as modernize Hormel Foods technology and data platforms. Dive Insight: Hormel Foods, which counts Planters, Spam and Black Label bacon as part of its portfolio, underwent a corporate restructuring in November amid plans to accelerate technology and innovation initiatives. Hormel Foods remains focused on growth and growth requires continued investment, Ghingo said in a press release announcing the restructure. Were confident that our ongoing investments will strengthen our brands, improve efficiency and ensure Hormel Foods stays competitive and responsive to the needs of our consumers and customers. A month later, Jeffrey Ettinger, interim CEO, described the Minnesota-based companys fiscal year 2025 as challenging during its Q4 2025 earnings call. However, its Transform and Modernize initiative helped offset pressures facing the company such as rising costs as its data and process maturity advanced, among other projects, Ettinger said. The company is already using AI to improve marketing, Ghingo said during the call. For its Skippy peanut butter brand, Ghingo said Hormel Foods used generative AI to create 25 pieces of content daily for seasonal marketing. The firm is also implementing AI-enabled tools to streamline business planning and decision-making, he added. Enhanced data access, cutting-edge technology and modernized workflows are reinventing nearly every aspect of our business, across all aspects of our supply chain, cross-functional collaboration and all the way to the physical and digital shelf, Ghingo said. This includes new tools leveraging data and analytics for areas such as pricing, revenue growth management, real-time portfolio management and assortment optimization decisions. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) The Land of Enchantment is home to plenty of charming towns, and according to a list by U.S. News & World Report, the best of those towns are scattered all across the state. Take a look at the top five below. (Public domain) Home to New Mexico State University, Las Cruces is a small southern town. Population: 116,529 Average Commute: 16 minutes Median Home Value: $234,324 Median Monthly Rent: $852 Median Household Income: $56,746 Albuquerque | Adobe Stock Duke City is the most metropolitan area of New Mexico with an abundance of restaurants, bars, and museums. Population: 560,406 Average Commute: 19 minutes Median Home Value: $303,411 Median Monthly Rent: $1,049 Median Household Income: $67,782 Santa Fe Plaza (Adobe Stock) Santa Fe is home to plenty of history, with some of the oldest buildings in the state. Population: 90,148 Average Commute: 17 minutes Median Home Value: $477,520 Median Monthly Rent: $1,154 Median Household Income: $72,819 View of Farmington | Adobe Stock Advertisement Advertisement A smaller town on the northwest end of the state with ample outdoor opportunities. Population: 47,560 Average Commute: 14 minutes Median Home Value: $228,996 Median Monthly Rent: $832 Median Household Income: $63,641 rio rancho drone ban_765433 Rio Rancho is a rapidly growing city thats part of the Albuquerque metropolitan area. Population: 108,925 Average Commute: 30 minutes Median Home Value: $310,408 Median Monthly Rent: $1,198 Median Household Income: $87,395 U.S. News & World Reports Best Places to Live rankings help readers make the most informed decisions when choosing where to settle down. Cities in the rankings are evaluated using data from Applied Geographic Solutions (AGS) and U.S. News own internal resources. AGS develops its core database and specialized indexes from both private and government sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Commerce, the Federal Reserve, and the Bureau for Economic Analysis, as well as state and local sources. The statistics and numbers are gathered from U.S. News. Advertisement Advertisement 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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Europe has no shortage of places that get photographed to death, but some of the most beautiful village stops still sit outside the standard tourist loop. You usually reach them by leaving the big-city rail corridor, taking the slower road, and giving yourself permission to stop where the map looks quiet. That is where a trip stops behaving like a checklist and starts reading like a story. To keep this practical, the backbone of each pick comes from official tourism and heritage sources. A few of these are not secret in the literal sense, especially in their own countries, but they remain far less common on mainstream international itineraries than Europes headline hotspots. 1. Albarracin, Spain Image Credit: Shutterstock. Albarracin looks like someone pressed a medieval town into a ridge and left the edges sharp on purpose. Steep streets, fortified walls, towers, and warm-toned stone deliver an immediate wow factor before you even step into the old quarter. From a distance it has real stage presence, and up close it turns into a maze of corners, viewpoints, and small surprises. Advertisement Advertisement Once you are inside, the best plan is to stop planning. Follow lanes that tilt upward, duck through archways, and keep an eye out for little openings toward the valley. A quick visit works, but staying overnight gives you the quieter version when the streets exhale and the town feels more lived-in than showcased. Albarracin is at its best when you let curiosity do the routing. 2. Piodao, Portugal Image Credit: Shutterstock. Piodao is the kind of village that slows you down without asking. The houses climb the hillside in a tight amphitheater shape, so the whole place reads like a mountain stage set built from schist and light. When evening settles in and the lamps switch on, the village can look almost unreal, as if it is glowing from the inside. The drive is part of the experience, which makes daylight arrival the smarter move. Narrow mountain curves are beautiful, but they demand more attention after dark, especially if you are not used to rural roads. Once you arrive, the mood is quiet and remote, a sharp contrast to Portugals coastal favorites. This is a detour for travelers who like the feeling of earning a view. 3. Rastoke, Croatia Image Credit: Shutterstock. Rastoke trades stone-walled drama for moving water, and that is exactly why it stands out. Instead of one postcard viewpoint, you get channels, bridges, old mills, and cascades threaded through the settlement itself. Sound is part of the scenery here because you hear the water everywhere, even when you are not looking at it. Advertisement Advertisement Many travelers treat Rastoke as a short stop on the way to bigger names, and that undersells what it offers. A slower walk lets the place unfold through mist, motion, and small details tucked beside the streams. Early hours are especially rewarding, when paths are calmer and the village feels more intimate. If you can spare the time, give Rastoke more than a drive-by. 4. Holloko, Hungary Image Credit: Shutterstock. Holloko has the rare quality of looking preserved without reading as fake. The streetscape is beautiful, but the deeper appeal is the sense of continuity, a village that still behaves like a community instead of a stage set for day-trippers. That lived-in quality gives it a different weight than many old village stops. The best visit happens when you stop trying to cover everything and settle into the rhythm. Walk slowly, pay attention to textures, and let the surrounding landscape become part of the experience. A day trip is possible, but extra time adds depth and makes the place feel less like a display and more like a real home base. Holloko rewards patience more than speed. 5. Cicmany, Slovakia Image Credit: Shutterstock. Cicmany makes its point in seconds. Dark log houses decorated with white ornament patterns look unlike almost anything else in Central Europe, and the villages visual identity sticks with you long after you leave. It is compact, but it has a strong personality, the kind that makes a short stop feel oddly memorable. Advertisement Advertisement That small scale is part of the charm because it invites slow looking. You do not need a long checklist here, only enough time to walk, notice craftsmanship, and take in the details up close. Cicmany fits perfectly into a broader Slovakia road trip, especially if you love architecture and folk design. It is one of those places that proves distinctiveness does not require size. 6. Theth (Thethi), Albania Image Credit: Shutterstock. There is a reset button after cities, coastlines, and traffic. Peaks rise hard around the valley, the air runs cleaner, and the village sits with that mountain-world sense of distance from anything noisy. It is not polished, and that is the point. The setting feels raw in the best way, like the landscape is doing the talking. This is not a destination to squeeze into a rushed route. Weather, roads, and hiking plans can shift your schedule, so flexibility becomes part of traveling well here. Give Theth a little breathing room, and it tends to give something back, whether that is a longer walk, an extra night, or a quiet morning that resets your head. Some places impress you. This one recalibrates you. 7. Viscri, Romania Image Credit: Shutterstock. Viscri does not rely on instant spectacle, and that restraint is part of its charm. Broad lanes, pastoral calm, old houses, and the fortified church at the center create a setting that feels steady and deeply rooted. The beauty arrives gradually, which often makes it more lasting than places that deliver everything at first glance. Advertisement Advertisement The best approach is a calm one. Walk slowly, keep your voice low, and let the village reveal itself without forcing a perfect photo hunt. Viscri rewards attention and patience more than speed, especially if you spend time noticing the patterns of daily life around the heritage sites. It is subtle, and subtle places are often the ones you remember the longest. If you want, I can also format this into a stricter MSN slideshow structure. Read More A $2,000 monthly target can still work abroad, as long as you choose places where rent stays sane and daily life does not nickel-and-dime you. To keep this grounded, the snapshots below use Numbeos country-level estimates for a single person excluding rent, plus typical one-bedroom pricing outside the city center. The figures are crowdsourced and update often, so treat them as a planning range, not a promise carved in stone. If you want to see how those estimates are put together (and why they can shift), Numbeo explains its approach here: Numbeos cost-of-living methodology. Comfortable here means a calm neighborhood, good groceries, reliable internet, local transport, and room for small pleasures like cafes and day trips. Big capital-city cores, luxury coastal pockets, and imported lifestyle habits can break the math anywhere. Pick a second-tier city, rent long-term, and the same budget usually buys far more breathing space. 1. Albania Image Credit: Shutterstock. Along the Adriatic and Ionian coasts, Albania delivers beach towns, mountain drives, and a cafe culture built around espresso and people-watching. Numbeos estimate for a single person excluding rent is about 59,774 Lek per month, and a one-bedroom outside the city center averages around 34,357 Lek, a combination that typically fits well under a $2,000 ceiling. Advertisement Advertisement Tirana is lively, yet many long-stay newcomers prefer smaller places such as Shkoder, Korce, or Vlore for a slower cadence. Daily shopping is straightforward, and produce markets do a lot of the heavy lifting for quality of life. Plan for private health coverage and occasional specialist trips, since services can vary by city. 2. Bosnia and Herzegovina Image Credit: Shutterstock. Bosnia and Herzegovina feels like a crossroads in the best way: Ottoman-era bazaars, Austro-Hungarian streetscapes, and serious food at modest prices. Numbeo lists single-person monthly costs excluding rent at roughly 1,116 KM, while a one-bedroom outside the city center averages about 430 KM, keeping the basic math friendly for fixed-income living. Sarajevo offers a walkable core and a strong coffee scene, while Mostar and Trebinje can feel even gentler on the wallet. Winters bring heating needs, so insulation matters more than views. A longer lease and a neighborhood away from the main tourist lanes usually unlock better deals. 3. North Macedonia Image Credit: Shutterstock. Lake Ohrid alone can sell the place, yet North Macedonia stays off many American shortlists. Numbeos single-person estimate excluding rent is around 31,940 denars, and a one-bedroom outside the city center averages about 14,173 denars, leaving room in a $2,000 budget for utilities and outings. Advertisement Advertisement Skopje delivers modern malls and old bazaar atmosphere in the same afternoon, while Ohrid suits people who want scenery baked into everyday errands. Restaurant portions tend to be generous, which helps when you are trying to live well without spending like a vacationer. Choose walkable areas near parks or the lakefront, and you can cut transport costs sharply. 4. Bulgaria Image Credit: Shutterstock. Bulgaria combines Black Sea resorts, mountain towns, and mineral spas that locals treat as routine, not luxury. Numbeo puts single-person costs excluding rent near 600 per month, and a one-bedroom outside the city center averages around 320, a pairing that often stays under the $2,000 mark even with extras. Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo appeal to people who want culture without the capital-city pace, while Varna works for anyone chasing sea air. Public transport is inexpensive, and markets make cooking at home easy. Health services are strongest in larger hubs, so living near a regional center can reduce stress later. 5. Georgia Image Credit: Shutterstock. Georgia pairs old-world wine culture with modern cafes, and it often surprises first-timers with how livable Tbilisi feels. Numbeos single-person costs excluding rent sit around 1,548 GEL, and a one-bedroom outside the city center averages about 945 GEL, a combination that usually stays comfortably below $2,000 for a modest lifestyle. Advertisement Advertisement Neighborhood choice matters because hills, traffic, and summer heat can shape daily routines. Many long-stay residents pick areas with metro access so they can skip car expenses entirely. Food is a highlight, and local produce plus bakery culture can keep grocery bills pleasantly low. 6. Malaysia Image Credit: Shutterstock. Malaysia is one of the rare places where modern infrastructure and reasonable prices coexist without constant compromise. Numbeo estimates single-person monthly costs excluding rent at about 2,165 RM, and a one-bedroom outside the city center averages roughly 1,139 RM, keeping the overall target very achievable for many retirees. Penang draws people who want walkable neighborhoods and great street food, while Kuala Lumpur suits anyone who likes big-city amenities with efficient rail lines. English is widely used in many settings, which lowers day-to-day friction. The climate is humid year-round, so choosing a building with good ventilation and realistic utility expectations helps. 7. Vietnam Image Credit: Aylata / Shutterstock. Vietnam stretches a retirement budget in a way that can feel almost unfair, especially outside the priciest expat enclaves. Numbeo lists single-person costs excluding rent near 11,347,298 VND, and a one-bedroom outside the city center averages about 7,028,962 VND, a total that typically sits far below $2,000 even after adding comforts. Advertisement Advertisement Da Nang is popular for beaches and a calmer vibe, while Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City offer energy and deeper big-city services. Healthcare options vary, so many long-stay visitors budget for private clinics and occasional regional travel for specialists. Traffic can be intense, which is why choosing a neighborhood where you can walk to essentials matters. For visas, use Vietnam visa requirements, and for applications, the official portal is evisa.gov.vn. 8. Ecuador Image Credit: Shutterstock. Ecuador remains a classic value pick, yet it often gets less American attention than Mexico or Costa Rica in travel conversations. Numbeos estimate for a single person excluding rent is about $518, and a one-bedroom outside the city center averages roughly $283, leaving headroom in a $2,000 monthly plan. Cuenca is often mentioned for its springlike weather and easy day-to-day rhythm, while Quito offers bigger-city services at a higher altitude. Using U.S. dollars simplifies budgeting, which many people find mentally relaxing. Pick neighborhoods for safety and walkability first, then optimize for scenery. Read More It was a bitter cold and windy morning on Feb. 24 when Victor Gelman set out to catch a record-class muskie on 1,900-acre Greenwood Lake. After walking through the snow to his spot on the New Jersey side of the lake in Passaic County, Gelman used a power auger to drill five 10-inch holes through the ice. I was all alone, sitting in a chair that morning watching my tip-ups with live 8-to-10-inch sucker baits below the ice, Gelman tells Outdoor Life. The wind was blowing 25 miles per hour, and the temperature was about 20 degrees. It was right after the blizzard of the century when I got on the ice at 8 a.m., and the fish didnt bite until 4 p.m. It was the only strike he had all day, and the tip-up was 80 yards away when Gelman noticed he had a fish on. After getting to it as quickly as he could, he had to break ice away from the hole to grab the 50-pound braided line that was coming off the reel spool. Advertisement Advertisement Read Next: Winter Fishing: The 3 Hottest Bites When the Weather Gets Cold I pulled on the line, and it was like having a tug-of-war with a Rottweiler, says the 47-year-old angler, who owns the Warwick Chocolate Factory in New York. I finally pulled the fish to my hole and when its head popped up, I knew it was a giant. Then it pulled back down through the hole and took off on another run. Even with 50-pound test and a wire leader, Gelman knew there was a chance of losing the fish. Finally, he hauled it back up toward the hole and got its head up. Then he lifted the giant fish through the ice and onto the snow. I knew it was a special muskie, he says. Gelman (right) and the hatchery superintendent, Craig Lemon, who weighed and inspected the pending state-record muskie. Photo courtesy Victor Gelman Gelman wanted to release the big muskie alive. But the fish was hooked deep and bleeding, and he knew there was a chance it would die soon after he let it go. Advertisement Advertisement I didnt want to keep it, he explains. But I knew it was close to a record, and the New Jersey fisheries department likely would want to see the fish and inspect it, which was better than putting it back in the lake to die. Gelman contacted the fisheries folks at a nearby New Jersey hatchery thats been stocking muskies for years. They stayed open until Gelman got there with his fish. Craig Lemon, the superintendent of the Hackettstown State Fish Hatchery, measured and weighed the fish on their certified scale. The massive muskie tipped the scales at 45.02 pounds, and it measured 51.125 inches long with a 27-inch girth. Gelman says the record paperwork has been filed with the state, and his fish should top the current record, which weighed 42 pounds 13 ounces and was caught back in 1997. Gelman donated his muskie to the hatchery so biologists can dissect it and learn more about its age, physical condition, and what it was eating. Advertisement Advertisement I love muskie fishing and would never have caught my fish without the outstanding stocking and research work done by state biologists who created the fishery in Greenwood Lake through their tireless efforts, Gelman says. Its my honor to help the fisheries staff. Gelman with the 52-inch muskie he caught two years ago. This photo still hangs in his chocolate shop in New York. Photo courtesy Victor Gelman Gelman says hell also have a taxidermy mount made of his fish if it becomes the new state record. This would be a dream come true for Gelman, and the culmination of a determined effort that began two years ago, when he caught a 52-inch muskie from the St. Lawrence River in New York. That fish was released, and he still doesnt know how much it weighed. I have a photo of me and that fish in my chocolate shop, and everyone who walks in wants to know where I caught the muskie and how much it weighed, he says. Ive told everyone who saw that photo in my shop that Im going to catch a muskie that size in New Jersey, and I finally succeeded. Mr. Buzz Bakery, located on the corner of Genesee and Arnold Streets in Utica, where one could toss a Jamaican CoCo Roll from its parking lot and ping Slice Pizzeria across the street, looks forward to celebrating its third anniversary on July 1 of sharing authentic Jamaican cakes, breads, beef patties (as well as chicken and vegetable versions), and Jamaican Food Fridays, sharing traditional entrees and sides with Utica and its Mohawk Valley neighbors. Owner Delroy Thomas moved to Utica from Jamaica 20 years ago. His bakery carries on a family tradition, where he remembers his childhood in Jamaica helping and learning from his father, Victor Thomas, who owned and operated Buzz Rock Bakery on the Caribbean island. Advertisement Advertisement Naming his Utica bakery Mr. Buzz is a homage in honor the elder Thomas, as his son says the name emerged from the community buzz about how good his fathers cakes were. When queried, so they were really good? Delroy Thomas with son, Jevar at Mr. Buzz Bakery, the family's authentic Jamaican Bakery preparing to celebrate its 3rd anniversary in Utica in July serving breads and pastries baked daily in addition to 'Jamaican Food Friday' authentic entrees and sides. Good? His cakes were excellent, effused Thomas. Delroy Thomas shares growing up in his fathers business, as his son is now growing into his. Thomass son, Jevar, attended Utica city schools before joining his own father in learning and running the family business his grandfather started in Jamaica decades ago. Upon a phone call or visit to Mr. Buzz Bakery, expect Jevar to be the Thomas to greet you. Advertisement Advertisement He takes care of the front, I take care of the back, said Thomas of his partnership with the third generation of Jamaican bakery proprietors, where he spends most of his time back in the kitchen ... baking. Mr. Buzz Bakery, featuring authentic Jamaican foods, pastries, breads, and beverages, invites Utica neighbors in from February's winter cold with a friendly mural on the exterior of their shop featuring a steaming hot loaf of bread fresh from the over. Mr. Buzz blends ethnically diverse, Jamaican, American traditions Mr. Buzz Bakery in its almost three years now on the Utica food scene has embraced the upstate tradition of day-anchored and holiday specials, including Oxtail Patty Friday and the Mr. Buzz Easter Bun. A visit just a week after Valentines Day found the featured display case top shelf lined with cupcakes decoratively frosted in pink and white with red touches. When asked if he planned to similarly commemorate the upcoming St. Paddys Day, particularly in light of their prime location on Genesee Street, right at the edge of the parade route where floats will stage for hours before taking off into Downtown toward what could be dubbed Uticas Little Ireland on Varick Street, Thomas gave an ear to ear grin before his one-word reply, Green! The bakery cooks the courses in between bread and dessert on Jamaican Food Fridays, when a curated menu of entrees and sides is offered that on any given Friday might include Jamaican jerk and curry entrees including oxtail and chicken, brown stew or steamed fish, as well as traditional sides such as fried festival, plantains, steamed cabbage, candied yams, and cornbread. The bread basket is the case featuring Mr. Buzz Bakery Jamaican breads, including CoCo Rolls, Hard Dough Bread, Toto and Bulla Cakes, baked fresh daily at the Utica venue. Oh, and of course Fry Fish, translate Friday Fish Fry. Advertisement Advertisement Some traditional tastes fans of Jamaican food can look forward to and neighbors trying it for the first time can anticipate from a first visit to Mr. Buzz Bakery include Toto Cake, which Thomas described as a Jamaican sweet cake flavored with cinnamon, vanilla, and coconut. In addition to Coco bread, Thomas bakes daily Jamaican duck bread, hard dough bread, daily buns and cheese, spiced and sugar buns, ginger cake, and other sweet cakes. Beverages on the menu, in addition to bottled water and American sodas, include Ting, ginger beer, pineapple cola cream, coconut water, tropical rhythm, supligen, together with juices and teas. While Mr. Buzz primarily bakes sweets and breads, they also roll traditional Jamaican dough resembling the rich, flaky feel of pastry dough, stuffed like dumplings with meat filling including the traditional beef, but also both curry and jerk chicken, as well as a vegetarian version of what is commonly known as Jamaican beef patties. Mr. Buzz Bakery, a Jamaican eatery in Utica, makes traditional Jamaican beef patties out of a flaky, rich pastry dough stuffed with beef, as well as chicken and vegetable options, with choices of curry or jerk seasoning. Jevar Thomas points out that to promote the patties to a heartier meal, diners slice a Jamaican Coco roll - a soft, buttery, just a bit sweet bread shaped for hearty sandwiches somewhat like Portuguese rolls and wrap the entire patty into it. Advertisement Advertisement Just eat like a sandwich, he said. To celebrate their second year of serving Jamaican tastes to greater Utica, Mr. Buzz Bakery embraced the tradition of Uticas ethnic communities hosting neighbors of all heritages to join in traditional celebrations when they sponsored "Summer thirst 2025 BBQ & jerk edition" in lot outside their venue, a fete set off by community, music, and traditional Jamaican food. Mr. Buzz Bakery clientele as diverse as Utica itself The restaurant's embrace of other ethnic, as well as American traditions is reflected in the Mr. Buzz Bakery clientele, which Jevar Thomas agreed with his father describes a mix of Uticans of Jamaican descent comforted by the breads, sweets, and sips that remind them of the cuisine and culture of the island, together with customers as diverse as Utica itself, many from the walkable historic, arts, and downtown districts they are either bordered by or among. Thomas pointed out how coco rolls are very similar to Italian bread, so he notes crossover customers in that regard, but ... Advertisement Advertisement They all come in, he said with a smile. Mr. Buzz Bakery is located at 1926 Genesee Street, Suite 4 (on the corner of Arnold St., between Sunset and Genesee Sts.). Hours: Mon through Thu, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Fri-Sat, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Closed Sunday. For more information, like and follow Mr. Buzz Bakery on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/p/Mr-Buzz-Bakery-100090540829760/, visit their website www.mrbuzzbakery.com, call 315-527-2746, or email Mrbuzzbakery@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Jamaican Utican father-son team bake and serve at Mr. Buzz Bakery Trader Joes emerged as the nations top grocery store in the 2026 American Consumer Satisfaction Index, earning the highest overall score among U.S. supermarkets. The popular chain scored 86 out of 100, marking a 2% increase from its 2025 rating. Trader Joes edged out Florida-based Publix by two points after the two retailers tied for first place last year with scores of 84. The rankings were based on responses from 31,293 randomly selected customers who completed surveys via email between January and December 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Surveyed stores were rated on a 100-point scale based on factors such as product quality and freshness, checkout efficiency, and store layout and cleanliness. Why is Trader Joe's the top supermarket? Trader Joe's second location in Delaware opened on April 28, 2021, at the Christiana Fashion Center. ACSI attributed Trader Joes top ranking to its ongoing national expansion without sacrificing customer experience, a strategy that continues to reinforce strong brand loyalty. More: Lidl, Redners and more planned grocery store openings in 2026 Best and worst grocery stores Here's how the 20 grocery stores ranked with their corresponding scores out of 100. Trader Joe's 86 Publix 84 H-E-B 83 Sam's Club 82 Aldi 81 Costco 81 Whole Foods 81 All other small grocery stores 79 ShopRite 79 Target 79 Ahold Delhaize 78 Kroger 78 Meijer 78 Save A Lot 78 Wegmans 78 BJ's Wholesale Club 77 Hy-Vee 76 Walmart 75 Albertsons Companies 74 Giant Eagle 73 Trader Joe's locations in Delaware 5605 Concord Pike, Wilmington 2500 Fashion Center Blvd., Newark This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Best US grocery store 2026 announced in latest ranking When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Damien Touze during the 2026 Tour of Oman. | Credit: Getty Images Damien Touze returned to Belgium following a horrendous 60 kph crash during stage 4 of the Tour of Oman, but the Cofidis racer said his career was now on hold and his season over as the battle to recover from his injuries continues. Touze, 29, suffered a perforated intestine, ripped spleen and broken knee in the crash and remained in hospital in Oman for 10 days before doctors decided the French pro had recovered enough to be put on a flight back to Europe. During that time, he's had two operations and lost 10 kilos in weight. Advertisement Advertisement "I even thought I might never make it home," Touze told Ouest-France on Wednesday from his hospital bed in Menen, Belgium. A pro since 2017 in French teams throughout his career, first with the low-level HP BTP-Auber '93 squad, and then as part of Cofidis, AG2R La Mondiale and then Cofidis again, Touze said he had no idea what the future holds for him. As for the crash itself, it happened when his bike skidded on a cat's-eye, a raised reflective pavement marker, just as he was about to take a drink from a bidon. In a chain reaction, he let go of the handlebars, lost balance and hit the crash barriers, all at 60 kph. "Instantly, I managed to get up. But what was the most shocking thing of all was my leg, because my foot was twisted round next to my thigh," he explained. "I told myself that wasn't normal." Presumably in a state of severe shock, the pain in his abdomen was "really bad", he said. "But at first I didn't realise how serious things were." Advertisement Advertisement Once in hospital in Oman, "Initially they didn't realize that I had a hole in my intestine, so that's what made my condition worse," Touze added. "I was starting to suffer from peritonitis and had a high temperature. I went more than ten days without eating." With his issues in his abdomen only partly resolved, the doctors in Belgium had to operate on the injury, with Touze explaining that after everything had been put back in place, he had a new wound that needed to heal. "I am open from the sternum to the lower abdomen," he said. Then there was his knee injury to handle as well. Touze is still waiting to see how multiple torn ligaments will be treated, but it's estimated that it'll take anything up to eight months for him to recover fully. Advertisement Advertisement Due to be concentrating on the Spring Classics before his crash, now racing again at any point this season is out of the question and his career may even be over. Touze already had bad accidents in the 2020 Tour de Pologne and the 2022 Vuelta a Burgos. In Poland he was caught in the same mass crash where Fabio Jakobsen had a life-threatening fall, in the Frenchman's case fracturing a finger in three places. Then in Spain two years later, like several others, he lost control of his bike on a speed bump organisers had failed to remove from the course and hurt his head badly. Out of contract at the end of the year, but receiving lots of support from friends and family, Touze said his future remained very unclear. But despite the uncertainty he was trying to stay philosophical. "After all this, frankly I didn't think about the bike at all," Touze told Ouest-France . Advertisement Advertisement "A fracture is one thing, but when your internal organs are affected, you feel like things are moving on another level. These things take time to assimilate. [But] there's not just the sporting side to think about, either." Safety and modern bikes In a separate interview with Belgian broadcaster RTBF's podcast, On Connait Nos Classiques, Touze questioned the safety credentials of modern bikes. Another podcast guest, the former Belgian pro Tom Pacquot, started by arguing that today's bikes are "harder and harder to handle". Touze agreed, pointing to the increasing speeds in the peloton. "The bikes now, I get the impression that they're no longer suitable for us, in fact," he said. "Because now, you can ride at 60km/h on the flat quite easily, let's say, in the wheels. Whereas maybe if I have the same crash at 40km/h, the injuries are a lot less severe." Advertisement Advertisement The UCI has been looking to reduce race speeds with a number of equipment rules, including handlebar width and wheel depth, but for Touze, the problem runs deeper than that. "But for sure the bikes now are 100% rigid they're slices of wood. So the slightest shock that you take on the wheel, it's amplified x100 on us. So what's for sure is you can't rectify anything on the bike." Touze also pointed to the general stress levels in the peloton, which appear to have increased not only in the biggest races but also the smaller ones, like the Tour of Oman. A key part of that, he says, is the battle for UCI ranking points in the recently started three-year cycle that decides WorldTour licences. "You feel that all teams are flat out. They're not going to let anything go. And now, the tension is already there 100km from the finish. Before, at the early-season races, let's say 20km from the finish, you might start to feel the tension. "Now, even the races like Oman, where the roads are relatively wide and well-surfaced, the slightest gust of wind and the peloton is immediately stressed. Everyone wants to be well-placed. The tension is really at the maximum, and you can see it since the start of the season there has been at least one big crash at every race." With over 16,000 miles of coastline and most of the major cities hugging its circumference, Australia truly lends itself to exploration by ship. The island continent has it all, whether its sunshine, beaches, snorkelling and wineries, or national parks, ancient rock art, First Nations culture, and some pretty unique wildlife. With such vast distances involved, a cruise can also help get you off the beaten path, without the need to spend days in a car. In contrast to cruising regions like the Caribbean and Mediterranean, there arent scores of ships docking at harbours. That said, cruisers now have access to more destinations, different styles of vessels and shore experiences than ever before. Booking a cruise to Australia can feel daunting. Indian Ocean, Coral Sea or Pacific Ocean? An expedition ship made for action and adventure or a fun ship with enough amenities to keep the family entertained? Should you also visit New Zealand? This guide outlines the destination options and cruising routes, along with a host of tips to help you get the most from your Antipodean cruise holiday. In this guide: Before you book Where can I go? Every Australian state and the Northern Territory has at least one cruise port. Ships travel the Pacific and Coral Sea on the east coast and the Indian Ocean and Coral Coast on the west. Cruises combining Australia and New Zealand cross the Tasman Sea, while the Bass Strait divides Tasmania from the mainland. Advertisement Advertisement Western Australias ports include Fremantle, for access to Perth. Exmouth is a springboard to Australias largest fringing reef, Ningaloo, also known for its seasonal whale shark migration, while the pearling town of Broome is a launch pad for the ochre cliffs of the Kimberley. Historic Broome is also where youll find Cable Beach a pristine 13-mile sweep of white, dune-bound sand fringing the Indian Ocean. Further south in WA, Busselton offers access to the Margaret River wine region. The Kimberley in the north corner of Western Australia is renowned for its rugged, ancient landscapes - harry aslan rogers For tranquil, inland river cruising, head to the Murray River, which runs through South Australia and along the border of New South Wales and Victoria. Here, small, refurbished steamer ships snake through gum forests that are home to kangaroos and kookaburras. If wine tasting is on the agenda, consider Adelaide in the south for excursions to the renowned Barossa and Clare Valley wine regions. Excursions in the state also visit wild and unspoilt Kangaroo Island and the Yorke Peninsula. Melbourne, in Victoria, is another major cruise hub and itineraries on the route to the city may call at Hobart in Tasmania. Linger in Melbourne for culture, history, a great dining and cafe scene and to see the fairy penguins on Philip Island. Melbourne in Victoria is known for its culture and great dining and cafe scene - Jui-Chi Chan/iStockphoto Brisbane sits between the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast, known for its surf breaks, and Magnetic Island and the Whitsunday Islands are accessed via Townsville or Mackay. Further north, Cairns is the hub for visits to Cook Town, Port Douglas, the Daintree Rainforest and the outer islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Advertisement Advertisement In Darwin, its worth spending a few extra days to explore Indigenous culture and visit waterfalls, gorges and Unesco-listed Kakadu National Park. When should I go? Cruise itineraries generally operate between October and April (spring and summer in the southern hemisphere). This avoids the wet season in Queensland and should mean hot temperatures and sunshine pretty much everywhere. Cruises to the Kimberley, on the west coast, operate from May to late October, during Australias winter. This swerves the wet seasons monsoon rains and happily coincides with the humpback whale migration, between June and November. Cruises to the Kimberley typically operate from May to late October, during Australias winter. - harry aslan rogers How long will I need? Itineraries on the east coast from Cairns to Sydney last between seven and 11 nights. Those in the Kimberley, between Darwin and Broome, take around 10 days (the international flight to Darwin or Perth is shorter compared to flying to the east coast, at around 17 hours). Advertisement Advertisement Both Viking and Holland America Line (HAL) offer circumnavigations of Australia. Vikings 32-day cruise also visits Indonesia, while HALs 35-day voyage visits Kiriwana Island and Alotau in Papua New Guinea. If youre considering combining Australia and New Zealand, allow three weeks including air travel. If youre considering combining Australia and New Zealand, allow three weeks for travel - Holger Isensee / EyeEm Where else can I visit? If youve always wanted to see both Australia and New Zealand, cruising is a cost-effective and convenient way to make that happen. Ships cross the Tasman Sea which can be a rough crossing arriving in New Zealand three days later. Crystal Cruises has a 15-night itinerary from Auckland that soaks up the scenery in Doubtful, Milford and Dusky sounds, before visiting Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane (from 8,700pp). Advertisement Advertisement The continents proximity to Asia and the Pacific islands opens the door to other exciting combinations. A cruise in Australia can be combined with Singapore, Bali and other Indonesian islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and Hawaii. Return to index Who to cruise with Which are the mainstream options? Bigger, family-oriented ships tend to focus on the fun-filled Queensland coast and a string of emblematic sights between Cairns and Sydney. Celebrity Cruises offers eight-day round-trip hops from Brisbane to the South Pacific islands of New Caledonia and Vanuatu on its modern, family-friendly resort ships designed to keep everyone entertained on sea days. From September 2026, HAL has itineraries ranging from 13 to 35 days on Noordam and Westerdam. A 16-day South Australia Discovery Holiday from Sydney calls at nine ports, including late-night calls at Phillip Island and Hobart, as well as an overnight stay in Melbourne. Other itineraries combine Australia with New Zealand and islands in the Pacific and Hawaii. Family-friendly NCL offers several cruises on the 1,972-passenger Norwegian Spirit To see places you might not otherwise get to, including Tasmania, Kangaroo Island and the Sapphire Coast, Princess Cruises has some well-priced three to seven-day itineraries. The 3,660-passenger Discovery Princess is based in Sydney Harbours Circular Quay for its inaugural Australia season and the lines Sapphire Princess will homeport in Western Australia in 2027-28. A six-day Tasmania cruise round-trip from Sydney costs from 504pp. Advertisement Advertisement Family-friendly NCL offers affordable cruising between Sydney and Auckland, four-day jaunts between Sydney and Hobart and several 11-day options on the 1,972-passenger Norwegian Spirit. What about luxury options? At the luxury end, Azamara is extending its cruising season in Australia, adding new ports and more overnights in port and more Australia/New Zealand combinations. New for 2027-28 are Kgari (formerly Fraser Island) and Gladstone in Queensland. The line also offers two-night city stays in Sydney and Melbourne. All-inclusive line Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) has 28 cruises in Australia, including Bali to Perth, Auckland to Bali and Sydney to Auckland options. A Christmas 2026 cruise from Sydney visits Melbourne, Philip Island and Tasmania. Elsewhere, fellow luxury line Silverseas best sellers are Sydney to Auckland, Sydney to Melbourne and Auckland to Fremantle, on the intimate Silver Moon, and Seabourn Pursuit visits the Kimberley on a 10-day expedition cruise. All-inclusive, luxury line RSSC has 28 cruises in Australia - Stephen Beaudet Crystals cruises pair Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne with Bali, Auckland and Hong Kong, and Viking includes the Indonesian islands of Lombok and Komodo on a 17-night trip that spends 10 days sailing between Darwin and Sydney. Advertisement Advertisement Ponants Le Soleal sets sail for some under-the-radar sights on Australias west coast, including Jurien Bay Marine Park, Shark Bay and the Murujuga National Park. On its 2027 World Cruise, Seabourn Quest will visit Wallaroo on the picturesque Yorke Peninsula, Norfolk Island an Australian outpost in the Pacific and scenic cruising along the Kimberley Coast. Luxury expedition line Seabourn offers scenic cruising along the Kimberley Coast What are the alternatives? For the remote Kimberley region on Australias north-west coast, consider Scenic, Silversea, Ponant, Seabourn, Heritage Expeditions and Australian operators True North Expeditions, APT and Coral Cruises. This is expedition-cruise territory, so ships are equipped with Zodiac boats, kayaks and sometimes helicopters, for off-ship exploring. For an insight into First Nations cultures, Coral Expeditions also visits remote coastlines in the Torres Strait and Cape York Arnhem Land region, as well as the Abrolhos Islands and Cape Range National Park, on the Coral Coast. True North Adventure Cruises hosts expeditions and conservation cruises in the Kimberley and throughout Australia For heli-fishing, photography expeditions, conservation cruises, snorkelling with sea lions and diving in Rowley Shoals (WA), True North Adventure Cruises has some tempting itineraries in Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales on board the 36-passenger True North and 22-passenger True North II. Sydney Rocks itineraries pair front-row access to only-in-Sydney events like the New Years Eve fireworks or the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race with lesser-seen stretches of coast and river. Advertisement Advertisement Return to index Ports and sights Can I sail from the UK? The only way to do this is on a three-month world cruise or on a regional sector of a World Cruise. Cunards Queen Victoria will sail from Sydney to Southampton in February 2027. In January 2027, P&O Cruises Arcadia will sail from Southampton to Brisbane on a 49-day cruise via Hawaii and the Caribbean. Vikings 2028 World Discovery Cruise visits Australia and New Zealand on its 125-day journey from Los Angeles to the London port of Greenwich. Arguably the worlds most beautiful harbour, Sydney makes for an unforgettable arrival or departure - Ethan Rohloff/Viking Cruises Where else can I depart from? The majority of Australias population lives on the coast, so its no surprise that there are around 25 cruise ports around its circumference. The Northern Territory has just one in Darwin, but its a busy gateway port with arrivals from Singapore and Bali and it also serves as an embarkation and disembarkation port for Kimberley cruises. Advertisement Advertisement Arguably the worlds most beautiful harbour, Sydney makes for an unforgettable arrival or departure. Cruises south of Sydney visit the Sapphire Coast; others head north to Brisbane and Cairns, in Queensland. Broome is a launch pad for the ochre cliffs of the Kimberley - Luke Mackenzie What excursions can I do? Expect walking tours, visits to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, food and wine tastings, scenic boat rides, chartered cruises and catamaran trips, rainforest hikes and city tours, often in high temperatures. Expedition cruising will involve getting on a rigid inflatable boat and alighting somewhere (maybe a shallow beach, inlet or promontory) from where walks and other activities begin. Wildlife and geology are interpreted by experts, including marine biologists. Expect walking tours, visits to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries on an Australian cruise - robertcicchetti Return to index About our expert Teresa Machan Teresa was Telegraph Travels cruise editor for six years. During that time, she sailed on river, ocean, sailing, and expedition ships to destinations including The Kimberley in Australia, Laos, Indonesia, the Chilean fjords, Baja, and Antarctica. She takes every opportunity possible to get waterborne, whether by kayak, on a ship or in the sea in Brighton. Telegraph Travels cruise expert, Teresa Machan 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. I spent years living in Ecuador and exploring the country, from the cities to the Galapagos Islands. Many visitors skip over the Andean Highlands, but I think it's the best region to visit. This area is home to lots of history, gorgeous landscapes, and great food. In 2018, I moved to Ecuador for a "short time," only to find myself captivated. I stayed for over seven years. During my time in Ecuador, I was lucky enough to travel across the country, and though I was awed by the lush life in the Amazon rainforest, wowed by the coast, and truly amazed by the famous Galapagos Islands, the part that really captured my heart was the Andean Highlands. Advertisement Advertisement One of the most impressive mountain ranges in the world passes through Ecuador. The Andes Cordillera is full of incredible sights, unique ecosystems, and unforgettable experiences. I believe there's something here for everyone, from vibrant cities to towering volcanic peaks. When making their itinerary for a trip to Ecuador, many people carve out most of their time for the jungles and the coast, and though these are great destinations, people are (literally) skipping over a real jewel: the Highlands. Quito is so much more than a stopover city quito captiontk AscentXmedia/Getty Images Ecuador's capital city, located in the Highlands, is home to many beautiful parks and sights, museums and galleries, and world-class restaurants and artisanal breweries. With elaborate churches, colonial architecture, and plenty of restaurants with stellar views, it's easy to spend a few days exploring. Advertisement Advertisement I love driving to The Panecillo, a small mountain topped with a massive Virgin Mary statue, which offers gorgeous views of the historic center below. I also recommend visiting at night to enjoy the sprawling city lights while drinking a traditional canelazo, a hot beverage made with naranjilla fruit and cinnamon. On top of all that, Quito has a rich history. You can learn all about it at its historical center, which just so happens to be one of the first UNESCO World Heritage sites. There are also other great towns and cities to visit in the region Quito might be the largest city in the region, but there are tons of other places worth exploring, too. A few of my favorites are Otavalo, Papallacta, and Banos de Agua Santa. Otavalo is only two hours north of Quito, and is known for its colorful markets and scenic landscapes. There is also plenty of great traditional food to be found here make sure you try a locro de papa, an amazing cheese-and-potato soup. Advertisement Advertisement Papallacta, just an hour from Quito or from the airport, is a smaller town, but one that's famous for its wonderful hot springs nestled among lush mountain tops. The public hot springs have many pools for relaxing, as well as cold plunges. Banos is around four hours south of Quito, on the border where the Andes start to turn into the Amazon. I find this town to have the perfect mix of access to nature and adventure, lovely hotels and restaurants, and nightlife. If you love the outdoors, this region is a must-visit captiontk Kirstynn Joseph For those who, like me, enjoy spending time in nature, the scenic route here is even more special. With most hikes even starting at heights of over 9,000 feet above sea level, the mountains many of them volcanoes still tower over you. Rugged rocks and gleaming glaciers dominate the peaks; you'll spot lots of bright green cushion plants and fields of golden grasses swaying in the winds. Bright-orange chuquiragua plants, found only at these high altitudes, dot the landscape. Advertisement Advertisement One of my favorite hikes is Rucu Pichincha. After riding the Teleferiqo cable car to the base camp which has an incredible view of Quito, a lovely cafe, and many great spots for photo ops you can begin to hike up the trail. Here, you will experience the biodiverse paramo ecosystem and finish at more than 15,000 feet above sea level. Elsewhere, in different directions but all within a few hours of Quito, the Antisana, Cayambe, and Cotopaxi volcanoes are sky-high with towering peaks covered by glistening glaciers that not even the equatorial sun can melt. captiontk quilotoa Kirstynn Joseph Last but not least, Quilotoa volcano, which is in the same province as Cotopaxi and just a bit further away, holds a turquoise crater lake where you can kayak one of my absolute favorite things I've done here. Advertisement Advertisement I may be biased, but I believe this region is one of the most underrated places in the world. If you find yourself in South America, it is absolutely worth it to set some time aside to get to know the Andes and everything they have to offer. Just be careful on your journey there you, too, may also find yourself staying just a bit longer than you planned. Read the original article on Business Insider Galleta de campana, a Uruguayan quick bread known as pan criollo in neighboring Argentina, has a height and crumb that biscuit lovers in the American South would recognize. Bakers roll out the galetta dough, slick the surface with beef tallow or pork lard and then fold the mass in half, repeating the steps four or five times before cutting pieces into squares and poking the top with fork tines. Layered, bronzed towers emerge from the oven. They flake apart easily to spread with butter and jam, a sustaining start to the day alongside coffee or yerba mate. Galleta de campana, a Uruguayan quick bread known as pan criollo in neighboring Argentina, is a tower of golden layers, served with coffee or yerba mate. (Ron De Angelis / For The Times) At Alto in Studio City, chefs Juana Castellanos Lagemann and Esteban Klenzi reshape this breakfast staple into a dinner appetizer, fitting the dimensions of their imaginations: The form is higher and tighter, like a contracted accordion bellow, and the crisp-soft textures more delicate. Its one of the purest joys on an ambitious menu that expresses and reinterprets their respective Uruguayan and Argentine cultures. Advertisement Advertisement Los Angeles has relatively few stellar dining options representing the Southern Cone. At their debut restaurant, Castellanos and Klenzi acknowledge prevailing culinary tropes: A few strapping cuts of meat sizzle theatrically over surging flames on a gleaming hearth, but this is pointedly not a South American steakhouse. Many dishes reconceive homier, regionally specific aspects of their cuisines framed by the Rio de la Plata, a wide-mouthed estuary outlining the borders of Uruguay and Argentina sometimes in ways that might be obvious only to them. The juxtaposition is thrilling, and idiosyncratic, and nervy. Alto is like nothing else in the city. Chefs Juana Castellanos and Esteban Klenzi at Alto in Studio City. (Ron De Angelis / For The Times) An informed, high-energy server will go over the menu, describing a small section at the top labeled appetizers, though you soon realize theyre all breads. The galleta de campana is simply called criollo," which the chefs transformed with viennoiserie as inspiration: They employ the kind of dough sheeter a bakery would use to crank out croissants. The square shape remains, but the strata are so thin and distinct you can count nearly 20 of them. You dont break the thing in half. You peel it from the top, layer by layer. The edges crackle, but the interior has the plush bounce of a Parker House roll. A gorgeous ceramic crock alongside contains intense, chartreuse-green compound butter blended with roasted garlic paste, chives, thyme and other herbs. Intersperse this pleasure with chipa, a ubiquitous stretchy cheese ball, popular as street food, that Klenzi and Castellanos retooled with pate a choux explicitly in mind. They combine tapioca starch (the bread's original binder) with milk, butter, orange juice, sharp white cheddar, Gouda and Parmesan. This one you absolutely ply open with your hands, the crusty exterior giving way to steam and velvet. Its cheesy tang rings in three-part harmony. Advertisement Advertisement Tomato flavors the chipa butter, crusted with toasted buckwheat. Mention the combination to Castellanos who oversees the dining room while Klenzi takes the role of executive chef and shell tell you the inspiration for tomato came from tuco, the Argentine-Uruguayan pasta sauce introduced to the cultures with the influx of Italian immigrants in the 1800s. A swipe of bread through tuco always kicked off a Sunday spaghetti meal. Read more: Cheesy breads headline big Georgian flavors at this tiny Valley cafe With the Europeans came their drinking customs. Altos cocktails lean modernist and sweet. A fun concoction of gin macerated in yerba mate and scented with basil and cardamom arrives with a silvery bubble of lemon vapor that playfully pops on your face while you take your first sip. I gravitate to a selection of classic Argentine drinks based on recipes that date to the early 1900s, especially the Ferroviario, an ease-into-the-evening glass of Fernet-Branca, two vermouths and a spritz of lemon verbena soda. Serious Malbecs might come later. One could start the night in Altos front bar room, arranged with low-slung lounge chairs. Most people head straightway to the dramatic main dining room, longer than it is wide, where the hearth, manned by several chefs at a time, looms in the far back, a stage on its own lower tier. Exposed ceiling beams, polished wood tables, dangling light fixtures that look fashioned from volcanic rock, tastefully draped sheep hides and arty smirched patterns trailing up the walls exude brooding sophistication. The design feels at once intimate and spacious. Charred avocado salad at Alto features a halved avocado that has been blowtorched so that it looks like the peel of the fruit. (Ron De Angelis / For The Times) Klenzi and Castellanos met while working last decade at Mugaritz, the 28-year-old avant-garde restaurant in northern Spains Basque Country. The pair, thankfully, didnt absorb too, too many of its molecular-gastronomy penchants for gelatins and trompe loeil. Still, in creating their shared cuisine, whimsy often takes the wheel. Advertisement Advertisement A salad arrives with a halved avocado nestled among greens. Has the woody black skin been left unpeeled? No, thats the work of a blowtorch to trick the eye. Harmless, and the fruit finds its balance among the crunch of fried onions and bits of candied Meyer lemon that offset bitter, lightly dressed arugula. Read more: A prodigal L.A. pizza star returns to bake the city's best sourdough A seasonal special involves a small kabocha roasted, hollowed and filled with cheddar and provolone fondue. Its inspired by kabutia, a squash widely consumed in the Rio de la Plata region during winter, Castellanos explained. It is one of the few vegetables traditionally eaten in puchero, a classic winter stew. The intent was to evoke the feeling of gathering around the pot. And the fondue? To honor a ritual, Castellanos said. Culturally, we tend to eat almost everything with cheese. Cordero Patagonico is lamb saddle, aged in bee's wax and cooked over branches of rosemary. (Ron De Angelis / For The Times) It makes for a satisfying group side dish for the straight-ahead meats at the meals center. Asadero banderita is the classic Argentine cut, marbled and sliced thinnish across the visible rib bones. Im most partial to the lamb saddle, aged in bees wax and cooked over branches of rosemary, adding a forest-herb quality among the smoky, mild gaminess. A pork chop, laid out on a plate in boneless dominoes, has been dry-aged, smoked over applewood chips and then roasted in kombu. Its a fiddly conceit that pays off: The meat is lush and deeply seasoned and campfire-fragrant. Advertisement Advertisement This is also the portion of dinner that reads most like a steakhouse. Meats are a la carte and the vegetable sides, at $20 to $23 each, lean expensive and underwhelming. I have loved a platter of piquillo peppers slowly confited in beef tallow, but theyre finished with a char in the hearth that can leave them desiccated and metallic-tasting. Little gem lettuces, presented fresh and slighted roasted, need a bigger shock of acid in a lemon vinaigrette. (I felt the same yearning for acidity in a starter of warmed oysters.) Potatoes cooked directly in the heat, mashed and beset with foam and fried garnishes are, sure, decent mashed spuds. Alto's hearth sits at the far end of a long dining room, where several chefs at a time manage the live fire. (Ron De Angelis / For The Times) Ill mention here that the restaurants website lists two large-format specials that require at least several days advance notice to order. Ive heard the whole turbot dressed in Basque-style salsa verde is wonderful, but I learned the day before my reservation that the requested fish had been hard to procure that week. It happens. The restaurant proposed instead the other option: asado ancho, an enormous, blandish center short rib cut that costs $300, including potatoes and lettuces. It was advertised for two or three people but could really feed six as part of a full dinner (and a requested side of chimichurri to rev the meat). Another under-the-radar special, a spectacular dessert, appears only on Saturdays. Torta rogel is a painstaking pastry, often served as a birthday cake in Argentina, comprised of crisp, layered wafers glossed with dulce de leche and crowned with wisps of shiny Italian meringue. It shatters, it soothes, it transcends. Even as Klenzi and Castellanos define and refine their shared heritage through innovation, they also know when a tradition is perfect as is. Sign up for our Tasting Notes newsletter for restaurant reviews, Los Angeles food-related news and more. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) has raised concerns that the 2026/27 Scottish Budget does not adequately address the countrys underlying economic issues, despite record spending commitments. The Budget Bill passed its third and final stage in the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, confirming almost 68bn in total funding. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) backed the measure by 66 votes to 29, with 24 abstentions. It includes 22.5bn allocated for health and social care, alongside enhanced support measures for the cost of living, infrastructure investment and additional assistance for families and household finances. Income tax thresholds were increased in the basic and intermediate bands. As a result, workers in the lower tax brackets will pay up to 40 a year less than people on the same income elsewhere in the UK. However, people earning more than 50,000 will pay almost 1,500 more than those on the same salary elsewhere in the UK, the BBC reported, citing Scottish Fiscal Commission forecasts. ICAS CFO Chris Barber said: The Scottish Budget passed at Holyrood today falls short of delivering the meaningful, long-term changes that Scotlands households and businesses need. While raising the starting point for the basic and intermediate income tax thresholds by 7.4% may sound like good news, in practice it gives low earners just 11 of additional income a year. With no reform of the rest of the system, fiscal drag will continue to pull more people into higher tax bands over time, quietly increasing the burden on households without growing the overall tax base. Relying on small adjustments and stealth tax rises like this to meet short-term pressures isnt a credible or sustainable route to economic growth. Tax policy should be grounded in clear evidence and long-term analysis, not incremental changes that raise revenue by default rather than by design. Earlier this month, an ICAS survey suggested that nearly four in five accountants were not confident about the state of the Scottish economy. According to the findings, only 6% of respondents expressed confidence in current economic conditions, while 78% said they lacked confidence. When asked to identify priorities for policymakers, respondents most often called for a long-term strategy for economic policy and the tax system. "ICAS warns Scottish Budget fails to address economic challenges" was originally created and published by The Accountant, a GlobalData owned brand. Millennials and Texas officially go hand in hand. While Texas has experienced explosive growth in recent years across the board, one generation is leading the way among new residents heading to the Lone Star State. A SmartAsset report published earlier this month found millennials zeroed in on three key Texas cities for live, work and play opportunities, including the state capital. Austin ranked No. 6 on SmartAsset's analysis of the Top 20 destinations for millennials. The generation of newcomers moving into town represented 10.57% of the city's total population, attracting more than 105,000 new residents within a given year. Looking at both new and existing Austinites, the Texas capital comprises nearly 40% millennials out of its overall population, with an estimated 393,638 calling the Live Music Capital of the World home. Advertisement Advertisement Broken down further, approximately 59,619 residents had moved to Austin from within the same county, while roughly 21,169 people moved from a different county within Texas. SmartAsset's findings revealed the majority of new Austinites came from Texas, with 16,429 people moving in from out of state and 7,873 newcomers from overseas. It wasn't the only Texas city represented in the report. Other popular millennial destinations in the Lone Star State included Conroe in the Houston area at No. 15 on the list, as well as the Austin suburb of Round Rock at No. 17. "Millennials now make up an estimated 36% of the workforce, making this cohort highly valuable to any local economy," the analysis read in part. "With more flexibility than ever due to remote work and rapidly developing technologies, many Millennial households opt to move locations in pursuit of job opportunities, higher pay, preferable lifestyles, and family considerations, among other reasons." On the flip side, some Texas cities didn't have quite the same reach in attracting new millennial residents. Some of the least popular cities for millennials included Brownsville and The Woodlands. Brownsville attracted just 2.79% newcomer millennials to the community, while The Woodlands had an overall low percentage of millennial residents, reported at 22.9%. This article originally published at Millennials are flocking to these 3 Texas cities, here's why. Moving overseas feels a lot better when everyday spending does not drain the fun out of daily life. For this slideshow, the backbone is InterNations Expat Insider 2025, which surveyed more than 10,000 expats across 172 nationalities and ranked 46 destinations using expat responses about life abroad. The order below follows InterNations 2025 Personal Finance Index top 10, and the joyful angle isnt a stretch. In its 2025 report, InterNations notes that nearly every country in the top 15 for personal finance is also among the happiest overall (with one exception). The same finance index page also notes that no European destination made the top 10 this year. 1. Vietnam Image Credit: Huy Thoai / Shutterstock. Vietnam sits at the top of the 2025 Personal Finance Index, which matches what many foreign residents describe in plain terms: daily spending can stay manageable without living a stripped-down routine. Street food, local cafes, and short app rides often make ordinary days feel easy rather than expensive. Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi each offer different rhythms, so people can choose beach energy, big-city momentum, or a mix of both. Advertisement Advertisement For many newcomers, life gets better fast once a simple routine clicks: where you eat, how you get around, and where you spend evenings. Heat, noise, and traffic take adjustment, so the happiest setups usually come from picking the right neighborhood first and the prettiest apartment second. 2. Colombia Image Credit: Shutterstock. Colombia ranks near the very top for personal-finance satisfaction, and it also performs strongly overall in the same InterNations cycle. Medellin gets most of the international attention, but Bogota, Cali, and smaller mountain towns appeal to different budgets and lifestyles. Climate variety helps a lot, because altitude changes can reshape your week without changing countries. A lot of the appeal shows up in everyday social life. Fresh produce, friendly interactions, and a calendar that fills itself once you meet people can make the week feel connected instead of isolated. Safety conditions vary sharply by district, so smart local guidance matters far more than broad stereotypes. 3. Panama Image Credit: Shutterstock. Panama combines strong financial sentiment with a long-running reputation as a comfortable landing spot for retirees and remote earners. Panama City offers modern infrastructure and fast urban convenience, while mountain areas and smaller coastal zones attract people who want a slower pace. The use of the U.S. dollar also makes budgeting simpler for many arrivals from North America. Advertisement Advertisement Much of the day-to-day payoff here is practical. Banking, shopping, and international services are relatively easy to navigate compared with many cross-border moves. Humidity can be intense, and rainy season logistics require patience, so quality of life rises quickly when housing choice matches your weather tolerance. 4. China Image Credit: Shutterstock. Chinas position in this ranking surprises people who only picture headline cities with premium price tags. In practice, many foreign workers and business professionals find strong value in transit, dining, and everyday services once they settle into local systems. Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and other major hubs can feel wildly different from one another, which gives movers real room to match priorities. What many residents enjoy most is the combination of scale and efficiency. Fast trains, dense food scenes, and late-hour convenience can make urban life feel highly functional once your routines click. A smoother start usually depends on translation tools, payment app setup, and realistic expectations about digital platforms and local rules. 5. Thailand Image Credit: Shutterstock. Thailand remains a favorite because it blends budget comfort with a lifestyle that can feel relaxed without becoming dull. Bangkok suits people who want career options and nonstop variety, while Chiang Mai draws many remote workers. Coastal hubs appeal to those chasing sea air and flexible schedules. Everyday meals, markets, and services often keep recurring expenses from spiraling. Advertisement Advertisement Pleasure here is often built out of small things done often. A quick bowl of noodles, an evening market stroll, or a weekend island trip can make ordinary weeks feel generous. Seasonal heat, monsoon timing, and air quality episodes in some regions can shape quality of life, so timing and location selection matter a lot. 6. Indonesia Image Credit: Shutterstock. Indonesia ranks high on financial satisfaction, though experiences differ widely across its thousands of islands. Bali is the best-known magnet for international residents, yet Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and other centers offer entirely different lifestyles, work patterns, and social circles. Prices can look great on paper, but neighborhood choice changes the monthly picture fast. Many people find the energy comes from the environment and the community mix. Sunrise surf, cafe culture, creative workspaces, and weekend nature access can create a routine that feels energizing. Traffic, distance, and infrastructure gaps in some areas can eat time, so living close to your real daily needs is a bigger win than chasing a dream view. 7. Philippines Image Credit: Shutterstock. The Philippines stands out for people who value friendliness and social ease alongside manageable costs. English is widely used, which lowers stress during errands, appointments, and everyday problem-solving for many arrivals. Metro Manila offers scale and opportunity, while Cebu and other regional centers can provide a different balance. Advertisement Advertisement A cheerful life here often grows out of human connection first. Family-oriented culture, casual hospitality, and lively gatherings can help newcomers avoid the lonely phase that derails many relocations. Island geography is beautiful but logistically messy at times, so domestic travel plans work better when you build in weather and transport buffers. 8. Mexico Image Credit: Shutterstock. Mexico keeps drawing remote professionals, retirees, and entrepreneurs because it offers huge regional variety at many spending levels. One person may thrive in Mexico Citys cultural depth, while another prefers Meridas pace, Oaxacas food scene, or a smaller highland town. That range makes it easier to match climate, community, and budget without forcing a single template. What keeps many expats happy is how accessible everyday pleasures can feel. Markets, neighborhood eateries, public squares, and strong local traditions can make the week feel full without expensive plans. Conditions differ a lot by state and municipality, especially around safety and rent pressure, so city-level research is essential before signing anything. 9. Malaysia Image Credit: Shutterstock. Malaysia makes this list as a strong value choice with urban comfort and practical infrastructure. Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru each attract different types of foreign residents, from business-focused movers to people seeking a lower-cost base near major travel routes. In many everyday situations, English use can make the adjustment period smoother than newcomers expect. Advertisement Advertisement For many newcomers, the bright side is convenience without constant friction. Food options are broad, transport can be very workable in major corridors, and short regional flights open up quick escapes. Car dependence in some areas and tropical heat can wear people down, so a test stay before a long commitment is a smart move. 10. Brazil Image Credit: Shutterstock. Brazil rounds out the top 10 with a mix that can feel exciting, social, and deeply local. Sao Paulo suits people who want scale and professional momentum, while Rio offers unmatched scenery and cultural energy. Smaller cities can deliver a calmer routine with lower overhead. Portuguese makes a real difference here, so language effort pays off quickly. The joyful side often shows up in music, gatherings, outdoor culture, and strong neighborhood identities. Everyday life can feel vivid, which many people love after years in places that feel transactional. Regional price gaps and security differences are real, so success usually comes from careful city selection and local habits, not national-level assumptions. Read More STANTON Just off of Interstate 20, Martin County Hospital District in Stanton sees hundreds of people a day, but not just for medical reasons. Many of those visitors are there for what Bistro20, the hospital's cafeteria, says is the best smash burger in West Texas. In January 2025, Maxwell Warner wanted a change of pace from his career in fine dining. The Martin County Hospital District had posted for a new director of nutrition services. With his team, they overhauled the hospital cafeteria to become Bistro20, a hidden gem that pulls traffic from nearby cities. Advertisement Advertisement "We kind of joke around and call it the country club of hospitals, just because the care and food you get reflects that," said Maxwell Warner, chef and director of nutrition services for MCHD. "I really think we have something different than any other hospital youre going to find in America." Chef and Director of Nutrition Maxwell Warner prepares a meal at Bistro20, the cafeteria at Martin County Hospital District, 600 I-20, in Stanton, Texas. What is Bistro20? Bistro20 is the cafeteria of The Martin County Hospital District, 600 I-20, in Stanton, Texas, but it is certainly not your classic cafeteria food. The cafeteria underwent a revamp, which included a name change from Scrubs and Grubs to Bistro20, changing from frozen to fresh, and offering from-scratch cooking. This cooking-first approach has brought year-over-year growth for Bistro20, according to Warner. The amount of traffic we get now within a day is pretty astounding for this small of a cafeteria in a small town, Warner said. It's kind of this whole mishmash of people that come in, and a lot of them aren't just from Stanton. Advertisement Advertisement More: Documentary features solutions for Texas ranchers confronting water scarcity Along with the communitys first responders, high school students and employees, and hospital staff, Bistro20 has become a must-stop eatery for the region. Bistro20 serves about 100-150 people during breakfast and 200 people a day for lunch, with people from Andrews, Big Spring, Greenwood, Midland and Odessa stopping by. I think what's impressive is that we're getting commuters just to come eat here on their lunch, Warner said. Its awesome, because you see this melting pot of people coming in, just hanging out together. Its definitely something special." Where is Bistro20? Bistro20 is inside the cafeteria of Martin County Hospital District, 600 I-20, in Stanton, Texas. Stanton has a population of about 2,600 and sits between Big Spring and Midland, just over 20 miles away from each. When is Bistro20 open? Bistro20 is open from 7-9 a.m. for breakfast and 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. for lunch Monday-Friday. What does Bistro20 serve? Bistro20 has an A La Carte menu, a weekly soup, a salad bar, grab-and-go deli sandwiches, and daily specials served buffet-style. Advertisement Advertisement The daily specials are announced weekly through the hospital's Facebook page. Some previous specials included Alaskan cod, prime rib, NY Strip Loin with Truffle and Mushroom Fondue, and fried catfish. These menus are a team-wide effort, as Warner encourages them to be creative. "I'm always open and asking the team, what do you want to put on the menu," Warner said. "It's a whole team effort, which I think a lot of people misunderstand. I get the credit for a lot of stuff, but I always give credit to my team because without them, we wouldn't be able to do any of this. We've taken them from your average hospital cooks to where they can work in any fine dining restaurant in West Texas and be able to hold it down." The Smash Burger at Bistro20 inside Martin County Hospital District, 600 I-20, is a community favorite, as seen on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 in Stanton, Texas. The A La Carte lunch menu has: The Smash Burger, which uses American Wagyu beef from HQ Land & Livestock in Stanton. West Texas Turkey Melt, recommended by Warner. Big Brisket Grinder. King of Clubs, which is a towering triple-stacked club sandwich. Grilled Chicken Wrap. All Hail Caesar, which is a Caesar salad with chicken stuffed into a pita. Ultimate Grilled Cheese. Chicken Tendies, with an option of BBQ, ranch or Buffalo sauce. Pecan Crusted Chicken Fingers. Footlong Corndog. Advertisement Advertisement Our smash burgers are our biggest sellers, Warner said. For $10.50, you get a half-pound American Wagyu burger with a side and a drink. And we do claim to have the best burger in West Texas. More: Acela Skincare launches in West Texas, here's what they offer The most expensive item on this menu is a whole pizza for $16. Everything else on the A La Carte lunch menu is $12 or less, and comes with a fountain drink and side. The salad bar uses Texas produce. A breakfast A La Carte menu is in the works to go with the current buffet. Bistro20 also has a tea and coffee bar that people can use for free, no purchase necessary. Advertisement Advertisement "We're just trying to not do what a normal restaurant does where they make it all about profit," Warner said. "It's extremely affordable to eat here. If you go to a sit-down restaurant, you're probably looking at $22 to $30 a plate for what you can get here for $8.50." Warner expects Bistro20 to continue growing in popularity and size. The hospital plans to move Bistro20 to a bigger space, which will allow for more seating and variety. "I can't wait to see, once we get more space, what we can do with that," Warner said. "The goal this year is to just keep getting busier, more popular. We want more people to discover us, and we want to keep doing cool things. We really put our heart and soul into our food here. You'll see, once you try it, that we're a lot different than any other hospital you're going to." Alana Edgin writes about business for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip? Contact her via email at aedgin@lubbockonline.com. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Bistro20 in Stanton hospital claims best burger in West Texas NEON On Location peels back the curtain on some of your favorite films, television shows, and more. This time, we take a look at Sirat. Spanish filmmaker Oliver Laxe first imagined Sirat as a singular vision in 2011. I started with this idea of making a film in the desert with trucks driving fast through the sand, he says. I always start with images. At the time, Laxe was living in Morocco, a country to which he felt a deep connection. That became the ideal location for the film, about a father (Sergi Lopez) who is searching for his missing daughter at a remote rave along with his young son (Bruno Nunez Arjona) and their dog. The family soon joins a group of ravers in a journey across the Sahara Desert, where surreal tragedy after surreal tragedy befalls them. NEON Laxe and his crew ultimately shot the film, which is nominated for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars, in Spain and Morocco, from May through July 2024a particularly hot time to be in the desert. Art is about going through the limit, Laxe says. Thats how I do my job. It has to be difficult to achieve beauty. In a tree, the good fruit are never in reach of your hand. You have to climb the tree and it's risky to climb the tree, but you will have very good views from the top. Advertisement Advertisement Because Laxe had lived in Morocco for over a decade, he was familiar with the landscapes and languages. He found many of the locations himself, both in person and using Google Maps. The story shifts between the Sahara and the Atlas Mountains that border it to the north. These two spaces are perfect for Sirat because in the mountains are a place for existentialism, Laxe explains. You ask yourself how small you are, about your mission in life. I mean, And the response to that existentialism is to surrender. The desert is a place for surrendering. For Laxe, making a film set in a specific place is a way of giving back. Hes against tourism for the sake of tourism and instead encourages people to seek out the locations from Sirat as interested travelers. It cant just be about consuming places for Instagram, he says. Thats why I make filmsto balance this craziness. When I'm shooting in these places I spend time there with the people. Below, Laxe discusses his love for Morocco, filming Sirat, and taking risks. NEON What originally drew you to Morocco? Sometimes the body has memories of things and when I arrived to Morocco, I felt it was familiar to me. Being from Spain, you are a son of different cultures. We are really mixed. We are in between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, and we are sons of Jewish people, Muslims, Vikings. I come from a family of peasants from Galicia in the north of Spain, and people who live in the nature in the countryside have the same values all around the world. Nature sculpts your values. So I felt a continuity of that between the Galicia of my ancestors and Morocco. Where do you live now? I was in Morocco for 12 years and then I came back to Galicia. I bought the house of my grandmother, who passed away 20 years ago. The valley where I am living is part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It's protected because of its complexity in terms of biodiversity. Was Sirat always going to be set in Morocco? It was always connected to Morocco. I'm really interested in the landscape. All of my films were shot in natureI have never shot in a city. I like space. I like what it evokes. I like the impact the landscape has on me as a human being. So I was interested in making a film that is at the same time an adventure and a spiritual tale. In Morocco, you feel how the planet was made at the beginning of existence. You feel you are small. I like that feeling. Its not anguish; it's serenity. In Sirat, the desert is a place for abstraction and for transcendence. Why did you end up shooting some of the film in Spain? We were obliged to film in Spain because in Europe we have public funds to make films. So we shot three weeks in Spain and four in Morocco. In Spain, I was looking for locations that were near the border with Francethe rave at the beginning is a real rave and it would have been hard to organize that in Moroccobut could fit with Morocco. We shot the rave in Rambla de Barrachina in northwestern Spain. It's really red and beautiful. There are two symmetrical mountains, like God created it that way on purpose. Where did you film the pivotal, tragic scene that occurs on a mountaintop road? That road, the Tagounsta, was made by the French Legion in the 1920s when they were fighting the Berber tribes. There is no real logic to that road. Its near Errachidia in the Atlas Mountains. I found it myself. I found other roads that were more extreme, but this was wide, so that was helpful in terms of the production. The top of the mountain was unbelievable. Its an incredible landscape. NEON Where was the final desert scene filmed? That was in the desert of Haroun, near Erfoud, in Morocco. It's a touristic place, but this desert is a little bit [outside of it]. I liked it because the sand is really white, so it's really abstract. Its almost like salt, not sand. Is the train at the end a real train? It was a real train, but we had to rent it. Its in a place called Gara Medouar, which is extremely beautiful. James Bond had used that location before us [in Spectre]. Was it challenging to film in these remote locations? My films are always challenging, but Moroccans are experts in production. We had to organize a camp on the Tagounsta road and we were living in tents. There were some risky moments. We were [nervous about] the rave because at a rave people go to their limits, and in the mountains we were afraid of having problems with the trucks. For me, though, this was my easiest film. Could a film like Sirat encourage people to visit these locations? I dont know. I think these places are gorgeous. This is the second film Ive made in the south of Morocco [after 2016s Mimosas], and the locations there are amazing. Theyre also a bit isolated. These are places where you dont have much tourism. I was escaping tourism, in a way. I think there is a difference between a tourist and a traveler. A tourist is thinking about their home and comparing all the time. A traveler is someone who doesn't have home. Everywhere is his home. He has a radical interest and curiosity in the other. To really travel, you need time and you need to give back. Originally Appeared on Conde Nast Traveler McDonald's Filet-O-Fish stacked on top of its box - Robson90/Shutterstock Few fast food menu items have quite as iconic an origin story as McDonald's Filet-O-Fish. Created by McDonald's first Cincinnati franchisee, Lou Groen, in 1962, the sandwich was made to satiate the hunger of local Catholics, many of whom didn't eat meat on Fridays year-round, looking for a quick, protein-packed meal to enjoy. However, times have changed massively since the sandwich's introduction. Not only are meatless Fridays mostly only observed during Lent these days (and the fast food items that cater to Lent observers have become more varied), but the Filet-O-Fish itself is a far cry from the item's original form. The biggest reason for this is that, while Groen originally made the iconic fish sandwich using fried halibut, McDonald's pushed him to switch to Atlantic cod to make the sandwich more cost-efficient at the detriment of its overall quality. Groen explained to The Cincinnati Enquirer in 2016 that the price of each sandwich was simply too much for McDonald's leadership to get behind. "I was paying $2 a pound for halibut," Groen recalled. "That sandwich cost me 30 cents apiece to make. They told me it had to sell for 25 cents. I had to fall back on Atlantic cod ... and I added a slice of cheese. But my halibut sandwich far outshines that one." Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Once-Popular Restaurant Chains That Now Barely Exist McDonald's Filet-O-Fish has evolved several times over the years A Filet-O-Fish box from McDonald's that notes its use of wild-caught Alaska Pollock on the side - Smith Collection/gado/Getty Images Cod is generally considered a stronger candidate for frying than halibut, but the original protein choice for the Filet-O-Fish clearly had a lasting impact on the item's inventor. This was likely because halibut provides a richer taste and a firmer, thicker texture than cod does. Nevertheless, due to its higher price, the only notable fast food chain that still uses halibut over other types of fish is Apollo Burger, a Utah-based chain that began in 1984. That isn't to say that McDonald's hasn't continued to evolve its Filet-O-Fish, however. The chain made the smart choice of avoiding Atlantic Cod due to it being overfished beginning in the late 1980s, moving on to different whitefish for the decades to follow. The McDonald's item evolved even further from there, with the chain announcing in 2013 that it would once again change the type of fish used, vowing to exclusively utilize wild-caught Alaska Pollock from that point forward. This pledge was made to adhere to the Marine Stewardship Council's sustainability standards, with McDonald's being the first national restaurant chain to plaster the organization's sustainability label on its packaging. As for how the item has changed in the eyes of consumers, the Filet-O-Fish obviously tastes different from what it did before 2013, but it also looks different. Pollock is smaller, which may be the reason for the Filet-O-Fish seemingly shrinking in recent decades. Advertisement Advertisement For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter and add us as a preferred search source. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout. Georgians will see around $2 billion in tax relief after the General Assembly passed the amended state budget for 2026 fiscal year. The budget is now on Gov. Brian Kemps desk for him to sign. Kemp applauded state lawmakers on Wednesday. Today, we saw major legislative action on my top priorities - saving taxpayers money and investing in a safer, more prosperous Georgia, Kemp said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Heres a look at the budget highlights. GEORGIA TAX REBATES, PROPERTY TAX RELIEF Kemp announced in his State of the State address that he would push for another round of income tax rebates for Georgians. After it was initially cut by the Georgia House, lawmakers from the House and Georgia Senate negotiated it back into the amended budget. Advertisement Advertisement The $1.2 billion tax rebates would work like the previous ones: $250 for single tax filers and $500 for married couples. As Ive said before: thats your money -- not the governments, Kemp said during his State of the State address. The budget will include $850 million for the Homeowner Tax Relief Grant program. The funds will go back to Georgia homeowners to help with their property taxes for 2026. Its expected to save homeowners around $500. In addition to signing off on the state budget, the Georgia House also passed House Bill 1001, which reduces the state income tax from 5.19% to 4.99%. Lawmakers in both chambers remain focused on other income tax bills. SCHOOL STAFF BONUSES There will be $366 million in bonuses for Georgia public school employees with the updated budget. All K-12 teachers, administrative staff, custodians, nutrition workers, school nurses, and bus drivers will receive a $2,000 one-time bonus. Advertisement Advertisement The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning will also receive $17.2 million for a $2,000 bonus for all its teachers and assistant teachers. OTHER HIGHLIGHTS $2 billion in transportation initiatives $325 million endowment to establish Georgia Dreams, the states first needs-based scholarship fund Additional $12 million in funds for HOPE scholarships $29.8 million to establish School of Optometry at Georgia Southern University $150 million for Georgia Department of Corrections to address bed space $409 million for new Georgia Regional Hospital- Atlanta to address mental health bed capacity issues in the state $100 million for the Employees Retirement System of Georgia to support state retirees [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A dispute inside a Subway in Mid City led to gunfire outside the sandwich shop. The shooting happened Wednesday night at the corner of Pico Boulevard and South La Cienega, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The victim got in his car and was trying to drive away when the suspect opened fire. He was hospitalized in stable condition. Police said they don't know what led up to the confrontation, or whether things got physical inside the restaurant before the gunfire broke out. Police are still searching for the gunman who fled the scene. Ten suspects, nine of them enlisted U.S. Navy service members and several associated with criminal street gangs, were arrested on Tuesday in connection with a violent assault that happened at a house party in Jamul last year. Officials said that the incident stemmed from an incident on May 3, 2025, when deputies from the Rancho San Diego Sheriffs Station responded to a report of an assault at a house in the 14000 block of Proctor Valley Road. While deputies were responding to the incident, the Sheriffs Communications Center received additional information which indicated that the suspects were carrying firearms. Officials also learned that a victim of the assault was at a nearby fire station, seeking medical help. Deputies responded to the fire station and located the victim, who was bleeding profusely from their head and face. The victim told deputies that they were assaulted by a group of people and pistol-whipped. The victim was transported to a hospital with major injuries. Advertisement Advertisement During the investigation, officials found that nine of the 10 suspects were enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Many of them were also tied to criminal street gangs, according to officials. Through a joint operation with NCIS, San Diego Sheriffs Office detectives, East County Gang Task Force, San Diego Fugitive Task Force and Sheriffs Special Enforcement Detail, officials were able to make arrests on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Naval Air Station North Island, Naval Base San Diego, Naval Medical Center San Diego, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach and at a home in the City of San Diego. In addition to the arrests, investigators seized five firearms and approximately $20,000 in cash. The 10 suspects were booked into the San Diego Central Jail on multiple felony charges related to assault and weapons violations. Officials have identified the suspects as: Nearly 100 small businesses in Burlingame are part of a new class action lawsuit just filed against the owner of a gas station. Authorities say the A&A Gas & Mart was responsible for gasoline leaking into electric vaults in early January causing power outages and road closures that lasted more than a week. Small businesses in Burlingame say they're still feeling the impact of extended power outages and the resulting road closures that happened in January. Advertisement Advertisement John Kevranian owns Nuts for Candy and is the past president of the Broadway Burlingame Business Improvement District. "I lost several thousand dollars this was not a one-day impact. This was an 11 to 12 days' worth of impact, and we are still feeling it," said Kevranian. RELATED: Unknown petroleum product causing blackouts in Burlingame as businesses continue to struggle The class action lawsuit is against A&A Gas and Mart and Mash Petroleum. The suit represents 100 small stores and restaurants along the Broadway Corridor, including Maverick Jack's. "Our customers weren't able to get to us. Our product was sitting on our shelves without power," said owner Micheal Mallie. Advertisement Advertisement The gasoline leak was discovered in early January, in an AT&T underground electrical vault near California Drive and Broadway. A week earlier, another petroleum product was discovered leaking into a PG&E vault. RELATED: Another gasoline leak forces closure of roads in Burlingame's Broadway corridor Crews shut down streets as they worked to fix the issue, creating big headaches for business owners. "We've had zero contact from those responsible. They're right across the street as you can see. No phone calls. We're supposed to be neighbors," said Mallie. The complaint pointed out about two dozen underground tank violations at the gas station over the years. Advertisement Advertisement Attorney Nanci Nishimura says the station was negligent. "The fact that they allowed this leak to happen. It festered. There was a leak. I think they knew there was a potential for a leak given they had all these other violations before, --the fact that the tanks were so old," said Nishamura. State records show only three of the tank-related violations remain unresolved. Business owners say they want to see those fixed as well. "They got to take care of the problem, got to take care of the contamination, and make sure this never happens again," said Kevranian. ABC7 Eyewitness News reached out to A&A Gas and Mash Petroleum and have not gotten a response. If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live At least two of the men involved in a recent shootout with the Cuban coast guard off the countrys coast are on Cubas wanted list for terrorism. Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez, 47, and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez, 47, were two of the people on board a Florida-registered speedboat involved in a deadly clash with Cubas coast guard off the northern coast of Villa Clara. Cuban authorities have described the situation as a terrorist infiltration and said that four people were killed during an exchange of gunfire. Six others, including Gonzalez and Gomez, were detained. Both Sanchez and Cruz, who were born in Cuba and live in the U.S., were already known to the Cuban government. Their names appear on the regimes most recent national terrorism list, which was updated last year and published in the countrys official state-sponsored newspaper. The list, according to the Cuban regime, includes individuals and organizations that have been subject to criminal investigations and are wanted by Cuban authorities for their involvement in acts of terrorism. Advertisement Advertisement The list, which is in Spanish, alleges that Sanchez introduced firearms, ammunition and other supplies through the northern coast of Matanzas for the purpose of carrying out acts of terrorism in military units, among other plans of this nature and claimed the plans were organized, financed, and supported by people in the U.S. Cruz, who was born in Cienfuegos, was wanted for initiating sabotage activities in the province of Villa Clara, which led to detention and criminal charges, according to the list. Cuban authorities have published their list of people and organizations they consider wanted terrorists for allegedly promoting, planning, financing or committing acts related to terrorism in Cuba and abroad since 2023. Many of the people on the list live in the United States and include well known Miami-based Cuban activists, media personalities and influencers who criticize the government. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in response to Wednesdays shootout, said the U.S. is gathering its own information to determine what happened and that it was not a U.S. government operation. Laman Ismayilova The Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre has presented the one-act production "Orpheus and Eurydice" by the great Austrian composer and reformer of opera, Christoph Willibald Gluck, AzerNEWS reports. The evening became a true celebration for admirers of classical art. The production brought together opera and ballet within a unified space, where music, movement, and scenography created a cohesive and emotionally rich composition. The performance was met with prolonged applause, becoming a notable event in the cultural life of the capital. The plot is based on the ancient myth about the great power of love. Orpheus, having lost his beloved Eurydice, cannot come to terms with her death and resolves to descend into the underworld to bring her back to life. His divine giftmusic, softens even the hearts of the rulers of Hades. Orpheus is allowed to lead Eurydice away, but on one condition: he must not look back at her until they reach the world of the living. Unable to withstand doubt and anxiety, the hero turns aroundand loses his beloved once again. However, the power of love and devotion prevails: by Cupid's will, fate grants the lovers hope and reunion. The leading roles were performed by Honored Artist Ilham Nazarov (Orpheus) and Honored Artist Farida Mammadova (Eurydice), who imbued their characters with deep emotionality and dramatic intensity. The role of Cupid was performed by Zumrud Davudova. In the ballet scenes, the plastic interpretation of the story was presented by Honored Artist Anar Mikayilov (Orpheheus) and Liana Praga (Eurydice), adding special expressiveness and dynamism to the production. At the conductor's stand was Honored Artist Ayyub Guliyev, whose interpretation of the score emphasized the dramatic depth of the work. The chorus master was Honored Art Worker Sevil Hajiyeva. The stage director and ballet producer was Honored Artist Yury Lobachev, and the production designer was Honored Art Worker Tehran Babayev. The repetiteurs were Daniil Kirillov and Nushaba Isa. The staging concept, the harmonious combination of vocal performance and movement, and the philosophical depth of the plot transformed the production into a poignant reflection on love, fidelity, and human frailty. Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, and Milli.Az. NEW DELHI, Feb 24 (Reuters) - A new Indian taxi service, backed by the federal government, will give drivers a share of profits from the business and charge no commissions, mounting a direct challenge to American giant Uber in the world's most populous nation. Amit Shah, India's minister of cooperation and also its home minister, addressed drivers at an event late on Monday and said the service would work under a so-called cooperative model where drivers can pay 500 rupees ($5.5) to become shareholders and get a share of the profits three years later. "The aim of the taxi service is not to operate as a company and make profits," Shah said. The government-backed initiative comes amid growing complaints by drivers of Uber and local rival Ola in India about excessive charges, low fares and high commissions. When Shah first talked about the plans last year, he told the Indian parliament that the new taxi service would be like Ola and Uber but "its profits will not go to any tycoon." Uber said in a statement that India's mobility ecosystem was dynamic and rapidly evolving, and "healthy competition ultimately benefits all," adding that it remained the preferred platform for both drivers and riders. Ola did not respond to Reuters queries. FROM CABS TO BIKES Uber and domestic businesses Ola and Rapido still dominate India's ride-hailing market, offering their services across hundreds of towns and cities. Grand View Research says the $2 billion market will grow to $11 billion by 2033. Previous attempts by smaller private rivals like BluSmart have failed to hit the dominance of Uber, but there has not been any federal government-backed challenger so far in India. Shah said more than 250,000 drivers had joined Bharat Taxi, where customers can book cabs via a mobile app. Currently available only in a handful of states, including New Delhi, the government plans to take the service countrywide within two years. Customers can also book three-wheeled autorickshaws and scooters or motorcycles on the Bharat Taxi app, an offering that is similar to rival Uber. "Bharat Taxi will also mortgage your taxi and help you get a loan for it," Shah said. (Reporting by Aditya Kalra and Aditi Shah; Editing by Anil D'Silva) MARINETTE, Wis. (WFRV) A $2 million cash bond has been set for Robert Chilcote, who is accused of killing his Marinette girlfriend before he fled to Minnesota. Chilcote appeared via Zoom for his initial court appearance on Thursday morning, where he had his bond set and a date scheduled for his next appearance. Search efforts for missing 21-year-old in Marquette suspended pending new information Court records show that the defense argued to discuss the bond at a later date, but eventually, the $2 million cash bond was officially set due to Chilcote being a flight risk. Conditions coinciding with the cash bond include: Advertisement Advertisement Sign waiver of extradition No contact by any means with the victims family or residence No alcohol No controlled substances No firearms of any kind Chilcote has been charged with 1st-degree intentional homicide stemming from the death of 24-year-old Gabriella Cartagena, who was reported missing from Marinette on February 4. During court on Thursday, it was alleged that Chilcote killed Cartagena and dumped her body in Menominee. Appleton Police & Center for Suicide Awareness provide update on vandalized ice sculpture, suspect Cartagenas body was found on February 10. Chilcote then allegedly fled to Minnesota, where he would later flee from police at over 100mph before crashing into a pole and taken into custody. Advertisement Advertisement The next court hearing is an adjourned initial appearance scheduled for March 5 at 8:30 a.m. 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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. The third member of a Lebanon family charged in connection to the death of a 1-year-old child in a September 2024 fire pleaded guilty on Wednesday to six counts of child endangerment, court records show. Brian Navarre, 30, will serve a minimum sentence of one year minus a day in the Lebanon County Correctional Facility under the terms of the sentence issued by President Judge John C. Tylwalk at a hearing Wednesday, according to court records. Navarre had already served more than a year and three months in the Lebanon County Correctional Facility before his sentencing hearing, court records show. Advertisement Advertisement Navarre is the third member of his family to plead guilty in connection to the death of his 1-year-old son, who died as the result of injuries sustained in a Sept. 13, 2024 fire at the home on the 1300 block of Brandywine Street. Jessica Miller, 27, the victim's mother, pleaded guilty to six counts of child endangerment on Jan. 7 and is serving a minimum of 20 months and a maximum of 4 years, 11 months in state prison. Barbara Miller, 61, the child's grandmother, pleaded guilty to four counts of child endangerment on Jan. 16 and was sentenced to three years of probation, the first eight months of which will be spent on house arrest with electronic monitoring. All three suspects were charged in October 2024 after a Lebanon City Police investigation determined they left the child and his siblings at home with insufficient supervision. Advertisement Advertisement An investigation of the fire determined the 1-year-old victim was unable to be removed from his crib on the second floor when the fire broke out. Police said the family's home was heavily cluttered and dirty, and the children were being kept in "deplorable" conditions. Authorities said that interviews with some of the children by the Child Advocacy Center helped determine that the fire was started by one of the victim's siblings, who was playing with a lighter. After learning the cause of the fire, police spoke to the three adults living in the home and learned Barbara Miller was the only adult at home at the time of the fire, and she was unable to physically walk up and down the stairs. Police determined that the children were under inadequate supervision as a result. Advertisement Advertisement The second-floor location of the crib meant Barbara Miller was unable to reach the child in time, police said. All three adults told police they were aware of Barbara Miller's physical limitations and of the home's condition, according to charging documents. But for the gross neglect and failure to provide adequate care for their children, this baby would still be alive today," Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess Graf said in 2024. "That infant died in one of the most painful and terrifying of manners by fire, unable to call for help or help himself. A parents one true duty is the protection of his or her child above all else. These Defendants woefully failed and deserve every penalty our system can impose." Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Cuban border guards exchanged fire with a Florida-registered speedboat approaching the island nation's coast on Wednesday, killing four alleged assailants and wounding six others, according to Havana officials, who said the armed men intended to conduct a terrorist attack. The speedboat, registered in Florida, opened fire as the Cuban border guards were trying to identify those aboard the U.S.-registered boat, the Cuban Embassy in the United States said. A Cuban commander was also injured in the shooting. The incident took place near Cayo Falcones in the Villa Clara province, about 1 mile northeast of the El Pino Channel. Advertisement Advertisement "As a consequence of the confrontation, as of the time of this report, four aggressors on the foreign vessel were killed and six were injured," the statement from the Embassy said. "The injured individuals were evacuated and received medical assistance. "In the face of current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its determination to protect its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defense is a fundamental pillar of the Cuban State in safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring stability in the region." The 10 people aboard the boat were heavily armed with assault rifles, handguns, Molotov cocktails, bulletproof vests, telescopic sights and camouflage uniforms, the Cuban Ministry of the Interior said in an update. The six wounded have received medical assistance and were detained by Cuban authorities, Havana said. Advertisement Advertisement Preliminary statements obtained from those detained indicate the men "intended to carry out an infiltration for terrorist purposes," the ministry said in a statement. Those detained have been identified by the ministry as Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez, Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez, Conrado Galindo Sariol, Jose Manuel Rodriguez Castello, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara and Roberto Consuegra. Among the deceased was Michel Ortega Casanova, according to the ministry, which said work was underway to identify the other three. "All participants are Cubans residing in the United States. Most of them have a known history of criminal and violent activity," the ministry said. Advertisement Advertisement Gonzalez and Cruz Gomez were wanted in Cuba due to their alleged involvement in what the Interior Ministry said was the promotion, planning, organizing, financing, support or commission of actions in furtherance of acts of terrorism. Cuban citizen Duniel Hernandez Santos was detained by authorities inside the island nation. The ministry said he has confessed to being sent from the United States "to ensure the reception of the armed infiltration." The Embassy said authorities were investigating the incident to "fully clarify the events." Vice President JD Vance told reporters Wednesday afternoon that he was recently briefed on the situation by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He said they were monitoring the situation. Advertisement Advertisement "Hopefully it's not as bad as we fear it could be, but can't say more because I just don't know," he said. Rubio, speaking to reporters in St. Kitts and Nevis, said they are working to gain more information and confirm the citizen status of those involved. "We're going to find out exactly what happened and who was involved and then we'll make a determination on the basis of what we find out, and we are going to find out, but we're not going to just take what somebody else tells us," he said. Asked if U.S. government personnel were involved, Rubio, a Cuban American, sternly rejected the notion. Advertisement Advertisement "No," he said. "Suffice it to say, it's highly unusual to see shootouts in open sea like that. It's not something that happens every day. It's something, frankly, that hasn't happened with Cuba in a very long time," he said. "But we're going to find out." The situation comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Cuba, where there is a growing economic crisis. The socialist nation has long relied upon Venezuela for fuel, but deliveries have halted since the United States abducted the Caribbean nation's authoritarian leader, Nicolas Maduro, and asserted control of Caracas' energy industry. Advertisement Advertisement In the wake of the Maduro operation, President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that Cuba was on the brink of economic collapse and has threatened to impose additional economic pressure on the country to make a deal with the United States. The American president has not publicly defined what kind of deal he is seeking. On Jan. 29, Trump declared a national emergency in regard to Cuba, creating a new mechanism to impose tariffs on imports from any country that provides Havana with oil. "Cuba's status quo is unacceptable," Rubio said. "Cuba needs to change. It needs to change." Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., both demanded an immediate investigation into the incident. Advertisement Advertisement "The regime in Cuba must be relegated to the dustbin of history for its countless crimes against humanity," Gimenez said in a statement. Florida's Republican attorney general, James Uthmeier, said he has directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to work with all levels of law enforcement to begin an investigation. "The Cuban government cannot be trusted," Uthmeier said in a social media statement, "and we will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable." Four Ukrainian defense companies have signed partnership agreements with companies from Denmark, Finland, and Latvia under the Build with Ukraine joint production initiatives on Feb. 24, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. "We are expanding joint production of drones to defend against Russian attacks today and to defend and deter in the future," Zelensky said in an X post on Feb. 25. The total value of the agreement documents signed between Ukrainian defense manufacturers and their European partners is about 800 million euros (about $950 million), according to the Ukrainian Council of Defence Industry's press release. Advertisement Advertisement The council, a platform supporting Ukraine's leading private defense manufacturers, said the agreements include cooperation in the production of aerial and ground drones, as well as preparations to scale up products on the European market. "These Build With Ukraine joint production initiatives help lay the foundation for a truly self-reliant European defense industrial base that will strengthen our shared security in the future," Zelensky said. The announcement comes as more Ukrainian defense manufacturers, especially those producing drones, bolster partnerships with Western allies to secure financial support in exchange for knowledge and battlefield expertise. Ukraine's Ambassador to the U.K., Valerii Zaluzhnyi, also announced on Feb. 25 that the first Ukrainian defense plant by the country's leading drone manufacturer Ukrspecsystems has begun operations in the U.K. Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's Culver Aerospace has signed a drone cooperation agreement with Copenhagen Global, a Danish company. Separately, Ukraine's Remtechnology and Tencore signed similar agreements on unmanned ground systems (UGVs) with Finnish companies New Paakkola Oy and INSTA, respectively. Meanwhile, Terminal Autonomy Ukraine signed an agreement on continued cooperation on drones with Latvia's SIA Baltic Forces. "We encourage other partners to join these efforts by making contributions through the SAFE program to scale up joint production even more," Zelensky said. "This will not only enhance our collective security now, but also enable future exports after the war." Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Zelensky, Trump hold phone call ahead of Ukraine-US talks in Geneva Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A 4Chan user posted about Jeffrey Epstein's death before anyone else. The Epstein Files show how the FBI tried to identify who the person was. Epstein and Christopher Poole, the reclusive 4Chan founder, discussed meeting in 2011. Among the many mysteries surrounding Jeffrey Epstein is how, exactly, a website famous for pornography and white nationalism got the scoop on his death. At 8:16 a.m. on August 10, 2019, an anonymous 4Chan user posted, "don't ask me how I know, but Epstein died an hour ago from hanging, cardiac arrest. Screencap this." Advertisement Advertisement It was the first public indication that Epstein, awaiting trial for sex-trafficking charges in Manhattan's Metropolitan Correctional Center, died while in the custody of the Department of Justice, BuzzFeed News reported at the time. It beat ABC News journalist Aaron Katersky's post about Epstein's death on Twitter, now known as X, by 38 minutes. A few minutes later, the ABC News website published the first article about Epstein's apparent suicide in jail. The newly released Epstein files show that the Justice Department tried to identify the 4Chan user behind the posts but couldn't figure it out. The documents show the Justice Department subpoenaed 4Chan for the user's IP addresses four days after the posts were made as part of the FBI's investigation into Epstein's death. Advertisement Advertisement From there, the trail went cold. The anonymous user made a total of four posts, according to 4Chan's response to the subpoena. Fielding questions from other users, they gave responses that appeared fluent in medical jargon, screenshots of the posts show. They said his body was intubated, had fluid infused, and was moved to an emergency room in lower Manhattan. The user also provided some of the earliest unproven conspiracy theories about Epstein's death. In one post, which was later deleted but provided to the FBI in response to the subpoena, the user said someone may have swapped out Epstein's body because of a mysterious van seen the previous night, DOJ records show. Advertisement Advertisement "You guys i am shaking right now but i think they switched him out," the anonymous poster said. Other records made public by the Justice Department include multiple photos of Epstein's corpse. His body was identified by a forensic pathologist hired by his brother, Mark Epstein, who later interred it in a cemetery near their parents. Using the IP addresses 4Chan provided, prosecutors subpoenaed AT&T for information that could identify people who used them at the time the posts were made. The company told them it didn't have the records. "AT&T is unable to provide any information in response to the Legal Demand because AT&T does not maintain records in the normal course of business that associate individual accounts or devices with wireless dynamic IP addresses," a company employee said in a response to the subpoena included in the files. Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Department also subpoenaed T-Mobile for records related to the IP addresses. T-Mobile's response isn't included in the files. The following year, federal prosecutors in Manhattan confirmed they never identified the 4Chan user. The issue arose in the discovery process for the criminal case against Tova Noel and Michael Thomas, the two jail guards who were supposed to be keeping an eye on Epstein the night he died. Prosecutors had accused Noel and Thomas of falsifying records related to their duties, charges that were later dropped. In a letter now made public in the files, prosecutors told Noel's attorney, Jason Foy, that they didn't know the author's identity. Advertisement Advertisement "The Government has produced all records we have obtained regarding the 4Chan post," they wrote. "The poster used a dynamic IP, and therefore the records obtained did not disclose the author of the post." A 128-page Justice Department inspector general report on the circumstances surrounding Epstein's death detailed widespread dysfunction at the Metropolitan Correctional Center. It addressed some lingering questions including the lack of functioning cameras on his cell tier and the decision to leave him without a cellmate, allowing him to kill himself unobserved but made no mention of the 4chan posts. Epstein appeared to be a 4Chan user himself, sometimes sending links of 4Chan posts to other people. The Justice Department's files also show Epstein was acquainted with Christopher Poole, the reclusive founder of 4Chan. Poole told The Verge that he and Epstein met once for lunch, and that he regrets "having ever encountered him at all, and have deep sympathy for all of his victims." He didn't respond to Business Insider's requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement The DOJ's files show Epstein discussed having met with Poole who is also known by his 4Chan username, moot following an introduction by Boris Nikolic, a former science advisor to Bill Gates. "i liked mmot slot," Epstein told Nikolic in a typo-filled October 2011 email. "i drove him home, he is very bright." Read the original article on Business Insider U.S. service members were injured in a military aircraft training accident Tuesday in the Philippines, the Defense Department has confirmed. Philippine officials initially said Wednesday that an Air Force plane carrying five American personnel hit a concrete barrier while attempting to take off from a road during contingency training north of Manila, injuring all those aboard and damaging the aircraft, The Associated Press reported. The pilot and two other U.S. service members were brought to an area hospital for treatment while two others were treated at the site. Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (Indopacom) later said in a statement to The Hill that a U.S. military aircraft was involved in an incident while conducting training on Tuesday in Central Luzon. Two service members were transported to a medical facility for medical attention, the command said. One of the individuals has been discharged, while the other remains in medical care and is in stable condition. The incident, which had no civilian injuries, is currently under investigation, according to the command. Indopacom would not confirm the total number of those injured or the type of aircraft involved in the accident, but state media reported earlier that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Special Tactics Team used a C-146 special operations aircraft to carry out an alternate landing activity on a bypass road in Laoac, Pangasinan. Advertisement Advertisement The countrys Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said the activity was training for military operations and humanitarian assistance without airports and runways, likely in the event of a natural disaster such as a typhoon or earthquake. The Air Force plane was able to land during the supervised activity, but swerved during takeoff, a Philippine official told the AP. Longtime allies, the U.S. and the Philippines conduct joint military exercises and Washington aids in modernizing Manilas military to help defend its territorial interests against China and others. Earlier this month the U.S. announced its plans to deploy more high-tech missile systems to the archipelagic country in Southeast Asia to help deter Chinese aggression in the South China Sea, a stance that has drawn Beijings ire. Advertisement Advertisement China and the Philippines naval forces have clashed in recent years, as Beijing claims that much of the contested waterway is under its control. While the U.S. holds no claims in the South China Sea, it often conducts freedom of navigation exercises through the waterway. Washington also has warned Beijing that under a mutual defense treaty it has an obligation to defend the Philippines if its forces come under an attack. 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. Editors Note: This article was updated to reflect the proper location of the crash. A grieving family is outraged that a now 19-year-old man who was behind the wheel of a car involved in a violent crash that killed five teenagers nearly three years ago may serve only nine months in a detention facility. The June 2023 crash happened in the early morning hours on the 710 Freeway at the 91 Freeway connector in Long Beach. Advertisement Advertisement Dashcam video captured the speeding car carrying six people, including the driver and two 15-year-olds, Ariahh Slemaker and George Dobbs. The vehicle slammed into a barrier, flipped and burst into flames. Investigators with the California Highway Patrol said some of the victims were not wearing seatbelts and were ejected on impact. Initial reports indicated that everyone in the car had died, but investigators later confirmed that the then 16-year-old driver survived. Parents of the victims say the deadly joyride was fueled by excessive speed, alcohol and recklessness. Newly obtained footage from some of the teens cellphones appears to support those claims. George Dobbs and Ariahh Slemaker, both 15, were killed in a June 2023 crash on the 710 Freeway in San Pedro. (GFM) Some parents of teenagers who were killed in a violent June 2023 crash in San Pedro are outraged that then 16-year-old driver, who survived, is unlikely to be charged as an adult. (KTLA) Some parents of teenagers who were killed in a violent June 2023 crash in San Pedro are outraged that then 16-year-old driver, who survived, is unlikely to be charged as an adult. (KTLA) Some parents of teenagers who were killed in a violent June 2023 crash in San Pedro are outraged that then 16-year-old driver, who survived, is unlikely to be charged as an adult. (KTLA) Some parents of teenagers who were killed in a violent June 2023 crash in San Pedro are outraged that then 16-year-old driver, who survived, is unlikely to be charged as an adult. (KTLA) Some parents of teenagers who were killed in a violent June 2023 crash in San Pedro are outraged that then 16-year-old driver, who survived, is unlikely to be charged as an adult. (KTLA) As the three-year anniversary of the crash approaches, parents say their grief is compounded by the possibility that the driver could face minimal punishment. Advertisement Advertisement I feel like justice needs to be served for his reckless behavior, said Amanda Lopez, mother of 15-year-old Ariahh Slemaker. Worker at SoFi Stadium fired after threatening to call ICE on Latino concertgoers Lopez and several other parents have been attending court proceedings involving the driver. They said they have been told that, under current law, the 19-year-old whose name has not been released because he was a juvenile at the time cannot be charged as an adult. His sentence, they said, could be as short as nine months in a state-run boot camp-style facility. Im shocked, Lopez said. Do I want him to spend the rest of his life in prison? No, but I think some consequences need to be served. With his recklessness and his negligence, he should be charged as an adult. Advertisement Advertisement KTLA has reached out to the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office for comment and is awaiting a response. 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 KTLA. Georgia lawmakers reached a compromise Wednesday on the state's amended fiscal year 2026 budget, resolving weeks of negotiations between the Georgia House of Representatives, the Georgia State Senate and Gov. Brian Kemp. The deal fulfills key priorities from each side after an impasse over spending shifts and competing projects. Here's what to know. How did extra funds help close the gap? The House and Senate had redirected funding away from one another's priorities, and from some of the governor's recommendations, to cover their own proposals, creating a stalemate late in the process. Gov. Brian Kemp To move negotiations forward, Kemp identified an additional $1.4 billion in surplus funds. That infusion allowed lawmakers to restore items and finalize the agreement. Advertisement Advertisement The amended budget, initially set at $42.3 billion, now totals nearly $43.7 billion. What relief measures are included? A large share of the added funding will go toward one-time tax relief for Georgians. The House included $850 million for property tax rebates for homeowners. Kemp proposed income tax rebates of $250 for single filers and $500 for couples filing jointly. BIG NEWS: HB 973 is headed to the Governor! The Amended Budget delivers: $1.17B in income tax relief $850M in property tax relief for homeowners $409M for our first state mental health hospital since the 1960s $100M to the Employees Retirement System pic.twitter.com/jg9k7P4Fln GA Senate Republicans (@GASenateGOP) February 25, 2026 Lawmakers in both chambers supported the idea and set aside more than $1 billion to fund the rebate, according to Capitol Beat. "Between the two relief initiatives, this body is returning $2 billion dollars back to the citizens of our state," said Rep. Matt Hatchett, R-Dublin, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Hatchett said the income tax rebates will be approved in separate legislation. Who benefits most from the budget? Sen. Blake Tillery, R-Vidalia, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a member of the conference committee that finalized House Bill 973, said the agreement ultimately benefits residents. Today, the Senate passed this years amended budget, HB 973, returning $2.5 billion of Georgias surplus to taxpayers through income tax rebates and property tax relief, delivering real savings to working families. This budget invests in a new mental health hospital to address pic.twitter.com/y5h9kLvQMk GA Senate Republicans (@GASenateGOP) February 20, 2026 "The winners in this budget are the taxpayers of Georgia," Tillery said. The compromise now heads toward final approval, clearing the way for the amended spending plan to take effect. Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Will I get a tax break in Georgia? What bill could bring $250-$500 relief Some destinations reveal social norms faster in everyday routines than in official speeches. Who feels safe walking home, who speaks first in meetings, and who holds decision-making roles often tells visitors more than any museum display. In some countries, gender equality is not framed as a slogan but as a working part of law, public spending, and institutional culture. This list is intentionally split. The first six entries highlight countries widely associated with strong womens rights movements and consistently high placements in major global equality rankings such as the World Economic Forums Global Gender Gap Index. The final two entries focus on countries where girls access to education has been severely disrupted by political repression or conflict-driven collapse, creating long-term barriers before adulthood even begins. 1. Iceland, The Small Island With Outsized Impact Image credit: Shutterstock. Walking through Reykjavik, public debate around rights often feels routine rather than controversial. Iceland ranked first in the World Economic Forums 2025 Global Gender Gap Index, continuing a long streak at the top based on political representation, education outcomes, health indicators, and economic participation. Advertisement Advertisement That standing reflects decades of organized civic action. National work stoppages focused on equal pay and workplace safety have shaped expectations across generations. Today that legacy shows up in public institutions, workplace norms, and the ease with which equality issues enter everyday conversation. 2. Finland, Where Voting Rights Arrived Early Image Credit: Shutterstock. Helsinki has a quiet institutional confidence, supported by strong public systems and high civic participation. Finland again sits near the top of the 2025 Global Gender Gap Index, reinforcing its reputation for broad political and social inclusion. The roots of that reputation stretch far back. In 1906, Finland introduced universal suffrage, granting women both the right to vote and to stand for election, one of the earliest such reforms in Europe. More than a century later, women remain highly visible across government leadership, education administration, and civic institutions. 3. Norway, Where Family Policy Is Part of the Social Contract Image Credit: Shutterstock. In Oslo, social policy often reflects the assumption that careers and caregiving must coexist. Norway remains in the upper tier of the 2025 WEF gender equality rankings, and its welfare structure reflects long-term investment in parental leave, childcare access, and workplace protections. Advertisement Advertisement Legal safeguards reinforce those norms. Norwegian law prohibits discrimination linked to sex, pregnancy, birth, or parental leave. These rules shape employer expectations and help normalize shared parental roles, which visitors often notice in daily workplace and family routines. 4. Sweden, Where Equality Is Built Into Government Goals Image Credit: Shutterstock. Stockholms polished design culture sits alongside one of Europes most structured equality policy frameworks. Sweden continues to rank among the top performers in the 2025 Global Gender Gap report, and government strategy treats gender parity as a measurable policy objective rather than an abstract aspiration. The official national goal states that women and men should hold equal power to shape society and their own lives. Policy priorities include economic independence, balanced representation, equal educational access, and prevention of gender-based violence. These commitments surface in public awareness campaigns, labor rules, and the visibility of support institutions. 5. New Zealand, Where Suffrage Is Part of the National Story Image Credit: Shutterstock. In Wellington, civic museums and public commemorations keep political milestones highly visible. New Zealand is widely recognized as the first self-governing country to grant women the right to vote in parliamentary elections, formalized through the Electoral Act signed on 19th September 1893. Advertisement Advertisement That legacy remains embedded in modern political culture. Public debates around representation, safety, and social policy continue to feature strong female leadership across parliament, media, and civil society. Equality is often framed as an ongoing process rather than a completed historical achievement. 6. Spain, Where Mass Marches Shaped Modern Policy Image Credit: Shutterstock. Cities such as Madrid and Barcelona demonstrate how public mobilization can translate into legislative change. Spain has seen some of Europes largest demonstrations addressing workplace equality, consent law, and institutional accountability, keeping gender issues highly visible in public discourse. A central pillar of Spains framework is the 2004 comprehensive law against gender-based violence, widely regarded as a landmark statute in Europe. Debate around implementation continues, sometimes intensely, yet the scale of civic engagement shows how sustained activism can influence national law. 7. Afghanistan, Where Formal Learning Has Been Shut Down for Many Girls Image Credit: Shutterstock. This entry reflects enforced exclusion rather than slow reform. UNICEF warns that Afghanistans ban on girls secondary education has already excluded millions of adolescent girls from schooling, with long-term consequences for opportunity, professional training, and national capacity. Advertisement Advertisement The consequences extend far beyond classrooms. Educational bans reduce lifetime earnings potential, restrict access to professional pathways, and weaken long-term health and institutional capacity. The barrier is structural and policy-driven, not the result of temporary instability. 8. Yemen, Where War Has Crippled Schooling for Many Girls Image Credit: Shutterstock. Yemens educational collapse stems primarily from prolonged conflict and economic breakdown rather than a single nationwide prohibition. UNICEF reports that millions of children have had their schooling disrupted, with large numbers still out of school amid damaged infrastructure, unpaid teachers, and unsafe travel conditions. Girls face disproportionate consequences from this disruption, including higher risks of early marriage, economic vulnerability, and long-term poverty when schooling collapses. When state systems fracture, childrens education is often one of the first casualties, and rebuilding that pipeline can take a generation. Read More The top-selling college license plates for fiscal year 2025 are the University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa at 121,114 and Auburn University at 85,709, according to the Alabama Department of Revenue. All 67 counties recorded purchases for both, but Alabama tops Auburn in 59 of 67 counties. These are the eight counties that recorded more Auburn registrations than Alabama in fiscal year 2025, led by Lee County where Auburn is located: Advertisement Advertisement Lee County - Auburn 14,575 vs. Alabama 2,150 (+12,425). Tallapoosa County - Auburn 1,926 vs. Alabama 1,040 (+886) Montgomery County - Auburn 3,751 vs. Alabama 3,478 (+273) Chambers County - Auburn 978 vs. Alabama 722 (+256) Elmore County - Auburn 2,220 vs. Alabama 2,082 (+138) Henry County - Auburn 658 vs. Alabama 593 (+65) Randolph County - Auburn 455 vs. Alabama 423 (+32) Clay County - Auburn 247 vs. Alabama 230 (+17) Most Popular Stories by Kayode Crown War department spending millions to research a growing problem among military personnel TSA change: Select group will now get expedited screenings at airports Marine Corps awards $86.2 million contract for missiles that can travel 230 miles US Mint releases a new quarter: How to get yours Apple Siri settlement: Payments are arriving; how much you could get? Read the original article on al.com. Add al.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. We recently published 12 Stocks on Jim Cramers Radar. Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) is one of the stocks on Jim Cramer's radar. Agriculture and construction machinery manufacturer Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT)s shares are up by a strong 124% over the past year and by 28% year-to-date. Bank of America discussed Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) after the firms 2025 earnings report. It raised the share price target to $825 from $735 and kept a Buy rating on the stock. BofA remarked that the firm was benefiting from the demand for its turbines from sectors other than data centers. It used this fact to comment that concerns about excess turbine demand might be unwarranted. Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) earned $67.6 billion in revenue in 2025 to mark a 4% growth. Within the results, the firms Power & Energy unit grew sharply by 23% to post $9.4 billion in sales. Cramers recent remarks about Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) have raised an interesting point, as he believes that hedge funds are particularly interested in the firms power products. In this appearance, he discussed the shares: Jim Cramer Discusses Caterpillar (CAT) Stock Copyright: jarretera / 123RF Stock Photo I want to say to people, like the CEO of Caterpillar, it is time, youve got to go back to what used to happen, to get the individual investor, in your stock. Theres no way that Caterpillar, a great American company, should have its stock at 749. While we acknowledge the potential of CAT 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. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. Gov. Bill Lee declined to say whether he feels its appropriate for women to face homicide charges including the death penalty for having an abortion as the Tennessee House of Representatives is set to consider a measure that would propose just that. An amendment drafted for House Bill 570/Senate Bill 738 that has not yet been voted on would allow prosecutors to charge women who obtain abortions or are involved in the homicide of her own unborn child with fetal homicide, punishable by life imprisonment, life without parole or, in some cases, the death penalty. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Jody Barrett, R-Dickson, and Sen. Mark Pody, R-Lebanon. Asked directly whether he thinks it's appropriate to punish women for having an abortion with the death penalty, Lee said, I think whats most important is that we protect the life of the children. Beyond that, I wont comment on it because that's not an issue I'm working on right now." Gov. Bill Lee speaks before Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the Tennessee Capitol during Kennedy's "Take Back Your Health Tour" in Nashville on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. Lee previously sat on the board of the HOPE Clinic, a pregnancy resource nonprofit offering pre and postnatal support to new and expectant mothers. Advertisement Advertisement Despite reports earlier this week that Senate sponsor Pody said he would not run the bill, Pody confirmed to The Tennessean on Feb. 26 that the bill remains alive in the Senate, and he is waiting to see what the House does with it before trying to run it in the Senate. To say that Im not running it is not a correct statement, Pody said. Were waiting on the House to see what happens." Sen. Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald, Sen. Mark Pody, R-Lebanon, and Sen. Rusty Crowe, R-Johnson City, listen as Sen. London Lamar, D-Memphis, presents a bill during a Senate committee meeting while holding her 7-month-old son Nylinn in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. Im waiting and seeing what the House does. They might change it, he said. Before we make any decisions in the Senate, Im just waiting on the House. If it does pass, Pody said, he will go to Senate colleagues to gauge their support. Advertisement Advertisement Theyre not comfortable with what it is right now, so it wouldnt go anywhere the way it is right now, Pody said. Homicide charges for abortion gains momentum Despite lack of support in the Senate, Barrett's amendment is gaining momentum. New sponsors in both chambers signed onto the bill this week, and the bill was endorsed by the far-right group Tennessee Stands. Abortion became illegal in Tennessee in 2022, unless its done in the privacy of a womans home through the abortion pill, Tennessee Stands wrote on social media this week. We want to remove this option for women. Take abortion off the table once and for all and support HB570/SB738. Abortion abolitionists from the Foundation to Abolish Abortion and an associated student group lobbied lawmakers this week, asking are you on Gods side or the side of man? Advertisement Advertisement Asked directly whether he personally supports the amendment that would allow women to be prosecuted for homicide if they seek an abortion, Pody would not answer. Im not going whether its good, bad or indifferent yet, he said. Im just letting the House do what the House can do first before we take it up in the Senate. Opposition grows from both sides of the aisle Passage isnt looking likely in the House. The proposed amendment has sparked opposition from members on both sides of the aisle. House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, said on Feb. 26 that he does not feel that its fair to charge women who have abortions with homicide. I dont think its going to go through the Senate at this point. I havent talked to the [House] subcommittee yet, but Id be hard pressed to think that thats the will of the subcommittee, Sexton told The Tennessean. House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, takes questions from reporters outside his ceremonial office inside the state Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. Sen. Charlane Oliver, D-Nashville, called the bill the opposite of pro-life. Advertisement Advertisement We have lawmakers standing here pushing to put women to death simply for having an abortion, Oliver said at a news conference this week. Francie Hunt, director of Tennessee Advocates for Planned Parenthood, called the bill immoral and fear mongering. Its scaring people trying to force them into better behavior, Hunt said. On the daily, I talk to hundreds of women who are afraid to give birth in Tennessee. I dont think thats the intention. Democrats offer 'pro-life' Maternal Health Care Protection Act Countering that bill, two Democrats are offering what they describe as a much more "pro-life" proposal. State law currently allows medical providers to refuse care based on their own personal religious and moral beliefs. In certain areas of the state where health care providers are limited and clinics have closed, that means a womans lifestyle choices could bar her from access to care. Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, shared the story of a pregnant woman in Jonesborough whose physician, upon learning she was not married to her partner of 15 years, refused to treat her. The patient ultimately sought care in Virginia. To think that women feel safer in another state for their medical care should be eye-opening to us, Johnson said. Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, speaks to reporters at the Cordell Hull Legislative Office Building on Feb. 24. Johnson is supporting the Maternal Health Care Protection Act, sponsored by Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, and Sen. Charlane Oliver, D-Nashville. Senate Bill 2510 would require licensed health care providers to provide care for any pregnant woman and bar providers from adopting policies that refuse treatment to pregnant women for any reason. Tennessee is facing a maternal health crisis, Oliver said, describing the legislation as a pro-life measure aimed at protecting mothers from avoidable death, avoidable illness and avoidable injury." Advertisement Advertisement If we truly value life, that value must go beyond birth, Oliver said. According to maternal death statistics, Black women were nearly twice as likely to die of pregnancy-related conditions as White women, and nearly three times as likely as Hispanic women. Sen. Charlane Oliver, D-Nashville, speaks to reporters at the Cordell Hull Legislative Office Building on Feb. 24. Tennessee has the highest maternal mortality rate in the country, with 42.1 mothers dying per 100,000 live births about 80% higher than the national average. In 2021, 53 women died of pregnancy-related causes. In 2022, 45 pregnancy-associated deaths were reported, according to a report from the Department of Health. Leading causes of maternal death include mental health conditions and substance use disorders, heart conditions including preeclampsia and eclampsia, infection, hemorrhage and thrombotic embolism. Advertisement Advertisement What I say is if you are pro-life to my pro-life colleagues, I say to you, sign on to this bill. I am going to sign on to this bill right now, Johnson said. The Maternal Mortality Review Committee found in 2022 that 76% of pregnancy-related deaths were preventable. You cannot claim to stand for life while blocking policies that prevent mothers from dying, Oliver said. Every mother deserves to survive pregnancy, and every baby deserves a healthy parent. Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Senate sponsor eyes House as TN abortion homicide bill stirs outcry Videos shared by Afghan security forces showed Humvees driving through dark, mountainous terrain at night, lit by flashes of gunfire. Sustained bursts of automatic fire could be heard. Afghanistan attacked Pakistani military positions along the border late on Thursday in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes, the Taliban said, adding to fears of a renewed escalation of violence between the neighbors. Videos shared by Afghan security forces showed Humvees driving through dark, mountainous terrain at night, lit by flashes of gunfire. Sustained bursts of automatic fire could be heard in the background. Advertisement Advertisement Reuters could not independently verify the location, timing, or authenticity of the images. Pakistan was responding to "unprovoked fire" by Afghan forces along the border, the Information Ministry in Islamabad said. Afghan forces opened fire on posts in Pakistan's mountainous northwest, sparking more than two hours of fighting before Pakistani troops retaliated, Pakistani officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media. Smoke rises, in this still image from handout video, said to show Pakistani forces conducting a drone strike on an Afghan Taliban border post, in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan, October 15, 2025. (credit: ISPR/Handout via REUTERS) Clashes threaten fragile ceasefire The clashes along the 2,600-km (1,615-mile) are the latest flare-up to threaten a fragile ceasefire following deadly clashes in October. Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week, the Taliban warned it would make an "appropriate and measured response" toairstrikes launched by Pakistan over the weekend on what Islamabad said were camps of militants from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State in Khorasan Province in eastern Afghanistan. Islamabad says TTP leaders operate from Afghan territory and use it as a safe haven to plan attacks inside Pakistan, a charge Kabul denies. "In response to repeated provocations and violations by Pakistani military circles, large-scale offensive operations have been launched against Pakistani military positions and installations along the Durand Line," the spokesperson for Afghanistan's Taliban administration, Zabihullah Mujahid, said in a post on X. "Specialized laser units have also begun operations along the Durand Line, which would take advantage of the darkness of night," Mujahid said in a separate statement. Pakistan said it was boosting security nationwide this week, placing forces on "high alert" and accelerating intelligence-based operations, arresting dozens of suspected militants, their handlers and facilitators, including Afghan nationals. From moldy squash to particles in ice, health inspectors in Missouri and Kansas found numerous violations at Kansas City-area restaurants last week. Dining establishments like sit-down restaurants, drive-thrus, gas stations and grocery stores are required to get food inspections, and governments have to release those inspections to the public. In Kansas City and Independence, each citys health department enforces the food code while in Kansas, the states Department of Agriculture handles inspections. The lower the number of violations, the better. Advertisement Advertisement Most restaurants correct violations at the time of the original inspection or shortly after. The full inspections show how each establishment has corrected or is working to correct any remaining violations. They are available for Kansas City at inspectionsonline.us/foodsafety/mousakansascity/search.htm and Johnson and Wyandotte counties at agriculture.ks.gov. Here are the restaurants in Kansas City and Johnson and Wyandotte counties that received seven or more priority and priority foundation violations from Feb. 15-21. No restaurants in Independence met the threshold this week. Aahaa South Indian Cuisine 7328 W. 119th St., Overland Park 12 priority and priority foundation violations for a Feb. 20 complaint inspection The inspector found 25-50 aged rodent droppings on the shelves and floor of the storage room of this upscale Indian restaurant off of Metcalf and Blue Valley Parkway. Mold grew on squash, strawberries and a container of batter, and half of the washed dishes had residue or dried food on them. Advertisement Advertisement A walk-in cooler was not keeping food cold enough, so 14 items kept in there had to be thrown out. The inspector noted that every wall and the areas under all equipment had debris or buildup. The scheduled follow-up inspection has not yet occurred. Read the full report for Aahaa South Indian Cuisine by searching for the restaurant on the Kansas inspection lookup. Christys Tasty Queen 1405 S. 55th St., Kansas City, Kansas 10 priority and priority foundation violations for a Feb. 18 licensing inspection An employee touched a customers sandwich and fries with their bare hands at this old-school KCK diner, now under new ownership. The thermometer had bits of food stuck to it and the hand-washing sink was blocked with a plastic container. Advertisement Advertisement The scheduled follow-up inspection has not yet occurred. Read the full report for Christys Tasty Queen by searching for the restaurant on the Kansas inspection lookup. Tall Trellis Brew Co. 25600 W. Valley Parkway, Olathe 9 priority and priority foundation violations for a Feb. 18 routine inspection The inspector found expired pork, chicken and olives inside this Olathe brewpub. In the womens bathroom, the hot water did not get hot enough. The scheduled follow-up inspection has not yet occurred. Read the full report for Tall Trellis Brew Co. by searching for the restaurant on the Kansas inspection lookup. Conoco (Deli) 11200 NW Ambassador Drive 7 critical violations for a Feb. 20 routine inspection Advertisement Advertisement The rotating pizza was not kept hot enough in the warmer at this gas station deli near the airport. Items blocked the basin of the hand-washing sink and only one out of three employees had a valid food handlers permit. A follow-up inspection has not occurred. Read the full report for the Conoco deli. AiZen Root Remedy 1106 E. 30th St. 7 critical violations for a Feb. 18 routine inspection The inspector noted black particles on the ice in the ice machine at this coffee shop off Troost. In addition, there was black buildup on the walls of the ice machine and the eatery was entirely out of hand soap. A follow-up inspection has not occurred. Read the full report for AiZen Root Remedy. Bangkok Pavilion 7249 W. 97th St., Overland Park 7 priority and priority foundation violations for a Feb. 17 routine inspection Advertisement Advertisement An employee did not use soap when washing their hands at this Thai restaurant off Metcalf. The walk-in cooler did not keep items cold enough, so chicken stock, cooked rice and potatoes had to be thrown out. The scheduled follow-up inspection has not yet occurred. Read the full report for Bangkok Pavilion by searching for the restaurant on the Kansas inspection lookup. State College Regional Airport is cautioning Penn State spring breakers they may be subject to a new $45 fee at the security checkpoint. Travelers without REAL ID or other acceptable identification are required to pay an additional $45 to board a plane after the Transportation Security Administration enacted the new fee Feb. 1. The fee, for a service dubbed ConfirmID, comes as less than half of Pennsylvanians have upgraded their license to REAL ID. If students do not have REAL ID or acceptable forms of ID, it is recommended that they go online to tsa.gov and purchase the TSA ConfirmID prior to coming to the airport, Centre County Airport Authority chief Ralph Stewart said in a news release earlier this month. Pre-payment can help reduce wait times, prevent delays, and ensure a smoother travel experience during the busy Spring Break period. Advertisement Advertisement ConfirmID uses biometric information, such as facial scans, to confirm a travelers identity. The TSA said in a news release last year the fee would cover a 10-day travel period. State College Regional Airport is cautioning flyers to be aware of a new fee for some travelers ahead of the busy spring break period. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) According to the TSA, ConfirmID should take 10 to 15 minutes to complete at the airport, on average, and asked travelers to pay the fee in advance. The vast majority of flyers already comply with REAL ID rules, the agency noted. It costs $30 to upgrade to REAL ID in Pennsylvania, $15 short of the fee being instituted by the TSA at airports. The drivers license center in Pleasant Gap offers same-day REAL ID services, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. You are not required to pay an added fee to renew their REAL ID identification. Other acceptable forms of identification for boarding a flight include passports and military ID cards. Advertisement Advertisement Three and a half million Pennsylvanians already have a REAL ID as of Jan. 5, according to PennDOT spokesperson Leanne Trindel. Thats about 35% of those who have some sort of state identification, and up 400,000 from June 2025. About 44,500 Centre County residents have a REAL ID, or 46% of ID-holders. The deadline to adopt Real ID for domestic travel and entrance to some federal properties was in May. The fee, which would only apply to adult flyers, is considerably higher than what the agency proposed in November. The TSA previously stated in a federal filing the fee would be $18. The government estimated in a report that ConfirmID will cost $135 million to operate in its first year, with costs gradually falling as more Americans adopt REAL ID. REAL ID is a standardized, enhanced form of identification mandated by the federal government in 2005 in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Enforcement at airports, military bases and other secure sites was pushed back several times due to opposition from states and the COVID-19 pandemic. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT) The Alabama Supreme Court has issued an order to carry out the sentence of death row inmate Charles Lee Burton. Burton was sentenced to death for the 1991 capital murder of Doug Battle in Talladega County. He is set to be executed by nitrogen hypoxia on March 12. The 75-year-old was involved in a robbery at a Talladega AutoZone on Aug. 16, 1991. During the robbery, Battle was shot and died as a result of a gunshot wound to the lower back, according to court recordS. Burtons co-defendant in the case, Derrick DeBruce, was the actual shooter, but ultimately was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. DeBruce died in custody in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement National advocacy groups started a petition asking Gov. Kay Ivey to commute the death sentence of Burton, who did not pull the trigger during the murder. Alabama man faces execution despite not pulling the trigger in auto store customers death The execution will take place at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility (CF) in Atmore, Alabama. Burton, one of six men involved in the robbery, was outside the store at the time of the shooting, according to testimony. 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 WHNT.com. The Brief U.S. Customs and Border Protection says agents arrested an alleged cartel smuggling scout in the Sierra Pinta Mountains near Yuma. CBP says scouts use mountain tops to track the movement of law enforcement. YUMA, Ariz. - A suspected cartel smuggling scout was arrested in the southwestern Arizona mountains. What we know The unidentified suspect was found in the Sierra Pinta Mountains, southeast of Yuma. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says cartel scouts use mountain tops to track law enforcement movements. Advertisement Advertisement "The Yuma Sector Targeting and Intelligence Division has been investigating cartel scouting activities responsible for the movement of illegal aliens through the Wellton Station area of responsibility," the agency said in a Feb. 25 news release. "The successful apprehension of the scout will disrupt the cartels ability to conduct reconnaissance and monitor the movement of Border Patrol and Air and Marine Operations assets in the area." CBP says agents also found several items, including food and a solar panel, that they say indicates "an extended scouting mission." What they're saying "The arrest of this dangerous smuggler is a perfect example of a unified border enforcement team working together to achieve a successful law enforcement outcome," said Dustin Caudle, acting chief patrol agent. "These ruthless transnational criminal organizations have no regard for human life, and the dismantling of these cartel networks ensures a secure border that increases the safety of agents and our communities." What's next CBP says the suspect was transported to the Wellton Station for processing and will be referred to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the State of Arizona for prosecution and removal proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement "The subject is being charged with 8 U.S.C.1325 illegal entry, with potential enhancements for scouting at sentencing," CBP said. Map of the Sierra Pinta Mountains The Source U.S. Customs and Border Protection Federal prosecutors in San Diego have charged alleged cartel leader Rene Arzate-Garcia also known as La Rana with narcoterrorism, material support of terrorism and multiple drug trafficking offenses tied to large-scale smuggling into the United States. The superseding indictment alleges Arzate-Garcia is a key figure in the Sinaloa Cartel and oversees trafficking operations in Tijuana and surrounding areas. Authorities say the operation involved fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana moving across the border into the Southern District of California. Federal officials say the charges also stem from alleged violence and enforcement activities connected to cartel operations, including kidnappings and killings in Mexico. $5 million reward announced The U.S. Department of State announced rewards of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Arzate-Garcia and his brother, Alfonso Arzate-Garcia, also known as Aquiles. Advertisement Advertisement The reward program is being coordinated with the Drug Enforcement Administration San Diego Field Division and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of California. Long-running investigation According to court documents, prosecutors allege Arzate-Garcia controlled the Tijuana trafficking region for the cartel and imported thousands of kilograms of drugs into the United States. Authorities also accuse him of laundering millions of dollars in drug proceeds and corrupting public officials. Officials say the case builds on earlier federal charges and reflects ongoing efforts to dismantle cartel leadership operating along the U.S.-Mexico border. The indictment follows federal actions under policies advanced by Donald Trump designating the cartel as a foreign terrorist organization. Ongoing search Authorities say Arzate-Garcia remains at large. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the DEA. Federal officials emphasize the charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. SEE UPDATE >>: Florida's Big Cypress fire rages on. Is Alligator Alley open? Collier County Sheriff's Office confirms that Interstate 75/Alligator Alley is closed to traffic with smoke obscuring visibility. Florida Highway Patrol made the decision about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, to close the interstate between Exit 80 (State Road 29) in Collier County to Exit 23 (US 27) in Broward County. Troopers will continue to monitor conditions overnight; updates will be provided as needed, the agencies reported. Advertisement Advertisement They advised that the alternative routes of State Road 29, U.S. 27 and U.S. 41 remain open. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the blaze ignited Feb. 22 in the Big Cypress National Preserve. Smoke billows from a 24,000-acre brushfire in Big Cypress National Preserve on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. Why is Alligator Alley closed to traffic? The initial fire grew to about 15,000 acres, said Erika Hoopes, spokesperson at the preserve. As fire crews began their defensive operation, they created fires to contain the blaze, bringing the total to 24,000 acres. Winds from the south blew smoke northward, over the interstate and caused traffic issues. Earlier Wednesday, Lt. Greg Bueno with the Florida Highway Patrol urged motorists to use caution, reduce speed, and remain alert for changing conditions. What is the Big Cypress National Preserve? Big Cypress National Preserve cuts a swath of 729,000 acres across south Florida. Advertisement Advertisement It's one of the largest preserves in the nation, home to more than 350 species of birds and 40 species of mammals including the black bear and Florida panther. Naples Daily News and Fort Myers News-Press reporter Tomas Rodriguez contributed to this report. 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: Alligator Alley closes because of Everglades fire in SW Florida At least one American citizen was shot dead and another injured by Cuban officials intercepting a speedboat off its coast on Wednesday, a US official has said. Border guards shot dead four people and injured the remaining six aboard the Florida-registered speedboat. Cuba accused the 10 people on the boat of planning "an infiltration with terrorist aims" and said they opened fire first. A third person was on a US K-1 visa - for fiancees of American citizens - the US official said. The boat's owner alleged the vessel had been stolen by an employee. Advertisement Advertisement US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said Washington was investigating the "highly unusual" incident. Cuban authorities had said all 10 were Cuban nationals residing in the US. They also identified an 11th person they said had been arrested and had confessed to being part of the alleged plot. The interior ministry said earlier that the speedboat had entered its territorial waters and was "one nautical mile off Cayo Falcones" on the country's northern coast when it was intercepted. It said the commander of the Cuban boat was injured in the firefight that ensued. The Cuban authorities added that most of the passengers on the US-registered boat had "prior records involving criminal and violent activity". Advertisement Advertisement Handguns, assault rifles and improvised explosive devices were recovered from the speedboat, along with other tactical gear, according to the statement. The deadly shooting comes at a time of increased tension between the two countries. Less than two months ago, US forces seized Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, Cuba's close ally, and stopped his successor from supplying the country with oil. [BBC] Rubio has said the speedboat incident was not a US operation and no US government personnel were involved. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Thursday vowed to defend the Caribbean country against aggression. Advertisement Advertisement "Cuba will defend itself with determination and firmness against any terrorist and mercenary aggression that seeks to affect its sovereignty and national stability," Diaz-Canel said on X. "Cuba does not attack, nor threaten," Diaz-Canel added. Cuba's deputy foreign minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio said the US had shown a "willingness" to cooperate on "clarifying these regrettable events". BBC Verify checked the speedboat's registration details provided by the Cuban embassy in the US (FL7726SH, Florida registered), but they yielded no ownership details or tracking history on any of the platforms the BBC relies on. Rubio has said it was not a US operation and no US government personnel were involved [Reuters] Cuba's interior ministry has in the past denounced other incursions into its territorial waters by privately owned US boats it said were engaged in smuggling Cubans from the Caribbean island to the US. Advertisement Advertisement The incident also comes almost 30 years to the day since Cuban defence forces shot down two small civilian planes belonging to Brothers to the Rescue, a US-based group that searched for rafts carrying migrants from Cuba to the US. Four people aboard were killed in the 1996 incident, triggering outrage in the US. Last month, following the seizure of Venezuela's Maduro in a US military operation, US President Donald Trump told Cuba to "make a deal" or face unspecified consequences. Trump also said at the time that there would be "no more oil going to Cuba". His administration has blocked shipments from Venezuela and threatened tariffs on other nations delivering oil to the island. Advertisement Advertisement The move has further exacerbated the already crippling oil and fuel shortages Cuba has been suffering for years. On Wednesday, however, the US Treasury said it would ease some small private sector transactions, including oil sales, to "support the Cuban people, for commercial and humanitarian use". There is an unique and historic way America's 250th birthday will be marked in Philadelphia. "America's Time Capsule" will be buried on July 4 at Independence National Historical Park near Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. It will remain sealed for 250 years, until 2276. The America 250 commission, who is behind the project, describes it as a bell jar designed to create an air pocket and help prevent water intrusion underground. Advertisement Advertisement It is expected to include items from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and five U.S. territories, as well as contributions from Congress, the Supreme Court and the White House. States and territories must submit proposed items by March 15, with artifacts due in May. They will each get their own archival box inside the capsule. A replica of the capsule is set to go on display April 1 at the White House Visitor Center, with a second planned for the Liberty Bell Center. Visitors will be able to leave handwritten notes to Americans in 2276. McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD) is included among the Goldman Sachs Dividend Stocks: Top 14 Stock Picks. JPMorgan Raises McDonalds (MCD) Valuation, Calls Stock Attractive on Pullbacks On February 24, JPMorgan analyst John Ivankoe raised the price target on McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD) to $325 from $305. He kept an Overweight rating on the shares. The firm said the higher target reflects a revaluation of the restaurant group for growth quality. JPMorgan also said investors should consider buying the stock on pullbacks. After the company released its latest quarterly results, Morgan Stanley maintained an Equal Weight rating and set a $335 price target. The firm said McDonalds delivered solid revenue growth across its segments. Marketing campaigns played an important role and helped support earnings. Morgan Stanley added that the companys value-focused strategy remains in place. At the same time, ongoing investments are expected to limit near-term gains in EPS and free cash flow. The firm still expects McDonalds to remain active this year, with clearer strategies emerging to support long-term revenue growth. Deutsche Bank took a more positive view. The firm reiterated its Buy rating and raised its price target to $364 from $360. This implies about 13% upside from the recent closing price. Deutsche Bank pointed to the companys strong fourth-quarter results, which came in above expectations across key areas. Global same-store sales increased 5.7%, showing strength across multiple regions. The firm expects this momentum to continue into 2026. It also highlighted McDonalds focus on value offerings, marketing, and menu innovation, especially in beverages and chicken. Deutsche Bank said these efforts, along with the companys durable business model, should support stronger same-store sales over time. The firm also expects McDonalds to return to high-single-digit or better EPS growth. This outlook makes the stock attractive from a risk-reward standpoint. McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD) operates one of the largest foodservice networks in the world. Its business includes the US, International Operated Markets, and International Developmental Licensed Markets & Corporate segments. The US remains its largest market, and about 95% of its restaurants there are run by franchisees. While we acknowledge the potential of MCD 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. When West Point archeologists pried open a 200-year-old time capsule left by cadets in the early 1800s, they expected to discover forgotten treasures and historic documents. Instead, they found gray clumps of dust and a few old coins. This is the nightmare situation organizers with the America250 Commission are hoping to avoid this year as they work to bury priceless artifacts at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia for future Americans to open in 2276. The project, mandated by Congress in 2016, has been no easy feat. Advertisement Advertisement More: You're about to hear a lot about America's 250th birthday. Read this first. 250 years is a really long time, said Jacob Ricker, an engineer with the National Institute of Standards & Technology who has been working to build the capsule. The materials scientists plan to use to create a lasting vessel have never been tested for that length of time. "Stainless steels have been around less than 100 years," Ricker said. "Material choice overall is just very hard." Building an impenetrable capsule The project is unlike anything undertaken for other national milestone anniversaries. Organizers for the Bicentennial, for instance, opted to shelve that time capsule in a climate-controlled room at the National Archives, rather than deep in the ground. Advertisement Advertisement For more than a year, Ricker has worked with government engineers, archivists and National Parks personnel to develop a device that will insulate and preserve dozens of present-day documents from natural elements, like water, oxygen and temperature fluctuations, for the countrys 500th anniversary. America's Time Capsule will be buried at Independence Mall in Philadelphia on July 4, 2026. Originally, they planned to enclose the capsule in a 46-foot-long snake sculpture inspired by Benjamin Franklin's 1754 "JOIN OR DIE" cartoon thats planned for Independence Mall in Philadelphia. But questions swirled about if even that would survive natures wrath for two-and-a-half centuries. Plan B is a 3-foot-by-2-foot stainless steel cylindrical vessel with a metal bell jar cover that will envelope the capsule in an air pocket. Its designed to provide several layers of protection from water intrusion. Advertisement Advertisement If you've ever been in a swimming pool and you take a bucket, you turn it upside down, and you pull it down into the water, it traps an air bubble in the bucket. That's exactly what we're doing here, Ricker said. Documents and memorabilia will sit inside individual chambers within the capsule. Each state and territory will have its own shelf in the artifact box, and archival papers will be placed in a separate sealed chamber. Documents and artifacts will be sealed in individual storage compartments inside the time capsule. We can't have things that will be off-gassing, for example, and affecting other things within the capsule, said Tom Medema, the project manager of Americas Time Capsule. The chemical makeup of the items that go in here over 250 years have to be stable enough to not impact the others." As for the location, Medema said he expects the National Park Service to care for Independence Mall for centuries to come. The area is about 30 feet above sea-level, but should it see flooding or other climate change impacts, preservationists will move the capsule to another location, along with the Liberty Bell and other historical structures in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Once the capsule is buried on July 4, the Park Service will take ownership of it and will be responsible for eventually unearthing it. What history will the capsule hold? The U.S, Army unearthed a time capsule at West Point in 2023. The contents included clumps of dust and a few old coins. Scientists at NIST took learnings from this capsule when building America250's vessel. In its final form, the capsule will hold materials from all 50 states, the three branches of the federal government and the America250 Commissions commemoration events. So far, the Commission has chosen items from the 2026 Rose Parade, sports memorabilia, an American flag and student submissions to include. States and territories have until March 15 to submit the relics and memorabilia they hope to include. Whatever they choose, will need to fit within the confines of the capsule. The commission initially gave each state a prescribed list of items they could choose from, and has fielded a flurry of questions that give hints into what might ultimately end up in the cylinder. Advertisement Advertisement Hawaii, for instance, asked for an exception to a rule asking states to only submit one piece of paper, noting that any letter written in Native Hawaiian would run at least several pages. Medema said the commission has also fielded questions about pewter as a metal going in there from one of the states, if their object could be pewter, and gold and some of the other elements." As for the federal government, America250 Chair Rosie Rios said shes been in contact with the Supreme Court, Congress and the White House about artifacts they might want to highlight for future generations. America250 will reveal the capsules content in May or June. It will be displayed in Philadelphia before it's placed in the ground on July 4 for the next 250 years. Advertisement Advertisement This is typical America to me, Ricker said. You come with a huge challenge, and then we overcome it. This story has been corrected to fix a quote that mentioned pewter, not a computer. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'America's Time Capsule' will be buried for 250 years. What's in it? NEW YORK The 75,000-plus families that have signed up for New York Citys free 3-K and pre-K programs are still thousands short of last years final count with only two days to go until the deadline, the Daily News has learned. The city received 95,000 total applications last year, a figure that has held relatively steady over the last three years. Applications are not first-come, first-served, so its not uncommon for parents to register closer to the deadline. For the more than 75,000 families that have already applied, we say thank you, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said during a news conference in Morningside Heights. Advertisement Advertisement You have until February 27 if you want to join them. The mayor said he expects to see more and more families join them in the last days of the application window. A City Hall spokesperson added the figure was released on a delay and in line with data last year. Applications opened Jan. 14., with nearly two-thirds of submissions so far made in the first two weeks. But the numbers raise questions about how much Mamdanis best efforts to get the word out about free child care will move the needle on the number of families who apply. As part of his affordability agenda, Mamdani ran for mayor on a major expansion of universal child care. That includes fixing 3-K, which has struggled to attract families in some neighborhoods even as waitlists have proliferated in other areas of the city. Advertisement Advertisement Since his election, the mayor has worked with Gov. Kathy Hochul to open more 3-K programs closer to where families live, aimed at making sure parents not only will apply but ultimately accept the citys offers. At the same time, Mamdani has looked to promote existing programs by advertising on city streets and public transit even the ferry system, posting on social media with YouTube personality Ms. Rachel and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, and holding frequent news conferences on the topic. The administration has also tapped local organizations to host application workshops and do outreach, especially with families wary of government such as immigrants. The city is also coordinating with faith leaders and elected officials in targeted neighborhoods, and staff in homeless shelters to host registration events. The deadline to apply to 3-K and pre-K is Friday. After the deadline, families can continue to sign up for preschool by adding their names to waitlists or being offered a program with available seats. Advertisement Advertisement The effort looks different in different types of communities, Emmy Liss, Mamdanis top child care official, told the Daily News in an interview this month, but were really focusing on that overall commitment that there is a 3-K seat for every family and that its accessible to them. _____ The 2010 discovery that early humans and Neanderthals once encountered one another and had babies was a scientific bombshell that electrified the field of human origins. Now, geneticists at the University of Pennsylvania say they have a better understanding of the nature of those prehistoric hookups, suggesting the trysts were mostly between male Neanderthals and female humans. The intriguing finding, published Thursday in the journal Science, could help explain why the Neanderthal ancestry that is present in humans today is unevenly distributed across the genome. However, its far from clear why prehistoric pairings between our species, Homo sapiens, and Neanderthals who went extinct around 40,000 years ago largely followed this pattern. Advertisement Advertisement This is a fascinating and provocative hypothesis, said Joshua Akey, a professor at Princeton Universitys Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, who wasnt involved in the research. I find it extraordinary that we can use genome sequences to infer aspects of social dynamics and mating patterns that occurred tens to hundreds of thousands of years ago. Researchers dont know exactly how often Neanderthals and members of our species encountered one another but a study published in 2024 suggested the two groups exchanged DNA at multiple points over the past 250,000 years as they migrated around the world. Neanderthals and Homo sapiens are also known to have interbred with a third species: Denisovans. Most humans carry a small percentage of Neanderthal DNA, a genetic legacy from those sexual interactions. In certain cases, those genes can still influence human health. Neanderthal DNA has been found to affect circadian rhythms, immune system function and the way some people feel pain. Mysteriously, however, the human X chromosome today appears to be what geneticists call an archaic desert, meaning it has next to no Neanderthal DNA. (Women have two X chromosomes, while men have just one plus a Y chromosome.) Advertisement Advertisement Its not zero on the X, but mostly gone, said the studys lead coauthor Alexander Platt, a senior research scientist in the University of Pennsylvanias department of genetics. And for the last 10 years or so, weve had two families of explanations about what happened. Perhaps, researchers have speculated, genes on the X chromosome dont transfer well between species, or Neanderthal genetic variants on the X chromosome were disadvantageous in some way to human variants and were therefore gradually eliminated by the evolutionary process of natural selection. The latest research, however, ruled out those scenarios and suggested that a different dynamic was at play. X Puzzles The new study, based on information from the genomes of 73 women and three female Neanderthal samples, found that Neanderthal X chromosomes showed a pattern opposite to that of their Homo sapiens counterparts: They displayed a relative excess of human DNA far beyond what would be expected even if human DNA conferred genetic benefits to Neanderthals. The researchers identified modern human DNA in the Neanderthal genomes by comparing it with present-day female genomes drawn from human populations in Africa that had little to no Neanderthal DNA, making it easier to ensure that any overlaps could be attributed to Homo sapiens DNA, rather than that of Neanderthals. Advertisement Advertisement Their analysis showed that the excess of human DNA on the Neanderthal X chromosome could be best explained by a strong sex bias in mating between the two groups that resulted in little Neanderthal X-chromosome DNA ever entering the human gene pool. Specifically, the research suggested that when Neanderthals and humans interbred, the pairings were mostly between male Neanderthals and female humans. Its a story that involves who has X chromosomes, Platt said. We did not get as many X chromosomes from those Neanderthal males, and they got an excess of modern human ancestry on their X chromosomes, he said. Moreover, after episodes of interbreeding between the two groups, subsequent generations of Neanderthal males would have been more likely to mate with Neanderthal women that had more modern human ancestry, the study found. A human skull is on display with a picture of a Neanderthal man at The Museum of Natural History of Toulouse in France in October 2019. - Alain Pitton/NurPhoto/Getty Images The simplest explanation for this phenomenon, according to the study, was mate preference. In other words, male Neanderthals, female Homo sapiens and Neanderthal females with greater human ancestry might have been more attractive and desirable as mates, for some unknown reason, Platt said. Equally, he noted, female Homo sapiens who encountered Neanderthal males may have viewed them as more alluring sexual partners. Advertisement Advertisement Sex-based migration patterns meaning that Neanderthal men and Homo sapiens women were more likely to be in the right place at the right time to intermingle and have babies could have also contributed, the study said, but were unlikely to explain the finding on their own. Enduring questions Genomes contain a wealth of information that geneticists can use to mathematically model human migrations, encounters with other populations and inheritance over thousands of millennia. However, modeling studies cant capture the nuances of real-world behavior, making it impossible for now to paint a more complete picture of Neanderthal-human relationships. We would all love to be able to go back in time and figure this out, said study coauthor Sarah Tishkoff, the David and Lyn Silfen University Professor in Genetics and Biology at the University of Pennsylvania. You can do simulations and modeling under different scenarios and say which one fits the best, but it doesnt exclude that you can have multiple things happening at one time. Ryan McRae, a paleoanthropologist at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, said the methods used in the study were sound and the super interesting findings made sense. He noted, however, that it would be very difficult to find archaeological evidence of how these pairings unfolded. Advertisement Advertisement In an ideal world, we could find a Neanderthal site with a bunch of Neanderthal males and human females, but that is unlikely to ever occur, he said. Perhaps human females flocked to Neanderthal groups naturally, or perhaps they were coerced into it. Perhaps there was some form of trade going on. Endless stories are possible, he added via email. The findings dont necessarily mean that Neanderthals were constantly ditching their own females in favor of humans, but they do suggest that if a female with some human ancestry was available, however many generations ago the human ancestor was, she made a more desirable mate, McRae said. Even if we find hybrid fossils of first or second generations, learning which of their parents was which species would only tell us about that individual, not the whole population or demographic landscape, he noted. That is why these sorts of studies are so important; they can tell us about broader scale impacts that individual fossils cannot. Advertisement Advertisement Princetons Akey said via email the X chromosome has a uniquely complicated evolutionary history, and added that he is cautious about interpreting the differences in Neanderthal ancestry between the X and other chromosomes as proof of this mating pattern. Unraveling human history is complex, Akey said, And many different evolutionary forces and demographic processes can interact in ways that are challenging to disentangle. Sign up for CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Ann Coulter is no stranger to taking extremist anti-immigrant positions, but a tweet she posted Tuesday night arguing in favor of restricting the presidency to those who had been U.S. citizens for multiple generations drew spirited mockery as it was quickly realized her rule would end up barring GOP presidents like Donald Trump and Ronald Reagan. Trump delivered his State of the Union speech Tuesday evening, and as befitting our politically divided times, reviews for his performance diverged along partisan lines, with his critics panning the speech and denouncing him for hours of lies, and his supporters applauding him. Advertisement Advertisement Coulters latest came in the aftermath of the speech, with her take falling firmly in the positive column but it was a suggestion that she added to her review that drew a lot of attention. That beautiful ending to Trump's SOTU address reminds me why we can't have a second-, third-, or fourth- generation immigrant as president. Love for our country has to be in your genes. Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) February 25, 2026 That beautiful ending to Trumps SOTU address reminds me why we cant have a second-, third-, or fourth- generation immigrant as president, she wrote. Love for our country has to be in your genes. Coulter has bragged for years about her maternal lineage dating back to colonial times, and reporters have traced her paternal family back to her great-great grandparents generation immigrating to America from Ireland and Germany. Some swift genealogical math reveals that this would make Coulter a fifth-generation American on her fathers side; unsurprisingly, she set her rule for who should qualify to be president so shed be in. (Never mind that Americans who arrived in the era of her mothers ancestors would have displayed similarly nativist attitudes about the newer arrivals among her fathers side especially the Irish fleeing the Famine.) Advertisement Advertisement Commentators soon swarmed to point out that not only was Coulters post in contravention to the Constitution, implementing such a rule would have excluded Trump, whose paternal grandparents were born in Germany and mother was born in Scotland, making him only a second-generation American. Many of Trumps children would also fail her test, as two out of Trumps three wives were born in Eastern European countries, Ivana Zelnickova Trump in what is now the Czech Republic, and Melania Knauss Trump in Slovenia. Other notable conservatives Coulter has oft idolized would fail her test as well, including Reagan, whose family line included two grandparents born in Ireland and one born in England. Coulters tweet ended up with a Community Note attached to it (President Trump is a second generation immigrant through his Scottish-born mother and a third generation immigrant through his German-born paternal grandparents.) along with a link to the Wikipedia page for the Trump family. A collection of reactions is below. Ronald Reagan had two immigrant grandparents. Sean (@angry_blue_dot) February 25, 2026 Remind mewhat generation of American was George Washington? How about Thomas Jefferson? Love of country comes from life experiencesnot genetics. The fact that Trump is our worst president comes from Trump living the life of a spoiled toddler who was never told "no". It Robin Messing (@RobinSMessing) February 25, 2026 FUN FACT: Trumps mom emigrated from Scotland in 1930. She was a first gen immigrant. Hes literally second generation on her side. pic.twitter.com/Dz2OtLnEcc Curious Mr. Fox (@CuriousMrFox101) February 25, 2026 Advertisement Advertisement Reagan was third generation. The guy who probably wrote the speech, Miller, is second generation. But don't let us interrupt https://t.co/dzL0brtdSt Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) February 25, 2026 He doesnt have a single American born grandparent. His children have one American born grandparent. Not a single member of his family has served in the military. Myer Berlow (@myerberlow) February 25, 2026 So, based on your own assessment, when will you call for the immediate resignation of second-generation immigrant Donald Trump? Braden Pace (@bradenpace) February 25, 2026 You couldnt be more wrong. Some of the first and second generation immigrants are the Americans who covet the American dream most dearly.. because they dont take it for granted. UnderDog (@NoFear_DogHere) February 25, 2026 Advertisement Advertisement President Trumps mother was born in Scotland in 1912 and emigrated to the USA in 1930. She became a naturalized citizen in 1942. Are you questioning our presidents love for our country because his mother wasnt born here? Pluckymama (@Pluckymama1) February 25, 2026 None of Trumps family was present during the time of the Revolutionary War or even the Civil War and were primarily recent immigrants. But Biden had family here during the 1700s and Obama believe it or not had family here in the 1600s at Jamestown itself. https://t.co/XxFN7ZFIWb U. Perkins, Sr. (@JustAFamilyMan_) February 25, 2026 She makes it look easy but it's actually a lot of work to be so shamelessly ignorant and profoundly unserious. https://t.co/or5LIGCt8a Eric Boehm (@EricBoehm87) February 25, 2026 Advertisement Advertisement You're going to want to sit down when I tell you where his mother was born- making him a second generation immigrant https://t.co/S12ZqAcTr3 Mike Nelson (@mikenelson586) February 25, 2026 Donald Trump is a second generation American and our Founders were first generation Americans. https://t.co/nTkHsrxDZM Dean Phillips (@deanbphillips) February 25, 2026 The post Ann Coulter Mocked for Anti-Immigrant Post About Becoming President Which Unwittingly Jabbed Trump first appeared on Mediaite. Republican state lawmakers want to repeal a law they passed five years ago that requires Arizona schools to teach students about mental health. The proposals sponsor, Rep. Lisa Fink, R-Glendale, said during a Feb. 10 House Education Committee hearing that parents not schools should take charge of students mental health education. Instead of focusing on teaching students about mental health, Fink said that schools should help students improve their mental health by focusing on physical health instruction about exercise, nutrition and proper sleep. Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Finks House Bill 2093 would also repeal a requirement to teach social-emotional learning in Arizona schools, which she claimed was a way to push critical race theory, ideas about systemic oppression and education about sexuality and gender. Social-emotional learning has long been a part of classroom teaching, especially in elementary schools, even if it hasnt always been called that. The general concept is to teach students how to identify and handle their emotions and to regulate their own behavior, as well as how to interact with their peers. But social-emotional learning has become a target of the Republican culture wars, with conservatives attacking the concept as part of a woke agenda in public schools. Advertisement Advertisement It wasnt that long ago, in 2021, that Republicans in the state legislature voted to pass the legislation that Fink is now working to repeal. Only one Republican voted against the bill in the state Senate, and in the House of Representatives, it passed by a vote of 40-18, with bipartisan support. The legislature, controlled by Republicans now as it was then, opted to require mental health education in schools as students struggled through the COVID-19 pandemic and advocates urged public schools to take action to help them. Briana Ochoa, who was a college student at the time, said during a Feb. 2, 2021, Senate Education Committee hearing that she began struggling with her mental health in middle school. I had never heard anything about depression or anxiety, she said. So, I never understood why I was so scared to speak to people, or why I would feel this emptiness inside of me, and why I couldnt bring myself to smile or to talk to those around me anymore. Advertisement Advertisement It was only when she joined the Your Life Matters club in high school that she understood she was experiencing mental illness, Ochoa said. The club teaches students to identify their feelings and how to reach out for help. It taught me that the way that I was feeling wasnt weird or wrong, that it was completely normal, and that I wasnt always going to be stuck in this hole that I felt, she said. Ochoa advocated for requiring mental health education in schools, saying that learning about it saved her life and the lives of others in the club. During a debate on the House floor Wednesday, Fink said that in the years that schools have taught students about social-emotional learning and mental health, rates of depression, anxiety and suicide have risen among students, and academic performance has decreased. Advertisement Advertisement But that doesnt mean there is any correlation between the two. Studies show that chronic absenteeism, which spiked in Arizona and across the country after the pandemic, has contributed to worsened academic performance. Experts say that contributing factors to mental health issues among students include increased screen time, especially time on social media, isolation, trauma, racism and homophobia. Both Fink and Maricopa County School Superintendent Shelli Boggs claimed during a Feb. 10 Education Committee hearing that the mental health education requirement violated the states parental bill of rights, which gives parents the right to direct their childs health care. They both argued that teachers werent qualified and didnt have time to teach students about mental health when they should focus on academic achievement instead. Advertisement Advertisement What started out helpful has been hijacked and politicized, Boggs said. But when Democratic Rep. Stephanie Simacek asked Fink how students who dont have an engaged parent to teach them about or help them with their mental health would get help, Fink couldnt provide a clear answer. Brian Zuckerberg, the program manager for Kids in the Corner, an anti-suicide and mental health program, said during the committee meeting that Finks proposal would undoubtedly harm kids. Zuckerberg said that he grew up in an abusive home and would have benefited from learning about mental health at school. We go into schools every day and teachers thank us for talking to students about mental health, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Francine Sumner, who founded Kids in the Corner after her teenage son Zachary took his own life in 2017, also urged lawmakers not to support Finks proposal. No child should ever feel so alone that death feels like the only option, Sumner said. Now Sumners organization teaches mental health education in Arizona schools, with only a 1.5% opt-out rate from parents, she said. The organization works to teach kids about mental health, as well as to help them talk to their parents and get help if theyre struggling, especially since many students say they dont want to burden their parents with their problems. Sumner said that she believes the mental health education requirement has saved lives. Advertisement Advertisement Democratic lawmakers shared lengthy and impassioned remarks on the House floor Wednesday, urging lawmakers not to support House Bill 2093. Rep. Quanta Crews, D-Phoenix, said she learned about mental health issues in middle school health classes, and that knowledge helped her and a classmate realize years later in high school that Crews was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after being sexually assaulted. Crews said that she tried to move on and act like nothing was happening, but a friend noticed she was acting out of character, crying all the time and blowing up at people. Crews said that her friend helped her speak to a counselor and get the help she needed. Phoenix Republican Rep. Matt Gress said on Feb. 10 that todays social-emotional learning was not the same as what older generations learned from the PBS show Mr Rogers Neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Thats social emotional learning as it should have been, where you teach people how to be kind to one another, and that you can regulate your emotions when youre mad or sad, Gress said. But this isnt Mr. Rogers Neighborhood anymore. This is not telling and teaching kids how to be kind. Theyre teaching kids how to think, and shaping their worldview in a way that is self destructive. Fred Rogers, the star of the longrunning and beloved PBS show, was no stranger to advocating for social change. In 1969, he famously invited the Black man who played a police officer on his show to cool his feet in the same kiddie pool Rogers, and to share a towel to dry his feet afterward. At a time when many pools were still segregated, this act was a clear statement about racism and prejudice in the U.S. Schools should not be in the business of mental health care, they should be in the business of teaching, Gress said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE NASA hauled its Artemis II moon rocket off its seaside pad Wednesday for a slow trip back to a processing facility to track down and fix a helium pressurization problem that delayed launch of four astronauts on a flight around the moon from this month to at least April 1. A 6.6-million-pound Apollo-era crawler-transporter rolled up the ramp to pad 38B on Tuesday and was positioned directly under the 3.5-million-pound Space Launch System rocket and its 11.3-million-pound mobile launch platform. The Artemis II Space Launch System rocket and its mobile launch platform were hauled off pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday for a slow trip back to NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building for work to repair a helium pressurization problem with the rocket's upper stage. The rollback has delayed the launch of four astronauts on a flight around the moon to at least April 1. / Credit: NASA After a check of the weather to make sure winds would be within safety limits, engineers used the crawler's hydraulic system to lift the SLS rocket and its launch platform off its support pedestals and then began inching back toward the Kennedy Space Center's cavernous Vehicle Assembly Building at 9:38 a.m. EST. Advertisement Advertisement The 4-mile trip of the crawler and its towering load, tipping the scales at a combined 23.6 million pounds, was expected to take 10 to 12 hours to complete, with several stops and starts expected along the way. It arrived at the Vehicle Assembly Building at about 8 p.m., NASA said. Once inside the VAB, engineers plan to deploy service platforms to gain access to the rocket's upper stage, known as the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage, or ICPS. Following a successful fueling test last week, engineers were unable to repressurize the upper stage's helium system. Pressurized helium is used in push propellants to the ICPS engine, to dry out and drain tanks and propellant lines and to "purge" other cavities with the inert gas to minimize the risk of fire. During two fueling tests of the Artemis II SLS rocket, the system worked normally. The problem was found after the second "wet dress" rehearsal countdown was over. Advertisement Advertisement A similar problem cropped up with the Artemis I mission in 2022 when a helium valve failed to operate properly. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the valve could be the culprit this time around, "though corrective actions were taken to minimize reoccurrence on Artemis II." Other possible causes include trouble with a filter in an umbilical connected to the ICPS or problems with a quick-disconnect fitting. The rollback to the VAB was ordered because engineers did not have access to the ICPS and its gantry connections at the launch pad. In the assembly building, multiple platforms can be deployed around the SLS to provide access to virtually the entire 322-foot-tall vehicle. Along with repairing the helium pressurization system, engineers also plan to replace limited-life batteries in the SLS's self-destruct system and to replace other batteries in the ICPS. Advertisement Advertisement NASA rolled the Artemis II rocket to the launch pad in mid January, originally targeting a launch of Commander Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen around Feb. 6. But during the initial wet dress countdown needed to clear the way for launch, hydrogen leaks were detected, requiring replacement of suspect seals in an umbilical where fuel lines are attached to the base of the rocket. The replacement seals worked normally during a second fueling test last week, and no problems were found. NASA then tentatively targeted launch for March 6, only to discover the helium pressurization problem, which has pushed the launch out of the March window to no earlier than April 1. Only a handful of launch opportunities are available each month due to trajectory constraints based on the ever changing positions of the Earth and moon, lighting conditions and other mission-specific variables. Advertisement Advertisement 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 NASA astronaut Mike Fincke has outed himself as the reason for Crew-11's fast-tracked return from the International Space Station for an undisclosed medical situation, CNN reports. Although he didn't go into detail about what the problem was, it sounds serious enough that it required his fellow crew to help stabilize him before NASA ultimately made the call to bring him home for further imaging and care. Speculation has been rampant about the particular medical reason behind NASA bringing one of its ISS crews home several weeks early. Everything from cardiovascular issues to brain fluid changes has been suggested. Although we have yet to hear what may have been the ultimate cause of the return, we can at least rule out pregnancy with Mr. Fincke. "I experienced a medical event that required immediate attention from my incredible crewmates, Fincke said in a statement on Wednesday. "Thanks to their quick response and the guidance of our NASA flight surgeons, my status quickly stabilized." Mike Fincke and the other astronauts on Crew-11. Fincke was one of four astronauts who made up Crew-11. Credit: NASA Advertisement Advertisement NASA then made the call to bring him back to Earth along with the rest of his crew, to leverage advanced medical imaging not available on the space station. Although the ISS is packed with medical technologies to help sustain the crew over long periods while dealing with the hazards of space travel, it reportedly wasn't enough to deal with whatever Fincke was suffering from. After a safe return, Fincke is still recovering from his time in space and doesn't appear to require any extreme medical intervention beyond what may have already taken place. "I'm doing very well and continuing standard post-flight reconditioning at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Spaceflight is an incredible privilege, and sometimes it reminds us just how human we are," Fincke said. "Thank you all for your support." Fincke was part of the famed Crew-11 launch to the ISS, which was scheduled to return home in late February. However, NASA cancelled a planned spacewalk following news of a surprise medical situation aboard the ISS. The matter was kept private, and after several days of discussions and deliberations, NASA opted to return the whole crew home early. That left just three astronauts aboard the ISS for a short time, before the Crew-12 mission arrived in mid-February to bring the crew component back up to its usual seven. Australia ditching the British monarchy is "more important than ever" and voters would likely back a head of state elected by its parliament, former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull told AFP on Thursday. Turnbull -- who served as prime minister from 2015 to 2018 -- led the country's Republic Movement's unsuccessful 1999 referendum bid to replace the British monarchy with an Australian head of state. Almost three decades on from that poll and as the British monarchy reels from the arrest of ex-prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor -- the first of a royal in the modern era -- Turnbull told AFP an elected head of state could heal Australia's "tribal" politics. Advertisement Advertisement "I think a republic is more important than ever," he said. "The monarchy remains this anachronism." Australia was a British colony for more than 100 years and gained de facto independence in 1901, but has never become a fully fledged republic. Current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has issued a full-throated call for Andrew to be removed from the royal line of succession. Albanese is an avowed republican but has ruled out another referendum on the issue during his tenure. But Turnbull told AFP he believed Australians would "absolutely" back a system in which the head of state was instead elected by the parliament in Canberra. Advertisement Advertisement "The virtue of having a republic in Australia is that it emphasises the thing we have in common as Australians." - 'Terrible deal' - In addition to being one of Australia's most prominent republicans, Turnbull is also an outspoken opponent of the AUKUS, a multi-decade defence pact with Britain and the United States. The pact aims to arm Australia with a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines and would provide for cooperation in developing an array of warfare technologies. But Turnbull told AFP that Australia will "almost certainly" get no nuclear submarines (SSNs) out of the deal. Advertisement Advertisement "It's this vast expenditure and this vast investment which will very likely result in us having no submarines at all," he said. "The US has made it very clear -- it's set out in their legislation -- that no submarines can be sold to us unless the president certifies essentially that their navy doesn't require them," he said. "At the moment, they are producing about half as many SSNs as the American Navy needs, let alone to cater for the American and Australian needs." He described it as a "terrible deal" and echoed French ex-defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian's claim that Australia "has sacrificed sovereignty for the sake of security, but will end up losing both". Advertisement Advertisement Turnbull argued that Australia must ditch AUKUS and place its own interests front and centre as Canberra increasingly navigates a world order defined by American "bullying". - Politics in a 'disrupted age' - He described American threats to annex Denmark's autonomous territory of Greenland "mind-boggling". "That's the stuff of a dystopian novel, frankly," he said. "This is wild stuff. And I think we're in a disrupted age." But he places little faith in the political party he once led as being able to guide Australia through troubled times. Advertisement Advertisement "The Liberal Party is failing Australia," he said. That party has endured an existential crisis since their second consecutive defeat by Albanese's Labor last year, torn between centrists and right-wingers sceptical of climate change and urging a tougher line on immigration. Opinion polling has shown the Liberals falling behind the far-right and populist One Nation party led by Pauline Hanson, a longtime senator notorious for racist outbursts. This month, the Liberals dumped leader Sussan Ley in favour of the more right-wing Angus Taylor. Turnbull -- who has described Taylor as the "best-qualified idiot" around -- warned the party faced disaster if it continued down that path. Advertisement Advertisement He told AFP its decision last year to ditch a commitment to net zero emissions was "culture war lunacy". "The more you go off to the populist right, the more you elevate all of these culture war issues, and, you know, divisive, often racist issues, the more you elevate Hanson -- you can't out-Hanson Hanson." "Australian politics is decided -- and contested -- in the centre." oho/djw/mjw A total of 26 people have died in avalanches in Austria so far this winter, the Austrian Board of Trustees for Alpine Safety said on Thursday, significantly above the long-term average. The period between February 15 and 24 proved particularly deadly, accounting for 14 fatalities. The agency said clusters of accidents during especially critical mountain conditions occur repeatedly. "Although warnings are issued about these avalanche conditions and the increased avalanche risk is well known, personal risk management seems to fail for some people," the agency said. Advertisement Advertisement After an initially snow-poor winter, avalanche risk has risen sharply in recent weeks and remains considerable in the regions of Tyrol and Vorarlberg. Authorities urged extreme caution for those venturing off secured slopes. For victims or their families, recovery operations can be costly. In Austria, air rescue services, mountain rescue teams and often alpine police typically charge for their services. The deployment of a rescue helicopter costs on average between 5,000 and 6,000 ($5,900 and $7,000) for a 40-minute mission. OKOBOJI, Iowa (KCAU) The Iowa Great Lakes region has recently seen a surge in dead geese and swans, raising concern among local residents and wildlife officials. Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) experts point to a likely culprit: a rise in avian influenza cases. The Canada geese have been our most widely affected species and most commonly affected species during these events, said Rachel Ruden, the Iowa DNR State Wildlife veterinarian. Since December, the number of reported bird deaths has continued to climb, with influenza suspected as the main cause. Advertisement Advertisement Story continues below We saw quite a bit of activity in lots of corners of the state, definitely in the Great Lakes. Related to highly pathogenic avian influenza, our H5N1 avian influenza activity, said Ruden. Ruden said that while the deaths themselves may not be new, the changing weather is making more carcasses visible as the ice melts. Advertisement Advertisement Geese and swans that are being observed currently are still linked to those earlier mortalities, Ruden said. A lot of these carcasses get locked in the ice. And this year in particular, we have a lot of fluctuations with, you know, warm-ups, thaws, and then freezing back down. And so that oftentimes will reveal carcasses, you know, that has been there that were just deeper in the ice. Then they come back kind of up to the surface and then become visible. Even with many carcasses already accounted for, the virus continues to pose a threat, with new cases still emerging among waterfowl. Influenza has had a little bit of a different pattern this year, Ruden said. Its been lingering in the south. And then I think with the warm-ups, there are birds that are mixing again and leading to some of our kind of later winter mortalities. But for now, we think that whats happening in the Great Lakes is kind of those carcasses we already knew about. As the outbreak grows, Ruden explained that containing the virus is a nearly impossible task for the Iowa DNR. Advertisement Advertisement The virus is so prevalent, and its so widespread when its circulating that even carcass management isnt necessarily going to stop anything, you know, stop the virus in its tracks, said Ruden. Ruden also addressed concerns about scavengers, noting that animals such as eagles are unlikely to catch the virus from feeding on carcasses. Our eagles have mostly developed antibodies, said Ruden. So Ive been actually receiving eagles throughout these outbreak periods and screening them for the virus, you know, to make sure that they dont actually die of influenza infection. They have essentially all tested negative this year. If you encounter a dead goose or swan, Ruden recommends wearing gloves for disposal or contacting the Iowa DNR for assistance. Advertisement Advertisement 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 KCAU 9 News | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM) is included among the 14 Best Affordable Dividend Stocks to Buy According to Analysts. JPMorgan Updates J.M. Smucker (SJM) Price Target, Keeps Bullish View ahead of Earnings On February 23, JPMorgan raised its price recommendation on The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM) to $122 from $121. The firm reiterated an Overweight rating on the stock. The update came as part of the firms fiscal Q3 earnings preview, reflecting a slightly more positive view ahead of the results. A February 23 CNBC report said Bank of America also became more constructive on the stock after last weeks Consumer Analyst Group of New York conference. The firm upgraded J.M. Smucker to Buy from Neutral and increased its price target to $130 from $120. Bank of America said earlier concerns tied to Smuckers 2023 acquisition of Hostess Brands have started to ease. Those worries had weighed on sentiment, but the outlook now appears more stable. Analyst Peter Galbo said managements tone at the conference was reassuring. The company made it clear that it is not planning additional acquisitions at this time. It also indicated that share repurchases could be an option going forward. The analyst viewed that as a positive signal, especially as it points to more disciplined capital allocation. Bank of America also said Smucker appears better positioned than many peers to manage the impact of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. These treatments have raised concerns across the food industry, as they could reduce demand for certain packaged foods. The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE:SJM) produces and markets branded food and beverage products worldwide. Its portfolio includes well-known brands sold primarily through retail channels across North America. While we acknowledge the potential of SJM 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 Strong Buy Dividend Stocks to Invest In and Goldman Sachs Dividend Stocks: Top 14 Stock Picks Disclosure: None. Follow The head of the states third-largest school district is stepping down from her position with a year left on her contract. According to an email obtained by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Myriam Rogers, 51, will retire from the system on July 1. Rogers is one of the highest-paid officials in Baltimore County and the states third-highest paid schools chief, with a third-year salary of $338,334. Her contract was slated to run through the 2026-2027 school year. When I was appointed as superintendent three years ago, the charge was clear: reverse the trajectory of academic decline in BCPS, Rogers wrote in an email sent to school staff. Together, we have made meaningful progress in a short time, and I am proud of what we have accomplished on behalf of our 108,000 students. Recently, when asked by the State Board of Education what has driven our gains across multiple measures of student performance, my answer was simple: the relentless, focused efforts of Team BCPS. Because Rogers gave advance notice of her departure of more than 120 days, she will not be required to pay any penalty for leaving early. Advertisement Advertisement Among Maryland school district superintendents, only two others earn higher salaries than Rogers: Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Taylor tops the list at $360,000, followed by Baltimore City Schools CEO Dr. Sonja Santelises at $350,000. Not leaving tomorrow As for what comes next for district leadership, Rogers said during a group conversation Thursday with members of the media that the Board of Education will follow a procurement and contracting process before the search for her successor begins. She said she would not be involved in selecting the next superintendent. Im one piece of the puzzle. Im not leaving tomorrow. Were going to continue to work until the last day and make sure that everything is ready to go for there to be a seamless transition, she said. Rogers, who 30 years ago started her career in Baltimore County as a chemistry teacher at Woodlawn High School, highlighted the school districts strides in reducing chronic absenteeism as the most important thing the district accomplished under her tenure. Everything else that the district does depends on students being in school, she said. Advertisement Advertisement We had the highest rate of improvement in the state of Maryland, Rogers said, And so as a result, we have almost 10,000 students that come to school regularly now that did not. Leader in five-star schools In the latest Maryland Report Card, released in November, Baltimore County Public Schools led the state in the number of five-star rated schools for a second year in a row. Though the majority of schools statewide retained their star rating from last year, 26 Baltimore County schools improved their ratings. The majority of the districts 161 schools earned at least three stars, with 27 earning two stars or less, according to a news release from the district. The district reduced the number of one- and two-star schools by six and outpaced the states average star rating of 3.35, with an average of 3.42. Advertisement Advertisement Rogers also faced her share of controversy over the last three years. Last year, Marylands Inspector General for Education issued a report that found Rogers appears to have violated her contract by not living in Baltimore County within one year of starting the job. She also was questioned at the same time for having a school district employee pick her up and drop her off at her house before and after work. Applause, well-wishes pour in School board chair Jane Lichter and vice-chair Robin Harvey thanked Rogers for her service to the district in a joint statement Thursday. While we are excited for her and what the next chapter will bring, her retirement is a huge loss to BCPS students, staff, and community, they wrote, adding that Rogers worked relentlessly to dismantle barriers to student success and close opportunity and achievement gaps by implementing coordinated, multi-pronged strategies. Advertisement Advertisement Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Carey Wright called Rogers an outstanding leader whose work reflects the very best of Maryland education in a statement. Her dedication to students and educators, combined with her strategic approach to systemwide improvement, is making a measurable difference in Baltimore County and setting a powerful example for districts across the nation, Wright said. Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier thanked Rogers for her partnership, commitment and integrity in a statement wishing the superintendent well in her retirement. I have known her for many years and continue to be impressed by her steady leadership and deep commitment to public education, Klausmeier wrote. Under Dr. Rogerss leadership, BCPS has made clear progress, and she leaves the system well positioned for continued success with a strong foundation for the years ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Maryland Congressman Johnny Olszewski praised retiring Myriam Rogers for more than three decades of service to Marylands public schools, calling her leadership steady and student-focused. From the chemistry classroom to the principals office and as superintendent, she led with an unwavering commitment to the success of the students, families and educators she served, Olszewski said in a statement. Olszewski, who previously served as Baltimore County executive, said he valued Rogers partnership. Together, we worked to streamline the school systems budget eliminating waste while making strategic investments in our educators and in the long-term success of our students, he wrote. We advanced school safety initiatives and celebrated the opening of new school buildings after decades of underinvestment in our infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Rogers said she plans to retire after three decades in education to spend more time with her family, including a daughter about to enter her senior year of high school and a grandchild. Its been 30 years, Rogers said. Thats a long time to do anything. Have a news tip? Contact Racquel Bazos at rbazos@baltsun.com, 443-813-0770 or on X as @rzbworks. DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) A court in Bangladeshs capital on Thursday ordered authorities to request that Interpol issue a red notice for the arrest of a British lawmaker on charges of corruption in a private real estate project. Tulip Siddiq, a former British minister and an MP from Hampstead and Highgate in London, faces charges of corruption in Bangladesh as the countrys Anti-corruption Commission pursues a case against her. Siddiq has already been sentenced to six years in jail in Bangladesh in three other corruption cases all involving her powerful aunt, the countrys former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hasina was ousted in 2024 in a student-led mass uprising that ended her 15-year rule, and has been in exile in India since Aug. 5, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Siddiq earlier rejected all allegations against her, termed the verdicts as a complete farce, and said she is a British citizen, not a Bangladeshi national. The commission said that Siddiq, using her connection with Hasina, influenced a process to award land to a private company in Dhakas upscale Gulshan area. Siddiq is the daughter of Hasinas younger sister Sheikh Rehana. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Mohammed Sabbir Faiz issued the order Thursday upon a petition by the corruption watchdog. The order came after the commissions Assistant Director A.K.M. Mortuza Ali Sagar sought the order for a red notice through Interpol to facilitate her arrest. Advertisement Advertisement There was no immediate reaction from Siddiq on Thursday. In January last year, Siddiq resigned as a British government minister in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Keir Starmer under pressure because of her ties to Hasina. Siddiq had said she had been cleared of wrongdoing but was quitting as economic secretary to the Treasury because the issue was becoming a distraction from the work of the government. Three days after Hasina's ouster, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus took over as interim leader and eventually oversaw an election on Feb. 12. The new government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the son of Hasina's main political rival and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has taken over. When Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her final State of the State address Wednesday, she touched on early literacy, housing reform and other domestic priorities. However she conspicuously ducked a mounting crisis thats heating up in communities across the state: the explosive growth of hyperscale data centers and the swelling opposition theyre generating. Whitmer closed her address with a confident sign-off Big Gretch Out a nod to the persona that has become part of her national brand. But on the defining economic development controversy unfolding across Michigan, the slogan lands awkwardly. When it comes to the states all-in bet on data centers, the governor was, in fact, conspicuously out absent from a debate that is reshaping local politics, testing progressive principles and dividing her own party. Advertisement Advertisement Just hours before her speech, the Michigan House Oversight Subcommittee hosted Christy Gillenwater, a retired senior management consultant, to lay bare the risks these facilities pose not only environmentally and economically, but to residents long-term financial security. Gillenwater warned lawmakers that the AI bubble could burst, leaving unfinished or abandoned stranded assets in its wake, and that maintaining generous tax breaks for data centers, including exempting them and certain equipment from the states sales tax, would ultimately harm Michiganders access to clean land, water, and stable infrastructure. Christy Gillenwater, a retired senior management consultant specializing in mergers and venture capital. Feb. 25, 2026 | Screenshot And yet, in an address meant to chart a governing legacy, Whitmer offered nothing resembling a serious interrogation of Michigans all-in approach to luring these projects. That omission isnt just tactically weak its politically tone-deaf. Advertisement Advertisement Across the Midwest and beyond, leaders from both parties are recalibrating their stance on data centers because the public backlash has grown increasingly potent. In Pennsylvania, Gov. Josh Shapiro has steered his messaging to emphasize community protections and the principle that developers should pay for their own power rather than saddle residents with higher utility costs a rare instance of a sitting Democrat trying to thread the needle between economic development and constituent concerns about costs and local impacts. In Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has gone even further, calling for a two-year suspension of tax incentives for new data center developments so that policymakers can study their impacts on energy demand, infrastructure stress, and utility affordability a clear acknowledgment that the old hands-off, subsidy-first model no longer works. Both gestures introspection and pause signal that at least some of Whitmers Democratic peers recognize that the tech-booster narrative isnt cutting it with voters who are worried about electric bills, strained grids, water use or disappearing local control. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel holds up a sign showcasing redactions in a DTE Energy to supply energy to a data center planned in Saline Township. Dec. 16, 2025 | Photo by Kyle Davidson/Michigan Advance Here at home, the political landscape already reflects that discontent. More than a dozen Michigan communities have enacted or are considering moratoriums on data center construction as residents push back against what they see as unchecked corporate giveaways. And a bipartisan group of state lawmakers is pushing legislation to repeal the tax breaks Whitmer championed in 2025 a defeat for the free-market growth strategy that once animated Lansing economic policy. Advertisement Advertisement Yet this is precisely where the silence becomes glaring. The governor celebrated clean, reliable energy to power everyones homes and touted massive water infrastructure upgrades, but said nothing about the extraordinary electricity and water demands of the hyperscale data centers her administration has aggressively courted. A message seeking comment from her office went unreturned. These facilities consume staggering amounts of power, straining local grids, while relying heavily on water for cooling, often in the very communities now being told resources are secure and sustainable. The contrast underscores the tension at the heart of Michigans strategy: you cannot simultaneously champion environmental stewardship and infrastructure resilience while declining to address how subsidizing energy-intensive data centers complicates both. Voters Not Politicians Executive Director Christy McGillivray rallies against data centers ahead of a meeting of the Michigan Public Service Commission. Oct. 27, 2025 | Photo by Kyle Davidson/Michigan Advance Ignoring this shifting political and economic terrain looks less like leadership and more like wishful thinking. Whitmers strategy may have made sense at a moment when states were aggressively chasing AI cachet and hyped growth, but Michigans embrace of data centers has become increasingly unmoored from progressive priorities like environmental justice, consumer protection, and equitable economic development. Advertisement Advertisement Its ironic and revealing that while proponents of data centers tout high-tech jobs and big investments, a respected outside consultant was in Lansing warning of an AI stock bubble on the very same day the governor spoke. Gillenwater pointed out that these facilities dont actually produce the kind of artificial general intelligence the public worries about but they do carry very real risks to local infrastructure, transparency and taxpayer value. The refusal to grapple with that reality in a statewide address is more than a missed opportunity. Its a signal that Whitmers administration refuses to confront the contradictions at the heart of Michigans data center strategy even as other state leaders have begun doing so, most notably Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who has continued to fight for more transparency in how data centers are approved. Michigans data center gamble is no longer just an economic development strategy. Its becoming a political litmus test for whether state leaders still prioritize people over corporate subsidies. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has apologized to staff at his philanthropic foundation over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, telling attendees at a Gates Foundation town hall on Tuesday that mistakes he made had overshadowed the work of the group, but denying that he was complicit in or had knowledge of Epstein's crimes. While not directly confirming the apology, a spokesperson for the Gates Foundation told CBS News that Gates "answered questions submitted by foundation staff on a range of issues, including the release of the Epstein files, the foundation's work in AI, and the future of global health. In the townhall, Bill spoke candidly, addressing several questions in detail, and took responsibility for his actions." The Wall Street Journal was first to report the billionaire's apology on Tuesday, saying it had reviewed a recording of his remarks. Bill Gates with an unknown person whose face is redacted, in a photo that the Jeffrey Epstein estate provided to Congress. / Credit: U.S. House Oversight Committee Democrats (House Oversight Committee Democrats) "It was a huge mistake to spend time with Epstein," Gates said, according to the Journal. "I apologize to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made." Advertisement Advertisement "I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit," Gates said, according to the newspaper. Gates said he first met Epstein in 2011, three years after the late financier's conviction on state charges including soliciting a minor for prostitution, which saw him sentenced to 18 months detention in a minimum-security facility. Gates told staff he was aware of some "18-month thing" that had limited Epstein's travel, but said he didn't thoroughly vet his background, according to the Journal. "Knowing what I know now makes it, you know, a hundred times worse in terms of not only his crimes in the past, but now it's clear there was ongoing bad behavior," the newspaper quoted him as saying. Gates also praised his former wife and foundation co-founder Melinda French Gates, whom he said had always been "skeptical" of Epstein. The Journal said Gates told staff he continued meeting Epstein up until 2014, including taking a flight on a private jet and spending time with him in Germany, France, New York and Washington, but that he strenuously denied ever staying overnight at a venue with Epstein or visiting the convicted sex offender's private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Advertisement Advertisement Among the many documents related to Epstein released by the U.S Department of Justice, two emails Epstein sent to himself on July 18, 2013, contain unverified allegations that Gates had extramarital "sex with Russian girls" that resulted in a sexually transmitted infection requiring antibiotic treatment. In one email, Epstein claimed Gates also sought to "surreptitiously give" antibiotics to his then-wife Melinda Gates. According to the Wall Street Journal, Gates admitted to staff at the town hall on Tuesday that he "did have affairs, one with a Russian bridge player who met me at bridge events, and one with a Russian nuclear physicist who I met through business activities." Bill and Melinda Gates were divorced in 2021 after 27 years of marriage. Earlier this month, French Gates said on an NPR podcast that she felt "an unbelievable sadness" about her former husband's name appearing in the Epstein files. "For me, it's personally hard whenever those details come up, right? Because it brings back memories of some very, very painful times in my marriage," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Gates also said Tuesday that his relationship with Epstein had distracted from his foundation's philanthropic work, and that he had maintained the relationship with the disgraced financier in the hope of raising money for global health, according to The Wall Street Journal. Epstein "talked about the kind of intimate relationship he had with a lot of billionaires, particularly Wall Street billionaires," Gates said, adding that Epstein had other prestigious people at these meetings that "made it easier for me to feel like this was a normalized situation." The Gates Foundation released a statement earlier this month acknowledging exchanges between foundation staff and Epstein that were released publicly by the Department of Justice. "On the basis of Epstein's claims that he could mobilize significant philanthropic resources for global health and development, a small number of foundation employees interacted with Epstein to try to secure this potential funding. Ultimately, the foundation did not pursue any collaboration with Epstein and no fund was ever created. At no time were financial payments made by the foundation to Epstein, nor was he employed by the foundation at any time," the foundation said in the statement, adding that it "regrets having any employees interact with Epstein in any way." 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 Former first lady Billie Ray met her husband, Gov. Robert Ray, in high school. Here they are in a photo from 1982. Former first lady Billie Ray pay her respects to her husband, former Iowa Gov. Robert Ray, in the rotunda Thursday, July 12, 2018, at the Iowa Statehouse with the assistance of National Guard. Major General Timothy E. Orr. Former Iowa first lady Billie Ray leaves after the funeral service for Iowa Gov. Robert D. Ray at the First Christian Church Friday, July 13, 2018, in Des Moines, Iowa. Talking before the Variety Club's 19th annual Black Tie Dinner in 2002 are honorary chairman Ron Barry, Variety Club president Jack Price, honorary chairwoman Ginger Barry, and past honorary chairpersons Billie Ray and former Gov. Robert Ray. NY Gov. George Pataki, right, stops to talk with former Iowa Gov Robert Ray and his wife, Billie, in Des Moines on June 16, 2006, at the state Republican Party picnic. Lu Ann Newland, with her parents, former Gov. Robert Ray and Billie Ray, the morning after the 1978 election. Gov. and Mrs. Robert Ray made a grand entry down the Statehouse staircase into the "gold ball" back in 1969. The first Des Moines Register's Iowa Star and Aurora awards were presented Jan. 30, 2002, at the Embassy Club. The Aurora winner was accepted by Rosalie Gallagher, left, president of Variety-The Children's Charity. Des Moines Register President and Publisher Mary P. Stier presented the awards, former governor Robert Ray was awarded the Iowa Star. Ray's wife, Billie, is at right. Former Iowa Gov. Robert D. Ray, seated center, sat with his wife, Billie Ray, right, as Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, left, addressed the audience at a announcement on the future of Gov. Ray's official papers at the State Historical Museum of Iowa in Des Moines on Tuesday afternoon July 16th, 2013. Easter Seals Iowa hosted its annual Sunnyside Up breakfast at Camp Sunnyside on June 12. Ray Cole, president/COO of Citadel Communications Company, is the 2013 Sunnyside Regatta admiral. He welcomed visitors to Camp Sunnyside and invited local community members to participate in this year?s regatta, which is July 17. Easter Seals ambassador Laura Foley of Des Moines, back, shared how Easter Seals supported her in becoming independent again after a car accident left her with a brain injury. She is shown with Billie Ray and former Gov. Robert Ray. Those in the audience for the Republican candidates' contest included former Iowa Govs. Robert Ray, center, with wife Billie at his side, and Terry Branstad, far left, in Jan. 15, 2000. A Christie Vilsack doll is now part of a Statehouse display of Iowa governors' wives in their inaugural gowns. Behind the Vilsack figure are Billie Ray, left, and Chris Branstad, right, in this 2000 photo. Former first lady Billie Ray with the YWCA in 2002. Former first ladies of Iowa Christie Vilsack (right) and Billie Ray chat before an event where Iowa first lady Mari Culver attended the unveiling of her commemorative doll, to be placed in a case on the first floor of the Statehouse, Monday morning, July 16, 2007. Sen. Robert Dole and Elizabeth Dole contribute coins to an organ-grinder's monkey during that the 1976 fair. With them are Iowa First Lady Billie Ray and the Rays' daughter, Luann. Former Iowa Gov. Robert D. Ray, right, and former first lady Billie Ray, center, had a close up view at the Drake Relays men's invitational pole vault competition. The event was held at the center court area inside of the Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines, on Wednesday night, April 23, 2007. Iowa first lady Mari Culver is joined by former first ladies of Christie Vilsack (middle) and Billie Ray during an event where they saw the unveiling of Culver's commemorative doll, seen at left, which was to be placed in a case on the first floor of the Statehouse, Monday morning, July 16, 2007. See photos through the years of former Iowa first lady Billie Ray 1 of 17 Former first lady Billie Ray met her husband, Gov. Robert Ray, in high school. Here they are in a photo from 1982. Anyone reading the obituary of Billie Ray, the wife of the late Gov, Robert D. Ray, had to be deeply moved by her array of contributions as first lady of Iowa, from her support of multiple philanthropic endeavors to her role in converting Terrace Hill into a warm and welcoming official abode for our states chief executive. Having had the opportunity to interact extensively with Ray during my four years as a member of the governors staff on loan from the U.S. State Department, I wholeheartedly shared that outpouring of respect and admiration for her achievements here in Iowa. Upon further reflection, however, my most vivid memory of Billie Ray is of being with her 10,000 miles from Iowa, at the Sa Kaeo refugee encampment in Thailand in November 1979. That experience came following our visit to Beijing as part of a bipartisan delegation of American state governors sent by President Jimmy Carter following the establishment of U.S.-China diplomatic relations earlier that year. Advertisement Advertisement Given his leadership in rescuing the "boat people" refugees from Vietnam, Governor Ray had proposed that our delegation make an stop in Thailand on our way home to assess their situation, as well as that of a group of Tai Dam refugees from Laos who were languishing there while awaiting permission to come to Iowa. More: Bob Ray: A remarkable Iowan's life from seventh-grade class president, to 'Governorray,' and beyond When we landed in Bangkok, however, the American ambassador told us there had been an urgent development that changed our plans. The following morning we were on a bus heading to the remote Thai-Cambodian border. After about two hours of travel, we suddenly were confronted with the sight of 30,000 of the most devastatingly emaciated, almost skeletal human beings. Strewn across empty farm fields without food or shelter, many were too weak to even hold up a plastic sheet to protect themselves from the constant light rain that was falling. Our group was stunned into silence. No one had ever seen anything close to this extent of human suffering and degradation. One person later equated it to a scene from the seventh level of hell in Dantes "Inferno." Advertisement Advertisement Those barely alive refugees were Cambodian victims of the Pol Pot Khmer Rouge genocide. Pol Pot who just a few days earlier had escaped the Killing Fields of Cambodia and crossed the border and, exhausted, had collapsed in Thailand, where they were dying at the rate of over 50 to 100 a day, with their bodies bulldozed into mass graves. I particularly recall the stunned look on Billie Ray's face and those of other governors spouses, as they saw orphaned children dying alone in a makeshift medical area. There were a handful of international relief workers struggling to provide life-saving medical assistance and distributing the limited amounts of rice and vegetables they were purchasing at a single village miles away. A child died in the arms of one of the members in our party. These 30,000 refugees were the initial indication of what had befallen the 7 million people inside Cambodia. It later would be revealed that up to 2 million of them died in just four years under the Pol Pot regime. Advertisement Advertisement More: On his birthday, remember Bob Ray and his guidance for leadership When we arrived back in Des Moines, Governor and Mrs. Ray and I did a special hourlong interview program on Iowa public television with Mary Jane Odell. It was in support of the Iowa SHARES campaign the governor had just established, in collaboration with Iowas interfaith leaders and the Des Moines Register. The goal was to raise money to rush desperately needed life-saving food and medicine to Sa Kaeo half way around the globe. The publication in the Register of photos that the governor had taken in that camp had sent an initial electric current of humanitarian concern across the state. Now would be the moment when the people of Iowa would hear from the states governor and first lady about what they had witnessed. The first lady's descriptions were the passionate centerpiece of the program, as she described the unprecedented human suffering she had witnessed, particularly the dying children. Billie Ray, as a mother herself, conveyed the essence of that tragic situation in a way that touched Iowans deeply. She spoke with such impact that it resulted in Iowans giving generously to the SHARES campaign. Advertisement Advertisement A month later, on Christmas Eve, trucks carrying Iowa purchased food and medicine reached the Cambodian border with a Register reporter on board. The headline on the Des Moines Register on the front porches of hundreds of thousands of Iowans read Our Gifts Reach Refugees. A story inside the paper indicated that in one village inside Cambodia that received Iowa supplied food, people had been surviving by eating insects. SHARES continued operating and saving lives for two more years. Billie Rays passion in urging Iowans to respond to those life and death needs of Cambodian genocide victims, should ensure that she will always be remembered as an iconic figure in our states storied history. She truly deserves to have an enduring place alongside Gov. Robert Ray in Iowas humanitarian heritage. Kenneth Quinn served as executive director of Iowa SHARES, Sends Help to Aid Refugees and End Starvation. He was U.S. ambassador to Cambodia from 1996 to 1999. In 2014, he became the 23rd recipient of the Iowa Award, the states highest citizen recognition. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Billie Ray, Iowa first lady, fought to relieve suffering | Opinion NEED TO KNOW A blind dad of two was found dead in Buffalo, N.Y., after he was dropped off at a Tim Horton's restaurant by Border Patrol officials Buffalo Police Department officers responded to a "dead body call" on Tuesday, Feb. 24, and identified the victim as Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a refugee from Burma In a statement shared with PEOPLE, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol said that agents offered Shah Alam a "courtesy ride" to the Tim Horton's A blind dad of two has died after he was taken into custody by Border Patrol officers and allegedly left miles away from his home, according to reports. The Buffalo Police Department announced earlier this week that it was seeking the public's help in searching for Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a refugee from Burma, who was reported missing on Sunday, Feb. 22, by his attorney, according to WIVB. Advertisement Advertisement In the days before his death, Shah Alam had been released to Border Patrol custody after serving months in jail following a 2025 arrest on assault charges. After picking him up, the agents are accused of dropping off Shah Alam, who was vision-impaired and spoke limited English, at a Tim Hortons restaurant in Buffalo on Thursday, Feb. 19, the Investigative Post reported. According to court records viewed by PEOPLE, Shah Alam was arrested on multiple charges of assault and criminal mischief following an incident in which he was allegedly armed that resulted in "minor injuries" on Feb. 15, 2025, according to WKBW. After he was arrested, an immigration hold detainer was issued by the U.S. Border Patrol. Shah Alam was later indicted in June 2025 by a grand jury on felony assault and criminal mischief charges, per the outlet. He later pled guilty to reduced charges of criminal possession of a weapon and criminal trespass, and was scheduled for a sentencing hearing on March 24. Shah Alam's attorney previously maintained that his criminal case stemmed from him becoming lost while on a walk in 2025 and ending up on a stranger's porch while using a curtain rod as a walking stick, the Investigative Post reported. Shah Alam did not speak English and didn't respond to commands from officers who responded to the scene and told him to drop his rod. Advertisement Advertisement Following the plea, Shah Alam's bail was continued and he was released from custody on Feb. 19, according to a statement shared with PEOPLE by the Erie County Sheriff's Office (ECSO). Nurul Amin Shah Alam was booked into the Erie County Holding Center on February 16, 2025 after being arrested by the Buffalo Police Department," the Erie County Sheriff's Department said in a statement. "Upon his admission, we received an immigration detainer that was lodged by U.S. Border Patrol. Mr. Shah Alam was released from our custody on February 19, 2026 after bond was posted." According to the ECSO, Border Patrol officers arrived at the Holding Center "prior to the finalization of Mr. Shah Alam's release from the Erie County Sheriff's Office custody." A Border Patrol agent's vest Credit: Adam Gray/Getty In a statement, a spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed to PEOPLE that Shah Alam "entered the United States as a refugee on December 24, 2024, and was not amenable to removal." Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Feb. 24, the Buffalo Police Department announced that it was no longer searching for Shah Alam, who was found after police were called to respond to a report of a dead body on Perry St., and Shah Alam was later identified by the Erie County Medical Examiner as the victim, according to WKBW. In the meantime, in the days after Shah Alam was reported missing by his attorney, a Buffalo Police Department officer "mistakenly" closed the missing persons case associated with his disappearance because they believed that Shah Amin was in ICE custody, WIVB reported. According to the CBP spokesperson, Shah Alam was offered a "courtesy ride" from Border Patrol agents, "which he chose to accept to a coffee shop, determined to be a warm, safe location near his last known address, rather than be released directly from the Border Patrol station." "He showed no signs of distress, mobility issues, or disabilities requiring special assistance," the statement continued. "The U.S. Border Patrol defers to the Buffalo Police Department for further questions. Advertisement Advertisement In a statement shared with PEOPLE, the Buffalo Police Department said that the agency's homicide detectives are "investigating the circumstances and timeframe of events leading up to his death, following his release from custody." Buffalo PD also noted that the Erie County Medical Examiner's Office performed an autopsy on Shah Alam, and determined that his cause of death was "health-related," and that "exposure and homicide have been ruled out" as potential causes. 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. Buffalo Mayor Sean M. Ryan described Shah Alam's death as both "preventable" and "deeply disturbing" in a statement shared to social media on Feb. 25. Advertisement Advertisement "A vulnerable man nearly blind and unable to speak English was left alone on a cold winter night with no known attempt to leave him in a safe, secure location," Ryan said. "That decision from U.S. Customs and Border Protection was unprofessional and inhumane." Ryan added that "Buffalo is a city that welcomes refugees and believes government should protect human dignity, not endanger it. U.S. Customs and Border Protection failed that basic standard." New York Congressman Tim Kennedy echoed Ryan's criticism and called for an investigation into Shah Alam's death. The death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam is a horrific and heartbreaking tragedy," Kennedy said in a statement, per WIVB. "Mr. Alam should be alive and with his loved ones today. Instead, after days of fear and uncertainty, his family is now grieving an unimaginable loss. There must be a full and transparent investigation at the local, state, and federal levels. The public and Mr. Alams family deserve answers immediately." Read the original article on People UPDATE 2/27/26 at 5:45 p.m. ET: A medical examiner in Nashville, Tennessee, has positively identified the body found in a crawl space of a Jackson home on Sunday, February 22, as 31-year-old Mirna Ortez Moncada, police announced. An autopsy confirmed that Moncada was killed, the Jackson Police Department said in a Thursday, February 26, news release. Authorities have identified 24-year-old Jose Fabricio Martinez Cruz as a person of interest in the case, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said they want to speak with him, police said. The Jackson Police Department encourages anyone with information on his whereabouts or Moncadas death to call the department at (731) 425-8400 or Crime Stoppers at (731)424-8477. The original story is below. Loved ones of a missing 31-year-old Tennessee woman believe officers located her body in a crawl space underneath a home just days after her disappearance, police said. The discovery of a body was made at a North Jackson home on Saturday, February 21, after family members of Mirna Ortez Moncada contacted officers that day, the Jackson Police Department said in a Sunday, February 22, news release. Advertisement Advertisement The home is owned by a person who police described as an acquaintance of Moncada, who was reported missing on February 16. The acquaintances name was not released by authorities. Although family members have tentatively identified the body as Ms. Moncada, official confirmation is still pending, police said. This remains an active and ongoing investigation, police added in the news release. Investigators are currently treating the case as a suspected homicide. While officers believe that the person found dead was killed intentionally, it is currently unclear how they died, according to police, who have not specified a potential cause of death. Advertisement Advertisement Mississippi Couple Arrested After Human Remains That May Belong to Mother-in-Law Found in Their Backyard The persons remains were transported to Nashville, where an autopsy will be performed to positively identify them and confirm their cause of death, police said. The Jackson Police Department did not immediately respond to an inquiry and request for comment from Us Weekly on Wednesday, February 25. The home where the body was found is located in Raintree Cove, according to police. I was shocked because this is Raintree Cove, a local resident told WREG. We dont have any killings over here. I was just shocked. Advertisement Advertisement Another local resident told the TV station that All I saw was the police officers down there in the cove, at one of the houses down there in the cove. It appeared to be the house with the brown shutters on it, the resident, a neighbor of the home, said. And I heard that they found a body down there in a crawlspace down there. A motive for the potential killing is unclear. In the news release, police said To protect the integrity of the investigation, no additional details regarding the condition of the scene or potential suspects are being released at this time. The Jackson Police Department is asking anyone with information relevant to the investigation to call police at (731) 425-8400 or Crime Stoppers at (731) 424-8477. Advertisement Advertisement The incident comes after another recent, gruesome discovery in Detroit, Michigan, where officers found the bodies of three men who were apparently brutally assaulted in the basement of a home on February 18, according to police, Us previously reported. Long Island Police Searching for Missing Grandmother Find Body of Other Unidentified Woman The men were found dead while police were responding to a missing persons report, police said. Authorities announced in an update that they have identified and arrested a 27-year-old man in connection with their deaths, WXYZ reported. The alleged suspect has not yet been publicly identified. Advertisement Advertisement Police also identified the men as 72-year-old William Barrett, 66-year-old Norman Hamlin, and 65-year-old Mark Barnett, according to the TV station, which reported Hamlin had lived at the home. Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison said that investigators believe the suspect has a connection to the men. Brazils Tourism Ministry has delayed the start of its new digital guest registration requirement for hotels, motels and other lodging providers by 60 days. The change affects the Ficha Nacional de Registro de Hospedes Digital (FNRH digital) a national digital guest registration system aimed at modernising hotel check-ins and data collection across the country. The extension was published on 19 February 2026 and adjusts the date when the system becomes compulsory for the hospitality sector. Deadline shift for digital guest registration The federal ordinance extends the deadline for hotels and accommodation providers to adopt the FNRH digital guest registration platform in Brazil by another 60 days. Advertisement Advertisement Under the revised timetable, the system will become obligatory around mid-April 2026 150 days after the original regulation came into force in November 2025. This postponement gives businesses additional time to prepare for mandatory digital reporting of guest information. The FNRH digital system replaces paper forms previously used at check-in with an online registration process managed through a government platform. It is designed to standardise how guest data is collected, stored and accessed by lodging providers across Brazil, in line with national tourism law. Implications for accommodation providers Hotel groups, independent hotels, guesthouses and other accommodation businesses must modify their operations to comply with the digital guest registration requirement. Advertisement Advertisement The extended deadline responds in part to technical and operational challenges faced by establishments as they plan system upgrades, staff training and data integration. Trade organisations, including the Federacao Brasileira de Hospedagem e Alimentacao, had lobbied for a later start date, citing the need for practical preparation and smoother transition to the digital platform. The federation noted the extension supports the sectors readiness and helps avoid irregularities once the system becomes legally obligatory. Digital registration and broader tourism data goals The digital guest registration initiative forms part of Brazils wider efforts to modernise tourism infrastructure and improve data governance. By standardising guest information collection, authorities intend to enhance strategic planning and strengthen tourism insights nationally. Advertisement Advertisement For the hospitality sector, digital guest registration offers potential operational benefits including faster check-in processes, integration with existing property management systems, and digital storage of guest data. Authorities have promoted training and webinars to guide lodging providers through the technological transition. The extension means hotels have until approximately 13 April 2026 to comply with the digital system requirement. Non-compliance after this date could subject businesses to administrative enforcement under Brazils tourism regulatory framework. "Brazil pushes back rollout of national hotel registration system" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand. A panel on Brazils Supreme Court has ruled to convict five men accused of plotting the 2018 assassination of a human rights leader-turned politician Marielle Franco and her driver, Anderson Gomes. The justices on the panel were unanimous in Wednesdays decision, which marked the climax of a closely watched trial that raised questions about polarisation, corruption and race in Brazilian society. Human justice is not capable of soothing this pain, Justice Carmen Lucia told the victims families, as the court handed down decades-long sentences to the five defendants. Advertisement Advertisement At the time of her death, Franco, 38, was a city councillor in the city of Rio de Janeiro, just one year into her term. She was considered an up-and-coming member of the left-wing Socialism and Liberty Party. A Black woman from the favelas Brazils densely populated, low-income neighbourhoods Franco was best known for campaigning for the rights of LGBTQ people, racial minorities and women. She had also used her platform to denounce excessive police violence in the favelas, as well as illicit land appropriations on the part of local authorities. On March 14, 2018, after an evening debate in Rio de Janeiro, a car pulled alongside the vehicle carrying Franco and Gomes. Advertisement Advertisement The assailant fired 13 bullets into their vehicle. Franco and Gomes were killed, and an aide also travelling in the vehicle was injured. Prosecutors have called the attack an assassination, designed to silence Franco and prevent her from pushing back against powerful interests. In Wednesdays ruling, the Supreme Court justices found that former Congress member Chiquinho Brazao and his brother Domingos Brazao a councillor on Rios state audit court conspired to have Franco murdered in response to her efforts to end illegal land grabs. The two brothers had profited from efforts to claim public lands in Rio de Janeiro for private development. Previously, they were considered among the most powerful politicians in the city. Advertisement Advertisement They were arrested in 2024, and both were sentenced to 76 years in prison as part of Wednesdays decision. Lengthy prison terms were also handed to three of their co-defendants. One, Robson Calixto Fonseca, was an assistant to the Brazao brothers and was given a nine-year sentence for criminal conspiracy. The other two were law enforcement officials. Former police investigator Rivaldo Barbosa received 18 years for passive corruption and obstruction of justice. Police officer Ronald Paulo Alves Pereira was given 56 years for convictions on charges of murder and attempted murder. All five men sentenced in Wednesdays decision have denied responsibility for the crime. Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors have credited information from the two men who carried out the drive-by attack for revealing the involvement of their five alleged co-conspirators. Those suspects were previously identified as two former police officers, Ronnie Lessa and Elcio Queiroz. They were arrested in 2019, accused of being the perpetrators of the double murder. The two men ultimately signed plea deals that led to the Brazao brothers arrests, according to prosecutors. Lessa and Queiroz were sentenced to 78 and 59 years in prison in October 2024, respectively. Authorities have also indicated that the government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who returned to the presidency in 2023, paved the way for a broader investigation to proceed. Advertisement Advertisement In announcing his vote on Wednesday, Justice Alexandre de Moraes described the murders as part of a militia modus operandi, carried out to preserve financial gains and to maintain political power. The human rights group Amnesty International, meanwhile, called this weeks hearings a decisive test of Brazils willingness to confront impunity. Buc-ee's continues its expansion, with what will be the chain's fourth Georgia location in Monroe County. As of last fall, it's supposed to be complete by March 2027. But there's another fans in the south will want to keep an eye out for. Is Savannah getting another Buc-ee's? Where will it be? A new Buc-ee's is planned for Hardeeville in Jasper County, about 25 minutes up I-95 from the Savannah area. It will occupy a 46-acre site within the larger Hardee Station development located at Exit 8 off I-95, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 278 and Highway 17. Once completed, this would put it just 20-30 miles outside of the Savannah area, depending on where specifically you live. Currently, the nearest is in Brunswick, over 60 miles away. Buc-ee's eyes Hardeeville, Jasper County The Hardeeville Buc-ee's location in Jasper County is expected to include dozens of fuel pumps and electric-vehicle charging stations, serving both traditional and eco-friendly travelers. Key features include a bicycle plaza and several scenic ponds that enhance the visitor experience, according to multiple media reports. FILE - A display of shirts and stuffies during the grand opening of Buc-ee's in Brunswick, GA on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. A new Buc-ee's is planned for near Savannah. When will Buc-ee's Hardeeville construction start? When will it open? Construction on the new Buc-ees in Hardeeville is expected to begin in early 2026. Josh Gruber, Hardeeville city manager, said the town's goal is to meet residents' needs. Advertisement Advertisement "Basically, what that means is, for a resident to be able to go to the grocery store, go out to eat, have retail recreation opportunities, can get all of those needs met, and do that within the city of Hardeeville, rather than having them have to get in a car and drive someplace else outside the city," Gruber said in an interview with media outlet WJCL. When is the Hardeeville, SC, Buc-ee's expected to open? The projected completion date is 2031, according to Buc-ee's. What Buc-ee's locations are opening in 2026? The following Buc-ee's locations are set to open in 2026, according to USA TODAY. Huber Heights, Ohio, on April 6 Goodyear, Arizona, in June San Marcos, Texas, in July Benton, Arkansas, in late summer or early fall Murfreesboro, Tennessee, before the end of 2026 Where are Buc-ee's? There are currently three open Georgia Buc-ee's in Brunswick, Calhoun, and Warner Robins. South Carolina has one in Florence. What are Buc-ee's pay rates? Pay rates at Buc-ee's depend on the position. But cashiers, grocery associates, gift associates, and janitorial/cleaning and maintenance attendants all make $18. Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, deli/food service associates, bookkeepers, and grocery team leads make $21. For more info, go to buc-ees.com/careers/. Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Buc-ee's planning new store close to Savannah, groundbreaking in 2026 Never miss an important update on your stock portfolio and cut through the noise. Over 7 million investors trust Simply Wall St to stay informed where it matters for FREE. Kosmos Energy (NYSE:KOS) received Ghanaian parliamentary ratification to extend key Jubilee and TEN field licenses through 2040. The extensions allow for up to 20 additional wells and support long term investment planning in the country. Kosmos also agreed to sell its non operating interests in Equatorial Guinea to Panoro Energy, reshaping its asset base. Kosmos Energy focuses on offshore oil and gas projects, with Ghana forming a central part of its production footprint. The confirmation of long term rights over Jubilee and TEN gives the company clearer visibility on how it can use capital, technology and partnerships in one of its core operating areas. At the same time, the Equatorial Guinea sale reduces exposure to a non operated position and concentrates attention on assets where Kosmos has more direct influence. For investors, the combination of license extensions and asset sales shows how Kosmos is refining where it spends money and time. The Ghana decision sets a framework for drilling plans and infrastructure spending through 2040. In addition, divestment in Equatorial Guinea may free up cash and management capacity that could be used across the rest of the portfolio, subject to future corporate decisions and market conditions. Stay updated on the most important news stories for Kosmos Energy by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on Kosmos Energy. NYSE:KOS Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Feb 2026 We've flagged 3 risks for Kosmos Energy. See which could impact your investment. Investor Checklist Quick Assessment Price vs Analyst Target : At US$2.09 versus an average analyst target of US$2.23, the price sits about 6% below consensus. Simply Wall St Valuation : Shares are described as trading at 69.6% below an estimated fair value, which is a large discount. Recent Momentum: The 30 day return of 0.65% shows slightly positive short term performance. There is only one way to know the right time to buy, sell or hold Kosmos Energy. Head to Simply Wall St's company report for the latest analysis of Kosmos Energy's Fair Value. Key Considerations The Lone Star State's biggest travel stop is back in the courthouse. Buc-ee's has filed a lawsuit against the owner of Ohio-based gas station chain Mickey's (formerly Mickey Mart) claiming that its mascot resembles the company's trademarked Texas beaver. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio on February 18, says Buc-ee's is suing Coles IP Holdings, LLC for trademark infringement and unfair competition. Buc-ee's also wants to cancel Coles IP Holdings' trademark registrations, which began in August 2025. Advertisement Advertisement A member of Buc-ee's legal counsel, Jeff Nadalo, told MySA in a statement that the company "will not stand idly by while others infringe upon the intellectual property rights it has worked tirelessly to build and protect." The current Mickey's logo is a moose inside a red hexagon. In the lawsuit, Buc-ee's argues that Mickey's cartoon animal design "facing right with wide eyes and a smile, overlaying a round background" is similar to the Texas chain's logo of a beaver wearing a red cap in the middle of a yellow circle. Mickey's logo that is at the center of Buc-ee's lawsuit against the Ohio gas station. (Courtesy of UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO WESTERN DIVISION) Besides the mascot, Buc-ee's alleges in court documents that the Ohio company transitioning its original name "Mickey Mart" to "Mickey's" now closely resembles the Buc-ee's trademark. Buc-ee's believes that these changes have caused confusion among consumers online, where people have speculated whether Buc-ee's and Mickey's have a relationship, but this lawsuit clearly denies it. Advertisement Advertisement "This likelihood of confusion is exacerbated by Defendant's transition to a name (Mickey's) that more closely resembles the BUC-EE'S mark than its previous name, Mickey Mart, predominant use of the color red, as well as to a logo that also closely resembles Plaintiff's distinctive logos," the lawsuit said in part. "Defendant's unauthorized use of Defendant's Logos enables Defendant to trade on the goodwill built up at great labor and expense by Plaintiff over many years, and to gain acceptance for its goods and services not solely on its own merits, but on the reputation and goodwill of Plaintiff, its Buc-ee's Marks, and its products and services." This isn't the first time Buc-ee's has taken companies to court over their alleged use of similar branding and logos. Last year, Buc-ee's filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Dallas-based gas station chain Super Fuels, which has a logo of a dog wearing a red cape with a blue circle behind it. This was the first of litigations throughout 2025 between Buc-ee's and several businesses across the U.S., accused of selling knock-off merchandise and using similar beaver branding, names and logos as the Texas company without permission. MySA reached out to Mickey's corporate office for comment. This article originally published at Buc-ee's sues Ohio gas station chain over logo resembling Texas beaver. Butler County Community College will launch a new radiologic technology career program in August 2027 to address a high-priority worker shortage in Pennsylvania. The program will feature a simulated X-ray laboratory on the colleges main campus using imaging equipment donated by Butler Memorial Hospital. The initiative comes as the health care industry faces significant vacancies for radiologic technologists, with national vacancy rates near historic highs, officials say. Advertisement Advertisement It is really critical to prepare students for the real-world environment that theyll be soon practicing in, Matthew Schnur, president of Butler Memorial and Clarion hospitals, said. Whatever steps we can take to collaborate with our friends at BC3, including donating equipment, furthers us along that path so students are that much more prepared. The new lab will be housed within the Radiologic Technology Education Center, expanding the simulation capabilities of the colleges existing nursing and allied health facilities. The Radiologic Technology Education Center will occupy 1,200 square feet and cost $100,000 to construct. Construction on the new center is scheduled to begin in early March. A massage therapy lab will be relocated to accommodate the simulated X-ray lab. Advertisement Advertisement Butler Memorial Hospital provided decommissioned devices to create the simulated environment within the Victor K. Phillips Nursing and Allied Health Building. Their generosity of donating the equipment speaks volumes and is reflective of a true partnership, College President Megan M. Coval said. Investing in our students is an investment in the future of their workforce and in the well-being of our entire community. Students will complete 69 credits, including 1,200 hours of clinical training with Butler Memorial Hospital and other providers. The curriculum covers radiographic physics, trauma, surgery and other imaging procedures. The lab training will utilize an X-ray machine, a medical imaging device called an upright bucky and an imaging table, officials say. Advertisement Advertisement Prospective students can apply for the program between Aug. 1 and Dec. 1 for the inaugural class starting in August 2027. The college expects to select approximately 15 students for the first group. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Canada says it believes India is not currently linked to violent crimes or threats on Canadian soil a shift in tone after accusing New Delhi of carrying out an extrajudicial killing of a Sikh separatist in Canada in 2023. "I think we could say we're confident that that activity is not continuing," a senior government official told reporters on Wednesday. Some members of Canada's Sikh community reject that assessment, calling it "absolute fiction" and alleging that they continue to face threats from India. India has repeatedly denied any involvement in transnational repression. Advertisement Advertisement The remarks come ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney's trip to India, where he is set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, a senior Canadian government official said conversations have been ongoing between Canada and India regarding foreign interference and national security issues. The official described these conversations as "robust" and said that Canada has put in place measures "to avoid interference in our processes". "If we believed that the government of India was actively interfering in any democratic process, we probably would not be taking this trip," said the senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in a briefing to reporters ahead of Prime Minister Carney's visit to India. Advertisement Advertisement Relations between the two countries were strained after former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of being behind the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist who was shot and killed in Surrey, British Columbia in June 2023. Nijjar was designated a terrorist by the Indian government in 2020. India, however, has strongly rejected the allegations that it was behind his death, calling them "absurd". Four Indian nationals have been arrested in Canada in connection to Nijjar's murder and are in custody pending their trial. Advertisement Advertisement Under Carney, and amid tariff pressure from its largest trade partner the US, Canada has since been working to restore ties with India. Carney invited Modi to the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta last year, where the two met on the sidelines. Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand later met with her counterpart in India in October. Both countries have signalled that they are looking for a reset in relations with hopes of eventually signing a comprehensive trade deal. Carney's re-engagement with India has been criticised by some members of the Sikh community in Canada, who say they continue to be targeted. Advertisement Advertisement "We are seeing in front of us multiple indications that the transnational oppression that's being directed by the government of India is ongoing," Balpreet Singh, a spokesperson of the Canada-based World Sikh Organisation, told the BBC on Thursday. A prominent Sikh activist in Vancouver, Moninder Singh, has told Canadian media this week that he has received a warning of a "credible threat" to his life from local police in recent days. Balpreet Singh criticised the Carney government for not taking these threats seriously. "It feels like we're second class citizens," he said, adding that he believes the Canadian government is putting its economic interests above "the rule of law". In their briefing to reporters, senior government officials said they believe having a relationship with India "at the highest level" will help the two countries engage effectively on national security issues. Advertisement Advertisement Carney is scheduled to depart for India on Friday and will make stops in Mumbai and New Delhi, where he will meet with Modi. His office has said the trip will focus on investment and trade, adding that it is in line with Carney's goal of doubling Canada's non-US exports by the next decade. URBANA, Ill. (WMBD) An Iroquois County man ran from a traffic stop and sprinted through a residential neighborhood, holding what he told police was a bomb nearly a year ago. His plan blew up in his face. On Monday, he was sentenced to five years in federal prison for possession of an unregistered destructive device or, in common terms, a bomb. James R. Nelson, 40, of Onarga was sentenced on Feb. 23 by U.S. District Judge Colin Bruce at the federal courthouse in Urbana. After hes released, Nelson will have to serve three years of supervised release, the federal version of parole. Advertisement Advertisement A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Nelson in July 2025. He pleaded guilty in October 2025. At his sentencing hearing, federal prosecutors played the body camera of the Iroquois County Sheriffs Office detective who saw Nelson during a traffic stop in Onarga. Although the detective told Nelson that he had a warrant for his arrest on an unrelated charge, Nelson refused to get out of the car. The detective reached into the car to remove Nelson, but as the officer did so, Nelson reached into the back seat and pulled out a gray cylindrical device. Nelson told the detective that it was a bomb. Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors said Nelson refused to give up the bomb and instead ran into nearby neighborhoods with the bomb in his hand. Nelson made it to his mothers house, where he barricaded himself for approximately eight hours while police tried to get him to surrender. Police eventually forced their way into an attic where Nelson was hiding and arrested him. They found the device nearby, which was later confirmed to be a functional bomb. Under federal guidelines, he must serve at least 85% of his sentence. 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 CIProud.com. Dallas police arrested a 19-year-old gang leader after he allegedly robbed four people at gunpoint who thought they were meeting for a photo opportunity. Marsavion McCollister, founder of the Channel4 gang and member of Best For Less, allegedly arranged to meet four people at an apartment complex in the 6000 block of Abrams Road on January 21. The victims believed they were taking photos with McCollister, a local social media personality. Instead, police say McCollister pulled out a gun and robbed them. Advertisement Advertisement The Dallas Police Departments Gang Unit tracked McCollister for nearly a month before locating him on February 19 in the 8500 block of E. RL Thornton Freeway. SWAT officers assisted in the arrest. Police recovered two firearms, including one without a serial number, along with 0.9 grams of cocaine, two cell phones, and a digital scale. McCollister faces four counts of aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony. The arrest of this gang member for this violent offense is a great example of the investigation and follow through by our Gang Unit, said Chief Daniel Comeaux. Our Gang Unit detectives and enforcement officers work together to investigate offenses with a criminal gang nexus. Advertisement Advertisement Comeaux emphasized the departments commitment to public safety. This kind of behavior is not tolerated in Dallas, and we will continue to proactively target criminal gangs to keep everybody safe. The investigation is documented under case number 010378-2026. By Bianca Flowers CHICAGO, Feb 26 (Chicago) - Memorial events honoring the life and legacy of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson begin this week in Chicago, likely drawing elected officials, advocates and community members to celebrate a man whose decades-long activism reshaped American politics and amplified Black communities and communities of color. Jackson, who died last week at the age of 84, founded the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and was a leading advocate for voting rights and desegregation. Advertisement Advertisement A close ally of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., Jackson rose to prominence as a young organizer in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He accompanied King in Memphis in 1968 to support striking African-American sanitation workers before the late civil rights leader was assassinated. The memorial observances for Jackson will begin Thursday with a public viewing on the city's South Side. Next week, a musical tribute titled The Peoples Celebration, featuring gospel choirs, will honor Jackson at the House of Hope, a Baptist church. A private homegoing celebration of life is set for March 7 at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters, where a growing memorial of flowers, cards, and miniature American flags has been placed since his passing. Clergy members and longtime allies are expected to share reflections on Jacksons lasting influence. An inspirational orator and longtime Chicagoan, Jackson ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker ordered flags to be flown half-staff the day of Jackson's passing, referring to him during a state address as "a giant who spent his life on the front lines of the Civil Rights movement." Born in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson became one of the most recognizable Black political leaders of the late 20th century. He advocated for sanctions against apartheid in South Africa, negotiated the release of American hostages abroad and championed corporate accountability and minority business development at home. Advertisement Advertisement Jackson built a political movement centered on economic justice and coalition-building across racial and class lines. His two presidential campaigns mobilized millions of new voters under the banner of the Rainbow Coalition, pushing the Democratic Party to address issues affecting working-class Americans, farmers and communities of color. Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2017, before receiving a diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy in April 2025. Local leaders say Chicago, where Jackson headquartered much of his work, will serve as the symbolic heart of the tributes. For many, the memorials mark the end of an era. But supporters say Jacksons call to keep hope alive, a speech that became synonymous with his movement, remains a charge to continue the fight for equality and justice he spent a lifetime pursuing. His death comes at a time when President Donald Trump's administration has targeted U.S. institutions, from museums to monuments to national parks, to remove what the president calls "anti-American" ideology, leading to the dismantling of slavery exhibits, the restoration of Confederate statues and other moves that civil rights advocates say could reverse decades of social progress. Advertisement Advertisement Civil rights leaders have vowed to carry on Jackson's work in his memory. "The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. was a legendary voice for the voiceless, powerful civil rights champion and trailblazer extraordinaire," said Hakeem Jeffries, top Democrat and House minority leader. "For decades, while laboring in the vineyards of the community, he inspired us to keep hope alive in the struggle for liberty and justice for all." (Bianca Flowers in Chicago; Edited by Kat Stafford and Aurora Ellis) CHICAGO (WTVO) A Chicago man, convicted in Indonesia for his role in the 2014 killing of Sheila von Weise-Mack, has been returned to the United States and now faces federal charges, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Tommy Schaefer, 32, was arrested in international airspace while flying back to the U.S. following the completion of his Indonesian prison sentence. A newly unsealed threecount indictment in the Northern District of Illinois charges him with conspiracy to kill in a foreign country, conspiracy to commit foreign murder of a U.S. national, and obstruction. Federal prosecutors allege Schaefer conspired with his girlfriend, Heather Mack, to kill Macks mother while Mack and her mother were vacationing in Bali in 2014. Court documents say Mack arranged for Schaefer to travel to Bali for the purposes of killing Sheila von Weise-Mack. Advertisement Advertisement According to the indictment, Schaefer exchanged messages with his cousin, Ryan Bibbs, discussing possible methods of killing von Weise-Mack. Bibbs later pleaded guilty in 2016 to conspiracy to commit foreign murder of a U.S. national for advising Schaefer. Prosecutors say Mack also asked Bibbs whether he knew anyone who would kill her mother in exchange for money. The indictment alleges Schaefer and Mack planned the killing and carried it out on August 12, 2014, inside von Weise-Macks hotel room. They are accused of placing her body in a suitcase and loading it into the trunk of a taxi immediately afterward. Both were arrested in Indonesia and sentenced to prison there. After arriving back in the United States, Mack pleaded guilty in 2021 to conspiracy to kill a U.S. national. She was sentenced to 26 years in federal prison in June 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Indonesian authorities granted Schaefer early release based on sentence remissions and good behavior, according to the Justice Department. He was transferred into U.S. custody on Wednesday. If convicted on the new federal charges, Schaefer faces up to life in prison. 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 MyStateline | WTVO WQRF News, Weather and Sports. Both sides in Sudans civil war are using TikTok to glamorise child soldiers, turning young fighters into viral online personalities celebrated as lion cubs. Children linked to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have amassed huge followings on the platform, with some accounts attracting hundreds of thousands of followers and individual videos receiving millions of views, an investigation by Bellingcat has found. In footage now removed from the site, young boys could be seen in camouflage uniforms alongside armed fighters and senior commanders, sometimes near active frontlines and carrying weapons. They also celebrated battlefield victories, delivered impassioned speeches, and made violent threats. Advertisement Advertisement Experts warn that the online glorification of child soldiers risks normalising violence and turning minors into tools of propaganda for armed groups. Under international law, a child soldier is anyone under 18 who has been recruited or used by an armed force or armed group in any capacity. Recruitment and use of children in conflict is recognised by the UN as one of six grave violations of childrens rights. While many children are harassed or intimidated into joining armed groups, others are driven to enlist as a means for survival. Some families even see recruitment as employment, with parents pushing their children into the military, according to Genocide Watch. Bellingcat flagged 12 TikTok accounts that had each posted viral content of child soldiers. All have since been taken down. Advertisement Advertisement The investigation geolocated multiple videos showing an RSF lion cub, a young teenager, celebrating the capture of the SAFs 22nd Infantry Division base in Babanusa, West Kordofan, in early December. In one clip, posted by an RSF-linked account, the boy films himself at the recently captured base, waving an assault rifle and celebrating alongside adult fighters. Another shows him running toward the bases main entrance amid gunfire, chanting Allahu Akbar and claiming the takeover for the RSF. Satellite imagery corroborated the presence of crowds outside the base immediately following the RSFs advance. Advertisement Advertisement A particularly graphic video shows the boy among what appear to be nearly ten dead bodies inside the base. Bellingcat confirmed the scene using high-resolution satellite images from 2 December 2025. Mia Bloom, an expert in the exploitation of children by armed groups, and a professor of Middle East Studies at Georgia State University, said the boys had effectively been turned into celebrities. This kind of visibility can create a copycat effect among young audiences, she told Bellingcat. It frames participation in armed conflict as heroic, aspirational, and even a path to fame. Experts warn that the online glorification of child soldiers risks normalising violence - TikTok The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have also faced scrutiny. In October 2024, a UN Human Rights Council Fact-Finding Mission reported that the SAF had played a role in the training and arming of children who have joined the popular mobilisation, a drive urging young and capable citizens to take up arms against RSF advances. Advertisement Advertisement Videos circulating online also showed minors being trained by SAF officers, while children were observed manning checkpoints in SAF-controlled areas, the mission reported. It said further investigation was needed to determine whether they had been formally recruited into the military. The findings come amid growing international concern over the recruitment and use of children in Sudans war, which erupted in April 2023 and has since killed as many as 150,000 people, triggered famine across several regions and unleashed what the UN has called the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. In January, Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said he was deeply alarmed by the increasing militarisation of society by all parties to the conflict, including through the arming of civilians and recruitment and use of children after a five-day visit to Sudan. Witnesses interviewed by Reuters recounted 23 incidents since 2023 in which at least 56 children were abducted by the RSF and allied militias during attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Colombian mercenaries fighting in Sudan have also admitted to training scores of child soldiers from the war-ravaged countrys many sprawling displacement camps. A TikTok spokesperson said: Weve removed content and accounts that violated our strict rules against facilitating and depicting human trafficking, including child soldiers. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security 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. FIRST ON FOX: China is expanding a network of space facilities across Latin America that could strengthen Beijings military surveillance and warfighting capabilities in the Western Hemisphere, according to a new report. An analysis from the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, obtained by Fox News Digital, identifies at least 11 People's Republic of China-linked ground stations, radio telescopes and satellite ranging sites in Argentina, Venezuela, Bolivia, Chile and Brazil installations the panel says may have dual-use military applications. The report calls on the Trump administration to "halt the expansion" of Chinese space infrastructure in the region and "ultimately seek to roll back and eliminate" Chinese space capabilities in the hemisphere that threaten U.S. interests. Advertisement Advertisement The analysis relies on open-source reporting, satellite imagery and Chinese planning documents that elevate space cooperation as a pillar of Beijings relations with Latin America, according to the findings. Lawmakers argue Chinas military-civil fusion strategy makes it difficult to separate academic or commercial space cooperation from potential military applications. Chad Wolf: Space Isnt Just The Final Frontier, Its The Ultimate High Ground Read On The Fox News App "Beijing uses space infrastructure in Latin America to collect adversary intelligence and strengthen the PLAs future warfighting capabilities," the report states, referring to the Chinese Communist Party's People's Liberation Army. Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers also raised concerns about oversight at certain sites, noting that in at least one case host-nation inspection rights appear limited. The report emphasizes that "host nations retain both the right and responsibility to verify that facilities advertised as civilian are not being used for military or intelligence purposes inconsistent with their national laws." One of the most closely watched sites is a Chinese-operated deep space station in Argentinas Neuquen province, established under a 50-year lease agreement signed in 2015. The facility, which includes a 35-meter antenna used for satellite tracking and deep space missions, has been described by Beijing as a civilian research installation supporting lunar and space exploration programs. Us Raid In Venezuela Signals Deterrence To Adversaries On Three Fronts, Experts Say However, the House report notes that the station is operated by an entity linked to Chinas satellite launch and tracking network and raises concerns about transparency and oversight. In previous reporting, questions have surfaced about the extent to which Argentine officials have inspection access to the site, fueling debate over sovereignty and foreign control of strategic infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement The Argentina embassy could not immediately be reached for comment. Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu pushed back on the reports characterization, saying Chinas space cooperation with Latin American countries is focused on development and peaceful use. "In recent years, ChinaLatin America space cooperation has yielded fruitful results," Liu said, citing projects involving remote sensing satellites, communications satellites and deep-space ground station networks. He said such efforts have played "an important role in advancing scientific and technological development, strengthening regional connectivity, and improving peoples livelihoods." Advertisement Advertisement Liu added that China and Latin American countries will continue to deepen cooperation in satellite technology, data applications and space infrastructure, including projects aimed at disaster prevention, agricultural monitoring and climate response. "Latin America belongs to the people of Latin America," Liu said. "Drawing lines of spheres of influence and stoking geopolitical confrontation will not make any country safer, nor will it bring peace to the world." Lawmakers argue that facilities like the one in Neuquen, Argentina, illustrate the broader concern that ostensibly civilian space cooperation can be integrated into Chinas military-civil fusion framework, potentially supporting the Peoples Liberation Armys global space architecture. The Pentagon declined to comment on the specifics of the committees findings but said it "continuously monitors developments that could affect the security environment, including space-related infrastructure and capabilities." Advertisement Advertisement A Defense Department spokesperson added that the department remains "attentive to activities that could impact stability, transparency, or the long-term security interests of the United States and our partners in the Western Hemisphere." A House committee is raising concerns about China's space architecture in Latin America. (Reuters) The Department of Wars 2025 annual report to Congress on Chinas military developments similarly notes that Beijing "has the largest space infrastructure footprint outside of mainland China in Latin America and the Caribbean," and assesses that expanding its regional space presence "almost certainly provides China with enhanced space domain surveillance capabilities, including against U.S. military space assets, throughout the hemisphere." The same report states that Chinas growing space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities have "dramatically increased its ability to monitor, track, and target U.S. and allied forces both terrestrially and on orbit." The House panel also points to Chile, where a proposed expansion of a Chinese space-related project was put on hold following engagement from the Trump administration, according to sources familiar with the project. Lawmakers view the pause as evidence that diplomatic pressure can influence host governments weighing cooperation with Beijing. Advertisement Advertisement Click Here To Download The Fox News App The report further urges federal agencies to review existing cooperation agreements in the region. Lawmakers recommend that NASA examine any partnerships with countries hosting Chinese-operated space facilities to ensure compliance with the Wolf Amendment, a federal law that restricts bilateral space cooperation with China and Chinese-owned entities. The panel argues that even multilateral arrangements could warrant scrutiny if they indirectly benefit Chinese-linked infrastructure and calls on Congress to clarify that such agreements should not be structured in a way that circumvents existing prohibitions. Original article source: China expands space footprint in Latin America, raising military alarms in Americas backyard (Changes 'Authority' to 'Organization' in paragraph 15 to correct full name of ICAO) By Greg Torode HONG KONG, Feb 26 (Reuters) - A large Chinese military drone has conducted regular flights over the South China Sea in recent months while transmitting false transponder signals that made it appear to be other aircraft, including a sanctioned Belarusian cargo plane and a British Typhoon fighter jet. Advertisement Advertisement Military attaches and security analysts scrutinising the operations say the flights represent a step-change in China's grey-zone tactics in the contested South China Sea and appear to be testing possible decoy capabilities in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Since August, at least 23 flights have been logged under the call sign YILO4200, a known long-endurance Chinese military drone, but the aircraft transmitted registration numbers of other aircraft, according to Reuters analysis of data from flight-tracking website Flightradar24. The flight paths often head east from the Chinese province of Hainan towards the Philippines, near the disputed Paracel Islands, and down Vietnam's coast, the flight analysis showed. Reuters is reporting the scale and complexity of the operations for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement The operations represent a new and elaborate element in China's expanding presence across the South China Sea and around Taiwan as its military responds to Communist Party demands to sharpen the readiness of its forces, according to three regional diplomats, four open-source intelligence analysts and three security scholars familiar with the flight data. The activities include exploiting electronic warfare and deception tactics in real time, they said. And while the masking is unlikely to fully deceive air traffic controllers or military-grade radars, it could sow time-wasting confusion in a conflict, conceal sensitive surveillance activity or be used for propaganda or misinformation, the envoys and intelligence analysts said. "We've not seen anything like this before," said Ben Lewis, founder of the open-source data platform PLATracker. "It's ... a kind of deception trial being carried out in real time using aircraft that are not exactly low profile. It does not appear to be at all accidental." Advertisement Advertisement China's defence ministry didn't respond to Reuters questions about the flights and their purpose. BELARUSIAN CARGO PLANE The flights have mostly appeared on Flightradar24 as an Ilyushin-62 cargo plane operated by Rada Airlines of Belarus but also a Royal Air Force Typhoon, a North Korean Il-62 passenger jet and an anonymous Gulfstream executive jet. Since mid-December, YILO4200 has also made several flights in northwest China, most recently on February 15 when it appeared as an anonymous Pilatus PC-12, a small turboprop passenger aircraft. Aircraft registration numbers stem from a coded so-called 24-bit address governed by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Broadcast via transponders, the numbers help reveal an aircraft's position, direction and speed. Advertisement Advertisement While unique to each aircraft, the addresses are publicly known and two pilots and two analysts say recoding a transponder to give it a different registration number is possible. Rada was sanctioned by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control in August 2024 for flying cargoes in and out of Africa that included Wagner Group personnel linked to the Russian military, as well as exotic wildlife trafficking. The real Belarusian Il-62 has been active throughout the period with a different call sign and was once airborne at the same time as the Chinese drone attempting to mask it, the Flightradar24 data showed. Rada Airlines did not respond to a request for comment and Britain's defence ministry said it could not comment. Advertisement Advertisement An ICAO spokesperson said the body does not comment on issues or speculation concerning specific member states. OPERATION COULD SOW CONFUSION Flying out of Hainan's Qionghai Boao International Airport, the aircraft frequently remained airborne for hours, flying star- or hourglass-shaped patterns over the same areas. The flight profiles matched those typically associated with large military drones on surveillance operations and covered sensitive parts of the South China Sea, including areas frequented by submarines, four intelligence analysts familiar with the data said. The Chinese military generally flies its drones "dark", transmitting neither call signs nor registration numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Two flights among the 23 reviewed by Reuters appeared to be particularly unusual: In one, that straddled August 5 and 6, the drone initially transmitted a code belonging to the RAF Typhoon, then switched signal to three other planes over about 20 minutes, eventually landing as the Rada Airlines plane. In another, on November 18, the drone was airborne purporting to be the Belarusian plane when the actual Rada Il-62 plane took off near Belarus headed for Tehran. Singapore-based security analyst Alexander Neill said the Hainan operations appeared to be a fresh tactic in a suite of Chinese digital options to "muddy the waters" should regional tensions escalate into conflict. "They don't appear to be exercises as much as the kind of action the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has described as rehearsals for a confrontation - anything the Chinese can do to sow confusion in the minds of their rivals is to their advantage," said Neill, a fellow at Hawaii's Pacific Forum. Advertisement Advertisement "The U.S. and its allies know that given the realities of highly automated conventional conflict, even milliseconds count along the kill chain of escalation." The Pentagon did not respond to a request for comment on the Chinese drone flights. Lewis and three other open-source intelligence analysts said the YILO4200 call sign came from long-endurance Wing Loong 2 unmanned aerial vehicle, an aircraft similar to the U.S. Reaper drone, with a wingspan of 20.5 metres (67 feet). The Wing Loong is used mainly for surveillance but can be fitted for other tasks, including command and control operations, precision missile strikes and anti-submarine operations. Advertisement Advertisement It is produced by the state-linked Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of AVIC. The company said it would not be commenting on the issue. Online flight tracker Amelia Smith first connected the Wing Loong 2 to the call sign by analysing flight data, state press reports and government announcements. Lewis, Smith and two other intelligence analysts said it was unclear which Chinese agency was operating the aircraft out of Boao Airport, which is a dual-use commercial and military facility. Satellite images from July, September and January obtained by Reuters show large drones on the tarmac, alongside support buildings in a part of the airport now being expanded. Advertisement Advertisement REHEARSAL FOR TAIWAN Flightradar24 communications director Ian Petchenik said the tracker had noticed the Hainan flights and had not seen such activity before, beyond apparently accidental miscodings, non-existent addresses or corrupted data. "Based on the flight patterns and the kind of usage of these 24-bit addresses, it doesn't seem like it is a mistake in the programming of the transponders," Petchenik said. Reuters couldn't determine whether the flights are running on programmed paths or being controlled from the ground. The paths run through areas of heavy naval activity, including the waters south of Hainan near Chinese submarine bases and east toward the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines - a key choke point for China's navy to access the Pacific. The route patterns suggest a rehearsal for an operation over Taiwan, said Neill, the security analyst. Overlaid on a map of Taiwan, the 23 flight paths pass multiple military points of interest, concentrated around Taipei but also extending along the island's southern coastline. The eastern trajectories bring the aircraft close to Japanese and U.S. bases in Okinawa and other islands in the Ryukyu chain. "It is a compelling image - extensive rehearsals across the South China Sea to be deployed over Taiwan's key points," Neill said. (Reporting By Greg Torode in Hong Kong; Additional reporting by Karen Lema in Manila, Idrees Ali in Washington, Gleb Stolyarov in Moscow, Sam Tabahriti in London and Beijing newsroom; Editing by Joe Brock and Lincoln Feast.) Which lever to pull Clients have a growing list of options when it comes to ETFs that use leverage. Issuers are prepping new funds almost daily, in some cases even filing for single-stock products focused on companies that arent public yet. During February, for example, several firms filed for 2x leveraged ETFs built around SpaceX, Anthropic and other tech companies. Some are also trying their luck again with dozens of 3x and 4x products, even after the Securities and Exchange Commission told them last year that anything over 2x doesnt jibe with limits on leverage. But will retail investors want such funds, which for some could present unreasonable levels of risk? SUBSCRIBE: Receive more of our free ETF Upside newsletter. READ ALSO: Roundhill Launches a Space ETF Into Orbit and Are ETF Investors Abandoning Big Tech? Trading Places Traders have used leveraged ETFs heavily during market selloffs since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic brought more attention to the product category, according to a report this week from Direxion. But there hasnt been consistency in how the funds are used, in part because the category has expanded so quickly, as it now includes a mind-boggling amount of single-stock ETFs. There were high levels of turnover in 2020 as traders moved between long- and short-leveraged ETFs. Following that, people made long bets against the stock markets slower decline in 2022, Direxion found. And last year, amid President Trumps tariff announcements, leveraged ETF traders bought long funds for 35 days straight, as the S&P 500 fell 19%. The first day short positions dominated new flows was on April 9, or the stock markets best day in years, the report read. Weve been fortunate these past few years in that the dips have reverted quickly, said Ryan Lee, senior VP in product and strategy at Direxion. Dip buying in recent years has been very successful. On the whole, its unclear whether leveraged ETFs have been profitable for investors, though the trends suggest that many people have been using them as intended, Lee said. That is, many users dont hold them for very long and monitor them daily. Still, research from the UK found most investors held leveraged ETFs for more than a single day. These are meant to be tools in your toolbox. These are not meant to be the only things you hold, he said. In that regard, issuers are planning to add a lot more tools: Weve been locked out, banned, denied, restricted for more than 2 years. The Israeli government has refused to allow journalists into Gaza to report independently, to show the world the reality of war and this fragile ceasefire from every angle. It is long past time for Israel to lift this ban and let us in. Our Palestinian colleagues in Gaza have been reporting for more than two years under impossible conditions, but they shouldnt have to bear that burden alone. More than 200 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza. Many more have been displaced. Some have been detained. We need more journalists in Gaza. The Foreign Press Association petitioned Israels Supreme Court to overrule the governments ban. The government responded with excuses, stalling tactics, and classified security arguments. Enough is enough. You, me, us, we should all fight for our right to be informed, for the rights of a free and independent press. Feb. 23A Columbia Falls man is in custody after allegedly threatening family members with a sword and rifle on Saturday, Feb. 21. At approximately noon the Columbia Falls Police Department responded to a report of a disturbance with a weapon in the 400 block of 3rd Ave West, in Columbia Falls. Responding officers determined an assault had taken place with a sword and a firearm. The two victims were able to get out of the home, uninjured, leaving the 54-year-old male suspect in the home alone. Despite multiple attempts by Columbia Falls Police officers to convince the suspect to surrender, he refused and remained in the home, according to a release. Advertisement Advertisement Columbia Falls Police then requested assistance from the Northwest Montana Regional SWAT Team to assist in taking the suspect into custody. The suspect eventually emerged from the home and confronted SWAT Team members, according to a press release. The suspect allegedly refused to follow commands and was subsequently taken into custody by using less lethal munitions which were fired behind him and a canine, which took the man down and police subsequently arrested him. The man suffered a few scratches and was taken to the hospital for treatment. He was later booked into the Flathead County Detention Center on two assault with a weapon charges and resisting arrest. He was later identified as David Erik Silverstein. Advertisement Advertisement Columbia Falls Police Chief Chad Stephens said there are mental health factors in the case. Stephens noted that in his experience, bringing in the SWAT team under these circumstances often ends in a peaceful resolution, as SWAT teams have many more tools available that a patrolman doesn't have. The Northwest Montana Regional SWAT Team is comprised of members of the Whitefish Police Department, Kalispell Police Department, Flathead County Sheriff's Office, and Polson Police Department. Stephens thanked them for their efforts in the matter. A Columbia student who was detained by the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday was released and returned home hours later. Immigration advocates said ICE did not have a proper warrant and lied to detain the 29-year-old student, Ellie Aghayeva. Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he shared his concerns about the detainment of Aghayeva, a Columbia undergraduate, during a meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday afternoon, to which the president said she would be "released imminently." Just got off the phone with President Trump. In our meeting earlier, I shared my concerns about Columbia student Elaina Aghayeva, who was detained by ICE this morning. He has just informed me that she will be released imminently. https://t.co/rvmTWpq83r Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) February 26, 2026 Shortly after Mamdani and Trump's meeting, Aghayeva posted to her Instagram account, saying "I am so grateful for everyone of you. I just got out a little while ago. I am safe and okay." Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday night, Claire Shipman, the acting president of Columbia University, released a video statement explaining how five federal agents entered off-campus housing around 6 a.m., calling it a breach of all legal and ethical standards. "The agents gained entry by stating they were police searching for a missing child," Shipman said. "Once inside the apartment, it became clear that they had misrepresented themselves. A public safety officer arrived, asked multiple times for a warrant that was not produced, and requested time to call his boss, which was not granted. The agents took our student." The Department of Homeland Security said Aghayeva, an international student from Azerbaijan, came to the U.S. on a student visa, which they say was terminated in 2016 during the Obama administration. Advertisement Advertisement "ICE arrested (Ellie) Aghayeva, an illegal alien from Azerbaijan, whose student visa was terminated in 2016 under the Obama administration for failing to attend classes," a DHS official said in a statement. "The building manager and her roommate let officers into the apartment. She has no pending appeals or applications with DHS." Aghayeva is an undergraduate in the class of 2026, studying neuroscience and political science. News of her detainment sparked an "emergency rally" on campus Thursday afternoon, and responses from prominent elected officials, including Gov. Kathy Hochul. "A rogue deportation agenda is operating with zero transparency and even less accountability," Hochul said. "This morning, ICE agents misled campus security and took a young woman from her college dorm without a judicial warrant. No one should disappear at the hands of the government. No student should be taken from their dorm through deception." Hochul said incidents like these "demand an independent investigation and real accountability." Crystal Cranmore has the latest on the Columbia University student who was detained by DHS. Advertisement Advertisement New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin and City Council Majority Leader Shaun Abreu's released a joint statement saying: "This morning we were briefed on a disturbing incident on the Columbia campus. Around 6:30 a.m., ICE reportedly made misrepresentations to a security officer, purporting to be searching for a missing person. The agents subsequently detained a student. "ICE has no place in our schools and universities. These activities do not make our city or country safer, but rather drive mistrust and danger. As Columbia College alumni, our hearts are with the community there, and we have been in contact with the University to offer our assistance." Public Advocate Jumaane Williams spoke out in response to the reports. Advertisement Advertisement "Columbia's leadership bent the knee to the Trump administration last year, and this incident should show them that caving to this bully only invites further abuse," Williams said. "Now, the institution needs to reverse course and stand with the faculty and staff committed to standing up- it's on all of us to stand with immigrant New Yorkers- including the student detained and all those under threat." The Department of Homeland Security denied that ICE agents posed as NYPD officers, saying, "The Homeland Security Investigators verbally identified themselves and visibly wore badges around their necks. They did NOT and would not identify themselves as NYPD." Aghayeva's attorney filed lawsuits on Thursday in federal court to help get her released. "It's not surprising because for a very long time this administration and just ICE in general has operated with these tactics," said immigration attorney Veronica Cardenas. Advertisement Advertisement Cardenas does not represent the student, but said Aghayeva's attorney filed what's called a "habeas corpus," which is one of the only ways non-citizens can get action. It's filed in federal court instead of immigration court. "A habeas is looking for an independent federal court judge to determine whether ICE lawfully arrested her and can lawfully detain her, and at this moment, it's the only mechanism that many non-citizens have to really get their rights adjusted," she said. Aghayeva's attorney also filed for a temporary restraining order to ensure she stays in this area and does not move to another part of the country while this plays out in court. Meanwhile, the New York Immigration Coalition says if the Trump administration is going to continue playing dirty, institutions have to be prepared. Advertisement Advertisement "Columbia University needs to step up and actually start defending and protecting its students. They are duly entrusted with their care," New York Immigration Coalition President Murad Awawdeh said. Department of Homeland Security officials say ICE placed Aghayeva in removal proceedings. She has been released as she waits for her next hearing. Columbia, in the meantime, says it has increased campus security and is providing educational resources to students to help them understand their rights. ---------- * Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More New York City news * Send us a news tip * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts * Follow us on YouTube Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. NEED TO KNOW Federal immigration agents detained a Columbia University neuroscience researcher early Thursday morning The school alleges the agents "made misrepresentations" in order to gain access to the building This incident comes following the high-profile detention last year of Mahmoud Khalil, a leader of pro-Palestine campus protests A Columbia University student was detained by immigration officials Thursday morning after federal agents allegedly "made misrepresentations" to campus security, the university says. In a message to the Columbia community, acting university President Claire Shipman said that Homeland Security agents detained a student at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26. Advertisement Advertisement "Our understanding at this time is that the federal agents made misrepresentations to gain entry to the building to search for a 'missing person,'" Shipman wrote. "We are working to gather more details." The letter did not identify the student, but the university's main student newspaper, the Columbia Spectator, identified them as Ellie Aghayeva a neuroscience researcher originally from Azerbaijan set to graduate this year from the School of General Studies. Aghayeva's detention was confirmed by a DHS official when reached by PEOPLE. On Thursday morning, Aghayeva posted on her Instagram story, "Dhs illegally arrested me. Please help." Advertisement Advertisement Reached for comment, a DHS spokesperson said Aghayeva's student visa had been terminated for failing to attend classes in 2016, and that the building manager and her roommate had allowed agents into the apartment. In her message, Shipman said that federal agents are not allowed to enter non-public areas of the university without presenting a judicial warrant. It's unclear if one was presented on Thursday, though New York Governor Kathy Hochul said on social media that the proper warrant wasn't furnished. "Lets be clear about what happened: ICE agents didn't have the proper warrant, so they lied to gain access to a students private residence," said Hochul. Advertisement Advertisement Students and faculty held an "emergency rally" to protest Aghayeva's detention midday Thursday, the Spectator reported. 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. Aghayeva's detention follows those last year of fellow students Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi, both of whom are Green Card holders who were active leaders of Pro-Palestine protests on Columbia's campus. Both have since been released, though Khalil was detained for three months without charges and missed the birth of his son. Advertisement Advertisement In September 2025, a judge ruled that the federal government had violated their constitutional rights. The case against Mahdawi has since been terminated, however, Homeland Security is seeking to deport Khalil again after a judge overturned a previous order requiring his release from detention. Read the original article on People Columbus City Council members intend to amend Mayor Andrew Ginther's proposed 2026 operating budget to add money cut from the courts, homeless shelters, health care for uninsured patients and other council priorities. Some money for police and fire recruitment, Columbus Recreation and Parks and community grants remain on the chopping block. The council is expected to vote on the amendments at its next meeting on March 2. Advertisement Advertisement At council's last scheduled budget hearing on Feb. 25, council members expressed concerns about how Columbus found itself in the position of grappling with the tightest budget in more than a decade. The city had record income tax revenue growth of more than 6% in 2025, a feat that would make many other cities envious. Last year, Council President Shannon Hardin said 2025 was the tightest budget he'd seen in his more than a decade at City Hall, but then he saw the 2026 budget. He said this year's is worse. Hardin said the city has structural, long-term issues in how it's overspending and budgeting. He is calling for the creation of a task force to investigate and recommend possible cuts. "My concern is we're continuing as a city to kick the ball down the road," Hardin told The Dispatch ahead of the hearing. "At some point, the bill will come due. Columbus families don't manage their budgets this way and the city of Columbus cannot." Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin, seen here in a file photo from Feb. 17, is calling for a task force to investigate the city's budgeting process. When Ginther presented his $1.26-billion general fund budget proposal for 2026 in November, he suggested City Auditor Megan Kilgore was being overly conservative in her revenue estimate for 2026 and said he hoped tax revenue would come in above projections. Advertisement Advertisement During the Feb. 25 council hearing, members asked city Finance Director Chris Long pointed questions about how Ginther's administration is budgeting. The hearing revealed that Ginther's administration forgot to include $30 million in the 2025 budget for new public safety personnel, requiring a legislative fix later. Councilmember Melissa Green also said the mayor's 2026 budget proposal includes a "lot of hoping, wishing and praying," and the city must expect something will come up this year to push them over budget. Green was referring to what the council called underfunding in the mayor's proposal. For example, the 2026 budget allocates $28 million for police and fire staff overtime while the city spent $51 million on overtime in 2025. Long said there's no doubt the overtime goal is optimistic, but the police and fire divisions are improving year over year and deserve a chance to try to hit the lower figure. Councilmember Nick Bankston, chair of the council's Finance & Governance Committee, said this hearing was not meant as an indictment of Ginther's administration. Advertisement Advertisement "We are at a time when we need to work hand in hand with our administration partners to provide solutions to the problems that are coming down the pike," Bankston said. He also said communities face defunding from Washington that local governments can't entirely replace. Columbus City Councilmember Nick Bankston, seen here in a file photo from 2025, held a hearing on Feb. 25 on the proposed 2026 operating budget at which council members asked pointed questions about the mayor's proposal. Columbus facing budget struggles Long said Columbus, like cities nationwide, is facing uncertainty about federal money in addition to rising costs, including for construction materials and personnel. Staff costs make up about three-quarters of the city's general fund budget, and between 2025 and 2026, health insurance premiums alone for city staff rose 19%, Long pointed out. Like other cities, Columbus is also dealing with budgeting after the one-time federal cash infusion it received during the COVID-19 pandemic. Columbus received over $400 million in federal funds from the American Rescue Plans and other acts, and the city used some of that on personnel costs. Advertisement Advertisement Despite the tight budget, Columbus is doing better than other cities. Cincinnati is facing a deficit and Toledo has had to tap into emergency funds to balance its budget. Long said the administration's budget balancing measures have included cutting 201 full-time positions, reducing travel and training expenses, and moving qualifying expenses to other funds. In 2026, the city will continue tapping into the Income Tax Set Aside fund, borrowing $25 million from it. That fund sets aside a quarter of every dollar in city income tax revenue and is intended for paying back the city's debts, like the $1.9-billion bond package voters approved in November. The city is also budgeting less for raises. Four city employee unions have contracts coming up for renegotiation in 2026, including the police and fire unions. The city has budgeted for 2% raises for these unions, down from 4.5% raises city unions have secured in recent years. City council restores funding to some programs, others left on chopping block To fund some of their priorities in 2026, City Council members intend to tap into several small funds available to them. This includes new tax revenue from marijuana sales, general fund carryover dollars and a fund Easton Town Center pays into that can be used for housing initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Matt Erickson, director of the Council Legislative Research Office, presented $22 million in amendments the council intends to pass to the mayor's budget. The amendments largely restore funding to programs that Ginther's budget proposal cut. This includes: $7.2 million for the Community Shelter Board on top of the $5.7 million already in the budget for the nonprofit that coordinates the Columbus region's response to homelessness. $3 million for the 27th pay period fund, money set aside for when the city has one more pay period than normal every 11 years, which will next occur in 2032. $1.2 million for the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk and $700,000 for the Municipal Court to preserve clerk staffing and security so the clerk's office can maintain 24/7 operations. $1 million for Elevate, a program that gives grants to nonprofits. $1.8 million for PrimaryOne Health, a system of Federally Qualified Health Centers which was raising the alarm that Ginther's proposed budget cut would mean a cut to health services, including vision care, offered to low-income and uninsured residents. $5.4 million for other "community priorities." $2 million for Columbus Promise, a program that sends Columbus Columbus City Schools graduates to Columbus State tuition free. The council already passed this budget amendment in January. Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk Lori Tyack, who previously called the mayor's budget "fiscally irresponsible," attended the council hearing. Tyack told The Dispatch afterwards that she was "encouraged" the council's planned amendments will allow her office to continue important services. In a darkened exam room, Dr. Gregary Graves administers an eye exam to Brenda Case, a long-time patient, on Feb 24, 2026. Columbus cut city funding for PrimaryOne Health in 2025 and Mayor Andrew Ginther's proposed 2026 budget cuts funding further for the network of centers that serve tens of thousands of low-income patients in Columbus annually, including many who are uninsured. At the West Broad location, the majority, about 60% are uninsured and able to get care at a fraction of the cost. If the city goes through with funding cuts, PrimaryOne Health warns it will have to cut services. PrimaryOne CEO Fikru Nigusse stands in the lobby of the health care agency's 2300 W. Broad St. building on Feb 24, 2026. Columbus cut city funding for PrimaryOne Health in 2025 and Mayor Andrew Ginther's proposed 2026 budget cuts funding further for the network of centers that serve tens of thousands of low-income patients in Columbus annually, including many who are uninsured. At the West Broad location, the majority, about 60% are uninsured and able to get care at a fraction of the cost. If the city goes through with funding cuts, PrimaryOne Health warns it will have to cut services. The PrimaryOne medical facility includes a remodeld old Columbus fire station at the 2300 W. Broad St. location on Feb 24, 2026. Columbus cut city funding for PrimaryOne Health in 2025 and Mayor Andrew Ginther's proposed 2026 budget cuts funding further for the network of centers that serve tens of thousands of low-income patients in Columbus annually, including many who are uninsured. At the West Broad location, the majority, about 60% are uninsured and able to get care at a fraction of the cost. If the city goes through with funding cuts, PrimaryOne Health warns it will have to cut services. Multi-lingual signs directs patients around the PrimaryOne building at 2300 W. Broad St. on Feb 24, 2026. Columbus cut city funding for PrimaryOne Health in 2025 and Mayor Andrew Ginther's proposed 2026 budget cuts funding further for the network of centers that serve tens of thousands of low-income patients in Columbus annually, including many who are uninsured. At the West Broad location, the majority, about 60% are uninsured and able to get care at a fraction of the cost. If the city goes through with funding cuts, PrimaryOne Health warns it will have to cut services. The optometry shop inside the PrimaryOne building at 2300 W. Broad St. on Feb 24, 2026. Columbus cut city funding for PrimaryOne Health in 2025 and Mayor Andrew Ginther's proposed 2026 budget cuts funding further for the network of centers that serve tens of thousands of low-income patients in Columbus annually, including many who are uninsured. At the West Broad location, the majority, about 60% are uninsured and able to get care at a fraction of the cost. If the city goes through with funding cuts, PrimaryOne Health warns it will have to cut services. PrimaryOne CEO Fikru Nigusse stands in the lobby of the health care agency's 2300 W. Broad St. building on Feb 24, 2026. Columbus cut city funding for PrimaryOne Health in 2025 and Mayor Andrew Ginther's proposed 2026 budget cuts funding further for the network of centers that serve tens of thousands of low-income patients in Columbus annually, including many who are uninsured. At the West Broad location, the majority, about 60% are uninsured and able to get care at a fraction of the cost. If the city goes through with funding cuts, PrimaryOne Health warns it will have to cut services. Proposal cuts to PrimaryOne which helps uninsured get medical care 1 of 6 In a darkened exam room, Dr. Gregary Graves administers an eye exam to Brenda Case, a long-time patient, on Feb 24, 2026. Columbus cut city funding for PrimaryOne Health in 2025 and Mayor Andrew Ginther's proposed 2026 budget cuts funding further for the network of centers that serve tens of thousands of low-income patients in Columbus annually, including many who are uninsured. At the West Broad location, the majority, about 60% are uninsured and able to get care at a fraction of the cost. If the city goes through with funding cuts, PrimaryOne Health warns it will have to cut services. There are still some cuts in Ginther's proposal that it appears the council will not change. That includes: Advertisement Advertisement Reductions to police and fire recruitment spending. The city is budgeting for two police recruit classes, down one from 2025, and one fire recruit class, which will not onboard this year. The budget also eliminates the cadet program, which serves as a pipeline to recruit Columbus residents, especially minorities, to be city police officers and firefighters. The budget includes a 15% reduction across the board in discretionary grants city departments can give community organizations. Green expressed concern about voting on the budget before the departments have decided what grants to cut. Even as costs rise, Columbus Recreation and Parks' 2026 proposed operating budget is about $79.3 million, down from about $79.6 million. Citing rising costs, the department announced increased fees in December. Government and politics reporter Jordan Laird can be reached at jlaird@dispatch.com. Follow her on X, Instagram and Bluesky at @LairdWrites. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus council questions Ginther's budget, calls for task force By Joey Roulette WASHINGTON, Feb 25 (Reuters) - A U.S. Senate committee next week will consider extending the planned life of the International Space Station by two years to give companies more time to develop a replacement, one of a few changes to a NASA bill focused on rivaling China's growing footprint in space. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation plans to take up legislation on March 4 that would amend a NASA authorization bill with the ISS extension, and add a requirement that NASA build a base on the moon's surface as part of its Artemis program. Advertisement Advertisement The ISS extension, which has bipartisan backing from the committee's chair Ted Cruz and ranking member Maria Cantwell, is part of the committee's focus on rivaling China, as Beijing considers foreign partners on its own Tiangong space station and a 2030 crewed moon landing. NASA had planned to retire the ISS, which has been in orbit for more than two decades, by 2030. The proposed extension would set its retirement at 2032. The ISS has sprung small leaks in recent years that the space agency sees as signs of its age, as the U.S. private sector increasingly appears capable of taking over its role. NASA is funding early company concepts of a commercial focused replacement, drawing involvement from firms such as Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Voyager. But some of those companies have made little progress toward 2030 deployment, raising concerns about a gap in U.S.-crewed activity in low-Earth orbit as geopolitical competition in the domain soars. Advertisement Advertisement The space agency last year tapped Elon Musk's SpaceX to build a spacecraft that could attach to the ISS and drag it into Earth's atmosphere for a controlled destruction, opting against preserving it as an orbital landmark to avoid debris risks and potentially costly maintenance. Adding the requirement for a moon base to NASA's authorization would help cement the agency's desire to establish a long-term presence on the moon, using that experience as practice for future missions to Mars. SpaceX's CEO Musk expressed his support for such an architecture earlier this month after previously advocating for a direct-to-Mars space exploration approach. SpaceX is developing its Starship rocket to serve as a moon lander under NASA's Artemis program, alongside Blue Origin's Blue Moon lander. Advertisement Advertisement NASA has in recent months cultivated an air of competition between the two billionaire-backed space companies to get them to speed up their lunar lander development timelines, as China signals progress in its own lunar program. (Reporting by Joey Roulette; Editing by Michael Perry) Police in California have arrested a woman who was reported missing from Connecticut last year, Us Weekly has learned. Carleen McGeachie vanished from the New Haven area back on September 4, 2025. The woman was reported missing on November 11, 2025. But on Thursday, February 19, McGeachie, 42, was busted in California for identity theft and bank fraud, closing the missing persons case in Connecticut. Advertisement Advertisement Police said that she was arrested alongside two New Yorkers: Richard Logan, whose age wasnt released, and Heaven Richards, who is 25. McGeachie and her cohorts were the subject of a monthslong investigation into an elaborate fraud scheme that targeted scores of financial institutions throughout Sonoma County, a press release issued on Monday, February 23, reads. Father Reunited with Daughter 43 Years After Alleged Abduction by Mother Police in New Haven have confirmed that McGeachie who was last seen by relatives not far from where New Haven and East Haven meet is the same person who was arrested last week in California. Advertisement Advertisement The three arrests were made after detectives identified up to five suspects who had traveled from New Yorks Tri-State area to California to allegedly conduct fraudulent bank withdrawals. Officials said that detectives were conducting surveillance on the suspects Thursday and watched them attempt to make other fraudulent withdrawals at several banks throughout the Bay Area. All three were eventually detained without incident, cops said. A search warrant was subsequently served at a hotel in Vacaville, where the suspects were staying, officials said. Sonoma County Sheriff's Office There, police allegedly recovered more than $15,000 in cash and evidence connected to an identity theft allegedly committed at the hotel. With the cash, detectives also seized fraudulent identification cards and credit cards. Advertisement Advertisement Similar evidence was found inside McGeachie's car, police said. Police did not specify the banks the three allegedly defrauded. All three suspects were booked into the Sonoma County Jail without bail on charges related to bank fraud and identity theft, officials said. It was unclear how McGeachie knew her codefendants in the case. Investigators said they will continue probing the fraud ring and have been reviewing a wealth of financial documents recovered during the search that are connected to the bogus transactions. Police also said that additional arrests are likely as more suspects are identified and caught in the act. Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Marshals Arrest Mother and Recover Her 2 Missing Children After She Crossed State Lines McGeachie's family has been notified that she is no longer missing but has not commented on the allegations against her. It was unclear if the trio were suspected of committing any crimes as they made their way from the East Coast to California. Plea and attorney information for all three was unavailable at press time. In California, a felony identity theft conviction can result in a sentence of between 16 months and 3 years in county jail, along with a fine of up to $10,000. If she is convicted of bank fraud, the Connecticut woman could receive a sentence of up to 20 years in prison per count and fines up to $250,000. In most cases, the convicted person is also ordered to pay restitution to the victims. If they have any kind of professional license, they also face losing it. Could you get back the money you've paid in tariffs over the past year? There's a new bill in Congress called the Payback Act that might get citizens a refund, but the issue is complicated. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down most of the import taxes that President Donald Trump had implemented on Feb. 20. They specified that the way the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act was used was an overreach of presidential power, but there are other ways for the president to affect tariffs and international trade. Trump has since said he'll add a new, 15% global tariff that Congress would have to approve past 150 days. Advertisement Advertisement But what happens with the money already collected? The U.S. reportedly collected "$253.3 billion from all tariffs, taxes, and fees" between Jan. 20, 2025 and Jan. 31, 2026, according to the newest information from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. And a report from the nonpartisan Tax Foundation determined that American households had paid about $1,000 on average. (They estimated another $1,300 would be paid in 2026, but that was before the Supreme Court Decision and tariff changes.) Most of that was paid by businesses that imported the goods and passed that money on to consumers. Here's what we know about the argument over tariff refunds, what that might look like for your wallet. Who paid US tariffs? Companies directly paid the tariff costs to the U.S. government. Some of that was absorbed by wholesalers, retailers, exporters and importers. But costs were also passed along to shoppers through increased prices. Advertisement Advertisement Consumers have no legal claim to a refund, because they werent the importers, Stephen Kates, financial analyst at Bankrate, told USA TODAY. They just bought the products. Many tariff experts agree that individuals can't plan to get that money back. Companies want tariff refunds Trump has said that tariff refunds weren't demanded by the Supreme Court, and the issues will likely be tied up in court for years. Companies are already moving to start the battle. FedEx filed a lawsuit on Feb. 23 that seeks a refund of what it paid. But there's a paper trail to work from to determine who paid what. It gets harder to tell which individual shoppers might qualify for small refunds from big box retailers like Walmart or Costco. Advertisement Advertisement Retailers might offer some kind of rebate program, but it's not a guarantee. Farmers struggle with damage done by tariffs hitting soybean markets Democrats argue money should go to people Across the nation, Democrats, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, have demanded refunds for taxpayers. The Joint Economic Committee Minority, a Congressional committee made of Democrats, estimated that families have paid more like $1,700 in tariffs. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker sent the Trump administration an invoice for $1,700 per family in his state. U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) introduced a new proposal called the Payback Act this week. Advertisement Advertisement These illegal tariffs drove up costs for American families. If Americans were forced to pay higher prices because of executive overreach, then Americans deserve to be paid back. Its that simple, she said in a news release. How much could you get if the Payback Act passes? The amount isn't laid out in the proposed legislation. The bill would require the U.S. Treasury to make a formula to determine how much consumers should get back. The formula should: Use federal data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Bureau of Economic Analysis and other relevant sources Estimate the pass-through rate from "importers, distributors, and retailers to end consumers" Include "equitable adjustments abased on household income and geographic disparities" Advertisement Advertisement Will Supreme Court ruling on Trump's tariffs lower car prices? When could you get a tariff check? The bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives this week and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. There's no current timeline on when or if Congress will take up the issue, but it would likely be a minimum of at least six months after the bill passes before we know how much Americans could get. Trump pitched a $2,000 tariff rebate check last fall. In January, he said he could get it done without Congressional approval, but several analysts said the potential cost exceeded the total tariffs collected. The issue hasn't been addressed since the Supreme Court decision. As of late February, the odds that refunds will trickle down to shoppers are slim. Advertisement Advertisement Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent predicted that the funds arent likely to reach consumers in recent comments: I got a feeling the American people wont see it, he said. Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, Daniel de Vise Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY Network. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Will the Payback Act get you money? What we know about tariff refunds Around 100 homeless people, including families with children and pregnant mothers, have approached Crisis for help after being turned away by local authorities, ITV News Investigations Editor Daniel Hewitt reports ITV News has found that children as young as four years old are being forced to sleep rough on the streets, with local councils in England being accused of breaking the law by denying families emergency accommodation. We spoke to one homeless family in London with five children who slept on the streets for almost two weeks in December, and another family with three children in Birmingham, all under the age of 12, who were forced to sleep in their car. Advertisement Advertisement Both families were turned away by local councils, who refused to provide the accommodation after they became homeless. The charity Crisis says councils are increasingly "competing with each other to not help children rough sleeping, which is something I thought we'd never see". Matt Downie, the CEO of Crisis, says 'we're seeing councils flagrantly breaking their own laws' The charity told ITV News their records show 100 homeless, including families with children and pregnant mothers, have come to them for help after being turned away by local authorities. "In the last few weeks and months, we've started to see something we've never seen before. We have never seen children having to sleep rough in this country," said Matt Downie, Crisis CEO. Advertisement Advertisement "We very often are understanding of the pressures that local councils are under because they are real, but when it comes to children sleeping rough, I'm afraid there's no sympathy whatsoever. "You're breaking the law. It's morally outrageous. It's legally outrageous. It needs to stop and we need the government to step in and say unequivocally, this must never happen again." According to the government, a household with a child has a priority need and should be provided with temporary accommodation if homeless. If you or your family have been affected by this story you can contact us at investigations@itv.com If the household does not meet the criteria for homelessness assistance, then childrens services should accommodate them to protect the welfare of the children. Advertisement Advertisement In cases where it is not clear which authority owes a duty to accommodate, the local authority approached by the family should provide interim accommodation while inquiries are made or disputes resolved. In south London, five children and their parents became street homeless in December after being refused to provide them with accommodation. The family, who are from Afghanistan, are refugees with the legal right to live in the UK. They fled the Taliban, so we are protecting their identity. The children aged 4, 8, 12, 16 and 18, and their parents, slept on the streets for 12 nights. Credit: ITV News They became homeless in November 2025. Unable to find anywhere affordable to rent, they approached the council in Bromley, where their father had been living since 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Despite turning up at the council building, the children aged 4, 8, 12, 14 and 16, and their parents were told the council had no duty to provide accommodation. With nowhere else to go, they slept on the streets for 12 nights. "The weather was very cold, and it was raining," said the children's father. "People were crossing from the road, giving us blankets, and they helped us. I was thinking - my children could die, anything could happen. "The children told me when we lived in Afghanistan, we were helping beggars, we used to take food to them - how come we are in this situation here? Advertisement Advertisement "The way they are treating us is worse than animals - they are children." The family had nowhere to go. Credit: ITV News The family travelled to Walthamstow in north-east London, where they hoped to stay with people they knew. When they were unable to stay there, they approached Waltham Forest Council. They slept on the steps of the council building, before being found by charity workers from Crisis and placed in a local hostel. Waltham Forest then agreed to pay for emergency accommodation after 12 nights on the streets. "Secretly, I cried. I cried when I was on the streets," said the father. "I was thinking here there would human rights - if they dont care about me, they should care about my children." Advertisement Advertisement The family is currently living in a hostel. Homelessness minister, Alison McGovern, told ITV News: No child should be sleeping on the streets, and the law is absolutely clear on that - each case is a failure of the system. Where theres any confusion, the council approached must provide interim housing immediately, with disputes resolved afterwards. "No childs safety should hinge on administrative delays, and I will be writing to all councils to remind them of their legal responsibilities to never allow a child to sleep rough. Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning. A Bromley Council spokesperson said, All approaches for housing assistance in Bromley are carefully checked to ensure that a housing duty is rightly owed. Advertisement Advertisement In this case, we have not received the information to date to show that a housing duty is owed by Bromley, however if further information comes to light, we will of course review this, as we are committed to providing housing in line with our statutory duties. A spokesperson for Waltham Forest Council said: The family came to the attention of Waltham Forest Children's Services last December. As soon as we established the significance of their situation, and with the knowledge that they had previously presented as homeless in another part of the capital, our Housing team quickly stepped in to provide emergency accommodation. Locally we have seen homelessness demand rise by 80 percent in just two years. Research suggests boroughs across London are grappling with a shortfall of 1billion this financial year alone, much of it going on providing temporary accommodation. Man who called police on himself wanted to go back to prison Advertisement Advertisement What is Embassy Village? The 5m project built to help rough sleepers On Thursday, the government will publish the annual rough sleeping statistics for England, which are widely expected to increase. Last year the number of people sleeping rough increased by 20% to 4,667, just below the peak in 2017. Government data on how many children are living in temporary accommodation will also be published on Thursday. The current number - 172, 420 - is the highest on record. Yet ITV News has spoken to families being denied even temporary accommodation when they become homeless. In Birmingham, Mechelle and her three children were forced to sleep in their car last year after Birmingham City Council refused to provide accommodation. Mechelle and her young children were forced to sleep in their car The family are from Birmingham but had been living and renting in Cornwall. Her three-year old son, who has a learning disability and epilepsy, was having more seizures, so she decided to move back to Birmingham to be closer to family and a dedicated children's hospital. Advertisement Advertisement I thought in my own head that I could afford private rent and work like I've always done and paid my way, said Mechelle. I was actually on the street in the car, there's no toilet, the kids crying, my boy's having seizures. It was pretty damn scary, really, to be honest. I was just petrifiedyou think: Are we going to survive this? What's going to happen? I honestly thought I was going to lose my kids to care. I'm ashamed of the situation I put us in and the guilt that I carry that I've had to put my kids through. My kids have got disabilities and they're not entitled to the help and the support that they need. What else do you do? A Birmingham City Council spokesperson: "We are very sorry to hear about the problems faced by this household. Birmingham City Council recognises the difficulties this family has experienced and acknowledges the significant distress caused by their housing situation. "We take our responsibilities to homeless families extremely seriously and remain committed to ensuring that all children and vulnerable individuals are supported and safeguarded. We are currently reviewing advice provided and ensuring that any learning from this case is embedded in the future practice. "We are committed to acting within our statutory duties, prioritising the safety and wellbeing of children, and providing appropriate assistance to families facing homelessness. "We can confirm that Birmingham City Council offered temporary accommodation as an interim measure for this family, and supported access to suitable permanent accommodation to end their homelessness." From Westminster to Washington DC - our political experts are across all the latest key talking points. Listen to the latest episode below... Germany's domestic intelligence service cannot categorize the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a confirmed case of right-wing extremism while the party appeals the decision, a Cologne court ruled on Thursday. The Cologne Administrative Court backed the AfD's urgent application, arguing that the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) must await the results of full court proceedings before publicizing its decision. The AfD, Germany's largest opposition party, has faced severe criticism over its anti-immigrant views, leading some prominent politicians to call for it to be banned. Advertisement Advertisement It has also attracted the attention of intelligence services, who have investigated whether the party's ethno-nationalist views are a threat to the country's free, constitutional order. Last year, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution upgraded its categorization of the AfD, from a "suspected" to a "confirmed" case of right-wing extremism. The label authorizes further surveillance measures against the party. In Thursday's ruling, however, the court said that while there is sufficient certainty that efforts are being made within the AfD to undermine the democratic order, this does not mean the entire party is "characterized in such a way that its overall image can be described as anti-constitutional." AfD sees a 'victory' Party co-leader Alice Weidel called the decision "a great victory not only for the AfD, but also for democracy and the rule of law!" Advertisement Advertisement In practice, the decision is likely to have minimal impact, as the intelligence agency had already suspended the use of the upgraded "confirmed" categorization for the AfD, pending the results of the party's legal appeal. AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla believes that proceedings to ban the party no longer stand a chance. Such efforts have now been put to rest, Chrupalla said in Berlin on Thursday. "All speculation about possible party bans or how opposition parties can be banned in this country" has now been reduced to absurdity and must be stopped, he claimed. Chrupalla spoke of a "very good day for our democracy." Of course, it was necessary to wait for the main proceedings, but he said that the AfD has achieved an interim victory. Advertisement Advertisement He also said the decision would help motivate AfD campaigners in Baden-Wurttemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate ahead of the state elections scheduled for March. Cologne-based lawyer Ralf Hocker, who is representing the AfD in the proceedings, wrote on X that this was an urgent application, but that the reasoning was clear. In a democracy, it is not enough to point to a few crazy party members in order to ban a party as a whole, Hocker asserted. "This means that banning the AfD is no longer conceivable. That is off the table." SPD legislator unconvinced Carmen Wegge, legal policy spokeswoman for the SPD parliamentary group, sees things differently. Advertisement Advertisement "I remain firmly convinced that the AfD is anti-constitutional and unconstitutional and that the party must be examined by the Federal Constitutional Court," she said. The Left Party also made it clear that it stands by its demand for a ban. The AfD poses a political and social threat, Clara Bunger, the Bundestag parliamentary group's domestic policy spokesperson, told dpa. The Cologne court's decision can be appealed. Best Buy (BBY) reported a surprise sales slump in its key holiday shopping season. Same-store sales declined 0.8% in the fourth quarter, the company said Tuesday. Wall Street had hoped for a 0.2% increase after two straight quarters of positive growth. "We continue to see customers who are resilient, but they are definitely deal-focused," Best Buy CEO Corie Barry told Yahoo Finance in a call with reporters. Best Buy expects first quarter same-store sales to return to growth, rising 1%. Barry said more than 50% of its customers make more than $100,000 per year. Revenue for the fourth quarter totaled $13.81 billion, less than the $13.88 billion Wall Street had expected, per Bloomberg consensus data. Adjusted earnings per share came in higher at $2.61, more than the $2.46 the Street predicted. Best Buy stock is down more than 30% in the past year, but popped up more than 8% in early trading. For the full year, revenue came in at $41.69 billion, just below the $41.76 billion Wall Street predicted. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $6.43, $0.12 above Wall Street's estimates for $6.31. For the year, same-store sales grew 0.5%, less than the 0.9% increase Wall Street was looking for. For 2027, the company expects revenue to come in the range of $41.2 billion to $42.1 billion, alongside same-store sales that are expected to fall in a range between a 1% decline and 1% rise for the year. Adjusted earnings per share are expected to be in a range of $6.30-$6.60. This year, Best Buy is also watching the rise in memory costs as heightened demand impacts supply. Barry said it's "something our industry has faced in different peaks and valleys relatively often through the past 25 years." She added that the team is pulling in inventory, trying to provide its manufacturers with longer forecast horizons, working to find the right price points for consumers, and educating them on what's available. The team expects strength in computing and mobile phones to continue into 2026, after posting momentum in the fourth quarter, up 5.4%. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is backing a primary challenger to Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), a notable move against a fellow Lone Star State Republican incumbent. I am proud to endorse @SteveTothTX for Congress in Texass 2nd Congressional District, Cruz said in a Tuesday post on the social platform X. Steve faithfully served the people of Texas in the Texas House of Representatives, championing our Texas values of liberty, limited government, and constitutional governance, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Toth, currently a member of the Texas House of Representatives, said in a post on X that he was Grateful to announce the endorsement of @TedCruz. Crenshaw, who has been a member of the House since 2019, previously criticized President Trump and fellow congressional Republicans for opposing election results in 2021 and inciting the Jan. 6, 2021 attack of the U.S. Capitol. All of the members who called for everyone to come and fight and make their last stand, all of those members were scattered like cowards while the Capitol Police had to do the fighting, Crenshaw said at the time. Last week, Toth took a swipe at Crenshaw over election fraud from 2020, stating on X that while Crenshaw was denying voter fraud, I was fighting voter fraud in the TX house which is why President Trump endorse[d] me in 2022 & 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Republicans are facing down a bumpy road to the midterms as they deal with issues including concerns over affordability, Trumps low approval ratings, controversy over deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and backlash to the Trump administrations immigration agenda. The Hill has reached out to Crenshaws campaign for comment. 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. Two-term Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont leads the Democratic primary race for governor, but his approval has dipped, revealed a new poll from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center. The poll, released Feb. 24, found that 57% of likely Democratic primary voters would vote for Lamont if the election was held today, while just 13% would vote for state representative Josh Elliot. Elliots support has increased slightly since November, when Lamont led 55% to 7%. Lamont is popular among primary voters: 54% have a favorable opinion of him while 11% have an unfavorable opinion, giving him a net favorability rating of +43. Thats much higher than Elliots net favorability of +13, but Elliot is also largely unknown: 63% of voters didnt know enough about him to say. Advertisement Advertisement On the Republican side, State Senator Ryan Fazio is the most popular gubernatorial candidate among likely Republican primary voters with a net favorability rating of +39. However, all four of the candidates surveyed are less well known and less well liked than Lamont. However, Lamonts approval rating has dipped slightly: 49% of Connecticut residents approve of Lamonts job performance, while 45% disapprove. This net approval of +4 is down from +17 in November and is driven in part by a drop in support among Democrats. Conneticut Governor Ned Lamont (D-CT) speaks at a Covid-19 community vaccination clinic on March 14, 2021 in Stamford, Connecticut. Still, Connecticut residents are more likely than most other New England states to approve of their governor. The Nutmeg State Poll surveyed 583 Connecticut residents online between Feb. 12 16. The error of margin is +/- 4.1%. State issues in Connecticut: Rent cap, cell phone ban, free breakfast The poll also surveyed a number of Lamont proposals in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Home heating rebate: 60% approve, 23% oppose The state would provide an up to $400 rebate to Connecticut residents to offset the cost of energy bills. Majorities of Democrats and Independents support this proposal, while Republicans are divided. Rent cap: 68% support, 21% oppose This proposal would establish a cap on rents to prevent landlords from increasing rents by more than a few percentage points per year. Most Democrats and Independents support this proposal, while Republicans are split. Cellphone ban in schools: 69% support, 15% oppose This would be a bell-to-bell ban on cellphone use in public schools. Majorities of all parties support this proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Free school breakfast: 79% support, 11% oppose Lamonts proposal would provide free breakfast for all public school students from kindergarten through 12thgrade. Majorities of all parties support this proposal. Parental permission for social media: 79% support, 12% oppose Parental permission would be required for children under the age of 18 to access social media platforms. Majorities of all parties support this proposal. This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: New poll: Will Lamont get reelected? Do CT residents support rent cap? Four people aboard a speedboat registered in Florida are dead after a shootout with Cuban troops in Cuban territorial waters ... according to Cuba's government. The deadly shootout happened Wednesday morning near an island in Cuba's Villa Clara province on the country's northern coast ... according to a statement from Cuba's Ministry of the Interior. TMZ Cuba says people onboard the Florida-registered speedboat opened fire against a Cuban coast guard vessel that approached them ... the commander of the Cuban vessel was injured by gunfire ... according to the Cubans. In addition to the four people killed, six other people on board the speedboat were wounded in the shootout. Advertisement Advertisement Cuba's government said the injured people on the Florida speedboat were evacuated and received medical attention. According to the New York Times, a U.S. official says the shootout involved a U.S. civilian boat that was part of a flotilla seeking to get relatives out of Cuba. Getty Florida Rep. Carlos Gimenez, a Cuban-American and the former mayor of Miami, called the firefight a "massacre" and demanded an "immediate investigation" to determine if the victims were U.S. citizens or legal residents. The Miami Herald reports Cuba's interior ministry is investigating the incident. Story developing ... Cuban border guards killed four people on board a US-registered speedboat on Wednesday after the vessel failed to stop when ordered in Cuban territorial waters, and allegedly opened fire on the police boat, Havana said. The Cuban Ministry of Interior released a statement noting that six others on the boat were also injured in the exchange of fire. The commander of the Cuban police boat, which carried a total of five people onboard, was also wounded. Cubas government said later that the 10 passengers were armed Cubans living in the US who were trying to infiltrate the island and unleash terrorism, adding that the majority have a known history of criminal and violent activity. Advertisement Advertisement Authorities stressed that all those injured were immediately brought to safety and received medical treatment. The ministry says the Florida-registered speedboat was detected one nautical mile from Falcones Cay in the Villa Clara province. A nearby patrol boat was dispatched to identify the vessel and its passengers when the shooting erupted. The ministry said it remains committed to protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any threats, whether by land, sea or air. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that he was made aware of the incident and that the US is now gathering its own information to determine if the victims were American citizens or permanent residents. Advertisement Advertisement We have various different elements of the US government that are trying to identify elements of the story that may not be provided to us now, Rubio said while at the airport in Basseterre, St Kitts, where he was attending a regional summit with Caribbean leaders. The majority of the facts being publicly reported are those by the information provided by the Cubans. We will verify that independently as we gather more information, and well be prepared to respond accordingly," Rubio said. "Were going to have our own information on this. Were going to figure out exactly what happened. He said it was not a US government operation and that he was not "going to speculate about whose boat it was, what they were doing, why they were there, what actually happened. US oil blockade persists The Cuban government identified two of the boat passengers as Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez, who are wanted by Cuban authorities based on their involvement in the promotion, planning, organisation, financing, support or commission of actions carried out in the national territory or in other countries, in connection with acts of terrorism. Advertisement Advertisement Cubas government said it obtained the details about the passengers aboard the boat from the suspects detained following the shootout. The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Havana, after US President Donald Trump imposed an oil blockade on the Caribbean island, for what he said was its role in aiding Venezuelas former President Nicolas Maduros regime. Trump has cut off all oil and money transfers to Cuba from Venezuela, which it heavily relied on, after the US executed a stunning military intervention which overthrew and extradited Maduro early in January. Marco Rubio shakes hands with Guyana's President Mohamed Irfaan Ali during the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) meeting in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Feb. 25, 2026 - Jonathan Ernst/AP The US president has repeatedly urged Cuba to come to its senses and strike a deal with Washington before it is too late, likely alluding to military action in the island. Advertisement Advertisement Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has so far refused to engage, saying any negotiations have to be held on equal footing, must be guided by common respect and impose no threat to Havanas sovereignty or foreign policy. Cuban officials have slammed the US for its oil blockade, which they say has shut down the islands health system and puts thousands of lives at risk. The incident comes as Rubio, whose parents emigrated from Cuba in 1956, arrives in Saint Kitts and Nevis to meet with Caribbean leaders, as the Trump administration looks to further ramp up pressure and isolate the Cuban government. MIAMI (AP) Word from the Cuban government of a deadly encounter between its troops and a boat carrying armed expatriates is casting a spotlight on Cubans living in the U.S. who still harbor aspirations of a counter-revolution 67 years after a guerrilla uprising ushered in communism. Cuban soldiers confronted a speedboat carrying 10 people as the vessel approached the island and opened fire on the troops, who fired back, killing four and wounding six, Cubas government says. Cuba's deputy foreign minister on Thursday said communication about the firefight is underway with U.S. officials, who say at least one American was killed and another wounded. One of the four killed was Michel Ortega Casanova a man on an obsessive and diabolical quest for Cubas freedom from current circumstances, his brother in Florida said. Advertisement Advertisement Misael Ortega Casanova said his brother Michel is an American citizen who has lived in the U.S. for more than 20 years and still agonizes over the suffering that Cubans endure. They became so obsessed that they didnt think about the consequences nor their own lives, Misael told The Associated Press of the passions harbored by his brother. At the same time, Misael said that he did not recognize any of the names that the Cuban government released in connection with the boat incursion and that the shootings had caught his family by surprise. No one knew, Misael said of his brothers plans. My mother is devastated. Advertisement Advertisement He said that while he doesnt believe in heroes because that is ignorance he hopes that his brothers death might be a worthwhile sacrifice. "Maybe it will justify that some day Cuba will be free. Competing narratives of stolen speedboat and guns Cuban authorities, meanwhile, say Ortega Casanova was accompanied on the boat by two men who are wanted based on their involvement in the promotion, planning, organization, financing, support or commission of terrorism, speaking of Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez. They released a list of alleged suspects accused of planning to invade Cuba. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was wary of initial reports by Cuba and asserted that the U.S. would gather its own information about the people involved. His words also evoked a seemingly dormant history of subterfuge and armed provocations between the U.S. and Cuba. Advertisement Advertisement It is highly unusual to see shootouts in open sea like that, said Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants. Its something that hasnt happened with Cuba in a very long time. Conrado Galindo Sariol, another passenger, was identified as a former political prisoner in a 2025 interview with Marti Noticias, a U.S.-based news site that has long called for a change of government in Cuba. The Cuban government said the watercraft was a Florida-registered speedboat, and officials who searched it found assault rifles, handguns, homemade explosives, bulletproof vests, telescopic sights and camouflage uniforms. Adding to intrigue, the boat was reported stolen from an island in the Florida Keys archipelago 140 miles (225 kilometers) southwest of Miami, according to a report from the Monroe County Sheriffs Office. Heightened tensions after attack on Venezuela The shooting took place amid heightened tensions between the two countries as President Donald Trump's administration tightens the U.S. embargo and threatens tariffs against countries providing Cuba with oil. Advertisement Advertisement Crucial oil shipments to Cuba from Venezuela were halted when the U.S. arrested Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in a Jan. 3 stealth nighttime raid by U.S. military forces. Guns and boats of mysterious provenance are hallmarks of both the guerrilla landing that spawned Cubas 1959 revolution, the failed 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion by CIA-trained exiles in an attempt to topple its leader, Fidel Castro, and assorted skirmishes since then. Any new incursion into Cuban waters is likely to have been prompted by U.S. pressure, which has decimated the economy and spurred wishful thinking of regime change in policy circles, said William LeoGrande, a professor at American University who has studied Cuba for decades. An academic conference taking place this week at Florida International University in Miami, titled Cuba: The Day After Tomorrow, is focused on the possibilities of a national refoundation following a political transition, according to a news release about the event. Advertisement Advertisement The atmosphere now is that the Cuban government is on the verge of collapse, he said. I dont think thats true, but thats what the president of the United States is saying, thats what Secretary of State Marco Rubio is saying. Skepticism among Cuban exiles Emilio Izquierdo, a prominent exile in Miami who spent two years jailed in Cuba before arriving in the U.S. in 1980, cast doubt on Cubas initial reports of an armed incursion. He said that it was far more believable that foreign agents might have infiltrated Miamis massive Cuban exile community and tricked government opponents into risking their lives on a suicide mission to overthrow the communist government in Havana. Nobody with a 25-foot speedboat tries to overthrow a government, he said. Advertisement Advertisement The timing of the incident with tensions between the U.S. and Cuba running at their highest in decades was similarly suspicious, he said. Ramon Saul Sanchez, an exiled Cuban activist and leader of the nonprofit group Movimiento Democracia, suspects that the Cuban government knew in advance that the speedboat was planning to approach. ___ Coto reported from San Jose, Costa Rica. AP writers John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio, and Gisela Salomon in Miami contributed. Lee el articulo en espanol Cuba said its forces fatally shot four heavily armed people attempting to infiltrate its territory on a Florida-registered speedboat on Wednesday, amid simmering tensions between the communist island and the US. Cuban border guard troops approached the boat after it entered their territorial waters in Falcones Cay, Villa Clara province, just over 100 miles from Florida, the countrys interior ministry said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement A passenger on the speedboat shot at the Cuban vessel, wounding its commander, and prompting Cuban forces to return fire, according to the statement. Six other people aboard the speedboat were wounded and are in custody and receiving medical attention. The passengers were Cuban residents of the US and were armed with assault rifles, handguns and Molotov cocktails, and had intended to carry out an infiltration for terrorist purposes, according to a later statement from the ministry. Two of the surviving passengers were previously wanted by Cuba for terrorism, the ministry added. The vessel was not carrying US government personnel and was not on a US government operation, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to reporters in a departure lounge before returning to Washington following meetings with Caribbean Community leaders, at Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, on February 25. - Jonathan Ernst/Pool/AFP/Getty Images The registration number given by Cuban authorities, FL7726SH, matched a 24-foot power boat that was manufactured in 1981, according to maritime database records. Advertisement Advertisement Another individual who was sent from the US to facilitate the reception of the armed infiltration was arrested and has since confessed, the Cuban interior ministry statement said. CNN has reached out to the White House regarding the latest Cuban statement. The shootout comes amid heightened tensions between the US and Cuba. Following the US ousting in January of Venezuelan leader and Cuban ally Nicolas Maduro, the administration of US President Donald Trump has set its sights on Cuba, blocking all oil deliveries to the island and talking of regime change. The blockade has brought Cubas economy to its knees, with the Caribbean nation experiencing its worst era of economic uncertainty in decades and the UN warning of a potential humanitarian collapse. The US eased the embargo slightly on Wednesday, saying it would grant licenses to private Cuban entities looking to resell oil from Venezuela, the main supplier of crude and fuel to the Cuban market. That market is largely dominated by the public sector. Cuba has clashed with US boats before Cubas forces have engaged in skirmishes with US boats entering its waters in the past, though it is rare to see deadly shootouts on this scale. Advertisement Advertisement Havanas ministry of the interior said it intercepted 13 US speedboats in 2022 with 23 crew members who it accused of carrying out human trafficking operations taking people from Cuba to the US. The north coast of Villa Clara province, where the speedboat was intercepted on Wednesday, is known for its white-sand beaches, shallow waters and sandbars. The US Coast Guard has previously intercepted speedboats off its coast that it said were carrying illegal migrants to the US, which is home to a Cuban exile community largely opposed to the islands communist government. The fatal shooting comes just one day after the 30-year anniversary of when the Cuban military downed two planes belonging to the Cuban-American humanitarian organization Brothers to the Rescue over the waters north of Havana, killing four. Earlier this month, Trump extended a Clinton-era emergency measure, enacted after Cuba shot down the planes, which allows US authorities to board any vessel which may be headed toward Cuba. Advertisement Advertisement Nearly one million Cubans have fled to the US in recent years, with thousands attempting the perilous sea journey to Florida in makeshift vessels. However, unlike previous Republican and Democratic administrations, which generally treated Cubans as political refugees and gave them a unique fast track to US residency, Trump has deported Cubans in record numbers. US officials call for investigation Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US embassy in Havana was looking into the incident after being informed of it by Cuban authorities. The Department of Homeland Security and the US Coast Guard are also involved. Were going to find out exactly what happened here and then well respond accordingly, said Rubio, who was in the region on an official visit to Saint Kitts and Nevis. Suffice it to say, it is highly unusual to see shootouts on open sea like that, he added. Its something, frankly, that hasnt happened over Cuba in a very long time. Advertisement Advertisement Officials from Florida called for an investigation and for the Cuban government to be held accountable. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said he has directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to help federal, state, and law enforcement authorities begin an investigation. US Republican Congressman Carlos A. Gimenez, whose district includes the southern tip of Florida, said the incident raised concerns about the use of lethal force against people aboard a US-registered vessel and called for an investigation into the incident. Republican Senator Rick Scott, also from Florida, called the incident deeply concerning and said the Cuban government must be held accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Cuba ally Russia also weighed in on the incident, with a foreign ministry spokeswoman calling it an aggressive provocation by the United States aimed at triggering conflict, according to Russian state news agency TASS. CNNs Max Saltman, Patrick Oppmann and Jennifer Hansler contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court judge is ordering doctors at Central Ohio Behavioral Health to compile a report on whether De'Lawnte Hardy, the man charged with killing Cleveland Police Officer Jamieson Ritter, can be restored to mental competency within the next two years. The order from Judge Ashley Kilbane comes after Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 295 into law Friday, extending the competency restoration period for defendants charged with serious crimes from one year to three. Ritter was killed in the line of duty in July 2024. Hardy was arrested and charged with aggravated murder in his death, but the path to trial has been complicated. Advertisement Advertisement A court deemed Hardy incompetent to stand trial and sent him to Central Ohio Behavioral Health in Columbus for treatment to restore his competency. There have been multiple issues with his treatment throughout the process, including a period of months when Hardy was not taking medication. A new court order filed Tuesday in Hardy's case states the new law extends Hardy's competency timeline to March 23. It also orders doctors to compile a report on whether there is "a substantial probability the defendant will become competent to stand trial within the next two years." Case Western Reserve University Law Professor Michael Benza said the filing raises multiple questions. When asked what would happen if doctors reported restoration was improbable, Benza said the answer is unclear. "Because the law isn't exactly clear on what the next steps must be, the judge could say, well, in that case, I am going to dismiss these charges and send it over to the probate court. And the probate court would then handle that process. The judge could also say, well, I, I value the mental health people's opinion. I am going to continue jurisdiction for the next two years with regular updates from the facility. And in two years, as the statute begins to expire, then would decide what the next steps in that case would be," Benza said. Advertisement Advertisement According to the filing, COBH must turn over their report to the court by March 13. A spokesperson for the county prosecutor's office said the state has filed a motion asking for an independent expert to evaluate Hardy's competency. A judge has not yet ruled on that request. PREVIOUS REPORTING NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A bill moving through the Tennessee General Assembly could force one of the largest health care companies in the country to restructure how it does business in the state. Senate Bill 2040 would prohibit pharmacy benefit managers, known as PBMs, from owning or controlling a Tennessee pharmacy license. In practical terms, that means a company could operate as a PBM or own retail pharmacies in Tennessee, but not both. Advertisement Advertisement The proposal strikes at the vertically integrated model used by companies like CVS Health, which owns thousands of retail pharmacies nationwide. It also owns CVS Caremark, one of the largest PBMs in the country. Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom PBMs serve as a buyers club in the prescription drug system. They negotiate prices with drug manufacturers, determine which medications are covered by insurance plans and set reimbursement rates for pharmacies. In some cases, they also influence where patients are permitted to fill their prescriptions. Supporters of the bill argue that when a PBM and a retail pharmacy share common ownership, it creates a conflict of interest. Advertisement Advertisement This vertical integration is tearing our profession apart, State Sen. Shane Reeves (R-Murfreesboro) said during committee debate. State Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville) said many independent pharmacists believe the same corporate entities are deciding which drugs are covered, how much they cost and how rebates are handled, all while competing directly with local pharmacies. They feel like the same people are deciding what drugs get covered, how much they are costing, how much they are rebating, and whether those decisions are about profit instead of keeping people well, Yarbro said. In a statement to News 2, CVS said the legislation would force the closure of 134 CVS pharmacies in Tennessee, affecting more than 1.5 million patients and over 2,000 employees. Advertisement Advertisement Company representatives have also testified that pharmacists and staff could lose their jobs if the measure passes. Bill sponsor State Sen. Bobby Harshbarger (R-Kingsport) rejects that interpretation. The bill does not close pharmacies, Harshbarger said. Divestment does not equal closure. It does not prohibit retail, mail order or specialty pharmacies. It does not eliminate PBMs. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Dr. Casey Mulligan, chief counsel for advocacy at the U.S. Small Business Administration and an economist who has reviewed the measure, said the text is straightforward in its structure. Advertisement Advertisement The way I read the bill was, Its OK to be a PBM. Its OK to be a pharmacy, but you cant be both, Mulligan said. But I guarantee you they have some stores that are losing money, and they will view as a hopeless cause if they got this business model changed. The bill would not take effect immediately. If passed, the ownership restriction would be phased in, with compliance required by 2027 and transition deadlines beginning next year. The measure is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Finance Subcommittee on March 4. A companion bill in the House is set for consideration on the same day in the House Insurance Subcommittee. 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. In a confirmation hearing for President Donald Trumps controversial nominee to lead the Bureau of Land Management, Montana Sen. Steve Daines said he secured commitments for Montana priorities, but offered a rosy view of Stevan Pearces record, ignoring key votes against conservation funding measures. The BLM oversees 245 million acres of federal land including more than 8.3 million in Montana and the Dakotas along with 700 million acres of subsurface rights for extraction and energy development, putting the nomination of its director directly in the crosshairs of energy developers and outdoor industry groups. In Wednesdays hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, lawmakers probed former Republican New Mexico Rep. Pearce for his statements supporting the selloff of federal public lands as well as his close ties to the fossil fuel industry. Advertisement Advertisement Public land sales have been a flashpoint in Congress during the last year, and numerous conservation and outdoor groups have expressed opposition to Pearces nomination. But Daines focused his questioning time on another prominent conservation issue the Land and Water Conservation Fund. If confirmed, will you continue your support for expanding hunting, fishing, and recreation access on BLM lands through the LWCF program, Daines asked Pearce, who replied, absolutely. The LWCF was established in 1964 to use oil and gas royalties to support public access to and protection for federal public lands and water. It also provides grants to state governments to acquire and develop land for public parks and other recreation sites. In 2020, Daines sponsored and passed the Great American Outdoors Act which mandates permanent funding $900 million for LWCF, which Daines said during the hearing was the greatest conservation win in 50 years. In 2020, Daines was campaigning for re-election, and he will again be on the ballot in November. Advertisement Advertisement In his lead up to his question for Pearce, Daines expounded on the importance of LWCF funding to Montanans. He lauded the work done by Pearce in Congress, saying he had sponsored a number of natural resources bills, including the Making Public Lands Public Act, which directed a portion of the Land and Water Conservation Fund for increasing public access for hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting. In his comments, Daines gave credit and a positive voting record on LWCF funding to Pearce, though that bill never received a committing hearing, nor did it ever get a consponsor. Seventy-five percent of our fishing access sites were funded by LWCF, Daines said. We have access to these amazing rivers and streams because of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and its been successfully used to unlock access to public lands that prior were inaccessible due to checkerboard land ownership. The League of Conservation Voters, a national organization that advocates for environmental and conservation policy, gave Pearce a lifetime score of 4% for his history of voting against environmental policies. Advertisement Advertisement Among the votes highlighted by LCV are several on the Land and Conservation Fund. Pearce opposed supporting the fund in all three votes. Daines office did not respond to a series of questions about Pearces record and why he did not probe deeper into LWCF-related votes when asking for public support, given his statements about the funds importance to Montana constituents. During his time in the House, Pearce voted against LWCF funding three times. In 2011, an amendment to H.R. 1, brought by Wyoming Rep. Cynthia Lummis, sought to reduce funding under the LCWF. The amendment failed, but Pearce voted to support it. Advertisement Advertisement In 2016, the House voted on a resolution by Arizona Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva sponsored a motion to include permanent funding of LWCF into a larger bill. The motion failed, with Pearce voting against it, but Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke, a Republican, bucked a majority of his party to vote for the motion. And in 2018, an amendment brought by Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Arizona, sought to divert LWCF funding to the National Park Service maintenance backlog. Pearce voted for the amendment, which ultimately failed. Then-Rep. Greg Gianforte of Montana voted against the amendment. Daines did not publicly press Pearce about this history when seeking a commitment for future support. Daines has previously expressed public support for Pearces nomination, and confirmed that on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement I truly look forward to working with each one of you once you are confirmed, Daines told all three individuals receiving committee hearings. U.S. Sen. Steve Daines proposed a bill to address new information the Chinese spy balloon contained American technology. (Provided by the office of Sen. Daines, R-Montana.) Selling public lands The main line of questions for Pearce from the Senate committee members revolved around public land sales and while the nominee gave the committee commitments that he would not push to sell public land, he was not firm in his opposition to the idea in general. Pearce has previously advocated for selling federal lands, once saying that of the federal lands in the West, most of it we do not even need. Is that something you said some time ago and you no longer believe? asked Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon. Advertisement Advertisement Pearce responded that the statement was made when he represented a district that was at odds with federal agencies many times because the management of those lands is sometimes not as well done as it should be and local people pay the price. I dont visualize selling large swaths of land, Pearce added. But when pressed by Wyden if he had a different opinion on not needing federal land, Pearce said he is not so sure that Ive changed. The hearing was led by Sen. Mike Lee a Utah Republican who tried to include federal land selloffs in last years One Big Beautiful Bill until opposition, including from Montanas delegation, led him to remove it who often reminded his colleagues that current federal policy doesnt allow for large-scale divestment of public lands. Pearce agreed with that position, saying he would follow the law completely, and in all cases seek local input. Advertisement Advertisement But the bipartisan opposition to the idea was prominently on display in the committee. Idaho Republican Sen. Jim Risch said he is a one-issue guy, on Pearces appointment, and re-emphasized that the BLM director, and the president, have no authority to sell off public lands. This is a 98% issue in Idaho, Risch said. In all my decades of serving the state, Ive never received such passionate and unified messages as I have on this particular topic. Idahoans do not want their public lands sold period. Full stop. Public lands are really part of us. They are really sacred to us. So any hint that that could happen really raises the ire of people. The committee did not vote on Pearces nomination. Advertisement Advertisement Following the hearing, conservation and outdoors groups from Montana expressed frustration with the hearing and emphasized their opposition to Pearce. Today, Mr. Pearce wisely sought to do everything he could to distance himself from his previous anti-public land positions, the unpopularity of which have never been clearer. But Montana hunters and anglers arent buying it, Mike Mershon, board chairman of the Montana Wildlife Federation, said in a statement. We want to see conservation values represented in the management of these lands, including the eight million acres of BLM lands in Montana. And we believe actions speak louder than words. For good reason, 75% of Montanans oppose the Pearce nomination, and we ask Senator Steve Daines and Senator Tim Sheehy to reflect the will of their constituents. But energy and extraction industry groups praised Pearces hearing and their support for his future leadership of the BLM. Steve Pearce is exactly the kind of experienced, principled leader we need at the helm of the Bureau of Land Management, Melissa Simpson, president of Western Energy Alliance, said in a statement. Growing up and building a small oilfield services business in New Mexico, he understands firsthand how sound BLM policies support both family-wage jobs and responsible development on our nations public lands. A previous version of this story misstated how many candidates have confirmed their attendance to the debate. Two candidates have confirmed the attendance, and all five have been invited. The South Carolina Republican Party has released new dates for its governor's race debate series, which will start in April. Five Republicans are running in the June 9 primary for the party's nomination. GOP organizers are planning the debate series to highlight where each candidate stands on issues facing the state. The debates will be broadcast and live streamed by news stations owned by Gray Media, including Fox Carolina in the Upstate. Advertisement Advertisement More: GOP candidates for SC governor use experiences to separate from field All five candidates have been invited to the debate, and two have confirmed their attendance. The candidates are U.S. Reps. Nancy Mace, District 1, and Ralph Norman, District 6, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Attorney General Alan Wilson and State Sen. Josh Kimbrell, Spartanburg. Each debate will be held at different colleges across the state, and will be available for viewing over broadcast or livestream. In-person seats for the debates are reserved by sponsors and South Carolina Republican Party Elephant Club members. When are the South Carolina governor debates? There are three debates scheduled from 7 to 8 p.m., with an optional fourth debate if the election goes into a runoff. Advertisement Advertisement April 1 at Newberry Opera House April 21 at College of Charleston May 26 at Wofford College June 16, if necessary in case of a runoff, at Coastal Carolina University How to watch the South Carolina governor debates The debates will be broadcast and livestreamed by the following stations: WHNS FOX Carolina WIS NBC 10 WCSC Live 5 WMBF NBC WAGT NBC WBTV WTOC Bella Carpentier covers the South Carolina legislature, state, and Greenville County politics. Contact her at bcarpentier@gannett.com This article originally appeared on Greenville News: When are SC Republican governor candidate debates? Dates, how to watch You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters. LPL Financial has expanded what it said was an ongoing relationship with artificial intelligence firm Anthropic, the creator of Claude, to work on AI integrations for its more than 30,000 financial advisors. LPL announced the expanded relationship on the same day Anthropic leadership reported it had expanded Claude AI plug-ins for wealth managers, investment bankers, equity research and private equity firms. These plugins give RIAs, broker/dealers, custodian, TAMPs and other platforms a foundation to build their own private plugins customized to their advisors, powered by their data, controlled by their compliance teams, Peter Nolan, head of asset and wealth management at Anthropic, wrote in a LinkedIn post. They own what they build. Were providing the building blocks, while the experts build on top. Nolan and other Anthropic executives pointed to the expanded work with LPL as an early example of the effort. LPL issued its own statement, noting that it has been intentionally building advisor-centric AI for years, and that the expanded Anthropic work gives it a partner to deliver on our roadmap of industry-leading capabilities for financial advisors and institutions. Wealth technology provider Orion also announced Tuesday that it had expanded its relationship with Anthropic regarding its wealth management push. The Omaha, Neb.-based firm said it had been working with Anthropics platform as part of its AI strategy, and would now be incorporating the new plug-ins. Were excited by todays announcement and look forward to working with these new plug-in capabilities as well as other enhancements as they become available, Reed Colley, president of Orion Advisor Technology, said in a statement. The news comes a few weeks after financial services firm stocks were roiled by investor fears that AI would undercut their value propositions. The stir was pinned to news that tech-focused custodian Altruist had rolled out its first AI agent dedicated to tax planning. LPL, Charles Schwab, Stifel and Raymond James all saw stocks plummet between 7%-8% on February 10. Some firm leaders, such as Morgan Stanleys Jedd Finn, argued that AI tools would only support the advisor-client relationship in the long run, not supplant it. LPL did not respond to a request for comment at the time of the stock dip. Its research team published a podcast on February 17 addressing AI Whack-a-Mole in the markets. The deadline to apply for a couple of new property tax rate reductions has been extended through March 20. Thursday, Gov. Greg Gianforte and Department of Revenue Director Brendan Beatty announced property owners wanting to apply for the homestead or long-term rental tax rate reduction have roughly three more weeks. Earlier this week, Bryce Kaatz, with the Department of Revenue, told legislators long-term rental property owners had been slow to apply for the reduction. Advertisement Advertisement Then, a flurry of last minute filings created technical issues for an online portal, according to a news release Thursday from the Governors Office and Department of Revenue. In a statement about the extension, Gianforte said state government should be customer friendly and responsive, and no one should be penalized for a glitch. Our top priority is delivering permanent and meaningful property tax relief to the hardworking Montanans who call this state home, Gianforte said. For help Taxpayers experiencing continued technical issues or seeking assistance with their application are encouraged to contact the Department of Revenues help line at (406) 444-6900 or visit their local county property assessment office. Advertisement Advertisement Electronic applications must be submitted at homestead.mt.gov by midnight on March 20. Physical applications sent by mail must be postmarked on or before that same day. This week, the Revenue Interim Committee heard updates on a couple of key property tax reduction bills the Montana Legislature adopted in its 2025 session, Senate Bill 542 and House Bill 231. Residential owners had seen steep increases in property taxes in recent years, and those bills together aimed to provide relief to residents, including through a rebate, a graduated tax rate, and reductions for homes that are primary residences. One bill, SB 542, is the subject of a lawsuit filed last month alleging it is unconstitutional, partly for rolling multiple ideas into one piece of legislation; the case is pending. Advertisement Advertisement At the meeting this week, legislators heard about the lag in applications from long-term rental owners as well as the status of the property tax reduction for Montanans who live in their homes, the homestead exemption. During the session, legislators and Gianforte worked to provide relief to Montanans who live in their homes as opposed to out-of-staters who own high-value properties here. But some Montanans with vacation cabins saw property tax increases too, and at their meeting, legislators mulled that outcome. Previously, some lawmakers had warned about property taxes on cabins. Sen. Greg Hertz, R-Polson and a plaintiff in the lawsuit, also said recently at a GOP event that taxes are not actually going down overall, theyre just hitting someone else. Advertisement Advertisement If your taxes went down $500, somebody elses taxes in your school district, your city, your county, went up $500 because this is just a shift, Hertz said. Its not somebody up in the Yellowstone Club or somebody up in Flathead Lake or Whitefish Lake It is someone else in your tax jurisdiction, and most likely its another Montana full-time resident like myself. Its a Main Street business owner. At the meeting, though, legislators heard a warning to proceed with caution with any future legislation so as not to harm the property owners they had just helped, those with homes at the median value. If you cut taxes on high value non-owner-occupied properties, someone else has to pay more, said Rose Bender, with the Montana Budget and Policy Center. Lagging for long-term rentals Rep. James Reavis, D-Billings, wanted to be sure word gets out about the deadline to apply for long-term rental rates, initially March 2 but extended to March 20. Advertisement Advertisement Is there anything the agency or we as a legislature could do to make sure that we can educate landlords that there is an opportunity to get a better property tax rate when they are providing long-term rentals? Reavis said. In his presentation Monday, Kaatz said more than 21,000 applications had come in from owners of long-term rentals, and the department estimated Montana had 50,000 to 55,000, although he also said the number wasnt precise. But he also said a lot of outreach had taken place, and people might just be waiting until the last minute. The assessment seemed to be proving out; by Thursday, the department had seen an additional 4,000 or so filings. To get the word out, Kaatz said the department mailed 109,000 postcards, sent press releases, made social media posts, conducted media interviews, and reached out to organizations such as the Montana Landlords Association. Advertisement Advertisement Of the applications it received, the department made determinations on 9,200 so far, he said. Homestead applications on track Montanans who received a property tax rebate in 2025 were automatically signed up for a lower rate for their principal residence, for roughly 224,000 enrolled. If you did get that rebate last go-round, youre probably covered, and you dont need to light anything on fire for the moment, said Sen. Becky Beard, R-Elliston. As of Thursday, the department had received 21,000 additional applications for that new rate, with around 2,000 coming just this week. It had made determinations on 7,000, Kaatz said. He also said paper applications take a significantly longer amount of time to process. Changes under discussion Residential property owners had seen stiff increases in their property taxes in recent years, including a median 21% jump after the 2023 legislative session, and last year, lawmakers focused on helping Montanans. Advertisement Advertisement But the fix to protect primary residences meant secondary ones picked up the slack, including second homes owned by Montanans. Some Montanans have said they just want to pass small family cabins onto their children, and the Montana Legislature is putting that dream out of reach. Sen. Dave Fern, D-Whitefish, was among the legislators who asked whether the department can sort data for the value of non-principal homes in Montana. Fern said he would like to understand not only the number of second homes owned by Montanans, which he believes is available, but also the different values of those second homes, family cabins versus luxury homes, or what goes on in Big Sky. Advertisement Advertisement Kaatz said he believes more information will be available after the department processes new applications. In the future, Beard suggested legislators consider adding additional classifications based on property use, such as residential for living, residential for recreation, and residential for work-related activities. She said it might be a slippery slope, but doing so would avoid discriminating against owners of a property. Jaret Coles, deputy director of legal services, agreed the focus should be on use, not individuals. Its really about coming up with a classification system where everyone that is similarly situated is treated the same way, Coles said. Advertisement Advertisement In public comment, Bender, with the Budget and Policy Center, stressed the positive impacts legislation that came out of the 2025 Legislature had on everyday Montanans. Leading up to the session, she said, property taxes had become more regressive, hitting hardest those who could least afford them. But Bender said legislation started to address the disproportionate impact, and a vast majority of homeowners are paying lower residential property taxes as a result, with some 80% seeing decreases. The Montana Budget and Policy Center is a progressively leaning organization, but in a recent statement about the pending lawsuit, Gianforte, a Republican, pointed to the same data point, that the bills he was proud to sign cut taxes for 80% of Montana homeowners. Bender said the bills meant average Montanans saw their property taxes decrease, and without the legislation, just 13% would have seen decreases. Bender said just 11% of residential properties saw tax increases, and those properties are homes with either very high values or significant valuation increases. We urge this committee to consider how changes geared toward lowering taxes on non-owner-occupied vacation homes will impact everyday Montanans in homes at or near the median value, Bender said. SAN DIEGO, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) Several lanes of the southbound I-5 were closed on Wednesday due to a deadly crash, according to the California Highway Patrol. CHP Oceanside posted on social media around 6:53 p.m. that the inside three lanes of the highway near the San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant were closed due to a deadly accident. The slow lane remained open, but delays were expected. See real-time road conditions on the FOX 5/KUSI Live Traffic Map Advertisement Advertisement The CHP did not describe the details of the crash, but the agencys logs indicate that a pedestrian may have been involved. A person driving northbound told FOX 5/KUSI that they saw a man run across the northbound lanes and onto the southbound side of the I-5. The freeway has since reopened. 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 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Native Vote 2026. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Floor-to-ceiling windows separated two Albuquerque community kitchens inside the Street Food Institute. In one kitchen, New Mexico candidate for governor Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) outlined an affordability plan she said would support the people who worked in the kitchen across the hall, where silver trays clanked during afternoon cleanup as she spoke on Wednesday. Haaland stressed the importance of food and housing costs in her affordability platform for New Mexicans. Its expensive to be poor, Haaland said before following with proposals to increase the states minimum wage to $14.50 from the current $12 per hour rate, expand its child tax credit, create investments in renewable energy, ban rental price fixing and predatory lending, and increase available housing through reforms in short-term rental and building development policies. Advertisement Advertisement Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. We heard from a lot of people who say the permitting process is entirely too long. It takes such a long time to get permits to build, she said. Developers or folks who are building affordable housing will just go to another state because they can't wait any longer. Its the second major policy rollout for Haaland in her run to become the countrys first female Native American governor, and one rooted in her personal experience that she has shared since the Laguna Pueblo woman entered public service. Her opponent in the states Democratic primary, Sam Bregman, has similar affordability proposals in his pitch to New Mexico voters. At the event, Haaland described the salsa business she started out of a small kitchen to cover health care costs for her daughter. She would drive hundreds of miles to Northern New Mexico to procure 50-pound bags of dried red chile she needed as the main ingredient for her recipe, which she would jar and then sell at markets out of her car. Advertisement Advertisement It was important that I used local farmers for that purpose. I think there are a lot of local farmers here who would grow things according to what communities need, she said. There's not a grocery store in this neighborhood, and so that's the reason why (The Street Food Institute) started. They want to have a little storefront so that people can actually get fresh vegetables in this community. The Street Food Institute was an appropriate setting as an example of the type of small business programs Haalands plan would support. There, the local nonprofit teaches college students and community members two courses in food entrepreneurial management and food safety certification, along with support to establish a small business with things like licenses and permits. The goal is to build a network of small businesses that meet community food needs. There are food deserts across New Mexico, Haaland said. That's a sad fact, and there are food deserts very near to cities. So we have to remember that not everyone has a car. Transportation is an issue also for folks and why they may not be able to get to a grocery store. Ivydel Natachu moved to Albuquerque from Zuni Pueblo for better access to cancer treatment. After Haaland spoke, she approached the candidate for a brief conversation and selfie. Natachu said shes grateful Zuni has two small grocery stores in the Pueblo, but families still need help with food deliveries from larger grocery stores in nearby border towns. Its to the point, she said, that community members have taught elders in Zuni how to order food from the Walmart or Safeway app, then have someone with a car deliver the groceries. Advertisement Advertisement Tuesdays and Thursdays, they're going to Gallup with these people, and they take orders and then they go to those stores, pick up the orders, and then they deliver them. So that's another new thing going on, Natachu said. I'm glad that person is teaching the elders how to use them. Haalands affordability plan has specific carve-outs to expand self-determination for tribal governments in New Mexico. She said one way that would happen is by creating the states version of the Native American Business Incubators Program Act, which she passed while in Congress and which was signed by President Donald Trump. I got five bills passed and signed into law by President Trump, and so I think that shows how well I can work across the aisle and how even Donald Trump thinks I have good ideas, Haaland quipped. Advertisement Advertisement Federal funding ended for that program, and Haalands approach to enact it locally would include state funding that would allow tribes to spend the money as they see fit. Tribes employ a lot of New Mexicans. They aren't always tribal members, Haaland said pointedly. And so paying attention to the tribal economies across our state, I think, will benefit New Mexico an incredible amount. About the Author: "Shaun Griswold, contributing writer, is a Native American journalist based Albuquerque. He is a citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna, and his ancestry also includes Jemez and Zuni on the maternal side of his family. He has more than a decade of print and broadcast news experience. " Contact: shawn@nativenewsonline.net A fourth-grade class in Central Florida is inspiring millions, and its all because of a simple act of kindness. Students at DeBary Elementary in Volusia County have gained widespread attention for an act of kindness toward a classmate who needed encouragement. After a student told her teacher she did not feel smart, her peers responded by covering her desk and chair with handwritten Post-it notes filled with supportive messages. Advertisement Advertisement The moment was captured in a video shared by the teacher, which has now reached millions of people. The response highlights the efforts of the schools Kindness Squad, a student group dedicated to fostering a supportive environment within the school. Teacher Joanne Miller said the students admission of self-doubt was a unique and moving moment in her classroom. Ive never really had a student come up to me and say that they dont feel smart. And so just broke my heart, Miller said. She noted that the classroom response illustrates the results of teaching students how to support and lift one another up during challenging moments. See more in the video above. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. When it opened in 2002, Triangle Town Center drew 1,500 shoppers before sunrise, all of them eager to browse the states first Saks Fifth Avenue, gawk at the malls 18-foot indoor waterfall and stroll down the artificial river that burbled alongside Teds Montana Grill. Raleighs boosters spared no exaggeration when they declared their new retail hub would form a second downtown along the Outer Loop, pulling in customers clear to Rocky Mount to the east and Virginia to the north. Never happened. A scene at Triangle Town Center in Raleigh on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. The 70-acre property opened in 2002 and initially featured anchor stores Sears, Hudson Belk, Dillards and Hechts. (Travis Long/tlong@newsobserver.com) Two decades later, the North Raleigh mall has decayed enough to attract urban explorers amateur filmmakers who post YouTube videos while wandering through abandoned eyesores. Advertisement Advertisement They walk through the ghost town of the outdoor commons, where the only sign of humans is the bedding from a homeless camp, and they point out the plentiful signs of collapse: locked doors and lights out at Orvis, a fire marshals notice tacked to the door at Twisted Fork restaurant, and rotting wood at Teds. Inside the mall, Macys plans to shut its doors as did Sears, just as Saks Global has filed for bankruptcy, leaving one of the malls anchors vulnerable. Meanwhile, the malls waterfall is long gone, and a trickle of customers now pass by storefronts offering 70% discounts. Most telling: The fake river now runs dry. Thats wild, dude, a YouTuber named Driving Daily noted in his visit last year. This was a popping area. Im fascinated by the reality that things can go so fast, right? You got to keep that in mind, obviously be able to pivot in life. Closing sale signs hang from the ceiling inside Macys at Triangle Town Center on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. Macys recently announced the closing of its Triangle Town Center location. (Travis Long/tlong@newsobserver.com) Malls are dying? Not like this The malls failure to meet wild expectations and its steady demise remain a popular conversation in Raleigh, where analysts call it an outlier. Advertisement Advertisement Mall traffic is declining nationwide thanks to online shopping, but neither Crabtree Valley in Raleigh nor Streets of Southpoint in Durham show anything like Triangle Town Centers decay. Summit Properties USA, the malls seventh owner, did not respond to questions. But the truth cant hide: Nearly 200 unsold Tesla Model Y electric cars sit parked in the lot along Capital Boulevard, part of a trend to store overstock in declining malls. The once-vaunted food court no longer features an outdoor splash pad for children, and a tarp covers one of the restaurant stalls. Few children play on the tunnels and slides of the indoor playground, once more crowded than a city park. Many of the stores stock specialty goods only: remote-control cars, anime, swords and armor for fantasy games. Advertisement Advertisement Ive lived near this mall for the last 20 years, wrote Daniel Corell in a one-star Google review about two months ago. It has been slowly deteriorating in value over that time. The mall opens at 10 a.m., however most stores dont open until 11 a.m. Most of the stores are off-brand names at extreme costs. Wife and I went this morning, and it was a ghost town giving us the feeling we were in a closed store. Even the decorative water pond looks dilapidated. An interior view at Triangle Town Center in Raleigh on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. The 70-acre property opened in 2002 and initially featured anchor stores Sears, Hudson Belk, Dillards and Hechts. (Travis Long/tlong@newsobserver.com) Is it safe? In 2008, the members of two rival gangs clashed in the mall on a Saturday night, triggering a brawl among 15 to 20 teenagers that nearly sparked an all-out riot. Hundreds ran through Triangle Town Center while 40 Raleigh police swarmed in to break up the fight that left a 15-year-old stabbed. I cant understand why someone would come out here to fight, Rahmaad Midgett told The N&O at the time. I just come to hang out and talk to girls. More recently, in 2022, a 21-year-old man died of gunshot wounds in the Triangle Town Center parking lot after his friend shot accidentally shot him inside a car. Advertisement Advertisement Analysts point to these incidents as incentives to stay away. Unfortunately, negative news breeds negativity, said Vijay Shah, vice president at Raleigh-based Trademark Properties. Tenants have been apprehensive about going there. The malls reputation for violence seems unfair considering a shootout at Crabtree Valley Mall in 2024 left 20 cars riddled with bullets. Prosecutors described it as a gang fight. And in Durham, a 2021 gunfight at Streets at Southpoint left three people injured, including a 10-year-old boy, on Black Friday. But Triangle Town Centers critics note that the mall responded to violence there by forbidding teens without parents, ordering unaccompanied young people to leave what might otherwise be their social habitat. Advertisement Advertisement Everyone knows how this happened, wrote J.M. Cook, responding to an urban explorer post on Instagram. The people who were actually looking to shop became afraid to go there. A scene at Triangle Town Center in Raleigh on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. The 70-acre property opened in 2002 and initially featured anchor stores Sears, Hudson Belk, Dillards and Hechts. (Travis Long/tlong@newsobserver.com) Location, location, location? On the business side, Triangle Town Center started in a rough location farther north than many people lived in the early- to mid-2000s and situated around the car lots and endless asphalt of Capital Boulevard. Crabtree Valley, in contrast, sits alongside well-established, Old Raleigh neighborhoods reachable by a greenway and creek that, despite its tendency to flood, provides a pleasant atmosphere. Triangle Town Center emerged just as North Hills began a massive expansion that continues today, much of it the same walkable restaurant-retail mix that Triangle Town Center used as a lure. Advertisement Advertisement The original demographics around the mall werent that great, said Shah, reflecting on Triangle Town Centers futility. If you look at the five-mile radius, those in the skirts and close to North Hills will shop there. A Macys entrance at Triangle Town Center bears signs of a closing sale on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. Macys recently announced the closing of its Triangle Town Center location. (Travis Long/tlong@newsobserver.com) And while North Raleigh has added hundreds of high-rise apartments around the mall since its 2002 opening, they arrived as the anchors began to fade, never attracting the hoped-for crowds, Shah said. But considering Triangle Town Center remains a mall surrounding by big box stores with no apparent dip in traffic stores like DSW, Dicks Sporting Goods, Nordstrom Rack analysts see promise for development. Raleigh is a growing market, said Jim Spaeth, real estate professor at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. Theres good transportation infrastructure around it. Going forward, I dont expect it to be a zombie mall. Id expect it to either be more of a hybrid, open-air retail center or maybe transformed into mixed-use. Advertisement Advertisement Until then, its emptiness will fascinate a YouTube audience tuned into urban decline. This was just running water, said Driving Daily, walking along the dry river. I dont think they ever had fish in it. When the rivers run dry, thats it for society. Got to move somewhere else. Thats wild, dude. As the US moves more firepower into the Persian Gulf than those waters have seen since the war in Iraq, diplomats, generals and intelligence officers around the world trade guesses on what President Donald Trump is thinking. In his State of the Union on Tuesday, Trump offered his highest-profile explanation of why he is amassing US military assets around Iran, saying his goal is to ensure the country not obtain a nuclear weapon. But he stopped short of providing a full accounting of his strategic objective in threatening Tehran with war. They want to make a deal, but we havent heard those secret words: We will never have a nuclear weapon, Trump said during a relatively short section of his speech on Iran. He said again his preference was to pursue diplomacy. Advertisement Advertisement Iran, in fact, has stated clearly it is not pursuing a nuclear bomb. The White House hasnt spelled out its aims in terms of specific demands, red lines, or the tipping point that might trigger a series of air strikes. So what is Trump asking for, and what is he willing to give in return? When I put this question to a former colleague from the US intelligence community, he put it bluntly: Trump is not asking Iran to give up anything it currently has, and in return he is willing to give Iran almost everything it doesnt have. Wait, what? Think about it this way. First, Trump is asking the Iranian regime to not rebuild an aspirational nuclear weapons program that it was getting closer to achieving. When Israel, and the US, claimed to have obliterated key nuclear enrichment sites last June, the Iranian vision for a nuclear weapons program became much further out of reach. A satellite image taken on June 14, 2025, shows no visible damage to Iran's Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant. Israel targeted the site during its attacks. - Maxar Technologies Second, Iran has long been suspected by US intelligence to be developing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program that, if achieved, would present an Iranian threat to a much larger reach than the Middle East. Irans ICBM program would provide platforms to carry nuclear warheads across the globe, according to US Defense Intelligence Agency estimates. The development of that program would have to stop. Advertisement Advertisement Third, Iran has worked for years through its elite Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to recruit, train and supply a network of terrorist and insurgent groups it calls the Axis of Resistance. This includes the massive Hezbollah terrorist network, severely damaged by Israeli strikes and assassinations during the Hamas conflict, and the Houthis in Yemen. Iran would have to commit not to rebuild that broken network. For the supreme leader, on the face of it, the nuclear weapons and ICBM programs and the now-broken-up proxy fighters are all things the regime doesnt currently have. If Iran were to agree not to regenerate those threats, Trump and his negotiators have all but said that crushing economic sanctions would be lifted, that Irans status as a pariah would fade away, and that opportunities for growth would come in ways that would benefit the regime and the Iranian people. Iran says its not pursuing nuclear bomb In this handout photo obtained from the US Defense Department, the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and other ships sail in formation in the Arabian Sea on February 6. - Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Monford/US Navy/Getty Images Just on Tuesday, the countrys foreign minister stated explicitly that Tehran was not pursuing a nuclear bomb. Irans foreign ministry said Trump repeated big lies about Iran in his State of the Union address. Advertisement Advertisement Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei accused the White House of carrying out a disinformation campaign against the country in a statement posted to X on Wednesday morning. Many doubt the Iranians are being truthful when they deny pursuing nuclear weapons. In the past, Tehran has enriched uranium to levels that would only be a short technical step from producing weapons-grade material. Ultimately, Trumps agenda is hiding in plain sight. The stick is the armada of warships pointing at Iran from every direction. The carrot is what life in the new Iran could look like. But what about regime change? Isnt that high on the list? Not necessarily. Look at Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. President Trump took Maduro out of office by dragging him out of bed and throwing him into a Brooklyn jail. He was an obstacle. But did it really change the regime? Maduros vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, is still there with the rest of his cabinet, filled with some of the same corrupt PSUV party hardliners. Those Maduro loyalists have capitulated to the same US demands Maduro refused. They are now doing business with American oil and cutting off Cuba and China. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, at a meeting with a group of Iranian elites in Tehran on October 17, 2023. - Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA News Agency/Reuters In the case of Iran, whether it is the supreme leader who makes this deal or whoever may be left standing after the smoke clears from potential military strikes, it is not clear that the Trump administration has a taste for picking a new regime. Regime change, or trying to force democracy, is a tactic that has failed the US at great cost of treasure and blood. Advertisement Advertisement Trump in both his first term (see the Abraham Accords) and his second term (See Israel ceasefire, Board of Peace, Saudis, UAE, etc.) has been very focused on a sweeping reset across the Middle East. The prospect of a weakened Iran being allowed over time to rebuild weapons programs and terrorist networks only creates the recurring need for more strikes. It becomes stealth bomber Groundhog Day. Any deal with Iran would need to include a verification process to ensure that money from a more vibrant economy does not find its way back to finance weapons or terrorist groups. For Iran, the cost-benefit analysis seems to make the choice obvious. Rejoining the global economy as a player seems like a no-brainer, but that is what an intelligence analyst would call mirror imaging. That is the trap of assuming that your adversary would think about the problem the same way you would. The Iranian regime was built out of revolution and a rejection of outside influence, especially Western influence. The Ayatollahs have been fiercely independent at a great cost to their own economy and the Iranian people. In a region where nations and leaders measure worth in the kind of wealth that brings respect and the kind of arms that command fear, Iran has consistently chosen building arsenals over building prosperity. This may be the time to test that case. After sweeping protests despite a violent crackdown and with a collapsing economy, a weakened regime may bend further than it ever has, if only for its own survival. It is clear that the US cannot afford to leave that many military assets in one place for long without a result, and a moment of decision is coming for both Trump and Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Doing nothing does not appear to be an option. Advertisement Advertisement John Miller is the Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst for CNN and served as Deputy Assistant Director of National Intelligence in 2009-2010. CNNs Kevin Liptak and Rhea Mogul contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Brief Michael Robinson, 43, is accused of traveling to Texas in 2024 and sexually assaulting a minor. Investigators say Robinson was arrested near Radnor Middle School, where he worked as a paraprofessional. Robinson was charged in December with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child Under 15-years-old. RADNOR, Pa. - Authorities say a Delaware County school employee is accused of traveling to Texas to sexually assault a minor he met online. What we know Michael Robinson, 43, was taken into custody near Radnor Middle School where investigators say he worked as a paraprofessional. Advertisement Advertisement Investigators believe Robinson traveled to Tyler, Texas in the summer of 2024 to meet a minor he had connected with online. Robinson, according to U.S. Marshals, allegedly sexually assaulted the teen over the course of a weekend. Delaware County school employee accused of sex assault of minor in Texas Prosecutors in Smith County, Texas charged Robinson in December with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child Under 15-years-old. Robinson is being held at a Delaware County jail where he is awaiting extradition to Texas. What they're saying U.S. Marshals in Pennsylvania said Robinson's arrest shows that "sexual predators will always be pursued relentlessly." Advertisement Advertisement The Radnor Township School District said Robinson has been placed on leave and will not have contact with students. "Parents of the limited number of children to whom the employee was assigned were contacted by the administration immediately." The district said it is cooperating with law enforcement and has "no information indicating misconduct involving district students." By Richard Cowan WASHINGTON, Feb 25 (Reuters) - A top Democrat in Congress accused the Justice Department on Wednesday of withholding FBI interview records with a woman who accused President Donald Trump of sexually abusing her as a minor. Representative Robert Garcia, the senior Democrat on the House of Representatives Oversight Committee, said he had confirmed media reports that the Justice Department withheld more than 50 pages of material related to the woman's claims from more than 3 million documents it released related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Advertisement Advertisement He said the withheld material showed that the FBI took the allegations seriously and interviewed the woman four times but only released the first interview, which did not detail her accusations against Trump. "The fact that DOJ is suppressing documents alleging President Trumps commission of sexual abuse of an underage victim only heightens my genuine concerns about a White House cover-up," Garcia wrote in a letter to the department. The Justice Department said it is reviewing whether any of its remaining Epstein-related documents were improperly withheld, and said they would be published if appropriate. DOJ has warned that some of the material it has released includes unfounded accusations and sensationalist claims against Trump. Advertisement Advertisement The department also says it has withheld material that could compromise the identity of Epstein's victims or jeopardize ongoing investigations. Documents released by the Justice Department include photos of Trump with several women whose faces are redacted and a suggestive note to Epstein, framed by the outline of a naked woman, which appears to bear Trump's signature. Evidence and testimony submitted in the 2021 trial of Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell indicate Trump traveled on Epstein's plane multiple times. Epstein wrote in one email that Trump "knew about the girls," though it is not clear what he meant. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said Trump had been "totally exonerated on anything relating to Epstein." Advertisement Advertisement Trump socialized extensively with Epstein in the 1990s and 2000s, but has denied any knowledge of Epstein's crimes, and says he broke off ties before the financier's 2008 conviction on solicitation of a minor for prostitution. Trump denies ever flying on Epstein's plane and has said the suggestive note was faked. (Reporting by Richard Cowan; additional reporting by Nandita Bose; editing by Andy Sullivan and Bill Berkrot) The Alabama House of Representatives has passed a bill to increase the penalty for reckless endangerment from a misdemeanor to a felony if more than one person is endangered. Under current law, a person commits reckless endangerment when they engage in conduct that creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury to another person. The crime is a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a penalty of up to a year in jail. Advertisement Advertisement HB266 by Rep. Chris Sells, R-Evergreen, would make reckless endangerment a Class C felony, punishable by one to 10 years in prison, if the offenders conduct creates a substantial risk of serious injury to more than one person. If the offender uses a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument and puts more than one person at risk, the crime would be a Class B felony, punishable by two to 20 years. Rep. Kenyatte Hassell, D-Montgomery, said he understood the intent of the bill but was concerned that it could lead to people being charged with a felony who did not hurt anyone or intend to do so. Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, who spoke for the bill on the House floor, said he believed that was justified in cases where a person recklessly puts multiple people at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Faulkner said an example of when the felony penalty would apply is if a person pulled out a gun at a party or a family reunion and shot it over everybodys head without hitting anyone. Once youve created that risk to multiple people, what were saying is that penalty should be stepped up, Faulkner said. Faulkner said Alabama district attorneys, including Jefferson County DA Danny Carr, support the bill. Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Demopolis, said he was concerned that the Legislature has a habit of increasing penalties from misdemeanors to felonies and that the state has an overcrowded prison system facing a Department of Justice lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, the House passed a bill to make disorderly conduct a felony if it happens in a church. McCampbell told Faulkner that theres no guarantee the felony charge would not be applied equitably depending on who the defendant is. You and I dont have to pretend with each other that law is blind, that Lady Justices eyes, both of them are covered, McCampbell said. Its just something to think about, thats all. The bill passed by a vote of 84-0 with 20 abstentions. It moves to the Senate. Read the original article on al.com. Add al.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. A woman accused of repeatedly scamming customers who purchased products from her South Carolina boutique was taken into custody yet again following a series of prior arrests, Us Weekly has confirmed. Pamela Brooke Schronce, who owns Thomas & Turner boutique in Belton, has been arrested 11 times since the beginning of 2026, according to authorities, WHNS reported. Shronce, 30, was most recently arrested on February 23, when she was booked at the Cherokee County Detention Center on a charge of obtaining a signature or property under false pretenses valued at under $2,000, according to jail records viewed by Us. Advertisement Advertisement Her latest arrest stems from a report made by a victim on December 10, 2025, Cherokee County Sheriff Steve Mueller confirmed to Us via email on Wednesday, February 25. The person shared that they bought $360 worth of products from Schronces boutiques website, but they never received the items, according to Mueller. Sean Kingston Sentenced to Prison: Everything We Know About His Fraud Scheme Conviction The victim just like all the others tried repeatedly to get an answer from [the] suspect but eventually was blocked and they would not respond, Mueller said. The sheriff added that investigators were able to secure an arrest warrant on February 17, 2026, and we waited in line with all the other agencies to get her booked in at the Cherokee County Detention Center. Advertisement Advertisement Information on Schronces legal representation was not immediately listed in court records. It is unclear whether she entered a plea. Us reached out to the Thomas & Turner boutique for comment on February 25 and did not receive an immediate response. An Instagram page for Schronces business describes her store as a boutique for trendy little babies that offers custom designed pieces that are affordable & adorable. The boutiques online website says that Schronces business is not currently accepting orders as of February 25. In Cherokee County, she is due back in court for a bench trial, which has been set for March 4, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Since January 1, Schronce has been arrested in eight South Carolina counties, WIS reported. She stands accused of failing to send items ordered by multiple customers and allegedly has not provided refunds to others, according to the TV station. One of her arrests occurred earlier in February in Abbeville County, where the Abbeville County Sheriffs Office said nine of Schronces customers reported that she had allegedly scammed them out of products they purchased or sought refunds for, WYFF News 4 reported. 90 Day Fiances Leida Margaretha Facing Years in Jail Over Alleged Identity Theft Months After Babys Death Advertisement Advertisement The customers told investigators that they had bought items from Schronces boutique between July 2024 and December 2025, according to the TV station. A woman named Hannah Mason previously spoke with the TV station and said she was one of the customers allegedly scammed by Schronce in Anderson County. "I asked her multiple times. Brooke, just give me my money. Just give me my money. You won't hear from me again," Mason told WYFF News 4. Mason said she had bought items from Schronces boutique since 2023 and that initially had not experienced issues with receiving her products. However, she never received items she ordered in May and June of 2025, the TV station reported. I feel like those of us who have been wrongly taken advantage of are finally seeing some sort of justice come to fruition, Mason added. Mining Technical Work Plan ("PTO"): Is underway over the NAN target area, including components for a mine exploitation plan and baseline environmental survey, which permits drilling and small-scale production. The Company recently completed an airborne LiDAR survey to obtain a high-resolution topographic base to produce orthophotos to assist in identifying structures, folds, faults/fractures and adits to unlock the full potential of the Mora mineralized corridor. Max advises investors that the gold mineralization at Marmato may not necessarily by indicative of similar mineralization at the Mora. Max further advises the QP has been unable to verify the information on Marmato that the information is not necessarily indicative to the mineralization on the Mora. Exploration activities to date : Over the last 3 months, Max's team conducted topographic and geological mapping of historic mines/adits and outcrops, with the initial objective of outlining the continuity and widths of the 5,000m Marmato-type mineralized corridor from NAN to the BQ/BX targets to the northwest. The NAN target lies at the same elevation to the neighbouring Marmato Deeps deposit (refer to Figures 1 and 2). The El Oso U/G (active 2012 - 2015) driven at azimuth of 295, is located at the lower most southern portion of a 5,000m long NW striking mineralized corridor which extends towards the Mora Property's BQ and BX targets, approximately 700m higher in elevation. The gently sloping tunnels have an average height of 2.0m, width of 1.6m, horizontal depth of 37.0m. The programs form part of the Mining Technical Work Plan ("PTO") to permit drilling and small-scale production. In total, 87 rock samples were collected (83 original and 4 duplicates); 46 from mineralized veins and 41 from host rock and the hangingwall; for total of 42 channels perpendicular to the mineralized veins. Mapping and channel sampling was conducted along the entirety of both levels: the 37.5m Main Level and the 10.0m Upper Level. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2026) - MAX RESOURCE CORP. (TSXV: MAX) (OTC Pink: MXROF) (FSE: M1D2) ("Max" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the Company's in-country team has successfully completed systematic metre-by-metre rock chip channel sampling ("Channels") of the mineralized vein structures and from the hangingwall of the vein along the entire 47.5m of tunnels in the El Oso underground ("U/G") mine within the NAN target; one of 19 past and 5 active mines identified on the Mora Gold Silver Property ("Mora" or the "Property") situated in the Marmato gold district, 70 km south of Medellin, Colombia (refer to Figures 1 to 6 and Table 2). Story Continues El Oso U/G channels: The objective of the channel sampling program is to gain an understanding of the mineralization and structure of the El Oso vein system and the greater 5,000m mineralization corridor through sampling along strike on two levels. The channel sampling should demonstrate continuity of mineralization and grade within one of the key structures within the highly prospective vein system. We look forward to receiving the assay results of this initial underground channel sampling campaign in short order. El Cielo U/G mine: Channel sampling at the El Cielo UG is underway, also active 2012 - 2015 and located along trend 100m NW of El Oso. The 60.3m long El Cielo tunnel, 2m by 1.3m, depth of 37.0m was driven at azimuth 319, sub-parallel to El Oso. A series of exposed polymetallic structures 2,500m by 1,000m, 19 past and 5 active mines/adits along the 5,000m mineralized corridor appears to demonstrate the Marmato deposit is part of a prolific mineralized system, the mines/adits and elevations are providing a view of the mineralized system in three dimensions. "We are extremely pleased with the El Oso channel sampling as it demonstrates the continuity of the mineralization and structure which appears to trend onward to the El Cielo mine, suggesting the Mora mineralized corridor has potential bulk-size targets. The underground channel sampling campaign also derisks drilling targets," commented Max CEO, Brett Matich. "We continue the Mora campaign, as Collective Mining continues to advance their Guayabales project drilling on trend to the Mora northern boundary and the NW end of the 5,000m Mora mineralized corridor and Aris Mining recently reported on increasing the Marmato annual gold production to 200,000ozs by 2026YE. Concurrently, we continue to work toward filing the PTO (Mining Technical Work Plan) which permits small-scale production and drilling," he concluded. Figure 1: Locations of Apollo/Ramp B-B, Marmato and Marmato Deeps C-C, BQ Target A-Aand NAN Target D-D Sections and the El Oso U/G and the El Cielo U/G https://www.maxresource.com/images/news/426db46519ee857b35e7114e9e1db8401496cec3.png To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/285415_2d5b0173a4891b0c_001full.jpg Figure 2: Apollo/Ramp B-B (1,900m ASL), Marmato (1,500m ASL), Marmato Deeps (1,100m ASL) C-C, BQ Target A-A(1,500m ASL) and NAN Target D-D (800m ASL) - SW to NW Sections https://www.maxresource.com/images/news/4c51cdd8eb8e64177cb18d1b0cf1a2f808b5d85c.png Max advises investors that the gold mineralization at Marmato or Guayabales may not necessarily by indicative of similar mineralization at the Mora. Max further advises the QP has been unable to verify the information on Marmato and Guyabales that the information is not necessarily indicative to the mineralization on the Mora. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/285415_2d5b0173a4891b0c_002full.jpg Figure 3: Vein extent and channel locations within the El Oso U/G mine To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/285415_2d5b0173a4891b0c_003full.jpg To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/285415_2d5b0173a4891b0c_004full.jpgFigure 4: Location of the El Oso and El Cielo UG mines Figure 5: El Oso U/G vein channel location number G509588 - refer to Figure 3 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/285415_2d5b0173a4891b0c_005full.jpg Figure 6: Mora Property is located along the productive Middle Cauca Gold Belt To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/285415_2d5b0173a4891b0c_006full.jpg Name Highlights Reference La Mina Resource: 33.77Mt at 1.06 g/t AuEq. For 1.15MozsEq. https://goldmining.com/projects/colombia/la-mina-project/ Titiribi M. Resource: 85Mt at 1.06g/t AuEq. For 1.69MozEq. https://www.goldmining.com/projects/colombia/titiribi-project/ I. Resource: 349Mt at 0.55g/t AuEq. For 6.2MozEq. Miraflora M & I Resource: 6.1Mt at 2.62g/t Au For 0.51Moz https://tigergoldco.com/quinchia-project/ Gramalote I. Resource: 192.7Mt at 0.68g/t Au For 4.2Moz https://www.b2gold.com/operations-projects/overview/default.aspx#probable Sergovia P&P Reserve: 4.367Mt at 10.7 g/t Au for 1.5Mozs https://aris-mining.com/operation/reserves-and-resources/ M&I Resources: 7.4Mt at 15.3g/t Au for 3.626Mozs La Colosa I. Resource: 821.67Mt at 0.85g/t Au for 22.5Mozs https://portergeo.com.au/database/mineinfo.php?mineid=mn1441 I. Resource: 242.51Mt at 0.78g/t Au for 6.09Mozs Nuevo Chaquiro I. Resource: 604.5Mt at 0.65%Cu, 0.32 g/t Ag, 116ppm Mo and 0.32g/t Au for 6.1Mozs https://portergeo.com.au/database/mineinfo.php?mineid=mn1501 Marmato Deposit P&P Reserve: 31.28Mt at 3.16 g/t Au for 3.178Mozs https://aris-mining.com/operation/reserves-and-resources/ M&I Resource: 61.50Mt at 3.03 g/t Au for 5.997Mozs Inferred Resource: 35.60Mt at 2.43 g/t Au for 2.787Mozs Buritica P&P Reserve: 3.8Mozs at 6.9g/t Au&13Mozs at 24g/t Ag in 15.61Mt https://www.zijinmining.com/global/program-detail-71741.htm M&I Resource: 4.4Mozs at 8.9g/t Au&14.6Mozs at 29g/t in 14.02Mt Inf. Resource: 5.1Mozs at 8.9g/t Au&18Mozs at 29g/t Ag in 16.2Mt Table 1: References for Figure 1 Gold Silver Channel UTM ID 45.0 g/t 7,110 g/t 1.0 metre 432432E/604753N (1) 2012 27.0 g/t 732 g/t 1.0 metre 432445E/604726N (2) 2012 43.0 g/t 187 g/t 1.0 metre 430940E/604972N (3) 2012 36.7g/t 2.0 metre 431876E/604452N (4) 2012 8.9 g/t 75 g/t 1.5 metre 431090E/6027832N (5) 2012 21.0 g/t 156 g/t 1.0 metre 435336E/603379N (6) 2025 Table 2: 2012 channel cuts (1 to 5) and 2025 chip channel at the NAN from Figure 1 Quality Assurance Max adheres to a strict QA/QC program for sample handling, sampling, sample transportation and analyses. All 21 rock samples were taken by the Max consulting geologist, labelled, placed in sealed, securitized bags and shipped to ALS Lab's sample preparation facility in Medellin, Columbia. ALS Medellin is an ISO 9001: 2008 certified facility and is independent of Max. All samples were analyzed using ALS procedure ME-ICP61, a four-acid digestion with inductively coupled plasma finished. Over-limit gold is determined by ALS procedure Au-GRA21 a 30-gram fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Over-limit silver, lead, arsenic and zinc were determined by ALS procedure OG-62, a four-acid digestion with an atomic absorption spectroscopy finish. At this early stage of exploration, Max relied on the QA/QC protocols employed by ALS. Qualified Person The Company's disclosure of a technical or scientific nature in this news release was reviewed and approved by Tim Henneberry, P.Geo (British Columbia), a member of the Max Resource advisory board, who serves as a qualified person under the definition of National Instrument 43-101. Floralia High Purity Iron Project in Brazil Floralia lies adjacent to the largest iron ore mines in Minas Gerais, Brazil's largest iron ore and steel producing State. Exploration Target of 50-70Mt at 55%-61% Fe. Fully funded through an option to purchase by Bolt Metals Corp (CSE: BOLT) issuing an aggregate of 32.3m shares. The transaction is subject to satisfactory applicable regulatory approvals. On February 23, 2026, Bolt Metals Corp. announced the closing of a Private Placement offering aggregate gross proceeds of $6,000,000. Max cautions investors the potential quantity and grade of the iron ore is conceptual in nature, and further cautions there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource and Max is uncertain if further exploration will result in the geological target being delineated as a mineral resource. Hematite mineralization tonnage potential estimation is based on in situ high-grade outcrops and interpreted and modelled magnetic anomalies. Density value used for the estimate is 2.8t/m. Hematite sample grades range between 55-61% Fe. The 58 channel samples were collected for chemical analysis from in situ outcrops in previously mined slopes of industrial materials. Corporate Further to the Company's news release dated January 13, 2026, whereby the Company engaged 1502655 B.C. Ltd. to provide marketing and investor relations services to the Company, the Company wishes to clarify that the total marketing budget of US $400,000 was paid on an up-front basis. About Max Resource Corp. Max Resource is a mineral exploration company focused on copper and precious metals assets in Colombia (Mora Gold Silver and the fully funded Sierra Azul Copper Silver project) and exploration development of the fully funded Floralia High Purity Iron project in Brazil. Sierra Azul Copper Silver in Colombia, sits along the Colombian portion of the world's largest producing copper belt (Andean belt), with world-class infrastructure and the presence of global majors (Glencore and Chevron). Fully funded by global miner Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) relating to rights to earn up to 80% by funding $50 million of accumulated expenditures. Backed by support of Freeport-McMoRan the team views as validation of the geological and mining potential of Sierra Azul. The 2026 exploration season is well underway. For more information visit on Max Resource: https://www.maxresource.com/ For additional information contact: Tim McNulty E: info@maxresource.com T: (604) 290-8100 Brett Matich T: (604) 484 1230 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. Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the TSXV. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the commercialization plans for Max Resources Corp. described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedarplus.ca. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285415 Three Des Moines police officers are on administrative leave after they shot and killed a 24-year-old who allegedly stabbed a security guard. 911 on Thursday, Feb. 19 received multiple calls reporting an attack and stabbing at Polk County Life Services Center, 1914 Carpenter Ave., which houses the St. Vincent De Paul Sobering Center, the Broadlawns Crisis Observation Center and Broadlawns Behavioral Health Urgent Care. Upon arrival at the scene, an officer found Hunter Munoz, 24, outside of the building. Munoz, armed with a knife, allegedly did not comply with the officer's orders, according to an update from police spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek on Thursday, Feb. 26. Advertisement Advertisement Two more officers arrived at the scene, and one officer deployed a Taser after Munoz allegedly advanced toward the officers. It was not effective, Parizek said. Munoz allegedly continued to advance toward the officers with a knife in his hands. Two officers fired their guns and hit Munoz. The news release identifies the officers as David Chase, Christian Escobar and James Gano but does not say who fired their weapons. Body cameras on the officers recorded the incident, Parizek said. Officers administered life-saving measures on the scene before Munoz was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died. The security guard, a 22-year-old man whose name has not been released, is still hospitalized but is expected to recover. Advertisement Advertisement A video of the officer-involved shooting has circulated on social media and will be used as evidence, according to Parizek. Chase, Escobar and Gano, all officers since June 2024, are on administrative leave as the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation continues to investigate the shooting. Munoz liked to read books and write music and played football while in high school, according to his obituary. He graduated from Valley High School in 2020, where he also volunteered in the school's Silver Cord Program and concurrently took classes at DMACC. His funeral is March 5 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in West Des Moines. Advertisement Advertisement 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: Des Moines police kill 24-year-old, officers on leave after shooting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he is open to putting more state money on the table if lawmakers pass property tax relief. State lawmakers are looking to remove non-school property taxes on homestead properties starting in 2027. Supporters of the measure say the move will provide financial relief to homeowners. However, some local governments have raised concerns that the plan would slash funding for essential services such as police and fire departments, prompting the governor to suggest the state could step in to help cover the difference. Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis emphasized his desire to find a solution that accommodates both homeowners and local municipalities. I want to what works for everybody, and I think it will work for everyone, but just think about it, even if you like or youre giving this local government support on the back end, if that what gets it passed, then why would you want to make it work, DeSantis said. If the measure is approved by the full state legislature, it will head to voters in November. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. When Mike Huckabee, the former Republican governor and evangelical minister, was named as President Trumps nominee to be ambassador to Israel, it set a tone for the nature of the U.S.-Israel relationship under the second Trump administration. Huckabee, who has said there is no such thing as Palestinians and who believes the Occupied Palestinian West Bank should be called Judea and Samaria, represented a certain evangelical constituency in the United States that has been at the foundation of support for Israel among Republicans. But Huckabees latest interview with Tucker Carlson, and the statements he made during it, are roiling the region and making it clear to regional players that their very low expectations for the Trump administration were not quite low enough. The row also comes at the intersection of two important contemporary currents: an American military buildup in the region putting it on a collision course with Iran, as well as a growing divide in the American right over support for Israel. Carlson, the former Fox News host who was fired from the network in 2023 and began his own independent network that routinely features interviews on various topics of interest to the MAGA-verse, has a massive following. He also maintains close relations with Trump and others in his inner circle and is, along with other right-wing podcasters, thought to offer a crucial connection to a vital part of the electorate that delivered the White House to Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Israel, and American support for it, has become a major topic of contention among this very constituency. This is partly fueled by the Israeli genocide in Gaza, but more importantly it is driven by the perception that far too much American blood and treasure is spent defending Israeli interests and that criticism of this American policy is often sternly policed through pro-Israel influence in American policymaking and cultural spaces where accusations of antisemitism are the latest manifestation of the wokevirus. For this reason, each time Carlson is called an antisemite by those who disagree with his Israel views, deserved or not, it only seems to validate him with his audience. Carlson has also been making an argument around Israel within a faith-based frame that contrasts with the fundamentalist views that have shaped U.S. support for Israel on the American right. God, in the latters view, is effectively a real estate agent who has given a divine right to Zionist Jews to take the land of Palestine. Other Christians, who interpret the Bibles commands in a figurative sense that applies to the Christian Church, and not a modern political movement, see this quite differently. To them, the modern state of Israel is merely a recent political entity and not the inheritor of Gods blessing from Old Testament Scripture. Instead, that blessing is inherited by the church through the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. For these reasons, as the many heads of the Christian churches in Jerusalem recently proclaimed, traditional Christians may look at Christian Zionism as a politicized perversion of Christianity. That brewing divide on the right has boiled over in recent months, and thus the interview between Carlson and Huckabee put two representatives of these conflicting views in conversation. Carlson sought to pin Huckabee down on his rationale for Israels right to exist; was it biblically ordained, morally necessary, or a result of international law? It was during Huckabees vacillating between these arguments that some of his most damaging remarks were made. Carlson asked Huckabee if the land Israel had a right to was the land God had promised Abraham in the Bible; that is, the land between the Nile and the Euphrates. This territory today includes large chunks of Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and of course Palestine. This is when Huckabee said: It would be fine if [Israel] took it all. Now it is important to remember that Huckabee is not merely some kooky minister with a program on the Christian Broadcasting Network (though perhaps he should be). He is the U.S. ambassador to Israel, a man who is supposed to speak for the president of the United States and represent U.S. policy. This also comes at a crucial moment. A week earlier, Trump had gathered leaders from around the world, and many from the Middle East, to unveil his Board of Peace, which is supposed to shepherd the reconstruction of Gaza. It also comes at a time when American allies in the region are expressing deep concern and alarm about U.S. belligerence toward Iran as war seems imminent. Advertisement Advertisement The reaction from regional capitals to Huckabees comments were swift and condemnatory. Multiple countries issued joint statements blasting Huckabees comments. This also comes at a time when Israel exercises unprecedented hegemony and power projection throughout the region. It has bombed a record number of regional nation-states in the last two years, taken more territory in Syria and Lebanon, and carried out attacks in Iran and Yemen, all while routinely boasting about its deep infiltration into many of these nations. Huckabees comments are dangerous not just because they amount to the U.S. government giving the green light to massive Israeli expansionism but also because they come at a moment when Israel seems more willing and capable than ever to take such steps. The reaction from the White House has largely been to try to sweep this issue under the rug and hope it goes away, instead of issuing a clear denunciation or separation from Huckabees views. At worst, that signals to the region and the world that Washington actually shares Huckabees vision for a Middle East where Israel takes over several more countries; at best, it signals that Washingtons foreign policy in the region is completely dysfunctional. It is hard to imagine a worse way to precede what may be the most consequential American policy decision in the region since the Iraq War. Domestically, however, this moment will have its implications, as well. Carlson is very clearly a partisan in the inter-MAGA fight over Israel policy, and his interview lays down a clear marker ahead of a crucial moment with Iran. If the United States makes the disastrous, self-destructive decision to launch an open-ended war with Iran, it will be because one MAGA faction pushed Trump over that line with help from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. With polls showing the vast majority of Americans oppose such a strike, Carlson is likely making the safest bet by sounding the alarm over Christian Zionism, its unhinged proponents, and their desire to spread violence and destruction across the entire Middle East. A North Dakota doctor is appealing a district court judges ruling last fall that upheld the states ban on gender-affirming care for minors. South Central District Court Judge Jackson Lofgren in October found that the 2023 law, which makes it a crime to prescribe puberty blockers and other treatments to adolescents, does not violate the state constitution. Attorneys representing the plaintiff, pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Luis Casas, announced in a Thursday press conference they will be asking the North Dakota Supreme Court to review Lofgrens decision. Advertisement Advertisement They ultimately want the high court to find Lofgren used the wrong legal framework to analyze the suit, and to send the case back to him for reconsideration. Lofgrens ruling was guided in part by his finding that transgender people do not qualify for special legal protections and that the gender-affirming care ban does not discriminate on the basis of sex. Unless judges find that a law affects a protected group or restricts an important right, they are generally very deferential to the Legislature, experts told the North Dakota Monitor previously. In these cases, its very difficult to prove a law violates the constitution. The plaintiffs are asking the North Dakota Supreme Court to find Lofgren should have applied a stricter standard to the health care ban. In that case, the law would have to clear a higher hurdle to be found constitutional, said Jess Braverman, legal director for Gender Justice, which represents Casas in the case. Advertisement Advertisement We believe that the North Dakota Constitution does not allow politicians who are not qualified to practice medicine to override the deeply personal and private medical decisions that families make for their kids, Braverman said. Lofgren, in his October opinion, frequently cited the U.S. Supreme Courts decision upholding a ban on gender-affirming care for minors in Tennessee. Braverman said the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling doesnt dictate whether or not North Dakotas health care ban is allowed under North Dakotas constitution. They said the North Dakota Constitution isnt supposed to be interpreted as in lockstep with the federal Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Its an independent document drafted by a separate group of people who were asserting their states rights to independence, said Braverman. The lawsuit was originally brought against the state of North Dakota by three families with transgender children, in addition to Casas. Lofgren later dismissed the families and children from the suit, finding they did not have standing to bring it. That left Casas as the sole plaintiff. The plaintiffs argue the law is a form of sex discrimination because it bars minors with gender dysphoria from accessing medical treatments that are otherwise available to kids to treat other medical conditions. They also say the statute infringes on North Dakotans rights to autonomy and self-determination under the state constitution. Attorneys for the state of North Dakota argue that the law is constitutional because the state has an interest in regulating the medical profession and protecting minors. Advertisement Advertisement Lofgren presided over a seven-day court trial in early 2025 that included testimony from doctors, as well as two transgender teens and their parents who were initially plaintiffs in the case. Despite years of litigation, the state was never able to present even one family who has ever been harmed as a result of this care in the state of North Dakota, Braverman said Thursday. Instead, the court heard stories of transgender kids who went from hopeless to thriving as a result of this care. Aside from finding Lofgren used the incorrect legal standard in analyzing the case, the North Dakota Supreme Court could also decide to uphold the district courts decision. Or, it could find Lofgren applied the right framework but disagree with his conclusion that the law is constitutional, Braverman said. Attorney General Drew Wrigley in a statement to the Monitor said his office looks forward to defending Lofgrens ruling before the North Dakota Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement The District Courts decision is firmly grounded in settled law and affirms the Legislatures responsibility to protect the long-term health of children, he said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The law makes it a class A misdemeanor to administer medications including puberty blockers and hormone therapy to children for the purpose of providing gender-affirming care. Providers who violate this part of the law could face up to 360 days in jail, fines of up to $3,000 or both. The law also makes it a class B felony to perform transition-related surgery on a minor which means up to 10 years in prison and a maximum $20,000 fine. In hearings on the bill, health care professionals testified that transition-related surgeries are not performed on minors in North Dakota. Reach reporter Mary Steurer at msteurer@northdakotamonitor.com SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Pentagon officials on Wednesday night sent Anthropic their best and final offer in negotiations for use of the company's artificial intelligence technology, just ahead of a government-imposed deadline, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth set a deadline of Friday evening for the company to grant all lawful use for its AI technology or face the loss of its business with the U.S. military, sources familiar with the situation told CBS News. However, in a statement released Thursday evening, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said that the Defense Department's "threats do not change our position: we cannot in good conscience accede to their request." Advertisement Advertisement "Our strong preference is to continue to serve the Department and our warfighterswith our two requested safeguards in place," Amodei added. "Should the Department choose to offboard Anthropic, we will work to enable a smooth transition to another provider, avoiding any disruption to ongoing military planning, operations, or other critical missions. In a separate statement provided to CBS News, an Anthropic spokesperson said the Defense Department's latest offer did not address the startup's concerns regarding its AI model, called Claude, being potentially used for surveillance on Americans or the development and use of autonomous weapons. "The contract language we received overnight from the Department of War made virtually no progress on preventing Claude's use for mass surveillance of Americans or in fully autonomous weapons," the Anthropic spokesperson said. "New language framed as compromise was paired with legalese that would allow those safeguards to be disregarded at will. Despite DOW's recent public statements, these narrow safeguards have been the crux of our negotiations for months. We remain ready to continue talks and committed to operational continuity for the Department and America's warfighters." A person familiar with the negotiations told CBS News that Hegseth's deadline left almost no time for Anthropic to conduct a meaningful review. Advertisement Advertisement The person familiar said that Anthropic believed the Defense Department's added language was designed to sound like concessions, but functioned as escape hatches that would effectively give either the Defense Department or Anthropic discretion to set aside the restrictions whenever they see fit. The company has always viewed restrictions on mass surveillance and autonomous weapons as substantive, non-negotiable commitments, the person familiar told CBS News. A senior Pentagon official said earlier Thursday that Anthropic will face not just the loss of business but being labeled a supply chain risk. Pentagon officials are also considering invoking the Defense Production Act to make Anthropic adhere to what the military is seeking, which is full control of its AI technology for use in military operations, sources told CBS News. Advertisement Advertisement The company was awarded a $200 million contract by the Pentagon in July to develop AI capabilities that would advance U.S. national security. Anthropic has repeatedly asked defense officials to agree to guardrails that would restrict its AI model, called Claude, from conducting mass surveillance of Americans, sources said. Trump officials noted that this sort of surveillance is illegal and that the Pentagon follows the law. The officials also said the military is simply asking for a license to use the AI strictly for lawful activities. Anthropic's CEO, Dario Amodei, also wants to ensure Claude is not used by the Pentagon for final targeting decisions in military operations without any human involvement, one source familiar with the negotiations said. Claude is not immune to hallucinations and not reliable enough to avoid potentially lethal mistakes, like unintended escalation or mission failure without human judgment, the person said. Advertisement Advertisement In a meeting at the Pentagon on Tuesday morning, Hegseth gave Amodei until the end of this week to give the military a signed document that would grant full access to its artificial intelligence model, according to sources familiar with the matter. Hillary Clinton posts opening statement for Epstein deposition Hillary Clinton's Epstein deposition paused after Rep. Lauren Boebert sent photo to commentator Bill Clinton's opening statement for Epstein files deposition Editors note, February 28, 2026, 7:30 am ET: On Saturday, February 28, the US launched airstrikes on Iran. The article below was originally published on February 26. Read Voxs latest coverage of the attack here. As his latest threats to Iran suggest, President Donald Trump has become increasingly comfortable deploying military force around the world. But even with a military as large and technologically advanced as Americas, there are limits to how quickly he can simply pivot from one global crisis to another. Specifically, that limit seems to be about 30 knots the top cruising speed of a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. Advertisement Advertisement Due to maintenance and refueling needs, only about three of Americas 11 carriers are usually at sea at any given time, and keeping them too long in any one theater leaves others exposed. Trumps overlapping military conflicts have been pushing these ships and their crews to their breaking point. Most recently, the fleet was whipsawed between far-flung rally points in Venezuela and Iran, requiring extraordinary measures and weeks of maneuvering to pivot between the two conflicts. Consider the long journey of the USS Ford strike group, which has been ordered to bolster the massive Armada Trump announced in January would assemble to pressure Iran. First it was rerouted from its Mediterranean mission in October to take part in the military buildup in the Caribbean that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Then, it was routed back to the Eastern Mediterranean as part of the Iran buildup over the public objections of the countrys top Naval officer amid concerns the nonstop deployment would disrupt everything from sailor morale to potential sewage system repairs. The Ford is now eight months into a twice-extended deployment that would normally last around six months, with little sign of relief in sight. The sheer logistical strain of moving and maintaining these massive ships is an under-appreciated part of the decision-making process around whether the US will go to war. When Trump backed off a red-line demand in January that Iran refrain from killing protesters or face military strikes, the lack of available carriers was likely a major factor. Now that hes assembled more firepower in the region than any time since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the punishing costs of keeping the fleet in place tilt the calculus in the other direction. The use it or lose it factor is one reason experts consider it highly likely that the president will ultimately order strikes rather than engage in extended diplomacy. What are aircraft carriers for? Its striking that in an age when the trendy concepts in future military planning tend to revolve around cheap attritable systems, autonomy, and cyber, the default unit of American power, the main means by which the United States projects military force around the world, is still a 100,000 ton hunk of floating metal. Its all the more notable given that theres an ongoing and active debate over whether these ships are obsolete and will have a role in the wars of the future. Advertisement Advertisement This is four-and-a-half acres of sovereign American soil that you can move anywhere in the world at 30-plus knots, Hunter Stires, former maritime strategist to the secretary of the Navy, told Vox. Naval power is the single most versatile and maneuverable element of national power that we have. Hunter Stires, former maritime strategist to the secretary of the Navy Stires points out that, as has been the case for centuries, theres no substitute for the sea when it comes to moving stuff around the world quickly. Naval power is the single most versatile and maneuverable element of national power that we have, he said. Thanks to the power of buoyancy, no other mode of transportation can move as much combat power as quickly or as cost effectively as ships can. Still, one might wonder why we need all that combat power so close to the target. Operation Midnight Hammer, the bombing campaign against Irans nuclear facilities last June, was carried out by B-2 bombers that took off from Missouri and submarines launching Tomahawk missiles. We dont know exactly what role the Ford played in the final operation to capture Maduro, but it involved aircraft taking off from dozens of locations, including in the continental US. Advertisement Advertisement Stacie Pettyjohn, an expert on military force design and director of the Center for a New American Studies, pointed out to Vox that while the US does have long-range bombers, its air forces are predominantly short range tactical aircraft, so they have to be based in theater. That means that in a longer-term campaign like the one that reporting suggests is now envisaged for Iran, if theyre going to generate a lot of combat power, be able to fly a bunch of sorties, hit a lot of targets, they need a place to land. Carrier are therefore invaluable, particularly given that a number of US allies in the region have said they dont want their airspace used for an attack. Carrier strike groups also can play as much of a defensive as offensive role, as in the 12-day war with Iran last year, when they were vital in the effort to intercept Iranian missiles fired in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes. Beyond their combat role, Pettyjohn notes, carriers can be simply a really visible, though, and strong signals that the US is actually making a credible threat to get involved. As the White House pushes Iran to quickly agree to a deal limiting their nuclear capacity, and possibly ballistic missile programs, its a critical piece of leverage. Ultimately, the Venezuela operation and Midnight were short, limited operations. And initially, at least, the strikes on Iran may be that too. But the amount of combat power an aircraft carrier can generate, as well as the fact that it is a nuclear-powered craft that can stay at sea for years with resupply and maintenance, can be a message that the US is willing to be in it for the long haul. Advertisement Advertisement This is particularly true when, as is the case in the Middle East now, there are two carrier groups in theater, allowing for nearly continuous 24-hour operations. But theres a cost to these buildups. Due to persistent conflicts in the Middle East, there have been times in recent years where there hasnt been a single US carrier group deployed in the Pacific (Theres currently one, the George Washington.) We are really robbing Peter to pay Paul in the Pacific, Pettyjohn said. For this reason, some observers also questioned whether the use of a carrier was overkill in Venezuela given that theyre more typically associated with fighting wars against great powers like Russia and China, or well-armed and advanced militaries like Iran. Advertisement Advertisement As a general rule: Carrier Strike Groups should be principally deployed to face down adversaries which require a Carrier Strike Group level of whoopass, Stires said. Still ruling the waves? There are continual debates in defense circles about whether these giants still have a role in a world of hypersonic carrier killer missiles. In the wake of the successful use of drones on the battlefield and the seas in the war in Ukraine, many of the US plans for deterring a Chinese attack on Taiwan have focused on the concept of attritable mass small, cheap drones basically that integrate AI and can be quickly replaced. Pettyjohn notes however, that the systems that have proven so effective in Ukraine generally dont have the kind of range and firepower that would make them effective in a war in the Pacific. US Naval planners have also put a heavy emphasis in recent years on the need for smaller cheaper combat ships to keep up with the rapid growth of Chinas navy. The Trump administration appears to be moving in the opposite direction, however, recently announcing a new Trump-class battleship three times the size of current US Destroyers and envisioned as an update of the World War II era battleships that modern aircraft carriers phased out. For the moment, however, aircraft carriers remain the most prominent and visible symbol of American military power. And their scarcity is one of the most important limits on the presidents ability to use that power wherever and whenever he wants. Feb. 26Feb. 17 Gregory Clinton Striowski, 53, 3505 Belknap St., 22, disorderly conduct, amended to ordinance violation disorderly conduct, no contest plea, $263.50 fine; domestic disorderly conduct, dismissed. Feb. 19 Donovan Eric Luoma, 28, Solon Springs, failure to report to county jail, guilty plea, 60 days jail with work release, $579 fine and court costs. Feb. 20 Trevon Thomas Ampe, 31, 110 E. Second St., 522, second-offense operating while intoxicated, no contest plea, 60 days jail, $1,785 fine and court costs, 18 months driver's license revocation, ignition interlock, alcohol assessment; resisting or obstructing an officer, no contest plea, 20 days jail consecutive, $418 restitution; criminal damage to property, second-offense operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration, bail jumping, dismissed. Advertisement Advertisement Andrew David Benvie, 43, Frazee, Minnesota, possess firearm-convicted of out-of-state felony, resisting or obstructing an officer, no contest pleas, five years state prison and five years extended supervision, $654 fine and court costs; repeater attempted battery or threat to judge, prosecutor or law enforcement officer, repeater possess with intent to deliver amphetamine, repeater second-offense or greater possession of marijuana, possess drug paraphernalia, dismissed. Natasha Rae Gordon, 25, Duluth, operate without valid license for the second time in three years, guilty plea, $379 fine. Corrine Ann Herrmann, 51, Lake Nebagamon, domestic disorderly conduct, guilty plea, three days jail, $679 fine and court costs. Jacob Aaron Line, 24, Cloquet, disorderly conduct, amended to ordinance violation disorderly conduct, no contest plea, $263.50 fine; battery, dismissed. Advertisement Advertisement Feb. 23 Renee Nicole Ayotte, 45, Duluth, operating while revoked, guilty plea, $629 fine and court costs. Angela Lee-Ray Bartlett, 27, Duluth, second-degree recklessly endangering safety, deferred prosecution agreement revoked, two years state prison and four years extended supervision. Justin Trevor Johnson, 46, 1207 John Ave., failing to stop, amended to ordinance violation obstructing an officer, no contest plea, $358 fine; operating while revoked, guilty plea, $379 fine; failure to install ignition interlock, dismissed. Maxwell Marvin Obeidzinski, 18, Cloquet, two counts attempted theft-movable property ,guilty pleas, 18 month deferred prosecution agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Joseph Eugene Reckinger, 36, South Range, domestic disorderly conduct, guilty plea, one day jail, $679 fine and court costs. Jason Eugene Rencher, 30, Duluth, issue of worthless checks, no contest plea, 140 days jail, $972.72 restitution. Kip Drew Tolzmann, 42, 605 E. Third St., resisting or obstructing an officer, no contest plea, one year deferred prosecution agreement; disorderly conduct, dismissed. Jessie Margaret Trout, 47, 1905 Ogden Ave., possession of methamphetamine, no contest plea, 18-month deferred prosecution agreement. Dondrequez Lamar Woodruff, 34, 1106 Oakes Ave., disorderly conduct, no contest plea, one day jail, $705 fine and court costs. Advertisement Advertisement Gavin James Ziegler, 20, Poplar, domestic disorderly conduct, no contest plea, one day jail, $931 fine and court costs; domestic criminal damage to property, bail jumping, dismissed but considered during sentencing. The Superior Telegram publishes court records as part of its obligation to serve as a keeper of the local historical record. All items are public records submitted by the courthouse in Superior. Individual requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Theres a call for Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico to temporarily step down from his leadership post. City Council member Jimmy Peluso made that statement during an interview with Action News Jaxs Ben Becker on Thursday morning in the wake of Carrico receiving a subpoena. The fact that the State Attorneys Office is even looking into this shows how serious this is. I think thats why Im doing the actions Im doing. Because we should take this seriously and we should all be holding each other accountable, Peluso said. Advertisement Advertisement Peluso also put his request in writing to Carrico: Letter to Council President Carrico by ActionNewsJax Becker was the first to break the story on text messages sent by Carrico that led to the investigation. Peluso said Carrico should step down just until the State Attorneys Office determines if there was any wrongdoing or not, with the texts Carrico sent. Carrico bluntly responded to Pelusos call to temporarily step down: This is nothing more than political theater from the biggest Drama Queen on the City Council. My office is fully complying with the State Attorneys requests and will continue to do so. While Mr. Peluso chases relevance, he has established himself as the least effective member of this Council and has neglected his district for most of his term. Advertisement Advertisement We obtained the subpoena sent to Carrico. The SAO is requesting all electronic communications from January 1 to February 24 between Carrico and a number of people. It includes any mentions of board appointments or JEAs CEO. Carrico subpoena by ActionNewsJax We told you last week that Carrico texted JEA board member Arthur Adams regarding his board seat on February 5. In the text, Carrico wrote to Adams, I owed a big favor to a friend and opted to put him on the JEA board as your term is expiring. He went on to say, Not sure if you wanted to stay, but I needed to do this for my guy. Carrico wanted to put Paul Martinez, his boss at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, on the JEA board. Martinez has since removed himself from consideration for that appointment. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] After we reported on the text messages, Carrico accused JEA CEO Vickie Cavey of racism and creating a toxic culture at the utility. Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Donna Deegans office called the comments about Cavey a smear campaign. JEAs board gave Cavey a vote of confidence on Tuesday and did not discuss the Carrico text controversy. We asked the 18 other City Council members for comment, but only four (including Peluso) responded. All four were critical of or troubled by the words Carrico used, including Council member Matt Carlucci. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] I think its a black eye. Its a black eye and another black eye for the JEA, and its another black eye for the Council. And we just need to get out of the drama, you know? Theres just too much drama, Carlucci said. Advertisement Advertisement Carrico said the following Wednesday evening about the subpoena: Our office fully complies with and respects all records requests. We are cooperating and will respond to any additional requests as needed. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: AP Duchess Sophie has worked tirelessly to support survivors of sexual violence in conflict zones, and on February 24, Buckingham Palace announced that shes visited Somalia for the first time. Earlier this week, the Duchess of Edinburgh completed a two-day visit to the African country at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office before heading to Kenya to recognize the role women play in preventing and resolving conflicts. Somalia has been dealing with political tensions amid the government's offensive against the armed extremist group Al-Shabaab. The group has imposed harsh restrictions on women and girls in areas it controls, and many have faced forced marriages and sexual violence as part of the ongoing conflict in Somalia. Advertisement Advertisement During her visit, the Duchess of Edinburgh met with Somalias president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and joined his daughter Jihan Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to meet survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. She also visited a hospital in Mogadishu to learn more about a sexual and reproductive health program supported by the U.K. thats now operating in 39 facilities across Somalia. Duchess Sophie met with local women during her visit to Somalia. | Credit: AP Per Buckingham Palace, the duchesswho champions the UN's Women, Peace and Security Agenda met survivors who spoke about the impact of female genital mutilation, rape and sexual assault on Somali women, and the importance of being able to access vital services. The country has been facing a severe drought which has only increased the difficulty for women in Somalia to access vital services. Duchess Sophie learned more about how area organizations work against these conditions to help women facing sexual and gender-based violence. She also visited a village to meet the wives of Somali fighters, speaking to the women about the challenges they face while their husbands are fighting to secure the country. Advertisement Advertisement On February 25, Sophie headed to Kenya, kicking off her visit by meeting with President William Rutton at State House in Nairobi. Afterwards,she met artisans working at Kazuri Beads, which provides local women with employment opportunities to help achieve economic independence. The Duchess of Edinburgh is pictured at State House in Nairobi, Kenya on February 25. | Credit: Alamy Duchess Sophie visits Kazuri Beads in Nairobi, Kenya on February 25. | Credit: Getty Images Her trip comes a week after her brother-in-law, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The former Duke of Yorks association with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has raised numerous questions about what the Royal Family, in particular Queen Elizabeth, knew in regards to his misconduct. Sophies husband, Prince Edward, was the first member of the family to publicly address his brothers scandal when he was asked about it during a conference in the Middle East. "Well, with the best will in the world, I'm not sure this is the audience that is the least bit interested in that," he stated, noting, "I think it's all really important, always, to remember the victims and who are the victims in all this." For Duchess Sophie, it seems the best course of action is to continue doing what she does bestfighting for womens rights behind the scenes. Pressured by businesses on the importance of immigrant labor, some Republican states are backing off plans to require all employers to check for legal employment status before hiring workers. State and federal legislation to require that employers use E-Verify, a federal system to check legal status, has been limited this year as a push grows from business interests that say checking status could hurt state economies. Business groups have cited the cost of complying with the laws and the potential loss of crucial immigrant workers who dont have legal work authorization. Millions of worksites around the country use E-Verify to ensure new hires are legal to work in the United States, but it isnt required in all states or for every industry. Going after employers has not been as popular with Republicans as immigration enforcement aimed at detaining and deporting people living here illegally. Advertisement Advertisement In Idaho, for instance, legislation that would require all employers to use E-Verify, crafted with help from the conservative Heritage Foundation, is awaiting state House consideration while a more limited mandate for large state and local government contractors passed the state Senate Feb. 19. I think we should tread lightly, and private businesses should not be enforcement agencies, said state Sen. Mark Harris, a Republican and rancher who sponsored the less-stringent bill, on the Senate floor before the vote. Idaho Republican state Sen. Brian Lenney, who voted for the bill, spoke resentfully of business leaders who came to the state Capitol to lobby against the broader mandate for all employers to use E-Verify. There were men in suits holding a press conference downstairs to let the world know and tell Idaho which industries cannot survive without illegal labor, Lenney said before the vote. Theyre trying to protect a system that keeps human beings cheap, compliant and silent. Is this bill making a dent, like it should? Not really. Advertisement Advertisement An industry-funded report said a sharp drop in unauthorized labor from deportations could cost the state economy billions of dollars and reduce state tax revenue by almost $400 million. The report, funded by the Idaho Alliance for a Legal Workforce and prepared by regional economists, emphasized the importance of immigrants to certain industries: As much as 90% of the workforce in dairy production is foreign-born, for example, and half of those individuals might not be authorized to work in the U.S. I think we should tread lightly, and private businesses should not be enforcement agencies. Idaho Republican state Sen. Mark Harris There were 21 states with E-Verify requirements for contracts or business licenses as of 2024, federal data showed. Seventeen states had pending legislation to begin or expand E-Verify mandates as of Feb. 5, said Mick Bullock, a spokesperson for the National Conference of State Legislatures. Advertisement Advertisement Some bills have not progressed after business opposition, such as an E-Verify mandate in Kansas opposed by the Kansas Chamber and the League of Kansas Municipalities. The chamber said the bill would create an aggressive, invasive, and costly system of employment verification on all Kansas businesses in 2025 testimony. The goal of this bill is to prevent illegal immigration, however with the bills broad definitions and severe penalties this legislation would suppress business operations, the chamber wrote in submitted testimony. Another example of a limited E-Verify mandate is a recent Ohio law. It applies only to nonresidential construction, despite testimony about illegal labor in residential construction. After Republican Gov. Mike DeWine signed the measure in December, it takes effect March 20. An earlier version of the same Ohio bill passed the state House in 2024 but did not pass the state Senate. In a hearing at the time, Richard Ochocki, an organizer for the state plumbers and pipefitters union, said he spent three hours at an apartment and condo construction site in Columbus without finding even one person with the legal work status required to join the union. Advertisement Advertisement The flow of undocumented workers to Ohio has been steadily increasing over my five and a half years as an organizer. I have personally encountered undocumented workers in Cleveland, Canton, Ashland, Lima, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus, said Ochocki, speaking in favor of E-Verify, in prepared remarks. Madeline Zavodny, a professor at the University of North Florida who has researched the effects of E-Verify on the labor market, said exemptions for short-term work such as agriculture or small business is common, but limiting it to part of one industry such as nonresidential construction is unusual. The more limited the law is, the less impact it would have, Zavodny said. And nonresidential construction may be heavily unionized in Ohio such that theres not a lot of unauthorized workers anyway. Unauthorized workers are often day laborers who work primarily in residential construction, not nonresidential. Meg Rietschlin, majority owner of a construction firm that bids on schools, roads, culverts and other nonresidential construction projects in rural Crawford County, Ohio, said she requires her workers to have a valid drivers license, which should be enough to show they have legal status. An E-Verify mandate would drive her out of business because of the additional paperwork, she wrote in 2024 testimony. Advertisement Advertisement If you inundate me with the requirement to collect so much information, I will cease to be, Rietschlin wrote. This proposed law is meant to drive the small contractor out of public works opportunities. A report Zavodny co-authored in 2015 found E-Verify mandates appeared to help some workers who compete with unauthorized workers, such as Mexican immigrants who became citizens and U.S.-born Hispanic people, but did not measurably help U.S.-born non-Hispanic white people. A 2020 working paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research found no evidence that E-Verify mandates improve the native-born labor market in general, and no evidence that people without work authorization moved away because of the mandates. Unauthorized workers may move from large businesses to small businesses that are less likely to comply with the mandates, the paper concluded. As the Trump administrations immigration crackdown ramped up last year, restaurants and construction lost the largest number of immigrant laborers compared with 2024, according to a Stateline analysis of federal data. Landscaping, building services and warehousing industries also lost tens of thousands of laborers. Advertisement Advertisement Rick Naerebout, who represents about 350 Idaho dairy farmers as CEO of the Idaho Dairymens Association, said his members depend on unauthorized labor to run their farms that together produce more than 18 billion pounds of milk in 2025, behind only California and Wisconsin. Idaho farms have not seen large-scale raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, Naerebout said, though there was one last year in South Dakota and one in New Mexico in June, among others. Naerebout said he believes President Donald Trump has paused most ICE raids on agriculture and tourism, as has been reported by The New York Times and Stateline. Idaho should limit E-Verify mandates to government as the state Senate bill would do, and shouldnt pass more stringent mandates as the other bills would do, Naerebout added. The president couldnt be more clear that he wants there to be space for critical industries like agriculture to try and get to where we find the solution, Naerebout said. The irony is Idaho voted overwhelmingly for President Trump, and youve got Idaho Republicans now saying what the presidents doing isnt good enough. Advertisement Advertisement Among other states, Tennessee has a broad E-Verify mandate for all businesses with at least 35 employees, though the exact number of employees has shifted over the years. Republican Gov. Bill Lee signed a law effective in 2023 that lowered the threshold from 50 to 35, and one proposed bill this year could shift it back to 50 employees. The mandate has faced business opposition but other than a brief period of adjustment implementation has gone very smoothly, Republican Lt. Gov. Randy McNally said in a statement to Stateline. McNally and other state officials have collaborated with the Trump administration on a package of proposed state legislation this year, including making E-Verify mandatory for state and local government hires. Florida also has an E-Verify mandate for employers with 25 or more employees, with a bill under consideration to expand it to all employers. It passed the state House in January and is now in a state Senate committee. In Democratic-led California, employers starting this month must notify employees about their rights under state law, including a prohibition on using E-Verify in a discriminatory way to screen only some employees. A bill in Democratic-led New York, with 12 Democratic sponsors, would prohibit use of E-Verify to screen job applicants or check on existing employees, which is already prohibited by federal law. E-Verify can only be used legally after a job offer and before an employee has started work. Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, some conservative-leaning states are moving to tighten rules. An Indiana bill would hold public works subcontractors accountable as part of an E-Verify mandate for public agency contracts and a West Virginia bill would require all employers to use E-Verify. Federal legislation to mandate E-Verify for all employers has bogged down in recent years. A Senate bill last year did not progress beyond a committee, and a similar House bill bogged down in 2018. Last year, Pennsylvania Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie introduced a bill that would require E-Verify for federal contractors only, saying it was an area where mandatory E-Verify makes clear sense in prepared testimony. Mackenzie said he had sponsored an E-Verify law as a state lawmaker in 2019, and that it has ensured there is a lawful workforce in the construction industry in my home state of Pennsylvania, protecting American workers from unfair competition, providing a level playing field for businesses, and helping to confirm all appropriate taxes are paid. Advertisement Advertisement Mackenzies bill on federal contractors had a committee hearing in January, during which California Democratic U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren said the bill would need an exemption for agriculture, since the government buys food and milk produced by undocumented workers for the military and schools on military bases. If we dont exempt ag, we will have a very serious problem throughout the federal government, especially in our military that relies on ag products in feeding our soldiers, Lofgren said. Her request to amend the bill was voted down. Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@stateline.org. Meta plans to purchase potentially up to $100 billion worth of AMD chips, enough to drive roughly six gigawatts of data center power demand, the companies announced Tuesday. As part of the multiyear agreement, AMD has issued Meta a performance-based warrant for up to 160 million shares of AMD common stock or about 10% of the company for $0.01 each, structured to vest alongside certain milestones. The full stock award is conditional on AMDs share price, which would need to hit $600 for Meta to receive its final tranche, per The Wall Street Journal. AMDs stock closed at $196.60 on Monday. Under the agreement, Meta will purchase AMDs MI540 series of GPUs and its latest generation of CPUs. CPUs are increasingly becoming a core pillar of the AI inference compute stack because theyre efficient, easier to scale, and dont tie companies solely to Nvidia. The CPU market is absolutely on fire, AMD CEO Lisa Su said Tuesday morning during an investor briefing. There is significant demand. It has continued to grow, and it really is a result of the AI infrastructure deployments as inferencing scales, as agentic AI scales, and our portfolio is in an extremely good position. AMD has been slowly gaining ground as AI firms look to reduce their reliance on Nvidia, which has been the longstanding leader in AI chips and has charged a premium for the title. Last October, AMD and OpenAI struck a similar deal trading equity for an agreement to buy chips. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the firms partnership with AMD is an important step as it diversifies its compute and works toward personal superintelligence. Zuckerberg has defined personal superintelligence as AI systems designed to deeply understand and empower individuals in their everyday lives. Meta has pledged to invest at least $600 billion in U.S. data centers and AI infrastructure over the next several years, including a projected capital expenditure spend of $135 billion in 2026. Meta recently unveiled plans for a $10 billion gas-powered data center campus in Indiana designed for 1 gigawatt of compute capacity. The AMD partnership comes a couple of weeks after Meta struck a multiyear deal to expand its data centers with millions of Nvidias latest CPUs and GPUs. The Facebook-maker is also working on its own in-house chips but has reportedly hit delays. This article has been updated with more information from AMD CEO Lisa Su. The UK's first geothermal power plant has been turned on, providing a completely new type of renewable electricity using hot water from underground. On Thursday morning, the Cornish plant will be switched on after nearly two decades in development which required Geothermal Engineering Ltd (GEL) to drill the deepest on-shore well in the UK. The water, super-heated by rocks, will help drive turbines to generate electricity for 10,000 homes, but will also provide the UK's first domestic supply of lithium - a critical mineral used in green technology. Advertisement Advertisement The British Geological Survey said it was a "major step forward" for geothermal but high drilling costs could make replicating the project difficult. [BBC] The Earth generates heat which can be harnessed by drilling down below the surface to provide a renewable, and continuous source of energy to heat and power our homes known as geothermal energy. The further down you go the hotter it gets. At shallow depths the heat is enough to warm our homes and businesses. This is already done in some parts of the UK for example, ground source heat pumps are a form of geothermal technology, and in places like Southampton, heating is provided to hundreds of homes via a local network. But this project has drilled to far greater depths - three miles below the surface - where temperatures climb to nearly 200C, and this is enough heat to generate electricity. Advertisement Advertisement "You drill deep boreholes into the ground, and then fractures within the granite rock are used to circulate the water that pick up the heat [that is] used for electricity production," explained Dr Monaghan, head of geothermal at the British Geological Survey (BGS). Granite is particularly ideal for this technology as it is very effective at holding and conducting the Earth's heat. This is the first time the feat has been achieved in the UK because drilling this far down is a technically and financially costly endeavour. The project has cost 50m to date, funded through private investors and the EU. Ryan Law, CEO of GEL, told the BBC: "[I'm] tremendously excited after 15 years of hard graft, difficulties, we're finally there." Advertisement Advertisement He said geothermal power was "really important" for the UK because there are no price fluctuations like with gas. "And unlike other renewable sources like wind and solar we are constantly on, 24/7 electricity," he added. The power generated at the United Downs site has been sold to Octopus Energy who will deliver it, via the national grid, to meet the electricity needs of up to 10,000 homes. "This project is a genuine game-changer. For the first time, we're tapping into "always-on" green power in the UK, providing a steady stream of clean, home-grown energy," said an Octopus spokesperson. [BBC] GEL has two other sites it plans to develop into power plants, although one additional proposed site has been initially turned down over environmental concerns, but the company is appealing. Advertisement Advertisement The funding for the initial site has come from a mix of private investors, and 15m from the European Development Fund - a fund for economic development that the UK had access to when it was part of the EU. Generating electricity from geothermal - known as deep geothermal - is also technically feasible in Scotland and the Northeast of England, but there are currently no approved plans to do so. "We have a great energy resource, underneath our feet in the UK, but we're not maximising its potential," said Anne Murrell, head of industry body Geothermal UK. Advertisement Advertisement She said the cost of deep geothermal is comparable to other forms of electricity generation, but a lot of spend is upfront. "The challenges we have include investment, and to unlock investment and increase investor confidence, we need a supportive government policy framework - geothermal needs to be recognised by government as a key part of our energy strategy," she said. At the end of last year, the government appointed Lord Whitehead as the country's first geothermal minister in a nod to its growing interest in the sector. In advance of the switch on, he said it was a "groundbreaking moment for UK energy innovation". China processes more than 60% of lithium globally, the majority of which is destined for electric batteries [AFP via Getty Images] Most of the growth in the industry is currently focused on expanding shallow geothermal because the costs are lower. Currently, there are 30,000 ground source heat pumps in UK homes, with the government offering grants to reduce the cost. Advertisement Advertisement Businesses and councils have also started to embrace the technology. Gateshead council uses heat from water in flooded mines to heat hundreds of homes. It is estimated that a quarter of homes sit above abandoned coal mines which could be used in the same way. In Europe, they have even bigger plans - the Netherlands is aiming for a quarter of homes to be heated using geothermal by 2050. But the International Energy Agency has said that global investment in deep geothermal for electricity is growing rapidly up 80% year-on-year since 2018 - in part, because of growing demands for electricity from tech giants. "Data centres have major power needs, and we all know that this is very challenging for our current and future anticipated grid," said Ms Murrell. "What's happening worldwide is companies like Google, Meta, Microsoft are looking to geothermal to provide the energy for their data centres." Advertisement Advertisement The excess heat produced by the centres can use the same system and be sent underground. Geothermal electricity projects can also pose another benefit for tech companies they could also be a source of important minerals for the green transition. GEL will also be able to extract lithium carbonate, as well as heat, from the fluid underground the first commercial source of the 'critical mineral' in the UK and crucial for the production of electric batteries. The site will only produce 100 tonnes of lithium - enough for batteries in 1,400 EVs annually - but GEL said it plans to scale this to 18,000 tonnes annually. Advertisement Advertisement With the growth of green technology, the UK alone could see its demand for the mineral increase by between 12 and 45 times in the 2020s, according to the British Geological Survey. The UK government gave a 1.8m grant, or 50%, towards the cost of the initial lithium extraction. [BBC] Sign up for our Future Earth newsletter to get exclusive insight on the latest climate and environment news from the BBC's Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt, delivered to your inbox every week. Outside the UK? Sign up to our international newsletter here. Dolly Parton continues to find new ways to uplift and care for kids, and not just through her global free book program. The philanthropist has given her name, her support and even her trademark butterfly symbol to a Knoxville childrens hospital. In her honor, East Tennessee Children's Hospital is now named the Dolly Parton Childrens Hospital. Parton and the hospital made the surprise announcement Feb. 26. The nonprofit pediatric health care system provides care and specialized services to kids and families in the region regardless of their race, religion or ability to pay. Advertisement Advertisement When the idea first came up about the hospital carrying my name, well I said yes because I believe in you. I believe in this place, and I want to do my part to help, Parton said in a recorded video message for the announcement. So, if putting my name alongside yours helps bring more comfort, more hope, and more healing to children and families, well, that's exactly where it belongs. Now, my name comes with my heart, comes with my support and it comes with my promise to help however I can, Parton continued. Matt Schaefer, Dolly Parton Childrens Hospital president and CEO, told Knox News in a statement the collaboration with Parton will help patients and their families "for generations. Her partnership brings more than resources. It brings hope, inspiration, and the assurance that every child who comes to us is seen, valued and loved. And that is invaluable. We are so excited to be Dolly Parton Childrens Hospital, Schaefer said. Dolly Parton Children's Hospital logo A visit from Dolly: Will Dolly Parton be at Dollywood for opening day of the 2026 season? A new era for Dolly Partons Children Hospital in Knoxville Dolly Parton Childrens Hospital (formerly East Tennessee Childrens Hospital) has provided pediatric care for nearly 90 years. And in this bold new era of the hospital, it will continue to look after the well-being of children and families through compassion, innovation and access. Advertisement Advertisement This is more than a name change, Schaefer said in a press release. With Dollys support, we are strengthening our mission to deliver world-class pediatric care to families, ensuring every child who walks through our doors receives the treatment they deserve. Parton noted how her family and growing up in East Tennessee instilled in her a duty to take care of others, especially families and children. You've been taking care of children, not just as patients, but as precious little lives, each one with their own story and a future. You do this work with compassion, with courage and with love, and I can't tell you how much I admire that, Parton said. I truly am honored to be part of this next chapter with you. And I can't wait to see all the good things we're going to be doing together, Parton added. Advertisement Advertisement Dolly Parton Childrens Hospital is the region's primary provider of pediatric care, according to the hospital. Its main campus is in the Fort Sanders neighborhood, with nearly 20 other locations including primary, urgent and surgery centers and rehabilitation facilities. The health care system has an annual average of 435,000 patient visits. Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, who previously served on the hospitals advisory council, praised the change. This collaboration with Dolly is transformational for one of the most important institutions in our region. Speaking of Dolly, I cannot imagine what East Tennessee would look like without her and her generosity. As I always say, some superheroes wear sequins, Jacobs said in a statement. Dolly Partons continued support for health care Parton has supported other health care causes in East Tennessee. In 1997, Parton and her theme park Dollywood donated $100,000 for a new birthing center to be built at Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center. And when LeConte Medical Center replaced Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center in 2010, it included a new Dolly Parton Center for Women's Services. Advertisement Advertisement Parton has served as an honorary chairperson of the Dr. Thomas F. Thomas Foundation, a nonprofit charitable organization that supports Sevier County's health care needs. The foundation is named in honor of the doctor who delivered her. More information about Dolly Parton Children's Hospital is available at DollyChildrens.org. Knox News reporter Hayden Dunabr contributed to this article. Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: East Tennessee Children's Hospital renamed in Dolly Partons honor NEED TO KNOW Emperor penguins rely on stable sea ice during their vulnerable molting period Antarctic ice loss increases mortality risk for adults and chicks Scientists warn most colonies could collapse without emissions cuts Emperor penguins have survived Antarctica's punishing climate for thousands of years thanks to their biological reset: an annual molt that replaces their worn feathers with a fresh, waterproof coat built for subzero seas. However, scientists now say that the same survival strategy is becoming increasingly risky as climate change destabilizes the sea ice on which the birds depend. Advertisement Advertisement According to researchers with the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), per the BBC News, emperor penguins require stable sea ice not only to breed, but also to safely complete their molt a weeks-long period when they cannot enter the ocean to feed. During this time, their old feathers become waterlogged and ineffective, and the birds rely entirely on fat reserves while the new feathers grow in. A group of Emperor Penguins. Credit: Getty Historically, this vulnerable phase aligned with predictable ice conditions. But Antarctic sea ice has seen record lows in recent years, with the length of the summer season sharply declining since 2016. When ice breaks up earlier or forms later than expected, molting penguins can be stranded on unstable platforms or forced into open water before their feathers are fully waterproof. "Emperors depend on sea ice for their breeding cycle; it's the stable platform they use to bring up their young. But if that ice is not as extensive as it should be or breaks up faster, these birds are in trouble," Fretwell told the outlet. The consequences of shrinking sea ice were laid bare in late 2022, when up to 10,000 emperor penguin chicks died after ice beneath their colonies in the Bellingshausen Sea (off the coast of Western Antarctica) fragmented prematurely. Advertisement Advertisement The mass mortality event, documented via satellite and published in Communications Earth & Environment in 2023, was described by BAS scientist Dr. Peter Fretwell as a "harbinger of things to come." Four of five monitored colonies experienced total breeding failure. While the 2022 die-off focused on chicks unable to swim before developing waterproof feathers, scientists warn that similar instability threatens adult penguins during their molting cycle. Without reliable ice, a life-sustaining adaptation could become a liability. 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. Currently classified as "Near Threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List, as of May 2025, per Science Direct, emperor penguins face projections that more than 90% of colonies could be nearly extinct by the century's end if warming continues. Advertisement Advertisement "There is hope," Fretwell told the BBC. "We can cut our carbon emissions that are causing the warming, but if we don't, we will drive these iconic, beautiful birds to the verge of extinction." Read the original article on People The New York Beef Producers Association and New York Beef Council have awarded the 2025 Environmental Stewardship Award to Ben Wever Farm in Willsboro. The award, given annually, recognizes outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of Beef Producers across New York. The hope is to recognize operations with a desire to leave the land better than they found it for the next generation. The members of Ben Wever Farm stand in front of their red barn with the award for Environmental Stewardship they were awarded in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Ben Wever Farm is a diversified Angus Beef cow-calf operation owned by the Gilliland family and is located within the Adirondack Park a destination that sees over 12.5 million visitors every year. The 495-acre farm produces beef, lamb, pork, poultry, compost, eggs, mushrooms and honey, all carrying the character of their farmland. Ben Wever Farm believes that truly local food carries the terroir (a French winemaking term that essentially conveys character and taste) of the place and the stewards who raised it. Essex County Farm Bureau President Shaun Gilliland, a US Navy Veteran and retired Town of Willsboro Supervisor and Chairman of Essex County Board of Supervisors, likes to say that the farm is grass-based, with the majority of grazing happening out in their pastures rather than feeding primarily hay. Weve been practicing rotational adaptive grazing since 2005. Based upon a belief that trying to develop a farm thats regenerative means actually working with natural cycles of the environment. We want to be a full-cycle farm, thats why we concentrate so much on soil health, said Gilliland. Gilliland said Ben Wever Farm always looks to the soil as the basis of their management decisions, which translates to more vibrant grasslands and thriving livestock. Advertisement Advertisement Through regenerative grazing, composting materials, and then using a manure and compost mix to place back on the land helps to regenerate after taking things off of it, said Gilliland. Were giving things back to the land after taking from it. Keeping to the water and carbon cycles in the environment is in the vision of what we want to do on the farm. Ben Wevers ancestors had worked the farm since its establishment in 1829, creating a diversified ecosystem throughout each generation and putting their own management style into the craft. The Gilliland family started with the farm under Bens instruction. He taught them about the farm, the work, the animals and the love of the vocation. While Ben slowly transitioned out, the Gilliland family took on more and more tasks until they took the reins fully. Gilliland was honored to receive the award, but said he was stunned. It was very much a surprise to me, said Gilliland. I was invited to be on the board of directors of the NY Beef Council, and this was my first meeting. The event was in conjunction with the [New York] Beef Producers Association. We were all having dinner, and they suddenly were announcing that Ben Wever Farm had won the award. Advertisement Advertisement Ben Wever Farm had previously won the Hugh Hammond Conservation Producer Award from the National Association of Conservation Planning Partnership in 2024. These [awards] have been really, really just humbling, you know, that people recognize this. We dont feel that were doing anything special. Were just trying to do the right thing. To be quite truthful, the whole community of farmers in Essex County are all in the same mind and pursuing the same goals. Its great being in this farming community. Being in community with like-minded people is essential for small-scale farms. Gilliland said relationship-building and collaborative efforts with agriculture service providers are key to improving the climate resiliency of farms in the North Country region. One thing I want to emphasize is that weve partnered with Essex County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) closely for as many years as weve been on the farm. With them, weve been participating in conservation programs that work with the farm environment. Advertisement Advertisement Gilliland said that Essex County SWCD and NRCS have been fantastic partners on projects and initiatives, and have just finished programs on climate resiliency, composting facilities and grazing management. Ben Wever Farm is increasing its agroforestry initiatives on the farmland. Gilliland said theyre already doing forest regeneration cuttings to encourage new growth. Theyre starting to develop silvopastures, the practice of mixing forestry with grazing pastures. NRCS has been assisting them in identifying and eradicating invasive plants, such as barberry, to be able to implement these forested pastures. The next step for Ben Wever Farm is giving veterans a second career in farming. Gilliland plans to call the initiative the Corporal Harry Weaver Project in honor of the late World War I veteran who once owned the farm. Their goal is to renovate the original 1800s-era farmhouse on the property to provide housing for participants of the initiative, getting them hands-on farming experience within the region. When police arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in London last week on charges related to the former princes past association with Jeffrey Epstein, they did more than send a signal to the British people that U.K. law applies to everyone. The startling event, which made headlines around the world, also highlighted the contrast between the way authorities in other countries have handled the Epstein cases compared to the United States. That contrast was heightened even further this week with the arrest of Peter Mandelson, another former Epstein associate and longtime Labour insider who was most recently the U.K.s ambassador in Washington. Authorities in other European countries have also launched investigations and legal proceedings against their own elites with ties to the late financier. All of this is having a political impact in the United States, spurring new demands for accountability in the country at the heart of the Epstein scandals. Advertisement Advertisement The revelations in the Epstein files, which President Donald Trumps Justice Department released under pressure from Congress, seem tailor-made to further propel the rise of the far right, as well as the populist left. A global entourage of political, business and academic VIPs continued to rub shoulders and trade favors with Epsteinwho died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex-trafficking of minorseven after he was previously convicted of soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008. That strengthens the case on both ends of the political spectrum that billionaires play by a different set of rules, while ordinary people dont get a fair shake. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. But it is the legal aspect of whats taking place in Europe that will have the greatest impact in the United States. The investigation into the activities of Mountbatten-WindsorKing Charles brotheris infusing renewed energy into efforts to have the Trump administration take action against Epsteins American accomplices and enablers. In the process, it is painting Trump in a starkly unfavorable light. Theres much to distract people in the U.S. from the decades-old accusations that Epstein was the ringleader of a sex-trafficking and pedophilia operation, as well as the new revelations that the powerful men who maintained close contacts with himincluding Mountbatten-Windsor and Mandelsonwere allegedly trafficking in valuable confidential information. Last week, a Supreme Court decision dismantled most of Trumps signature tariffs, even as the world remains on tenterhooks wondering if Trump will bomb Iran in the days and weeks ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Despite all of that, the millions of documents released by the DOJ as the result of a law passed by Congress last year have ignited public outrage. Elsewhere in the world, the documents unleashed a flurry of criminal investigations, but not in the U.S., and that disparity is now serving to stir anger. Mountbatten-Windsors arrest, in particular, bolstered calls for action. As the images of the stunned former prince in police custody made the rounds, Democrats in Congress declared on social media, No one connected to Jeffrey Epstein will escape accountability for their crimes. But it wasnt just Democrats vowing to force the issue, despite the administrations determination to see the case closed. Rep. Thomas Massie, the rare Republican who has stood up to Trump, posted, Prince Andrew has been arrestedNow we need JUSTICE in the United States. Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a fervent MAGA supporter who broke with Trump and ultimately left Congress over his refusal to pursue the Epstein investigations, bemoaned the lack of Epstein-related arrests in the U.S. in her own post on X. Trumps approach to the Epstein case traces a remarkable arc that reflects his political interests. The two erstwhile New York playboys were once close friends. In 2002, Trump, then still just a real estate developer, called Epstein a terrific guy. But by the time Trump entered politics in 2016, Epstein had already been unmasked for his criminal behavior. Convicted and briefly jailed in Florida, if on watered-down charges, he became a useful element in Trumps political rise as a populist. The overwhelming majority of Epsteins activities took place in the U.S., but it is in other countries where the wheels of justice are rolling forward, putting the Trump administration to shame. As a candidate and even during his first term as president, Trump stoked conspiracy theories about his longtime pals associations with prominent Democrats, while ignoring his own friendship with Epstein. In 2019, he even sparked outrage by retweeting a post suggesting former President Bill Clinton had Epstein murdered in prison. Trump subsequently explained, I want a full investigation, and thats what I absolutely am demanding, though he was president at the time and his own Attorney General had already ordered such an investigation. Advertisement Advertisement After losing the 2020 election, Trump repeatedly vowed to release Epsteins so-called client list should he return to the White House, feeding the hunger of far-right voters who had become obsessed with conspiracy theories about pedophile rings they linked to Hillary Clinton and Democratic Party leaders. But once he returned to office last year, Trump struggled to keep control of the narrative. Dozens of victims of Epsteins crimes came to the fore demanding justice. Trump knew his name was in the Epstein files thousands of times even if, despite numerous accusations, there has been no proof that he committed a crime connected to his friendship with Epstein. Last year, as the political heat rose, Trump lost his cool. Their new SCAM, he wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, referring to Democrats, is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this bullshit, hook, line, and sinker. Trumps hand-picked quislings in the Justice Department and the FBI, apparently adhering to his wishes, announced that they had found no evidence in the files warranting further investigations or prosecutions. Advertisement Advertisement By then, the U.S. government possessed documents naming hundreds, perhaps thousands of people, some of them in the context of horrific accusations of complicity with Epsteins crimes. But only two people were ever charged: Epstein and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 and is serving a 20-year prison sentence. The overwhelming majority of Epsteins activities took place in the U.S., but it is in other countries where the wheels of justice are rolling forward, putting the Trump administration to shame. The most prominent target of these investigations is Mountbatten-Windsor, but there are many others whose situations are drawing attention in the U.S. and raising the pressure on Trump. In the U.K., the scandal surrounding Mandelson, who was chosen as ambassador to the U.S. despite his known association with Epstein, threatened to topple Prime Minister Keir Starmer when it first emerged publicly. Though that pressure seemed to have subsided, Mandelsons arrest this week on charges of having passed on confidential British government files to Epstein have reignited the outrage. In Norway, one of the more egalitarian countries in the world, former Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland is under investigation, as are senior diplomats Mona Juul and Terje Rod-Larsen. Crown Princess Mette-Marit and former Foreign Minister Borge Brende are also under scrutiny, and Brende stepped down this week from his role as president and CEO of the World Economic Forum. Norways parliament has even established a committee to probe possible Epstein-related crimes. Advertisement Advertisement In France, prosecutors have launched wide-ranging investigations of human trafficking and financial crimes, combing through the Epstein files for evidence. Already, Jack Lang, a once-respected former culture minister, has lost his post as head of the Institute of the Arab World and is under investigation. In Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the country will investigate not only whether Epstein and his accomplices abused Polish children, but also whether Epstein himself was working for Russian intelligence. So far, all the people who have been arrested or become the target of investigations have proclaimed their innocence, and none have been tried or convicted yet. But the alacrity with which the authorities have responded to the recent revelations is notable. And these are just some of the countries taking action to potentially prosecute Epstein-linked perpetrators. In the U.S., meanwhile, the federal government seems determined to try to shut down the furor. When Attorney General Pam Bondi was asked about it in a recent congressional oversight hearing, she shot back with insults against the representatives questioning her, suggesting they should focus on the stock market gains under Trump and stop asking about Epstein. So far, several individuals in the U.S. have suffered reputational and professional consequences, but fewif anyhave faced legal ones. Advertisement Advertisement As mentioned, theres much to distract the public from the Epstein scandals these days. Even so, the continuing drumbeat of investigations in other countries will make it harder and perhaps impossible for the Trump administration to fully protect itself and the president forever. Frida Ghitis is WPRs senior columnist and a contributor to CNN and The Washington Post. Her WPR column appears every Thursday. You can follow her on Twitter and Threads at @fridaghitis. The post The Epstein Files Global Fallout Highlights U.S. Inaction appeared first on World Politics Review. A month ago, Brge Brende interviewed US President Donald Trump following his address to government and business leaders in Davos, Switzerland. On Thursday, the president and CEO of the World Economic Forum, which organizes the annual gathering in the Swiss alps, announced he was stepping down following an independent investigation into his relationship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Brendes resignation is the latest in a string of high-profile departures linked to the publication of the so-called Epstein files, a collection of millions of emails and other documents detailing the activities of the disgraced financier. Advertisement Advertisement After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum, Brende, a former Norwegian foreign minister, said in a statement. My time here, spanning 8 years, has been profoundly rewarding. The forum launched the independent review earlier this month when it emerged that Brende had attended three business dinners with Epstein in 2018 and 2019, as well as communicated with him via emails and text messages. At least one of the dinners took place at Epsteins home in New York, emails show, just weeks before the financier was arrested on federal charges of child sex trafficking. Back in 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting sex from a minor and was subsequently sentenced to 18 months in prison. In a statement earlier this month, after the WEF launched its probe, Brende said he had been completely unaware of Epsteins past and criminal activities and would not have communicated or attended dinners with him had he known. I recognize that I could have conducted a more thorough investigation into Epsteins history, and I regret not doing so, he added. Advertisement Advertisement There was no indication Brende engaged in wrongdoing, but he joins a growing slate of business leaders and others who have had their careers derailed by revelations contained in the Epstein files, published by the US Justice Department since late December. That list includes Hyatt Hotels executive chairman Tom Pritzker; top Goldman Sachs lawyer Kathy Ruemmler; and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the CEO of Dubai logistics giant DP World. None have been charged with wrongdoing. In 2021, Apollo Global Management CEO Leon Black and Barclays CEO Jes Staley both stepped down because of their ties to Epstein. In the WEF statement Thursday, the forums co-chairs Larry Fink and Andre Hoffmann thanked Brende for his significant contributions to the organization. Advertisement Advertisement They also said the independent review into Brendes ties with Epstein had now concluded and that no additional concerns beyond what has been previously disclosed were identified. The WEF has appointed Alois Zwinggi as interim president and CEO while the process to appoint a permanent successor is underway. Brendes departure comes less than a year after the WEFs founding chairman, Klaus Schwab, stepped down under a cloud, following whistleblower allegations of misconduct. An investigation into the allegations, which concluded in August, found no evidence of material wrongdoing by Schwab, according to a statement from the WEF. Robert North and Maisie Linford contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Fears of a return to war in northern Ethiopia are driving many people to leave the region of Tigray just over three years after the civil war there ended. "Those who can afford it fly, those who can't use buses," one person in the main city of Mekelle told the BBC - going on to explain how large numbers of young people were heading to the capital, Addis Ababa. The prices of goods are rocketing as people stock up on essentials and a run on the banks has meant there is now a daily limit on cash withdrawals of around 2,000 birr ($13; 10) per person. Advertisement Advertisement With cash shortages reminiscent of the brutal two-year conflict that ended in November 2022, those wanting to make big transfers often have to pay extra charges to do them electronically. What has happened to the peace deal? The civil war between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) saw an estimated 600,000 people killed, according to an envoy from the African Union (AU), and the region driven to the precipice of famine. So great fanfare and relief greeted the agreement that was brokered by the AU in November 2022. After it was signed in South Africa's capital, Pretoria, the guns were silenced, basic services were restored and normality began to return to Tigray. Each day there are long lines at banks in Mekelle as people are anxious to have cash in case there is a conflict [Reuters] However, fears were immediately raised over the absence of two of the warring parties from the signing ceremony: Advertisement Advertisement Eritrea, which borders Tigray to the north. Its forces had fought alongside the Ethiopian army for control of the region Amhara, a region which neighbours Tigray to the west and whose fighters also fought on the side of the Ethiopian army. In the early weeks of the war they seized land in the agriculturally rich area of western Tigray, which remains a source of dispute. The Ethiopian government has since fallen out with both its former ally Eritrea and the armed militias from Amhara. And as the country heads towards elections in June, the government has also been at loggerheads with the TPLF over the failure to resolve the future of disputed areas in Tigray, like those occupied by Amhara forces. Advertisement Advertisement It has all led to widespread distrust and means the Pretoria accord is unravelling fast. [BBC] How have things escalated? There have been reports of a troop mobilisation in the north of Ethiopia and the UN has since described the situation in the region as "highly volatile". In late January brief clashes were reported between federal troops and Tigrayan fighters, who are agitating for the return of areas still under Amhara control. Drone strikes hit the region and flights to Tigrayan cities were suspended for nearly a week. Ethiopia has also accused Eritrea of meddling by backing Tigrayan forces, which it denies. The authorities in Addis Ababa see a growing closeness between the TPLF and Eritrea as a threat. Advertisement Advertisement Last October, Ethiopia's foreign minister wrote a letter to the UN chief alleging that Eritrea was forging an alliance with "hardliners within the TPLF" to "wage war" against Ethiopia. Last week, TPLF head Debretsion Gebremicheal said war was "looming" over Tigray and "the people will be under the obligation to resist aggression and defend themselves to maintain their existence". Why is the TPLF upset? It wants back territory it lost during the war, like western Tigray. Around a million people fled that area during the conflict and have been living in poor conditions in makeshift camps throughout Tigray. They have not been able to return home. Advertisement Advertisement A decision taken by the election board earlier this week that in June disputed areas would vote independently - not under the jurisdiction of either Amhara or Tigray - has further infuriated many Tigrayans. Scars from the previous war are still present in Tigray [Reuters] The TPLF, which was designated as a terrorist group during the war, also wants its legal status as a political party to be reinstated. But the process has been dogged by disagreements and the electoral board has revoked the TPLF's licence - meaning it cannot contest the upcoming elections. The TPLF itself has split into factions, with some members setting up a new party, complicating an already tense situation. Advertisement Advertisement The party had dominated Ethiopia's political landscape for two decades until Abiy Ahmed became prime minister in 2018 and set up a new party, which TPLF leaders refused to join. Abiy's supporters regard those left in the TPLF as "hardliners", blaming them for failing to properly implement the peace deal and cosying up to Eritrea leaving allegiances in the region dramatically different to the situation in 2020. Why has Ethiopia fallen out with Eritrea? The two neighbours have long had a volatile relationship - flip-flopping from being friends to enemies. Eritrea officially seceded from Ethiopia in 1993 - but later fought a deadly border war. Advertisement Advertisement In fact, Abiy won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for ending the 20-year military stalemate with Eritrea that followed. But friendly relations further forged during the Tigray war have given way to a war of words over the Red Sea. This is because Ethiopia, the world's most populous landlocked nation, lost its Red Sea ports when Eritrea got its independence - taking with it a 1,350km (840-mile) coastline For Abiy this has become an existential crisis and he has been pushing for ownership of Eritrea's southern port of Assab - about 60km from the border - and hinted at the desire to take it by force. Advertisement Advertisement "The Red Sea and Ethiopia cannot remain separated forever," Abiy said during a recent parliamentary address. How is the Amhara region involved? A low-level rebellion has been rumbling on in Amhara since 2023 linked to anger that the help the region gave the government during the Tigray war has not been properly acknowledged. Amhara fighters, who took part in the Tigray war, feel betrayed by the government [Reuters] Those fighters want the area of western Tigray to be formally recognised as part of Amhara. Ethiopia has also accused Eritrea of involvement in this unrest which it denies. In January federal security forces in the Amhara region said they had seized 50,000 rounds of ammunition that they alleged had been sent by Eritrea to anti-government militias. What would another war mean for the region? The scars and trauma from the previous war are still present in Tigray. Much of the damaged infrastructure has not been rebuilt and the region's economy has not fully recovered. Advertisement Advertisement Chronic unemployment is pushing many young people from the region to attempt dangerous migratory routes seeking better opportunities in Europe and the Middle East. If a full-blown war was to break out between the Ethiopian army and the TPLF, or between Ethiopia and Eritrea, Tigray is likely to be the main battleground, which would devastate the region once again. It could also destabilise the wider Horn of Africa region. Ethiopia's western neighbour Sudan is already blighted by devastating violence that has unleashed the world's worst humanitarian crisis. "Any war between Ethiopia and Eritrea involving Tigray and other Ethiopian domestic actors is very likely to connect to Sudan. The two conflicts will be merged," US-based international relations expert Michael Woldemariam told the BBC. What can be done to prevent another conflict? Diplomatic pressure, particularly from the US, was seen as the key driver behind the 2022 peace deal. Gulf countries are now more involved in the region and so pressure from them could also avert another catastrophic conflict. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is said to have close relations with Addis Ababa while its rival Saudi Arabia is thought to be closer to Asmara. However, Michael is not optimistic. He notes that this time "the AU doesn't have the requisite leverage", the US's attention is elsewhere and the Gulf states are divided. Micheal notes recent efforts by Saudi Arabian officials, who have met the Ethiopian and Eritrean authorities, as a positive - but it's not clear how much success they could have given Saudi's own interests in the Red Sea and its rivalry with the UAE. You may also be interested in: [Getty Images/BBC] Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomes Icelands Prime Minister Kristrun Mjoll Frostadottir to Brussels. | Credit: Simon Wohlfahrt / AFP / Getty Images In the face of geopolitical uncertainty and US hostility, momentum for EU enlargement appears to be growing, said Politico. Iceland and Norway, founding members of Nato, have access to the EUs single market via its European Economic Area, but are the only Nordic countries outside the bloc. Donald Trumps tariffs and threats to Nato ally Greenland have, however, significantly increased support for joining the EU in both countries. Advertisement Advertisement Last year, Reykjaviks new governing coalition promised a referendum by 2027 on whether to restart frozen membership talks. Thats being sped up. Reykjavik will announce the date of the ballot within the next few weeks, sources told Politico. What did the commentators say? Iceland applied to join the EU in 2009 after its financial crisis. But when the economy stabilised and flourished, an incoming centre-right government froze membership talks in 2013. But the EU has changed a lot since then, Icelands foreign minister told Bloomberg. The world is also a different place now, said orgerur Katrin Gunnarsdottir. In that context, she will submit a bill on the referendum before the summer. Iceland would benefit from expanding its access to free trade agreements, said Bloomberg. Its economy, reliant on fishing and tourism, is prone to booms and busts. But shockwaves caused by the US presidents threats to neighbouring Greenland are pushing Iceland closer to the EU, said Xenia Heiberg on Euractiv. Icelanders are being forced to evaluate bloc membership not as an economic choice, but as a question of long-term defence and geopolitical alignment. Advertisement Advertisement All of the arguments that the US is bringing forth as reasons for why they must acquire Greenland, would apply to Iceland as well, said Eirikur Bergmann, politics professor at Icelands Bifrost University. Iceland is the only Nato member without an army, relying on a defence agreement with the US for security. That, more than the economic benefits, is warming public attitudes about joining the bloc, said Politico. Trump mentioned Iceland four times in his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, which focused minds, as one anonymous EU official told Politico. His nominee for ambassador to Iceland also joked that the strategically important Arctic country would become the 52nd US state. That increased the urgency. There has since been a flurry of visits from EU politicians to Iceland and vice versa. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hosted Icelands Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir in Brussels last month, saying their partnership offers stability and predictability in a volatile world. Norway, the closest non-member country to the EU, has voted no in two referendums on joining the bloc, said the Financial Times. But Trumps tariffs and the war in Ukraine mean Norway is suffering by staying out of the EU, according to its foreign minister. We are acutely aware that the delta between EU membership and EEA membership is increasing, said Espen Barth Eide last year. Advertisement Advertisement Its security had long been based on the assumption that the US would guarantee its safety, said Minna Alander, associate fellow of Chatham Houses Europe Programme. But Trumps threats to the territory of neighbouring Denmark clarified that previously close relations guarantee nothing. Support for EU membership has since risen considerably. The majority of the public still opposes it, but now supports holding a new referendum on it. In a multipolar world order, EU membership is crucial for any small European state, including Norway. The common thread between Iceland and Norway is a pivot away from domestic considerations toward the framing of the EU as an existential geopolitical and security anchor, should Nato reliability erode, said Daniel Hegedus, Central Europe director for The German Marshall Fund of the United States (a Berlin-based think-tank). The EU should use the Greenland crisis to go on the geopolitical offensive and reinvigorate the Nordic enlargement of the bloc, he wrote on EUobserver. What next? Icelands path to EU membership isnt straightforward, said Politico. Even if Icelanders vote yes in a referendum on restarting talks, there would be another on membership. That could be a high bar to clear. Norways leadership has, for now, ruled out a renewed EU debate, said Alander in Chatham House. But it is watching Icelands referendum closely. The eight Nordic-Baltic countries have emerged as a new centre of gravity in northern Europe; six are EU members. Adding Norway and Iceland would help boost regional cohesion. A new European security architecture is beginning to take shape. Inclusion may no longer be delineated by Nato membership, but rather along the borders of the EU. Authorities spent hours at a DeKalb County jewelry store as part of a multi-state fraud investigation. Channel 2s Michael Doudna was at Malani Jewelers on DeKalb Industrial Way during WSB Tonight, where a member of the operation confirmed it was related to a warrant being served out of Texas. Were working to find people who saw the raid first-hand LIVE on Channel 2 Action News starting at 4:00 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after 10 p.m., Doudna saw authorities come out of the store with 12 large plastic bins, presumably filled with evidence, and place them into a U-Haul. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Lithonia Police Chief Donald Dejarnette confirmed that the investigation was months in the making. Responding to questions from Channel 2 Action News, the Collin County Sheriffs Office in Texas confirmed the raid at Malani Jewelers was connected to a larger investigation into financial crimes and gold processing. The warrant stems from a scheme where authorities claim suspects would pretend to be law enforcement and trick seniors into withdrawing funds and buying gold that was later processed or melted at other businesses. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs office said the raid in DeKalb County was one of three sites involved in a coordinated multi-state warrant execution. The others took place in Richardson, Texas and Altamonte Springs, Florida. How the DeKalb County jewelry store is connected has not been released. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] By Tom Balmforth LONDON, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Images of debris from Russian strikes on Ukraine strongly indicate that Moscow has used a cruise missile whose development led Donald Trump to quit a landmark nuclear pact in his first term, two experts said, confirming earlier Reuters reporting. The specialists based their analysis on images of fragments of the nuclear-capable missile provided to Reuters by three Ukrainian law enforcement sources, the first visual evidence published to date corroborating Russia's use of the weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Its deployment dozens of times in Ukraine is a striking example of how the nuclear arms control edifice emerging from the Cold War has crumbled in recent years. This month saw the expiry of New START, the nuclear treaty that imposed limits on U.S. and Russian strategic weapons. Russia's development of the 9M729 prompted Trump to quit the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, then a cornerstone of nuclear arms control, in 2019, saying the ground-launched missile could fly far beyond the permitted limit of 500 km (310 miles). The Ukrainian General Prosecutor's Office told Reuters in a written statement in November that one of the 9M729 missiles fired by Russia on October 5 last year flew more than 1,200 km. FRAGMENTS FOUND AT SITES ACROSS WESTERN UKRAINE Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and sources told Reuters in October that Russia had fired the 9M729 at Ukraine twice in 2022 and 23 times between August and October last year, the first known combat uses of the missile anywhere. Russia fired at least four more of the missiles at Ukraine on February 17, one of the law enforcement sources said, the first time those cases have been reported. There have been other uses since October too, the source added. "The images really do appear to show the 9M729. In addition to the markings, the debris are similar to other cruise missiles that are related to the 9M729," said Jeffrey Lewis, Distinguished Scholar of Global Security at Middlebury College in Vermont. Analysts at Janes, a UK-based defence intelligence company, told Reuters there was a high likelihood the debris shown in the 10 images had come from the ground-launched 9M729 missile. Advertisement Advertisement The law enforcement sources said the images show fragments recovered in Zhytomyr, Lviv, Khmelnytskyi and Vinnytsia regions, all in western Ukraine. Reuters could not verify where and when the photographs of the fragments were taken. One piece bears the serial number 0274, while others bear the marking 9M729. In another case, a Reuters reporter saw a fragment stamped 9M729, but was asked by a Ukrainian law enforcement official not to photograph it for publication. Russia's Defence Ministry did not respond to a request for comment for this article. CONCERNS IN EUROPE GROW Russia has acknowledged the existence of the missile, but denied it was in breach of the 1987 treaty and that it could fly as far as the distance permitted. Advertisement Advertisement One of the 9M729 missiles fired by Russia on October 5 struck a home in Lapaiivka village near Lviv, resulting in the death of five civilians, the Ukrainian General Prosecutor's Office said in its statement - over 1,200 km from the point from which it was fired. The use of the missiles is being investigated in eight different regions, it added. The INF specifically outlawed ground-launched missiles with a range of over 500 km because their launchers are easier to conceal, making them a greater potential threat than missile-carrying warplanes or warships that militaries track. Since November 2024, Russia has also twice attacked Ukraine with the Oreshnik, a new intermediate-range ground-launched ballistic missile that would also have been banned under the INF. Advertisement Advertisement Both the 9M729 and the Oreshnik can carry a nuclear or conventional warhead and their range puts European capitals within reach. The 9M729 has a range of 2,500 km, according to the Missile Threat website produced at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Several NATO countries in Europe are now trying to buy or develop their own long-range, deep-strike weapons to narrow the gap in their deterrence capabilities with Russia. Some European governments worry that the U.S. is no longer committed to protecting Europe. Washington has told Europeans they must take over primary responsibility for the conventional defence of the continent. Advertisement Advertisement Russia said last August it would no longer place any limits on where it deploys intermediate-range missiles that can carry nuclear warheads. WHY DID RUSSIA FIRE IT AT UKRAINE? Russia has launched many thousands of drones and missiles at Ukraine since its full-scale invasion began four years ago. Most recently it has targeted power and heating infrastructure during Ukraine's coldest winter of the war. It was not clear why Russia has been using the 9M729 missile. Lewis, the missile analyst, said it was surprising Russia was willing to lose sensitive information by using the nuclear-capable missile in Ukraine, which allows military experts to study its combat performance and pore over missile fragments. Advertisement Advertisement "Russia may have a relatively small stockpile of sophisticated cruise missiles and so it's willing to dip into its longer-range stockpile," he said. (Reporting by Tom Balmforth; editing by Mike Collett-White and Gareth Jones) Norwegian politician Thorbjrn Jagland, who has recently faced public scrutiny over reported contacts with Jeffrey Epstein, was hospitalized following reports that the 75-year-old attempted suicide. Against this backdrop, some commentators have revisited Jaglands historical role in Norwegian foreign policy and its impact on relations between Azerbaijan and Norway. In the late 1990s, bilateral relations between Baku and Oslo were developing positively. In 1998, Norway opened its embassy in Baku, and cooperation expanded, particularly in the energy sector, where Statoil (now Equinor) began operations in Azerbaijan. Political and economic ties appeared to be strengthening. The situation shifted after Jagland returned to government in 2000 as Norways Minister of Foreign Affairs. In 2002, Steinar Gil was appointed Norways ambassador to Azerbaijan. His tenure in Baku became controversial. Azerbaijani officials and lawmakers accused him of publicly commenting on domestic political developments in a manner they considered inappropriate for a diplomat. Particular criticism arose around the events of 2003 on Azadlig Square, when opposition protests took place following presidential elections. Azerbaijani sources alleged that the ambassadors visible presence during the unrest signaled undue involvement in internal affairs. Further tensions emerged when individuals accused by Azerbaijani authorities of serious offenses reportedly sought refuge connected to diplomatic premises a move that intensified political friction. As disagreements deepened, members of the Azerbaijani parliament discussed declaring the ambassador persona non grata. In 2006, Norway recalled Steinar Gil, later appointing him ambassador to Lithuania. Meanwhile, Jagland continued his political career, serving as Speaker of the Norwegian Parliament before becoming Secretary General of the Council of Europe in 2009. During his tenure at the Council of Europe, relations between Azerbaijan and the organization became increasingly strained. Baku faced critical resolutions, monitoring procedures, and legal mechanisms under the European Convention on Human Rights, including Article 52 inquiries and the infringement procedure under Article 46.4 the latter applied for the first time in relation to Azerbaijan. Supporters of Azerbaijan have argued that these steps reflected a politically motivated approach, while the Council of Europe maintained that its actions were grounded in human rights standards and legal obligations. The so-called caviar diplomacy allegations, which referred to claims of lobbying and influence within the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, also contributed to tensions. Various figures, including former diplomat Arif Mammadov, publicly commented on these issues in subsequent years. More recently, media reports have highlighted Jaglands past association with Jeffrey Epstein. According to investigative publications, correspondence and travel records indicated that Jagland had contact with Epstein and stayed at properties linked to him. These revelations have generated renewed public debate in Norway and beyond. Overall, the period marked a significant cooling of Azerbaijani-Norwegian relations, culminating in Norways decision to close its embassy in Baku in 2018. The interpretation of these events continues to differ depending on political perspective, reflecting broader disagreements over diplomacy, sovereignty, and human rights policy in Europe. While investors are busy pouring billions of dollars into humanoid robots, an MIT roboticist who has been making robots for three decades claims they are wasting their money. Rodney Brooks, cofounder of Roomba vacuum creator iRobot, said the idea of humanoid robots as catchall assistants, the future Elon Musk envisions, is pure fantasy thinking, in part because robots are coordination-challenged. Todays humanoid robots will not learn how to be dexterous despite the hundreds of millions, or perhaps many billions of dollars, being donated by VCs and major tech companies to pay for their training, said Brooks in a blog post. The sensation of touch is one of the most complex systems in the human body. The human hand contains 17,000 low-threshold mechanoreceptors for picking up light touches, which become denser toward the end of the fingertips. The receptors in your hands respond to myriad stimuli-like pressuresvibrations in sync with 15 different families of neurons. All of this adds up to a complex mechanism that humans want to replicate in robots. While AI has been trained on large amounts of speech-recognition and image-processing data, we do not have such a tradition for touch data, Brooks said, adding he takes issue with the way both Musks Tesla and AI-robotics company Figure are training their humanoid robots, with videos of humans performing tasks, assuming this will result in vastly improved dexterity. If the big tech companies and the VCs throwing their money at large-scale humanoid training spent only 20% as much but gave it all to university researchers I tend to think they would get closer to their goals more quickly, Brooks said. To be sure, Brooks former company iRobot filed for bankruptcy in December after Amazon walked away from acquiring the company in 2024. Its value plummeted to about $140 million last year from $3.56 billion in 2021. The company will be acquired by its main Chinese manufacturer and lender, although it has said the restructuring will not affect its existing products. Musk, for his part, said at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos last month that Tesla will start selling its Optimus robots to the public by the end of 2027. He has previously said Optimus is already performing tasks in Tesla factories autonomously. Meanwhile, Figure achieved a $39 billion post-money valuation in September last year after its latest billion-dollar fundraise. But in Brooks eyes, all this investment adds up to a highly expensive training regime for humanoid robots who will not look exactly like us. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey set an execution date for Charles Sonny Burton Thursday morning. Alabama man faces execution despite not pulling the trigger in auto store customers death Burton, who has been at the center of a clemency campaign, was sentenced to death 34 years ago for his role in a 1991 robbery at a Talladega AutoZone. That robbery resulted in the murder of Doug Battles. Advertisement Advertisement The 75-year-old inmate was sentenced to death despite not being the one to kill Battle. Burton, one of six men involved in the robbery, was outside of the store at the time of shooting. The man who the state argued shot Battle, Derrick DeBruce, was initially sentenced to death but was resentenced in 2015 to life in prison. Burton, however, is still sentenced to death. The Sonny Burton case begs the question of where does it end? Rev. Jeff Hood, Burtons spiritual advisor previously told CBS 42. I mean, how far are Alabamians willing to go to enact a punishment that doesnt fit the crime? I mean, we know for the person who actually pulled the trigger in this situation got life in prison. How is that fair? Gov. Ivey set Burtons execution date to occur between the hours of 12:00 a.m. March 12 to 6:00 a.m. March 13 at the Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore. The tentative start date is for 6:00 p.m. March 12. Advertisement Advertisement 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 CBS 42. Claim: Federal lawsuits and documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein show that Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk was involved in child trafficking. Rating: Rating: False In February 2026, social media users claimed federal lawsuits and newly released documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein showed evidence of Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk being involved in child trafficking. Advertisement Advertisement Some users pointed to the U.S. Department of Justice's Jan. 30, 2026, release of millions of Epstein-related documents, while others cited reporting about lawsuits alleging abuse and trafficking at Romania-based children's homes tied to a U.S. church. One X post (archived) on the topic read, "Erika Kirk Allegedly Linked to Sex Trafficking Network as Her Pastor Faces Child Trafficking Counts." (X user @dave43law) Versions of the rumor spread on social media platforms including Reddit and Threads. However, the renewed attention did not produce any credible evidence that Kirk engaged in child trafficking. The posts circulating online did not cite court filings naming her as a defendant, law enforcement statements accusing her of wrongdoing or any verifiable excerpts from the Epstein-related documents implicating her in criminal activity. Advertisement Advertisement Rather, the narrative relied largely on guilt-by-association arguments, pointing to her public appearance with a pastor facing lawsuits, previously debunked claims and sensational interpretations promoted by outlets known for publishing misleading information. As such, we've rated this claim as false. How the rumor spread The claim was amplified by social media posts and by a website called The People's Voice a rebranded version of NewsPunch, a website with a long history of publishing false information which published an article titled "Bombshell Federal Court Lawsuits Expose Erika Kirk Links to Global Child Trafficking Ring." The article did not present court documents or evidence naming Kirk as a defendant or showing her participation in trafficking. Other posts linked to an article (archived) titled "Pastor Linked to Erika Kirk Faces Child Trafficking Charges as Online Speculation Spreads." The piece's body text, however, explicitly noted that Kirk "has not been named in any lawsuit connected to the Romanian shelter allegations," that "there is currently no evidence linking her to criminal activity," that there is no public record of criminal charges against Kirk and that nothing indicates she is the subject of a law enforcement investigation. What the pastor lawsuits actually say One strand of the February 2026 posts focused on Kirk's public association with Harvest Christian Fellowship pastor Greg Laurie. Advertisement Advertisement In January 2026, Kirk appeared on the program for the "Make Heaven Crowded Tour" kickoff event at Harvest Christian Fellowship, which listed both Laurie and Kirk as guest speakers. Social media posts portrayed Laurie as facing child trafficking accusations and implied that this implicated Kirk. The posts refer to federal civil lawsuits brought before the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California accusing former Harvest missionary pastor Paul Havsgaard of committing sexual abuse and trafficking minors at church-run children's homes in Romania. The lawsuits also name Harvest Christian Fellowship and Laurie, arguing they failed to oversee Havsgaard and did not intervene despite indications of misconduct. According to reporting by The Associated Press and MinistryWatch, the complaints allege that Havsgaard abused children between 1998 and 2008 and that church officials did not respond to concerns about his conduct. The church has disputed the claims and contends that if misconduct occurred, accountability would rest with the accused individual not with Harvest's leadership. As of this writing, the consolidated lawsuits remain pending in federal court. To date, no member of the church's leadership has been found guilty of a crime in connection with the allegations. Moreover, those lawsuits are not legal filings against Kirk, nor do they establish that she was involved in trafficking children. No mention of Erika Kirk in Epstein files Some posts also claimed that newly released Epstein-related documents implicated Kirk. In September 2025, we examined the rumor that she appeared in the Epstein files as a "recruiter" or was otherwise tied to Epstein's trafficking operation. We found no credible evidence supporting that allegation. Nothing in the DOJ's subsequent document releases has changed that assessment. Advertisement Advertisement Moreover, even if a person's name appears in Epstein-related records, that alone does not establish wrongdoing. The files contain third-party references, contact lists and interview summaries mentioning numerous public figures without demonstrating criminal conduct. Social media posts circulating in February 2026 did not provide any verifiable document identifiers or page references showing Kirk engaged in trafficking. Romania claims remain unsupported Another element of the rumor was the claim that Kirk was "barred from entering Romania" because her charity was accused of trafficking children. As we've previously reported, reviews of Romanian court records and reporting found no documentation that Kirk was banned from the country, nor evidence that her "Romanian Angels" initiative engaged in trafficking. All in all, the February 2026 posts linking Erika Kirk to trafficking repeated earlier, unsubstantiated claims and leaned heavily on guilt-by-association arguments. The majority of the posts cited the DOJ's Epstein document release or separate lawsuits involving a U.S. church's Romania-linked children's homes. However, neither development provides evidence that Kirk engaged in trafficking. The materials circulating online do not show that she trafficked children, nor do they demonstrate that she has been accused of doing so by law enforcement. Sources: Binder, Matt. "Fake News Sites Are Simply Changing Their Domain Name to Get around Facebook Fact-Checkers." Mashable, 31 Jan. 2019, https://mashable.com/article/yournewswire-news-punch-domain-facebook-fake-news. Advertisement Advertisement Blair, Leonardo, and Senior Reporter. Harvest Christian Fellowship Seeks to Dismiss Sex Abuse Lawsuits Ex-Pastor Calls 'Ugly Lies.' 12 Feb. 2026, https://www.christianpost.com/news/harvest-christian-fellowship-seeks-to-dismiss-sex-abuse-lawsuits.html. "Home." Harvest Christian Fellowship, https://harvest.church/. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026. Ibrahim, Nur. "Erika Kirk Isn't in the Epstein Files as a 'Recruiter.'" Snopes, 30 Sept. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/erika-kirk-recruit-victims-epstein/. "Lawsuits Accuse Former California Megachurch Pastor of Child Sex Abuse in Bucharest." AP News, 18 Sept. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/california-megachurch-pastor-child-sex-abuse-lawsuit-f1a8c9e20021387e387ec4240a330f83. Advertisement Advertisement Longino, Crisnel. "Pastor Linked to Erika Kirk Charged With Child Trafficking Amid Explosive Online Claims." International Business Times UK, 18 Feb. 2026, https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/erika-kirk-trafficking-allegations-1779918. 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. Does a viral image of Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi wearing "Don't ban insider trading" lapel sticker show what she wore to the 2026 State of the Union speech by President Donald Trump? No, that's not true: A picture of her was digitally edited to change the words on her sticker. The real badge worn by the former speaker of the House during the 2026 State of the Union address said, "Release the files". The claim appeared in a post (archived here) published on X on February 24, 2026. It opened: We disagree, Nancy! The post shared an image of U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi wearing a badge that read: Don't ban insider trading. This is what the picture looked like on X at the time of writing: Image source: Lead Stories screenshot of x.com/CPA The image was a cropped screenshot from coverage of the State of the Union address (archived here) delivered by U.S. President Donald Trump on February 24, 2026. In the full recording (archived here) on the C-SPAN website, Pelosi appears at the 1:25:10 mark. As we see below, her badge says, "Release the files": Image source: Lead Stories screenshot of video at s-span.org Advertisement Advertisement The words on Pelosi's badge referenced materials related to investigations into the activities of pedophile sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. They were published on the Department of Justice website with extensive redactions, and some of the files were suspected to be missing (archived here). On February 25, 2026, Reuters published another video (archived here, here and here) on Instagram. In it, reactions of several Democratic lawmakers to the president's address were edited together. The video was published under the following caption: Democratic lawmakers wore pins calling for the release of the Epstein files, a reference to the scandal surrounding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as President Trump delivered his State of the Union address. In that clip, which begins with the shot of Pelosi, the content of her badge still says nothing about insider trading: Image source: Lead Stories screenshot of post at instagram.com During the State of the Union address, Trump said at the 44:05 mark: ...we ensure that all Americans can profit from a rising stock market. Let's also ensure that members of Congress cannot corruptly profit from using insider information. They stood up for that. I can't believe it. I can't believe it. Did Nancy Pelosi stand up, if she's here? Doubt it. Pass the Stop Insider Trading Act without delay. Among those who applauded during the remarks about this piece of legislation were several Democrats, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren. It's unclear whether Pelosi was one of them. According to Politico (archived here), she did, but the C-SPAN video doesn't have a close-up of her at that moment to confirm how she responded to the president's remarks. Advertisement Advertisement The "Stop Insider Trading Act" bill (archived here) would ban lawmakers, their spouses and dependent children from making new purchases of publicly traded stocks. Pelosi, who once said that members of Congress and their spouses "should be able to participate" in stock trading, was criticized for having a large portfolio managed by her husband, Paul Pelosi. As reported by the New York Times (archived here) in 2025, it reached a trade volume of $56.9 million over the previous three years. In the summer of 2025, the former House speaker issued a statement (archived here) in support of another piece of legislation limiting the ability of members of Congress and their families to trade stocks. Ukraine did not attack a NATO member this week despite efforts by some to frame its strike on a Russian oil hub that way. Overnight on Feb. 23, Ukrainian drones struck the Kaleykino oil pumping station in Russia's Tatarstan, a major hub for deliveries to Russian oil refineries and part of the Druzhba pipeline, a key route for crude flowing to Central Europe. Despite the facility lying more than 2,000 kilometers (over 1,300 miles) from Slovakia and Hungary, some social media commentators including conservative American voices presented it as an attack against the two NATO member states. Advertisement Advertisement A post on X framing the move as Ukraine "turning on" Hungary and Slovakia raked in about 3.8 million views, while others urged NATO to activate Article 5, a move that could justify an allied military response against Ukraine. Yes, the Kyiv Independent is explaining why Ukraine's fight against Russia, and its attacks targeting Moscow's oil refineries and pumping stations, is not an attack against NATO. Druzhba dispute The Druzhba pipeline has become the focus of Kyiv's dispute with Hungary and Slovakia, the two EU countries still receiving Russian crude via a section of the pipeline running through Ukraine. The Hungarian and Slovak governments have also been notorious for echoing pro-Russian narratives on the war while opposing military aid to Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement After Kyiv said the pipeline has been offline since January due to a Russian attack, Budapest and Bratislava accused Ukraine of deliberately halting the supplies and threatened retaliation. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, widely regarded as the most Kremlin-friendly leader in the EU, even threatened to block Brussels' 90 billion-euro ($106 billion) loan to Ukraine, a crucial financial lifeline for the country facing the Russian invasion. Pavel Havlicek, a research fellow at the Association for International Affairs in Prague, argues that the Slovak and Hungarian governments are leveraging the Ukraine issue for domestic political gain stoking anti-Kyiv sentiment and shifting blame onto their political opponents at home. Orban, whose party, Fidesz, is trailing in polls behind the opposition party Tisza ahead of the April parliamentary elections, has adopted increasingly combative rhetoric toward Ukraine amid a heated election campaign. Russia's Kaleykino oil pumping station continues to burn out of control over a day after Ukrainian attack drones set it ablaze. The facility, over 1000 km behind the frontline, is a key node on the Druzhba pipeline. pic.twitter.com/XnSPSbmwsV OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 24, 2026 Earlier on Feb. 26, the Hungarian leader published an open letter to President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of "working to force Hungary into the war" and attempting to "bring a pro-Ukraine government to power." Advertisement Advertisement Calling Druzhba "critical to Hungary's energy supply," Orban described Ukrainian steps as being "against Hungary's interests." He also announced a military deployment to safeguard Hungary's energy infrastructure from a supposed Ukrainian threat, despite no indication of Ukraine planning hostile moves on Hungarian territory. Daniel Hegedus, the deputy director at the Institute for European Politics (IEP) in Berlin, told the Kyiv Independent that Budapest's warnings about "'potential Ukrainian actions' create a perfect setup and framing practically an invitation for Russian hybrid operations." Cutting off Russian oil revenues Throughout the war, Ukrainian forces have consistently targeted Russian oil refineries and gas facilities with long-range drone attacks, including sites linked to Druzhba. Advertisement Advertisement Earnings from fossil fuel sales represent around one-quarter of Moscow's federal tax revenue, playing a key role in sustaining its war effort in Ukraine. Last year, the Ukrainian section of Druzhba transported over 9 million tons of oil to Slovakia and Hungary, according to ExPro Consulting data. According to Havlicek, the pumping station is a "fully legitimate target" in an effort to undermine Russia's war economy. Simultaneously with Ukrainian strikes, the EU has sought to wean itself off from Russian energy to undercut its earnings, adopting a regulation to halt Russian gas imports by the end of 2027. A plan to halt Russian oil imports is also being drafted. Advertisement Advertisement Despite four years of full-scale war, Slovakia and Hungary, both landlocked countries, have resisted calls to halt Russian pipeline oil and gas imports, arguing they are vital to their energy security. In turn, Czechia, another EU member that received oil via Druzhba, has successfully pivoted to alternative sources. "Hungary and Slovakia fell victim to their own misjudgment of the Kremlin... whereas the rest of the European continent realized that it's impossible to rely on the (Russian) supplies of fuel," Havlicek told the Kyiv Independent. Editor's note: This article was published as part of the Fighting Against Conspiracy and Trolls (FACT) project, an independent, non-partisan hub launched in mid-2025 under the umbrella of the EU Digital Media Observatory (EDMO). Click here to follow the latest stories from our hub on disinformation. Read also: Ukraine might have a new Flamingo missile deep strike strategy for inside Russia, experts say Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Fact-checkers delivered a mixed verdict on President Donald Trumps State of the Union address, backing some immigration and crime claims while disputing others on voter fraud, Medicaid and foreign conflicts. Reviews from PolitiFact, FactCheck.org, The New York Times and others found that Trumps assertion that "zero illegal aliens" were admitted into the country was an accurate characterization even though illegal crossings have continued at low levels. The fact-checkers also confirmed his claim that the national murder rate is at a historic low but labeled his statements about "rampant" voter fraud, Medicaid and the number of wars he ended as misleading. Advertisement Advertisement The fact-checks underscored how Trumps address was a blend of verifiable points and broader claims that grabbed headlines but could be misleading to voters who Trump is hoping will keep Republicans in power in Congress as he stares down a tough 2026 midterm election cycle. Trump Gets High Marks From Republicans When Ticking Off Economic Accomplishments When Trump said Tuesday that "zero illegal aliens have been admitted to the United States," he was referencing U.S. Border Patrol detaining or deporting migrants attempting to enter the country illegally or under asylum, rather than following the Biden administration's protocol and releasing them into the country. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Fact-checkers acknowledged the reversal in immigration policies under Trump. They pointed out that illegal border crossings are still happening, but at a far lower pace. Fact-checkers delivered a mixed verdict on President Donald Trumps State of the Union address. (Reuters Photos) "Encounters with people trying to illegally cross the U.S. southern border have dropped significantly during Trumps second term," PolitiFact noted, adding that authorities encountered about 10,000 migrants in January compared to more than 60,000 in January 2025. Trump's comments about illegal immigrants committing crimes were more disputed, fact-checkers found, noting that the Department of Homeland Securitys figures did not reflect that the Biden administration allowed nearly 12,000 murderers to enter the country illegally, as Trump claimed during his speech. Trump Takes Direct Sotu Swipe At Democrats Over Taxes: 'To Hurt The People' Advertisement Advertisement NPR noted that Trump called Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutskas killer an immigrant despite lacking evidence of that. The outlet noted that local media have reported that the suspect, Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. Brown appeared in grisly surveillance footage repeatedly stabbing Zarutska, 23, while she was riding the light rail home from work in August 2025. Her murder has become a national example of local prosecutors lax policies toward repeat offenders. When Trump said more broadly that the nations murder rate is the lowest it has been in 125 years, fact-checkers found that was true. Several fact-checkers took issue with Trump touting he had ended "eight wars." Advertisement Advertisement Trump gained widespread praise for brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that led to a return of Israeli hostages, and the president has been credited with establishing a truce between Israel and Iran after carrying out damaging airstrikes on Irans nuclear facilities. The New York Times said that eight wars, though, was "exaggerated," and FactCheck.org called the figure "inflated." The fact-checkers pointed to Trumps disputed involvement in Indias ceasefire with Pakistan. Trump also "counts some international disagreements that werent wars," FactCheck.org said. Trump was involved in mediating a border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand and brokered peace agreements between Armenia and Azerbaijan and also Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Advertisement Advertisement Trump also has referenced wars between Serbia and Kosovo, and Egypt and Ethiopia, but some have said those involve tense disagreements and do not amount to war. A top flashpoint for fact-checkers was Trumps assertion that "cheating is rampant" in federal elections. "Trump made a rapid-fire series of false claims about US elections," CNN reporter Daniel Dale wrote. Trump made the comments while demanding Congress pass the SAVE America Act, which would impose a physical proof of citizenship requirement on anyone registering to vote in federal elections. It is illegal for noncitizens to vote, and voters must declare under penalty of perjury that they are U.S. citizens as part of the registration process. State officials are required by federal law to practice voter roll maintenance to make sure voters who are registered are valid. Advertisement Advertisement State and federal prosecutions of noncitizen voting have been exceedingly rare, but Trump and his base have contended that noncitizen voting is prevalent and simply going undetected. White House Says Murder Rate Plummeted To Lowest Level Since 1900 Under Trump Administration A top flashpoint for fact-checkers was Trumps assertion that "cheating is rampant" in federal elections. NPR pointed to observations by election expert David Becker, who runs the nonprofit Center for Election Innovation and Research. "Even states that are looking everywhere to try to amplify the numbers of noncitizens when they actually look, they find a surprisingly, shockingly small number," Becker said. The New York Times said the number of noncitizens casting ballots is "infinitesimally small," noting a Trump DHS study that found up to 0.2% of registered voters could potentially be noncitizens. Advertisement Advertisement Fact-checkers labeled Trumps assertion that more Americans were working than ever before as true, but they said the presidents claim about job growth was misleading. Job growth remained steady under Trump while the population was the largest it has ever been, meaning labor force participation has not kept up with the population, The New York Times noted. Click Here To Download The Fox News App Fact-checkers swatted down Trumps claim that he would "always" protect Medicaid, noting that the "big, beautiful bill," his signature tax and spending plan enacted in July 2025, cut nearly $1 trillion from the program by changing its eligibility requirements. Advertisement Advertisement "With fewer people on Medicaid, the program costs less," FactCheck.org noted. Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment. Original article source: Fact-checkers challenge Trumps eight wars claim, back him on crime Fall River is on the move once again. Fall River Police Department announced Thursday morning that the city-wide travel ban has officially been lifted and more help is on the way as snow removal efforts continue. While roads have reopened, officials are urging residents to refrain from unnecessary travel if possible to reduce traffic congestion so that cleanup crews can more quickly and efficiently clear streets. Advertisement Advertisement Which city streets are still unplowed? This website can help South Main St. in Fall River Wednesday February 25, 2026. Over 100 pieces of snow removal equipment from New York arrived throughout the day Wednesday to assist in the citys efforts, as well as resources from Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Massachusetts National Guard. According to FRPD, the National Guard has been instrumental in assisting with EMS response and patient transfers, transporting essential hospital and nursing home staff, and helping free abandoned snow plows and vehicles to open up roadways. An emergency operations center has been set up in Fall River to coordinate the snow removal operation. Advertisement Advertisement Due to the large volume of snow dropped by Mondays blizzard over 30 inches in Fall River that effort goes beyond simply plowing, it is a full-scale snow removal and hauling operation, police said. Community pitches in: Fall River area neighbors come together after being buried by blizzard Police block streets on William S. Canning Blvd. to be cleaned in Fall River Wednesday February 25, 2026. Crews worked throughout the night, focusing largely on hauling snow from densely populated neighborhoods, and are making progress, police state. City streets were assessed Wednesday night to help prioritize roadways needing attention. To report if your street has not yet been plowed visit https://frplowed.cc. Advertisement Advertisement A large number of vehicles and additional resources are expected to be deployed Thursday. This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Travel ban in Fall River lifted; more help coming for blizzard cleanup To see our latest updates on the Nancy Guthrie case, please click here. The FBI has reportedly made the decision to pull almost all of the agents assigned to the Nancy Guthrie case out of Tucson and return them to the agency's Phoenix headquartersamid rumors that the missing 84-year-old's daughter, "Today" host Savannah Guthrie, is preparing to leave Arizona and fly home to New York. As the search for Nancy, who disappeared from her Tucson-area home on Feb. 1, neared the end of its fourth week, law enforcement sources told ABC News that the majority of agents who were sent to work on the ground near the 84-year-old's home will now head back to the closest FBI headquarters. Advertisement Advertisement While some agents will remain on the ground, the rest will continue their work on the case from the Phoenix office and it has been made clear that this development should not be viewed as a sign that the investigation is over or that authorities are any less hopeful about finding Nancy. "The FBI will keep agents in Tucson and continue to partner with the Pima County Sheriff's Department, but many agents are returning to Phoenix to work the case from there," the outlet reported. The update is the latest indication that the search for the missing mother of three is being scaled back, with the Daily Mail claiming today that Savannah, 54, is preparing to leave Arizona and return to her home in New York, where she lives with her husband, Michael Feldman, and their two young children. "She can't stay in Arizona forever," the insider said. "Her kids and her life are in New York City. It's what her mom would want her to do. Nancy was Savannah's biggest cheerleader." Advertisement Advertisement Savannah has been absent from the "Today" show since the news of her mother's disappearance was revealed, having traveled immediately to Arizona soon after it was revealed that Nancy was missing. Her former costar, Hoda Kotb, has been filling in for her since Feb. 2. Anyone with any information about Nancy Guthrie's case should call 1-800-CALL-FBI, 520-351-4900, 88-CRIME, or visit https://tips.fbi.gov/. The FBI has reportedly made the decision to pull almost all of the agents assigned to the Nancy Guthrie case out of Tucson and return them to the agency's Phoenix headquarters. (savannahguthrie/Instagram) It has been reported that the on-air host has been staying at a rental property in the area with her sister, Annie, and her brother, Cameron. Hours earlier, FBI agents were seen arriving at Nancy's home in what is understood to have been a "final sweep" of the property before it is handed back to the family of the missing 84-year-old. Advertisement Advertisement Images and video taken outside of the $1 million Tucson-area dwelling in the afternoon of Feb. 25nearly one month after Nancy is thought to have been abducted from her homeshow multiple officials arriving in a convoy of vehicles. According to NBC News, officials spent two hours walking through the dwelling and searching in the area directly outside the property, with sources revealing that the sweep was "related to efforts to turn the home back over to the Guthrie family." Law enforcement officials have since confirmed that they no longer see a reason to keep the home sealed as a crime scene or prevent Nancy's relatives from entering the abode. The authorities seen at the home were not pictured with any equipment, however a truck from the Pima County Sheriff's Department was seen parked directly outside the entryway to the dwelling. Advertisement Advertisement Hours earlier, a spokesperson for the sheriff's department revealed that a temporary parking restriction has been put in place in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood where Nancy has lived since 1975, noting that a "no parking zone" has been set up on "several streets ... surrounding the Nancy Guthrie residence." These measures were put in place in order to "protect public safety and relieve area residents from chaotic conditions caused by a large media and social media streamer presence in the area," a statement posted by the Pima County Sheriff's Department said. Images and video taken outside of the $1 million Tucson-area dwelling in the afternoon of Feb. 25nearly one month after Nancy is thought to have been abducted from her homeshow multiple officials arriving in a convoy of vehicles. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Earlier in the week, a spokesperson for the sheriff's department revealed that it is going to cease its daily updates about Nancy's case, which it has been sending since Feb. 2, shortly after the mother of three disappeared. An email sent to media on Feb. 24 stated that updates will now be limited to "instances when new information warrants release." Advertisement Advertisement On Feb. 24, Savannah shared her first video update with the public in more than a week, posting an emotional clip in which she revealed her family is offering a $1 million reward to anyone who provides information that leads to Nancy's return. The mother of two acknowledged that her mother may have died, but said that the family just wants to know where she isand to bring her home. "We still believe in a miracle. We still believe that she can come home," she said. "We also know 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. "But we need to know where she is. We need her to come home. For that reason we are offering a family reward of $1 million for any information that leads to her recovery." Advertisement Advertisement The Guthrie family's reward will be added to the $100,000 already offered by the FBI, as well as an additional $100,000 that was given by an anonymous donor. "So 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, courageous, and noble life that she has lived," Savannah continued. "Someone knows how to find our mom and bring her home," the TV host added in her caption. Within 12 hours of that post going live, the FBI received 750 calls to its tip line, NBC News reports, adding to the tens of thousands of tips that have been sent since the start of the month. Advertisement Advertisement One of those tips came from a neighbor of Nancy, who revealed this week that she spotted a suspicious-looking man walking around their community near the missing 84-year-old's home around two weeks before she disappeared. Speaking to Fox News Digital, Aldine Meister, who has lived in the same neighborhood has Nancy for nearly three decades, explained that the sighting occurred around 14 days before she is believed to have been abducted from her property in the Catalina Foothills. According to NBC News, officials spent two hours walking through the dwelling and searching in the area directly outside the property. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Law enforcement officials have since confirmed that they no longer see a reason to keep the home sealed as a crime scene or prevent Nancy's relatives from entering the abode. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Nancy's neighbor noted that she saw the person walking by an intersection that leads to the mother of three's $1 million homeadding that, while she did not report it at the time, she has since told the authorities about it. Meister explained that the man in question did not look like a local or someone who was visiting the area to hike, recalling: "He didn't have your typical walking gear on, and he had his hat pulled really far over his eyes. Advertisement Advertisement "He was kind of younger, and he just didnt look like he was going out for a walk. He just didn't fit." While she has since reported the incident to law enforcement, Meister noted that she did not take any video or photos of the man at the time. Meister said she mentioned the incident to her husband at the time, but the couple initially shrugged it offuntil two weeks later when Nancy was reported missing from her property, with authorities later revealing that she is believed to have disappeared some time between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Feb. 1. In an interview with Fox News on Feb. 4, Catalina Foothills resident Tom Pew, who lives in Nancy's neighborhood, described locals' horror over the alleged crime, noting that he had "never heard of any crime like this" taking place in their community. Advertisement Advertisement "It's a friendly neighborhood, it's a very comfortable place to live," he said. "People walk every day in the streets around the neighborhood. They know one another, greet one another, walk their dogs. By and large, there's just no crime. "[Any] crime that does occur is a petty kind of crime, where someone might leave their car unlocked, and kids walk by and take something." Pew also shed some light on the lack of security camera footage, noting that many people in the neighborhood feel safe enough that they don't see a need for installing security systems at their homes. "It doesn't shock me [that there is a lack of security camera footage], it's not really a high security area," he said. "People don't really look at things like that." He also highlighted media reports about there being no street lights in the neighborhood, stating that they haven't been installed "because the sky is one of the most perfect skies to be seen in a neighborhood in the country." On Feb. 24, Savannah shared her first video update with the public in more than a week, posting an emotional Instagram in which she revealed her family is offering a $1 million reward to anyone who provides information that leads to Nancy's return. (Pima County Sheriffs Department) Nest doorbell camera footage and screenshots taken of a masked and armed man outside of Nancy's Tucson-area home were released to the public on Feb. 10. (Pima County Sheriffs Department) Authorities have received tens of thousands of tips in the case. (Pima County Sheriffs Department) "People like dark skies and aren't really afraid of the dark," he said, adding: "I would say the reason you couldn't see other houses from the Ring cameras that are on other houses ... you think of this as a desert, but there are a lot of trees and shrubs and things like that. The houses are not that close together. There's a lot of space here between the houses." Meister's revelation came shortly after it was claimed that the masked intruder who was caught on camera outside of Nancy's Arizona home may have visited the property prior to her disappearance, with sources revealing that footage of the suspect outside the dwelling may have been taken on two separate days. Nest doorbell camera footage and screenshots taken of a masked and armed man outside of Nancy's Tucson-area home were released to the public on Feb. 10, and it was initially assumed that all of the visuals had been captured on the same day, Feb. 1, which is when authorities believe the 84-year-old was abducted. However, sources close to the investigation have now told ABC News that one particular photo from that releasewhich shows the man standing just a few feet away from Nancy's front doorwas actually taken on a different day, suggesting that he may have visited her property prior to her disappearance. While the majority of videos and images show the man in question carrying a backpack and with a gun holstered around his waist, the photo in question captures him without the backpack, and with no gun visible. "One theory, according to the sources, is that the suspect approached the door the first time, noticed the camera and was scared off, only to return later, when he is seen tampering with the device and putting branches in front of the lens," ABC News reported. However, the Pima County Sheriff's Department has insisted that there "is no date or timestamp associated with these images," adding that "any suggestion that the photographs were taken on different days is purely speculative." Multiple searches of the property have been conducted in recent weeks and DNA evidence has been removed for processing. (Getty Images) FBI agents have also been seen patrolling the areas surrounding Nancy's home. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) Earlier this month, a white tent was erected in front of Nancy's door. (Fox News) Nancy was last seen outside her home late on Jan. 31. She is believed to have been taken from the property in the early hours of the morning on Feb. 1. Hundreds of FBI agents have joined the search for the mother of three, while volunteers have been helping to comb the local area around her house in a bid to uncover evidence that might lead to her location or the identity of her captors. The FBI and the Pima County Sheriff's Department have issued multiple pleas for help in identifying the person in the video, with several identifying details revealed in the wake of the footage release. In a post shared to the FBI Phoenix X account on Feb. 12, the agency highlighted several details about the person in the sinister footage, including their estimated height and their gender. "New identifying details about the suspect in the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie have been confirmed after a forensic analysis of the doorbell camera footage by the FBIs Operational Technology Division," the post reads. "The suspect is described as a male, approximately 59 - 510 tall, with an average build. In the video, he is wearing a black, 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack." According to CNN, investigators are trying to identify other items being worn by the man, including his gun holster, which Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has previously stated "had some pretty unique characteristics." Authorities have asked all residents who live within a two-mile radius of Nancy's $1 million home to pass over any available footage taken on two days leading up to her disappearanceincluding one date more than two weeks before she was taken from her Arizona property. Investigators have asked told residents in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood to submit any and all surveillance footage taken by doorbell cameras between the hours of 9 p.m. and midnight on Jan. 11, as well as videos from 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Jan. 31, the morning before the 84-year-old disappeared. Additionally, the Pima County Sheriff's Department has asked that residents with any video footage taken between Jan. 1 and Feb. 2 that includes "vehicles, vehicle traffic, people/pedestrians, and anything neighbors deem out of the ordinary or important to our investigation" hand those videos over. What is the full timeline of Nancy Guthrie's disappearance? Sheriff Nanos noted during a media briefing on Feb. 5 that, while times are approximate, his team has pieced together several pieces of evidence that indicate Nancy's movementsand the timeline of her apparent abduction. Nancy, 84, was reported missing at around 12 p.m. local time on Feb. 1, around 14 hours after she was dropped off at the property following a family dinner. When she failed to turn up at her usual church gathering on Sunday, her friends alerted her family, who found her home was empty. SATURDAY, JAN. 31 5:32 p.m. Nancy travels to Annie's house in an Uber for "dinner and playing games with the family." 9:48 p.m. A garage door at Nancy's house opens when she was dropped off at the property by her daughter. 9:50 p.m. The garage door closes, indicating that Nancy was inside the home. SUNDAY, FEB. 1 1:47 a.m. Nancy's doorbell security camera is disconnected. 2:12 a.m. Movement is detected on a security camera at the home. No footage of this is currently available. 2:28 a.m. Nancy's pacemaker app indicates that the device has been disconnected from her phone. 11:00 a.m. Nancy fails to arrive at the home of a friend, where she had been due to watch a church service livestream. 11:56 a.m. Nancy's family travels to her home to check on her and finds the property empty. 12:03 p.m. The family calls 911 to report Nancy missing. 12:14 p.m. Police officers arrive at Nancy's home. The Brief The FBI and local law enforcement arrested 12 people linked to a Minneapolis gang during a Twin Cities drug bust on Tuesday, seizing 3.5 million lethal doses of fentanyl. Authorities say the suspects arrested in the case are linked to the "Family Mob" gang. Hundreds of officers participated in the operation, which was planned over weeks and executed in multiple locations. MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The FBI and a coalition of local and federal law enforcement in the Twin Cities announce the arrests of 12 gang members in a drug bust that led to the removal of 3.5 million lethal doses of fentanyl from the streets of Minneapolis. Minneapolis drug bust What we know The FBI, DEA, Hennepin County Sheriff, and Minneapolis Police Department worked together to arrest 12 individuals associated with the Family Mob gang. The operation targeted fentanyl, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and other controlled substances. The investigation began after two mass shootings in less than 12 hours along the East Lake Street corridor. Advertisement Advertisement "The MPD shared this intelligence with our federal partners at the FBI and leading a joint investigation that included the Minneapolis Police Department, FBI, DEA, and the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office," explained Chief Brian O'Hara. "The investigation expanded exponentially and culminated in today's coordinated operation." On Tuesday, the FBI task force executed search warrants in Minneapolis, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Richfield, and St. Paul. What they're saying FBI officials say hundreds of officers were involved in the case and Tuesday's raids were weeks in planning. Advertisement Advertisement "There were hundreds of law enforcement officers, not only involved in the investigation of this matter since last year, but also in the execution today," said FBI Special Agent-in\-Charge Richard Evanchec. "We had been planning this operation for weeks, at the FBI in coordination with the partners behind me. And today we had teams locally, the SWAT teams locally, from all the departments that stand behind me. Additionally, the FBI brought in four SWAT teams from around the country to assist. So this was hundreds of law enforcement officers in a well-coordinated effort that, luckily, and thankfully, today, everyone was safe." Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt also lauded the joint collaboration between the local enforcement and the federal authorities. "In 2025, our task force removed 221 pounds of methamphetamine, 40 pounds of cocaine and 26 pounds of fentanyl from Hennepin County streets," said Sheriff Witt. "I think it's important to talk about those things, because what we're talking about today, we don't hear enough about the impact that our law enforcement agencies are having in these communities. And where there are drugs, we also know that there are usually guns. In 2025, our teams were effective in confiscating 700 illegally possessed firearms. And a lot of those were connected with drugs." By the numbers As of Tuesday afternoon, the U.S. Attorney said five people had been charged in the investigation. All five people currently facing charges are members or associates of the Family Mob gang. Advertisement Advertisement The five people facing charges are identified as: Silk Lamond Davis, a/k/a "Good/Do Good", 48, of Minneapolis, is charged by indictment with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. Alexisus Jarmon Mosby, a/k/a "Snake", 44, of Bloomington is charged by indictment with distribution of fentanyl. Kiron Jamoll Williams, 43, of Minneapolis, is charged by indictment with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Rashshon Jamahl Taggett, a/k/a "Dread" a/k/a "Lay Low", 44, of Minneapolis, is charged by complaint with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Lakendrick Darnell Gilliam, a/k/a "Bay Bay", 38, of St. Paul, is charged by complaint with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Prosecutors say the gang is based in south Minneapolis and was formed in the late 90s and early 2000s. "The Family Mob Gang is a ruthless criminal organization that uses violence to traffic poisonous narcotics, including fentanyl. No more," said U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen. "As alleged, these defendants dumped countless doses of fentanyl into our community. My office is proud to work with our local, state, and federal partners to pursue justice against violent criminals and those who profit from distributing dangerous narcotics." U.S. Attorney's Office is hiring The backstory After the recent departure of top prosecutors within the U.S. Attorney's Office in Minnesota, Rosen said his office is hiring fast to bolster the ranks but assured media members they will have no bandwidth issues moving forward with the recent drug arrests. Advertisement Advertisement "Our office has all of this bandwidth and more," assured Rosen. "Our office continues to grow. And, if you're a criminal in the city of Minneapolis or in the state of Minnesota, I recommend that you don't commit crimes on the assumption that the US Attorney's office doesn't have enough lawyers. We've got enough to get you all." Rosen added that the office is hiring at "a good clip" and he's happy with the "high quality" applications his office has received. The Source This story uses a post from the FBI in Minneapolis. The Lebanon School District and several school officials have been named as defendants in a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by a Harrisburg law firm on behalf of a 12-year-old student who died by suicide in 2024. Andreozzi & Foote, a nationally recognized civil litigation firm representing survivors of civil rights violations, sexual abuse, and institutional misconduct, filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania on behalf of the estate of Yadriel Rivera Jusino, who attended schools in the Lebanon School District from 2020 until his death in 2024. The lawsuit asserts federal civil rights claims, wrongful death, and survival claims under Pennsylvania law, alleging the school district and officials exhibited "deliberate indifference to repeated and known reports of race-based and disability-based bullying in the years leading up to Jusino's death on June 3, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Jusino was born in Puerto Rico and primarily spoke Spanish. He was a student in the Lebanon School District for four years, and received special education services under an Individualized Education Program (IEP) due to dyslexia, which the lawsuit claims was known to district officials. The complaint alleges that the bullying, which included physical assaults and discriminatory taunts, was due in part to his race as a Latino student, and his disability, dyslexia. It also claims that school administrators had actual knowledge of the bullying but failed to meaningfully investigate or intervene as required by district policy and federal law. According to the complaint, in September 2022, Jusino reported being physically assaulted and bullied to a school counselor. That report was documented in school records. The defendants allegedly did not follow up on this report, the lawsuit alleges. Advertisement Advertisement During the 20232024 school year, Jusino's sister allegedly reported discriminatory bullying directly to the school principal. According to the lawsuit, the principal told Jusino and his sister that he would take some action to help, including contacting their parents, but he did not do so. Jusino's stepfather also made multiple reports to school administrators during the 2023-2024 school year, including the assistant principal and a social worker, according to the lawsuit. There was no follow up or investigation, according to the complaint. The lawsuit alleges that even with these repeated complaints, the defendants took no meaningful action in response to these entreaties for help. The complaint further alleges that as a result of the bullying, Yadriel took his own life. Advertisement Advertisement According to the lawsuit, despite a documented 2022 report of bullying and additional reports from Jusinos sister and stepfather in 2023 and 2024, the principal recorded a notation in Jusinos school file the day after his death indicating there were no documented reports of concerns. The lawsuit claims that notation was untrue, as school records reflect at least one prior documented report, while reports made by family members were not reflected in the official record. The lawsuit names the Lebanon School District as well as individual school officials and seeks to hold them legally liable under federal civil rights law for the alleged failures that caused Jusino's death. Despite clear policy requirements, the lawsuit alleges that complaints about Jusino's bullying were not investigated promptly, nor was any appropriate corrective or preventative action taken. Advertisement Advertisement The federal complaint asserts claims under: We believe this tragedy was preventable, said Nathaniel Foote, a partner at Andreozzi & Foote who is representing Jusino's estate. When a school district receives repeated reports that a child is being targeted because of his race and disability, the law requires action. Schools cannot ignore documented complaints and clear warning signs. The consequences of inaction can be devastating. The lawsuit demands a jury trial. Advertisement Advertisement Families should be able to trust that when they report discriminatory bullying, school officials will investigate and protect their child," Foote said. "When schools fail to act, the consequences can be irreversible. In a statement to FOX43, a spokesperson with Lebanon School District said the district denies the allegations in the lawsuit. The District's full statement: "The loss of a student is always heartbreaking, and our thoughts remain with the students family, friends, and all who were affected by this tragedy. The death of a young person has a profound impact on a school community, and we recognize the deep grief such a loss causes. "The District is aware of the lawsuit that has been filed and we strongly deny the allegations contained in the complaint. Because this is an active legal matter, the District will not provide further comment. We will continue to respect the legal process while remaining focused on supporting our students and staff." A federal judge in Minnesota ordered officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Justice to appear before him and explain why they should not be held in contempt. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryans order refers to numerous unlawful violations of court orders, specifically the governments repeated failure to return property taken from immigrants who were illegally detained during Operation Metro Surge. Bryan issued the order on Thursday and called for the top Department of Justice official in Minnesota, U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen, along with representatives from ICE to appear at a contempt hearing on March 3 in St. Paul. Advertisement Advertisement The order combines 28 cases in which immigrants were illegally detained and then released without all of their personal belongings cash, cellphones, jewelry, drivers licenses, work permits, passports, clothing, and other identification and immigration documents as ordered by the court. Its the latest escalation in a tense showdown between the federal judiciary and the Trump administration, which has faced a blizzard of habeas petitions challenging unlawful detentions of immigrants as it seeks to carry out mass deportations. I was shocked by the order, said Taylor Volkman, an attorney on one of the cases listed in the order. It really underscores the recklessness that the federal government had in coming to the Twin Cities they had no plan to deal with the aftermath. The federal incursion of some 3,000 immigration agents in Minnesota yielded more than 4,000 arrests, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Advertisement Advertisement But many of those arrests were carried out without warrants under the Trump administrations legal theory contrary to three decades of precedent that any immigrant without legal status can be treated as if they were just apprehended at the border and held in detention pending immigration hearings. Judges have ruled again and again in hundreds of cases in Minnesota alone against that interpretation and ordered detainees released. The government has often failed to comply with those orders by delaying the release of people illegally detained, withholding their possession or not alerting their attorney before releasing them, sometimes in the bitter cold in the middle of the night without warm clothes. The Department of Homeland Security has swiftly flown detainees to Texas or New Mexico after being arrested in Minnesota in what one federal judge called a pattern of obfuscation to make it harder for detainees to secure legal representation. Advertisement Advertisement As people are returned to Minnesota, oftentimes their property is misplaced in the transfer. At a hearing on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge John Tunheim grilled federal attorneys and an ICE official about why they hadnt returned the belongings of an asylum-seeker from Colombia, saying it was outrageous that they had failed to return her wallet, phone and other possessions for over two weeks. Her attorney said she has had to rely on food donations since her release from ICE custody, having been detained during a routine immigration appointment in Minneapolis, sent to Texas and then ordered released by a judge. Tauria Rich, ICEs deputy field office director in St. Paul, said peoples belongings are sometimes mistakenly sent to a different detention facility. She promised the womans belongings, which had just been located, would be on a flight from Texas the next day. And if the items didnt make that flight, Rich said they would overnight it with FedEx. Advertisement Advertisement We do understand the hardship it creates when theyre released and dont have access to their phones or their bank funds, Rich said. Tunheim said he would defer any decision on sanction despite the federal government having already missed multiple deadlines. As of Thursday afternoon, the womans attorney Paschal Nwokocha said they have not received the items. The federal government is usually given some deference in federal court, but judges are issuing increasingly scathing rebukes of ICE and the DOJ for failing to comply with their orders. Across the country, federal judges have issued 35 similar show cause orders since August, requiring federal officials to explain why they should not be held in contempt for violating orders regarding immigrant detainees, according to an analysis by the New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement What I really want is for the government to be held to account and to be forced to explain why they dont think they have to abide by court orders, said Daniel Suitor, an attorney on another one of the cases cited in the order. As a private practitioner I would be destroyed by a federal judge if I just disregarded an order. On Feb. 20, Bryan gave the federal government five days to return all the personal property to the 28 individuals and file declarations by an individual with personal knowledge confirming the property was returned. Yet as of Thursday when the order was issued, Bryan said the government had not complied. The Department of Justice and ICE did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Bryan noted that in some cases, federal officials said they werent aware of any property return issues, but said that wording was evasive and suggested the officials had no idea if they had followed the courts order. If the federal government is able to comply with the order to return property by the March 3 hearing date, then Bryan said he would consider canceling the hearing. Otherwise, the U.S. attorney and ICE officials must show cause for why they didnt follow his order and should not be held in civil or criminal contempt. Its unclear exactly who could face sanctions, with numerous top Trump administration officials named as respondents, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons. Last week, U.S. District Judge Laura Provinzino imposed a $500 fine on Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Isihara for each day the government did not return the identification documents of an immigrant arrested in Minnesota but released in Texas. The government swiftly returned the mans documents and no fines were imposed on the attorney. National grocery store chain Kroger is in the midst of shuttering dozens of locations. The initial closure announcement was made in a June 2025 earnings report that said Kroger is closing roughly 60 underperforming stores over the next 18 months so that resources from struggling locations can be provided to stronger markets. As a result of these closures, Kroger expects a modest financial benefit, the company said. Employees working at these closing locations will be offered jobs at other Kroger stores, according to Cheapism, a business news site. These closures were reported as Kroger cited a minor decrease in sales from $45.3 billion to $45.1 billion for the same period a year earlier, the company said. Kroger also said in its earnings report that it will be opening additional stores in 2026 at an accelerated pace, expanding its new-store builds by about 30% compared to 2025 as part of its growth strategy. A list of stores set for closure has not been announced. However, various media outlets and unions have identified at least 30 locations that have already shuttered. They include locations in: California (1) Colorado (2) Georgia (4) Illinois (4) Indiana (3) Kentucky (1) Maryland (1) North Carolina (1) Tennessee (1) Texas (1) Virginia (5) West Virginia (1) Wisconsin (5) These closures were announced roughly six months after a proposed $24.6 billion merger between Kroger and Albertsons failed, according to The Independent. In December 2025, judges issued injunctionsone preliminary and one permanentwhich ended the agreement. Judge Marshall Ferguson of Seattle, Washington issued the permanent injunction, claiming that the merger would lessen grocery competition in the state and violate consumer-protection laws, the media outlet wrote. Kroger did not immediately respond to MassLives request for comment on Wednesday, Feb. 25. More Business News Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here. A federal judge in Massachusetts ruled Wednesday that the Trump administrations policy to quickly remove people to third countries to which they have no previous connection is illegal and that people must receive meaningful notice and the chance to challenge their deportations. This case is about whether the Government may, without notice, deport a person to the wrong country, or a country where he is likely to be persecuted, or tortured, thereby depriving that person of the opportunity to seek protections to which he would be undisputedly entitled, U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy wrote in what is likely to be his final ruling on the merits of the case. The case originated after eight migrants were removed from the United States with the intended destination of South Sudan in March but were instead rerouted to Djibouti. The eight migrants did not have South Sudan or Djibouti as the listed country on their final orders of removal paperwork, and immigration advocates filed a lawsuit in an attempt to get them back to the U.S. for due process. A U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17 used for deportation flights at Biggs Army Airfield in Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas, last year. (Justin Hamel / AFP via Getty Images file) (Justin Hamel) Murphy said the federal government may not remove people with final orders of removal to third countries other than their own. Instead, the government must first try to send people to the countries of removal listed on their paperwork. An immigration judge issues a "final order of removal, which orders a noncitizens deportation. The person is then able to appeal the judge's decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals within 30 days of the ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Murphy also ordered the Trump administration to provide meaningful notice before any removals to third countries to give people due process and time to challenge their removals. Last year, the Supreme Court paused an order by Murphy that had temporarily blocked the administration from sending noncitizens to third countries unless they were first able to have a meaningful opportunity to bring claims that they would be at risk of torture, persecution or death. In the order struck down by the Supreme Court, Murphy had suggested 15 days would be enough time to allow challenges to be filed. The Supreme Court did not weigh in on that issue. Congress made it the policy of the United States not to expel, extradite, or otherwise effect the involuntary return of any person to a country where that person would be in danger of being subjected to torture, Murphy wrote in his ruling Wednesday, referring to the Immigration and Nationality Act and the United Nations Convention Against Torture. Congress decided that the Government may not remove someone to a country where her life or freedom would be threatened. Advertisement Advertisement Murphy said in May that the administration had failed to adhere to an injunction he issued in March that prevented people from being sent to countries other than their own without opportunities to raise fears of persecution or torture. The Supreme Court then paved the way for the Department of Homeland Security to resume swift deportations of migrants to third countries last year. The White House defended its actions after it sent the eight men to South Sudan in March. The Trump Administration removed dangerous criminal illegal aliens from America in full compliance with all court orders, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement in May. We are confident in the legality of our actions and do not apologize for acting to protect the American people. Advertisement Advertisement In a filing at the Supreme Court, the Trump administration said it had received assurances from South Sudan that the eight men would not be subject to torture under the U.N. Convention Against Torture. After the Supreme Court ruling, Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued guidance in July that its employees were allowed in certain circumstances to deport migrants to countries that were not their own in as little as six hours and without assurances from the third countries that they will not be persecuted or tortured. In other cases, according to the guidance, ICE must serve immigrants with notices of removal that list what countries the government intends to deport them to in language the immigrants understand. ICE officers will not affirmatively ask whether a person is afraid of being sent to a country, according to the memo, but those who voice such fear will be referred for screening for possible protection within 24 hours. ICE could still try to send people to countries other than the ones they feared being sent to. Advertisement Advertisement Murphy paused his ruling for 15 days Wednesday to give the Trump administration time to appeal. Murphys ruling applies to people who had final removal orders and who have been, or may be, deported to third countries to which they have no connection and that are not listed as their destinations on their final orders of removal on or after Feb. 18, 2025. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The top federal safety regulator for offshore oil and gas drilling in Alaska publicly warned agency counterparts last fall that his office lacked the staffing to oversee existing operations in the state let alone the massive expansion being pushed by the Trump administration, according to a document obtained by POLITICO. Justin Miller, a longtime Interior Department employee who oversees inspection and enforcement of regulations on the oil rigs operating in federal waters off the Alaska coast, said the Trump administrations voluntary separation programs spearheaded by Elon Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency, along with declining industry interest in drilling in Alaska, have resulted in the loss of many decades worth of experience that are not easily replaced. The missive from Miller, which the Interior Department told POLITICO was not authorized, raises new questions about the Trump administrations plans to hold potentially dozens of new oil sales in the federal waters off Alaska, the first of which is scheduled for next Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump has painted Alaska as a key piece of his energy dominance agenda, but the states often-treacherous weather conditions and sensitive natural ecosystems require particularly stringent oversight for oil companies operating there. Millers warning message shows how the administrations DOGE-driven cuts to the federal workforce last year could cause unforeseen problems for Trumps policy objectives. The warning from Miller, who has headed the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement's Alaska office since 2022, marked a rare example of interagency tension spilling into the open. It came in the form of a public comment submitted in November to the BSEEs sister agency, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, in response to BOEMs draft five-year offshore leasing schedule issued last fall. Miller wrote in the comment that his offices staffing was below sustainable levels necessary to oversee current lease operations. Proceeding with the proposed expansion, he added, would further strain BSEEs already limited appropriations and staff resources allocated for the Alaska [Outer Continental Shelf] Region. He said BSEEs Alaska office employed only four full-time staff as of November, supplemented by employees from other regions who are not experienced in regulating either frontier or Arctic lease operations. Advertisement Advertisement Millers comment is no longer visible on the federal governments comment portal, which states it has been withdrawn at the request of the submitter. An Interior Department spokesperson said in a statement that the comment was not authorized and withdrawn using federal guidelines because it does not represent the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement's official position. Miller did not respond to a request for comment. The Interior spokesperson did not respond to questions about the current staffing levels in BSEEs Alaska office or how they compared to historical levels. A former Interior Department official, who was granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said the Alaska office had 15 employees at one point under the Biden administration. Advertisement Advertisement The five-year leasing plan which could be pared down before it is finalized later this year recommends holding as many as 21 sales off of Alaska through 2032, including in an area of the High Arctic previously untouched by oil drilling. The proposed lease plan represents a major jump from the existing program which was issued under the Biden administration and contained zero Alaskan lease sales even as company interest in drilling in Alaska has waned as energy producers focused on easier and cheaper drilling targets in the Lower 48 states. The most recent sale off in the waters off Alaska, held by the Biden administration in 2022, drew only one bid. There were 11 drilling rigs operating in Alaska as of last Friday, compared to 540 in the rest of the country, according to oil field services company Baker Hughes. The 21 proposed Alaska sales in the Trump administration's plan would be in addition to six in the states Cook Inlet mandated by Republicans 2025 budget law, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The first of those auctions, set for next Wednesday, will offer up more than a million acres of federal waters in the inlet along Alaska's southern coast for lease. Advertisement Advertisement The Interior spokesperson said that BOEM will successfully execute all lease sales required by the budget law consistent with congressional direction and the Trump administrations goal to revitalize American energy production. While Alaskas Republican senators have long pushed for more sales in the Cook Inlet, even they balked at the breadth of the Trump administrations proposal in November. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said in a statement at the time that the Bering Strait and offshore Arctic sales should not be in the final version of the plan. Sen. Dan Sullivan added that he was focused on development in the Cook Inlet and on land. The waters off Alaska have been the site of some of the oil industrys most serious accidents in recent decades, including the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 and the grounding of the Kulluk drill rig in 2013. Advertisement Advertisement Joseph Gordon, campaign director at Oceana, said in a statement that the federal government should abandon any plan for expanded drilling off Alaskas coast. Alaskas abundant oceans provide so much to America, sustaining multi-billion-dollar fisheries and coastal economies, but they are now at risk, Gordon said. The Alaska sales were not the only ones in BOEMs draft plan to receive bipartisan pushback. California and Florida officials have denounced the prospect of sales off their coasts, and a top Air Force commander also warned in a public comment that the proposed sales in the Gulf could disrupt military training. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has pledged to finalize the offshore drilling plan by November. Ben Lefebvre contributed to this report. Driver's licenses and birth certificates for more than 1,000 transgender Americans living in Kansas are now invalid, after a state law went into effect Feb. 26 banning the changes of sex markers on documents to align with gender identity and reversing previous changes. The law gives no defined grace period, which state officials have said means any trans person who previously legally changed the marker will immediately have invalid documents, opening them up to possible penalties for driving with an invalid license, for example. Senate Bill 244 was vetoed by Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, but the veto was then overridden by Republican supermajorities in the Kansas legislature, allowing it to go into effect on Feb. 26, reported the Topeka Capital-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. Advertisement Advertisement Kansas joins Texas, Florida and Tennessee in prohibiting the updating of gender markers on driver's licenses, according to a tracker by the nonprofit Movement Advancement Project, which tracks LGBTQ-related laws and policies. At least eight other states also ban changes to gender markers on birth certificates for transgender people. The new law makes Kansas the first state in the nation to retroactively invalidate such driver's licenses that were legally obtained, said Harper Seldin, a senior staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union's LGBTQ & HIV Project. The newly enacted law also bans transgender people from using bathrooms, locker rooms and similar facilities in public or government buildings that align with their gender identity. It adds financial penalties for government entities, misdemeanor criminal charges against repeat offenders and creation of a civil cause of action for an individual to sue someone who used an opposite-sex bathroom. 'I nearly gave up' American traveler wins passport battle over gender marker Advertisement Advertisement The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas said in a statement after the veto was overridden that the law is "one of the most sweeping and intrusive anti-trans bills in the nation." The ACLU plans to challenge the law in state court by the end of the week, Seldin said. "SB 244 is part of a trend of laws in Kansas and nationally that are targeting transgender people with the intent to push us out of civil society," Seldin told USA TODAY. "Laws like SB 244 are really a dangerous escalation in the state trying to tell people how to live their lives because of how the state sees gender and sex." State Senate President Ty Masterson, a Republican, said the override of Kelly's veto "restored sanity," and said the veto "would have forced our mothers, sisters, wives and daughters to share their bathrooms with biological men in government buildings." Here's what the new law says The law that went into effect on Feb. 26 includes multiple provisions that have to do with identification documents and what spaces transgender people are allowed to enter. Here are the main parts: Advertisement Advertisement The Kansas Department of Revenue's Division of Vehicles must discontinue its practice of allowing gender marker changes for transgender people, and reverse changes made in the past. The state registrar must "correct any birth certificate records" issued by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's Office of Vital Statistics in which the listed sex does not match the sex assigned at birth. Those certificates are now invalidated. "Multiple-occupancy private spaces in public buildings" may only be occupied by people of one sex. New criminal and civil penalties are enacted for violations, and a new cause of action for anyone "aggrieved" by a violation that invades their privacy is established. Previously: Kansas enacts transgender athletes ban as lawmakers override Gov. Laura Kelly veto Driver's licenses are immediately invalid, state official says Gender marker changes on driver's licenses had been allowed for 16 years before they were halted in summer 2023 amid litigation over the meaning of another bill, Senate Bill 180. The courts allowed such changes to resume in fall 2025 as the litigation continued. Attorney General Kris Kobach and the state legislature responded with SB 244. But the new law doesn't just ban gender marker changes going forward. It also requires the revenue department to revert changes that were made in the past. The law declares that any driver's license or other state-issued identification card where the gender marker does not match the sex assigned at birth is now invalid. Advertisement Advertisement It also requires the director of vehicles to "correct any driver's license records" where the gender marker doesn't match biological sex and "send written notice" to affected individuals notifying them that their "license is invalid and to surrender such license." When the license is surrendered, the state must issue a new driver's license "with the correct gender identification" and the individual will be expected to pay for it. The department of revenue spokesperson Zach Denney told the Capital-Journal on Feb. 25 that letters are being sent to an estimated 1,500 people impacted. "(P)lease note that the Legislature did not include a grace period for updating credentials. This means that once the law is officially enacted, your current credential will be invalid immediately, and you may be subject to additional penalties if you are operating a vehicle without a valid credential," the letter says. The ACLU plans to argue that the law violates the Kansas constitution's provisions for due process and equal treatment under the law, Seldin said, because it doesn't' give transgender Kansas any opportunity to comply with the law and it treats them differently based on their sex. Impacted people will have to request new birth certificates The law declares that any birth certificate where the listed sex does not match the sex assigned at birth is now invalid. The state registrar must "correct any birth certificate records" that conflict with the law. Jill Bronaugh, a Kansas Department of Health and Environment spokesperson, said SB 244 directs the agency to "invalidate and reissue birth certificates that were amended due to sex identification." Over 1,800 certificates have had changes made to the sex field, Bronaugh said. Advertisement Advertisement "However, reasons for the changes to the sex field can range from correcting data entry errors to recognition of gender changes. KDHE's system doesn't currently track the cause of a change to the sex field just that there was a change. Each record will have to be manually reviewed to ascertain the cause of the change. An individual must request their birth certificate be reissued from (the Office of Vital Statistics), as we are unable to notify individuals if their birth certificate has been amended under SB 244," Bronaugh said. New penalties for violating bathroom rules The new rules on single-sex spaces applies to public, or government-owned or -leased, buildings, and requires that transgender people use the restroom or other similar facility corresponding to their sex assigned at birth. Repeat violators could face civil penalties of $1,000 or even criminal penalties for more than two infractions under the new law. Someone who is "aggrieved" by a person of the opposite sex entering a single-sex space can bring a cause of action against that person. More: How the bathroom became ground zero in Trump fight over gender identity Advertisement Advertisement There are some exceptions, like for moms escorting young boys in to the ladies room or dads taking young girls into the men's room. But that exception ends when the child turns 9 years old. Some exceptions are vaguely defined, opponents have argued. Not only will this bill keep brothers from visiting sisters dorms and husbands from wives shared hospital rooms, it will cost Kansas taxpayers millions of dollars to comply with this very vague legislation," Kelly, the governor, said in a statement after her veto was appealed. Supporters of the bill like Republican state Sen. Kellie Warren say Kelly's examples are "not the subject of the bill." Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for The Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: First-of-its-kind law revokes IDs and enacts bathroom rules in Kansas TALLAHASSEE, Florida Even as legislation pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to expand Floridas religious exemption for vaccines moves through the Capitol, pediatricians are preemptively moving to relax their own vaccine requirements to keep young patients healthy from a variety of illnesses. The medical community, as well as Republican and Democratic lawmakers, were critical of plans announced last year by DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo to ban school vaccine requirements. This years legislative push, which would add a parents personal beliefs as an exemption and allow them to claim the exemption online, is also facing bipartisan opposition leaving DeSantis legacy of eliminating pandemic-era restrictions on unsteady ground. Its a far cry from 2021, when state House and Senate Republicans emphatically supported DeSantis call to allow parents to opt their children out of school-required vaccines for religious purposes by dropping off a form at a county health department. Advertisement Advertisement State Sen. Clay Yarborough (R-Jacksonville), who is sponsoring this years bill, FL SB1756 (26R), this week told the Senate Committee on Appropriations the measure should inspire parents to rigorously weigh the pros and cons of the vaccines suggested by state and federal guidelines for children to ward off viruses including measles, polio and chickenpox. What were trying to balance here is how to best protect public health while relying on parents to make the best decision for their children in their lives, Yarborough said. It is a delicate balance. State Sen. Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart), who has spent much of her legislative career addressing health policy and budget issues, said the bill would replace years of public health experience with a series of politically motivated assumptions. I truly believe this is a dangerous bill and I cannot support it, Harrell said. But judging by the drop in statewide vaccinations after the Legislature approved the current religious exemptions in 2022, pediatricians have already been bracing for waiting rooms possibly filled with children caught in the latest measles outbreak in the state. They believe the proposed exemption based on ones personal beliefs will leave so many children unvaccinated that mass immunizations will no longer be effective, and doctors will be left to treat the illness itself. Some doctors have already begun stockpiling personal protective equipment and developing new office protocols for cleaning exam rooms potentially contaminated with the virus, which can linger for two hours after an infected person leaves. Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis also successfully pushed the Legislature for a 2023 law protecting doctors from backlash for refusing to give treatment based on their personal beliefs. But Tallahassee-based pediatrician Nectar Aintablian said the proposed expansion has left pediatricians to decide between upholding their own vaccine requirements for patients and ignoring years of training and experience, or helping children get over potentially deadly illnesses that would have been prevented by immunization. Nearly 100 people have reportedly been infected by an ongoing measles outbreak in Floridas Southwest corner, pushing many doctors to stay in the fight. We take it for granted, the days when parents would come in with a nine-month old baby and ask where the shots were, Aintablian said during a phone interview. As long as we can stay in the fight and do our work, we will take on the extra duty of talking and trying to explain why these are necessary, Yarboroughs bill aligns with the Make America Healthy Again campaign waged by President Donald Trump with the help of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. And its a cornerstone issue for libertarian-leaning medical freedom groups, who believe important medical decisions for children should be left up to the parents without any influence from doctors who follow state and federal health regulations for treatments. In practice, some parents are choosing to ignore pediatricians vaccine guidance and are instead using information found online to make decisions on vaccines. Advertisement Advertisement They could at least listen to what you have to say based on your years of training and experience, and its frustrating to not even have someone listen, said Jennifer Takagishi, the Florida chapter vice president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Now theyre using TikTok, some families are, to do their research. Pediatricians have enforced vaccine requirements on patients for decades, but the popularity of the state's pandemic-era religious exemption have led some doctors to loosen or eliminate them. Some doctors have also begun work on plans to treat patients sick with the measles virus, including extensive decontamination processes for exam rooms. Some measles patients would be sent to the hospital, as most doctors offices are not equipped with negative pressure rooms to handle the sickest patients. Its very scary, Takagishi said. I hate to say it, but weve dusted off our Covid protocols to address some of the illnesses that have made a comeback. A state Department of Health database has counted 92 measles infections reported this year as of Feb. 14, marking a stark contrast from the seven cases reported last year and 12 reported in 2024. At least 66 of the cases reported this year came from Collier County, followed by six cases in Duval and five in Escambia. Advertisement Advertisement Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows close to 89 percent of Florida residents were vaccinated against measles as of last year, a drop from the close to 94 percent recorded in 2019 just before the Covid pandemic began. Aintablian said the states vaccination rate was already dangerously low, and its likely even lower in some parts of the state. Some older doctors may decide to retire early rather than deal with an increase in measles cases, but many others have changed office schedules for more time to talk with reticent parents. All I have done in my life is prevent disease and protect sick kids, and to make that point, I have to earn their trust, Aintablian said. Because Im one of the old timers who have seen these diseases and I dont want to treat them again. Yarboroughs bill was approved by the appropriations committee despite opposing votes from two Republicans. Alongside Harrell, state Sen. Tom Wright (R-Port Orange) said he grew up with childhood immunization schedules and found them to play an important role in keeping children healthy. Yarboroughs bill is now eligible for consideration on the Senate floor. Its House companion, FL HB917 (26R), is still awaiting consideration by the first of three committees. Attorneys for Melvin Trotter had long argued he was intellectually disabled, a claim they said should have barred his execution, but he was put to death by lethal injection Feb. 24 for a 1986 killing in Palmetto Trotter, 65, was convicted of stabbing to death 70-year-old Virgie Langford in the corner grocery store she had owned for five decades and was preparing to retire from. Trotter, whose last meal included fish, cornbread, cake and soda, was pronounced dead at 6:15 p.m. The execution was the fourth in the United States this year and the second in Florida, which carried out a record 19 executions last year. Advertisement Advertisement Earlier Feb. 24, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Trotters request for a stay, allowing the execution to proceed, though Justice Sonia Sotomayor said she was deeply troubled by the states record on lethal injections. Advocates condemned the execution as cruel and raised concerns about the states handling of lethal injections, saying Florida shrouds its executions in secrecy, echoing criticism from Sotomayor. For decades, lawyers have pointed to school records, early IQ scores and testimony from family members describing Trotters limited ability to read, manage money or live independently. But prosecutors and courts, including the Florida Supreme Court, have repeatedly ruled that later evaluations showing higher cognitive functioning outweigh those early findings. "Executions are not inevitable. They are not acts of nature. They are not divine mandates. They are choices, human choices, made in our name...," said Grace Hanna, Executive Director at Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. "We, the People, must refuse to tolerate a system that kills first and answers questions later. Or, in this case, a system that seems content to answer them never." Why did the state of Florida reject Melvin Trotter's disability claims? A WAIS-III intelligence test that was administered to Trotter in 2005 fell into the average range, with a score of 91. Then-Attorney General Charlie Crist wrote in a supplemental answer brief that there is no indication that Trotter is substantially impaired in his personal independence or in his ability to engage in responsible self-care activities consistent with his age, cultural group and community. Advertisement Advertisement Crist added that Trotters case is very unusual due to his family circumstances and neglect. While he recognized how Trotter's early environment might have impacted his abilities as a child, Crist noted Trotter wasn't allowed to develop his full intellectual potential. "These are not the hallmark characteristics of a mentally retarded child, but instead the circumstances and consequences of being raised during formative years in a primitive, impoverished, neglectful and deficient environment," Crist wrote. When was Melvin Trotter diagnosed with an intellectual disability? When he was a Manatee County teen, Trotter was diagnosed with an intellectual disability by a psychologist, according to Florida Supreme Court records. Trotter had a history of learning difficulties, which in part stems from starting school at age 9 and growing up in poverty. Advertisement Advertisement A psychologist testified that his examination of Trotter in 1976 revealed deficits in his adaptive functioning and an inadequate personality. Many members of Trotters family reported perceiving him as slow. Other members of his family, including two brothers and sisters, had to be placed into special education classes while attending school. Report cards show that Trotter performed very well when in those classes. Trotters niece testified that Trotter never had a bank account, and his money was always managed by others who also handled all decision-making. Another niece, Marsha Polite, also testified that Trotter was unable to pay his own bills and function independently. After Trotters wife left him, she testified that Trotter could not live alone and moved in with another niece. Testing showed that Trotter suffered from severe reading problems, as he was at a third-grade-equivalent level in reading and at a second-grade level in fluency and reading comprehension. Advertisement Advertisement In 2006, the Florida Supreme Court grappled with the question of whether someone can outgrow their intellectual disability. The court weighed evidence that Trotter, then 45, was disabled in 1986 when he fatally stabbed a 70-year-old woman in Palmetto. This includes a Slosson and WISC-R Intelligence Test administered by the Manatee County Schools to Trotter. He scored a 69 and 70 out of 100 at the ages of 13 and 14, which was in the range of having an intellectual disability. In 1976, Dr. Calvin Pinkard tested Melvin Trotter at age 15, but instead of using the WISC-R, he used an outdated WISC and obtained a score of 88, which Pinkard later said was an inflated score. In denying Trotter relief in 2006, the trial court stated that it seriously questions Pinkards opinion and finds it unreliable for several reasons, as Pinkard was unable to account for the differences in the score. Pinkard later said the dramatic difference in test scores was due to the outdated test used in 1976. What does the Supreme Court say about the death penalty being applied to those with disabilities? On June 20, 2002, the Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling ending the death penalty for individuals with intellectual disability. In Atkins v. Virginia, the Court held that it is a violation of the Eighth Amendment ban on cruel unusual punishment to execute death row inmates with mental retardation." Who was Melvin Trotter? Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Trotter's death warrant on Jan. 23, 2026, for the June 1986 murder of Virgie Langford. He received the death sentence twice, for fatally stabbing Langford, 70, during the robbery of her convenience store. Advertisement Advertisement He was on house arrest for a previous burglary conviction when prosecutors said he waited outside Langfords Grocery Store in Palmetto on June 16, 1986, for the last customer to leave. Langford was alone, cutting meat in the back. Trotter walked in and began rifling through the cash register, grabbing some food stamps and about $100 to buy drugs, according to archived reports in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. It's unknown if Langford came out or Trotter confronted her, but prosecutors said he stabbed her seven times with a butcher knife before fleeing. A truck driver found her and called for help. Langford had "a large abdominal wound that resulted in disembowelment," according to a summary by state Attorney General James Uthmeier. She was able to identify Trotter, but hours after her surgery, Langford died of cardiac arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Trotter was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to death in May 1987. He was also found guilty of burglary, robbery without a gun and robbery with a gun or deadly weapon, for which he was sentenced to 17 years in prison. The Florida Supreme Court awarded Trotter a resentencing after it was found that the court mishandled the aggravating factors of his case. He was sentenced to death a second time in 1993. The court reaffirmed the death sentence in 1996. Attorneys for Trotter filed multiple appeals, pointing to Trotter's teenage diagnosis of mental disability. Under Florida law, the death sentence may not be imposed on an "intellectually disabled defendant." State prosecutors said in 2005 that numerous evaluations over three decades portrayed Trotter's intelligence as average. Trotter's appeals were denied in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2018, Uthmeier said. Virgie Langford Who was the victim, Virgie Langford? For five decades, the 70-year-old ran a mom-and-pop grocery store in Palmetto along Florida's Gulf Coast. The neighborhood had gotten dangerous, Langford got tired, and her four children convinced her it was time to enjoy retirement and her new house in the suburbs. Advertisement Advertisement "My mom, she was a fine lady," Christine McKnight told the Sarasota Herald Tribune in 1987. "She worked hard all her life, and she didn't deserve to die the way that she did." When are the next executions in Florida? March 3: Billy L. Kearse, 53, confessed to shooting Fort Pierce Police Officer Danny Parrish with his own service weapon during a 1991 traffic stop. March 17: Michael King, 54, was convicted in the 2008 kidnapping, rape and murder of Denise Amber Lee of North Port that resulted in increased training for 911 operators across Florida. How many people are on Florida's death row? As of Feb. 24, there were 251 people on death row in Florida. The stats break down to 250 men (154 White, 86 Black, 10 other) and one Black woman. How many death row inmates has Florida executed? From 1924 until May 1964, the state of Florida executed 196 people. There were no executions from May 1964 until May 1976. Advertisement Advertisement In 1972, the United States Supreme Court struck down the death penalty, but it was reinstated in 1976. Florida has carried out 126 executions since then, 19 in 2025 alone. (This story has been updated after Melvin Trotter was executed.) Melissa Perez-Carrillo covers breaking news and public safety for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Reach out at mperezcarrillo@gannett.com. Support local journalism by subscribing. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Florida carries out execution amid dispute over intellectual disability Virginia State Police say a Florida man arrested in connection with a series of hit-and-runs on Interstate 95 two weeks ago is ntow facing 74 charges related to the incident. The suspect, 35-year-old Garrett Ryan Sulli, was captured in Spotsylvania County Feb. 14 after he reportedly hit numerous vehicles on northbound I-95 between Colonial Heights and Spotsylavnia, a path of about 75 miles. A VSP statement said Sulli, who had no known address in Florida, was being held without bond. A total of 13 vehicles were damaged along the trail. Advertisement Advertisement The 74 charges are: 11 counts of hit-and-run; 22 counts of assault; 1 count of malicious wounding; 11 counts of destruction of property; 1 count of driving under the influence; and 28 additional traffic-related offenses. Virginia State Police say this truck, allegedly driven by a Florida man, was involved in a trail of numerous hit-and-runs Feb. 14 on northbound Interstate 95 between Colonial Heights and Spotsylvania County. The suspect, 34-year-old Garrett Ryan Sulli, faces 74 charges. 14th Quartermaster Detachment 35th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony VSP said the crashes occurred between 6:30 a.m. and almost noon on Feb. 14. In addition to Colonial Heights and Spotsylvania, motorists reported being hit in the city of Richmond, and the counties of Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover. The suspect was not involved at any police pursuits at the time. Troopers were able to track him to Spotsylvania, and he was arrested without incident. Advertisement Advertisement This reckless and violent behavior placed countless motorists at risk along one of the Commonwealths busiest interstate corridors, Capt. Ted Jones, VSP Division 1 commander, said in a statement. Our troopers responded quickly, coordinated across multiple jurisdictions, and safely took this individual into custody. We remain committed to holding offenders accountable and ensuring the safety of those traveling on Virginias highways. The investigation is continuing. Anyone who may have seen one of the crashes or believes they may have been victimized is asked to contact VSP Division 1 Dispatch at (804) 750-8758 or #77 on a mobile phone; or send an email to questions@vsp.virginia.gov. Daylight saving time 2026: When to spring forward in VA Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI. This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Florida man faces 74 charges in Virginia I-95 hit-and-runs LINCOLN A former state lawmaker from Gothenburg, Matt Williams, will lead the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry as interim president. Chamber board chair Pat Keenan announced the transitional role Thursday to the board and business leaders. Williams, a banker, is a longtime chamber board member and currently chairs Flatwater Bank. He previously chaired the Nebraska Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association. He served in the Nebraska Legislature from 2015-2023. Advertisement Advertisement Leaders of the chamber the largest statewide business lobbying group said they would look for a permanent president and CEO following the resignation of Todd Bingham earlier this month. The Lincoln headquarters of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a short walk from the Nebraska Capitol. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner) Bingham, a Utah manufacturing expert, resigned less than a year after he was hired. The chamber offered no reason or public explanation. A spokesperson said the organization could not comment on a personnel issue. Keenan said the board was grateful that Williams stepped up during a very active and productive time. With about six weeks left in the current 60-day legislative session, Williams already had started to speak on the chambers behalf, testifying, for example, at a Wednesday public hearing on a proposed business incentives package. Advertisement Advertisement He has steady leadership, strong relationships and trust from his many years of advocacy for economic development, and decades of experience working with the legislature and state government on tax policy and economic development incentives, Keenan said of Williams, a member of the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame. Williams, in a statement, sought to assure others that the chamber is on rock-solid footing, with a clear vision of the board and talented and hard-working staff hitting its stride in such areas as legislative policy and advocacy and manufacturing. Im excited to lend my support, he said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX RYE Seacoast-area firefighters saved a historic Rye home from destruction during a fouralarm fire Feb. 26, battling deep snow and structural challenges. A building fire at 50 Red Mill Lane was reported to the Rye Fire Department just before 8:30 a.m. Thursday, according to Chief Mark Cotreau. Town firefighters were at the home five minutes later, noting the occupants had safely evacuated and finding a fire impacting the first two floors of the three-plus-story residence. Cotreau hailed the mutual aid response, with responders arriving from throughout the Seacoast and into southern Maine. Due to snowbanks accumulated from Mondays blizzard and recent snowfall, the call was elevated to a fourth-alarm fire specifically to rotate firefighters in and out of the scene due to the tiring pathway to the home. Mutual aid fire departments worked together to bring a blaze under control at 50 Red Mill Lane in Rye Feb. 26, 2026. What were fortunate is (that) we put enough resources here so that we put a good knock on the fire quickly, Cotreau said at the scene. The fire itself has been (relegated) to the first and second floor area, with smoke and damage to the rest of the building. Theres significant damage, but in a building like this, you could have easily lost that building. Credit goes to these firefighters from all over the place. Advertisement Advertisement The call for more firefighters provided the boost needed to stop the spread of the blaze. The particular type of building this is, which is a three-and-a-half-story, old, historic, wood frame residence, gives us some challenges from a fire control standpoint, Cotreau added. Typically, when we have any structure fire, we have mutual aid that comes in. We beef that up. Rye Fire Chief Mark Cotreau speaks with the owners of 50 Red Mill Lane after a fire caused heavy damage to the home on Feb. 26, 2026. Two of the homeowners cats were missing, though Cotreau was hopeful theyd be located upon further investigation. The state fire marshals office will investigate the cause and origin of the fire. Mutual aid fire departments worked together to bring a blaze under control at 50 Red Mill Lane in Rye Feb. 26, 2026. If the fire occurred on a spring day, Cotreau said, the call would likely have been limited to a three-alarm response. But the presence of large snow piles would have been difficult to navigate with less crew. Advertisement Advertisement When the firefighters get to the part of the building, they have to go fight the fire; thats exhausting, he said. A Dover firefighter works alongside mutualaid crews to overhaul a historic home in Rye on Feb. 26, 2026. Again, they come together, and they work as one team and get it done, Cotreau added. Were all working under the same playbook. Its really gratifying. It breaks my heart every time we have one of our great Rye residences have to go through something like this, but (it feels) very gratifying that we were able to stop it and keep it from getting any worse than that. The circa-1865 colonial Rye Beach home is a short distance away from Bailey Brook and Eel Pond. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Fouralarm fire in Rye, NH snowbound crews save historic home The case was heard in a low-ranking court in Athens that hears misdemeanours (file pic) [Getty Images] Four people have been found guilty and given jail terms by a Greek court after a wiretapping scandal shook the country in 2022. In what became known as "Greece's Watergate", surveillance software called Predator was used to target 87 people - among them government ministers, senior military officials and journalists. The four who had marketed the software were found guilty by an Athens court of misdemeanours of violating the confidentiality of telephone communications and illegally accessing personal data and conversations. Advertisement Advertisement The court sentenced the four defendants to lengthy jail sentences, suspended pending appeal. Although they each face 126 years, only eight would be typically served which is the upper limit for misdemeanours. One in three of the dozens of figures targeted had also been under legal surveillance by Greece's intelligence services (EYP). Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who had placed EYP directly under his supervision, called it a scandal, but no government officials have been charged in court and critics accuse the government of trying to cover up the truth. The case dates back to the summer of 2022, when the current head of Greek Socialist party Pasok, Nikos Androulakis - then an MEP - was informed by the European Parliament's IT experts that he had received a malicious text message containing a link. Advertisement Advertisement Predator spyware, marketed by the Athens-based Israeli company Intellexa, can get access to a device's messages, camera, and microphone. Its use was illegal in Greece at that time but a new law passed in 2022 has since legalised state security use of surveillance software under strict conditions. Androulakis also discovered that he had been tracked for "national security reasons" by Greece's intelligence services. The scandal has since escalated into a debate over democratic accountability in Greece. Advertisement Advertisement Despite the seriousness of the case, this is the only part of it that has come to trial and took place in a court concerned only by misdemeanors. The small ground floor courtroom was full of Greek and foreign journalists on Thursday morning. The four defendants found guilty - two Greeks called Felix Bitzios and Yiannis Lavranos and two Israelis Tal Dilian and Sara Hamou were not in the dock for the verdict, as had been the case during the five months the trial lasted. The court refused to grant mitigation to the defendants. The judge said that the defendants appear to have acted with the participation of "unknown third parties," explaining that among them there may be officials from Greek and foreign intelligence services, and decided to send the trial records to the Athens Prosecutor's Office so that it can be investigated whether a series of felonies were committed including the offense of espionage. Advertisement Advertisement Among the many public figures targeted in the scandal was Thanasis Koukakis, a financial reporter who investigates corruption. "The decision satisfies me with regard to the violation of my private life," he told the BBC. "The court proved that there are safeguards in place for the functioning of the rule of law in Greece. "After today's decision, justice must, without distraction, investigate the involvement of third parties in felony offenses," said Zacharias Kesses, a lawyer for victims of the Predator affair. More than 55,000 pounds of frozen blueberries sold across four states are being recalled due to potential listeria contamination. Salem-based Oregon Potato Company (OPC) recalled about 55,689 pounds of individually quick frozen blueberries over risk of listeria monocytogenes contamination, according to an enforcement recall notice posted to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's website. While the recall was initiated Feb. 12, it was classified as a Class I recall on Feb. 24, which indicates a reasonable probability of causing serious illness or death. A news release was not issued with the recall. OPC did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment on the recall. Advertisement Advertisement Here's what to know about the frozen blueberries recall. What frozen blueberries are being recalled? Frozen blueberries. The recalled frozen blueberries were packaged in 30-pound corrugated cases with polyethylene liners and 1,400-pound totes. The lot codes of the 1,400-pound totes are 3305 A1 and 3305 B1, both with expiration dates of Nov. 25, 2027. The lot codes for the 30-pound cases are 2055 B2, 2065 B1, and 2065 B3. While the former has an expiration date of July 24, 2027, the latter is listed to expire on July 23, 2027. More recalls: Check your pantry: Peanut butter recalled in 40 states What states were the recalled frozen blueberries sold in? The recalled products were distributed by OPC, which is operating as Willamette Valley Fruit Company in Salem, Oregon. The products were sold in the following states as well as in Canada, according to the report: Advertisement Advertisement Michigan Oregon Washington Wisconsin However, it was not sold directly to consumers in retail stores. The report does not state exactly where the products were sold. What should customers do? The FDA, in its report, did not specify what customers who have purchased the products should do. The status of the recall, meanwhile, was listed as ongoing, and the FDA noted that no press release had been issued by the company at the time of posting. What is listeria monocytogenes? Listeria monocytogenes, more commonly known as listeria, is a disease-causing bacteria that can be found in soil, water, sewage, rotting vegetation, and animals, according to the USDA. It can survive and grow in refrigeration and can thrive in unsanitary food production conditions. What are listeria symptoms? Listeria infects about 1,600 people each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advertisement Advertisement Listeria symptoms vary per person, but there are two forms of the disease: A less severe, non-invasive gastrointestinal listeriosis may appear as mild symptoms, like fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms may continue for one to three days, according to the USDA. A more severe, life-threatening invasive form of the disease may appear as a headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, the USDA reports. This more invasive form can be life-threatening to newborns, pregnant people, adults over 65, and folks with weakened immune systems. Contributing: Greta Cross, USA TODAY. Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Got a story idea? Reach her at sshafiq@usatodayco.com or follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Frozen blueberries recall is upgraded to FDA's highest risk level OSLO, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Norway's $2.2 trillion sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, is using AI to screen companies for risks such as potential links to forced labour and corruption, and help avoid financial losses as a result, it said on Thursday. One of the world's largest investors, the fund holds stakes in around 7,200 companies globally, owning about 1.5% of all listed stocks. It has often set the pace on environmental, social and governance issues. The fund's investments are measured against a benchmark index set by the finance ministry, with equities tracked against the FTSE Global All Cap index. Each time that index includes new companies, the fund's operator, Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), must screen them before they enter the portfolio. Since 2025, NBIM has used large language models to screen all companies on the day they enter the equity portfolio, rapidly scanning for public information that data vendors typically do not provide. "Within 24 hours of our investment, the AI tools flag new companies in the fund's equity portfolio with potential links to, for example, forced labour, corruption or fraud," NBIM said in its annual responsible investment report, published on Thursday. "In multiple instances, we identified and sold these investments before the broader market reacted to the risks, avoiding potential losses." AI is especially useful for researching smaller companies in emerging markets, NBIM said, noting that data vendors often offer limited coverage and international media may not report on them. "News may be limited to small media outlets in local languages, and controversies suggesting systemic failures in risk management may go unreported in international media," it said. (Reporting by Gwladys Fouche in Oslo. Editing by Mark Potter) California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Wednesday tore into some of President Donald Trumps biggest allies, calling them frauds and phonies for recognizing the danger of Trump and still cozying up to him. But he saved some of his harshest criticism for Vice President JD Vance. Vance, for whatever reason, scares me almost more than Trump, Newsom told MS NOWs Jen Psaki. Talk about a guy who put a mask on and his face grew into it. Advertisement Advertisement Vance was once a major Trump critic, describing him as an idiot, warning that he could become Americas Hitler, and declaring himself a never Trump guy. Newsom noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio who called Trump a con artist and implied he had a small penis and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) were, along with Vance, once among Trumps most effective critics. Now, theyre all part of his inner circle. Politics: Olympic Hockey MVPs 'Busy' Reply To Trump Has People Reading Between The Lines What frauds! What phonies! Newsom said. But JDs a unique fraud and phony, and hes a little more dangerous. Check out the full interview below: Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost. Political Updates Read the original on HuffPost A German court ruled on Thursday that the domestic intelligence agency cannot label the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a "confirmed right-wing extremist" group, at least for now. The AfD had challenged the designation, which would empower the spy agency to use broader surveillance powers to monitor it and would embolden political opponents seeking a ban of the anti-immigration party. The Cologne administrative court's decision puts the designation on hold pending the final outcome of a legal battle between the AfD and Germany's intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV). Advertisement Advertisement The court found that there were indeed efforts to undermine Germany's free democratic order from within the AfD, highlighting its demands to ban Muslim minarets, public calls to prayer and headscarves in public institutions. But it ruled that the party as a whole was not "shaped by these efforts" such that "an anti-constitutional tendency can be established" to characterise the party in its entirety as extremist. Alice Weidel, the party's co-leader, hailed the ruling as "a major victory not only for the AfD but also for democracy and the rule of law" in a post on X. The decision had also "thrown a spanner in the works" for the "fanatics" seeking to outlaw the AfD, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, a conservative, noted that the court decision still found reason to suspect the AfD of working "against the free democratic order" and "pursuing anti-constitutional aims". The party will continue to be monitored as a "suspected" extremist group, he added. - Politically isolated - The AfD was founded in 2013 primarily as a eurosceptic party, but has since become more hardline nationalist, putting an anti-immigrant stance at the heart of its appeals to voters. The party surged to become the largest opposition force in last year's nationwide election, winning nearly 21 percent of the vote. Advertisement Advertisement The AfD is particularly strong in the formerly communist East Germany, holding commanding leads in the polls ahead of several key state-level elections there later this year. But it remains frozen out of power across the country, as all other political parties have maintained a "firewall" against it and refused to consider cooperating. Many in mainstream German politics see the AfD's far-right positions and rhetoric as taboo, a view informed in part by Germany's dark Nazi history. The intelligence agency moved to officially classify the national AfD party as a "confirmed extremist" organisation on May 2 of last year, a step up from its previous designation as a "suspected" case. Advertisement Advertisement The party filed a lawsuit against the move and the BfV agreed to suspend the classification until a court ruling on the matter is issued. Several regional AfD party organisations have already been designated as "confirmed extremist" groups. - Calls to ban - Thursday's decision by the Cologne court, which can still be appealed, keeps it on hold until a verdict is reached in the AfD's broader challenge to the classification. Some of the AfD's political foes have advocated banning the party -- a process for which there are high legal hurdles in Germany. It would require, for example, evidence that a party is actively trying to abolish the democratic order and has the means to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Dobrindt and a number of other conservatives have criticised such a move, arguing instead that the AfD must be defeated at the ballot box. On Thursday, Dobrindt said the court decision only underscored how high the legal hurdles for action against a political party is. "I have repeatedly said if we want the AfD to go away it should be by governing competently and not by banning them," Dobrindt said. bst/vbw/jj Germany's Bundestag has approved changes to the Aviation Security Act to allow the Bundeswehr, or armed forces, to be deployed for domestic drone defence. The amendment passed on Thursday expressly states that the armed forces may provide administrative assistance in defending against unmanned aerial vehicles and if necessary, even with armed force. Such a regulation is necessary because Germany's constitution or Basic Law sets the German Armed Forces narrow limits for domestic deployment in peacetime. Advertisement Advertisement However, even with the amendment to the law, weapons should only be used as a last resort if a drone is likely to be "used against human life or against a critical facility." Authorities across Europe have scrambling to respond to a series of incidents involving drones in recent months that have been widely attributed to Russia, despite Moscow's denials. New criminal offence against 'climateglue' at airports The amendment also tightens the penalties for radical demonstrators who obstruct air traffic by blocking runways. Such actions by climate activists were previously considered a misdemeanour in future, they will be classified as a criminal offence. Advertisement Advertisement Instead of fines and damages, those convicted will face several years in prison in the future. In response, the airport association ADV welcomed the new regulations and said: "To glue onesself to runways or to enter security-relevant areas is no trivial matter." Natural fathers in Germany should find it easier to contest the legal paternity of another man for their child after the Bundestag or parliament passed a law implementing a ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court. The judges had called for an effective procedure to enable biological fathers who are not married to the mother of the child they fathered to assert their legal paternity. So far this has not been possible if there is a "social-familial relationship" between the child and the legal father, meaning if the man is responsible for the child without being its biological father. Advertisement Advertisement But the reform means the natural or biological father can contest paternity if he has a close relationship with his child or if a previous relationship with the child was broken off through no fault of his own. Lawmakers also passed another provision intended to prevent a race for paternity. If the biological father has already initiated proceedings in court to establish his paternity, no other man may acknowledge paternity until a decision has been made. The legislation also expands the right of the child concerned to have a say. If the child is at least 14 years old, they can prevent their mother from imposing another man as their legal father instead of their biological father. A state court in Germany has halted oil drilling in the north-eastern Wadden Sea, finding in favour of an environmental group that said a prerequisite nature impact check had not been carried out. The Schleswig-Holstein Administrative Court stopped oil production on the Mittelplate drilling platform in the Wadden Sea. The drilling platform currently has no enforceable production permit, said a spokeswoman for the court, after the German Environmental Aid Association (DUH) filed a lawsuit in summary proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement A court spokeswoman told dpa that an inventory check must be carried out every two years. However, the impact assessment required by the Flora-Fauna-Habitat Directive (FFH) had not been carried out. The court therefore prohibited production until further notice. An appeal by the operator had no suspensive effect, she said. DUH called the ruling a historic victory for the protection of the Wadden Sea. "Germany's largest World Heritage Site must not be exploited without a thorough assessment of the nature conservation implications of oil production," said DUH Federal Executive Director Sascha Muller-Kraenner. He described the platform as outdated. "The risk of an accident increases with each day." A spokesman for operator Wintershall Dea Deutschland told dpa that the company wanted to carefully review the decision. "We are convinced that the main operating plan for the Mittelplate drilling and production platform was approved in compliance with all applicable legal requirements," he said. The operation of the facility has also always been carried out under close government supervision in accordance with existing regulations, he said, adding it is a state-of-the-art facility that has safely produced more than 40 million tons of oil since 1987. Germany has deported 20 people to Afghanistan on what was the first flight directly agreed with the Taliban since the militants' return to power in 2021. The German Interior Ministry said on Thursday that 20 convicted Afghan criminals were flown from the eastern city of Leipzig to Kabul on a charter flight after an agreement was reached with the Taliban. Previous deportation flights had been mediated by Qatar. Advertisement Advertisement Contact with the Taliban is highly controversial as the German government does not maintain diplomatic relations with the Islamist group. The Taliban face international isolation because of their disregard for human rights, especially women's rights. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the agreement "creates a reliable basis for direct and permanent deportations to Afghanistan." The men who were deported were convicted of committing crimes in Germany, including sexual and drug offences as well as assault. The issue of deporting criminals to Afghanistan was a major flashpoint ahead of Germany's parliamentary elections in February 2025. Chancellor Friedrich Merz's administration has promised to step up deportations. By Emmanuel Bruce ACCRA, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Four fishing boats came under attack by unidentified gunmen in the seas off central Ghana early on Thursday, triggering a search-and-rescue operation by the navy and air force, a statement by its armed forces and a local official said. A local member of parliament involved in rescue efforts said survivors told her the fishing boats came under attack after a night at sea. The 71 fishermen aboard survived but their vessels were looted. Advertisement Advertisement "They had gone out for their usual fishing activity heading out to sea and returning in the early hours of the morning with their catch, Gizella Tetteh, a lawmaker for the Awutu Senya West Constituency said. The robbers stole all their outboard motors and generators. The Ghana Armed Forces said further details would be communicated as the operation progressed, and appealed for calm. The Gulf of Guinea, which borders Ghanas southern coastline, has long been flagged by maritime security agencies as one of the worlds most piracy-prone waters. (Reporting by Emmanuel Bruce; Editing by Jessica Donati) Police in South Africa are investigating a fatal shooting at a secondary school in the coastal city of Cape Town that killed a 14-year-old pupil and a taxi operator. An unidentified man opened fire on a taxi as the driver waited to pick up pupils on Wednesday, shooting the driver, another man and two children, police said. Two pupils, aged 14 and 16, were also injured in the attack, which has been linked to long-running deadly turf wars between rival taxi associations. Advertisement Advertisement "It is unacceptable that our children continue to be exposed to danger as a result of ongoing conflict within the taxi industry," said Isaac Sileku, a senior Western Cape official. Violence has plagued South Africa's highly competitive and lucrative taxi industry for decades. While minibus taxis continue to dominate the market, the rise of e-hailing services is increasing tensions, leading to violent and sometimes deadly clashes between operators. Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the local authority was offering a reward of up to 100,000 rand (4,600; $6,400) for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the shooting. Wednesday's attack took place as students at Atlantis Senior Secondary were leaving school, when gunshots rang out and sparked panic. Police arrived at the scene and found a minibus taxi parked outside the school, with the body of a 42-year-old a taxi operator inside. He had multiple gunshot wounds. In the school grounds, officers discovered the body of a 14-year-old girl who had been shot multiple times in the chest. Police said she had been shot while attempting to run from the gunfire. Advertisement Advertisement "A 14-year-old learner [female] sustained a gunshot wound to her back. Another 16-year-old female was grazed by a bullet," said police spokesperson FC van Wyk. He said it was not yet clear how many gunmen were involved, adding that detectives and officers from the Taxi Violence Investigations Unit were investigating the attack. This was the second attempt on the taxi operator's life this month, local media reported. In a statement, the Western Cape regional authorities condemned the "senseless act", saying "no learner should ever face danger while travelling to or from school". Advertisement Advertisement "Violence of this nature undermines community safety, disrupts education, and instils fear among residents," it added. Sileku said the safety of commuters and learners "is non-negotiable and must never be compromised by [taxi] industry conflict". "We also urge law enforcement agencies to act decisively to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice swiftly." More about South Africa from the BBC: [Getty Images/BBC] Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts The international communitys lack of action in taking punitive action against Israel over its pervasive breaches of international law in the occupied West Bank has contributed to making the annexation of Palestinian territory an irreversible reality, Amnesty International has said. In a statement released on Thursday, the human rights group said impunity granted to Israel by global powers has further emboldened the far-right government of Benjamin Netanyahu to turbocharge efforts to dispossess Palestinians across the West Bank. The unconditional support of the USA government, combined with the pervasive lack of international accountability for Israels genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, decades of crimes under international law linked to its unlawful occupation and its system of apartheid, has further emboldened Israel to escalate its illegal actions, Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnesty Internationals senior director for research, advocacy, policy and campaigns said. Advertisement Advertisement The formalization of land grabs, the expansion of illegal settlements and state-backed settler violence in the territory are a direct indictment of the international communitys catastrophic failure to take decisive action, Guevara-Rosas said. Countries, she added, have refused to use the tools at their disposal, such as suspension of the European Union-Israel Association Agreement, to deter Israel from its action. The West Bank has been under Israeli occupation since the 1967 war. Since then, the contiguity of the Palestinian territory has been increasingly fragmented by the construction of hundreds of Israeli housing units, entrenching Israeli occupation. These settlements are illegal under international law. Following Israels genocidal war, which started following the Hamas-led attack in southern Israel in October 2023, the number of settlements has sharply expanded, and the hundreds of makeshift outposts have multiplied. The population of Jewish Israelis in these areas has now soared past half a million people. Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, Israeli army raids, attacks, house demolitions and arrests in the occupied territory are at unprecedented levels, while settlers attack and kill Palestinians and rampage through their property with impunity, backed by the military and the state. At least 1,094 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops and settlers in the West Bank since October 2023, according to the latest United Nations figures. Last week, the UN Human Rights Council warned in a new report (PDF) that Israeli policies in the West Bank including the systematic unlawful use of force by the Israeli army and unlawful demolitions of Palestinian homes aim to uproot Palestinian communities. The UN report raised concerns of ethnic cleansing by Israeli authorities in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, amid increased attacks and forcible transfers that appear to aim at a permanent displacement of Palestinians. Amnesty International outlined a list of actions taken by the Israeli government since December: Advertisement Advertisement On December 10, 2025, the Israel Land Authority published a tender for 3,401 housing units in the E1 area, east of Jerusalem, to expand the illegal settlement of Maale Adumim and create a continuum with occupied East Jerusalem. This would split the West Bank into two. On December 11, 2025, Israels security cabinet approved plans to establish 19 new settlements, bringing the total number approved by the current coalition government to 68 in just three years and the total number of official settlements to about 210. On January 5, 2026, the Israeli civil administration designated 694 dunams of land belonging to the Palestinian towns of Deir Istiya, Biddya and Kafr Thulth in the northern West Bank as state land. On February 8, 2026, Israels security cabinet approved a series of sweeping measures to expand its powers across the occupied West Bank, including easing the sale of Palestinian land to Israeli settlers and expanding the powers of Israeli authorities in areas under Palestinian control. On February 15, 2026, the Israeli cabinet issued a decision that amounts to annexation under Israeli law. It allocated more than 244 million Israeli shekels ($78m) for the establishment of a government mechanism to facilitate land registration in Area C, transferring the powers of land registration from the civil administration to Israels Ministry of Justice. These actions took place despite the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling (PDF) in 2024 that the Israeli occupation is illegal and should end its unlawful presence as rapidly as possible including removing settlements and forcing settlers out. And last year, the UN General Assembly issued a resolution setting September 2025 as the deadline to end Israels occupation. Yet instead of complying, Israel has simply invented new ways to violate international law, further entrenching its unlawful occupation and apartheid while the international community continues, at best, to pay lip service to Palestinians rights and taken no effective action, Guevara-Rosas said. Senate Republicans are advancing legislation that would severely restrict Kentucky regulators from setting environmental policies by tying them directly to bare-minimum standards at the federal level a move critics say threatens to permanently rebalance power in Frankfort. The Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee cleared a bill along a strict, party-line vote Wednesday that would prohibit state agencies, like the Energy and Environment Cabinet or Cabinet for Health and Family Services, from issuing environmental rules more stringent or extensive than similar U.S. government rulemaking. Agencies would also be required to jump through narrower scientific and technical hoops to rule on issues federal bureaucrats have not addressed. Advertisement Advertisement In effect, the bill would neuter Kentuckys environmental administrative power by subjugating state policy to the will of federal agencies actively mounting an environmental deregulatory push under President Donald Trumps administration. It is the GOPs boldest attempt yet to tether state environmental policy to the federal government and comes just a year after the legislature curbed state surface water pollution rules by limiting the definition of protected waterways to those already named by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The bill will go to the Senate floor for a vote, where at least two Republicans on the committee Wednesday said they would like to see amendments safeguarding against blatant deregulatory abuse. We dont need to back to the days or rivers catching on fire and everything like that, Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, said. To say that theres not been some abuses by industries throughout the decades would just be, you know ... frankly, it would just be a lie. Sen. Greg Elkins, R-Winchester, shares a light moment with Sen. Gex Williams, R-Verona, during a recess on the Senate floor in 2024. State deregulatory standards abound Republican lawmakers appear eager to defer state environmental decision-making to the federal government while tensions mount between states and the feds. Advertisement Advertisement Sound science is not political, said Mark Behrens, a Washington lawyer and lobbyist testifying Wednesday on behalf of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Kentucky Chamber. This is not a Republican bill. Its not a Democrat bill. The science is the science, and our position is: let the science dictate the policy, and thats what this bill is doing. Since early last year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reversed the scientific conclusion underpinning the Clean Air Act that greenhouse gasses threaten public health, weakened vehicle emission standards and actively promoted fossil fuels, such as coal, over environmentally friendly fuels. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Justice under Trump has filed lawsuits against states including Hawaii, Michigan, New York and Vermont over state-level Superfund laws attempting to hold fossil fuel companies liable for climate change impacts. The bill that cleared the Kentucky Senate committee Wednesday is almost identical to legislation the Alabama legislature passed just last week, forcing the states environmental regulators to prove a direct causal link between exposure to harmful emissions and manifest bodily harm to humans. Advertisement Advertisement Tennessee lawmakers also passed a law last year seeking direct links to manifest bodily harm in humans. Similar legislation is on the docket in Utah. Conservative policymaking groups like the American Legislative Exchange Council and American for Prosperity have taken aim at state-level environmental standards by claiming patchwork regulation harms corporations that do business in multiple states. Those measures would eliminate the cooperative federalism method for allocating environmental regulatory powers that has left states like California with some of the toughest standards nationwide. Behrens, a longtime adviser to ALEC and a former chair of its civil justice task force, has been called to testify in several state legislatures promoting pro-business deregulation. He told members of the committee Wednesday that businesses just cant operate when 50 states are all trying to do their own thing. The bill would also create confidence in regulatory decisions, he added. The small community of Myra in Pike County, Ky., has been eyed for the future site of a 450-acre landfill project that would store garbage from surrounding counties in several states. The community is pushing back. Opponents cite human health risks Opponents of Kentucky Senate Bill 178 say the rigorous scientific justifications state regulators would have to provide to issue rules that go beyond federal regulations and are specific to Kentuckys environmental needs are unworkable. Advertisement Advertisement It would limit the states authority to issue drinking water protections, prevent dumping hazardous materials and standardize sewage treatment, while lead poisoning and radiation controls go unchecked, said Audrey Ernstberger, an associate attorney for the Kentucky Resources Council, a leading public-interest environmental law and advocacy group. By forcing regulators to directly link diagnosable diseases with murky and hard-to-distinguish environmental risks, polluters can get away with more, she said. Regulators would have to stand by while people become sick, injured or die, reversing proactive and precautionary regulatory philosophy. This replaces the precautionary principles with a body-count requirement, she said. This is not clarity. This is uncertainty, and this causes regulatory paralyses at moments where public health protection is critical. Direct causal links are rare, said Erin Haynes, a professor of preventive medicine and environmental health at the University of Kentucky. Research develops associations or relationships between diseases and individual pollutants. Advertisement Advertisement We cant look at a chemical and say, You did it, she said. It doesnt come with a bar code and say exactly where it came from. We cant. Theres no way, so that terminology ... it doesnt work. The bill also prioritizes site-specific data when determining whether a proposed regulation meets a best available science standard, throwing out mountains of evidence from researchers in other U.S. states that may be dealing with similar environmental hazards, Haynes said. East Kentucky Power Cooperative's Hugh L. Spurlock Generating Station is a coal-fired power plant in Mason County where a data center could locate. Some Kentucky law is tied to federal regulation The bills sponsor, Sen. Greg Elkins, R-Winchester, told the committee his legislation is based on existing statutes that limit state agencies from rampant rulemaking. Kentucky already requires regulations that are issued under federal requirements to be no more stringent than the federal law or regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Basing state regulations off of the federal statutes or rules that prompted them is a basic tenant of Kentucky administrative law for decades, said Lloyd Rusty Cress Jr., a state lobbyist testifying on behalf of the Kentucky Chemistry Council, American Chemistry Council and Kentucky Association of Manufacturers. Elkins bill would require state regulators to make their rules easy for companies to comply with, something federal rules are supposed to do but dont always achieve, Cress said. The federal government loves to have programs that are technology forcing, he said. They impose requirements that not a lot of people can do right now, and theyre trying to force you to be able to do it within a certain timeframe. Regulations in Kentucky under this will have to be technologically achievable. It makes perfect sense. Elkins said he wants to protect Kentucky businesses from falling victim to increasing public attention and fast-developing media coverage about new chemicals entering the market, and their potential for perceived impact on human health and the environment. Advertisement Advertisement That could cause some state agencies to hastily adopt costly regulations driven by unfounded fears or flimsy science, rather than rigorous scientific studies and literature, he said. This act says to businesses in Kentucky, We are open for business, Elkins added. That news followed Sprouts stunning disclosure last October that its quarterly same-store sales growth had plummeted to 5.9% from more than 10% during the prior quarter. Clearly shell-shocked by the emerging evidence of the companys decelerating sales momentum, investors hammered Sprouts once-highflying stock, which fell by 25% on Oct. 20, 2025, the day after the announcement. As the companys latest quarterly earnings report last week put into stark relief, however, Sprouts bull run is over. The grocers comps have declined steadily after topping out at 11.7% during the first quarter of 2025, sinking to just 1.6% in the fourth quarter, Sprouts said last Thursday. Wall Street rewarded Sprouts handsomely for its feats, as shareholders drove its stock price up by almost 24% just in the first half of last year. That ride included some sharp gyrations that in retrospect might have been a sign that shareholders thought the companys rapid increase in value was built on a fragile foundation. But coming on the heels of a breathtaking rise in the companys shares of more than 700% over the previous several years, the ascent helped solidify Sprouts reputation as a grocer that was setting the pace. The retailers stock price has lost more than half of its value since last June after rising sharply during the first half of 2025. While conventional supermarket chains were turning in comparable-store sales in the low single digits , Sprouts progress by that critical measure had soared to almost 12% , a head-turning figure in an industry where slow sales growth is the norm. Sprouts also won accolades from shareholders and analysts for its sharp focus on wooing shoppers more concerned with buying healthy foods than on saving money, an approach that helped accelerate its top- and bottom-line performance to stellar levels. As I noted in this column exactly a year ago , Sprouts had emerged as something of a wunderkind in the grocery world, delivering heady financial results that seemed for a time, at least impermeable to the forces that were holding back other grocers. This time last year, Sprouts Farmers Market was flying high so high, in fact, that investors were giving the specialty grocer the kind of treatment you might associate with a tech company, not a food retailer. Story Continues Sprouts same-store sales are sagging The decline follows a sharp run-up that gained steam in early 2024. Sprouts share price is down by almost 60% since topping $173 in early May 2025, although it is up by more than 6% over the past month. Another troubling sign for Sprouts is that its same-store sales have declined so precipitously at a time when traditional supermarket operators like Kroger, Albertsons and Ahold Delhaize all turned in better comps during their most recent quarters. Of course, while strong comps are an indicator of growth in grocery, they can also lay the groundwork for future signs of decline for a retailer if factors that drove sales ahead go away and that seems to be one aspect of whats ailing Sprouts. During Sprouts fourth-quarter earnings call last Thursday, CFO Curtis Valentine indicated that the company is finding it harder than it had expected to sustain the momentum it had grown used to. He also noted that the company benefited last year from temporary drivers such as skyrocketing egg prices and the King Soopers strike in Colorado. Sprouts could have done a better job of making it clear to investors in the past that it was heavily reliant on one-time factors to drive its sales. Arun Sundaram, senior vice president of CFRA Research, pointed out that investors had been trying to figure out whether Sprouts had developed a model that would allow it to maintain the strong growth it had been seeing, or if it had been depending on favorable conditions that were unlikely to repeat. In retrospect, it would have been better for Sprouts to have called out the fact that the latter was the case when it was soaring than to wait until it ran into trouble to do so, he told me. Another issue that Sprouts is dealing with is that it has leaned heavily on shoppers more concerned with buying healthy foods than saving money. But as CEO Jack Sinclair noted on the call, even those people are feeling the pinch of higher prices and looking for ways to cut costs, putting pressure on Sprouts. [O]ur customers are saying to us, Look, we really love your business. We really love what you do. But can you help us a little bit on affordability? Sinclair explained. Sundaram told me, however, that he thinks Sprouts has struggled to show consumers that its stores are places to find good deals, compounding the challenges the retailer is now facing. In addition, Sprouts is now looking at the need to direct resources toward lowering prices, which is likely to put pressure on its earnings. Theyre lapping strong growth at the same time that theyre also experiencing some weakness amongst their customer base, he said. A lot more customers now are leaning more towards value, and Sprouts hasnt been able to deliver on the value that you can find at other retailers. Sprouts has successfully reversed slumping comparable-store sales in the past. In 2021, the company found itself dealing with underwater comps that were down by as much as 10% as it came off the sharp sales growth it experienced in the previous year during the COVID-19 pandemic. By early the following year, Sprouts was again on the rise. The companys guidance for the coming months suggests that a turnaround might be tough to achieve this time around. Sprouts said last week that it expects comps during its current quarter to be down by as much as 3%, and it is looking at the possibility that its same-store sales will be down for all of fiscal year 2026. As a specialty retailer with a specialized assortment, Sprouts should be well positioned to find ways to stand out even when times get tough. Does it have what it takes to stage another recovery? Recommended Reading A bill to change the Alabama Public Service Commission from an elected board to one appointed by the governor is dead. Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, issued a press release Wednesday saying the bill could not pass. After listening to our constituents back home, there is no scenario in which this bill, HB392, can garner the votes necessary to pass, Gudger said. So, it is time to turn our attention to other matters this session and continue working to provide Alabamians with the efficient, effective, fiscally responsible, and conservative state government that they want and deserve. Advertisement Advertisement The bill was introduced in the Republican-controlled Legislature after Democrats won two Public Service Commission seats in Georgia. After environmental extremists funded by the most liberal Soros groups captured the Public Service Commission in Georgia, the importance of preventing the same outcome from happening in Alabama became an urgency, Gudger said. It appeared to be on a fast-track but was abruptly pulled from the House calendar two weeks ago after doubts about whether it had the support to pass in the Senate. Wednesdays statement by Gudger confirmed that lack of support. Gudger characterized the election in Georgia as the result of environmental extremists and said it was urgent to prevent that from happening in Alabama. Advertisement Advertisement Legislation to reform the Public Service Commission was offered as a solution, but it appeared too quick, moved too fast, addressed the issue too narrowly, and did not provide the public with enough information about why it was even being proposed, Gudger said. HB392 by Rep. Chip Brown, a Republican from Mobile County, would have made the three members of the PSC - which regulates Alabama Power Company and other utilities - appointees of the governor starting with their next term. Brown said two weeks ago that having the governor appoint commissioners would add accountability and defend the agency from out of state interests. At the end of the day, the whole issue is about affordability. Alabama has the highest utility rates in the southeast. And the people in my district live paycheck to paycheck, he said. Advertisement Advertisement His bill won approval in a committee after a contentious public hearing but has not resurfaced after being removed from the House calendar. Although the bill is dead, Gudger said lawmakers intend to try to fix the problems. This does not mean the Legislature will not address the very real issues facing Alabama on the energy front, Gudger said. As we consider how to move forward, I am guided by three convictions: First, power bills are placing a real and growing hardship on working families, on our elderly, and on Alabama businesses. Second, the right of the people to choose the public officials who govern their lives is sacred and must not be surrendered. Advertisement Advertisement Third, there are well-funded interests from beyond our borders who will bring large checkbooks and deceptive arguments into our state not to help Alabamians, but to gain influence and weaken our robust and reliable power grid. Read the original article on al.com. Add al.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. A bill opting Kentucky into a tax credit program promoted by the Trump administration to fund scholarships for K-12 students is winging its way through Kentuckys Republican-controlled legislature. The Senate Education Committee gave its approval to House Bill 1 Thursday morning, the day after the measure arrived in the Senate. Eleven Republicans voted in favor of the bill while the two Democrats on the committee voted against it. HB 1 passed through the House on Tuesday largely along party lines with a vote of 79-17 after it was filed last week by Republicans Rep. Kim Moser, of Taylor Mill; TJ Roberts, of Burlington; and House Speaker David Osborne, of Prospect. The Senate gave the bill a first reading Wednesday, which paves the way for a Friday floor vote. Advertisement Advertisement Some critics of the bill, particularly Democrats, have argued HB 1 is a way to support school choice options at the expense of public schools despite rejections of earlier proposals by Kentucky voters and the state Supreme Court. However, Republicans say the bill would allow K-12 students and their families to benefit from education assistance grants funded by a federal tax credit at no cost to the state and without the use of tax dollars. Moser, the primary sponsor, told the Senate Education Committee that Kentucky students could miss out on benefits if the state fails to opt into the program which was part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that Congress approved last year. We are already paying this money in federal taxes, so its really our choice, she said. We either pay the federal government this money or we redirect those funds back to Kentucky families. If HB 1 passes through the General Assembly this year, it would allow Kentucky K-12 students to receive scholarships for private school tuition and other education assistance funded by donations from people receiving the federal tax credit that will become available in 2027. In addition to tuition, the scholarships may be used for tutoring services, books, internet access and more. Advertisement Advertisement Under the bill, Kentucky may identify eligible scholarship granting organizations (SGO) for students. An SGO can benefit not only private school students, but public school students as well. The federal tax credit is up to $1,700 per year for people who donate to SGOs, which would then give the money to eligible students through scholarships. Kentuckys program would be overseen by the secretary of state, who is currently Republican Michael Adams. His office would report to the U.S. Treasury about the states participation in the federal tax credit. During the Senate Education Committee meeting, Democratic Caucus Chair Reggie Thomas, of Lexington, asked about the haves and have nots. In his district, Fayette County has some private schools that may benefit from students having access to these scholarships, but public schools in neighboring counties may not. Advertisement Advertisement Moser said that public schools may choose to set up an SGO for their students. She has heard of local hospitals working with local schools to help students go into the health care industry. I think that there are all kinds of opportunities it does not have to support a private school, she said. I think that the public schools stand to benefit as much as anyone The committees chairman, Sen. Steve West, R-Paris, highlighted that the income for families of students who can benefit from scholarships must be below 300% of their area median income. To be clear, this tax credit does not affect any current school funding by doing the tax credit. It in no way will take away funding from any other education funding, West said. This is money that the state would not receive if it were not for this program, so if we dont take advantage of this, the money can go somewhere else. Advertisement Advertisement Senate President Pro Tem David Givens, R-Greensberg, urged Kentuckians to support the legislation and consider donating to an SGO before filing their taxes in the future. This is an opportunity for all students across Kentucky. Largely in my part of the world, rural part of the state, my public schools are going to benefit tremendously from this, and my public school students and families are going to benefit tremendously, he said. While explaining his vote against the bill, Senate Democratic Floor Leader Gerald Neal, of Louisville, said, I need more information. This is sort of new to me, and I what I hear sounds like it could be beneficial, but I just dont know how the grit works, and I dont want to do anything that undermines public education in any way, particularly due to the fact that I think theres strong argument that were underfunding it anyway and weve been doing that for a while. Advertisement Advertisement While voting in favor, Senate Republican Floor Leader Max Wise, of Campbellsville, said he feels like sometimes he is in a bizarro world when hearing Democrats explain their votes. Were going to pass this bill. Well pass it off the Senate floor. The governor may veto it. Well be right there to override it, Wise said. But I will tell you those that are voting no and those that are sharing misinformation about this bill this could be something that can be a game changer for your school district. Both the Kentucky House and Senate have Republican supermajorities. Even if Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear vetoes the bill, GOP lawmakers could override him. The governor has opposed past efforts to open charter schools in the state. Asked about the bill during his weekly press conference, Beshear said he has been really clear that public dollars should only go to public schools. Advertisement Advertisement I dont comment on whether Im going to veto or not veto bills until they get to my desk, but Im 100% pro-public education governor that believes that public dollars should only go to public schools, he added. The U.S. Treasury and Department of Education said last month that 23 states had opted-in to the federal tax credit, including Kentucky neighbors Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. This story has been updated to include additional comments. The Brief Gov. Tim Walz is set to announce a comprehensive anti-fraud legislative package targeting Medicaid fraud in Minnesota. Both DFL and GOP members have introduced separate plans to tackle Medicaid fraud, with differing approaches. A recent report highlights historical failures in Minnesota's fraud prevention efforts, dating back to the 1970s. ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Gov. Tim Walz is set to outline his plan to take on fraud in Minnesota during a news conference on Thursday. Gov. Walz fraud plan What we know Gov. Walz is scheduled to speak at 10:45 a.m. to introduce a "comprehensive anti-fraud legislative package" to take on Medicaid fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Walz will be joined by members of his administration, including Department of Human Services Commissioner Shireen Gandhi, Department of Human Services Inspector General James Clark, and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans. Dig deeper Program Integrity Director Tim O'Malley is not listed among the participants in the news conference. O'Malley, who was tapped by Gov. Walz to lead an investigation into the state's fraud problem last year, released a report this week on Minnesota's fraud situation. It found failures by the state dating back to the 1970s and the state consistently failing to act on the recommendations of state and federal auditors to address weaknesses in fraud prevention. Advertisement Advertisement The report also included analysis from former Department of Human Services workers who claimed department leaders urged "compassion over compliance" when it came to fraud prevention measures. DFL members introduce their plan The backstory It's unclear how Gov. Walz plan will differ or overlap with plans released on Wednesday by Attorney General Keith Ellison and Democratic leaders in the Minnesota leadership. Ellison and Rep. Matt Norris pushed for a revised MAP Act on Wednesday which would increase staffing in the attorney general's fraud unit, give him increased subpoena powers, make it easier to prosecute Medicaid fraud cases, and increase the penalties for Medicaid fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Later that day, DFL leaders also introduced a package of 13 bills aimed at taking on Medicaid fraud. The bills would allow for increased site visits, background checks on providers, electronic visit verification, and modernizing state computer systems. GOP released their own fraud plan The other side At the same time, GOP members have unveiled their Fraud Isn't Free Act, which would hold agency heads and staff accountable for not acting quickly enough to respond to fraud cases. The bill would also include budget penalties for agencies that are dealing with fraud and salary penalties for the agency heads. The Source This story uses a press advisory from Gov. Walz's office and past reporting from FOX 9. Insulting graffiti targeting Oleksandr Lytvynenko, Ukraine's Ambassador to Serbia, appeared in the centre of the Serbian city of Novi Sad on 25 February. Source: Radio Liberty Balkan Service, as reported by European Pravda Details: The graffiti appeared the day after a monument to Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko was vandalised in the city. There have been no official reports on whether anyone has been held accountable for the earlier desecration of the monument. Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's Embassy in Belgrade responded by condemning the damage to the monument to the Ukrainian poet as a shameful act. Background: Unidentified perpetrators recently vandalised a monument to the Home Army, the predominant resistance movement in German-occupied Poland during the Second World War, at the Central Cemetery in Szczecin, Poland. Polish authorities have also investigated an incident in which a red-and-black OUN flag and the slogan "Glory to the UPA" were painted on a monument to the victims of the Volyn tragedy. [The Volyn (Volhynia) tragedy was a series of events that led to the ethnic cleansing of the Polish and Ukrainian populations in 1943 during the Second World War. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! HEBRON - Shane Colton Albert of Hebron, who died after an accident Monday, was a mechanically gifted, hardworking man who was characteristically working when his life ended, his parents, Keith and Jennifer Albert, said Wednesday. He was 25. "He loved life. He loved helping others," Jennifer Albert said. "If you needed help right now, he'd be on his way." Shane Albert was a heavy equipment operator with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 478. During the storm, he was working a side gig, plowing out residential and commercial properties in Hebron, his parents said. Advertisement Advertisement The accident happened on Burnt Hill Road in Hebron when a ratchet strap snapped and struck him in the head, Connecticut State Police said. The emergency response unfolded during heavy snow and strong winds. Keith Albert said police have not told him and his wife details about the accident. Shane Albert grew up in Hebron and attended RHAM High School through 10th grade. He finished high school with the Penn Foster online program, his mother said. He operated giant excavators for a living and loved working on engines and equipment, his parents said. At the time of his death, he was restoring an antique tractor and a cafe racer motorcycle, they said. Keith Albert is a retired deputy chief with the West Hartford Fire Department and Jennifer Albert is a real estate agent. Advertisement Advertisement "Shane grew up around the firehouse, and his kindness, warmth, and passion touched many lives both inside and outside our walls," West Hartford Fire Fighters Local 1241 posted on Facebook. "We ask our community to keep Chief Albert and his family in their thoughts as they navigate this profound loss." Keith Albert said his son, whose grandfathers on both sides also were firefighters, would ride along with him on his shifts. Shane Albert joined the Hebron Fire Department as a cadet, but he always wanted to run machines like the tractors and backhoes he operated as a boy on the family's horse farm in Hebron, his father said. He planned to build his own house on a seven-acre parcel across the road from his parents' place, and he wanted to marry and have kids, his father said. "It just doesn't seem real," Keith Albert posted on Facebook. "He was 25 years old and had his whole life ahead of him. A great life it would have been! Advertisement Advertisement "We will struggle to move forward and we see constant reminders of him everywhere," the post read. "A parent should never bury a child, especially at this young age! Our trust is in God and his promises! We love and miss you Shane!!!" Shane ALbert also loved fishing, boating and snowmobiling, his parents said. Besides his mother and father, survivors include his younger sister, Daniela Albert, and his grandparents on his mother's side, Keith Albert said. Funeral arrangements were incomplete as of Wednesday morning. This article originally published at Connecticut man killed after hit by ratchet strap in blizzard had 'great life' ahead, family says. On March 3, in addition to the primary election, some small-town school districts will have an important question to ask. The proposed question will be whether or not to form their own districts after years of being combined with neighbors. For small towns across Arkansas, a school isn't just a place to learnit's the heart of the community. "Our communities need hope. Our kids need hope. If we give them those opportunities, they step up and excel," explained Superintendent Valorie McCleary with the Searcy County School District (SCSD). Advertisement Advertisement During a meeting held on Wednesday morning, residents, school board members, and staff met with the Arkansas Department of Education to ask questions ahead of Tuesday's election. On some ballots, voters will decide on Act 919, a law that allows certain districts to form independent districts. Meanwhile, supporters call it a lifeline for schools at risk, especially in rural areas where options are limited, like in Searcy County. "There aren't choices. We have public school. We have online school, and we have homeschool, and it's important we step into that role to meet the needs of parents," added McCleary. Advertisement Advertisement McCleary said she was asked to share her district's plan to merge two districts, but operate independently, while sharing resources like having one superintendent. "This kind of model saves Timbo [some] money. They don't have to spend as much money for a full-time superintendent or some of those other administrative positions, and it's really coming together for the best interest of kids, especially for small communities in rural areas where we need the chance to still educate them in person," she said. Act 919 took effect in 2025, making it the first election where voters will decide how they want to proceed under the new law. McCleary explained how this model preserves SCSD and Timbo's ability to govern locally. Advertisement Advertisement "They will get to have their own board and make their own decisions, and it's a model that preserves public education, rural public education, and small communities when we are facing challenging times," she added. She also said it will keep doors open for programs that help students succeed. "We have a vocational technical center where we're able to serve kids. We have an LPN program for our students where they can graduate with an LPN degree through our partnership with North Ark Community College. That's a program we don't want to lose, but it's at a cost to us and in our area to keep providing that, and so, not wanting to lose those things we need to save some money," McCleary described. Voters in those districts will see these questions on their primary ballots through March 3, 2026. The Searcy School District's plans also include a charter conversion to give students more flexibility in career readiness. Hillary Clinton delivered a withering rebuke to a congressional committee investigating her supposed links to Jeffrey Epstein on Thursday, accusing its Republican members of embarking on a fishing expedition intended to cover up and deflect attention from the actions of Donald Trump. In a furious opening statement, the former secretary of state suggested the event was partisan political theatre and an insult to the American people while repeating her insistence that she had never met Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex trafficker who died in 2019. You have compelled me to testify, fully aware that I have no knowledge that would assist your investigation, in order to distract attention from President Trumps actions and to cover them up despite legitimate calls for answers, she said, according to remarks she shared during the closed-door testimony. Advertisement Advertisement Clintons onslaught came on the first day of a session that will also include a deposition on Friday by her husband, Bill Clinton, the former US president. The hearing is being staged at an arts center near the couples home in Chappaqua in upstate New York. The Clintons reluctantly agreed to appear in response to a subpoena from the committees Republican chair, James Comer, after being threatened with contempt of Congress charges. In her opening statement, Clinton excoriated the proceedings as designed to protect one political party and one public official, rather than to seek truth and justice for the victims and survivors. Referencing her own career campaigning against sex trafficking, she added: If this committee is serious about learning the truth about Epsteins trafficking crimes, it would not rely on press gaggles to get answers from our current president on his involvement; it would ask him directly under oath about the tens of thousands of times he shows up in the Epstein files. Advertisement Advertisement If the majority was serious, it would not waste time on fishing expeditions. There is too much that needs to be done. What is being held back? Who is being protected? And why the cover-up? The hearing was temporarily suspended at the request of Clintons legal team after a photo of her giving testimony was shared on social media. It was later reported that the picture, posted by the Maga influencer Benny Johnson, had been taken by Lauren Boebert, one of the committees Republican members. It is against the rules for witnesses or lawmakers to take pictures during closed-door congressional hearings. Democrats condemned the breach as unacceptable. Boebert defended her conduct on social media after the disruption. No US ambassadors were harmed in the taking of todays photo, she wrote, in a reference to the storming of a US diplomatic compound in the Libyan city of Benghazi in 2012, which happened when Clinton was secretary of state and resulted in the deaths of four Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Clinton resumed her testimony to the House of Representatives oversight committee shortly afterwards. Robert Garcia, the committees ranking Democrat, said that during the interruption, Clinton had called for the hearing to be opened to the media. Speaking after her committee testimony, Clinton told press gathered outside she would have preferred the testimony be public, but was distressed about agreed-upon rules being disregarded by the committee. They had a chance to do it in public and I wish they had done it in public, she said, adding that she found their questions to be very repetitive. I dont know how many times I had to say I did not know Jeffrey Epstein, she said. It is on the record numerous times. Advertisement Advertisement Clinton told reporters that the questions also veered off-topic and got quite unusual, with questions about UFOs and Pizzagate, a repeatedly discredited conspiracy theory linking the Democratic party to a pedophilia ring. She expressed frustration about the way the investigation was being handled. No Republican members asked any questions about Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell to anyone else they have disposed, she said. The Clintons have previously complained they are being singled out unfairly to distract public attention from Trump, who had a long friendship with Epstein before breaking with him. They wanted the testimony to be given in public, rather than released later in video and accompanying transcripts, as was planned. Speaking during an afternoon break in proceedings, Garcia said Clinton had answered every question and called for transcripts of her deposition to be released within 24 hours. The American people have a right to know exactly what she said, what questions were asked of her and how she responded, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Bill Clinton is scheduled to give testimony under identical circumstances on Friday, as representatives investigate links with Epstein that he has acknowledged and which are confirmed in files released by the justice department under congressional mandate. Committee members have travelled to Chappaqua for the proceedings after it was agreed that the Clintons would not have to testify on Capitol Hill. Written transcripts and video footage from the depositions are expected to be released in the coming days. Addressing journalists outside the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, where the Clinton hearings are being staged, Republicans and Democrats vied for control of the narrative surrounding the files. Comer, the committee chair, accused the Clintons of trying to avoid a subpoena when other public figures including Bill Barr and Alex Acosta, members of the first Trump administration had responded willingly. Advertisement Advertisement The Clintons havent answered very many, if any, questions about their knowledge or involvement with Epstein and [Ghislaine] Maxwell, Comer said. Again, no one is accusing at this moment the Clintons of any wrongdoing. Theyre going to have due process. But we have a lot of questions, and the purpose of the whole investigation is to try to understand many things about Epstein. Garcia told reporters that he supported Bill Clinton being asked to address the committee but said Democrats would now demand that Trump testify following disclosures that files relating to a woman alleging he had sexually assaulted her when she was a minor had been excluded from the documents released. He said: Lets get President Trump in front of our committee to answer the questions that are being asked across this country, from survivors, from those have been brutally attacked and raped, sometimes as children. Hillary Clintons summons has prompted accusations that the depositions are a partisan exercise intended to deflect scrutiny of Trumps long association with Epstein. Advertisement Advertisement James Walkinshaw, a Virginia Democrat on the committee, said: There is no indication zero, zip, zilch, nada that Secretary Clinton had any knowledge of Epsteins crimes. My fear is were here today as part of a political exercise, part of a long-running fever dream where Republicans want to lock up Secretary Clinton. Both Clintons have deep experience in facing Republican-led inquisitions and have often emerged in politically stronger positions. Hillary Clinton testified for nine hours in 2015 to a House select committee investigating the Benghazi attack. Her appearance was widely deemed to have neutralized Republican attacks and boosted her campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. Bill Clinton provided two sworn testimonies in 1998 resulting from a Republican-driven independent counsel investigation. Advertisement Advertisement One related to sexual harassment allegations brought by Paula Jones, a former Arkansas state employee. He also gave grand jury testimony over allegations that his testimony in the previous hearing about his relationship with Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern, amounted to perjury and obstruction of justice. Bill Clinton has denied any wrongdoing and has called for all files relating to Epstein to be released. About 3m documents are believed to still be in the justice departments possession, in violation of the terms of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Clinton acknowledges flying four times on Epsteins private plane, nicknamed the Lolita Express, and appears in several photographs in the files, including one showing him and Epstein in a hot tub with a woman whose identity is redacted. He says he cut ties with Epstein in 2006 as the financiers sexual crimes became known. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the House Oversight Committee during roughly six hours of testimony Thursday that she has no new information about Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, and she criticized Republicans' handling of their investigations into the late convicted sex offender. "I had no idea about their criminal activities. I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island home or offices," she said in her opening statement, which she posted on X and delivered at a closed-door hearing with lawmakers. After the interview, Hillary Clinton told reporters that she "answered every one of their questions as fully as I could" and that those questions "were repetitive." The answers, she said, were that "I never met Jeffrey Epstein" and "I knew Ghislaine Maxwell casually, as an acquaintance." Advertisement Advertisement "I don't know how many times I had to say I didn't know Jeffrey Epstein," she said, adding that the session took an odd turn toward the end, when one of the members asked her about UFOs and the pizzagate conspiracy theory. Hillary Clinton speaks to the media Thursday after she testified in a closed-door deposition to the House Oversight Committee in Chappaqua, N.Y. (David Dee Delgado / Getty Images) (David Dee Delgado) Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., said the interview was "productive." "I think we learned a lot," he said, adding that on some questions involving the Clinton Global Initiative, Hillary Clinton told lawmakers, "You have to ask my husband." Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., said Hillary Clinton "took every question from every single member" on both sides of the aisle. In her opening statement, the former first lady accused the panel of engaging in partisan "fishing expeditions" by forcing her and her husband to sit for depositions and said it was interviewing the wrong people. Advertisement Advertisement "[Y]ou have compelled me to testify, fully aware that I have no knowledge that would assist your investigation, in order to distract attention from President Trump's actions and cover them up despite legitimate calls for answers," she wrote in the statement. "If this committee is serious about learning the truth about Epstein's trafficking crimes, it would not rely on press gaggles to get answers from our current president on his involvement; it would ask him directly under oath about the tens of thousands of times he shows up in the Epstein files," the statement said. Trump has never been charged with any wrongdoing connected to Epstein and has denied any wrongdoing. The Clintons have also repeatedly denied wrongdoing related to Epstein and have not been accused of any crimes in connection with him. Comer told reporters before the interview that "this isnt a partisan witch hunt. This was a motion, a bipartisan motion, supported by the Democrats, to bring the Clintons in. So I dont think its any type of being unfair in any way to the Clintons." Advertisement Advertisement The interview, which was videotaped, took place in Chappaqua, New York, where the Clintons have a house. The committee will meet with former President Bill Clinton for a similar deposition Friday. Comer said Hillary Clintons appearance was "going to be a long video and a long deposition" and that the deposition of the former president will be "even longer." A source familiar with the situation told NBC News that Thursday's questioning was briefly paused after conservative influencer Benny Johnson posted two pictures of Hillary Clinton during the questioning on social media, which he said were shared with him by Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo. NBC News reached out to both sides of the committee for comment on the delay. Benny did nothing wrong. Proceeding with deposition, Boebert said on X a short time later. Advertisement Advertisement The top Democrat on the panel, Rep. Robert Garcia of California, told reporters during a midafternoon break that what Boebert did was completely against the rules and that there should be repercussions. Hillary Clinton said afterward that what happened was "very upsetting," because it suggested that Republicans might violate other rules that had been agreed upon. She said the session resumed after there were reassurances that there would not be any more incidents. Speaking to reporters throughout the day, Democrats on the committee said they hoped that deposing the Clintons would open the door to deposing other prominent politicians named in the files, including President Donald Trump. This committee has now set a new precedent about talking to presidents and former presidents, and were demanding immediately that we ask President Trump to testify in front of our committee and be deposed in front of Oversight Republicans and Democrats," Garcia said. "And that should happen immediately." Advertisement Advertisement The in-person interviews come after months of bitter back-and-forth between the former first couple and the committee, which at one point threatened to hold the Clintons in contempt of Congress for failing to comply with a subpoena it issued in August. The committee initially scheduled their depositions for October. Comer has accused them of having given the panel the runaround since then. "We worked for six months to get the Clintons to come in," Comer said. The Clintons had volunteered to testify at a public hearing, but Comer said the committee's practice is to conduct closed-door interviews with witnesses before it holds hearings. Advertisement Advertisement "We're going to release the transcripts, release the video as soon as everyone approves it," Comer said. "No one has accused the Clintons of wrongdoing," he added, but we're "trying to understand many things" about how Epstein operated. Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee who lost the presidential election to Trump in 2016, has said she and her husband have little information to offer the panel about Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 as he was awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. She has accused the committee of using her and her husband to try to distract from Trump's ties to Epstein. Undated photographs of Bill Clinton with Epstein and Maxwell were released in December in the first tranche of documents made public under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a 2025 law that requires the Justice Department to make public its investigative files relating to Epstein and Maxwell. Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear where the photos were taken. Bill Clinton's spokesperson, Angel Urena, has said he traveled on Epsteins plane four times in 2002 and 2003 on trips for his Clinton Foundation. It's also unclear whether Hillary Clinton, who did not go on those trips, ever met Epstein, who pleaded guilty in Florida to a state charge of soliciting a minor in 2008 and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. She told the BBC this month that she does not believe she met him. Hillary Clinton did, however, know Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 of federal sex trafficking charges, including conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts. Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence. In an unusual interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche last year, Maxwell said that President Clinton was my friend, not Epsteins friend, and that she was the one who asked Epstein to let Bill Clinton and other foundation members and guests use his plane in 2002. Advertisement Advertisement It's unclear when Maxwell first met the former president. She said a mutual friend introduced them after he left office in 2001. She said that she met Hillary Clinton at some point in either Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts and that "I went to the house in Chappaqua a few times." Maxwell did not say when those trips were. She told Blanche that Bill Clinton was "very close" friends with billionaire Ted Waitt, whom she said she dated from 2003 to 2010. Maxwell and Waitt both attended Chelsea Clinton's wedding in 2010. Maxwell was also spotted at a 2013 Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting in New York City, years after she had been publicly accused in a civil suit of helping Epstein groom and sexually abuse minors. It's unclear when she last saw or communicated with Hillary Clinton. Advertisement Advertisement In her BBC interview, the former secretary of state said that she'd met Maxwell on "a few occasions" and that "thousands of people go to the Clinton Global Initiative." In her interview with Blanche, Maxwell was asked when she had last gone on a trip with or seen Bill Clinton. "It was in was late 2000 and, I dont know, 16, 17, 18, something in it was in Los Angeles," she said. "I think he was hosting something or he was at an event and I was in L.A. and I had dinner with him." In a sworn declaration sent to the Oversight Committee last month and obtained by NBC News, Bill Clinton said, "I have no recollection of when I first met Ms. Maxwell, though I believe she was working for Mr. Epstein at the time." He added that she "later began a personal relationship with a mutual friend." "I have no recollection of exactly when I last saw her, but it was many years ago," Bill Clinton said in the declaration, which was first reported by The New York Times. A separate declaration from Hillary Clinton used the same language about Maxwell, and both Clintons said they had "no personal knowledge" of either Epstein's or Maxwell's "criminal activities." Maxwell told Blanche that she never saw Bill Clinton or Trump doing anything inappropriate. After her interview with Blanche, a former Trump attorney, Maxwell was transferred from a prison in Florida to a lower, minimum-security prison camp in Texas. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com CHAPPAQUA, New York Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accused House lawmakers who subpoenaed her of going on a fishing expedition for information about accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein rather than questioning Justice Department officials who failed to prosecute the late financier. "If the majority was serious, it would not waste time on fishing expeditions," Clinton told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee during a deposition at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center near her home in suburban New York. "What is being held back? Who is being protected? And why the cover-up?" But Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, who is leading the inquiry, said lawmakers wanted to learn more about how Epstein raised his money and how he accumulated a social network of rich and powerful men. He said lawmakers would ask why Epstein raised money for the Clinton family foundation and why his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, attended her daughter's wedding. Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers couldn't detail Clinton's answers to questions until the transcript and video of the session are released. No one is accusing, at this moment, the Clintons of wrongdoing, Comer told reporters before the deposition. But we have a lot of questions. House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos from Jeffrey Epsteins email on Dec. 12, 2025, that show former President Bill Clinton and Ghislaine Maxwell with Epstein in this undated photograph. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to give depositions to a House committee about accused late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein , defusing a potential showdown between the legislative and executive branches . A painting of former U.S. President Bill Clinton wearing a dress is displayed inside the Manhattan home of Jeffrey Epstein in this image from the estate of late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, released by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., U.S., on December 19, 2025. Former President Bill Clinton stands with Jeffrey Epstein in this image released by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 19, 2025 as part of a new trove of documents from its investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Mick Jagger and Ghislaine Maxwell are seen in this image released by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., U.S., on December 19, 2025 as part of a new trove of documents from its investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Images were released by the US DOJ without location information, dates or context. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton appears in this image released by the Department of Justice on Dec. 19, 2025 as part of a new trove of documents related to Jefferey Epstein. The images were released by the US DOJ without location information, dates or context. Former President Bill Clinton appears in this image released by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 19, 2025 as part of a new trove of documents from its investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. (L-R) Michael Jackson, Bill Clinton and Diana Ross in a photo that was part of thousands of files related to Jefferey Epstein released by the Department of Justice on Dec. 19, 2025. The images were released by the US DOJ with redactions and without location information, dates or context. Former President Bill Clinton with an unidentified woman in a photo that was part of thousands of files related to Jeffrey Epstein released by the Department of Justice on Dec. 19, 2025. The images were released by the DOJ without location information, dates or context. (L-R) Mick Jagger, an unidentified woman and Bill Clinton in a photo that was part of thousands of files related to Jefferey Epstein released by the Department of Justice on Dec. 19, 2025. The images were released by the US DOJ without location information, dates or context. Kevin Spacey and Bill Clinton in a photo that was part of thousands of files related to Jefferey Epstein released by the Department of Justice on Dec. 19, 2025. The images were released by the US DOJ without location information, dates or context. Chris Tucker poses next to former U.S. President Bill Clinton in an undated photograph released by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., U.S., on December 19, 2025 as part of a new trove of documents from its investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Images were released without locations, dates or context. See photos of Bill Clinton from the Epstein files 1 of 11 House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos from Jeffrey Epsteins email on Dec. 12, 2025, that show former President Bill Clinton and Ghislaine Maxwell with Epstein in this undated photograph. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to give depositions to a House committee about accused late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein , defusing a potential showdown between the legislative and executive branches . The congressional inquiry comes at a time when lawmakers and women who accused Epstein of abuse have forced the Justice Department to released 3 million pages of documents from his criminal investigation. But millions more pages remain sealed, and President Donald Trump has said the country should move on. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges of child sex trafficking. Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison term for conspiring to transport minors for illicit sex. Critics of the investigation have questioned why more co-conspirators havent been charged. Advertisement Advertisement Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to testify Feb. 27, the first time Congress has forced a former president to answer questions, although presidents occasionally answered voluntarily. Here is what to know about Hillary Clinton's testimony: Clinton calls hours-long questions 'very repetitive' Hillary Clinton commended Comer for raising a series of significant questions near the end of the session about the nature of the investigation that she said should be explored. But she said most of the questions were repetitive. I appreciated that. I want to see the truth come out, Clinton told reporters. That was a reassuring way to end a very long, repetitive deposition. Advertisement Advertisement Asked about the prospect for a public hearing, Clinton said: Im not going to do it again. One question that lawmakers previewed before the session was why Maxwell attended Chelsea Clintons wedding in 2010. She came as the plus-one the guest of someone who was invited, Clinton said, without elaborating. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks to the members of the media outside the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, on the day she appears for a deposition in the House Oversight Committee investigation of late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in Chappaqua, New York, on Feb. 26, 2026. Hillary Clinton denies knowing about Epstein's criminal activity The Clintons have said they were unaware of Epsteins criminal activity and knew little about him. But Comer has said Epstein visited the White House 16 times while Bill Clinton was president. After leaving office, Clinton traveled 27 times on Epsteins plane. Hillary Clinton, in her opening statement, told the committee that she knew nothing about Epstein's criminal activity. Advertisement Advertisement "I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island, homes or offices. I have nothing to add to that," Hillary Clinton said. Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee who lost to Trump in 2016, urged the committee not to rely on press gaggles with Trump but to ask him "directly under oath about the tens of thousands of times he shows up in the Epstein files." Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, speaks to the media on the day of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appearance for a deposition in the House Oversight Committee investigation of late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center in Chappaqua, New York, on Feb. 26, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. Trump and Epstein were friends in the 1990s and early 2000s before a falling out, but Trump has denied knowing anything about his wrongdoing. Comer said the committee has already questioned Republicans including former Labor Secretary Alex Acosta and former Attorney General Bill Barr. Advertisement Advertisement "This isnt a partisan witch hunt," said Comer, who noted that some Democrats voted to subpoena the Clintons and joined the resolutions to hold them in contempt if they didn't show up. I dont think its any type of being unfair in any way to the Clintons." Images of former President Bill Clinton are on display as Chairman of the House Oversight Committee James Comer, R-Kentucky, speaks during a meeting to vote on whether to hold Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress for defying subpoenas to testify in the panel's investigation of the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 21, 2026. Garcia argues committee should subpoena Trump Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the committee, told reporters before the deposition began that subpoenaing Bill Clinton set a precedent and that the panel should now subpoena Trump, too. "Let's get President Trump in front of our committee to answer the questions that are being asked across this country from survivors, from those who have been brutally attacked and raped, sometimes as children," Garcia said. Representative Robert Garcia, D-California, speaks on the day of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appearance for a deposition in the House Oversight Committee investigation of late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center in Chappaqua, New York, on Feb. 26, 2026. Republicans not planning to subpoena Trump Republicans said they didnt need to subpoena Trump. Comer said Trump had already answered hundreds if not thousands of questions from reporters about Epstein and signed legislation releasing millions of documents. Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Florida, said the committee questioned women who accused Epstein of abuse about Trump and they said he wasnt involved. We had cooperation, we asked the victims directly and he was exonerated, Luna said. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Ghislaine Maxwell and late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein pose in this handout image released from Epstein's estate by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 12, 2025. Republicans expect more questions for Bill Clinton Hillary Clinton answered questions from 11 a.m. until about 5:30 p.m. Republicans said the session with Bill Clinton could last even longer. Some of the questions for Hillary Clinton dealt with Epsteins fundraising for the Clinton Global Initiative, a foundation seeking action on issues such as the climate and health care. Comer said she replied that she was a senator during the time period in question and the lawmakers would have to ask her husband about it. Advertisement Advertisement We have a lot of questions for her husband tomorrow, Comer said. Im confident that deposition will last even longer than this one. Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, speaks on the day of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appearance for a deposition in the House Oversight Committee investigation of late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as Reps Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, Nancy Mace, R-South Carolina, Scott Perry, R-Pennsylvania, Anna Paulina Luna, R-Florida, and Eric Burlison, R-Missouri, listen, outside the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center in Chappaqua, New York, on Feb. 26, 2026. Clinton deposition paused briefly after lawmaker leaks Hillary Clinton photo The closed-door deposition was paused for a few minutes after Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, sent pictures of Clinton from inside the room to conservative podcaster Benny Johnson. "This is the first time Hillary has had to answer real questions about Epstein," Johnson said in posting the pictures on social media. "Clinton does not look happy." Nick Merrill, a Clinton adviser, told reporters the release of the picture was unauthorized. Clinton had asked to have the deposition taken at a public hearing but Comer refused. Advertisement Advertisement Comer has said the transcript and video would be released as soon as all participants agreed. Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Arizona, flanked by Reps. Robert Garcia, D-California; Suhas Subramanyam, D-Virginia, and Wesley Bell, D-Missouri, speaks on the day of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appearance for a deposition in the House Oversight Committee investigation of late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center in Chappaqua, New York, on Feb. 26, 2026. Democrats call Clinton deposition a 'clown show' and 'political theater' Democrats criticized the deposition as a clown show and political theater. The lawmakers weren't able to describe Clinton's testimony before the official transcript is released, but said the questions and answers provided no new information. Today we are sitting through an incredibly unserious clown show of a deposition where members of Congress in the Republican Party are more concerned about getting their photo op of Secretary Clinton than actually getting to the truth and holding anyone accountable, said Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Arizona. Rep. Wesley Bell, D-Missouri, a former prosecutor, said the deposition yielded no new information. Advertisement Advertisement What were seeing is political theater, Bell said. What were seeing is people looking for headlines and tweets. The motorcade believed to be carrying former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton makes its way toward the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, as Clinton is scheduled for a deposition as part of the House Oversight Committee's investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in Chappaqua, New York, on Feb. 26, 2026. Members of the media gather outside the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center as members of the House Oversight Committee conduct a deposition with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as part of the committee's investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in Chappaqua, New York, on Feb. 26, 2026. Chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee Rep. James Comer (R-KY) steps out to speak to the media prior a closed-door deposition with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center on Feb. 26, 2026 in Chappaqua, New York. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), joined by Republican members of the House Oversight Committee walks outside for a media appearance prior to a closed-door deposition with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center on Feb. 26, 2026 in Chappaqua, New York. Chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee Rep. James Comer (R-KY) joined by Republican members of the committee, speaks to members of the media while ahead of a closed-door deposition with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center on Feb. 26, 2026 in Chappaqua, New York. Representative Robert Garcia (D-CA) speaks on the day of former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons appearance for a deposition in the House Oversight Committee investigation of late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center in Chappaqua, New York, Feb. 26, 2026. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), joined by Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee, speaks to members of the media before a closed-door deposition with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center on Feb. 26, 2026 in Chappaqua, New York. A police officer looks on as members of the media gather outside the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, ahead of a deposition with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as part of the House Oversight Committee's investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in Chappaqua, New York, on Feb. 26, 2026. Television crews set up in front of The Chappaqua Performing Arts Center in Chappaqua, New York on Feb. 26, 2026. House Oversight Committee deposes Hillary Clinton in Chappaqua, NY 1 of 9 The motorcade believed to be carrying former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton makes its way toward the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, as Clinton is scheduled for a deposition as part of the House Oversight Committee's investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in Chappaqua, New York, on Feb. 26, 2026. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to come up in Clinton questioning Republican lawmakers said they would ask about Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's relationship with Epstein. He attended a lunch with his family on Epstein's private Caribbean island in 2012, and his name appeared in about 10 emails released in the documents. Lutnick told a Senate committee this month that he saw no criminal activity and that he had nothing to hide. I think its a good possibility that his name will arise in some questioning today," Comer said. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testifies before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on Feb. 10, 2026 in Washington, DC. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-South Carolina, said she would ask about Lutnick. It will be on my list, Mace said. I have an email I printed off where Hillary asked about Howard Lutnick. Fallout continues from revelations in Epstein documents The fallout from the release of the Epstein documents continues. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor whose brother, King Charles, stripped him of the title of prince was arrested Feb. 19 in England on suspicion of misconduct over his connection to Epstein. Peter Mandelson, formerly Britains ambassador to the United States, was arrested Feb. 23 on suspicion of misconduct in public office tied to allegations of passing confidential documents to Epstein. Why are the Clintons being scrutinized? The Clintons have said they were unaware of Epsteins criminal activity and knew little about him. Clinton's name appears in flight logs from 2002 and 2003 that document travel with Epstein to destinations including Thailand, Portugal, Ghana, Russia and China. Those trips took place years before Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to charges related to prostitution involving a minor. The former president also appeared in pictures and in a handwritten note in a book that Maxwell assembled for Epsteins 50th birthday. Maxwell attended a Clinton Global Initiative event in 2013. In a BBC interview, Clinton said her attendance at the event was circumstantial as thousands of people go to the Clinton Global Initiative. How unusual is it for Congress to subpoena former presidents? Bill Clintons deposition will mark the first time Congress forced a former president to testify, although presidents occasionally answered questions voluntarily. Democrats have said the subpoena sets a precedent that will allow them to force President Donald Trump to testify when they regain control of Congress. Contributing: Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hillary Clinton testifies about Jeffrey Epstein in House investigation WASHINGTON (AP) Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told members of Congress on Thursday that she had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epsteins or Ghislaine Maxwells crimes, starting off two days of depositions that will also include former President Bill Clinton. I had no idea about their criminal activities. I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein, Hillary Clinton said in an opening statement she shared on social media. The closed-door deposition concluded Thursday after over six hours of Hillary Clinton giving an answer to every question. The depositions in the Clintons' hometown of Chappaqua, a typically quiet hamlet north of New York City, come after months of tense back-and-forth between the former high-powered Democratic couple and the Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee as it investigates Epstein, who killed himself in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial. It will be the first time that a former president has been forced to testify before Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Yet the demand for a reckoning over Epstein's abuse of underage girls has become a near-unstoppable force on Capitol Hill and beyond. President Donald Trump, a Republican who has expressed regret that the Clintons are being forced to testify, bowed last year to pressure to release case files on Epstein. The Clintons, too, agreed to testify after their offers of sworn statements were rebuffed by the Oversight panel and its chairman, Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., threatened criminal contempt of Congress charges against them. Like every decent person," Hillary Clinton added in her opening statement, I have been horrified by what we have learned about their crimes. She has previously said that her husband flew with Epstein for charitable trips but that she did not recall ever meeting Epstein. She had also interacted with Maxwell, Epsteins former girlfriend and confidant, at conferences hosted by the Clinton Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Maxwell, a British socialite, also attended the 2010 wedding of their daughter, Chelsea Clinton. As she exited the event center where the deposition was held, Hillary Clinton told reporters that Maxwell had come to the wedding as a guest of someone else and that she had told the committee she only knew Maxwell as an acquaintance. Republicans relish chance to question Clintons Bill Clinton, however, has emerged as a top target for Republicans amid the political struggle over who receives the most scrutiny for their ties to Epstein. Several photos of the former president were included in the first tranche of Epstein files released by the Department of Justice in January, including a number of him with women whose faces were redacted. Clinton has not been accused of wrongdoing in his relationship with Epstein. Comer has also pointed to Hillary Clinton's work as secretary of state to address sex trafficking as another reason to insist on her deposition. Clinton defended her work to address sex trafficking around the world, saying that it remained important to help the millions of survivors of sex trafficking. Advertisement Advertisement The committee's investigation has also sought to understand why the Department of Justice under previous presidential administrations did not seek further charges against Epstein following a 2008 arrangement in which he pleaded guilty to state charges in Florida for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl but avoided federal charges. Hillary Clinton accused Comer of running a one-sided investigation that has failed to hold Trump and other Republican officials to account. This institutional failure is designed to protect one political party and one public official, she said. Yet conspiracy theories, especially on the right, have swirled for years around the Clintons and their connections to Epstein and Maxwell, who argues she was wrongfully convicted. Republicans have long wanted to press the Clintons for answers. Hillary Clinton said that one Republican lawmaker asked her a line of questions about vile, bogus conspiracy theories. Advertisement Advertisement The deposition was also paused after Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., sent a photo of Hillary Clinton in the private proceeding to a conservative influencer who posted it on social media, violating the committee's rules for depositions. Democrats said that the incident underscored how important it was for there to be a clear public record of the deposition. Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the Oversight panel, said that Hillary Clinton, after the incident, repeated her longstanding demand that the deposition be made public, and Democrats called for a video and transcript of the complete proceedings to be released quickly. Comer said that he would work quickly to release a video and transcript of the deposition. The purpose of the whole investigation is to try to understand many things about Epstein, he told reporters outside the convention center where the depositions were being held. How did he accumulate so much wealth? How was he able to surround himself with some of the most powerful men in the world?" Democrats call for Trump to testify Democrats, now being led by a new generation of politicians, have prioritized transparency around Epstein over defending the former leaders of their party. Several Democratic lawmakers joined with Republicans on the Oversight panel to advance the contempt of Congress charges against the Clintons last month. Several said they had no relationship with the Clintons and owed no loyalty to them. Advertisement Advertisement Garcia also called on Trump to testify in the investigation. He argued that Bill Clintons appearance sets a precedent that should apply to Trump as well. "Lets get President Trump in front of our committee to answer the questions that are being asked across this country from survivors, Garcia said. Comer previously said that the committee cant depose Trump because he is a sitting president. Still, Democrats are also coming off an effort this week to confront Trump about his administration's handling of the Epstein files by taking women who survived Epstein's abuse as their guests to Trump's State of the Union address. Advertisement Advertisement Garcia and others are also challenging the Department of Justice's assertion that it has met the requirements of a law passed by Congress last year that mandates the release of many of the case files on Epstein. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said his caucus in the coming days would also review unredacted versions of the Epstein case files at a Department of Justice office. Schumer, who demanded that the department release all of the files and preserve all materials, said they will pull on every thread until they reveal this massive cover-up." ___ Follow the AP's coverage of Jeffrey Epstein at https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein. By Arsheeya Bajwa and Stephen Nellis Feb 25 (Reuters) - Chipmaker Nvidia posted better-than-expected results for the January quarter on Wednesday and forecast current-quarter revenue above market estimates, betting on Big Tech's unabated spending on its artificial-intelligence processors. But its stock traded flat after hours, as investors, used to solid revenue beats from the company for 14 straight quarters, were likely disappointed by the uneventful results that were released 10 minutes after the expected time. On the post-earnings conference call, UBS analyst Tim Arcuri asked executives whether Nvidia was looking to give back to shareholders some of the $100 billion cash it was likely to generate this year, because "no matter how good the results have been, the stock hasn't really gone up much." In response, Nvidia Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress said the company wanted to keep investing in the AI ecosystem. CEO Jensen Huang said the output generated by AI models would be the foundation of future computing and Nvidia would keep building more infrastructure to support that. "This new way of doing computing is not going to go back," he said. Seeking to alleviate concerns that a supply crunch at its chip contract maker TSMC was getting in the way of its growth, Nvidia said it had secured enough chip inventory and capacity to meet demand beyond the next several quarters. The shortage, though, will affect its gaming business, the company said. The world's most valuable company expects fiscal first-quarter sales of $78 billion, plus or minus 2%, compared with analysts' average estimate of $72.60 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. "This was a good beat and raise, the usual for Nvidia, but based on the reactions preliminarily, it seems a lot was baked in to the cake so far," said Ken Mahoney, CEO at Mahoney Asset Management, which holds shares of Nvidia. CUSTOMER CONCENTRATION The fourth-quarter results are good news for AI investors, who are looking to Nvidia's performance to gauge whether the hundreds of billions of dollars that Big Tech is pouring into data center infrastructure are paying off. Hyperscalers including Meta Platforms - a big Nvidia customer - have forecast total capital expenditure of at least $630 billion in 2026, with most of the spending earmarked for data centers and processors. "Its clear from Nvidias latest numbers and their forecast that concerns about an AI slowdown simply are not showing up yet," said Bob O'Donnell, chief analyst at TECHnalysis Research. With each contraction, Maria Ibarras plan to deliver her daughter in her Ohio living room seemed less likely. The babys heart rate was slowing, her midwife said. They needed to go to the hospital right away. Ibarras midwife, Meghan Nowland, tried calling the labor and delivery unit at the closest hospital from the car but had trouble reaching anyone. When a charge nurse finally answered, Nowland identified herself as a midwife and asked if the hospital would be able to admit Ibarra, whose baby had a concerning heartbeat. But she was taken aback by the nurses response. Advertisement Advertisement She was like, We just wont take walk-ins, Nowland said. Hospitals, by law, cannot turn away patients who show up in emergencies. But Nowland and nine other midwives interviewed said that situations like Ibarras arise far too often. The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. Ibarra had made a contingency plan to deliver at their campus in Liberty Township. (Madeleine Hordinski for NBC News) (Madeleine Hordinski for NBC News) A growing number of women in the U.S. are opting to give birth at home: More than 50,000 had planned home births in 2024 (the latest data available), a nearly 71% increase from 2016. But when issues arise during labor that require a transfer to a hospital, which happens in around 10% to 15% of home births, the process can be plagued with unnecessary challenges a result of decades of distrust between midwives and doctors. Its not uncommon, midwives said, to call a hospitals labor and delivery unit when a patient needs a transfer, only for nurses or doctors to discourage them from coming or dismiss the information they relay. This forces stressful, split-second decisions with patients: Should they show up anyway at a hospital that is unwelcoming or spend precious time calling others? Is it worth a longer drive to reach a hospital more open to admitting them, when every second counts? Advertisement Advertisement The resulting delays can put women at risk during their most vulnerable moments in childbirth, in some cases turning a complicated delivery into a life-threatening one. Hospitals can be hesitant to accept home-birth patients for several reasons. Some doctors worry that they could be held legally responsible for a problem that arose at home. It can also be challenging to properly treat patients without having observed the full course of their labor. And some hospitals lack space or staff to accommodate the unexpected arrival of a woman who didnt receive prenatal care within their health network. Midwives said they recognize that hospitals are often busy, and doctors and nurses sometimes cant get to the phone right away. But they expressed frustration with hospitals that are unwilling to collaborate with them at the very least, to make contingency plans for a patients transfer. Challenges with transferring patients have loomed over the practice of home birth for years, according to conversations with midwives, lawyers, midwifery patients and birth centers. Some hospital networks agreed that its a persistent issue, though others did not. Advertisement Advertisement Data on these situations is lacking, making it difficult to know how common they are or assess changes over time. No national system tracks home birth-hospital transfers or their outcomes. Midwife Meghan Nowland talks with patient Annie Vowell during an appointment at the Cincinnati Birth Center. (Madeleine Hordinski for NBC News) (Madeleine Hordinski for NBC News) Some midwives worry that as more women choose home births, issues with transferring patients will become more common. Discouraging home births isnt a realistic solution, they said. Were not asking the physicians to be in favor of this, but its a reality in their community, said Melissa Denmark, a retired midwife who co-chairs a Washington state program called Smooth Transitions, which works to improve the transfer process. A rise in home births A convergence of factors has fueled the rise in home births. Some women have made the choice after negative experiences with hospital systems or because they wanted less medical intervention. The trend jibes with the views of so-called MAHA moms named for their support for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s Make America Healthy Again movement who favor home birth because they distrust mainstream medicine. Glowing testimonials about home deliveries have also proliferated on social media. In October, a Twitch streamer livestreamed her labor at home to nearly 30,000 viewers. Advertisement Advertisement Home births became more popular during the pandemic, when hospital deliveries came with a risk of contracting Covid and few visitors were allowed. For other women, giving birth at home may be the only option, as the widespread closures of hospital obstetric units create maternity care deserts in which midwives are the only providers nearby. There are people that are forced into it. There are people that are doing it because culturally, thats what their community does. And then there are people who are doing it because TikTok says this is a cool thing, said Dr. Wendy Smith, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Portland, Oregon. Midwives generally recommend hospital births for high-risk patients, such as those carrying twins, those with pre-eclampsia, or when a baby is breech (head up instead of down). Ibarra, 27, said she was drawn to home birth because she wanted a calm, warm environment where every decision felt completely her own. She had read stories of Black and Hispanic women who have a higher risk than white women of pregnancy-related complications being dismissed by hospital staff when they raised concerns during their pregnancies. Maria Ibarra at her home in Lebanon, Ohio. (Madeleine Hordinski for NBC News) (Madeleine Hordinski for NBC News) They would talk about the pain that they experienced, like they were ignored or given a cold shoulder, Ibarra said. Advertisement Advertisement To prepare for labor at home, Ibarra strung up soft yellow lights and laid a mattress on the floor of her living room. She planned to deliver in an inflatable birthing pool. In the end, she never got to use it. The situation Ibarra encountered, a babys slowing heart rate, is considered a yellow flag, Nowland said. Although not always an emergency, it can be a sign of restricted blood flow or oxygen to the baby that, if unaddressed, can cause brain damage. After the nurse at Ibarras first-choice hospital, Christ Hospital in Liberty Township, Ohio, said it didnt take walk-ins, Nowland tried a different hospital. She reached the labor and delivery unit by phone while pulling into the parking lot. Ibarra was admitted right away and went on to have an emergency cesarean section. Her daughter, Joy, was born healthy. Maria Ibarras living room, where she planned to give birth, is now scattered with her daughter Joy Mendozas things. (Madeleine Hordinski for NBC News) (Madeleine Hordinski for NBC News) The experience with Christ Hospital left her even more skeptical of such health systems, she said: It does make me a little bit more hesitant to approach a hospital. Advertisement Advertisement The Christ Hospital Health Network declined to answer questions about Ibarras case but said in a statement: In keeping with our policy and deep commitment to the community, we always welcome and accept all patients without exception. When transfers go wrong Nowland had followed a commonly known set of best practices for Ibarras transfer. Midwives and their home-birth patients are expected to develop contingency plans about which hospital they want to deliver at, then call ahead if they need to transfer. That way, the patient can get admitted straight into the labor and delivery unit rather than the emergency room, where they can face longer waits. Once they arrive, the midwife should brief the hospitals care team. But it doesnt always happen that way. Nowland said she had a patient years ago who waited an hour in the ER, her face turning green. The womans placenta had adhered to her uterus and she required a blood transfusion. Nowland and other midwives interviewed said that when they call a hospital, its not uncommon for staff to question their decision-making or refuse to trust what they say. Their patients are sometimes chastised upon arrival for attempting a home birth, they said. Meghan Nowland at the Cincinnati Birth Center. (Madeleine Hordinski for NBC News) (Madeleine Hordinski for NBC News) A lot of L&D [labor and delivery] staff will of course have to accept patients on transfer, but then treat them like theyve been abusing their child, said Cindy Farley, a certified nurse midwife and professor emerita of midwifery and nursing at Georgetown University. Advertisement Advertisement Caitlin Hainley, a midwife in Des Moines, Iowa, said that last spring, one of her patients decided she wanted an epidural after around 22 hours of labor. Hainley called one of the closest hospitals, and after 30 minutes of waiting for the doctor to call back, they decided to start driving over. Hainleys phone rang midroute. The doctor questioned whether she knew how to properly assess the babys heartbeat, Hainley said, and insisted the patient would be better off at a hospital an hour away in Des Moines, which had more advanced critical care services for infants. Shes like, Well, we just dont even know anything about this patient, Hainley said. And I said, You know, if you dont want this patient in your facility, I wish that you would just be upfront with me. The group turned around and headed for Des Moines. By the time they got there, roughly two hours had passed since Hainleys initial call. Advertisement Advertisement Anything could have happened in those two hours, she said. They dont trust that we are giving them clear, accurate information, but I dont know why, because its all documented. Its not like Im just somebody that decided to wear a hat and call myself a midwife. Distrust of midwives Prior to the 20th century, midwife-assisted births were more common in the U.S. than hospital births. That changed after the arrival of pain medications and new surgical techniques. Over time, many in the medical field came to see midwifery as risky. Some of the messaging against midwives was also rooted in racism, targeting Black midwives in the South. There was a campaign that home-birth midwives were uneducated, dirty, lacked skill sets and practiced witchcraft, said Gaylea McDougal, the central representative for the Tennessee Midwives Association. Today, 38 states dont allow licenses for certified midwives, who have masters degrees in midwifery. Thirteen states dont offer a path to licensure for certified professional midwives, who complete training and an exam but dont need a degree. All states, however, recognize certified nurse midwives registered nurses who specialize in midwifery. Nowland feels for patient Annie Vowells babys feet during an appointment. (Madeleine Hordinski for NBC News) (Madeleine Hordinski for NBC News) The trend makes the U.S. somewhat of an outlier globally. Midwives attend roughly 63% of births across various settings in the United Kingdom, 60% in the Netherlands and 43% in France. But theyre present for less than 13% of births in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Many doctors can recount their own harrowing experiences with home-birth transfers. Smith, the OB-GYN in Oregon, said she will never forget a patient pregnant with twins who came in after delivering the first baby at home. Pregnancies with multiples are high-risk, so the standard of care is for these births to be in a hospital. When the woman showed up, the arm of the second twin was dangling out of the birth canal, Smith said. The baby died during an emergency C-section. Its when you get these emergent transfers that dont go well that the whole feelings of bias and stigma form in a providers head, Smith said. Its the negative transfers you remember. Some patients, too, have complained that their midwives discouraged them from going to the hospital, either because they overestimated their ability to treat complications or feared that hospital staff would stigmatize the patient or take invasive measures. Midwives who dont follow state requirements for transferring patients to a hospital can be fined, sued or have their license suspended or taken away. Gabrielle Nelson, whose son Isaac is now nearly a year old, said her midwife in Salt Lake City, Utah, encouraged her to hold out at home, even though 48 hours had passed since her water broke. The babys head was stuck and Nelson was in excruciating pain, so her husband insisted on a hospital transfer. I literally thought I was going to die, Nelson said. Im just thinking, I want to go to the hospital. I want a C-section if I can get it. I just need this to be over. When they eventually made it to the hospital, Nelsons blood pressure was dangerously high a problem that her midwife could have detected earlier had she been checking it regularly, as is generally recommended. In the end, Nelson ended up delivering a healthy baby. There is a reason you hear so many people who work in labor and delivery who are so anti- home birth, she said. Im sure things like this do have a lot to do with it. More than one solution Had Ibarra lived in a different area, she may have had the option to deliver at a birth center a facility where a staff of midwives oversees deliveries and administers pre- and postnatal care. These centers are slowly gaining popularity as a middle ground between hospitals and home births. Nationwide, around 22,600 babies were born at birth centers in 2024, a nearly 15% increase since 2016. The Cincinnati Birth Center, where Nowland offers prenatal care. (Madeleine Hordinski for NBC News) (Madeleine Hordinski for NBC News) Eighteen states, including Ohio, require birth centers to have a formal, written agreement with a hospital that will accept their transfer patients. Although the policy is meant to protect patients in emergencies, it often prevents birth centers from opening in the first place, since many hospitals are reluctant to be party to the agreement. Nowland has tried for years to find a hospital to enter into a transfer agreement with the birth center she runs in Cincinnati, which she had hoped would give women more options in the area. But no hospital has been willing, so the center can only offer prenatal care. Its where Ibarra was seen during her pregnancy. I absolutely adored it, Ibarra said. I felt a level of comfort that equated to me being at home. For deliveries, Nowland exclusively attends home births. A bathtub at the Cincinnati Birth Center. (Madeleine Hordinski for NBC News) (Madeleine Hordinski for NBC News) Another model is for a hospital to operate an affiliated birth center, where the midwives are employed by the hospital network and patient records can be seamlessly shared. However, such arrangements can be less attractive to patients seeking a more alternative approach. Some other hospitals, meanwhile, have moved to have more midwives on staff, which research has shown is associated with lower preterm birth rates and fewer maternal deaths. Yet another solution is to strengthen the relationship between doctors and midwives, so that hospitals are more comfortable accepting home-birth patients. Washington state has arguably done the best job at this, according to Smith, thanks to the Smooth Transitions program, which helps midwives and hospitals create joint guidelines on how to handle transfers, organizes simulations and hosts meetings where both sides can address concerns. Theres no villain, said Sarah Davidson, the programs manager. But theres a problem and there are solutions. A massage table at the Cincinnati Birth Center. (Madeleine Hordinski for NBC News) (Madeleine Hordinski for NBC News) This article was originally published on NBCNews.com OKLAHOMA CITY Health care facilities receiving taxpayer dollars would be prohibited from providing adults with access to gender-affirming care and from helping them find such care elsewhere under a bill advanced by Oklahoma lawmakers Thursday. House Bill 3130, authored by Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, also amends the definition of unprofessional conduct by health care professionals to include knowingly providing, performing, attempting to perform or referring a child for gender transition procedures. It allows for their licenses to be denied, revoked or suspended for doing so. State law already bans minors from receiving gender-affirming care treatment, which includes puberty blockers, surgical procedures and hormone therapy. Advertisement Advertisement Wests bill is eligible to be heard on the House floor after passing through the House Government Oversight Committee with a 16-3 vote along party lines. They can still have these procedures done if they so desire, they just will not be able to do it at a facility that receives state tax dollars, West said of adults. He said Oklahomans can have conversations with health care providers at private facilities, but providers at facilities receiving public funds cannot refer patients there. When I talk to individuals and families about this, its not just harmful, said Rep. Ellen Pogemiller, D-Oklahoma City. I think sometimes what it feels like is shameful in trying to access the best care for their child. And when you tell them they cant access or talk about it or encourage it or refer to it in our state, it just feels like we are denying them access to health care that they would like to meet with a provider in our community about. Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Gabe Woolley, R-Broken Arrow, said taxpayer dollars should not fund gender transition procedures, which he called antiscientific, unethical experimentation. House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, said dozens of health care associations have made statements to the contrary. This legislation is now telling adults over the age of 18 what kind of health care they can or cannot access, she said. Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, said gender-affirming procedures create additional health care needs. The responsibility of this body is to ensure that our taxpayer dollars are taken care of, he said. If I wanted to identify as a multimillionaire, should I be able to lay claim to the state when I need to be made whole on that? I dont think so. Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Oklahoma City, said while the committee members hold plenty of medical opinions, none of them are medical professionals. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A bill to partially disconnect Oregon's tax code from federal changes is heading to Gov. Tina Kotek's desk after the Oregon House passed it on Feb. 25. Republicans vowed to immediately refer parts of Senate Bill 1507 to voters. The proposal was drafted by Sen. Anthony Broadman, D-Bend, and Rep. Nancy Nathanson, D-Eugene, and unveiled on Feb. 2 to claw back some of the revenue Oregon will lose after passage of President Donald Trump's Big, Beautiful Bill Act, or H.R. 1. The federal budget reconciliation bill is expected to cost Oregon $15 billion in federal funding over the next six years and was originally estimated to have blown a $900 million hole in the current two year budget. Agencies had previously prepared 2.5% and 5% reduction options, but a healthier revenue forecast and the disconnect bill will prevent cuts that would harm basic direct services, Gov. Tina Kotek told reporters on Feb. 24. Kotek said the state will instead reduce its expenditures by 1%. Advertisement Advertisement SB1507 passed in the Senate on Feb. 16. "Senate Bill 1507 is about Oregon taking some control," Nathanson said on the House floor Feb. 25. "This bill makes targeted changes to our tax system to improve affordability, support job creation, and protect essential services." Rep. Ed Diehl, R-Scio, said Republicans would refer part of a bill that partially disconnects Oregon's tax code from federal changes to voters after the bill passed the Oregon House on Feb. 25. What does Oregon Senate Bill 1507 do? Senate Bill 1507 will generate an estimated net of $311.6 million, according to the Legislative Revenue Office. Supporters described the bill as a proposal to close tax loopholes that disproportionately benefit high-income earners and large corporations. The bill disconnects from the new federal deduction for vehicle loan interest and the qualified small business stock exclusion. Advertisement Advertisement It also partially disconnects from the "bonus depreciation" deduction, which would have allowed businesses to deduct the full cost of machinery and equipment from their taxable income in year one. Bonus depreciation for other categories, like real estate or research and development, would not be affected. Some of the revenue recovered through the disconnect will be directed toward expanding Oregon's Earned Income Tax Credit and creating a new Oregon business credit to incentivize job creation in the state. The bill directs $26.2 million toward expanding Oregon's EITC. The credit would increase from 9% to 14% or from 12% to 17% if the taxpayer has a dependent under age 3. The Legislative Revenue Office estimated that the increases would raise the average credit amount to about $323. SB1507 also creates a nonrefundable personal and corporate income tax credit for businesses that create and retain jobs in the state. To qualify, a job must pay at least 150% of Oregon's minimum wage. The credit would be limited to 10 per taxpayer per year and would equal $1,000 for each net new job created by the taxpayer. The credit would apply to tax years 2026 through 2031. Advertisement Advertisement Nathanson said the bill impacted just three of 115 provisions in H.R. 1 that impact Oregon's tax code. Republicans say they will refer parts of the bill to Oregon voters Republicans in both chambers said those changes would complicate the tax code and burden Oregonians. Rep. Bobby Levy, R-Echo, a rancher and farmer, held back tears as she urged her colleagues not to pass the bill. Levy spoke specifically about the provision disconnecting from bonus depreciation for machinery and equipment. Voting for SB1507 would remove flexibility for farmers and negatively impact other business owners. Levy said Oregon has lost more than 2,000 farms and ranches since 2017. Passage of SB1507 would lead to the loss of more family farms and make life more expensive for all, Levy warned. Advertisement Advertisement "If a majority of the members in this body don't care, then the farmer who can't raise the cost of their commodities will have to find a new way to further cut costs," Levy explained. Rep. Ed Diehl, R-Scio, said there's a disconnect between the rhetoric coming from Kotek's office and reality. He referenced the hiring of a chief prosperity officer and the governor's announcement of a "Prosperity Roadmap" to boost the state's economy and said the bill ran counter to her goals. "The people of Oregon deserve a direct voice on these tax increases. So that is why we will immediately refer provisions of this bill to the voters in November," Diehl said. Diehl said they would specifically target sections of the bill that disconnect from H.R. 1, but would keep increases to Oregon's EICT and the credit for taxpayers who create jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Diehl successfully led No Tax Oregon in 2025 alongside Sen. Minority Leader Bruce Starr, R-Dundee, and Jason Williams of the Oregon Taxpayers Association in a signature-collection campaign that paused gas tax and fee increases included in House Bill 3991. "In addition to the wildly unpopular transportation tax and fee package, voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on these new tax hikes," he warned. Republicans attempted to send the bill back to the revenue committee, but the motion failed. Rep. Daniel Nguyen, D-Lake Oswego, took off his jacket and glasses, frustrated, he said, with the way members were speaking about business during debate. Advertisement Advertisement Nguyen owns Bambuza Hospitality Group, a family owned business that operates restaurants. If representatives cared about the economy, they would propose economic development bills, he said. Voting for the bill wasn't something he wanted to do, but something lawmakers had to do, he said. "We are all here to make difficult choices," Nguyen said. "I am a business owner, and I have to make a choice that will impact my business financially ... This is something we can do for our communities, and when we come back in the 2027 session, I expect every one of us here to be able to think about (the) economy, think about economic development." Other supporters like Rep. Mark Gamba, D-Milwaukie, said the bill did not go far enough but referred to bill as a sorely needed compromise. The bill passed 34 to 21 along party lines. Advertisement Advertisement House Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, slammed Republicans' announcement on referring parts of the bill to voters. Republicans will have 90 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die to collect enough signatures totaling 4% of the total votes cast for governor at the last election. The session must end by March 8. Petitioners would also have to wait until after Kotek officially signs the measure into law. "Like Republicans in Congress, Oregon Republicans are more preoccupied with preserving tax loopholes for corporations and the wealthy than ensuring our students have good schools, our seniors have access to health care, and Oregonians are kept safe during wildfire season," Fahey said in an emailed statement. "Their threat to refer only select parts of this bill disregards the fact that we must have a balanced budget and ignores the needs of the everyday Oregonians." Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com on X @DianneLugo or Bluesky @diannelugo.bsky.social This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Lawmakers decry bill disconnecting Oregon from federal tax code A controversial gun bill modifying provisions of Ballot Measure 114 passed Feb. 25 in the Oregon House. The ballot measure was narrowly approved by voters in 2022 but has yet to be implemented, as legal challenges over its constitutionality continue in both state and federal courts. It mandated a new permit-to-purchase program for firearms and banned high-capacity magazines. House Bill 4145 would increase the maximum time a permit agent has to issue a permit or deny an application from 30 days to 60. Fees for the permit process increase from $65 to $150, and a permit renewal would jump from $50 to $110. The bill would also change what qualifies as Proof of a Firearm Safety Course that is required under Measure 114. Advertisement Advertisement The bill exempts peace officers or parole or probation officers from the high-capacity magazine ban. It would also disqualify anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor involving violence within the past four years from qualifying for a permit. Supporters have said the bill provides technical changes necessary to properly implement the gun safety measure. Opponents of the bill criticized its burden on citizens and said it went beyond reasonable regulations. A controversial gun bill modifying provisions of Ballot Measure 114 passed Feb. 25 in the Oregon House. Path of Oregon House Bill 4145 to House floor scrutinized The bill passed out of the House Judiciary Committee after a tense meeting on Feb. 16. It was on the verge of failing to advance to the floor after Rep. Thuy Tran, D-Portland, initially voted against adopting an amendment to the measure. Judiciary Committee chair Rep. Jason Kropf, D-Bend, immediately stopped the vote, walked out of the room with Tran and returned approximately 20 minutes later. After the vote was called again, Tran had changed her vote. Advertisement Advertisement The incident prompted a member of the public to file a conduct complaint against Kropf, which was dismissed by Feb. 18. Kropf resigned as chair of the Conduct Committee on Feb. 23, which prompted a one-day walkout by House Republicans. He was also removed as a chief sponsor of the bill. On the floor, Tran said there's been "a lot of conversation" about her position on the bill. She voted in support, she said, with hopes that the changes would prevent gun violence and gun suicide. "If this bill saves even one life, it will be worth it. Measure 114 reflects the will of the people, and the people have been waiting for us to take the time to make it work," Tran said. Advertisement Advertisement Republicans made a motion on the floor to refer the bill back to the judiciary committee, saying the pause and change in Tran's vote had raised unanswered questions. The public was looking at what happened in the committee and would question the legislature's credibility if the bill was not sent back, said Virgle Osborne, R-Roseburg. Rep. Ed Diehl, R-Scio, during his speech opposing the bill, also referred to the incident, as did Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, R-Albany. "I will not pretend that the controversy surrounding this bill doesn't matter, because process matters, integrity matters, and freedom matters," Diehl said. The motion to send the bill back to committee, which would have killed the proposal, failed. House Bill 4145 generates hour long debate Opponents of the bill said HB4145 went beyond reasonable regulation and would economically burden citizens attempting to exercise their constitutional rights. Advertisement Advertisement "Let's be clear about who this bill targets. Not violent criminals, not repeat offenders, not the people driving the crime crisis in Oregon today. It targets law-abiding citizens," Rep. Dwayne Yunker, R-Grants Pass, said. "It tells Oregonians they must now ask government permission before exercising their constitutional rights." Boshart Davis also spoke against a provision in the bill that would require any challenge to the legality of HB4145 to be filed in Marion County Circuit Court. The challenge to Measure 114 began in Harney County Circuit Court. Harney County Judge Robert S. Raschio ruled against the ballot measure in 2023. His ruling was later overturned by the Oregon Court of Appeals. "Marion County voters are awesome, but they do not and should not have a greater say in the outcome of constitutional litigation than Oregon's other 35 counties," Boshart Davis said. Lawmakers were voting to disenfranchise their voters, she added. She referred to the provision as a "deliberate middle finger" to Raschio. Rep. Paul Evans, D-Monmouth, was one of two Democrats to vote against the measure. Evans said he had co-authored gun violence legislation in the past and voted for bills seeking to reduce gun violence. He described the bill as a "well-intentioned attempt to fix an unfixable" issue. Advertisement Advertisement HB4145 was a "dangerous precedent," requiring Oregonians to obtain a permit before exercising a constitutional right, he added. Rep. Dacia Grayber, D-Portland, spoke of her experience with gun violence. Her daughter died in 2025 after being able to head to a gun range, legally purchase a firearm, and kill herself the same day, she described. Grayber said the bill would not bring her daughter back but would make a difference. "If that makes a difference for one family listening to this today, for one member on this floor to not know this pain, it will be worth it," Grayber said. "I will continue fighting for this for the rest of my legislative career." Bill carrier Rep. Sarah Finger McDonald, D-Corvallis, said the bill honored the will of Oregon voters. Advertisement Advertisement HB 4145 ensures Measure 114 is implemented in a clear and effective way that prioritizes public safety and respects due process," Finger McDonald said in a statement after its passage. The bill will save lives, she added, citing statistics from other states that have passed similar legislation. Finger McDonald said in Connecticut, where a permit-to-purchase law was implemented, the firearm homicide rate decreased by 28% and the firearm suicide rate decreased by 33%. States with similar legislation to Measure 114 have 56% fewer fatal mass shootings, she said. After Missouri's permitting law was repealed, firearm homicide increased by 47% and firearm suicide increased by 24%, she added. "Permit to purchase is one of the best tools we have for reducing gun tragedy," Finger McDonald said. Advertisement Advertisement The bill passed with a vote of 33-19. It heads to the Oregon Senate for further consideration. Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com on X @DianneLugo or Bluesky @diannelugo.bsky.social. This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Controversial Oregon gun bill modifying Measure 114 advances BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) Facing tough odds in an upcoming election, Hungary's pro-Russian prime minister is trying to convince voters that the greatest threat to the country is not economic stagnation the focus of his top opponent but neighboring Ukraine. Viktor Orban is running an aggressive media campaign replete with disinformation whose central message is that Hungarians should refuse to align with the rest of Europe in supporting Ukraine against Russia's invasion. That path, he argues, risks bankrupting the country and getting its youth killed on the front lines. Billboards erected across the country show AI-generated images of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flanked by European officials, holding out his hand as if demanding money. It's a not-so-subtle reference to the European Union's efforts to help Ukraine financially and bolster its defenses as the war enters its fifth year. Advertisement Advertisement Our message to Brussels: We wont pay! the publicly funded billboards read. If there had been any doubt, it became clear on Monday why the outcome of Hungarys upcoming election will reverberate beyond its borders. Hungary blocked a new package of EU sanctions on Russia in response to interruptions in Russian oil supplies that pass through Ukraine, and vowed to veto any further pro-Ukraine policies until oil flows resume. On Wednesday, Orban went further and deployed military and police forces around power plants and other facilities, claiming without providing evidence that Ukraine was plotting to attack the countrys energy system. Orban is widely seen as the Kremlin's strongest ally in the EU. While almost all of the bloc's other 26 nations have distanced themselves from Russia since it launched the war on Feb. 24, 2022, Hungary has deepened cooperation. Advertisement Advertisement The prime minister has cast his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin as pragmatic, stemming from Hungary's access to reliable supplies of Russian oil and gas. But Orban's anti-LGBTQ+ policies, crackdowns on the media and nongovernmental organizations, and his labeling of critics as foreign agents have led to accusations that he's reading from Putin's authoritarian playbook. Campaign of fear Orban, who retook office in 2010, faces the strongest challenge to his power in an election set for April 12. The EU's longest-serving leader and his right-wing Fidesz party are trailing in most independent polls to an upstart center-right challenger, Peter Magyar. A 44-year-old lawyer and former Fidesz insider who broke with the party in 2024, Magyar has focused his campaign on stemming the rising costs of living, improving social services and reining in corruption. He also promises to restore Hungary's Western orientation and bolster democratic institutions which have eroded during Orban's 16 years in power. His rise was aided by political scandals that have damaged the credibility of Orban's party; a presidential pardon given to an accomplice in a child sexual abuse case led to a public outcry, prompting the president and justice minister to resign. Advertisement Advertisement Losing ground to Magyar and his Tisza party, Orban and Fidesz have sought to change the conversation. They have blanketed the country with taxpayer-funded billboards, as well as advertisements on radio, television and social media. A petition mailed to every Hungarian of voting age claimed the EU's plans to help Ukraine financially would bring economic ruin. Other ads, paid for by a shadowy pro-government organization with Fidesz ties, depict Magyar as a puppet of Zelenskyy and the EU who would sell out the country to foreign interests and draw Hungary into the war. Hungarys public media, along with many private news outlets loyal to Orbans government, faithfully mimic the claims. They say Ukraine wants to prolong the bloody conflict that has killed tens of thousands of its citizens and is conspiring with the EU to do it. Disinformation is fueled by artificial intelligence Orban has recently claimed that the EU not Russia poses the greatest threat to Hungary. He says rising defense spending across Europe driven by Russias war and pressure from the U.S. to increase NATO contributions is evidence that the EU is preparing for conflict with Moscow and plans to forcibly conscript Hungarians to fight. Advertisement Advertisement In an AI-generated video Fidesz released on social media last week, a little girl asks her forlorn mother in Hungarian: Mommy, when is daddy coming home? In the next frame, the fictional father bound, blindfolded and kneeling on a muddy battlefield is approached by a soldier, and shot in the head. We won't allow others to decide on the fates of our families, a narrator says. Let's not take a risk. Fidesz is the safe choice. Although some EU countries have proposed sending troops to Ukraine to monitor any future ceasefire, they are not intended to engage in combat, and participation would be voluntary, said Andras Racz, a Russia expert at the German Council on Foreign Relations. Racz notes that, despite the false premise behind many of Orbans claims, Fidesz has won two previous elections after raising fears that its political opponent would drag the country into the war. Advertisement Advertisement They are trying to max this out. They have nothing else, Racz said. Populists often try to define an enemy, often an imaginary one, and then offer protection to the society from that enemy. Ukraine has been ideal from this perspective. Escalating tensions For years, Orban has sought to stymie EU efforts to provide financial and military support to Ukraine, and he has vigorously opposed sanctions targeting Russian oil and officials. Tensions with Ukraine grew recently after Russian oil shipments to Hungary were interrupted; Ukraine blamed the disruption on a Russian drone strike in late January that damaged a pipeline. Orban called it blackmail. Last week, his government retaliated by halting diesel shipments to Ukraine and threatening to veto a 90-billion-euro ($106-billion) EU loan destined for Kyiv. On Monday, it blocked the 20th round of EU sanctions against Russia. Advertisement Advertisement The anti-Ukraine campaign has resonated with many Hungarians loyal to Fidesz. Despite Tisza's advantage in the polls, its victory is far from assured. Still, many Hungarians are dubious of Orban's anti-Ukraine messaging. On Sunday, hundreds of Hungarians and Ukrainians, many of them refugees, gathered in central Budapest to commemorate the four-year anniversary of Russia's invasion. Marching toward a demonstration outside the Russian embassy, participants held Ukrainian and Hungarian flags, and chanted, Stop Putin, stop the war! Budapests liberal mayor, Gergely Karacsony, told The Associated Press that Orbans messaging and policies are a betrayal not only of Ukraine, but of Hungarys national interest. I hope that this will go into history as a failed policy, but that history will also remember that there were some who stood up for what is right, he said. Advertisement Advertisement One of the marchers was Ester Zhivatovska, a 19-year-old veterinary medicine student who came from the Ukrainian port city of Odesa to study in Budapest. She said the billboards depicting her country's president are laughable. The main message of these billboards is that Ukraine will steal Hungarian money," she said. "But come on, youre using these AI images from the Hungarian budget to do what? To win elections. Hurricane Melissa, which claimed at least 95 lives last fall, got an upgrade from the National Hurricane Center in a post-season review. As the record-breaking hurricane approached Jamaica, its estimated highest sustained winds topped out at a terrifying 190 mph on Oct. 28, tying with 1980's Hurricane Allen as one of the two hurricanes with the highest wind speed on record in the Atlantic basin. With less than 100 days until the start of the 2026 hurricane season on June 1, the hurricane center is finishing up its reviews of the 2025 season. The new information about Melissa's wind speeds was revealed in the final report the center posted on Feb. 25. Advertisement Advertisement Elsewhere this week, Tropical Cyclone Horacio became a Category 5 storm with 160 mph winds in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar. A U.S. Air Force Reserve crew from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the Hurricane Hunters, flies through Hurricane Melissa on Oct. 27, 2025. The photo, taken by Lt. Col. Mark Withee, a navigator with the 53rd WRS, shows the crew making a pass through the storm to collect vital weather data for the National Hurricane Center. A U.S. Air Force Reserve crew from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the Hurricane Hunters, flies through Hurricane Melissa on Oct. 27, 2025. The photo, taken by Lt. Col. Mark Withee, a navigator with the 53rd WRS, shows the crew making a pass through the storm to collect vital weather data for the National Hurricane Center. A U.S. Air Force Reserve crew from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the Hurricane Hunters, flies through Hurricane Melissa on Oct. 27, 2025. The photo, taken by Lt. Col. Mark Withee, a navigator with the 53rd WRS, shows the crew making a pass through the storm to collect vital weather data for the National Hurricane Center. Service members carry a crated family pet for transport to a temporary animal control holding facility onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola during the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay non-mission essential personnel movement. Nearly 900 non-mission essential personnel from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay arrived at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola on Oct. 25 and 26, 2025, ahead of one of the strongest hurricanes of the 2025 storm season, Hurricane Melissa. A U.S. soldier assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Guard, aligns cots in the hardened shelter in preparation for Hurricane Melissa at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on Oct. 24, 2025. As Hurricane Melissa continues to progress, safety remains a top priority for Joint Task Force Southern Guard. JTF-SG is executing logistical preparations and coordinating support in anticipation of its potential impacts. A C-17 crewmember out of the 437 Airlift Wing at Joint Base (JB) Charleston, South Carolina, and a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent verify Naval Station Guantanamo Bay non-mission essential personnel movement. Nearly 900 non-mission essential personnel from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay arrived at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Oct. 25 and 26, 2025, ahead of one of the strongest hurricanes of the 2025 storm season, Hurricane Melissa. Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Sailors process incoming service members process incoming service members, family members and contractors at the Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) Emergency Family Assistance Center (EFAC) during the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay non-mission essential personnel movement. Nearly 900 non-mission essential personnel from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay arrived at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Oct. 25 and 26, 2025, ahead of one of the strongest hurricanes of the 2025 storm season, Hurricane Melissa. Members of the Pensacola-area American Red Cross interact with incoming personnel at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC)-run Emergency Family Assistance Center (EFAC) during the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay non-mission essential personnel movement. Nearly 900 non-mission essential personnel from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay arrived at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Oct. 25 and 26, 2025, ahead of one of the strongest hurricanes of the 2025 storm season, Hurricane Melissa. Service members carry a crated family pet for transport to a temporary animal control holding facility onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola during the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay non-mission essential personnel movement. Nearly 900 non-mission essential personnel from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay arrived at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Oct. 25 and 26, 2025, ahead of one of the strongest hurricanes of the 2025 storm season, Hurricane Melissa. 'Hurricane Hunters' fly into eye of Melissa, while Navy evacuates hundreds from Cuba 1 of 9 A U.S. Air Force Reserve crew from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the Hurricane Hunters, flies through Hurricane Melissa on Oct. 27, 2025. The photo, taken by Lt. Col. Mark Withee, a navigator with the 53rd WRS, shows the crew making a pass through the storm to collect vital weather data for the National Hurricane Center. Melissa's rapid intensification and high winds and atypical hurricane behavior amazed even some of the more experienced scientists who study tropical cyclones, thanks in part to its journey over some exceptionally warm waters in the Caribbean. Recorded wind gusts topped 250 mph At around the same time as the sustained winds peaked, a wind gust of 252 mph was measured by a dropsonde instrument dropped by the crew of a Hurricane hunter aircraft with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. That was the highest wind speed ever recorded by the expendable instruments, called dropsondes, that are deployed into hurricanes, according to the National Center for Atmospheric Research at the National Science Foundation, where the instruments were developed. The White House has directed the foundation to dismantle the atmospheric center, known as NCAR. Advertisement Advertisement Andrew Hazelton, the hurricane scientist at the University of Miami, who processed the record for the 252-mph wind gust, told USA TODAY on Feb. 25 that he's "not surprised" to see the upgrade. "The blend of data (dropsondes, flight-level data, satellites, etc) suggested that this was as strong a storm as you will ever see in the Atlantic basin, and unfortunately this happened right before landfall," Hazelton said. "Thankfully, the forecast was accurate and timely thanks to the hard work of forecasters, modelers, and other scientists who have helped us learn to better understand and predict rapid intensification." By the time Melissa made landfall several hours later, it weakened as its circulation began to move over the island. Still, its sustained winds at landfall were estimated at 185 mph. That makes it the strongest hurricane on record to make landfall in Jamaica. That also ties the record for the hurricane with the highest sustained winds to make landfall in the Atlantic hurricane basin. What records did Hurricane Melissa break? Peak maximum sustained winds, tied for first with Allen in 1980 The 185-mph maximum sustained winds at landfall in Jamaica tied for strongest landfall with the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 and Dorian in 2019 Its lowest central barometric pressure 892 millibars is tied with the Labor Day storm for third most intense behind Wilma in 2005 and Gilbert in 1988 Its pressure at landfall in Jamaica 897 millibars is the second lowest landfall pressure on record, behind the Labor Day storm's 892 millibars. Highest wind measured by dropsonde 252 mph, surpassing Super Typhoon Megi in 2010. A satellite image of Hurricane Melissa as it begins to make landfall over Jamaica on Oct. 28, 2025 before 1 p.m. Hurricane Melissa by the numbers Among the information in the post-season report, the hurricane center provided the following: Advertisement Advertisement Melissa dropped up to 35 inches of rain in Jamaica, and had an estimated storm surge of 7 to 11 feet above normally dry ground east of landfall, at Crawford and the Black River. The physical damage to Jamaica's buildings, infrastructure and agriculture was estimated at $8.8 billion in mid-November. The known fatalities linked to Melissa in the Caribbean include 45 in Jamaica , 43 in Haiti, 4 in Dominican Republic and 1 in Cuba. An estimated 1.25 million animals perished in the storm, including poultry and cattle, and farmers also reported losing about 45% of their coffee crop. Hurricane scientist Andy Hazelton with the University of Miami took this photo inside the eye of Hurricane Melissa aboard a flight on the NOAA WP-3D hurricane reconnaissance aircraft dubbed Kermit, for Kermit the Frog. South Florida deaths The hurricane center concluded the deaths of Alexander and Serena Wurm were also indirectly connected to Melissa. The father and daughter were killed in a plane crash near Coral Springs, Florida, while attempting to deliver hurricane relief supplies in Jamaica. Wurm was founder and CEO of Ignite the Fire, an evangelical organization. Hurricane Melissa hit the southwestern coast of Jamaica around 1 p.m. ET Tuesday with catastrophic winds speeds of about 185 mph after churning slowly toward the island nation. The hurricane center said Melissa's landfall is one of the most powerful in the Atlantic Basin's recorded history. As the storm's center moved across western Jamaica to its northern coast, Melissa became a Category 4 storm with winds of 145 mph and torrential rainfall that caused flash flooding and life-threatening storm surge, the hurricane center said. A police officer inspects a car damaged by a fallen tree after the passage of Hurricane Melissa. A store stands destroyed following the passage of Hurricane Melissa in Manchester, Jamaica, on October 28, 2025. A house with a damaged roof is seen after the passage of Hurricane Melissa in Manchester, Jamaica, on October 28, 2025. Hurricane Melissa ripped up trees and knocked out power after making landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025 as one of the most powerful hurricanes on record, inundating the island nation with rains that threaten flash floods and landslides. A man uses a chainsaw to clear fallen branches, after Hurricane Melissa made landfall, in Spur Tree, Manchester, Jamaica, October 29, 2025. People inspect the damage after Hurricane Melissa made landfall, in Spur Tree, Manchester, Jamaica, October 29, 2025. Broken tree branches lie on the street, after Hurricane Melissa made landfall, in Spur Tree, Manchester, Jamaica, October 29, 2025. A man looks at a fallen tree in St. Catherine, Jamaica, shortly before Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025. Fallen trees block sections of the Spur Tree main road following the passage of Hurricane Melissa in Manchester, Jamaica, on October 28, 2025. Hurricane Melissa ripped up trees and knocked out power after making landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025 as one of the most powerful hurricanes on record, inundating the island nation with rains that threaten flash floods and landslides. Category 5 Hurricane Melissa slams Jamaica: See the aftermath of catastrophic winds, rain 1 of 8 Hurricane Melissa hit the southwestern coast of Jamaica around 1 p.m. ET Tuesday with catastrophic winds speeds of about 185 mph after churning slowly toward the island nation. The hurricane center said Melissa's landfall is one of the most powerful in the Atlantic Basin's recorded history. As the storm's center moved across western Jamaica to its northern coast, Melissa became a Category 4 storm with winds of 145 mph and torrential rainfall that caused flash flooding and life-threatening storm surge, the hurricane center said. A police officer inspects a car damaged by a fallen tree after the passage of Hurricane Melissa. Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, has written about hurricanes, tornadoes and violent weather for more than 30 years. Reach her at dpulver@usatoday.com or @dinahvp on Bluesky or X or dinahvp.77 on Signal. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricane Melissa's winds reached 190 mph as it approached Jamaica Federal immigration agents arrested 261 beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, during the first 10 months of the second Trump administration, according to official U.S. government statistics that were shared with Congress and obtained by CBS News. The statistics indicate the vast majority of DACA recipients taken into federal immigration custody during that period had criminal records. The government figures provide the most comprehensive official accounting so far of how many DACA recipients, also known as "Dreamers," have been swept up by President Trump's nationwide deportation crackdown. Advertisement Advertisement Those enrolled in the Obama-era DACA program came to the U.S. illegally or overstayed their visas as children. They were granted temporary work permits and deportation protections after passing background checks and meeting several requirements, including coming to the U.S. before June 2007, not having serious criminal histories and graduating from an American high school or serving in the military. In a letter to Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the Department of Homeland Security said that between Jan. 1 and Nov. 19, 2025, ICE arrested 261 DACA beneficiaries and deported 86 of them. That timeframe includes the final 19 days of President Joe Biden's term, though it is unclear how many of the arrests occurred under his administration, which rarely targeted DACA beneficiaries. 98.08 KB DHS letter on DACA arrests and deportations A letter from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to Sen. Dick Durbin on the number of arrests and deportations of DACA recipients over a 10-month period in 2025. DHS said in its letter that 241 or 92% of the 261 DACA enrollees taken into ICE custody had "criminal histories" outside of civil immigration violations. DHS typically considers pending criminal charges and convictions as criminal histories. The letter, signed by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, did not specify the severity of the alleged criminal records. Advertisement Advertisement CBS News reached out to representatives for DHS, including to request more details on the nature of the charges or convictions of the DACA recipients identified as having criminal histories. In a statement in response to the DHS letter, Durbin and fellow Democratic Sens. Alex Padilla and Mark Kelly called the arrests of DACA recipients "deeply troubling," saying the detentions "disrupt families, harm communities, and inflict unnecessary social, emotional, and economic costs." The Democratic senators also questioned the criminal figures provided by DHS, noting they're demanding more details. "Secretary Noem's response to our letter claims that 241 of the 261 DACA recipients arrested had 'criminal histories,' without providing any further details," they said. "DACA recipients go through strict background checks every time they renew this protection, and the Trump Administration has not hesitated to arrest immigrants with no serious criminal convictions and falsely label them the 'worst of the worst.'" Advertisement Advertisement The arrests and deportations of DACA recipients represent a significant increase from unofficial estimates by advocates about how many "Dreamers" had been arrested under Mr. Trump's deportation campaign. But they also represent a small fraction of the hundreds of thousands of immigrants with active DACA status. As of the end of June 2025, roughly 516,000 Dreamers were enrolled in DACA, with the majority living in states like California, Texas, Illinois, Florida and New York, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data. DACA has been one of rare immigration programs created under a Democratic president that the second Trump administration has not yet moved to end, though the policy remains in legal peril. Since taking office for a second time, Mr. Trump has moved swiftly to undo numerous Obama and Biden-era immigration policies, including by revoking the Temporary Protected Status of hundreds of thousands of immigrants from crisis-stricken nations. But Trump administration officials, including USCIS Director Joseph Edlow, have declined to say publicly what they intend to do with DACA. Advertisement Advertisement The first Trump administration tried to terminate DACA, arguing it was illegal. But the Supreme Court blocked that effort on technical grounds in 2020, allowing the policy to survive, though in a zombie-like form. In recent years, federal courts in Texas and Louisiana have declared DACA and the Biden administration's efforts to codify the policy illegal. But they have allowed current recipients to continue renewing their two-year work permits and deportation deferrals. The Republican-led states challenging DACA's legality, however, asked a federal judge in Texas last fall to order the Trump administration to gradually terminate the policy. It's unclear when or how the judge will rule. In its letter to Congress, DHS noted DACA is only a temporary protection that can be revoked. Advertisement Advertisement "It comes with no right or entitlement to remain in the United States indefinitely. Aliens with certain criminal histories will not be considered for DACA," DHS said. "Further, those who violate the terms are also subject to termination and removal." The high percentage of DACA arrestees with criminal histories, as outlined in the DHS letter, stands in sharp contrast with the lower criminality levels among the overall number of people taken into ICE custody under the second Trump administration. In President Trump's first year back in the White House, ICE arrested nearly 400,000 immigrants suspected of being in the U.S. illegally. According to an internal DHS document obtained by CBS News, less than 14% of arrestees had violent criminal records. Overall, 60% of those arrested by ICE over the past year had criminal charges or convictions, and about 40% did not have any criminal records, beyond civil immigration violations. Watch: Trump's full 2026 State of the Union address Rep. Al Green removed from chamber during State of the Union New poll shows low Trump approval rating and gloomy take on the economy Kristi Noem was mercilessly mocked over her alleged affair with top aide Corey Lewandowski after her husband accompanied her to a black-tie event at the White House. On Tuesday, South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden, 67, posted to social media a tux-and-gown snapshot with the smiling Homeland Security secretary, 54, and her husband, Bryon, during the National Governors Association gathering in Washington three days earlier. Rhoden wrote on Facebook: Caught up with our dear friends Kristi Noem and her husband Bryon at the White House during the National Governors Association meeting! Advertisement Advertisement Noem probably now wishes he hadnt. Within hours, the post racked up almost 1,000 commentsalmost all of them asking some variation of the same question: Where was Lewandowski? Comments left on the post almost universally mocked Noem over her alleged affair with Corey Lewandowski. / Facebook Yall catch up with Corey too? one person wrote, while another asked, Why isnt she with Cory? Several commenters referred to her side piece, while another still asked the whereabouts of her sex mate and referenced an employee affair. Hey Lar, you spelled Coreys name wrong, wrote another. The seemingly endless taunts also dubbed Noem and her husband, the happy cuckle. Others suggested Lewandowski, 52, may even have been present, with one joking: Coreys taking the picture. Sometimes social media can be funny, rather than a depressing hellscape. / Facebook With chatter around Noem and Lewandowskis rumored affair at fever pitch, Saturdays public outing to the event attended by President Donald Trump,79, was the second time in two days that Bryon had been seen with his wife in public. Advertisement Advertisement Last Sunday, Noem posted a video to her X account showing herself waving goodbye to Bryon at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport as he walked through security, telling followers she was seeing him off on a return trip to South Dakota. The public appearances come amid weeks of escalating coverage of Noems alleged relationship with Lewandowskiher de facto chief of staff and a special government employee. His position caps him at 130 days work per year, fueling questions about whether he has been exceeding those hours to stay close to her side. The pairs alleged relationship has been described by one FEMA official as the worst-kept secret in D.C. and has spawned a string of embarrassing revelations. In response to a request for comment, a DHS spokesperson told the Daily Beast, Gross. This Department doesnt waste time with salacious, baseless gossip. We have actual work to do keeping the American homeland and its citizens safe while Democrats in Congress are playing political games by shutting down DHS. Noem (2-L) and Lewandowski (R)seen here at Donald Trump's acceptance speech for the Republican Party nomination for reelection during the final day of the Republican National Convention in August 27, 2020have done little to dampen rumors of an affair. / SAUL LOEB / SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images Among the most damaging was a report that Lewandowski entered the cockpit of a U.S. Coast Guard government jet after Noems favorite blanket had been left behind on a different aircraft and attempted to fire the pilot for refusing to turn back. Advertisement Advertisement DHS insiders have since told the Daily Mail the whole episode was not about Noems beloved blanket, as originally claimed, but a mystery bag. Its contents, known to at least two crew members, were reportedly feared by Lewandowski to be embarrassing. The fired pilot, Coast Guard commanding officer Keith Thomas, was subsequently promoted to a DHS senior adviser. Thomas declined to comment on the incident, telling the Mail, As a military officer, I do not comment on past or current missions. Kristi Noem has been dubbed ICE Barbie for her love of cosplaying in various uniformed roles. / U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement via Getty Images Lewandowski told Reuters there was no conversation in the cockpit during takeoff, but he declined to address whether he had entered the cockpit at all. Trump, when confronted about the rumored affair aboard Air Force One earlier this month, told reporters: I dont know about that... I havent heard that. His response was at odds with reports suggesting he has long been aware and has privately teased the pair about it. A chase in Newark by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents pursuing a van they had tried to pull over Wednesday resulted in a crash that hospitalized the van driver and involved a third vehicle that three minors were passengers in, city officials said. The chase led to an accident at Clinton Avenue and 10th Street, involving several vehicles, one of which had three children as passengers, two 15-year-olds and one 12-year-old, Mayor Ras J. Baraka said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. Baraka said the incident exemplified the threat to public safety posed by ICE agents using aggressive tactics on city streets. Advertisement Advertisement Federal authorities should adhere to local laws regarding vehicle pursuits and exercise common sense, Baraka said. Based on the damage they are inflicting on our communities, ICE has no business engaging in chases at anytime, anywhere but especially in densely populated areas, and on roads still being cleared from a significant snowstorm. Spokespeople for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and ICE did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday. Wednesdays incident occurred amid concerns over vehicle crashes by ICE officers chasing immigration suspects. Those come on the heals of concerns over the recent ICE shootings that left two U.S. citizens dead in Minneapolis. Last week, police in Chatham County, Georgia, told the local ABC affiliate, Channel 7, that a local teacher was killed in a Feb. 16 crash involving an ICE pursuit. The station reported that a man being pursued by ICE refused to stop, ran a red light, made a U-turn, and struck the teachers vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda later added that Newark Police officers responded to the scene on an 8:20 a.m. call of a crash involving three vehicles. Miranda said the male driver attempting to flee ICE struck two other vehicles, including a ride-share vehicle occupied by the three minors, who were taken to University Hospital in Newark after complaining of pain. The mayor said the city was not involved in the attempt to pull over the van driver, and spokespeople for him and the public safety department could not provide information on him or his immigration case. No charges against the driver related to the accident or otherwise were announced Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Baraka was arrested by ICE last May in the driveway of the Delaney Hall immigrant detention center in Newark on a trespassing charge that was dismissed 13 days later. He criticized the agency on Wednesday for what he said was a reckless pursuit through the streets of New Jerseys largest city. ICE cannot come into our city and recklessly put innocent people in harms way while they try to apprehend their targets, he said. Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. A Donald Trump appointee at the Department of Homeland Security told state election officials from around the country Wednesday that federal immigration agents wont be deployed to polling places during the 2026 midterms, according to multiple sources on the call. The comments, made by DHS official Heather Honey during an hour-long phone call organized between secretaries of state and officials at various federal offices, come after immigration enforcement surges in Minneapolis and elsewhere prompted growing worry among election officials that ICE agents could be used to intimidate voters. Ill believe it when I see it, one source on the call said of Honeys pledge that ICE wont be at polling places this November. Advertisement Advertisement Responding to questions from CNN, a DHS official said in a statement, ICE is not planning operations targeting polling locations. ICE conducts intelligence-driven targeted enforcement, and if an active public safety threat endangered a polling location, they may be arrested as a result of that targeted enforcement action. Other remarks by Honey, who has deep ties to the election denial community that challenged Trumps 2020 defeat, concerned Democratic election officials on the call, sources on the call told CNN. There was silence from federal officials when Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows asked that they make a public statement affirming state sovereignty over election administration. Trump has continued to call for more federal control, including controversial comments last month that Republicans should nationalize the voting. Heather Honey, who was a conservative election researcher at the time, leaves the federal courthouse in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, October 18, 2024. - Mark Scolforo/AP/File Democrats were also frustrated how Honey, according to sources on the call, handled a discussion of a system of immigration data known as SAVE that the administration is urging states to use to find non-citizens on their voter rolls, although the system is known to be rife with false positives. After Honey spoke at length to encourage the states to vet their voter rolls with SAVE, Honey struggled with questions about how long the federal government retained voter registration data that states input into the system. Advertisement Advertisement Bellows told reporters after the call that she appreciated the federal government reminding election administration offiicals what role it does have to play in elections such as investigating threats against election officials. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows speaks at a news conference on Monday, October 6, 2025 at the Maine State House in Augusta. - Patrick Whittle/AP/File What wasnt reassuring was political statements by political appointees from the Trump administration urging the states to participate in the faulty SAVE system, Bellows said. The call, held by officials from the Justice Department, FBI, DHS and the Election Assistance Commission, was a chance for federal and state election officials to share information on election administration and security procedures ahead of the midterms. It is normally a routine gathering that has occurred numerous times since 2016, when Russias efforts to influence that election prompted the federal government to step up security assistance to states. But the Trump administrations appointment of political officials at DHS, the Justice Department and the White House who have questioned the results of the 2020 election that Trump lost has made some election officials wary of outreach from the administration. Advertisement Advertisement Other sources said the federal government was slow in its outreach to election officials. If this call was to help prepare election officials for the coming elections, statewide primaries start next week, so this is a strange time for the feds to introduce themselves, one source on the call said. Election officials have been preparing for the 2026 elections since December 2024 - where have the feds been for the last 15 months? For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Nvidia Corp. said it secured a license to ship a small number of its less advanced H200 chips to customers in China, inching forward in its bid to return to the worlds largest semiconductor market. The leading maker of artificial intelligence accelerators said that the US government granted it a license for H200 shipments, subject to inspection in the US and a 25% duty. But its still unclear whether Beijing will allow even that limited return, and Nvidia said Wednesday that it wasnt including any China data-center revenue in its first-quarter sales outlook. Most Read from Bloomberg Nvidias shares were little changed in after-hours trading. While small amounts of H200 products for China-based customers were approved by the US Government, we have yet to generate any revenue, and we do not know whether any imports will be allowed into China, Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress told investors on an earnings call. A political standoff between Beijing and Washington has restricted Nvidias ability to sell its best chips in China, which represents an AI chip market that Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang has said could reach about $50 billion in the coming years. WATCH: Bloombergs Annabelle Droulers reports on the latest.Source: Bloomberg The Chinese government is funneling support to Nvidias local rivals such as Huawei Technologies Co. and Cambricon Technologies Corp., as well as recently listed MetaX Integrated Circuits Shanghai Co. and Moore Threads Technology Co. Chinese chipmakers have the potential to disrupt the structure of the global AI industry over the long term, Kress said, repeating earlier comments by Nvidia executives. Bloomberg News reported last month that Chinese officials have told the countrys largest tech firms including Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. they can prepare H200 orders, suggesting Beijing is close to formally approving imports of components essential to develop and run AI models. The H200 is an older-generation chip that US President Donald Trumps administration says can be exported to China. The US government restricts sales of more advanced processors on national security grounds. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2026 Bloomberg L.P. Asbury Park officials have a beloved and historic eyesore on their hands. And no easy way to save it. The Asbury Park Casino is in serious disrepair after facing nearly a century of wind, rain and salty air on the citys boardwalk. The property is owned by Madison Marquette, the developer responsible for its upkeep. But Asbury Park has no easy solution to restore the section of the building known as the breezeway, the walkthrough area that once housed the iconic arcade and connects to Convention Hall, the citys attorney for the waterfront redevelopment area said last week at a special city council meeting. The buildings deterioration has been an issue for more than a decade now. Advertisement Advertisement Theres been a lot of confusion, understandably, about the situation the city is in, said Joseph J. Maraziti Jr., the attorney. Its understandable because the documents are multiple, and they are confusing. Built in 1929, the Asbury Park Casino once housed bumper cars and an indoor skating rink. But the bulk of the building was demolished in 2006. The remaining structure was abruptly closed in May 2023 and has not reopened since, a city spokesperson previously said. Complicating the issue is all the paperwork between the city and developer, some of which stretches back to 2002. Some agreements like the Dispute Resolution Agreement, which was signed in 2010 and laid out a schedule of restoration work to be completed were voided by more recent deals. Advertisement Advertisement In late January, Madison Marquette requested a permit to demolish the breezeway. But the move drew sharp backlash from city officials and the public, and the developer quickly backpedaled, pledging a week later to instead repair and preserve the structure. The company has drawn criticism for the slow pace of redevelopment on the buildings it owns. Madison Marquette did not respond to a request for comment. In January 2023, Asbury Park city council members voted to hold Madison Marquette in default of its obligations to maintain and restore the buildings. (The Washington D.C.-based company has routinely ignored previous notices of default issued by the city, Maratizi previously said.) Advertisement Advertisement Some residents called for the city to sue the company or seize the buildings through eminent domain. But neither option is quick or inexpensive, Maratizi told the crowd at the Feb. 18 meeting. Attempting to seize property through eminent domain is time-consuming and costly, Maratizi told the public. The city must pay the fair market value, which can remain in dispute for years between the two parties. Its a risky process, Maratizi told NJ.com of condemnation. It doesnt mean its not on the table. It means you have to consider what is involved. The parties must have good faith negotiations, and the appraised value will impact residents property taxes. If negotiations fail, a complaint in condemnation can be filed. Advertisement Advertisement Theres a great disincentive to take private property in our country because of our Constitution and our focus on property rights, Maratizi said at the meeting. The publics other idea suing to force the developer to restore the properties is also an expensive and drawn-out process, according to Maratizi. Litigation can take several years and likely wont result in an immediate remedy, he said. It could also distract city officials from other municipal priorities, Maratizi added. A third very clear and exciting option is if the developers $83 million tax credit applications are approved by the state Economic Development Authority, Maratizi said. Advertisement Advertisement The tax credits would help finance the restoration of Convention Hall, the Paramount Theater and the Asbury Park Casino. City council members voted at the end of the Feb. 18 meeting to approve a resolution urging the state Economic Development Authority to approve the applications. That is an imminent possibility, if that happens, Maratizi told NJ.com. And even if it does happen, it will not be an immediate restoration that will begin. NJ.com staff writer Chris Sheldon contributed to this report. Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The tunnels crossed into IDF-controlled areas east of the yellow line, with the IDF attacking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon later on Thursday. The IDF located and dismantled underground tunnel routes in the Beit Hanoun area of Gaza, the IDF announced in a press release on Thursday. The tunnels, about 5 km in total, transited east of the yellow line into Israeli-controlled territory. The tunnels were discovered as part of continuing engineering operations being conducted by the IDF Southern Command, which is using targeted drilling to locate and clear terror infrastructure in IDF-held areas of Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Upon locating the tunnels, IDF soldiers from the Northern Brigade, working together with Yahalom Unit troops, demolished the underground network. A weapons stockpile uncovered within an underground tunnel route in Beit Hanoun, Gaza on February 26, 2026. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) In addition to the tunnels themselves, a weapons stockpile was uncovered within an underground tunnel route in the same area. The stockpile included observation and surveillance equipment, explosive devices, ammunition, grenades, launchers, rifles, and RPG rockets. The IDF said in its statement that "the Southern Command will continue operating in accordance with the ceasefire agreement to remove any immediate threat and to safeguard the security of the residents of the western Negev." Additionally, the IDF attacked infrastructure belonging to the Radwan Force unit of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in the Al-Balkah area in Lebanon, an IDF spokesman announced on Thursday. IDF troops kill terrorist in southern Gaza Additionally, IDF soldiers in southern Gaza shot and killed a terrorist on Thursday, the military confirmed. Advertisement Advertisement The terrorist had crossed the yellow line and approached the troops, who identified him as an immediate threat and opened fire. In a separate incident, another terrorist was killed by IDF troops after crossing the yellow line on Friday, with the soldiers having identified him as an imminent threat. The IDF stated that troops under the Southern Command will "remain deployed in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will continue to operate to remove any immediate threat." The Indiana Senate gave final approval to an immigration bill that allows local and state police to enforce federal immigration laws and for those officers to cooperate with ICE. With the 37-11 vote in favor of the bill, it heads to Gov. Mike Brauns desk for signature to become law. State Sen. Vaneta Becker, R-Evansville, and State Sen. Jean Leising, R-Oldenburg, joined all Democrats present to vote against the bill. Leising said because she represents a rural district, she was concerned about the impacts the bill will have on the states agricultural industry. Advertisement Advertisement For two hours, the Senate discussed the bill as it debated whether to support the amendments the House made to the bill. State Sen. Liz Brown, who authored Senate Bill 76, said the House made many changes to the bill, including banning written and unwritten sanctuary city laws and requiring that federal employment verification standards are followed, among other things. We are a sovereign nation only if we have secure borders. The last administration did a disservice to immigrants and, more importantly, to U.S. citizens by ignoring our immigration laws and removing any barriers to entry, Brown said. When President Trumps teams began asking for state and locals to assist federal law enforcement, it has been of the utmost importance to me that we respect the concerns, safety and otherwise, of law enforcement. Senate Bill 76 states that the enforcement of federal immigration laws may be carried out by federal, state or local law enforcement. Under the bill, the Indiana Department of Correction will provide training to all sheriffs-elect on how to cooperate with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement The bill was amended in the House Judiciary committee by State Rep. J.D. Prescott, R-Union City, to more closely align with the bill he proposed last year, known as the FAIRNESS Act: Fostering and Advancing Immigration Reforms Necessary to Ensure Safety and Security. Brown was criticized by Attorney General Todd Rokita after the 2025 session for not advancing the FAIRNESS Act when it reached a Senate committee she chaired. The bill allows the attorney general to sue a government agency, school or jail that doesnt comply with federal immigration officials with a penalty of $10,000 for each violation. The amendment also states that a government body couldnt be sued for complying with the bill. If someone is detained under an immigration detainer request, the bill states that the governmental body should give the judge authority to either grant or deny the persons release on bail, as well as record in their file, comply with and inform the detainee of the immigration detainer request. The bill prohibits an employer from recklessly or intentionally hiring or employing an undocumented immigrant. The bill allows the attorney general to sue employers who hire undocumented immigrants and report the person to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Advertisement Advertisement Further, the bill requires the legislative council to receive a report with data on the number of Hoosiers who arent citizens and are enrolled in or receiving benefits through the Indiana Residential Care Assistance Program, public assistance and welfare programs, family assistance services, Medicaid and Community Mental Health Services. If a law enforcement officer, government body or educational institution is sued, the attorney general shall defend the party, the bill states. It also removes the mens rea standard when it comes to governmental or educational institutions for violating the citizenship and immigration status information and enforcement of federal laws. The bill allows the governor to withhold state grants or funding to a city that doesnt comply with the law. As the Senators were addressing the House amendments to the bill, Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith, the president of the Senate, shared a picture from inside the chamber and his support for the bill as a whole on his Micah Beckwith For Indiana Facebook page. Advertisement Advertisement This is a commonsense immigration bill that gives Indiana the tools we need to uphold the rule of law and ensure that those who are here illegally are no longer draining resources meant for Hoosier citizens, Beckwith said. State Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, voiced his concerns with the way the bill was amended because it still gives local and state law enforcement authority to enforce federal immigration laws without considering the cost of training and increasing police officers workload. Randolph also expressed concern with the employment section of the bill because it will likely lead to company leaders selecting candidates based on preconceived notions about who isnt an immigrant to avoid breaking the law. The bill invites ICE into Indiana, Randolph said, and with that will come the untrained and unprofessional ICE agents who have detained and killed American citizens, as in Minnesota. Advertisement Advertisement We dont need these kinds of things at all. It doesnt help us. It hurts us, Randolph said. State Sen. Andrea Hunley, D-Indianapolis, said as a former principal, when she read the sections about schools having to comply with ICE agents, she pictured her former secretary Lisa, a former military police officer, the first line of defense for people entering the building. Lisa didnt play. Im imagining if someone came in and said, Is little Andrea enrolled here? Ill be darned if anybody gets past Lisa to get into the building, Hunley said. Under federal law, schools are required to teach students regardless of immigration status, Hunley said. Under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, student information is protected, she said. Advertisement Advertisement So, with Senate Bill 76, school administrators will have to choose between breaking state law or federal law if an ICE agent entered a school and started asking questions about students, Hunely said. We cant get this wrong when were talking about kids. I cant imagine for a moment coming to school to pick up my child and them not being there and me not knowing where they are, Hunley said. State Sen. Shelli Yoder, D-Bloomington, said the biggest concern she has with the House changes to the bill was the removal of mens rea, which means before someone can be charged, prosecutors have to prove he or she knowingly broke the law. As a whole, the bill will impact schools, employment practices and the workforce pipeline. The bill will likely lead to racial profiling in all those areas, Yoder said. Advertisement Advertisement Immigration status is not visible. Citizenship is not visible. Legal work authorization is not visible. When enforcement depends on suspicion, suspicion inevitably falls on appearance, language, accent and background, Yoder said. Republican legislators leaned on divisive rhetoric to differentiate between Hoosiers and illegal immigrants. Many of the Republicans who spoke voiced support for removing undocumented immigrants from the country. State Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown, said he supported the bill and the methods used to remove undocumented immigrants. I dont care how long theyve been here. They need to get out. I support every method of getting every (undocumented immigrant) out of Indiana today. I dont care who they work for. I dont care how many family members are here. Makes no difference to me, Garten said. Advertisement Advertisement State Sen. Michael Young, R-Indianapolis, said as Trump said in his State of the Union address, the government should put citizens first. To me, our first duty is to protect our citizens, not those who are here illegally, Young said. akukulka@post-trib.com Indianas county needle exchange programs would face tighter restrictions under a bill that received final legislative approval extending those efforts to limit the spread of disease among people using intravenous drugs. It was one of dozens of bills receiving final concurrence votes in both chambers Wednesday. The Senate voted 38-10 on Wednesday in favor of Senate Bill 91, sending it to Gov. Mike Braun for consideration. Advertisement Advertisement The measure would extend for five years the programs now offered in six of Indianas 92 counties, but public health advocates have argued new restrictions will hamper their work to provide sterile needles, disease testing and addiction counseling referrals. Bill author Sen. Mike Crider, R-Greenfield, said the proposal puts standards in place that if they fail to meet the expectations of the program and theres a complaint to the State Department of Health, the program can be suspended. Those new rules would require a participant to present identification proving residency in the exchange programs region and limit the program operators to providing one sterile needle for each used one handed in. Lawmakers added those restrictions following persistent criticism of the programs enabling illegal drug use and the spreading of health dangers from discarded needles. Advertisement Advertisement The programs face a renewal deadline this summer after first being authorized under then-Gov. Mike Pence in 2015 following an HIV outbreak in rural southern Indianas Scott County that was spread through needle sharing and infected around 200 people. Authorization for those programs would continue until July 2031 under the bill. SNAP, Medicaid conformity bill heads to governor Lawmakers also sent Senate Bill 1 to the governor Wednesday, approving the Republican-backed measure tightening verification rules for food assistance and Medicaid eligibility in a 39-9 vote. Bill author Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown, said it aligns Indiana law with new federal requirements and adds state-level guardrails aimed at reducing high error payment rates in public assistance programs. Advertisement Advertisement This entire bill is focused around the Medicaid error payment rate and the SNAP error payment rate, Garten said. Senate Bill 1 is the administrative guardrail that we need as a state to ensure that our Hoosiers who are poor and disabled and need services continue to get a sustainable program as we deliver it. Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown, backs a human services bill on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Photo by Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Garten said Indianas current error rates could expose the state to massive federal penalties and cited a SNAP error rate of 9.5% and a Medicaid error rate of roughly 19%. But Democrats raised concerns that the bill goes beyond federal compliance and risks placing additional burdens on eligible Hoosiers. Sen. Fady Qaddoura, D-Indianapolis, questioned whether the legislation addresses the root cause of the error rates. Advertisement Advertisement The same agency that processes eligibility that led Indiana to exceed the error calculating rate is the same agency that now we are asking them to do the redeterminations, Qaddoura said, calling the approach kind of circular. Senate Minority Leader Shellie Yoder, D-Bloomington, argued the bill reflects a broader national agenda and warned it could create new hurdles for families seeking assistance. It is creating complex hoops and hurdles and paperwork and administrative bloat in an already complex system, Yoder said. Garten rejected claims the bill would cut off eligible recipients, however. He also emphasized that benefits continue during appeals. Advertisement Advertisement This bill isnt hurting any users of Medicaid. Let me be very clear about that, Garten said. Not one person whos eligible for Medicaid today will be ineligible as long as they follow these guidelines. Success sequence and college admissions Additionally on its way to the governor, Senate Bill 88 would add success sequence instruction in Indianas K-12 schools. The measure passed the Senate a final time in a 34-14 vote. It requires schools to teach that success involves finishing high school, getting a full-time job and waiting until marriage to have children. The aim, said bill author Sen. Gary Byrne, R-Byrneville, is to reduce poverty. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement The bill also requires Hoosier public universities to accept the Classic Learning as a college entrance exam option. The test is favored by classical and religious schools for its focus on Western, classical and early Christian thought. Democrats have repeatedly argued that the CLT is less effective than the ACT or SAT at predicting college success. Supporters of the bill maintained that the CLT is a better gauge for students in private and homeschool environments. Still, the final draft of the bill does not force Indiana public colleges and universities to require such tests at all. Currently, most Hoosier institutions are test optional, meaning prospective students can choose whether to submit SAT and ACT scores with their admission application. Environmental deregulation A divisive bill to deregulate environmental protections in the state almost didnt pass. On the last vote on the night in the Senate, the running tally on the vote board for Senate Bill 277 was 22 for and 25 against. Advertisement Advertisement To save the GOP bill, four Republicans changed their no votes to yes, giving it a 26-21 victory. The senators who changed their minds were Scott Alexander, Mike Bohacek, Daryl Schmitt and Jim Tomes. The overhaul bill changes dozens of shall requirements into optional may provisions for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to enforce environmental. law. Supporters have argued it modernizes outdated language and gives regulators flexibility, while critics have warned it weakens safeguards for air and water quality and human health. Tax deductions and penny rounding Senate Bill 243 is headed to the governor with a 47-0 vote. Advertisement Advertisement The measure would add one-year tax deductions on overtime and tip income, along with the interest on loans for U.S.-made vehicles saving Hoosiers about $250 million. The legislation also takes aim at a penny shortage that began after the U.S. Mint ended production of the one-cent coin in November. Retailers and agencies have been handling cash transactions as they wish in the absence of a statewide policy. Retailers can choose to round down or up on transactions. Hoosier governments, meanwhile, would be required to round down. The rounding regime could cost the state millions in sales tax revenue, while agencies could lose thousands in earnings off fees, fines and more. It would take effect in 2027. Housing overhaul House lawmakers also signed off on a key housing measure Wednesday, voting 72-21 to concur with Senate changes to House Bill 1001, a Republican priority measure aimed at boosting residential development and lowering costs for both builders and homebuyers. Advertisement Advertisement Bill author Rep. Doug Miller, R-Elkhart, himself a homebuilder, framed the proposal as a collaborative effort with local governments and housing stakeholders and said the goal is to bring more housing to market and make it more affordable for Hoosiers. The final draft of the bill is designed to address Indianas housing shortage by limiting local zoning rules, streamlining approvals and expanding what types of residential development must be allowed without public hearings unless a city or county formally opts out. Rep. Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington, pressed Miller about safety and affordability tradeoffs and warned that while the bill trims costs for builders, we dont really have any guarantee that those savings will find their way down to the actual purchaser of the unit. I understand that we are all desperate in here to vote for an affordable housing bill because we know our constituents are probably more than frustrated, or probably angry at their inability to afford reasonable housing, Pierce said. But theres really nothing in the bill that requires those savings to be passed on to the potential homeowner It might end up just creating a greater profit margin. Public records and data scraping Legislation intended to block data scrapers from clogging Indiana agencies with fishy public records requests heads to the governor after the House concurred with Senate chances in a unanimous, 95-0 vote Wednesday. House Bill 1360 would allow state and local public agencies to set up online portals distinguishing bots from humans and Hoosiers from non-residents. The Senate added language allowing for denials when the requester is involved in a lawsuit and their request is duplicative of a discovery request theve already submitted in addition to other technical changes. Indianapolis school governance A bill to reshape governance and coordination across Indianapolis public schools traditional and charters passed a final House vote, too, 67-30. House Bill 1423, authored by Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis, formalizes recommendations from the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance, ILEA, and would establish the Indianapolis Public Education Corporation. The new municipal entity and board would coordinate transportation, facilities and school performance across all non-virtual, non-adult public schools within Indianapolis Public Schools boundaries. With final approval from the governor, IPEC will assume control over school property decisions starting in 2029, create a unified transportation plan ultimately requiring all schools to provide busing, and develop a framework for closing chronically underperforming or inefficient schools. The bill also reshapes finances and governance by exempting IPS from the states $1 school-building law; limiting who can authorize new charter schools inside IPS boundaries; giving IPEC authority to impose property tax levies and take on debt, with some short-term IPS oversight; and allowing it to divert up to 3% of local operations fund revenue from IPS and charters to run the new system while setting its own formula for distributing property-tax and other revenues among participating schools. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A proposal to keep cellphones out of Hoosier students hands for the entire school day is headed to the governors desk after clearing its final legislative hurdle Wednesday. The Indiana Senate voted 36-12 to approve Senate Bill 78, sending the measure to Gov. Mike Braun for final signoff. Seven Democrats and five Republicans opposed the bill. The legislation would require school districts and charter schools across Indiana to adopt policies largely prohibiting student cellphone use from the start of the school day until dismissal. Advertisement Advertisement Restrictions apply to common student devices including cellphones, smartwatches and gaming devices which schools must either prohibit entirely or require students to keep powered off and inaccessible during the school day. That could mean a student locker or locked device pouches. Bell to bell ban Bill author Sen. Jeff Raatz, R-Richmond, said the bell-to-bell restriction is aimed at reducing ever-growing distractions in classrooms. Changes made to the bill in the House clarify when schools can allow certain instructional devices. Until July 1, 2028, teachers could permit either school-provided devices or school-sanctioned student devices approved by the school and restricted to instructional use on the schools network. After that date, classroom use would be limited to devices supplied by the school. Sen. Jeff Raatz, R-Richmond, presides over Indianas Senate Education Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (Photo by Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle) The opposing chamber also added language to direct the Indiana Department of Education to provide guidance to schools implementing the policy, and to ensure students who rely on assistive technology such as devices that record notes or connect with classroom microphones are not prevented from using them. Advertisement Advertisement Supporters have said in committee discussions that restricting phones throughout the school day will improve student focus and reduce disruptions. Bill sponsor Rep. Jake Teshka, R-North Liberty, said in the House on Tuesday that lawmakers were responding to widespread concerns from teachers and school leaders about constant distractions in classrooms. Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, emphasized that schools that already enforce stricter cellphone policies have reported improvements in attention and fewer behavioral problems. Some Indiana schools already use locked pouches like the Yondr Pouch that students seal at the start of the day and unlock when leaving the building. Advertisement Advertisement That process typically requires students to turn off or place their phone on airplane mode, secure it in the pouch under staff supervision, store it in a backpack or locker during the day, and unlock it at dismissal. An ongoing school cellphone crackdown The legislation builds on a growing push among Indiana lawmakers and top state officials to tighten limits on student phone use. Lawmakers previously approved a statewide requirement for schools to adopt cellphone policies restricting use during instructional time. But the latest effort goes further by pushing schools to limit access for the entire school day. Raatz and other supporters cited growing concerns from educators about ongoing distractions, online bullying, excessive social media use and inconsistent enforcement of existing rules around classroom devices. Advertisement Advertisement Under Senate Bill 78, school corporations and charter schools would be required to adopt and enforce wireless device policies that meet the new state standards. IDOE would also publish model policy language and guidance to help districts comply. The proposal includes liability protections, as well. Schools and school employees would be shielded from civil liability for actions taken in good faith to enforce the cellphone rules. Schools could choose to use secure phone storage systems, like the locking pouches, which are estimated to cost roughly $15 to $30 per unit, though the bill does not require districts to purchase them. The requirements would take effect July 1, 2026, if signed into law. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Lidia Terrazas, a national correspondent for the Spanish-language news network N+ Univision, had been reporting on families at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley for nearly a year when the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center suddenly began to draw public scrutiny and media attention. That spotlight followed the detention of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father after were taken by ICE agents in Minnesota. Soon after U.S. Reps. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, and Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, came to visit Liam - on the same day that a riot squad of Texas Department of Safety troopers unleashed pepper spray canisters at a crowd that had been peacefully protesting the boy's detention - Terrazas learned of another child inside Dilley in urgent need of help: 2-month-old Juan Nicolas. Advertisement Advertisement At first, Terrazas couldn't believe that a child so young was being held at Dilley. It went against everything she thought she knew about U.S. immigrant detention policy. "I said, That's impossible. There's no way.' Especially because you think about, you know, DHS directives," Terrazas told MySA this week. According to a 2021 ICE directive, nursing infants and their mothers up to a year postpartum should not be detained. But by the time Terrazas learned about Juan Nicolas, his family had already spent weeks inside Dilley after turning themselves in to border agents to request asylum, and he had developed severe bronchitis. People protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement as they march toward the South Texas Family Residential Center on January 28, 2026 in Dilley, Texas. (Joel Angel Juarez/Getty Images) When Terrazas made contact with the baby's mother, Mireya Lopez, she was afraid to talk, especially after her 16-month-old daughter, Mia, had also been hospitalized. But Mireya worried Juan Nicolas wasn't receiving adequate medical care. Advertisement Advertisement "She seemed so desperate, and I could hear his chest when he would breathe. I could hear that noise in his chest," Terrazas recalled of the first moments she was able to speak with Mireya. The labored sound of Juan Nicolas' breathing concerned Terrazas. "I think that's sort of what drew me to the story," she said - a story that would lead her to Guatemala. Terrazas began using her social media platform to draw attention to Juan Nicolas' story and calling her followers to action in daily live video streams. Inside Dilley, the baby's bronchitis worsened, prompting a trip to a local hospital, where he was later discharged before dawn. What followed next was a deliberate sort of hours-long keep-away. As Terrazas continued reporting from outside the detention facility, attorney Corey Martin was inside trying to reach the family to no avail. Advertisement Advertisement "They were able to stall her for two-and-a-half hours until they snuck out the family and took them straight to the border," Terrazas said. Terrazas caught up with the family at a Piedras Negras hotel across the border from Eagle Pass. The Mexican municipal government soon arranged for the baby to be seen by a doctor and prescribed medications - something officials in Dilley had told Mireya they couldn't do because he was too young. Juan Nicolas, a 2-month-old baby who was held at the South Texas Family Residential Center, an ICE detention center in Dilley, Texas, is seen after he and his family were deported to Mexico in February 2026. (Courtesy Lidia Terrazas) Terrazas later accompanied the family as they traveled to the remote Guatemalan village where Juan Nicolas' father, Juan Momo, has family. The difference in the family's demeanor was remarkable. In the Mexican hotel, they had looked "distraught." Now, "they look at peace," Terrazas said. But neither Mireya nor Juan can stop talking about Dilley. They've implored Terrazas to tell other families' stories, too. Advertisement Advertisement And as Juan Nicolas' story concludes, that's exactly what Terrazas has begun to do. While still in Guatemala, she broke the story of Juana, whom ICE deported while 36 weeks pregnant. For weeks, adrenaline has fueled Terrazas' 18- to 20-hour days and has continued to do so as she and San Antonio-based photographer Alejandro Villanueva have traveled through Mexico and Guatemala with the full support of the N+ Univision network. "They've been amazing. I'm so grateful for the trust. And I feel that with the trust from families comes the trust from my network," Terrazas said. However, as Terrazas turns her attention from Juan Nicolas to Juana, she has yet to take a moment to reflect. Advertisement Advertisement "As of now, my feelings are definitely on hold, and I haven't really processed what has happened the last few days. I know when I get back home I am going to all of a sudden get this wave of emotions," Terrazas said. "All I hope is that it fuels me so I can continue to do my work, giving that 800% so that I can continue to let people know what's really happening in these places," she added a moment later. This article originally published at Inside a Univision TV reporter's journey to find baby Juan Nicolas. Parents using Instagram's child supervision tools will soon receive alerts if their teen repeatedly searches for suicide or self-harm related terms on the platform. It is the first time parent company Meta will proactively alert parents to searches by their child on Instagram for harmful material, rather than just block searches and direct users to external help. Parents and teens enrolled in Instagram's Teen Accounts experience in the UK, US, Australia and Canada will be notified about the alerts from next week, with the rest of the world to follow later. Advertisement Advertisement But suicide prevention charity the Molly Rose Foundation has strongly criticised the measures, warning they "could do more harm than good". "This clumsy announcement is fraught with risk and we are concerned that forced disclosures could do more harm than good," said its chief executive Andy Burrows. The organisation was established by the family of Molly Russell, who took her own life in 2017 at the age of 14 after viewing self-harm and suicide content on platforms including Instagram. Burrows said "every parent would want to know if their child is struggling, but these flimsy notifications will leave parents panicked and ill-prepared to have the sensitive and difficult conversations that will follow". Advertisement Advertisement Meta says alerts to parents about their child searching for suicide and self-harm material within a short space of time on Instagram will also be accompanied by expert resources to help them navigate difficult conversations. However, Molly Russell's father Ian, who set up the Molly Rose Foundation in her honour, remains sceptical about the alerts. "Imagine being a parent of a teenager and getting a message at work saying 'your child is thinking of ending their life'... I don't know how I'd react," he told the BBC. "And even if Meta say they're going to supply support to that parent, in that moment of panic when you hear that about your child, I don't think that's a very sensible way of doing things." 'Neglecting the real issue' A number of charities including the Molly Rose Foundation have said Meta's announcement is almost an acknowledgment that more could be done to protect children on Instagram. Advertisement Advertisement Ged Flynn, chief executive of charity Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide, said while it welcomed Instagram's announcement, Meta was "neglecting the real issue that children and young people continue to be sucked into a dark and dangerous online world". "Parents contact us every day to say how worried they are about their children online," he told the BBC. "They don't want to be warned after their children search for harmful content, they don't want it to be spoon-fed to them by unthinking algorithms." Meanwhile Leanda Barrington-Leach, executive director at children's charity 5Rights, said "if Meta is to take child safety seriously, it needs to return to the drawing board and make its systems age-appropriate by design and default". Advertisement Advertisement Burrows also cited prior research by the Foundation which indicated Instagram still "actively" recommends harmful content about depression, suicide and self-harm to "vulnerable young people". "The onus should be on addressing these risks rather than making yet another cynically timed announcement that passes the buck to parents," he added. Meta disputed the organisation's findings published last September, saying it "misrepresents our efforts to empower parents and protect teens". Increased scrutiny Instagram's Teen Account alerts are designed to tell parents if there is a sudden change in their child's behaviour and search habits on the platform. Advertisement Advertisement Meta said in a blog post the measures build on Instagram's existing teen protections, which include hiding material relating to suicide or self-harm on the app and blocking searches for harmful or dangerous content. Alerts will be sent to parents by email, text, WhatsApp or on the Instagram app itself, depending on what contact information Meta has for families. Meta says these are the kinds of alerts parents will receive [Meta] Meta says Instagram's new alerts - stemming from its analysis of user search patterns - may occasionally alert parents when there is no cause for concern and will "err on the side of caution". Sameer Hinduja, co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center, said the alert would "obviously" be alarming for any parent to receive. Advertisement Advertisement But he told the BBC "what matters is not just the alert itself but the quality and usefulness of the resources parents immediately receive to guide them through what to do next". "You can't drop a notification on a parent and leave them on their own, and it seems like Meta understands that," Hinduja added. Instagram says in coming months it will also look to apply similar alerts if teens discuss self-harm and suicide with its AI chatbot as children "increasingly turn to AI for support". Social media companies are facing increasing pressure from governments worldwide to make their platforms safer for children. Advertisement Advertisement At the start of the year, Australia banned social media for under-16s - with Spain, France and the UK considering similar steps. Regulators and lawmakers are meanwhile closely scrutinising big tech's business practices towards young users. Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri recently appeared in court in the US to defend the company against claims it targeted younger users. Additional reporting by James Kelly If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article, help and support is available via BBC Action Line. [BBC] Sign up for our Tech Decoded newsletter to follow the world's top tech stories and trends. Outside the UK? Sign up here. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) As the United States assembles its greatest military firepower in decades in the Middle East, Iranians are warily awaiting the next round of talks with the U.S. in Geneva this week negotiations that many see as a last chance for their ruling theocracy to strike a deal with U.S. President Donald Trump. Some say the situation feels hopeless. Battered by decades of sanctions, heightened by Trump's 2018 decision to withdraw from Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers, Iranians also just suffered through the bloodiest crackdown on dissent in the country's modern history. Still, Iran heads into the Thursday talks with a determination to achieve a fair and equitable deal in the shortest possible time, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted Tuesday on X. Advertisement Advertisement As Iranians await the outcome of the Geneva negotiations, many fear the outbreak of a war that could surpass Iran's bloody 1980s conflict with Iraq. That conflict sparked a patriotic response from Iranian volunteers. But now the prospects of a war with the U.S. have riven a population that includes hard-line supporters of the theocracy and those who feel Iran is splitting at the seams, especially after it is still reeling from a devastating 12-day war with Israel in June and thousands of people killed and arrested during last month's protests. Trump said at least 32,000 people were killed in the protests, which is at the further end of estimates over the death toll. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activist News Agency has so far counted more than 7,000 dead and believes the death toll is far higher. Irans government offered its only death toll on Jan. 21, saying 3,117 people were killed. Every morning when I get up, my brain is full of chaos, said Sepideh Bafarani, a 29-year-old woman who works in a women's clothing store. It's a possible war ... and an ongoing bad economic situation. Advertisement Advertisement Rasool Razzaghi, a 54-year-old resident in the capital, Tehran, shared similar concerns ahead of the talks. I predict that if both sides really mean what they are saying, a war will start," he said. Trump's armada is getting closer For weeks, Trump has talked about an armada now largely in place off the coast of Iran, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. He has also sent the USS Gerald R. Ford, the worlds largest aircraft carrier, from the Caribbean toward the Mideast. Overall, at least 16 U.S. Navy ships will be assembled, according to a U.S. Navy official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to detail sensitive military movements. Advertisement Advertisement Thats comparable to Operation Desert Fox in 1998, when American and British forces bombed Iraq for four days over Saddam Hussein s refusal to comply with U.N. Security Council resolutions about weapons inspections. There are hundreds of fighter jets and other support aircraft in the region necessary for launching a major attack on Iran. Adding to that force, the United States also moved 12 F-22 stealth fighter jets to a base in Israel on Tuesday, according to a U.S. official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity to detail sensitive military movements. Meanwhile, the CIA published instructions in Farsi online on how Iranians can securely contact the spy agency. Iranians have been watching the buildup with growing concern, some by surreptitiously getting around internet restrictions or watching satellite news channels. Iranian state television has continued showing the country's military running drills and its leaders threatening massive retaliation against any American assault. Advertisement Advertisement Iranian state TV on Tuesday said the country's Revolutionary Guard held a drill that included launching missiles, flying drones and firing guns at targets along its coast, without elaborating on the exact time or place of the exercise. Its not an equal situation," a passerby told The Associated Press on Tuesday in Tehran, declining to give his name for fear of reprisals. "One side has entered the talks with a lot of power, it has lot of equipment. On the other hand, Iran is in a weak position. They want total surrender, but I think thats not viable. Steve Witkoff, the billionaire friend of Trump serving as his special Mideast envoy, has said the president didnt understand why Iran hadnt capitulated given the forces arrayed against it in the region and beyond in Europe. Iranian Foreign Minister spokesperson Esmail Baghaei dismissed Witkoffs comments on Monday, saying the word capitulation does not exist in the Iranians dictionary. In his X posts Tuesday, Araghchi reiterated that Iran had no intention of ever developing a nuclear weapon but said it also would not forgo the right to harness the dividends of peaceful nuclear technology for our people. Advertisement Advertisement The Geneva talks, he said, are 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. Iran, he added, would stop at nothing to guard our sovereignty with courage. It remains unclear just what Iran could offer Trump. Tehran has insisted it wants to continue enriching uranium, something Trump has repeatedly said must stop. It also has refused to discuss its ballistic missile arsenal or its support of regional proxy forces, another Trump demand. Everybody is worried It remains difficult to speak to people in Iran; internet and telephone lines remain disrupted following last month's nationwide protests. On the streets of Tehran, many people are suspicious of talking to journalists, assuming reporters work for the government. Iran's theocracy controls all radio and TV stations in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Those who did talk with the AP repeatedly mentioned the 1980s war with Iraq, a cataclysmic event in the minds of those old enough to remember it. I remember many bad situations, but even during Iran-Iraq war in 1980s it was not like this," said Hassan Mirzaei, a 68-year-old taxi driver. I am in shock without any hope especially when there is word about war. He added: I have two orphaned grandchildren, and I need to work to feed. The man in Tehran who spoke of an unequal nature of the talks said: We once fought Iraq for eight years, but it was a country at the same level with us. Going to war with America, Israel and NATO will have very horrible and unpredictable consequences." Advertisement Advertisement What can we do, he added. "We cant leave our country. Ami Mianji, a 33-year-old who runs an auto repair shop, described Iranians as a brave people who aren't afraid of war. I do not care about threats by Trump and others; eventually Iranians will push back any warmonger, Mianji said. A student who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals said, Iran is refusing to back down from its positions for sure, because if it does, it would have officially given up its 40-year-old ideology." I have no hope, he added. "The leaders of both countries speak often, and none of them is willing to concede to reach a deal. So the likelihood for war is high. ___ Associated Press writer Konstantin Toropin in Washington contributed to this report. LAGOS, Feb 26 - Militants linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State are rapidly increasing their attacks on the borderlands between Niger, Benin and Nigeria, turning remote transit corridors into active conflict zones, according to a crisis monitoring group. Violent incidents involving Islamist groups in the triborder area rose 90% between 2024 and 2025 and deaths more than doubled to over 1,000 as attacks intensified, the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) project said in a report published on Thursday. The findings underscore the accelerating spread of jihadist groups in West Africa, where governments and foreign militaries have struggled for more than a decade to contain their advance. Advertisement Advertisement The report said fighters aligned with al Qaeda and Islamic State have deepened their presence in Benins Alibori and Borgou departments, Nigers Dosso region, and Nigerias Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger and Kwara states. Their operations now reflect "continued spread, growing lethality, and rising risks to civilians," it added. The Nigerian military and Niger and Benin governments did not respond to requests for comment. MILITANTS EXPAND IN NORTHWEST NIGERIA Nigeria has battled Islamist insurgents for over 15 years - mainly Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP)in the northeast. But al Qaeda and Islamic Stateaffiliated cells have become more active in the northwest, where vast forests and weak state presence have created favourable terrain. Advertisement Advertisement West Africa hosts a patchwork of jihadist factions, many operating under the umbrellas of al Qaedalinked Jama'at Nusrat alIslam walMuslimin (JNIM) or Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP). Their expansion has fuelled political instability across the region. Militaries in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have seized power since 2020, citing the failure of elected governments to stem the violence. Soldiers behind a failed coup attempt in Benin in December also blamed insecurity. The U.S. carried out air strikes in northwestern Nigeria in December and has begun deploying a small number of troops to train Nigerian forces confronting militants. Regional coordination has weakened in recent years as Niger, Burkina Faso and Malinow governed by military juntashave withdrawn from regional blocs, hampering joint security operations. Advertisement Advertisement ACLED said jihadist groups have stepped up communication about their activities in the triborder zone, which could signal competition between rival factions. Such "outbidding," the report said, is likely to drive further escalation. Sparse governance and porous borders have long made frontier regions across the Sahel and coastal West Africa targets for Islamist groups seeking to evade security forces, resupply fighters and establish control over communities. (Reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe in Lagos and David Lewis in London, Editing by Alexandra Hudson) By Olivia Le Poidevin and Laila Bassam GENEVA/BEIRUT, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Israel has warned Lebanon that it would strike the country hard, targeting civilian infrastructure including the airport, in the event that Hezbollah gets involved in any U.S.-Iran war, two senior Lebanese officials said on Tuesday. The Lebanese officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Israeli message was delivered indirectly. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Lebanese presidency did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement 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, amid growing concerns about the risk of military conflict. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, whose government has sought the disarmament of Iran-backed Hezbollah since taking office a year ago, urged the group not to take Lebanon into "another adventure", speaking in a newspaper interview published on Tuesday. Israel dealt heavy blows to Hezbollah during a war in 2024, killing its leader Hassan Nasrallah along with thousands of its fighters and destroying much of its arsenal. Shi'ite Muslim Hezbollah was established by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in 1982. Advertisement Advertisement Hezbollah's new leader Naim Qassem said in a televised address last month that the group was "not neutral" in the standoff between Washington and Tehran, and that it was "targeted by the potential aggression". "We are determined to defend ourselves. We will choose in due course how to act, whether to intervene or not," Qassem said. Hezbollah's last war with Israel began after it opened fire in solidarity with its Palestinian ally Hamas at the start of the Gaza conflict in 2023, prompting months of cross-border fighting before Israel mounted its devastating offensive. PM SALAM WARNS HEZBOLLAH AGAINST 'ANOTHER ADVENTURE' Advertisement Advertisement "The Gaza adventure imposed a big cost on Lebanon. We hope that we will not be dragged into another adventure," Salam told Nida al-Watan newspaper in the interview published on Tuesday. The U.S. State Department is pulling out non-essential government personnel and their eligible family members from the U.S. embassy in Beirut, a senior State Department official said on Monday. Since a U.S.-backed ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon in 2024, Israel has carried out regular strikes against what it has identified as Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, accusing the group of seeking to rearm. Israeli strikes have killed around 400 people in Lebanon since the ceasefire, according to a Lebanese toll. Advertisement Advertisement Hezbollah says it has respected the ceasefire in southern Lebanon. In January, the U.S.-backed Lebanese army said it had established operational control over the south, in line with the objective of establishing a monopoly on arms. Israel said the effort was an encouraging beginning but far from sufficient. (Additional reporting by Maayan Lubell and Alexander Cornwell in Jerusalem; Writing by Tom PerryEditing by Peter Graff and Gareth Jones) Nvidias stock slid Thursday despite the US chip giant posting strong earnings, a reflection of the volatile nature of todays AI trade. The companys quarterly revenue and projections both exceeded expectations, but investors remain skeptical about whether booming AI spending can be sustained. A question mark also hangs over Nvidias China business, after the US government approved sales of the companys H200 chips to Chinese customers, though its unclear if Beijing will sign off. Largely, emotions, not logic, [are] driving the stock market right now, one strategist said. Tech stocks have seesawed in recent weeks on concerns about the sky-high AI expenditures. A chart showing Nvidias stock price this year. J.D. Capelouto OXFORD, Miss. (WJTV) The Mississippi Insurance Department (MID) said losses from the January 2026 ice storm exceed $107 million. I have instructed companies throughout the state to participate in a data call. Results have started coming in, showing just how many properties and homeowners were impacted. At last check, more than 12,000 claims have been filed, totaling more than $107 million in incurred losses. I expect that number to continue to climb as reporting continues, said Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Chaney. Panola EMA director after deadly ice storm: Im so sorry Advertisement Advertisement According to the MID, data showed the majority of claims, more than 10,000, are for residential property. Of the 12,000-plus claims filed, 55% have been closed, and more than $60 million has already been paid. If you were impacted by the storm and have not already filed a claim, Chaney said you should do so now: Prepare to file an insurance claim by gathering all relevant policy numbers. File your claim as soon as possible. Your policy may require that you make the notification within a certain time period. Be aware that if a widespread disaster has occurred, the company may set up special procedures. Be sure you cooperate fully with the insurance company. Ask what documents, forms, and data you will need to file a claim. Keep a record of all conversations with insurance companies, creditors, or relief agencies. If your home is damaged to the extent that you cant live there, ask your insurance company if you have coverage for additional living expenses. Take photographs/video of the damage. Inventory your home for damaged or lost items before your adjustor arrives. This will speed up your claim process. Make the repairs necessary to prevent further damage to your property (cover broken windows, leaking roofs, and damaged walls). Dont have permanent repairs made until your insurance company has inspected the property and you have reached an agreement on the cost of repairs. Be prepared to provide the claims adjuster with records of any improvements you made before the damage. Maintain any damaged personal property for the adjuster to inspect. Ask the adjuster for an itemized explanation of the claim settlement offer. Be patient and assist claims adjusters assigned to your case. Small losses may be settled quickly; extensive claims will take longer. Save all receipts, including those from the temporary repairs covered by your insurance policy. If you need assistance, contact the MID Consumer Services Division by phone at 1-800-562-2957 or 601-359-2453. You can also email consumer@mid.ms.gov. Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Weather Forecast 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 WJTV. Oleksii Kuleba, Ukraine's Minister for Communities and Territories Development, and Masashi Nakagome, Japan's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ukraine, have signed an agreement in the form of an exchange of notes on providing grant assistance. Source: Oleksii Kuleba Quote: "This effectively marks the start of the fifth phase of the Emergency Recovery Programme. The grant assistance totals JPY 6.2 billion, that is approximately US$41 million." Advertisement Advertisement Details: Kuleba noted that the Emergency Recovery Programme started back in 2023. Under previous phases of the programme, the Japanese government allocated JPY 100 billion (approx. US$640 million). The minister informed that Ukrainian hromadas have already received and continue to receive specialised equipment for clearing rubble, powerful generators, pumps for water utilities and demining equipment. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.] Most of the equipment and machinery were sent to Kherson, Kharkiv and Mykolaiv oblasts areas that have suffered the most destruction as well as to the city of Dnipro as a logistics and humanitarian hub. Kuleba said that the fifth phase will allow critical infrastructure to be strengthened in a planned manner and support medicine, the agricultural sector and public broadcasting. Advertisement Advertisement "Importantly, the exchange of notes opens the way to finalising the Grant Agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, where projects and procurements will be clearly detailed," he emphasised. Background: Ukraine received a US$690 million grant from Japan and Canada under G7 countries' ERA mechanism through the World Bank's PEACE in Ukraine programme. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Dallas U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett has a double-digit lead over Austin state Rep. James Talarico in the final days of Texas Senate Democratic primary, according to a new poll released Wednesday. In the survey, fielded from Feb. 2 to Feb. 16, Crockett garnered the support of 56% of voters, while Talarico got 44%. For the Democratic primary, pollsters from the University of Texas Texas Politics Project surveyed a sample of 369 voters, producing a margin of error of +/-5.1 points. As in other polls, Crockett had a massive advantage with Black voters, drawing 87% support. The Dallas congresswoman also led among seniors and voters without a college degree. Advertisement Advertisement Talarico had a narrow advantage with white voters winning them by only 6 percentage points while Hispanic voters were a virtual tossup, with Crockett leading by 4 points. The UT poll comes on the heels of a survey by the University of Houstons Hobby School of Public Affairs, fielded in late January, that found Crockett leading Talarico by 8 percentage points. On the Republican side, the UT poll found Attorney General Ken Paxton and Sen. John Cornyn running neck-and-neck, with neither candidate close to the 50%-plus-one-vote threshold needed to avoid a runoff. Paxton led with 36% to Cornyns 34%. Houston U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt was in third, garnering 26% of the vote. The Senate Republican primary poll surveyed 350 registered voters and has a margin of error of +/-5.2 points. Advertisement Advertisement Overall, the poll surveyed 1,300 registered voters, with an oversample of verified primary voters for questions about the 2026 primary elections. Such voters were defined as those with a verified history of voting in any of the last three primaries, and who then indicated they would vote in the Democratic or Republican primary if it were held today. Fielded just before the start of early voting, the poll found the U.S. Senate candidates are relatively well-known, especially compared to other candidates running in statewide races. Fewer than 20% of voters said they did not know enough or had no opinion of Cornyn, Crockett and Paxton, while about a third of voters said the same about Hunt and Talarico. Cornyn and Paxton were underwater by 8- and 10-point margins, respectively, in their favorability ratings, while Hunt had a narrowly positive rating. Both Crockett and Talarico had positive ratings, with net favorabilities of 10 and 18 points, respectively. The poll also found U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, and state Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, were poised to advance to a runoff election in the open Republican primary to succeed Paxton as attorney general. Advertisement Advertisement Roy led the pack with 40%, followed by Middleton at 38% well within the margin of error of +/-5.7 points. State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, and Aaron Reitz, a former deputy attorney general under Paxton, stood at 9% and 5%, respectively. Paxton has endorsed Reitz in the primary. Among the four candidates, only Roy was known by over 50% of voters. On the Democratic side, former Galveston mayor Joe Jaworski led Dallas state Sen. Nathan Johnson, 52% to 28%, while attorney and former FBI agent Tony Box trailed with 10%. In the governor and lieutenant governors races, incumbent Republicans Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick led their respective primaries against little-known challengers by wide margins. On the Democratic side, state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, a gubernatorial candidate, and state Rep. Vikki Goodwin, who is running for lieutenant governor, were well over the 50% margin needed to win outright. Advertisement Advertisement The poll also contained an auspicious result for Democrats running for Congress in Texas. The generic ballot found Republicans and Democrats tied in the race for U.S. Congress at 42% apiece. Among Hispanic voters, the poll found Democrats winning 50% to 31% on the generic congressional ballot. Disclosure: University of Houston has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here. A federal judge has again rebuffed preservationists attempt to halt President Donald Trumps plan to build a massive ballroom atop the site of the now-demolished East Wing of the White House. However, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon left open the possibility that he could still take action to halt the controversial project if opponents reframe their legal claims. In a ruling Thursday, Leon concluded he was obliged to reject the National Trust for Historic Preservations request for a preliminary injunction. The group claimed that the construction violated the Administrative Procedure Act, but that law isnt applicable to the ballroom project. Advertisement Advertisement Based on the claims presently before the Court, I agree with Defendants and conclude that I lack authority to reach the merits of the National Trust's claims, wrote Leon, who also denied a temporary restraining order against the project in December. Justice Department attorneys said Trumps project is being run by the White Houses Office of the Executive Residence which, like most White House offices, is exempt from the APA. Trump quickly claimed victory and falsely asserted that Leon tossed the lawsuit. Great news for America, and our wonderful White House! Trump wrote on Truth Social. The Judge on the case of what will be the most beautiful Ballroom anywhere in the World, has just thrown out, and completely erased, the effort to stop its construction. Advertisement Advertisement Leon, a George W. Bush appointee, said in his decision that the conservation group could amend its lawsuit to claim that Trumps actions in launching the ballroom project were ultra vires, or taken outside of his legal authority. The judge said the preservation groups earlier omission of that claim was understandable because the authority the White House was relying on for the undertaking were not apparent when the group asked for the injunction. Trump announced last July that he was planning to build a 90,000 square-foot ballroom at the White House, although the announcement did not make clear that the East Wing would be demolished to do so. Without further public notice, the demolition began in October, razing the historic structure in a matter of days. Opponents of the plan contend the hulking size of the new ballroom will overshadow the iconic White House residence. Critics also faulted the White House for carrying out the demolition before any plans for the work were submitted to agencies that oversee such projects, like the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission on Fine Arts. The arts commission approved the project last week. Trump has said the $400 million project is being carried out with private funding and the new ballroom is needed to end the practice in recent decades of using temporary tenting for events such as state dinners. Advertisement Advertisement There may still be time for the National Trusts lawyers to update the lawsuit and prevent the ballroom from literally getting off the ground. Officials told Leon in connection with the court case that underground construction at the site was expected to begin this month, while above-ground construction would not begin until April at the earliest. Spokespeople for the National Trust did not immediately respond to a request for comment. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Kazakhstan's tiger reintroduction program welcomed its first Amur tigers in 2024, but these are captive individuals that the program hopes to breed. | Credit: WWF Central Asia Tigers will soon roam Kazakhstan for the first time in over 70 years as conservationists undertake a gargantuan effort to restore part of their lost habitat. The last of Kazakhstan's Caspian tigers disappeared in the late 1940s, after years of hunting, habitat loss and declines in prey numbers. Now, the Central Asian country has an ambitious plan to reintroduce the world's largest cats to their historic lands. Advertisement Advertisement So far, two captive tigers (a male and a female) are already in Kazakhstan as part of a breeding-and-release project, while the country is expecting its first wild tigers to be transported from Russia in the first half of 2026. However, for the program to be a success, the tigers need plenty of places to live. That's where an enormous tree-planting project comes in. Last year, the Kazakhstan tiger reintroduction program led by the government of Kazakhstan with support from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the United Nations Development Programme planted 37,000 seedlings and cuttings near a giant lake in southeast Kazakhstan's South Balkhash region, where tigers used to live, according to WWF Central Asia . This adds to the 50,000 seedlings planted between 2021 to 2024. Tree planting is a key part of Kazakhstan's massive ongoing greening initiative. The country has planted around 1.4 billion trees since 2021, and officials say they are on track to reach 2 billion trees by 2027 . In South Balkhash, newly planted trees serve as a foundation for recovering ecosystems that sit alongside already-forested lands. The trees provide shelter and water access, as well as food for the tiger's prey: hooved mammals (ungulates) like boar and Bukhara deer (Cervus elaphus bactrianus, also called Bactrian deer). Advertisement Advertisement "Already, wild ungulates have been seen foraging on the restored sites, indicating that the ecosystem is beginning to function," a spokesperson for WWF Central Asia told Live Science in an email. "Each planted seedling is therefore a direct contribution to the future of the tiger in Kazakhstan." The planting zone encompasses around 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) of shoreline along Lake Balkhash , which covers roughly 6,500 square miles (17,000 square km) and is the largest lake in Central Asia and the 15th-largest lake in the world. The new vegetation which includes 30,000 narrow-leaf oleaster seedlings, 5,000 willow cuttings and 2,000 turanga poplar seedlings creates growing "islands" of forest that regulate the flow of water to stabilize floods and overflows. Animals have begun returning to Kazakhstan's recovering Ile-Balkhash ecosystem. | Credit: WWF Central Asia WWF Central Asia attributes the increase in planting in 2025 to the accumulated experience of the staff, as well as to factors like improved planting techniques and expanded partnerships. However, the pace of the ecosystem's recovery and its suitability for tigers will depend on a variety of factors, including the climate, stability of water resources, and growth of vegetation. Bringing back tigers The tigers that used to live in Kazakhstan were part of a now-extinct Central Asian population known as Caspian tigers. However, the living Amur tigers found in the Russian Far East and China (and potentially North Korea) can serve as suitable replacements. A 2009 study published in the journal PLOS One found that Caspian and Amur tigers were likely part of the same population until human activity forced them apart in the 19th century, meaning they're essentially the same animal. Advertisement Advertisement The reintroduction program welcomed two captive Amur tigers in 2024, and they appear to have adapted well to life in Kazakhstan. These tigers, a female named Bodhana and a male named Kuma, came from an animal sanctuary in the Netherlands in 2024 and are currently living in an enclosure within the Ile-Balkhash Nature Reserve. Bodhana and Kuma are used to life in captivity, so they'll never be released, but the hope is that their offspring will form part of a new founder population of Kazakhstan tigers. However, as there's no guarantee that Bodhana and Kuma will breed or produce suitable offspring, so the bulk of the new population will be made up of wild tigers imported from Russia. Kazakhstan officials are expecting to receive the first tigers from Russia in the coming months . WWF Central Asia told Live Science that it hasn't been confirmed where the Russian tigers are coming from, but "based on publicly available information and recent media reports, it is understood that the Amur tigers expected in the first half of 2026 are from the wild." Reintroducing large predators is a delicate and risky process , particularly when those predators are capable of harming humans and livestock. But it can be done; a 2024 study published in The Journal of Wildlife Management found that a tiger reintroduction attempt in Russia was largely a success. Researchers cared for six orphaned wild cubs and prepared them for re-release into their natural habitat. The tigers caught their own prey and survived. Advertisement Advertisement However, the study noted that one rehabilitated tiger killed multiple domestic animals, including more than 13 goats in a single event, and failed to demonstrate adequate fear of humans. That tiger was subsequently recaptured and placed in a zoo. WWF Central Asia said Kazakhstan's program is prepared to resolve any incidents that involve human conflict with its released tigers. Measures include creating a special team that will continuously track released individuals and respond to any potential human-wildlife conflicts. RELATED STORIES Ancient mummified cheetahs discovered in Saudi Arabia contain preserved DNA from the long-lost population Advertisement Advertisement People in China lived alongside 'chicken-killing tigers' long before domestic cats arrived Scientists discover new type of lion roar "The group's main tasks include regular patrols, monitoring tiger movements via satellite collars, early detection of potential approaches to settlements, and rapid response measures," the WWF Central Asia spokesperson said. The program is also working with local communities to raise awareness about tigers and how to behave in their presence, as well as promoting sustainable development in those communities by offering grants for agriculture and ecotourism, according to WWF Central Asia. "All of this forms part of a long-term strategy for peaceful coexistence between people and predators," the spokesperson said. "A compensation scheme for local residents is also planned in cases where tigers cause livestock losses." Eastern Kentucky did not just power this commonwealth. It powered a nation. When America mobilized for World War I and again for World War II, coal from our mountains fed the furnaces that forged steel for ships, tanks and planes. It lit the factories that armed the Greatest Generation. When freedom stood in the balance, this country leaned on Appalachia. Those miners did not ask for applause. They answered a call of duty. They risked their lives each time they stepped underground. Advertisement Advertisement For decades afterward, affordable Kentucky coal gave this state a competitive edge. It powered manufacturing, strengthened industry and helped cities like Louisville and Lexington grow into economic engines. Businesses came here because they trusted our energy. Families built their futures because industry created opportunity. Eastern Kentucky carried its weight. We supported statewide investments. We voted for major projects in our urban centers. We did not cast those votes because they benefited our counties. We cast them because we believe in a strong commonwealth. When Kentucky grows, we all grow. Our cities drive economic growth. They attract capital, talent and innovation. But those engines did not build themselves. Coal communities in eastern and western Kentucky powered that growth for generations. Advertisement Advertisement Strength requires balance. Today, families in parts of Eastern Kentucky receive utility bills that exceed their mortgage payments. Seniors living alone in modest homes pay more to heat their houses than some homeowners elsewhere pay for properties three times the size. At the same time our region faces out-migration, housing strain after repeated floods and infrastructure challenges that would test even wealthier counties. This is not resentment. It is reality. On the Senate floor I recently read a letter from a constituent in Breathitt County. She lives alone in a small home. Her electric bill totaled $711. She wrote, Please, please help me. I live by myself. My home is empty. Why is my bill so high? Advertisement Advertisement That is not a statistic. That is a Kentuckian asking her government to listen. Her worth equals that of any lawmaker, the governor, every judge and any citizen reading these words today. Coal remains essential to Kentuckys energy portfolio. It stabilizes the grid. It ensures reliability during extreme weather. It protects us from volatile markets. A pro-coal policy reflects economic strength and strategic sense. But if the communities that produce Kentuckys energy cannot afford it, the system is out of alignment. Eastern Kentucky does not ask for a handout. Our communities never have. We ask for a level playing field. We want policies that allow families to stay, businesses to invest and industry to compete. Advertisement Advertisement Ive heard a young man I know say, These are the mountains that made me. They are the mountains that made me, and many of you. But it is more than that. These are the mountains that made America. They forged the steel. They fueled the victories. They powered the factories that defended liberty around the world. The question before us is not whether we honor that history with speeches. The question is whether we honor it with policy. We must examine how utility rates are structured. We must ensure regulatory oversight protects rural ratepayers fairly. We must align energy policy so the communities that power Kentucky can afford to power their own homes. I am pursuing and supporting a state budget and road plan during the ongoing legislative budget session that supports these mountains, and as Senate Natural Resources and Energy chair, I am advocating for policies that address energy affordability concerns. Advertisement Advertisement The mountains carried this nation before. We should not ask them to carry the burden alone now. They deserve more than memory. They deserve a future equal to what they built. Sen. Brandon Smith (LRC) Sen. Brandon Smith represents Kentuckys 30th Senate District, encompassing the eastern Kentucky counties of Breathitt, Estill, Lee, Leslie, Magoffin, Morgan, Perry, Powell, and Wolfe. Smith serves as chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee. MARTIN COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) A multi-state poaching investigation resulted in a Tennessee man facing 18 hunting-related charges in Kentucky. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Law Enforcement Division said the investigation began in Jan. 2025 when a game warden suspected Tanner Smelcer, 25, of illegally taking wildlife. Read more of the latest Kentucky news Given that Smelcer was from Sevierville, Tennessee, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife coordinated the investigation with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and reportedly found that hed unlawfully killed four deer and an elk. Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said they were able to pull cell phone data and photographs showing Smelcer hunting on private property without permission, and none of the animals were properly tagged as required by law. Smelcer was charged with 18 wildlife-related violations in Kentucky, including the illegal taking of an elk, unlawful entry to hunt without consent, spotlighting, shooting from a public roadway, license and tagging violations, and the unlawful taking of four deer. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Hes since pleaded guilty to the Kentucky charges, including one count of illegal taking of elk and four counts of illegal taking of deer. The Martin County District Court ordered that he pay a $5,000 fine and $4,804.27 in restitution. Advertisement Advertisement Smelcer was also suspended from hunting for three years. This case underscores the importance of cooperative enforcement efforts between state wildlife agencies and reinforces the commitment to protecting wildlife resources and holding violators accountable, said the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Law Enforcement Division. The Tennessee investigation is ongoing. 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 56 News. The Kentucky Science Center is temporarily closing its theater as it completes scheduled renovations and improvements. The four-story theater will be closed from March 1-31. Senior Manager of Marketing & Communications Taylor USellis said the project is designed to enhance the overall visitor experience. All other exhibits and experiences will remain open during the renovations. As part of the upgrades, the Kentucky Science Center will install new carpet, seating with improved comfort and sightlines, and a central stage with audio/visual connections for presentations and special programming. The screen will also be professionally cleaned. Advertisement Advertisement These improvements will make the space more comfortable, more versatile and better suited for both films and live educational programming, USellis said. USellis described the theater as a cornerstone of the Kentucky Science Center experience that allows the organization to bring science to life through immersive films, guest speakers or special presentations. Investing in the space ensures we can continue delivering high-quality, engaging experiences for families, school groups and community partners for years to come, she said. The theater will reopen April 3 with Horse Power, which looks at the extraordinary abilities of horses and their inseparable bond with humanity, according to the Kentucky Science Center website. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Science Center temporarily closes theater for upgrades Police in Kenya have arrested a man accused of being a member of a human trafficking scheme that lured Kenyans to Russia with false promises of work, only for them to end up fighting on the front lines of Ukrainian battlefields. In a statement released late on Wednesday, Kenyan officials said Festus Arasa Omwamba was being detained in Moyale, a town in the countrys north bordering Ethiopia. The 33-year-old is believed to be a key player in a more extensive human trafficking syndicate that exploits vulnerable individuals by promising them legitimate employment opportunities in European countries, read a statement from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations on X. However, upon arrival, these unsuspecting victims find themselves trapped in illegal and perilous jobs, stripping them of their dignity and safety. Advertisement Advertisement The suspect was in police custody, undergoing preparation for his impending court appearance, it added. Quoting police spokesperson Michael Muchiri, NTV Kenya reported that Omwamba was arrested after arriving from Russia. He was detained for allegedly recruiting Kenyans into the Russian military, Muchiri said. ARREST OF A WANTED HUMAN TRAFFICKER Detectives based at Moyale Police Station have apprehended 33-year-old Festus Arasa Omwamba, a man who has been on the police radar for his involvement in human trafficking. Festus is believed to be a key player in a more extensive human pic.twitter.com/A2LdA4iF9H DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) February 25, 2026 The arrest comes after Kenyas National Intelligence Service (NIS) last week unveiled a report which said more than 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war, with 89 currently on the front line, 39 hospitalised, and 28 missing in action. A day after the NIS released its report, dozens of families protested in Nairobi, demanding the government take action against the network of officials and syndicates tricking locals into joining the war. Many are still awaiting news about their loved ones whereabouts and when they might return. Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, other families are grieving the deaths of their sons and brothers. The Russian embassy in Nairobi denies the allegations, calling them in a statement last week misleading propaganda. It added that it never issued visas to Kenyan citizens who sought to travel to Russia with the aim to fight in Ukraine. However, the embassy added that Moscow does not preclude citizens of foreign countries from voluntarily enlisting in its armed forces. Kenyas Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi said he would travel to Russia in March to engage directly with the authorities and secure a safe return of Kenyans believed to be stranded there. Fraudulent schemes to lure foreign fighters Reports of African men being fraudulently recruited and wilfully duped for work abroad to end up on the front lines in Ukraine have also surfaced from South Africa, Zimbabwe and elsewhere in Africa. Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine on Wednesday accused Russia of using deception to recruit more than 1,700 Africans to join its war effort as the conflict drags into a fifth year. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha made the allegation during a news conference in Kyiv with his visiting Ghanaian counterpart, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. He accused Moscow of using fraudulent schemes to lure the foreign fighters. A day earlier, South Africas presidency announced it had secured the return home of 11 of its nationals who were lured into fighting for Russia in Ukraine. The presidency had already repatriated four others. Police in Kenya have charged a man accused of luring young men to Russia with job opportunities, only for them to end up fighting in Ukraine. Festus Arasa Omwamba, head of recruitment agency Global Faces Human Resources, recruited 22 Kenyans "for the purpose of exploitation by means of deception", state prosecutors said on Thursday. The victims were rescued last September from an apartment complex in Athi River, a town near the capital, Nairobi, before they could travel to Russia. Advertisement Advertisement However, three others had already left Kenya, finding themselves on the front line of the war and returning home with injuries, the prosecutors added. Omwamba, aged 33, pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. A total of 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited to fight for Russia in its four-year war against Ukraine, a report from Kenya's National Intelligence Service (NIS), released last week, said. Presenting the report to MPs, parliament majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah, described a "deeply disturbing" network of rogue state officials allegedly colluding with human trafficking syndicates to recruit and transport Kenyans. Advertisement Advertisement Omwamba was arrested earlier this month in a town near the Ethiopian border after surrendering to police. Victims rescued from the Athi Rivers complex last September revealed they had signed contracts with an unnamed overseas employment agency, committing to pay up to $18,000 (13,000) for visas, travel, accommodation, and other logistics, the police said. The National Intelligence Service said that upon arrival in Russia, many Kenyans reportedly find themselves deployed to front-line combat roles after minimal military training. Earlier this month, the government of the East African country said it would urge Russia to ban the recruitment of Kenyans to fight in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement The Russian embassy in Nairobi has denied encouraging Kenyans to fight in Ukraine, or issuing visas "to Kenyan citizens who sought to travel to Russia with the stated pose of participating in the Special Military Operation (SMO) in Ukraine". The embassy added that while it does not recruit foreigners, Russian law allows foreign nationals who are legally in Russia to voluntarily enlist in their armed forces. Ukraine's foreign minister said on Wednesday that more than 1,700 people from 36 countries in Africa had been recruited to fight for Russia. South Africa on Thursday said that two of its citizens had been killed in Ukraine, while another 15 had been repatriated over the past week. Two more remain in Russia getting treatment for "very severe" injuries, said Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola. Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian officials have repeatedly warned that anyone fighting for Russia will be treated as an enemy combatant, and that the only safe route out is to surrender and be treated as a prisoner of war. However, Ukraine itself has previously come in for criticism for trying to recruit foreign nationals, including Africans, to fight on its side. You may also be interested in: [Getty Images/BBC] Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) is among the best stocks in each sector in 2026. As of February 23, Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) is a buy according to 77% of analysts covering the stock. While the price target ranges from $155 to $400, the 1-year median price target reflects an upside potential of 94.61%. Among those bullish on the stock is Michael Turrin of Wells Fargo, who maintained a Buy rating on the company and set a price target of $280 on February 23. Is Oracle Corporation (ORCL) The Best Stock In Technology Sector? Earlier on February 9, Bernstein SocGen Group trimmed the price target on Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) to $313 from $339, and reiterated an Outperform rating. This came after the companys announcement of a $45 billion to $50 billion debt and equity program to finance contracts secured in 2025. According to Bernstein, this attempt to raise capital could help Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) meet its financial needs through FY28 or longer. Having said that, the firm adjusted its model to better reflect the newly disclosed debt and equity information. Despite the downward revision in price, the firm sees the current stock level as a solid entry point on what it believes is one of the few revenue and EPS acceleration stories in software. Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) is a Texas-based company that provides solutions for enterprise information technology environments. Incorporated in 1977, the company offers Oracle Cloud SaaS, Oracle Health applications, Oracle Cloud and on-premises licenses, and Oracle license support services. While we acknowledge the potential of ORCL 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: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. JOHANNESBURG/NAIROBI, Feb 26 (Reuters) - South Africa and Kenya faced more signs on Thursday of citizens being drawn into the war in Ukraine, as Pretoria reported two South Africans killed on the front lines and a Nairobi court charged a man with trafficking 25 Kenyans to fight for Russia. South Africa's government said that two of its citizens had died on the front lines of the conflict. The two are separate from a group of 17 South Africans who were tricked into fighting for Russia in Ukraine and who have mostly been repatriated, South Africa's foreign affairs ministry said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement It did not say when or how the two people died. Russian authorities have denied illegally recruiting African citizens to fight in Ukraine. "The government continues to investigate the networks involved in these recruitment efforts to ensure that those who exploit vulnerable citizens face the full might of the law," South Africa's foreign ministry said. In Nairobi, a court charged Festus Arasa Omwamba, director of a recruiting company, of trafficking the victims to "Russia for the purpose of exploitation by means of deception", the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said. Advertisement Advertisement It said in a statement that 22 out of the 25 people were rescued from an apartment complex in Athi River, a town in Machakos County near the capital last September before they travelled to Russia. Three others who had already gone to Russia allegedly found themselves at the frontline of the Russia-Ukraine war, and they later came back with injuries, the prosecutor's office said, adding that Omwamba had pleaded not guilty to the charges. More than 1,700 Africans are fighting for Russia in its Ukraine war, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Wednesday, adding that Moscow was using deception to trick them into fighting. Kenya's National Intelligence Service said in a report last week that recruitment agencies colluded with rogue Kenyan airport staff, immigration and other state officials, and with staff at the Russian Embassy in Nairobi and at the Kenyan Embassy in Moscow, to facilitate the recruits' travel to fight, putting the number of Kenyans recruited at more than 1,000. Advertisement Advertisement Russia's embassy in Nairobi denied that Moscow was involved in illegally recruiting Kenyans to fight in Ukraine, though it said foreign citizens could voluntarily join its armed forces. The court ordered Omwamba to stay in police custody pending a bail hearing, the prosecutor's office said. Kenya's foreign ministry has said 27 Kenyans had been rescued after being stranded in Russia. Kenya's Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi has said he plans to visit Russia in March for talks on the issue. (Reporting by Emma Ogao, Humphrey Malalo and Nellie Peyton, Writing by George Obulutsa/Alexander Winning, Editing by William Maclean) A Kenyan man has been charged with human trafficking for allegedly recruiting people to fight for the Russian army in Ukraine. Kenyas Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said on Thursday that Festus Omwamba is accused of sending 22 Kenyan youths to Russia for exploitation by means of deception as the director of a recruitment agency. The DPP said the victims were rescued in an operation from an apartment complex in Athi River, a town in Machakos County, last September, before they could leave the country. But three others who had allegedly already left Kenya ended up on the front line of the Russia-Ukraine war and later returned with injuries, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Omwamba pleaded not guilty to the charges in an appearance at the Kahawa Law Courts in Kiambu. His lawyer, Bonaventure Otieno, said, Theres no case, and described it as being based on speculations, the AFP news agency reports. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said Omwamba was believed to be a key player in a more extensive human trafficking syndicate that exploits vulnerable individuals by promising them legitimate employment opportunities in European countries. He was arrested in Moyale, near the Ethiopian border in the north of the country, earlier this month. Festus Omwamba at the Kahawa Law Courts in Kiambu, Kenya, February 26, 2026 [Monicah Mwangi/Reuters] The prosecutor, Kennedy Amwayi, told the court the case has attracted public interest both locally and internationally; therefore, the public demands accountability following the loss of life in Russia. Hundreds of Kenyans join Russian army More than 1,000 Kenyans have joined the Russian army in recent months, according to a National Intelligence Service (NIS) report released last week. In many cases, they were promised jobs in Russia before being forced to sign army contracts and sent to fight in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement MP Kimani Ichungwah, who presented the NIS findings in parliament, said 89 Kenyans are still on the front line, 39 have been hospitalised and 28 are missing in action. He accused Russian embassy officials of working with recruitment agencies and trafficking syndicates. The Russian embassy in Nairobi denied the accusations, saying they were a dangerous and misleading propaganda campaign. It said no tourist visas were given to people intending to fight in Ukraine, adding that Russian law does not preclude citizens of foreign countries from voluntarily enlisting in the armed forces. In July last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing foreigners to serve in the army during draft periods. Separately on Thursday, South Africa reported that two of its citizens were killed on the front lines. The foreign affairs ministry said in a statement that these were separate from the 17 South Africans tricked into fighting for Russia, who have largely been repatriated. Advertisement Advertisement Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola said that while the details surrounding their recruitment were under investigation, circumstances that led to this situation were highly irregular. If a job offer abroad sounds too good to be true, it probably is, he added. A southern New Jersey resident recently tested positive for tuberculosis. In case you were in the area in recent weeks, heres what you need to know about how tuberculosis spreads and Delaware's infection rates. Tuberculosis case confirmed in Camden County, New Jersey Here's what tuberculosis is, how it's transmitted and how you can expect to have it treated if it affects you or someone you love. The New Jersey Department of Health and Human Services recently announced that a resident in Camden County went to a local hospital displaying symptoms of tuberculosis on Feb. 12 and tested positive for the disease. Advertisement Advertisement Officials said the resident was placed into isolation and is receiving treatment. The individuals household members are being tested for tuberculosis. So far, none of them or other close contacts of the infected individuals have presented symptoms of the disease. The New Jersey Department of Health continues to investigate the situation to identify others who might have been exposed. What causes tuberculosis? The mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. Tuberculosis disease, also known as TB, is caused by a bacterium called mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs but can attack any part of the body, including the brain, spine and kidneys, according to the Delaware Division of Public Health. Not everyone infected with the bacteria becomes sick, resulting in two TB-related conditions called latent TB infection and TB disease. If not treated properly, tuberculosis disease can be fatal. Advertisement Advertisement People with the disease are sick from TB germs that are active, meaning they are multiplying and destroying tissue in the body. Those with TB disease: Usually have a positive TB blood test or skin test indicating a TB infection May spread germs to others May have an abnormal chest x-ray, or positive sputum smear or culture Need treatment for TB disease People with latent TB infection have some germs in their body that are alive but inactive. They have no symptoms and do not feel sick. Those with latent TB infection: Cannot spread TB germs to others Usually have a positive TB blood test or skin test indicating TB infection Advertisement Advertisement Have a normal chest x-ray and a negative sputum smear and culture Should consider treatment for their condition to prevent TB disease How does tuberculosis spread? Affected individuals can spread germs to others, most likely people they have close contact with for a prolonged period of time, and require treatment to kill those germs. Treatment includes taking several medications for six to nine months. TB does not spread the same way as the flu and cannot be transferred from person to person by shaking hands, sharing toothbrushes or kissing or sharing food and drinks. If you spent time with someone who had TB germs, next steps depend on whether that person had latent TB infection or TB disease. Advertisement Advertisement For latent TB infection, you do not need to do anything given germs cannot be spread to other people by those with the infection. For TB disease, contact the Delaware Division of Public Health or consult a health care professional For parents: From school to insurance, what to know about childhood vaccines changes Symptoms of tuberculosis Symptoms of TB disease depend on where in the body the germs are growing. TB germs usually grow in the lungs, which may cause symptoms such as: A bad cough that lasts three weeks or longer Pain in the chest Coughing up blood or phlegm Other symptoms of tuberculosis disease are: Advertisement Advertisement Weakness or fatigue Unexplained weight loss No appetite Chills Fever Sweating at night Is tuberculosis a concern in Delaware? A 1934 photo of young women lying in beds in the main ward of Sunnybrook Cottage, the children's building at the Brandywine Sanatorium. It was a treatment facility for tuberculosis patients. It was later renamed the Emily P. Bissell Hospital. Delaware is considered a low-incidence state for the disease, as it typically falls below the national incidence rate, according to the Delaware Division of Public Health. The 2025 national target rate for the incidence of TB disease is 1.3 cases per 100,000 people. How Delaware stands against that target rate is yet to be seen, as the finalized 2025 TB data will not be available until March 24. The statewide incidence rate in 2024 was 2.3 per 100,000 people, with a total of 24 cases. The national incidence rate at the same time was 3, with a total of 10,347 cases provisionally reported. Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, Delawares incidence rate was 2, with a total of 21 cases, according to the CDC. What should I do if I am exposed? If you suspect you have tuberculosis or have been in close contact with someone who might be infected, seek medical attention as soon as possible. There is a medicine that kills TB germs. If you have latent TB infection, the medicine helps prevent you from getting TB disease. Treatment for latent TB does not take as long as treatment for TB disease. ICYMI: Measles exposure reported at Nemours hospital emergency department If you have TB disease, you need to take several medicines for many months due to the number of germs present that need to be killed, according to the Delaware Division of Public Health. Advertisement Advertisement The medicine must be taken as instructed. If not, you risk getting sick again. Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Tuberculosis symotoms, transmission, treatment and Delaware case data When Russian strikes cut off the power, heating and water to swathes of the Ukrainian capital in -20C temperatures, Denys Biletsky was prepared. Following a round of particularly intense Russian barrages two years earlier, Biletsky had convinced his neighbours to chip in together to install solar panels and batteries on the roof of their high-rise apartment block. As Ukraine accuses Russia of trying to freeze the population into submission with its most intense attacks on the energy network of the entire war, more and more people in Kyiv are fundraising and pooling cash to buy alternative sources of shared electricity. Advertisement Advertisement "Without backup power, our building simply wouldn't be able to function," Biletsky, the 42-year-old head of his building's homeowners' association, told AFP. On the roof of the 25-storey block, overlooking a sea of residential towers stretching across the horizon, he dusted fresh snowfall off dozens of solar panels with a wooden brush. The 400-odd residents pooled 700,000 hryvnias ($16,200) to buy and install them, along with the batteries and other required equipment. Russian missile and drone barrages have pushed Kyiv into its most serious energy crisis of the war. Electricity is turned off for hours on end to ration supplies, and more than 1,000 of Kyiv's 12,000 high-rise residential buildings have been without heating for the past month after a heating station was destroyed. Advertisement Advertisement The back-up supply in Biletsky's block meant the lift -- unlike in many buildings -- was still shuttling up and down, and electric pumps were able to send water to the top floors. Without it, there would be none above the ninth floor, said Biletsky. "After the inverter was installed, we have constant heating, hot and cold water," said Tetyana Taran, who lives on the 20th floor. The inverter is the device that automatically draws supplies from the battery when the mains switch off. "The fact that I also get to use the lift is great," the 47-year-old added. - 'Main achievement' - Advertisement Advertisement In her building in central Kyiv, Tetyana Chernyshenko is another person who persuaded her neighbours to club together for a generator. "We printed lists, collected signatures, posted notices explaining what it will be and what it's for," she said. Now they were waiting for it to arrive. "People in this building are far from poor. Most have installed autonomous systems for themselves," Chernyshenko, 55, explained. Her family opted for solar panels. "But heating and elevators can't be fixed locally. You can't solve that with a battery in your own flat." Not everybody is enthusiastic about contributing, however. Advertisement Advertisement Cut off from heating since January, Tetyana Kolisnichenko, 47, wishes residents of her Soviet-era block would make the investment. She has been filling plastic bottles with hot water to keep warm. There is an empty space beneath her windowsills where the radiators used to sit -- removed after the water started freezing and bursting the pipes. The stairwell next door "bought new radiators, repaired the utilities together," she said, enviously. "Unfortunately, our entrance is not as close-knit." Still she was trying to look on the bright side. After her building sprung a leak she made friends with her upstairs neighbour while trying to find the source. Advertisement Advertisement "For me, this is the main achievement." - 'You didn't pay' - Even in buildings that go for the investment, not everybody is happy to chip in. Biletsky said around 2030 percent either did not contribute or did so only partially. Those on the lower floors are among the most reluctant. "They say to me: 'Denys, I don't need your lifts, your backup power, your batteries, I'm fine' ... We can't force anyone." Taran was less stoic, recounting a run-in with a neighbour who complained about the lights being out on the staircase. "Like, wait a minute, you didn't pay anything at all, and yet you still have complaints?" she said with a snicker. Advertisement Advertisement The solution is far from ideal. When outages drag on for hours, the back-up batteries don't have time to recharge, forcing Biletsky to cut the lift off to prioritise water pumps. Despite the snags, the joint effort had brought the building closer together in the face of the unrelenting Russian attacks, he said. "It did unite us. People have become more like a family." mmp/jc/jj/abs The lack of plans to extend the Wild Atlantic Way tourism brand to Northern Ireland "makes no sense", members of Stormont's economy committee have said. The 2,500 km (1,553 mile) coastal route, which stretches from counties Cork to Donegal, was branded by the Republic of Ireland's tourism body Failte Ireland, and has been credited with bringing millions of tourists to the west coast of Ireland. On Wednesday, committee members were told the body had not agreed to requests to extend the brand to the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland. Advertisement Advertisement Michael Wickham Moriarty from Tourism Ireland said an agreement would be needed between Failte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland to extend the brands. Failte Ireland recently extended its brand campaign Hidden Heartlands to County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland. Stormont's former economy minister Conor Murphy and his successor Caoimhe Archibald had expressed support for using the Wild Atlantic Way and other brands. Advertisement Advertisement Tourism promotion on the island of Ireland is split between three agencies. Failte Ireland promotes the Republic of Ireland, Tourism NI promotes Northern Ireland and Tourism Ireland jointly markets the whole island to international visitors. Moriarty, from the cross-border body Tourism Ireland, told the committee the brands were "owned by Failte Ireland". "So it's ultimately an agreement between Failte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland on this extension or any other extensions," he added. It had been hoped the Wild Atlantic Way could have been extended to include iconic tourist hotspots like the Giant's Causeway [Getty Images] David Roberts from Tourism NI acknowledged that Failte Ireland had not agreed to extending the Wild Atlantic Way brand. Advertisement Advertisement "Failte Ireland's agreement to date has been that they have agreed to extend Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, so the broader request is there around extending the brands," he added. But Roberts said the Causeway coast already had a "strong brand" for encouraging tourism. He said there was a "very strong customer awareness of the Causeway coast" that "resonates very well with potential visitors". "Yes, the brand is kind of important, but ultimately it's about the experience," he added. 'Absolute total madness' The matter was raised by Social Democratic and Labour (SDLP) assembly member Sinead McLaughlin. Advertisement Advertisement "In the papers the Failte Ireland presented to us, they've very clearly said that there are no plans to licence the Ireland's Ancient East or the Wild Atlantic Way brands to Northern Ireland," she said. McLaughlin said they "can't get to the bottom of it" and described the "lack of a joined-up approach" as "absolute total madness". Alliance Party assembly member Kate Nicholl said: "To me, it makes no sense. It is this amazing brand and we're just stopping rather than extending it on." New Jersey joined a group of 15 states pushing to reverse radical and unlawful vaccine policy decisions made by the Trump administration that state leaders and most health professionals say endanger childrens lives and public health in general. The lawsuit says Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the administrations health and human services secretary, undermined public health by appointing vaccine skeptics to a key federal advisory panel and overseeing an effort to strip seven childhood vaccines of their universally recommended status, a move the states say will make children sicker and strain state resources. Attorney General Jen Davenport in a statement said Kennedys push to overhaul the nations childhood vaccine schedule rests on fringe theories and ignores decades of science. Advertisement Advertisement Protecting children is a priority for our office. Compare that to the Trump Administration and Secretary Kennedy, whose reckless approach to public health policy gambles with childrens lives and puts our communities in danger. RFK, Jr. replaced established experts with an unqualified vaccine panel and issued a rogue vaccine schedule that gambles with childrens health and lives, Davenport said. Jay Bhattacharya, the acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is also named as a defendant. The lawsuit is one of 49 New Jersey has filed challenging the Trump administration during the presidents second term, three of which have been filed since Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) took office on Jan. 20. It also comes after New Jersey has already taken steps to sever its policies from federal guidance that public health leaders call questionable. In September, the state joined the Northeast Regional Public Health Collaborative, an informal group of more than ten states and cities, to share scientific expertise and public health resources in the wake of massive changes at the CDC, which has long served as a resource on local public health issues. Advertisement Advertisement Tuesdays lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, calls on the court to declare unlawful Kennedys appointments of 17 vaccine-skeptics to the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, after he fired all existing voting members in June. It also seeks to overturn vaccine recommendations Kennedys team issued in early January, based on guidance from the reconstituted panel, which called for seven vaccines including shots that protect against hepatitis, meningitis, and COVID-19 to be available for healthy children only after they consult with a physician. A memo codifying the change said the new guidance is not a significant departure from the current recommended immunization construct, although all seven shots were previously recommended for all healthy youth. The recommendations impact the availability and distribution of the shots, as well as insurance coverage. Emily Hilliard, a spokeswoman for the federal Health and Human Services Department, dismissed the lawsuit in a statement to the New Jersey Monitor. This is a publicity stunt dressed up as a lawsuit. By law, the health secretary has clear authority to make determinations on the CDC immunization schedule and the composition of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The CDC immunization schedule reforms reflect common-sense public health policy shared by peer, developed countries, Hilliard said in an email. Advertisement Advertisement The legal filing pushed back on this notion that peer, developed countries have adopted this same strategy, noting that the Trump administrations memo calls for a comparison to Denmark. But Denmark is not a peer country in relation to vaccines because, among other things, unlike the U.S., it has a small, homogenous population and universal healthcare. And Denmarks vaccine policies are a global outlier that cannot be retrofittedto the U.S. Even Danish health officials are baffled by Defendants reliance on Denmark, it reads. RFK, Jr. replaced established experts with an unqualified vaccine panel and issued a rogue vaccine schedule that gambles with childrens health and lives. New Jersey Attorney General Jen Davenport Public health experts said the change in the vaccine recommendations will lead to confusion and reduce the number of children who are immunized, resulting in more sickness and death. Davenport on Tuesday noted the hepatitis vaccine is considered 90% effective when administered properly, a track record backed by decades of research. Advertisement Advertisement A study published by the CDC in 2024 found routine childhood immunizations prevented more than 500 million illnesses, 32 million hospitalizations, and 1.1 million deaths among children born between 1994 and 2023 in America, saving some $540 billion in health care costs. Annually, vaccinations prevent some 4 million deaths worldwide, according to the CDCs own website. The evidence that vaccines save lives and reduce illness is overwhelming, Davenports office said Tuesday. The lawsuit says the memo outlining the revised recommendations was not based on any scientific evidence or a systematic review of data, and the immunization advisory committee that provided input was not lawfully constituted. The change also ignores overwhelming evidence supporting the effectiveness of vaccines, it notes. New Jersey is joined by attorneys general in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin, and the governor of Pennsylvania. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX CHEYENNE When Aundrea Lovato and Jay Jones realized their child was struggling to learn to read, they assumed that they could rely on Cole Elementary for help. About a year later, they said their daughter has yet to get the help she needs. The process has led them to out-of-district nonprofits for a dyslexia diagnosis and assistance. Theyve also submitted two formal complaints to the Wyoming Department of Education, Lovato and Jones told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle. Advertisement Advertisement Jones noted that although their daughter wasnt diagnosed until fourth grade, her struggles have been obvious for years. Shes been in summer school since first grade, and still she continued to struggle with math, basic grammar and spelling. She got this past summer off of school once her parents realized it wasnt effective for her. They eventually found their way to Chandel Pine, founder and president of Pauls Mountain Advocacy for Literacy, who was able to assist Lovato and Jones in not only pursuing a diagnosis, but also looking at education options for their child. Pine helped Lovato and Jones get connected with Certified Dyslexia Specialist and Dyslexia Therapist Kari Roden. After getting their daughter diagnosed with dyslexia and seeing how Structured Literacy improved her literacy skills, the parents felt hopeful that the district would be able to provide even more assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Once on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), their daughter was removed from the structured program and put on two different programs provided by Laramie County School District 1. Yet recent testing showed she had regressed half a grade level, Lovato and Jones said. They didnt even know (she had dyslexia), Lovato said. And in the end, theyre not even doing anything to try to help us along. Theyre really just fighting us on getting my daughter what she needs to learn how to read. A statewide problem Lovato and Jones experience isnt uncommon in Wyoming. State testing and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) showed anywhere from 29% to 44% of Wyoming students testing below proficient in English Language Arts and reading. Advertisement Advertisement Local advocates have tried a few times to address this issue through the Legislature. Lawmakers are currently considering a bill, Senate File 59, K-12 language and literacy program, that would mandate the use of Structured Literacy programs, evidence-based literacy instruction, a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) and individualized reading plans, which advocates say benefit all students, including those without learning disabilities. It also prohibits the exclusive use of the three-cueing system, which the bill defines as any model of teaching students to read based on meaning, structure and syntax, and visual cues. The aim of the bill is to ensure that students like Lovato and Jones daughter have the tools they need to learn how to read. Lovato and Jones noted that some aspects of the bill could have made a big difference for their daughter, but because shes nearing sixth grade, they really have to focus on getting her help now, as opposed to considering what could have happened if this was caught earlier. Advertisement Advertisement No clear plan Following their daughters diagnosis, Lovato and Jones were hopeful that LCSD1 would be able to provide more robust resources than they had found through Pine and Roden. They advocated for a tier 3 Reading System (WRS) recommended by specialists, which is offered in LCSD1 and is the most intensive type of individualized reading intervention offered within International Dyslexia Association (IDA)-endorsed Structured Literacy programs. Previous instruction through Lexercise proved to them that Structured Literacy worked for their daughter, Lovato and Jones said. That instruction, which was provided outside of the district, was a tier below the level 3 tier recommended to them by specialists, and still they saw big improvements early on, Lovato said. Advertisement Advertisement She was just blossoming, Lovato said. It was great to see that. One note that prompted Lovato to reach out to Pine and celebrate her daughters progress simply read, I love you too mom you are the best mom i have ever had! Lovato and Jones daughter has not maintained that progress since the IEP was established, however. She was taken off of Lexercise, put on two district programs, Lovato told the WTE, and regressed half a grade level. As they struggled to get an effective IEP for their daughter, Lovato and Jones decided to file two complaints against the district with the state Department of Education. Advertisement Advertisement The first complaint was for administrative interference, after plans to secure a tutor were denied by administrators. The second complaint alleges that LCSD1 failed to provide appropriate intervention for the students specific learning disability, and alleges violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This includes the districts stated intent to continue with the existing program, despite a lack of progress, the complaint reads. LCSD1 Director of Special Services Stacey Kern said she couldnt comment on Lovato and Jones specific case due to student confidentiality constraints. But she did tell the WTE through email correspondence that each LCSD1 school is responsible for providing students with a guaranteed and viable curriculum for reading. Advertisement Advertisement That support is individualized based on the students specific learning disabilities in reading, depending on those needs, interventions may look similar or differ across schools. No single intervention meets the needs of all students with a specific learning disability, Kern wrote. For this reason, the district does not mandate one particular intervention program for all schools. Kern added that should a student need WRS, it is provided. She also referenced some evidence that shows that Orton-Gillingham interventions, like WRS, have limited impact on reading outcomes for students with reading disabilities. This does not suggest that WRS or similar programs cannot be effective; rather, it underscores that the evidence base does not support mandating one program for all students, Kern wrote. It is also uncommon for WRS to be the only intervention from which a student with a reading disability can benefit. The students intervention team determines the appropriate type, frequency, and duration of the intervention based on the unique needs of the child. Advertisement Advertisement Lovato and Jones emphasized to the WTE that their daughter had benefited from a Structured Literacy program, evidence of which was not considered by the district in IEP meetings. LCSD1 follows the requirements set under IDEA, Kern stated. She added, however, many independent evaluations do not meet the necessary IDEA standards. This is particularly common in dyslexia-related evaluations. In Wyoming, Kern wrote. Dyslexia tutoring companies are not regulated, and no licensing or ethics boards oversee these entities. As a result, qualifications, ethical standards, and professional practices cannot be verified, and many evaluations do not meet IDEA requirements. Roden, who diagnosed Lovato and Joness daughter, is very familiar with IDEA standards as a board member of the Rocky Mountain branch of the International Dyslexia Association, a local dyslexia therapist and a Structured Literacy dyslexia specialist. Advertisement Advertisement Moving forward Lovato and Jones expect to see some resolution from the state within the next month, they told the WTE. The process is slow, and their daughter could still be struggling to be at grade level in reading this fall, when she enters sixth grade. Neither of her parents want her self-esteem to suffer or for her to miss out on extracurriculars because of bad grades. I wanted her to understand that as much work as shes put into it, its not necessarily her fault, Jones said. Shes working, going to summer school, doing these extra classes and stuff like that, and these processes arent working for her. I dont want her to be discouraged. A flat in a high-rise development was meant to be an investment for Jayne MacGregor's retirement - but 18 years later, it is unsellable. She is one of 30 leaseholders at the Aurora complex in Swansea filing a fraud claim against Zurich Insurance in the High Court, accusing the firm of issuing 10-year home warranties despite not inspecting their properties. A former employee of the insurance firm claims defective flats were not inspected because surveyors were overburdened, while a solicitor said owners were now trapped in a "property prison" unable to sell. Advertisement Advertisement Zurich said it refuted the suggestion that insurance documents were issued improperly or that it misrepresented inspection findings. Residents began moving into the Aurora flats after 2008. For Jayne, the purchase quickly turned into a nightmare. Extensive defects have made it "unsellable", she said, and described it as "a noose around [her] neck". "The stress brought on asthma attacks," she added. "Really, now, I should have a simple life." The Aurora apartment block on Swansea's seafront isn't the only development where extensive fire safety defects have been identified [BBC] Problems with water ingress came to light at Aurora shortly after construction was finished, with fire safety defects also found later. Advertisement Advertisement It is claimed that fire doors and fire breaks between apartments were "inadequate". "In 2017, with the Grenfell disaster, it really ramped up everybody's stress levels," said Keith Evans. He is one of the flat owners leading the proposed legal action against Zurich. "We feel deceived by their actions in 2008 when these properties were built and sold," he added. Although their 10-year warranties have expired, flat owners feel they have lost out financially since many of their apartments remain unsellable. Zurich said it was not and never has been responsible for losses suffered by Aurora leaseholders. It added that no claims had been paid under the 10-year warranty for the development. Advertisement Advertisement Aurora's developer, Persimmon, is currently carrying out a full-scale remediation of the building to fix the extensive water ingress problems and reported fire safety defects. The project is due to be completed by the end of 2026. Leaseholders claim Zurich surveyors bypassed their own electronic inspection system to issue handwritten cover notes as proof of their insurance policy. Residents at the Aurora development said if they had realised their cover notes were issued in this way and without final inspections, they would not have completed the purchase of their apartments. The cover note documents are needed by lenders to approve mortgages. Advertisement Advertisement A former Zurich employee, who spoke to the BBC anonymously, alleged defects were not identified during construction because not all properties were inspected. They blamed an increased workload after Zurich said it was exiting the home warranty market a year after the 2008 financial crash. "There simply weren't enough hours in a day [to do all the jobs]," they said. "I can only speak for myself and it happened three or four times to me. [An] email instruction came down [and said] I've issued the cover notes, can you inspect them next week? "Well, people are living in them next week so I can't go and inspect them. It was a ridiculous situation. Advertisement Advertisement "I knew what we were doing wasn't right but I still needed to keep shoes on feet and food on the table." Zurich said inspections carried out as part of its risk management programme did not form any part of the contract with the homeowner. Persimmon said it had agreed to pay to correct the problems at Aurora and the project is due to be completed by the end of 2026 [BBC] Who else has claimed against Zurich? Leaseholders have also taken action in other parts of the UK as the safety of high-rise apartment blocks was brought into sharp focus following the Grenfell fire disaster in 2017. In 2019, a judge ruled that leaseholders at New Lawrence House, Manchester, "proved their case on deceit" against Zurich. His Honour Judge Stephen Davies said the building was "seriously defective" and required "major and expensive repairs". Advertisement Advertisement According to court papers, the extensive list of defects at the development included doors with missing Juliette balconies, steel work without fire protection and no fire protection system within walls and ceilings between apartments. Judge Davies said he was "satisfied" a senior Zurich surveyor signed off on the apartments because they were "so desperate to be finished with the development". Leaseholders received millions of pounds in compensation as a result of proceedings. In 2022, residents at Wales' tallest building reached an out of court settlement with Zurich following a similar deceit claim. Advertisement Advertisement At another development in Bournemouth, leaseholders said their claims had been turned down by Zurich for a number of years. They were eventually compensated through the Financial Services Compensation Scheme after years of living with excessive damp and unsafe balconies. "It seemed catastrophically horrific at the time. It felt never-ending," said Lydia Turnbull, whose flat at the Snowdon Mount development remains unsellable. She said relationships broke down and another flat owner went bankrupt as a result of paying thousands of pounds to fix extensive defects. Solicitor Martin Scott, who specialises in complex construction disputes, said: "The reality is, if you're an owner-occupier of one of these apartments, you're living in a mortgage cage or a property prison which you can't get out of. Advertisement Advertisement "You can't re-mortgage because nobody will touch you where there are fire issues, you can't sell because there's no market. "There might be a very limited market for cash buyers prepared to take the risk. And the truth is a property purchase is the biggest purchase any ordinary person will make in their lives so if that goes wrong then their life goes wrong. "So you've got to find a fix or you have to be able to recover compensation for them to be able to move on." A Zurich Insurance spokesperson said: "We appreciate the stress this situation has caused for leaseholders. Advertisement Advertisement "Responsibility for repairing defects at Aurora lies firmly with the developer, Persimmon Homes. "The Zurich policy provides protection if the developer becomes insolvent and cannot carry out repairs. "We hope that Persimmon is able to resolve this situation for leaseholders as quickly as possible." The spokesperson added that the firm was aware of workload concerns around 2009, and it took "every reasonable step to support surveyors" and to "maintain high standards". Swansea council was responsible for ensuring construction of the Aurora development complied with building regulations, however no legal action has been taken against them. The council said as it was not party to any current proposed legal action it was "unable to comment". More top stories Louisiana police arrested a 29-year-old school teacher on charges of inappropriate behavior with a juvenile as well as solicitation of a minor, the Terrebonne Parish Sheriffs Office announced on Wednesday. Police say Emma Katherine Prejean, a teacher in the St. Charles Parish School System, admitted in an interview with authorities to having inappropriate interactions with a minor. That interview came after police spoke with the child and their family and found evidence connecting the case to Prejean. The minor named Prejean specifically during the interview as well, police say. Advertisement Advertisement "As always, we ask for patience and privacy for the victims and family. Our Detectives are working diligently to bring this case to resolution and hold this offender accountable for her actions," Terrebonne Sheriff Tim Soignet said in a statement. Former Missouri Substitute Teacher Gets 10 Years For Trading Students Money, Drugs For Sex Prejean was booked into the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Justice Complex on Tuesday, and police say she remains jailed without bond by local judges. Read On The Fox News App Prejean's arrest comes just days after a 49-year-old teacher was arrested in Florida on two counts of sex offense by an authority figure and one count of distribution of a controlled substance. Advertisement Advertisement Mackenzie McLean, an economics teacher at Crooms Academy in Sanford, is accused of engaging in repeated sexual encounters with a student who had moved into her home, and plying the teen with alcohol, according to an arrest affidavit. Former Music Teacher Allegedly Groomed And Had Inappropriate Relationship With Teen Student The male student, a senior who was friends with McLeans daughter, moved into the teachers home around March 2024 after he was kicked out of his own home, according to the affidavit. The victim said that on one occasion when he was playing video games with McLean and her daughter in a bedroom, McLean gave him 12 shots of gin, causing him to become severely intoxicated, according to the affidavit. She then allegedly told her daughter to leave the room before engaging him in sexual activity. Mackenzie McLean, 49, is an economics teacher at Crooms Academy in Sanford, Florida. The school district said she was placed on administrative leave following her arrest on Tuesday. (Fox News) Click Here To Download The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement It "went on for a very short time," the student told authorities, alleging that he "pushed McLean off him and told her it was wrong." The student lived with McLean for nine months, though he estimated that he was sexually abused "approximately five to ten times" in the two months when she was still his teacher. Original article source: Louisiana teacher arrested for alleged inappropriate behavior with a juvenile A staff member at Madison East High School has been placed on leave and police are investigating after a mother said her teenage son with autism was given a can of dog food for lunch. A Madison mother told Channel 3000 that she received a photo from a Madison East staff member showing a can of wet dog food that her son had partially eaten. The mother said her 15-year-old son is nonverbal. The Madison Police Department issued an incident report about the investigation, which it's working on with the Madison Metropolitan School District. Police say the incident occurred Feb. 13 but was reported to police by the student's parents around 9 a.m. Feb. 24. Advertisement Advertisement Detectives with the department's Special Victims Unit are leading the investigation, and the school district has launched an internal review, according to Madison police. The Madison Metropolitan School District issued a statement about the incident, saying it has "zero tolerance for actions that compromise student safety and well-being" and that the staff member allegedly involved was placed on leave. "We are committed to providing students with a safe learning environment. Staff procedures and protocols are being reviewed, and additional training regarding snack protocol will be provided to staff to help ensure this does not happen again," the statement said. The district said it can't share information about the incident due to "student and employee privacy laws." Advertisement Advertisement Madison Police Public Information Officer Stephanie Fryer said police can't share more information due to the investigation. More: Ex-MPS aide pleads guilty in slapping incident with special ed student Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @ArseneauKelli. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Madison East staff member on leave, accused of giving student dog food You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters. Baker Street Advisors, a registered investment advisor with $20 billion in client assets, has created a CEO role and promoted Chris Wilkens, a partner at the firm, to the position. In addition, Pete Hand, who joined the RIA in 2024 as chief investment officer, has been named a partner, joining 10 other executives. In the new role, Wilkens will lead the firm into the next phase of growth. Wilkens has been a partner at Baker Street since 2007. Prior to joining the RIA, he co-founded and co-managed Verity Wealth Advisors, a Sausalito, Calif.-based RIA with nearly $300 million in assets. Prior to that, he served as an institutional derivatives salesperson for about a decade. Baker Street, founded in 2003 by Jeff Colin, was acquired by AMG Wealth Partners in 2015. Former Beacon Pointe Exec Joins Aspen Standard as President Kevin DiSano, the former chief growth officer at Beacon Pointe, has joined Aspen Standard Wealth, a holding company taking majority stakes in RIAs, as president. DiSano, who has experience with distribution strategies, product design and business development, will be responsible for the firms organic growth efforts. Aspen takes a majority stake in the RIAs that choose to join, and those firms maintain their brand, culture and ADVs. The RIAs that Aspen has acquired since its launch now collectively have $12 billion in AUM. Aspen CEO Aly Kassim-Lakha, a 32-year-old former private equity investor, started the company after working for Advent International, focusing on data, software and wealth management. Through that role, he identified pain points in the industry that he felt an independent setup, with parent company support, could help solve. $2B Sagient Hires First Chief Investment Officer Sagient, an El Segundo, Calif.-based wealth management firm with 85 advisors across about $2 billion in assets, has hired Pete Alliegro as chief investment officer, a newly created role. Alliegro joins from SteelPeak Wealth, where he served as director of business development. Prior to that, he was senior vice president for West Coast RIAs and family offices at Crew Enterprises. In the position, Alliegro will report to CEO Paul Karlitz and be responsible for strengthening the firms investment, risk management and financial planning capabilities. Hell also create a comprehensive review framework for high-net-worth clients, according to an announcement. Mahzi Therapeutics has dosed the first patient in its Phase I/II UNITE study assessing MZ-1866, an investigational gene therapy targeting Pitt Hopkins syndrome. The multicentre, open-label, global trial will investigate the tolerability, early efficacy, and safety of a single MZ-1866 administration in patients with genetically confirmed Pitt Hopkins syndrome. It aims to enrol around 12 participants at five sites across Spain, Israel, and the US. Advertisement Advertisement They will receive a single dose of the therapy delivered through intracerebroventricular administration. Alongside primary safety evaluation, the study will assess exploratory endpoints, including cognitive, communication, developmental, and motor function outcomes. Pitt Hopkins syndrome is a rare condition that affects roughly one in 34,000 to 41,000 individuals. Mahzi Therapeutics reported that an estimated 8,000 people in the US are living with this condition caused by mutations in the transcription factor 4 (TCF4) gene. Symptoms may include autism, developmental delays, hypotonia, ataxia, breathing irregularities such as apnoea or hyperventilation, severe gastrointestinal complications, and occasionally epilepsy. Advertisement Advertisement MZ-1866 is an adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) TCF4 therapy, constructed by the insertion of TCF4 isoform B into an AAV9 expression cassette under the regulation of multimer E box sequences. Mahzi Therapeutics CEO Yael Weiss said: Dosing the first patient is a significant achievement for the MZ-1866 programme and for Mahzis evolution as a clinical-stage company. We look forward to advancing this programme to address a significant unmet medical need for patients with Pitt Hopkins syndrome and their families. MZ-1866 was developed in partnership with the Muotri Lab at the University of California, San Diego. The Phase I/II study received funding from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). Advertisement Advertisement "Mahzi doses first patient in MZ-1866 trial for Pitt Hopkins syndrome" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand. Zohran Mamdani met with Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday, during an unannounced trip to the nations capital. The New York mayor said he had a productive meeting with the US president and he was looking forward to building more housing in New York City in a post on X. Joe Calvello, the mayors chief spokesperson, told the Guardian that Mamdani presented the president with a possible project in New York City that would deliver one of the biggest federal investments in housing in 50 years. Advertisement Advertisement Calvello added that the mayor proposed a housing project with an estimated 12,000 units, and Trump appeared enthusiastic about the idea, but offered no further details about the timeline, location or next steps for the project. On his social media, Mamdani also shared a picture of himself standing next to a grinning Trump at the Resolute desk in the Oval Office. The president is seen holding up two headlines from the New York Daily News. One is the now-infamous front page after former Republican president Gerald Ford refused to provide a federal bailout for New York City in 1973, as it was on the verge of bankruptcy. The other appears to be a fake printout showing a picture of the president and the headline Trump to City: Lets Build, with a line underneath that reads: Trump Delivers 12,000+ Homes; Most Since 1973. Mamdanis spokesperson confirmed that his team mocked up the front pages of the newspapers for the mayor to present to the president. Mamdani also said he spoke to the president on the phone after the meeting to discuss the arrest of Elmina Aghayeva, a Columbia University student who was detained by federal immigration agents on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement He has just informed me that she will be released imminently, Mamdani said. The White House did not reply to the Guardians request for comment. Aghayeva was arrested by officers who reportedly misrepresented themselves by posing as New York City police officers looking for a missing child in order to gain entry to a residential building to make the apprehension. However, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the parent agency of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), denied agents impersonated the NYPD, and appeared to suggest that Aghayeva is no longer a student. Mamdanis spokesperson said the mayor asked the president directly for Aghayeva to be released, and handed a list of four additional students who had been detained in New York City to the president, asking him to also consider dismissing their cases. Earlier, an official in the New York mayors office confirmed Mamdanis Thursday meeting with Trump to the Guardian, but did not comment on the agenda. Neither the mayor nor the presidents public schedules listed the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement The sit-down comes just days after Trump said, during his record-breaking State of the Union address on Tuesday, he was in touch with Mamdani regularly. Related: Anxiety mounts across Middle East amid fears of US-Iran war The new communist mayor of New York City, I think hes a nice guy, actually, Trump said of the democratic socialist. I speak to him a lot. Bad policy, but nice guy. This is the second in-person meeting for the two New Yorkers, following an unexpectedly cordial summit in November, after Mamdani won the mayoral election in a landslide victory. Throughout the mayors campaign, Trump denigrated Mamdanis platform and character, referring to him as a communist lunatic and total nut job on social media. He even pushed New Yorkers to vote for the former Democratic governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran for mayor as an independent. Advertisement Advertisement Since taking office, Mamdani who once promised to be Donald Trumps worst nightmare has done little to antagonize the president. He has also commented sparingly on administration policies that could affect New York, particularly Trumps routine threats to withhold federal funding from so-called sanctuary cities. On Wednesday, when asked about how frequently he communicates with the president, Mamdani said they have conversations that are always focused on how to keep the city moving forward. Trump was surprisingly effusive while speaking to reporters after his sit-down with the mayor late last year, and complimented his sweeping election victory. The president extolled how Mamdani came out of nowhere and praised his campaign and staff. We agree on a lot more than I would have thought, Trump said at the time. I want him to do a great job, and well help them do a great job. Alice Speri contributed reporting WASHINGTON (AP) New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani presented President Donald Trump with a mock newspaper front page during a visit to the White House on Thursday to discuss massive new housing investments in the city. Its a tactic designed to appeal to Trump, who is keenly aware of his media coverage and, aside from being an avid viewer of cable news, is known to voraciously consume coverage in the local New York City publications. The Republican president and Democratic mayor have maintained a cordial relationship since their first meeting last fall. Anna Bahr, Mamdanis communications director, said the mayors team created a mock front page and headlines for Trump to look at and demonstrate what kind of reaction new federal housing investments could bring. The mock New York Daily News front page says Trump to City: Lets Build a riff on the famous 1975 cover that read Ford to City: Drop Dead, referring to Gerald Fords vow to veto financial assistance to the city. Advertisement Advertisement The mayor posted the photo of their meeting, featuring the front pages, to his social media page. Bahr said Trump was very enthusiastic about Mamdani's proposal, which would allow 12,000 new affordable homes to be built at Sunnyside Yard in Queens by securing more than $21 billion in federal grants to build a deck over the rail yard site. The mayor's office estimates that the project could create 30,000 jobs and would be the biggest housing and infrastructure investment in more than 50 years. When Trump and Mamdani last met in November, the president encouraged Mamdani to return to him with an idea to build big things together in New York City, Bahr said. Though Trump repeatedly maligned Mamdani as a communist as he ran for New York City mayor, the president appeared charmed by him after their one-on-one meeting at the White House in November. Advertisement Advertisement At the meeting on Thursday which was previously unannounced and lasted for about an hour Mamdani also brought up the detainment of Ellie Aghayeva, a Columbia University student from Azerbaijan who was arrested earlier Thursday by federal immigration agents. The agents had accessed a campus residence by claiming they were searching for a missing person, according to Aghayevas attorneys and Columbias president. As he met with Trump, Mamdani urged Trump to consider releasing her. In a phone call not long after their White House meeting, Trump told the mayor that Aghayeva would be released. Mamdani also gave White House chief of staff Susie Wiles a list of four other students targeted by federal authorities and asked for the administrations help with them. The four students are Mahmoud Khalil, Yunseo Chung, Mohsen Mahdawi and Leqaa Kordia, who were all detained for their roles in pro-Palestinian protests. Of the four, only Kordia remains in custody, although all cases are proceeding through the courts. Mayor Mamdani is absolutely right to call on President Trump to release Leqaa Kordia, the beloved daughter of an American citizen," Hamzah Abushaban, Kordia's cousin, said in a statement. For nearly a year, my cousin Leqaa has been locked away in ICE detention, robbed of precious birthdays, holidays, and irreplaceable moments with her family. She has endured fear, isolation, and even suffered a seizure while trapped behind those walls. This is not justice. This is not humanity. A 73-year-old Brooklyn driver knocked unconscious in a fight with a pedestrian he nearly struck died three weeks later and his accused attacker has been charged with manslaughter, police said Thursday. Anthony Finale was driving in Mill Basin when he nearly struck the younger man, who had just parked his car and was darting across Avenue T near E. 57th St. about 12:15 p.m. Nov. 24, officials said. The younger man began yelling at Finale, sparking an argument, officials said. A few minutes later, after the younger man went into a nearby deli, the two men encountered each other again, with Finale now out of his vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement As the two continued to qaurrel, the younger man punched Finale, sending him reeling backwards onto the sidewalk, where the victim struck his head. Cops responding to a 911 call for the assault found Finale unconscious and unresponsive. Medics rushed him in critical condition to Brookdale University Hospital with bleeding and swelling on the brain, according to court papers. Doctors put Finale in a medically induced coma and he ultimately died on Dec. 14. Finale was about a mile from home when was assaulted. The city Medical Examiner deemed his death a homicide. A week after the attack, about noon on Dec. 1, cops arrested 31-year-old Marvin Bonilla, who had allegedly fled the scene before police arrived. Advertisement Advertisement Cops initially charged Bonilla with assault. After Finale died, a grand jury indicted him for manslaughter in addition to assault. He was released on $20,000 bail after he was arraigned on the manslaughter charges on Jan. 28. The entire fight was caught on surveillance video, cops said. Bonilla lives in Canarsie, according to cops. A call to his attorney wasnt immediately returned Thursday. Nairobi A key figure in a network that sent more than 1,000 Kenyans to fight for the Russian army was charged on Thursday with human trafficking, the state prosecutor said. Festus Omwamba, 33, the founder of recruitment agency Global Face Human Resources, allegedly used to funnel Kenyans to Russia, was presented in court following his arrest in Moyale, a border town with Ethiopia. In a social media post, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said Omwamba was accused of having "recruited twenty-two Kenyan youths to Russia for exploitation by means of deception." According to the state prosecutor, 22 "victims of human trafficking were rescued" in a police operation last September, while three others who found themselves on the front line of the Russia-Ukraine war returned home with injuries. More than 1,000 Kenyans have joined the Russian army in recent months, Kenyan MP Kimani Ichung'wah told parliament last week, citing a joint report from the country's intelligence services and Directorate of Criminal Investigations. A photo posted on social media by the Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions of Kenya on Feb. 26, 2026, shows Festus Omwamba, jailed on charges of human trafficking for allegedly deceiving at least 22 young Kenyans and then trafficking them to Russia to fight in Ukraine. / Credit: Director Of Public Prosecutions for Kenya/Handout (Director Of Public Prosecutions for Kenya/Handout) In a statement shared Wednesday on social media, the DCI said Omwamba was "believed to be a key player" in an "extensive human trafficking syndicate that exploits vulnerable individuals by promising them legitimate employment opportunities in European countries. However, upon arrival, these unsuspecting victims find themselves trapped in illegal and perilous jobs, stripping them of their dignity and safety." Several media outlets, including AFP, have reported on the forced conscription of Kenyans. Many had no military experience and were promised lucrative civilian jobs in Russia, only to be forced to sign contracts with the army and sent to the frontlines in Ukraine with limited training, where many have died. Omwamba pleaded not guilty to the charges, while his lawyer, Bonaventure Otieno, dismissed the case as being built on "speculations" and "hearsay." "There's no case," Otieno said. AFP recently spoke with four Kenyans three wounded who made it home. One said he thought he was going for a job as a salesman, two were told they would be security guards, and the fourth was a high-level athlete. All said they were recruited through Global Face Human Resources and have denounced Omwamba's role in the deception, along with one of his employees, Edward Gituku, who is currently being prosecuted for human trafficking. The Russian embassy in Kenya denied the accusations last week, calling them a "dangerous and misleading propaganda campaign." Advertisement Advertisement 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 A man has died after he was shot in a South Side parking lot this week, officials said. A person was taken into in custody after the victim was shot in a South Side parking lot on Tuesday afternoon, Chicago police said. Police said the shooting happened in the Brainerd neighborhood's 9400-block of South Ashland Avenue around 3:30 p.m. A known person approached a 32-year-old man, took out a handgun and fired shots, police said. Advertisement Advertisement The victim, shot in the stomach, was transported to Christ Hospital in critical condition. He later died, officials said. On Wednesday, the Cook County Medical Examiner identified the victim as 32-year-old Antoine Alexander. He died of a gunshot wound to the abdomen, and his death is being investigate as a homicide. Investigators were staged near a Page Security parking lot on Tuesday. Employees from a nearby business say the shooting happened after an altercation between two Page Security employees. One of the employees told ABC7 they ran for cover after they witnessed the shooting. They said the shooter ran away. Advertisement Advertisement Police recovered a gun from the scene. CPD later confirmed that one person was taken into custody. Area detectives are investigating. INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood Two years ago, Cole Hornsby fatally shot his neighbor 12 times from behind but said it was self-defense. On Feb. 26, Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Jennifer Branch sentenced Hornsby who was convicted by a jury of charges including murder to 24 years to life in prison. Cole Hornsby is led out of the courtroom after being sentenced to 24 years to life in prison on Feb. 26, 2026. This story was updated to include comments from the Hamilton County prosecutor. Prosecutors said Hornsby, 26, killed 40-year-old Theodore Ted Block after he walked to Hornsbys home to talk about Hornsby firing a large muzzleloader gun off the back porch. Advertisement Advertisement Blocks grandchildren were coming to his house that day. After an argument with Hornsby, Block was going to call law enforcement and was walking back to his home, Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor Elyse Deters said. Hornsby responded with lethal violence, she said. The shooting happened on April 16, 2024, in rural Hamilton County. Hornsby was living at a property his father owns. Deters said Hornsby did not act in self-defense. There was evidence that Hornsby shot Block in the middle of his back after Block was on the ground, according to a forensic experts testimony during the trial. After the shooting, Hornsby hid the gun in a shed, demonstrating consciousness of guilt, Deters told Branch. Advertisement Advertisement Blocks daughter, Alyiah, spoke at the sentencing about how she now lives in fear that someone could take away my life unexpectedly. Each day I live without my dad gets harder, she said. I feel as if Im now incomplete, missing a part of me that I will never get back. All I want to do is hear my dads voice again, she said. Hornsby, who intends to appeal the conviction, made a brief statement, saying only: "This man is dead because of fentanyl." When Branch asked Hornsby if he wanted to say anything else, he responded, "That's all." In a statement released after the sentencing, Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich said she appreciated Branch's decision to impose the maximum sentence allowed by law. Advertisement Advertisement "This was a tragic and preventable killing. Ted Block should be alive today," Pillich said. "While no sentence can bring him back, this ensures the community will be safe from Cole Hornsby for as long as possible." This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Man who argued self-defense at trial sentenced to 24 years to life Police are asking for the public's help identifying the suspects behind a string of distraction thefts targeting elderly people across Southern California. Investigators say the man and woman work in tandem to steal from elderly victims at ATMs. They most recently targeted an 83-year-old man in Eagle Rock, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. In each of the cases, investigators say one suspect watches the victim entering their PIN at an ATM. Then one drops a $20 bill on the ground to distract them while the other replaces the victim's debit card with a fake. Advertisement Advertisement The LAPD says they have used the stolen debit cards to withdraw thousands of dollars from the victim's bank accounts. Anyone with information is asked to contact Commercial Crimes Division, Metropolitan Financial Section Detective Franssen at (213) 486-5947. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) The Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission has issued a suspension order for Joel Daoust, a Massachusetts State Police sergeant who faces criminal charges tied to a January traffic stop in Springfield. 22News obtained court documents in Springfield kidnapping case In a news release sent to 22News from the Hampden District Attorneys Office, an investigation was conducted into Sergeant Joel Daoust after he initiated a traffic stop in Springfield on January 3rd. The DAs office states that while on duty, Sergeant Daoust pulled over a vehicle for alleged speeding and marked lane violations. Advertisement Advertisement During the interaction, Sergeant Daoust used force against the driver, including physical force and the deployment of oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray. The Hampden District Attorneys Office previously said Sgt. Joel Daoust is charged with assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon following a Jan. 3 stop for alleged speeding and marked lane violations. In a statement, State Police Col. Geoffrey Noble said the agency expects troopers to use sound judgment and rely on training focused on de-escalation, safety, and respect. The Massachusetts State Police shares the publics expectation that Troopers exercise sound judgment in the performance of their duties. Their training forms the foundation of that judgment by teaching essential skills to de-escalate, recognize danger, prevent harm, and respect the dignity of those we encounter. When this incident occurred, the mandated review process required by our use-of-force policy raised serious questions about how better use of those core training principles could have affected the outcome. For this reason, we escalated the incident and ultimately referred it to the Hampden County District Attorneys Office for their review. As in any judicial process, we pledge our full cooperation and refrain from further comment as we await the outcome. State police said the incident was reviewed under the departments use-of-force policy and noted that the agency has expanded training, camera technology, and oversight in recent years. Officials also said Daoust was relieved of duty and suspended without pay after the incident. According to the commissions website, Daoust, Joel (Massachusetts State Police) Case No. 2026-011 Suspension Order issued Feb. 27, 2026. The listing states that decisions, orders, and reviews are available through the agencys online records system. Advertisement Advertisement According to department records, Daoust graduated from the State Police Academy in 2014 and previously faced discipline in 2015 and 2017 for unrelated policy violations. Sergeant Daoust is being charged with assault and battery, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (OC spray). He is scheduled to be arraigned in Springfield District Court on April 3. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Download the 22News Plus app on your TV to watch live-streaming newscasts and video on demand. Advertisement Advertisement 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 WWLP. The Ohio State Fire Marshal is investigating a massive commercial barn fire at a hog complex that killed thousands of pigs in Madison County. The blaze was reported at around noon Feb. 25 on Davis Road between Springfield Road and U.S. 42 in Union Township, said Central Townships Joint Fire District Chief Brian Bennington. On arrival, crews found two out of the five barns at the hog complex were engulfed in flames, he said. A fire at a commercial pig farm Feb. 25 in Union Township, Madison County, killed more than 6,000 pigs and destroyed four of the five buildings, according to fire officials. Crews began battling the blaze, but Bennington said the fire was difficult to extinguish due to wind speeds between 20 and 35 mph that fueled the fire, which spread to other barns on the complex, Bennington said. Advertisement Advertisement Four out of the five barns were destroyed in the fire, said Bennington. In total, more than 6,000 hogs were killed and 1,500 were rescued, said Bennington. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters. A total of 15 different mutual aid organizations assisted to fight the fire. A fire at a commercial pig farm Feb. 25 in Union Township, Madison County, killed more than 6,000 pigs and destroyed four of the five buildings, according to fire officials. Smoke will continue to rise from the remains of the barns, and firefighters will return to knock down any flames that fire up again. Bennington said investigators with the state fire marshal do not believe the blaze was intentionally set, and are investigating the cause. Reporter Shahid Meighan can be reached at smeighan@dispatch.com, at ShahidMeighan on X, and at shahidthereporter.dispatch.com on Bluesky. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Fire at commercial farm in Ohio kills more than 6,000 pigs Because there are two adults, a cat and a dog, we are looking for more than a room, but one bedroom, two bedroom for free or below market rates, they said, adding If we can't find housing, we're going to have to leave and I don't know where we'll go. So we are currently surviving off of what savings we could get together before we fled the United States and that's not terribly much, they said. Their financial situation is further complicated by their immigration status. Brigade said they and their partner are in Canada on visitor visas, which do not allow them to work. Vancouver is widely regarded as one of the most expensive cities in Canada and among the priciest in the world in terms of housing and overall cost of living (3). When my partner, our cat and our dog fled the United States, we headed north, with the goal of being close to where our families are located, which is on the West Coast. So we are now in British Columbia. More specifically, we are in the Sea-to-Sky Highway in the Greater Vancouver area, they explained. To be sure, the region they chose is among the most expensive in the country. For Americans who don't know, the housing crisis here is worse than in the United States. I lived in LA for six years and I have not faced rent as bad as here, they said. In the video, Brigade described the situation in Canada as absolutely dire, pointing specifically to housing costs as the biggest challenge. I'm a scholar of the far right who has fled the United States to Canada and I need help, they said (1). While they declined to reveal their name or academic institution, their YouTube channel description states that they are a Ph.D. candidate in sociology (2). Most Americans earn a dismal 0.39% APY on their cash at big banks. Unlock up to 4.05% APY and pay $0 in account fees instead with a Wealthfront Cash Account Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake heres what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how The cost-of-living crunch has become a persistent pressure point in the U.S., with housing affordability weighing heavily on many households. But according to one TikTok creator who fled the country for Canada, the financial strain hasnt eased north of the border far from it. Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. Story Continues The video seems to have struck a chord, garnering more than 6,600 likes and over 3,900 comments as of the time of writing. Some commenters noted that Greater Vancouver is among the most expensive housing markets in Canada. You are in one of the most expensive areas of Canada. I make pretty decent money and I cant even afford to live there. I am in Alberta! one top comment reads. Others questioned the decision to relocate without assessing the housing situation first. I would think a PHD Candidate would have been smart enough to look into these issues before going thru with moving up there, another commenter wrote. So just how strained is the housing situation north of the border and how does it compare with those in Los Angeles, where Brigade lived for six years? A tale of two expensive cities Vancouvers housing market has cooled somewhat recently, but prices remain far from what most would consider affordable. In January 2026, the MLS Home Price Index composite benchmark for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver stood at CA$1,101,900 (4). Meanwhile, average rent in the city was roughly CA$2,650 per month, according to Rentals.ca (5). Those figures rank among the highest in Canada. But here is how they stack up with Los Angeles: Zillow data shows the average home value in Los Angeles currently sits at US$933,111 (6), with average rent near US$2,700 per month (7). Of course, affordability isnt just about sticker prices it also depends heavily on income. Estimates from ZipRecruiter put the average annual salary in Vancouver at CA$69,513 (8) or about $5,793 monthly, compared with about US$69,838 or about $5,820 per month in Los Angeles (9). In practical terms, that means homeownership in either city is out of reach for many average earners, with rent alone consuming nearly half of the monthly income in both places. However, in Brigades case, the financial pressure is even more acute. They said they are currently unable to work due to their visitor visa status and are relying on savings, which makes living in any major city challenging let alone one consistently ranked among the most expensive housing markets in the world. While Brigades situation is unique, the underlying pressure is not. Across high-cost cities like Vancouver and Los Angeles, many households are navigating the same affordability squeeze where rent, essentials and fixed costs leave little room for financial flexibility. As a result, building financial resilience whether through disciplined budgeting or maintaining a healthy savings buffer has become increasingly important. Read More: Im almost 50 years old and dont have retirement savings. Is it too late to catch up? Read More: Non-millionaires can now invest in this $1B private real estate fund starting at just $10 Dont let hidden expenses drain your budget If you want to improve your finances, a key step is understanding where your money actually goes each month. Track all expenses for 30 days and sort them into two categories: essentials like rent, groceries, utilities and healthcare and discretionary spending, such as dining out, entertainment, shopping and hobbies. A quick daily check-in of your accounts can show you exactly where your money is going. An app like Rocket Money can easily flag recurring subscriptions, upcoming bills and unusual charges by pulling in transactions from all your linked accounts. This can help you cut unnecessary costs, and then you can manually redirect savings straight into your retirement fund. No spreadsheets, no guesswork, no stress. Small habits like this can make a big difference over time. Rocket Moneys intuitive app offers a variety of free and premium tools. Free features include subscription tracking, bill reminders and budgeting basics, while premium features like automated savings, net worth tracking, customizable dashboards, and more make it easier to stay on top of your retirement contributions and overall financial goals. Build a safety net When living costs are high, having a financial cushion becomes more than just a good habit it can be a critical buffer against sudden shocks. An emergency fund provides breathing room when the unexpected happens, helping prevent short-term setbacks from turning into longer-term financial hardship. Whether its a medical bill, a major car repair or an abrupt loss of income, that cushion can help you stay afloat while you figure out the next step. So how big should that safety net be? Personal finance expert Dave Ramsey suggests having an emergency fund that can cover three to six months worth of living expenses. What matters most, though, is consistency adding a little at a time until your safety net starts to take shape. To get started, a high-yield account like a Wealthfront Cash Account, can be a great place to grow your emergency funds, offering both competitive interest rates and easy access to your cash when you need it. A Wealthfront Cash Account currently offers a base variable APY of 3.30% and new clients can get a 0.75% boost during their first three months on up to $150,000 for a total APY of 4.05%. Thats 10 times the national deposit savings rate, according to the FDICs January report. With no minimum balances or account fees, as well as 24/7 withdrawals and free domestic wire transfers, your funds remain accessible at all times. Plus, Wealthfront Cash Account balances of up to $8 million are insured by the FDIC through program banks. Put your spare change to work In high-cost environments, investing for the future can feel especially challenging, as a large share of income is already going toward essentials like rent, groceries and utilities. For many households, the issue isnt a lack of awareness, but a lack of leftover cash at the end of the month. Thats where small, automated investing strategies can play a role. Instead of waiting until you have large sums to set aside, platforms like Acorns allow users to invest spare change from everyday purchases, gradually turning small amounts into a growing portfolio over time. When you make a purchase on your credit or debit card, Acorns automatically rounds up the price to the nearest dollar and invests the difference the coins that would wind up in your pocket if you were paying cash into a diversified portfolio of ETFs. Buying a coffee for $3.40? The app rounds it up to $4 and invests the extra $0.60. Over time, those small amounts can add up especially if youre consistently spending and saving. Its a simple, set-it-and-forget-it way to build wealth from money you might not even miss and, if you sign up today with a recurring investment, Acorns will add a $20 bonus to help you begin your investment journey. You May Also Like 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. @nopebrigade0 (1); Nope Brigade (2); CityNews (3); Greater Vancouver Realtors (4); Rentals.ca (5); Zillow (6), (7); ZipRecruiter (8), (9) This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. An ungainly barrel of a shark cruising languidly over a seabed far too deep for the suns rays to illuminate was an unexpected sight. Many experts had thought sharks didnt exist in the frigid waters of Antarctica before this sleeper shark lumbered warily and briefly into the spotlight of a video camera, researcher Alan Jamieson said this week. The shark, which was filmed in January 2025, was a substantial specimen with an estimated length of between 3 and 4 meters (10 and 13 feet). Advertisement Advertisement The camera operated by the Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, which investigates life in the deepest parts of the worlds oceans, was positioned off the South Shetland Islands near the Antarctic Peninsula. That is well inside the boundaries of the Antarctic Ocean, also known as the Southern Ocean, which is defined as below the 60-degree south latitude line. The center on Wednesday gave The Associated Press permission to publish the images. The shark was 490 meters (1,608 feet) deep where the water temperature was a near-freezing 1.27 degrees Celsius (34.29 degrees Fahrenheit). A skate appears in frame motionless on the seabed and seemingly unperturbed by the passing shark. Advertisement Advertisement The skate, a shark-relative that looks like a stingray, was no surprise since scientists already knew their range extended that far south. Jamieson, who is the founding director of the University of Western Australia-based research center, said he could find no record of another shark found in the Antarctic Ocean. Peter Kyne, a Charles Darwin University conservation biologist independent of the research center, agreed that a shark had never before been recorded so far south. Climate change and warming oceans could potentially be driving sharks to the Southern Hemispheres colder waters, but there was limited data on range changes near Antarctica because of the regions remoteness, Kyne said. Advertisement Advertisement The slow-moving sleeper sharks could have long been in Antarctica without anyone noticing, he said. The sleeper shark population in the Antarctic Ocean was likely sparse and difficult for humans to detect, Jamieson said. The shark maintained that depth because that was the warmest layer of several water layers stacked upon each other to the surface, Jamieson said. The Antarctic Ocean is heavily layered, or stratified, to a depth of around 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) because of conflicting properties including colder, denser water from below not readily mixing with fresh water running off melting ice from above. Advertisement Advertisement Jamieson expects other Antarctic sharks live at the same depth, feeding on the carcasses of whales, giant squids and other marine creatures that die and sink to the bottom. There are few research cameras positioned at that specific depth in Antarctic waters. Those that are can only operate during the Southern Hemisphere summer months, from December through February. Read the original article on oregonlive.com. Add oregonlive.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. LAKE WORTH BEACH Olga Perez has spent the past 20 years helping Florida government agencies, hospitals and nonprofits work with people who speak an indigenous Mayan language. Now, she faces possible deportation to her native Guatemala, leaving her four U.S.-citizen children behind. Perez is in custody in Arizona following her detention by Florida Highway Patrol in November as she rode in her family's landscaping truck on Interstate 95 near Hypoluxo Road. Now 47, she arrived in the U.S. seeking asylum in 1997, her attorney says, and has filed a request for cancellation of removal. Immigrations and Custom Enforcement had detained Perez's husband two months earlier as he worked a landscaping job in Lake Worth Beach. Olga Perez is one of Florida's few translators of Mam, an indigenous Mayan language spoken in Guatemala. Since 2009, Perez has worked with schools, hospitals, police officers and courts. She is seen in 2025 holding a child at a celebration for the Rev. Frank O'Loughlin. The children of Olga Perez, a translator of a rare Guatemalan-Mayan language, are, from left Romeo, Cynthia, Jessica and Eliza. They say they've struggled since their mother's detention since November 2025 because of a question about her immigration status. Olga Perez, one of the few translators of a rare indigenous Guatemalan-Maya language in Florida, and the Rev. Frank O'Loughlin speak with the children of the Escuelita Maya during an event at the Guatemalan-Mayan Center in Lake Worth Beach. Olga Perez, center, one of the rare translators of an indigenous Guatemalan-Maya language in Florida, has been in immigration detention since Nov. 25, 2025, when she was detained by Florida Highway Patrol troopers in Palm Beach County. Olga Perez, second row at left, played a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic, translating information about the disease and vaccines into Mayan. She has been in immigration detention since Nov. 25, 2025, when she was detained by Florida Highway Patrol troopers. Olga Perez, one of the rare translators of an indigenous Guatemalan-Maya language in Florida, and Father Frank O'Loughlin at the Guatemalan-Maya Center in Lake Worth Beach. The family of Olga Perez celebrates the graduation of her daughter, Eliza, from Lake Worth Beach High School: her daughter Cynthia, left, her husband, Eliza, Perez and her son, Romeo. Perez and her husband, who the family declined to name, are in immigration custody. Olga Perez, left, takes part in an event at the Guatemalan-Maya Center in Lake Worth Beach. The mother of four is one of the few translators of a rare indigenous Guatemalan-Maya language in Florida. She has been in immigration detention since Nov. 25, 2025. Olga Perez, second from right, is one of the few translators of a rare indigenous Guatemalan-Maya language in Florida. Seen here at a movie screening at the Guatemalan-Maya Center in Lake Worth Beach, she has been in immigration detention since Nov. 25, 2025. Olga Perez, right, works out of the Guatemalan-Maya Center in Lake Worth Beach. She is one of the few translators of a rare indigenous Guatemalan-Mayan language in Florida. She has been in immigration detention since Nov. 25, 2025. Olga Perez of Lake Worth Beach, center, is one of the rare translators of an indigenous Guatemalan-Maya language in Florida, She has been in immigration detention since Nov. 25, 2025. She has a deportation hearing scheduled for March 4, 2026, in Arizona. Olga Perez has translated an indigenous Guatemalan-Maya language for schools, hospitals and courtrooms across Florida. On March 4, a federal immigration judge will determine if Perez is deported to Guatemala or returns to her four U.S.-born children in Lake Worth Beach. Olga Perez, one of the few translators of an indigenous Guatemalan-Maya language in Florida, has been in immigration detention since Nov. 25, 2025 when Florida Highway Patrol troopers detained her in Palm Beach County. She has a hearing scheduled for March 4. Olga Perez stands with former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist outside the Guatemalan-Maya Center in Lake Worth Beach. She is one of the few translators of a rare indigenous Guatemalan-Maya language in Florida. She has been in immigration detention since Nov. 25, 2025. Olga Perez, center, is one of the few translators of a rare Guatemalan-Mayan language in Florida. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she started a food distribution center at the Guatemalan-Maya Center in Lake Worth. She has been in immigration detention since Nov. 25, 2025. ICE detains Olga Perez, translator of a rare Guatemalan-Maya language 1 of 15 Olga Perez is one of Florida's few translators of Mam, an indigenous Mayan language spoken in Guatemala. Since 2009, Perez has worked with schools, hospitals, police officers and courts. She is seen in 2025 holding a child at a celebration for the Rev. Frank O'Loughlin. A judge was scheduled to decide Perez's case on Thursday, Feb. 19, but issues in the Arizona immigration courtroom delayed action until March 4. One of the problems: Deputies brought out the wrong woman to face the judge. The delay left her four children sobbing as they watched the hearing by livestream at the Guatemalan-Maya Center in Lake Worth Beach. Advertisement Advertisement At the center, a touchstone for immigrant families across central Palm Beach County, Mariana Blanco and Lindsay McElroy embraced the children and held them in silence while their sobs and wails filled the room. The siblings have struggled to get by without their parents for four months, Blanco said. The eldest daughter, Eliza, 21, has put on hold her plans to attend college so she can run her fathers landscaping business to cover bills and pay rent. She also takes care of her siblings Jessica, 18, Romeo, 15, and Cynthia, 13, who are struggling to focus in school and report feeling depressed and anxious. Last year, their parents missed key family celebrations including Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. On Valentine's Day, Eliza turned 21. As she blew the candles, all she wished for was for her parents to come home. The family of Olga Perez celebrates the graduation of her daughter Eliza from Lake Worth Beach High School. Seen from the left are her daughter Cynthia, her husband, her daughter Eliza, Perez and her son Romeo. Both Perez and her husband, who the family declined to name, are in immigration custody. After the hearing, the Rev. Frank OLoughlin, the founder of the Guatemalan-Maya Center and an advocate for immigrants for 50 years, gathered the siblings and the centers staff to speak on Perez's crucial role in the community as a translator and how the familys separation has devastated the children. Advertisement Advertisement "You cant be a regular kid anymore, as greatness has been thrust upon you, OLoughlin told Eliza, quoting from Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." Eliza hugged OLoughlin while tears fogged her glasses. "It's terrible that the woman who does the most for others is getting the least from those guys, OLoughlin said as he held Jessicas hands before pressing her forehead against his and letting her sob. Absence of translator leaves Mayans in Florida vulnerable Olga Perez of Lake Worth Beach, center, is one of the rare translators of an indigenous Guatemalan-Maya language in Florida, She has been in immigration detention since Nov. 25, 2025. She has a deportation hearing scheduled for March 4, 2026, in Arizona. Perez is the latest county resident to land in immigration detention as part of President Donald Trump's enforcement of laws about people in the U.S. without documentation. Trump has promised the largest mass deportation in U.S. history, saying it would target "the worst of the worst" and make the nation safer. She fled Guatemala in 1997, after the country's civil war and genocide on indigenous communities devastated Maya population, including her family in Colotenango, Huehuetenango. She has lived in Palm Beach County ever since. Advertisement Advertisement Perez became a translator with the Guatemalan-Mayan Center in 2009 when she enrolled Eliza at the Escuelita Maya literally, Mayan School which offers support for the children of migrant workers. That year, Perez began volunteering there to interpret and translate Mam, one of over 22 indigenous Mayan languages spoken in Guatemala. Over the next 20 years, Perez became a crucial for the indigenous Guatemalan community in Florida, serving as one of the rare Mam translators in the county and the state, Blanco said. Olga Perez is one of Florida's few translators of Mam, an indigenous Mayan language spoken in Guatemala. Since 2009, Perez has worked with schools, hospitals, police officers and courts. She is seen in 2025 holding a child at a celebration for the Rev. Frank O'Loughlin. Blanco said Perez has translated for victims and investigators at the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office; for students and counselors at local schools and the Children Services Council; for patients and doctors in local hospitals and federally funded health clinics; and in the courts across Florida. Recently, Perez played a key role in the case of Virgilio Aguilar Mendez, a 19-year-old Guatemalan farmworker who in 2024 was cleared of criminal charges in the heart-attack death of a Florida officer near Jacksonville, a case that drew national attention. Advertisement Advertisement "The only reason we were able to bring that case to justice was because of Olga," Blanco said. "Olga was the interpreter that helped everybody." Olga Perez, center, one of the rare translators of an indigenous Guatemalan-Maya language in Florida, has been in immigration detention since Nov. 25, 2025, when she was detained by Florida Highway Patrol troopers in Palm Beach County. Blanco said Perez also ran a group for domestic-violence victims, helped start the centers food distribution program and organized activities for children. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she translated CDC guidelines and information related to vaccines into Mam for indigenous communities nationwide. Since Perez's detention, Blanco says the Guatemalan-Maya Center has received over a dozen calls of indigenous families seeking help but cannot communicate with them. She said her absence left a void in the community that relies on her translation services. "It leaves people vulnerable. It doesn't give them a fair chance at whatever service they were requesting," Blanco said. Mother, Maya translator detained by ICE since November Olga Perez, one of the few translators of an indigenous Guatemalan-Maya language in Florida, and the Rev. Frank O'Loughlin during an event with the children from the Escuelita Maya at the Guatemalan Mayan Center in Lake Worth Beach. Perez began her career as a translator when she enrolled her own children at Escuelita Maya. Last year, Eliza and Romeo witnessed the nightmare of every child born to immigrant parents: They saw officers arrest their mother and a cousin to turn them over to immigration authorities. Advertisement Advertisement The events of the morning of Nov. 25 still haunt them, Eliza said. It was two days before Thanksgiving, and Eliza was driving her father's landscaping truck along I-95. Right past the Hypoluxo Road exit, Eliza said an FHP vehicle turned on its lights and pulled the truck over. Eliza said a deputy approached her window on the driver's side and asked for her license, without saying why she had been pulled over. Then the deputy asked for the identification of everyone inside the vehicle. Eliza said she told the officers she was the only driver and only person who needed to provide a valid driver's license, as she had learned at the "Know your Rights" classes at the Guatemalan-Maya Center. Advertisement Advertisement Moments later, other officers surrounded the truck and began banging on the windows, Eliza said. Perez was frightened the officers would attempt to break a window and told Eliza they would turn over their identifications. Perez and her cousin gave deputies their Guatemalan identifications, Romeo handed over his school card. When deputies returned, they ordered Perez and her cousin out of the vehicle and proceeded place them in handcuffs as Eliza and Romeo watched crying in panic from inside the truck. Blanco arrived at the scene minutes later and pleaded with the deputies not to take the mother of four, saying their father had been detained a month earlier and their four children would be orphaned. Nothing worked, Blanco said. Advertisement Advertisement Perez spent three weeks at the Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach before she was transferred to the Arizona lockup. Her husband has been held since September, first at the Alligator Alcatraz detention center in the Florida Everglades and most recently at a site in Gainesville. "I felt angry and powerless," Eliza said. "I followed all the rules and did all the things they said would protect me. I stayed calm, I asserted my rights, I gave them all my information, and they still did whatever they wanted. Valentina Palm covers immigration and Palm Beach County's western communities for The Palm Beach Post. Email her at vpalm@pbpost.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @ValenPalmB. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Mayan translator faces deportation, leaving 4 kids in Lake Worth Beach The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services revoked a Houston-based company's participation in its program after 13 Investigates heard from residents with charges on their accounts they didn't recognize. Over the last year, Mike Berger said he spotted RedMed Management LLC charging his Medicare for services he never received. The company's billing address is in Houston, according to Medicare records. Advertisement Advertisement Berger's statements show the company was billing him for a new patient visit as far back as June of last year. "Now, how did they get my Medicare number? I don't know," said Berger, who lives in Montgomery. SEE ALSO: 'It ain't right': Senior flags Medicare misbilling by Houston company Berger said he reported the unrecognizable charge to Medicare, but didn't hear back from them about his concerns. Two days after ABC13 aired the story earlier this month, CMS responded, saying the agency had taken various steps to address RedMed Management LLC's "billing behavior" and that the company was consequently revoked from the Medicare program in January. Advertisement Advertisement The address for RedMed Management shows it was located on Westpark Drive in Houston, according to Berger's statements and Medicare's website. 13 Investigates visited the address, but the office space was empty. Neighbors reported someone had just moved out of the space, but they were not sure who it was. 13 Investigates reached out to the company multiple times but has not been able to get ahold of anyone involved. Contact 13 Investigates Have a tip? A problem to solve? Send a tip below. If you don't have a photo or document to include, just hit 'skip upload' and send the details. (On mobile? You can open our form by tapping here.) Three Mexican citizens appeared in federal court this week on charges related to the operation of a methamphetamine laboratory in a Brookhaven backyard. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Sergio Cortes-Nieto, Christian Martinez Larumbe Dominguez and Jose Angel Cortes Raquel were charged with possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine following their arrests on Feb. 20, 2026. Advertisement Advertisement During a search of the home, Drug Enforcement Administration agents seized 100 pounds of liquid methamphetamine and 50 liters of solution. Federal investigators confirmed that all three men are citizens of Mexico who are illegally present in the United States. Cortes-Nieto, 53, Martinez Dominguez, 31 and Jose Angel Raquel, 39, appeared before a judge on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. These charges followed a DEA investigation at a Brookhaven home on Feb. 20. During the search of the home, agents discovered the methamphetamine laboratory hidden under a tent in the backyard. Agents found Raquel and Dominguez allegedly operating the lab. While Raquel tried to run from the scene, he was quickly caught by agents. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement The seizure included 100 pounds of liquid methamphetamine mixed and concealed in concrete. Agents also found an additional 50 liters of a liquid methamphetamine solution. Cortes-Nieto was arrested earlier that same day at a storage facility near the home. U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg stated that the operation was located in a residential neighborhood. These illegal aliens, including a fugitive from justice charged with trafficking more than a ton of methamphetamine that agents removed from the streets in a record-breaking seizure, were allegedly audaciously operating a drug lab in the backyard of a suburban home, Hertzberg said. To ensure that the cartels never secure a foothold in North Georgia, even as they try to embed themselves in our neighborhoods, we will continue to aggressively prosecute the criminals responsible for manufacturing and distributing this poison. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Jae W. Chung, special agent in charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division, noted that the lab was in close proximity to children and families. That level of disregard for human life is unacceptable, Chung said. Our priority remains protecting the public from the devastating impact of illegal drug manufacturing. Raquel faced an additional arraignment on a separate indictment involving an incident from Aug. 8, 2024. In that case, he allegedly coordinated the delivery of 2,370 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in boxes of celery. That record-breaking seizure occurred at the Atlanta State Farmers Market in Forest Park, Ga. The United States and Iran held face-to-face talks in Geneva on Thursday, but a huge military build-up of U.S. forces in the Middle East has the region bracing for a second major war in under a year. In his State of the Union address, President Donald Trump reiterated that Iran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. Iran has maintained that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. If the U.S. were to attack, Iran has said that U.S. bases in the region and Israel would be hit in response. The chances of there not being a U.S. strike are very low, some analysts who spoke to ABC News said. But what a U.S. strike would look like remains far from clear. Advertisement Advertisement Israel is more prepared for war with Iran than ever before, even as U.S. aims for a major conflict have not been clearly articulated, a former official told ABC News. Trump's State of the Union speech short on plans, especially on rising Iran tensions: ANALYSIS Danny Yatom, a former head of Mossad from 1996 to 1998, told ABC News that war with Iran represents an opportunity to set back Irans offensive capabilities. He said Israel is more prepared than ever, defensively and offensively, for a war against Iran -- a belief echoed by many in Israels security establishment after last summers 12-day war between the arch enemies left the regime battered. Advertisement Advertisement "It is well understood that no one except President Trump and maybe even he [doesn't] know exactly what's going on," Yatom said. Yatom said there are three options on the table: a large-scale U.S. attack on Iran, a small-scale attack, or some kind of deal emerging from negotiations in Geneva. Makis Kartsonakis/Reuters - PHOTO: USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier leaves Souda Bay on the island of Crete, Greece, Feb. 26, 2026. Yatom said it is very likely there will not be a mutually "acceptable" agreement. The gaps in the U.S. and Iranian positions, he said, are too wide to bridge. The U.S. has made public demands of Iran, but in the past few days seems to have narrowed its focus exclusively on preventing Iran from building a nuclear weapon, according to ABC News contributor and retired Col. Steve Ganyard. Advertisement Advertisement In previous statements, Trump had "talked about helping protesters and about making sure that Iran didn't develop a means of delivery and intercontinental ballistic missile that could get to the U.S. or even better, long range weapons that could get to Israel or to Europe," Ganyard said in an interview. Iran, on the other hand, has been "very firm in that they were not going to give up all of their nuclear capabilities" and they are seeking to continue to develop nuclear capability for peaceful civilian use, Ganyard said. Trump weighs strikes against Iran for nuclear program he says he 'obliterated' As protests continue within Iran, the regime may also realize that nuclear capability is their way to remain in power, Ganyard said, pointing to the former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi who voluntarily dismantled his nuclear program in 2003 before being overthrown and killed by rebel fighters in 2011. Advertisement Advertisement More than 7,000 people have been killed by the Iranian regime in their crackdown against nationwide protests that have embroiled Iran in recent months, the Human Rights Activists News Agency, a U.S.-based group, reported earlier this month. ABC News cannot independently verify the group's figures. To the Trump administration, Iran retaining nuclear capability may sound very similar to the deal the Obama administration reached with Iran in 2015, Ganyard said. "That hardens their position and leaves less room for negotiation. But at this point, it does seem that the [Trump] administration feels that it has the upper hand on negotiations because they put so much military power into the region, and the Israelis, at least plausibly, would be there to help in ways that they have in the past," Ganyard said. Oman's foreign minister said after the conclusion of talks Thursday there was "significant progress" in the negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. Advertisement Advertisement "We will resume soon after consultation in the respective capitals," Minister Badr Albusaidi said. "Discussions on a technical level will take place next week in Vienna." But the massive U.S. buildup in the region has had two major impacts: It makes a strike more likely if talks collapse, and it sets up Israel to be in its strongest defensive and offensive positions, experts said. Majid Asgaripour/West Asia News Agency via Reuters - PHOTO: An Iranian woman walks past an anti-U.S. billboard in Tehran, Iran, Feb. 26, 2026. Israel is "more ready than it was half a year ago during (the) attack in June," Yatom said, referring to the 12-day war in June 2025 between Iran and Israel. That conflict began with a surprise attack from Israel on Iranian nuclear sites that Israeli officials called a preemptive strike. Israel and Iran agreed to a ceasefire deal later that month. "American armed forces are deployed at full scale Iran will have to deal with not only Israel, but first and foremost the United States," he said. Advertisement Advertisement "It is therefore easier to manage ground-to-air defenses in Israel," Yatom added, adding some of Iran's firepower will be directed at other targets. The U.S. Embassy has ordered the evacuation of some staff from Beirut. Israel has continued to strike Hezbollah targets in Lebanon since the implementation of a ceasefire on the northern border more than a year ago. The Israel Defense Forces say their troops still control five key outposts on Lebanese territory. The IDF said it is thwarting Hezbollahs attempts to rearm which constitutes a violation of the "ceasefire understandings" between Israel and Lebanon, according to a post on X. Yatom said there are Arab media reports that Hezbollah is preparing to join an Iranian attack on Israel, but the militant groups capabilities have been weakened by continued strikes. Advertisement Advertisement "Hezbollah has suffered big blows from Israel," he said. "Israel continues to attack pinpointed targets in Lebanon. Their capability to fire long-range ballistic weapons is less than it used to be. A former Israeli intelligence official who spoke to ABC News on the condition that he not be named said, "on the question of whether Hezbollah will join in the conflict, the answer is yes. But their capabilities are not what they once were." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu favors major U.S. strikes aimed at toppling Irans regime, Yatom says, but both Israeli officials said the Israeli leader is concerned Trump could accept a weak nuclear deal instead. "No one knows President Trump's intentions, including Netanyahu," Yatom said. Seven meetings between the Israeli prime minister and the U.S. president have yielded no public declarations of a joint strategy on Iran beyond vows to prevent the regime from developing nuclear weapons. Yatom described the prospect of war as a "wonderful opportunity" for Israel's national security interests. A gun was found inside an Ohio middle school on Wednesday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Columbus City School District safety and security specialists searched a students belongings inside a locker when they found a weapon, according to a letter by Dominion Middle School Principal Kate Dominique obtained by our news partner, WBNS in Columbus. A school spokesperson told WBNS that the weapon was a gun, but it is unknown if it was loaded. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement The middle school was placed on a brief lockdown, but police issued an all-clear at 10:15 a.m. The lockdown was lifted, and classes resumed without further disruption, said Dominique. The principal added that the student, who was not at the locker during the search, would face consequences in line with district policy. The incident remains under investigation. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A Milwaukee police officer has been accused of abusing his access to the departments Flock camera network, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Milwaukee district attorneys office Tuesday. Josue Ayala is charged with one count of misdemeanor misconduct in public for allegedly using MPDs Flock network to determine the locations of two people, one of whom was in a romantic relationship with Ayala. If convicted, Ayala could face up to nine months in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. The criminal complaint states that a negotiation is underway, a condition of which requires Josue Ayala to resign his position as a police officer for MPD. The Wisconsin Examiners Criminal Justice Reporting Project shines a light on incarceration, law enforcement and criminal justice issues with support from the Public Welfare Foundation. Flock cameras continuously photograph and identify vehicles with AI-powered Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology, and then store that data in a network which can be searched by law enforcement agencies across the country. Distributed by the multi-billion dollar company Flock Safety, the cameras have been criticized for facilitating mass surveillance of citizens using a system that can be easily abused or misused by law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement According to the criminal complaint, one of the alleged victims used a website to determine that Ayala had conducted numerous searches of that persons license plate. VICTIM ONE believed that Officer Ayala ran VICTIM ONES license plate over 100 times, the complaint states. Detectives reviewed audit data from MPDs Flock network showing that one victim had been searched by Ayala 55 times while the other victim had been searched 124 times over the same time period. Detectives learned that both victims used to be in a relationship together but had since broken up. After the relationship ended, one of the victims began to date Ayala. The investigation revealed that Ayala had used Flock while dating the victim. The complaint states that Ayala was on duty when he conducted the searches. When officers use Flock, they need to put in a reason for the search. Ayala used investigation in order to conduct the unlawful searches. Last year, an analysis by the Wisconsin Examiner found that investigation was the most common search term Wisconsin law enforcement agencies used to access Flock during the first five months of 2025. Other agencies used even more vague search terms, including just a dot. Agencies disagreed about whether officers should be held accountable for using vague terms. In December 2023, MPD leadership issued a memorandum warning that staff who used Flock for reasons unrelated to law enforcement could face discipline. MPDs policy on ALPR technology and Flock also states that the system should only be used for bona fide law enforcement purposes. Advertisement Advertisement Ayala had been assigned to the MPDs District 2 station on Lincoln Avenue, but is now on full suspension. The resignation agreement is pending with the Milwaukee County District Attorneys Office, a police department press release states. Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said in a statement, I am extremely disappointed to learn about the incident and expect all members, sworn and civilian, to demonstrate the highest ethical standards in the performance of their duties. A police officer uses the Flock Safety license plate reader system. (Photo courtesy of Flock Safety) If a member violates the code of conduct, they will be held accountable, Norman added. I want to remind the public that everyone is afforded the right of due process under the law, and as such, are innocent until proven guilty. Norman also directed his department to create additional auditing mechanisms, although the departments press release does not explain what exactly those mechanisms are. Ayalas alleged use of surveillance technology for personal reasons is not an anomaly. In Menasha, an officer is facing felony misconduct in public office charges for using Flock to track a persons vehicle while he was off duty. In Kenosha County, a sheriffs deputy is also accused of using Flock and a squad car tracking system called Polaris to track one of his co-workers. The Examiner has filed records requests to obtain the internal investigation regarding the Kenosha sheriffs deputy. Advertisement Advertisement The chief of the Greenfield Police Department is also facing felony misconduct in public office charges for installing a department-owned pole camera system on his property for personal reasons, and then deleting texts which may have been related to the investigation of the cameras use. WTMJ reported that the chief captured himself deleting the messages using a body camera hed worn to document a meeting where he was being offered the chance to retire. Residents in Milwaukee have been increasingly critical about the use of Flock cameras and facial recognition technology by both the police department and sheriffs office. After a Fire and Police Commission meeting earlier this month related to facial recognition, where dozens of residents denounced the use of surveillance technologies, Norman announced that MPD would ban facial recognition for its staff. Locals have called for more oversight and transparency around police surveillance technology in the city. The Milwaukee Police Association (MPDs union) denounced Normans decision to restrict facial recognition. After the charges were announced against Ayala, the union posted on Facebook that he is innocent until proven guilty, that it respects the integrity of that process, and clarified that Ayala is not related to the unions president Alex Ayala. Jon McCray Jones, policy analyst for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Wisconsin, said in a statement that these latest accusations of Flock misuse exemplify just how easily Flock cameras can be turned against the very people the technology purports to protect. Advertisement Advertisement McCray Jones criticized the use of vague terms to search Flocks network, referencing reporting from the Examiner. These meaningless, one-word descriptions make it impossible to know what the technology is being used for or whether its justified, he said. McCray Jones called for greater public reporting and oversight of surveillance technologies in Milwaukee. This story has been updated with comment from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Wisconsin. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Missouri is gearing up to celebrate 100 years of Route 66 with exhibitions, programs and a traveling display that will crisscross the state throughout 2026, according to a community announcement. The State Historical Society of Missouri is leading the charge a century after a telegram sent April 30, 1926, from Springfields Colonial Hotel accepted the number 66 for what would become one of Americas most storied highways. Missouri helped shape the Mother Road through the work of Springfield attorney John Woodruff and Oklahoma highway commissioner Cyrus Avery, who pushed for a federal route spanning 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, Calif. The society is commemorating the milestone with a wide-ranging look at the people, places and culture that emerged along the highway. A new exhibition, "Through the Windshield: Missouris Route 66", is now open at the societys headquarters in Columbia. The 90-foot-wide display features newly acquired and lesser-known images from its expanding Route 66 collection. New exhibits, webinars and events celebrate 100 years of Route 66 across Missouri throughout 2026. A traveling exhibit, "Missouris Main Street: 100 Years on Route 66," will also visit communities across the state. Organizations can request the display and explore other traveling exhibits through the societys website. Advertisement Advertisement Programming runs all year, both virtually and in person. On March 10 at noon, Katie Seale, coordinator of the societys Rolla and Springfield research centers, will present "Telling Missouris Route 66 Story" as part of the free monthly History on Elm series. For the past 100 years, Route 66 has been such a major part of not only the nations story, but Missouris as well, Seale said. It is a privilege to showcase the stories of Missourians who lived and worked along the road. A monthly webinar series, "Asphalt to Archives: Telling the Missouri Route 66 Story", runs April through November and requires registration. Springfield will host the Route 66 Centennial National Kick-Off on April 30 after being designated the launch city by the U.S. National Route 66 Centennial Commission and the Road Ahead Partnership. The State Historical Society will continue adding stories, photos, videos and oral histories throughout the year on its Route 66 webpage. Advertisement Advertisement 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 Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri launches Route 66 centennial celebration programming NEED TO KNOW A 25-year-old mom and a 2-year-old child were hospitalized with serious injuries after a home exploded and caught fire in Taunton Mass., on Feb. 25 The explosion occurred two days after nearly 30 inches of snow fell on the town during a blizzard The home is considered a total loss, and two nearby homes "sustained serious burn damage" A mom and toddler were seriously injured when a house in Massachusetts exploded and caught fire. Police and fire crews responded to the scene of the explosion on Plain Street in Taunton around 9:50 a.m. local time on Wednesday, Feb. 25, where they found a three-family home fully engulfed in flames," according to a news release from the Taunton Police Department (TPD). Advertisement Advertisement Two people, identified as a 25-year-old mom and a 2-year-old child, were transported to local hospitals after being injured in the explosion, according to police. A fire at a home in Taunton, Mass., following an explosion on Feb. 25 Credit: Taunton Police Department The mom was transported to Rhode Island Hospital with severe burns, while the child was transported to Hasbro Childrens Hospital with serious injuries, they said. The situation is now under control, but this was a very serious incident, Chief Lavigne said, per the TPD. The weather conditions present unique challenges, but we plan for these situations. Firefighters knock down a blaze at a home in Taunton, Mass., that exploded on Feb. 25 Credit: Taunton Police Department Three families lived at the home that exploded on Wednesday, according to police, which said the structure is a total loss. Eight residents have been displaced as a result, they added. Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, two homes adjacent to the residence that exploded sustained serious burn damage, according to police. William Shivers, a neighbor, said he looked out the front door of his home after hearing the explosion and saw the inferno across the street, according to ABC affiliate WCVB. It was really hot. You could feel the flames at my house, Shivers said. So, we all just came out and tried to do the best we can to help out our neighbors. Crews respond to a house explosion in Taunton, Mass., on Feb. 25 Credit: Taunton Police Department The explosion occurred two days after a blizzard dropped nearly 30 inches of snow on the town of Taunton on Monday, Feb. 23, according to WCVB. Some parts of the town were still digging out on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Shivers said neighbors helped dig out fire hydrants that were buried under snow, according to CBS affiliate WBZ. "I went on Google Earth and I looked for where the fire hydrants were in front of the houses, and then gave them our shovels and they went and shoveled it out," he said. 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. The origin and cause of the explosion are under investigation, according to police. Read the original article on People NEED TO KNOW A mom in West Virginia has been sentenced to up to life in prison over the April 2024 death of her 14-year-old daughter Julie Miller received the maximum sentence on Feb. 25 after pleading guilty to the death of a child by a parent by child abuse during a November hearing in relation to her daughter Kyneddi's death Julie was charged after Kyneddi was found in an emaciated to a skeletal state on the bathroom floor, according to a criminal complaint previously obtained by PEOPLE A West Virginia mom was sentenced to up to life in prison on Wednesday, Feb. 25, over the death of her teenage daughter. Julie Miller will be eligible for parole after serving 15 years in the April 2024 death of Kyneddi Miller, per multiple outlets, including CBS News and ABC affiliate, WCHS. Julie Ann Stone Miller Credit: WCHS Eyewitness News Julie who received the maximum sentence had pleaded guilty to the death of a child by a parent by child abuse during a November hearing into the case, per the outlets. Advertisement Advertisement A criminal complaint in the case previously viewed by PEOPLE said that Julies 14-year-old daughter Kyneddi had an eating disorder and that her mom had not sought medical care for her in at least four years. Boone County Prosecutor Dan Holstein said in court testimony that Kyneddi spent the days of her life alone on a bathroom floor and weighed 58 pounds at the time of her death, per WCHS. Kyneddi Miller Credit: Courtesy of Boone County This child literally starved to death, Boone County Circuit Judge Stacy Nowicki-Eldridge said during the sentencing, per ABC News. No child should ever have to go through that. WCHS notes that, if granted parole, Julie will be required to serve 50 years of supervised release. Advertisement Advertisement Julie was charged after Kyneddi was found in an emaciated to a skeletal state on the bathroom floor in her West Virginia home on April 17, according to a criminal complaint previously obtained by PEOPLE. According to the Boone County Sheriff's Office, Kyneddi went into cardiac arrest and passed away. The complaint added that Kyneddi had not been able to function on her own in a reported 4-5 days due to her physical state, noting that she had an unchecked eating disorder. She has not been eating for months, and her health was deteriorating for months or years, it stated. Julie Anne Stone Miller mug shot Credit: Boone County Sheriff's Department As cited by WCHS, Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Holstein said in court testimony that Kyneddis life was taken just from sheer I dont know if it was selfishness or where it comes from, but for someone to kill their own daughter by means of not just a single act but a daily letting them waste away into nothing. He added that Kyneddi must have been in agony due to suffering alone, essentially. Advertisement Advertisement Speaking on her own behalf during the hearing, Julie tearfully told the court that she loved her daughter. I miss her every second of every day. She was my world and was the best little girl since day one," she said. Per WCHS, Kyneddis older sister also tearfully read an impact statement, saying, "There are no words that can properly convey to you that a piece of sunlight was ripped out of the Earth the day that she died. It'll never come back. No matter what I do, there's nothing that will ever take the pain out of my chest." 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. As cited by the local outlet, court documents alleged that, along with Julie, Kyneddis grandparents, Jerry and Donna Stone, failed to supply the teen with "necessary food and medical care during the months immediately preceding the death." Advertisement Advertisement The outlet notes that Jerry was found incompetent to stand trial in the case in August, while Donna's trial has been delayed until next month. If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. Read the original article on People Xi Story: Blazing a high-quality development path suited to local conditions Xinhua) 08:07, February 26, 2026 BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- In a territory more than twice the size of the European Union and where per capita GDP varies up to fourfold across provincial-level regions, the challenge of modernizing China with the right solutions for diverse localities has become a test of governance wisdom. When some regions rushed to chase projects in artificial intelligence, computing power or new energy vehicles amid the push for "new quality productive forces," a national strategy emphasizing innovation-driven growth, Chinese President Xi Jinping posed a profound question at the Central Urban Work Conference last summer: "Does it make sense for every single province to develop these same industries?" This question revealed a core dialectic in China's development: pursuing modernization for a country of over 1.4 billion people while respecting distinct realities of each locality. This philosophy has underpinned China's steady growth and is expected to deliver high-quality growth in the country's 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), a critical phase for advancing modernization, when strategic opportunities coexist with risks and challenges. To make a good start in the first year of this period, the principle of "adapting measures to local conditions" was reiterated at the Central Economic Work Conference held in December 2025 by Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission. At this meeting, Xi criticized some localities for blindly chasing trends irrespective of local conditions, either by jumping on the bandwagon of developing the chip industry or being eager to follow suit with the "new trio" projects -- electric vehicles, lithium batteries and photovoltaics. To drive home his point, Xi offered a vivid analogy: Just as nature features biodiversity, regions differ in their conditions, and a community includes the elderly and the young, why should everyone end up doing exactly the same thing? This rejection of homogeneous development is a practical method Xi has consistently applied throughout his years in office. During his earlier tenure in Fujian Province in east China, Xi urged the province to make full use of its unique dual endowment of mountains and sea in its quest for development. While working in Zhejiang Province, also located in east China, Xi advocated helping villages find their own path to prosperity. After becoming the country's top leader, Xi has stressed targeted, tailor-made governance for a broad range of sectors, be it poverty alleviation, ecological conservation, industrial development or urban planning. He called on all regions to "look for the right key for each lock" and not to prescribe the same solution for every problem. "All regions should act in light of local conditions, build on strengths and compensate for weaknesses, blazing a path of high-quality development suited to local realities." Latest data from Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, offers a vivid illustration of this philosophy in action. This "northern granary" celebrated its 22nd straight bumper harvest last year, with total grain output hitting a record 82 million tonnes, ranking first nationally for 16 consecutive years. "Continuing to serve as China's granary in the north is just as glorious and important as the Yangtze River Delta serving as the country's hub of cutting-edge technology," Xi said. Elsewhere, the same logic takes different forms. China's southwestern Guizhou Province, capitalizing on abundant hydropower and a naturally cool climate that significantly reduces server cooling costs, has built a data infrastructure cluster attracting tech giants including Apple, Huawei and Tencent, who have opted to store data there. Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in north China harnessed its abundant wind and solar resources to reach a new energy installed capacity of over 170 million kilowatts by the end of 2025, more than any other region in the country. Shanxi Province, also in north China, is revolutionizing its coal heritage: pursuing the efficient, clean utilization of coal reserves via upgrading technologies. "Developing new quality productive forces does not mean neglecting or abandoning traditional industries," Xi warned, stressing the need to prevent blind expansion, bubbles or a one-size-fits-all approach. His call serves as an alarm for those officials who are fixated on trophy projects to burnish their political records regardless of local realities. "We must establish and practice a correct understanding of what it means to perform well, act on the basis of realities and in accordance with objective laws, and strive to deliver political achievements for the people through solid work," Xi told senior officials. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) American F-22 stealth fighter jets were deployed at an Israeli Air Force base in southern Israel on Tuesday, as part of the United Statess massive buildup of military forces in the Middle East, The Times of Israel has learned, AzerNEWS reports. The jets were stationed at an airbase in the United Kingdom in recent days, according to open-source flight tracking data and aircraft spotters, and were seen taking off earlier on Tuesday. Their arrival in Israel is another step in the amassing of American aircraft in the region as tensions between Iran and the US threaten to erupt into war. Negotiations between the two countries over the Iranian nuclear program are ongoing, and the sides are due to meet on Thursday in Geneva. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reportedly gotten the green light for a counterproposal to submit to the American negotiating team. But US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened that he will attack Iran if those talks fail. Iran has vowed to strike Israel and US targets in the region in response. Israeli officials are said to believe that a US strike is inevitable, and top military brass from the two countries have reportedly been in contact. One official quoted by Channel 12 news on Tuesday said that a diplomatic resolution to the conflict would be the surprise of the year. Many cryptocurrencies are still struggling to find a use case in the real world, which is affecting their ability to create long-term value for investors. XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) doesn't have that problem, because it was designed as a bridge currency for the Ripple Payments network, which allows banks to execute instant, low-cost money transfers across borders. XRP became one of only a few cryptocurrencies to set a new record high last year when it soared to $3.65 per token in July. However, it has plunged by 61% since then amid the broader sell-off in the crypto industry. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue Although XRP's use-case should, in theory, drive long-term upside, it's facing some structural issues that might be difficult to overcome. If history is any guide, these headwinds might fuel even more downside instead. Here's where I predict the token will be trading in five years from now. Image source: Getty Images. Ripple Payments is solving a real problem, but is XRP necessary? Sending a payment overseas through a bank can take several days, and often comes with substantial fees. This is because not every institution uses the same payment infrastructure -- some have adopted the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) network, whereas others haven't, so many transfers have to go through an intermediary (middleman) which takes time and costs money. Ripple Payments was built to facilitate direct communication between banks regardless of their existing infrastructure, allowing them to settle transactions with one another directly. This means transfers are practically instantaneous, with minimal fees. Ripple launched XRP as a bridge currency for the network. Rather than sending U.S. dollars to a European bank, an American bank can send XRP instead, eliminating expensive foreign exchange fees. In fact, a typical XRP transfer costs just 0.00001 tokens, which is a fraction of $0.01. But there are a few issues. First, using XRP isn't mandatory, because Ripple Payments also facilitates fiat currency transfers. In essence, this means the value of XRP won't necessarily increase in line with increased network activity. That's a key reason why it tends to decline sharply during sell-offs in the broader crypto markets -- its performance is still very much determined by speculative investors. Fresh downpours have brought more flooding, landslides and fear to southeastern Brazil where rescuers were still looking for 14 missing people Thursday after a rainstorm that left 54 people dead. More than 5,000 people have been forced to flee their homes since a deluge late Monday caused landslides that buried dozens of people and unleashed flooding in the cities of Juiz de Fora and Uba. On Wednesday night residents received yet another alert on their cellphones as rain lashed the region. Advertisement Advertisement "It rained a lot, the riverbank collapsed even further, and civil defense called us to evacuate," Luiz Otavio Souza, a 35-year-old salesman who had to leave his home and whose nephew is missing, told AFP. "Everyone is panicking, friends and relatives are asking how we are, it's like a horror movie," said the resident of Parque Burnier, one of the hardest-hit neighborhoods in Juiz de Fora where a wall of mud buried multiple houses on Monday night. In the Tres Moinhos neighborhood, three houses were buried by landslides in the early morning hours of Thursday after their residents were evacuated, according to an AFP reporter on the scene. Several residents who had to abandon their homes returned to the neighborhood to retrieve furniture, appliances, mattresses, and even pets they had left behind. Advertisement Advertisement The governor of Minas Gerais, Romeu Zema, on Wednesday denied accusations that his government had reduced investments in protection against such natural disasters. His comments on X came after the television program Jornal Nacional reported, the state government had cut spending to prevent such disasters by 95 percent over the past three years. The tragedy is the latest in a series of extreme weather disasters in Brazil, from floods to fires and drought, many of which scientists have linked to the effects of global warming. The mayor of Juiz de Fora, Margarida Salomao, said the municipality had experienced its wettest February on record. 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. lg-ffb/app/fb/sms The Scoop Bernie Moreno is making a play to chair the Senate GOPs campaign arm for the 2028 cycle and beginning to lock down early support among his colleagues, according to three people with direct knowledge of the matter. The freshman senator has already won over some fellow members of the 2024 class of Republicans who flipped the chamber that fall. Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., told Semafor that Moreno will do a great job; Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., said Moreno would be superb and that he has a good sense of the politics and the presidents coalition. Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., another member of the class of 2024, said that when he heard Moreno was thinking about it, he encouraged him to get in the race, adding that the Ohioan never stops. Moreno also has some support from more senior senators. Advertisement Advertisement I think hed be terrific. Hes extremely energetic. Hes been helpful to me in my race and he seems to have good contacts everywhere, said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. We get along extremely well any philosophical differences that we might have dont enter into the relationship. Moreno is clearly a man in a hurry, jumping into tough negotiations with Democrats on expired health care subsidies and helping raise money for this years fight to keep the majority. A car dealership owner before he became senator, Moreno has unique relationships with the crypto and auto industries. Hes in active talks to assess how much support he has within the conference, according to GOP insiders. Alex Bruesewitz, a Trump-aligned Republican strategist, called Moreno one of the presidents best defenders in the Senate he has tremendous political instincts If he runs, I think he would have tremendous support. In a brief interview, Moreno said hes currently focused on his job as NRSC vice chair and working with current NRSC Chair Tim Scott, R-S.C. But he also said that if I can be helpful to help elect more Republicans, then thats something that I would definitely consider doing. Advertisement Advertisement Its not clear if Moreno will have a challenger for the position. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., has been discussed as a potential candidate, according to two people familiar with internal discussions, but it is not clear if he will make a play. Mullin told Semafor that hes not even focused at all on that. I havent given it any consideration. Contested NRSC races are rare but not unprecedented. Both Mullin and Moreno have close relationships with President Donald Trump, though their power bases are somewhat different. Other would-be candidates are signaling they arent interested, according to Republican sources. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., thought about it but has her own campaign to run in 2028, as well as young kids at home. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., is not currently vying for the position after being discussed internally. Know More The NRSC job is an elected position in the Senate Republican Conference, which means senators in the party will vote on it after the midterms. However, many times such elections are won months in advance by senators who are able to lock up overwhelming support early. Advertisement Advertisement Its clear Moreno is trying to win the race before it ever starts. Moreno has got first movers advantage and has made a great impression on the caucus. Ive heard very positive things about Bernie, and you dont seem to hear any serious talk about others, said Jason Thielman, a former executive director of the NRSC under its previous chair, Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont. The 2028 Senate map isnt exactly a cakewalk for Republicans, as seats held by Sens. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Ted Budd of North Carolina, and Chuck Grassley of Iowa are all up for reelection. Sen. Lisa Murkowski is also up for reelection in Alaska; GOP leaders helped defend her against a primary challenge in 2022. And there will be several opportunities to compete for seats currently held by Democrats in places like New Hampshire, Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. Notable Three years after Greece's deadliest-ever train crash, the mother of one of the tragedy's 57 victims told AFP she hopes her new political party will force the country's governing elite to accept responsibility. Maria Karystianou has emerged as a figurehead for the families campaigning for justice for their loved ones killed in the February 2023 train crash in Tempe, central Greece. The disaster sparked immense anger across the Mediterranean nation. Like many Greeks, the 53-year-old paediatrician has accused the government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of an attempted cover-up. She launched her party to combat the "corruption and cronyism" many see as omnipresent in Greek political life. Advertisement Advertisement "There is absolutely no chance that the situation in Greece will improve if citizens do not enter parliament to put in place the necessary changes," she said. Along with tens of thousands of other protesters, Karystianou will take to the streets again on Saturday for the third anniversary of the tragedy, in which she lost her teenage daughter. More than 300,000 people rallied to mark last year's anniversary, one of the biggest demonstrations the country has seen since the financial crisis. "For three years, we have been out on the streets, not just to organise protests, but also to file countless legal appeals to obtain justice for our loved ones," she told AFP in her apartment in the northern city of Thessaloniki. Advertisement Advertisement "Unfortunately, everywhere we go we have ended up running into brick walls." - 'Closing ranks' - Most of those killed in the crash on February 28, 2023, were young students aboard a passenger locomotive carrying some 350 people from Athens to Thessaloniki that hit a freight train in the dead of the night. Karystianou's 19-year-old daughter, Marthi, was returning home from carnival when she died in the crash. The two trains were allowed to run on the same track for more than 10 minutes without triggering any alarm, laying bare the parlous state of the Greek railway network's security failsafes, despite European Union grants for their modernisation. Advertisement Advertisement While Mitsotakis blamed the collision on "fatal human errors", the prime minister also admitted to "chronic failures of the state". Nearly 40 people will go on trial over the tragedy on March 23, including railway executives and the station master on duty that night. They risk prison sentences of up to 20 years. Yet not a single politician will be in the dock, despite the chorus of criticism of Mitsotakis's conservative government over its disastrous handling of the accident. The victims' families have also protested that valuable clues were lost when the crash site was bulldozed soon after the accident. That incident led to allegations the government was literally trying to bury the evidence. Advertisement Advertisement "We know how things work in Greece," Karystianou insisted, taking aim at "collusion" in a "system of closing ranks... that often works against citizens while protecting politicians". - 'Hushed up' - "Besides the pain of losing our loved ones, we have this feeling of being scorned, looked down on," she said, worrying that "that this crime, like many others, will be hushed up". In early January, Karystianou -- whose approval ratings far outstrip Mitsotakis's -- made waves with the announcement that she was forming a political party. Even after sparking a heated debate by wading into the hot-button issue of the right to abortion, one opinion poll suggests more than 30 percent of Greeks could vote for Karystianou's new movement, just behind Mitsotakis's ruling conservatives. Advertisement Advertisement This, despite the fact that Karystianou has yet to reveal what the new party might be called. "The cornerstone is the establishment of the rule of law," said Karystianou, nicknamed "The Mother of Tempi" by the Greek press. A devout woman who is also mother to a son, Karystianou insists that she has made the fight for the truth her life's "mission". "I have to see this through to the very end because I swore to my child that I would," she said. vk-yap/sbk/jj Jennifer Bos, the mother of a woman who was found dead and covered in bleach in an illegal immigrants dumpster in a Chicago suburb, described the emotional moment she met President Donald Trump and shared his three-word message to her: "Watch what happens." In an interview with Fox News Digital, Bos described being part of a group of families of migrant crime victims known as "Angel Families" who met with the president and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for a memorial ceremony Monday. She called the meeting "moving," saying, "I could feel how important that we are to [Trump] when we aren't important to anyone else, that means everything." This, however, was not the first time Bos had met the president. In an earlier White House bill signing ceremony, Bos said she was able to get the presidents attention and share her concerns about her daughters alleged killer being let back onto the streets free by Illinois sanctuary policies. Advertisement Advertisement "My daughter had been missing for two months. We were searching frantically for her, and she was ultimately discovered in the backyard, in a garbage can full of bleach, of an illegal immigrant in Lake County, Illinois. And he was arrested that day, and he spent the night in jail. He went to court the next morning and was released immediately afterward to just go back home," Bos explained. Angel Families Praise Trump For Immigration Crackdown: 'You Are The Man' She recounted the meeting, saying, "I was right along the path he was walking out. I don't know what came over me, but I just shouted out, Mr. President twice, and he turned around, and he looked at me, and I gave him the briefest roundabout of the story that I could in that little bit of time, and he shook his head. You could just see the disgust in his face." Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement "He kind of turned away, and then he turned back at me, and he pointed at me, and he said, Watch what happens." According to Bos, Jose Mendoza Gonzalez was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement three days later and taken into custody at a detention facility in Indiana. "They weren't going to hold him, but they weren't also going to report him. They were going to let this man, a person who's willing to do something so nefarious, and just let him go back home into the community. It's unbelievable," she said. "I talked to [Trump] for 20 seconds, 30 seconds, maybe. And in that amount of time, he knew exactly what I needed, and then he did it," Bos continued. "I'm just, you know, your average American mom, grandma, Im nobody, and he listened to me, and he felt it was important enough to help me. I just think that right there, that's what makes a president." Advertisement Advertisement Bos said Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, meanwhile, "has never once mentioned Megan's name, he's never acknowledged what happened, he's never reached out to me." Mother Of Victim Murdered By Illegal Immigrant Says Media Dodges Accountability For Migrant Crimes President Donald Trump holds a photo of Katie Abraham, pictured right, as her father Joe Abraham, left, watches during an event to promote Trump's domestic policy and budget agenda in the East Room of the White House. (AP Images) This is an experience and frustration shared by Joe Abraham, another Illinois resident and Angel parent who was at the Monday ceremony as well. Abrahams 20-year-old daughter, Katie Abraham, was killed by an illegal alien in a drunk-driving incident while standing at a stoplight in the college town of Urbana, Illinois. The federal governments immigration crackdown in the Chicago area was launched in Katies honor. Dubbed "Operation Midway Blitz," the effort resulted in more than 4,500 illegal alien arrests, according to DHS. Advertisement Advertisement He told Fox News Digital that because of Illinois sanctuary policies, "it's very difficult for us to decouple Katie's death and the politics behind how and why she died." "She was a beautiful soul and she dies on the streets of JB Pritzker's Urbana, Illinois. Why? Because they were at a stoplight, idle, doing nothing but minding their business, having fun as friends, and they get barreled into from behind at almost 80 miles an hour by a drunk-driving illegal alien," he explained. Addressing Pritzker directly, Abraham said, "I just want to talk to you as my governor about why my daughter had to die and what were the policies you put in place not only for Katie, but others like her." Trump Halts Angel Families Speech To Check On Woman In Audience DHS launched "Operation Midway Blitz" in honor of Katie Abraham, who was killed in a drunken-driving, hit-and-run car wreck caused by a criminal illegal alien in sanctuary Illinois. Regarding the White House memorial, Abraham said he had "mixed emotions" but that Trump "totally gets it." Advertisement Advertisement Click Here To Download The Fox News App "For me, it was this mixed emotion of Donald Trump gets it, he understands it," he explained. "And then the other side is how awful have we become that this is a thing now, that we have to have a day to recognize people who have been killed by illegal aliens that should have never been in this country." "You have victims like my Katie, who was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, and this is just a predictable ending of reckless, arrogant policies that to this day, Democratic leadership, looks like to me, from a state to state level will not pause or scale back." Original article source: Mother of woman found dead in illegal's dumpster reveals Trump's three-word message to her A couple who met on a double date as Michigan State University students in 1980 have gifted $26.25 million to the Eli Broad College of Business and the College of Social Science, the school announced this week. "Things will continue to change in higher education and in the world our students are entering," said Jay Craig who along with his wife Jill, made the donation. "We wanted to make a gift that allows leaders closest to the students to respond to what is emerging and use these resources where they will have the greatest impact." Part of the $26.25 million donation will be put toward the Eli Broad College of Business to expand hands-on learning, enhance student services and strengthen academic programs, MSU said in the release. Advertisement Advertisement Major impact: How MSU donations compare The donation will also give long-term support for the University's College of Social Science by endowing the "Jay and Jill Craig Broad College Student Success Fund" and the "Jay and Jill Craig College of Social Science Student Success Fund." The endowments will provide support for emerging priorities, programming, experiential learning opportunities, and other student experiences across both colleges, MSU said. "The generosity of this forward-looking commitment from Jay and Jill Craig positions our colleges to continue to equip Spartans with the skills necessary for future careers, offering access to the latest experiences and programming that will be critical for jobs across the state," MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz said in the release. "Its a gift designed not just for todays needs, but for tomorrows possibilities, ensuring that the colleges of Business and Social Science will have the resources to adapt, innovate and prepare students for whatever the future holds." "Not every student has the same level of opportunity or support. Helping remove barriers and open doors, especially at a place as diverse and accessible as Michigan State, is incredibly important to us," Jill Craig, who studied psychology at MSU, said. Advertisement Advertisement Jay Craig was the CEO of the motor vehicle company Meritor before retiring. Craig also was the president at GMAC Commercial. He received his undergraduate degree at MSU then attended Duke University's Fauqua School of Business where he earned his master's degree, according to his Linkedin profile. Jill Craig (left) and Jay Craig (right) photographed for their $26.25 million donation to MSU. More: $50M donation to MSU is its largest facility grant ever. What it will fund Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU graduates donate $26M to school for business, student success A collaborative audit by state and federal inspectors has identified more than $24 million in Utah Medicaid payments that shouldnt have been made. But they also report its a system problem that creates waste, not a question of fraud. Inspectors told Deseret News that fixing the process would free up money to tackle waiting lists and assist more people in need. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the Utah Office of Inspector General teamed up for the audit, published Monday, as part of the Utah offices Medicaid oversight. Advertisement Advertisement The identified issue that led to the waste stems from people who are on Medicaid rolls in more than one state, with managed-care payments being made by those states. The audit said contributing factors include delayed interstate benefit match updates, system limitations and unclear policies and procedures. The report contains a number of suggestions for solving the problem going forward and Utah Medicaid has accepted all nine recommendations, said Neil Erickson, Utah interim inspector general. How waste happens Medicaid is a program for people who are low-income or have disabilities and qualify, paid for by a federal-state match. The match varies by state, based on a formula. The Utah match has the federal government contributing just under 62% right now. The audit looked at a four-month period in 2021 and another in 2024, noting 231 recipients in one and 226 in the other that were enrolled in at least two states. Advertisement Advertisement To understand the problem, one must understand how Medicaid pays for health care for its beneficiaries. Medicaid beneficiaries do not receive payments from the program, but managed care organizations do. There are two ways the program works in Utah: a fee-for-service branch where health care providers are paid directly by the Utah Medicaid program and a managed care model, which is at the heart of this issue. Under managed care, a monthly payment called a capitation payment is made to the managed care entity, which processes any claims from health care providers for those beneficiaries and pays them. Utah has 22 managed care entities that receive a monthly payment regardless of whether the beneficiary uses the service that month, per the audit report. The managed care entity is not an insurance company, but thats probably the best way to understand it, according to Elise Napper, Utah Office of Inspector General policy and training manager. Advertisement Advertisement Just as an insurance company is paid a monthly premium, the managed care entity is paid one from the states Medicaid program. In exchange, the entity makes sure providers are paid for eligible services. And like an insurance company, it receives that monthly payment whether the beneficiary needs health care services that month or not. If an enrollees participation in a managed care plan isnt terminated at the appropriate time in one state or if theres a lag, the payment may continue when it shouldnt. As the inspector generals report notes, States are required to provide Medicaid services to eligible residents, including residents who are absent from the state, unless another state determines that an enrollee has established residency for purposes of Medicaid eligibility. If a different state approves a Utah Medicaid enrollee for benefits, that state has determined the individual is a resident of the new state. But Utah has to be notified to stop enrollment here. But people may have moved and enrolled in another state and not withdrawn from Utah Medicaid or vice versa, so two different managed care entities are being paid, one of those payments not necessary. And the federal government is hit especially hard, because its making a monthly payment in both states. That also means that taxpayers are paying double and sometimes even more of what should be paid, Erickson said. Advertisement Advertisement This is not at all a recipient problem, Napper told Deseret News, blaming inefficiencies that lead to waste. Sometimes stopping waste can bring people off waiting lists and provide care. One of the issues is a lag time between moving and when the system catches up with the fact that the person no longer qualifies for Utah Medicaid, Erickson said. While Medicaid eligibility is reviewed on a set basis, it doesnt always catch the duplicate enrollments, although states use the Public Assistance Reporting Information System. PARIS, as its called, doesnt always catch the dual enrollment, including when all available data fields arent filled in. And the process is set up for quarterly reporting and matching to detect duplication. So several months of duplicate enrollment can occur. Plus, PARIS is not always used efficiently. Advertisement Advertisement There are other complications, as well. Whats to blame? The report makes clear not only that its not fraud on the part of the Medicaid enrollee, but its also not typically the caseworkers problem. (Department of Workforce Services) caseworkers do not have the necessary tools, and the available tools are not deployed effectively to respond efficiently to concurrent enrollment, per the audit report. It said its tests showed that during the COVID-19-prompted public health emergency, Utah Medicaid recipients were enrolled an average of 24 months after a new or renewed enrollment in another state. When the public health emergency ended, the average time dropped to 14 months, although just one month of concurrent enrollment is allowed by Medicaid rules. Advertisement Advertisement Workforce Services doesnt require closure of other states cases before providing benefits. It doesnt require proof of residency. And application forms dont make clear that beneficiaries should disclose they have had and may still have Medicaid in other states, either. So now what? The audit makes multiple recommendations, all of which Utah Medicaid has agreed to follow. Among them: On Thursday, Feb. 26, the exploration into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie continued, and now, officials have made an announcement regarding the search to find her. Nancy Guthrie, the mother of "Today" co-host Savannah Guthrie, went missing from her Tucson, Arizona, home on Feb. 1. Experts and officials believe she was taken against her will. On Thursday, the Arizona Republic reported that Pima County officials have announced a temporary no-parking zone around Nancy Guthrie's home, in an effort to keep the public safe. Advertisement Advertisement According to the report, that means vehicles belonging to news media and live streamers who have camped out in front of Nancy Guthrie's house for weeks have to be cleared from the road by Feb. 26, "after Pima County officials decided to temporarily prohibit street parking for several blocks in every direction around the missing 84-year-old woman's home." Officials Implement New Rule Outside of Nancy Guthrie's Home, Starting on Thursday, Feb. 26 In an official release from Pima County administrator Jan Leshe, dated Wednesday, Feb. 25, Leshe stated that the large media and public presence outside Nancy Guthrie's home has become a public safety issue. At first, officials began restricting a nearby road to one-way traffic to solve the issue, but that hasn't helped. In the release, Leshe states, "Neighbors have continued to complain bitterly as they contend with continued clogged roads, trespassing, noise and accumulating trash along the road." Officials, according to the report, will install "No Parking" signs in the neighborhood, and people who disobey will face a $250 fine. The no-parking zone also impacts local and national reporters, who won't be allowed to park along the street in front of Nancy Guthrie's home. But, reporters, streamers and the public are still allowed to walk on the street in front of her home. Additional Law Enforcement and Experts Were at Nancy Guthrie's House Again on Wednesday Looking for Clues Pima County Sheriff's Department deputies have largely been the only ones parked in Guthrie's driveway, but additional law enforcement officials and experts came to the home on Wednesday, according to the report from the Arizona Republic. Advertisement Advertisement "Three black SUVs arrived at the Guthrie home just after 10 a.m., with one parking inside the home's garage," the Arizona Republic reports. "About 11:05 a.m., agents were seen exiting a screen sliding door to a brick-enclosed patio. They appeared to search the patio and circle the back of the residence." On Tuesday, Feb. 24, the Sheriff's Department announced it would stop daily updates and limit updates on the case to "instances when new information warrants release." Department spokesperson Angelica Carrillo said Nancy Guthrie's disappearance was still an active investigation and that detectives and FBI agents were working "around the clock" on it. This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Feb 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here. A Northwestern University-led team of astronomers used NASAs James Webb Space Telescope to discover a former star that exploded millions of years ago. The star, which was in a nearby galaxy, exploded over 40 million years ago, spewing material across space and producing a beacon of light. The light then traveled across the cosmos, reaching Earth on June 29, 2025. Nasas James Webb Space Telescope Reveals Stunning Never-before-seen Details In The Red Spider Nebula Advertisement Advertisement Astronomers began studying this supernova thinking it was new to the atmosphere. But one team of scientists immediately turned to the archival images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope to see if the supernova was from a former star. The astronomers compared the archival images and the images captured by NASAs Webb Telescope and uncovered the ancestral star. "Weve been waiting for this to happen, for a supernova to explode in a galaxy that Webb had already observed," lead author Charlie Kilpatrick of Northwestern University said. The main image at left shows a combined Webb and Hubble view of spiral galaxy NGC 1637. Panels at right show a detailed view of a red supergiant star before and after it exploded. (FOX Weather) The images taken by the Webb Space Telescope showed "a red supergiant star which is where the supernova now shines." Advertisement Advertisement The red may indicate that the star is surrounded by dust. Blood Moon Total Lunar Eclipse 2026: When And Where You Can See The Astronomical Phenomenon "Its the reddest, most dusty red supergiant that weve seen explode as a supernova," graduate student and co-author Aswin Suresh of Northwestern University said. This image is a combined view Webb and Hubble view of the galaxy. According to Nasa, the discovery of this former star could help explain missing red supergiants. For years, astronomers assumed that stars would be bright and luminous when they exploded as supernovas. James Webb Space Telescope Reveals 'Unusual' Chemical Makeup Of Interstellar Comet 3I/atlas Advertisement Advertisement However, the discovery of this former star is proving that aging stars are mostly likely surrounded by dust that dims their light. "Ive been arguing in favor of that interpretation, but even I didnt expect to see it as extreme as it was for supernova 2025pht. It would explain why these more massive supergiants are missing, because they tend to be more dusty," Kilpatrick said. Original article source: NASA'S James Webb Space Telescope uncovers former star that exploded into a supernova By Jan Wolfe and Kristina Cooke Feb 25 (Reuters) - A nearly blind refugee from Myanmar missing since his release from a Buffalo jail into the custody of U.S. Border Patrol has been found dead on a downtown street, city authorities said on Wednesday. Police officers in the upstate New York city located the body of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, 56, on Tuesday evening, a Buffalo Police Department spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Shah Alam had been missing since February 19, when U.S. Border Patrol agents dropped him off at a coffee shop miles from his home following his release from a county jail, where he had spent much of the last year awaiting trial on criminal charges that resulted in a misdemeanor plea deal. Homicide detectives are investigating the circumstances of Shah Alam's death, the spokesperson said. Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan, a Democrat, said in a statement Wednesday that Shah Alam's death was preventable and the result of "inhumane" decision-making by federal immigration authorities. "A vulnerable man nearly blind and unable to speak English was left alone on a cold winter night with no known attempt to leave him in a safe, secure location," Ryan said. "That decision from U.S. Customs and Border Protection was unprofessional and inhumane." Advertisement Advertisement A CBP spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a statement to Investigative Post, a Buffalo-based news outlet, a CBP spokesperson said agents dropped Shah Alam off at a coffee shop after agents determined he had entered the country as a refugee and could not be deported. "Border Patrol agents offered him a courtesy ride, which he chose to accept to a coffee shop, determined to be a warm, safe location near his last known address, rather than be released directly from the Border Patrol station," the agency said. "He showed no signs of distress, mobility issues or disabilities requiring special assistance." Temperatures in Buffalo, a city near the Canadian border, were below freezing last weekend. Advertisement Advertisement The Erie County District Attorney's Office said Shah Alam was arrested a year ago following an incident that resulted in minor injuries to two Buffalo Police officers. Shah Alam was released on bail this month after he had agreed to a plea deal, the district attorney's office said. Following Shah Alam's arrest, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued an immigration detainer, a formal request to take custody of a noncitizen after his scheduled release from criminal detention. In response to that immigration detainer, the Erie County Sheriffs Office contacted U.S. Border Patrol prior to Shah Alam's release, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office said. Mohamad Faisal, one of Shah Alam's children, said in a text message that his father's arrest a year ago was due to a misunderstanding with police officers. Advertisement Advertisement Shah Alam, who did not speak English, had been out for a walk and had been using a curtain rod he purchased as a walking stick, Faisal said. Shah Alam got lost and walked onto the property of a Buffalo resident who called the police, Faisal said. When Shah Alam did not understand police commands to drop his curtain rod, they arrested him, his son said. Upon his release last week, "Nobody told me or my family or attorney where my dad was dropped off," Faisal said. Shah Alam did not read, write or use electronic devices, Faisal said. Shah Alam only wanted to "eat home-cooked food" and "be united with the rest of [his] family," Faisal said. The family are Arakan Rohingya refugees, he said. (Reporting by Kristina Cooke in San Francisco and Jan Wolfe in New Orleans;Editing by Noeleen Walder and Michael Perry) The death of a nearly blind refugee in Buffalo, New York, days after Border Patrol agents dropped him off at a coffee shop alone, has prompted an investigation into the circumstances of his final days and drawn sharp criticism from state and local officials. Nurul Amin Shah Alam, 56, who spoke little English, had been missing since February 19, when the agents left him at the shop shortly after he was released from the Erie County jail, officials said. His body was found five days later, around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, about four miles from the coffee shop, the Buffalo Police Department said. Dozens of people gathered at a local mosque for Shah Alams funeral Thursday afternoon. They prayed and went to a cemetery to lay the father to rest. Advertisement Advertisement There are still many unanswered questions about Shah Alams death and what led up to it. A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection said Border Patrol agents offered Shah Alam a courtesy ride, which he chose to accept to a coffee shop, determined to be a warm, safe location near his last known address, rather than be released directly from the Border Patrol station. He showed no signs of distress, mobility issues or disabilities requiring special assistance, CBP said. Buffalo Police said its homicide detectives are investigating the circumstances and timeframe of events leading up to his death, following his release from custody. Advertisement Advertisement Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan said Thursday the Erie County Medical Examiner has not yet released full findings on his cause of death, despite an earlier statement from a city spokesperson who said the medical examiner conducted an autopsy and determined Shah Alams cause of death was healthrelated. CNN has reached out to the medical examiner for clarity. The Erie County Health Department previously told CNN that Medical Examiner records are treated as confidential medical records and would only be shared with law enforcement and others legally entitled to them. The Border Patrol officers had no protocol of what to do with a disabled man who doesnt speak English, who is confused and lost. And you know what they did? They dropped him at a closed coffee shop. Thats why we do not cooperate with ICE, Homeland Security and Border Patrol, Ryan said. On Wednesday, the mayor called Shah Alams death preventable and insisted CBP answer for how and why this happened. Advertisement Advertisement New York Congressman Tim Kennedy also called for a full and transparent investigation at the local, state, and federal levels. New York Attorney General Letitia James said her office is reviewing our legal options, according to a statement. The incident highlights growing concerns over the constitutional rights and treatment of people who come in contact with federal agents, regardless of their immigration status, in the Trump administrations mass deportation efforts. A year behind bars waiting for trial Shah Alam, a refugee from Myanmar, had spent much of the previous year in custody awaiting trial on criminal charges that were ultimately resolved with a misdemeanor plea deal, Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane told CNN in a statement Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Shah Alam had previously worked in construction in Malaysia and came to the US with his wife and two children, searching for opportunity, Imran Fazal, who knows the family, told CNN affiliate Spectrum News Buffalo. He could not walk without a cane, she said. He had only been in the US for a few months before his arrest, the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, which was representing Shah Alam, said. One of his children told Reuters the arrest was a result of a misunderstanding with police. Shah Alam had been out for a walk and was using a curtain rod as a walking stick when he got lost and wandered onto private property, his son Mohamad Faisal said. When he did not understand officers commands to drop the rod, Shah Alam was arrested. In body camera video of the incident obtained by WGRZ, Shah Alam is seen walking through a yard with what appears to be two black poles. He appears to wave the poles in the direction of the officers, before they fire stun guns, the video shows. Shah Alam is then tackled and handcuffed. Advertisement Advertisement The two officers were injured, according to the police report. While they were taking Shah Alam into custody, the man bit one officer on the arm and the other on the hand, the report said. Shah Alam was being held on two counts of assault with intent to cause injury to an officer, a count of possession of a weapon and trespassing, among other charges, before a plea deal was reached, according to a police report. At Shah Alams arraignment on the indictment in June 2025, his bail was modified to $5,000 cash or bond, but he remained in custody as the case moved to its trial date, the district attorneys office said. In early February, Shah Alam pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges with prosecutors and defense attorneys agreeing that he would remain in custody on bail pending a sentencing hearing set for March 24, Keane said. Advertisement Advertisement In this matter, the reduced disposition appropriately held the defendant accountable for the crime while avoiding a penalty that would be unduly harsh and disproportionate to the offense, Keane said. His family didnt know where he was dropped off Even though Shah Alam was in the US legally as a refugee, according to his attorneys, due to the uncertainty of the current immigration climate, a strategic decision was made not to post bail for fear that he would disappear into immigration custody. But later, after consulting with another attorney, the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo said it was determined that Shah Alams family could post his bail and he would not be deported. Shah Alam was released from jail after it was posted on February 19, Keane said. Advertisement Advertisement As Shah Alams discharge from jail was being processed, deputies notified US Border Patrol, which had earlier placed him under an immigration detainer, the Erie County Sheriffs Office said in a statement. U.S. Border Patrol arrived at the Holding Center prior to the finalization of Mr. Shah Alams release from Erie County Sheriffs Office custody, the statement said. A spokesperson for CBP said the agents later determined Shah Alam had entered the United States as a refugee on December 24, 2024, and was not amenable to removal. Upon learning that Shah Alam was ineligible for removal, Border Patrol agents, using a translator program, attempted to communicate with him, according to a federal law enforcement official who said that Shah Alam asked to be taken to the location where he was eventually left. He was offered an opportunity to make a phone call but declined, the official said. Advertisement Advertisement Ryan, the mayor, criticized the series of events by Border Patrol, saying there were ways they could have contacted someone to help Shah Alam. After it was clear he could not be removed from the country, agents did not take him back to the holding center, he said. There, they could have obtained phone numbers for his son or lawyer, who had both been active visitors while he was in custody, according to Ryan. That is bad policing, but that is also bad human beings. That is an inhumane thing to do, he said. According to preliminary information, Shah Alam did not have shoes on, just orange booties from the detention center, when he was dropped off by agents, Ryan said. The day Shah Alam was dropped off at the coffee shop, the area saw light freezing rain with temperatures in the low 30s. There was snow and fog over the next two days, with temperatures hovering around freezing for at least 24 consecutive hours. Advertisement Advertisement Neither his family nor their attorney was notified by federal authorities where Shah Alam was dropped off at the coffee shop and he did not read, write or use electronic devices, his son told Reuters. Additionally, his family no longer lives in the area of the coffee shop, Shah Alams lawyers said. Ryan said that for multiple days, there was confusion about where Shah Alam was. When he wasnt at the holding center, his family thought he was at an ICE detention center in Buffalo, the mayor said. They later found out he was released, which prompted several agencies and community groups to start searching for him, Ryan said. A missing person report was filed on February 22 by Shah Alams attorney. The next day, a police report said a detective determined that Shah Alam had been in federal custody and closed the probe, but it was reopened a few hours later when the detective found out that was no longer true. On February 24, law enforcement talked to Shah Alams son who said he last saw his father at the Erie County Holding Center five days before, a police report said. From there, detectives found out Shah Alam had been dropped off the at the coffee shop and searched the surrounding neighborhood, the document shows. Later that day, someone called 911 and said there was a man that appeared to not be breathing, according to the police report. The man, later identified as Shah Alam, was pronounced dead at the scene after first responders attempted life-saving measures. How in a place like the United States of America, how does something like that happen here? a family friend, Khaleda Shah, told CNN affiliate WKBW. We dont feel safe at all. The family does not feel safe. And here, especially in the City of Buffalo, were supposed to be in the City of Good Neighbors. The family are Arakan Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, Faisal said, referring to the stateless Muslim minority from Myanmars Rakhine state. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled the war-torn country since late 2016 following a brutal crackdown by the military junta that the US has since declared a genocide. Shah Alams wife, Fatimah Abdul Roshid, appeared during a news conference on Saturday and referred to her husband as home. He was everything to me. He loved me all his life. He was very loving and caring, Abdul Roshid told reporters. He never raised his voice. He was a very calm and collected man, and he always take[s] the responsibility of the whole family, regardless of the situation. They were apart for over a decade while he worked grueling jobs in Malaysia to save enough money to bring his children to safety in the US one by one, she said. We were apart for 12 years, she said crying. And now, forever apart. Eventually, both parents were able to immigrate to the US, but with only two of their five children. Three remaining sons, now married with children and still in Malaysia, watched the funeral from overseas, unable to reunite with their family due to the ongoing immigration policies under the Trump administration, Faisal told reporters. He described his father as a very calm, collected man, known for his friendliness and joyful character and attitude. I wish my three brothers were here so that I can cry on their shoulders, so I can grieve by them, because I lost that one person, the foundation of my whole family, my father, Faisal said. In his statement, Keane said his office first learned about Shah Alams release from jail on Tuesday and will move to dismiss the charges against the man when they receive his death certificate. I am saddened to learn of the tragic death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, Keane said. I recognize the desire for answers sought by his family, friends and our community as his death remains under investigation. CNNs Priscilla Alvarez, Taylor Romine and Alaa Elassar contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Australias coal mining industry remains a critical pillar of the national economy, with thermal coal accounting for more than 60% of total output and metallurgical coal comprising the remainder. Total coal production is estimated to have remained broadly flat in 2025 at 65.3 million tonnes (mt), reflecting only marginal growth over 2024. This stability was underpinned by the continued ramp-up of the Olive Downs Complex, which commenced operations in June 2023, alongside planned production increases at the Saraji, Maules Creek, and Burton mines, and improved stripping ratios and operational efficiency at the Hunter Valley and Dawson mines. These gains were largely offset by lower output from the Ulan coal underground mine due to operational constraints and a temporary suspension of operations at the Moranbah North mine, following a fire in March 2025. In 2026, coal production is forecast to increase by 3.9% to 483.2mt, driven primarily by a series of operational developments. Key contributors include the continued ramp-up of the Maxwell underground project, planned increasing capacity at the Byerwen and the Narrabri underground mines, and higher output from the New Acland mine following the receipt of mine life extensions. Production is also expected to recover at the Ulan mine as operations normalise following the resolution of prior-year constraints. These gains will be partially offset by lower contributions from mature mines such as the Wilpinjong and Springvale, and the closure of Glencores Integra mine in 2025. Over the forecast period (2026-2035), Australias coal production is projected to enter a structural decline. Output is expected to contract at a negative CAGR of 0.8%, falling to 448.7mt by 2035. This subdued trajectory reflects a combination of long-term supply-side and demand-side pressures, including the scheduled closure of several key mines such as the Griffin coal mine (2026), Clermont coal mine, Springvale mine and Cook Colliery (2028), and the Chain Valley Colliery and Oaky Creek mine (2029), which collectively produced 132.1mt of coal in 2024. The production outlook will be further constrained by weakening global demand for thermal coal, as renewable energy and natural gas increasingly displace coal-fired power generation in major consuming markets, including the US and China. This demand erosion is expected to accelerate the decline in output triggered by mine closures and limit incentives for large-scale new capacity additions. From a regulatory perspective, Australias mining sector is undergoing a material transformation amid rising environmental and sustainability pressures and a strategic shift toward critical minerals. The introduction of stricter environmental regulations, including the Environment Protection Reform Act 2025, is increasing approval scrutiny, compliance costs, and project development timelines, particularly for coal mining projects. While clearer regulatory frameworks are intended to enhance transparency and long-term investment certainty, they are also expected to act as a near-term headwind to coal sector expansion. Counting of votes in Nepal's general election held on 5 March, shows the party of rapper and ex-Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah on course to win in a landslide. The Rastriya Swatantra Party's (RSP) win marks the first time in decades that a single party has garnered a majority in Nepal which has a two-system format that makes it difficult for any one party to win outright. The snap election was held six months after deadly youth protests toppled the government in September 2025. Who is ahead according to results released so far? As of 6:00 local time in Nepal on Monday (12:15 GMT), Balendra Shah's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has won 124 of 165 seats determined by direct voting as well as 58 of the 110 seats decided by proportional representation. Advertisement Advertisement Officials are currently tallying numbers for the 165 seats which will be decided via the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system. This means the candidates with the most votes wins the seat. The RSP has put forward rapper-turned-politician Balen Shah as its prime ministerial candidate. He defeated the former Nepalese Prime Minister Sharma KP Oli in his parliamentary constituency, taking him one step closer to becoming the country's next prime minister. If he is confirmed in that position, that would make him the youngest prime minister in the history of Nepal. When will we know the final result of the Nepal election? The full counting will be finished in a "few days", says Election Commission spokesman Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, said according to AFP. Advertisement Advertisement Most of the results have already been released in both counts - FPTP and PR. The speed of the results is a huge departure from previous polls. During the last election in 2022, it took nearly two weeks for results to be released. This is because some polling stations are located in difficult, hilly terrain more than 80% of Nepal is mountainous which makes the collection of ballot boxes a challenging logistical exercise. Some need to be carried down by hand, for instance, while others have to be airlifted in and out of polling stations. Planes and helicopters are also not allowed into some remote areas after dark, which often means collection can begin only the next morning. Bad weather also interferes with the collection process. Getting ballot boxes and election officials to all corners of the Himalayan republic is a logistical challenge [EPA] In one remote village in Mustang district, where just four villagers were registered to cast their votes, 20 officials were deployed to deliver election materials as well as to supervise voting and ensure security on election day. Advertisement Advertisement A further 35 eligible voters from the village live in other parts of the country, but recent heavy snowfall has made it difficult for them to return. Nepal's law requires citizens to cast their ballots in their registered constituency, which is often where they were born. Counting of votes, which is done by hand, also usually takes a long time. Every political party would dispatch representatives to the counting centres and they will inspect every open ballot cast before they are counted. These representatives have sometimes been known to dispute issues like results and the validity of votes, which had previously led to recounts, further delaying the process. How did the vote take place? Nearly 19 million people, including almost a million first-time voters, registered to take part in the ballot to elect 275 members of parliament. Advertisement Advertisement The election commission said 60% of registered voters took part in the poll. Most of the MPs - 165 of them - will be elected through first-past-the-post voting, meaning the candidate with the most votes wins the seat. The other 110 MPs will be selected via proportional representation (PR), which takes into account the proportion of votes cast for a political party. This two-system format makes it difficult for any one party to win outright, so whoever comes out top in the election will most likely need to govern in a coalition. According to the election commission, there were 6,541 candidates in total. Some 3,406 are standing in directly elected seats - more than 1,000 of them aged under 40 - while 3,135 candidates are contesting under the PR system. Advertisement Advertisement Voting started at 07:00 local time (01:15 GMT) and continued until 17:00 local time. Who are the main players in the Nepal election and where are the key contests? Balen Shah (in sunglasses) is one of the people to watch in this poll [Reuters] Not only did Balendra Shah take a parliamentary seat from former prime minister Oli, he also won with the highest vote total ever recorded in a Nepali election. The large number of winning candidates under the age of 40 in this election, including Shah, shows that the political pendulum has firmly swung in favour of the youth, says Amish Raj Mulmi, an analyst based in Kathmandu. Oli, 74, and his government were forced to resign last September amid mounting public anger at long-entrenched corruption and social inequality in the Himalayan republic. Advertisement Advertisement His party, the RSP, has also nudged other more established parties out of the running. The Nepali Congress, the country's oldest and largest party by membership, was projected as a strong contender only managed 17 seats in the direct vote - a distant second to the RSP which has 124 seats at last count. Oli's party, the Communist Party of Nepal UML, which won the second-largest share of seats in the last election has only won eight seats this time, and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) led by former Maoist leader Prachanda has won seven. What are the main issues in the Nepal election? The authorities said 77 people were killed during last September's demonstrations, many of them protesters shot by police. Crowds set fire to many buildings, including parliament, the Supreme Court and central government secretariat. Advertisement Advertisement The protests were triggered by a ban on social media but fuelled by anger against corruption, unemployment and economic stagnation. These are the main issues in the 5 March vote. Most political parties have put particular focus on issues such as better governance, fighting corruption and reducing employment in their manifestos, which is being widely seen as a nod to the frustrations that led to the toppling of the previous government. The Nepali Congress, for instance, has proposed holding a high-level investigation into the assets of public office holders since 1990. This election has important geopolitical ramifications too. Advertisement Advertisement Neighbouring India, which has historically had an outsized role in Nepal's political history, is watching closely. It has had a fractious relationship with former prime minister KP Sharma Oli in the past. This is primarily because it sees Oli as someone who has actively pursued a closer relationship with China, India's rival, during his several terms as prime minister. China has a major influence in Nepal and will be hoping that any future government is supportive towards its interests in the country, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The US has also been playing a role in this election and has been more aligned with India in terms of its strategic objectives, observers say. Modi also said that India will soon give final shape to a mutually beneficial free trade agreement with Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have overseen the signing of 16 economic, security, and diplomatic agreements during a press conference in Jerusalem on Thursday. Memorandums of understanding in the fields of agriculture, geophysical exploration, heritage, science, education, economy, cyber, technology, security, and artificial intelligence were signed by their respective ministers and counterparts, as well as Indias Ambassador to Israel, J.P. Singh. Advertisement Advertisement The agreement included allowing 50,000 Indian workers in the next five years, according to India's Foreign Ministry. "We know that the meeting of minds and hearts that we've had here will also continue in this remarkable G2G that is long overdue and will create an even greater boost to the enormous benefits that we can bring to each other, and I think, to humanity at large," Netanyahu said during the conference. Modi also said that India will soon give final shape to a mutually beneficial free trade agreement with Israel, and that the two countries will pursue joint development, production, and technology transfer in defense. President Isaac Herzog and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, February 26, 2026. (credit: Avi Kaner (GPO)) Ahead of the meeting, President Isaac Herzog welcomed Modi to Jerusalem and planted an oak tree in the President's Residence in Jerusalem as a symbol of friendship, growth, and the building of a shared future between the two countries." Advertisement Advertisement The two also held a private meeting, during which Herzog thanked Modi for his support and friendship toward Israel. Earlier on Thursday, Netanyahu and Modi visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem, beginning their tour in the Hall of Names. A memorial ceremony was held after the tour, during which Modi laid a wreath and placed a stone on the memorial to commemorate the victims lost in the Holocaust. Modi posted on Twitter/X describing his visit to Yad Vashem and concluded it, "The Holocaust stands as one of humanitys darkest chapters. It is an eternal reminder of the need to uphold humanity, dignity, and peace." Modi: First Indian PM to address Knesset Modi arrived in Israel on Wednesday and praised the shared bond between Israel and India during a Knesset plenum address, outlining plans to strengthen relations by working together in innovation, technology, and economic advancement. Advertisement Advertisement "The friendship between Israel and India remains a source of strength in an uncertain world," Modi said. The speech marked the first time an Indian prime minister had ever addressed the Israeli parliament and was held shortly after Modi landed in the country for an official state visit. He was greeted with standing ovations from the audience. Keshet Neev, Corinne Baum, James Genn, Fraidy Moser, and Reuters contributed to this report. Germany's next president is to be elected on January 30, 2027, dpa learnt on Thursday. Incumbent Frank-Walter Steinmeier is due to step down from the largely ceremonial role in March 2027 after two five-year terms and cannot be re-elected. The German president is elected by a federal convention, made up of lawmakers in the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, and representatives from the country's 16 federal states. Advertisement Advertisement Parliamentary sources told dpa on Thursday that Bundestag President Julia Klockner is set to convene the assembly on January 30, 2027, to determine Steinmeier's successor. The most important duties in the role include representing Germany abroad, formally dissolving the Bundestag, awarding honours, signing treaties and laws, and the power of pardon. Parties across the political spectrum have called for a woman to fill the position for the first time, with all 12 presidents to have served since 1949 having been men. Speculation emerged earlier this month that former chancellor Angela Merkel could be nominated to serve as the country's first female president. However, a spokeswoman for Merkel quickly ruled out the idea. Prominent names under consideration for the role include Education Minister Karin Prien and Ilse Aigner, the president of the Bavarian state parliament. Nine U.S. Navy service members were arrested Tuesday for their part in an assault that took place in Jamul, San Diego, in May 2025, according to a San Diego County Sheriffs Office press release. The San Diego County Sheriffs Office and U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service collaborated on a joint investigation that led to the arrest of military personnel in Southern California, several of whom were affiliated with criminal street gangs. The arrests stemmed from an incident that occurred at a May 3, 2025, house party in which a victim alleged they were assaulted by a group of people and pistol-whipped with a gun. Advertisement Advertisement The victim sustained major injuries and was bleeding heavily from their head and face. One of the 10 assault suspects sought medical attention at a local fire station following the incident. Man who drove car at Coast Guard personnel charged with assault Detectives with the San Diego County Sheriffs Office, East County Gang Task Force, San Diego Fugitive Task Force and Sheriffs Special Enforcement Detail arrested suspects at Naval Air Station North Island, Naval Base San Diego, Naval Medical Center San Diego, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach and a home in San Diego. Ksahno Isles, Demario Ricks, Isaiah Pearson, Answer Adams, Lawrence Hodge, Jaharai Wiggins, Robert Green, Gary Cannon, Eric Frierson and Timothy Blair were arrested in connected with the May 2025 assault. Advertisement Advertisement During the arrests, detectives found five firearms and $20,000 in cash. The nine service members and one civilian were arrested on felony charges for the assault and weapons possession and booked into the San Diego Central Jail. North Dakota ambulance service providers lost nearly $500 on average for every patient transported to a medical facility last year, according to a survey. The recent survey of three dozen providers in the state, conducted by PWW Advisory Group, was the result of a study created by House Bill 1322 passed during the 2025 legislative session. The group presented the results to the Legislatures interim Emergency Response Services Committee on Wednesday. The average revenue generated from an ambulance transport was about $1,100 during 2025, but the expenses were nearly $1,600, said Matt Zavadsky, an EMS and mobile health care consultant with PWW, based in Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement They are losing money every time they respond to a call, Zavadsky said during the meeting. That financial loss has to be made up, typically, by local tax subsidies, fundraisers, bake sales, or all too often, service reductions to try and match expenses with the revenue they can generate. He said the problem cannot be fixed by billing reform alone because the revenue generated isnt enough to fund the cost of readiness, such as personnel, equipment and supplies, among other items. The survey highlighted 74% of ambulance provider expenses went to personnel costs, but equipment costs have also increased in recent years. Zavadsky said survey respondents plan to invest about $12.9 million into vehicle and equipment purchases over the next five years, averaging to about $358,000 per provider. However, the cost of a new ambulance has risen to between $275,000 to $480,000 per vehicle. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a new ambulance could cost up to $250,000, he said. Advertisement Advertisement There are more than 100 ambulance service providers in North Dakota. The 36 survey respondents represented a diverse group of providers from city and county services to district-owned, hospital-based and private providers, he said. The average patient transport distance is 34 miles, according to the survey. Zavadsky said the survey respondents reported 53% of their total revenue was generated from fees for service with the remaining 47% coming from local tax subsidies, state grants and other fundraising. What you guys are experiencing in North Dakota and what is happening in the local communities is not the fault of the local communities, not the fault of the state, this is just our new normal, Zavadsky said. Rep. Todd Porter, R-Mandan, speaks during a meeting of the Emergency Response Services Committee on Feb. 25, 2026. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) Rep. Todd Porter, R-Mandan, owner of Metro-Area Ambulance Service which serves Morton and Burleigh counties, said Medicare patients reimburse ambulance providers at a much lower rate than private insurance and Medicaid patients. He added Medicare patients make up about 60% of the call volume in the Bismarck-Mandan area. Advertisement Advertisement If were being underpaid for 60% of our call volume, then we have to make it up some place, Porter said. He said some providers can make up that difference in reimbursement with tax dollars, but not all providers have that option. We do other contracted work for nursing homes, hospitals, funeral homes in order to make up that difference, Porter said. This is a federal government problem. This is a CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) problem that weve known about for years. Porter also said ambulance services are not reimbursed for responding to a call with a Medicare patient that doesnt require a transport to a hospital. According to the survey, about 17% of all ambulance calls dont require transport to a medical facility. Advertisement Advertisement The survey also showed about 2,300 of the nearly 33,600 patient transports billed last year ended up in collections after being more than 90 days delinquent, totaling $2.7 million, Zavadsky said. The average total of a claim sent to collections was about $1,100. Zavadsky estimated the total of unpaid claims for more than 100 providers across North Dakota was about $5.8 million in 2025. Some providers dont have procedures to pursue delinquent billing in collections, he said. Rep. Jim Grueneich, R-Ellendale, chair of the committee, said the committee will take a deeper look at the data presented on Wednesday and may have recommendations, and possible draft legislation, to address the issue in the 2027 legislative session. North Dakota Monitor reporter Michael Achterling can be reached at machterling@northdakotamonitor.com. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Kim Jong Un has declared his intent to expand North Korea's nuclear arsenal and operational range - calling on the United States to respect his country's nuclear power, in a rare message to Washington. The United States and North Korea could "get along", Kim added, but only if the US accepts that North Korea's nuclear weapons are here to stay. His comments, which were made at a five-yearly party congress held in the capital Pyongyang, are seen as leaving a door open to talks with US President Donald Trump ahead of Trump's visit to China in April. Advertisement Advertisement However, Kim dashes hopes of any diplomatic thaw with South Korea, calling them the North's "most hostile entity". If Washington "respects our present [nuclear] position as stipulated in the Constitution... and withdraws its hostile policy... there is no reason why we cannot get along well with the United States," Kim said at the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, according to state media outlet KCNA. The future state of US-North Korea relations "depends entirely on the US attitude", Kim said. "Whether it's peaceful coexistence or permanent confrontation, we are ready for either, and the choice is not ours to make." Advertisement Advertisement He also addressed its neighbour South Korea, saying that it would "permanently exclude Seoul from the category of compatriots", adding that "as long as South Korea cannot escape the geopolitical conditions of having a border with us, the only way to live safely is to give up everything related to us and leave us alone". One analyst told AFP that Pyongyang's latest remarks signalled "an intention to pursue relations with the US independently, without going through South Korea." Kim also highlighted Pyongyang's nuclear programme, saying: "We will focus on projects to increase the number of nuclear weapons and expand nuclear operational means." Advertisement Advertisement Despite long-standing international sanctions, North Korea has continued to build its nuclear capabilities, regularly testing banned intercontinental missiles. State-run KCNA said this week that under Kim's leadership North Korea "radically improved" its "war deterrence", "with the nuclear forces as its pivot". The secrecy of the regime, however, makes it difficult to evaluate how much progress its military has actually made. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), an independent think tank, estimated last year that North Korea had around 50 assembled nuclear warheads and enough fissile material to produce up to 40 more. Advertisement Advertisement Kim also previously called for a "limitless" expansion of the country's nuclear programme in November 2024. Last year, US President Trump released a global security road map that conspicuously did not mention the denuclearisation of North Korea as a goal - despite that being a constant in the National Security Strategy of every US president since 2003, when Pyongyang's nuclear programme emerged. The omission fuelled speculation that talks between Trump and Kim, last held in 2019, could soon be revived. Trump's previous road map, issued during his first term in 2017, mentioned North Korea 16 times - describing it as a threat and a rogue state that could "use a nuclear weapon against the United States". Advertisement Advertisement Kim, however, has long insisted that denuclearisation is not something Pyongyang is considering. "The concept of 'denuclearisation' has already lost its meaning. We have become a nuclear state," he told parliament in September. "I say 'denuclearisation' is the last, last thing to expect from us." "If the United States, freeing itself from its absurd pursuit of others' denuclearisation and recognising the reality, wants genuine peaceful coexistence with us, there is no reason for us not to come face to face with it." Kim's teenage daughter, Ju Ae, was photographed alongside him at the party congress [Reuters] Photos from the closing stages of this year's party congress also showed Kim's teenage daughter, Ju Ae, standing alongside her father in a matching black leather jacket at a military parade in Pyongyang. Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month South Korea's spy agency told lawmakers Kim had selected Ju Ae - who is believed to be 13 - as his heir. The National Intelligence Service said it would would keep close tabs on whether she attended the party congress. Kim Jong Un said North Korea could get along well with the US only if it recognised the Asian nations status as a nuclear state and abandoned its hostile policy towards Pyongyang. His remarks promptly fuelled speculation that Donald Trump could seek a meeting with the North Korean leader during his planned April trip to China, likely reviving diplomacy after the collapse of their 2019 Hanoi Summit over sanctions relief and denuclearisation disputes. Mr Kim, however, made clear that he would reject any negotiations premised on Pyongyang giving up its nuclear weapons. Advertisement Advertisement If the US respects our countrys current status as stipulated in the constitution, and withdraws its hostile policy, the leader was quoted as saying by the state news agency KCNA, theres no reason why we cannot get along well. Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump shake hands during a meeting at the Military Demarcation Line that divides the Korean Peninsula on 30 June 2019 (AFP via Getty) At the same time, Mr Kim struck a sharply confrontational tone towards South Korea, declaring it a hostile state and ruling out reconciliation. North Korea had absolutely no business dealing with South Korea, he said, describing the rival neighbour as the most hostile entity. His nation, he added, would permanently exclude South Korea from the category of compatriots. As long as South Korea cannot escape the geopolitical conditions of having a border with us, the only way to live safely is to give up everything related to us and leave us alone. Advertisement Advertisement Mr Kim made the remarks as a landmark congress of the ruling Workers Party concluded on the evening of 25 February. The comments signal an intention to pursue relations with the US independently, without going through South Korea, Yang Moo Jin, former president of the University of North Korean Studies, Seoul, told the AFP news agency. Mr Kim was also making clear that he would reject any negotiations premised on denuclearisation, Prof Yang added. Mr Kim, meanwhile, warned that the North Korean military would immediately launch a fierce retaliatory attack against any military hostile act committed by any force that infringes upon the sovereignty of our country. Advertisement Advertisement North Korea assembled around 50 warheads, possesses enough fissile material to produce up to more and is accelerating the production of further fissile material, think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) estimated last year. Mr Kim also laid out North Korea's plans to develop stronger intercontinental ballistic missiles including ones that can be launched from underwater, attack systems using artificial intelligence, unmanned drones, and weapons that can hit enemy satellites, KCNA said. State media photos of the military parade showed formations of soldiers marching through brightly-lit Kim Il Sung square under a podium where Mr Kim and his daughter stood with senior officials. Some troops in the parade wore camouflage and special warfare gear, and jets conducted a fly-by. There was no military hardware visible in photos nor reference by KCNA to strategic weapons such as those that were shown off in a military parade in October. The presence of Mr Kim's daughter, known as Ju Ae, will fuel further speculation over whether she is being groomed as his successor. Kim Jong Un said North Korea could "get along" with Washington if it accepted Pyongyang's nuclear status, state media said Thursday, but has dashed any hopes of mended ties with "deceptive" neighbour Seoul. Washington and Seoul have mounted a renewed push for high-level talks with reclusive North Korea, eyeing a potential summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump in China later this year. Having largely ignored these overtures for months, Kim finally staked his position as thousands gathered in Pyongyang for a rare congress of the ruling Workers' Party. Advertisement Advertisement If Washington "respects our country's current (nuclear) status... and withdraws its hostile policy... there is no reason why we cannot get along well with the United States," Kim said, according to the Korean Central News Agency. The United States has for decades led efforts to dismantle North Korea's nuclear programme -- but summits, sanctions and diplomatic pressure have had little impact. The last summit between Kim and Trump in 2019 unravelled as the leaders argued over sanctions relief and what nuclear concessions North Korea might make in return. Trump is slated to travel to China -- North Korea's longtime ally -- in late March through early April. Advertisement Advertisement Speculation is mounting he may seek to meet with Kim on the sidelines of this trip. A Trump-Kim meeting would be a major breakthrough after years of deadlocked diplomacy. Trump stepped up his courtship of Kim during a tour of Asia last year, saying he was "100 percent" open to a meeting. He even bucked long-held US policy by conceding that North Korea was already "sort of a nuclear power". North Korea's economy has for years languished under heavy Western sanctions that aim to choke off funding for its nuclear weapons programme. - 'Leave us alone' - Held just once every five years, the Workers' Party congress offers a rare glimpse into the workings of a nation where even mundane details are shrouded in secrecy. Advertisement Advertisement Speaking as the days-long political spectacle drew to a close, Kim took a far more combative tone on South Korea. Seoul's recent efforts to lower the temperature with North Korea were a "clumsy deceptive farce and a poor work", Kim said. North Korea has "absolutely no business dealing with South Korea, its most hostile entity, and will permanently exclude South Korea from the category of compatriots", Kim said. "As long as South Korea cannot escape the geopolitical conditions of having a border with us, the only way to live safely is to give up everything related to us and leave us alone." Advertisement Advertisement In response, Seoul vowed to keep working for peaceful coexistence. "To achieve this, the two Koreas must refrain from hostile and confrontational words and actions and build a foundation of mutual respect and trust," the government said in a statement. North Korea's latest announcements reflect the view that "South Korea's continued insistence on North Korea's denuclearisation -- directed at the US and the international community -- fundamentally infringes on Pyongyang's national interests," said Hong Min, an analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification. Kim's remarks "signal an intention to pursue relations with the US independently, without going through South Korea," Yang Moo-jin, former president of the University of North Korean Studies, told AFP. Advertisement Advertisement He was also making clear that he will "reject any negotiations premised on denuclearisation", Yang added. The congress ended as thousands of soldiers marched through Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung Square in a grand military parade. Kim and his daughter Ju Ae donned matching leather jackets as they watched the procession, fuelling speculation the teenager is being groomed for power. "What we're seeing looks like deliberate image politics -- projecting her as a potential inheritor of her fathers authority," said Kyungnam University professor Lim Eul-chul. Pyongyang said a range of military units took part in the event, including troops who aided Russia's war effort in Ukraine and those stationed near the inter-Korean border. sft-cdl/ane A family in New Orleans is mourning the loss of 19-year-old Keydi Matute Antunez, a mother of twin babies who was hit and killed while trying to cross the street Sunday. Her sister, Lady Antunez, described her in an interview with WWL Louisiana on Wednesday as a hard worker, loving mother, and joyful. She said she arrived at Matutes home in New Orleans East on Sunday evening when Matute left to buy a few items from a store. Advertisement Advertisement Not even ten minutes later, Matute was hit by a vehicle, then a second one, trying to cross Chef Menteur Highway near Plum Orchard Road. I was there. I was there with her, said Antunez. The NOPD said in a press release Sunday that first responders pronounced Matute dead. Both drivers stayed at the scene, and no arrests were made. Antunez said her family is desperate for information about the investigation and that the NOPD has not communicated with us about anything. WWL Louisiana reached out to the NOPD late Wednesday afternoon for comment but the agency did not immediately respond. Now, Matutes family is raising money for her funeral through a GoFundMe. Advertisement Advertisement They are also caring for the six-month-old twins. I know nothing can replace a mothers affection, but were going to do the best we can with the children, Antunez said. Matute will be laid to rest Saturday. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A registered nurse was charged with eight felonies and had her license revoked after she allegedly forged prescriptions for narcotics for her own use. Kaisley Dale Ault, 35, is charged with burglary, six counts of identity fraud, and pattern of unlawful activity, all of which are felony charges. The case was investigated by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Utah Attorney Generals Office. Advertisement Advertisement According to the charging documents, over a period of nearly two years beginning in 2021, Ault used the identities of a doctor and a nurse practitioner to order narcotic prescriptions for multiple patients at an assisted living facility and took them for herself. She allegedly ordered fentanyl patches, morphine, and oxycodone. How to make ABC4 your preferred news source on Google In May of 2023, Ault allegedly entered the assisted living facility with the intent to steal controlled substances, and reportedly, she knew she was no longer allowed to be there. Ault was a registered nurse within the state of Utah, but her license was revoked on Feb. 6 after she failed to participate in the formal adjudicative proceeding. A license being revoked is the most severe disciplinary action a state board can take, and it is permanent. However, it is purely a professional consequence rather than a legal one, and it does not necessarily indicate that a crime was committed. Advertisement Advertisement According to the findings of fact from the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), she intentionally forged prescription orders with a copy of the physicians signature for controlled substances under the names of 28 different patients at the facility where she worked. Those prescriptions were billed to the assisted living facility. You never move on: Family of teen killed in hit-and-run speaks at drivers parole hearing She also reportedly possessed those controlled substances and tested positive for opiates, without having a valid prescription. The finding of fact alleges that by using opiates, her ability to engage in the practice of nursing was impaired. Additionally, according to the DOPL, Ault was publicly reprimanded and fined in 2018 for taking oxycodone from a co-workers purse for her own use without permission. She also had to complete an education course in order to retain her license. Advertisement Advertisement Ault has not been arrested, but a court summons has been proposed. Latest headlines: 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 ABC4 Utah. By Federico Maccioni DUBAI, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Data-center company Quantum Switch Tamasuk is considering strategic options, including a sale of its Saudi business, four people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters, in a deal that could attract renewed interest from global buyout firms seeking a slice of the Gulf's AI boom. QST was set up as a joint venture between Saudi Arabian infrastructure developer Tamasuk and UK-based data-center player Quantum Switch. It has operating projects, and planned future ones, in Saudi Arabia. The company has appointed Rothschild to advise on any potential transaction, said the four sources, who declined to be named because the matter is not public. A deal could value the business at a level significantly higher than $500 million, one of the people said. Deliberations are at an early stage and the company has not decided whether it will pursue a sale or other options, the sources said. Its two data centers in Dammam, in the east of the kingdom, have a total capacity of 9 megawatts (MW) each, enough to power up to 9,000 homes depending on factors such as location, energy efficiency and power source. Global private equity groups operating in the region had shown interest in the assets that may be for sale, the people said. QST, Tamasuk and Quantum Switch did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Rothschild declined to comment. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries are pouring billions of dollars into data-center infrastructure as they strive to become global AI hubs, viewing the booming sector as a way to help diversify their economies away from hydrocarbon revenue. They are betting that abundance of land and access to cheap energy will lure hyperscalers that have been driving AI adoption, such as Alphabet's Google, Microsoft and Meta. Challenges remain in the region in areas including data governance, access to chips and top-tier talent in a fiercely competitive global market. Foreign investors have also been showing growing interest in regional data centers, not just in oil and gas pipelines, especially in the UAE. Last year, KKR bought a minority stake in Dubai-based data-center company Gulf Data Hub, while Silver Lake invested in Khazna Data Center Holding, which is involved in the construction of a massive data-center campus in Abu Dhabi. (Reporting by Federico Maccioni in Dubai; Editing Anousha Sakoui and Matthew Lewis) New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani is slated to meet with President Donald Trump on Thursday afternoon in the White House with housing reportedly on the agenda, sources confirmed to the Daily News. The mayor traveled to Washington, D.C., on Thursday morning. The D.C. meeting, and the mayors travel, was not advised and did not appear on his public schedule. The two planned to speak in part about building housing in the five boroughs, The New York Times reported an area of particular interest to the president, who first established himself in the citys real estate industry. Advertisement Advertisement The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump and the mayor first met in November, shortly after Mamdanis general election victory. The meeting was shockingly cordial: Despite their many political disagreements, Trump spoke glowingly of the then-mayor-elect and said hed be cheering for him. Since that meeting, the two have stayed in contact, including over text. In his State of the Union address on Tuesday, Trump again praised Mamdani, though with a caveat. I speak to him a lot. Bad policy, but nice guy, Trump said. ______ NEED TO KNOW Caleb Abney died on Feb. 19 after his patrol vehicle was struck from behind by another driver during a traffic stop He joined the Hahira Police Department after working for Lowndes County Fire and Rescue, his obituary stated Abney, 26, was set to get married this April A 26-year-old police officer from Georgia was killed during a traffic stop just two months before his wedding. It is with heavy hearts that we share the devastating news of the loss of Officer Caleb Abney, who was tragically killed in the line of duty earlier this morning, the Hahira Police Department wrote in a social media post on Feb. 19. Officer Abney served our community with honor, courage, and unwavering dedication. Advertisement Advertisement In a statement shared with PEOPLE on Wednesday, Feb. 25, the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) said that a trooper was dispatched to a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 75 north in Lowndes County at about 12:09 a.m. local time that morning. The officer, later identified as Abney, was conducting a traffic stop on a Nissan located on the east shoulder of the interstate when the driver of a Chevrolet Camaro failed to maintain their lane, traveled onto the east shoulder of I-75 and struck the rear of the officers patrol vehicle. The patrol vehicle, which Abney was sitting in, then hit the Nissan and all three vehicles finally came to a rest off the roadway. The Hahira PD officer succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene, police said, noting that the driver of the Chevrolet also died. Advertisement Advertisement An investigation is ongoing. According to his obituary, Abney was born at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, and received his associate degree in science criminal justice from Southern New Hampshire University in 2020. Two years later, he met the love of his life, Jordan Alexis Hicks." In early 2025 he snuck away to Puerto Rico, while his sisters and Jordan were there on a girls trip and asked for her hand in marriage," the obituary read. "She said Yes. The young couple bought a house together and set an 'I Do' date of April 18, 2026. Caleb had a heart for public service and joined the Hahira Police Department after working for Lowndes County Fire and Rescue, the tribute continued In his short tenure as a Hahira, Georgia Police Officer, Caleb, because of his cheerful personality, had the ability to make people feel 'OK' when he gave them a ticket. Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with NBC affiliate WALB, Hahira Police Chief Stryde Jones called Abney family. In a small department, officers become more than coworkers; they become brothers and sisters, said Jones. 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. Abneys funeral service will be held on March 1, at the Lowndes High School, Martin Stadium in Valdosta. A GoFundMe has been set up to support his family and fiancee. Read the original article on People Utah is facing its worst snowpack deficit since measurements began over 40 years ago, threatening summer water supplies and agricultural operations for the already-struggling Great Salt Lake. What's happening? According to KPCW, snowpack across Utah reached record lows heading into the final two months of winter this February. The state's measurements, tracked since 1980, showed current accumulation at unprecedented depths, raising alarms among water resource managers about severe shortages this summer. Wasatch County Manager Dustin Grabau recently addressed the crisis during KPCW's "Local News Hour." Advertisement Advertisement "It's a serious issue everywhere," he said. "Wasatch County has the benefit of being adjacent to some reservoirs, so we think that we'll be able to meet some level of demand, but really, without any snow, we're kind of all in a little bit of trouble this summer." County officials are considering implementing mandatory conservation measures for the first time in the region's history. Farm irrigation infrastructure would likely cease operations before household taps run dry, which would force agricultural land into dormancy. State leadership has approved a $30 million acquisition of U.S. Magnesium's holdings, including critical water allocations, preventing industrial diversion from the Great Salt Lake. The mineral processing facility closed three years ago following financial and environmental difficulties. Why is the lack of snowpack important? The Great Salt Lake sits mere feet above its lowest recorded levels, and further decline exposes lakebed sediments containing arsenic and heavy metals that blow into populated areas, creating potential respiratory emergencies. Economic stability also suffers as lake-dependent industries disappear alongside tourism revenue. Advertisement Advertisement Residential communities are facing impossible choices between landscaping, recreation, and maintaining adequate reserves for essential household needs. Grabau noted that farms can temporarily halt operations, "but that's much harder to do when someone's living in a home and can't shower, can't drink or those other things," per KPCW. Worsening extreme weather is causing communities in Utah and across the world to face mounting water scarcity, with agricultural issues eliminating jobs and raising food prices. While extreme weather events have always occurred and often posed challenges, experts have concluded that the human-induced climate crisis supercharges them, further endangering communities. What's being done about water scarcity? Utah legislators are expected to introduce multiple proposals during the 2026 session to address water supply challenges. Officials committed $30 million toward protecting Great Salt Lake allocations. Advertisement Advertisement Communities can come together to support policies that address warming trends intensifying these drought patterns. Exploring the critical issues surrounding these changes helps you learn more about the solutions to protect water resources in your 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. After a months-long saga where he was arrested for running over a man who fled from police, then was charged with voyeurism for smelling a girl's underwear, Butler Mayor Wesley Dingus resigned from his position Tuesday, Feb. 24. Butler Village Council had called for a special meeting for Feb. 24, citing personnel reasons. Dingus submitted a resignation letter that was read at the meeting. Effective immediately I Wesley Dingus resigns as Village of Butler Mayor not under stress but under duress," he wrote in his resignation letter. Advertisement Advertisement Previous reporting: Butler Mayor Wesley Dingus arrested on charge of aggravated assault According to Beacon Journal news partner News 5 Cleveland, Dingus resignation was unanimously accepted and Council President Eric Tron will assume the mayors role. "I have mixed feelings about everything, but Im just happy that things turned out the way they did, as far as how it went tonight. I think everybody's kind of relieved the mayor resigned, Tron said, according to News 5 Cleveland. What did Butler Mayor Wesley Dingus allegedly do? Dingus was arraigned Feb. 19 in Mansfield Municipal Court on two misdemeanor charges of voyeurism after a camera captured him twice in a minor's room smelling her underwear. Advertisement Advertisement Related reading: Ohio mayor who ran over man now charged for underwear voyeurism The mayor of Butler was arrested Aug. 17, 2025, on a charge of aggravated assault and vehicular assault related to a July 11 incident that gained national attention. Butler Mayor Wesley Dingus, 48, Thursday was arraigned in Mansfield Municipal Court on two voyeurism charges involving a minor girl who lives at his house. Dingus pleaded not guilty in both cases. This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Ohio mayor resigns amid underwear-smelling allegation As Bangladeshis took to the polls in February 2026 in its first general elections since its former leader Sheikh Hasina was ousted in a 2024 deadly uprising, social media posts from neighbouring India shared a video falsely claiming it shows ballots being counted the night before voting day. But the footage shows ballot papers displaying the logo of Awami League, Hasina's political party that has been banned from participating in this election. "Polling day is today but in Bangladesh the votes have been counted the night before", reads the part of the caption of X post shared on February 12, 2026. The caption adds that the video -- shared 1,400 times -- was shot at a constituency in the Dhaka district of Gazipur. Screenshot of the false post taken on February 20, 2026, with a red X added by AFP The February 12 poll was the countrys first election since the 2024 uprising that ousted Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh for 15 years. Her Awami League party was barred from taking part (archived link). Advertisement Advertisement Voters also endorsed proposals in a referendum that included prime ministerial term limits, a new upper house of parliament, stronger presidential powers and greater judicial independence, with 60 percent backing the changes. Days later, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) celebrated a landslide victory on February 13, paving the way for its leader Tarique Rahman to become prime minister (archived link). According to the Election Commission, the BNP won 212 seats, compared with 77 for the Islamist-led Jamaat-e-Islami alliance. Similar claims with the same video spread elsewhere on X, Facebook and Instagram. Advertisement Advertisement But election authorities denied that counting took place before the elections. Md. Alam Hossain, the chief election officer of the Gazipur constituency, told AFP on February 18 that premature counting did not occur within his jurisdiction, and pointed out that the ballots from this year's election did not look like the ones in the falsely circulated footage (archived link). "The video clearly shows people counting only one type of ballot, whereas the latest election involved two separate ballots. This indicates that the footage is not from the most recent polls," he said. Other visual clues A reverse image search using keyframes led to a sharper version of similar footage on Facebook. It provides clearer visual clues that the video is in fact old, like a boat symbol seen on the ballot papers -- the election icon of Hasina's Awami League (archived link). Screenshot of the false Facebook post, with the boat symbol highlighted by AFP AFP has a photo from a previous election showing a ballot paper having the boat symbol. A man signs to receive his ballot paper before voting in Bangladesh's general election in Dhaka on January 7, 2024. The boat symbol was highlighted by AFP. (Photo Credit: Indranil Mukherjee / AFP) INDRANIL MUKHERJEE AFP (INDRANIL MUKHERJEE / AFP) AFP also compared the false video with official ballot-counting visuals recorded by AFP journalists. An electoral official opens a ballot box as counting starts at a polling station during Bangladesh's general election in Dhaka on February 12, 2026 (Credit: Sajjad Hussain / AFP) Sajjad HUSSAIN AFP (Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP) The voting process this year involved two types of ballot papers -- pink and white. The pink ballot paper was used for the referendum on the democratic reform charter (archived link). AFP has previously debunked misinformation related to Bangladesh election. Feb. 25WORTHINGTON Born of Mexican immigrants who brought her across the border at the age of four, Martha Fonseca grew up in rural areas of Iowa and Minnesota as her parents worked on chicken farms and in hog barns to make a living for their family. This rural area, surrounded by farm fields and livestock production is where she feels most comfortable it's home. Fonseca was recently hired as the new executive director of OLGFC, a free clinic in downtown Worthington that provides medical care for those who can't afford it. She said her past experiences and prayers led her down a path of service to others and the late Rev. Jim Callahan also played an important role in that direction. Advertisement Advertisement After coming to the U.S., Fonseca and her family lived in various communities as her dad pursued what became a 10-year process to get his green card to be in the U.S. legally. She attended Heron Lake-Okabena schools from third through ninth grade, and graduated from Dassel-Cokato High School. She then returned to southwest Minnesota to pursue a degree in cosmetology at the Jackson campus of Minnesota West Community and Technical College. Fonseca worked at salons for about five years, during which time she helped her husband, Javier Garcia, work through his immigration status change. The process required him to return to Mexico for a time, so she and their first-born daughter accompanied him. When he was allowed to return to the U.S., they settled in Worthington. Garcia has worked more than a dozen years at JBS, while Fonseca spent nearly 12 years with Bedford Industries. Advertisement Advertisement "I (initially) saw that as kind of a side job to help fund a salon," she said. "I was an administrative assistant there and I was promoted to account representative and did sales and marketing." Five years later, she was promoted to a sales lead position. "At that point, I realized I loved what I was doing," Fonseca shared, saying she stopped planning for her own salon and began working on her bachelor's degree in business. She took online courses through Minnesota West and the University of Sioux Falls, and went on to earn her MBA all while working full-time and traveling for Bedford Industries and raising a family that grew to include three children. "I was really happy there; I wasn't planning on leaving," she said. "But, about five years ago I started getting this calling for doing something different." Advertisement Advertisement She visited with Fr. Callahan at St. Mary's Catholic Church around that time, mentioning her interest in doing some type of mission work. While he said he'd like to hire her to work at the clinic, they didn't have funds to match what she was making in her current job, and she couldn't afford a pay cut. Fonseca continued to think and pray about her future. "I said, 'OK, God, maybe I'm reading into this wrong maybe I'm overthinking," she shared. "Then, a few months back ... I saw Bryan Hagen at a church event. He said, 'We're going to open an executive director position at the clinic. I think you'd be great for that.'" Hagen sent Fonseca the job description, she went through the interview process and the job offer was extended to her. She began work at OLGFC on Jan. 6. Advertisement Advertisement "I couldn't refuse," she said. "It just really all the pieces fell into place." As executive director of OLGFC, Fonseca will take "a bit of the load" off of clinic administrator Mariana Gutierrez. She will do the administrative duties, financials, work on fundraising and maintaining donor relationships and develop a strategic plan for the clinic. Fonseca and her husband live in Worthington with their children, Martha, 14, Jenesis, 12, and Javi, 3. One person was taken to the hospital after a reported assault in south Charlotte early Thursday morning. It happened in the 220 block of West Tremont Street. MEDIC said one person was hurt, but their injuries are non-life threatening. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said they were unable to find any evidence of a shooting and could not locate a victim. This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates. VIDEO: Community mourns loss of two brothers in Rock Hill shooting A 19-year-old Wilmington man is behind bars after investigators say he attacked another man with a hatchet. According to police, Logan Albright had been arguing online with the victim before driving to the man's home in the Bellefonte community of New Castle County. Investigators say Albright confronted the victim in the yard and struck him in the hand with a hatchet. The victim was taken to the hospital, where he was treated and released. Albright is facing felony assault charges. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban fighting for his political life ahead of Hungarys April 12 elections is once again attacking Ukraine. This time, he is callously blackmailing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by refusing to backstop Ukraines electrical grid if needed, unless Kyiv agrees to let Russian oil flow once again through the Druzhba oil pipeline. Ukraines answer? It sent 35-plus drones 930 miles deep inside of Russia to strike the Kaleykino oil pumping facility a critical node of the Druzhba pipeline destroying multiple pump lines and crude oil storage reservoirs. Advertisement Advertisement Earlier, Orban had threatened to block a $106 billion European Union loan to Ukraine unless his demands were met. As the now-ubiquitous saying goes Hungary fooled around and found out. Four years into defending Ukraine, Zelensky does not have the patience to deal with a whiny Orban. Russian oil will not be flowing anytime soon to Hungary, nor to Slovakia where Robert Fico, the countrys prime minister, was making similar threats. As a result, Orban is in even more electoral trouble. His party poll numbers are plunging. Tisza, a Hungarian political party started by Peter Magyar, is leading Orbans governing Fidesz party 55 percent to 35 percent among decided voters, according to a new poll released yesterday. Desperate for a way out, Orban is now attempting to campaign against Zelensky instead of Magyar. He is accusing Ukraine of imposing an oil blockade on Hungary and Slovakia, as if it were happening in a vacuum. It isnt. Advertisement Advertisement The Druzhba pipeline runs through Ukraine. When it was flowing, those oil sales to Budapest and Bratislava were funding Russian President Vladimir Putins war machine that was attacking Ukraine daily. We will not give in to blackmail! screeched Orban yesterday on X. That is ironic, since Hungary has been blackmailing Ukraine, NATO and the European Union ever since Putin launched his invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. Orban laughably is also trying to convince Hungarian voters that Ukraine is preparing kinetic strikes against Hungarys energy system. He has ordered Hungarian troops deployed to repel potential attacks against energy infrastructure. Hungarian voters should be wary of a possible false-flag attack. But Ukraine is not at war with Hungary, even if the latter has been in a soft war against Ukraine benefiting Putin if not at his behest. Soon after Putins 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced that Hungary would not allow NATO to transit weapons and munitions via its territory to Ukraine. His excuse at the time was that Russia might target those deliveries inside of Hungary. Advertisement Advertisement That was nonsense, of course. Hungary is a NATO member-state and fully militarily protected by Article Five, the alliances collective defense guarantee. Not long after that, Orban began to play games over Finland and Swedens bids to join NATO in March 2022. He succeeded in delaying the process for nearly two years by effectively blackmailing the EU for economic concessions. Initially, in early 2023, we wrote it off as Orban being opportunistic just as Turkish President Recep Erdogan was. Now, however, in retrospect, it feels far more nefarious. Orbans words and actions like Ficos are, wittingly or not, aiding and abetting Russias kinetic war against Ukraine and the Kremlins ongoing hybrid war against NATO. Advertisement Advertisement To that end, consider the totality of Orbans actions. In December 2022, he blocked an 18 billion EU aid package for Ukraine. In May 2023, Hungary stopped the disbursement of 500 million from the EUs European Peace Facility. In December 2023, Orban vetoed a 50 billion aid package for Kyiv. In March 2025, he refused to sign an EU statement voicing support for Ukraine. Essentially, Orban has been Moscows man in Brussels. He hides behind economic excuses, claiming Europe cannot afford this war, as he champions Putins interests in the West. Nor has Orban been alone. Since his electoral victory in October 2023, Fico has acted as Orbans mini-me. Later that same month, Fico stopped all military aid to Ukraine. In October 2024, Slovakia blocked Kyivs NATO membership bid. Advertisement Advertisement One year later, Fico announced that Bratislava would not participate in any EU financing of the war in Ukraine. Then, earlier this week a day before the fourth anniversary of Putins invasion Fico announced that Slovakia was cutting emergency assistance to Ukraine, including backstopping electricity. So lets call them what they are: Putins pawns. Both central European leaders would gladly continue to crassly trade cheap Russian oil for Ukrainian lives. The historical irony is that both Hungary and Slovakia when it was part of Czechoslovakia learned what it is like to be invaded by Russia. In the last hundred years, it has happened to Hungary twice in 1944 and 1956 and once to Czechoslovakia in 1968, to crush what was known as the Prague Spring. It is time NATO and the EU to suspended Hungarys and Slovakias memberships. Both countries are endangering the very alliances they are obligated to protect and are openly doing so to the benefit of Putin for cheap energy, if not more. Advertisement Advertisement Mark Toth writes on national security and foreign policy. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Sweet served 30 years as a military intelligence officer and led the US European Command Intelligence Engagement Division from 2012 to 2014. They are the co-founders of INTREP360 and the INTREP360 Intelligence Report on Substack. 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. If youve noticed Hillary Clinton everywhere again, its not because she has launched a comeback tour. Its because Republicans still just cannot quit her. Despite the fact that she is not mentioned in the Epstein files, House Oversight Chair James Comer has subpoenaed her to testify today. (Her husband, Bill Clinton, will testify tomorrow.) It seems Republicans believe that Clinton can provide a distractionor at least a new punching bagin the scandal that has dogged the Trump administration for months. They will surely use the closed-door deposition to rehash and revive as much Hillary hate as they can, regurgitating the greatest hits from 2016 and beyond. And theyll certainly air all their attack lines publicly right afterwards. Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton poses for a selfie with women during the Munich Security Conference on February 14, 2026, in Munich, Germany. / ALEXANDRA BEIER / AFP via Getty Images Still, in forcing Clinton back into the spotlight, Republicans may have accidentally handed Democrats a gift. Advertisement Advertisement Clinton has largely kept a disciplined distance from the churn of politics since her presidential run a decade ago (aside from carefully curated moments, like her speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention). Though supportive of a variety of organizing efforts through her Onward Together initiative, she did not try to become a resistance mascot. She has not inserted herself into every Trump controversy. Yet following this Epstein testimony stunt, and after being denied a public hearing, Clinton has suddenly decided to engage on a range of issuesand in a high-visibility capacity. She has recently appeared at high-profile conferences, penned op-eds, and given major interviews to the BBC and others. And in reappearing on the national stage in a robust way, the former presidential nominee could become a much-needed voice of reason for the Democratic Party. In a political environment where many seem to roll over at the slightest pushback on social media, Clinton is a figure from a different time, where leadership meant more than regurgitating the latest crowdsourced perspective, writes Kaivan Shroff. / Dominik Bindl / Getty Images In their fixation with Clinton, Republicans have reintroduced into the national conversation a Democrat now uniquely equipped to say what many in her party are afraid to. Right now, Democrats are struggling with a question they rarely confront directly: how to balance moral clarity with electoral reality. Clinton, who recently confirmed she would not run for president in 2028, can offer a reality check that could stave off the partys temptation to embrace extreme and unpopular positions at a time when a record number of Americans think it is already leaning too far left. She has been the subject of more online vitriol than any Democrat of her generation and emerged with something close to indifference toward it. That freedom is rare in modern politics. It is also incredibly powerful. Advertisement Advertisement Republicans thought dragging the former First Lady back into hearings would damage Democrats and protect them. Instead, they have revived a figure who is liberated from ambition and, therefore, unusually, candid. On so many issues, the loudest online voices often demand maximalism at a moment when much of the country is signaling fatigue with ideological escalation and purity tests. But Clinton lives in the real world, not on the internet, and her renewed presence can help tether Democrats to a more pragmatic outlook. Republican nominee Donald Trump speaks as Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton looks on during the final presidential debate at the University of Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 19, 2016. / AFP / AFP via Getty Images Yes, there will be Democrats who recoil at her return. For some, 2016 is still raw. For others, Clinton represents an establishment era they are eager to transcend. The party faces a volatile electorate, a resurgent Trump, and an information ecosystem that rewards the loudest voices over the wisest. But in this environment, having someone willing to lay out uncomfortable truths is a major asset. Hillary Clinton is back in the spotlight because Republicans could not resist pulling her there. They have inadvertently platformed one of the Democratic Partys most battle-tested figures, and she is speaking up once againnot for a campaign, not for validation, but with the clarity that comes from having nothing left to lose. At the end of last year, a Harvard Universityled study revealed the lengths to which remote employees would go to continue working from the comfort of their home offices: Participants were, on average, willing to forgo 25% of their total compensation in order to have their identical job, except with partial or full remote work capabilities, instead of working in the office. New research from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco suggests the opposite phenomenon is happeningat least for some workers. Employees working from home are actually getting paid more than their in-office colleagues. A recent study published by the San Francisco Fed analyzed data from nearly 25,000 French employees using the French Labor Force Survey, as well as firm-level data, and Social Security records to look at which jobs had flexible options, what they paid, as well as demographic information about the workers. Researchers found employees who work from home, at least some of the time, earned, on average, 12% higher hourly rates than those working fully in-person. About half of this boost was correlated with education levels, gender, and age, and when researchers controlled for these variables, they still saw about a 6% difference in wages, with remote employees still earning what researchers call a work-from-home wage premium. The study noted both France and the U.S. have similar levels of employees working from home, and both countries have more remote work opportunities for higher-paying, better-educated employees. Using French administrative data and controlling for a rich set of worker and firm characteristics, we find that workers who work from home earn higher hourly wages than those who do not, researchers said. Even with the pandemic nearly six years in the rearview mirror, work-from-home debates have continued as large companiesincluding Stellantis and Home Depot just in the past monthasked workers to come back to the office five days a week. Nearly 65% of workers said their offices have some form of hybrid work, according to data from Zoom. The trend of workplace flexibility appears to be here to stay: The National Bureau of Economic Research found millennials and Gen Z bosses are more likely to let employees work from home compared with bosses from older generations, creating an even greater imperative for future-of-work experts to better understand what makes it so compelling in an evolving workforce. Explaining the remote-work wage premium To be sure, remote employees are not magically getting paid more just because they clock in from home. The San Francisco Fed study noted nearly half of the 12% pay bump for hybrid workers was the result of certain demographic factors, such as age, gender, and how long someone has held their job position. Older workers with more senior titles, for example, were paid more. For years, the South Caucasus was a zone of exclusive Russian domination. This equation has changed following the recent success of Trump administration diplomacy in Armenia and Azerbaijan. This shift is especially critical now, because both countries border Iran. In the last several days, the U.S. administration has taken steps to reactivate relations with the third country of the Caucasus. Although this might at first sight appear to be a welcome step, there are serious nuances to be considered. Vice President JD Vance recently visited two countries in the South Caucasus, Armenia and Azerbaijan bypassing Georgia. Bidzina Ivanishvili, the oligarch who enriched himself in Russia and is now informally running Georgia as his personal fiefdom, is lobbying hard for the removal of U.S. sanctions imposed upon him by the Biden administration. Advertisement Advertisement Georgia, once a linchpin of the Caucasus, is now isolated not only from the U.S. but pretty much from the rest of the world. Although the Georgian people are almost universally pro-American, recent moves by Washington to open up for some normalization with Ivanishvili might be bad news for Georgians and the U.S. alike. Last week, Ivanishvili sent his deputy foreign minister to meet officials at the State Department. The U.S. embassy in Tbilisi confirmed that the head of Georgias extremely repressive security ministry, Mamuka Mdinaradze, was invited and went to the U.S. for a meeting with the CIA. At the end of last week, Georgias foreign minister, Maka Bochorishvili, rubbed shoulders with Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. According to her interview on the Georgian governments propaganda TV channel, IMEDI, the U.S. Secretary of State promised her that the administration will closely look at the legacy it inherited from the previous administration and reconsider relations. After its 2003 Rose Revolution, Georgia became a darling of the West. When I served as president, the visiting U.S. President George W. Bush called us a beacon of democracy for the world. President Trump, who initiated a major project in Georgia in 2012, hailed the country as the worlds number one reformer. Trump has praised me as president, stating: This man has done the most amazing job, and we could use some of that brain power in our great country, as he initiated the construction of Trump Tower in 2012. Advertisement Advertisement Yet today, the country is embroiled in years of crisis, with street protesters carrying portraits of Trump and Vance, as if crying out for their help. Percentage-wise, Georgia is holding more political prisoners today than Maduros Venezuela. I am already spending my fifth year in solitary confinement, presently on trial for a social media post in which I expressed a wish to take a selfie with the pet shark that Ivanishvili keeps at his house. All the main opposition leaders are in prison. Protesters are being detained for merely standing on the pavement and doing nothing. Journalists are harassed and persecuted. Georgias Russian-style law on foreign agents is even more heavy-handed than the law in Russia itself. Under a new law, any business owner, starting from a street salesman, faces huge fines and a criminal investigation for expressing political opinions. To make these repressive laws even worse, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze introduced a law under which anyone who doesnt recognize Ivanishvilis government as legitimate will be imprisoned for up to three years. Advertisement Advertisement In exchange for taking U.S. interests into consideration, Ivanishvili is effectively demanding that Washington recognize his right to brutalize his own citizens and run Georgia the way he chooses including the mass arrests of opponents and the use of forbidden chemical agents against peaceful rallies. He has even managed to damage relationships with Armenia and Azerbaijan, strategic partners to the U.S., after he moved to sabotage a new strategic transport route named after Trump. I did a lot to establish good relations with the U.S., overseeing the conclusion of a strategic agreement between our two countries. The Biden administration walked away from this agreement, citing the current Georgian governments pro-Russian and anti-democratic policies. Because the Georgian public is very critical of Ivanishvili for killing off meaningful relations with the U.S., his Prime Minister now declares that he wants strategic relations restored. But restoring relations without a change in Georgias governance would look like a sign of weakness on the part of the U.S. administration. It is important to keep the conversation open, but only under conditions that could strengthen U.S. allies in Georgia and the region. The U.S. administration did a magnificent job setting Belarusian political prisoners free, and there is definitely no need to give the oligarch Ivanishvili a free ride. Certainly, it would be extremely painful for the multiple protesters carrying U.S. flags and pictures of Americas leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Mikheil Saakashvili served as Georgias third president for two terms between 2004 and 2013. 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. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban says he has stationed soldiers at key energy facilities across the country after he blamed Ukraine for disrupting energy supplies. Orban, who is trailing in opinion polls ahead of pivotal elections next month, has accused Kyiv of imposing an "oil blockade" on Hungary by deliberately delaying the reopening of the Druzhba pipeline. Ukraine says the pipeline was damaged by Russian strikes last month and its repair crews have been injured by further attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Druzhba is the main route for delivering Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia and shipments of Russian oil to both countries have been cut off since 27 January. The Hungarian leader, who is seen as Russia's closest partner in the EU, argues the suspension of the critical oil flow is purely political and has accused Ukraine of "preparing further actions", including sabotage, four years into Russia's full-scale war. However, Orban's critics say he has been stepping up the war of words with Ukraine in order to convince the public that Hungary is under attack in the run-up to the 12 April vote. Most opinion polls suggest his Fidesz party is at risk of losing power after 16 years. This week he vetoed a 90bn (78bn) EU loan to Ukraine and blocked the 20th package of sanctions on Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement In an open letter on social media on Thursday, he accused Ukraine, the EU and opposition parties of "co-ordinating efforts to bring a pro-Ukraine government to power in Hungary". The EU has urged Kyiv to speed up reopening the pipeline, but Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky said "they advise us to repair it, but they know that there have already been attacks on Druzhba". [BBC] Slovakia's leader Robert Fico, also seen as one of Russia's closest European partners, has accused Zelensky of stalling. On Monday, his government said it would stop providing emergency power supplies to Ukraine until oil supplies resumed through the pipeline. Ukraine has had to increase imports from its European neighbours because of acute power shortages throughout the winter caused by intensified Russian attacks on its electricity and gas networks. Advertisement Advertisement The European Commission made clear on Wednesday that while Hungary and Slovakia had begun using their emergency oil supplies there was no risk of a shortages and there were alternative sources for both countries. "Croatia confirmed... that non-Russian crude oil is being transported through the Adria pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia," European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said after experts met to discuss the situation. "It remains the main alternative pipeline for Hungary and Slovakia to cover their needs, and the pipeline has sufficient capacity to increase volumes to fully cover the Hungarian Slovakian requirements," she said. Ukraine's military has repeatedly attacked Russian oil facilities inside Russia itself, and a Ukrainian drone strike hit an oil pumping station in Tatarstan earlier this week. Advertisement Advertisement The attacks forced Russia's oil operator to reduce the amount of crude oil it takes into its system by about 250,000 barrels a day, according to Reuters news agency. In his message on Thursday, Orban accused Zelensky of blocking the Druzhba pipeline as an "anti-Hungarian policy", a day after he accused Kyiv of "preparing further actions to disrupt Hungary's energy system". Following a meeting of the Hungarian Defence Council on Wednesday, he said soldiers had been deployed to energy stations, police would patrol power stations, and drones were banned in Hungary's north-east border region with Ukraine. There is no indication that Ukraine is planning any kind of attack, and its armed forces are already severely stretched in a four-year full-scale Russian invasion along a front line of about 1,200km (750 miles). Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky did not immediately respond to the accusation, however Orban has long sought to portray Kyiv as trying to drag Hungary into the war, and he has repeatedly tried to block financial aid to Ukraine. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has proposed sending a delegation of experts to "verify the status" of the Druzhba oil pipeline in Ukraine that has been at the centre of a major dispute over further EU funding for Ukraine. Hungary and Slovakia accuse Ukraine of blocking transport of Russian oil through the pipeline and have refused to back a new package of EU sanctions on Moscow until operations are resumed. Ukraine maintains that flow through the Druzhba pipeline, which provides Russian oil to Slovakia and Hungary, was interrupted at the end of last month as a result of Russian attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Hungary on Monday also vetoed new EU funding for Ukraine amounting to 90 billion ($106 billion). "I am fully aware of the political difficulties created by the delay in the implementation of the European Council conclusions on the financial support for Ukraine," Orban writes in the letter to European Council President Antonio Costa dated Thursday and published by Politico. "My initiative also aims at facilitating the timely resolution of this issue." A spokesman for the Hungarian premier confirmed the authenticity of the letter. Under Orban's proposal, a "fact-finding mission" that includes experts "delegated by Hungary and Slovakia" would be sent to Ukraine to "verify the status" of the pipeline. Hungary would accept the findings, Orban said, though he did not explicitly say whether he might be ready to lift his veto on the funding for Ukraine. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has requested the EU to launch a "fact-finding mission" to assess the damage done to the Druzhba oil pipeline, saying it could help unlock an EU loan for Ukraine. Source: European Pravda, citing Reuters Details: "Hungary supports the idea of a fact-finding mission with the participation of experts delegated by Hungary and Slovakia to verify the status of the Druzhba pipeline," Orban said in a letter to European Council President Antonio Costa. Advertisement Advertisement Orban said he understands the political difficulties caused by the delay in providing Ukraine with a large EU loan and added that his initiative "aims at facilitating the timeline resolution of this issue". Hungary blocked new sanctions against Russia and an EU loan for Ukraine this week in response to the halt in oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline. Ukraine says the pipeline is still not repaired after being damaged by Russian strikes in late January. Background: Viktor Orban has written an open letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and has accused him of pursuing an "anti-Hungarian policy". On 25 February, Orban claimed there is a "Ukrainian threat" to Hungary's energy system and announced the deployment of troops to protect the energy infrastructure. Politico reported earlier that EU officials are looking for ways to give Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban an opportunity to save face ahead of his country's elections. This could allow him to lift his veto on funding for Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! A bill that would raise the threshold on Oregon's estate tax and increase taxes on estates above $3 million was approved by the Senate on Feb. 24 and referred to the House. The bill moved on a 22-5 vote. Democrats on the Revenue committee approved Bill 1511 on a 3-2 vote Feb. 13, which would raise Oregon's estate tax threshold from $1 million to $2.5 million. This means estates worth $1 million would no longer be subject to an estate tax after the owner dies, and those who inherited the estate will no longer have to worry about that tax burden. Advertisement Advertisement The trade-off is that the tax on estates worth more than $3 million would increase, which would make up for the funds the state collected through the current estate tax until 2029. Sen. Mike McLane, R-Powell Butte, speaks in opposition of SB 1599 A on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026 at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem. What is an estate tax? An estate tax can be levied on things a deceased person owned or had certain interests in when they die. The tax is paid by the person's estate, cutting into the beneficiaries' inheritance. The federal government charges an estate tax, but the threshold is high enough in most states that many people don't have to worry about it: $15 million. However, in some states, including Oregon, the threshold is much lower. How much is Oregon's estate tax? Oregon currently has the lowest threshold estate tax in the country, which includes 12 states and the District of Columbia. Compared to Connecticut's $13 million threshold, or Washington's $3 million threshold, Oregonians don't necessarily have to be millionaires to be affected by the tax. Advertisement Advertisement The tax threshold has also not changed since 2011, which means many Oregonians are getting closer to that number. With Oregons exemption set at $1 million, Oregonians who own a home, have $60,000 in their checking accounts and a 401(k) will likely be exposed to an estate tax, according to Sam Tutko, vice president of Miser Wealth Partners. I think this is the middle-class tax relief our constituents are asking for," said Sen. Anthony Broadman, D-Bend. "The nurses, the police officers, the firefighters who purchased a home in 2005 for $200,000 are finding themselves subject to filing an estate tax return." Some senators who voted no, had thoughts against increasing the taxes on those who fall outside of the threshold. Advertisement Advertisement "When you increase incentives for people with larger estates to relocate, which they can, the likelihood is they will," said Sen. Mike McLane, R-Powell Butte. We already have folks who are being advised by estate planners to purchase a home in another state and establish residency. If the bill passes, the top marginal tax rate for high-value estates would increase by 3.9 percentage points. Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@statesmanjournal.com or on X at @GinnieSandoval. This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon estate tax bill heads to House, would increase threshold Most Democratic Oregon lawmakers voted to disconnect some of the states tax code from the federal tax code to keep hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue the state otherwise would lose by replicating federal tax cuts. Republicans in turn threatened to send it to Oregon voters in November via a ballot referral. The Oregon House of Representatives voted along party lines 34-21 to pass Senate Bill 1507 Wednesday, selectively removing two federal tax cuts on businesses and one on auto loan interest paid on the purchase of brand new cars from applying to Oregonians state tax burden. Oregon is one of a handful of states that automatically ties its state tax code to the federal tax code when it changes, rather than selectively connecting to changes later. The measure, which passed the Senate on a party-line 17-13 vote on Feb. 16, with one moderate Democrat, Sen. Mark Meek of Gladstone, voting against it. The bill now goes to Gov. Tina Kotek, who is expected to sign it. Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Ed Diehl, a Republican from Scio who is running for governor, said that Republicans would send the proposed disconnections from the federal tax code to voters in a ballot measure by November. Diehl recently led the successful campaign to refer to voters increases to the state gas tax and vehicle fees. That measure will either be on May or November ballots, depending on the outcome of another contentious bill, led by Democrats, who want the question on May primary ballots as opposed to the November general election. The federal disconnect bill would preserve a net $291 million in tax revenue for the state during the next 18 months that would otherwise have gone uncollected had the state stayed married to the federal tax changes. It also includes new state-level tax credits for businesses that boost in-state hiring, and for low- and moderate-income Oregonians. More than 1,000 written testimonies were submitted about the bill during the month-long session, with more than 70% in support. These straightforward policies protect funding for schools, health care and community based services, while allowing us to lower taxes for working families and support jobs, with an eye on supporting job growth, said bill sponsor Rep. Nancy Nathanson, D-Eugene. Advertisement Advertisement Republicans opposed to the bill had encouraged Democrats at the beginning of the session to keep the state tied to the federal tax cuts and focus instead on reducing spending. Rep. Mark Owens, a Republican from Crane who farms, said the bills disconnection from the new bonus depreciation allowed under federal code wherein 100% of new equipment purchases can be immediately written off the buyers taxes is important for family farmers who struggle to purchase costly equipment. Colleagues, Im confused, Im frustrated, because well over 90% of farms are run by working families in the state of Oregon, and a yes vote today takes away one of the tools that we depend on, and it would not have made a difference in the total budget amount of this bill, he said. To get the disconnect proposal to voters, Republicans would have 90 days after the Legislature adjourns to gather the 78,116 signatures needed 4% of the total ballots cast in the most recent gubernatorial election. But, they cant start circulating petitions until the bill officially becomes a law, when the governor signs it or allows it to take effect without signing. Advertisement Advertisement The bill doesnt go as far as many of the states largest unions would have liked, however. A coalition of unions ramped up an ad and pressure campaign on moderate Democrats in the lead-up to the session, hoping to get them to completely disconnect state tax code from the federal tax code and to selectively reconnect. Ending the states automatic connection to the federal code and instead selectively connecting is not on the table this session. Selective cuts The bulk of Oregons revenue losses are expected to come from two federal tax code changes: ending income taxes on overtime pay and tips and allowing individuals and businesses to immediately deduct from their taxes 100% of the cost of depreciating assets, such as real estate and equipment, as well as research and development costs. The income tax cuts on overtime and tips, research and development and business properties as depreciating assets would be kept under the bill passed Wednesday. But businesses would not be allowed to take the immediate, premium deduction on the purchase of new equipment. The deduction would instead be spread incrementally over a fixed number of years, as it typically has been, helping the state keep about $267 million in tax revenue it would otherwise have gone without during the next 18 months. Advertisement Advertisement Oregons tax code would also disallow the new federal deduction for auto loan interest paid on the purchase of new cars, preserving an estimated $36 million in state revenue. And it would disconnect the state from the Qualified Small Business Stock Exemption, which is expected to preserve about $39 million in tax revenue for the state. The stock exemption is meant to encourage investment in smaller, sometimes riskier, startup businesses by allowing individuals to avoid paying capital gains taxes on the sale of qualified small business corporation stocks, which are different from publicly traded stocks. Combined, disconnecting state tax code from federal code deductions on auto loan interest, the sale of qualified business stocks and the purchase of new equipment, the state would claw back about $342 million in tax revenue that it would otherwise not be able to collect during the next 18 months. New incentives The bill also directs $25 million of the preserved tax revenue over the next 18 months to a new state tax credit for businesses that create new jobs in Oregon, as long as they pay at least 150% of Oregons minimum wage, or at least $22.58 per hour. Those businesses would receive a $1,000 tax credit per new employee they hire in the tax year, for hiring up to 10 new employees. Advertisement Advertisement Another $26 million of preserved revenue would go to boosting the Earned Income Tax Credit for low- and moderate-income Oregonians by 5 percentage points, allowing individuals and households to claim a credit for up to 17% of their earnings depending on income and family size if they make less than $68,675. More than 212,000 taxpayers in Oregon qualified for the earned income tax credit in 2023 about 11% of all taxpayers according to the states most recent data. They received an average of $222 each. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX After a rocky February, the new Delaware paid leave program is getting back on track. Multiple website troubles plagued the program for two weeks over the past month, leading to payment suspensions for everyone enrolled in the program. Now, Paid Leave Director Chris Counihan is confident people will see their weekly payments on time. He said a calculator on the website was inaccurate, and it needed to be re-coded by Infosys. The third-party contractor runs the website, and the coding and de-bugging did not cost the state anything extra. Advertisement Advertisement The payment delays affected all 214 claimants who are receiving payments from the program, according to Counihan. Everything should up to speed by Feb. 27, he said. As of the afternoon of Feb. 25, access to the portal is still limited for people with claims, doctors and employers because of a data update from Salesforce. The update coincided with the re-code, creating a perfect storm for the ailing website. Counihan said they are fixing it, and it doesn't affect everyone in the program. Counihan is relieved the payments will be made again, but he said he is not as relieved as the people who need the payments because of family or medical reasons. He said there was some pressure from elected officials, but the importance of delivering payments to the people who need them was the main stressor for him. "We know it caused additional stress on people who need this program," he said. "Going forward we feel confident we can pay these claims every week." Advertisement Advertisement The program launched in January after it was signed into law by then-Gov. John Carney in 2022. It was the legislative project of then-state Senator Sarah McBride, who is now the state's House representative in Congress. Eligible and approved employees in Delaware will receive 80% of their weekly wages, up to $900. If they make more than $58,500 in a year, they will get $900. According to the plan, employees cannot receive more than 12 weeks of paid leave in 12 months, and employers can choose to offer more than what the state mandates. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR PAID LEAVE? Eligible Delaware workers can begin filing claims for paid family leave The state has already appropriated $31 million to the program, and now paid leave is funded by participating employers through a trust fund. Employers can pass off some of that expense to employees up to 50%. Counihan said a "surprising" amount of employers have not passed the expense onto employees. Advertisement Advertisement The trust fund has taken in money since 2025, and has about $50 million in its coffers. It can only spend it on claims themselves and on paid leave division expenses. Shane Brennan covers Wilmington and other Delaware issues. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@delawareonline.com. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware paid leave payments back on schedule after website trouble More than a year after former President Joe Biden signed the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act into law targeting the abuses children faced in the troubled teen industry, children are still alleging they faced abuse at the behavioral programs. Supporters of the law say more work is needed to protect those placed in the programs. Reality television star-turned activist Paris Hilton pushed Congress to pass her law establishing federal oversight and accountability for how youth behavioral programs, also known as the troubled teen industry, operate. But allegations still persist as former attendees filed lawsuits and made testimonies in state government about their experiences in the programs, some of which included allegations of sexual abuse and forced child labor. "So when survivors describe ongoing abuse after SICAA, that does not mean the law failed' in the way a direct regulatory bill might," Caroline Cole, strategic advocacy lead at 11:11 Media Impact, told Straight Arrow News. Hilton established the media company to centralize activism focused on the troubled teen industry and neurodiversity. Advertisement Advertisement The law requires the secretary of Health and Human Services to contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine to review the state of children in the residential behavior programs. It additionally requires the National Academies to then issue a full report of their findings and recommendations by 2027, then every two years for 10 years afterward. Cole said the survivors' experiences highlighted that the system is fragmented and has exploited loopholes in state licensing, with inconsistent enforcement. "SICAA is designed to force a national reckoning on the evidence base, oversight gaps and best practices, and to drive coordinated recommendations that states and federal agencies can implement," she wrote. According to the Clarion Psychiatric Center in Pennsylvania, residential treatment centers could be more effective at addressing problems as they provide long-term care in a structured environment away from a person's home. It noted challenges such as insurance coverage, transitioning back home and whether a center adequately addresses an individual's needs. Advertisement Advertisement Some of the allegations have been used in lawsuits against programs nationwide. A class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine claimed more than a dozen students who attended the Hyde School faced forced labor, denials of basic necessities and punitive discipline, according to Justice Law Collaborative, who are lawyers for the survivors. Hyde School is a private boarding school for teens in grades nine through 12. Dana McAvity, chair of Hyde School's board of governors, told families in July that the lawsuit "grossly mischaracterizes" the school's policies and practices, according to The Portland Press Herald. Another allegation from the Unsilenced Project, an organization focused on emotional and legal support to survivors of behavioral programs, claimed they were strip-searched and neglected at Second Nature Wilderness in Utah. "SICAA is a significant milestone, but it is not the end of the work," Cole wrote. Advertisement Advertisement She's seen states enact legislation that establishes a public critical incident reporting program; limits on how seclusion, restraint and transport are used; protections for children's and families' rights and an independent complaint and ombudsman plan that children can access. "SICAA is designed to force a national reckoning on the evidence base, oversight gaps and best practices, and to drive coordinated recommendations that states and federal agencies can implement," Cole wrote. Lawsuits, testimonies allege children subjected to abuse In the lawsuit against Hyde School, Jessica Fuller leads the class action claims, stating that she faced systemic abuse and exploitation at the Maine behavioral school. The Maine school has a student enrollment of 137 people and is advertised as a place for high school-aged children to "develop character to discover unique potential." Fuller, who attended the school from July 2014 to February 2015, was 16 and 17. Advertisement Advertisement She claimed in the lawsuit that staff physically restrained her with excessive force and without reason. She named the school, president Laura Gauld, executive director Malcolm Gauld, executive director of family education Georgia Gauld MacMillan, teacher Malcolm MacMillan and director of community engagement Laurie Gault Hurd as defendants. "Defendants threatened Ms. Fuller with exercise and 2-4 forced labor if she did not subject herself to the attack therapy abuse on a regular basis," according to court papers. "Ms. Fuller was forced to subject herself to shame, ridicule, and humiliation because of Defendants constant threats of forced labor." "Two-Four" is a stricter form of discipline that includes student suspension and requirements to work around the campus during school hours, according to court papers. Students are expected to "earn his/her way back into the regular program." The lawsuit is ongoing, according to court records. "The news you will hear may make you think that Hyde has skeletons, dark secrets now coming to light," McAvity wrote in her letter. "But Hyde, as you know, has always been an open book, a place of extraordinary transparency." Advertisement Advertisement A 2011 literature review in the Justice Department's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention said that facilities give families an alternate path to treatment and are less restrictive than an inpatient psychiatric unit. In Utah, an unnamed person told the Unsilenced Project that they were voluntarily admitted to Second Nature Wilderness for depression and academic issues. They wrote that two men took them from a hotel their father left them at, and confiscated the person's clothes and belongings. The men then allegedly strip-searched the person before giving them a uniform. No information was provided on when the person entered the program or what age they were. "The new staff again strip-searched me and made me cough and squat' to cavity search, as if I was a maximum security prisoner," the person wrote. "I spent my first few days not allowed to speak or interact with anyone else outside of strict parameters." They claimed staff punished them by removing cooking privileges and required teens to write and read aloud a letter detailing why they're at Second Nature. The person wrote they spent two years in the program, beyond the one-month projection. Second Nature has not addressed the allegations. According to the facility's website, it uses a therapist-driven model to help teens dealing with mental health and substance abuse disorders, developmental issues and overall behavioral problems. Advertisement Advertisement The program employs psychologists and psychiatrists to lead therapy sessions and maintain a teen's medications. "Second Nature boasts an exemplary safety record," according to the program's website. "The Second Nature Wilderness Therapy program is state licensed and is subject to state reviews, state licensing supervision and extensive onsite audits." Related Links The City of Binghamton has taken the first steps towards potentially bringing a new passenger rail line to the city, thanks to a federal program that offers up to half a million dollars. Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham on Feb. 26 announced the city has begun seeking an experienced firm to assist with a grant proposal. The proposal will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Transportations Federal Railroad Administration Corridor Identification and Development Program. The Corridor ID program helps identify "high-potential passenger rail corridors," with up to $500,000 available to advance planning and studies. Advertisement Advertisement Stacey Duncan, CEO of the Leadership Alliance (Broome County IDA and the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce), is also supportive of the effort. "Conducting a thorough corridor study is a prudent and responsible step in evaluating the long-term feasibility of returning passenger rail service to Binghamton," Duncan said. "This study will provide the important data, cost estimates, and partnership framework to determine how such an investment could revitalize the region. I commend Mayor Krahams thoughtful leadership and proactive approach." Why 'time for Binghamton to act is now' on passenger rail Train tracks under the Clinton Street Bridge. In February, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced a Scranton to New York City Corridor ID project, which would seek to re-establish direct passenger train lines between the two cities. The project was selected by Corridor ID, which opens it up to significant federal grant funding that will assist in preparation and creating development plans. The project is one of just five in the U.S. to reach this stage of federal approval, noted Kraham, providing momentum in the region that could expand to Binghamton. Advertisement Advertisement "Passenger rail service in Binghamton could fundamentally revitalize our local economy and deliver a service residents and elected officials have been dreaming about for decades," said Kraham. "With plans advancing to restore passenger rail service between Scranton and New York City, the time for Binghamton to act is now. We must join other communities, like Scranton, in taking advantage of new federal grants to study passenger rail." A new Acela passenger train produced by Alstom departs Hornell, bound for delivery to Amtrak. The City of Binghamton is exploring the feasibility of bringing passenger rail to the city in the future. Kraham cautioned that initiatives to bring a passenger rail line to Binghamton are in the very early stages of an ultimately time-consuming process. "This wont happen quickly, and the City ultimately wont be the lead agency. But Binghamton must be bold and proactive to spark the process," Kraham said. "This is the first step toward building a coalition of local, state and federal partners to support smart, sustainable rail investment that can drive economic and workforce development across the Southern Tier." More: Garnar talks county investment, housing, youth in State of Broome address Advertisement Advertisement Steve Strauss, Executive Director of the Empire State Passengers Association, praised Binghamton's decision to pursue a Corridor ID application. "With Pennsylvania and Amtrak advancing a Service Development Plan for trains between Scranton and New York City, Binghamton is a logical next extension," Strauss said. "And his action comes as New York State DOT prepares to kick off an update of our 2009 State Rail Plan. It is all very timely for more passenger train service in New York." Firms with experience in Corridor ID programs and transportation infrastructure should visit binghamton-ny.gov/Home/Components/RFP/RFP/376/90. According to the release, submissions must include statements of qualification, project approach, team resumes, relevant experience and references, and are due by 10:30 a.m. on March 25. This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Binghamton targets Corridor ID grant for passenger rail line study (WHTM) The state budget is always due June 30, but last year it wasnt done until November. But this year, the first step in the process is already underway. Budget hearings in the House and Senate just started. Theyll run three weeks and, in theory, move the ball forward, though sometimes it feels like it goes backwards. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania Human Services Secretary Val Arkoosh answered questions on Wednesdays. Most department heads will take a turn trying to justify their expense. Advertisement Advertisement I always say that the governors budget address is a wish list, and then we have to get in, the legislature has to get in, and actually bring it down to reality, said Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-Allegheny), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. There are two realities: Its an election year, which usually means an on-time budget, but the states currently spending about $3.5 billion more than its taking in. Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) wants to spend $3 billion on top of that. We have a long way to go this year, said Rep. Thomas Kutz (R-Cumberland), a member of the House Appropriations Committee. If you thought last years budget was difficult, we had surplus dollars last year. This year, the governor has proposed pulling from the rainy day fund. Thats not a popular idea in the legislature. Hearings can get testy, like when Senate Republicans pressed State Police Commissioner George Bivens over taxpayer-funded repairs to Shapiros private home. Theres no legal precedent. Advertisement Advertisement I am not clear as to what the statutory authority that State Police are using, said Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York). I dont have a legal site for you, maam, said Bivens. Im not an attorney. Bivens seat got hot. Democrats moved to cool it down. If it costs us a little bit of money, in a budget where were gonna spend over $50 billion, in order to make sure that there is a fence or a camera to make sure our governor and his family are not burned alive in anti-Semitism, I for one thank you for that work, said Sen. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia), a Senate Appropriations Committee member. Advertisement Advertisement Republicans will look to cut. Democrats will look to spend, or as they call it, invest. The fact is, a bit of both will be needed. So will raiding the nearly $8 billion dollar rainy day fund. Critics say that guarantees tax increases the following year. We are talking about hypotheticals in a hyperbolic way, said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia). I dont do that. I deal with the numbers that are in front of me and deal with the work that we have to do for Pennsylvania today. Appropriations hearings run until mid-March. 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 ABC27. Everyone is focused on artificial intelligence (AI) right now and the potential disruption to various economic sectors. What is being less focused on is the potential disruption hitting the alcohol and food industries due to changing societal behaviors and weight loss drugs. One stock hit by these factors is Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ). Shares of the distributor of various Mexican beer brands in the United States, which is also owned by Berkshire Hathaway, are down 42% from its highs as alcohol usage trends reversed over the last couple of years. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue The stock now trades at one of the lowest earnings multiples in the company's history. Here's why contrarian investors may want to look at Constellation Brands and why it might make investors rich who buy today and hold for the long haul. Leading market share gains in the United States Owning the distribution rights for Modelo, Corona, and Pacifico beers in the United States, Constellation Brands has seen steady market share gains since acquiring the brands in 2013, with Modelo now the top-selling beer brand in the country, dethroning Bud Light. Revenue grew from $3 billion to just about $10 billion at the peak in 2024, making it the fastest-growing large brewer in the country. Now, revenue has fallen to $9.4 billion over the last 12 months, with beer shipments down 2.2% year over year last quarter and net sales and operating income down 1%. Why? Well, for one, Constellation Brands has sold some of its wine assets, which no longer appear on its financial statements. Second is the fact that alcohol consumption has started to decline in the United States, especially with younger generations. The percentage of the U.S. population who drink has fallen to 54%, its lowest level in recorded history. It has historically run around 60% since the end of prohibition, when Gallup began running surveys. Image source: Getty Images. Why Constellation Brands' stock could make you richer While consumption declines are nothing to scoff at, it is hard to argue that beer drinking is going away tomorrow. Humans have been drinking beer for millennia, with a long-term understanding (if not always scientific) that it is not healthy for you. Weight loss drugs may impact people's beer consumption, but it feels highly unlikely that beer drinking is going away entirely. (WHTM) A Pennsylvania lawmaker is proposing legislation that aims to protect the integrity of Pennsylvania liquor. The legislation, proposed by State Rep. Carl Metzgar (R-69), comes as a response to out-of-state manufacturers labeling products as Monongahela Rye Whiskey without using unique Pennsylvania ingredients. Monongahela Rye Whiskey is one of Pennsylvanias oldest and most popular liquors. The liquor traces its origins to the 18th century, when Scottish, Irish, and German settlers in southwestern Pennsylvania used rye from the Monongahela River Valley to produce whiskey. Advertisement Advertisement The whiskey itself would later become famous for its association with the Whiskey Rebellion that took place in Pennsylvania in 1791. The style of whiskey has recently made a comeback thanks to Pennsylvania distilleries. The legislation aims to protect Pennsylvania whiskey and the states history by preventing the marketing or sale of Monongahela Rye Whiskey, unless the liquor is distilled in this Commonwealth and meets other specific requirements. The bill has not yet been submitted for introduction. 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 ABC27. Pennsylvania drivers will receive a portion of a $100 million national settlement with Walmart. Secured by the Federal Trade Commission and a handful of attorneys general, the settlement resolves allegations that Walmart deceived drivers who participated in its Spark Driver Program. Walmart will pay Pennsylvania drivers about $1.4 million that may have been lost due to the alleged deceit, officials say. Advertisement Advertisement Walmart was aware almost immediately of issues with the program, and drivers being paid less than face value, yet did nothing to remedy the situation, Pennsylvania Attorney General Sunday said. Time and time again, Spark drivers did not receive tips they were entitled to this settlement goes a long way to making those harmed Pennsylvanians whole. According to Sundays office, the Spark Driver Program launched in 2018, allowing customers to order Walmart products for home delivery. People signed up to be drivers, and more than 1 million drivers nationwide made more than 272 million deliveries. Authorities claim Walmart misrepresented pre-tip amounts, base pay and incentive pay for drivers. While Walmart showed one offer to the driver, it would allegedly split or change parts of the order after the driver accepted, causing them to be paid less than advertised. Additionally, authorities claim Walmart failed to pay drivers for completing incentives by not revealing the full incentive requirements, and it allegedly deceived customers into thinking 100% of tips would go to drivers when that wasnt always the case. Advertisement Advertisement As part of the judgment, Walmart was made to pay up to $79 million directly to drivers. Its also paying $11 million to 11 states and $10 million to the FTC for customer refunds. Also, Walmart must run an earnings verification program and provide an annual report for the next 10 years to make sure drivers are paid what theyre promised, officials say. The company is forbidden from editing orders after a driver accepts them or misrepresenting how much a driver will earn. Click here to read the full settlement. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW RADNOR, Pa. (WTAJ) A school employee in Pennsylvania was arrested after allegedly traveling to Texas to sexually assault a child under 15 years old in August 2024. Michael Robinson, 43, of Radnor, was wanted by Tyler Police in Texas for aggravated sexual assault of a child under 15. He allegedly traveled from Pennsylvania to Texas after meeting the juvenile online. U.S. Marshals report that he sexually assaulted the victim over the course of a weekend. In December 2025, Robinson was indicted and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Through the investigation, it was learned that Robinson was employed as a paraprofessional at the Radnor Township Middle School, according to Marshals. Investigators from the Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Philadelphia and Radnor police spotted Robinson on Windmere Avenue in the township and arrested him without incident. Crimes against children are some of the most serious warrants our task force investigates. Mr. Robinsons arrest demonstrates sexual predators will always be pursued relentlessly by the Marshals Service, Robert Clark, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal for the Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force, said in a release. Robinson is currently being held at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility, awaiting extradition to Texas. 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. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) The San Francisco Police Department has released photos of two people of interest tied to an aggravated assault in the citys Marina District in early February that left the victims hospitalized with extensive injuries. Livermore ID theft suspect went on shopping spree at 14 stores: PD SFPD said two victims walked into its Northern District police station on Feb. 8 to report a physical altercation that occurred in the early morning hours. Advertisement Advertisement The victims told police that they were standing in front of a business on the 3100 block of Fillmore Street when they were confronted by a group of men. After a brief verbal altercation with the subjects, the victims walked away, said SFPD. Soon after, the subjects approached the victims again on the 2000 block of Union Street and physically assaulted them. This remains an active case. Investigators are seeking the publics assistance in locating the people of interest in this case, said police. Photo courtesy of SFPD. Anyone who recognizes the people of interest or has information that can aid investigators is asked to contact SFPD at (415) 575-4444 or text TIP411, starting the message with SFPD. Advertisement Advertisement 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 KRON4. A 62-mile scenic route that winds through the Appalachian Mountains in Lycoming and Tioga counties is Pennsylvanias 2026 Trail of the Year. The Pine Creek Rail Trail attracts more than 44,000 visitors annually and generates more than $5 million in local economic impact, contributing to Pennsylvanias $19 billion outdoor recreation industry, state tourism officials say. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced the recognition Feb. 19. Advertisement Advertisement We are proud to name the Pine Creek Rail Trail as Pennsylvanias 2026 Trail of the Year and to honor the rich history, culture, and recreational opportunities that make this trail a destination for visitors from around the world, said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. Pine Creek Rail Trail named Pennsylvania Trail of the Year for 2026 The trail traces a historic corridor first used by the Iroquois Nation and later developed as a railroad in the late 19th century. After rail service ended in 1988, the corridor was transformed into a non-motorized trail completed between 1995 and 2007, stretching from Pennsylvanias Jersey Shore to Wellsboro Junction. A recent extension closed a critical 3.2-mile gap by connecting the trail directly to downtown Wellsboro. The project was completed with support from DCNR, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Tioga County and volunteers, backed by $3.5 million from DCNR and $2.5 million from PennDOT. Advertisement Advertisement MORE: 5 rail trails in Pa. that are perfect for cycling, including 1 through the Lehigh Valley The extension includes a new trailhead with a visitor center and amenities. The Pine Creek Rail Trail is a cornerstone of Tioga Countys outdoor recreation economy, drawing visitors from across the region and supporting local businesses year-round, said Tioga County Commissioners Marc Rice, Sam VanLoon and Shane Nickerson. Pine Creek Rail Trail named Pennsylvania Trail of the Year for 2026 The Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee designates the Trail of the Year to build enthusiasm for trails across the state and raise public awareness about the value of Pennsylvanias land and water trail network. Pennsylvania provides residents and visitors with more than 14,000 miles of trails. more outdoors news Read the original article on lehighvalleylive.com. Add lehighvalleylive.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. (This story has been updated with additional information.) Police are investigating after a man was found dead at the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections on Feb. 26, according to a news release. While officers were serving breakfast to inmates, they found an unresponsive 21-year-old man around 4:24 a.m. Feb. 26, spokesperson Jason Logsdon said. Emergency services were called, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Jail officials have not officially identified the man. However, online booking records viewed by The Courier Journal the morning of Feb. 26 showed that a 21-year-old man named Juan Miguel Munoz Penalver was listed as dead. A Jefferson County court case also lists him as dead. (The booking records have since been taken down.) Munoz Penalver was subject to an immigration detainer, according to the booking records, which meant he would not have been released for up to an additional 48 hours after his state criminal case resolved or he made bail, so that ICE would have an opportunity to take him into federal custody. Since July, Louisvilles jail has held people living in the U.S. without legal status for up to two days so federal immigration authorities could detain them. Mayor Craig Greenberg announced the policy change last summer, saying it would prevent broad immigration sweeps like those seen in other cities. Two weeks after that announcement, the Justice Department removed Louisville from its list of so-called sanctuary cities. Since then, 323 immigration detainers, or holds, have been issued against incarcerated people at the jail as of Feb 1. Advertisement Advertisement Court records show Munoz Penalver was being held on charges of second-degree assault, first-degree criminal mischief and intimidating a participant in the legal process, all felonies. Munoz Penalver was accused of attacking a man who had found Munoz Penalver seated in the front seat of the man's truck in the 500 block of Huron Avenue on the afternoon of Feb. 14. The man called 911 before Munoz Penalver allegedly smashed his phone, according to a police report. Louisville police say in the report that when they responded, Munoz Penalver was standing a few feet away from the man, who was face down, with the mans truck keys between his feet. Munoz Penalvers bond was increased from $1,000 to $20,000 two days after the incident, court records show. Munoz Penalver may have struggled with mental illness; court records indicate that jail officials were to check on his mental health. The jail's director, Jerry Collins, said in a statement that a full investigation is underway into the death. "Our deepest condolences go out to the family and loved ones of the young man," Collins added. Advertisement Advertisement American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky Executive Director Amber Duke said in a statement that she was deeply saddened to learn of the death, adding that hundreds of lives are at risk as LMDC faces below optimal staffing levels, overcrowding and an ICE detainer policy that requires inmates to be held for an additional 48 hours. As of Feb. 26, the jail's average daily population was 1,596, according to an online dashboard maintained by Louisville Metro. That's the highest average daily population since October 2021, the earliest date the dashboard covers. Since July, the average daily population has consistently been above 1,400, despite the facility's rated capacity of 1,373. As a community, we must come together and demand that all actors in our criminal legal system do everything they can to ease the burden on the jail and save lives. If we do not act, and act with urgency, more families will continue to suffer these unspeakable losses, she said. The ACLU of Kentucky called on LMPD to issue citations rather than make arrests when possible. Duke also said prosecutors and judges should commit to releasing more individuals without a bond or on non-financial conditions, and to allowing bail credit when bond is set. Advertisement Advertisement LMDCs Professional Standards Unit and Louisville Metro Polices Public Integrity Unit are investigating. Watchdog reporter Josh Wood contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville jail death: ICE detainer had been issued for man that died Controversy has engulfed Wyomings state legislature after a conservative activist was photographed handing checks to Republican lawmakers on the state house floor, in an incident that has highlighted intra-conservative divisions and the role of money in the Cowboy states politics. The political storm started on 9 February, when Karlee Provenza, a Democratic lawmaker, took a photo showing Rebecca Bextel, a conservative activist and committeewoman for the Teton county Republican party, handing a check to Darin McCann, a Republican representative, on the legislative floor. Marlene Brady, another Republican representative, stands in the photos background, a similar piece of paper pinched between her fingers. You have a person from the richest county in the country coming down to Cheyenne to hand out checks on the house floor, Provenza said. I have never seen something so egregious. Advertisement Advertisement Questions around the checks were soon swirling, and answers werent forthcoming. When asked what Bextel gave to her, Brady told a reporter for local outlet WyoFile: I cant remember. Then Bextel herself addressed the incident. I raised $400,000 in the last election cycle for conservative candidates, and I will be doubling that amount this year, Bextel wrote on Facebook on 11 February. Theres nothing wrong with delivering lawful campaign checks from Teton county donors when I am in Cheyenne. Since then, it has emerged that the checks came from Don Grasso, a wealthy Teton county donor, who told the Jackson Hole News and Guide that he wrote the checks for Bextel to deliver to 10 Freedom caucus-aligned politicians. Grasso said the checks were intended as campaign contributions, and were not tied to specific legislation. It is unclear how many checks were ultimately delivered, but two of four confirmed recipients include the speaker of the house, Chip Neiman, and John Bear, the former head of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus. The Wyoming house has formed a legislative investigative committee, and the Laramie county sheriffs office said they would open a criminal investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Bextel declined to answer questions from the Guardian. Brady, McCann and Bear did not respond to requests for comment. Neiman said he considered the criticism a wraparound smear campaign. He said: It never once crossed my mind that this was bribery. These legislators, myself included, are now guilty until we can prove that were innocent. How is that right in this country? Isnt that a little bit backwards? The scandal has highlighted longstanding divisions in Wyomings Republican party, which in recent years has seen a growing divide between old school, more moderate conservatives and a harder-right Freedom caucus. Advertisement Advertisement Several former Republican lawmakers forcefully condemned their colleagues for accepting the checks, and a local Republican party branch called for the lawmakers resignations. Ogden Driskill, a Wyoming Republican senator, told the Guardian he did not consider Bextels actions to be illegal, but that just because you can do it doesnt mean you should. Bextel has spent years pushing against housing mitigation fees in Wyoming, and Driskill noted that she distributed the house floor checks just days before a bill she had publicly supported was set to be heard. Bextel was registered as a member of the press, not as a lobbyist when she delivered the checks. Ethically and morally, its bankrupt to a massive degree, Driskill said. Advertisement Advertisement Neiman said that he and other legislators who received checks had supported similar bills in the past: Bribery is paying somebody to do something they would not otherwise do. Nationally, the 2024 election cycle saw record spending from the mega-wealthy, as well as dark money groups. Wyoming followed the trend, in a tense red-on-red primary season. For those gearing up to campaign this year, Teton county, the richest in the US, and Bextels picturesque home turf, is an essential stop. Its extreme wealth gives it a foothold on the national level as well. Palantirs chief executive, Alex Karp, and Donald Trump attended an annual Republican leadership fundraiser at Jackson Hole in 2024, and JD Vance attended the same one in 2025. Bextel pulls dollars from Teton county into the Freedom caucus side of Wyomings conservative split. She hosted no-press-allowed meet and greets earlier this year benefitting leading candidates for Wyomings governor and open US House seat. Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with the Open Range Record, a media network she co-founded, Bextel said controversy around the checks was solely because she was making even playing field in Wyoming against the states more moderate Republicans, who she calls George Soros candidates. She said that she would be sure to keep raising money just away from the legislative floor. I guess Im gonna ask all the gentlemen and gentleladies to step outside the Capitol while I hand them a check, Bextel said. Let me be clear: Im doubling down. But its not just wealthy local donors putting their weight behind the factions. Last election cycle, out of state groups spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on anonymous and often inaccurate mailers. These actors, especially from the far right, they like to push the bounds of the norms, said Rosa Reyna Pugh, an organizing and advocacy consultant at Western States Center, an Oregon-based non-profit focused on democracy in the western United States. They like to see what policies they can kind of push, and see where they can play a piece, Reyna Pugh said. Advertisement Advertisement While Neiman and Driskill fight politically, they do agree on one thing: summer will bring an expensive and brutal campaign season. Youre going to see more dark money than youve ever seen. Weve done absolutely nothing to enforce it. Our secretary of state has not even made a slight attempt to deal with it, Driskill said. Youre going to see lots and lots of outside money and I think youre seeing it on both sides. As national questions swirl around pay-to-play politics and profiteering in the Trump administration, Provenza wants better for the Cowboy State. We should not be aligning ourselves with how the federal government is conducting itself or how federal elections conduct themselves, Provenza said. We owe something far better and more honest to the people of Wyoming than that. BOSTON (WWLP) A new poll takes voters temperature on 6 of 11 questions fighting their way to the November ballot. Chicopee uses AI cameras to catch drivers passing school buses This poll, conducted by The University of New Hampshire Survey Center, comes as top lawmakers have expressed concerns about the quantity of ballot questions, and voiced their opposition to lowering the state income tax, among other issues. Advertisement Advertisement The questions showing the most support of the 6 polled were a same-day voter registration question and the state income tax reduction from 5 to 4%, opposed by top lawmakers. 62% of polled voters somewhat or strongly support same-day voter registration, a standard in nearly half of US states, and 21% somewhat or strongly opposed it. 58% of polled voters somewhat or strongly support the income tax reduction, with 21% somewhat or strongly in opposition. The question showing the most opposition looks to repeal adult-use recreational marijuana legalization. 63% of those polled either somewhat or strongly oppose the question, and just 20% either somewhat or strongly support it. Also polled was a rent control measure with 38% strong support, a single-party primary question with 20% strong support, and a change to single-family home zoning laws with 17% strong support. These ballot questions are currently pending in front of the legislature, and if they vote them down or choose not to act before May, questions will be subject to another round of signature certification before being officially placed on the ballot. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Download the 22News Plus app on your TV to watch live-streaming newscasts and video on demand. Advertisement Advertisement 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 WWLP. A proposed bill could lower food and non-alcoholic beverage sales requirements for local restaurants that sell liquor. 13News Now spoke with the President of the Virginia Beach Restaurant Association, Debbie Lou Hague, who said the current law is outdated. Current Virginia law requires restaurants with a liquor license to prove that at least 45% of their gross receipts come from food and non-alcoholic drinks. Advertisement Advertisement Given the increasing prices of specialty cocktails, restaurant owners said this requirement will become more challenging. Proposed House Bill 975 would lower the percentage to 30%, making it easier for restaurants to comply with the rule. Its probably time to start getting rid of it," said Hague. Hague said changes in menu offerings, including high-end cocktails, have made it a challenge for local restaurant owners to balance liquor sales with food sales. To get that food ratio up to those high price items, its a big concern; the whole thing seems a little antiquated," said Hague. Hague said opponents of the bill have feared for decades that lowering the percentage could lead to more restaurants operating like bars in the state. Advertisement Advertisement But Hague said she believes that as drink prices rise, the current law is unfair to restaurant owners. Against us not having that, because they didnt want bars and saloons everywhere, OK, I understand that, but theres a lot of inequity now," said Hague. State Senator Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (District 39), who introduced the bill, believes that at the current 45% mark, restaurant owners face an uphill battle to remain compliant. If somebody ordered two $20 cocktails and a $25 burger, that order would not meet the ratio. Similarly, a $5 pour of bourbon, compared to a higher-end $25-or $50 pour, could be the same amount of alcohol, but the restaurant must sell five or ten times as much food for the latter to stay compliant with the law," said Bennett-Parker. Advertisement Advertisement Hague said lowering the requirement to 30% is a step in the right direction, but she believes it should be eliminated entirely. I think we should eliminate it in the future. I think its a hassle for the restaurants, its a hassle for ABC," Hague said. Bennett-Parkers team told 13News Now that since the bill has passed both chambers of the General Assembly, it will soon head to the governors desk for signature. The team added that the bill must also be signed by the Speaker of the House and the lieutenant governor before being sent to the governor for final approval. Members of the Columbus delegation in the Georgia House of Representatives have filed a bill, HB 1339, that would require special elections to fill vacancies for the offices of Columbus mayor and city council. Georgia House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley (D-141), state Rep. Debbie Buckner (D-137) and state Rep. Teddy Reese (D-140) are sponsoring the bill, which was filed Feb. 17, following four recent council vacancies and appointments that have lasted up to 22 months, according to their news release. If passed, HB 1339 would require a special election to be held to fill the seat if a vacancy on the Columbus Council occurs more than 90 days before the date of a general election. This special election must be issued within 30 days after a vacancy has been established, the bill says. Advertisement Advertisement If the vacancy occurs within 90 days of a general election, the remaining members of the Columbus Council can, by majority vote, select a qualified person to serve the remainder of the term. If a vacancy for the office of Columbus mayor occurs, the mayor pro tempore would be acting mayor until a successor is elected. Hearing directly from citizens whove felt left out of the process by having long-term vacancies filled by appointees, weve introduced HB 1339 to ensure voters have a say in who represents them in elected leadership positions, the news release says. We want the voice of the people restored. Last September, Columbus Councilor Travis Chambers of citywide District 10 sponsored a resolution that would have requested the local delegation introduce an amendment to the Columbus Charter ensuring a council seat remains empty for at least 30 days after a vacancy before someone is appointed to fill the seat. Advertisement Advertisement This item was pulled during the Sept. 24 meeting before the council could discuss the issue. Chambers did not elaborate on why he pulled the resolution, but he said a process needed to be established that reflects the principles of fairness, transparency and due process. Criticism about this process arose after the council filled former Councilor Judy Thomas citywide District 9 seat by appointing John Anker in a 6-3 vote during the same meeting in which she resigned. Ankers appointment led to backlash from some citizens and organizations. Riversgold expands Kalgoorlie footprint eightfold to support Northern Zone development Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock Riversgold Ltd (ASX:RGL, FRA:RGV, OTC:RVSGF) has significantly expanded its landholding at the Kalgoorlie Gold Project, increasing its tenement footprint by more than 800% as it advances plans for the Northern Zone intrusive-hosted gold deposit. The companys tenure in the Kalgoorlie East area about 25 kilometres east of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia has grown to 6.75 square kilometres from the original 0.8km Northern Zone tenement, securing additional contiguous ground to the north and east of the existing project area. The expanded area is intended to accommodate the long-term infrastructure requirements of what Riversgold believes could evolve into a substantial porphyry-hosted gold operation. Securing room for scale Technical director Ed Mead said one of the early criticisms of Northern Zone had been the limited size of its original tenement package, particularly in the context of hosting a large porphyry intrusion and associated infrastructure. With this in mind, Riversgold has been proactive in expanding the tenement footprint, Mead said. We are very pleased to announce that we have now secured tenements (approved and first-in-line under application) covering some 6.75km, representing over an 800% increase in the original footprint and more than enough acreage for our current needs. The additional ground provides space for potential open pit development, waste dumps, offices and processing infrastructure, while also offering scope to incorporate further mineralisation into a consolidated mining lease as ongoing drilling continues to define the scale of the system. The newly secured tenements include granted P25/2540, acquired from Goldblade Corporation Pty Ltd, along with applications for P25/2848, P25/2888, P25/2890, P25/2891 and P25/2892. Kalgoorlie East Tenement Location Map Mining lease and funding pathway advancing Conversion of the Northern Zone tenement to a mining lease is well advanced and expected in the coming weeks, following the recent clearance of objections to the application a key milestone that removed a hurdle for formal development planning. Riversgolds expanded footprint adds to recent momentum at Kalgoorlie, where the company has ramped up drilling with 31 new holes completed in follow-up programmes, seeking to expand known mineralisation and test priority structural targets around the Northern Zone intrusion. The company has also secured a Right to Mine and Co-Operation Agreement with MEGA Resources, under which MEGA will fund all development and mining costs at Northern Zone on a 50/50 profit share basis. The agreement reduces upfront capital requirements for Riversgold while preserving exposure to project upside. Nearly a year before five people were fatally wounded Tuesday at a Key Peninsula home, a woman who lived there expressed fear of her son and secured court-ordered protection from him that isnt set to expire until early May. The protection order, stemming from a petition filed in Pierce County Superior Court, raised concerns about the mans mental health and alleged threatening behavior. The order prohibited him from contacting his mother, getting within 1,000 feet of her and their shared residence, and possessing dangerous weapons, documents show. He was also required to comply with mental health treatment, according to the year-long court order dated May 2, 2025. The woman who petitioned for the order, Zoya Shablykina, 52, was identified Thursday by relatives and a man close to the family as one of the victims of Tuesdays deadly attack. Advertisement Advertisement A 911 caller reported Tuesday morning that a man at their home near the 14000 block of 87th Avenue Court Northwest was violating a no-contact order, according to the Pierce County Sheriffs Office. Deputies found the order had not yet been served and were en route to serve it when witnesses reported a man was stabbing people outside the home. Shots were reported after law enforcement arrived. Authorities have not publicly identified the victims or the suspect, but they have said the suspect was a 32-year-old man the same age as Shablykinas son, Aleksandr Shablykin, who was the subject of protection orders she filed last year and also in 2020, The News Tribune previously reported. Shablykinas year-long protection order granted last year had not been served, Pierce County Superior Court administrator Chris Gaddis said Thursday. The Final Order was valid, but it was not served upon the respondent, Gaddis said in an email. The Commissioner signing the Order listed the Tacoma Police Department as the agency to serve the order. The court has no information on what steps the Tacoma Police Department took to serve the Order or to transfer it to any other police agency. Advertisement Advertisement A temporary protection order, filed about a month prior to the final order, indicated that the womans son was at Wellfound Behavioral Health Hospital in Tacoma at the time, court records show, which might explain why TPD was listed as the agency expected to serve the final order. In an interview Wednesday, TPD spokesperson Shelbie Boyd said she couldnt discuss the case. In general, the department maintains a dedicated detective assigned to handling protection orders within the agencys jurisdiction, Boyd said. She didnt immediately respond to a follow-up inquiry Thursday about any efforts to serve or transfer the order secured by Shablykina. Protection orders may be filed in the civil court system to shield oneself from domestic violence, harassment and other offenses. Orders must be served to be enforced, according to a Pierce County overview on the process, meaning the individual who is being filed against must know about it. Law enforcement will make an effort to serve the respondent, but a third party whos at least 18 years old can also deliver the paperwork, court records show. In this case, a third party reported providing Shablykin with a temporary protection order at the Gig Harbor home and again via text message along with notice of a scheduled court hearing, according to two proof of service documents filed in court in April 2025. Temporary orders generally last two weeks and can be issued immediately until a hearing is held on a full order for protection. Full orders can be in place for a year or more, according to courts and law firms. Advertisement Advertisement Shablykin didnt show up to court, records show. The time it takes to serve an order will depend on how many orders there are to serve, Boyd said Wednesday, speaking generally about the process. Police dont always immediately know respondents whereabouts and should use databases to assist in locating them, according to King Countys guidance on filing protection orders and service. Authorities will not typically investigate further to locate someone, the guidance said. While an order must be served for law enforcement to enforce an alleged violation of it, people can also report underlying crimes against a respondent not yet served, Boyd said. She offered a broken window as an example, noting that responding authorities will often serve orders against offenders while taking them to jail. When someone who hasnt been served is reportedly violating an order, the calls priority is determined by whats happening at the scene, according to Boyd. Advertisement Advertisement Our response can fluctuate, she said. Washington State Courts advise individuals to keep a certified copy of their protection order on hand at all times. Police who are summoned to a report of an alleged order violation may be able to serve that order on the respondent then and there. The Pierce County Sheriffs Office said it received a call of a no-contact violation at 8:47 a.m. Tuesday, a responding deputy arrived and shots were reported at 9:33 a.m. The protection order against Shablykin was a domestic violence order one of six types that an individual can seek. Domestic violence protection orders may be filed by someone who is experiencing physical harm, bodily injury, assault, stalking, sexual assault OR who fears imminent physical harm or bodily injury by a family or household member, according to a Pierce County overview. Advertisement Advertisement There are also protection orders for anti-harassment, vulnerable adults, stalking, sexual assault and extreme risk. Orders can be permanent or temporary, and each maintains varying criminal consequences if knowingly violated, according to legal firms. Restraining orders are technically different: Those are typically issued as part of an ongoing family law case such as a pending divorce or child custody dispute, legal firms say. Editors note: This story has been updated to identify a victim, Zoya Shablykina, and include additional information about the protection order she secured in 2025. From a rise in arrests to online attacks, Senegal has been under an intensified crackdown on same-sex relations in recent weeks, prompting outcry from human rights groups and driving some in the LGBTQ+ community to consider exile. Amplifying the repression, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko on Tuesday unveiled legislation that would double the maximum penalty for same-sex relations, making them punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Homosexuality has long been a hot-button issue in the Muslim majority and deeply religious West African nation. Advertisement Advertisement But in early February, a dozen men were arrested, including two local celebrities, accused of "acts against nature" -- a term used to describe same-sex relations. That spurred a wave of arrests, at least 30 people according to local press, based on accusations and phone searches reported almost daily -- and the names of those detained have been made public. "Even in Senegal, this is unprecedented. What they are doing is public lynching," a human rights defender told AFP on condition of anonymity. Some of those detained have faced accusations of deliberately transmitting HIV, fuelling further fierce debate about same-sex relations. Advertisement Advertisement The highly publicised arrests -- spawning headlines like "Big homo clean-up" and "Bisexuals, walking dangers" -- prompted Senegal's media ethics regulator CORED to call for respect for human dignity and individuals' privacy. On social media, it has also stirred up already charged language and videos -- which AFP could not verify -- showing people being assaulted over suspicion of their sexual orientation are circulating. The LGBTQ+ community has been "traumatised", the human rights defender said. "People are hiding -- they are going into seclusion much more than before." Advertisement Advertisement - 'Dramatic situation' - It is within this context that Sonko's draft bill was developed. In addition to doubling prison terms for those found guilty of same-sex relations, it would also punish those who advocate for LGBTQ+ people with prison sentences of three to seven years. Making good on a longstanding promise by the ruling party, the repression of same-sex relations is politically advantageous in a country where it is widely regarded as deviant. For years, influential religious groups have called for its "criminalisation". The climate of regular discrimination has become unbearable for the LGBTQ+ community in the country, activists contacted by AFP said. Advertisement Advertisement "We are still helping people get to Gambia", the neighbouring country, the rights activist said, denouncing the "dramatic situation". The scale of departures is difficult to quantify given their secretive nature, but the association STOP Homophobia said it received 18 requests for help to leave Senegal in recent days. The Paris-based group regularly supports Senegalese victims of discrimination and has noted an increase in requests for assistance. "Some mention violence, threats and expulsion from their families. All are afraid of being arrested and many fear for privacy violations," said Terrence Khatchadourian, STOP's secretary general. Advertisement Advertisement "Using details related to HIV status as evidence has serious consequences for public health by discouraging testing and access to care," he added. - Defending 'norms' - Few groups have denounced the situation in Senegal, where defending the rights of same-sex relations is viewed as a Western value incompatible with local ones. The new president of Senegal's human rights league, Denis Ndour, said he supports harsher penalties and describes individuals practicing same-sex relations as "sick", in a recent interview with the Senegalese newspaper L'Observateur. "Externalising homosexuality cannot be accepted" out of respect to local "norms", he said. Advertisement Advertisement "Whatever a country's cultural or religious stance, protection from violence and humiliation is a universal principle," said Marame Kane, a French-Senegalese expert in advocacy on LGBTQ+ and feminist issues. Since 2021, Senegal has no longer been considered a safe country by France's Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons due to risks linked to sexual orientation. Boubacar, using a pseudonym for his protection, said he was forced to flee Senegal five months ago when his family discovered his sexual orientation and threw him out of their home. Some of his friends are now also trying to leave the country, he told AFP. As for those who do not have the means, "the only thing they can do is see death coming and wait". els/mrb/lp/giv/rh A rare total lunar eclipse and blood moon is coming to the Georgia sky , and were in the right place at the right time for this event. On the morning of March 3, the moon will pass through Earths shadow and turn a deep, rusty red in a total lunar eclipse. Its a free show that requires no special equipment, no eclipse glasses and no real travel. Just a clear sky and a willingness to set an alarm. A full moon lunar eclipse also known as "Blood Moon" is seen over Vienna, Austria on September 7, 2025. This is not a normal eclipse Blood moon According to the Time and Date utility and reference site, the term blood moon is not necessarily scientific but is commonly used to view celestial phenomena. Advertisement Advertisement Total lunar eclipse: when the Earth comes between the sun and the moon and its shadow covers the moon Lunar tetrad: four total lunar eclipses within about two years, spaced roughly six months apart Full moon in October: also known as the Hunters Moon, the Drying Rice Moon and sometimes the Sanguine Moon Its rare because: Last total lunar eclipse visible from the United States until 2028 Part of a back-to-back-to-back sequence of three total lunar eclipses in a row Its what scientists call an almost tetrad Moon wont go dark; it will go red How to enjoy the eclipse For this eclipse, you dont need a telescope or special glasses to watch, but binoculars or a telescope could give you a better view of the details. When to watch: The best window for Columbus viewers is roughly 5 to 6:30 a.m., when the partial phase deepens and totality kicks in. Advertisement Advertisement 3:44 a.m. - Eclipse begins (moon enters outer shadow; it wont look different yet) 4:50 a.m. - Partial eclipse begins; youll start to see Earths shadow creeping across the moon 6:04 a.m. - Totality begins; the moon turns red 6:33 a.m. - Maximum eclipse (peak blood moon color) 7:02 a.m. - Totality ends, but the moon will be at or below the horizon by this point. Best spot for a good view: The moon will be low on the horizon, so trees and buildings will work against you, and the farther west you drive, the better your odds of catching more of totality before the moon sets. Find spots with clear, unobstructed views of the western sky, like an open field, west-facing parking lot or a spot along the river with a clear sight line. Skywatching tips: Check the forecast for clouds the night before. Let your eyes adjust to the dark for 10-15 minutes before the main event. Binoculars will sharpen the view considerably. Dress warmly; it will be chilly. Livestream the Blood Moon If you cant get outside or would just rather sit on your couch in warmth, you can watch a livestream of the eclipse. Advertisement Advertisement Graham Jones and Anne Buckle will host on the Time and Date site, joined by Preethi Krishnamoorthy and Avinash Surendran from Hawaii, with other feeds from Perth Observatory in Australia and the websites mobile observatory near Los Angeles. Tune in to the livestream between 3:44 a.m. and 7:07 a.m. on March 3. The March 3 total lunar eclipse is the third in a string of three back-to-back blood moons, following eclipses in March and September 2025. After this one, the next total lunar eclipse visible from North America wont come until New Years Eve 2028. Where will you be watching? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media . Daylight savings is happening in GA soon and it can make you sick. Heres how to prepare yourself DIY is not always best. These items are cheaper to buy, not make for Ohio consumers The Committee to Protect Journalists annual report described 86 journalist deaths at the hands of Israel, figures that the IDF has since denounced. A record 129 journalists and media workers were killed on the job in 2025, two-thirds allegedly by Israel, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said in its annual report on Wednesday. It was the second consecutive year-on-record for press deaths, according to the CPJ, an NY-based nonprofit organization whose aim is to promote press freedom worldwide. Advertisement Advertisement The report also claimed that the IDF has committed more targeted killings of journalists than any other governments military since the CPJ began its documentation in 1992. The IDF strongly rejected these claims, stating that it does not intentionally harm journalists or their family members. "The report is based on general allegations, data of unknown origin, and predetermined conclusions, without considering the complexity of combat or the IDF's efforts to mitigate harm to non-combatants, the IDF stated. Mourners carry the body of Palestinian journalist and employee of the Egyptian Committee killed in an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday, during there funeral in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, January 22, 2026. (credit: Ramadan Abed/Reuters) The CPJ reported 86 journalist deaths caused by Israel in 2025, with 55 of which were Palestinians in Gaza and the rest were in a Houthi media center in Yemen, which the IDF described as a propaganda arm of the terror group. Advertisement Advertisement The report found that 104 of the 129 journalists were killed in conflict-related incidents. Besides Gaza and Yemen, some of the deadliest countries for journalists were Sudan, with nine deaths, and Mexico, with six. In Ukraine, Russian forces killed four journalists, down from 15 in 2022, while three journalists died in the Philippines, the report said. Terrorists pose as journalists, IDF claims Among the killed journalists included in the report are Hussam al-Masri, a contractor for Reuters killed in an attack on Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, and Hossam Shabat, a sniper from Hamass Beit Hanoun Battalion posing as an Al Jazeera journalist. The IDF claimed that, alongside the Shin Bet, the military was able to expose Shabats ties to Hamas and the al-Qassam Brigades, the terror groups military wing, by revealing internal Hamas documents proving his participation in military training in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement In August 2025, the IDF confirmed the death of Anas al-Sharif, a Hamas terrorist who also worked as an Al Jazeera correspondent inside the Gaza Strip. Al-Sharif, who was identified by the military as a member of Hamas since 2013, was killed near Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. He was found responsible for aiding the terror organizations rocket attacks. According to a study conducted late last year, 60% of individuals who identified as journalists and were killed during the war in Gaza were members of or affiliated with terrorist organizations, primarily Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which was in direct contradiction to claims made by Hamas and various non-governmental organizations. The research was conducted by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, and examined 266 media workers reported killed between October 7, 2023, and November 30, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Shlomo Mofaz, the centers director, said that the issue of Hamass propaganda is a high priority, and it uses a lot of media outlets abroad to talk about it. The narrative of harming journalists is like the number of deaths - when you check the facts and figures, its not like that. About 60% is definitely a very high figure, he said. MUNCIE, IN A Republican candidate for Delaware County sheriff has been disqualified from running in the May 5 GOP primary election. James McCall was removed from the Republican primary ballot on Tuesday, Feb. 24, by the Delaware County Election Board. Delaware County Clerk Rick Spanger said Thursday that McCall had not voted in two prior Republican primary elections in Indiana, a requirement to run in a GOP primary. Advertisement Advertisement McCall did not attend Tuesday's meeting. A campaign website identifies him as a retired sheriff's deputy from Ohio. His departure from the race means Jeff Stanley, chief deputy of the Delaware County Sheriff's Department, will be the Republican nominee for sheriff. Dave Williams, also a county sheriff's deputy, is unopposed in his bid for the Democratic nomination. Tony Skinner, a Republican, is in the final year of his second four-year term as sheriff and is prohibited under state law from seeking a third consecutive term. He is now a candidate for Delaware County Council. Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Election board disqualifies Republican candidate for sheriff Two Republican congresswomen who viewed the unredacted Jeffrey Epstein files say the documents show that some of the names blacked out in the public files include co-conspirators claiming to be victims. Some of the people that are in the most egregious redactions are claiming to be victims, and I dont think that theyre victims if youre engaging in child sex trafficking, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Tex., told Pablo Manriquez of the anti-Trump media company MeidasTouch. Luna, who sits on the House Oversight Committee investigating the Epstein case, said the files also revealed that Epstein co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell is a monster. Advertisement Advertisement Maxwell, who was moved to a cushy prison camp over the summer, following an interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, declined to answer questions from House lawmakers in a deposition Monday. She indicated that if President Donald Trump ended her prison sentence, she was willing to testify that neither he nor former President Bill Clinton had done anything wrong in their connections with Epstein. According to the files we all saw, she was engaged in trafficking and also rape of young women, and potentially children, Luna said. I dont think she deserves special treatment. Shes a monster. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., who also sits on the House Oversight Committee, came to the same conclusion as Luna after viewing the unredacted files. Advertisement Advertisement I think there are folks who are definitely implicated and co-conspirators I dont think everyone there that was talking about underage girls being trafficked are victims," she said. Asked by Manriquez if she believes Maxwell deserves leniency, Boebert replied, I do not. I think Ghislaine Maxwell should get more time and she should definitely be in a harsher prison than what shes in. Absolutely disgusting. Read the original article on al.com. Add al.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. RICHMOND, IN Two Richmond residents have been accused of abandoning four dogs when they moved out of a local home. Brooklyn Young, 23, and Peter A. Thompkins III, 27, were each charged on Wednesday, Feb. 25, in Wayne Superior Court 3 with four counts of cruelty to an animal. The Class A misdemeanor charges each carry up to a year in jail. In an affidavit, Desiree Durbin, animal control officer for the Richmond Police Department, said she was sent to the 100 block of Northwest E Street on Dec. 26 after dispatchers received a report of "three dogs running loose." Advertisement Advertisement A witness told Durbin that Young had told her she and Thompkins were "moving out (of a nearby home) and were going to just let the dogs loose." More: Richmond teen charged with shooting at local apartment house The dogs later determined to be named Handsome, Athens and Aphrodite were found to be "emaciated" when taken into custody, the court document said. Investigators determined five dogs had been set loose at the property. One was later struck and killed by a car, and the fifth, named Oden, was taken in by a nearby resident. Another witness reported Young and Thompkins had "bred the dogs and sold puppies for money, then moved out and left the dogs." Advertisement Advertisement Contacted by phone, Young reportedly told Durbin that she had moved out of the house two weeks earlier and that the dogs belonged to Thompkins. Thompkins, listed in court documents at an address in Columbus, Ohio, was also reached by phone, and maintained that only two of canines Handsome and the dog that was hit by a car belonged to him. Most of the canines were described as "husky-type" dogs. Initial hearings on the cruelty charges are set for March 12. Thompkins is scheduled to stand trial April 20 in Wayne Superior Court 2 on an intimidation charge filed in October. Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Richmond residents charged with four counts of cruelty to an animal ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) This week marks four years since Russias invasion of Ukraine and Rockfords First Covenant Church continue to provide aid. Thousands of lives have been lost in this process, shared church member Sue Setter. The church shares a sister church in Kalynivka, Ukraine, where the church has direct relationships with needs, including food, water, and medical supplies. At that point, we knew that our sister church would take action. And they did. And they started giving out water, and they started giving out food and clothing, not only to the community they were in, but also to their pastor, explained church member Lou Setter. Advertisement Advertisement Church members Lou and Sue Setter, who have traveled to the sister church at least 20 times Just recently, the church sent $300 to the Sister Church to provide free meals every Sunday after worship. We recently helped him at Christmas time, which was a big need. He needed long underwear, believe it or not. Long thermal underwear. And, for the soldiers. So, we helped provide that for them, explained Sue Setter. They explained that their next project is to have the pastor open a trauma center. But they emphasize that they need help here and are in need of donations to continue to help Ukraine. They both mentioned that theres no ending toward supporting the church. Theyre like family, brothers, two brothers and sisters in Christ. So, theyre family, and we love them. We talk to them at least once a week, find out whats going on and their needs, and anything that we can do to help them. If you ever came with us, youd be embraced. You would want to go back, explained both Lou and Sue Setter. Advertisement Advertisement To donate to First Covenant Church specifically for assisting Ukraine, the link can be found here. 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 MyStateline | WTVO WQRF News, Weather and Sports. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a message of closer cooperation as he met with Caribbean leaders on Wednesday, identifying gang violence and energy security as areas of shared concern. Rubio, who spent the day in the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis in talks with regional heads of government, said he intended to make relations with the Caribbean a personal priority. It was his second official visit to the region in less than a year. It will be one that I will be personally engaged in, he said, and its one that I hope to leave for my successor, whoever that may be. Advertisement Advertisement Rubio was among the special guests at the 50th regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, known as CARICOM. Other guests included the secretary general of the Commonwealth and the foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. In remarks described as brisk and encouraging, Rubio addressed the administrations pressure campaign toward Venezuela, the capture of Nicolas Maduro last month, the threat of transnational criminal organizations and the regions energy challenges. Speaking behind closed doors to leaders of CARICOMs 15 member states and associate members, Rubio warned that transnational criminal organizations pose perhaps the greatest threat to both the Caribbean and the United States. We have a long history of working together on responding to challenges, Rubio said, according to a State Department transcript of his address. Advertisement Advertisement He acknowledged a frequent complaint from Caribbean leaders: many of the guns fueling high murder rates in parts of the region originate in the United States. We are committed and continue to work very hard with our law enforcement agencies to shut that down, he said. These are terroristic organizations. Rubio pointed to Haiti, where the United States led efforts at the United Nations Security Council to authorize a new Gang Suppression Force, as proof of the administrations commitment.. The mission, expected to begin deploying in April, would be larger and more robust than the previous Kenyan-led effort. He also cited sanctions against gang leaders and their financiers, including the designation of a powerful coalition as a foreign terrorist organization. Advertisement Advertisement I think our cooperation will have to grow even deeper and our commitment to it will have to grow even stronger because these groups grow stronger, he said. Energy, he said, is also an area where the U.S. and Caribbean relationship can be of benefit. There are extraordinary opportunities for economic advancement, to work together, he said. Energy is critical for the future; its critical for every economy in order to prosper. Many of the countries in the region are seeking to develop oil and gas resources, he noted. Previous administrations have promoted energy cooperation in the region, often with an emphasis on renewables. But oil-producing countries such as Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname have underscored their role as hydrocarbon exporters. Advertisement Advertisement Financing remains a major constraint in a region that pays some of the highest electricity costs in the hemisphere. Rubio suggested that Venezuela could help supply the energy needs. The countrys oil wealth once funded development programs through the discounted PetroCaribe oil program until U.S. sanctions restricted countries ability to pay. On Wednesday, he once again raised the prospect of Caribbean governments doing business with Venezuela to fund their energy needs. Referring to the interim government led by Delcy Rodriguez, he said the South American nation has done things that eight or nine weeks ago would have been unimaginable. Ultimately we do believe that a prosperous, free Venezuela whos governed by a legitimate government who has the interests of their people in mind could also be an extraordinary partner and asset to many of the countries represented here today in terms of energy needs and the like, and also one less source of instability in the region, he said. So we expect to work very closely with all of you on that topic as well to the extent possible, and I think its related to the topic of security that I highlighted. Advertisement Advertisement Rubio also defended the U.S. policy on Venezuela: Irrespective of how some of you may have individually felt about our operations and our policy towards Venezuela, I will tell you this, and I will tell you this without any apology or without any apprehension: Venezuela is better off today than it was eight weeks ago. Rodriguezs interim administration, he added, has for the first time in a long time, generating oil revenue thats going to the benefit of their people, including public services and medical supplies. One sensitive issue Rubio did not publicly address was U.S. travel restrictions affecting several Caribbean countries. Haiti remains under a full travel ban, while Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda face partial restrictions. Officials from other Eastern Caribbean states have raised concerns about heightened visa scrutiny. He also did not address the issue of Cuba, which remains of major concerns for Caribbean leaders. Rubio cast his appearance at the summit the first in a decade attended by every regional leader as a demonstration of the Trump administrations commitment to the Western Hemisphere. Advertisement Advertisement The stronger, the safer, the more prosperous, and the more secure that all of your counties are, the stronger, safer, more secure, and prosperous the United States is going to be. We view our security, our prosperity, our stability to be intricately tied to yours, and we are going to evidence that in the actions were prepared to take, he said. Rubio also added that he hoped his presence served as a real-world demonstration of our commitment to being your partner, he said. I dont even want to call it resetting relations because its really not about a reset. I mean, we have longstanding ties to each of you bilaterally and all of you collectively, but reinvigorating our relationships because we have a lot in common to work on, both opportunities and challenges, and the United States is committed to doing that. By Pavel Polityuk and Olena Harmash KYIV, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Russia fired a barrage of drones and missiles at Ukraine's energy sector and railway infrastructure overnight on Thursday, injuring dozens of people, damaging residential buildings and triggering fires, officials said. They were the latest of Russia's missile and drone strikes on Ukraine's energy sector in recent months, focused on destroying power plants and substations and plunging entire regions into prolonged blackouts. Advertisement Advertisement President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia launched 420 drones and 39 missiles, including 11 ballistic ones, to target Ukraine's energy sector and other critical infrastructure. "Last night, Russia once again waged war on critical infrastructure and ordinary residential buildings," he said on the Telegram messaging app. "The cold has not yet fully receded, and air defence missiles are needed every single day, while Russia continues its attempts to destroy our energy system." Ukrainian air defence units shot down 374 drones and 32 missiles, the air force said, but five Russian ballistic missiles and 46 drones hit 32 sites. Advertisement Advertisement Children were among the dozens injured nationwide, with damage reported in eight regions, Zelenskiy said. The Russian attacks targeted gas facilities in the Poltava region and electricity substations in the Kyiv and Dnipro regions, he said. Russia also attacked railway infrastructure in the frontline regions of Donetsk, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, a deputy prime minister said. At least 14 people were injured in the Kharkiv region, including a seven-year old, Kharkiv Governor Oleh Syniehubov, said on Telegram, adding that the city itself had been attacked by two missiles and 17 drones. Zaporizhzhia Governor Ivan Fedorov said at least 10 people were injured in the overnight attack on the city, when Russian drones damaged 19 apartment buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Fedorov published photographs of smashed shops, houses with holes in the walls, and private homes that had been destroyed. Two people were injured in the city of Kryvyi Rih, where 10 residential houses, a kindergarten and administrative buildings were damaged, officials said. Authorities in Kyiv, the capital, said falling debris from downed missiles and drones damaged several buildings in three districts. (Reporting by Pavel Polityuk, Olena Harmash; Editing by Daniel Flynn and Clarence Fernandez) Rivian R2 Camouflage RJ Scaringe defends Rivian's $24 billion cash burnsoon it'll let the R2 do the talking. Rivian's $24 billion cash burn has been called into question by investors. CEO RJ Scaringe says it was calculated in order "to become a very large company." R2 could be the pivotal moment for Rivian where everything turns around. If you're building a car company from scratch in the 2020s, you basically have two options: Spend an uncomfortable amount of money, or just don't build a car company. Rivian very clearly chose the first option. In a podcast appearance on Buy Hold Rant, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe defended the nearly $25 billion in cash set the automaker spent over the last eight years. This type of negative cash flow has raised the eyebrows of some investors, but Scaringe isn't worried. In fact, his argument is pretty straightforward in that you don't build a "very large company" by pinching pennies 2026 Rivian R2 Prototype Drive The topic came up during the podcast when one of the hosts displayed a chart plotting Rivian's free cash flow compared to other automakers. On the surface, the chart looks damning, with Rivian's spending down-and-to-the-right more than Ford's EV segment, Lucid, Polestar, plus Fisker and even Faradayessentially that it has spent more money over the same amount of time compared to pretty much every pure EV maker. "Ultimately, we wouldn't be building a business if we didn't plan for the business to make money," said Scaringe, essentially waving off the concern. He also noted that Rivian's early years were not without speed bumps that made the dip a harsher than expected. Unlike Tesla, which had the luxury of starting up when the EV niche was sleepy and very few (if any) North American competitors were serious about fully-electric cars, Rivian entered into the market where it already had an enormous competitor and other brands were hot on Silicon Valley's heels. On top of that, market dynamics during Covid significantly squeezed Rivian's pockets. Due to supply chain constraints, Rivian's component sourcing was done when the "auto industry was at an all-time high," Scaringe said. This left the brand with very little leverage to buy on volume and skyrocketing input costs needed to build its first vehicle for consumers. "It was very hard to get great pricing but we had to launch," said Scaringe, referring to the volume production of the R1 that began in 2021. "We had to accept what we would think of as a significant premium on a lot of the components in the vehicle and we did that with the confidence that when we launched the volume that we'd be driving and the success of the product would allow us to renegotiate those contracts." MOSCOW, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Russia said on Thursday it will help select and train Myanmar's first cosmonaut in a sign of growing ties with the Southeast Asian state. The offer was made during a visit to Myanmar this week by Dmitry Bakanov, head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, who signed an agreement with his Myanmar counterpart on developing cooperation in human space flight. Roscosmos said Bakanov also met Min Aung Hlaing, head of Myanmar's military junta. Advertisement Advertisement Myanmar will deploy a data-collection station for Russia's GLONASS satellite navigation system, and provide a site for a warning system to track hazardous objects in near-Earth space, Roscosmos said. Min Aung Hlaing visited Moscow last year for talks with President Vladimir Putin, and the two countries subsequently signed an investment deal that Russia hopes will open up opportunities in Myanmar for its energy companies. Russia has also contracted to build a small-scale nuclear plant in Myanmar, where the junta seized power in 2021 by toppling the elected government of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. (Reporting by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Sharon Singleton) I bet youve never heard of the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. If you have its probably because you or someone you know received a HOPE, LIFE or Palmetto Fellows state merit scholarship. Every year, our agency administers these and other scholarship programs that total about $370 million in financial aid that helps nearly 100,000 South Carolina students achieve their dream of a college education. As important as these scholarships are, they only scratch the surface of how the Commission on Higher Education touches the lives of South Carolina citizens. Advertisement Advertisement If youre attending one of our state colleges, this agency approved the program in which youre enrolled. And if youre attending a private trade school, weve provided the licensing that ensures their quality. If youre a veteran thank you for your service we make sure the school you attend meets federal standards. Members of the SC National Guard also have a special scholarship for which they can qualify. We help students and their families prepare the Free Application for Federal Student Aid which is the first stop in securing scholarships, grants, and loans that help make college a reality. Then we partner with colleges and universities at hundreds of events statewide to help high school students identify and apply to the institution that best meets their needs. Every year, we also collect massive amounts of data regarding higher education and the operation of campuses which we use in reporting to the General Assembly and governor to ensure colleges meet expectations (accountability). Advertisement Advertisement By the way, our agency generates more than 60 reports every year that are either required by statute or are requested by legislators. Im very proud that this agency serves as the states honest broker, providing the governor and legislators with the statistics and facts they rely on to make higher education policy for the state. And whats the broader impact of our work? Our K-12 schools depend on the teachers prepared at South Carolinas colleges and universities. Our roads and bridges are designed by engineers who were educated at a South Carolina institution, and they were built by graduates of our technical colleges. Advertisement Advertisement You no doubt have depended on a doctor or nurse who themselves relied on a college or university in South Carolina to acquire their knowledge and skills. These are just a handful of the hundreds of different career paths paved by a college education in South Carolina. Our agency is a very active partner in the state Coordinating Council for Workforce Development, which collaborates with other state agencies to align our education system with the states workforce needs. With all these responsibilities you may think we have a large staff. But were only around 55 employees and less than 2% of our budget goes toward operating costs. Advertisement Advertisement If someone mentions college, one of South Carolinas beautiful campuses may spring to mind. But behind our states system of higher education, you can trust that the Commission on Higher Education is performing the quiet, essential work to drive post-secondary accessibility, excellence and accountability, delivering an outsized impact that shapes our communities, workforce, and individual prosperity every day. The Puyallup Police Department is searching for a person who robbed a bank near the South Hill Mall. It happened around 4 p.m. on Wednesday at the Harborstone Credit Union on South Meridian. Bank employees told police that the person pulled out a gun and demanded money from the teller, then took off running. Officers used a K-9 to try to track the person, but didnt have any luck. Police dont have a description of the person theyre looking for. Advertisement Advertisement The Puyallup Police Departments Investigative Services Unit is actively investigating this incident and will be working with the bank to obtain video and photographs of the suspect. Additional witnesses are urged to contact the Puyallup Police Department Tip Line at 253-770-3343 or email tips@puyallupwa.gov. A Russian-flagged oil tanker which was seized in the north Atlantic has started its journey to the United States after being moored in Scottish waters, BBC Scotland News has learned. American authorities took control of the Marinera on 7 January, south of Iceland, before escorting it to Scotland's Moray coast. It has been there since - but has now been escorted into the North Sea. It is understood Marinera - previously called Bella 1 - is being towed from Scotland to the English Channel, and will then head across the Atlantic Ocean. The tanker has been in the Moray Firth [Reuters] The US accused the Marinera of breaking its sanctions by carrying oil for Venezuela, Russia and Iran. Advertisement Advertisement The UK government backed the operation to seize the tanker, saying it was a lawful action against a vessel involved in breaking sanctions. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) provided operational support and US planes used UK airfields, including some in Scotland. But the Russian government denounced the seizure, demanding that the US treat Russian nationals aboard properly and allow them to return to Russia quickly. US administration sources later said the tanker would be subject to a judicial forfeiture process when it arrived in the US. Advertisement Advertisement It is understood US military aircraft landed at small civilian airports in Wick, Caithness, and Benbecula in the Western Isles during the operation on 7 January. The MoD confirmed at the time that the Royal Navy tanker RFA Tideforce and RAF surveillance aircraft were supporting American personnel and that "deterring, disrupting and degrading" Russia's "shadow fleet" was a priority. The Marinera has been in the firth off Burghead, a village on the Moray coast. The Moray Firth is a sheltered area of sea between the east Highland coast and the coasts of Moray and Aberdeenshire. Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) said Wednesday that the focus in Washington on surgeon general nominee Casey Meanss past recommendation for using psilocybin, commonly known as magic mushrooms, is a red herring. Look, no way would I support people taking these psychedelics. I think its its not part of my practice, its nothing that I could recommend. But I think that thats a red herring, again, Marshall, who is a physician, told NewsNations Blake Burman on The Hill. Lets focus on the fact that shes a great communicator, that she has a great following, that she is leading this Make America Healthy Again fad thats going on out there, he said, adding shes going to be a great surgeon general. Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) pressed Means during her Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee confirmation hearing on recommending psilocybin use in the past. The Maine senator held up a copy of Meanss 2024 book, Good Energy, and said she was concerned that the nominee mentioned using the drug for therapeutic purposes. Collins questioned if Means stood behind what she wrote and how she would communicate with Americans on illicit drugs if confirmed as surgeon general. I believe what I would say as a private citizen is, in many cases, different than what I would say as a public health official, joining a team where the purpose of this role is to communicate absolutely the best evidence-based science to the American people, to keep them safe, thriving and healthy, Means responded. Advertisement Advertisement And when it comes to psychedelic therapy for mental health issues, I think the science is still emerging, she added. Means also said Wednesday that she will not widely push parents to vaccinate their children against measles, the flu or whooping cough. I believe vaccines save lives. I believe that vaccines are a key part of any infectious disease public health strategy, Means said, adding each patient, mother, parent needs to have a conversation with their pediatrician about any medication theyre putting in their body and their childrens bodies. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A settlement has been proposed for a lawsuit that was filed on behalf of seven Metro Council members challenging a state law that made it a felony for elected officials to vote in favor of sanctuary city policies. PREVIOUS | Lawsuit challenges state law that criminalizes elected officials who vote for sanctuary city policies The complaint was filed last June, and it argued the bill passed during the January 2025 special legislative session violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments and the Speech and Debate Clause, which gives legislators immunity when acting in their official capacities. According to a press release from the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Metro Council members, the proposed settlement acknowledged the unconstitutionality of the law. Advertisement Advertisement Under the proposed agreement, neither Davidson County District Attorney Glenn Funk nor Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti will bring criminal charges or other removal proceedings against any local official under the challenged provisions. Funks office declined to respond to a request for comment. Additionally, the proposed settlement stated that the defendants, named as Funk and Skrmetti, must pay $61,223.51 in attorneys fees and costs for the Metro Council members. Every legislator, whether at the federal, state, or local level, has a constitutional guarantee against prosecution for how they vote, a statement from Skrmettis office reads. Sanctuary policies remain illegal in Tennessee, but city and county officials cannot be imprisoned for voting for such policies. As a result, we agreed that dismissal of this case was the appropriate outcome. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The ACLUs Tuesday press release included the following statements from the Metro Council members named in the suit: This settlement affirms a basic American principle: the government cannot prosecute you for how you vote. Tennessee tried to gag local officials with threats of prison time, but the Constitution doesnt allow that. Every elected official in Tennessee can now represent their constituents without looking over their shoulder at criminal penalties. Thats how representative democracy is supposed to work. Clay Capp, District 6 When a law collapses under constitutional scrutiny, thats not a technicality, thats a warning sign. The state attempted to criminalize local governance decisions simply because it disagreed with them. Local officials are elected to reflect the needs and values of our communities, not to operate under the threat of felony prosecution for doing our jobs. This outcome reaffirms a basic principle that disagreement is not a crime, and public service is not subject to political intimidation. Brenda Gadd, District 24 I joined this case because I refuse to be intimidated out of doing what I believe is right. The settlement confirms that democracy works best when elected officials are free to vote their conscience and serve their community. Delishia Porterfield, At-Large I was elected to represent my community, not to be threatened with prosecution for doing my job. This law attempted to silence local leaders and intimidate us out of standing with our neighbors. Todays settlement sends a clear message: democracy cannot function when votes are treated like crimes. Our immigrant families deserve representation without fear. Sandra Sepulveda, District 30 Advertisement Advertisement This case was bigger than Nashville. Legislative immunity protects every elected official. The states acknowledgment that this law violated that protection is a victory for constitutional principles that matter to all of us. When they tried to make compassion a crime, we stood up, and the law was on our side. Zulfat Suara, At-Large This settlement is a powerful affirmation of democracy and the rule of law. No elected official should ever face prison time simply for casting a vote on behalf of their constituents. Today, Tennessee acknowledges what we have maintained from the beginning: our votes are not crimes. The outcome protects not just council members, but the democratic voice of every Tennessean we were elected to serve. Terry Vo, District 17 Elected officials need the freedom to pursue policies that build trust and serve all residents. The states inability to defend this law shows how extreme it was. The settlement protects local leaders ability to do what we were elected to do, which is lead our communities according to their needs and our best judgment. Ginny Welsch, District 16 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. In a rare step, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has urged an Arizona man who was wrongly accused in the Nancy Guthrie case to sue online sleuths for libel. Calling the ordeal the man is under "horrible," Nanos said he is "going through hell" and should consult attorneys. Why Chris Nanos Just Encouraged an Arizona Man to Sue Online Sleuths Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos speaks to the media about the Nancy Guthrie case as he is surrounded by microphones and cameras. (Photo by Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images) Photo by Jan Sonnenmair on Getty Images (Photo by Jan Sonnenmair on Getty Images) On February 25, 2026, the New York Post reported on comments that Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos made about Dominic Evans. A group of online sleuths who were seeking to solve the Nancy Guthrie case had come to believe Evans, 48, was involved. When asked about the impact on Evans, Nanos responded bluntly, encouraging him to sue for libel. Hes going through hell and it is horrible. And I dont know what to tell him except he probably should be speaking with some attorneys and sue some of these people for libel. Advertisement Advertisement Since Nancy Guthrie disappeared, the case has drawn intense global attention to the search for Savannah Guthrie's mom and those who are responsible for what happened to her. That has resulted in Nanos being on the receiving end of a great deal of online criticism over how he has handled the case. Nanos even released a statement to our sister publication, Parade, about the flood of criticism he has faced. Right now, our focus is on this investigation and serving the victims and this community. Internal or political commentary distracts from this active investigation, and it is very unfortunate. My focus remains on justice and transparency. Perhaps the intense scrutiny he has faced explains why Nanos empathized with Evans enough to suggest a libel lawsuit Dominic Evans Just Spoke Out on the Effects of Being Accused of Nancy Guthries Kidnapping On February 25, 2026, the New York Times published an article that chronicled what happened to Dominic Evans after online sleuths suggested he could be involved in Nancy Guthrie's kidnapping. Evans, a fifth-grade Arizona teacher, came under suspicion after it was discovered that he played drums in a band with Nancy Guthrie's son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni. Some observers also grew to believe that Evans looks like the suspect seen in the doorbell camera footage taken at the Guthrie home. Ultimately, Evans was doxxed when his home address, which he shares with his wife and children, was leaked online. That led to dozens of people showing up outside his Tucson home overnight, forcing the couple to send their children away for their safety. His wife, Andrea Evans, told the Times that the ordeal left her feeling "scared numb," and that, It was all night looking through the window, trying to not let any light out of our home. This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Feb 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here. State Attorneys Office confirms charges in Lod District Court Gag order remains in place. An indictment was filed Thursday against a Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) employee accused of smuggling goods into Gaza for payment, in a case being handled under a sweeping publication ban. In a joint statement, Israel Police and the Shin Bet said that following a joint investigation by the Serious and International Crime Unit at the Lahav 433 National Crime Unit and the Shin Bet, the Tel Aviv District Attorneys Office filed an indictment at the Lod District Court against several Israeli citizens, including a Shin Bet employee and a Palestinian, on suspicion of aiding the enemy in wartime, alongside a series of fraud, bribery, and terrorism-financing related offenses. Advertisement Advertisement In a separate announcement, the State Attorneys Office confirmed that the indictment includes charges of aiding the enemy in wartime, obtaining property by fraud under aggravated circumstances, prohibited action in property for terror purposes, taking and giving bribes, deceit, subterfuge, and prohibited dealings in property. According to investigators, the defendants smuggled goods into the Gaza Strip in exchange for large sums of money - allegations that remain subject to a gag order on further details of the indictment and investigation for state security reasons, with only the text of the announcements cleared for publication. Earlier this month, prosecutors filed indictments in the broader Gaza smuggling affair, describing a network that allegedly trafficked prohibited goods into the Strip during wartime for significant profit, in circumstances authorities say could strengthen Hamas economically and operationally. Armed men seen secure trucks loaded with Humanitarian Aid entering Gaza through the Israeli Kerem Shalom Crossing, in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, September 19, 2025. (credit: SAEED MOHAMMED/FLASH90) The defendants include eight individuals in one indictment, and four in another, including Bezalel Zini, the brother of Shin Bet head David Zini. The intelligence agency has clarified that its chief was wholly uninvolved in the affair. Advertisement Advertisement According to the indictment, all three were involved in systematically smuggling goods into Gaza, fully aware that they could end up in the hands of Hamas or its affiliates. Recordings obtained by news outlets this week appear to show one of the defendants coordinating cigarette shipments into Gaza with an intermediary in Hebron, discussing quantities, pricing, and transfer logistics. Bezalel Zini indicted for smuggling cigarettes into Gaza Prosecutors allege the suspects acted for financial gain despite knowing the goods could ultimately reach Hamas or its affiliates. Per Zinis indictment, he served as a reserve soldier and was responsible for the logistical operations of Operation Uriah, holding entry permits for the convoys of equipment and aid heading into the Gaza Strip. Advertisement Advertisement He was accused of smuggling cigarettes into Gaza through the Sufa border crossing three times during the summer of 2025, when Gaza was declared a closed military zone, and of receiving a total of approximately 365,000 shekels in payment. The indictment stated that Zini knew the goods might end up in the hands of terrorist groups, including Hamas, and be used to strengthen their power, fund activities, and maintain control over the Gaza Strip. It is also claimed that the acts were carried out for financial gain, bypassing the restrictions the state had imposed on the entry of goods into Gaza during the war, and with full knowledge of the security risks involved. Iran and the United States made headway in their latest round of negotiations on Tehran's nuclear programme on Thursday as delegations from both countries met in Geneva amid an increased US military build-up in the Middle East. Although the talks ended without a breakthrough, Washington and Tehran made significant progress in their third round of negotiations, according to Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Bussaidi. We will resume soon after consultation in the respective capitals, he added. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also told reporters afterwards that further progress was made and technical talks are planned to begin on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement If these take place, the details of a possible agreement are likely to be negotiated. Perhaps the seriousness of reaching an agreement was more visible than before, the minister said, referring to the third round of talks. Time is needed for consultations with the governments in the capitals and to prepare some documents. It was the best and most serious round, Araghchi added. The negotiations concern Iran's controversial nuclear program as Washington seeks to prevent the leadership in Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. The Iranian government denies any such intentions, but is willing to limit its nuclear programme, and demands in return that the US lift crippling economic sanctions. Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, Iran submitted a first draft of a new agreement, though details were not disclosed. 'Determined' start The talks were again mediated by the Gulf state of Oman and held at the Omani residence in the Swiss city. A team led by Araghchi negotiated for Iran, while the US side was represented by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump. Earlier, Al-Busaidi described participants as "determined" and the atmosphere as "constructive." Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, was also participating after holding preparatory talks with Araghchi last week. Advertisement Advertisement Tehran has drawn several red lines in the talks, refusing to fully dismantle its uranium enrichment infrastructure and considers its missile programme non-negotiable, viewing it as its main deterrent capability. Iran also rejects discussions on ending support for regional militant groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon. In return for nuclear concessions, Tehran is demanding relief from severe economic sanctions that have largely cut the country off from global financial markets, deterred investment and contributed to a deep economic crisis that has eroded the middle class and pushed parts of the population towards poverty. Risk of regional war Beyond sanctions relief, Iran's leadership is also seeking to avert the risk of war, after Washington dramatically increased its military presence in the region and Trump repeatedly floating the option of striking Iran if no agreement is reached. Advertisement Advertisement A week ago, Trump issued an ultimatum to Tehran, setting a 1015 day deadline. "We're either going to get a deal or it's going to be unfortunate for them," he said, warning that otherwise "bad things" could happen. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has threatened a "comprehensive war" if Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were targeted. Khamenei himself warned that any US-initiated conflict would turn into a regional war, while insisting Iran does not seek one. Failure to reach a breakthrough at the negotiating table could increase the likelihood of military confrontation. In recent weeks, the United States has deployed two aircraft carriers, dozens of fighter jets and support aircraft to the Middle East - reportedly the largest US air force build-up in the region since the 2003 Iraq War. Advertisement Advertisement Switzerland, the host of the talks, is regarded by Tehran as a neutral intermediary and represents US interests in Iran, where Washington has no diplomatic mission. Iran cites civilian focus The Iranian government says its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes only, pointing to a religious decree by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prohibiting the construction and use of weapons of mass destruction such as nuclear bombs. But critics fear Iran has enriched uranium to a purity of 60% in recent years. Western sources say Iran is the only country in the world without its own nuclear bombs that has such highly enriched uranium. Advertisement Advertisement Further enrichment to around 90% would be necessary for the construction of nuclear weapons. Grossi has also been critical of Iran's nuclear programme and has called for better access to the country. His concerns include the handling of the highly enriched uranium remaining in the country, the future of the central nuclear facilities bombed last year, and future nuclear activities in Iran, which are to be monitored by the IAEA. Trump ended 2015 agreement in 2018 Trump ended the previous nuclear agreement with Iran in 2015, when Iran had committed to restricting its nuclear programme and sanctions were to be lifted in return, in what was known as the Vienna agreement. Advertisement Advertisement It was negotiated under Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, and Trump unilaterally terminated the agreement in 2018, during his first term, and imposed new and tougher sanctions on Iran. Tehran then also stopped complying with the terms of the accord. Usrael's attacks on Iran in summer 2025 further disrupted the situation in the region. Israel bombed targets across Iran, and Iran responded by firing ballistic missiles at Israel. Civilian areas in both countries also came under fire. The US intervened a week later, targetting Iranian enrichment facilities in Natanz and Fordo and a nuclear facility in Isfahan. Trump said the facilities had been the completely destroyed. That war began unexpectedly just a day before the sixth round of negotiations was due to begin between Iran and the US - greatly reducing Iranian confidence in the prospect of talks with the administration in Washington. Professor Sir Nick White, who has died of cancer aged 74, was an expert on tropical diseases and played a leading role in transforming treatments for malaria, saving millions of lives. In 1981 he read a paper published in 1979 in the Chinese Medical Journal describing how Qinghaosu, a drug derived from sweet wormwood and used in traditional herbal medicine, was curing malaria with no side-effects. At the time malaria was resurgent as the Plasmodium parasites which cause the disease were becoming increasingly resistant to the drugs used to treat it. The idea that a traditional Chinese herbal medicine might offer the solution was greeted with scepticism by most global health experts, but White thought it was worth further examination. Advertisement Advertisement He travelled to China and brought a sample of Qinghaosu, known in English as artemisinin, back to his lab at the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU) in Thailand, a Wellcome Trust-funded partnership between Mahidol University in Bangkok and Oxford Universitys Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health. In early studies White and colleagues found that artemisinin, though effective, metabolised into the body so quickly that malaria sufferers needed seven doses a day. White thought the answer might be to combine it with another drug that was slower-acting but longer-lasting. Clinical trials undertaken in Asia and Africa proved the effectiveness of artemisinin combination therapy, which was found to cure 98 per cent of uncomplicated cases, while reducing infection rates. White in 2015 in his office at Mahidol University in Bangkok - MORU White went on to lead a campaign to make antimalarial drug combinations containing artemisinin the standard treatment for the most common form of the disease though, much to his frustration, it was not until 2006 that the therapy was recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the front-line treatment against malaria. Advertisement Advertisement The eldest of three children, Nicholas John White was born in London on March 13 1951 to John White, an RAF armament officer, and Eileen, nee Millard, who had worked in the Air Ministry during the Second World War. The family moved with his fathers postings, including to Singapore, where young Nick became fascinated by tropical plants. From St Johns College in Southsea, Hampshire, White trained in medicine at Guys Hospital Medical School, qualifying in 1974 and winning the gold medal for the University of Londons top medical student. He also completed a degree in clinical pharmacology. After a year in Nepal working with the Britain Nepal Medical Trust, he completed residencies at hospitals in London and at the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford. In 1980 he joined the research team at MORU. Appointed director of its research programme in 1986, he became chairman of the Wellcome Trust Southeast Asian Tropical Medicine Research Programmes from 2001. He also held chairs in tropical medicine at the universities of Oxford and Mahidol, Thailand. White in 2022: before his death he was working on trials of triple combinations involving artemisinin plus two other drugs - MORU Alongside malaria, White researched better treatments, often involving combination therapies, for many other infectious diseases, including tetanus, dengue and tuberculosis. Advertisement Advertisement When the WHO endorsed artemisinin combination therapies in 2006, it declared that they were unlikely to be affected by resistance in the near future. That assessment turned out to be over-optimistic. Although malaria numbers fell between 2000 and 2015, as early as 2009 MORU researchers found that malaria parasites on Thailands border with Cambodia had evolved to resist combination therapies. The same year, White was instrumental in setting up the Worldwide Antimalarial Resistance Network, serving as its first chairman. Before his death he was working on trials of triple combinations involving artemisinin plus two other drugs. White was appointed OBE in 1999 and KCMG in 2017. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2006. His first marriage, to Maren Randall, was dissolved. He is survived by their two daughters, by his second wife Jitda Wongsuwanna, and by her daughter, whom he adopted. Sir Nick White, born March 13 1951, died February 1 2026 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. A second round of layoffs hit WGN-Ch. 9 this week, with three creative services employees getting the axe Wednesday, including Debbie Brockman, the producer whose aggressive detainment by immigration agents in October became a symbol of urban enforcement clashes. Brockman, a 15-year employee at WGN, rose to national fame after a video captured her being forced to the ground, handcuffed and placed in a van by federal immigration agents while on her way to work at the station from her Lincoln Square home. She was released later the same day with no charges, according to the station. Brockman did not respond to a request for comment Thursday. The layoffs Wednesday, which were confirmed by multiple sources familiar with the situation, also included a recently hired art director. In addition, three other creative services employees were reassigned to a new regional hub in Nashville, said the sources. Gary Weitman, a spokesperson for Dallas-based Nexstar Media, which owns WGN and more than 200 TV stations nationwide and may soon get a lot bigger through a pending merger declined to comment on the latest layoffs at WGN. Eight veteran reporters and anchors were laid off Monday in a massive newsroom downsizing at WGN: Sean Lewis, Ray Cortopassi, Bronagh Tumulty, Judy Wang, Julian Crews, Paul Lisnek, Chris Boden and Dean Richards. Last week, the WGN newsroom lost meteorologist Mike Janssen, whose contract was not renewed. On-air layoffs also took place Monday at KTLA in Los Angeles and other Nexstar TV stations across the country. Creative services workers were also laid off at other Nexstar stations this week as the company consolidates operations, sources said. But the carnage has been heaviest at Chicagos Very Own WGN, which has been downsizing its staff for several months. Six WGN newswriters were laid off and three technical director positions were eliminated last month. In October, four floor director positions were eliminated as well, according to the sources. Nexstar Media bought WGN-Ch. 9 in 2019 as part of its $4.1 billion acquisition of Chicago-based Tribune Media the former broadcast parent of Tribune Publishing creating the nations largest local TV station group and moving WGNs TV, radio and cable stations under the Dallas companys ownership. In August, Nexstar reached a deal to buy rival TV station owner Tegna for $6.8 billion, a pending megamerger that will require the Federal Communications Commission to lift a 39% national TV audience ownership cap to win approval. During an earnings call Thursday, Perry Sook, the chair and CEO of Nexstar, said the deal for Tegna is on track to close by the end of second quarter. Commercial electricity imports to Ukraine from Slovakia and Hungary are continuing despite political statements by representatives of their governments. Source: ExPro Electricity monitoring data Details: Since the beginning of February, Ukraine has imported 1.1 million MWh of electricity, of which 49% came from Hungary and 18% from Slovakia. Imports have remained at a stable level throughout the month. Background: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico had stated that Slovakia would halt emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine from 23 February. Hungary also considered suspending exports of electricity and natural gas to Ukraine unless supplies of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline were restored. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and progressive podcaster Jon Favreau did not hold back as they sparred over illegal immigration on social media. Favreau, a co-host of the Pod Save America podcast, started the hourslong spat on X by poking fun at Miller, who pointed to how Democrats refused to stand when President Donald Trump asked lawmakers to do so during his State of the Union address if they agree with the statement: The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens. Democrats declared to the world their searing disdain for, and profound disloyalty to, the actual citizens of the United States, Miller wrote in a post early Wednesday. They were repeatedly entreated to stand. Over and over. They refused. It was a moment that chills to the bone and which will live for a thousand years. Advertisement Advertisement Favreau, a former speechwriter under the Obama administration, responded a few minutes later, writing that its genuinely so funny how hard theyre trying to make this a thing. Miller replied that Democrats had leapt, clapped, hollered and cheered for raising taxes but their legs, hands and voices froze in icy contempt as they glowered at the parents of slain children. Democrats vowed allegiance to invaders over citizens, and this top Dem finds their deadly betrayal hilarious, he continued, prompting Favreau to fire back: No, I find you hilarious. And I genuinely hope the boss lets you drive the midterm strategy and brings more of your Victorian asylum patient energy into his speeches." In a subsequent post, Miller then turned to launching a more personal attack, describing Favreau as a textbook sociopath who has been given multiple opportunities to show empathy for American moms whose children were raped and murdered by the illegals whose entry he cheered. Advertisement Advertisement He finds the topic hilarious, Miller said, going on to ask: Jon, one more time: do you grieve for these families? I mean I certainly have sympathy for yours, Favreau cracked back. Miller, who called Favreau a top Democratic strategist" claimed that Favreaus response shows that he feels no sympathy. He finds comedy in their agony, he said. Sick doesnt even begin to describe it. His soul is broken. Favreau went on to say that they can keep playing dumb Twitter games, but noted that Miller is an administration official with the power to free countless American families and children who are suffering in the squalid detention centers where youve illegally jailed them. Advertisement Advertisement Why dont you? Favreau asked, to which Miller said that this is not a game. Ive asked you multiple times to show some shred of human emotion and youve refused, Miller posted. Also: there are no Americans in ICE detention, just illegals who can go home upon request. Favreau appeared to end the back-and-forth clash after pointing to the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minnesota. I already told you that I grieve for anyone whos lost a loved one, and asked why the President hasnt called the families of Alex Pretti or Renee Good to offer condolences, Favreau wrote. Ill ask again: do you not grieve for the American citizens your agents killed? Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. A bill that would legalize a psychedelic medication upon its federal approval and legalization as a mental health treatment is one vote away from South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhodens desk. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed House Bill 1099 on a 6-0 vote Wednesday in Pierre. The lack of a no vote and the lack of opposition testimony cleared a path for the bill to appear on the Senates consent calendar, which is a grouping of bills that are voted on in bulk unless a member asks to pull one for discussion. The bill passed the House of Representatives Feb. 9 on a 58-7 vote. The legislation is specific to crystalline polymorph psilocybin, a synthesized version of the hallucination-inducing psilocybin found in psychedelic mushrooms. Advertisement Advertisement The Food and Drug Administration approved clinical trials for psychedelics in 2023 to investigate their potential as therapies for treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health diagnoses. Treatment resistant depression is diagnosed when symptoms dont improve after the use of multiple medications, and it impacts about a third of patients with major depressive disorder, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Australia approved psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression in 2023. In the U.S., a synthetic version of the drug ketamine has been approved by the FDA for the same. Psilocybin is currently classified as a schedule I drug with no acceptable medical uses by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, however, and is illegal under South Dakota law. If passed by the state Senate and signed into law by Rhoden, HB 1099 would instantly legalize the drugs use as a prescription medication in South Dakota upon its approval by the FDA and rescheduling by the DEA. Possession for recreational use would remain illegal. Supporters say rapid access is needed Lawmakers in South Dakota regularly adjust state law to match federal guidance on drugs, but HB 1099 would offer quicker access to the medicines if theyre approved between legislative sessions. Advertisement Advertisement Acting now by passing this legislation is more urgent than ever, as so many South Dakotans struggle with serious mental health conditions, said Sen. Tom Pischke, R-Dell Rapids, the bills prime sponsor in the Senate. Patients failed by currently available treatments need rapid access to newer therapies, Pischke said. Veterans advocacy groups in particular have come to see the therapies as powerful alternatives to traditional psychiatric medications for combat veterans, who as a group have a higher risk of suicide than the general population. Logan Davidson is a policy adviser for the nonprofit organization Veterans for Experimental Treatment Solutions, which advocates for the expansion of access to psychedelic treatments. Advertisement Advertisement More than 125,000 veterans have died by suicide since 2001, Davidson told the committee, and just under a third of veterans from the global war on terror suffer from PTSD. Veterans are one of the most vulnerable populations when it comes to mental health, said Davidson. Alexander Root, a lobbyist for drugmaker Compass Pathways, told the committee his companys formulation of psilocybin has shown a highly statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in depressive symptoms for patients with treatment-resistant depression during its most recent trials. How it works After the hearing, Compass Pathways Chief Patient Officer Dr. Steven Levine told South Dakota Searchlight the drugs can help change the neural pathways in the brain responsible for the rigid, reflexive patterns of thought that drive certain mental health diagnoses. Advertisement Advertisement Patients suffering from PTSD, for example, can be triggered by things like sounds, images or smells and be pulled back into traumatic experiences, reliving them as though they were happening in the moment. Those with treatment-resistant depression may find themselves trapped in crippling loops of self-criticism. Searchlight Report podcast Listen to voices from South Dakota politics and policy. Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. Patients prescribed psychedelics for those conditions wouldnt pick up a prescription at a pharmacy and take them on their own, Levine said. First, they have sessions with providers, where theyre educated on the principles behind the therapy and on how to approach the drug experience to get the most out of it. Advertisement Advertisement On the day the patient takes the drug, Levine said, the medical team is just there to monitor and support them so that they can have a trusted, safe experience in this supervised setting. Treatment through psychedelics is meant to allow patients under their influence to approach and process their traumatic experiences or unhelpful thoughts as observers, rather than participants. In doing so, Levine said, patients can quickly rewire the parts of their brain marked by trauma or depressive ruminations. We are able to see in brain imaging studies that there are acute changes in the connectivity of regions of the brain, after the use of psychedelics, Levine said. Essentially, theyre initially kind of taken offline or desynchronized, and then they reconnect in ways that may facilitate people shifting from these ingrained patterns of thinking. Advertisement Advertisement Back at the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, Sioux Falls Democratic Sen. Jamie Smith said hes been following developments in the use of psychedelic medications for quite a while. Im looking forward to the day that we can help these people that are suffering from this depression, Smith said. And I do hope that this drug does ease that in many patients. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX South Dakotas farms, ranches, rural communities and wildlife advocates are living with uncertainty, and congressional delay on a full farm bill is inexcusable. Agriculture is the backbone of this state. So are the grasslands, wetlands and pheasant fields that define it. When Washington stalls, it doesnt just create headlines it destabilizes operations, weakens conservation and undercuts rural economies. On Tuesday, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee begins marking up a new farm bill. The process is long overdue. Producers are already navigating drought, volatile markets, rising input costs and thin margins. They should not also have to navigate congressional gridlock. South Dakotas lone House member, Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson, is on the committee and says passing a full farm bill is a priority. His seat at the table gives the state influence and responsibility to deliver legislation that strengthens the farm safety net while maintaining robust conservation programs. Advertisement Advertisement Johnson has emphasized stronger crop insurance, improved risk management, rural development and conservation. As chair of the subcommittee overseeing rural development, he says the bill would reinvest in rural communities and cut red tape that slows water, broadband and infrastructure projects. He also points to a demographic challenge: more than half of South Dakota producers are over 55, according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Land and equipment costs have risen dramatically in recent years, Johnson said, so it is harder for beginning and young producers to build an operation. This farm bill increases lending limits and adds flexibility into these programs, making it easier for the next generation to help feed the world. But the farm bill is more than a farm subsidy package. As conservation groups including the National Wildlife Federation, Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever often note, it is the nations most important conservation law. It funds wetland protection, grassland stewardship and habitat programs that keep working lands productive and resilient. Advertisement Advertisement South Dakota sits in the Prairie Pothole Region, one of the most critical waterfowl breeding areas in the world. These shallow wetlands filter water, recharge aquifers and reduce flooding. They protect farms and communities alike. And we are losing them. South Dakota once had about 2.7 million acres of wetlands. Today, roughly 1.9 million remain a loss nearing 30%. Grasslands continue to be plowed. Pollinators decline. Habitat fragments. Conservation Reserve Program enrollment has also dropped sharply from its national peak of nearly 37 million acres in the mid-2000s to the high-20-million-acre range today. In South Dakota, that means fewer grass buffers, fewer nesting acres and fewer protected fields across pheasant country. Advertisement Advertisement The connection is simple. When CRP acres fall, nesting cover shrinks. When nesting cover shrinks, pheasant populations decline. Hunters see it. Rural businesses feel it. Communities across the state depend on fall hunting seasons, and those seasons depend on habitat. CRP grasslands reduce erosion, improve soil health, store carbon and keep nutrients out of streams and lakes. When acres leave the program, wildlife suffers, and so does water quality. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Conservation groups warn that without strong funding in the farm bill, habitat losses will accelerate and bird numbers will fall. Johnson agrees that CRP remains a key conservation tool and argues Congress increasingly understands the importance of working-lands conservation helping farmers steward land without taking it out of production. Advertisement Advertisement Johnson agrees with that outlook and said CRP will always be a huge tool in the conservation toolbox, and this Congress is doing a much better job understanding the importance of working lands conservation. Working with farmers and ranchers so they can manage their land with conservation in mind, without taking land out of production, is a win-win. This is not a partisan issue. It is a South Dakota issue. Farm groups, conservation organizations and rural communities agree on the basics: Finish the job. Pass a full farm bill. Strengthen the safety net. Fully fund voluntary conservation programs. Give producers certainty, and protect the wetlands and grasslands that sustain our hunting heritage and rural economy. The longer Congress waits, the more uncertainty grows and the more habitat disappears. South Dakota cannot afford either. PIERRE, S.D. The fate of a bill tied to one of the most contentious subjects in the South Dakota Legislature this year data centers ended up in the hands of a senator who couldn't be located. Senate Bill 239 would have provided relief for companies such as those operating data centers by allowing them to write off a certain percentage of the cost of purchasing large equipment. It failed its vote to be reconsidered 16-17 a day after it lost its first vote by the same margin. The Feb. 24 vote was held up for nearly 40 minutes after the Senate voted to wait until they could find Republican Sen. John Carley of Piedmont, who could have potentially given the tying vote and left Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen with the task of casting a tiebreaker. South Dakota Senate votes on Data Centers. The bill, spearheaded by Republican Sen. Casey Crabtree of Madison, underscores the division within the chamber between those who favor giving data center companies additional economic incentives to move to the state and those who believe more guardrails should be put in place and greater fiscal restraint exercised. Advertisement Advertisement As the bill was presented to the Senate floor Feb. 23, Crabtree and other supporters argued the measures were a necessary step to bring South Dakota in line with other states. Detractors, headed by Republicans Senate Pro Tempore Chris Karr of Sioux Falls and Sen. Taffy Howard of Rapid City, said it would create government overreach and allow Pierre to essentially pick winners and losers. Ryan Budmayr, CEO and president of the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry, believes the concerns over the bill are misguided, pointing out South Dakota is one of eight states that tax manufacturing equipment and that each project would still face scrutiny from the South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED). "What the bill would basically allow is for GOED to look at each one of these projects on a case-by-case basis and grant a rebate of zero to 100% on the purchases of equipment up to 30 years," Budmayr told News Watch. "The truth is these projects, one of the largest areas of investment we've ever seen across the country, are popping up everywhere but ... they will not come to South Dakota unless we are competitive." More: Florence, other SD high schools compete in cooking invitational Advertisement Advertisement Budmayr, along with other proponents of data centers, have made the case that, when it comes to data centers, South Dakota is missing out on a large source of tax revenue, just as complaints on property taxes in the state have risen in recent years. "(We've) got to be smart and strategic to make sure we have the proper safeguards in place. But $500 billion of investment went into these projects last year alone, and South Dakota didn't see a dime of it," Budmayr said. As an example of the potential benefit, he pointed to a bitcoin mining operation north of Pierre, which provided more than $800,000 of tax revenue to the local school district last year. However, for Liz Tiger of Dakota Rural Action, a conservation group, the promise of data center riches comes with significant drawbacks, even for those communities that may be inclined to welcome data centers with open arms. Advertisement Advertisement More: South Dakota's POET says it will provide zero-carbon ethanol to NASCAR I think what you're hearing from communities is we want to see thoughtful economic development," she said. "You want to bring revenue into the state, but you want to balance it with community needs." The events in the Legislature the past few days reflect a larger battle going on over what action, if any, lawmakers should take in regulating and incentivizing an industry that could prove to be financially beneficial for the state. In addition to questions over what sort of economic and tax benefits South Dakota should offer large data center companies, residents have raised concerns over potential air and noise pollution, increases in utility bills and the erosion of property rights. Advertisement Advertisement At the moment, it appears neither supporters nor skeptics of data centers have gotten what they wanted, with the vast majority of the proposals put forth in this year's legislative session being defeated. Only two bills one related to assessing the cost of data centers and another aimed at protecting residents from an increase in utility prices have made it out of either chamber thus far. South Dakota News Watch is an independent nonprofit. Read, donate and subscribe for free at sdnewswatch.org. Contact politics and statehouse reporter Alexander Rifaat: 605-736-4396/alexander.rifaat@sdnewswatch.org. This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: South Dakota Senate vote on data center incentives shows divisions Once you burn your credibility, its hard to get back. Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger deceived voters and concealed her true leftist agenda to win the Governors Mansion last year. Now she and her fellow Democrats are lying to Virginians about a new gerrymandered congressional district map they placed on the ballot as a constitutional amendment on April 21. Its a naked attempt to make it impossible for Republicans to win election to Congress in most places in Virginia, and its why she was rewarded with the plum assignment of responding to President Trumps State of the Union address this week. Advertisement Advertisement The Virginia Supreme Court has already had one chance to stop the gerrymandering by upholding a judges ruling that Democrats cut legal corners to get the measure on the ballot. The justices, however, inexplicably chose to wait until the vote happens. I filed another lawsuit to bring new challenges, along with my colleague, Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-9), and the RNC and NRCC. We won in circuit court, blocking the referendum again, so our Supreme Court will have another chance to do the right thing. As we wait for a ruling, its important that people have the facts. Spanberger masqueraded as a moderate in her campaign and won ceaseless praise from the media for her focus on "affordability." But she dropped that as soon as she was sworn in and went right back to what she truly believes. Advertisement Advertisement She returned Virginia to the multi-state, radical environmental scheme that artificially raises electricity rates by $500 million every year. Shes currently considering a variety of tax increases proposed by Democrats in the Virginia legislature, including bumps in the sales and income tax, as well as taxes on everyday services like dog walking and gym memberships. She has yet to rule out raising taxes on anything. All of this is the opposite of what she ran on. Now Gov. Spanberger and her Democrats have turned to stealing congressional seats. And naturally, theyre lying about that as well. Its nothing complicated. Theyre taking Virginias current congressional district map, which produced six Democrats and five Republican members, and redrawing the lines to twist it into a 10-to-1 map in favor of Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Kamala Harris won here in the 2024 presidential race with less than 52% of the vote, but this map would award her party 91% of our congressional seats. Theyre assigning new federal representation to Virginians who didnt ask for it, and theres every likelihood that some of the lines were drawn to benefit specific Democrat politicians. One thing thats certain is that no one was thinking of the well-being of voters when they hatched this plot. As an example, take Fairfax County, vote-rich and dominated by Democrats in Northern Virginia outside Washington, D.C. The new map carves Fairfax into five pieces and attaches them to districts that reach deep into Virginias rural regions. Picture the county as an octopus that has tentacles running throughout the state, and youll have an idea. Advertisement Advertisement The configuration ensures that most rural voters will be represented by people who live in Fairfax and were elected by voters in the D.C. suburbs. Its difficult to imagine what these groups might have in common geographically, culturally, or economically. To top it off, just a few days ago, Democrats in the General Assembly decided that they hadnt cheated enough and twisted the screws even more to guarantee total victory in 10 of the 11 districts. States usually redistrict following a census, but Democrats claim they must act now to balance Republican activities in other states. This excuse falls apart because most observers agree that Virginias new map is a particularly egregious example of partisan gerrymandering. And Democrats lie when they talk about it. Advertisement Advertisement The party that told us that Joe Biden was mentally sharp now wants us to think a 10-to-1 congressional map promotes "fair elections," as their advertising claims. They were even dishonest in the ballot question they wrote, which says it will temporarily "restore fairness" - without explanation or context - to elections in Virginia until the regular redistricting occurs in 2030. We shouldnt let politicians select their own voters, and Virginians were wise enough to see this coming. Just six years ago, a whopping 66% of voters approved a constitutional amendment creating an independent redistricting commission to remove map-drawing from partisans. Unable to resist the lure of unchecked power, Virginia Democrats are trying to trick voters into undoing that so they can burgle those congressional seats. Advertisement Advertisement National Democrats are paying attention. House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has already sent $5 million to the campaign to support the new map and pledged to spend "whatever it takes" on top of that. Democrats hilariously claim to be restoring fairness. But a party powerful enough to ram this down everyones throat isnt the victim of unfairness. Its the cause of it. Rep. Ben Cline, a Republican, represents Virginias 6th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Presidential speechwriters sharply split late Tuesday after President Donald Trump delivered a record-breaking State of the Union address, drawing praise from allies and prompting early exits from some Democrats. During his address, Trump focused on immigration enforcement, economic concerns and global trade issues as he occasionally sparred with Democrats like Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, who, along with fellow "Squad" member Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, left the chamber early, while Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, was booted after waving a sign condemning a recent Trump social media post. Gene Hamilton, a former deputy White House counsel who has written speeches, told Fox News Digital that Trump delivered a "resounding speech" and "could not have been more clear about the current state of our great nation." Advertisement Advertisement "A vision of hope, prosperity, and strength, driven by strong borders, a strong economy, and a love of country." Democrats' 'Trump Derangement Syndrome' On 'Full Display' With Counter-state Of The Union Events, Johnson Says Hamilton said the speech was "juxtaposed" against a swath of the Democratic caucus in the chamber that "wouldnt even stand for the provision that the governments first duty is to protect American citizens, not illegal immigrants." Read On The Fox News App "Donald Trump saved this country with his election in 2024. His administration will keep working every day to deliver real wins for the American people," said Hamilton, who worked in the first Trump administration and now works with America First Legal. Advertisement Advertisement On the other side of the political spectrum, former Biden speechwriter Dan Cluchey told Fox News Digital that Trump did "less than zero to dispel the notion that he is living in his own reality." Asked if Trump succeeded in addressing the immigration crisis and affordability criticisms well enough, Cluchey said that while Americans endure "skyrocketing grocery, energy, and health costs, rising unemployment, and an economy that is growing more slowly today than in any year under President Biden, his only play is to tell families not to believe their own pocketbooks." Trump Takes Direct Sotu Swipe At Democrats Over Taxes: 'To Hurt The People' "[That] doesn't work," said Cluchey, who co-hosted a SOTU watch party and speechwriting workshop across town at Georgetown University during Trumps speech. Advertisement Advertisement Asked about Trumps ability to convey what he believed to be his administrations successes, Cluchey said that dynamic "doesnt really work when the claims you fabricate don't square with people's real lives." "A willingness to lie brazenly about anything and everything has some utility when you're campaigning, but it doesn't hold up when you're governing and people are actually living through the constant stream of chaos, cruelty, and ineptitude," Cluchey said. Cluchey added that Trump did not do enough to combat his critics, saying he instead came across as "self-obsessed and delusional as he always does." Unlike Hamilton, Cluchey believed Trump failed to change any minds in America with his remarks. Advertisement Advertisement Hamilton separately countered that Trump did indeed reiterate that he has delivered on campaign promises. "For all the haters and black-pillers who run their mouths incessantly, just one year of President Trumps successes has dwarfed the accomplishments of entire administrations that preceded him," he said. Michael Ceraso, a Democratic strategist with a background in speechwriting who worked with presidential candidates Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders, offered a slightly different perspective, saying that as a Democrat, he wants a president who works toward collaboration and not someone who "speaks in monologues." Doug Schoen: One Big Winner, One Giant Loser And One Big Problem After Trump's State Of The Union Advertisement Advertisement "As a voter, I may not like him. I may find his long form exhausting. But when he speaks, he never wavers from American exceptionalism," Ceraso said. "I see someone protecting our cities against those he deems a threat to democracy, revving up the economy, managing global partners, and defeating terrorism." Ceraso said, however, he misses former President Barack Obama and his message of intellectualism, curiosity and togetherness. Click Here To Download The Fox News App "As a voter, I believe both parties are bad for this country." "So I go with the guy who entertains me," Ceraso said. Original article source: Speechwriters split after Trumps record-breaking SOTU: Living in his own reality vs. Resounding speech The deal to surrender Britains Chagos Islands to a foreign power is, depending on whom you consult, either on ice or continuing at pace. Hamish Falconer, the Foreign Office minister, told MPs the Government was pausing the process pending discussions with the US president Donald Trump, a critic of Labours plans to hand the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius, a state that has never exercised sovereignty over the islands. However, no sooner had Mr Falconer spoken in the Commons than a Government source was briefing the BBC that no pause was in place and timings will be announced in the usual way. Advertisement Advertisement This might be a new low for Sir Keir Starmers Government: they cant even U-turn properly any more. While its possible Mr Falconer misspoke, what he said was by no means mistaken. However Downing Street might try to spin the situation, the Chagos deal cannot move forward with Mr Trump opposed. And the American president remains to be convinced of the wisdom of Britain ceding territory upon which it shares a strategically vital military base with the United States. The Prime Minister believes that international law requires Britain to relinquish its islands to Mauritius, even though no court with the jurisdiction to do so has issued any such order. What Sir Keir is now learning, painfully and with every fresh ping from Truth Social, is that there are forces in this world far more powerful than the dutiful box-ticking exercise that defines his interpretation of international law. Opinions vary about the mercurial Mr Trump, but if there is one constant in his excitable rhetoric, it is in the emphasis he places on his doctrine of America First. He is an unabashed nationalist, something deemed shameful among our political elites and within Whitehall officialdom, and it is an instinct that has twice helped him win the electoral college. Advertisement Advertisement Many Americans like the idea of a president who puts national priorities ahead of hand-wringing legalism and scorns the demands of a procedural global order that increasingly seems to have a thumb on the scale against American and broader western interests. The Prime Minister and those similarly minded point to the 2019 ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that deemed unlawful the UKs 1965 severing of the Chagos Islands from British Mauritius. However, the UK has not granted state consent to the ICJs jurisdiction in this dispute, without which that panel cannot hand down anything more than an advisory opinion. The process of bending the knee to the ICJ was initiated when the Blob was working with a Tory government but gained pace once it had a Labour government to work with. Left or Right, red or blue, the Foreign Offices institutional impulse for putting the interests of foreigners ahead of those of Britain is difficult to contain. There has been more pushback in the case of the Chagos simply because the deal outlined by Downing Street is glaringly, ludicrously bad for Britain. Not only does it involve surrendering territory that was lawfully acquired more than two centuries ago, and which has been under British sovereignty ever since, it also requires the transfer of 35bn in taxpayers money to the Mauritian government. Advertisement Advertisement That is the estimated cost of the 99-year lease under which Britain and the Americans will be allowed to maintain their base on Diego Garcia. For a country to hand over its territory to another country free of charge could be construed as an act of misplaced benevolence. To insist on paying for the pleasure suggests some sort of international humiliation fetish. President Trumps scepticism is still a roadblock to any deal, but it is not the only one. Explain the details of Downing Streets proposal to the average voter, battling through the cost of living crisis and working longer to pay higher taxes, and you are greeted first by an expression of disbelief then quickly thereafter by one of indignation. Labour believes that, for the next century, more than 100m a year of British taxpayers money would be better spent on the citizens of Mauritius than on improving public services for British people or giving them a tax cut. Good luck selling that on the doorstep. All this because Sir Keirs ultimate loyalty, and that of the post-national Blob for whom he is the ideal Prime Minister, lies with global norms, real and imagined, and international institutions, credible and contentious. The British people, or enough of them, still believe in the nation and want to see its interests put first. 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. How many additional states does it take to help the smallest one in the nation dig out from its largest blizzard on record? Four. Possibly five. Connecticut, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Vermont have answered Rhode Islands call to lend some of its crews and equipment to assist with the big dig across the state after a historic storm dumped 37.9 inches of snow at the states Warwick airport between Sunday night and Monday. New Hampshire might be next. Romeo Mendes, head of Cumberlands Department of Public Works, said a crew from Vermont worked Thursday morning in the northern part of town clearing snow away from wells that local vehicles cant access. Advertisement Advertisement We would have had to wait for melting or walk to these sites, he said in a phone interview at around 3 p.m. By about noontime, they pretty much had all the water facilities clear. Now theyre down in the Valley Falls area widening roads and cleaning things up. A still image from a Vermont Agency of Transportation video shows a convoy of snow removal equipment and personnel heading to Rhode Island. (Courtesy of @VTransTV YouTube channel) Help from other states comes under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a mutual aid agreement between all 50 states to help with disaster recovery. Rhode Island will reimburse the other states for the cost of providing assistance. The total is still being calculated, Rhode Island EMA spokesperson Courtney Marciano said in an email Thursday. Gov. Dan McKee said Wednesday he remains hopeful the federal government will pick up much of Rhode Islands tab. The states congressional delegation on Monday sent a letter to the Trump administration seeking an emergency declaration, which would open up the process for the state to request federal aid and assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). There is no reason FEMA cannot utilize the more than $9 billion currently in the Disaster Relief Fund, which continues to be available during a shutdown, the letter stated. Advertisement Advertisement But during his State of the Union address Tuesday, Trump made it clear hed only consider helping states impacted by the blizzard if congressional Democrats agree to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which shut down Feb. 14. Democrats withheld support for the GOPs funding bill in a push for restrictions and guardrails on the activities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers. FEMA is overseen by the Department of Homeland Security. Wed love to give you a hand at cleaning it up, but you gave no money, Trump said during Tuesday nights speech. A FEMA spokesperson did not immediately respond to request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Approximately 15 Vermont Agency of Transportation workers joined McKee at a news conference Wednesday at the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agencys (EMA) Cranston warehouse. The Green Mountain State sent five dump trucks and five front-end loaders to the Ocean State early Wednesday afternoon as part of a larger convoy assisting both Rhode Island and Massachusetts. I love the smell of Vermont diesel in the morning, outgoing Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Director Peter Alviti Jr. said then. Out-of-state trucks are being deployed by the EMA and RIDOT to where theyre needed the most such as Providence and then to other communities that have requested assistance, McKee said. Vermonts live plow tracker showed trucks in Cumberland, East Providence and Providence on Thursday afternoon. Eight front loaders and 10 dump trucks began work 5 a.m. Thursday after arriving from Pennsylvania on Wednesday, Marciano said. Advertisement Advertisement Proud of our team at @PennDOTNews for answering the call and lending a hand to help @GovDanMcKee and his team at @RIDOTNews, Gov. Josh Shapiro posted to X Wednesday. Its what we do here in Pennsylvania. A convoy of heavy trucks and plows from Pennsylvania and local Department of Public Works trucks travels through Cranston on Feb. 26, 2026. (Courtesy photo from the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency) Crews from Vermont and Pennsylvania are expected to remain in Rhode Island for the next five days to assist with the recovery efforts before they head back, Marciano said. Four blowers from Connecticut were split between North Kingstown and Westerly as of Thursday. Crews from the Nutmeg State are expected to assist Rhode Island through Monday, Marciano said. Were sending @CTDOTOfficial crews to support @MassGovernor and @GovDanMcKee as they recover from this historic storm, Gov. Ned Lamont posted to X Wednesday afternoon. Weve been in their shoes before and well always answer the call to help our neighbors . Advertisement Advertisement New England shows up for each other when it matters most, Lamont added. Maine is slated to provide 10 dump trucks and 24 National Guard soldiers, Marciano said. Maines crews left for Rhode Island at around 10:45 a.m. Thursday, its National Guard confirmed in an email to Rhode Island Current. The Maine contingent comes from the 120th Regional Support Groups 133rd Engineer Battalion and 286th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion. New Hampshire officials have responded to Rhode Islands request to provide assistance and was expected to make resources available, Marciano said. But the Granite State had not deployed any resources as of Thursday afternoon, its Department of Safetys Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management confirmed in an email. Connecticut-based equipment was seen on the streets of Providence. But city spokesperson Josh Estrealla clarified theyre among the independent vendors contracted to clear out Rhode Islands capital. Plows are focusing solely on main roads and hospital routes, Estrella said. They cant go on small streets, he said. Some folks asked why our trucks headed to RI without plows on them. RI requested front-end loaders & dump trucks without plows to help remove large amounts of heavy/wet snow. (Other times for long-distance travel plows would be in truck beds, but plows were not part of RIs ask.) pic.twitter.com/I2wRiPvsfj PA Department of Transportation (@PennDOTNews) February 26, 2026 SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A Syrian official has confirmed mass escapes from a facility housing relatives of suspected ISIL (ISIS) fighters in northern Syria last month after the withdrawal of Kurdish-led forces who had previously controlled the camp. Noureddine al-Baba, the spokesman for Syrias Ministry of Interior, told reporters in Damascus on Wednesday that Syrian forces had discovered more than 138 breaches in the camps 17km (11-mile) perimeter wall. When our forces arrived, they found cases of collective escapes due to the camp having been opened up in a haphazard manner, he said. Advertisement Advertisement We observed cases of mass escape resulting from the opening of internal berms and checkpoints of the camp, he said. Al-Hol, located in the Hasakah province near the border with Iraq, was the largest camp for relatives of suspected ISIL fighters in northeastern Syria and had been under the control of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). According to the SDF, the camp held more than 23,000 people before its withdrawal. The camps residents, most of whom were children, women and older people, were not technically prisoners and most have not been accused of crimes. But they had been in de facto detention at the heavily guarded facility for years. Last month, the Syrian military drove the SDF from swaths of the north following deadly clashes amid a dispute over the integration of the Kurdish-led forces into Syrian state institutions. Under pressure, the SDF withdrew from the camp on January 20, with Syrian security forces taking control a few hours later. Advertisement Advertisement The SDF withdrew suddenly, without coordination and without informing the Syrian authorities or the international anti-ISIL coalition beforehand, al-Baba said. There was a chaotic situation after the pullout, with more than 138 breaches discovered in the perimeter wall. It was not immediately clear how many people in all have escaped from al-Hol camp. Disputed figures Al-Baba told reporters that the vast majority of the camps residents were Syrians and Iraqis, and that 6,500 people from 44 other nationalities were also there. He added that Syrian authorities have transferred many residents to the Akhtarin camp in Aleppo province, which is easier to be reached by aid agencies and where children will have proper education and rehabilitation. Advertisement Advertisement Al Jazeeras Heidi Pett, reporting from Damascus, said Syrian officials are disputing the SDFs estimate of 23,000 people at al-Hol. The government is saying the figure was artificially inflated in order to secure more international support. They are saying theyve managed to recapture most of those who escaped and that theyve taken them to a camp in northern Aleppo province, she said. But only 1,100 families are confirmed there, against 6,600 who were at al-Hol before the SDF withdrew, leaving roughly 5,000 unaccounted for, she noted. They are believed to be scattered across rural Aleppo and Idlib, with some housed in apartments that were fundraised for on social media, others smuggled out by pre-existing networks, and some removed by foreign fighters. The whereabouts of these women and children raises a dual concern: The security risk they may pose if linked to ISIL, and their own vulnerability having been taken from the camp by men unknown to them, Pett added. For its part, the Kurdish-led SDF said in a statement that the withdrawal of our forces was a direct result of the military attack targeting the camp and its surroundings by forces affiliated with Damascus. The release of ISIL families occurred after the entry of Damascus-affiliated factions (into the camp) and involved their direct participation, it added. Advertisement Advertisement The fighting between the Syrian military and the SDF stopped after a ceasefire was reached last month. Before the SDF withdrew from al-Hol and other areas in northern Syria, the United States military said it had transferred more than 5,700 detained ISIL suspects from Syrian prisons to Iraq. ISIL swept across Syria and Iraq in 2014, committing massacres and forcing women and girls into sexual slavery. Backed by US-led forces, Iraq proclaimed the defeat of ISIL in the country in 2017, and the SDF ultimately beat back the group in Syria two years later. After ISILs defeat, about 73,000 people were living at al-Hol. The number has since declined, with some countries repatriating their citizens. Al-Baba said Syrias Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in contact with the governments of third-country citizens to discuss the next steps regarding them. Banco Santander plans to exceed 20bn ($23.6bn) in profits over the next three years by leveraging cost cuts and expansion in the US and UK markets. On 25 February, the bank released its strategic objectives for 2026-2028 during its Investor Day in London . It anticipates return on tangible equity of above 20% by the end of this cycle. The bank intends to grow its customer base from a projected 180 million in 2025 to over 210 million by 2028, maintaining its large presence in both European and American markets. This follows the banks $12.2bn deal to buy Webster Financial, the parent company of Webster Bank. The deal, announced earlier this month and slated to close in the second half of 2026, is expected to offer Santander a strong foothold in the US Northeast. Meanwhile, in July 2025, Santander agreed to acquire TSB Banking Group from Sabadell in an all-cash transaction valued at up to 2.9bn ($3.9bn). The Spanish group forecasts mid-single digit growth in revenue and annual reductions in total costs, with the efficiency ratio expected to reach around 36% by the end of 2028. Annual earnings per share growth is projected to be in double digits during this period. Santander plans to raise its cash dividend payout to about 35% of group profit from results published for 2027 onwards and allocate approximately 15% of profit to share buybacks. The bank expects the cash dividend per share to be more than double that of 2025 by the end of the plan. The board intends to maintain an overall payout ratio of about 50%, combining cash dividends and share buybacks, subject to approvals. So far, Santander has committed to distributing at least 10bn through share buybacks from 20252026 earnings, with 5bn launched earlier in June and 1.7bn completed in 2025. Any capital surplus above a set threshold of 13% is expected to be returned to shareholders. For 2025, Santander reported attributable profit of 14.1bn, concluding its previous three-year cycle. Between 2023 and 2025, earnings per share increased by 68%, while tangible net asset value per share plus dividends rose by an average of 14% annually. Santanders share price increased over 250% in that period. The bank is focusing on data and AI as part of its transformation programme, with expectations this will generate over 1bn in annual business value by 2028 through cost efficiencies and additional revenue. Five global business lines such as Retail, Openbank, Corporate & Investment Banking, Wealth, and Payments will remain central to operational plans. From results for 2027 onwards, Santander plans around 35% of profits to be paid as cash dividends and about 15% allocated for buybacks. Financial troubles began years before Melon Seed Deli turned to Instagram on Feb. 17, pleading for public support to raise just over $30,000 to hit a Department of Revenue deadline. The Tacoma restaurant, located at 3807 Center St., Suite D, has been closed since Feb. 18, when DOR posted a sign to the front door officially revoking its reseller permit. To reopen, owners Tashia Page and Mario Mac Charles must pay off the six-figure debt listed on the revocation order, which does not include any future interest or penalties, and provide a cash bond, calculated from six months of liability. Then they could apply for a new business license. Melon Seed, which has served slider sandwiches and frozen yogurt from a small shopping plaza on Center Street since 2013, owes Washington state nearly $111,000 in taxes, including fees and interest. DOR has filed three tax warrants against the business since 2022 in the Superior Court of Pierce County, all of which remain open and unpaid. A review of Melon Seeds account with the Secretary of State also shows a pattern of missing annual filing deadlines, leading to extra paperwork, and the business has failed to pay property taxes on time of around $415 to $550 per year since at least 2020, according to county records. Advertisement Advertisement In a Feb. 24 phone call, Page and Charles did not deny the debts, admitting they have also faced headwinds with the Internal Revenue Service in recent years and the occasional fine from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. Its a very nasty cycle to get caught up in, said Page. Its definitely a learning experience and lesson when you get into business, is to never fall behind on your taxes. A spokesperson for the agency declined to answer specific questions about Melon Seeds closure, citing taxpayer confidentiality, and directed The News Tribune to the publicly available warrants. In general, Mikhail Carpenter said by email, revocations are rare and only used as a last resort. Advertisement Advertisement The state takes several steps before even issuing a warrant, including a lot of communication between the business owners and a designated agent. The goal, he said, is to develop a reasonable payment plan that allows the taxpayer to meet its financial obligations to the state while the business continues to operate. If debt lingers, state law requires that DOR move to the courts, when the legal clock starts ticking. License revocation is the last option available when a business or taxpayer has failed to come into voluntary compliance, said Carpenter. If a business is not open it makes settling the balance harder, so it is not a decision that is made lightly and only made when a taxpayer has demonstrated a consistent pattern of noncompliance. Page and Charles, who are known in the Tacoma community for their positive nature and affable service as much as the sweet and savory offerings at the cafe, said they have not been eschewing payments entirely but have struggled to pay off past bills, especially as the totals ballooned with penalties. Referring to the Covid-19 pandemic, Charles added that they fell behind, like other businesses, a while back, and it kind of snowballed. He was also the primary caretaker for his brother who died in 2021, which they said complicated operations at Melon Seed and caused some administrative tasks to slip through the cracks. Almost impossible to catch back up Their financial headaches predate the pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement The couple said they handled all of the books themselves until around 2020, when they hired a professional accountant. They had put themselves on a quarterly tax return schedule with the state, which proved to be a fateful bargain as the bills were larger and, when they didnt or couldnt pay, the fees and interest hit harder and grew faster. (DOR assesses a 9% penalty on the total amount due for missing a payment deadline, another 19% for missing it again a month later, and 29% after two months.) We are a restaurant that makes food, Page told The News Tribune in a phone call. All of our cashflow goes into the purchase of product, payroll, overhead, expenses. So with those penalties accruing like that, it makes it almost impossible to catch back up. Their case was assigned to a DOR agent amid the pandemic, they said. As they navigated a death in the family and then in 2022 a break-in, they tried to find a new accountant and never formalized a payment plan with the state, they said. Melon Seed Deli became known for its funky slider sandwiches and frozen yogurt since opening in 2013. The owners said they had begun working with an accountant around the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, and their financial struggles snowballed from there. The DOR revoked their business reseller permit Feb. 18, a rare step that most businesses dont reach, according to an agency spokesperson. (Brian Hayes/Brian Hayes / bhayes@thenewstribune.com) According to court records, DOR filed its first warrant against Melon Seed Deli in January 2014, just nine months after Page and Charles, then with three young kids, opened the cafe. The $2,400 balance was resolved that May. Advertisement Advertisement It appears that several years passed before the couple faced additional legal proceedings. A September 2022 warrant for about $1,000, filed in Pierce County Superior Court by the Department of Labor and Industries, was satisfied less than two months later. They kept falling behind. In April 2023, LNI filed a warrant for another $1,000 in unpaid taxes. That one settled in August, but by October they faced a warrant for $378 that they resolved in January 2024. Soon after, LNI filed a new warrant for $1,375, which was satisfied before the end of the month, court records show. The timing matters because the state can only begin a formal revocation process after warrants have been filed for greater than 30 days and the taxpayer isnt able to get in good standing with the department, explained Carpenter, the DOR spokesperson. Melon Seed Deli would have received a notice of a hearing. Page and Charles claimed the notice might have never reached them, as mail at the shopping plaza sometimes gets mixed up among the units, and they didnt get the notice in time to appeal the situation. Advertisement Advertisement DOR can approve waivers to delinquent or late-return penalties because of circumstances beyond the taxpayers control, but lacking the funds, being unaware of a due date or not receiving the return in the mail are generally not reasons for an exception. Melon Seed has big tax hill to climb Meanwhile, Melon Seed was struggling to pay its property taxes through their lease on Suite D, valued at $25,000. Pierce County records available online date back only to 2020. Melon Seeds account lists late payments for each of the last six years. They paid off those bills in batches, public records show. By 2024, Melon Seed was falling deeper into the red. DOR filed a warrant that March for unpaid taxes, increases and/or penalties of around $28,610, according to the revocation letter and court documents. About three months later, on May 31, 2024, DOR filed another warrant for around $57,600. Last May, a third warrant was filed against the business for nearly $24,500. Advertisement Advertisement To emerge, Page and Charles will have to pay at least $110,640.02, the total amount owed at the time of revocation. The couple realized they might lose their license around Feb. 17, when Charles posted a video on Instagram and launched a GoFundMe with a goal of $40,000. (As of Feb. 25, it has a little more than $14,300.) He described the crowdfunding idea as a last-chance effort to narrowly miss a full shutdown. We were under the impression we had a few more days to come up with a lump sum of money, he told The News Tribune in a phone call. Word spread on local social media. With a few thousand dollars donated in the first few hours, they got super excited and rushed to prepare for a busy week. Melon Seeds license was pulled the next day. Advertisement Advertisement Citing taxpayer confidentiality, Carpenter at DOR could not say if Melon Seed had not remitted sales tax to the state or never collected it at all. Restaurants are typically subject to business and occupancy taxes as well as sales tax. The latter is collected directly from customers and held in trust by businesses before it must be turned over to the state, said Carpenter. At no point is that money the taxpayers, he wrote. When businesses fail to remit lawfully collected sales tax they are not failing to pay from their own funds, they are technically taking the publics money in addition to the funds they collect on the transaction. At Melon Seed, Page and Charles said their tax debt stemmed in part from falling behind in the first place while trying to keep the power on and their few employees paid. They also often worked at the restaurant; it was their main source of income, they said. You have to put that money there first. It just kind of becomes a juggling act, said Page. It just breaks down to a cashflow issue of trying to catch up. Advertisement Advertisement While discussing with DOR, they said they have been speaking with other small business owners in the area as well as other people in the city who have reached out just to offer advice. In a video posted to the Melon Seed Instagram page a week after the closure, Charles said they were taking accountability for their tax debt. They hope to return, but we dont know what the plan is exactly, added Page in a phone call. Its literally one day at a time. Nearly five years after the Talibans takeover of Afghanistan, Kabul has appointed its first envoy to India, marking a significant milestone in diplomatic engagement between the two countries. Noor Ahmad Noor, a Taliban-appointed diplomat, has assumed responsibility as Charge dAffaires at the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi, the first such posting to India since the Taliban returned to power more than four years ago. The move is the latest step in cultivating goodwill, as India's role evolves in Afghanistan. Pakistan Threatens To 'Obliterate' Taliban After Peace Talks Fall Apart Taliban security personnel walk past a damaged car after cross-border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan. (Getty Images) The renewed political and economic engagement with the Taliban comes at a time of surging cross-border violence between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which has plunged relations between the two neighbors to a dangerously low point. Just this week, tensions flared back up after a fresh round of deadly strikes and clashes. And nuclear-armed India wasted no time in strongly condemning Islamabad over the attacks and voiced support for Kabuls sovereignty. Advertisement Advertisement Against this backdrop of sustained hostilities, India stands out as one country that has much to gain. Experts say Indias reset with the Taliban reflects a pragmatic policy, aimed at countering Pakistani influence while protecting its own long-term security interests in the region. "This is a classic case of the enemy of my enemy is my friend," Sid Dubey, a visiting professor at Bennett University in India, told Fox News. "The only thing the two parties are mutually aligned on is Pakistan and the enmity both have toward the Islamic Republic." Read On The Fox News App Kabuls rapidly deteriorating relationship with Islamabad factors heavily into Indias calculations. For decades, Pakistan sought what it called "strategic depth" in Afghanistan, backing Taliban factions to ensure a friendly government in Kabul. But now, as frictions rise over border disputes, closer coordination between India and Afghanistan stretches Pakistans capacity to manage tensions on multiple fronts. Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, analysts say, it gives India the opportunity to extend its influence in the region at the expense of another rival, China. Furthermore, Pakistan buffers India and Afghanistan, making strategic alignment between New Delhi and Kabul particularly significant. Trump: Us Trying To Get Bagram Airbase 'Back' From Taliban In Afghanistan Eastern Afghanistan shares a border with India's neighbor Pakistan. "Afghanistan is cursed by its geography and proximity to foreign powers who will always meddle," Dubey explained, as regional fault lines only continue to sharpen. "And with virtually no American influence on the Taliban government anymore, Delhi feels secure in going ahead with its own India-centric Afghan policy." Like most other countries, India does not formally recognize the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, both nations have been taking a series of quiet but significant steps to deepen ties. Over the last year, several high-level diplomatic interactions have been billed as groundbreaking. Cooperation has expanded across the board, from healthcare and humanitarian aid to cultural exchanges and economic projects. Advertisement Advertisement Dubey claimed there's another big reason for Delhi's push. "India supports all this in the hope or understanding that one day, if needed, India can use Afghanistan as a platform to strike Pakistan." Indian soldiers stand guard as a Kashmiri Muslim man walks by, in Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Friday, May 9, 2025. For its part, Kabul is embracing this new era of cooperation, hailing the stronger ties with India as Pakistan views these developments with deep suspicion. Engagement with India also offers the Taliban a measure of legitimacy on the world stage. As Dubey noted, Afghanistan remains one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world, heavily dependent on external assistance, making Indias aid extremely beneficial. Anand Prakash, joint secretary of the Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran (PAI) Division at India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Afghanistan's Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Vikramjit Singh Sahney, member of Rajya Sabha and an Indian entrepreneur, participate in a roundtable at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) in New Delhi, India, Oct. 13, 2025. If sustained, Indias growing engagement with the Taliban could reshape changing regional dynamics. A weakened Pakistan-Taliban relationship undercuts Islamabads long-standing leverage in Kabul, altering the formerly established balance of power. It also complicates Chinas calculus, as Beijing weighs its own security concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Looking further ahead, if Washington again expands its involvement in Afghanistan, New Delhi could serve as a key intermediary, given that U.S. and Indian ties are also on an upward trajectory. Original article source: Taliban sends first envoy to India in diplomatic milestone as regional tensions reshape alliances It's a scene in so many space movies: The actor looks out through a window at the vacuum of space, and watches as a crack slowly forms and stretches across the screen. This week, Space.com surfaced some interview footage (embedded below) with the Chinese taikonauts who lived through something almost as dramatic. The incident occurred in November, when an anomaly aboard the Shenzhou 20 mission left three of them temporarily stranded in space. "I was the one who went for checks," said mission commander Chen Dong (and I'll apologize here for the poor translations, which a Canadian like I certainly can't improve upon). "I was through the capsule with the naked eye when I spotted something like a triangular on the viewport." Advertisement Advertisement For a moment, his brain identified it as a leaf on the windshield, but then he realized that it was, in fact, something far more dangerous. It was a crack, caused by the impact from a small piece of space debris. They'll likely never know exactly what the debris was, but it's thought to have been less than a millimeter across. "I wasn't really nervous, actually," says taikonaut Wang Jie. "The outermost layer of the viewport is a protective layer, and inside it there are two pressure-bearing layers. We are safe as long as the cabin pressure doesn't change." He also expressed confidence in the ground crew's ability to keep them safe. The inspection actually required a pen-like microscope, which revealed cracks running. "We could see very clearly the small cracks [with the microscope]. Several were relatively long, and one was shorter. We could also see that some of the cracks had penetrated through." This all played out over the course of days, not seconds, but it's still terrifying to consider. space debris impact These tiny but serious impact photos show how ruinous the damage from even small impacts can be. Credit: NASA Advertisement Advertisement As a result of the impact, the crew had to leave the Shenzhou 20 craft and return to Earth on the Shenzhou 21 capsule that had been intended to carry their relief crew back home. This got them home, but it left Shenzhou 20 still docked, and the relief crew stranded without a usable vehicle. Eventually, the empty Shenzhou 20 capsule was brought back to Earth, and the Shenzhou 21 crew came back on yet another capsule sent up to retrieve them. In all, it's an impressive show of capacity from the Chinese space program, if nothing else. NASA has sometimes struggled to respond to problems in space due to lack of spacecraft, though that's become less of a problem in recent years; China, it seems, has no problem plowing money into its space program. As can only be expected, the incident is sparking renewed concerns about catastrophe in space, and with good reason. We may not know just what hit the station, but we do know that, in the current crowded skies, disaster could be as close as a single major collision or ejection of debris. Thankfully, this time, the impact was small enough to function as a warning. What began as a quiet meetup of Pokemon enthusiasts at a US store ended with an armed robbery in which masked men held the group at gunpoint to steal more than $100,000 in trading cards. The January heist in New York was the latest in a string of thefts targeting collectors of Pokemon, the Japanese media franchise that marks its 30th anniversary on Friday. Pokemon cards, bearing "little monsters" that attract children as well as adult superfans, have soared in value in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement US influencer Logan Paul this month set a new world record by banking $16.5 million with his sale of a rare Pikachu card -- arguably the most iconic Pokemon character. But high prices have attracted criminals keen to cash in. Pokemon cards "are high value in a small footprint, demand is broad and consistent, and the resale ecosystem is large," said Nick Jarman, founder and CEO of the Certified Trading Card Association. "That combination means stolen product can move quickly -- sometimes across state lines -- through a mix of online marketplaces, card shows, and informal buyer networks," he told AFP. Advertisement Advertisement - 'Big target' - The New York robbery, which police are yet to solve, was not an isolated incident. Thieves in California made off this month with about $180,000 worth of Pokemon trading cards after drilling through a wall to access a store. "We got a big target on our back in this trading card, collectible world now," owner Duy Pham told CBS News after the burglary. It was the second time in less than a year that his shop was robbed. Similar thefts have also been reported in Japan, Britain, Canada and Australia. "In some cases, incidents appear opportunistic, smash-and-grab, while others look more targeted -- suggesting prior knowledge of store layouts, closing routines, or where higher-value inventory is kept," Jarman said. Advertisement Advertisement He noted that many shops operate on thin margins, so boosting security measures can be a financial burden. - 'Not fun anymore' - Ranging from Pikachu the mouse to Jigglypuff the balloon, there are now more than 1,000 different Pokemon characters, with new "generations" released every few years. Collecting Pokemon cards has become a form of investment beyond collecting, trading or playing. One website, Collectr, offers trading card portfolio management and valuation tools for users looking to track their assets. Factors determining value include Pokemon cards' rareness, the character and the artist, who is indicated on the card. Advertisement Advertisement But for some, the surge in prices has yanked the joy from what was a casual hobby. Grace Klich, a US-based Pokemon influencer, told AFP she had pulled back from collecting after becoming "fatigued." "When it gets to the point where local card stores are being broken into and people are getting a gun shoved in their face over cards, it is not all fun and cute anymore," she said. "It was never about the value of items, or gaining respect, it was because I had a genuine love for such a wonderful franchise," she said. bjt/acb Feb. 26 (UPI) -- The third round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks concluded Thursday in Geneva with signs of progress and plans for further negotiations, amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington as President Donald Trump threatens military action if a deal is not reached. Oman said after the day-long talks that progress had been made and more talks are needed. "We have finished the day after significant progress in the negotiation between the United States and Iran," Minister Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi of Oman said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement "We will resume soon after consultation in the respective capitals." Minister Abbas Araghchi of Iran concurred with his Omani counterpart. Further progress had been made, he said. Police officers stand guard as the U.S. delegation arrives at the Oman ambassador's residency, where the indirect nuclear talks between the United States and Iran are taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday, February 26, 2026. Photo by Martial Trezzini/EPA "This round of talks was the most intense so far," he said in a statement. "It concluded with the mutual understanding that we will continue to engage in a more detailed manner on matters that are essential to any deal -- including sanctions termination and nuclear-related steps." Technical-level discussions are scheduled to start in Vienna on Monday, officials said. Representatives from the United States did not immediately comment. Advertisement Advertisement The negotiations were indirect, with Iran and the United States communicating through Omani mediators. There was a four-hour meeting in the morning followed by more than two hours of discussions in the afternoon, according to Araghchi, who said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi's involvement "was valuable for the technical discussions." "Regarding some issues, there is no understanding, and on others, it's natural that we have differences," Iran's top diplomat said. "However, there was perhaps more seriousness on both sides than before, with the aim of reaching a negotiated solution." Advertisement Advertisement Trump is seeking to secure a long-term deal aimed at preventing Iran from securing a nuclear weapon, a decades-long fear of Washington and Israel, and has threatened military action if negotiations falter. The removal of sanctions appears to be Iran's most pressing issue for Iran, as its economy has been under severe strain from years of sanctions imposed amid the years-long impasse over its nuclear program. Ahead of the Thursday talks, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei of Iran told reporters that Tehran's delegation had come fully prepared. "Right now, the relevant experts in the fields of sanctions relief and economic issues, as well as nuclear and legal matters, are with us, and we are prepared to continue these talks as long as necessary," he said, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-affiliated Fars News Agency reported. Advertisement Advertisement "As far as we are concerned, we are here with full preparedness and seriousness in order to realize the country's national interests." He added that they will be watching for "contradictory statements" between what U.S. officials say in the meetings and what they tell the press. "These contradictions do not help advance this diplomatic process and increase doubts and suspicions about their purpose and intentions," he said. Grossi and Oman's Albusaidi held a meeting Thursday before the talks officially kicked off on technical matters related to Iran's nuclear dossier. | @badralbusaidi ... pic.twitter.com/RrjA28bfuU (@FMofOman) February 26, 2026 The second round of talks was held earlier this month, with Araghchi stating that an agreement had been reached "on general guiding principles." Advertisement Advertisement However, significant gaps remained between the United States and Iran. Though it officially began Thursday, Iran's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Araghchi met with Albusaidi on Wednesday night and conveyed Tehran's views on nuclear-related issues and the lifting of sanctions. Araghchi stressed to the representative of Oman that "the success of the negotiations depends on the seriousness of the other side and its avoidance of contradictory behavior and positions." Trump has pursued a new nuclear deal with Iran since early in his first term, when in 2018 he unilaterally withdrew the United States from a landmark Obama-era multinational accord aimed at preventing Tehran from securing a nuclear weapon. Advertisement Advertisement The first Trump administration applied a maximum pressure campaign of sanctions and economic pressure to coerce Tehran back to the negotiating table. Under the economic coercion, Iran began breaching its nuclear commitments and advanced its enrichment program. Then, under the Biden administration, the United States attempted to revive negotiations with Iran -- an effort that stalled by the fall of 2022 and was shelved when Iran-backed Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Last June, after Trump was elected to a second term, he ordered strikes on three known nuclear sites as the United States joined Israel's military campaign against Tehran. The White House later claimed Iran's facilities had been "obliterated," though international inspectors have not been able to gain access to them to verify the extent of the damage. Despite the assertion, Trump has expanded the United States' military presence in the Middle East in recent weeks ahead of the talks, sparking worries it may precede another attack if negotiations falter. Advertisement Advertisement During his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, Trump said Iran is seeking to restart its program but also wants to make a deal with the United States. "They are at this moment again pursuing their sinister ambitions," he said without providing proof. "My preference -- my preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy. But one thing is certain, I will never allow the world's No. 1 sponsor of terror -- which they are by far -- to have a nuclear weapon. Can't let it happen." Republican Sen. Thom Tillis (N.C.) is asking why Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are leading peace talks with Russia, Iran and Israel, given their general lack of foreign policy experience and the fact that they never underwent formal Senate confirmation proceedings. Tillis told ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl that peace talks to resolve the violence in Ukraine and Gaza and another potential conflict with Iran should not be led by Kushner, President Trumps son-in-law, and Witkoff, a Trump ally who made his fortune in real estate. Kushner and Witkoff are very accomplished businesspeople. Im sure theyre good negotiators, but theyre not subject to Senate confirmation, and theyre not subject to oversight, Tillis told Karl. Advertisement Advertisement The outspoken GOP senator said putting Kushner and Witkoff in charge of high-stakes foreign policy and national security negotiations doesnt make any sense. It is suspect that you can negotiate a Ukraine peace, an Iranian situation, a Gaza situation, and whatever, and be the same two people. That doesnt make any sense to me, Tillis said. Democrats on Capitol Hill have also criticized Kushners high-profile role given his limited experience in foreign policy matters and have raised concerns about the $2 billion in investment his company, Affinity Partners, received from Saudi Arabias sovereign wealth fund. Democrats have also criticized Witkoffs family business dealings, particularly his role in co-founding World Liberty Financial (WLF), a cryptocurrency company, with his sons and members of Trumps family. Democrats raised alarms after a United Arab Emirates-backed firm invested $2 billion in the WLFs stablecoin. Advertisement Advertisement Senate Democrats Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Chris Murphy (Conn.) raised alarms after Witkoff said he stepped away from the company prior to becoming Trumps special envoy. Kushner and Witkoff were in Geneva on Thursday to negotiate a deal with Iran to end its nuclear weapons program, talks that could determine whether Trump orders missile strikes against Iran in the near future. The special envoys met with Omans foreign minister, a broker in the talks. The meetings come only days after Witkoff and Kushner participated in talks to end the war in Ukraine and to set up Trumps Board of Peace to maintain stability and order in Gaza. 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. Theres still time to earn recognition as a Top Workplace in Delaware. For the 20th year, Delaware Online/The News Journal will honor outstanding workplace culture in the state. Any organization with 35 or more employees in Delaware is eligible to compete for a Top Workplaces award. Standout companies will be honored in fall 2026. The nomination deadline has been extended to April 10. Anyone can nominate an outstanding company: Public, private, non-profit, a school, or even a government agency. To nominate an employer or for more information on the awards, just go to delawareonline.com/nominate or call (302) 342-1311. Nominate your employer for Top Workplaces 2026. There is no cost to participate. To qualify as a Delaware Top Workplace, employees evaluate their workplace using a short 26-question survey that takes just a few minutes to complete. Companies will be surveyed through mid-May. Advertisement Advertisement WINNERS The employees have spoken: See our full list of Delaware's 2025 Top Workplaces Energage, the Pennsylvania-based research partner for the project, conducts Top Workplaces surveys for media in 65 markets nationwide and surveyed more than 2 million employees at more than 8,000 organizations in the past year. For the 2025 awards, 57 Delaware employers earned recognition as Top Workplaces. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Top Workplaces 2026: Deadline extended to nominate your company In January 2003, President George W Bush stood before the United States Congress to warn of a grave danger from a dictator, a former US client in the Middle East, armed with weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Twenty-three years later, in the same chamber, President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address to paint a strikingly similar narrative: A rogue regime, a looming nuclear threat, and a ticking clock. In a dark twist of historical irony, Iraqs Saddam Hussein, who was armed to the teeth by the US in Iraqs 1980-1988 war with the fledgling Islamic Republic of Iran, became Washingtons public enemy number one, surpassing Osama bin Laden. Now, that label has been seemingly applied to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a key leader during that ruinous war against Iraq that left a million dead. Advertisement Advertisement But while the war script sounds familiar, the geopolitical stage has shifted dramatically. As Washington pivots from the neoconservatives preemptive doctrine of the Bush era to what experts are calling the preventive maintenance of the Trump era following the June 2025 strikes on Iran in tandem with Israels attack in the 12-day war questions are mounting about the intelligence, the endgame, and the alarming lack of checks and balances. The semiotics of fear: From clouds to tunnels In 2003, the visual language of war was vertical: The fear of a mushroom cloud rising over US cities, or a biological weapon seeping into populated areas. Today, the fear has gone in the other direction: Purportedly deep underground. Advertisement Advertisement The administration is updating the visual dictionary of fear, says Osama Abu Irshaid, a Washington-based political analyst. They are exaggerating the nuclear threat exactly as the Bush administration did with the smoking gun metaphor. But there is a key difference: In 2003, US intelligence was manipulated to align with the lie. In 2026, the intelligence assessments actually contradict Trumps claims. While Trump asserted in his State of the Union address that Iran is rebuilding its nuclear programme to strike the US mainland, his own officials offer conflicting narratives. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt insisted Tuesday, parroting her boss, that the 2025 Operation Midnight Hammer had obliterated Irans facilities. Yet, days earlier, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff claimed Tehran was a week away from the bomb. This information chaos, analysts argue, serves a specific purpose: Keeping the threat vague enough to justify perpetual military pressure. Bush benefitted from the post-9/11 anger to link Iraq to an existential threat, Abu Irshaid told Al Jazeera. Trump doesnt have that. Iran hasnt attacked the US homeland. So, he has to fabricate a direct threat, claiming their ballistic missiles can reach America a claim unsupported by technical realities. The regime change quagmire Perhaps the most glaring contrast with 2003 is the internal coherence of the administration. Advertisement Advertisement The Bush team Vice President Dick Cheney, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and his deputy Paul Wolfowitz moved in ideological lockstep. Cheney famously predicted US troops would be greeted as liberators. They were anything but. The made-for-television scene of a statue of Saddam Hussein being torn down in central Baghdad quickly gave way to sustained, organised fighting against the US occupation, heavy US troop losses, as well as sectarian bloodletting that forced Iraq onto the cusp of all-out civil war. Bush declaring major combat operations over under a huge Mission Accomplished banner in May 2003 came back to haunt his administration and the US for years to come. The Trump team of 2026 appears far more fractured, torn between America First isolationism and aggressive interventionism. Advertisement Advertisement The official line: Vice President JD Vance and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth have publicly stated the goal is not regime change. We are not at war with Iran, were at war with Irans nuclear programme, Vance said Sunday. The presidents instinct: Trump contradicted them on social media, posting: If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldnt there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!! The Neocons who hijacked policy under Bush have been weakened, notes Abu Irshaid. But they have been replaced by figures like Stephen Miller, who holds absolute loyalty to Trump and close ties to the Israeli right. Trump is driven by instinct, not strategy. He seeks the victory that eluded his predecessors: The total hollowing out of Iran, whether through zero-enrichment surrender or collapse. The lonely superpower: Coercion over coalition In 2003, Bush and United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair worked tirelessly to build a Coalition of the Willing. It was a diplomatic veneer, but it existed. Blair remains a much-loathed figure in the Middle East and in some quarters in the West for giving diplomatic cover to the Iraq debacle. Advertisement Advertisement In 2026, the US is operating in stark isolation. Trump is not building a coalition; he is alienating allies, Abu Irshaid explains. He points to a pattern of extortion extending from tariffs on the European Union to attempts to buy Greenland. The Europeans see the coercion used against Iran and fear it could be turned against them. Unlike 2003, only Israel is fully on board. This isolation was highlighted when the UK reportedly refused to allow the US to use island bases for strikes on Iran, forcing B-2 bombers to fly 18-hour missions directly from the US mainland during the 2025 campaign. The collapse of checks and balances Following the damning intelligence failures and lies of the Iraq war, promises were made to strengthen congressional oversight. Two decades later, those guardrails appear to have vanished. Advertisement Advertisement Despite efforts by US Representatives Ro Khanna (a Democrat) and Thomas Massie (a Republican) to invoke a discharge petition to block an unauthorised war, the political reality is grim. The concept of checks and balances is facing a severe test, warns Abu Irshaid. The Republican Party is now effectively the party of Trump. The Supreme Court leans right. Trump is operating with expanded post-9/11 powers that allow for limited strikes strikes that can easily spiral into the open war he claims to avoid. With the administration citing 32,000 protesters killed by Tehran a figure significantly higher than independent estimates, and which Iran dismissed as big lies on Wednesday the moral groundwork for escalation is being laid, bypassing the need for United Nations resolutions or congressional approval. As US and Iranian negotiators meet in Geneva for make-or-break talks under the shadow of last years Operation Midnight Hammer, the question remains: Are the two nations with decades of enmity boiling between them on the brink of a new deal, or the prelude to a war that could ignite the entire region in flames? President Donald Trump touted his Trump Accounts for kids platform during his State of the Union address Tuesday, Feb. 24, months before the savings account program goes live this summer. Roughly 63% of parents open bank accounts for the newborns and young children according to The Financial Brand, showing that in general, opening a bank accounts for your child is a good idea. But what, exactly, are Trump Accounts for kids, and does it make sense for you to open one for your child? Here's everything you need to know. Trump Account for kids explained The IRS explained in a memo Trump Accounts will be available for any children under 18, with $1,000 seed money available for newborns and very young children. Advertisement Advertisement That account will be seeded with federal government funds. "A Trump account is a type of traditional individual retirement account that is established for the exclusive benefit of an eligible individual and that is designated at its establishment as a Trump account," read the IRS' Trump Accounts memo. "Upon an election under the pilot program, $1,000 is paid by the Secretary to the Trump account of an eligible child. "An eligible child means a qualifying child who is born after December 31, 2024 and before January 1, 2029, who is a U.S. citizen, and for whom no prior pilot program election has been made." The Trump Accounts website confirms parents do not need to make a contribution, but can deposit up to $5,000 a year into the interest-bearing account. Advertisement Advertisement Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in comments published Jan. 28 a single $1,000 deposit into a Trump Account at birth should grow to an estimated $500,000 by the age of retirement. When will Trump Accounts for kids lunch, and can I apply in Delaware? Trump Accounts for kids will go live on Monday, July 5, and parents in Delaware are allowed to apply for the nationwide offering when it opens. Until then, you can visit the Trump Accounts website to add your name to the email list to get an update when the service goes live. The IRS and U.S. Department of the Treasury released Trump Accounts guidance you can read before opening an account. Problems with Trump Accounts for kids While opening a Trump Account for your child may seem a good thing, TIME uncovered a few problems with President Donald Trump's namesake account service. Advertisement Advertisement "The program may be open to every child, but its benefits will flow overwhelmingly to families with the means to contribute thousands of dollars a year. What could have been a leveling tool instead risks becoming a widening wedge between the haves and the have-nots," read a portion of TIME's take. "For a family living paycheck-to-paycheck that is unable to add anything beyond the governments $1,000 seed deposit, the balance reaches just $5,839 by age 18. " The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies echoed much of that sentiment, and said Trump Accounts for kids will have the opposite effect from its stated goals. Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending topics across the Mid-Atlantic Region. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Trump Accounts for kids; are they available in Delaware? The Trump administration officially on Wednesday stripped endangered species protections for the lesser prairie chicken, a species that lives in the scrublands of eastern New Mexico and West Texas. In response, conservation groups said they will continue ongoing legal appeals to reinstate the safeguards. The mottled brown and white grouse, just bigger than a pigeon, is best known for its vibrant mating dance, in which the males inflate their cheek pouches with a booming call and stomp their feet. Because of habitat loss from the fossil fuel and agriculture industry, the dancing grouses population has dwindled significantly over the years leading to a 90% reduction in its historical range. Its population has declined from the millions to about 26,000 (as of 2022) across the grasslands of New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. The decision, handed down from the U.S. Department of the Interior, followed a Texas federal courts dismissal of a lawsuit over the birds listing in August 2025. Advertisement Advertisement The bird has teetered between endangered and threatened status for several decades. In 2022, under the Biden administration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pressed to relist lesser prairie chicken under federal endangered species protections. That prompted Texas to sue in 2023, saying the increased protections curtailed oil and gas production. Under the Trump administration, federal officials reversed course. The U.S. Department of Interior issued a memo in July requesting the judge side with opponents suing against the protections, which included the states of Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma, along with representatives from the ranching and petroleum industries. The dismissal followed shortly after. Several conservation groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity and the Texas Campaign for the Environment, filed several legal appeals challenging the Texas courts decision, which remain ongoing. The species remains part of a rich fabric of animal life, Jason Rylander, legal director at the Center for Biological Diversitys Climate Law Institute said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Its shameful that the Trump administration sees fit to sacrifice these magnificent birds for oil and gas industry profit, Rylander said. Lesser prairie chickens may be lost forever without Endangered Species Act protections. Were fighting this decision to make sure they get them. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX . SBM Offshores net profit attributable to shareholders for the full year 2025 decreased by 25% to $677m, from $907m in 2024. Directional earnings per share of the company for 2025 was $3.91, a 23% decline compared to $5.08 in the previous year. The companys directional revenue for 2025 stood at $5.1bn, a 17% year-on-year decline from $6.1bn in 2024. The revenue drop was largely due to lower turnkey activity following a high base year of floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) asset sales and completions. Directional turnkey revenue fell by 26% to $2.8bn from $3.7bn in 2024, reflecting the non-recurrence of the FPSO Prosperity and Liza Destiny asset sales in Q4 2024. This decline was also influenced by the 13.5% divestment of FPSO Sepetiba to China Merchant Financial Leasing and the completion of the same vessel in January 2024. Directional Lease and Operate revenue declined 3% to $2.3bn from $2.4bn, partially offset by the fleet additions of the FPSOs Almirante Tamandare, Alexandre de Gusmao and ONE GUYANA following their successful delivery in 2025. Directional earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) declined 10% to $1.7bn from $1.9bn in 2024, primarily due to weakness in the Turnkey segment, where EBITDA fell 23% to $561m from $724m. Directional Lease and Operate EBITDA held relatively steady at $1.2bn, compared to $1.3bn in 2024, a 2% decrease, supported by new fleet deliveries. On an International Financial Reporting Standards basis, EBITDA rose 78% to $1.9bn from $1bn in 2024, reflecting differing accounting treatments of lease contracts. SBM Offshore CEO ivind Tangen said: 2025 was a year of strong delivery for SBM Offshore. Our teams have once again raised the bar in operational excellence by flawlessly starting three of the world's largest and most complex deep-water FPSOs in a span of just six months. This performance underscores the value inherent in our expertise across the FPSO life cycle and is reflected in our results, with directional revenue reaching $5.1bn and directional EBITDA at $1.7bn. For 2026, SBM Offshore has set a directional revenue guidance baseline of around $6.5bn, a projected 28% increase from 2025. This comprises approximately $2.2bn from Lease and Operate and around $4.3bn from Turnkey. Directional EBITDA guidance for 2026 stands at a baseline of approximately $1.8bn, a 5% improvement from 2025's Directional EBITDA. Three major construction projects, FPSO Jaguar for ExxonMobil in Guyana, FSO Chalchi for Woodside in the Gulf of Mexico and FPSO GranMorgu for TotalEnergies in Suriname, remain on track and are expected to underpin revenue growth in the coming years. The Trump administration announced Wednesday it will withhold more than $250 million in Medicaid reimbursements to Minnesota as part of a broader investigation into alleged fraud in the state. Speaking at a news conference, Vice President JD Vance said the administration is temporarily halting certain Medicaid payments to ensure Minnesota "takes its obligation seriously to be good stewards of the American people's tax money." During his State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Donald Trump declared a "war on fraud." The funding freeze adds to an ongoing clash between the administration and Democratic Gov. Tim Walz. Walz pushes back Since 2021, a federal investigation brought fraud charges against close to 100 people in Minnesota, many of them Somali Americans who operated day care centers and other social service agencies. Advertisement Advertisement The investigation took on new life late last December after a conservative YouTube creator posted a video in which he claimed that Somali-run day cares were receiving government money but caring for no children. Trump cited the alleged fraud when he ordered thousands of federal immigration agents into the state - a surge that was matched with widespread protests, particularly after officers shot and killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis. Walz dropped his bid for a third term, saying the fraud probe had become a distraction. He responded to Vance's announcement about withholding Medicaid funding, posting on X that the decision has "nothing to do with fraud." "This is a campaign of retribution," Walz wrote. "Trump is weaponizing the entirety of the federal government to punish blue states like Minnesota. These cuts will be devastating for veterans, families with young kids, folks with disabilities and working people across our state." Scope of the fraud probe The Washington Post reported in December that Joe Thompson, a federal prosecutor in Minnesota, revealed that investigators pinpointed fraud in 14 state Medicaid programs, accounting for at least half of the $18 billion that had gone to those programs since 2018. Advertisement Advertisement In January, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced what he called initiatives to dismantle a fraud scheme in Minnesota. It included a probe of financial records of money service businesses operating in Minnesota as well as international financial transactions. Bessent said the goal was to "accelerate prosecutions and the recovery of laundered funds...regarding fraud in federal child nutrition programs." Possible effects at social service level Medicaid is a program that allows low-income individuals to access health care and social services. It is funded both by both the state and federal governments. Randy Anderson, an addiction counselor in Minnesota told The Post he's been warned by state officials about a potential lengthy freeze in Medicaid reimbursement funding, which could lead to significant operational changes. Related Links Feb. 25The U.S. Department of Justice is defending a Biden-era veto of the Pebble copper and gold project, saying the Environmental Protection Agency properly exercised its authority to prevent adverse impacts to a "globally significant" fishery in Bristol Bay. The Feb. 17 court filing by the Department of Justice continues the Trump administration's opposition to the proposed mine, a departure from the president's aggressive pro-development agenda that includes support of U.S. mineral production in Alaska. The Pebble project sits on state land about 200 miles southwest of Anchorage, near the headwaters of Bristol Bay, home to the world's largest sockeye salmon fishery. Advertisement Advertisement Mine developer Pebble Limited Partnership brought the case in 2024, suing EPA over its decision to block the mine under a little-used provision in the Clean Water Act. The agency had said the mine would cause "unacceptable, adverse" harm to the valuable Bristol Bay salmon fishery. The Justice Department said in its filing that the Pebble mineral deposit exists under streams, wetlands and other waters that are critical for supporting salmon in the watershed, "a largely undisturbed, globally significant economic, ecological, and cultural resource." "(Pebble Limited Partnership's) mine plan calls for the disposal of large quantities of fill into waters of the United States that would destroy or comparably damage large areas of salmon habitat that are fishery areas," the filing said. Ron Thiessen, president of Pebble's parent company, Northern Dynasty Minerals, said in a statement last week that the filing is "surprisingly short-sighted" and legally flawed. Advertisement Advertisement The filing makes arguments that a "pro-business Republican Administration" has perhaps never made, including that the EPA can block a potentially major revenue-generating project without a comprehensive cost impact analysis, he said. "The brief reads like it was written by an Obama/Biden/Anti-mining/Anti-oil/Anti-development coalition," Thiessen said. "Unfortunately, these arguments can be cited repeatedly by the next Democratic administration as it seeks to unravel this administration's laudable progress in moving forward so many new energy/mining/development projects." The Pebble project hit a major roadblock under the first Trump administration, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2020 rejected a permit for the mine. Earlier that year, Donald Trump Jr. had said on social media that he opposed the Pebble mine prospect. The Corps in 2024, under former President Joe Biden, also rejected Pebble's appeal, citing the EPA's veto as the "controlling factor." Advertisement Advertisement Pebble is also suing over the permit denial. That matter is on hold while the case against the EPA veto proceeds. Thiessen said Northern Dynasty looks forward to responding to the federal government's filing. "Our strategy has always been grounded in a solid legal case that this veto was illegal, and a high level of confidence that the court will agree with us," Thiessen said. "This DOJ brief makes many arguments that we have seen before and that directly contradict the findings of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (completed by the Corps). The flaws in this brief only increase that confidence." Thiessen said the developers will "continue to explore" a settlement with the EPA. Advertisement Advertisement Last summer, the sides failed to reach an agreement, generating praise from conservation groups pleased with the Trump administration's position. Mary Catharine Martin, a spokeswoman with conservation group SalmonState, said on Wednesday that the Trump administration's defense of the EPA veto is significant. "Bristol Bay has world-class sockeye salmon runs, and it drives $2.2 billion in economic activity every year," she said. "Pebble would pose unacceptable risks to one of America's most valuable fisheries and the 15,000 jobs and many people that depend on it. So this makes clear that the Trump administration understands that and understands that Bristol Bay is really a special place." She said that the court filing points out that the veto did not prohibit mining of the Pebble deposit, but it did prevent Pebble Limited from doing exactly what it has proposed there. Advertisement Advertisement She said conservation groups support an act before the Legislature, the Bristol Bay Forever Act, which would prohibit metallic sulfide mining in the Bristol Bay fisheries reserve. John Shively, chief executive of Pebble Partnership, said in a statement that the project would impact a relatively tiny amount of land in a huge watershed. "The notion that this will permanently harm the salmon fishery defies common sense," he said. "This effort to lock up more than 200,000 acres of state-owned land, specifically designated for potential mineral development, is a textbook example of Washington, D.C. bureaucrats and special interests imposing their will on Alaska," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Other parties to the case, on the side of Pebble, include the state of Alaska and an Alaska Native village corporation, Iliamna Natives Ltd. Trout Unlimited and Bristol Bay Native Association, representing 31 Alaska Native tribes in the region, are also parties in the case, on the side of the federal government. Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday the Trump administration may require Minnesota to pay back $259 million in claims from the federal Medicaid program in order to ensure that the state of Minnesota takes its obligations seriously to be good stewards of the American peoples tax money. Most of the money was paid out by the feds in 2025, but now Minnesota has to prove the legitimacy of the claims. The money is a small portion of Minnesotas total Medicaid budget, which is more than $18 billion, with 60% of the money coming from the federal government. Still, state government is already facing an unstable fiscal environment given economic uncertainty and upcoming Medicaid cuts passed in President Trumps signature domestic policy bill last year, set to take effect after the midterm elections. The cuts in the Big Beautiful Bill Act were passed to pay for tax cuts whose greatest beneficiaries are the richest Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Since an article about fraud in Minnesota public programs appeared in a right-wing journal in November, the Trump administration has launched a slew of investigations and sanctions against Minnesota, most significantly an immigration enforcement crackdown that brought 3,000 federal agents and officers here and led to the deaths of two Americans and a retreat by the administration in the face of a public backlash. Minnesotas Medicaid program which provides health care to the indigent and people with disabilities is already facing significant scrutiny from state investigators as part of a yearslong scandal that began with the theft of money intended for hungry children during the pandemic. The Minnesota Attorney Generals Office said earlier Wednesday they are investigating at least 200 health care and social service providers for potential fraud across 14 Medicaid services. Attorney General Keith Ellison said hes prosecuted over 300 cases of Medicaid fraud during his seven-year tenure, according to the Associated Press. A day prior, Tim OMalley, who was designated the states Director of Program Integrity in December after a career in the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the FBI, released a 57-page report with an analysis of program vulnerabilities and a list of recommendations. Minnesota has drawn attention thanks to some spectacular examples of fraud like one program so riddled with theft it was shut down but Medicaid fraud is a common problem across the country. In a single case last summer, for instance, the feds charged 324 defendants for falsified Medicare and Medicaid bills totaling more than $14 billion, according to the Miami Herald. Advertisement Advertisement President Trump who once paid $25 million to settle lawsuits with people who accused Trump University of fraud has sometimes viewed scammers with mercy, like when he commuted the sentence of Philip Esformes, a Florida health care executive convicted in 2019 of a $1.3 billion Medicare and Medicaid fraud scheme. Gov. Tim Walz derided the administrations move as a campaign of retribution. This has nothing to do with fraud. The agents Trump allegedly sent to investigate fraud are shooting protesters and arresting children. His Department of Justice is gutting the U.S. Attorneys Office and crippling their ability to prosecute fraud. And every week Trump pardons another fraudster, Walz said on X. These cuts will be devastating for veterans, families with young kids, folks with disabilities, and working people across our state. Walzs jab about the U.S. Attorneys Office refers to the cavalcade of career prosecutors including former Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson who have left in frustration over, for instance, the handling of the investigation of the killing of Minnesotan Renee Good by federal officer Jonathan Ross, the New York Times reported. The resignations and a blizzard of immigration-related wrongful detention petitions filed by volunteer lawyers here have almost certainly impeded the ongoing fraud investigations, given the key role of Thompson and other prosecutors in bringing charges. Advertisement Advertisement Vance has taken a special interest in Minnesota recently. He was here in the days after Goods killing. He called her a victim of left-wing ideology and blamed her for her own demise. He also referred to Goods actions on the day she was killed as classic terrorism. During his visit, Vance misled the public when he said the Trump administrations immigration crackdown focused on Minnesota because thats where we have the highest concentration of people who have violated our immigration laws. This is false. Pew Research estimates that 130,000 undocumented immigrants lived in Minnesota as of 2023. States that are the most populous California, Texas, Florida and New York had the highest concentration of unauthorized immigrants, a combined 8 million in 2023. Dr. Mehmet Oz, the one-time TV doctor and now administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said Walz would have 60 days to respond to the Medicaid claims dispute. We will give them the money, but were going to hold it and only release it after they propose and act on a comprehensive corrective action plan to solve the problem, Oz said. This story was originally published on Healthcare Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Healthcare Dive newsletter. The CMS said it will withhold over $259 million in Medicaid funds from Minnesota, an effort the Trump administration says is part of a larger crackdown on fraud in federal healthcare programs. The Trump administration says its holding the money due to unsupported or potentially fraudulent Medicaid claims, including claims involving beneficiaries lacking a satisfactory immigration status, according to a Wednesday announcement from the CMS. Advertisement Advertisement If Minnesota does not come into compliance with a corrective action plan from the Trump administration, the CMS said it could defer more than $1 billion in federal funds to the state over the next year. CMS is done paying and chasing, said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz during a press conference Wednesday. The money is not going to ever leave the building again. The funds would be a fraction of the $11.8 billion in Medicaid funding the state receives from the federal government, according to KFF. Over 1.1 million adults and children are enrolled in the states safety-net insurance program, where 64% of total Medicaid spending comes from the federal government. At the press conference, Oz and Vice President JD Vance said Medicaid funds in Minnesota were paid to bogus centers for autistic children and one behavioral health organization that billed as if doctors were working 24 hours straight for over 450 days. Advertisement Advertisement How it didnt get picked up to us is shocking in the CMS, Oz said. Providers in the state have been paid for their services, according to Vance, but the federal government would be halting its Medicaid payments to Minnesota. In Medicaid, the federal government provides matching funds to states, who are responsible for administering the safety-net insurance program. On Thursday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said he would unveil an anti-fraud legislation package to present to legislators. Minnesota has recently faced scrutiny for fraud in its social services programs. In 2022, prosecutors in the Biden administration charged 47 defendants for defrauding federal programs meant to feed hungry children. Last year, the federal government charged the first wave of defendants in a fraud case in Minnesotas housing stabilization program. Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump has ramped up his criticisms of the state and Walz recently, blaming many of fraud allegations on Minnesotas Somalian immigrant community. The Somali pirates who ransacked Minnesota remind us that there are large parts of the world where bribery, corruption and lawlessness are the norm, not the exception, Trump said during his State of the Union address Tuesday. Importing these cultures through unrestricted immigration and open borders brings those problems right here to the USA. The criticism from detractors, in addition to the mounting fraud cases, prompted Walz, a Democrat, to drop his third campaign for reelection last month. Every minute that I spend defending my own political interest would be a minute I cant spend defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity and the cynics who want to prey on our differences, Walz said in early January after he announced he was stepping down from his campaign. Advertisement Advertisement In addition to withholding funds in Minnesota, the Trump administration also said it would pause new Medicare enrollment for six months for certain medical equipment suppliers the CMS says may be engaging in fraud. Prior reports from oversight agencies have found fraud in the program, which gives Medicare Part B-covered supplies to patients aged 65 and older for at-home use. From 2015 to 2017, Medicare overpaid suppliers by $34 million due to inadequacies in CMS billing system that should have detected overpayments, according to the HHS Office of Inspector General. The billing systems led to more than $220 million in overpayments since 2008. Overpayments substantially decreased after the CMS fixed its billing system in 2020, according to the OIG. Still, the agency overpaid suppliers by $4.5 million from 2020 to 2024, after the issue was supposedly fixed. The CMS also announced Monday it would seek public input on ways it could strengthen fraud prevention measures in federal healthcare programs. It particularly wants input from states, providers, suppliers, payers and technology companies. Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has said it would prioritize cracking down on healthcare fraud. The CMS has prioritized limiting overpayments in Medicare Advantage plans and the Department of Justice has announced several investigations and enforcement into payers accused of inflating their payments, including UnitedHealth. In his State of the Union speech this week, Trump said his administration would wage a war on fraud led by Vance. Recommended Reading The Trump administration is releasing more than $5 billion in long-delayed disaster aid to states but not to several Democratic-led states where President Donald Trump has clashed with governors, according to four sources familiar with the plan. States rely on these funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to pay for disaster recovery and mitigation, but more than $14 billion has been stuck in the pipeline, in part because of strict spending rules imposed by the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA. While more than one-third of that backlog is now being released, a handful of states, including California, Illinois, Minnesota, and Colorado, are being left out, raising new concerns that the administration is playing politics with critical emergency assistance, the sources said. Advertisement Advertisement Theyre doing what they should have been doing all along: helping states and the people in those states recover from disasters, one of the sources told CNN, but added that using the funds as a political tool is really tragic. In a statement to CNN, DHS denied that politics are playing any role in the process, pointing to other funding that has gone to a diverse group of states, including several led by Democrats. Some money in the most recent release went to two tribes in California, but not the state itself. This week, FEMA released over $5 billion in recovery funding for projects, some dating back as far as 15 years a significant win for states, local governments, and hospitals, a FEMA spokesperson said. To be clear, this is about results, not politics. Regarding which projects are being funded, FEMA is prioritizing based on project readiness and strict oversight. Obligations are made when projects meet all necessary criteria. Decisions are not based on political considerations; the process is focused on merit and accountability, the spokesperson added. The Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters in Washington, DC, on February 13. - Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images Under a rule implemented by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem nearly a year ago, any FEMA spending over $100,000 needs her personal approval. That bottleneck has caused additional delays. Advertisement Advertisement California is still waiting on more than $1 billion in FEMA aid to help its recovery from several disasters like last years deadly wildfires, including funding for debris removal and power restoration. Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla of California said in a statement Thursday, Donald Trump and his Administration continue to play political games while disaster survivors and local governments are forced to wait for desperately needed federal resources. Top Democratic appropriator Sen. Patty Murray said in a statement Thursday, Its good that these funds are finally flowing, but communities nationwide have already paid an unacceptable toll because of Kristi Noems disastrous mismanagement of FEMA, and it is absolutely unacceptable that it appears this administration may well be holding up disaster relief to certain blue states. Colorado and Minnesota are seeking reimbursement for millions of dollars for their own storm recoveries. Those states, as well as Illinois, are also due tens of millions of dollars in long-awaited Covid-19 funds that are also caught up in the backlog. Advertisement Advertisement Governors in all four of those states have had high-profile clashes with Trump over a range of issues, including his immigration crackdown and the deployment of National Guard mostly to Democratic cities. All this comes as negotiations over the DHS shutdown are deadlocked. Trump and Noem have blamed Democrats for the budgetary impasse, which they say is hampering disaster response work and holding up relief. An aerial view of a mobile home park destroyed by the Palisades Fire, on May 7, 2025. - Justin Sullivan/Getty Images At Tuesdays State of the Union address, Trump claimed we have no money to help states clean up from this weeks powerful snowstorm because of the Democrats. DHS has restricted FEMAs disaster work during the shutdown, halting projects, freezing hundreds of new deployments, and requiring staff to obtain written approval from DHS leadership before any travel even to return home for family or medical reasons. Advertisement Advertisement But the Disaster Relief Fund that FEMA uses to support disaster response and relief efforts is a separate pool of money appropriated by Congress and not affected by the current lapse in DHS funding, FEMA sources have told CNN. The release of the $5 billion will nearly deplete the fund, further complicating future recovery efforts and forcing Congressional action to replenish the fund. Frustration at state level Lawmakers and state officials from both parties have grown increasingly frustrated with Noem, warning the FEMA funding delays are straining state budgets, stalling mitigation projects and leaving communities exposed ahead of the next potential disaster. Even White House officials are fed up with the flood of complaints from Republicans as well as the turmoil inside FEMA, which has undergone a massive overhaul that included leadership changes and dramatic reductions in staffing, multiple administration sources have told CNN. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem departs a news conference in the National Response Coordination Center at the Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters on January 24. - Al Drago/Getty Images Some in the administration have privately warned that the situation is becoming a political liability, especially as some budget-strapped red states are more disaster-prone and often rely more on FEMA aid and resources than blue states. Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear whether the White House or DHS made the decision to exclude California, Illinois, Minnesota and Colorado, according to the sources familiar with the plan. The $5 billion includes more than $1 billion in backlogged Covid funding for New York. Rep. Andrew Garbarino, a Republican from New York, who is expected to face a competitive race in the 2026 midterms, has been pushing Noem and her team to release the funds for months. North Carolina is also expected to receive a large trove of disaster aid and Covid funding. Just this week, North Carolina Republican Sen. Ted Budd tweeted that communities across Western North Carolina are still waiting on $229 million, the vast majority for the states recovery from Hurricane Helene in 2024. A damaged truck and home are seen in Black Mountain, North Carolina, on October 3, 2024, after the passage of Hurricane Helene. - Alison Joyce/AFP/Getty Images/File This money is stalled until Dems come to the table and open an agency that North Carolinians rely on, Budd tweeted, blaming the shutdown for the delay, even though Noem has blocked the funds for months. Budd previously blocked DHS nominees over Noem withholding aid for the Hurricane Helene recovery until her department agreed to release funds to his state. Advertisement Advertisement Noems department had already begun to ramp up the distribution of funds, announcing disaster aid for states like Georgia and Tennessee in recent weeks. But even after the release of some funding, the backlog remains in the billions of dollars. During a House Appropriations hearing this month, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a Connecticut Democrat, pressed a top Trump FEMA official about the backlog. Everyone is waiting for money, DeLauro said. The delays are preventing disaster-stricken communities from starting recovery projects. The official insisted the agency is committed to reducing the backlog and is going as fast as we can. This story has been updated with additional details. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to allow it to end temporary protections extended to more than 6,000 Syrians. It marks the third time the administration has urged the justices to rein in lower courts that have blocked the administration from restricting Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which provides people from countries with unsafe conditions protections against deportation and a pathway to apply for work authorization. The Second Circuits ruling is indefensible, Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote to the justices. It flouts this Courts two prior stays of materially similar orders in materially similar postures. Advertisement Advertisement Beyond an immediate intervention allowing the termination to move forward, Sauer called on the justices to take up the case on their normal docket and settle the broader legal issues so this cycle does not repeat a fourth, fifth, or sixth time. Since taking office, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has looked to restrict TPS for various countries. Lawsuits have been filed over changes to TPS for Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, South Sudan and Venezuela. The battle over Venezuela is what reached the Supreme Court on the two prior occasions. Each time, the court issued emergency orders in Noems favor. Noem announced last fall she would be terminating Syrias TPS designation, pointing to the fall of Bashar Assads regime and the administrations embrace of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Advertisement Advertisement The termination was set to take effect in November. After a group of Syrian TPS holders sued, U.S. District Judge Katherine Failla agreed to block the administration from ending TPS for Syria. The appointee of former President Obama ruled the termination likely illegal because it failed to adequately consult other agencies and rested on undue political influence. The administration turned to the Supreme Court after an appeals court declined to lift Faillas ruling. It argues judges have no authority to second-guess Noems judgment and that she followed the law. Multiple federal courts have found that the Trump administrations effort to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Syria is likely unlawful, Lupe Aguirre, senior litigation attorney at the International Refugee Assistance Project, which represents the plaintiffs, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement It is unconscionable that the U.S. government claims its push to immediately strip more than 6,100 people of their legal status, work authorization, and force them to return to danger in Syria is an emergency that warrants Supreme Court intervention. The filing marks the second Trump administrations 33rd emergency application at the Supreme Court, a staggering number. Trumps critics contend it reflects how officials have repeatedly flouted the law, while the administration says its responding to lower courts overstepping to block Trumps agenda. Updated at 10:44 a.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. (NewsNation) Even as critical talks between the U.S. and Iran are set to take place Thursday in Geneva, President Donald Trump still hasnt ruled out a war with the nation. My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy, Trump said during his State of the Union speech on Tuesday. But one thing is certain: I will never allow the worlds number one sponsor of terror to have a nuclear weapon, we cant let that happen. Just an hour before the president gave his speech, F-22 fighter jets were sent from the U.K. to Israel. Theyre part of the largest military buildup in the Middle East since the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. Advertisement Advertisement Irans foreign minister is expected to meet with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for continued nuclear talks in Switzerland on Thursday. US says Venezuelas oil can go to Cuba There have been mixed reactions around Washington about those plans and what Trump said during his speech on how to avoid military conflict. The president didnt get into detail about what comes next, but he did talk about his preference for a diplomatic agreement over a military action. He also said the Iranian regime had not said the secret words, which is to basically express that theyre going to abandon all of their efforts and ambitions to get a nuclear weapon. It is unclear what happens if Iranian diplomats dont meet that bar that Trump set out. Advertisement Advertisement Many supporters of the president say they believed Trump did exactly what he needed to do: send a message out to Iran directly. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the president made his case well. I think he touched on a lot, theres much more to say and much more to develop there, but the idea is to put maximum pressure on Iran and for the people to have freedom again, Johnson told NewsNation. I think thats in the interest of the whole world, and certainly in Americas interest. Ukrainian officials to meet Trump envoys in Geneva for more Russia talks We need steady leadership and we have it in President Trump, its peace through strength again, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Some critics, however, dont think Trump sent a proper message to the American public. Some Democratic lawmakers told NewsNation they believe he didnt really make the case to the public directly about what Americas interests in Iran are when he had the chance to on Tuesday night. He claims Operation Midnight Hammer had obliterated Irans nuclear weapons program, but then went on to say I will prevent Iran from ever getting a nuclear weapon, Democratic Sen. Chris Coons said. If that was the argument he was trying to make, it didnt connect and it didnt explain what there is left to strike. Coons added he also didnt provide a way to protect Iranian protesters with launching strikes on the country, and made no case for regime change among other things. Meanwhile, Iranian leaders say they believe a deal with the U.S. is within reach. Advertisement Advertisement 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 NewsNation. For as long as Donald Trump has been president, he has been talking about unleashing Alaskas natural resources and boosting mining across the state. His administrations lawyers, however, delivered an entirely different message in a new court filing about the controversial Pebble project in Alaskas Bristol Bay region. After sending mixed signals last year, the Trump administration appears now to be firmly backing a Biden-era decision to veto Pebble, a huge proposed copper, gold and molybdenum mine that would be built near streams that support the states most lucrative salmon fishery. Advertisement Advertisement Its the clearest indication yet of the second Trump administrations position on the mine proposal, and it puts Trump officials in an unusual position on the same side as Alaska environmental groups and against the administration of Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Trump ally and Pebble supporter. The filing caused the stock price of Pebbles parent company to plunge by nearly 40% , from over $2 per share to $1.23 a sign that investors viewed it as a blow to the project. (The stock price has since rebounded to $1.52 per share, as of Feb. 24.) In a 129-page brief in Alaskas federal district court, U.S. Department of Justice attorneys echoed the views of Pebble critics, saying the project could harm salmon habitat and threaten fishing in Bristol Bay, which generates as much as $2 billion in some years through commercial and recreational harvests. The watershed is a largely undisturbed, globally significant economic, ecological, and cultural resource, wrote Laura Brown and Mario Luna, lawyers with the Justice Departments environmental defense section. Advertisement Advertisement Vetoing Pebble, they added, was reasonable, and amply supported by the robust record. The filing marks the latest twist in a decades long fight over the embattled mine project, owned by a subsidiary of Vancouver-based Northern Dynasty Minerals. The massive mineral deposit sits near some of the states most productive salmon streams, but supporters say building a mine there could create high-paying jobs and stimulate the rural regions economy. The proposal has long fueled debate locally and across the state. And it has stood out as a rare resource development project that hasnt received Trumps full blessing. While the president has vigorously promoted other major Alaska industrial projects, including a trans-state gas pipeline and the Ambler Road, he has remained silent about Pebble. Advertisement Advertisement His first administration initially appeared supportive of the project, reversing Obama-era policies that slowed it. But some high-profile conservatives and Trump advisers including his son, Donald Trump Jr., whos fished recreationally in the region spoke out against the project, and regulators denied Pebble a key permit in 2020. The Biden administration took further steps to block Pebble, invoking a rarely used authority under the federal Clean Water Act in 2023 to veto the project. But the developer hasnt given up: Pebble sued federal regulators in 2024 and has been spending millions of dollars a year on legal fees, according to filings with Canadian securities regulators. After Trump took office a second time, his administration, in court filings, initially signaled an openness to reconsidering the decision and reaching a legal settlement. Advertisement Advertisement But the parties were unable to reach an agreement. And, now, with the new filing last week, the administration is squarely defending the decision to block the project. The news has been met with praise from environmental groups that typically fiercely oppose Trumps actions. The Justice Departments filing makes clear that the Trump administration understands the proposed Pebble Mine is the wrong mine in the wrong place, posing unacceptable risks to one of Americas most valuable fisheries and those who depend on it, Mary Catharine Martin, communications director for the conservation group SalmonState, said in a statement. Pebble officials, meanwhile, say the administrations position is short-sighted and more aligned with anti-mining groups and Democrats than a Republican president. Advertisement Advertisement This veto runs counter to the pro-development, pro-mining and pro-energy policies of this administration, John Shively, Pebbles chief executive, said in a statement. America needs the minerals at Pebble. Alaska needs the economic activity it would generate, he added. Pebble continues to keep the lines of communication with the administration open as an administrative resolution remains an option, the companys vice president of public affairs, Mike Heatwole, said in a text message. Pebble spent $490,000 on federal lobbying efforts last year, according to federal disclosures . Susie Wiles, who is now Trumps chief of staff, previously worked as a lobbyist for Pebble. The company now uses a different high-powered firm, Squire Patton Boggs . Advertisement Advertisement Northern Journal contributor Max Graham can be reached at max@northernjournal.com. Hes interested in any and all mining related stories, as well as introductory meetings with people in and around the industry. This article was originally published in Northern Journal, a newsletter from Nathaniel Herz. Subscribe at this link. Dr. Casey Means, the presidents nominee for surgeon general, believes the US is a nation with a broken heart reckoning with unprecedented amounts of chronic illness and mental illness. But during a lengthy confirmation hearing on Wednesday, she said vaccine policy would not be her priority. At one point, she sparred with a senator over the benefits of flu vaccination, dodging repeated questions on whether she thinks its effective against hospitalization and death. Means was interrogated by senators from both sides of the dais about her positions on vaccines, abortion and contraception and pesticides. She also fielded questions about her qualifications, conflicts and even her personal use of psychedelic mushrooms. Advertisement Advertisement Means, a best-selling author, wellness influencer and Stanford medical graduate, testified for more than two hours before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Wednesday, nearly four months after her initial hearing was postponed for the birth of her child. She was an early ally of now-Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s Make America Healthy Again campaign and has several important backers within the Trump administration. Along with her brother Calley, who serves as an adviser to Kennedy at the US Department of Health and Human Services, Means has championed healthy eating, limited pharmaceutical use and alternative remedies. Means is also a co-founder of a health tech company, Levels, that connects glucose monitors to a health tracking app on users phones. Means influence made the 38-year-old a recognizable early advocate of the MAHA movement. President Donald Trump selected Means to be surgeon general in May, the same day the White House withdrew its nomination of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat. Advertisement Advertisement In her opening remarks Wednesday, Means described the unraveling of mental and physical health in the United States and a society losing its mind to dementia and depression. As a physician, I have always been inspired that the root of the word healing means to return to wholeness, she told senators. Nothing is more urgent than restoring wholeness for Americans, physically, mentally and societally. Means said she would push to address root causes of chronic illness through nutrition, steering away from frankenfoods made in factories, and said she wants to focus the health care system on understanding why we are sick and not just reactive sick care. Advocates and some former officials have criticized Means nomination because the surgeon general is typically a physician with clinical experience; Means dropped out of her medical residency program, and her Oregon medical license is inactive. Means acknowledged on Wednesday that her license is not active and she cannot write a prescription. She said she has no plans to reactivate her license. Advertisement Advertisement Here are highlights from the roughly two-and-a-half hour hearing. Vaccines never part of her core message Means vaccine views were a common theme throughout the hearing, with both Democrats and Republicans questioning her stance on the childhood vaccine schedule and certain immunizations under new scrutiny by Kennedy appointees, such as the hepatitis B vaccine. The nominee had a tense back and forth with Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine over the benefits of flu vaccination. Kaine asked repeatedly whether Means, a Stanford-trained physician, would agree that flu vaccination reduces the risk of hospitalization and death. Means appeared unwilling to comment on the specific advantages of flu immunization, stating instead that she believes vaccines save lives and I support the CDC guidance on the flu vaccine. The US Centers for Disease Control and Preventions childhood vaccine schedule recently changed to say that flu vaccination should be based on shared clinical decision-making, which means people who want one must consult with a health care provider. Advertisement Advertisement Kaine pressed repeatedly: This is an easy one, doctor. Means eventually said that at a population level, I certainly think that [flu vaccines could reduce risk]. This years record-breaking flu season has the highest rates of doctors visits in the US in more than two decades. Several senators including Republicans Bill Cassidy, chairman of the committee, and Lisa Murkowski questioned Means stance on the hepatitis B vaccine, which had been recommended for all infants at birth until recent changes by the Trump administration. I think it is an important vaccine, a lifesaving vaccine. I also think that parents autonomy needs to be respected, Means told Cassidy. Advertisement Advertisement However, she also sought to assure the chairman that vaccine policy would not be a priority for her as surgeon general. I wanted to back up and broadly just reassure you that this is not an issue that I intend to complicate, or bring an agenda on vaccines. This is not the core of my issue, Means said. Toeing the line on pesticides Ongoing controversy over the Trump administrations actions on pesticides, and Means stance on it, was evident in the hearing Wednesday. Last week, Trump signed an executive order to protect the national supply of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide commonly known as Roundup. The decision inflamed many MAHA advocates who have pressed for more stringent regulation or even bans. Advertisement Advertisement Means, like Kennedy, has long suggested that exposure can lead to health issues. The nominee was first questioned on the topic by Ohio Republican Sen. Jon Husted, who argued, next to a large poster board image of an ear worm destroying an ear of corn, that reducing glyphosate use would harm the national food supply. The nominee said she understands that this is a complex issue and that widespread pesticide use cannot be changed overnight. Farmers, she said, are in an impossible situation. Later in the hearing, Massachusetts Democrat Sen. Ed Markey interrogated her conviction to pesticide action, arguing that Trumps order represented a reversal for advocates like Means and Kennedy. Advertisement Advertisement I am not in any way backing away from this issue. It is a core passion my life, Means replied. We must study these chemicals to understand their effect. Im very gravely concerned about the health impacts of these chemicals. She added that she believes the administration is acting in good faith to reduce pesticide usage and that she understands the executive order to be about national security, or using US supply of the chemical rather than imports. As surgeon general, Means would not have authority over pesticides. But surgeons general can commission reports on the research surrounding health issues, as past officials have done on tobacco, alcohol and mental health challenges. Noncommittal on mifepristone, contraception Means declined early in the hearing to take a firm stance on limiting the abortion pill mifepristone to in-person prescribing by a doctor. Advertisement Advertisement Senate Republicans have called on the Trump administration to reverse a Biden-era decision to allow mifepristone prescriptions through telehealth. The policy change allowed physicians to send the pill through the mail, sometimes circumventing restrictive state abortion bans. Cassidy, who led a hearing on the topic last month, pressed the nominee on whether she believes mifepristone should be prescribed remotely. Means told the committee that mifepristone policy was outside the purview of the surgeon generals office. But I do believe that every patient needs to have a very thorough conversation with their doctor before taking any medication, Means said. Unfortunately, in our current health care system, because of how overburdened doctors are, this often doesnt happen, whether its in person or online. Advertisement Advertisement Democrats, meanwhile, questioned the nominee on her stance on birth control, which she has characterized in podcast interviews as potentially harmful to long-term health. Means said she believes birth control should be widely accessible but repeated that patients should discuss risks and benefits with their doctors. I want those women, and I know you do too, to be able to have a thorough conversation with their doctor and know whether they are at higher risk for side effects, she said. Credentials and conflicts of interest Democrats also repeatedly questioned the nominees medical experience and her potential conflicts of interests. Means dropped out of her medical residency program months before completion, a decision she has described as disillusionment with the health care system and its incentives. On Wednesday, Democrats questioned the status of her medical license. Means said that it is inactive because she is not currently seeing patients but that she has unique experiences to bring to the surgeon general role. I have completed extremely thorough medical training, and I have the ability to use these experiences to communicate excellent public health information, she said. As a wellness writer and influencer, Means had endorsed various wellness products including nutrient tests, smoothies and supplements. Those included ENERGYbits, a supplement company that sponsored her now-dormant newsletter, and Daily Harvest, a smoothie subscription service that marketed a collection curated with Means. Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat, also asked Means about accepting $10,000 from Genova Diagnostics, which markets products to test personal nutrient levels. Means appeared in a Genova video posted in October, months after her nomination to serve as surgeon general. Baldwin pointed out that in 2020, the company agreed with the US Justice Department to pay $43 million for charging unnecessary tests. Means said that she was unfamiliar with that settlement but that theres a particular test that they make about nutrient quality that I find very compelling. Means told the committee she has worked closely with government ethics officials to eliminate conflicts of interest and has always been transparent about when she was paid to endorse a product. The surgeon general and psilocybin Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins questioned Means about her stance on psychedelic drugs, drawing from a passage in Means 2024 book, Good Energy, where she discussed using psilocybin, or psychedelic mushrooms, during her mothers illness and subsequent death from pancreatic cancer. When it comes to psychedelic therapies for mental health issues, I think science is still emerging, Means said, emphasizing that she would follow the evidence. I do believe that there is exciting work being done in this area that needs to continue, on psychedelic therapies for PTSD in veterans, for mental health issues. Kennedy has also shown interest in the potential of psychedelic therapies and last year in the HHS general counsel office hired a lawyer who has worked on access to psychedelics and cannabis for medical research. Yet Collins seemed most concerned about what Means stance could mean for illicit drug use. What I would say as a private citizen is in many cases different than what I would say as a public health official, joining a team where the purpose of this role is to communicate, absolutely, the best evidence-based science to the American people, Means said. Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified Sen. Tammy Baldwins state. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President Donald Trump gestures after speaking to soldiers and their families at Fort Bragg, N.C., Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) The Washington Post reported that activists are working with the White House on an executive order to declare a national emergency over Americas elections and pave the way for a power grab. Pro-Trump activists who say they are in coordination with the White House are circulating a 17-page draft executive order that claims China interfered in the 2020 election as a basis to declare a national emergency that would unlock extraordinary presidential power over voting, reported the Posts Isaac Arnsdorf. President Donald Trump has repeatedly previewed a plan to mandate voter ID and ban mail ballots in Novembers midterm elections, and the activists expect their draft will figure into Trumps promised executive order on the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Peter Ticktin, a MAGA activist in favor of the executive order, told the Post that we have a situation where the president is aware that there are foreign interests that are interfering in our election processes, and that the president has to be able to deal with it, including by banning mail-in ballots and certain voting machines. If there was a provable foreign intrusion, that would be a national security emergency and the order could be issued under his powers as commander in chief, added Jerome Corsi, another activist lobbying on behalf of the executive order. Trump has long alleged that the countrys elections are rigged, most notably after his defeat in the 2020 presidential election, when his false claims culminated in a violent riot at the Capitol Building. Trump told Dan Bongino, the conservative commentator and former deputy director of the FBI, that The Republicans should say, We want to take over, we should take over the voting in at least 15 places' earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement The Republicans oughta nationalize the voting, he added. Trump previously promised to act unilaterally if Congress failed to pass a bill mandating voter I.D. We cannot let the Democrats get away with NO VOTER I.D. any longer. These are horrible, disingenuous CHEATERS. They have all sorts of reasons why it shouldnt be passed, and then boldly laugh in the backrooms after their ridiculous presentations. If it werent such a serious matter, it would be considered a TOTAL JOKE! No Voter I.D. is even crazier, and more ridiculous, than Men playing in Womens Sports, Open Borders, or Transgender for Everyone. Republicans must put this at the top of every speech It is a CANT MISS FOR RE-ELECTION IN THE MIDTERMS, AND BEYOND! Even Democrat Voters agree, 85%, that there should be Voter I.D. Its only the Political Leaders, Crooked Losers like Schumer and Jeffries, that have no shame, and explain why its racist, and every other thing that they can think of, wrote the president in a February 13 Truth Social post. This is an issue that must be fought, and must be fought, NOW! If we cant get it through Congress, there are Legal reasons why this SCAM is not permitted. I will be presenting them shortly, in the form of an Executive Order. The post Trump Reportedly Mulling Plan to Declare National Emergency Paving Way for Major Power Grab first appeared on Mediaite. By Alimat Aliyeva The Trump Organization, owned by the family of former US President Donald Trump, has unveiled its first major project in Australia. The company announced plans to develop the Trump International Hotel on the Gold Coast in partnership with Altus Property Group, AzerNEWS reports. The ambitious project will see the construction of a 91-storey skyscraper in Surfers Paradise, featuring a 285-room luxury hotel under the Trump brand. In addition, the development will include 272 high-end residential apartments, a three-storey podium with a private beach club, and over 3,400 square meters of commercial, retail, and restaurant space, designed to revitalize the central part of the city. Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, called the project a significant milestone. Trump International Hotel & The Tower is our first official project in Australia, reflecting our ongoing commitment to delivering world-class luxury experiences in the most desirable locations, he said. This project embodies the Trump brands dedication to quality, sophistication, and unmatched service, and we are thrilled to bring this vision to the vibrant Gold Coast community. Once completed, the skyscraper, with a planned height of approximately 335 meters, is expected to become the tallest building in Australia, surpassing existing records and reshaping the city skyline. Urban development experts note that the project could boost tourism and international investment in the Gold Coast, while also generating thousands of construction and hospitality jobs. Some analysts suggest that the towers luxury positioning may attract high-net-worth international buyers, making it a potential landmark for both the Australian skyline and the global luxury real estate market. By Alessandro Parodi Feb 26 (Reuters) - French industrial group Schneider Electric on Thursday reported stronger-than-expected core earnings, driven by robust data centre demand, and provided 2026 expectations that analysts saw as conservative. The company also announced that its CFO Hilary Maxson would leave the company on April 5 and be replaced by Nathan Fast, who became head of investor relations in January. The Paris-listed stock was up almost 4% to 275 euros by 1015 GMT, its highest price on record. Schneider, once known primarily for industrial components like fuses and circuit breakers, now builds the backbone of data centers, supplying everything from cooling units and server racks to critical power distribution equipment. Data centers and networks account for about 30% of its total orders. While the United States is driving data centres growth, demand in also picking up in Northern European countries and France, "places where they've put together permitting, electrical connection, with the governments pushing", Maxson told journalists. The group reported triple-digit year-on-year growth within its pure data centre segment. Quarterly revenues grew organically by 10.7% to 11.10 billion euros ($13.12 billion). Full-year adjusted earnings before interest, taxes and amortisation (EBITA) totaled 7.52 billion euros despite pressure from a weakening dollar. Analysts polled by the company expected on average fourth-quarter revenue of 10.90 billions and full-year adjusted EBITA of 7.48 billions. CONSERVATIVE FORECASTS Schneider said it expects organic revenue growth between 7% and 10% and its adjusted EBITA margin growing between 50bps and 80 bps this year, in line with targets it laid out in December. "I can understand how they want to just set the base at the level that they can be very confident on and then maybe improve as you go through the year" after the abrupt CFO change and risks such as tariffs and pricing, UBS analysts Andre Kukhnin said. JP Morgan also described the guidance as "suitably beatable". The group, which makes over a third of its revenues in North America, said it expected a foreign exchange impact of between 850 and 950 million euros on its 2026 revenues, after currency fluctuations reduced its fourth-quarter revenues by 701 million euros due to a weakening dollar, Indian Rupee and Chinese Yuan. Schneider sees an impact from import tariffs, including in the U.S., of "a little bit less than double" the incremental 160 million euros reported for 2025, Maxson said. Donald Trump might never have been president but for an Iraq War backlash that shattered trust in establishment leaders. So its ironic he may be emulating some of the rhetorical positions and strategic miscalculations that led President George W. Bush into disaster in the Middle East after 2003. Trump has reportedly made no decision on whether to strike Iran. But his huge naval and air power buildup in the region is the biggest since the Iraq invasion that toppled President Saddam Hussein. Advertisement Advertisement This could give leverage to force an Iranian climbdown in crisis talks that resume in Geneva on Thursday. But absent an enormous diplomatic breakthrough, ordering such a force home without firing a shot would buckle Trumps prestige. The Trump administration was founded on the MAGA movements allergy to foreign quagmires. This may explain why its made few coherent arguments for a war its threatening to fight. But the downside to this approach is that while Americas military may be prepared for war, the public is not. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, left, watches as President Bush talks about the devastation at the Pentagon in Washington, on September 12, 2001. - Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Before invading Iraq, Bush spent months making the case for war albeit one based on faulty intelligence and false premises. Trumps administration has only offered only opaque and confusing justifications. Advertisement Advertisement Trump did offer marginally more clarity in his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, although this may have come at the cost of painting himself further into a corner. He repeated standard presidential warnings that Iran must never be allowed to have a nuclear bomb. In his case, however, this raised doubts about his motives and honesty, since he claimed to have obliterated Tehrans nuclear program last year. Trump also highlighted hundreds of US combat deaths in Iraq caused by Iran-backed proxies. He bemoaned the brutal recent crackdown on Iranian protesters that may have killed thousands of civilians. The missile conundrum But historic echoes were loudest when he turned to Irans ballistic missiles. Theyve already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and theyre working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America, Trump said. He may be overstating Irans capabilities. But by invoking threats to the homeland, he followed a controversial path taken by the Bush administration and British Prime Minister Tony Blairs government to justify the Iraq War. Advertisement Advertisement Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered a similar warning on Wednesday. Youve seen them increasing the range of the missiles they have now, and clearly they are headed in the pathway to one day being able to develop weapons that could reach the continental US, Rubio said. They already possess weapons that could reach much of Europe already now as we speak. And the ranges continue to grow every single year exponentially, which is amazing to me. This all sounds familiar. In Cincinnati in 2002, Bush said American civilians in Saudi Arabia, Israel, Turkey and other nations were at risk from Iraqi missiles. He even claimed Iraq was exploring ways of using drones that could disperse chemical and biological agents on missions targeting the United States. That same year, Vice President Dick Cheney warned in Nashville that Iraq threatened US allies in the Middle East with missiles and was seeking the whole range of delivery systems that could eventually subject the United States or any other nation to nuclear blackmail. Advertisement Advertisement Missile fearmongering is not the only reason for Iraq War nostalgia. One of the Bush administrations worst failings was its blase negligence in planning for the aftermath of a war that led to sectarian splintering and an insurgency. Iran is arguably a more robust state than Iraq. But Trump is yet to level with Americans about what might happen if any US military action topples the Iranian clerical regime. Missiles produced by Iran's armed forces are displayed during commemorations to mark the anniversary of the 1979 Iranian Revolution on February 11, 2026, in Tehran. - Majid Saeedi/Getty Images/File In a new profile Wednesday, CNN reported that Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, is unable to predict the result of regime change in Tehran. And sources told CNN earlier this month that the US intelligence community believes the most likely candidate to fill a leadership void would be the hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. So ousting theocrats in Tehran might just lead to an equally radical anti-US replacement that would not measurably improve US or regional security. The Trump administration has history on regime change after toppling Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro earlier this year. But the chances seem remote that it could find an Iranian equivalent of acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez to coerce into acting on Washingtons interests. Advertisement Advertisement US foreign policy has often foundered over failed calculations about how adversaries will behave. The logic of Washington often dissolves on contact with hot and dusty Middle Eastern air. The current administration seems beset by similar misunderstandings, despite Trumps warning in Saudi Arabia last year that Iraq War-era interventionists were intervening in complex societies that they did not even understand themselves. This month, US envoy Steve Witkoff said the president couldnt fathom why Iran didnt just cave to his pressure. Hes curious as to why they havent I dont want to use the word capitulated, but why they havent capitulated, Witkoff told Fox News. Witkoff continued: 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? Advertisement Advertisement Heres one possible reason. Iran has watched the brutal fall of dictators who lacked weapons of mass destruction, like Libyas Moammar Gadhafi. Its hardly rocket science that it would want to keep weapons to guarantee regime survival. A mural featuring images of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the leader of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in Tehran on February 17, 2026. - Majid Asgaripour/Wana News Agency/Reuters Hubris is a danger now, as it was in 2003. The Iraq War was expected to be a shock and awe breeze, and US troops expected to be greeted as liberators. More than 20 years later, Trump showed he expects a cakewalk in Iran after knocking down reports that Caine is stressing the complexity of any war. 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 on Truth Social on Monday. These words may be worth remembering. What kind of deal can Trump accept? Diplomacy is not dead yet, however. Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law and freelance fixer Jared Kushner are expected to lead Thursdays proximity talks with Iranian officials, brokered by Oman. Advertisement Advertisement The outcome of diplomacy may hinge on whether Iran is prepared to offer concessions to Trump that he can bill as a significant capitulation. Tehran has shown some signs it will compromise on enriching uranium or on stockpiles of weapons-grade material. But missiles could be a dealbreaker. And Trump has domestic political constraints. He can hardly embrace a nuclear pact that looks anything like the Obama-era caps on Irans nuclear program, which he trashed. That said, hes a master at spinning a defeat into a win, like when Europe balked at his demands to hand over Greenland in January. But Iran will be under no illusions. After all, any outcome of the current confrontation that leaves the regime in place is a win for Tehran. This is why military action may be so tantalizing for Trump, despite the potential loss of US service personnel in combat and the possibility of high civilian casualties. A US soldier watches as a statue of Iraq's President Saddam Hussein falls in central Baghdad April 9, 2003. - Goran Tomasevic/Reuters If the US is ever going to strike its sworn foe, now might be the moment, with the regimes regional terror networks shattered in wars with Israel and with economic and political unrest festering inside Iran. Advertisement Advertisement The eradication of Irans missile and nuclear programs wouldnt just spare Israel from the Islamic Republics threats of extinction. It could reshape the Middle East and unleash economic development in Iran, in the Gulf and elsewhere. This is a core Trump foreign policy goal. After so many decades of conflict, finally it is within our grasp to reach the future that generations before us could only dream about a land of peace, safety, harmony, opportunity, innovation, and achievement right here in the Middle East, he said in Saudi Arabia last year. Destroying Irans regime would keep Trumps promise to protesters after he said the US was locked and loaded to protect them. And it would rob China of another member of its axis of influence after the US coopted Venezuela. So, while US military disasters of the early 2000s offer stark omens, the president may still seize his opportunity. Advertisement Advertisement He could become the president who ousted the Ayatollahs, a feat that eluded Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden. That would be some legacy for a commander in chief desperate for a place in history. This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan should be sent "back from where they came" after they shouted at him during his State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday night. Trump called the congresswomen Low IQ on Truth Social and said they "should be institutionalized," describing them as having "the bulging, bloodshot eyes of crazy people, LUNATICS, mentally deranged and sick," when they shouted during his speech. "When people can behave like that, and knowing that they are Crooked and Corrupt Politicians, so bad for our Country, we should send them back from where they came as fast as possible," Trump wrote. "They can only damage the United States of America, they can do nothing to help it." Advertisement Advertisement Trump also included Academy Award-winning actor Robert De Niro in his criticism after De Niro spoke critically of him and his administration at a "State of the Swamp" counterprogramming event Democrats hosted in Washington on Tuesday night. In his social media post, Trump said Omar and Tlaib "should actually get on a boat with Trump Deranged Robert De Niro, another sick and demented person with, I believe, an extremely Low IQ, who has absolutely no idea what he is doing or saying some of which is seriously CRIMINAL!" President Donald Trump delivers the first State of the Union address of his second term at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday. (Kenny Holston / Pool via Getty Images) (Kenny Holston) Omar was born in Somalia and came to the United States as a child in the 1990s, while Tlaib was born in Michigan. Spokespeople for Omar and De Niro did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A spokesperson for Tlaib pointed to one of her recent posts on X, which said, Cant take two Muslimas talking back and correcting him so now he is crashing out. Advertisement Advertisement Omar and Tlaib began shouting at Trump during a section of his speech about curbing illegal immigration and a fraud investigation in Minnesota involving the Somali community. After Trump said Democrats should be "ashamed," Omar shouted back, You should be ashamed!" At another point, Tlaib yelled "Liar!" Both lawmakers continued to heckle Trump, later shouting, "You have killed Americans!" an apparent reference to the deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti at the hands of federal immigration agents in Minnesota last month. Omar wrote later Wednesday on X: "I said what I said. I had to remind Trump that his administration was responsible for killing two of my constituents." Advertisement Advertisement Democratic leaders at House Democrats' issues retreat in Virginia on Wednesday condemned Trump's post, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., calling it "disgraceful." "The xenophobic rhetoric of Donald Trump, you know, directed at two members of the House, Democratic caucus, of course, is, sadly, not surprising, but its disgraceful, unpresidential, unpatriotic and un-American, but thats Donald Trump, and that was on full display for the American people yesterday," Jeffries told NBC News. Rep. Pete Aguilar of California, the chair of the House Democratic Caucus, defended Omar and Tlaib, saying they are "in touch with the pulse of their communities." "These are US citizens, members of Congress who are duly, who are federally elected officeholders. Where they come from is their districts, and they go back quite a bit to their districts. Those two members are as in touch with the pulse of their communities as any two members we have in the chamber," Aguilar told NBC News. Advertisement Advertisement Trump, whose anti-immigration rhetoric and hard-line border policies have drawn criticism from Democrats and civil rights groups, has long attacked Omar and Minnesota's Somali community, of which she is a member. At a Pennsylvania rally in December, Trump said Omar does nothing but bitch and rallied the crowd to chant: "Send her back." During a Cabinet meeting in December, Trump referred to Omar as garbage and said Somalis should go back to where they came from." In the same meeting, he called her a "terrible" and "incompetent" person. Trump began his attacks on Omar, Tlaib and other progressive female lawmakers in 2019, during his first term, drawing sharp criticism from the lawmakers and other Democrats, who said the comments were racist. Advertisement Advertisement At the time, he wrote in a series of posts on X, then known as Twitter, that it was so interesting to see progressive Democrat congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful nation on earth, how our government is to be run." He added, "Why dont they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime[-]infested places from which they came. Then come back and show us how it is done." Late last month, Omar was attacked at a town hall event in Minnesota, and she later blamed Trump's harsh rhetoric about her and other Somalis for the incident. What the facts have shown since Ive gotten into elected office is that every time the president of the United States has chosen to use hateful rhetoric to talk about me and the community that I represent, my death threats skyrocket, Omar said at a news conference the day after the attack. Advertisement Advertisement I do believe that the facts of the situation are that I wouldnt be where I am at today, having to pay for security, having the government to think about providing me security, if Donald Trump wasnt in office, she added. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Donald Trump doesnt hide it. He insults, he lies, he scapegoats. Immigrants are rapists, murderers, invaders. Entire communities are reduced to caricatures. Facts are optional. Truth is inconvenient. Trumps State of the Union address was a masterclass on hate and racism. And heres the tragedy: Montanas delegation greeted it with silence. Steve Daines? Silent. Tim Sheehy? Silent. Ryan Zinke? Silent. Troy Downing? Silent. Advertisement Advertisement Not a word of condemnation. Not a hint of pushback. Just polite quiet while bigotry spreads. Lies Dressed as Policy Trumps words arent analysistheyre performance. Numbers, evidence, realitythey dont matter. Immigrants are less likely to commit violent crimes than native-born Americans. They are more likely to work, pay taxes, raise families, and invest in their communities. But that doesnt fit the narrative, so Trumps lies fill the airwaves. And when Montanas elected officials stay silent, its as if theyre handing him the microphone, nodding along, and saying, Carry on. Silence Is Consent Lets be blunt: Silence from our delegation is not neutrality. It is consent. It is complicity. Every racist attack, every misleading claim, every smearing of a human being is amplified when the people elected to protect their constituents do nothing. Advertisement Advertisement This silence has consequences. It tells Montanans that some members of our communitieshardworking nurses, farmers, teachers, business ownersare less worthy of protection, less deserving of respect. It tells them that when lies are shouted from the highest office in the land, their representatives will look the other way. That is not courage. That is cowardice. Montana Values? Show Them. Montana prides itself on fairness, independence, and integrity. We claim to value honesty and community. And yet, when a national leader traffics in lies, fear and racism, our delegation acts as if the rules of decency dont apply to them. Silence is easy. Standing up is hard. But Montana deserves leaders who will speak truth to power, who will reject lies, who will reject racism in all its formseven when its convenient to look away. Trumps Racism Is Clear, Montanas Response Is Clearer Trump uses incendiary language to divide. He spreads falsehoods to stir fear. He targets whole communities as if their humanity is optional. And Montanas delegation? They respond with nothing. Advertisement Advertisement Steve Daines. Tim Sheehy. Ryan Zinke. Troy Downing. Silent. No rebuke. No clarification. No defense of decency. Just a collective shrug while truth and humanity are trampled. That is not leadership. That is surrender. That is a public demonstration that, for our elected officials, political convenience matters more than integrity, more than honesty, more than people. The Time for Silence Is Over Racism wins when good people say nothing. Lies thrive when leaders shrug. Montana can do better. We can demand accountability. We can insist that truth, fairness, and decency are not optional, even when the powerful try to make them so. Advertisement Advertisement Montanas delegation has chosen silence and complicity. Their inaction in the face of lies and racism makes one thing clear: We need elected officials who reflect Montana valuesleaders who will speak truth, defend decency, and call out falsehoods wherever they appear. We are better than this. Montana deserves better than this. And we need officials who are better than this. Montana, silence is not leadership. Casey Means, President Donald Trumps pick for surgeon general, does not yet have the votes for confirmation following a testy Senate health committee hearing on her nomination Wednesday. Senators of both parties pressed Means on her views about vaccines at the hearing. Means did not commit to promoting them and now has to convince at least two skeptical Republicans to back her nomination: Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who told POLITICO they havent decided how theyll vote. Winning the approval of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee is almost certainly a prerequisite for confirmation. The panel is split between 12 Republicans and 11 Democrats, so any one Republican could sink Means chances if Democrats, as expected, vote against. Advertisement Advertisement The Republican-controlled Senate has turned back very few of Trumps nominees. But one of the first was Trumps pick to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Like the surgeon general, the CDC director serves within the health department. The White House withdrew the nomination of former Florida GOP Rep. Dave Weldon last March after Murkowski and Collins raised concerns about his vaccine views. The surgeon general is the nation's top doctor and a high profile spokesperson on public health. The Senate last year did confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Health and Human Services Department, despite his longstanding skepticism about vaccine safety. The Finance Committee handled that nomination and voted to approve him on a party-line vote. Murkowski said on Wednesday it was too soon to say whether she supports Means' confirmation. Advertisement Advertisement These issues are important to me, she said of Means positions on vaccines. Last year when the secretary was going through his confirmations, he made certain assurances about vaccines that in fairness I am not seeing have been kept. Collins told POLITICO on Thursday that she has not yet made a decision, adding she has more questions for the nominee. The committee chair, Bill Cassidy (R-La.), would not comment on his vote when asked Thursday. One of hearings tensest moments came when Cassidy, a liver doctor, grilled Means on whether she thinks vaccines are tied to rising autism rates. Means didnt rule out a link. Advertisement Advertisement We do not know what, as a medical community, causes autism, Means said, adding that we should not leave any stones unturned. Kennedy has long seen a connection between rising autism rates and childhood vaccines. HHS said last year the latest data shows 1 in 31 children have the neurological condition, which affects their ability to communicate, up from 1 in 150 two decades ago. Studies have found no evidence to support the view that vaccines are the cause autism experts believe the condition is mostly genetic and point to changing diagnostic criteria. At the hearing, Cassidy listed the ongoing outbreaks of measles, whooping cough and a tough flu season this year and asked Means if she would encourage parents to vaccinate their children against those diseases. Advertisement Advertisement Means said she was supportive of vaccines and that she believed they saved lives but added that every patient, mother, parent needs to have a conversation with their physician. The health department has stopped recommending some childhood vaccines at Kennedys direction shrinking the childhood schedule to 11 immunizations, six fewer than before he became health secretary. Instead of recommending the shots, the government now, like Means, says parents should discuss them with their doctors and make a shared decision. Kennedys changes dont directly affect vaccine mandates in school systems across the country because they're set by states. But they could influence policymakers in red states to relax certain requirements, and some state legislatures are actively considering bills to do so. Means first scheduled nomination hearing last year was postponed after she went into labor hours before she was due to appear before the health committee. She is now the mother of a 17-week old boy. Advertisement Advertisement Cassidy was the key vote on Kennedys nomination. Cassidy pressed Kennedy about his vaccine views at a confirmation hearing and then secured commitments from Kennedy that he would not upend the countrys vaccine safety and approval systems. Kennedy has since flouted some of those promises, angering Cassidy. The senator, whos up for reelection this year, is in a tough spot politically. He praised Trump repeatedly in 2025, including offering his view that the president deserves a Nobel prize for his role in developing Covid vaccines. But Trump in January endorsed one of his Republican primary challengers, Rep. Julia Letlow. Cassidy alienated Trump when he voted in February 2021 to convict him of inciting the riot at the Capitol the month before. The Senate acquitted Trump. Means has secured the support of most Republicans on the Senate health committee. Roger Marshall of Kansas, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Jim Banks of Indiana, Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma and Jon Husted of Ohio told POLITICO they planned to vote to approve her. Tim Scott of South Carolina and Ashley Moody of Florida declined to comment. Advertisement Advertisement At the Wednesday hearing, Means, a wellness influencer and a doctor without an active medical license, dodged questions about whether she would recommend shots against measles, hepatitis B and the flu. Murkowski pressed Means about her views on vaccinating children against hepatitis B at birth, citing Means previous scrutiny of the shot. Murkowski said the vaccine made a remarkable difference in Alaska, particularly among native Alaskan children. Means said Murkowskis remarks were incompletely representing her stance, calling the hepatitis B shot an effective vaccine that has saved thousands, millions of lives. But she restated her view that parents should discuss shots with doctors and make a shared decision about whether children should get them. The CDC in December dropped the universal recommendation for a hep B birth dose. Collins pressed Means on her past use of psychedelic drugs, zeroing in on Means book, Good Energy, and noting that Means urged readers to consider psilocybin-assisted therapy and described being guided by an internal voice that whispered, 'it's time to prepare' before trying psychedelic mushrooms. Advertisement Advertisement Im concerned, Collins said, questioning how Means would message illicit drug use if confirmed. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved psychedelic drugs for treating any illness, and the Drug Enforcement Administration says psilocybin has a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use. Using it is a federal crime. Means clarified that the experience stemmed from her mothers pancreatic cancer diagnosis, saying at the time she had a deep sense that something ominous was coming. She also stressed that the science on psychedelic therapy is still emerging and said it would certainly not be a recommendation to the American people to do that under no circumstances. No Trump health department nominees have failed in Senate committee or floor votes since Trump won a second term, but the White House withdrew two, Trumps first pick for surgeon general, Janette Nesheiwat, and Weldon. Advertisement Advertisement Nesheiwat, a former Fox News contributor, was pulled in May after news reports said shed exaggerated her academic and medical credentials. Trump nominated Means the same day. Weldons controversial vaccine views, including his endorsement of unproven claims linking vaccines and autism, were enough to sink his bid to lead the CDC. The White House told Weldon in March he didnt have the votes, Weldon said in a statement at the time. Weldon said hed expected his nomination to die in the health committee because of opposition from Cassidy or Collins. Murkowski had also told the White House she was troubled by the nominees vaccine views. Brian Christine, the health departments assistant secretary, whom Means would report to if confirmed, defended her on the social media platform X Thursday after Trumps first surgeon general, Jerome Adams, said anyone serving in that position must hold an active medical license, among other prerequisites. Advertisement Advertisement If the administration lowers (or creates a back door around) those standards, and the Senate confirms Casey Means (who has let her license go inactive and didnt complete residency), they undermine every argument theyve made about merit, standards, and opposing DEI shortcuts, Adams, who served during Trumps first term, wrote on X. Christine argued in response that Means inactive license was not expired and that she practiced medicine and treated tens of thousands of patients for 11 years. Calley Means, Kennedys senior adviser and Caseys brother, asked Adams over X to apologize. Calley Means said his sister would be the first surgeon general who has critical thinking ability to question why Americas medical system has such poor outcomes. He then attacked Adams, writing: Instead of you who told Americans to double mask and shut down schools, a reference to the Covid pandemic response. Robert King and David Lim contributed to this report. When the Heritage Foundation think tank drew up an expansive presidential transition plan in anticipation of Donald Trumps return to power, one of its chief policy goals was eliminating affirmative action, which Project 2025 dubbed "affirmative discrimination." For decades, federal contracts to serve hot meals or manufacture missile defense systems came with strings. An executive order President Lyndon B. Johnson signed in 1965 required private companies to take proactive steps to ensure that women and people of color have equal opportunity in the workplace. In one of the first official acts of his second term, Trump rescinded Johnsons order. Now hes angling to abolish affirmative action altogether. Advertisement Advertisement His target is Minnesotas affirmative action policies that the Justice Department began investigating last July. State and federal civil rights laws prevent hiring or promotion decisions based on race or gender, but employers are permitted to create affirmative action plans in narrow circumstances to address workforce disparities in historically segregated jobs. Like in many states, Minnesota agencies must establish hiring goals and timetables to address underrepresentation of women, people with disabilities and Black, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander, American Indian or Alaska Native workers. The DOJ filed a lawsuit in federal court in January claiming the states efforts to fight discrimination in the civil service are themselves discriminatory. Advertisement Advertisement Attorney General Pam Bondi certified the case as a matter of general public importance in a bid to put it on the fast track to the Supreme Court. Making hiring decisions based on immutable characteristics like race and sex is simple discrimination and the Trump administration has no tolerance for such DEI policies, Bondi said in announcing the lawsuit. Brian Evans, press secretary for the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General, declined to comment. A ruling in the Trump administrations favor would upend decades of civil rights policy with potentially far-reaching consequences for women and people of color who have already seen their advances eroded by the nations sharp pullback in diversity policies, legal experts say. Advertisement Advertisement If thats what the court ultimately does then that's the end of private-sector affirmative action plans as weve known them, said Sachin Pandya, a professor at the University of Connecticut School of Law. A supporter gives a thumbs-up to lawyers arguing on behalf of affirmative action as they depart after the Supreme Court heard appeals in two cases on the legality of race-conscious admissions policies on October 31, 2022. Affirmative action from Kennedy to Trump Toppling affirmative action in the workplace has been on the wish list of conservatives since the Civil Rights Movement era. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy urged government contractors to take affirmative action to hire workers without regard to their race, creed, color or national origin as part of a growing national campaign to end the widespread discrimination that had stripped generations of Black people of wealth and opportunities for job advancement. Contractors mostly ignored Kennedys executive order until Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 sweeping legislation that included a section, called Title VII, making it illegal to discriminate in the workplace. A year later, he strengthened Kennedy's executive order with one of his own aimed at reversing the effects of Jim Crow and other policies that openly discriminated against Black people in the workplace. Advertisement Advertisement Private-sector employment that was mostly segregated began to integrate, and Black workers began landing skilled positions with upward mobility. Other racial minorities and women made progress, but the practice also drew controversy. DEI Supreme Court ruling 50 years later: Two men fought for jobs in a river-town mill. 50 years later, the nation is still divided. When President Richard Nixon adopted an affirmative action program for federal construction projects to redress race discrimination in the building trades in 1969, government contractors sued, alleging illegal hiring quotas that violated the Civil Rights Act. They lost. Theres been a quota system in place for a long time, and its been very effective, Secretary of Labor George Shultz said at the time. Zero. Thats the quota. Advertisement Advertisement But the affirmative action backlash only picked up steam. The term reverse discrimination became a popular way to refer to the perceived harms to White Americans in a troubled economy. The Heritage Foundation railed against numerical "goals and timetables" that it said were a euphemism for hiring quotas. During his presidential run, Ronald Reagan campaigned against affirmative action and promoted a new era of colorblindness. Once in office, he moved swiftly to eliminate affirmative action but abandoned efforts to rescind Johnsons executive order after pressure from civil rights groups, business leaders and some Republicans. The Reagan administrations own studies found that affirmative action was effective, according to Melvin Urofsky, author of The Affirmative Action Puzzle. Urofsky concluded that the number of White men harmed by affirmative action was miniscule. A woman holds a sign as demonstrators for and against the U.S. Supreme Court decision to strike down race-conscious student admissions programs at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina confront each other in Washington on June 29, 2023. Does affirmative action discriminate against White people? Still the legal tug-of-war raged on. Advertisement Advertisement Under federal law, affirmative action plans must be temporary measures that work to eliminate race or sex imbalances in segregated job categories while not trammeling the rights of other employees. Some White workers alleged Black Americans were getting preferential treatment at their expense. Lawsuits brought by Brian Weber in 1974 and Paul Johnson in 1988 challenged affirmative action plans in their workplaces, but the Supreme Court upheld the practice. Weber was passed over for a skilled training program at a Louisiana mill even though he had more seniority than nearly all the Black workers chosen. Johnson was denied a promotion to road dispatcher for a California transportation agency because no women were employed in that category. Trump says DEI harms White people: Does it? Advertisement Advertisement In recent years, the courts chipped away at affirmative action in American life most significantly when the Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that colleges' consideration of race as a factor in student admissions was unconstitutional. "Eliminating racial discrimination means eliminating all of it," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the court's majority opinion. The Supreme Court left us with a weird legal landscape in which affirmative action in higher education was unlawful but affirmative action in the workplace was technically lawful, said David Glasgow, executive director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at the NYU School of Law and coauthor of How Equality Wins: A New Vision for an Inclusive America. With this new Minnesota lawsuit, that could change, he said. Brian Weber holds an article from one of the many magazines and newspapers that covered his 1970s Supreme Court case. Weber sued his employer and union in Louisiana for reverse discrimination but the decision went against him. What makes opportunity equal? The Supreme Courts conservative majority has signaled its willingness to abandon the decades-old, precedent-setting rulings. With the Minnesota lawsuit, the Trump administration is betting it has the right test case to overturn affirmative action under Title VII. Advertisement Advertisement For far too long, courts have allowed employers to discriminate based on race and sex when it is packaged as affirmative action, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who runs the DOJs civil rights division, said in announcing the Minnesota case. This case is the next logical step. Nick Barry, senior counsel with America First Legal, the advocacy organization founded by senior White House adviser Stephen Miller, said he's optimistic the case will send race-based discrimination in the workplace to the dustbin of history. "The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race, Barry told USA TODAY. Edward Blum, who has worked for years to repeal affirmative action and spearheaded the Harvard lawsuit, has brought numerous legal challenges to race-based preferences in the private sector. Advertisement Advertisement Blum said the Minnesota lawsuit correctly recognizes that government policies which classify, limit, or favor individuals based on race or sex undermine the core promise of equal opportunity for all Americans. But David Oppenheimer, a UC Berkeley law professor and director of the Berkeley Center on Comparative Equality and Anti-Discrimination Law, said overturning affirmative action would create more inequality and less opportunity in the workplace. At risk, he said, are not hiring quotas or set-asides but good faith efforts to include qualified people of color, women, military veterans and people with disabilities in the hiring pool. Supreme Court bans affirmative action: What that means for workplace diversity Affirmative action plans that conduct rigorous workforce analysis to identify barriers to equal opportunity are still needed today as Black and Hispanic workers face discrimination at a rate that has not declined since the late 1980s, according to Oppenheimer, author of "The Diversity Principle: The Story of a Transformative Idea." The most recent USA TODAY data shows that Black Americans are outnumbered 12 to 1 by White people in executive roles. If you dont have a system of checks to encourage or require employers to examine their procedures and to question their decisions when their decisions appear to be biased then you will have more and more discrimination and fewer and fewer opportunities for women, people of color, people with disabilities, people who are negatively stereotyped, Oppenheimer said. Already many employers have modified or eliminated diversity efforts under pressure from the Trump administration. Eliminating affirmative action would jeopardize 60 years of civil rights advances in the workplace, Damon Hewitt, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, told USA TODAY. For too long, Black and other communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by harmful policies and practices. Rather than addressing this issue and promoting fairness, this administration is allowing racism to continue unchecked, Hewitt told USA TODAY. In fact, it is inviting moves that close off mechanisms that are fair for everyone while providing opportunity to people of color and women under the misguided notion that civil rights laws are harmful to White people. The Supreme Court knew that racism and sexism would persist unless employers took voluntary, proactive steps to identify and address workplace bias, according to Hewitt. The creation of a very narrow remedial exception was necessary to make the promise of Title VIIs protections real, he said. If the Supreme Court overturns Weber and Johnson, it would essentially be an invitation to discrimination. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: This Trump lawsuit could end affirmative action. Here's how Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that he expected the next round of talks to end the war with Russia in early March in Abu Dhabi, after his officials concluded a meeting with US envoys in Geneva. Previous rounds of US-led negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Geneva and Abu Dhabi have failed to yield a compromise, including on the key sticking point of territory. "As a result of today's meetings, there is already more readiness for the next trilateral format," said Zelensky, adding that the meeting would "most likely" take place in Abu Dhabi in early March. Advertisement Advertisement "We need to finalise everything that has been achieved in terms of real security guarantees and prepare for a meeting at the leadership level," he said in a regular evening address after the Geneva talks ended. "This format can solve a lot," Zelensky added, referring to a potential meeting with his arch-foe, Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kyiv has long said that the only way to break the deadlock is a meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian leaders, who last faced each other in 2019. Ukrainian top negotiator Rustem Umerov, who sat with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in the luxurious Hotel des Bergues for about six hours, said that the talks had paid special attention to Ukraine's postwar reconstruction. Advertisement Advertisement "We worked out a document on the restoration of Ukraine in detail" with the Americans, said Umerov after the meeting. The sides "agreed positions that will form the basis for further agreements", he added. Russian economic envoy Kirill Dmitriev was present at the heavily guarded talks venue in Geneva on Thursday, though there was no indication he met with the Ukrainian side, according to Russian state media. Vice Chairman of US investment fund BlackRock Philipp Hildebrand was also seen at the premises of the Hotel des Bergues, according to an AFP photographer. Russia, which has signalled it will not budge on its demands for full control of Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, said Thursday it was too early to forecast when a deal would take place. Advertisement Advertisement "Have you heard anything from us about deadlines? We have no deadlines, we have tasks. We are getting them done," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told state media. - Drone, missile attacks - Hours before the meeting, Russian forces launched some 420 drones and 39 missiles at Ukraine, wounding more than two dozen people in at least six different regions, according to authorities. AFP journalists heard several explosions in central Kyiv shortly after authorities warned Russia had launched its attack. The strikes hit an electricity substation in the southern Odesa region, as well as a school building in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, according to officials. Advertisement Advertisement "Destruction has been recorded in eight regions, with many private homes and apartment buildings damaged," Zelensky said. Also ahead of the meeting, Russia announced that it had returned the bodies of 1,000 killed Ukrainian soldiers to Ukraine, while Moscow received 35 Russian bodies in exchange. The two sides regularly exchange the remains of killed servicemen, one of the few areas of cooperation between the warring countries. Zelensky spoke with Trump on Wednesday ahead of the talks, with US envoys Witkoff and Kushner part of the 30-minute call. Talks between Moscow and Kyiv remain deadlocked over the fate of the Donbas -- the industrial region in eastern Ukraine that has been the epicentre of the fighting. Advertisement Advertisement Russia is pushing for full control of Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, and has threatened to take it by force if Kyiv does not cave at the negotiating table. But Ukraine has rejected the demand and signalled it would not sign a deal without security guarantees that deter Russia from invading again. bur-cad-asy/cc Two British men have been jailed in Indonesia after being found guilty of smuggling cocaine into the holiday island of Bali. Kial Garth Robinson, 29, of Littlehampton, was sentenced to 11 years in prison, while Piran Ezra Wilkinson, 48, from Chichester, was jailed for nine years. Both were also ordered to pay a fine of around 45,000 or serve an extra 190 days in prison. Robinson was arrested last September when customs officers at Ngurah Rai International Airport found two packages containing 1.3kg of cocaine in his backpack. Advertisement Advertisement He told police that he was ordered by a man to transport the drugs from Barcelona, Spain, to Bali and deliver them to Wilkinson - who had arrived a few days earlier, Reuters news agency reported on Thursday. Wilkinson was arrested in Canggu, on the south coast of Bali, the following day. Prosecutors said Robinson and Wilkinson were friends who lived in Thailand and had met in Barcelona a week before their arrests. Kial Robinson sits with his lawyer inside the Denpasar District Court in Bali [Reuters] On Thursday, Robinson's lawyer Robert Khuana said: "These items were brought from Barcelona to Bali, but they aren't meant for distribution. "My client was purely a courier, but he knew he was trapped in a syndicate scenario and was persuaded with $5,000 and another $5,000 for debt repayment and he was therefore willing to bring the drugs to Bali. Advertisement Advertisement "What made the sentence harsher was that his actions threatened the security against drug distributions in Indonesia. "Although he didn't know the contents of the package, he knew the contents were dangerous. If he had known, he wouldn't have done what he did." Reacting to the sentencing, the UK Foreign Office "We are providing assistance to two British nationals detained in Indonesia and are in contact with the local authorities." Indonesia has some of the world's strictest anti-narcotics laws and drug trafficking can be punishable by death. Although Indonesia has executed foreigners in the past, it has upheld a temporary halt on the death sentence since 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Indonesia last carried out executions of foreigners in 2016, killing three Nigerian drug convicts by firing squad, according to AFP, Last July, three British nationals from Sussex avoided the death penalty for smuggling cocaine disguised as packets of Angel Delight into the country. Lisa Stocker, 39, and her husband Jon Collyer, 38, were arrested at Bali's international airport in February 2025 after being caught with 994g of the Class A drug. Phineas Float, 31, was due to receive the packages and was arrested a few days later. All three, from Hastings and St Leonards, East Sussex, were told by the judge that they would only serve a 12-month sentence and would be eligible for release in early 2026. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's administration has moved in recent months to repatriate several high-profile inmates, all sentenced for drug offences, back to their home countries. DETROIT, Michigan Two Canadians riding an all-terrain vehicle on Lake St. Clair were rescued Tuesday by the U.S. Coast Guard after they became stranded on an ice floe. The two men, ages 61 and 65, were stranded about one nautical mile north of Belle River, Ontario, according to a news release from the U.S. Coast Guards Great Lakes District. An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew was dispatched from Selfridge Air National Guard Base, which is located in Michigan on the northern portion of Lake St. Clair, just after 4 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement A rescue swimmer was lowered to the two men, who were then hoisted up to the helicopter. Both men were taken to Windsor Airport in Ontario, Canada, where they received medical assistance. Both men reportedly were in good health. They were both talking to me pretty well. They knew exactly what was going on. They were just happy just to get picked up and get off that ice floe, Edmund Bizorik, the rescue swimmer who went down to the ice, told the CBC. So once I evaluated them, then we just walked over, took them up in the helicopter and made sure they were nice and toasty warm in the back of the helicopter. Lt. Cristina Silva, helicopter aircraft commander assigned to Air Station Detroit, said in a statement that the rescue was a collaborative effort on both sides of the border. Advertisement Advertisement The key factors to make this a successful rescue were the cold-weather gear (the two men) were wearing and the access to communication in their time of need, Silva said. This was a team effort and Id like to commend the crews involved in this multi-agency search-and-rescue case. Read the original article on cleveland.com. Add cleveland.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The United States and Iran met in Geneva on Thursday for high-stakes nuclear talks as President Donald Trump pressures Tehran with the threat of military action. The talks a third round of indirect negotiations come after Trump made his clearest case yet for a possible attack as he oversees a sweeping military buildup in the region. Two people familiar with the talks told NBC News that from the Trump administrations perspective, the discussions were positive. The sources declined to share details of the negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also had a positive view of the talks, which he said were indirect and lasted about six hours. Overall, during these long and very intensive hours, good progress was achieved, and we entered a serious review of the elements of an agreement, both in the nuclear field and on sanctions," Araghchi said in an interview with Iranian state media after the talks. He added, "Of course, there are still disagreements, which is natural, but compared with the past, both sides are showing greater seriousness in reaching a negotiated solution." Araghchi said he expected another round of talks to take place in "about a week." Advertisement Advertisement "In the meantime, both sides need to take certain steps, prepare documents, and consult with their capitals. After that, the next session will convene," he said. Trump declared in his State of the Union address that Iran was working to develop missiles that could soon reach the U.S. and that it was trying to restart its nuclear program, which was battered by American and Israeli strikes last year. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, center, and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner meet with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi in Geneva on Thursday. (Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs / AFP - Getty Images) (Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Badr al-Busaidi, the foreign minister of mediator and key regional interlocutor Oman, said on X that the talks wrapped with "significant progress in the negotiation." He said the talks "will resume soon after consultation in the respective capitals," with technical discussions expected next week in Vienna. Advertisement Advertisement "The principle is very simple: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon," U.S. Vice President JD Vance said at a news conference Wednesday. "If they try to rebuild a nuclear weapon, that causes problems for us," he said, adding that Washington had "seen evidence that they have tried to do exactly that. Iran has consistently denied seeking to develop a nuclear weapon and warned of an intense response to even a limited attack by the U.S. or Israel. Tehran dismissed Trump's claims that it had "sinister nuclear ambitions" as part of a series of "big lies." Vance said Thursday that it is unlikely that the U.S. will get bogged down in a war with Iran. Advertisement Advertisement "The idea that were going to be in a Middle Eastern war for years with no end in sight there is no chance that will happen, Vance said in an interview with the Washington Post. He also noted that the administration would rather pursue diplomacy with Iran. I think we all prefer the diplomatic option, Vance said in the same interview. But it really depends on what the Iranians do and what they say. The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford leaves Crete, Greece, on Thursday to join American forces massed in the Middle East. (Makis Kartsonakis / Reuters) (Makis Kartsonakis) The talks come as the U.S. carries out an intensive military buildup in the Middle East, its biggest in decades, while the president weighs options for possible attacks. Trump's assertion that Iran was seeking to build a missile that could reach the U.S. comes after weeks of mixed messages from Washington on the reasons for the military buildup. Advertisement Advertisement The president had initially threatened to intervene amid a deadly crackdown on nationwide unrest in Iran last month, but his administration's threats have in recent weeks centered on the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, which he has simultaneously maintained was "obliterated" in U.S. strikes last June. Iranian protesters demonstrate in Tehran on Jan. 10. (ZUMA Press via Reuters) (ZUMA Press via Reuters) Trump said Tuesday that while that operation was successful, Tehran had been "starting all over." Secretary of State Marco Rubio elaborated on the subject Wednesday. He told reporters that Iran is always trying to rebuild elements of its nuclear program. Tehran is not enriching uranium right now, he said, but theyre trying to get to the point where they ultimately can." In addition to commitments on enrichment, the U.S. has been pushing for Iran to make concessions on its ballistic missile program and its support for militant forces across the Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement Iran has insisted the talks must remain focused on nuclear issues. Al-Busaidi said the two sides had shown openness to new and creative ideas after meeting with Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Witkoff in Geneva on Thursday. (Fabrice Coffrini / AFP via Getty Images) (Fabrice Coffrini) Irans proposals have not been made public, but it has emphasized that it expects the lifting of sanctions in return for possible concessions on its nuclear program. On the eve of the talks, the Trump administration imposed fresh sanctions over the countrys oil exports and ballistic missile production. "Our Supreme Leader has already said that we will not have nuclear weapons at all," Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said, asserting: "The leader of a society, a religious leader of a community, cannot lie." Advertisement Advertisement Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told state TV early Thursday that Iran has entered the negotiations with full preparedness and seriousness. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Speaking before a crowd that included President Isaac Herzog, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, Al Khaja framed peace with Israel as a strategic choice. Ambassador to Israel Mohamed Al Khaja called for coexistence, defended the Abraham Accords, and warned that extremist groups seek to exploit the holy month to inflame tensions at a Ramadan iftar hosted by the Emirati embassy on Thursday. Speaking before a crowd that included President Isaac Herzog, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, Al Khaja said Ramadan is meant to strengthen family and community ties, but argued that terrorist groups and forces of darkness try to turn the month into a tool for division. Advertisement Advertisement I regret to say that the month of Ramadan in Israel is not like other places, he said, accusing extremists of attempting to ignite tensions, spread division, and promote violence, oppression, and racism. President Isaac Herzog, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, and Emirati Ambassador to Israel Mohamed Al Khaja at a Ramadan iftar hosted by the Emirati embassy in Tel Aviv on February 26, 2026. (credit: SHOOKA COHEN) Al Khaja also pointed to continuing violence inside Arab communities, saying that violence and killing continue in Arab cities and villages, and that efforts to build trust are being systematically obstructed. He urged what he called a responsible pause from all of us. The UAE envoy framed peace with Israel as a strategic choice shaped by regional instability. There is no alternative to peace, he said, adding that the UAEs approach was tied to the future of our region and our children, particularly amid rapid geopolitical change. Mohamed Al Khaja pushes for peace, bashes hate Al Khaja, who noted he has served in the role for more than five years, said the aim is to prevent the next generation from inheriting decades of conflict while still respecting the constraints earlier generations faced. He criticized what he described as the spread of conspiracy theories, hatred, and racism across the region, arguing that the UAE has sought to prove the impossible has no place in our region. Advertisement Advertisement In a nod to the UAEs founding ethos, he quoted the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan: Nothing is everlasting at all, neither man nor wealth; what endures is the homeland and work. Al Khaja said the line captured the essence of the UAEs message, linking it to humanitarian giving and economic development. A central theme of the address focused on religions role in public life. The most dangerous thing that threatens our homelands is the politicization of religion or its weaponization, he said. Religion is for God, the homeland is for all, and terrorism has no religion. Al Khaja also defended the Abraham Accords, saying predictions of their collapse after the October 7 massacre did not materialize. Peace endured, because it is based on common interests and mutual respect, he said, and because it proved stronger than the advocates of division. He described the scene at the event as a sign of what normalization can look like in practice. Thanks to this peace, I can today, as an Emirati Arab Muslim, be among you in the State of Israel, he said, calling it an opportunity to break the fast under one roof alongside Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Al Khaja ended by expressing hope that the gathering would help bring hearts closer, heal wounds, and keep attention on shared interests, while praying for security and peace in the region and the wider world. Shares of several Kentucky bourbon companies fell on Wall Street after Diageo cut its dividend in half and indicated potential price cuts on some products. Diageo, the parent of Bulleit bourbon, said overall sales for the first half of the year were down 2.8%, driven by a soft U.S. market. The company also cut its sales projections, saying that sales are now expected to be down 2 to 3% for the full year. That sent shares of the global spirits giant which also includes Johnnie Walker Scotch, Guinness stout, Smirnoff vodka, Tanqueray gin, Baileys liqueur, Captain Morgan rum and Don Julio & Casamigos tequila plummeting, down more than 15% by mid-morning on Wednesday. The news also pulled down the entire sector, with shares of Louisville-based Brown-Forman parent of Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey, Woodford Reserve and Old Forester bourbons falling more than 8%. Brown-Forman will release its third quarter financial results on March 4. Diageos new CEO, Dave Lewis, said in prepared remarks ahead of a call with stock analysts that the North American market is challenged. Tequila sales in the U.S. were especially soft, where overall net sales were down 6.8%, according to the company, with gains in the ready-to-drink segment not enough to overcome the losses of Don Julio, Casamigos and Crown Royal. The company did report specific sales figures for its bourbon portfolio this time. Last August, Diageo reported Bulleit sales fell 7.3%; the company also closed the bottling facility at its Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Shively outside of Louisville last year and paused distilling at its plant in Lebanon for five months in 2025. The company is in the midst of $625 million in cuts globally. Diageo opened a Bulleit distillery in Shelbyville in 2017. Americans drinking less per occasion Looking at the spirits market overall, Lewis said that consumers are drinking more often but having fewer drinks each time. These fewer serves per occasion point to a pressure in the economics that our consumer groups are facing, Lewis said. So whilst they do not diminish at all factors like GLP-1 or the attitudes towards the category, at this moment in time, they show a very small impact on spirits consumption, but there is a challenge, which is broader economically. Rising prices of consumer goods have meant a very significant squeeze for U.S. consumers, as well as in the United Kingdom, he said. We need to recognize that the discretionary spending power of consumers in key markets is under some pressure, Lewis said. Diageos portfolio is currently positioned in more premium territory, while many consumers are looking to trade down, such as to smaller pack sizes, he said. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refuted claims by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto that Hungary's diplomat in Kyiv was promised that Druzhba oil pipeline operations would resume in exchange for "money and weapons". Source: Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a comment to journalists, as reported by European Pravda Details: Hungary's foreign minister posted a video on Facebook in which he claimed that Ukraine's foreign ministry had summoned Hungary's representative for talks. Advertisement Advertisement During the meeting, Ukrainian officials allegedly made it clear that they wanted weapons and money in exchange for resuming oil supplies to Hungary via the Druzhba oil pipeline. Szijjarto likely meant the 90 billion EU loan for Ukraine, the approval of which Budapest is blocking. "They acknowledged that there is no physical or technical reason not to resume transportation; there are only political reasons. They also made it clear that they want weapons and money in exchange for resuming transportation of oil to Hungary," Szijjarto said. The Ukrainian representative said Szijjarto had spread false claims and completely distorted the content of the meeting with Hungary's charge d'affaires. Advertisement Advertisement That was the reason why the Hungarian diplomat was summoned for talks again. At the second meeting, they were informed that it was unacceptable to misrepresent the content of the conversation. "At meetings at the Foreign Ministry, there were no signals from the Ukrainian side, in particular, that 'the resumption of oil supplies towards Hungary via the Druzhba oil pipeline is blocked for political reasons'. The subject [of the conversation] was statements made by Prime Minister Orban about potential threats to Hungary's critical energy infrastructure," Tykhyi explained. He said Hungary was informed that Ukraine is willing to provide Hungary with assistance to protect its facilities. Background: Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban wrote an open letter to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 26 February in which he accused him of acting against Hungary's interests. On 25 February, Orban claimed there is a "Ukrainian threat" to Hungary's energy system and announced the deployment of troops to protect the energy infrastructure. Hungary has blocked a 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. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! FORT STEWART, Ga. Spc. Lathan Thomley enlisted in the Army to become a cavalry scout. Now, he spends hours practicing on a laptop simulator before piloting drones over Fort Stewarts training area. Thomley is part of 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Teams Transformation in Contact initiative, or TIC, where junior soldiers on the ground are at the forefront of experimenting with new drone capabilities and helping to drive the direction of Army doctrine from the ground up. In armored brigades built around tanks and heavy firepower, the approach reflects how lessons from Ukraine are pushing leaders to rethink how formations move and survive on a battlefield saturated with aerial surveillance. Advertisement Advertisement Selected internally, soldiers at Fort Stewart say operators start on everyday computer simulation programs before transitioning to real flights. We really train on regular computers its a little gaming app called Liftoff and you fly drones on there, Thomley said while demonstrating a small reconnaissance quadcopters capabilities on an unusually cool Georgia day. From that, you learn how a drone moves and how you need to angle it to make it go a certain way. Liftoff is a commercially available drone flying simulator that allows all types of users to fly drones in first-person view. It can be purchased from Steam, a gaming platform that can be downloaded by soldiers and civilians alike. First-person view lets a soldier watch and steer the drone as if they are flying on the front of it. Soldiers at Fort Stewart have been training to fly while wearing goggles, an immersive experience that can be disorienting and produce motion sickness. Advertisement Advertisement The controllers are inverted so its very confusing at first, Thomley said. If a user wants the drone to go up, they have to look down, and vice versa. Once a soldier masters flying in the simulation, they can practice piloting the real thing. The approach marks a departure from the Armys traditional training model, where new capabilities often move through formal schoolhouses and standardized programs before reaching operational units. Under the TIC initiative, soldiers test technology first and shape how it is used before doctrine and acquisition catch up. Selected brigades are given access to emerging innovations like drones, electronic warfare equipment and new communications devices. Advertisement Advertisement Changes to drone capabilities within the brigade are informed through feedback from operators driving decisions about how equipment is used, how much equipment is fielded and how drones play into the armor-centric battle. Unlike traditional weapons training, which follows a standardized Army progression, drone instruction is still evolving. Thomley said he did not attend a formal drone school and that he volunteered to try out the brigades new capabilities when leadership presented the opportunity. 2ABCT, meanwhile, is part of the second TIC iteration, which is shifting the focus to Armor Brigade Combat Teams and division-level assets to apply lessons learned from Russias war on Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement The experimentation comes as Army leaders study how drones have drastically altered the battlefield overseas, where both sides use unmanned aerial vehicles to scout and strike. When you talk about looking at our adversaries across the world, everyone is watching the battles there in Ukraine, said Col. Alexis Perez-Cruz, the brigades commander. Perez-Cruz added that the Army and the armor community is consistently studying the conflict to see how new technology will change future wars, asking How do we use our imagination to look at the future and be able to fight the way that were seeing it out there, and imagining how we will be able to fight in large-scale combat operations? For soldiers like Thomley, the shift is a new skill set layered onto a traditional cavalry mission to spot and understand the battlefield before the enemy. But instead of binoculars pressed into tired eyes peering out of a foxhole, that view increasingly comes from a camera mounted to a drone hovering hundreds of feet in the sky. Ukraine said last week that it used new Flamingo missiles to strike a factory deep inside Russia. Zelenskyy now says that the locally made missiles flew almost 900 miles to hit their target. The Ukrainian president said that all of the missiles were able to survive Russian air defenses. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that his country had struck a Russian military industrial plant with locally made cruise missiles that flew nearly 900 miles to reach their target. Ukrainian officials earlier reported that the missile strike on Saturday had hit a plant in Votkinsk, an industrial town in Russia's Udmurt Republic, some 860 miles from the Ukrainian border. Advertisement Advertisement "We carried out precise strikes with Flamingo missiles at a range of 1,400 kilometers," Zelenskyy said at a press conference in Kyiv. "I believe this is truly a success for our industry." Such an attack would be one of the longest-range strikes carried out so far by the Flamingo, which is touted as one of the star products in Ukraine's local defense manufacturing scene. Kyiv has been aggressively trying to expand its weapons industry as a complement to Western supplies and as a future export sector. The Flamingos' target, the Votkinsk plant, manufactures some of Russia's key munitions, such as ballistic missiles for the Iskander system and the submarine-launched Bulava missile. Russia has not officially confirmed that the factory was hit, but Alexander Brechalov, the governor of the Udmurt Republic, said on Saturday that an unspecified facility in the region had been attacked and three people were sent to hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Brechalov did not say if the Flamingo was used, but warned against drone threats over the region. Ukrainian open-source groups later published satellite images that appeared to show damage to one of the workshops at the Votkinsk factory, with a gaping hole in its roof and signs of fire damage. That evening, Kyiv had unleashed a large wave of drones and missiles into Russia in one of its biggest ever long-range attacks. Russia's defense ministry said that it shot down 77 Ukrainian drones on Saturday, but did not mention any Ukrainian missile threats. Zelenskyy declined to say how many missiles or drones Ukraine launched in total on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement "There were interceptions by Russian air defense, there were also missiles that were not intercepted, and there were direct hits," Zelenskyy said. "But the most important thing is that all the missiles that were launched all reached the target." Kyiv has often compared the Flamingo to the US-manufactured Tomahawk, saying that the Ukrainian turbofan-powered missile is much cheaper to make per unit and has a longer range of 1,900 miles. The ground-launched Flamingo, however, takes up to 40 minutes to prepare for launch. Ukraine is also still trying to build up its arsenal of the missile, with reports from last October saying that its manufacturer, FirePoint, hoped to produce up to seven a day by the end of 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Kyiv said earlier this month that manufacturing had been affected by a recent Russian strike, with Zelenskyy warning that Ukraine had to "work on increasing quantity" of the Flamingo. "We had certain technical problems because one large production line was destroyed as a result of a missile strike. They have already relocated and resumed production," Zelenskyy had said at the time. Read the original article on Business Insider KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russia launched a barrage of 420 drones and 39 missiles at Ukraine overnight, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday, hours before U.S. and Ukrainian envoys held more talks in Geneva on ending the war that is now in its fifth year. The bombardment, which included 11 ballistic missiles, targeted critical infrastructure and residential areas across eight regions of Ukraine, Zelenskyy said. Dozens of people, including children, were injured, officials said, though authorities did not immediately publish a confirmed total. Zelenskyy said late Wednesday he had spoken by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump and thanked him for his efforts and engagement in pursuing peace negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement The U.S.-brokered talks between Moscow and Kyiv are continuing but are deadlocked on the issue of Ukrainian territory that Russia claims as its own. Zelenskyy has pushed for a summit with Russia's President Vladimir Putin, saying a face-to-face meeting could be decisive in unlocking an agreement, but the Kremlin has rebuffed that proposal beyond inviting the Ukrainian president to Moscow, which Zelenskyy refused. Witkoff and Kushner attend talks Trump representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who were also discussing nuclear negotiations with Iran in Geneva before turning to the war in Europe, met with Rustem Umerov, the head of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council. They also joined Trumps call with Zelenskyy. The envoys were to discuss economic support and the recovery of Ukraine, ways of attracting investment to the country and frameworks for long-term cooperation, Umerov said on X. Advertisement Advertisement Also, the meeting would look at preparations for the next round of trilateral negotiations involving Russia and consider possible further exchanges of prisoners, according to Umerov. Washington is looking to keep momentum in its yearlong push to stop the fighting and overcome deep enmity between the warring countries. Ukrainian and European officials have accused Putin of feigning interest in peace negotiations, hoping to avoid punitive U.S. measures such as additional sanctions while pressing forward with the invasion. Ukrainians skeptical about peace On the streets of Kyiv, people expressed some skepticism about the negotiations and how far Ukrainian concessions should go in return for a peace deal. Advertisement Advertisement Of course we want peace, we really want it, said Vitalina Yefimenko, 55, who lives in the southern Ukraine city of Mykolaiv, voicing concern that Russia would invade again in the future. But I think that even if something is given up, we will be next the south. Its very frightening. Should I leave for another country? I dont want to, she said. Kyiv resident Roman Cheremisienov, 56, said he didnt trust the Trump administrations motives, alleging that current U.S. policy is aimed not so much at achieving peace in Ukraine as at business interests close to the American president. Dariia Kuzmenko, a 33-year-old psychology consultant, said Ukraine must hold its nerve because Russias economy is suffering under international sanctions over its invasion. Advertisement Advertisement We need to keep up the pressure, keep defending our position, and our politicians must not give up or be afraid, Kuzmenko said. Russia and Ukraine exchange fallen soldiers Russia returned 1,000 bodies of fallen soldiers to Ukraine, and got back 35 bodies of its fallen troops, Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation at previous talks with Ukraine, said Thursday. He did not say when the exchange happened. Ukraines Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War later confirmed the return, though it referred to bodies which, according to preliminary information provided by the Russian side, may belong to Ukrainian defenders. Russia struck gas infrastructure in the Poltava region and electrical substations in the Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions, Zelenskyy said. Emergency crews responded in five other regions, as well as in the capital. Advertisement Advertisement Ukraines air defenses shot down most of the Russian missiles, Zelenskyy said, crediting Western partners for timely delivery of additional air defense interceptors. Ukraine needs foreign help to sustain its fight against Russias bigger forces. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged allied countries to provide more military aid. When the whole world demands Moscow to finally stop this senseless war, Putin bets on more terror, attacks and aggression, Sybiha said in a post on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. The Russian Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 17 Ukrainian drones overnight over a number of Russian regions, as well as the Black and Azov Seas. Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's domestically developed long-range drones have struck oil refineries, fuel depots and military logistics hubs deep inside Russia. Russia repeats atomic bomb claims Meanwhile, Russia continued to push allegations of a purported plot by European nations to provide Kyiv with a nuclear bomb, without providing any evidence. The Kremlin-controlled lower house of the Russian parliament on Thursday unanimously approved an address urging the United Nations and European lawmakers to prevent the alleged plan. It followed a statement by the Russian foreign intelligence service on Tuesday alleging that France and the U.K. were planning to covertly transfer nuclear weapons or components of a dirty bomb device. Advertisement Advertisement British and French officials said the claim was a lie. ___ Kamila Hrabchuk and Dan Bashakov in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed to this story. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine LONDON, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Britain's Serious Fraud Office said on Thursday that Graham McNulty would take over in early April as interim director to lead the investigator and prosecutor. McNulty, a former senior police officer who joined the SFO as chief operating officer in September 2024, will take over on April 6 from Nick Ephgrave, who is retiring after two and a half years in the role. "It is a tremendous privilege to lead the Serious Fraud Office," McNulty said, adding that he aimed to build on recent progress at the agency. Advertisement Advertisement McNulty has overseen the rollout of the SFO's first case management system and its adoption of new technologies, including further uses of artificial intelligence. Before joining the agency, he spent 31 years in policing, including senior roles tackling serious and organised crime, economic crime and major investigations. A spokesperson for the Attorney General's office said McNulty would stay in the role until a permanent appointment is made, which would be announced in due course. Ephgrave, the first non-lawyer to run the SFO and a former senior police officer too, said in January he would retire at the end of March after 38 years in public service. Advertisement Advertisement When he took over at the SFO, it was facing criticism over abandoned prosecutions because of disclosure failures. He said the agency had made significant progress during his tenure, citing faster cases, improved disclosure using AI and the creation of a crypto-asset capability. (Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; Additional reporting by Kirstin Ridley; Editing by Jane Merriman) The number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (Neet) has risen, edging closer to one million. Official estimates are that 957,000 people aged 16 to 24 in the UK were Neet in October to December 2025, or 12.8% of that age group. The UK is experiencing a weak jobs market, with young people particularly affected by cuts in hospitality and graduate schemes. The figures show a slight increase from the previous quarter, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, adding more young people were actively looking for work in the last three months of 2025. Advertisement Advertisement However, the total number of Neets is slightly lower - down 0.4 percentage points - than the same period last year. The ONS said the increase in Neets was driven by a growing number of young women who are out of work. Young men are more likely to be Neet than young women, but the gap is narrowing: some 12.2% of women aged 16 to 24 were Neet at the end of 2025, which is higher than the previous quarter. The number of young male Neets dropped slightly in the same period, to 13.3% of all men aged in that age group. A young person is considered Neet if they are unemployed (looking for work) or economically inactive (not actively looking for work and not waiting to start a job or caring for family). Advertisement Advertisement The number of Neets who were seeking work rose by 12.3% from the previous quarter, while the number of those not actively looking for a job fell 6%. Someone in formal education, such as school or university, doing an apprenticeship or vocational course, is not considered to be Neet. A rise in long-term sickness, mental illness and neurodivergence in young people has been one of the main causes of economic inactivity over the past three years, according to research by the Youth Futures Foundation. Joseph, who is autistic, has been unemployed for three years. The 24-year-old, who lives in Solihull, told BBC Newsbeat that there was "a real taboo" around needing experience to get a job, but only being able to gain experience through a job. Advertisement Advertisement "Confidence can definitely be an issue. I've only ever worked one job that's in person," they said. "I didn't know how things worked, the commute into work, that sort of thing. They also said autism "can be a barrier but it can also be a strength" but many employers do not understand this. Joseph is currently being helped by a King's Trust youth support worker to help them find paid work. Pat McFadden, the Work and Pensions Secretary, said the issue of young Neets was "a long-term challenge". He said the government was "backing businesses to hire young people" through apprenticeships. Advertisement Advertisement Last year, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that young people who have been out of a job or education for 18 months will be offered a guaranteed paid work placement. Those who do not to take up the offer could face being stripped of their benefits. An independent inquiry into the rise in young people not working or studying is under way, with its conclusions due to be published in the summer. Former Labour Health Secretary Alan Milburn, who is heading it up, said when the inquiry launched that he would approach the issue "with sensitivity". Speaking to Matt Chorley on BBC 5 Live on Thursday, Milburn dismissed the idea that there was a "snowflake" generation who were reluctant to work or less resilient than previous generations. Advertisement Advertisement "Young people want the the opportunity to work," he said. "To get a decent career and move on in life and own their own home and all the things that young people down the generations have wanted to do." "The problem is the opportunities sometimes are just not available to them. That's what we've got to address." "It's not young people's failure ... It's the system's failure, both in the labour market and in the schools, skills, employment support, mental health and welfare system that is letting young people down." The largest quarterly Neets total was recorded in July to September 2011, when the number peaked at over a million after the 2008 financial crisis. Advertisement Advertisement The Resolution Foundation said Chancellor Rachel Reeves should make an exception to her 'policy-free' Spring Statement and expand support to tackle youth unemployment. Louise Murphy, senior economist at the think tank, said the UK is "perilously close" to having a million young Neets. "Today's data adds to the picture of a generation up against real and complex barriers to finding a good job and improving their living standards. "But acting sooner rather than later can help prevent these worrying trends becoming an entrenched crisis." She is now facing calls to pause a government plan to scrap the lower minimum wage for 16 and 17 year olds, as some employers are saying it will make it too expensive to hire young people. Advertisement Advertisement Government sources have told BBC News that ministers are interested in delaying that rise, though are unlikely to reverse the commitment entirely. Ben Harrison, Director of the Work Foundation at Lancaster University, said they show "the magnitude of the challenge facing young people and the government". The number of young Neets has remained "stubbornly close to one million", he said. "There is a considerable risk that more young people will slip into long-term worklessness, unless government acts to address the causes of this rise." The ONS noted that Neet figures are volatile because of a smaller population compared to figures like unemployment. Advertisement Advertisement The ONS has been criticised recently for the quality of its data, particularly the Labour Force Survey, which is used to compile Neet figures. The body has said it is making improvements to the Labour Force Survey, including more interviewers to increase the response rate. Additional reporting by Jack Gray Argentina and Uruguay on Thursday ratified a massive trade deal with the European Union that has generated enthusiasm from Brasilia to Buenos Aires but sparked protests and a legal challenge in Europe. Argentine senators voted 69-3 in favor of the agreement to create one of the world's biggest free trade zones, sealing its adoption days after it passed the lower house. Hours earlier, neighboring Uruguay was first out of the blocks to ratify the deal, which has been fiercely opposed by farmers in some EU countries. Advertisement Advertisement It still requires approval from lawmakers in the European Parliament, which referred it to the EU's top court within days of being inked in January. The deal between the EU and the four founding members of the Mercosur bloc -- Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay -- was a quarter century in the making. Argentine President Javier Milei, a free market champion, hailed the ratification of the accord. "Openness = prosperity," Milei wrote on X. In a later statement he said the agreement was a chance to promote economic development and attract investment and expressed hope that Brazil and Paraguay would quickly adopt it also. Advertisement Advertisement It eliminates tariffs on more than 90 percent of trade between the two blocs, which together account for 30 percent of global GDP and more than 700 million consumers. The two sides have yet to agree on export quotas. The South Americans have moved to quickly enshrine it in their legislation, in an apparent bid to pressure Brussels to follow suit. In Brazil, the lower house of parliament backed it by a large majority on Wednesday. The accord, which was energetically promoted by EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as well as the leaders of Germany and Spain, aims to boost EU exports of vehicles, machinery and wines and spirits. Advertisement Advertisement In return, South American producers of beef, sugar, rice, honey and soybeans gain easier access to one of the world's largest economies. Brussels can decide to implement it provisionally while waiting for the EU Court of Justice on its legality, but has not yet taken a decision on doing so. South American countries in the meantime are ploughing ahead. - 'It won't be easy' - Uruguayan Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin hailed his country's ratification as "a signal" to Europe, which the South Americans have accused of foot-dragging. The agreement "is no longer under debate," Lubetkin said, while anticipating that "it won't be easy" to implement. Advertisement Advertisement Argentine political analyst Fabian Calle said Mercosur members were anxious to forestall any "excuses from the European side that (the deal) is being postponed or not being implemented due to a lack of ratification" on the South American side. Some EU nations like Germany hope the pact could help boost exports at a time of global trade tensions, driven by US President Donald Trump's weaponizing of tariffs. France, however, unsuccessfully tried to block the deal over concerns for its farmers, who fear being undercut by cheaper goods from Brazil and its neighbors. The European Commission reacted to those concerns by adopting a series of safeguards for its producers. Advertisement Advertisement Within Mercosur states, the deal has broad support, despite reservations from some producers. Argentine wine producers namely fear competition from their French, Italian and Spanish counterparts. gfe/mar/cb/mlm The fervent, if intermittent, hostilities between the United States and Cuba, spanning six decades, have been marked by pressure campaigns, antagonism and occasional bursts of violence. The divisions further intensified when Cuban forces killed four armed Cuban nationals aboard an aging speedboat registered in Florida. People aboard the U.S. boat opened fire off the Cuban coast on Feb. 25, sparking a firefight that also injured six Cuban nationals living in the United States, according to Cubas Interior Ministry in Havana. Those aboard the U.S. boat were equipped with assault rifles, handguns and Molotov cocktails, Cuban authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Tensions between the two countries have recently escalated. President Donald Trump has imposed new sanctions and tariffs on the Caribbean nation after the U.S. military operation in January that captured former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a Cuban ally. Here's a history of flare-ups involving the United States and Cuba. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio takes his seat before the start of a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing to examine US policy towards Venezuela on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Jan. 28, 2026. US military raided Caracas on January 3 and seized Nicolas Maduro, a longtime leftist nemesis of Washington, and his wife, Cilia Flores. A protestor holds up a sign as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifies during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing to examine US policy towards Venezuela on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Jan. 28, 2026. US military raided Caracas on January 3 and seized Nicolas Maduro, a longtime leftist nemesis of Washington, and his wife, Cilia Flores. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) prepares to testify during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on Jan. 28, 2026 in Washington, D.C. This is the first time Rubio has testified before Congress since the Trump administration attacked Venezuela and seized President Nicolas Maduro, bringing him to the United States to stand trial. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio takes his seat before the start of a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing to examine US policy towards Venezuela on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Jan. 28, 2026. US military raided Caracas on January 3 and seized Nicolas Maduro, a longtime leftist nemesis of Washington, and his wife, Cilia Flores. (L-R) US Senator Chris Coons, Democrat from Delaware, looks on as Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Democrat from New Hampshire, speaks during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to examine US policy towards Venezuela on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Jan. 28, 2026. US military raided Caracas on January 3 and seized Nicolas Maduro, a longtime leftist nemesis of Washington, and his wife, Cilia Flores. Photographers capture images of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as he arrives to testify during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on Jan. 28, 2026 in Washington, D.C. This is the first time Rubio has testified before Congress since the Trump administration attacked Venezuela and seized President Nicolas Maduro, bringing him to the United States to stand trial. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives to testify during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on Jan. 28, 2026 in Washington, D.C. This is the first time Rubio has testified before Congress since the Trump administration attacked Venezuela and seized President Nicolas Maduro, bringing him to the United States to stand trial. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, joined by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch (R-ID), arrives to testify before the committee in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on Jan. 28, 2026, in Washington, D.C. This is the first time Rubio has testified before Congress since the Trump administration attacked Venezuela and seized President Nicolas Maduro, bringing him to the United States to stand trial. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives to testify at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on Jan. 28, 2026, in Washington, D.C. This is the first time Rubio has testified before Congress since the Trump administration attacked Venezuela and seized President Nicolas Maduro, bringing him to the United States to stand trial. Marco Rubio faces Senate questions after US capture of Maduro 1 of 9 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio takes his seat before the start of a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing to examine US policy towards Venezuela on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Jan. 28, 2026. US military raided Caracas on January 3 and seized Nicolas Maduro, a longtime leftist nemesis of Washington, and his wife, Cilia Flores. The Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro was part of a group of guerrilla fighters that overthrew U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista, who took power in Cuba in 1959 and established a socialist state. Batista was supported by the United States for his anti-communist stance, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. Batista fled Cuba after seven years of dictatorship. Castro began strengthening ties with the Soviet Union. The next year, Castro nationalized all foreign assets in Cuba, raised taxes on goods imported from the United States and established trade deals with the Soviet Union. Advertisement Advertisement President Dwight Eisenhower retaliated, slashing the import quota for Cuban sugar, freezing Cuban assets in the United States and imposing a trade embargo. Eisenhower also cut off diplomatic ties with the Castro government. Bay of Pigs invasion In 1961, CIA-trained Cuban exiles launched a failed attempt to overthrow Castro, leading to severed diplomatic ties. President John F. Kennedy, executing a strategy from the Eisenhower administration, deployed a brigade of 1,400 CIA-sponsored Cuban exiles by air, land and sea in the attempt. The Cuban military defeated the exiles in three days after miscues by the exiled forces that eventually revealed the United States' involvement. More than 100 men in the exiled forces were killed, and nearly 1,100 were taken prisoner and held in Cuba for almost two years. Advertisement Advertisement The prisoners were released by Cuba to the United States between 1962 and 1965 in exchange for $53 million worth of food and medicine. Estimates vary on how many Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces members were killed and wounded; various reports suggest up to 2,000 combined. Unfazed by the failed invasion, the Kennedy administration implemented Operation Mongoose to destabilize Cuba's government and economy. The operation included plans to assassinate Castro. For many decades, several U.S. administrations carried out covert operations against Cuba. A group of Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro's soldiers with artillery after routing the US-backed invasion at the Bay of Pigs in 1961. Cuban Missile Crisis In 1961, the United States discovered Soviet nuclear missiles being built in Cuba when an American U-2 spy plane photographed nuclear missile sites. The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 caused widespread panic as America seemed on the brink of nuclear war with the Soviet Union amid the Cold War. Advertisement Advertisement Fearing a U.S. invasion, Castro allowed the Soviet Union to place missiles on its soil. The crisis was resolved when the Soviet Union pledged to remove the missiles in exchange for the United States removing its missiles in Turkey. This file photo shows a group of U.S. sailors from the battleship Connecticut and a gun they captured at Cape Haitien during the U.S. occupation of Haiti in 1915. Officers at Jacmel, Haiti, during the U.S. occupation in 1915. A group of Cuban revolutionaries with Fidel Castro are seen with artillery after routing the U.S.-backed invasion at the Bay of Pigs in 1961. Children cheer on the U.S. Marines following offensive in Vecca Monte west of Panama City, during "Operation Just Cause," the U.S. invasion to remove Manuel Noriega, which lasted from December 1989 through January 1990. A U.S. Marine corps crew takes up position on the outskirts of Santo Domingo, on May 2, 1965, during the Dominican Civil War. The U.S. Army Airborne troops drive down a street in Santo Domingo during the occupation of the Dominican Republic in 1965. U.S. troops in full combat gear run on the docks of Port-au-Prince harbor, on Sept. 19, 1994, after arriving on an assault helicopter. Thousands of U.S. soldiers arrived in Haiti on Sept. 19, 1994, as part of "Operation Uphold Democracy," to pave the way for the restoration of the elected president Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Hundreds of local residents run towards the U.S. Chinook helicopters, on Sept. 24, 1994, as a detachment of over 100 U.S. troops arrive in this small southern coastal town, 120 km south of Port-au-Prince, as part of the "Operation Uphold Democracy." From Cuba to Panama: US interventions that shaped Latin America 1 of 8 This file photo shows a group of U.S. sailors from the battleship Connecticut and a gun they captured at Cape Haitien during the U.S. occupation of Haiti in 1915. Mariel boatlift and 'Cuban Exodus' In 1980, after housing and job shortages led to an economic collapse, the Cuban government opened its coast to allow anyone with a permit to flee the country on boats at the Port of Mariel, just west of Havana. Nearly 125,000 Cubans were allowed to enter the United States in a span of five months. Many emigrated to Florida. The Coast Guard referred to the flow of Cuban immigrants as the "1980 Cuban Exodus." In 1993, after more economic turmoil, Cuba legalized the American dollar and allowed privately owned businesses and services. Farmers were permitted to sell some of their produce privately instead of only to the government. Advertisement Advertisement But Cuba accused the United States of tightening an economic embargo and depriving Cubans of medicine and other needed resources. In 1994, U.S. officials and Cuba reached an immigration agreement that would allow the United States to accept 20,000 Cubans annually, contingent on the Cuban government controlling the exodus of Cuban refugees. Sinking of the '13 de Marzo' tugboat In 1994, 41 people died after a tugboat called 13 de Marzo was allegedly struck by Cuban authorities and sank about 7 miles from the Port of Havana. The boat was used by people trying to flee from Cuba at the height of the "special period." Seventy-two people were on board. Thirty-one people were rescued, according to a report by human rights organization Amnesty International. Advertisement Advertisement An Inter-American Commission on Human Rights investigation ruled in 1996 that four boats belonging to the Cuban government attacked the tugboat. "The Cuban state was seriously at fault for having failed to establish the identity of those responsible and punishing them so that such terrible events might never occur again," the commission said. The Cuban government denied any involvement with the sinking, according to Amnesty International. The government said the tugboat was stolen and sank after colliding with other boats trying to intercept it. On the 30th anniversary of the tugboat sinking in 2024, Florida Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, a Democrat, called the tragedy "one of the cruelest atrocities ever committed against the Cuban people by the murderous regime" in Cuba. Advertisement Advertisement "The victims still have not seen justice for these heinous crimes," Diaz-Balart said in a statement. "Sadly, the Cuban people continue to suffer at the hands of a depraved dictatorship that has no respect for human life or freedom." Brothers to the Rescue planes shot down by Cuba On Feb. 24, 1996, two twin-engine Cessnas flown by the nonprofit Brothers to the Rescue in a humanitarian mission over the Florida Straits were shot down at the order of the Cuban government. Four people on the planes died. Cuban authorities argued that the aircraft were violating Cuban airspace. The volunteer group's flights centered on spotting Cuban refugees fleeing their homeland for the United States, often in makeshift boats or rafts. Brothers to Rescue would relay the coordinates to the U.S. Coast Guard. Advertisement Advertisement The shootings rocked the South Florida Cuban American community. The victims were identified as pilots Carlos Costa and Mario de la Pena and observers Armando Alejandre and Pablo Morales. Their bodies were never recovered. Many residents and local officials recently marked the 30th anniversary of the attack, and some Florida lawmakers have called on the Trump administration to indict former Cuban leader Raul Castro for the deaths. Helms-Burton Act After two U.S. civilian planes were shot down by Cuban Air Force jets in 1996, Congress passed legislation known as the Helms-Burton Act (Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of 1996) to further tighten the Cuban trade embargo by penalizing foreign companies doing business in Cuba. When it passed the Helms-Burton Act, Congress authorized the president to suspend Title III on national security grounds. The provision was then suspended by three presidents, hoping to avoid diplomatic conflicts with U.S. allies, including Canada and Spain, whose companies have invested in Cuba. Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump would lift that suspension in 2019 during his first term in office. The Cuban Five In 1998, the Clinton administration charged five Cuban counterintelligence officers in the United States with conspiracy to commit espionage, among other illegal activities. The officers were part of a ring known as the "Wasp Network" who were sent by the Castro government to infiltrate Cuban-American exile groups and politicians in South Florida opposed to the Castro regime. They were found guilty in 2001. Two of the officers were released at the end of their terms in 2011 and 2014. The other three officers were released later in 2014 as part of a prisoner swap for a U.S. intelligence officer held in Cuba. Elian Gonzalez custody battle In 1999, a 6-year-old Cuban boy was rescued off Florida after the boat carrying his mother and other refugees capsized. Elian Gonzalez became the poster child of an international custody fight and a media sensation as the boy's uncle and relatives in Miami fought with his father and the Cuban government over where the boy should live. In 2000, armed U.S. federal agents seized the boy from his relatives in Miami and eventually returned him to his father in Cuba after a lengthy custody battle. More than two decades later, Gonzalez is a lawmaker in Cubas National Assembly. Controversial boat-related killing In another boat-related shootout in 2022, the Cuban coast guard killed one person aboard a Dakota speedboat with a Florida registration north of Bahia Honda. Cuban authorities said at the time that they found drugs and evidence of firearms use aboard. That same year, five people, including a child, died when a speedboat carrying Cubans collided with a Cuban coast guard vessel, according to the Cuban Interior Ministry's version. Survivors later said the coast guard vessel rammed their boat. 'Cuban thaw' In 2016, President Barack Obama and Cuban leader Raul Castro announced a historic normalization of relations between the two countries to end the more than 50 years of hostility. The roughly two years of discussions resulted in a prisoner swap, Obama's historic 2016 visit to Cuba, embassy reopenings, and the easing of banking and traveling restrictions for Americans and Cubans. "The President has instructed the Secretary of State to immediately initiate discussions with Cuba on the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba, which were severed in January 1961," a White House summary announced. "In the coming months, we will re-establish an embassy in Havana and carry out high-level exchanges and visits between our two governments as part of the normalization process." Trump reverses policies Shortly after taking the White House in 2017, the first Trump administration reversed many Obama-era policies on Cuba. The administration reimposed strict sanctions and redesignated Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism. After Maduro's capture in Venezuela, the Trump administration in January declared a national emergency over Cuba, calling the country "an unusual and extraordinary threat" to U.S. national security. The United States has cut off the flow of Venezuelan oil to Cuba and threatened to impose tariffs on any country supplying it with fuel. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US and Cuba's fractious relationship through the years WASHINGTON The United States says its embassy and consulates in Mexico are operating normally again and a curfew for American government workers has been lifted after several days of unrest following the killing of a powerful drug lord in a military operation. U.S. government workers and American citizens in Puerto Vallarta and other popular tourist destinations areas were advised earlier in the week to shelter in place "due to road blockages and criminal activity" as flights were halted in parts of Mexico after the Feb. 22 raid. Those recommendations were pulled back as the situation inside Mexico calmed down, and late on the afternoon of Feb. 25 a curfew that had been in place for American embassy workers in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta and Ciudad Guzman was revoked. Advertisement Advertisement "All restrictions related to the events of February 22 on U.S. government staff in Mexico have been lifted. The U.S. Embassy and all consulates in Mexico are operating normally," a State Department statement said. A drone view shows a tourist area during sunrise days after a series of blockades and attacks by organized crime following a military operation in which cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera, "El Mencho," was killed, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, February 25, 2026. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril Flight schedules have also returned to normal, the State Department said, and there were no reports of road closures. American tourists are still advised to confirm their flight status and schedule directly with their airline and monitor local media for updates. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US lifts all remaining restrictions for Americans in Mexico US and Iranian officials have made "significant progress" in high-stakes nuclear talks in Geneva, Oman's foreign minister has said, but the chances of a deal that could avert a war remain unclear. Badr Albusaidi, who was mediating, said the two sides planned to resume negotiations "soon" after consultations in their capitals, and technical-level discussions would take place next week in Vienna. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who led his country's delegation, said "good progress" had been made and while there had been agreement on some issues, differences remained on others. Advertisement Advertisement He said more negotiations would happen in a less than a week. There has been no official reaction from the US. The prospect of further talks could reduce the possibility of President Donald Trump carrying out his threats to strike Iran. Trump has ordered the largest US military build-up in the Middle East since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, while Iran has vowed to respond to an attack with force. For decades, the US and Israel have accused Iran of trying to secretly develop a nuclear weapon. Iran has repeatedly denied it is seeking a bomb and says its programme is only for peaceful purposes, though the country is the only non-nuclear-armed state to have enriched uranium at near weapons-grade level. Advertisement Advertisement According to Iranian state media, negotiators insisted that Iran had the right to peaceful nuclear energy and rejected US demands to completely stop the enrichment of uranium in Iranian territory and to transfer its stockpile of 400kg (880lb) of enriched uranium out of the country. But officials are believed to have offered concessions, although the proposals have not been made public. One of the reported options was for Iran to be allowed to enrich uranium at a minimal level after a three-to-five-year suspension, under international monitoring. In return for a deal, Araghchi told Iranian television that the negotiators demanded the lifting of sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy. Opponents of the regime say any relief would give the clerical rulers a lifeline. Advertisement Advertisement The indirect talks happened in two sessions. One in the morning, that lasted three hours, and another, shorter, in the evening. As in previous rounds, the US was represented by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Rafael Grossi, the head of the global nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), also joined the negotiations. It remains unclear which conditions Trump could find acceptable for a deal, and the president has done little to explain why there could be the need to take military action now, eight months after the US bombed Iranian nuclear facilities during a war between Israel and Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Iran has already rejected discussing limits to the country's ballistic missile programme and ending its support for proxies in the region, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, militias in Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen. USS Gerald R Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, left Souda Bay in Crete on Thursday [Reuters] In recent weeks, the US has sent thousands of troops and what Trump has described as an "armada" to the region, including two aircraft carriers along with other warships, as well as fighter jets and refuelling aircraft. Trump first threatened to bomb Iran last month as security forces brutally repressed anti-government protests, killing thousands of people. But since then, his focus has turned to Iran's nuclear programme, which has been at the centre of a long-running dispute with the West. The indirect talks are taking place at the Omani ambassador's residence in Geneva [AFP] In his State of the Union speech to Congress on Tuesday, Trump briefly and vaguely talked about the tensions with Iran, without clearly laying out the case for strikes. Advertisement Advertisement He said Iran was working to build missiles that would "soon" be capable of reaching the US, without giving details. He also accused the country of trying to "start all over again" with a nuclear weapons programme following last year's strikes, and said he could not allow the "world's number one sponsor of terror... to have a nuclear weapon". Hours before the speech, however, the Iranian foreign minister posted on social media that Iran would "under no circumstances ever develop a nuclear weapon". Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran "will under no circumstances ever develop a nuclear weapon" [Reuters] The US struck three nuclear sites in Iran last June, as it joined Israel in its bombing campaign. At the time, Trump said the facilities had been "obliterated". Iran says its enrichment activity stopped after the attacks, although it has not allowed the IAEA inspectors to access the damaged sites. Advertisement Advertisement Reports in US media, quoting unnamed administration officials, have suggested that Trump was considering an initial strike in the coming days on Iran's Revolutionary Guards or nuclear sites to pressure the country's leaders. If negotiations failed, according to the reports, the president might go as far as ordering a campaign with the aim of toppling Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is also said to have warned that strikes against Iran could be risky, potentially drawing the US into a prolonged conflict, although Trump has insisted that Gen Dan Caine believes it would be "easily won". Iran, meanwhile, has threatened to respond to any attack by striking American military assets in the Middle East and Israel. Advertisement Advertisement US-allied countries in the region are concerned that an attack on Iran could lead to a wider conflict, and have warned air power alone will not be able to change the country's leadership. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, has warned against a deal that does not include Iran's ballistic missiles and its proxies. Netanyahu has long described Iran as a key threat for Israel, and a source of instability in the region. Analysts believe that the prime minister, who visited the White House earlier this month, may be pushing for a campaign with the goal of toppling the Iranian regime. Advertisement Advertisement The US has the world's second-largest nuclear arsenal. Israel is also believed to have nuclear weapons, although it neither confirms nor denies this. Soybeans are trading with 5 to 6 cent gains across most contracts on Tuesday. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price is down 5 cents at $10.74 1/4. Soymeal futures are up $1 to $2 in the front months, with. Soy Oil futures up 70 points. ANEC estimates the Brazilian soybean exports at 10.69 MMT for February, down 0.77 MMT from the previous week. More News from Barchart EU import data from the European Commission estimates the countrys soybean import total from July 1 to Feb 22 at 8.11 MMT, down 1.02 MT from the same period last year. Mar 26 Soybeans are at $11.39 1/4, up 5 cents, Nearby Cash is at $10.74 1/4, up 5 cents, May 26 Soybeans are at $11.55 1/4, up 5 1/2 cents, Jul 26 Soybeans are at $11.68 3/4, up 5 1/4 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 GENEVA (AP) Iran and the United States held hours of indirect negotiations Thursday over Tehran's nuclear program but walked away without a deal, leaving the danger of another Mideast war on the table as the U.S. has gathered a massive fleet of aircraft and warships in the region. Oman's Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who mediated the talks in Geneva, said there had been significant progress in the negotiation without elaborating. But just before the talks ended, Iranian state television reported that Tehran was determined to continue enriching uranium, rejected proposals to transfer it abroad and sought the lifting of international sanctions, indicating it was not prepared to meet U.S. President Donald Trump's demands. Advertisement Advertisement Trump wants a deal to constrain Irans nuclear program, and he sees an opportunity while the country is struggling at home with growing dissent following nationwide protests. Iran also hopes to avert war, but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues, like its long-range missile program or support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Al-Busaidi said technical talks involving lower-level representatives would continue next week in Vienna, the home of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The United Nations' atomic watchdog likely would be critical in any deal. In an interview with Iranian state television, Irans foreign minister said the talks with the U.S. were some of the countrys most intense and longest rounds of negotiations. Abbas Araghchi offered no specifics but said what needs to happen has been clearly spelled out from our side. Advertisement Advertisement The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A very terrible scenario The stakes could hardly be higher. If America attacks, Iran has said U.S. military bases in the region would be considered legitimate targets, putting at risk tens of thousands of American service members. Iran has also threatened to attack Israel, meaning a regional war again could erupt across the Middle East. There would be no victory for anybody it would be a devastating war, Araghchi told India Today in an interview recorded Wednesday just before he flew to Geneva. Since the Americans' bases are scattered through different places in the region, then unfortunately perhaps the whole region would be engaged and be involved, so it is a very terrible scenario. Advertisement Advertisement Ali Vaez, an Iran expert with the International Crisis Group, said it was a good sign that the Americans did not walk away immediately Thursday when Iran presented its latest proposal. There might still not be a breakthrough at the end of this day, but the very fact that the U.S. team is returning shows that there is enough common ground between the two sides," he said. Geneva talks are the third meeting since June war The two sides held multiple rounds of talks last year that collapsed when Israel launched a 12-day war against Iran in June and the U.S. carried out heavy strikes on its nuclear sites, leaving much of Iran's nuclear program in ruins even as the full extent of the damage remains unclear. Araghchi represented Iran at the talks. Steve Witkoff, a billionaire real estate developer and friend of Trump who serves as a special Mideast envoy, headed up the U.S. delegation with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. The talks again were mediated by Oman, an Arab Gulf country that's long served as an interlocutor between Iran and the West. Advertisement Advertisement The two sides adjourned after around three hours of talks and resumed the discussions later. During the break, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the Iranians felt there were constructive proposals offered on both nuclear issues and sanctions relief. Trump wants Iran to completely halt its enrichment of uranium and roll back both its long-range missile program and its support for regional armed groups. Iran says it will only discuss nuclear issues, and maintains its atomic program is for entirely peaceful purposes. US suspects Iran is rebuilding its program U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters Wednesday that Iran is always trying to rebuild elements of its nuclear program. He said that Tehran is not enriching uranium right now, but theyre trying to get to the point where they ultimately can. Advertisement Advertisement Iran has said it hasn't enriched since June, but it has blocked IAEA inspectors from visiting the sites America bombed. Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press have shown activity at two of those sites, suggesting Iran is trying to assess and potentially recover material there. The West and the IAEA say Iran had a nuclear weapons program until 2003. After Trump scrapped the 2015 nuclear agreement, Iran ramped up its enrichment of uranium to 60% purity a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. U.S. intelligence agencies assess that Iran has yet to restart a weapons program, but has undertaken activities that better position it to produce a nuclear device, if it chooses to do so. Some Iranian officials have spoken openly about the country's readiness to produce a bomb if that decision is taken. Threat of military action sparks war fears If the talks fail, uncertainty hangs over the timing of any possible U.S. attack. Advertisement Advertisement If the aim of potential military action is to pressure Iran to make concessions in nuclear negotiations, its not clear whether limited strikes would work. If the goal is to remove Irans leaders, that will likely commit the U.S. to a larger, longer military campaign. There has been no public sign of planning for what would come next, including the potential for chaos in Iran. There is also uncertainty about what any military action could mean for the wider region. Tehran could retaliate against the American-allied nations of the Persian Gulf or Israel. Oil prices have risen in recent days in part due to those concerns, with benchmark Brent crude now around $70 a barrel. Iran in the last round of talks said it briefly halted traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all traded oil passes. ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Lidman reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Will Weissert in Washington and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report. (Corrects day of week in paragraph 5 to Thursday (not Tuesday) By Parisa Hafezi and Olivia Le Poidevin GENEVA, Feb 26 (Reuters) - The United States and Iran made progress in talks over Tehran's nuclear program on Thursday, mediator Oman said, but hours of negotiation ended with no sign of a breakthrough that could avert potential U.S. strikes amid a massive military buildup. The two sides plan to resume negotiations soon after consultations in their countries' capitals, with technical-level discussions scheduled to take place next week in Vienna, Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi said in a post on X after the day's meetings in Switzerland. Advertisement Advertisement Badr Albusaidi will hold talks with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and other U.S. officials in Washington on Friday, MS NOW reported late on Thursday. Neither the White House nor Oman's embassy in Washington immediately responded to requests for comment. Any substantial move toward an elusive agreement between longtime foes Washington and Tehran could reduce the imminent prospects for U.S President Donald Trump to carry out a threatened attack on Iran that many fear could escalate into a wider war. But Thursday's indirect talks wrapped up without a deal, still leaving the region on edge. The Omani minister's upbeat assessment followed indirect talks between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Geneva, with one session in the morning and the second in the afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement "We have finished the day after significant progress in the negotiation between the United States and Iran," Badr Albusaidi said. But with many analysts seeing the latest diplomacy as the last chance before Trump could decide to go to war, Badr Albusaidi provided no details and stopped short of saying the two sides had overcome their biggest stumbling blocks to a deal. Describing the talks as some of the most serious that Iran has had with the U.S., Araqchi told Iranian state television: "We reached agreement on some issues, and there are differences regarding some other issues." It was decided that the next round of negotiations will take place soon, in less than a week," he said. The Iranians, he added, had clearly expressed their demand for lifting of U.S. sanctions, which Washington has long insisted will only come after deep concessions from Tehran. Advertisement Advertisement There was no immediate comment from the U.S. negotiating team on the outcome of the talks. But Axios quoted a senior U.S. official as saying the Geneva negotiations were positive. The discussions about the decades-long dispute over Iran's nuclear work come as fears grow of a Middle East conflagration. Trump has repeatedly threatened action if there is no deal, and the U.S. military has amassed its forces in waters near the Islamic Republic. 'INTENSE AND SERIOUS' TALKS A senior Iranian official told Reuters earlier on Thursday that the U.S. and Iran could reach a framework for a deal if Washington separated "nuclear and non-nuclear issues." Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has insisted that Iran's ballistic missile program and its support for armed groups in the region must be part of the negotiations. After the morning session, Badr Albusaidi said the two sides had exchanged "creative and positive ideas". But a senior Iranian official said at the time that some gaps still had to be narrowed. Washington, which believes Tehran seeks the ability to build a nuclear bomb, wants Iran to give up all uranium enrichment, a process that makes fuel for atomic power plants but that can also yield material for a warhead. Iran has long denied wanting a bomb and said earlier on Thursday it would show flexibility at the talks. Reuters reported on Sunday that Tehran was offering undefined new concessions in return for removal of sanctions and recognition of its right to enrich uranium. Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that Iran's refusal to discuss its ballistic missile program was a "big problem" which would have to be addressed eventually. The missiles were "designed solely to strike America" and pose a threat to regional stability, he said, but offered no proof to back the claim that U.S. territory could be targeted. TRUMP THREATENS 'REALLY BAD THINGS' Trump said on February 19 that Iran must make a deal in 10 to 15 days, warning that "really bad things" would otherwise happen. He briefly laid out his case for a possible attack on Iran in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday, underlining that while he preferred a diplomatic solution, he would not allow Tehran to obtain a nuclear weapon. Advertisement Advertisement In June, the U.S. joined Israel in hitting Iranian nuclear sites and has been ramping up the pressure on Tehran again since January, when Trump threatened to intervene over its crushing of nationwide protests with thousands killed. Since then, Trump has deployed fighter jets and aircraft carrier strike groups in the region. Iran responded to last summer's strikes by firing fusillades of missiles at Israel and has threatened to retaliate fiercely if attacked again, raising fears of a wider regional conflict that has alarmed Gulf oil producers. Within Iran, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei faces the gravest crisis of his 36-year tenure, with an economy buckling under tightened sanctions and renewed protests following the major unrest and crackdown in January. Advertisement Advertisement President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday that Khamenei has banned weapons of mass destruction, which "clearly means Tehran won't develop nuclear weapons," reiterating a religious decree issued in the early 2000s. (Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin and Manuel Ausloos in Geneva; Parisa Hafezi in Dubai; Steve Holland in Washington; Francois Murphy in Vienna; additional reporting by Costas Pitas and Kanishka Singh; Writing by Olivia Le Poidevin, Michael Georgy, Angus McDowall and Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Stephen Coates, Ros Russell, Timothy Heritage, Andrew Heavens and Cynthia Osterman) GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) The United States Supreme Court on Wednesday heard arguments about a Michigan home sold at auction after it was foreclosed on. Isabella County in 2015 seized the Pung familys home over around $2,000 in delinquent taxes. It ultimately sold the home in 2019 for $76,000, less than the assessed value of almost $200,000. The person who bought it at auction later resold it for almost $200,000, according to court filings. Advertisement Advertisement Following a court case, the county ultimately paid the family the surplus proceeds from the $76,000 sale, but the familys attorneys argue they should be due the full value of the home. What were trying to say is a home has intrinsic value, it has a certain known value, Outside Legal Counsel attorney Philip Ellison, who is representing the family alongside the Pacific Legal Foundation and argued the case before the court Wednesday, told News 8. Governments cant just sell it for the quick and the fast to get out from underneath of that. They actually have to treat this most important asset that people spend a lifetime trying to secure. I mean, we pay mortgages for 30 years, a lifetime, working lifetime of some adults. It shouldnt be disposed with such flippantness going forward. When a Michigan county forecloses on a home, who gets the profits? The countys attorneys are arguing that the auction brought in what the house was worth as a foreclosed property. Advertisement Advertisement Property sold in a compelled market under compelled market conditions is worth what the market pays for it under those conditions, and not what the property would be worth in an idealized private sale, Matthew Nelson with Warner Norcross + Judd told the Supreme Court justices during the Wednesday hearing, which streamed on C-SPAN. He also told the justices that no previous cases have suggested that former property owners are owed the fair market value minus the debt amount. Moreover, the petitioners fair market value approach assumes market conditions that simply dont exist after a foreclosure because the property owners decisions not to pay the tax, not to sell the property, not to obtain a statutory deferral and not to exercise the right of redemption, he said. ATTORNEY DISPUTES TAX DEBT The Pung familys case is complicated by the fact that they should have never owed the tax to begin with, their attorneys said. Advertisement Advertisement The property was first bought by Timothy Scott Pung about 35 years ago, according to the Pacific Legal Foundation. He died in 2004 and his wife died in 2008, after which his son Marc Pung moved into the home while Timothy Scott Pungs brother, Michael Pung managed the estate. Michael Pung is the family member named in the case against Isabella County as the representative of the estate. Timothy Scott Pung had originally secured a principal residence exemption for the property, Ellison explained. After he died, a local tax assessor said the family was no longer entitled to the tax exemption. A tax tribunal determined the family was still entitled to the exemption, Ellison said. According to Ellisons brief filed with the court, the Michigan Court of Appeals later confirmed that decision. Still, the credit ultimately wasnt applied and 10 days after the Court of Appeals decision, the county foreclosed on the property over the $2,242 bill. Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch asked the countys attorney why no one asked, Hey, wait a minute, what are we doing over a $2,000 tax bill? Im just curious how a $2,000 erroneously applied, it seems, $2,000 tax bill led to taking someones home, a sale for a third of what its worth, and then very promptly the whole value is secured again by the person who collected it out of foreclosures, he said. Its a striking set of facts. How did it happen? Nelson said the decision was first made by the township assessor, and after the case was turned over to the county, the county had no authority to say the tax bill didnt need to be paid. DECISION EXPECTED THIS SUMMER Ellison said that regardless of whether or not the tax was owed, its a detail that is not that particularly important overall about what the Supreme Court should do in this particular circumstance. Advertisement Advertisement He said he expects the Supreme Court to make a decision this summer. If it takes the position he presented or a similar position, he expects Michigan will likely have to change its foreclosure process. Other states may have to change their process as well, he said. Ultimately, the decision about whether to foreclose on someones home for a tax belongs to the government. The government can decide whether to do that or not. I think they should do it as a matter of last resort, he said. I dont think it should be the first thing governments go to, but they do because its an easy asset for them to grab a hold of. Nelson declined a request for an interview, but in a video statement sent to News 8 said the case is about whether individuals who do not pay their property taxes deserve special benefits from the government. Thats what Mr. Pung is asking for. He failed to pay his property taxes and his property was foreclosed and sold at auction, consistent with centuries of American law, he said. We hope that the Supreme Court, consistent with centuries of American law, will affirm that decision and rule that the county did exactly what it was required to do by the Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Editors note: A previous version of this story quoted Nelson as saying Michael Pung did not attend a hearing with the treasurer or the foreclosure hearing. Ellison later told News 8 he did attend the hearings. 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 WOODTV.com. By Emma Farge and Pavel Polityuk GENEVA/KYIV, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Ukrainian and U.S. officials met in Geneva on Thursday for talks on post-war reconstruction despite a deadlock in negotiations with Russia, and officials in Kyiv hoped to finalise key details of a settlement at a trilateral meeting early next month. Top Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov said the participants at the meeting, which followed a night of Russian attacks on infrastructure, spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy after its conclusion. Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskiy, who spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday, said trilateral talks would likely take place in Abu Dhabi in early March and would aim to prepare the way for a meeting of Ukraine and Russia's leaders. Rebuilding Ukraine after the destruction wrought by Russian airstrikes and frontline combat has become a major element in broader U.S.-brokered talks on ending the war, which entered its fifth year this week and shows no signs of abating. The U.S. has been pressing Ukraine to secure peace in Europe's biggest conflict since World War Two, but Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart in their positions as Russian troops grind forward on the battlefield and strike Ukrainian cities. TRILATERAL MEETING 'CAN RESOLVE A GREAT DEAL' Advertisement Advertisement "Everything will have to be finalised. Everything that has been achieved for real security guarantees and preparing a meeting at the leaders' level," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address, referring to the forthcoming trilateral meeting. "That is the very format that can resolve a great deal. After all, leaders decide on key issues." Taking part in the Geneva talks were U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, also held talks with U.S. officials in Geneva on Thursday, Russia's state-run RIA news agency reported. Dmitriev declined to comment on the outcome of the meeting, RIA said. Advertisement Advertisement Umerov said negotiators were working on economic and security issues to "make the next trilateral meeting involving the U.S. and Russia as substantive as possible." Kyiv hopes to attract about $800 billion of public and private funds over the next 10 years to rebuild the country, where swathes of territory have been ravaged. The latest assessment from the World Bank, released on Monday, showed rebuilding Ukraine's economy will cost an estimated $588 billion. The assessment is based on data from February 24, 2022, through December 31, 2025. Ukrainian and Russian negotiators met last week in Geneva for their third U.S.-mediated meeting this year but failed to reach any breakthrough on key sticking points, including territory. Advertisement Advertisement NEW RUSSIAN STRIKES ON UKRAINE Hours before talks began, Russia launched 420 drones and 39 missiles in another night of attacks on energy and other critical infrastructure, Zelenskiy said. Dozens of people were injured and damage was reported across eight regions, he added. In recent months, Russia has focused its missile and drone strikes on Ukraine's energy sector, destroying power plants and substations and plunging entire cities and regions into prolonged blackouts. In Kyiv, art teacher Larysa Fuzik, 62, said more international pressure was needed on Russia as the aggressor. "Even though four years of war have passed, every time the alarm sounds, I feel such fear, such coldness in my soul, such anxiety," Fuzik said. "I immediately get dressed and run to the metro." Advertisement Advertisement Moscow has denied targeting civilians, although its attacks have killed thousands since it invaded in February 2022. Ukraine has also targeted Russia's energy system, particularly oil refineries, depots and transport terminals. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the strikes showed "Putin bets on more terror, attacks, and aggression." Russian forces are making incremental gains in parts of the 1,200-km (750-mile) front line, threatening key "fortress cities" in the eastern Donetsk region and advancing within 20 km of the southeastern regional capital of Zaporizhzhia. Moscow has said Kyiv must cede the final 20% of industrialised Donetsk that it controls. Ukraine says it will not give up territory that thousands have died to defend. Advertisement Advertisement Land issues and control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, seized by Russian forces in the first weeks of the war, remain among the thorniest issues to resolve. Zelenskiy has urged Kyiv's partners to increase pressure on Moscow. The United States has slowed the sale of Russian oil company Lukoil's international assets to pressure Russia in the peace talks, sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters on Thursday. (Writing by Daniel Flynn and Dan Peleschuk; Editing by Sharon Singleton, Ros Russell, Ron Popeski, Rod Nickel) More than 200 community members some in suits, some with kids and some fresh from class packed into a ballroom at USF Sarasota-Manatees Atala Hall on Wednesday evening. They had the same mission: Keeping the campus part of the University of South Florida. Last week, the Florida House of Representatives passed a bill that would transfer theUSF Sarasota-Manatee campus land, buildings and debt to New College of Florida by July 1. Advertisement Advertisement The Houses proposed budget includes a provision that would allocate$23 million of USFs state funding to New College. The Senates budget bills do not include similar language, and Will Weatherford, the chairperson of USFs board of trustees, posted on X that there is a zero percent change that this will happen. The Senate and Gov. Ron DeSantis would need to approve both bills before they become law. In a series of panels organized by Save USFSM, a group dedicated to keeping the campus part of USF, local employers spoke about their ties to the campus and former students explained why it was exactly what they needed. Former legislator Lisa Carlton encouraged attendees to call their senators. This is way not over, she said. At USF Sarasota-Manatee, 95% of graduating students live in the area, said campus board member Anila Jain. Advertisement Advertisement Tracy ONeill, managing partner of the accounting firm Kerkering Barberio, said she is a USF Sarasota-Manatee alum who grew up in the area. Its difficult to recruit students from across the country to come to the Sarasota region, she said. We hire a lot of accountants that go on to become CPAs, and 30% of our staff are USF alums. Most are graduates from this campus, she said. Our industry is very difficult to recruit in and to lose that resource thats right in our backyard is a significant impact to what we do. The same is true of HCA Blake Hospital, chief nursing officer Pariss Clark said. The hospital hires most of the USF Sarasota-Manatee nursing students that do clinical rotations at the hospital, she said. About 20% of the workforce at the Sarasota accounting firm Carr, Riggs & Ingram is made up of USF Sarasota-Manatee graduates, partner Garrett Shinn said. Advertisement Advertisement If the plan goes through, the firm will need to focus recruiting efforts elsewhere and potentially drop clients, he said. Shinn said itll also be difficult to recruit new companies to the area without a local university that provides STEM courses. Campus board member Ernie Withers said he is worried about transportation burden on future students who would need to travel to Tampa or St. Petersburg if they want to go to USF. Alum Kiarra Louis, a manager at the Patterson Foundation, a Sarasota philanthropic organization, said a huge draw of the Sarasota-Manatee campus was how close she would be to her family and social network. Alumna Angela Perez Cruz agreed. She is a Cuban immigrant who has been in Sarasota since she came to the United States, and has volunteered locally since high school. USF Sarasota-Manatee was a no-brainer for her undergraduate education, she said. Advertisement Advertisement I really love this community, she said. I love Sarasota, and even after graduating from medical school, I can see myself working as a doctor in Sarasota. Students at New College are listening to what is going on, too, New College freshman Luci Pimienta saidfrom the audience. We stand with you guys, Pimienta said to loud applause. Karen Holbrook, the campus former regional chancellor, highlighted the campus nursing and insurance programs, and mentioned cultural events, including a symposium on Ukraine and a program by the Climate Adaptation Center. She said those events serve the community, not just the students. Advertisement Advertisement Earlier on Wednesday afternoon, New College released an op-ed by David Rohrbacher, the colleges provost and vice president of academic affairs. He wrote that if the transfer goes through, New College will integrate the campus into its academic vision. This would include sustaining the partnerships USF Sarasota-Manatee has built with local businesses and creating a new Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality program, Rohrbacher said. Sarasota-Manatee is one of the most hospitality-dense regions in the country, and Florida as a whole runs on this industry, Rohrbacher wrote. It makes sense that hospitality education should be strong here, and New College of Florida has all the tools to make that happen. At the end of the forum, attendees scanned a QR code on the screen to share their comments about USF Sarasota-Manatees importance to the community. Organizers said the responses will be shared with legislators and the university. Advertisement Advertisement Carlton asked attendees to look around the room during her closing comments. There was a mix of people with doctoral degrees, people who are first-generation students, others who are parents, she said. That is what this campus is designed for, she said. Its mission was to serve this community and provide access to a better life, and thats what it has done for the last 30-plus years. Lucy Marques is a reporter covering education as a member of the Tampa Bay Times Education Hub. You can contribute to the hub through our journalism fund by clicking here. Though no deal was reached to end Irans nuclear arms ambitions, U.S. and Iranian officials both expressed cautious optimism after the third round of negotiations between the two nations concluded today. Even as the talks were underway in Geneva, more American military assets pushed toward the Middle East. On Thursday, the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford left Souda Bay on the Greek-owned island of Crete and will reportedly arrive off the Israeli coast as early as Friday. In addition, more F-35A Lighting II stealth fighters and F-15E Strike Eagle multirole fighters are on their way across the Atlantic for likely deployment to the region. You can get a good sense of the state of play in this situation in our deep dive here. The third round of indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran in Geneva ended inconclusively Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement We have finished the day after significant progress in the negotiation between the United States and Iran, Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who is moderating the talks, stated on X. We will resume soon after consultation in the respective capitals. Discussions on a technical level will take place next week in Vienna. I am grateful to all concerned for their efforts: the negotiators, the IAEA, and our hosts the Swiss government. We have finished the day after significant progress in the negotiation between the United States and Iran. We will resume soon after consultation in the respective capitals. Discussions on a technical level will take place next week in Vienna. I am grateful to all concerned for Badr Albusaidi (@badralbusaidi) February 26, 2026 U.S. and Iranian officials offered positive assessments of the negotiations. Senior U.S. official tells me: The Geneva nuclear talks with Iran were "positive" https://t.co/JveqNZJQSI Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) February 26, 2026 Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi: Todays round was the best among the rounds so far. We clearly presented our demands to the American side. Technical talks will be held on Monday to discuss detailed specifics. We achieved good progress on the nuclear file and sanctions pic.twitter.com/r5dEvvmYJn Clash Report (@clashreport) February 26, 2026 At issue is the future of Irans nuclear weapons program, but the negotiations do not involve Irans ballistic missile program, which the Trump administration is now saying could threaten the U.S. homeland in the near future. More about that later in this story. The U.S. is reportedly demanding that Iran destroy its Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites, deliver all enriched uranium to the U.S., agree to zero enrichment of its uranium, but can keep the Tehran reactor. In addition, the Trump administration is demanding that any deal be permanent and is offering Iran minimal sanctions relief, with more if the country is compliant with these demands. Here the demands US brought to Iran in Geneva: 1) Destroy all 3 nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, Isfahan 2) Deliver all enriched uranium to US 3) No sunset clauses 4) Zero enrichment, but can keep Tehran reactor 5) Minimal sanctions relief up front; more if Iran compliant Alex Ward (@alexbward) February 26, 2026 Advertisement Advertisement For its part, Iran is unwilling to transfer any enriched uranium outside the country, the official Iranian Press TV news outlet reported on Thursday. While the U.S. delegation demands all existing stockpiles be handed over, Iran insists that the enriched uranium should remain safeguarded within its borders. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Iran remained crystal clear that it would under no circumstances ever develop a nuclear weapon, while also recognising the right of Irans people to the benefits of peaceful nuclear technology, Al Jazeera reported. The negotiations are taking place in the wake of statements by Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio laying out the administrations case against Iran. Both warned that Iran is developing weapons that can strike the U.S. and has the means and intent to strike its assets, and those of allies, in the Middle East. PRESIDENT TRUMP on IRAN: My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy, but one thing is certain: I will NEVER allow the worlds number one sponsor of terror to have a nuclear weapon. We have to be strong. Its called peace through strength. pic.twitter.com/0CPKHtvQDt Department of State (@StateDept) February 25, 2026 SECRETARY RUBIO on IRAN: For a country facing sanctions, whose economy is in tatters, whose people are suffering, somehow they still find the money to invest in missiles of greater capacity every year. This is an unsustainable threat. pic.twitter.com/LGZJxPG33w Department of State (@StateDept) February 26, 2026 Meanwhile, the Trump administration reportedly would like to see Israel attack first to give the U.S. political cover. Advertisement Advertisement Theres thinking in and around the administration that the politics are a lot better if the Israelis go first and alone and the Iranians retaliate against us, and give us more reason to take action, Politico stated. The argument in Israel is that this would be a terrible strategic mistake, as it creates a lose-lose situation: if the strike fails, Israel would be blamed for dragging the United States into the conflict, a high-ranking IDF official told us. Israel would be accused of being a warmonger, a source of destruction and regional war, rather than a country seeking to reach an agreement. Israel could find itself completely isolated. This reflects the general discourse on the issue. This issue should be taken with a degree of skepticism since much of the behind-the-scenes reporting has been highly inaccurate. Report: White House insiders say a first strike by Israel on Iran might create the optics needed to justify US military action.https://t.co/EszY1krx5r Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) February 26, 2026 Many actions are being carried out on the home front, among civilians, in order to protect them from missile strikes, the IDF official added. At the same time, there is very significant military readiness along the borders. Advertisement Advertisement While the Trump administration is pushing Iran to accept the deal or risk an attack, Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives pledged Thursday to force a vote next week on legislation to restrict President Donald Trump from attacking Iran without congressional approval, Politico pointed out, adding that the White House is already mobilizing to try and defeat it. The move by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and his leadership team will compel a tough and close vote for lawmakers as the Trump administration ramps up pressure on Tehran, the outlet added. JUST IN: House Dem leaders say the plan to force a vote on bipartisan Iran war powers legislation from Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie as soon as Congress reconvenes next week. pic.twitter.com/IxO7DSwQAT Connor O'Brien (@connorobrienNH) February 26, 2026 The sabre rattling and internal political machinations come as the U.S. has built up a massive force that includes two aircraft carrier strike groups and several other warships. There are reports that the Ford, on a twice-extended deployment that has seen it enter the Mediterranean for the second time since departing Norfolk on June 24, 2025, will dock in Haifa, Israel. However, that seems dubious given that placing an aircraft carrier at a fixed location like that would make it a very attractive and high-volume target for an Iranian attack. The carrier would not benefit from its own defenses, and to a lesser degree, that of its escorts, when in port, as well. Advertisement Advertisement There have been suggestions that the Fords Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer escorts will help provide protection for Israel against anticipated Iranian barrages. The Fords F/A-18E-F Super Hornets and E/A-18G Growler electronic warfare jets could also be used to attack Iran, but would have to fly across Israel or Lebanon, Syria or Jordan, and Iraq, to reach Iranian territory. Haifa suffered significant damage during the 12-Day War in June, with dozens injured from missile fire and structural damage to homes and municipality buildings, the Jerusalem Post reported. Haifa is home to the Israel Navy headquarters and the largest oil refinery in Israel, which was hit during the war, forcing a partial, temporary shutdown of some secondary facilities. According to the @Jerusalem_Post, the USS Gerald R. Ford is due to dock in Haifa, Israel on Monday. https://t.co/AMTJQUeq6z https://t.co/t0Xi9YLA9f TheIntelFrog (@TheIntelFrog) February 26, 2026 The Pentagons first kamikaze drone unit is ready to participate if Trump decides to launch strikes on Iran, Bloomberg News reported, citing U.S. officials and analysts. The drone unit is known as Task Force Scorpion. Its now ready for operations, U.S. Central Command spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins told the news outlet in an emailed statement. We established the squadron last year to rapidly equip our warfighters with new combat drone capabilities that continue to evolve, he said. Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. military set up Task Force Scorpion late last year as the first operational unit armed with Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS) kamikaze drones, a design reverse-engineered from the Iranian-designed Shahed-136, in the Middle East. The establishment was seen as a major development, and offers a way to flip the script on Iran, according to a U.S. official. Last year, TWZ laid out a detailed case for why Americas armed forces should be investing heavily in rapidly-produced Shahed-136 clones as an adaptable capability that could be critical in future operations globally, as you can read here. Just in: The Pentagons first kamikaze drone unit is ready to participate if President Donald Trump decides to launch strikes on Iran, according to US officials and analysts. https://t.co/DOPGwxi339 Anthony Capaccio (@ACapaccio) February 26, 2026 In addition to the ships, scores of tactical jets, refuelers, airborne control planes, and other aircraft have already surged to the Middle East and Europe, with more on the way. At least another 12 F-35As from Hill Air Force Base in Utah, and six F-15Es each from Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina are heading to Europe. Thats ahead of a likely deployment to the Middle East. Aviation photographer Acr Explorer was kind enough to share images of F-35As and F-22s seen at Lakenheath Air Base in the U.K. on Thursday. F-22 Raptor stealth fighters seen Thursday at Lakenheath Air Base in the U.K. (Acr Explorer) F-22 Raptor stealth fighters seen Thursday at Lakenheath Air Base in the U.K. (Acr Explorer) Advertisement Advertisement F-22 Raptor stealth fighters seen Thursday at Lakenheath Air Base in the U.K. (Acr Explorer) The large influx of U.S. airpower has left U.S. bases in the region crowded and is one reason that F-22 Raptor stealth fighters have been deployed to Israel. Another is the likelihood that Israel will be fully integrated into any U.S. attack on Iran. Beyond the Middle East and Europe, the U.S. is also building up forces at Diego Garcia, its Indian Ocean island outpost, which has been used as a bomber base in previous conflicts. As we noted yesterday, F-16CM fighters from the 35th Fighter Wing recently arrived on the island from Misawa Air Base in Japan. These would be key assets in defending the island from a possible Iranian attack. There is also indications that a bomber deployment to the base could be imminent. However, there are political questions to be solved before the base can be used for a strike on Iran. As we reported last week, the United Kingdom has apparently said it would not allow the use of the island for strikes on Iran, although Prime Minister Keir Starmer could still change his mind. You can read more about the force-protection mission at Diego Garcia increasingly threatened by Iranian long-range attack drones and missiles in our previous reporting. While the talks between Washington and Tehran are scheduled to resume next week, remember that three days before the Operation Midnight Hammer strike on Iranian nuclear facilities last June, the White House said Trump would decide within two weeks about whether to strike or keep negotiating. FLASHBACK: On June 19 2025 the White House said Trump would decide "within two weeks" on diplomacy Vs. strike. Three days later he ordered operation "Midnight Hammer" https://t.co/jcTmA4gi2z https://t.co/JY0HJh4LtF Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) February 17, 2026 Though more negotiations are scheduled, Trump has acted militarily ahead of planned talks in the past. Regardless, with the Ford arriving very soon and other assets trickling into place, and fitting our own stated timeline, the window for strikes appears to be cracking open now, and will only get wider with each passing day. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com Sir Keir Starmer has once again paused his attempt to hand over my homeland to Mauritius without the permission of my people. Thanks to the valiant efforts of supporters of the Chagossian cause, and the vital intervention of President Trump, he has been forced to reconsider his ill-considered treaty with Mauritius. As Nigel Farage said recently, how can a Government led by a team full of human rights lawyers be content to consistently and flagrantly ignore the rights of the Chagossians, my people? I do not have an answer for this, and based on the PMs response he does not either. Earlier this month, myself and three other Chagossians including my father, who was among those forcibly removed from our land in the 1960s and 1970s landed on Ile du Coin and established a new permanent settlement. Adam Holloway, a former MP, British soldier and friend, who has raised the money for us, masterminded this campaign. Advertisement Advertisement This settlement and my subsequent announcement of our official return to the Chagos Islands is more than just a stunt, as some have wrongly claimed. The Chagos Islands are our homeland, and this is an official action to reclaim our territory and to reiterate our rights as an indigenous people. We are asserting the most basic human right, as set out in the UN charter, to self-determination. We learnt of the deal between Britain and Mauritius to transfer sovereignty only from the news. No Chagossian sat at the negotiating table. No Chagossian was asked whether we wished to become subjects of Mauritius. This exclusion is a bitter reminder of the original crime. Between 1967 and 1973, Britain emptied these islands of every man, woman, and child. Our people were loaded onto overcrowded boats. Our pet dogs were shot or gassed and then incinerated. We were dumped in the slums of Mauritius and told we could not return. We were never consulted. Advertisement Advertisement We do not want these islands to be given to Mauritius as its new colony. We are not Mauritians. Mauritius has no legitimate claim or ties to our islands. We exercise that right of self-determination to say we are British and will remain so. Many Chagossians have served in the British Armed Forces I did, proudly. We hold British passports. We have paid British taxes. We have lived in British towns. If the Government of Sir Keir Starmer tries to deport us against our will, it will be committing a fresh crime against humanity. We will not be evicted from these islands again. We want to reassure our friends and allies of what we have always said: we want to remain subjects of the British Crown, loyal to His Majesty King Charles III. But we must do this on Chagos. The world is a dangerous place, made safer by the American presence at Diego Garcia. Chagossians do not seek its removal. We seek its protection. A transfer of our homeland to Mauritius risks exposing the islands to pressures from China. The US will have Diego Garcia forever, as long as we the native Chagossians have some say in the matter. Advertisement Advertisement In December of last year, I was elected as first minister of a Chagossian government in exile through an independently organised and verified ballot of my community. Following the landing, we are no longer in exile. As the Chagossian first minister, I willingly give President Trump permission to use Diego Garcia to strike at Irans murderous mullahs if he deems it necessary to defend the international order. Hopefully Sir Keir will break the habit of his time in office. That he will not change his mind again and finally accept that his deal cannot be tolerated by the Chagossian people, the British people and the Americans. For too long, decisions about Diego Garcia were made in distant capitals, without our voice, without our consent. That era is over. Misley Mandarin is first minister of the Chagossian government 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. Maryland state Sens. Paul Corderman and Karen Lewis Young renewed their efforts to bring historical horse racing (HHR) to the Old Line State Wednesday as Corderman introduced their legislation to the Budget and Taxation Committee. Framing SB 639 as a way to generate new tax revenue, help off-track betting locations, and prevent potential tax revenue from going over state lines, Corderman and Lewis reworked portions of their bill from last year, when it failed to advance out of this committee. Multiple OTB owners and a representative from Riverboat on the Potomac testified in favor of the bill while representatives from MGM National Harbor and Caesars-owned Horseshoe Casino spoke in opposition. Advertisement Advertisement There was no vote on the bill Wednesday. Corderman outlines key changes from 2025 In his remarks to the Budget and Taxation Committee, Corderman touched on the distinctions in this years bill compared to 2025. The biggest difference is that passage of SB 639 and its House companion HB 1240 would result in HHR being put to the voters for a referendum in November since it qualifies as an expansion of gaming. The state senator followed with a two-pronged approach in detailing what the estimated new revenue stream would mean for off-track betting operators while helping lessen an estimated flight of $40 million in gaming tax revenue from leaving Maryland. Virginias burgeoning HHR marketplace was referenced repeatedly during Wednesdays hearing, with both proponents and opponents noting its impact. We have an obligation to provide them [OTBs] the opportunity to help themselves and at the same time, help our state, Corderman said. Because if we dont, this wont only be a lost opportunity to increase revenue, were going to be on the other side of it. Were going to be making up for lost revenue. Advertisement Advertisement And (when) that happens, not only do they, their employees in our community suffer, Maryland will suffer, and more specifically the Maryland horse racing industry will suffer. Cohen returns to the front line Alyse Cohen, who owns Long Shots OTB and Sportsbook in Frederick County, testifed in support of HHR for the second consecutive session. She called it the best proven solution to preserving not only the OTB framework, but also Marylands horse racing industry, just as it has done in eight other states. The adoption of HHR would help address shortfalls in horse racing purses, the Blueprint Fund, declining lottery revenues, and other critical initiatives without raising taxes and without asking the state for one additional dollar, she added, noting revenue at OTBs statewide has declined by 40% in recent years. We want to save our businesses and contribute to this great state at the same time. Cordermans and Cohens arguments were buttressed by a fiscal policy note from the Department of Legislative Services released Tuesday that estimated HHR could generate $56.5 million in revenue in its first year of operation based on 2,400 terminals being active in Fiscal Year 2028, and increasing to $188.3 million at full maturity in FY 2031. Casinos counter: HHRs would cannibalize revenue The proposed tax rate in SB 639 and cannibalization concerns emerged as points of contention for the Maryland-based casino operators testifying in opposition. For the horse racing industry, Corderman and Lewis Young mirrored the VLT distribution that dedicates 6% of tax receipts to horse racing purses and 1% to track facility renewal. Advertisement Advertisement OTBs would be taxed at 40% while the states six casinos, should they want to offer HHR, would see those positions taxed at the same rates as their video lottery terminals (VLTs). Those rates range from 61% for Hollywood Casino in Perryville to 40% for the smaller Rocky Gap Casino. Each venue negotiated its own tax rate at the time of establishment, with MGM National Harbor and Horseshoe Casino paying 56% and 54%, respectively. Marta Harding, speaking on behalf of MGM National Harbor, pointed out the average VLT tax rate for the six casinos is 55%, which means every dollar that leaves a Maryland casino to go to an HHR facility, the state is going to lose 15 cents on average. Harding added the Virginia-based HHRs are also impacting MGMs bottom line, and the answer is not to flood the market with more HHRs in Maryland. She pointed out Rose Resort in Dumfries, Virginia, which is 30 miles from MGM National Harbor, has contributed to a 14 percent impact in that area to our rated play and added slot revenue at MGM National Harbor was down $10 million in the first year Rose Resort opened. You dont have to tell MGM about Virginia, Harding said bluntly. We are on the front lines of that fight and we are fighting it every day. They are the fastest growing commercial gaming market in the country and theyre not stopping. We just dont think the solution to that problem is to flood Marylands market with an additional 4,000 VLT-like machines. The Stadthalle arena in Vienna will be turned into a high-security zone for the Eurovision Song Contest, organizers said on Thursday. Security measures will be comparable to passenger checks at airports, said Oliver Lingens of Austrian public broadcaster ORF. All staff will undergo strict screening, visitors will pass through metal detectors, and around 180 security cameras have been installed. Fans will not be allowed to bring bags into the venue. "Even a handbag is not permitted," Lingens said. Advertisement Advertisement Alongside uniformed and plainclothes police officers, about 500 private security personnel will be deployed. Measures to counter potential drone threats are also in place. Police said there is currently no specific threat to the event. Organizers warned that spectators should expect longer entry times due to the checks. The 70th Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Vienna from May 12 to 16. Virginia Democrats were already advancing legislation to curb state cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when President Donald Trump took the podium Tuesday night to tout record deportations and declare the border secure. But his State of the Union address, and Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanbergers pointed rebuttal, have now cast those state-level efforts in sharper relief. In her nationally televised response, Spanberger accused the president of sending poorly trained federal agents into communities without a warrant and argued that immigration enforcement must not come at the expense of constitutional rights or public trust. Advertisement Advertisement By Wednesday morning, Democratic legislators doubled down on the governors message, highlighting a package of proposals moving through the General Assembly that they said would rein in ICEs role in Virginia and refocus local law enforcement on community policing. Among these measures are Senate Bill 783 and House Bill 1141, which would restrict law enforcement agencies from entering into agreements with ICE unless the federal agency follows constitutional guidelines for due process. One of Spanbergers first actions after taking office was to rescind Executive Order 47, a move that led her to formally end state police agreements with ICE. Her Republican predecessor, Gov. Glenn Youngkin, had expanded 287(g) agreements that required local law enforcement agencies to assist federal immigration enforcement. According to the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, 27 local agreements remained in 25 Virginia localities as of Feb. 9. In the commonwealth, 287(g) agreements exist in several forms: the Warrant Service Model, the Jail Enforcement Model and the Task Force Model. Advertisement Advertisement Democrats argue that those agreements divert local resources from community policing and erode trust, making some immigrant communities less likely to report crimes. Just as Governor Spanberger observed from her experience in law enforcement, poorly trained officers create chaos and undermine public safety and trust, Del. Alfonso Lopez, D-Arlington, said in a statement Wednesday. This is even more evident as we witness federal immigration enforcement act irresponsibly, violate constitutional rights, and harass both naturalized and US-born American citizens. With HB 1441, we can protect Virginia residents and ensure that local and state law enforcement are focused on keeping our communities safe. In the joint statement, Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim, D-Fairfax, linked the legislation to what he described as fear in mixed-status families since January 2025, when Trump assumed office. Advertisement Advertisement Since President Trumps second term began, every traffic stop and every knock on the door can feel like a crisis for mixed-status families, Salim said, adding that his measures reaffirm core freedoms enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and the Virginia Declaration of Rights that the president has chosen to ignore. In Virginia, we will always stand up for our values: due process, the rule of law, and keeping communities safe without weaponizing fear against our immigrant neighbors, he said. Clashing views on immigration enforcement and public safety In his address to Congress, Trump blamed Democrats for failing to protect the border and described his enforcement policies as a success. After four years in which millions and millions of illegal aliens poured across our borders totally unfettered and unchecked, we now have the strongest and most secure border in American history, by far, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Spanberger, in her rebuttal, rejected that framing and focused on the impact of enforcement tactics inside American communities. Law enforcement officers across the country know that its a unique responsibility to do the serious work of investigating crimes, comforting victims, and making arrests, she said. Its about building trust, and that requires an abiding sense of duty and commitment to community. And yet, our President has sent poorly trained federal agents into our cities, where they have arrested and detained American citizens and people who aspire to be Americans and they have done it without a warrant. Every minute spent sowing fear is a minute not spent investigating murders, crimes against children, or the criminals defrauding seniors of their life savings, Spanberger said. Advertisement Advertisement Our president told us tonight that we are safer because these agents arrest mothers and detain children. Think about that. Our broken immigration system is something to be fixed, not an excuse for unaccountable agents to terrorize our communities. Beyond SB 783 and HB 1141, lawmakers are advancing additional measures. Salims SB 351 and HB 650, sponsored by Del. Katrina Callsen, D-Albemarle, would require judicial warrants before federal immigration enforcement officers may enter certain protected areas, including courthouses, polling locations and facilities owned by the commonwealth that are hospitals, schools, public institutions of higher education, or commonwealths attorney offices. SB 352, also by Salim, and HB 1482, introduced by Del. Charlie Schmidt, D-Richmond, would prohibit state and local law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while engaged in the performance of their official duties. Advertisement Advertisement Immigration rights advocates say masked officers and warrantless entries undermine accountability and public confidence, particularly in immigrant communities. ICE detention facility proposals face resistance in Virginia The debate over ICEs presence in Virginia has also surfaced in disputes over federal detention facilities. On his last full day in office, Youngkin directed state officials to proceed with selling the shuttered Augusta Correctional Center in rural Augusta County, a maximum-security prison that closed in 2024 after years of operation. Internal documents obtained by the ACLU of Virginia suggested the facility was being considered as one of several possible sites for expanded federal immigration detention under ICE. Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after taking office, Spanberger withdrew Youngkins sale order and reopened the process, directing the Department of General Services to review all offers under standard procedures. Spanbergers office did not explain publicly whether concerns about ICEs interest influenced the decision. ICE said it had no new detention centers to announce at this time but emphasized it was continuing to expand detention capacity nationwide. In Hanover County, hundreds of residents packed a Board of Supervisors meeting last month to oppose a federal proposal to establish an ICE processing facility on a 43-acre property off Lakeridge Parkway in Ashland. Supervisors said they had only recently received a letter from the Department of Homeland Security identifying the site and stressed that the county had not been consulted before the federal government selected it. Advertisement Advertisement Since the meeting, the Canadian developer that owns the property said the sale to DHS will not proceed. The fierce opposition to the facility reflects broader public tensions over ICEs enforcement role and how and where immigration detention operations are sited. At the federal level, the Department of Homeland Security budget has risen to more than $170 billion to increase ICE funding, expand family and adult detention facilities and build a border wall. In 2025, ICE sent 600 children to federal shelters, with many held longer than average lengths during prior administrations. We are at a watershed moment. Virginians and communities across the nation are clamoring for real solutions to rein in ICE, said Monica Sarmiento, executive director of the Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights, in a statement Wednesday. On day one of her administration, Governor Spangberger took decisive action to limit collaboration with ICE, and the Virginia State Assembly is working to enact critical legislation to keep communities safe. Advertisement Advertisement Virginia Democrats see their legislative effort as an attempt to set clearer limits on how immigration enforcement is carried out in the commonwealth and to underscore their differences with the president as the debate over border security and deportations escalates nationwide. As the bills move forward, Spanberger on Tuesday described the stakes in no uncertain terms. They have ripped nursing mothers away from their babies, they have sent children to far-off detention centers, and they have killed American citizens on our streets. And they have done it all with their faces masked from accountability, she said, arguing that Virginias response must ensure immigration enforcement does not override constitutional protections or public accountability. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Spirit Airlines parent company says it expects to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the late spring or early summer, after striking a preliminary deal with its lenders and secured creditors that provides the support needed to finish its restructuring. The early-stage agreement would help Spirit finalize changes to its fleet, route network and cost structure as it works toward emerging as a new Spirit a smaller, leaner carrier still focused on offering low fares but with more options like premium economy and its version of first-class seating with more legroom. Spirit will emerge as a strong, leaner competitor that is positioned to profitably deliver the value American consumers expect at a price they want to pay, said CEO Dave Davis. The budget carrier filed for fresh bankruptcy protection in August, months after emerging from a Chapter 11 reorganization. Davis said at the time that the airlines previous Chapter 11 petition focused on reducing debt and raising capital, but after exiting that process last March, it had become clear that there is much more work to be done and many more tools are available to best position Spirit for the future. The Florida company quickly followed the news of its second bankruptcy in a year with announcements that it would suspend operations in about a dozen U.S. cities and furlough 1,800 flight attendants. The airline also instituted furloughs and job cuts before its first bankruptcy filing. Low-cost carriers like Spirit have been under pressure by bigger airlines, which have rolled out their own low-cost offerings. Known for its bright yellow planes and no-frills service, Spirit has had a rough ride since the COVID-19 pandemic amid rising operation costs and its mounting debt. By the time of its first Chapter 11 filing in November 2024, Spirit had lost more than $2.5 billion since the start of 2020. NEED TO KNOW Social 52 Kitchen and Craft Bar in Virginia said the Department of Public Utilities billed them over $50,000 in one month because of a billing error that dates back to 2023 Co-owner James Baldwin said he never knew anything was wrong" The Department of Public Utilities said the agency has implemented several process improvements over the last year, one of which is to verify zero consumption reads for meters" A restaurant in Virginia received a large water bill due to a billing error. Social 52 Kitchen and Craft Bar in Richmond told ABC-affiliate 8News that the Department of Public Utilities billed them over $50,000 in one month because of a billing error that dates back to 2023. Advertisement Advertisement James Baldwin, who runs the small business with Mikey Swafford, said they never knew anything was wrong. Social 52 Kitchen & Craft Bar. Credit: Google Maps The bill, they eventually learned, was for a total of $51,594.99. Baldwin emphasized how the bill could impact the eatery, saying that if it had to be paid immediately wed be under. PEOPLE reached out to Social 52 and The Department of Public Utilities for comment and additional information. The Department of Public Utilities told 8News that the agency has implemented several process improvements over the last year, one of which is to verify zero consumption reads for meters." In the process, the department found that the meter transmitter for the restaurant had been damaged and resulted in zero consumption reads. Advertisement Advertisement The department said that workers investigated the problem and billed the restaurant accordingly. The Department of Public Utilities recognizes the challenges that can occur when customers receive a large bill, the agency further told News8. Our first priority is to ensure that the bill is accurate and then we work with the customer to ensure payments are manageable. Baldwin expressed his confusion as to why the issue wasnt caught earlier. I get it for a month or two, okay. You know, maybe even like six months, but three years, like three actual years of not receiving money from an account that apparently owes you that much money," he said. "Its got to be a systemic issue, or else it would have popped up a little bit quicker, the owner continued. Advertisement Advertisement As for how the business owner didnt catch the issue himself, he told the outlet that the companys water and gas bills are on autopay. The Department of Public Utilities stated that customers receive a monthly service charge. Therefore, if there is no reported water consumption, that is the only charge billed. City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities. Credit: Google Maps 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. Social 52 opened in 2013, according to local outlet Richmond BizSense. Five years later, in 2018, the restaurant temporarily closed for a three-month remodel. Advertisement Advertisement Walied Sanie, who co-owned the establishment with Baldwin, told Richmond BizSense that the remodel included changes to the layout, furniture and menu. With this redesign, we have touched every single wall. It was a full gut, so to speak, Sanie said. Read the original article on People Six years ago, Robin Levey volunteered at the polls near her home in Richmond to help win voter approval of a bipartisan redistricting commission. I have always fought for all of us to have fair representation, she said. But this isnt a moment we can stand on principle. We have to fight fire with fire. Levey, a 66-year-old Democrat, is alarmed that President Donald Trump is encouraging Republican-controlled states to rig congressional districts ahead of midterm elections this November. Richmonder Robin Levey supported the states bipartisan redistricting process six years ago and also backs Democrats proposal this year to reshape the states legislative maps so that 10 of Virginias 11 congressional districts favor their party. (Provided photo) Because of that, shes willing to go back at least temporarily to an era when Virginia politicians drew districts for their own partisan advantage. The real-estate broker will vote yes for a Democratic gerrymander so extreme that it would deny hundreds of thousands of Virginia Republicans a chance to elect a congressional candidate of their choice. Advertisement Advertisement I certainly have empathy for them, Levey said of Republican voters, but the one they have in the White House is trying to take away from all of us. In six short years, Virginia has gone from the new darling of nonpartisan districts to teetering on the cusp of joining a nationwide, partisan redistricting war. Voters will have what could be the last say on whether Virginia will temporarily suspend the redistricting commission and allow the Democrat-controlled state legislature to redraw Virginias 11 congressional districts before elections this November. Lawmakers map-making powers would be temporary. After the 2030 Census, the commission would resume responsibility for drawing congressional maps. The measure would not affect state legislative districts. Advertisement Advertisement The ballot question will be put to voters in a referendum held on April 21. Early voting is scheduled to begin March 6, pending the outcome of a second Republican lawsuit seeking to stop the ballot measure from going forward. In an earlier lawsuit, the state Supreme Court allowed the constitutional amendment to proceed. The deadline for arguments in the case is set for two days after the election is held. Its possible that no matter what voters say, the court will have the last word. Confusion for candidates, voters Virginias possible head-spinning reversal has created uncertainty for candidates and voters alike. When bestselling author Beth Macy decided to run for Congress, she said friends gave her a map of the 6th congressional district. She festooned it with color-coded notes marking her appearances scheduled up and down the Shenandoah Valley. Advertisement Advertisement Then things changed. Earlier this month, the Democrat-controlled General Assembly rolled out a proposed redistricting plan that would carve the Shenandoah Valley into four different congressional districts. That leaves Macy juggling two potential maps, unsure which set of voters she ultimately will be seeking to represent. When the Mercury caught up with Macy, she and her campaign manager were driving to Harrisonburg, which happens to overlap with the current and proposed districts. But Macy, who lives in Roanoke, said she now has to figure out how to split her time between the Valley or follow the proposed map, which would take her to Blacksburg, Lynchburg and Charlottesville. Advertisement Advertisement The uncertainty also affects voters. The proposed map would move 48% of Virginians to a new district. And outside of far Southwestern Virginia, those now represented by a Republican would find themselves in one that would favor Democrats. This raises questions that dont yet have clear answers. Will Republicans in Mathews County near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay continue to vote in a GOP-friendly district that stretches from Tidewater to the Richmond suburbs, or become part of a safe Democratic district with its population anchored all the way up in Alexandria? Will residents of Danville along the North Carolina line continue to be part of a solid Republican district that extends north along the Route 29 corridor, or become part of a safe Democratic district with a population based in Richmond? Advertisement Advertisement Virginians who want to find out what changes could be coming to their congressional districts can use a free online tool created by the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project. (Graphic by David Poole for The Virginia Mercury) Comparing current and proposed maps To understand what Virginias foray into mid-decade redistricting means for the average Virginian, it helps to understand the starkly different intent of the current congressional maps and the proposed ones. The existing maps went into effect in 2022 and contain the first-ever congressional districts drawn under a voter-approved constitutional mandate for bipartisan redistricting. The redistricting commission failed to produce maps, which under the constitution gave the state Supreme Court the authority to draw districts. The court hired two experts one Republican, one Democrat to craft maps to reflect Virginias current left-of-center lean. Advertisement Advertisement In a December 2021 memo, the bipartisan mapmakers said their creation was well-balanced and does not unduly favor any party. The court-drawn congressional maps were first used in 2022, resulting in 6 Democratic and 5 Republican representatives. That partisan split was almost identical to the way Virginians voted in the 2020 presidential election. Virginia was one of 22 states that received an A from the Princeton Gerrymandering Project. As a general rule concerning the current congressional maps, if you live in or near an urban area, you are likely to be represented by one of the six Democratic members of the states congressional delegation. Advertisement Advertisement Likewise, if you reside in a largely rural area, such as the Shenandoah Valley or the Northern Neck, chances are good that you are represented by one of the five Republicans. By contrast, the proposed Democrat map is a deliberate partisan gerrymander that seeks to limit Republican control to only one district in the states far Southwestern corner. In order to achieve a 10-D, 1-R map, Democrats created five districts that originate in densely populated Northern Virginia with fingers that reach deep into sparsely populated rural areas. Pending the result of midterm elections this fall, its possible that rural voters in places like the Shenandoah Valley, the Piedmont and a wide swath of Tidewater all would be represented by Democrats who reside in the Washington suburbs. Advertisement Advertisement A Democratic victory in 10 districts would not be a slam dunk. Two proposed districts the 6th (Blacksburg-Roanoke-Lynchburg-Charlottesville) and the 2nd (Suffolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach-Eastern Shore) are considered toss-ups, based on an average of statewide elections this decade for governor and president. At the last minute, Democratic legislators rejiggered the 2nd District to make it slightly easier for them to win. Virginia Democrats proposed 10-D, 1-R congressional districts map preserves the broad outlines of some existing districts but redistributes how the population is grouped across much of the state. (Photo courtesy Virginia Legislative Information System) Spanbergers apparent caution Redistricting is a process that states typically do at the start of each decade, right after the Census updates population numbers. But last July, Trump started the mid-decade redistricting arms race. He ordered Texas Republican lawmakers to adjust district lines to squeeze out five extra GOP seats, which could help House Republicans maintain their razor-thin majority. Soon, California Democrats announced they would seek voters permission to redraw maps to cancel Texas gains. Advertisement Advertisement As other states jumped in, Virginia appeared immune from the tit-for-tat battle. With the redistricting commission enshrined in the state constitution, there didnt appear to be sufficient time to get an amendment before voters, a process that typically takes two years. In late October, however, Democrats reconvened a special session of the General Assembly and unveiled a timeline they claimed could shorten the constitutional amendment process to just six months. Once they cemented control of both chambers of the legislature and the victory of Democrat Abigail Spanberger in the governors race, Democrats had cleared all political obstacles to their plan. Spanberger, who campaigned on her congressional reputation as a bipartisan problem-solver, initially distanced herself from Democrats call for a maximalist 10-1 gerrymander. In interviews after her election, Spanberger questioned whether such an extreme redraw was necessary. She noted that her campaign had won 8 of 11 congressional districts, including the 1st and 2nd districts now represented by Republicans. She also worried that a map that sought to flip two additional Republican districts could make some existing Democrats vulnerable. While she has never explicitly endorsed the 10-1 gerrymander, she signed the bill to set a referendum for the redistricting amendment and three others saying she would let the voters decide. Gov. Abigail Spanberger signs bills to set referendums for four constitutional amendments on Feb. 6, 2026. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/ Virginia Mercury) National Democrats say, Whatever it takes After California canceled Texas, Trump found three other states willing to join the mid-decade voluntary redraw. Missouri and North Carolina changed their maps, each expected to yield one extra GOP congressional seat in elections this November. A third state, Florida, will hold a special legislative session on redistricting in April. That effort is expected to yield two to five more GOP seats. The net result could swing as many as seven GOP seats. National Democrats tried without success to recruit other states with Democrat-controlled legislatures to join California. Illinois has shown no inclination after Republican legislators in neighboring Indiana passed on Trumps gambit. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has failed to persuade the Democrat-controlled legislature there to wipe the states only GOP seat off the map. That leaves Virginia as national Democrats last hope to counter Trump. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said earlier this month that national Democrats would do whatever it takes to ensure Virginias ballot initiative passes on April 21. We will spend tens of millions of dollars to make sure that voters have all of the information necessary to make a decision around whether they want Donald Trump to rig the midterm elections and halt the ability for the American people to decide whos in the majority, Jeffries told CNN Feb. 15. So far, national Democratic groups have donated $10 million to Virginians for Fair Elections, a group that is encouraging a yes vote on April 21. Virginias neutral congressional map makes it ripe for a partisan gerrymander. Many other states already had drawn districts that favor one party or the other. For example, North Carolina Republicans had to squeeze hard to deliver one more GOP seat for Trump. In Virginia which has a smaller population than its southern neighbor Democrats think they can create four times as many blue seats. In a TV spot released this week, the Virginians for Fair Elections campaign features an original member of Virginias redistricting commission expressing his support for independent and bipartisan maps. But when Trump orders MAGA governors to rig their maps so he can hold onto power, we cannot sit by and do nothing, said James Abrenio, a Democratic lawyer from Northern Virginia. The 30-second spot says a yes vote would restore fairness in national elections, but sidesteps any consideration of whether it would be fair to impose a 10-1 map on Virginia Republicans. By releasing the maps ahead of the vote, Democratic legislators say the process is transparent and that the final decision will be left in the hands of the voters. What early polls say Early polls suggest Democratic leaders have yet to make their case. We wouldnt win if the vote were held today, Virginians for Fair Elections warned Monday in a fundraising appeal to supporters. Earlier that day, Roanoke College released a poll that found that 52% of 800 Virginians surveyed would vote against the proposed constitutional amendment, while 44% would vote in favor. Brian Cannon, who led the successful 2020 campaign to win voter approval for the redistricting commission, noted that the Roanoke College poll showed that 61% disapproved of Trump, but only 44% would vote for the constitutional amendment. That is a pretty big delta, Cannon said in an interview Tuesday. Its hard to know how accurate predictive polling will be because there is no past record of turnout models for a statewide ballot measure held in April. Some Democrats who fought for nonpartisan redistricting say they will oppose rigging Virginia maps in such an extreme way. Its wrong and its not necessary, said Wendala Shannon, a database manager who lives in Richmonds Museum District. Shannon believes that Democrats could pick up two or more seats without touching the current lines. If I thought the Republicans had a shot, then I would be in less in the Do the right thing camp, she admitted. But I dont think they do. I think Trump is so unpopular. Two no groups organizing Cannon is leading a bipartisan group called No Gerrymandering Virginia that is seeking to ensure there will be no lapse in the redistricting commissions authority. He said the goal was to raise $1 million, which is less than the Democratic Yes group is spending a week in TV advertising. This week, No Gerrymandering Virginia launched a digital ad featuring a photograph of Spanberger and her 2019 tweet that condemned gerrymandering as a threat to our democracy. She was right on principle, and those principles still matter, a womans voice says in the ad. But now there is a proposal to set aside our independent safeguards and hand map-drawing back to politicians in Richmond. It would replace fair districts with a distorted map designed for a single party. Meanwhile, Republicans are gearing up for an eight-week blitz to rally opposition to the constitutional amendment. The campaign is a test for Jeff Ryer, a longtime GOP operative who this month was named chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia. If their rigged maps pass, millions of Virginians would be ignored and forgotten by Democrats who only care about appeasing urban elites, Ryer said in a Feb. 13 statement, the day the state Supreme Court said it would allow the amendment vote to proceed. Our message is simple: this amendment is a partisan power grab that undermines the Virginia Constitution, subverts democracy, and betrays the will of the people, Ryer said. One possible sign that Republicans are energized emerged this week in New Kent, where County Treasurer Charles Evelyn was so riled up that he posted a long message on Facebook about the redistricting question. I dont usually post politics here, said Eveyln, whose feed is filled with photos of his two young children. Yall know that. Id rather argue about brisket bark or whether Dukes mayo is superior to everything else on earth. Eveyln concluded with his contention that the state constitution should be a foundational document, not something you suspend temporarily depending on political expediency. The Constitution isnt a weapon, he wrote. Its not a loophole machine. Its not a playbook for power grabs. Its a restraint on everyone, especially the people in power. What is fair? Republicans are particularly alarmed that Democrats abandoned a long-time practice of presenting constitutional questions to voters in neutral, straightforward language. In the April referendum, voters will be asked if the state constitution should be amended to restore fairness in the upcoming election. On the House floor last month, Republicans sought to amend the language, which they say is deceptive and designed to lead people to only one conclusion. But Democrats cut off debate and approved the ballot wording on a straight party-line vote. Mark Cole, a former Republican state legislator who chaired the House elections committee for a decade, said hed never seen a ballot question with such a loaded question. If it was presented honestly, Cole said in a telephone interview, I think the voters would vote it down. Democratic leaders contend the most important part of the process is that voters have the opportunity to see the maps ahead of time and decide for themselves what is fair. I think voters are smart enough to figure it out, House Speaker Del. Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, said in an interview. Voters have the first say, not necessarily the last one When the state Supreme Court opted to allow the April 21 referendum to proceed before legal appeals were exhausted, it reserved the right to have the last say. Two days after the ballot question, the court will receive briefs in a Republican lawsuit claiming that the ballot measure was invalid because Democrats, in their rush to speed up the process, ignored their own procedures and cut legal corners. If voters reject the constitutional amendment, the lawsuit will be moot. Elections this fall will proceed in the existing districts that the court itself approved. If voters approve the constitutional amendment, the court which has long avoided becoming enmeshed in political questions would also have an easy out if the justices find no merit in the Republican case. Elections this fall would take place in the new districts. But if the high court finds for the Republicans, it could face an extraordinarily difficult decision. Would an appropriate remedy include invalidating the results of the just-completed election? In one swoop, the court could second-guess the legislative branch and overturn the will of the voters. Editors note: David Poole founded the Virginia Public Access Project in 1997 and served as the organizations executive director until 2023. (Chart by David Poole for the Virginia Mercury) SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Many in Washington were expecting fireworks during President Donald Trumps State of the Union address when he came face to face with three of the Supreme Court justices who struck down his emergency tariffs. Shortly after the ruling, Trump lashed out at the six justices who ruled against him, including two of his own appointees, suggesting that they were motivated by foreign interests and describing them as a disgrace to our nation. Would he really be able to resist the urge to attack them in a high-profile setting where they had no ability to respond? The answer, it turns out, was yes. On Tuesday night, Trump criticized the ruling as disappointing and unfortunate, but he ditched the incendiary rhetoric and steered clear of a major public confrontation with the court during his primetime address. (There is an acronym for this sort of thing in some circles.) Still, for all of Trumps bluster after last Fridays ruling, he has usefully if grudgingly underscored an essential feature of our political system in the wake of his tariff defeat: The president is bound by the Supreme Courts rulings, even if he hates them, and he is obligated to comply with them, both as a legal and practical political matter. This statement of fact would not normally be worth lingering on, but the prospect that Trump would defy the Supreme Court has been raised both by his critics who fear encroaching authoritarianism as well as by his most ardent supporters, including the vice president of the United States. Advertisement Advertisement So, where does Trumps relationship with the Supreme Court and its conservative super-majority go from here? Among legal observers Ive spoken to, there has been plenty of speculation about what the courts tariff ruling a seminal moment in Trumps second term might tell us. One school of thought posits that the conservative justices, or at least the three of them who sided with the liberals in the tariff case, will find it easier to rule against Trump in the future. After all, they have now decisively bucked him on an issue of major significance to him and withstood his response, both politically and publicly. Others worry that the conservatives will in fact find it easier to side with Trump now that they have shown a measure of independence to the public. Indeed, the courts Republican appointees still appear poised to cripple the Voting Rights Act and to overrule a nearly century-old decision that restricts the president from firing the leaders of independent agencies created by Congress. Both outcomes would be major victories for the conservative legal movement and the GOP. Both hypotheses have elements that ring true. The conservative justices are human, and it will not be lost on them that Trump acceded to their authority after his histrionic display of anger in the White House last week. Advertisement Advertisement On the other hand, these are the same Republican appointees who created a previously nonexistent doctrine of presidential criminal immunity in the middle of the 2024 election a decision that paved the way for Trumps return to office and who remain engaged in a project of constitutional reinterpretation that generally favors Republican political priorities. On balance, the actual impact of the tariff fallout on the outcomes of future cases is likely to be marginal at best. Regardless, the Supreme Courts ruling against Trumps tariffs has undermined a central and explicit operating theory of the Trump administration that, when push comes to shove, the courts conservative super-majority will bail them out. Were not winning in a lot of district courts, Attorney General Pam Bondi said in an interview on Fox News last November about the slew of lower-court rulings against them. When we get to the Supreme Court, the right thing happens, and thats what matters. Bondi projected that same confidence in the tariff case. She accused the appeals court judges who ruled against the administration of interfering with the Presidents vital and constitutionally central role in foreign policy and vowed to restore the presidents lawful authority. Advertisement Advertisement The loss at the high court, however, was eminently predictable. That is because, as I wrote over the course of the last year, the Trump administrations legal theory was wildly unpersuasive, even on conservative legal grounds. The fact that three of the Republican appointees Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh sided with the Trump administration in dissent does not change this. It suggests instead that these justices partisan leanings overrode their independent legal judgment not the first time that this has happened and probably not the last time that it will happen. Indeed, the Supreme Courts conservative super-majority is likely to remain largely supportive of the Trump agenda in the coming years, just as they were an integral governing partner over the course of Trumps first year. But the president may want to brace himself for some more high-profile losses in the coming months. The administration should lose its bid to end birthright citizenship which, as in the tariff case, relies on a legal argument that is starkly at odds with the relevant legal text and history and that has been roundly rejected by both the lower courts and credible legal observers across the ideological spectrum. Trump also appears likely to lose the case concerning his effort to remove Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook, though this appears to have less to do with the merits of the case than it does with the conservative justices discomfort over ending the independence of the Fed and the global economic disruption that might follow. Advertisement Advertisement It is always possible that the Trump administration could opt to defy, say, a Supreme Court decision against them on birthright citizenship or some other priority. After all, some of Trumps political allies most notably Vice President JD Vance have been unhelpfully toying with this idea for years, as have some prominent conservative lawyers. When the tariff decision came down on Friday, Vance described the ruling as lawlessness from the Court, plain and simple, but went on to concede that Trump would use different laws to try to reconstitute much (if not all) of his tariff framework. Trump himself has repeatedly told reporters that his administration would comply with court orders. There should never have been any question about whether the Trump administration would comply with an unwelcome Supreme Court ruling, and as a political matter, it was not a good idea to flirt with the idea, either. There is practically no support for the notion among the public or most conservative legal thinkers, and outright defiance of a Supreme Court order would imperil the conservative movements long-term and largely successful project to reshape the court and constitutional law. Undermining public confidence in the court would run directly counter to that effort. Still, none of this has put an end to concerns about the administrations compliance with other judges orders and for good reason. Advertisement Advertisement Last month, the top federal judge in Minnesota tallied more than 100 court orders that had been violated by ICE, which, he wrote, had likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence. Dozens of lower court judges across the country have likewise chastised Justice Department lawyers for failing to comply with court orders in immigration cases. Last week, the Justice Department itself disclosed that the administration had violated more than 50 orders from federal judges in immigration cases in New Jersey. (This was a self-report, so the number is almost certainly an undercount.) Some of these instances may have been malign and intentional as in the case of the Trump administrations failure to comply with a court order directing them to turn around planes transporting Venezuelan migrants to the infamous CECOT prison in El Salvador. The Justice Department has been fighting for the last year to avoid having to come clean with the presiding judge over what actually happened. In other cases, particularly more recently, the administrations failure to comply with court orders in immigration cases appears to reflect ineptitude. Trumps immigration crackdown has swamped the courts with challenges from detainees, and the Justice Department has clearly been unable to keep up. If you are tempted to be sympathetic to the departments leadership under the circumstances, you should know that they have only made the problem worse. Advertisement Advertisement The endless public antics of Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche have angered and demoralized federal prosecutors throughout the country, and lawyers have left the department at an unprecedented rate. Bondi herself cratered morale in the U.S. Attorneys Office in Minnesota and practically gutted the offices criminal division when she went on one of her many tirades and fired six prosecutors in the office who objected to the departments decision to respond to the death of Renee Good at the hands of a federal agent by investigating her widow. A competently run Justice Department would have no problem keeping up with the legal challenges to the administrations immigration crackdown. The departments leaders would coordinate with federal immigration authorities ahead of their deployments and ensure that they had an adequate number of lawyers on hand in the relevant jurisdictions, even if that meant large numbers of temporary reassignments. Clearly, that is not happening, and the result has been widespread violations of the detainees legal rights. The judges are right to be furious, and they are right to issue contempt findings to the lawyers involved. Many of those lawyers including military JAG lawyers who have been roped in to help appear to lack experience litigating in federal court or handling federal habeas cases, and they have proven unable to manage their caseloads. Despite all this, the Trump administrations acquiescence to the Supreme Courts tariff ruling is a sign that at least some of the proverbial guardrails are holding. The politicians, lawyers and media figures who have worried about the second Trump administration descending into lawlessness should take some comfort here. Advertisement Advertisement On top of that, the public has been paying attention, and people do not like what they have seen. Trumps approval rating is truly terrible, and Trumps allies in Congress appear unlikely to pass legislation to expand his tariff-setting authority in the wake of the Supreme Courts ruling. All of this suggests that despite the many justifiable outrages and controversies of the last year the laws of political gravity remain in place. A number of factors, including a temporary closure of the Olympic Pipeline, sent gas prices across Oregon and Washington state skyrocketing. In Oregon, the average price jumped 22 cents, or $3.91 a gallon the biggest week-over-week jump for a state in the nation. According to AAA, the national average for regular fuel increased by 3 cents, or $2.95 a gallon. The Olympic Pipeline was shut down for maintenance and repairs last Tuesday, then resumed operations on Thursday, according to a BP spokesperson. As a result, wholesale prices in the Pacific Northwest region increased, hitting drivers with double-digit increases. Advertisement Advertisement The Olympic Pipeline last shut down after a gas leak was discovered in November. The pipeline transports gasoline, diesel and jet fuel along a 400-mile system operated by BP Pipelines North America, running from Whatcom County to Portland, with terminal sites in Seattle, SeaTac, Tacoma, Vancouver and Portland. The rising prices also coincided with California refineries beginning to transition to summer-blend fuel, which is more expensive to produce. AAA also noted that U.S. and Iran's ongoing tensions have led to higher crude oil prices and could continue. This comes as the Trump administration ordered that all nonessential diplomats and their family members at the U.S. Embassy to leave Lebanon. "The re-opening of the pipeline should ease the situation a bit, but the normal seasonal price increases will continue as refineries in the region undergo maintenance ahead of the switch to summer-blend fuel," said Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho, in a statement. "The unknown is how ongoing geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Iran will impact crude oil prices, which remain elevated. Higher crude oil prices mean higher pump prices." The highest price of the year so far is today's price of $3.91. The lowest price of the year in Oregon, so far, was $3.33 on Jan. 20, according to AAA. Oregon's average regular gas price at the beginning of 2026 was $3.42 a gallon. Almost a dozen towns in Massachusetts are out of compliance with a state law aimed at boosting housing production and therefore affordability. The MBTA Communities Act requires that these towns pass specific zoning rules or risk losing state grants or getting sued. All but three of those noncompliant communities were sued by state Attorney General Andrea Campbell at the end of January. The town of Carver is one of those left out of the legal action despite rejecting proposed zoning rules in late 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Why? It has to do with how the town was categorized by the law. The MBTA Communities Act was signed into law in 2021, requiring 177 towns and cities to create at least one zoning overlay district near public transportation that allows multifamily housing by right. More: Status of where MBTA Communities Act zoning has passed on the South Shore The designated MBTA communities were assigned one of four categories: rapid transit, commuter rail, adjacent, or adjacent small town. These categories gave each community a specific number of units it had to zone for, based on a percentage of its 2020 housing stock, and a deadline it had to pass these zoning rules. How much zoning does Carver need to do for the MBTA Communities Act? Carver is an adjacent small town, meaning it has the smallest percentage to zone for and latest deadline to meet. It was required to zone for 5% of its 2020 housing stock, or 235 units, and had until Dec. 31, 2025 to do so. Carver is one of 46 adjacent small towns. Advertisement Advertisement Voters in Carver rejected its proposed MBTA zoning rules on Oct. 7, 2025 by a vote of 394 to 26. Carver and Rehoboth are in the same MBTA Communities Act boat Carver and Rehoboth were excluded from the Jan. 29 lawsuit because each had a 2025 deadline and they are being given more time to pass MBTA zoning rules, a spokesperson with the attorney generals office told The Patriot Ledger. While Freetown was also technically not in compliance when the attorney general filed suit, it had passed its MBTA zoning rules during the second night of a special town meeting on Feb. 2 by a vote of 157 to 50. Carvers rejected proposal sought to place its MBTA zoning overlay district over Ferreiras Used Cars & Parts just south of West Street. A zoning overlay creates an additional use for land, on top of the use or uses already designated for it. Advertisement Advertisement In a phone interview on Tuesday, Feb. 10, Town Administrator Glenn Cannon said that the town had run out of time in preparing a proposal for voters to decide. Voters were supplied with only a map to review, without any zoning language that dictated what can and cannot be built in this district. It wasnt ready, he said. We didnt bring a true article for town meeting. Immediately after the October vote, town officials discussed moving Carver forward with at least a more comprehensive proposal to present to voters. Cannon had asked the state for an extension, but the request was denied. The town rehired its previous zoning consultant and the planning board is considering a way to create a different kind of zoning overlay district, called Chapter 40R Smart Growth Zoning Overlay District, in a way that would also meet the requirements of the MBTA Communities Act. The town of Middleborough, for example, was able to tweak an existing 40R district to comply with the newer law. Advertisement Advertisement Some planning board members expressed a preference for this route to allow for the construction of both multifamily housing and commercial uses, but consultant Judi Barrett cautioned the towns planning board in January that its a higher bar to be met. Who is the state of Massachusetts suing over the MBTA Communities Act? Campbell sued Dracut, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Holden, Marblehead, Middleton, Tewksbury, Wilmington and Winthrop for not complying with the MBTA Communities Act. Their deadlines had been extended to July 2025. But at least one of those communities, Holden, was scheduled to vote on MBTA zoning rules on Feb. 23. Cannon said that he or other town officials had received no communication as to whether or not Carver would be sued, but he was just as surprised as anyone else to be excluded from the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Hannah Morse covers growth and development for The Patriot Ledger. Contact her at hmorse@patriotledger.com. This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Why Carver hasn't been sued over MBTA Communities Act noncompliance MADISON, Wis. (AP) A coalition of Wisconsin school districts, teachers' unions, advocacy groups, parents, students and others announced a lawsuit Tuesday against the state Legislature, alleging that it's failing to fund public schools adequately. The lawsuit, filed Monday in Eau Claire County Circuit Court, argues that schools are in crisis, with high-needs students facing the greatest risk. It asks the court to adopt a new finance system that meets the needs of districts unless the Legislature and governor enact one first in a timely fashion. School funding lawsuits have been brought for decades in states across the country with varying degrees of success. Advertisement Advertisement Fights over how and whether to reshape Wisconsin's complex school finance system have usually taken place in the Statehouse. Now it will move to the courthouse, where this challenge will almost certainly end up before the liberal-controlled Wisconsin Supreme Court. In 2000, the last time the states school funding formula was challenged, the Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld the system as constitutional. But attorneys argue that so much has changed since then that a new challenge was warranted. The lawsuit comes as Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and the Republican-controlled Legislature have been negotiating tapping the state's $2.5 billion surplus to cut taxes and potentially increase funding for schools. As recently as 2003, the state paid two-thirds of the cost of each students education. But now districts are paying about half the costs. Advertisement Advertisement Evers, a former state schools superintendent, angered Republicans in 2023 when he used the governors extensive veto powers to ensure that districts can increase per-pupil spending annually for the next 400 years. However, without increased funding from the state, districts are forced to raise property taxes. And when schools can't raise enough under the allowable spending limits to meet expenses, they have been increasingly asking voters to increase property taxes to fund their local district. In 2024, a record-high 241 referendums were put before voters for approval to fund schools, with 169 approved, according to the Wisconsin Policy Forum. Anger over the most recent property tax bills, mailed in December, has motivated lawmakers and Evers to try to enact a property tax cut this year. They have yet to reach a deal. Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit also blames a drop in Wisconsin student testing scores over the past two decades on inadequate funding. Wisconsin has long been the state with the widest achievement gap between white and non-white students. Leah Hover-Preiss, a teacher in the Adams-Friendship School District and a plaintiff in the lawsuit, said that she has seen the impact of inadequate funding in the classroom through increased class sizes, reduced support for teachers, fewer opportunities for students and a lack of mental health services. In order to best support students and families, our schools need strong and stable funding from the state, she said. The lawsuit alleges that the state is violating the Wisconsin Constitution's requirement that all children be provided with an equal opportunity for a sound, basic and uniform education. Advertisement Advertisement It also argues that the constitutional rights of students with high needs are not being met and cannot be met unless the Legislature changes the public school finance system and increases funding for them. The lawsuit further contends that the current special education reimbursement rate is unconstitutionally deficient. When schools are underfunded, students lose opportunities and communities suffer," said Jeff Mandell, president and general counsel at Law Forward, which brought the lawsuit in partnership with the statewide teachers' union. Supporting public education isnt just good policy its a legal and moral obligation. The Wisconsin PTA is taking the lead on the lawsuit and is joined by 18 other individuals and entities, including school districts in Beloit, Green Bay, Eau Claire, Adams-Friendship and Necedah. Other parties include teachers unions in Beloit, Eau Claire, Necedah and Green Bay and eight teachers, parents, students and community members. The Legislature and its budget-writing committee are named as defendants. Republican legislative leaders did not immediately return messages seeking comment. - This story has been updated to correct the name of the Wisconsin Policy Forum. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. BOISE, Idaho (ABC4) An Idaho woman was arrested Monday for allegedly stealing an ambulance and attempting to set it, along with a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) building, on fire. Sarah Elizabeth George, 43, was taken into custody on federal criminal charges. A federal grand jury returned an indictment, accusing George of two counts of attempted malicious damage by fire. Advertisement Advertisement How to make ABC4 your preferred news source on Google According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, District of Idaho, on Feb. 18, George stole an ambulance and drove it into the Portico building in Meridian, Idaho, used by DHS. She then poured gasoline in the ambulance and the building, intending to ignite a fire. Given the potentially devastating consequences of this defendant`s actions, this case was a priority. The FBI remains steadfast in ensuring the safety of our personnel and the public, said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI. If convicted, George faces federal prison time, and both charges also carry a fine of up to $250,000. Latest headlines: Advertisement Advertisement 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 ABC4 Utah. The Villa Rica Police Department is warning residents about a sophisticated banking scheme that has already cost victims thousands of dollars. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Police say criminals are becoming increasingly creative in exploiting peoples trust, often posing as representatives of financial institutions to gain access to personal and banking information. In the most recent case, a Villa Rica woman received a call from an unknown number. The caller claimed to be from the fraud department of a local bank and told her there was suspicious activity on her account. Advertisement Advertisement While keeping her on the phone, the caller began sending her text messages containing verification codes, instructing her to read them aloud. According to police, money was being transferred out of her account without her knowledge. Police say the woman was told to withdraw $3,700 in cash from her bank and provide it to an investigator who would allegedly scan the money for fingerprints as part of an internal fraud investigation. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Following the callers instructions and remaining on the phone the entire time the woman withdrew the cash, placed it inside a taped box, and delivered it to a person posing as a fraud detective in the parking lot of the Walmart in Villa Rica. Police say the suspect took the money and told the victim someone would follow up with her. That contact never came. There are all types of scams out there and we have people report them daily, all of which lead to thousands of dollars unnecessarily lost to victims, Villa Rica Police Chief Michael Mansour said. Chief Mansour offered a simple rule of thumb for residents: Advertisement Advertisement Do not provide personal or banking information to anyone who calls or texts you unexpectedly. If something feels suspicious, hang up and contact your bank directly using the number listed on your card or the institutions official website. Banks will never ask you to meet them in a random parking lot to provide them with cash, Mansour said. If you believe you may have been a victim, contact the police immediately. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] NEED TO KNOW Pastor Brodes Perry was shot and killed on April 4, 2019, at his Collierville, Tenn., apartment after prosecutors said his ex-lover drove from Arkansas following the end of their affair A jury convicted Latoshia Daniels of second-degree murder on Nov. 7, 2025, and acquitted her on a separate firearm charge On Feb. 24, 2026, Daniels was sentenced to 20 years in prison; the judge said, A broken heart does not justify someone dying, according to local outlets A woman convicted of fatally shooting a Memphis pastor after he ended their affair was sentenced Tuesday, Feb. 24, to 20 years in prison. Latoshia Daniels was ordered to serve 20 years for second-degree murder and 11 months and 29 days for reckless endangerment, with the sentences to run concurrently, according to WREG, WMC and ABC24, which reported that she was convicted in November 2025 in the 2019 killing of Pastor Brodes Perry at his Collierville, Tenn., apartment. Advertisement Advertisement Daniels had originally been charged with first-degree murder, but jurors instead found her guilty of second-degree murder, the outlets reported. ABC24 reported that she was acquitted on a separate firearm charge. Prosecutors said Daniels drove from Arkansas to Tennessee after the relationship ended and fatally shot Perry, while also wounding his wife during the attack, according to WREG and WMC. During Tuesdays sentencing hearing, Daniels apologized directly to the victims family: To Tabatha, Im so sorry. I never meant to hurt you, and I pray that all of you guys will forgive me, Daniels said in court, according to WMC. Im godly sorry, and I know it doesnt take back what has happened, nor does it negate what has happened, but I want you to know that I am so sorry for the pain that Ive caused you. Advertisement Advertisement ABC24 similarly reported that Daniels told the Perry family she was godly sorrowful and asked the court for grace and mercy, acknowledging the severity of her actions. Shelby County Prosecutor Kevin McAlpin said the state had sought a first-degree murder conviction but was satisfied the sentence brought justice for the victims. We asked for first-degree murder, and we thought the proof was there, but were happy to get some justice for the victims, McAlpin said after the hearing, according to WREG. He added that the family is doing as well as can be expected. Defense attorneys argued Daniels was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the shooting and asked the court to impose the minimum sentence, citing her lack of criminal history and efforts at rehabilitation, the outlet reported. Advertisement Advertisement We respect the judges decision; we do disagree with it, Defense Attorney Lauren Fuchs said, according to ABC24. Latoshia is someone who has led an exemplary life outside of this very small portion of time. In announcing the sentence, the judge rejected the defenses argument that "heartbreak" justified the killing. A broken heart does not justify someone dying, the judge said, according to WREG, adding that the court found Daniels actions deliberate and serious. Daniels will receive credit for time already served, ABC24 reported. Her attorneys said they plan to pursue an appeal. Read the original article on People By Steve Gorman LOS ANGELES, Feb 26 (Reuters) - A young California woman suing Meta Platforms' Instagram and Google's YouTube testified on Thursday in a landmark trial that her childhood social media addiction left her anxious, depressed and insecure of her own looks, yet unable to give up her cellphone without feeling further angst. The plaintiff in the case, known in court as Kaley G.M., 20, said her obsessive use of YouTube starting at age 6 and Instagram at age 9 also disrupted her school performance, robbed her of sleep, stunted her in-person social life and strained family relations. Advertisement Advertisement Her mental health became so impaired, she told jurors, that she harbored suicidal thoughts and at age 10 began cutting herself as a "coping mechanism to deal with my depression," though she said she never acted on an impulse to take her own life. The case is part of a broader global backlash against social media companies over alleged harms to children and teens. Australia has banned under-16s from such platforms, and other countries are considering similar restrictions. Google and Meta have denied the allegations and said evidence in the case does not support the woman's claims. 'TOO HARD TO BE WITHOUT IT' Advertisement Advertisement Kaley testified her mother would occasionally take her cellphone away for periods of time, sparking fits of rage and heightened anxiety, and that even as an adult, she feels she can never give up social media. "I cant, its too hard to be without it," she said under questioning from her lawyer in Los Angeles County Superior Court, in a case testing whether Big Tech can be held liable for the design of apps widely blamed for fueling a mental health crisis among young people. Asked by her attorney Mark Lanier why she felt she needed her cellphone back so desperately when her mother seized it, she replied: "Because without it I felt a huge part of me was missing, and if I didnt have it I would be missing out on something, and it would send me into a panic." Kaley said she came to depend on social media for validation and connection, despite frequent online bullying, but said being off social media "bothered me more" than insulting commentary she would see. Advertisement Advertisement The main claim of the lawsuit, first brought by her mother two years ago before Kaley turned 18, is that Meta and Google are seeking to profit by hooking young children on their services despite knowing social media could impair their mental and behavioral well-being. The plaintiff took the stand a day after her former psychotherapist, who treated Kaley for several months at ages 13 and 14, testified that excessive social media usage was a "contributing factor" to her mental health issues, which were then diagnosed as social phobia and body dysmorphic disorder. The trial, which began in late January, has also focused on what the companies knew about how social media affects children and their business strategies related to younger users. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified the company discussed but never launched products for children. To win the case, Kaley's lawyers must show that the way the companies designed or operated the platforms was a substantial factor in causing or worsening her mental health issues. Advertisement Advertisement QUESTIONS OF HOME LIFE Kaley's health records show a history of verbal and physical abuse and a fraught relationship with her parents, who divorced when she was 3, Meta's lawyer said in opening statements. Kaley's mother is expected to give evidence following her daughter's testimony. On the witness stand on Thursday, Kaley said her mom was at times abusive and had hit her, but said her mother, who was working and raising three kids, was a nurturing, loving parent with whom she lives and remains extremely close. Kaley works as a personal shopper at Walmart and holds an associate degree in communications, with ambitions to obtain a bachelor's degree and work in social media. Advertisement Advertisement Her lawyer has pointed to a recent internal study by Meta showing teens with difficult life circumstances more often used Instagram habitually or unintentionally. Features such as videos that autoplay and a feed that allows for endless scrolling were designed to keep users on the platforms, despite evidence of harm to younger users' mental health, her lawyers allege. "Like" buttons catered to teenagers' need for validation while beauty filters warped their self-image, the lawyer said. YouTube's lawyer said Kaley failed to use platform features designed to protect users from bullying, including tools to delete comments and limit time spent watching videos, according to a court filing. (Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Additional reporting by Courtney Rozen in Washington and Jody Godoy in New York; Editing by Rod Nickel) Photographer: Michael Ciaglo/Bloomberg Spirit Aviation Holdings Inc. has struck an agreement with noteholders that will allow the US budget airline to exit bankruptcy later this year, capping a tumultuous period marked by strained finances and competitive pressure. Spirit lawyer Marshall Huebner said during a New York court hearing on Tuesday that the company has reached a deal with a key creditor group on the terms of the Chapter 11 exit plan that will trim billions of dollars in debt and reduce the cost of its fleet. Most Read from Bloomberg The airline expects to emerge from bankruptcy in late spring or early summer, he said. The restructuring is anticipated to reduce Spirits debt and aircraft lease obligations from $7.4 billion to about $2.1 billion, the company said in a press release. The deal is supported by senior noteholders and lenders financing the airlines bankruptcy. If the restructuring transaction is completed as planned, Spirit will emerge from bankruptcy later this year with a dramatically improved balance sheet, Huebner said during Tuesdays hearing. The proposed restructuring will also allow Spirit to consider future industry transactions once it leaves Chapter 11, Huebner said. Before filing its first bankruptcy, Spirit agreed to be acquired by JetBlue Airways Corp. but a federal judge blocked the tie-up in 2024 on antitrust grounds. In order for us to be good consolidation partners we need to be a profitable standalone airline. When we achieve that, we will be looking around for strategic opportunities in the business, Chief Executive Officer Dave Davis said in an interview with Bloomberg. The company said it will continue negotiating with creditors as it advances its proposed restructuring plan and will attempt to secure additional cost savings with the help of legal tools it has available in Chapter 11. Spirit had more than 200 Airbus SE aircraft at the time it filed Chapter 11, according to court documents. Spirit has been shrinking its fleet and plans to remove from operation another 15 to 20 aircraft in mid-April, with another cut at the end of the US summer. The size of the final reduction has not yet been determined, said Davis. The carrier also said it would ramp up flying during busy periods and reduce off-peak flying to match consumer demand, and expand its premium economy offerings and co-branded programs. The company sought Chapter 11 protection in August for the second time in less than a year after an earlier bankruptcy that cut debt from its balance sheet failed to turn around the business. The group was brought by Eagles Wings, a Christian organization that says it has spent nearly three decades building ties between Christian communities and Israel through advocacy. A delegation of 120 senior Christian women leaders from the US and other countries arrived in Israel on Thursday for what organizers described as the largest Christian womens leadership mission ever to visit the country, with meetings planned with President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog, and visits focused on the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attack. The visit comes against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions surrounding Iran, as US officials and Iranian representatives met in Geneva on Thursday for nuclear talks and several countries issued travel advisories amid concerns about escalation. Advertisement Advertisement The group was brought by Eagles Wings, a Christian organization that says it has spent nearly three decades building ties between Christian communities and Israel through advocacy, relationship-building, and visits to the country. Bishop Robert Stearns, founder and president of Eagles Wings, said the delegation chose to come during a sensitive period to stand with, support, and strengthen the Jewish people, adding that the organization is working with Christian ministries and denominations to establish a spiritual Iron Dome of prayer surrounding the State of Israel and the Jewish people. According to the organizers, participants include evangelical women pastors and faith leaders, public figures, media personalities, academics, and business leaders, as well as a social influencer from the Arab world. The delegations itinerary includes meetings with women in government, including ministers and members of Knesset (Israels parliament) from coalition and opposition parties. Bishop Robert Stearns, Founder of Eagles Wings, has mobilized Christian leaders from across the globe to experience Israel firsthand (credit: Dudu Koren) Women's group set to visit Nova festival site The group is also set to visit the Nova music festival memorial site, where it will meet an October 7 survivor who will share her story, organizers said. The women will also meet with Arab-Christian women to discuss shared challenges and opportunities to expand cooperation. Advertisement Advertisement A central meeting with Herzog and the First Lady is planned around Purim, the holiday that begins at sundown on March 2 and continues on March 3, with Jerusalem observing Shushan Purim on March 4. The Presidents Residence identifies Michal Herzog as Israels First Lady. Sue Ten Eyck, an Eagles Wings leader who oversees prayer initiatives and has led Israel pilgrimages, said the timing around Purim carried special meaning for the delegation. As in Esthers time, there are dark forces bent on the destruction of Israel, she said, adding that the group came to pray and stand in solidarity, according to the statement. Eagles Wings has been active in organizing pro-Israel missions since October 7, including delegations that have met with Israeli officials and religious leaders, according to previous reporting. CHEYENNE The Wyoming Supreme Court has officially denied the Wyoming Attorney Generals Offices petition to reconsider its recent ruling on abortion. The petition for a rehearing was filed by Special Assistant Attorney General Jay Jerde, at the request of Gov. Mark Gordon, on Jan. 20 and denied on Feb. 18. The petition encouraged justices to reconsider a Jan. 6 ruling that struck down the Life is a Human Right Act and the nations first medication abortion ban. It alleged that justices had made numerous mistakes or errors of law, not considering that an unborn baby has a fundamental right to life under the Wyoming Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Justices heard oral arguments last April and contemplated the case for nine months before releasing a 65-page opinion deeming the two laws unconstitutional based on a 2012 amendment to the state Constitution. Article 1, Section 38(d) now guarantees each competent adult the right to make his or her own health care decisions. Jerdes petition argued that the court misinterpreted the article to conclude that this subsection imposes a burden on the State to justify any statutory restrictions imposed on the right to make health care decisions. The petition further argued that the court abandoned its precedent with respect to the evaluation of a facial challenge to the constitutionality of a Wyoming statute and removed an insurmountable legal hurdle for the Appellees. Though the court's initial opinion, which the petition challenged, was in-depth in its explanation, the denial of the petition provided little insight into the justices' discussion of rehearing. The document simply stated that having examined the files and record of the Court and having carefully considered the issues raised in Appellants Petition for Rehearing, the Court finds that the petition should be denied. Advertisement Advertisement The court officially closed the case immediately after publishing the denial. However, the abortion debate is far from closed in the Cowboy State. Gordon reiterated that during his Feb. 9 State of the State, where he informed lawmakers that he brought them the arduous task of addressing the issue of abortion. Protecting life is the most serious responsibility entrusted to the government, Gordon said in his speech. The question of abortion deserves careful deliberation. And I urge this legislature to take up this issue earnestly. Gordon reiterated his call for lawmakers to put forward a genuine solution to the voters of Wyoming that provides a clear, irrefutable, durable, and morally sound resolution to this fraught issue. Advertisement Advertisement An attempt to put the issue to a vote failed on introduction three days after the governor's speech. But two bills that lawmakers put forth to again restrict abortion access survived introduction in the House and are currently being considered by the Senate. The first, House Bill 126, Human heartbeat act, prohibits abortion once cardiac activity is detected in the fetus, which is typically around six weeks into a pregnancy, before many women know they're pregnant. The second, House Bill 117, Stop harm-empower women with informed notices, would require that medical professionals provide pregnant women written notices before performing an abortion, including information about the method, medical risks and alternatives. The bill also provides an avenue for patients who feel they've been coerced into receiving an abortion to sue providers for a minimum of $25,000. Advocates for abortion access have stated that these bills pose the same constitutional concerns that the Life is a Human Right Act and the medication abortion ban posed in the last lawsuit. BUCKHANNON, WV (WVNS) West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) will be hosting the West Virginia SpaceTrek Program. According to a press release from WVWC, the announcement was made by the Morehead State University SpaceTrek Program in conjunction with TMC Technologies. The West Virginia SpaceTrek Program, which is in its second year, will be expanding to WVWC in Summer 2026. New STEAM field trips offered by Appalachian Headwaters on bees, plants, and more Advertisement Advertisement The press release stated that this residential summer program caters to female rising 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th graders and first year college students interested in space systems engineering. The program enables students to learn about STEM disciplines, satellite technology, and aerospace engineering in a university setting, preparing them for careers in these fields. West Virginia Wesleyan College offers an exceptional environment for SpaceTrek, and we are delighted to expand the program to their campus for 2026. The institutions academic strengths and dedication to student learning make it an ideal partner as we continue to grow SpaceTreks reach across Appalachia. Jen Carter, Director of Morehead State University STEM Center and Founder of SpaceTrek West Virginia Wesleyan College is thrilled to partner with our friends at TMC Technologies to host SpaceTrek and support this incredible program for young women pursuing STEM. Experiences like this spark curiosity, build confidence, and show students that they belong in high-impact fields like aerospace and engineering. When students engage in hands-on, real-world science at this level, it strengthens not only their technical skills but their long-term academic success and college readiness. We are proud to help open doors to opportunity for talented students across West Virginia. James Moore, President of WVWC I am deeply passionate about the SpaceTrek Program and the doors it opens for young women across West Virginia. SpaceTrek gives students authentic, realworld experiences in space systems engineering and STEM which is exactly the kind of handson workforce development our state needs to prepare the next generation of talent. Seeing these young women step into complex engineering challenges with confidence and curiosity is truly inspiring. Im incredibly proud that TMC Technologies is helping lead this effort and excited to be part of a program that is transforming futures. Denise Lindsey, Chief Strategist and Senior Vice President of the Federal Civilian Programs Division at TMC Technologies As a proud alumnus of West Virginia Wesleyan College, I am especially excited to see the West Virginia SpaceTrek Program expand to my alma mater. This partnership brings together TMCs commitment to advancing aerospace innovation and workforce development with a university that helped shape my own career. Supporting young women as they explore space systems engineering is not only vital for our industrys future, it reflects the values of opportunity, curiosity, and excellence that define both TMC and West Virginia Wesleyan College. Were honored to help support this next chapter of SpaceTrek in West Virginia. Jeff Edgell, President and CEO of TMC Technologies Advertisement Advertisement According to the press release, the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative is focused on improving STEM programs across the state. It also is instrumental in helping teachers incorporate STEAM activities into their lessons. The SpaceTrek program perfectly aligns with our mission to advance education in West Virginia from early childhood through higher education. Donna Peduto, Executive Director of the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative WVU Tech aiming to simplify admissions, aid, and access for future college students Details about the West Virginia SpaceTrek Program include: Program Dates: July 1225, 2026 Capacity: 24 students Location: West Virginia Wesleyan College, Buckhannon, West Virginia Residential Housing: On-campus residential facilities Participant Fee: $1,000 (Scholarships and financial aid available) Application Timeline Application Deadline: May 11, 2026 Acceptance Notifications: May 18, 2026 Acceptance RSVP Deadline: May 25, 2026 Advertisement Advertisement For additional information, reach out to John Dahlia with TMC Technologies by email or by phone (304) 276-3161. Stick with 59News for more education news! 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 WVNS. NASAs historic Artemis II lunar flyby mission has hit a snag, pushing its launch timeline to no earlier than April. On Wednesday, NASA had to roll its massive Space Launch System rocket, weighing 11 million pounds, back to its hangar at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., to repair an issue that would affect the proper flow of fuel into the rocket's engines. Engineers discovered the issue with the 322-foot-tall rocket less than 24 hours after a successful wet dress rehearsal, which is an hourlong test that involves fully loading the rocket with more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant and running through a simulated launch countdown. Heres what to know about the Artemis program and mission: What is the Artemis programs mission? The Artemis program is NASAs long-term mission to return humans to the moon to establish a continuous human presence. The goal is to develop a lunar settlement on the south pole, a region where its believed water ice is abundant and could be used for drinking, breathing and as a source for rocket fuel. Advertisement Advertisement Artemis long-term mission is to also lay the foundation for future crewed missions to Mars. The program is building on the legacy of the Apollo-era missions to the moon in the late 1960s and early 70s. The Artemis program is aptly named after the ancient Greek goddess of the moon, twin sister of Apollo. The program consists of a series of missions that started with Artemis I. The integrated flight test was successfully completed in November 2022, involving NASAs deep space exploration systems. Those include the Orion spacecraft, the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and upgraded systems at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. What is the goal of the Artemis II mission? Artemis II builds on the success of the uncrewed Artemis I in 2022, and will demonstrate a broad range of capabilities needed on deep space missions, NASA says on its website. The Artemis II mission will be the first U.S. human lunar spaceflight in over 50 years. It will also be the first time that NASAs SLS rocket and Orion capsule will be crewed. Advertisement Advertisement The four astronauts on Artemis II wont be landing on the moon, but instead, theyll venture 600,000 miles around the moon and will return at 30 times the speed of sound, according to NASA. During their 10-day trip, theyll test life support systems in the Orion capsule for future crewed missions to the moons surface. A moon landing would occur during Artemis III, which is targeted to launch by 2028. Who are the Artemis II crew members? The Artemis II astronauts, from left: Canadian Space Agency mission specialist Jeremy Hansen, pilot Victor Glover, commander Reid Wiseman and mission specialist Christina Koch attend the State of the Union address. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) NASAs Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen are the crew members for Artemis II. Koch is set to be the first woman to travel to lunar space, while Glover is the first person of color to do so. Due to the delay in the launch of Artemis II, all four astronauts were able to come out of quarantine in preparation for the launch on Saturday and attended President Trumps State of the Union speech on Tuesday. When will Artemis II launch? NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a post on X that due to issues with the fueling system of the SLS rocket that will propel the astronauts into deep space, the March launch window is no longer possible. NASA previously identified April 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 30 as potential launch days. Contact Alexander Banks by email at abanks@yakimaherald.com, or by phone at 509-577-7654. Alexander Banks reporting for the Yakima Herald-Republic is possible with support from Report for America and Yakima community members. For information on republishing, email news@yakimaherald.com. To support local journalism, click here. Asked about the decision to weight returns toward buybacks, FitzPatrick said the board believed that at these share prices a stronger buyback would provide important value enhancement for shareholders, while still delivering an increase in dividends. He also described buybacks as a tool the company wanted to deploy on an ongoing basis rather than a discrete basis. Looking ahead, FitzPatrick said the board updated shareholder returns guidance a year earlier than originally anticipated. From 2026, the company intends to increase the payout ratio to 70% of underlying cash result . He said the company expects ordinary dividends to comprise at least 40% of total shareholder returns, with buybacks making up the remainder, adding that dividends are expected to be at least 28% of underlying cash result and buybacks 42% . For 2025, management said the firm is returning 50% of the underlying cash result to shareholders via ordinary dividends and buybacks, with a total of 313 million to be returned for the year. FitzPatrick said the group delivered growth in new business, funds under management, and underlying cash result, while also generating strong returns for our clients. He pointed to an underlying cash result of 462 million , which he said was up 3% year-on-year and 4% ahead of consensus . Underlying cash basic EPS was 87 pence per share , up 6% year-on-year. St. James's Place (LON:STJ) executives used the companys full-year 2025 results Q&A session to highlight what Chief Executive Officer Mark FitzPatrick described as a year of strong delivery and execution, alongside progress on strategic initiatives ranging from a new charging structure to a multi-year historic service review and a stepped-up shareholder returns framework. Shareholder returns were stepped up50% of the 2025 underlying cash result will be returned (including an 18p annual dividend) and the board now targets returning 70% of the underlying cash result from 2026, with buybacks and an expected interim dividend of 6p . The new unbundled charging structure (implemented in late August) has shifted the profit mix: underlying post-tax cash result was 462 million (+ 3% ), management expects net income from FUM of 4345 bps going forward (2026 at the lower end) and margin from new business to be ~ zero ; implementation costs in 2025 were 53 million (total 119 million to date). St. Jamess Place delivered strong growth in client flows and investment performance, reporting net inflows of 6.2 billion (up 42% y/y) and funds under management rising to 220 billion , supported by a 12% return on opening FUM and 94.9% retention. Story Continues Charging structure, Polaris Multi-Index, and product positioning Management reiterated that its simple, comparable charging structure went live smoothly in late summer and was positioned as a foundational change that put investment performance on a more comparable footing with the wider market. FitzPatrick said the new structure enabled the launch of Polaris Multi-Index, which broadened client choice and reached over 1 billion of funds under management at year-end, around two months after launch. 3 Major Buybacks Just DroppedHeres the Signal Investors See In response to questions about competition from model portfolio solutions, FitzPatrick argued that Polaris and Polaris Multi-Index are fund-of-funds rather than model portfolio services, and said fund-of-funds structures allow more dynamic rebalancing without crystallizing capital gains tax in the same way as rebalancing within an MPS. He said the company views that as an advantage in a rapidly changing market. On early adoption of Polaris Multi-Index, FitzPatrick said the firm was seeing both new money from new clients and a little bit of switching from existing funds into the new range. He attributed some of the appeal to ongoing asset allocation and rebalancing at what he described as an attractive price point. AI, technology tools, and advisor productivity A recurring theme in analyst questions was artificial intelligence and whether AI-driven direct-to-consumer offerings could challenge advice-led models. FitzPatrick repeatedly emphasized that the company views technology as a way to strengthen, not replace, face-to-face advice. He said financial advice in the UK is highly regulated and high-trust, requiring personalization, suitability, accountability, and human judgment. FitzPatrick outlined several AI-enabled or AI-adjacent tools in use or nearing rollout, describing them primarily as productivity aids: An advice assistant leveraging Salesforce data to produce suggestions on wrappers, investment amounts, fund selections, and other elements, using a rules-based engine trained on prior recommendations within the firms advice framework. Tools for preparing meetings and summarizing client conversations into notes and action items, which he said had been extensively trialed and were in the final stages ahead of broader rollout across the partnership during the year. ChatSJP, which he said covers documents such as the advice framework and business submission guides and helps paraplanners and admin teams check alignment, reducing time spent on queries and freeing up call center staff for more complex matters. He also described innovation coming from within the advisor community, noting that some advisor firms have built their own technology, which the company is working to make available more broadly under appropriate security and data protections. When asked about whether St. Jamess Places technology stack is nimble enough to incorporate AI and large language models, FitzPatrick said the company uses modern tech including Salesforce and Snowflake and said recent work integrating an advisor firms AI tools with Salesforce increased confidence in a plug and play approach. Advisor trends, client dynamics, and high net worth emphasis On advisor headcount, FitzPatrick confirmed advisor numbers declined modestly in the second half of 2025, which he linked to an initiative previously discussed. He said the departing advisors had productivity significantly below average, and he indicated overall productivity was stronger during the year. Executives also addressed questions about client growth and mix. FitzPatrick said client growth becomes more complex as the company pushes further into high net worth, where the focus may shift from pure client numbers toward higher funds under management per client and deeper engagement. He said that, based on a survey of advisors conducted late in the year, most advisors expect client numbers to grow, and he emphasized that the majority of new clients come through word-of-mouth referrals, contributing to high retention and sticky relationships. FitzPatrick added that the firm is already bringing in younger clients, stating that over a third of new clients are under 40 and that the average age of new clients is coming down, which he linked to the relatively younger average age of the firms advisors. On the high net worth initiative specifically, FitzPatrick said the company recruited new talent and is working to streamline and improve service for advisors and clients. He said about 10% of funds under management were in the high net worth segment at year-end, a slight increase from the prior year, and indicated the firm plans to lean into it further in the second half of the year. Service review, complaints, liquidity, and other updates FitzPatrick said the historic ongoing service evidence review remains in the operational delivery phase and is on track to complete in 2026. He said the company released an additional 25 million from the provision, bringing total releases to 109.5 million for the year. On the scope of the review, he reiterated that the firm limited the lookback period to 2018 in part due to statute-of-limitations considerations, and he said he expects the work to be substantially done by the end of 2026, while acknowledging that some complaints could still be escalated to the Financial Ombudsman Service. On complaints more broadly, FitzPatrick said business-as-usual complaint levels are down, while some residual activity relates to the historic review and claims management companies. He also described noise from complaints that are not legitimate or even from non-clients, adding that management was comfortable complaints were normalizing. Liquidity and capital also drew investor questions following new disclosures. FitzPatrick said liquidity levels would be reviewed regularly and that any inappropriate buildup could be addressed through the capital allocation framework. Finance Director Charles Wood encouraged investors to focus on liquidity rather than solvency capital metrics, noting that the management solvency buffer concept still exists (now referred to as the management capital coverage assessment) and forms part of the bridge from total liquidity to free liquidity in the companys disclosures. On pensions and inheritance tax changes expected in 2027, FitzPatrick said advice is shifting, with some older clients using pensions more for drawdown rather than treating them purely as a wealth-transfer vehicle. He said investment bonds were becoming more attractive and suggested pension drawdowns could increase somewhat for older clients, while noting the situation remains fluid. Finally, FitzPatrick provided an update on cash held via Flagstone, saying balances rose to 5.7 billion, which he noted is not included in the firms funds under management figure. He said the company is working with Flagstone and exploring other opportunities to streamline the movement from savings into investment, describing the current process as clunky and aiming to make transfers easier. About St. James's Place (LON:STJ) We plan, grow and protect the financial futures of over one million clients across the UK by providing holistic advice-led wealth management, delivered exclusively by the Partnership, our group of more than 4,900 highly skilled advisers. We offer an integrated client proposition, through which we provide financial advice, investment product wrappers such as pensions, investment bonds and ISAs, and offer our own range of investment funds and portfolios. The article "St. James's Place H2 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat. Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency payments platform RedotPay is reportedly planning an initial public offering (IPO) in the US. The company is aiming to raise more than $1bn through the listing, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The IPO could take place in New York as soon as this year, according to the report. The publication said RedotPay is working with JPMorgan Chase & Co., Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Jefferies Financial Group Inc. on the potential offering. The company may seek a valuation of more than $4bn. Discussions are currently underway and details, including deal size and valuation, could change. Other banks may also join the underwriting group later. RedotPay did not confirm the development, while representatives for the three banks declined to comment when approached by Bloomberg. In response to a request from Electronic Payments International for clarification, RedotPay Press Team said: We are unable to comment on this matter. The reported IPO discussions follow RedotPays fundraising activity in 2025. The company raised $194m during the year, including a Series B round in December. It counts Accel, Blockchain Capital, Goodwater Capital, HSG, Pantera Capital and Vertex Ventures among its investors. RedotPays app allows users to spend stablecoins via physical or virtual cards. According to its website, the company it has more than six million users across more than 100 markets. It also reported an annualised payment volume of more than $10bn and annualised revenue exceeding $150m. In June 2025, RedotPay partnered with Circle to join the Circle Payments Network (CPN) to support payments into Brazil. "Stablecoin payments firm RedotPay eyes $1bn US IPO- report" was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand. By BRIANNE COOK [email protected] Bessemer The Bessemer City Council approved a $35,121 increase to a recently received community development block grant from the state. The increase, which was issued by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, results in the full grant now being $195,121. According to city manager Mandy Lake, the grant funds will be used to renovate four to six low- income houses to improve their suitability as homes, including work such as roof repair, insulation and attention to heating systems. She said that the extra funds issued would allow program participants to apply for coverage of their administration fees. In addition, Lake reported that the state, under Section 19, also will reimburse the city soon for past infrastructure work. City Clerk-Treasurer Samantha Zakovec estimated that city accounts will receive approximately $80,000 each for work on local and major roads, as well as additional funds for water and sewer, resulting in a total of more than $170,000. In case of state delays in disbursing the funds, Zakovec said that she had not yet included these funds in this years budget. In other news, council members also: Approved up to $5,000 to contract Gabridge & Company PLC, based in Grand Rapids, which also provides the citys auditing, to assist Zakovec in setting up a motor pool account. What theyre doing with us is theyre making sure that everything is working correctly in the system, said Zakovec. Heard from the Downtown Development Authority that no bids have been received yet to surface the pending downtown pickleball courts. At their Feb. 11 meeting, members extended the bid deadline to March 4. Heard a report from the Bessemer Area Sewer Authority, which recently came to an agreement regarding the rates that it will charge Section 32. Approved $3,334 for the Gogebic County Council of Veterans Affairs, a $142 rise from last year, to cover an increase in liability insurance and training expenses on the part of the GCCVA. The payment is calculated in relation to the citys percentage of the countys population. Approved the following payments from the citys Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Phase 3, for work completed last year: $3,014.44 to C2AE in Bessemer and $172,849 for Staab Construction Corporation in Wausau, Wisconsin, for a total of $175,863.44. Bill McDonald voted against the payments. Approved $1,500 for the Bessemer Fourth of July Inc., which is the same amount that was issued in 2025. By PAMELA JANSSON [email protected] IRONWOOD - The Ironwood City Commission agreed Monday on a plan to enhance the security of the Ironwood Memorial Building, where city offices are based. Commissioners approved $28,533.55 to authorize Great Escape Technologies Inc. in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin, to install and update a new door-locking system for the Ironwood Memorial Building. City Clerk Jennifer Jacobson said the new system will provide greater security for the building offices and will allow persons using common areas such as the gym access only in that area at designated times... By BRIANNE COOK [email protected] WAKEFIELD Board members of the Wakefield Chamber of Commerce have decided to suspend, rather than disband, the Chamber. The action occurred during a Feb. 19 meeting and followed speculation toward the end of last year that the Chamber might be closed due to insufficient participation. Board members agreed to meet at least once more time to allow them to tie up loose ends and disburse assets, after which point the organization will exist almost solely on paper. At that point, it no longer will take in any money, nor perform any functions. The organizati... Norwegian renewable energy producer Statkraft has entered into a seven-year agreement with Swedish independent power producer OX2 to manage two large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) with 235MW of capacity in Finland. This is said to be Statkraft's largest BESS power purchase agreement (PPA) in the Nordics. Under the contract, Statkraft will optimise two BESS facilities under construction, featuring capacities of 110MW, or 220 megawatt-hours (MWh), and 125MW (250MWh), respectively. The seven-year term begins in 2028 and includes a revenue floor structure to support the projects financing. Both installations will be located alongside OX2s wind energy projects in Halsua and Soini municipalities. OX2 chief commercial officer Mehmet Energin said: This agreement is a significant commercial milestone for OX2 as we continue to expand our energy storage business and diversify our portfolio. Statkrafts strong market presence and optimisation expertise provide a solid foundation for maximising the value of our BESS assets over the long term. By combining our project delivery and asset management capabilities with Statkrafts market leadership, we are strengthening the competitiveness of our portfolio and accelerating the growth of flexible, future-proof energy solutions in the Nordics. The collaboration underscores Statkraft's efforts to enhance battery energy storage capabilities within the Nordic region, with the aim of boosting system flexibility and stability while integrating renewable energy. Statkraft Finland senior originator Heikki Herttuainen said: This agreement underlines the growing role of battery storage in Finlands energy market. As wind power expands, batteries are essential to managing intermittency and unlocking flexibility for the system. Optimising these assets locally allows us to support grid stability while creating value for both the developer and the Finnish power market. Statkraft has previously secured numerous major BESS PPAs. In the UK, the company signed an agreement in 2023 with Statera Energy for the 300MW Thurrock Storage facility in Essex. Additionally, it has partnered with Fidra Energy for the Thorpe Marsh BESS scheme, which is expected to become the largest battery storage facility in the UK once operational, with a capacity of 1.4GW. In November 2025, Statkraft inaugurated new solar farms and battery installations at the Conference of the Parties 30 (COP30) climate summit in Belem, Brazil. "Statkraft, OX2 sign deal for 235MW BESS in Finland" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Sulo William "Bill" Romo, 83, of Ironwood Township, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, amidst his family. Bill was born on Feb. 13, 1943, in Bessemer Township, a son of Hiski and Ina Martha Romo. He attended A.D. Johnston High School and graduated in 1961. Bill was a proud lifelong resident of Ironwood and a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was known for his strong work ethic, love for his family, and a deep connection to the Upper Peninsula community. Bill served his country with honor and was a dedicated member of the Ironwood American Legion Post 5, where he also served as commander - a role he valued deeply - and a member of the Post's Honor Guard. One of the most meaningful experiences of his life was participating in the U.P. Honor Flight in May 2025. During his working years, Bill was a UPS delivery driver and became well-known throughout the area. In his younger years, he enjoyed bowling, playing softball, cribbage and horseshoes. Bill absolutely loved going to "kamp" with the guys. He spent time at Copper Peak, helped groom the Wolverine Ski Trail and could often be found plowing snow with his four-wheeler during long Upper Peninsula winters. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Arla (Kangas) Romo; three children, Noel (Paul) Aho, Bill (Syndie) Romo and Mark (Kristen) Romo; seven grandchildren, Payton (Matthew) Dary, Paige Aho, Brandon and Brooke Romo, Jacob (Hope) Lane, Danyel and Joel Mullin-Romo; and many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; a daughter, Nicole (Romo) Lane, in 2004; three brothers, Reino, Rudy and Dave Romo; a sister, Helen (Romo) Johnson; a niece, Michelle (Romo) Wetzelberger; and two nephews, Michael and Ray Romo. Out of respect for his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service to celebrate Bill's life will be held on Saturday, March 7, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 9:30 a.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, E5104 Margaret St., in Ironwood, with the Rev. David Jacob officiating. Following the service, military rites will take place at the church under the auspices of Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard, assisted by the U.P. Funeral Honors Team. A luncheon reception will be held in the church fellowship hall immediately following the military honors. Committal services and interment will take place in the spring at Sunset Acres Cemetery, Ironwood Township. In lieu of floral offerings, memorial contributions in Bill's memory may be made to Wolverine Ski Trail, c/o Mary Ahnen, treasurer, 701 S. Moore St., Bessemer MI 49911, or American Legion Post 5, Box 284, Ironwood MI 49938. Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com. Public Storage is relocating its headquarters from Glendale to Frisco, Texas, after more than 50 years in California and joining a wave of major corporate exits. (Raul Roa/Staff Photographer) Public Storage is moving to Texas after more than 50 years in California. The company shared its plans to move its corporate headquarters from Glendale to Frisco, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, ahead of an earnings call this month. The largest self-storage brand in the U.S. has been based in Southern California since its founding in 1972 in El Cajon. The company operates more than 3,500 self-storage facilities across 40 U.S. states and has more than 5,000 employees. Company leadership framed the move as a logistical decision rather than a full-on California exodus. The move to Texas, part of a wider overhaul of the company, will help it benefit from the depth of talent and innovation in that market, according to a statement . Read more: Why companies born and raised in California are leaving the state Incoming Chief Executive H. Thomas Boyle, currently the companys chief financial and investment officer, said during the fourth-quarter earnings call that the company has long operated in both Glendale and Dallas. Corporate job openings often were posted across both offices, but most new roles over the last several years have been filled in the Texas location, Boyle said. It's about finding the right talent across the country and building the team going forward, and we look forward to strong leadership in both offices, Boyle said. Read more: Californias exodus isnt just billionaires its regular people renting U-Hauls, too The news comes shortly after Senate Bill 709 took effect at the start of the year. The bill was designed to place price caps on Californias self-storage industry but was scaled back to a transparency law requiring disclosures of rent hikes in rental agreements. The California Self Storage Assn., of which Public Storage is a funder, heavily lobbied against the bill. Read more: Billionaire tax proposal sparks soul-searching for Californians California has been losing more companies than its been gaining since 2014, many to Texas. However, experts and economists have told The Times the corporate departures represent adjustments to Californias $4.1-trillion economy , rather than signs of systemic decline. Last year the hair care company John Paul Mitchell Systems moved from Southern California to Wilmer, Texas, and the green energy company GAF moved from San Jose to Georgetown, Texas. In 2024, Chevron announced plans to move its headquarters from San Ramon to Houston after years of butting heads with politicians in Sacramento over climate and energy policies. Suntory Beverage & Food, the producer of soft drink brands Lucozade and Ribena, is investing in its production in the UK. In a statement yesterday (25 February), the company said it will invest 25m ($33.9m) to build a manufacturing line at its facility in Coleford in south-west England. The construction of the new line is due to begin this year on a former production area at the site. Commissioning is expected in early 2027. Suntory Beverage & Food said the line will replace two existing Ribena lines that split production between concentrate and RTD formats. The company said it will be the first time it can run both formats on the same line. The line will also manufacture Lucozade products. Once fully operational, the line is expected to reach an output of up to 55,000 bottles per hour. The new line does not signal an expansion of the site, the business said, and is not expected to increase staff numbers, though it will use regional contractors during the construction phase. Karl Ottomar, supply chain director for Suntory Beverage & Food's business in the country, said: Were not just replacing factory lines, were embracing new technology to future proof our operations and make them more efficient. The Coleford facility supplies the UK and Ireland, with some Lucozade and Ribena volumes exported via sister business Suntory Beverage & Food EECM-Benelux in Amsterdam. Lucozade is exported to Malta, Gibraltar and the Seychelles, while Ribena is shipped to the Caribbean and Denmark. Coleford is Suntory Beverage & Food's only manufacturing site in the UK and Ireland. Last year, Suntory Beverage & Food named Josuke Kimura as its new representative director, president and CEO. Kimura will succeed Makiko Ono following the company's annual shareholders' meeting and a subsequent board meeting scheduled next month. "Suntory Beverage & Food invests in UK production" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. By Alimat Aliyeva According to the state news agency TASS, Google LLC has been fined 22.8 million rubles (approximately $298,600) in Russia for distributing virtual private network (VPN) services through its Google Play platform. VPN services allow users to conceal their location and encrypt internet traffic, which can enable them to bypass website restrictions, AzerNEWS reports, citing foreign media. The ruling was issued by the Tagansky District Court in Moscow. The court found the company guilty on six administrative counts under the Russian Code of Administrative Offenses. According to the decision, Google failed to comply with its obligations as an online information resource by not removing content that authorities deemed illegal under Russian law. In recent years, Russia has tightened regulation over foreign technology platforms, particularly regarding content moderation and access to restricted online resources. VPN services have become a focal point in this regulatory effort, as they are widely used to access blocked websites and social media platforms. The fine adds to a series of legal and financial pressures faced by international tech companies operating in Russia, reflecting broader tensions over digital sovereignty, data control, and internet governance. By Daniel Wiessner Feb 24 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit accusing Tesla (TSLA) 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. 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) This story was originally published on CFO.com. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO.com newsletter. ARLINGTON, Texas Though the jury is still out on the long-term implications of the latest artificial intelligence tools, its hard not to see some parallels to the Theranos scandal. The medical device company run by convicted fraudster Elizabeth Holmes was full of promise, claiming to have developed a finger-prick blood test that could screen for a range of diseases and disorders. Proponents of new AI tools have made similarly lofty promises, with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman claiming in a 2025 blog post that the technology could one day cure cancer. In the case of Theranos, though, those promises quickly dissolved upon further scrutiny. Thanks to the work of Theranos whistleblower Tyler Shultz and others, it soon became clear the blood testing technology was a fraud. Holmes would go on to receive a more than 11-year prison sentence for defrauding investors. Speaking at fintech firm HighRadius Radiance annual conference on Tuesday, Shultz recounted his experience unveiling the truth about the company he once worked for and issued a subtle warning to the audience of financial leaders gathered at Globe Life Field in Arlington. I think of Theranos as a physical black box, and AI is like this metaphorical black box, Shultz said in a keynote address. There are very, very few people who deeply and truly understand how that black box works, but a lot of those people are in the room right now. And so I hope we all recognize the responsibility we have as we shape the future. Shultz encouraged attendees to create corporate cultures where people are willing to speak up. If youre able to do this, it really does become like a superpower, he went on to say. It becomes an ability to see around corners, to identify issues in their earliest stages and address them before they metastasize and turn into existential threats to your company. Earlier in his speech, Shultz recounted how he had to spend nearly half a million dollars hiring various lawyers to fight back against Theranos, which had asked him to retract his statements to The Wall Street Journal. At one point, Shultz said, his own parents had essentially asked him to give up the fight and sign whatever it is Theranos wants you to sign. Shultz, who noted he had bought a burner phone in cash to communicate with a Journal reporter, declined to do so. Shultzs session, delivered at the end of Radiances second day, marked a notable change in tenor at a conference that was otherwise sunny on the prospect of AI for corporate finance. Many other sessions that day largely focused on using automation tools to shorten close time, reduce days sales outstanding or grow business without increasing headcount. HighRadius itself bills its offerings as AI-driven autonomous finance solutions for the office of the CFO. Its Radiance conference is largely for current and prospective customers. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO) is a leading life sciences and technology company that develops and supplies scientific instruments, laboratory equipment, specialty diagnostics, reagents, and biopharmaceutical services used across research, healthcare, and industrial markets worldwide. The company is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, and is growing rapidly through acquisitions and innovation in analytical technologies and laboratory services. Thermo Fisher Scientifics market cap is around $193.7 billion, making it one of the largest firms in healthcare and diagnostics globally. Companies worth $10 billion or more are typically referred to as large-cap stocks. Thermo Fisher Scientific surpasses this benchmark, highlighting its substantial size, financial stability, and broad influence in the life sciences and medical technology industries. The company has built a dominant presence across research, diagnostics, laboratory equipment, and biopharma services, supported by significant investment in research & development, global operational scale, and strong integrated systems that enhance productivity and quality. More News from Barchart TMO is currently down 19.9% from its 52-week high of $643.99, achieved on Jan. 22. Moreover, shares have plummeted 12% over the past three months, lagging behind the iShares US Medical Devices ETF (IHI), which has declined 7.5% over the same time frame. www.barchart.com TMO is down 11% on a YTD basis and 3.7% over the past 52 weeks. By contrast, IHI has declined 4.1% in 2026 and 6.8% over the past year. TMO has been trading above its 50-day moving average since early July 2025, but has fallen below the line this month. It has been trading above the 200-day moving average since early October 2025. www.barchart.com Thermo Fisher Scientifics stock has been under pressure mainly because investors are reacting to cautious guidance despite solid earnings beats. The company beat expectations in its Q4 2025 earnings with revenue of about $12.2 billion (7% year-over-year growth) and adjusted EPS of $6.57 (8% growth), topping Wall Street estimates, and full-year 2025 revenue grew 4% to around $44.6 billion. Toyota Motor is considering disposing of strategic shareholdings worth about Y3tn ($19.21bn), with financial institutions and likely to begin sales this year, Reuters reported, citing sources. The potential divestment - which could expand depending on participation by shareholders - would represent a notable development in Japans ongoing corporate governance reforms. Toyota is expected to repurchase shares via buybacks, while a secondary placement to other investors has also been explored, one source told the news agency. Details including timing and overall size remain uncertain, and the initiative could still be withdrawn, another source said. According to the report, Japans regulators and the Tokyo Stock Exchange have been urging companies to unwind cross-shareholdings, a long-established practice in which corporations hold equity in one another to strengthen commercial relationships. Governance specialists and international investors have argued that such arrangements can shield management from shareholder scrutiny, the report added. Toyota already maintains a policy to cut cross-held stakes but has faced investor criticism regarding governance standards and capital allocation. According to a source cited in the report, the proposed move is intended to underline the companys commitment to governance reform. Separately, Toyota is pursuing a tender offer for forklift manufacturer Toyota Industries. Activist investor Elliott has opposed the transaction, saying it is undervalued and lacks transparency, and Toyota has extended the offer deadline to 2 March after insufficient shareholder backing. In a separate recent development, Toyota Motor North America has partnered with Treehouse to provide customers of 2026 and newer Toyota and Lexus electrified vehicles in the US with home EV charger purchasing and installation support. The arrangement covers battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), with the US-based software-enabled electrification platform provider managing the full process for Level 2 AC home charging installations. "Toyota explores Y3tn stake divestment plan report" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. Antagonizing friend and foe is not a great idea for a net debtor nation especially one with high deficits that need to be funded with foreign capital, said Kathy Jones, chief fixed-income strategist at Charles Schwab. It can drive up the cost and create some instability. In light of the use of sanctions, tariffs, rising deficits and general America first policies its not surprising that some countries are reducing dollar exposure. The concentration of holdings in the hands of foreign investors shows where the balance of power lies, and suggests that Trump can ill afford to alienate his allies even as he seeks to reshape the world order. His push to gain control of Greenland last month sparked a flurry of speculation Europe might push back by weaponizing those holdings and dump them. For example, longtime military ally Australia was classified as most-aligned, China as least, with Americas neighbor Mexico falling into the neutral bucket. The votes examined were those on key UN resolutions, based on data from the US Department of State. While alignment can be subjective, in this analysis countries were classified as most-, least- and neutrally-aligned by looking at their voting behavior at the United Nations and seeing whether or not it tallied with the US. The assumption is that countries that vote the same way are more closely aligned and its an approach commonly used in academia to determine allies and adversaries. Non-allies and neutral nations sold $673 billion of Treasuries between 2016 and 2025, while allies added to their reserves in all but one of those years. The pivot away from US government bonds has gained momentum as President Donald Trumps unpredictable decision-making rattles investors, even though most market participants say US debt is likely to remain the worlds benchmark safe asset. Countries that are aligned with Washington bought $463.9 billion of Treasuries in 2025, the biggest annual net purchase since at least 2016, according to Bloombergs analysis of US Treasury data. By contrast, the figures showed that countries least united with the US offloaded $125.24 billion of American debt last year, the most in six years. The US is becoming ever more dependent on its closest allies to fund its swollen debt burden, exposing a vulnerability in the $30 trillion Treasuries market. Story Continues The UK, Canada and Japan bought the most Treasuries last year, according to the data from the US Treasury, although the UK figures may have been distorted by its role as a financial hub. China, India and Brazil sold the largest quantities of the notes, with Belgium whose holdings are usually taken to include some Chinese accounts ranking just behind them. Even if the UK and Belgium are excluded, US allies were still net buyers, with their purchases exceeding 2024 levels. The shift away from dollar-denominated assets has gained traction amid Trumps attack on the Federal Reserves independence, escalated trade wars and widening political polarization. But the US president has also long accused other countries of seeking weaker exchange rates to boost exports, suggesting the US currency was unfairly overvalued. With ownership of roughly a third of all outstanding Treasuries resting in the hands of foreigners, the risk is that more countries may join the likes of China, India and Brazil in scaling back their dollar exposure if theyre unsettled by Washingtons policies. What Bloomberg Strategists Say... As long as US yields remain relatively attractive, which seems likely with investment and productivity boosting the neutral rate, capital should continue to flow into Treasuries Skylar Montgomery Koning, Macro Strategist Earlier this month, Chinese regulators were said to have advised financial institutions to rein in their holdings of US Treasuries, citing concerns over market volatility. This came after Europes biggest pension fund spent much of last year dramatically trimming its exposure to the securities. The risk isnt that China sells. Thats priced in, said Maxence Visseau, director of research at investment firm Arkevium. The risk is that allies stop buying or start hedging en masse. While there are no signs that this is imminent and demand can be influenced by a range of factors a flight from Treasuries would have the potential to drive up yields and exert pressure on Washingtons financing needs. The price action in the aftermath of Trumps sweeping global tariffs imposed in April 2025 provides a snapshot of the chaos that could ensue if US yields suddenly surge: back then, a gauge of Treasuries implied volatility soared to its most extreme level since late 2023, currency fluctuations jumped to the highest in two years, and the VIX index of equity volatility reached an eight-month high. Benchmark US 10-year yields are now just above 4%, down from a January high of 4.31%. Those on 30-year Treasuries are at 4.66% after almost touching 5% last month. But, some say that the concerns are overstated. While overseas investors holdings of Treasuries excluding bills hit a record high in November, they accounted for just a third of the outstanding amount, down from a peak of 52% in 2012. That means the US allies and rivals both have arguably less leverage in aggregate than over a decade ago. Treasuries also remain the worlds benchmark safe asset, and the higher yields offered by the notes around 4.05% on 10-year debt help burnish their appeal. The bonds delivered a return of over 5% in the past 12 months to outperform most of their developed-market peers. There just arent large alternatives to the US market, said Kiyoshi Ishigane, executive chief fund manager at Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co., one of Japans biggest funds. Even if investors feel some frustration toward America, its not practical to shift capital somewhere else. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has regularly pushed back against the sell America rhetoric, arguing that the administrations economic policies enhance the US position as the top destination for global capital. We are restoring industrial capacity, reinforcing technological leadership, expanding economic opportunity, and strengthening resilience, Bessent said in a recent speech in Dallas. We are fundamentally resetting the framework in which the United States participates in the global economy. Others point out political rivals like China may not have fully retreated from US bonds, even though data show that the Asian nation has halved its holdings of Treasuries since 2013. In reality, China is adding to its dollar exposure, not reducing it, said Brad Setser, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Beijing is either buying Treasuries in ways that dont register in the US data directly or financing other people who are either buying Treasuries or US corporate credit. Beyond China, some market participants say the broader pivot away from US assets is set to continue, even though there remain pockets of interest. Foreign net purchases of US stocks more than doubled to $717 billion in 2025, while buying of corporate securities and other bonds hit the highest level since at least 2016. Foreign official holdings of Treasuries have declined about 12% from their peak in 2021 to $3.5 trillion. In contrast, gold reserves hit a record, according to data from the US Treasury and International Monetary Fund. If this continues, I believe it will exert upward pressure on Treasury yields on the long end, Kristina Hooper, chief market strategist at Man Group Plc, wrote on risks of foreign investors reducing exposure to Treasuries. --With assistance from Kate Davidson, Christopher Anstey and Saleha Mohsin. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2026 Bloomberg L.P. Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:TYL) is one of the 10 best beaten down software stocks with the highest upside potential. Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:TYL) received a Buy rating from D.A. Davidson analyst Peter Heckmann on February 17. He maintained his $460 price target for the stock. On February 13, Adam Hotchkiss of Goldman Sachs also reiterated his Buy rating on Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:TYL) while cutting the firms price target from $560 to $420. The price target revision came after the company reported its fourth-quarter results. According to the firm, the continued adoption of technology by state and local governments and a multi-year shift to the cloud support its long-term growth potential. However, the analyst believes that it will need to deliver consistent results over several quarters to win back investor confidence. The share price dropped about 15% as a result of fourth-quarter revenue and guidance that were below expectations. Tyler Technologies, Inc. (TYL) Needs To Do More To Convince Analysts As reported on February 12, Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:TYL) recorded total revenue of $575.2 million for the quarter. Total bookings during the quarter were $601 million, approximately the same as last years Q4. For the full year, total bookings rose 1.4%. Total annual recurring revenue grew by 10.9% to $2.06 billion. Non-GAAP operating margin was 24.1%, slightly lower than the previous year. However, for the full year, non-GAAP operating margin improved by 150 basis points, coming in at 26%. Free cash flow and cash flow from operations both hit record levels during the quarter. Free cash flow for the quarter was $236.9 million, while for the full year it was $620.8 million. CFO Brian Miller commented on the guidance: Our annual guidance for 2026 is as follows: we expect total revenues will be between $2.5 billion and $2.55 billion. The midpoint of our guidance implies growth of approximately 8.3%. Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:TYL) operates as a provider of software and technology management solutions. It serves the public sector. The company operates through the Platform Technologies and Enterprise Software segments. It was incorporated in 1966 and is based in Plano, Texas. While we acknowledge the potential of TYL 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: Cathie Woods Stock Portfolio: Top 10 Stocks to Buy and 30 Most Fantastic Stocks Every Investor Should Pay Attention To. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. UPS has begun sending letters to about 105,000 package van drivers offering them voluntary severance packages worth $150,000, to resign, the company confirmed on Wednesday. A federal judge last week cleared the freight transportation giant to move ahead with buyout offers over objections from the Teamsters union. UPS (NYSE: UPS) has decided to reduce headcount by 30,000 this year as part of a network consolidation plan aimed at reducing costs and improving efficiency amid declining parcel volumes. During court arguments, Teamsters lawyers said the union expects up to 10,000 drivers to accept the companys offer. The Driver Choice Program gives full-time drivers the option to leave their job in exchange for a $150,000 pre-tax separation payment and earned retirement benefits, such as pension and healthcare. Drivers are eligible for the lump payment regardless of seniority. Genny Bowman, vice president of communications, confirmed that UPS has started informing drivers across the country about the buyout offer. We are sharing details about the program with our drivers over the coming days, UPS added in a statement. The company has set the separation date for late April, according to court documents. UPS has indicated that involuntary layoffs are also possible, depending on how many drivers accept the severance package. The company is separately reducing warehouse workers through a combination of attrition and layoffs as it closes facilities. Twenty-two facilities are slated to close this year. About 3,000 drivers took a company buyout last fall, but that package was much less generous than the Driver Choice Program. The earlier payout provided $1,800 in severance pay per year of service, with a $10,000 minimum. The Teamsters complained that UPS violated the national contract signed in August 2023 because UPS committed to add workers and that the buyouts amount to a change in employment, something the union claimed must be negotiated with the union. Judge Denise Casper of U.S. District Court in Massachusetts rejected the unions argument that workers could be harmed by resigning, saying the results of any arbitration would apply to them and that buyouts are a better option than having employment terminated. Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch. Write to Eric Kulisch at ekulisch@freightwaves.com. RELATED STORIES: Judge gives UPS green light for $150,000 buyouts to drivers UPS identifies 22 package facilities for closure The post UPS begins notifying delivery drivers about optional buyout program appeared first on FreightWaves. United Parcel Services Worldport hub at Louisville International Airport has overtaken FedExs home base in Memphis, Tennessee, as the largest global express air hub, according to a report from researchers at DePaul University published on Thursday. The findings show that Louisville is now larger than Memphis across several metrics. FedExs (NYSE: FDX) hub still serves more airports nonstop than any other hub in the world. The report, which analyzes flight data from Flightradar24 and aircraft size, concluded that UPSs (NYSE: UPS) global hub claimed the top position between Jan. 17 and Feb. 19 in terms of daily flight activity, tonnage capacity and volume capacity. The Louisville hub on average handles 202 flights per day, 37 more than at the FedEx facility, during the busy mid-week period. FedEx flights have decreased 19.3% since mid-September. The majority of the flight cuts are during the afternoon. Significantly, UPSs Louisville hub now has 25.4% more tonnage capacity and 25.0% more volume capacity than FedExs Memphis on peak days, according to the report from DePauls Chaddick Institute. Researchers attributed the change in pecking order to FedExs Network 2.0 campaign to reduce excess capacity by merging legacy Express and Ground subsidiary networks and segregating the air fleet by shipment requirements, with greater reliance on regional trucking and point-to-point flights than hub rotations for deferred heavy freight. The network optimization strategy is expected to save FedEx $1 billion during the current fiscal year that ends May 31, according to the company. Another factor impacting afternoon flights, and not mentioned in the report, was FedEx losing to UPS a major domestic air cargo contract with the U.S. Postal Service in September 2024. The report also shows that Chinese hubs are rapidly growing, led by SF Airlines new hub at Ezhou Huahu Airport in Hubei. SF Airlines is Chinas largest cargo airline by fleet size and part of parcel courier SF Express. Louisville also outpaces Memphis in off-peak and cumulative weekly flying, followed by FedExs secondary European hub in Liege, Belgium; DHLs hub in Leipzig, Germany; Ezhou airport; and the FedEx hub in Paris. Express cargo hubs spring to life at night when commercial passenger service is minimal. Many people fail to grasp the massive scale and intricacy of these hubs as a result, said Joseph Schwieterman, the reports lead author, via email. Airports Council International, as of July 2025, ranks Memphis as the third largest cargo hub in the world, behind Hong Kong and Shanghai, by tonnage. Louisville is ranked fifth. The ACI rankings are broader and include cargo from all types of aircraft operators: passenger, freighter and express. NEW DELHI, Feb 26 (Reuters) - India's Trade Minister Piyush Goyal discussed trade and economic partnership with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick over lunch in New Delhi on Thursday, Goyal said in a post on X, days after President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs were invalidated. Earlier this week, Goyal said two-way trade talks would resume once there was more clarity, signaling India's intent to pursue a deal with Washington despite Trump's weakened legal authority on tariffs. "A highly productive lunch ... so many areas of cooperation for our two nations!", the U.S. envoy to India Sergio Gor said in a separate post on X, with a picture of himself with Lutnick and Goyal. Lutnick is on a personal visit to India, an Indian trade ministry official said. Since the Supreme Court order, Trump has announced a temporary 10% duty on all nations, including India, and promised to raise it to 15% - the maximum allowed under the statute he has resorted to. Prior to the ruling, both countries had agreed on a framework for Washington to cut tariffs on India to 18% from 50% - a rate that previously included a 25% punitive tariff for New Delhi's Russian oil purchases. (Reporting by Shilpa Jamkhandikar, Manoj Kumar and Shivangi Acharya; Editing by YP Rajesh) Feb 24 (Reuters) - A federal judge in California on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit from Elon Musk's artificial intelligence startup xAI that accused rival Sam Altman's OpenAI of stealing its trade secrets. U.S. District Judge Rita Lin in San Francisco said that xAI could refile its case, but for now has failed to allege that OpenAI committed any misconduct. The lawsuit, filed in September, claimed that former xAI employees took source code related to its Grok chatbot and other confidential information with them when they left for new jobs at OpenAI. "Notably absent are allegations about the conduct of OpenAI itself," Lin said. "xAI does not allege any facts indicating that OpenAI induced xAIs former employees to steal xAIs trade secrets or that these former xAI employees used any stolen trade secrets once employed by OpenAI." Lin had signaled in a January opinion that she would likely rule for OpenAI. She gave xAI until March 17 to file an amended complaint. xAI has separately sued a former engineer, Xuechen Li, for allegedly taking trade secrets to the ChatGPT maker. Li was blocked in that case from sharing xAI's technology with OpenAI, though OpenAI has said that Li never worked for the company and that it never acquired or used any of xAI's secrets. Spokespeople and attorneys for xAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Tuesday decision. "We welcome the court's decision," OpenAI said in a statement. "This baseless lawsuit was never anything more than yet another front in Mr. Musk's ongoing campaign of harassment." The lawsuit is part of a broader legal battle between Musk and Microsoft-backed OpenAI, which he co-founded and is also suing over its conversion to a for-profit company. Musk, the world's richest person, is seeking as much as $134.5 billion in damages from OpenAI and Microsoft in that case. Jury selection is scheduled for April 27. OpenAI said in a court filing that the trade-secrets case was part of a "campaign to harass a competitor with unfounded legal claims" because Grok could not keep up with ChatGPT. (Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington; Editing by David Bario, Chizu Nomiyama and Cynthia Osterman) Hamas condemned on Wednesday the United States' decision to start providing consular services in Efrat, an Israeli settlement in the West Bank, AzerNEWS reports. In a statement shared with the Shahab News Agency, the organization insisted that the US's move could be interpreted as a recognition of the legitimacy of the settlement, which Palestinians dispute. Hamas stressed that the decision represents a "clear violation" of international law and the Palestinians' rights. Lastly, the group urged the international community to respond. Previously, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar welcomed the US's move. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar welcomed the US move. We appreciate the important decision by the US embassy to extend consular services to Efrat, in Judea and Samaria, he said, using the biblical name for the West Bank. As America marks 250 years of independence, Israel stands proudly beside it, he added at an event marking the occasion. The Palestinian Authoritys Colonisation and Wall Resistance Commission condemned the move, saying in a statement that it constitutes a clear violation of international law and a blatant favouring of the occupation authorities, referencing Israel. Minister Muayyad Shubban, head of the commission, called on the US to reverse the decision, and on the international community to refrain from legitimising the settlement system. The Palestinian militant group Hamas also decried the US decision, describing it in a statement as a dangerous step that supports (Israels) Judaisation plans. The US embassy in Jerusalem also announced that such pop-up consular services will be provided in the next couple of months in another Israeli settlement, Beitar Illit, as well as in the Palestinian city of Ramallah and three cities inside Israel. By Nell Mackenzie LONDON, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs (GS) prime brokerage said in a note that the recent bounce in software and IT services stocks may continue, even though this week, hedge funds were as short as they have ever been on the sector. A short position expects an asset price to fall. The S&P 500 software and services index has tumbled over 18% this year so far, shedding more than $1.2 trillion in market value, according to LSEG data. But this week, stocks in this index recovered and the index rose over 4% Key findings of the Goldman report: * Goldman Sachs prime brokerage believes that the recentrecovery in software stocks will continue, it said in a note toclients on Wednesday, seen by Reuters on Thursday. * Software and IT services were the top two shorted U.S.industries on February 24th on Goldman Sach's prime brokeragetrading desk. * Short positions have risen to the highest level on recordfor Goldman, which began tracking positions in 2016. * Long positions, betting these stocks will rise, stand ata record low. Sign up for the Yahoo Finance Morning Brief By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's Terms and Privacy Policy Subscribe (Reporting by Nell Mackenzie; editing by Dhara Ranasinghe) Valero Energy Corp (NYSE:VLO) is among the best oil & gas refinery stocks to buy now. On February 13, Reuters reported that Valero Energy Corp (NYSE:VLO) was set to import up to 6.5 million barrels of crude from Venezuela in March. The report further said Valero would process the crude at its Gulf Coast refineries. Valero Energy (VLO): A Refining Giant With Earnings Momentum and Global Reach In its Q4 2025 earnings report released on January 29, Valero posted results that surpassed consensus expectations. EPS of $3.82 exceeded the $3.11 that was forecast. Revenue of $30.4 billion also surpassed the expected $29 billion. In the companys refining business, operating income soared to $1.7 billion from $437 million in the same quarter in 2024. The quarter was bolstered by improvements in margins throughput volumes. Valero ended 2025 with $4.7 billion in cash and cash equivalents. The company returned $1.4 billion in cash to shareholders in Q4 2025 and $4 billion in the full-year 2025. Following Valeros solid Q4 results, Citi analyst Vikram Bagri boosted the firms price target on Valero stock to $212 from $190 while maintaining a Neutral rating. Valero Energy Corp (NYSE:VLO) is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of fuels and petrochemical products. The company has a portfolio of 15 refineries across the US, Canada, and the UK. Its refining capacity is about 3.2 million barrels per day. Valero has a stake in Diamond Green Diesel Holdings, a joint venture that produces low-carbon fuels. While we acknowledge the potential of VLO 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: Goldman Sachs Growth Stocks: Top 12 Stock Picks and 11 Best Alternative Energy Stocks to Invest In According to Analysts. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. Feb 26 (Reuters) - Fund manager Vanguard Group said on Thursday it has settled litigation filed by the Republican attorneys general of Texas and other states, who had alleged the fund manager and rivals had violated antitrust law through their climate activism. A spokesman for Vanguard of Pennsylvania did not immediately disclose terms of the settlement, but the company said in a statement it reaffirms "the passive nature of our index funds." (Reporting by Ross Kerber, Editing by Franklin Paul) Amenas view Venezuela wants its oil industry back. Its interim president Delcy Rodriguez also wants sanctions relief and sovereignty while preserving the nations identity as an anti-imperialist state. Im in Caracas a 24-hour trip from my home base in Dubai as part of a visit organized by the African Energy Chamber, and have met with private-sector executives, ministers, top officials at state oil company PDVSA, and Rodriguez. Our trip came shortly after US Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited, and at a moment when Venezuelan officials are opening channels to Washington while insisting that the US extraction of President Nicolas Maduro was illegal. Across Caracas, posters calling for Maduros freedom line the streets. The capital itself feels suspended in time, with aging infrastructure and worn buildings. The streets are clean though, a sign of order and resilience. During our delegations meetings, officials were hopeful and repeated the same point: Maduros Jan. 3 kidnapping didnt trigger changes within the government. The event is accelerating efforts to negotiate economic relief. Government and business leaders share a sense of optimism that a window of opportunity is opening. Some said US sanctions could be lifted within days, creating a sense of urgency among local companies and foreign investors seeking early positioning. Energy is the prize. Venezuela holds the worlds largest crude reserves, but decades of mismanagement, sanctions, and underinvestment have sharply constrained output. A new hydrocarbon law announced in late January aims to simplify bureaucracy and expand participation models, offering joint ventures, licenses, and production-sharing agreements that provide investors clearer operational control and marketing rights. Several international oil majors including Chevron, Eni, Repsol, and Shell are assessing what role they can play in the countrys capacity buildout plan. There is also strong interest in Caracas in attracting capital and technology from Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and the UAE, part of an effort to create a South-South cooperation model that reflects todays multipolar energy reality. Venezuela estimates its current production capacity is roughly 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd), and officials said 1.5 million bpd is a feasible target for this year. Beyond that, the country will need extensive and consistent investment to build new infrastructure to support further increases. PDVSAs longer-term ambition is to reach 3 million bpd within five years. What surprised me most was hearing industry executives suggest production costs could be squeezed down to $15$20 per barrel on average, and even below $10 per barrel in some projects. Independent consultants put the cost at $50$60 per barrel, making much of the extra output uneconomical. Investors have been trained to expect Nvidia to be spectacular. Now, theyre punishing it for being familiar. And when Nvidias quarter is the clean part, the rest of the conversation gets loud fast analysts, strategists, columnists, ETF shops, bears with a single scary datapoint, and long-term bulls who sound like theyre talking to the short-term tape from down the hall and through a closed door. So the post-Nvidia-earnings result is a split-screen: fundamentals that still look like a machine, and a stock that trades like the machine has to prove it can run without subsidies from investor patience. So yes, Nvidias latest quarter looked superlative. And yes, the reaction still looked skeptical. The companys earnings did what theyve been trained to do in this era: dwarf the last dwarf, widen the gap between the company and the rest of the semiconductor universe and still leave the stock trading like a referendum on the AI buildout. Because Nvidia has become the quarterly witness for an AI economy that is now being treated less like a market revolution and more like a capital allocation problem with a very expensive supporting cast. And then the stock fell. About 5% Thursday morning, a response that made (another) record quarter feel almost beside the point. The company did what it needed to do. The stock acted like it needed something else: a reason to believe the next phase of the AI buildout is going to turn into cash on a timetable that Wall Street can live with. Revenue for Q4 FY26 came in at $68.1 billion, with data center revenue of $62.3 billion and GAAP EPS of $1.76. The company forecast $78 billion in revenue for the current quarter, while explicitly not assuming any data center revenue from China in that outlook. In the other room: traders, staring at the same print and asking a different question. Not Did Nvidia beat? Of course not; a beat is practically muscle memory at this point. The question is whether the whole AI economy the hyperscaler spending spree, the venture-funded model factory, the well monetize later product roadmap is starting to look less like a growth story and more like a balance-sheet dare. In one room: analysts, doing what theyve done for years now updating models, pushing price targets higher, and treating Nvidias numbers like a recurring proof that the AI boom is still real, still big, and still very hungry. Story Continues The stock being down underscores that investors long term growth concerns remain, wrote Deepwater Asset Management managing partner Gene Munster, even as he conceded the obvious: The fundamentals and outlook came in better than elevated whisper numbers. Thats Nvidias new trap. When better than whispers is the baseline, the market starts grading the story around the quarter instead of grading just the quarter itself. Kevin Cook, senior stock strategist at Zacks Investment Research, said the market didnt even have the right setup coming into earnings. Nvidia shares were NOT priced for perfection, he said, and yet the company delivered perfection and then some which isnt easy at their scale. The market asked for an A-plus, the market got an A-plus, and the market still started asking for a higher grade. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huangs job, now, is to turn that surrounding story into something that feels inevitable rather than exciting. On the earnings call, he reached for the cleanest possible claim: that the demand for tokens in the world has gone completely exponential. He also offered the governing equation he wants investors to repeat to themselves when they start worrying about budgets: In this new world of AI, compute equals revenues I am certain at this point that weve reached the inflection point. The market has heard the speech before. This time, it treated it like testimony, not theater. Richard Clode, a portfolio manager at Janus Henderson, wrote that the reason the reaction can look icy even when the numbers look molten is because the debate has shifted away from near-term results and toward the sustainability of AI capex spending, amid concerns around its quantum, monetisation and potential cashflow degradation. Joseph Moore, the managing director and head of U.S. semiconductors at Morgan Stanley, said the numbers were at the high end of expectations, the stock reaction was muted, and the reason is that the bigger debates holding the stock back are longer term in nature. Traders are no longer buying the latest quarter; theyre buying the durability of the spending cycle behind it. A smaller implied move doesnt mean investors expected a small quarter. It means investors expected a big quarter and were already looking for the next doubt to pop up. And thats how Nvidia ends up in an absurd posture: delivering superlatives while still being treated as a proxy for everyone elses profitability. Analysts are underwriting Nvidia; traders are pricing the whole AI economy On the analyst side, the posture is still broadly constructive. The notes argue about the reasons, but they rhyme on the conclusion: Demand is still there, the economics still hold, and Nvidia still looks positioned to keep taking the largest bite out of the AI infrastructure cycle. BNP Paribas David OConnor kept an Outperform rating, and bumped his target to $270. The results were a positive, he wrote, yet SBC adjustments, a one-time impact, slightly t[ook] the edge off a stellar quarter. In this environment, stellar comes with footnotes. William Blair framed the quarter as operational proof that the cycle continues. Nvidia reported a robust finish, analysts wrote, and the results largely affirm our view that the company remains the major beneficiary of the ongoing AI investment cycles. That angle is about continuity. The buildout is still building, and the beneficiary still looks like the beneficiary. Wedbush, as usual, went maximalist; its note arrived in inboxes as: Nvidia Delivers Blockbuster Quarter/Guide; Like Watching Jordan With the Bulls. Dan Ives wrote, To put it bluntly...this quarter, guide, and conference call gave tech investors everything they wanted in a present with a red bow, and he treated bubble talk as a category error. Anyone that calls this an AI Bubble is missing the pure numbers and capex dollars being put towards the datacenter, GPU, use cases, and infrastructure piece of this AI Revolution, he said. The quarters results were superlative, said Asit Sharma, a senior investment analyst and lead advisor at The Motley Fool, who then pointed to a detail that suggests customers are buying deeper into Nvidias stack: The scaling of the networking business ($11 billion quarterly run rate, 3.5x growth year over year) is a clear sign that companies understand the value proposition of buying as much of the data center (factory) as possible from Nvidia. Thats a lock-in story told through line items, not adjectives. Sharma says the stack is turning into a cost argument, not just a performance argument: the confluence of networking, rack scale systems, CPUs (Vera) that interconnect with GPUs (Rubin), and CUDA are providing a lower total cost of ownership for inference versus increasingly formidable competition. He also folded in some of Nvidias favorite phrasing higher performance per watt and lower cost per token because thats the language the company uses when it wants the market to see capex as rational rather than reckless. Another analyst made the same point with a slightly different emphasis. Nvidias answer came through integration silicon, NVLink, networking, and full systems working together toward an even more robust platform offering, said Thomas Monteiro, a senior analyst at Investing.com, who flagged the datapoint that sits at the center of most bull cases: The roughly 75% gross margin remains arguably the most important datapoint. When investors worry about commoditization, margins become the lie detector. Theres also a strategic reason Nvidia and its boosters keep dragging the conversation toward inference. Its maybe where the company can most credibly connect compute demand to business value, and its where the hyperscalers can most plausibly argue theyre building revenue engines rather than monuments. Sid Sheth, the CEO of d-Matrix, said that the most important takeaway from Nvidias earnings call was inference equals revenue, which is another strong signal that the center of gravity is shifting from training models to running them. In 2026, analysts staying bullish is less about celebrating a quarter and more about defending an ecosystem thesis: the spend remains large, the spend remains necessary, and Nvidia remains central to the spend. Traders, meanwhile, are doing a different job. They arent underwriting. Theyre stress-testing. What turned skepticism into selling Nvidia earnings arent just Nvidia earnings anymore. They are the quarterly reaffirmation of the health of the AI trade, wrote Jake Behan, Direxions head of capital markets, with extensive ripple effects that have an impact on hyperscalers, semiconductor companies, struggling software names, the NDX, SPX, and the list goes on. Nvidia is being asked to certify the business model of everyone buying its products. He added that perhaps no quarter has had more riding on it than this one. The bellwether burden is heavy enough that the stock ends up carrying questions it cant fully answer. And that leads to a money-now versus money-later split. The AI trade needed some positive news and Nvidias earnings report brought plenty of it, he said. The problem is that this remains a money-later trade and market participants are very demanding of the money-now trade at the moment. But money-now doesnt only mean prove payback. It also means prove discipline. Yvette Schmitter, the CEO of Fusion Collective, called the quarter exceptional, then said that the networking explosion suggests Nvidia is tightening its grip on the stack. She also framed capital returns as a signal in a market demanding nearer-term payoff: NVIDIA generated $35 billion in cash during the last quarter, but returned only $4 billion to shareholders. Even investors who would maybe disagree with her conclusion can recognize the question behind it: What happens to the cash when growth is assumed? Thats the tension that traders are pricing. Investors are worrying that Nvidia will keep prioritizing reinvestment in the AI ecosystem over returning cash to shareholders. Nvidia gets paid now. The broader AI economy is still making the case that, for the rest of them, now will arrive soon. Theres also a broader spillover effect that matters for why Nvidias quarter is being treated as an ecosystem exam. Some of the markets anxiety is about the software layer, where AI revenue can grow quickly without lifting total growth in a way that feels durable. AI can be real and still show up as substitution and cannibalization before it shows up as net-new acceleration. Michael Burry wrote in his Cassandra Unchained Substack that Nvidias purchase obligations reflect a shift toward non-cancellable purchase orders well before demand is known. The plumbing of the buildout is changing, and that plumbing can make the next downcycle uglier if buying slows. The markets skepticism isnt necessarily irrational. Nvidia has a convincing argument that inference demand is early and expanding, but the short-term investor fears stability. Markets love durable trends. Markets hate lumpy ones. That fear deceleration, not a collapse is why the stock can trade down even as analysts revise models upward. Its why even bullish notes keep slipping in acknowledgments about long-term debates and cash-flow scrutiny. Nvidia can deliver a quarter that looks like a spreadsheet hallucination, and the market can still ask, essentially, what the next chapter is beyond the same story with even bigger numbers. You dont have to fetishize charts to acknowledge that once a stock breaks below certain lines, a different set of traders shows up the ones who dont care about your bull case, because theyre trading a signal. Nvidias drop dragged peers lower. Key technical levels broke. The broader market didnt catch a bid. Those mechanics matter because they explain how skepticism becomes a decisive move rather than a shrug. Capex questions are behind a lot of the selling can hyperscalers keep spending at this pace without investors revolting about margins and cash flow, and can they show enough monetization progress to keep the whole buildout from turning into a patience contest? Thats where the expectations treadmill meets the capex road. Traders are staring at the hyperscalers spending plans and asking: What does a cool off look like and when will it arrive? Traders arent grading Nvidias quarter against last quarter. Theyre grading Nvidias quarter against the payback story of the customers who fund it and against a market mood that has started asking for near-term proof from long-term buildouts. So the split-screen holds. Analysts are staying bullish because the numbers still support the core thesis: Demand hasnt cracked, margins still point to pricing power, and the stack looks stickier over time. Traders arent because the trade has matured into scrutiny, and scrutiny brings deadlines. The market wants to see the money now, wants to see the capex cycle look sustainable under cash-flow pressure, and wants to see the rest of the AI economy act less like a sci-fi promise and more like a set of businesses that can fund their own ambitions without turning the whole market into a patience contest. Nvidia delivered a monster quarter. The market is still discounting the economy thats supposed to make the quarter repeatable smoothly, for years, and with cash showing up sooner than later. Nvidia delivered a monster quarter. The market is discounting whether the ecosystem behind it can deliver one just as smooth and just as profitable without relying on patience as its primary fuel. The investment did not come out of nowhere. Back in September, Nvidia announced a $5 billion commitment to Intel as part of a broader AI collaboration, which was completed in December. The partnership centers on Intel manufacturing custom x86 CPUs for Nvidias AI platforms and developing system-on-chips that integrate Nvidia RTX GPU chiplets. The goal is strategic alignment, combining Nvidias AI leadership with Intels manufacturing scale while diversifying Nvidias supply chain. Nvidia has built a significant position in Intel, investing roughly $7.9 billion and holding 214.77 million shares, making it one of Intels largest shareholders. The move was deliberate. Intel has been working to rebuild its competitive edge for the AI era, and Nvidias capital signals confidence in that turnaround. Based in Santa Clara, California, Intel is one of the most recognized names in the semiconductor industry, with a market capitalization of about $217.9 billion. The company designs and manufactures chips that power personal computers, data centers and, increasingly, AI systems. From central processing units (CPUs) to graphics chips and system-on-chip solutions, Intel has long played a central role in advancing computing technology. With decades of innovation behind it, the company continues to shape the infrastructure that supports the modern digital economy. Some of these stakes reinforce existing partnerships, while others hint at deeper ecosystem ties. Either way, when Jensen Huangs Nvidia puts capital to work, the market pays attention and perhaps so should investors. Against the backdrop of the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, chip heavyweight Nvidia (NVDA) is not only selling the chips that power AI it is also strategically investing across the broader technology sector. Nvidia's latest 13F filing shows positions in rival chipmaker Intel (INTC), chip design software leader Synopsys (SNPS), AI cloud infrastructure provider CoreWeave (CRWV), and Finnish telecom operator Nokia (NOK) . On Wall Street, when a company buys shares in another, it is rarely a random act of portfolio diversification. It can signal alignment, future partnerships, or simply confidence about where an industry is headed. That is why investors review 13F disclosures mandatory quarterly filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for institutions managing more than $100 million. These filings disclose holdings, position sizes, market values, and portfolio weightings, offering rare insight into how sophisticated investors are positioning for the future, even if the data comes with a slight delay. Story Continues For Intel, the fresh capital arrives at a critical moment. After leadership turnover and steep losses in 2024, the company needed stability and validation. That support began with the U.S. government taking a 10% stake under the CHIPS Act to strengthen domestic semiconductor manufacturing, and it gained momentum when Nvidia started building its position last year. Since then, momentum has shifted. INTC stock has climbed 89% over the past 52 weeks, rebounding from a low of $17.67 to a high of $54.60 in January, with shares steadily rising. While the stock carried that momentum into early 2026, the rally hit turbulence after Intel issued softer-than-expected guidance in its latest earnings report, triggering a pullback and reminding investors that the turnaround story is still in motion. www.barchart.com The chipmaker delivered a better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings report, generating revenue of $13.7 billion, topping both Wall Streets estimates and managements own guidance. Growth was broad-based, with AI-enabled PCs, traditional servers, and networking products all posting double-digit gains sequentially and year-over-year (YOY). Adjusted EPS of $0.15 comfortably beat the outlook, helped by better gross margins and tighter cost control. After a volatile stretch, it was a quarter that showed real operational traction. But the tone shifts as Intel looks ahead. To meet heavy demand in late 2025, the company leaned on existing inventory and intra-quarter wafer production. That cushion is now largely gone. With production shifting toward server chips, supply constraints are expected to pinch in the first quarter. Management guided for Q1 revenue of $12.2 billion and forecast breakeven profitability, softer than investors hoped. Still, the longer view looks firmer. Management expects supply to ease starting in Q2, while AI-driven demand in data centers and PCs accelerates. With its x86 franchise and expanding AI portfolio, Intel appears positioned to regain momentum as 2026 unfolds. Analysts tracking the company anticipate Q1 revenue to be around $12.3 billion, with losses widening. Looking further out, however, the earnings trajectory is projected to improve. EPS for the full year is expected to rise 158% YOY to $0.07 before surging by a whopping 671% annually to $0.54 in fiscal 2027. Wall Street seems cautiously open to Intels comeback, though not fully convinced, with an overall Hold" rating. Of the 45 analysts covering INTC stock, five suggest a Strong Buy, one has a Moderate Buy rating, 34 recommend a Hold, one analyst has a Moderate Sell, and four advise a Strong Sell" rating. As of this writing, INTC stock is currently trading near its average price target of $45.26. Still, the most bullish target on the Street stands at $66, implying potential upside of 44% over the next year if the turnaround gains traction. www.barchart.com Stock to Buy #2: Synopsys (SNPS) Incorporated in 1986 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, Synopsys develops the critical software and design IP that power modern semiconductor innovation. With a market capitalization of roughly $80.6 billion, the company sits at the heart of the chip design ecosystem. As AI workloads and hyperscale data centers expand, chipmakers increasingly rely on Synopsys tools to deliver precision, performance, and speed to market. Nvidia partnered with Synopsys last year and also put real capital behind the relationship. The companies entered a multiyear collaboration aimed at extending Nvidias Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) platform deeper into chip design and engineering workflows. The scope goes well beyond software tools. It spans agentic AI, physical AI, and Omniverse-powered digital twins, with the goal of helping R&D teams design and verify increasingly intelligent products faster and more efficiently. By embedding Nvidias accelerated computing into Synopsys EDA stack, both companies expand their reach across industries hungry for AI-enabled innovation. Nvidia reinforced that commitment by acquiring 4.82 million Synopsys shares, a stake valued at about $2.26 billion. Nvidia continues to hold the position. It has not been an easy stretch for Synopsys. SNPS stock has failed to reclaim its July high of $651.73 and now trades roughly 32% below that level, as investors weigh uncertainty around its IP business transition and softer demand tied to China. Over the past 52 weeks, shares are still down about 7%. That said, momentum has quietly improved. SNPS stock has climbed 8.5% in the last three months and added another 4% in just the past five days, hinting at stabilizing sentiment. www.barchart.com On Dec. 10, Synopsys reported its fiscal Q4 numbers, which edged past the Streets estimates. Revenue grew 38% YOY to $2.25 billion. Growth was fueled largely by strength in its Time-Based Product and Upfront Product segments, reflecting steady demand for advanced design tools. Profitability, however, told a more mixed story. Non-GAAP EPS slipped 15% to $2.90, slightly beating projections. Synopsys ended Q4 with $2.96 billion in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, up from the prior quarter. Total long-term debt stood at $13.46 billion. Looking ahead, management is guiding for fiscal 2026 revenue between $9.56 billion and $9.66 billion, including an expected $2.9 billion contribution from Ansys, as integration efforts move forward. Non-GAAP EPS is projected in the range of $14.32 to $14.40, signaling confidence in operational efficiencies. The company is all set to release its first-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings report on Feb. 25, after the market closes. Management expects revenue between $2.365 billion and $2.415 billion, while non-GAAP EPS is anticipated to be between $3.52 and $3.58. Analysts tracking Synopsys expect first-quarter EPS of about $2.43, marking an 8% YOY increase, with revenue coming in near $2.39 billion. Looking ahead, the bottom line is projected to rise by 17% YOY to $10.11 per share in fiscal 2026, then rise another 19% annually to $12.07 per share in fiscal 2027. Wall Streets confidence in SNPS is evident, as the stock has a Moderate Buy rating overall. Among the 21 analysts covering the stock, 15 are highly bullish with a Strong Buy, one advises a Moderate Buy, four have a Hold, and one has a Strong Sell rating. The average analyst price target of $556.90 indicates potential upside of 26% from the current price levels. However, the Street-high target of $650 suggests that the stock could surge as much as 47%. www.barchart.com Stock to Buy #3: CoreWeave (CRWV) Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Livingston, New Jersey, CoreWeave has quickly become a key player in GPU-optimized cloud infrastructure. With a market cap of about $35.1 billion, the company focuses on delivering high-performance computing systems built for generative AI and large-scale workloads. CoreWeave aims to simplify AI deployment for enterprises, helping businesses scale advanced computing efficiently in the evolving AI-driven economy. Beyond chips, Nvidia is deepening its footprint in AI infrastructure through a major investment in CoreWeave. The GPU cloud provider, built largely on Nvidia hardware, secured a $2 billion investment that underscores a tight strategic alliance rather than a simple financial bet. Nvidia now owns 24.27 million shares valued at roughly $1.7 billion. This is an active partnership. CoreWeave is deploying multiple generations of Nvidia technology across its AI cloud platform, including early access to the Vera CPU, Rubin GPUs, and BlueField systems. The two are collaborating on AI factories, validating AI-native software stacks, and accelerating data center buildouts. For Nvidia, it strengthens the distribution of its full-stack AI architecture. For CoreWeave, it ensures priority access to cutting-edge compute. CRWV stock's price performance has mirrored the volatility of the AI trade. The stock debuted at $40 in March 2025 and quickly caught fire, rallying to $187 by June 20 as investors piled into AI cloud names tied to major partnerships, acquisitions, and expanding federal opportunities. But volatility followed the surge. Shares have since pulled back roughly 50% from their peak and sit about 14% below their year-to-date (YTD) high of $114.45 reached on Jan. 28. Even with the sharp retracement, the stock remains up by around 34% in 2026, underscoring the strength of its earlier run. Recent weakness has also been tied to legal uncertainty after Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announced a class-action lawsuit alleging securities law violations following significant price declines. For investors, CRWV stock remains a high-beta AI name capable of outsized gains, but equally exposed to swift sentiment shifts. www.barchart.com CoreWeave delivered a headline-grabbing Q3 earnings report in November with revenue soaring to a record $1.36 billion, up 134% YOY and comfortably ahead of expectations. The growth reflects unrelenting demand for high-performance GPU infrastructure as enterprises race to scale AI workloads. Losses narrowed sharply to $0.22 per share, an 88% improvement YOY, signaling improving operating leverage even as the company remains in investment mode. Total backlog nearly doubled sequentially and surged 271% YOY to $55.6 billion, reinforcing long-term visibility. Adjusted operating income climbed 74% to $217.2 million, and the company ended the quarter with $3 billion in cash, indicating solid liquidity to fund expansion. Management trimmed full-year revenue guidance, now expecting the top line to be between $5.05 billion and $5.15 billion due to project timing shifts tied to a third-party data center delay, though contract value remains intact. Capex is expected to range between $12 billion and $14 billion, with 2026 spending projected to rise meaningfully. While debt levels and interest costs warrant monitoring, CoreWeaves expanding capacity, diversified backlog, and accelerating AI demand continue to anchor a constructive long-term outlook. CoreWeave is all set to discuss Q4 and fiscal 2025 financial results on Feb. 26. Analysts tracking the company anticipate fiscal 2025 revenue to be around $5.1 billion, while losses are expected to continue, pegged at -$2.46 per share, widening by 100% YOY. The turnaround might start showing in fiscal 2026, when losses are expected to shrink by 97% annually. CRWV stock has an overall Moderate Buy rating, reflecting a generally positive analyst outlook. Among 30 analysts covering the stock now, 16 advise a Strong Buy, one suggests a Moderate Buy, and the remaining 13 analysts play it safe with a Hold rating. Even with the stock slipping, analysts are optimistic. The average target of $122.43 signals 25% potential upside, while the Street-high target of $180 suggests that the stock could rise as much as 84% from here. www.barchart.com Stock to Buy #4: Nokia (NOK) Originally founded in 1865 with roots in the paper industry, Nokia is now a global leader in network infrastructure, cloud services, and technology licensing. The Finland-based company designs and delivers mobile, fixed, and cloud-based network solutions, including 5G, optical transport, and IP routing systems used by telecom operators and enterprises worldwide. Nokia also develops software for automation, cybersecurity, and network management, while monetizing one of the industrys deepest patent portfolios. Nokia invests heavily in research and development, positioning itself at the forefront of AI-driven networks and early 6G innovation. With a market cap of over $43 billion, it remains a foundational player in global connectivity. Nokia's strategic relevance deepened after Nvidia took a $1 billion equity stake, now holding 166.38 million shares. Nokia has built steady momentum on Wall Street. Over the past 52 weeks, NOK stock has rallied roughly 53%, reflecting renewed investor confidence in telecom infrastructure and AI-driven networking demand. In just the last three months, shares have advanced 23%, signaling accelerating buying interest. The stock touched a 52-week high of $8.19 in October and continues to trade only modestly below that level, keeping its overall trend steady. www.barchart.com On Jan. 29, Nokia released its Q4 fiscal 2025 numbers, which came in ahead of expectations. Net sales reached 6.12 billion ($7.2 billion), marking a 2% YOY increase. The growth was largely driven by strength in the Network Infrastructure segment, particularly in optical networks, where revenue rose to 2.4 billion from 2.03 billion a year earlier. Profitability, however, softened. Net income declined to 544 million, or 0.10 per share, compared with 813 million, or 0.15 per share, in the prior-year quarter, as higher operating expenses weighed on margins. For the full year, operating cash flow totaled 2.07 billion, down from 2.49 billion in 2024. Nokia ended the year with 5.46 billion in cash and 2.32 billion in long-term interest-bearing liabilities, maintaining a solid balance-sheet position. Looking ahead to 2026, management forecasts comparable operating profit between 2 billion and 2.5 billion. Free cash flow is projected at 55% to 75% of operating profit, with capital expenditures expected between 900 million and 1 billion. Network Infrastructure sales are anticipated to grow 6% to 8%. Wall Street analysts have a bullish view about Nokias bottom-line trajectory. For fiscal 2026, EPS is expected to grow by 12% YOY to $0.37, followed by a 13.5% annual increase to $0.42 in fiscal 2027. This steady growth profile is supporting a favorable tone around the stock. NOK has a consensus Moderate Buy rating overall. Of the 17 analysts rating the stock, eight have a Strong Buy rating, one analyst has a Moderate Buy, five analysts are playing it safe with a Hold rating, and three recommended a Strong Sell. NOK stock is currently trading above the consensus price target of $7.05. However, the Street-high price target of $8.50 indicates about 13% potential upside from current levels. www.barchart.com On the date of publication, Sristi Suman Jayaswal 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 Paramount has upped its offer for Warner Bros. Discovery to $31 a share, above its previous offer of $30 per share. Warner Bros. Discovery said the board has not yet made a determination as to whether the offer is superior to Netflixs but says it could reasonably be expected to lead to a company superior proposal. Netflix has offered $27.75 per share for the companys streaming and film assets alone, in a deal valued at $82.7 billion. More from The Hollywood Reporter The revised proposal from Paramount not only includes the increased purchase price of $31.00 per WBD share in cash, but also a daily ticking fee payable to shareholders equal to $0.25 per quarter beginning after Sept. 30, 2026, as well as a $7 billion regulatory termination in the event the transaction does not close due to regulatory matters. Paramount has also agreed to pay the $2.8 billion termination fee that Warner Bros. would be required to pay to Netflix to terminate the existing merger agreement. The ticking fee schedule was originally slated to start Dec. 31, and the $7 billion fee is also being raised from the $5.8 billion fee that the company proposed. The new timing for the ticking fee and the higher termination fee is meant to underscore Paramounts confidence that it can get the deal through the regulatory process, and to put pressure on Netflix. The companies, however, are still talking, which suggests that Paramounts latest offer may not be its best and final. WBD had said that it wants to get to that point in order to remove any doubt over Paramounts willingness to raise, and Netflixs ability to match. If the Warner Bros. board determines that Paramounts offer is a Company Superior Proposal, Netflix will have four business days to negotiate with WBD and to propose any revisions to its bid. Paramount welcomes the WBD Boards determination and looks forward to continuing to engage constructively with WBD to deliver the benefits of Paramounts proposal to WBD shareholders, the creative community and consumers, Paramount shared in a statement. Paramount has been launching a hostile takeover bid directly with shareholders in its effort to undo the previously agreed $82.7 billion Netflix deal. That deal was first unveiled in December and amended into an all-cash bid in late January. Warner Bros. board members had given Paramount a deadline of early this week for a revised best and final bid. Paramounts offer encompasses all of Warner Bros., which means it would also be taking on linear cable networks such as CNN, TBS, HGTV and TNT. UK-based autonomous driving technology company Wayve has raised $1.2bn in a Series D funding round to accelerate the deployment of its autonomous driving technology. The investment brings the companys total capital secured to $1.5bn and increases its post-money valuation to $8.6bn. Eclipse, Balderton, and SoftBank Vision Fund 2 led the round, with new participation from Ontario Teachers Pension Plan, Baillie Gifford, British Business Bank, Icehouse Ventures, Schroders Capital and other global investors. Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Uber, along with automotive manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and Stellantis, have also contributed to this initiative. The funding will help Wayve transition from research to the commercial deployment of its comprehensive AI platform for autonomous vehicles. Wayve aims to launch commercial robotaxi trials with Uber in London by 2026 and plans to expand services to more than ten international markets. From 2027, automakers are expected to offer passenger vehicles equipped with Wayves AI Driver system for supervised autonomy. Wayve licenses its AI Driver technology directly to car manufacturers, allowing them to customise the software for specific models without relying on high-definition maps or location-based engineering. The system operates using onboard vehicle computing and embedded sensors. By focusing on partnerships with automakers and mobility companies rather than producing its own vehicles, Wayve seeks to enable large-scale adoption of autonomous driving. Over the past year, Wayve reported that it became the first autonomous vehicle developer to achieve so-called zero-shot driving, deploying its systems in over 500 cities across Europe, North America and Japan without city-specific fine-tuning in advance. The company credits this performance to a foundation model trained on data from more than 70 countries and multiple vehicle platforms. Wayve co-founder and CEO Alex Kendall said: With $1.5bn secured, we are building for a total addressable market that spans every vehicle that moves. Autonomy will not scale through city-by-city robotaxi deployments alone. It will scale through a trusted platform that automakers and fleets can deploy globally and improve continuously. This investment accelerates our path to widespread commercial deployment and positions us to build the autonomy layer that will power any vehicle, anywhere. Uber has committed additional milestone-based funding as part of a multi-year agreement to deploy Wayve-powered robotaxis on its network globally. Under this partnership, Uber will manage fleet operations while Wayves AI Driver will be installed in L4-capable vehicles provided by participating automakers. The wheat complex is slipping lower across all three markets at midday, but bouncing off early lows. Chicago SRW futures are steady to 2 cents lower. KC HRW futures are down 4 to 5 cents in the front months on Tuesday. MPLS spring wheat are fractionally to 2 cents weaker at midday. Precip will be limited in the Southern Plains over the next week, with some totals from scattered precip to 2 inches in parts of SRW country. More News from Barchart EU soft what exports from July 1 to February 22 have totaled 15.38 MMT according to European Commission data, up 1.36 MMT from the same week last year. Algeria purchased wheat in a tender on Tuesday, though totals have yet to be announced. Mar 26 CBOT Wheat is at $5.67 3/4, down 1 3/4 cents, May 26 CBOT Wheat is at $5.73 3/4, unch, Mar 26 KCBT Wheat is at $5.55 1/4, down 4 3/4 cents, May 26 KCBT Wheat is at $5.68, down 4 1/4 cents, Mar 26 MIAX Wheat is at $5.81, down 1 1/4 cents, May 26 MIAX Wheat is at $5.97, down 1/4 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 CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE) is among the best stocks in each sector in 2026. On February 12, Raymond James maintained an Outperform rating on CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE) with a price target of $180, which suggests an upside potential of approximately 25%. The firm said that AI-driven displacement of white-collar employment is neither a short-term challenge nor an unavoidable outcome, as it provided clarity on concerns regarding a potentially pressurized office leasing activity. As the firm argued, office leasing accounts for roughly 10% of the companys total net revenue, asserting that the office market is actually seeing improving pipelines and higher utilization. Thus, AI disruption is, in reality, a tangible opportunity for CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE), assisting management and project management mandates, along with data center demand transaction trends, the firm said, adding that it views the near-zero risk of AI disintermediating any of its divisions. Why Raymond James Is Bullish on CBRE Group, Inc. (CBRE) On the same day, Barclays reaffirmed an Overweight rating and $192 price target on CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE). The firm is optimistic about the companys strength across business segments and acquisition capabilities. CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE) is a Texas-based commercial real estate services and investment company operating through Advisory Services, Building Operations and Experience, Project Management, and Real Estate Investments segments. While we acknowledge the potential of CBRE 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: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. By Alimat Aliyeva Opel has announced a recall campaign concerning airbags manufactured by the Japanese company Takata, known for previous global safety issues, AzerNEWS reports. Under certain conditions, particularly high heat and humidity, the gas inflator inside the airbag may become damaged. This defect can cause the airbag to deploy uncontrollably during an accident, posing a serious risk of injury or even death. The recall affects eight Opel models produced between 2003 and 2018: Astra, Astra 10, Cascada, Meriva, Mokka, Vectra, Signum, and Zafira. Specific production date ranges for each model have been identified to determine which vehicles may be equipped with the faulty airbags. Opel strongly urges all affected owners to check their vehicle identification number (VIN) to see if their car is included in the recall and to schedule a free repair appointment. This recall is part of the ongoing global response to the Takata airbag crisis, one of the largest automotive safety recalls in history, affecting tens of millions of vehicles worldwide. In addition to Opel, major manufacturers such as Honda, Toyota, and BMW have also issued recalls to replace these defective airbags. By participating in the recall, drivers not only protect themselves and passengers but also contribute to improving road safety on a global scale. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST) is one of the 10 best life sciences stocks to buy according to hedge funds. On February 17, the governing body of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST) approved a new share repurchase program authorizing the buyback of up to $1 billion of its common stock. The firm highlighted that the previous repurchase program had been fully utilized ahead of its December 31, 2025, expiration. The new authorization reflects continued capital return initiatives and provides the company with added flexibility to repurchase shares. Here is Why West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST) is Strongly Favored by Hedge Funds On February 13, BofA analyst Michael Ryskin reduced his price target on West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST) from $370 to $300, yielding a revised upside potential of more than 24%. The analyst maintained his Buy rating on the shares. Ryskin highlighted the companys strong finish to the year and noted that the FY26 outlook came in ahead of consensus, supported by faster expansion in non-GLP-1 high-value products. Following the earnings report and updated outlook, BofA revised its model. However, the firm applied a more conservative valuation multiple, citing broader sector multiple compression. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST) specializes in designing and manufacturing integrated containment and delivery systems for healthcare products and injectable drugs. The company has a presence across 50 countries worldwide, offering seals, stoppers, syringes, cartridge components, and self-injection devices. It also delivers other services such as analytical lab services, pre-approval primary packaging support, regulatory expertise, and after-sales support. While we acknowledge the potential of WST 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: 15 Most Promising Mid-Cap Healthcare Stocks Under $50 and 11 Most Promising Small-Cap Industrial Stocks Under $50. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News. Worldline has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Indian business to local digital payments processor BillDesk. The transaction is expected to close at an estimated equity value of around 60m ($70.85m). In a statement, Worldline said the divestment marks a significant milestone, aligning with the companys strategy to focus on core payment activities in Europe. The French payments company also seeks to streamline operations and optimise resources allocation. The French payments company plans to use the cash proceeds from the transaction to strengthen its financial profile, improve strategic flexibility and help redirect capital towards its core activities. BillDesk also confirmed the agreement in a separate statement. The company said the deal will combines its online payments footprint with Worldline Indias payment aggregation operations, bank transaction switching capabilities and in-store acceptance network. The merged set-up is expected to support a coordinated omnichannel payments experience covering digital transactions, recurring mandates, cross-border payments, and in-store POS and QR acceptance in both urban and emerging markets. BillDesk co-founder M N Srinivasu said: This transaction is a forward-looking investment in India's payments ecosystem. It strengthens our ability to deliver a more connected and scalable payments experience for banks, enterprises and merchants, while supporting digital adoption across markets and segments. BillDesk will continue to use Worldlines payment software, under a long-term arrangement. Despite selling the payment business, Worldline added that it remains committed to India as a strategic talent and innovation hub. The closing of the transaction is expected in the second half of this year, subject to customary processes and applicable legal requirements. In December 2025, Worldline agreed to sell CoreOrchestration, the Swedish company behind the PaymentIQ payment orchestration platform, to Incore Invest. "Worldline to sell Indian payment business to BillDesk" was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand. By AJ Vicens Feb 24 (Reuters) - Wynn Resorts on Tuesday said hackers had obtained employee data and that the company was investigating the breach. Michael Weaver, Wynn's chief communications officer, said in an email Tuesday that the company learned that "an unauthorized third party acquired certain employee data," and that the company launched an investigation and brought in external cybersecurity experts. "The unauthorized third party has stated that the stolen data has been deleted," Weaver said. "We are monitoring and to date have not seen any evidence that the data has been published or otherwise misused." Weaver said the incident "has had no impact on our guest experience, our operations or our physical properties, which are all fully operational and open for business." Weaver did not answer questions about the number of people whose data was stolen, or if the company paid any money to the hackers. A representative of the hacking group told Reuters in an online chat Friday they were demanding 22.34 bitcoin, worth roughly $1.5 million. The representative for the group would not comment on any payment on Tuesday, but also said the data had been deleted. (Reporting by AJ Vicens in Detroit, Editing by Nick Zieminski) By Arpan Chaturvedi and Aditya Kalra NEW DELHI, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Xiaomi has challenged an Indian tax ruling that said the company evaded $72 million in tariffs on royalty payments, according to legal documents, a dispute that the Chinese company and lawyers say is a test of the country's legal framework for contract manufacturing. Xiaomi, a major player in the Indian smartphone market, has for years had its contract manufacturers in the country import parts from China, pay customs duties and then assemble the devices. But in November, an Indian tax tribunal ruled those import values had been undervalued for at least three years leading up to 2020 as they failed to include the 2% to 5% royalties that Xiaomi paid to foreign firms like Qualcomm for using their technologies in components. In a Supreme Court challenge, which Reuters is first to report, Xiaomi argued that the tax tribunal erred by saying it was the "beneficial owner" of the components while requiring it to pay tax on the royalties. Xiaomi has asked that the ruling be overturned. The implications of the tribunal's ruling are far-reaching as they indicate "an implicit mistrust of the entire contract manufacturing industry," Xiaomi said in a filing dated January 15, which is not public but was reviewed by Reuters. The tribunal decision "grievously injures the established practices of (the) manufacturing sector." Xiaomi, Qualcomm and India's customs department did not respond to requests for comment. PRECEDENT-SETTING CASE Xiaomi's former contract manufacturers, Flextronics Technologies India, a unit of U.S.-listed Flex, and Bharat FIH, a unit of Taiwan's Foxconn, are also opposing the tax tribunal's decision at the top court, according to two people with direct knowledge of the matter and the court's online listings. Flex declined to comment and Foxconn did not respond to a request for comment. Tax lawyers say the case is being closely watched by global investors and companies who have bet big on India. A ruling in favour of Indian authorities could increase scrutiny of the royalty agreements that many importing companies have in sectors including pharmaceuticals, autos and manufacturing, lawyers said. "The Supreme Court ruling will be widely significant as it will specify the powers of Indian customs," said Tarun Jain, a New Delhi-based tax lawyer. "If upheld, it can empower authorities to seek taxes on other related payments made by companies who may be exercising effective control over goods being imported by their partners." Akbar Novruz Speaking before diplomats and analysts at the Polish Institute of International Affairs, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan clarified that his administration is not seeking the withdrawal of the Russian military base in Gyumri, even as the bilateral relationship undergoes a fundamental "transformation", AzerNEWS reports. The Prime Ministers remarks come during an official visit to Poland, where he addressed the complexities of Armenias shifting security architecture and its cooling ties with the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). As for the Russian military presence in our country, you know that some changes have taken place in recent years. Until 2024, most of Armenias border checkpoints were under Russian control, or there was a presence of Russian border guards, for example, at our international airport. However, currently, all of our border checkpoints are controlled by Armenian border guards. Naturally, we are grateful to Russia. As a newly independent state in the early 1990s, we did not have the capacity to provide such services, but now we do, and we are developing our capabilities. We have no plans or concerns regarding the presence of the Russian military base. We are close partners with Russia and maintain strong economic and political ties, the Prime Minister of Armenia elaborated. He highlighted that Armenia has frozen its membership in the CSTO. This is related to certain events that took place in 2022. Armenia was disappointed with the CSTO because, despite its legal obligations, it did not adequately respond to Armenias security challenges. On the other hand, we say that Armenias relations with Russia are transforming. We are currently shaping a new relationship with Russia. Of course, we are determined and would like to develop our relations with Russia, but it is clear that these relations are changing due to multiple factors. It is also very important to emphasize that in November 2020, Russia and the role of the Russian President were decisive in establishing a ceasefire with Azerbaijan, Pashinyan said. Hitachi Vantara, the data storage, infrastructure and hybrid cloud management subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), today announced it has been ranked #1 in High-End External OEM Storage Systems Market Share by vendor revenue in Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APeJ)* for the third quarter of 2025. According to the IDC Worldwide Quarterly Enterprise Storage Systems Tracker, 2025Q3 (December 2025 release), Hitachi Vantaras leadership in High-End External OEM Storage Systems by vendor revenue for CY25 Q3 extends across key regional markets, including Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, and Korea. This ranking underscores the company's commitment to delivering the performance, reliability, and resilience that the regions largest enterprises require for their core business operations. Being recognised as the #1 high-end storage provider in APeJ is a testament to the deep trust our customers place in Hitachi Vantara to power their most critical workloads, said Wendy Koh, Vice President of Sales for the Asia Pacific region, Hitachi Vantara. In an era where data is the primary engine for innovation, our leadership in the high-end segment demonstrates that enterprises are prioritizing resilient, enterprise-grade infrastructure that can handle the rigors of the AI-driven economy without compromising on security or uptime. A Foundation of Trust and Performance Hitachi Vantaras top ranking in the high-end storage category reflects its long-standing expertise in supporting "always-on" environments. As organisations across APAC face increasing pressure to modernise their data stacks while managing complex hybrid cloud environments, they are turning to Hitachi Vantara for infrastructure that provides: Unmatched Availability: Ensuring zero-downtime for mission-critical applications in sectors such as banking, government, and telecommunications. Ensuring zero-downtime for mission-critical applications in sectors such as banking, government, and telecommunications. Regional Dominance: Strong local execution and technical support across key growth hubs. Strong local execution and technical support across key growth hubs. Scale for the Most Demanding AI Workloads : A foundation that allows enterprises to scale their data capacity and performance as they move from AI pilots to full-scale production. A foundation that allows enterprises to scale their data capacity and performance as they move from AI pilots to full-scale production. Comprehensive Cyber Resilience: Hitachi Vantara delivers comprehensive cyber resilience through its 7-layer defence strategy, featuring immutable snapshots, 99.99% accurate AI-driven ransomware corruption detection, rapid clean data recovery in seconds (with a 100% data availability guarantee), hardware-enforced immutability, encryption, anomaly detection, and end-to-end protection against advanced threats like ransomware. This market leadership is further supported by the companys recent launch of the Virtual Storage Platform One (VSP One) Block High End. Available globally, this next-generation, all-flash NVMe solution is designed to extend Hitachi Vantaras lead by providing the high-density, high-performance storage required to turn massive datasets into actionable AI insights. For more information on VSP One Block High End, visit www.hitachivantara.com. COMPANY NEWS: DroneShield Limited (ASX:DRO) (DroneShield or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has received a package of six standalone contracts for $21.7 million from an in-country reseller for delivery to a western military end-customer. The contracts are for the supply of dismounted counter-drone systems, spare kits, and software subscriptions. All items ae readily available from existing inventories and it is expected delivery will be made in Q1 2026, with payment expected in Q2 2026. No additional material conditions need to be satisfied. The reseller is a wholly owned subsidiary of a multi-billion dollar, global, publicly listed company that is required to distribute the products to the western military end-customer. Over the past seven years, prior to this contract, DroneShield has received 39 contracts from this reseller totalling over $17.8 million. There are no obligations for any additional contracts from this reseller or end-customer. DroneShield confirms that: It does not consider the identity of the counterparty/customer to be information that a reasonable person would expect to have a material effect on the price or value of DroneShields securities; and The announcement contains all material information relevant to assessing the impact of the contract on the price or value of DroneShields securities and is not misleading by omission. This announcement has been approved for release to the ASX by the Chairman on behalf of the Board. By News Centre Turkiyes Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uralo?lu, has unveiled details of an ambitious high-speed rail project that will connect six provinces from Samsun to Artvin, fundamentally reshaping travel patterns across the Black Sea region. Under the project, travel time between Samsun and Trabzon will be reduced to just two hours. Uralo?lu stated that construction has already begun on the K?r?kkaleCorum section of the line, while tenders for the Black Sea stages of the railway will be launched later this year. In addition, he emphasized that a new sea airport to be built north of Trabzon, with an annual capacity of 10 million passengers, will elevate the citys global profile. The minister made the remarks at the Trabzon Politicians, Bureaucrats and Businesspeople Iftar Meeting held at the Iller Bank Social Facilities in Ankara, where numerous senior officials and members of the business community were in attendance. In his speech following the iftar, Uralo?lu said more than 260 billion Turkish lira has been invested in Trabzons transportation and communications infrastructure since 2002. We increased the length of divided highways from 56 kilometers in 2002 to 266 kilometers, and expanded the bituminous hot mix asphalt road network from 89 kilometers to 559 kilometers, he said. He noted that the Black Sea Coastal Road has been completed, alongside key projects such as the Uzungol Tourism Center Road and the Tangent Road. We constructed the Zigana Tunnel, the longest twin-tube highway tunnel in Europe. Most recently, with the participation of our President, we opened the Boztepe Tunnels, he added. Uralo?lu said that as of today, 23 highway projects are ongoing, including Kanuni Boulevard, the TrabzonMacka Road, and the Trabzon Southern Ring Road. We are nearing completion on Kanuni Boulevard, which will significantly ease urban traffic. The Trabzon Southern Ring Road is being implemented in two phases, with work on the first stage continuing at full speed, he explained. He stressed that the Southern Ring Road project will separate urban traffic from heavy transit trafficparticularly freight vehicles heading toward the Sarp Border Gatealong the busy AkcaabatArsin stretch of the Black Sea Coastal Road. Turning to rail infrastructure, Uralo?lu said the SamsunTrabzonSarp high-speed railway will connect Samsun with Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, Rize and Artvin, integrating the entire eastern Black Sea coastline. We have begun construction between K?r?kkale and Corum, and this year we will tender the remaining sections, he said. The minister also underlined that Trabzon Airport is no longer sufficient for a city that continues to grow rapidly. Our President recognized this reality and, during his most recent visit, shared the good news of a new airport with the people of Trabzon, Uralo?lu stated. The new airport project envisions a 10-million-passenger-capacity terminal and a 3,000-meter runway capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft. Unlike the existing facility, the new airport will be constructed on a 3 million square meter reclaimed area in the sea, slightly north of the current runway. We have included it in the investment program, completed the tender process, and finalized the site handover. We will soon lay the foundation and begin construction, he said. According to Uralo?lu, the new airport will not only boost the local economy but also position Trabzon as an aviation hub with global reach. It will strengthen the citys role in international connectivity and economic development. I wish it to be beneficial and auspicious for our country and our city, he concluded. GUEST OPINION: Almost four out of five Australians are defying company policy and using unauthorised AI tools creating potential security and compliance risks, according to the 2026 Qualtrics Employee Experience Trends Report. The report found that just 22% of employees are exclusively using company-provided AI tools, meaning the vast majority of workers are not. In a media briefing ahead of the reports release today, Steve Bennetts, Head of Growth & Strategy, Employee Experience at Qualtrics, said: I see this as a significant issue in relation to security and compliance and there is a risk a companys corporate knowledge is being shared in general elements. It also has an effect on the company having the chance to build their own unique data set on what is happening within their organisation. As you are building out your AI models, you want to be experimenting against your own data and building that out and learning and growing. By using unauthorised tools you are missing out on that opportunity. Bennetts said the 22% was actually lower than the previous years 25%. This mirrors a global pattern where employees are increasingly turning to unauthorised AI tools to meet productivity demands. The Qualtrics research is based on responses from just over 2,000 Australian employees as part of a global study of more than 33,000 workers across 24 countries The report found that Australian employees are using AI to complete tasks faster (60%), improve work quality (57%) and increase their overall productivity (51%) - all of which mirror global use cases. However, fewer Australian employees (30% vs 37% globally) say AI enables them to accomplish things they previously couldn't do - a gap that reflects Australia's lower overall adoption of new technology tools (39% experienced new tech implementation vs 42% globally). The report found Australian workers are defying a global trend of declining engagement, with customer-facing employee engagement rising over the past year. And while Australian employees are experiencing more organisational turbulence, they're responding with greater resilience when properly supported through listening and change management in stark contract with the rest of the world. Additional key findings from the annual Qualtrics study found: Australian customer-facing engagement rose 5 points while global engagement fell 3 points. 37% of Australian employees experienced leadership changes compared to 29% globally. Organisations that increased how much they listened to employee feedback , saw 90% engagement in Australia. saw 90% engagement in Australia. Australian employees experienced less new technology adoption (39%) compared to global workers (42%). The report found that 76% of Australian employees experienced significant organisational change over the year, including leadership changes (37% vs 29% globally), manager changes (30% vs 25% globally), organisational restructures (35% vs 32% globally) and the use of new technology and tools (39% vs 42% globally). "What we're seeing in Australia challenges the narrative of change fatigue. Australian workers - both part-time employees and new hires - are all showing remarkable resilience compared to their global peers, which is a direct result of organisations actively listening to employees and supporting them through transition," Bennetts said. Australian employees at organisations that increased listening frequency reported 90% engagement, compared to just 34% at organisations that reduced listening. The 56-point percentage gap demonstrates that listening is essential during times of change, the report said. This relationship extends beyond engagement: Australian organisations with more frequent listening also saw higher inclusion (89% vs 39% with less listening) and well-being (89% vs 40% with less listening). When listening decreases, Australian employee intent to stay drops to just 31% (vs 47% globally). "Organisational changes create both risk and opportunity, said Bennetts. The data signals that Australian employees are less willing to tolerate being ignored during times of change. These are precisely the moments when employees need to feel heard, and leading Australian organisations will be the ones that couple change with consistent, meaningful listening and support employees with the right tools and processes to navigate uncertainty. The report revealed a difference in how Australian employees view workplace feedback: fewer than half (41%) of Australian employees want their leaders to listen more, and 65% of Australian employees say they actually enjoy giving feedback, slightly lower than the global average of 68%. "Australian employees clearly want to be heard and are happy to give feedback, but theyre also hungry for more listening from leadership. This suggests Australian organisations need to rethink how they gather employee input and perhaps consider moving away from traditional survey approaches and toward more integrated listening moments across more touch points, said Bennetts. Download the full Global 2026 Employee Experience Trends Report Corporate profits, after having reached 8% of GDP only once in the previous 94 years, have averaged 9% since 2021. The statutory corporate income tax rate, meanwhile, is now just 21% - down from 52% in 1960 - as federal tax revenue from corporations has fallen from 4% of GDP to just 1.8% in that same period. That's how it should be, conservative economists would argue. Corporate taxes are among the most distortionary because capital is mobile. If the federal government taxes a company too much, it can move abroad - leaving the US with fewer jobs, less growth and slower innovation. It's unassailable logic, but incomplete: Huge profits among the largest and least-taxed businesses in the country carry their own risks. Maybe the argument can't be summed up as neatly as "Have capital, will travel," but the consequences add up. As corporate profits soar, the labor share of income in the US has cratered. The last two years saw wages and compensation fall to the lowest levels since 1941. And these two developments - workers get less money, corporations get more - are absolutely related. Meanwhile, CEO compensation has skyrocketed over the past six decades, rising from 21 times that of the average worker to 281 times. I could go on - and I have! - about income inequality, but let's consider corporate tax cuts as a kind of investment. Rather than collect 4% of GDP directly from corporations, as the US did until the middle of the last century, the government now gives more than half that money back for those corporations to invest. Two points of a $31 trillion economy is $620 billion. What return has America gotten on that investment? It can't be employee benefits. Just ask the 28% of private sector workers who do not get retirement benefits from their employer, the 28% who do not get health insurance, the 73% who do not have paid family leave, the 87% without child-care benefits, or the 20% who do not have paid sick leave. All those benefits could be universally provided or mandated in a federal plan - for much less than $620 billion a year. It can't be wages, either. Just ask the median US worker, who has seen half the wage growth that the top 10% has seen over the past 46 years. The 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act illustrates the point. Many advocates for lower corporate tax rates claimed that the result would be higher wages - as much as $4,000 per year in the long run. The bill's provisions lowered the statutory corporate tax rate by 40%, but workers' paychecks didn't budge: The Congressional Research Service's assessment of the legislation found that wage growth was slower than average afterwards. Instead, 2018 set the record for the most stock buybacks in a single year. Corporations and their defenders would no doubt reject the notion that they are skimping on taxes and wages just to enrich their coffers. But Americans do not need to be convinced: They can see it happening in their own backyards. Corporations routinely make promises to invest, to bring jobs that pay high wages - if and only if the locale proves "business friendly," which inevitably means lowering taxes. The city or state bends over backward, only to have the company fail to deliver. That's essentially what happened in Wisconsin with Foxconn, or in Northern Virginia with Amazon. And these aren't isolated cases. As even the conservative Mercatus Center notes, years of evidence shows that "cities and states are throwing their money away" when they try to lure corporations with tax subsidies. More broadly, public perceptions of big business are at rock bottom. In 2010, Gallup reported that 49% of Americans held a positive view of big business, and 49% negative. By 2025, those figures were 37% and 62%, respectively. Gallup also asks Americans what they perceive as "the biggest threat to the country in the future - big business, big labor or big government." Since 2013, as the share of Americans who see government or labor as threatening has fallen, while those who view business as a threat has risen from 21% to 37%. It's all too easy for the theoretical argument - capital is mobile - to morph into a practical threat: Give us a tax break or we'll go elsewhere. Maybe that line would feel less like extortion if the past four years of corporate profits weren't the best in a century. And maybe US businesses would enjoy better reputations among the public if they were more willing to share some of their profit with the workers who make it possible. (COMMENT, BELOW) Kathryn Anne Edwards is a labor economist, independent policy consultant and co-host of the Optimist Economy podcast. By News Centre Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an attended an iftar dinner at the Be?tepe Millet Exhibition Hall honoring members of the police, gendarmerie, coast guard and security guards, delivering a wide-ranging speech focused on national unity, counterterrorism efforts and Turkiyes evolving global role. Opening his remarks by greeting participants, Erdo?an said he was pleased to host Suheyl Mahmud, Secretary-General of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, at the Ramadan table. He also thanked the Interior Ministry, the General Directorate of Security, the Gendarmerie General Command and the Coast Guard Command for bringing security personnel together for the gathering. Congratulating attendees on the holy month of Ramadan which he described as a month whose beginning is mercy, whose middle is forgiveness and whose end is salvation from hellfire Erdo?an commemorated fallen heroes from Malazgirt to the War of Independence, from the Cyprus Peace Operation to the fight against terrorism and the resistance of July 15. I pray that the souls of our martyrs rest in peace and that their place be in paradise, he said, also wishing long lives to veterans and expressing gratitude to parents who send their children off to duty with the prayer, May you become either a martyr or a veteran. Addressing security personnel serving across the country from border regions and mountainous terrain to the seas and overseas missions Erdo?an thanked them on behalf of the nation. May God be your helper. I pray that He protects you from every threat and every attack, he said. Quoting the proverb Without unity there can be no solidarity, Erdo?an stressed that Turkiyes peace and stability rest on the sacrifices of its security forces. If Turkiye has become an island of peace, security and stability admired in its region and beyond, the lions share of this success belongs to you, he stated. He said Turkiyes law enforcement agencies had endured extraordinarily difficult struggles in recent history, thwarting attacks on the state and safeguarding national independence despite what he described as repeated attempts to damage their reputation. You are the ones who wrote epics in the fight against terrorist organizations without discrimination, Erdo?an said. You are the ones who give no breathing space to organized crime groups, drug traffickers and those who see themselves above the law. He credited security forces with preventing unrest during the 2013 Gezi protests and blocking the July 15, 2016 coup attempt, as well as combating human trafficking networks and rescuing thousands of lives in maritime emergencies. He also praised them for protecting Turkiyes cultural heritage and aiding victims regardless of identity, belief or nationality. As President of the Republic of Turkiye, I am proud of each and every one of you, Erdo?an said. Whoever seeks to disturb our nations peace, undermine our states security or attack our freedoms and democracy will continue to face the full force of the law. The president pledged that, as over the past 23 years, his government would continue to provide full support to security units so they can carry out their duties effectively. Erdo?an emphasized that Turkiye has historically refused to live under anyone elses shadow. The only shadow we recognize is that of our red flag with the crescent and star, he said, quoting poet Arif Nihat Asya to underline the emotional and symbolic importance of the national flag. He said Turkiye carefully calculates every move in a region where new crises and tensions emerge almost daily. Against every calculation, we have our own calculation. We are prepared to break every trap and thwart every conspiracy, Erdo?an declared, adding that policies are implemented with the experience of 23 years and carefully crafted strategies. Turkiye today is stronger, more vigilant, more capable and more determined than at any point in its recent history, he said. Erdo?an noted that Turkiye is consolidating its position as a regional pole in a reshaping global system. He expressed satisfaction that peace and security now prevail across the country. Western Turkiye is as secure as the east; the north is as safe as the south, he said. Areas once inaccessible due to terrorism are now open to shepherds and tourists alike, he added, arguing that improved security has fueled investment, employment and economic growth. Referring to energy exploration in Gabar, Erdo?an said that oil and natural gas resources long left untapped are now contributing to national prosperity. As the terrorism threat which he said cost Turkiye more than $2 trillion over nearly half a century recedes, all citizens benefit regardless of ethnic or sectarian identity. With Gods blessing, Turkiye is now playing in a different league, he said. Erdo?an stressed that the Terror-Free Turkiye process is being advanced step by step through coordination between security forces, parliament and the ruling alliance. He expressed confidence that the country would achieve a future in which mothers do not weep and young lives are not cut short. The current stage of progress, he said, is the product of the heroism of security forces, the courage of veterans and the sacrifices of martyrs. Heroes exist to keep the homeland alive, Erdo?an said, adding that the state will continue to stand strong through the strength of its heroes. Concluding his remarks, Erdo?an said Turkiye will reach its goal of a strong and great Turkiye envisioned under the Century of Turkiye vision. He thanked security personnel for their service and asked attendees to convey his greetings to colleagues on duty. May God be your helper, he said. Ukraines Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov, announced on Thursday that a bilateral meeting between Ukrainian and United States delegations has officially begun in Geneva, AzerNEWS reports, citing foreign media. The US delegation is led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump. Together with the Governments economic team, we will thoroughly work through the prosperity package: mechanisms for economic support and recovery of Ukraine, instruments for attracting investment, and frameworks for long-term cooperation, Umerov said in a post on X. He added that the delegations will also discuss preparations for the next round of trilateral talks, which are expected to include representatives from Russia. According to Umerov, humanitarian issues will also be on the agenda, including potential prisoner exchanges, as diplomatic efforts continue alongside ongoing security challenges. A suspected car bomb has exploded underneath the World Trade Center in New York killing at least five people and injuring scores more. The bombing has shocked America which had seemed immune from acts of terrorism that have plagued other parts of the world. An emotional Mario Cuomo, New Yorks state governor, told journalists: We all have that feeling of being violated. No foreign people or force has ever done this to us. Until now we were invulnerable. The immense blast happened at 1218 local time in the Secret Services section of the car park underneath and between what are New Yorks tallest buildings. It left a gaping hole in the wall above the Path underground station. Most of those who died are believed to have been crushed by the station ceiling. It ripped through three floors of concrete, scattering ash and debris and set off a fire that sent choking smoke and flames up through one of the 110-story Twin Towers. Thousands of office workers were trapped as smoke billowed up through the buildings. With no working lifts or lighting there was total pandemonium. People did not know whether to stay in their offices or brave the journey down via the smoke-filled stairwells. It felt like an airplane hit the building, said Bruce Pomper, a 34-year-old broker. Desperate for air, some people smashed windows with office furniture. Hundreds eventually poured out of the building gasping for air and covered in soot. Rescue workers struggled to get oxygen to those in the upper floors. About 100,000 people work in and visit the 1,700ft towers every day the blast happened at their busiest time. Several people have called New Yorks police claiming they were behind the attack but authorities are keeping an open mind about possible suspects. Courtesy BBC News In context In May 1994, four men Mohammed Salameh, Nidal Ayyad, Mahmud Abouhalima and Ahmad Ajaj were sentenced to life for bombing the World Trade Center, which killed six people and injured 100. In October 1995 Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman, a blind cleric who preached at mosques in Brooklyn and Jersey City, was sentenced to life for masterminding the bombing,. He was also found guilty of the murder of extremist Rabbi Meir Kahane and a scheme to assassinate Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak during a trip to New York in 1993. The bombing of the World Trade Center has been totally eclipsed by the events of 11 September 2001 which saw thousands killed, the collapse of both Twin Towers and an all-out war on terror declared by the Western world. Rahmans organisation, the Islamic Group, is believed to have links to Osama Bin Ladens al-Qaeda network, accused of carrying out the 11 September attacks. Like this: Like Loading... German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called yesterday for deepening ties with China, while pushing for fairer trade rules between the two countries and seeking Chinese help on Ukraine. Merz, who arrived in Beijing late morning Wednesday for a whirlwind two-day visit, acknowledged differences during meetings with the countrys top leaders and called for collaboration wherever possible. We have a few issues that we need to talk about today in the course of my visit, he told Chinese Premier Li Qiang. But I think there is also great potential for further growth of both our economies. Both Europe and China have been buffeted by U.S. President Donald Trumps tariffs, and Europe further by his demands that it take more responsibility for its own security and cede control of Greenland to the U.S. Shifting geopolitics Merz, on his first trip to China since taking office last May, has championed building a stronger Europe both economically and militarily to assert itself in an emerging new world order. Before landing in the Chinese capital, Merz indicated he would press for a fair economic playing field for German companies and Chinas assistance in bringing about an end to Russias four-year-old war in Ukraine. He stressed that for all the differences Europe has with China, the big global political problems can no longer be tackled today without involving Beijing. Cooperation is needed to resolve crises and wars, including that in Ukraine, he said, noting that Beijings voice is heard, including in Moscow. European governments have been frustrated that China hasnt done more to pressure Russia to end the fighting. It has maintained trade and close diplomatic ties with Russia and said its position on the conflict is impartial and objective. We hope all parties will seize the opportunity to reach a comprehensive, lasting and binding peace agreement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said earlier this week. Pushing against Trumps tariffs Merz is the latest in a parade of world leaders to visit Beijing as China seeks support from other nations to push back against Trumps use of tariffs to demand concessions from trading partners, and his challenges to the United Nations and the global order that has governed international and economic relations in the post-World War II era. In his predeparture remarks, Merz also emphasized the importance of placing Germanys China policy in a European context, saying it was no coincidence that he is visiting not long after French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and ahead of a planned trip by U.S. President Donald Trump in early April. Our message from a European point of view is the same: We want a balanced, reliable, regulated and fair partnership with China, Merz said. This is our offer. At the same time, it is what we also hope for and expect from the Chinese side. At a time when the world is experiencing turbulence and transformation, China and Germany, as major economies and advocates of multilateralism, share the responsibility to uphold the stability of global industrial and supply chains and oppose protectionism and economic coercion, Chinas official Xinhua News Agency said in a commentary. Economically, a flood of Chinese exports is threatening factory jobs in Europe. Germanys imports from China rose 8.8% to 170.6 billion euros ($201 billion) last year, while its exports to China fell 9.7% to 81.3 billion euros ($96 billion). European leaders want Chinese companies to build factories in their countries. They also want China to reduce manufacturing overcapacity that is driving down prices in industries such as electric vehicles and solar panels, and to remove barriers faced by foreign companies in what is the worlds second-largest economy. We also want to discuss how we can find a remedy, for example, where systemic overcapacities have arisen, where there are export restrictions and where there are access restrictions that distort and prevent competition, Merz said. KEN MORITSUGU & GEIR MOULSON, BEIJING, MDT/AP Like this: Like Loading... Nazrin Abdul The Embassy of the United States in Azerbaijan has issued a statement marking the anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy. AzerNEWS presents the full text of the statement: Today, we join the people of Azerbaijan in honoring with deep respect the memory of those who lost their lives in Khojaly in 1992. On behalf of the U.S. Embassy, we extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. As we commemorate their memory, we are reminded of the importance of protecting human dignity, showing compassion, and building lasting peace for future generations. Today marks 34 years since the massacre in Khojaly was committed by Armenian armed forces. The Khojaly genocide is regarded as one of the bloodiest tragedies in Armenias occupation policy and campaign of violence against Azerbaijan. On the night of February 25-26, 1992, Armenian armed forces launched an assault on Khojaly, which had been under blockade since October 1991, with its road and energy connections cut off. During the attack, mass atrocities were committed against Azerbaijani civilians. The massacre was carried out with the assistance of the 366th Motor Rifle Regiment of the former USSR. As a result, 613 residents of Khojaly were killed, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly people. A total of 487 people were seriously injured, 1,275 civilians were taken hostage and subjected to torture, and the fate of many remains unknown. Eight families were completely wiped out, 130 children lost one parent, and 25 children lost both parents. These acts were not merely military operations but part of a broader policy driven by ethnic hatred and discrimination. The targeted killings of Azerbaijanis in other settlements, including Baghanis Ayrim, Jamilli, Karkijahan, Meshali, Malibeyli, Garadaghli, Tugh, and Salakatin further demonstrate the systematic and premeditated nature of the Khojaly genocide. Facing tough odds in an upcoming election, Hungarys pro-Russian prime minister is trying to convince voters that the greatest threat to the country is not economic stagnation the focus of his top opponent but neighboring Ukraine. Viktor Orban is running an aggressive media campaign replete with disinformation whose central message is that Hungarians should refuse to align with the rest of Europe in supporting Ukraine against Russias invasion. That path, he argues, risks bankrupting the country and getting its youth killed on the front lines. Billboards erected across the country show AI-generated images of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flanked by European officials, holding out his hand as if demanding money. Its a not-so-subtle reference to the European Unions efforts to help Ukraine financially and bolster its defenses as the war enters its fifth year. Our message to Brussels: We wont pay! the publicly funded billboards read. If there had been any doubt, it became clear on Monday why the outcome of Hungarys upcoming election will reverberate beyond its borders. Hungary blocked a new package of EU sanctions on Russia in response to interruptions in Russian oil supplies that pass through Ukraine, and vowed to veto any further pro-Ukraine policies until oil flows resume. Orban is widely seen as the Kremlins strongest ally in the EU. While almost all of the blocs other 26 nations have distanced themselves from Russia since it launched the war on Feb. 24, 2022, Hungary has deepened cooperation. The prime minister has cast his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin as pragmatic, stemming from Hungarys access to reliable supplies of Russian oil and gas. But Orbans anti-LGBTQ+ policies, crackdowns on the media and nongovernmental organizations, and his labeling of critics as foreign agents have led to accusations that hes reading from Putins authoritarian playbook. Campaign of fear Orban, who retook office in 2010, faces the strongest challenge to his power in an election set for April 12. The EUs longest-serving leader and his right-wing Fidesz party are trailing in most independent polls to an upstart center-right challenger, Peter Magyar. A 44-year-old lawyer and former Fidesz insider who broke with the party in 2024, Magyar has focused his campaign on stemming the rising costs of living, improving social services and reining in corruption. He also promises to restore Hungarys Western orientation and bolster democratic institutions which have eroded during Orbans 16 years in power. His rise was aided by political scandals that have damaged the credibility of Orbans party; a presidential pardon given to an accomplice in a child sexual abuse case led to a public outcry, prompting the president and justice minister to resign. Losing ground to Magyar and his Tisza party, Orban and Fidesz have sought to change the conversation. They have blanketed the country with taxpayer-funded billboards, as well as advertisements on radio, television and social media. A petition mailed to every Hungarian of voting age claimed the EUs plans to help Ukraine financially would bring economic ruin. Other ads, paid for by a shadowy pro-government organization with Fidesz ties, depict Magyar as a puppet of Zelenskyy and the EU who would sell out the country to foreign interests and draw Hungary into the war. Hungarys public media, along with many private news outlets loyal to Orbans government, faithfully mimic the claims. They say Ukraine wants to prolong the bloody conflict that has killed tens of thousands of its citizens and is conspiring with the EU to do it. Disinformation is fueled by AI Orban has recently claimed that the EU not Russia poses the greatest threat to Hungary. He says rising defense spending across Europe driven by Russias war and pressure from the U.S. to increase NATO contributions is evidence that the EU is preparing for conflict with Moscow and plans to forcibly conscript Hungarians to fight. In an AI-generated video Fidesz released on social media last week, a little girl asks her forlorn mother in Hungarian: Mommy, when is daddy coming home? In the next frame, the fictional father bound, blindfolded and kneeling on a muddy battlefield is approached by a soldier, and shot in the head. We wont allow others to decide on the fates of our families, a narrator says. Lets not take a risk. Fidesz is the safe choice. Although some EU countries have proposed sending troops to Ukraine to monitor any future ceasefire, they are not intended to engage in combat, and participation would be voluntary, said Andras Racz, a Russia expert at the German Council on Foreign Relations. Racz notes that, despite the false premise behind many of Orbans claims, Fidesz has won two previous elections after raising fears that its political opponent would drag the country into the war. They are trying to max this out. They have nothing else, Racz said. Populists often try to define an enemy, often an imaginary one, and then offer protection to the society from that enemy. Ukraine has been ideal from this perspective. JUSTIN SPIKE, BUDAPEST, MDT/AP Like this: Like Loading... * Meters revolution New public tender for street parking management mandates long-awaited multi-payment system and remote top-ups * Tourism | Holiday arrival growth strengthens tourism outlook, industry says * Health & Education | Govt calls on schools to consider age-based restrictions on snack sales * French Chamber lecture: Europe, China offer value as US risks rise, Syncicap CEO Jean-Marie Mercadal says * Legislative Assembly committee inspects idle land earmarked for temporary use * Diplomacy: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urges China to ensure fair trade and help end Ukraine war DOWNLOAD PDF Thursday, February 26, 2026 edition no. 4899 Like this: Like Loading... Once again, the eyes of the world are fixed on every word and gesture of the man in the White House, Donald J. Trump. With one third of the entire American Navy assembled in the region, and with Trump oscillating between threats and calls for negotiations, the question on the lips of millions is: will there be war with Iran? Donald Trump has deployed the biggest overseas military force in the Middle East since the start of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The USS Abraham Lincoln is stationed in the Arabian Sea, and has now been joined by the largest aircraft carrier in the world, the USS Gerald Ford, currently stationed in the Mediterranean. The number of American fighter jets in the region including F-35s, F-22s, F-15s, and F-16s now exceeds 200, alongside dozens of accompanying fuel tankers, and command-and-control and electronic-warfare aircraft. The kidnapping of Maduro seems to have convinced Trump that US imperialism can simply dictate terms to the Iranians through military might. But the reality of the situation is quite the opposite. Trumps aggression is a sign of overconfidence. The massive buildup, intended as a way to force the Iranians to throw in the towel, has not worked. This leaves Trump in a Catch-22: let the Iranians maintain their nuclear programme and conduct an embarrassing and costly retreat, or pull the trigger and open up a Pandoras Box of chaos in both the Middle East and at home. Help is on the way? Trump, along with the rest of the warhawks in both the Republican and Democratic parties, is cynically using the social and economic crisis in Iran and the plight of its people to justify Americas imperialist aims in the region. Help is on the way, Trump cynically quipped when, in January, Iran was rocked by huge protests. But let us not forget that the situation in Iran has been brought about by the policies of the US and the West itself, asphyxiating the population through sanctions and other economic means of war. Trump simply saw an opportunity to take advantage of the weakness of the regime. Notice that all talk of protestors has disappeared from his daily threats. Now, instead, he is talking about Irans nuclear programme. Both are pretexts for the real goal: regime change. Let us be clear. If the US chooses to attack Iran, it would unleash enormous chaos with unpredictable results in Iran itself, and across the whole region, reaching all the way back to America itself. The United States has always left behind a trail of death wherever it has intervened / Image: public domain The United States has always left behind a trail of death wherever it has intervened. Nations with rich cultures stretching back millennia have been dragged down into a state of barbarism by US imperialism, destroying untold numbers of lives in the process. The Iranian people only have to look at Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya to see what Trumps help will offer them. The hypocrisy of the West knows no bounds. They raise a hue and cry about Irans supposed attempt not just to acquire a nuclear weapon but to enrich uranium for civilian purposes. They claim that Iran is the destabilising factor in the whole equation, demanding that they have to sit down and negotiate. But Iran has never left the negotiating table! It is simply asking to be a recognised power in the Middle East, with its own sovereign interests. For the US and Israel, this is unacceptable. What they are demanding not only that Iran relinquish its civilian nuclear programme, but that it give up ballistic missiles and cease support for regional allies amounts to a complete capitulation, that Iran leave itself defenceless. Brushing aside any of the democratic niceties of the so-called rules-based order, it is they who have repeatedly launched unprovoked attacks against Iran; it is they who are the aggressors. Furthermore, it is an open secret that the US used information obtained through the inspections of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to strike Irans nuclear facilities. Since then, inspections have effectively ceased. The Europeans now join the US in the hypocritical chorus, demanding that the Iranians give the IAEA unfettered access to every enrichment facility in Iran. Britain, France, and Germany have reimposed brutal sanctions, further crippling the Iranian economy and pushing millions of ordinary Iranians into desperation, accusing Iran of breaking the 2015 JPOA nuclear deal. This is the rules based order! they shriek conveniently ignoring the fact that the first ones to walk away from this deal were the Americans! Sowing the seeds The current impasse was baked into the situation after Trumps bombing of Iran on 22 June last year. As we pointed out at the time, the ceasefire was not a win for Trump but a recognition that the 12-Day War was turning in Irans favour, with Israeli defences becoming strained and depleted. In reality, it was a move to cut short the hostilities before the situation descended into chaos and dragged the US into a protracted quagmire. Israel and Iran have been fighting for so long and so hard that they dont know what the fuck theyre doing! Trump fumed when finding out that Israel had attempted to sabotage the truce and continue the war. Afterwards, Trump boasted that the American bunker-buster bombs had completely and totally obliterated Irans enrichment programme. Story over, it would seem But a leaked intelligence report quickly made it apparent that the strikes had only set back Irans nuclear programme by a few months, at best. At the time, Trump claimed that these facts were simply lies and deceptions construed by the Democratic establishment. Now, though, as he yet again conducts negotiations with Iran to dismantle their nuclear programme, he has effectively admitted that that programme is intact. In the topsy-turvy world of the Trump administration, Steve Witkoff, Trumps special envoy, is now insisting that Iran is probably a week away from having industrial-grade bomb-making material. So much for one of the most successful military strikes in history Trump hoped that the power of a B2 bomber alone would be enough to knock the cards out of Irans hands and force them to sign a rotten deal. Instead, the 12-Day War has convinced the Iranians that showing restraint or giving in to Trump will simply invite further aggression down the line until he achieves regime change. The only chance is to hit back and hit back hard. Steve Witkoff, interviewed on Fox News on Saturday, explained that Trump was curious as to why they havent I dont want to say the word capitulate, but why they havent capitulated. Trumps plan to use gunboat diplomacy to bring down any and all American adversaries to flat-out surrender has proven utterly naive. Like a boomerang, his own bravado is coming back to hit him in the head. Billions of dollars are now being poured into a huge mobilisation that massively exceeds the buildup outside Venezuela. If Trump chickens out, as he has been repeatedly mocked for doing, it would not only be one of the most expensive bluffs in US military history (the deployment has cost the US more than $1 billion so far), but a huge political humiliation for him personally. Furthermore, it would represent an enormous blow to the prestige of US imperialism in the region, in the eyes of its allies as much as its enemies. Likely outcomes Iran came away from the 12-Day War with their industry and the war machine intact. They accepted Trumps ceasefire and agreed to launch only a pre-arranged, symbolic, face-saving attack on a US air base in Qatar. Despite major security breaches, Israel was not able to topple the regime, and the short-lived exchange showed that Jerusalem is anything but invincible. As the war went on, Israels stocks of THAAD and Patriot missiles dwindled, and the proportion of Iranian missiles penetrating the Iron Dome increased. That brief conflict used up 25 percent of the worlds THAAD missiles, and these air-defence missiles are both expensive and take a long time to replenish. Meanwhile, Iran has thousands, maybe even tens of thousands, of easily replaced ballistic missiles. Iran came away from the 12-Day War with their industry and the war machine intact / Image: Avash Media, Wikimedia Commons If a new war broke out, it is clear that the US and Israel would aim to take out Iranian launchpads, nuclear facilities and decapitate its leadership as quickly as possible. But Iran is an enormous country with launch sites all over the country. It wont be able to take out its military capability. If regime change is not brought about quickly, or Iranian capitulation is not achieved in a couple of weeks, then the balance will tip towards Iran, which could inflict enormous damage not only on Israel but on US bases and perhaps even warships. For the Iranian regime, the only logical conclusion to draw from the 12-Day War was that any future guarantee of their own survival would be to obtain nuclear weapons as a deterrent at the earliest possible moment. Inside Iran, the IRGC and the clerics have established that the best way to safeguard their own power is by closing ranks. The wing that has been strengthened is the hardline wing, and the negotiations are serving to strengthen this wing against the so-called reformists by demonstrating precisely their futility and the aggression of the US and Israel. The regime has had months to prepare for an attempted decapitation strike, including giving emergency powers to the local government level. Iran is not Venezuela. It is much further away from the United States, and has a much stronger military, a larger population, proxies in the region, and the ability to wreak economic havoc on the world economy by closing the Strait of Hormuz. While the January uprising and the deadly clampdown by the regime showed that the internal situation in Iran is reaching a breaking point, an attack by US and Israeli imperialism would only cut across domestic tensions for a time and rally much of the population around the government. It would shore up support for the defence of the country against the attempts at subjugation from western imperialism. It is therefore not at all certain that the US would succeed in bringing down the regime. Trump, who promised to end US involvement in forever wars, may find any operation is vulnerable to so-called mission creep that the US could be dragged further and further into a situation it cannot control. By far the most reactionary consequences would flow, however, if the US should succeed in bringing down the regime. It would create a power vacuum inside Iran that could lead to the most terrible consequences for that country, which would undoubtedly spread chaos into the region. It would be like the Iraq War raised to the power of ten. Furthermore, as the Iraq War disrupted the regional balance of power, so the destruction of Iran would disrupt the equilibrium in the region even more, laying the basis for further conflicts. Explosions at home Unlike the Iraq War, which enjoyed widespread support in the US after 9/11, Trump has made this massive gamble that could see him drawn into a major war without any real support at home. Currently, only 27 percent of the US population would support an attack on Iran, a figure that would quickly drop if an attack turned into a regional war and American casualties began to climb. An attack on Iran, and all the hellish consequences that would bring, would further unravel Trumps base of support. ICE was just defeated by the workers of Minneapolis. His broken promises about the release of the Epstein files and the implication that he is part of a cover-up for the Epstein class are making previously loyal, working-class elements of his MAGA base turn against him. And most importantly, his claims that the American economy is thriving just like Biden claimed are making more and more people aware that he too is completely out of touch with the real situation for ordinary Americans. Attacking Iran would wreck his image as a different kind of president a peace president further still. The first year of Trumps second term has added much more combustible material to American society and world politics / Image: public domain Whether an attack on Iran is imminent or not, one thing is for certain: the first year of Trumps second term has added much more combustible material to American society and world politics. A further intensification of the class struggle everywhere is guaranteed. Even inside the US Navy itself, morale is reportedly abysmal. Many among the crew on the USS Gerald Ford are threatening to quit over the ships faulty toilets. For all the immense military power that the US possesses, at the end of the day, they cannot use it as they please. In the current situation, there are limits to what the US can do around the world, making it impossible to simply turn back the clock of US decline. Down with imperialism! The real aim of the US, whether they go to war or not, is to maintain its grip over the Middle East. Trump and the Israelis believe they have the undisputed right to do as they please to this end, whether that be to bully, bomb or invade anyone, anywhere, at any time. The fountainhead of reaction and death that is US imperialism has to be fought by communists everywhere. It is the main enemy of the world working class. As for the liberation of the peoples of the region, including Iran, it is the task of the workers and poor in Iran. For decades, the West has built up Iran as the greatest threat to its safety and security. But they are the ones drenched in the blood of imperialist meddling and war. They are the biggest threat to the security and safety of the working class of the world. The struggle against them and the system they represent is the only one that can liberate all oppressed peoples of the world. Defense lawyers on Wednesday challenged the authentication timeline of a re-submitted digital forensic report in the case of suspended First Vice-President Riek Machar and seven co-accused, arguing that discrepancies in certification dates undermine the integrity of the prosecutions evidence. A South African digital forensic expert re-filed the report after judges had previously deferred its submission, citing disorganization and inconsistencies in the prosecutions documentation. The special court had earlier returned several files due to missing pagination and unclear referencing, which impeded judicial review and the defenses scrutiny. The court permitted the prosecutions final witness, digital forensic expert Ratlhogo Peter Calvin Rafadi, to re-submit the exhibits to ensure procedural clarity. Lead prosecutor Ajo OnyOhissa apologized for the earlier irregularities, attributing them to the documents having passed through many hands. According to the filing, the 28-page forensic report was prepared on 16 August 2025, received by the Ministry of Justice on 26 August, and forwarded the same day to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the chair of the investigative Committee probing the Nasir incident. The defense objected to prosecution document number 9-H, highlighting what it described as a problematic sequence of authentication. Defense counsel Deng John Deng told the court that these certifications were issued after the case had already been registered, raising procedural concerns. He further noted the absence of authentication by the South African Embassy in Juba. Presiding judge James Alala Deng adjourned proceedings to Friday, 27 February, when the prosecution is expected to respond to the objection. Machar, 73, is under house arrest, while his co-accused are detained at National Security Service facilities in Juba. They face charges including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason, destruction of public property and crimes against humanity. China's governance contributes wisdom, strength to a brighter future of humanity Xinhua) 08:14, February 26, 2026 This photo shows a scene of a seminar on global governance and the launch ceremony of the English edition of the first volume of "China's Governance Under Xi Jinping's Leadership" at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang) * On Tuesday, a seminar on global governance and the debut of the English edition of the first volume of "China's Governance Under Xi Jinping's Leadership" were held at the Palais des Nations. * "The world wonders: What's the secret recipe for the Chinese modernization? How has President Xi Jinping steadily led a country of over 1.4 billion people toward prosperity and national rejuvenation?" said Fu Hua, president of Xinhua News Agency. "In this book, I believe readers will find a satisfying answer." GENEVA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- As an early spring thaw settles over Lake Geneva, the Palais des Nations, home to the United Nations Office at Geneva, is buzzing with renewed diplomatic energy. In a city long recognized as a hub of international law and a bastion of multilateral diplomacy, global voices have once again gathered to navigate the complex challenges of a modern era. On Tuesday, a seminar on global governance and the debut of the English edition of the first volume of "China's Governance Under Xi Jinping's Leadership" were held at the Palais des Nations. The event convened approximately 200 representatives from United Nations agencies, international organizations, think tanks, and the business community to exchange perspectives on global governance. This photo shows a book of the English edition of the first volume of "China's Governance Under Xi Jinping's Leadership." (Xinhua/Cai Yang) GLOBAL GOVERNANCE DEFICIT Just two months into 2026, the world is enveloped in turbulence. As the Ukraine crisis continues to ravage the region, a U.S. military strike on Venezuela has upended the political order in the Americas, while a rapid military buildup in the Gulf has placed the Middle East on alert. "We are a world brimming with conflict, impunity, inequality and unpredictability," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently. Tatiana Valovaya, director-general of the United Nations Office at Geneva, also warned of the fragility of the international order. Addressing the seminar, she noted that rising geopolitical tensions, eroding trust, and accelerating climate disruption have made global governance appear elusive. Yet "it is precisely when global governance is under fire that we need it most," Valovaya said. "In moments like this, we must return to the principles underpinning our system of global governance, the United Nations Charter adopted eight decades ago." George Katrougalos, a UN independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, also warned that the world is witnessing "withdrawal from multilateral commitments, protectionist policies." He criticized the use of tariffs in international trade. "The tariffs are used as a weapon, as a pressure on international institutions to abandon consensual commitments or conventional commitments. Just recently, last week, the United States has succeeded in removing climate change from the main priorities of the International Energy Agency," he said. "This situation, this might versus right, puts new pressure to the United Nations system," he said. "We need to reinforce the United Nations system." Tatiana Valovaya, director-general of the United Nations Office at Geneva, addresses a seminar on global governance and the launch ceremony of the English edition of the first volume of "China's Governance Under Xi Jinping's Leadership" at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) WHAT CHINA'S GOVERNANCE OFFERS THE WORLD At the seminar, the English edition of the first volume of "China's Governance Under Xi Jinping's Leadership," published by Xinhua News Agency, drew significant interest upon its unveiling. "The world wonders: What's the secret recipe for the Chinese modernization? How has President Xi Jinping steadily led a country of over 1.4 billion people toward prosperity and national rejuvenation?" said Fu Hua, president of Xinhua News Agency. "In this book, I believe readers will find a satisfying answer." For Peter Hediger, a Swiss sinologist, historian and international security policy expert, under Xi's leadership, "China has achieved very impressive achievements in poverty alleviation, providing a development model for countries in the Global South." "Publishing the book internationally is extremely important to give leaders and communities around the world a window into understanding China's journey from poverty to prosperity. They can also derive many lessons and adapt them to their own development perspective," Hussein Askary, vice-chairman of the Belt and Road Institute in Sweden, also told Xinhua. Beyond poverty, economic development lies at the heart of how nations rise and how the world remains stable. The book explores how China has consolidated its position as the world's second-largest economy, acting as a critical stabilizer and engine for global growth. British economist John Ross told Xinhua that China's economy continues to expand steadily and remains a key driving force of global growth. "All claims made in sections of the Western media last year of a serious slowdown in China's economy, as usual, turned out to be entirely false," he said. Yet sustainable modernization demands more than economic growth: It requires living in harmony with the natural world. Peter Bakker, president and CEO of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, said China is a leader in sustainable development, producing much-needed solutions in many markets. He expressed his hope that Chinese innovation can be made available to all through partnerships with companies around the world. Bakker said he views China as "a country with hope, a country where new technologies are being developed faster and where a balance between nature, people and technological development is being thought." This photo shows a scene of a seminar on global governance and the launch ceremony of the English edition of the first volume of "China's Governance Under Xi Jinping's Leadership" at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang) TOWARD SHARED FUTURE The year 2025 marked the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. At this historic juncture, China put forward the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), calling for the practice of five key principles: staying committed to sovereign equality, staying committed to international rule of law, staying committed to multilateralism, staying committed to the people-centered approach, and staying committed to real results. From the Global Development Initiative proposed in 2021, to the Global Security Initiative in 2022, and the Global Civilization Initiative in 2023, and now to the GGI, these four major global initiatives reinforce and complement one another. Together, they form a comprehensive framework of public goods offered by China to address global challenges and promote a brighter future for humanity. Along the way, the Global South, with a growing sense of historical awareness and purpose, is emerging as a vital force in advancing reform of the global governance system and upholding international fairness and justice. "The essence of enhancing coordination among the Global South is to build a parallel yet non-separate, independent yet non-confrontational governance space through 'incremental innovation' at a time when 'stock reform' of the Western-dominated global governance system faces numerous difficulties," said Yang Jiemian, chairman of the academic advisory council of the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies. Yang noted that more should be done to amplify the voice of the Global South, an important force in the international community, to "contribute collective wisdom and strength to creating a more prosperous and just new world pattern." Jia Guide, China's permanent representative and ambassador to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, summarized the consensus reached as follows: In the face of an uncertain world, the international community must stay committed to the right path of multilateralism, choosing dialogue over confrontation, inclusiveness over exclusion, and cooperation over decoupling. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Four operatives were nabbed and a gang from Jharkhands Jamtara-Wasseypur belt was busted for trying to extort jewellers in Mumbai by claiming to be from the dreaded Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The Borivali police arrested the quartet on Tuesday for allegedly making extortion calls in the name of the Bishnoi gang. They have been identified as Riyazuddin Md Bashir (29), Md Faiyyaz Mansuri alias Saddam (27), Md Ashraful Ansari (36), and Md Arbaz Ansari (27). All of them hail from Wasseypur in Jharkhands Dhanbad district. The arrests come days after five others were held for trying to extract a jeweller from Vile Parle using an identical modus operandi. Other cases where jewellers received similar calls have been filed at Borivali, Vile Parle and DN Nagar stations. According to investigators, the gang originally into cyber scams moved to extortion after increasing awareness campaigns made cyber frauds difficult to execute. The accused allegedly identified jewellers through Google searches and shop signboards displaying mobile numbers and then contacted them with threats demanding money. Between February 18 and 24, a jeweller in Borivali is believed to have received repeated WhatsApp calls and threatening messages from a number with the UK code of +44. The caller allegedly claimed to be associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and demanded Rs 30 lakh, threatening to kill the victim and his family if the amount was not paid within 24 hours. The callers initially asked the jeweller to transfer the money to a bank account, but advised by the police, he offered gold coins that totalled the extortion amount. Police nabbed Bashir on Tuesday outside Mahim railway station when he arrived to collect the coins. Interrogating him, cops later picked up the other three from Bandra and Jogeshwari. The search for the main accused is under way. He is suspected to be issuing threats using an international phone number. The probe has reportedly found him to be in close contact with Bashir. The operation was carried out under the guidance of Senior Police Inspector Madhusudan Naik, with a team led by Crime PI Milind Nagpure. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone XI) Sandeep Jadhav said that no evidence has yet been found linking the accused directly with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The accused appear to be cyber fraud operators who allegedly used the gangs name to create fear and extort money. Further investigation is underway, he said. In the Vile Parle case, police had laid a trap near Lokmanya Tilak Terminus in Kurla and arrested four men Deepak Narendra Dangol (19), Majid Sajid Khan (21), Faizan Firoz Khan (27) and Sahil Iliyas Sheikh (20) who were allegedly caught while collecting Rs 5 lakh in cash from a complainant. The fifth accused, Imtiyaz Alam Ansari (30), was later arrested and is alleged to be a Jharkhand-based handler coordinating the operation. All five have been remanded to judicial custody. Police said these accused have also been shown wanted in the Borivali case, and their custody is being sought for further investigation. A man booked by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in an alleged ISIS-related case has approached the sessions court claiming that two unknown persons posing as army officials attempted to contact him, barged into his residence, and allegedly tried to influence him to join them in a secret assignment. Areeb Majeed filed a formal complaint on Wednesday alleging that two individuals, identifying themselves as officers linked to the Indian Armys Military Intelligence, visited his Kalyan residence and made startling claims. According to the complaint, the visitors a man and a woman introduced themselves as senior-ranking officers who had allegedly come from Delhi. Majeed stated that the woman claimed she was from the Indian Army and asserted that the accompanying male officer held a high-ranking position, initially describing him as a colonel and later allegedly as a brigadier and head of Military Intelligence. Majeed has alleged that during the interaction, he was told that they required his assistance in certain operations and would provide him with a special communication device for overseas contacts. Most significantly, he claimed that they assured him that his pending case before a special NIA court could be wiped out if he cooperated. The complaint states that such a representation suggesting interference in judicial proceedings is constitutionally untenable and deeply concerning. Majeed has maintained that he rejected any such proposal and refused to engage in any unofficial or covert activity. Majeed was arrested by the NIA after allegedly travelling to Iraq in 2014, where the agency claimed he joined the Islamic State. The NIA had alleged that he underwent training and intended to carry out terror-related activities upon his return to India, including targeting key establishments in Mumbai. The matter is pending before a special court. Majeed is on bail. In his latest plea, Majeed has sought verification of the identity of the two individuals and requested appropriate action if impersonation or misuse of official rank is established. He has also expressed concern that the local police allegedly discouraged him from initiating further action at the time of the incident. The court is expected to examine the complaint and decide on further directions. The court has directed the NIA and Bazarpeth Police Station to file their replies in the matter. The Bazarpeth Senior PI refused to comment. Majeed said, I was in college for work when my wife called and informed me that some army officials had come to our house. I was shocked and immediately contacted the investigating officer of my NIA case to confirm whether they had sent anyone, but the NIA team denied it. I then rushed home and simultaneously informed the Bazarpeth police. After reaching, I spoke to the duo who were trying to convince me to join them for a secret ammunition-related mission. I took their photographs and sent them to an NIA officer, who confirmed that they were not genuine. I then approached the police to register an FIR. While at the police station, the two individuals made several phone calls. After that, I received calls from police personnel and an NIA officer advising me to withdraw the complaint and not pursue registration of the FIR, saying it would be better for me. However, I decided to go ahead because what happened was wrong and not through any proper channel. Their conduct was also suspicious. I subsequently emailed all details, including their photographs, to senior officials and informed the court about the incident. Most American teenagers believe that their peers are using artificial intelligence to cheat in school, according to new research, and more than 1 in 10 teens use AI for emotional support or advice. The survey findings released on Tuesday by the Pew Research Centre provide a snapshot of a generation coming of age during the early wave of AIs spread across workplaces, educational institutions and personal life. Schools have struggled to adapt to AI cheating and at the same time are grappling with how to prepare students for a future that may be transformed by AI. The survey results could add fuel to concerns among some researchers and child advocates that young people are growing dependent on the technology with few guardrails to protect them. Teens are using chatbots in a variety of ways the helpful, the less helpful, said Colleen McClain, the studys lead author. The survey of 1,458 Americans ages 13 to 17 and their parents is one of the first comprehensive polls asking teenagers how theyre using AI and what they think about the technology. About two-thirds of the teens told Pew that they had used chatbots such as OpenAIs ChatGPT and Microsofts Copilot. Teens most cited uses of AI were to search for information and get help with schoolwork. Nearly 6 in 10 teens said that students at their school use AI chatbots to cheat on their work at least somewhat often. The poll did not define what counts as cheating or directly ask teens if they personally used AI to cheat. McClain said that the teens perceptions of cheating among their peers dont necessarily reflect whats really happening. The roughly half of teenagers who said they used AI for schoolwork were far more likely to do so for tasks like researching a topic than for editing something they had written, they said, which could more easily cross into cheating. The gap may show that teens are drawing lines between appropriate and inappropriate uses of AI for schoolwork. Sal Khan, founder of the education technology nonprofit Khan Academy, said schools should assume that students are using AI to cheat on schoolwork done out of class. He suggested that teachers should have students do writing assessments in class, to prevent AI use, or quiz students on assignments done at home to prove that theyve learned essential material. In a recent research experiment with middle school students, Stanford Universitys Guilherme Lichand and his collaborators found that those who initially had access to AI assistance on a creative assignment, and then had it taken away, performed far worse than their peers who didnt have access to AI on a subsequent word-association task. Lichand said the research suggests that young people who grow dependent on AI may lose faith in their abilities without it. These kids started believing less in themselves, he said. The Washington Post In Mumbais northwestern suburb of Khar lies Murugan Chawl, wedged between luxury high-rises on every side. Spread across barely 14,000 sq ft, it houses about 103 families, most from marginalised Dalit and Muslim communities. Behind their corrugated metal roofs stands a crumbling SRA building constructed for them 33 years ago and never occupied. The abandoned eight-storey structure rises against the skyline as a reminder of promises deferred. For more than two decades, Murugan Chawl has been both canvas and collaborator for urban artist and design educator Samir Parker, who first encountered it through resident Raja Ramu Keshavan. Between 2015 and 2017, the settlement hosted one of his early Mumbai interventions, Roof/Tarp/City, where multicoloured tarpaulin sheets transformed shanty roofs into a pixelated landscape. In 2017, he worked with residents again on Autography, decorating autorickshaws that travelled across the city. Circles on the skyline On March 1, Parker returns with Rooftop Holi Mega Rangoli. Residents, design students and fellow artists, including Jeffrey Gillette, will create geometric rangoli patterns across terraces and lanes. Parker will photograph the work from above using drones, while filmmaker and screenwriter Pubali Chaudhuri will document the process. This project is part of the larger artistic expression in the midst of our city that is being encircled by whorling expressways and towering piers, Parker says. He chose rangoli because it is familiar and participatory. Any public artworks I do, I have to involve the local residents. Otherwise, its just an imposition. Many residents already know how to form patterns instinctively. Parker offers a broad visual direction but resists prescribing exact designs. I have a vision, but Im not going to be particular about exact patterns, he says. Chaudhuri, known for writing Kai Po Che, Rock On! and Rock On 2, says the project drew her because Mumbais urban realities rarely receive layered representation on screen. The city is often reduced to cliche. She approaches the film without a fixed script, intending to capture the process as it unfolds. A tormented canvas The practical challenges are immediate. Ongoing construction clogs surrounding lanes, and many roofs are coated in dust and debris. Im accepting the fact that my canvas is tormented, Parker says. The drones elevated perspective, he believes, will reframe the settlement as a coherent visual field rather than a cluster of damaged surfaces. He describes Murugan Chawl as a small island, set amidst billions of dollars of real estate deals, in the flight path and towards the ever-extending sea link. By scaling up rangoli to rooftop level, he hopes to grant residents visibility and presence within that landscape. Chaudhuri calls it a moment of manufactured joy and measures success by whether that feeling registers on film. She hopes the finished work will travel to festivals. Marking a moment Parkers visual cue comes from Mumbais altered coastline. Where it once appeared jagged, land reclamation and coastal roads now impose sweeping arcs and engineered curves. The concentric rooftop circles echo these geometries, translating infrastructural change into community ornament. Aesthetic beautification is not his primary aim. The politics lie in the questions embedded in the act of making: how is space used, who claims it, and how might residents assert presence within it. He does not describe himself as an activist and is candid about the limits of such interventions. The work, he says, is about marking a point in time rather than engineering reform. Chaudhuri acknowledges the risk of an outsiders gaze, though Parker argues that collaboration blurs class lines. His long familiarity with the community helps. Keshavan, who works at a government hospital, has mobilised neighbours and relatives to participate, extending kolam traditions usually reserved for Pongal into this public setting. Work begins at 11 am on March 1 and continues into the evening, when music and dance will accompany projections of drone footage and filmed material across the facade of the abandoned SRA building. The rangoli will fade. The images, preserved from above and on screen, will remain. Many women are told to track their period, yet few are told what to actually track, and in clinics across Mumbai gynaecologists still meet patients who can recite the date their last cycle began but cannot describe the colour, volume or pain that accompanied it. Yet these factors hold clues about hormone balance and reproductive health if read with the right context. Menstrual blood can offer clues about hormone balance and overall reproductive health, though it should never be judged in isolation, says Dr Vidya Shetty, HOD of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at KIMS Hospitals, Thane that qualifier is critical in a culture that swings between dismissal and panic. Dr Gandhali Deorukhkar, Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, also cautions against turning every variation into a diagnosis. Menstrual blood changes shade depending on how quickly it flows and how long it remains in the uterus, she explains, so colour alone cannot function as a health report card, she points out. Consistency over time carries more weight than a single surprising cycle. That said, both experts agree that the monthly cycle can serve as an important health conversation between the body and the woman who knows how to listen. What colour can tell you Bright red blood usually signals active, steady bleeding and fresh shedding of the uterine lining. Both doctors note that this shade often appears during the heaviest days of a period and tends to reflect a stable flow rather than a problem. Darker red, maroon or slightly brown blood often appears at the beginning or end of a period. This typically represents older blood that has oxidised before leaving the body. Dr Shetty stresses that this alone is not a cause for concern. Context determines meaning. A change that lasts a day or two at the margins of a cycle often sits well within normal limits. Brown discharge between cycles, however, deserves closer attention, says Dr Shetty. Dr Deorukhkar explains that brown blood that appears frequently between periods or aligns with irregular timing, may reflect hormonal fluctuations, stress or changes in ovulation patterns. Dr Shetty adds that while hormonal shifts can affect flow, colour alone cannot diagnose low progesterone or any specific imbalance. When spotting becomes regular, cycles shorten significantly or fertility concerns arise, hormone testing may help clarify the picture. Heavy bleeding and clots Few symptoms alarm women more than heavy bleeding with clots. In fact, small clots during heavier days can be normal because the lining of the uterus sheds in pieces, not just liquid blood, Dr Deorukhkar explains. Warning signs look different. Both doctors advise medical evaluation if you notice: Soaking through a pad or tampon every hour Passing very large or frequent clots Severe cramps that disrupt daily activity Bleeding that feels markedly heavier than your usual pattern Such symptoms may point to fibroids, adenomyosis, thyroid imbalance or broader hormonal disturbance. It is not always about high oestrogen, Dr Shetty clarifies, but persistent heavy cycles deserve proper assessment rather than self-diagnosis. Dr Deorukhkar emphasises that familiarity does not equal normal. Many women endure heavy, painful periods for years because they assume that is simply how their body works. Repeated disruption to work, sleep or daily life warrants discussion with a doctor. Light or scanty flow At the other end of the spectrum lies very light pink blood or scanty flow. For some women, this marks a temporary response to stress, rapid weight loss, intense exercise or perimenopause. Dr Deorukhkar says, Low oestrogen may play a role in certain cases, but lifestyle factors often exert significant influence. Dr Shetty reinforces that missing periods, very short cycles or ongoing scanty flow should not be brushed aside as urban burnout. When cycles consistently fall below twenty-one days, stretch unpredictably or disappear without explanation, a medical review helps rule out endocrine or structural causes. Patterns matter Menstrual health rarely announces itself through a single dramatic event. A one-off heavy cycle after a stressful month may not signal disease. A lone episode of brown spotting may resolve without intervention. Menstrual health is about recognising patterns, Dr Deorukhkar says. Ongoing changes in colour, flow, pain or timing carry far more significance than an isolated variation. Dr Shetty says that a period is not random. Changes in flow, pain level, cycle length and clot size can reflect what unfolds internally, yet they must be assessed over time. Because, when women learn to read their cycles without exaggeration or denial, they gain a practical tool for safeguarding their health, one that arrives every month and asks only that they pay attention. HAVANA (AP) Cubas government said late Wednesday that the 10 passengers on a boat that opened fire on its soldiers were armed Cubans living in the U.S. who were trying to infiltrate the island and unleash terrorism. The announcement came hours after Cuba said its soldiers killed four people and wounded six others aboard a Florida-registered speed boat that had entered Cuban waters and opened fire on the soldiers first, injuring one Cuban officer. Cubas government said the majority of the 10 people on the boat have a known history of criminal and violent activity. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had told reporters earlier that he was made aware of the incident and that the U.S. is now gathering its own information to determine if the victims were American citizens or permanent residents. We have various different elements of the U.S. government that are trying to identify elements of the story that may not be provided to us now, Rubio said while at the airport in Basseterre, St. Kitts, where he was attending a regional summit with Caribbean leaders. The Cuban government identified two of the boat passengers as Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez, who are wanted by Cuban authorities based on their involvement in the promotion, planning, organization, financing, support or commission of actions carried out in the national territory or in other countries, in connection with acts of terrorism. The government said it also had arrested Duniel Hernandez Santos, adding that he was sent from the United States to guarantee the reception of the armed infiltration, who at this time has confessed to his actions. The Associated Press was not immediately able to independently verify that information. Cubas government said it obtained the details about the passengers aboard the boat from the suspects detained following the shootout. It identified seven of the 10 passengers, including Conrado Galindo Sariol, Jose Manuel Rodriguez Castello, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara and Roberto Alvarez Avila. On Thursday, Cubas deputy foreign minister, Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, said the Cuban government erroneously identified Roberto Azcorra Consuegra as one of the boat passengers late Wednesday. He said Azcorra was not aboard the boat. Cubas government said that one of the four killed was Michel Ortega Casanova. The investigation process continues until the facts are fully clarified, the ministry said in a statement. Misael Ortega Casanova, brother of Michel Ortega Casanova, told The Associated Press late Wednesday that he was mourning his brothers death but lamented that he fell into what he called an obsessive and diabolical quest for Cubas freedom. Only us Cubans who have lived over there understand, Misael Ortega Casanova said, referring to the great suffering that he and other Cubans on the island have faced. He noted that his brother, who was a truck driver and an American citizen who lived for more than 20 years in the U.S., leaves behind his wife, his mother, two sisters one of whom lives in Cuba and a daughter who is pregnant. No one knew, Misael said of his brothers plans. My mother is devastated. He added: They became so obsessed that they didnt think about the consequences nor their own lives. Misael said that he did not recognize any of the names that the Cuban government released. He said that while he doesnt believe in heroes because that is ignorance he hopes that his brothers death might be a worthwhile sacrifice: maybe it will justify that some day Cuba will be free. A highly unusual shootout U.S. President Donald Trumps top diplomat refused to speculate on what happened, saying that it could be a wide range of things, and that the U.S. will not solely rely on what the Cuban authorities have provided thus far. Suffice it to say, it is highly unusual to see shootouts in open sea like that. Its not something that happens every day. Its something, frankly, that hasnt happened with Cuba in a very long time, Rubio said. He said both the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard are investigating the incident and stressed that he wants to verify the facts. The majority of the facts being publicly reported are those by the information provided by the Cubans. We will verify that independently as we gather more information, and well be prepared to respond accordingly, Rubio said. Were going to have our own information on this. Were going to figure out exactly what happened. He said it was not a U.S. government operation and that he wasnt going to speculate about whose boat it was, what they were doing, why they were there, what actually happened. One of the men identified by the Cuban government, Conrado Galindo Sariol, was interviewed in June 2025 by Marti Noticias, a U.S.-based news site that has long called for a change of government in Cuba. Galindo, whom the host called a legend and a former political prisoner, was quoted as saying that he wants to support the struggles that Cubans face, especially in the eastern part of the island to achieve the freedom that is needed. He said that the protests in Cuba at that time were not a spark thats going to be extinguished. The regimes leaders are crisscrossing Cuba, trying to mitigate whats coming very soon because they know theyre out of power, that they cant do anything about it, and theyre looking for ways to prevent the protests from growing in other parts of the country, Galindo was quoted as saying. Fear over increased tensions Rubio said he found out about the shooting before the Cuban government posted on social media, noting that the U.S. has constant contact with the country at the Coast Guard level. Earlier, Cubas Interior Ministry issued a statement that provided few details about the shooting, but noted that the boat was roughly 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) northeast of Cayo Falcones, off Cubas north coast. The government provided the boats registration number, but The Associated Press was unable to readily verify details of the boat because boat registrations are not public in the state of Florida. It wasnt immediately known what the boat and its occupants were doing in Cuban waters. In the statement, the ministry said Cubas government was safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring stability in the region. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida said it would pursue answers through every legal and diplomatic channel available, adding that facts remain unclear and conflicting. U.S. Vice President JD Vance said late Wednesday afternoon that Rubio had briefed him on the incident. He added that the White House was monitoring the situation. Hopefully its not as bad as we fear it could be, Vance said. The shooting threatens to increase tensions between the U.S. and Cuba. Following the ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Trump and top administration officials have taken an increasingly aggressive stance toward Cuba, which had been largely kept economically afloat by Venezuelas oil. The energy crisis Cuba has been grappling with in recent years entered new extremes last month when Trump signed an executive order that would impose a tariff on any country that sells or provides oil to Cuba. The move put pressure on Mexico, which Cuba became largely dependent on for petroleum after Trump halted oil shipments from Venezuela. Meanwhile, James Uthmeier, Floridas attorney general, said he has ordered prosecutors to work with federal, state and law enforcement partners to start an investigation. The Cuban government cannot be trusted, and we will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable, he wrote on X. ___ Lee reported from Basseterre, St. Kitts and Coto from San Jose, Costa Rica. Associated Press reporters Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, and Michael Biesecker, Aamer Madhani and Konstantin Toropin in Washington contributed to this report. By ANDREA RODRIGUEZ, DANICA COTO and MATTHEW LEE Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) As the U.S. and Iran head into their next round of nuclear talks in Geneva, a new AP-NORC poll finds that many U.S. adults continue to view Irans nuclear program as a threat but they also dont have high trust in President Donald Trumps judgment on the use of military force abroad. About half of U.S. adults are extremely or very concerned that Irans nuclear program poses a direct threat to the United States, according to the new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. About 3 in 10 are moderately concerned and only about 2 in 10 are not very concerned or not concerned at all. The survey was conducted Feb. 19-23, as military tensions built in the Middle East between the United States and Iran. The U.S. is seeking a deal to limit Irans nuclear program and ensure it does not develop nuclear weapons, while Iran says it is not pursuing weapons and has so far resisted demands that it halt uranium enrichment on its soil or hand over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Trump, who scrapped an earlier nuclear agreement with Iran during his first term, has repeatedly threatened to use force to compel Iran to agree to constrain its atomic program, which Trump claimed to have obliterated following the 12-day war in June where the U.S. bombed Iranian nuclear sites. Iran has said it would respond with an attack of its own. Trump has also threatened Iran over the killing of protesters. Both countries have signaled they are prepared for war if the talks on Tehrans nuclear program fail, and the U.S. has assembled its largest military force in the Mideast in decades as tensions with Iran have risen. Most Americans, 61%, say Iran is an enemy of the U.S., which is up slightly from a Pearson Institute/AP-NORC poll conducted in September 2023. But their confidence in the presidents judgment when it comes to relationships with adversaries and the use of military force abroad is low, the new poll shows, with only about 3 in 10 Americans saying they have a great deal or quite a bit of trust in Trump. Even some Republicans particularly younger Republicans have reservations about Trumps ability to make the right choices on these high-stakes issues. Most US adults have concerns about Trumps judgment on military force The Trump administration this year has held two rounds of nuclear talks with Iran under Omani mediation, with a third round scheduled to begin Thursday. Similar talks last year between the U.S. and Iran about Irans nuclear program broke down after Israel launched what became the 12-day war in June. We are in negotiations with them, Trump said during his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, which took place after the poll was conducted. They want to make a deal, but we havent heard those secret words: We will never have a nuclear weapon. Americans have significant reservations about Trumps judgment on foreign conflicts, the AP-NORC poll shows. Only about 3 in 10 of U.S. adults have a great deal or quite a bit of trust in Trumps judgment on the use of military force, relationships with U.S. adversaries or the use of nuclear weapons. More than half trust him only a little or not at all. On each measure, Republicans are more likely than Democrats and Independents to trust that the president will make the right decisions. About 6 in 10 Republicans have a high level of trust in Trump, while roughly 9 in 10 Democrats have a low level of trust in him. But some Republicans confidence is more qualified. Younger Republicans those under 45 are less likely than older Republicans to say they trust Trump a great deal or quite a bit on his use of military force. About half of younger Republicans say this, compared with about two-thirds of older Republicans. Many view Irans nuclear program as a threat The new finding that 48% of U.S. adults are extremely or very concerned that Irans nuclear program poses a direct threat to their country is in line with an AP-NORC poll conducted in July 2025, indicating that even with recent escalations between the two countries, Americans have not changed their views. Before the June war, Iran had been enriching uranium up to 60% purity, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels. The U.N. nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency had said Iran was the only country in the world to enrich to that level that wasnt armed with the bomb. Iran has been refusing requests by the IAEA to inspect the sites bombed in the June war, raising the concerns of nonproliferation experts. Worries about Irans nuclear program cross party lines in the U.S., though Republicans are currently more concerned. Most Republicans 56% say they are extremely or very concerned about Irans nuclear program, compared with 44% of Democrats. Younger Americans are less worried about Iran Americans generally hold a negative view of Iran, but the view is sharper among older Americans. About 6 in 10 U.S. adults say Iran is an enemy of the United States, up slightly from 53% from the Pearson/AP-NORC poll from 2023. Roughly 3 in 10 say the countries are not friendly, but not enemies, and only about 1 in 10 Americans consider the two nations friendly or close allies. At the same time, only about half of U.S. adults under 45 say Iran is an enemy, compared with about 7 in 10 Americans ages 45 and older. There is also a wide generational divide in concern about Irans nuclear program, with only about one-third of Americans under 45 saying they are highly concerned, compared with about 6 in 10 older Americans. Tensions over Irans nuclear program have existed for decades, which may help explain why older Americans are more concerned. Nuclear talks had been deadlocked for years after Trumps decision in 2018 to unilaterally withdraw the U.S. from Irans 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. ___ Liechtenstein reported from Vienna. Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report. ___ The AP-NORC poll of 1,133 adults was conducted Feb. 19-23 using a sample drawn from NORCs probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 4.0 percentage points. ___ The Associated Press receives support for nuclear security coverage from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Outrider Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. ___ Additional AP coverage of the nuclear landscape: https://apnews.com/projects/the-new-nuclear-landscape/ By LINLEY SANDERS and STEPHANIE LIECHTENSTEIN Associated Press Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told U.S. House lawmakers on Thursday that she had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epsteins or Ghislaine Maxwells crimes at the start of two days of depositions that will also include former President Bill Clinton. The deposition was paused after Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert sent a photo of Hillary Clinton in the room to a conservative influencer who posted it on social media, violating the committees rules for depositions. The incident prompted the former secretary of state to repeat her longstanding demand that the deposition be made open to reporters. The closed-door questioning lasted over six hours Thursday. The Clintons agreed to testify after their offers of sworn statements were rebuffed by the House Oversight panel, whose chairman, Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., threatened criminal contempt of Congress charges against them. Bill Clintons testimony will be the first time a former president has been forced to testify before Congress the latest sign that the demand for a reckoning over Epsteins abuse of underage girls has become a near-unstoppable force on Capitol Hill and beyond. Heres the latest: Trump huddles with GOP senators on midterm-year agenda Among the other meetings that the president had at the White House on Thursday was a strategy session with Senate GOP leaders and other close allies on the partys agenda. Among those who attended the afternoon meeting with Trump were Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso and Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri, according to two people with knowledge of the discussion. The meeting was to discuss the partys broader agenda, said one of the people, both of whom were granted anonymity to discuss a private meeting. ___ By Seung Min Kim Hillary Clinton says she told lawmakers repeatedly she did not know Epstein The former told reporters as she exited after her deposition that she answered the same question again and again from lawmakers about whether she knew Jeffrey Epstein at all. I dont know how many times I had to say I did not know Jeffrey Epstein, Hillary Clinton said. She also told reporters that her husband Bill Clinton had ended his relationship with Epstein before Epsteins sexual abuse came to light in 2008. Anthropic says it cant agree to Pentagon demands Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said Thursday that the artificial intelligence company cannot in good conscience accede to the Pentagons demands to allow wider use of its technology. The company said in a statement that its not walking away from negotiation but that new contract language received from the Defense Department made virtually no progress on preventing Claudes use for mass surveillance of Americans or in fully autonomous weapons. Top Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said earlier that the military would use the technology in legal ways and not let Anthropic dictate any limits ahead of a Friday deadline to agree to its demands or face losing its contract. He said the Pentagon has no interest in using AI to conduct mass surveillance of Americans (which is illegal) nor do we want to use AI to develop autonomous weapons that operate without human involvement. Hillary Clintons deposition in House Epstein investigation ends The closed-door questioning lasted over six hours Thursday. The former secretary of state told members of Congress she had no knowledge of Epsteins or Maxwells crimes. The depositions continuing Friday will also include former President Bill Clinton. US official says 1 American killed, another wounded in speedboat shooting near Cuba A U.S. official says at least one American citizen was killed and another wounded in an incident in which the crew of a Florida-registered speedboat exchanged fire with the Cuban military. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation into Wednesdays firefight, said another member of the 10-person crew was in the U.S. on a visa and several others may have been green card holders. The official said the owner of the boat has alleged that it was stolen by one of his employees. ___ By Matthew Lee National Trust says decision on the White House ballroom project means the case can continue Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said the group was disappointed that the injunction it sought to halt work on the ballroom wasnt granted. But she said the group was pleased that the decision found that the National Trust has standing to bring this lawsuit, as we have asserted from the start. Thursdays ruling encouraged us to amend our complaint specifically, to assert that the president has acted beyond his statutory authority and we plan to do so promptly, Quillen said in a statement. She added that doing so would allow the case to continue. Denver mayor announces steps against ICE to keep every resident safe Mike Johnston, a Democrat, announced that federal immigration agents wouldnt be able to operate on city property and that the citys police would be authorized to intervene to prevent any illegal activity like brutality against suspects and protesters. Johnston said he was acting to reassure residents rather than because Denver had information about any upcoming increase in immigration operations. Denver becomes the latest Democrat-dominated city to announce new restrictions on immigration operations, joining Chicago, New York and Seattle. Democratic-led states have also pushed back. We will keep every resident safe, regardless of their status, Johnston said. Trump to award Medal of Honor to 3 Army veterans The White House said Trump will give the highest military decoration on March 2 to three U.S. Army veterans: Master Sergeant Roderick W. Edmonds, Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis, and Command Sergeant Major Terry P. Richardson. The Medal of Honor is being awarded posthumously to Edmonds for thwarting efforts at a German prison camp during World War II to segregate Jewish-American prisoners. The Medal of Honor is being awarded posthumously to Ollis for his work to repel an enemy attack in 2013 of a base in Ghazni, Afghanistan that led to his death after an insurgent detonated his suicide vest. Richardson is receiving the Medal of Honor for his leadership in a reconnaissance mission in 1968 in Vietnam to occupy an enemy regiments base camp and direct airstrikes despite being wounded by an enemy sniper. Mamdani presents Trump with mock newspaper touting future big housing initiative New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani presented Trump with a mock newspaper front page during his visit to the White House on Thursday to show the president how a significant housing initiative might be received. Its a tactic designed to appeal to Trump, who is known to voraciously consume coverage in the local New York City publications. Anna Bahr, Mamdanis communications director, said the Democratic mayors team created the mock front page and its headlines for the Republican president to look at and demonstrate what kind of reaction that new federal housing investments could bring. The mock New York Daily News front page says Trump to City: Lets Build a riff on the famous 1975 cover that read Ford to City: Drop Dead, referring to Gerald Fords vow to veto financial assistance to the city. Mamdanis office declined to elaborate on the mayors housing proposal, but Bahr said Trump was very enthusiastic about it. Read more EPA union denounces layoff of environmental justice workers The 22 fired workers focused on poor and minority communities that are disproportionately burdened by environmental hazards and industrial pollution. The layoffs come as the Environmental Protection Agency has reduced its workforce by about 30% in Trumps second term. Justin Chen, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Council 238, said Thursday that the cuts have stretched remaining staff to the breaking point and weakened our ability to respond to mounting environmental and public health threats. There is no justification for further cuts. EPA spokesperson Brigit Hirsch said the layoffs are consistent with a notice to Congress last year and are part of EPAs broader effort to ensure that the agencys workforce is best positioned to meet its core mission. Columbia student detained by ICE to be released after Mamdani meeting with Trump The New York City mayor and the presidents surprise meeting at the White House was intended to be about housing. But during the meeting, Mamdani raised the issue of Ellie Aghayeva, a Columbia University student from Azerbaijan who was arrested earlier Thursday by federal immigration agents. The agents had accessed a campus residence by claiming they were searching for a missing person, according to Aghayevas attorneys and Columbias president. But in a social media post on X, Mamdani said he had received a call from Trump after his in-person meeting at the White House, and that the president informed me that she will be released imminently. Boebert says why not? send photo of Hillary Clinton in closed door deposition Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., was defiant in remarks to reporters as she left the closed-door deposition for Hillary Clinton. Boebert had violated committee protocol by sharing a photo of Clinton with a conservative influencer who posted it online. When asked why she had shared the photo, Boebert responded, Why not? Boebert also sarcastically said she admired Clintons blue suit and wanted to show it to everyone. All three Texas Senate GOP candidates to appear with Trump The president and Republican Party kingmaker has declined to endorse in Texass hotly-contested Senate primary. So when Trump appears in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Friday to talk about energy policies and the economy, all three candidates incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, Rep. Wesley Hunt and state Attorney General Ken Paxton will be there, too. Their appearance at Trumps visit to the southern Texas town was confirmed by their campaigns and congressional offices. Cornyn, who is running for his fifth term, is fending off challenges in a primary battle that has gotten vicious and personal. A candidate must win 50% of the vote in the March 3 primary in order to win outright. If that doesnt happen, the race will go to a May 26 runoff with the top two vote-getters. Justice Thomas alludes to threats to explain his remote participation in DC law school conference Thomas said he changed his plans to appear in person on the American University law school campus because I wanted to make sure that I didnt endanger anyone by my mere presence. A couple dozen students who protested outside the conference said they were upset that the school provided no notice about or access to the private event. They also distributed a single sheet with excerpts of the testimony of law professor Anita Hill, whose allegations that Thomas sexually harassed her nearly derailed his nomination in 1991. Spokespeople for the Supreme Court and the school didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. Thomas was honored with an award by the J. Reuben Clark Law Society, made up mainly of members of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Thomas spoke from the Washington office of Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah. Pennsylvania governor vows to block 2 planned ICE facilities Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro vowed Thursday to do whatever he can to block a pair of warehouses slated to become U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities in his state as part of a massive expansion. The Democratic governor met privately for more than an hour with local government officials about plans for the facilities in Berks and Schuylkill counties. Shapiro said they voiced concerns about water and sewer capacity, the impact on roads, the demand for emergency fire and rescue response as well as medical care and other potential effects. Shapiro said he plans to flex his regulatory authority and legal powers to try to stop them. First lady Melania Trump to preside over UN Security Council in a historic first When the wife of President Donald Trump sits in the presidents seat to chair a meeting on Monday afternoon, it will be the first time a first lady, or first gentleman for that matter, has ever presided over a Security Council meeting, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Thursday. The United States takes over the rotating presidency of the 15-member council for the month of March and the first ladys office said the meeting she will preside over on Monday will emphasize educations role in advancing tolerance and world peace. Asked the significance of Melania Trumps presiding role, Dujarric said: Obviously, its a sign of the importance that the United States feels towards the Security Council and the subject. He said U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo will be briefing the Security Council at the meeting officially entitled Children, Technology, and Education in Conflict on behalf of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Pentagon spokesman says they wont let AI company dictate limits The Pentagons top spokesman reiterated that the military wants to use Anthropics AI models in legal ways and wont let the company dictate any limits ahead of a Friday deadline to agree to the demands. Sean Parnell said Thursday on social media that the Pentagon has no interest in using AI to conduct mass surveillance of Americans (which is illegal) nor do we want to use AI to develop autonomous weapons that operate without human involvement. Anthropics policies prevent their models from being used for those purposes. Its the last of its peers to not supply its technology to a new U.S. military internal network. Parnell says the Pentagon wants to use Anthropics model for all lawful purposes but didnt offer details and asserted that Anthropics resistance is jeopardizing critical military operations. After meeting Tuesday, the Pentagon told the company to open up its technology or risk losing its contract and be designated a supply chain risk. Mediator cites progress as indirect nuclear talks between the US and Iran wrap up Omans foreign minister said Thursday that talks between the United States and Iran had ended in Geneva but will resume soon. Badr al-Busaidi wrote on X that there had been significant progress in the negotiation without elaborating. He said technical-level talks would take place next week in Vienna, home to the International Atomic Energy Agency. There was no immediate comment from either American or Iranian officials. Analysts had been concerned that ending Thursdays talks without an immediate deal could spark U.S. military action against Iran. Read more Trump hails ruling on White House ballroom construction Great news for America, and our wonderful White House!, Trump posted on his social media site after a federal judge rejected a preservationist groups request to block continued construction of a ballroom that crews demolished the East Wing to build. Trump wrote that the project is ahead of schedule, and under budget and that the finished project will stand long into the future as a symbol to the Greatness of America. Hillary Clinton deposition resumes After a pause, the House Oversight Committees deposition of the former secretary of state has restarted. It was put on hold after Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert shared a photo of Clinton at the closed-door proceeding with a conservative influence who posted it on social media. The photo violated committee rules for depositions, but Boebert posted on social media that the influencer did nothing wrong. Vance speaks in Wisconsin on affordability, fraud Vice President JD spoke on Thursday in Plover, Wisconsin, about affordability and reducing fraud, making the case for Republicans in the 2026 midterms. The question in November is do we give power to the people who fight for corruption, who fight for fraud, who fight for illegal aliens, or do we give the government to the American citizens for whom it was designed and for whom it was created? he asked during his address at Pointe Precision Inc., a machining facility. I think I know the answer. Lets vote for our people. Vance blamed Democrats for the current affordability crisis and called out alleged corruption in Minnesota, citing an example that involved money supposedly being taken away from autistic children. Democratic senator says Vance is visiting Wisconsin to help congressman Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin says that Vice President JD Vance is visiting Wisconsin to shore up a Republican congressman in a district targeted by Democrats. Vances trip to central Wisconsin on Thursday was touted by the White House as a chance to talk about President Donald Trumps successes in the wake of the State of the Union address. But Baldwin says the true purpose is to help Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden, who she says is in lock step with this administration. Van Orden planned to attend Vances event at a manufacturing business in Plover, Wisconsin. Baldwin says its good for Vance to come to Wisconsin so he can see exactly how this administrations policies are affecting and in many ways harming Wisconsinites. She says Van Orden has not been responsive to voters who oppose Trumps tariffs, cuts to Affordable Care Act subsidies and reductions to federal food aid. Trump, Mamdani to meet at the White House The New York City mayor is planning on meeting with the president at the White House on Thursday. Thats according to a person with knowledge of the meeting, granted anonymity to discuss something that was not on Trumps public schedule. The meeting is expected to be in part about housing. Despite deriding Mamdani as he campaigned for mayor, Trump has taken a liking to him after their one-on-one meeting late last year. Judge rejects request to block Trump White House from building its $400 million ballroom project A federal judge on Thursday rejected a preservationist groups request to block the Trump administration from continuing construction of a $400 million ballroom where it demolished the East Wing of the White House. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled that The National Trust for Historic Preservation was unlikely to succeed on the merits of its bid to temporarily halt President Donald Trumps project. Read more Hillary Clinton deposition paused over leaked photo The House Oversight Committees deposition of Hillary Clinton is being paused after Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert sent a photo of the closed-door proceeding to a conservative influencer. Benny Johnson, a right-wing Youtuber, posted a photo of Clinton at the deposition online and said Boebert had provided it. The deposition is being recorded on video, but Comer has said that will only be released after Clintons attorneys have a chance to review it. The committees rules do not allow outside press or photographers to take photos of the proceedings. GOP chair of House Oversight panel says its possible lawmakers will question Lutnick on Epstein ties Outside the House Oversight Committees deposition for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Rep. James Comer told reporters that its very possible that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is called to testify in the House investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Comer is seeking to cast the investigation as a bipartisan effort that is also willing to question Republicans. Lutnick was Epsteins neighbor in New York City. He had previously claimed that he cut all ties with Epstein after 2005, but the release of case files on Epstein showed that they had several interactions in the years after that. Noem says more than 250 DACA recipients arrested and dozens deported in 2025 Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a letter to Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin and other senators that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program provides just that, a deferral of removal for a period of time. Dubin and Sens. Alex Padilla, D-Ca., and Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., blasted the treatment of DACA recipients, known as Dreamers. News of DACA recipients being arrested and deported is deeply troubling, the senators said in a statement. The DACA program was created during the Obama administration to provide a way for young people who arrived in the U.S. illegally as children to remain in the country, so long as they register, undergo a background check and meet other requirements, such as attending school or working. Many have spent much of their lives in the U.S., and have since become adults with families of their own. From Jan. 1, 2025 to Nov. 19, 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement reported 261 DACA recipients were arrested and 86 had been removed from the country, according to Noems letter. It said of those arrested, 241 had criminal histories, but didnt provide further information, citing privacy issues. The senators demanded DHS provide more information on the rationale for arresting and deporting Dreamers. Hillary Clinton testifies she has no information on Epsteins criminal activities Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is telling U.S. House lawmakers she had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epsteins or Ghislaine Maxwells crimes. I had no idea about their criminal activities. I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein, Hillary Clinton said in an opening statement she shared on social media. Her testimony starts off two days of depositions that will also include former President Bill Clinton. Hillary Clintons deposition is getting underway The House Oversight Committees closed-door deposition of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is getting underway in Chappaqua, New York, as lawmakers start two days of depositions that will also include former President Bill Clinton. Hillary Clinton has previously told the committee she has no memory of ever meeting Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier who killed himself in 2019 while facing charges for sexually abusing and trafficking underage girls. There is no indication zero, zip, zilch, nada that Secretary Clinton had any knowledge of Epsteins crimes, Rep. James Walkinshaw, a Virginia Democrat, said just before the deposition. Clinton did have connections to Epsteins former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, through the Clinton Foundation. Maxwell was also a guest at the 2010 wedding of their daughter Chelsea Clinton. Democrats call for Trump to answer questions in House Epstein investigation Democrats on the House Oversight Committee are arguing that former President Bill Clintons appearance for a deposition sets a precedent that should apply to President Donald Trump as well. Lets get President Trump in front of our committee to answer the questions that are being asked across this country from survivors, said Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the Oversight panel. The Republican chair of the committee, Republican Rep. James Comer, has previously said the committee cant deposition Trump because hes a sitting president. Trump, however, has expressed regret that the Clintons are being forced to testify in the committees probe. Republicans relishing the chance to question the Clintons Its hardly the first time congressional Republicans have pressured the Clintons to answer their questions, but this time it comes as both former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are more than a decade removed from public office. None the less, the Clintons have emerged as a top target for Republicans in the House investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and they were successful in forcing them to appear for depositions in Chappaqua, New York, over the next two days. No ones accusing at this moment the Clintons of any wrongdoing, Rep. James Comer, the chair of the House Oversight Committee, told reporters just before the deposition for Hillary Clinton began. Comer added that Republicans were hoping to understand how Epstein accumulated his wealth and influence with high-powered men around the world. Republican chair pledges long days of depositions for the Clintons Rep. James Comer, the GOP chair of the House Oversight Committee, previewed lengthy interviews for both Hillary and Bill Clinton as lawmakers question them about Jeffrey Epstein. This is going to be a long deposition, Comer told reporters outside the convention center in Chappaqua, New York, where the depositions are being held. Hillary Clinton has said she doesnt remember ever meeting with Epstein, although she does have some connections to his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. House Democrats to force war powers vote on Iran House Democratic leaders say theyll force a vote next week on legislation requiring President Trump to terminate military force against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war from Congress. The U.S. has gathered a massive fleet of aircraft and warships in the Middle East and the two nations are engaged in indirect talks to reach a deal on Tehrans nuclear program and potentially avert a war. Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries was joined in the announcement by several Democrats who serve as the ranking member on committees with jurisdiction. Their news release says the Iranian regime is brutal and destabilizing, and cited the killing of thousands of protesters. However, undertaking a war of choice in the Middle East, without a full understanding of all the attendant risks to our servicemembers and to escalation, is reckless, the news release stated. We maintain that any such action would be unconstitutional without consultation with and authorization from Congress. Trump administration appeals to the Supreme Court in immigration case The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to allow it to end legal protections for migrants from Syria for now. Its the administrations latest emergency appeal to the nations highest court. The government wants the court to lift a New York judges ruling halting the Department of Homeland Securitys decision to end temporary protected status for Syrians. The justices have previously allowed immigration authorities to end legal protections for migrants from Venezuela while lawsuits continue to play out. The federal government argued the Syria case is similar. About 6,000 people from Syria have temporary legal status after fleeing armed conflict. Ending those protections could mean people lose work authorization and be exposed to possible deportation. By The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani presented President Donald Trump with a mock newspaper front page during a visit to the White House on Thursday to discuss massive new housing investments in the city. Its a tactic designed to appeal to Trump, who is keenly aware of his media coverage and, aside from being an avid viewer of cable news, is known to voraciously consume coverage in the local New York City publications. The Republican president and Democratic mayor have maintained a cordial relationship since their first meeting last fall. Anna Bahr, Mamdanis communications director, said the mayors team created a mock front page and headlines for Trump to look at and demonstrate what kind of reaction new federal housing investments could bring. The mock New York Daily News front page says Trump to City: Lets Build a riff on the famous 1975 cover that read Ford to City: Drop Dead, referring to Gerald Fords vow to veto financial assistance to the city. The mayor posted the photo of their meeting, featuring the front pages, to his social media page. Bahr said Trump was very enthusiastic about Mamdanis proposal, which would allow 12,000 new affordable homes to be built at Sunnyside Yard in Queens by securing more than $21 billion in federal grants to build a deck over the rail yard site. The mayors office estimates that the project could create 30,000 jobs and would be the biggest housing and infrastructure investment in more than 50 years. When Trump and Mamdani last met in November, the president encouraged Mamdani to return to him with an idea to build big things together in New York City, Bahr said. Though Trump repeatedly maligned Mamdani as a communist as he ran for New York City mayor, the president appeared charmed by him after their one-on-one meeting at the White House in November. At the meeting on Thursday which was previously unannounced and lasted for about an hour Mamdani also brought up the detainment of Ellie Aghayeva, a Columbia University student from Azerbaijan who was arrested earlier Thursday by federal immigration agents. The agents had accessed a campus residence by claiming they were searching for a missing person, according to Aghayevas attorneys and Columbias president. As he met with Trump, Mamdani urged Trump to consider releasing her. In a phone call not long after their White House meeting, Trump told the mayor that Aghayeva would be released. Mamdani also gave White House chief of staff Susie Wiles a list of four other students targeted by federal authorities and asked for the administrations help with them. The four students are Mahmoud Khalil, Yunseo Chung, Mohsen Mahdawi and Leqaa Kordia, who were all detained for their roles in pro-Palestinian protests. Of the four, only Kordia remains in custody, although all cases are proceeding through the courts. Mayor Mamdani is absolutely right to call on President Trump to release Leqaa Kordia, the beloved daughter of an American citizen, Hamzah Abushaban, Kordias cousin, said in a statement. For nearly a year, my cousin Leqaa has been locked away in ICE detention, robbed of precious birthdays, holidays, and irreplaceable moments with her family. She has endured fear, isolation, and even suffered a seizure while trapped behind those walls. This is not justice. This is not humanity. By SEUNG MIN KIM Associated Press One windy morning in December 2024, teachers at Orange Vista High School rushed students into a line that stretched to the street. Southern California Edison had cut the power for parts of Riverside County to prevent its equipment from sparking a fire. Lessons ended. Classrooms went dark. And anxious parents in the Inland Empire city of Perris waited impatiently to greet their children. A month later, the school lost power again, days after the Eaton and Palisades fires to the northwest destroyed entire Los Angeles County neighborhoods. Orange Vista High was among at least five Riverside County school districts that reported closures during winter high winds in 2024 and 2025. Local school officials say the disruptions hit harder in economically disadvantaged districts, where families rely on critical services such as free meals and child care. Since 2012, the California Public Utilities Commission has authorized investor-owned utilities such as Edison to cut power during severe weather events to lower the risk of wildfires. The commission reviews every outage. Utilities may pay penalties as Edison did in this case if they dont notify ratepayers properly, or meet other standards. Edison says shutoffs are necessary to save lives and protect communities. Our mission really is to keep the power on when it is safe to do so, said spokesperson Jeff Monford. After the power shutoffs, the Val Verde Unified School District redirected $500,000 from the school facilities budget to buy battery storage units that could help Orange Vista High keep the lights on during future outages. But Garrick Owen, the districts assistant superintendent, said the money would be better spent fixing the grid itself. If I had a magic wand, would I spend all the money to harden our schools against power outages, or would I spend it to harden the actual infrastructure of the power lines to not have the power outages? he said. As climate change drives more extreme weather and more blackouts across California, the cost of adaptation is a growing bill schools say they cant pay alone. Low-income students lose out on services Because state funding to schools is based in part on student attendance, emergency events like power outages bring a financial risk. When a school closes for the day, or when attendance drops, that cuts into attendance numbers. Schools then can file a waiver request with the state Department of Education to protect their funding. Thats what happened at public schools throughout Riverside County during the 2024-25 school year, when smoke from nearby fires and high winds created problems. Eight school districts confirmed to CalMatters that they filed waiver requests with the state Department of Education in December 2024 and January 2025. Three districts Nuview Union, Perris Elementary and Perris Union High reported closures for at least one day each. Three more Banning Unified, Beaumont Unified and Jurupa Unified reported material decreases in attendance on high wind days. Two districts, San Jacinto Unified and Val Verde, reported both closures and low attendance days. According to the Val Verde district, three schools there lost a total of 13 days of instruction because of the wind events. Thats more than other Riverside County schools that confirmed filing waiver requests to CalMatters. Val Verde schools also reported lower attendance in September 2024, when smoke from the Bridge, Line and Airport fires spread to the region. After one chaotic day in December, Orange Vista High principal LaKrecia Graham said school administrators bought floodlights to help keep classes in session in case the power went out again. But when the next outage happened, so many worried parents picked up their children that the district decided to close anyway. It disrupts a lot of things and it puts people in a panic that I dont think is necessary, Graham said. And thats whats gonna keep happening. The lack of power isnt just an inconvenience. It can pose a safety risk for students, said Catalina Chrest, principal of Skyview Elementary School, also in Perris. Children may hurt themselves navigating dark rooms, or they can lose access to essential needs like water, heaters and air conditioning. Schools serve as community hubs. For low-income families and students with disabilities, losing access to them means more than a missed day of learning it means losing child supervision, free meals and critical support services. The meal they eat at school might be one of their most nutritious meals of the day, Chrest said. In the Perris Elementary School District, more than 90% of students are low-income. At Skyview Academy and Clearwater Elementary School, wind whistling through buildings made classrooms frigid. Bathrooms went completely dark. Parents told school staff that their food was spoiling at home. The outages impact our families greater than families in a more affluent neighborhood, said Perris Elementary School District superintendent Bruce Bivins. Utilities weigh harms and benefits When investor-owned utilities decide to turn the power off, the California Public Utilities Commission requires that they balance the potential harms against the benefits. Utilities regulated by the CPUC also must give notice before shutoffs and offer resources to make the outage easier on residents and schools. In Riverside County, school officials and teachers said delayed notice during the winter wind events made it difficult to prepare for the shutoffs. At Orange Vista High, Graham said the school received notice of a potential outage at a certain time, but it came earlier, so staff was unprepared. Paula Ford, assistant superintendent of business services at Jurupa Unified School District, said actually, we would receive a notice that the power was down maybe an hour after the power was already down. After the January shutoffs that darkened Riverside County schools, the CPUC fined Southern California Edison $7.8 million for violating notification requirements. Terrie Prosper, a CPUC spokesperson, says the commission is still investigating Edisons handling of the December shutoffs. She added the utilities commission is closely monitoring Edisons work to reduce power shutoffs. We understand that PSPS events can be disruptive for schools, she said. However, these actions are taken out of serious wildfire concerns. California has experienced devastating wildfires in recent years that have destroyed communities, closed schools for extended periods, and placed lives at risk. Southern California Edison did not comment on the penalty. Edison spokesperson Monford said that, when possible, notifications for public safety power shutoffs take place three days in advance. In some instances, we are unable to send advanced notifications due to emergent weather, Monford said. This was especially the case last winter, when we had extraordinarily new wind events. Monford added the utility offers assistance to help schools become more resilient to the power outages. But not all schools benefit from the help. The utility lends power generators to schools most affected by the power outages. He added the utility hopes to expand the program to lend battery storage systems. Edison also invited some districts, including the Jurupa Unified School District and San Jacinto School District, to daily emergency coordination calls, Monford said. Critics said the outages may end up causing more harm than the events theyre responding to. They put a lot of time and effort and money, which I do not begrudge at all, into the analytics of fire risk to calculate the risk of a wildfire actually starting in certain weather conditions, said Melissa Kasnitz, legal director for the Center for Accessible Technology. What they have not done is put any fraction of effort into evaluating the risk of what happens when you turn peoples power off. In response, Edison directed CalMatters to tools it uses to analyze shutoff risks, and to reports the utility has filed with regulators after incidents. Power outages bring a financial toll School administrators say its unfair for districts to carry the financial burden of a problem they didnt create. They also have to contend with a state education system that financially punishes districts for low attendance that results from emergencies out of their control. Districts with fewer resources like Perris Elementary School District cant afford generators and have to prioritize other needs. Bivins said the district looked into backup power but couldnt afford generators or battery storage. The district is smaller serving only elementary students so it obtains less funding than Val Verde Unified or other unified districts. Schools serving more low-income students also tend to see lower attendance rates, he said, meaning even less money coming in. With so many urgent needs competing for limited dollars, a generator that might only be used a few times a year doesnt make the cut. That could be better security on our campuses, more modernized facilities, better access to technology, or other things they can actually utilize right now versus the preparation for the possible one day this year (the power goes out), Bivins said. But even schools that can afford generators face hidden costs from the outages. In nearby Jurupa Valley, Peralta Elementary School was able to keep its doors open, the lights on and the heating and cooling systems running. The Jurupa Unified School District spent more than $364,000 on two generators each capable of powering an elementary school and is investing in infrastructure upgrades to make deploying them easier, Ford said. Because Peralta Elementary is in a high fire risk area surrounded by brush, Southern California Edison also loaned the school another generator through its pilot program. So far this year, the school hasnt needed to use it. Still, the outages take a financial toll. Even if schools are open, some parents keep children home costing the district attendance-based funding. Because we stayed open were actually impacted more heavily than schools that close, Ford said. To obtain a waiver from the state to protect funding from an emergency, schools have to submit paperwork signed by the school board and county superintendent explaining what happened, and certify they have a plan to keep students learning during the disruption. But the process is uncertain: Schools dont know how much funding theyll keep until the state reviews the waiver request and runs its own numbers. Ford said that more leniency on the conditions necessary to qualify for a waiver could help schools during emergency events. Bivins, the Perris Elementary Unified superintendent, said the state should fund schools based on enrollment, not attendance, so that emergencies dont threaten budgets. Michelle Hatfield, a spokesperson for the state Department of Education, said any changes to rules for how schools handle planned outages and any proposals to fund schools by enrollment rather than by attendance would require legislation. Even districts investing in backup power say they cant fully close the gap on their own. At Orange Vista High School, newly installed battery storage units will help keep the lights on during the next planned outage. Its all the Val Verde Unified District could do, said Owen, the assistant superintendent. But the battery storage systems dont really solve the broader problem. If a blackout happens at multiple schools over multiple days, we dont have a plan for that, he said. Equipping every school in the district with generators would probably cost millions. Its one of those numbers I dont need to know, because theres not gonna be that funding, Owen said. ___ Natasha Uzcategui-Liggett contributed reporting. ___ This story was originally published by CalMatters and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press. By ALEJANDRA REYES-VELARDE/CalMatters CalMatters JOHANNESBURG (AP) A group of South African nationals who were allegedly lured into fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine arrived at Durban airport on Wednesday. The 11 men arrived at the King Shaka International Airport and were ushered into the police station to be questioned about how they ended up on the front lines of the war in Ukraine. One of the men was taken off the aircraft in a wheelchair, while others carried their luggage in what appeared to be military-style bags. It brings to 15 the number of South Africans who have now returned to the country, with two others still in Russia. President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday that one of the men was still in hospital in Russia while another would travel once his travel documentation has been finalized. Police spokesperson Col. Katlego Mogale said last week that an investigation has been opened in connection with South African laws which prohibit any citizen from taking part in foreign conflicts without the authorization of the government. At least five people are being investigated in connection with the mens recruitment to Russia, including Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma. She has denied any wrongdoing but resigned as a lawmaker in South Africas parliament following the claims. Some of the men are said to be members of the Zuma family who were directly recruited by Zuma-Sambudla. Five people were arrested in December and now facing charges related to the mens recruitment and are due to appear in court in April. By MOGOMOTSI MAGOME Associated Press ROME (AP) Daniela Petroff, who helped shape The Associated Press fashion and Vatican coverage for nearly four decades with style, authority and wit, has died in Rome. She was 80. Petroff died Tuesday at home, where she was recovering from a fall, said her husband, Victor Simpson, the retired AP Rome bureau chief. Petroff worked for The Chicago Tribune and Time magazine in Rome before moving onto the AP as a Vatican reporter and Milan fashion correspondent. She launched what became a mainstay of the APs culture report, covering the four weeks of menswear and womenswear each year. In 1985, the Simpsons endured an unfathomable tragedy: Their 11-year-old daughter, Natasha, was killed during the Dec. 27, 1985, terrorist attack at Romes airport that also wounded Simpson and their son, Michael. When their youngest daughter, Debbie, was born two years later, Pope John Paul II called to congratulate Petroff. In announcing Petroffs death, Simpson wrote that she had gone to sleep after lunch and decided not to wake up, to finally embrace again her beloved Natasha. Led APs Milan fashion coverage Fluent in Italian, German, French and English, Petroff spearheaded APs Milan fashion coverage just as Giorgio Armani was becoming an international figure, setting the pace for other reporters with informative, succinct, fact-based dispatches that stayed away from opinion and reviews. She had a gift for putting the facts into kind of a very artful context, said Lisa Anderson, who covered Milan fashion for The Chicago Tribune for nearly a decade starting in the mid-1980s. She looked at that industry, which often takes itself too seriously, with a lot of amusement as well as respect, which is probably the right combination of qualities to approach fashion reporting. Petroffs last AP byline appeared in September, when her authoritative profile of Armani was published following the designers death. Starting with an unlined jacket, a simple pair of pants and an urban palette, Armani put Italian ready-to-wear style on the international fashion map in the late 1970s, creating an instantly recognizable relaxed silhouette that has propelled the fashion house for half a century, Petroff wrote. She covered the rise of Gianni Versace, Gucci in the Tom Ford era, Karl Lagerfeld at Fendi and the Missoni fashion dynasty, and often put her fashion knowledge and smart wordsmithing to work on the Vatican beat. In one 2014 story about Pope Francis new batch of cardinals, she mused: But with the slum pope now calling the sartorial shots, fashionistas and Vaticanistas are wondering how his new cardinals who hail from some of the poorest places on Earth, including Haiti, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast will dress themselves for their new role. In between those assignments, Petroff covered some of the biggest cultural events in Italy, including the 2003 reopening of Venices La Fenice opera house after a devastating fire. True to its namesake the phoenix, La Fenice has risen up from the ashes, she wrote at the reopening. Petroffs way with words caught the eye of The New York Times William Safire. In a 1993 On Language column, he quoted her describing how Italian fashion designers that season were interpreting the grunge trend. He said Petroff suggested that the winter woman would wear tattered jeans under a sable coat in an exhibition of drunge: midway between a dandy and a grunge. Early life in Paris, New York As an only child born in 1945 in Mecklenburg, Germany, Petroff grew up first in Paris and then New York, where she attended the all-girl Convent of the Sacred Heart Catholic school. Her family moved to Rome for Petroffs final two years of high school, which she completed at Marymount International School. After attending Manhattanville College in New York, Petroff returned to Rome and graduated from La Sapienza University with a degree in modern languages. In Rome, she soon met the new AP news editor, Victor Simpson. They were married in 1973. A childhood friend from New York, Gail Willett Bejarano, recalled ice-skating in Central Park, afterschool ice cream at Schraftts and pushing the rules with the nuns at Sacred Heart. While Petroff was a top student, she was also part of the posse of girls who would go to ogle the boys at nearby Loyola, hike your uniform up and put lipstick on, all forbidden, Bejarano recalled. After retiring from AP in 2017, Petroff dedicated herself to her alma mater, Marymount, where she served as chair of the board. A private funeral is scheduled Thursday. A memorial service is planned for Monday at Marymount. In addition to Simpson, Petroff is survived by her son, Michael, and daughter, Debbie. ___ Barry contributed from Milan. By NICOLE WINFIELD and COLLEEN BARRY Associated Press CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) At least two South Africans have died fighting for Russia in the war in Ukraine after being tricked into traveling there by a recruitment scheme, South Africas foreign minister said Thursday. It was the first time South African authorities had confirmed any of their citizens who were allegedly lured to Russia with false promises of employment or training opportunities had been killed in the war. Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola didnt name the two people who died or say when or where they had died, but the Foreign Ministry said their families had been informed. Lamolas announcement came after he traveled to the east coast city of Durban to visit the families of 11 South Africans who returned home on Wednesday after they were allegedly recruited last year in a scheme promising them security training in Russia and ended up involved in the conflict in Ukraine. Four men caught up in the same scheme had previously been repatriated, while two remained in Russia with severe injuries, Lamola said. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, a daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, is being investigated by police for alleged involvement in luring those 17 men to Russia. She denied any wrongdoing but resigned as a lawmaker in November over the allegations. She is one of at least five people under investigation for sending the men to Russia, according to South African authorities. Lamola said the two people who died were not connected to the group allegedly recruited by Zuma-Sambudla, but they were part of another recruitment drive or another scheme that took them there. The law must take its course, Lamola said regarding the cases of the 17 men who were allowed to leave the front lines in Ukraine after diplomatic negotiations between South Africa and Russia. Everyone who is involved in this scheme must be held accountable and there must be consequences. Ukraine has said it believes more than 1,700 Africans have been recruited to fight for Russia and several African nations have said some of their citizens have been tricked into fighting for Russia by offers of lucrative jobs or skills training. An intelligence report presented to parliament in Kenya last week said that 1,000 Kenyans were recruited to fight for Russia after being misled with false promises of jobs in the country before being sent to the front lines. The Kenyan government said that at least 89 Kenyans were still on the front line in Ukraine, 39 were hospitalized, 28 were missing in action, and others had returned home. It has confirmed one death. A man in Kenya was arrested and charged on Thursday with trafficking 25 Kenyans to Russia last year in an alleged scheme that duped them into fighting for Russia. Two Nigerians were killed late last year fighting for Russia, Ukraines intelligence agency said this month. The Democratic Alliance political party in South Africa said it had evidence in the form of around 100 WhatsApp messages showing that the South African men allegedly recruited by Zuma-Sambudla were promised security training and the chance of gaining Russian or Canadian citizenship. But their passports and clothing were burned when they arrived in Russia, their cellphones were confiscated, and they were sent to the Donetsk region of Ukraine to fight as part of the Russian forces, the Democratic Alliance said. Russias recruitment network has spread to other continents. An Associated Press investigation in January found that workers in Bangladesh were lured to Russia under the false promise of civilian work, only to be thrust into the chaos of combat in Ukraine. Many were threatened with violence, imprisonment or death. Another AP investigation in 2024 found that African women were also duped into being part of the Russian war effort and sent to work in a factory assembling attack drones to be used against Ukraine. They were lured by social media adverts offering work-study programs. The Russia-Ukraine war marked its four-year anniversary this week and Russia has been seeking to replenish its forces, partly by recruiting fighters from other countries. ___ AP coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine By GERALD IMRAY Associated Press KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Kabul and two other Afghan provinces early Friday, Afghanistans government spokesperson said, hours after Afghanistan launched a cross-border attack on Pakistan in the latest escalation of violence between the neighboring countries that made a Qatar-mediated ceasefire appear increasingly shaky. At least three explosions were heard in Kabul, but there was no immediate information on the exact location of the strikes in the Afghan capital, or of any potential casualties. Government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistan also carried out airstrikes in Kandahar to the south and in the southeastern province of Paktia. Two senior Pakistani security officials told The Associated Press that Pakistans military carried out airstrikes targeting what they described as Afghan military facilities in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia provinces, allegedly destroying two brigade bases, but they didnt mention any potential casualties. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to media on the record. Afghanistan said its military launched its attack across the border into Pakistan late Thursday in retaliation for deadly Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan border areas Sunday, and claimed to have captured more than a dozen Pakistani army posts. Pakistans government, which had described last Sundays airstrikes as an attack on militants harbored in the area, described Thursdays Afghan attack as unprovoked, and dismissed claims that army posts had been captured. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to media on the record. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urges both sides to protect civilians as required under international law and to continue to seek to resolve any differences through diplomacy, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said. Afghan strikes were retaliatory In response to the repeated rebellions and insurrections of the Pakistani military, large-scale offensive operations were launched against Pakistani military bases and military installations along the Durand Line, Mujahid said in a post on X Thursday night. Afghanistans Defense Ministry said the retaliatory attacks occurred along the border in six provinces. The two countries 2,611-kilometer (1,622-mile) long border is known as the Durand Line, which Afghanistan has not formally recognized. Differing casualty figures The two sides reported widely differing casualty figures. Afghanistans Defense Ministry said 55 Pakistani soldiers had been killed, including some whose bodies had been taken into Afghanistan, while several others were captured alive. It put its own casualties at eight killed and another 11 wounded. The ministry said it had destroyed 19 Pakistani army posts and two bases, and that the fighting had ended at midnight, about four hours after the start of the attack. Pakistans Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, however, said the number of Pakistani soldiers killed stood at two, with three others wounded. He said 36 Afghan fighters had been reported killed. In a post on X, he said Pakistan was giving a strong and effective response to what he called unprovoked firing from Afghanistan. Mosharraf Ali Zaidi, spokesperson for Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, denied that any Pakistani soldiers had been captured. Later, in a post on X, he added that at least 133 Afghan fighters were killed and more than 200 wounded, saying that 27 Afghani posts were also destroyed and nine fighters were captured. He didnt specify where the victims died, and just added that there would be many more casualties estimated in strikes in Kabul, Paktia and Kandahar military targets. Refugee camp hit Both sides also reported exchanges of fire in the Torkham border area. Afghan authorities were evacuating a refugee camp near the Torkham border crossing after several refugees were wounded, said Qureshi Badlon, head of Torkhams Information and Public Awareness Board. The Defense Ministry said 13 civilians were wounded in a missile strike on the camp, including women and children. On the Pakistani side of the border, police said residents were also evacuating to safer areas, while some Afghan refugees who had been waiting to cross back into Afghanistan were also moved to secure locations. Pakistan launched a sweeping crackdown on migrants in October 2023 and has expelled hundreds of thousands of people. Pakistani police said mortars fired from Afghanistan had landed in nearby villages, but there were no reports of civilian casualties. Pakistan will take all necessary measures to ensure its territorial integrity and the safety and security of its citizens, Pakistans Information Ministry said in a post on X. Afghanistans military released video footage of military vehicles moving at night, and the sound of heavy gunfire. The video could not be independently verified. Months of tension Tension has been high between the two neighbors for months, with deadly border clashes in October killing dozens of soldiers, civilians and suspected militants. The violence followed explosions in Kabul that Afghan officials blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad, at the time, conducted strikes deep inside Afghanistan to target militant hideouts. A Qatari-mediated ceasefire between the two countries has largely held, but the two sides have still occasionally traded fire across the border. Several rounds of peace talks in November failed to produce a formal agreement. On Sunday, Pakistans military carried out strikes along the border with Afghanistan, saying it had killed at least 70 militants. Afghanistan rejected the claim, saying dozens of civilians had been killed, including women and children. The Defense Ministry said various civilian areas in eastern Afghanistan had been hit, including a religious madrassa and several homes. The ministry said the strikes were a violation of Afghanistans airspace and sovereignty. Militant violence has surged in Pakistan in recent years, much of which Pakistan blames on the Pakistani Taliban, or TTP, and outlawed Baloch separatist groups. The TTP is separate from but closely allied with Afghanistans Taliban. Islamabad accuses the TTP of operating from inside Afghanistan, a charge both the group and Kabul deny. ___ Ahmed contributed from Islamabad, Pakistan. Associated Press writers Riaz Khan and Rasool Dawar in Peshawar, Pakistan and Elena Becatoros in Athens, Greece also contributed. By ABDUL QAHAR AFGHAN and MUNIR AHMED Associated Press Dr. Joyce Kithure, the Second Lady and spouse of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, is calling on education stakeholders to ensure every child has access to quality learning as a foundation for a productive life. Speaking in Suba North, Homa Bay County, Dr. Kithure urged a collaborative effort between parents, teachers, and the government to nurture a generation of capable and responsible citizens. The Second Lady, a senior lecturer at the University of Nairobi, championed education as a transformative tool during a fundraiser at Obalwanda Comprehensive School on Tuesday. The event aimed to raise funds for the construction of modern classrooms and a state-of-the-art science laboratory. Empowering the Next Generation During her address, Dr. Kithure reached out to parents and guardians, urging them to stay active in their childrens academic journeys. She noted that strong partnerships between home and school are essential for instilling the values of discipline and a genuine love for learning. Let us ensure that no child is left behind due to neglect, discouragement, or lack of support, she urged. Dr. Kithure also spoke directly to the students, describing education as the greatest equalizer. She challenged them to remain focused and maintain high levels of integrity as they pursue their dreams. I encourage you to remain focused on your studies. Education is your greatest equalizer. Be disciplined, curious, and determined. Respect your teachers, use your time wisely, and believe in your ability to succeed. Hard work and integrity will always open doors for you, Dr. Kithure said. SaVE Communities: Bridging Science and Society Dr. Kithures advocacy extends beyond the classroom through her Science Adding Value to the Environment and the Communities (SaVE) project. This initiative seeks to move scientific research out of laboratories and into the heart of Kenyan communities to solve real-world problems. The SaVE Communities project currently impacts several key areas: Education Support: Providing schools with water tanks to facilitate rainwater harvesting. Food Security: Delivering food relief to vulnerable populations. Climate Action: Partnering with farmers to adopt climate-smart agriculture and leading regional tree-planting campaigns for environmental sustainability. SaVE Communities is already in the process of supporting vulnerable communities through food relief by providing water tanks to schools to enable rainwater harvesting, and we are also working with farmers to promote climate-smart agriculture by advising on suitable crops and smart farming practices in response to the harsh climate challenges we are facing. We have also continued to plant trees across various regions as part of our commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability, Dr. Kithure stated. Investing in the Future of STEM The planned science laboratory at Obalwanda Comprehensive School fits perfectly within Dr. Kithures vision for promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). She believes that hands-on learning environments are critical for preparing students to navigate a competitive, tech-driven global economy. When we invest in classrooms, laboratories, and safe learning spaces, we invest in the future of our children and the future of our nation, she remarked. She added that such infrastructure will nurture curiosity, innovation, and problem-solving skills among learners. By integrating infrastructure development with practical initiatives like climate-smart farming and water conservation, Dr. Kithure aims to cultivate a generation that views science not as abstract theory but as a practical tool for transforming livelihoods. The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has officially unveiled the six applicants vying to join the Supreme Court of Kenya. This high-stakes recruitment process seeks to fill the void left by the late Justice Mohamed Khadhar Ibrahim, who passed away on December 17, 2025. In a public notice released on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, the JSC confirmed that the application window, which opened on January 27, attracted a competitive pool of senior jurists and legal practitioners by its February 17 deadline. Meet the Applicants The shortlist features a blend of seasoned appellate judges and prominent legal professionals: Justice Joseph Kiplagat Sergon Justice Warsame Abdulahi Mohammed Justice Joseph Kipchumba Kigen Katwa Justice Francis Kipruto Tuiyott Anne Waceke Kiratu Makori (Former IPOA Chairperson) Lilian Wanjiku Wachira Four of these candidates currently serve on the Court of Appeal, highlighting the depth of judicial experience seeking a seat on the countrys highest court. Spotlight on the Candidates Among the notable names is Justice Katwa Kigen, a relatively recent addition to the appellate bench. President William Ruto appointed Kigen to the Court of Appeal on January 27, 2026, the same day the Supreme Court vacancy was advertised. Shortly after his swearing-in, Chief Justice Martha Koome assigned him to the Nyeri station. Kigen is well-known for his past role as a defense lawyer for President Ruto in various high-profile legal battles, including at the International Criminal Court and in the 2022 presidential election petition. The list also includes Anne Makori, who recently completed her tenure as the Chairperson of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), adding a unique perspective from outside the active judiciary. The Path Forward: Stakeholder Engagement The JSC is now moving into the vetting phase to ensure the successful candidate meets the rigorous integrity and professional standards required of a Supreme Court judge. The Commission plans to undertake a stakeholder engagement on 23rd March, 2026, ahead of the shortlisting process and thereafter will provide a notification of interview dates for shortlisted candidates. The venue for the stakeholders meeting will be communicated, the JSC stated. Following the upcoming interviews, the Commission will recommend a single name to the President for appointment, subject to approval by the National Assembly. Once the new judge takes the oath of office, the Supreme Court will return to its full constitutional complement of seven judges. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has sounded the alarm over a spike in vigilantism, revealing that Kenya has recorded 845 mob justice incidents since January 2025. Appearing before the Senate during a plenary session, Murkomen detailed a grim landscape of lawlessness that has already claimed 579 lives and left 266 others with serious injuries. The statistics highlight a brutal trend of instant justice that bypasses formal legal structures, often resulting in public humiliation and fatal violence before any investigation can occur. Kiambu and Nairobi Lead in Rising Violence The data paints a sobering picture of urban and peri-urban insecurity. Kiambu County currently holds the highest number of reported cases at 90, resulting in 58 deaths. Nairobi follows closely with 85 incidents and 55 fatalities. Other regions facing significant surges include: Embu: 51 cases (33 deaths) Kisumu: 45 cases (36 deaths) Kirinyaga: 39 cases (28 deaths) Kakamega: 32 cases (19 deaths) In stark contrast, counties such as Marsabit, Taita Taveta, and Tana River reported only a single incident each, though all three cases ended in fatalities. Why is Vigilantism on the Rise? Responding to concerns raised by Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, Murkomen identified a deep-seated mistrust in the criminal justice system as a primary driver of the violence. Many citizens perceive the courts and police as slow or biased, leading them to bypass the law entirely. The release of suspects often reinforces the perception that the justice system is ineffective, prompting communities to take the law into their own hands, Murkomen told senators. The Cabinet Secretary also pointed to the dangerous role of social media. He noted that the spread of instant justice videos encourages copycat behavior, making extreme violence seem like a socially acceptable way to resolve disputes. Furthermore, the abuse of hard drugs continues to impair judgment, fueling impulsive and lethal mob actions. Government Strategy: Hotlines and Rapid Response To curb the bloodshed, the Ministry of Interior has rolled out a multi-agency strategy focused on education and technology. National government officers are currently training the public on the legal necessity of surrendering suspects to the police rather than attacking them. Key measures currently in place include: Emergency Standby Teams: Every police station must now maintain a dedicated team ready to intervene in mob justice situations. The IC3 System: Police are expanding the use of the Integrated Command, Control, and Communication system to decrease response times. Anonymous Reporting: The public is encouraged to use the Fichua kwa DCI hotline (0800 722 203) to report suspicious activity before it escalates into violence. A Plea for the Rule of Law Murkomen cautioned that while public frustration is evident, vigilantism creates a cycle of violence that often claims the lives of innocent people. He urged Kenyans to work with law enforcement rather than undermining the very systems meant to protect them. Concerns have been raised over the rising incidents of mob justice. These cases often involve violent attacks, public humiliation, and, in some instances, fatalities before suspects can be formally investigated or prosecuted, he stated. The era of manual traffic policing in Kenya is making way for a high-tech future. In a major move to curb road carnage and instill driver discipline, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has announced a massive Sh42 billion rollout of 1,000 smart speed cameras and a nationwide instant digital fines system. The initiative, detailed in a public notice dated February 24, 2026, stems from a 21-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) involving the NTSA, KCB Bank Kenya Limited, and Pesa Print Limited. This technology-driven strategy seeks to eliminate weak enforcement and reckless driving, factors the authority noted have contributed to a steady rise in traffic deaths. A 24/7 Surveillance Network The NTSA plans to blanket the countrys road network with sophisticated monitoring tools. The deployment includes 700 fixed speed cameras positioned along major highways and high-risk blackspots, supported by 300 mobile units for flexible, targeted operations. All 1,000 cameras will feed data directly into a National Command and Control Centre. This hub enables real-time monitoring, automated offense detection, and the immediate issuance of fines to violators. By automating the process, the NTSA expects to reduce corruption by minimizing direct contact between motorists and enforcement officers. How the Instant Fine System Works Under the new framework, motorists will no longer need to visit police stations or courts for minor infractions. The system aligns with the Traffic (Minor Offenses) Rules, 2016, and operates through a seamless digital loop: Detection: Cameras or officers identify a violation. Notification: The offender receives an instant SMS or mobile platform alert. Payment: Fines are settled via mobile money, USSD, or banking channels. Tracking: The system links to a Mobile Driving License (MDL) wallet, allowing drivers to view their offense history and compliance record. A standout feature is the introduction of a driver merit and demerit points system. This tool tracks repeat offenders, providing a data-driven method to encourage long-term behavioral change. The Cost of Non-Compliance: Key Fines The NTSA is targeting speeding, a leading cause of fatalities, with a tiered penalty structure. If you exceed the limit in a 50 kph zone or other restricted areas, the costs escalate quickly: Speed Over Limit Fine Amount 610 km/h Sh500 1115 km/h Sh3,000 1620 km/h Sh10,000 Beyond speeding, the authority has listed a wide array of instant fines for other common violations: Documentation & Plates: Driving without number plates or a valid inspection certificate will cost Sh10,000 . Failing to carry or renew a drivers license attracts a Sh1,000 fine. General Conduct: Using a mobile phone while driving results in a Sh2,000 penalty, while ignoring a police officers directions costs Sh3,000 . Obstruction: Causing a road obstruction carries a heavy Sh10,000 fine. Failing to use reflective lifesaver triangles during a breakdown will cost you Sh3,000 . Safety Gear: Riding a motorcycle without protective gear or carrying more than one pillion passenger results in a Sh1,000 fine. Strict Discipline for the PSV Sector Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operators face particularly stringent oversight. To restore order to the matatu industry, the NTSA has set clear penalties for both crews and passengers: Picking/Dropping Passengers: Drivers doing so outside designated stages face a Sh3,000 fine, while passengers boarding at unauthorized points will pay Sh1,000 . Uniforms & Conduct: PSV drivers failing to wear badges or uniforms face a Sh2,000 penalty. Touting or failing to refund fares for incomplete journeys costs Sh3,000 . Vehicle Standards: Operating a PSV without a speed governor or having non-compliant tinted windows results in fines of Sh10,000 and Sh3,000, respectively. Efficiency and Accountability The Sh42 billion project received Cabinet approval in late 2025 and is expected to significantly ease congestion in the Kenyan court system. By handling minor offenses administratively, the judiciary can focus on serious criminal cases and major accident litigations. While Pesa Print manages the infrastructure and connectivity, the NTSA retains full enforcement authority. At the end of the 21-year contract, the entire camera and digital infrastructure will transfer fully to the government. This move signals a new era of accountability for private motorists, matatu operators, and commercial drivers alike, as the government bets on technology to make Kenyas roads safer for everyone. The National Assembly has officially approved the appointment of Canon Dr. Ida Odinga as Kenyas Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This confirmation marks a significant step for the Nairobi-based UN agency, as the country prepares to project its environmental agenda on the global stage. The Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations, led by Belgut MP Nelson Koech, tabled the endorsement on Tuesday. During the Wednesday plenary sitting, lawmakers formally voted to confirm her nomination, citing her long-standing record of leadership and integrity. This House approves the appointment of Canon Dr Ida Odinga as the permanent representative at UNEP, Koech announced while presenting the committees report. A Legacy of Environmental Advocacy During her vetting process, Dr. Ida Odinga drew on her extensive history in sustainability and civil society. She reminded the committee of her work alongside the late Nobel Laureate Prof. Wangari Maathai, pledging to continue that legacy of environmental protection. Kenya and Africa are emerging as global leaders in climate action through frameworks such as the National Climate Change Action Plan (20232027), Dr. Ida noted, signaling her readiness to champion Kenyas strategic interests within the UN framework. The committee highlighted her ability to link environmental sustainability with socio-economic development. According to the report, her background in education, health, and nutrition allows her to approach the UNEP mandate through a multifaceted lens that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Diplomacy and Global Leadership Dr. Ida pointed to her experience founding the League of Kenya Women Voters and her work with the Ida Odinga Trust as evidence of her negotiation and consensus-building skills. She believes these tools remain essential for the world of multilateral diplomacy. She also underscored the strategic importance of Nairobi hosting a United Nations headquarters. UNEP remains the only UN headquarters located in the Global South and domiciled in Nairobi. We must leverage that position to enhance Kenyas leadership in environmental governance, she told the committee. Strategic Priorities at UNEP As she moves into the role, Dr. Ida has committed to several key initiatives: Resolution Implementation: Strengthening collaboration to ensure that resolutions from the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) become reality. Resource Mobilization: Addressing the agencys resource constraints by working with diverse international teams to find innovative solutions. National Alignment: Ensuring that UNEPs global goals remain consistent with Kenyas own development priorities. The committee report concluded that the nominee demonstrated a deep appreciation for integrated approaches that improve livelihoods while protecting the planet. With parliamentary approval now secured, Dr. Ida Odinga is set to represent Kenya at one of the worlds most influential environmental bodies. The Office of the Permanent Representative, which operates under the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, advances Kenyas foreign policy objectives at UNEP. The office represents the Head of State at official functions, oversees the management of the mission, and ensures accountability in the use of mission funds. In a startling revelation to Parliament, State House Comptroller Katoo Ole Metito informed lawmakers that private individuals have seized land belonging to several State Houses and State Lodges across the country. This systemic encroachment has not only stalled critical renovation works but has also sparked serious national security concerns among legislators. Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security, Metito detailed a complex battle to reclaim government property from unauthorized occupants. He noted that land grabbers have laid claim to hundreds of acres, disrupting the management of these high-security facilities. A Nationwide Recovery Effort The government has already initiated a one-by-one recovery process to oust illegal settlers and developers. Metito confirmed that the state recently recovered 100 acres in Kakamega County and successfully repossessed land in Eldoret. Almost all these State Lodges and State Houses their land was really encroached, so it is a process. We are trying one by one. Even the Eldoret one we did, we had to repossess it from the club, Metito told the committee. The comptroller indicated that the recovery team will now shift its focus toward Nakuru and Kisumu counties, where encroachment has reached critical levels. Security Risks and Multi-Storey Threats Members of Parliament expressed disbelief over how private individuals managed to seize such sensitive public land. Committee Chairman Gabriel Tongoyo highlighted a particularly brazen instance in Kisumu, where a local politician allegedly occupied government property. When we went to Kisumu, despite some renovations that have taken place, there was a lot of land dispute. It is being said that part of State Lodge has been taken up by the county government; actually, one house was occupied by a nominated MCA, Tongoyo remarked. Beyond the loss of land, lawmakers raised the alarm over the rapid construction of multi-storey buildings adjacent to state houses. They warned that these high-rise developments could provide vantage points that compromise the safety of the president and visiting dignitaries. In a swift move, the committee ordered an immediate halt to the construction of a high-rise building neighboring the State House in Nakuru. Budgetary Demands and Infrastructure Projects The land disputes come at a time when the State House is seeking a significant budget increase. While the Treasury allocated KSh11 billion, Metito is pushing for the full KSh20 billion originally proposed for the upcoming financial year. Defending the request, the comptroller pointed to the high costs associated with hosting national celebrations outside the capital and the ongoing maintenance of 13 development projects across various lodges. On average, we spend KSh123 million per function, and the minimum number of guests is 4,500. So when you talk of costs of tents, food, you know he explained to the MPs. Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has stepped into the center of a brewing national debate, defending the right of state officers to remain active in political spheres while serving in the Cabinet. As the country looks toward the 2027 elections, Wandayi argues that holding a ministerial position does not strip a citizen of their fundamental political freedoms. The CS clarified his own standing, noting that while he resigned as ODMs secretary for political affairs, a role he held for nearly a decade, he remains a devoted life member of the party. I have no capacity to speak officially on behalf of the party, but I am a quintessential party member. I continue to participate actively in ODM affairs, Wandayi said. Constitutional Rights and the Conflict of Interest Act Wandayi dismissed the notion that Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) must remain entirely apolitical as a misconception. He pointed to Article 38 of the Constitution, which guarantees every Kenyan the right to belong to a political party, even while performing ministerial duties. The constitution recognises that CSs are also citizens with rights to association and political engagement, Wandayi explained. These rights cannot be limited except under specific contexts outlined in the law. He further anchored his argument in the Conflict of Interest Act, enacted in 2025. According to Wandayi, the Act specifically allows CSs and County Executive Committee members to participate in political activities while maintaining restrictions for other appointed officials. There is nothing out of the ordinary in a Cabinet Secretary participating in political activities. Participating in party activities does not interfere with my ability to serve all citizens equally, he added. Policy Communication vs. Partisan Campaigning Addressing concerns that political leanings might cloud government duties, Wandayi argued that his primary responsibility involves communicating the Executives agenda to the public. He believes that explaining the governments progress under President William Ruto is a core part of his job. I must explain to Kenyans what the government under President William Ruto is doing, what it has achieved, and what it intends to do, Wandayi said. He suggested that when a government delivers on its promises, simply stating those facts might naturally sway voters, a result he views as logical rather than problematic. If the government delivers on its objectives, explaining these achievements may naturally influence voters. There is no contradiction in doing this while serving in Cabinet, he noted. Looking Ahead to 2027 As political temperature rises ahead of the next general election, Wandayis stance challenges the traditional view of a neutral civil service. He maintains that legal frameworks support a more integrated approach where leadership and party loyalty coexist. Being a Cabinet Secretary and participating in party affairs is not mutually exclusive. The law and the constitution make this clear, Wandayi concluded. Individuals named Cullo are typically perceived as possessing strong protective instincts and unwavering loyalty, much like the hound symbolism embedded in the name's etymology. They often demonstrate fierce determination in pursuing their goals and show remarkable resilience when facing challenges. These personalities tend to be deeply committed to their family and community, acting as natural guardians who prioritize the safety and well-being of those in their care. Their strong sense of duty is balanced by an intuitive understanding of social dynamics, allowing them to navigate complex situations with both strength and wisdom. While they can be formidable when provoked, their default nature is typically calm and observant, watching over their domain with quiet vigilance until action becomes necessary. This combination of protective instinct and strategic patience makes them natural leaders in situations requiring both courage and judgment, often earning them respect through consistent reliability rather than overt displays of power. Individuals named Rikkard are typically perceived as natural leaders with strong determination and strategic thinking abilities. They often exhibit confidence, resilience, and a commanding presence that inspires respect from others. Their analytical minds combined with practical problem-solving skills make them effective in leadership positions where decisive action is required. Rikkards tend to be ambitious yet principled, balancing their drive for success with a strong sense of responsibility and loyalty to those they lead. Beyond their leadership qualities, Rikkards are often characterized by their reliability and deep sense of honor. They approach challenges with methodical precision and are known for their ability to remain calm under pressure. While they may appear reserved initially, they possess deep emotional intelligence and form lasting, meaningful relationships based on trust and mutual respect. Their combination of strength and sensitivity makes them both formidable leaders and reliable companions, capable of both making tough decisions and showing genuine compassion when needed. This balance of traits often leads them to success in fields requiring both strategic thinking and interpersonal skills. I finally feel like I have permission to slow down and ask myself what I actually want. That comment from one student captures the sentiments of many who participate in Emory ADVANCE an immersive experience offered through the Emory Purpose Project that invites students to step away from their busy schedules and into a structured space for reflection, honest conversation and intentional growth. Launched in 2024, Emory ADVANCE operates on a simple but powerful premise: College moves fast, but meaning develops when people have time and support to pause, examine their lives and connect daily choices to what matters most. Any Emory undergraduate students, including those at Oxford College, can apply to participate. The most recent program was at Camp Mikell in Toccoa, Georgia, before spring semester classes began. For one transformative week, participants traded academic work for something equally rigorous: turning their attention towards purposeful self-reflection, says Ira Bedzow, director of the Emory Purpose Project and a core faculty member in the Emory Center for Ethics. Many students arrived describing how they feel pulled in multiple directions academically, socially and professionally. They came hoping the program might help them reconnect with their own priorities, find tools for better decision-making, or simply create space to think deeply without the pressure of deadlines. Participants engage in guided reflection exercises, small-group dialogues and experiential activities designed to integrate intellectual, emotional and embodied learning. Rather than treating purpose as an abstract concept, students practice noticing how their habits, attention and relationships shape their choices and how they see whats possible for themselves. Conversations move fluidly between life's big questions, such as What is worth wanting? Why do I want my life to be a certain way? and practical ones about how we spend our time, manage stress and develop a stronger sense of belonging. I left with a clearer sense of my why, a deeper respect for intentional listening and a renewed commitment to live openly with purpose, says Logan Dross, a senior majoring in philosophy, politics and law while also earning a minor in ethics. Purpose is no longer abstract or aspirational; it is something I actively choose. It shows up in how I structure my time, how I protect space for play, how I engage in relationships and how I approach my work. The building blocks of my life remained the same, but the intention behind them has shifted, Dross adds, and that shift has made all the difference. Community is the heart of the experience, according to participant surveys. Students consistently note that Emory ADVANCE creates an environment where honesty and vulnerability feel safe. Through facilitated dialogue circles and partner exercises, students share their experiences of anxiety, uncertainty, ambition and hope. Hearing others, including ADVANCE facilitators, articulate similar struggles helps normalize challenges while building mutual support. Many students arrive feeling overwhelmed by stress, social comparison, fear of failure and pressure to perform, says Bedzow, who also is an associate professor in the Emory School of Medicine and Goizueta Business School. By the end of the program, students consistently report increased self-awareness, stronger relational skills and a reframed understanding of purpose not as a distant goal, but as something practiced through everyday choices. Students say they have gained clearer language for their values, greater awareness of how attention and habits influence well-being and a stronger sense of agency in shaping their lives. Many describe feeling more grounded and less reactive. Some say they feel better equipped to navigate pressure and to be more intentional about relationships. Perhaps most meaningful is that participants forge friendships that deepen their sense of belonging on campus. I wanted to meet Emory students outside of my major and classes in a new, unique context, says Raasikh Kanjiani, an Emory senior studying computer science and math. In just one week at ADVANCE, I made new friends, learned more about myself and others, and left with a new set of skills and sense of self. I left with more maturity, personal growth and a more positive mindset. In an age of inescapable social media influence, procrastination and rapid change, this is priceless. By combining reflection, dialogue and experiential learning, ADVANCE demonstrates how structured pauses within the academic calendar can be transformative, Bedzow says. For participants, this wasnt time away from learning, it was learning how to live their education more fully. ATLANTA As a leading research institution and well-established academic medical center, Emory University continues to advance science, innovation and clinical care through essential research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). According to the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research (BRIMR), an independent, non-profit organization, Emory received more than $511 million in NIH funding in 2025. The increase moved Emory to No. 17 for overall institutional research funding from the NIH when compared to peers across the nation, up from No. 19 last year. BRIMR publishes rankings of U.S. academic institutions and health care systems each February, based on the research funding they received from the NIH the prior year. Additionally, Emorys three health sciences schools all placed in the top 20 in the nation in their respective categories for NIH funding, with two in the top 5. School of Nursing: No. 3 School of Public Health: No. 4 School of Medicine: No. 16 These rankings demonstrate Emorys commitment across the university to advance research excellence, including our ability to translate scientific findings into better health outcomes, says Adam Marcus, PhD, senior vice president for research at Emory University. NIH funding is critical to strengthen and elevate our research enterprise and foster innovative collaboration across schools and disciplines. Emory School of Medicine has more than a dozen departments in the top 20 for NIH funding, including four in the top 10. Those departments in the top 10 include: Pediatrics: No. 3 Biomedical Engineering and Biomedical Informatics: No. 5 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine: No. 5 Urology: No. 10 The School of Medicine funding total also includes funding to investigators in Emory National Primate Research Center. Visit the BRIMR website to see a complete list of the 2025 Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research rankings for NIH funding. A recent ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States striking down tariff measures introduced under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) is expected to be positive for emerging market (EM) economies, including India, and could cushion the Indian rupee from weakness against the US dollar, according to a report by JM Financial. The report stated that the court's decision will create a more predictable global trade environment, reducing the influence of tariff weaponisation on international trade activity. This development is expected to support EM economies, including India. "The court ruling will be positive for EM economies, including India, as trade activity hereon will not be influenced by weaponisation of tariffs; moreover, policy uncertainty will increase in the US in the near term," the report noted. The Supreme Court of the United States, in a 6-3 majority ruling, struck down tariff measures introduced by President Donald Trump under IEEPA. The decision is seen as a key development in global trade dynamics, as it removes a major source of uncertainty related to tariff imposition. Following the ruling, President Trump invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act to impose a 10 per cent temporary global tariff, which was later revised to 15 per cent, positioning it as an immediate substitute for the invalidated existing duties. JM Financial said the original court ruling would help create a predictable trade environment, benefiting emerging market economies. "We believe that the court ruling in its original form would create a predictable environment as far as the global trade practices are concerned, benefitting emerging market economies, including India," the report stated. However, the report cautioned that the benefits could be reduced if alternative tariff measures are implemented. "If the Trump administration circumvents the court's decision, then the benefit flowing to the EM economies will significantly reduce," it added. The report highlighted that, as per Budget Lab, the average tariff on imports was around 16 per cent before the court's ruling, which is expected to reduce to around 9 per cent following the decision. However, if duties are imposed through alternative routes, the average tariff rate could increase to around 14 per cent. The report also noted that policy uncertainty in the US could increase in the near term, which may impact global financial markets and trade flows. It further said that uncertainty surrounding US growth and debt concerns could increase demand for safe-haven assets such as gold. At the same time, pressure on the US dollar due to weakening growth concerns could cushion emerging market currencies, including the Indian rupee. So the report outlined that the court ruling is expected to support emerging market economies by improving predictability in global trade, although the final impact will depend on further policy actions by the US administration. (ANI) VMPL New Delhi [India], February 26: Uncle Peter's Pancakes, one of India's fastest-growing dessert QSR brand owned by Bogmalo Foods and Hospitality Pvt Ltd, marked the second edition of its National Pancake Day with record-breaking participation across the country. The celebration drew more than 50,000 footfalls across 110+ outlets spread over 45 cities, further strengthening the brand's position in India's fast-evolving dessert cafe segment. Building on the momentum of its inaugural edition last year, this year's National Pancake Day turned into a nationwide celebration of indulgence and community. Most outlets recorded 3-4x higher pancake sales compared to a normal business day, reflecting strong consumer enthusiasm and the growing popularity of the brand's signature offerings. Customers across India visited Uncle Peter's Pancakes outlets to indulge in a specially curated festive menu featuring crowd favorites such as Nutella Pancakes, Tiramisu Pancakes, Death By Chocolate Pancakes, and Fresh Fruit Pancakes. The celebration also spotlighted bestselling waffle varieties including the Triple Chocolate Waffle and Nutella Waffle, offering guests a complete dessert experience tailored to families, young consumers, and dessert lovers. A major highlight of the campaign was its digital-first initiative titled #IConfesstAtUPP. Designed to blend social media engagement with in-store participation, the campaign encouraged customers to share their sweetest dessert confessions online and at outlets. The response was overwhelming, generating strong digital traction while driving significant offline footfalls across cities. "Titled #IConfesstAtUPP, the campaign has far surpassed expectations--evolving beyond a traditional product promotion into a powerful, immersive brand experience. Seeing strong digital engagement seamlessly translate into meaningful offline footfalls across outlets has made this journey both impactful and inspiring," said the Marketing Executive at Uncle Peter's Pancakes. Founded in 2019 by Sundeep Singh and Akashdeep Dan, Uncle Peter's Pancakes has rapidly expanded to over 110 outlets across PAN India in just a few years. The brand has carved a niche for itself as a youth-focused dessert destination known for innovative flavors, vibrant store formats, and accessible pricing. Its ability to consistently introduce experiential campaigns has helped build a loyal and growing customer base across metros and emerging cities alike. The second edition of National Pancake Day was executed simultaneously across all participating outlets, featuring special in-store decor, limited-time celebrations, and interactive engagement elements. The coordinated national rollout reinforced brand recall while positioning National Pancake Day as a marquee annual property for the company. Looking ahead, Uncle Peter's Pancakes is gearing up for aggressive expansion. The company aims to scale its network to 200 outlets by the end of this year, further strengthening its footprint across key markets in India. With rising demand for experiential dessert destinations and growing consumer affinity toward themed food celebrations, the brand is poised to accelerate its growth trajectory. As the curtains fall on the second edition of National Pancake Day, the record footfalls, significant spike in sales, and widespread digital engagement signal that the celebration has firmly established itself as a much-anticipated annual event. For Uncle Peter's Pancakes, the journey from a single brand idea in 2019 to a nationwide dessert phenomenon continues to gather momentum, one pancake at a time. (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.) Employees are the true brand ambassadors of any company, and the Human Resources department plays a crucial role in implementing progressive policies within an organisation, said Telangana's Labour, Employment, Mines and Geology Minister Dr G Vivek Venkatswamy. He stated that employee satisfaction directly contributes to improved productivity. The Minister was speaking at the 3rd HR Summit organised by ASSOCHAM at HICC Novotel on Thursday. Expressing his happiness at attending the event, Dr Vivek said it felt like reconnecting with industry leaders, recalling his tenure as President of CII in the past. He noted that his father, Kaka Venkatswamy, had served as Labour Minister in united Andhra Pradesh and later in the Union Government. He recollected that earlier there were numerous HR-related challenges, including wage issues and labour concerns, but significant transformation has taken place over the years. He observed that while HR departments were not considered highly significant in earlier times, they have now evolved into one of the most crucial wings of any organisation. Treating employees well and ensuring optimal output is the responsibility of both managements and HR departments, he said. Retaining talented employees and enhancing productivity remain major challenges for HR professionals. The Minister also expressed hope that the summit would generate constructive ideas to further strengthen HR practices. Referring to the State Government's initiatives, he said Telangana is prioritising skill development in the coming years. Old ITIs are being upgraded into Advanced Training Centres (ATCs) with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) support from Tata. Several ATCs are being established in rural areas and are expected to become operational within a year. He invited HR leaders and managements to recruit skilled manpower trained in these centres and urged them to suggest new courses aligned with future industry needs. He added that departmental officials have been instructed to stay in close coordination with industries to ensure a synchronised approach towards employment generation. (ANI) PRNewswire Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 26: The 11th edition of air cargo India opened today alongside the inaugural edition of transport logistic India 2026 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, reinforcing its position as a focused B2B marketplace for the air cargo and multimodal logistics industry. AB de Villiers has been announced as the Brand Ambassador for transport logistic India 2026. Known for his discipline, adaptability and high-performance mindset, his association reinforces the event's focus on operational excellence, precision and execution -- qualities that define both elite sport and world-class logistics. - Integrated trade fairs organised by Messe Muenchen India bring global logistics decision-makers together to advance India's supply chain competitiveness Organised by Messe Muenchen India, the co-located trade fairs are designed exclusively for business engagement -- connecting airlines, airport operators, freight forwarders, shipping lines, rail operators, logistics park developers, cold chain specialists and supply chain technology providers with buyers, partners and policymakers. The launch of transport logistic India alongside the established air cargo India brand signals a deliberate shift toward integrated logistics thinking. Air freight, surface transport and warehousing are increasingly interdependent, particularly for sectors such as pharmaceuticals, automotive components, engineering goods, electronics and perishables. This year's combined platform features over 230 brands from more than 38 countries. The exhibition floor reflects the full value chain of cargo and transport logistics, from aircraft capacity and ground handling to warehousing infrastructure, automation systems and digital documentation solutions. The German Pavilion is presenting a strong mix of logistics and technology companies, underlining Germany's established capabilities in engineering and supply chain systems. Alongside it, the AITWA Pavilion, led by the All India Transporter's Welfare Association, brings India's road transport community into sharp focus, reinforcing its central role in both domestic and cross-border trade. Furthermore, the Future Tech Pavilion, powered by SmartKargo, adds a forward-looking layer, centred on digital cargo management, automation and real-time visibility. Organisers have also elevated bulk liquid logistics onto the main agenda, recognising its critical importance to chemicals, energy and process industries. In parallel, the conference program is framing the wider industry conversation featuring 123 industry leaders. transport logistic India is examining 'Powering Vision 2030 with Logistics Performance Excellence', while air cargo India is addressing 'Global Air Cargo - Booming but Bumpy', unpacking growth and volatility in international markets. Shri Pradyumn Kumar Tripathi, Commissioner General - Mumbai Customs Zone-I, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, stated, "India's trade growth depends on how efficiently we move goods across borders. Our focus is clear -- faster clearances, smarter systems and close coordination with industry. Platforms like air cargo India and transport logistic India help us listen, align and improve together." Christoph Rendtorff, Deputy Consul General, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, said, "Germany and India share a strong partnership in engineering, manufacturing and logistics innovation. The presence of the German Pavilion at this platform reflects the depth of that cooperation. Integrated logistics solutions, automation and sustainable transport systems are areas where Indo-German collaboration can deliver tangible results. Events like air cargo India and transport logistic India enable companies from both countries to build practical, long-term partnerships." Ashok Goyal, National President, All India Transporters' Welfare Association (AITWA) mentioned, "Road transport remains the backbone of India's supply chain, connecting ports, airports, industrial clusters and consumption centres. As trade volumes grow, integration between air cargo, surface transport and warehousing becomes critical. The participation of AITWA at this platform highlights the importance of unified logistics planning. When transporters, freight forwarders, airlines and policymakers sit together, we move closer to reducing transit time, improving reliability and lowering overall logistics costs for Indian industry. Today at the event, AITWA delegation has committed to creating driver dedicated facilities in 5 zones covering medical support, safety training, healthy food and other benefits. An investment of approx Rs 75 crores is expected to be spent on this in the next 3 years." Bhupinder Singh, President - IMEA, Messe Munchen & CEO of Messe Muenchen India, highlighted the strategic intent behind the platform. "This is a focused B2B marketplace," he said. "Participants arrive with clear objectives -- expanding route networks, securing infrastructure partnerships, onboarding technology solutions, or strengthening regional trade corridors. The discussions here are purposeful and commercially relevant. The real value lies in the quality of engagement and the ability to turn meaningful handshakes into tangible business outcomes." With India working to reduce logistics costs and improve global trade integration, platforms such as air cargo India and transport logistic India serve as structured B2B environments where operational challenges meet practical solutions. The trade fairs will continue in Mumbai until 26 February 2026, facilitating targeted business meetings and industry dialogue across the logistics ecosystem. About Messe Muenchen India Founded in 2007 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Messe Munchen, Messe Muenchen India Pvt. Ltd. is one of the country's leading trade fair organizers. With a diverse portfolio of B2B trade shows spanning consumer goods, capital goods, emerging technologies, environmental solutions, energy sector it serves both the Indian industry and global markets. The company hosts powerful industry-leading events, including electronica India, productronica India, bauma CONEXPO India, IFAT India, analytica Anacon India/India Lab Expo and more, fostering innovation, business growth, and strategic networking. Website: https://mm-india.in/en/ Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2921150/air_cargo_India_2026.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.) Hollywood actor Ethan Hawke has opened up about the intense preparation behind his Oscar-nominated performance in 'Blue Moon', saying memorising the film's extensive dialogue "broke my brain," according to People. Hawke, 55, has earned his fifth nomination at the Academy Awards for portraying real-life lyricist Lorenz Hart in the Richard Linklater-directed biopic. Reflecting on the experience, the actor said the sheer volume of lines was unlike anything he had faced before. "I had more lines on my first day of filming Blue Moon than I'd probably had in 10 years combined," Hawke said, adding that the script contained a "staggering amount of verbiage." While he takes pride in his ability to handle dialogue-heavy roles, he admitted with a smile, "it broke my brain," according to People. The film, penned by Robert Kaplow, unfolds in real time and is set largely in a New York City bar on a single night in 1943, around the Broadway premiere of Oklahoma!. Hawke explained that the structure required him to know the entire script thoroughly, much like a stage performance, but without the luxury of extended rehearsal time. "I needed to know the whole movie like a play -- without the six weeks of rehearsal for a play that you would have. So it was kind of being fired from a cannon," he said, describing the demanding process. Despite the challenge, Hawke said working on the project never felt like a job. The film marks his ninth collaboration with Linklater, a creative partnership that began in the mid-1990s with Before Sunrise. "We've been pushing each other and driving each other for 30 years. And we've made films that are really meaningful to us. And when other people like them, it feels tremendous," Hawke said. Hawke's Oscar journey began with his supporting role in Training Day (2001), and he has since earned nominations across both acting and screenwriting categories. Recalling the morning of this year's nominations, he said he had asked his wife to wake him only if his name was announced, according to People. On becoming a five-time nominee, Hawke said he felt "a wash of gratitude," while also acknowledging fellow actors whose work went unrecognised. The 97th Academy Awards will be held on March 15, with the ceremony to be hosted by Conan O'Brien and broadcast live on ABC and Hulu, according to People. (ANI) After a day-long high-voltage drama involving the Delhi Police and Himachal Pradesh Police, an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM-II) court in Shimla granted transit remand to three accused arrested by the Delhi Police from Rohru in Shimla district, officials said early Thursday. According to police, the unidentified persons reportedly picked up the three individuals from the resort and also took their vehicle along. The complainant further alleged that the DVR of CCTV cameras installed at the Chanshal resort was taken away without any seizure memo or receipt. "On Wednesday morning, we received information that around 15-20 unidentified persons in plain clothes arrived in a vehicle at a resort in the Mandli area of Chirgaon and allegedly forcibly took away three guests staying there," Shimla Police stated. Shimla Police registered a case at Chirgaon police station and initiated legal proceedings. The three accused, Saurav, Arbaaz and Siddharth, were produced at the residence court of ACJM-II Ekansh Kapil, where the Delhi Police's plea for transit remand was heard and allowed. The arrests had triggered a dramatic sequence of events through Wednesday, including interception by Himachal Pradesh Police, arguments between police teams at multiple checkpoints and prolonged legal proceedings before the accused were finally produced in court. According to details, the Delhi Police arrested the three youths from Rohru at around 5:30 am on Wednesday and brought them towards Shimla. However, acting on information, Himachal Pradesh Police intercepted the Delhi Police team at Dharampur in Solan district and detained them along with the accused. The accused were later taken to Shimla for legal proceedings. During the day, a private complaint was also reportedly filed by the SHO of Baluganj police station, which is scheduled to be heard separately. When the Delhi Police again attempted to take the accused towards Delhi, the team was stopped at a barrier on the outskirts of Shimla, leading to heated arguments between the two police forces. The accused and the Delhi Police personnel were kept detained for several hours before being produced before a magistrate. An FIR was also registered by the Shimla police. The matter was initially placed before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, who forwarded it to the court of ACJM-II for hearing. After arguments from both sides, the court granted transit remand to the Delhi Police. Sandeep Dutta, Advocate for the accused, argued that the arrest was illegal and that due procedure had not been followed. He told the media that the defence opposed the transit remand on grounds of "illegal detention", absence of proper documentation and lack of medical examination of the accused at the time of arrest. He said objections were formally raised before the court, which heard the defence submissions before passing its order. "They were arrested in Rohru, a place in Himachal Pradesh, this morning around 5.30 am. They were brought to Shimla after that. They haven't yet undergone a medical examination, so they still need to undergo one... Our clear objective is that this arrest is an illegal one. They haven't followed the proper procedure. There are certain ambiguities. That's why we've filed this application... Yes, Delhi Police requested transit remand. They're running out of time... They have to get a medical done as well," he said. Representing the Delhi Police, advocate Nand Lal Thakur said the transit remand application was moved before the CJM, who forwarded the matter to the local Additional Judicial Magistrate, where it was approved. Thakur said the accused would be taken to Delhi and produced before a competent court there by late night. He added that the matter remains under investigation and the Delhi Police will address the media in detail through a press conference on Thursday. "We first moved the application to the Chief Judicial Magistrate here. He then forwarded the application. The local magistrate in Court No. 2 (ACJ) has now approved their police transit remand. Now, the three accused are going to be presented before the concerned local magistrate in the Delhi court where the FIR was registered," he said. Despite the prolonged developments and public attention, senior Himachal Pradesh Police officials, including top leadership, remained largely unavailable for comment through the day, and no formal statement was issued. With transit remand now granted, the Delhi Police have begun the process of shifting the three accused to Delhi, where further legal proceedings will take place. (ANI) After a prolonged argument with Shimla Police and high-voltage drama on Wednesday, the Delhi Police team on Thursday morning departed from the Shoghi barrier with all vehicles and the three accused who had been sent on transit remand by a local court. According to officials, Shimla Police released all the detained vehicles, allowing the Delhi Police to proceed towards Delhi with the accused and seized material. Speaking to ANI, a Delhi Police personnel said, "Delhi Police has left from the Shoghi barrier in Shimla. Delhi Police has given the seizure memo to Shimla Police. Delhi Police officials have taken along the DVR and seized the vehicle of the accused. Now, Delhi Police will produce the three accused before the local magistrate." The official further stated that the three accused, Saurabh Singh and Arbaaz Khan from Uttar Pradesh, and Siddharth Avdhoot from Madhya Pradesh, were arrested by Delhi Police from the Rohru area of Shimla district. He added, "There was an argument at the spot, and questions were raised on how the Shimla Police was trying to seize our vehicle under the law. After that, Shimla Police, which had detained all our vehicles, finally released them. It is now almost 6 pm, and we are finally leaving. We were kept in detention for quite some time." The Delhi Police ACP Rahul Vikram, while speaking with ANI, said, "We have given them the memo, which is the seizure memo. This is our government vehicle, in which case, the property was kept, so it could not have been seized. Finally, we are all leaving now. We were kept in detention for so long." On the seizure of the police vehicle, ACP Vikram said, "You can't do it (seize the vehicle). When we have seized the DVR, and we have supplied the documents for it, then how can they search our vehicle for it on suspicion that the DVR has been stolen?" The Delhi Police team is now proceeding towards Delhi and will produce the accused before a local magistrate as per legal procedure. (ANI) The Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday took a swipe at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over his ongoing visit to Japan, mocking his record of renaming places in the State. Addressing reporters in Kanpur, the Samajwadi Party chief quipped that he hoped the "name-changing" CM would not return after renaming Japan to Adityapur or Adityapuram. "Someone has gone to Japan and is signing MoUs. Japan is also known as Nippon. I hope the people of Japan do not get nervous that a 'name-changing' Chief Minister has arrived. I hope he doesn't come back after renaming Japan to Adityapur or Adityapuram," Yadav said. Yogi Adityanath is on a two-day official visit to Japan from February 25-26 after concluding his Singapore visit. On Wednesday, CM Yogi held talks with Nishimura Yasutoshi, Former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in Tokyo. Yogi's and Nishimura's talks focused on strengthening Uttar Pradesh-Japan cooperation within the broader framework of India-Japan relations. In a post on X, Adityanath said the discussions centred on institutional engagement, economic collaboration, and enhancing people-to-people exchanges. He highlighted Uttar Pradesh's rapid economic growth, progressive industrial policies, and its efforts to create a conducive ecosystem for global investors. Nishimura appreciated the transformation underway in the state and expressed commitment to advancing UP-Japan ties. Nishimura also noted that Uttar Pradesh and Yamanashi Prefecture are collaborating on green hydrogen initiatives, with Governor Koji Nagasaki of Yamanashi Prefecture present during discussions. He said the regional exchange could serve as a model for deeper Japan-India cooperation. Earlier in the day, CM Yogi met Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi to discuss strengthening cooperation across various sectors. The Indian Embassy in Tokyo said the talks were held within the framework of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, aimed at enhancing bilateral ties and advancing the Next Generation State-Prefecture Partnership. During his two-day visit to Japan, the Uttar Pradesh CM is expected to participate in key meetings and interactions aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and exploring investment opportunities for the state. (ANI) The contraband was intercepted in two separate cases involving passengers arriving from Bangkok. Acting on suspicion, customs authorities conducted a thorough inspection of the luggage belonging to two passengers who had landed at the airport. During the search, officials discovered the cannabis concealed inside their baggage. According to officials, the narcotics were smuggled from Bangkok and hidden within luggage bags to evade detection. Both passengers have been arrested, and cases have been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Further investigation is currently underway. Earlier, on February 19, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) seized 4.776 kg of cocaine from a Brazilian national at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. In a post on 'X', the NCB said the contraband, valued at around Rs 23.88 crore in the illicit market, was recovered from the checked-in baggage of the passenger who travelled from Sao Paulo to Bengaluru via Doha. "Major Drug Bust at Bengaluru International Airport. NCB seizes 4.776 kg of cocaine from the checked-in baggage of a Brazilian national. The seized contraband is valued at around Rs 23.88 crore in the illicit market. The accused travelled from So Paulo to Bengaluru via Doha. Officers recovered four modified handbags with concealed compartments containing cocaine-infused fabric," the 'X' post said. According to the NCB, officers found four modified handbags with concealed compartments containing cocaine-infused fabric. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, during his visit to Japan, met people and children of Indian origin while on his way to Yamanashi. Members of the Indian diaspora warmly welcomed the Chief Minister. Several children touched his feet as a mark of respect and recited Sanskrit shlokas during the interaction. The Chief Minister appreciated the children for staying connected to Indian culture and traditions while living abroad. He later gifted chocolates to the children and interacted with their families. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was on an official visit to Singapore from February 22 to 24, said the state received investment proposals worth up to Rs 1 lakh crore during his engagements, with Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) 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 stated, "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." Earlier in Singapore, CM Yogi pitched 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 was 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) The Delhi High Court has directed the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to constitute a medical board to examine Jaideep Singh Senger, a convict in the Unnao custodial death case, who has sought suspension of his sentence on medical grounds. The High Court ordered that Senger be taken to AIIMS on Thursday for a comprehensive medical examination. The court has sought a detailed medical report from AIIMS on whether Senger is suffering from cancer, as claimed in his plea. The medical board has also been asked to specify the stage and nature of the ailment, if confirmed. Additionally, the High Court has directed the board to clarify whether adequate treatment can be provided to him while he remains in jail or through visits to a government hospital, or whether specialised treatment at AIIMS is required. Senger has moved the court seeking suspension of his sentence, citing serious health concerns. The matter is listed for further hearing after submission of the medical report. Jaideep Singh Senger is serving a 10-year sentence in the Unnao custodial death case and surrendered to jail authorities after the High Court's direction. He is seeking interim bail on medical grounds, alleging that he is suffering from Stage-IV oral cancer. A detailed report is, thus, sought by the High Court on whether he is suffering from cancer and whether treatment can be provided to him from jail or by visiting the government hospital, as Sengar's counsel argued that he requires specialised treatment and care, which is not possible in prison. A division bench of justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja on Tuesday issued a direction to constitute a medical board and examination of Jaideep Singh Senger. While issuing direction the bench observed, "In matters concerning suspension of sentence on medical grounds, the Court must be guided by reliable and objective medical opinion and documents. ""In the present case, this Court is of the view that an independent medical assessment by a duly constituted Medical Board is necessary to ascertain the current health condition of the applicant," the High Court ordered today. According to the court's order, "the Medical Board shall conduct a comprehensive evaluation of Jaideep Singh Senger and submit a report on whether he is suffering from cancer or any other life-threatening disease, and if so, then at what stage? Secondly, whether the treatment, if any, can be adequately provided to him within the jail hospital or through escorted visits to government hospitals, or not?"The applicant (Senger) shall also be entitled to produce his prior medical history of treatment at AIIMS tomorrow, the High Court said. Senior advocate Pramod Kumar Dubey alongwith Advocates SPM Tripathi and Hemant Shah, appeared for Jaideep Singh Senger. It was submitted that he is suffering from serious and life-threatening medical conditions, including Stage-IV oral cancer with suspected recurrence, osteoradionecrosis (ORN), trismus, and chronic infection of the jaw. It was submitted that the applicant had earlier undergone surgery for oral cancer at AIIMS in October 2020 and has since been under continuous treatment. "He requires continuous specialised treatment and proper medical care, which cannot be adequately provided within prison facilities and hence prays that the present application be allowed," according to Sengar's advocates. (ANI) By Vishu AdhanaThe National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is attempting to retrieve the 38 copies of the now-withdrawn Class 8 Social Science Part 2 textbook that were sold, sources in the Education Ministry told ANI on Wednesday. Of the 2.25 lakh copies printed, only 38 were sold while 2,24,962 remained in inventory. All unsold copies have been recalled back to the NCERT warehouse, sources said, adding that efforts are underway to trace and recover the sold copies as well. The development comes a day after NCERT halted the distribution of the textbook following controversy over the content of a chapter on the judiciary. The book, titled Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Vol II, was released on February 24 as part of the new curriculum framework. In an official statement issued earlier, NCERT acknowledged that "certain inappropriate textual material and errors of judgement" had inadvertently crept into Chapter 4, titled "The Role of Judiciary in our Society." The council said it has decided to withdraw the textbook and undertake a comprehensive review and rewriting of the chapter. The controversy erupted after portions of the chapter referred to corruption in the judiciary and highlighted case backlogs, drawing sharp reactions. The Supreme Court took strong exception to the references, following which NCERT moved swiftly to halt further circulation of the book. The Class 8 Social Science textbook is part of the ongoing overhaul of school textbooks under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF). NCERT has been rolling out revised books in phases, with changes in content, structure and thematic approach. Sources said the revised version of the chapter will be issued after due review and vetting, and fresh copies will be printed accordingly. (ANI) Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday left his residence in Delhi for Wayanad, Kerala, for the foundation stone laying ceremony of Mundakkai-Chooralmala disaster survivors' houses. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would also be participating in the event later today. In an X post from Congress's official X account, it said, "LoP Shri @RahulGandhi, along with Congress General Secretary & Wayanad MP Smt. @priyankagandhi ji, will lay the foundation stone for houses to be constructed for Mundakkai-Chooralmala disaster survivors by the Indian National Congress at Kunnambatta, Kalpetta." The LoP will also attend the Karshaka Sangamam (Farmers' Convention) at Peravoor before the stone laying ceremony. On July 30, 2024, Kerala was hit with a landslide, the deadliest one in the state, killing more than 300 people and destroying scores of houses and other buildings. In August last year, the Kerala Bank Board on Monday decided to waive off the entire loans of those who lost their lives, as well as for those whose mortgaged homes and properties were destroyed in the disaster. At 1:30 PM, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will also hand over advanced equipment for the Forest Department's Rapid Response Team (RRT) at the Kalpetta MP Office. The equipment has been arranged through JSW's CSR fund at her initiative. Earlier, she had also facilitated a modern vehicle for the department. On February 27, she will inaugurate the laboratory of the Kalikavu Service Co-operative Bank in the morning. In the afternoon, she will inaugurate the Silver Jubilee celebrations of MES School, Kaithapoyil (Thiruvambady) and lay the foundation stone for a new block. She will also visit the proposed Churam Bypass Road site at Chippilithodu. (ANI) Taking a subtle jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark linking his birth with India's recognition of Israel during his address to the Israeli parliament, Knesset, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh described it as an "unabashed defence of his host" while reflecting on Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. In an 'X' post, Ramesh highlighted the long-standing India-Israel relationship dating back to the era of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The Congress leader also shared letters and documents exchanged between Nehru and the renowned scientist and Nobel laureate Albert Einstein. He noted that Einstein had written to Nehru on June 13, 1947, regarding the creation of Israel, to which Nehru responded a month later. "In his address to the Knesset yesterday - which was an unabashed defence of his host - Prime Minister Modi drew attention to the fact that India recognised the new state of Israel on the day he was born. Actually, Albert Einstein had written to Jawaharlal Nehru on June 13, 1947, on the subject of the creation of Israel. Here is Nehru's reply to Einstein a month later. On Nov 5, 1949, the two had met at Einstein's home in Princeton," Jairam Ramesh wrote on 'X'. Ramesh further stated that on November 5, 1949, Nehru met with Einstein at his Princeton home, adding that in November 1952, Einstein was offered the Presidency of Israel, which he declined. Shortly before his death in April 1955, Einstein and Nehru corresponded again on nuclear explosions and weapons. "In Nov 1952, Einstein was offered the Presidency of Israel which he declined. And a short while before he passed away in April 1955, Einstein and Nehru had exchanged letters on the issue of nuclear explosions and weapons," the 'X' post added. This comes amidst the ongoing criticism by the Indian opposition of Prime Minister Modi's visit to Israel due to its conflict with Palestine and alleged military action in Gaza region. Earlier on Wednesday, Congress MP Imran Masood said that India's diplomatic stance on Palestine remains clear, with the government supporting Palestine. "What can Israel give to India?... The PM is going there. If there is any morality, then he should talk about death of children in Gaza. Govt of India's stand is clear, that it supports Palestine...," Masood told ANI. Congress leader Pawan Khera also criticised PM Modi's Israel visit asking on "whose behest" does he travel abroad. Speaking to ANI, Pawan Khera said, "Is Rahul Gandhi the Prime Minister? At whose behest does the Prime Minister go abroad? Under whose pressure did he agree to the trade deal? Who is in the government?." Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed the Palestine issue during a historic speech at the Israeli parliament, Knesset, noting that the Trump administration-led Gaza Peace Initiative holds the "promise of a just and durable peace" for the people of the region. Currently on a two-day state visit to Israel, his second to the nation, the Prime Minister remarked on the significance of the occasion, stating that he is the first Indian head of government to address the Israeli parliament. "Gaza Peace Initiative holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people of the region, including by addressing the Palestine issue. The road to peace is not always easy but India joins you and the world for dialogue, peace and stability in this region," the Prime Minister said during his landmark address. He further observed that the initiative has been endorsed by the UN Security Council and provides a clear pathway, with India expressing its firm support for the framework. (ANI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday said that he immediately took up the matter with Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golchha and sought strict action on the alleged racial abuse and criminal intimidation of three women from Arunachal Pradesh in the Malviya Nagar area of Delhi. Speaking on the incident, the Chief Minister said, "When I came to know about the incident, I immediately contacted Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golchha and said that strict action needed to be taken. Delhi Police apprehended those responsible for this incident, and I compliment them for taking swift and strict action". According to the Chief Minister, the Delhi Police have apprehended the accused persons involved in the case. Further investigation into the matter is underway. Earlier on Wednesday, the Saket court remanded a couple who are accused of racial abuse of three women from the North Eastern State of Arunachal Pradesh. They have been arrested by the Delhi Police in a case registered at the Malviya Nagar police station. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Samar Vishal remanded both the accused to 14 days' judicial custody. They were produced before the court after their arrest. The video of the incident had gone viral, showing the accused woman hurling racial slurs against the three women. The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh took note of the incident and made a post on X. Aam Admi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bhardwaj also protested against the incident. Delhi police arrested the accused couple and produced them before the court. Thereafter, the court remanded them to judicial custody till March 11.It is alleged that accsued woman allegedly made racial, derogatory comments during a dispute over the repair work of the air conditioner on February 20. Delhi Police have invoked the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in the FIR against the accused. Advocate Gaurav appeared for the accused persons and argued that the provisions of the SC/ST Act were not applicable as the alleged incident had not taken place at public place and in public view. The place of the incident was a residential building. They have also apologised. (ANI) The Rouse Avenue court on Thursday listed the supplementary charge sheet filed against Robert Vadra for consideration in a money laundering case linked with arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) argued that pre-cognizance notice is not required in a supplementary charge sheet. This supplementary charge sheet was filed in December 2025, naming Robert Vadra in the money laundering case. Special Judge Sushant Changotra listed the matter for consideration on April 6 after noting the submissions of the Enforcement Directorate. Meanwhile, the court asked Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Naveen Kumar Matta for ED to file a relevant judgement in support of his arguments that pre-cognizance notice is not required in a supplementary charge sheet. During the hearing, the court asked SPP Matta, who appeared through video conferencing, to make submissions on pre-cognizance notice to Robert Vadra. SPP Matta, assisted by Advocate Mohd Faizan, submitted that it is not required to issue pre-cognizance notice in a supplementary charge sheet where the cognizance has already been taken on the main charge sheet. He will file judgement on this point. The ED filed a list of unrelied documents as per order of the High Court. The copy of the same was supplied to the accused persons. The Enforcement Directorate in December 2025 filed its second supplementary prosecution complaint in the money laundering case linked to UK-based defence dealer Sanjay Bhandari, formally naming businessman Robert Vadra as accused. Vadra was granted anticipatory bail in the case in 2019 by a Delhi court. According to reports, Vadra's role has come under scrutiny as part of the larger investigation into Bhandari, who is alleged to have facilitated questionable financial transactions and benefited through dealings. Vadra had appeared before the agency in July this year, where his statement was recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The businessman is under ED investigation in three separate money laundering cases, two of which relate to alleged irregularities in land transactions. The agency has been probing whether funds generated through these deals were routed through offshore entities linked to Bhandari. Sanjay Bhandari, considered a known associate of Vadra, fled to London in 2016 shortly after the Income-Tax Department conducted searches at his premises in Delhi. He was recently declared a Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO) by a Delhi trial court. However, Bhandari challenged the order before the Delhi High Court. In August, the High Court reserved its verdict on his plea contesting the trial court's decision under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018. (ANI) The Supreme Court of India has issued show cause notices to the Secretary of the Department of Education and Literacy (Ministry of Education) and NCERT Director Dinesh Prashad Saklani, asking them to explain why action should not be taken under contempt or other laws for including a sub-chapter titled "Corruption in the judiciary" in the Class 8 NCERT Social Science textbook. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M Pancholi refused to halt suo motu proceedings despite NCERT''s apology over the controversial inclusion and imposed a blanket ban on the textbook section. The court warned that any attempt to bypass the order would be considered direct interference with the administration of justice and could attract contempt of court. The Supreme Court has also directed NCERT to submit detailed records of the Teaching-Learning Materials Committee that approved the chapter, including the names, qualifications, and credentials of all members of the development team. "They have fired the gun and the judiciary is bleeding today. Today, anybody can say anything. At times, there is a mounting attack on us, and we are aware of it. The material is available online, on the internet, and even in stores. This is a very calculated move -- the entire teaching will be dictated. When you look at how the Indian judiciary is portrayed as corrupt, it becomes evident what message is being sent. The entire teaching community will first be instructed that this is what they have to teach. In reality, not a single section of society has been left untouched. It is a deep-rooted, well-planned, and orchestrated conspiracy." the CJI said. NCERT had earlier issued an apology and stated that it would review and revise the chapter following proper consultation, acknowledging that the reference to corruption was inappropriate. The Supreme Court on Wednesday initiated suo moto proceedings regarding the inclusion of a section on "corruption in the judiciary" within the new NCERT class 8 (Eighth) Social Science textbook, with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant asserting that the institution will not be allowed to be defamed. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) also issued an apology and withdrew the distribution of its newly released Class 8 Social Science textbook after "inappropriate textual material and error of judgement" were found in a chapter on the judiciary. (ANI) A Bangladeshi national, Mahmuda Begum, was booked on Thursday for allegedly obtaining Indian documents with a fake identity and marrying a local man, Muhammad Mashruf, in Hapur. Mahmuda entered India on a three-month visa in 2021 and allegedly got fake documents under the name Begum Rani. The FIR named Mahmuda and her husband, Mohammad Mashruf. Police seized documents, including visas, passports, and SIM cards, and are searching for the couple. Upon search, police recovered visas, passports, Bangladeshi currency, two SIM cards and other items. Police are currently searching for Begum Mahmuda and her husband. "An FIR has been registered against Mahmuda Begum, a Bangladeshi resident living illegally in Hapur. She obtained Indian documents after changing her identity and marrying a local man, Muhammad Mashruf. Mahmuda Begum came to India from Bangladesh on February 3, 2021, on a three-month visa. Mahmuda Begum had obtained fake documents in Hapur under the name Begum Rani. An FIR was also filed against Mahmuda Begum's husband, Mohammad Mashruf. Police recovered visas, passports, Bangladeshi currency, two SIM cards and other items. Police are searching for Begum Mahmuda and her husband," according to UP Police. Further details are awaited. Meanwhile, Mumbai's Versova police arrested 25 Bangladeshi nationals, including 21 transgender individuals, officials said on Wednesday. According to the police, the detainees, who were suspected during a routine patrol at Shakulshaha Dargah in Versova, were later found to be Bangladeshi nationals based on interrogation and electronic evidence. Authorities indicated that more arrests could follow as investigations continue. Senior Versova Police Officer Deepshikha Ware said that these individuals reportedly enter India through routes via Kolkata and Mizoram. Many of them have been residing in India for six to eight years, with settlements not only in Mumbai but also in Gujarat and Delhi. Addressing the unique situation of the transgender detainees, the police noted that in Bangladesh, transgender individuals often face a lack of security and respect. "They seek alternative routes to India as they understand that everyone has the right to equality here," officials said. The operation marks the largest action against illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators in Mumbai this year. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tamilisai Soundararajan on Thursday expressed confidence in the success of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. Speaking to ANI, Soundararajan said,"DMK's allies are not confident if they are going to win. Congress has been waiting for more than the last 5 months. Let's wait and watch...The success of NDA is written...We are sure about winning." Earlier, Soundararajan said, "NDA will win. We are with the people. NDA is moving ahead strongly. While there is utter confusion in the INDI alliance. DMK is happy that one party has joined, but no one knows if their major ally will join them. I feel very sorry for the Captain's party as it has joined a sinking ship." Tamil Nadu BJP Chief Nainar Nagendran announced that the seat sharing the talks within the National Democratic Alliance for the forthcoming state polls would begin following PM Narendra Modi's upcoming Madurai visit on March 1. Speaking at an event in Chennai, the Tamil Nadu BJP chief emphasised the need for proper coordination within the NDA alliance, for shaping up Tamil Nadu's bright future. He also hit out at the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regime over law and order situation in the state and also accused them of acting against government officials. "After Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Tamil Nadu, the seat-sharing talks (NDA- AIADMK alliance) will begin. DMK is against government officials. The law and order situation in the state is not good...Students are carrying Ganja, beer bottles in their bags...We should not have differences between us and should work together as an NDA alliance. We all should work hard and create a good future for Tamil Nadu," Nagendran said. The National Democratic Alliance, led by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham, consists of other parties, including the BJP and Pattali Makkal Katchi. 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) As the Prime Minister had called for bringing one lakh youth into politics, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Anurag Thakur on Thursday launched an initiative in that direction by introducing the Yuva Changemaker Fellowship Scholarship Programme. The initiative aims to encourage and support young people to actively participate in public life and leadership. BJP MP Anurag Thakur has emphasised the importance of youth participation in politics, stating that India, as the world's largest democracy with the largest youth population, must encourage young people to take an active role in governance and nation-building. Speaking about a newly launched Leadership Fellowship Program, Thakur said the initiative aims to provide a structured platform for young individuals to engage in public life and policy discourse. He noted that within just 20 days of its launch, more than 8,000 youth from Himachal Pradesh have registered, reflecting strong interest among young people in political participation. Under the program, participants will be recognised as "Youth Change Makers" and will be given opportunities to contribute across multiple public platforms, including leadership development, community engagement, and policy awareness initiatives. The fellowship is open to youth between the ages of 16 and 29, with registration being conducted online. Selected participants will receive an annual financial support of 1,21,000 as part of the program. Thakur said the initiative seeks to nurture future leaders, empower youth voices, and strengthen democratic participation by providing meaningful avenues for engagement in public affairs. Earlier, on February 20, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Anurag Thakur said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should apologise to the nation after Indian Youth Congress workers protested at the AI Impact Summit being held in the national capital. He called the protest "shameful" and questioned the Congress's attitude towards national development. In a self-made video, Thakur said, "Indecent slogans were raised against PM Modi by the Congress party. What problem does the Congress party have with the development of the nation? To what level will the Congress party stoop to shame the nation? Rahul Gandhi should apologise to the nation." (ANI) Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], February 26 (ANI) Congress MLAs on Thursday staged a protest outside the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the India-US interim trade agreement. Protesters carried banners reading "PM Modi is compromised." Leader of the Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly, Tikaram Jully, said the government needs to wake up and recognise how it has jeopardised farmers' interests. "We want the government to wake up. They need to understand how they have played with the benefits of the farmers. There has been a compromise with the rights of the farmers," Tikaram Jully told ANI. Congress leader Harish Chaudhary claimed that Prime Minister Modi has surrendered in every field, calling the decision against the national interest. "Prime Minister Modi has surrendered in every field. The entire country is protesting against this... This is a decision taken against the national interest," said Harish Chaudhary. Rahul Gandhi, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has been attacking the government with "PM is compromised" allegations over the India-US Interim Trade Agreement. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh launched an attack on the India-US trade deal yet again on Wednesday, calling it "distinctly one-sided" and asserting that the deal should be put "on hold." Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi "a good friend" of US President Donald Trump, he questioned the heavy import duty on solar modules from India, asking how it opens doors for Indian exports to the US. Meanwhile, hitting back at Rahul Gandhi over his attack on the BJP-led government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Wednesday alleged that the Gandhi family "is a completely compromised political family" and Congress is "a compromised political party". Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, Goyal also slammed former Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru over some of their decisions. (ANI) In a significant legal standoff on Wednesday, the Shimla Police registered an alleged abduction case at the Chirgaon Police Station against personnel from the Delhi Police, where three people were taken away by individuals in civilian clothes with out-of-state vehicle numbers. A dramatic sequence of events at a local resort, initially reported as a daylight abduction, culminated in a multi-district police intercept yesterday. What appeared to be a kidnapping by unidentified gunmen turned out to be a coordinated--though legally scrutinised--custody operation by Delhi and Haryana police teams. The incident began on the morning of February 25, 2026, when Shimla Police received an emergency call from Chanshul Resort in Chirgaon. The resort owner reported that a group of men in civilian clothes, driving vehicles with out-of-state registration numbers, had forcibly taken three guests. "Yesterday morning, Shimla Police received information from Chanshul Resort, Chirgaon, regarding an alleged incident wherein a group of individuals, in civilian clothes in vehicles bearing outside state registration numbers, had reportedly forcibly taken away three persons staying at the resort and had also removed certain electronic equipment, including a Digital Video Recorder (DVR)," said Shimla Police. The case pertains to a protest by Indian Youth Congress workers at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. Taking the matter seriously, Shimla Police promptly initiated necessary legal action to ascertain the facts and ensure that all procedures were followed strictly in accordance with the law. Acting swiftly and in close coordination with Solan Police, Shimla Police teams intercepted the concerned individuals at multiple locations, including Shoghi, ISBT Shimla and Dharampur. "Upon verification, it was revealed that the group comprised police personnel from Delhi and Haryana who had followed and taken custody of the three individuals in connection with a case registered in Delhi," said Shimla Police. Shimla Police produced the individuals before the competent local court for appropriate directions. The three persons were also subjected to medical examination at Ripon Hospital, Shimla, as per established legal procedures. Subsequently, the ACJM-II Court, Shimla, granted transit remand of approximately 18 hours. After completion of all statutory formalities and due verification, the team of Delhi and Haryana Police was permitted to proceed towards Delhi along with the concerned individuals. Meanwhile, on the complaint submitted by the owner of Chanshul Resort, Chirgaon, FIR No. 18/2026 dated 25/02/2026 under relevant provisions of law was registered at Police Station Chirgaon, and investigation is underway. (ANI) Telangana BJP President N Ramchander Rao, on Thursday, met with the residents of Madhu Park Ridge Apartments who have alleged that they are facing the threat of losing their homes due to the proposed Musi River Front project. In an interaction under the "Musi Gosa - BJP Bharosa", the residents expressed deep concern that the riverfront development could result in their displacement. Several families shared their grievances before the BJP leader, with some breaking down in tears while describing their uncertainty and distress. Women and elderly residents said they are living in constant fear of eviction, worried about the possibility of losing their homes and livelihoods. They urged the authorities to provide clarity and ensure that justice is done. After hearing thier grievances, Rao assured them of support and slammed the state government, claiming that the Gandhi statue would lead to the demolition of these homes. He also noted that many ex-servicemen were among the residents, prompting him to call the situation "shameful". "No one has any objection. But by erecting Gandhiji's statue, you are demolishing the homes of the poor, the homes of middle-class families, and even the homes of those who served in the Indian Army and gave their lives to protect our borders and defend the country. There's nothing more shameful than this, because I've just learned that many people here are ex-servicemen, who served in the military, and they've presented their organisations before us," he alleged. Speaking to ANI, Rao claimed, "Today, Bharatiya Janata Party has met the residents of Madhuban Park residency, which is on the banks of Musi outside the buffer zone. The government of Telangana is trying to destroy these houses." He alleged that 300-400 flats are being demolished for the sake of the beautification of Musi and the construction of the Gandhi statue. "We are not against the beautification of the Musi and statue, but we are against the demolition of these houses. For that BJP stands along with the people of this, and we'll protest against the demolition, and the government should not do such activities," he stated. Land acquisition issues and protests by residents have delayed the Gandhi Sarovar Project linked to the Musi Riverfront Development Project in Hyderabad. Families of Madhu Park Ridge apartments fear displacement, while officials say the land falls within the buffer zone. The state government had first said that it aims to acquire about 19 acres of land for the project. The government further, in a subsequent notification, said it needed to acquire another 10 acres plus. This notice said some structures, including residential projects in Madhu Park Ridge Apartments, would be affected. Families say they are left with uncertainty about where they will live. Meanwhile, Telangana BJP President Rao on Wednesday welcomed new entrants as leaders from various parties, including the BRS and Congress, who joined the BJP at its state office. Speaking on the occasion, Rao highlighted the growing appeal of the party among young voters. "A large number of youth from BRS and Congress have joined the BJP. Youth are getting attracted to the BJP in Telangana... The BJP is gaining ground, and it is gaining a lot of confidence among the people... The BJP appeals to the youth that today, PM Narendra Modi has to be strengthened in the country because people like Rahul Gandhi have shamed India senselessly, and very shamelessly, they tried to lower the position of the country before the foreign delegates during the AI summit," he said. (ANI) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed deep condolences on the passing of freedom fighter and veteran CPI leader R Nallakannu, who served as the Tamil Nadu State Secretary of the party for many years. The Chief Minister recalled that Nallakannu was widely respected for his active interventions on various social issues in the state and was a prominent figure in strengthening the farmers' movement in Tamil Nadu, according to the CMO. Ramasamy Nallakannu, one of the senior-most leaders of the Communist movement in Tamil Nadu, passed away at the age of 101 on Wednesday afternoon at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai. According to an official statement issued by Madras Medical College and the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Nallakannu had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on February 1 due to health complications. Over 24 days of treatment, his condition fluctuated despite continuous advanced monitoring and intensive care by a multidisciplinary medical team. However, from the early hours of Wednesday, his response to medication gradually declined, and his condition turned critical. Despite being placed on advanced life support, all his vital organs eventually failed. He was declared dead at around 1:55 pm. The hospital administration expressed deep condolences to his family and thanked the medical teams involved in his care, along with the Government of Tamil Nadu, for its support. Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin paid an emotional tribute to veteran leader R Nallakannu on Wednesday, calling him an "indomitable comrade" and a "political volcano" whose life would remain a guiding light for generations to come. In a heartfelt message shared on X, Stalin recalled Nallakannu's unwavering spirit despite physical challenges, quoting the late leader's own words: "Even though I lack proper vision in one eye, there is another eye in my heart. That is the good eye."He described Nallakannu as "an uncompromising fighter" and a tireless champion of the working class who endured imprisonment, torture, and immense personal hardship without ever compromising his principles. In his tribute, Stalin highlighted Nallakannu's close association with former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, fondly remembered as "Muttamil Arignar Kalaignar." He noted that Nallakannu had stood shoulder to shoulder with Karunanidhi in protests against laws such as POTA, ESA and TESA, and strongly believed that Communist ideology and the Dravidian movement should work together as a "twin-barreled rifle for social change." (ANI) A day after the alleged attack on Kerala Health Minister Veena George in Kannur in which she was hospitalised with reported injuries, the ruling Communist Party of India's (CPI-M) MP P Sandosh Kumar on Thursday said that a "desperate" Congress-led opposition, which has been out of power for the last 10 years in the State, was resorting to attacking even ministers. "The attack against Minister Veena George is really shocking, and she is hospitalized. Kerala is a place known for its political protests and dissenting voices--it's all welcome. But at the same time, there must be a limit to everything. And this was really not acceptable to any one of us. And the whole Kerala is against UDF now," the Rajya Sabha MP said. Further, Kumar said that the Congress-led opposition is "trying to divide the society to recapture their power with the help of certain most dangerous communal elements like Jamaat-e-Islami and SDPI." Kerala is headed into Assembly elections later this year, and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), the main opposition, did considerably well in the December 2025 elections for the local bodies- spread across corporations, municipalities, and panchayats. Tensions have been heightened between the Congress and the CPI (M) after George was allegedly attacked at the Kannur Railway station around 3.20 pm yesterday, where she had arrived to return to the State capital Thiruvanthapuram, during a 'black-flag' protest by the Congress' Kerala Students Union (KSU,) who demanded her resignation. George who was accompanying Kerala Speaker A M Shamseer on the Vande Bharat train did not proceed on her journey and was first admitted to Kannur district hospital. She was later shifted to the Kannur Government Medical College Hospital in Pariyarm after reportedly complaining of neck and hand pain. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Sunny Joseph has dismissed the allegation of George being attacked as "drama." "... There is no evidence at all. The videos and the visuals clearly show that there was no attack at all. Nobody has touched her body with any weapon or anything. No injury sustained. This is all a false and fabricated case... It's only a drama," Joseph told ANI. In response to the alleged attack on Veena George, workers of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) workers in Adoor vandalised the Youth Congress flagpoles and tore down posters related to the Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan-led "Puthu Yuga Yathra" protest march. Yesterday, CPM State Secretary MV Govindan said that the attack on George at the Kannur railway station was "an organised, pre-planned attack, carried out with the full knowledge of the Congress leadership." "Their intention was nothing short of harming, even killing the Minister" Govindan said. The CPM leader said that the party will hold statewide protests. "The people of Kerala will stand united against this. We are calling for statewide protests. The Congress is acting purely based on the Kanakagolu theory everything they do is calculated and intentional. The protest and the violence were conducted with complete awareness and planning by the Congress leadership," Govindan told ANI. CPI(M) MP John Brittas had on Wednesday condemned the assault on Kerala Minister Veena George by KSU workers, alleging it was carried out at the behest of the Congress leadership. He termed it an attempt by the UDF to malign Kerala's health sector and urged Congress to prevent such incidents against public representatives. Meanwhile, Kannur Town Police have booked five leaders of the Congress's Kerala Students' Union (KSU) on charges of attempt to murder in connection with the alleged assault on Minister for Health, Women and Child Development Veena George. Those booked include KSU Kannur district president MC Athul, who led the protest at the railway station, KSU district treasurer Akshay Mattul, and KSU leaders CH Mubaz, Bithul Balan and Mohammed Yassin. The Student Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of CPM, took out a protest march to the District Congress Committee (DCC) office at Talap in Kannur and raised slogans against KSU district president Athul. SFI workers allegedly threw stones at the DCC office, and when they attempted to enter the premises, police intervened. The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of CPM, also raised slogans warning that those responsible for attacking the minister would not be spared. Responding to the alleged attack in Kannur, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan yesterday said that those giving leadership to these (protests) were attempting to turn Kerala into a conflict zone. "I have only one appeal: what they want should not happen. Our state should live peacefully," he said. (ANI) A political slugfest has broken out in Himachal Pradesh following the recent confrontation between Delhi Police and Himachal Police over the detention of three persons from a resort in Chirgaon, with the ruling Congress defending the state police action and the BJP accusing the government of obstructing a lawful investigation. The controversy stems from an incident in which a Delhi Police team allegedly picked up three individuals from a resort in Shimla district, prompting intervention by Himachal Police and subsequent legal proceedings. Reacting to the development, Principal Media Advisor to the Chief Minister, Naresh Chauhan said the Shimla Police acted appropriately and strictly within the legal framework. Speaking to ANI and mediapersons in Shimla on Thursday, Chauhan asserted that the state government had no intention of protecting any criminal but insisted that due process must be followed. "Himachal Pradesh government has no intention of shielding any criminal, but every action must be taken within the ambit of law. The Delhi Police did not follow due procedure. As per rules, police from another state must inform the local police before carrying out such action. Since this was not done, Shimla Police acted as per law and registered an FIR. This is a matter of safety of Himachal's citizens and no agency can conduct such operations without prior information and compliance with rules." said Naresh Chauhan, Principal Media Advisor to HP CM. Meanwhile, the BJP hit back at the Congress government, alleging that the state administration attempted to hinder Delhi Police's lawful action. BJP MLA Vinod Kumar claimed that Delhi Police was acting in accordance with the law and was eventually allowed to proceed only after completing formalities. Vinod Kumar further alleged that the Sukhu-led government was exerting pressure on police officials and attempting to shield those accused, adding that the incident had adversely affected the image of Himachal Pradesh Police. He also referred to the alleged protest by Youth Congress workers during a summit in Delhi, claiming that the police action was part of an investigation into that episode. The incident has intensified political tensions in the state, with both parties trading accusations while the police maintain that legal procedures and inter-state coordination protocols are being followed. (ANI) Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that protesting under the tenure of "compromised" PM has become a "crime." In an 'X' post, Rahul Gandhi stressed that the world's largest democracy is being pushed to a stage where "dissent" is termed as "treason", meanwhile, asking questions are conspiracy. He further mentioned that lawsuits against people who protest against the government have become a normal thing. "In today's India, under the rule of a Compromised PM, peaceful protest has been turned into the biggest crime. The world's largest democracy is being slowly pushed in a direction where dissent is labelled as treason and asking questions is called a conspiracy. Think about it - no matter the issue, if you raise your voice against those in power through constitutional means, then batons, lawsuits, and jail are almost a certainty," Rahul Gandhi said. Drawing attention towards the issue of paper leaks, wrestlers' protests and peaceful demonstrations in support of a rape victim are "crushed", meanwhile, their demand for justice is also deemed an "inconvenience" to the system and dispersed. "Youth tormented by paper leaks raised their voices for their future - and were met with blows from batons. The country's proud women wrestlers demanded a fair investigation into serious allegations against a powerful BJP leader. Their cries were defamed, their movement crushed, and they were forcibly removed from the streets. A peaceful demonstration took place at India Gate in support of a rape victim. The demand for justice was deemed an "inconvenience" to the system and dispersed," Gandhi said. Intensifying his attack on PM Modi, Gandhi claimed that the Indian Youth Congress's protest at the AI Summit against the India-US trade deal was called "anti-national", whereas people who opposed the government over air pollution were dismissed as "politics" and their demands were suppressed. "When Youth Congress peacefully protested against a US Trade deal harmful to the country, they were branded "anti-national" and arrested. When ordinary people stood up against poisonous air, even concerns for the environment were dismissed as "politics" and suppressed. When farmers protested for their rights, they too were labeled anti-national. Tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons, and batons - these became the means of dialogue," he said. Gandhi also questioned the Prime Minister, asking what kind of democracy people are living in the present time, where a "compromised" PM fears questions, and "crushing" dissent is becoming the nature of governance. He stated that peaceful protests are not a crime but the soul of democracy. Gandhi stressed that the growth of democracy takes place when the government listen to criticism and responds to it, while remaining accountable. "When tribals stood up for their rights to water, forests, and land, suspicion was cast upon them too - as if demanding one's rights is a crime. What kind of democracy is this, where a Compromised PM fears questions? Where crushing dissent is becoming the nature of governance? Peaceful protest is not a crime - it is the soul of democracy. Asking questions is not democracy's weakness - it is its strength. Democracy grows stronger when the government listens to criticism, responds, and remains accountable. Modi ji, this is not North Korea, it is India. When those in power start seeing themselves as the nation and dissent as the enemy - that is when democracy dies," he said. (ANI) Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Thursday backed the Supreme Court's outrage over critical references to the judiciary in NCERT textbooks, and called for an investigation into what he termed as the RSS's "vile and malice-driven work" over the past decade.In a post on X, Ramesh stated that the Supreme Court's reaction to the NCERT textbooks issue is justified, but argued that the way NCERT textbooks have been rewritten over the past decade is shameful."The Supreme Court's outrage over the critical references to the judiciary in NCERT textbooks is justified. In fact, the way NCERT textbooks have been rewritten over the past decade is shameful. This is the vile and malice-driven work of the RSS. In reality, this entire gang should be investigated," Ramesh posted.The statement comes in the wake of controversy surrounding content in NCERT textbooks, particularly a Class 8 Social Science textbook chapter on the judiciary that led to the withdrawal of the book's distribution.NCERT had earlier issued an apology and withdrawn the distribution of its newly released Class 8 Social Science textbook after inappropriate textual material and errors of judgement were found in a chapter titled "The Role of Judiciary in our Society."The controversy has sparked a political debate, with the Congress leader using the opportunity to target the RSS and question the process of textbook revisions undertaken in recent years. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of India on Thursday issued show cause notices to the Secretary of the Department of Education and Literacy (Ministry of Education) and NCERT Director Dinesh Prashad Saklani, asking them to explain why action should not be taken under contempt or other laws for including a sub-chapter titled "Corruption in the judiciary" in the Class 8 NCERT Social Science textbook. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M Pancholi refused to halt suo motu proceedings despite NCERT's apology over the controversial inclusion and imposed a blanket ban on the textbook section. The court warned that any attempt to bypass the order would be considered direct interference with the administration of justice and could attract contempt of court. The Supreme Court has also directed NCERT to submit detailed records of the Teaching-Learning Materials Committee that approved the chapter, including the names, qualifications, and credentials of all members of the development team. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to address a mega public rally in Punjab's Moga on March 14, in what is being seen as a significant political development ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. According to top BJP sources, the rally may serve as a formal launch of the party's campaign in the state. Amit Shah is expected to address party workers, local leadership, and supporters, outlining the political roadmap and strategy for the upcoming elections. Sources indicate that Killi Chahal village has been selected as the rally venue, from where the Home Minister may sound the bugle for the 2027 electoral battle. The location has reportedly been chosen with strategic considerations in mind. Moga is situated in Punjab's politically crucial Malwa region, which accounts for the largest share of Assembly seats in the state and often plays a decisive role in determining the electoral outcome. Political observers note that strong performance in Malwa is essential for any party aiming to form a government in Punjab. Party leaders from across Punjab, along with senior state and national functionaries, are expected to attend the rally. The event is likely to focus on governance issues, development initiatives, law and order, and outreach to farmers, youth, and industry stakeholders. With political activity intensifying in Punjab, the rally is expected to energise the party cadre and signal the beginning of an active campaign phase in the run-up to the 2027 Assembly polls. Meanwhile, Shah on Thursday paid tribute to Veer Savarkar, calling him an "unparalleled warrior" and acknowledging his significant contributions to India's freedom struggle. Speaking at the inauguration of Border Out Posts 'Leti' and 'Indarwa', as well as the e-unveiling and e-foundation laying of various Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) projects, Shah said that Savarkar's writings inspired a wave of patriotism across the nation. (ANI) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday launched the State Innovative Mission at the International Exhibition Centre and inaugurated the T-Nest (Tripura: Nurturing and Entrepreneurship Startup), in Agartala. The program centred on the State Innovation Mission and T-Nest is a joint initiative of Atal Innovation Mission-NITI Aayog, Good Governance and Information Technology Department, and the Government of Tripura. The initiative aims to promote innovation-driven development in the state by encouraging new ideas, technological advancement, and institutional collaboration. The launch is expected to mark a significant step toward strengthening Tripura's growth in emerging sectors and fostering a culture of innovation. Senior government officials, stakeholders, and representatives from various sectors participated in the event. Speaking to ANI, Saha said, "This State Innovation Mission was very necessary for us. Tripura is the first state in India to start a mission of this kind. I believe this is crucial for a place like Tripura. As we look at the 'Act East Policy' mentioned by the Honourable Prime Minister, I feel it is now becoming 'Act East Tripura.' The Prime Minister has provided significant support and facilities for development in Tripura, including the 'HIRA Model' (Highways, Internet, Railways, and Airways). Following that vision, this new mission has been launched. It will be immensely beneficial for our youth. Many of our talented young people used to leave the state despite having great capacity and skill. This mission, along with the focus on startups, will provide them with the necessary logistics support right from the school and college levels." He further stated that," It will help them develop their ideas and reach maturity so that when they enter the professional field, it becomes much easier for them. My message to them is: just think of what you want to achieve, and go for it. For any support needed in between, the Government of Tripura and NITI Aayog will provide full technological assistance." Saha said, "We have also utilised this space, which was previously underutilised, to create an incubation centre. This provides end-to-end support, meaning from the very start of a project to its completion, ensuring our youth enter the workforce fully prepared. A new door of opportunity has opened for Tripura. Our Honourable Prime Minister is the Chairman of NITI Aayog, and today, the Vice Chairman is also here for his first visit to Tripura. He was very pleased to interact with the youth and visit the various innovation stalls. This is a very positive step for the state." (ANI) Congress MLA Aslam Shaikh on Thursday urged strict action against drug peddlers in Maharashtra, calling for the invocation of stringent provisions under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) and seizure of assets of those involved in the illegal trade. Criticising the state government and law enforcement agencies, the Congress leader said drugs were easily available near schools and other public places, terming the situation "shameful" despite some arrests being made. Addressing the media at the Maha Vikas Aghadi meeting, Shaikh said, "For the past year, I've been saying that strict action should be taken against drugs. I myself raised the issue in the assembly hall that, for drug sellers, not just the Drug Act, but MCOCA should be applied. And the Chief Minister also worked to bring that law, and some people are even being arrested under it. " Congress MLA, however, expressed concern that the ground situation had not improved significantly. "But still, you can see that outside schools, outside colleges, bus stops, train stations, drugs are easily available everywhere. And one or two BJP MLAs themselves went and caught drugs being sold outside schools, which is a very shameful thing for the state government and the police," he added. Shaikh stressed that merely arresting accused persons was not enough and called for strict financial action to dismantle drug networks. "When there's a provision in the law where you apply MCOCA, their property should also be seized. All their bank accounts and money should be seized so that no one dares to do it," he said. Drawing comparisons with other countries, he added, "Just as action is taken against drug sellers in Dubai, Singapore, etc., if such action is taken in this country, in Mumbai city and Maharashtra, then I don't think anyone will dare to sell drugs in Mumbai city or Maharashtra," he further added. (ANI) The medical board reviewing the health condition of Kerala Health Minister Veena George has decided to continue her treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Kannur Government Medical College Hospital, stating that there is no need for emergency surgery at present. According to a medical bulletin issued by hospital superintendent K Sudeep, a 13-member expert board met on Thursday and assessed her condition. The Minister is undergoing treatment for "severe radicular pain radiating to her right arm and the back of her head following a neck injury". The board noted that she has experienced partial relief from ongoing treatment. Her high blood pressure is being managed with medication, and pain management protocols are being strictly followed. MRI findings reviewed by the board revealed that the pain is caused by pressure on the cervical exiting nerve roots at two locations in the neck. Doctors said continuous monitoring is required and that travel is not advisable in her present condition. As a result, the board resolved to continue ICU care until further evaluation. The Minister was initially admitted after an alleged incident at Kannur Railway Station during a protest. The incident triggered sharp political exchanges in the state. Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan dismissed claims of an attack as a "deliberate lie," alleging that Kerala Students Union activists did not approach the Minister. He stated that CCTV footage examined by the Railway Police did not show any protester going near her. Satheesan further claimed that the scuffle involved police personnel attempting to restrain the Minister and accused the ruling CPI(M) leadership of spreading misinformation. On the other hand, CPI(M) State Secretary M V Govindan termed the incident a "pre-planned attack" and announced statewide protests, escalating tensions between the ruling Left Democratic Front and the Congress-led United Democratic Front ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, expected to be held around May. (ANI) With Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday inaugurating the Border Out Posts (BOPs) at Leti and Indarwa in Kishanganj district of Bihar, India aimed to put hold on "illegal infiltration" in Seemanchal region of the sate-- marking a significant step in strengthening security along the India-Nepal frontier. Officials responsible with ensuring internal security of the country suggested the two BOPs have been established to enhance surveillance and plug vulnerabilities along the porous international border with Nepal. Kishanganj lies in Bihar's sensitive Seemanchal region, which shares a long and largely open border with Nepal. Unlike fenced borders, the India-Nepal boundary allows free movement of people under bilateral agreements, making it unique but also challenging from a security perspective. One of the officials, seeking anonymity, told ANI that that intelligence agencies time to time have flagged concerns related to cross-border smuggling, human trafficking, circulation of fake Indian currency, and movement of anti-social elements exploiting the porous terrain. The establishment of BOPs at Leti and Indarwa aims to tighten ground-level vigilance in stretches considered vulnerable due to riverine gaps, agricultural fields and densely populated habitations close to the zero line. Inaugurating the two BOPs, the Home Minister said "This initiative will begin with making the entire 'Seemanchal' region free from infiltrators." "Infiltrators not only influence our elections but also take away a share of the food rations meant for the poor, reduce employment opportunities for our youth, and pose a serious threat to national security," Shah said on the occasion. Shah said that during the elections, we had promised the people of Bihar that we would make the state free from infiltrators. He further asserted "We will not only remove the names of infiltrators from the voter list but will also identify each infiltrator and send them out of India." Noting "the time has come to launch a nationwide campaign at every level to free the country from infiltrators," the Home Minister added that, "all illegal encroachments within 10 kilometers of the country's borders will be removed first under this campaign." He also noted that "demographic change does not contribute to the creation of a healthy society in any country." "The demographic changes caused by encroachment and infiltration are very dangerous for any country's culture, history, and geography. The Modi government will provide a permanent solution to this issue." The Union Home Minister further pointed that the states with most affected by demographic change are West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand, and that "when our government is formed in West Bengal, the first item on our agenda will be to complete the fencing work along the border and to identify and send every infiltrator out of the country." Border Out Posts serve as the first line of defence in border management. Along the India-Nepal border, they are manned by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), which is tasked with guarding India's frontiers with Nepal and Bhutan. These posts function as operational hubs for round-the-clock patrolling, intelligence gathering, and coordination with local police and central agencies. With modern infrastructure, including surveillance systems, communication equipment and mobility support, the Leti and Indarwa BOPs are expected to significantly enhance rapid response capabilities. "The Seemanchal belt has been under sustained focus due to concerns over infiltration networks, illegal trade routes and attempts by organised syndicates to exploit the open border. Strengthening border infrastructure is seen as essential not only for national security but also for maintaining law and order in adjoining districts," said another official deputed in Bihar's internal security. He further said the inauguration of the Leti and Indarwa BOPs reflects the Centre's broader push to modernise border management and reinforce security architecture in sensitive regions. An official in the SSB told ANI that the new posts will act as a deterrent to trans-border crime while ensuring smoother coordination between central forces and state authorities. Besides inaugurating the two BOPs, the Home Minister interacted with personnel of the SSB and inaugurated various projects worth about Rs 170 crore to enhance the facilities for the personnel of the border guarding central force. The minister also informed that 554 kilometers of border roads under the India-Nepal border road project have also been approved, out of which work has been completed on 14 of the 18 segments. He added that out of the approved amount of Rs 2,468 crore, Rs 2,336 crore has already been spent. Shah said that once this road is completed, the surveillance capability of SSB personnel will increase manifold. (ANI) Operation Sindoor delivered a strong message to Pakistan within days, Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar, GOC of Kharga Corps (two Corps), said, asserting that the Operation is "still ongoing." "We gave Pakistan a very small sample in the operation. In just four days, they were brought to their knees and called our DGMO and asked to stop this war... This was a very small example, and its purpose was training," the Lieutenant General Pushkar told mediapersons here on Monday. He further asserted that the mission is still active. "Operation Sindoor is ongoing... The preparations for Operation Sindoor 2 are quite extensive. I cannot tell you right now how this operation will unfold because it will depend on how much damage we want to cause to the enemy. Whether it is damage of any kind, be it on land, sea, or air, we are always ready to carry it out," he added. Following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Indian military carried out precise strikes on nine major terror launchpads operated by Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen. Meanwhile, on Thursday, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Command, Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, declared that India will no longer be deterred by Pakistan's "nuclear bluff", adding that India's response will be harsher and stronger than what was witnessed last time. Speaking at a specialised investiture ceremony in Pathankot, the General made it clear that the Indian Army's tactical mindset has shifted from retaliatory strikes to achieving "decisive victory on the ground," highlighting the Western Command's success in "Operation Sindoor." "In Operation Sindoor, we attacked all their (Pakistan) terrorist bases...After that, they retaliated, and in response, we destroyed their military bases and air bases. They then demanded a ceasefire, and not just directly from us, but also from other countries, asking for a ceasefire with India. They cannot fight us...The response will be stronger than what we have done in Operation Sindoor...But we are very sure that we have to respond harsher than we did last time," he said. "This operational demonstration is not just a celebration of our victory in Operation Sindoor; it is a display of preparation. The danger is not yet averted, and this time the enemy will face a blow even harder than before," he added. Addressing the recurring threats of nuclear escalation from across the border, Lt Gen Katiyar dismissed them as a "bluff" born out of weakness. "He (Shehbaz Sharif) wants to prevent us from taking any strong action... It's a kind of bluff he's doing, which we have to call out. We will not be deterred by his nuclear bluff," the General stated firmly. The General warned that while India seeks peace, the military leadership in Pakistan thrives on conflict to maintain its own relevance. He cautioned that the danger has not averted and that the next blow will be "harder than before." "This time it will not be limited to destroying terrorist bases or airbases," he said. "The victory will be such that they will have to kneel and accept defeat before the world." The ceremony served as a tribute to the units that excelled during the past year, specifically those involved in "Operation Sindoor"- a mission the General described as a lesson to the neighbour for its "misadventures." Lt Gen Katiyar highlighted technological self-reliance, especially in drone production and integration, and emphasised the importance of continuous training for soldiers. While highlighting 100% equipment readiness and drone integration, Lt Gen Katiyar emphasised that the Indian Jawan remains the most important factor. He invoked the ideology of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, stating that the Indian spirit, like the legendary Maratha ruler's sword, does not bend before anyone. (ANI) Student protestors of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) led by JNUSU (Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union) were on Thursday detained by Delhi Police after they took out a protest against Vice-Chancellor Santishree D Pandit. The protestors were demanding the VC's resignation over her allegedly hateful remarks regarding Dalits and Blacks, made on a podcast published on February 16, and seeking to voice their grievances to the Education Ministry. The students were scheduled to march from JNU Sabarmati T point to the Ministry of Education. However, the university gates were locked by the security personnel, and barricades were placed outside the university to prevent the protest. Enraged protestors, comprising JNUSU and left-affiliated student groups, including AISF, SFI, PDSU and NSUI carried posters, flags of the federation and portraits of B R Ambedkar and tried to break free the locks. After the protestors broke multiple locks with stones, the police attempted to stop them as they tried to move past the barricade. The scuffle worsened the situation, and the police and security forces began to detain the student protestors. The students, while being detailed, expressed outrage over the locking of university gates, alleged police brutality and suppression of their rights to protest and march for their educational and university-related demands. "How dare you lock the university? Shame on you. You don't even let us march for our rights. Hooligans are walking free while we students marching for our universities and education are being treated this way. We are thrashed and detained," a detained student stated. Earlier on Monday, an alleged clash had erupted at JNU between the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Left-affiliated student groups resulted in several students being injured and leading to conflicting accounts from both sides. While 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, JNUSU President Aditi Mishra claimed that the "goons and sanghis" were sent by the Vice Chancellor Santishree D Pandit as the students were protesting her allegedly hateful remarks. The controversy stems from Pandit's remarks in the podcast while discussing the UGC's proposed 2026 Equity (Anti-Discrimination) Regulations aimed at addressing caste-based discrimination in higher educational institutions. In a clip circulating online, she was heard saying that Dalits and Blacks "cannot progress by being permanently a victim or playing the victim card," triggering sharp reactions from student groups. However, the VC defended her recent remarks regarding Dalits and Blacks, saying her comments were taken out of context and misrepresented for "political purposes" by certain groups. Clarifying her position while speaking to ANI over the phone, Pandit said she had not made any statement against Dalits but was speaking against what she termed "wokes" who use such identities politically. "I am against anybody being made into a permanent victim or a permanent oppressor. That is my position," she said. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, highlighting key outcomes of his visit to four-day visit to Singapore and Japan said that he received Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 90,000 crore in Japan and Rs 60,000 crore in Singapore for the state. Adityanath added that he has also received proposals worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore in Japan and Yamanashi city, and proposals worth up to Rs 1 lakh crore in Singapore for the investment in Uttar Pradesh. Detailing his visit, the Uttar Pradesh CM said that he met with various companies as he pitched for the investment opportunity in the state. "We have met with companies involved in automobile, logistics, green hydrogen, CBG (Compressed Bio Gas), solar, and tourism.... There has been talk of cooperation between Japan and Uttar Pradesh regarding technology in MSMEs, online sales, and other issues... In addition, the construction of a dedicated Japan city for Japanese investors within the Yamuna Authority to develop auto clusters has been discussed in detail, and action has been taken to allocate land for this purpose," he said. "This delegation of Uttar Pradesh has received MoUs worth Rs 90,000 crore in Japan and proposals worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore in Japan and Yamanashi. Similarly, we have received MoUs worth Rs 60,000 crore in Singapore and proposals worth up to Rs 1 lakh crore for investment in Uttar Pradesh," he added. Adityanath said that he held meetings at the G2G (Government-to-Government) level, and several G2B (Government-to- Business) and B2B (Business-to-Business) level meetings. "Two major road shows were held: one in Singapore, which attracted a large number of investors, chairmen and CEOs of financial institutions. We held a road show yesterday in Tokyo, and another today in Yamanashi, which also attracted a significant number of investors," he said. Uttar Pradesh CM announced that, along with the governor of Yamanashi, along with 200 CEOs from Japan will visit Uttar Pradesh. CM Yogi visited Singapore from February 22 to 24 and then headed to Tokyo, Japan, for the second leg of his visit. (ANI) MDMK (Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) chief Vaiko has lauded late Communist leader Comrade Nallakannu as a "legend" of the communist movement and an "example of pure honesty, simplicity and humility". Vaiko highlighted Nallakannu's lifelong dedication to the upliftment of Dalits and oppressed sections, urging all aspiring politicians to study his life and follow in his footsteps. Vaiko said, "Comrade Nallakannu has become a legend of the Communist movement. At the age of 18, he joined the CPI; he underwent imprisonment for more than 7 years. He sacrificed everything throughout his life. He lived for more than 100 years. He participated in all the struggles and agitations for the upliftment of Dalits and oppressed sections to establish social justice and secularism. He was so sympathetic to the Tamil's cause in the island of Sri Lanka. He was also affectionate to the LTTE movement. He is a model, an example of pure honesty, simplicity and humility. His approach to the Opposition parties was so cordial. So, he had become an example. Whoever enters politics should study the life of Nallakannu and follow in his footsteps." The mortal remains of veteran CPI leader R Nallakannu were taken from Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital to CPI Head Office in T Nagar in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. CPI(M) workers and Communists in Tamil Nadu gathered near the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai. Nallakannu, who had been undergoing treatment at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, passed away on Wednesday afternoon, at the age of 101. Nallakannu was one of the senior-most Communist leaders in Tamil Nadu. According to an official statement issued by Madras Medical College and the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Nallakannu had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on February 1 due to health complications. Over 24 days of treatment, his condition fluctuated despite continuous advanced monitoring and intensive care by a multidisciplinary medical team. However, from the early hours of Wednesday, his response to medication gradually declined, and his condition turned critical. Despite being placed on advanced life support, all his vital organs eventually failed. He was declared dead at around 1:55 pm. (ANI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Leader of Opposition and former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, on Thursday submitted a memorandum to Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla at Lok Bhawan, raising concerns over the alleged conduct of Himachal Pradesh Police and the state government in connection with the detention of three Youth Congress workers by Delhi Police. The BJP delegation urged the Governor to intervene in the matter and sought an appropriate inquiry and necessary action. The three Youth Congress members were arrested by the Delhi Police in connection with a protest held in the national capital. Speaking to ANI after submitting the memorandum, Thakur alleged that the protest in Delhi was orchestrated with the involvement of the Himachal Pradesh government and Congress leadership. He said, "The structure of this protest was prepared at Himachal Sadan in Delhi, and thereafter the accused were hidden in Himachal Pradesh. This is the first time we have seen such a situation in the state; it has never happened before." Thakur further stated that while the Chief Minister speaks about the federal structure, it must be acknowledged that the Delhi Police functions under the Union government. "If the Chief Minister talks about the federal structure, he must accept that the Delhi Police works under the Centre. The case was registered in Delhi, and action was taken there," he said. The BJP leader also criticised the nature of the protest, claiming it had brought disrepute to the country. "On the directions of senior Youth Congress leaders and top Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, the protest where leaders allegedly stripped and demonstrated has lowered the country's dignity. Those who think against national interest must face legal action, and such action is already underway," he added. Thakur further alleged that after non-bailable warrants were issued, the accused fled to Himachal Pradesh and were given protection. "After non-bailable warrants were issued and the accused fled to Himachal Pradesh, they were given protection here. Why did they not go to Uttar Pradesh or any other state? Tourists are always welcome, but harbouring an accused under protection cannot be tolerated," he said. He also claimed that despite the Delhi Police completing legal formalities and obtaining transit remand, attempts were allegedly made to obstruct the process. "After all legal procedures were followed and transit remand was granted, the state police had no authority to stop the Delhi Police. Yet, efforts were made to delay the process so that 24 hours could pass," he added. Thakur accused the state government of shielding the accused and said this was unprecedented. He said, "No previous government in Himachal Pradesh has acted in this manner by protecting accused persons. We have urged the Governor and the Centre to take action against leaders and officials who allegedly provided such protection." He added that the matter was already under the purview of the Union Home Ministry, under which the Delhi Police functions. "Whatever has happened has never occurred before. Devbhoomi Himachal has been defamed, and Congress is indulging in politics while accusing the BJP. Government machinery and police force were allegedly used to provide protection to the accused," he added. The BJP leader strongly condemned the alleged actions of the state government and police officials, reiterating the party's demand for a neutral and thorough investigation into the matter. (ANI) Hyderabad Police on Thursday apprehended three Children in Conflict with the Law (CCL) for allegedly breaking into a Hanuman Temple, stealing a copper vessel and vandalising the idol at Barkas, police said in a statement. The police launched the investigation on a complaint that some unknown offenders desecrated the Hanuman Temple located at Barkas, under the police station Chandrayangutta and stole the copper vessel in the early hours of February 24. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Chandrayangutta A Sudhakar and Station House Officer (SHO) Chandrayangutta R Gopi formed special teams and verified the CCTV footage in the nearby localities. It is noticed that some Children in Conflict with the law (CCL) were moving in suspicious circumstances and were carrying some items in a polythene bag. Special team apprehended the three CCL from Royal colony, Balapur and on verifying, they confessed that they broke the temple lock with a stone and entered into and stole a copper vessel and damaged the idol, the police said. On February 26, the police apprehended the above individuals from their residences, which are located at Royal Colony, Balapur, Hyderabad (Native of Myanmar) and produced them before V ACJM, Nampally Court, police said. (ANI) Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President KT Rama Rao on Wednesday launched a blistering attack on the Congress government over the demolition drive in Velugumatla (Vinoba Bhave Colony) in Khammam, alleging "gross injustice" to poor families and accusing the ruling dispensation of pursuing a "bulldozer-first governance model." During a ground visit to the affected locality, KTR interacted with displaced residents and described the scenes as "deeply disturbing and administratively indefensible." Addressing a public gathering later, he questioned the Congress government's commitment to its much-publicised "Indiramma Rajyam." "Is Indiramma Rajyam about empowering the poor or about razing the very homes they built with their life savings?" he asked, taking sharp aim at the state government. Providing historical context, KTR noted that nearly 62 acres in Velugumatla were voluntarily donated to the Bhoodan Board in the 1950s for distribution to the poor, inspired by the Vinoba Bhave movement.He pointed out that in April 2014, the then government, through the Bhoodan Board, issued pattas of 100 square yards each to 1,895 beneficiaries. "Beneficiaries possess valid pattas, property tax receipts and documented proof of electricity applications. In the face of such records, branding the occupation as illegal is legally untenable and morally questionable," he said.KTR maintained that Bhoodan land, by definition, is meant for the poor and cannot be treated as encroached property without due process. The BRS leader strongly criticised the manner in which the demolitions were carried out, alleging procedural violations."Large police deployment, late-night action and absence of prior notice raise serious questions about administrative propriety. The operation resembled a military-style crackdown rather than a lawful eviction process," he said.KTR cited testimonies of affected families, including daily wage earners who had reportedly invested their life savings into modest homes. He alleged that students preparing for examinations were abruptly displaced. "The government must explain whether due process under law was followed," he demanded. In a pointed political charge, KTR alleged that the demolition exercise was linked to real estate interests."There is a growing perception on the ground that valuable land parcels are being eyed for high-end development. The government must come clean and place all facts in the public domain," he said. He also questioned the reported transfer of the local RDO, asking whether it indicated administrative irregularities. "If the process was entirely lawful, why the sudden administrative reshuffle? Transparency is essential to restore public confidence," he remarked. Assuring full support to the affected families, KTR announced that BRS would extend legal assistance to the victims."The affected families need not spend any money on litigation. We are prepared to pursue the matter through all legal forums, including the Supreme Court, if required," he said. He further stated that the party would raise the issue in both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council to seek accountability from the government. KTR also urged residents to remain united and cautious about signing any documents without legal clarity. The BRS Working President asserted that the party would press for rehabilitation of eligible families at the same site, subject to legal adjudication. "Our position is clear: justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. The government must come forward with a transparent and humane rehabilitation plan," he said. KTR added that the party would explore interim relief measures, including food and shelter support, if the situation so demanded. He alleged that the Khammam incident fits into a broader pattern. "From HYDRA actions in Hyderabad to demolitions reported in other districts, there is a growing perception that enforcement is becoming disproportionately harsh on vulnerable sections," he said. He accused the Congress government of failing to balance development enforcement with humanitarian considerations. "The state must ensure that the rule of law is upheld without causing avoidable distress to the poorest households," he said.KTR called upon the state government to immediately halt further coercive action, undertake a transparent review of land records in Velugumatla and engage with affected families. Senior BRS leaders, including former minister Puvvada Ajay Kumar and MP Vaddiraju Ravichandra, were present during the visit. On the same day, KTR is to visit Khammam today, Thursday. He inspects demolished houses on Bhoodan lands in Velugumatla revenue limits. He has to meet victims and reassure them. Khammam district BRS leaders have been fighting for two days over unilateral demolitions. BRS Khammam district leadership is demanding rehabilitation for victims. (ANI) Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Thursday launched an attack against the Centre, accusing it of creating an "RSS and Hindu ideology-based history of India" amid the row over the judiciary chapter in NCERT. Speaking to ANI, the Minister criticised the issues of misrepresentation and distortion of the history and culture of the country by the BJP. "...There are so many objectionable things happening today, distorting history and misrepresenting issues regarding our culture. I think the Supreme Court may have been moved because this case is connected to them. But there are many things happening where history has been distorted by the BJP government. They want to create a new history of India based not on facts but on their RSS ideology, their Hindutva ideology, and the BJP ideology, and that is being pushed into textbooks. I hope the same rules will be applied to everybody else," he said. This comes after the Supreme Court of India, earlier today, issued show cause notices to the Secretary of the Department of Education and Literacy (Ministry of Education) and NCERT Director Dinesh Prashad Saklani, asking them to explain why action should not be taken under contempt or other laws for including a sub-chapter titled "Corruption in the judiciary" in the Class 8 NCERT Social Science textbook. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M Pancholi refused to halt suo motu proceedings despite NCERT's apology over the controversial inclusion and imposed a blanket ban on the textbook section. The court warned that any attempt to bypass the order would be considered direct interference with the administration of justice and could attract contempt of court. The Supreme Court has also directed NCERT to submit detailed records of the Teaching-Learning Materials Committee that approved the chapter, including the names, qualifications, and credentials of all members of the development team. Meanwhile, NCERT had earlier issued an apology and stated that it would review and revise the chapter following proper consultation, acknowledging that the reference to corruption was inappropriate. (ANI) Reaffirming the commitment to strengthening the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat', the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, today flagged off a batch of 30 students from Lok Niwas, Leh, for the Rashtriya Ekatmata Yatra 2026 - Student Experience in Regional Understanding (SERU) tour. The initiative is organised by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in collaboration with Vidyarthi Sewa Trust. According to an official release, the group comprises 11 girls and 19 boys from Eliezer Joldan Memorial College, University of Ladakh, and the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Choglamsar. During the 13-day tour, the students will visit Gurugram, Chandigarh, Manali, and Jammu as part of a structured exposure programme aimed at fostering national integration and regional understanding. The itinerary includes visits to premier institutions and landmark sites such as the Maruti Suzuki India Limited plant at Gurugram and Rashtrapati Bhavan, among others. A unique feature of the programme is the students' stay with host families in different regions, enabling them to experience local culture, traditions, and lifestyles firsthand, thereby deepening their appreciation of India's rich diversity. Addressing the students, the Lieutenant Governor underscored the importance of such exposure tours in strengthening national integration and mutual understanding among youth. He observed that the SERU initiative is a meaningful step towards realising the vision of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat by creating platforms for dialogue, cultural exchange, and experiential learning. Kavinder Gupta highlighted that SERU (Student Experience in Regional Understanding) promotes awareness and appreciation of specific regional cultures, citing previous tours from Ladakh to Delhi as notable examples. He emphasised that through activities such as cultural exchanges, visits to historical sites, and interactions with local communities, participants gain first-hand insight into the country's diverse traditions and ways of life. Such initiatives, he noted, foster lifelong friendships, lasting memories, and a deeper emotional bond among citizens from different regions, the release noted. The Lieutenant Governor further remarked that the primary objective of the initiative is to provide Ladakh's youth with an opportunity to understand India's diverse cultural, geographical, and administrative landscape. The programme familiarises students with governance systems, higher educational institutions, industrial establishments, and the historical backdrop of various states, thereby broadening their academic and professional horizons. "It is not merely an educational tour but a powerful medium for fostering collaboration, dialogue, and national unity. When young people from different regions engage with one another and exchange experiences, it strengthens harmony and mutual cooperation," he stated. Commending ABVP and Vidyarthi Sewa Trust for their sustained efforts, the Lieutenant Governor appreciated their role in enabling the youth of Ladakh to connect with the nation's cultural heritage, democratic values, and governance framework. He encouraged the students to act as ambassadors of Ladakh, uphold its rich traditions, and contribute meaningfully to nation-building. During the interaction, the organisers informed that the tour is designed to broaden students' perspectives, promote cultural understanding and national unity, and inspire them in their future academic and career pursuits, the release stated. The Lieutenant Governor extended his felicitations and best wishes to all participating students for a safe, successful, and enriching journey, reiterating the Administration's commitment to youth empowerment and nation-building initiatives in the Union Territory of Ladakh. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered a complete blanket ban on both the reprinting and online circulation of NCERT's latest Class 8 Social Science textbook, addressing the issue of "corruption within the judiciary". The Court issued show cause notices to the Secretary of the Department of Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education and Dinesh Prashad Saklani, Director of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), asking them to explain why action should not be initiated under contempt or other applicable laws for including a sub-chapter titled "Corruption in the judiciary" in a textbook. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi refused to halt suo motu proceedings despite NCERT's apology over the controversial inclusion and imposed a blanket ban on the contentious section. The court warned that any attempt to bypass its order would amount to direct interference with the administration of justice and could attract contempt of court proceedings. The apex court also directed NCERT to place on record detailed documents related to the Teaching-Learning Materials Committee that approved the chapter, including the names, qualifications and credentials of all members of the development team. "They have fired the gun and the judiciary is bleeding today. Today, anybody can say anything. At times, there is a mounting attack on us, and we are aware of it. The material is available online, on the internet, and even in stores. This is a very calculated move -- the entire teaching will be dictated. When you look at how the Indian judiciary is portrayed as corrupt, it becomes evident what message is being sent. The entire teaching community will first be instructed that this is what they have to teach. In reality, not a single section of society has been left untouched. It is a deep-rooted, well-planned, and orchestrated conspiracy," the CJI said. According to the sources, the NCERT Director is ascertaining the process of preparation of the textbooks which led to this "error of judgment" and identifying the persons and processes responsible. The exercise, sources added, would ensure that such inappropriateness is avoided in future with utmost strictness. Reacting to the development, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and Chairman of the Bar Council of India, Manan Kumar Mishra, said the Supreme Court had "adopted a very firm stance." "The Supreme Court today adopted a very firm stance and took this issue very seriously. I was also present in the court. Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta's stance was also very clear on how such a title was given to a chapter. The Supreme Court has ordered today that there should be an investigation. The date of March 11 has been set. On that day, further proceedings will take place. Whoever is found guilty will face the strictest possible action," he said. He noted that the Solicitor General assured the court that an inquiry would identify those responsible. Senior Advocate and President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Vikas Singh, described the inclusion of the chapter as "very shocking," stating that singling out the judiciary for corruption sends a wrong message to impressionable young minds. He said that while corruption should be discussed and children must be taught integrity and values, targeting one constitutional institution distorts perspective. Members of the National Bar Council also extended strong support to the apex court over the issuance of notices to senior officials of NCERT and the Education Ministry. BJD MP Sasmit Patra backed the court's suo motu action, calling the curriculum "unwarranted and deplorable." Speaking to ANI, he said, "I strongly support the views of CJI Justice Surya Kant not only as a parliamentarian but also as a member of the Supreme Court bar because such curriculum which seems to be denigrating the image of the judiciary in books, is extremely unwarranted and deplorable. The Supreme Court has already taken a suo motu case in this regard. Not only the withdrawal of the books but also finding who all are responsible for this and ensuring a framework that such curriculum does not get into textbooks or any other public platform... proper precautions need to be taken." Further, Karnataka Minister MC Sudhakar termed it a serious issue, saying any mention of the judiciary in such a context is not in good taste and is "unacceptable." "It's a serious issue because this should not be taught to students. I don't know how NCERT could ignore something so important, which could really demoralise the judiciary. What the Chief Justice of India has done, I think, could be considered a little harsh - I can't comment on that. But any mention of the judiciary in such a context is not in good taste and is unacceptable," he said. He added, "I think they (NCERT) should apply their minds properly and ensure they do not cross their limits on certain issues. I don't know whether this was deliberate, but it is a serious matter. It has been taken very seriously by the ethics code, and we need to be careful in the days to come." Another Karnataka Minister, Priyank Kharge, said, "While the court has justified what it has done, a little more proactivity from the court would also help. A lot of misinformation is being put in our textbooks, whether it is altered history, mythology being passed off as history, the decline of scientific temperament in society, or the erosion of the social fabric of the country. While the Supreme Court has safeguarded the institution, which is of prime importance because people still have faith in it, I think the Supreme Court should also take action on many other issues, which would help the progress of the country." Congress MP Jairam Ramesh backed the Supreme Court's outrage over critical references to the judiciary in NCERT textbooks, and called for an investigation into what he termed as the RSS's "vile and malice-driven work" over the past decade. "The Supreme Court's outrage over the critical references to the judiciary in NCERT textbooks is justified. In fact, the way NCERT textbooks have been rewritten over the past decade is shameful. This is the vile and malice-driven work of the RSS. In reality, this entire gang should be investigated," Ramesh posted on X. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on March 11, with the apex court making it clear that accountability will be fixed following the inquiry. Following the notices by the top court, the Centre has begun the process of recalling all physical and online copies of the book, with the Education Ministry writing to Information and Broadcasting Ministry to ensure removal of online copies too. (ANI) The Education Ministry on Thursday wrote to the Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B), and the Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), seeking immediate steps to halt the dissemination of the withdrawn textbook through digital platforms and electronic media. This comes after the Supreme Court ordered a complete blanket ban on both the reprinting and online circulation of NCERT's latest Class 8 Social Science textbook. "The Union of India and its agencies will ensure that the book is removed immediately from the physical and digital platforms without any delay, and a compliance report by way of an affidavit is placed on record..." the letter read. The Education Ministry emphasised that a complete blanket ban has been imposed on any further publication, re-printing, or digital dissemination of the book titled "Exploring Society, India and Beyond". "Any attempt to circumvent this order through electronic media or alternative titles, containing the same contents, shall be treated as a direct interference, willful breach and defiance of the directions issued herein above..." the letter read. The MoE further asked for the immediate halt to the dissemination of the Textbook through digital platforms by MeiTy and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. "While the removal of physical Textbooks and stoppage of its re-printing etc. is being done by NCERT and allied Agencies, its dissemination through digital platforms and electronic media has to be stopped by the Competent Authority, namely, MeitY and I & B. Accordingly, it is requested that these directions may be issued for strict compliance be complied with immediate effect and an action taken be furnished by February 27, so that compliance report by way of an affidavit may be placed on record by this Department," the letter stated. The Court issued show cause notices to the Secretary of the Department of Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education and Dinesh Prashad Saklani, Director of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), asking them to explain why action should not be initiated under contempt or other applicable laws for including a sub-chapter titled "Corruption in the judiciary" in a textbook. The apex court also directed NCERT to place on record detailed documents related to the Teaching-Learning Materials Committee that approved the chapter, including the names, qualifications and credentials of all members of the development team. "They have fired the gun and the judiciary is bleeding today. Today, anybody can say anything. At times, there is a mounting attack on us, and we are aware of it. The material is available online, on the internet, and even in stores. This is a very calculated move -- the entire teaching will be dictated. When you look at how the Indian judiciary is portrayed as corrupt, it becomes evident what message is being sent. The entire teaching community will first be instructed that this is what they have to teach. In reality, not a single section of society has been left untouched. It is a deep-rooted, well-planned, and orchestrated conspiracy," the CJI said.(ANI) Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticised Israel's military actions in Gaza and urged India to raise the issue of Palestinian rights during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing visit to Israel. PM Modi is on a two-day official visit to Israel. Araghchi alleged that Israel's actions in Gaza amount to "genocide" and said Tehran does not consider it appropriate to engage with what he termed a "genocidal regime." He expressed hope that while in Israel, PM Modi would also address the question of Palestinians and their right to self-determination. In an interview with India Today, Araghchi said, "Unfortunate, Israel is the one who has destroyed the whole of Gaza. Seventy-five thousand people are killed, and this is not a claim; this is a fact, confirmed by almost all international organizations who are dealing with the question of Gaza. Seventy thousand people. It is a genocide. So obviously, we don't see it as appropriate to deal with a genocidal regime. It is up to our friends in India to decide for themselves, but I hope that while Prime Minister Modi is there, he can also address the question of Palestinians and their right to self-determination." Araghchi reaffirmed Iran's strong and historic ties with India, describing New Delhi as a friend. He said bilateral relations between the two countries span economic, cultural, social and political spheres, and voiced confidence that the partnership would continue to grow. "We have always had a very good relationship with India. India is a friend to Iran, and our relationship is historic. We have always enjoyed having a good bilateral economic relationship, social relations, cultural relations, and political relations, and we want it to continue as such. I have good contact with my colleague, Minister Jaishankar, and we always exchange our views, and we have very good personal relations," he said. "I'm confident that Iran and India can continue their good, friendly relations. I hope that India plays its positive and constructive role to establish peace and stability in our region and to prevent further crimes and killings by Israelis against Palestinians," he said. (ANI) Ambassador of Israel to India, Reuven Azar, described Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit as "a peak in our relations," saying the leaders held extensive talks, focusing on upgrading defence cooperation and expanding collaboration into emerging technologies. Speaking to ANI, Azar said, "This was really a peak in our relations... The people of Israel are excited to have Prime Minister Modi here. He spoke from his heart in the name of the Indian people... Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke with Prime Minister Modi at the airport, and now they are dining together. It was a long conversation. An opportunity to discuss an upgrade to our defence relationship and the expansion of our relations into new spheres, such as emerging technologies." "We are looking forward to the expanded meeting tomorow, to announce the agreements... One of the main things we want to do in the economic field, not only to sign a free trade agreement that we are negotiating as we speak, but also to connect the financial sectors of both countries," he said. Further, Former Knesset member Pnina Rosenblum praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his speech, calling him "the greatest Prime Minister" and lauding his strong support and affection for Israel, while highlighting the close business ties between the two countries. "He is the greatest Prime Minister. We love his support for Israel. We love his love for Israel. We are happy that we have him with us. We do a lot of business together. We are very happy. He is a great Prime Minister Modi," Rosenblum told ANI. The Israeli Parliament on Wednesday conferred the "Speaker of the Knesset Medal" on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the highest honour of the Knesset. The award was conferred in recognition of PM Modi's "exceptional contribution through his personal leadership" to strengthen strategic relations between India and Israel. The medal was conferred after PM Modi's speech in the Israeli Parliament. After his speech, PM Modi interacted with members of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. The MPs took selfies and photographs with PM Modi.PM Modi received a standing ovation during his speech, which was also marked by rapturous applause. In his speech, PM Modi said there is great admiration for Israel's resolve, courage, and achievements in India. "Long before we related to each other as modern States, we were linked by ties that go back more than two thousand years. The Book of Esther refers to India as Hodu. The Talmud records trade with India in ancient times," he said. "Jewish merchants travelled across sea routes that connected the Mediterranean with the Indian Ocean. They came seeking opportunity and dignity. And, in India, they became one of us. Jewish communities have lived in India without fear of persecution or discrimination. They have preserved their faith and participated fully in society. That record is a source of pride for us," he added. PM Modi said that at the heart of the India-Israel partnership are the ties between our peoples. "When I first visited Israel in 2006, there were a handful of Yoga centres in Israel. Today, Yoga seems to be practiced in almost every neighbourhood. I am told that interest in Ayurveda is also growing in Israel. I invite more and more young Israelis to travel to India. They will witness the dynamism of our society, and experience what holistic wellness can do for the body and the mind," he said. He said the Indian Parliament has set up a Parliamentary Friendship Group for Israel. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday crossed the historic milestone of 100 million followers on Instagram, becoming the first world leader and politician to achieve this feat on the platform. PM Modi joined Instagram in 2014. He has more than twice as many followers as US President Donald Trump on Instagram. The total count of followers of the next five major world leaders is lower than PM Modi's individual follower count. US President Donald Trump holds the second spot with 43.2 million followers. He is followed by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto with 15 million followers, Brazilian President Lula with 14.4 million followers, Turkish President Erdogan with 11.6 million followers and Argentine President Javier Milei with 6.4 million followers. Moreover, within India as well, the gap in the number of followers is staggering. The PM is miles ahead of other Indian political leaders on Instagram. The second spot is held by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with around 16.1 million followers, followed by Rahul Gandhi with approximately 12.6 million followers. At the moment, PM Modi is on a two-day official visit to Israel. The Israeli Parliament on Wednesday conferred the "Speaker of the Knesset Medal" on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the highest honour of the Knesset. The award was conferred in recognition of PM Modi's "exceptional contribution through his personal leadership" to strengthen strategic relations between India and Israel. The medal was conferred after PM Modi's speech in the Israeli Parliament. After his speech, PM Modi interacted with members of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. The MPs took selfies and photographs with PM Modi. PM Modi received a standing ovation during his speech, which was also marked by rapturous applause. In his speech, PM Modi said there is great admiration for Israel's resolve, courage, and achievements in India. "Long before we related to each other as modern States, we were linked by ties that go back more than two thousand years. The Book of Esther refers to India as Hodu. The Talmud records trade with India in ancient times," he said. (ANI) Ahead of a new round of talks on Thursday aimed at ending Russia's invasion, US President Donald Trump held discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky thanked Trump and his envoys for their active involvement in the negotiations, noting that their discussions focused on the agenda for the upcoming bilateral meeting in Geneva and preparations for a trilateral session scheduled for early March. In a post on X, the Ukrainian President wrote, "I just spoke with @POTUS Donald Trump. Envoys of President Trump - Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were also on the call. Our teams work intensively and I thanked them for all their work and for their active involvement in the negotiations and the efforts to end the war. We also greatly value the PURL initiative. This winter has been the most difficult one for Ukraine, but the missiles for air defense systems that we purchase from the U.S. are helping us get through all these challenges and protect lives." https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2026741117065007438?s=20 He said these talks aim to move negotiations to the leaders' level, which he described as the only way to resolve complex issues and bring an end to the war. "We discussed the issues that our representatives will address tomorrow in Geneva during the bilateral meeting, as well as preparations for the next meeting of the full negotiating teams in a trilateral format at the very beginning of March. We expect this meeting to create an opportunity to move talks to the leaders' level. President Trump supports this sequence of steps. This is the only way to resolve all the complex and sensitive issues and finally end the war. Thank you!" the post read. Earlier on Tuesday, Zelenskyy marked four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, declaring that Kyiv has preserved its independence and thwarted Moscow's initial objectives. In a post on X, Zelenskyy said, "Today marks exactly four years since Putin started his three-day push to take Kyiv. And that says a great deal about our resistance, about how Ukraine has fought all this time," referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. (ANI) The Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was bestowed with the Medal of the Knesset, becoming the first recipient of the honour. Jaiswal said that PM Modi dedicated the medal to the "enduring friendship and shared democratic traditions between the two countries." In a post on X, Jaiswal wrote, "Partnership going from strength to strength ! In a special gesture, PM @narendramodi was bestowed with the Medal of Knesset by the Speaker @AmirOhana. PM @narendramodi is the first recipient of this honour." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/2026718135769022907?s=20 "PM dedicated the medal to the enduring friendship and shared democratic traditions between the two countries," the post read. PM Modi is on a two-day official visit to Israel. The Israeli Parliament on Wednesday conferred the "Speaker of the Knesset Medal" on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the highest honour of the Knesset. Earlier, Ori Kadvil, a member of the Jewish Indian community in Israel, praised India's scientific and technological potential, saying he and his colleagues were amazed by the scale of hackathons in India. Speaking to ANI, Kadvil said, "I am from the Jewish Indian community, from the Kochi community specifically... I told a friend of mine in India that we want to do a hackathon with 200 participants. He told me that in India, we have hackathons of 200 teams. I dropped my jaw, and so did my Israeli colleagues. Everybody is amazed by the power and the potential that India has in science and technology. We wish to bring the powers of both of our countries together so we can create marvellous things for both of our people and the entire world." He described meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "an interesting and joyous event," saying he and his colleagues felt honoured by the Prime Minister's visit. "We shook hands. It was an interesting and joyous event. We are very honoured by his visit and also by the Ministers in the last several months," Kadvil said. Another Israeli resident, Yarin Didi, praised the shared potential of India and Israel in science and technology. "I am really proud to be here today... Israel is known to have great talent in terms of AI. But I think India has... The Indian market is thousands of times compared to anything I have personally seen before. Both have the talent and the huge economic potential to get innovation to a larger scale," Didi told ANI. (ANI) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has provided additional details on the early return of SpaceX's Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Astronaut Mike Fincke, who served as Crew-11 pilot and commander of ISS Expedition 74, disclosed that his own health concern in January led to the decision to bring all four Crew-11 members back to Earth ahead of schedule. In a statement shared by NASA, Fincke said, "On Jan. 7, while aboard the International Space Station, I experienced a medical event that required immediate attention from my incredible crewmates. Thanks to their quick response and the guidance of our NASA flight surgeons, my status quickly stabilised." He added that after further evaluation, NASA determined that the safest course was an early return for Crew-11. The crew splashed down off the coast of San Diego on January 15, concluding a five-and-a-half-month mission. "After further evaluation, NASA determined the safest course was an early return for Crew-11--not an emergency, but a carefully coordinated plan to be able to take advantage of advanced medical imaging not available on the space station. On Jan. 15, we splashed down off the coast of San Diego after an amazing five-and-a-half-month mission," the statement reads. Fincke expressed gratitude to his fellow Expedition 74 members and the teams at NASA, SpaceX, and Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, for their support. He said he is doing well and continuing standard post-flight reconditioning at NASA's Johnson Space Centre in Houston. "I am deeply grateful to my fellow Expedition 74 members--Zena Cardman, Kimiya Yui, Oleg Platonov, Chris Williams, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, and Sergei Mikayev--as well as the entire NASA team, SpaceX, and the medical professionals at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla near San Diego. Their professionalism and dedication ensured a positive outcome," the statement reads. "I'm doing very well and continuing standard post-flight reconditioning at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Spaceflight is an incredible privilege, and sometimes it reminds us just how human we are. Thank you all for your support," the statement reads. (ANI) Bangladesh Editors' Council has called for the withdrawl of false and harassment cases filed against journalists across the country, as per a statement on behalf of the Editors' Council, its President Nurul Kabir and General Secretary Dewan Hanif Mahmud. The statement noted that since August 5, 2024, numerous false murder cases and many other harassing cases have been filed against journalists in different parts of the country due to which several journalists are continue to face harassment and are being forced to appear regularly before the courts. The statement noted that this has disrupted their normal professional activities and undermined the independence of the media. "If there are specific and evidence-based allegations against any journalist, those must certainly be resolved through the existing laws and a fair judicial process. The Editors' Council believes that, in the interest of justice, proper investigation of allegations and due legal procedures must be ensured. However, harassing and politically motivated cases are not acceptable under any circumstances", it added. "In this regard, the Editors' Council had repeatedly urged the interim government to withdraw the false and motivated cases and to take effective measures to stop the harassment of journalists. The government had also assured that the cases would be reviewed and that steps would be taken to withdraw false and harassing cases. Unfortunately, no meaningful progress has been observed in this matter", the statement said. In its statement, the Editors' Council strongly called upon the newly elected government to give the highest priority to this issue and to take immediate steps to withdraw the false and harassing cases filed against journalists. "Ensuring media freedom and professional security is a fundamental commitment of a democratic state -- this expectation is once again reiterated", the statement mentioned. (ANI) India delivered a sharp rebuttal to Pakistan at the 61st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which is being held from 23 February to 31 March, accusing Islamabad of spreading propaganda and asserting that Jammu and Kashmir's development trajectory stands in stark contrast to Pakistan's economic troubles. Exercising India's Right to Reply during the high-level segment held on February 25, Anupama Singh, India's representative, rejected allegations made by Pakistan and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), saying the grouping had allowed itself to be used as an "echo chamber" for one member state. "We categorically reject these allegations, " Singh said, adding that Pakistan's "incessant propaganda now reeks of envy." Singh reiterated India's long-standing position that Jammu and Kashmir "was, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India." She said the accession of the region to India in 1947 was "completely legal and irrevocable," in accordance with the Indian Independence Act and international law. "The only outstanding dispute regarding this region is the illegal occupation of Indian territories by Pakistan," she stated, calling on Islamabad to vacate areas under its control. In a pointed remark that drew attention at the Council, Singh referenced infrastructure and economic development in the region, including the inauguration of the Chenab Rail Bridge, described as the world's highest railway bridge. "If the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world's highest bridge, inaugurated in Jammu and Kashmir last year, is fake, then Pakistan must be hallucinating or living in the 'La-la-land'", she said. She further claimed that the development budget of Jammu and Kashmir is "more than double the recent bailout package" Pakistan sought from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), contrasting what she described as governance and development in the Union Territory with Pakistan's economic challenges. Responding to criticism on democratic processes, Singh said it was "hard to take lectures on democracy from a country where civilian governments rarely complete their terms." She cited voter turnout in recent general and assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir as evidence that people in the region have "rejected the ideology of terrorism and violence" and are moving ahead on the path of development. Concluding her remarks, Singh accused Pakistan of attempting to destabilise the region through " relentless state-sponsored terrorism," while asserting that Jammu and Kashmir continues to progress politically, economically and socially. "Pakistan would do well if it focuses on fixing its deepening internal crisis rather than masking it with grandstanding at such a platform, " she said, adding that "the world can certainly see through its charade." The exchange marks the latest round of sharp diplomatic sparring between India and Pakistan at multilateral forums like the UNHRC over the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI) Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will leave for India later tonight. The focus during his visit will be on businesses across trade, energy, technology, and defence. One of the key deliverables will be advancing negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Indian. In an interview with CBC News, Canada''s Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu expressed hope in the possibility of conclusing the FTA by the end of the year. "Over the last nine months we were very successful in completing Indonesia Ecuador UAE and getting access to EU defence procurement initiatives hundreds of billions of dollars of export opportunities. We''re the only non-EU country to get part of that deal. Again coming back to India you know back in November both leaders had met at the G20 Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Modi to signal that we both want an FTA with each other and so this trip is about our first round launching negotiations and so hopefully concluding this year an FTA. We both know that FTAs-- free trade agreements--will unlock opportunities it presents stability, reliability for businesses, it sends a signal to them and you''ve just looking at the facts free trade leads to more opportunities more trade and more jobs for workers," he said. Earlier, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal held a virtual meeting with 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. Sharing details of the interaction Piyush Goyal said the two had discussions related to the India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). "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," Goyal said. The Canadian minister also expressed optimism following the meeting. Sidhu said he hopes to continue building momentum in the trading relationship and advancing discussions towards a CEPA trade agreement. "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," he said. India is the world''s fastest-growing major economy and a powerhouse in global commerce and technology. In 2024, India was Canada''s seventh-largest goods and services trading partner, with two-way trade coming to USD 30.8 billion. At last year''s G20 Leaders'' Summit, Canada and India agreed to formally launch negotiations for an ambitious Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that will support Canada''s goal to more than double two-way trade to USD 70 billion by 2030. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday warmly responded to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, praising him for wearing traditional Indian attire ahead of a joint dinner that the Israeli PM had hosted on Wednesday. In a post on X, Netanyahu wrote," Before our joint dinner, I surprised my friend Prime Minister Modi by wearing traditional Indian attire." https://x.com/netanyahu/status/2026734437145211343 Responding to the gesture, Prime Minister Modi, in a post on X, said, "Truly splendid! Your fondness for Indian attire reflects your respect for the rich culture and traditions of our country." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2026872047662674295 Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was bestowed with the Medal of the Knesset, becoming the first recipient of the honour. This is the highest honour of the Knesset. Jaiswal said that PM Modi dedicated the medal to the "enduring friendship and shared democratic traditions between the two countries." In a post on X, Jaiswal wrote, "Partnership going from strength to strength ! In a special gesture, PM @narendramodi was bestowed with the Medal of Knesset by the Speaker @AmirOhana. PM @narendramodi is the first recipient of this honour." "PM dedicated the medal to the enduring friendship and shared democratic traditions between the two countries," the post read. The award was conferred in recognition of PM Modi''s "exceptional contribution through his personal leadership" to strengthen strategic relations between India and Israel. The medal was conferred after PM Modi''s speech in the Israeli Parliament. After his speech, PM Modi interacted with members of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. The MPs took selfies and photographs with PM Modi. PM Modi received a standing ovation during his speech, which was also marked by rapturous applause. In his speech, PM Modi said there is great admiration for Israel''s resolve, courage, and achievements in India. "Long before we related to each other as modern States, we were linked by ties that go back more than two thousand years. The Book of Esther refers to India as Hodu. The Talmud records trade with India in ancient times," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Free Trade Agreement being negotiated between India and Israel will unlock the vast untapped potential in the bilateral trade relationship. The Prime Minister, who addressed the Special Plenary of the Knesset on Wednesday, also spoke about the defence cooperation between the two countries and said "a strong defence partnership between trusted partners like India and Israel is of vital importance" in an uncertain world. PM Modi said India has been the fastest-growing major economy in the world for the last few years and will be among the top three economies globally. He said Israel is a powerhouse of innovation and technological leadership, and this creates a natural foundation for a forward-looking partnership. "We are committed to expanding trade, strengthening investment flows, and promoting joint infrastructure development. The Bilateral Investment Treaty signed last year will provide confidence and predictability to our businesses," he said. (ANI) He met with Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu and urged Israeli companies to invest in India, collaborating with local talent. This visit strengthens India-Israel ties, focusing on tech and innovation. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Yesterday in Jerusalem, PM Netanyahu and I visited an exhibition which showcased special innovations from the world of technology. Got a glimpse of pioneering work by Israeli youth in areas such as AI, Quantum, healthcare, cyber security, water resources, agriculture and more. Urged Israeli companies to invest in India and work with our talented youth." Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Speaker of the Knesset medal by the Knesset, one of the highest parliamentary honours of Israel. In a post on X, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on receiving such a prestigious honour. "Congratulations to Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi on being conferred with the Speaker of the Knesset Medal by the Knesset, one of the highest parliamentary honours of Israel." Rajnath Singh posted. The defence minister also said that the distinguished recognition reflects the deep trust, mutual respect and strategic convergence that define the India-Israel partnership today. "This distinguished recognition reflects the deep trust, mutual respect and strategic convergence that define the India-Israel partnership today. It is a proud moment for our country and every Indian," he added. Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan also expressed pride andjoy over the honour conferred on the prime minister. "A moment of pride and joy for all of us, as our beloved Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji has been conferred the "Medal of the Knesset" by the Israeli Parliament during his address to the Knesset," Chouhan posted on X. (ANI) Canada sees itself as a stable and consistent partner in supplying critical minerals and energy resources to India, as both countries work towards strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation, an official from Export Development Canada (EDC) said. Speaking on Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney''s ongoing visit to India, Tushar Handeikar, Vice President and Global Head at Export Development Canada (EDC), expressed optimism about further strengthening trade ties between the two nations. "We expect from an EDC standpoint the continuation of our bilateral efforts from a trade perspective. There is already a lot of trade happening between Canada and India. What we expect through this visit of our Prime Minister to India would be to further grow that trade and also smoothen the flow of the trade in terms of clearing up any of the requirements to freely trade between the countries. Free Trade Agreement is something that over time we expect to happen and have a bilateral kind of an agreement that further intensifies the ability to have a smoother trade between the two countries," he said. Highlighting Canada''s role in the critical mineral supply chain, Handeikar said Canada has abundant resources and can serve as a reliable partner for India''s growing needs. "So, I mean, that is a continuous journey of supplying minerals. So Canada has a vast resource of minerals, both on minerals as well as energy needs on oil and gas. So both can be, Canada can be seen as a more stable partner and a more consistent partner in supplying to India those essential minerals and energy needs that India needs for its growing demand as well as growing population," he added. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will be on India visit from February 27 to March 2, 2026. This visit marks the first stop of his three-nation Indo-Pacific tour, which also includes Australia and Japan. Earlier, in an interview with CBC News, Canada''s Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu expressed hope in the possibility of conclusing the FTA by the end of the year. "Over the last nine months we were very successful in completing Indonesia Ecuador UAE and getting access to EU defence procurement initiatives hundreds of billions of dollars of export opportunities. We''re the only non-EU country to get part of that deal. Again coming back to India you know back in November both leaders had met at the G20 Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Modi to signal that we both want an FTA with each other and so this trip is about our first round launching negotiations and so hopefully concluding this year an FTA. We both know that FTAs-- free trade agreements--will unlock opportunities it presents stability, reliability for businesses, it sends a signal to them and you''ve just looking at the facts free trade leads to more opportunities more trade and more jobs for workers," he said. 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 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (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. (ANI) Four years on, is peace any closer in the Ukraine crisis? Xinhua) 08:18, February 26, 2026 A man walks past a damaged store after an air strike near a metro station in the Shevchenkivskyi district of Kiev, Ukraine, July 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Dongxu) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says the Ukraine crisis "is a stain on our collective consciousness, and remains a threat to regional and international peace and security." BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- As the Ukraine crisis marked its fourth anniversary on Tuesday, the conflict remains entrenched in a stalemate, with mounting human and economic costs and little immediate hope for a negotiated peace. While both Kiev and Moscow reaffirm their willingness to engage in dialogue, the reality on the ground reflects a complex interplay of military aid, diplomatic maneuvers, and international pressure, leaving the future of Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II uncertain. MOUNTING CALL FOR PEACE As the war grinds on and the human and economic toll continues to rise, calls for an immediate ceasefire and renewed diplomatic engagement have intensified. Rescuers work at a damaged building after Russian strikes in Kiev, capital of Ukraine, Dec. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Dongxu) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday reiterated his call for an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire as a first step towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace. In a statement, the UN chief said the crisis "is a stain on our collective consciousness, and remains a threat to regional and international peace and security." For peace to be just, he said, it must be in line with the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions, respecting Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. In a statement on Tuesday, the G7 leaders pledged continued support for a peace process and direct discussions, adding that Europe has a leading role to play in this process, joined by other partners. "We acknowledge that only Ukraine and Russia, working together in good faith negotiations, can reach a peace agreement," said the leaders. As for China, 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 a door for dialogue has opened, with all parties maintaining communication, she said dialogue and negotiation remain 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. CONTINUED MILITARY SUPPORT Despite growing calls from the international community for dialogue and a negotiated settlement, Western countries have continued to step up military assistance to Ukraine. European Council President Antonio Costa (C), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (R) and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen attend a press conference in Brussels, Belgium, Dec. 18, 2025. The European Council on Dec. 19, 2025 approved a 90-billion-euro (about 105.4 billion U.S. dollars) loan package to support Ukraine's military and economic needs over the next two years. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang) Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday announced a new aid package for Ukraine, including approximately 2 billion Canadian dollars (1.46 billion U.S. dollars) in military assistance and 20 million Canadian dollars (14.6 million dollars) to rebuild infrastructure damaged in the conflict. To target the financial enablers, Canada is also imposing new sanctions and further lowering the price cap on Russian crude oil, he said. On Feb. 19, Sweden announced one of its largest military support packages for Ukraine, worth about 1.4 billion dollars, with the bulk of the funding directed toward air defense, long-range capabilities and ammunition, according to a government statement. In addition, Sweden will donate certain equipment from its armed forces, including recoilless rifles with ancillary equipment and ammunition, while providing funds for replacement procurements and transport, the statement said. On Feb. 12, Britain announced a new half-a-billion-pound (680 million dollars) package for urgent air defense support to Ukraine during a NATO defense ministers' meeting in Brussels. According to British Defense Secretary John Healey, 150 million pounds (202.83 million dollars) of the total will be allocated for air defense interceptors and 400 million pounds (540.88 million dollars) will be used for lightweight multirole missiles. In addition, Britain will also provide an extra 1,200 air defense missiles together with its partners in the air defense consortium. While the United States has made no new aid commitments in 2025, European countries have significantly increased their support, and collectively have provided more aid than the United States since the start of the conflict, said the Council on Foreign Relations on Monday. PEACE TALKS TO CONTINUE With hundreds of thousands of soldiers from both sides killed or injured in the conflict, the two sides have recently reiterated their commitment to peace. In Tuesday's address marking the fourth anniversary of the conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine's determination to pursue a just and lasting peace while defending its sovereignty. "Of course, we all want the war to end. But no one will allow Ukraine to end. We want peace. Strong, dignified, lasting," Zelensky said. "We have preserved Ukraine, and we will do everything to secure peace and justice." In an interview with the Financial Times on Monday, Zelensky said Russia and Ukraine were at the "beginning of the end" of Europe's biggest conflict since World War II. "Ukraine needs a ceasefire -- yesterday, today, tomorrow," he said. "We don't need a pause. We need the end of the war." As for Russia, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that Russia remains committed to resolving the ongoing Ukraine crisis through political and diplomatic efforts. "We continue efforts for peace. Our position is well known and consistent. Now everything depends on the actions of Kiev," Peskov said, adding that Russia's special military operation will continue until its goals are achieved. Since the start of 2026, the two sides, along with the United States, have held several rounds of talks. The most recent round concluded in Geneva on Feb. 18 with no breakthrough on key issues. The next round of talks could be held at the end of this week, said a Reuters report, citing Zelensky's chief of staff, Kyrylo Budanov. Two previous rounds of trilateral talks, held in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 23-24 and Feb. 4-5, also failed to resolve key territorial issues. What is really playing out between the two adversaries and their allies is a slow-motion standoff, one fueled by strategic ambiguity, with all possible scenarios for resolving the conflict still very much undecided, the French newspaper Le Monde reported on Monday. "Both sides are currently on fire, but the question is which one is burning down faster. It's the same somewhat cynical race that has been underway since 2022," Elie Tenenbaum, director of the security center at the French Institute of International Relations, was quoted as saying. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Iran's foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Geneva for the third round of high-stakes negotiations with the United States, as US envoy Steve Witkoff insisted that any agreement concerning Tehran's nuclear activities must be permanent. An aircraft carrying Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi touched down in Geneva on Wednesday (local time) evening ahead of the negotiations scheduled for Thursday. Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, are heading the US delegation. The discussions over Iran's nuclear program come amid escalating tensions, with US President Donald Trump warning of possible military action if Tehran refuses to reach a deal. Washington has reinforced its military presence in the Middle East, while Iranian officials have vowed to target Israel and US interests if the United States launches an attack. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio underlined that President Trump is still hopefull of a diplomatic outcome. "They are trying to achieve intercontinental ballistic missiles. For example, you've seen them try to launch satellites into space. They are headed on a pathway to one day being able to develop weapons that could reach the continental US. They already possess weapons that could reach much of Europe, already now as we speak," he said "The negotiations tomorrow and the talks tomorrow will be largely focused on the nuclear program, and we hope that progress can be made because that's the president's preference, to make progress on the diplomatic front," he added. Adding to the stern US posture, Vice President J D Vance said Washington has seen evidence suggesting Iran is attempting to rebuild its nuclear weapons program following earlier strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. "The principle is very simple: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. In fact, we've seen evidence that they have tried to do exactly that," Vance told reporters. Earlier, a report in the Times of Israel suggested that Senior Advisers within the United States Administration have argued in favour of a pre-emptive strike by Israel on Iran before any direct US military action. The newspaper also reported that around a dozen US Air Force F-22 fighters have landed in Israel. The stealth fighters were spotted taking off from the Lakenheath airbase in the United Kingdom on February 24 morning before they flew to Israel, the Israeli daily said citing open-source flight tracking data and aircraft spotters. (ANI) Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is visiting India from February 27 to March 2, 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is Carney''s first official visit to India, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties and explore new partnerships, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. As per the MEA release, Carney will arrive in Mumbai on February 27. Over the next two days, he will participate in separate business engagements, interact with Indian and Canadian CEOs, industry and financial experts, innovators, educators, and Canadian Pension Funds based in India. On March 1, the Canadian Prime Minister will travel to New Delhi. Delegation-level talks between the two leaders are scheduled for March 2 at Hyderabad House. According to the MEA, the discussions will review progress under the India-Canada Strategic Partnership, building on earlier meetings between the two leaders in Kananaskis in June 2025 and Johannesburg in November 2025. The talks will cover key areas of cooperation, including trade and investment, energy, critical minerals, agriculture, education, research and innovation, as well as people-to-people ties. Regional and global developments are also expected to figure in the discussions. Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Carney will also attend the India-Canada CEOs Forum on March 2. The MEA noted that the visit comes at an important juncture in the normalisation of India-Canada bilateral relations. Both leaders have previously agreed to pursue a constructive and balanced partnership grounded in mutual respect for concerns and sensitivities, strong people-to-people ties, and growing economic complementarities. The forthcoming meeting, the MEA said, will provide an opportunity to reaffirm the positive momentum and shared vision of India and Canada in building a forward-looking partnership. In a significant shift in its position, the Canadian federal government has said that it now believes India is no longer linked to violent crimes in Canada. A senior official said this during a media briefing ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney''s upcoming visit to India, the Toronto Star reported. The statement came during a briefing with journalists ahead of Carney''s trip, with senior government officials, cited by the Canadian English daily Toronto Star. "We have a very robust diplomatic engagement, including between national security advisers, and I think we can say we''re confident that that activity is not continuing," one of the senior officials, who did not want to be named, said on Wednesday. According to the report, the statement suggests that Canadian authorities do not see ongoing foreign interference or violent activity tied to India at present. 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 remarks come as Carney prepares for stops in Mumbai and New Delhi, where he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit is being framed as part of Ottawa''s effort to pursue a more "pragmatic" foreign policy and deepen economic ties with India, the world''s most populous country. Relations between the two countries deteriorated sharply after the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurudwara in British Columbia. Months later, then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there was "credible" evidence linking agents of the India government to Nijjar''s death, an allegation New Delhi strongly denied. The dispute led to the expulsion of diplomats from both countries and a prolonged diplomatic standoff. In 2024, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) further claimed that Indian government agents were linked to violent crime in Canada, including death threats and alleged involvement in homicides. However, officials briefing reporters this week suggested that previous concerns about active foreign interference or repression linked to India are no longer ongoing. "I really don''t think we''d be taking this trip if we thought these kinds of activities were continuing," a senior government official said. India''s High Commissioner to Ottawa, Dinesh Patnaik, told the Star that disagreements should be handled through dialogue rather than by damaging the overall relationship, suggesting that Canada had overreacted when the allegations first emerged. Earlier on Tuesday, speaking to ANI ahead of 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. (ANI) Stating that Norwegian companies are showing strong interest in India following the conclusion of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with the EFTA countries, Norway's Ambassador to India, May-Elin Stener, on Thursday said that the engagement is largely concentrated in two key areas--the maritime sector and the energy sector. Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the World Sustainable Development Summit 2026 in the national capital, Ambassador Stener highlighted the growing momentum in bilateral economic cooperation following the implementation of TEPA between India and the EFTA countries, which includes Norway. "The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between the EFTA countries and India--which Norway is part of--recently entered into force last year. And we see a lot of interest from Norwegian companies after this agreement was signed almost two years ago. These companies are mainly in two sectors: the maritime sector and the energy sector," she said. The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) bloc came into effect in October last year. According to the Ambassador, while it is still early to measure concrete outcomes, there is visible enthusiasm among Norwegian firms looking to expand operations in India. She noted that many Norwegian shipowners are exploring opportunities to build ships in India, and some contracts have already materialised as a result of the agreement. "We see a lot of interest from Norwegian companies. I mentioned the energy sector; we also see a lot of interest in the maritime sector. Many Norwegian shipowners are now looking to India to build their ships here. We've had some contracts already as a result of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement. And I really have great hope for more trade and more investments between India and Norway in the years to come," she added. Highlighting the broader economic trajectory, Stener pointed out that bilateral trade between the two countries has doubled over the past decade. She noted that nearly 160 Norwegian companies are currently present in India and expressed confidence that this number will continue to grow. On renewable energy cooperation, the Ambassador said that Norway's long experience as an energy-producing nation--particularly in oil and gas--has enabled it to develop technologies that are now being adapted for renewable energy solutions and that several Norwegian companies are keen to collaborate with Indian stakeholders to scale up clean energy initiatives, including in the solar and broader renewables space. "There are a lot of Norwegian companies interested in working with India. We have solutions because we've been an energy country and we've been producing oil and gas, and these technologies are now also being transferred into renewable energy solutions. Companies are looking to India because this is where they can scale up, and this is where they can work with Indian stakeholders and companies to create very good solutions in the renewable energy sector here in India," Stener said. Addressing climate cooperation, the Ambassador underlined Norway's long-standing partnership with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in the national capital and its continued engagement with Indian institutions on sustainability initiatives. She noted the existence of a joint working group between the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Norway's corresponding ministry to explore climate mitigation strategies and nature-based solutions. Citing an example, she referred to joint efforts on marine pollution and plastic waste management, emphasising the shared commitment to addressing environmental challenges. The Ambassador also congratulated TERI on organising the 25th edition of the summit, describing it as an important platform for advancing dialogue and partnerships on sustainable development. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid his respects at Yad Vashem-Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust in Jerusalem. At Yad Vashem, his prayer was quiet and reflective. Both Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu and PM Narendra Modi stood in silence at the Hall of Remembrance, while recitations in Kaddish were on, honouring the victims of the Holocaust. The focus was respect, remembrance, and hope for peace and humanity. Yad Vashem is Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, located in Jerusalem. Established in 1953, it is dedicated to preserving the memory of the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators during World War II. The memorial includes the Holocaust History Museum, the Hall of Names, and the Children's Memorial. Yad Vashem also honors the "Righteous Among the Nations," non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews. Through education, research, and remembrance, Yad Vashem ensures that the stories of victims and survivors are never forgotten. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited an exhibition in Jerusalem and highlighted Israel's innovative tech scene, showcasing AI, Quantum, healthcare, and more. He met with Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu and urged Israeli companies to invest in India, collaborating with local talent. This visit strengthens India-Israel ties, focusing on tech and innovation. The Israeli Parliament on Wednesday conferred the "Speaker of the Knesset Medal" on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the highest honour of the Knesset.The award was conferred in recognition of PM Modi's "exceptional contribution through his personal leadership" to strengthen strategic relations between India and Israel. The medal was conferred after PM Modi's speech in the Israeli Parliament. After his speech, PM Modi interacted with members of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. The MPs took selfies and photographs with PM Modi. PM Modi received a standing ovation during his speech, which was also marked by rapturous applause.In his speech, PM Modi said there is great admiration for Israel's resolve, courage, and achievements in India. "Long before we related to each other as modern States, we were linked by ties that go back more than two thousand years. The Book of Esther refers to India as Hodu. The Talmud records trade with India in ancient times," he said. "Jewish merchants travelled across sea routes that connected the Mediterranean with the Indian Ocean. They came seeking opportunity and dignity. And, in India, they became one of us. Jewish communities have lived in India without fear of persecution or discrimination. They have preserved their faith and participated fully in society. That record is a source of pride for us," he added. PM Modi said that at the heart of the India-Israel partnership are the ties between our peoples. "When I first visited Israel in 2006, there were a handful of Yoga centres in Israel. Today, Yoga seems to be practiced in almost every neighbourhood. I am told that interest in Ayurveda is also growing in Israel. I invite more and more young Israelis to travel to India. They will witness the dynamism of our society, and experience what holistic wellness can do for the body and the mind," he said. (ANI) It was a day marked by symbolism, warmth and strategic messaging as Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his Israel visit with a moment that captured the spirit of the relationship, a standing ovation inside the Special Plenary of the Knesset. As applause echoed through the chamber, Israeli lawmakers rose to acknowledge the Indian leader, capping his address with the conferment of the prestigious "Speaker of the Knesset Medal", the highest honour awarded by the Israeli Parliament. The recognition was bestowed for his "exceptional contribution through his personal leadership" in strengthening India-Israel ties, making PM Modi the first foreign leader to receive the distinction. The mood inside the Knesset was not merely ceremonial; it was personal. After the address, Members of the Parliament queued up to PM Modi, exchanging handshakes, selfies, and brief conversations, small gestures that reflected the ease and camaraderie between the two democracies. The moment also carried historical resonance. During PM Modi's landmark 2017 visit, the relationship was elevated to a "Strategic Partnership". His latest address reinforced how that partnership has since broadened in scope and ambition. PM Modi's speech reached beyond contemporary geopolitics, invoking a civilizational bridge that stretches back over two millennia. "Long before we related to each other as modern States, we were linked by ties that go back more than two thousand years. The Book of Esther refers to India as Hodu. The Talmud records trade with India in ancient times," he said. He emphasised that Jewish communities have lived in India " without fear of persecution or discrimination," preserving their faith while fully participating in Indian society, a record he described as a matter of pride. After India's independence, he noted, Indian parliamentary debates reflected admiration for Israel's agricultural transformation of desert landscapes. He recalled how the Kibbutz movement inspired leaders such as Acharya Vinoba Bhave and Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan. Addressing contemporary cooperation, PM stressed that "a strong defence partnership between trusted partners like India and Israel is of vital importance" in an uncertain world. He described India as the fastest-growing major economy in recent years, poised to become one of the world's top three largest economies, while calling Israel a "powerhouse of innovation and technological leadership." This, he said, forms a natural foundation for a forward-looking partnership. "We are committed to expanding trade, strengthening investment flows, and promoting joint infrastructure development. The Bilateral Investment Treaty signed last year will provide confidence and predictability to our businesses," he stated. PM also highlighted the growing cultural engagement between the two countries. He noted the expansion of yoga centres across Israel and rising interest in Ayurveda, inviting more young Israelis to visit India to experience its "holistic wellness" traditions. "At the heart of the India-Israel partnership are the ties between our peoples," he said, inviting Israeli lawmakers to visit India and deepen parliamentary exchanges. He pointed out that the Indian Parliament has established a Parliamentary Friendship Group for Israel. Members of the Jewish Indian community in Israel expressed enthusiasm over the Prime Minister's visit. Ori Kadvil, from the Kochi community, praised India's scale and technological potential, recounting how he was amazed to learn that Indian hackathons host hundreds of teams rather than just participants. "We wish to bring the powers of both of our countries together so we can create marvellous things for both of our people and the entire world," he said, describing his interaction with PM Modi as "an interesting and joyous event." Another Israeli resident, Yarin Didi, lauded the combined strength of Israeli innovation and India's vast market potential, particularly in emerging fields like artificial intelligence. "I am really proud to be here today... Israel is known to have great talent in terms of AI. But I think India has... The Indian market is thousands of times compared to anything I have personally seen before. Both have the talent and the huge economic potential to get innovation to a larger scale," Didi told ANI. Since diplomatic relations were established in 1992, India-Israel ties have steadily expanded across defence, agriculture, water management, technology and innovation. The 2017 elevation to a Strategic Partnership marked a turning point, and Modi's latest address to the Knesset reinforced the momentum. The standing ovation, the historic medal, and the enthusiastic reception from Israeli lawmakers together signalled a relationship that is not only strategic but also rooted in shared democratic values, historical goodwill and people-to-people bonds. (ANI) Warning that global investment patterns are overwhelmingly tilted toward environmental destruction, Dechen Tsering, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), on Thursday called for a dramatic scale-up of funding for nature-based solutions at the World Sustainable Development Summit 2026. Addressing the summit under the theme "Transforming through and for Nature", Tsering highlighted that the current decade has been declared the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, with a global pledge to restore one billion hectares of degraded land. "When you talk about reforesting, land restoration, they are all nature-based solutions that enhance resilience, restore nature, give you food security, create jobs, improve public health," she said. She added that such solutions are equally critical in urban areas, helping reconnect communities with nature while moderating rising temperatures. However, she underscored a stark imbalance in global financing. "We just released the State of Finance for Nature report this January, and for every dollar we invest in nature, we invest 30 dollars to degrade it," Tsering said, describing the challenge as "really quite an uphill task." Citing 2023 figures, Tsering said USD 7.3 trillion flowed into nature-negative activities, compared to just USD 220 billion for nature-positive investments, roughly 10 per cent of total flows. Of that USD 220 billion, she noted, 90 per cent came from the public sector, with only 10 per cent contributed by private finance. "This really is not the story globally. We are talking about this area being significantly underfunded," she said. Tsering pointed to Norway as one of the few countries making substantial investments in nature-based solutions and highlighted initiatives such as the UN-REDD Programme, which supports reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. She cited Indonesia as an example of a country that secured significant funding to safeguard its tropical forests, calling such investments crucial for creating synergies between climate action and biodiversity protection. To meet existing restoration and climate targets, Tsering stressed that investments would need to increase 2.5 times to at least 0.5 per cent of global GDP. "We are going to both mobilise new capital, but we need to reform existing financial flows," she said. She called for aligning public expenditure with nature and climate objectives, repurposing harmful subsidies, and redesigning fiscal frameworks to incentivise nature-positive investment. "We know we have to make a case with the private sector," she added, emphasising that scaling finance will require systemic reform rather than incremental change. The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is organising the 25th edition of the summit, describing it as an important platform for advancing dialogue and partnerships on sustainable development. (ANI) At the recent climate change policy dialogue "Transformations through and for Nature at Durbar" on sustainable development and climate resilience, Amit Patjoshi, CEO of Palladium India, emphasized the urgent need to treat nature-based solutions as core infrastructure assets rather than peripheral environmental concerns. Opening his remarks, he said, "The subject is quite enriching. There is an old Sanskrit is saying 'Prakriti Rakshit Rakshita' which means nature protects when protected." He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced this principle, adding, "An example of the same was given by Dr Viva during the covid time and I must say that while framing this session is what exactly right when we talk about how the wetlands the forest catchments close the run up of the floods the mangroves protect it is necessary to understand how such solution can be scaled in a sustainabale mod so that they thrive using the overall public budget." Patjoshi stressed that resilience must move beyond public funding and become embedded within economic systems. "Today, we would be discussing how this developments resilience economy establish we can absolutely function in India looking at the ground challenges," he said, pointing to the realities faced by administrators during extreme weather events. Highlighting governance gaps, he remarked, "All of us in this room probably relate when the DM gets a call there's heavy rains roads clogged immediate answer is what failed. When you go upstream look at forest it is not the drains it's the floodplains which has been degraded it is the wetlands which has been used as a parking lot that has led to the change of the overall ecosystem." He argued that infrastructure planning must integrate ecological design principles. "Hence it is necessary at this point we integrate whatever designs we are doing in infrastructure it is mandatory for an enterprise that it is not coming back how exactly we scale up how exactly we attract private finance," he said, noting that funding is not the core constraint. "There are funds available there in no dearth of funds... solutions do not work only with good intentions but with right intuitions, right governance frameworks so that there is enough interest in finance." Calling for structural reform, Patjoshi concluded that nature-based solutions should be valued as assets. "When we talk about science it is the architecture that matters... we should treat solutions as asset. Care should defined and should be used as an asset... when we talk about India how India can give and protect its nature enabling the benefits if it there are so many examples in India." The discussion underscored a growing consensus that India's resilience strategy must align ecological restoration, institutional reform, and private investment to safeguard its future. (ANI) India and Israel are set to sign a series of economic, security and diplomatic agreements after the conclusion of the delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the official account of Israeli PM said on Thursday. In a post on X, it further noted that after the signing of the agreements, the two leaders will deliver joint statements to the press. "At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties will sign a series of economic, security, and diplomatic agreements, after which Prime Minister Netanyahu and Prime Minister Modi will deliver joint statements to the media", the post said. https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/2026963658962571542?s=20 PM Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu held high-level delegation-level talks in Jerusalem on Thursday, marking a significant moment in the bilateral relationship between the two nations. As part of this two-day state visit, the Prime Minister also met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, a meeting that underscored the growing strategic depth and global relevance of the India-Israel partnership. During their discussions, the Prime Minister highlighted the vast potential of bilateral cooperation, noting that the relationship "in many areas can be very strong and useful for the global good". Focusing on specific sectors of excellence, the Prime Minister pointed to Israel''s specialised knowledge. "Whether it is science, innovation, or educational institutions, you have great expertise in certain areas, especially regarding water and agriculture," he said, adding that India has already adopted several Israeli best practices in agriculture with encouraging outcomes. Building on this technical synergy, the leaders reviewed progress in key areas including innovation, water conservation, and academic exchanges. India has increasingly integrated advanced Israeli irrigation techniques and farm technologies into its own national development initiatives, with the Prime Minister praising Israel''s expertise and confirming that India continues to scale up these proven models. The dialogue also touched upon the personal rapport between the leadership. Recalling previous interactions, the Prime Minister expressed appreciation for President Herzog''s clarity of thought and his respect for India. He extended a warm invitation for the President to visit India, stating, "The people of India are very eager to welcome you," while urging him to experience the country''s vast diversity firsthand.(ANI) Former US Air Force officer and pilot Gerald Eddie Brown was arrested for allegedly providing and conspiring to provide defence services to Chinese military pilots without authorisation. A statement issued by the US Department of Justice on Wednesday noted that the 65-year-old former pilot faces charges under the US Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and is expected to appear before a Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Indiana today. "The United States Air Force trained Major Brown to be an elite fighter pilot and entrusted him with the defense of our Nation. He now stands charged with training Chinese military pilots," said John Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security. According to the Justice Department, Brown, a former F-35 instructor pilot with over 24 years of service in the US Air Force, allegedly began arranging contracts to train Chinese military pilots in August 2023. The training, provided to members of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), required a licence under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which Brown did not have. The DOJ statement noted that Brown's military career included command of sensitive units, leading combat missions, and serving as a fighter pilot and simulator instructor on aircraft including the F-4, F-15, F-16, A-10 and F-35. After leaving active duty in 1996, he worked as a commercial pilot and as a contract simulator instructor for US defence contractors. In December 2023, Brown travelled to China to begin training PRC military pilots. The complaint states that he provided detailed briefings on US Air Force operations and conducted simulator and flight instruction until his return to the US in February 2026. "Gerald Brown... allegedly betrayed his country by training Chinese pilots to fight against those he swore to protect," said Roman Rozhavsky, Assistant Director of the FBI's Counterintelligence and Espionage Division, highlighting the national security threat posed by such unauthorised transfers of military expertise. The arrest follows similar charges against former US Marine Corps pilot Daniel Edmund Duggan in 2017 for providing defence services to the Chinese military. The DOJ emphasised that China continues to target current and former military personnel from NATO and allied nations to strengthen its military capabilities. The investigation was led by the FBI's New York Field Office with support from offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, and Los Angeles, as well as the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by the DOJ's National Security Division and the US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, with assistance from the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana. (ANI) The Uttar Pradesh government has signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan's Yamanashi Prefecture on green hydrogen technology, under which Indian students will receive high-level technical training in Japan. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is currently on a visit to Japan, termed the agreement a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral cooperation. Addressing the UP Investment Roadshow held in Yamanashi Prefecture, the Chief Minister showcased Uttar Pradesh's new development policy and investment opportunities before the global industry. In his address, CM Yogi said Uttar Pradesh has transformed its governance approach from reactive to proactive, adding that this shift has laid the foundation for the state's rapid economic growth. During the event, the Chief Minister announced that a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed between Uttar Pradesh and Yamanashi on green hydrogen technology. Under this agreement, students from Uttar Pradesh's higher technical institutions will receive training in Japan, and this technology will be implemented in the state's industry, public transport, and energy sectors. The initiative, he said, would contribute significantly towards achieving the net-zero target envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Chief Minister stated that our delegation participated in several G2G (Government to Government) and G2B (Government to Business) level meetings in Tokyo, where extensive interactions were held with Japanese business groups in collaboration with the Indian Embassy. He expressed special thanks to the Yamanashi administration for taking active initiatives to advance investment dialogue. Describing robotics as a key technology of the future, the Chief Minister said that the Uttar Pradesh government has made provisions to establish a Centre of Excellence for Robotics in the budget. "We are confident that the cooperation between Uttar Pradesh and Yamanashi will take India-Japan relations to new heights and play a vital role in achieving energy self-sufficiency and disseminating technology to the general public," he added. The Chief Minister said that Uttar Pradesh, with a population of approximately 250 million, is India's largest state, blessed with special gifts of nature. India's most fertile land, largest water resources, vast human resources, and spiritual and cultural heritage give Uttar Pradesh its special identity. "Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh has reached new heights of development, having successfully tripled its per capita income and economy in the last nine years. Today, Uttar Pradesh is among India's fastest-growing economies," he said. Highlighting the transformation in governance, the Chief Minister said that while the previous system was reactive to problems, Uttar Pradesh has now adopted a proactive governance model. The government is continuously taking initiatives to attract investment, facilitate industries, adopt new technologies, and enhance global partnerships. With this vision, a high-level delegation from Uttar Pradesh has visited Japan to transform potential into opportunities. Expressing gratitude to the Governor of Yamanashi Prefecture and his team, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the Japanese government and the Yamanashi administration have provided the Indian delegation with an important opportunity to closely understand their specific sectors and interact directly with the industry. CM Yogi also welcomed the industry leaders and members of the Indian community present. The Chief Minister stated that the Governor of Yamanashi visited Uttar Pradesh in December 2024, and since then, continuous dialogue, follow-up, and exchange of delegations between the two governments have taken this cooperation in a new direction. He added that following the study and report of the business delegation, a delegation from Uttar Pradesh arrived in Yamanashi today at the invitation of the Governor, where the cooperation has taken concrete shape. Among those present were Lieutenant Governor Junichi Ishidera, Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta, Indian Ambassador to Japan Nagma Malik, officials of the Uttar Pradesh delegation, Yamanashi industry representatives and members of the Indian community. (ANI) Highlighting the deep diplomatic and personal bonds between the two nations, Israeli Minister Gila Gamliel on Thursday expressed immense "excitement" over the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel, describing the relationship as one of "best friends". Speaking on the significance of the Prime Minister's arrival, Gamliel noted the strong rapport shared between the two heads of government. "We are really excited to see that PM Modi came to Israel. The great relationship between our two Prime Ministers, Netanyahu and Modi, and to strengthen our great relations between our countries," she told ANI. The Minister provided an update on the progress of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), saying it will be "best" for both countries. "It will start today, and you will see more and more companies and from the govt that we will share together with India, and let's hope that it will be the best for both of us as soon as possible," she added. Echoing this optimism during his address to a Special Plenary of the Knesset on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the FTA being negotiated will "unlock the vast untapped potential" in the bilateral trade relationship. While noting that goods trade has grown manifold, he emphasised that current figures do not yet reflect the full scope of opportunity. "That is why our teams are working hard to negotiate an ambitious Free Trade Agreement. It will unlock the vast untapped potential in our trade relationship," the Prime Minister stated. This high-level political push coincides with active technical negotiations on the ground. Earlier on Tuesday, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal met an Israeli delegation in India for the first round of FTA negotiations. In a post on X, the Union Minister said the talks, running from February 23rd to 26th, are an important step aimed at "creating greater opportunities for businesses and people on both sides". The first round of these negotiations, currently underway in New Delhi, involves technical experts engaging in sessions covering trade in goods, services, rules of origin, and intellectual property rights. This follow-up to the Terms of Reference (ToR) signed in November 2025 aims to provide a structured framework for the "Strategic Partnership" elevated in 2017. Adding a broader economic perspective, Israel's Special Envoy for Trade and Innovation Fleur Hassan-Nahoum stated that both countries stand to benefit significantly from a comprehensive and fair trade pact. She highlighted that several goods are already being imported from India, and a structured FTA would enable both sides to move forward more effectively. "Hopefully, if we get this free trade agreement signed quickly, then we can really look forward to an incredible future of prosperity," Hassan-Nahoum added. The foundation for this agreement was further strengthened by the Bilateral Investment Treaty signed last year. The Prime Minister noted that this treaty would provide "confidence and predictability" to businesses, laying the groundwork for the current ambitious trade negotiations and promoting joint infrastructure development between the two nations. (ANI) President Herzog also said that India and Israel are stronger together. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Glimpses from the meeting with President Herzog. Our talks were extremely fruitful and wide ranging." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2026973099397398921?s=20 Herzog said in a post on X, "The people of Israel and India are stronger together. The people of Israel and India are stronger together. The people of India and Israel are more empowered together." https://x.com/Isaac_Herzog/status/2026958696597635509?s=20 PM Modi tweeted in agreement with Herzog, saying, "Fully agree with you, President Herzog. It was a delight to meet you and discuss diverse aspects of the India-Israel friendship. There is immense scope in futuristic areas such as technology, innovation, StartUps and more. My gratitude to you for supporting the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (A tree for Mother) initiative." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2026965223194997082?s=20 India and Israel are set to sign a series of economic, security and diplomatic agreements after the conclusion of the delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the official account of Israeli PM said on Thursday. In a post on X, it further noted that after the signing of the agreements, the two leaders will deliver joint statements to the press. "At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties will sign a series of economic, security, and diplomatic agreements, after which Prime Minister Netanyahu and Prime Minister Modi will deliver joint statements to the media", the post said. https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/2026963656219730120?s=20 PM Modi began his two-day official visit to Israel by meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Wednesday. In a warm gesture, Israeli PM Netanyahu and his wife personally welcomed him at the airport and honoured him with a special guard of honour. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India and Israel will soon finalise a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and announced the establishment of a "Critical and Emerging Technology Partnership" to deepen cooperation in the tech and innovation sectors. Speaking during the joint statement with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu as part of his two-day state visit to the country, PM Modi said the two leaders discussed imparting a new direction and faster pace to bilateral cooperation. "In today's meeting, we discussed giving a new direction and a faster pace to our cooperation. Our economic cooperation is the engine of growth, innovation, and shared prosperity. To encourage mutual investment, we entered into a bilateral investment agreement last year. We will also soon finalise a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement," he said. Highlighting the growing focus on technology-driven collaboration, the Prime Minister said technology will form the core of the future partnership between the two nations. "Technology is the core of our future partnership. Today, we have decided to establish a 'Critical and Emerging Technology Partnership.' This will give new momentum to cooperation in areas like AI, quantum, and critical minerals," he said. The first round of negotiations for the India-Israel FTA commenced in New Delhi on Monday and is scheduled to take place until today. Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Tuesday met a delegation from Israel in India for the first round of FTA negotiations. 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. PM Modi also welcomed the agreement on the use of India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Israel, calling it a significant step in advancing digital cooperation, adding that both countries are committed to leveraging digital health innovations to improve the lives of their citizens through shared experiences and best practices. "In the field of digital health as well, we are committed to improving people's lives by sharing our experiences," he added. In the defence sector, the Prime Minister noted that India and Israel share decades-old, reliable cooperation, which is set to expand further. "In the field of defence, we have had decades-old, reliable cooperation. The MOUs signed last year will add new dimensions to this. Together, we will move towards joint development, joint production, and transfer of technology," he said. He further stated that both sides will advance cooperation in civil nuclear energy and space, underlining the expanding scope of the India-Israel strategic partnership. PM Modi is currently on a two-day state visit to Israel at the invitation of his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu. (ANI) Hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day Israel visit as a "significant milestone" in bilateral relations, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday stated it set the stage for the "next phase of important partnership." Detailing the significance of the trip, the Foreign Secretary stated that the visit serves as a bridge between a decade of progress and future collaboration. "The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, has just concluded a visit to Israel. The Prime Minister is here on a state visit at the invitation of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel," Misri said. The visit is particularly noteworthy as it comes nearly a decade after the Prime Minister's inaugural trip to the country. "This is the Prime Minister's second visit to Israel; he was last here almost 9 years ago, which was his first visit. This visit marks a very significant milestone in India-Israel relations. It reflects the progress made over the past decade and sets the stage for the next phase of this important partnership," the Foreign Secretary added. PM Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli Parliament, Knesset, marking his second visit to Israel in a decade, after his 2017 trip. Despite the brief duration of the stay, the Foreign Secretary highlighted the substantial results achieved during the "exceptional visit." "This has been, in Prime Minister Netanyahu's words, an exceptional visit. It's been a short visit, slightly over 24 hours, but it has been a very rich visit in terms of outcomes, and therefore a very productive exercise," he remarked. The historic meeting saw collaborations on the fronts of high-tech artificial intelligence, quantum computing, economic, diplomatic and security collaboration. These included MoUs on geophysical exploration, development of a National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal, fisheries and aquaculture, and the declaration of intent in the field of horizon scanning, among others. Misri further contextualised the trip within a broader regional strategy, noting that it is part of a concerted effort by the Prime Minister to engage deeply with all major players in the region. "This visit comes in the context of an effort by the Prime Minister himself to take an interest in and pursue India's relations with all the countries in West Asia," Misri explained. Underscoring this "Link West" outreach, the Foreign Secretary pointed to a series of high-level engagements over the past year. "In the last year, the Prime Minister has paid visits to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, to Jordan, Oman, and now to Israel. And of course, he has received several heads of state, heads of government, and other dignitaries from this region as well," Misri said. (ANI) Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday said that a negotiating team from Israel is in India to negotiate the terms of a free trade agreement. Misri said that both parties have decided to launch a bilateral financial dialogue. "In September 2024, the two countries signed a bilateral investment agreement, and today, a negotiating team from Israel is in India for the first round of negotiations on concluding a free trade agreement between the two countries. To complete this triad, the two sides have also decided to launch a bilateral financial dialogue," the Foreign Secretary said. Addressing a press briefing, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has concluded his state visit to Israel, undertaken at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "In recent years, mobility has been a sunrise sector of cooperation between the two countries, and considerable progress has been made. Nearly 42,000 Indian skilled workers have travelled to Israel in recent years. Today, the signing of the implementation protocol on commerce and services, manufacturing, and the restaurant sectors will open up these sectors for mobility cooperation and facilitate the safe and secure movement of Indian nationals and Indian workers in these sectors in Israel. There is also a broad consensus that up to 50,000 Indian workers may arrive in Israel within the next five years to work in these sectors." Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a joint press briefing with Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu, said that India and Israel will soon give final shape to the trade agreement. He said,"We will soon give final shape to a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement." The meeting yielded several outcomes, with 17 MoUs and 10 announcements. The announcements included- Elevation of relationship to Special Strategic Partnership; JCM on Science and Technology elevated to Ministerial level; Initiative to collaborate in Critical and Emerging Technologies led by National Security Advisors; Financial Dialogue; Tech-Gateway Initiative; 20 Joint Fellowships in Agricultural Research; Increase of contribution of both sides for the Joint Research Calls; Quota of up to 50,000 Indian workers over the next 5 years; India-Israel Academic Cooperation Forum; India- Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group. (ANI) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday received the Finance Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Gillis Roth, along with his delegation, in Gandhinagar. Roth highlighted Luxembourg's robust financial sector, which comprises 115 banks, an investment portfolio of 8 trillion euros in asset management, and a presence in investment and financial services across around 80 countries. In this context, he expressed his eagerness to further strengthen financial relations with India, particularly with Gujarat. Patel said during the discussions of this meeting that Gujarat is a state with prudent financial management under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Not only this, he discussed and deliberated on the benefit of Luxembourg's expertise in the field of green bonds and green financing in this context. https://x.com/Bhupendrapbjp/status/2026992559591981477?s=20 He also requested to explore the possibilities of mutual cooperation to realise the idea of green growth with an environment-friendly lifestyle through renewable-green energy and Mission Life, which was given by the Prime Minister, through municipal green bonds and long-term infrastructure and sustainable development. Roth said that the MoU signed between IFSCA and Luxembourg's CSSF in GIFT City has strengthened the financial cooperation between India and Luxembourg and has also increased the global financial connectivity of Gujarat. Shri Gilles Roth expressed Luxembourg's eagerness for more investments in the international financing sector in GIFT City. Patel also invited the Luxembourg delegation to join the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit to be held in January 2027 and the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference of South and Central Gujarat to be held in April 2026 and June 2026. Luxembourg Finance Minister Shri Gillis Roth extended a cordial invitation to the Chief Minister and the delegation of the Gujarat Government to visit the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Industries Commissioner P Swaroop and Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Vikrant Pandey also participated in this courtesy visit. (ANI) Borge Brende, the chief executive of the World Economic Forum, announced about his resignation on Thursday, after an independent investigation by the group into his ties to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, New York Times reported. His resignation came less than a month after the release of the latest batch of files related to Epstein revealed that Brende, a former foreign minister of Norway, had allegedly stayed in contact with Epstein long after he had been convicted of soliciting a minor for prostitution. "We respect his decision to step down," the forum said in its statement, expressing its appreciation to Brende for his "instrumental" leadership over a "pivotal period of reforms." As per New York Times, Brende said that after "careful consideration," he wanted the forum to continue its work "without distractions." He is among several prominent Norwegians named in the documents released by the Justice Department in recent weeks, which exposed how Epstein had courted decision makers around the world. Bob Kerrey, the former US senator from Nebraska has resigned from the board of a clean energy start-up in the state after documents released by the Department of Justice indicated that Kerrey and Jeffrey Epstein had met and corresponded over email more than a decade ago. Lawrence Summers, the Harvard University economist and the school's former president will resign from teaching at the end of the academic year, according to a Harvard spokesman. The announcement comes after documents released by the Department of Justice showed a close relationship between Summers and Epstein long after Epstein was convicted of prostitution involving a minor, as per New York Times. Hillary Clinton, the former first lady of the US, senator and secretary of state had no dealings with Epstein but is once again under pressure to answer for the actions and relationships of her husband. Richard Axel, the Nobel Prize-winning scientist and professor announced that he was resigning as a co-director of a flagship neuroscience institute at Columbia University because of his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, as per the New York Times. (ANI) Highlighting the strategic focus on regional connectivity, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday confirmed that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was discussed "at some length" between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Addressing the media in Jerusalem at the conclusion of PM Modi's visit, Misri noted that while the project remains a priority, "the regional situation does weigh on the progress of the initiative," as stable ties among participating corridor nations are essential for its success. Despite these regional challenges, the Foreign Secretary stated that some nations are advancing IMEC components independently to maintain momentum, stressing that all parties must ensure this "extremely important initiative can move forward". Underscoring the renewed momentum between India and Israel during his bilateral discussions with Netanyahu on IMEC and the India-Israel-UAE-USA (I2U2) initiative, PM Modi emphasised that "peace and stability in West Asia are directly linked to India's security." "Today we also had extensive discussions on regional and global issues. While promoting regional connectivity, we will move forward with new momentum on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and India-Israel-UAE-USA, i.e., I2U2," PM Modi said. "Peace and stability in West Asia are directly linked to India's security," he added. The Prime Minister also stated that India has consistently supported dialogue and peaceful solutions in West Asia, while referring to efforts to de-escalate tensions and noted that the Gaza Peace Plan has created a pathway towards peace that India fully supports. "Therefore, from the beginning, we have supported dialogue and a peaceful solution. This is the call of the Global South and all of humanity. India's thinking is clear: Humanity must never become a victim of conflict. The Gaza Peace Plan has created a path for peace," the Prime Minister said. He affirmed that India will continue dialogue and cooperation with all countries to restore stability. (ANI) The restoration and retrofitting of Jestha Varna Mahavihara, Lalitpur, Nepal -- a Government of India-funded project supported through the Ministry of External Affairs and the Embassy of India in Kathmandu -- has been conferred the UNESCO Asia Pacific Award of Merit 2025. The award was officially announced on 20 February 2026. As per a statement by the Ministry of Culture, the project was undertaken as part of the post-earthquake reconstruction, retrofitting initiatives in Nepal with INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage) as design and project management consultant. INTACH is a premiere Indian Non-Government Organisation working in the field of Heritage Conservation since 1984. INTACH adopted a holistic conservation approach, grounded in archival research, structural stabilisation, archaeological impact assessment, and the preparation of a comprehensive conservation management plan. Importantly, the project safeguarded Vihara's status as a living heritage site, ensuring that daily rituals and community activities continued uninterrupted throughout the conservation process. The Jestha Varna Mahavihara situated 300 meters away from the Patan Darbar Square heritage site, was originally two-storeyed, of which the top floor completely collapsed during the 2015 earthquake, making it structurally unstable. After its reconstruction and retrofitting work was completed, the site was inaugurated on 22nd March 2024 and handed over to the community, the statement added.UNESCO Kathmandu also shared the details in a post on X. https://x.com/UNESCOKathmandu/status/2025790765348397355?s=20 The statement further noted that the project was part of the Government of India's commitment for post-earthquake reconstruction projects in Nepal after the devastating earthquakes of 25th April 2015 and 12th May 2015 that caused huge damage across Nepal, including the destruction of several cultural heritage sites. For the conservation of 12 cultural heritage sites, the Embassy of India, Kathmandu, appointed INTACH, New Delhi, to provide design and project management consultancy services and an MoU was signed on 12th December 2019. The Architectural Heritage Division of INTACH established its Nepal Office in Kathmandu with a core technical team of Conservation Architects, Architects, and Engineers which was operational until May 2024. (ANI) Characterising the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a defining moment for bilateral ties, Ofir Amami, Head of Economic and Commercial Mission at the Embassy of Israel, stated that the high-level engagement marks "another milestone in the strengthened relationship between Israel and India in the past year, specifically in recent years." Speaking to ANI regarding the strategic depth of the trip, Amami highlighted that the visit was not merely diplomatic but was underpinned by significant "economic aspects." He pointed out that the personal involvement of the leadership has set a clear trajectory for future engagement, noting that "as mentioned by PM Modi himself during his visit, one of the key focuses and takeaways from this visit is stepping up the cooperation." Central to this cooperation is the institutionalisation of trade ties, which has gained significant momentum following the Prime Minister's discussions in Jerusalem. Amami identified the primary objective as the acceleration of a comprehensive trade pact, stating that "the takeaway is also to bring forward the trade agreement, the free trade agreement between the countries." Providing an update on the ongoing negotiations, Amami noted that "just this week, simultaneously with the Prime Minister's visit, we had the delegation from Israel here to conduct the first round of negotiations toward the free trade agreement." He expressed optimism that the political will generated by the visit would act as a catalyst, adding, "We hope and believe that the visit of the Prime Minister will give an extra boost to take this process along." This push for a formalised agreement is seen as a natural progression for two economies that increasingly mirror each other's growth ambitions. "We believe both sides are very keen to take this step forward in institutionalising the economic relationship between the countries," Amami remarked, further observing that "there will be a lot of benefits for both countries that are quite complementary and aligned in their economic interests. I hope we can manage to take this forward in a rapid manner." Further solidifying this economic and strategic trajectory, India and Israel on Thursday unveiled 27 outcomes following the two-day visit. These outcomes, spanning cooperation in sectors from geophysical exploration to cybersecurity, include 17 agreements/MoUs and 10 key announcements aimed at expanding the bilateral partnership across strategic and people-centric domains. Among the agreements signed was an MoU on cooperation in geophysical exploration to boost mineral exploration using advanced AI technologies, alongside a collaboration for the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat. To deepen people-to-people ties, a Cultural Exchange Programme from 2026 to 2029 will be done to engage in creative fields like music and theatre through festivals and workshops. In a significant move for digital and agricultural cooperation, NPCI International and Israel's MASAV signed an MoU to facilitate cross-border remittances through India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Simultaneously, a push for next-generation farming was formalised through the establishment of the India-Israel Innovation Centre for Agriculture (IINCA), focusing on precision farming and satellite-based irrigation. The technological partnership extended into strategic foresight with a Declaration of Intent on "Horizon Scanning" for joint research and AI-driven tools. Both sides also moved to promote sustainable solutions in Fisheries and Aquaculture, while strengthening the financial sector through fintech and regtech collaboration between the IFSCA and the Israel Securities Authority. Addressing human resource and educational needs, three Implementation Protocols on Labour Mobility were signed to enable regulated recruitment of Indian workers across various industries. In the education sector, an MoU on advancing AI-powered learning was inked, while academic cooperation was further expanded through student exchanges between Nalanda University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. To bolster digital and legal frameworks, a Letter of Intent was signed to establish an Indo-Israel Cyber Centre of Excellence, alongside an agreement to strengthen arbitration and mediation cooperation. During the visit, the 4th India-Israel CEO Forum presented policy recommendations to align with industry trends and promote public-private collaboration. In addition to these agreements, the two sides announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a Special Strategic Partnership. Key announcements included elevating the Joint Committee on Science and Technology to the ministerial level and launching a new initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies led by the National Security Advisor. The visit concluded with the launch of a Financial Dialogue, a Tech-Gateway Initiative, and a quota of up to 50,000 Indian workers over the next five years. The leaders also announced the establishment of an India-Israel Academic Cooperation Forum and a Parliamentary Friendship Group, underscoring the growing depth and breadth of the bilateral bond. (ANI) In the India-Israel Joint Statement released on Thursday, both sides noted the role of water and agriculture in sustainable development and reaffirmed the importance of strengthening partnership in such areas. Recognising the critical role of water and agriculture in sustainable development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed the importance of efforts to strengthen the partnership in water and agriculture. The partnership focuses on key areas of water conservation, wastewater treatment and its reuse for agriculture, desalination, water utility reforms, and the cleaning of the Ganges and other rivers using advanced water technologies, as per the statement. The Prime Ministers also agreed to strengthen the ongoing capacity-building program in agriculture in Israel, led by MASHAV in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture of India. This multifaceted program benefits hundreds of thousands of Indian farmers, through training, introduction of unique and innovative techniques and knowledge transfer. Both Prime Ministers also apprised the progress of the 35 centres of excellence in agriculture already operating and the 8 that are being jointly operationalised in various locations across India. Both leaders noted with satisfaction that more than a million Indian farmers have been trained at these centres of excellence so far. The Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the MOU between ICAR and MASHAV regarding the India - Israel Innovation Centre for Agriculture (IINCA) -This initiative will drive innovation and research, enhance productivity, and promote sustainable growth in agriculture. Both leaders also welcomed the launch of 20 Joint Fellowships for Agricultural Research by Indian researchers at the Volcani Agriculture Research Organization, the statement said. Both leaders welcomed the signing of the Declaration of Intent on cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture in January 2026 and agreed to strengthen cooperation in this area, including through the setting up of a Joint Centre of Excellence in Fisheries and Aquaculture. The Prime Ministers underlined the importance of cooperation in the field of environment and climate change and agreed to have bilateral consultations to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders on climate action, including capacity building and examining possibilities for technology transfer as well as jointly promoting a circular economy, protection of biodiversity and prevention of environmental pollution, the statement added. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday welcomed the strides made in unlocking the full potential of the bilateral trade and investment between the two countries. They welcomed the signing of the India-Israel Bilateral Investment Agreement by the two Finance Ministers in New Delhi in September 2025. They encouraged more Indian participation in the infrastructure sector of Israel and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing transformative initiatives such as the I2U2 quadrilateral partnership. In the details shared in the joint statement it was mentioned that the prime ministers "welcomed the signing of the India-Israel Bilateral Investment Agreement by the two Finance Ministers in New Delhi in September 2025, which is expected to enhance investor confidence, promote greater two-way investments, and ensure transparency, predictability, and protection through a clear framework of treatment of investment and independent dispute resolution mechanism." Notably, Prime Minister Netanyahu appreciated India's fintech revolution, exemplified by the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which is a world-class model for affordable, real-time cross-border transactions. Both sides agreed to explore linking UPI with Israel's fast payment system to enhance interoperability and strengthen economic ties. As per the statement, both leaders encouraged more Indian participation in the infrastructure sector of Israel, particularly in light of major upcoming projects in Israel in the sectors of metro, rail, road, airports, desalination plants, waste-water treatment plants. |The leaders noted that direct air connectivity is a basic building block that is essential for scaling the bilateral relationship to new heights. In this regard, they expressed their desire to expand direct air connectivity between Tel Aviv and major Indian cities and encouraged both Indian and Israeli airlines to take up the opportunity to start direct flight operations between the two countries", the statement added. Both leaders welcomed the signing of the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Free Trade Area (FTA) Agreement negotiations and the convening of the first negotiating round in New Delhi. The leaders assert their commitment for the realisation of the FTA Agreement between the two countries and tasked the negotiating teams to expedite the negotiations for an early signing of an FTA. As per the joint statement, both leaders emphasised that a resilient financial ecosystem is a fundamental pillar of economic stability. They welcomed the strategic partnership in the financial-cyber domain. This collaboration will focus on enhancing the resilience of the financial ecosystem through the exchange of financial- cyber intelligence, joint development of methodologies, and the performance of multilateral financial-cyber simulations operationalised through Financial Computer Security Incident Response Teams of both countries. Both leaders welcomed the signing of an MoU between NPCI International and MASAV for cooperation in order to examine linkages between NPCI and MASAV for cross-border payments between the countries and they welcomed the launch of the India-Israel Financial Dialogue to boost closer financial cooperation. PM Modi and PM Netanyahu welcomed the successful conclusion of the 4th round of India-Israel CEOs Forum and Business Summit in Tel Aviv in November 2025. They commended the meaningful engagement between business and government leaders, which contributed to strengthening bilateral economic cooperation and unlocking new opportunities for investment and collaboration across key sectors. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to building on this positive momentum to further deepen the India-Israel strategic partnership. They also welcomed the signing of the MoU on Arbitration between Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA) and Israeli Institute of Commercial Arbitration (IICA) recognising it as a significant step toward facilitating smoother commercial dispute resolution and enhancing investor confidence. " In an era of global uncertainties, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Netanyahu reaffirmed their commitment to advancing transformative initiatives such as the I2U2 quadrilateral partnership. This framework serves as a vital instrument for fostering deeper engagement, trade, investment, innovation and leveraging the complementary strengths of both nations. The leaders discussed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and expressed their intent to advance cooperation to promote regional connectivity, stability and shared prosperity through the initiative and explore Israel's role within its frameworks", the statement added. Recognising the strategic partnership and advocating the need to comprehensively enhance bilateral relations, the Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of several agreements between the two countries. These include the MoU on cooperation in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Letter of Intent on establishment of Indo Israel Cyber Centre of Excellence in India, Memorandum of Understanding between the Minister of Education of Republic of India and Minister of Education of the State of Israel on the Cooperation on Advancing Education through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Declaration of Intent between the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology of the State of Israel and Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, Republic of India on cooperation in the field of Horizon Scanning amongst others. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining high-level engagement between the governments, industries, and peoples of both nations, with a shared vision of building an enduring India-Israel partnership that harnesses the ambitions of our knowledge-driven economies to forge a future defined by creativity, technology, collaboration, and shared success, the statement concluded. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep gratitude for the warm hospitality extended during his state visit to Israel. In a post on X, he thanked the country for the "warmth and affection" shown throughout the engagement, particularly highlighting the personal gesture of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu, who came to Ben Gurion International Airport to personally see him off. "Thank you Israel, for the warmth and affection. Deeply touched that Prime Minister Netanyahu and Mrs. Netanyahu personally came to the airport to see me off. Confident that the India-Israel partnership will continue to reach new heights in the years to come," he said https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2027035010667364824?s=20 This emotional farewell marked the conclusion of PM Modi's historic two-day state visit, the first in nine years, during which India and Israel elevated their bilateral ties to a Special Strategic Partnership. The visit culminated in the signing of 27 MoUs and agreements across diverse sectors including innovation, cultural exchange, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, economic cooperation, diplomacy, and security. As he departed, PM Modi announced that India and Israel would soon finalise a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA). He also declared the establishment of a Critical and Emerging Technology Partnership to deepen collaboration in high-tech and innovation domains. In his remarks, PM Modi reiterated the shared resolve against terrorism, stating clearly that "India and Israel are clear that there is no place for terrorism in the world. Terrorism cannot be accepted in any form." He affirmed that both nations would continue to stand shoulder to shoulder against terrorism and its supporters, noting that peace and stability in West Asia are directly linked to India's security. Emphasising India's consistent support for dialogue and peaceful resolutions in the region, PM Modi highlighted efforts to de-escalate tensions. He specifically welcomed the Gaza Peace Plan as a pathway towards peace, adding that India fully supports such initiatives aimed at restoring stability and that humanity must never become a victim of conflict. During the joint press briefing, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described PM Modi's visit as "amazing," "extraordinarily productive," and "extraordinarily moving," despite its short duration. He praised the emotional impact of PM Modi's address to the Knesset the previous day, noting that it left few dry eyes in Israel. Netanyahu expressed profound gratitude, saying Israel owes India "a great lot of debt" for its enduring friendship. He shared a personal anecdote about enjoying "unbelievable food" at an Indian restaurant in Tel Aviv with his wife Sara before their marriage, underscoring a personal dimension to the bond. The Israeli leader highlighted the potential of combining the "brilliant talent" and "meeting of minds and hearts" between the two countries, expressing confidence that this connection would continue. He announced plans for an early government-to-government (G2G) meeting in India, looking forward to bringing distinguished ministers for further engagement. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday interacted with the members of the Indian Jewish community in Israel and appreciated their remarkable contributions to the country. He called them a living bridge between the two countries. In a post on X PM Modi said, "Interacted with members of the Indian Jewish community. Their deep-rooted connection to India and their remarkable contributions to Israel stand as a living bridge between our two nations." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2027058433133031782?s=20 On the meeting between PM Modi and the Indian Jewish diaspora, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the community's enduring bond with India, traditions carried across generations and remarkable contributions to Israel serve as a living bridge between our countries. "Their stories of warmth and shared heritage embody the spirit of India-Israel friendship," he added. During his visit to Israel, PM Modi also paid tributes at Yad Vashem. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, in a post on X, shared that PM Modi laid a wreath and placed a stone in memory of the victims. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I visited Yad Vashem today. At the Hall of Names, I showed him the names of relatives of my wife Sara who were murdered in the Holocaust. We then held a memorial ceremony, where Prime Minister Modi laid a wreath and placed a stone in memory of the victims. We will never forget." https://x.com/netanyahu/status/2027036102557569296?s=20 On the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs noted in a statement that PM Modi visited the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre - in Jerusalem, and paid tribute to the victims of the Holocaust. Prime Minister participated in a solemn ceremony at the Hall of Remembrance. The ceremony was marked by the poignant recital of the "El Maleh Rahamim" by the Cantor. The Prime Minister also visited the Book of Names Hall, which displays personal stories of the victims of the Holocaust. The visit underscored the deep emotional bond and shared commitment to human values between the people of India and Israel. On Thursday, PM Modi also called upon Israeli President Isaac Herzog. As per the MEA, PM Modi recalled his previous meetings with President Herzog during his visit to Israel in 2017 and in Dubai in 2023. The two leaders noted that the elevation of India-Israel ties to a "Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity" marks a new beginning in bilateral ties and is reflective of the deep trust, shared democratic values and special friendship between the two countries. The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the ongoing cooperation in the fields of trade and technology, innovation and enterprise, defence and security, and counter terrorism. The statement added that the two leaders also discussed regional issues of mutual interest. Expressing support for the Gaza Peace Plan, Prime Minister conveyed his satisfaction at the progress being made with the initiative to achieve peace and stability in West Asia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday concluded his historic visit to Israel, which came after nine years, during which both countries agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a special strategic partnership. The visit saw the signing of 27 agreements spanning innovation, cultural exchange, manufacturing, artificial intelligence and other sectors. PM Modi departed from Ben-Gurion International Airport, where he was seen off by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu. Also present were Israeli Ambassador to India, Rueven Azar, and Indian Ambassador to Israel, JP Singh. (ANI) The visit culminated in the signing of 27 MoUs and agreements across diverse sectors, including innovation, cultural exchange, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, economic cooperation, diplomacy, and security. PM Modi also announced that India and Israel would soon finalise a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA). He also declared the establishment of a Critical and Emerging Technology Partnership to deepen collaboration in high-tech and innovation domains. In his remarks, PM Modi reiterated the shared resolve against terrorism, stating clearly that "India and Israel are clear that there is no place for terrorism in the world. Terrorism cannot be accepted in any form." He affirmed that both nations would continue to stand shoulder to shoulder against terrorism and its supporters, noting that peace and stability in West Asia are directly linked to India's security. Emphasising India's consistent support for dialogue and peaceful resolutions in the region, PM Modi highlighted efforts to de-escalate tensions. He specifically welcomed the Gaza Peace Plan as a pathway towards peace, adding that India fully supports such initiatives aimed at restoring stability and that humanity must never become a victim of conflict. During the joint press briefing, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described PM Modi's visit as "amazing," "extraordinarily productive," and "extraordinarily moving," despite its short duration. He praised the emotional impact of PM Modi's address to the Knesset the previous day, noting that it left few dry eyes in Israel. Netanyahu expressed profound gratitude, saying Israel owes India "a great lot of debt" for its enduring friendship. He shared a personal anecdote about enjoying "unbelievable food" at an Indian restaurant in Tel Aviv with his wife, Sara, before their marriage, underscoring a personal dimension to the bond. The Israeli leader highlighted the potential of combining the "brilliant talent" and "meeting of minds and hearts" between the two countries, expressing confidence that this connection would continue. He announced plans for an early government-to-government (G2G) meeting in India, looking forward to bringing distinguished ministers for further engagement. (ANI) TOKYO, Feb 27 (News On Japan) - The number of children born nationwide last year fell for the tenth straight year to a record low, but Tokyo saw a year-on-year increase for the first time in nine years, highlighting how local support measures and job opportunities may help counter Japans declining birthrate. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said last week that the number of births in the capital, including foreign residents, had risen after nearly a decade of decline. The metropolitan government has introduced a range of child-rearing support measures, including cash benefits and free childcare, earning Koike the nickname the residents mother-in-law on social media. When asked about the nickname, Koike joked that grandma would also be acceptable. Births in Tokyo last year rose by about 1,000 from the previous year. Metropolitan officials said that while some couples remained financially anxious, support policies have spread and more people now feel that its okay to have children. Some families have even moved into Tokyo for better child-rearing support. Across the Tamagawa River in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, one mother who moved to Shinagawa Ward last year with her eight-month-old daughter said she relocated after hearing that childcare assistance in Tokyo was more generous than in Kanagawa. Under the national system, childcare for children aged three to five is free, but families in Kawasaki still pay fees for children aged zero to two, except in certain cases. In Shinagawa Ward, however, childcare is free for all children from zero to five under Tokyos system. The mother said her family would have paid around 50,000 yen a month in Kawasaki, whereas it is now free in Tokyo, making it easier to consider having a second child. Nationwide, however, births last year fell to a record low for the tenth consecutive year. Still, some municipalities outside Tokyo have also seen increases. Ami Town in Ibaraki Prefecture, just over an hour by car from Tokyo and known for the nearby Ushiku Daibutsu statue, has attracted many households in their 30s through expanded housing developments and child-rearing support. Births in the town have risen by about 30 over the past five years, and one elementary school was expanded eight years ago, with more than half of its students coming from outside the town. In Ami, school lunch fees are free for second and subsequent children, school bags are provided, and medical expenses are covered through high school. The town also subsidizes up to 20,000 yen for junior high school uniforms and gym clothes. Residents say the support is helpful, especially given the high cost of preparing for school, and note that convenient access to Tokyo within about an hour is another draw. Experts say that in addition to child-rearing support, creating places where people in their 20s and 30s can work is key to increasing births nationwide. Kanako Amano of the NLI Research Institute said regions where the decline in births has been relatively restrained share common features, including accessible labor markets for both men and women and reasonable commuting distances of around an hour by car or public transport. She said employment conditions must be reformed to match the preferences of Generation Z and that areas must become places where such workers want to live. Source: TBS OSAKA, Feb 27 (News On Japan) - The lay judge trial has begun for a man accused of fatally assaulting his six-year-old niece and concealing her body in concrete, after the remains were discovered at a residence in Yao, Osaka Prefecture, with the defendant telling the court on February 26th that the charges were correct. According to the indictment and other documents, Noriyuki Iimori, 42, is accused of repeatedly kicking the back of his niece, Rena Iwamoto, at his home in Osakas Hirano Ward between December 2006 and the following year, causing her death from traumatic shock, and of concealing her body by encasing it in concrete and hiding it at a residence in Yao. Source: YOMIURI HOKKAIDO, Feb 27 (News On Japan) - Tsurui Village in Hokkaido is moving to purchase land designated for a large-scale solar power project near the Kushiro Wetland from an Osaka-based developer, in a bid to protect the surrounding landscape. The village plans to acquire approximately 10 hectares of forest and cleared land owned by Japan Ecology, an Osaka company, along a forest road leading toward the Miyajima Cape area in the central part of the Kushiro Wetland. Under the proposed agreement, the village will sign a contract worth 80 million yen, which includes the cost of purchasing the land as well as compensation for expenses already incurred by the developer for logging. The funds are expected to come from donations collected nationwide. Tsurui Village has been stepping up efforts to preserve the scenery around the wetland. In December last year, the village jointly purchased about 7.5 hectares of privately owned land adjacent to the site together with a Tokyo-based nature conservation group, further advancing measures to protect the wetland environment. Source: HBC It is very hard to believe that France-24 TV channel does not verify the authenticity and accuracy of its sources through a combination of traditional journalistic standards and modern, technology-driven investigative techniques. This international channel, which is funded by the French foreign ministry, has been caught red-handed again spreading fake news against Morocco. In its program Face-to-Face program, France 24 Arabic channel used a fake X account posting fabricated statement attributed to Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita, alleging $1 billion donation to the US-led Board of Peace. The bogus X account located in Algeria & operated by Algerian intelligence services was used by the French TV to spark and steer hostile debate against Morocco, founding member of the International Board of Peace. The Kingdoms rising status in the New World Order taking shape is irking many countries in Europe, the Arab world and Africa. Following Moroccans widespread outrage over France 24 scandal, the French TV channel apologized and recognized its mistake viewed by many as a serious ethical breach fueling disinformation campaign targeting Rabats geostrategic interests. Last year, Elon Musks X launched a new feature enabling users to see the country where an account is based to verify authenticity of profile and increase the integrity of the platform. The new location feature has exposed hundreds of the false X accounts operated by Algerian military intelligence agents assigned to disseminate fake news against Moroccan institutions and interests. The online Algerian fraudsters rile up other internet users. They bully and attack supporters of Moroccos political, economic, social and sporting achievements. According to some experts, it is very unlikely that an international TV channel like France-24 would have been fooled easily by a fake X account as the media outlet has strict verification processes and abides by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) code. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has fired Algerian diplomat who failed to bridge warring factions in Sudan and appointed Pekka Haavisto of Finland as his new Personal Envoy for Sudan. A UN statement says Mr. Haavisto brings over forty years of experience in politics and international affairs. He held several ministerial positions in the Government of Finland and senior roles with the EU and the UN. He is currently a member of the Parliament of Finland. The new UN envoy for Sudan has broad experience in mediation and negotiation processes in the Horn of Africa region and in the Middle East. He also has experience with the United Nations. From 2009 to 2017, he served as Special Representative to the Finnish Foreign Minister for mediation and crisis management in Africa. From 2005 to 2007, Mr. Haavisto served as EUs Special Representative for the Sudan, taking part in the Darfur peace negotiations. During this time, he also served as a UN Senior Advisor to the Darfur peace process. Mr. Haavisto worked for the UN Environment Program from 1999 to 2005, including in Kosovo, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Liberia and Sudan. Lamamra has failed to advance efforts for the resolution of Sudans crisis. Last year, 103 Sudanese figures, including academics, diplomats, human rights defenders and political party leaders, have sent a letter to UN Chief, accusing Lamamra of siding with the Sudans army and embracing its political narrative. The signatories called for sacking the Algerian diplomat and his replacement with a more capable mediator who can engage constructively with all Sudanese factions. Lamamras failure undermined UNs credibility and obstructed efforts to bridge deep divisions among Sudans political and military blocs. Moroccos Nouaceur province is expanding its industrial footprint with the launch of a second Industrial Acceleration Zone (ZAI), a sweeping 476-hectare development in the commune of Ouled Saleh that is set to become one of the countrys largest and most strategically positioned economic hubs. The project was formally set in motion this week, with the signing of a multi-party partnership agreement. The ceremony brought together top government figures, including the Minister of Economy and Finance, the Minister of Industry and Trade, the wali and president of the Casablanca-Settat Regional Council, the governor of Nouaceur, and the heads of the Regional Urban Agency, the Regional Investment Center, and the Al Omrane Holding Group. The breadth of institutional involvement underscores the national significance attached to the initiative. When fully operational, the Ouled Saleh zone will rank as the fourth largest ZAI in the kingdom, offering a purpose-built environment designed to attract both domestic and international investors. Its planners envision an integrated industrial ecosystem capable of generating sustained economic activity and creating substantial employment opportunities in the region. Location is among the projects greatest assets. The site sits in close proximity to Mohammed V International Airport, Moroccos primary aviation gateway, and enjoys direct connectivity to the A1 motorway linking Tangier to Safi and the A3 connecting Casablanca to Agadir via Marrakech. Additional access routes through the Bouskoura Sud interchange and the Victoria bypass further reinforce the zones logistics credentials. The partnership agreement also mandates comprehensive land, urban planning, technical, and financial studies to develop a full site master plan and a robust business model. These preparatory steps will define infrastructure standards, service offerings, and a viable investment framework aligned with international benchmarks. Authorities and partners frame the Ouled Saleh ZAI as a cornerstone of Moroccos advanced regionalization strategy, one that places regional councils at the center of development policy. By positioning Nouaceur as a premier industrial and logistics hub within the Casablanca-Settat region, the project aims to deliver measurable economic and social impact while reinforcing the areas competitiveness on the national and continental stage. The African Development Bank (AfDB) has launched the Integrated Aviation Transform Program (IATP), a continent-wide initiative designed to revitalize Africas aviation industry and enhance regional air connectivity. The program was unveiled on Feb. 25 during the Airlines, Capital and Connectivity Forum held in Nairobi. The event was partly attended virtually. Mike Salawou, Director of the Infrastructure and Urban Development Department at the AfDB, described the IATP as a strategic roadmap to foster a more integrated, competitive and climate-aligned aviation ecosystem across Africa. He noted that the platform seeks to catalyse collaboration between governments and private-sector actors to unleash sustainable growth within the sector. A central objective of the program is to improve African airlines access to affordable aircraft fleets, thereby expanding intra-African connectivity and strengthening the commercial viability of carriers. The initiative is anchored on three pillars: operationalizing the Single African Air Transport Market, reinforcing aviation safety oversight, and advancing skills development within the industry. The two-day forum gathered senior government officials, development finance institutions and airline executives from across the continent to deliberate on sector priorities, investment requirements and innovative financing mechanisms. The dialogue underscored a shared commitment to positioning aviation as a driver of economic integration and long-term development in Africa. Sudanese womens organizations have called for urgent international funding and accountability measures to protect women and girls affected by the countrys ongoing conflict. In a memorandum addressed on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, to regional and global bodies, the groups urged immediate support for victims of violence, as well as food assistance for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Citing figures from the World Health Organization released on February 4, the memorandum noted that 8.1 million women and girls of reproductive age require urgent health services. This includes more than 803,000 pregnant women, with an estimated 1.1 million births expected in 2026. The coalition, comprising the Womens Union and 43 other organizations, demanded increased funding for medical and psychological care, safe houses, and economic reintegration programs. The groups further pressed for international accountability, urging that crimes committed since the outbreak of war in April 2023 be referred to global justice mechanisms. They called for the recognition of alleged atrocities including murder, rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage and displacement as war crimes under the Geneva Conventions and crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute. The memorandum also advocated targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for sexual violence and starvation tactics. Beyond humanitarian relief, the organizations appealed for sustained political, diplomatic and economic pressure to secure an immediate ceasefire and guarantee aid access. They emphasized the need to place womens rights at the centre of any future political transition and proposed that March 8, International Womens Day, be recognized globally as a day of solidarity with Sudanese women in pursuit of justice and an end to impunity. Three African non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council have formally commended Morocco for organizing a landmark international conference in support of the Central African Republic, reinforcing Rabats growing diplomatic role on the continent. The Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and Liberia collectively known as the A3 voiced their appreciation during a Security Council briefing on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) held Wednesday in New York. The session focused on progress achieved since the Partners Roundtable on the CAR, hosted by Morocco in Casablanca last September. Speaking on behalf of the three African nations, DRC Deputy Permanent Representative Jocelyne Lukundula highlighted that the Casablanca initiative had not only reinforced efforts by the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the CAR (MINUSCA) but had also helped mobilize critical funding for the countrys National Development Plan covering the 20242028 period. She urged a rigorous follow-up process to ensure that financial pledges translate into concrete support for the governments peace-building priorities. The meeting also provided a platform for Moroccos Permanent Representative to the UN, Omar Hilale, to brief the Security Council on peace-building advances in the CAR. Hilale addressed the body at the invitation of the United Kingdom, which held the Councils presidency for February, in his capacity as chair of the CAR Configuration of the UN Peace-building Commission. The A3 grouping took the occasion to specifically acknowledge Hilales consistent dedication to the CAR peace process. CAR Permanent Representative Marius Nzessioue, also present at the meeting, expressed his countrys gratitude to Morocco, describing Hilale as an indefatigable defender of Central African resilience words that underscored the depth of the diplomatic relationship Morocco has cultivated with Bangui through sustained multilateral engagement. In his address, Hilale underlined that the significant progress made in the CAR in terms of peace, security, and stability allows for a broadening of the international communitys engagement and the exploration of new socio-economic prospects, while fully assuming the responsibility to consolidate and preserve the hard-won gains. He also mentioned the peaceful, free, and transparent unfolding of the presidential, legislative, regional, and municipal elections that took place on December 28, 2025. On behalf of the Peace-building Commission, he congratulated President Faustin Archange Touadera on his re-election and on the Central African governments commitment to democracy and institutional continuity. The diplomat also emphasized that the sustainable implementation of the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation remains a priority, noting that while significant progress has been made, security challenges persist. In this context, the Ambassador highlighted four priorities: the continued reform of the security sector and the extension of state authority; the consolidation of the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration process, which has led to the demobilization of 13 of the 14 armed groups; the strengthening of justice and the rule of law, particularly through support for the Special Criminal Court and transitional justice; as well as the strengthening of the link between stabilization and inclusive development. Referring to the Central African Republics 2024-2028 National Development Plan, Mr. Hilale recalled that the Partners Roundtable in Casablanca on September 14 and 15, 2025, mobilized approximately $9 billion, a major achievement for implementing the countrys key infrastructure projects, which are essential to reviving public investment, rebuilding basic infrastructure, and stimulating inclusive economic growth. The Moroccan diplomat also reiterated that MINUSCA remains a key partner in peace-building efforts in the country, and noted that this Mission is not only a peacekeeping force, but also an essential partner in the stabilization and development process. The meeting heard the report of the UN Secretary-General that was presented by his Special Representative and Head of MINUSCA, Valentine Rugwabiza. After several years of hardline pro-separatism diplomacy- marked by ambassador recalls, airspace closures, weaponized gas sales, suspended cooperation and sharp public statements- Algeria is softening its tone trying to mitigate damages through a more pragmatic approach. A series of recent moves with France, Spain and Niger, alongside tentative outreach to Mali, signal a recalibration away from diplomatic and economic blackmail which has backfired at an increasingly isolated Algeria, both at the regional and international levels. The new Algerian position toward negotiated, often costly, arrangements, is the result of necessity. The change suggests not just tactical adjustments but a broader rethink of how military-run Algiers wants to position itself. The most revealing episode concerns France. When Paris decided to back Moroccos sovereignty over Sahara, Algeria responded immediately: it recalled its ambassador, froze aspects of security cooperation, arrested a French novelist and a French journalist and hardened its rhetoric. French Interior minister was received in Algiers, and sensitive files, including security, migration and returns of unwanted migrants are back on the table. During a visit on February 1617, 2026, French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said both sides would significantly improve police and judicial cooperation and accelerate the readmission of Algerian nationals, with implementation as soon as possible. France is now imposing its terms on Algeria while maintaining its recognition of Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara territory and support for the autonomy plan, which gained the backing of the UN Security Council last year. A similar pattern unfolded with Spain. After Madrid backed Moroccos autonomy plan for the Sahara, Algeria recalled its ambassador, froze the friendship treaty and announced economic pressure. Over time, however, trade flows resumed and diplomatic contacts were restored, softening the initial rupture. Spain did so without altering its pro-Morocco stand on the Sahara issue. In the Sahel, policy has also shifted. Following tensions with Niger after the 2023 change of power in Niamey, the two countries announced on February 12, 2026, the return of their ambassadors. Days later, Nigers leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, visited Algiers and outlined Algerian commitments, including at least 50 million in funding for social projects. Relations with Mali remain more strained. Disagreements over armed groups in northern Mali and the implementation of the Algiers Accords have led Bamako to question Algerias mediation. Any reset would require not only resources but also a clearer doctrine on regional security and political engagement. Taken together, these moves indicate the unpredictability and erratic character of Algerian diplomacy. It also signals that Algeria is attempting to minimize damage from its pro-separatist diplomacy that put it at the center stage as a party to the conflict, at a context of growing global momentum in favour of Moroccos autonomy plan. Miami Concrete Manufacturer Cited by OSHA After Worker's Fatal Injury Adonel Concrete Corp. faces more than $58K in penalties following a July 2025 incident involving inadequate machine guarding and safety protocols. Federal safety investigators have cited a Miami-based concrete block manufacturer after a worker suffered fatal injuries while operating machinery last summer. The U.S. Department of Labors OSHA began an inspection of Adonel Concrete Corp., which operates as Adonel Block Manufacturing Corp., following the July 2025 incident. Investigators determined the employee was fatally injured after entering an unprotected area of a concrete block cubing machine. The agency issued nine serious violations against the company, totaling $58,604 in assessed penalties. According to the citation, the company failed to provide adequate machine guarding to protect workers from moving parts. Investigators also found that the facility lacked proper lockout/tagout procedures, which are essential for ensuring machines do not unexpectedly start or release hazardous energy during maintenance or entry. The inspection further revealed several health and safety gaps beyond the immediate cause of the accident. OSHA noted that the manufacturer failed to mark electrical panels and ensure locking mechanisms were operational. Additionally, the company was cited for failing to implement an effective hearing conservation program for employees exposed to high-noise levels and for neglecting to incorporate silica hazards into its formal hazard communication program. Crystalline silica, a common byproduct in concrete manufacturing, can cause serious lung disease if workers are not properly protected or informed of the risks. Adonel Concrete Corp. has 15 business days from the receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHAs area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. British self-driving car company Wayve has raised $1.2bn (950m), ticking its valuation up to $8.6bn and marking one of the largest capital raises for a UK AI startup. The funding round was led by Eclipse, Balderton and Softbank Vision Fund 2, with new backing from investors like Ontario Teachers Pension Plan, Baillie Gifford, the British Business Bank and Schroders Capital. Tech giants Microsoft, Nvidia and Uber also participated, alongside carmakers Mercedes-Benz, Nissan and Stellantis. Uber has separately contributed additional milestone-based funding to support years worth of deployments of Wayve-powered robotaxis on its platform, beginning in London next year. The fundraise comes as the capital prepares to become a litmus test for driverless taxis under the UK governments new regulatory framework, where Wayve will compete against Alphabet-owned Waymo and Baidus Apollo Go in pilot schemes expected this spring. Preparing for launch Founded in Cambridge in 2017 by Alex Kendall, Wayves self driving tech has been slightly different to some of its rival operators. Unlike Waymo, whose vehicles rely on high-res maps and rules, the company trains a single AI system on large volumes of driving data. This allows the cars to adapt road to road, without needing location-specific technology. In the past year, Wayve claimed it became the first autonomous vehicle developer to operate zero-shot in over 500 cities across Europe, North America and Japan, meaning its system drove in those locations without prior city-specific fine-tuning. Wayve plans to launch robotaxi trials with Uber in London in 2026 using vehicles supplied by various partner automakers, with Uber owning and operating the fleets. Further afield, a broader rollout to more than 10 global markets is planned. Wayve expects its software, called AI driver, to infiltrate the mass market by 2027. Nissan has already signed a production partnership, with first vehicles expected from fiscal year 2027. Kendall said the company was building a trusted platform that automakers and fleets can deploy globally and improve continuously. Uber chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi said: Wayves powerful end-to-end approach is purpose-built for scale, safety, and effectiveness, and were excited to work with them across multiple OEMs and geographies, which well share more about soon. Rivals and rising scrutiny Wayves funding round follows reports earlier this month that the company was in talks to raise more than $1bn at a valuation approaching $9bn. It brings the total raised by the business to $2.8bn. It comes amid intensifying competition in the autonomous vehicle sector. Waymo last week raised $16bn to expand its US robotaxi services and is preparing for a London launch later this year. Elsewhere, Baidus Apollo Go is partnering with Uber and Lyft for UK trials, while Tesla continues testing its own self-driving systems on British roads. Londons congested and irregular street network is widely seen as a demanding proving ground. Black cab drivers have voiced scepticism about the benefits of robotaxis, arguing that the citys complexity and heavy pedestrian traffic present unique challenges. Wayve says its data-driven model is designed to cope with such unpredictability and during recent road tests in north London, its autonomous vehicles have operated with safety drivers in place. The UK government has positioned autonomous vehicles as a strategic growth area, and tech secretary Liz Kendall has backed the firm. She said: Wayve is a powerful example of the strength, ambition and potential of Britains innovative firms. This fund raise demonstrates the international confidence in our brilliant AI sector and reaffirms Britains position as the leading scale-up ecosystem in Europe. By CityAM More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The supertanker charter market has become red-hot this year as the specter of a U.S. military campaign in Iran has added to a number of other bullish factors to push daily rates to the highest in nearly six years. The daily rate for hiring a very large crude carrier (VLCC), capable of shipping 2 million barrels, on the key Middle East Gulf to China route (MEG-China) this week topped $200,000. Thats the highest daily rate since early April 2020, when Saudi Arabia and Russia were flooding the market with crude in the brief price war amid plunging demand at the onset of the Covid pandemic. Rates could surge to new highs in the coming weeks if Thursdays indirect talks between the United States and Iran in Geneva fail, as many analysts expect. In that case, war premiums would rise, and Middle Eastern oil producers would race to ship more oil out of the Gulf to avoid being caught in a potential disruption of supply. Rates Soar to Six-Year High The MEG-China index of the Baltic Exchange jumped by 46% in the week to February 25, to $206,141 per day rate for a supertanker, according to data compiled by Lloyds List. The daily rate for a supertanker on the MEG-Singapore route soared by 66% in a week to $213,599 per day. These rates to ship crude on supertankers out of the Middle East have also pushed the global VLCC average, according to the data. 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. Related: Canadas Oil Patch Swept Up in Record $38B Consolidation Wave Moreover, near-term demand for Saudi Arabias oil in China is soaring after the Kingdom early this month slashed its official selling prices (OSPs) for Asia to the lowest level versus regional benchmarks in more than five years. As a result, oil loadings from Saudi Arabia to China in March are estimated at about 56-57 million barrels, up from 48 million barrels loaded in February, anonymous traders with knowledge of the orders told Bloomberg earlier this month. In addition, tanker owners and charterers have rushed in recent days to ship crude out of the Middle Eastern region amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. Fundamentally Changed Supertanker Spot Market 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. The VLCC market has continued on an upward trajectory in the week gone by and Sinokor Maritime has begun to capitalize on their huge investment in the segment as daily earnings have moved beyond USD 200k/day, brokerage Fearnleys said in its weekly report to February 25. The MEG dominates the demand, and the front end of the position list is shrinking by the hour, leaving charterers with few other alternatives to choose from but the South Korean giant, added the brokerage, concluding that the VLCC market should expect more of the same short term. The strong bull run in the supertanker market could also push up demand for smaller vessels, tightening the market and lifting daily rates for Suezmaxes, too, as some traders could opt for lower-cost freight if arbitrage and pricing economics make sense. Global sanctions enforcement and tensions in the Middle East are supporting supertanker rates right now, Michael Ryan, Freight Commodity Owner at market intelligence firm Sparta Commodities, said this week. On top of that, Sinokors rapid consolidation of 40+ VLCCs has concentrated ownership and reduced the odds of price capitulation, the expert noted. Net-net, this argues for higher lows and a higher trading range in global VLCC rates, Ryan added. The unprecedented level of concentration in the supertanker market has also pushed rates higher as Sinokors acquisition spree has fundamentally changed the playing field, according to analysts and brokerages. Sinokor is projected to independently control at least 24% of the VLCC spot fleet in 2026, an unprecedented level of concentration in the modern market, Signal Group, a shipping analytics company, said in a report last week. This development marks a fundamental change in the competitive dynamics of the VLCC spot segment, elevating Sinokor to a scale never previously observed for a single commercial operator, analysts at Signal Group wrote. Just two years ago, in 2024, ownership was more balanced, with Sinokor, Frontline, and COSCO each managing about 1213% of the spot-trading fleet of supertankers, according to Signal Group. The current massive expansion of the trading fleet gives Sinokor a prominent role in the near-to-medium term spot VLCC market. It also pushes freight rates higher, alongside the geopolitical developments that push producers to rush to ship crude out of the Middle East before a potential U.S. military campaign in Iran. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The Book System Lockout John Cheshire Peter Beamish is recruited into the prestigious consultancy firm Lex Savart following a gruelling series of interviews. Shortly afterwards, major national infrastructure companies are hit by cyber-criminals, demanding vast ransoms in crypto currency. Before he can help, Peter is let go from Lex Savart with no explanation or warning, and it is only then he starts to question what is really going on and who he can trust. The cyber-criminals are leaving a trail of blood and destruction as they wipe out key witnesses, and Peter fears he may be next. To save himself, he must get to the bottom of who caused the attacks and why. John Cheshire The author of SYSTEM LOCKOUT, JOHN CHESHIRE, explains: My inspiration for writing this book was thanks to personal experience working for a Big-4 management consultancy with clients in a variety of countries. Apart from mainland Europe, I have worked in South Africa, Russia, the Caribbean and China some of which are now deemed a threat to the UK. The technology that modern companies rely on for their efficient operation also poses a massive threat to their existence. Bad actors can sabotage systems remotely and hold a company to ransom. I was driven to construct a plot that combined the world of consultancy with the ever-increasing threats of cyber-attack. With growing world instability and a shift of tactics from traditional warfare, this felt like a topic that would have a growing level of interest. Whilst the book is fictional, the possibility of these attacks is very real, and many readers would be left wondering what if. John Cheshire has spent 30 years working as a management consultant providing advice to clients all over the world in, at times, dangerous locations. His Big4 background and insights into the growing threat of cyber-attacks prompted him to write his debut thriller. What we thought A crime thriller based around ransomware attacks crippling the IT systems of major corporations then demanding huge ransoms, something that is, the here and now. Several instances have been in the new recently. This is a thriller full of twists and turns that everytime you think you have the plot - you haven't. A very clever modern day crime novel that you will love. Natalie Key for Female First RELEASE DATE: 28/03/2026 ISBN: 9781806340880 Price: 10.99 by Natalie key for www.femalefirst.co.uk The recent announcement that Turkeys state-owned TPAO has signed a wide-ranging oil and gas cooperation agreement with Great Britains BP marks a potentially significant shift in the strategic landscape of northern Iraq. The new framework covering field development, exploration, export capacity and regional gas transport places both companies squarely at the centre of Iraqs next phase of upstream expansion, with Kirkuk identified as the immediate priority. Coming on the heels of TPAOs recent cooperation deals with ExxonMobil and Chevron, the partnership with BP signals a far more ambitious Turkish push into Iraqs most politically sensitive energy territory. It also reopens the file on BPs major Kirkuk commitments, which remain central to understanding the deeper geopolitical implications of this new alignment. Few countries so starkly straddle the worlds great dividing line between East and West geographically, politically, and strategically as Turkey. It is a position that allows it to tilt the regional balance with even small shifts in alignment and to lean into either the Western order or the Eurasian sphere when it suits Ankaras interests. The fact that this deal prioritises cooperation in Iraqs Kirkuk fields -- themselves situated in a highly sensitive area between the Federal Government of Iraq in the south and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in the north -- exacerbates the deals already high significance. In broad terms, TPAO is targeting gains of 500,000 barrels of oil and gas production per day by 2028, as part of its efforts to expand its upstream operations internationally. For BP, it has agreed a preliminary production target of 328,000 barrels per day (bpd), from the five-field development deal it signed with Iraqs Oil Ministry. These fields comprise the Baba and Avanah domes of the Kirkuk oil field and the three adjacent sites of Bai Hassan, Jambur and Khabbaz. This output is expected to rise to at least 450,000 bpd within the next two to three years, and then to be reassessed with a view to an increase in both output and plateau production numbers. The lifting cost of many of these barrels will be at or close to Iraqs average of $2-4 per barrel (pb), which in turn is the joint lowest such figure in the world, along with Iran and Saudi Arabia. Related: Canadas Oil Patch Swept Up in Record $38B Consolidation Wave These production figures look eminently realistic, as the five fields are already estimated to hold up to 9 billion barrels of oil reserves, although these are very conservative estimates, a senior source who works closely with Iraqs Oil Ministry exclusively told OilPrice.com last year. Theres at least another eleven or twelve billion barrels across the near surrounding area, and possibly much more, he underlined. As with TPAO, BPs efforts will not just be on oil development but also on capturing the gas associated with much of that oil drilling, with the initial target being 400 million standard cubic feet per day (mmcf/d) of associated gas. The British firm is a world leader in this field, being a partner in the Basra Energy Company, which provides technical support for the Rumaila oilfield development to help reduce flaring and emissions, and works with the Basrah Gas Company to manage the gas produced at Rumaila. It is arguably the restructuring of Iraqs gas sector that is even more of a priority than increasing its oil output. The longstanding problem for the West in its attempt to establish an enduring presence in Iraq has been the even longer-standing influence of neighbouring Iran through its political, economic, religious, and military proxies, as fully analysed in my latest book on the new global oil market order. The clearest expression of this has been Baghdads continued reliance on Tehran for around 40% of its power supply -- delivered through gas and electricity imports -- a dependency that has produced three major consequences. First, the constant threat of immediate and prolonged power cuts, layered on top of those already endured, has muted political dissent against the Iran-aligned status quo. Second, it removed any urgency for Baghdad to exploit its own vast volumes of associated gas for financial gain, whether through exports or as feedstock for high-value petrochemicals projects such as the long-stalled Nebras initiative. And third, it discouraged top-tier Western firms from committing capital to the large-scale developments such as the Common Seawater Supply Project that could lift Iraqs oil output to levels capable of elevating it to the position of the worlds second-largest oil producer after the U.S. The obvious solution to Iraqs reliance on Iran was to reduce the vast amount of gas that Baghdad flared as a consequence of its oil drilling and to use this instead to generate power, or as feedstock for petrochemicals production, or to monetise through export sales. This new deal between TPAO and BP will also be part of that process to move away from gas flaring to its being used more productively. It is interesting to note that Iraqs willingness to engage with Western firms in recent months coincided with the much more aggressive and well-organised approach of Donald Trumps second term as U.S. President. This time around, he arrived at the Oval Office with clear plans and specific policies already in place before he and his team sat down, which meant he could put into effect executive orders that dealt with his most pressing problems -- with one being Iran. An element of this was attacks on the country itself, with the help of Israel, and another part was dramatically increasing the sanctions on countries seen as supporting Iran, with Iraq near the top of the list. In terms of the broader Iraq, the U.S. and Great Britain want the northern Kurdistan Region, run by the pro-West KRG, to terminate all links with Chinese, Russian and Iranian companies connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps over the long term. The U.S. and Israel also have a further strategic interest in utilising the Kurdistan Region as a base for ongoing monitoring operations against Iran. On the other hand, the broad geopolitical stance of the Federal Government of Iraq (aligned perfectly with that of its key sponsors, China and Russia) up until Donald Trump secured a second term as president, at least -- was conveyed to OilPrice.com some time ago by the senior Iraq source, who said: By keeping the West out of energy deals in Iraq, the end of Western hegemony in the Middle East will become the decisive chapter in the Wests final demise. Ankaras renewed engagement in northern Iraq needs to be seen in this wider context of shifting regional alignments. Since Donald Trumps second presidency began, Turkey has edged back toward its Western identity, recalibrating its relationships in ways that have become increasingly visible across the Middle East. Working alongside BP in the Kirkuk fields a region Russia once treated as part of its informal sphere of influence, as fully analysed in my latest book is a clear signal that Turkey is once again wearing its NATO-member hat more firmly than its Russia-aligned one. And just as Iraq has begun to re-engage with Western firms to reduce its dependence on Iran, Turkeys own pivot reinforces a broader regional trend: key states along the old EastWest fault line are quietly repositioning themselves toward Washington and London, reshaping the strategic map of the Middle East in the process. By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com With the Russian-Ukraine war entering its fifth year, Kazakhstan is grappling with lots of uncertainty concerning oil exports, a critical revenue stream for Astana. The threats to budgetary stability faced by Kazakhstan are not solely related to the warfare in Ukraine: Astana is also facing prolonged and complicated negotiations with foreign partners over renewed operating agreements for key oil fields. Over the near term, Ukraine poses the main challenge for Kazakhstans oil exports. Kyiv is threatening to significantly increase attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, including the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) conduit and Russian facilities at the port of Novorossiysk, a critical node for Kazakh exports. The heightened risk for Kazakh energy revenue comes at a time when officials in Astana are already facing a budget squeeze due to comparatively low oil prices. On February 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Twitter (now called X) that Russian infrastructure was a legitimate target for Ukrainian attacks because Moscow uses oil revenue to fund attacks on Ukrainian military and civilian targets. We either build weapons and strike their weapons. Or we strike the source where their money is generated and multiplied. And that source is their energy sector. That is what is happening. All of this is a legitimate target for us, he said. Ukraine successfully hit Russian energy facilities in 2025, mostly targeting oil depots and refineries to starve the Russian war machine of fuel. In late November, Ukrainian sea drones attacked the CPC pipelines offshore loading facilities at Novorossiysk and put one of the three out of operation. Kazakhstans Foreign Ministry protested the attack on critical infrastructure of the pipeline, which handled over 82 percent of the countrys total oil exports of 78.7 million metric tons in 2025. Kazakh officials urged Ukraine to take efficient measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The destruction of the loading facility resulted in Kazakhstan decreasing oil shipments through the pipeline to 3.98 million metric tons in December from 5.09 million metric tons in November. In January, deliberately or not, Ukraines drones also hit tankers that carried Kazakh oil in the Black Sea. The Kazakh Foreign Ministry held consultations with European and US partners to stress the need to ensure security of shipments of hydrocarbons at sea. It stressed that the Republic of Kazakhstan is not a party to any armed conflict and makes a significant contribution to global and European energy security and ensures uninterrupted energy supplies in line with established international norms. The CPC pipeline, which transports Kazakh oil to Novorossiysk, crosses Russian territory. But major US and European energy companies, including Chevron, ExxonMobil and Eni, hold significant stakes in the route. Chevron and ExxonMobil also have a combined majority stake in Tengizchevoil (TCO) which develops the giant Tengiz field. Meanwhile, ExxonMobil, Shell, Eni and Frances Total collectively control a majority of the Kashagan project, while Shell and Eni have a combined controlling interest in the Karachaganak project. These three fields supply oil to the CPC pipeline. Any protracted suspension of the CPC pipelines operations may cause production delays or stoppages at the three Kazakh fields, thus depriving the government of badly needed revenue. Officials are especially keen to project an air of budgetary stability as the country prepares to hold referendum on March 15 on a new constitution. The suspension of Kazakh oil supplies through the CPC pipeline due to Ukrainian drone attacks could be catastrophic for the countrys budget, as TCO alone accounts for around 40 percent of total budget revenue, Kassymkhan Kapparov, the founder of Central Asian business media outlet Ekonomist.kz, told Eurasianet. Kapparov said that, given the heavy US and European involvement in Kazakh oil production and exports, it is difficult to imagine that the Ukrainian strikes against CPC and Novorossiysk were made without prior consultations. Up until January of 2025, the Biden administration imposed restrictions on Ukraines use of weapons supplied by the West on the Russian territory. A longer-term challenge for Kazakhstan concerns the governments relationship with Western energy companies, whose operating agreements for the three major fields are expiring over the next few years. Negotiations on new agreements are just getting underway. Kazakh officials are sure to seek more advantageous terms during the negotiation process. At the same time, Kazakhstan is litigating against Karachaganak and Kashagan stakeholders over environmental violations. The decline in Kazakhstans oil export revenues and budget inflows is occurring amid intensified negotiations over the extension, beyond 2033, of contracts for the three largest oil fields, where US companies are among the principal shareholders, Kapparov said. The escalation has become particularly visible [in February] when an international arbitration ruling ordered one of the largest operators, Shell, to pay Kazakhstan $4 billion for environmental violations [at Karachaganak] and confirmed the existence of corrupt practices in the operations of the foreign company. For Kazakhstan, the outcome of the negotiations is expected to have significant budgetary ramifications, especially against the backdrop of flat oil prices. Budget revenue from the oil and gas sector in 2025 was below the target because the oil price averaged 20 percent below projections. By Eurasianet More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Sonangol is seeking stakes and footprints in the development of critical minerals domestically, Sebastiao Gaspar Martins, the chief executive of Angolas state-held oil company, has said. Sonangol on Wednesday reported slightly lower net profit for 2025 compared to 2024, but the company wants to capitalize on the critical minerals momentum. Sonangol has seven concessions for lithium, uranium, ?and quartz exploration, Gaspar Martins said, as carried by Reuters. Sonangol wants to diversify into (critical minerals essential for ?the) energy transition, ... (It) will be very useful for us to also have a stake and ?a presence in the development of these minerals, the executive said at the presentation of the 2025 earnings. At the end of last year, Angolas Minerals and Petroleum Minister, Diamantino Azevedo, called on the mining industry regulators to accelerate the permitting phase of new projects as one of Africas top oil producers looks to attract investments in critical minerals mining. Azevedo said that the country needs to attract greater investment, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and closely monitor projects that are not in the production phase yet. Angola is rich in mineral resources including manganese, copper, gold, phosphates, granite, marble, uranium, quartz, lead, zinc, wolfram, tin, fluorite, sulfur, feldspar, kaolin, mica, asphalt, gypsum, and talc, according to the U.S. Department of Commerces International Trade Administration. In October 2025, Angola launched production at its first major copper mine, Tetelo, as the country looks to diversify in critical minerals. The developer of the project, Shining Star Icarus, a partnership between Chinas Shining Star International Group and Angolas Sociedade Mineira de Cobre de Angola, expects to produce around 25,000 metric tons of copper concentrate per year during its initial phase. The project is worth $305 million in investment, Angolas government said. While looking to diversify in critical minerals, Angola also seeks to reinvigorate its oil production that has stagnated in recent years due to a lack of investment. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Cheniere Energy (NYSE: LNG), the biggest U.S. LNG exporter, booked a 64% surge in its net income for 2025 from a year earlier, as it produced and exported a record amount of the fuel last year. Cheniere on Thursday reported a net income of $5.33 billion for 2025, up by 64% from 2024, on revenues increased by 27% to $19.976 billion. Consolidated adjusted core earnings, or EBITDA, rose by 13% to $6.943 billion as both the number of exported cargoes and LNG volumes increased by 4%. Cheniere produced record amount of LNG in 2025, with 670 cargoes exported, the company said. Just days ago, Cheniere celebrated the 10th anniversary of its first cargo of LNG, which was exported on February 24, 2016. Since the first U.S. LNG cargo was exported, Cheniere has now exported more than 4,610 cargoes. Concurrently with the 2025 earnings, Cheniere introduced financial guidance ranges for 2026 of $6.75 $7.25 billion of consolidated adjusted EBITDA and $4.35 - $4.85 billion of distributable cash flow. The guidance reflects our previously announced LNG production forecast and includes our expectation for the completion of the remaining three trains at Corpus Christi Stage 3 this year, said Jack Fusco, Chenieres president and CEO. The top U.S. LNG exporter and other project developers of export facilities in the United States, the worlds largest LNG exporter, have benefited from strong international LNG demand and a substantial reversal of domestic policies, which favor American oil and gas projects and exports under President Donald Trump. As the European Union moves to ditch Russian gas both pipeline and LNG by 2027, Europe is increasingly relying on LNG from the United States. Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Asia received the most volumes of U.S. LNG exports, averaging 46% from 2017 through 2021, according to EIA data. Since 2022, exports to Europe have surged. Back in 2022, Europe received 69% of all LNG exports from the United States, up from 34% in 2021. From January through November 2025, Europe received 68% of U.S.-origin volumes. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The European Union has to coordinate its plans to impose a full ban on maritime services for Russian crude oil with the G7 group of the worlds most advanced economies, David OSullivan, the EU Sanctions Envoy, said on Thursday. Early this month, the European Commission proposed in its planned 20th package of sanctions against Russia a full maritime services ban for Russian crude oil, which is expected to slash further Russia's energy revenues and make it more difficult to find buyers for its oil, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. As shipping is a global business, we propose to enact this full ban in coordination with like-minded partners after a decision of the G7, von der Leyen added. The EU will need to coordinate this plan with representatives of the G7 group, sanctions envoy OSullivan said at a news conference in Kyrgyzstan, as carried by Reuters. EU and G7 representatives will discuss the issue over the coming weeks, the EU diplomat said. I think the European Union has made clear that for the moment we are applying the oil price cap, which has just recently been reduced to $44 a barrel, OSullivan added. Russia's revenue from oil and gas is down dramatically in recent months, and we will continue that policy. The EU started applying in January a new automatic and dynamic mechanism for price adaptation of the oil price cap for Russian crude, which lowers the cap to $44.10 per barrel effective February 1. The new mechanism ensures that the cap is always 15% lower than the average market price for Russias flagship Urals crude in the previous reference period of 22 weeks. Under this current price cap mechanism, Western firms are only allowed to provide maritime transport and related services for Russian crude oil if it is sold at or below the price cap. A full EU ban on maritime services would make the price cap irrelevant. The mechanism has been applied with mixed success as Russia moved large volumes of its oil exports to the shadow fleet and web of traders. By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Iran has restarted the exports of natural gas to its neighbor Iraq despite U.S. opposition to the exchange, which last year led to the cancellation of these supplies. The daily rate of exports is 7 million cu m, Reuters reported, citing a spokesman for Iraqs electricity ministry. The spokesman also said ministry officials plan to travel to Tehran to discuss future gas supplies as well. In December 2025, the Iraqi electricity ministry said it had suspended all purchases of Iranian natural gas, adding that this had immediately knocked between 4,000 and 4,500 megawatts off the national power grid. The suspension was part of a gradual process for reducing dependence on energy imports from Iran, with the blessing of the United States. Iranian supplies had been covering roughly 30 to 40 percent of Iraqs power generation needs. Those volumes had already been diminishing due to payment disputes, U.S. sanctions pressure, and Irans own domestic shortages. This week's news suggests that it has been challenging to replace Iranian gas imports with local energy use or alternative imports. The details about negotiations regarding summer demand for electricity reinforce this perception: summer is peak electricity demand season for much of the Northern hemisphere, notably the Middle East. If the Iraqis are willing to negotiate more gas supply from Iran just two months after announcing the suspension of these imports, then energy security considerations have resurfaced as a big priority. Interestingly, Iraq has plenty of its own gas, coming from the oil wells as associated gas. Unfortunately, most of this gas is flared at the oil fields rather than captured, processed, and utilized. The most obvious reason is the amount of money that needs to get invested in the necessary infrastructure. TotalEnergies is one of those investing in Iraqs gas with the goal of eventually supplying this gas to power generators in the country. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Iran has tripled the rate of loading tankers in recent days as Tehran rushes to get its oil out of the Gulf ahead of potential further escalation of the tensions with the United States, according to vessel-tracking data. Crude oil exports from Irans key export hub on the Kharg Island soared to 20.1 million barrels during the period February 15 to 20, according to Kpler data cited by Bloomberg. The rate of loadings at Kharg Island, which handles nearly all of Irans oil export volumes, was three times higher between February 15 and February 20, compared to the period January 15-20, for example. The loadings last week were equivalent to over 3 million barrels per day of crude oil, which is more than double Irans estimated typical export levels in recent years. The elevated rate of oil loadings in recent days suggests that Iran is bracing itself for a possible escalation of the U.S.-Iran tensions and could be preparing for some kind of U.S. military intervention, analysts say. In recent years, Iran has on several occasions rushed to ship oil out of Kharg Island at times of heightened tensions. For example, in October 2024, Iranian oil tankers moved away from Kharg Island amid fears of an imminent Israeli attack on the most important crude export infrastructure in Iran. During the June 2025 conflict with Israel, analysts did not rule out that Kharg Islandthe crude terminal handling 90% of Iranian crude oil exportscould become a target of Israeli strikes. While Iran hastens to ship crude out of its waters, the U.S. continues to amass military forces in the region. The United States and Iran are holding a round of indirect talks in Geneva on Thursdaynegotiations that analysts see as possibly the last chance of reaching a nuclear deal through diplomacy. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Russia is not amused. Moscow on Thursday blasted the European Unions plan to permanently ban Russian oil imports, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova calling the proposal madness and suggesting only a madman would even float the idea. The language was vintage Kremlin theatrical, indignant, and aimed as much at European voters as at Brussels policymakers. The European Commission is preparing to submit a legal proposal on April 15 to make the ban permanent, according to EU officials and a document seen by Reuters. The timing? Just three days after Hungarys parliamentary election. Budapest has been the blocs most reluctant voice on energy sanctions, and the sequencing is unlikely to be accidental. But the import ban is only one piece of a broader squeeze. The Commission has also proposed a full ban on maritime services supporting Russias seaborne crude exports a step that would go well beyond the existing price-cap regime. Under the current framework, Russian crude can move with Western shipping and insurance services so long as it is sold below the G7-agreed cap, now set at roughly $44 per barrel. An outright services ban would upend that system. More than a third of Russias oil exports still move on Western tankers, many linked to shipping hubs in Greece, Cyprus, and Malta. Those cargoes largely flow to India and China. Cutting off maritime services would effectively render the price cap obsolete and force Moscow to rely even more heavily on its so-called shadow fleet. EU sanctions envoy David OSullivan said Brussels favors the maritime ban but wants coordination with G7 partners before moving ahead. Diplomats say U.S. backing is critical and not guaranteed. Washington has sanctioned Rosneft and Lukoil with asset freezes, but has not fully embraced the broader coalition approach. For Moscow, the rhetoric is fiery. For Brussels, the strategy is incremental but escalating. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Oil prices fell by about 2% early on Thursday as the crucial U.S.-Iran talks began in Geneva in what analysts see as one last attempt to reach a nuclear deal through diplomacy. As of 7:50 a.m. ET on Thursday, the U.S. benchmark, WTI Crude, traded down by 1.61% to below the $65 per barrel threshold, at $64.38. The international benchmark, Brent Crude, was falling by 1.27% and was just below $70 per barrel, at $69.96. Prices were under pressure after the latest weekly data by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed on Wednesday that crude oil inventories in the United States surged by 16 million barrels during the week ending February 20. Yet, recent weeks have been distorted by weather-related production freeze-offs and the subsequent snap-back in output, which can swing inventories sharply from one report to the next. The markets attention today is squarely fixed on Switzerland, which hosts the U.S.-Iran talks mediated by Oman. Omans Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said negotiators had demonstrated unprecedented openness to new and creative ideas and solutions. Still, it is uncertain whether any breakthrough could be made on Thursday. The U.S. continues to amass forces in the Middle Eastern region, with the U.S. military saying it is prepared to execute orders given by U.S. President Donald Trump. Commenting on the oil market implications, ING commodities strategists Warren Patterson and Ewa Manthey said early on Thursday that A constructive resolution would likely prompt the market to gradually unwind as much as a $10/bbl risk premium, which we believe is currently priced in. The upside risk to oil remains should talks break down, but the market may hold off on a full reaction until the scale of potential US action against Iran becomes clearer, the strategists noted. If we are to see de-escalation between the US and Iran, it should allow weaker fundamentals to feed through to a lower flat price -- particularly if OPEC+ resumes supply increases from April, which we believe they will agree to this weekend. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com By Oregon State Senator and Republican Leader Bruce Starr, SALEM, Ore. With todays recommended deadline from Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read passing without Senate Bill 1599 being signed into law, Senate Republicans say the bill should be considered effectively dead to ensure all Oregonians have equal access to the democratic process, as confirmed by Secretary Read this morning. On January 27, the Secretary of State told legislative leaders in a memo that February 25 was the critical deadline for SB 1599 to be signed into law by the Governor. Missing it jeopardizes Oregonians fair and equal opportunity to participate in the voters pamphlet process if the referendum is moved to the May 2026 Primary Election. The memo warned that each day past the deadline compresses timelines for financial estimates, explanatory statements, and public arguments. That directly threatens the long-standing statutory provisions that guarantee citizens ability to help shape the language voters will see in their pamphlets. Its clear that Senate Bill 1599 should be considered dead by every lawmaker in this building. If Supermajority Democrats continue to move it forward, it will prove that their loyalty is to politics above all, not the people of Oregon, said Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr (R-Dundee). The memo also noted that compressing statutory timelines could limit Oregonians ability to submit voters pamphlet statements without paying the $1,200 filing fee and would create significant administrative burdens for the Elections Division. Republicans have consistently raised concerns that rushing this process would disenfranchise citizens seeking to make their voices heard. The Democrat Supermajority, led by Governor Kotek, has demonstrated a troubling pattern of ignoring voters and making it harder for them to be heard, Starr concluded. Donald Trump has branded Robert De Niro "sick and demented" in a heated response to the actor calling him "an idiot". Donald Trump has slammed Robert De Niro The US president and the Killers of the Flower Moon star have exchanged a number of barbs over the last few years, and after 82-year-old De Niro warned this week that the commander-in-chief would "ruin the country", Trump has now hit back. Blasting representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, who left the Capitol building early during his State of the Union address on Sunday (24.02.26), Trump ranted on his Truth Social platform: They had the bulging, bloodshot eyes of crazy people, LUNATICS, mentally deranged and sick who, frankly, look like they should be institutionalised. They should actually get on a boat with Trump Deranged Robert De Niro, another sick and demented person with, I believe, an extremely Low IQ, who has absolutely no idea what he is doing or saying some of which is seriously CRIMINAL! Continuing his rant against De Nero, Trump also hit out at another high-profile critic, Rosie O'Donnell, who moved to Ireland last year in protest at his re-election but recently confirmed she had been back to the US for a brief visit to her family. He continued: When I watched him break down in tears last night, much like a child would do, I realised that he may be even sicker than Crazy Rosie ODonnell, who is right now in Ireland trying to figure out how to come back into our beautiful United States. The only difference between De Niro and Rosie is that she is probably somewhat smarter than him, which isnt saying much. "The good news is that America is now Bigger, Better, Richer, and Stronger than ever before, and its driving them absolutely crazy! Trump's attack came after De Niro expressed his fears for the US under the president's leadership. Speaking on The Best People with Nicole Wallace, he said: Hes an idiot. We gotta get rid of him. Hes gonna ruin the country. I dont want everybody going around with their Maga, the American flags, like theyre the only ones. We are Americans too. He later added: People have to resist, resist, resist, resist, resist. Thats the only way. Theres no magic. Theres no nothing people are not going to go away, even if Trump dies for some reason by having an illness or something. Parts of that movement are still there, and thats the scary part. It has to be neutralised by the people. And in an emotional speech at the State of the Swamp - an event in Washington intended as a riposte to the State of the Union address -De Niro described the president as failing, flailing and desperate and said he felt betrayed by [his] country. Oregon Democrats Block Common-Sense Reform to Build More Affordable Housing Amid Crisis By Oregon Senate Republican Caucus, SALEM, Ore. Oregonians are facing a dire housing emergency with far too many families struggling to find an affordable home. Yet Democrat leaders in the Senate effectively killed a critical bill this week to combat that emergency. Sponsored by Senator Dick Anderson (R-Lincoln City) and Representative Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville), vice-chairs of the Senate and House Housing Committees, Senate Bill 1566 would reduce construction costs by 1020% and stretch limited public dollars further by clarifying existing exemptions from prevailing wage requirements for privately owned affordable housing projects serving Oregons most vulnerable residents. The bill aligns with the spirit of current law, which already exempts many such projects, but addresses confusing interpretations by the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) that have stalled or derailed fully funded developments. This inaction comes at a time when Oregon desperately needs more housing. Skyrocketing costs and ongoing housing emergencies have left working families and vulnerable populations with few options, said Senator Anderson. Prevailing wage mandates, while important for public infrastructure, should not unnecessarily burden private affordable housing efforts when every dollar counts. Senate Bill 1566 would unlock 1,300 units in the Eugene Waterfront area, enable the construction of housing for homeless veterans, and clarify that loans from public entities to private affordable housing projects are exempt from prevailing wage requirements. Oregonians always lose when politics is more important than people, Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr (R-Dundee) added. Union leaders should spend their time being concerned about their members ability to find affordable places to livenot blocking reforms that would create more housing and more jobs. A public hearing was held on February 9, 2026, in the Senate Committee on Labor and Business. Despite a request to move the bill to the Senate Rules Committee for a potential floor vote, Democrat committee chairs have taken no action, and no further hearings have been scheduled. House Republicans Condemn Unethical Process, Advancement of Gun Bill that Attacks Second Amendment Rights By Oregon House Republican Caucus, SALEM, Ore. Today, House Democrats passed House Bill 4145 a bill that resurrects the failed framework of Measure 114 by implementing the same operational problems and constitutional concerns, but without delivering meaningful public safety improvements. By doubling the permit processing time from 30 to 60 days, nearly tripling the permit fee from $65 to $150, and creating a permanent registry, House Bill 4145 makes it more difficult and more expensive to exercise the constitutionally protected right to bear arms while doing nothing to deter crime or stop illegal gun possession. HB 4145 tells the forgotten Oregonian something loud and clear: If you follow the law, you get more fees. If you follow the rules, you get more delays. If you want to defend your home, you must first ask permission from the same government that cant keep fentanyl off our streets or repeat offenders in jail, said Representative Ed Diehl (R-Stayton). This bill proves Oregon Democrats care more about control than public safety, targeting law-abiding Oregonians while failing to address the criminals actually driving crime, added Representative Dwayne Yunker (R-Grants Pass). In more than 1800 pieces of submitted testimony, more than 1300 Oregonians74% oppose this bill that increases barriers, costs, and delays while adding $8 million to the General Fund next biennium at a time when Legislature is tasked with balancing the budget. Further, the bill advanced out of controversyafter a vote flipped following a hallway conversation, in the middle of a vote count, that has now sparked allegations, complaints, and public concern. What occurred in committee surrounding this bill should concern every member of this chamberregardless of party or position on the policy itself, said Representative Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany). When a member casts a vote and is then removed from the committee room, and upon return changes that vote while visibly shaken, that raises serious questions about the integrity of our deliberative process. This institution functions on trust. When that trust is strained, we all should take notice. In floor remarks, Representative Darcey Edwards (R-Banks) said this bill will also negatively impact victims of domestic violence. For many survivors escaping abusive relationships, a concealed handgun permit represents a vital, often last-line defense against a potentially armed abuser. These fee hikes and delays could force vulnerable individualsfrequently women and lower-income families already facing economic hardshipto wait longer or forgo protection altogether, heightening their risk during a dangerous escape period, she said. Representative Alek Skarlatos (R-Winston) said requiring federal backgrounds checks in addition to state background checks is redundant, while limiting access to courts creates constitutional challenges. This bill is an undemocratic attempt by the majority party to strip Oregonians of their Second Amendment rights, he said. As a survivor of a terrorist attack on a gun-free continent, I know firsthand that these sweeping gun restrictions do not stop gun-related crimes. House Republican Leader Condemns Passage of Federal Disconnect Bill BY Oregon House Republican Leader and State Representative Lucetta Elmer, SALEM, Ore. Today, Oregon Democrats passed SB 1507 eliminating $311 million in federal tax breaks that Democrats are mischaracterizing as a tax relief package. This bill takes federal tax cuts promised to Oregonians and cancels them at the state level at a time when Oregonians can least afford it. Impact on Oregonians Oregonians pay some of the highest income taxes in the country. At 9.9%, the top rate of Oregons income tax kicks in at a marginal income of $125,000 whereas the top rates in California, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C., are on marginal income above $1 million, and New Yorks top rate doesnt hit until $25 million. Individuals in Portland are paying a 13.9% marginal tax rate on incomes over $125,0000 which is the highest rate imposed on that income threshold in the entire country. Impact on Oregon businesses Since 201, state business taxes have increased by a staggering 77% to $3.4 billion. In 2026, Oregon slid to 35th in general tax competitiveness and 49th in corporate tax competitiveness. Proposed disconnects in SB 1507 threaten provisions meant to spur economic investment including bonus depreciation, qualified small business stocks, auto loan interest and proposed new tax credits including a jobs tax credit. At a time when Oregon has been shedding businesses due to high taxes that cripple our states ability to compete, Oregons majority party should be taking action to protect businesses, encourage economic investment, and hold onto federal tax breaks that provide relief, said House Republican Leader Lucetta Elmer (R-McMinnville). Instead, while nine other states cut their income taxes last year, Democrats in Oregon voted to further increase our states already high tax burdencausing more financial harm to families and businesses. " " You don't need to be fluent to guess that this translates to "Do you speak Portuguese?" nito / Shutterstock Portuguese-speaking countries form a global network connected by a shared language, history, and culture. Portuguese is a widely spoken language across South America, Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia, making it one of the most spoken languages in the world. Today, people speak Portuguese as a native language, second language, or lingua franca in several countries. Advertisement The Portuguese language spread through exploration, trade, and colonization, especially across the Atlantic Ocean. While accents and vocabulary vary, Portuguese remains an international language used in government, education, and foreign affairs. Hoda Kotb will continue to stand in for Savannah Guthrie on the Today show. Hoda Kotb will remain on the Today show for the time being The 61-year-old presenter stepped down from the programme full-time in January 2025, but she returned as co-anchor alongside Craig Melvin on February 6 amid the search for Savannah's missing mother Nancy Guthrie. As reported by PEOPLE magazine, Hoda will continue to appear on the show as the investigation continues. Hoda and Craig has both been scheduled to join NBC's 2026 Winter Olympics coverage in Milan, Italy but instead they decided to stay in the US. On the February 9 episode, she explained: "You know what, Craig? We always talk about our show as a family. We are a family. I'm part of the family. I'm happy to be with you because we show up for each other." The team have decorated their Studio 1A set with yellow ribbons in flowers, taking their lead from residents in Nancy's Arizona neighbourhood, while on-screen talent have also worn yellow ribbons. Nancy, 84, was reported missing on February 1, and was last seen the previous evening after dinner with family. In a new Instagram post on Tuesday (24.02.26), Savannah revealed she and her family after now offering a $1 million reward for the "recovery" of their missing mother. She said: "It is day 24 since our mom was taken in the dark of night, from her bed and every hour and minute and second and every long night has been agony since then. Of worrying about her, fearing for her, aching for her and most of all just missing her. "We know that millions of you have been praying ... for her return and we feel those prayers. Please keep praying. "We still believe in a miracle, we still believe that she can come home - hope against hope ... We are blowing on the ambers 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 her beloved brother Pierce and with our daddy." Savannah went on to add: "If this is what's to be then we will all accept it. 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 ... You can call the ... tip line, you can be anonymous if you want. "Someone knows something that will bring her home and we are begging you to please come forward now ... "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. Please be the light in the dark." Savannah revealed the family is also planning to donate $500,000 to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to help other families with missing loved ones. American man sentenced to 45 years in Mexican prison for murder of Florida woman Merida, Yucatan An American man has been sentenced to 45 years in Mexican prison for the murder of a Florida woman. On Tuesday, 44 year old Damon Royce Martinez was sentenced by a Merida judge for killing his mother. The incident stems back to April 16, 2025 when his mother, 71 year old Linda Johnson, was reported missing. Her body was found April 22 stuffed into a suitcase left near a construction site. An autopsy revealed she died from mechanical asphyxiation by strangulation. Her son, Damon Royce Martinez, was arrested by Yucatan police in relation to her death on April 24, 2025. Damon Royce Martinez was arrested two days after his mothers body was found. April 24, 2025. According to Yucatan police (SSP) at the time, he was the last person seen with her inside her Chicxulub Puerto, Yucatan apartment. During an altercation he physically assaulted her, tied a rope around her neck and strangled her to death before putting her body in a suitcase that he dragged to a construction site, the SSP reported April 24, 2025. The events occurred between the afternoon and evening of Wednesday the 16th, at the womans residence on 17-B Street near 48th Street in Chicxulub Puerto, municipality of Progreso. According to the complaint and the evidence obtained by the investigating police and prosecutors, the man was alone in the house with his mother. He allegedly beat her repeatedly, placed a rope around her neck and tightened it until she stopped breathing. The cause of death was asphyxiation by strangulation. He put the body in a suitcase and placed it on top of a black bag, which he dragged for several blocks until he reached a construction site. Next to the wall of the construction site was a ditch where he hid the body, which was found by authorities on Tuesday. The man was brought before the judge who issued the arrest warrant for the crime of aggravated femicide. Florida native Linda Johnson was 71 when she was strangled to death by her son. On February 24, 2026 he was found guilty of her murder and sentenced to 45 years in a Mexican prison. Both Damon Royce Martinez and his mother, Linda Johnson, were from St. Petersburg, Florida. In a statement Tuesday, the State Attorney General (FGE) of Yucatan reported after an abbreviated trial procedure against him, DRM was found criminally responsible and received a 45-year prison sentence for the crime of aggravated femicide committed against his mother in the town of Chicxulub Puerto. The facts, gathered by the State Attorney Generals Office (FGE) under criminal case 44/2025, allowed the judge to issue the guilty verdict and establish the sanctions corresponding to the degree of guilt of the man. He was found guilty of femicide by a Yucatan judge and sentenced to 45 years. The events took place in April of 2025, when the subject and his mother were on a property in the aforementioned town and he took advantage of the womans defenseless state to physically assault her until he finally caused her death due to mechanical asphyxiation by strangulation. The parties agreed to waive the sentencing hearing, which means there will be no appeal against the sentence issued. Extortion undermines the security of the business sector and society itself FGE reports Riviera Maya, Q.R. Local authorities are working to combat extortion, a fundamental issue across Mexico. In Quintana Roo, extortion undermines the security of restaurants, construction, the business sector and society itself. On Wednesday, Raciel Lopez Salazar, state prosecutor and head of the State Attorney Generals Office, reported on recent training. He said 181 public servants in Quintana Roo have been trained in combating extortion. Lopez Salazar closed the three-day Specialized Multidisciplinary Course for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Extortion Wednesday during a certificate ceremony. Quintana Roo public servants who participated in the three day course included investigative police officers, experts, prosecutors and public ministers. Over 180 Quintana Roo public servants received 3 days of training in dealing with extortion. February 25, 2026. Extortion is a fundamental issue that requires immediate attention in the country and Quintana Roo is no exception, said Lopez Salazar. It is a crime that undermines the security of restaurants, the construction sector, the business sector and of course, society itself. That is why since my arrival at the Prosecutors Office, we have focused on strengthening communication and trust with all social sectors so that they report it if they are victims of this crime. He emphasized the importance of a genuine institutional commitment to legality, justice and the protection of citizens. The professionalism and experience of the instructors in addressing such a sensitive and relevant topic are fundamental to the success of the training for public servants. Public servants around the state received their training from Rommel Moreno Manjarrez, General Coordinator of the Project to Combat Impunity in the State of Quintana Roo Against the Crime of Extortion. Moreno Manjarrez pointed out that in recent years, extortion has become a major scourge in Mexico, something that affects countless families. Today we are at a historic moment, not only in the fight against crime on all fronts at the federal and state levels, but also because the executive branch has implemented a national strategy against the crime of extortion. He added that in combating extortion, 291 people (extortionists) have been arrested of whom 92 percent were brought to trial. A conviction is a sentence of up to 37 years. Other lecturers included Leticia Aguiar, Coordinator of the Implementation of the Anti-Extortion System of the Mexico SOS Foundation; Ma. del Carmen Holguin, Representative Instructor of the Institute of Legal Research of the UNAM and Patricia Gonzalez Rodriguez, Representative Instructor of the Institute of Legal Research of the UNAM. Two security guards and two lifeguards were arrested from an Isla Mujeres hotel for extorting a nearby business February 19, 2026. Extortion in the form of threats of physical harm and/ or business damage is an ongoing problem across Mexico. Last week, five people were arrested for extorting an Isla Mujeres beach front business. Four of the five arrested were employees from a hotel across from the business they extorted. Mexico is calm: U.S. Embassy acknowledges everything has returned to normal in Cancun and Riviera Maya Mexico City, Mexico Mexico is calm, President Sheinbaum said after the Sunday cartel operation in the state of Jalisco. We woke up without any road blockades and all activity has been restored, she commented after the Sunday operation carried out by federal forces. She gave special recognition to Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, the Secretary of National Defense as well as the Mexican Army, National Guard and the Mexican Air Force, institutions that acted within the framework of the law. Mexico truly has extraordinary Armed Forces. They are professional men and women with great vision, great patriotism and enormous training. She thanked the governors of all of Mexicos states for keeping people informed after the operation and for working in perfect coordination with the federal government and the prosecutors offices. Ricardo Trevilla Trejo explained the operation with President Sheinbaum February 23, 2026. The most important thing right now is to guarantee the peace and security of the entire population. When something like this happens, what we need to do is be very coordinated and face the situation with great responsibility. She emphasized that all operations were conducted by Mexican federal forces and reaffirmed that there was no involvement from U.S. authorities. What we have is a lot of information sharing provided by the United States government, but the entire operation, from its planning onwards, was of federal forces, in this case, the Ministry of National Defense, she explained. President Sheinbaum said that the understanding between Mexico and the United States has been respected and both nations coordinate based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, shared responsibility, mutual respect and trust, as well as cooperation without subordination. President Sheinbaum says there is respect between Mexico and the U.S. February 23, 2026. Her comments came ahead of President Donald Trumps 108-minute State of the Union address Tuesday when he acknowledged the cartel leader takedown. On Tuesday during his address, Trump mentioned the killing of the Mexican drug lord. Weve also taken down one of the most sinister cartel kingpins of all. You saw that yesterday, referring to the death of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes. Trump mentioned the takedown of the Mexican drug lord during his Tuesday address. February 24, 2026. Some media interpreted his comments as taking credit for the takedown by Mexican federal forces on Sunday. However, on Monday, President Sheinbaum emphasized that all operations were conducted by Mexican federal forces (Ministry of National Defense) and reaffirmed that there was no involvement from U.S. authorities. Sheinbaum reported that some airlines themselves suspended a few flights as a precaution, particularly in Puerto Vallarta, and that they resumed operations the following day. Following the operation in the mountain area of Tapalpa, Jalisco and the violent reactions it generated, the Security Cabinet activated immediate response protocols in coordination with state governors. Secretary Trevilla Trejo explained that on Sunday, an additional 2,500 personnel were concentrated to strengthen security in Jalisco and neighboring states to ensure peace. The Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar Garcia Harfuch, reported that the deployment was carried out by the Secretariat of National Defense, the Secretariat of the Navy and National Guard to protect people and clear roads, which resulted in the violence ending on the same day. He said after the Sunday morning operation, federal forces suffered 27 attacks. In Jalisco, 25 members of the National Guard and 30 criminals lost their lives. In the state of Michoacan, there were 13 attacks that resulted in 15 officers injured and four criminals killed. He reported 70 people in seven states were arrested for the violence. In the state of Quintana Roo, at least a dozen cars were set on fire and several businesses were attacked. However, there were no reports of major injuries and zero reports of deaths. Arrests have already been made in those incidents. In a 2026 security update Monday, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico acknowledged that travel in Cancun and Riviera Maya is safe and that things have returned to normal. While incidents were reported February 22, the situation has returned to normal in the following areas: Quintana Roo State including Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Two Investigative Police officers arrested by their own for string of violent muggings in central Cancun Cancun, Q.R. Two Investigative Police officers in Cancun have been arrested for a string of violent city-center robberies. The two municipal police officers, who were active at the time of their arrests, were taken into custody separately Wednesday. The State Attorney General (FGE) said both men are accused of robbing citizens. Both were active police officers, however, one also worked as a city cab driver. During their separate arrests, both were subdued after resisting and assaulting the arresting officers. On Wednesday, Adrian N was captured on Avenida Instituto Politecnico Nacional, near Supermanzana 503. He worked as a municipal police officer and taxi driver. He is related to an investigation file for robbery with violence against a pedestrian whose identity is being kept confidential, the FGE reported. Later, officers arrested Edie Omar N in Superblock 69 on 35th Street North. At the time of their arrests, both suspects assaulted members of the Investigative Police, who then subdued them. Local media information says both now-former Cancun police officers are being investigated for their involvement in more than two dozen muggings. Adrian V, alias Panza de Yegua and Edy Omar H, alias Camaron are being investigated as alleged members of a cell dedicated to violent muggings in the city center. They are accused of primarily targeting people leaving bars and nightclubs in downtown Cancun. The men allegedly followed their victims for several blocks before intercepting and robbing them of personal belongings and cash. The continuing investigation revealed that the men used taxis to escape after the robberies. Victims who have come forward identified a Nissan Versa and a Nissan March as the escape vehicles used by the now former-cops. Cancun authorities used city surveillance cameras and intelligence field work to identify and locate the officers. The FGE says Adrian N and Edie Omar N have been handed over to the Public Prosecutors Office. The two now-former police officers were arrested separately by their own in Cancun Wednesday. February 25, 2026. This autonomous body makes a strong appeal to the public so that, in case they recognize and have been victims of these people, they come to file the corresponding complaint with the State Attorney Generals Office, police said in a public appeal. PM Lawrence Wong said Singapores strong fiscal position is a strategic advantage in an uncertain world. (PHOTO: Getty Images) (catchlights_sg via Getty Images) Singapore must adjust its economic strategies in a more uncertain and divided world, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on 26 Feb, warning that smaller countries risk being sidelined if they do not adapt. Wrapping up a three-day debate on his Budget statement, he said the Republic has to keep growing and creating opportunities for all Singaporeans despite rising global tensions. PM Wong stressed that Singapores strong fiscal position gives it an edge in a volatile environment. Healthy public finances allow the Government to invest in the economy and in people, he said. A sound and progressive system of taxes and spending has helped Singapore ride out past crises, he added. The Government will remain disciplined and continue to balance its Budget to safeguard long-term resilience. In his hour-long speech, PM Wong responded to issues raised by the 67 MPs who spoke earlier. These included questions about the record $15.1 billion surplus for financial year 2025 and the national push into artificial intelligence, a key focus of the record $154.7 billion Budget for financial year 2026. He said Singapore has felt the impact of a world where power increasingly shapes outcomes, especially after the United States announced its Liberation Day tariffs in April 2025. In response, Singapore will broaden its international links while strengthening trusted partnerships. It must also build leadership in key sectors to create distinctive value that others cannot easily replicate, he said. This includes staying at the forefront of advanced manufacturing, finance, digital services and new growth areas through sustained investment in research and development, and by anchoring high-value projects in Singapore. For more on PM Lawrence Wong's debate speech, read here. On January 28, 2026, President Xi Jinping replied to a letter from veterans of Zimbabwe's national liberation war. Xi Jinping noted that in their youth, the veterans devoted themselves to the great cause of national liberation, left their homelands, and forged with China a profound friendship and comradeship in the struggle. To this day, they remain deeply committed to China-Zimbabwe and China-Africa friendship, which is deeply moving. Xi Jinping stressed that 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and African nations as well as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. Over the past 70 years, China has always been a good comrade and partner in Africa's quest for national liberation, development and rejuvenation. China and its African friends have respected and supported each other, weathered arduous times together, and jointly embarked on a new journey toward modernization. China is ready to take the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation as an opportunity to carry forward the traditional friendship with the African side and jointly create an even brighter future for China-Africa relations. Xi Jinping also expressed the hope that the veterans will encourage more African youth to devote themselves to the cause of China-Zimbabwe and China-Africa friendship. As the Chinese New Year of the Horse approaches, Xi Jinping stressed his hope that China and Africa will carry forward the tireless spirit symbolized by the dragon and the horse, work together to build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, and write a new chapter in China-Africa friendship. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, China firmly supported Africa's struggles against imperialism and colonialism and its pursuit of national liberation. The veterans of Zimbabwe's national liberation war recently wrote a letter to President Xi Jinping, expressing sincere gratitude for China's valuable support for Zimbabwe's national liberation, admiration for President Xi Jinping's leadership of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people in achieving remarkable accomplishments in the new era, and for forging a Chinese path to modernization that offers valuable inspirations for other developing countries. They expressed pride in the all-weather China-Zimbabwe community with a shared future, pledging to dedicate themselves to carrying forward the friendship between the two countries. Good Job is Slates advice column on work. Have a workplace problem big or small? Send it to Laura Helmuth and Doree Shafrir here. (Its anonymous!) Dear Good Job, I am on a three-person team (me, one co-worker, and our boss) in a larger office suite. My co-worker, Alyssa, joined the office a few months ago. As far as I can tell, she is significantly hard of hearing but doesnt use any hearing aid. Ive tried to train myself to speak loudly and clearly with her (I have family who are going deaf, I get it), but she still often misses part of what I say. Moreover, it seems to be negatively impacting her work. She serves as the front desk person for our suite, which receives a lot of foot traffic from visitors. Im the backup front desk coverage, and I sit within earshot of her. All day long, I hear her ask people to repeat themselves multiple times. The same thing happens when the executives we assist approach her. She also doesnt seem to notice when someone is in her peripheral vision, so sometimes, someone will be standing by the front desk for up to several minutes, introducing themselves too softly for her to hear, while I am hearing everything, wanting to tear my hair out. Having conversations at the volume she requires is disruptive to everyone else in the office, because sound carries to everyones cubicles/offices, and sometimes people are trying to discuss semi-confidential matters. I definitely dont want to appear ableist or ageist (Im in my late-20s and Alyssa is around 60). I am also trying to distinguish between work-related frustration and personal resentment, because I dont get along well with her for other reasons, and I think she and our boss arent unaware of that (mostly, I find her personality abrasive and hard to communicate with, even when its not a hearing problem). Aside from this, I have a great relationship with my boss, but shes very hands-off. I tried to ask her to intervene in another minor conflict between Alyssa and me, but she wanted me to resolve it myself. Is there any way I can possibly gently suggest to Alyssa, our boss, or human resources that she might benefit from some kind of hearing assistance or accommodation? I know that normally this would be none of my business, but I really think its disrupting our workflow at the office. Vexed By Volume Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dear Vexed By Volume, Office noises can be quite disruptive, but youre right that any discussion about Alyssas hearing should be handled delicately. Thats especially true with a hands-off boss who already dismissed your previous conflict with Alyssa. Try asking your boss for advice about how to handle some of the problems you describe. The next time a semi-confidential meeting is audible to the rest of the office, bring your concern to your boss. Ask if your team could get access to a more isolated or soundproofed meeting room for future discussions. If your boss works behind an office door, she might not notice that Alyssa often misses visitors who are trying to get her attention. What would your boss like you to do in those situations? Jump up and introduce Alyssa? Would it be helpful to install an old-timey bell for people to ring, like at the front desk of a hotel? Could you hook up a doorbell to the front door of your suite? Make it clear that you want to help Alyssa, but dont want to get in her way. The subtext, of course, is that you have plenty of other work and dont want to turn away from it to do Alyssas jobunless your boss asks you to. Advertisement Advertisement If your boss waves your concerns away, you could ask Alyssa for her preference. Dont mention hearing loss, just say that sometimes you notice visitors before she does, and youd like to know how to handle those situations in a way thats helpful to her. If Alyssa does have hearing loss, she might not know it or might be in denial. (Thats pretty common.) Her friends, family, or healthcare providers should be the ones to encourage her to get her hearing tested. If you suggest it, especially with a history of friction between the two of you, she might dig in. (To anyone reading this who has a friend or family member with possible hearing loss, please encourage them to get tested. As one of my loved ones who finally got hearing aids, and wished hed gotten them sooner, said: Everybody stopped mumbling!) Advertisement Do consult with human resources, but go in with low expectations. They might be able to push for more soundproofed meeting rooms. Or they might be willing to circulate a reminder to staff about some of the services covered by your workplace insurance plan, including, presumably, hearing aids. Advertisement Get work advicesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear Good Job, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to Good Job following up) Submit Dear Good Job, I am routinely told by the editors at the newspaper I work at that my work sparkles, that they value the contributions I make, and that I have what it takes to step up into a management role. Yet, the last two times I applied to be a low-level manager, I was turned away in favor of an outside candidate. Both times, the process was taxing on me, and only led to little more than a shrug and a Thanks for playing with no real feedback as to why I was passed over. There is a growing disconnect between what they say about my work and ability and how I get treated in these processes. What are my options here? I make good money for media, and I dont necessarily want to give that up on a jump into the great unknown. Tired of Being Passed Over Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dear Tired of Being Passed Over, Do keep trying. You know how competitive jobs are, especially in journalism, and losing out on two positions isnt necessarily a reflection of your abilities. But ask for feedback. Its pretty common for hiring managers to avoid discussing a hire once theyve picked their candidate. Theyre sick of talking about it, for onehiring is a long and often contentious process. They may feel guilty or awkward that they didnt hire you, or expect you to be irritated with them. The hiring process is supposed to be confidential (although gossip often slips through), and they may be respecting everyones privacy. Advertisement You can get around these limitations, though. Ask for a meeting with one of the people involved in the hiring process, ideally someone who also encouraged you to apply. Thank them for considering you for the position. It is a big accomplishment to get to the interview process, even if that makes not getting chosen for the job sting even more. Say with real or feigned enthusiasm that you are looking forward to working with the person they did hire. Then ask for advice on how to position yourself for a future opening. Are there any big projects you could support? Any editing work you could take on? If you see needs that arent being met, even if theyre not part of your job, offer to help. Hiring managers love evidence of innovation and leadership, so look for opportunities to try new things or pull together groups for ambitious projects. Advertisement If youre up for it, befriend the new hires too. Theyve just been plopped into a new workplace and dont know the culture or the software systems. Offer to help. Express genuine curiosity about their careers, without prying or resentment. Some workplaces prefer to hire outside candidates for the perspective they bring (and to poach talent from the competition). You can learn a lot from the people who got these two jobs. Extra selfishly, they may become members of hiring committees that consider you for future positions. Slate Plus members get more Good Job every week. Sign up now to read Laura Helmuths additional column this week. Dear Good Job, Theres a man at my office whose body odor is foul enough to make skunks run for the hills. Management has done nothing, and my entire department is at our wits (and noses!) end. What is the best option: confronting him as a group, choosing someone to speak for all of us, or an anonymous basket full of deodorant sticks on his desk? BO Bothered Advertisement Advertisement Dear BO Bothered, Im sorry for your suffering, but unfortunately, none of those options would make a good first step. This is a question for human resources, which should consult with your legal department. You dont speculate about the cause of your colleagues BO. It could be a simple lack of awareness (people get accustomed to odors, after all). But it could be related to a medical condition or religious practice, and your company needs to be wary of discriminating against this guy. Its possible your company has existing policies about office attire and grooming that would cover body odor. (These policies have historically perpetuated racist and sexist standards for personal presentation, but some workplaces enforce them, especially if your company works directly with clients.) They might be able to offer reasonable accommodations for your colleague to manage his BO or its diffusion through the office. In any case, let your companys experts handle it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But lets be realistic. Your companys experts might not handle itthey might decide the miasma in your department isnt worth the trouble of a difficult discussion, embarrassed employee, or potential lawsuit. You could suggest rearranging the office workspaces in a way that just so happens to put your colleague farther away from other desks and any vents that blow his BO around the office. You could bring in aromatic houseplants or bouquets of flowers to cover the smell, or regularly spray air freshener. Has your office upgraded its ventilation system since the pandemic began? If not, or if youre not sure, ask the office managers to assess your indoor air quality and improve ventilation, which is refreshing anyway and can reduce the concentration of airborne viruses. If your office has windows that open, let in some fresh air when the weathers nice. Semi-seriously, you could bring back the fashion of carrying or wearing nosegays, small bouquets of flowers that help cover unpleasant smells. Laura Advertisement Advertisement More Advice From Slate My parents are in their mid-70s and have five dogsall rescues. Recently, they decided to change their will so that if they should both die at the same time their dogs will be cared for by a dog sitter who will live in their home, rent-free. All utilities and taxes will be paid for by the estate. In addition, this dog sitter will receive a per diem salary until the last dog has crossed the rainbow bridge. Ive known about this for a few weeks and have kind of just rolled my eyes about it. My brother found out the other day (I thought he already knew) Liza Minnelli wants to date an 18 year old. Liza Minnelli hasn't given up on love The 79-year-old actress was previously married to Peter Allen, Jack Haley Jr. Mark Gero and David Gest, and while none of her unions worked out, the Cabaret star - who also counts the likes of Martin Scorsese, Desi Arnaz Jr., and Peter Sellers - hasn't given up on love and dreams of dating various men who are all different from one another. In an extract from her book Kids, Wait Until You Hear This! obtained by People magazine, she wrote: Ideally, Id like to date an older elegant man who dresses beautifully and is filthy rich. "Then Id like to date a 40-year-old guy who is passionate about something. I dont care what. "Then Id like to date an 18 year old, who I see twice a week and whose name I dont know. Liza married the late David Gest in March 2002, but they separated in July the following year and divorced in 2007, and the Arthur actress claimed she felt like a "prisoner" during their marriage. She wrote: "I clearly wasnt sober when I married this clown. He didnt just control everything I ate, from morning to night. he controlled the people I saw and spoke to on the phone. He screened my calls. In truth, I was his prisoner." Liza also looked back on her "passionate" and "intense" affair with Scorsese, who had directed her in 1977's New York New York. She wrote: "Truth be told, our love affair had more layers than a lasagna. We were both Italian. Passionate. Intense. Committed to our craft. We both had volcanic tempers. He was a diabolically handsome man who shared my love for film. I was a directors daughter. But when she ran into him decades later, at the 2014 Academy Awards, her attempt to reach out to the director were snubbed. She noted: He turned away from me." However, Liza had a more positive encounter when she got back in touch with Desi to apologise for breaking off their engagement decades earlier. She revealed: "But Desi stopped me. Liza, he said, All I remember is the love. Please let everything else go. I have. Talk about a gentleman. There were no warnings, no blaring push notifications, no opportunities for the fans to brace themselves. Around 10 p.m. Wednesday night, Adult Swims social media channels dropped a video with an important announcement from Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel, the co-creators and co-stars of the highly popular, widely adored adult animated sitcom Smiling Friends, which follows the employees of a company dedicated to, well, making people smile. The six-minute, audio-only clip got right to the point as Hadel opened the discussion: This is not a bit, this is not a joke. Michael and I are here to announce that Smiling Friends will be ending. Season 3, which just wrapped in November, would mark the titular friends final adventure. In other words, the show that Adult Swim picked up for a fourth and fifth season even before the third one premiered, and that had already begun developing brand-new episodes, was scrapping those much-anticipated future plansconcluding in the sudden, unexpected, devastating manner thats become a motif of modern-day TV watching. But there was a twist: It turned out, this time, that the creators themselves had pulled the plug. After we finished Season 3, Zach and I just both had the feeling where we feel pretty burnt out after putting years and years into thisbut also pretty accomplished, Cusack followed up. We wouldnt wanna be doing more seasons, like, halfhearted, Hadel added. Thats not fair to the audience, to give you guys fuckin slop. The two bantered on with some more positive news: Two completed, unreleased episodes will air on April 12, featuring stories that wouldnt serve as finales but would, at least, round out the project. And Adult Swim is purportedly leaving its door open to them, though both Cusack and Hadel made clear theyd be collaborating again on different projects, likely under the aegis of their newly launched indie-animation studio, Zam. It wasnt an easy decision to make, the duo added, not least since their viewers had made Smiling Friends all their own. The show got way bigger than either of us ever imagined: all the fan art, all the costumes, people sharing memes every drunk guy in a bar that gets up in my nose, Hadel chuckled. (Indeed, Brooklyn hosted a show-themed pop-up just three months ago, for which people waited in line for hours.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement the timeline is mourning smiling friends more than it did charlie kirk dawg Robbie (@TheRabidOpossum) February 26, 2026 As for why Cusack and Hadel announced their voluntary departure in this oddball waysomething that almost sounded like a short podcast from Pim and Charlie, the Smiling Friends protagonists they respectively voice? We wanted you to hear us say this honestly, rather than just, like, a picture with text on it, Cusack rounded it out. Unorthodox though it may have been, this was a thoughtful, effective means of delivering the message. And, for how bittersweet the video was, for how upset the fans already are (including yours trulycome doomscroll the subreddit for some appropriately black-humored community grieving), theres something hopeful and heartening to take away from this farewell: The writers, directors, and stars of the most popular English-language TV cartoon since Rick & Morty are able to follow their creative instincts, to leave so much cash on the table, to enjoy the privilege of an artistic freedom that allows them to step aside when it feels right. In a sense, the abrupt cutoff of Smiling Friends suggests a triumph for all involved: that two ex-YouTubers from California and Australia can stay true to their weirdo sensibilities, craft something of global appeal, and back off at the peak without feeling trapped by their own success, without getting lost in the sauce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, the oft-noted Rick & Morty parallels likely provided their own cautionary tale. The 13-year-old sci-fi sitcom, which at its cultural peak could persuade McDonalds to temporarily bring back its Mulan-era Szechuan sauce, remains Adult Swims most iconic ongoing titlebut is stuck in the very type of franchise-optimized creative druthers that it initially skewered with ravenous glee. The latest seasons tend to rehash many of the inside jokes and plotline tropes that once felt so brilliant and original; the showrunners are manufacturing all sorts of corporate tie-ins and gimmicky spinoffs, with a minor character set to get his own solo show later this year; co-creator Dan Harmon has all but admitted hell keep things going indefinitely, as long as the demand and the sponsors are there. At one point, popular discourse fixated (rightfully) on the toxicity of its die-hard fan baseyet by all accounts, even those hangers-on now tire of the nonstop churn, comparing it unfavorably with other forever-running, now-juiceless channel filler like The Simpsons and Family Guy. (When Zach Hadel said in Wednesdays video that he didnt want Smiling Friends to end up as one of those never-ending stories that invites remarks like that show is still on the air, oh, God, he didnt name any examples, but he didnt really have to.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate The Sublime Weirdness of Maxs Most Popular New Show Read More Still, you cant wholly pin Rick & Mortys stubborn persistence on greed or opportunism. Harmon himself had a nightmarish experience with NBC when it came to actualizing his vision for the low-rated cult classic Community; Adult Swims parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, has an infamous habit of prematurely canceling its well-regarded shows and scrubbing their remnants from cyberspace. Even beyond the plodding animation assembly lines, the entire post-COVID era of Trough TV can be perceived as one big industry slowdown: fewer studios to pitch, fewer seats in the writers rooms, fewer episodes to write per season, fewer traditional paths to prominence. Its not just that the Peak TV bubble is history, but that the entire sector is in flux, with budget cuts, corporate megaconsolidation, artificial intelligence, backlashes to pro-diversity efforts, and a general haziness around what television even constitutes these days. If your moonshot improbably works, the only incentive is to keep riding it, no matter how far it goes. Advertisement Advertisement Smiling Friends landed right in the midst of the peak-to-trough transition: Adult Swim debuted the pilot as a surprise complement to the debut of Michael Cusacks solo animated venture, YOLO, about a month after the pandemic lock-ins began. That was an ideal opportunity for both shows to grab the viral attention that kept them going throughout the decade. But to keep up the bizarre setups, clashing animation styles, and shock-laugh gags that made their 10-minute episodes so distinct, so hilarious, and so clever would have been difficult enough even without the surrounding zaniness of the strikes, the A.I. disruptions, and the broader industry contractions. And Cusack, for his part, also bade goodbye to YOLO last year, writing on Instagram that ending the well-watched show after its third season feels right. Advertisement That, along with the end of Smiling Friends and the establishment his own studio, means that he and Hadel can move on to whatever zany new ideas they conceive next, knowing that the fans they earned along the way will be watching, waiting, commiserating. Adult Swim, in a separate statement, wrote that it fully respects and supports Michael and Zachs decision and looks forward to the possibility of collaborating with them on future projects. That is a level of power and autonomy not afforded to so many others who work in TV these days, especially in animation. For Cusack and Hadel to have made it, and to keep doing their thing, their waythat, alone, is a reason to smile. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. When Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates announced that they were getting a divorce five years ago, Bill still had a decent reputation, for a billionaire. I remember coming away from the initial coverage of the news with the impression that there was no obvious bad actor in their story, and maybe they were splitting up for normal, mundane reasonsnormal and mundane for billionaires, anyway. Cut to this week, and this headline, from the New York Post: Bill Gates Confesses to Cheating on Ex-Wife Melinda With 2 Women During Their 27-Year Marriage. Welp, so much for a villainless divorce. And whats more, Gates only confessed to these affairs in the course of defending himself from even worse accusations stemming from his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender whose emails have been a source of endless controversy over the last several years. Gates didnt intend to admit his affairs to the whole world, in all likelihoodthe Wall Street Journal obtained a recording of him addressing the staff at the Gates Foundation, the charitable organization with an $86 billion endowment that he founded with his former wife in 2000. Gates association with Epstein has been known (and heavily criticized) for years, but its been drawing renewed scrutiny thanks to the Department of Justices latest batch of files, which it made public late last month. The documents that have attracted the most attention recently were emails, apparently written by Epstein and sent to himself, that suggested Epstein had facilitated extramarital trysts for Gates and helped get him drugs in order to deal with consequences of sex with russian girls, among other indiscretions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It can be a little confusing to parse exactly what Gates is admitting and what hes denying in the meeting. I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit, he reportedly said in the staff meeting. But, uh, since when are affairs not illicit? I think what he means is that he did nothing criminal, and nothing involving the women Epstein was accused of preying on. According to Gates, it was all business meetings, basically, and there was no facilitating of trysts. Advertisement I was particularly fascinated by what Gates said about his infidelities: I did have affairs, one with a Russian bridge player who met me at bridge events, and one with a Russian nuclear physicist who I met through business activities. Im not sure what to make of both of the women he had affairs with being Russian, and I even more dont know what to make of them being a bridge player and a nuclear physicist. Theyre such oddly specific professions, like they came out of some kind of Richard Scarry book of mistresses. I also cant help but dwell on the phrasing: bridge player who met me at bridge events is very telling, because it doesnt say that they initially met a bridge event but that they met (regularly?) at bridge eventshes more or less saying he had sex appointments at bridge events. And then the nuclear physicist that he met through business activities, a euphemism if Ive ever heard oneobviously I am picturing Denise Richards as Christmas Jones in that one James Bond movie. Advertisement Do we believe Gates that he is a bad guy at a cheats-on-his-wife level but not a goes-to-Epsteins-sex-parties level? I really couldnt say. But I did find one slightly admirable thing about Gates in this whole sordid mess: I like that he mentioned that his ex had longtime reservations about Epstein. To give her credit, she was always kind of skeptical about the Epstein thing, he reportedly said at the meeting. Hes rightshe deserves credit for that! If its true that his relationship with Epstein was one of the main reasons she left him, she deserves credit for that, too. This reminds me that Gates once called divorcing Melinda the biggest regret of his life. Good. As he should. Despite Gates current reputational crisis, hes still a billionaire with a lot of influence, and were probably stuck with him. If we have to have disgraced billionaires, I guess Ill take the one who expresses regret over his mistakes and says nice things about his ex-wife over the one who destroys newspapers and the one who did a Nazi salute. This is Executive Dysfunction, a newsletter that highlights one under-the-radar story about how Trump is changing the lawor how the law is pushing backand keeps you posted on the latest from Slates Jurisprudence team. Click here to receive it in your inbox each week. Earlier this week, U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon made a not-so-subtle play for President Donald Trumps attention. The Southern District of Florida judgea longtime favorite of Trumpsissued an order banning the release of a report detailing former special counsel Jack Smiths criminal investigation into the hoards of boxes filled with classified documents that Trump took on his way out of the White House in 2021. With this decision, Cannon, who was confirmed just weeks before the end of Trumps first term, went out of her way to rule on a question that she does not technically have jurisdiction over, while simultaneously positioning herself for a promotionwith a looming potential Supreme Court opening quite possibly on Cannons mind. Just to remind you: Before Trump was elected, Judge Cannon slow-walked that investigation for months before ultimately rulingwithout precedent and backed by no other courtthat Smith had been illegally appointed, so his indictment of Trump had to be thrown out. This was 2024. Cut to this past Jan. 20, when Waltine Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira, Trumps co-defendants in the classified documents case, submitted a motion requesting that Cannon permanently ban the U.S. Department of Justice from releasing Smiths final report on his classified documents investigation, widely referred to as Volume II. (Volume I was his final report on his election interference case, which came out in January 2025 just before Trump reentered office.) On Monday Cannon granted that request, with a side of gratuitous attacks on the former special counsel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cannons order restated that Smith was wrongfully appointed as special counselagain, shes the only judge whos come to this conclusion. She went further, though, accusing Smith of concocting a brazen stratagem to circumvent her initial ruling by writing the report per the instructions of the special counsel statute. To say this chronology represents, at a minimum, a concerning breach of the spirit of the dismissal order is an understatement, if not an outright violation of it, Cannon wrote. Advertisement What Cannon claimed as a personal affront, though, was merely Smith following the law. Throughout the entire history of the special counsel statute, every single one has produced a final report detailing their investigations to the attorney general. And no matter if a Republican or Democratic administration was in power, the report was made public as a form of transparency. Nevertheless, Cannon decided to challenge history and argued that the Department of Justice cannot release Smiths report because theres never been a situation where a former special counsel has released a report after initiating criminal charges that did not result in a finding of guilt, at least not in a situation like this one, where the defendants contested the charges from the outset and still proclaim their innocence. Advertisement That is categorically false. In 2019, former special counsel Robert Mueller conducted an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and found evidence that Trump obstructed justice on multiple occasions. Though Mueller ultimately did not bring charges against Trump, probably because DOJ rules prohibit prosecuting a sitting president, he did explicitly state his investigation does not exonerate the president. And yet, Trump-appointed Attorney General Bill Barr still chose to make Muellers final report of his investigation public (with some redactions), even though there remained a chance that charges could be brought. Advertisement Advertisement Cannons additional reasons to suppress Volume IIbeyond her insistence that Smith had no power to compile or submit itwere characteristically incoherent. She wrote that allowing the public to see the prosecutors work product would contravene basic notions of fairness and justice in the process, where no adjudication of guilt has been reached following initiation of criminal charges. This claim has no actual basis in law or precedent: Courts routinely disclose this kind of information about criminal defendants who are charged but not convicted. For better or worse, the government can tarnish a defendants reputation by releasing investigative materials that make them look guilty in the absence of a guilty verdict. Cannon asserted that doing so here would violate the presumption of innocence held sacrosanct in our constitutional order, but that is nonsense. The presumption of innocence is a legal principle that applies at trial; it does not give courts a license to gag a co-equal branch of government in a lawless quest to protect a defendants reputation in the public eye. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps the most galling part of Cannons order, though, was that she issued it at all. Since January of 2025, the Knight First Amendment Institute of Columbia University has been pushing Cannon to release Smiths report under the Freedom of Information Act. After she sat on those requests for the better part of 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit finally intervened to compel Cannon to issue a response within 60 days. Finally in December she did, unsurprisingly denying the Knight Institutes motion. The group immediately appealed her decision to the 11th Circuit the next day. Once the Knight Institute took its case to the appeals court, the question of whether Smiths report on his classified documents investigation should be released to the public officially changed hands. Now the 11th Circuit holds exclusive authority over the future of the report, not Cannon. In fact, the appeals court has already put the case on an expedited schedule, with oral arguments scheduled for June. Yet Cannon decided to publish her order anyway, in what seems like a transparent attempt to preemptor influencehigher courts using Nauta and de Oliveiras moot January motion as pretext. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There has been no basis for Judge Cannon to prevent the release of Volume II since, for over a year, weve argued that she had no proper basis, no jurisdiction, to enjoin its release once the case fully came to an end, Scott Wilkens, senior counsel for the Knight Institute and the leader of the groups legal battle over the public release of Smiths Volume II report, told me. Notably, during this legal battle, Smith publicly testified before Congress about this decision to indict Trump just last month. Our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in criminal activity, Smith said. If asked whether to prosecute a former president based on the same facts today, I would do so regardless of whether that president was a Republican or a Democrat. The president, as hes known to do, took to Truth Social to share his thoughts, which included describing Smith as a deranged animal who Attorney General Pam Bondi should be investigatingpart of Trumps ongoing campaign to cow anyone he perceives as a threat with vindictive prosecutions. Advertisement Though undoubtedly problematic, Cannons decision to issue her latest order comes as no surprise. From the moment she was assigned to oversee Smiths classified documents case, Cannon consistently contorted the law and used her position as a district court judge to issue decisions that would stymie Smiths investigation and help Trumps defense, despite facing some humiliating reversals along the way. Cannon remained steadfast in proving her loyalty to Trump, obstructing prosecutors at every turn, eventually dismissing charges altogetherand now seeking to prevent the results of Smiths investigation from ever seeing the light of day. Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps its no coincidence that Cannon chose to release her order on Monday, since just a few weeks ago rumors began swirling that Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito is preparing to retire as soon as this summer. Who better to replace him than a young, fortysomething judge who has spent the past four years proving her fealty to the president in a case that dogged his presidential campaign, threatened him with prison, and which she just sought to bury once and for all? It seems safe to assume Judge Cannon has an idea. We hope you learned a thing or two from this edition of Executive Dysfunction, and if you enjoyed reading it, please consider supporting our legal journalism by becoming a Slate Plus Member! ELSEWHERE IN JURISPRUDENCE In the most recent episode of Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick unpacks the Supreme Courts latest decision ruling against President Donald Trumps global tariffs, with Mark Joseph Stern. The 63 ruling is confusing, with numerous concurrences and dissents, but the bottom line is that six justices came together to declare Trump had exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act in his monthslong tariff whiplash. In that same episode, Dahlia also examines the press clause of the First Amendment. In conversation with Sonja West and RonNell Andersen Jones, scholars and researchers who authored The Future of Press Freedom: Democracy, Law, and the News in Changing Times, they discuss what the Framers meant when they characterized the press as special, along with Trumps escalating campaign against the press and its real-life consequences, as seen just last week with CBS blocking Stephen Colbert from interviewing a Democratic Senate candidate from Texas. During the Slate Plus segment, Dahlia and Mark discuss the bittersweet departure of Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, plus the case of a Justice Department lawyer who is being held in civil contempt by a Minnesota judge. Friend of Slate Mary Ziegler also explains the latest conservative fight over abortion down in Texas, where a midwife is facing civil and criminal charges for allegedly performing illegal abortions and practicing without a license. The case is far from a slam dunk for the state, though, illustrating just how tricky it is to prove an abortion actually occurred. In a piece about the Supreme Courts decision in USPS v. Konan, Mark explains how the 54 decision manipulates commonly understood definitions of miscarriage and loss in order to afford immunity to the U.S. Postal Service when it intentionally destroys or refuses to deliver mail to Americans. And even more disturbing is the timing of the decision, coming just months ahead of midterm elections that will determine the balance of power in Washington and in which mail ballots will play a crucial role. Thank you for reading Executive Dysfunction! Were thrilled to be in your feeds, and will be back with more dysfunction analysis next week. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Its not your imaginationthis winter has been abnormal. For many places in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, its the coldest winter in more than 20 years. This past weeks snowstorm has been described as historic for its hurricane-force winds and massive amount of snowfall, and its just one of several snowstorms this area of the country has had this season. And thanks to the low temps, this winter hasnt just felt like a real winter; its also really looked like one. I havent seen grass since December. To be honest, after so many years of mild winters, I missed that feeling of living in a snowyand often slushywonderland. In other parts of the country, winter has been weird in the opposite direction: For Americans who live out west, winter all but hasnt showed up. Denver has seen temps in the 60s this week. But if you live in a part of the U.S. that has been hyper-wintery this year, youre probably wondering: When will this end?! To answer that, we need to take a look at the polar vortex, a ring of frigid air that typically sits high up in the atmosphere above the North Pole. It tends to be circular, keeping the cold air in the Arctic, explains Judah Cohen, a climate scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology who writes a seasonal forecasting blog. But sometimes a disturbance can cause the polar vortex to stretch like a rubber band. As it stretches, its very cold air moves along with it, leading to periods of extreme cold in the regions below it. This stretching of the polar vortex isnt uncommon (though some experts hypothesize that the disturbances are increasing due to rapid warming in the Arctic caused by climate change). What was unusual this year, though, is that the stretching happened so early. It was in November that a disturbance first knocked cold air southward and sent weather patterns into a tailspin this season, meteorologist Ben Noll wrote to me in an email. (Noll is part of the Capital Weather Gang at the Washington Post and has been tracking this winters quirks closely.) In the months since, the polar vortex has been stuck in a cycle of stretching, snapping back, and stretching again, contributing to the bone-chilling temperatures. And probably all the snow: Recent research by Cohen found that polar vortex stretches align with the heaviest and deepest snowfalls. For much of the winter, the bulk of the vortex has been sitting over Canada and occasionally blowing frigid Arctic air into the eastern states. But its bend-and-snap routine has been restricted to about half of the country. In the West, a mix of other factorsmarine heat waves and weakened jet streamshas kept things dry and warm (which sounds nice but is actually a big problem). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The storm this past week happened during one such stretch. The vortex will relax this weekend, with likely one more stretch next week, says Cohen. Indeed, theres more snow forecast in the days ahead. But fear not! The cycle is nearing its end, with a dramatic finish. By Cohens estimates, the polar vortex will actually split within the next two weeks. Our polar vortex is being pummeled by a wrestling tag team, says Cohen. The two fighters: repeated stretches, which weaken the polar vortex and cause it to snap more easily (think a rubber band), and also the calendar. As the days get longer, the sun gets stronger, and the temperatures risealso weakening the polar vortex. Its back on its heels, Cohen explains, you know, cant get a really good footing. A split sounds intense, and it can be, but timing might be on our side. Weather impacts from a polar vortex split tend to be delayed for about two weeks, so that puts us at roughly three weeks from now. By then, though, well be in mid-Marchin fact, it will be the spring equinoxand the days will be longer and warmer. There could be snow if its cold enough, but Cohen thinks its likely that we get a rainy start to the spring instead as a result of that snapped vortex. Thats a bummer, but at least theres no shoveling involved. Advertisement Advertisement During that delay, though, well have a bit of lull where we experience some rather mild weather. Forecasts show that all lower 48 states can expect above-normal temperatures in early to mid-March, says Scott Handel, the lead meteorologist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Climate Prediction Center.* He notes that late March may also continue to lean warm for the Northeast and much of the country. All to say: Were almost to the end. In the meantime, we might as well try to appreciate it. Its hard to remember summer in the depths of a snowy winter, but its morphing into something far less of a fun reprieve than it used to be, with more untenable heat and overwhelming humidity that is not just uncomfortable but extremely dangerous. Not to be a bummer, but come summer, you might just find yourself missing the snowflakes. Bill O'Donnell is as straight a shooter as they come. The multiple Hall of Famer isn't known to mince words when asked. So it stands to reason that if he says it was "quite an honour" to be recognized by the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) as the 2025 recipient of the Stan Bergstein Proximity Award, he means it. O'Donnell's sincere humility was no more evident than in a post-awards interview with Standardbred Canada's John Rallis. In classic Bill O'Donnell style, that humility came with a seasoned side of dry humour. "I mean, there's a lot of people I think should have had it before me but if they're giving it away, I'm taking it, right?" said O'Donnell in his signature style. The highest honour USHWA bestows based on voting only by its members and given for outstanding achievement in/service to the sport, ODonnell compiled one of the greatest careers a driver has ever had, and since retiring from the sulky has stayed a major influence as president of the Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA). He is a well-respected industry leader, having a firm grasp on the sports major issues while serving on several industry boards. "For a lifetime achievement, I know it had nothing to do with racing. I mean, my future's in the past there," O'Donnell continued. "But I thought it was pretty nice that people would recognize you for what you've done in the business, or spent your life in it." To watch the interview with O'Donnell and Rallis, where they also discuss the transition from participant to industry executive and the success of Canadian-bred horses on the Grand Circuit level, click the play button below. (Standardbred Canada) The Alberta harness racing community has lost one of its lifelong champions with the passing of Diann Clouston on Feb. 25, 2026, at the age of 78. Dianns life was woven into the very fabric of Standardbred racing in Western Canada. Diann was introduced to harness racing at an early age through her father Owen, a trainer-owner who raced throughout Western Canada starting in the mid-1960s. From those formative years in the barn and at the track, she developed a deep and abiding love for the Standardbred horse and the people who devote their lives to the sport. She was the older sister of Rod Hennessy, one of the most accomplished driver-trainers in the history of harness racing in Western Canada. In 1979, Diann and her husband Wayne Clouston claimed their first horse, Mutatis Mutandis, who went on to earn Alberta Claimer of the Year honours. Wayne had begun his career in the industry working for brother-in-law Rod, and together he and Diann built a life centered on racing as owners, breeders and horsepeople committed to the sports growth. As a breeder, Diann's Mutatis Mutandis became the dam of Viking Pirate, who was named Albertas Three-Year-Old Colt of the Year and Top Alberta-Bred. Alongside Wayne, they operated Sky West Farms, out of Okotoks Alta., where they stood multiple sires including Western Canadas dominant sire Tyrant. Sky West Farms became Pacer Park in which they co-owned and operated as a racing center focussing on breaking and training yearlings for notable trainers such as Keith Clark, John Baxter and numerous others. In the 1990s, Diann and Wayne, together with their youngest son Jason, operated a successful racing stable that campaigned stakes winners including Battle River Hawk, Flaming Princess and Pay The Fiddler. Her influence extended well beyond the racetrack and breeding shed. Throughout much of the 1980s and early 1990s, Diann served as owner, editor and publisher of The Western Pace, a monthly newspaper devoted to covering harness racing across Western Canada. Diann ensured that horsepeople, horse achievements and industry milestones were documented and celebrated. Diann also dedicated several years of service as office manager for the Alberta Standardbred Horse Association (ASHA), further demonstrating her commitment to strengthening the industry from every angle administrative, journalistic, breeding and ownership. In recent years, Diann came full circle in the sport she loved through shared ownership of Preferred pacer Outlaw Game On, trained by her brother Rod Hennessy. It was a fitting chapter bringing her lifelong journey in harness racing beautifully back to its roots. Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Diann Clouston. Mary Cosby believes her son is "at peace" following his death. Mary Cosby's son has died The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star confirmed the death of 23-year-old Robert Cosby Jr. on Wednesday (23.02.26), two days after police found his body when they "responded to a possible overdose" and the tragedy has made her "heart ache". Speaking on behalf of herself and husband Robert Cosby Sr., Mary told TMZ: "Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord. "Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in Gods promise and in knowing he is finally at peace. We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow." The medical examiner is still investigating a cause of death for Robert, who was released from the Salt Lake County Metro Jail earlier this month after a two-month stint behind bars. He was jailed after he pleaded guilty to eight out of 14 charges, including assault and violating a pretrial protective order obtained by his 21-year-old estranged wife Alexiana Arian Smokoff. The remaining six misdemeanour charges were dismissed with prejudice. Meanwhile, Real Housewives executive producer Andy Cohen has paid tribute to Robert and sent a message of support to Mary. He wrote on Threads: Devastatingly sad news out of SLC. This is every parents worst nightmare. My heart is broken for Mary, and I am sending all my love to her and Robert Sr. Bravo also paid tribute to the reality star. The network said in a statement: "We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Marys beloved son, Robert Jr. Mary is a cherished member of our family, and our thoughts, love, and deepest condolences are with her and her loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. Mary, 53, previously admitted she was "shocked" when she discovered her son's struggles with drug addiction. Speaking to Us Weekly magazine last year, she said: I immediately started blaming myself, because I thought, You cant judge him and his life and his choices.' I dont believe in judging people. Im just not a judger. I dont like judging people, and I dont like to do it. If hes opening up enough to tell me something this crucial, then why would I judge? I have no choice but to sit there and receive it and accept it and hope that I can help him. She noted Robert had had a little bit of a setback in his recovery at the time, but she prayed he stays good". She added: I can honestly sit here and say hes doing very good. A former OpenAI and xAI staffer says he's quitting frontier AI labs due to burnout. Hieu Pham said in a post on X that he would return to his home country, Vietnam, to "heal." "I cannot believe I would say this one day, but I am burnt out," Pham said. He helped build some of the world's most powerful AI systems. Now, he's unplugging. A former OpenAI and xAI staffer says the breakneck pace inside frontier AI labs left him burned out, and he's heading home to Vietnam to recover. Hieu Pham announced his departure from OpenAI in a post on X on Thursday, describing his time at OpenAI and at xAI as a "once-in-a-lifetime experience." Advertisement Advertisement "At these companies, I have helped creating extremely intelligent entities that will meaningfully improve our lives. The work makes me proud," he wrote. The intensity of the work came at a personal cost, he added. "I cannot believe I would say this one day, but I am burnt out," Pham said. "All the mental health deteriorating that I used to scoff at is real, miserable, scary, and dangerous," he added. Pham started at xAI in August 2024, before moving to OpenAI in August last year. Before his announcement on Thursday, he had worked at OpenAI for about 7 months, according to his LinkedIn profile. Advertisement Advertisement Pham said he will return to his home country, Vietnam, with his family. There, he plans to "try something new, and also search for a cure for my conditions," he said. "I hope I will heal. Until then," he added. Wave of resignations Pham's exit comes as a string of AI researchers step away from frontier labs. Earlier this month, Mrinank Sharma, who led the Safeguards Research Team at Anthropic, announced his departure from the company. "We appear to be approaching a threshold where our wisdom must grow in equal measure to our capacity to affect the world, lest we face the consequences," Sharma wrote in a letter on X. Advertisement Advertisement "Throughout my time here, I've repeatedly seen how hard it is to truly let our values govern our actions." Business Insider's Jacob Silverman reported earlier this month that there's a pattern of top researchers walking away and publicly wrestling with their unease about the technology they helped build. Dylan Scandinaro, who left Anthropic earlier this month to join OpenAI as head of preparedness, wrote on LinkedIn: "AI is advancing rapidly. The potential benefits are great and so are the risks of extreme and even irrecoverable harm." Some AI researchers also say the industry is starting to resemble China's infamous "996" schedule shorthand for working 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. Advertisement Advertisement Nathan Lambert, a senior research scientist at the Allen Institute for AI, said in an episode of the "Lex Fridman Podcast" published this month that kind of intensity has become the norm at companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. "That's what OpenAI and Anthropic are like," Lambert said, describing a high-pressure culture where long hours are often self-imposed. Many employees, especially programmers, buy in because they want to do the work, he added. Read the original article on Business Insider Even after building trillion-dollar products, Steve Jobs never pretended to have all the answers. Thats the lesson that stuck with Jony Ive, Apples former chief design officer, who worked alongside the late cofounder for nearly 15 years. Even after building trillion-dollar products, Steve Jobs never pretended to have all the answers. Thats the lesson that stuck with Jony Ive, Apples former chief design officer, who worked alongside the late cofounder for nearly 15 years. (Justin SullivanGetty Images) Even after building a trillion-dollar tech giant, Steve Jobs never pretended to have all the answers. Thats the lesson that stuck with Jony Ive, Apples former chief design officer, who worked alongside the late cofounder for nearly 15 years in designing iconic products like the iMac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. In his 2024 Letters to a Young Creator submission recently published by the Steve Jobs Archive, Ive shared the mindset that shaped one of the most valuable companies in the world. Advertisement Advertisement We had lunch together most days and spent our afternoons in the sanctuary of the design studio, Ive wrote in his letter. Being curious and exploring tentative ideas were far more important to Steve than being socially acceptable, Ive continued. For Steve, wanting to learn was far more important than wanting to be right. Jobs insatiable curiosity wasnt restrained by his extensive expertise. Ive said the tech pioneer was ferocious, energetic, and restless in learning new things until the end. And that mindset could be the secret sauce to launching trillion-dollar successes like Apple, which has sold over 3 billion iPhones worldwide and is one of the few companies boasting a market cap of over $4 trillion. After three pioneering decades at Apple, he still harkens back to this wisdom as he leads his own design firm, LoveFrom. Our curiosity united us. It formed the basis of our joyful and productive collaboration, Ive explained. I think it also tempered our fear of doing something terrifyingly new. Even Brian Chesky and Tim Cook credit Jobs for shaping their work philosophies Ive is just one of many tech founders and creatives who were touched by Jobs work philosophy. Advertisement Advertisement Airbnbs Brian Chesky, cofounder and CEO of the $78 billion short-term rental giant, received some invaluable wisdom while speaking with Ive on how the Apple cofounder led his legion of workers. Chesky has observed that Jobs was notorious for being a detail-obsessed micromanager, but after talking it over with Ive, its clear Jobs actions didnt make him a helicopter boss. Above everything else, Ive said, Jobs was invested in growing his talent. I said, Do you ever feel like Steve Jobs micromanaged you? Because he was in every detail, Chesky told CNBC earlier this year. And he said, No. He didnt micromanage me. He partnered with me. We were working on problems together, and I felt like him being [into] the details made me better. Apple CEO Tim Cook also credited Jobs for teaching him skills, like the importance of being able to evolve from past beliefsa trait he said few leaders actually possess. Cook explained that Jobs valued people who could admit they were wrong, encouraged lively debate, and enjoyed being challenged by other workers. Even though Jobs would play devils advocate to stimulate deeper ideas in conversation, Cook believed this was the best way to learn. He loved to debate, and he loved someone to debate him, Cook told the Wall Street Journal in 2024. You could always change [Jobs] mind if you had the best idea. We changed each others minds, thats the reason it worked so well. Advertisement Advertisement Corning CEO Wendell Weeks also told Fortune that Jobs helped him confront his fears. Back in the mid-2000s, Jobs saw potential in Cornings technical capabilities to produce durable glass screens for its upcoming 2007 iPhone launch. However, Weeks told Jobs that he couldnt make it happen, worried about scaling to meet Apples needs. Do you know what your problem is? Weeks recalled Jobs telling him. Youre afraid Im going to launch the biggest product in history, and Im not going to be able to do it, because you failed, and Im going to eviscerate you. The reality check was exactly what he needed: Weeks admitted that he was afraid, fixed his mindset, and followed through on the deal. Fast-forward to 2025, and Apple has committed $2.5 billion to produce all iPhone and Apple Watch cover glass at the facility. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Communicating on group chats has quickly become a way of life, but what are the rules? We used to use email, the phone or talk in person. Now we use platforms like iMessage, WhatsApp or Slack to coordinate a night out with friends, a kids birthday party, a work project or even to discuss sensitive military information as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did by sharing details of airstrikes in a Signal chat. But while group chats have exploded in popularity because of their informality, that also creates its own challenges: Discussions can veer off topic, repetitive or basic questions can irritate group members, and that viral meme you think is funny could also offend. Advertisement Advertisement The principles of digital etiquette remain the same as other kinds of etiquette, but they are also context specific and many of the rules are implicit rather than explicit, said Rupert Wesson, a director at Debretts, the British etiquette guide, who outlined key tips for The Associated Press. Think before messaging Etiquette is always based on the idea of care and consideration for others, Wesson said. So it helps to think about how the recipients might be affected by your message. That means, for example, not wasting other members' time by asking questions that could be easily answered by doing a Google search, or scrolling up or searching through the previous posts. The Trent Windsurfing Club near Nottingham, England, which communicates with members using both WhatsApp and email, spells out other considerations in a 15-point list on its website. Advertisement Advertisement Dont get angry if someone doesnt respond to your messages in a group. No one is obliged to do so. Better send him/her a direct message, the club says. Also, Before sending a video, picture, meme or any content, analyze if such material will be in the interest of the majority of the members of the group. And avoid sending videos or files that are very large, because nobody likes to saturate the memory of their smartphone or waste their data/internet plan on nonsense, its guidance says. The club did not respond to a request for comment. Remember the aim of the chat Always consider the chat group's purpose. For those created with a specific and practical function in mind, just stick to the task and don't post any more than you need to, Wesson said. Advertisement Advertisement On the other hand, some groups are there for frivolity and here, more is more, he added. It should be obvious, but don't post personal stuff in a company or business-related chat, and refrain from posting work-related material in a group with friends or family. It doesn't hurt to lurk first before weighing in, partly because on some chat platforms new members can't see what was posted before they joined. It is always best to err on the side of caution until you are very clear on the purpose and culture of the group, Wesson said. Consider the size of the group Do you need to respond to every message? There's often someone who feels the need to type out a reply to every post, even if it's just to say thanks. But doing so in a big group might be somewhat akin to an email reply-all storm. Advertisement Advertisement Wesson advises considering how many people are in the chat. If there are three of you in the group, a response, if only an emoji, is almost expected, Wesson said. In group of 50 or more it is practically a criminal offense. Keep it clean and decent, especially at work This is an especially important point when it comes to work communications, with many white collar workers now using chat platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams rather than email to communicate. These platforms feel less formal than email but don't forget to follow the same guidelines as you do with other company communications. Assume anything messaged can be forwarded and be especially cautious of work chats (however informal they appear), Wesson said. As countless people have discovered at employment tribunals, any diversion into anything indecorous can be career limiting. Less can be more in chats Chat messages should be short and sweet. Advertisement Advertisement One reason is that your words could come across differently depending on the person reading the message, so stick to using short sentences to avoid being misinterpreted. If it's about work, and you want to discuss something in more length and detail, consider an in-person meeting, a phone call, or email instead. No one wants to read a 7-inch-long unformatted message when an organized attachment would have worked better, the American etiquette experts at The Emily Post Institute, advised in a blog post on business communications. Message clarity and style matter Its not a college essay, so the rules around grammar, punctuation or even emoji don't need to be too strict. Advertisement Advertisement You should not feel too constricted and nor should you judge others for playing fast and loose with the Kings English, Wesson said. Just let brevity and clarity be your guide. Speaking of emoji, they're fun and can convey your meaning as well as the most thoughtful turn of phrase, Wesson said. But don't abuse them because they can be a minefield. Theres a world of difference between, for example, the crying emoji and the crying with laughter emoji, he said. Its best to play it safe and avoid emoji when, for example, sending condolences, Wesson said. How to properly leave a chat group If you're getting annoyed by the number of message notifications from a big chat group, or you feel uncomfortable because of some of the comments, just put it on mute. And don't be afraid to leave the group if you don't need to be in it. Advertisement Advertisement Before leaving, consider letting the chat administrator know. The group administrator has a responsibility to ensure the chat serves its purpose and that things dont get too out of hand, Wesson says. What should admins do if certain people are causing problems? If things are going awry, deleting a member is an option but perhaps a little drastic. A quiet DM or a brief muting should always be considered first, Wesson says. If you do leave the chat, should you say farewell? Again, it depends on the context. If it's for a one-off event with a lot of people you don't know, there's probably no need. Advertisement Advertisement But if, say, you're part of a remote work project, it would be a good idea to notify everyone. When leaving make it clear that you are removing yourself immediately so the chat does not fill up with people wishing you farewell, Wesson said. ___ Is there a tech topic that you think needs explaining? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your suggestions for future editions of One Tech Tip. Brookside alum Julie Peasgood regrets turning down rival soap role 50 years later. Brookside star Julie Peasgood The 69-year-old actress played Fran Pearson on the iconic Channel 4 Liverpool-based soap from 1991 until 1993, before Julie headed to the Yorkshire Dales as Jo Steadman in ITV's Emmerdale in 1997, before heading to Chester to play Jacqui Hudson in Channel 4's Hollyoaks from 2001 until 2002. However, the star could have launched her soap career decades beforehand on ITV's Coronation Street aged 19, but her agent advised her from stepping onto the famed Manchester cobbles. Julie admitted to Metro: "I turned down Corrie, foolishly. "I was offered it when I was 19, a long-running part. I was very torn, but Id just started, and my agent said, 'Youd be tying yourself down for a long time, and weve got lots of other opportunities.' So I said no. "Looking back, do I regret it? Yeah, because Corries great, and I think it would have been a good thing to do." Elsewhere in her interview, Julie reflected fondly on Brookside - which aired from 1982 until 2003, and burst back onto screens as part of a special Hollyoaks crossover episode in October 2025. Julie - who did not reprise her role of Fran in the crossover special, created to celebrate Hollyoaks' 30th anniversary - said: "Brookside was a real family, and the make-up studio was basically a green room. Everyone just got on so well! "It was a big change for me personally in terms of being recognised in public. Id done loads of great dramas and things like that and been recognised from time to time, but when youre in a soap, its very different. Viewers come up and talk to you all the time. "I remember being on the Tube and somebody coming and grabbing me and saying, in one episode Id said I didnt like Chinese food and in an episode two weeks later I was eating it, and why was that? "And you think, wow, I never realised how involved people are in the storyline!" Julie - whose tough cookie alter ego Fran had big storylines, including having Bobby Grant's (Ricky Tomlinson) baby - is grateful for Brookside launching her career. She said: "It also opened all kinds of doors professionally, too. I landed my first presenting job because of Brookie, and Id been wanting to present on TV for years. "30 years ago, there was far less crossover between the worlds of TV acting and TV presenting. Nowadays, its much more mixed and fluid, and many actors are suddenly presenting a travel show or quiz shows. Back then, that didnt exist." You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website and archive of over 26,000 articles Exclusive monthly, members-only newsletter offering behind-the-scenes views from our contributing writers A guest, two-month subscription to share with a friend The world of travel credit cards is complicated. Issuers promise the world, and while they're not technically lying, they're less transparent about the hoops you'll need to jump through. It doesn't help that the loyalty landscape is constantly shifting, making it tough to keep up on which cards make sense for whom. I've spent the past seven years traveling the world full-time, hopping through almost 60 countries month-to-month. You'd assume the flight tab on that lifestyle like that runs sky-high. But I learned the best ways to use credit card points to travel for free, racking up as much as $10,000 in savings a year in some cases. Those savings aren't luck. I've learned the ins and outs of almost every card on the market, viewing each as a tool built to help keep my costs low. I even run a twice-weekly points and miles newsletter with over 1 million subscribers, have penned hundreds of articles on the subject, and built my own course to teach others to do the same. Not everyone wants to be like me, though. I have as many as eight credit cards in my wallet at any one time way too much for the average person. But which is best if you only want one? The answer is complicated, and realistically, one card isn't likely to change your life. Everyone has different habits and goals, and each product caters to different things. But if I were to rank some of the most popular cards on the market in terms of easy-to-access value with the best chance of getting you flying free, this is how I'd place them. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: How To Pack Just One Carry-On For A Week-Long Vacation 1. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Closeup view of a smart phone showing capital One Banking app - Zulfugar Graphics/Shutterstock At the top is the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. It's been my most frequent recommendation for the past three years and, despite some changes to its perks, it's still an incredible product. It sets itself apart by opting for simplicity, which makes it perfect as a one-card system powerhouse. If you have loftier aspirations, it's incredible as part of a broader strategy, too. One reason it's so valuable is the flat-rate 2x miles per dollar on every purchase. While most issuers opt for specific spending categories, Capital One customers don't have to think about anything. As a basic example, if you spend $2,000 a month, you'll earn around 48,000 miles a year, without considering much else. That's more than enough to get you to Europe and back with a carrier like KLM, Air France, Virgin, or Iberia. Technically, could be enough to get you a business class flight with Virgin, too, depending on the dates you're traveling. Plus, if you spend $4,000 within the first three months of opening the card, you'll get 75,000 bonus miles. By the end of your first year, you'd be looking at 123,000 miles. That's an epic start. But the earning rate is just this card warming up. At $395 a year to own, it's not cheap, but it cancels that fee out by throwing in a $300 travel statement credit every year for use on the Capital One travel portal, a bonus 10,000 miles on your cardholder anniversary, and a Priority Pass lounge membership (although its airport lounge rules are now a lot less welcoming). It's a premium card without the complexity and gives anyone a real shot at earning free travel. Pound for pound, it's the best card on the market. 2. Amex Green Card Amex Green credit card - Aitor Rodriguez Claro/Shutterstock The Amex Green flies well under the radar compared to its shinier premium siblings like the Amex Gold and Platinum cards. But those with the Green in their wallets know how serious an earner this understated card is. In stark contrast to the Venture X, there's little in the way of perks, but the Green is one of the best credit cards for travelers. Advertisement Advertisement The headline earning rates rack up 3x points per dollar on travel, transit, dining at restaurants worldwide, and takeout and delivery in the U.S. Now, if you're a regular traveler, those rates should be lighting up your eyes. The definition of travel and transit is so broad compared to other issuers that you can basically earn 3x points on an entire trip. For example, while other cards might only classify travel as hotels, flights, and maybe big train journeys, the Green will trigger that rate for everything from tours and ferries to subways and campgrounds. I lived almost exclusively in Airbnbs for six years and used the Green to pay for it every time. It was my single largest regular points earner at that time. Now, if you're not a regular traveler or eater-outer, it may not sound as attractive. And this is where the subjective nature of this list comes into play. But, as you're reading this, it's a fair assumption that you're at least interested in travel. It even has a 40,000-point intro bonus, earned by spending $3,000 within six months of opening the card. It's not a huge bonus, but 40,000 hyper-valuable Amex points can go a long way. 3. Citi Strata Premier Person walking by a Citibank location - Spencer Platt/Getty Images Despite being a major company, Citi has always appeared to languish in the shadow of the bigger names like Amex, Chase, and Capital One. Why this is, is hard to tell. It's possibly the issuer's decision not to open a real premium card until 2025, but even now, it still seems to lag behind its competitors. That reputation means its outstanding cards have never received as much airtime as others and it's a big loss for everyone else. The Citi Strata Premier is the issuer's mid-tier option, coming in at $95 a year, boasting a 60,000-point intro bonus after spending $4,000 within three months of opening, and even throwing in a $100 hotel benefit each year to completely flatten the annual fee. And then there's the earning rates: 10x points per dollar on travel booked on Citi Travel and 3x points per dollar on air travel, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations. Hitting gas, restaurants, and supermarkets with the same 3x point per dollar rate could equate to the average person's entire monthly spend. Assuming the same $2,000 of spending fell into those categories each month, that's around 72,000 points a year. Advertisement Advertisement For those worrying if Citi's transfer partners are weaker than the others, that's definitely not the case. Its lineup was already strong, but it's just become the only true transfer partner for American Airlines, giving it a leg up on the likes of Amex and making ThankYou points immensely valuable. The Strata Premier went from barely used in my wallet to my day-to-day workhorse overnight when I realized I'd be passing it over for no reason. Don't make the same mistake. 4. Chase Sapphire Reserve Billboard announcing refreshed Chase Sapphire Reserve Card - Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement The Chase Sapphire Reserve is Chase's premium offering and comes with the eye-wateringly high annual fee of $795. Make no mistake, you must be careful with this card, or it will become a money pit. Do the math on your spending and perks to ensure you're getting real value. But for those comfortable with the risk-to-reward ratio, the Reserve is a big hitter. It comes with an incredible 125,000 point intro bonus, earned by spending $6,000 within three months, a $300 annual travel credit, $500 in credits for stays with its hotel program, IHG One Rewards Elite Status, a Priority Pass Select membership, Global Entry and TSA PreCheck credits, and a range of lifestyle credits. That's an insane amount of value to be found. I value Chase Ultimate Rewards points at around two cents each, so the bonus alone is worth at least $2,500 in travel. Everything else adds up to around $3,000, so it's possible to get a huge return. Even the earning rates are solid if you're a big traveler, with 4x points per dollar on hotels and flights, plus 3x points per dollar on dining. But again, it's super important to crunch the numbers. Make sure you can safely hit the intro bonus, see how much you spend on travel each year, and see if you're getting real objective value from the list of perks. After all, you're not saving $120 on DoorDash if you would never have used it in the first place. 5. Amex Gold Closeup of the Amex Gold Card - Jfmdesign/Getty Images One of the shinier siblings mentioned of the Amex Green, the Amex Gold is a card built for foodies with some serious grocery and dining out bills. It's technically a mid-tier card for Amex, but with an annual fee of $325, it's not an impulse choice you'll still need to do the math. That said, it has the potential to be a serious points earner. Advertisement Advertisement The good news is that its intro bonus is worth up to 100,000 points after spending $6,000 within six months of opening an account. That's almost $2,000 in value by my reckoning and well worth turning your head. But after the bonus is gone, what does the Gold still offer? Quite a lot, thankfully. It's not got much in the way of perks, especially considering its annual fee, but with 4x points per dollar on up to $50,000 a year on restaurants, 4x points per dollar on up to $25,000 on groceries, 3x points per dollar on flights booked directly, 2x points per dollar on prepaid hotels, and everything else at 1x point per dollar, you've got a huge amount of scope. The credit card also has a Global Entry credit, which can save money, too, if you usually pay for it. As I've mentioned before, I use a multi-card system to ensure I'm never getting 1x point per dollar on anything I buy, but the Gold has been a huge piece of my strategy. I spend an inordinate amount of money on eating out (we can debate whether that's sensible or not), and it's pulled tens of thousands of points per year for me and my partner. But if you only want one card and spend a ton on supermarkets and restaurants, this could be the product to take advantage of. 6. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Chase Sapphire Preferred card in wallet - sirhowardlee/Shutterstock I really like the Chase Sapphire Preferred. It's a simple card, but it can pack a punch for the right person. Its simplicity, strong earning categories, and brilliant intro bonus make it the perfect introduction for newbies in the points and miles space, and it's always at the top of my recommendations for them. It's a card you might grow out of, but for simple value, it's a brilliant product. For a $95 a year card, its intro bonus is outstanding. New cardholders will earn 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $5,000 within three months of opening the card. I put that value at around $1,500 on travel if you use them well, but even just on the Chase Travel Portal, that's at least $1,000. Its earning rates clock in at 3x points per dollar on dining (including eligible takeout and delivery), and 2x points per dollar on travel purchases. There are even a few extra categories, like 3x points per dollar on specific streaming platforms and online grocery purchases. There is a little $50 Chase Travel Hotel credit, too, just to help keep the value. Advertisement Advertisement The value in this card comes in its launch value. This is the entry point for many points and milers and the Preferred stays in their wallets for years to come mine included. I use it in tandem with my other cards, especially when I'm abroad, and a higher-earning Amex card isn't accepted. But if this is your first true travel card, you could do a lot worse. 7. Amex Platinum Closeup of American Express Platinum Card - RYO Alexandre/Shutterstock The Platinum Card from American Express is arguably the best-known credit card in the world, and almost certainly the most iconic. It set the standard as the original premium card, and its reputation has lingered on, even as it became less and less exclusive. It's a controversial card because, in my opinion and that of many other experts, it's not the card it once was. Its perks are more of a coupon book, its earning rates aren't spectacular, and it's incredibly expensive. But I've still included it in this list for a few reasons. First, its bonus is huge. You can earn as many as 175,000 points after spending $12,000 within six months of opening the card. It's a big spending goal, but it's also a lot of points. That's well over $3,000 in travel when transferred to a strong airline partner. Second, its perks are definitely valuable. It has the best lounge access of any card, and there's a range of statement credits that can apply to your lifestyle. The earning rates aren't great, though. I warn my readers about this card a lot. At $895 a year, it's incredibly expensive. But those who use it effectively adore it, as it offers more true perks than any other product. Add up the perks and benefits that are genuinely useful to you, and put that against the fee. If it adds up to more, you're in good shape and can enjoy all the benefits of the card. Otherwise, look elsewhere. If you want a premium card, weigh it against the Sapphire Reserve first, which I think is a better all-around card. 8. Hilton Aspire Card Hilton Honors sign at check in - Smith Collection/gado/Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement The Hilton Aspire is a co-branded hotel card that only earns Hilton Honors points. All the other products mentioned so far have been super-valuable transferable general credit cards. Even Rick Steves thinks sticking to these cards is a thrifty travel tip. While this means the Aspire is limited, a strong hotel card can represent huge value. The Aspire is Hilton's premium option and costs $550. It' not cheap, but it offers so much value on a yearly basis that I think it's worth it. The easiest way to recoup that is the free annual stay award. Each year, you can use the benefit on a stay at almost any of Hilton's properties. That could be a luxury hotel in the Maldives worth $3,000 or a Hampton Inn in Ohio. It should be fairly obvious what side of the spectrum you should aim for. You'll also get complimentary Diamond Status with Hilton Honors, which is one of five hotel programs that are actually worth it. I've been a Diamond Member for over a decade and have never failed to be upgraded at any hotel, and I always enjoy free breakfasts, executive lounge access, and a noticeable shift in employee attitude towards me. The bonus is good, too. You'll earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $6,000 within six months of opening the card. These days, you'll struggle to get more than two days at a good hotel out of that bonus, but that's still a potential saving of a few hundred bucks. It's the experiential value that's kept this card in my wallet for years, though. 9. World of Hyatt Credit Card World of Hyatt check in desk inside hotel - 1000Photography/Shutterstock If you've ever read any of my newsletters, you'd know I spend a lot of time talking about how valuable World of Hyatt is. The loyalty program retains one of the best award charts ever seen in the industry, and has somehow continued it as dozens of others give up and move to a dynamic pricing system. Advertisement Advertisement If you have any points-earning Chase cards or one from Bilt, you can transfer your points to Hyatt, but other than that, you're stumped. Opening one of its cards is the best way to counter this. The personal card doesn't have a points bonus, but does offer up to five free nights in a Category 1 through 4 hotel, after spending $15,000 within the first six months of owning the card. You'll still get three if you only spend $5,000 within three months, which isn't bad either. Spending $15,000 on the card will earn you at least 15,000 more points on top of that, which is enough for five nights at a Category 1 hotel. As a single card option, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. But if your sole focus is hotel stays, there isn't another card I'd choose instead. 10. Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards membership card. - Tada Images/Shutterstock The final entry on the list is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card. Again, this is a co-branded card and not a transferable points option, like most of the others. It's found its way here for a few specific reasons that make it valuable to the casual flyer. Southwest's program doesn't offer insane value. It's impossible to stretch your points to more than around 1.4 cents each, unlike others that might find you hitting 2, 3, or even 8 cents per point for upper-class seating. But where it shines is its reliability. While you won't go beyond that 1.4 mark, it's also very rare that you'll fall far below it. Better yet, you can book any seat on the plane, instead of wrestling for four award seats like on other airlines. This card gives you a solid injection of those points to use when it makes the most sense. I generally recommend that people hold onto Rapid Rewards Points and use them for last-minute domestic travel or as a last resort when other high-value airlines aren't coming through for you. It's very situational, but they can be an absolute lifesaver when the moment is right. 11. Methodology Young traveler using credit to make payments in tropical country. - Pyrosky/Getty Images I've been writing about and using points and miles for the past six years, helping save almost $10,000 a year between my partner and me while traveling the world full-time. I've ranked this list based on the ease of value for the average person, instead of a purely "this card is better" system. This is because each card has its pros and cons, which can benefit or hamper someone depending on their individual situations Advertisement Advertisement Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter and add us as a preferred search source for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets. Read the original article on Islands. Lori Sepich smoked for years and sometimes skipped taking her blood pressure medicine. But she never thought shed have a heart attack. The possibility just wasnt registering with me, said the 64-year-old from Memphis, Tennessee, who suffered two of them 13 years apart. Shes far from alone. More than 60 million women in the US live with cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease as well as stroke, heart failure and atrial fibrillation. And despite the myth that heart attacks mostly strike men, women are vulnerable too. Mega projects emerge as tourism powerhouses during Chinese New Year Xinhua) 08:42, February 26, 2026 This drone photo taken on Nov. 6, 2025 shows tourists viewing the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge at the nearby Yundu service area in southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu) GUIYANG, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese super projects served as major tourism draws during the Spring Festival holiday which ended earlier this week, showcasing the nation's engineering prowess while also boosting cultural and economic vitality. The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in southwest China's Guizhou Province, recognized as the world's highest bridge, attracted over 300,000 visitors in just nine days from Feb. 15 to 23, with 75 percent being self-driving tourists and more than half of them from other provinces. Integrated with tourism from its design phase, the bridge offers immersive experiences like VR bungee jumping and traditional folk activities, transforming it into a comprehensive travel destination. This bridge-tourism model has spurred local development, creating nearly 1,000 jobs and increasing per capita annual income by more than 48,000 yuan (about 6,924 U.S. dollars) during its construction phase. Such mega projects are not just feats of engineering but also catalysts for rural revitalization, as seen in Huajiang Village, where over 40 residents returned home to start businesses such as hostels and food stalls. Similarly, the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), dubbed "China Sky Eye," located in Guizhou's Pingtang County, has evolved into a popular astronomy-themed park, blending science education with ecological tourism during the 2026 holiday. Interactive exhibits drew families to the site. Li Hong, a self-driving tourist from several hundred kilometers away, noted how the trip had planted "seeds of curiosity" in her child about space exploration. Authorities are leveraging these sites to promote high-quality tourism products, aiming to build international hubs for science popularization and study tours. This fusion of technology and tourism reflects a broader trend, with the 2026 Spring Festival having seen 596 million domestic trips nationwide, an increase of 95 million compared to the eight-day Spring Festival holiday in 2025, highlighting a surge in experiential travel. "We are committed to creating an immersive new form of astronomical cultural tourism around the FAST that integrates sightseeing, experiences and popular science education, enabling visitors to feel the nation's scientific and technological development and the progress of the times through interaction," the scenic area operator said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The Claudia Winkleman Show is being filmed around the host's Crufts coverage duties. Claudia Winkleman is launching her new BBC chat show and co-presenting Crufts in March Episode one of the BBC chat programme - which will air on March 13 - is set to be recorded on Monday (02.03.26) so that Claudia, 54, has March 5 to March 8 free to present dog show Crufts for Channel 4 alongside Clare Balding, 55, Ellie Simmonds, 31, and 39-year-old Radzi Chinyanganya. A TV insider told The Sun newspaper: "Theres huge anticipation for The Claudia Winkleman Show, though the BBC are keeping all the details under wraps until the last moment. "Theyve pulled out all the stops, including ensuring Claudia was able to juggle two huge roles in the same month. "Then, when she wraps on Crufts and her show, The Traitors team move to Scotland at the end of April to start preparations for the new series. The first guests on The Claudia Winkleman Show - a seven-part series produced by So Television, the company behind The Graham Norton Show - are Jurassic Park legend Jeff Goldblum, 73, The Devil Wears Prada Musical star Vanessa Williams, 62, Absolutely Fabulous icon Jennifer Saunders, 67, and 42-year-old comedian Tom Allen. The chat show's set will resemble the luxurious rooms seen in Ardross Castle, the setting of the BBC game show, The Traitors - which Claudia fronts. A trailer for The Claudia Winkleman show is set to air on BBC Two and on BBC One on Friday (27.02.26). Earlier this month, it was announced that Claudia is joining the Channel 4 presenting team for Crufts - which sees pooches take part in breed judging, agility, flyball and Heelwork to Music action, as well as compete for the prestigious Best in Show title. She said: "I absolutely love dogs and there is literally nowhere else on earth Id rather be. "I cant wait to join this incredible team, and Im so grateful to Channel 4 for allowing me to be part of it. I have a pocket rammed with treats." Her signing for Crufts - based at NEC Birmingham - and launching The Claudia Winkleman Show comes after she and Tess Daly stepped down from co-hosting BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in December 2025. 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. Stars of Ghosts have hinted at a return for the BBC show. Ghosts star, co-writer and co-creator Jim Howick The sitcom - which followed a group of ghosts from different historical periods haunting Button House, which they share with a married couple, Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike Cooper (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) - ran from 2019 until 2023. But now Jim Howick, 46, Mathew Baynton, 45, and 45-year-old Martha Howe-Douglas - who all also co-wrote and co-created the show - have dropped a hint that a revival could be in the works. It comes as they posted a short video of the country house's famous wooden front door opening by itself. Jim, Matthew and Martha - who played Pat Butcher, Thomas Thorne and Lady Stephanie Fanny Button, respectively - did not caption their cryptic uploads. And it has left fans equally excited and confused One person commented under Matthew's post: "Im not screaming in my house with excitement, you are!okay, its me! AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH (sic)." A second user reacted to Jim's upload with: "Eeeeeehhh! I don't know what's happening or what this means but I'm seated and ready for whatever this is! "Button House it's nice to see you to see you nice (sic)." And a third supporter typed under Martha's post: "GIVE US MORE PLS I DON'T THINK ANY OF US CAN HANDLE THIS (sic)." Ghosts - which was also starred and was co-written and co-created by Simon Farnaby (Julian Fawcett MP), Laurence Rickard (Robin the Caveman) and Ben Willbond (The Captain) - has returned in Australia after it was given the green light in 2025. Also, last year, Jim admitted he thinks that the show would have to be in a different format if it ever did return to screens. He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I'll never say never because I really miss doing it, but I don't think it will return in its sitcom format if it does return." And Jim also believes that the collection of characters from different historical periods was the key to the programme's success. He said: "It's the characters really, I think. I think that establishing a family with characters from different points in time, different sensibilities, different ethics, creating a family dynamic with perfect strangers. "That's what's appealing to people, and that's what's appealing to families." The population of Mexican gray wolves in Arizona and New Mexico grew again in 2025, inching closer to the threshold for the endangered species to one day be downlisted to threatened. There were at least 319 wolves living in the wild last year, up from 286 in 2024, according to the latest estimate released on Wednesday by wildlife officials in the two states. That marks a record 10 straight years of population growth for a species that was extinct in the U.S. until 1998, when a recovery team of nine federal, state and tribal agencies began releasing captive-bred wolves acrossMexican gray wolf population grows for 10th year eastern Arizona and western New Mexico. To qualify for downlisting under the current U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recovery plan, the wild population of Mexican wolves must average at least 320 over a four-year span, while maintaining benchmark levels of genetic diversity. The change from endangered to threatened would allow wildlife officials to develop new species-specific rules for managing wolves, including less stringent protections for the animals in the wild. That in turn would give state officials more management authority than they currently have and add greater flexibility in implementing management actions intended to reduce conflict while continuing recovery of the subspecies to the point of delisting, said the Arizona Game and Fish Department in a statement announcing the 2025 population estimate. Wolf advocates welcomed the rising numbers, but they warned that the reintroduction program still has a long way to go before the species is sufficiently abundant and genetically healthy enough to ensure long-term survival. We are heartened that the population of Mexican wolves has grown this past year, though it is still very small, said Mary Katherine Ray, wildlife chair for the Sierra Club in New Mexico. Importantly, it isnt just a numbers game. The wildlife agencies must do more to improve the genetic health of the population, which is going down even as their numbers go up. Added Craig Miller, senior representative for the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit Defenders of Wildlife: Today, the threats are very real, and stripping Endangered Species Act protections now would mean dead wolves and a derailed recovery. Once found across the Southwest, the Mexican subspecies of gray wolf was listed as endangered in 1976, after it was all but wiped out by a century-long, government-sponsored, predator-eradication campaign. Though it could be downlisted to threatened based on its U.S. population and diversity alone, the wolf wont qualify to be delisted altogether under the current recovery plan until it reaches an eight-year average of at least 320 animals in the U.S. and 200 animals in Mexico, with a sufficient genetic mix on both sides of the border. In addition to the wild population, there are now roughly 350 wolves living in captivity at facilities throughout the U.S. and Mexico as part of a binational breeding program. So far, though, recovery efforts south of the border have fallen well short of expectations. In a 2025 analysis, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that its Mexican counterparts had released only about half as many wolves as planned and failed to document any animals with tracking collars still living in the wild in 2023. The latest U.S. population estimates come amid Republican-sponsored legislation at the state and federal level aimed at ending the recovery program and stripping the Mexican wolf of protection. One bill passed by the Arizona House of Representatives on Tuesday would allow the animals to be hunted for sport or killed in defense of property. Another still awaiting a House vote would bar state officials from participating in the reintroduction program, except the part that compensates ranchers for livestock preyed on by wolves. At the same time, Rep. Paul Gosar is pushing legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would immediately remove the Mexican wolf from the endangered species list, regardless of the status of the recovery plan. The Committee on Natural Resources passed the measure on Jan. 22, but it has yet to come to a vote of the full House. Conservationists say such bills are part of a campaign by the livestock industry to legislate the subspecies out of existence. Its inspiring that there are now hundreds of Mexican wolves in the Southwest, especially considering there were zero roaming the wild just three decades ago, said Michael Robinson, a senior conservation advocate at the Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity. The big danger is that politics will strip these still-imperiled wolves of their Endangered Species Act protections before theyre truly recovered. PHOENIX Upset with Tucson teachers who called in sick to protest ICE, state lawmakers are moving to require teachers be fired and forfeit any rights to reemployment at public schools if they participate in any future sickout. On a party-line vote, the Republican-controlled Arizona House gave preliminary approval Wednesday to legislation to spell out in the state Education Code that teachers may not "strike or engage in an organized work stoppage'' against a school district or charter school. A 1971 opinion by the Arizona Attorney General's Office concluded strikes by teachers are illegal. But there were no repercussions from a six-day walkout over teacher pay by about 50,000 teachers throughout the state in 2018. Rep. Matt Gress, says his proposed legislation would create a clear definition of coordinated work stoppages which he said apparently are outside of the definition of a strike. "There really isn't a statutory consequence if someone fakes being sick and doing so in an organized fashion,'' said Gress, a Phoenix Republican. House Bill 2313 was prompted by the decision by some teachers in Tucson to take part in nationwide protests last month against deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in cities, after the killings of two U.S. citizens by ICE agents in Minneapolis. "This was not a traditional strike over pay or contracts,'' Gress told colleagues. "It was a coordinated work stoppage tied to a political protest against ICE.'' The result is that more than 20 schools were closed for a day, he said. The protest was on a Friday school day. "Tens of thousands of students were sent home and parents were left scrambling for child care,'' said Gress. "Whatever one's views are on federal immigration policy, our public schools should not be shut down to make a political point,'' he continued. "And that's exactly what happened in the Tucson Unified School District.'' Tucson Democratic Rep. Nancy Gutierrez, noting the current laws against teacher strikes, said the proposal is overkill. "This proposes extreme, career-ending consequences on educators,'' said Gutierrez, who is a former teacher. "It tells educators that one misstep may erase an entire career and all of the rights they have earned through the years of service." And she said lawmakers also need to be aware of the reality of how hard it is to keep qualified and trained teachers in classrooms. "What we have is an enormous lack of folks who are willing to put up with the disrespect that comes with being a public school educator already,'' Gutierrez said. "So we have lots of classrooms already that do not have a qualified educator in them.'' What's also lost in the legislation, she said, is the motive behind the sickout. "This came because teachers were so sick over what was happening in another state that they chose to take sick leave, which is their right, and go to a protest,'' Gutierrez said. "They had every right to do that.'' Not so, argued Gress. "Education is a constitutional responsibility and schools exist to serve students, not become leverage in political or labor disputes,'' he said. Gress said the legislation draws a clear line "that disagreements and advocacy must happen without closing schools and without sacrificing learning time.'' Gutierrez said it isn't that simple. "Sometimes students learn more from us as teachers by what we actually do than what we say in the class,'' she said. Gutierrez said there is teaching in the classroom, with curriculum and standards. "But if I as a teacher take a day off and go to a protest, and my students see, 'Wow, my teacher is willing to take her sick time to go stand up for my community,' to me, I'm proud of that,'' she said. "And I will always stand for those teachers who choose their students, their family and their community over this political nonsense.'' There is a question of how to determine if teachers are really under the weather when they call in "sick.'' Gress said it should be obvious from from the size of a sickout. "If all of your colleagues got the flu and threw up, I think that would be uncanny,'' he said. And if nothing else, Gress said, schools could require a note from a doctor. His HB 2313 would not actually prohibit a teacher from using sick time, to go to a demonstration or for any other reason. The penalties would not apply "if the teacher is not acting in concern with one or more other individuals in a strike or an organized work stoppage.'' Matt Dillon to lead The Magnificent Seven 1960s classic movie gets a reimagining by Tim Kring, writer of Heroes. Actor Matt Dillon will star in and executive produce an eight-episode reimagining of The Magnificent Seven. The classic 1960 Western film is being reimagined by Heroes creator Tim Kring for MGM+. Dillon will play Chris Adams, who becomes the leader of seven gunslingers determined to protect a group of innocent villagers from a mercenary land baron hellbent on stealing their land. Stoic, steady under pressure, and with an unflinching gaze that does most of the talking for him, Chris has no patience for hypocrisy or cruelty and holds fast to a quiet moral code rooted in fairness and restraint. The role was originally played by Yul Brynner in 1960 and later by Denzel Washington in Antoine Fuquas 2016 remake. Matt Dillon brings extraordinary depth and gravitas to this iconic role, said Michael Wright, global head of MGM+. His ability to portray complex, morally conflicted characters makes him the perfect choice to lead our reimagining of The Magnificent Seven. This series honors the legacy of the original film while exploring timeless themes about courage, redemption, and standing up against oppressionand Matts performance will be at the heart of that story. Production is due to begin in June 2026 in Calgary, Canada. The project is likely to head to Stan in Australia, but thats yet to be confirmed. Source: Deadline Renewed: Robin Hood Romantic adventure drama series starring Australian actor Jack Patten gets a second season. Romantic adventure drama series Robin Hood, starring Australian actor Jack Patten (NCIS: Sydney, War Machine) has been renewed for a second season by MGM+. Robin Hood quickly became one of our top-performing original series of all time, and the response from our audiences both in the U.S. and abroad has been exceptional, Michael Wright, global head of MGM+, said. Were thrilled to continue this epic adventure for a second season. John Glenn, Jonathan English, and the entire creative team have reimagined this legendary tale with remarkable depth and authenticity, and we cant wait to see where they take us next. Season two expands the world beyond Sherwood and Nottingham into the treacherous courts of England, France, and Rome, transforming the outlaw rebellion into a high stakes battle for the soul of a kingdom. As the Angevin empire threatens to tear itself apart, Rob and Marian are drawn into the orbit of kings and queens, forced to wield the very instruments of Norman power politics, gold, and betrayal to secure a future for the Saxons. What begins as a fight for survival becomes a reckoning with power itself. Sweeping in scope yet intimate in emotion, Season two deepens the romance, sharpens the rivalries, and reimagines the legend as a prestige drama about love, legacy, and the price of becoming history. Season 1 also featured Sean Bean as the Sheriff of Nottingham, Lauren McQueen as Marian, Lydia Peckham as Priscilla of Nottingham, Steven Waddington as the Earl of Huntingdon and Connie Nielsen as Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. The second season will once again comprise 10 episodes. It screens in Australia on Stan. One of Wales leading exporters, Concrete Canvas, is progressing a major investment that will see it establishing a new production plant in the Central Asian country of Krgysztan. The Pontyclun-based business, which specialises in producing a synthetic alternative to concrete - Geosynthetic Cementitious Composite Mats (GCCMs)- last year signed a deal to build its first production plant outside the UK in the Chuy region of northern Kyrgyzstan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first production line expected to start operating next year. Over the next ten years the new plant is expected to drive sales of 180m into the central Asian marketplace. Concrete Canvas technology can be installed more rapidly than conventional concrete and require only minimal equipment This will speed up efforts to modernise Kyrgyzstans dilapidated Soviet-era irrigation channels and helping to return farmland to productive use. We shouldn't get hung up on firms being Welsh-owned but those with potential for growth Leekes invests to create two new departments at its flagship Llantrisant store Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UK Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic, Nic Bowler, and his team, played role in securing a visit from the then Kyrgyz Prime Minister to the Concrete Canvas factory in Pontyclun, which resulted in a long-term 180m export deal being signed. Mr Bowler, who hails from Crickhowell, said:Wales is brimming with innovative businesses seeking to connect with the world. Part of what I love about my job is promoting these businesses and even better, connecting the right people to sign deals. Bringing this unique offer together and making it accessible to the Kyrgyz delegation put Wales firmly on their itinerary and ensured Concrete Canvas was their first stop. Peter Brewin, co-founder of Concrete Canvas, said: The support from Nic Bowler and his team has been instrumental in this venture, which will enable Concrete Canvas and our partners to bring a world-leading British technology to Kyrgyzstan, one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through this joint venture with our partners Integra, UCC and the Kyrgyz government, we are working to conserve the Kyrgyz water resources more effectively, in order to feed and provide renewable hydropower for the people of Kyrgyzstan and across Central Asia. We have found the Kyrgyz government to be an excellent partner. GCCMs are a cost-efficient solution for lining irrigation channels to prevent erosion and reduce water loss. The flexible, concrete-filled geotextiles harden after water is applied to create a durable, waterproof surface. Stephen Doughty MP, Minister for Europe, North America and the Overseas Territories, who is also MP for Cardiff South and Penarth, said:This government is committed to driving economic growth across the UK, including in Wales, and cutting the cost of living for British people. This is a great example of how our diplomatic network is delivering for Wales supporting homegrown talent in accessing new opportunities for trade and investment. This week, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is hosting her counterparts from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in London for talks that are expected to result in a number of deals relating to critical minerals and university partnerships. Vice President JD Vance announced on Wednesday that the Trump administration is withholding $259 million in Medicaid funding from Minnesota in order to turn the screws on the Democratic-led state, which has been plagued by a welfare fraud scandal involving members of its Somali community. What were doing is we are stopping the federal payments that will go to the state government until the state government takes its obligations seriously to stop the fraud thats being perpetrated against the American taxpayer, Vance said at a press conference in Washington, D.C. Medicaid, the nations health care safety net for low-income Americans, serves more than 70 million children, pregnant women, older adults and people with disabilities. Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, vowed that other states would soon follow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move comes at a time when President Trump is stepping up what he described in his State of the Union address as a war on fraud which he also tasked Vance with leading. In addition to Minnesota, the administration has recently tried to claw back federal funds from blue states such as New York, California, Illinois and Colorado. Federal judges have blocked most of these efforts, and state leaders have claimed that they are politically motivated. This is a campaign of retribution, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, wrote Wednesday on social media. Trump is weaponizing the entirety of the federal government to punish blue states like Minnesota. These cuts will be devastating for veterans, families with young kids, folks with disabilities, and working people across our state. On Thursday, Trump addressed THE GREAT PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA on his own Truth Social network, telling them to FEAR NOT because THE DAY OF RECKONING & RETRIBUTION IS COMING! So whats really going on? Heres a guide to Trumps new war on fraud. Why is Trump targeting Minnesota? There has been real fraud in Minnesota in recent years but nowhere near the amount Trump is alleging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it comes to the corruption that is plundering, really, its plundering America, theres been no more stunning example than Minnesota, where members of the Somali community have pillaged an estimated $19 billion from the American taxpayer, Trump said in Tuesdays State of the Union address, adding that in actuality, the number is much higher than that. Its unclear where Trumps $19 billion figure is coming from. The costliest recent scam in Minnesota targeted Feeding Our Future, a meal program that the Department of Agriculture funded and expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide nutritious food to needy children. In 2022, the Justice Department under former President Joe Biden filed criminal charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering and bribery against 47 suspects, accusing them of filing fake meal reimbursement forms and then pocketing the money for their own personal gain. An additional 32 suspects have been charged since then. More than 50 have pleaded guilty, and seven have been convicted at trial including former Feeding the Future leader Aimee Bock, a white woman. Prosecutors have alleged that the Feeding the Future scam involved anywhere from $250 to $300 million in fraud. A Minneapolis Star Tribune analysis of court documents published in December put the confirmed total closer to $200 million (though that number is expected to grow). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the pandemic, investigators have also uncovered a series of smaller schemes most of them targeting Medicaid-funded services like autism therapy and housing stabilization. The amount of Minnesota Medicaid fraud alleged in charging documents is currently in the $35 million range. Federal prosecutors regularly announce larger Medicaid fraud takedowns in other states, including Florida and Texas. In December, Joe Thompson formerly the lead white-collar-crime prosecutor in Minnesotas U.S. Attorneys Office estimated that more than half of the $18 billion spent over the course of seven years across 14 high-risk Minnesota Medicaid programs could have been vulnerable to abuse. State officials dismissed the $9 billion figure as speculation, noting that there is a difference between confirmed fraud and estimated exposure. Its possible that Trump inflated Thompsons $9 billion to $19 billion in his State of the Union address. What do Somali-Americans have to do with it? Minnesota is home to the largest diaspora of Somalis in the world, and most of the suspects prosecuted in the states recent fraud case have been of Somali descent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trump has seized on a handful of bad actors to disparage the states entire 80,000-person Somali community and to justify his broader immigration crackdown. In December, Trump called Somali immigrants garbage, adding that when they come from hell and complain and do nothing but bitch, we dont want them in our country. Likewise, the president used his State of the Union speech on Tuesday to claim a connection between the Somali pirates who ransacked Minnesota and large parts of the world where bribery, corruption, and lawlessness are the norm, not the exception. Importing these cultures through unrestricted immigration and open borders brings us problems right here to the USA, he insisted. Minnesota leaders have pushed back against Trump, noting that about 73% of Somali immigrants nationwide are naturalized U.S. citizens and many others have had temporary legal status for decades under a program for migrants from countries in crisis. Research has long shown that immigrants to the U.S. including those who entered the country illegally commit crimes at a lower rate than native-born Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do not blame the lawlessness of an individual on a whole community, Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Democrat who was born in Somalia and whose district includes Minneapolis, told reporters last year. Nonetheless, Trump repeatedly cited Somali-American fraudsters as a primary justification for his administrations recent immigration crackdown in Minnesota. Ultimately, federal agents there shot and killed two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, before withdrawing in the face of widespread public backlash. In January, Thompson and several other federal prosecutors who were leading the Minnesota fraud investigations resigned after senior Justice Department officials pressed them to open a criminal probe into Goods widow. Is Minnesota doing anything to combat fraud? Insiders have alleged that during the pandemic, state officials were slow to react to the Feeding the Future scam out of fear of litigation and political fallout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was a perception that forcefully tackling this issue might cause political backlash among the Somali community, which is a core voting bloc for Democrats, Kayseh Magan, a Somali American who formerly worked as a fraud investigator for the Minnesota attorney generals office, told the New York Times. This was a huge part of the problem, Thompson added. Allegations of racism can be a reputation or career killer. But since the Feeding the Future scandal blew up in 2022, politicians including Walz have been forced to address the problem. Last year alone, the governor shut down the states housing stabilization program, acknowledging that it was riddled with fraud; hired an independent auditor to review claims for 14 other Medicaid-funded programs; created a new task force to pursue fraud cases; made it easier for state agencies to share information; and started implementing new AI technology to spot suspicious billing practices. The message here in Minnesota, Walz said at the time, is if you commit a crime, if you commit fraud against public dollars, you are going to go to prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday the day after Vances Medicaid announcement the governor announced a new comprehensive anti-fraud legislative package designed to proactively prevent, detect, investigate, and hold accountable those who commit fraud. All of which suggests that Trumps new Medicaid hold has nothing to do with fraud, Walz claimed on social media. The agents Trump allegedly sent to investigate fraud are shooting protesters and arresting children. His DOJ is gutting the U.S. Attorneys Office and crippling their ability to prosecute fraud. And every week Trump pardons another fraudster. According to the New York Times, Trump has used the office of the presidency to make at least $1.4 billion since returning to office last year while simultaneously pardoning several individuals who were convicted on fraud charges. He remains the only U.S. president to have been found liable in a civil fraud case. Whats next? On Wednesday, Oz said Minnesotas federal Medicaid funding would only be released after Minnesota leaders propose and act on a comprehensive corrective action plan to solve the problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not a problem with the people of Minnesota, its a problem with the leadership of Minnesota and other states who do not take Medicaid preservation seriously, Oz added. It is unclear whether Walzs new legislative package will satisfy the administration. In the meantime, Minnesotas Medicaid and MinnesotaCare programs provide health care coverage for nearly 1.3 million people in the state, or roughly one in four Minnesotans. On Thursday, Walz called Trumps new Medicaid hold totally unprecedented and illegal; Vance previously claimed he was quite confident that we have the authority to do this. Their arguments are certain to be tested in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal judges have previously blocked administration orders to withhold funding for food stamps and other hunger relief programs in Minnesota; to freeze $10 billion in funding for child care subsidies, social services and cash support for low-income families in Minnesota, New York, California, Illinois and Colorado; and to stop paying out Health Department grants aimed at curbing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Still, Trump seems undaunted. California, Massachusetts, Maine and many other states are even worse, he claimed in his State of the Union address. This is the kind of corruption that shreds the fabric of a nation, and we are working on it like you wouldnt believe. Trump then said his administration will be able to find enough of that fraud, we will actually have a balanced budget overnight. Itll go very quickly. Independent fact checkers have repeatedly explained that eliminating all fraud in government programs would not balance the federal budget. According to a 2024 report from the Government Accountability Office, the federal government loses an estimated $233 billion to $521 billion to improper payments each year far less than the amount needed to zero out the federal deficit, which hit $1.8 trillion in 2025. Japan's Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) raided Microsoft Japan on Wednesday as part of a growing investigation into whether the company restricted clients of its Azure cloud platform from using rival services, a source with direct knowledge told Reuters. The source, who requested anonymity because the matter is not public, said regulators are also seeking information from Microsoft's parent company in the United States. The probe focuses on allegations that Microsoft limited access to popular services, such as Microsoft 365 appsincluding Teams and Wordon other cloud platforms, effectively favoring its own Azure service. According to CNBC, a spokesperson for Microsoft Japan said the company is "fully cooperating with the JFTC in their requests," but declined to comment further. The US Federal Trade Commission also declined to comment on the investigation. This Japanese action adds to a wave of antitrust scrutiny facing Microsoft worldwide. Regulators in Britain, Europe, and the United States have separately examined the company's cloud computing practices. Last month, Brazil's antitrust agency opened an administrative investigation into Microsoft's local unit regarding similar concerns. Microsoft Japan raided over suspected violation of anti-monopoly law: Reuters https://t.co/3ybwN8MzQs CNBC International (@CNBCi) February 25, 2026 Japan Steps Up Action Against Monopoly The JFTC has previously taken action against other global tech giants. In August, the commission issued a cease-and-desist order to Google for imposing restrictive conditions on Android smartphone manufacturers in Japan, forcing its app store to be pre-installed. Similarly, Amazon Japan was inspected in 2024 for allegedly using its "buy box" feature to pressure sellers into lowering prices, giving the company an unfair advantage over rival e-commerce platforms. Local media, including the "Yomiuri Shimbun," highlighted that Japan has stepped up efforts in recent years to rein in monopolistic behavior by major tech companies, JapanTimes reported. The investigation into Microsoft mirrors these earlier attempts to ensure fair competition in the Japanese market. Industry experts say the JFTC's scrutiny reflects a broader global push to regulate dominant tech companies, especially in cloud computing, where a few major players control critical infrastructure used by millions of businesses worldwide. "The market for cloud services is growing fast, and regulators want to make sure no company can unfairly lock in customers," said one analyst familiar with the sector. Originally published on vcpost.com Welcome Guest! You are here: Home China announces duty free imports from almost whole of African Continent China has announced to implement zero duty imports from almost whole of the African Continent starting May 01, 2026 Beijing: China has announced to implement zero duty imports from almost whole of the African Continent starting May 01, 2026. Earlier China provided zero-tariff or near-zero-tariff access mainly to African least developed countries (LDCs), covering 33 or so nations with 97100% of tariff lines eliminated in phases, including full coverage for LDCs expanded around 20242025. As per the latest announcement made by Chinese President Xi Jinping two days ago on February 14, 2026, the zero tariff has been extended to all 54 countries of the African Continent except Eswatini. Why Eswatini is Excluded? Eswatini, also known as Swaziland, has been excluded because its diplomatic relations with Taiwan instead of mainland China. The announcement was made in a message to the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia from February 12 to 16, 2026. The decision to extend zero- duty imports from the whole of African Continent is seen as strengthening China-Africa economic ties, potentially boosting African exports in sectors like agriculture, crude oil, rare earth and raw minerals and manufactured goods. The announcement comes weeks after the United States moved to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which provides selective duty-free access for eligible sub-Saharan African countries but remains subject to periodic renewal and compliance conditions. China-Africa Trade Ties Trade between China and Africa has grown steadily, but structural imbalances persist. As per the data released by Chinas General Administration of Customs, bilateral trade of $222.05 billion between January and August 2025, up 15.4% year-on-year. Chinese exports to Africa jumped 24.7% to $140.79 billion, while imports from Africa rose 2.3% to $81.25 billion. Africas trade deficit with China widened to $59.55 billion in the first eight months of 2025, nearly matching the full-year 2024 deficit of $61.93 billion. In 2023, mineral resources made up roughly 40% of Chinas imports from African LDCs, followed by non-edible raw materials and semi-processed goods, as per The Nation. On the export side, China ships products such as machinery, electronics and renewable energy equipment. Chinese Imports from Africa Beijing maintains that eliminating tariffs will support export growth from Africa and help narrow the imbalance. Economists estimate that China will forgo roughly $1.4 billion in tariff revenue annually under the expanded scheme, according to Africa Sustainability Matters. The latest announcement is set to boost the trade between China and Africa, and also give Beijing political leverage on global front amid Donald Trump's tariff war. This also comes at the background of Trump forcing countries to buy oil from the United States and pushing Venezuela crude after the controversial kidnapping of the country's President Nicolas Maduro. China has already upped crude oil imports from Nigeria, Kango and Angola - the largest crude oil exporter to China in addition to buying oil from Russia. Cobalt, copper and rare earth minerals exports from Africa to China are also set to go up after May 01, 2026 as China has set its eyes on cheap uranium imports from Namibia, copper from Zambia, lithium from Zimbabwe, coffee, sea-foods and tea from Kenya and other African countries. Simultaneously, China is also providing the African countries technical and infrastructural supports to local oil and mineral industries for upgradation. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Welcome Guest! You are here: Home How to Start Business in Sharjah with Limited Capital Sharjah offers cost-effective licensing options, flexible office solutions, and simplified registration processes making it an ideal choice for startups and SMEs operating on tight budgets Starting a business in the UAE does not always require a massive investment. In fact, many entrepreneurs are choosing Sharjah as their launchpad due to its affordability and investor-friendly regulations. If you are planning a Sharjah business setup with limited capital in 2026, the good news is that it is entirely achievable with the right strategy and planning. Sharjah offers cost-effective licensing options, flexible office solutions, and simplified registration processes making it an ideal choice for startups and SMEs operating on tight budgets. Why Choose Sharjah for Low-Cost Business Setup? Compared to other emirates, Sharjah provides a more economical entry point into the UAE market. The emirate combines strong infrastructure, strategic location near Dubai, and lower operational expenses all of which reduce the financial burden on new entrepreneurs. A well-planned Sharjah business setup allows founders to benefit from the UAEs tax-friendly environment while keeping startup costs manageable. Step 1: Choose the Right Business Activity The first step in any Sharjah business setup is selecting your business activity. Sharjah free zones and mainland authorities allow a wide range of activities including: Consulting and professional services E-commerce and online trading Digital marketing and IT services General trading Creative and media services Service-based and digital businesses are especially suitable for entrepreneurs with limited capital, as they typically require minimal inventory and infrastructure. Step 2: Opt for a Free Zone Setup If you are working with a smaller budget, a free zone company formation is often the most practical solution. Free zones in Sharjah offer: 100% foreign ownership Affordable license packages Flexi-desk or shared office options Simplified documentation Choosing a flexible package can significantly lower your initial sharjah business setup cost while still allowing you to operate legally and professionally. Step 3: Start with a Flexi-Desk or Shared Office Renting a large office space can be expensive. Instead, many entrepreneurs begin their sharjah business setup with a flexi-desk or shared workspace. These options are cost-effective and meet licensing requirements without adding high rental expenses. As your business grows, you can upgrade to a private office or larger facility. Step 4: Limit Visa Requirements Initially Each residency visa adds to the overall setup cost. If you are starting solo or with a small team, consider applying only for essential visas in the beginning. Expanding your visa quota later can help manage cash flow during the early stages of your sharjah business setup. Step 5: Take Advantage of Digital Operations Digital tools and remote working models can drastically reduce operational expenses. Many entrepreneurs completing a sharjah business setup operate primarily online using cloud accounting, digital marketing, and virtual communication platforms to minimise overhead costs. E-commerce, consulting, and freelance services are particularly well-suited for low-capital startups. Estimated Cost Considerations While the exact cost varies depending on license type and visa needs, a basic sharjah business setup typically includes: Trade or professional license fee Registration and documentation charges Office or flexi-desk rental Visa fees (if applicable) Sharjah remains one of the more affordable emirates, making it attractive for budget-conscious entrepreneurs entering the UAE market. Additional Cost-Saving Tips Clearly define your business activity to avoid unnecessary add-ons Start with a single shareholder structure if possible Compare license packages across different Sharjah jurisdictions Plan your renewal budget in advance Careful financial planning ensures that your sharjah business setup remains sustainable beyond the initial launch phase. Final Thoughts Launching a business in the UAE with limited capital is entirely possible especially in Sharjah. With competitive licensing costs, flexible workspace options, and a streamlined registration process, a sharjah business setup offers an affordable pathway for startups and small businesses in 2026. By choosing the right business model, controlling operational expenses, and scaling gradually, entrepreneurs can build a strong foundation without overextending their budget. Sharjah continues to prove that you dont need a massive investment to enter one of the worlds most dynamic business markets. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Fact Check: Plundering of Somnath and other Hindu temples Temple destructions in ancient and medieval India were not primarily a religious phenomenon Campaign around Ram Temple, i.e. the demolition of Babri Masjid paid rich electoral dividends to the BJP, and also to its parent RSS. Kashi and Mathura are in the line. A new front has now been opened with Somnath Swabhiman Parv (Somnath Self pride Festival) Speaking on the occasion with full religious regalia, our non-biological Prime Minster stated two things, directly and subtly. One that Somnath Temple stood as the symbol of glory of India, the Muslim kings attacked it repeatedly, but it kept coming back in its greater glory. Mahmood Ghazni demolished it in 1026 and plundered it 17 times. The second point he made was directed against the Congress party, more particularly Jawaharlal Nehru who is the present PMs pet hate persona, as being opposed to its rebuilding. It is doubtful if any place of worship can be the symbol of any nation. The most important part of religion has been its moral values as the Father of the Nation, Gandhi, taught us. As far as Mahmood Ghazni is concerned he did plunder it. His Court historians highlighted that he did it for religious purposes as idol worship is not permitted in Islam. Persian sources Al-Utabi and Al-Baruni, call Somath as treasure house. In this theory, the major loophole is that if idol destruction was his aim, why did he spare so many idols which were on the way from Gazna to Somnath? Mahmood Ghazni might have many motives behind this raid on Somnath. The primary was wealth; it was among the rich temples of India. As per Romila Thapar (History of Ancient India, Penguin) it had wealth equivalent to 20000 golden dinars (Coins). There are no definitive sources to establish that he plundered it 17 times. This is a popular myth. The wealth he plundered was loaded on many elephants and taken to Gazna. Mahmoods army had many Hindu Generals, like Tilak, Sondhi, Harzan and Hind, as per Tarikhe Bayaki. Mahmoods successor Masood sent his army under the leadership of Tilak, one of the generals of his army, to central Asia to plunder wealth from a mosque. Ghazni appointed one of the local Hindu kings as his governor as he left Somnath. He also issued coins with Sanskrit words on that. More so King Anandpal of Thaneshwar helped him by sending elephants and soldiers etc. Temple destructions in ancient and medieval India were not primarily a religious phenomenon. Richard Eaton in his research on temple destructions in preMughal India tells us that in fight between two Hindu kings the victor Hindu King used to demolish the Kuldevata (clan god) idol of defeated king and install his own Kuldevata there. In the fight between Khilji and Abdul Fath Dawood of Multan a masjid was destroyed. Associating religion with the Kings began with the British who introduced communal historiography in India to pursue the policy of divide and rule. Beginning with James Mills book on History of India to Elliot and Dawsons multivolume, History of India as told by her Historians. Religion was the central marker of Kings rule. Modis politics is opening this new divisive front and trying to tie in Nehru also in the narrative. He is projecting as if Nehru was opposed to rebuilding of Somnath. Thats a lie. The matter came up when Gandhi was alive and he categorically stated that state funds should not be used for building of the temple. This is what Supreme Court few years ago opined when Ram Temple was being planned. Gandhi, Nehru and Patel were unanimous on this. In the prayer meeting on 28 November 1947, he stated that Junagadh Government cannot give any state funds for building of the temple. Gandhi asked Sardar Patel whether any funds were being given to the building of Somnath Temple. Patel replied that till I am alive, no such thing will happen and that donations for rebuilding will be collected from the public. Accordingly, a trust was formed with Sardar Patel as Chairman and with K.M. Munshi and Gadgil, as trustees which completed the task of building the temple. The false propaganda does not stop here. Then comes the inauguration of the temple. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was invited to inaugurate the temple. He asked Nehru about it. In a letter to Nehru, Rajendra Prasad on 2nd March 1951 said that he wants to go to inaugurate the temple in his personal capacity. Nehru said if he wants to go, he has no objection. Same thing Nehru stated to C. Rajagopalachari on 11th March 1951. (As per Piyush Babele) Piyush Babele clarifies the whole truth based on evidence. He also takes a dig at the present PM, as to why the then President Ramnath Kovind and Draupadi Murmu were not invited in the events related to Ram Temple. Clearly these two Presidents were not invited for Ram Temple foundation and inauguration as one was a Dalit and another an Adivasi! In a supplementary on History, Ajit Dobhal, who has been holding the high post of National Security Advisor (NSA), on the occasion of inauguration of a youth festival in Delhi gave the advice which is very retrograde. As per him, "our temples were plundered, our villages were ransacked so it is time now to take revenge for this!" Doesn't he aware that revenge is not a part of the modern legal system. It is the stuff from the medieval times. For every crime the guilty should be punished and the innocent should be given protection. So for the alleged crimes he is mentioning the revenge is to be taken against whom? For temple destruction by Muslim and Hindu kings, who should be taken revenge on? There are atrocities of history which he did not mention. The Buddha Vihar were destroyed, Jain temples were smashed, atrocities against Dalits and women were the norm. There was the tradition of Sati, burning women alive on the funeral pyre of her husband. Who should take revenge for all this? History is not a tool to divide the society and perpetuate the injustices of the past. It is there to show us what wrongs have happened in the past which should not happen again. We need to march towards a just society where all live the life of dignity and respect. A society where all of us enjoy equal citizenship rights. [The writer, Ram Puniyani, is former Professor IIT Bombay.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Tragedy of Contemporary Muslim Politics in India The tragedy of contemporary Muslim politics in India lies not in the absence of voices, but in the misalignment between political expression and structural reality The question of whether Asaduddin Owaisi is politically leading Indian Muslims or inadvertently contributing to their further marginalisation requires a historically informed and structurally grounded examination, rather than emotive reactions or personality-centric debates. Post-Partition Context and the Burden of History In the aftermath of Partition, Muslims who remained in India lived with a deep sense of moral and political vulnerability. The demand for Pakistan, spearheaded by the Muslim League, resulted in the creation of West and East Pakistan, but the demographic reality of British India made complete migration neither feasible nor desirable. Millions of Muslims, deeply rooted in Indias hinterlands, remained citizens of India by necessity and conviction. In independent India, Muslims chose constitutional nationalism and largely aligned with the Indian National Congress, not because of ideological uniformity, but due to its accommodative character in a deeply divided polity. Unlike Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Muslims did not receive political reservations. Their representation in Parliament and state legislatures remained contingent, fluctuating across parties and electoral cycles, typically hovering around three to four percent nationally. Congress Decline and the New Political Vacuum For decades, Muslim political presence, limited though, was sustained largely through the Congress system. With the Congress now facing an existential crisis across much of India, a vacuum has emerged. It is within this context that parties such as All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) have expanded their visibility. Yet, it must be acknowledged that the Owaisi familys political ascent itself was historically nurtured under the Congress ecosystem. The present posture of persistent hostility towards the Congress, therefore, appears less as principled critique and more as political ingratitude, particularly when such criticism further fragments opposition politics under conditions of extreme polarisation. Representation without Power: The Structural Constraint The Indian political system operates under the First Past the Post (FPTP) model, which structurally disadvantages fragmented minority assertion. Under such a system, smaller identity-based parties rarely translate vote share into proportional power. Empirically, AIMIM has tended to secure victories only in constituencies where Muslim candidates could win irrespective of party affiliation. This raises a critical concern: such victories may symbolically amplify Muslim assertion but do little to arrest the broader decline in Muslim representation across legislatures. In states like Bihar, Muslim MLAs have sharply declined over successive elections, a trend that fragmentation has arguably accelerated. Muslims today face acute institutional marginalization; disproportionate incarceration rates (approximately 2728 percent against a population share of 1415 percent), negligible presence in higher judiciary, executive services, and decision-making bodies, and increasing vulnerability to extra-legal punitive actions such as demolitions. These realities demand strategic political consolidation, not rhetorical maximalism. Media Spectacle and Communal Polarisation Certain public interventions by AIMIM leadership, such as repeatedly foregrounding the idea of a burqa-clad Muslim woman as Prime Minister; while constitutionally unobjectionable, function politically as symbolic provocations. In a media ecosystem driven by HinduMuslim binaries, such statements offer easy fodder for communal polarisation, the costs of which are disproportionately borne by Muslims. Comparative political experience from culturally comparable Muslim societies is instructive. Leaders such as Benazir Bhutto, Khaleda Zia, and Sheikh Hasina governed without foregrounding religious attire as political symbolism. Their legitimacy stemmed from political organisation and electoral arithmetic, not identity spectacle. Statements by AIMIM leaders endorsing large family norms directly contradict socio-economic data and inadvertently reinforce communal stereotypes, especially in an environment already saturated with demographic anxieties. The Limits of Rhetoric against a Formidable Regime Owaisi is correct in identifying the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a formidable political force and the opposition as structurally weak. A barrister trained in Britain must also acknowledge a central electoral truth; under FPTP, parties like AIMIM or AIUDF are institutionally incapable (impossible) of dislodging the present political dispensation at the national level. Media visibility cannot substitute for political power, nor can moral posturing compensate for numerical arithmetic. The tragedy of contemporary Muslim politics in India lies not in the absence of voices, but in the misalignment between political expression and structural reality. While the Owaisi family has undoubtedly flourished politically, the material, legal, and institutional conditions of ordinary Muslims continue to deteriorate. What is required is not further fragmentation, but a sober rethinking of strategy, diversification of Muslim candidates across secular parties, electoral convergence, and a conscious retreat from symbolic politics that deepen polarisation. In the present context, rhetorical radicalism may offer personal prominence (AIUDF and AIMIM chiefs), but it extracts a collective cost that Indian Muslims can ill afford. [The writer, Dr Amir Hussain, is an Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya. & Academic Counsellor (IGNOU)] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Global Silence Means License to Israeli Annexation of West Bank If the international community continues to keep silent on the issue, a day is not far off before Israel annexes the whole West Bank and other Palestinian settlements, coupled with its plan to commercialise the Gaza front for the benefit of its American supporters Israel unabatedly continues its expansionist policy in the West Bank. The US, United Nations and several Arab states have criticised Israel as it expands powers in the occupied West Bank by allowing Jewish Israelis to buy West Bank land directly, and extending greater Israeli control over areas where the Palestinian Authority exercises power. A White House official has reiterated Donald Trumps opposition towards Israel annexing the West Bank, after Israeli plans were announced that would pave the way for more settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. The measures, announced on Sunday (February 8), included allowing Jewish Israelis to buy West Bank land directly, and extending greater Israeli control over areas where the Palestinian Authority exercises power. It is still unclear when the new rules, approved by Israels security cabinet, would take effect but they do not require further approval. As regional states and others condemned the plan, a White House official on Monday (February 9) said that a stable West Bank keeps Israel secure and is in line with this administrations goal to achieve peace in the region. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric in a statement said that the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is "gravely concerned" about the situation, He said Guterres warned that "the current trajectory on the ground, including this decision, is eroding the prospect for the two-State solution." More than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements and outposts in the West Bank, which are illegal under international law. Around three million Palestinians live there. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas - who heads the Palestinian Authority (PA), governing parts of the West Bank - called the measures "dangerous" and an "open Israeli attempt to legalise settlement expansion, land confiscation and the demolition of Palestinian properties, even in areas under Palestinian sovereignty". He called for the US and UN Security Council to intervene immediately. The Israeli NGO Peace Now said the cabinet's decision risked toppling the PA and involved cancelling agreements and imposing de facto annexation. It accused the Israeli government of "breaking every possible barrier on the path to massive land theft in the West Bank". The UK has said it "strongly condemned" the move and called on Israel to reverse the decision, saying "any unilateral attempt to alter the geographic or demographic make-up of Palestine is wholly unacceptable and would be inconsistent with international law". The foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar described the announcement as "accelerating attempts at its illegal annexation and the displacement of the Palestinian people". Their statement "warned against the continued expansionist Israeli policies and illegal measures pursued by the Israeli government in the occupied West Bank, which fuel violence and conflict in the region". They further said the move meant to entrench Israeli settlement of the West Bank, displacing Palestinians and imposing unlawful Israeli sovereignty there. Annexing the territory has long been a priority of far-right parties in Netanyahu's coalition. Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey all have diplomatic relations with Israel. Saudi Arabia has said it will not establish such relations until the formation of a Palestinian state. The Controversial Decision Sunday's decisions by Israel's security cabinet will make it easier for Jewish settlers to buy land in the West Bank and give Israeli authorities more power to act in areas supposedly under full Palestinian control, two senior Israeli ministers said. One of them, ultranationalist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, said in announcing the decisions that the government would "continue to kill the idea of a Palestinian state." Most nations have long backed the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel as the best way to resolve the generations-old conflict and see the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967, as the largest part of that future state. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and Smotrich issued a joint statement explaining the decisions of the five-member security cabinet, which were not published in full. The security cabinet decided to repeal a law dating from Jordan's control of the West Bank before 1967 to make land registries public rather than confidential, and to remove a requirement for a permit from a civil administration office. HagitOfran from the Israeli settlement watchdog group Peace Now said the decision was barred by international law and represented a step toward annexation of the West Bank. The Yesha Council, a gathering of illegal settlements, celebrated the decision as the most important in 58 years, stating that the Israeli government is now declaring, in practice, that the land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people. What the Move Entails Perhaps the most aggressive shift in the new directives is the authorisation for Israeli forces to conduct enforcement and demolitions in Area A and B zones, which under the Oslo Accords, are supposed to be under Palestinian civil and security control. Area C, which is under total Israeli control, constitutes 60 percent of the West Bank. More than 700,000 illegal Israeli settlers live in Area C and occupied East Jerusalem across more than 250 illegal settlements. To bypass international law, Israel has introduced a new legal mechanism: the Protection of Antiquities and Environment. Israel has erased the distinctions between Areas A, B, and C, Daoud noted, explaining that this policy was financially primed three years ago when the cabinet allocated 120 million shekels ($39m) to protect Jewish heritage sites in the West Bank. The decision also institutionalises a system of municipal apartheid in key Palestinian cities, removing them from PA jurisdiction. Overall, these decisions might sound as continuation of Israels expansionist policies flouting all international norms and rule of law, but they also have long-term religious and political implications. E,g. the Ibrahimi Mosque, a Muslim holy site which was earlier managed by the Palestinian Awqaf is no longer treated as a Muslim site, as its management has been transferred to the Jewish Religious Council in KiryatArba. Israel has effectively Judaised its identity by law, not just by force. In 2010, the Israeli government had already proclaimed the Ibrahimi Mosque located in Hebron as a Jewish Heritage site. If the international community continues to keep silent on the issue, a day is not far off before Israel annexes the whole West Bank and other Palestinian settlements, coupled with its plan to commercialise the Gaza front for the benefit of its American supporters. [The writer, Asad Mirza, is Delhi based Journalist and Author] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Rise of Jamaat-e Islami in Bangladesh and Concerns in India While India, which has historical ties with Bangladesh and its people, will engage with whoever wins the election, a Jamaat win is bound to involve very different calculations for New Delhi [Jamaat e Islami Bangladesh leaders with BNP leader and soon-to-be Prime Minister Tarique Rahman] The much-anticipated election results from Bangladesh are out. The BNP has secured 209 seats, while the Jamaat-e-Islami won 68, as the Election Commission disclosed the unofficial election results for 297 constituencies. But the scale of the win surprised some observers, given expectations of a tighter race and wins by Jamaat-e-Islami. The keenly watched elections in Bangladesh were important, not just for the country but for the region as a whole. At the centre of this was the anticipated performance of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI).The Islamist party had gained prominence after aligning itself with protestors demands during the 2024 uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Her Awami League, which ruled for 15 years, has since been barred from political activities. Jamaat-e-Islami led an alliance into the polls that included the National Citizen Party (NCP), formed by youth activists who were instrumental in toppling Hasina. Though defeated, Jamaat-e-Islami secured its highest-ever tally of 70 seats, positioning itself as what analysts describe as a very robust opposition capable of influencing future parliamentary debate. Yet, despite Jamaat-e-Islami projecting itself as a vehicle for change, voters ultimately placed their trust in the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) a party rooted in Bangladeshs political establishment. The Jamaat-e-Islami, has a very strong organisational structure, which is better than that of the BNP and is just next to that of the erstwhile Awami League. While India, which has historical ties with Bangladesh and its people, will engage with whoever wins the election, a Jamaat win is bound to involve very different calculations for New Delhi. Historically, Jamaat has been seen to be pro-Pakistan, with several of its leaders executed after being tried by the International Crimes Tribunal for 1971 war crimes. The BNP and JI had been alliance partners and ran Bangladesh from 2001 to 2006 with the BNP's Khaleda Zia as the prime minister. Elections held in 2008 under a caretaker government saw the Awami League come to power, and Hasina ruled until she was forced out in 2024. The Jamaat-e-Islami has been rooting for reforms in Bangladesh's electoral processes before general elections were conducted. Perhaps it sensed a shift in voter sentiment, with crucial BNP voters like moderate Islamists, a section of freedom fighter families and the business class moving away from the Khaleda Zia-led party. The Jamaat was barred from elections in 2014 and a full ban on it was imposed by the Hasina regime on August 1, 2024, as it was battling for survival. People not following Bangladesh's politics might have discounted the Jamaat-e-Islami in favour of the BNP. There are reasons to do so. The Jamaat secured just 4.28% of the votes in the 2008 election, the last free and fair poll Bangladesh witnessed. The maximum vote share it saw was 6.03% in 1970. Cause of Concern for India However, there is a new political reality to be considered in Bangladesh. The last phase of the Hasina government, especially after 2021, saw a rise in anti-India sentiments and of pro-Pakistan elements. Moreover, fundamentalists and Islamist extremists have been given a free run in the Yunus-led caretaker set-up. The last BNP-Jamaat government (2001-2006) was a security nightmare for India. Anti-India terrorists and jihadi elements used Bangladeshi soil for anti-India activities. Then home minister Lutfozzaman Babar was arrested by the military-backed caretaker government in 2007, and sentenced to 10 years in jail for possession of illegal firearms. Jamaat-e-Islamis Legacy The Jamaat-e-Islami, which is erroneously described as a Deobandi Islamist party, is not in any manner related to the venerable Darul Uloom, Deoband of India and thus cannot be described as a Deobandi organisation. In fact, Jamaat-e-Islami of Bangladesh owes its origins and philosophical leanings to the Jamaat-e Islami of Pakistan, which was founded by Maulana Abul Ala Maududi. Maulana Abul Ala Maududi (25 September 1903 22 September 1979) was a prominent Islamic scholar, theologian, political philosopher, and activist from British India, later based in Pakistan. He founded the Jamaat-e-Islami, in 1941, which sought to promote an Islamic state governed by Sharia law. Maududi studied Islamic theology at various Islamic institutions in Hyderabad and became deeply engaged with modern philosophy and Western thought, which shaped his critique of modernity. He spent years in prison under various regimes for his political activities and writings, including a death sentence (later commuted) for criticising the Ahmadiyya community. Maududi played a significant role in shaping political Islam in South Asia. He opposed the partition of India but later focused on making Pakistan an Islamic state. His ideals about establishing a true Islamic state, found some resonance among his followers in Pakistan and more so in Bangladesh. While Jamaat-e Islami-Pakistan and Jamaat-e Islami-Bangladesh share a foundational ideology and historical lineage, they differ significantly in their political integration, state relations, and engagement with violence. The JI in Pakistan operates as a mainstream political player within a Muslim-majority state, whereas JI in Bangladesh has been marginalised, banned, and branded a terrorist entity due to its wartime collaboration and alleged links to extremism. Their paths reflect the divergent political and historical journeys of Pakistan and Bangladesh. In contrast, Jamat-e Islami - India, is the largest party of educated Muslims, and does not advocate these ideals. Though it follows and endorses the religious teachings of Maulana Maududi, it does not subscribe to most of his political philosophy. This might be due to the Indian syncretical values and cultural ethos. Thus, it would be prudent not to club the Indian JI with JI of Bangladesh. Impact of JIs Win on India With Jamaat-e Islami, being a major partner of the new government to take over in Bangladesh on February 17, India needs to be cautious of its neighbouring countrys domestic, foreign and defence policies. With its track record of rousing anti-India sentiments in Bangladesh, India would need to counter this threat in a pragmatic manner, by engaging with moderate elements of the ruling BNP and its leader Tarique Rehman, who has given a positive signal to engage proactively with India by inviting PM Modi to his swearing-in ceremony in Dhaka. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic These events at Berlinale 2026 revealed truth is impossible to ignore The debate at Berlinale 2026 ultimately reanimates a familiar philosophical polarity: aesthetic autonomy versus ethical engagement The controversy surrounding the Berlin International Film Festival 2026 has revived one of the oldest aesthetic debates in modern cultural history: is art autonomous, existing for its own sake, or does it bear social and political responsibility? The so-called media storm at the Berlinale has transformed a philosophical question into a debate. The dispute lies the festivals response to the ongoing war and genocide in Gaza. On opening day, what began as a press interaction, evolved into a broader discussion over artistic neutrality and moral accountability. The Spark: We Have to Stay Out of Politics On 12 February, during a press interaction, a journalist asked about Germanys support for Israel and the selective solidarity shown towards Palestinians in Gaza. Ewa Puszczynska responded that the question was a bit unfair. Jury president Wim Wenders went further, stating: We have to stay out of politics because if we make movies that are dedicatedly political, we enter the field of politics. But we are the counterweight of politics, we are the opposite of politics. We have to do the work of people, not the work of politicians. The statement was, though, brief but it echoed the doctrine of aesthetic autonomy, associated with nineteenth-century European thought art for arts sake, which insists that art must remain detached from political instrumentalisation. Historically, this position has served an important function, protected artists from state propaganda, preserved creative freedom, and resisted coercive political agendas. The movement defended most famously by Oscar Wilde, sought to free artistic creation from moral didacticism and political utility. Yet Wenders remark did not calm the debate. It ignited it. Arundhati Roys Refusal The most forceful response came from the Indian novelist and activist Arundhati Roy, who had been invited for the screening of her film In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones. Roy withdrew from the festival , describing the jurys remarks as unconscionable. She was shocked, and disgusted. To hear them say that art should not be political is jaw-dropping. It is a way of shutting down a conversation about a crime against humanity even as it unfolds before us in real time when artists, writers and filmmakers should be doing everything in their power to stop it. Roys withdrawal was not a gesture of personal offence but an ethical declaration. She rejected that artistic silence is neutral. For her, silence during crime against humanity becomes complicity. Her intervention aligns with a long tradition of engaged literature; one that regards the writer as witness and moral agent rather than detached observer. Toni Morrison said it perfectly: All good art is political! There is none that isnt. Roys position stands squarely within that lineage. Art, she suggests, exists within history, within power structures, and within moral reality. Collective Dissent: The Open Letter Roys act of withdrawal was soon followed by collective protest. Eighty-one film workers, including internationally recognised figures such as Tilda Swinton and Javier Bardem, signed an open letter expressing dismay at what they described as the festivals silence on Israels war in Gaza. The signatories urged the Berlinale to state clearly its opposition to what they termed Israels genocide and criticised what they characterised as anti-Palestinian racism. They also denounced Wenders assertion that filmmaking is the opposite of politics, insisting instead that cinema and politics are inseparable. The letter further alleged that, during the previous years festival, filmmakers who spoke out for Palestinian life and liberty had been aggressively reprimanded by senior programmers. One filmmaker was reportedly investigated by police, and festival leadership falsely implied that the filmmakers moving speech rooted in international law and solidarity was discriminatory. The Berlinale has historically taken explicit political stances, expressing solidarity with Ukraine and supporting Iranian artists resisting state repression. The claim of neutrality, critics argue, therefore appears selective. Film festivals are not abstract aesthetic spaces; they are embedded within political economies. They receive public funding, operate within national contexts, and function as symbolic platforms of cultural diplomacy. To declare such institutions politically neutral is to overlook their structural entanglement with power. Cinema itself is not politically inert. It shapes perception, constructs empathy, and frames collective memory. For critics of the festivals stance, the claim that art is the opposite of politics collapses under scrutiny. Art may resist partisan alignment, but it cannot exist outside ideology, history, or moral consequence. Autonomy Versus Engagement The debate at Berlinale 2026 ultimately reanimates a familiar philosophical polarity: aesthetic autonomy versus ethical engagement. The autonomy thesis defends artistic freedom from political coercion. It protects imagination from instrumentalisation. Yet its limitation becomes apparent in moments of acute historical crisis. When violence unfolds in real time, calls for neutrality may appear more like institutional avoidance. Engaged art, by contrast, assumes that artistic production carries moral weight. It asserts that witnessing imposes responsibility. It treats the artist not merely as creator but as participant in history. Roys withdrawal and the collective letter expand this second doctrine. They redefine artistic identity as inseparable from ethical consciousness. They insist that institutions claiming neutrality must apply it consistently or confront the charge of selective silence. Roys refusal and the open letter do not conclude the debate. They renewed it. They insist that art cannot escape history, detach itself from human suffering, and declare moral innocence through silence. Whether one defends autonomy or engagement, one fact remains inescapable: art operates within the world, not outside it. The events at Berlinale 2026 have made that truth is impossible to ignore. [The writer, Azmat Ali, is a New Delhibased writer in English and Urdu who focuses on literature, religion, and politics.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic RSS Chiefs Latest Diatribe Against Muslims, Christians The calls for Ghar Wapasi and films like Kerala Story 1 and 2 are a total violation of the values of the Indian Constitution and Indian ethos Choosing ones religion is a social and legal right of citizens as per the Indian Constitution. Still, the organizations that do their politics under the cover of religion do not accept this. Mohan Bhagwat, the Sarsanghachalak of RSS, keeps stating on one hand that all people living in India are Hindus. On the other hand, he says that Hindu population is declining as many of them are being converted to Islam and Christianity. He further went on to say that Hindu couples should produce three children as declining population of Hindus in the country is worrisome. It is contradictory that on one hand you call everybody Hindu, and on the other, you call for Ghar Wapasi into Hinduism. Many of them emphasise that the DNA structure of all communities in India is similar. As far as population genetics is concerned, it is no indicator of ones religion. Global migrations took place and the similarity of DNA amongst different religions is a fact. Just because DNA studies reveal many similarities, it is no argument for leaving ones religion of inheritance or choice to leave and merge into the majority religious community. Islam in India The argument that Islam in India spread on the strength of sword of kings holds no water as the first Muslim population of India developed in Malabar Coast, Kerala. This was not due to the sword of any king, as there was no Muslim king in Kerala till 15th Century when Tipu Sultan annexed it. The first mosque in India, Cheramaan Juma Mosque, came up in the 7th century. Later while few conversions to Islam might have taken place due to coercion or allurement, the major conversions to Islam took place to escape the tyranny of caste system. It was not kings who converted Hindus but it was under the influence of Humanistic approach of Sufi saints that many converted to Islam. As Swami Vivekanand pointed out Islam came as a liberatory force for the low castes in India. Many victor Muslim kings granted mercy for defeated Hindu kings if they agreed to accept Islam. This is a miniscule number. Furthermore, to say that only the method of worship has changed due to conversion amongst the converts is a travesty of truth. Muslims have their own places of worship, pilgrimage, holy books and identity. The claims of current Hindutva ideologues are at odds with progenitor of Hindu Nationalism, Savarkar, for whom Muslims were a different nation. Christianity in India As far as Christianity is concerned, it entered India in AD 52 with St. Thomas setting up Churches on Malabar Coast. Today their percentage (Population census 2011) is 2.30. Their work in remote Adivasis areas has got them come converts, but the overall number of 2.3% in a period of close to two millennia does not show use of any allurement or force. Surely, some small denominations amongst Christian religion do claim that they want to convert, but the major denominations do not convert unless the person opts voluntarily for this. Shuddhi Movement and Tablighi Jamat As communal politics in India developed, initially it was to convert Muslims to Hinduism by Arya Samaj. Arya Samaj started Shuddhi. At the same time Tablighi Jamat started Tanzim (organization) and Tablighi (propaganda/religious proselytization) movement in North India. Shuddhi regarded that those who converted to Islam have become impure, and hence they need to be brought back and purification rituals need to be performed. Tanzim regarded that some Muslims have forgotten Islamic norms, and hence they need to be taught this. Ghar Wapsi The present Ghar Wapasi campaign was started four decades ago mainly in Adivasi/Dalit areas. This was also done in the slums and aimed to convert Muslims to Hinduism. In Adivasis areas religious rituals, like giving bath in hot springs along with performance of Havans (Hindu rituals) was done, after which they declared that person has become Hindu. One example of this came to light in Vednagar, Agra in 2014. Some 350 Muslim pavement dwellers, who were primarily rag pickers and destitutes were told to come after taking bath. The promise was that they will be given BPL cards and ration cards. When they reached there, they were made to participate in Havan and after that they were declared to be Hindus. This was organized by Bajrang Dal and Hindu Jan Jagruti Samit, both affiliated to RSS. Amongst Muslims and Christians, the poor section is being targeted for this. It is in this direction that many states have introduced Freedom of Religion Acts which ensure that people cant choose their religion. In Many of these acts one needs permission of collectors for the same. Many pastors and priests have been beaten up on the charge of doing conversion work. On the eve of Christmas, many traders selling Christmas on the pavements, were beaten up on charges of doing conversion work. On the pretext of conversion work, the most horrific act was that of burning alive of Pastor Stains with his two minor sons in Keonjhar, Orissa. Bringing to focus Ghar Wapasi is the revival of a divisive game being played by communal organizations and its affiliates. Ghar Wapasi is a forcible conversion through intimidation. Jamaiat Ulama e Hind President, Maulana Madani, strongly condemned this view saying they are Muslims and will remain Muslims. "Love Jihad" On the similar lines, the campaign of love jihad has been going on. In this direction, the trailer of Kerala Story 2, a very communal film for propaganda, presents as if there is an organized attempt to promote Muslim youth to woo Hindu girls for marriage and conversion. In Kerala this was investigated by police and found to be false. The trailer shows all this in a distorted and hateful fashion. The Kerala Story 2 is yet another film made for propaganda purposes and its crudity is despicable. Like the Kerala Story , which came earlier, Kerala Story 2 is also based on imaginary data, far away from reality. Hadiya (Akhila who converted to Islam) case showed how fake is the narrative of allurement of Hindu girls by Muslim youth, as said it is her free choice. This film will be an add-on to the divisive politics of dominating communal organization, taking our country down to a very illiberal society where the basic principles of fraternity are violated to the core. The calls for Ghar Wapasi and films like Kerala Story 1 and 2 are a total violation of the values of the Indian Constitution and Indian ethos of syncretic culture which was the basis of Indias emotional unity. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Permanent Representative Sumith Dassanayake assures Sri Lankas commitment in advancing national unity and reconciliation at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva highlighted Sri Lankas continued journey towards economic, social and political transformation, speaking under the high-level segment of the UN Human Rights Council on 25 February 2026. Referring to the remarks made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath in 2025 at the Human Rights Council, the Permanent Representative reassured Sri Lankas commitment to advancing ethical governance, national unity and reconciliation while opposing external action. Highlighting the Governments priority for reconciliation and national unity, Permanent Representative Sumith Dassanayake briefed the Council on measures taken by Sri Lanka to strengthen the domestic institutions vis-a-vis the Office on Missing Persons, the Office for Reparations, and the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation. Further, the Permanent Representative informed the Council that discussions are underway to formulate a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and public consultations are also ongoing on the initial draft of the Protection of the State from Terrorism (PSTA) Bill which will lead to the eventual repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Reaffirming Sri Lankas readiness to engage with the UN Human Rights Council, the Office of the High Commissioner and the broader international community, in a spirit of partnership and mutual respect, the Permanent Representative reassured Sri Lankas continued commitment in advancing reconciliation and reform through domestic processes. The 61st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council commenced in Geneva on 23 February 2026 and its high-level segment was held from 23-25 February. The full text of the speech is annexed. Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva 25 February 2026 Full Statment Long Thanh International Airport. Photo: Nguyen Hue Airports Corporation of Vietnam has submitted a personnel change notice to the Hanoi Stock Exchange, accompanied by a resolution on the appointment of the legal representative of Airports Corporation of Vietnam - JSC (stock code: ACV). Under the resolution, the Board of Directors agreed to appoint Le Van Khien, a Board member, as the legal representative of ACV until a new decision is issued. The decision took effect on February 25, 2026. Previously, the position of legal representative of ACV was held by Vu The Phiet, Chairman of the Board of Directors. ACV currently manages and operates 22 airports nationwide, including 10 international airports. The corporation is also the investor of Long Thanh International Airport, with a total projected investment of approximately VND336,630 billion (approximately US$13.5 billion). On January 14, ACV announced that the Ministry of Construction had issued a decision assigning the corporation as the investor for phase 2 of the Long Thanh International Airport project. In mid February, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha requested that ACV work immediately with contractors to clarify the reasons behind the reduction in the number of officials and workers at the Long Thanh airport construction site, particularly for critical packages and key components. Tam An Independent education expert Bui Khanh Nguyen stated that current technology enables highly effective remote connections. Email, online meeting software, along with a range of supporting utilities such as translation, note-taking, recording, and AI applications, have helped office work run smoothly even when workers are not present at a fixed workplace. Engineers in Computer Science, Information Technology, and Data Science, for example, can work in teams or on projects remotely, as long as there is an internet connection. This is also the group of industries that allows people to live the life of a "digital nomad" anywhere. the Covid-19 pandemic became a global-scale test, proving that remote or work-from-home arrangements can be effective in the new era, especially when connectivity technologies continue to improve to support work, learning, and global connection needs, Nguyen said. Not limited to technology, many office-based professions can also be done remotely, such as accounting, law, marketing and communications, and journalism. According to Nguyen, only certain jobs that require direct physical contact, such as food services, beauty services, hairdressing, repairs, and medical treatment, truly require a specific physical space. Most other professions are already undergoing, or will undergo, digitalization at varying levels. Nguyen believes that globally mobile professions today are highly diverse, ranging from technology specialists, financial professionals, office staff, marketing specialists, and market development professionals to teachers and online lecturers. The ability to work and connect globally has even become a new standard in the modern labor market. Todays workers are both global citizens and global workers. However, the extent of this globalization depends greatly on each individuals capabilities, Nguyen emphasized. The expert believes that instead of asking which major allows me to work anywhere, young people should focus more on whether that field of study has the ability to adapt and operate globally. There is no single pathway to participating in the global labor market. Workers may work for Vietnamese companies overseas, foreign companies in Vietnam, work abroad, or sign remote contracts with foreign enterprises while continuing to live in Vietnam. However, each country has its own labor market and legal framework, depending on labor laws, policies, and socio-economic characteristics. Therefore, workers need to carefully research in order to choose an option that suits their abilities and personal circumstances, Nguyen said. According to Associate Prof Le Hong Phuong of the Hanoi University of Natural Sciences, current AI tools can assist humans in both specialized and general tasks such as recognition, image and text generation, basic data processing, information search and explanation, automated analysis, programming on demand, and visualizing results through charts and reports. These are tasks that once took humans a great deal of time, but can now be completed in just a few minutes. However, despite producing results very quickly, AI does not have the ability to self-evaluate whether analyzed data are correct, whether a program aligns with its intended purpose, or whether interpretations are accurate. Therefore, users of AI-generated results need a solid foundation in AI and data science in order to evaluate and verify those outcomes. More importantly, humans must retain decision-making authority over the purposes of AI, while also controlling its correctness, usefulness, and non-harmful impact. When users find that AI-generated results are problematic or suboptimal, data science competence becomes the key factor enabling appropriate corrective action. "Without methodical training, humans can easily become completely dependent on AI, even failing to recognize when AI provides biased or incorrect results. Conversely, those with a good foundation in data science can understand the nature of algorithms, adjust and improve models," Phuong emphasized. In the AI era, those who know how to use AI as a type of assistive tool will increase productivity and have an advantage in the job market. "In the past and up to now, workers in many industries needed computer skills, and in the present and future, workers need additional skills to use AI software and tools. Society is shifting from the computerization stage to the intelligentization stage," Phuong said. Given the explosion of AI, Associate Professor Le Hong Phuong believes that Data Science students need comprehensive training. First and foremost is the need for foundational thinking to help verify, explain, and improve AI systems. Meanwhile, knowledge of mathematics, probability and statistics, and computer science still plays a core role. Du Lam Nguyen Duy Hai, 30, is a former student of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities under Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City. He is now both a travel blogger and a digital marketing consultant for a foreign company. Looking at his current life, filled with journeys across the world, few would guess the hardship he once endured. Only education can change fate Duy Hai is a former student of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: NVCC The second of five siblings, Hai grew up in prolonged deprivation. Because of financial hardship, his elder brother and younger brother both had to leave school early. Hai, however, held on to his studies, convinced that only education could change his destiny and open a better future. After graduating from high school, Hai was admitted to the University of Social Sciences and Humanities under Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City. He took part-time jobs to cover his living expenses. Yet each time he returned home and saw creditors coming to demand money from his mother, he could not bear it. Instead of keeping his modest earnings for himself, he sent everything back to support his family. Financial pressure did not push Hai to drop out. On the contrary, he worked even more to send money home regularly and ensure his two younger siblings could continue their education. He juggled multiple jobs at once. Starting as a customer care worker at an electronics supermarket, by his third year he was recruited by a data classification company that required Spanish, aligned with his major. A monthly salary of VND4-5 million, (US$160-200), was already significant for a student at the time, yet Hai still sought additional projects. At certain points, he earned VND9-10 million per month, (US$360-400). He also took on a night job caring for a classmates grandfather, earning about VND2 million (US$80), each month. I was skinny back then, my eyes constantly red from lack of sleep, Hai recalled. The most intense period came in his fourth year, when he balanced part-time work, a heavy class schedule and preparation for his graduation thesis. Throughout that time, however, quitting school never crossed his mind. Grateful for his lecturers compassion Now a travel blogger and digital marketing consultant for a foreign company. Photo: NVCC What Hai remains deeply grateful for is how his university lecturers treated him during those difficult years. In his first year, he struggled just to gather enough money to pay tuition for the second semester. After making the payment, he nervously went to the student affairs office to request permission to defer tuition for the following semesters due to financial hardship. I was trembling and embarrassed, he remembered. What he received in return was gentleness and a nod of approval, without being asked for supporting documents. My lecturer told me to register for courses as usual and that I would receive my diploma once the tuition was fully paid. That reassurance gave me peace of mind to owe tuition for six consecutive semesters, Hai said. Throughout those years, no lecturer mentioned his debt or treated him differently. On graduation day, because he had not completed his financial obligations, Hai assumed his name would not be called on stage. Afraid his parents would feel hurt witnessing that moment, he chose not to tell them about the ceremony. When my name was called, I felt both happy and saddened because my parents were not there, he said. Even now, his mother still cries when recalling that day. For Hai, it was proof that the university had not left any student behind. Shortly after graduation, Hai was offered a position at Google in Malaysia with an attractive salary. As his life gradually stabilized, he returned to the university to settle all outstanding tuition fees and retrieve his original diploma. Still, he carried an unspoken worry that he might be reprimanded for such a long delay. Instead, a lecturers words left him overwhelmed. While reviewing my file, the lecturer asked, Is that all you owe? I innocently replied, No, sir, I owe quite a lot - six semesters. He smiled gently and said, That is quite a lot indeed, before helping me find my original diploma. My only regret is that I never had the chance to ask for his name. But I will always remember the kindness of my lecturers, Hai said. Hai has since had opportunities to travel to many places around the world. Photo: NVCC Today, Hai and his family no longer live in such hardship. He has traveled to many countries, yet as someone who began with nothing and carried heavy burdens, what he is most proud of is that he never considered giving up. I understand how difficult the path toward education can be. But I also believe that learning is the only key that can open better doors for the future, he said. Thuy Nga More than a routine specification upgrade, the Galaxy S26 is positioned as a strategic shift in which AI is embedded from the hardware foundation, operating seamlessly across the operating system and most clearly expressed through Privacy Display - a pioneering active anti-peep technology on mobile devices. Privacy Display: Pioneering active anti-peep protection on mobile In an era where smartphones serve as digital wallets, data vaults and mobile offices, the risk of information exposure in public spaces is real. From cafes and airports to elevators, a single glance can reveal private messages, bank balances or work documents. The Galaxy S26 is the first smartphone to bring Privacy Display to mobile with a fundamentally different approach. Instead of using a darkening screen protector that compromises display quality, Samsung developed a solution that controls individual pixels. The system blurs wide-angle light-emitting pixels and concentrates light directly forward, limiting viewing angles from the four surrounding sides. As a result, content remains sharp for the user looking straight at the screen but becomes difficult to observe for those sitting beside or behind. This is no longer a passive accessory but an active security mechanism integrated at the display hardware level. The breakthrough of Privacy Display lies in its contextual customization. Users can select specific apps such as social media or banking to activate anti-peep mode. The system automatically turns on when the designated app is opened and switches off when changing tasks. When entering a PIN or password, a dedicated protection mode can be triggered. A partial privacy mode also allows sensitive notifications such as account balances or private messages to be hidden without affecting the entire screen. Samsung demonstrates that security is no longer an optional add-on but a new standard of the AI smartphone experience. Galaxy AI Phone integrated: Native, seamless, uninterrupted The message Galaxy AI Phone integrated to set the standard for experience is reflected in how the Galaxy S26 operates artificial intelligence. Rather than existing as isolated applications, Galaxy AI is deeply embedded into the system, functioning seamlessly without additional downloads or subscription fees. Galaxy S26 Ultra is the most premium model in this years Galaxy S26 trio. AI can understand conversation context and suggest replies directly on the keyboard, recommend suitable photo albums when sharing images, remember flight details and remind users of departure times, or warn about expiring vouchers. The Now Bar and Now Brief surfaces display timely, context-aware information, helping users reduce steps and make quicker decisions. All personal data is protected by the Samsung Knox platform and the Knox Vault chip, ensuring encryption and on-device storage. Users retain control over whether AI can access personal context, while financial, health and identity data are not stored in the cloud by default. AI on the Galaxy S26 is therefore not only intelligent but also private and trustworthy, aligned with the definition of an integrated Galaxy AI Phone. Hardware designed for AI: The foundation of stability and trust To enable AI to run directly on-device, the Galaxy S26 is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor built on a 3nm process and customized specifically for Galaxy devices. An upgraded vapor chamber cooling system increases heat dissipation capacity by 28%, maintaining stable performance when handling multiple AI tasks, high-graphics gaming or video editing. Samsung believes AI can only be truly seamless when hardware is powerful enough to process tasks locally without relying on the cloud. The hardware-driven AI philosophy is evident as the chipset, cooling system and display are all engineered to support AI performance. The 10-bit mDNIe display with 1.07 billion color gradations, combined with AI-integrated ProScaler technology, delivers highly realistic visuals. Even when Privacy Display is activated, users viewing head-on still experience sharpness and color accuracy. Setting a new standard for the AI smartphone experience The Galaxy S26 continues to upgrade its camera with impressive night video capabilities, Space Zoom 100x and a Horizontal Lock feature that stabilizes frames while moving. AI Camera Selfie optimizes backlighting, while command-based editing tools enable intuitive content creation. However, the point Samsung emphasizes goes beyond camera or performance alone. The combination of active anti-peep Privacy Display, seamlessly integrated Galaxy AI and a robust hardware foundation forms the new benchmark. With the Galaxy S26, Samsung is not merely introducing another flagship but redefining the AI smartphone. When display security is integrated at the pixel level, when AI operates natively on-device and when users retain full control over personal data, the mobile experience reaches a new standard. Galaxy AI Phone integrated to set the standard for experience is no longer a slogan but a declaration for an era in which artificial intelligence is intelligent, private and trustworthy. Galaxy S26 Ultra priced up to VND52 million in Vietnam Following the global launch event on February 26, Samsung has officially announced pricing for the Galaxy S26 series in the Vietnamese market, starting from VND25.99 million (approximately US$1,020). This year, Samsungs flagship lineup continues with three main versions: Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra. Notably, the highest-end Galaxy S26 Ultra with 1TB of storage is priced at nearly VND52 million (US$2,040), making it one of the most expensive smartphones currently available. In terms of color options, alongside traditional tones such as Classic Black and Classic White, users can also choose Cobalt Purple and Sky Blue. On Samsung.coms online channel, two exclusive colors are available: Rose Gold and Shadow Silver. From February 26 to March 10, customers who pre-order will receive what Samsung describes as its largest promotional package of the year. Most notable is the double storage program, with a trade-in value of up to VND6 million (approximately US$235). For example, customers ordering the 256GB version can be upgraded to the 512GB model at no additional cost. In addition, Samsung is offering zero percent interest installment plans for up to 18 months and discounts of 10 to 30 percent when purchasing ecosystem devices such as the new Galaxy Watch or Buds4 alongside the phone. Despite its premium price, the Galaxy S26 Ultra impresses with what Samsung describes as the thinnest and lightest design in the history of the Ultra line. The device is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, with NPU performance increased by 39 percent to handle AI tasks. Notably, it is the worlds first smartphone equipped with Privacy Display technology, enabling active anti-spy protection at the pixel level to safeguard user privacy in public spaces. According to plan, the Galaxy S26 series will begin reaching Vietnamese customers from March 6. Galaxy S26 Ultra in real photos after global debut Galaxy S26 Ultra features a 6.9-inch QHD+ display (3120x1440) with a 120Hz refresh rate. The device is equipped with a 12MP front-facing camera with an f2.2 aperture. On the back is a quad-camera system, including a 50MP ultra-wide camera (f1.9), a 200MP wide camera (f1.4, 2x optical zoom), a 50MP telephoto camera (5x optical zoom, 10x optical-quality zoom, f2.9), and a second telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom (f2.4). Left side. Top edge. Bottom edge with USB Type-C charging port, SIM tray, speaker, microphone and S Pen slot. The device comes bundled with an S Pen. The exclusive active anti-spy feature, Privacy Display, on the S26 Ultra can be applied to individual applications or across the entire screen. Active anti-spy technology enabled across the full display. The creative space on the S26 Ultra allows users to transform ideas into images. Starting from a sketch, a photo or a text prompt, users can quickly generate completed visuals using AI. The AI-powered circle-to-search feature enables precise searches for exactly what users need, recognizing and searching for multiple objects at once. The Audio Eraser feature reduces background noise and enhances voice clarity without leaving the current app. It is supported on third-party applications such as YouTube, Netflix and Instagram. Color options of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. The device supports 60W fast charging and houses a 5,000mAh battery. Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus and Galaxy S26 Ultra. Photos: Anh Tu Du Lam - Le My A reverse decision and a ticket to Asias top university Vu Hai Anh is an alumnus of the School of Economics, Hanoi University of Science and Technology. Photo: NVCC Vu Hai Anh is an alumnus of the Logistics and Supply Chain Management program at the School of Economics, Hanoi University of Science and Technology. Born in 2000, he is currently a faculty-track lecturer under the universitys talent development scheme. His journey to becoming a young lecturer at one of Vietnams leading technical universities came with a sense of destiny. At first, I was simply a student with a strong passion for research. I never imagined myself standing at the lectern. My view has always been simple - whatever I do, I commit to it fully and strive to do it as well as possible, Hai Anh shared. The turning point came when he met Associate Professor Nguyen Thi Xuan Hoa. Beyond inspiring his research passion, she helped him build a clear development roadmap. Through in-depth topics and rigorous academic discussions, Hai Anh gradually realized that teaching and research were where he could maximize his potential. After graduating in 2022, despite receiving an offer from a large enterprise with an attractive salary, Hai Anh declined in order to pursue a masters degree and continue his research path. During his masters studies at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, he participated in university- and ministerial-level research projects. He completed one university-level research project and published six international papers. He also spent six months on academic exchange in Germany, experiencing an international research environment and gaining exposure to advanced thinking. At the beginning of 2024, when Hanoi University of Science and Technology announced its first recruitment of faculty-track lecturers, Hai Anh decided to apply. Choosing to become a faculty-track lecturer means accepting a longer roadmap that requires more patience and discipline than entering the workforce immediately. But up to now, I have never regretted this decision, he said. Going abroad to return Hai Anh is currently a faculty-track lecturer at Hanoi University of Science and Technology. Photo: NVCC One crucial decision supporting Hai Anhs academic journey was to continue with a doctoral program. With a well-prepared research profile, he was admitted to a PhD program and awarded a full scholarship at the National University of Singapore. The results I achieved during my masters studies were the most important evidence demonstrating my research capability when applying to a top university like NUS, he shared. Nevertheless, his initial period in Singapore was far from easy. The fast-paced and demanding work style, with everything operating under consecutive deadlines, left him spending many sleepless nights. The change in environment, culture and daily life also caused him to lose 5kg in a short time. Yet Hai Anh believes that this rigorous environment has compelled each doctoral candidate to maintain iron discipline, meticulousness and an absolute spirit of learning in every smallest detail. His research experience in Singapore has also fundamentally changed his perspective on knowledge transmission. I hope to apply two core values when I return to Vietnam: problem-based teaching rooted in real-life issues, interdisciplinary research thinking and digital skills, he said. Instead of delivering pure theory, he wants students to approach knowledge through solving real problems occurring in society, helping them see the practical meaning of what they learn. At the same time, students need to step beyond the comfort zone of narrow specializations, learn to connect with other fields, and master technological tools, artificial intelligence and advanced software. As a Gen Z lecturer, Hai Anh considers his advantage to be being on the same wavelength as students. The small age gap allows him to better understand their concerns and psychological barriers. Although he is often mistaken for a student, he views it as a privilege that helps erase the invisible distance between teacher and learner. Still, he candidly acknowledges that his biggest challenge lies in practical experience and handling complex pedagogical situations - areas that require time to accumulate and refine. In the coming years, Hai Anh prioritizes completing his doctoral program with high-quality research outcomes, while building networks connecting leading international labs and experts with Hanoi University of Science and Technology. Immediately after finishing the program, I will return to the university to contribute full-time. I want to help build a dynamic, internationally integrated academic environment so that HUST students can confidently step out into the world, he affirmed. Thuy Nga On the afternoon of February 25, Trinh Hoang Tung, Chairman of the Peoples Committee of Hoan Kiem ward in Hanoi, said the ward authorities had directed Hoan Kiem ward police to urgently investigate a complaint from a female American tourist who reported being taken on a detour and charged an excessive fare on February 24. Following verification, authorities identified the driver as Pham Van Lich, born in 1964 and residing in Nghia Do ward, Hanoi. Working with Hoan Kiem ward police, Lich admitted that he had picked up the tourist, deliberately taken her to locations outside the agreed route and charged VND1 million (US$41) for the trip. Hoan Kiem ward police return the refunded money to the female tourist. Photo: Peoples Committee of Hoan Kiem ward Lich committed not to repeat the violation, refunded the money and apologized to the tourist. Authorities are completing procedures to impose an administrative penalty in accordance with regulations. On the same day, the American tourist, Clarissa, received the returned VND1 million (US$41). However, she paid Lich VND200,000 (US$8) for the ride and accepted VND800,000 (US$33) as reimbursement. Clarissa expressed her appreciation for the prompt support from the police and hoped authorities would continue raising awareness to prevent similar incidents. She is scheduled to return to the US on the evening of February 25 as originally planned. Earlier, a social media account identified as N.T.D. posted that a friend of his, a US national, had been charged VND1 million (US$41) by a motorbike taxi driver for a roughly 7km journey from the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology on Nguyen Van Huyen Street in Quan Hoa ward to a restaurant on Trang Tien Street in Hoan Kiem ward. Hanoi has previously recorded similar cases involving allegations of overcharging foreign visitors. In September 2025, tourist P.D., an Australian national, and his family hired two men to take them on a cyclo tour around Hanois Old Quarter. At the end of the trip, the two drivers collected VND1.2 million (US$49). After receiving the information, Hoan Kiem ward police summoned the drivers. At the station, they admitted wrongdoing and refunded the full amount to the tourists. Authorities issued reports and required written commitments not to repeat the behavior. Image provided by the French tourist to report the incident to authorities. In May 2024, two French tourists reported that a taxi driver charged them VND500,000 (US$20) for a trip from Tran Nhat Duat Street to Cho Gao Street. When the passengers accidentally left their passports in the vehicle, the driver returned them and demanded an additional VND500,000 (US$20). The incident was later shared on social media and drew significant public attention. The driver was summoned and handled in accordance with regulations. While authorities have responded promptly to these cases, the incidents continue to underscore the need for stricter management of passenger transport services to ensure Hanoi maintains its image as a safe and welcoming destination for international visitors. Linh Trang Nestled at the foot of Lung Cu flag tower in Tuyen Quang, beyond the well known Lo Lo Chai village lies another poetic hamlet that preserves the distinctive cultural identity of the Mong people - Then Pa village. The small, peaceful village beneath Lung Cu flag tower. Photo: Lang Then Pa - Then Pa Village Separated by only a few hundred meters, the two villages share similar architecture of earthen walled houses, yin and yang tiled roofs and stone fences. Yet Then Pa carries a quieter, more tranquil atmosphere. In the local language, Then Pa means large field, describing the flat valley terrain where the village sits. It is home to 12 households, all belonging to the Vang clan. This close knit family structure has helped Then Pa retain its original way of life. Then Pa is considered an ideal retreat for travelers seeking escape from the pressures of daily life. Visitors can wake early to watch mist blanket the village and embrace Dragon Eye Lake, creating a dreamy, ethereal landscape. Each season brings its own charm. In spring, pink peach blossoms and pure white pear flowers bloom across gates, pathways and hillsides. Summer arrives with lush green cornfields and the clear waters of Dragon Eye Lake. In autumn, golden terraced rice fields stretch into view from the village. The villages beauty captivates visitors. Photo: Do Do Studio Nguyen Hoang Nga, a traveler from Hanoi, has visited Then Pa twice. For her, it is a perfect place for healing. Nga first arrived in June 2025 as a volunteer. She had planned to stay for one week, but the villages serenity, unique culture and welcoming residents persuaded her to remain for 20 days. During her stay, she experienced a variety of tasks - bathing horses, creating beeswax patterns on fabric, managing social media communications for the village and teaching local children. She also learned horseback riding and eventually rode confidently to survey nearby tourism routes like a local. From someone dealing with prolonged stress and fatigue, I felt recharged when I came here. I lived with villagers in a centuries old earthen house, eating and working as a member of the family, Nga shared. Hoang Nga cherishes the villages peaceful scenery and culture. Photo: NVCC Outside of teaching and work, Nga spent much of her time playing with the children. On the day I left for Hanoi, the kids crowded under the eaves waiting for my car, reluctant to say goodbye. One little boy cried for a long time, asking when I would return. Those small but warm moments stay with me, she recalled. She recently returned once more to savor the villages rustic tranquility. Simple yet delicious meals in the village. Photo: NVCC Each earthen house accommodates only five to eight guests to ensure quality experiences. Photo: Nguyen Sy Duc In the past, Then Pa residents relied solely on farming and livestock. While nearby Lo Lo Chai developed into a well known tourist destination, Then Pa remained a poor and little known hamlet. About five years ago, the village began embracing tourism. Currently, six households operate homestays, while others supply food and experiential services for visitors. Vu Gia Dai, originally from Hung Yen, pioneered community based tourism in Then Pa. He patiently persuaded each household to participate. Cowsheds were dismantled, earthen houses renovated to welcome guests while preserving traditional architecture and adding minimal modern amenities. Today, the village can host around 100 overnight visitors. Residents renovate traditional earthen houses to combine living spaces with homestays. Photo: Nguyen Sy Duc Then Pa continues to preserve and promote Mong cultural values through tourism development. Photo: Lang Then Pa - Then Pa Village Beyond sightseeing and photo opportunities, travelers can join activities such as beeswax painting on linen, indigo dyeing, making corn cakes and men men, horseback riding through the surrounding hills, or tasting corn wine fermented with forest leaves, thang co and black chicken hotpot. According to Nga, there is one strict rule visitors must follow when staying with families in Then Pa: men and women sleep separately, even if they are married. Unrelated men and women sharing a room is considered disrespectful and a violation of the homes sanctity, she explained. Nga also noted that some villagers do not speak Vietnamese fluently, making communication a little challenging. Yet they are honest, sincere and warmly hospitable. Linh Trang In 2026, Ho Chi Minh City will focus on cleansing, standardizing and effectively leveraging data to operate a truly smart city. Public services will shift from processing applications to serving needs. The citys digital transformation journey has entered a phase where technology is no longer an abstract concept but is present in every touch on the Citizen App, in every Digital Literacy for All class and in the ambitious Digital Twin model. In conversations at the beginning of the Lunar New Year 2026, Vo Thi Trung Trinh, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Digital Transformation Center (HCMC-DXCenter), outlined a comprehensive picture of a smart Ho Chi Minh City where data is truly an asset and public trust is the highest measure of technological efforts. Digital skills as a fundamental right of every citizen Vo Thi Trung Trinh, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Digital Transformation Center (HCMC-DXCenter). Photo: CS According to Vo Thi Trung Trinh, the rollout of the Ho Chi Minh City Citizen App demonstrates the citys determination to build a unified digital platform connecting citizens with the government. The app is designed to serve as a super app, integrating digital services across multiple sectors with just one touch. After one year of operation, she emphasized that the most significant values are transparency and personalization. Data is securely protected, and the processing status of applications is updated in real time, allowing citizens to monitor progress and results. The app integrates electronic health records, student information, timetables, academic results, planning data and land information. Notably, its feedback and emergency reporting features create a two-way interaction channel. Authorities receive and respond based on real data. Citizens can also evaluate the quality of public services directly on the app, forming a basis for improving service standards and strengthening trust in government. To date, the app has reached more than 600,000 downloads and over six million interactions. In 2025, HCMC-DXCenter launched the Digital Literacy for All movement. Vo Thi Trung Trinh said the initiative was inspired by the 1945 literacy campaign initiated by President Ho Chi Minh to eradicate illiteracy and raise public awareness. The new movement carries the mission of universalizing digital skills, enabling all citizens to access, use and master technology effectively. She noted that the movement has gradually entered daily life, delivering tangible results. It not only enhances digital capacity for different groups but also contributes to building digital habits and culture within communities. The Digital Literacy for All learning section on the Citizen App continuously shares materials and instructional videos, gradually forming a digital learning repository for regular study. HCMC-DXCenter has coordinated with grassroots authorities to support elderly citizens and vulnerable groups with basic skills such as using smartphones and preventing online fraud. We define digital skills as a fundamental right of every citizen, she affirmed. The goal is not merely to know how to use an application, but to help people feel confident, proactive and capable of protecting themselves in cyberspace. The past year also marked a turning point as Ho Chi Minh City piloted the Digital Twin model. Vo Thi Trung Trinh highlighted that one of the centers major priorities has been expanding this model from its pilot phase in Con Dao Special Zone to the entire city. In the digital environment, technical infrastructure, traffic systems, environmental conditions and power grids are synchronously simulated, enabling forecasts of congestion hotspots, flood risks and operational incidents based on real-time data. In 2026, HCMC-DXCenter will continue piloting the model in Sai Gon ward, Binh Duong and Con Dao Special Zone, with comprehensive implementation in Con Dao. At the same time, the city is completing its Smart Urban Operations Center, applying AI, machine learning and chatbots to support decision-making, integrate multi-sector data and provide a real-time overall picture. Through centralized data exploitation, she described the center as the digital brain of the city, capable of forecasting risks, issuing early warnings, proposing response scenarios and delivering timely information to authorities. This is a crucial step toward realizing the goals of building a smart city, digital government, digital economy and digital society, with citizens at the center. Governance driven by data The Ho Chi Minh City Citizen App has recorded more than 600,000 downloads and over six million interactions. Photo: CDS Beyond technology deployment, 2025 also marked a strong shift in governance thinking. According to Vo Thi Trung Trinh, the city has transitioned from a traditional administrative approach to one based on real-time data management. This principle has helped remove geographic barriers, shorten processing times, reduce costs and improve the efficiency of human resource management. The city has successfully configured 2,066 administrative procedures without geographic restrictions, including 1,780 at the provincial level and 302 at the commune level. Accounts have been established for all 38 area task forces and 168 commune-level units. Particularly at the commune level, the tier closest to citizens, more than 84 percent of applications are now processed online, demonstrating the strong spread of digital transformation across all levels of government. Administrative operations no longer depend on paper reports. Leadership decisions and directives are issued swiftly and promptly based on dashboards updated by the minute. Ensuring full technical conditions for digital authentication and digital signatures for each official and unit has become a vital foundation, paving the way for end-to-end online administrative procedures and accelerating the transition from paper-based administration to electronic governance that is transparent and efficient. She stressed that the center has closely followed practical requirements and implemented solutions in a timely manner, ensuring no disruption even amid changes in organizational models and administrative boundaries. This, she said, affirms the adaptability and resilience of the new governance system. Looking ahead, residents and businesses in Ho Chi Minh City can expect smarter public services thanks to data exploitation and the integration of AI virtual assistants. In 2026, the city will focus on cleansing, standardizing and effectively using data to operate a truly smart urban system. Public services will shift from processing applications to serving needs. Citizens will not have to re-declare information that has already been authenticated. AI virtual assistants can guide procedures, check documents, send reminders and flag errors. Some procedures will be fully automated, reducing direct contact and waiting times. Businesses will have access to open data on planning, land and traffic, helping reduce risks and accelerate investment. Procedures for business registration, licensing and procurement will be handled more transparently and faster thanks to interoperable data. Persistent urban problems will also benefit from data-driven warnings and solution proposals. The Smart Urban Operations Center, combined with AI analysis of urban management and construction planning data, will provide a comprehensive picture with full analytical information, becoming a powerful tool to tackle complex challenges. Specifically for traffic congestion, AI will analyze camera data, bus GPS and traffic volume to coordinate traffic signals in real time and forecast congestion points 30 to 60 minutes in advance so that authorities can regulate early. The app will also allow citizens to receive optimal route suggestions depending on the time. For flooding, AI models will forecast rainfall, tides and water flow to proactively operate pumping systems, culverts and discharge gates. Early warnings will be issued to residents in high-risk areas. Integrated data will help the city prioritize investment at critical bottlenecks. For environmental pollution, air, noise and wastewater sensors will be connected into a unified monitoring system. AI will detect abnormalities and quickly trace pollution sources. Data will be made public so that residents and businesses can jointly monitor. Ho Chi Minh City continues to pursue a data-driven decision-making model. City leaders can monitor socio-economic indicators in real time to make fast, accurate and evidence-based decisions. This marks the shift from traditional management to smart governance. Toward 2030, the city aims to operate its data exchange platform in sync with the Smart Urban Operations Center, enhancing governance capacity based on real-time data. The digital economy is expected to account for 30 to 40 percent of the citys GRDP. More than an economic target, this reflects the citys commitment to a modern and sustainable metropolis, where technology and data are not merely management tools but a foundation that directly serves citizens, creating a smart, safe and humane living environment. Quoc Ngoc The anti-spy screen technology on Samsungs Galaxy S26 Ultra is being hailed by international media as a hardware breakthrough that Apple should learn from immediately. The anti-spy screen technology on Samsungs Galaxy S26 Ultra. Photo by Anh Tu Security features and display innovations on the Galaxy S26 Ultra are drawing significant attention from the global tech industry and press. In particular, the Privacy Display technology, which protects personal data by controlling viewing angles directly at the hardware level without the need for an external screen protector, has received positive assessments. According to experts and foreign media on February 26, the technology on the Galaxy S26 Ultra has set a new milestone in smartphone security. The feature works by restricting side viewing angles through direct control of light diffusion from individual pixels at the hardware level. Integrated with high precision from the design stage and combined with software optimization, it effectively prevents screen exposure in public spaces without compromising the users viewing experience. Charles Uptegrove, product director, said Samsung spent five years developing the technology. The feature can also help extend battery life, as turning off certain pixels requires less power. The US financial newspaper The Wall Street Journal described the innovation as a hardware victory and stressed that Apple should copy Samsungs new screen security technology as soon as possible. The newspaper urged Apple to adopt it quickly, noting that anti-spy features are becoming essential tools for protecting modern users. Media reviews have been similarly positive. PCMag editor-in-chief Eric Zeman praised the device after hands-on experience at the launch event: I was impressed by the level of hardware refinement equipped on the Ultra model. Mashable highlighted its practicality in public settings: Hardware-based viewing angle control without the need for a privacy screen protector is truly remarkable. International media predict that Samsungs security technology could become an industry standard in the future. Samsungs anti-spy display is innovative enough that even Apple has to pay attention, commented Phone Arena. There is a strong possibility that similar technologies will be applied to future Apple products such as the iPhone and MacBook. UK tech site T3 forecast that this could be the most coveted smartphone feature of 2026, while citing past rumors that Apple had considered bringing related technology to the MacBook and expressing expectations that it may eventually integrate it into the iPhone. Previously, Samsung Electronics held the Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event in San Francisco, the US, on February 25 local time to unveil its third-generation AI smartphone lineup, including the Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra. Everything about Galaxy S26 Ultras anti-peep display In the early hours of February 26, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S26 trio - Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra - with the Ultra once again positioned as the most premium model. According to the Korean electronics giant, Galaxy S26 Ultra is the worlds first smartphone to feature a built-in Privacy Display. The Privacy Display technology on Galaxy S26 Ultra works by controlling the direction of light emitted from individual pixels, ensuring content appears sharp when viewed head-on and gradually blurs when seen from either side. Unlike traditional privacy screen protectors, this system maintains original display quality, brightness and color accuracy for the primary user. The feature functions in both portrait and landscape orientations and can be disabled to restore the standard wide viewing angle mode. In operation, users can configure the screen to automatically activate its privacy layer when performing sensitive tasks such as entering passwords, PIN codes or opening banking applications. Samsung provides two main options: Partial Screen Privacy, which shields notifications appearing on the display, and Maximum Privacy Protection, which maximizes content concealment from surrounding viewers. The company states that deep hardware integration enables stable performance without significantly affecting battery life. Why is the anti-peep screen exclusive to Galaxy S26 Ultra? As noted, Privacy Display is a hardware-level feature rather than one that can be added via a software update. It operates through the Flex Magic Pixel OLED panel integrated into the S26 Ultra. Since this specific display technology is not present on other S26 versions or previously released Galaxy smartphones, the feature is limited to the top-tier model in the S26 lineup. Although it remains unclear whether Samsung will expand the anti-peep feature to future flagship devices, other brands have recognized its practicality and are reportedly researching similar technologies for their own products. For example, Apple is rumored to adopt comparable technology on MacBook models expected to launch in 2029. A well-known leak source, Digital Chat Station, recently revealed that several high-end Chinese smartphones scheduled for release in September this year will also feature capabilities similar to Privacy Display. In Vietnam, Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at VND36.99 million (approximately US$1,500) for the 256GB version and goes up to VND51.99 million (US$2,100) for the 1TB model. The device features a 6.9-inch display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and a 200MP camera system. Pre-orders begin on February 26, with deliveries expected from March 6. Du Lam - Hai Phong The information has quickly stirred discussion among car users in Vietnam. It signals a new direction for the automotive industry, marking a shift from assembling and distributing foreign vehicles to building a homegrown passenger car brand. Specifically, in Message No. 21 for 2026, Tran Ba Duong stated that based on the experience and success of Thaco-branded buses and trucks, Thaco Auto will introduce and sell Thaco-branded minibuses in June 2026, and Thaco-branded passenger cars in 2027. He emphasized a focus on product development tailored to specific customer requirements and personalization, while boosting export sales and expanding spare parts services. Under the newly announced orientation, Thaco Auto will also continue to expand its retail network, including multi-brand passenger car showrooms and systems for light trucks and mass-market passenger vehicles at commune and ward levels. Currently, Thaco Auto is one of Vietnams largest automotive enterprises, operating a production and assembly complex in Chu Lai, Quang Nam. The company assembles and distributes international brands such as Kia, Mazda and Peugeot; it also assembles and distributes BMW and distributes MINI in the premium segment. In the commercial vehicle segment, Thaco develops trucks, buses and specialized vehicles under the Thaco brand, with localization rates reaching up to 70 percent. According to sales data from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA), brands assembled and distributed by Thaco have at times accounted for around 30 to 35 percent of the domestic passenger car market, depending on the year. However, all of these products carry foreign brand names. For 2026, Thaco Auto targets sales of more than 96,600 vehicles, revenue of VND65,500 billion, export revenue exceeding US$30.5 million, a workforce of about 13,000 and investment spending of more than VND1,000 billion. In 2027, projected revenue is expected to reach VND72,000 billion, aligned with the companys entry into the self-branded passenger car segment. At present, Vietnam has only one enterprise developing passenger cars under a Vietnamese brand - VinFast, established in 2019 and focused on an electric vehicle strategy. For the past three decades, Vietnams auto market has largely been dominated by foreign brands such as Toyota, Honda, Ford and Mercedes-Benz. More than ten automobile manufacturers operating in Vietnam follow assembly and distribution models for overseas brands, with supply chain decisions and product strategies controlled by parent companies abroad. Other mass-market and luxury passenger vehicles are fully imported. Thacos announcement of a roadmap to develop its own passenger car brand is therefore seen as a notable move. At the same time, it raises significant challenges related to research and development capability and competitiveness once the products officially enter the market. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is drafting and finalizing a strategy for the development of the automotive industry to 2030, with a vision to 2045. According to the latest draft, a key objective is to develop domestic vehicles, raise the domestic consumption rate to 80-85 percent and gradually master the supply chain and automotive industry. Pham Huyen In the days leading up to the main ceremony, he revisits every ritual step and practices handling the buffalo to ensure the furrows are straight and steady, in keeping with the solemn spirit of the festival. According to An, the person chosen to portray King Le Dai Hanh must be reputable, come from a cultured family, carry himself with dignified bearing and know how to plough a field. For him, putting on the royal robe at the start of each spring is a way to devote his heart to preserving the cherished traditions of his homeland. When I was first entrusted with the role, I felt both nervous and anxious. In the early days, I practiced each movement on my own so that my gait would be unhurried, befitting a monarch. The bowing rituals had to be precise. The hardest part was maintaining the right demeanor. Once in the field, the furrows must be straight and even, An shared. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the organizational structure of local governments at all levels has been synchronously consolidated, ensuring stable operations and meeting the requirements of the two-tier local government model. The review and consolidation of personnel for commune-level military command boards have been implemented in a serious and urgent manner. As of February 13, 2026, localities had completed the review, arrangement, transfer and appointment of thousands of officers and professional soldiers to strengthen military command boards at the commune, ward and special zone levels. Many localities have also carried out large-scale transfers, secondments and receptions of officials and civil servants to the commune level, helping address manpower shortages at the grassroots level, including Hanoi, Can Tho, An Giang, Lam Dong and Dong Nai. To date, 3,193 commune-level Public Administrative Service Centers in 33 of 34 localities, along with a single-tier Public Administrative Service Center in Hanoi, have begun operating effectively. These centers are gradually standardizing procedures, promoting digital technology application, shortening administrative processing times and improving service quality for citizens and businesses, thereby affirming the role of grassroots authorities in service delivery, partnership and development facilitation. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, as of February 13, 2026, all 34 provinces and cities had developed plans to consolidate the functions and tasks of provincial-level Agricultural Extension Centers, with 23 localities having issued decisions to establish or restructure these units. At the same time, 25 of 34 provinces and cities have issued decisions to establish commune-level Public Service Centers; 21 localities have assigned commune-level agricultural extension officers; and 14 provinces and cities have promulgated coordination regulations for agricultural extension activities. Strengthening the agricultural extension system is seen as an important step to ensure consistency from provincial to grassroots levels, improve the effectiveness of technology transfer and support production and sustainable agricultural development. In February, localities are focusing intensively on training and professional development for commune-level officials and civil servants in organizing elections. This is the first election to be held under the operation of the two-tier local government model, requiring high standards of synchronization, accuracy and legal compliance. Refining decentralization mechanisms, accelerating digital transformation In the coming period, ministries and sectors will continue to strictly implement the conclusions of the Politburo and the Secretariat regarding the two-tier local government model, while reviewing the entire system of legal normative documents by sector to promptly amend and supplement provisions, addressing overlaps and inconsistencies. Priority areas include finance and budget; land and planning; administrative reform and digital transformation; science and technology; organizational structure, personnel and policy regimes; and education and training. The Ministry of Home Affairs also emphasized the need to modernize digital infrastructure, enhance the capacity of commune-level officials and reorganize personnel in line with new task requirements. Ministries and ministerial-level agencies will coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Science and Technology to build and operate a centralized information system for handling administrative procedures, striving for completion before March 2026. At the same time, they must ensure technical support and seamless online public service provision; accelerate digital transformation and data connectivity between central and local levels; address errors in specialized systems; and complete data sharing for decentralized procedures. The Ministry of Home Affairs will study and propose amendments to regulations on labor and employment in accordance with the Law on Organization of Local Government, and review standards for leadership and management titles under Decree 334/2025 to ensure consistency with Party regulations and promptly resolve emerging issues. Vu Diep Ahead of God of Wealth Day, the capital of grilled snakehead fish on Tan Ky Tan Quy Street in Tan Son Nhi Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, blazes day and night, thick with smoke as vendors rush to prepare orders for customers. On the night of February 25, the 9th day of the first lunar month, shops along Tan Ky Tan Quy kept their charcoal fires glowing, smoke rising into the air as workers tended row upon row of fish. It takes around 30 to 40 minutes to produce a batch of fragrant, properly grilled snakehead fish. Prices on God of Wealth Day remain unchanged from regular days, ranging from VND180,000 to VND220,000 per fish (US$7 - US$8.80), depending on size. As they grill, workers constantly turn the fish and gently tap them to remove scales and charred skin, preserving the golden flesh inside and preventing any bitter taste. Using a bamboo stick or wooden rod, they lightly strike the body so that scales and ash fall away easily, making it quicker to scrape off the burnt outer layer after grilling. Each fish is stuffed with a stick of sugarcane through its mouth to keep the body straight, preventing it from curling or cracking under heat. The sugarcane also helps the fish cook evenly, makes turning easier and adds a subtle fragrance. Le Duc Duong, 59, who has run a grilled snakehead shop for 14 years, said he imported around 1,000 to 2,000 fish for this years God of Wealth Day, less than half of last years volume. To serve customers in time, he and his staff began preparing and cleaning the fish a day in advance to ensure quick sales and avoid long waits. From the sheets of foil used to wrap each fish and retain heat on the journey home, to the bags of rice vermicelli, fresh herbs and fermented fish sauce served alongside, everything is prepared in advance, ready for customers. Ngoc Trinh, who lives in Tan Binh Ward, said she returns to this street every year, always to the same familiar stall. This year, she came early to avoid the main days crowds and to comfortably choose the fish she preferred. Shop assistants worked through the night to ensure enough grilled fish would be ready for customers early on the morning of February 26. Thousands of grilled snakehead fish were lined up, ready for sale on God of Wealth Day. Grilled snakehead fish is widely chosen by southern households as a ritual offering, symbolizing perseverance and upward striving in business. Roasted whole, the fish represents completeness and abundance. From a rustic riverland dish, it has gradually become a familiar custom each God of Wealth Day. On the night of February 25, charcoal fires blaze along Tan Ky Tan Quy Street. Photo: Tuan Hung Each batch of grilled snakehead fish takes about 30 to 40 minutes to complete. Photo: Tuan Hung Workers gently tap the fish to remove scales and char after grilling. Photo: Tuan Hung Sugarcane is inserted to keep the fish straight and enhance fragrance. Photo: Tuan Hung Le Duc Duong prepares 1,000 to 2,000 fish for the occasion. Photo: Tuan Hung Foil wrapped fish, vermicelli, herbs and fermented fish sauce are readied for customers. Photo: Tuan Hung Customers arrive early to avoid crowds and select their fish. Photo: Tuan Hung Staff work overnight to prepare enough fish for the morning rush. Photo: Tuan Hung Thousands of grilled snakehead fish are ready for sale. Photo: Tuan Hung Tuan Hung Military working dogs perform at the Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024. Photo by Thach Thao The Ministry of National Defence this morning convened a conference to prepare for the third Vietnam International Defence Expo. Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang, Deputy Minister of National Defence, chaired the meeting. Reporting at the conference, Major General Phan Thi Hoai Van, Deputy Director of the General Department of Defence Industry, noted that the Vietnam International Defence Expo has been held twice, each edition expanding in scale and improving in quality. The 2022 and 2024 exhibitions were organised in a comprehensive format, featuring indoor displays of products and models combined with real equipment showcased outdoors, along with demonstrations of weapons and technical equipment. Weapons and technical equipment displayed by defence industry enterprises covered three services - Navy, Air Force and Army - alongside items currently in service with the Vietnam Peoples Army. Over two editions, the exhibition achieved significant development, surpassing the set objectives and requirements. The 2022 and 2024 exhibitions attracted broad attention from the domestic public and the international community. They were regarded as important milestones, affirming Vietnams position, prestige and its peaceful, self-defensive defence foreign policy. Notably, the participation of major global defence industry corporations and high-level delegations from numerous countries underscored the exhibitions growing appeal and Vietnams increasingly prominent role in multilateral defence cooperation. The exhibition is organised to implement the Partys and States policies, as well as the Central Military Commissions guidelines, on international integration, defence diplomacy and the development of a self-reliant, dual-use and modern defence industry. It also aims to affirm Vietnams defence standing and reputation internationally, while inspiring pride and responsibility among officers, soldiers and citizens in the cause of national construction and protection. The project for the third Vietnam International Defence Expo - 2026, under the theme Peace, Friendship, Cooperation for Mutual Development, envisions a large-scale event. Diverse categories of weapons and technical equipment will be displayed alongside a range of activities, including product exhibitions, seminars and discussions, drills, live demonstrations and business networking sessions. Based on the report of the General Department of Defence Industry and the opinions expressed by representatives of agencies and units, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang, on behalf of the leadership of the Ministry of National Defence, requested the General Department of Defence Industry to coordinate closely with relevant agencies and units to comprehensively review the entire project. He stressed the need to ensure suitability, coherence and practicality, with detailed and specific timelines for each stage. The Deputy Minister affirmed that this is not only a large-scale defence foreign affairs event, but also a milestone affirming the organisational capacity, credibility and integration stature of the Vietnam Peoples Army in the context of multilateral defence cooperation. He emphasised that the success of the exhibition would contribute to spreading the message of a peace-loving Vietnam that is ready to cooperate and transparent in its defence policy, while also demonstrating the development level of the national defence industry. From that perspective, he underscored that the third edition must be organised to higher standards, with greater professionalism and deeper cooperation, commensurate with the countrys rising international standing. This is not only the honour of the Vietnam Peoples Army, but also the honour, image and national prestige of the country. Therefore, preparations must begin early and be carried out comprehensively, closely and meticulously in every aspect, from content, protocol and external relations to communications, logistics and technical support. In particular, ensuring absolute safety for people, vehicles, equipment and all activities throughout the exhibition must be the top priority. Respectful organisation, professional management and absolute safety in every stage are the most direct measures of national organisational capacity. Tran Thuong Benghazi, Libya (PANA) - The general command of the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) has announced the release of its elements abducted during the attack on the Al-Toum border post and other sites in the early hours of 31 January, following violent clashes with a southern armed group on the border Dakar, Senegal (PANA) Eight people have been arrested in Saint-Louis in connection with an alleged network involved in unnatural acts, some reportedly living with HIV, Seneweb reports Wrexham Council has approved a net revenue budget of 368,792,041 for 2026/27, with a council tax increase of 4.9% at Band D. The budget was carried by 39 votes to 12 at yesterdays Full Council. An alternative budget, which proposed reducing the council tax increase to 3.3%, was defeated earlier in the same meeting it had five proposals, but the planned reduction would have been funded via 1.2m taken from reserves. The approved 4.9% increase comprises 4.3% for the councils own budgets and 0.6% to cover a 540,000 rise in the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service levy. It sets the Band D council tax at 1,835.55 for the council element. When the North Wales Police precept and community council charges are included, the average total Band D bill is 2,308.88. Council Leader Mark Pritchard, lead member for finance, presented the budget and said the Welsh Local Government Association had calculated that cost pressures facing councils in 2026/27 amounted to 560m across Wales, equivalent to a 9% settlement uplift or a council tax increase of more than 25%. He told the meeting: The local government settlement of 26/27 although very welcome, still only recognises half of the pressure in Wales. Wrexhams share of Welsh Government funding for 2026/27 is 268,026,029, a 4.9% increase after adjusting for transfers, compared to the Wales average of 4.5%. The settlement followed a Welsh Government budget deal on 9th December that revised the original provisional figure upward. The budget includes 5.2m in savings. The largest element, 3.2m, comes from a favourable pension valuation that reduced employer contribution rates. All services except schools were asked to deliver efficiency savings or cuts of 0.5%, totalling 931,000. Cllr Pritchard noted the pension benefit was a one-off: It only comes every three years, so we cant do this again. Schools receive a gross budget increase of 5.6% compared to the previous years cash-limited figure. The budget also includes investment in winter resilience (250,000), public transport (100,000), legal and regulatory enforcement (150,000), developing the local economy (100,000), the World Heritage Site (20,000) and the Mayoralty service also gets a 20k increase. The councils medium term financial plan projects a budget hole of 35.2m over three future years, assuming councils finances increase from Cardiff by 1.5% and we all pay 6% extra council tax year on year. Alternative Budget An amendment to the main Administration budget was proposed by Cllr Anthony Wedlake and seconded by Cllr Jerry Wellens. It proposed cutting two executive board seats (saving 50,000), cutting one committee chair (10,000), and increasing the council tax premium on second homes from 50% to 100% (raising an estimated 120,000). These savings they claimed, totalling 180,000, would fund an Open Spaces vacancy (50,000) and additional community public transport spending (130,000). The amendment also proposed reducing the council tax increase to 3.3%, excluding the fire precept, funded by a 1.2m draw from general reserves. This was linked to a longer-term proposal to implement a visitor levy to replace the reserves draw from 2027/28. Cllr Wedlake told the meeting the proposals were informed by consultation with community organisations. He said the consultation had resulted in a very clear message, which was clear and understandable: people are fed up paying more for less, more council tax for less Council services. That didnt mean they didnt want to invest in services, and the feedback was very much around education, social care, environment, saving our libraries and resource centres and better public transport. Councillors were told they should read the room on the impact of cost of living pressures, noting that councillors were due to receive a 6.4% pay increase set by the independent remuneration panel. The Officer addressed technical viability of the amendment. He told members that the Open Spaces saving in the main budget related to displacement of base budget by other funding sources, not a reduction in resource. On the proposal to raise the second homes premium, the Officer said any change would require a minimum three-month consultation, a formal council decision, a six-month notice period, and could not take effect before April 2027. He added that doubling the rate would not double the revenue because of likely changes in property owners behaviour. On that proposal the Officer said plainly, It is not something I could support as Section 151 Officer, if we turn to the second element, which is the use of reserves or balances to reduce the level of council tax, its not prudent to fund the budget gap at this scale with reserves or balances, even if there were a more certain or reliable potential future revenue stream to replace it. Cllr Wedlake expressed disappointment, Im grateful to the Officer for his his comments, but I would also like to confirm for public information that when we left his office, we understood that he wouldnt be able to support the movement from general reserve, but it was, it was something that is allowable. Id also like to confirm that when we left the office, regardless of what may have happened since that Im not aware of, we left in the knowledge that what we were proposing was suitable, and therefore Im a little disappointed by the fact that the rules of engagement and the signposts have been changed after I left the office. Cllr Dana Davies, speaking for the Labour group, said she supported the principle of reducing executive board numbers but said the appropriate time to consider this would be from the next council term in 2027. Cllr Davies noted removing a scrutiny chair would weaken scrutiny at a time when regulators were calling for it to be strengthened. On the reserves draw, she said: If we take 1.2 million out of reserves, all were doing is putting the pressure on next year, because you can only spend that once with some maths explained that using that plan this year could infact mean council tax up a further 1.6% next year. Cllr Hugh Jones spoke against the amendment, picking up the mention of tourist tax, Im absolutely astounded at the proposal with regards to a tourism tax, given that both the proposer and the seconder of this recommendation made very positive, very positive contributions to the City of Culture workshop yesterday. Wrexham imposing a tourist levy, or a tourist tax, at the time when were bidding for the City of Culture and the potential to bring in in excess of 700 million into the county borough absolutely amazes me. I cant believe that any Councillor could vote for a tourist levy, because just think about what that will do for our bid for City of Culture? It says we want to host the city of culture, but we want to tax the people who we need to come to it. Do you think thats going to help or support our bid? It will do absolutely the opposite. I dont want to give any impression to those who are going to make a judgement on Wrexham for city of culture that we are anywhere near even thinking about putting on a tourist tax. Cllr Paul Roberts commended the existence of an alternative budget as it enhanced democracy and debate. He did add that he was not going to support it, though. Cllr Marc Jones, of Plaid Cymru, said his group would support the amendment, noting the 3% uplift on central funding from Cardiff was thanks to Plaid Cymrus intervention in the budget agreement, adding It is not a surprise that we as a group are going to support this motion. Weve had a long standing belief that the executive board could be slimmed down Pointing to elements in the alternative budget like cutting a Scrutiny Chair position, he said Those things are symbolic, but I think theyre important for people to realise that, yes, we accept that theres a real challenge to peoples budgets at the moment, and this is one way forward. I would urge people to support the amendment, because I think it sets the right tone for this council. It accepts that there is a problem. The Council Leader Mark Pritchard went through point by point at issues raised around the alternative budget, calling it smokes and mirrors in a scathing speech, Its poor. I expect better. Its foolish. I expect better. And please, if youre going to bring the budget into this chamber, bring the budget which is credible, because this is not credible. Its foolish, and its last minute knee jerk reaction, and I do take exception to it, as lead member of finance. Why wouldnt I? Because I work tirelessly all year with everybody who I thank you this evening to present a budget, and you come along last minute and you pop that in front of us. The amendment of the alternative budget was defeated, with 39 votes against. The main budget was then carried by 39 votes to 12 with no abstentions. Spotted something? Got a story? email us at Got a story? email us at news@wrexham.com A new NHS specialist gambling treatment service and helpline overseen by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board will launch across Wales in April. The Wales Gambling Helpline will provide information, advice and support to anyone affected by gambling-related harms, including family members and others impacted. If needed, it will also refer people onto treatment services. Treatment for gambling harms will be accessible through a secure online platform, allowing support to be provided remotely. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has been awarded 1.3m a year by the Welsh Government to run the treatment service and helpline. The funding comes from the money raised from the UK-wide gambling levy. The Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Sarah Murphy described this as a landmark moment, providing support for tens of thousands of people who could be at risk of gambling-related harm. Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Sarah Murphy said: The helpline will be a form of open access support available to people who need it the most and fits into the ambitions of our Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Guided by the evidence, were confident this approach is the most effective way to deliver essential support for both prevention and treatment. Clinical lead for gambling treatment services at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Dr Faye Graver said: We are establishing a specialist gambling treatment service and the Wales Gambling Helpline to provide much-needed support for people struggling with gambling addiction. They will provide the necessary support, advice and information not only to people experiencing gambling-related harms, but also their family members and others affected. Research shows tens of thousands of people in Wales need support for gambling related harms and this treatment service will provide this from referral and triage through to aftercare. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board already operates several national helplines such as the DAN 24/7 drug and alcohol helpline and CALL mental health helpline providing established infrastructure in English and Welsh to support and deliver these new services. The gambling industry levy came into effect in April 2025 and raised approximately 120 million in its first year for research, prevention and treatment in Great Britain, aimed at reducing gambling-related harms. The levy ensures tackling gambling harm is sustainably funded and independent of the gambling industry. To support implementation of the levy in Wales, the Welsh Government appointed Public Health Wales as the lead prevention co-ordinator for Wales and NHS Wales Performance and Improvement as the lead treatment co-ordinator for Wales. Public Health Wales will launch a grant scheme in April providing opportunities related to gambling prevention. Spotted something? Got a story? email us at Got a story? email us at news@wrexham.com New York, US (PANA) - Concerned about the continued violence in Sudan, particularly in the Kordofan and Darfur regions, the 15 members of the Security Council have called on the warring parties to "immediately cease fighting" The Nevada Public Employees Benefit Program board met Wednesday to discuss plan adjustments for the upcoming plan year. The discussion included options for adjustments to monthly premiums, deductibles and the maximums for out-of-pocket costs for many state employees and retirees. The board will make a final decision on the changes in March. "Unfortunately, the health care costs affecting PEBP are not unique; we are seeing similar, unprecedented increases in inflationary costs across all health care markets right now, said Stacie Weeks, Director of the Nevada Health Authority. This is why we are exploring new ways of purchasing and providing coverage at the state level with national experts, including better options for our state employees and retirees." You can submit public comments on the upcoming changes ahead of their March meeting on the PEBP website. CHICAGO (AP) A line of mourners streamed through a Chicago auditorium Thursday to pay final respects to the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. as cross-country memorial services began in the city the late civil rights leader called home. The protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and two-time presidential candidate will lie in repose for two days at the headquarters of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition before events in Washington, D.C., and South Carolina, where he was born. Family members wiped away tears as the casket was brought into the stately brick building. Flowers lined the sidewalks where people waiting to enter watched a large screen playing video excerpts of Jackson's notable speeches. Some raised their fists in solidarity. Inside, Jackson's children, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Rev. Al Sharpton were among those who stood by the open casket to shake hands and hug those coming to view the body of Jackson, dressed in a suit and blue shirt and tie. The challenge for us is that we've got to make sure that all he lived for was not in vain, Sharpton told reporters. Dr. King's dream and Jesse Jackson's mission now falls on our shoulders. We've got to stand up and keep it going. Jackson died last week at age 84 after battling a rare neurological disorder that affected his mobility and ability to speak in his later years. Remembrances have already poured in from around the globe, and several U.S. states, including Minnesota, Iowa and North Carolina, are flying flags at half-staff in his honor. But perhaps nowhere has his death been felt as strongly as in the nations third-largest city, where Jackson lived for decades and raised his six children, including a son who is a congressman. Bouquets have been left outside the familys Tudor-style home on the citys South Side for days. Public schools have offered condolences, and city trains have used digital screens to display Jacksons portrait and his well-known mantra, I am Somebody! His causes, both in the United States and abroad, were countless: Advocating for the poor and underrepresented on issues including voting rights, job opportunities, education and health care. He scored diplomatic victories with world leaders, and through his Rainbow PUSH Coalition, he channeled cries for Black pride and self-determination into corporate boardrooms, pressuring executives to make America a more open and equitable society. We honor him, and his hard-earned legacy as a freedom fighter, philosopher, and faithful shepherd of his family and community here in Chicago, the mayor said in a statement. Next week, Jackson will lie in honor at the South Carolina Statehouse, followed by public services. According to Rainbow PUSH's agenda, Gov. Henry McMaster is expected to deliver remarks; however, the governor's office said Thursday that his participation wasn't yet confirmed. Jackson spent his childhood and started his activism in South Carolina. Details on services in Washington have not yet been made public. However, he will not lie in honor at the United States Capitol rotunda after a request for the commemoration was denied by the House Speaker Mike Johnsons office. The two weeks of events will wrap up next week with a large celebration of life gathering at a Chicago megachurch and finally, homegoing services at the headquarters of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Family members said the services will be open to all. Our family is overwhelmed and overjoyed by the amazing amount of support being offered by common, ordinary people who our fathers life has come into contact with, his eldest son, Jesse Jackson Jr., said before the services began. This is a unique opportunity to lay down some of the political rhetoric and to lay down some of the division that deeply divides our country and to reflect upon a man who brought people together. The services included prayers from some of the city's most well-known religious leaders, including Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich. Mourners of all ages from toddlers in strollers to elderly people in wheelchairs came to pay respects. Video clips of his appearances at news conferences, the campaign trail and even Sesame Street also played inside the auditorium. Claudette Redic, a retiree who lives in Chicago, said her family has respected Jackson, from backing his presidential ambitions to her son getting a scholarship from a program Jackson championed. We have generations of support, she said. Im hoping we continue. Delving into design studios and meeting makers and up-and-coming artists is a big part of Oakland-based interiors photographer Lauren Andersens working life. Its safe to say that the creative director and founder of boutique agency Sen Creative has an enviable eye for detail thats able to recognize pieces and spaces that will make an impression with just a glance. We asked Andersen her favorite spots for unique furniture, stunning art, and vivid textiles to not just to elevate our spaces, but to make them feel like our own. From vintage shops like Narrative in Oakland to Concords French-inspired Elsie Green, these are the seven spots she recommended for the next time your home needs a little upgrade. Narrative (Courtesy of @narrativeoakland ) Narrative curates their space, and with everything being vintage, its always changing, says Andersen. Theres always a gem to find. Take your time, theres lots of square footage, and everything is quality. Keep an eye out for: Everything from quality furniture to ceramics to an odd object that makes you smile. Ive bought many ceramics for photoshoots, and I have a beautiful oil painting of a woman by a local artist that is always finding its place within my home. // 590 2nd St. (Oakland), narrativeoakland.com Elsie Green (Courtesy of @elsie_green ) I feel like Im transported to a brocante in France when I walk into Elsie Green, says Andersen. They shop and send containers of goodies from France. They also have a great IG where you can see new goodies and how they suggest styling pieces. Keep an eye out for: Vintage French ceramics, crockery, and amazing large antique furniture. I have picked up a few large antique crocks and jars, as well as some beautiful vintage silverware. // 2956 Treat Blvd., Ste. C (Concord), // 2956 Treat Blvd., Ste. C (Concord), elsiegreen.com Sobu Oakland (Courtesy of @sobuoakland ) Sobu Oakland creates their own lines and designs, and they are so unique, says Andersen. The shop is small, but you could furnish a whole home with what they carry. Theyre pros. Keep an eye out for: Their woodwork and dining tables are to die for, and their textile and pillow selection is very unique. Their warehouse sale is also a must-attend event. We bought our Christmas tree here. Its cedar and copper and unique. Its a very Scandinavian vibe, and guests are always complimenting it. // The Sobu Showroom is at 5451 College Ave. (Oakland); the Sobu Outlet is at 701 Dwight Way (Berkeley), sobusobu.com Oakland Vintage Market (Courtesy of @oaklandvintagemarket ) Every first Saturday, Narrative hosts the Oakland Vintage Market (there is also one in SF) in the parking lot behind their shop in Jack London, says Andersen. The vendors rotate, and its small enough not to feel overwhelming. It feels like a community event with lots of kids, dogs, and great vintage. Keep an eye out for: Clothing, records, books, and lots of smaller decorating pieces. My daughter loves the patch/pin vendor who is often there. Ive also found a great mirror and vintage Japanese pottery. // 222 Jefferson St. (Oakland), narrativeoakland.com/market 25th Street Galleries + Open Studios (Courtesy of @fmoakland ) Uptown Oakland First Fridays are always a good time, and the stretch of galleries on 25th Street always delivers, says Andersen. There are artist studios as well as more formal galleries with amazing selections of fine art by Bay Area artists. Keep an eye out for: If youre looking for a high-end piece with a 'wow' factor, or art consulting from Slate, this is the spot. Weve bought a few screen prints from the artist studios, mostly scenes from our beloved Oakland. // Telegraph Ave. between West Grand and 27th St. (Oakland), // Telegraph Ave. between West Grand and 27th St. (Oakland), oaklandfirstfridays.org Bay Home Consignment (Courtesy of @bayhome ) Like Narrative, Bay Home Consignments inventory is always changing, and you never know what you might find, says Andersen. They specialize in a wider range of furniture pieces, and everything is always in great condition. They have a large warehouse to browse, as well as some custom lines you can order. I love that you can walk away with your purchase (or have it delivered that day), so no weeks of waiting. Keep an eye out for: Any major furniture pieces you may need, outdoor furniture, or vintage art. We bought our living room sofa, an Italian felt ottoman, and outdoor furniture. // 1825 Eastshore Hwy (Berkeley), bayhomeconsignment.com Older adults are staying in the workforce longer than ever, whether its because they have found a calling that invigorates them or they want the income to age comfortably. But negative stereotypes of older workers persist. About two-thirds of workers 50-plus have seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace, according to a 2026 AARP survey. Older job applicants may also be dismissed before they even reach the hiring stage if recruiters assume that their skills are outdated or that they are not up for a new challenge. Members only This problem has steep economic, financial and emotional costs for older adults, said Nancy LeaMond, AARPs chief advocacy and engagement officer, as she testified before the Senate Special Committee on Aging in September. Moreover, research conducted by AARP and the Economist Intelligence Unit found that bias against older workers cost the U.S. economy an estimated $850 billion in gross domestic product in 2018, a number that could rise to $3.9 trillion by 2050. Simply put, sidelining workers is a loss we cannot afford, LeaMond said at the time. Join Our Fight Against Age Discrimination Help prevent older adults from experiencing age bias: Sign up to become an AARP activist for the latest news and alerts on issues you care about. Find out more about how were fighting for you when it comes to age bias, in Congress and across the country. AARP is your fierce defender on the issues that matter to people 50-plus. Become a member or renew your membership today. While recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that older job seekers are having an easier time finding jobs than younger workers, age discrimination is still a cause for concern. The 20-to-24 age group had the highest unemployment rate in January 2026, at 7.1 percent, compared with 3.3 percent for those 55 and older. Still, the number of age discrimination complaints filed with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) suggests that age discrimination is on the rise. Supporting older workers in their right to stay on the job has been embedded in AARPs advocacy for decades. In the 1960s, AARP backed landmark legislation prohibiting age-based discrimination and helped extend those protections in the 1980s and 1990s. In recent years, AARP has supported bipartisan bills that give older workers a fair shot at fighting back when they are treated unfairly on the job and rallied on the state level to remove barriers in hiring. Now, AARP continues to lobby Congress to protect older workers, but we are also doing much more, from joining class action lawsuits to securing commitments from companies to build a multigenerational workforce. Here are five ways AARP is working to ensure older generations are treated fairly and valued for the wealth of experience they bring to a job. 1. Backing legislation that reinforces worker rights On a national scale, AARP is backing bipartisan bills that support older workers. In May 2025, AARP sent letters to the House and Senate endorsing the reintroduction of the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act. This legislation would restore protections, which a 2009 U.S. Supreme Court decision stripped away, that required older workers to prove their age was the sole reason they experienced an adverse employment action. News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. AceShowbiz - Matt Dillon has been officially announced as the lead star in Amazon's upcoming eight-part series remake of the classic Western The Magnificent Seven. The original film, directed by John Sturges and released in 1960, starred Steve McQueen and was itself a remake of Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai. Over the years, the story has seen multiple sequels and a 2016 remake by Antoine Fuqua featuring Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt. This new adaptation will stream on MGM+ and features Matt Dillon not only as the lead actor but also as an executive producer. Dillon will portray the character Chris Adams, a role famously played by Yul Brynner in the original movie. In the 2016 film, Washingtons character served as a spiritual successor to Chris. The character of Chris Adams is described as a Stoic, steady under pressure, and with an unflinching gaze that does most of the talking for him. He is known for his strict moral code grounded in fairness and restraint, and his intolerance for hypocrisy or cruelty. The story centers on seven skilled gunslingers who unite to defend a small village from a ruthless mercenary landowner. This new series promises to expand on the original narrative by exploring deeper backstories and contemporary themes across its eight episodes. Michael Wright, MGM+s global head, expressed enthusiasm about Dillon joining the project, noting the actors ability to portray complex and morally conflicted characters. Wright highlighted that the series will honor the legacy of the original film while addressing timeless themes such as courage, redemption, and resistance to oppression. He emphasized that Dillons performance will be central to bringing this vision to life. Created by Tim Kring, the series aims to provide a fresh take on the iconic Western genre, offering viewers a more detailed and nuanced look at the characters and their motivations. With its rich storytelling potential, the series looks poised to attract both longtime fans of the franchise and new audiences alike. AceShowbiz - Sunn O))) have released a fresh single titled Butchs Guns, featured on their upcoming self-titled album set to drop on April 3 via Sub Pop. This new track arrives shortly after their previous release, Glory, which came out last month, continuing to build anticipation for the full album. Fans can listen to Butchs Guns through the official channels as it showcases the bands signature drone-metal sound. Alongside the new music, Sunn O))) have announced additional European dates to complement their already scheduled North American tour. The European leg is slated to begin in Zurich on July 23 and will include stops in major cities such as Amsterdam, London, Berlin, and others. While a comprehensive list of dates is yet to be finalized, the band has revealed their itinerary so far, promising more shows to be added soon. Since signing with Sub Pop in October, Sunn O))) have released three singlesEternitys Pillars, Raise the Chalice, and Reverentialmarking a significant chapter in their career. Their most recent studio albums, Life Metal and Pyroclasts, were released in 2019, showcasing the duos evolving sound within the drone and experimental metal genre. Additionally, they put out a live album in 2021 titled Metta, Benevolence, recorded during Mary Anne Hobbs BBC Radio 6 Music show. For those interested in exploring their critically acclaimed work, Life Metal was featured in The Best Metal Albums of 2019, reflecting the impact and quality of their output in recent years. The upcoming tour schedule for Sunn O))) is extensive, starting March 30 in San Francisco, CA, and includes numerous stops across the United States and Canada before moving into Europe this summer. Highlights from the North American leg include shows at Regency Ballroom in San Francisco, The Town Hall in New York City, and the White Oak Music Hall in Houston. European concerts will kick off at Rote Fabrik in Zurich on June 23, followed by performances at Trix in Antwerp, Paradiso in Amsterdam, Essigfabrik in Koln, and several venues across England and Germany, including The Troxy in London and Silent Green Betonhalle in Berlin. The European tour runs through early July, with dates continuing until at least July 7. Tickets for the tour are available through Ticketmaster and StubHub, offering fans multiple options to secure entry to these highly anticipated shows. As Sunn O))) continue to promote their new album and singles, the expanded tour dates reflect growing demand and enthusiasm from audiences worldwide. AceShowbiz - Alaskan Bush People star Ami Brown has exciting news to share with fans: she is expecting her eleventh grandchild. Despite the many challenges the family has faced over the years, this joyful announcement marks a special milestone for the Browns. The reality series Alaskan Bush People introduced viewers to the Brown family back in 2014, showcasing their unique lifestyle as they lived off the grid in Hoonah, Alaska. The family originally included parents Billy and Ami Brown and their children: Matt, Joshua Bam Bam, Bear, Gabe, Noah, Snowbird (Bird), and Rain. Over time, the show also featured the spouses of the Brown siblings, capturing the dynamics of their isolated but resilient family life. Tragedy struck the family when Billy Brown passed away in 2021, a loss that deeply affected the Browns and their fans. Since then, Ami Brown has been seen with a new partner, signaling a new chapter in her life. Meanwhile, some of the Brown children, including Noah and Bear, have separated from their spouses. Despite these changes, the family continues to grow, currently welcoming ten grandchildren. The latest announcement comes from Ami Brown, who revealed that her daughter Rain Brown is expecting her first child with husband Josiah Lorton. The couple, who married in 2025, had a turbulent past that included an arrest together, but they appear to be moving forward positively. Ami shared a sonogram on social media with the caption: My baby girl, Rain, is having a baby!!! Grandbaby Number Eleven, Coming Soon! The post indicated that the babys due date is February 3rd, and at the time of posting, Rain was eleven weeks and two days pregnant. Fans of Alaskan Bush People responded with enthusiasm and heartfelt congratulations, happy to hear such uplifting news after a period of family struggles and loss. A post shared by Amora L. Brown (@amibrownwolfpackmama) Many followers expressed joy and optimism for the growing Brown family. Some comments reflected on how Billy Brown would have been delighted by this new generation of grandchildren: Congrats!!!!?? such wonderful news, Billy would be tickled ?? Im happy for Rain and Josiah. You are a proud Grandma, so many grand childs ????????? Congratulations what a blessing! Her dad would be so happy around the grandbabies. Congratulations! Wishing you, her, and her baby a lifetime of blessings and a lot of happiness. Fans appreciated hearing positive updates about Rain Brown and her husband, especially amid the familys recent hardships. Ami Brown remains a central figure in supporting her family and carrying on the Brown legacy. For viewers who have followed Alaskan Bush People over the years, this news brings a hopeful and celebratory moment. With the eleventh grandchild on the way, the Browns continue to grow and evolve, sharing their unique story with a dedicated audience. Did you watch Alaskan Bush People and follow Rain Browns journey? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. AceShowbiz - The British band Jamiroquai has entered into a global recording agreement with BMG as they prepare to release their ninth studio album. Formed in London in 1992, Jamiroquai has sold over 26 million albums globally. Their latest release prior to this upcoming album was Automaton in 2017, which came out under Virgin EMI. Led by vocalist Jay Kay, the group has achieved significant success in the U.K., boasting four No. 1 albums: Emergency on Planet Earth (1993), Sykronized (1999), A Funk Odyssey (2001), and High Times Singles 1992-2006. In total, nine of their studio albums have reached the top 10, and they have secured one U.K. No. 1 single with 1998s Deeper Underground, alongside 26 top 40 hits. Speaking about the new partnership, Jay Kay expressed his enthusiasm: "Let me say how amazing it feels to find a home at BMG in 2026. Its been humbling to navigate the interest in the new album from some great companies, but after working so hard on it for the last two years, I know that the super people at BMG are the right team for us." He emphasized the importance of maintaining creative control, stating, "Its important to feel comfortable and be able to keep a hand in the creative process, not only musically, but visually too. Jamie [Nelson, svp new recordings UK], with his huge experience and in-depth knowledge of my musical journey so far, definitely understands where I want to go boldly into the future on what feels like an exciting new chapter." Jay Kay added that he is exceptionally pleased to collaborate with Nelson and the entire BMG family worldwide on what he believes to be some of their best work in three decades. Jamie Nelson also commented on the signing, noting the band's enduring impact: "Jamiroquais success over many years is extraordinary. Pioneering and progressive in their output, they have continued to evolve while others have stood still. In Jay Kay, they have a truly global, iconic frontman who remains as creatively driven as ever, always pushing forward and bringing fans with him." AceShowbiz - Music Venue Trust has partnered with The National Lottery to launch Everywhere At Once, set to become the UKs biggest festival happening right on peoples doorsteps. This innovative festival is scheduled to take place from June 26 to June 28, coinciding with what would have been the Glastonbury weekend in 2026, which is observing a fallow year. Unlike traditional festivals that gather crowds at a single site, Everywhere At Once will span hundreds of grassroots music venues nationwide, creating a decentralized celebration of live music. From Inverness in the north to Penzance in the south, venues across the country will host a diverse lineup of artists, including well-known names and emerging talent. The initiative aims to reconnect audiences with local grassroots music spaces, foster community spirit, and provide a platform for discovering new artists. The project is driven by Music Venue Trust, Save Our Scene, and the Association of Independent Promoters. The National Lotterys continued backing highlights its commitment to supporting the grassroots music sector. The collaboration between Music Venue Trust and The National Lottery began in 2021 to help revive live music in the aftermath of the pandemic. Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust, described the event as a hugely significant moment for the grassroots music sector. He emphasized that the gathering of hundreds of venues over one weekend demonstrates the extensive network supporting live music across the UK. Thanks to the support from The National Lottery, Everywhere At Once can pair visibility with meaningful, practical support, putting real investment directly into venues while amplifying their collective voice, Davyd added. He further explained that the festival sends a powerful message that live music thrives beyond major cities and large festival fields, taking place in high streets, towns, and community spaces. This collective effort to unite venues highlights the solidarity within the music scene and sets a benchmark for future collaboration. Alastair Ruxton, Chief Impact Officer at Allwyn and operator of The National Lottery, expressed his support for the festivals goals. The essential role grassroots music venues and promoters play in supporting new talent will be highlighted through this festival, Ruxton said. The weekend-long festival promises to be a landmark event in the UK music calendar, encouraging people to explore local venues, support live music, and celebrate the vibrant grassroots scene nationwide. By celebrating music across hundreds of venues, Everywhere At Once aims to strengthen communities and fuel the live music industrys recovery and growth. AceShowbiz - Smiling Friends is set to conclude after its upcoming third season, according to series creators and voice actors Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel. The announcement was made in a video shared by Adult Swims official X account on February 25, where the duo clarified that the decision to end the show is genuine and not a joke. Zach Hadel stated, Michael and I are here to announce that Smiling Friends will be ending after Season 3 is done. Despite the disappointment surrounding the news, the creators provided insight into their reasoning for wrapping up the series. Michael Cusack explained that after years of dedicated work on the show, both he and Hadel felt a sense of burnout but also accomplishment. To be perfectly honest, after we finished Season 3, Zach and I just both had the same feeling where we felt pretty burnt out after putting years and years into this, but also pretty accomplished, Cusack revealed. He continued, We just came to this feeling where were like, I think that could just be it after Season 3. And yeah, we both felt like it was right. Hadel added that from the very start, they envisioned creating the show with full dedication and then ending it at a high point. Even from the very, very beginning of the show, we knew we always said, Oh man, how great would it be to really try to make this show as good as it can be and really put 110% into it, and then go [out on] what feels like on top? What feels like leaving wanting more as opposed to, Oh, that show is still on the air? The creators emphasized the intense workload involved in producing the series. Hadel remarked, After several years of really really grinding on this show, non-stop without any breaks, 24/7, we got to a point where we just felt like a good spot to end it. He also noted that continuing the show without their full passion would be unfair to fans, as they didnt want to deliver seasons that felt half-hearted or burnt out. Cusack mentioned that handing the show over to other writers was not an option because of their strong creative control. It would feel too weird to hand the show over to other writers in order for it to live on, he said, teasing that they are so control freaky over it. Adult Swim has been supportive of their decision. Cusack shared, When we told them exactly this, they said, If youre not feeling making a cartoon, were not going to stop you. Go have a break. Either come back or dont. While Season 3 will be the final installment for now, the creators left the door open for future possibilities. Cusack stated that they have to determine that in the future but assured fans that this is not the end of their collaboration. The third season of Smiling Friends premiered in October 2025. Although originally announced to include eight episodes, all episodes are currently available for streaming on Adult Swims HB platform. By Martin Willis, Partner, Barnett Waddingham That said, the potential cap shouldnt be ignored. Any future Government may well be supportive of a cost-saving measure thats unlikely to be at the top of the voter agenda. However now is not the time to abandon salary sacrifice. It continues to offer significant advantages, and employers who havent yet adopted it should give it serious consideration. According to Howden research, currently 68% of UK SMEs are not using salary exchange to boost pension contributions and after-tax pay. This means they may potentially be missing out on 2.7 billion in employer national insurance (NI) savings and 1.8 billion in employee savings. Salary sacrifice doesnt need to be complicated Many employers are put off salary sacrifice as its seen as complicated to administer and explain. Its true that it can be (especially with workers on short term contracts or with variable pay), but if approached in the right way the complexity can be dealt with. The key things to consider are setting clear rules for inclusion, having a clear record of any sacrifice decision and communicating clearly (more on that below). Assess your workforce profile For many employees, the proposed changes will have little or no impact. Assuming a 5% employee contribution rate, only those earning above 40,000 are likely to be affected, with the effect increasing progressively at higher salary levels. Higher earners may experience a smaller financial impact because their marginal National Insurance rate is lower (2%). However, they could still be disadvantaged if salary sacrifice is removed as an option (see point 5 below). On the other hand, employers (particularly in higher-paying sectors) may feel the impact more significantly. They would be required to pay employer National Insurance at 13.8% on any salary sacrifice pension contributions exceeding the 2,000 threshold. Understand where salary sacrifice still has a role This is a complicated one. People can still sacrifice as much as they want (subject to wider pensions allowances), its just the NI relievable bit that is capped. This means that salary sacrifice can still be beneficial for people looking to keep their salary at a certain level for things like retaining the personal allowance, child benefits, or funded childcare. Its possible to reduce adjusted net income for this purpose without using salary sacrifice, but it involves communication with HMRC. The same is true of higher rate taxpayers claiming back additional relief. Check your payroll providers readiness Has your payroll provider confirmed how they plan to build the cap assessment into their software? In the early years, this could create a significant administrative burden, as employers will be responsible for ensuring the right level of NI is paid via PAYE. This includes tracking how much salary has been sacrificed into a pension. Most payroll systems should be able to handle this, as they currently generally record pre and post sacrifice elements, but its important to check once the legislation is confirmed. Communicate clearly with your people Avoid unnecessary jargon and complex language when communicating about pensions salary sacrifice. People may think this is a cap on tax relievable pension contributions and look to lower contributions or opt out. Consider wider pension scheme design There is no limit to the NI savings that employers can make on contributions to pension schemes. Its extremely unlikely one would be introduced due to the impact this would have on employers that participate in public sector defined benefit (DB) pension schemes. This proposed cap is purely about employees exchanging pay for contributions. In effect, it makes salary sacrifice a less efficient way of remunerating employees compared with increasing standard employer pension contributions. Restructuring contribution models could therefore be a practical alternative. For example, instead of a 5% employee/5% employer split, a scheme could move to 3% employee/7% employer, or even a 10% employer-only (non-contributory) structure. In some cases, this may be more cost-effective for both parties. Where contributions exceed automatic enrolment minimums, employers may also want to consider offering a cash allowance in-lieu of pension contributions. Whilst this would obviously be subject to NI and tax, it would be NI efficient if going to the pension. This approach is relatively straightforward for new hires, but changes for existing employees would likely require formal consultation. That said, any redesign needs careful thought. Reducing salary to increase employer contributions may not suit everyone, particularly those who rely on their headline pay. Employers should assess the specific needs and preferences of their people and wait for detailed legislative guidance before making changes, in case practical barriers emerge. First wave of 2026 Digital Health Trends study finds 88% of current users trust AI in healthcare, compared with just 38% of non-users, while overall trust among Americans drops to 44% CHICAGO and VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Just 44% of Americans say they trust the use of AI in healthcare today, down from 52% in 2024, according to new research from Reach3 Insights and Rival Technologies . The findings come from the first wave of 2026 Digital Health Trends , an ongoing research initiative tracking how attitudes toward digital health evolve as new technologies become more embedded in everyday life. Participants were recruited via the Angus Reid panel. Reach3 Insights "What stands out in this wave is the size of the trust gap between people who have firsthand experience with AI in healthcare and those who do not," said Christine Nguyen, vice president at Reach3 Insights. "Familiarity plays a meaningful role in shaping confidence. A Voice of Market pulse program for ongoing tracking, like the one we used for this study, is essential to understand both early adopters and those who remain uncertain in an evolving market." This study reveals three key findings: Trust remains divided and below majority levels: Just 44% of Americans say they trust AI in healthcare, down from 52% in the previous wave, while 53% report negative sentiment toward its integration. Just 44% of Americans say they trust AI in healthcare, down from 52% in the previous wave, while 53% report negative sentiment toward its integration. Hands-on experience drives confidence: Among the 14% who currently use AI for health or wellness, 88% say they trust AI in healthcare and 87% feel positive about its integration, compared with 38% and 41%, respectively, among non-users. Among the 14% who currently use AI for health or wellness, 88% say they trust AI in healthcare and 87% feel positive about its integration, compared with 38% and 41%, respectively, among non-users. Adoption remains limited and uncertainty persists: While 29% say they are interested in using AI for health or wellness in the future, 38% are not interested and 33% remain unsure, signaling a significant trust and value gap. Consumers report greater comfort using AI for information-seeking and administrative support than for medical decision-making. Current users most often cite answering health questions, translating complex medical language and assessing whether symptoms warrant further care. At the same time, concerns about accuracy, data privacy and the preservation of human-centered care remain prominent. "The pace of AI innovation in healthcare is accelerating, but consumer confidence develops over time," said Matt Kleinschmit, CEO and Founder of Reach3 Insights. "Trust grows through transparency, education and thoughtful implementation. Bridging the gap between technological advancement and consumer comfort requires sustained dialogue and usage that builds credibility, not just new features. Organizations that strike this right balance will reap the rewards of the future AI-enabled health industry." The 2026 Digital Health Trends study is Reach3's ongoing initiative tracking consumer attitudes using its proprietary AI-accelerated conversational research approach and the Rival Technologies in-the-moment mobile research platform. This wave includes quantitative, open-ended, and video responses from 1,043 Americans recruited via the Angus Reid panel. Rival's AI Smart Probe follow-ups helped uncover the motivations and concerns shaping trust in AI in healthcare. Learn more at www.reach3insights.com/digital-health-trends-2026 . About Reach3 Insights Reach3 Insights is an award-winning, full-service strategic insights consultancy helping leading brands uncover deeper truths and turn human understanding into business impact. Combining industry expertise with AI-driven conversational research methodologies, Reach3 captures the context, emotions and motivations behind consumer behavior for brands like Coca-Cola, Amazon, PayPal and Kellanova. Through agile research design and story-driven activation, Reach3 delivers richer, more authentic insights that inspire confident decisions and measurable growth. Part of Rival Group, Reach3 was recognized as a Top 10 most innovative full-service agency in Greenbook's 2025 GRIT report. Learn more at reach3insights.com . About Rival Technologies Rival Technologies is a research technology company redefining how brands understand people. As a pioneer in conversational research, Rival's AI-driven, mobile-first platform transforms traditional surveys into engaging, chat-like experiences that reflect how people communicate today. By blending quant, qual and video in a single conversational flow, Rival helps global brands like Cash App, OURA, Carnival Corporation and Warner Bros. Discovery capture richer insights, increase response rates and move from data to confident decisions faster. Part of Rival Group, Rival Technologies was named to the Top 10 Most Innovative Technology Suppliers in Greenbook's 2025 GRIT report. Learn more at rivaltech.com . Media Contact: Marie Melsheimer 541-815-3951 [email protected] SOURCE Reach3 Insights Derren Nathan, head of equity research, Hargreaves Lansdown: The FTSE 100 is holding onto yesterdays gains, which saw the index close above 10,800 for the first time. Natural resources stocks are getting a boost from strengthening commodity prices, and victims of the AI fear trade, such as RELX, Experian and the London Stock Exchange Group, have been staging a comeback. Meanwhile, HSBCs flawless report card proved to be the final ingredient that lifted Londons leading basket of shares into new territory. With a fistful of high-profile UK-listed companies reporting today, corporate news is likely to be the key driver of todays moves in the index. Rolls-Royce continues to impress with upgraded mid-term targets and a step-up in commitments to share buybacks. [MB1] WPPs 2025 results were less encouraging, with competitive pressure weighing heavily on traditional advertising agencies. Like-for-like sales fell 3.6% to 13.6bn, and operating profit fell at a sharper 17.1% clip to 1.3bn. Further revenue declines are expected this year. Cindy Rose OBE will have to pull a rabbit out of the hat at todays strategy update if investors are to buy into the groups future-proofing credentials. US stock futures are trading down slightly today. Beats by NVIDIA on Q4 financials and near-term guidance havent been enough to see the shares in the worlds most valuable company get another leg-up in after-market trading. Doubts are still being voiced over the sustainability of the companys blistering growth. We think the numbers paint a different picture and remain very comfortable with NVIDIAs inclusion as one of HLs Five Shares to Watch for 2026. Hardware is the driving force of the AI revolution, and NVIDIA has a controlling position. Its a murkier picture for software companies. Salesforces Q4 numbers were stronger than expected, but investors in the sector are nervous, and the shares shed 4.6% after the close, on slightly more conservative guidance than analysts had been hoping for. With the forward earnings multiple at an all-time low, this could mark an attractive entry point if investors can be convinced that Salesforce is an AI winner. A bulging order book and booming sales of Agentforce are positive enough signs for management to authorise up to $50bn of share buybacks, over 25% of the companys value. [AC2] Brent Crude is back over $71 per barrel as both military and economic measures against Iran remain firmly on the table. Todays bilateral talks in Geneva will be closely watched as Washington pushes for a deal on nuclear development. But upwards momentum has been stifled by a colossal 16mn addition to US oil inventories last week and rumours that Saudi Arabia is planning a further increase to production this year as its daily oil exports tipped a three-year high of 7.3mn barrels per day in the first 24 days of February. Supreme Court Bans Class 8 NCERT Book Over Judiciary Corruption Chapter, Orders Seizure and Digital Takedown 2 The Supreme Court on Thursday imposed a blanket ban on a Class 8 NCERT textbook containing a chapter on corruption in the judiciary, directing authorities to seize all physical copies and ensure immediate removal of its digital versions. The apex court ordered the Centre and state governments to comply with its directions without delay, warning of serious action in case of any defiance. It also issued show-cause notices to the NCERT Director and the School Education Secretary, asking them to explain why action should not be initiated against those responsible for the publication. A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant observed that the inclusion of the contentious content appeared to be a calculated move to undermine the institution and demean the dignity of the judiciary. The court remarked that such misconduct, with a potentially lasting impact on public confidence, could fall within the ambit of criminal contempt. If allowed to go unchecked, this will erode peoples faith in the judiciary. No one will be allowed to go scot-free, the bench said, adding that a deeper probe was required. The Chief Justice asserted that as head of the institution, it was his duty to identify those responsible, stating that heads must roll if wrongdoing is established. The court also took exception to NCERTs communication issued on Wednesday, noting that it did not contain a word of apology and instead appeared to justify the content. At the outset of the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta tendered an unconditional and unqualified apology on behalf of the Ministry of Education. The matter has been posted for further hearing on March 11. Suvendu Adhikari: The Relentless Challenger Bengal Cannot Ignore 2 I went to Kolkata to meet writers and journalists. Politics, as always in Bengal, found its way into every conversation. When I asked a simple but decisive questionwho is the BJPs real bet against Mamata Banerjee in the coming battle?there was no hesitation, no diplomatic evasion, no chorus of multiple names. There was one name. Spoken with conviction. Suvendu Adhikari. West Bengal does not fall for ornamental leadership. It never has. This is a state that has lived through ideological wars, street struggles, cadre politics, and mass mobilizations. Bengal rewards leaders who sweat on the ground, not those who glide from convoy to podium and vanish. And in todays BJP ecosystem in Bengal, Suvendu stands apart precisely because he operates like a field commander, not a weekend campaigner. What struck me most was what local journalists told mehe is accessible. One call away. And if he cannot reach personally, his team responds. Follow-ups happen. Complaints are addressed. In a political culture where post-election amnesia is almost standard practice, that alone is disruptive. But accessibility is only one dimension. There is a deeper factormemory and connection. It is said that Suvendu knows large numbers of people in his constituency by name. Not as voter data, not as booth-level figures, but as individuals. This sounds old-fashioned. Good. Bengal still respects that old-fashioned model. Leaders here were once known to attend family ceremonies, funerals, and community gatherings without cameras. Suvendu has revived that style of politics in a party often perceived as distant in the state. Lets be blunt. The BJP in West Bengal struggled for years because it lacked rooted faces. Many leaders relied on motorcades, layered security, and stage-managed optics. They delivered thunderous speeches, promised structural overhauls, and disappeared until the next rally. Expensive lifestyles and perceived detachment cost the party emotional credibility. Voters want to feel ownership over a leader. They must see him as one of us. When Suvendu left the Trinamool Congress and joined the BJP, he brought more than political weight. He brought networks, booth-level relationships, and a culture of relentless mobilisation. His political resume is substantialformer Transport and Irrigation Minister, former Lok Sabha MP from Tamluk, now Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly since May 2021. Experience is not his liability; it is his arsenal. Yes, he came from outside the traditional BJP-RSS fold. And yes, that has caused discomfort among certain long-standing state leaders. Internal friction exists. There are veterans who question his ideological lineage. There are factions wary of his rapid rise. But politics is not a nostalgia clubit is a performance arena. Parties that prioritize ego hierarchies over winning strategies do so at their peril. If the BJP in West Bengal is serious about defeating Mamata Banerjee, it needs clarity, not confusion. Discipline, not rivalry. A single power centre, not competing egos. So what must BJP do? First, project a clear Chief Ministerial face. Bengals voter psychology revolves around strong personalities. Mamata Banerjees dominance is built on a narrative of singular authority. To defeat that structure, BJP cannot rely solely on national leadership imagery. It must present a credible, assertive, locally embedded alternative. Suvendu fits that profile more convincingly than any other current state leader. Second, rebuild grassroots machinery with zero tolerance for factional sabotage. Electoral battles in Bengal are booth-driven, hyper-local, and emotionally charged. Cadre strength must be energised and unified under one strategic command. The party must decidedoes it want internal comfort or electoral victory? It cannot have both. Third, sharpen narrative clarity. The BJP needs a balanced, strategic mix of governance critique and aspirational messaging. Attack corruption relentlessly. Highlight administrative lapses. But also present a bold development blueprint tailored specifically for Bengalnot recycled national templates. Fourth, invest in community outreach beyond rhetoric. Bengals social fabric is complexculturally proud, politically alert, economically varied. Building trust requires presence in villages, small towns, minority-dominated belts, industrial pockets, and intellectual spaces alike. Suvendus method of physical engagement should be institutionalized across the partys structure. Fifth, stabilise leadership lines. If Suvendu is to be the spearhead, he must be given operational autonomy in state strategy. Half-empowered leaders become scapegoats. Fully backed leaders become force multipliers. Can Suvendu Adhikari emerge as the future Chief Ministerial face for BJP in West Bengal? The possibility is real. But it demands couragefrom the party as much as from him. He has demonstrated stamina, combative clarity, and organisational experience. As Leader of the Opposition, he has taken an aggressive stance inside the Assembly. On the streets, he remains visible and vocal. His electoral victory against Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram remains symbolically potent within BJP circles. That battle turned him from defector to frontline challenger overnight. Leadership in Bengal is not granted through designationit is earned in public confrontation. Suvendu has repeatedly shown he is willing to confront, not negotiate his relevance. However, being a Chief Ministerial candidate requires expanding perception beyond stronghold zones. He must consolidate broader statewide appealurban middle class, youth voters, and undecided segments. He must be seen not only as a fighter but also as an administrator-in-waiting. The transition from opposition warrior to governance architect is delicate. Yet among the current lineup, he appears best positioned for that leap. The BJP today stands at a decisive juncture in West Bengal. It can either remain an ambitious challenger fragmented by internal calculations, or it can evolve into a cohesive alternative anchored by a grounded, assertive leader. If it chooses the latter path, it must invest its full faith in leaders who command organic loyalty. Bengal has never feared strong personalities. It respects themif they remain accessible, if they remain visible, if they remain accountable. Suvendu Adhikaris political currency is hard-earned mass contact. It was not manufactured in television studios. It was built in streets, blocks, and booths. If the BJP harnesses that energy rather than dilute it through internal anxieties, the 2026 Assembly election could shift from speculation to serious contest. Defeating Mamata Banerjee will not be easy. She remains a formidable, battle-tested leader with deep cadre roots. Underestimating her would be fatal. But Bengals political landscape is not static. It changes when momentum meets organization. Suvendu has momentum. Now the BJP must decide whether it has the organisational maturityand the strategic courageto transform that momentum into a full-fledged power bid. If it does, Bengal may witness a new political chapter. If it hesitates, history will repeat itself. In this state, opportunity waits for no one. I continue to be dismayed at the effort Google puts into censoring and hiding an article I wrote in 2020 entitled: American is Structurally Anti-Racist. The article was written in the midst of public mania surrounding the killing of George Floyd. Black history month remains an important starting point for reforming American education and tearing down anti-black pedagogy that masquerades as if it is trying to help the African American community. The simple but necessary task before us in the 21st century is to replace afro-pessimist dogma with afro-idealism. The myth that America is structurally anti-black is rooted in a relentless ideological desire to diminish African Americans as victims rather than heroes. New York rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is an important contemporary advocate of such a view, as she has explained since at least 2019. Advertisement Because the United States of America is fundamentally and essentially a constitutional republic committed to the rights of individuals, it is intrinsically formed to defeat all forms of racial and ethnic discrimination. Human history has always been predicated on ethnic tribalism. Thousands of years exposed individual human beings to brutal annihilation at the hands of dominant ethnic groups washing across all human societies in the form of genocidal rage. The Christian interruption of this violence with Jesus resurrection around 33 AD was an important rhetorical bright line where humanity discovered a basis to rally against this essential political premise of human violence. The precursors of American constitutional development included a set of colonies that were opposed to slavery. A key motive to fighting British colonial imperialism was Britains active promotion of slavery. Insurgent praxis of Christianity like that promoted by John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, inspired the nation to form with a hope of abolishing slavery. In his final words, Wesley pleaded with William Wilberforce to not give up on his dream of abolishing slavery and urged him to seek the ultimate demise of American slavery -- which he considered the worst in the world. Roughly 7,000 black Americans fought and advocated for the Continental Army against the British -- including heroes such as Crispus Attucks, Salem Poor, and Phyllis Wheatley. Removing these founding figures and constructing America as essentially anti-black is systemically racist. The educators who are doing this need to be recognized as anti-black and engaged in racism. Advertisement The early formation of America prior to the Civil War to abolish slavery points to a missional purpose opposed to racial discrimination. One of the nations earliest presidents, John Quincy Adams, argued for over eight hours before the Supreme Court for the equal rights under American law of slaves who escaped from the slave ship Amistad. These arguments were made more than 20 years before the Civil War. Adams later explained his advocacy this way: The world, the flesh, and all the devils in hell are arrayed against any man, who now, in this North-American Union, shall dare to join the standard of Almighty God, to put down [the issue of slavery]... What can I, upon the verge of my seventy-fourth birth-day, with a shaking hand, a darkening eye, a drowsy brain, and with all my faculties, dropping from me, one by one, as the teeth are dropping from my head... what can I do for the cause of God and Man? for the progress of human emancipation? ...Yet my conscience presses me on. Advertisement At the heart of our current pedagogical crisis surrounding Black history is an adamant refusal to hold the Democratic Party to account for its flagrant anti-black history. At the apex of this educational-industrial complex are men like Woodrow Wilson, William Estabrook Chancellor, and Hugo Black. Wilson, raised in the civil war era, always dreamed of super presidential powers that would correct the supposed indiscretions of a Republican Congress that delivered civil rights to black Americans in the South during the aftermath of the Civil War. Wilson supported and implemented anti-black discrimination in the Federal government, and he directly insulted and threw out of the White House African American advocate William Trotter. Wilson showed Birth of a Nation at the White House and he was quoted in the movie three times with pedagogical content he wrote praising the KKK and the potential recovery of white supremacy in the South. His ideological colleague and esteemed professor Chancellor fabricated intellectual accusations that Warren Harding was disqualified to be president in 1920 because he had a black grandmother. Not until 2015 were experts willing to admit that Harding was not black. This referendum on whiteness as defended by the Democratic Party in 1920 is an important central refutation of the idea that America is intrinsically anti-black. More than 100 years ago, a broad American electorate, recently enriched with women as voters, overwhelmingly rejected the anti-black argument of Democrats. Hugo Black was nominated to the Supreme Court in 1937 by FDR even though he was a lifelong KKK member and Black defended the KKK in 1967 to the New Yorker Magazine. He authored discriminatory jurisprudence such as Korematsu and the long-abused doctrine of separation of church and state. More recently, we remain in a struggle to save the American Civil Rights movement from ideological appropriation by the radical left. Martin Luther King understood Americas missional purpose in his second most famous treatise on the problem of anti-black racism: Letter from a Birmingham Jail. To conclude this important directive, King pointed to the life and struggle of James Meredith: Advertisement One day the South will recognize its real heroes. They will be the James Merediths, with the noble sense of purpose that enables them to face jeering and hostile mobs, and with the agonizing loneliness that characterizes the life of the pioneer. James Meredith is one of the most important living African American heroes in America today. His fight to attend University of Mississippi in 1962 was predicated on his understanding that America is a constitutional republic. He believed and acted upon the notion that he had individual rights that could not be denied. He intrinsically disagreed with the social movement philosophy of men like James Farmer Jr. and Martin Luther King. Meredith is still alive, yet the prompt from King in "Letter from Birmingham Jail" is largely ignored. Meredith is dismissed by an intellectual culture that deems him to be too conservative. He remained stalwart in his love of Mississippi -- a state that he openly acknowledged was the heart of white supremacy. He has successfully fought to reform education in Mississippi to such an extent that the state is now a national leader in educational reform. That is a profoundly important struggle for the ongoing dignity of African Americans today. Advertisement American history is an incredible story of human hope against the empirical odds of racial cruelty. Black history month is an important opportunity for all idealists to come together against the ridiculous lies that swallow up the public consciousness. The refusal to acknowledge these plain facts and so many more like them is structural anti-blackness. We as Americans must dismantle this academic prejudice. Dr. Ben Voth is professor of rhetoric and director of debate at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He is the author of several academic books regarding political communication, presidential rhetoric, and genocide. Advertisement Image: Library of Congress As someone who regularly examines culture and politics, I often write about problems and, on occasion, offer solutions. Sometimes the solutions are relatively straightforward and obvious, like suggesting to the GOP that, if they dont pass the SAVE Act and bring about something resembling honest elections, theyre going to get their a***s handed to them in November. Advertisement Other solutions, I recognize, are far more complex than my 30,000-foot take on the issue. This is certainly the case when I suggested the government should get out of the wealth redistribution business . Knowing that there are thousands of programs handing out trillions of dollars annually, just suggesting the government should get out of the business of taking money from Peter to give to Paul seems a bit trite. And it might be, but trying to explain a problem and proffer a detailed solution in under 1,200 words is a bit challenging, at least it is for me. But that doesnt mean that Im going to stop highlighting issues and making suggestions. And that gets me to the subject of this essay, which is how far America can allow Islam to grow within its borders. Advertisement One of the most important and challenging issues, from both cultural and political perspectives, is tolerance. What should we tolerate? How much of it should we tolerate? And, perhaps most importantly, what shouldnt we tolerate and why not? For years, Ive struggled with the idea of limits on tolerance, but I didnt really have a definition for it. I do now. I recently saw a post about Poppers Paradox of Tolerance , something with which I was unfamiliar. I looked it up and immediately recognized it as the perfect distillation of exactly what had been running through my head: Does society have a duty to be tolerant to that which seeks to destroy said society? Advertisement For a long time, America clearly understood the answer was no. The obvious example is communism. America knew that communism was a threat, and Congress did what it could to thwart the party and extinguish the idea itself. Under the Smith Act (Alien Registration Act of 1940), it became illegal to act with intent to cause the overthrow or destruction of any such government, prints, publishes, edits, issues, circulates, sells, distributes, or publicly displays any written or printed matter advocating, advising, or teaching the duty, necessity, desirability, or propriety of overthrowing or destroying any government in the United States by force or violence Advertisement The party was outlawed, and leaders were thrown in jail, and while being a communist wasnt technically illegal, just being one could get you fired or blacklisted, both in Hollywood and beyond. Eventually, the Supreme Court, in Yates v. United States (1957), narrowed Smith, ruling that abstract advocacy of revolution or teaching doctrine was protected by the First Amendment. Only advocacy directed at inciting imminent illegal action could be punished. Advertisement Image created using AI. Today, communism is tolerated in America, and sadly, even celebrated. Indeed, its basically merged with the Democrat party, and their love child has just been elected as mayor of New York . The reality is, the Democrat party of 2026 is far more of a danger to the Republic than the communists ever were. Advertisement The merger actually dovetails with the primary subject of this piece on tolerance: Islam. Our 1st Amendment guarantees Americans freedom of religion. Indeed, its literally the very first right protected in the Bill of Rights: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof There is no definition in the Constitution or anywhere else in government, however, that states exactly what a religion is. In truth, religion in America encompasses everything from traditional Catholicism, reformed Judaism, and thousands of Protestant sects to the late Heavens Gate cult and being a conscientious objector ! Perhaps nothing else demonstrates the reality that America is, in a word, tolerant. But are there limits to that tolerance? And should those limits apply to Islam? Id like to suggest that there should be, and yes, they should apply to Islam. The reality is, while Islam is most certainly a religion, it is also something else. It is a theology of conquest and subjugation . From its very beginning, Islam was about conquering and conquest, through any means necessary, including deception . On a daily basis, we hear Muslim scholars and others speak in the streets , on college campuses, and online, among other places, telling us that Islam will basically take over . Even in high schools, they are welcomed to proffer Sharia . And that gets to the crux of the problem. At its very core, Islam is incompatible with Western civilization . It does not believe in freedom of speech. It does not believe in freedom of religion. Women are second-class citizens , and non-Muslim women fare even worse . All of this might just be an exercise in navel-gazing if it were not so deadly. Since 9/11, there have been more than 64,000 Islamic terrorist attacks around the world. Most were actually in Muslim countries, particularly those with American troops on the ground. But not all. Here in the United States, since 1994, there have been a total of 740 Islamic terrorist attacks or plots disrupted , while in Europe between 1994 and 2021, that number was 367 . Its not just a terrorist-attacks numbers game, though. Across Europe , theyre seeing what happens when Muslims reach just 5% of the population . In France, over half of young Muslims want Sharia law; in Austria, a court made Sharia legal ; while in the UK, Muslim rape rings were allowed to rape thousands of young white girls for more than a decade because the authorities were scared of being called racists. Indeed, across Europe, Muslims are rapidly increasing in numbers , and not only are they not assimilating, but they are also bringing unprecedented rates of violent crime across the continent. Here at home, Muslims gather in large groups and tell us they are taking over , something they have explicitly wanted to do for over 30 years ! And so back to my original question: Does society have a duty to be tolerant of that which seeks to destroy said society? Is Islam to be tolerated? If your answer is yes, ask yourself, is there a religion that might ever NOT be tolerated? What tenets might it have that are not present in Islam? What kinds of activities would its adherents have to engage in that have not been so by Muslims? Our Constitution was written as a vehicle for preserving the fundamental ideas of limited government, free speech, freedom of religion, and individual liberty. A creed that explicitly targets those core values simply cannot be tolerated. This is one of those problems for which solutions would take far more than 1200 words to cover. Whatever solutions are to be had, they must start with recognizing that the Constitution is not a suicide pact. Follow Vince on X at @ImperfectUSA. Across the country, teachers unions are increasingly urging educators to take public political positions -- even during the school day. This trend is deeply troubling for families who expect classrooms to remain politically neutral and focus on core school subjects such as reading, writing, and math. Encouraging political advocacy in the classroom undermines trust, erodes educational integrity and places students in the middle of ideological battles. Advertisement A recent example from Minnesota shows how far this pressure can go. The Wayzata teachers union sent an email encouraging teachers to participate in ICE Out Day, a political protest aimed at opposing federal immigration enforcement. The message urged teachers to show solidarity by wearing specific colors and taking visible political stances at school. For many parents, this was a startling reminder that unions are not merely representing teachers on workplace issues; they are actively pushing political activism into classrooms. This kind of pressure shifts the role of the teacher from educator to indoctrinator. Students, especially younger ones, are uniquely impressionable. They often assume that whatever a teacher says or displays carries the weight of authority. When political viewpoints are presented through classroom messaging, attire or teacher-led demonstrations, students feel pressured to adopt positions they do not understand. Advertisement Many assume this kind of politicization happens only in liberal states like Minnesota, but a recent incident in conservative South Carolina shows the problem is far more widespread. Although South Carolina is a righttowork state, trade associations often function much like unions. The South Carolina Education Association, for example, is partnering with the Greenville Immigrant Community Hotline to host a workshop for educators and administrators titled I.C.E. Response & Know Your Rights. This raises the same concern: organizations that influence teachers are increasingly encouraging political activism within the school environment. Families have the Godappointed responsibility to frame news and civic issues for their children according to their own beliefs. That responsibility does not belong to unions, political movements, or even wellintentioned educators. When unions encourage teachers to inject political messaging into the school environment, they bypass parents entirely. This not only violates the trust families place in government schools but also deepens the divide between schools and the communities they serve. Parents are entrusted with shaping their childrens moral and political understanding, and schools should support, not override, that sacred role. Advertisement Teachers themselves are also placed in a difficult position. Many enter the profession because they love their subject, care about children and want to make a difference -- not because they want to be political operatives. When unions pressure educators to participate in political demonstrations like ICE Out Day, they risk alienating teachers who simply want to teach. No educator should feel compelled to promote a political ideology to remain in good standing with their professional association. There is also the matter of fairness. Classrooms include students from diverse backgrounds and families with a wide range of beliefs. Encouraging teachers to promote political viewpoints risks marginalizing students who disagree or who come from homes with different perspectives. A healthy learning environment requires that all students feel respected and free to think for themselves. Political advocacy from the front of the classroom undermines that freedom. Advertisement None of this means that teachers must avoid discussing current events or civic issues. These topics are essential to a wellrounded education. But they must be taught with balance, accuracy and respect for differing viewpoints. The goal should be to equip students with critical thinking skills -- not to steer them toward a predetermined political conclusion. Teachers unions have every right to advocate for their members on matters such as pay, working conditions and professional development. But urging teachers to take political positions in the classroom crosses a line. It compromises educational neutrality, strains relationships with parents and places students at the center of ideological conflicts they are not prepared to navigate. Advertisement If unions truly want to support educators, they should champion professionalism, academic excellence and respect for families -- not political activism in the classroom. Americas students deserve an education that empowers them to think independently, while families retain the rightful authority to guide their childrens understanding of the world. Parents need to recognize that government school systems, including teachers associations, do not have the best interests of their children as their focus. Parents should get their kids out of government schools, away from this harmful political indoctrination. Advertisement Sheri Few is the Founder and President of United States Parents Involved in Education (USPIE), whose mission is to end the U.S. Department of Education and all federal education mandates. Few speaks regularly on radio and television across the country and served as Executive Producer for the documentary film titled Truth & Lies in American Education. Few is also the host of USPIEs podcast, Unmasking Government Schools with Sheri Few, which educates Americans on the various forms of indoctrination, harmful policies and affronts to parents rights occurring in government schools across the country. Listen to Unmasking Government Schools with Sheri Few on YouTube, Facebook, Spotify and X. Image: Seattle Public Library The delayed release of the Epstein files was troubling for many, but that holdup was necessary and even providential for spiritual revival in America in 2026. Advertisement There are certainly many tragic and utterly abominable parts of the Epstein saga that needed to come to light sooner. There were hundreds of young female victims who got ensnared and abused. Beyond the moral depravity, Epstein was a key operator for the deep state, creating a system to entice, blackmail, and control high-level figures in government and the private sector to advance a dark globalist agenda that would weaken and destroy the constitutional government of the United States. The Epstein files encompass millions of pages, hundreds of thousands of images, and thousands of videos from Epstein's properties, devices, emails, and investigative holdings that also include children. For instance, the newly released files include an FBI report on a leaked video allegedly showing an 11 to 13-year-old girl tied naked and burned with a magnifying glass allegedly by Epstein. Reports from credible sources confirm the presence of a wide variety of photos, including photos showing Epstein interacting with and cuddling young children. Still others who claim to have broken the coded language in the Epstein correspondence contained in email exchanges between pedophiles believe there has been far more than child trafficking. They believe the coded language points to child sacrifice, cannibalism, and organ harvesting from children. Advertisement The Epstein files reveal the power of the dark spiritual forces around him and his close relationships -- established by irrefutable records of a high volume of correspondence -- that include Ghislaine Maxwell (daughter of Robert Maxwell, a British publisher with strong ties to Israeli Intelligence Agency Mossad); Leslie Wexner (founder of The Limited/L Brands and Victorias Secret); Bill Gates (founder of Microsoft and founder of the pro-vaccine, global population reduction-partial genocide advocacy of the Gates Foundation); Larry Summers (president of Harvard University and former secretary of the U.S. Treasury); Reid Hoffman (founder of LinkedIn and funder of Fusion GPS); Kathryn Ruemmler, (former general counsel of Goldman Sachs and former Obama White House general counsel); Ariane de Rothschild (CEO, Edmund de Rothschild Group Swiss private banking group) and others. As for the Epstein operation control, manipulation, and blackmailing of people serving in the public sector and government, one can assume there are a number of Prince Andrews in and around the U.S. government. Recently, current Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick admitted to understating his meetings with Jeffrey Epstein. In fact Lutnicks New York City residence address was 11 East 71st Street, right next to Jeffrey Epsteins infamous residence at 9 East 71st Street, which Southern District Court federal prosecutors cited multiple times in the 2019 sex-trafficking indictment as a primary location where he recruited, groomed, and sexually exploited dozens of underage girls -- often aged 1417. Advertisement While most documents in the Epstein files focus on corroborated elements of sexual abuse, exploitation, and trafficking of underage girls and young women, there are isolated allegations of extreme behavior, including references to torture and ritualistic child sacrifice. In addition, there are numerous reports of seasoned FBI and other law enforcement personnel charged with the duty to examine and collate the Epstein files in secure surroundings, having to stop their work because of disgust and revulsion sickness from exposure to depravity beyond belief. Advertisement In light of the Bibles condemnation of harming children, and specifically Jesuss warning in Matthew 18:6, that it is better to be drowned with a millstone than to cause a child to stumble, the American people and their government must answer for the Epstein saga. The Lord can have mercy on us if there is true repentance. That is the Saviors central promise. Consider that before Americas thirteen colonies could successfully gain independence from Great Britain, which was undisputedly the greatest military power in the world, the American people had to experience spiritual revival. And so it was that the First Great Awakening swept through America between 1730 and 1750. Led by Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield, this spiritual revival emphasized new birth, deep conviction of sin and genuine repentance. Edwards described it as an intense awareness of sin, brokenness, and a desperate need to turn to God. Advertisement At a time of great division prior to the Civil War, there came to be another spiritual outpouring, known as the Second Great Awakening. Led by preachers like Charles Finney, the focus was repentance as the key to revival. In 1857 and 1858, there was a follow-on revival that started in the Wall Street district of New York City led by Jeremiah Lanphiers daily noon prayer meetings. Marked again by spontaneous repentance and confession of sin, massive numbers turned to God, and noontime prayer meetings spread nationwide. Romans 8:28 assures us that "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." And since 2026 is Americas 250th anniversary, the timing of the release of the Epstein files is providential, for repentance is all we can offer now, and that is the essential precondition for spiritual revival. Advertisement UPDATE from Andrea: A reader has helpfully reminded us that, whatever the rumors are about Maxwell and the Mossad, strong evidence points to Maxwell working with the Soviet Union and Russia: Scott S. Powell is senior fellow at Discovery Institute and a member of the Committee on the Present Danger-China. His timeless book, Rediscovering America, was a #1 Amazon New Release in the history genre for eight weeks. Reach him at [email protected] Image: Clinton White House The wealthy are getting bigger tax breaks, Democrats incessantly howl. Advertisement Or, The wealthy are poised to receive larger tax refunds than the less fortunate. The proper response to these inane assertions would be, Yes, and do you know why that is? It's because they pay more in taxes. Advertisement In fact, by some measures, the top 1% of income earners pay nearly 40% of the federal income taxes. The bottom half of income earners, or non-income earners, pay virtually no federal taxes at all. This is as if progressives would be enraged if somebody who spent $1,000 at Menards got more money back via the companys 11% rebate then somebody who spent $10 at Menards. That would be insane. Advertisement Should we go to a progressive rebate structure, too, based on ones income level? Those on the left would probably say 'yes.' But, again, most wealthy people already pay far more in taxes via our progressive tax rate than do those less well-heeled. And that discrepancy doesn't even take into account the myriad other income transfer programs and schemes for which someone other than the recipients must pay. Nor does it consider or reflect the inconceivably vast levels of Democrat corruption and fraud-- or the related billions of dollars in freebies for illegal aliens that must either explode the debt or be paid for by higher income earners. To wit, Elon Musk recently claimed that he has paid over $10 billion in cumulative taxes as the most soaked individual taxpayer in history. Advertisement As California, among other states, is poised to find out, if you punish the talented, productive and job-producing, you will be left with the incompetent, shiftless, and welfare-addicted. And you sentence your state and its residents -- to a dismal and dystopian future. In a related story, new New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani promised his constituents free buses. And the citys first Free Grocery Store just opened. Fox News reported that hundreds of New Yorkers queued up outside a pop-up shop offering free groceries. Advertisement But how can anything be truly free? Will farmers donate their produce? Will shipping and packaging be done for free? Are store employees willing to work for nothing? (Hell, theyre barely willing to work for good wages.) So, in the end, guess who pays? Guess who always pays? Looks like weve got some splainin to do. O.K., Democrats, for there to be a product or service that some people are not paying for, others would have to not be paid for their labor. Advertisement Of course, this cannot be the case, at least at scale. So, what people mean when they say something is free, is that others must be made to pay for it. And when some people are made to pay more and more for things that are provided to other people for free, they will naturally do the logical thing and flee that state or municipality, taking their productivity -- and money -- with them. This is doubly bad for the state from which they fled. But, a large, and apparently growing, percentage of the populace either doesn't understand the connection, or doesn't care as long as they can get free stuff, provided by others. These are not the moral people that John Adams and the other founders were speaking of, as regards the Constitution. When government demonizes the most productive segment of the population and confiscates ever more of its money, those in that population tend to try to protect themselves and their families financial future. Surprise! Who woulda thunk? But so-called progressives live in an alternate reality, albeit one that can never become real. At some point, Atlas Shrugs. And with him go the rest of us. Image: Pexels // Pexels License I came to this country by choice, not by birth, not by inheritance, and not by accident. I left Canada with my family and moved to the United States because I believed in something bigger than myself. A country with a crazy idea: power belongs in the hands of the people, not the kings, not the elites, and not the bureaucrats. When I arrived, I did what every immigrant who truly loves this country does: I studied it. I learned its history, its structure, its Constitution, and the extraordinary system of selfgovernment that has guided it for nearly 250 years. Advertisement But for more than a decade, I lived here without the ability to vote. I paid taxes, followed the laws, worked hard, and contributed to my community. I was building a life. Yet I could not participate in the one act that defines the American experiment: choosing the leaders who govern us. Those ten years taught me something many citizens never realize that voting is not just a right, or a chore, nor is it a box to check every few years. It is the highest civic duty we have. Advertisement Everything else we do as Americans raising families, working jobs, paying taxes, obeying the law matters deeply. But none of it shapes the future of the Republic the way the vote does. Because the vote is the mechanism by which We the People grant authority to our elected representatives. It is the way we hire them, the way we fire them, the way we correct course, and the way we protect the Constitution itself. When I finally became an American citizen after years of paperwork, interviews, background checks, and waiting I felt pride, but I also felt weight. I understood immediately that the ballot I now held was not a symbol. It was power. That is why voting responsibly is not optional. It is the price of selfgovernment. Advertisement As I watched President Donald Trump deliver the State of the Union address, one moment struck me deeply. He called out members of Congress who refused to uphold what he described as their constitutional responsibility to place the safety and wellbeing of American citizens above the interests of those who entered the country illegally. To me, that moment revealed something even more troubling: the voters who elected these representatives may not have treated their vote as the highest civic duty they possess. In a free nation, the voter must do the work. We must study candidates. We must check their records. We must separate rhetoric from reality. We must understand the consequences of policy, not just the promises. The voter must ask who truly respects the Constitution, who truly protects American citizens, and who truly honors the oath they take. Advertisement Many Americans treat voting as a routine task something done out of habit, emotion, or simple party loyalty. But if we are unwilling to become informed voters, unwilling to understand the greatness of the Constitution and the responsibility it places on us, then we face a choice: either take the time to learn, or refrain from casting a ballot. It is irresponsible to vote without knowing who a candidate is or what they stand for, and it diminishes the very power we hold as citizens when we check a box without understanding why. A significant number of voters do not take the time out of their day to participate in the electoral process. In my view, this is unacceptable. Countless Americans in history have sacrificed their lives for the right to vote. At a minimum, we owe it to them to be informed and to cast our ballots responsibly. Advertisement So, I offer this appeal to every American citizen: treat your vote as the highest civic duty you possess. Study Question Discern. Look past slogans and personalities. Seek truth, not comfort. Choose leaders who honor the Constitution, protect American citizens, and respect the laws of this land. Because in the end, the strength of the United States does not rest in Washington. It rests in the hands of the people in your hands every time you step into the voting booth. And that responsibility is greater than all the others combined. Advertisement Image generated by AI. Sowell There is no greater indictment of judges than the fact that honest people are afraid to go into court, while criminals swagger out its revolving doors. --Thomas During the eight years of the Obama administration and the four years of the Biden administration many activist judges were appointed to the bench. Even during the Trump administration, activists, recommended by two progressive Senators, were confirmed. Radicals admittedly sympathize with the criminal class. Progressive judges frequently conceal their radical sympathies in order to retain the appearance of respectability. Jefferson warned about a corrupt judiciary: Our judges are as honest as other men, and not more so . . . and their power [is] the more dangerous, as they are in office for life and not responsible, as the other functionaries are, to the elective control. The Constitution has erected no such single tribunal, knowing that to whatever hands confided, with corruptions of time and party, its members would become despots. Thomaswarned about a corrupt judiciary: Our judges are as honest as other men, and not more so . . . and their power [is] the more dangerous, as they are in office for life and not responsible, as the other functionaries are, to the elective control. The Constitution has erected no such single tribunal, knowing that to whatever hands confided, with corruptions of time and party, its members would become despots. David Horowitz attributed the prison movement, founded on the premise that outlaws were rebels, to Fay Stender. Stender was a prisoner rights activist who defended the Black Panthers and other radical organizations. The origin of this movement ("There are no criminals, only political prisoners) can be traced back to 19th century Russian radical Sergei Nechaev. Nechaev advised, the revolutionary may and often must live in society, pretending to be something he is not. The revolutionary must penetrate everywhere: into the highest and the middle classes; into the merchants store; into the church; into the mansions of the aristocrat; into the worlds of bureaucracy, the military and literature. Zarutska by Decarlos Brown Jr. shined a light on the problem of violent offenders being prematurely released. Brown had been arrested at least 14 times and had assaulted his sister in 2020. Brown had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Criminals considered mentally incompetent to stand trial are frequently released to hospitals where they are discharged after they are cured. There are countless cases of crimes released due to mental illness. The murder of Irynaby Decarlos Brown Jr. shined a light on the problem of violent offenders being prematurely released. Brown had been arrested at least 14 times and had assaulted his sister in 2020. Brown had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Criminals considered mentally incompetent to stand trial are frequently released to hospitals where they are discharged after they are cured. There are countless cases of crimes released due to mental illness. Galligan was charged with kidnapping and child abuse. He was deemed incompetent to stand trial due to his mental health, but a shortage of beds in mental health facilities meant he couldn't be treated or institutionalized. Consequently, he was eventually released back into society. Solomonwas charged with kidnapping and child abuse. He was deemed incompetent to stand trial due to his mental health, but a shortage of beds in mental health facilities meant he couldn't be treated or institutionalized. Consequently, he was eventually released back into society. Smith was accused of hacking a man to death and eating part of his victims brain. He was granted a conditional release from a hospital. Tyreewas accused of hacking a man to death and eating part of his victims brain. He was granted a conditional release from a hospital. Fox News reported, To quote the director there, he is a joy. Shei 180 days in jail for raping two girls between the ages of 4 and 9. Judge Jacob Allen gave Mohamed Bakari180 days in jail for raping two girls between the ages of 4 and 9. Sullivan released an illegal on $500 bail after he raped a disabled 15-year-old. Judge Susanreleased an illegal on $500 bail after he raped a disabled 15-year-old. Mohamed , was charged with raping a minor and multiple adult women before being detained only to be quickly released by a local court, after which he committed yet another rape. Somali national, Abdimahat Bille, was charged with raping a minor and multiple adult women before being detained only to be quickly released by a local court, after which he committed yet another rape. Begert is considering the release of 91-time felon five years after he killed two women. Judge Michaelis considering the release of 91-time felon five years after he killed two women. There are countless similarly outrageous cases. When criminals suffer no or little consequences for their crimes they are given the message that their behavior is acceptable. They frequently engage in more serious crimes in order to test the system. Judges who sentence violent criminal to probation are in a sense accomplices. This is not compassion. Radical judges are aware of the damage they are causing. John Dietrich is a freelance writer and the author of The Morgenthau Plan: Soviet Influence on American Postwar Policy (Algora Publishing). He has a Master of Arts Degree in International Relations from St. Marys University. He is retired from the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. He is featured on the BBC's program "Things We Forgot to Remember:" Morgenthau Plan and Post-War Germany. China-Germany cooperation the only optimal solution to address risks: Premier Li Xinhua) 08:47, February 26, 2026 Chinese Premier Li Qiang and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attend a symposium of the China-Germany economic advisory committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Wednesday that cooperation between China and Germany is the only optimal solution to address risks, and development is the only option for both sides to ensure security. Li made the remarks when attending a symposium of the China-Germany economic advisory committee in Beijing together with visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. "The more severe the situation is, the more China and Germany should strengthen cooperation," said Li. Amid mounting instability and uncertainty in the world economy, Li said that China and Germany have -- as two major economies and through close, continuous cooperation -- not only expanded the space for their own development but also created driving forces for the world economy. Li noted that both the Chinese and German economies are showing positive recovery momentum, and that there will be broader space for economic and trade cooperation between the two countries during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, which began this year. The basic China-Germany cooperation pattern featuring industry complementarity has not changed, and the areas in which the two countries can collaborate far exceed those in which the two sides are locked in competition, Li said, adding that promoting development hand-in-hand by shaping a sound relationship defined by both competition and cooperation is entirely possible. Eyeing higher-level mutually beneficial results, Li urged coordinated efforts from China and Germany in three major areas. First, Li called for the basic foundations of traditional cooperation to be strengthened, with enterprises from the two countries continuing to deepen cooperation in fields such as machinery, equipment and chemicals, and accelerating the localization of their business. Second, on new opportunities for future development, Li said the two countries should support enterprises and scientific research institutions to promote the two-way flow of innovative resources, come together to explore third-party markets, and carry out joint, in-depth research on technology and platform construction to share cooperation outcomes. Third, Li urged the creation of a favorable environment for investment and business. China will steadfastly expand its high-level opening-up and actively address the reasonable demands of enterprises funded by Germany and other countries, Li said, expressing China's hope that the German government will provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises operating in the country. China also hopes that Chinese and German entrepreneurs will play key roles in promoting economic and trade cooperation, in enhancing communication and understanding between the two sides, and in promoting the stability of bilateral relations, Li added. Noting that Germany and China are important trading partners for each other, Merz said that these bilateral economic and trade relations -- characterized by vitality -- have sustained high-level development over the years, effectively promoting the economic growth of both countries. He added that Germany is committed to mutual learning and the exchange of experience with China, and to enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation in such fields as automobiles, chemicals, machinery, renewable energy and the digital economy, with the aim of fostering common prosperity and supporting the stable, long-term development of Germany-China relations. Germany supports German enterprises in deepening their investment in the Chinese market, is willing to improve its business environment continuously, and welcomes more Chinese companies to invest and operate in Germany, creating jobs and strengthening connectivity, he said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) -Poster Presentation Selected as Late Breaking Abstract- SHANGHAI and BOSTON, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Argo Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Argo Biopharma), a clinical-stage small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics company, has been selected as a late breaking abstract to present Phase II interim data for BW-20805 during the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) 2026 Annual Meeting on February 27-March 2, 2026. BW-20805 is an investigational siRNA therapy that targets and significantly inhibits prekallikrein (PKK), a well-validated target for hereditary angioedema (HAE) treatment, offering the possibility of prevention of HAE attacks with a long-term effect. "The selection of our Phase II interim data as a late breaking abstract at the AAAAI Annual Meeting recognizes the strength and growing body of evidence supporting BW-20805, and highlights its potential to deliver remarkable, sustained reductions in HAE attack rates and rapid, profound suppression of plasma PKK levels along with a favorable safety profile that is well tolerated across all dose levels. The strength of this clinical data support further evaluation of a potentially best-in-class dosing regimen for patients' prophylactic needs," said Dr. Dongxu Shu, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Argo Biopharma. The open-label study results, selected as a late breaking abstract presentation, titled "Significant HAE Attack Reduction with BW-20805, a Long-Acting Prophylactic Injection-An Ongoing Phase 2 Study in Adults with Hereditary Angioedema" (POSTER ID: L42), show that BW-20805 provides remarkable plasma PKK reduction, along with meaningful time-normalized HAE attack rate reduction. The sustained PKK suppression and the favorable safety and tolerability profile support further evaluation of a Q6M dosing regimen. Key Data Highlights: As of cut-off, time-normalized HAE attack rate decreased by 100% in the 600 mg Q24W group, 89% in the 300 mg Q24W group, and 87% in the 300 mg Q12W group. Additionally, 80% (8/10) of treated patients remained attack-free. in the 600 mg Q24W group, in the 300 mg Q24W group, and in the 300 mg Q12W group. Additionally, 80% (8/10) of treated patients remained attack-free. Plasma PKK levels showed a rapid and profound decrease. On Day 85, in the pooled 300 mg groups (Q24W and Q12W), the mean reduction in plasma PKK exceeded 92% ; for 600 mg Q24W group, PKK reduction reached approximately 97% . ; for 600 mg Q24W group, PKK reduction reached approximately . Among the participants who completed 169 days of follow-up, PKK reductions were sustained at 98% in the 300 mg Q12W group and 97% in the 600 mg Q24W group on Day 169, respectively. in the 300 mg Q12W group and in the 600 mg Q24W group on Day 169, respectively. BW-20805 was generally well tolerated, with mainly mild, transient injection-site reactions and no serious adverse events observed. These results demonstrate the robust pharmacodynamic effect of BW-20805 combined with the favorable safety and tolerability profile, supporting its potential as a long-acting prophylactic therapy for HAE. About Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare genetic condition that causes sudden and unpredictable swelling in different parts of the body. In severe cases, it can affect the throat and become life-threatening, with a mortality rate of up to 40% 1. HAE affects about 1.5 people per 100,000 worldwide 2. Current treatments require frequent dosing, highlighting the need for long-acting, preventive therapies. BW-20805 targets human hepatic PKK mRNA to inhibit PKK gene expression, offering the potential for effective prevention of HAE attacks with a significant and longer-lasting therapeutic effect. About Argo Biopharma Argo Biopharma is a clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to developing next-generation RNAi therapeutics to provide better treatment options for patients worldwide. The company has established a robust and diverse pipeline of RNAi molecule candidates targeting a wide range of indications, including cardiovascular diseases, viral infections, metabolic conditions, and specialty/rare diseases. Currently, Argo Biopharma has seven RNAi candidates in clinical development. For more information, please visit www.argobiopharma.com. References Giavina-Bianchi P, et al. (2011). CLINICS 66(9): 16271636. Aygoren-Pursun, E, et al. (2018). Orphanet J Rare Dis 13(1): 73. SOURCE Argo Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd While we love our doggies so much, our canine companions can definitely make a bit of a mess at times. From shedding pet hair all over the sofa to dirty paws tracking in mud and other dirtiness from outdoors, there is no shortage of ways our pups make their very special mark in our homes. This is why finding pet-friendly home items is absolutely key to keeping things tidy and clean. One non-negotiable pet-friendly home item you need if you live with a dog (or dogs) is a good utility rug, especially near entrances where you let your pup out to use the bathroom. This prevents dirt, mud and other debris from getting inside your home. If you're in need of a new rug but don't want to break the bank, Aldi has you covered with these chic runner rugs. SIGN UP to get "pawsitivity" delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends Kirkton House Spring Utility Runner, Black Pindot, $9.99 at Aldi Aldi (Aldi) Kirkton House's Spring Utility Runners are fantastic for homes with dogs because they are durable, stylish and practical. These runner rugs come in five designsblack medallion, black pindot, gray medallion, gray border and yellow popcorngiving you options to choose from. Each runner rug measures 24 inches by 72 inches, making it the perfect size for an entryway, kitchen and side door. Related: Aldi's Animal-Themed Food Storage Box Is Un-Bearably Cute These runner rugs are super durable, made of 100 percent polypropylene, and designed to withstand everything from muddy paws to dirty boots. This makes the rugs perfect for high-traffic areas such as your front door or kitchen. Plus, these runner rugs are also Oeko-Tex certified, giving you peace of mind. Another reason these runner rugs are great for high-traffic areas is that they are skid-resistant, so there won't be any slipping or sliding on your floor. These rugs stay put exactly where you want them to be. Finally, because these are intended for high-traffic areas of the home, it's only natural that they'll get dirty. That's why they are machine washable for easy cleaning and maintenance. You can find these runner rugs at Aldi starting next week, on March 4, as part of Aldi's upcoming selection of Aldi Finds. Related: Aldi's 2-Piece Snack Bowl Set Is the Cat's Meow This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Feb 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the Shopping section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here. 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? 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. 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. 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. 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. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese has apologised for describing child sexual abuse survivor Grace Tame as difficult, saying his remark was misinterpreted. In a one-word response during a rapid-fire questioning round at the Future Victoria conference on Wednesday, Mr Albanese described Ms Tame, the 2021 Australian of the Year for her advocacy for child sexual abuse survivors, as difficult. He later clarified that he was referring to the very difficult life endured by Ms Tame, who was groomed and raped by her former maths teacher. If there was any misinterpretation, then I certainly apologise, Mr Albanese told reporters. She has had a difficult life and that was what I was referring to. What Grace Tame has done is turn that difficult experience that she had into being a strong advocate for others. Following Mr Albaneses apology, Ms Tame said: What a patronising cop out from a total coward. Straight from the Scott playbook, she wrote on Instagram, referring to former prime minister Scott Morrison, with whom she had a strained relationship. "I'll take the badge of honour, though. That, and being called 'absolutely outrageous' by the Israeli defence minister. Must be doing something right." She earlier said, Difficult is the misogynists code for a woman who wont comply. Grace Tame speaks during a rally for Gaza at Hyde Park on 24 August 2025 in Sydney, Australia (Getty Images) The prime ministers description of Ms Tame also drew criticism from several prominent figures on social media. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said: Some of my best friends are difficult women (OK, all of them, and I love them for it!) Greens leader Larissa Waters said: Labelling women as difficult wont silence us. Ms Tame was 15 when her teacher, Nicolaas Ockert Bester, 58, began grooming and repeatedly raping her. He was later found guilty and served a year and nine months in jail. Ms Tame suffered a setback this week after the former teacher was deemed unfit to stand trial on separate charges linked to allegations that he had made social media posts that menaced or harassed her. Ms Tame was named Australian of the Year in 2021 for her work advocating for child sexual abuse survivors, including her efforts to overturn laws in Tasmania that made it illegal for victims to speak publicly about their experiences. Anthony Albanese stands outside the entrance to his office in Canberra on 11 February 2026 (AFP via Getty) Ms Tame, who was critical of the Morrison government for its response to allegations of toxic workplace culture in the parliament, refused to smile at an official event with the then prime minister in 2022. Footage of her expression during the meeting quickly went viral. In the aftermath, Mr Albanese, then in the opposition, shared a photo of the pair, reflecting what he described as their warm relationship and called her a powerhouse. Their relationship appears to have grown uneasy since Ms Tame drew criticism for using the phrase Globalise the Intifada during a pro-Palestinian rally this month. The slogan Globalise the Intifada has appeared at some pro-Palestinian demonstrations, invoking the Palestinian uprisings against Israeli rule and calling for the expansion of resistance or solidarity efforts beyond the region. Australian of the Year winner Grace Tame raises her award during a ceremony in Canberra, Monday, 25 Jan 2021 (AAP IMAGE) The phrase is reportedly under consideration as the Australian government widens its crackdown in the aftermath of the Bondi Beach attack on what it alleges are hateful slogans. Ms Tames remarks prompted calls from some critics for her Australian of the Year title to be stripped. Mr Albanese did not criticise Ms Tame for her comments at the rally, but did object to a t-shirt she wore at an official reception for the 2025 Australian of the Year nominees bearing the slogan F*** Murdoch, referring to the media mogul. The prime minister said the T-shirt detracted from what the day should be about. Benfica have categorically denied that Gianluca Prestianni admitted to his team-mates he racially abused Real Madrids Vinicius Junior. Portuguese media had reported the Argentinian winger, who denies the accusation, had confessed his guilt to the rest of the squad. However, his club insisted that was not the case. Benfica categorically denies that player Prestianni communicated to the squad or the clubs management that he had uttered a racist insult against Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior, said a statement. As has already been made public, the player apologised to his team-mates for the incident that occurred during the match against Real Madrid, regretting its magnitude and consequences and assuring everyone, as he has done from the very beginning, that he is not racist. Prestianni was provisionally suspended for Wednesdays Champions League play-off defeat against Real after Vinicius alleged he was racially abused by the Argentinian in the first leg. Vinicius Junior, who alleged Benficas Gianluca Prestianni racially abused him, scored the winner at the Bernabeu as the Portuguese club were eliminated from the Champions League 3-1 on aggregate (Manu Fernandez/AP) (Manu Fernandez) The Brazilian left the field and refused to return, resulting in a stoppage in play that lasted 10 minutes in Lisbon. Benfica boss Jose Mourinho was roundly criticised for his comments about the incident after appearing to intimate the winger had brought any abuse upon himself with his goal celebration, saying a stadium where Vinicius plays, something happens, always. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolies son Maddox drops Pitt from name in credits of his mothers new film Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolies son Maddox has dropped Pitt from his surname in the credits for his mothers new film Couture. The 24 year-old assistant director, who was previously known as Maddox Jolie-Pitt, is credited simply as Maddox Jolie for the drama about a film director who is diagnosed with breast cancer shortly before shooting a video at a Paris fashion show. As recently as 2024, when Maddox worked as a production assistant on Netflixs Maria Callas biopic Maria, he was credited as Maddox Jolie-Pitt. The Independent has approached representatives for Angelina Jolie for comment. Maddox is the oldest of the former couples six children, along with Pax, 22, Zahara, 21, Shiloh, 19, and 17-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne. Several have chosen to drop the Pitt from their surname following their parents lengthy divorce. Maddox Jolie (center) was known as Maddox Jolie-Pitt prior to the separation of his parents, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie (Getty) In July 2024, Shiloh announced that she has filed to drop her fathers last name in the Los Angeles Times. According to California law, one must have name-change legal forms published in a newspaper ad for one month, and once published, the request will show up in the legal notice section of the paper. Only then can a judge approve a petition to change ones name. At the time, sources reportedly close to Pitt have claimed that the Oscar winner was aware and upset at the name-change filing. Hes aware and upset that Shiloh dropped his last name, the source told the People. The reminders that hes lost his children, is of course not easy for Brad. He loves his children and misses them. Its very sad. Vivienne was also identified as Vivienne Jolie in the 2023 Playbill for musical The Outsiders, which she helped produce with her mother. And in a video shared by Essence in November 2023, eldest daughter Zahara introduced herself as Zahara Marley Jolie while joining the Mu Pi chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at her university, Spelman College. She was seen dancing alongside her fellow sorority sisters before introducing herself, My name is Zahara Marley Jolie. And [I] landed all the way from the Golden State in the city full of angels: Los Angeles, California. Back in 2016, Pitt was cleared by the FBI after allegedly being involved in an altercation with Maddox on a private plane. The alleged incident happened just days before Jolie filed for divorce in September of that year. An FBI spokeswoman told the Press Association: In response to allegations made following a flight within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States which landed in Los Angeles carrying Mr Brad Pitt and his children, the FBI has conducted a review of the circumstances and will not pursue further investigation. No charges have been filed in this matter. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent the past two days in Tel Aviv meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Bibi Netanyahu and his wife, Sara. According to Israels prime ministerial website, the trip reinforced political, strategic and even personal ties between the two leaders and their governments. The visit came with a fair share of pomp and show. Modi offered emphatic support for Israel after the "barbaric" October 7 attacks, omitting any mention of Palestinians. He and Netanyahu frequently embraced, with the Israeli leader describing the special "Modi hug" as the "real thing". At a private dinner, Netanyahu dressed in traditional Indian attire and posed for a photo with a beaming Modi, who later received an award referred to as the Knesset Medal, described as the highest honour the Knesset can bestow. Modi was the inaugural winner of the Knesset Medal, references to which much like the FIFA "Peace Award" given to Donald Trump do not appear prior to this event in Israeli law or Knesset history. During his visit, Modi also wholeheartedly supported US President Donald Trumps controversial Gaza peace plan, saying it "holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people in the region, including by addressing the Palestine issue". Modi praised the role of Indian Jews in Israel in laboratories, hospitals and classrooms, and also on the battlefield and noted the spread of yoga's popularity to almost every neighbourhood. The timing of the visit was notable. It came months before contentious Israeli elections and as Netanyahus international standing has deteriorated amid allegations of war crimes, UN accusations of genocide and an ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant. Neither leader addressed the wider humanitarian and legal controversies surrounding Israels ruthless attacks in Gaza, which have continued despite a Trump-brokered ceasefire. Read moreGazans face impossible wait at Rafah crossing to Egypt India has long tried to play neutral with Israel and Palestine, remaining largely silent about the roughly 75,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza, according to an independent estimate by the Lancet, most of them women and children. The chummy meeting also occurred as the Middle East remains volatile the threat of USIsraeli strikes on Iran persists, Israel continues to hit Gaza and steps to annex the occupied West Bank have begun. Modis visit crystallises a decisive tilt toward Israel, driven by ideological sympathy, a surge in defence purchases and deeper technological links. A partnership of convenience In the Knesset, Modi spoke of bilateral trade at large, saying that Delhi is "committed to expanding trade, strengthening investment flows and promoting joint infrastructure development". Most of that expanding trade would be in the field of defence. Before Modis trip to Israel, Indian outlets began reporting on a historic multiyear $10 billion defence deal between the two countries, which, according to reports, is expected to focus on air-defence systems. Its a logical next step for the two military allies. India purchased roughly a third of Israels weapons exports about $20.5 billion between 2020 and 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), making New Delhi its single largest customer and helping sustain Israels arms boom even as parts of Europe imposed restrictions over actions in Gaza. The gains for India are immediate. Missiledefence systems, surveillance and battlefield technologies and partnerships on AI and quantum computing are reportedly part of the deal. Bobby Ghosh, a columnist specialising in the Middle East, said that defence deals such as this are a win-win for India and Israel. "The Modi government sees Israel as a partner on security issues, and Israel has a great deal to offer a government that is interested in espionage whether that is spying on its own people through tools like Pegasus, or keeping an eye on hostile neighbours like China and Pakistan." India used Israels Pegasus software to illegally spy on its own citizens, including dissenting lawmakers, journalists and activists. Ideological allies India's historical relationship with the Palestinians was once marked by solidarity rooted in shared anti-colonial struggles that evolved into consistent diplomatic support. India opposed the 1947 UN Partition Plan for Palestine, advocating a unified federal state instead influenced by leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, who saw parallels with India's own independence fight. India voted against Israel's UN admission in 1949 and maintained this pro-Palestinian stance throughout the 1960s, even as it quietly accepted Israeli aid during the 1962 Sino-Indian War. But that rhetoric has almost entirely flipped. Support for Palestine has morphed into strong alignment with Israel under Modi, driven by military, economic ties and shared anti-Islamic, right-wing Hindutva (Hindu nationalist) and Zionist ideologies. According to Ghosh, the Hindutva movement that Modi leads is closely aligned to Israel. "[Bezalel] Smotrich and [Itamar] Ben-Gvir speak the way that many Hindu nationalist leaders speak," he said, referring to two far-right Israeli politicians. "If you change the protagonists, and put those same words into the mouths of some of the firebrand, right-wing figures in India, they're indistinguishable from each other." Modi was one of the first world leaders to reach out to Netanyahu after the October 7, 2023, attack, offering to provide any help that Israel needed. The two prime ministers spoke several times in the next few months, with Modi reiterating that the people of India firmly stand with Israel. Supporters of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were some of the staunchest backers of Israel on social media, drawing on a shared Islamophobia. I don't think that India is any longer a serious supporter of the Palestinian cause," Ghosh says. "Among older Indian politicians, you may hear some traces of some vestiges of the old Indian foreign policy line, which was pro-Palestine, but that voice is fading." When X briefly made users countries of origin public, several prominent pro-Israel accounts were found to be run from India. It was an unfortunate testament to the success of Hindutva forces in cultivating Islamophobia by presenting Palestine as supposedly anti-Hindu. Indias enthusiastic support for some of Israels most hardline and divisive right-wing politicians illustrates that shared ideology. In 2025, India welcomed extremist Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who was banned from several EU nations for his inflammatory statements against Palestinians and his work expanding illegal settlements. During his visit, Smotrich emphasised the countries' common woes. Both India and Israel experience the hypocrisy of the international community countries that judge us, and countries that attempt to prevent us from responding to these threats of terrorism, he said. India's economic attraction For the last year, India has aggressively pursued free-trade agreements with a host of countries and blocs including the EU, US, UK, Oman, New Zealand and now, if all goes according to plan, with Israel. During his speech at the Knesset, Modi frequently referenced the IMEC initiative the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, which includes shipping, energy and underwater internet infrastructure. The initiative has largely stalled in recent years due to regional instability. Some analysts critical of Indias trade agreements with Israel believe that the association with Netanyahu may have reputational impacts on Modi, and a ripple effect on IMEC and other strategic trade relationships. Read moreFamine in Gaza: 'The repercussions will continue for generations' Ghosh believes that threats of sanctions and criticism of Israel by Western blocs, particularly the EU and UN, are little more than posturing. He described the international condemnation so far on the genocide in Palestine as "a light rap across the knuckles". "Very few Western governments seem to be troubled by Israel's treatment of Palestinians. Israel continues to enjoy enormous support in the corridors of power in the West, despite its behaviour," he said. The outcry against Modis visit to Israel has been limited to a handful of opposition parties within India. Even if Modi sustains some reputational damage, it's unlikely that any of Indias trade partners will balk at its now obvious friendship with Israel. "Even the countries condemning Israel are in business with it," Ghosh said. "Do you really think the Europeans are going to give up access to the Indian market for the sake of Palestinians? Not a chance." As Many As 86,400 Placed in Jobs & 265K Upskilled through Strategic Local Partnerships CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of Career and Technical Education Month, Bank of America today announced it invested nearly $40 million in 2025 in workforce development initiatives, partnering with more than 100 universities and community colleges and over 600 nonprofit partners across all its U.S. markets. Culinary student making a dessert These workforce development partners estimate the bank's investments last year alone contributed to approximately 86,400 individuals getting connected to livablewage jobs and provided 265,000 people with access to training, education and career readiness programs designed to position them for longterm career success. "Career and technical education are critical to building strong local economies," said Meghan Hughes, Head of Workforce Development at Bank of America. "These investments reflect our long-standing commitment to creating pathways to lasting success for people across the country. Employers need skilled workers and we're proud to partner with so many organizations that are preparing the next generation of talent for today's jobs and the careers of tomorrow. This work is a powerful demonstration of how we can drive American economic growth and prosperitytogether." These partnerships and investments are central to Bank of America's broader workforce development strategy, which emphasizes skillsfirst hiring and aligns training opportunities with market needs. By closely partnering with employers, workforce boards, colleges and nonprofits, the bank is helping to close skills gaps and address talent shortages across key industries in regions where workforce demand is highest, from healthcare fields to advanced manufacturing, technology and more. Examples of BofA investments include: In Central Florida, Second Harvest Food Bank's Culinary Training Program is a 16-week continuing education opportunity offering adults the culinary and life skills training needed to pursue a full-time career in the food industry, which has rising demand for workers. Houston-based NextOp works with enlisted service members and veterans each year across Texas and other states to translate their military training and experience into qualifications for civilian careers and help place them into jobs with higher starting pay. Taft College in Bakersfield provides paid hands-on internships with regional healthcare providers across Kern County, an area having chronic shortages of nurses and other healthcare professionals with its Pre-Nursing Internship program. Nearly 60 nonprofit organizations receiving Bank of America support will also take part in leadership training designed to strengthen organizational capacity and help these partners scale their impact through BofA's Neighborhood Builders program. In addition to grant funds, BofA provides employee volunteerism and its Leader on Loan program placing talented leaders to work fulltime with workforce development organizations and other nonprofits for 12-18 months. Through collaboration with postsecondary institutions and local nonprofit partners, these efforts help ensure more Americans can access careerrelevant education and connect to quality employment opportunities. Bank of America's commitment to workforce development is part of its broader mission to fuel economic mobility and strengthen communities nationwide. Bank of America Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving nearly 70 million clients with approximately 3,600 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 59 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts. Reporters may contact Carla Molina, Bank of America Phone: 1.512.397.2402 [email protected] SOURCE Bank of America Corporation CEO of World Economic Forum to step down after investigation into Epstein ties The head of the World Economic Forum has stepped down following an investigation into his ties to the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. Borge Brende, the president and CEO of the Geneva-based advocacy group, said on Thursday that he was resigning from the role as an independent investigation into his ties to Epstein concluded. After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum, he said. I am grateful for the incredible collaboration with my colleagues, partners, and constituents, and I believe now is the right moment for the Forum to continue its important work without distractions. Mr Brende, who previously held senior roles in Norways government, made no mention of Epstein in his resignation statement. Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink, co-chairs of the forum behind the annual Davos summit of the global elite, said separately on Thursday that an independent review into Mr Brendes links to Epstein had concluded. The findings stated that there were no additional concerns beyond what had been previously disclosed, a statement added. Borge Brende resigned on Thursday following an investigation (AFP via Getty Images) The so-called Epstein files released by the US justice department showed that Brende had attended three business dinners with Epstein and also communicated with him by email and text. Being mentioned in the Epstein files does not suggest wrongdoing. Brende previously said he was unaware of Epsteins past when they were in contact. Europes elites have been the most affected by the revelations from the files so far, The Independent reported previously. Norwegian authorities launched a major corruption probe into government officials this month after the files revealed years of correspondence between Epstein and former prime minister Thorbjorn Jagland. Norways economic crime unit said it was investigating Mr Jagland for aggravated corruption after carrying out its own review of the files. The documents suggested Mr Jagland, 75, stayed at Epsteins home during a period when he held some of Europes most influential diplomatic posts. He served as Norways prime minister from 1996 to 1997, led the Council of Europe from 2009 to 2019, and chaired the Nobel Committee from 2009 to 2015. Mr Jaglands lawyer, Anders Brosveet, said his client would fully cooperate with the investigation. Borge Brende was in contact with Jeffrey Epstein for some time, newly released emails show (US justice department) In a statement emailed to The Independent he said the investigation was being viewed positively, and that it was important that questions over Mr Jaglands conduct are clarified in a proper and professional manner. He said: We will submit our key findings and the relevant documentation to kokrim as soon as it is practically possible. We wish to contribute fully so that kokrim has a solid basis for its assessment. Based on what we have uncovered so far, we remain confident about the outcome. Columbia University neuroscience student Ellie Aghayeva is escorted to her apartment with her face covered, after being detained by immigration agents. Photograph: Ryan Murphy/Getty Images (Photograph: Ryan Murphy/Getty Images) The Columbia University student arrested and detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Thursday morning has been released, according to social media. The student, Elmina Aghayeva, posted a story to her Instagram account in which she confirmed her release. I just got out a little while ago, the statement reads. I am safe and okay. In an uber otw [on the way] home. In her post, Aghayeva said that she is currently being inundated with calls from reporters. She writes: I need a little bit of time to process everything. I will come back soon. But please dont worry. Aghayevas post was made shortly after New York Citys mayor, Zohran Mamdani, confirmed that Donald Trump had agreed to release Aghayeva, following a previously unannounced meeting between the two leaders. In our meeting earlier, I shared my concerns about Columbia student Elmina Aghayeva, who was detained by ICE this morning, Mamdani wrote on X. Trump then informed the mayor that she would be released imminently. Later on Thursday evening, the acting president of the elite institution in New York City, Claire Shipman, issued a video clarifying how Aghayevas arrest happened. Shortly after 6am, five federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security without any kind of warrant entered an off-campus Columbia residential building. The agents gained entry by stating they were police searching for a missing child. They made their way to the apartment of the student they were targeting with this same story. Our security cameras captured the agents in the hallway, showing pictures of the alleged missing child. Once inside the apartment, it became clear they had misrepresented themselves, Shipman explained. She went on to share that a public safety officer had repeatedly asked the agents for a search warrant, which was not produced, and asked whether he could call his boss. The agents declined and Aghayeva was taken. This was a frightening and fast-moving situation and utterly unacceptable for our students and staff, Shipman continued, adding: Let me be clear: misrepresenting identity and other facts to gain access to a residential building is a breach of protocol. All law enforcement agencies are obligated to follow established legal, ethical standards. Shipman also emphasized that the school has never provided DHS or ICE assistance in arresting or taking their students. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the parent agency of ICE, denied that agents impersonated the NYPD. The Homeland Security Investigators verbally identified themselves and visibly wore badges around their necks, they said in a statement. They did NOT and would not identify themselves as NYPD. The DHS confirmed the students identity but appeared to suggest she was no longer a student. ICE arrested Elmina Aghayeva, an illegal alien from Azerbaijan, whose student visa was terminated in 2016 under the Obama administration for failing to attend classes, the spokesperson wrote in a statement. The building manager and her roommate let officers into the apartment. She has no pending appeals or applications with DHS. A spokesperson for the New York police department said in a statement that the department was not involved in the arrest. Related: ICE warns of vetting delays amid rapid hiring surge under Trump Following Aghayevas detention, friends at the university frantically reached out to local officials for help. They said she was in her final semester at Columbia and majoring in neuroscience and political science. According to a request for help sent to local officials by Aghayevas friends, which was also shared with the Guardian, Aghayeva sent an urgent message on Thursday to a group chat saying: ICE is in my house. They are trying to take me away. The students then contacted a building security officer whom they say facilitated federal agents access to Aghayevas apartment. Eli Northrup, an attorney who works as a public defender and is running for office in the state assembly representing Columbias district, spoke with some of the students friends on Thursday morning and criticised what he couched as Columbias lapse in security. This is a massive institutional failure by Columbia, whose number one priority must be protecting its students, Northrup wrote in a message to the Guardian. No public safety officer should be admitting law enforcement of any kind into their buildings without thorough vetting. His criticism of Columbia was echoed by Shayoni Mitra, a Barnard professor who lives in the neighborhood and said that local residents have been training for months to protect their neighbors from ICE. We are trying to keep each other and our neighbors safe. But why are Columbia public safety officers not trained to stop ICE? she told the Guardian. It is simply not good enough for President Shipman to say the agents used misrepresentation to gain entry to the building. Why did no one ask to see a signed judicial warrant? The arrest came nearly a year after upheaval on campus after immigration officials detained Columbia students Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi, both Palestinians with valid immigration status, in a crackdown on dissent against Israels war in Gaza. The Trump administration detained them and other foreign scholars whom it accused of no crimes but who had been outspoken in the cause of Palestinian rights. In a blistering opinion issued in September, a Boston federal judge found that their detention was unconstitutional and designed to chill speech. Thursdays incident sent fresh shock waves through the universitys campus. Dozens of students and faculty gathered for an emergency protest outside the universitys gates on Thursday afternoon, calling for Aghayevas release and condemning Columbia for allowing federal agents into their facilities. Kathy Hochul, the New York governor, issued a statement accusing ICE of lying in order to seize Aghayeva. Lets be clear about what happened: ICE agents didnt have the proper warrant, so they lied to gain access to a students private residence, she wrote on X. Ive proposed a bill that would ban ICE from entering sensitive locations like schools and dorms. Lets get it passed now. Brad Lander, a former New York City comptroller who was arrested by ICE agents while escorting immigrants to court last year, also condemned the detention. Yet again, ICE is using blatantly illegal trickery to circumvent judicial warrant requirements and abduct a student. These are the tactics of brownshirts, Lander wrote in a social media post. Thats why Ive long been calling to abolish ICE. And why Congress should not grant them one more penny. This lawlessness has to end. The incident took place near an island in Cubas Villa Clara province. Photograph: Sandra Foyt/Alamy (Photograph: Sandra Foyt/Alamy) Cuban forces killed four exiles and wounded six others who sailed into its waters onboard a Florida-registered speedboat and opened fire on a Cuban patrol, the countrys government said, at a time of heightened tensions with the US. Cubas interior ministry said the group comprised anti-government Cubans, some of whom were previously wanted for plotting attacks. They came from the US dressed in camouflage and armed with assault rifles, handguns, homemade explosives, ballistic vests and telescopic sights, it said. The wounded were evacuated and receiving medical attention, while a Cuban patrol commander was also wounded, the ministry said. Related: Cuba open to talks with US without pressure after months of Trump threats The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, told reporters it was not a US operation and that no US government personnel were involved. The Cuban authorities made the US aware of the incident, but the US embassy in Havana would attempt to independently verify what happened, he said. Were not going to base our conclusions on what theyve [Cuba] told us, and Im very, very confident that we will know the full story of what happened here, Rubio told reporters while on a trip to the Caribbean nation of St Kitts and Nevis. As we gather more information, then well be prepared to respond accordingly, he said. Suffice to say it is highly unusual to see shootouts in open sea like that. Floridas attorney general said he had ordered an investigation into the incident. The Cuban government cannot be trusted, and we will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable, said James Uthmeier. Cuba said it had identified the six detainees from the boat, two of whom, Amijail Sanchez Gonzalez and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gomez, it claimed were previously wanted in Cuba on suspicion of planning terrorist acts. The other four were identified as Conrado Galindo Sariol, Jose Manuel Rodriguez Castello, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra. In addition, Cuba said it detained another Cuban man in Cuban territory, Duniel Hernandez Santos, who it claimed had come from the US to the island in order to receive the infiltrators. One of the dead was identified as Michel Ortega Casanova. The other three dead had yet to be identified, Cuba said. The confrontation happened in an area where gentle farmland gives way to the Florida Straits in bleached beaches under swaying palms. The scattered keys offshore are highly militarised as it is a common spot for Cubans seeking to escape to the US to launch their rafts, and also for people smugglers to land in fast boats. There were several incidents in 2022, at the height of Cubas migration crisis. In June of that year, off Bahia Honda to Havanas west, Cuban officials said they returned fire against a trafficking boat, killing one. That October, survivors said their boat was rammed by the coast guard nearby. Seven migrants died, including a two-year-old girl, Elizabeth Meizoso. It is almost exactly 30 years to the day since the Cuban air force killed four people when it shot down two small planes belonging to Brothers to the Rescue, a Cuban exile group who were dropping leaflets on Havana. They claimed they were helping people flee the island. That event, in which Carlos Alejandre, 45, Armando Costa, 29, Mario De la Pena, 24, and Pablo Morales, 29, died, ended a thaw between the US and Cuba. The US soon increased its sanctions on the island through the Helms Burton Act that allows US companies that had property confiscated during the 1959 revolution to sue foreign companies using those properties. It is one of the stickiest issues between the countries now, and two such cases are now being heard by the US supreme court. There are also moves in the US to bring charges against the former Cuban president Raul Castro for the Brothers to the Rescue killings, in the hope of creating a similar pretext for intervention used for the abduction of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. The shooting came as the Trump administration moderately eased its embargo on the delivery of oil from Venezuela to Cuba due to the growing energy and humanitarian crisis on the island that has been exacerbated by a US blockade. The US Treasury Department on Wednesday said it would now allow American and some international companies to resell Venezuelan-origin oil and petroleum products in Cuba, opening a potential lifeline between Cuban households and private businesses that have been devastated by the cutoff of fuel imports from Venezuela. The unusual guidance was made in solidarity with the Cuban people and was targeted at efforts to improve living conditions and support independent economic activity, the Treasury Department said. Tensions have soared between Washington and Havana since the US launched an operation in January to capture Maduro, removing one of Cubas chief allies in the region. Administration officials led by Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants and a hawkish opponent of the communist Cuban government, have called for additional US pressure on Havana at a time when the US is flexing its muscle throughout Latin America. Related: No water or electricity, and children begging in streets filled with rubbish but this is why I wont leave Cuba The US cut a major lifeline to Cuba after its operation to capture Maduro, taking control of the export of Caracass substantial oil production. Before the raid against Maduro, Venezuela was a key supplier of oil to Cuba. The US has also threatened to slap tariffs on other critical suppliers such as Mexico to halt deliveries of oil and fuel to Cuba. The directives from the US Treasury and Commerce departments said that oil and petroleum products could be sold to businesses and private households but not to any government institutions, in effect relying on the Cuban government to respect the arrangement. This favourable licensing policy is directed towards transactions that support the Cuban people, including the Cuban private sector (eg, exports for commercial and humanitarian use in Cuba), the guidance read, but banned transactions with the Cuban military, intelligence services, or other government institutions. At present the Cuban government is believed to have issued 10 licences to private businesses to bring in fuel in so-called ISO tanks, which fit the standard container spaces on cargo ships. But this will not ease the crisis by much. To function well, Cuba is estimated to need 100,000 barrels a day. The embargo has led to an acute energy crisis on the island. Much of the country is affected by blackouts which can last from 12 to 20 hours a day. Regional leaders have said that the blockade and resulting economic crisis could affect migration, security and economic stability elsewhere in the Caribbean. Mexicos foreign ministry announced on Wednesday that it had sent a second shipment of humanitarian aid on Tuesday, including beans and powdered milk. Canada for the first time also announced it would provide US $6.7m in food aid through the UN, rather than the Cuban government. This is Canadian foreign policy, said the Canadian foreign affairs minister, Anita Anand. We are focused on the humanitarian situation. Rubio was reassuring leaders at a meeting of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) on St Kitts and Nevis. The Jamaican prime minister and the outgoing Caricom chair, Andrew Holness, has said he supports constructive dialogue between Cuba and the US aimed at de-escalation, reform and stability. With agencies Deborah Turness stepped down as the BBCs chief executive in November last year, alongside director-general Tim Davie - Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Semafor Most BBC journalists would not vote for Reform, its former chief executive has claimed. Deborah Turness, who resigned in November last year over a doctored Donald Trump speech on Panorama, said BBC journalists were out of step with the extreme conservative movement led by Nigel Farage. At a media conference in the US on Wednesday, Ms Turness said: Do I think that the BBC newsrooms would, in percentage terms, vote the same way as the nation right now in the UK in terms of the Reform party, which is quite an extreme conservative movement, very anti-immigration, [and is] really gathering steam? No, I dont. She continued: What that means is you have to work even harder to maintain that impartiality. Giving Farage more airtime Ms Turness also said that she had intervened to give Mr Farage more airtime. Speaking at a Restoring Trust in Media conference run by American news outlet Semafor in Washington DC, she said: I personally overruled internal editorial policy to give Nigel Farage primetime exposure in the last election. I felt he ought to be on Question Time, which is the big debate platform, and to get a big Panorama interview, she said. Because even though the math [sic] didnt say that he earned it in terms of the way things have always been done, I said, Look at the polling. We will be out of step with the British public. The BBC is paid for by all of the people. Its an obligatory licence fee. You do sometimes have to intervene to slightly course-correct. Reforms detractors have complained that the party receives more BBC coverage than the Liberal Democrats, despite Sir Ed Daveys party having a far greater number of MPs. Ms Turness also said that she did not accept that Panorama and BBC Newsnights doctoring of Mr Trumps speeches were a sign of institutional bias. Mr Trump is suing the BBC for defamation, seeking $10bn (7.4bn) in damages after The Telegraph revealed that parts of his speech on Jan 6, 2021, had been misleadingly edited to give the impression that he was directly encouraging rioters to attack the Capitol on a Panorama episode. The Telegraph previously revealed BBC Newsnight had also doctored footage of another speech by the US president and ignored concerns raised about it. The spliced footage, which aired in an episode in 2022, made it appear as if Mr Trump was encouraging his supporters to riot. The edit was similar to a version aired in the Panorama documentary, which was broadcast last year. Ms Turness dismissed the scandal as a problem with the edit. I decided to resign, that was my decision, Ms Turness said. I was running an organisation of 6,000 journalists that pushes out journalism in 42 languages around the world, and there was a problem with an edit in a Panorama documentary which was a year old. It wasnt up to our editorial standards, but I dont accept the charge that it was a sign of institutional bias. Mr Trump previously said that the corporation changed the words coming out of my mouth and admitted they cheated after the BBC issued an apology following The Telegraphs revelation. The mangled footage came to light when a member of the corporations standards committee compiled a 19-page dossier on BBC bias. The dossier also claimed senior executives and the BBCs chairman ignored and dismissed a string of serious complaints that the corporations own standards watchdog had raised. Ms Turness told the summit that she had entered into the job of chief executive to weaponise impartiality, one of the BBCs core values, and to turn it round and to make it something really forceful. I think the BBC is the worlds most trusted news brand because for 104 years, it has not taken sides. It has really worked very hard. She added that impartiality was not a sexy word, but impartiality is in the BBCs DNA. Ms Turness insisted: The BBC will be the last brand standing without actually taking sides and being trusted by so many people all around the world. Asked whether her resignation, along with that of Tim Davie, the former director-general, was a reasonable response to failure or the result of a Right-wing coup orchestrated by a particular board member, Ms Turness declined to answer. I decided I was not going to come here and make news lines about this particular story, she said. Ms Turness added: I wouldnt be the first person to say that having political appointees on the board of the BBC is something that needs to be looked at. Senator Bernie Sanders and Senator Elizabeth Warren, along with seven other Democrats sent letter to energy secretary. Photograph: Jose Luis Magana/AP (Photograph: Jose Luis Magana/AP) As energy prices for US households soar nationwide, Democratic and progressive lawmakers are calling on the energy department to end its plan to double exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The Trump administrations LNG export policies are not putting America first: they have jacked up utility prices for families, leaving many Americans struggling with the cost of heating their homes this winter, reads a letter to the energy secretary, Chris Wright, sent the Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Independent senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and seven others. Exports of LNG methane gas that is cooled and turned into a liquid for easier long-distance transport boomed under former president Joe Biden. Since Trump re-entered office last January, they have soared even higher, growing 26% in 2025 with an additional 8% increase expected this year, according to federal data. Last year, the US became the first country in history to export more than 100m metric tons of the fuel in a single year, a fact the White House has touted with pride. Trump officials have repeatedly stated their desire to continue increasing LNG exports. Last fall, Wright declared that he wants to double the natural gas exports, the letter notes. That increase is at odds with Trumps repeated pledges to slash Americans utility bills, the lawmakers write in the letter, sent Wednesday night. In a June report, the senators note, the Energy Information Administration found that 2025s higher natural gas prices, and projected increases in 2026, are the result of strong export growth that persistently outpaces US natural gas production. Utilities and state regulators have confirmed that increased exports have pushed up bills, the letter also says. The mechanism is simple supply and demand: increased exports leave less natural gas available for domestic consumers, increasing prices for residential ratepayers, reads the letter, which was also signed by Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, and Senator Peter Welch of Vermont. The Guardian has contacted the energy department for comment. The missive comes as polls show Americans are increasingly concerned about rising utility costs. Though Trump repeatedly promised to halve electricity costs within his first year back in office, the average US household paid nearly 6.7% more for electricity in 2025 than the year before, according to an analysis by the Guardian last month. As LNG exports have harmed ordinary Americans, they have benefited the fossil fuel industry, which poured record sums into Trumps presidential campaign, the senators note. For instance, the top two US LNG exporters, Cheniere Energy and Venture Global, both significantly increased their earnings last year, they write. Executives from both companies donated to the presidents re-election efforts and attended a fundraiser where he encouraged fossil fuel industry donations and reportedly asked for $1bn in support for his campaign. We urge you to reconsider the administrations stance on LNG exports and instead take action to reduce consumers utility bills, the senators write, calling on Wright to provide a written response detailing your commitment to do so. Lecturers at the University of Edinburgh are being balloted on further industrial action, in a row over what a union described as the biggest cuts ever seen in Scottish higher education. The dispute began in February last year when the university announced plans to slash its budget by 140 million, with the University and College Union (UCU) warning this could result in the loss of up to 1,800 jobs. UCU members walked out for a total of nine days in 2025 over the plans, before achieving a clear win in December when management agreed to rule out compulsory redundancies until the end of July 2026. This saw UCU members narrowly agree to suspend industrial action during the existing industrial action mandate, which lasts until the end of April. Now the union is balloting members on a fresh mandate, which if it passes would last for 12 rather than six months due to changes in employment law introduced in the Employment Rights Act 2025. Claire Duncanson, vice-president of the Edinburgh UCU branch, said: It was a clear win for members to get management to agree to rule out compulsory redundancies until the summer. There remains more to do, however, and we need a new mandate for strike action if were going to be able to push management further on these clearly unnecessary cuts and job losses that take effect after July. As shown in the most recent annual report, the universitys finances are strong and healthy. The level of cuts management continue to propose are neither needed nor can they be carried out without substantially damaging education and research along with the student experience and staff working conditions. 12 months after first announcing huge cuts without an idea how to go about it, and having put staff and students through needless stress and worry, the principal and his senior management team need to resolve this dispute and rule out the use of compulsory redundancies once and for all. The union described the scale of cuts proposed as unprecedented, and questioned whether they are needed given the university has reserves of more than 3 billion. UCU members at the university walked out for nine days last year (Jane Barlow/PA) (Jane Barlow) The UCU also pointed out that the universitys financial accounts for 2024-25 confirmed it was not in deficit.Jo Grady, UCU general secretary, said: A year after announcing the biggest cuts ever seen in Scottish higher education, Edinburgh university management still cant tell us how many jobs theyre looking to cut. The union has pushed management and saved jobs during this dispute but we need a new mandate for strike action to push them further to rule out once and for all the threat of compulsory redundancies. University principal Professor Sir Peter Mathieson said: Trade unions have an important role in times of change. The agreement reached in December demonstrated what constructive engagement can achieve. We continue to honour that agreement in full. Students need stability to make the most of their time at university, and protecting teaching and assessment from disruption must be a priority. While we respect the right to ballot, further industrial action risks undermining the progress we have made, and we urge union leaders to keep working with us to secure a sustainable future. Standing still is not an option it would leave the university in a much more precarious financial position. We are making the difficult but responsible decisions necessary to cut costs across all areas, increase income and protect our global standing, with an ongoing commitment to avoid compulsory redundancies whenever possible. Donald Trump delivering the State of the Union address in Washington DC on Tuesday. Photograph: Kenny Holston/EPA (Photograph: Kenny Holston/EPA) Three memos that describe four interviews conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2019 contain explicit but unsubstantiated claims that Donald Trump sexually abused a woman when she was a minor in the early 1980s with the assistance of Jeffrey Epstein, according to a Guardian review of those documents. The Department of Justice did not release those records when it uploaded millions of pages of files related to Epstein beginning in December. The existence of the missing documents was first reported by independent journalist Roger Sollenberger and subsequently confirmed by NPR, causing outrage in Washington and sparking an investigation from congressional Democrats. The Guardian obtained the missing FBI form 302 reports, which memorialize 25 pages of agents notes from the four interviews conducted in the summer and fall of 2019. The notes describe how the woman came forward to tell agents she recognized Epstein from a photo sent by a childhood friend. Only the first session, in which she did not name Trump, made it into the public release. The Guardian has chosen not to publish the womans name. Her allegations have not been verified, and the FBI never brought charges related to her claims, which at times appear outlandish. Her statements also contradict what is known about Epsteins life in the early 1980s. The millions of investigative documents released by the DoJ have contained explosive allegations that have led to resignations and arrests, but also specious claims that have later proven false. Trump has consistently denied wrongdoing related to Epstein and said last week: I did nothing. An administration official confirmed the three missing reports obtained by the Guardian are authentic. The DoJ told NPR nothing has been deleted and that any withheld material was either duplicative or privileged, a claim echoed by an administration official to Breitbart, which has also reviewed the files. The three missing documents contain an expanded version of the allegations that were summarized in an internal FBI slideshow about the Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell investigations created in 2025. The DoJ did not immediately respond to a request for comment. These non-credible accusations against President Trump made in 2019 were in the SDNY files and listed by reviewers as duplicative files, which are not legally required to be released by the Epstein [Files] Transparency Act as it was written by Congress, an administration official told the Guardian. The DoJ is continuing its review of the duplicative files as we speak. In the documents, the woman told agents she had been sexually abused by Epstein from the age of 13, beginning approximately in 1983, while she was living in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. She said that when she was between 13 and 15, Epstein took her to a building in either New York or New Jersey, and that they traveled by either plane or car. Mark Epstein, Jeffrey Epsteins brother, told the Guardian he had no knowledge of his brother spending summers on Hilton Head in the early 1980s. I would have known, he said in a phone call. There is no evidence Trump and Epstein knew each other in 1983. (Trump told New York magazine in 2002 that he had met Epstein 15 years earlier.) Once in the New Jersey or New York building, she told investigators, she was introduced to Trump and a group of their associates. According to the internal FBI notes, she claimed that when they were alone, Trump mentioned something to the effect of: Let me teach you how little girls are supposed to be, before attempting to sexually assault her. She told agents she bit him, and that Trump then struck her and had her removed from the room. She also claimed that Epstein and Trump discussed blackmailing people in front of her and that she overheard Trump talking about washing money through casinos. The four interviews, conducted on 24 July, 7 August, 22 August and 16 October of 2019 at the Washington state law offices of her attorney, Barry Brandenburg, also include anecdotes that go beyond her interactions with Trump. Brandenburg did not reply to a request for comment. She told agents Epstein gave her alcoholic beverages in her early teenage years, which she suspected may have been spiked, offered her cocaine and marijuana and forced her to perform oral sex on him. The woman said that Epstein blackmailed her mother through explicit photographs of [her], which resulted in her mother embezzling from her real estate company to pay him. [She] stated that her mother tried to buy back the photos and secrets over the years. She said that her mother was sent to prison in South Carolina for embezzlement, and that Epstein and two other men assisted her mother in fixing her real-estate books so that she could embezzle funds and pay Epstein blackmail money. The Guardian was unable to corroborate the account of her mothers prison term or criminal case, or if it occurred. The third interview consists largely of the woman describing what she said were years of threats including four to five close calls in which she claimed she was nearly run off roads in Oregon and Washington. At the fourth and final interview in October 2019, she arrived without her attorney, who had attended all previous sessions, and declined a request to be audio recorded. When agents asked whether she felt comfortable elaborating on her contact with Trump, she questioned what the point would be, given that there was a strong possibility nothing could be done. The Guardian has identified a woman matching the biographical details in the FBI records. She has faced several fraud and theft charges in Washington and, in 2023, a felony charge for the exploitation of an elderly person in Georgia. It is not clear how those cases were resolved. In 2020, a Jane Doe joined a lawsuit against Epsteins estate with allegations and biographical details that match those in the FBI interviews. She later dropped her claims and it is unknown whether she received a financial settlement. Her lawyer in that case, Lisa Bloom, declined to comment. The US congressman Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House oversight committee, said he visited the justice department to examine unredacted files and could not locate them. The Republican oversight committee chair James Comer also said lawmakers would be looking into the allegations that accusations of Trump assaulting a minor were removed from the DoJs database. There is definitely, in my opinion, evidence of a cover-up happening, Garcia told NBC News in the wake of the first reports. The FBI clearly investigated, and now those documents are gone. In a letter to attorney general, Pam Bondi, Garcia demanded a full accounting of why the files had been withheld, writing that the DoJ had illegally withheld FBI interviews with a survivor who accused President Trump of heinous crimes. Jeffrey Epstein was reportedly trafficking women through UK airports until just a month before his arrest in 2019. The paedophile financier travelled to and from Britain on his private jet more than 60 times, while he booked commercial flights from, or through the country, as late as June 2019, according to The Times, which analysed documents released in the Epstein files. The newspaper reported that six police forces are investigating whether women were trafficked into British commercial airports and RAF bases on Epsteins private jet. It added that fresh documents reveal Epsteins jet landed at RAF Northolt as recently as 2015. Former prime minister Gordon Brown wrote to six police forces demanding investigations into whether Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor used jets, funded by the taxpayer, and RAF bases, during his time as trade envoy to meet up with the convicted sex offender. The former prince has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. At least 10 police forces are looking into allegations related to Epstein. Jeffrey Epstein was reportedly trafficking women through UK airports right up until a month before his arrest in 2019 (US Department of Justice) Former chief crown prosecutor Nazir Afzal called the new findings scandalous. He told The Times: Time and time again when the police have been asked to investigate Epstein in respect of sexual abuse and trafficking, weve been told that a review found no need... Weve seen this week how when the state is the alleged victim that the state can move at pace. When women are the alleged victims, it finds an excuse not to move at all. The newspaper said that flights were arranged by associates of Epstein for a Russian woman, whose name has been redacted, who flew from Heathrow to New York on 1 June and returned on 9 June 2019, with Epstein arrested just a month later on 6 July. It also reported that documents show Epsteins private jet landed at RAF Northolt two years later than previously thought. A fuel receipt appears to show a plane taking on fuel at the RAF base on 8 May 2015, when previous recordings of flights were only as recent as 2013. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released on bail earlier this month over his alleged links with Epstein (Reuters) Epstein reportedly took dozens of flights in and out of British airports, mostly London Luton, on his private Boeing 727 before he was incarcerated in 2008, with trips continuing following his release from prison, albeit less frequently. Sir Keir Starmer dodged calls for a public inquiry into Epstein and his possible use of British airports to traffic girls into the country on Wednesday, insisting that any police investigations should take their course first. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has called for the government to release all flight logs and documents regarding the disgraced billionaire. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor and former US ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson were both arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released on bail earlier this month over their alleged links with Epstein. On Tuesday, ministers agreed to release files related to the appointment of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor as trade envoy in 2001. The former Duke of York faces accusations of sharing sensitive information with Epstein while acting as a special representative for trade and investment between 2001 and 2011. Dame Esther Rantzen has accused peers of blatant sabotage after it emerged the assisted dying bill will probably fail to become law. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will fail in May if it does not complete all its parliamentary stages before the end of the current session. Opponents of the proposals have been accused of trying to talk out the legislation as it makes its way through the Lords, but they insist they are scrutinising a dangerous proposition amid concerns about coercion, disability rights and other issues. The bill has been opposed by the health secretary, Wes Streeting, and the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, but it has the backing of the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer. Dame Esther Rantzen, one of its most high-profile supporters, accused some peers of blatant sabotage in an appearance on Sky News. Dame Esther Rantzen is among the most high-profile supporters of the assisted dying bill (AFP/Getty) She accused a handful of peers of laying 1,200 amendments, not to scrutinise the bill, which is their job, but to block it. Thats what they wanted. A few peers, for their own reasons, have decided that theyre going to stop this going through parliament. She said she felt very sad, because so many other countries around the world... have come to the same sensible, proper conclusion, which is, if you are terminally ill and an adult, and fully competent to make your own decisions, you should have the right to die painlessly and in dignity if life becomes unbearable. So Im saying to the House of Lords, how can you be so cruel, so inhumane and so undemocratic? She has previously written to members of the Lords urging them to stop inventing fictitious excuses to block the legislation. No 10 would not be drawn on whether or not the government would support giving the bill extra time for scrutiny in the Lords. Lord Falconer, another prominent supporter, described the current situation as a tragedy. But he claimed it was not the end of the road for the bill, saying it could be brought back by using a rare parliamentary procedure. Pro-assisted dying campaigners hold placards as they protest ahead of a Commons vote on the bill in January (Getty) The Parliament Act allows bills backed by MPs in two successive sessions, but rejected by peers, to pass into law without the approval of the House of Lords. Only seven bills have ever overridden the Lords in this way, including the ban on hunting in 2004. If passed, the bill would allow adults with terminal illnesses in England and Wales who have less than six months to live to apply for an assisted death. MPs passed it in the Commons last June, but by a narrow majority of just 24. Lord Falconer said: The Lords prides itself on focusing on the things that matter, and that most certainly is not whats been going on here. The tragedy is that a small number of people in the Lords are blocking a bill that has passed in the Commons. He went on to say: Its not the end of the road, because the Parliament Act allows it to go through to the next session, and Im sure that is what will happen. Meanwhile, Jerseys States Assembly voted through legislation to legalise assisted dying. The legislation will now go for royal assent so it can formally become law on the island. To be eligible, someone would have to have been resident in Jersey for at least 12 months, have a voluntary, settled and informed wish to end their own life, and to be terminally ill with a life expectancy of six months, or 12 months if they have a neurodegenerative disease. In contrast to the bill being considered at Westminster, which states the terminally ill adult must take an approved substance themselves, the Jersey legislation would allow a doctor or registered nurse to administer the lethal drugs. Campaigners in favour of legalising assisted dying hope a service can be in place in Jersey by the end of next summer. FBI to cut back on agents in Tucson as search for Nancy Guthrie approaches one month The FBI is scaling back its on-the-ground presence in Tucson, Arizona, and relocating the command post for the investigation into Nancy Guthries abduction to Phoenix, ABC News reported Thursday. Some agents will remain in Tucson to continue working alongside the Pima County Sheriff's Department, while many others are returning to Phoenix, home to the FBIs headquarters in Arizona, to continue coordinating the investigation. The operational shift on day 26 of the search does not signal the case is winding down or that the FBI is backing off the hunt for the 84-year-old mother of Today anchor Savannah Guthrie, a source told ABC News. Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her home in the Catalina foothills outside of Tucson on February 1, authorities have said. She was reported missing after she unexpectedly missed a church service. Authorities confirmed this week that all family members have been cleared as suspects. A Pima County Sheriff's spokesperson directed The Independent to the FBI for comment, who had yet to respond. Nancy Guthrie has been missing from her Tucson home since February 1 (NBC/Today) Authorities reportedly plan to return Guthries home to her family and no longer treat it as a sealed crime scene (Getty Images) Earlier Thursday, two federal law enforcement sources told NBC News that authorities plan to return Guthries home to her family and stop treating it as a sealed crime scene. Investigators said they no longer need to restrict access to the property, though multiple agents were seen Wednesday appearing to examine something on a sliding glass door at the home. The Pima County Sheriff's Department also announced plans to limit public parking on Guthries street beginning Thursday as the investigation continues. Days after Nancy Guthrie went missing, President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that he had personally spoken with Savannah Guthrie and offered his full support in involving the FBI to secure her mothers safe return. I spoke with Savannah Guthrie, and let her know that I am directing ALL Federal Law Enforcement to be at the family's, and Local Law Enforcement's, complete disposal, IMMEDIATELY, Trump wrote. We are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely. During a February 12 Fox News appearance, FBI Director Kash Patel said authorities had made substantial progress and identified persons of interest in the investigation of the 84-year-olds disappearance, though a man recently detained for questioning was quickly released. Law enforcement has been unable to identify the masked man captured in doorbell camera footage on the morning of Guthries disappearance (FBI) Savannah Guthrie announced Tuesday that her family is now offering a $1 million reward for information leading to her mothers return (Instagram/@savannahguthrie) Investigators say they have recovered mixed DNA from Guthries property, but the evidence has not yet led to the identification of a suspect. Authorities also released doorbell camera footage showing a man wearing a ski mask and backpack, with what appears to be a holstered gun, standing outside Guthries home shortly before she went missing, which has become central to the case. However, questions remain about the timing of those images. Two law enforcement sources told NBC News Monday that not all of the photos released by the FBI were taken on the morning of Guthries disappearance. The FBI declined the outlets request to comment on when the images were captured, while Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said investigators have no evidence so far that any of the photos were taken earlier. The issue remains under review, he told NBC News. The FBI says it has received hundreds of additional tips since Savannah Guthrie announced Tuesday that her family is offering a $1 million reward for information leading to her mothers return. Despite the surge in leads, authorities say no suspect has been identified in Guthries disappearance. Highlights 79% of the total nickel at Midlothian is contained in awaruite, a high-grade nickel-iron alloy Mineralogical and Davis Tube Recoverable ("DTR") analysis confirm significant awaruite, with DTR grades of 0.15%, 0.14%, and 0.12% nickel on composite samples comparable to other awaruite deposits Brucite content averages 5.6%, more than 2.5 times higher than Crawford, indicating strong carbon storage potential TORONTO, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Canada Nickel Company Inc. ("Canada Nickel" or the "Company") (TSXV: CNC) (OTCQX: CNIKF) is pleased to announce mineralogical and metallurgical results from its 100% owned Midlothian Project ("Midlothian"), which confirm significant recoverable awaruite with grades and scale comparable to other leading awaruite deposits. An initial resource for Midlothian was published on December 18, 2025 with 590 million tonnes Inferred at 0.28% nickel. Midlothian, located in the Timmins Nickel District, is also well-positioned to leverage existing regional infrastructure. Figure 1 Midlothian CNC Drillholes and Mineralogical sample locations (CNW Group/Canada Nickel Company Inc.) Figure 2 Midlothian Nickel Mineralization and serpentinization in relation to Crawford deposit (CNW Group/Canada Nickel Company Inc.) Figure 3 Midlothian Average Brucite content (%) in relation to Crawford. (CNW Group/Canada Nickel Company Inc.) CEO Mark Selby said, "Today's announcement is another exciting development in the Timmins Nickel District confirming Midlothian as a significant deposit. The strong results across all samples highlight the potential of this resource, which contains significant quantities of awaruite ranging from 0.25-0.36% and has the highest average nickel grade in our portfolio (0.28%) and total nickel grades more than 30% higher than other leading awaruite deposits. Midlothian is emerging as one of the most promising deposits in the District." Mr. Selby continued, "We are encouraged by these early results, especially as initial DTR tests were done at coarser grind size than other deposits. A finer grind may yield even higher DTR nickel results. Because the awaruite mineralization has been confirmed to be widespread at Midlothian, the Company plans to assay all existing and future drill holes to allow a DTR nickel resource grade to be calculated in addition to a total recoverable nickel resource." Midlothian Project Midlothian is located 64 kilometres southwest of Timmins and 20 kilometres west of Matachewan, Ontario. It is a large serpentinized ultramafic approximately 2.5 km long and up to 520 metres wide - with a geophysical footprint of 1.7 km2 (similar to the combined footprint of Crawford's Main and East Zones) - consisting mainly of a highly serpentinized dunite core with minor peridotite and significant awaruite nickel mineralization accounting for up to 79% of the total nickel content. An initial total nickel resource estimate was published at the end of 2025 (see news release December 18, 2025) containing an Inferred Resource of 0.59 billion tonnes grading 0.28% nickel for a total of 1.68 million tonnes of nickel. The resource estimate was based on 22 drillholes, where all drillholes were sampled for geochemical analysis at an average rate of one core sample per 1.5 metres. In addition, one sample every twenty core samples was selected and submitted for mineralogical (QEMSCAN) testing. This release summarizes the mineralogical results for 177 samples from the first 14 of the 22 drillholes (Figure 1), as well as metallurgical results for four separate composite representing different mineralization styles within the deposit (Table 1). The results highlight the thoroughly serpentinized nature of the ultramafics and confirm the different mineral forms in which nickel is hosted. Mineralogical results on the remaining eight holes are pending. The nickel mineralization is dominated by a nickel-iron alloy (awaruite) and minor nickel sulphide (heazlewoodite) Figure 2, Table 1. Both awaruite and heazlewoodite are minerals that have a higher nickel tenor, ranging between 65-75% nickel content. Brucite, a key mineral indicator for carbon sequestration potential was also identified by QEMSCAN. Midlothian contains significantly higher abundance than both Crawford's East and Main Zones. (Figure 3) Table 1 Midlothian Composite Samples Mineralogy summary* Type Ni % Heazlewoodite (Hz)% Awaruite (Aw) % % Nickel in Aw/Total Ni COMP-A 0.30 0.00 0.35 82 COMP-B 0.29 0.01 0.37 84 COMP-C 0.29 0.00 0.33 79 COMP-D 0.28 0.01 0.30 73 Comp-A comprised 62 samples totaling 93 metres in core length; COMP-B comprised 50 samples totaling 77 metres; COMP-C comprised 30 samples totaling 45 metres; COMP-D comprised 58 samples totaling 87 metres. Average nickel grade is 0.28% (see release December 18 2025) *Mineral Averages are from mineral mass estimations by QEMSCAN *Mineral Averages are from 177 QEMSCAN samples across the Midlothian deposit *Mineral Averages are from 177 QEMSCAN samples across the Midlothian deposit Davis Tube Recovery Tests Metallurgical testing was conducted at the XPS laboratory in Sudbury, Ontario on four samples representing different mineralization styles taken from the Midlothian drill core. The samples were prepared to target variability in mineral grain sizes and serpentine speciation. The samples were subjected to Davis Tube testwork by grinding the samples and passing them through a magnet with wash water. The recovered magnetic fraction was then characterized as the "Davis Tube Recoverable" or "DTR" fraction. The test results summarized in Table 2 show DTR grades ranging from 0.07-0.15% nickel and 2.6-3.6% iron. There is potential to increase the DTR grades through finer grinding as the primary grind size of ~190 m was coarser than what has been reported by others (e.g., 75 m). Table 2. Davis Tube Test Results Summary Sample DTR Ni Grade DTR Fe Grade DTR Ni Rec DTR Fe Rec DTR Mass Pull DTR Magnetic Ni Grade DTR Magnetic Fe Grade COMP-C 0.15 % 2.6 % 48 % 62 % 4.4 % 3.30 % 58.4 % COMP-B 0.14 % 3.2 % 46 % 66 % 4.9 % 2.76 % 64.2 % COMP-A 0.12 % 2.7 % 40 % 61 % 4.2 % 2.96 % 63.5 % COMP-D 0.07 % 3.6 % 25 % 71 % 6.7 % 1.03 % 54.5 % Table 3 summarizes the results of microprobe investigations for each of the four samples that were subjected to Davis Tube testing. The results demonstrate the high nickel tenor of heazlewoodite and awaruite minerals and the low nickel grade of serpentine. These results coupled with the Davis Tube nickel results are encouraging because they show that nickel has been liberated from the olivine minerals through the serpentinization process. Table 3. Composite Samples - Nickel content by Mineral (%) Sample Awaruite Heazlewoodite Serpentine Brucite Magnetite COMP-A 70 - 0.12 0.11 - COMP-B 66 73 0.10 0.05 - COMP-C 69 72 0.06 0.03 - COMP-D 68 72 0.06 0.04 - Average 68 72 0.08 0.06 0.04 Statement Regarding TSX Venture 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. Qualified Person and Data Verification Stephen J. Balch P.Geo. (ON), VP Exploration of Canada Nickel and a "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 Canada Nickel Company Inc. About Canada Nickel Company Canada Nickel Company Inc. is advancing the next generation of nickel-sulphide projects to deliver nickel required to feed the high growth electric vehicle and stainless steel markets. Canada Nickel Company has applied in multiple jurisdictions to trademark the terms NetZero Nickel, NetZero Cobalt, NetZero Iron and is pursuing the development of processes to allow the production of net zero carbon nickel, cobalt, and iron products. Canada Nickel provides investors with leverage to nickel in low political risk jurisdictions. Canada Nickel is currently anchored by its 100% owned flagship Crawford Nickel-Cobalt Sulphide Project in the heart of the prolific Timmins-Cochrane mining camp. For more information, please visit www.canadanickel.com. For further information, please contact: Mark Selby CEO Phone: 647-256-1954 Email: [email protected] Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, drill and exploration results relating to the properties described herein (the "Properties"), the significance of drill results, the expected timing of the delivery of an updated resource, the ability to continue drilling, the impact of drilling on the definition of any resource, the potential of the Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project and the Properties, timing and completion (if at all) of mineral resource estimates, the ability to sell marketable materials, strategic plans, including future exploration and development plans and results, corporate and technical objectives, receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval for the acquisition described herein and the completion of the transaction. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon several assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals, the future demand for metals, the results of drilling, inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the property, environmental liabilities (known and unknown), general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, results of exploration programs, risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Canada Nickel disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE Canada Nickel Company Inc. Major Gerald Eddie Brown is known as an elite pilot with experience flying the advanced F-35 fighter jet - Amr Alfiky/Reuters A former US air force fighter pilot has been arrested for allegedly training Chinese soldiers. Major Gerald Eddie Brown has been accused of providing defence services to Chinese military pilots without authorisation, according to the US justice department. As an elite pilot Major Brown has experience flying the advanced F-35 fighter jet and commanding units responsible for nuclear weapons delivery systems. Kash Patel, the FBI director, posted on X: Major story... the FBI and our partners have arrested a former US Air Force pilot who was allegedly training pilots in the Chinese military. The pilot has been charged with violating the Arms Export Control Act, which controls the export of defence articles and services. Under US law, both military and civilian persons must obtain a licence from the state department when training foreign military. The United States Air Force trained Major Brown to be an elite fighter pilot and entrusted him with the defence of our Nation. He now stands charged with training Chinese military pilots, said John A. Eisenberg, assistant attorney general for national security. Major Brown served in the US air force for 24 years before retiring in 1996. He went on to fly commercial cargo before joining two US defence contractors to work as a flight simulator instructor where he taught pilots how to fly the F-35 fighter jet the USs most advanced aircraft and the A-10 attack aircraft. Major Brown travelled to China around December 2023 and remained in the country until early February, according to the US justice department. When he first arrived in China, he was questioned for three hours about the US air force and then presented a brief about himself to the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) air force. He negotiated the terms of his contract in China via Stephen Su Bin, a Chinese national who pleaded guilty in 2016 to conspiring to hack into the computer networks of major US defence contractors and to steal sensitive military information for Beijing. The Chinese government continues to exploit the expertise of current and former members of the US armed forces to modernise Chinas military capabilities, said Roman Rozhavsky, an official with the FBIs counter-intelligence and espionage division. The charges against Major Brown are similar to those filed in 2017 against Daniel Edmund Duggan, a former US marine corps pilot, who was accused of conspiring to provide defence services to Chinese military pilots without authorisation. Mr Duggan was arrested in Australia in 2022 and is pending extradition to the US. Cases of Chinese espionage, especially in the US, have been increasingly in the news over the past year. In November, Chenguang Gong, a dual US-Chinese national and engineer, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for stealing secret technology used by the US government to detect nuclear missile launches, track ballistic and hypersonic missiles and allow fighter jets to evade missiles. He was found guilty of transferring more than 3,600 files from a Los Angeles-based research company where he worked to a personal storage device. The US, along with the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, have warned their citizens against efforts by China to recruit military staff. In 2024, the governments of the five countries published a bulletin warning that Chinas Peoples Liberation Army continues to target current and former military personnel from North Atlantic Treaty Organization nations and other Western countries to help bolster the PLAs capabilities. The CIA has responded in turn by trying to recruit disaffected Chinese soldiers, publishing five Chinese-language recruitment videos over the past year and a half. The latest, published in mid-February, seemed to capitalise on the recent instability in the PLA following a series of high-level purges that have taken out senior generals. The US has also accused China of advancing a malicious agenda in other domains, including biosecurity. In 2025, there were several cases of Chinese scientists arrested in the US with biohazardous material. In one case, three Chinese scientists at the University of Michigan were arrested for smuggling biological materials into the US. They were jailed for three months before a judge dismissed the cases following pressure from China. Former Vogue editor Gabriella Karefa-Johnson went viral after writing on social media that she downgraded her airplane seat after experiencing a micro-aggression (Getty) Former Vogue editor Gabriella Karefa-Johnson says she downgraded herself from a first-class plane cabin after she was sat surrounded by white middle-aged men and faced micro-aggressions from a male flight attendant. Karefa-Johnson, who has styled New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdanis wife, Rama Duwaji, wrote on Threads Wednesday that she downgraded myself to business class on a flight to Milan for fashion week. In a cabin of 6, 5 of the passengers were white middle-aged men then there was me, a 30-something black woman who travels in that cabin often, she wrote. She noted there was a male flight attendant who thought Id be okay with substandard service and persistent micro-aggression from the moment I sat down. He waswrong. Karefa-Johnson did not divulge what the micro-aggression was, but said she would rather sacrifice physical comfort to protect my emotional and mental well being any day. Former Vogue editor Gabriella Karefa-Johnson went viral after writing on social media that she downgraded her airplane seat after experiencing a micro-aggression (Getty) It was not immediately clear which airline Karefa-Johnson flew with, but her post about the experience quickly went viral on social media, with users on X mocking her for being just like Rosa Parks. The microaggression: Would you like a glass of champagne, madam? wrote the satirical newspaper The Sunday Sport on X. Karefa-Johnson, who was the first Black woman to style a cover shoot for American Vogue, made headlines in 2023 after resigning from the publication in protest of Israels invasion of Gaza. I resigned as kind of a material action of solidarity and because it was just time for me to move on, Karefa-Johnson told The New York Times. Everything I said was attached to the institutions I worked for. Not only was that not fair, it was also distracting. During her time at Vogue, the fashion editor worked on the 2021 cover featuring Vice President Kamala Harris a photograph that prompted widespread controversy and scrutiny. The cover showed Harris wearing a black pantsuit and a pair of black and white high-top Converse her favorite everyday shoe. More recently Karea-Johnson made headlines for styling New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdanis wife, Rami Duwaji (Getty) Karea-Johnson worked on the American Vogue cover that featured Vice President Kamala Harris (courtesy of Vogue) Karea-Johnson told The Business of Fashion podcast in November 2023 that Harris photograph was captured in just 25 minutes, because that was all the time Harris had for the day. More recently, Karea-Johnson made waves after she dressed New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdanis wife, Rama Duwaji, for his inauguration in January. This look is honest. Real. Regal in the punkest way, she wrote on her Substack at the time. Then French presidential cultural advisor Catherine Pegard looks on during a visit to the Benedictine abbey of Pontlevoy in central France, on September 19, 2025. The French presidency on Thursday named Catherine Pegard as the country's new culture minister as one of four new ministers appointed in a mini-reshuffle. Pegard, a former magazine editor and head of Versailles Palace, takes over from Rachida Dati, a conservative who left the post to campaign to become mayor of Paris in an election in March. Read moreParis mayoral hopeful Dati takes campaign inspiration from New Yorks Mamdani The presidency said that former minister Sabrina Roubache would return to the government as a deputy education and training minister, government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon becomes a deputy energy minister and lawmaker Camille Galliard-Minier will be a deputy minister for people with disabilities. (FRANCE 24 with AFP) A newly opened bakery owned by Gails in north west London has been targeted in two anti-Zionist attacks in the space of a week. The coffee shop located on Junction Road in Archway was attacked for a second time on Tuesday night, with its windows smashed and red graffiti sprayed across its front doors. (@OurFightUk) This follows a similar attack that took place just five days earlier on February 19 - the night before the bakery chain opened its doors. In both attacks, tags and phrases sprayed across the shop included reject corporate Zionism, support local business, and boycott in large letters across the logo. An anarchy symbol was also sprayed on the store. (@OurFightUk) A demonstration was held on the cafes opening day in protest of Gails coming to Archway. It replaced a Subway shop. Local residents in the area have expressed anger and anxiety at the spate of attacks. Everyone I have talked to is disgusted about the attacks - and that includes people who are otherwise pro-Palestine as well as those who are just angry at the High Street getting smashed up, said James Heartfield, an Islington resident. Eve, who lives just three minutes away from the new cafe, called the attacks violent and ugly. Ive lived in the area for 23 years and this is the first time Ive seen that a business has been targeted based on the nationality and ethnicity of the owner, she said. She added: I feel anxious and worried. I keep thinking, "Is that what's going to happen to me? Eve believes that racist attitudes towards Gails Israeli owners are the cause for the two vandalism incidents. (@OurFightUk) Campaigns against Gails have made claims that the cafe chain has links to the IDF and Israeli government. The cafe was founded by Israeli baker Gail Mejia before being turned into a cafe by Ran Avidan, an Israeli entrepreneur in the early 2000s. The brand has since expanded to more than 200 sites backed by Bain Capital, an American investment firm, which bought Gails in 2021. Neither Mejia nor Avidan are associated with Gails anymore. Bain Capital, that has supercharged the chains growth, with around 40 new openings per year, was among 500 venture capital firms that signed a letter supporting Israel after the October 7 Hamas attack. It also has investments in several Israeli companies, including in the cybersecurity sector. Tom Molnar, co-founder and chief executive of Gails, told the Times that the attempts to intimidate and endanger the cafe were completely unacceptable. He added: We remain focused on playing a positive and meaningful role in feeding people better and attempts to disrupt our commitments to the communities we serve are primarily unkind and ill-informed. The Islington Branch of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign posted an Instagram message last week saying: This morning, Gails tried to quietly open up in Archway and we made sure to give them the welcome they deserve. The account also shared a photo of protesters outside the coffee shop holding a sign which read: Boycott Israel for genocide and war crimes in Gaza. Gails would like you to believe they are a down-to-earth alternative to major high street chains, but Gails is majority-owned by Bain Capital, a global private equity firm that is a vocal supporter of Israel, the caption read. A breakfast event on Friday dubbed Breakfast at Gails has been organised by Eve in an attempt to welcome Gails to the community and to do something enjoyable in the face of adversity. The Metropolitan Police said it had attended the cafe on Wednesday and is trying to establish whether the two attacks are linked. The statement read: Detectives have carried out extensive enquiries into the first incident, including reviewing CCTV and other footage. No arrests have been made at this stage. We recognise the impact that incidents of this nature have. We have increased uniformed patrols in the area and are working with the affected business. We will take an assertive and determined approach to dealing with antisemitism and other hate crime, acting decisively against anyone who tries to use the cover of protest to cause fear and distress to Londoners. Anyone with information about the criminal damage incidents that may assist police is urged to call 101 quoting CAD 7771/18FEB, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. David Alexander says he was given no explanation for the swift, seemingly arbitrary account closure - Eddie Mulholland Have you been debanked? Share your story by emailing money@telegraph.co.uk Last week I joined the legions of British people being debanked. With just two hours notice and no explanation Kroo Bank shut my account. The first I knew of this was an abrupt email from the bank telling me that they didnt want me as a customer any more. My money would be stuck in a trust, and I would have to apply to retrieve it. There would be no opportunity to defend myself. The email ended with Kroos motto: Bigger than banking. I didnt really know what this meant. I didnt set up an account with that bank to receive Kroo News, its tedious newsletter, or to peruse its patronising financial advice or to have unenlightening conversations with its AI chatbot. I joined Kroo a digital-only bank founded in 2016 to send and receive money with minimal fuss and maximum convenience. Basic banking was all I wanted, but this was inexplicably denied me. Im not alone. Growing numbers of people are being debanked, with more than half a million customers having their accounts closed last year. Thats a tenfold increase since 2016-17. Debanking is no longer something that happens to those with controversial public lives. Its become an epidemic. Fanatically judgemental and interventionist bankers have become drunk on their own power, and Britain is paying the price. The first email I received looked like a scam. My email provider thought so too, warning me that: This message might be dangerous. Messages like this one were used to steal personal information. Dont click links, download attachments, or reply with personal information. Surely, I thought, a serious bank wouldnt send emails liable to trigger such obvious scam filters? I kept most of my easily accessible money in my Kroo current account, so the prospect of it being compromised, or my contact details falling into the wrong hands, was panic-inducing. At Kroo, were required to review accounts on a continuous basis, the email continued. Weve recently conducted a detailed review of your account using a variety of information sources. What information sources was it referring to? Had they examined my wider financial life? Parsed my emails? Spoken to my priest? As far as I could tell, there was no legitimate way that Kroo could have made a decision about my financial probity. Far less one that justified the immediate sequestration of my money. Were sorry to inform you that we arent able to provide you with our services going forward. For more information please see our Terms and Conditions. I looked at those immediately and couldnt understand what I was alleged to have done wrong. I hadnt done anything illegal or used my account for the benefit of others. I still lived in Britain. I was still my hairline confirmed it over 18. Your account will be closed immediately, and we encourage you to make alternative banking arrangements. I reassured myself that it was probably a scam and tried to put it out of my mind until lunchtime. But then I got another email repeating the same unnerving message. Two hours passed while I tried to distract myself from the prospect of imminent debanking. Then suddenly, I got a notification from my Kroo app. All of my money had disappeared from my account. Time to ask for that pay rise! I joked to my colleagues, some of whom sympathetically offered me cash to tide me over for the day. Luckily, I had another current account still open, so that wasnt necessary. But if Id been reliant on Kroo and urgently needed to pay for something, then I would have been in trouble. A final email then arrived: Your account is now closed. I quickly nominated another account to have the money moved into, but 15 hours later there was still no sign of it. Although the money did eventually arrive in my other account, what if the Kroo account had been my only source of ready money? 15 hours is a long time to be denied access to your own money. What if I owed rent or needed to make an emergency journey? More banal but still important: what if I had no food left in the house? Its a huge and totally unjustifiable inconvenience. I tried to work out why this had happened. Id recently returned from a holiday to Cambodia, via China, and had used that account to pay for things. Surely this wasnt a political decision made by Kroo based on that trip? I work for a Right-leaning newspaper, but that isnt a crime either and presumably Nigel Farages debanking by Coutts and the ensuing scandal would have made account providers keen not to close accounts for political reasons. Of course, banks should scrupulously examine the transactions they facilitate. Its partly their job to stop vulnerable customers from being scammed and to prevent their money from being funnelled out of the economy. But thats not why they do it. Banks, especially smaller firms, resent paying out for fraud and fear being caught out for failing anti-money laundering rules by regulators. They are consequently overzealous in shutting down accounts displaying even slightly unusual behaviour. Yet banks arent like most businesses. They have exceptional power. Their decisions can sustain or destroy the lives of their clients, so its vital that theyre run dispassionately, as fair and credible economic instruments, and not as veiled means of moral arbitration. New rules coming in soon will mean longer warning times and better explanations for account closures but will only apply to new accounts. So I wouldnt have been protected. Im now on the lookout for a new bank ideally with We stick to banking as a motto. A Kroo spokesman said: We monitor account activity in line with our regulatory obligations and, where necessary, may make decisions based on this in order to protect customers and their funds, including closing an account. We are legally restricted from providing detailed explanations for those decisions. In this instance, once the customer provided confirmed details of where the funds should be sent, the full balance was returned that day. We do not retain customer funds following an account closure other than to ensure they are protected and transferred securely in line with the customers instructions. Hillary Clinton speaks after testifying before House lawmakers on Thursday as part of a congressional investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Photograph: David Dee Delgado/Getty Images (Photograph: David Dee Delgado/Getty Images) Hillary Clinton delivered a withering rebuke to a congressional committee investigating her supposed links to Jeffrey Epstein on Thursday, accusing its Republican members of embarking on a fishing expedition intended to cover up and deflect attention from the actions of Donald Trump. In a furious opening statement, the former secretary of state suggested the event was partisan political theatre and an insult to the American people while repeating her insistence that she had never met Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex trafficker who died in 2019. You have compelled me to testify, fully aware that I have no knowledge that would assist your investigation, in order to distract attention from President Trumps actions and to cover them up despite legitimate calls for answers, she said, according to remarks she shared during the closed-door testimony. Clintons onslaught came on the first day of a session that will also include a deposition on Friday by her husband, Bill Clinton, the former US president. The hearing is being staged at an arts center near the couples home in Chappaqua in upstate New York. The Clintons reluctantly agreed to appear in response to a subpoena from the committees Republican chair, James Comer, after being threatened with contempt of Congress charges. In her opening statement, Clinton excoriated the proceedings as designed to protect one political party and one public official, rather than to seek truth and justice for the victims and survivors. Referencing her own career campaigning against sex trafficking, she added: If this committee is serious about learning the truth about Epsteins trafficking crimes, it would not rely on press gaggles to get answers from our current president on his involvement; it would ask him directly under oath about the tens of thousands of times he shows up in the Epstein files. If the majority was serious, it would not waste time on fishing expeditions. There is too much that needs to be done. What is being held back? Who is being protected? And why the cover-up? The hearing was temporarily suspended at the request of Clintons legal team after a photo of her giving testimony was shared on social media. It was later reported that the picture, posted by the Maga influencer Benny Johnson, had been taken by Lauren Boebert, one of the committees Republican members. It is against the rules for witnesses or lawmakers to take pictures during closed-door congressional hearings. Democrats condemned the breach as unacceptable. Boebert defended her conduct on social media after the disruption. No US ambassadors were harmed in the taking of todays photo, she wrote, in a reference to the storming of a US diplomatic compound in the Libyan city of Benghazi in 2012, which happened when Clinton was secretary of state and resulted in the deaths of four Americans. Clinton resumed her testimony to the House of Representatives oversight committee shortly afterwards. Robert Garcia, the committees ranking Democrat, said that during the interruption, Clinton had called for the hearing to be opened to the media. Speaking after her committee testimony, Clinton told press gathered outside she would have preferred the testimony be public, but was distressed about agreed-upon rules being disregarded by the committee. They had a chance to do it in public and I wish they had done it in public, she said, adding that she found their questions to be very repetitive. I dont know how many times I had to say I did not know Jeffrey Epstein, she said. It is on the record numerous times. Clinton told reporters that the questions also veered off-topic and got quite unusual, with questions about UFOs and Pizzagate, a repeatedly discredited conspiracy theory linking the Democratic party to a pedophilia ring. She expressed frustration about the way the investigation was being handled. No Republican members asked any questions about Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell to anyone else they have disposed, she said. The Clintons have previously complained they are being singled out unfairly to distract public attention from Trump, who had a long friendship with Epstein before breaking with him. They wanted the testimony to be given in public, rather than released later in video and accompanying transcripts, as was planned. Speaking during an afternoon break in proceedings, Garcia said Clinton had answered every question and called for transcripts of her deposition to be released within 24 hours. The American people have a right to know exactly what she said, what questions were asked of her and how she responded, he said. Bill Clinton is scheduled to give testimony under identical circumstances on Friday, as representatives investigate links with Epstein that he has acknowledged and which are confirmed in files released by the justice department under congressional mandate. Committee members have travelled to Chappaqua for the proceedings after it was agreed that the Clintons would not have to testify on Capitol Hill. Written transcripts and video footage from the depositions are expected to be released in the coming days. Addressing journalists outside the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, where the Clinton hearings are being staged, Republicans and Democrats vied for control of the narrative surrounding the files. Comer, the committee chair, accused the Clintons of trying to avoid a subpoena when other public figures including Bill Barr and Alex Acosta, members of the first Trump administration had responded willingly. The Clintons havent answered very many, if any, questions about their knowledge or involvement with Epstein and [Ghislaine] Maxwell, Comer said. Again, no one is accusing at this moment the Clintons of any wrongdoing. Theyre going to have due process. But we have a lot of questions, and the purpose of the whole investigation is to try to understand many things about Epstein. Garcia told reporters that he supported Bill Clinton being asked to address the committee but said Democrats would now demand that Trump testify following disclosures that files relating to a woman alleging he had sexually assaulted her when she was a minor had been excluded from the documents released. He said: Lets get President Trump in front of our committee to answer the questions that are being asked across this country, from survivors, from those have been brutally attacked and raped, sometimes as children. Hillary Clintons summons has prompted accusations that the depositions are a partisan exercise intended to deflect scrutiny of Trumps long association with Epstein. James Walkinshaw, a Virginia Democrat on the committee, said: There is no indication zero, zip, zilch, nada that Secretary Clinton had any knowledge of Epsteins crimes. My fear is were here today as part of a political exercise, part of a long-running fever dream where Republicans want to lock up Secretary Clinton. Both Clintons have deep experience in facing Republican-led inquisitions and have often emerged in politically stronger positions. Hillary Clinton testified for nine hours in 2015 to a House select committee investigating the Benghazi attack. Her appearance was widely deemed to have neutralized Republican attacks and boosted her campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. Bill Clinton provided two sworn testimonies in 1998 resulting from a Republican-driven independent counsel investigation. One related to sexual harassment allegations brought by Paula Jones, a former Arkansas state employee. He also gave grand jury testimony over allegations that his testimony in the previous hearing about his relationship with Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern, amounted to perjury and obstruction of justice. Bill Clinton has denied any wrongdoing and has called for all files relating to Epstein to be released. About 3m documents are believed to still be in the justice departments possession, in violation of the terms of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Clinton acknowledges flying four times on Epsteins private plane, nicknamed the Lolita Express, and appears in several photographs in the files, including one showing him and Epstein in a hot tub with a woman whose identity is redacted. He says he cut ties with Epstein in 2006 as the financiers sexual crimes became known. There was a significant drop in the number of migrants coming to Britain on health and other work-related visas last year, new Home Office figures have revealed. A total of 13,177 health and care visas were granted in the year up to December 2025, the data shows. This is fewer than half the 26,922 issued in the year before and less than 10 per cent of the 145,823 health and care worker visas granted at the peak in 2023. The Home Office said there was a "marked fall" in the second half of 2025 in the number of health and care visas issued "following the end to overseas recruitment of care workers". Visas issued to nursing professionals fell 73 per cent from 6,494 in 2024 to just 1,777 last year, and were 93 per cent below the 26,141 granted in 2022. This "may be attributable to the end of the centrally supported nurse international recruitment programme and changes in demand for international staff", the Home Office added. The number of people from abroad coming to Britain on other work-related visas also decreased. There were 261,112 people granted access to the UK, including both work visa applicants and their dependants, in the year ending December 2025. This is almost a 30 per cent drop on 2024, when the figure stood at 368,139. Meanwhile, illegal immigration increased as small boat crossings were up 13 per cent in 2025 compared to the previous 12 months. People thought to be migrants scramble to board a small boat near Wimereux in France (PA Wire) Radical changes in migration rules last year have contributed to the steep drop in people arriving in Britain via work visa routes. In a bid to reduce net migration by 100,000 people a year, the Government unveiled an overhaul of the immigration system that required higher skills standards for people coming from abroad - and higher salaries. Last year did see a more than 7 per cent increase in illegal immigration. There were 46,497 migrants who arrived in the UK via illegal routes in 2025, according to the Home Office figures. Small boat arrivals across the English Channel from France made up the majority of these at 89 per cent. Other unlawful arrivals included coming via lorries, cars or inadequately documented flights. Some 41,472 people crossed the Channel in small boats in 2025 - a 13 per cent increase from the previous year. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood (PA Wire) The backlog of migrants waiting for a decision on their asylum claim has fallen to 64,426 people the lowest number in five years. There were 108,000 asylum applications processed in 2025 for 135,000 people. Just 42 per cent were successful and saw the applicant granted refugee or protection status, while 58 per cent were refused. The number of people coming to study in Britain from abroad remained broadly steady, the figures appear to show. There were 429,254 people, including applicants and their dependants, who entered the UK on student visas last year. In 2024 the number was 418,932. A proposed ICE detention center in Arizona will need to house 775 people at the 500-bed lockup in order to keep up with the skyrocketing number of migrants and asylum-seekers being arrested amid President Trumps mass deportation crackdown, according to federal procurement documents reviewed by The Independent. DHS/ICE needs to increase bed capacity to meet the administrations interior enforcement and border decompression goals, states a contracting notice the agency issued Wednesday. This contract supports the ICE ERO Phoenix Field Office with the provision of comprehensive detention services for two years. The former Arizona State Prison-Marana, later renamed the Marana Community Correctional Treatment Facility and shuttered in December 2023, is soon set to reopen as a privately-run immigration lockup in the face of intense community opposition. A performance work statement attached to the notice says the complex, located about 20 miles northwest of Tucson, shall house approximately 513 male detainees of all security levels. However, the notice itself announcing ICEs intent to award a no-bid contract to run the facility to the Utah-based Management & Training Corporation, which initially built the prison and bought it back from the government last year reveals that number is expected to shoot up by more than 50 percent. A shuttered state prison in Marana, Arizona is expected to reopen soon as a privately-run ICE lockup. Federal contracting documents show the site will exceed intended capacity by 50 percent (Google Maps) The facility must have a capacity of up to 775 detainees, while also providing guards, meals, medical care, and transportation services, the notice states. These services are required to support EROs mission to safely detain illegal aliens while they await trial or deportation. ERO is ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations arm. The ICE notice does not say how space will be made for 262 additional detainees. The documents begin to answer, in a piecemeal fashion, certain aspects of open questions about the Marana facility that prompted a February 19 letter from U.S. Reps. Adelita Grijalva, Greg Stanton, and Yassamin Ansari to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Director Todd Lyons, requesting information on, among other things, how many people the lockup would hold. It lambasted immigration officials for a lack of transparency the three legislators described as unacceptable. The notice does not specify a date when the Marana facility will open; the notice remains active until March 13. An MTC spokeswoman told The Independent that the contract has yet to be formally awarded to the company, and that no final agreement has been made. If an agreement is finalized, our focus will remain on restoring good local jobs, supporting the Marana economy, and operating the facility with high standards of safety, professionalism, and dignity, the spokeswoman said, declining to provide further information about capacity or an expected opening. An ICE spokesperson did not respond Thursday to a request for comment. As the agency's activities intensify under Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda, opposition to ICE has emerged across the nation. In Marana, Arizona, a large segment of the local community has come out against plans to open an ICE detention center in their town (AFP via Getty Images) The Marana facility was opened in October 1994 as the states first private prison. In 2013, Arizona bought the facility for $150,000, closing it a decade later following a cost-benefit analysis that found it would be cheaper to house Maranas dwindling inmate population elsewhere. A bill introduced last year by Sen. John Kavanagh, a conservative Republican, would have leased the prison to the federal government for $1 a year, but failed. Instead, MTC, which operates multiple facilities in various states, bought it back from the State of Arizona in the spring of 2025, for $15 million. The ever-expanding ICE dragnet, paid for with an eye-popping $45 billion earmarked for ICE detention in the GOPs One Big Beautiful Bill Act, has swept up tens of thousands of people, most of whom have never been convicted of a crime, according to the nonprofit, nonpartisan American Immigration Council. When Trump took office in January 2025, about 40,000 were being held in ICE detention centers on civil immigration charges. A year later, ICEs detainee population has grown to a record 73,000, an increase of more than 75 percent. We have experienced growth over the past few years with amazing new restaurants and businesses coming to Marana, reads a Change.org petition circulated by a group called Pima Resists ICE. Most recently, we have seen the addition of a beautiful Marana Aquatic and Recreation Center and a brand-new shopping center. Right down the road from these two new thriving spaces, [MTC] is planning to open an ICE Detention Center. If this is allowed to happen, all the progress we have made as a community would be in danger. For its part, ICE says in its Wednesday notice that having a detention center in Marana is essential for ERO to accomplish its apprehension and detention, and removal mission in the most cost efficient and timely manner. Flush with a budget larger than most of the world's militaries, ICE has enough money to outfit its officers with new branded vehicles, as seen here, and to open a blizzard of new detention centers for a tremendous influx of new immigration detainees under Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda (Getty Images) ICEs performance work statement says the Marana facility shall provide easy access to legal services; abundant natural light throughout the facility; ample indoor and outdoor recreation that allows for vigorous aerobic exercise; [and] cafeteria style meal service or satellite feeding. It will also have private areas for attorney-client visits, a law library, and a dedicated space for religious services. Detainees will be afforded enhanced, but controlled freedom of movement (although the manner and degree of implementation may vary based on security levels), the document states. The contractor does not have a right of refusal and shall take all referrals from ICE, it adds. It will have office space sufficient for at least 31 ICE employees, to include 29 offices, two workstations, an employee break room, a gym/exercise room with separate showers and locker rooms for male and female staff, a copier/fax/printer/shredder area, a firearms locker, and mens and womens restrooms, which the performance work statement says are not used/shared with aliens. No fewer than 40 parking spaces will be set aside for ICE, and MTC must provide a parking lot specifically for visitors, as well, according to the document . Street parking for ICE visitors is not acceptable, it states. Marana, the town, is home to more than 63,000 residents, many of whom stand firmly against reopening the disused prison to incarcerate immigrants. Number 1, its morally objectionable, Marana resident Tom Flynn told The Guardian in November 2025. Number 2, its a detriment to the overall economy It depresses home values. And its so obviously politically driven. Many residents of Marana, Arizona say they don't want an ICE detention center in their town (AFP via Getty Images) Yet, as Marana Town Manager Terry Rozema told Tucson Weekly, there is little recourse for anyone hoping to stop ICE from moving forward with its plans. You cant simply change someones zoning designation without following a formal legal process, Rozema said. These are federal agents operating under federal jurisdiction We do not have authority over their policies, including operational procedures. In 2010, a riot broke out at the Marana facility, on MTCs watch, that injured 12 inmates and a staff member, and required a 20-person special response team from a nearby state prison to stop it. Five years later, MTC would lose its contracts with the State of Arizona following a prison riot at a facility it operated in Kingman, which caused extensive property damage and injured 16 people. Sources told The Arizona Republic that the violence was touched off by weeks of guards mistreating inmates. As of Wednesday, Marana Town Councilman Patrick Cavanaugh told Arizona Public Media that he was still crossing his fingers that immigration detention center there would not open, after all. Marana is a beautiful community for families, for businesses, Cavanaugh said. Weve all heard it from both sides here. Who would logically want to have an ICE detention center in this town? Trump listens to new pal Mamdani and has Columbia student freed after ICE took her from campus A Columbia University student arrested by immigration officers inside her campus apartment was released from custody hours after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged President Donald Trump to let her go during his visit to the White House. Neuroscience student Ellie Aghayeva was released from federal detention in New York City Thursday afternoon. I am safe and okay, she wrote to her followers on Instagram. I am so sorry but I am in complete shock over what happened and my phone is blowing up with calls from reporters. I need a little bit of time to process everything. I will come back soon. But please don't worry. I love you all. Department of Homeland Security officers misrepresented themselves to enter a residential building to arrest Aghayeva early Thursday morning, according to university officials. Dhs illegally arrested me, she wrote on Instagram with a photograph from the back of a vehicle Thursday morning. Please help. Columbia University student Ellie Aghayeva was released from federal immigration custody hours after her arrest February 26 from inside her campus residence (Ellie Aghayeva/TikTok) She was arrested at 6:30 a.m., according to Columbias acting president Claire Shipman. Agents may have made misrepresentations to gain entry to the building to search for a missing person, Shipman said in a statement. Aghayeva posted a picture after she was detained by ICE at her residence at Columbia University in New York City (Ellie Aghayeva/Instagram) Her student visa was terminated in 2016, according to a statement from Homeland Security. The building manager and her roommate allowed officers into the apartment, a spokesperson told The Independent. Mamdani, who met with the president Thursday afternoon, said he had shared his concerns about her arrest during their meeting at the White House. During a phone call that afternoon, the president told him she would be released imminently, according to the mayor. Aghayeva, who is originally from Azerbaijan, frequently posts videos about life on campus and study routines on Instagram, where she has more than 106,000 followers. The aspiring social media personality has more than 114,000 followers on TikTok. School of General Studies Dean Lisa Rosen-Mestch announced the students arrest in an email to General Studies students Thursday morning, according to The Columbia Spectator. Aghayeva was escorted to her apartment with her face covered after her release (Getty Images) Mamdani met with Trump in the Oval Office for a second time Febraury 26 (New York City Mayor's Office) She described the arrest as upsetting and unsettling for our community. Thursdays arrest is not the first immigration enforcement action on Columbia property; graduate student Mahmoud Khalil was arrested in the lobby of his university-owned building last March, igniting a legal battle at the center of the Trump administrations campaign to arrest and deport international students. The arrest also follows campus protests demanding the university maintain stronger protections for international students against federal immigration agents at the university. Columbia has stressed that all law enforcement agents must have a judicial warrant or judicial subpoena access nonpublic areas of the university, including housing and classrooms and other buildings that require a university ID. Administrative warrants which are issued internally by federal agencies are not sufficient, Shipman wrote. Do not allow them to enter or accept service of a warrant or subpoena, she said. University officials say ICE officers may have tried to gain entry by claiming they were seeking a missing person (Getty Images) Columbia students have rallied against the Trump administrations targeted arrests of international student activists (Getty) New York City Council members were also briefed on the incident. ICE has no place in our schools and universities, Speaker Julie Menin said in a joint statement with City Councilman Shaun Abreu. These activities do not make our city or country safer, but rather drive mistrust and danger, they added. As Columbia College alumni, our hearts are with the community there, and we have been in contact with the University to offer our assistance. Khalil continues to fight the Trump administrations attempts to remove him from the country after his release from an immigration detention center in Louisiana last year. Khalil, a legal permanent resident of the United States and a prominent student activist against Israels war in Gaza, was stripped of his green card and arrested last March after Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally signed off on his removal, baselessly alleging Khalil and others promoted antisemitism and provided material support for terrorist groups, according to documents submitted in court filings. He was jailed for more than 100 days while his legal team fought for his release, and federal judges have lambasted the administrations unconstitutional conspiracy to violate the First Amendment rights of international students and faculty. An immigration court judge has ordered his removal to Syria or Algeria over allegations that he omitted information from a green card application, which his legal team called meritless. Mohsen Mahdawi, another Columbia student targeted by Rubio, was also granted release from federal custody after he was arrested during a citizenship interview last year. An immigration court judge has terminated his removal proceedings, finding no basis to deport him. During his White House meeting, Mamdani also gave White House chief of staff Susie Wiles a list of four other students targeted by federal authorities and asked for the administrations help to keep them out of custody, according to the Associated Press. He mentioned the cases of Khalil and Mahdawi as well as Yunseo Chung and Leqaa Kordia all of whom were targeted for their pro-Palestinian activism. A federal judge has blocked federal agents from arresting Chung, and Kordia has been locked up in ICE detention for nearly a year. The woman, who worked in the law department at the University of Padua, needed surgery and four months of treatment. Photograph: Arco Images GmbH/Alamy (Photograph: Arco Images GmbH/Alamy) An Italian woman who fell and broke her ankle while working from home has obtained compensation in an unprecedented court ruling hailed a victory for workers rights. In April 2022, the woman, an employee in the University of Paduas law department, fractured her ankle in two places. The injury, which happened during a Zoom meeting where she fell after she got up from her desk to fetch documents, required surgery and treatment lasting more than four months. The woman, 60, was denied benefits from Inail, the national body that manages mandatory insurance against workplace injuries and illnesses, because the accident occurred at home, meaning she was forced to shoulder the burden of the medical costs, including the hiring of a wheelchair. The woman sought legal assistance from her workplace union, Federazione Gilda Unams (FGU), which in turn appealed to Paduas labour court. In a ruling last year by the judge Maurizio Pascali but which was only made public by the union this week, the accident was classified as work-related and so the woman was awarded compensation, including the back payment of benefits and the reimbursement of medical costs. This sentence is a victory for the rights of Italian workers, said Andrea Berto, who heads the Padua unit of FGU. The public institution that should have paid the benefits was trying to save money at the womans cost. This story has resonated across the country and Im happy that we publicised it, because it means if anyone else is in a similar situation they can refer to this sentence. The woman has returned to the university and continues to work part of the week at home. When we began the appeal, there were no previous cases of this kind in Italy, at least we did not find any, said Carmela Furian, one of the lawyers who represented her. Or perhaps there have been similar case that were resolved before reaching court. But in this situation, Inail was forced to recognise the accident as being workplace-related. As with other countries in Europe, in Italy the home working trend gained momentum during the coronavirus pandemic. As of 2023, just under 3.4 million people employed on permanent contracts worked from home for at least half of their working days per month, according to figures from Istat, Italys national statistics agency. A survey carried out in 2024 by the Polytechnic of Milan estimated that the figure would rise to 3.7m in 2025, with seven out of 10 Italians saying they would contest their employer if it enforced a return-to-the-office mandate. Twenty percent of those surveyed said they would seriously consider changing jobs if forced to return to the office full-time, while 20% would demand a higher salary. Despite the growing trend of flexible working in Italy, the percentage (5.9%) of smart workers in the country is still well below the EUs average of 9.1%, according to Eurostat figures in 2023. JAKARTA, Indonesia and SINGAPORE, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- by.U, part of Telkomsel, Southeast Asia's largest and one of the world's leading Tier1 telecommunications operators, today announced the launch of a new vertical SoftwareasaService (SaaS) platform, developed in partnership with Circles, a global telco technology company. The platform is purposebuilt to support largescale digital transformation initiatives for telecommunications brands operating in complex, legacy environments. Circles and by.U by Telkomsel Launch Next-Generation SaaS Platform (PRNewsfoto/Circles.co) The deployment of the Circles platform for by.U, a Telkomsel brand, represents a significant milestone in by.U's evolution and Telkomsel's broader digital transformation journey. This initiative marks one of the most complex modernization programs undertaken by a Tier1 telecommunications operator. By adopting Circles' cloudnative vertical SaaS solution, Telkomsel and Circles successfully modernized critical digital capabilities while ensuring service continuity and operational stability throughout the transition. A Tier1 Brownfield Transformation, Executed in a Live Environment Through its strategic partnership with Circles, Telkomsel consolidated and modernized multiple legacy BSS, orchestration, and digital experience systems into a unified, configurable, cloudnative, vertically integrated SaaS platform. The transformation was designed to support rapid innovation, operational resilience, and longterm scalability, while mitigating the risks typically associated with largescale system replacement in live environments. Unlike greenfield launches or limited digital pilots, this program was executed within a true brownfield context, involving deep integration with existing infrastructure, processes, and customer journeys. The transformation was carried out while the platform continued to serve millions of active users nationwide, supported by structured change management, monitoring, and mitigation measures. Tangible Business and Technology Outcomes The new platform delivers measurable, operatorgrade improvements across business and technology dimensions, including: Performance optimization : Reduced transaction and journey latency across key digital flows, such as checkout and product activation, contributing to more responsive customer experiences. : Reduced transaction and journey latency across key digital flows, such as checkout and product activation, contributing to more responsive customer experiences. Business agility : Enhanced endtoend configurability across products, pricing, journeys, and campaigns, enabling faster timetomarket while maintaining established governance and approval processes. : Enhanced endtoend configurability across products, pricing, journeys, and campaigns, enabling faster timetomarket while maintaining established governance and approval processes. Enterprise scalability : A modular, APIfirst architecture designed to operate reliably at national scale and support a large active subscriber base. : A modular, APIfirst architecture designed to operate reliably at national scale and support a large active subscriber base. Technical modernization : Consolidation of multiple legacy systems into a unified platform, helping reduce operational complexity and technical debt. : Consolidation of multiple legacy systems into a unified platform, helping reduce operational complexity and technical debt. AIready foundation: A modern data and orchestration architecture that establishes a clear path toward future AIenabled use cases, including digital monetization and autonomous operations. "The platform's configurability enables our teams to respond more effectively to market dynamics," said Joyce Shia, Director of Information Technology, Telkomsel. "This transformation strengthens our ability to innovate at speed, while maintaining operational discipline and service reliability." Setting a Scalable Blueprint for Tier1 Telcos "This collaboration with Telkomsel demonstrates how largescale brownfield transformations can be executed responsibly in live environments," said Sanjay Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer, Circles. "Together with Telkomsel and by.U, we've shown that Tier1 operators can modernize critical platforms at scale, supported by purposebuilt telecom SaaS capabilities and deep operational expertise. The result is a repeatable blueprint for sustainable innovation and operational stability." The partnership highlights Circles' capability to deliver enterprisegrade, Tier1ready SaaS transformations within complex legacy landscapes and establishes a scalable approach that can be applied by telecommunications operators globally. About Circles Founded in 2014, Circles is a global technology company reimagining the telco industry with its innovative SaaS platform, empowering telco operators worldwide to effortlessly launch innovative digital brands or refresh existing ones, accelerating their transformation into techcos. Today, Circles partners with leading telco operators across 14 countries and 6 continents, including KDDI Corporation, Etisalat Group (e&), AT&T, and Telkomsel, creating blueprints for future telco and digital experiences enjoyed by millions of consumers globally. Circles is backed by renowned global investors, including Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia), Warburg Pincus, Founders Fund, and EDBI (the investment arm of the Singapore Economic Development Board), with a track record of backing industry challengers. To learn more about how Circles enables digital transformation for leading telcos worldwide, visit circles.co . About Telkomsel Telkomsel is Indonesia's leading digital telecommunications provider, committed to unlocking every opportunity through innovative connectivity, services, and solutions. Established in 1995, Telkomsel delivers 4G coverage to 97% of population areas and pioneers the widest 5G services in the country. Serving hundreds of millions of mobile and fixed broadband customers, Telkomsel continues to expand digital services while advancing the responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ESG principles. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2918254/Circles_x_Telkomsel.jpg SOURCE Circles.co Jeremy Corbyn has beaten fellow MP Zarah Sultana to take control of Your Partys new leadership committee following a contest marred by months of public infighting, confusion and indecision. Mr Corbyn is set to become the groups parliamentary leader after his supporters won 14 of the 24 seats on Your Party's central executive committee (CEC), double the seven seats won by Ms Sultanas backers. In response, the former Labour leader said he wanted his mass, socialist party to take the fight to his successor, Sir Keir Starmer, and the Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage. The Your Party elections have been marred by infighting, but Jeremy Corbyn has been named over Zarah Sultana (PA) Last year the left-wing party opted to elect a 24-strong CEC rather than a single figure to lead the party. But the contest has been seen as a proxy-war between its two co-founders, with both Mr Corbyn and Ms Sultana putting forward two rival slates of candidates. Both also stood for election to the CECs public office holders section, a prerequisite to becoming the partys parliamentary leader. On Thursday morning, the party revealed Mr Corbyns group, The Many, had won and would now lead the party. Some 25,347 people voted in the election out of 40,985 verified Your Party members, a turnout of 62 per cent. The foundation of Your Party has been marked by conflict between the founders, including over the announcement of the partys creation and the unauthorised launch of a membership portal. Ms Sultana boycotted the first day of Your Partys founding conference in Liverpool over the exclusion of some of her supporters and the expulsion of members of the Socialist Workers Party. But the conferences backing of a collective membership model was widely seen as a victory for Ms Sultana, as Mr Corbyns preference had been to have a single leader. Supporters of the former Labour leader won 14 of the 24 seats on Your Party's central executive committee, double the seven won by Sultanas backers (PA) After the result, Mr Corbyn said: I am delighted that members have voted for a mass, socialist party that takes the fight to Starmer and Farage. Now the real work begins. We have a precious opportunity to unite our movement around a bold vision for this country one that creates a more caring, equal and peaceful world for all. I look forward to working with all members to make this vision a reality. He added that the UK was at a dangerous moment. The fear, divisiveness and racism of Reform should not be appeased; it must be opposed. There is only one way we will defeat them: by working together under a common cause of redistribution and peace. In a statement, Ms Sultana called on the party to work together. But her Grassroots Left group said Your Party needed to become a party of and for the whole left after losing out to Mr Corbyns backers. In a statement, the group congratulated the successful candidates and thanked members who had voted for it, saying: Your Party must now work together to become a party of and for the whole left with no more witch-hunts or stitch-ups. All those who have been expelled should be reinstated. We now need a culture of mutual respect, open debate, and a shared focus on the real issues facing us: inequality, insecure work, crumbling public services, fascism, and a political establishment that keeps letting working people down. The new CEC will shortly take control of the party. One of its first priorities will include planning for the May local elections and formally establishing branches of Your Party across the country. Mr Corbyns The Many slate ran on a campaign to end the navel-gazing and campaign on the big issues, such as the cost of living and Palestine. Jimmy Lai in 2020. The Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon on Thursday won an appeal over a 2022 fraud conviction. Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters (Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters) A Hong Kong appellate court on Thursday overturned fraud convictions against the media mogul Jimmy Lai, a rare victory in the prominent pro-democracy activists legal battles. Lai, 78, an outspoken critic of Chinas ruling Communist party who founded the now defunct Apple Daily, will stay in prison because weeks ago he was sentenced to 20 years after being convicted in another case brought under a China-imposed national security law. Related: Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong pro-democracy figure, sentenced to 20 years in prison It is more than five years since he was arrested under the law, which was used in a years-long crackdown on many of Hong Kongs leading activists. Lais plight has evoked grief over the loss of press freedom in the city and prompted an international outcry, though the citys authorities insist his case had nothing to do with media independence. The conviction that was overturned on Thursday was from an earlier fraud case in which prosecutors alleged that a consultancy firm controlled by Lai had used office space that his media business rented for publication and printing purposes. Lai was sentenced to five years and nine months in prison in 2022 after being found guilty of two fraud charges. A lower court judge found that Lai and his co-defendant Wong Wai-keung had concealed that the firm was occupying space and violated lease agreement, saying he had used his media organisation as a protective shield. He also fined Lai 2m Hong Kong dollars ($257,000). But judges at the higher court ruled the prosecution had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendants had made false representations, throwing out both convictions. Neither defendant appeared in court. The ruling could slightly reduce Lais total prison time. The judges handling Lais national security case allowed the two sentences to be served concurrently for only two years, with the other 18 years to be added after the fraud sentence. Related: The rise and fall of Jimmy Lai, whose trajectory mirrored that of Hong Kong itself The lengthy sentence has raised concerns that he could spend the rest of his life in prison. Lais children have expressed hope that Donald Trump, who has said he wanted to secure their fathers release, could help do so during an upcoming visit to Beijing. The White House has confirmed that Trump will travel to China on 31 March through 2 April to meet the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping. The UK foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, has said Lai, a British citizen, was sentenced for exercising his right to freedom of expression and called on the Hong Kong authorities to release him on humanitarian grounds. Chinese and Hong Kong authorities have defended Lais sentencing in the national security case the harshest penalty handed down for national security offences in Hong Kong saying it reflected the spirit of the rule of law. They also insisted the security law is necessary for the citys stability. Separately, a Hong Kong court on Thursday sentenced the father of a wanted pro-democracy activist to eight months in prison under the citys national security law after he attempted to terminate her insurance policy and withdraw the funds. Related: Father of activist Anna Kwok convicted under Hong Kong national security law Kwok Yin-sang, 69, was found guilty earlier this month of attempting to deal with, directly or indirectly, any funds or other financial assets or economic resources belonging to an absconder under the citys national security law. He is the first person in the city to be charged and convicted with the offence. He had pleaded not guilty and did not testify at the trial. His daughter, Anna Kwok, helps lead the Washington-based advocacy group Hong Kong Democracy Council, and is one of 34 overseas activists wanted by Hong Kong national security police. In Washington, before her fathers sentence was handed down, Anna Kwok told Reuters she found it utterly despicable that the Hong Kong government was going after her father. He was accused of trying to withdraw funds totalling HK$88,609 from an education savings insurance policy he bought for her when she was almost two years old. The acting principal magistrate Cheng Lim-chi said since Anna Kwok was a fugitive, directly or indirectly handling her insurance policy is illegal. With Associated Press and Reuters A coho salmon carcass in a small coastal Oregon river. Salmon feed entire ecosystems when they return to their natal rivers. Photograph: Justin Bailie/Getty Images/Cavan Images RF (Photograph: Justin Bailie/Getty Images/Cavan Images RF) A federal judge in Oregon sided with salmon against the Trump administration on Wednesday, ordering the federal government to change hydropower system operations long considered at the heart of native fish populations sharp decline. At the center of the dispute are eight dams and reservoirs on the Columbia and Snake Rivers in the Pacific north-west that have created devastating obstacles for salmon and steelhead unable to breach their deadly turbines or navigate through the large, warm, artificial pools. The federal agencies and their supporters, which include a group of utilities, water managers and farming organizations, argued that reservoir drawdown would put power reliability in peril. Legal battles waged for decades over the harms were paused in 2021 as stakeholders which include the states of Oregon and Washington, four Native American tribes and a coalition of conservation and fishing groups began working with the Biden administration on a solution. In the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement, a landmark salmon recovery plan brokered in late 2023, the federal government committed more than $1bn over a decade to support depleted salmon runs and new investments into clean energy projects in the area to replace the hydropower generated by the dams. The plan, however, would be short-lived. Related: Trump pulls US from plan to recover salmon population, calling it radical Months after returning to office, Trump withdrew from the agreement, calling it radical environmentalism, and the parties quickly returned to court. But in a strongly worded ruling, issued late on Wednesday, the Oregon US district court judge Michael Simon rebuked the administrations position and the disappointing history of government avoidance and manipulation instead of sincere efforts at solving the problem, and the evidence presented, which he said was created for the lawsuit and contradicted the scientific record. In a report issued under Biden in 2024 and removed from public access by the Trump administration, the Department of the Interior acknowledged that the dams inflicted harm on the river and the Native American tribes that depend on it. Construction of the dams at the turn of the 20th century transformed riparian ecosystems and devastated salmon runs, flooded villages and burial grounds, and pushed tribal members from their lands, traditions, culture and food sources. The Columbia River basin, which sprawls across a swath of land the size of Texas, once produced more salmon than any other system in the world. But out of the 16 stocks of salmon and steelhead that once thrived here, seven are listed under the Endangered Species Act and four have already been wiped from existence. One of the foundational symbols of the West, a critical recreational, cultural, and economic driver for Western states, and the beating heart and guaranteed resource protected by treaties with several Native American tribes is disappearing from the landscape, Simon wrote of the threatened and endangered salmon and steelhead. He lamented that the battle for the life of these declining and important species had not been fought at the end of a hook and line, nor in the woven threads of a fishing net, nor even based on the appetites of sea lions, avian predators, or killer whales. Instead, the greatest battle has been waged in the courts, he said. His order generally sustains the status quo, returning reservoir and flow levels to what they were last year with some small increases. The groups that sued for the injunction celebrated the order, and said the ruling was needed to prevent salmon extinction in the basin. Salmon need help now, and were encouraged the court has granted immediate, commonsense relief that will help protect imperiled north-west salmon and steelhead, said attorney Amanda Goodin, who works for Earthjustice, an environmental law organization that represented the plaintiffs. Advocates also said this decision did not spell the end to the issues in the region. While these emergency measures are implemented, well keep our eye on our long-term goal of helping the Tribes and the states restore Snake River salmon for the generations to come, said Mike Leahy, senior director of wildlife, hunting and fishing policy for the National Wildlife Federation, in a statement. Oliver Milman and Leonie Chao-Fong contributed reporting Katie Price has returned to the UK without her new husband Lee Andrews, amid ongoing claims he is subject to a travel ban in Dubai. The veteran glamour model, 47, was pictured arriving back in Britain on Thursday dressed in a grey crop top and tracksuit bottoms, flanked by staff as she loaded her luggage into a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Her arrival comes just weeks after she married businessman Andrews in a whirlwind ceremony. The pair became engaged last month before tying the knot days later, formally registering their marriage on February 17. Despite previously stating he would accompany her back to the UK this week, Andrews remained in Dubai, where he lives. Instead, he took to social media to once again allude to the couples plans to start a family, sharing an image of a baby bottle alongside the caption: What are your plans for next year? He has also suggested he will join Price imminently, claiming they would both attend a party hosted by Love Island star Lucinda Strafford on Friday, where Price is set to perform. In recent posts, he praised her singing and said he couldnt wait to watch her on stage. Lee Andrews (right) previously claimed both he and wife Katie Price (left) would be flying back (Instagram @wesleeandrews) However, Andrews has been the subject of reports that he is currently unable to leave the United Arab Emirates. His former partner, Alana Percival, has repeatedly alleged he is legally bound to the country. The Daily Mail previously reported that Andrews was banned from leaving Dubai after allegedly spending three weeks in a UAE jail over claims he forged an ex-girlfriends signature to secure a 200,000 loan. It was further alleged that he applied for a mortgage in personal trainer Dina Tajis name without her consent. Andrews has denied the claims, calling suggestions he cannot travel complete b******s. Since their marriage, Price has returned to the UK alone on two occasions, despite Andrews indicating he would join her. There had also been suggestions the couple would honeymoon elsewhere, though they have remained in Dubai. Andrews has faced further scrutiny over social media posts purporting to show him in the UK, including footage he claimed was filmed along the Skegness coastline. Percival publicly questioned the clips, suggesting they were recorded in Dubai. Despite the speculation, Price and Andrews continue to present a united front, insisting they are very much in love and planning a larger celebration in Britain with friends and family. Two of Katie Prices five children Princess Andre (left) and Junior Andre (right) were supportive of her latest marriage (Instagram @princessandre) Her union with Andrews marks her fourth trip down the aisle. Prices five children are yet to meet her new husband. Appearing on This Morning this week, her eldest children Princess, 18, and Junior, 20, who she shares with first husband Peter Andre, said they had not met Andrews but were supportive. Our mum is her own person, Junior said. At the end of the day, were supportive of her as long as shes happy. Princess agreed: If shes happy, were happy. The father-daughter duo were pictured wearing black leather jackets on Wednesday at a military parade - KCNA/EPA/Shutterstock As Kim Jong-un brought North Koreas ninth party congress to a close on Thursday, he did so with his 13-year-old daughter at his side. Kim Ju-ae and her father were pictured in matching black leather trench coats as they climbed out of a car and ascended a red-carpeted staircase before presiding over throngs of cheering citizens, saluting soldiers and a vast military procession that rolled through the streets of Pyongyang. Kim Ju-aes appearance during the finale of the countrys most important political event, held every five years, will stoke further speculation that she is being groomed as heir. Analysts said the choice of jackets a staple of leader Kims wardrobe, especially during key public appearances was more than a fashion statement. In North Koreas political symbolism, that look carries weight its tied to the image of the leader as the ultimate guarantor of national security and future prosperity, said Lim Eul-chul, an analyst with the Institute for Far Eastern Studies. So when that same symbolic attire is put on his young daughter, its hard to see it as accidental. It was the latest in a long line of public appearances by Kim Ju-ae, who has steadily attended more events alongside her father, while also appearing in state newspapers and on television. Analysts have likened her public rise to that of a debutante princess, considering everything from her interactions with Kim, attendance at high-profile events and her increasingly diplomatic dress sense. Dr Edward Howell, a North Korea specialist and professor of international relations, told The Telegraph that Ju-aes appearance at the Party Congress showed that Kim wanted to make clear that his daughter is not going away anytime soon, and that she is an important member of the Kim dynasty. South Koreas National Intelligence Service (NIS) told parliament this month that Kim Ju-ae, thought to be 12 or 13, had effectively entered the stage of being designated successor, pointing to a range of circumstances, including her prominent public role. Rachel Minyoung Lee, a senior fellow for the Stimson Centers Korea programme, said the shift in language from the intelligence agency was significant. South Koreas intelligence agencys assessment of the daughters status changed from appears to be in training for succession to Kim Jong-un appears to have picked her as successor. This is significant. Kim Ju-ae with her father dressed in leather jackets and sunglasses at an air force demonstration - Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP She cautioned that confirmation would ultimately have to come from Pyongyang itself. Ms Lee told The Telegraph during the event, which lasted several days: The ongoing Ninth Party Congress could be key: whether the daughter shows up, and if she does, how do state media refer to her, where does she sit, and does she get any Workers Party of Korea titles? North Koreas tightly controlled state media answered some of these questions in pictures it released on Thursday. Ju-ae was shown walking alongside her father after the pair arrived together in a large black car. In other photos, she was seen talking to him and later sitting behind him. Prof Leif-Eric Easley, a Korean affairs expert, told AFP that Ju-aes latest appearance demonstrated her elevated status. But she still appears in her capacity as the leaders daughter. She is probably not yet old enough to participate in the congress with an official party title, Prof Easley said. Since first appearing on state television in November 2022, when she held her fathers hand at the test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Ju-ae has become a constant presence in the regimes carefully choreographed imagery. Between her debut and the end of 2025, she took part in 41 public events, 25 of them linked to the military. She has travelled with her father to Beijing, appeared at the Russian embassy in Pyongyang and stood beside him during weapons inspections. State television has featured her on more than 600 days across a three-year period, second only to Kim himself. Ms Lee said the evolution of her appearances had been gradual but deliberate. She said: For a while, her public appearances were mostly confined to weapons and military-related events but the scope of her appearances began to broaden to economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic matters. Last year, there were some milestones. She accompanied her father to the Russian embassy in Pyongyang in May, marking her first diplomatic appearance. In September 2025, she accompanied her father to Beijing, though she did not participate in any official gatherings. Another milestone came on New Years Day, when she appeared at the mausoleum where Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, the late leaders, are entombed. She was pictured as being front and centre, a spot reserved for Kim Jong-un, Lee said. Her growing visibility has been matched by a deliberate effort to shape her public perception. Rodong Sinmun, the Workers Party newspaper, has increasingly featured her on its front page, referring to her as the loved child and, more recently, the respected child. The latter honorific has never been applied to Kim Yo-jong, Kims sister, long considered another potential successor. Dr Edward Howell, a North Korea specialist and professor of international relations, said the use of the honorific is only really used for potential successors. Her appearances also seem meticulously staged, with footage showing Kim guiding his daughter with a hand on her waist, holding her hand or positioning her at his right side traditionally the place of honour while his sister was seen respectfully leading the teenager to her seat on stage. The narrative can be formed and shaped, Dr Howell said. Kim Jong-uns visibility with his daughter, increasingly on North Korean television, but also in media reports, shows that Kim Jong-un wants to portray himself as a family man. The idea of the North Korean leaders having paternal and even maternal characteristics is a long-running theme throughout North Korean history. But he also wants to tell the North Korean people that his regime is here to stay. Ms Lee suggested that if it is a succession campaign, starting early may be a conscious effort by Kim to ensure his daughter has a smoother transition. It is possible that Kim Jong-un wanted to start the process early in order to prime the public early for the next leader, and one that is a woman, she said. Kim Jong-un himself made his public debut last-minute, after Kim Jong-il suffered a major stroke, and it is possible that he wants a longer succession planning period for the next leader. Alongside her appearances, Kim Ju-aes clothing has evolved. In the first one or two years, she dressed up as a little girl and was portrayed as a young daughter. Over time, she started to dress up in suits and behave more professionally, Lee said. In propaganda footage, she is often shown smiling as she accepts flowers from children or observing military hardware. At a New Year celebration, state television aired images of Kim embracing her and pressing his cheek against hers, filmed from front-facing angles that suggest careful staging. Ms Lee added that Ju-ae also serves a broader propaganda purpose. Initially, when the daughter was seen primarily at military-related events and sites, the intended message appeared to be that North Koreas weapons programmes will be passed down for generations, with Kims young daughter representing future generations. When she first appeared next to an ICBM, state media in fact repeatedly emphasised the importance of ensuring future generations safety by continuously developing weapons. The Kim family has ruled North Korea with an iron grip for decades, and a cult of personality surrounding their Paektu bloodline dominates daily life in the isolated country. The North Korean leader has faced persistent speculation about his health, with South Korean intelligence citing obesity-related conditions. Grooming a successor may be designed to reassure elites that a fourth generation of Kim rule is already in waiting. Whether Kim Ju-ae will ultimately inherit power remains uncertain. North Korea has never had a female leader and the countrys patriarchal traditions have led analysts to assume that a male heir would be preferred. There have also been conflicting reports about whether Kim has other children, including speculation about a son kept out of public view. Yet some experts argue that bloodline matters more than gender. Dr Howell said: If Kim Jong-un were to drop dead tomorrow, the power would most likely be transferred to his sister. I think its important to note that a lot of people say, well, North Korea is a very patriarchal society. More important than the sex of the leader is whether they are a Kim. This is the sacrosanct bloodline where for the dynastic Kim regime, even if its not a man, if theyre a Kim, its the most important thing. A former intelligence officer previously told The Telegraph that any decision to name his daughter as a successor would probably trigger a power struggle within the family. Rah Jong-yil, the former South Korean ambassador to the UK and deputy director of Seouls intelligence service, said that Ju-ae could face opposition from Kim Yo-jong, her ambitious and ruthless aunt. Despite her appearance at the party congress, Ju-ae lacks a formal title or position. During military ceremonies, when Kim and senior officers salute, she stands still. Her aunt remains far more experienced within the party apparatus and was promoted to lead the propaganda department during the party congress. Given the familys track record, any such in-fighting probably would not be bloodless. Two years after Kim took over from his father in December 2011, he had Jang Song-thaek, his uncle and mentor, arrested on charges of committing anti-party, counter-revolutionary, factional acts. The Kim family clearly think Ju-ae is someone of importance, Dr Howell said. That said, if you compare her to Kim Jong-uns sister, Kim Yo-jong, well theres no comparison. Kim Yo-jong is much more experienced. She has risen up the ranks of the North Korean elite. While the party congress offers further clues, Dr Howell urged caution in assuming that Ju-ae would definitely take over from her father. He said: We must view reports that she has become increasingly involved in decision-making with caution: Ju-ae is barely a teenager. The fact that Kim Yo-jong, Ju-aes aunt, was promoted to ministerial level is significant, since it highlights how Yo-jong is becoming increasingly part of her brothers inner circle. We will only know as to Kim Jong-uns succession plans once it has been announced by the regime: prudence could not be more important. Green party candidate Hannah Spencer (right) at the St Agnes primary school polling station in Levenshulme. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian (Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian) The polls have closed in the three-way battle for Gorton and Denton in south-east Manchester after one of the most unpredictable byelections in years. The Green party leader Zack Polanski said before voting that his party was neck and neck with Reform UK to overturn Labours 13,000-vote majority, and that Labour will need to search their conscience if Reform UK wins.Keir Starmers party had targeted left-leaning voters in the Greater Manchester seat with claims that only Labour can see off Nigel Farages Reform, saying that a vote for the Greens was in effect, a vote for Reform. Labours strategy of claiming the Greens could not win had echoes of the disastrous Caerphilly byelection in October, which the party lost to Plaid Cymru despite telling voters repeatedly: Only Labour can beat Reform. Labour is defending a 13,413-vote majority in Gorton and Denton, where nearly 80% of voters backed a party on the left at the 2024 election. The result will be declared at about 4am on Friday. Angeliki Stogia, a councillor, was selected as the Labour candidate after Andy Burnham was prevented from standing. The academic turned GB News presenter Matt Goodwin who has faced criticism for his comments on women, Muslims and British citizenship stood for Reform UK. Hannah Spencer, a Trafford councillor and plumber by trade, is the Green party candidate. Prof Will Jennings, of the University of Southampton, said the contest was too close to call and that in Britains new fragmented politics anything can happen. He said a Labour defeat would be terminal for No 10s strategy to try to appeal to right-leaning voters, which has alienated its core progressive supporters. It would be a symbol of the failure of that strategy and the end point for it, said Jennings. The worst-case scenario for Labour is coming third behind Reform and the Greens, not least because of the decision to stop Andy Burnham from standing. A Labour victory would staunch that sense of inevitability of the end of Starmer, he added, and potentially mark a turning point for a government eight points behind Reform in the polls and facing a resurgent Green party. However, any relief for Starmer would be short-lived as Labour is expected to suffer heavy losses when voters across England, Scotland and Wales go to the polls in the local and devolved elections in 10 weeks. On a visit to the constituency on Monday, Starmer had described the Greens plan to legalise drugs as disgusting and claimed it would turn parks and playgrounds into crack dens. Polanski said Starmers visit felt very much like spoiler behaviour because it suggested Labour was confident of winning when, he claimed, that was not the case. I think the Labour party will have to search their conscience if theyve allowed the Reform party to win. Polanski accused Labour of sinking to a new low with an attack advert on social media showing a green syringe alongside the words: Heroin, crack cocaine, spice. Green party says YES. Its the last desperate gasp of a Keir Starmer Labour government, the Green party leader said. The byelection was triggered by the resignation of Andrew Gwynne on health grounds in January. The former MP was under investigation by parliament for offensive messages he sent in a WhatsApp group of local Labour figures. Labour calls on officials to examine very concerning reports of illegal voting in crucial Gorton and Denton by-election Labour wants the authorities to look into claims of high levels of family voting in the Gorton and Denton by-election, with the partys chairwoman describing the findings as very concerning. Anna Turley was among the political leaders to react to a report by the election observer group Democracy Volunteers, which claimed to have witnessed the illegal practice in 68 per cent of 22 polling stations monitored. Family voting where two voters either confer, collude or direct each other on voting was made illegal by the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023. Speaking to Sky News, Ms Turley said: Its really concerning to hear. I hope the appropriate authorities will be looking at that, examining it and taking any reasonable steps. She added: Obviously, it is very early stages at the moment to assess the information, but of course its deeply serious because every vote should be personal, secret. Thats the cornerstone of our democracy. So any evidence to the contrary is very concerning, and I am sure the relevant authorities will be looking at this in the days and weeks ahead. Ballot boxes arrive at the count in the Gorton and Denton by-election at Manchester Central (PA) It could fall to Greater Manchester Police, the Electoral Commission, and Manchester City Council to look into the allegations. In a statement, Democracy Volunteers, which had four volunteers working at the by-election, said: Today we have seen concerningly high levels of family voting in Gorton and Denton. Based on our assessment of todays observations, we have seen the highest levels of family voting at any election in our 10-year history of observing elections in the UK. The organisation said it attended 22 of the 45 polling stations in the constituency, spending 30 to 45 minutes in each, and witnessed family voting in 15. The group said they observed a sample of 545 individuals casting their vote and saw 32 cases of family voting in total, including nine cases in one polling station. But Manchester City Council, which is overseeing the by-election, was critical of the group for not raising concerns with them earlier, adding that no issues were reported from polling stations beforehand. Leading pollster Robert Hayward, who authored the legislation that outlawed family voting, told The Independent he may want to raise the matter with the Electoral Commission. He said: The report as prepared by Democracy Volunteers is concerning. The Ballot Secrecy Act, which I introduced and steered through both Houses into law, should have stopped such practices. I am very disappointed and will be discussing these details with Democracy Volunteers further. Meanwhile, Green Party leader Zack Polanski suggested he would back a probe into family voting. He told BBC Newsnight: I think its important that theres full transparency about the democratic process, and if the recommendation is that there should be an inquiry or further steps, then yes Id support that. Reform UKs Nigel Farage said it raised questions about the integrity of the democratic process in predominantly Muslim areas. It comes as Sir Keir Starmer was humiliated as the Green Party snatched the formerly safe seat of Gorton and Denton away from Labour. The loss, which saw Labour come in third, is a major blow to the prime ministers ailing authority and will spark further questions over his leadership of the party, amid devastating approval ratings and mounting concern over the direction of the government. The result came after Labours deputy leader Lucy Powell appeared to admit defeat in the early hours of the morning, saying the Greens had won the argument that they were best placed to keep Reform UK out of the Manchester Central constituency. The practice of family voting was made illegal to prevent people watching family members while they were voting to see how they cast their ballot and sometimes telling them how to vote. Green candidate Hannah Spencer on the campaign trail earlier this week (PA) John Ault, director of Democracy Volunteers, said: We rarely issue a report on the night of an election, but the data we have collected today on family voting, when compared to other recent by-elections, is extremely high. In the other recent Westminster parliamentary by-election in Runcorn and Helsby, we saw family voting in 12 per cent of polling stations, affecting one per cent of voters. In Gorton and Denton, we observed family voting in 68 per cent of polling stations, affecting 12 per cent of those voters observed. The elections bill came after an independent review looked into cases such as the 2014 Tower Hamlets mayoral election, which was declared void by corrupt and illegal practices. A spokesperson for the acting returning officer at Manchester City Council, which is overseeing the by-election, said: Polling station staff are trained to look out for any evidence of undue influence on voters. No such issues have been reported today. If Democracy Volunteers were so concerned about alleged issues, they could and should have raised them with us during polling hours so that immediate action could be taken. We have operated a central by-election hub which has been rapidly responding to reported issues during the day, in liaison with the police who had a presence at every polling station, where necessary. It is extremely disappointing that Democracy Volunteers have waited until after polls have closed to make such claims. Sir Lindsay Hoyle picked up a tip that Lord Mandelson might have been about to flee the UK during a trip to the Caribbean (PA Wire) Sir Lindsay Hoyle was on a trip to the Caribbean when he received a tip that Lord Peter Mandelson might have been about to flee the UK. The Commons Speaker was visiting the British Virgin Islands during parliaments half term recess to meet with senior officials and mark the 75th anniversary of the territorys House of Assembly. It was during the trip that Mr Hoyle received information which he later felt obliged to share with police in the UK about Lord Mandelson. The source of the information has not been made public. The disclosure came amid a rapidly developing political scandal. On Wednesday, Lord Mandelson the former Labour peer and UK ambassador to the United States was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office after allegations emerged that he had passed sensitive government information to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Lord Mandelson has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and was later released on bail pending further investigation. What appeared to be a routine overseas visit by the Commons Speaker set in motion a chain of events culminating in Lord Mandelsons arrest. Mr Hoyles trip to the British Virgin Islands last week was hailed in local reports as ceremonial and profoundly symbolic, showcasing the enduring constitutional relationship between the VI and the UK. The invitation was issued by premier Dr Natalio Wheatley and speaker Corine George-Massicote, who said the visit stands at the intersection of history and progress. As part of the trip, Mr Hoyle gave a special address to the House of Assembly in Tortola, held meetings with members, community groups, and opened the second floor of the Old Government House which was destroyed in hurricanes in 2017. He also took part in a tour of the local Road Town Police Station and Royal Virgin Islands Police Marine Base. Mr Hoyle is the first UK speaker to visit the British Virgin Islands. Sources in Tortola said Mr Hoyle had been staying at the four-star Wyndham Tortola BVI Lambert Beach Resort, where rooms start around 300 per night, according to the Daily Mail. The hotel boasts spa treatments, a beach-view fitness room, an outdoor pool, easy access to Lambert Beach and restaurants and bars. Mr Hoyle was originally booked into the four-star Sugar Mill Hotel, but this was changed at last minute, according to the Mail. The cost of the trip is currently unknown but fresh concerns have been raised after it emerged last year that more than 250,000 of public money was spent on 19 overseas trips taken by Mr Hoyle between October 2022 and late 2024. The figure included more than 180,000 spent on first and business-class flights, while his stays included hotels in luxury resorts and dining in high-end restaurants. Speaking to The Sunday Times last year, Mr Hoyle defended his actions, saying: People see the prime minister going off to the G20 and G7 but, of course, theres the speakers equivalent of that in the same way that the secretaries of state also have their international conferences, he said. Now, theres two ways we could do it. Leave an empty chair without the UK attending. What does that say about the UKs standing in the world especially with global events at the moment? But also its about using my power and influence in that sense to speak out, because it is about speaking truth to power to the Chinese and to Russia. For example, when I go to these conferences, its about standing up and leading the rest of the room to tell Russia it had no right to invade the sovereign territory of Ukraine and [that it has] no right to continue that war. Sir Lindsay Hoyles office have been contacted by The Standard for comment. Speaking in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Mr Hoyle revealed himself as the source of the tip-off to police to prevent any inaccurate speculation, saying he had passed on the information to the force in good faith. It came after Lord Mandelsons lawyers said he was arrested over a baseless claim that he was planning to leave the country and take up residence abroad. Just hours after the dramatic statement to MPs, the Metropolitan Police issued a formal apology to Mr Hoyle after internal documents inadvertently identified him as the source of the tip in paperwork shared with Mandelsons lawyers. For every design sold from the Roots range, Shame Studios will donate one to charity Furnishing Futures (Nat Aubry Photography) March heralds London Design Week. Insiders will be flocking to the Design Centre at Chelsea Harbour to check out the latest collections from March 9 to 13, but enthusiasts are welcome to register too. Theres a full roster of talks and workshops, including on the art of staining furniture. Elsewhere, there are exhibitions to explore and collaborations to covet. Clever collabs Its Mothers Day on March 15 find gift inspiration in an array of new spring-centric collaborations. At John Lewis, a collection by Danish artist Anine Cecilie Iversen features soft furnishings and cookware adorned with pretty floral motifs (our favourite is the 15 daffodil-shaped tea infuser, which comes with a co-ordinating spoon and petal saucer). Luxury homeware brand Rebecca Udall has joined forces with painter Rachel Bottomley for a capsule of cork place mats made in the UK embellished with poppies and cornflowers (from 180 for a set of six). Homeware brand Rebecca Udall has joined forces with painter Rachel Bottomley for a capsule of cork place mats (Rebecca Hope Photography) And on International Womens Day March 8 comes a range called Roots, created in partnership between rug specialist Shame Studios and Furnishing Futures, a Leyton-based charity designing trauma-informed homes for women and children rebuilding their lives after domestic abuse. For every design sold from the 14-strong collection, Shame Studios will donate another to Furnishing Futures, helping to furnish the home of a family in need (from 875). Exhibitioning Susan Collier and Sarah Campbell may not be household names, but the work of these two sisters, who were influential textile designers, is rightly being celebrated at the Fashion & Textile Museum in Bermondsey with the Paint! Pattern! Print! exhibition (from March 27 to September 13). The pair created iconic designs for Liberty and Habitat this showcase includes room sets, fashion and original paintings, as well as a recreation of the Collier Campbell shop. A few doors down, the Gather exhibition (March 6 to 29) marks the 50th anniversary of London Glassblowing, with work by more than 20 artists. Book club (Flammarion) If youre road-tripping across the Channel this year, learn how to sniff out the best finds with The Art of Antiquing in France (30, Flammarion, out March 19). British author Sharon Santoni, who has lived in Normandy for 40 years, offers a valuable insiders guide. Staying on the theme of old treasure, The House Rules (40, Quadrille, out March 5), tells how Patrick Williams, founder of design studio Berdoulat, caught the bug for working on period buildings. A foreword by Nigel Slater and captivating photography make this perfect for the coffee table. For something more practical, Nailed It! (20, Pavilion Books, out March 26), calls itself the definitive how-to handbook for budget-savvy home improvement and empowering DIY hacks. Author Laura Deller will guide you through everything from caulking to wallpapering around a socket For aesthetes Affordable Art Fair (Handout) The Affordable Art Fairs spring edition is back at Battersea Park (March 5 to 8) with thousands of works from more than 900 emerging and established artists. Prices start from 100 and theres nothing remotely stuffy about it: new parents are encouraged to attend on Thursday and Friday (with 10 entry including tea and coffee) while After Dark Lates offer a cultural alternative to the pub. Running concurrently is The Other Art Fair at the Truman Brewery, E1. Expect accessibly priced and original artworks alongside DJs and a fully stocked bar. The Affordable Art Fair is at Battersea Park with prices from 100 (Handout) Out of town If youve never made it to the Holkham estate in Norfolk, let a new exhibition be the thing to lure you there at last. A Potted History: 75 years of Holkham Studio Pottery, spotlights a quietly pioneering force in British studio pottery; Holkham was the first stately home to produce pottery on site and sell it commercially, inspiring others to do the same. Over in Cambridge, the Artists for Kettles Yard exhibition (March 14 to April 12), features artworks gifted by Rana Begum, Antony Gormley and Jennifer Lee, all available to buy. Spazio Leone is now in a former textiles factory on Shacklewell Lane in Hackney (Celia Spenard-Ko) New in town Spazio Leone, the design gallery founded by Gennaro Leone, has a new home in a former Victorian textiles factory on Shacklewell Lane, E8. The airy space hosts a rotating collection of art and design from cult Italian designers such as Paolo Buffa and Angelo Mangiarotti. And for the first time, it will be open to the public on a drop-in basis on Saturdays from 10am-6pm. Zohran Mamdani at a news conference after New Yorks blizzard. Photograph: Yuki Iwamura/AP (Photograph: Yuki Iwamura/AP) Zohran Mamdani met with Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday, during an unannounced trip to the nations capital. The New York mayor said he had a productive meeting with the US president and he was looking forward to building more housing in New York City in a post on X. Joe Calvello, the mayors chief spokesperson, told the Guardian that Mamdani presented the president with a possible project in New York City that would deliver one of the biggest federal investments in housing in 50 years. Calvello added that the mayor proposed a housing project with an estimated 12,000 units, and Trump appeared enthusiastic about the idea, but offered no further details about the timeline, location or next steps for the project. On his social media, Mamdani also shared a picture of himself standing next to a grinning Trump at the Resolute desk in the Oval Office. The president is seen holding up two headlines from the New York Daily News. One is the now-infamous front page after former Republican president Gerald Ford refused to provide a federal bailout for New York City in 1973, as it was on the verge of bankruptcy. The other appears to be a fake printout showing a picture of the president and the headline Trump to City: Lets Build, with a line underneath that reads: Trump Delivers 12,000+ Homes; Most Since 1973. Mamdanis spokesperson confirmed that his team mocked up the front pages of the newspapers for the mayor to present to the president. Mamdani also said he spoke to the president on the phone after the meeting to discuss the arrest of Elmina Aghayeva, a Columbia University student who was detained by federal immigration agents on Thursday. He has just informed me that she will be released imminently, Mamdani said. The White House did not reply to the Guardians request for comment. Aghayeva was arrested by officers who reportedly misrepresented themselves by posing as New York City police officers looking for a missing child in order to gain entry to a residential building to make the apprehension. However, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the parent agency of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), denied agents impersonated the NYPD, and appeared to suggest that Aghayeva is no longer a student. Mamdanis spokesperson said the mayor asked the president directly for Aghayeva to be released, and handed a list of four additional students who had been detained in New York City to the president, asking him to also consider dismissing their cases. Earlier, an official in the New York mayors office confirmed Mamdanis Thursday meeting with Trump to the Guardian, but did not comment on the agenda. Neither the mayor nor the presidents public schedules listed the meeting. The sit-down comes just days after Trump said, during his record-breaking State of the Union address on Tuesday, he was in touch with Mamdani regularly. Related: Anxiety mounts across Middle East amid fears of US-Iran war The new communist mayor of New York City, I think hes a nice guy, actually, Trump said of the democratic socialist. I speak to him a lot. Bad policy, but nice guy. This is the second in-person meeting for the two New Yorkers, following an unexpectedly cordial summit in November, after Mamdani won the mayoral election in a landslide victory. Throughout the mayors campaign, Trump denigrated Mamdanis platform and character, referring to him as a communist lunatic and total nut job on social media. He even pushed New Yorkers to vote for the former Democratic governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran for mayor as an independent. Since taking office, Mamdani who once promised to be Donald Trumps worst nightmare has done little to antagonize the president. He has also commented sparingly on administration policies that could affect New York, particularly Trumps routine threats to withhold federal funding from so-called sanctuary cities. On Wednesday, when asked about how frequently he communicates with the president, Mamdani said they have conversations that are always focused on how to keep the city moving forward. Trump was surprisingly effusive while speaking to reporters after his sit-down with the mayor late last year, and complimented his sweeping election victory. The president extolled how Mamdani came out of nowhere and praised his campaign and staff. We agree on a lot more than I would have thought, Trump said at the time. I want him to do a great job, and well help them do a great job. Alice Speri contributed reporting Shareholders are encouraged to contact the firm to discuss their rights and options at no cost or obligation. We would handle any matter on a contingent fee basis, whereby you would not be responsible for out-of-pocket payment of our legal fees or expenses. Shareholders should contact the firm immediately as there may be limited time to enforce your rights. NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating whether certain officers and directors of e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. (NYSE: ELF) breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders. If you currently own e.l.f. Beauty stock and are a long-term shareholder, you may be able to seek corporate governance reforms, the return of funds back to the company, a court-approved financial incentive award, or other relief and benefits. Please click here to learn more about your rights and options or contact Daniel Sadeh or Zachary Halper free of charge at (212) 763-0060 or [email protected] or [email protected]. Why Your Participation Matters: Shareholder involvement can help improve a company's policies, practices, and oversight mechanisms to create a more transparent, accountable, and effectively managed organization, which can enhance shareholder value. Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors all over the world who have fallen victim to securities fraud and corporate misconduct. Our attorneys have been instrumental in implementing corporate reforms and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of defrauded investors. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Halper Sadeh LLC One World Trade Center 85th Floor New York, NY 10007 Daniel Sadeh, Esq. Zachary Halper, Esq. (212) 763-0060 [email protected] [email protected] https://www.halpersadeh.com SOURCE Halper Sadeh LLP Michel Ortega Casanova was fatally shot by the Cuban coast guard - NBC A man shot and killed by the Cuban coast guard wanted regime change, it has been claimed. Cuban soldiers killed four people and injured six passengers aboard a US-registered speedboat on Wednesday after it entered Cuban waters and fired first on the soldiers, the Cuban government said. The intercepted boat was registered in the State of Florida, and the 10 armed individuals, who were Cubans living in America, intended to carry out an infiltration for terrorist purposes, according to a friend of one of the dead men. Wilfredo Beyra, who serves as the head of the Cuban Republican Party in Tampa, said Michel Ortega Casanova, a 54-year-old truck driver killed in the gunfire, had wanted to cause a revolution. In Florida, several groups openly declare that they are willing, through military training, to fight for the freedom of their homeland. And Michel was part of one of those groups, Mr Beyra said. Cuban coast guard ships docked at the port of Havana on Wednesday - ADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP Casanovas brother, Misael, said that his brother had an obsessive and diabolical focus on Cubas freedom. He hoped his brothers death could justify that some day Cuba will be free. Only us Cubans who have lived over there understand, Mr Casanova explained. On the day of the attack, Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, met Caribbean leaders during his second official visit to the region in less than a year. At least one of Mr Rubios close advisers also met Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, the grandson of Raul Castro, the former president of Cuba, on the sidelines of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom). Marco Rubio meets Caribbean leaders on Wednesday - Jonathan Ernst/REUTERS Mr Rubio had made it clear that discussions with the Cuban government were well advanced, and they did not want to do anything to prolong the regime, a source told the Miami Herald. The US was pretty close to getting the Cubans to change their system. He seemed to be pretty confident they were near a deal, the source added. The stronger, the safer, the more prosperous, and the more secure that all of your counties are, the stronger, safer, more secure, and prosperous the United States is going to be, Mr Rubio said in an official statement following the meeting. A second-generation Cuban American, whose parents immigrated to the United States from Cuba in 1956, Mr Rubio said it was a personal priority to have closer cooperation and stronger relations with leaders of the Caribbean. Bruno Rodriguez, the Cuban foreign minister, also addressed the situation on social media, saying that his country had had to face numerous terrorist and aggressive infiltrations since 1959. The defence of Cubas coasts, of the national territory, and of national security is an ineludible duty, Mr Rodriguez wrote. President Donald Trump on Thursday hosted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for a face-to-face meeting, just days after attacking him during his State of the Union speech on Tuesday. Mamdanis visit was not on Trumps public schedule for the day, and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the timing or substance of the planned meeting. But Mamdani confirmed the sit-down afterwards in a post on X in which he called it productive and added that he was looking forward to building more housing in New York City. Accompanying the brief statement was a photograph of him and Trump behind the iconic desk hewn from timbers salvaged from H.M.S. Resolute, with the president holding a pair of New York Daily News front pages. One was a reproduction of a famous Daily News front page from October 30, 1975 which read FORD TO CITY: DROP DEAD in reference to then-president Gerald Fords pledge to veto any federal bailout of the cash-strapped metropolis. Mamdani called his second meeting with Trump 'very productive' (New York City Mayor's Office) The other was a mock-up in the same style with a photo of Trump and the accompanying headline TRUMP TO CITY: LETS BUILD indicating that Trump had backed a new era of housing. A smaller headline read: Trump Delivers 12,000+ Homes and Most Since 1973. The ersatz newspaper appeared to invoke Trumps own family history. His father, Fred Trump Sr., was a prolific builder whose construction company built and sold thousands of single-family homes in Queens plus apartment buildings in Brooklyn as well as up and down the East Coast from the 1930s onward. The surprise trip by the Big Apple mayor comes on the heels of him being on the receiving end of barbs from Trump, who called him the new communist mayor of New York City during an extended riff on the alleged popularity of a GOP voter identification bill which critics say would make it harder for many Americans to cast ballots this fall. I think he's a nice guy. I actually speak to him a lot bad policy, but nice guy, Trump said before suggesting that Mamdani is a hypocrite for not supporting voter ID even though the city government requires people to present identification and a social security card to comply with federal immigration and tax laws before they can receive payment for shoveling snow. I had a productive meeting with President Trump this afternoon. Im looking forward to building more housing in New York City. pic.twitter.com/XnPbt0KXYU Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) February 26, 2026 Trump, a native New Yorker who was born and raised in Queens, previously hosted Mamdani for a White House visit in November, shortly after the 34-year-old was elected to become the 112th mayor of the countrys most populous city. The president, who had for months assailed the ex-New York State assemblyman as a communist and suggested that the government would retaliate against New Yorkers if they elected him over ex-governor Andrew Cuomo and perennial GOP candidate Curtis Sliwa, shocked reporters by treating the then-mayor-elect warmly and predicting that the self-described Democratic Socialist would be a really great mayor for their shared home city. Seated behind his desk in the Oval Office while Mamdani stood next to him during what became a half-hour love-fest between the two men on November 21, Trump told reporters hed congratulated his hometowns next chief executive and pledged to help him bring prices down for New Yorkers. I think you're going to have, hopefully, a really great mayor the better he does, the happier I am, Trump said. I will say there's no difference in party. There's no difference in anything, and we're going to be helping him to make everybody's dream come true, having a strong and very safe New York. The astonishingly convivial photo opportunity then morphed into a question-and-answer session with White House reporters and select MAGA influencers who were brought into the room to witness the moment, with multiple questioners attempting to bait the men into attacking each other. Asked about his previous comments calling Mamdani a communist including one posted to Truth Social just one day ago Trump implied that Mamdanis views might change in the future and predicted that the youngest mayor-elect in New York history is going to surprise some conservative people. When the mayor-elect was similarly pressed on past comments in which hed called Trump a despot, the president jumped to Mamdanis defense by telling reporters: I've been called much worse than a despot, so it's not that insulting. And after another reporter pushed Mamdani to say whether he was affirming prior comments in which he referred to the president as a fascist, Trump came to the rescue once more and implied that he did not have a problem with the attack. Thats OK you can just say yes, Trump said. Men in their 50s and 60s suffer faster aging because of forever chemicals Exposure to pervasive and toxic forever chemicals called PFAS appears to be aging men in their 50s and early 60s faster than other male age groups, according to a new analysis. Data from more than 300 Americans revealed a link between exposure to PFAS - more than 14,000 chemicals that have been produced in the U.S. since the 1950s - and accelerated epigenetic aging in men between the ages of 50 and 65 years old. Epigenetic aging is a measure of biological age, including the health of the bodys cells and tissue. Faster epigenetic aging can mean an increased risk of cancer, dementia and cardiovascular disease, as well as premature death. The researchers dont directly address why this group is disproportionately affected by epigenetic aging, but suggest that the mid-life period marks a critical window for aging driven by PFAS. Midlife is characterized by the onset of multiple age-related conditions including cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders and early tissue degeneration, making it a sensitive stage when environmental toxicants may disproportionately influence biological aging, the study notes. Exposure to toxic forever chemicals has been aging men in their 50s and 60s faster than other male age groups, according to a new analysis (AFP via Getty Images) For younger men and women, the ties between PFAS exposure and epigenetic aging were weaker, study author Xiangwei Li, a professor of epidemiology at Chinas Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, told CNN. In younger men and those over 65, the associations were weaker and generally not statistically significant, he said. We observed some associations in women, but they were generally smaller and less consistent than those seen in middle-aged men. The study included data collected from 326 men and women, aged 50 and older, who were a part of the the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The survey has been conducted annually since 1999 on about 5,000 adults and children across the U.S. and has helped researchers determine how eating ultra-processed food raises heart disease risk and how poor sleep may be linked to nearly 200 diseases. It has also been used in previous research about health impacts from PFAS, showing the chemicals in blood levels in the U.S. since 1999. Bottled water, tap water, tires, and even pizza boxes are common sources of exposure to PFAS (AFP via Getty Images) Previous research has shown that 98 percent of Americans have been exposed to the manmade chemicals, which take years to break down and are found in tires, bottled water, rain coats, pizza boxes and dozens of other products. Theyre also found in bodies of water and rainwater, and at least 45 percent of U.S. drinking water contains detectable levels, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Exposure to PFAS at any age comes with concerning health impacts, such as an increased risk of several types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimers disease, high cholesterol and a reduced immune response to vaccines. Communities exposed to drinking water contaminated with PFAS experience a 33 percent higher rate of digestive, endocrine, respiratory, and mouth and throat cancers, a study from the University of Southern Californias Keck School of Medicine showed. A 2025 study from New Yorks University of Rochester Medical Center showed PFAS impact the developing male brain. But the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has weakened regulations aimed at curbing exposure to PFAS since President Donald Trump took office last year. On Thursday, a new survey of more than 5,300 U.S. adults found 83 percent of adults want the government to do more to protect them from harmful chemicals. Narendra Modi, right, speaks with his Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum in Jerusalem on 26 February 2026 (AFP via Getty) Indian prime minister Narendra Modi told Israels parliament on Wednesday that New Delhi stood with it "with full conviction" as he offered condolences over the October 2023 Hamas attack. Mr Modi received a rousing welcome from Israeli lawmakers at the start of his two-day visit as he promised friendship, respect and partnership with the Mideastern country at a time when its global standing has suffered because of the war in Gaza. "Like you, we have a consistent and uncompromising policy of zero tolerance for terrorism, with no double standards," he told the Knesset, where he received a standing ovation after a 30-minute speech. Mr Modi added: Let us ensure that the friendship between India and Israel remains a source of strength in an uncertain world." Both Mr Modi and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also addressed the parliament, spoke of terrorist attacks that their nations had faced, with the latter saying India and Israel both faced the challenge of confronting "radical Islam". Some opposition lawmakers briefly walked out of the special session, protesting at the speaker's decision not to invite the head of the Supreme Court, but returned for Mr Modi's remarks. Mr Netanyahu's right-wing government, which the speaker belongs to, has had a confrontational relationship with the court. Mr Modi, the leader of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, became the first prime minister in India's history to visit Israel in 2017, during which he and Mr Netanyahu took a barefoot stroll on a beach in the northern port city of Haifa. Still in power nearly nine years later, the two leaders are expected to hold talks on artificial intelligence as well as defence at a time when Israel is seeking to increase its military exports. The Indian leader was greeted at the airport with a hug from Mr Netanyahu, who later introduced Mr Modi to the Knesset as Narendra, my dear friend". Ive never been more moved than by your visit here with us, said Mr Netanyahu, calling Mr Modi a great friend of Israel, a great champion of the Israel-India alliance and a great leader on the world stage. India's prime minister Narendra Modi is greeted by Israeli lawmakers after his speech to the Knesset on 25 February 2026 (AFP via Getty) The visit is likely to give Israel a boost after seeing relations with many of its allies deteriorate over its prosecution of the war in Gaza. An Israeli government official told Reuters that Mr Modi's visit would "pave the way for new partnerships and collaborations across many fields. Bilateral ties were on the cusp of a significant upgrade, an Israeli foreign ministry official said. Mr Modi's visit to Israel underscored how much closer Israel-India relations had grown during his tenure. His governments embrace of Israel has marked a shift in the foreign policy of India, which has historically supported the Palestinians. India did not establish full diplomatic ties with Israel until 1992 and Mr Modis visit aims to strengthen security, economic and technological cooperation between the two countries. In addition to being a powerful ally, India is also Israels second-largest trading partner in Asia. Total trade between India and Israel was valued at $3.6bn in the 2025 fiscal year, according to India's commerce ministry. Mr Modi had been one of the first global leaders to swiftly express solidarity with Israel following the October 2023 attack, which triggered Israel's war on Gaza. You didnt flinch. You didnt waver. You didnt give excuses, Mr Netanyahu said as he thanked Mr Modi for his support. You stood next to Israel. You stood by Israel. In turn, Mr Modi affirmed Indias strong support for the US ceasefire plan for Gaza that was endorsed by the UN Security Council last year. It lays out plans for ending Hamas rule, disarming the militant group, rebuilding the territory and withdrawing Israeli troops with only a vague commitment to possible Palestinian statehood. We believe that it holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people of the region, including the Palestine issue, Mr Modi said. His visit to the Middle East also comes at a time when the US has deployed a vast naval force near Iran's coast ahead of possible strikes on the Islamic Republic, with the two countries at an impasse in talks over Tehran's nuclear programme. The US has also deployed an aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean, bound for Israel's coast. A US attack on Iran could draw Iranian retaliation against Israel as well as US military facilities in Gulf Arab countries, where millions of Indians live and work and send home billions of dollars in remittances each year. In his speech to Israeli lawmakers, Mr Modi vaguely spoke about the challenges facing stability in the region, acknowledging that the landscape had become more challenging in recent years, but made no mention of the US military build-up, or of Iran. Michele Hundley Smith, pictured in 2001 and 2026, was arrested Wednesday on a long-standing warrant for failing to appear in court on a 2001 DWI charge (FBI/Rockingham County Sheriffs Office) Just days after being found alive following a 24-year disappearance, North Carolina mother Michele Hundley Smith was arrested Wednesday for a decades-old DUI. Smith, 62, was taken into custody in Robeson County after investigators discovered she had an active order for arrest for failure to appear related to a DWI charge from 2001, the Rockingham County Sheriffs Office confirmed to WFMY News 2. The Sheriffs Office released her mugshot Thursday. Authorities said Smiths outstanding arrest order stemmed from a citation issued by Eden police in North Carolina on November 11, 2001. She had failed to appear in court on December 27, 2001, prompting the warrant that remained active while she was missing. Smith posted the required bond and is scheduled to appear in Rockingham County District Court on March 26. The Independent has contacted the Rockingham County Sheriffs Office for comment. Michele Hundley Smith, pictured in 2001 and 2026, was arrested Wednesday on a long-standing warrant for failing to appear in court on a 2001 DWI charge (FBI/Rockingham County Sheriffs Office) Smiths arrest follows a major breakthrough in her decades-long missing person case, which saw extensive searches by local, state and federal authorities, including the FBI, as her whereabouts remained unknown for over 20 years. Authorities said Smiths information was recently entered into a national database, which helped detectives track her down. Investigators located her in person on February 20 and confirmed she was alive and safe, living in North Carolina outside Rockingham County. New records show she resides in St. Pauls, about 20 miles south of Fayetteville, WFMY News 2 reports. Smith was reported missing in December 2001 after her husband said she left their Eden home to go Christmas shopping at a KMart in Martinsville, Virginia, and never returned. At the time, she was 38 years old and the mother of three children, then ages 19, 14, and 7. Upon being located, Smith told investigators she left her family years ago due to ongoing domestic issues at the time, though no prior official reports confirmed such issues before her disappearance, according to Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page. A missing person posted from when Smith disappeared described her as an endangered adult who would not leave her kids by choice (Rockingham County Sheriff's Office) Rockingham County District Attorney Katie Gregg told WFMY News 2 that there is not enough evidence to file charges related to Smiths disappearance, such as abandonment. Smiths discovery has provided long-awaited closure for her family. Her daughter, Amanda, now in her late 30s, launched a Facebook page in 2018 to gather tips and keep the case in the public eye. She shared a lengthy statement on February 22 expressing her emotions upon discovering that her mother is alive after many decades. I am ecstatic, I am p*****d, I am heartbroken, I am all over the map! Amanda said. Will I have a relationship once more with my mom? Honestly I cant answer that because I dont 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. Everything I have been through in life, I can absolutely understand taking off and leaving... I am not saying that she gets off scott free without accountability or responsibility bc she absolutely needs to do that... What I am saying is that I am a runner as well and while this isnt something to be proud of at all, its a part of being human, she added. More than 100,000 people claimed asylum in the UK last year, slightly down on the year before but still significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, official figures show. Government figures published on Thursday revealed that 100,625 people applied for asylum in 2025, down 4 per cent on 2024. This is more than double the number arriving in the pre-pandemic year 2019, when 45,537 people claimed sanctuary. The number of people arriving in the UK on small boats rose by 13 per cent year-on-year to 45,774 but this was still lower than the 2022 peak. Small boat migrants accounted for 41 per cent of the total number of people claiming asylum last year, with Eritreans the most common nationality arriving in the UK after making the perilous journey across the Channel. Home Office data revealed that migrants are now making the crossing in larger dinghies with an average of 71 people in each boat in the winter months last year. Some 39 per cent of asylum seekers claimed sanctuary after entering the UK on a visa or on other legal routes. The top five nationalities for those claiming asylum were Pakistani, Eritrean, Iranian, Afghan and Bangladeshi. Work visas for foreign nationals coming to the UK continued to fall, with 19 per cent fewer issued than the previous year. This was largely driven by a fall in health and care visas following the introduction of tougher visa requirements. The number of visas issued to foreign students was also down 3 per cent on the previous year, with 407,000 granted in 2025. The number of grants to stay in the UK on work routes was on the rise, however as those who arrived in the peak of 2022 and 2023 sought to extend their time in Britain. An RNLI lifeboat delivers migrants to Dover port after intercepting a small boat crossing last December (Getty) Dr Madeleine Sumption, director of the Migration Observatory, said: The overall picture is that the number of people receiving visas has fallen slightly, but asylum applications remain unusually high by historical standards. Fewer migrant care workers, nurses, therapists, scientists, education professionals and skilled tradespeople are coming to work in the UK, analysis by the Work Rights Centre found. Visas granted to science, research, engineering and technology professionals fell from a peak of 24,843 in 2022 to 9,072 in 2025. Data also showed that the number of migrants housed in hotels was down 19 per cent year-on-year to 30,657, but the numbers who were in contingency or dispersal accommodation such as shared flats were slightly up on 2024. 72,769 people were being housed in Home Office accommodation other than hotels as of 31 December 2025, up 2 per cent on 2024. A Home Office spokesperson said that the statistics show real progress as we restore order and control to our borders. They added: We have removed nearly 60,000 illegal migrants, numbers in asylum hotels are down, law enforcement action against people smugglers is at record levels, and we are bearing down on the asylum backlog. But we must go further. The number of people crossing the Channel is too high, and too many hotels remain in use. The backlog of people waiting for an initial decision on an asylum application in the UK has also dropped sharply to its lowest level in more than five years. Some 64,426 people were waiting for an initial decision on their claim at the end of December 2025 down 20 per cent from 80,841 at the end of September 2025. This is much lower than the asylum backlog peak of 175,457 at the end of June 2023. However, Imran Hussain, director of external affairs at the Refugee Council, explained that this still represented tens of thousands of people waiting in limbo. Asylum seekers have been moved into this former army training camp in Crowborough, England, as part of the Home Offices plans to reduce reliance on hotels (Getty) He said: These numbers show what we see in our frontline services every day people stuck in hotels for months, even years, unable to legally work or rebuild their lives. Although the backlog of initial asylum applications has been brought down, poor-quality decisions mean that many people are still waiting in hotels as they go through the appeals process. He called on the government to give temporary permission to stay to people from countries with high refugee grant rates, suggesting the move could clear all migrant hotels this year. The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford said that, while there had been a boost in the speed at which asylum claims were processed, this had not a big impact on the total number of people receiving asylum support. Ministry of Justice data indicated that the total number of people awaiting for an appeal against an asylum decision doubled to just below 70,000 in the year ending September 2025. Dr Peter Walsh, at the Migration Observatory, said that Labour was struggling to reduce the number of people in the asylum system, because asylum applications remain unusually high and because of the appeals backlog. There are also 4,004 Afghans over half of whom are children who are being housed in transitional accommodation such as military housing at the end of December 2025, data showed. These families will have come to the UK on the legal resettlement schemes for those who supported Britain. The entrepreneur behind Squatty Potty, a range of bathroom stools designed to help posture, has been arrested after being indicted for allegedly receiving child sex abuse materials. Robert Bobby Edwards, who appeared on Shark Tank, was arrested at an address in Utah on February 12, 2026. He had been indicted by a federal grand jury two days earlier. Prosecutors allege that Edwards, who sold his company in 2021, faces a charge of receipt of child pornography, knowingly received multiple images depicting child sex abuse between March 2021 and November 2025. Unsealed court documents, obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune, revealed that Edwards home was raided late last year. At the property, agents uncovered child sex abuse materials. The files included messages that Edwards had allegedly sent in private chat rooms. Hey brother, Id (sic) love to perv but into most all jiust (sic) not into babies. 5+ is preferred, one message read. Robert Edwards has been arrested, after being indicted on charges of receiving materials depicting child sex abuse (ABC) The court documents seen by The Tribune also state that an undercover FBI agent joined an online chat group used to trade child sex abuse materials in March 2021. In one meeting, members of the group viewed a collection of videos depicting child sex abuse, the documents say. Many participants' faces were visible during the meeting, and agents allegedly identified one member as Edwards. According to the unsealed court files, Edwards was linked to the account via his IP address, which indicated he was in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Four transactions made by Edwards were later flagged as possibly being related to child sex abuse materials by PayPal. The documents allege that a probe into the transactions revealed that they were allegedly sent from Edwards to a man in the United Kingdom. That man was eventually arrested by British Police and convicted on counts of distributing indecent images of a child, making indecent images of a child, and blackmailing those who purchased the images, according to U.K. authorities. According to the documents, Edwards told agents that he had no recollection of viewing child pornography. Edwards founded Squatty Potty, a brand of stools designed to be used in the restroom (Squatty Potty) Edwards has pleaded not guilty to the charges of receiving sexually explicit images of a child. His detention hearing is scheduled for March 2, 2026. The suspect rocketed to fame as the co-founder of Squatty Potty, a toilet stool designed to correct users posture while they go to the bathroom. When Edwards took his product to Shark Tank, he received a $350,000 investment from shark Lori Greiner, aka the Queen of QVC. His business was later purchased by Aterian in 2021 for $19 million. At the time of his arrest, Edwards was living on the proceeds from the sale, according to the documents viewed by The Tribune. He was also receiving treatment for an addiction to methamphetamine. Prior to launching Squatty Potty in 2011, Edwards worked as a web producer for the Fox Broadcasting Company from 2002 until 2004. According to his LinkedIn page, he later became the owner of Rose Concrete Coatings in 2005, which he ran until he launched Squatty Potty. In a statement, a spokesperson for Aterian said that the company has no affiliation, partnership, or ongoing relationship with Mr. Robert Edwards. Following the completion of that acquisition, all associations with Edwards and his family ceased, the spokesperson continued. He is not an employee, a partner, or a stakeholder in our company. Any claims to the contrary are categorically false. The spokesperson continued, We are deeply disturbed by the indictment against Edwards. The nature of these allegations is abhorrent and wholly inconsistent with our companys values. While the family was previously referenced on our website in a historical context, we have removed those references. They have no role in our brands present or future. The Independent has contacted Squatty Potty for comment. A nearly blind refugee who went missing a week after Border Patrol agents left him at a coffee shop was found dead in Buffalo, New York as freezing temperatures and blizzard conditions struck the East Coast. Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a 56-year-old Rohingya refugee from Myanmar, disappeared February 19 after officers dropped him off at a Tim Hortons coffee shop on Niagara Street. His body was discovered Tuesday night. Homicide detectives are investigating events leading up to his death following his release from law enforcement custody last week, and New York Attorney General Letitia James said her office is reviewing our legal options. Alam experienced serious medical conditions and did not speak English. His cause of death was determined to be health-related. He is survived by his wife and two children. His death follows growing scrutiny into in-custody deaths under immigration authorities and allegations of abuse and mistreatment of refugees and other immigrants pursued by Donald Trumps administration. Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a refugee from Myanmar, was found dead February 26 several days after Border Patrol agents dropped him off at a Tim Hortons coffee shop (Buffalo Police Department) Shah Alam arrived in Buffalo in December 2024 but spent the last year locked up in a local jail. He was arrested last year following an incident in which he became disoriented during a walk and ended up on a womans porch while using a curtain rod as a makeshift walking cane, according to police. Shah Alam is completely blind in one eye and can only see with blurry vision for several feet in the other, according to lawyers with Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo. When Shah Alam did not follow police commands to drop his curtain rod, officers Tasered and beat him, according to Legal Aid. Two Buffalo Police officers were injured during the incident, according to the Erie County District Attorneys Office. Erie County Sheriffs Office alerted Border Patrol to Shah Alams in its custody, then gave him a courtesy ride to a coffee shop. He died five days later (AP) He was arraigned in Buffalo City Court and held on bail set at $25,000 cash or bond. A federal immigration detainer was issued after his arrest, which alerted federal authorities to his detention, according to the district attorneys office. A grand jury later indicted him on felony assault, burglary and criminal mischief charges. His bail was modified to $5,000 cash or bond at his arraignment on the indictment in June 2025, though he remained inside the local jail. Earlier this month, Shah Alam agreed to plead guilty to reduced charges of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree and one count of criminal trespass in the third degree. His bail was continued at $5,000 cash or bond, and his sentencing was scheduled for March 24. The district attorneys office is now moving to dismiss the charges. But Keane said his office was not aware that Shah Alam was released from jail. The Erie County Sheriffs Department alerted Border Patrol that Shah Alam was in their custody on February 19, according to Customs and Border Protection. Shah Alam was protected against removal from the country, though agents offered him a courtesy ride to a Tim Hortons coffee shop, which was determined to be a warm, safe location near his last known address, according to the agency. He showed no signs of distress, mobility issues, or disabilities requiring special assistance, the agency said in a statement. His family was not contacted, and he never made it home. His family reported him missing two days later. Buffalo Police said a detective on the missing persons case temporarily closed it after mistakenly believing Shah Alam was in immigration enforcements custody. I recognize the desire for answers sought by his family, friends and our community as his death remains under investigation, Keane said in a statement. Governor Kathy Hochul is demanding accountability from the Trump administration after the refugees death (Getty Images) Governor Kathy Hochul said New Yorkers deserve answers and accountability after Shah Alams death. Buffalo Mayor Sean M. Ryan called his death deeply disturbing and a dereliction of duty. U.S. Customs and Border Protection must answer for how and why this happened, he said in a statement. Buffalo is a city that welcomes refugees and believes government should protect human dignity, not endanger it. U.S. Customs and Border Protection failed that basic standard. Since the United States has officially recognized the violence against the Rohingya as genocide, there is a clear expectation that survivors seeking refuge will be treated with dignity and protection, said Nay San Lwin, co-chair of the Buffalo-based Arakan Rohingya National Council, an advocacy group that is working with Shah Alams family. Leaving a vulnerable individual who is visually impaired and faces significant language barriers unsupported in extreme weather is a serious failure of duty, Lwin told The Independent. We call for immediate accountability for the officers' actions. To prevent further suffering among the refugee community, justice must be served without delay. Murad Awawdeh, president of the New York Immigration Coalition, noted that Shah Alams family is not planning his funeral during Ramadan. When he was released from jail and turned over to Border Patrol, agents treated Alam as disposable, Awawdeh said. This inept and negligent action resulted in a mans death a wife left without her husband, and kids left without their father. The incoming administrator of the NT, David Connolly (L) with the chief minister, Lia Finocchiaro, in an image released by the Northern Territory chief ministers department to announce Connollys appointment. Photograph: Lia Finocchiaro MLA/Northern Territory Government (Photograph: Lia Finocchiaro MLA/Northern Territory Government) The incoming Northern Territory administrator, David Connolly, has issued a last-minute apology over past social media posts described as racist in parliament that have inspired fierce opposition to his swearing-in. As the controversial pastoralist prepares to take his oath on Friday, Aboriginal leaders have vowed to refuse to host the administrator King Charless official representative in the territory, and the equivalent of a state governor in remote communities, saying Connolly is toxic. On Wednesday, more than 20 local politicians and community leaders signed an open letter urging the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, to urgently rescind Connollys nomination. Sign up: AU Breaking News email Meanwhile, the Northern Territory parliament has blocked protesters from gathering outside the building on Friday as Connolly will be sworn in by the governor-general, Sam Mostyn. Connollys apology addressed since-deleted social media posts that have been described in the NT parliament as racist. In one post, published in the NT Independent, he said: We fight Indigenous lit bushfire indiscriminately and illegally lit in our paddocks every year. There is no science, it is arson. If a white man did it he would be severely fined. After experiencing this, you cannot convince me they are doing good for the country. Guardian Australia has also revealed other comments made by Connolly while chair of the Northern Territory Cattlemans Association including that First Nations people were the main group responsible for crime in the Top End. Related: Ive been called bigoted, racist, homophobic ... none of that worries me: outspoken pastoralist causes a stir as NTs new administrator I deeply regret the past social media posts I made; I never intended to cause offence, Connolly said in the statement, released by the administrators office on Wednesday night. I am genuinely sorry for the hurt they may have caused members of the community. These posts are no reflection of my personal core values. Connolly said he was committed to upholding the standards the community rightly expects. My actions moving forward will demonstrate genuine care and commitment to serving all Territorians. On ABC Radio Darwin on Thursday, the governor general, Sam Mostyn, said she had spoken to Connolly and was pleased to see his apology. I make no comment about the choice of him as administrator, it wouldnt be right for me to do that, but I must come, and I must give effect to it in the parliament tomorrow, Mostyn said. I dont want people to think I dont understand the background to this, but it would be most inappropriate for me to offer a political or personal view. Its part of the restraint I always show in the job, it doesnt mean that I dont care. Ive always shown respect to First Nations people, to womens organisations, so people know what I care about and what I brought into office, she said. I think that should be self evident. Those views of mine dont mean that I can prevent or step in and not do my job as governor general. I read the apology. I was pleased to see the apology. It seemed to me to be unreserved. The NT government, which recommended Connolly to the federal government, has remained steadfast about its choice. Albanese has said he would not have chosen Connolly, but that he supports the right of Territorians to select their own administrator. But the Labor opposition and independent members of the NT legislative assembly have said they will boycott Fridays ceremony. The chief minister, Lia Finocchiaro, responded by saying they werent invited in any case. The NT News has also reported that Aboriginal leaders remain concerned about Connollys appointment. As far as Im concerned, the damage is already done, we need to stop this appointment, the chair of the Northern Land Council, Matthew Ryan, said. Were not going to tolerate and work with this individual. To put it bluntly, I dont want to see him out there (in remote communities) why should we work with the administrator? As far as Im concerned, hes toxic. The part-pedestrianisation of Oxford Street has been formally approved by Sir Sadiq Khan with traffic due to be banned from this summer. The London mayor authorised the changes on Thursday morning, paving the way for Transport for London to make the nations most famous high street traffic-free between Selfridges and Ikea. Sir Sadiq decided not to make any changes to the draft plans that went out to public consultation last November, despite hundreds of respondents opposing the changes, which will increase congestion on side roads and require 15 bus routes to be curtailed or diverted. The mayor believes the pedestrianisation scheme which will include a ban on cyclists will boost Oxford Streets attractiveness to shoppers, visitors and tourists. He said: I am delighted to be moving forward with my bold vision to transform Oxford Street into a world-leading urban space for shopping, leisure and outdoor events. Following TfLs detailed consultation, Ive today made the decision to move ahead with these exciting changes to the nations high street. We will outline more details in the coming days, as we continue building a better more prosperous London for everyone. According to the City Hall documents signed by the mayor authorising the changes, traffic will be banned in summer 2026 and a permanent design for the new layout of the street, probably including al fresco dining areas, will be published by November 2027. However, Sir Sadiq said last month that it may take until the end of the year before changes are seen on the ground. He is due to announce more details next week. Oxford Street is to be pedestrianised from east of Oxford Circus to Selfridges (Ross Lydall) The area between Orchard Street, immediately to the west of Selfridges department store, and Great Portland Street, to the east of the Ikea furniture store, will be the first to be pedestrianised. However this will be done in blocks as traffic will continue to be able to cross Oxford Street on a north-south basis. The mayors long-term vision is for the entire 1.2-mile street to be pedestrianised, from Tottenham Court Road at its eastern end to Marble Arch in the west. Oxford Street is already mostly car-free, with only buses and black taxis permitted to use most of the street. Cyclists could be allowed to ride along the pedestrianised sections early in the morning and late at night. Absolutely! It would also be extremely unpleasant cycling on a pedestrianised Oxford Street - that's why we're working with Westminster Council on the cycling network in the wider area. https://t.co/98FR06Sved Will Norman (@willnorman) April 2, 2025 The scheme is expected to cost at least 150m, though the mayor hopes it will be part-funded by private investors. He has allocated 18m from business rates for the coming year for his new Oxford Street development corporation quango, which will oversee the changes. An initial consultation last year saw 66 per cent support for the principle of pedestrianising Oxford Street. The second consultation then asked for comments on the likely impact of pedestrianisation, and on the impact on the bus network. Sir Sadiq on Oxford Street (GLA) Of the 1,863 public and stakeholder responses to the first question, 647 were in general support/agreement with the proposals, but 472 disagreed with them. There were 439 comments raising suggestions or concerns about traffic congestion and 308 that raised concerns about the problems it would create for people with disabilities. A similar number of concerns were raised about the loss of access to the street for older people or those less able to walk longer distances. A total of 1,030 responses were received in relation to changes to bus services with 187 supportive but 156 concerned. Many people were worried about the impact on the 94 bus, which will have its route shortened. TfL acknowledges that the early termination of route 94 may increase overall journey times for some passengers but considers this to be the most operationally efficient option. Key Oxford St businesses such as Ikea, Selfridges and John Lewis support the pedestrianisation plans. Westminster council, which was mid-way through a smaller scheme when Sir Sadiq announced his determination to drive through his own proposals, continues to have concerns, but says it will not look to stand in the way of the mayor. Cllr Adam Hug, Labour leader of Westminster City Council, said in response to the mayors announcement: "Westminster councils view on Oxford Street pedestrianisation is a matter of longstanding public record. Our role now is to ensure that the mayor's Oxford Street transformation is made to work for local communities, as well as for London. Over the last 18 months we have secured a number of key improvements from the Mayor of Londons original plans to ensure that the proposals for Oxford Street are more deliverable and better meet the needs of local residents, businesses, and wider London. These include ensuring that Oxford Street East transformation will be delivered in with Westminsters previous plans that retain bus access, and the councils retention of strategic development funding. We will continue work pragmatically with the Mayor's team to ensure a bright future for the nations high street as well as for our residential communities and businesses." Alex Williams, chief customer and strategy officer at TfL, said: We will work closely with Westminster council in the coming months to implement changes to the roads around Oxford Street, and the mayor will provide more information on the next steps for this transformational scheme next week. The mayors one-day event showcased a vehicle-free Oxford Street in September (Sadiq Khan/ X) Scott Parsons, chair of Oxford Street Development Corporation, said: This is an exciting step towards creating a vibrant, new Oxford Street. Were grateful to everyone who participated in TfLs consultation, which will help shape the future of one of the worlds most iconic high streets. TfLs own consultation documents predicted that some surrounding roads would become noisier and more congested, with up to 300 more vehicles on Regent Street in the morning rush hour. A total of 15 bus routes currently use Oxford Street, including 10 that run along the section that will be pedestrianised, namely between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street. A further five routes start or terminate at Oxford Circus and will have to be moved. TfLs main proposal is to re-route most of the buses that currently operate between Selfridges and Oxford Circus north of Oxford Street, meaning they will use Wigmore Street and Henrietta Place. But it will also curtail a number of routes, which will start and terminate at Marble Arch rather than at Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus or Trafalgar Square. The impact of redirecting hundreds of buses, both in terms of noise and potential knock-on congestion, is one of the biggest concerns of residents groups opposed to the changes. Parts of Wigmore Street are predicted to suffer an increase of 100 vehicles in each direction during the rush hour. Regent Street southbound is expected to have an increase of 200 to 300 vehicles in the morning peak and a 100 to 200 vehicles increase in the afternoon peak. TfL proposes that the 98, 139 and 390 and the N98 and N207 be diverted via Wigmore St. The 7 and N7 would terminate at Marble Arch instead of Oxford Circus. The 94 would also terminate at Marble Arch instead of Piccadilly Circus. The 22 would terminate at Hanover Square rather than Oxford Circus, as would the N22. The 73 would terminate at Great Portland Street rather than Oxford Circus, as would the N73. The changes will also mean bus passengers have to walk further to access Oxford Street - typically between 100m to 200m. BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As MWC Barcelona 2026 prepares to host the vanguard of the digital economy, the central challenge for the enterprise sector has shifted from AI adoption to AI accountability. Dyna.Ai (Booth CS91) showcases the strategic expansion of its Result-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, a strategic framework designed to move artificial intelligence beyond experimental pilots into a regime of measurable business outcomes. The initiative comes at a time of "pilot fatigue" within European telecom and financial institutions. While investment in Large Language Models has surged, Dyna.Ai's latest research indicates that only a fraction of organizations has successfully converted AI trials into top-line revenue. Dyna.Ai's RaaS model directly addresses this execution gap by deploying Agentic Applicationsautonomous systems capable of orchestrating complex workflows across Customer Experience (CX) and Employee Experience (EX). "The global C-suite is tired of paying for tokens; they want to pay for results," said Tomas Skoumal, Chairman and Co-Founder of Dyna.Ai. "At MWC Barcelona, we are proving that the future of enterprise AI lies in Agentic AI. Whether it is a Multilingual Voice Agent resolving a Spanish customer's billing inquiry or an internal application automating back-office HR tasks, the focus must shift from what AI can say to what AI can do. Our RaaS model ensures that Dyna.Ai's success is inextricably linked to our clients' actual business performance." Key Solution Highlights at Dyna.Ai Booth CS91: Agentic CX and AICC Innovation: Demonstrating high-fidelity voice and AI agents with native-level fluency in over 50 languages, including Spanish, English, Portuguese, Arabic, designed to resolve complex customer journeys without human intervention. Demonstrating high-fidelity voice and AI agents with native-level fluency in over 50 languages, including Spanish, English, Portuguese, Arabic, designed to resolve complex customer journeys without human intervention. Internal Operational Agents: Showcasing how Agentic Applications automate routine internal operations, from FinDoc AI that extracts, validates, and processes financial and operational documents at scale to AI Recruiter that streamlines hiring pipelines, allowing human talent to focus on strategic initiatives while ensuring data sovereignty. Showcasing how Agentic Applications automate routine internal operations, from FinDoc AI that extracts, validates, and processes financial and operational documents at scale to AI Recruiter that streamlines hiring pipelines, allowing human talent to focus on strategic initiatives while ensuring data sovereignty. The RaaS Performance Framework: A transparent look at how Dyna.Ai's outcome-based commercial model is being utilized by Tier-1 organizations to secure a guaranteed return on their AI investments. Dyna.Ai's participation underscores a strategic industry shift: global enterprises are demanding AI that delivers outcomes, not just insights. Leveraging a strong foundation in Asia, Americas, and the Middle East, the company is now building stronger ties across Europe, establishing its AI Workforce as a scalable, measurable solution for regulated industries and large-scale service providers. About Dyna.Ai Jeremy Corbyn has secured a majority on Your Partys new leadership committee following months of infighting. The former Labour leader has repeatedly clashed with co-founder and fellow ex Labour MP Zarah Sultana since the party began last summer. Both were elected to the 24-strong central executive committee, it was announced on Thursday. They are among four elected from Your Partys office holders such as MPs and councillors, with the other 20 seats taken by ordinary members. Mr Corbyn's The Many group secured 14 seats against the seven won by Ms Sultana's Grassroots Left slate, giving his supporters control of the CEC. Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana (PA Wire) Some 25,347 people voted in the election out of 40,985 verified Your Party members, a turnout of 61.8 per cent. Islington North MP Mr Corbyn pledged to work with all members of the party to implement a "bold vision" for the UK. He said in a statement: "I am delighted that members have voted for a mass, socialist party that takes the fight to Starmer and Farage. "Now, the real work begins. We have a precious opportunity to unite our movement around a bold vision for this country - one that creates a more caring, equal and peaceful world for all. I look forward to working with all members to make this vision a reality. "We are at a dangerous moment. The fear, divisiveness and racism of Reform should not be appeased. It must be opposed. There is only one way we will defeat them: by working together under a common cause of redistribution and peace. "Together, we can provide hope to those who are fed up with inequality, disempowered by poverty and disgusted by war - and build a society that cares for each other and cares for all." Your Partys creation has been overshadowed by conflict between Mr Corbyn and Ms Sultana, including over the announcement of its founding and the "unauthorised" launch of a membership portal. Ms Sultana also boycotted the first day of the partys founding conference in Liverpool over the exclusion of some of her supporters and the expulsion of members of the Socialist Workers Party. The conference backed the collective membership model, then seen as a victory for Ms Sultana as Mr Corbyn had preferred a single leader. In a statement, Grassroots Left said it would "work with all those elected who are committed to rebuilding trust by putting the members first and fighting with the branches for accountable, transparent and democratic structures and strong socialist policy choices". The group added: "Your Party must now work together to become a party of and for the whole left - with no more witch-hunts or stitch-ups. "All those who have been expelled should be reinstated. We now need a culture of mutual respect, open debate, and a shared focus on the real issues facing us: inequality, insecure work, crumbling public services, fascism, and a political establishment that keeps letting working people down." Mr Corbyn's "The Many" slate includes the former Labour leader and MPs Shockat Adam and Ayoub Khan, who were both elected to Parliament in 2024 as so-called "Gaza Independents". Ms Sultana's "Grassroots Left" does not include any other MPs but has also endorsed Mr Corbyn. The European Commission has asked the EUs anti-fraud agency to open an inquiry into Lord Peter Mandelsons time as trade commissioner in Brussels, in the wake of the release of the Epstein files. It comes just days after the former Labour peer was arrested in London on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following claims he had leaked sensitive government information to the paedophile financier. That prompted an extraordinary row when his lawyers claimed that the ex-cabinet ministers arrest followed a baseless suggestion that he was planning to leave the country. Police in the UK are investigating Mandelsons contact with Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary in Gordon Browns government. Before that, he served as European Commissioner for Trade between 2004 and 2008. Lord Peter Mandelson was arrested on Monday (PA) In the recently released batch of Epstein files, Lord Mandelson appeared to confirm a yet-to-be-announced 500bn bailout of the Euro. The documents show Epstein emailed Lord Mandleson sources tell me 500 b euro bailout , almost complete. Lord Mandelson appeared to respond: Sd be announced tonight. A spokesperson for the commission confirmed that it had referred Lord Mandelson to the European Anti-Fraud Office (Olaf). They said: Whenever there is any indication of a possible breach of the obligations under the (code of conduct), the commission assesses these possible breaches and takes action on that basis, if necessary. On this basis, and as new documents were published recently, we are looking into these and assessing whether there is any breach of the respective obligations. Given the circumstances, and the significant amount of documents made available publicly, the European Commission also asked Olaf on February 18 to look into the matter. Pending the ongoing assessment, we are not in a position to comment further. A spokesperson for Olaf confirmed that it had been asked to look into Lord Mandelsons actions, but could not say whether an investigation would take place. Meanwhile, the government has confirmed the PM cannot overrule parliaments security watchdog if it wants to publish documents relating to Lord Mandelsons appointment as ambassador to Washington. Parliaments Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) said officials had confirmed in writing that it would have the final say on which papers are released following a meeting on Thursday. Some of the thousands of documents are expected to be withheld for national security reasons, but that will be up to the ISC, rather than ministers, to determine. Lord Mandelson, who has denied any wrongdoing, has been approached for comment. Plans for a thirds runway at Heathrow make up the bulk of the investment (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Archive) The Government was today urged to hack through planning red tape to unlock more than 50 billion of private sector investment in major transport infrastructure. Campaign group BusinessLDN and consultancy Arcadis warned that without streamlining of Britains byzantine planning system the capital will fall behind global city competitors. A new report highlights five key projects: Heathrow third runway (49 billion), Gatwicks second runway (2.2 billion), terminal expansion at Stansted (1.1 billion), new berths at the London Gateway Port and Logistics Park (1 billion), and upgrading St. Pancras International Station alongside increased access to the Temple Mills rail depot (265 million). The report Pathway to Delivery: Expanding Londons Global Connections calls on ministers to streamline the process for applications for major projects and reducing delays, and changes to the business rates system which would encourage and enable investment. John Dickie, chief executive at BusinessLDN, said: The Government has rightly invested significant political capital by backing these projects and it now needs to seize the moment by ensuring they move from the drawing board to delivery as quickly as possible. That will require ministers to ensure that all parts of Whitehall and regulators pull in support of these expansion plans so they do not get bogged down by red tape. Accelerating reforms to the UKs byzantine planning system and keeping a close eye on how tax changes affect the return on investment is also vital to unlock billions of pounds of private capital and boost growth. Peter Hogg, country director for the United Kingdom and Ireland at Arcadis said: This analysis shows London can unlock at least 53.5 billion of private investment from investing in our ports, airports, and railway hubs, but only if we remove the barriers standing in the way. Government must urgently align regulators with its growth mission, speed up and simplify planning for major projects, and reconsider businessrates changes that make our global ports less competitive. The next round of policy decisions will determine whether this investment comes to London or to international rivals, with the wrong outcome leading to a lost generation of growth." The report outlines challenges that must be addressed, including airspace reform, and access to the electricity grid. It calls for the creation of cross-departmental Whitehall teams which troubleshoot issues as they emerge, alongside greater encouragement for Mayors and other local political leaders.. It also says the priorities of key regulators such as the Civil Aviation Authority and Office of Road and Rail must be aligned with the Governments focus on economic growth. The report argues: The Government must strike a balance between effective regulation and a business environment that enables operators to invest, avoiding the kind of regulatory uncertainty which can cause projects to be delayed or abandoned. In addition the Government must build on its Planning and Infrastructure Act to create a planning system that better supports the delivery of major projects, reduces delays to getting shovels in the ground, and ensures operators are provided with reasonable conditions for expansion. finally it urges reform of the business rates system to ensure that tax changes do not discourage long-term investment or undermine the UKs international competitiveness. Newly released police video has revealed that a high-speed car crash involving Vince McMahon, the former WWE CEO, in Connecticut last summer occurred while a state trooper was attempting to pull him over. The July incident, where state police clocked Vince McMahon, 80, driving his $300,000+ 2024 Bentley Continental GT going 100 mph (160 kph) at times higher, on the Merritt Parkway in Westport, coincidentally happened the same day WWE legend Hulk Hogan died of a heart attack in Florida. Why were you driving all over 100 mph? state police Detective Maxwell Robins asks McMahon after the crash, according to police bodycam video. McMahon replies, I got my granddaughters birthday," and explains he was on his way to see her. Robins' dashcam video shows McMahon driving northbound in the right lane when he approaches a BMW in the same lane, appears to hit the brakes and swerves into the left lane at the last second. The Bentley clipped the rear of the other car before smashing into the left lane guardrail and careening back onto the highway, creating a cloud of dirt and car parts. McMahon then stops on the right shoulder. No one was seriously injured in the crash, police said. Besides damage to the rear of the BMW, another vehicle driving on the opposite side of the parkway was struck by flying debris. The driver of that third car happened to be wearing a WWE shirt. McMahon was cited for reckless driving and following too closely. A state judge in October allowed McMahon to enter a pretrial probation program that will result in the charges being erased from his record next October if he successfully completes the program. He was also ordered to make a $1,000 charitable contribution. State police said Robins was trying to catch up to McMahon on the parkway and clock his speed before pulling him over but the incident was not a pursuit State police said Robins was trying to catch up to McMahon on the parkway and clock his speed before pulling him over. They said the incident was not a pursuit, which happens when police chase someone trying to flee officers. They said it did not appear McMahon was trying to escape the trooper. Police video shows Robins telling McMahon about his efforts to catch up to McMahon. I'm trying to catch up to you and you keep taking off, Robins says. No, no no. I'm not trying to outrun you," McMahon says. An accident information summary provided to the media shortly after the crash did not mention that a trooper was following McMahon. State police said Robins was trying to catch up to McMahon on the parkway and clock his speed before pulling him over but the incident was not a pursuit The Associated Press obtained the videos Wednesday through a public records request. They were first obtained by The Sun newspaper. Police body cameras recorded troopers' interactions with McMahon on the side of the highway. Robins tells McMahon that he doesn't understand why McMahon didn't change lanes sooner to avoid the crash and asks whether he was looking at his phone. McMahon denies looking at his phone and adds that he hadn't driven his car in a long time. McMahon later gives Robins his car registration and curses at himself, the video shows. After Robins tells McMahon that his car is fast, McMahon replies, Yeah, too (expletive) fast. The videos also show McMahon talking to the driver whose car he rear-ended. Barbara Doran, of New York City, told the AP last summer that McMahon expressed his concern for her and was glad she was OK. She said she was heading to a ferry to Martha's Vineyard at the time of the crash. After McMahon was given the traffic summons, he shook hands with Robins and another trooper and they wished him well. State police said Robins was trying to catch up to McMahon on the parkway and clock his speed before pulling him over but the incident was not a pursuit McMahon's lawyer, Mark Sherman, said the crash was just an accident. Not every car accident is a crime, Sherman said. Vince's primary concern during this case was for the other drivers and is appreciative that the court saw this more of an accident than a crime that needed to be prosecuted. McMahon stepped down as WWEs CEO in 2022 amid a company investigation into sexual misconduct allegations. He also resigned as executive chairman of the board of directors of TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of WWE, in 2024, a day after a former WWE employee filed a sexual abuse lawsuit against him. McMahon has denied the allegations. The lawsuit remains pending. McMahon bought what was then the World Wrestling Federation in 1982 and transformed it from a regional wrestling company into a worldwide phenomenon. Besides running the company with his wife, Linda, who is now the U.S. education secretary, he also performed at WWE events as himself. (Getty Images) This year, a cluster of measles cases in north London has forced parents to queue outside GP surgeries for emergency MMR jabs something that would have seemed implausible to politicians and doctors who were able to declare the disease eliminated in the UK in 2017. A month earlier, an outbreak of the Nipah virus in India, which kills up to 75 per cent of those it infects, prompted the quarantine of hundreds and a scramble to trace contacts before the pathogen could board a plane. Neither is a pandemic. But together, and against an alarming backdrop of declining vaccination rates, a hollowed-out World Health Organization (WHO), and a White House that has elevated vaccine scepticism from fringe position to federal policy, they point to a worrying development. Pandemic risk is a constant feature of modern public health, warns Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia and an expert in virology. These things are happening and theyre happening all the time, he explains. Most years, we have one or more new infections that cause problems. You have systems that have the potential to go global, but may or may not for various reasons. Pandemic risk is a constant feature of modern public health (Getty Images) The measles outbreak happening in London is likely to spread, and it really is a bit of a canary in the coal mine, says Cheryl Walter, senior lecturer in biomedical science at the University of Hull. She worries that measles outbreak happening at the moment has the potential to result in thousands of cases and with that, unfortunately, probably a few deaths. The big question is what to do about it. To use the favoured terminology of the Government, there are few levers to pull. One of them is vaccines, which can reduce the severity of the disease caused by any pandemic-like issues, and therefore slow their spread across the world something we realised and began to understand when we managed to contain the spread of Covid after developing a vaccine against the virus in record time. A global health funding crisis There has been a downward trend in routine childhood vaccination coverage over the past decade, and this has resulted in nationwide measles outbreaks since 2024, with cases recorded in every local authority, says Ben Kasstan-Dabush, assistant professor in global health and development at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. The measles outbreak happening in London is likely to spread (Getty Images/Science Photo Libra) Kasstan-Dabush points to the proportion of children in England who received their first dose of the MMR jab in 2024-25, roughly 89 per cent, and less than the 95 per cent threshold the WHO recommends in order to stop the spread of disease. Patchy vaccination coverage is allowing measles to spread and is putting children at risk of serious complications, and at risk of death as we saw last year in Liverpool, he says. There, at least 17 children were treated for measles in the summer of 2025, with experts citing some of the lowest uptakes of childhood vaccinations in England as one reason behind the issue. However, its not just personal responsibility at play in trying to prevent the next pandemic or just slow the spread of other harmful diseases. Governments, and supra-governmental bodies, play an outsized role. There is a big concern in public health at the moment that a lot of these facilities were funded by the US, and that that is drying up, says Hunter. Its a perfect storm, and we need to be very, very, very careful, says Walter. One of the main ways that we have tackled the spread of global disease is through organisations such as the WHO, which span borders and help support populations to try and vaccinate and reduce the negative impacts of disease. The World Health Organization, which helps organise a lot of this, is in substantial financial difficulties because of Trump, says Hunter. Last year, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the agency faced the greatest disruption to global health financing in memory due to massive budget cuts. That has its own impact. If anything, I think globally, were worse off now than we were five years ago, says Hunter. Isolationism and destabilisation Not everyone is quite as pessimistic. I would say on the whole, I think were in a better place [than pre-Covid], says Walter. She points out there are more antivirals to tackle illnesses, and better ways to analyse vast volumes of data that can help tackle issues when they arise. But she does recognise that organisations are in a weaker position when it comes to funding. Money as always goes a long way, Walter says, agreeing with Hunter. Global political destabilisation is only helping the spread of disease (Getty Images) The political destabilisation were seeing around the world as countries choose more isolationist paths doesnt help matters, Hunter adds. Its in our interests to support global initiatives, because that actually protects us in ways that just focusing our effort on trying to keep stuff out of the UK doesnt, he says. Thats because broad-base initiatives that criss-cross the planet are better organised and funded, but also because a more secure world reduces some vectors that can spread diseases. Political destabilisation globally, and wars that bring mass migration and refugee populations and stuff like that displace people, says Hunter, which can more easily spread disease. Climate change is another issue, he says, that can push people to interact with one another in ways they wouldnt ordinarily do exposing people to the risk of diseases they might not have as strong an immunity to. Overall, hes not optimistic about the future. There are reasonable grounds to think that actually things are going to get worse before they get better, says Hunter. The United States experienced negative net migration in 2025, with more people leaving than arriving for the first time in 90 years and the trend is expected to continue, according to a report. The last time the phenomenon occurred was in 1935 at the height of the Great Depression, when more than 100,000 Americans struggling to make ends meet applied to emigrate to the Soviet Union to work in its factories, manufacturing plants and mills in pursuit of a fairer way of life. Now history is repeating itself: according to The Wall Street Journal, which cites data from the Brookings Institution, the U.S. headcount showed a 150,000 deficit last year, while the country recorded a total in-migration of between 2.6 and 2.7 million, down from a recent high of 6 million in 2023. Although it is difficult to measure the precise extent of the exodus as the U.S. has not kept comprehensive emigration statistics since the Dwight D Eisenhower era in the 1950s, the WSJ calculates there is currently anywhere between 4 and 9 million Americans living abroad, basing its findings on residence permits, foreign home purchases, student enrollments and other available metrics. There are an estimated 1.6 million people of U.S. origin living in Mexico, the newspaper reports, another 1.5 million in Europe, 325,000 of whom are in the U.K. and 250,000 in Canada. Lisbon is an increasingly popular destination for U.S. citizens moving abroad, who are attracted by its spectacular scenery, cosmopolitan atmosphere and affordable lifestyle (iStock/Getty) While liberals might be tempted to blame the departures on President Donald Trump and his aggressive mass deportation program, the Department of Homeland Security records only 675,000 deportations and 2.2 million self-deportations last year, meaning people leaving voluntarily in acknowledgement of their undocumented status. Broader disapproval of Trump could also be responsible, an explanation that has been called The Donald Dash, but the WSJ argues the answer is actually far more complex and is not merely about political disaffection, with the rise of remote work, mounting living costs and an appetite for foreign lifestyles all playing a part. A millions-strong diaspora is studying, telecommuting and retiring overseas, the newspaper writes, noting that the number of Americans living in Spain and the Netherlands has nearly doubled over the last decade and has more than doubled in the Czech Republic. The reasons appear to be myriad, from students seeking an overseas adventure to young people drawn to the European ideals of social democracy, workers hoping to stretch their salaries further, and elderly Americans opting for more affordable care homes in exotic locations. Others offer more personal and damning reasons. You dont face the prospect of your five-year-old going into a kindergarten and doing an active shooter drill, said Chris Ford, an employee of a Texas real estate investment firm now living in Berlin. The number of Americans living in the Czech Republic has more than doubled over the last decade (iStock/Getty) The wages are higher in the U.S. but the quality of life is higher in Europe. Americans from a wider variety of states appear to be reaching the same conclusion. Amanda Slefo, director of Barcelona High School, said her institution was once largely populated by the children of affluent families originally from New York or California: Now we have Alaska, Utah, Texas, Colorado, Kentucky. The influx of new faces is not always warmly received, however. The WSJ reports anecdotal evidence from cities like Dublin and Lisbon, and from countries as far-flung as Bali, Colombia, and Thailand, of locals expressing exasperation at the takeover of their communities by growing numbers of U.S. expats. President Donald Trump brandishes his Trump Gold Card immigration visa but is the Donald Dash to blame for negative net migration? (AFP/Getty) Scotlands prestigious University of St Andrew, attended by Prince William, is now reportedly so full of American students it is jokingly referred to as mini-Nantucket. The newspaper argues the trend is a much more long-term development than a post-pandemic laptop nomad culture could explain, but does credit social media with helping to demystify and encourage foreign travel, offering the example of the R&B star Kelis, who cheerily documents her new life in Kenya on Instagram. The phenomenon, which has inspired an associated explosion in relocation businesses catering to U.S. citizens seeking to leave, arguably represents a challenge to the cherished notion of American exceptionalism and the WSJ raises the question of whether the emigres personify a loss of faith in Americas future and way of life. The new American dream, for some of its citizens, is to no longer live there, it concludes. Rob Grant, one of the creators of the cult favorite science-fiction sitcom Red Dwarf, has died. He was 70. Grant and Doug Naylor were behind the British comedy series that aired on BBC Two from 1988 to 1999 and was later revived by channel Dave from 2009 to 2020. It followed the remaining crew of a mining spacecraft led by low-ranking technician Dave Lister (Craig Charles), who awakes from millions of years of suspended animation to find he is the only surviving human. His only companions are a hologram of his bunkmate Arnold Rimmer (Chris Barrie), a lifeform that evolved from his pregnant pet, Cat (Danny John-Jules), the sanitation droid Kryten (Robert Llewellyn), and the ship's computer Holly (Norman Lovett). Grants death was announced by his family, who said in a statement to the Red Dwarf fan site Ganymede & Titan: With much sadness, we have to announce that Rob Grant, co-creator of Red Dwarf, passed away suddenly yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 25th February 2026), a great loss to his family, friends and comedy fans across the world. Just days earlier, Grant had announced the forthcoming publication of a new Red Dwarf prequel novel, titled Red Dwarf: Titan. Craig Charles as Dave Lister, Robert Llewellyn as Kryten and Chris Barrie as Arnold Rimmer in Red Dwarf in 2012 (Getty) Red Dwarf co-creator Rob Grant, pictured giving a reading in 2004, has died at the age of 70 (Phil Guest/CC BY-SA 2.0) Grant was born in Salford, Greater Manchester in September 1955. He studied Psychology at Liverpool University, before meeting his future writing partner Naylor in the 1980s. The pair worked together on various Radio 4 comedies and television shows including the satirical puppet show Spitting Image and and various projects led by the stand-up comedian Jasper Carrott. While writing for the Radio 4 sketch show Son Of Cliche, Grant and Naylor created a character known as Dave Hollins: Space Cadet. This idea evolved into Red Dwarf, which debuted on BBC television on February 15, 1988 and drew 4.75 million viewers. By the time the final series ran in 1999, the shows viewership had grown to 8 million. Alongside the successful sitcom, Grant and Naylor published various Red Dwarf novels using the joint pseudonym Grant Naylor. The writing team split in the 1990s, citing creative differences, and Grants more recent books were written in collaboration with screenwriter Andrew Marshall. Red Dwarf star Craig Charles led tributes to Grant, writing on X: Earlier today I was informed of the passing of [Rob Grant]. I am in total shock. He was one of the funniest people Ive ever met. A visionary. My heart goes out to his family and friends. The impact he and Doug had on the course of my life is immeasurable. RIP ROB. Justice chiefs almost had to shut down the country's magistrates' courts as prisons were overwhelmed in the wake of the 2024 riots, it has been revealed. Hundreds of defendants were fast-tracked through the courts after six days of violence and disorder, fuelled by online misinformation that followed the Southport murders of three schoolgirls. Rioters who had attacked police, started fires, and besieged mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers were held in custody after their first court appearances. It has now been revealed that senior judges and the Ministry of Justice were close to being forced to shut down the courts, so that no-one else would be sent to the overflowing prisons. Lord Justice Green, the Senior Presiding Judge for England and Wales, revealed details of the crisis as he called for greater collective working across the criminal justice system, as well as the introduction of an "early warning system" to alert Government ministers if there is a looming disaster in the courts. He said police, prosecutors, courts and prisons collaborated successfully in the aftermath of the riots in late July and August 2024, rapidly sharing evidence and bringing criminal charges to send a deterrent message to quell the rioting - while not causing the prison system to breakdown. "Judges found time within already full schedules to list cases for pleas and for sentence," he set out. "A number of sentencing exercises were televised and were watched across the country. Riots swept across the UK in the summer of 2024 after the Southport stabbings (PA) (PA Wire) "Many defendants received custodial sentences imposed within days of the offending. "The rioting ceased. "But as each day passed, cell capacity dwindled and we headed towards crisis point." He said matters came to a head on August 27 2024 after a bank holiday weekend which saw a new wave of arrests at Notting Hill Carnival and Leeds and Reading Festivals. At a 9am meeting on Microsoft Teams, senior figures in the justice system met to discuss the situation. "If we survived that day, we knew that prison vacancies would increase over the next week," he said. "At one minute past 9 we learnt that we were close to capacity. "Had we reached capacity, we would have been forced to contemplate the temporary closure of magistrates' courts, in which case the police would have been unable to bring defendants to court within the required time limit and the justice system risked coming to a halt. "We had survived, by a filament dangling by a thread from the skin of our teeth. "We survived because, collectively, over the preceding days, over Teams, decisions were made which balanced the need for swift justice with the regulation of remands into custody." Lord Justice Green, who oversees the operation of courts across England and Wales, made the remarks at London's Guildhall at the first annual conference of the Criminal Courts improvement Group (CCIG) - which was established in 2021 in a bid to tackle growing backlogs of cases in the Covid pandemic. Emergency measures have been taken by the last Conservative government and the current administration to set thousands of prisoners free from prison early, as the jails reached full capacity. Police made a wave of arrests at the Notting Hill carnival in 2024 (Getty Images) On Wednesday, the Government published its long-awaited Courts and Tribunals Bill - kick-starting planned reform of the courts which include stripping back the right to jury trial. The Crown Court backlog is currently at around 80,000 with some trials now being listed in mid-2030, the backlog is expected to reach 100,000 next year, and the Government has predicted the best-case scenario is for the open caseload to be brought down to around 50,000 by 2035. The Government's plan involves greater investment in justice, radical reforms to the structure of the court process including stripping back the right to a jury trial and increasing the workload of the magistrates courts, and measures to improvement efficiency. The Lady Chief Justice, Baroness Carr, told the conference that pilots are already under way of AI tools being used to improve the way criminal cases are listed, while so-called "Blitz courts" are being planned across England and Wales to try to cut the backlog. It is understood two courtrooms at the Old Bailey are due to be used from April for Blitz courts, focusing on cases involving allegations of assaults on emergency workers. Baroness Carr welcomed the advent of greater use of technology and AI, but added a "note of caution" in her speech to an audience which included senior judges, leaders of the probation and prison services, police chiefs including Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, and Victims Commissioner Claire Waxman. "Our justice system is revered internationally for its fairness and service for the common good," she said. "Reform can offer bold options for modernisation, and modernise we must, but it is essential that we always apply due diligence and we guarantee that no shortcuts are taken to compromise justice and the fairness of our procedures. "Human judgment must lie at the heart of the system." In his address, Lord Justice Green suggested AI could be utilised in the future to analyse police crime reports, suggest possible charges, and evaluate the possible arguments a defendant could venture at trial. He also suggested digital technology could be utilised to view and summarise video evidence and mobile phone data. The senior judge added that AI could help to bolster and speed up the court process, as long as everyone involved could have confidence in the accuracy of the computer-generated work. "Such a system could save human resources, reduce the incidence of incomplete and inadequate files, reduce the burden on the Crown Prosecution Service, provide an early exposition of the Crown case and disclosure to defendants thereby encouraging early engagement, and in the court reduce case management burdens and improve speedy decision making," he said. "We must though be very clear that AI is a tool which enhances fair, timely and impartial law enforcement. "AI does not decide cases. "Nor does it make decisions about arrest or the decision to prosecute. "Rather, its role will be to provide human decision makers with the information they need to make those decisions more accurately and efficiently." The Government announced this week a 2.78 billion financial settlement for the justice system from the Treasury, and committing itself to unlimited Crown Court sitting days next year as well as fully funding magistrates' courts. It is hoping to pass reforms to jury trial and the court processes through Parliament by the end of the year, with changes coming into force by 2028. Courts minster Sarah Sackman welcomed the "crackle of excitement" from judicial leaders at the conference for embracing AI, saying they are "ready to lean in to grasp the potential with technology". Donald Trump, with his secretary of state Marco Rubio, has repeatedly threatened to strike Iran if a deal over its enrichment programme is not reached - REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque Iran is producing missiles designed to strike America, Marco Rubio has warned. The US secretary of state said the Islamic Republic was rebuilding its nuclear programme. It was not yet enriching uranium, but theyre trying to get to the point where they ultimately can. He made the comment shortly before crunch talks between Iranian and American negotiators ended with no breakthrough on Thursday night. While the talks focused on Irans nuclear programme, Mr Rubio said Irans refusal to discuss its ballistic missile programme was a major problem that would have to be addressed eventually, as the missiles were designed solely to strike America. If you cant even make progress on the nuclear programme, its going to be hard to make progress on the ballistic missiles as well, he told reporters. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the US envoys, left Thursdays discussions in Iran disappointed, according to one report. However, a senior US official later described the talks as positive, according to Axios. Talks between lower-level officials will take place in Vienna next week. Abbas Araghchi, Irans foreign minister, described the talks as one of the most serious rounds since negotiations resumed. He added: We got closer on some issues. Naturally there are differences of opinion, but there was more seriousness from both sides than before. Abbas Araghchi (left) met with Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, the Omani foreign minister, on Wednesday - REUTERS Earlier on Thursday, Mr Rubio warned that Tehran was trying to achieve intercontinental ballistic missiles. Representatives from both countries are working to resolve a long-standing dispute over Washingtons refusal to allow Tehran to develop nuclear weapons. Donald Trump, the US president, has repeatedly threatened to strike Iran if a deal over its enrichment programme is not reached. In recent weeks, the US has built the largest military presence in the Middle East since the Iraq War. The US has deployed some of its most advanced fighter jets to Israel for the first time, while US officials have told Israel to make the first strike on Iran, according to reports. On Tuesday, Mr Trump said Iran wanted to start all over again with its enrichment programme after the US attacked its nuclear facility last June. He added that Tehran was at this moment again pursuing their sinister nuclear ambitions. Credit: X / @FarsNews_Agency Mr Trump has warned Tehran that it has 10 to 15 days to make a meaningful deal with Washington or face American air strikes. Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner spoke indirectly with Mr Araghchi for approximately five hours in two sessions mediated by Badr Albusaidi, Omans foreign minister. Mr Albusaidi said that significant progress had been made and that discussions on a technical level will take place next week in Vienna. Esmail Baghaei, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, said both delegations needed to consult with their capitals after very intensive negotiations that produced important and operational proposals on nuclear issues and sanctions relief. The Geneva talks were the third round of negotiations since last Junes 12-day war when Israel struck Iran two days before a scheduled round of talks in Oman. Tehran is also trying to tempt Mr Trump to invest in its vast oil and gas reserves as a sweetener to avoid war and cut a nuclear deal, sources told the Financial Times. One person briefed on the talks described the offer as a commercial bonanza, seeking to appeal to the presidents taste for deals. In the past few months, Mr Trump has made multiple threats to strike Iran over its killing of anti-regime protesters and its nuclear campaign. US military vessels have moved to the Middle East, including the worlds largest aircraft carrier and top-of-the-line F-22 raptor combat jets. They have been deployed to Israel for the first time, increasing concerns that Washington is preparing an attack. 1402 US Navys deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups The presidents lengthy state of the union address, delivered on Tuesday to congress, only stirred tensions. He railed against Iran and taunted Ali Khamenei, Tehrans supreme leader, calling the country the worlds number one sponsor of terror and vowing never to allow it to have a nuclear weapon. He also claimed that Tehran had already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and theyre working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America. Reuters Iran dismissed Mr Trumps claims as big lies. The foreign ministry said: Whatever theyre alleging in regards to Irans nuclear programme, Irans ballistic missiles and the number of casualties during Januarys unrest, is simply the repetition of big lies. Senior advisers to Mr Trump would prefer Israel to strike Iran before the US decides whether to launch an assault, as the politics are a lot better, sources told Politico. The advisers believe that Iran would retaliate against Israeli strikes and thus give impetus to American voters to support a US attack. A new AP-NORC poll found that many US adults continued to view Irans nuclear programme as a threat, but few Americans had a lot of trust in Mr Trumps judgment about the use of military force. The survey was conducted from Feb 19-23. It found that about half of US adults were extremely or very concerned that Irans nuclear programme posed a direct threat to the US, but only about one quarter of Americans said they had a lot of trust in Mr Trump on relationships with adversaries or the use of military force abroad. Masoud Pezeshkian, Irans president, reiterated on Thursday morning that Khamenei had banned the construction of weapons of mass destruction, which clearly means Tehran wont develop nuclear weapons. On Feb 19, Mr Trump warned that Iran must make a deal in 10 to 15 days or really bad things would happen. JD Vance, the US vice-president, echoed his threats, telling Fox News on Wednesday: Iran cant have a nuclear weapon. That would be the ultimate military objective, if thats the route that [Mr Trump] chose. Scrubs fans are celebrating the return of the beloved medical sitcom, complete with original characters. Zach Braff, Donald Faison and Sarah Chalke are reprising their characters JD, Turk, and Elliot, respectively on the hit show, which debuted in 2001 on NBC before moving to ABC from 2008 to 2010. *Spoilers for the Scrubs reboot follow!* The reboots official summary reads: JD (Braff) & Turk (Faison) scrub in together for the first time in a long time - medicine has changed, interns have changed, but their bromance has stood the test of time. Characters new and old navigate the waters of Sacred Heart with laughter, heart and some surprises along the way. Fans were eager to tune in Wednesday night to watch the trio in action especially the dynamic between on-again, off-again lovers JD and Elliot. But they were dismayed to learn that, in the years since the original series ended, the couple got married and divorced. Sarah Chalke and Zach Braff return to the 'Scrubs' reboot (Disney) I cant believe they did that. I preferred the way the originally ended it. #scrubs Nikita (@spy_nikita) February 26, 2026 Noooo, their marriage didnt make it? one fan questioned on X, while another said, LOVE IS DEAD. Noooo not JD and Elliott being divorced!, another wrote while a fourth wrote, I dont know how I feel about the JD and Elliot story line #Scrubs. Dont love what theyve done to JD and Elliot though, someone else chimed in as another agreed, I cant believe they did that. I preferred the way the originally ended it. Still, others were overjoyed to see Braffs JD and Faisons Turk back on their screens. The classic JD and Turk 7th sense- whenever the other is near!! I have was missed these codependent besties!! And we even got an Eeeeaaggggllleeee!! Welcome back #Scrubs, welcome back, one fan wrote on X. JD and Turk still have a strong bond!! another wrote while a third said, JD & Turk are still having a strongest bond. Zach Braff and Donald Faison returned to 'Scrubs' (Disney) Scrubs hadn't missed a beat. Hilarious still. Was super worried, but its been amazing so far. Patriotic Drinker (@PatriotDrinker) February 26, 2026 The first two episodes clearly resonated with viewers, even those who were skeptical about the reboot. Its perfect. This show needs to last longer than Greys anatomy, someone else wrote while another agreed, Scrubs hadn't missed a beat. Hilarious still. Was super worried, but its been amazing so far. The new season/reboot of #Scrubs is everything! This is so nostalgic and nobody has missed a beat! So glad they kept it the same, another chimed in as someone else wrote, The #scrubs reboot is exactly what we needed ... just cried watching the end of the first episode. We are so back. It feels like the original picking back up where wed expect them to be! Thank you to the writers for doing this amazing show justice. In August 2024, Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence exclusively told The Independent that a reboot was in the works as the shows creative team felt they had stories to tell. Lawrence also addressed the challenges of reuniting the original cast, saying, the hardest part is that Zach and Donald have aged. The new season/reboot of #Scrubs is everything! This is so nostalgic and nobody has missed a beat! So glad they kept it the same. Kenny Black (@KennyBlack87) February 26, 2026 People still have that affinity, and love, for that goofy youthfulness. But if I saw two guys in their late 40s/50s doing Worlds Most Giant Doctor, and carrying each other around all the time, I would go, What the f*** is going on, you know? He said the objective of the show is to see what that [friendship] looks like at their age, and [take] a comedic look at what medicine has become since those kids started out as interns. In addition to Braff, Faison, and Chalke, returning cast members include Judy Reyes and John C. McGinley. New episodes of Scrubs will air Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, with streaming available the next day on Hulu. BANGALORE, India, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- What is the Market Size of LLM Prompt Generation Tools Market? The global LLM Prompt Generation Tools market was valued at USD 456 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1,018 Million by 2031, expanding at a 12.0% CAGR during the forecast period. The market is witnessing accelerated growth as enterprises and governments increasingly adopt generative AI technologies to improve productivity, automate workflows, and enhance digital services. Get Free Sample: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-6K19051/Global_LLM_Prompt_Generation_Tools_Market_Research_Report_2025 What are the key factors driving the growth of the LLM Prompt Generation Tools Market? Rising enterprise AI governance requirements Shift from experimental to structured prompt engineering Growing demand for optimization-focused solutions Integration of prompt tools into enterprise SaaS ecosystems Increasing public sector AI adoption initiatives Source from Valuates Reports: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-6K19051/global-llm-prompt-generation-tools TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE LLM PROMPT GENERATION TOOLS MARKET: The global LLM prompt generation tools market is undergoing rapid structural evolution as enterprises shift from experimental AI deployments to enterprise-grade integration. Organizations are increasingly recognizing that model performance is highly dependent on prompt structure, contextual framing, and iterative refinement. As a result, prompt engineering is emerging as a strategic function rather than a technical afterthought. Enterprises are formalizing prompt libraries, implementing governance layers, and deploying centralized prompt management platforms to ensure consistency and compliance. This institutionalization of prompt design is significantly contributing to market expansion. By type, Prompt Optimization Tools are demonstrating accelerated adoption as they directly address enterprise concerns related to output reliability, regulatory compliance, and performance benchmarking. These tools allow systematic evaluation of prompts across multiple model versions, ensuring consistency in results. Optimization platforms are increasingly embedded with analytics dashboards, automated testing environments, and quality scoring mechanisms. As generative AI use cases expand into regulated sectors such as banking, healthcare, and government documentation, organizations prioritize optimization capabilities to minimize risk exposure. The ability to control bias, tone, factual grounding, and contextual accuracy is making optimization tools central to enterprise AI governance strategies. By application, the Business segment is emerging as the primary demand generator. Enterprises are leveraging prompt tools to automate marketing content generation, customer service scripting, technical documentation, HR communications, and software code assistance. The shift toward AI-assisted productivity is driving organizations to deploy structured prompt frameworks to maintain brand consistency and operational efficiency. Prompt generation tools are increasingly integrated into CRM systems, ERP platforms, and collaborative productivity software. This seamless integration enhances enterprise-wide AI utilization while maintaining centralized oversight. Another key growth driver is the rise of domain-specific prompt engineering. Organizations are developing industry-tailored prompts optimized for legal drafting, financial reporting, medical summarization, and research analysis. This vertical specialization is creating demand for advanced prompt customization features. Additionally, multilingual prompt generation capabilities are becoming essential as global enterprises operate across diverse linguistic markets. The market is also benefiting from the growing ecosystem of AI service providers and consulting firms. Global advisory leaders such as McKinsey & Company, Deloitte, KPMG, and PwC emphasize AI governance, operationalization, and risk mitigation in enterprise environments. Their advisory frameworks underscore the importance of structured prompt management for scalable AI adoption. Moreover, increasing scrutiny around AI transparency and ethical deployment is pushing organizations to adopt auditable prompt management systems. Enterprises are seeking solutions that allow traceability of prompt versions, usage logs, and output validation workflows. This compliance-oriented shift is reinforcing the long-term relevance of prompt optimization and recommendation platforms. Cloud-based deployment models are further accelerating adoption. SaaS-based prompt generation tools offer scalability, rapid updates aligned with evolving LLM architectures, and integration through APIs. As enterprises expand their AI infrastructure investments, prompt tools are increasingly positioned as foundational layers within the generative AI stack. Collectively, these trends indicate a transition from experimental prompt crafting toward structured, scalable, and governance-driven prompt engineering frameworks, positioning the LLM Prompt Generation Tools market for sustained long-term expansion. Claim Yours Now! https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Auto-6K19051&lic=single-user What are the major product types in the LLM Prompt Generation Tools Market? Prompt Recommendation Tool Prompt Optimization Tool What are the main applications of the LLM Prompt Generation Tools Market? to Government to Business to Customer Key Players in the LLM Prompt Generation Tools Market? PromptPerfect Expanding enterprise adoption with robust prompt optimization features tailored for regulated industries and workflow automation. Iflytek Spark Accelerating growth with multilingual prompt generation capabilities, targeting global AI deployments across Asia and beyond. Prompt Word Optimization Master Enhancing compliance and governance features with audit trails and quality scoring to meet enterprise risk standards. Moonshot AI Investing in scalable AI orchestration frameworks that integrate prompt optimization into large model pipelines. Pezzo Strengthening real-time analytics and performance dashboards to help users evaluate and refine prompt outcomes data-driven. Meta Prompt Leveraging large-scale model research advancements to deliver context-aware prompt refinements and next-generation conversational tuning. ClickPrompt Launching low-code and automation-focused interfaces that simplify prompt creation across technical and non-technical users. Anthropic Integrating advanced safety-oriented prompt constraints and guardrails as part of its foundational model ecosystem. LangGPT Expanding domain-specific and multilingual prompt libraries to support vertical use cases like healthcare, legal, and finance. FlowGPT Building a community-driven prompt ecosystem that accelerates innovation through shared templates and optimization workflows. ChatGPT Shortcut Growing its marketplace of plug-and-play prompt templates to drive user engagement and monetization. PromptGenius Introducing enterprise-ready prompt management systems, including version control and reusable prompt libraries. Awesome ChatGPT Prompts Scaling its curated user community and spotlighting high-impact prompt patterns for creativity and productivity use cases. PromptPort Offering deep API and cross-platform integrations for DevOps, CRM, and productivity tools, enabling seamless workflow embedding. Auto Prompt Pushing automated prompt generation workflows that reduce manual effort and accelerate AI solution delivery. Docker Prompt Generator Providing container-friendly prompt tooling that supports scalable deployment and developer adoption. PromptStacks Focusing on modular and enterprise-grade prompt frameworks with governance, security, and analytics enhancements. LLM PROMPT GENERATION TOOLS MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS: By product type, prompt optimization solutions currently capture a substantial share of revenues due to their importance in mission-critical enterprise deployments. Prompt recommendation tools also maintain a strong market presence, driven by demand for accessible AI solutions. By application, the enterprise segment accounts for the largest share, supported by structured AI strategies and corporate investment. The government segment is steadily expanding due to national AI initiatives and regulatory compliance requirements. The consumer segment, while smaller, is growing rapidly as AI capabilities are integrated into mainstream applications. Regionally, North America holds the largest market share, supported by a strong technology ecosystem and significant AI investments. However, Asia-Pacific is emerging as the fastest-growing region, driven by aggressive AI adoption, digital transformation initiatives, and substantial investments in countries such as China and India. Purchase Regional Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/regional/QYRE-Auto-6K19051/Global_LLM_Prompt_Generation_Tools_Market_Research_Report_2025 SUBSCRIPTION We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans. What are some related markets to the LLM Prompt Generation Tools Market? - Generative AI (GenAI) Data Security Solution Market was valued at USD 55 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 205 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 20.5% during the forecast period. - Subsea Umbilical Termination Assembly Market was valued at USD 254 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 318 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 3.2% during the forecast period. - Large Language Model Operationalization (LLMOps) Software market was valued at USD 4350 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 13950 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 21.3% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - GenAI Security Firewall Market was valued at USD 427 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 653 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period. - Artificial Intelligence Large Language Models market was valued at USD 1591 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 259840 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 79.8% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Large Model for 3D Generation Market was valued at USD 445 Million in the year 2023 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 8404 Million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 54.0% during the forecast period. - AI PPT Generation Software Market - Prompt Engineering Development Tools Market - AI Large Language Model Market - Phone Local Large Language Model Market - Proprietary Large Language Model Market DISCOVER OUR VISION: VISIT ABOUT US! 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Contact Us Valuates Reports [email protected] For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 WhatsApp: +91-9945648335 Explore our blogs & channels: Blog: https://valuatestrends.blogspot.com/ Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/valuatesreports/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/valuatesreports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@valuatesreports6753 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg SOURCE Valuates Reports Ed Burnett also has tips on tracking tech, suitcase colors, locks and more (Getty Images) Having your luggage stolen or items taken from it, is guaranteed to ruin a vacation. So that filing police reports doesnt eat into your relaxation time, heed this advice on making your luggage less attractive to thieves. It comes from Ed Burnett, a former U.S. Army military policeman and security expert for UPS whos now the Executive Advisor at Cloudastructure Inc, an AI surveillance and remote guarding company. Here, he divulges tips on everything from luggage colors that attract thieves to the effectiveness of tracking tech, and from packing strategies to whether wrapping suitcases in plastic serves any purpose. 1. The secure mistake plastic wrapping Plastic wrapping may prevent scratches, but it tells thieves that there's probably something valuable inside the suitcase (Getty Images) Ed advises against wrapping suitcases in plastic. He explained to The Independent: While it protects against scratches and prevents planting drugs, it screams I have something expensive in here. It also makes it impossible for you to quickly check your belongings if you suspect tampering. 2. Luggage choice and appearance Security expert Ed Burnett said that anonymously colored luggage attracts thieves (Getty Images) Colors Pick a color thats a liability for the thief, stressed Ed. He explained: Bright colors are a deterrent. Thieves prefer anonymous black or navy bags because they can walk away with them without standing out. A neon green bag, for example, is a liability for a thief. If you yell, Stop that man with the green bag, everyone sees him. Hard-shell vs soft-shell Hard-shell is significantly safer, declared Ed, who revealed: Soft-shell bags can be shived where a thief uses a box cutter to slice the fabric and reach in. Hard shells require more noise and effort to breach. Logos Certain brands lure thieves. Ed explained: High-end brands such as Tumi, Rimowa, Louis Vuitton are magnets. They signal that the contents are likely as expensive as the bag. Instead, advised Ed, stick to "upper-middle" brands, because they look sturdy but don't scream look at me, Im wealthy." Backpacks vs wheels Backpacks and wheeled luggage both carry risks. Backpacks are targets for pickpockets, because the zippers are behind you, said Ed, while wheeled suitcases are targets for grab-and-run theft. Thieves in stations watch for people who let go of their suitcase handles to check a departure board or cell phone. 3. Deterrents locks and tech Locks are a deterrent to opportunistic thieves, but they can bypass them by using a pen to open the zipper (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Tracking and tech If you think making a tracking device visible is a solid deterrent, think again. Ed said: AirTags and other trackers do nothing to deter theft unless the thief sees the item found alert on their own iPhone but they are essential for recovery. He added: Keep them hidden. Sew them into the lining or hide them inside a sock. If a thief finds a tracker, they will toss it immediately. And most GPS-tracked stickers are ignored, or seen as a challenge. In addition, labels like fragile or camera equipment are active invitations for theft. Never label whats inside. Locks and cable ties Locks and cable ties are useful to a point, but ultimately are unlikely to prevent theft, according to our expert. He said: Locks deter opportunistic theft someone trying to unzip your bag quickly. But many soft-shell suitcases use coil zippers, which can be opened with a ballpoint pen in seconds [bypassing the lock entirely]. Cable tiles and zip clips dont stop a thief either, but they do act as a seal. A thief knows they can't relock a snapped cable tie, meaning you will notice the theft immediately. Most thieves want to steal without you knowing until you get to your hotel. 4. Labels and identification While displaying your name and address might seem logical, to aid recovery, its also advertising that your house is probably empty. Ed said: Put your business card inside the bag. On the outside, use a covered tag so the name and address aren't visible to anyone standing in line behind you. And always use work contact details. You don't want a stranger knowing your home address and the fact that you are currently away from home. 5. Packing strategy Put all your most valuable items in your carry-on luggage, said Ed (Pormezz - stock.adobe.com) Dont spread your valuables, counsels Ed. He advised: Keep all must-haves such as jewelry, electronics and meds in your personal carry-on that never leaves your sight. If you must put valuables in checked luggage, use a diversion safe an empty sunscreen bottle or a laundry bag. And take care with electric toothbrushes and high-end chargers. They have high resale value and are often overlooked by travelers until they are gone. 6. The danger zones Ed pinpointed train overhead racks and hotel lobbies as prime hotspots for theft. He said: In a lobby, travelers are distracted by check-in; on a train, thieves grab bags right before the doors close at a stop. Coffee shops are also a guard-down moment. Ed added: People set their bag next to them and look at their phone. Always keep a strap looped around your leg. Social media reacts to boutique owners glamorous mugshot following 12th arrest: Time to make a calendar The glamorous mugshot of a South Carolina boutique owner following her 12th arrest in about two months has caused quite a stir on social media. Facebook users couldnt help but crack jokes over Pamela Brooke Schronces arrest record, with one person commenting, Time to make a calendar. Schronce, the 30-year-old owner of Thomas and Turner Boutique in Belton, was arrested Wednesday and accused of obtaining property under false pretense less than $2,000, according to Pickens County jail records. She had just been booked under the same charge in Cherokee County Monday, and before that, she had been arrested 10 times this year. The glamorous mugshot of South Carolina boutique owner Pamela Brooke Schronce following her 12th arrest in about two months has caused quite a stir on social media (Cherokee County Sheriff's Office) Fox Carolina announced Schronces 12th arrest on Facebook Wednesday, along with all her mugshots. She did it we now have a calendar. I have been waiting for this. Time to make a calendar, one Facebook user commented. Another joked, Well there you go, Glamour Head Shots 2026 version! Now somebody go make that calendar RIGHT NOW! a third said. Others commented on Schronces hair. Within about two months, the blonde suspect went from having a long bob to flowing, curled hair as seen in her mugshots. She had time in between to get extensions though one person said. Another wrote: Girl said let me get some extensions for my shoot. Schronce has been accused of scamming customers out of money when they placed orders and never received the items (Pickens County Detention Center) Dozens of Schronces customers have claimed she scammed them out of money when they placed orders and never received the items, according to Fox Carolina reports that cited local officials. Earlier this month, the Anderson County Sheriffs Office said Schronce scammed more than $10,000 out of at least 54 customers, according to Fox Carolina. Details about Schronces most recent arrest were not immediately known. The Independent has reached out to the Pickens County Sheriffs Office for comment. Speaking about Mondays arrest, Cherokee County Sheriff Steve Mueller said someone filed a report in December 2025, claiming they ordered $360 worth of products from the boutique but never received the products, Fox Carolina reported. The victim, just like all the others, tried repeatedly to get an answer from suspect but eventually was blocked and they would not respond, the sheriff said. Information about Schronces legal representation was not immediately clear. Dogs and their zest for life can turn the most mundane situation into an unforgettable memory. Whether they're enjoying a romp in the snow or a nap in the sunshine, our furry friends know how to make the most of every moment. For the perfect proof, look no further than Hippo. He's a curious Staffordshire Terrier who recently traveled to Scotland for the first time with his mom and dad, and his reaction to hearing bagpipes was positively priceless. The way he tilts his head to the music is the sweetest thing! I could watch Hippo's adorable head tilts all day long! This is the most genuine and curious reaction to music that I've ever seen, even from a dog. Some pups howl along to the music while others completely ignore it, but Hippo is preparing to take it all in. @Kristaf_baby may have tapped into the dog's mind when she wrote, "It's the longest squeaky toy he's ever heard!" Even though this sweet Staffy doesn't know what to make of the bizarre sound, something tells me he'd love a closer inspection. Related: Staffordshire Terriers Running in Sync While Carrying a Giant Tree Branch Is a Moment of Pure Joy "This is so dangerous for your dog," another commenter warned. "He could get himself a kilt & start baking shortbread, living his life in a castle on a loch." That sounds like a dream come true! Hippo hasn't decided yet if he's made for the highland life, but he's definitely made to explore the world. @Savvybev left everyone in tears when she recalled, "This baby was in a shelter like two years ago, and now hes on vacation in Scotland." This is the kind of life every shelter dog deserves! Staffordshire Bull Terriers Sadly, many 'bully' breeds like Staffordshire Bull Terriers have lived with an unfair and negative reputation. Even though humans once used these dogs for aggressive tasks like bull baiting, these dogs are just as loving and loyal as any other. Just look at Hippohe's been his parents' affectionate and devoted companion since the day he was adopted! Staffies like Hippo may be overlooked at animal shelters, but don't let this fool you. They are such intuitive and emotional companions that they're even wonderful with children! There's so much to love about this misunderstood breed, from their curious natures to their priceless head tilts. SIGN UP to get pawsitivity delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Feb 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The government has confirmed that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will not be able to overrule Parliaments Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) on the publication of documents related to Lord Peter Mandelsons appointment as ambassador to Washington. Following a meeting on Thursday, the ISC announced that officials had provided "in writing" assurance that the committee holds the final say on which papers are released. This directive from MPs to release a vast quantity of documents stems from persistent questions surrounding the peers vetting process for Mandelsons appointment in 2024, particularly concerning what was known about his links to convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. While some of the thousands of documents are expected to be withheld on grounds of national security or foreign relations, the ultimate decision on specific redactions will rest with the ISC, rather than government ministers. The ISC confirmed in a statement that its members had met with Cabinet Office officials earlier on Thursday morning. It said: Following this mornings meeting, officials have now confirmed in writing to the Committee that the decision as to whether material referred to the ISC is published is for the Committee alone. The Prime Minister or anyone else in Government will not be able to overrule the Committees decision to publish material that has been referred to it. MPs have ordered the government to release documents relating to Mandelsons appointment as ambassador to Washington (James Manning/PA Wire) The committee said it is waiting to hear when it will receive the first tranche of documents, how they will be transferred and how many there will be. The government has also agreed a framework with the Metropolitan Police on which documents can be released without prejudicing the ongoing police investigation, according to the ISC. Lord Mandelson was arrested on Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, having been accused of passing sensitive information on to Epstein during his time as business secretary. He has been bailed until May. The ISC also said the Government has decided what files are within scope of the Conservative-led Commons motion compelling their release and that material from across Government is being gathered by the Cabinet Office. It is hoped that some material will be published shortly, the committee said. A government spokesperson said: We are proceeding at pace to publish the first tranche of documents in early March. We are working closely with the ISC and have made progress on a number of their requests. The Government is very grateful to the committee for their work and commits to full engagement with them to ensure these processes are timely and effective. The Tampa International Airport will ban travelers from wearing pajamas on their flights, according to an announcement on social media. "We've seen enough. We've had enough. It's time to ban pajamas at the Tampa International Airport," the post reads. "Pajamas. At. The. Airport. In the middle of the day." The supposed ban comes after the airport claims it successfully banned the wearing of Crocs footwear. "After successfully banning Crocs and giving everyone the amazing opportunity to experience the world's first Crocs-free airport, it's time to take on an even larger crisis," the post says. The cheeky post declared that the "madness stops today" and asks travelers not to wear pajamas on their flights. To be clear: the ban isnt a ban. Its a request from the airport for people to dress better. No one will be barred from entering the airport if theyre wearing sweatpants. Travelers waiting to pass through an airport security checkpoint. The Tampa International Airport issued a social media post in February 2026 saying it was banning travelers from wearing pajamas to the facility (AP) Tampa International Airport regularly shares lighthearted, satirical social media content as part of our ongoing effort to engage with our followers. Todays post about banning pajamas was another playful nod to day-of-travel fashion debates, the airport told The Independent. We encourage our passengers to travel comfortably and appreciate our loyal followers who enjoy the online humor. It's no secret that air travel has become notably less comfortable over the past 40 years. Since the airlines were deregulated in 1978, seat space has gradually declined over time to allow airlines to squeeze more passengers onto aircraft. According to Flyers Rights, a passenger advocacy organization, the average legroom or pitch has decreased from 35 to 31 inches, with the lowest pitch size being 29 inches. Cheap-seat carriers typically have legroom pitches at 29-30 inches. The width of legroom space has also declined to 16-18 inches. In the 1990s, seat sizes increased for a short period to 18.5 inches from the standard 17 inches. Airline seats have since largely regressed to the 17 inch standard But airlines also used to fly at only 70 percent capacity, meaning there was often more room for passengers to spread out. Today they fly at 80 or 85 percent capacity, according to a CNN report. Not only are travelers expected to endure more cramped compartments, but also more invasive searches at the airport. Travelers wait in long lines at security checkpoints, are subjected to full-body scans, and if any anomalies are found, may be forced to endure an intimate frisk from a federal employee. If passengers must be groped to board a plane, they might as well be comfortable when it happens. Back in November, the Transportation Department launched an initiative called "The Golden Age of Travel Starts With You," with the aim to "jumpstart a nationwide conversation around how we can all restore courtesy and class to air travel." Alongside that initiative, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called on travelers to dress better at airports. "Dress up to go to the airport, help a stranger out, and be in a good mood," he wrote on social media at the time. Transportation Department Secretary Sean Duffy asked travelers to dress up when they go to the airport in 2025 (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) U.S. Airlines stopped offering complimentary hot meals shortly after the 9/11 terror attacks. Costs for checked bags has inflated to help airlines rake in more revenue. Last year, US airlines alone made $7.27 billion from check-in baggage fees, according to federal data. That's an increase from $7 billion in 2023, and $5.76 billion in 2019. Responses to the Tampa International Airport's post were mixed. Some X accounts which may or may not be real people supported the idea. One user, going by the name "ThoughtCrimes80" posted an image of women standing in sweat pants and hoodies at an airport and wrote "uh yeah, I've been saying this forever." Others recommended the airport focus on making the customer experience better before asking people to dress nicer. My last two flights I spent the night on the dirty floor at Buffalo Intl Airport because of cancelled flights, with no compensation, we should be wearing pajamas, until the airlines crap service is improved! user MarkJSchmit replied. Even people in favor of banning pajamas noted that making air travel enjoyable again was going to take more than outlawing sweats. "This is great, I am completely for this. Just dress decently. But I think we shouldnt stop here, I think the airlines should start bringing the pleasure of traveling back to what it used to be. Like bring back actually feeding your travelers. Not even peanuts are given nowadays," X user CarlosCGascot wrote. Attorney Howard Sklar was more concerned with the government telling people how to dress than he was the overall air travel experience. "I meanas a joke, this is kinda funny," he wrote on X. "But if it's realthe government telling people what they can and can't wear while travelingcan you say 'overreach' anyone?" Not to worry, its apparently just a joke. Target pays $110M to end lease on 51-story tower in Minneapolis five years after previous downsizing Target is reportedly paying nearly $110 million to end a lease on its downtown Minneapolis office space, having previously agreed to rent the space until 2031. The mega-retailer made the decision to end the lease at the City Center building last month, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Target moved its operations out of the building five years ago during the coronavirus pandemic, but never returned. Target had been in the building since it opened in 1983 A spokesperson for Target told the paper that the company is still committed to downtown Minneapolis. It had been the largest retailer in downtown Minneapolis until 2024 when it was overtaken by Hennepin Healthcare. Target grew out of the Dayton Dry Goods Company, which began its operations in 1902 in Minneapolis. On its website, Target says it and its Target Foundation have donated more than 9 million pounds of food, given more than $32 million worth of products and cash, and dedicated more than 74,000 volunteer hours to the Minneapolis community. But it hasn't all been smooth sailing for the company. More recently, Target has attracted the ire of some in Minneapolis and around the country for its alleged co-operation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The City Center tower in downtown Minneapolis. Target, one of the tower's original tenants, is paying nearly $110 million to break its least at the tower. The company's lease expires in 2031 (Google Maps) Protesters with Indivisible Charlottesville who participated in "Project Salt" in which customers bought salt from Target and returned in an effort to jam up lines and cause long waits at Target stores accused the company of allowing "ICE and other federal agents to stage their Minnesota operations in their parking lots and permitted ICE agents to enter their stores to detain employees. The Independent has requested comment from Target. There is no indication that its decision to break its City Center lease was influenced by ongoing anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis. The City Center tower is not Target's only property in downtown Minneapolis. After the company called its employees back to in-office work, they returned to other office spaces around downtown, but not the City Center. The company did attempt to sublet its space in the building, but only managed to attract one tenant the Fox Rothschild law firm which moved in in 2022. Samsung, which owns the City Center, is preparing to list the 51-story tower, according to a February 2 loan servicer report. The tech company purchased the City Center in 2018 for $320 million, and began a $3 million renovation the following year. Unfortunately for Samsung, it purchased the building just two years before the coronavirus pandemic forced practically the entire country to work from home, leaving much of its newly purchased space sitting empty. City officials estimate that the building is worth approximately $117 million as of last year, which is half of what it was worth five years ago, according to the paper. Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders sent a Republican senator into a tailspin of fury Wednesday during the Senate confirmation hearing for Dr. Casey Means, President Donald Trumps nominee for U.S. surgeon general. Sanders, the ranking member on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, had raised concerns about the spread of right-wing misinformation surrounding vaccines, particularly the claim entertained by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr that inoculations cause autism in infants. The overwhelming body of scientific evidence says vaccines do not cause autism, the senator had said, quoting findings from the American Medical Association and challenging Means to definitively back its position over Kennedys. The candidate had answered him carefully, saying it was important to study all leads. Also responding, Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin launched into a long-winded oration about the importance of scientific inquiry and the need for taking a practical approach to reforming the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare. How dare us look at science? My goodness, science is supposed to be perfect? I thought science was always supposed to be studied, the senator mused. Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin clashed with Vermont independent Bernie Sanders at the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee confirmation hearing for Dr Casey Means on February 25, 2026 (Reuters) Im not a doctor, Im not sitting here trying to say we shouldnt do something. Im saying, lets go after it, lets look at it, lets question what were doing. He continued: Lets look at the healthcare system. We can agree on that one I just dont want to socialize it. But we can agree that it is absolutely not affordable. One hundred percent not affordable. Yet, it was supposed to be affordable. Thats what we were sold by Obamacare. So how about we work together and say, hey, scrap ACA, admit it doesnt work, admit you guys made a mistake, and lets work at something with President Trump to make affordable healthcare healthy and affordable for everybody, but theres zero chance you guys could do that. Zero chance. Yet everybody we bring up here, you guys chastised for trying to make changes. God forbid we change and try to fix our broken system. Finally drawing to a close, Mullin said, Anyway, I ranted too long. Yes, you did, piped up Sanders. Sanders questioned Dr Means on misinformation surrounding the supposed link between childhood vaccines and autism (AP) Infuriated, Mullin hit back: Im sorry. I didnt ask your opinion on that, and if I cared about your opinion, I would ask you. But I dont care about your opinion. Youre part of the system. Youre part of the problem. Youve been sitting here longer than Ive even been alive. This is your problem. You should have fixed this a long time ago. Youve been railing on it for so long. What have you been doing? I decided not to run for surgeon-general, Sanders responded. Youre the nominee Ive decided. That is definitely something we would never accept, muttered Mullin, still fuming. The pair have previously clashed, arguing heatedly in a 2023 exchange that also involved Teamsters union president Sean OBrien, and again last December, a week before Christmas, when Mullin called Sanders The Grinch for voting against his Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act. Their latest feud received a predictably polarized response on social media, with MAGA commentators cheering for pummelling and nuking the veteran lawmaker, who accused the leftist of making a cheap shot. Tommy Robinson has been hosted by the Trump administration for a meeting at the US state department in Washington. The far-right agitator, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, said he was in America making alliances and friendships. Posting on social media platform X, he added that he had had the privilege of an invite to the @StateDept. Robinson, who has convictions for using a fake passport, stalking, and contempt of court, was pictured with Joe Rittenhouse, a senior adviser at the state department. Mr Rittenhouse wrote on X: Honored to have free speech warrior @TRobinsonNewEra at Department of State today. The World and the West is a better place when we fight for freedom of speech, and no one has been on the front lines more than Tommy. Good to see you my friend! The visit appeared to be the latest example of the Trump administration's promotion of free speech in countries where it claimed politicians had stifled voices online. Robinson pictured at the state department (X) In December, it denied visas for two Britons campaigning against misinformation online, who US secretary of state Marco Rubio accused of helping lead organised efforts to coerce American platforms to censor, demonetise, and suppress American viewpoints they oppose. US president Donald Trump has also been critical of the UK over free speech issues. In response to one person on X writing this is not normal, Robinson wrote: Its the new normal when America has an administration that believes in free speech, doesnt mean they agree with everything Ive ever said, they believe in my right to say it. The US visit comes six years after Robinson failed in an attempt to visit Washington to give a speech on Capitol Hill, after his visa was not granted in time. Last Thursday, however, he posted a video of himself in America, saying: Im in the United States of America, you see how happy I am? Its been a long time coming, Ive dreamed about this moment for so long. Robinson said he was in America making alliances and friendships (X) It comes just weeks after Robinson claimed to have left the UK for his safety after being named in a so-called Islamic State publication that encouraged others to commit violence against him. Last year, Robinson organised a Unite the Kingdom rally in central London, attracting up to 150,000 people, in what was thought to be the largest nationalist event in decades. At the event, Elon Musk, the owner of X, gave a speech via a video link. Mr Musk had months earlier called for the release of Robinson, who was serving a prison term for repeating libellous claims against a Syrian refugee. Robinson founded the English Defence League in 2009, before standing down four years later. Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman told The National that the Trump administration welcoming Robinson would be deeply alarming. She said: When communities across the UK are facing rising levels of hate crime and far-right extremism, the idea that figures like Robinson are being treated as legitimate political actors by what are supposed to be our international allies, should concern us all. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has said there have been too many incidents of this kind at the BBC, after it broadcast a racial slur during its coverage of the Baftas. Ms Nandy said she was deeply concerned by the incident and the Government was not satisfied with the corporations initial response. Tourettes campaigner John Davidson was heard shouting as Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for special visual effects during the ceremony at Londons Royal Festival Hall on Sunday. The corporations executive complaints unit announced a fast-tracked investigation on Wednesday, saying it was a serious mistake. Speaking during culture questions in the Commons on Thursday, Ms Nandy said: I think its fair to say that this Government and I were not satisfied with the initial response from the BBC, and we do need to see much swifter action taken in these sorts of instances, and action that results in this not happening again. I think were all deeply concerned that there have been too many incidents of this kind. She added that culture minister Ian Murray has met with Bafta to discuss how we exercise a better duty of care to all concerned. She added: We all want to make sure that the Baftas and all of our award ceremonies can be inclusive places where people with Tourettes whove been shut out of society for too long can be fully included. Ms Nandy had been responding to a question from Nigel Huddleston, the shadow culture secretary, who called on the BBC and Bafta to apologise for the incident. John Davidson attending the 79th British Academy Film Awards (Ian West/PA) (Ian West) He said: A great celebration of British creativity was marred by the unnecessary airing of involuntary comments by Tourettes campaigner John Davidson. It appears a microphone was placed close to John, and some offensive comments were aired despite a two-hour delay. This no doubt well-intended attempt at inclusivity has caused great anxiety to John and great offence to many others. On Wednesday, the Culture, Media and Sport Committee wrote to outgoing BBC director-general Tim Davie seeking an explanation for how a racial slur ended up in the broadcast in spite of a two-hour time delay. Referencing Glastonbury Festival coverage, chairwoman of the committee Dame Caroline Dinenage said the latest incident raises questions about the extent to which lessons have been learned and about the controls and systems you have in place to prevent such incidents. Mr Davidson was at the Baftas representing the film I Swear, which tells the story of his life with the condition, which he developed when he was 12. In an interview with Variety, he said the BBC should have worked harder to ensure his racial slur was not broadcast, and that Bafta had said swearing would be edited out. Film studio Warner Bros is believed to have raised immediate concerns about the racial slur and requested it be removed from the BBC broadcast, the Press Association understands, but it could still be heard when it aired two hours later. The BBC has apologised for not editing the racial slur out of the broadcast and subsequently removed it from the version on iPlayer. Bafta also issued an apology in the aftermath in which it said it apologise unreservedly to the actors who were on stage as well as all those impacted. A BBC spokesperson previously said: The BBC has been reviewing what happened at Bafta on Sunday evening. This was a serious mistake and the director-general has instructed the executive complaints unit (ECU) to complete a fast-tracked investigation and provide a full response to complainants. Wuthering Heights star Martin Clunes has lost his four-year planning battle to stop a permanent Travellers site being built on land next to his Dorset home. The actor, also known for his role as Doc Martin, with some other neighbours in Beaminster, Dorset, had objected to the plans by Theo Langton and Ruth McGill. The couple, who have lived in a 45ft by 16ft (13.7m by 4.9m) mobile home on land they own at Meerhay for 25 years, applied for planning permission to continue living there permanently. Officers at Dorset Council had recommended the plans for approval at its western and southern area planning committee in April 2025, but the case was deferred after concerns were raised about the risk of flooding at the site. But after a flood risk assessment found that any risk of surface water flooding was not great enough during the 100-year estimated lifetime of the development, the plans go back before the committee. Now the committee has voted by seven against two in favour of accepting the plans, along with conditions set by the planning officers. These include that the alterations to the site can be in place only while Mr Langton and Ms McGill are resident and removed within four months of them no longer permanently occupying the property. And the conditions would limit the number of residential caravans on the site to two. Planning officer Bob Burden told the committee that the councils gypsy liaison officer was satisfied that the couples movements and attendance of festivals met the definition of Travellers. He added: There is a growing and significant unmet need for sites, we simply cannot find sufficient sites for gypsies and Travellers. Mr Burden said the impact on neighbouring properties was limited and said: Theres no unacceptable overlooking privacy issues with this scheme in my view. He added the permission would be limited to the use of the couple and added: If the site ceased to be occupied then the structures would need to be removed. John Steel KC, representing Clunes, said: The applicants are not statutory Travellers, but even assuming they are, they cannot on one hand reject sites offered to them and at the same time benefit from Traveller policy exceptions. He added: Others will follow, others are waiting, there is evidence of this already on adjacent land. The strong message will be that those with similar lifestyles can get round the planning system in Dorset. Mr Steel continued: To grant a permanent planning permission would be unlawful, undermine planning policy and be wholly unfair to law-abiding residents. Simon Rushton, agent for the applicants who had lived at the site for 21 years, said they had received 47 letters of support as well as from the local town council. Reverend Jonathan Herbert said he supported the couples plans and added that they maintained a nomadic lifestyle. He said: They are well known and respected among the new Traveller community, without a shadow of a doubt they are are new Travellers. Councillor Craig Monks said: I believe that the officers recommendations provide the certainty to those local residents that this land will be used for a particular purpose, for particular people in a particular time. Clunes and his wife previously made a submission to the committee expressing their concerns over the proposals, including the recommendation of the councils gypsy liaison officer that Mr Langton and Ms McGill should be considered as New Age Travellers. An officers report to the committee said: It is very clear they follow and are a part of the New Age Traveller community and have been for many years. Although they are not ethnic gypsies, I am more than satisfied they are New Age Travellers and have a lot of friends and support in the new Traveller community. In response, Clunes wrote: It cannot be concluded that the applicants are persons of nomadic habit of life due to them visiting music and other festivals each year to sell items and help set them up. This would mean that many, if not all, stallholders at such festivals, as well as the roadies who travel with the festival organisers, retailers and bands would be classed as gypsies and Travellers within the planning definition, which clearly is not the case. New research, made possible through continued collaboration with BDMS Wellness Clinic, reveals Thailand's wellness tourism market saw recent, powerful 36.4% annual growthapproximately three times the average global growth rate. MIAMI, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Wellness Institute (GWI), the leading nonprofit research organization for the global wellness industry, has announced the renewal of its partnership with BDMS Wellness Clinic for a fourth consecutive year. This ongoing collaboration ensures continued access to in-depth research and data-driven insights on Thailand's evolving position within the $6.8 trillion global wellness economy. Thailands continued rise as a global wellness leader reaching a $42.7 billion market and achieving double-digit growth reflects both the countrys deep cultural commitment to wellbeing and its forward-thinking investments in innovation and preventive health Thailand's wellness market expanded from $38.8 billion in 2023 to $42.7 billion in 2024. According to the latest Global Wellness Economy: Country Ranking Report by GWI, Thailand ranked #7 among the world's top 25 wellness markets for growth between 2023 and 2024, achieving an impressive 10.1% increase. In 2024, Thailand maintained its position as the world's 24th largest wellness economy, ranking 9th in the Asia-Pacific region. The country is ranked 15th globally for wellness tourism, where spending surged by 36.4% between 2023 and 2024 one of the fastest growth rates worldwide bringing the market to $14 billion. Other fast-growing wellness sectors in Thailand include wellness real estate (22.9% annually) and spas (18%). The spa sector demonstrated strong momentum, with spending at destination spas and hotel/resort spas increasing by more than 20% between 2023 and 2024. "Thailand's continued rise as a global wellness leader reaching a $42.7 billion market and achieving double-digit recent growth reflects both the country's deep cultural commitment to wellbeing and its forward-thinking investments in innovation and preventive health," said Susie Ellis, chair and CEO of GWI. "The remarkable expansion in wellness tourism, spas, and wellness real estate highlights how Thailand is meeting the evolving expectations of today's wellness consumers while shaping the future of the global wellness economy. We are deeply grateful to BDMS Wellness Clinic for their sustained partnership and vision. Their ongoing support makes it possible to deliver credible data and insights that empower industry leaders, policymakers, and communities to build a stronger, more resilient wellness ecosystem in Thailand and beyond." "At BDMS Wellness Clinic, we believe that a strong wellness economy must be built on credible data, evidence-based insights, and a long-term vision," said Dr. Tanupol Virunhagarun, M.D., chief executive officer of BDMS Wellness Clinic and BDMS Wellness Resort, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited (BDMS). "Our continued collaboration with the Global Wellness Institute and our sponsorship of the Geography of Wellness data underscore our commitment to supporting preventive healthcare and positioning Thailand as both a regional and global wellness hub. Access to robust wellness intelligence enables us not only to design more effective and personalized wellness solutions, but also to contribute meaningfully to national policy dialogue, industry development, and sustainable economic growth. We regard this partnership as a long-term investment in the future of Thailand's wellness economy one that benefits healthcare providers, businesses, and society as a whole." Living Well in Thailand Thailand has long been a top global destination where visitors enjoy its tropical islands, nature sanctuaries, historical and cultural heritage, vibrant urban scenes, and bustling markets. For the Thai people, wellness is deeply embedded in everyday life: from Buddhist spiritual practices and a longstanding martial arts heritage such as Muay Thai, to a cuisine rooted in fresh, natural ingredients and a sophisticated, fast-evolving fitness market. Thailand is also recognized for its world-class wellness retreats and medical tourism offerings. With well-established tourism, healthcare, and wellness sectors, Thailand offers residents and visitors abundant possibilities, as well as diverse and integrated experiences and services, enabling them to live well, become well, and stay well. Key Wellness Experiences in Thailand The wellness economy in Thailand is robust, diverse, and resilient. As the Asian travel market accelerated beyond pre-pandemic levels, visitors are eager to visit Thailand for wellness getaways and yoga retreats. In the spa sector, traditional Thai therapies and herbal remedies are often incorporated into treatment programs, and Thai massage has earned global recognition in spa circles worldwide. Adjacent to its spa sector are medical wellness facilities offering comprehensive preventive health checkups and wellness retreats that meet diverse needs from longevity and fertility support to heart and brain health at the genetic and cellular levelsat cost-effective prices compared to many rival destinations. With all that it has to offer, Thailand stands out as a premier destination for those seeking high-quality, world-class health and wellness experiences at competitive value. Phuket, Thailand will host the 20th anniversary of the Global Wellness Summit, a prestigious gathering of international thought leaders shaping the future of the wellness industry, taking place from November 10-13, 2026. About the Global Wellness Institute The Global Wellness Institute (GWI), a nonprofit 501(c)(3), is considered the leading global research and educational resource for the global wellness industry and is known for introducing major industry initiatives and regional events that bring together leaders to chart the future. GWI positively impacts global health and wellness by educating public institutions, businesses and individuals on how they can work to prevent disease, reduce stress and enhance overall quality of life. Its mission is to empower wellness worldwide. About BDMS Wellness Clinic As Thailand's largest private healthcare network, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS) provides advanced medical-based wellness services through its flagship wellness center, BDMS Wellness Clinic. Grounded in scientific evidence and personalized medicine, BDMS Wellness Clinic has grown to become Thailand's largest wellness clinic network, with 25 branches nationwide. Building on more than 50 years of tertiary-level medical across its network of 58 hospitals, the BDMS group is extending its strengths into the wellness space, helping individuals proactively optimize their health and improve long-term wellbeing. SOURCE GLOBAL WELLNESS INSTITUTE A woman walks past an anti-US billboard in Tehran. Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/Reuters (Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/Reuters) High-stakes talks between the US and Iran over the future of Tehrans nuclear programme ended on Thursday without a deal, as the White House weighs a military operation that would mark its largest intervention in the Middle East in decades. The Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, claimed good progress had been made at the talks and Omani mediators predicted negotiations would reconvene at a technical level next week in Vienna. But there was no immediate evidence to support suggestions that the two sides had drawn closer on the fundamental issues of Irans right to enrich uranium and the future of its highly enriched uranium stocks. Nonetheless, the Iranian and Omani mediators sought to cast the talks in a hopeful light, likely seeking to avert a US threat to launch strikes from its fleet of aircraft and warships that have massed in the region. Araghchi described the talks as one of our most intense and longest rounds of negotiations. He confirmed that further contacts would take place in less than a week. The indirect talks in Geneva were held in two sessions, with reports that the US team led by Donald Trumps special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, had been disappointed by the proposals put forward by Iran. The brevity of the second session of talks appeared ominous, observers said. Iranian officials rounded on reports in US media that suggested Tehran would be required to end enrichment and allow its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to leave Iran. At one point, to the frustration of Tehrans team, Witkoff had to break off his talks with Araghchi, to drive across the Swiss city to meet Ukrainian negotiators. Related: Anxiety mounts across Middle East over potential war between US and Iran The Omani mediators rejected the suggestion of a breakdown, claiming new and creative ideas were being exchanged with an unprecedented openness in what was being billed as a third decisive round of indirect consultations. The US is demanding permanent Iranian guarantees on uranium enrichment and inspection mechanisms that will satisfy Washington that Tehran will never be able to build a nuclear weapon. Iran has always denied having such a goal. The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has also said Irans refusal to discuss its ballistic missile programme is a problem, prompting Irans foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, to complain about inconsistencies in the US negotiating demands. The talks are being held against the backdrop of Trumps unprecedented buildup of US assets in the region, including two aircraft carrier strike groups, attack aircraft, plane-refuelling equipment and submarines equipped with Tomahawk missiles. At heart of the talks is whether the US will try to debar Tehran from almost all uranium enrichment. The right to enrich uranium domestically has long been seen as a symbol of Iranian national sovereignty, and was conceded by the US in the 2015 nuclear deal. Some of the dispute about enrichment can be deferred since Trump claimed that Irans three main nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan had been obliterated by US bombs last June, making it technically impossible to enrich uranium in high quantities for the foreseeable future. Tehran refused to allow the UNs nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect the scale of the damage to the sites since the US attack. Rubio said on Wednesday: Theyre not enriching right now, but theyre trying to get to the point where they ultimately can. A US demand that the three facilities be permanently dismantled would conflict with Irans proposal that low-level enrichment should be permitted under UN supervision, possibly after three to five years. The US did not previously object to such a plan. A further impasse lies in the fate of Irans stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity, close to nuclear weapons grade. The IAEA says Tehran has yet to identify the whereabouts of a stockpile of 400kg enough to build five to six bombs similar in power to the one that destroyed Nagasaki in 1945. The IAEA also estimated in May last year that Iran had 8,000kg of uranium enriched to 20% or below. The highly enriched stockpile could be down-blended in Iran, as Tehran proposes, or exported to Russia or the US. It would be a major Iranian concession for its entire 8,000kg stockpile to be sent to the US, even if it led to many US and UN economic sanctions being lifted. One Iranian official in Geneva insisted: The principles of zero enrichment for ever, dismantling of nuclear facilities and transferring uranium stocks to the US is completely rejected. Trump now has the military assets in place to strike Iran either as part of an extended assault designed to enforce regime change, or to carry out a more targeted strike designed to force Tehran into a more flexible negotiating position. Trumps coercive negotiating deadlines have always been flexible, but his military commanders will not want to keep such a large and expensive concentration of forces on a leash for much longer. Trump is under domestic pressure to show that he has not taken the US down a negotiating blind alley, with Democrats demanding a vote in Congress on what they are describing as his war of choice. An Associated Press poll this week found that 56% of Americans did not trust Trump to make the right decision to use military force outside the US. Related: The patience and the poker face: Irans wily diplomat set to face the US in nuclear talks The director general of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, has moved centre stage in the talks since his imprimatur is needed to convince Washington that Irans guarantees on future low-level enrichment can be technically verified. Tehran is also insisting it will not negotiate on non-nuclear issues. It has ruled out making its ballistic missile programme or its support for resistance groups across the Middle East part of the discussions. It describes its ballistic missiles, some with a range of 1,300 miles (2,000km), as purely defensive. Rubio said on Wednesday that the ballistic missile programme would have to be addressed at some point, an admission that the subject may not be on the immediate agenda, but could not be disbarred from later talks. He said: Iran refuses to discuss the range of its missiles with us or anyone else, and this is a big problem for us. Iran has missiles that increase their range every year, and this could be a threat to the United States because the range of the missiles may reach American soil. Its short-range missiles could also hit US bases in the region, he noted. Draft executive order claims Beijing interfered in 2020 poll, which Donald Trump lost to Joe Biden - ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images Donald Trump could declare a national emergency over apparent Chinese election interference, it has been claimed. The move would allow the US president to exert presidential powers over elections, imposing voter ID requirements and banning mail-in ballots, according to The Washington Post. Peter Ticktin, a lawyer behind a draft executive order apparently seen by Mr Trump, said the president was aware that there are foreign interests that are interfering in our election processes. That causes a national emergency where the president has to be able to deal with it, he continued. The draft executive order claims China interfered in the 2020 presidential election, which Mr Trump lost to Joe Biden. A declassified intelligence review released during Mr Bidens administration concluded that China considered efforts to influence the 2020 election but did not go through with them. Tulsi Gabbard, Mr Trumps national intelligence chief, is reviewing election security with a focus on foreign interference. The FBI seized ballots from the 2020 presidential election in Fulton County, Georgia, earlier this month. Mr Trump has vowed to impose voter ID requirements himself by Novembers mid-terms if congress fails to pass similar legislation, warning that Democrats will otherwise attempt to cheat. I have searched the depths of Legal Arguments not yet articulated or vetted on this subject, and will be presenting an irrefutable one in the very near future, the president said on his Truth Social platform on Feb 13. In a subsequent post the same day, he added: I will be presenting them shortly, in the form of an Executive Order. Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national, is reviewing election security with a focus on foreign interference - Nathan Howard/Reuters Most Democrats oppose voter ID requirements and bans on mail-in ballots, arguing such moves would suppress votes by American citizens, including the elderly or minority groups. In addition to the ID and mail-in ballot requirements, the president would have the power to ban voting machines. Mr Ticktin told The Washington Post he had certain co-ordination with the White House, but declined to name specific officials. However, he is seen as potentially influential within the administration, having represented a county official whom the president pardoned in December. A White House official said staff regularly spoke to individuals who wanted to share potential policies with the president, but dismissed reports of the draft executive order as speculation. President Trump is committed to ensuring that Americans have full confidence in the administration of elections, said Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesman. That includes totally accurate and up-to-date voter rolls free of errors and unlawfully registered non-citizen voters. The president has 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. Supporters of KGM outside court in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters (Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters) For the first time, a jury will hear testimony this week from a young woman who alleges social media companies intentionally create addictive products, harming children. The witness taking the stand, known by her initials KGM, is the lead plaintiff in an expansive lawsuit against Meta which owns Instagram and Facebook and YouTube currently at trial in Los Angeles. KGM, who is now 20, alleges that she became addicted to social media apps before she was 10 and would spend hours every day scrolling through photos and videos. This led to years of mental health issues, according to her lawyers and court documents. KGM is expected to testify about how her constant use of social media led to depression, anxiety and body dysmorphia. According to court documents, her mother attempted to block her use of the apps to no avail. She developed a compulsion to engage with those products nonstop, due to their addictive design and constant notifications, her lawsuit says. This trial is the first in a consolidated group of cases in Los Angeles superior court brought against the social media companies on behalf of more than 1,600 plaintiffs, including more than 350 families and 250 school districts. KGMs case is also the first of more than 20 bellwether trials, which are used to gauge juries reactions and potential verdicts, as well as set legal precedent. TikTok and Snap were originally named as defendants in KGMs case, but just before the trial began last month, both companies reached settlement agreements with the plaintiffs, the terms of which have not been publicly disclosed. Meta and YouTube deny wrongdoing in the case. Liza Crenshaw, a spokesperson for Meta, said: The question for the jury in Los Angeles is whether Instagram was a substantial factor in the plaintiffs mental health struggles. The evidence will show she faced many significant, difficult challenges well before she ever used social media. Meta also filed a brief on Wednesday arguing that KGMs mental health issues were exacerbated by her home life. A YouTube spokesperson, Jose Castaneda, called the allegations in the lawsuits simply not true and said that providing young people with a safer, healthier experience has always been core to our work. Before KGMs testimony, which is expected on Thursday, youth leaders, online safety advocates and parents held a Wednesday press conference on the courthouse steps. Lennon Torres, the campaigns and program manager for advocacy group Heat Initiative, emphasized the importance of the first-of-a-kind trial. Let me be very clear about one thing: the verdict in this case is not the point. That is not justice. This is justice, Torres said. We have found a microphone and a voice that breaks through their predatory algorithms, and we will be heard. Along with KGM, jurors are also expected to hear from her mother, Karen, and sister Keanna. KGMs former therapist, Victoria Burke, testified on Wednesday, saying she worked with KGM when she was 13 and diagnosed her with body dysmorphic disorder and social phobia, according to NBC News. The therapist said that the teen would often turn to her phone to make it look as if she were doing something rather than sitting and being perceived as having no friends. Burke said she thought social media played a part in KGMs mental health issues, but was not solely to blame. I believe it was a contributing factor, not a causation factor, she testified. Over the course of the trial, KGMs lawyers have called to the witness stand Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta; Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, and Cristos Goodrow, the vice-president of engineering at YouTube. Zuckerberg said during his testimony last Wednesday that Meta had improved in identifying underage users, but he added: I always wish that we could have gotten there sooner. He said some users lie about their age when joining Instagram and that the company removes those it identifies as underage. The plaintiffs lawyers hit back at those claims: You expect a nine-year-old to read all of the fine print? Thats your basis for swearing under oath that children under 13 are not allowed? When Mosseri took the stand a week earlier, he pushed back on the science behind social media addiction, denying that users could be clinically addicted. He described childrens high usage of Instagram as problematic use similar to watching TV for longer than you feel good about. Psychologists do not classify social media addiction as an official diagnosis, but researchers have documented the harmful consequences of compulsive use among young people, and lawmakers around the world repeatedly voiced concern about social networks addictive potential. KGMs lawyers are expected to wrap their arguments in the coming days and then Meta and YouTubes lawyers will present their cases. Spain will check the passports of British travellers flying to Gibraltar under a post-Brexit treaty. The move, confirmed on Thursday, marks a breakthrough in discussions that have been ongoing since Britain left the European Union in 2020. Gibraltar is set to retain its British sovereignty, with a fluid border for both people and goods, under a new draft treaty with the EU. Gibraltar was ceded to the UK by Spain under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 (AP) The deal, announced jointly by the UK and Gibraltar governments, will eliminate routine passport checks at the Spain-Gibraltar border, benefiting the estimated 15,000 individuals who cross over daily. More controversially, there will be dual border control checks at Gibraltar airport for those arriving from the UK, which will be carried out by both Gibraltar and Spanish officials. There will also be a tailored customs model to eliminate burdensome goods checks, the UK said. The draft agreement does not affect sovereignty and will protect the UKs autonomy over key military facilities. Gibraltars airport is run by the Ministry of Defence and hosts an RAF base. The overseas territory also has an important naval facility. People celebrate National Day in the contested territory (AP) The agreement comes after decades of problems at the border with Spain, which claims Gibraltar for its own. The issue became a crisis for Gibraltarians when the UK left the EU and, in effect, ended freedom of movement with the rest of the bloc. Gibraltars chief minister, Fabian Picardo, said the treaty would protect the British way of life on the Rock, while unlocking new opportunities for growth, and that the agreement would unequivocally protect its position, safeguard the economy and deliver the certainty people and businesses need. It allows Gibraltar to look to the future with confidence, he said, protecting our British way of life while unlocking new opportunities for growth and prosperity. It is an agreement that is very good for Gibraltar-based individuals and businesses that will deliver great growth for our economy. Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty said it would ensure that Gibraltars economy, people and future are protected as an integral part of the British family. Working closely with the government of Gibraltar and agreeing nothing without their consent we have a treaty that preserves sovereignty and delivers certainty when Gibraltars way of life was threatened. The UKs commitment to Gibraltar will never falter. But the Tories hit out at how the draft agreement had been unveiled. Shadow foreign office minister Wendy Morton said: This is a treaty of over a thousand pages with profound constitutional changes that fundamentally reshape how Gibraltars border, airport and legal framework will operate, yet parliament has not seen a single page of it. Gibraltar is British. Its people have repeatedly and overwhelmingly chosen to remain under British sovereignty. Any treaty that hands Spain new powers over entry, residency, infrastructure or enforcement must be examined, line by line, by parliament before it takes effect. Parliament cannot be expected to sign a blank cheque to the EU. We need the full treaty in front of us before a single provision is allowed to take effect. Talks on rules governing the border have been ongoing since Britain left the EU in 2020 (Getty/iStock) Gibraltar was ceded to the UK by Spain under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, and the population is heavily in favour of remaining a British overseas territory. The last time it voted on a proposal to share sovereignty with Spain, in 2002, almost 99 per cent of Gibraltarians rejected the move. Talks on rules governing the border have been ongoing since Britain left the European Union in 2020. The treaty, published in draft form on Thursday, still needs to be signed, ratified an implemented. The first Ukrainian drone production factory started operations in Suffolk on Wednesday, in a boost for Britains defence industry. Ukrainian firm Ukrspecsystems has invested 200m into sites in Mildenhall and Elmsett, and is expected to create up to 500 British jobs at the locations and the wider UK supply chain. Luke Pollard, minister for defence readiness and industry, said: Ukrspecsystems new factory is a vote of confidence in UK support and underlines the deepening cooperation between our nations defence industries. This investment will create up to 500 new jobs in the East of England, drive defence as an engine for growth, and help Ukraine defend itself against Putins aggression. The UK has previously ordered over 80 SHARK and Mini-SHARK drones from Ukrspecystems factories in Ukraine, and hailed the plant opening as a clear demonstration of the 100 Year Partnership between the two countries. Valerit Zaluzhnyi, the Ukrainian ambassador to Britain, says the plant represents an expansion of cooperation between the two countries (Valerii Zaluzhnyi/X) The firm, founded in 2014, produces a variety of drones, which have caused almost $3bn (2.6b) in damage to Vladimir Putins war machine since February 2022, according to the British Ministry of Defence. Valerit Zaluzhnyi, the Ukrainian ambassador to Britain, said on Wednesday that the plant represented an expansion of cooperation between the two countries. Ukraine is fighting a war amid constant missile strikes, infrastructure destruction and threats to production facilities. Therefore, the launch of production in the UK has a deep strategic logic, he said on social media. Zaluzhnyi, a former commander of the Ukrainian armed forces, says Ukrspecsystems has proven the efficiency of its drones on the front line (Valerii Zaluzhnyi/X) This is not a shift of the centre of gravity away from Ukraine. It is an expansion of our joint capabilities and the creation of a second line of defence that guarantees continuity of production. Mr Zaluzhnyi said the centre of engineering expertise would remain in Ukraine while production would be integrated into Britains defence industry. Ukraines defence industry has grown fast during the four years of the war with Russia. Its production capacity is estimated at $50-55bn (43.6-47bn) this year, meeting more than 50 per cent of the Ukrainian armys needs. Kyiv is also now preparing to resume exporting materiel and services for the first time in four years. Ukraines production capacity is estimated at $50-55bn this year, meeting more than 50 per cent of the Ukrainian armys needs (Valerii Zaluzhnyi/X) Davyd Aloian, deputy secretary of Kyiv's National Security and Defence Council, said last week that the country could export several billion dollars worth of goods and services in 2026, with a significantly higher potential than pre-war exports allowed. Ukrspecsystems says on its website that it is working in the UK as part of the 1Force consortium, jointly with British Eagle Eye Innovations Ltd and Digital Concepts Engineering Ltd. Repairs to the Druzhba pipeline that carries Russian oil to eastern Europe cannot be completed quickly despite requests from the EU and protests by Hungary, Zelenskyy said on Wednesday. Firstly, its not that fast, he told reporters, adding that Russian strikes had destroyed the pipeline linking the Black Sea port of Odesa with Druzhba. This is not their first strike, and they continue to hit the energy sector. Shipments of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia have been cut off since 27 January, when Kyiv says a Russian strike hit pipeline equipment in western Ukraine, and Slovakia and Hungary say Ukraine is to blame for the prolonged outage. The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said during a visit to Kyiv on Tuesday to mark the wars fourth anniversary that the EU was asking Ukraine to speed up repairs. Zelenskyy said: They advise us to repair it, but they know that there have already been attacks on Druzhba. Our people were injured so that it would work. Black and Asian women face unacceptable racism, patients have been left lying in pain, and a mother was told she was too fat to have children, a damning review exposing failures in NHS maternity units has found. A national maternity and neonatal investigation (NMNI), led by Baroness Valerie Amos, found staff shortages, capacity issues, racism and discrimination and lack of accountability when things go wrong meant women and babies across the country were being failed. The review, which followed interviews with 400 families and accounts from 8,000 people, found shocking examples of racism, include Asian women stereotyped as princesses and black womens pain not being taken seriously. It also highlighted the poor condition of hospitals, with rooms usuable due to leaking roofs and fire hazards, leaving women forced to give birth in corridors. In one hospital women who needed an assisted vaginal delivery had to deliver their babies with the door of their room open due to a lack of space. It is inconceivable that anyone would choose to give birth in such a manner. We have to ask ourselves how this can be regarded as acceptable in 2026? the report questioned. Baroness Amoss findings uncovered a slew of other failings, including: Stretched maternity services forced to delay inductions and planned C-sections Poor bereavement care with patients taken through a delivery suite with their dead baby, hearing other mothers in labour Families disregarded or not listened to during pregnancy and labour Women left to wrongly blame themselves if their babies are harmed or die Young families facing judgement and discriminatory attitudes due to their age One woman who was told she was too fat too have children In the foreword to her interim report, published on Thursday, Baroness Amos said time and time again families and staff see the same issues repeated despite numerous reviews and calls for change. This cycle must stop, she said. The damning testimonies come amid a wider crisis in maternity services across the UK, with reviews into failures and deaths at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals Trust, East Kent NHS Trust, Nottingham University Hospitals Foundation Trust and Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust. The Amos inquiry found women pointing to a postcode lottery of care, with Baroness Amos agreeing this looks like a fragmented service. She said: We have heard about families being disregarded and not listened to during pregnancy and labour, a lack of kindness and compassion, and reluctance on the part of trusts and professionals to admit mistakes and say sorry when things have gone wrong We have seen maternity and neonatal services trying to respond in difficult circumstances and dealing with competing pressures but too often failing to deliver the safe care that women, families and babies expect and deserve, at times with devastating consequences. Shocking levels of racism and discrimination were uncovered, which Baroness Amos said were of great concern. They include Asian women being stereotyped as princesses with staff implying they are unable to cope with pain, and one hospital where a staff member told trainees the bloody Asian ones just go on and on and on. Black women told the inquiry they felt they were not believed when complaining about their pain, as if they had tough skin and could tolerate it. One Black woman said that when begging for help, she was made to feel like an aggressive, angry Black woman. In another example, a Muslim parent said she was told by a nurse to turn it down; I dont want to hear it, as she listened to a recitation of the Quran. Reports of discrimination also featured among LGBT+ families and those who didnt speak English. They included one family who werent provided with translator who only found out their baby had died when they heard baby dead, wife really poorly. The report also highlighted striking shortcomings in the culture and leadership of maternity services, with some staff reporting they have been so heavily impacted by public scrutiny that they had been forced to hide their name badges or uniforms in public or lie about their jobs when meeting people outside of work. Michelle Welsh MP, for Sherwood Forest, who chairs an all-party parliamentary group on maternity services, called for urgent reform to turn services around. She said: For far too long, women and babies especially those from Black, Asian and deprived communities have faced unacceptable disparities in outcomes. If we are serious about rebuilding trust, we must confront that reality head-on and deliver genuinely equitable care. But this interim report cannot simply sit on a shelf. It must mark the beginning of meaningful, system-wide reform. Families deserve more than warm words; they deserve action. Baroness Amos will publish her first set of recommendations in Spring 2026, and a final report will be published later in the year. The public call for families to share their experiences remains open until 17 March. Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for NHS England said in response to the report: Too many women are still not receiving the high standards of care they should which is why we are significantly increasing the number of midwives, rolling out a new national safety signal system to identify problems earlier, and establishing national standards for maternal mortality rates. We value every midwife and maternity professional and are committed to supporting them to provide the best possible care. We will study the report carefully and learn from these findings. This story was updated at 8:54 with a response from NHS England. US and Iranian officials met for a third round of indirect talks in Geneva on Thursday to resolve their longstanding nuclear dispute amid Donald Trumps mounting threats of a military strike against Tehran. The two nations renewed negotiations this month in a last-ditch effort to find a diplomatic solution to the decades-long stand-off over Tehran's nuclear program, as the Trump administration imposed sweeping new sanctions and continued to build up its military presence in the Middle East. Irans foreign ministry said it was entering a third round of talks with seriousness and flexibility, stressing negotiations would only focus on nuclear topics and sanctions removal. Washington has pushed to expand talks to cover Irans missile stockpiles, support for armed groups and the treatment of their own people. US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, joined indirect talks with Irans foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, in Switzerland. The talks follow discussions in Geneva last week and will be mediated by Oman's foreign minister, Badr al-Busaidi. A deal is within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority, Araqchi said in a statement on social media, ahead of talks, while reiterating that Iran would not give up its right to peaceful nuclear technology, which Washington views as a potential pathway to nuclear weapons. Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L) meets his Omani counterpart in Geneva ahead of indirect talks on Thursday (Omani Foreign Ministry) US vice president JD Vance on Wednesday accused Iran of attempting to rebuild its nuclear program after US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites last June. Iran cant have a nuclear weapon. That would be the ultimate military objective, Vance told Fox News. In fact, weve seen evidence that they have tried to do exactly that As the president has said repeatedly, he wants to address that problem diplomatically, but of course the president has other options as well. Trump also raised the stakes as he claimed Iran was building missiles that would soon be able to reach the US during a rambling State of the Union address this week. After talks in Geneva earlier this month ended without clear resolution, Trump said he would prefer to resolve the crisis by diplomatic means - but would not allow Tehran to have a nuclear weapon. The president first threatened to bomb Iran last month as the government increased its crackdown on anti-government protests, and has since raced two aircraft carriers and dozens of jets to the region in a huge show of force. Trump warned on Monday that it would be a very bad day for Iran if no deal was reached to solve a longstanding dispute. Iran has threatened to strike American bases in the region if it is attacked. In this satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC, the headquarters of the US Navy's 5th Fleet is seen in Manama, Bahrain, on Saturday (Planet Labs PBC) An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson responded to the allegations by accusing the US of repeating big lies regarding its nuclear program, ballistic missiles and the number of protesters killed in the crackdown. US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, speaking in Saint Kitts and Nevis, said the Geneva talks would centre largely on Irans nuclear program. He reiterated Washingtons concerns over Tehrans ballistic missile activities, warning that Iran was seeking to develop them into intercontinental-range weapons. Beyond just the nuclear program, they possess these conventional weapons that are solely designed to attack America and attack Americans if they so choose to do so...They already possess weapons that can reach much of Europe already now, as we speak, Mr Rubio said. The Trump administration has been assembling a massive military force in the Middle East, prompting fears of a wider regional conflict. In June last year, the US joined Israel in hitting Iranian nuclear sites, in a strike which Trump claimed had obliterated the country's nuclear facilities. Mr Trump said on 19 February that Iran must make a deal in 10-15 days, warning that really bad things would otherwise happen. US President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the Capitol on 24 February (Getty) The US Treasury Department has unveiled sweeping sanctions targeting more than 30 individuals, entities and vessels accused of bankrolling Irans oil exports, ballistic missile program and weapons manufacturing network. Tehran was reportedly offering fresh concessions in exchange for sanctions relief and recognition of its right to enrich uranium, as it seeks to avert a US attack. However, the two sides remain deeply divided, including over the scope and sequencing of relief from crippling US sanctions, a senior Iranian official told Reuters. Inside Iran, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei faces what is seen as the gravest crisis of his 36-year rule, with the economy buckling under tightened sanctions and renewed protests following major unrest and a bloody crackdown in January. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, is also expected to be in Geneva during the talks for discussions with both sides, as he did last week. If you've been online at all within the past week, then you've definitely stumbled across videos of Punch, the baby monkey abandoned by his mother, who found solace in the arms of an orangutan plushie. It's so sweet, it's so tragic, and it's bringing the Internet together in ways we've never seen before. Everyone just wants to help the poor little baby monkey! So, when TikToker @brittymigs shared a video of herself reacting to videos of tiny little Punch, it went viral for its incredibly relatable vibes. Honestly, no notes. It's literally all of us this past week. I'm literally crying 17 times a day over this orphaned macaque. In the hilarious TikTok, Britt shows herself crying, mascara smeared under her eyes, as she talks about Punch's heartbreaking tale. As she tearfully recounts all the videos of Punch, it gets funnier and funnier as she begins Googling flights to Japan, calling 911, and even the FBI to help Punch. SIGN UP to get "pawsitivity" delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends "It feels like an experiment to see how sad I'll get!" wailed Britt. Honestly, same, girl. Big same. You have to wonder what the deal is. Related: Punch the Baby Monkey Chooses Zookeeper as His New Bestie and We Cant Stop the Tears A Rough Week for Empaths Everywhere Shedrow / Shutterstock.com (Shedrow / Shutterstock.com) TikTok is relating hard to this hysterical reaction compilation to Punch the baby monkey. It currently has 3.8 million views, over 681,000 likes, and 4,411 comments from people who are heavily relating to Britt's complete and utter meltdown. "My son is in Japan and I told him that his first priority is to save Punch," wrote one commenter. "My husband came in the room last night & was likes omg what's wrong bc I was SOBBING watching punch the monkey stories ," said someone else. "No I truly cannot emotionally handle Punch," exclaimed a third. "Not me actively avoiding Punch videos cause I know I can't emotionally handle it," admitted another person. Definitely watch this funny TikTok if you have been personally traumatized by Punch's story. You will feel seen and understood all at once. If you need me, I'll be in the fetal position, figuring out how to afford a flight to Japan. Related: Punch the Monkey Grooming His Stuffie With New Little Bestie Will Steal Your Heart This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Feb 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here. (ES/Getty) Oliver Power Grant, a key player behind the rise of the Wu-Tang Clan, has died aged 52. The group confirmed the news on social media, writing: Rest in power, Power. No cause of death has been disclosed. Method Man paid tribute to his longtime collaborator on Instagram, posting: Paradise my brother safe travels! I am not okay. Fellow members GZA and Raekwon also shared messages of remembrance. Wu wouldnt have come to fruition without Power, GZA wrote. Oliver Power Grant has died aged 52 (Getty Images for Hulu) His passing is a profound loss to us all. My deepest condolences to the fam. Raekwon posted a photograph of the collective alongside Grant, adding: We been everywhere now you everywhere. The most high is merciful love you. Born in Jamaica in 1973 and raised in Staten Islands Park Hill projects, Grant grew up alongside several future members of the Clan. It was during a chess game that he earned the nickname Power. Grant played a pivotal role in the groups earliest days, helping to secure funding for their debut single Protect Ya Neck and serving as executive producer on their seminal 1993 album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Beyond the studio, he was instrumental in shaping the groups commercial empire. In 1999, he produced the PlayStation game Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style, extending the collectives mythology into gaming. He also oversaw the launch of Wu Wear, the groups clothing line, in 1995. Grant (L) and RZA (C) pictured in 2019 (Getty Images for Hulu) Under his leadership as CEO, the brand expanded into major department stores and opened standalone outlets across the United States, reportedly generating $25 million annually at its height. Reflecting on his business journey in a 2011 interview with music blog Passion of the Weiss, Grant described it as a hard-knock life. Wu Wear was pretty much like our entry in the fashion biz, he said. But before I was in Wu Wear, I was making and marketing the first Wu records with RZA. Everything that we learned was hard-knock life A lot of it was trial and error. There were no models. The original Wu Wear label was discontinued in 2008 amid widespread counterfeiting, though Grant and RZA revived the brand in 2017 in partnership with Live Nation Merchandise. Alongside his work in music and fashion, Grant also took on occasional acting roles. He made his screen debut in Hype Williams 1998 crime drama Belly, and later appeared in the 1999 film Black and White with Ben Stiller and Robert Downey Jr, as well as the 2004 mob drama Coalition and the unreleased Wendy Williams biopic Queen of Media. WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Govini will convene senior leaders from the Department of War, government, industry, capital markets, and the commercial technology sector for its annual Defense Software & Data Summit on March 10 at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. Leaders across government and industry have described this moment as a "golden era of defense," defined not by rhetoric, but by structural change. Acquisition authorities have expanded. Industrial base policy has sharpened. Capital markets are actively reallocating toward defense production, advanced manufacturing, and dual-use technology. The current Administration has created real policy momentum; the question now is whether industry and the Department can convert that momentum into sustained operational advantage. The Summit brings together the officials, executives, and capital allocators responsible for ensuring that acquisition reform, industrial capacity, capital formation, and software modernization move to deliver measurable defense outcomes. "This administration has demonstrated the will and ability to drive policy change. Translating those changes into execution across the Defense Acquisition lifecycle is now the defining leadership responsibility in the Department of War," said Tara Murphy Dougherty, CEO of Govini. "This Summit brings together the leaders who must ensure that reform translates into real capability and action, delivered at the speed and scale this moment demands." The invite-only 2026 Summit will bring together the officials and industry leaders responsible for translating reform into operational outcomes, including: Hon. Michael A. Obadal , Under Secretary of the Army , Under Secretary of the Army Hon. Brandon Williams , Under Secretary for Nuclear Security, Department of Energy, and Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration , Under Secretary for Nuclear Security, Department of Energy, and Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration Dr. Vic S. Ramdass , Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy , Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy Patrick N. Kelleher , Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Materiel Readiness , Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Materiel Readiness Andy Mapes , Acting Principal Deputy Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer, Office of the Secretary of War, Chief Digital & Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) , Acting Principal Deputy Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer, Office of the Secretary of War, Chief Digital & Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) Daniel B. Poneman , Former Deputy Secretary of Energy , Former Deputy Secretary of Energy Gen. Joseph A. Ryan , Commanding General, U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command , Commanding General, U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command Lt. Gen. Michael J. Lutton , Deputy Commander, U.S. Strategic Command , Deputy Commander, U.S. Strategic Command Rear Adm. Chad L. Jacoby , Deputy Commandant for Systems, U.S. Coast Guard , Deputy Commandant for Systems, U.S. Coast Guard Maj. Gen. Joseph D. Kunkel , Director of Force Design, Integration, and Wargaming, Deputy Chief of Staff for Air Force Futures , Director of Force Design, Integration, and Wargaming, Deputy Chief of Staff for Air Force Futures Tara Murphy Dougherty , Chief Executive Officer, Govini , Chief Executive Officer, Govini Christopher T. Calio , Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, RTX , Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, RTX Mark Marengo , Managing Director, Global Co-Head, Diversified Industries Investment Banking, J.P. Morgan , Managing Director, Global Co-Head, Diversified Industries Investment Banking, J.P. Morgan Joseph Larson, Vice President, Head of Government, OpenAI Moderated by leading national security journalists, the Summit will examine what it will take to align warfighter demand, capital, industrial capacity, and software systems across the defense enterprise to speed execution. Sessions will focus on: Synchronizing capabilities to meet the threat, munitions demand, investment, and manufacturing capacity Modernizing nuclear systems while preserving rigor and accountability Integrating acquisition, sustainment, and operations into a unified software-driven readiness model Embedding AI into legacy systems through trusted data and interoperable infrastructure The 2026 Defense Software & Data Summit is an invite-only gathering of senior decision-makers committed to strengthening national defense through software, data, and accountable execution. Attendees can request an invitation here: https://www.govini.com/request-an-invite-2026-defense-software-and-data-summit Media interested in covering the Summit should please contact: [email protected] About Govini Govini's industry leading software accelerates and modernizes the Defense Acquisition Process. Ark, Govini's flagship product, is a suite of AI-enabled Applications, powered by integrated government and commercial data, that solves problems across the entire spectrum of Defense Acquisition, including Supply Chain, Science & Technology, Production, Sustainment, Logistics, and Modernization. With Ark, the Acquisition community eliminates slow, manual processes and gains the ability to rapidly imagine, produce, and field critical warfighting capabilities. Ark transforms Defense Acquisition into a strategic advantage for the United States. To learn more about Govini, visit govini.com. SOURCE Govini It is election day in Gorton and Denton, and the polls are so tight it is impossible to call a winner. This crucial by-election is seemingly a three-way split between Reform, the Green Party and Labour. Whatever the result, the campaign itself has been an ugly one, with each party accusing the other of dirty tricks and the Greens criticised for manipulating an area with a large Muslim population in an attempt to divide the contest along religious lines. Allister Heath, a Daily Telegraph columnist, decries this retrograde step towards sectarianism as a disaster for democracy, and says elections should be decided on whether policies are good or bad, not whether you win the demographic war. Elsewhere, Camilla and Tim reflect on damaging disclosures by The Telegraph which reveal a very different picture about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsors final visit to say goodbye to Jeffrey Epstein in New York in 2010. Watch or listen to The Daily T every weekday: YOUTUBE | APPLE PODCASTS | SPOTIFY | AMAZON Luke Pollard, the defence minister who opened the factory, inspects a Mini-Shark drone produced by the Ukrainian manufacturers A Ukrainian company has opened a factory in Suffolk making drones for the war against Russia. The 200m facility is the first such manufacturing site in the UK and will produce thousands of drones for Kyiv. It is run by Ukrspecsystems, a Ukrainian company, and will support more than 500 jobs in Mildenhall and Elmsett. The company creates a range of machines, including reconnaissance drones. The site was opened by Luke Pollard, a defence minister. Our resolve to support Ukraine is stronger than ever, and we are backing Ukraines defiant armed forces as they fight for peace, he said. Ukrspecsystems new factory is a vote of confidence in UK support and underlines the deepening cooperation between our nations defence industries. Britain has previously ordered more than 80 Shark and Mini-Shark drones from Ukrspecystems factories in Ukraine, which have proved critical in giving Ukrainian troops an advantage over Russia. Shark drones are capable of hovering at almost 10,000ft for four hours and can provide vital battlefield intelligence on Russian positions. The little brother drone, the mini-Shark, weighs just 5.5kg and can perform a similar function while cruising at almost 23,000ft to beam back information on enemy troops. Gen Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraines ambassador to the UK, and defence minister Luke Pollard sign the wings of a drone - George Lucas/Schmooly Ukrspecsystemss British-built machines are expected to go directly into the hands of Ukrainian troops as they fight to repel Russias invasion, which marked its fourth anniversary on Tuesday. General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraines ambassador to the UK, said: This factory represents more than industrial cooperation it is part of a new European security architecture built on shared responsibility and shared production. Ukraine brings battlefield experience and innovation, and. together with the United Kingdom. we are strengthening the capabilities needed to deter aggression. Drones have become ubiquitous on the front lines of Ukraine and are now responsible for about 87 per cent of Russias casualties. One drone is as effective as 22 rounds of heavy artillery, when it comes to accuracy and lethality, Al Carns, the UKs Armed Forces Minister, said this week. Mr Carns added Moscow was suffering unimaginable operational costs, including the destruction of 10,000 armoured vehicles and 4,000 tanks, with Russia taking 1.25 million casualties since the full-scale invasion launched. More than 1bn has been committed by the UK to support Ukraines air defences since July 2024. Ukrspecsystems, founded in 2014, produces a wide variety of tech, including surveillance drones which communicate autonomously with strike drones to identify, track and destroy Russian targets. The companys drones have contributed to almost 2.2bn of damage to Vladimir Putins war machine since the onset of the full-scale invasion, the Ministry of Defence said. The UK has separately started producing Octopus interceptor drones, aiming to ramp up production to thousands per month. They are designed to take out Russian Shaheeds and other weapons at a fraction of the cost, part of the Ministry of Defences 4.5bn military support package for Ukraine. John Healey is determined to find out if strings were pulled to allow Jeffrey Epstein to land on MoD airfields - Matthew Horwood/Getty The Defence Secretary has ordered a review of all military records for any evidence of Jeffrey Epstein trafficking women into Britain using RAF bases. John Healey has told officials to leave no stone unturned in a hunt through more than two decades of Ministry of Defence files to find links to the paedophile financiers private jet. Last week, Gordon Brown claimed that the British state may have facilitated Epsteins crimes by allowing him to land at RAF bases, sometimes with unknown women aboard. The former prime minister is understood to be particularly concerned about a private flight Epstein took on a Gulfstream jet that landed at a Norfolk air base in December 2000, before a visit to Sandringham with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, after emails appeared to show he passed confidential information to Epstein from his time as a trade envoy. He has always denied any wrongdoing. Epstein is suspected of using his private jets to traffic women into the UK - US department ofjJustice/PA Mr Healey has ordered a trawl of MoD emails to find any record of Epstein or members of his team booking RAF airfields. The search will be conducted using details of Epsteins jet released by the US administration. An MoD source said: We will ruthlessly pursue any information that can shed light on this scandal. Although RAF flight logs are deleted after three months, it is thought that communications between MoD officials and private travel companies could reveal more information about Epsteins movements. Analysis of the Epstein files, a tranche of more than three million documents released by the US department of justice, shows that Epstein flew into RAF Marham in Norfolk and RAF Northolt in London at least four times between 2000 and 2019. But there have been further trips not discussed by Epstein by email that could be revealed by a search of military records. Epstein files - RAF bases used by Epstein's jet Some of the emails may include copies of passenger manifests, which could also be useful to police looking for more of Epsteins victims in the UK. It is not unusual for private jets to land at RAF bases when there are no military operations under way. An MoD spokesman said it was standard practice for spare capacity at RAF airfields in the UK to be used for private or commercial aircraft and that private customers were charged fees which cover all costs. Such use is not automatic and will only be approved when there is no adverse impact to military aircraft and where approval would not interfere with the security or smooth running of the airfield, they added. The spokesman later added: The Defence Secretary has ordered a review of all records that the department may hold relating to Epstein flights landing at RAF bases to ensure that any information which relates to Epsteins crimes is uncovered and provided to the relevant authorities. The MoD will support any civilian police investigations. Our thoughts are with all the victims of Epsteins vile crimes. On Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer dodged calls from the Liberal Democrats for a public inquiry into Epsteins use of British airports to traffic girls, arguing that ongoing police investigations must conclude first. He said the police investigation into Mr Mountbatten-Windsor must run its course before ministers decide what next action needs to be taken. Jonathan Groff will play Rosalind in As You Like It - Royal Shakespeare Company The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is to stage the first all-male production in its history. In a new performance of As You Like It, billed to begin in September, the organisation has cast Jonathan Groff, a Tony award winner, to make his RSC debut as Rosalind, the heroine of the play. It is understood to mark the first female-free production that the RSC has presented since it was founded in the 1960s by Sir Peter Hall, although during the playwrights time, all-male casts were the norm because of a ban on women appearing in the theatre. The director of the upcoming production said that it was conceived for balances sake as it coincided with an all-female cast of Julius Caesar, starring Dame Harriet Walter, who appeared in Succession. Dame Harriet Walter (left) played Lady Caroline Colingwood in Succession - HBO Discussing why he decided to make the cast all-male, Daniel Evans told The Times: We felt like that for balances sake as well as for fun that we could programme something that was a reflection. It is not a thing that I would want to do with any of the other plays. He explained that while Shakespeare played with cross-dressing in many of his plays, As You Like It was the only one in which the playwright specifically acknowledges in the epilogue that the actor playing Rosalind is not a woman. Playing on expectations The director said that the plays gender fluidity easily translated to an all-male cast. Rosalinds gender is a pivotal part of the comedy, as she escapes persecution by disguising herself as a man. He added: Shakespeare is clearly playing on expectations of masculinity and expectations of femininity and basically I also thought it was fun to have a boy dress up as girl who dresses up as a boy [Ganymede] who then pretends to be a girl [Rosalind]. Shakespeares Rosalind is considered the most substantial of the playwrights relatively few female roles, with 685 lines compared to Juliets 542 lines in Romeo and Juliet. David Tennant performs with Niamh Cusack as Rosalind in 1996 RSC performance - Royal Shakespeare Company Speaking about taking on the role, Groff, who starred in Hamilton and the TV hit Sex Education, said: In 2019, I went to Stratford-upon-Avon for the first time to take in the historic town and see a gender-swapped production of The Taming of the Shrew. The experience of seeing Shakespeare performed so brilliantly in Stratford hit me in a very primal way. Since that stirring experience in Stratford, Ive spent the last six years doing mostly theatre in New York. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to come back to Stratford and perform Shakespeare for the first time in my life. The early prep work Ive been digging into with Daniel [Evans] and Patsy Rodenburg, their emeritus director of voice, has already got me in a state of ecstasy. Daniel Evans (right), pictured with the RSCs joint artistic director Tamara Harvey, hailed Jonathan Groffs emotional availability - Andrew Crowley Mr Evans added: Jonathan has a rare ability to connect deeply with an audience. His generosity, his emotional availability and his total commitment are exactly the qualities I wanted for our Rosalind. He explained that he hoped to give audiences an opportunity to experience Shakespeares most sweet-tempered comedy in a way which is playful and joyful, and which inspires conversation about our world now. While all-male casts of Shakespeares plays were once a legal requirement, they have all but disappeared from Britains stages. Recent all-male casts of Shakespeares work include Declan Donnellans Russian-language Twelfth Night in 2003, created by his company Cheek by Jowl. The National Theatre also staged an all-male As You Like It in the late 1960s, starring Ronald Pickup as Rosalind. U.S. District Judge Brien E. Murphy in Boston issued an 81-page ruling on Wednesday, determining that the government cannot deport migrants to so-called third countries to which they have no ties -Credit:AFP via Getty Images (AFP via Getty Images) A federal judge in Massachusetts ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration cannot deport immigrants to other countries where they are not from, striking down a highly controversial White House policy. U.S. District Judge Brien E. Murphy in Boston issued an 81-page ruling on Wednesday, determining that the government cannot deport migrants to so-called third countries to which they have no ties. Under the decision, the governments first option is to deport migrants to their home country. However, if their home countries are deemed dangerous or they will face persecution, the government has the option to deport them to a country that has been designated by an immigration judge. Border Patrol officer detained by ICE when he showed up for work Donald Trump rambles for 1 hour 48 minutes at State of the Union but misses crucial detail After that process, the government will then have the opportunity to deport migrants to a third country after giving individuals meaningful notice, which will allow them to raise fears that they will be unsafe there. These are our laws, and it is with profound gratitude for the unbelievable luck of being born in the United States of America that this Court affirms these and our nations bedrock principle: that no person in this country may be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law, Murphy wrote. After that process, the government will then have the opportunity to deport migrants to a third country after giving individuals meaningful notice, which will allow them to raise fears that they will be unsafe there -Credit:AFP via Getty Images The case started after the Trump administration deported eight migrants to Djibouti, rerouting them after they had been ordered to go to South Sudan last March. Immigration advocates then filed a lawsuit to get them back to the U.S. for due process. Advertisement Last year, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the administration, putting a halt to one of Murphys decisions prohibiting the government from deporting migrants to third countries unless they had a meaningful opportunity to file claims of fear, arguing that they would be at risk of different dangers, such as torture, persecution, or death. The judge, who was nominated to the bench by former President Joe Biden, also argued that the Trump administration has attempted to violate his previous orders. He recounted that last March, the Defense Department deported at least six class members to El Salvador and Mexico without providing the process required under a temporary restraining order. Congress made it the policy of the United States not to expel, extradite, or otherwise effect the involuntary return of any person to a country where that person would be in danger of being subjected to torture, Murphy wrote on Wednesday, referring to the Immigration and Nationality Act and the United States Convention Against Torture. The judge, who was nominated to the bench by former President Joe Biden, also argued that the Trump administration has attempted to violate his previous orders -Credit:Getty Images Congress decided that the Government may not remove someone to a country where her life or freedom would be threatened, the ruling continued. Murphys decision was celebrated by the migrants lawyers, who said it proved the administrations practice had been unlawful. This is a forceful statement from the court that the administration has been violating the law, said Trina Realmuto, the lawyer in the case. The Trump administration has not yet commented on Wednesdays ruling. However, the White House had previously defended its policy of deporting migrants to third countries. The Trump Administration removed dangerous criminal illegal aliens from America in full compliance with all court orders, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said last year in a statement. We are confident in the legality of our actions and do not apologize for acting to protect the American people. As the heartwrenching story of Nancy Guthrie and her abduction continues, members of Guthries family (including Today host Savannah Guthrie) and the public at large start to worry about the outcome of the police and FBI investigation. Nancy first went missing on January 31, and as we near March, Nancy has still not been located despite authorities working around the clock. Even with recent rewards being offered to the public for anyone who can provide information that leads to Nancys location and her abductors arrest, the search for Nancy has taken on a more melancholy tone. However, one person being vocal about holding out hope that Nancy will be located and alive is Elizabeth Smart. Now 38 years old, Smart was once abducted as a teenager from her childhood home, and that kicked off a very public nationwide search. Given the outcome of her trying ordeal, she encourages people never give up as it applies to the search for Nancy. Elizabeth Smart Says, We Can Never Give Up SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 04: Australian-born presenter, Savannah Guthrie poses alongside her mother Nancy Guthrie during a production break whilst hosting NBC's "Today Show" live from Australia at Sydney Opera House on May 4, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage) On a February 26th episode of the Ladygang podcast, hosts Keltie Knight, Jac Vanek, and Becca Tobin spoke with Elizabeth about her take on the Guthrie investigation. Elizabeth was clear in stating: I know what law enforcement will tell you if a person disappears and they're not found within the first 24 to 48 hours, the chances of their survival drop down to almost zero percent. It's almost like they're dead. But I just always feel like we can't give up because if that was the mentality around my case, then I wouldn't be here today. Smart also shared on the podcast: Advertisement So, even though every passing day feels like we're losing more and more hope, or it seems like it's less likely that she'll be found, I think we just have to remind ourselves that we can never give up. Someone does know something," You can check out the nearly 30-minute podcast episode from the Ladygang below. Remembering What Happened to Elizabeth Smart Relying on facts from CNN, back in 2002, Americans were stunned to learn about the abduction of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart from her Utah childhood home. Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Eileen Barzee took her from her bedroom on June 5, and her younger sister, Mary Katherine, was the only witness. Mitchell also attempted to kidnap the Smarts cousin, Jessica Wright, in July, but thankfully was unsuccessful. Elizabeth would ultimately remain a kidnapping victim of Mitchell and Barzee for months until she was found well and alive on March 12, 2003. Her harrowing story of survival was detailed in the Netflix documentaryKidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, which came out just this year. Related: Golfer Max Homas New Health Initiative, TGL, and Approach to 2026 PGA Tour & More (Exclusive) This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Feb 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here. via Shutterstock In recent days, Royal Caribbean has been active in adjusting sails. Among them was a recent voyage on the Odyssey of the Seas, departing from Cape Liberty Bayonne, New Jersey. Royal Caribbean was forced to delay embarkation due to the East Coast winter storm. Thankfully, the cruise has set sail and is headed toward Port Canaveral. Royal Caribbean has made other adjustments. A change to the Liberty of the Seas itinerary in August is generating rave reviews among guests. For months now, guests on the sail have been advocating for a certain change. It seems like Royal Caribbean has listened and has enhanced the once-in-a-lifetime cruise for those on board. The change does come with the cancellation of a popular destination. Nonetheless, this was done to enhance a certain viewing experience. Here's a closer look at what Royal Caribbean had told its guests, and what the new itinerary looks like on what is expected to be an unforgettable cruise for those on the Liberty of the Seas. Royal Caribbean Listened To The Online Feedback And Has Adjusted Its Once-In-A-Lifetime Solar Eclipse Cruise Shutterstock A unique sail accompanied by an unforgettable view. That is the reality of Royal Caribbean's total solar eclipse sail set for August 12, 2026. With thousands of guests on board, Royal Caribbean wants to provide the best possible viewing experience. On social media, this has been a major topic, as guests sought an optimized experience. In an email to guests, Royal Caribbean revealed it won't be visiting Lisbon, Portugal, and will instead head directly to Vigo, Spain. Royal Caribbean wrote, "To give everyone the best possible total solar eclipse viewing experience during our sailing, we'll adjust our route after our visit to Gijon, Spain. Instead of stopping in Lisbon, Portugal, we'll head directly to Vigo, Spain, which places us in route to the optimal viewing area." Royal Caribbean adds that with the change, they've also been able to add port times to certain stops. The visit to Paris will now be "more rewarding," according to the cruise line, following adjustments not to the stop in Lisbon, Portugal. Advertisement Royal Caribbean ended its email by apologizing to guests for the change. However, clearly, an apology wasn't needed as cruisers were thrilled over the changes made to the once-in-a-lifetime cruise. How Royal Caribbean Guests Reacted To The Change Guests on the solar eclipse cruise responded positively to the changes made. One user wrote on Reddit less than 24 hours ago, "It looks like they listened to us! For those of us booked to go on the solar eclipse cruise on Liberty of the Seas on August 7, we originally were not going to see 100% totality, but with this email, I think they listened to us?! If so, super grateful for the change. Also, it looks like the ports changed a bit too to accommodate." Other cruisers agreed that Royal Caribbean did a fantastic job of listening to the noise on social media. This was clearly a positive change, and it has been met with high praise from Royal Caribbean guests. The cruise line is clearly giving its guests the best possible chance to view the solar eclipse, which will be an unforgettable experience for the 4,960 guests on the Liberty of the Seas. Royal Caribbean's New Intinerary For The Solar Eclipse Cruise On The Liberty Of The Seas Shutterstock Although losing out on Lisbon is a disappointing outcome, the general feedback is positive as more time will be spent at certain ports, while most of all, the viewing experience will be enhanced for all guests. Here's a look at the updated itinerary: Friday, August 7 Departure from Southampton Saturday, August 8 Day at sea Sunday, August 9 Bilbao, Spain Monday, August 10 Gijon, Spain Tuesday, August 11 Vigo, Spain Wednesday, August 12 Solar Eclipse day at sea Thursday, August 13 La Coruna Friday, August 14 Day at sea Saturday, August 15 Paris, France Sunday, August 16 Arrival in Southampton For those who book excursions in Lisbon through Royal Caribbean, refunds will be issued automatically. Exciting times for everyone involved in this August cruise. The Brief Michael Robinson, 43, is accused of traveling to Texas in 2024 and sexually assaulting a minor. Investigators say Robinson was arrested near Radnor Middle School, where he worked as a paraprofessional. Robinson was charged in December with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child Under 15-years-old. RADNOR, Pa. - Authorities say a Delaware County school employee is accused of traveling to Texas to sexually assault a minor he met online. What we know Michael Robinson, 43, was taken into custody near Radnor Middle School where investigators say he worked as a paraprofessional. Investigators believe Robinson traveled to Tyler, Texas in the summer of 2024 to meet a minor he had connected with online. Robinson, according to U.S. Marshals, allegedly sexually assaulted the teen over the course of a weekend. Advertisement Delaware County school employee accused of sex assault of minor in Texas Prosecutors in Smith County, Texas charged Robinson in December with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child Under 15-years-old. Robinson is being held at a Delaware County jail where he is awaiting extradition to Texas. What they're saying U.S. Marshals in Pennsylvania said Robinson's arrest shows that "sexual predators will always be pursued relentlessly." The Radnor Township School District said Robinson has been placed on leave and will not have contact with students. "Parents of the limited number of children to whom the employee was assigned were contacted by the administration immediately." The district said it is cooperating with law enforcement and has "no information indicating misconduct involving district students." With hope in short supply in Tigray, young people are flocking to the capital Fears of a return to war in northern Ethiopia are driving many people to leave the region of Tigray just over three years after the civil war there ended. "Those who can afford it fly, those who can't use buses," one person in the main city of Mekelle told the BBC - going on to explain how large numbers of young people were heading to the capital, Addis Ababa. The prices of goods are rocketing as people stock up on essentials and a run on the banks has meant there is now a daily limit on cash withdrawals of around 2,000 birr ($13; 10) per person. With cash shortages reminiscent of the brutal two-year conflict that ended in November 2022, those wanting to make big transfers often have to pay extra charges to do them electronically. What has happened to the peace deal? The civil war between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) saw an estimated 600,000 people killed, according to an envoy from the African Union (AU), and the region driven to the precipice of famine. So great fanfare and relief greeted the agreement that was brokered by the AU in November 2022. After it was signed in South Africa's capital, Pretoria, the guns were silenced, basic services were restored and normality began to return to Tigray. Each day there are long lines at banks in Mekelle as people are anxious to have cash in case there is a conflict However, fears were immediately raised over the absence of two of the warring parties from the signing ceremony: Eritrea, which borders Tigray to the north. Its forces had fought alongside the Ethiopian army for control of the region Amhara, a region which neighbours Tigray to the west and whose fighters also fought on the side of the Ethiopian army. In the early weeks of the war they seized land in the agriculturally rich area of western Tigray, which remains a source of dispute. The Ethiopian government has since fallen out with both its former ally Eritrea and the armed militias from Amhara. And as the country heads towards elections in June, the government has also been at loggerheads with the TPLF over the failure to resolve the future of disputed areas in Tigray, like those occupied by Amhara forces. It has all led to widespread distrust and means the Pretoria accord is unravelling fast. A map of northern Ethiopia, showing Tigray and Amhara, as well as Eritrea How have things escalated? There have been reports of a troop mobilisation in the north of Ethiopia and the UN has since described the situation in the region as "highly volatile". In late January brief clashes were reported between federal troops and Tigrayan fighters, who are agitating for the return of areas still under Amhara control. Drone strikes hit the region and flights to Tigrayan cities were suspended for nearly a week. Ethiopia has also accused Eritrea of meddling by backing Tigrayan forces, which it denies. The authorities in Addis Ababa see a growing closeness between the TPLF and Eritrea as a threat. Last October, Ethiopia's foreign minister wrote a letter to the UN chief alleging that Eritrea was forging an alliance with "hardliners within the TPLF" to "wage war" against Ethiopia. Last week, TPLF head Debretsion Gebremicheal said war was "looming" over Tigray and "the people will be under the obligation to resist aggression and defend themselves to maintain their existence". Why is the TPLF upset? It wants back territory it lost during the war, like western Tigray. Around a million people fled that area during the conflict and have been living in poor conditions in makeshift camps throughout Tigray. They have not been able to return home. A decision taken by the election board earlier this week that in June disputed areas would vote independently - not under the jurisdiction of either Amhara or Tigray - has further infuriated many Tigrayans. Scars from the previous war are still present in Tigray The TPLF, which was designated as a terrorist group during the war, also wants its legal status as a political party to be reinstated. But the process has been dogged by disagreements and the electoral board has revoked the TPLF's licence - meaning it cannot contest the upcoming elections. The TPLF itself has split into factions, with some members setting up a new party, complicating an already tense situation. The party had dominated Ethiopia's political landscape for two decades until Abiy Ahmed became prime minister in 2018 and set up a new party, which TPLF leaders refused to join. Abiy's supporters regard those left in the TPLF as "hardliners", blaming them for failing to properly implement the peace deal and cosying up to Eritrea leaving allegiances in the region dramatically different to the situation in 2020. Advertisement Why has Ethiopia fallen out with Eritrea? The two neighbours have long had a volatile relationship - flip-flopping from being friends to enemies. Eritrea officially seceded from Ethiopia in 1993 - but later fought a deadly border war. In fact, Abiy won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for ending the 20-year military stalemate with Eritrea that followed. But friendly relations further forged during the Tigray war have given way to a war of words over the Red Sea. This is because Ethiopia, the world's most populous landlocked nation, lost its Red Sea ports when Eritrea got its independence - taking with it a 1,350km (840-mile) coastline For Abiy this has become an existential crisis and he has been pushing for ownership of Eritrea's southern port of Assab - about 60km from the border - and hinted at the desire to take it by force. "The Red Sea and Ethiopia cannot remain separated forever," Abiy said during a recent parliamentary address. How is the Amhara region involved? A low-level rebellion has been rumbling on in Amhara since 2023 linked to anger that the help the region gave the government during the Tigray war has not been properly acknowledged. Amhara fighters, who took part in the Tigray war, feel betrayed by the government Those fighters want the area of western Tigray to be formally recognised as part of Amhara. Ethiopia has also accused Eritrea of involvement in this unrest which it denies. In January federal security forces in the Amhara region said they had seized 50,000 rounds of ammunition that they alleged had been sent by Eritrea to anti-government militias. What would another war mean for the region? The scars and trauma from the previous war are still present in Tigray. Much of the damaged infrastructure has not been rebuilt and the region's economy has not fully recovered. Chronic unemployment is pushing many young people from the region to attempt dangerous migratory routes seeking better opportunities in Europe and the Middle East. If a full-blown war was to break out between the Ethiopian army and the TPLF, or between Ethiopia and Eritrea, Tigray is likely to be the main battleground, which would devastate the region once again. It could also destabilise the wider Horn of Africa region. Ethiopia's western neighbour Sudan is already blighted by devastating violence that has unleashed the world's worst humanitarian crisis. "Any war between Ethiopia and Eritrea involving Tigray and other Ethiopian domestic actors is very likely to connect to Sudan. The two conflicts will be merged," US-based international relations expert Michael Woldemariam told the BBC. What can be done to prevent another conflict? Diplomatic pressure, particularly from the US, was seen as the key driver behind the 2022 peace deal. Gulf countries are now more involved in the region and so pressure from them could also avert another catastrophic conflict. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is said to have close relations with Addis Ababa while its rival Saudi Arabia is thought to be closer to Asmara. However, Michael is not optimistic. He notes that this time "the AU doesn't have the requisite leverage", the US's attention is elsewhere and the Gulf states are divided. Micheal notes recent efforts by Saudi Arabian officials, who have met the Ethiopian and Eritrean authorities, as a positive - but it's not clear how much success they could have given Saudi's own interests in the Red Sea and its rivalry with the UAE. You may also be interested in: A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News Africa Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts A federal judge appointed by former President Joe Biden on Wednesday blocked the Trump administration from deporting illegal immigrants to so-called "third countries" without first giving them notice and an opportunity to challenge their removal, in a high-stakes case that is likely headed to the Supreme Court. The ruling from U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy comes months after lawyers filed a class-action lawsuit in Boston challenging the Department of Homeland Securitys process of deporting illegal immigrants in the U.S. to so-called "third countries" countries that are not their home country and were not previously designated in their removal orders. Murphy ultimately sided with the migrants Wednesday, ruling that DHS' third-country removal policy is unlawful and violates due process protections under the U.S. Constitution. "This case is about whether the government may, without notice, deport a person to the wrong country, or a country where he is likely to be persecuted, or tortured, thereby depriving that person of the opportunity to seek protections to which he would be undisputedly entitled," Murphy said. Neither DHS nor DOJ immediately responded to Fox News Digital's request for comment on the case or whether the administration plans to appeal the ruling. Federal Judges In New York And Texas Block Trump Deportations After Scotus Ruling President Donald Trump wrote a letter that will be sent to migrants who legally obtained citizenship. DHS officials have previously claimed an "undisputed authority" to deport criminal illegal aliens to third countries that have agreed to accept them. "If these activist judges had their way, aliens who are so uniquely barbaric that their own countries wont take them back, including convicted murderers, child rapists and drug traffickers, would walk free on American streets," former Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in June, after the Supreme Court temporarily permitted the Trump administration to continue its deportation policy amid legal challenges. Read On The Fox News App In her June statement, McLaughlin said the Biden administration created a "national security nightmare" through lax immigration enforcement, which "allowed millions of illegal aliens to flood our country." Her critique echoed longstanding Republican arguments that Bidens early decisions to halt border wall construction and reverse Trump-era removal policies fueled a crisis that saw encounters peak at a record 2.4 million in 2023. While Biden eventually enacted a restrictive 2024 executive order that brought crossings down to 2020 levels, Trump campaigned on a promise of mass deportations to clear the backlog. His "third country" policy represents the front line of that effort aimed at deporting the "worst of the worst" to any nation willing to take them though a Biden-appointed judge now says the practice crosses a constitutional red line. The Department of Homeland Security "has adopted a policy whereby it may take people and drop them off in parts unknown in so-called 'third countries,' and, as long as the Department doesnt already know that theres someone standing there waiting to shoot thats fine," Murphy said in his opinion Wednesday. "It is not fine, nor is it legal." Murphy also rejected the Trump administration's claim that certain migrants living in the U.S. illegally lacked due process, noting that the clause applies to all "persons" within the U.S., regardless of immigration status. "These are our laws, and it is with profound gratitude for the unbelievable luck of being born in the United States of America that this Court affirms these and our nations bedrock principle: that no person in this country may be 'deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law,'" Murphy said. Murphy stayed the ruling from taking force for 15 days to allow the Trump administration time to appeal the case to the First Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, given what the judge acknowledged was the "importance" and "unusual history" of the case in question. Advertisement The ruling comes after Murphy presided for months over a class-action lawsuit filed by migrants challenging deportations to third countries, including South Sudan and El Salvador, as well as Costa Rica and Guatemala, which the administration has reportedly eyed in its ongoing wave of deportations. 'Woefully Insufficient': Us Judge Reams Trump Admin For Days-late Deportation Info FBI headquarters building in Washington D.C., on July 3, 2023. He has sparred with the Trump administration while overseeing the case, including in May, when he accused the administration of failing to comply with a court order requiring it to keep in U.S. custody six migrants who were deported to South Sudan without due process or notice. Murphy previously ordered that the migrants remain in U.S. custody at a military base in Djibouti until each of them could be given a "reasonable fear interview," or a chance to explain to U.S. officials any fear of persecution or torture, should they be released into South Sudanese custody. The judge's order is the latest attempt by federal court judges to rein in the Trump administration as it continues to deport migrants to third countries. Murphy previously acknowledged the criminal histories in question after Trump officials blasted the individuals removed as the "worst of the worst." "The court recognizes that the class members at issue here have criminal histories," Murphy wrote in an order last year. "But that does not change due process," he wrote. "The court treats its obligation to these principles with the seriousness that anyone committed to the rule of law should understand." White House officials, meanwhile, have blasted so-called "activist" judges as attempting to enact a political agenda, and have repeatedly rejected the notion that illegal immigrants are entitled to due process. Lower court judges have repeatedly ruled that the Trump administration has violated due process by failing to notify migrants of their imminent removals, or afford them the opportunity to challenge their deportations in court a view reiterated, albeit narrowly, by the Supreme Court four separate times since Trump took office. The Trump administration, for its part, succeeded in a separate Supreme Court case last year that narrowed the ability of federal courts to issue so-called nationwide injunctions blocking executive orders from taking force. Original article source: Biden-appointed federal judge rules Trump's 'third country' deportation policy is unconstitutional Victory is historic first jury verdict in new Texas Business Court HOUSTON, Feb. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A Texas-based team of Greenberg Traurig, LLP attorneys prevailed on February 20 in a jury trial for clients Albert Theodore "Ted" Powers and his entity Allied Ports, LLC in Powers et al. v. Berry et al., case number 24-BC11A-0025, in the Eleventh Division of the Texas Business Court in Harris County, Texas. The jury's verdict, which is the first to be rendered in any of the five divisions of the new Texas Business Court, which was established on September 1, 2024, as a specialized venue for complex commercial disputes with at least $5 Million in controversy, validates the parties' signing of a 2019 investment agreement granting Powers a 20% ownership interest in a Gulf Coast crude oil delivery system and marine terminal project that could be worth $2 Billion when completed. After a two-week trial that began on February 9, jurors found that Allen Lawrence Berry and his brother Marvin "Marty" Glenn Berry breached the investment agreement that granted Powers the 20% ownership interest in the project, subject to conditions. The jury also absolved Powers from counterclaims that he had breached his fiduciary duty to Marty Berry as an advisor and agent to the project under a separate compensation agreement. "We are pleased that the jury agreed with our position that people need to honor their contracts a deal is a deal," said Greenberg Traurig Litigation Practice Shareholder Roland Garcia, who led the team of attorneys in the firm's Houston and Austin offices. "It is rewarding to achieve this result for our client, who was committed to asserting his rights under the contract," said Real Estate Litigation Shareholder Cara Mittleman Kelly. Greenberg Traurig's core team representing Powers also included Litigation Associate Steven Higginbotham. They were assisted by Shareholders Elizabeth "Heidi" G. Bloch, Paul B. Kerlin, and Jennifer Tomsen, Of Counsels Stephen B. Edmundson and Sarah-Michelle Stearns, and Associates Emily D. Nasir, Christian E. Rice, and Sydney Sgovio. Powers was also represented in the case by the late Alistair Dawson, Jake McClellan, Mary Kate Raffetto, and Madeline Gay of the Beck Redden firm. After the jury rendered its verdict in his favor, Powers remarked: "I greatly appreciate the professionalism, perseverance, support, and good cheer of Roland Garcia, Cara Kelly, and their team at Greenberg Traurig and the critical contributions of the late Alistair Dawson, Jake McClellan, and their colleagues at Beck Redden. Their continuing combined efforts over the past 17 months have culminated in this historic first jury verdict in the Texas Business Court. I also applaud the diligence, focus, and wisdom of Judge Sofia Adrogue and have been deeply impressed by the concentration, patience, and ability of our jury of 12 Texas citizens to evaluate the complex body of evidence and appraise the parties' credibility in this important proceeding." About Greenberg Traurig, LLP Texas: Texas is important to Greenberg Traurig, LLP and the firm's history. With more than 175 Texas lawyers in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, Greenberg Traurig has deep roots in the Texas business, legal, and governmental communities. Greenberg Traurig Texas works with clients to address their interdisciplinary legal needs across the state, utilizing the firm's global platform. The Texas attorneys are experienced in industries key to the state's future, including aviation, chemicals, construction, education, energy and natural resources, financial institutions, health care, hedge funds, hospitality, infrastructure, insurance, media, medical devices, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, real estate, retail, sports, technology and software, telecommunications, transportation, and video games and esports. About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP has approximately 3,000 lawyers across 51 locations in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. The firm's broad geographic and practice range enables the delivery of innovative and strategic legal services across borders and industries. Recognized as a 2025 BTI "Best of the Best Recommended Law Firm" by general counsel for trust and relationship management, Greenberg Traurig is consistently ranked among the top firms on the Am Law Global 100, NLJ 500, and Law360 400. Greenberg Traurig is also known for its philanthropic giving, culture, innovation, and pro bono work. Web: www.gtlaw.com. SOURCE Greenberg Traurig, LLP Prosecutors allege Kevaughn Goldson was involved in a volatile relationship with Denitia Jackson leading up to the deadly fight. After a Missouri college student and track athlete was stabbed to death, his girlfriend has been arrested and charged in connection with the killing. On Tuesday, Feb. 24, officials at Lincoln University in Jefferson City announced in a press release that 23-year-old senior Kevaughn Goldson had been killed in an off-campus incident the day prior. Our thoughts are with family, friends, faculty, staff, and all who have been impacted by this tragic situation, university officials said in the statement. In the early morning hours of Monday, Feb. 23, Jefferson City police responded to a call at a residence near campus, where they found Goldson suffering from stab wounds to his back and chest, KRCG reported. He later died at a local hospital. Cole County prosecutors have since charged 27-year-old Denita Jackson, also a track and field athlete at the university and Goldsons girlfriend at the time, with second-degree murder and armed criminal action, according to ABC 17. Advertisement Goldson, who was from Kingston, Jamaica, was a senior and a member of the universitys mens track and field team. Jackson, a native of Berbice, Guyana, was also a senior and competed on the womens track and field team. According to charging documents, the two had been in a volatile romantic relationship with a history of domestic violence. On the day of the stabbing, Jackson told authorities that Goldson had spent the previous night in her room and was still there when she left for work the next morning, People magazine reported. The two had argued previously over a bottle of cologne that Jackson had promised to replace. Jackson said she began feeling ill at work and returned home early, only to find Goldson no longer in her room. She reported hearing voices coming from her roommates closed bedroom door and, after using a hair clip to force the lock, found Goldson in bed fully clothed with her roommate. According to court documents, obtained by the outlets, an argument between the couple escalated into a physical altercation after Jackson grabbed Goldson by the shirt collar. The roommate allegedly told them to stop before fleeing the room. Investigators allege that during the struggle, Goldson ended up on top of Jackson and was choking her when she reached under the roommates bed for a knife and stabbed him in the back. When that did not stop him, she allegedly stabbed him again in the chest. Jackson then called the police. She was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action and is being held without bond, according to court records. No court hearings have been scheduled as of yet. A voter shows her inked thumb after casting her ballot at a polling station during Nepal's parliamentary election in Kathmandu Counting of votes in Nepal's general election held on 5 March, shows the party of rapper and ex-Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah on course to win in a landslide. The Rastriya Swatantra Party's (RSP) win marks the first time in decades that a single party has garnered a majority in Nepal which has a two-system format that makes it difficult for any one party to win outright. The snap election was held six months after deadly youth protests toppled the government in September 2025. Who is ahead according to results released so far? As of 6:00 local time in Nepal on Monday (12:15 GMT), Balendra Shah's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has won 124 of 165 seats determined by direct voting as well as 58 of the 110 seats decided by proportional representation. Officials are currently tallying numbers for the 165 seats which will be decided via the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system. This means the candidates with the most votes wins the seat. The RSP has put forward rapper-turned-politician Balen Shah as its prime ministerial candidate. He defeated the former Nepalese Prime Minister Sharma KP Oli in his parliamentary constituency, taking him one step closer to becoming the country's next prime minister. If he is confirmed in that position, that would make him the youngest prime minister in the history of Nepal. When will we know the final result of the Nepal election? The full counting will be finished in a "few days", says Election Commission spokesman Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, said according to AFP. Most of the results have already been released in both counts - FPTP and PR. The speed of the results is a huge departure from previous polls. During the last election in 2022, it took nearly two weeks for results to be released. This is because some polling stations are located in difficult, hilly terrain more than 80% of Nepal is mountainous which makes the collection of ballot boxes a challenging logistical exercise. Some need to be carried down by hand, for instance, while others have to be airlifted in and out of polling stations. Planes and helicopters are also not allowed into some remote areas after dark, which often means collection can begin only the next morning. Bad weather also interferes with the collection process. Getting ballot boxes and election officials to all corners of the Himalayan republic is a logistical challenge In one remote village in Mustang district, where just four villagers were registered to cast their votes, 20 officials were deployed to deliver election materials as well as to supervise voting and ensure security on election day. A further 35 eligible voters from the village live in other parts of the country, but recent heavy snowfall has made it difficult for them to return. Nepal's law requires citizens to cast their ballots in their registered constituency, which is often where they were born. Counting of votes, which is done by hand, also usually takes a long time. Every political party would dispatch representatives to the counting centres and they will inspect every open ballot cast before they are counted. These representatives have sometimes been known to dispute issues like results and the validity of votes, which had previously led to recounts, further delaying the process. How did the vote take place? Nearly 19 million people, including almost a million first-time voters, registered to take part in the ballot to elect 275 members of parliament. Advertisement The election commission said 60% of registered voters took part in the poll. Most of the MPs - 165 of them - will be elected through first-past-the-post voting, meaning the candidate with the most votes wins the seat. The other 110 MPs will be selected via proportional representation (PR), which takes into account the proportion of votes cast for a political party. This two-system format makes it difficult for any one party to win outright, so whoever comes out top in the election will most likely need to govern in a coalition. According to the election commission, there were 6,541 candidates in total. Some 3,406 are standing in directly elected seats - more than 1,000 of them aged under 40 - while 3,135 candidates are contesting under the PR system. Voting started at 07:00 local time (01:15 GMT) and continued until 17:00 local time. Who are the main players in the Nepal election and where are the key contests? Balen Shah (in sunglasses) is one of the people to watch in this poll Not only did Balendra Shah take a parliamentary seat from former prime minister Oli, he also won with the highest vote total ever recorded in a Nepali election. The large number of winning candidates under the age of 40 in this election, including Shah, shows that the political pendulum has firmly swung in favour of the youth, says Amish Raj Mulmi, an analyst based in Kathmandu. Oli, 74, and his government were forced to resign last September amid mounting public anger at long-entrenched corruption and social inequality in the Himalayan republic. His party, the RSP, has also nudged other more established parties out of the running. The Nepali Congress, the country's oldest and largest party by membership, was projected as a strong contender only managed 17 seats in the direct vote - a distant second to the RSP which has 124 seats at last count. Oli's party, the Communist Party of Nepal UML, which won the second-largest share of seats in the last election has only won eight seats this time, and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) led by former Maoist leader Prachanda has won seven. What are the main issues in the Nepal election? The authorities said 77 people were killed during last September's demonstrations, many of them protesters shot by police. Crowds set fire to many buildings, including parliament, the Supreme Court and central government secretariat. The protests were triggered by a ban on social media but fuelled by anger against corruption, unemployment and economic stagnation. These are the main issues in the 5 March vote. Most political parties have put particular focus on issues such as better governance, fighting corruption and reducing employment in their manifestos, which is being widely seen as a nod to the frustrations that led to the toppling of the previous government. The Nepali Congress, for instance, has proposed holding a high-level investigation into the assets of public office holders since 1990. This election has important geopolitical ramifications too. Neighbouring India, which has historically had an outsized role in Nepal's political history, is watching closely. It has had a fractious relationship with former prime minister KP Sharma Oli in the past. This is primarily because it sees Oli as someone who has actively pursued a closer relationship with China, India's rival, during his several terms as prime minister. China has a major influence in Nepal and will be hoping that any future government is supportive towards its interests in the country, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The US has also been playing a role in this election and has been more aligned with India in terms of its strategic objectives, observers say. Kim Jong Un's comments came during North Korea's five-yearly party congress in Pyongyang Kim Jong Un has declared his intent to expand North Korea's nuclear arsenal and operational range - calling on the United States to respect his country's nuclear power, in a rare message to Washington. The United States and North Korea could "get along", Kim added, but only if the US accepts that North Korea's nuclear weapons are here to stay. His comments, which were made at a five-yearly party congress held in the capital Pyongyang, are seen as leaving a door open to talks with US President Donald Trump ahead of Trump's visit to China in April. However, Kim dashes hopes of any diplomatic thaw with South Korea, calling them the North's "most hostile entity". If Washington "respects our present [nuclear] position as stipulated in the Constitution... and withdraws its hostile policy... there is no reason why we cannot get along well with the United States," Kim said at the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, according to state media outlet KCNA. The future state of US-North Korea relations "depends entirely on the US attitude", Kim said. "Whether it's peaceful coexistence or permanent confrontation, we are ready for either, and the choice is not ours to make." He also addressed its neighbour South Korea, saying that it would "permanently exclude Seoul from the category of compatriots", adding that "as long as South Korea cannot escape the geopolitical conditions of having a border with us, the only way to live safely is to give up everything related to us and leave us alone". One analyst told AFP that Pyongyang's latest remarks signalled "an intention to pursue relations with the US independently, without going through South Korea." Kim also highlighted Pyongyang's nuclear programme, saying: "We will focus on projects to increase the number of nuclear weapons and expand nuclear operational means." Despite long-standing international sanctions, North Korea has continued to build its nuclear capabilities, regularly testing banned intercontinental missiles. State-run KCNA said this week that under Kim's leadership North Korea "radically improved" its "war deterrence", "with the nuclear forces as its pivot". Advertisement The secrecy of the regime, however, makes it difficult to evaluate how much progress its military has actually made. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), an independent think tank, estimated last year that North Korea had around 50 assembled nuclear warheads and enough fissile material to produce up to 40 more. Kim also previously called for a "limitless" expansion of the country's nuclear programme in November 2024. Last year, US President Trump released a global security road map that conspicuously did not mention the denuclearisation of North Korea as a goal - despite that being a constant in the National Security Strategy of every US president since 2003, when Pyongyang's nuclear programme emerged. The omission fuelled speculation that talks between Trump and Kim, last held in 2019, could soon be revived. Trump's previous road map, issued during his first term in 2017, mentioned North Korea 16 times - describing it as a threat and a rogue state that could "use a nuclear weapon against the United States". Kim, however, has long insisted that denuclearisation is not something Pyongyang is considering. "The concept of 'denuclearisation' has already lost its meaning. We have become a nuclear state," he told parliament in September. "I say 'denuclearisation' is the last, last thing to expect from us." "If the United States, freeing itself from its absurd pursuit of others' denuclearisation and recognising the reality, wants genuine peaceful coexistence with us, there is no reason for us not to come face to face with it." Kim's teenage daughter, Ju Ae, was photographed alongside him at the party congress Photos from the closing stages of this year's party congress also showed Kim's teenage daughter, Ju Ae, standing alongside her father in a matching black leather jacket at a military parade in Pyongyang. Earlier this month South Korea's spy agency told lawmakers Kim had selected Ju Ae - who is believed to be 13 - as his heir. The National Intelligence Service said it would would keep close tabs on whether she attended the party congress. Voters in Pennsylvania have mixed feelings about whether Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) would make a good president amid widespread speculation that he could enter the 2028 race, according to a new poll. The Quinnipiac University poll, released Wednesday, found that 40 percent of surveyed voters agreed Shapiro would do well in the role while 43 percent thought he would not make a good president. Sixteen percent of voters did not give an opinion. Support was high among Democrats at 69 percent and low among Republicans at 14 percent. The split among independents in the swing state was notable, with 44 percent saying they think Shapiro would not make a good president compared with the 32 percent who said he would. The poll also found that 56 percent of voters approved of how Shapiro, who is up for reelection, was handling his job as governor in his first term, a 4-point dip compared with his approval numbers in October of last year. The share of voters who disapproved of Shapiros job performance increased by 1 point from 28 percent to 29 percent. Polling analyst Tim Malloy indicated that while Shapiros numbers as governor were solid, public perception about whether he was a fit for the Oval Office was less certain. Not exactly a ringing endorsement, he said. The 52-year-old governor has been floated as a possible 2028 contender since before he was on the shortlist to be former Vice President Kamala Harriss running mate in 2024. Advertisement The launch of his reelection campaign last month centered on his administrations work to grow the commonwealths economy, fix infrastructure and fight against federal overreach, key themes in the upcoming midterms that are also likely to be at the forefront of the next presidential election. Shapiro has kept quiet about whether his political ambitions include a future run for the White House but has amassed a $30 million war chest, which could prove beneficial in what is expected to be a crowded Democratic primary in 2028. The governors possible pursuit of higher office has been the focus of attacks from his likely general election opponent, Pennsylvania state Treasurer Stacy Garrity (R). While Josh Shapiro has been spending his time running for president and fundraising in California and other liberal states, raising money from far-left mega-donors like [Michael] Bloomberg and [George] Soros, critical problems in Pennsylvania have been ignored, Garittys campaign launch ad stated. The Quinnipiac poll showed Shapiro with the edge in a hypothetical match-up against Garrity, leading with 55 percent support to Garritys 37 percent. The poll was conducted among 836 self-identified registered voters in Pennsylvania from Feb. 19 to Feb. 23. It has a margin of error of 4.7 percentage points. 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. A beloved longtime Iowa meteorologist revealed she has been diagnosed with an aggressive case of ALS - a career-ending illness she pursued testing for after viewers accused her of appearing drunk on air. A beloved longtime Iowa meteorologist revealed she has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of ALS a career-ending illness for which she pursued testing after viewers accused her of being drunk on air. Jeriann Ritter, a popular weather forecaster at NBC affiliate WHO 13 in Des Moines since 2004, opened up about her devastating battle with the incurable neurodegenerative disease during an emotional sit-down interview with the broadcaster Tuesday. I love talking about the weather, the 49-year-old told colleague Keith Murphy. Jeriann Ritter, a popular weather forecaster at NBC affiliate WHO 13 in Des Moines since 2004, opened up about her devastating battle with the incurable neurodegenerative disease. Facebook/Meteorologist Jeriann Ritter I dont love talking about ALS. Thats what the doctors believe is causing my speech problems. Ritter said she first noticed a slight change in her speech in October and started receiving messages from concerned viewers the following month with some even asking, Are you drunk? after broadcasts. She initially went to the dentist, believing her slurred speech was caused by shifting teeth but doctors soon noticed possible stroke symptoms, triggering a whirlwind of medical visits that ended with a neurologist spotting something on her tongue and diagnosing her with bulbar ALS. Advertisement I wasnt prepared to hear that, an emotional Ritter told Murphy, noting there is no treatment or cure. Ritter, 49, was diagnosed with bulbar ALS, a fast-progressing form of the disease that targets the muscles of the face, throat and neck instead of the limbs. Facebook/Meteorologist Jeriann Ritter The married mom of two said she is still hoping for a miracle as she battles her incurable illness. Facebook/Meteorologist Jeriann Ritter I really thought it was something little. Its a hard diagnosis. Right now, I pray every day that a miracle is going to happen. I keep thinking, It could be something else. It is killing me that something that came so easy is now so hard. My greatest joy is talking and its becoming hard to do, its kind of a bummer. Bulbar ALS is a fast-progressing form of the disease that attacks the muscles of the face, throat and neck instead of the limbs, causing severe difficulties with speech, swallowing, and breathing, according to the ALS Therapy Development Institute. Ritter, a fixture at the news station for 22 years, said she has tried speech therapy to relax her muscles and improve her speech, but admitted she feels like shes getting worse but vowed to keep fighting. Ritter said she has tried speech therapy to relax her muscles and improve her speech, but admitted she feels like shes getting worse. Instagram/@jeriannritter Im probably done telling you about the weather, but I still have a lot to say, the married mom of two said. Im going to do what Ive always done, Im going to live and Im going to love. Thats what Im doing. I didnt forecast this storm hitting. Its raining right now and Im just trying to find the sunshine and focus on the little things, living in the moment. Im so wealthy because I have so much love. Homosexual acts are already banned in the mainly Muslim West African country Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has introduced legislation that could double the maximum penalty for same-sex relations, making them punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The proposal was sent to parliament on Tuesday after cabinet approval last week, after a wave of arrests over alleged same-sex relationships, already banned under Senegal law. Addressing lawmakers, Sonko said the bill would punish what it describes as "acts against nature" with prison sentences ranging from five to 10 years, compared with the current one- to five-year terms. "If an act is committed with a minor, it will attract the maximum penalty," he said. The bill has been criticised by rights advocates. Debate over LGBT rights has long generated tension in Senegal, a conservative country where some groups portray pro-LGBT activism as foreign interference. Religious organisations have held demonstrations in recent years calling for harsher punishments. Earlier this month, police detained 12 men, among them two public figures and a prominent journalist, under anti-LGBT laws. Local media outlets say around 30 people have been arrested in total this month. Sonko explained that the draft law defines any sexual conduct between two people of the same sex as an "act against nature". The bill proposes prison terms of three to seven years for anyone found to be promoting or advocating same-sex relations. It also prescribes separate punishment for those who accuse others of homosexuality "without proof". Advertisement Those found guilty of crimes in the bill could also face fines up to 10 million CFA francs (about $18,000; 13,000), Sonko added. Sonko said the revised law would keep the offence at its current misdemeanour level. "We can achieve the intended objectives without going so far as to elevate the acts to the level of more serious crimes," he added. A date has yet to be set for parliament to vote on the bill, in a chamber controlled by Sonko's Pastef party. Sonko, a former firebrand opposition leader appointed prime minister in 2024, had pledged to criminalise same-sex relations in the Muslim-majority country. Human Rights Watch said the recent anti-LGBT crackdown violated "multiple internationally protected rights," including equality and nondiscrimination. Several African countries have also introduced similar sanctions against the LGBT community in recent years. In September last year, Burkina Faso's transitional parliament approved a bill banning homosexual acts, following its neighbour Mali in 2024. In 2023, Uganda voted in some of the world's harshest anti-homosexual legislation meaning that anybody engaging in certain same-sex acts can be sentenced to death. Additional reporting by Wycliffe Muia You may also be interested in: A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News Africa Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts A digitally edited collage featuring three main elements: on the left, a person in motion wearing a black shirt with stylised white text against an ornate red background; in the centre, a large black pirate flag displaying the Straw Hat Pirates Jolly Roger from manga series One Piece with a skull wearing a straw hat; and on the right, a black-and-white photo of a smiling teenage boy wearing a white shirt and floral garlands. The overall colour scheme is dominated by red and black tones. An order allowing the use of lethal fire against thousands of young, unarmed protesters in Nepal was issued by the country's former police chief, a BBC investigation reveals. Among the 19 people killed in the capital, Kathmandu, on 8 September last year was a teenager in school uniform, who had been walking away from the crowd when he was shot in the back of the head. Dozens more were injured. The events at the so-called Gen Z demonstrations - which had followed weeks of simmering anger about political corruption - sparked further protests leading to the resignation of Nepal's prime minister and the collapse of its government a day later. The BBC World Service team has seen an internal police document detailing events on 8 September. It reveals someone using the call sign "Peter 1" told his officers to "deploy necessary force" 10 minutes after a curfew had come into effect, and after repeated requests by officers on the ground to use lethal force. Peter 1 was the call sign used by Nepal's former police inspector general, Chandra Kuber Khapung, sources have told BBC Eye Investigations. Khapung has not denied that he issued the order, but Nepal Police says that this was only after he was given authorisation by a government security committee and once all other forms of force had been used, in line with Nepali law. Khapung - who retired in November - has not replied to the BBC's request for comment. Video evidence examined by the BBC reveals that 17-year-old Shreeyam Chaulagain - the youngest of the 19 victims - had been unarmed and was trying to leave the scene when he died. The events of 8 September are now being examined by a public inquiry, which has yet to report. So far, no-one has been held accountable - and general elections are set to take place on 5 March. The BBC has established the chain of events, detailed by the leaked police log and supported by insider accounts from serving officers, that led to the shootings. By analysing visual evidence, including more than 4,000 videos and photos, and details from those on the streets and in the command centre where security officials were monitoring events, we have pieced together the most comprehensive account so far of one of the most dramatic and bloody days in Nepal's recent history. Warning: This story contains images of dead bodies Nepal is a young democracy. It became a republic in 2008, after a civil war that killed more than 17,000 people and lasted 10 years. A decade after a new constitution promised a fresh start, many young people say those hopes remain unmet. By some estimates, about one in five young Nepalis is out of work. Much of the frustration has been voiced online, particularly among Generation Z - those currently aged between 14 and 29. Last August, Gen Z activists began to share terms on social media such as "nepo baby", to describe the privileged children of the Nepalese elite. On 4 September, the government banned some platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and X. Activists moved onto the gaming chat platform Discord, which became a hub for organising. In one forum, Youth Against Corruption, members planned the protest outside parliament on 8 September. Shreeyam's mother says that he told her the protest would be "Gen Z youth. I'll be in my uniform. It will be peaceful." Shreeyam Chaulagain's mother did not want him to go. "I told him not to participate. Things can happen at protests," she told the BBC. But Shreeyam was deeply engaged with politics, his father said. "He said corruption had hollowed out [Nepal]. He was far more informed than I was." Shreeyam reassured his mother the protesters would not be targeted because they were young, and in school uniforms. "He was so curious - he wanted to know what was going on in the world," she said. The hours that led to bloodshed 09:00: Young people begin gathering at Maitighar Mandala, a busy intersection in central Kathmandu where demonstrations are often held. A barricade stands several hundred metres from parliament. Security officials "hugely underestimated the crowd", says Basanta Basnet, editor of Nepal's daily online news portal Online Khabar. "I spoke to security personnel, and also to members of the political class - they said that 'children' were joining." The protests were coordinated on the gaming platform Discord. About 30,000 people arrive to protest - 10 times the number anticipated by police. "We have an expected behaviour pattern [for protests]," one police officer has told the BBC anonymously. "But with this new generation, we do not understand their social media or how they mobilise on the ground." The protesters begin moving towards parliament, but are stopped by the police barricade. 11:47: A group of demonstrators finds a way around the cordon - the police, taken by surprise, abandon the barricade. The crowds surge past and protesters reach the gates of parliament. 12:15: One group of protesters breaches the walls of the parliament compound. Police fire tear gas and use batons. The crowd does not retreat, even as organisers urge people on Discord to pull back. Video footage shows Shreeyam outside the gates. Wearing a green school jumper and carrying a backpack, he holds a banner reading: "Youths Against Corruption". Elsewhere, the protests are becoming more violent. Inside the situation room Senior security officials are gathered in a control room almost 3km (1.9 miles) away, near a complex of government offices. Representatives of the civilian police, army, armed police and intelligence officials are present. The security committee is chaired by the capital's chief district officer, senior civil servant Chhabi Lal Rijal. Advertisement Within the command centre, officials work to obtain live visual feeds from CCTV cameras positioned around the parliamentary complex. According to one anonymous officer, they have a TV but no dedicated internet line, and that when they attempt to establish a connection, it is "not stable". No individual or unit has a comprehensive understanding of the overall situation, according to police officers we speak to who were there on the day. 12:30: The chief district officer imposes an immediate curfew, making the protests illegal. Officers use loudhailers to order people home. Rather than obeying, some protesters surround a police unit and pelt them with bricks and stones. About the same time, footage shows the parliament gatehouse on fire. According to multiple police sources and the police log, panicked officers in and around parliament radio the command centre for help. "Some of us were badly hurt. One of us asked to be rescued," one anonymous police source tells us. They repeatedly ask their superiors for permission to use live ammunition, after batons, water cannons and rubber bullets fail to disperse the crowd. 12:40: That authorisation is given now, according to the log we've seen, as well as several police sources. The leaked police log shows that, at 12:40, Peter 1 issued the order allowing the use of lethal fire. They pinpoint the source of the approval to one call sign: Peter 1. The instruction from Peter 1 is recorded in the police log: "Curfew already in place. No further need to obtain permission. Deploy necessary force." Peter 1 is Chandra Kuber Khapung, then inspector general of police. In a filing to the supreme court of Nepal, Khapung later denied responsibility, and Nepal Police told the BBC that the decision to give the order to fire was made by the committee that Rijal headed up. In a letter, the force said that Khapung "did not issue the order to use force ahead of the committee's decision". In public order situations, the security committee - rather than the police - has legal authority over decisions concerning escalation of force. However, its then chair, Rijal, has denied in court that he authorised live rounds. Some police officers we spoke to have since acknowledged failures in intelligence, planning and command. Several said they had been unprepared for a crowd rapidly mobilised on Discord. Others questioned why military support did not arrive sooner. Many say they are still struggling with the memory of that day. "Our officers fired on them like they were enemies," one says. Aerial view of Kathmandu with a prominent white parliamentary building set within a green square at the centre. Surrounding the square are dense urban buildings and wide roads. Two red labels mark locations along a road crowded with people: one label on the left reads Shreeyam was shot here, and another on the right reads Yogendra was shot here. A white label above the central complex identifies the Parliament building. 13:15: The first death from live fire is recorded by the BBC. Video evidence shows one protester, 34-year-old Binod Maharjan, being carried away with a wound to the head. He died later in hospital. The BBC has been able to analyse six shootings after the curfew order. In the footage we examined, we have not seen any of the victims engaging in violence. 14:09: Shreeyam - the youngest victim of the shootings that day - is seen peacefully walking away from the front line, where other protesters are pelting police with stones. Still carrying his school bag, he claps his hands - a gesture that appears calm. A bullet strikes the back of his head, and he falls to the ground. A graphic divided into four quarters, each of which consists of a photo and a caption. The top left shows a crowd, with their backs to the camera. One person is circled in the photo, Shreeyam - he is wearing a white shirt, a green tank top and a plain black rucksack. The caption reads: "Shreeyam is seen in a video in his school uniform shortly after 14:00." The next image, top right, is shot from the air and shows a group of police officers in riot gear walking towards the left; a crowd of protesters armed with sticks is following them. The caption reads: "Ahead of him, protesters armed with stones and sticks push back police." The image in the bottom left shows a crowd - Shreeyam is circled, in the centre, walking away from the protests. The caption reads: "Shreeyam turns around and walks away from the violence." The final image, bottom right, shows Shreeyam, circled, as he jolts forward. The caption reads: "A gunshot is heard and, just after this image is taken, he falls to the ground." 14:21: Video evidence obtained by the BBC shows police firing at protesters from inside the parliamentary complex. We have been able to establish that police fired seven shots at the crowd. Protesters scatter, ducking into the gaps between buildings and pavement. Some simply cover their heads for protection. Yogendra Nyaupane, 24, is hit and fatally wounded. The last shooting recorded by the BBC takes place at about 16:00, and the protest outside parliament dies down at dusk. But smaller sporadic protests continue through the night. A graphic divided into four quarters, each of which consists of a photo and a caption. The heading reads "Shots fired from inside parliament grounds". The top left shows a grassy area, inside the parliament compound. In the distance, there is a group of police officers in riot gear, circled in red. The caption reads: "Video from the perimeter wall shows police approaching at 14:21". The next image, top right, shows a group of police officers in riot gear just behind the parliament wall. The caption reads: "Seconds later, several gunshots can be heard as police gather by a wall." The image in the bottom left shows a group gathered around a person lying on the pavement. The caption reads: "Yogendra can be seen bleeding to death on the ground." The final image, bottom right, is split into two. Both show trees in front of the parliament walls - on the right, smoke can be seen. The caption reads: "Another angle shows smoke from gunshots fired by police behind wall." Angered by the killings at the gates of parliament on 8 September, Nepalis of all ages took to the streets the following day. What had begun as protest rapidly hardened into mob violence, and police became immediate targets. Police stations were set ablaze, officers were assaulted, and three were killed. There were arson attacks on the parliamentary compound, the supreme court and other government buildings. In total, 77 people were killed during the unrest. Although it has been widely alleged - by politicians, police and protesters - that organised groups and infiltrators acting on behalf of political interests helped drive the destruction, we have found no evidence to substantiate the claim. At about 14:30 on 9 September, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned and Nepal's government collapsed. By nightfall, buildings were burning across Kathmandu, and at least 50 more people were reported dead. The army took control at 21:00. No-one has yet taken responsibility for what happened. Ramesh Lekhak, the then home minister, and former Prime Minister Oli, have denied responsibility as well as Khapung and Rijal. Nepal Police told the BBC that they "were faced with an overwhelming situation where we had to respond to multiple incidents simultaneously". Meanwhile, families of all the victims are waiting for justice. Shreeyam's mother, Karki, says she has not been able to cry. "I don't feel he's gone yet - I still feel he'll be back soon," she tells us. "In my mind, he's in his school uniform. He'll return, swinging his bag." Additional reporting by Antoine Schirer, Rafid Hossain and Victoria Arakelyan. Hungary is beefing up security at its energy sites as Prime Minister Viktor Orban accuses Ukraine of threatening his country's energy supply. Orban a vocal ally of President Donald Trump published a scathing open letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in which he accused Kyiv of pursing an "anti-Hungarian policy." "In recent days, you have blocked the Friendship oil pipeline, which is critical to Hungarys energy supply," Orban's open letter, which he published on X, read. "Your actions are against Hungarys interests and endanger the secure and affordable energy supply of Hungarian families. I therefore call on you to change your anti-Hungarian policy!" On Wednesday, Orban ordered increased security at critical energy infrastructure sites, The Associated Press reported. The prime minister's order came as Budapest accused Ukraine of blocking the Druzhba pipeline, through which Russian oil is delivered to Hungary, but it crosses Kyiv's territory. Ukrainian officials have denied the allegations, according to the AP, saying that the pipeline was hit in a Russian drone attack. Hungary Threatens To Block Eu Loan To Ukraine Unless Russian Oil Shipments Resume Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban accused Ukraine of blocking his country's oil supply. (Reuters) In a video posted on social media, Orban claimed Ukraine was using an "oil blockade" to pressure Hungary and that Hungarian national security services showed Ukraine was "preparing further actions to disrupt the operation of Hungarys energy system," the AP reported. "We will deploy soldiers and the necessary equipment to repel attacks near key energy facilities," Orban said, according to the AP. "The police will patrol with increased forces around designated power plants, distribution stations and control centers." Read On The Fox News App The accusations lobbed against Ukraine also come as Orban faces an upcoming election. As the election nears, Hungary has seen billboards across the country showing AI-generated images of Zelenskyy holding out his hand as if asking for money while surrounded by European officials, according to the AP. The Druzhba oil pipeline between Hungary and Russia is seen at the Hungarian MOL Group's Danube Refinery in Szazhalombatta, Hungary, May 18, 2022. Ukraine's Zelenskyy: Russia Trying 'To Play' Game With Trump, Stall Peace Talks Hungary recently threatened to block a proposed 90 billion European Union loan to Ukraine worth roughly $106 billion over the blockade of the Druzhba pipeline. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Friday that "Ukraine is blackmailing" his country and that Kyiv was coordinating with Belgium and the Hungarian opposition to "push fuel prices higher before the elections." Advertisement "By blocking oil transit to Hungary through the Druzhba pipeline, Ukraine violates the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, breaching its commitments to the European Union. We will not give in to this blackmail," Szijjarto added. Orban also accused Ukraine, the Hungarian opposition and Belgium of coordinating to exert pressure on Budapest. Delaying, Stalling And Blaming: Russia Shows Little Sign Of Compromise As War Enters Fifth Year, Expert Says In the letter released Thursday, Orban, who has a close relationship with the Kremlin, also said Ukraine had refused "to accept the position of the sovereign Hungarian government and the Hungarian people regarding the RussiaUkraine war." Additionally, he accused Ukraine of trying to "force Hungary" into the war with Russia. "We, the Hungarian people, are not responsible for the situation in which Ukraine finds itself. We sympathize with the Ukrainian people, but we do not wish to participate in the war. We do not want to finance the war effort, and we do not want to pay more for energy," Orban wrote. The Hungarian prime minister ended his letter with demands that Ukraine reopen the oil pipeline and "refrain from any further attacks on Hungary's energy security," as well as a demand for "more respect for Hungary." Click Here To Download The Fox News App Neither Zelenskyy's office nor the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry immediately responded to Fox News Digital's request for comment. The Associated Press and Fox News Digital's Ashley Carnahan contributed to this report. Original article source: Trump ally Orban issues scathing letter demanding Zelenskyy change Ukraine's 'anti-Hungarian policy' President Trump used Tuesdays State of the Union address to touch on the myriad reasons why an attack on Iran might be justified, from the regimes history of attacks on Americans to its violent suppression at home, alleged nuclear ambitions and plans to build a missile that could reach America. The speech amplified warnings coming from the administration as it seeks to justify Americas massive military buildup in the region. But even Trumps supporters say he could be making a stronger case for urgent action against the longtime foe. I think theres a lot of justification for action, Im not sure hes verbalizing all of it, said Michael Makovsky, president and CEO of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, which wants the U.S. to pursue regime change in Tehran. I think he could do a better job of explaining all the reasons he should proceed with the strike if that becomes necessary. Senior Senate Democrats emerged Tuesday from a closed-door briefing on the administrations war plans for Iran urging the administration to make its case to the American public. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner are scheduled to join negotiations with Iranians on Thursday in Geneva, viewed as a make-or-break opportunity to avoid a massive military conflict. Last week, Trump said Iran had 10 days to make a deal or bad things happen. Witkoff accused the Iranian regime this weekend of being a week away from developing nuclear weapons-grade enriched uranium. However, Trump is stepping on his own message with his nuclear warnings, given that he insisted U.S. bombings of Iranian nuclear facilities over the summer obliterated the countrys capacity to build a nuclear bomb. Trita Parsi, co-founder and executive vice president of the Quincy Institute, said Trump on Tuesday was clearly trying to outline the building blocks for making the case for military action, but he did not lay them out in a way that would box him in. However, he said both the political and military challenges would be difficult, particularly compared with the successful operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro last month. Trump himself has set an impossible standard because not a single American got killed in the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and whatever he does here is going to be compared to that, he said. At least in the Venezuela case he could make the argument it wasnt valid but it was an argument, that this had to do with fentanyl. He has no such arguments he can make about this. Particularly after having reiterated that he already obliterated their [nuclear] program. Theres bipartisan agreement that Iran poses a significant long-term threat to the security of the U.S. and its allies. One of the few moments where some Democrats stood and applauded Trumps speech Tuesday night was in reaction to his statement that he will never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. But many Americans are not convinced that a military attack against Iran would serve U.S. interests. An Economist/YouGov poll conducted late last week showed that nearly half of Americans somewhat or strongly oppose a military attack against Iran. In a poll conducted in early February by the University of Maryland, only 21 percent of respondents supported a U.S. attack against Iran under the current circumstances. Among the 1,000 people surveyed, 40 percent of Republicans supported an attack. Advertisement Thats a far cry from the more than 70 percent of American voters who supported the Bush administrations 2003 invasion of Iraq. And the fallout from that war has dramatically shaped the isolationist foreign policy views of Trumps MAGA movement, most strongly represented within his administration by Vice President Vance. Vance on Wednesday said diplomacy is preferred, echoing the presidents remarks from the State of the Union. But he said that if military action is taken, it will be to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon. The president has been as crystal clear as he could be. Iran cant have a nuclear weapon, that would be the ultimate military objective if thats the route that he chose, he told Fox News. That is, of course, what were trying to accomplish, as the president said, through the preferred route of diplomacy. Nicholas Carl, a fellow with the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, said Trump had been clear about his readiness for war, but less so when it comes to his goals. Whats missing yet from his public statements is a clear articulation of U.S. objectives in the event that we launch strikes into Iran, he said, noting public comments ranging from a desire for regime change to the need to degrade Tehrans weapons programs. Trump must decide what is needed to satisfy his desire to ensure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon. In either case, the United States would need to conduct an extensive bombardment campaign across Iran and should expect significant Iranian retaliation. Iran maintains its nuclear capabilities are for peaceful purposes, but it possesses a stockpile of highly enriched uranium that could fuel a bomb. Saeid Golkar, senior nonresident fellow with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, predicted that Trump would seek a limited option if he attacks Iran. What Trump said so far, in particular during the State of the Union, is that theyre [Iran] continuing to work on the nuclear program, continuing on ballistic missiles, and he talked about the human rights situation. But how they are going to do it, thats a very good question. Nobody knows exactly, he said. My sense of what Im seeing, were not going to see Iraq and Afghanistan and not going to see Venezuela, he continued. We are going to see something in between. You will see abduction and killing and targeting of a lot of military and security elite, and trying to convince the remaining elite its time to stop the program. Gen. Dan Caine, the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has reportedly warned Trump that a small or medium strike on Iran would carry a high potential for American casualties and depletion of American weapons stockpiles. Parsi said Iran has also signaled it would engage in a larger-scale retaliation against the U.S. in the event of an attack, compared with what was considered a limited response to the American and Israeli strikes this summer. After Trump hit Iranian nuclear sites, he forced Israel to end its strikes against the country and declared a ceasefire with Iran. The reason the attack hasnt happened yet is because the Iranians have rejected that they will respond politely, he said. They believe they have a better chance at military confrontation than diplomacy, not because they believe they can win the war, but the belief they can inflict so much damage on the U.S. that Trump backs off. 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. Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger praised anti-ICE school walkouts Tuesday during her Democratic rebuttal to President Donald Trump's State of the Union (SOTU) address. "So I'll ask again, is the president working for you?" Spanberger asked viewers. "We all know the answer is no. But here's the special thing about America. On our 250th anniversary, we know better than any nation what is possible when ordinary citizens like those who once dreamed right here in this room reject the unacceptable and demand more of their government." The newly elected governor applauded students for staging walkouts across the country. "We see it in the determination of students organizing school walkouts all across the country, whose voices are becoming so powerful that the governor of Texas seeks to silence them," she said. "We see it in the bravery of Americans in Minnesota standing up for their communities from peacefully protesting in subzero temperatures to carpooling children to school so that their immigrant parents are not ripped away from them in the parking lot." Virginia Gov. Spanberger Cuts Ties With Ice In Federal Immigration Enforcement Cooperation Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivers the Democratic response to President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Feb. 24, 2026, in Williamsburg, Virginia. (Getty Images) Spanberger said she was inspired by their bravery before pivoting to her victory in Virginia. Read On The Fox News App "As a mother of three school-age daughters, I am inspired by their bravery, but I am sickened that it is necessary," she said. "And Americans across the country are taking action. They are going to the ballot box to reject this chaos. With their votes, they are writing a new story, a more hopeful story. In November, I won my election by 15 points." More than 300 Virginia students were suspended after staging a student-led anti-ICE walkout that spilled off campus and drew a police response earlier this month. At Woodbridge High School in a Northern Virginia suburb of Washington, D.C., Principal Heather Abney said students left the building to "express their views on an issue that is important to them." In a letter to parents, Abney explained that while walkouts are a form of expression, students "did not remain on school grounds and instead left campus." Advertisement 'Squad' Member Wears 'F--- Ice' Pin On House Floor During Trump Address In Kyle, Texas, roughly 500 students participated in anti-ICE walkouts from five different schools within the Hays Consolidated Independent School District on Monday, walking to the downtown area, according to a statement from the Kyle Police Department. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott shared a video of law enforcement arresting one of two students charged after the demonstration earlier this month. "Its about time students like this were arrested. Harming someone is a crime even for students," Abbott wrote in the post. "Disruptive walkouts allowed by schools lead to just this kind of chaos." Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture In Cincinnati, Ohio, a video of students causing chaos in a Kroger grocery store went viral last week after they walked out of school for a purported anti-ICE demonstration. In the video taken by store customer McAdrian Martin students ran through aisles and threw objects at the store's ceiling. Martin said there were beer cans and other adult beverages that had been ripped from the shelves. Click Here To Download The Fox News App A security guard yelled at the students to get out of the store. Fox News' Alexandra Koch and Peter D'Abrosca contributed to this report. Original article source: Virginia governor lauds anti-ICE student walkouts at schools during Democratic rebuttal to Trump